USA > Maine > York County > Buxton > One hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the incorporation of the town of Buxton, Maine : held at Buxton lower corner, August 16, 1922 : with additional history > Part 4
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Only one school teacher, Silas Moody, is mentioned up to this time. He came the same year as the minister.
Probably the first tavern was kept by Capt. John Lane, and another early one was kept by John and "Marm" Garland. The proprietors' meetings were held there for thirty years.
The town meetings were held in the church for twenty-eight years, and then for twenty-two years in the North Grammar School House at Buxton Center before the town house was built.
The first sawmill was built by Capt. Joseph Woodman on Stackpole's brook. The first saw- and gristmill was built by Joseph Leavitt and others, on Leavitt's brook. (Little River.)
One of the early carpenters was Ephraim Sands, and he was noted as a hewer of timber. Magnus Redlon was a blacksmith and an early settler. The first known shoemaker was Samuel Knight. Joshua Kimball and Nathan Woodman were tanners of leather. John Kimball was the first known barber. Joseph Wood- man was the first captain of a military company. The first known settled physician was Dr. Sanborn, and the first lawyer was Barker Curtis. One of the early storekeepers and probably the first post- master, was Paul Coffin, Jr. The first college graduate born in Buxton, was Charles Coffin, Esq., son of the minister. Very few of the descendants of the Narragansett soldiers settled in Buxton. The real settlers were purchasers of their rights and were mostly descendants of English emigrants, having the blood of old Eng- land, but always preferring liberty to ancestry.
REVOLUTIONARY WAR
Buxton is four years older than the United States. Only three years after Buxton became a town, the Revolutionary War broke out. Then we hear of the midnight ride of Revere, Dawes and
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Prescott. Eight Americans were shot down like dogs by King George's troops about sunrise at Lexington on April 19, 1775. A monument has been erected for the first victims of British tyranny and oppression on Lexington Common. Boys of fifteen and men of seventy hastened to take part in the fight. Many of the Bux- ton men were among the first to enlist in the cause of Freedom, and served from Bunker Hill to Yorktown. Five days later, April 24, Captain John Elden marched with his Company to Bidde- ford in response to the alarm by order of Col. Tristam Jordon. Some of the men in this Company were Nathaniel Hill, John Owen, Daniel Appleton, and John Garland, the tavern keeper. Captain Elden commanded a Company at Bunker Hill on June 17th.
Buxton furnished about 140 soldiers in this war, and among them were four captains - John, Daniel and Jabez Lane, and John Elden. Capt. John Lane was with Washington at Valley Forge; Capt. Daniel was at Burgoyne's surrender, and Captain Jabez was at Long Island, Ticonderoga, and West Point. He ac- cepted a challenge and fought a duel with another army officer, and they were both wounded. Thomas Harmon and Samuel Woodman were members of Washington's Life Guard, and Caleb Hopkinson was one of General Gates' Life Guard. Joseph Good- win was with Washington when he crossed the Delaware River on that memorable Christmas night. Michael Rand served five years under General Stark at Bennington, and with General Green in several battles, and at the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown in 1781, was then discharged and walked home.
All of the Buxton soldiers did their duty, but many of them sleep in unmarked graves. The citizens of this town owe to these patriotic and noble men at least a suitable memorial erected to perpetuate their memory.
In 1777 the town voted to have a school and voted thirty pounds for that use. Voted two pounds, thirteen shillings and four pence on the head of a wolf.
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Mrs. Martha (Elden) Kimball killed the last wolf in town. She was the daughter of Capt. John Elden.
Travel was on foot, horseback, or raft on the Saco River. Then came the ox-cart, and finally the "Wonderful One-Horse Shay." There was no suitable carriage road from Buxton to Saco at this time. The road to Gorham was by the way of Haines Meadow, Elden's Corner, now Buxton Center, and Spruce Swamp, now Groveville. Voted to have a road from Haines Meadow to Stan- dish. Voted 200 pounds to hire a schoolmaster in 1778. In 1779 it was voted to raise 100 pounds for the families of those men that are in the Continental army.
