USA > Maine > Piscataquis County > Dover-Foxcroft > Old Foxcroft, Maine : traditions and memories, with family records > Part 4
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John Stacy Tucker, the oldest son was a faithful student at Foxcroft Academy, an excellent scholar, notably in Latin. He entered Bowdoin College, taking from the first a creditable rank in his class; his faithful work promised a marked degree of success, but the loss of the entire savings of his previous frugal life compelled him to leave college. His after life was given over to mechanical pursuits, in which he had pre- viously been trained, and where his characteristic perseverence secured a moderate competence.
At the fortieth anniversary of his class (1853), a most interesting communication was received, expressing his unfailing affection, in words which, for culture and refinement, left nothing to be desired. Soon after his death, the class secretary was advised that, in a clause of his will naming residuary legatees, was mentioned "the Bowdoin College class of 1853 to be 'paid to the class secretary and used as the surviving members may vote to use it.'"'
He was a man of high aims, whom disappointment had not soured; and whose lofty purposes sustained him under all the defeated plans of his life. A plain cabinet of solid material and construction, as befitted the character of the giver, filled with choice books, many of which illustrate the builder's art, to which his life was devoted, was placed in the College library. Within each book there is an engraved testimonial :-
Bowdoin College From the Class of 1853 In memory of one of its members John Stacy Tucker July 4, 1821-Oct. 30, 1893 Whose affectionate testamentary remembrance of the Class is thus carried into effect according to its vote 1898
.
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OLD FOXCROFT
Other members of this interesting class were John L. Crosby of Bangor, Hon. T. D. Simonton of Rockland, Chief Justice Melville W. Fuller of the United States Supreme Court and other men of equal prominence.
After Hodsdon had completed his survey into lots, Col. Foxcroft offered a certain number for sale. Among the purchasers were, James Holmes of Oxford, Isaac Bolster of Sutton Mass., later Paris Maine, and Charles Delaitre of Ellsworth.
Mr. Lewis Delaitre and brother Michael settled in the extreme east- ern part of town, while Mr. Bolster's son Abraham made an opening at North Cant.
Salmon and Cyrus Holmes, sons of James Holmes, started in 1819, clearings on what proved to be, two of the best farms in town. Mr. Salmon Holmes was a neighbor of Capt. Chamberlain on the west, while Mr. Cyrus Holmes was located on the road, running from the Guilford line through the "Center" to the Sebec line.
They were indefatigable workers, and within four years Salmon had a good sized area, cleared, burned over and walled in by stone gathered from his fields; also a large barn and large ell to a later erected large main house. To this house on July 4, 1824, he brought his bride, Miss Abigail Blake, the second daughter of Thatcher and Sarah (Evans) Blake, neighbors of his brother Cyrus.
On April 21, 1827, the example set by his older brother, was followed by Cyrus, and he made Fayette Blake, older sister of Mrs. Salmon Holmes, his wife. He too, had provided a beautiful home, today still splendidly kept up by their grandson, Irving Rawson Holmes. And it was Cyrus Holmes who first had one of the finest and largest apple tree nurserys-grafting the seedlings-the bank where his seedlings grew is still discernible.
Of interest is it to us to read Capt. Salmon Holmes' application in Sept. 1824 for rations for his Company :
TO THE SELECTMEN OF FOXCROFT
Gentlemen :- I hereby make application to you for the rations for the soldiers belonging to the Company for this Town, aggreeably to the Statute in such cases made and provided. The soldiers of the Company in Foxcroft are seventy five in number. You will also please to furnish the powder necessary for the number of soldiers above mentioned.
The Company in Foxcroft will be assembled at Wm. Bradbury's store in Foxcroft on Friday the 24th instant at six o'clock A.M. at which time and place you are requested to deliver the powder and rations above mentioned.
SALMON HOLMES
Captain and Commanding officer of the Company in Foxcroft
Cyrus Holmes was his brother's First Lieutenant.
