USA > Maine > Androscoggin County > Leeds > History of the town of Leeds, Androscoggin County, Maine, from its settlement June 10, 1780 > Part 29
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1883-4, Thomas H. Boothby.
1885-6-7, Lewis P. Boothby.
1888-9, Warren Carver.
1890 to 1897, Herbert L. Grant.
1898 to 1901, E. E. Additon.
Representatives to the Massachusetts Legislature.
Leeds was unrepresented until 1806. Its first representative was in attendance that year at the General Court.
I Thomas Davis Francis, 1806;
2 Seth Howard, 1807;
3 Daniel Lothrop, Jr., 1808;
4 Daniel Lothrop, Jr., 1809;
5 Daniel Lothrop, Jr., 1810;
6 Daniel Lothrop, 18II;
7 Daniel Lothrop, 1812; 8 Daniel Lothrop, 1813;
9 Daniel Lothrop, 1814;
IO Martin Leonard, 1815;
II Daniel Lothrop, 1816;
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HISTORY OF LEEDS
I2 Daniel Lothrop, 1817;
I3 Stillman Howard, 1820;
Member of the Constitutional Convention Oct. 29:
14 Thomas D. Francis, 1819; Members of the Maine Legislature :
I5 Thomas D. Francis, 1820;
I6 Thomas D. Francis, 1821;
I7 Thomas W. Bridgham, 1822;
I8 Thomas W. Bridgham, 1823;
19 Thomas D. Francis, 1824;
20 Thomas D. Francis, 1825;
21 Thomas W. Bridgham, 1826;
22 Thomas W. Bridgham, 1827;
23 Stillman Howard, 1828;
24 Daniel Lothrop, 1829;
25 Stillman Howard, 1830;
26 John Francis, 1831 ;
27 John Francis, 1832;
28 Leavitt Lothrop, 1833;
29 Leavitt Lothrop, 1834;
30 Israel Herrick, 1835;
3I Israel Herrick, 1836;
32 Issacher Lane, 1837;
33 Solomon Lothrop, 1838;
34 Solomon Lothrop, 1839;
35 Joshua S. Turner, 1840;
36 John D. Millett, 1841 ;
37 Joshua S. Turner, 1842; Classification :
38 Barnabus Davee, 1845;
39 Thomas W. Bridgham, 1847;
40 Joseph Day, 2d, 1849;
4I Peleg B. Caswell, 1851 ;
42 Peleg B. Caswell, 1852; Androscoggin County :
43 Giddings Lane, J854;
44 Thomas Owen, 1856;
45 Uriah Foss, 1858;
46 John Gilmore, 1860;
47 Davis Francis Lothrop, 1863;
47 Greenwood C. Gordon, 1866;
48 Wallace R. Leadbetter, 1868;
49 Joseph G. Gott, 1870;
50 Oscar D. Turner, 1872;
5I George Parcher, 1875;
52 Wallace R. Leadbetter, 1877;
53 Charles H. Lane, 1879;
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HISTORY OF LEEDS
Biennial sessions of Legislature : --
54 Seth Howard, 1885;
55 Willard Lothrop, 1893 ;
56 Thomas H. Boothby, 1901.
Governor's Council.
Stillman Howard. R. C. Boothby, b. and reared in Leeds.
Senators.
I Thomas D. Francis,
2 Leavitt Lothrop,
3 George Parcher.
CHAPTER XIV.
MILITARY RECORD OF LEEDS.
This chapter, prepared to commemorate the people of Leeds who participated in the wars that gave to the country its inde- pendence, and since preserved its federal unity and national honor, is the result of a careful research of the Adjutant Gen- eral's Reports, and contains as accurate an account of each soldier as can be drawn from those records made under the excitement and confusion of wars of such magnitude as those which have marked the milestones in our country's history. The solemnity of war and its attendant sufferings excludes a historian from including mirthful anecdote and embellishment.
War of the Revolution.
Many of the early settlers of Littleborough had been actively engaged in throwing off the "British Yoke."
