USA > Maine > Kennebec County > Wayne > History of the town of Wayne, Kennebec County, Maine, from its settlement to 1898 > Part 18
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fighting pitch. Jannes was the one selected to make the attempt, and consequently trimmed his sheets for the fray. He walked past the noted corner twice without encountering the victor, but his third ven- ture was more successful, and they met face to face. But few words passed between them and the fight was on. The first rush of the fated negro was his last on earth. When the shoe-sole of the sailor knocked for admittance under the chin of the darkey, the ligaments of his neck were lacking the power to longer hold that soul without which he at once became passive and harmless. Jannes was no less agile in boarding his vessel ; its moorings cast off, and when the sun came up was well out to sea, and on her course to a foreign port.
Jerome, the eleventh and youngest child of Dea. Daniel, was born in Wayne, Dec. 29, 1816; married Anna Peacock, a daughter of the old landlord of Peacock Hotel in Richmond, and had issue five chil- dren. In 1845, he married Mary Davis of Pittston and by her had ten children. He drove the mail-stage from Augusta to Portland for many years, but latterly settled on a large farm in Richmond. He was of nervous temperament, and subject to melancholy, desponding moods. He was generally cheerful, jovial and sarcastic; conversational, rapid in speech, emphatic, determined, impulsive and high-tempered. A reader of general literature, and a deep thinker, a man of quick per- ception, and ready wit, humorous and argumentative, radical in politics, firm in his religious and theological opinions, and a devoted believer of the Second Adventist doctrine. He died in 1875, leaving a large family of children, most of whom live in the vicinity of their old home, some in Lewiston and other cities in the State.
Representatives of the families of the children of Deacon Daniel Ridley are now comparatively few in the town of Wayne. The last to represent that of Matthias was a son, Isaac P. Ridley, who died Oct. 24, 1897. Of the family of Daniel but two remain, Jerome and Lee, both of whom reside in the village. The former has three children, and the latter none. Of the family of Capt. Benjamin, no children are living, and but one grand-child is a resident of the town, viz: Mrs. Charles Fish, who was the youngest child of the late Hamilton J. Ridley, and who with her family and her mother reside on the old homestead. The family of Capt. Benjamin is further represented by the children of a grandson, viz: Benjamin H. J. Ridley, a brother of Mrs. Fish. This family resides in the village. The family of Pelina is represented by two children, viz: Mrs. Joanna Hood and Osgood Graves. Mrs. Hood has a large family of children, some of whom
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are now resident, but the major part of her family are non-residents. The children of Osgood Graves are non-residents, with the exception of Charles O., who resides about three-fourths of a mile northerly from the village on the place formerly belonging to his grandfather, Squire Bishop.
Nathaniel Dailey was born in Eastou, Mass., Feb. 3, 1765. He married Elizabeth True, who was the oldest daughter of Deacon Ben- jamin True. She was born in New Sylvester, Aug. 10, 1764. Their children were Lovisa and Hannibal, twins, born in Wayne, Oet. 22, 1804, Betsey, Nathaniel, Daniel True, Ansel and Roana. Mr. Dailey lived in the northwestern part of Wayne. He removed to Turner.
