USA > Maine > Kennebec County > Wayne > History of the town of Wayne, Kennebec County, Maine, from its settlement to 1898 > Part 9
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29
Among the Captains of the Rifle Company were Capt. Ephraim Norris, Capt. Uriah Virgen, Capt. Greenlief Wing, Capt. Hubbard Lovejoy, Capt. James Wing, Capt. Washington Stanley who was High Sheriff when Joseph Sager was hung, and the last Captain of the Rifles was Capt. Joseph Jennings. Ensigns and Color-bearers, Obed Wing, William Burgess. In the list of Captains of the old militia companies may be named, Capt. Job Fuller, Capt. Amasa Dexter, Capt. Love Roberts, Capt. James Lamb, Capt. Benj. Rid- ley, Capt. Jas. S. Bishop, Capt. Daniel True, Capt. Jacob Haskell.
Col. Zachariah P. Wing of Wayne was also commander of the Regiment at Readfield Musters.
CHAPTER VI.
HOTELS AND LANDLORDS.
F 'ROM the time of incorporation of the town, viz : Feb. 12, 1798,
the commercial business of this section of the District of Maine was transacted in the City of Boston. To this city the coun- try merchants made their annual and semi-annual visits to settle their old, and open new accounts, buying in large quantities their goods and wares, a method of business long since supplanted by traveling salesmen seeking and soliciting orders of all engaged in the many and various vocations of trade. At that time, Hallowell, at the head of navigation for large vessels on the Kennebec river, was the great shipping centre for the country lying west and north and adjacent thereto. The only means of transportation between these two cities was by sailing vessels. They were laden in Boston with the goods and wares for the country merchants, and re-laden in Hallowell with country produce taken from the farmers in exchange for these goods and wares. Sometimes weeks were necessary to make a round trip that now is made by steamboats in a few hours. When we consider the vast territory to be supplied from this com- mercial centre, and the transportation of merchandise, we may have a slight conception of the amount of labor and travel involved. But one method was then employed, and that ox power ; a large force being necessary to perform the work. This was a slow process, but sure. In winter it was not an unusual occurrence to see the road filled with these teams for a distance of one-half, or even three-fourths of a mile, laden with every kind of country produce from shingles to round hogs ; the latter re-loaded at Hallowell, when the river was closed to navigation, hauled to Bath and shipped thenee to Boston. From the towns of Hartford, Sumner, Canton, Peru, Dixfield and others in that vicinity, the travel led through this town, over the southern portion of Beech hill ; thence through the village to Winthrop, Manchester and IIallowell.
With the advance of time and the increase in population the busi-
86
HISTORY OF WAYNE.
ness of the country kept apace. The village was rapidly built np and soon became one of the most enterprising and progressive in this section of the District. Very early in the century a turnpike road Iwas built from Portland to Farmington, passing through Fayette, Wayne, Leeds, Greene, &c. This road was built on nearly a straight line, turning neither to the one side nor the other to avoid hills, it seemingly being the intent of the engineer to lay out and construct the same over those of the greatest altitude and the most abrupt and difficult of ascent. One obstacle only seemed to turn them from their course, and that, apparently, they had little, or no taste for-water. This road also passed over Beech hill at right angles to that aforementioned. Daily mail stages were run over this route and received a large passenger patronage. Other mail and passenger stage lines were put in operation in every direction. . Prominent amongst these was a route from Fryeburg to Hallowell, and another from Wayne to Augusta, at which place connection was made with stages to Bangor and other eastern towns. Several branch lines centered in this town, which at that time, was the em- porium. In looking over the old road-beds over which these stages used to pass, portions of which, long since discontinued and aban- doned, yet visible, one is impressed with the idea that they were run with the view of profit, rather than safety. No brake attach- ments were then in use on stages or other vehicles. In descending the many steep hills the horses were made to hold back the load as long as they could, and when too much for them, were run for dear life, trusting no longer to the breechings, but Providence.
