Illustrated history of Kennebec County, Maine; 1625-1892, Part 22

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 22

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While in general the agricultural methods of the county may be regarded as a mixed system of husbandry, they are less so at the present time than formerly. In the earlier days each farmer raised some of all the farm crops and kept all kinds of stock, as each made it a point to be independent of every other. Now the tendency is toward the more perfect growing of crops best adapted for particular locations, or the raising of certain special lines of stock. Farmers who have large orchards, or make dairying a specialty, or having a good grass farm sell hay and purchase commercial fertilizers, or breed a particular kind of cattle, or fine colts of a fashionable family-give special effort and attention to these branches. The orchard farmer

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HISTORY OF KENNEBEC COUNTY.

lets another make his butter, and the dairyman purchases his apples and often his hay of his neighbor. In many locations raising "truck crops" for our growing cities is becoming a specialty, changing the character of much of the farming. A farmer obtains more ready cash now for a few acres of early potatoes put into our manufacturing towns on the first of July than he obtained twenty years ago from the marketed crops of his entire farm. Thus the manufacturing towns and cities have done much to develop the present farm methods of the county and bring about those specialties in farming which have everywhere and always been the source of the highest profits and most successful conditions.

In no section of Maine, and in but few portions of the Eastern states, has agriculture reached a higher general condition than in Kennebec county. The farm houses are commodious, often large, frequently elegant; while the barns are well and properly built, in many cases clapboarded and painted. The best and most approved implements and machines are employed; in every town are model farms of the highest rank, while neatness about the farm houses, the presence of flowers, shade trees and cultural beauty characterize the rural districts. There is a larger proportion of thoroughbred and high grade stock on our farms than in any other county in Maine, while in the best bred horses Kennebec county leads all New Eng- land.

Historic agriculture in Maine had its commencement in the county of Kennebec. The records of all first things pertaining to its im- proved agriculture, the importation of thoroughbred stock, improve- ment of seeds and fruits, organization of agricultural societies, diffu- sion of information by means of books and journals, invention and manufacture of improved farm tools and implements, plans for the industrial and agricultural education of the people-all had their origin in this county. The early farmers of Kennebec-themselves from the best families of the Old Colony-were men of intelligence, anxious for improvement. The soil and natural advantages of the county were of the best, and the settlers took up their farms that they might make homes for themselves. They came into the new terri- tory of the District of Maine for this purpose; they came to stay; hence whatever promised development of agriculture was eagerly sought. But in agriculture as in everything else it was the few lead- ers who, carrying forward plans for improvement, stimulated others to higher endeavors and organized forces for the development of the county's resources.

EARLY LEADERS .- Foremost among those to whom the agriculture of Kennebec county owes so much for its early improvement were Benjamin Vaughan, M.D., LL.D .; his brother, Charles Vaughan; Dr. Ezekiel Holmes, Sanford Howard, and the brothers Samuel and Eli-

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jah Wood. Doctor Vanghan was born in England April 30, 1751, studied at Cambridge and received his medical degree at Edinburgh. During the American revolution he was a member of parliament, but on account of his friendship for the American colonies he left his country and resided in France. In 1796 he settled in Hallowell upon a family property derived from his maternal grandfather, Benjamin Hallowell. His brother, Charles Vaughan, followed him to America in a few years and also settled upon the same tract of land, which ex- tended along the river one mile and westward to Cobbosseecontee lake-a distance of five miles. This land they improved and kept in a high state of cultivation, employing a large number of workmen upon it throughout the year. They had extensive gardens, estab- lished nurseries, planted orchards, imported stock, seeds, plants, cut- tings and implements from England, and carried on model farming on a large scale. They built miles of faced and bank wall upon their farms, laid out and built roads for the public use, and while they sold trees and plants from their nurseries, often to the value of a thousand dollars in a single year, they also freely gave to all who were unable to buy: sent stock, plants and seeds to leading farmers in the several new towns for them to propagate or test, and carried on correspond- ence with prominent farmers. The apple was not then so highly esteemed for fruit as it is now, but cider was made in large quanti- ties. The Vaughans built the largest and most perfect cider mill and press in New England, employing a skilled mechanic from England to set up the machinery. In their gardens and orchards were apples, pears, peaches, cherries, and many kinds of nut-bearing trees. Doctor Vaughan passed much of his time in studies and investigations, while his brother Charles had the more immediate care of their large farms, which, later, were managed by Colonel William O. Vaughan, the doc- tor's eldest son. Doctor Vaughan was one of the most distinguished members of the Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture, es- tablished in 1792-the second society of its kind formed in the United States. He wrote extensively and learnedly upon all agricultural sub- jects, many of his treatises being published in the transactions of this society, usually with the signature, " A Kennebec Farmer."