The Boynton family trace their pedigree back to the invasion of Ireland by the Norsemen, in the seventh century. A chieftain of the race won victory in the famous battle of the Boyne, and from that historie river took the name of Boynton. Both before and after the conquest the family of Boynton appears to have ranked high among the nobility of England. Upon its rolls were found, at least, twenty baronets. In 1738, William and John Boynton of Yorkshire, England, came to America and settled in Rowley, Mass. A direct descendant from one of these brothers was Caleb Boynton. His father who resided in Wiseasset was slain by an Indian. He was hoeing corn when he saw the hostile red man slip behind a stump. Mr. Boynton hid be- hind another and waited patiently till he supposed the Indian had gone. But, when he emerged from his place of concealment, he was shot and killed by his wily foe. Young Caleb left the scenes that reminded him of the tragic death of his father, and came to New Sandwich about 1797. He was a carpenter and was employed by Aaron Wing to build a barn on the place where George Lord now lives. Here he met Zippora Burgess, who, with her mother Mrs. Benjamin Burgess, was visiting her sister Cynthia, the wife of Allen Wing, who lived on the farm now owned and occupied by Albert Riggs. Mrs. and Miss Burgess came from their home, now the residence of Addison Wing. They walked, carrying in their arms the youngest member of the family, a boy less than a year old. This child, after the lapse of years, was well known in Wayne as "Uncle Joshua Burgess." When the ladies started for home, young Boynton politely offered to accompany them and carry the boy a short distance. Their route led over Simeon Wing's Mountain and across Bear Brook. Caleb liked his company so well that he kept on with them the whole way home, two miles or more, and accepted their kind invitation to
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tarry a while and rest. The acquaintance thus formed resulted in the marriage of Caleb Boynton and Zippora Burgess. They settled on the farm where now resides W. B. Frost.
They had a large family of children, three of whom, Daniel, Alpheus and Joseph, were born in Wayne, the others, Mary, Louisa, Bartlette, Joshua, Alice and Cynthia were born where Henry Rich- mond now lives in Fayette, to which place Caleb Boynton removed in 1807. All the children reached the years of maturity and had families of their own. Daniel, Bartlette and Joshua settled in New Portland ; Alpheus became a shipbuilder in Bath ; Joseph, Louisa, Alice and Cynthia settled in Lexington, to which place Caleb Boynton, the patriarch had removed, and where he and his wife died at a good old age; Mary made her home in Wayne and with her brother in Bath. She married Francis Dexter of this town. Descendants of Caleb Boynton still reside in the town of Wayne.
One of the early settlers, Willlam Raymond, settled near where John R. Sturtevant now lives, opposite where the road from Mr. Sturtevant's house inhersects the road leading by the house of John S. Raymond to the Evergreen cemetery. It is claimed by several of his great grand children, who now reside in Wayne and adjoining towns, that he was in the Revolutionary war. This fact does not appear in the list of Revolutionary soldiers in this book for want of record facts; yet, family traditions leave little doubt of his participation in the events that gave this country its independence. He was twice married. His second wife was a widow Hicks. He died in Fayette at the house of his son Nathan. For want of data, we are unable to give an extended account of this man and his de- scendants. Of his children the records are silent ; yet, incomplete as this may be, we enumerate Thomas and Pelatiah, who settled and died in St. Albans; William, who settled and died in Chesterville; Solo- mon, who settled and died in Wayne; Polly, who married Seth Maxim, lived and died in Wayne; Ennice, who married Benjamin Maxim, lived and died in Wayne; Lois, who married a Mr. Wing and died in St. Albans, and Nathan, who lived in Fayette and died at the home of a daughter, Mrs. O. W. Welch at West Mt. Vernon.
Abijah Crane came to Wayne about 1813. He bought a farm of Nathaniel Atkins, the place now owned and occupied by Luther S. Maxim. He lived in this town about twenty-five years. He and his wife were natives of Fayette. Mr. Crane was an energetic man of strict integrity and high Christian character, active in church work
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and in town affairs. He represented his town in the legislature after removing to Fayette. He died at the age of 91. Mrs. Crane was a woman of great energy and an earnest Christian. She lived to the age of 93. They had nine children, six of whom are now living. David F. and Abijah R. graduated from Waterville College.
Humphrey Hight came to Wayne quite early. He lived where C. E. Wing now resides. He was a blacksmith, a good citizen and much respected. His wife was an intelligent and interesting lady and a charming conversationalist. Their children were George, Margaret, Elizabeth, Jane, Ellen, Sarah, Edward and Emma. Several of the daughters were teachers and are pleasantly remembered by their former pupils.
