USA > Maine > Piscataquis County > Dover-Foxcroft > Old Foxcroft, Maine : traditions and memories, with family records > Part 16
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his conversion are contained in "Fifty years of church work in the Diocese of Minnesota", by Rev. Geo. Clinton Tanner. It also con- tains a tribute to Miss Fannie Chandler, Father Chandler's daughter, and describes her beautiful character and life of loving service in the . Church. In 1873 Rev. Mr. Chandler built a small Episcopal chapel on a hill on his own farm-St. Paul's Church of Belle Creek; for fifteen years, he preached twice each Sabbath until his death in Oct. 1888. Mrs. Betsey Chandler was born Mar. 21, 1821, at Mansfield, Notting- hanshire, Eng. She died Oct. 6, 1903, a woman of strong, but gracious Christian character, warmly loved by a large circle of friends. John Wesley Chandler, Rev. Mr. Chandler's oldest son, was in the Civil War, in the 1st Minn. Regt. A step-son, David Schwieger, was in the same 1st Minn. Regt, each in the Battle of Gettysburg. Another step-son, James Schwieger, was a member of the 3d Minn. Regt.
What a delight and fascination is nature among the rocks and woods and hills of Maine! And especially cherished, with a conscious pride and affectionate reverence, are her hillside farms, by those to whom they have been the "home land." The life amid such surroundings engendered a strong individuality, original and delightful. The force of the character there germinated was an impelling power through life, fresh and pure and withal as vigorous as the woods and fields and streams.
On one of New Gloucester Maine's most beautiful hill tops still stands a large old fashioned house, four square rooms on the ground floor, four on the second floor and a long two-story ell, connecting at right angles with a large barn. The front door, with its side lights of glass and fan lattice over the door is especially attractive. Adown the hill is the old "Bell Tavern", erected by Peleg Chandler and the home of the father of the resident of the hill top house, while across the inter- vale stands the wonderfully attractive residence of the maternal grand- father.
In such a home, amid such surroundings looking upon one of nature's most fascinating panoramas, did Hannah Anderson (Chandler) Ropes pass the first eighteen years of her life. Across the fields, westward, she ran to meet and frolic with Hannah Foxcroft, later the wife of Samuel E. Crocker.
Hannah Chandler was b. June 13, 1809, the dau. of Judge Peleg and Esther (Parsons) Chandler, then of New Gloucester later of Bangor Maine. Hannah received her education in the New Gloucester schools and at Westbrook Seminary. Her clear and vigorous mind, superior scholarship, amiability and earnest sympathy with others secured a very affectionate interest and soon she was a leader among her mates. When her father changed his residence to Bangor the family at once be- came affiliated with the Hammond St. Congregational Church and Miss Hannah was one of the visitors to the Parish shut-ins and invalids. On a visit to her brother's family in "old Foxcroft" she met Mr. Wm
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Ropes, the young Colby graduate and Preceptor of the Academy. A strong attachment at once was conceived and in Feb. 1834 at the home of Judge Chandler corner of Hammond and Fifth Sts. in Bangor, they were married. Mr. Ropes had already erected the home on Main St. Foxcroft now the site of Mrs. L. C. Sawyer's house. Endowed with much personal charm, with a highly trained intellect and religious cul- ture, together with musical talents, which can be so charming in a true woman, she was a great asset to the small social life of the Village. She wrote to her mother from Foxcroft,-"I must assist my husband in his work. Before me stretch high aims and my duty, tho' not a task, seems immense."
But Mr. Ropes made great strides as an instructor and the fall of 1836 found the little family embarking for Milton Mass. where, at Mil- ton Academy they were to make their home. Mrs. Ropes loved the Milton hills and with her son walked among them and gave herself up to the enjoyment of their beauties.
