Illustrated history of Kennebec County, Maine; 1625-1892, Part 139

Author: Kingsbury, Henry D; Deyo, Simeon L., ed
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: New York, Blake
Number of Pages: 1790

USA > Maine > Kennebec County > Illustrated history of Kennebec County, Maine; 1625-1892 > Part 139

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).

The Church of Christ Society was organized in 1870, under the labors of Rev. William Murray, of Haverhill, Mass., with a member- ship of twenty-two. Two years prior to this, worship was held in the house of Charles Drake, in the extreme southern part of the town; but after organization the society held its services in district No. 9 school house, until 1871, when the old meeting house of the Christian church on the Puddle Dock road was purchased, where worship has since been held. Elder Charles Drake has been leader of the society up to the present time, though several of the brethren have occasion- ally helped him in his labors.

CEMETERIES .- Most of the eight burial grounds in Albion are properly maintained, but some of them bear depressing evidences of neglect. The most ancient of these cemeteries adjoins the land of Ralph J. Whittaker. It is thought to have been laid out about 1810. It is about an acre in extent, and contains the remains of members of the Crosby, Pray, Woodcock and Curtis families, and of other early settlers.

The next oldest ground (about 1815) is the Friends' Cemetery on Quaker hill, though no burials are made here at the present time. Many of the graves are unmarked, but a few record the names of men prominent in their day in the affairs of the society. They are: James Warren, b. 1765, d. 1852; Joseph Winslow, b. 1774, d. 1851; John Warren, b. 1775, d. 1849; Ebenezer Varney, b. 1780, d. 1857; Levi Winslow, b. 1788, d. 1875; James Coombs, b. 1795, d. 1859.

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Plan of the old Town of Fairfax (Al- bion), from a pen-sketch by Thomas Addison of detached plans embodied in one map by Ira E. Getchell, of Winslow. Lots numbered agreeable to original surveys made for the proprietors by Charles Hayden and General Joseph Chandler.

The Nelson tract, enclosed by o o o lines, now comprises the northerly part of Albion, and is 430 rods wide. It was surveyed by John McKechnie in 1769.

The tracts enclosed by VVVV and . . . lines, containing 3,883 acres, were assigned to Nathan Winslow, as part of his share in the Plymouth Patent, and were surveyed by Ephraim Ballard in July, 1800, and lotted by Charles Hay- den, January, 1802.

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HISTORY OF KENNEBEC COUNTY.

Franklin, Mass." (a sister of Horace Mann, the noted scholar), who died in 1859, aged 75. Tristram Fall was buried here in 1876, aged 86; and here also lie Daniel Libbey, b. 1794, d. 1876, and his two wives, Elizabeth, b. 1800, d. 1837, and Nancy, b. 1797, d. 1872.

Next north of this ground is a small private lot, neatly fenced with iron, in which are interred members of the Abbott, Wentworth, Stackpole and Johnson families.

POST OFFICES .-- The post office at Albion was established March 16, 1825, with Joel Wellington, postmaster. His successors have been: Ralph Baker, appointed February 24, 1831; John Wellington, January 3, 1835; Cornelius H. Kidder, October 2, 1849; Zelotes Downs, Decem- ber 15, 1851; Artemas Libbey, November 8, 1853; John Wellington, February 20, 1858; George Lincoln, June 7, 1858; Jourdan F. Stinson, February 21, 1859; Charles Wellington, April 19, 1859; Jourdan F. Stinson, April 11, 1860; George M. Webb, August 31, 1861; Daniel S. Drake, December 15, 1864; George F. Hopkins, February 6, 1867; Hezekiah Stratton, November 19, 1869; Llewellyn Libbey, August 28, 1873; Charles A. Drake, March 8, 1882; Charles B. Wellington, July 13, 1885, and Charles A. Drake, May 15, 1889.

Thomas Burrill was the first postmaster at South Albion, the office being established March 5, 1838. His successor was David B. Fuller, appointed August 3, 1857. On October 10, 1860, the office was discon- tinued, but sixteen days later was reestablished, with Fuller again the incumbent. Jacob Taber was appointed July 9, 1861; Thomas Cook- son, December 6, 1864; Robert E. Rider, January 21, 1867, and George A. Rider, May 2, 1873.

