Old Foxcroft, Maine : traditions and memories, with family records, Part 9

Author: Lowell, Mary Chandler, 1863-1949
Publication date: 1935
Publisher: Concord, N.H. : Lowell
Number of Pages: 552


USA > Maine > Piscataquis County > Dover-Foxcroft > Old Foxcroft, Maine : traditions and memories, with family records > Part 9


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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Jennison and Batchelor were succeeded by Jennison and Hammond, then, Jennison and Son (Charles).


In 1831 Jackson Folsom came here from New Sharon, Maine, and made an opening on lot A in the 9th range. Ever a lover of nature he worked with pioneer zeal at clearing the land, as did also his son, John Philbrook. John Jackson, a generation later, possessed of a fine appreciation of timber and timber values, made lumbering his business and established the first crating stock mill in this section. He operated in turn a long-lumber mill, crating mill, and moulding and finish mill, giving employment at one time to as many as fifty men. Indeed the history of the family shows a decided leaning to this industry, from the Hingham days.


Between 1851 and 54, all the Herseys, some Pratts, Stedmans and the Howards went to Iowa. The settlement there was known for years as the Yankee settlement.


The years before, during and immediately following the Civil War period brought so much sorrow and so many hardships that I prefer to pass them in their entirety, thus keeping closed old wounds.


At Sept. election 1863 there were present and voted, three of the officers elected at first town meeting, Aug. 1812. Joel Pratt, aged 89; Eliphalet Washburn, aged 81; Nathan Carpenter, aged 76.


The Foxcroft bridge ever true to form, was again giving trouble in 1864. The Observer of Apr. 7th, greeted its readers thus,-


"Look here, Mister! you are growing careless. They say that you trot your Horse on Foxcroft Bridge, which has already become weak- ened by abuse. If you allow your horse to trot ONE STEP on said bridge, you are liable therefore, as provided in Chap. 19 of the Revised Statutes, and in the amendments thereto in Chap. 130 of the Public


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Laws of 1860. HAUL THAT HORSE UP BEFORE HE REACHES THE BRIDGE, I shall certainly be sorry to compel Deputy Sheriff Thompson to make an official acquaintance with you, but complaints against you are made almost daily. A word to the wise etc.


A. G. LEBROKE, Town Agent"


Our bridge had now become the covered one which so many of us saw razed with feelings of deep regret. The covered bridges over the Piscataquis were very picturesque and I believe only one remains.


What is now North St. was the first road from the "Mills" penetrat- ing into the agricultural district, to have houses erected along its side. That road led to the Town Pound, now Bert Brawn's homestead, and there people had to go in search of their cattle. The openings on Main St. were on the site of the Chase Studio, in 1811, and Dr. Aaron Tucker's in 1818.


Other openings and houses erected as follows:


Present Resident


Date


Original site of owner clearing


Miss Anna Buck


1827


Erected on Paul cellar


C. H. Hescock


1832


" L. C. Sawyer site


Dr. Mary C. Lowell


1833


by R. K. Rice


Lyman K. Lee


1834


" Caleb Prentiss


John W. Leland


1835


' James S. Holmes, Esq.


Stanley Annis


1837


-


Seth Laughton


Herbert Douglass


1846


Philip S. Lowell


The Col. Pillsbury house


1847


- Haskell


1848


" Thomas Tash


E. W. Kitchen


1849


William Huntress


Calvin Chamberlain


1849


Ansel S. Vaughan


W. E. Parsons


1849


Samuel Greeley


1849/50


Samuel Greeley


Dr. W. A. Purington


1850


D. D. Vaughan


Bela Hammond Jr., now Philpot resi-


dence erected on Hughes cellar


1857


Thomas S. Pullen


W. W. Clark, cor. Main & Green St.


186S


W. W. Clark


C. E. Washburn


1868


S. W. Hall, Esq.


Clair Gray


1870


" Chas. H. Chandler


L. C. Sawyer


1873


" John G. Mayo, Sr.


W. L. Sampson


1877


" Dr. T. H. Merrill


R. H. Vaughan


1884


Henry Green


Melia


1881


Winter St. Opened about


1866


Green "


1868


" I. N. Meder


Central ave.


