USA > Maine > Kennebec County > Wayne > History of the town of Wayne, Kennebec County, Maine, from its settlement to 1898 > Part 6
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We have to record another serious fire which occurred Dec. 10, 1887, and entirely destroyed the large and commodious store, so long a land mark in the village. It was occupied at the time by the
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HISTORY OF WAYNE.
"North Wayne Tool Company" for their offices, and a part by Solomon A. Nelke as a store. At the same time the shoe shop and store of Williston Jennings, near the bridge, was burned, together with the stock, machine and fixtures.
In 1883, the Jennings Brothers, Hiram N. and Tudor G., com- menced, on their large farm in the north part of the town, the can- ning of corn, apples, pears, squash, pumpkin and other vegetables. They built an extensive plant, well fitted with machinery and ap- pliances for this work, employing about forty or fifty hands, and sent out an exceptionally fine product of canned goods. This busi- ness they carried on successfully for ten years, when, owing to the overstocked condition of the market, they suspended operations.
At Wayne village Mr. John M. Gott commenced a canning busi- ness in 1891, and continued it for three years. These industries were of benefit to the town, as they furnished the farmer with a convenient market, and in the season of work gave employment to quite a number of people.
The art of making the lucifer match was first introduced into Wayne by a man named Schudder, from New York, who induced Charles Allen and his two brothers to set up the business some time in 1846. They continued the business about two years, and then sold it to Palmer Richmond and Jefferson Owen, who mun the business about two years and then sold out to Wm. J. W. Varnum, who continued it, but on a very reduced scale, about eight years. During the first four years they gave steady employment to four men to manufacture the matches and six girls to do them up, ready for the market. They put up from 15,000 to 18,000 per year, yielding some $6000 annually. But owing to the improvement in machinery and other facilities for making matches, coupled with an overcrowded market, prices gradually shrank from 40 cents to 25 cents per gross, and the profits consequently lessened. The goods manufactured here were known as the split matches, and it was before the government required a stamp on them. The matches were made of the best pine lumber.
In the year 1892, Alfred B. Allen began at Wayne village the business of making flags and awnings. He also combined with it the business of decoration, and has made much more than a local reputation in this, having decorated in many of the larger cities, for notable gatherings in Boston, New York, Chicago and St.
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HISTORY OF WAYNE.
Louis. He also decorated at Angusta on the occasion of its cen- tennial celebration.
Many of the minor industries of the town have not been noted in detail, although each one helped to contribute to its prosperity, for the reason that in most instances there were such frequent changes, that to speak even briefly of them, would extend this account be- yond a desirable length. In this connection, however, it may be said with truth, that to a large degree, the varied industries of the town well supplied the needs of the inhabitants.
The women of the town, also, were not behind their husbands and sons in enterprise, for our pioneer mothers were graduates of the loom and wheel. They spun the shining flax and wove it in dainty patterns for their choicest table and bed-linen, and in coarser texture for common use, and their households, like the wise woman of Proverbs, were clothed with warm garments of wool, woven and fashioned by their own hands. Their deft fingers plaited straw for hats and bonnets, bleached and pressed them, and with taste and skill they employed the arts that adorn and beautify millinery and dress making.
In closing this record it is a matter of pride that it plainly shows that the inhabitants of the town have been noted for their industry, skill and enterprise, for a sturdy independence, and a public spirit that led them to desire to preserve and transmit to their descend- ants all the advantages of the goodly heritage which their fathers secured.
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العصير
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يمنع من بائـ
METHODIST CHURCH,
CHAPTER IV.
CHURCH HISTORY AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF RELIGIOUS WORSHIP.