Turner Swift came from Cape Cod, Mass., to the plantation, New Sandwich, now Wayne, at an early date. He made a clearing on what is now known as Morrison's Heights. He married Mary Besse. They had five children, Alfred, Alvin, Susan, Hannah and Betsey. They afterwards moved to Fayette, Me. He died about the year 1830.
Alfred Swift, the oldest child, was born in New Sandwich, now Wayne, Dec. 9, 1780. When he was a baby, his mother would bundle him up and carry him into the fiekl, place him in a comfortable position on the ground, while she helped her husband pile the brush for clearing the land. He grew up and learned the blacksmith trade. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. He married Betsey Bartlett of Livermore, settled in Wayne village where he was the "Village Smithy," till age and infirmities obliged him to give it up to his sons, and the trade is handed down to the third generation. They had six children, Elvira, Cyrus B., Frank T., Cordelia B., A. Russell and Elizabeth B. His wife died when the youngest child was a few months old. For his second wife he married Sophronia Besse, by whom he had three children, Sophronia, A. Rodney and a babe that died during the funeral of its mother, and was carried over to the church and placed in the casket beside her. For his third wife he married Hannah Monroe of Livermore, by whom he had two children Deroy M., and Cleaveland.
Alfred Swift was a sweet singer. He delighted in hunting, and was a sure marksman. He belonged to the Baptist church for a number of years, then joined the Methodist. He was a constant at- tendant at church even after his poor palsied tongue could utter no word. The pioneer Turner Swift and his son Alfred Swift are still
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well and honorably represented by our worthy "village blacksmith," A. R. Swift, a life long resident of Wayne.
Samuel Brown was born Nov. 11, 1782. He lived in the Graffam house now owned by Jerome Ridley. He died in a house in the north part of the town then owned by his son Samuel S. Brown.
Samuel S. Brown was born May 30, 1814. He married Basheba Gage, daughter of Capt. James Gage. They had one son, Orison. Mr. Brown owned and occupied for several years the farm where J. M. Pike now lives. Later, he moved to the village and lived and died in the house opposite the Baptist church. He was a seleetman in 1850-1 and again in 1857-9.
Edmund Phillips married Sally Paul. He came to Wayne from Litchfield and settled on Beech hill. His buildings were burned by a forest fire in 1830. In 1839 he sold out to Capt. Benj. Ridley. He moved first to the town of Livermore, then to Gardiner, where he and his wife died. He had a family of ten children as follows: William P., Edmond Sewall, Isaac, Algernon Sidney, Sarah J., Esther, Mary, Benjamin and a child that died in infancy.
Jeremiah Foss was born in Saco, May 4, 1784. His wife's name was Mary. He was a tax payer in Wayne in 1808. He lived on the place now owned by Sewall Manter. He was a shoe maker, a trade still followed by his descendants. His shop on the opposite side of the road is still remembered. His daughter Sally, who was the wife of Josiah Norris, one of Wayne's honored citizens, is still living in Wayne village at the age of 88 years.
Eliakim Foss was the brother of Asa Foss. He married Achsa Wing, daughter of Dr. Moses Wing. Their children were Russell S. and Achsa Wing. His second wife was Mercy Swift, by whom he had three children, Clarissa Ann, Helen Marr and William HI. His home was in Wayne village. His two story house stood on the site now occupied by the house in which Ward Howard lives.