1881


In the 1850's and early '60's there was in operation on North St, a brick yard. It was located on the lot known as Thompson Farm but then owned by one Moses Stinchfield who also owned the present George Davee house. Asa Green moved his family here from Bucks- port about 1859 and was engaged to run the brickyard where a large


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order, for those days, had just been placed for the new Methodist Church in Dover. The slate for the church came from the Leavitt quarry up in "Dundee." The Asa Green's first lived on the site of the present P. E. Ward residence. Later a deed passed from Rev. O. B. Walker to Mrs. Joan Green for the house on Lincoln St. opposite Davis St. known now as the Kenny house. Not liking the location they purchased of Geo. Fitzgerald the home in which their daughter, Mrs. Harriet Green Cofren still resides,-a remarkable woman, at the age of 93 yrs.


About this time, a master mason and brick layer, Robert Bartlett Bennett of Canadian English ancestry, came to "old Foxcroft" from Canada. He built the house on Green St. which is still known as the Bennett house. He and his wife each died there. Few are the houses in town erected before 1908 that has not one or more chimneys built, or rebuilt, by him; and whose inside walls were not molded by his trowel. Robert Bennett d. May 24, 1910. Another artisan, C. C. Chase (Aquilla 1) the painter and inside decorator greatly lightened the spring and fall household duties, leaving the homes pleasanter for his ministrations. He was one of the first to build on Winter St., when that street was opened, the Sampson house. His sons, Clarence, Sumner and Wendall b. in old Foxcroft have filled important posi- tions.


In the 60's and 70's George L. Fitzgerald, Johnson Davee and Newell Ober kept our houses in upright position as well as added to them some convenient annex or an architectual surplus not always an adorn- ment, though intended as such! Mr. Fitzgerald and his father, Michael and family moved here from Parkman late in 1842, and dur- ing some forty years following owned at various times considerable real estate. The elder Fitzgerald family, I recall as living in the oldest frame house now existent in town, the ell to the LaPlante house; and I distinctly recall when George L. Fitzgerald built the then three family house on Lincoln St., now the Woodbury house; Mr. Fitzgerald and wife occupying the upper floor, Mrs. Stevens the east lower apartment and Mr. Wm. Elliot the west side.


W. W. Thayer and John Martin were soon added to the above list. In those days, we had no use for the plumber or furnace man. Ex- cellent water was pumped from the earth by a little human, muscular exertion. It had the sparkle, coolness and flavor of pure HO, no tang or odor of the modern chlorinated mixture. Wooden, later cement, cisterns in nearly every cellar furnished water for household purposes, or soft water, in contradistinction to the drinking, or hard water. If pumps and sink spouts refused to function because of zero temperature, resort could always be had to teakettles and hot cloths. Mother earth could lie quietly enshrouded with her white blanket of snow without disturbance by pick and shovel to unclog frozen pipes.


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FROM ASSESSORS BOOKS


1840


Real estate valuation, $82,910.00; No. of polls, 162; No. of dwelling houses, 107 ; No. of barns, 111 ; No. of tilled acres, 22334 ; No. of bushels of corn raised, 320; No. of bushels of wheat raised, 3589; No. of bu. of potatoes, 25780; No. of bu. of apples raised, 871; 2052 pounds of wool; 43290 pounds of pork killed; 4500 pounds of beef killed; 433 pounds of maple sugar; 9120 pounds of butter; 2485 pounds of cheese; No. of oxen, 91; No. of cows, 207 ; No. of horses, 97 ; No. of yds. of cloth dressed at mill, 3000; No. of pounds of wool carded, 12000; 5300 bu. of grain ground; No. of feet of boards and lumber sawed annually, 75,000; No. of thousands of shingles, 12; Stock in trade by traders $1600 .; Money' loaned, $1000. May 1, 1842, whole number of scholars 411; Average number attending school, 231.


1870


Real estate valuation, $481,258.00. No. of inhabitants, 1189; No. of scholars, 422.


