USA > Maine > York County > Kennebunk > Kennebunk history : not a history of Kennebunk but a few items in addition to and a sequel to "The village of Kennebunk, Maine" (revised to 1939) : a description of a few more old homes, a few biographical sketches > Part 11
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$5.00-Adam Wilson, Marry Harris, Samuel Mitchell, Luther Kimball, John Jones, Wm. Hubbard, Danl. Curtis; Tobias Walker, Israel W. Roberts, Chas. M. Kimball, Elijah Curtis; Alexander Warren, Paul Stevens, Parker Fall, Saml. Littlefield, Jr., John Libby, Stephen Tucker, John Frost, Ezra Perkins, A. Richardson, Thomas Norton, Geo. W. Dane.
$3.00-Nathaniel Cole.
$1.00 Nathan Elder, Jr.
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Samuel Veasie Presented Bell
Samuel Veasie, who afterwards removed to Bangor, pre- sented to the Academy a bell for which was paid the sum of $243.95. The bell was cast to order with the name of the donor on it. The building was insured for $1,250.00 in the New Eng- fand Mutual office in Boston.
We have little knowledge of the teachers at this time. They were hired by the trustees and were generally, if not always, of the Baptist faith. Among others was a Mr. Roberts of Somers- worth, N. H., who married Miss Jane Curtis, one of the young Ladies of the town, a daughter of Mr. Ralph Curtis. The school must have been a large and prosperous one and patronized by nearly all of the young people of the town as it was the only school for young ladies and gentlemen in the place and the at- tendance was not confined to our own village, but was increased by out-of-town pupils. In 1845 the name Union was changed to Dane Street. After a term of years the Academy was not found to be a success financially, and on December 30, 1850, the lot and Academy building were sold by the trustees at auction to Capt. Nath. L. Thompson on credit of four months for $1,450.00; the bell to the Baptist Society for $100.00, Stove and other ar- ticles, $34.60, whole amount of sale, $1,584.60.
After paying several sums due there remained $1,366.17. It was voted to pay to each of the original subscribers 47 per cent of their original subscriptions after which there still remained in the hands of the treasurer $26.72 which was reserved for any emergency that might arise. Mr. Ralph Curtis wrote to the donor of the bell asking him to release to the Baptist Church of this village his interest to the bill amounting to 47 per cent. To this proposition Mr. Veasie assented and consequently the Baptist Society received the bell as their part of the Veasie donation.
After the Academy fell into Capt. Thompson's hands, Mr. Benaiah Littlefield with a crew of from six to ten men were em- ployed three days to move the building one hundred feet in front of its original location at an expense of about one hundred dol- fars. A certain portion of the Academy property was then re- served by Capt. Thompson to be used in squaring other and ad- joining land owned by him leaving an area for school purposes of nearly half an acre with a frontage facing Dane Street, 130 ft. wide by a depth of 160 feet. The building was used for a
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few years as a private school. On July 21, 1855, it was voted by the district to purchase the building for school purposes and in 1856 the building received two coats of paint and was remod- eled in the interior, accommodation being provided for ninety scholars. New iron seats from Boston were substituted for the old-fashioned and uncomfortable wooden benches.
Timothy B. Ross, First Principal
The school was opened under the management of T. B. Ross of Ipswich, Mass., and continued under his care until 1866 when the present system of graded schools was introduced. At this time the building contained a school room on the first floor, the upper being an auditorium built after the manner of a Roman amphitheatre with settees or benches extending around the two sides and one end of the room, those adjoining the wall being considerably elevated above those nearer the center of the room. At the other end of the room was arranged a stage for the pur- pose of lectures and similar entertainments. With the introduc- tion of the graded system more seating capacity became neces- sary and the above auditorium was sacrificed and remodeled to meet the demand and transformed into a schoolroom similar to the one below.