CIVIL LISTS .- In the following list of selectmen the initial year of service and total number of times elected (if more than one) are given: 1802, Stephen Dexter, 2, Joseph Crummett, 2, Abraham Fuller, 3; 1804, Abraham Copeland, 2, Jonathan Fuller, 3, Phineas Farnham; 1805, Daniel Caldwell, 6; 1806, Joseph Cammett, 13, Edward Taylor; 1807, Japheth C. Washburn, 7; 1809, Louis Metcalf, Zalmunah Wash- burn; 1810, James Crosby; 1811, Oliver Winslow, Daniel Stevens, 5: 1812, Joel Wellington, 11; 1816, John Wellington, 12; 1818, William B. Shay, 2; 1820, John Winslow, 4, Warren Drake, 2; 1823, William Goodhue; 1824, Ebenezer Shaw; 1825, Ebenezer Shay and Zimmah Haywood; 1826, Enoch Farnham, 3, Ralph Baker, 5; 1829, James Stratton, 2, Daniel Libbey 2; 1831, Jonathan Winslow and Samuel Libbey; 1832, Alexander Buxton, Amasa Taylor and William Hay- wood; 1833, Enoch Farnham, 3, Benjamin Webb, 4; 1835, Robert Crosby, 13; 1837, Thomas Burrill, 15, Jacob Shaw; 1838, Charles O. Connor; 1841, James Coombs, 3; 1842, Elisha Crosby, 2; 1844, Stephen Ryder, 10; 1845, Nathan Webb, 2; 1847, David Hanscom, 6, Samuel Webb; 1848, Jesse Taylor and Enoch C. Farnham; 1849, George W. Lincoln; 1850, Mark Rollins, jun., 12; 1852, Simeon Skillens and Arte-

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TOWN OF ALBION.

mas Libbey; 1854, Daniel Kidder, 3; 1856, Amasa Taylor, jun; 1857, Samuel Ingraham, Harrison Jaquith, 9; 1858, James Whitaker, 5, Amasa Hammond, 9; 1859, Otis M. Sturtevant, 2, Joseph L. Libbey, 2; 1861, Daniel S. Drake, 2; 1865, Seneca Shorey, 3; 1869, George M. Webb and Lorenzo Shorey; 1870, W. Rodney Skillins, 4; 1873, Charles Drake, 2, Francis Shorey, 2; 1874, Tristram Fall, jun .; 1875, Ralph J. Whitaker, 3, George B. Pray, 8; 1877, Dennis G. Mudgett, 8; 1879, Amasa Bacheldor and G. Boardman Wood; 1880, Amasa Hammond, Ezekiel Chadwick and George W. Littlefield; 1881, W. Brewer Wing and Charles L. Foss; 1882, John G. Parmenter, 4, J. Wheeler Stratton, 2: 1884, Charles S. Billings, 3, Lendal Taylor, 2; 1885, Everett F. Crommett; 1887, Ora O. Crosby, 4, G. B. Wood, 2; 1891, R. Leander Baker; 1892, John H. Whitaker.

The successive clerks have been: in 1802, Daniel Lovejoy; 1805, Abraham Copeland; 1806, Joseph Cammett; 1809, James Crosby; 1811, Edward Taylor; 1814, Japheth Washburn; 1815, Jonathan Winslow; 1817, Joel Wellington; 1819, Alexander Buxton; 1820, William Good- hue: 1823, Zebah Washburn; 1829, Benjamin Webb; 1832, Thomas Burrill; 1837, Jesse Taylor; 1839, Nathan Webb; 1844, Simeon Skil- lins: 1853, Jesse Taylor; 1855, Jacob Taber; 1856, W. Rodney Skillins; 1857, N. B. Buxton; 1859, Hezekiah Stratton: 1861, Perry Gilman; 1863, Bradstreet Fuller; 1864, Ora O. Crosby; 1866, George F. Hop- kins; 1872, G. W. Kidder; 1878, Charles A. Drake; 1879, Benjamin F. Abbott; 1881, L. M. Smith; 1886, Fred T. Brown, and 1892, Charles W. Abbott.

