USA > Maine > Kennebec County > Wayne > History of the town of Wayne, Kennebec County, Maine, from its settlement to 1898 > Part 2
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Dead River winds its tortuous course through this neck of land for nearly its whole length. It connects the lake and the Androscoggin River seven miles distant, and receives its name from the fact that it is so nearly level that at one time it flows from the pond into the river and at another from the river into the pond. A rise or fall of the Androscoggin river will effect the change in a few hours. Along the banks on either side of this stream, in its course through the cape, are roads made by tho-e hauling off hay. and these roads are in places among the most lovely drives with which we are acquainted. Tall willows lean far out over the dark, glassy waters, and maples and elms unite their branches above the drive- way, forming a complete canopy. Many picnic parties are attracted hither during the summer, and later in the season sportsmen pitch their tents or occupy camps along the banks and remain two or three weeks to fi-h and hunt in the surrounding woods and waters. Grouse, woodcock and snipe are found in the higher ground, and after the fall rains come, the water-holes and coves of the pond and river are alive with ducks and other waterfowl. Within the past few years quite a number of substantial summer cottages have been erected at different points about the shores of the lake, commanding the best scenery and convenient to the best fishing. Several new ones are planned for this year. If the number continues to increase, as it seems sure to do, we shall soon have quite an extensive inland summer colony here. Already four steam launches, besides numerous sail boats and other pleasure craft, plow the waves.
Still there is room. Perhaps you used to think of the old pond only as a good place to go in swimming, to fish or skate, or cast pebbles from some beach along the shore, and watch the widening curves. Possibly with a more receptive mind and' a heart attuned to subtler influences you have carried away the consciousness of a higher bond which you sometimes feel stealing in upon you. In either case, old Androscoggin welcomes you back. She is still here as sometimes in the day-dreams of your busy life you picture her
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HISTORY OF WAYNE.
nestling between her sheltering hills. Her waters are just as sparkling and the sky above her just as blue. She will not taunt you with wasted days, lost opportunities or vanished ambitions. She beckons you to the scene of the old days when, perchance, sitting on some boulder near the shore, the world looked as bright and happy as the vista that opened to your boyish eyes, over the waves breaking at your feet. The passing years may have whitened your hair and traced lines of care upon your face, and she may not, like DeLeon's fabled spring, be able to restore your youth, but she can revive your drooping spirits and gladden and renew the heart, which is after all a better boon. And to others less favored with these memories of early years, she extends greeting, inviting those who have wandered elsewhere in search of rest to come to Wayne before their summer outings are over, and before they have settled down to the conviction that "There is nothing new under the sun."
We very properly append to this chapter the petition and act of incorporation of the town :
To the Honourable the Senate & the Hon. House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General Court Assembled :
The petition of the subscribers inhabitants of a place called New Sandwich in the County of Lincoln HUMBLY SHEWETH
That your petitioners are desirous that they may be incorporated into a Town by the name of New Sandwich agreable to the plan annixed. Your petitioners conceive that it will be unnecesery to state to your honers the innumarable inconveniances we labour under in our present unorganised state, and the advantages we anticipate by an incorporation- from the success of simalar applications we presume your honors will in- dulge us in our request and as in duty bound will ever pray.
New Sandwich, December 15, 1797.
Job Fuller, Gamaliel Sturtevant, Jabesh Besse J, Moses Wing, Jonathan Besse, Japheth Washburn, William Wing, Ebenezer Handy, Jacob Stetson, Allen Wing, Jabez Besse,
Braddock Weeks, David Manter, Asa Lawrence, John Bowles, Ebenezer Besse Jr.,
Reuben Besse, Isaac Dexter,
Richard Handy, Ebenezer Mason, Woodin Norris, Nathan Norris,
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HISTORY OF WAYNE.
William Ramond,
Ephraim Norris,
David Penny,
Ebenezer Besse.