Charles Vaughan was born in London June 30, 1759. He was one of the original corporators and for several years a trustee of the Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture. He was more practical, so to speak, than his distinguished brother, taking the immediate care of their large estates and the carrying out of their experiments and farming operations. These were very extensive, were performed at great cost of care and money, and had for their object the improvement of the agriculture of the state as much as they did the business of their owners. No breed of stock or variety of fruit, vegetable or seed was disseminated until it had been care-

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fully tested and found to be valuable and well adapted to this country. Benjamin Vaughan died in Hallowell December 8, 1835, and Charles, on May 15, 1839.

Succeeding the Vaughans, the name of Dr. Ezekiel Holmes, of Winthrop, must ever occupy a high position. He was born in Kings- ton, Mass., in 1801, graduated from Brown University in 1821, and from the Maine Medical School in 1824. His health being inadequate to the hard service of a country physician's life, he became a teacher for the next five years in the Gardiner Lyceum. In 1828 he edited for a single year the New England Farmers' and Mechanics' Journal. He was professor of natural science in Waterville College from 1833 to 1837. From its establishment, in 1833, Doctor Holmes ably edited the Maine Farmer until his death-a period of thirty-two years. Before 1840 he advocated the establishment of a board of agriculture, which was finally done in 1852, he being its first secretary for three years. A State Agricultural Society was also incorporated by the legislature in 1855, largely through the efforts of Doctor Holmes, who drafted its constitution and was its secretary until his death. In 1838 he made a survey of Aroostook county for the state board of internal improve- ment; and in 1861-2 was chief and naturalist of the scientific survey of Maine, authorized by the legislature. These leading dates in the active and useful life of Doctor Holmes give but a very imperfect idea of the great work he accomplished for the agriculture of Maine-the influence of which is still potent and fruitful. As editor of the Maine Farmer for more than thirty years, the work of Doctor Holmes was such that had he done nothing more for Maine agriculture his memory would forever be held in grateful remembrance. Doctor Holmes was the first person in Maine to introduce Shorthorns into the state; the first Southdown and Cotswold sheep, and the first of the Jersey breed of cattle. The last public act of his life was that of securing from the legislature in February, 1865-but a week before his death-an ac which established the State College of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts. The Holmes' Cabinet of Natural History in that college but inadequately expresses the debt of gratitude which it owes to its illus- trious benefactor.

Samuel and Elijah Wood, sons of Henry Wood, of Middleboro, Mass., were among the first settlers of Winthrop-Samuel settling in 1784, and Elijah a few years afterward. They were among the founders and incorporators of the Winthrop Agricultural Society-Samuel being elected its first president. He was among the first contributors to the Maine Farmer, and his articles-always practical, suggestive and use- ful -- were continued for many years. When he first came to Win- throp Elijah Wood engaged in the manufacture of nails, but afterward was largely and profitably engaged in farming. He was "chairman and principal agent " of a committee chosen in 1831-2 by the Win-

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throp Agricultural Society to petition the legislature for funds in car- rying on its work. He established himself in Augusta during that winter and entered upon the work of his mission among the legisla- tors with a zeal becoming the importance of the end sought. The re- sult was the passage of an act, one provision of which was "the payment by the treasurer of state to the treasurer of any agricultural or horticultural society, whenever the treasurer shall apply for the same, a sum equal to that which said society may have raised and actually received by subscription or otherwise within the next preced- ing year"-which, with slight modification, is the substance of the present statute under which all the agricultural societies in Maine are beneficiaries of the state.