From the foregoing, although meagre, the importance and neces- sity of hotel accommodations are apparent. Quantity was a greater factor at that time than quality. Stable accommodations were very essential. It was here that many relays of horses were kept for the stage lines running in every direction from this centre.
On May 20, 1799, Jonathan Howe, of Wayne, who at that time owned a double saw-mill on the middle dam in Wayne Village, lo- cated near where the main street now crosses the millstream, sold to Shubael Hinkley the first house built in Wayne Village which was made of logs, and with it nine acres of land. The house was built by Thomas Wing and stood on the site now occupied by that of Mrs. G. M. True. The land was the same now owned by her, and is bounded by the east side of the millstream ; on the north and east by Pocasset lake ; on the south by land of Sarah Moulton and on the west by Main street and land of Mrs. A. Lawrence and land
87
HISTORY OF WAYNE.
of William Folsome. April 4, 1805, Shubael Hinkley by his deed of warrantee, conveyed the above described property to Capt. Col- lins Lovejoy of Fayette, who although a minor, was a blacksmith by trade, and the possessor of a helpmeet. He removed the log house and erected a large, square, frame house and fitted it for a hotel. Capt. Lovejoy, better known to the older people of the town as "Old Landlord Lovejoy," was the first to open a house to the public, in the town. He was born in New Hampshire in 1785, and re- moved, with his parents, to Fayette. He came to this town in the capacity of a blacksmith. He built a shop and worked therein for several years, on the site where now stands a building called the Fort, which is owned by Mrs. E. G. Dexter. He, at the same time, kept an open house from 1806 to April 24, 1822, when he conveyed the house and land, by his deed of warantee, to John Bowles, Samuel Buswell and Jesse Lovejoy ; yet he continued his residence . there, and run the place as a hotel until April 18, 1826, when Jesse Lovejoy, of Fayette, sold to Frances J. and Isaac Bowles his inter- est therein, and the old landlord removed to the place now owned by Mrs. Emma Jephson at the base of the hill near the residence of J. M. Weeks, where he resumed the business of blacksmithing. He was removed by his son Collins in the year 1851 to Chesterville, where he continued his residence until his decease. He married Sally Pettingill and had issue Lncy, born Nov. 9, 1805 ; Julia Ann, born May 1, 1807 ; Sarah, born March 1, 1810 ; Collins, born Jan. 9, 1812, and Leonard, born 1815. On the retirement of Capt Love- joy from the hotel it was closed to the public.
The second place in the town, the owner of which made any pre- tensions to accommodate the traveling public, was that of Capt. Love Roberts, located at the cross-roads on Beech hill, the place now occupied by a son and grandson, Wm. H. and Frank Roberts. April 20, 1817, Gideon Southworth of Wayne conveyed to Love Roberts the farm by his deed of warrantec. It is the impression of the writer that Capt. Roberts occupied this place as early as 1810, but did not obtain a clear title until 1817. The buildings were ex- tensive and commodious. His barn was about one hundred feet long, with shed attachment the length of one entire side. This was often filled with stage horses and ox-teams from the back country towns, and his spacions yard with their loads. While he did not advertise to keep a public house nor obtained a license therefor, he did a very extensive business until his decease. Ile was twice mar- ried. By his first wife he had issue Mary Ann, born Mar. 22, 1811 ;
88
HISTORY OF WAYNE.
Elmira H., born Sept. 10, 1812; Loring T., born Sept. 22, 1814; Julia T., born Feb. 9, 1817. By his second wife he had issue Charles F., born Feb. 27, 1826, and William II., born Nov. 8, 1819. He was born April 8, 1785, and died July 27, 1827. Daniel True of Wayne and Elijah Barrell of Greene were appointed guardians of the minor children of Capt. Roberts and on May 1 and Sept. 24, 1831, conveyed the farm to Uriah 1I. Virgen, after which time little, if anything, was done in the hotel line, at this place.