The Lime Kiln in old Foxcroft, though the cause of many dreams, meteoric in character, was a failure, I regret to write. It was on the C. C. Weston farm. The quarry was leased to Calvin Chamberlain and Charles H. Chandler of the sash and blind factory. Kilns and sheds were built, blasting was done and burning was undertaken, but without success. B. B. Vaughan who came from Warren near the lime. quarries of Thomaston was interviewed, it seems. The story is' that Mr. Vaughan said, "You want SOFT wood to burn lime with, haven't you got some fence rails around here?" Whereupon the true Chamberlainian reply came, "Well, the most of the people here abouts use their fencing on the fences". Samuel Greeley once blasted a hole shipped some rock, but an unfavorable report was returned. It was cream colored and considered useless. The kilns are still in existence in the rear of the Frank Weston farm.


FOXCROFT VILLAGE FIRE COMPANY


On July 15, 1848, a charter was granted to organize in "Old Fox- croft", a company to be known as the "Foxcroft Village Fire Com- pany." After many meetings and suggestions, wise (and otherwise) on Jan'y. 26, 1850 a committee was named to ascertain the approximate amount of taxable property in the territory (or limits) of the then "accepted fire district". Reported, probable amount at next valua- tion $48500. (Mar. 1850) and rate per cent to raise $800.00 one cent, eight mills". On Feb. 9, 1850 voted to name a committee to ascertain necessary cost of engine capable of pumping 150 gals. per minute and on Mar. 6, 1850, that committee, namely, Daniel D. Vaughan, Jere- miah S. Thompson and J. G. Mayo Sr. were instructed to purchase a


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OLD FOXCROFT


fire engine at a cost of $350.00. At that same meeting Mar. 6 1850, "Dover people" proposed to the "Foxcroft Village Fire Co" that they (Dover Village) become members "with our persons and our properties subject to the rules and by-laws of said company". "Admitted". A little later it was decided advisable to purchase "300 ft of hose and a reel on wheels" And because the Company could not afford a truck, horse and driver, several huge and long "handled hooks and ladders of reasonable length" were procured and placed in "easily accessible places in each covered bridge (the Foxcroft and the Dover bridge) for use on alarm". The first fire station in Foxcroft was the small building on North St. now occupied by George Bearce for his barber shop. Still later, the house on Summer St. was made available for assembling and housing the "fire apparatus". And soon arrange- ments were made with our ever public-spirited "Sam" Sanford to furnish horses, on first ringing of alarm, to draw the apparatus. Dover Village was also equipped with house on Pleasant St. hill, now opposite the new school building (then back of Merrick Hall school) This gave each town facilities for immediate response in case of fire in the school buildings, as well as easy access to all parts of each fire district. The alarm was the rapid ringing of church, Academy and mill bells; this duty falling to the youngsters, that all available man power might be free to offer "suggestions" and incidentally fight the flames, even subduing them! Our now invaluable "Chief Whittier" was then a youngster! That first engine known as "hand tub" CASCADE is still stored in town, and some of the long handled hooks, also.


Chief Whittier, with unfeigned peacock air, struts among his modern gleaming monarchs, deservedly proud, not alone of their beauty, but pronounced achievements.


In the late 50's Amos Morse cleared a small piece on the shore of Sebec Lake (about where the bathing beach now is), and gave it the name of Morse's Landing. Mr. Amos Morse and Jacob Cotton were considered the best road builders in town. Cotton was somewhat of a surveyor, and he and Morse conceived a plan of building a road from Morse's Landing, across lots 9, 10, and 11 in ranges 9, 8, and 7, and connect with the road Winslow Holines was building in to the Peter Fern place. If Snow's Pond could be drained into Buck's brook, by the plan Lothrop Jones was trying to work out, they would extend the road to the upper end of Park St, just beyond the Fair grounds; and so open up a vast timberland region, also have a large saw mill at the village and send lumber to Bangor, thence by vessels to all parts of the world! They helped Holmes with his stone abutments for a bridge across Holmes' brook, then stopped because the scheme to drain Snow's pond would not work! Not to be out done, they turned in a southeasterly direction across lot S and 7 in the 9th and 8th ranges and connected with Dundee road to Four Corners. This road, the town would not accept, although it was kept open for some time;


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OLD FOXCROFT


Andrew Blethen was thereby encouraged to go to the lake and start Blethen's Mills, always using the Dundee road and private way. About 1871 Nelson Thompson contracted for the present road from Goff's Corner to the lake. Thompson had built the piece of road connecting Summer St. above George Colcords with the first road cut through, namely Jonathan Chandlers to Dundee; and it netted him a goodly sum, but the Lake road was a losing job! Buck's Brook, re- . ferred to, ran across Nathaniel Buck's farm and the ministerial lot into Holmes Brook, thence down a circuitous route connecting with Oil Mill Brook near the R. R. station. Oil Mill Brook having its mouth now, under A. W. Gilman and Co's office.


