USA > Maine > Kennebec County > Wayne > History of the town of Wayne, Kennebec County, Maine, from its settlement to 1898 > Part 16
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Rev. Comfort C. Smith, a sketch of whom appears in this history, may, of right, be briefly alluded to in connection with these early names. His house, which is, doubtless, one of the oldest in this vicinity, together with the barn, are still standing on the farm now occupied by Cyrus Ladd, which was his homestead. It is said that he cut the pine lumber for his barn on the shore of Androscoggin Pond, and rafted it to this place. He laid out and built the road from his house to the village. Formerly the road from Readfield came across the Canwell pasture, coming out where the house of Mrs. M. Stevens now stands. He was a citizen of much public spirit and influence, and an efficient helper in all matters that concern the welfare of the early settlement. For many years he was a preacher in full connec- tion in the Methodist church, but in his later years, becoming dissatis- fied with the doctrine and discipline of that church, he embraced the Universalist faith, continuing to hold it till his death.
On the farm now occupied by Clarence M. Stevens, on the Readfield road, lived Moses White, who was Mr. Stevens' great grandfather. His son, John White, lived on the farm afterward owned by his son, the late Franklin White, and now occupied by Robert Tibbetts, whose
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wife is a great grand-daughter of Moses White. The name of Moses White and his son John appear on the early records of the town among the tax-payers. ,
In the Canwell pasture is still to be seen the cellar which marks the site of the home of Otis Readin, his wife Esther, and their three children. The father died in 1801, and the name of the mother appears for several succeeding years on the town records. An entry in the town accounts records that she was paid a certain sum for the school being held in her house. Whether she was the teacher or not, does not appear. It was, possibly, the first school established in the village.
An ancient leather covered book, similar to the day book now in common business use, bears on its first page the inscription, "Joshua Winslow, His Book of Accompts, 1789." His place of residence at this date is not mentioned, but it is presumed to have been in Massa- chusetts, as for a number of years the upper portion of the leaves of the book are devoted to accounts with people whose names are un- familiar in this town, while frequently after these names is written, "of Northfield, Mass.," indicating somewhat his place of residence. The lower part of the leaves is closely written over with names of the early settlers of Wayne, the accounts commencing with the year 1811, at which time his name appears on the town records. That he lived at Wayne village at this time is evident from an entry on his book. where he gives Cyrus Foss credit, "for plowing yard by my house, 40 cts." He carried on the business of carding, fulling and dressing cloth, and appears to have had quite an extensive trade with the farmers of this and adjoining towns, taking every variety of farm products in exchange for his work. The last two pages of this antique volume are a closely written family record, which, curiously enough omits all mention of birthplace or residence. From this record we learn that he was thrice married, his first wife dying, as he pathetically adds, "in the bloom of her youth." He had six children. Nelson Wells of Fayette is the great grandson of Joshua Winslow.
Among those who may be properly reckoned as the early settlers, was Capt. Benjamin Smith, a native of Readfield, born December 28, 1796, and who moved to North Wayne prior to the year 1825, and continued to reside here until his death in 1866. His wife was Sarah Cresey, a stepdaughter of Moses White. They had nine children, seven sons and two daughters. Of these Washington Smith of Fay- ette, and Judge Benjamin Smith of California are deceased. Capt.