Appended is a list of their names :
Major Daniel Lothrop,
Lieut. Daniel Lothrop, 2d,
Lieut. William Gilbert,
Lieut. Elisha Shaw,
Thomas Stinchfield, (unattached service),
Thomas D. Francis,
Thomas Millett,
Daniel Lane,
George Parcher,
Joseph Knapp,
Benjamin Woodman, Francis George,
Increase Leadbetter,
William Lindsey,
Andrew Cushman,
Marshfield T. Paul, Daniel Robbins,
Ebenezer Mason,
Jirah Fish,
Abram Wickett,
David Paul,
Daniel Haines,
Stephen Foster,
Oliver Randall,
Zadock Bishop,
Samuel Arnold,
Daniel Jones,
Israel Roval,
James Lindsey,
Isaac Collins,
William Turner,
Aaron Brewster,
Nathaniel House, Highland,
Phillips,
Cuff Chambers,
Prince D'Onset.
Simon Pero,
Last three were negroes.
James Lamb,
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HISTORY OF LEEDS
War of 1812.
Benjamin Woodman,
Daniel Paul,
Charles Pratt,
Joseph Freeman,
Samuel Swift,
Levi Bates,
Allen Freeman,
Eli Herrick,
Bennett Lamb,
Benjamin Higgins,
William Mitchell,
David Paul,
A. Southard,
Nathaniel House, Jr.
Walter Pratt,
Civil War.
Leeds has a war record unsurpassed by any town in the State, of its size. Some towns furnished more men, but no more in proportion to inhabitants and none better. Leeds' contribution was 161 men, headed by her "Christian Soldier," General Oliver Otis Howard, whose record alone is glory enough for one town; but, when we name the hero of every battle from Vera Cruz to the surrender of the City of Mexico, the same who led a regi- ment through the Civil War-Col. Warren L. Lothrop; and further present the names of Brevet Brigadier-General Charles Howard and the valiant young Lieutenant-Colonel of the First Maine Cavalry-Stephen Boothby, with the score of minor officers, and in all 161 men good and true, whose bravery, loyalty and fighting qualities they inherited from their Revolutionary ancestors, it is no illegitmate claim to make when it is asserted that, Leeds is the "Banner town in the State."
The citizens of the town, too aged or too young, or incapaci- tated, or with liberality but less glory, perhaps, were loyal to the cause; paid their money cheerfully and generously for the defense of the "Stars and Stripes," and made ample pro- vision for the families of their "Soldier Boys in Blue." At a special town meeting held on the 6th day of July, 1861, the selectmen, who were P. B. Caswell, Lloyd Gould and Samuel More, were authorized to draw orders on the treasurer for such sums of money as might be necessary for the support and com- fort of the families of those who had gone into, or should subse- quently go into the United States service in defense of "Old Glory." At the annual meeting in March, 1862, the selectmen, Benjamin Harris, Greenwood C. Gordon and Benjamin Hods- don were made a committee to look after and properly furnish the families of the soldiers. At a special meeting held July 22, 1862, voted to pay each volunteer, when mustered into the United States service, $75. Aug. 26, voted to pay each volunteer under the last call of the President, $100, and each drafted man $50. Nov. 30, 1863, voted to pay each recruit, when mustered into the United States service $350. Voted to instruct the selectmen to
287
HISTORY OF LEEDS
designate some influential man to procure recruits to fill the town's quota.
Aug. 13, 1864, voted that the town furnish $300 for each man that enlists to fill the quota under the last call of the Presi- dent. Dec. 26, voted to pay $400 as a bounty to each volunteer or drafted man to fill the quota. Voted that the town treasurer be authorized to procure the loan of the sum of $400 per man, and to make such papers as shall most effectually bind the town to the payment of the same.
At the annual meeting in March, 1865, voted to issue town bonds to the amount of the war debt.
Maine Regiments.
First Maine Infantry Regiment. Organized April 28, and mus- tered into United States service at Portland, Me., May 3, 1861. The field officers were: Col. Nathaniel J. Jackson, of Lewiston ; Lieut .- Col. Albion Witham, of Portland; Major George G. Bailey, of Portland.
Term of enlistment three months.
Roster.
Leeds unrepresented.