Sanford Howard came to Hallowell as superintendent of the Vaughan farms in 1830. He was born in Easton, Mass., in 1805, and, having been acquainted in Massachusetts with Colonel Samuel Jaques and the Hon. John Welles -- two of the most noted breeders of their times he brought with him several individuals of the Shorthorn breed of cattle from their herds. Having seen, in Massachusetts, the benefits of agricultural societies to a farming community, Mr. Howard became anxious that Kennebec county should enjoy like advantages; and he at once joined efforts with other progressive farmers in the establish- ment of the Kennebec Agricultural Society, and after removing from the county in 1837 had an honorable and useful career until his death, in 1871. For the good he exerted upon the agriculture of Kennebec county by his residence and work here for a period of seven years, he will ever be regarded as one of the noble worthies in our earlier agri- cultural period.

Dr. Sylvester Gardiner has not been mentioned before because his distinguished efforts in the settlement and development of the Ken- nebec valley embraced other interests than that of agriculture, which in a new country must always be given attention, like the building of mills and bridges, the making of roads and the establishment of trading houses. He was one of the proprietors of the Kennebec Pur- chase, and was largely instrumental in shaping its policy and promot- ing its prosperity. Obtaining thus large tracts of land in Gardiner, Pittston, Winslow, Pownalborough and other places, he built houses, cleared farms, erected dams and mills, introduced settlers and often ad- vanced them means for stocking their farms and becoming established. In these ways he greatly aided the early farmers and general agri- culture of the county, and deserves to be regarded as one of its most eminent benefactors.

Other prominent names are connected with the early agricultural annals of the county. One of the most distinguished is that of Henry Dearborn, who was born in North Hampton, N. H., February 23, 1751,

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and died at Roxbury, Mass., June 6, 1829. General Dearborn was a representative to the Third and Fourth congresses in 1801-1808, major general of Maine in 1795, and secretary of war under President Jef- ferson, 1801-1809. He had extensive farms in Monmouth, where he lived between 1784 and 1797, and was deeply interested in the im- provement of agriculture. After he removed to Roxbury, Mass., in 1824, he continued to make annual visits to his farm in this county as long as health permitted. R. H. Greene, of Winslow; Jesse Robin- son, of Waterville; Payne Wingate, of Hallowell; Robert Page, of Readfield; Rev. W. A. P. Dillingham, of Sidney; Nathan Foster, of Gardiner; Joseph A. Metcalf, of Monmouth, and Steward Foster, Ne- hemia Pierce, Peleg Benson, David Foster, Samuel Benjamin, Colum- bus Fairbanks, Samuel P. Benson and John May, of Winthrop, are names that deserve honorable mention in the agricultural annals of Kennebec county for their eminent services in the earlier years of its development.

ASSOCIATIONS .- One of the first agencies for carrying on the work of agricultural improvement which the educated and progressive farmers of this county made use of, was that of association and organi- zation. The few leading minds who were foremost in this work de- sired to extend it, that the benefits resulting from investigation, study and experiments might be shared by others. To accomplish this it was necessary to organize and cooperate. The Pennsylvania Society for Promoting Agriculture was the first agricultural society estab- lished in the United States; while the first in New England and the second in all North America, was the Kennebec Agricultural Society, established through the efforts of the Messrs. Vaughan and other pro- gressive farmers in 1787, five years previous to the incorporation of the Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture. The objects of this society were " mutual improvement in agricultural knowledge, and mutual aid, by the importation of trees, seeds, tools, books, etc." It was incorporated in 1807, and although it held no exhibitions, it had frequent meetings for the reading of papers contributed by members, and for consultation and discussion. This society subsequently dis- banded, as on February 21, 1818, the Maine Agricultural Society was incorporated. In 1820 and 1821 the society held cattle shows at Hal- lowell-the former the first cattle show ever held in the county or state. This society must also have disbanded, as on February 28, 1829, the Winthrop Agricultural Society was incorporated, which was reor- ganized so as to embrace the whole county, April 23, 1832, from which the present Kennebec County Agricultural Society dates its legal'ex- istence.