The country hours dreamed themselves away and she dreamed with them plots of endless numbers of short stories published in Littell's. Then came the sad plight of Kansas and she went there to aid and while there commenced her little volume, "Six Months in Kansas" of which the Boston Transcript said, "The authoress possesses a happy ability in sketching characters. We insert her descriptions of some of the notabilities of Kansas-famous and infamous" and of "Cranston House", published three years later, the same paper said,-" A charm- ing book by the title of Cranston House is a new and interesting novel from the pen of Hannah Chandler Ropes, a lady known in literary cir- cles in New England and the author of a book called 'Six Months in Kansas.' which had great popularity"
Upon the outbreak of the Civil War Prof. Ropes and son and son-in- law at once enlisted and Mrs. Ropes reported at Washington for serv- ice. She was assigned to hospital service and the Boston Journal of June 18, 1863 said,-" No soldier who has fought the good fight in this rebellion has better deserved the thanks of a grateful people than has Mrs. Ropes of Massachusetts who has so tenderly nursed the sick and wounded at the Union Hospital at Georgetown and elsewhere. Yet she has been stricken down by disease and is her self "passing away" to join that noble army of martyrs who have died that their land might be free. Miss Dorothea Dix remains at Mrs. Ropes bedside and Senators Sumner and Wilson, with other Massachusetts men have done all in their power to comfort the last moments of this noble hearted and pub- lic spirited women." Mrs. Ropes d. at Georgetown Jan. 20, 1863
In 1832, accompanying her parents to their new home in "old Fox- croft", came a young girl. All the child's early life had been passed by the sea-side where old ocean's boisterous billows and seething surf spoke to her in "various language." Here to come under the gracious influ- ences of hills and woods and winding brook, the beauty and friendli-
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ness of nature with nothing of savagery was a joy. She attended the Academy as a pupil of Mr. Ropes and came to know and appreciate the rare virtues of Mrs. Ropes whose kindly sympathetic and unselfish character she was old enough to understand. On leaving Foxcroft, Sarah Scott entered upon the life of a school teacher in Athens Maine She was then a young woman of twenty years of age and the possibili- ties of a life active in service for others were unfolding to her.
Soon she met and was married to Hon. John Ware who soon became one of the most prominent business men in central Maine. To them were born seven children, three of them dying in early infancy. Upon the death of her husband, Mrs. Ware came into possession of a very large estate. Yet she lived in a quiet, retired manner and in a most unostentatious way, she went about doing good. Few know the good she has done in small, but extremely beneficial ways to the poor, the sick and the needy, not only in her home city but other places as well. To her church in Waterville she was generous to all its interests. With- out any expense to the church she had installed the beautiful church organ, one of the finest in the State. The finely equipped building ad- joining the church known as "Ware Parlors" for social and literary purposes was erected entirely at her expense and will long remain a monument to her memory. In presenting the keys to the building, Madame Ware said "With unremitting kindness and assistance of friends the rare skill of architect and builder, and finally the artistic touch of character, this building has risen up before us, fulfilling in some degree our long cherished wish. Without restriction, except a regard to what shall subserve the highest and best interest of this church and society, I present it to you and now deliver up to you the keys of this building, no longer mine, but yours-ours!"
Madam Ware was for years one of the Board of Trustees of the In- dustrial School for Girls at Hallowell and of inestimable worth as an executive as well as an understandingly human adviser. She d. at her home in Waterville Me. Oct. 24, 1895
On Aug. 9, 1797 at Wells, Maine, a son was born to Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Gilman. He was named Ebenezar; and as he grew to boyhood he seemed to his doctor father, not physically strong for the restricted in-door life, in those days, of the college student. Upon his graduation from Phillips Academy, Exeter, in early manhood he moved from the western part of Maine to take up a pioneer life in Piscataquis County; first Orneville, then Williamsburg, finally "old Foxcroft." He pur- chased the farm upon which one Lewis Delaittre had made an opening and erected a small frame house in 1817, in the northeastern section of the town; and to the little red house snugly settled under majestic maples and elms Mr Gilman brought his wife in July 1831. Miss Roxana Palmer, the daughter of Barnabas and Mary (Place) Palmer of Athens Maine and sister of Samuel Palmer, the Dover merchant, was a woman of much graciousness and charm. Of splendid Scotch-Irish an-
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cestry, she had the warmth of heart, and spirit of determination, so manifest in her children.
The life and obstacles, with which our pioneer farmers and their families, had to contend, are not easy to realize. Ebenezar Gilman's forebears seem generally to have possessed the quiet home-loving vir- tues; and rather desired to be good citizens than of great name. The emigrant ancestors were Edward and Mary (Clark) Gilman from Hing- ham in Norfolk County, England, to Hingham, Mass., in 1636. Their son, John, located in business in Exeter N. H. and there m. Catherine, dau. of James and Catherine (Shapleigh) Treworgye.
