USA > Maine > Kennebec County > Illustrated history of Kennebec County, Maine; 1625-1892 > Part 87
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 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144 | Part 145 | Part 146
Jonathan Jewett was one of the first to start his clearing on Beech hill, and the settlement was contemporaneous with that of Ebenezer Byram and Major Seth Gay, who cleared the first farm of the town, on Togus stream, on the road to the meadows.
OTHER LOCALITIES .- The river road running the length of the town, is a beautiful drive through a rich, thickly settled district, with many historic spots on either side. Here was Colburntown, above Smith's tavern, where Jeremiah. Reuben (who was such an earnest Congrega- tionalist), Oliver and Benjamin Colburn settled in 1761, also their four sisters-Lucy, Sarah Elizabeth, Hannah and Rachel Colburn. Below was Henry Smith's tavern, early and opportune built, where the town meetings of Old Pittston were held for so many years. The hogs- heads of rum dealt out there have not been lost in tradition. Still further below was Agry's point, where Arnold's bateaux were built for transporting troops and stores up the river; and down along the street, winding with the river, cluster many other spots of early interest.
After Randolph was erected another post office, named Pittston, was established, April 16, 1887, and Edward A. Lapham was appointed postmaster. He now keeps it at his store, having been reappointed July 15, 1889. Edward M. Morton was made postmaster in August, 1887, and kept the office nearly two years in his store lower down the road. Mr. Morton built and started his store in 1883, which he still continues; and Edward A. Lapham's store is the outgrowth of the Grange store, the stock of which he purchased in 1887, and removed to his present building.
On the Nehumkeag stream, besides the grist mill and saw mill mentioned, James La Plane, an early setter, had a tannery. A ferry was kept up just below Smith's tavern for many years, and the water front, over seven miles along the Kennebec, was an important part of the town. Shipbuilding was extensively carried on at the points where are now immense ice houses, as more fully appears in a previous chapter.
In this part of the town is a very flourishing Grange -- Pittston, No. 214-organized March 3, 1876. Meetings were held at East Pittston for three years, when a suitable hall was erected near J. B. Ripley's place. Soon after the organization was effected the Grange opened a store, keeping goods at two places; but when the hall was built, in 1880, a store was established there. The Grange, seventy-six in num- ber, meets in the hall on the second floor of their building, the town using the first floor. The presiding officers have been: E. H. Lapham,
720
HISTORY OF KENNEBEC COUNTY.
J. M. Carpenter, J. B. Ripley, M. J. Donnell, J. A. Kenney and John Scott.
CIVIL LISTS .-- The first pages of the original town records have been lost or destroyed. The oldest volume contains the record of the town meeting of 1782, which was held at the " Dwelling house of Cap'n Henry Smith, Innholder, June 6th, at 5 o'clock in the after- noon." Reuben Colburn was the moderator at that and the two fol- lowing meetings. From then until 1803 six other men, at various times, were moderators: Samuel Oakman, first in 1784, served 10 times; Henry Dearborn, 1785, served 9 times; Jedediah Jewett, 1791, 12 times; Jeremiah Dudley, 1792, twice; Thomas Agry, in 1794, and B. Gannett, from 1797 until the separation, in 1803. Let the reader understand that Pittston then also comprised Randolph, Gardiner and West Gardiner, and that from 1803 until 1887 Randolph was included in Pittston, and no confusion need arise from the localities in which the officers resided.
For the management of its civil affairs three selectmen were annu- ally elected by the town, and much was left to their discretion. Roads were laid out and accepted until, in a town five miles by less than eight in extent there were over fifty miles of public thoroughfares. Two parishes were formed of the town in 1810, called East parish and West parish. The best men have been kept in the proper offices, and Pittston has steadily grown from its primitive condition to a town of wealth and power.