We may here mention the fact that the cupola before re. ferred to was not only an architectural feature of beauty, but was made to fill an important part in the very pleasant associa- tions of the old Academy. During the heated months of sum- mer while the schools were in session, a certain favored few were allowed to retire after recitations to this delightfully shaded and breezy nook and prepare their lessons for the coming day, The old planed posts, rafters and beams bore many an autograph of worthy and beloved pupils who have long since passed over the mysterious border. Upon the timber work was also to be found artistic sketches of landscapes and views only to be enjoyed from the belfry placed there by certain pupils who possessed' marked ability in this direction, among the number a very pretty .view, the handiwork of our townsman, W. E. Barry. These sketches were religiously preserved as created until obliterated with the building by devouring flames.
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After the reconstruction of the interior the lower room was occupied by the grammar grade and the upper portion was fitted
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up for the use of the High School and furnished with many of the educational appliances of that day. Among which through the efforts of the pupils interested in astronomy one of the larg- est and most comprehensive planetaries to be found in this lo- cality was purchased and introduced. Great interest was mani- fested in both schools and excellent teachers were secured. Mr. Burbank of Limerick, the present principal of the Exeter High School, taught in the upper room and Mr. Wm. H. Mitchell of the Lower Village in the Grammar School. He was followed in 1869 by Mr. Hill of Limerick, who remained until 1879. The building was destroyed by fire April 18, 1870.
Loss of the Building
Fire was discovered on the Sunday night before the schools were to open the next morning and when first seen the flames had gained too much headway to be extinguished by the aid of our citizens with their buckets alone, and an attempt was made at once to bring into service the efficient qualities of faithful old No. 3. Upon arriving at the engine house, however, this ma- chine was found incapable of service by the obstruction of the plungers by debris placed there to prevent its use, during the removal of which the fire had gained such headway as to render the engine of no avail. There seemed to be, therefore, no doubt that the fire was of incendiary origin and a party was sus- pected of the crime, and a few months later was examined in the town hall, but for lack of sufficient evidence he was not con- victed and to this day the matter has remained a subject of con- jecture. The loss of the building was a severe one to the district not only financially but from an educational standpoint from which for many years our village failed to recover. Undaunted, however, our good citizens met the issue as best they could and immediately steps were taken to as far as possible repair the Loss. Largely to the interest of the late Hon. Jos. Titcomb and others of our most interested and respected citizens are we in- debted for our present high school building.
The above copied from a High School Paper.
THE HEDGE FARM, PORTLAND STREET The Hedge farm, so called, was owned by Barnabas Palmer
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(probably bought from one of the Kimballs). Maj. Palmer set out the hedge and expected to build a house on the lot but his fam- ily did not like the location. The hedge extended from the en- trance to the yard to Henry Jordan's line and was very hand- some when trimmed. The expense and time required to trim it was the cause of its removal.
Maj. Palmer sold to Jacob Russell who built the brick house in 1856-7. Russell sold to Aaron Ricker (who cut down the hedge). Mr. Ricker sold to Marshall Warren and he to Samuel Hall and he to Paul C. Stephens.
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CHAPTER X
Mr. Remich's Sketch of Kennebunk-The Post Office, 1938- Storer Mansion-Hymns Sung at the Centennial-The First Brick Building in Kennebunk-Portland, Saco and Porte- mouth Railroad.
KENNEBUNK By Daniel Remich
The History of Kennebunk, extending through a period of nearly 240 years, is not marked by many incidents of a startling character ;- but few lives were lost in Indian warfare, and the destruction of property by the Red Men, although subjecting the early settlers to frequent and severe losses, was less here than in many co-existent settlements in New England. The privation, hardships and dangers attendant upon pioneer life in the wilder- ness were, nevertheless, largely endured by those who were the first to fix their habitations on our territory. The name is of Indian origin, being that which the Aborigines gave to the river by which we are bounded on the east.
In the vicinity of the main falls, on this river, was the first settlement in town which presented to any extent the features of a village. Between this and the Mousam-(Indian name, signi- fying Moose River) on which the first mills in town were erected, the path was through a thick forest. It appears, at first glance, not a little strange, that path, or as it would seem a passable way for a team, from the Landing place, not far below the foot of the falls-(near the "old stump") -to Coxhall-(now Lyman)- should have existed many years before such direct communication was had with the Port and the Beach.