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Benjamin Smith's first place of residence in North Wayne was a house belonging to Rev. Comfort C. Smith, opposite the farm buildings now owned by his son Elhanan. He then built the house now owned by Charles Crosby, and, subsequently, the house where his widow still lives with her eldest son and youngest daughter. He received his title of Captain in the war of 1812, enlisting when a boy of sixteen. He afterward served a seven years' apprenticeship to learn the trade of weaving, working at the business awhile in Massachusetts. After his marriage and removal to North Wayne, he kept a store near the present residence of Lewis P. Maxim, which he carried on, in connec- tion with his farm, for ten years. He was, also, a stone-cutter, and furnished the window, door caps and underpinning for the large brick shop, and other buildings of the first scythe company. Three of his sons went West while young men ; of these Lycurgus had crossed the Rocky Mountains as a prospector twenty-five times previous to 1861. He is now the owner of a large fruit farm in Southern Califor- nia. Judge Benjamin Smith practiced law for many years in San Marcos, Cal., where he died. He was prominent in masonry. Andrew settled in New York. Elhanan and Capt. Winfield Smith served through the war of the Rebellion. Victoria, the eldest daughter, is the wife of John Grindall of Blue Hill. Mrs. Smith, her eldest son Elhanan, and youngest daughter Glorvina, the widow of the late Dr. Chauncey C. Raichards are living in the homestead. Mrs. Smith at the age of ninety-one years, retains all her faculties in a remarkable degree, and her reminiscences of the early settlement of the village are vivid and interesting, recalling it, as it appeared at the time of their removal here, with its few scattered buildings standing in the midst of the stumps of the gigantic pines which had been felled for lumber, thickly overgrown with bushes, where even then the lurking bear startled the unwary pedestrian ; the banks of the stream dense thickets of alders, except the openings cut for the erection of some mills, which were built at an early date, impress the mind with the wonderful changes that may be wrought even in a quiet country vil- lage in three-quarters of a century's years. Capt. Benjamin Smith was a man of fine physical development, and transmitted to his chil- dren those traits of moral aud physical uprightness that distinguished him.
Samuel Maxim of Rochester, Mass., is the first of the name of whom we have obtained any record. His will was proved in 1763. The inventory of his estate of 2571b., 15s., 8d., bears date May 27, 1729.
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His wife's name was Hannah, and his children were Jacob, Thaddeus, Dinah, Samuel, Edmund, Adonijah, JJohn and Freelove.
Samuel, son of Samuel and Hannah Maxim, died in 1762, and left a wife Elizabeth and children as follows, viz: Hannah, born JJuly 2, 1737, Nathan, born Oct. 2, 1739, David, born Sept. 30, 1741, Elizabeth, born Jan. 19, 1743, Caleb, born June 9, 1746, and Samuel, born Sept. 12, 1748.
The oldest son of the above named Samuel Maxim, Nathan by name, came to Wayne about 1788. He married Martha Chubbuck of Wareham, Mass. She spun her stint the day she was one hundred years old. She lived to the age of 103 years. Nathan Maxim was a Revolutionary soldier. He died in Wayne about 1805. His children were all born in Wareham. Lydia married William Churchill, died in Wayne. Phebe, unmarried, died in Wareham. Silas born Dec. 24, 1766, married Hannah Waterman, died in Paris. Ephraim married Jemima Curtis, died in Wayne. Samuel, born 1769. Jacob married Sarah Washburn, died in Wayne. Nathan married Sally Jordan, died in Buckfield. Martha married Dr. Wing, died in Wayne. Clara married Meltiah Raymond. Freelove married David Howe. Benjamin married Eunice Raymond, died in Wayne.
Samuel Maxim, son of Nathan, married Seviah Rider of Middleboro, Mass., and settled in Paris, but subsequently came to Wayne, about 1805, died in Wayne Aug. 14, 1827, aged 58 years. His children were Seviah, born in Paris, married a Leeds Bishop; Clara, born in Paris, married Frank Knight, died in Wayne; Patience, born in Paris, married Jason Caswell; Eliza, born in Paris, married Asa Upton, died in Wayne ; Samuel, born in Paris, married Caroline Bryant; Lucy, born in Wayne, married Jesse Bishop, died in Wayne; Isaac, born in Wayne.