The second place in the village and third in town that was used for hotel purposes was that where Mr. A. S. Wright resides. By their deed of warrantee, Job Fuller and Elias Sweet et. als., con- veyed this place to Bartlett Weeks Dee. 3, 1817. On Sept. 2, 1819, the same was transferred by Bartlett Weeks to Jabez Leadbetter of Leeds, who converted it into a hostelry. In 1820. he married Lucretia, a daughter of Capt. Stillman Howard of Leeds, and re- moved her to this place, and dedicated their new home to the public. Mr. Leadbetter was a landlord but a few years, when in 1828 his buildings were destroyed by fire and they were not rebuilt.
Mr. Leadbetter had issue Nelson, Rosa, Laura, Aurelia, Lucius Clark, Delphina and Rodelphus, twins, Lucia and IIenry. After the fire he removed his family into a house then standing on the hill easterly from the present residence of Sewall Pettingill. In 1834, he sold his property in Wayne Village to Benjamin Woodman, Jr., of Leeds, and removed to the northwestern part of the town, to the place now occupied by Mrs. Isaac P. Ridley ; thence to Leeds, and subsequently to Monmouth, where he died.
The third place in the village where hotel accommodations were offered to the public, was on the site now owned by Mrs. Sarah Moulton and occupied for a residence. July 12, 1824, by his deed of warrantee Heircy Bishop of Wayne conveyed this piece of real estate, land and buildings thereon, to Henry B. Farnham and George Washington Stanley of Winthrop. At that time Mr. Stanley eame to this town and occupied this place in the capacity of its first land- lord, and on the same lot opened a store, both of which were given his time and attention. He continued in the business until May 5, 1826, at which time he sold out to his partner Henry B. Farnham, and sometime subsequent was elected sheriff of Kennebec County and removed to Angusta, where he resided until his decease. While Mr. Stanley occupied the house and store, his brother David was with him in the capacity of clerk. The successor of Mr. Stanley was Alfred B. Morton, also of Winthrop, who leased the place of
89
HISTORY OF WAYNE.
Henry B. Farnham, and was the second landlord to officiate there. His brother Philander was with him during his stay in the town which terminated Sept. 17, 1831, when the property was conveyed by Mr. Farnham to George Smith of Readfield, who removed his family to this town at that time and engaged in the hotel business and that of merchant. He was a resident of the town twenty-eight years. In 1845, he gave the hotel business into the hands of his son Albion, and boarded himself and family with him until 1854, when Albion went West and the house was closed to the public. The experience of Mr. Smith, in this town, was varied, and his history is yet fresh in the memory of those who knew him. In many respects his memory should be revered, while we leave unsaid those things we would not perpetuate. Sept. 1, 1859, he conveyed his land and buildings on the east side of Main Street to S. S. Brown, and the remainder to Eben Norris, Jr., comprising the brick store and lot ; and removed to Michigan where he made extensive pur- chases of land and erected buildings thereon for his sons, for which he invested large sums of money. In a short time these were all consumed by a prairie fire. This last misfortune, one of a series, had a telling effect upon him, and he soon died. In the great con- flagration of July 1, 1863, the Smith buildings belonging to Mr. Brown, were burned, and the lot remained vacant until 1896, at which time Mr. J. M. Monlton erected thereon a fine residence,- an ornament to the village.