The treasurers of the plantation and town have been: 1802, Daniel Lovejoy; 1804, Robert Crosby; 1805, Nathan Heywood; 1808, Edward Taylor; 1811, Joseph Cammett; 1812, Silas Taber; 1813, Daniel Stev- ens; 1819, Jonah Crosby; 1826, Eben Stratton; 1832, Zimri Heywood; 1834, Ralph Baker; 1836, Thomas Bradstreet; 1838, Samuel Libbey; 1839, John Winslow; 1841, Benjamin Lewis; 1842, David B. Fuller; 1850, Zelotes Downs; 1852, David Hanscom; 1853, Sumner Hodgkins; 1854, George B. Ryder; 1855, Hezekiah Stratton; 1858, George Lin- coln, 1860, Amos Varney; 1861, Joseph A. Ryder; 1864, George Webb; 1866, George M. Webb; 1868, Francis Shorey; 1874, Otis M. Meader; 1877, Benjamin F. Abbott; 1878, Nathan Davis; 1880, James Whit- aker; 1881, James F. Holmes; 1882, A. H. Hammond; 1882, Houlton Chalmers.

SCHOOLS .- In 1811 there were nine school districts in Albion; in 1882 the number was increased to fourteen; but at the present time, owing to the decrease of population, the number of districts has been diminished to eleven, with a total attendance averaging about 250. The school property is valued at about $3,000, and is kept in good repair. Uniform text books are furnished by the town. The first high school was established in 1876, and was held in the hall now

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HISTORY OF KENNEBEC COUNTY.

owned by the Grange. It was maintained for several years, and then, no appropriations being made for the purpose, it was discontinued until 1884, when it was reestablished, and has since received cordial support. The school is usually held in the fall and spring-in the former season at No. 10 school house in the Shorey district, and in the latter season at No. 8 school house, at the village.

TOWN FARM .- Prior to 1858 the poor of the town were cared for by individual contract; but, about the year named, the farm on the Bessey road, three miles south of the Corner, originally taken up by Solomon Bessey about 1810, was purchased of William Bessey, nephew of Solomon, and devoted to the maintenance of the public poor. The farm at first comprised about 160 acres. Some of it was sold, and, later, other land was added, until now its extent is about 170 acres.

THE GRANGE .- The only secular society now in Albion is Grange No. 181, Patrons of Husbandry. It was organized July 6, 1875, with thirty-six charter members. Its first chief officers were: Ora O. Crosby, master; Otis Meader, overseer; R. G. Baker, lecturer; A. H. Ham- mond, steward; D. G. Mudgett, treasurer, and J. A. Shay, secretary. Grange Hall, built by a stock company in 1873, was bought by the society in 1886, and the lower part fitted up for commercial purposes. The Grange now numbers about 150 members.

PERSONAL PARAGRAPHS.

Ashmun R. Abbott, farmer, born in 1863, is a son of David S. and Jemima (Tinkham) Abbott, grandson of Benjamin (died 1862) and great-grandson of Stephen Abbott. David S. Abbott was born in Albion in 1829, and was a blacksmith. He died in 1888. His two sons were Stephen W. and Ashmun R., who lives on the homestead. He mar- ried Lizzie E., daughter of Isaiah Austin, and they have two sons: Leon D. and Linwood F.

Charles W. Abbott is a son of Benjamin, and grandson of Benja- min F. Abbott, who came to Albion in 1825, where he died in 1862. Mr. Abbott is a blacksmith, as were his father and grandfather, and since his father retired from the business in 1887, he has run a general re- pair and blacksmith shop at Albion Corner. He is also town clerk. He married Cordelia, daughter of Eben Libbey, and their only son is Lloyd B.

George W. Baker, born in 1841, is a son of Hartwell and Hepsibah, and grandson of Ralph Baker (1784-1862), who was one of the early settlers of Albion, where he kept a store, a post office and hotel for many years. His father was Samuel Baker. George W. has always been a farmer in Albion. His wife was Clara L., a daughter of J. L. Libbey. They have one son, Charles N.