The Selectmen# and their number of years of service, seldom con- secutive, have been: Nathaniel Berry, 1781; Henry Smith, 1781; Benjamin Colburn, 1781; Thomas Agry, 1783; Seth Soper, 1783, 2 years; Samuel Berry, 1783; David Lawrence, 1784; Henry Dearborn, 1785. 4; Samuel Oakman, 1784, 14; Silas Clark, 1785, 3; William Bar- ker. 1786, 2; Samuel Dudley, 1788, 7; Jedediah Jewett, 1790, 9; David Young, 1790, 3; Barzillai Gannett, 1793, 7: Peter Grant, 1795; Reuben Colburn, 1798; John Agry, Reuben Moor and Isaac Clark, 1799, 1800; Caleb Stevens, jun., 1801, 11; Oliver Currier, 1801; Abiathar Kendall, 1802, 8; David Crowell, 1803, 3; David Agry, 1804, 3; Thomas Eldred, 1806, 4; Thomas Coss, 1808, 13; Eli Young, 1812, 22; Noah Loud, 1815, 1816; Joseph Blish, jun., 1818, 6; George Williamson, 1820, 12; Henry Dearborn, 1825, 3; Samuel Clark, 1826; William Stevens and John Blanchard, 1827, 1828; George Jewett, 1829, 11; Charles Loud, 1829, 6: William Troop and James Harris, 1832; John A. Colburn, 1833; Gideon Barker, 1836, 3; Benjamin Flitner, 1836, 7; George W. Mansir, 1836, 2; Dudley Young and Moses B. Bliss, 1839, 1840; Moses Harris, 1842;
*Not only are the first pages of the original records lost, but for several years between 1860 and 1870 there appears to be no official record with the offi- cers of the town, showing who the selectmen and treasurers were. With that exception the succeeding lists are complete.
721
TOWN OF PITTSTON.
Cyrus Rundlett, 1843, 6; John Y. Kendall and Eliakim Scammon, 1844; John E. Merrill and Joel Johnson, 1845; John Coss, 1846, 9; Benjamin F. Fuller, 1848, 5; Augustus L. Call, 1850, 2; Jonathan Clark, 1852, 2; George Williamson, 1851, 2; Amos Merrill, 1853; David M. Cunning- ham, 1853, 2; Benjamin Flitner, 1854, 2; Luther Thomas, 1856; James M. Merrill, 1856, 2; George W. Mansir, jun., 1856, 2; Abiel V. Good- win, 1857, 4; Robert Hanley, 1858, 5; Wesley Young, 1859; Alphonso H. Clark, 1860, 8; Samuel S. Ayer, 1860; Seth Palmer, 1861; Asbury Young, 1862. 4: James M. Carpenter, 1866; E. H. Lapham, 1871; Wil- liam Grant, 1871, 2; Eben Day, 1872; John Frost, 1873, 2; John Scott, 1873, 4; Cyrus Rundlett, 1873: Lorenzo S. Clark, 1874, 2; B. Flitner, 1875, 2; C. H. Dunton, 1876, 3; Daniel Glidden, 1877, 8; D. H. Moody, 1877. 6; A. Williams, 1879; S. A. Jewett, 1880, 4; H. H. Cary, 1883, 3; Benjamin F. Fuller, 1883, 6; J. R. Goodwin, 1885; Moses J. Donnell, 1885. 4: F. H. Mooers, 1885; J. B. Ripley. 1886, 2; F. G. Sherman, 1886; Francis Nash, 1887; George W. Palmer, 1888, 2; E. E. Hanley, 1890, 2.
The Treasurers of Pittston, each serving until his successor's elec- tion, have been: Samuel Oakman, 1783; Henry Smith, 1788; William Barker, 1789 ;. Jedediah Jewett, 1797; Seth Gay, 1798; Rufus Gay, 1802; Samuel Oakman, 1803; David Agry, 1804; Samuel Oakman, 1807; Daniel Jewett, 1809; Abiathar Kendall, 1812; Eli Young, 1814; Rufus Gay, 1822; Henry Dearborn, 1830; Stephen Young, 1832; Henry Dear- born, 1834; Gideon Barker, 1835; William Stevens, 2d, 1836; Alphonso H. Clark, 1840; Eliakim Scammon, 1844: Benjamin F. Jones, 1847; A. V. Goodwin, 1860; Gideon Barker, 1866; William Grant, 1867; F. G. Sherman, 1872; L. W. Goodspeed, 1873; J. R. Goodwin, 1877; L. W. Goodspeed, 1879; J. R. Goodwin, 1880; John F. Brookings, 1882; L. W. Goodspeed. 1885: G. P. Jewett, 1886; and H. A. Clark since 1887.