Near Holmes Brook-only a few rods from his homestead, Mr. Cyrus Holmes erected a small house in which his wife's grandparents-Henry
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OLD FOXCROFT
Evans and wife passed the last years of their life: as did their three maiden daughters Peggy, Susanna and Fannie Evans-Each lived to be over 80 yrs of age.
From Mrs. Clara W. Fisher, I heard the following :- When Freeland Salmon Holmes, (The first boy from "Old Foxcroft" to go to College) her brother, a young man of nineteen years was about to enter Bowdoin College, he felt that his best suit was hardly good enough for best at college. His father, Capt. Salmon Holmes, although he had the second largest and best farm in town, was a man over fifty years of age, and with a large family still to care for. Already, had great sacrifices been made that Freeland should receive the education he so much desired. Mr. Holmes always kept a large flock of sheep; and Mr. Stephen Pierson Brown, of Dover, was struggling along with a new mill, (the former one having been burned) and willing to weave goods for cus- tomers from their own wool, either on shares, or at certain amount per yard.
Therefore Mr. Holmes wishing to "test his boy" told him he might shear sufficient fleeces to furnish wool for the required amount of cloth for the suit and to pay Mr. Brown for the manufacture. Freeland. accepted; and then to prove his appreciation, went to the wood lot, and cut wood for lumber sufficient to pay a skilled tailor, for making his suit:
And Freeland Holmes took pride in the fact, that it was truly a home production, and largely of his own personal effort.
Freeland S. Holmes was graduated from Bowdoin in 1850. Upon leaving college he commenced the study of medicine with his uncle, Dr. Job Holmes of Calais and completed his studies at Columbia College, Washington D. C. in 1854. He commenced his practice in Orono later moving to Foxcroft where he relieved Dr. Josiah Jordan of his practice and purchased the Doctor's residence, now at the corner of North and Summer streets.
In 1857 he m. Miss Caroline Washburn of Livermore, a sister of Maine's War Governor, Israel Washburn Jr. They had two children, Frances and Frank Holmes, now deceased. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Dr. Holmes offered his services and was commissioned Surgeon of the 6th. Maine.
George Thatcher Holmes, his brother much younger, joined the same regiment as Hospital Steward. George T. Holmes, after his service m. Miss Marcelia Robinson, dau. of Ellis and Susan Robinson of Foxcroft. They settled on the Holmes farm. Dr. Freeland Holmes was promoted to Brigade Surgeon just prior to his death which occurred in camp in Virginia from diphtheria June 1863. Dr. Holmes was much esteemed and respected wherever known.
In 1819, the Westons, famous hunters, moved in, and Peleg settled on the place later known as the Hayes (Mrs. Nancy Malcolm) farm while Isaac opened the farm, later, the home for many years, of Dea. Wm. Parsons.
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OLD FOXCROFT
Thomas Wentworth, for many years a valued citizen, made an opening on the northwestern half of lot #17 in the 6th range.
In 1819 Jesse Washburn sold his farm to Mr. Ichabod Chandler of Minot Maine. Mr. Chandler was an uncle of the pioneer, John Chan- dler Jr. whose brother Phineas was still a resident of Foxcroft.
Mr. Ichabod Chandler's sons, John Fish Chandler, Abel and Elihu at once came in,-John Fish to purchase and clear the place later known as the "Lee farm." His wife, Anna was a niece of Jesse and Eliphalet Washburn. Abel, with his wife Abigail, started an opening on the southwestern half of lot #17 in the 6th range already owned by his father Ichabod, while Elihu lived in the Washburn house until he could erect a small house on the western part of the Washburn farm on the road to the Four Corners, near the present slaughter house.
GROWTH OF VILLAGE AND FIRST BRIDGE
And while agriculture was advancing, so too were trades and commerce opening. Andrew Blethen, the cobbler, who made the first pair of boots ever put together in town, lived in the oldest frame house now standing.