We find an explanation in the facts that Sayward's Mill at "old Mousam," now the village, was completed in 1672; Little- field's Mill on the Kennebunk, on or near the site of Bartlett's, was completed in 1681, and at the Great Falls, the "Fluellen's Falls," near Coxhall line, a mill must have been erected prior to 1700, by whom or precisely when is unknown, but the records furnish positive proof that such is the fact. When the "Middle Mill," in by-gone years called "Cat Mousam," at the Eastern De- pot, was built, is not definitely known, but grants and other docu- ments show conclusively not earlier than 1714, nor later than
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1735. The Landing place above named was our harbor. Here sea-going vessels from Boston and elsewhere landed the supplies they had brought for the settlers and took, on the return voyage, the lumber manufactured at the mills on the two rivers.
Obtaining their supplies from vessels at this Landing place and shipping their lumber from the same point, the inhabitants did not really need, for a number of years, direct communication with the Port by means of a continuous path. The settlers at Larrabee's and others living below them on the Sea road reached the Landing place and Mills by a path leading through what are now known as Wise's pasture, the Factory woods, Remich's wood- lot and field, thence across by the old brick yard, in Capt. Charles Thompson's pasture (there was a good bridge of logs across the gulley) and along the brow of the hill to the main road.
In 1750 the territory between the two rivers, commencing at the sea and running back eight miles, by a vote of the town of Wells was set off as an independent parish, and from that date to 1820 was known as the "Second Parish in Wells." At this time, on the Western side of the Mousam, there were three dwelling houses in the vicinity of the sea, an uninhabited shanty nearly opposite the mill and a house where that of Mr. Thatcher Jones now stands. These estates were not included within the limits of the Second Parish, probably because it was found diff- cult to fix a boundary line west of the river. It would appear, however, that the occupants of the four dwelling houses were considered and considered themselves members of the parish. Forty-five persons, supposed to be all or nearly all the tax pay- ers, signed the petition for incorporation. Assuming that each of the petitioners was the head of a family and that there were; six persons in each family, the whole number of inhabitants be. tween the rivers in 1750 was 270.
Kennebunk Incorporated in 1820
From 1750 to 1820 there was a gradual increase of popula- tion in every part of the town. Hundreds of acres of land were cleared and cultivated, many dwelling houses, stores and shops were erected, ship building was prosecuted on the Mousam and at the Landing, on Kennebunk river. Several well stocked stores were opened in the village and at the Landing, and many me- chanics moved into town and established themselves in business.
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Although occasionally suffering losses in consequence of fresh- ets and unproductive seasons and experiencing a disastrous pe- riod during the war of 1812 and '15, the average business pros- perity during these seventy years was progressive and encourag- ing. The town of Kennebunk was incorporated in 1820, at which time its population was 2145; number of polls, 481; valuation, $235,023.40.
Although the town has not largely increased in population, nor in the value of its business operations during the sixty years that have passed along since its organization, it has, neverthe- less, through all the changes and "ups and downs" experienced, been able to hold its own, never retrograding or showing signs of decline or dilapidation. In almost every district new and hand- some dwelling houses have been put up, and old buildings have been enlarged and rendered more convenient as well as attrac- tive in appearance; several new streets have been laid out and built upon; our water power has been improved, giving to us the "pleasant hum of machinery" and bringing to us the pecuniary prosperity which successfully managed manufacturing establish- ments invariably produce. Eight houses have been dedicated to divine worship, making the whole number of churches in town ten. A Town Hall, an ornament and a credit to the place, has been erected.
There has been a great change in the industrial pursuits of the people in the past sixty years. In 1820 and for several sub- sequent years our roads were enlivened, at all seasons and at all hours of the day and night, by ox teams and vehicles drawn by horses, laden with ship timber, boards, wood, and with all the varied productions of the field and dairy. In connection with our Kennebunkport neighbors, we afforded an excellent market for all these products, which were brought to us from nearly every town in the county. One half their aggregated value, at least, was paid in goods. Our traders and mechanics had customers, it is fair to say, from 18 of the 23 towns then comprising the county of York. A customer at their counters from Saco and Biddeford was not a rare sight, and tradition has it that the people of those towns, for a number of years, in seasons of severe drought, brought their grists to our village mills.