Gradually, generation after generation, the family extended into the District of Maine and the large white house at Wells Me. in which Ebenezar Gilman was born, is still standing and in excellent condition. Coming from a cultivated and well educated, Christian home, the dis- tance of five miles, over terrible roads, between his home and the Church and Academy, was keenly felt by Mr. Gilman. In a family of eight children, and but one horse and a "two-seater", the Church prob- lem was solved somewhat in this manner; The children who had been good during the week, well behaved and studious, should go to Church, -Church being the "reward of merit"; or was the sight of the village, and mingling with village folks, the "reward?" The educational prob- lem was solved by the father establishing, (and verily was it estab- lished) an evening school of three or four months, to supplement the district school of six weeks, which in early days was all the town pro- vided; paying the teacher, Mrs. Betsey Dwinal, the munificent wage of ninety-five cents per week! The two younger daughters have told me, with expressions of warm gratitude, of the thorough training they re- ceived, at the hands of their father, in those evening schools. As soon as the chores were completed and the dining table cleared, they heard, "now get your spelling books and arithmetics, children, and let us see how well we can do." And one daughter has said, "The lessons learned under a mother's watchful eye, and recited before the blazing fire in the evening, are among the pleasantest memories of childhood."
Those girls became young women; and as young women, teachers. As it must be for grand nephews and nieces for whom I write, I shall truthfully add, wonderful teachers. Each had, in her own individual mind, a conception of awakening in her pupil, powers before dormant. Life was real, and things took on a new aspect. A vital spark emanated from something, to others seeming dead! Already has it been stated that "Miss Adeline Gilman was the best teacher Foxcroft ever had". I do not concede that, but I never attended a term taught by Miss Adeline. That, by death, "old Foxcroft" was deprived of the services of so promising a teacher, and that pupils, in other sections, could not have profited by her graciousness and very pronounced ability, was a misfortune. Miss Adeline, died Jan. 20, 1858.
Miss Hannah Gilman, after completing her course at Foxcroft Acad-
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emy, became a pupil at Bradford Academy, Bradford, Mass., from. which institution she was graduated in 1857. She taught in several schools, before becoming assistant for some years, with her aunt, Miss Rebecca Gilman, in her private school on West Chester Park, Boston. Miss Gilman, not only was deeply interested in education for herself and her pupils, but, as a niece, Miss Mary A. Gilman, has written, did much to encourage and assist her younger brothers and sisters and later her nieces to procure an education for themselves.
A teacher long associated with Miss Hannah, has written from Mem- phis Tenn :-
"I did not however realize until recently, how very rarely in the course of a life time, we meet with such integrity. I have never ceased to wonder, that she could, from her heights, be so tolerant, so unfailingly comprehending and sympathetic, to one so much smaller than herself". And the mother of a former pupil, has given expression to her thoughts, in that, "Miss Hannah was a woman of rare gifts, great strength of character; and so admirably did she fill her position as teacher of young ladies."
Miss Hannah, died in Brookline, Mass. Feb. 18, 1918.
Miss Sarah Gilman was for several years a teacher of mathematics at Foxcroft Academy and Lewiston, Maine, High School. In 1874 she became the wife of William Edmund Pulsifer of Auburn Maine. For many years, Mr. Pulsifer was associated with the firm of D. C. Heath and Co. New York. Mrs. Sarah Gilman Pulsifer died in Brookline Mass. May 8, 1932
Miss Julia Gilman, upon leaving the Academy, and the private school of her aunt in Boston, took a very advanced standing among the teach- ers of her native town, as well as the sister town of Dover. Many are still with us, who enthuse with love and reminiscent pleasure, as "teacher Gilman's" name is spoken. Under a spell of memory, how those old school days come back! With what a sense of profound ad- miration and respect I took my seat in Miss Julia's classroom. She stimulated me by her assurance of faith in me, and my ability to put forth, a larger and yet larger effort, to perform. Under her tuition I awakened to the fact, that she was truly interested in me and my un- folding, rather than the words I spelled correctly, or the solving of prob- lems upon the blackboard. Always a leader, never did she drive. She had a smile that children loved. It bespoke confidence; and her voice, regard and spirit; and her cheery, encouraging, "but you can try" reverberant still, has been my staff through a long, long life.
But Miss Julia outgrew "old Foxcroft," as "old Foxcroft" outgrew the wilderness. The Trustees of the Perkins Institute for the Blind in South Boston, early recognized her worth, and for several years were able to profit from it.