The following has been copied from Blethen's account book:
1820-Sept. Joseph Morse, to making 1 pr. cloth shoes $ .58
Eli Towne 1 " women's .58
Cr. by 1 Turkey . .36
Dec. Joel Pratt to making 1 pr. man's shoes 1.00
- - "
2 " small 66
1.00
tapping, patching & heel tapping shoes for your wife .33
1821-Jan. Allen Dudley (Dover) To sleigh D. Sangerville .12
Jacob Cotton to 1 pr. small shoes . .42
Benj. Hersey " horse to Sangerville . .18
Isaac Blethen Cr. by 6 lbs butter. .75
" 61/2 " hog meat .40
1822-Capt. David Bryant (Dover) to oxen 12 day .25
1823 Isaac Blethen To oxen to haul boards. .12
1824 Joel Pratt, To making 1 pr. shoes for Reuben .83
Elisha Gibbs, To mending saddle bags .13
making 1 pr. woman's shoes .66
= Cr. by 2 % doz eggs . .11
Lt. Sylvanus Longley, To oxen 1 day .65
Samuel Beal, the tanner, on the site of the present Parsons' and Hayes' offices, and William Bradbury, a store on the site of the Opera House. Between it and the river was the small house of one John Mitchell. Sarchwell Lane's blacksmith shop was on the present corner of North and Exchange streets, later owned and operated by Silas Paul and Almarie Sherman, a carding mil! on the brook, where the present gristmill of A. W. Gilman and Co. is located. Ill health overtook Sherman and he had to give up. Edward Favor erected, nearly on the site of the middle mill in the American Woolen Co.'s present group, a clothing mill, and in it Isaac Allen put a carding machine, but after running two or three years they were closed.
Owing to the introduction of so many new enterprises, a village at the "Mills" seemed a certainty and a bridge across the river was a real necessity. Because of the two right angle turns in the river, the old boundary line as run by Ballard and Weston became the dividing line. between Foxcroft and Plantation 3, so called (later Dover). This threw a large pie-shaped piece of the industrial section of Plantation 3 village into Foxcroft Township, and thus the entire expense of a new bridge must fall upon Foxcroft ; but impervious to such an awakening and misfortune the public-spirited citizens voted in 1819 to build, and to John Bradbury, Esq .; Eliphalet Washburn and Capt. Joel Pratt, a committee to build a bridge in the town of Foxcroft, was written this:
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OLD FOXCROFT
Greeting: The following is a list of assessment made upon the polls . and estates of the person hereafter named, each one his respective proportion of the sum of five hundred and six dollars and seventy-four cents being the amount of said list which you are to cause to be ex- pended in labor and materials upon the bridge in said town according to law and agreeable to a vote of the said town, at their last annual meet- ing, allowing each man twelve and one half cents per hour &c, and you are to cause the whole of said sum to be expended as aforesaid, on or before the first day of October next.
Given under our hands this 12 day of August 1820 THOMAS WENTWORTH Assessors of the SAMUEL CHAMBERLAIN Town of Foxcroft
The bridge tax was assessed upon the following :
Names
Total tax
Names
Total
tax
Bradbury, John
26.74
Merrill, William
$ 4.29
Blake, Adoniram
5.46
Morse, Richard
5.25
Buck, Daniel.
5.85
Morse, Joseph
14.89
Buck, Nathaniel
10.84
Lane, Sarchwell R.
1,66
Beal, Samuel
10.08
Lane, William H.
1.76
Brawn, Peter .
9.46
Pratt, Joel
9.27
Blethen, Andrew
2.85
3.86
Blethen, Isaac.
2.82
Turner, Abel .
4.92
Chamberlain, Samuel.
23.31
Thayer, William
10.05
Carpenter, Nathan .
12.56
Towle, John .
1.76
Carpenter, Dennis
3.09
Thompson, James
8.26
Call, James
5.82
Towne, Moses
7.58
Cotton, Jacob.
4.65
Tucker, Aaron
6.06
Chandler, John F.
5.28
Steadman, John .
4.29
Chandler, Phineas.
3.26
Sherman, Almarie .
3.30
Chandler, Abel .
3.09
Washburn, Eliphalet
13.11
Chandler, Elihu
Washburn, Jesse
12.13
Delaitre, Lewis.
4.50
Weston, Isaac.
5.36
Delaitre, Michael
6.53
Weston, Peleg .