Isaac Maxim, born in Wayne, Oct. 16, 1814, died in Wayne, Apr. 29, 1883, married Harriet Boston Stevens who was born in Strong, May 18, 1815. He first settled in the town of Sangerville. His children were, Hiram S., born Feb. 5, 1840; Lucy, born Sept. 27, 1841 ; Henry, born Aug. 20, 1843; Leander, born May 4, 1846; Eliza, born Jan. 25, 1849; Isaac, Jr., born Feb. 3, 1853; Samuel, born Aug. 14, 1854; Frank, born Aug. 30, 1857. Isaac Jr., had his name changed to Hudson. Hiram S., Hudson and Samuel have become noted through their inventive genius.
Samuel Maxim, son of Isaac, married Laura E. Maxim, daughter of Geo. A. Maxim June 21, 1879. Laura was born in Wayne, Jan.
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25, 1863, and died in Wayne April 9, 1884. Their children are Charles W., born Dec. 3, 1880; Hiram H., born April 4, 1882; and Harriet E., born Mar. 10, 1884.
Ephraim Maxim, son of the pioneer Nathan Maxim, married Jemima Curtis, and settled on land situated on the opposite side of the road from where J. B. Gordon now lives. His son Ephraim married Ruth P. Billington, and settled on the farm now occupied by Herbert Norris. Their children were Leonard H., Olive A., Luther S., Ephraim H., Geo. A., Josiah W. and Mary K. Uncle Ephraim, as he was called, was a noted hunter and the following is told as his last "Bear Hunt :"
It was a delightful afternoon, late in October, the Indian summer time, when the children of Mr. Maxim's neighbor, Mr. Hammond, went out with happy hearts and their little baskets, to gather nuts in the woods for winter evening cracking. Pleasantly employed, they had no thought of time, and the sun was towards its setting when they were startled by the cracking of dead and fallen branches and to their great surprise, a black bear joined their company. Greatly frightened, they hurried home and spread the alarm. The oldest boy was sent to notify Mr. Ephraim Maxim, the hunter and crack shot of the neigh- borhood, who, taking his ready loaded gun from its hooks, dropping a slug into the barrel and calling his dog, went forth to find and cap- ture the game. The dog soon started the bear but kept at a respect- ful distance from him. Uncle Ephraim coming up, gave him a shot which seemed to have no other effect than to set him running followed by the dog. And now other people and dogs joined the chase, and, perhaps, the woods and rocks of Norris Hill never echoed to the sound of a merrier rout, or witnessed a livelier scene than was now enacting. Mr. Maxim, mortified by the failure of the first shot, emptied the contents of his powder-horn into his gun, followed by a ball and slug, loading as he went, and a boy was sent back for more ammunition. The sun was down and twilight was settling over all the land, as the hunter hurried on after the chase. The bear was making it lively for his pursuers, who were gaining in numbers every moment and were pressing him so hard and close that at last he climbed an evergreen tree which stood in his course. At the base of the tree was a circle of dogs with distended tongues, barking at the game. Outside of these were grouped men and boys, warm with excitement and exercise, awaiting the coming of Uncle Ephraim. He was soon in their midst, but it was getting dark, and shooting correctly
EPHRAIM MAXIM.
1
MRS. RUTH (BILLINGTON) MAXIM.
BURN
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very uncertain, but the gunner's blood was up. So peering between the branches, he soon located the game, and bringing his musket to his shoulder with practical coolness and precision and glancing along the barrel with his calm, grey eye, an explosion followed that almost stunned the bystanders, and rang out on the still air with terrible im- port. When the smoke cleared the hunter was on his back and sounds of distress and complaint were heard from the tree. It was evident that the action and re-action of that musket had done its work. Mr. Maxim was soon on his feet, uninjured, while his victim, letting go his hold from the loss of blood, came tumbling to the ground and was dispatched with the blow of an axe. He was a noble speci- men. His four feet were tied together, a pole run between his legs, and he was placed on the shoulders of men who carried him to the residence of Franeis Bowles, Esq., where J. F. Gordon now lives, who made out papers looking toward State bounty. Then in the same manner was the game marched to the home of Mr. Maxim, where he was dressed and divided among the neighbors, Mr. Maxim claiming the hide as a trophy.