The summer of 1883 lured Miss Hannah and Miss Julia to travel. They rested in seeing the manifold delights and educational interests in
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European countries. . Returning to America, they established a "Home and Day School for Young Ladies," on Rutland Square, Boston,-then a fashionable residential section. The growth of the school was ex- actly that, which we, who knew the Misses Gilman, expected; and more than warranted an early removal to Commonwealth Avenue. It was the first school of the kind to be established in that section of the city, and a very marked success. It drew pupils from all parts of our own country, as well as from parts of Europe. About this time, and in the mid years of my life, I expressed by letter to Miss Julia the following :- "It was my good fortune, in early youth, to have several excellent teach- ers; and I think that no one played so important a part in moulding my character and inspiring within me, a desire to press forward and make the most of my abilities, as did you.
But for your words of encouragement and cheer, I might never have been able to hold, as I do today, certificates, which entitle me to the privileges of both the medical and the legal professions."-
And now after more than the Biblical allotment of years,-years of constant contact with ever-changing minds,-one finds Miss Julia today, interested alike in young and old, with the mental vigor of youth, calmed by a sympathetic, satisfying judgment. To find her equal would be rare; her superior, never!
FOXCROFT May 1, 1848.
Miss Carter :-
Our school is to commence the second Monday of this month. We shall expect you to be here and as it is not convenient to send for you you had better take passage in the stage.
Yours etc.
WM. F. GELLISON Agt.
STATE OF MAINE
PISCATAQUIS S.S.
This certifies, that in the opinion of the undersigned, Miss S. B. Car- ter sustains a good moral character and possesses a temper and disposi- tion suitable for a teacher of youth ; that she has a capacity for the gov- ernment and discipline of a school and is qualified to instruct in reading, spelling, writing, English grammar, geography, history, arithmatic and such other branches of learning as usually taught in Public schools and particularly in those branches required in school district number 2 in the town of Foxcroft.
JAS. M. FOLLETTE
Foxcroft May 7 1852
WM. F. GALLISON
JOSIAH JORDAN
Superintending School Com- mittee of Foxcroft
The above named young woman was the girl who, when her father lamented after the birth of seven daughters, the boys he might have had to help him on the farm, exclaimed,-"Girls are just as good as boys and they can do just as much to help!"
Sarah Bodwell Carter, oldest child of Clark and Hannah (Bodwell)
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Carter was b. in Wilson, Me. Feb. 17, 1827. At the age of fourteen she taught the summer term of school in Shirley. The summer of '43 and winter of '43/44 she also taught. It was her privilege to attend Foxcroft Academy in the spring of '44 and Mr. Tash the Preceptor rec- ommended her for the Chamberlain District as teacher, a rare compli- ment. In May '46, Miss Carter decided that she would enter upon a business career and went to Augusta to learn millinery and dress mak- ing, paying $1.00 per week for board and lessons! She found however that teaching was for her a better job and continued that vocation in the larger towns of the county until 1856, with the exception of a short period in the millinery business with Miss Hannah Chamberlain. The shop was in the Caleb Prentiss building for which they paid $12.50 rental for six months to Mrs. Almira Prentiss. In 1856, a business life for her commenced in earnest, as clerk in B. B. Vaughan's store in the building, corner of Main and Lincoln streets, later the A. R. Prescott store.
In 1860 she purchased the store of D. D. Vaughan, then on the North St. corner of Academy Square; a woman of great energy, remarkable business and commanding intellect, she made rapid progress. In 1861 Miss Carter became the wife of B. B. Vaughan, although each con- tinued a separate business for some time. In 1868, Mrs. Vaughan pur- chased the beautiful residence of Mrs. Sarah J. J. Goodwin on Main St., and moved from the small house next the school yard on North St. Notwithstanding that her business connections were most engrossing, she found time, to keep up the large house and grounds, with very beautiful formal gardens on the west side, as the former resident had for twenty years. Mrs. Vaughan was my nearest neighbor and warm friend, personally interested in all that concerned me. As I grew older I was better able to appreciate her steadfastness to high ideals. Mrs. Vaughan's strongest characteristic was well-developed normal strength of character, permeated by a well wrought generosity of impulse; a dig- nified and thoughtful expression of feeling. Her many acts of material expression were known to her nearest friends, and held in sacred trust. Of her love and appreciation of advantages offered by Foxcroft Acad- emy, to young men and women, she also gave material expression by a generous testamentary bequest. A woman of wealth, the result of her own efforts and integrity, she had no patience with those who loved pomp and display. Quiet, unostentatious, she lived a simple, normal life. Her physical presence left us on Apr. 9, 1913, but her forceful character and fine influences abide with us so long as time endures.
