USA > Maine > Piscataquis County > Dover-Foxcroft > Old Foxcroft, Maine : traditions and memories, with family records > Part 8
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A letter addressed thus to him from his father,-
MR. CHARLES P. CHANDLER A.B. Preceptor of Foxcroft Academy Foxcroft Maine 1212
NEW GLOUCESTER - This in Col. Foxcroft's handwriting. He was
Nov. 29, 1824 then Postmaster at New Gloucester contains the following :-
"I hope you are studious. You must know that without study you can never succeed in life with success. Study men as well as books. You seem to like that part of the country. I think as you do about it -- it is or will be the garden of Maine. You would better go to see Moses Greenlief if you can, Go down on Saturday & back Sunday or early Monday.
Your good mother is well and all the children. If I feel smart and
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the slaying is good I think I shall appear to you in January. I have a' fine Horse & he will scoot me fast. I should like to see Foxcroft once more. I wish you to make my best respects to Esqs Holmes & Brad- bury & every body else who knows me.
I dont think of more to write so will say goodbye my Charles Your Father
P. CHANDLER."
Charles was studious, very, and he studied men and he studied him- self and came to be known as the "honest lawyer of Piscataquis." Col. Foxcroft desired Esq. Chandler to settle in Foxcroft, but finally yielded to Thomas Davee, "that as Holmes controlled the Foxcroft practice and no lawyer in Dover, Dover was the place that needed Charles." But he urged Charles not to forget Foxcroft and to "come over " as soon as he could. His office was over Davee's store and post- office. Soon he moved to the small building which I think later be- came Joseph Colcord's shoe shop on the present site of Piscataquis Savings Bank. Then, Mr. Chandler had erected the office on the site of the Masonic Temple, now on Lincoln St. and in which Miss Daggett taught the overflow school.
When young Chandler decided to locate in Piscataquis County, Esq. Holmes very generously, offered him a position in his office as partner, but as has already been pointed out, Thomas Davee was insistent, on having the younger one settle in Dover; and it was doubtless better, for soon Esq. Holmes in Foxcroft and Esq. Chandler in Dover con- trolled the practice in "center Piscataquis" There seemed to be more than the professional, fraternal feeling existent.
FOXCROFT Jan'y 12, 1828
Bro. Chandler,
I left an execution with the Clerk to be renewed. I wish you to take the new ex. with you when you return. If you shall not return until Court rises please take all my executions.
The Sheriff promised to send up by you, one or two blank bonds for Dep'y Shff. in this region to be filled as you and I shall agree. Do not fail to get the blanks before you return.
P H. (Piscataquis Historical) Society met this eve. and discussed the question and adjourned one week.
Question for discussion next meeting,
"Is it expedient to abolish imprisonment for debt?"
Aff | B. Spaulding A. S. Patten Faithfully yrs.
Negative Į D Buck
C. P. Chandler
J. S. HOLMES
By this time he had also moved his family consisting of his wife, Mrs. Sarah Wheeler Chandler and daughter Emily to the little house on the site of the present Congregational parsonage.
But prior to moving, he had to go to Boston on business and I copy his letter, en route, thus giving an idea of travel in those early days.
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ST. GEORGE June 23ª 1831
My dear Wife:
I left Bangor Monday morning about 9 o'clock. This is the fourth morning and we are now anchored at the mouth of St. George's River wind bound. As it is very uncertain when we arrive in Boston I thought best to drop you a line. I am now on shore and have but a moment to write as the boat waits to carry me back to the vessel.
.
My passage thus far has been rather pleasant. There are four passengers on board besides myself, Esq. Bates of Dexter is one and the only male. I don't expect to arrive in Boston before Saturday and if I write immediately on my arrival you cannot receive the letter till week after next. I hope you will not worry about me. Our Capt. is a very careful man. I was some sick yesterday but not so much so as all the other passengers. The boatmen say I must stop.
In great haste affectionately
Your Charles."
Evidently my grandmother had gone to stay with her parents during his absence as the letter is addressed, "Care Isaac Wheeler Esq. Garland Me."
On Jan. 4th of the succeeding year (1835) a son was born to Esq. . and Mrs. Chandler. He was given the name of his father and paternal grandfather, Charles Peleg, and it was this babe who years later from his office of Andrew and Chandler wrote his mother :-
"I would be ashamed to live in a Country, for the salvation of which I had not the courage and manhood to fight. When my Country calls, leaving all else I must to the rescue."