The Methodist Episcopal Church .- The history of Maine Metho- dism began with the appointment of Rev. Jesse Lee * to Lynn and the Province of Maine by the N. E. Conference, Ang. 1, 1793. Lee arrived at Saco Sept. 6, 1793, on his first visit to this State, and preached there on the 10th. After inspecting the country as far east as Old Town, and west to Farmington, he says : "After viewing the country I thought the most proper place to form a circuit would be on the west side of the Kennebec river." This circuit was accordingly formed, extending from Hallowell to the Sandy river and called the Readfield circuit. Of this circuit Wayne, then called Pocasset, formed a part. Lee returned to Lynn the last of October of the same year. At seventeen of the places which he visited on this trip churches were established, which still remain. Lee came to Maine again Jan., 1794, and preached at Wayne, Feb. 14. Thus the first Methodist sermon was preached at Wayne, Feb. 14, 1794. He also visited many other places at this time. The result of this visit was the establishing of fifteen churches which still remain.
Philip Wager was appointed to Readfield circuit and was Wayne's first Methodist preacher. Wager formed a class at Monmouth in November, 1794, it being the first class formed in the State. The second class was formed at Readfield, and another in Wayne the same year. The New England Conference met at New London, Conn., July 15, 1795 ; 19 ministers were present. The total mem- bership of Maine was 318. Entire membership of the M. E. Church in the United States was 60,291 ; preachers, 313. This Conference appointed Enoch Mudge, and Elias Hull to the Readfield circuit. The Quarterly Conference made the salary of the Presiding Elder
* Jesse Lee was born in Virginia March 12, 1758. His parents joined the Methodist society in 1773 then formed under Robert Williams one of Wesley's preachers. In this same year, Lee experienced in a marked degree the sense of pardoned sin. He began to preach April 17, 1779. Received on trial May 6, 1783. In 1793 Lee bad explored all New England except the province of Maine.
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HISTORY OF WAYNE.
and the two preachers $34.17 per quarter. Distributed as follows, Jesse Lee $2.17, E. Mudge $16, and E. Hull $16. The Estimating Committee were the preachers themselves. After this time the salaries were estimated by a committee of the Stewards, when their salaries were increased.
The Conference of 1796 appointed J. Broadhead and O. Stebbins to the Readfield circuit. 1797, R. Yallalee and Joshua Taylor, who also served as Presiding Elder ; 1798, Joshua Taylor and Jesse Stoneman ; 1799, J. Broadhead and N. Emery ; 1800, Epaphras Kilby and Comfort Smith ; 1801, Asa Heath and Oliver Beal ; 1802, Samuel Hillman and Joseph Snelling ; 1803, Joseph Snelling and Thomas Perry ; 1804, Joseph Baker; 1805, W. Goodhue, Aaron Humphrey and John Williamson ; 1806, D. Burgess and B. F. Lombard ; 1807, Heury Martin ; 1808, J. Spaulding ; 1809, D. Kilburn ; 1810, E. Huse and Caleb Fogg; 1811, Joseph Baker ; 1812, Zachariah Gibson and T. F. Norris ; 1813, Cyrus Cummings and David Hutchinson ; 1814, Samuel Hillman ; 1815, Daniel Wentworth ; 1816, E. W. Coffin ; 1817, E. F. Newell ; 1818, Daniel Wentworth. At this date Mrs. Sallie Norris, then 8 years old, re- members attending Sabbath School in the village school house, located in the Josiah Norris field, which is now owned by Dr. F. L. Chenery. Probably this school house was the place where all the Methodist meetings were held previous to the completion of a church.
1819 and '20 Philip Munger was appointed to the Readfield cir- cuit. A Methodist Church was begun this latter year at Wayne. The contract is dated Nov. 20, 1820, and is between John Morrison, the builder, and John Morrison, Luther Sampson, Daniel Smith, Woodin Norris, Jabez Besse, Cyrus Foss and Woodin Besse, trustees. By said contract Morrison was to build a meeting house 30x40, 112 feet post. He was to put up the frame, underpin the house, joint and halve the boards on the walls, board and shingle the roof, glass the whole house with 7x9 glass, lay a double floor over the whole house, and procure enough plank for seating the house for one hundred dollars. This house was built where the M. E. Church now stands. According to the old bills, labor ranged from 50 cents up to $1, the master-builder obtaining that sum. Lumber ranged from $1.67 for timber to $6 for pine finishing lum- ber. But nails were 10 cents per pound.