The succession of Clerks begins with William Wilkins, in 1782, followed by William Barker, in 1783; Thomas Philbrook and Jedediah Jewett, 1788; William Barker, 1789; Seth Gay, 1791; Barzillai Gan- nett, 1794; Seth Gay, 1795; Nathaniel Hall, 1803; Benjamin Jackson, 1809: Noah Loud, 1814; Eli Young, 1816; Henry Dearborn, 1825; Daniel Sewall, 1829; Hiram Stevens, 1833; John Dow, 1838; Lorenzo S. Clark, 1843: Alphonso H. Clark, 1846; Benjamin S. Jones, 1858; Lorenzo S. Clark, 1866; B. A. Cox, 1872; William H. Dudley, 1876; L. S. Clark, 1887; J. B. Ripley, 1889; and Frank M. Lapham since 1891.
ECCLESIASTICAL .- The religion of the Puritans was not deep- rooted in Pittston. Those of that faith attended at Hallowell, there being but a few here in 1786. It is said that Major Reuben Colburn would on Saturdays, if the weather were suitable, take his family in a canoe and paddle them down the river to Georgetown, thirty-five miles away, attending church Sunday and returning Monday. The church building of 1788 was allowed to stand after the town finished it, and was used for meetings. The eastern part of the town did not
722
HISTORY OF KENNEBEC COUNTY.
favor auy faith except Methodism, and in 1810 the town was divided by a central line creating two parishes-West and East.
A Congregational society was formed November 12, 1812, in the East parish, at the house of Major Reuben Colburn, by Isaac Noyes, Ephraim Hunt, Thomas Jackson, Francis Flitner, Mrs. Jackson, Mrs. Jackins, Mary Oakman and Sally Oakman. Daniel Kendrick was ordained the minister. and regular preaching was enjoyed for many years. About 1836 the present neat edifice was erected on the Cap- tain David B. Bailey farm. In 1841 Rev. James McCollum was ordained, and continued as pastor till the autumn of 1845. In 1846 Rev. J. H. Stratton was ordained, remaining until 1849, succeeded by Rev. Sumner Clarke for two years. Rev. Joshua 'Gray assumed the pastorate in the fall of 1851.
In 1883 C. S. Wilder filled the desk. In 1884 it was vacant. Jacob Horton and W. H. McBride officiated in 1885; Rev. Mr. Thygeson in 1886 and 1887; Daniel Evans completed the season of 1887 and that of 1888; William H. McBride returned in 1890, succeeding Lyman Meservis, of 1889. In 1891, during the summer, Rev. Mr. Ferguson officiated.
The Methodist Episcopal Society of East Pittston was instituted in 1797, by the efforts of Aaron Humphrey, and included members from Whitefield. The first Methodist preaching in the town was by the pioneer Jesse Lee, about 1794. He was succeeded by Philip Wager, Enoch Mudge, Elias Hull and Roger Searls, before the society was organized. This church, which included David Young, James Norris, Benjamin Flitner and Burnham Clark among its most efficient early members, has always been joined in circuit with others in neighbor- ing towns. Four efficient ministers have been raised from this society-David Young, jun., John Young, and Eliakim and Cyrus Scammon. From the organization until 1810 the other ministers were: John Finegan, Comfort C. Smith, Timothy Merritt, Reuben Hubbard, Joseph Baker, Daniel Ricker, Samuel Hillman, Allen H. Cobb, David Carr, James Young, Joel Steele and William Frost.
The ministers to 1820 were: Daniel Wentworth, David Stimpson, Caleb Fogg, Samuel Hillman, Joshua Nye, Ebenezer F. Newell, John Wilkinson, John Lewis, Jeremiah Marsh, Henry True, John Briggs, William McGray and Benjamin Ayer. Ministers to 1830 were: John Atwell, Philip Ayer, Daniel Wentworth, E. F. Newell, B. Jones, Peter Burgess, Caleb Fogg, Francis Drew, William S. Douglass and John Libby. Those to 1840 were: John Young, Samuel Jewett, James Thwing, R. J. Ayer and Josiah Higgins. The next decade brought Reverends Daniel Fuller, S. P. Blake, Sullivan Bray, David Hutchin- son, George D. Strout, Mace R. Clough and Daniel Clark. During the next decade the pastors were: P. P. Morrill, John S. Pingree, Ben- jamin F. Sprague, R. T. Dixon, Oran Strout and J. D. Brown. During
723:
TOWN OF PITTSTON.
the sixties the pastors were: Otis F. Jenkins, R. R. Richards, P. Hig- gins, P. Rowell, C. E. Libbey, John C. Prescott and Albert Prescott. In the seventies: John Bean, J. W. Perry, M. G. Prescott, Moses D. Miller, E. H. Boynton and E. H. Tunnicliff. During the eighties: Orren Tyler, Jacob T. Crosby, Joseph H. Beale, B. B. Byrnes; and, in 1888, Orren Tyler for four years.