The next, or fourth place in the village used for a hostelry, was that where now stands the Pocasset House, which in part is the original hotel. In 1815, Nathaniel Dexter, of Winthrop, owned the then vacant lot, now the hotel grounds. In that year he erected the main house which is now the front of the Pocasset House, but for some reason it stood unfinished. March 20, 1819, by his deed of warrantee he conveyed the place to Richard Belcher, of Winthrop, for a consideration of $250. Mr. Belcher completed the construc- tion of the house and built a small stable in that year. One of our departed townsmen, who spent a long life in Wayne, was a laborer for Mr. Belcher when he completed this structure,-Mr. Wager L. Besse. This house was constructed for a private residence, and when finished by Mr. Belcher, fitted up for a double tenement house, and by him leased to varions parties, among whom were Capt. Joseph S. Bishop and Humphrey Hight March 27, 1828, Mr. Belcher sold the place to Jonathan C. Pinkham, also of Winthrop, for $700. Mr. Pinkham built an ell that season and made other
90
HISTORY OF WAYNE.
additions and in November hung out his sign as a hotel keeper, being the first landlord on these premises. Feb. 23, 1832, JJonathan C. Pinkham, by his deed of warrantee conveyed the property to Alpheus Lane, of Wayne, formerly of Leeds, in consideration of $1,000. But little has been learned by the writer of the subsequent history of Mr. Pinkham and his family. Alphens Lane came to the hotel as its second landlord from a farm in the eastern part of the town, that on which Charles D. Maxim now resides. Mr. Lane was born in Leeds in January, 1792. Ilis first wife, Sarah Foss, was born in Leeds in 1794. They had issue Sewall F., born June 10, 1818 ; Sarah F., born Sept. 27, 1822 ; and Alpheus, born Jan. 20, 1827. Mrs. Lane died in August, 1827. In 1828, Mr. Lane mar- ried Elizabeth, the eldest daughter of Capt. Rogers Stinchfield. She was born in Wayne, May 22, 1800. They had issue Elizabeth Frances, John, Roscoe, Ensign O., Oxford and Helen. April 11, 1834, Alpheus Lane, by his deed of warrantee, conveyed the hotel and lot to Giddens Lane, Jr., of Leeds, in consideration of $1,000. After this conveyance, Alphens remained on the place and kept an open house until June 27, 1835, when Giddens sold it to James Moulton of Hartford, for the sum of $1,500, and took in part pay- ment a farm in Hartford, to which place Alpheus, at that time, re- moved his family, and subsequently to Milo, where he died.
Mr. James Moulton assumed the duties of landlord and run the house until November, 1841, at which date he leased it to Jeremiah Foss, Jr., for a term of two years, and retired from the hotel busi- ness. Mr. Moulton was born in Scarboro, Nov. 29, 1791. His wife, Mary McKenney, was born in Saco, Sept. 13, 1793. They had issue Nancy M., born Scarboro, April 1, 1812; Sumner C., born Hartford, July 3, 1815 : Daniel, born Hartford, August 11, 1816 ; James M., born Hartford, Nov. 8, 1820; Jonathan, born Hartford, April 22, 1823 ; Morris, born Hartford, Aug. 10, 1827. Mr. Moulton built a house on the lot adjoining the hotel, in 1843. This he occupied as a residence until his decease which occurred Mar. 8, 1875. In June, 1841, his daughter Nancy married Daniel Foss. In 1842, Jeremiah Foss, Jr., terminated his lease of the hotel, and Nancy and Daniel Foss occupied it free of cost until Nov. 20, 1846, when Mr. Moulton conveyed the property to Daniel in consideration of one-half of the value, making a present to his wife of the other half. Mr. Foss continued in the capacity of land- lord until his death, Sept. 21, 1858. They had no issue. From that date to May, 1865, his widow Nancy, in company with her
91
HISTORY OF WAYNE.