BUXTON 5TH MARCH 1779.
Received from the treasurer of the town of Buxton the sum of Sixty-six pounds, thirteen shillings & four pence L. M. it being in full for my salary as voted yearly by this town from the year 1773 to this date.
A true copy,
PAUL COFFIN.
Attest SAMUEL KNIGHT, Town Clerk.
The Selectmen called on the Constable to notify certain "un- desirable citizens" to depart from this town forthwith.
In 1779 voted to finish the meetinghouse in said town as soon as convenient, by sale of pews at public auction. The first frame meetinghouse had a gallery when completed.
In 1780 Richard Clay agreed with the town to keep Martha Clay for the year ensuing for a penny per week.
In 1781 voted 250 pounds to hire a schoolmaster, to be paid in corn at four shillings per bushel.
In 1782 chose Jacob Bradbury, Esq., the first Representative to the General Court of Massachusetts.
Voted that Mr. Joseph Leavitt is to receive 3 pounds and 12 shillings out of the treasury for his time and ex- penses in driving beef cattle for the Continental army from Buxton to Berwick.
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Town of Buxton, Maine
Barnabas Sawyer, Sr., was teaching school in Buxton in 1785.
The early settlers produced nearly everything to supply their wants, except rum and molasses. They used the old hand loom, the flax wheel and the spinning wheel to make their homespun clothing from sheep's wool and flax - a factory in the house - and tilled the soil to raise hay, wheat, yellow corn and other grains and vegetables for food for man and beast. They raised their own beef, pork and poultry. They also had tanners of leather and shoemakers who made their cowhide boots. Probably the first postoffice was at the Lower Corner, and the first mail was carried on horseback; then by the two-wheeled chaise, the old stage coach from Saco with a pair of horses, and now by automo- biles. At one time there were seven post offices: Buxton,* West Buxton,* Buxton Center, Groveville, Bar Mills,* Chicopee, and South Buxton. Now (1924) there are but three .*
The sick of this town were attended by out-of-town doctors for several years. One of these was Dr. Nathaniel W. Bowman of Gorham. He was killed on his thirtieth birthday by the falling of the steeple from the First Parish Church in Gorham.
Voted to sell the salmon fishing privileges in Saco River to the highest bidder.
In 1789 voted that John Muchmore take care of the meeting- house the present year. The fourth division of lots surveyed.
Population of Buxton at the first census, 1790, was 1,508.
In the year 1791 the first schoolhouse and the first bridge over the Saco River were built at Salmon Falls.
About 1795 sawmills were built at Bar Mills and West Buxton on the Saco River, and did a good business for about one hundred years. Early business men at West Buxton were: George W. Lord, Oliver Dow, James Morton, Albion K. P. Lord; at Bar Mills, Joseph Woodman, Jr., Richard Palmer, Stephen Berry, Charles W. McKenney, Samuel Meserve; at Bonny Eagle, Abram L. Came; at Salmon Falls, J. O. A. Harmon.
In 1796 voted that the Rev. Paul Coffin shall preach one-fourth
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الإحصاء -
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One Hundred Fiftieth Anniversary
part of the Sabbaths from the first of May to the last of October, if Mr. Coffin will consent, at the house of Theodore Elwell in the upper part of this town.
Voted to remove the Supreme Court from old York (Wells) to some convenient place in the town of Alfred ..
DANGER OF WAR
On account of the danger of war with the Republic of France in 1798-"Resolved that should it be found necessary to defend the rights and liberties of our country and the sovereignty of these United States against the hostile encroachments of any foreign nation whatsoever, it will be the pride and glory of this town, as it has ever been, to be outdone by no town or people whatever, according to our abilities, in our exertions for its cause."
In 1799 voted that $900.00 be raised to defray the expense of building "Two Grammar School Houses" already voted to be built in this town, at Buxton Center and Buxton Lower Corner.