Completing her academic studies at Foxcroft Academy and Mt. Hol- yoke Seminary, Miss Sally S. Crocker commenced her studies at the Chicago School of Art, in her chosen form of expression of the arts,- portrait painting. Her work in the Chicago school won for her en- thusiastic recognition by the celebrated artist, Julian of Paris. She was received as a pupil in his school where in 1880 she was awarded the
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earnestly coveted gold medal. The gifted Russian painter, Marie Bashkirtseff, whose painting "The Meeting", 1884, may now be seen in the Luxembourg, states in her volume of Memoirs that "her one in- tense and passionate desire in life was to win the gold medal while at Julian's, and instead it was carried away by a little American girl". And that little "American girl" was "old Foxcroft's" Sallie Stark Crocker, b. Feb. 9, 1853. Miss Crocker returned to the United States and opened a studio in Lakewood N. J. She very soon won the ap- preciation of the patrons of art of the New York Salons and the patron- age of the then known "Four Hundred" of New York
Her cousin, Miss Elizabeth M. Greeley, although having advantages of the New York School of Art only, made the brush and canvas speak under her skilled touch. Miss Greeley's mother, the first white girl born in "old Foxcroft" was no less an artist with her needle. After she had passed her eightieth birthday, four pairs of beautifully embroidered lace draperies were done by her, and are now the property of a grand- daughter.
With a wealth of filial affection and reverence, and well appreciating that even the partiality of relationship cannot do justice to so fine a character, I bring these annals to a close, with a tribute to her, who was my foster mother. Emily Chandler Hale, the oldest child of Charles P. and Sarah (Wheeler) Chandler, was born in Dover Me. Aug. 25, 1831. Her parents moved to "old Foxcroft" when she was a year old. Her remaining years were passed here. She received her academic training at Foxcroft Academy and Charlestown Seminary for Young Ladies; but the training that unfolded her markedly prominent charac- teristics,-a beautiful Christian spirit and pronounced loyalty of friend- ship, was self nurtured.
Quiet, unassuming, refined, dignified, with a culture in which mind and soul blended, she was a friend to everyone, yet known only by few. For years it was she who administered gratuitously and without ostenta- tion, to the sick and dying in "old Foxcroft". When her neighbor, Mrs. Kelsey, was dying with small pox, and no one dared approach the house, Dr. Johnson called upon my aunt, and told her of the conditions. She replied, "do I understand, Dr. Johnson, that you wish me to go to Mrs. Kelsey? I will be there in one half hour".
Mrs. Hale was gifted along artistic lines; and for many years taught art, expressed with pencil, crayon and brush. She was a bi-monthly contributor to one of Boston's select magazines. Emily Chandler Hale was a student in the broadest and best meaning of the word. When she married, she became mother to a wonderfully intellectual step-son, though a child of only four years! Following soon upon that event was the death of my own mother, Mrs. Hale's only sister. It was natural, perhaps, that as my aunt, she should wish to have the care of me. But, for a young woman of thirty-two years of age to have the care of an infant, to- gether with aged and blind parents-in-law, and a young stepson, my father
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was not willing. If she, her husband and his son could arrange to come to the home my father provided for me, he would agree But no sooner had such arrangements been consummated, than, by sudden death of their parents, Judge Hale's two nephews and a niece were added to the family. With that quick conception of duty so characteristic of my aunt, and with cheerful Christian submission, she accepted her posi- tion. And no children ever had a larger wealth of love, more intel- lectual and refining influences, more solicitous care and genuine devo- tion, than came to us. During a long life of constant contact with all classes of human nature, never have I known so strong and beautiful a character. Such unselfishness and whole-hearted thought of others, such devotion and patient courage, such scholarly attainments and peer- less integrity, formed a rare combination. Truthfully her life was lived for others; and quietly, in sleep, her spirit passed to God's keeping.
May the melody of the original lullaby song of nine year old George, the stepson, to me an infant, leave an impress of the atmosphere of that home :--
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