Ralph L. Baker, born in 1837, is a son of Hartwell T. and Hepsi-

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TOWN OF ALBION.

bah (Webb) Baker, and grandson of Ralph Baker (1784-1862), who. was deputy sheriff a number of years, and collector and treasurer of Albion. Ralph married Grace Burrell, and their twelve children were: Hartwell T., William S., Harrison, Reuel, George, Mary,. Emily, Adaline, Ann B., Charles, Albert and Caroline H. Mr. Baker's. grandfather kept a tavern and ran a saw mill at the "Corner " for a number of years. Mr. Baker was educated in the schools of the town,. and taught several terms. He was in mercantile trade for a few years, and since 1878 he has been a farmer. He married Olive A., daughter of Joseph L. Libbey. Their only son is Everett L. They lost one daughter, Abbie E. Mr. Baker has served as selectman and member of the superintending school committee.

Thomas Baker, farmer, born in 1809, is a son of Zachariah, and grandson of Zachariah Baker. His father settled in Albion in 1808. Thomas married Rachel H., daughter of Elisha Johnson, and they have two daughters : Eunice and Martha A. (Mrs. Fred. E. Clark).

Everett B. Besse, farmer, is a son of Jonathan Belden Besse, and a grandson of Jonathan Besse, of Wayne, who was born in 1775, the first male child born in Wayne. Jonathan B. was born October 15, 1820, and died March 5, 1892. He owned and operated a tannery in Albion many years, and in 1890 transferred it to Clinton, where his son, Frank L., now carries on the business. Everett B. married Jessie, daughter of Rufus Rowe, of Palermo, Me. Their children are Floyd Rowe and Carrol Everett. Mr. Besse resides on the old homestead.

Alfred Bessey, born in 1816, is a son of Ephraim (1771-1833) and Rebecca (Manter) Bessey, and grandson of Jabez Bessey. His wife is Betsey, daughter of Jesse Handy. They had two sons: Alonzo D. and Ghoram L., both deceased. Edwin A. Bessey, born in Albion, is a grandson of Alfred and Betsey (Handy) Bessey. His mother was a daughter of Alfred and Betsey (Handy) Bessey. Edwin A. has always lived with the grandparents, and takes the name of Bessey. They live on the old homestead, where Ephraim Bessey settled and died, on what is known as Bessey ridge.

Harrison B. Bessey, born in 1831, is a son of Ephraim and Betsey (Wiggins) Bessey, grandson of Ephraim, and great-grandson of Jabez Bessey. Mr. Bessey has lived on the farm where he now resides since 1852. His wife was Elsie Cook. His two brothers, both deceased, were Henry and Albert. The latter died in the army.

Pardon T. Bessey, born in 1843, is a son of Prince and Amelia (Tinkham) Bessey, and grandson of Ephraim Bessey, who came from Wayne to Albion and settled on what is known as Bessey ridge. Par- don T. married for his first wife, Isadora E., daughter of Samuel N. Tilton. She bore him one son, Elmer F. For his second wife he married Ianda B., daughter of Caleb Parmenter, and for his third wife Delia, daughter of F. A. Damond. By her he has five children :

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HISTORY OF KENNEBEC COUNTY.

George B., Leon M., Bertha E. (Mrs. Thomas J. Shores), Lillian E. and Emily C.

Charles F. Byther, farmer, born in 1862, is a son of Martin Byther, who died in Libby Prison during the war, and Isabel (Whitaker) Byther. His grandfather was Elisha Byther, who came from England. Charles F. came to Albion to live when a boy, and in 1883 went to Montana, where he staid until 1888, when he returned to Albion and settled on the old Lawyer Farnham place. His wife is Emma J., daughter of Hezekiah Stratton. They have one daughter, Gladys S.

Calvin H. Chalmers, farmer, born in 1828, is a son of James and Joan (Farnham) Chalmers, and grandson of William Chalmers, one of the early settlers of Albion. Mr. Chalmers married first, Damaris, daughter of William Crosby. She died in 1872, leaving one son, Mil- ton, whose wife was Ina M. Peasley. They have one son, Arthur E., and live on the old John Frye farm. Mr. Chalmers married for his second wife, Sybil Smiley, who died in 1888.