Second Infantry Regiment. Rendezvoused at Bangor and left the State May 14, 1861. It was organized on Long Island, N. Y., May 28, 1861. Field officers : Col. Charles D. Jame- son ; Lieut .- Col. Charles W. Roberts; Maj. George Varney ; all of Bangor.
Term of enlistment, two and three years.
Roster. Albion Morris. Band.
Third Infantry Regiment. Went into camp at Augusta May 28, and was organized June 4, 1861. Field officers : Col. O. O. Howard, of Leeds; Lieut .- Col. Charles A. L. Sampson ; Maj. Henry G. Staples.
Term of enlistment, three years.
Roster.
Oliver Otis Howard, Col., promoted Sept. 7, 1861, to Brigadier-General, later to Major-General.
Charles H. Howard, Drum Major, promoted to the staff of his brother, Gen. O. O. Howard, promoted to Brevet Brigadier-General.
Russell Carver, Co. A, wounded at Fair Oaks.
Page T. Francis, Co. A.
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HISTORY OF LEEDS
Jason Carver, Co. K, discharged Sept. 19, 1861.
Lloyd B. Caswell, Co. K, transferred to 17th Maine. Francis George, Co. K.
John C. Keene, Capt. Co. K, killed at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863.
Levi R. Bates, Co. K, died in prison.
Henry S. Turner, Co. K, absent; wounded, July 2.
Benjamin Woodman, Co. K, died in service.
Elisha K. Mann, Corp. Co. K, promoted to Corp .; pris- oner May 2, exchanged; transferred to 17th Maine.
Henry O. Fabyan, Co. K, died Oct. 30, 1862.
Walter W. Boothby, Co. K, killed Dec. 13, 1862.
Dexter W. Howard, Co. K, promoted to Sergeant, pro- moted to Captain, transferred to 17th Maine.
Joseph O. Sturtevant, Co. I, transferred to I7th Maine. Fourth Infantry Regiment. Organized at Rockland, May 8,. 1861. Mustered in United States service June 15, 1861. Field officers : Col. Hiram G. Berry, of Rockland ; Lieut .- Col. Thomas H. Marshall, of Belfast; Maj. Frank S. Nickerson,. of Searsport. Term of enlistment, three years.
Roster.
Leeds, unrepresented.
Fifth Infantry Regiment. Mustered into United States service June 24, 1861, at Portland. Field officers, Col. Mark H. Dunnell of Portland; Lieut .- Col. Edwin Hisley, of Liming- ton ; Maj. Samuel C. Hamilton, of Biddeford. Term of enlistment, three years.
Roster.
Jeremiah Day, E. Charles H. Bodge, Corporal, E.
Sixth Infantry Regiment. Organized at Portland and mus- tered into United States service July 15, 1861. Field offi -- cers, Col. Abner Knowles, Lieut. Col. Hiram Burnham, Maj. Frank Pierce. Not represented.
Seventh Infantry Regiment. Organized August 21, 1861, with Edwin C. Mason, of Portland, Colonel; Selden Connor, of Fairfield, Lieut .- Col .; Thomas W. Hyde, of Bath, Major. These were three-years regiments. The Seventh returned to Augusta and those whose term of service had expired were mustered out Sept. 5, 1864, and the others consolidated' with the Fifth and Sixth and constituted the First Veteran? Infantry.
F
HISTORY OF LEEDS
289
Roster. John B. Jennings, Co. K, killed May 4, 1863.
Marcellus F. Cushman, Co. K.
James W. Libby, Co. K, Sergeant. Franklin Peare, Co. K. Albert M. Rose, Co. K. John Q. Robbins, Co. K, died Oct. 1862. Wansbrow Turner, Co. K, died Nov. 24, 1861.
Eighth Infantry Regiment. Organized at Augusta, Sept. 7, 1861. Field officers were: Col. Lee Strickland, of Liver- more; Lieut .- Col. John D. Rust, of Camden; Maj. Joseph S. Rice of Ellsworth.
Roster.
Leeds, unrepresented.
Ninth Infantry Regiment. Encamped at Augusta; mustered into United States service Sept. 22, 1861, and two days later started for the front. Col. Rishworth Rich, of Portland; Lieut .- Col. Colman Harding, of Gorham, and Sabine Emery, of Eastport, were the field officers. Term of enlistment, three years.