Zephaniah Hix,
John Smith,
Peter Fisher,
Reuben Besse Senor,
Aaron Wing,
Josiah Norriss,
Hosea Washburn,
Samuel Norriss,
Simeon Wing,
Ebenezer Ilanday,
Charles (illegible),
Isrel Handay,
Thomas Atkinson,
Nathan Handay,
David Curtis,
Isac Belington,
Jonathan How,
Willam Adkison,
Ephraim Marean,
Enoch Swift,
Seth Burges,
Thomas Blackwill,
Ellis Swett,
Solomon Besse,
Reuben Besse J,
Jabesh Besse, Jur.
Alvin Nye,
In the House of Represent's, Jan'y 16, 1798. Read & committed to the stand'g Committee on applications for Incor- porations of towns &c to consider & report.
Sent up for concurrence.
EDW'D H. ROBBINS, Spk'r.
In Senate, Jan'y IG, 1798. SAM'L PHILLIPS, Prsdt.
Read and concurred.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
The Committee of both Houses appointed to consider Applications for Incorporation of Towns on the Petition of the Inhabitants of the Planta- tion of New Sandwich praying that they may be incorporated into a Town-ask leave to report that they have leave to bring in a Bill-which is submitted- BEZA HAYWARD, pr Order.
Jan'y 24th, 1798.
In Senate, January 26, 1798. Read and accepted. SAM'L PHILLIPS, Prsdt.
Sent down for concurrence,
In the House of Represent's, Jan'y 26, 1798. EDW'D H. ROBBINS, Spk'r.
Read & concurred,
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY, Boston, March 8, 1898. Witness the Seal of the Commonwealth,
A true copy.
WM. M. OLIN, .Secretary. [L. S.]
1
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HISTORY OF WAYNE.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
In the year of our Lord One Thousand Seren Hundred and Ninety-Eight. An ACT to incorporate the plantation called New Sandwich in the County of Lincoln into a Town by the name of Wayne.
Seet. Ist .- Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled and by the Authority of the same, that the following described tract of land lying west of Winthrop in the County of Lincoln, and bounded as followeth begining on the East line of the Town of Livermore on the Northerly end of great Andrewscogin pond, thence runing north one Mile and two hundred and twenty rods to the south line of Fayettee, thenee East two miles, & one hundred and seventy rods to Lane's pond, thence East sixty-seven and an half degrees south three hundred rods to the West line of the Town of Readfield, thence, South twenty-two and an half degrees West, six miles and two hundred and twenty-two rods to the South West Corner of Winthrop, thenee north, sixty-seven and half degrees west, one mile and one hundred & eighty rods to a stake and Stones, thenee north Twenty-five degrees east to Androseoging great pond, thence on the easterly side of said last men- tioned pond to the stream runing from Wing's pond into said Androscog- ing pond, thence across said last mentioned stream and on the Northerly end of said Androscoging pond to the bounds first mentioned, together with all the Inhabitants thereon, be, and the same hereby are incorporated into a Town by the name of Wayne; and the said Town is hereby vested with all the powers, priviledges and immunities, which other towns with- in this Commonwealth do or may by law enjoy.
Seet. 2d .. ..... And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that Robert Page Esquire be & he is hereby authorised to issue his warrant directed to some suitable inhabitant of said Town requiring him to warn the Inhabitants thereof qualified to vote in Town meetings to meet at such time and place as shall be express'd in said Warrant for the purpose of choosing all such Town officers, as other towns within this Common- wealth are required to choose within the month of March or April annually.
In the House of Representatives, Feb'y 9th, 1798. This Bill having had three several readings passed to be Enacted.
EDW'D H. ROBBINS, Spk'r. In Senate, Feb'y 12, 1798.
This bill having had two several readings, passed to be Enacted. Feb'y 12th, 1798. SAM'L PHILLIPS, Prsdt. Approved, INCREASE SUMNER. COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY. Boston, Mareh 8, 1898.
A true copy. [I. S.]
Witness the Seal of the Commonwealth.
WM. M. OLIN, Secretary.
CHAPTER HI.