John C. Chalmers, born in 1855, is a son of Stillman and Mary (Taylor) Chalmers, grandson of James, and great-grandson of William Chalmers. John C. was a merchant for some time; he also owned and run a saw mill on Lovejoy's stream, but is now a farmer. His wife was Alma, daughter of Noah Barnes. Their children are Dwight S. and Clarence N. Mr. Chalmers' father was in trade in Albion from 1839 until 1888, most of the time.

Ripley Chalmers, born in 1823, is a son of Scotland and Judith N. (French) Chalmers, and grandson of William Chalmers, who came from Scotland to Maine, and to Albion where he built on the site where the old tannery now stands, a woolen mill, which he ran for many years, also a grist mill and potash works. Ripley Chalmers is a farmer on the old homestead of William Chal- mers. He married a daughter of David Libbey and they have one daughter, Grace B. Mr. Chalmers has also brought up the children of his deceased brother, Rodman, who left one son, Merritt L., and two daughters.

Otis B. Chase, born in Unity in 1834, is a son of Benjamin and Anna (Stephens) Chase, and grandson of John Chase, who came from Massachusetts and settled in Unity. Otis B. came to Albion in 1857, followed the carpenter trade until 1878, and has since been a farmer. His first wife was Martha Hillman, who died, leaving two children- Everett P. and Anna J. His present wife is Ellen, daughter of Thomas Worthen.

John E. Copeland, born in 1835, is a son of Rev. Nathaniel and Eunice (Philbrook) Copeland, who came from Warren, Me., about 1830. Rev. Nathaniel died in 1850, leaving four sons: William H., Nathaniel, Oliver and John E., who lived on the homestead until 1888, when he moved to the old home of his wife, who was Sarah, daughter of

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RESIDENCE OF Mr. GEORGE H. CROSEY, ALEION, ME.

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TOWN OF ALBION.

Thomas and Emily Worthen. Their children are: Annie M., Alice E., John O., Willie N. and Eva E. Mr. Copeland was in the late war one year in Company G, 24th Maine.

Leroy Copeland, born in Warren, Me., in 1819, is a son of Charles and grandson of Nathaniel Copeland. When twenty-one years old he began work as a shipbuilder and followed that trade for thirty years, excepting the time he served in the army, where he was first lieutenant in Company G, 21st Maine. He returned to Maine in 1863, in 1870 moved to China, and in 1877 to Albion, where he is a farmer. His wife was a daughter of Joseph Copeland. They had one son- Hilliard L., who died June 16, 1889, aged thirty-seven-and two daughters-Augusta C. (Mrs. George A. Fletcher), and Angie J. (Mrs. George A. Cigore, of California).

GEORGE HANNIBAL CROSBY, eldest child of Hartwell Broad and Elizabeth Grant (Buxton) Crosby, was born in Bangor, Me., Septem- ber 23, 1836. His great-grandfather was Rev. James Crosby, one of the early settlers of Albion, whose father, John Crosby, of Martha's Vineyard, Mass., was a lineal descendant of Simon and Ann Crosby, who came from Lancashire, England, in the ship Susan & Ellyn, with their infant son, in 1635, and settled in Cambridge, Mass., where he owned large tracts of land, on one of which was built the famous " Brattle House; " was selectman in 1636 and '38; died 1639, and left three sons: Thomas, born 1635, graduated from Harvard College 1653, settled and preached in Eastham, Mass .; Simon, born 1637, settled in Billerica, Mass., representative in 1692, '97 and '98; and Joseph, born 1639, settled in Braintree, Mass., representative in 1689.

Rev. James Crosby was born in Martha's Vineyard, 1760, married Sarah Tilton and settled in Albion in 1783. Here he preached the gospel on Sundays and attended to his grist mill the remainder of the week, while his wife was nurse, doctor and friend to all in this then sparsely settled locality. They are gratefully remembered by some old survivors at this day. He died in 1845; she died earlier. They had three sons and three daughters. Their second son, James, jun., born in 1792, married Susan, daughter of Josiah Broad, of Holden, Mass., 1813, settled in Albion and operated in the triple capacity of mason, carriage maker and farmer. He was a tall, powerful man, a good mechanic, a staunch friend, a true Free Mason and loyal citizen. He died February, 1862; his wife died earlier. Their children were: Hartwell Broad, born 1814, died 1884 in Albion; Harrison Wilder, born 1816, died 1891 in Albion; Horace, born 1818, died 1847 at sea; Hanford, born 1820, died 1877 in Camden; Mara, born 1822, died in Albion; Hannibal, born 1829, died 1831 in Albion.