Roster.
John C. Gifford, Co. H. Henry Hackins, Co. H.
Tenth Infantry Regiment. Encamped at Cape Elizabeth, and mustered into United States service Oct. 4, 1861. The field officers were: Col. George L. Beal, of Norway ; Lieut .- Col. James S. Fillebrown, of Auburn; Maj. Charles Walker, of Portland.
Roster.
Leeds unrepresented.
Eleventh Infantry Regiment. Organized at Augusta Oct. II, and mustered into the United States service Nov. 12. Field officers were: Col. John C. Caldwell, of East Machias ; Lieut .- Col. Harris M. Plaisted, of Bangor; Maj. William M. Shaw, of Portland.
Roster.
Augustus S. George, F. Otis B. George, F. Enoch T. Fish, F.
19
290
HISTORY OF LEEDS
Twelfth Infantry Regiment, mustered into United States ser- vice for three years, at Portland, Nov. 10, 1861. Its field officers were: Col. George F. Shepley, of Portland; Lieut .- Col. William K. Kimball, of Paris; Maj. David R. Hast- ings, of Lovell.
Roster.
Frank White, Co. K.
Thirteenth Infantry Regiment. Mustered into United States service at Augusta, Dec. 18, 1861. Field officers, Col. Neal Dow, of Portland; Lieut .- Col. Henry Rust, Jr., of Nor- way; Maj. Frank S. Hesselton, of Waterville.
Roster.
Leeds unrepresented.
Fourteenth Infantry Regiment. Organized in Augusta in Dec. 1861, to serve three years. Field officers were: Col. Frank S. Nickerson, of Searsport; Lieut .- Col. Elias Milliken, of Burnham; Maj. Thomas W. Porter, of Bangor.
Roster.
Daniel Brown, Co. H.
Roster Battalion and New Fourteenth Regiment.
James D. Towle, Co. F.
Jordan G. Carvill, Ist Lieutenant, Co. H.
Azel A. Burnham, Co. H.
James W. Libby, Captain, Co. K.
James Carver, Co. K. Stephen W. Grant, Co. K.
George E. Gilbert, Co. K.
Lloyd A. Gilbert, Co. K.
David Morse, Co. K.
Herbert Hunton, Sergeant, Co. K.
John P. R. Sleeper, Co. K.
Fifteenth Infantry Regiment. Organized at Augusta in Dec., 1861, and mustered into United States service Jan. 23, 1862, for three years. Field officers were: Col. John McCluskey, of Houlton; Lieut .- Col. Isaac Dyer, of Skowhegan; Maj. Benjamin Hawes, of Ashland.
Roster. Alonzo Impy, Co. D.
291
HISTORY OF LEEDS
Sixteenth Infantry Regiment. Mustered into United States service at Augusta Aug. 14, 1862. The field officers were : Col. Asa W. Wildes; Lieut .- Col. Charles W. Tilden; Maj. Augustus B. Farnham. Term of enlistment, three years.
Roster.
Joseph G. Lamb, Corporal, Co. E, promoted to Sergeant. Charles R. Berry, Co. E, died of wounds, Dec. 25, 1862. John A. Burnham, Co. E. Ebenezer Curtis, 2d, Co. E.
Francis George, Co. E.
George E. Hussey, Co. E.
Rollin F. Jennings, Co. E, transferred to Fifth Maine Battery. George H. Peare, Co. E.
Samuel W. Pettingill, Co. E, transferred to V. R. C. Granville Richmond, Co. E.
William W. Wheeler, Co. E.
Frank White, recruit.
Seventeenth Infantry Regiment. Mustered into United States service in Portland Aug. 18, 1862. Field officers were : Col. Thomas A. Roberts, of Portland; Lieut .- Col. Charles B. Merrill, of Portland; Maj. George W. West, of Fort Kent. Term of enlistment, three years.
Roster.
William Doyle, Co. K.
Dexter W. Howard, Co. C, promoted to Second Lieu- tenant, Co. E. 3 Dexter W. Howard, Co. E, joined as Lieutenant from Co. C.