DYER AND HUGHES


In 1865, there came to Foxcroft, a young man, as clerk in the store of Jordan and Carr, located in the old Academy building, west end of Foxcroft bridge. In February, 1866, he, John F Hughes, was joined by his uncle, Mr. Thomas F. Dyer of New Sharon and together they purchased the Jordan and Carr business. The next year they leased for a term of five years, the store now owned by the Weatherbee Co., then owned by the Foxcroft Foundry Co. In 1872 Messrs. Dyer and Hughes, built the building then known as Music Hall, now the Ritchie Block, and moved their grocery and hardware business to it. The second floor was used as a recreational hall. Mr. Hughes conducted the business of the store while across the street in the loft of the old Jordan mill on the site of the present office of A. W. Gilman and Co. Mr. Dyer was engrossed in perfecting a melodeon and later an organ, instruments which were placed upon the market. They met with such strong satisfaction and encouragement that in 1885, the firm disposed of the mercantile business and devoted their time to manufacturing of melodeons and organs. A small building had been erected on the site of the present Dearth Cider Mill Co, on Mechanic St. in 1869, and Mr. Dyer finally developed, not only an organ of merit, but a piano also. Step by step the firm added to their building until the present large building resulted, giving employment to a good number of expert workmen. The organs were shipped to London, Liverpool, the Nether- lands and Australia, while pianos were shipped from coast to coast and to Cuba and So. America. The organ factory had the first electric lights in town, having installed their own plant. In 1894, Mr. Dyer retired from the business, Mr. Hughes purchasing the Dyer interest and continuing the business under the name of Hughes and Son. Dyer and Hughes had the record of never shutting down their plant, and during a depression when organs did not sell, the men were set to work making furniture which Mr. Hughes found no difficulty in selling. When Mr. Dyer first became a resident of Foxcroft, the family lived in the old McKusick home on Summer St. later moving to the Dr. Jordan house, corner Summer and North and still later to the fine Winter St.


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OLD FOXCROFT


residence, where he and his wife each passed away. Mr. Hughes, on Oct. 1, 1866 was united in marriage with Miss Josephine Wade, a daughter of Hon. Abner T. and Elizabeth (Ayer) Wade of Sangerville. They commenced housekeeping in the home now the DeYone house on Lincoln St. In 1880 they purchased the W. K. Chase homestead on Main St., later moving to the former Bathgate residence, corner Main and Winter Sts., where still, actively interested in the welfare and advancement of their adopted town, and enjoying the warm respect and esteem of fellow towns people, they are passing a golden sunset.


Hon. and Maj. Wainwright Cushing was educated in the schools of Sebec and Foxcroft Academy and as a young man worked in his father's cloth mill at Sebec. In 1861 young Cushing enlisted in the 6th Maine Regt. and later re-enlisted in the 1st Maine Vols. Served under Burnside and Hooker in some of the heaviest battles before Richmond. He was twice wounded and while in hospital at Washington, received a personal visit from President Lincoln. He returned to Maine to take up work in the woolen mill as expert dyer. In 1869 he was employed by the Brown Woolen Co. in Dover having charge of the dye house thirteen years. Here he conceived the idea of perfecting household dyes in powder form. In a small way he placed his product on the market as Cushing's Perfection Dyes until it is still a growing business. A strong Republican, he was honored with many offices; Prominent and active in all, relating to the Grand Army. Mr. Cushing was always a public spirited citizen, valued in the truest sense, because of his splendid character. Every worthy undertaking received his cordial support, quietly and unostentatiously.