Voted to choose a committee to regulate town schools as the law directs-Cadwallader Gray, John Woodman, Jacob Brad- bury, Esq., said Committee.
The North Grammar schoolhouse was built at Buxton Center in 1800, and the town meeting was held there in 1801. It was voted that the "Baptist Society," which had been set off from the Congregationalists, "may hold their meetings in said schoolhouse until they build a house." A meetinghouse was built in 1802, with a deacon's seat, a high pulpit and an immense sounding board - first settled pastor, Rev. Abner Flanders.
The Methodists at Chicopee and the Free Baptists at Bog Mills were organized about 1800, Rev. Timothy Merritt, Methodist minister, and Capt. Hugh Moore, class leader. Preaching was supplied for the Free Baptists by Reverends Benjamin Randall, John Buzzell, Clement Phinney, and others.
Voted in 1803 that eight hours' faithful labor be allowed for
اسود ١
TOWN MILITARY MAGAZINE OR POWDER HOUSE, BUXTON CENTER
Built in 1812.
TE MAVAMA VMA
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Town of Buxton, Maine
a day's work, and that eighty cents per day be paid for men, and sixty cents per day for oxen, working on the town roads.
Voted to pay the Collector of Taxes four cents on a dollar.
Voted to raise $222.25 to defray the Rev. Paul Coffin's stated salary the present year. Nathan Elden kept store and Eben Went- worth, Sr., kept store and tavern at Elden's Corner (Buxton Cen- ter) about 1800, and Benjamin Cressey was keeping store at Spruce Swamp (Groveville) in 1802, later continued by Capt. Samuel Watts, Almon H. Wilkins, Jonathan Clay, Andrew Flood, Benjamin Soule.
In 1808 voted "that hogs may run in the highway or common provided they be yoked and ringed as the law directs."
INFANTRY COMPANY
The Buxton and Hollis Light Infantry was organized in 1808 with the following officers- Capt. Samuel Watts, Lieut. William Waterman, Ensign David Coffin, Sergt. Michael Hanson, Clerk Ellis B. Usher, Treasurer David Coffin. The Company was drawn up in front of Dr. Royal Brewster's house, and a United States flag was presented by the ladies of Buxton in 1811; Rebecca Cof- fin made the speech of presentation. When Lafayette visited this country in 1824 and 25, and was at Saco, Capt. Joel Marshall took the Company down to assist the Saco people in welcoming their distinguished guest.
At a special town meeting held at the North Grammar school- house in 1812, voted to choose a committee on the plan and ex- pense of building a "Town Military Magazine," and accepted their report. Voted that Theodore Elwell build the said Magazine, being the lowest bidder, for $53.00, and the same was built at Buxton Center.
SECOND WAR WITH ENGLAND, 1812-1814
On June 16, 1814, the British brig, Bulwark 74, Capt. Milne, anchored off the mouth of Saco River, and the commander sent out 150 armed men to destroy and burn vessels and plunder the
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store belonging to Captain Thomas Cutts, amounting to about $20,000. The alarm was given at Saco and Biddeford, and the next day, June 17th, Capt. William Waterman's Company was ordered and on the march for the scene of excitement. In Sep- tember the Buxton and Hollis Light Infantry was ordered on the seashore as guard under command of Captain James Wood- man. In October Captain Daniel Appleton's Company was or- dered for guard duty at Biddeford Pool, and all three companies served in Lieutenant Colonel John Spring's regiment. Colonel Spring was a Standish man.
About 150 men entered the service as soldiers and privateers in this vicinity, but some of them were from Hollis in the Buxton and Hollis Company.
After Eastport and Castine were in possession of the enemy the British officials vainly endeavored to compel the Collector at Castine to sign unfinished treasury notes to the value of $9,000.00. He refused, saying "Hanging would not compel me." Some sol- diers were detached from their companies in this town the first year of the war (1812) for a term of six months, and promised a pension.