Lloyd B. Caswell, Co. K, transferred from Third Maine, transferred to First Heavy Artillery.
Nineteenth Infantry Regiment. Organized at Bath, Aug. 25, 1862. Enlistment, three years. Field officers were: Col. Frederick D. Sewall, who had been on the staff of General Howard; Lieut .- Col. Francis E. Heath, who had been a cap- tain in the Third Maine; Maj. Henry W. Cunningham, a former captain in the Fourth Maine.
Roster.
Thomas L. Bubier, Co. F, transferred to V. R. C. Addison D. Gilbert, Co. F. Calvin B. Keene, Co. F.
.
292
HISTORY OF LEEDS
Twentieth Infantry Regiment. Organized at Portland, Aug. 29, 1862, to serve three years. Field officers were: Col. Adelbert Ames; Lieut .- Col. Joshua L. Chamberlain, Profes- sor of Bowdoin College; Maj. Charles D. Gilmore, of Ban- gor.
Roster.
Winslow Turner, Co. C.
Twenty-First Infantry Regiment. Organized at Augusta in September and mustered into United States service, Oct. 14, 1862. This was a nine-months regiment. Field offi- cers were : Col. Elijah D. Johnson, of Lewiston; Lieut .- Col. Nathan Stanley, of Vassalboro; Maj. Benjamin G. Merry, of Bath. Leeds unrepresented.
Twenty-Second Infantry Regiment. Another nine-months reg- iment was mustered into the United States service at Ban- gor, Oct. 18, 1862. Field officers were : Col. Simeon G. Jer- rard, of Levant; Lieut .- Col. Alonzo G. Putnam, of Dover ; Maj. Leeds unrepresented.
Twenty-Third Infantry Regiment. This regiment was com- posed almost entirely of Androscoggin and Oxford men, and was mustered into the United States service at Portland, Sept. 29, 1862. Term of enlistment, nine months. Field officers were : Col. William Wirt Virgin, of Norway ; Lieut .- Col. Enos T. Luce, of Auburn; Maj. Alfred B. Soule, of Lewiston.
Roster.
Charles H. Leadbetter, Sergeant, Co. I.
Oscar D. Turner, Sergeant, Co. I.
Albert Barker, Sergeant, Co. I. Loring P. Gould; Corporal, Co. I. Sewall Woodman, Corporal, Co. I. Jason Carver, Wagoner, Co. I. George T. Bishop, Corporal, Co. I.
Seth F. Burnham, Co. I, died March 8, 1863.
Milton W. Burnham, Co. I.
Joseph H. Burnham, Co. I.
Russell L. Gould, Co. I. Daniel W. Hinkley, Co. I. Charles T. Knights, Co. I. Lorenzo Leadbetter, Co. I. Frank J. Lindsey, Co. I. Thomas J. Lindsey, Corporal, Co. I. Rufus K. Peare, Co. I.
.
293
HISTORY OF LEEDS
Ireson B. Pettengill, Co. I, died March 21, 1863. Elisha P. Ramsdell, Co. I, died Jan. 10, 1863. John R. Smith, Co. I. Joshua H. Sumner, Co. I. James D. Towle, Co. I.
John E. Woodman, Co. I.
Twenty-Fourth and Twenty-Fifth Infantry Regiments. Nine- months regiments. The Twenty-Fourth was organized at Augusta, Oct. 16, 1862, and the Twenty-Fifth at Portland, Sept. 29, 1862. The Twenty-Sixth, Twenty-Seventh, Twenty-Eighth were also nine-months regiments. Leeds was not represented in any of them.
Twenty-Ninth Infantry Regiment. This was a veteran regi- ment, and most of its material went from Androscoggin County. In fact, the First, Tenth and Twenty-Ninth could with much justice have been styled one regiment. Many of the men saw service in all three regiments. Eight compa- nies were organized in Augusta to serve three years. Companies A and B, then in service in Tennessee as part of the Tenth Maine Battalion, were transferred to com- plete the regimental organization, joining it at New Orleans, where the regiment arrived Feb. 16, 1864. Field officers were: Col. George L. Beale; Lieut .- Col. Chas. S. Emer- son ; Maj. William Knowlton.