The completion of the Bangor and Piscataquis Railroad in 1869, with Foxcroft as its terminus marked a new era perhaps. The station in "old Foxcroft not far from the old Dover line is still standing but in disuse. It was a little south of the station that the bridle path ran in early days connecting "old Foxcroft" with the Sebec station road, a path often travelled to Sebec village instead of the "laid out road" to Sebec village by way of North St. to the "Center road" past Mrs. Dwinal's house" etc. The bridle path was known as the "Ben Cochrane path" because it passed through his Foxcroft property.


Foxcroft subscribed liberally for stock in the B. and P. R. R. which did not prove lucrative, giving small impulse to business as the termi- nous remained in "old Foxcroft" but two years, the road being ex- tended to Guilford.


CENTRAL GRANGE


On March 5, 1875 at the home of Calvin Chamberlain Esq. in "Old Foxcroft", a few men and women, applicants for a charter, gathered to receive instructions if forming an order to be known as Central Grange, No. 121, P. of H. They were fortunate in having with them Mr. Nelson Ham of Lewiston, Worthy Master of the State Grange. After


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OLD FOXCROFT


due consideration, they proceeded to the election of officers who were, on the following day, in the same house, duely installed by State Master Ham. A place of meeting or Grange "home" was provided in old "Temperance Hall" formerly the upper second floor of the old Acad- emy building now at the west end of Foxcroft bridge, for the sum of $20.00 per year, including heat and lights! E. B. Averill was the first Master. In 1888 it was decided to build a Grange Hall and a com- mittee selected the present site, paying the granter, C. C. Nichols, $150.00. In June 1888 a class of 18 became fourth degree members. On Mar. 24, 1900 the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Grange was celebrated with David E. Dinsmore as historian and Mr. Gardiner the Worthy State Master present. In 1904 the society felt the need of a stable in connection with their hall. It was voted to hire $300.00 for such a building, which cost $750.00 before finished! Then came the installing of electric lights and soon the rebuilding of dining room and kitchen and the laying of a new floor in the auditorium. New heating apparatus has been installed and the usual repairing and renovating necessary to the upkeep of the building attended to. But with all the material attentions, the principles and ideals on which the order was established have not waned or been forgotten.


DYER'S BAND


The affectionate regard in which Thomas Franklin Dyer was held and his memory still esteemed in "old Foxcroft" extends much beyond its limits, for in many a home throughout our land is an organ, piano,. -or; it may be, a melodeon-bearing his name. His painstaking perfecting of the keyed instruments manufactured by him, his super- vision of their construction and testing of their qualities set forth the character of the man better than human words can do. He was the founder and leader of one of "old Foxcroft's" bands and his "boys", many of them, still enjoy reminiscence of the Band and its leader. Always genial, whole hearted, interested alike in his boys personally as well as their musical efforts, his was a leadership not easily forgotten. And when the opportunity for retirement came, he as graciously accepted it, and adjusted himself to the new life without a false note. Attuned to life in all its phases, truthfully was he. Dyer's First Band was composed as follows: Will W. Dow, E b. Cornet; Jos. H, Taylor, 2rd. Cornet; James T. Roberts, Piccolo; W. W .. Miller, B b. Cornet; Fred D. Barrows 2 B b. Cornet; Geo. E. Mitchell, 1st. Alto; Thomas P. Elliot, 2rd Alto; Stacy Mansfield 1st. Tenor; Addison L. Ober 2rd. Tenor; Arthur Brown, Baritone; Benj. Vaughan, B. b. Bass; Chas. H. Mansfield E b. Bass; Sewell C. Shaw 2 b. Bass; William Waterman B. Drum; Charles Dow, Snare Drum; Geo. H. Jennison Cymballs; Twenty years of continuous service.


Members of Dyer's Band, after re-organization, were,-Thomas F. Dyer, leader, James Roberts, Stacy Mansfield, Wooster Mansfield,


.


٠


٢


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OLD FOXCROFT


William Waterman, Walton Park, Warren Stoddard, Thomas Newman, Charles Emerson, William Emerson, Ira Sanford, Elmer Bailey, Edward Torry, Charles Emery, James Jack, Caleb Cushing, Walter Hall, Ernest Hill, Herbert Pratt, Herbert Knowlton, Frank Hurd, Charles Pollard, Emery Plummer, H. K. Davis. This band held the reputation of being the best band for street work of any in the State.