4.01
Dow, Benjamin .
1.76
Weston, Moses .
1.66
Dwelley, William
1.66
Wentworth, Thomas
4.85
Greeley, David
4.84
Hammond, Bela .
11.35
Greeley, Samuel
8.53
Hammond, Benjamin
1.66
Gibbs, Elisha .
.10
Hersey, Benj ..
5.41
$332.43
Holmes, Salmon
12.97
Non-resident tax
174.31
Holmes, Cyrus
2.49
Howe, James
4.39
$506.74
The above is given as much to show the increase in population in the seven years of corporate existence of Foxcroft as the amount of property tax. The amount assessed, $506.74 was to be paid in labor and a little larger amount raised the next year to be paid in labor and grain.
Nathaniel Chamberlain was employed to frame the bridge. A copy of the specifications is before me, but so complicated is it, that even an expert builder of today, cannot understand it. It should be borne in mind, that the approaches to the bridge on either side, have been very much filled in; and that the covered bridge as it finally became, and many of us remember, extended only from the mainland on the west
2.76
Pierce, Samuel.
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OLD FOXCROFT
side of the river, to the island (now under the Chandler block). From the island to the east side was a short platform bridge. It was the first bridge to span the Piscataquis River, where today there are a dozen or more.
A heavy freshet so injured it in 1829, that it had to be rebuilt as the following report indicates :-
"The Committee appointed to agree and report which of the two plans for the Foxcroft bridge. Report that we have had the subject under consideration and we are in favor of the plan called the North Yarmouth plan and that the timber for the reaches be of the dimention of ten by fourteen inches that there be five full tiers of timber across each reach and that each of the longest braces be strapped with a small strap of iron that is, a Swedish bar; other irons agreeable to the place herewith presented.
NATHANIEL CHAMBERLAIN Chairman
FOXCROFT, Oct. 16 1829.
John Bradbury had removed his family to the village; and Bela Hammond's family had taken possession of the Bradbury farm, as well as purchased land near the Guilford line where, on Merrill brook, he had built a chair factory. Later, Benj. Hammond and one Swan built a saw mill and bedstead factory. They also, under the name of Hammond and Swan, opened a store at the village, on the site of the old Buck and Wyman store. The business was not successful and finan- cial losses resulted.
Abel Chandler purchased the Hammond property at the Four Cor- ners, and moved his family there. Ichabod Chandler, the father, selling the farm, upon which Abel had made an opening and erected a small house, to his nephew Allen, the youngest son of Avira Chandler of Minot. Abel Chandler continued to reside at the Four Corners un- til 1827, when he sold to Ira Allen, and moved his family,-wife Abi- gail, and three children, to Ohio. Mr. Allen, a small farmer and winter school master, in 1831, sold the property to Timothy Hazeltine Sr., who on Aug. 28, 1832, transferred the title to his son Timothy Jr. It remained in that family until a few years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Hazeltine Jr., I deem it a privilege to have known ; as well as their three daughters, Ella, later Mrs. Fred Getchell; Augusta, Mrs. Morgan of Sangerville; Etta, Mrs. Davis of California. Each was a teacher of marked ability, well liked among her pupils, and held in highest esteem by parents and school committee.
Mr. Ira and Mrs. Lois Allen were the parents of five children, born in Foxcroft.
Elizabeth Fogg born Nov. 25, 1821 Joanna Bearce . . July, 4, 1823
Olive Margaret . . Sept. 24, 1824
Addison Dexter Dec. 12, 1825
Lois Bearce July, 20, 1827
١
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OLD FOXCROFT
Sylvanus Longley, whose brother Jonas and father Zachariah * (Rev- olutionary soldier) had taken up the northwest corner lot (Cass farm) in Dover, and who had been, from time to time, purchasing property in "old Foxcroft," decided to locate permanently in town. He erected a small one-story house on the east side of his lot, comprising that part of the town later known as the Ira Whittier place. Park Street was not laid out until years later. The Longley house was located where now is an attractive small grove of maples. When Mr. Whittier pur- chased the place, he moved the house to its present site, northeast corner of North and Park street. Later it was sold to a Mr. Jonathan Plummer; and his widow, Didama Plummer, continued to reside there until she was very aged. Mr. Whittier erected and resided until his death in the house now the residence of Mrs. Harriet (Chandler) Dearth, granddaughter of two of our pioneer settlers, Mr. Allen Chandler and Mr. William Mayhew, and great granddaughter of an- other, Moses Buck.