Mr. Chandler did not like the location of his new house, because of noise from the Academy Campus and moved, temporarily, to the house purchased of the Nathaniel Bradbury heirs, then considered a most desirable home. It was located on a spot behind the present Davis bake shop; and was razed to make room for the large stable built for the large (?) Exchange Hotel.
There was a beautiful garden plot in front, enclosed by a white slat fence. I recall the little home when Mrs. Folsom, the mother of our John Folsom, lived there, and the wonderfully attractive garden. And I find pleasure in comparing it (as I remember it) with the fasci- nating garden of her grand daughter, Mrs. Errol Brawn, and its slope to the banks of the Piscataquis River.
My own dear mother, Mary Chandler, whose name my father be- stowed upon me, was born there on Mch. 16, 1837, completing one of the happiest of trios of children, it has been my fortune to know about, -for I never knew my mother nor uncle.
Finally, Mr. Charles Crockett wished to dispose of his home, on what is now Lincoln St. and Esq. Chandler, considering it a desirable loca- tion, convenient to his office etc. purchased it. The family remained there, Mrs. Chandler being the last to leave it, on Dec. 7, 1881. There
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they entertained at different periods, many of the friends whose names are herein mentioned. There, the son and daughters brought together - college mates and town friends; there, cousins from Bangor, Portland and Boston were always warmly welcomed whether by invitation or arriving to "surprise"; and there on Nov. 17, 1857 the father, Charles Parsons Chandler, sitting in his chair, with his wife and daughter Mary near him, closed his eyes in that last long sleep.
Mr. Edes, in announcing the sad and sudden event in the Observer said
"Mr. Chandler was born in New Gloucester Maine, the 29th day of October 1801. He came to this village in the autumn of 1824 to take charge of Foxcroft Academy, as its Preceptor, continuing his instruc- tion during the autumn of 1825.
This institution, since so celebrated, was then in its infancy, and was thus, in some measure indebted for its future success to his ju- dicious fostering care; the connection thus formed by him with its for- tunes, was severed only by his death.
As trustee and as treasurer for the past twenty years, he has had control of its finances and its present flourishing condition attests how faithfully he discharged that trust. Few men were more generally known throughout his native State; no man was more beloved and respected."
Mr. Chandler was at the time of his decease, Senator-elect from Piscataquis County and Hon. Hannibal Hamlin in announcing the occurance to the Senate said,-
"Mr. President, I was personally acquainted with him (Mr. Chand- ler) for more than twenty years and know his worth and had the privi- lege of counting him as one of my friends. He was repeatedly honored with the confidence of the citizens of his town and county in being elected to offices of honor and trust, the duties of which he discharged with fidelity and to the acceptance of his constituents. He has often been a member of both branches of the Legislature."
Mr. Henry Prentiss of Bangor was addressing the House, when his remarks were interrupted by a message from the Senate brought by the Honorable Member from York announcing the death of Hon Charles P. Chandler, member elect from Piscataquis. Again address- ing the Speaker, Mr. Prentiss said,-
"It was my happiness and good fortune to be intimately acquainted with the deceased. I regret that I first learned but a half hour since that this sad event was to be announced to us. My time has been fully occupied so that I have had no opportunity to gather information of his early life or to arrange my thoughts in such form as should be more worthy of the beautiful character of which I am to speak."
I have quoted to the above extent, feeling that my grandfather honored his adopted town to which he gave his life; and in return was
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appreciated and honored by his fellow citizens of "old Foxcroft", Piscataquis County and Maine; and while it has not been easy, but rather a sacrifice for me to enter the private sanctity of our home life, to not do so, suggests a false modesty and a disregard of esteem and respect for the memory of my grandparents.
In 1832 Samuel Greeley, son of Joseph of Gilmanton, became a resi- dent of Foxcroft, looking after his father's interests in town and as- suming some for himself. On Jan 15, 1834 he made Miss Sarah J. Chamberlain dau. of Samuel and Abigail (Tucker) Chamberlain and the first white girl born in "the young settlement", his wife.
They commenced housekeeping in the old Gilman Greeley house.
Later moving in the fall of 1835 to the C. P. Chandler house on the site of the present Congregational parsonage where on Feb. 13, 1836 their first child, Mary Elizabeth was born and on Dec. 24, 1838 their first son, Samuel Chamberlain Greeley. They continued to reside there until about 1846 when Esq. Chandler sold the place to James Bush, part owner with J. G. Mayo in the mill property. The Greeleys moved across the square to the Tavern, now Inn, and remained there until 1849 when their new house on upper Main St. was in readiness for them. Only the ell was finished when they moved in, -the front part was added a year later.