EARLY SETTLERS AND THEIR FAMILIES-HISTORICAL AND FAMILY INCIDENTS OF GREAT INTEREST AND VALUE-STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHIS OF THE PIONEERS.
C APT. Job Fuller was the first white settler in New Sandwich, the name first given to the major part of the territory now em- braced in the town of Wayne. He was born in Barnstable, in the county of Barnstable, Mass., Nov. 25, 1751. He married Elizabeth, the eldest child of Simeon and Mary Wing, nee Allen. She was also born in Barnstable, Ang. 6, 1746. They made a temporary residence in Sandwich, Mass., where their first child, Temperance, was born June 29, 1773. Having relatives in the southwestern part of what is now Readfield, in August of that year, Mr. and Mrs. Fuller, with their infant danghter, left their home in Sandwich, on horse back, to visit these relatives and to make a new home in the wilds of the District of Maine. They came by the way of Portland, from which place most of the route followed through the wilderness, marked only by spotted trees. While exploring the country round about, Mr. Fuller, like the first settlers in most of the towns in Maine skirted with lakes and ponds, was forcibly impressed with the advantages to be derived from natural grass meadows, which in summer furnished grazing for stock, and hay for winter sustenance ; and in passing down what was subsequently named Berry, Dexter and Wilson ponds, the shores of which were rich in these grasses, he at once determined that his new home should be located in a central position adjacent thereto. He consequently selected a site for a dwelling on the elevation of land northerly from and near the Evergreen Cemetery, and at once erected thereon a log honse and hovel to which he moved his little family and the horse that had safely brought them to the home of their adoption. This was the first house in the town. They had three children; the second, Mary, was born in this house July 19, 1775 ; and Job, Jr., was also born there Nov. 6, 1784.
Quotation from the historical and genealogical register of John
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HISTORY OF WAYNE.
Wing, of Sandwich, Mass., and his descendants : "It is said that after a year or more Mr. Fuller and wife buried all their valuable articles to keep them from the Indians, and taking each a child in arms rode back to Sandwich, a distance of over 150 miles, on a visit to their friends." The town record says, Mrs. Fuller died Aug. 6, 1826, her birthday, 80 years. From the town record we quote : "The above named Job Fuller came into this town in the year 1773, and was the first settler in the town. Mrs. Fuller was the first white woman that traveled from this town to Lewiston."
Mr. Fuller resided in the log house but a few years when he built a frame house, a few rods east of that now occupied by Mr. Cyrus Stevens, to which he removed his family. He was an extensive .owner of real estate, as shown by many of the early transfers. He also engaged in the early manufacturing industries of the town, which is noted in that department. He was a man of ability, and served in several of the municipal offices of the town, in its infancy. Unlike most early settlers, his family was small, having two daugh- ters and one son. Temperance, his eldest daughter, died Nov. 11, 1801,-was unmarried. His second daughter, Mary, married Ellis Sweet, who was a man of much prominence in the development of the town. They had issue Lorain, born Ang. 7, 1796 ; Betsey, born April 10, 1798; Lorella, born May 10, 1800; Temperance Fuller, born Aug. 20, 1802 and Mary Ellis, born March 18, 1818. Mr. Fuller's only son, Job Jr., died Nov. 25, 1803, at the age of nineteen years ; thus the name became extinct with the death of Wayne's first adopted who died in February, 1836.
The pioneer Reuben Besse settled on a lot southeast of Job Fuller's. It was bounded east by the stream connecting the Berry and Dexter ponds, and in part by Dexter pond. He married Desire Handy. According to the Kennebec County History, their son Jonathan, born July 24, 1775, was the first white male child born in New Sandwich (now Wayne). Jonathan married Asenath Smith and settled in the southwest part of Wayne, near the Androscoggin lake. There were three children. One of the daughters married Thos. Blackwell. Their first born, Ansel Blackwell, was one of the best at repartee and jest that was ever produced in Kennebec County. There is not an old citizen in town who does not remem- ber many of Ansel's smart, ready and witty replies. The other children of Reuben were Reuben, Jr., Jemima and Susan. Renben, Jr., married Cynthia, daughter of Ebenezer Besse. They had eleven children. Susan married Philo Fairbanks.