Mr. William Pratt and son William Jr. this year commenced an open- ing on the farm north of Daniel Buck's, now called the Goff farm. Mr. Pratt was a most public spirited citizen, always working for the best interests of the town.
In 1826, Mr. John Bradbury erected a sawmill on the southern, or island, end of the dam, and now the site of Palmer's store; and on the opposite side of the street, a fulling mill, 32 by 24 feet in size, with carding machinery from the old Allen mill. In 1827, R. K. Rice from Mt. Vernon, Kennebec Co purchased the southeasterly half of the is- land and the mill, which he ran for several years. Finally it reached the ownership of the men who started, in 1836, a factory in Dover. They sold the mill and machinery on the island, as well as the custom, to Mr. Joshua Jordan and Mr. Charles Crockett. Mr. Jordan finally succeeded to the business; and up to the time of its transition into the Chandler store, the building was known as the "Jordan Carding Mill."
Just east of the Jordan mill was the saw mill of David Gilman and Wm. Farnham. Mr. Farnham also purchased of Abel Brockway, the tannery run by the same water privilege. In 1845, he sold the tannery to Jeremiah S. Thompson. Mr. Thompson had moved to the village, Dover side, to the house later owned and occupied by D. C. Dinsmore, the photographer. Directly in front of the house was a well, rather shallow, but yet deep enough, to be called a well. The son of the house, Sumner by name, had a fondness for punning, though still a boy. Mrs. Thompson asked her daughter, Mary Jane, a child of six years, to take a small pail and go for water. Presently Sumner walked into the kitchen and remarked "I guess Mary Jane feels well, she has tumbled into the well." No attention being paid to him he asked, "Well aren't you going to get Mary Jane out of the well?" No notice taken,-"I say, run! Mary Jane's in the well." The Mary Jane re-
* Rev. War.
-----
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OLD FOXCROFT
ferred to, later became the wife of John R. Crocker, owner and pro- prietor of the first Mt. Kineo House at Moosehead Lake.
Mr. Thompson later moved his family to the beautiful old home, on upper Main Street, in "old Foxcroft" where he died. Mrs. Keziah (Cushman) (Thompson) Phillips, also died there on Apr. 30, 1877. The place passed from Sumner Thompson, the son, into the ownership of Mr. William Stubbs, one of our most respected and esteemed citizens, in the eighties and nineties. After his death it was purchased, the build- ings razed, magnificent old trees felled and delightful gardens devasted.
1762762
MAINE ADMITTED TO THE UNION
When in 1820, Maine became the tenth state, to be admitted to the Union under the Constitution, Gov. Brooks (Massachusetts) an- nounced the event in his message to the General Court. After allud- ing in almost affectionate terms, to the harmony which had so long existed between Massachusetts and the District, he added,-"But the time for separation is at hand. Conformably to the memorable act of June last, the 16th day of March next, will terminate forever, the political unity of Massachusetts proper and the District of Maine; and that District which is bone of our bone, and flesh of our flesh, will as- sume her rank as an independent state in the American confederacy."
Capt. Chamberlain was chosen a delegate to the convention to frame the State Constitution. John Bradbury was elected Representative to the first Legislature, and again in 1821.
.. In 1821, there were but thirty-six voters enrolled, several families moved from town, including the James Thompsons, Jesse Washburns and the Lanes; but the voters' list for 1822 contains seventy-two names, some of these, sons of earlier settlers, having attained their majority. Still there were many new names as, Beal, Brawn, Leavitt, Gray, Murch, etc. Some of these remained but a short time. Others came in, so that we had a changing, or what may be considered an itinerant, population, as I have followed them.