Miss Marsena Foss furnishes the following: Ephraim W. Foss was the son of Uriah Foss and Sarah Goodwin, who came from Saco to North Leeds and settled on a farm early in life. They reared a family of ten children, eight sons and two daughters, all of whom lived to grow up and have families of their own. Ephraim W. Foss married Mehitable Church and settled in Leeds. There were born to them two children, one dying in infancy. In 1825 his wife died leaving a son who now lives in the State of Ohio. In 1827 he married Harriet T. Townsend. There were born to them three children. All lived to
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grow up. The oldest daughter was in the millinery business more than thirty-three years in Wayne village. The other two daughters married, one living in Everett, Mass. The youngest daughter mar- ried, lived in Litchfield ; she died in 1889. In 1836 Ephraim W. Foss moved into the town of Wayne about two miles from the village on the road leading to Strickland's Ferry. In 1868 he bought the place in the village formerly owned and occupied by Robert Starr. Ephraim W. Foss died in 1877; his widow died in 1880. Ephraim W. Foss and his sister Sally who married Alphens Lane, were all the ones of Uriah Foss' family who lived in Wayne.
Noah Chandler lived in that part of Wayne lying south of Black's bridge, now a part of the town of Winthrop. His wife's name was Lucy -. They reared a family of eight children. Their oldest daughter, Susan, is spoken of as an "excellent teacher and a very pleasant and popular young lady."
Lafayette Chandler was a neighbor to Noah. He married Sophro- nia -- , and they had a family of nine children, one of whom, Sophronia, married Eben Norris. She is still living in Wayne. The Chandlers were enterprising business men.
John Frost, an early settler, lived in this neighborhood. He mar- ried Esther Swift. They had nine children. His son Levi was long a resident of North Wayne. A daughter, Esther, is now the wife of Hiram Norris.
In the year 1795, Peter Fisher with his family, came to this town from Dresden and settled on a farm near the one now occupied by Horatio G. Maxim. He was born in Holland in 1699, and died in Wayne, at the place where he settled in 1829, at the great age of 130 years. It is said by one of his grand daughters that he served twenty years in the army and was in Queen Anne's war. He was an expert swordsman. At the age of eighty years, he first conceived the idea of getting married, and not unlike many elderly gentlemen looked with favor on youthful maidens; yet he was particular in selecting and confined himself to those of his nationality. He soon found the object of his admiration in a lass of sweet sixteen, whose name was Thankful Carlow. She was born in Holland in 1763, and when married she weighed 3001bs. The courage and judgment displayed by this man of age is well illustrated, as in due time a family of ten children was the fruit of that marriage. Thankful died in 1855 at the house of her son-in-law, Nathan Handy, the same now owned by William L. Maxim, at which date all her children were living, the youngest then
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being forty years old. To aid those who may wish to trace this family in the future, we subjoin the following: The children of Peter and Thankful Fisher were, Philip, thrice married, had issue four children, settled and died in Mercer ; Matthias, married Sarah Turner of Readfield, had issue six children, settled and died in Corinth ; John married a lady in Cherryfield, settled in that town, had issue and died there; Elizabeth married Nathan Handy of Wayne, settled on the place now occupied by W. L. Maxim, erected the buildings now thereon, had issue twelve children, the youngest of whom, Mrs. Abby A. Huse now resides in town and the only one now living. Mr. and Mrs. Handy both died in Wayne; Margaret married Michael Hickey of Angusta, had no issue, who died on the Isthmus en route to Califor- nia. She died later in Iowa; Sophia married Aaron Frost of Wayne, had issue five children, died in St. Albans; Christopher, un- married, died in Readfield; William married an English lady in Boston, went to Illinois, had issue five children and died in Illinois; James married in St. John, had issue and died there ; Nathan married Naney Howard of Litchfield, had no issue, and died in Roadfield.
Moses Bean settled on a farm north of the Capt. Daniel True place. He was born Sept. 2, 1782, and died Nov. 19, 1868. Ile married Betsey . Their children were Hannah B., Mary Norris, Betsey Frances, Lydia Anderson, Nathan, Elrado Ann. Hannah was a tailoress. She never married. Mary married first Samuel Dexter and second his cousin Lewis Dexter. Betsey was the first wife of Robinson Dexter. Lydia married B. Sylvester. Nathan left Wayne and Elrado died young.