In 1821 Aaron Fuller was appointed to this field. The house was probably finished during this year. 1822, G. Moody and Henry True ; 1823, Henry True and Caleb Fogg ; 1824, Caleb Fogg and
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HISTORY OF WAYNE.
J. Atwell ; 1825, Benjamin Burnham : 1826, Philip Ayer and Aaron Sanderson : 1827, MI. Sanderson. This year Wayne was set off with Monmonth circuit. 1828, Oren Bent; 1829, Greengrove Moore. A great revival occurred this year. 1830, D. Clark and D. Crocket : 1831, M. Davis; 1832, W. Tripp and Orin Bent ; 1833, David Stimson ; 1834 and 1835. Benjamin Bryant ; 1836, Ezra Whitney : 1837, John Allen, (Camp-meeting John) ; 1838, John Allen and Obadiah ITuse : 1839, S. S. Hunt and Isaac Downing ; 1840. Isaac Downing and R. H. Ford: 1841, Ezekiel Robinson ; 1842 and 1813, Rufus Stinchfield. 1842 Wayne was separated from Monmouth and appears in the minutes as a circuit. 1844, D. Quimby ; 1845 and 1846, Caleb Fuller. During his pastorate the church was rebuilt and made considerably larger at a cost of $1100. Elias B. Chandler was the contractor. 1847, C. C. Whitney ; 1848, William Wyman ; 1849, D. B. Randall was appointed to the Wayne circuit including Wayne and North Wayne. He reports that the Sunday School was very interesting. 1850, D. B. Randall was re- appointed to this circuit. He reports a very interesting revival at North Wayne. Some 30 persons were converted and reclaimed, and about 20 joined the society. He says, "We have also this year finished and dedicated our beautiful chapel at North Wayne." 1851, David Copland was appointed to this circuit ; 1852, R J. Ayer. He also went to Leeds. 1853, Theodore Hill ; 1854 and '55, James McMillan was preacher in charge ; 1854 Wayne was made a station ; 1856 and '57, F. A. Crafts. On the evening of July 5, 1857, fire was discovered in a large pile of shavings which had been dumped underneath the church floor. It was put out after a long, desperate effort by the citizens. 1858, Jolin Mitchell ; 1859, Cyrus A. King ; 1860, Asbury C. Trafton ; 1861 and '62, Ezekiel Smith ; 1863 and '64, William B. Bartlett. There was a good revival during his term. 1865, '66 and '67, John M. Woodbury. During this pas- torate 30 probationers were added to the church. In the year 1866 Holman Johnson donated to the society the house now used as a parsonage. It was repaired, a stable and woodshed built at a cost of about $500. The ladies furnished the parsonage. About this time the church was repaired and frescoed, and a furnace was put into the basement to heat the house. The pulpit now in use was made by Elias B. Chandler and presented to the church at this time by him. 1868, James Armstrong was the preacher ; 1869 and 1870, John Mitchell ; 1871 and '72, William H. Foster. In the fall of 1872 the horseshed was built. 1873, '74 and '75, E. K. Colby ; 1876 and
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HISTORY OF WAYNE.