Jacob Maxim settled on the farm afterwards owned by his son Joseph Maxim, now an aged and respected citizen of the town. Ben- jamin Maxim made his home on the farm now owned by his grandson, Horatio Maxim. He was the father of Nathan, Thomas, Orrin, John and William, all of whom resided in this part of the town. He was also the father of Seth who lived in Winthrop. Seth was the father of the well known B. F. Maxim of this town.
In 1775, Ebenezer Handy came to this town with his wife, Annie Hicks, and their family of eight children. He built a log house on the same spot that is now the home of John S. Raymond. They came from Old Sandwich, Mass., at which place their children were born. Like most of the early settlers, they endured many hardships and privations while en route and for some years subsequent to their arrival. Mrs. Handy died in the log house in which she had lived during her stay in the town, in 1818. Mr. Handy died in 1827 at the house of his son Nathan, being the same house now owned and occupied by William L. Maxim. The records of the town are silent as to any dates of the births, marriages or deaths of the parents or children. The names of the children in the order of their births were: Abigail, Elizabeth, Israel, Benjamin, Nathan, Ebenezer Jr., Rebecca and Thomas. Abigail married Nathaniel Billington, raised a family, and died in Wayne. Elizabeth married Ichabod Billington, whom it was
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that had a leg amputated three days after being severely wounded by a ball from a spring-gun set for a bear. They raised a family and both died in Wayne. Israel never married, and died in this town. Benjamin married Lucy Powers, raised a family and died in Phillips. Nathan married Elizabeth Fisher whose parents lived on the place now owned by H. G. Maxim.
We here digress for the purpose of including these items regarding Elizabeth Fisher's parents. Her mother, whose maiden name was Thankful Carlo, weighed 300 lbs., and Peter Fisher, Elizabeth's father lived to the age of 130 years. They were both born in Holland and died in Wayne. Nathan and Elizabeth had a family of twelve children. They lived several of their first years of married life opposite the school house in the "Funnel City" district, and subse- quently built the house now occupied by Wm. L. Maxim, where Nathan died in 1841. His wife died in District No. 6, in a house then standing near the brook easterly from the residence of A. N. Manter, in 1865. Ebenezer, Jr., married Silva Bonney and settled on the site where the school house now stands in "Funnel city" where Ebenezer Jr., died in 1808. They had two children, viz: Elhanan, born Feb. 21, 1805 and Alden, born Aug. 31, 1806. The former died in St. Albans, and the latter married Hannah Smith, lived in Sebec and died there. Neither Rebecca nor Thomas ever married, and died at the old homestead in Wayne where John S. Raymond now lives. The children of Nathan and Elizabeth Handy nee Fisher, were: Enos, born in Wayne Feb. 22, 1807, died in Wayne July 6, 1830; Prudence, born in Wayne, Dec. 29, 1808, married Sylvanus Pratt of Phillips, had a family of five children and died in that town ; Robert, born in Wayne, Nov. 16, 1809, married Katie Cumner, had eight children and died in Readfield; Thankful died at two years of age ; Benjamin, born in Wayne Feb. 6, 1814, died at five years of age; Nathan, born in Wayne Ang. 19, 1816, married Elizabeth Stevens, had three children, died in Wayne July 23, 1875; Elizabeth, born in Wayne Jan. 31, 1819, married Thos. B. Swift, had a family of six children, and died in Fayette, June 26, 1863; Eleanor, born in Wayne Feb. 27, 1820, married Elliot Newhall and lived in Lynn, Mass., had four children and died in Saugus, Mass., in 1890; Maria S., born in Wayne, Nov. 22, 1823, married Hiram Dalton of Read- field, had four children, and died jin New York in 1862; David C., born in Wayne, July 18, 1826, died in Wayne, Sept. 20, 1829; Benj. F., born in Wayne, Aug. 22, 1828, died in Wayne, Sept. 17,
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1829; Abigail A., born in Wayne, Nov. 18, 1830, married Stephen Huse, had no children and is now a resident of the town, being the only one living of the family of Nathan, the last of the race remaining in town descended from one of the few earliest settlers. She now resides on Beech hill, and although smart and active, can hardly expect to live to the age of her grandfather Fisher, viz., 130 years.