Samuel Spear lived on the farm first settled by Robert Francis Cumner, afterward owned by Benj. Bourn, and later by Capt. Daniel True. Mr. Spear was an extensive land owner, a successful farmer and a prominent man.
Elias Berry lived on the farm previously owned by Maj. Thomas Atkinson, and now occupied by H. H. Pulsifer. He was born April 17, 1798, and died in 1862. His first wife's name was Sally who was born Mar. 3, 1789, and died Sept. 12, 1823. For a second wife he married Harriet Erskine. By his first wife he had two children, Julia Ann and Oren Chandler. The children of his second wife were Laura A., Lucinda E., Asbury W., Mary A., Joseph S., Stillman H. J., and Benj. F. Of these children the best known here are Joseph S., Stillman H. J., and Benj. F.
Hon. J. S. Berry is mentioned in a biographical sketch elsewhere.
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He served his native town in nearly every place of trust and responsi- bility. He was first selectman, chairman of the school board, town treasurer and town clerk. He was one of Wayne's foremost citizens. Stillman H. J. now owns and occupies the farm formerly the property of Hon. P. F. Pike. Like his father Elias Berry, Stillman is an enthusiastic farmer and stock raiser. Benj. F. was a soldier in the late civil war. He now resides in the West.
Dr. Thomas S. Brigham lived on the place first settled by Capt. Jacob Haskell, now owned by W. H. Suyder. He had an extensive practice in Wayne for many years and was active in town affairs. He was born in 1773, and died in May, 1844. Many anecdotes are told of him. Once he was on horse back, going to visit a patient. Meet- ing a well remembered citizen with whom he had a difference, hot words passed between them, when the footman exclaimed in loud tones, "Dr. Brigham if you were not an old man, I would horse-whip yon." Quickly dismounting, the old man replied, "Sir, I am a man of your age."
Lemuel Bryant came to Wayne from Massachusetts early in the present century. He settled on Beech hill, south of the place where Elbridge Crocker now lives, on the old road now discontinued. He had sons, Philander L., Orlando and William H., and daughters, Caroline, Henrietta and Eleanor. Mr. Bryant was a man of ability and his election to the office of selectman in 1817, '18 and '22 bespeaks for him the confidence of his fellow townsmen. He died in Wayne, Nov. 15, 1853. His son Philander settled on a farm in Wayne, north- west of A. C. Hayford's dwelling, on the old road now discontinued. Philander's children were Emerson, now living in California, Emily F., who was a teacher, never married and died May 30, 1869, Sumner H., who was a soklier in the civil war and died of disease contracted in the service, Charles D., who was also a soldier and lost his life by a rebel bullet, Oct. 5, 1862, and George H., now living in Oakland. Philander Bryant removed to Kentucky where he died aged about 90. Harrison H. remained on the homestead where he died Feb. 5, 1869, leaving a widow but no children. Henrietta M., never married, died July 1, 1852. Eleanor married R. B. Rand and settled in Winthrop. Caroline married Samuel Maxim and settled in Sanger- ville.