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HISTORY OF WAYNE.
Isaac Dexter, born in Sandwich, Mass., Jan. 13, 1746, came to the plantation called New Sandwich, now Wayne, in 1780, with his sons, Stephen, Nathaniel, Freeman and Constant. His other sons, Gideon, Isaac Jr., and Amasa, were born in New Sandwich. Gideon was the third and Isaac Jr., the fourth male child born in the plantation. He had two daughters ; one died young, the other, Mercy, married Paul Lambert, of Winthrop. Isaac settled on the west side of the pond that bears his name on the road to North Monmouth. It is claimed that he built the first framed house in the town. In this house the Baptist Church of Wayne was organized, and Isaac Dexter was chosen its first deacon. In 1801 he was chairman of the board of selectmen ; in 1802 he was collector of taxes. He died in 1804. Of his children, Rev. Stephen Dexter, Nathaniel, Gideon and Mrs. Mercy Lambert removed to what is now the town of Dexter, which was named in honor of Hon. Samuel Dexter. Freeman married Polly Thurs- ton of Winthrop and settled in that town. He had fourteen children. His wife was one of the smart women of "Ye olden time." Besides doing her house work, she often spun six skeins (a day's work) in the forenoon, and in the afternoon took her twins iu her arms, on horse back, and went visiting. Sumner Dexter, who resided in Wayne, and Amasa, who for a time owned the place where Hon. P. F. Pike now lives, were sons of Freeman. Constant married Rebecca Billington of Winthrop, and settled on the farm now owned by W. F. Safford. He was a good citizen and held many town offices.
We quote from the diary of G. W. Fairbanks, "March 25, 1842, Deacon Constant Dexter thrown from his wagon and fatally injured. Dr. Hubbard from Hallowell came; found his skull badly fractured, past help. He died the 26th. A good man. He will long be remembered."
Isaac Jr., settled at the head of Wilson pond. He married first, Sally Wing, second Susan Metcalf, third Sarah Bamfard. By his first wife he had sons Anson, Francis and Robinson. Anson was drowned Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 29, 1821, while skating on Wilson pond. His daughters were Sylvia, Sarah and Naney. He was town treasurer in 1813 and was lieutenant of the Wayne militia. Ile died Aug. 21, 1864. Amasa, the youngest of the seven sons of Isaac Dexter, Sr., lived on the home place. He married Patty Burgess. His sons were Lewis, Henry V. and Edward G. His daughters were Alice, Harriet and Martha.
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HISTORY OF WAYNE.
Capt. Amasa was an enterprising man and prominent in civil, military and church affairs.
H. V. Dexter, D. D., son of Amasa and Martha Dexter, was: born in Wayne, April 3, 1815. His early days were spent on his father's farm. At the age of 14 he was baptized and united with the Baptist Church. When 16 he went to an unele's to learn the. carpenter's trade. A few years later he felt called to preach the gospel and at once commenced study in the Monmouth Academy. In 1838 he was admitted to Waterville College and graduated in 1842. The same year he entered Newton Theological Institution and completed the three years' course. He had already accepted a call to the pastorate of the Baptist Church in Calais. His ordination took place in Brookline, Mass., Sept. 1st, 1845. Before beginning his pastorate work he was married to Miss Nancy C. Herrick of New London, N. H. After sharing his labors for three years she was called to her heavenly home. In Jan., 1851, he was married to Miss Mary E. Boardman. who is still living. In the fall of 1854 he was called to Augusta, where he remained six years, and then returned to his former pastorate in Calais. In 1869 he went to Kennebunkport. The climate did not seen to agree with him, so after two years, he removed to Baldwinville, Mass. After four years of pastoral work there, ill health compelled him to 'rest from his labors." For a time he was able to preach occasionally, but his last years were those of a suffering invalid. In the last few days of his life wonderful visions of heaven were granted him, and to him it was "but a step across the river." The end came July 23, 1884. In the more than thirty years as pastor, he was known only to be loved. Colby University, of which he was one of the trustees for many years, bestowed upon him the degree of doctor of divinity in 1870. Outside of his pastoral labors he wrote several religious books. He was "a man of God," worthy his high vocation.