Among the veterans of the Civil War whom "old Foxcroft" was privileged to welcome as residents, soon after the close, and who be- came valued citizens were two brothers, Osgood P. and James K. Martin, blacksmiths and as I well know, very excellent ones. The grandfather was Philip Martin probably of "Old Kittery" Maine and a mariner. His son Stephen who selected the now well known Sullivan Hills amid which to rear and educate his family decided later to move to Hodgdon Me. where Osgood P. was born Apr. 11, 1839. He married Sarah Angelia b. June 5, 1844 in Guilford, the dau. of William Warren and Sally (Latham) Lucas. At the age of sixteen years, as Sarah Lucas, Mrs. Martin wrote a metrical translation of Horace, at seventy- two years of age, she composed and delivered the Centennial Ode for Guilford. The ancestor of the Lathams of America was Robert who m. Susanna, dau. of John and Mary (Chilton) Winslow. Mary Chilton, a Mayflower passenger, is believed (tradition) to have been the first female to have stepped upon Plymouth Rock! From Rob't. Latham to Barzillai, the grandfather of our Sarah A. Martin, the line of descent was as follows: Chilton 2 Latham m. Susanna Kingman; Charles Latham m. Susanna Woodward; Woodward Latham m. Rebecca Dean while Barzillai Latham born in Bridgewater Mass. Apr. 3, 1778 m. Mary Washburn b. June 29, 1780. These two, m. Nov. 30, 1801 made the journey from Bridgewater Mass. to Buckfield Me. on horseback. In what manner their daughter Sally and her husband Wm. W. Lucas made the journey from Buckfield to Guilford Me. I am unable to state. But I am quite sure that their son-in-law Osgood Martin brought his wife to Foxcroft in the pretty top carriage I recall. They made their home with us during the remainder of their lives, forty-seven years for Mrs. Martin and fifty-seven for Mr. Martin and all these years active workers, with the highest and best interests not only of the community but of each individual in it, warmly at heart. Their children "old Foxcroft" claims as her sons, Harold C. later the Doctor, an M.D. from Bowdoin b. Oct. 23, 1870 d. July 27, 1900, unm .; Hermann S. the Civil Engineer from U. of M. 1896, b. Aug. 12, 1875 and who deserted us for the Golden Gate. In 1906 he married Esther Ingling Hardtegen of Twin Falls Idaho. They res. in San Francisco; Seldon A. b. June 3, 1881, m. 1913, Ethel Jenny of Flint Mich., Univ. of Michigan Law School 1903, Radcliff 1907. Two sons, Roger, b. Sept. 29, 1915 and Richard, b. Oct. 15, 1917, now (1935) students at Harvard. Their mother d. 1918 and their father i Mayflower ancestry.


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OLD FOXCROFT


m. (2) 1921, Emily Haven Beasley, dau. of Judge and Mrs. Chauncy Beasley of New Jersey.


Selden O. Martin, A.B. at Bowdoin, 1903; A.M. Harvard 1904; Ph.D. Harvard 1912; Upon the teaching staff of Harvard; called several times to important positions in various bureaus of the Govern- ment at Washington in economics and business research work. An officer on boards of many industrial enterprises; Phi Beta Kappa; Zeta Psi fraternity; religious belief, Unitarian, member Masonic order.


Erastus T. Monroe-another valued citizen by adoption at the close of the Civil War came to "old Foxcroft" from Abbot. He was the son of our one time Judge of Probate, Joseph Snelling Monroe and Abbie Thompson Monroe. He was b. in Abbot Dec. 20, 1884, m. in Abbot Nov. 18, 1869, Clara Ingalls, b. in Fairfield Me., Apr. 2, 1850, dau. of William and Mary (Moore) Ingalls. In 1871 they moved to "old Foxcroft" and in the home on Green St. they passed forty-eight of the fifty years of their wedded life. One daughter, Louise Emily Monroe, b. Jan. 10, 1879. Mr. Monroe was an excellent judge of horses purchasing many for the Boston market He also trained many for the race track and often sold them at prices ranging from $1200. to $5000. each.




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