'77 Elbridge Gerry ; 1878 and '79, Sylvester Hooper. He held re- vival services, aided by Kent's Hill students, and several were won to Christ. 1880, '81 and '82, W. II. Foster. Through the efforts of the Rev. Caleb Fuller the bell was bought and put into the belfry in January, 1883. Weight of bell 1023 lbs., cost $300. 1883 and '84, John P. Cole ; 1885 and '86, Onslow Stephens. The curtain which hangs at the window between the church and vestry was given by Mrs. Catharine Moulton, 1884. The Communion table in front of the pulpit was bought and given by Daniel True in 1885. In the fall of 1885 the house was carpeted and in February follow- ing, the pews were cushioned. The carpet and cushions were bought by the ladies of the society. Good results followed the labors of Brother Stevens and twelve were added to the church on probation. 1887, '88 and '89, D. R. Ford. During this pastorate 12 were re- ceived in full connection who were left probationers by Brother Stevens. Twenty-two were converted, served their probation, and joined in full connection. North Leeds was added to the circuit. 26 were converted, received on probation ; 11 joined in full con- nection from that place. 1890 and '91, J. R. Masterman ; 1892 and '93, J. M. Woodbury. He leaves a record in which he makes special mention of the spiritual power in the class-meetings. 1894, H. L. Crockett. In the month of January of this year the Baptist and Methodist united for a series of meetings. Frank H. Jones and A. A. Allen of the Bailey Praying Band were engaged and labored three weeks, which resulted in a blessed revival, which has been an inspiration to the churches since. An Epworth League was formed after these meetings. 1895, C. A. Laughton. In June of this year the lightning struck the belfry of the church. The matter of repairing the church was agitated early in this conference year, and also the building of a vestry. Mr. P. F. Pike offered to build a vestry provided the society would make the necessary repairs on the church, which offer was accepted. The funds were raised for re- pairs on church by voluntary subscriptions instead of assessing the pew owners as had been formerly done. A committee on repairs was chosen by the trustees. Dr. F. L. Chenery, C. E. Wing, William Clark, Mrs. J. A. Swift, and Mrs. Julia Bishop were con- stituted that committee. P. F. Pike had the charge of the raising of funds. The church was newly covered with iron roofing. The outside was painted and the inside painted and frescoed, and many other necessary repairs made. The church is now lighted by a Finch reflector. A new entrance with portico was made at the
R, INOX
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BAPTIST CHURCH.
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HISTORY OF WAYNE.
center of the house. The house was re-opened in December, 1895. Sermon by C. W. Gallagher. Several of the former pastors were present and made remarks in the evening. In 1896 and '97, D. R. Ford. A Church Roll Call and picnic dinner were held in the church Dec. 1, 1897. Out of a membership of 113, 85 responded to their names ; 67 in person and 18 by letter.
Church membership in 1897, 113; average membership for the past fifty-five years, 108. Average salary of preachers for the same period 8477.77. The average annual contribution of this church toward the support of the Presiding Elders and Bishops, since 1873, is $30.65 ; average annual collections for benevolences since 1848, $40.04.
In the compilation of this account the writer has had the assist- ance of Rev. D. R. Ford, and the free use of the old records pre- served and kept by Mr. James Moulton.
The Baptist Church .- The Baptist church in Wayne was organized Jan. 9, 1794. Its first members were, Samuel Frost, Isaac Dexter, James Lawrence, Richard Handy, Nathaniel Billington. Constant Dexter, Ichabod Billington, Jr., Joseph Lawrence, David Perry and Joanna Lawrence. In April of the same year the name of Ichabod Billington was added to the list. It appears that religious services had been held at different times for several years, but services were held regularly during the most of the year of 1793, which resulted in the organization of the church. Elder James Potter of Bowdoin, a pioneer worker, was with the people in this awakening of 1793, and baptized four converts Nov. 16th and two Nov. 17th ; was present at the organization of the church, preached the opening sermon and served as moderator of the session. Lemuel Jackson of Sidney after the sermon baptized two converts and served as a member of the council.
Millett in his "History of Maine Baptists" says : "For many years this feeble church was assisted and edified by occasional preaching. Elders Potter, Jackson and Case were among them frequently, and the Association did not forget them in the distribu- tion of their voluntary supplies to the destitute. By these aids the church made a slow progress, obtaining an annual net increase for a period of six years."