Mr. Bush moved the small white house he found on the place to the southeast corner of his lot and erected in 1848/9 the present set of buildings. It is believed that the first to occupy the white house in its new location was the family of Timothy L. Jennison, Foxcroft's valued citizen and skilled blacksmith. Hon. Philip S. Lowell purchased the place in 1854 and my grandmother died there in 1857. Mr. Frank Drake from Sangerville lived there for many years or until it was moved to the north corner of Cherry and North Streets.
In 1838, Nathaniel Hopkins moved here from Mt. Vernon and pur- chased the brick store now the Barney and Co. Grocery, also a set of buildings still standing behind the Koritsky Department store.
Mr. Hopkins' family consisted of his wife Eliza and three children, Annette, Milton and Helen, twins. It was a highly intellectual family and added much to the social and literary character of "old Foxcroft."
In 1836, becoming restive among the rugged foothills of the Green Mountains, Lyman Lee decided to move to the edge of civilization and cast his lot with the growing and prosperous new settlement of "old Foxcroft". He had been teaching in Howland and coming here pros- pecting, decided to make "old Foxcroft" his home. He purchased of Freeman Blood, the farm on which an opening had been made, and buildings erected some fourteen years before, by John Fish Chandler, and to it he brought his wife, the former Miss Elizabeth Miner of Peacham Vt. As Miss Miner, she had for several years, been a success- ful teacher in Vermont, and she added much to the social life of the
-
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settlement. As Mr. Lee's vocation for a time had been the same, they had much in common. Each were public spirited and efficient workers in town and church interests, Mr. Lee adding to the above, an intense interest in politics, serving his district in the State Legislature and his county and town in various official capacities.
To Isaac Henry Moulton is accredited the story that about 1838 when some lumbermen were working on a disputed tract of land be- tween Maine and Canada, Sir John Harvey, Gov. Gen. of Canada, ordered them to move off before a certain day or he would have them removed by soldiers. The Governor of Maine ordered a draft of men and Azel Howard was one of the men drawn. Lyman Lee thought the drafted men would never be called and offered to take Howard's place for $10.00 Howard paid the money and Lee was recorded as substitute. Lee with others had to go nearly to the disputed section when the order was withdrawn. The trouble was settled by the "Webster-Ashburton Treaty" 1842/3.
·On June 5, 1838, central Piscataquis was startled by the report of the fatal accident to Capt. Chamberlain. He and his wife had been paying a visit to his daughter Julia (Mrs. John Haskell Loring) in Guilford. On their return to "old Foxcroft", when not far from the Loring house, his colt became unmanageable and the chaise in which they were travelling was overturned. Mrs. Chamberlain was not injured but the colt fell upon the Captain, causing internal complica- tions from which he died within twenty-four hours.
Capt. Samuel Chamberlain was a very substantial and prominent citizen of "old Foxcroft". In its fullest sense a model farmer ; knowing exactly how to make the farm pay, his property had increased in enviable proportions. He gave the same assiduity to town and county affairs that his own received; so that his advice and assistance in shap- ing public needs were earnestly sought and most generously given.
And when James S. Holmes pointed out the very essential need of an Academy in "old Foxcroft", it was Samuel Chamberlain and Na- than. Carpenter who generously supported him. Capt. Chamberlain manifested marked sympathy to those less prosperous than himself ; he always encouraged them to make proper exertions, mentally as well as physically for their own relief, and readily assisted the unfortunate and destitute.
The assessors' books, at the time of his death gave the valuation of his real estate as $2500, with two houses on the estate, the family resi- dence and head farmer's home, two large barns, cider mill, smithy shop, 16 bu. corn raised, 80 of wheat. 10 of rye, 30 of oats, 3 of beans, 1000 of potatoes, 8 bu. of potatoes exported for seed, 12 bu. flaxseed, 25 of onions, 100 lbs. of wool, 50 tons of hay cut annually, 175 acres of prime woodland, 600 bu. apples, 25 barrels of cider, 2 horses, 2 oxen, 6 cows, 200 lbs. butter, 400 lbs. cheese, 1 bull, 2 steers, 35 sheep, 12 swine, 2200 lbs. Pork killed annually, 500 lb. beef, 1 chaise, 1 four wheeled vehicle
T
T
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for "passenger conveyance", 75 gal. flaxseed oil, 12 interest in oil mill, $200.00 at interest.
His sons succeeded to the management of the farm for a time, and while the absence of the clever master-mind was apparent they did not fall behind.