We have found the names of three Buxton men who were priva- teers in this war - Benjamin Cressey, David Watts, Jr., and Bar- nabas Sawyer, Jr. The first named was captured and taken to Dart- moor prison, England, probably the first year of the war, 1812. A comrade prisoner of war wrote: "So long as my faculties remain entire, I shall not forget the horrors of the British transports and several scenes and sufferings, filthiness and starvation inflicted on me at Dartmoor prison. My sensations on first setting my foot once more on my native soil, were such as I have not power to describe. Tears gushed from my eyes, and had I not been ashamed, I should have kneeled down and kissed the earth of the United States."
The decisive battle of the war was won at New Orleans by General Jackson with 5,000 men on January 8, 1815.
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Town of Buxton, Maine
The citizens of Buxton voted in 1818 "that if any person throw or strike a ball within ten rods of any public building in this town, he shall be subject to a fine of 25 cents."
At the annual town meeting March 1, 1819, they invited the Rev. Levi Loring (second pastor, First Parish Church) to open the meeting with prayer.
MAINE BECOMES A STATE
Voted on the separation of the District of Maine from Massa- chusetts proper, and forming the same into a separate and inde- pendent state.
Voted to send three delegates to the Constitutional Convention held in Portland on October 11th and draw up a State Constitu- tion, which was ratified by town meetings on December 6, 1819. Chose Gibeon Elden, Josiah Paine, Edmund Woodman as said delegates.
Maine was officially admitted the 23d state of the Union on March 15, 1820.
On April 3d, the first town meeting was called in the name of the State of Maine, and on July 20th voted for the first Governor, William King. Chose Nathan Elden the first Representative to the Maine Legislature then held at Portland.
In 1821 the North Congregational meetinghouse was built at Groveville as a branch of the First Parish. A separate society was organized in 1852, and they purchased the first pipe organ in town. The first settled pastor was Rev. George W. Cressey. He served on the school committee. One of the first instruments used in church in this town was a bass viol played by Barnabas Sawyer and then a melodion.
The present meetinghouse at Buxton Lower Corner was built in 1822, being the second frame house on the same lot. The pres- ent one is well known as the "Tory Hill" meetinghouse, and it was here that the scene of the widely read, dramatized story by Kate Douglas Wiggin, "The Old Peabody Pew," was laid. It was in this church that this distinguished author has read for many
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Tilton the first and only principal. The school continued but a short time and the building was later sold to Richard Palmer for a dwelling house and it stands today as the main part of the house near the Bar Mills Station.
The Saco River is about seventy-five miles long from Mount Washington to the ocean and has about seventy-five lakes and ponds in its basin.
STATE MILITIA
In 1832 there were three companies of infantry in Buxton, viz .: North, Middle and South militia companies.
In 1834 the First Free Baptist Church at West Buxton and the Second Free Baptist Church at Groveville were organized from the First Society at Bog Mill. The first pastor at West Buxton was Rev. Andrew Hobson, and the first pastor at Groveville was Rev. Jonathan Clay, both natives of Buxton. The Groveville church was organized in the home of George Carll, Esq., with eleven charter members. Meetings were held in the schoolhouse for about five years. The West Buxton church had the first bell in town.
In 1836 chose a committee to purchase a farm for the use of the poor, and authorized the Treasurer to pay for said farm.
In 1838 voted that the town divide per capita, all the surplus money, amounting to about $6,000.00.
In 1839 voted to choose a committee of three to petition the Legislature to put a toll on all bridges that are now or may be laid over Saco River at the expense of said towns (Buxton and Hollis).
OLIVER Dow
JOHN S. Foss
SAMUEL S. LIBBY
1 Said Committee
In December of the same year voted to permit the Methodist Society to set a meetinghouse on the eastern corner of the poor farm provided said society make and maintain a sufficient fence around the same. It was built in 1840 and sold to the Free Bap-
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tists about 1868 who moved it near Deacon Milliken's, and again in 1872 to Bar Mills village.