In 1871 the church edifice was repaired, and in 1878 the parsonage was renovated and painted. A Sunday school was organized in 1832. This society is now joined in circuit with Whitefield. In 1809 a small church building was erected by subscription, and in 1838 the present and better one was built by the society, assisted by citizens. The cost was $2,400, and the building is free to all other denominations when not in use.by the Methodists. In 1846 the first church bell of the- town was placed in its tower.
SCHOOLS .- Early attention was given to this branch of civilization, and the town of 1803, when Gardiner was set off, contained nineteen school houses. As early as 1785 the selectmen were instructed " to hire a schoolmaster and fix the wards." In 1787 it was voted to raise £30 for schooling, to be paid in lumber or anything the schoolmaster would take. In 1791 £80 were raised in the old town, of which £20 belonged in the Eastern River district. In 1825 the present territory of Pittston contained eleven districts, which were increased in num- ber gradually. Ten of these were given limit in 1815, by a committee appointed for the purpose. The first three districts were on the river front, running back one and a half miles; the fourth comprised the territory north of Togus stream; the fifth was where North Pittston now is; and the others were east of the first three, extending to the Whitefield line. In 1823 the eleventh district was formed in the northwest part of the town. Through these years each district elected its own committee, and all were under a town superintendent, elected at the annual meetings.
In 1850 an academy was incorporated. Thirty-one enterprising citizens were the incorporators and subscribers. Dr. H. Small was the first president and Albert N. Clark first secretary. Tuition began in the fall of 1850, under G. F. Jackson, A.M., teacher. This institu- tion flourished until superseded by the free, advanced schools of later years. The academy building is now used as a high school in the town system of the last few years.
From the $400 school appropriation of 1803, the amount has in- creased to five times that sum.
CEMETERIES .- Few towns of like area show more cemeteries than Pittston. This is not to be wondered at when it is known that many of the first permanent settlers were buried on their own lots, and these lots have been held by descendants, who have used the same burial places.
724
HISTORY OF KENNEBEC COUNTY.
On the river road, the Cutts burial ground is the most important. This is held and controlled by incorporation. It is well fenced and kept. The Coss cemetery was originally a private ground, but land has been added and deeded in lots until it is an important, well situ- ated, pretty ground, and is substantially fenced. Near where stood the old Congregational church is an antiquated and neglected place of sepulture, overgrown with quite large trees. Tradition cannot fix the occupants of this ancient ground. There are several private grounds along the river road. One is on the Benjamin F. Fuller farm; one on George A. Yeaton's land, formerly the Mooers farm; one on Eben Day's farm; and another on the E. M. Morton farm, called the LaPlane ground. The Haley family were buried on their own ground, now owned by Frederick Meserve. On Beech hill is an old ground: surrounded by a stone wall, situated in the forks of the roads. It and its surroundings are fast growing up to the bush. On the Seth Soper homestead is an iron-fenced family ground. A slab indicates that Seth Soper died May 4, 1799, aged 69 years. The cemetery at East Pittston traces its beauty to an incorporation which existed in its earlier days; it is near the Methodist church, and presents a pretty appearance. At North Pittston is a well-kept old town burying ground, having a stone fence on three sides and an iron one in front. The individual or family grounds are generally fenced, and sacredly revered by descendants and by subsequent holders of the land.
PERSONAL PARAGRAPHS.
Captain George W. Bailey, born in 1826, is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Barker) Bailey, and grandson of Jacob Bailey. He began going to sea in 1841, and from 1855 until he retired in 1886, he was in command of vessels. He married Philena, daughter of William Brown, and their children are: Sarah H. (Mrs. Charles Lawrence), Augusta (Mrs. A. E. Lewis), and George W., jun., who married Caddie R. Small.
Captain William O. Basford, born in 1838, in Augusta, is a son of William P. and Emeline (Colburn) Basford, and grandson of Jacob Basford, who came from New Hampshire to Augusta. Mr. Basford has lived in Pittston since 1839. In 1855 he began a seafaring life in the foreign trade. He was master of vessels from 1873 until 1886, since which time he has remained at home.