This year, Ichabod Chandler decided to make a permanent home on the farm purchased of Jesse Washburn; and his sons, Ichabod Jr., Josiah L, Sylvanus and Freeman and daughter Nancy, came with him. Ichabod Jr., with his wife, Sophia Boardman and four children, made their home on the Washburn farm with his father. Josiah L, purchased the eastern half of his father's lot, erected a house on the south side of the road, while his barn was on the north side. Many years later his nephew, Charles H. Chandler purchased of one Vail the farm cleared by his Uncle, and, not wishing to reside in Dover, with his animals in Foxcroft, built the attractive set of buildings which have so long been known by his name. The road to Sebec station had become the line between "old Foxcroft" and Dover-instead of the Piscataquis River.
Sylvanus Chandler, the fifth son of Mr. Ichabod Chandler, married Miss Sarah Harlow of Minot. They purchased of his cousin Phineas, lot #3 in the 2nd range; and there he made an opening and erected a house and barn, after many years, known as the Daggett farm. The Chandler buildings were destroyed by fire, and Mr. Thomas Daggett. built the ones now standing on the place on the Milo Road.
In 1833, Sylvanus Chandler deeded to "Joseph Crooker, Eliphalet Washburn, Alanson Dunham, Ebenezar Dunham, Josiah L. Chandler, Ichabod Chandler, Ichabod Chandler Jr. and Abel Towne, all of Fox- croft, land for a Cemetery, to be known as the Foxcroft South-East Bury-
APISIF
الاسل : :
36
OLD FOXCROFT
ing Ground." It is now generally called "the Lee Cemetery"; and is approached by a cross road, leading from the Milo road, opposite the old school house, to the Luther Averill place, but unused south of the Cemetery.
Freeman Chandler, youngest son of Ichabod, married in Minot, Esther,-and located in Foxcroft on the road from the "Four Corners" to the Sebec line. The farm later has been known as the Bullard place, occupied by Jonathan Bullard and his son Lucius.
Nancy, Mr. Ichabod Chandler's daughter and the youngest of the family married Francis Towne, son of Moses and Betsy Towne. They resided on lot 1 in the 3d range.
The arrival of Melvin Stevens at the village, and Wm. Shaw and Noah Hersey in the Four Corners district this year, also brought added impulse to the settlement. Mr. Stevens at once erected a building for merchantile purposes, larger than any other in town, and furnished a better and more varied stock. He was a man of large means, for those days, and was desirous of keeping his money in an active market, so that he was an able competitor of John Bradbury, hitherto the man of the Exchequer about town. Later Mr. Stevens purchased a consider- able portion of the Bradbury farm and built the house now the resi- dence of Emmons Davis. He sold to Sylvanus Dearborn, who later disposed of the property to Rev. J. M. Follett, Pastor of the Baptist Church. And Rev. Mr. Follett sold off the "Edes place," so-called.
Mr. Shaw cleared the place at Four Corners now owned by Elmer Hilton while Mr. Hersey located on the road running from the Four Corners to the Sebec line on lot 4 of the 5th range.
About this time negotiations were under way for the sale of the Hammonds' farm at the Four Corners and the purchase by them of John Bradbury of his large farm on the river road to Guilford. Mr. Bradbury had already erected the little red store at the "Mills" (then gradually changing the name to the "Village") as he had been ap- pointed postmaster and the office was to be there; also the yellow house south of it was in process of erection for the family home.
The post office at "Old Foxcroft" was established June 19, 1821 with John Bradbury as the first postmaster. The first service to the office was on the route,-from Bangor, by Levant (Kenduskeag?), Corinth, New Charleston, Atkinson, Sebec, Brownville, Williamsburg, Foxcroft, Guilford and Sangerville to Bangor. The mode of transportation was perhaps by horse-back and saddle bags. A table of postal rates follows:
"One single letter (one sheet) for any distance not exceed- ing 30 miles,
6 cents
30 and not over 80 miles
10 cents
80 and not over 150 miles
1212 cents
150 and not over 400 miles 181/2 cents
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