Among the names of the settlers of Gloucester, Mass, occurs that of the Scotch family Gott. It was there that the name was first found in this country. The date of introduction has not been learned by the
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writer, but sufficient information establishes the fact that it was an early one. Previous to A. D. 1800, a member of the family, William Jr. by name, came to the District of Maine and settled in what is now the town of Greene. He was born Sept. 20, 1772. He married at the age of twenty a Miss Bryant. At the age of twenty-one he was the father of a daughter, Thankful by name, and in that same year, 1793, he was a widower. In 1794 he married Rhoda Knapp of Leeds. They had issne fourteen children, twelve of whom lived to a ripe ok age. In the spring of 1807 he removed his family from Greene to Wayne, bought and cleared the farm recently owned and occupied by the late Otis Howard, situate on the lake road in the westerly part of the town, and about one and one-half miles north of the bridges across Dead river. On this farm both he and his wife resided until their decease, the former occurring Jan. 10, 1860, and the latter Dec. 21, 1850. The date of birth of the latter was Mar. 19. 1775. Of their children eight were born in Greene and six in Wayne. The eldest, William, Jr., born Oct. 6, 1795, married Ruth Gould of Livermore, settled in that town, subsequently removed to North Leeds, had issue three children, one of whom was the late Mrs. Jason Woodman of North Leeds. Their youngest child, Mr. Joseph G. Gott, now resides at Monmouth Centre. William, JJr., died at North Leeds, Feb. 2, 1862. Their second child, Elijah, born in Greene, Feb. 1, 1797, married Mary (called Polly) Stinchfield, a daughter of James and Hannah ( Pettingill) Stinchfield, and the granddaughter of Thomas Stinchfield, the first settler of the town of Leeds. Ile settled on a portion of his father's farm which he had helped subdue ; subsequently removed to the paternal roof, cared for his parents in their declining years, and after their decease returned to his former home, thatis now occupied by Lucian Berry. By the work and economy of years he accumulated wealth such as honest toil merits. They had issue two children, one of whom, Mrs. L. Clark Leadbetter, is one of Wayne's most highly esteemed daughters. He died June 22, 1875. His widow made her home with Mrs. Leadbetter until her decease which occured May 25, 1890. The date of her birth was Dec. 9, 1805. Their third child, Sarah, was born Oct. 5, 1798; married Stephen Knapp of Leeds, resided in that town, raised a large family of children and died April 18, 1870. Their fourth child, Mehitable, born Sept. 12, 1800, married a Mr. Harrison, raised a family and died Jan. 30, 1847. Their next child, Jared, born in 1802, died young. Anson and Matilda were their next fruit, born May 27, 1804. Anson married
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and settled in Turner, had issue, two children and died Sept. 17, 1862. Matilda married Roland Maxim, settled in Wayne, raised a large family of girls and one son Martin V., who now resides in Leeds at the south end of Androscoggin lake. She died Dec. 18, 1861. Charles, the eighth child, born July 1, 1806, married Jane Foss for his first wife, located in the north west part of the town on the farm now occupied by Mrs. Joana Hood. They had issue five children, viz : Gardiner G., Charles S., Elijah, William and Howard C. In 1842 Mrs. Gott died, and he married Annie Wood of Mercer. They had issne four children, viz: John W., who died young, George H., John M. and Jennie M., now Mrs. C. C. Small of Newton, Mass. John M. and his family are the only representatives of this branch now remain- ing in this town. Charles subsequently purchased the Morrison farm, now owned by B. F. Bradford, on Morrison's Heights, lived there forty years, and died in Wayne village Dec. 14, 1886. Susan, the 9th child was the first one of the family born in the town of Wayne, as per records, the date of which was July 21, 1808. She married Jared Knapp of Leeds, now one of the oldest residents, settled in the west part of the town, on the place now occupied by him, had issue three children, viz: Elijah, Anson G. and Miranda Ellen, the former and latter now residents, living near and at the old homestead. She died Oct. 12, 1874. The tenth child. Mary, born Oct. 31, 1810, married Thomas Wing and settled in the southern part of Fayette, both of whom are now living. They had issue four or more boys some of whom are prominent business men in Massachusetts and have accumulated wealth. The next child, Harrison, born in 1813, died young. Jane, the twelfth in the list, was born May 2, 1815; married Loring Foss of Leeds. He was a man of varied business and lived in many places in this section of the State. They had no issue. She died in Lewiston in 1896. Alfrida, whose numerical position was thirteen, was born July 12, 1815. She married the late Otis Howard, had no issue, died in Wayne, Feb. 9, 1878. The last in the list, Aurelia, was born Jan. 15, 1821. She married Nathan Coffin of Leeds, had issue two children, viz: Manley and Edith. She died in Leeds.
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