These early societies at once put themselves into correspondence with similar organizations in other states, offered prizes for crops, as- signed " tasks " to its members, and in a variety of ways worked " to

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improve the art of husbandry and to elevate the calling of the hus- bandman." Some idea of what was accomplished may be obtained by a few extracts from their records and votes: In 1818-" that the trus- tees inquire into the utility of Hotchkins' threshing machine and pur- chase one for the use of the society if they think expedient; 1819- that members make a written statement at the annual meetings re- specting the manner of managing their favorite source of profit and the net gain received from it; that a committee ascertain the number of barrels of whole and watered cider made in Winthrop the present year (the first recorded instance of the collection of agricultural sta- tistics); 1821-that premiums be given to the farmer raising the most and best quality of ' high red-top' grass seed; 1822-that $30 be sent to Malaga or Gibraltar in Spain, to purchase the best quality of bearded summer wheat for seed, one peck only to be allowed each member; that the society subscribe for two copies of the ‘publick paper,' published in Boston, called the New England Farmer; that the necessary expense be incurred of a committee in procuring informa- tion on the relative advantage of Maine compared with other states and countries in raising fine wool; 1825-that the secretary obtain in- formation respecting the quality and usefulness of a kind of sheep called ' Smith Island Sheep,' and if deemed expedient that the society purchase a pair; that some person make experiments on raising hemp on a small scale at the expense of the society; 1830-that the society obtain one barrel of winter wheat for seed, from Virginia; that a pre- mium be offered for the farmer raising the best and largest crop of corn, wheat or potatoes at the smallest expense; 1832-that a com- mittee collect information upon the diseases of sheep in this climate, with the preventive and cure, the best breeds of sheep and the mode of improving them, with such other matter as would be useful in a treatise on sheep generally; 1834-that a committee report upon the merits of the Pitts' horse power, just invented; that a premium be offered to the farmer who may bring into the county twenty of the best Merino sheep; that ten volumes of the Maine Farmer be offered in premiums; that this society decidedly disapprove the sale of ardent spirits on the grounds on the days of their cattle show; 1835-that copies of Davy's Agricultural Chemistry and Farmer's Register be procured for the use of the society; 1837-that the secretary obtain information relative to the Gordon drill plow."

When it is remembered that at the early period at which many of these votes were passed the Kennebec Agricultural Society was the only one of its kind in Maine, and that there were but very few in the United States, it shows the far-seeing character and progressive spirit of its members in a most favorable and worthy light. Its modern history is as interesting and full of commendable deeds as the earlier period. The society has encouraged by liberal premiums the best kind of farming and the judicious improvement of the live stock of the county. Early devoted to the large beef breeds of cattle, it was persistent in its opposition to the Jerseys when first introduced, and for some years refused to place the breed in its premium schedule. At its fair in 1863 the report of the committee on this breed said:

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" Your committee deem it a source of gratification to find the exhibi- tion of Jerseys the present year made up of more individual speci- mens of high excellence than of any other kind of farm stock upon the ground." Having held cattle shows in different towns in the county, frequently to much inconvenience on account of the want of proper buildings, the society leased grounds at Readfield Corner in 1856, where its fairs have ever since been held. It has good buildings, including a new grand stand, a half mile track, and maintains the best county agricultural fairs of any society in Maine. It still keeps up the old custom of having an annual address delivered at each fair and has numbered among its orators some of the most distinguished men in the state.

The North Kennebec Agricultural Society was incorporated July 31, 1847, and its first exhibition was held in Waterville in October of that year, its limits extending into Somerset and Waldo counties. The society purchased fair grounds in 1854, located about a mile below the city of Waterville, upon which it built a good half mile track. Between 1855 and 1875 the fairs of this society were largely attended and among the best of their class in the state. Some of the best cat- tle and horses in Maine have been owned within its limits, and at many of its exhibitions the stock upon its show ground has ranked among the best in New England, notably the J'erseys shown by the late Dr. N. R. Boutelle, of Waterville, the Holsteins, by Thomas S. Lang, the Shorthorns of the late Warren Percival and Levi A. Dow, and the Herefords of Burleigh & Shores. Among other noted breed- ers and farmers who have contributed largely to the success of the fairs of this society have been: John D. Lang, Moses Taber, Hall C. Burleigh, H. G. Abbott, W. H. Pearson, Moses A. Getchell and J. S. Hawes, of Vassalboro; George E. Shores, H. Percival, R. R. Drum- mond, Joseph Percival, Samuel Doolittle, Henry Taylor, N. R. Bou- telle, Ephraim Maxham and J. F. Hallett, Waterville; Rev. W. A. P. Dillingham, Sidney; A. J. Libby and W. P. Blake, Oakland; B. C. Paine, Clark Drummond and Ira E. Getchell, Winslow; G. G. Hans- comb, Albien; and Joseph Taylor, Belgrade. Annual exhibitions are still held by the society.