The Scarboro and South Buxton Universalist meetinghouse was built in 1835. Preaching has been supported by an organized parish. Church organized Easter Sunday, March 27, 1921 ; pastor Rev. Harry E. Townsend.
In 1842 voted to advise the Selectmen to furnish six cows, one yoke of oxen and a horse on the town farm that year.
RAILROAD
The York and Cumberland Railroad Company was organized in Portland in 1848 with Joshua Richardson of Portland, President, Toppan Robie of Gorham, Treasurer, A. P. Robinson, Chief En- gineer. In 1849 F. O. J. Smith, President. Directors: John A. Poor, Levi Morrill, Daniel C. Emery, Gorham; George Warren, Rufus McIntire, Benjamin J. Herrick, Alfred. In 1851 Ellis B. Usher, Hollis, and twelve others.
They commenced to build the road in 1848, and it was ready for trains to run as far as Gorham in 1850. It was 1855 when they reached Buxton and Saco River, and this was the end of the road for about twelve years. The cost at this time was $765,000. The Company was financially embarrassed, and they owed the contractors a large amount of money. John G. Myers and three brothers-Henry, Lawrence and Isborn-were the principle contractors, and they hired about a half dozen Buxton men to steal the engine from the roundhouse at Saco River, run it to Portland, get passenger cars and return. They employed F. O. J. Smith, a Portland lawyer, who had resigned as president, to burst the locks on the carbarn, but they were foiled in their attempt to re- turn. The Company received large loans of Portland City Bonds to help in its extension. The name was changed to Portland and Rochester. They reached Alfred in 1869, and it was 1871 when they ran the first through train to Rochester. The Company in- vited the public to have a free ride to Rochester and return. The
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first conductor was Humphrey Cousins, Oscar Smith engineer, and Hiram Mayo fireman. The name of the road was changed to Boston and Maine on January 1, 1900. The town of Buxton re- fused to take stock in the railroad extension from Alfred in 1869. For a time they ran a dummy engine which stopped at every cross- ing and caused much comment. The first trip made by the motor gasolene train was January 6, 1926.
Gardner Brooks was engaged in the cooperage business at Grove- ville for twenty-five years making syrup barrels and molasses shook for Cuba and Porto Rico trade. He employed several men. Horace Harmon was his successor.
OLDEST MEN
Ephraim Sands, born in Ipswich in 1720, died in Buxton in 1817, aged 97 years, 5 months. Deacon Nathaniel Milliken, born in Buxton in 1810, died in Buxton in 1907, aged 97 years, 7 months.
WAR WITH MEXICO, 1846-1848
We have been able to find but one Buxton man who was a soldier in this war. Lieutenant John D. Bacon was killed in 1847 at Churubusco during a campaign opened by General Scott with an army of 6,000 men who took the city of Vera Cruz and then ad- vanced to the city of Mexico and hoisted the "stars and stripes." Lieutenant Bacon's body was brought back to Buxton in 1848 and buried with military honors in the cemetery at Buxton Lower Corner. The Company was commanded by Captain Stephen H. Berry of Buxton. Thomas Kimball of Bar Mills carried the big bass drum which was used by the Buxton and Hollis Light In- fantry, and this name was painted on the head of the drum. The music was fifes and drums.
ANNIVERSARY PERMANENT SETTLEMENT
In 1850 the people of Buxton celebrated the One Hundredth Anniversary since permanent settlement. Particulars are not known, only that Rev. Nathaniel W. Williams, then pastor of the
الأقدرا
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Baptist Church at Buxton Center, gave an address on October 17, 1850, and it was published in pamphlet form. Voted that the ad- dress be placed in the archives of this town ( March 4, 1851).
. A steamboat was run on the Saco River from West Buxton to Bar Mills for several years for transporting boards from the saw- mills after the railroad was built.