James Lawrence came to New Sandwich, now Wayne, from Sandwich, Mass., in 1786. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. His children were Joseph, Asa, Temperanee, Rufus, Peter and Betsey. He settled on a tract of land in the extreme eastern part of the town, on what is now called the old road from Wayne to Winthrop. They cleared a portion of the land and built a log house where they lived several years. James died in Wayne July 3, 1811, and Asa came into possession of his father's farm. Asa was born in Sandwich, Mass., Oct. 26, 1771. He married Desire Allen of
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HISTORY OF WAYNE.
Rochester, Mass. Their children were Philenia W., Oliver A., Owen, Achsah and Rachel A. Oliver A. was born in Wayne July 8, 1803. He owned and cultivated the eastern half of the homestead farm. He had three wives, first, Janet Davenport, second, Lemira Bartlett, third, Mrs. Aun Austin. By his first wife he had one child, John Oliver. By his second wife, he had three children, Hiram B., Horatio B., and Abbott N. John Oliver was a soldier in the civil war and died of disease contracted in the service. Hiram B. and Horatio B., are graduates of Bowdoin College and successful teachers. Abbott N. was a promising young man, but died at the age of 24 years. Achisah Lawrence, daughter of Asa, is still living in Wayne. She is a remarkably well preserved lady for one in her ninetieth year.
John Bowles settled on the farm now owned by M. B. Sylvester. He was considered one of the wealthy men of his times. In 1809, he was taxed for $2500, "money at interest"-quite a large sum for those days. His entire tax, for that year, was $197.20. He died March 11, 1826. His son Isaac was instrumental in building the bank wall around Evergreen Cemetery. His granddaughter, Julia Bowles, procured the fund now held by the town, the interest of which is annually expended in caring for Evergreen Cemetery. William Bowles owned and occupied the farm, now the property of J. F. Gordon.
Several families of Besses were among the first settlers of the town. Jabez Besse, Sen., was born in Wareham, Plymouth county, Mass., about 1745. He was a noted athlete, and married Ruth Besse of the same town. Their daughter, Dinah, married Andrew Sturtevant of Fayette. Samuel married Rebecca Blunt of Winthrop, Ebenezer married Patience Burgess, Deborah married William Wing, and Ruth married Samuel Gould.
Jabez Besse, Jr., was born in Wareham, Mass., Oct. 31, 1765, and died Oct. 6, 1833. He came to Wayne in 1788 and purchased 200 acres of land. He married Patience Perry, who was born in Wareham. Jan. 24, 1767. They had thirteen children; twelve lived to adult age. Woodin, born in Wareham, Mass., Oct. 10, 1786, died in Wayne, April 3, 1873 ; Edmond Perry, born in Wayne, Dec. 23, 1789 ; died Aug. 19, 1859 ; David Perry, born Feb. 22, 1792, died Feb. 9, 1827 ; Samuel, born Sept. 20, 1793, died Nov. 19, 1869 ; Mary Sturtevant, born Nov. 27, 1795, died July 2, 1814 ; Wager Lee, born April 26, 1797, died Jan. 22. 1877 ; Curtis, born Nov. 19, 1798, died in Lowell, Mass., 1841; Eliza Dexter, born
2
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HISTORY OF WAYNE.
July 28, 1801, died Dec. 3, 1870 ; Ruth Pinkham, born Sept , 1805, died April 21, 1843; Patience, born April 15, 1806, died 1821; Catharine Foss Bosworth, born July 26, 1808, died Feb. 11, 1855 ; Jabez Jr., born Feb. 13, 1811, died May 10, 1873.