Hosea Washburn settled on the farm now occupied by J. M. Gott. He was an early settler and signer of the Petition for Incorporation of the town.
Isaac Billington was a very early settler, also a signer of the Petition for Incorporation. He lived on the farm now the property of Charles House.
Abisha Sturtevant was in town at an early date. He took up the farm now owned by B. F. Bradford. Mr. Sturtevant sold this place to John Morrison in 1840. Mr. Morrison came to Wayne from Readfield. He was a prominent man and held many town offices.
Cyrus Foss settled on the farm south of the residence of H. A. Lowell. The buildings were burned a few years ago.
Braddock Weeks lived on the place north of H. A. Lowell's, where the buildings were recently burned. Mr. Weeks was a selectman from 1804 to 1809 and held other offices. He had four sons and four daughters. He died in 1811.
Sylvanus Hammond settled on the farm where JJohn Hodgdon now lives.
Nathaniel Billington made his home not far from the Hiram Norris place, near the Wilson pond.
Zachariah Perry settled on the west shore of Wilson Pond.
Jonathan and George Gordon came to Wayne early in the present century. They were descendants of Alexander Gordon who came to Boston, Mass., in 1652, from Scotland. Jonathan married Sarah Pettingill in 1808. He settled in the southwesterly part of the town, near the Monmouth line. They reared a family of ten children, seven sons and three daughters. George Gordon made his home at the foot of Androscoggin lake, and raised a family of nine children, of whom the late Washington Gordon was one. He lived on the homestead. The Gordons were industrious men, successful in business and good citizens. Their descendants are numerous in this and sur- rounding towns. This part of the town was long known as the Gordon neighborhood. Jairus Manuel and Joseph Pettingill were neighbors of the Gordons.
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John Stevens took up a farm near Wilson Pond. Later it became the property of Cyrus Stevens, who resided here till the buildings were burned, several years ago.
John Richards settled south of Ephraim Norris on the shore of Androscoggin pond.
William Churchill lived on the road to J. M. Gott's. He was drowned in Androscoggin pond Dec. 3, 1832.
Ezra Carlton was an early settler and brick-maker.
Joseph Cole run a carding and fulling mill at Wayne village.
Enoch Swift lived in the Chandler neighborhood, now in Winthrop. He died Aug. 21, 1837, from the effects of an injury received by being thrown from a carriage. He reared a family of eight children, one of whom, a daughter Sally by name, is pleasantly remembered as "Aunt Sally Besse" whose remarks were always prefaced with "I tell 'em."
Ebenezer Mason was an early settler and Wayne's first treasurer. He had a family of ten children, six sons and four daughters. It is thought he must have left the town soon after its incorporation, as his name is found only in its early annals.
Jacob Stetson, an early settler, born 1769, died in 1818. He had sons, Nathan, Jacob, Amos and Ephraim ; daughters, Rhoda, Patience and Betsey.
David Curtis settled on a farm near W. L. Maxim's.
Gamaliel Sturtevant's name is second on the petition for the town's incorporation. He settled where C. D. Maxim now lives. He had a family of two sons and five daughters.
Alvin Nye was an early settler. He had a son, David, who died in 1800.
Samuel Buswell was born in Kingston, N. H., Mar. 1, 1766. His wife Keziah was born in Nottingham, N. H., Feb. 6, 1767, died Nov. 30, 1814. It is said his home was near the Freeman Manter place. He reared a family of eight children, one of whom, Polly, is remembered as a most successful teacher. She never married and her experience as a teacher extended over a long period of time. His son Gilman resided many years on the place now occupied by Mr. Safford. Gilman Buswell had a daughter Mary who married Charles Keith. Their home is in Readfield.