Only Printing Office in the County The printing establishment of the Kennebunk Gazette, pub-
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lished from 1800 to 1842, by James K. Remich, was an important aid to the prosperity of the town. For several years it was the only printing office in the county, and probably no country office in this or the neighboring state was so well stocked with book and job type. The proprietor was ambitious and energetic and at- tained a high reputation as a book and job printer. It was almost a daily occurrence that persons from distant places, having busi- ness at the office either for political figuring or in reference to the execution of work, improved the opportunity thus afforded them of making purchases at our stores.
The Landing, in 1820, was a busy locality. There was great activity in its ship-yards, its mechanics were fully employed and the sales of goods in its stores, of which there were seven, amounted annually to no inconsiderable sum. Now, how changed! The plats of ground which for a century were resonant with the sounds of the axe, the saw, the mallet and the cheery voices of the ship builders, exhibit no indications of industry, but are fenced in and unimproved save for the products of the green- sward.
At the Port District in 1820 there were no building yards; wood and lumber were shipped thence, new vessels were rigged there and those needing repairs were overhauled and renovated at their wharves. There was only one store. There, too, a great change has been wrought. In its increased population, the acces- sions to its industrial resources, the addition to the number of its dwellings and the architectural taste displayed in their struc- ture, as well as in the improvements effected in those that have been repaired and remodeled, we have unmistakable signs of en- terprise and thrift, affording a striking contrast when compared with its appearance and business status sixty years ago.
What is now the Depot District contained, in 1820, five dwelling houses and a grist mill. Now we have there, beside its depot and the buildings connected therewith, a cotton manu- factory and saw mill, both large and well managed, a grist mill; four stores, several mechanics' shops, a commodious school house, two meeting houses and about seventy dwelling houses, making up a village remarkable for its neatness and for the evidences of prosperity it exhibits.
Village in 1820
A. description of the Village district as it was in 1820, of
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its progress and of the noteworthy events that belong to its his- tory, during the intervening years between that date and the present time, could hardly be condensed so as to be embraced within the entire space assigned to this sketch. Those details would form the most interesting chapter in the annals of the town, but they would necessarily occupy considerable room and require, in their preparation, no small amount of time and labor. Only a few facts can be added.
On the Western side of the Mousam, in 1820, there stood near the entrance to Brown Street the Richard Gilpatrick house with the outbuildings belonging thereto, the N. Jefferd's house (now S. Clark's), the hotel. There is a tradition, and there is no reason why its correctness should be doubted, that the trees on the lot where this building stands were felled on the memor- able 19th of April, 1775. Opposite the garden lot belonging to this Hotel there stood, as it now stands, the Gilpatrick black- smith shop, a part of which was built for and moved from the old Iron works and has passed its centennial year. Next above this was the Wallingford house, and beyond this the house now owned by Daniel Durrell and the Norman house the latter long since removed. On the left side of the street (prior to 1805 the stage road to Wells and the West) was the Mendum house, and on the right side, the John Low house (Mr. Vinal's) and the D. Gilpatrick house.
Where are Brown Street and the cross streets running thence to Wells road and thence to High Street, were fields and pastures. On the river side of Pleasant street, at its head stood a blacksmith shop, next the house now owned by Rev. Mr. Worth, next the Dominicus Lord house (long since removed), then Judge Thomas's (now Olevia Mendum's), then the Dr. Emerson house (now Jos. Parsons's) then the house recently occupied by Miss Dorman, and farther on the Major Cousens house, now the alms- house. On the bank of the river was a store with a dwelling house on second floor, a clothing mill, a grist mill and Pierson's tannery. Such is a bird's-eye view of the western side of the river, as it was in 1820.
A few facts and events connected with the History of the Town of Kennebunk that have occurred since 1880 are here pre- sented.
The decade from 1880 to 1890 was a quiet one, while that
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now closing has been a most eventful one. The school census dur- ing the first part of the first decade showed a considerable gain- parties with families moving into town for the purpose of join- ing the different industries-but since 1890 it has been becoming less.
The upper part of the town in its agricultural districts has shown a considerable change, owing in a measure to a concen- tration towards the center. The lower part of the town towards the sea is holding its own, however. The valuation of property has, however, increased. Paint is an indicator of this without a recourse to figures. Anyone traveling about the town during the past twenty years must have undoubtedly noticed the many houses that have been added and the great improvement of those existing before that time.