sister-in-law Novella, widow of James M. Moulton, conducted the business of the house. At that date, Novella married Mr. James H. Thorne who assumed the management of the place. Mr. Thorne was born in Monmouth March 28, 1823. He was three times mar- ried. His first wife was Mary Jane, a danghter of Ebenezer Nor- ris, a resident of Wayne. She was born in Wayne Sept. 4, 1821 ; died in Wayne, Oct. 28, 1858. They had issue J. Millard, born Mar. 5, 1852; Nancy N., born May 6, 1853; George II., born Nov. 8, 1854 ; Ebenezer W., born Nov. 16, 1857, and Mary Jane, born Oct. 19, 1858. His second wife was Mary, the widow of Oliver Norris. They had one son, Homer A. Mr. Thorne died Mar. 19, 1866. From this date the widows again run the house until April, 1868, at which time they conveyed it to Rufus A. Wing a resident of the town. A short time subsequent to this date the widow, Nancy Foss, was married to Mr. Hiram Hinds of Buckfield. They located in Lewiston where she continned her residence until a short time prior to her death when she returned to this town and was under the care of Mrs. Lucy, the widow of Jonathan Moulton. She died April 22, 1891. The widow, Novella, returned to Leeds, her native town, where she died. Rufus A. Wing was born in Wayne, Jan. 13, 1834. He married Emily Dexter who was born in the town of Winthrop. They had no issue. Mr. Wing was land- lord from April, 1868 to May, 1875, at which time he sold to Still- man L. Howard, Esq., of Leeds. Mr. Wing removed to Lewiston where he was engaged for several years in running corporation boarding houses. He is now a resident of that city. Stillman L. Howard, Esq., was born in Leeds Mar. 3, 1810. His wife, Julia Ann Turner, was born in Leeds Oct. 13, 1809. They were married April 14, 1833. They had issue Ward B., born Jan. 8, 1834 ; How- land, born Aug. 3, 1837 ; Daniel H., born Jan. 19, 1840; Lncins, born Mar. 9, 1842 ; Julia, born Dec. 14, 1849, and Henrietta. born Dec. 7, 1853. Mr. Howard kept the house until March 20, 1889, at which time the present incumbent, J. C. Stinchfield, became its landlord. Mr. Howard continued his residence therein, when from the effect of an injury caused by the kick of a horse he died Nov. 8, 1890, and was buried at West Leeds.
J. C. Stinchfield was born in Leeds, Nov. 3, 1843. His first wife, Catherine H. Graves, was born in Wayne, Nov. 19, 1844, and died in Wayne, Jan. 7, 1878. They were married July 4, 1864. They had issne Minnie Etta, born in Wayne, Jan. 1, 1868 and George Rogers, born in Wayne, Jan. 2, 1876. His second wife, Henrietta,
92
HISTORY OF WAYNE.
youngest child of Stillman L. Howard, was born in Leeds, Dec. 7, 1853. They were married in Wayne, June 13, 1886. They have issne Allen Howard, born in Wayne, May 8, 1888.
The last place in the village embarked in the hotel business was that nearly opposite the C. B. Church and now owned by Horatio G. Foss and occupied by his mother and sister. This place was early owned by William B. Spear, who conveyed it to T. B. Robin- son of Levant, Penobscot County. Mar. 7, 1836, T. B. Robinson, by his warrantee conveyed the place to Uriah II. Virgen of Wayne. Mr. Virgen disposed of the buildings thereon, and built others adapted to hotel business. In this transaction the actual cost much exceeded the estimate, and he became involved. After an experi- ence of three years labor in the capacity of landlord, and failing to realize the income he hoped to obtain, he retired from the business and went away June 12, 1837. To secure a debt to Naney Virgen of Rumford he gave her a quitelaim deed of the place. Nov. 5, 1839, Nancy Virgen conveyed by quitclaim deed to Uriah II. Virgen, and two days later, Nov. 7, 1839, by his deed of warrantee, he conveyed the place to Thomas Wilson of Bowdoinham, who had become a resident of this town and boarded with Mr. Virgen. Mr. Wilson, better known as "Deacon Wilson," was a bachelor. He leased this place, at the time it came into his possession to Jeremiah Foss, Jr., for two years. At the termination of the lease, in November, 1841, Mr. Foss leased of James Moulton the Pocasset House for two years and removed his family thereto. From that date, Jan. 1, 1850, the place was used for a private residence, a parsonage. He then sold the place to his former lessee, Mr. Jeremiah Foss, who re-opened it to the public, but closed it again in 1851, since which time, with the exception of the Smith house which closed in 1854, the Pocasset House has been the only one in the village to entertain the public. The genealogy of the family of Mr. Foss will be found in that department of this book.