James K. Bickford, born in Smithfield, Me., in 1844, is the only child of Isaac and Lucretia (Downs) Bickford, and grandson of Moses Bickford. He came to Pittston with his parents in 1851, and settled on a part of the Jackins farm, where he now lives. He married Annie L., daughter of John Price, and their children, all deceased, were: Lucy L., Gertrude and an infant son.
725
TOWN OF PITTSTON.
Harrison D. Blodgett, born in 1855, is a son of Jasper and Mary E. (Tyler) Blodgett, grandson of David and Nancy (Marson) Blodgett, and great-grandson of Joseph Blodgett. Mr. Blodgett is a farmer, and is the fourth generation of his family to occupy the home farm. He married Flora, daughter of John and Maria (Mitchell) Marson. Their children are: Jessie E., Florence M., Harrison S. and Fred D.
John Blodgett, born in 1833, is a son of Nathaniel and Jane (Choate) Blodgett, and grandson of Joseph, who, with his brother, Ebenezer, came from Lexington, Mass., to Pittston. Mr. Blodgett is a farmer. He married Henrietta, daughter of Daniel Thompson. Their chil- dren are: Henry, Almeda, Arthur, Chester, Elmer, Walter, Gertrude and Annie.
Charles E. Bradstreet is one of the nine children of Joseph and Ruth (Moore) Bradsteet, and grandson of Andrew Bradstreet, who came to Maine from England. Mr. Bradstreet has been a farmer on the homestead where his father settled. He died April 3, 1892. He married Abigail Smith, who died leaving eight children: Charles E., jun., George W., Delia A., Orlando W., Caroline A., Frederick G., Maria A. and Mary E.
Orlando W. Bradstreet, born in 1845, is a son of Charles E. Brad- street. He followed the sea for twelve years, since which time he has been a farmer. He married S. Lettie, daughter of Cavalier and Julia (Alexander) Hondlette, and granddaughter of Lewis Hondlette.
Frederick G. Bradstreet, born in 1847, is a son of Charles E. Brad- street. He is a farmer and is also employed in the ice business. He married Annie M., daughter of Alexander and Maria (Newell) Atkins. They have one daughter, Eva M., and lost one son in infancy, Eugene.
John F. Bragden, born in 1836, is a son of John D. and Elmira (Shepard) Bragden, and grandson of John Daniel Bragden. Mr. Bragden followed the sea for fourteen years, and is now a farmer. He married Mary Sullivan. His children are: John, Susan, Raynold and Mary.
Eben N. Brande, whose father was captain of militia in 1812, was in the late war one year in Company I, 24th Maine. He married El- vira M., daughter of Daniel Butland; her mother was Eliza, daughter of Abner and Margaret (Corney) Marson, and granddaughter of Abner Marson. They have one son, W. Wirt, and lost one, Roscoe W. Mrs. Brande keeps a small variety store in a part of her residence.
Ebenezer Brookings, son of John and Harriet (Moore) Brookings, was born in Wiscasset in 1831. John Brookings was a sea captain. Ebenezer came to Pittston in 1847, where he was engaged in the mer- cantile business until July, 1863, when he entered the army and served in Company F, 11th Maine volunteers, until February, 1865. In 1866 he settled where he now lives and engaged in farming and the meat
i.
726
HISTORY OF KENNEBEC COUNTY.
business. In 1888 his son, Everett E., succeeded him in the meat business. He first married Huldah Preble, who died leaving three children: Mrs. Augustus Moody, Everett E. and Winfield S. His present wife was Mrs. Hannah Roberts, daughter of Alexander and Maria (Newell) Atkins, and granddaughter of Joseph and Jane (Blair) Atkins.
Samuel J. Brookings, son of Samuel and Fannie (Reed) Brookings, and grandson of James Brookings, was born in Whitefield in 1843. He served in the war of the rebellion from September, 1862, to August, 1863, in Company F, 21st Maine. He is now a farmer in Pittston, where he has lived since 1871. He married Jennie, daughter ·of Ira and Betsey (Richardson) Elkins, and granddaughter of Jonathan Elkins. They have one daughter, Jessie L.