Harrison W. remained on the homestead, married Abbie J., daugh- ter of Alva and Jane (Robinson) Thompson, of Montville, Me. Their children are: Alice Jane, born September 4, 1864; James H., born

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HISTORY OF KENNEBEC COUNTY.

1866; Willis W., born 1868; Carrie, born 1871; Robert, born 1874. His wife, who survives him, with her son, Robert, occupies the home- stead.

Hartwell B., the eldest (the father of George H.), a builder and contractor, went to Bangor, and directly after the great fire in St. John, N. B., in 1841, he went to that city. He had just returned to Albion, where he and his wife were both born, and built for himself some mills on the site of his grandfather's old mill when the great fire of 1848 occurred in St. Johns, Newfoundland. He left his family in Albion, chartered vessels and loaded them with brick and lime, and with a large crew of mechanics went to that city to again engage ex- tensively in building. Three years later he again went to St. John, N. B., and remained several years. His wife died there, but he re- turned later to Albion. He amassed a fortune which reverses in his old age somewhat reduced. He was a fine specimen of manhood, strong physically and mentally, with large executive ability, great energy and untiring perseverance; a true "Yankee " and Union demo- crat, with perfect faith in the ultimate success of the northern arms.

In the meantime his son, George H., was attending the public schools, and for a time previous to 1850 he attended the China Acad- emy. He then attended the institute at Waterville, Me., one year, and afterward spent a year at the Wesleyan Academy, Sackville, N. B. At the age of eighteen he was fully prepared to enter college, but at the earnest request of his father to learn the building busi- ness, he tried it for one year, but it being distasteful to him, he was. placed with the firm of Fleming & Humbert, builders of engines and general machinery at St. John, N. B. Here he remained until the middle of the second year, when at the time of the Crimean war, he sailed for Constantinople, visiting at the same time Gibraltar, Malta, Messina, and Liverpool. Soon after his return he married, June 23, 1857, Sadie Elizabeth, daughter of Robert and Jane (Disbrow) Ray, of St. John, and moved to Boston. He found employment at the Boston Locomotive Works for one year, and finished his profession. He was now a journeyman machinist-what he had so long desired. From this time he was constantly employed studying mechanical engineering, and gradually advancing into finer grades of work; was foreman and instructor in the machine department in the Massachu- setts State Prison five years, then foreman for the Ashcroft Steam Gange Company. In 1873 he was appointed foreman of the American Steam Gauge Company, and remained until 1875. In 1876, having in the meantime secured patents for several improvements in pressure gauges and safety valves, he went into business for himself, and soon organized the Crosby Steam Gauge & Valve Company, of which he was a director and superintendent. His improvements in the steam engine indicator and other instruments of precision, in which he

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TOWN OF ALBION.

made a notable success, have a world-wide reputation until to-day the model factory in Boston, with its varied and continued improvements in this special line, stands an honor to the trade. All the navies of the world have adopted their instruments. Mr. Crosby has secured over thirty patents-all, except two, are in successful operation.

He was a member of the Somerville common council in 1876-7 of the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association until 1889, and is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

His second marriage occurred in 1886, with Alice J., daughter of Harrison W. and Abbie J. (Thompson) Crosby, of Albion. Of this union are three children: Carlotta Hortense, Oman George and How- ard Broad Crosby.

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Illustrated history of Kennebec County, Maine; 1625-1892, Part 139

Author: Kingsbury, Henry D; Deyo, Simeon L., ed Publication date: 1892 Publisher: New York, Blake Number of Pages: 1790

Author: Kingsbury, Henry D; Deyo, Simeon L., ed
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: New York, Blake
Number of Pages: 1790