In the year 1891 the brick building now known as the Town Hall became entirely the property of the town. The upper part of the building had been erected at the expense of private par- ties in 1867; the furnishing of the same was the result of the efforts of an association of young people styled the Kennebunk Dramatic Club, and of the proceeds from a fair held there by the ladies of the town. Shortly after the purchase of Mousam Hall the whole building was enlarged; a new stage and dressing rooms, with a kitchen in the lower part, were added.
The possession of such a building is of great importance, for although the letting of the hall may bring in but little reve- nue to the town treasury, the benefits derived by the people from the lectures that have been given, from the concerts that have been heard and the social opportunities afforded, are great edu- cational factors in the civilization of a town.
In the year 1893 by act of the legislature the so-called school districts of all towns were abolished. The District No. 5 (Vil- lage) however, was permitted to retain its powers; but in 1896, by its own act, so much of its charter as related to schools was given up, so that to-day all of the schools of the town are under one management, consisting of a committee of three who employ a superintendent.
All the children throughout the town are now receiving the benefit of a thorough course of graded instruction, consisting of three Primary, three Intermediate and three Grammar grades. A High school course of training of three years' duration is added to this common school system.
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The averages reported by the Town of Kennebunk, when compared with those presented in the State Report, are fully up to and in many cases ahead of those of other towns of like popu- lation
Main Street Electrically Lighted in 1894
The large building at the corner of Main and Storer streets, although erected by private parties for manufacturing purposes, is connected with the history of the town from the fact that in December, 1891, the town voted to buy it. As the ownership of the building had passed through several hands and owing to its principal owner having experienced the various vicissitudes con- nected with the shoe business, being forced to make an assign- ment, it was thought best for the Town, in order to control the water power for the introduction of electric lighting, to become the possessor of the building. As a result of this purchase Fri- day evening, August 31, 1894, saw Main Street from bridge to bridge for the first time brilliantly illuminated. The building has since been leased by the town to two different firms one of which at this date (1898) is now doing business there.
It is said that fire is a good servant but a terrible master, and the same may be said of water. After a continuous rain of over thirty-six hours with the quick melting of snow thereby contributing to the waters of our two rivers, the Mousam and the Kennebunk, on March 1, 1896, in their eager rivalry to reach the sea, rose in their wrath against the obstructions in the way of bridges and abutments, presenting a serious question for the citizens to grapple with at the next day town meeting.
On the Kennebunk river the Day bridge in Alewive, the bridge connecting the two towns of Kennebunk and Kennebunk- port at Bartlett's mill, and also the drawbridge at the lower end were completely swept away. The Durrell bridge would also have gone had it not been for the efforts of the citizens living near by.
The upper bridges on the Mousam were more or less strained and weakened, while but a few stones on either bank were left to tell the story of the Clay Hill bridge's former existence.
Although it took a considerable sum, nearly $13,000, to re- pair and replace them all, they are today in a far better condi- tion than ever before.
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Necrology
An annual necrology of the town has for several years been published by Mr. Andrew Walker. Since 1880 many prominent men have passed over to to the great majority from amongst us. Hon. Joseph Dane in 1884, and Hon. Joseph Titcomb in 1891, were men thoroughly interested in town affairs, and whose loss is felt by many today. Knowing well the needs of the town, well equipped with legal knowledge,, being confided in by their fellow citizens, it was only necessary for either to speak to prevent any ill-advised or hasty legislation.
In 1888 one of the town's most faithful servants as a select- man, Mr. Seth Bryant, a dweller in the lower part of the town yet unbiased on that account, passed away. Mr. Daniel Remich, for many years a school officer, and also town treasurer, died in 1892. During the last six years of his life he had been free from town work. In 1886 Dr. E. W. Morton, a genial and be- loved homeopathic physician, became his successor as town treas- urer. He gradually gave up his practice that he might attend the better to his increasing duties as treasurer of the town and president of the Ocean National Bank. Previous to 1880 Dr. Morton had served on the school committee.
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