The oldest son Calvin m. (1) Lavinia Philbrick, b. 1812, perhaps the Miss Philbrick who in 1836-8 was a teacher in town. She may have been a sister to our townsman, John Philbrick.
· To Calvin and Lavinia (Philbrick) Chamberlain were born two chil- dren, Samuel 2nd. b. 1840: d. Apr. 1 1841; Lucy B, b. Apr. 1842: d. Dec. 5, 1858 while attending school at Westbrook Seminary, West- brook Maine. She was a very promising young woman and her death was an almost crushing blow to her father.
The mother died Sept. 9, 1842. Mr. Chamberlain m. (2) on March 15, 1847 Mary Rich (Tucker) (Converse) (Robert Tucker 1) b. Dec. 13, 1802, dau. of Jonas and Elizabeth (Hammond) (John 1) Tucker of Charlton Mass. She was the widow of Freeland Converes of Charlton and a first cousin, once removed, to Mr. Calvin Chamberlain. She had received a considerable share in the large estate of her first husband, Mr. Converse, and finding the duties of the large farm too arduous, she persuaded Mr. Chamberlain to move to the Village. On Sept. 8, 1851 a deed passed from Ansel S. Vaughan to Mary R. Chamberlain for a part of lot #11 in the 1st range in Foxcroft now the Mayo estate on Main St. West. They reconstructed the buildings to some extent throwing out a large bay window to the east and adding verandas. Abutting on the high way for many rods was a retaining wall of stone, overgrown with a dense hedge of barberry. A winding driveway led from the highway, circled in front of the house, and again joined the street farther to the west. The house, located some rods back from the highway, on a slight eminence concealed by fine old trees, beautiful shrubs and vines and equisite flowers of the "old fashioned" variety. In the "yard" to the east of the house, were the octagonal carriage house and a rustic summer house of generous proportions; an old well with its "sweep" and vines and trees, yielding all the juicy, edible fruits; while to the west of the house stood a good sized apple orchard and grove of large old growth, mostly deciduous trees. Running parallel with the high way is the Piscataquis River, with the magnificent wooded hills beyond.
As in memory, I visualize that old homestead, and recall to mind those beautiful old estates, hoary with age, in the English Lake region of old England, it seems that "old Foxcroft" in New England, once really had a bit of the Fatherland!
Mr. Calvin Chamberlain relieved from the care of the large farm, gave his attention to agriculture and pomological studies and experi- ments. He contributed articles on these subjects to certain magazines and papers and became greatly interested in the work of the University
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of Maine. He succeeded his father as a Trustee of Foxcroft Academy which position he held until his death. His interest and almost boyish enthusiasm in the annual exhibitions of the Piscataquis County Agri- cultural Fair seemed the mainspring of the Society, and there are . those living today who recall with keen delight the memories of the wonderful display of fruit and vegetables made by him.
He died at his home in "old Foxcroft", Oct. 22, 1904.
Mrs. Mary Chamberlain died Feb. 19, 1892.
THE INDUSTRIAL DECADES-1842-1882
The decades of 1842-1852-1862 varied only slightly from the peak of the preceding. The list of voters now rose above the 205 mark.
In 1844 John G. Mayo came here to set up a fulling mill but formed a partnership with J. Bush and E. J. Hale and they purchased of Vaughan, Buck and Nathaniel Chamberlain the privilege for a woolen factory on the western bank of the river and erected the old woolen mill. The mill was run in a small way several years, Mr. Hale selling his interest to Mayo and Bush and going to California. The turbulent(?) waters of the Piscataquis interferred several springs in the form of freshets, carrying away mills and bridges so that set-backs occurred to the small community. In 1859 after the terrible freshet of that year, Mayo and Bush secured control of one half the water power privilege and had a strong and high granite wall built to turn the rush of water and ice away from the factory which proved a wise invest- ment. Their property two years later suffered from fire in the upper story. In reconstructing the factory, an extra story was added in- creasing the out-put facilities.
At the outbreak of the Civil War, Mr. Mayo purchased Mr. Bush's interest and took his son, Josiah, into partnership and they did a prosperous business, many women finding employment, as the men left for service.
Mr. Mayo became interested in religious affairs and a Deacon of the Congregational Church. Until 1873 his residence was in Dover.
The tannery and saw mill were several times the prey of flames but rebuilt and eventually became the property of Levi O. Farnham and Reuben D. Gilman, respectively. Newberry's store is now on the site of the Gilman mill while the tannery lot is vacant.