From April, 1794, to Dec. 1795, there were added seven to the original eleven members. On Dec. 6, 1795, there was added to the church a branch at Littleboro (now Leeds). Those added were
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HISTORY OF WAYNE.
David Lothrop, Thomas Francis, Gideon Lane and Eleazer Carver, baptized by Elder Potter. The natural leader of this branch was Thomas Francis, who was converted as the result of his own read- ing and reflections, the first person in town to confess Christ. Not willing to keep the message to himself, he assembled his friends and neighbors, read the word, prayed, and related his religious expe- rienee from which gracious results followed. Ang. 5, 1797, he was licensed by the church and on June 29, 1799, he was set apart by ordination as an "evangelist" in the barn of Gideon Lane. ' On the 15th of July, 1799, the church voted to receive him "as Elder and Pastor." On the third Lord's day in June, 1800, the Leeds branch was dismissed, and on July 2 was constituted into a church con- sisting of sixteen members (fifteen of these were from Wayne) and Mr. Francis was elected their pastor, where he served till 1835, and was senior pastor till death, May 9, 1836.
After the dismissal of the Leeds branch in 1800 the membership of the church was about twenty-five. Elder William Godding from Jay united with the church March 13, 1802, and served as pastor four years, during which time thirteen were added to its member- ship.
From 1806 to 1817 the church was withont a pastor, and only four were added to it, but one of these, Nathan Thomas, was licensed, but not ordained, by the church which was strengthened by his ministry, from 1817-19, and six were added to its member- ship. There was no pastor of the church from 1820 to 1829, but the church received additions nearly every year.
During the years 1829 and '30 a revival was promoted by Rev. Ezra Going, who was received into the church as pastor Nov. 8, 1829. Thirty-five were added before the year closed, one of whom is Sister Achsah Lawrence, baptized Nov. 22, the only one who united at that time who is now a member. Elder Going up to and in- cluding May 8th, baptized in 1830, twelve, of whom Thomas Wing only lives. On that day, May 8th, Elder Going severed his pastorate relations with the church. Two more members were received during the year, making the membership in September, 1830, seventy-two, instead of twenty-five two years before.
Rev. T. B. Robinson was with the church early in 1831, and was received to membership and recognized as pastor some months later, and continued his service till June, 1835, during which time fourteen members were received, the last of whom was Deacon Thomas Wilson who came from Bowdoinham, an earnest and
REV. JOSHUA MILLET.
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HISTORY OF WAYNE.
helpful member, a man of means, who used it liberally for the ad- vancement of the Master's work here as well as elsewhere. Sep- tember, 1835, the church numbered sixty-eight.
Rev. D. P. Bailey served as pastor from early in 1836 to Novem- ber 11, 1837, during which time there were added fourteen. The report for September, 1837, credits the church with eighty members the most at any one time till 1886. From 1838 to 1841 unsnecess- ful attempts were made to settle a pastor. Supplies were obtained for the most of the time. Efforts were made to retain Elder Bailey, but in 1838 he had gone. Wilson C. Rider of Leeds supplied the church considerably in 1839, and R. C. Starr in 1840, at which time the membership was seventy-four. Robert C. Starr served as pastor from 1841 to 1843, under whom five were received by bap- tism and three by letter. He united with the church in September. 1841, lived with the people many years after the close of this pas- torate, served the church as clerk from 1842 to 1845 and again from 1848 to 1851, and was given a letter to unite with the Baptist church at Thomaston in 1859.
In 1844, Rev. Joshua Millett was settled as pastor. To him the Baptists of Maine are indebted for his "History of Maine Baptists" from which great help has been derived in the preparation of this article. He was born in Leeds, ordained in Charleston, Maine, in 1836, where he served us till 1838. He came here from Cherryfield where he had served from 1838 to 1813. Here he served till com- pelled by ill health to give up his work ; and here he died one month later, Mar. 10, 1848. Under his ministrations seven were added to the membership of the church. He held a warm place in the hearts of the people.