Of the five houses in the village once used for hotel purposes, the first was taken down, two were destroyed by fire and two remain ; one occupied by Mrs. Jeremiah Foss for a private residence, and the other the Pocasset House, which has recently undergone de- cided changes and improvements. Where once three public houses were well patronized and successfully supported, one is now ample for the demand, except in the summer months, when it is taxed to its full capacity with visitors from the cities in New England and those further south. Of the many landlords before mentioned,
93
HISTORY OF WAYNE.
(and we think the list complete) who have done business in this village but two remain to participate in the centennial anniversary exercises of the town, viz : R. A. Wing and J. C. Stinchfield.
At North Wayne Village, the first and only building, with attach- ments subsequently made used for hotel purposes was the fulling mill, formerly standing on the west side of the mill stream. In 1843. Esq. Fisk moved it from that site to where it stands and re- modelled it into a house and fitted it for hotel purposes. It was first opened by Mr. Anson Bartlett. Little has been learned of the history of Mr. Bartlett. His former occupation was that of seythe maker. For several years he was in the employ of the Dunn Edge Tool Co. Ile had a family of four, or more children, one of whom, M. M. Bartlett, was Superintendent of the North Wayne Tool Co., for a term of years. Mr. Bartlett, Sen., subsequently purchased the farm now occupied by Sawyer B. Norris, at which place he died. In 1849, Daniel B. Palmer, of Readfield, succeeded Mr. Bartlett as landlord. He kept the honse until 1856, when his brother Alvin returned from a snecessful stay in California and bought out the place and business. He made many changes, built on additions and fitted up the place with modern improvements. Adjoining the house he built a store, which in connection therewith he has run almost continually since. lle is one of the few old residents of the village. He spent his boyhood days there. His recollection of early events renders him an important factor in gathering data for this work. His health is somewhat impaired by hard work and exposure in his earlier days, but his mind and attention are given to his business which he will retain to the last. His genealogy may be found in that department in this book.
CHAPTER VII.
SCHOOLS-INFLUENCE OF THE "LITTLE RED SCHOOL HOUSE."
TI HIE early settlers of ancient Pocasset, or New Sandwich, as the settlement was called, were noble people. They not only cleared away the primeval forests and left a goodly heritage in culti- vated fields and productive lands, but they also laid the foundation of a school system whose influence has made the first hundred years of our town's existence worthy of celebration. They knew full well that schools and human progress go hand in hand. Their sound, practical common sense taught them the necessity of schools in lay- ing the foundation of permanent homes such as they wished to build for themselves and for their descendants. They made great sacrifices in the cause of education. They lived honest, useful lives. Let us call to mind their high achievements, emulate their virtues, and ever keep their memory green.
Unfortunately the records of the plantation of New Sandwich and the first two years of the town of Wayne cannot be found. There- fore we have but little positive and definite knowledge of the schools for those years. But the town records for the year 1800 indicate that an important work had been done.
The first town meeting of which there is any record was held Nov. 3, 1800, at the school house. This was the only school house and probably the only public edifice in the town at this date. It stood in the northwest corner of what is now J. F. Gordon's farm, near the site of his granite works. It was used for schools, town- meetings and religious services. It was described to the writer as a plain, barn-looking building like those so common in "ye olden time" on the hillsides of New England. It had an aisle through the centre from which an inclined plane rose to the wall on either side. The benches were made parallel to the aisle. A huge fire- place was at one end in which many cords of green wood were burned each winter. Ilow different school life must have been in those days from the life of the modern school boy and school girl ! And yet some of the graduates from that historic old school house were intelligent and successful men and women,
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.