Across the street from the saw mill was the hoe and fork factory, built of brick, owned by Major Crooker. It was destroyed in the great freshet of 1857 and the Greeley mill that had passed from Daniel Greeley and wife in 1826 to one Joseph Greeley and finally to his son, Mr. Samuel Greeley 3 was swept away. On the site of the old hoe and fork factory, across the street from Gilman's saw mill, was erected Bailey Bros. Planing mill, now occupied as a store by F. H. Palmer.
During the freshet of 1857, the dam, mills on the Island and the bridge erected in 1854 were carried away and the rebuilding gave some employment, although not enough to bring in new residents.
In 1844 Mrs. George V. Edes, the wife of the Editor and Publisher of the Piscataquis Observer became the beneficiary of a Trust bestowed upon her, the life estate in the home on North St., a part of the Syl- vanus Dearborn property. She could also exercise a right in its final disposition at her decease. Therefore the Edes family moved into Foxcroft and were warmly received; and in referring to the kind Editor
IT 7
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of the Observer who was earlier the Editor of the Herald, I must digress a little, for before me is an old Herald of June 1838 in which is well illustrated Mr. Edes' drollery on occasions. It is evident that sub- scribers had no fear of having their paper stopped if they did not pay promptly. I copy,-
"Those who have promised us potatoes and other provisions (as pay) must bring them now, as we shall not want them after we starve to death. Those who have promised us wood and bark are requested to haul us a few loads of dry wood and bark the first snow, for we shall not want it after we freeze."
This vein of dry humor is very reminiscent to those who knew "Uncle Edes" personally.
In 1846 William Huntress from South Berwick moved his family here and opened a furniture store and a small factory for the manufacture of plain chairs. He purchased of Ira Whittier the present Pullen and Boyle sites and erected a small house a part of which may have been incorporated in the present Pullen house. The next year, having purchased land of Samuel Greeley, he erected the house now the home of Mr. and Mrs. Everett Kitchen.
His daughter, Miss Sarah, was well educated and gifted intellectu- · ally. She taught for several terms in the Academy, and my aunt Mrs. Emily Chandler Hale was also a teacher. A very warm friendship was formed that was severed only by death. The Huntress family re- turned to South Berwick, and in later years on visits to their home with my aunt, I came to know Miss Mary ands Miss Sarah Orne Jewett intimately, visiting them frequently on my many trips between "old Foxcroft" and Boston. Those visits are among the pleasantest and most re-lived memories, and as my days become fewer and an increas- ing deafness could add many clouds, those memories bring renewed freshness, vigor of mind, and sunshine. Miss Sarah's delicious laugh- ter is still infectious; and the villager's affection for and faith in Miss Mary will ever remain a stimulus and inspiration.
Mr. Huntress disposed of his property on Main St, to Joseph Kelsey Esq. Mr. Kelsey, b. in Shirley Mass., had been a resident of Guilford since 1815 but, as County Commissioner for several terms, his business was mostly centered here. He had also been a Trustee of Foxcroft Academy from its incipency and greatly interested in its welfare. He d. in Foxcroft from small pox July 1861.
When Rev. Benj. C. Chase became the Pastor of the Congregational Church he purchased the Kelsey home.
In 1846, Seth Laughton of Dover sold the present Annis site to his brother Dr. Sumner Laughton, who moved from a small house on Lincoln St, nearly opposite the home of Hon. Charles P. Chandler. Dr. Laughton did not find the house large enough, and added the front to it. His family consisted of his wife and three children of whom the
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daughter, Frances, later Mrs. Mace of Bangor, Maine, and California, was a poet of some merit. Dr. Laughton disposed of his property in 1848 to Capt. Augustus Hale and his practice to Dr. Josiah Jordan and moved to Bangor.
Mr. Jennison came to "Old Foxcroft" in 1852. They lived in the old Drake' house until 1854, when he purchased the lot on North St. where now stands the Judkins store and erected his house. In 1867 he bought of H. L. Parsons the lot on opposite side of North St., now, the Ladies of the G.A.R.hall and there he and Eli Batchelor erected buildings for carriage manufactory. In 1871, so many merchantile buildings being erected around him, Mr. Jennison decided to have his house and stable moved to upper North St. on land purchased of Hannah Katie Locke being a part of the original John Bradbury farm. The lot extended from the Clark Carter homestead up the hill (south) to the present Davis house and back to the Leonard Robinson place. Spring St. was laid out on the lot and Mr. Jennison sold to John Ham the first house lot on which he erected the first house on Spring St, later the Charles Knox house.
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