On March 26, 1853, an act of incorporation was granted the South Kennebec Agricultural Society, with headquarters at Gardiner, the late Nathan Foster being its first president. Fairs were held by this society for seven years, when its charter was surrendered, and on March 17, 1860, an act of incorporation was given the Kennebec Union Agricultural and Horticultural Society, which embraced the same ter- ritory as that of the former society. Having held its fairs at Oakland Park, Gardiner, and Meadow Park, West Gardiner, with varying suc- cess till the year 1877, its active career as a society ceased. In its earlier years among its most staunch supporters and largest exhibi-

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tors were: Daniel Lancaster, William S. Grant and Alden Rice, Farm- ingdale; J. M. Carpenter, Pittston; S. G. Otis and Samuel Currier, Hallowell; Joseph Wharff, Litchfield; and Nathan Foster, R. H. Gar- diner and Henry Butman, Gardiner.

The Eastern Kennebec Agricultural Society was incorporated March 24 and organized April 4, 1868. The society at once purchased a lot of sixteen acres of land in China, upon which a half mile track was built, and its first exhibition was held October 20-22 of that year. In 1869 the society built an exhibition hall, 40 by 60 feet, upon its park; one exhibitor showed twenty head of cattle, there were forty horses on the grounds, and an address was delivered by Thomas S. Lang. In 1873 the secretary reported a great improvement in the stock and general farming in the towns of China, Windsor, Vassal- boro and Albion, through the influence of its fairs. The society held seven fairs, the last in 1874, when in consequence of insufficient re- ceipts, due to unfavorable weather at the date of its fairs, the pre- miums could not be paid in full, and unpaid expenses accumulating, it was deemed prudent to close up its affairs. The final meeting was held December 27, 1877, and the real estate and other property of the society were sold. Its largest exhibitors were: Warren Percival, J. S. Hawes and Thomas S. Lang, Vassalboro; C. B. Wellington, Albion; Horace Colburn, Windsor, and J. R. Crossman and Alfred H. Jones, China. Its successive presidents were Isaac Hamilton, Ambrose H. Abbott and H. B. Williams.

The South Kennebec Agricultural Association, consisting of the towns of Chelsea, Windsor, Pittston and Whitefield, was organized March 24, 1888. In June of that year, having leased land for exhibi- tion grounds and raised money for the purpose by subscription, it built a half mile track at South Windsor Corner. Its first fair was held October 3-4, 1888. Officers and friends of this society secured the incorporation of the South Kennebec Agricultural Society by the legislature February 15, 1889, and the society was organized April 20, 1889, George Brown being the first president. Its limits, as de- fined by the act of incorporation, were: " The southern part of Ken- nebec county and the towns of Whitefield, Jefferson and Somerville in Lincoln county." On the day of the organization of this society the local, unincorporated society transferred to the new society all its leases and property. An exhibition hall was built upon the grounds in the summer of 1889, and its annual fairs have been successful in the highest degree.

Other societies which have been more than local in their influence and usefulness are the Kennebec Farmers' and Stockbreeders' Asso- ciation, which has held fairs at Meadow Park, West Gardiner, organ- ized in 1889; and the Pittston Agricultural and Trotting Park Associa- tion, which was also organized in 1889. The former holds its fairs at

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Meadow Park (Merrill's), and the latter owns a park of 17} acres at East Pittston, in the beautiful valley of Eastern river. Upon both are good half mile tracks. The exhibitions of these societies have been well supported.

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Illustrated history of Kennebec County, Maine; 1625-1892, Part 22

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