BEGINNING OF TEMPERANCE
"This is to certify that the 'Licensing Board' have licensed George Gilman to sell spiritous liquors for Medical and Mechanical purposes and No Other for one year from date, May 7, 1849."
In 1851 the "Maine Temperance, or Neal Dow Law," was passed by the Legislature.
On March 15, 1852, voted "to instruct the Selectmen to prose- cute all persons who shall sell 'Intoxicating Liquors' from and after the 16th of the present month."
In 1855 voted to conform to the new State Law - An Act for the suppression of "Drinking Houses and Tippling Shops."
The promoters of the telegraph to Bar Mills were Jere Mason and Richard Palmer who caused the line to be built in 1860. Dia- mond Smith was foreman of the linemen. Stephen Palmer was the first operator at Bar Mills. The first office was what is now the late Almon Palmer's barn.
THE CIVIL WAR, 1861-1865
Two days after the fall of Fort Sumter President Lincoln is- sued a call for 75,000 men and the response was hearty from every part of the free states. Men forgot their party differences and rushed to arms to save the Union. The town of Buxton is credited, according to the Adjutant General's report, with 266 soldiers and sailors. Some of the returned veterans organized under the name of John H. Came Post, No. 132, Grand Army of the Republic, on March 23, 1885. Captain Came's mother and
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Town of Buxton, Maine
three sisters presented a flag to the Post, which had a membership of fifty-six (56) men, but only a few of the old veterans remain and they must give up their charter.
Amount of bounties and State aid paid by the town of Buxton during the Civil War totals $63,338.00.
A pound was built on the town farm in 1862 and Alvin Pennell was appointed pound-keeper and instructed to charge for keep- ing and feeding the beasts committed to the pound - for every horse every twenty-four hours, 25 cents; for every swine, 17 cents; and for every goat or sheep, 10 cents.
Voted to build a covered bridge at Bar Mills in 1862 and raised $2,000.00 to build the same. The bridge at West Buxton was burned in the fall of 1865, and voted to raise $ 1,900.00 to re- build Buxton part.
Two Buxton men, Eben Wentworth, 3rd, and his son, Edwin P. Wentworth, have served as superintendents of the State School for Boys.
Some native-born men who were successful business men in Portland were: Mark P. Emery, Isaac Emery, Horatio N. Jose, Charles E. Jose, J. R. Libby.
One son of Buxton, Cyrus W. Davis, received the honor of be- ing twice nominated for Governor of Maine, but not elected - later he was appointed by President Wilson surveyor at the Port- land Custom House.
The "Buxton and Hollis Hospital" is an institution that we are proud to announce to the public. Dr. A. G. Wiley, attending physician.
The Bar Mills Free Baptist Church was organized May 2, 1868, with nine charter members. Rev. Lewis H. Witham was the first pastor. The meetinghouse was moved on the present lot in 1872 from near Deacon Milliken's house.
The Buxton and Hollis Savings Bank was incorporated April 10, 1868 at West Buxton - First officers, Oliver Dow, President ; James Morton, Vice President; Charles E. Weld, Treasurer. In
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1924 it became a branch of the Casco Mercantile Trust Co., of Portland.
Population of Buxton in 1870 was 2,546.
Voted to build a new Town House at the annual meeting March 6, 1871, according to the specifications read in town meeting that day, and raised $2,300.00 to build the same. Voted "to locate the house on the same spot where the old one now stands."
The first and only High Sheriff for York County from Buxton was Thomas Tarbox who served four years - 1875-1879.
BUXTON CENTENNIAL OF INCORPORATION
August 14, 1872, marked the lapse of a century from the time when Buxton became incorporated as a town, in the County of York and District of Maine. The citizens at their last annual meeting on March 4th voted to give due observance to the event of this anniversary which was held at Buxton Lower Corner. A committee of fifteen was chosen to carry out this proposal. In September, 1880, was the first "Biennial Election" for Governor, Senators and Representatives.
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