Roster.
Henry T. Frost, Corporal, Co. A, John T. Salvador. James H. Gardner, Co. A. Henry Shea, Co. A. Isaac T. Boothby, Co. C.
Thirtieth Infantry Regiment. Organized at Augusta in Jan- uary, 1864. Term of enlistment, three years. Field offi- cers were: Francis Fessenden, of Portland, Colonel ; Thomas H. Hubbard, of Hallowell, Lieutenant-Colonel ; Royal E. Whitman, of Turner, Major.
Roster.
Joseph M. Curtis, Co. A, killed April 9, 1864. Willard J. Fish, Co. E. Albert F. Gilmore, Co. G. William O. Parlin, Co. G. Page T. Francis, Co. I, transferred to V. R. C.
294
HISTORY OF LEEDS
Thirty-First Infantry Regiment. This was a three-years regi- ment, organized in April, 1864. Col. Thomas Hight, of Augusta ; Lieut .- Col. Stephen C. Talbot, of Machias; Maj. Daniel White.
Roster. Caleb W. Battles, Co. B, from 32d.
Thirty-Second Infantry Regiment. Organized at Augusta, May 6, 1864. Mark F. Wentworth, of Kittery, was Colo- nel; John M. Brown, of Portland, Lieutenant-Colonel ; Arthur Deering, of Richmond, Major.
Roster. Caleb W. Battles, Co. B, transferred to 31st, Co. B.
First Veteran Volunteer Regiment. This was formed in Charlestown, Va., Aug. 21, 1864. Was made up of the Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Battalions.
Roster.
James W. Libby, Sergeant, Co. K. Albert M. Rose, Corporal, Co. K.
First Infantry Battalion. This was organized at Augusta May 25, 1865, from four unassigned companies recruited for one year's service and originally designed for the Four- teenth regiment. It was commanded by Lieut .- Col. Cal- vin S. Brown.
Roster. Erastus E. Gilbert, Co. B, died in service.
First Heavy Artillery (Eighteenth Infantry Regiment). Organ- ized at Bangor and Augusta, Aug. 21, 1862, for three years.
Roster. Elisha K. Mann, Sergeant, Co. C. Warren Sturtevant, Co. G. William Doyle, Co. K.
First Battalion Light Artillery. This name was given to an organ- ization of seven batteries, mustered into the United States service at different times and places. First Battery at Portland, Dec. 18, 1861.
Roster.
William Morton, First Battery.
295
HISTORY OF LEEDS
First Cavalry Regiment. This regiment of twelve companies . was organized at Augusta, Nov. 5, 1861, for three years, and was made up from all parts of the state. The original field officers were: Col. John Goddard; Lieut .- Col. Thomas Hight; Majors Samuel H. Allen, David P. Stowell, Calvin S. Douty. Later, Stephen Boothby was Lieutenant Colonel.
Roster.
Roscoe G. Beals, Co. E.
Volney H. Foss, Co. G. promoted to First Sergeant, April, 1865. Lucius C. Robbins, Co. G. Leonard L. Rose, Corporal, Co. G.
Levi W. Wheeler, Co. G.
Seth G. Rose, Co. G.
J. S. Dow, Co. D.
First D. C. Cavalry Regiment. Eight hundred men, compris- ing eight companies, enlisted and organized at Augusta in March, 1864, to serve three years. This body was designed for special duty in the District of Columbia only, and was under the command of Col. L. C. Baker.
Roster. Salmon C. Brewster, Co. K.
Second Cavalry Regiment. This was organized at Augusta, from Nov. 30, 1863, to Jan. 2, 1864. The field officers were: Col. Ephraim W. Woodman, of Wilton; Lieut .- Col. John F. Godfrey, of Bangor; Maj. Charles A. Miller, of Rockland.
Roster.
Lendall S. Caswell, Co. B. E. Riley Bishop, Corporal, Co. I.
Charles T. Knight, Co. I, died Sept. 29, 1864. David E. Trask, Co. M, died July 12, 1864. Roscoe G. Lindsey, Co. I, died Sept. 8, 1864.