Rev. Sam'l Boothby, licensed by the church in 1843 to serve the Second Church in Livermore, served the church as pastor from 1848 till April, 1851, during which service thirteen were added. Carleton Parker was called to the pastorate of the church March 13, 1852, was ordained June 2, and served till August, 1856. Under him thirty-seven were added to the membership, a net gain of twenty- five, making the total at that time seventy-fonr. During his service. the church was repaired, and the benevolences of the church reached a sum never before equaled.
Between this and the next pastorate Rev. Abraham Snyder, then pastor at Leeds, supplied the church considerably. Efforts were made to secure his labors as pastor but without success. Nov. 8, 1857, J. P. Chapin was called to serve as pastor, was ordained
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HISTORY OF WAYNE.
Dee. 16, and served till April, 1859. A. R. Crane, then a student, supplied the pulpit with acceptance during the summer of 1859. Rev. Gideon S. Smith, united with the church Jan. 7, 1860; re- signed as pastor Mar. 6, 1864. . He has returned to this beautiful region to spend his last days and serves as the efficient Superinten- dent of our Sunday School.
The next pastor was Rev. William Beavins, who served from June 11, 1865, until some time in 1867. During this period there was a revival in the village in which an evangelist Edwin Burnham assisted. Twelve were added to the church. After this the church had no regular pastor until 1870. During this time the church de- pended upon supplies. H. L. Stetson, a student, recently president of Des Moines College, in Iowa, spent the summer of 1869 with the church with good results. On the 3d of October he gave the hand of fellowship to five persons who were baptized by Father Carleton Parker.
In the fall of 1870, Rev. S. S. Brownson began work with the church, when the membership was sixty-six. When he closed in 1873 the membership was sixty-nine. He served at Leeds at the same time, where there was quite a number of additions. After leaving Wayne he served at Alna from 1874 until failing health compelled him to resign in 1876. He moved to a farm in the spring of 1877, preached his last sermon October 14, died from consump- tion eight weeks later, Dec. 6, and was buried in Wayne Dec. 9, 1877. Rev. H. A. Libby supplied during the summer and fall of 1874 and baptized several candidates.
The next pastorate, and the longest in the history of the church, was that of Rev. Abraham Snyder, who labored faithfully for ten years, from 1875 to 1885. It was during this period that the church building was burned and the present structure built. Earnest and devoted in his work, Brother Snyder leaves the impress of his life upon his people. Not only the new church but the prayer-meeting which had for some time been given up, are the results of his efforts. During his pastorate sixteen were received to membership ; some of these are now our best helpers.
Rev. Erwin Dennett, who has since labored at Franklin and Roslindale in Mass., and Brooklyn, N. Y., served as the next pastor. The records show that this was a time of ingathering. The period of service was a little more than one and one-half years, 1885-7, but, during that time, there were added to the church by baptism twenty-three, by letter and experience eleven, a total of
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HISTORY OF WAYNE.
thirty-four, of whom thirteen are now members of the church.
Rev. J. R Herrick served as pastor during the years 1889 and 1890. Two were baptized by him and eleven were received by letter, but the monument to his efforts is the present parsonage. With strong faith and determined effort, he inspired the people with the belief that they were able to possess themselves of this house, and it was proved "according to your faith be it unto you."
Rev. Geo. F. Jenkins served as pastor during the years 1891 and 92. Rev. Robert Scott of Leeds supplied the church considerably during the season of 1893.
Rev. Judson B. Bryant received a call to the pastorate in the fall of 1893, and has served since Dec. 20th to the present, 1897. A Y. P. S. C. E. was organized April 3, 1894, which have grown to a membership of 45, and has done good work. The Centennial of the church was observed with appropriate ex- ercises Aug. 9, 1894. The benovelences of the church have probably never been exceeded.
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