James M. Carpenter, born in 1813 in Massachusetts, came to Pitts- ton in 1844. His father, Joseph, was a son of Colonel Thomas Car- penter, a revolutionary soldier. Before coming to Pittston Mr. Car- penter had been clerk for Brown & Ives, at Lonsdale, R. I., for eleven years, and made out the first pay roll on the Blackstone river. His wife, Martha J. R., was a daughter of Henry Bodge, late of Pittston. Mr. Carpenter bought a farm in the south part of Pittston in 1844, which he carried on until his death, March 22, 1892. His wife died . the same day. Mr. Carpenter was one of Pittston's most worthy and well known citizens. He was always interested in town affairs, and held various town offices for many years. He was county commis- sioner for several years, and was chairman of the republican town committee. He served several years on the state board of agricul- ture, and was prominently connected with local agricultural organi- zations. From 1836 until his death he represented different insur- . ance companies.
Hosea H. Cary, son of Seth S. and Susanna (Hildreth) Cary, was born at Topsham, Me., in 1847. He came to East Pittston in 1878 from Gardiner, where he had lived seven years. He carries on a wholesale meat business at East Pittston, having abandoned the retail part of the business after the first five years. He married Harriet A. Pray, and has four children: Susan A., Mary H., Eliphalet P. and Gilbert G. Mr. Cary has been selectman of Pittston three years.
C. Wallace Church, son of Charles B. Church, was born in Wash- ington, D. C., in 1849. In March, 1880, he was appointed paymaster and agent of the Independent Ice Company, of which his father is president, and since that time he has lived at Pittston. He married Laura F., daughter of Franklin Powers. Their children are: Lewis M. and Charles B.
Lorenzo S. Clark, the only surviving child of Samuel and Mary "(Clark) Clark, and grandson of Isaac Clark, was born in 1818. He was a merchant at East Pittston from 1836 until 1889, when he was suc-
727
TOWN OF PITTSTON.
ceeded by his son, Henry A. He has been four times elected select- man, and nine times town clerk. His wife is Sarah, daughter of Henry Dearborn. Their children are: Warren D., Samuel, Henry A., Flor- ence, Permelia and H. Augustus, who died.
William S. Cleaves, son of Samuel and Eliza (Kies) Cleaves, and grandson of Samuel Cleaves, was born in 1843. He followed the mer- cantile business six years at Windsor, and since 1871, with the excep- tion of two years, has been a merchant at East Pittston. He has lost two wives, who were sisters-Nellie and Delia Smith. His present wife was Mrs. Jane Hovey.
Richard H. Colburn is a son of Gustavus and Alzina (Knight) Col- burn, grandson of David and Hannah (Averill) Colburn, and great- grandson of Reuben and Elizabeth (Lewis) Colburn. Gustavus Colburn died in 1886, aged sixty-four years. Richard H. married Idell S., daugh- ter of Fred S Blackman. July 5, 1763, Jeremiah and Hannah (Varnum) Colburn came to Pittston and bought 800 acres of land on the eastern side of the Kennebec river. On May 6, 1765, he sold to his son, Reuben, 107 acres, on which the latter built the homestead now stand- ing. About the time of this purchase Reuben married Elizabeth Lewis. Richard H. now occupies a part of this tract. The house he lives in is the oldest in Pittston.
Captain James S. Cooper, born in Pittston in 1825, was a son of Henry and Eleanor (Bailey) Cooper, and grandson of Leonard Cooper. Captain Cooper followed the sea from 1841 until 1872, after 1851 as master of vessels. He married Mary G., daughter of Captain George Carr, of Hallowell. From 1872 until his death, May 5, 1892, Captain Cooper was engaged in farming and horse breeding.
Washington Cutts, born in 1817, is the youngest son of Samuel and Catherine (Woodward) Cutts, and grandson of Samuel and Sarah (Hill) Cutts. Mr. Cutts' father came to Pittston about 1800 and was a black- smith by trade. Mr. Cutts is a farmer. He married Lettice, daughter of Nathaniel and Hannah Tibbetts, and granddaughter of Abiather Tibbetts. Their two sons are Samuel W. and Alvin; they lost one daughter, Alice.
Moses J. Donnell, son of Rev. Moses and Martha (Cunningham) Donnell, was born at Wiscasset September 27, 1833. He moved to Windsor with his parents November 30, 1839, and moved to Pittston November 24, 1864. He married Ann E., daughter of David and Susan Bryant, of Windsor.
Henry Dow, born in Wiscasset in 1801, is the oldest man in Pitts- ton. His father. Thomas, son of Henry Dow, of Haverhill, Mass., a revolutionary soldier, came to Pittston in 1813, where he died in 1814, leaving six children. The support of this family fell on this boy of thirteen years. With heroic will and ceaseless toil Henry and his noble mother guided the family boat between the awful rocks of
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.