First Regiment Sharpshooters. This body of six companies was organized at Augusta to serve one and three years. Companies A and B left the state Nov. 12, 1864. Consol- idated with the Twentieth Infantry Regiment.
Roster.
James W. Libby, Lieutenant, Co. E, promoted to Cap- tain.
Albert M. Rose, Co. E, died Jan. 17, 1865.
296
HISTORY OF LEEDS
Roster of unassigned companies of Infantry. Orpheus M. Leonard, Twenty-Fifth.
Enlistments in the United States Navy.
Everett Lindsey,
Timothy Connelly,
Charles F. Lindsey,
James A. Cronins,
Frank J. Lindsey,
Levi C. Sumner,
Daniel McDaniels,
Clark R. Caswell,
Doane S. Wing,
James Cullen,
John Baptiste,
Charles E. Johnson.
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VIEW LOOKING TOWARDS ANDROSCOGGIN LAKE.
CHAPTER XV.
MAIL ROUTES-POST-OFFICES-POSTMASTERS.
In entering on a subject of such magnitude as the mail ser- vice of the United States, a volume much larger than this would contain but a small portion of it ; and even the history of a single town, fully and minutely written, would occupy too much space for a work of this kind; and with a few important items noted, we pass to other subject matter. Shall we pause for a moment and ponder? Do we realize that those there are now living- the very few-whose memory goes back to the date of the estab- lishment of the mail service by the United States? Previous to 1794, communication was an individual matter and transacted by the dispatch of private or special messengers. The primitive mail laws and regulations-good enough for their time, when the people were honest-were loosely constructed. Long routes,-extending through many towns,- usually requiring a week of travel to complete the trip, were established. The mails were carried by "post-riders" on horseback, in pouches or bags fastened in front and behind the saddle; the one for through mail matter, and the other for local use, receiving extra pay for the latter service. The mail matter sent or received by people whose residence was not situated on the line of route, was pro- miscuously taken or dumped in some store, shop or other place, and each person sorted from the pile what was directed to him or his house people. Farmington was incorporated in 1794, and a short time subsequent to that date a highway from that town was laid out on a direct line over the hills of Chesterville, Fayette, Wayne and Leeds to Greene, where it intersected another highway opened in 1793 from Augusta to Portland via Mon- mouth, Greene, Lewiston, Auburn, New Gloucester, etc. The Farmington road was laid on nearly a straight line from hill to hill where many of the people had settled to avoid destruction of crops by early frosts. Its course from Fayette Corner and beyond, lay over the easterly portion of Beech Hill in Fayette and Wayne, along the west shore of Androscoggin Lake to Lothrop's Corner ; thence over Bates Hill or Quaker Ridge (following that bushed out in 1780) in Leeds, by Greene Upper Corner, and terminating near the meeting-house southwesterly of Greene railroad station. Not on account of the mail service were these highways constructed, but the convenience of travel and trans-
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HISTORY OF LEEDS
portation of the necessaries of life; though later utilized for that purpose. The "post-riders" continued in the service until 1822, when, with the great growth in population and consequent increase of mail matter, carriages, drawn by two or more horses were required. These were replaced by passenger and mail coaches on the principal routes in 1826, and tri-weekly mails on these routes established. Passenger and mail coaches and stages were run throughout the country until they were replaced by steam-power, and only here and there a few lingering, dilapidated remnants of that once great system of travel remain.
The first post-office established in the limits of Androscoggin County was at Greene Corner, April 1, 1796; and the second, at Lewiston, July 15, 1799.
The first post-office in Leeds was on the line of the Farm- ington stage line at Lothrop's Corner, Aug. 27, 1822. Subjoined are the locations, names of postmasters and dates of their com- missions :
Lothrop's Corner, or Leeds.
Solomon Lothrop, Aug. 27, 1822
Giddings Lane, Jr.,
June 17, 1829.
Joseph Scammon, April 19, 1830.
Stillman Howard,
March IO, 1834.
J. W. L. Mitchell,
Aug. 18, 1837.
Thomas W. Bridgham,
April 18, 1840.
Franklin B. Leonard,
July 10, 1841.
Issacher Lane,
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