Seven of the sons of Jabez Besse, Jr., sang at the dedication of the first Methodist meeting house in Wayne. Woodin was chorister at the church for twenty years, or more. Most of the children of Jabez, Jr., were Methodists. Wager Lee was one of the most zealous ; it seemed his master passion to build and sustain the church. "Camp meeting" John Allen was stationed in Wayne ; he soon called on Wager who told Allen he carried the church on his shoulders. Allen's characteristic reply was, "It must be a very light church, then." He was a stone mason and farmer. Samuel was a noted stone wall builder, both in and out of town. He also cultivated the soil. Edmond P. was the only one of his father's children who attended an Academy. He taught singing schools. He was a successful farmer. David P. was a blacksmith and farmer. Curtis was engaged in cotton mills in Lowell. Jabez, Jr., followed the same business as Curtis.
Woodin Besse married Betsey Kent of Readfield Jan. 6, 1820. Children : Wm. Granville, born Aug. 25, 1820; Patience, born June 14, 1822; Wm. Granville married Elizabeth Currier, daughter of Noah Currier of Winthrop, Dec. 25, 1847. Three children were born to them, Win. Henry of Philadelphia, born Oct. 11, 1848, Albion Currier, born Ang. 10, 1850, died Dec. 18, 1876 ; had no children. Milton Granville, born Aug. 26, 1853. Wm. Henry has three children : Mabel Howard, Frank Adelbert who is now attend- ing the Dental College in Boston, and Albion C., who is attending school in Philadelphia. Milton G. resides in Wayne on the farm that Jabez Besse, Jr., reclaimed from the forest. He is an active business man. He has been collector of taxes three years. He has one son, Walter Milton. Patience married Richard M. Wing of Fayette July 1, 1847. One child, Edward P., is a physician in Lynn, Mass.
The Norrises settled in Wayne in 1784 and '85. Samuel Norris the first and two brothers came from England and settled in Ware- ham, Mass., leaving a brother in England, who was an Admiral, and became very rich. He left no heirs and his property went into chancery. Of the brothers of Samuel the 1st who came to Massa- chusetts with him, one afterwards settled in New Hampshire, the other in the state of New York. Samuel the 1st married Lydia Wash-
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HISTORY OF WAYNE.
burn, a relative of the late ex-governor Israel Washburn. They had seven children : viz, Samuel, 2d, Ephraim, Nathan (a Revolu- tionary soldier), Woodin, Lydia, Josiah and Jemima. All of them came to Wayne, including their father and mother. Ephraim and Nathan came first, in the year 1784, and felled trees for a clearing near the east shore of Great Androscoggin Pond and built a house there on land now owned by the heirs of Charles Norris, more definitely known as "the Churchill place," and lived together a number of years, after which Nathan built a house some fifty rods south on what is now called "The Old Town Farm," and now owned by L. C. Leadbetter. Josiah came from Wareham, Mass., in 1785, leaving Wareham April 10, (his birthday) walking all the way leading his dog and carrying his gun on his shoulder, arriving in Wayne, April 20. He bought a claim of one Lambord and built a house on it near where the school house in No. 2 now stands, where he lived until he died. The real estate is now owned by J. E. and C. W. Norris, the children of Melvin Norris.
About the year 1786 Samuel the 1st and wife, Samuel, 2d, and the two girls, Lydia and Jemima, followed their sons and brothers to Wayne. Samuel the 1st and his wife lived but a few years after coming to Wayne. Samuel, 2d, built him a house some fifty rods north of the house that his brothers Ephraim and Nathan built in 1784. The last family that lived in it was Silas Maxim. John P. Hodsdon nses it now for a blacksmith shop. Samuel, 2d, lived in Wayne but a few years, when he sold out and moved to Strickland's Ferry in East Livermore. The Norrises of that place at this writing are of his branch. Woodin came about the time his father did and lived a few years with his brother Josiah. While living with him he built the east half of the house now owned by Sewall Pettingill on land which he had previously bought. The most of the land taken up by the Norrises when they first came to town has been kept in the name up to the present time.
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