Joshua Graves was born in Topsham, Sept. 2, 1767. He died Nov. 18, 1855. He had a family of nine children. He lived on the farm where his grandson Osgood Graves now resides.
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HISTORY OF WAYNE.
Capt. Love Roberts was born Apr. 8, 1785, died July 27, 1827. He lived on the farm now occupied by his son W. H. Roberts. He was an extensive land owner and an active, stirring man, prominent in military and civil affairs of the town. He was twice married and had a family of six children.
Robert Erskine settled on a farm south of Capt. Roberts, on the old road now discontinued. His children were Betsey, George, Harriet, Robert, Christopher, William, Huldah, Lucinda, William and Columbus.
Samuel Gould was born in Saco. He settled on a farm in the westerly part of the town, on the hill north of the Boothby place. He reared a family of seventeen children, the tenth being Cyrus Gould, now an aged and highly esteemed citizen of the town. He married Julia A. Torsey and had twelve children, six sons and six daughters, the order is remarkable; see genealogy.
Samuel Felch lived on the farm now owned by the heirs of the late William Lincoln.
Benjamin Durill settled on land now owned by L. C. Leadbetter. The buildings were down by the side of Androscoggin lake. He and his wife lived together in wedlock 75 years.
Capt. James Gage lived in the northwesterly part of the town on the farm owned by the heirs of R. C. Norris.
Capt. Jacob Haskell was born in New Gloucester. He removed to Wayne about 1805, and built the ell of the house now owned by W. H. Snyder. He married about 1808, Miss Charlotte B. Bennett, a native of New Gloucester. He owned the land extending from the Wing pond to Bear Brook, and from his dwelling to the Androscog- gin pond. He was prominent in business and in military affairs, holding a captain's commission in the State militia. He sold a part of his land and his dwelling to Dr. Thomas Brigham, and removed to the place now owned by A. R. Swift. He then built the house oppo- site the Baptist Church, where he lived until his death which occurred Feb. 7, 1849, aged 65 years. He sold a part of his land bordering on the Androscoggin, including "Pine Point" to Alfred Swift. He also sold the place now owned by B. Pettingill, also nineteen acres to Mr. Lamson and six acres to the place now owned by C. O. Graves to Samuel Brown. His death was caused by a cut on the head from his axe striking a clothes line while he was splitting wood. Erysipelas set in and while his head was being bathed, the spirit was ignited by an overturned candle and he was fatally burned.
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Joseph Lamson was a native of Exeter, N. H. He graduated from Dartmouth College at an early age and commenced the study of law, but, owing to ill health, he gave it up and took a voyage to Europe. On his return, he went into business in his native town. He came to Wayne in 1802. He was successfully engaged in mercantile business for many years and was active in all the affairs of the town. He was elected on the school committee in 1803, and was very prominent in educational matters for many years. There can be no doubt the coming of Joseph Lamson into Wayne was a great benefit to the eause of education in the town. His son, Benjamin Lamson, was born and brought up in the town of Wayne. He learned the trade of painting and cabinet making of David Benjamin of Livermore. In 1826, he was married to Amelia Butler, daughter of Capt. Elijah Butler of Hallowell. He worked at his trade in Wayne till 1828 when he removed to Hallowell where he pursued his trade and also kept a hotel about five years. In the fall of 1835, he returned to Wayne. Here their children were brought up. His son, Henry Parker, at the age of twenty-one, went to Boston and did business in the markets, (with the exception of a few years, he was in the western States) till about two years before his death. Benj. Franklin Lamson, on attaining his majority also went to Boston and engaged in piano work until his death. Amelia married Vernal B. Fuller and lives in Portland, Me. Mary L., was for years a successful teacher. She married Edward G. Dexter and settled in Wayne. Adelaide Sewall Lamson married Chas. E. Bigelow and settled in Auburn. Sarah H., learned the business of a milliner of Mrs. Henry Wood- ward of Winthrop, which she continned in at Lewiston and also at North Anson till her death.
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