USA > Maine > York County > Buxton > Records of the proprietors of Narraganset township, no. 1, now the town of Buxton, York county, Maine, from August 1st, 1733, to January 4th, 1811 > Part 14
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Voted that there be raised on Each Proprietor three Pounds old tenor to Defrey the Charge that may arise by Runing out the township Lines & to Defrey other necessary charges that may arise this year -
allso Voted the Said three pounds Raised on Each Proprie- tor Shall be paid in to Da Aaron Potter of Ipswich & to m" Cutting moody of Newbury at or before ye 1 : of Decent Rext who are appointed to Receive Said money & to pay out the Same to whom it Shall be ordered -
Doct" Eliphalet Kilbourn Capt Joseph Gerrish & m' Joseph Woodman are appointed a Comittee to treat m" Stephen myghill & m' Thomas Gage Respecting the Saw mill which they by bond are obliged to build at the narragansett town- ship no : one & take their answear whether they will forth- with Comply with their Bond Respecting the mill : & if they will not Said Committee are hereby impowerd to Sue Said bond : & Said Committee are Desired to make Report of their Doings at the adjournment of the meeting
By the Desire of the Propriety the moderator was pleasd to adjourn this meeting untill thirsday the 5th of otober instant to three of the clock afternoon at Capt Joseph Hales Dwelling house
These are to warn the Proprietors of the Narragansett no : i that they assemble & meet at m' thomas Primes Inholder
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NARRAGANSET NUMBER ONE.
at Rowly on tuesday ye Eighth day of may next Ensuing to Choose a Committee to Procure & Provide a Suteable Gent man to Preach with the Inhabitants of Said township for a Longer or a Shorter time as Shall be agreed upon by Said Committee
These may allso Inform the Proprietors that the Commts meeting for Sale of Delinquent Proprietors land was adjourd unto the Same time & place it being at one of the Clock af- ternoon
Newbury april ye 2ª 1750 by order- JOSEPH COFFIN Propriet"s Cle=
at a Legall meeting of the Proprietors of the narragansett Township no : 1 held may yº 8- 1750 - -
major John Towle was Choose moderator for sd meeting
Voted that there Should be preaching at Sa township forth- with
Voted that m" Benjamin moody Nathaniel Walker & n.2. Francis Chase be Chosen & impowerd as a Committee to treat with m' timothy White or Some other worthy Gent! man to Preach with the Inhabitants of the Narragansett township no : 1 : as Soon as may be so that the Said Inhabitants Shall not be Destitute of the Publick Worship of god in Said place : the Said Com" to agree with a preach' for Six months time Voted on the affairtime -- - --
These may Certifie whom it may Concern that I the Sub- scriber have Received of John Davis Esq Son to John Davis Late of almsbury Deceasd the Sum of Eleven Pounds four- teen Shillings & Eight pence which is to my full Satisfaction for the Right I bought in y& Narragansett Town nº : 1 : which Right Was originally John Davis Deceasd & I Bought the Same of the Committee of Said Township who Sold the Same according to Law but for as much as I have not had a Deed of Said Right & being Satisfied by the Said Davis I therefore Relinquish Said Right & Desire the Committee to give to the
151
NARRAGANSET NUMBER ONE.
Said John Davis a Deed of Said Right & Confirm it on him as fully as it might have been on me : almsbury may je 15th 1750 :
FRANCIS CHASE - - a Coppy of what Chase Sent to ye : Com" :
at a Legall meeting of the Proprietors of the Narragansett Township no : 1 : held october ve 10: 1750
m' Isaac Appleton was Choose moderator for Said meeting 11.ª Isaac Appleton Joseph Woodman & Joseph Coffin were Chosen & impowerd as a Committee to treat with timothy White for his Continuance in the ministry with the Inhabitants at Said Township & if m" White Refuse to Preach with the Inhabitants then the aforesd Comtt are Likewise impowerd & Desired to obtain Some other worthy Gent man to preach at Said Township -
mº William Hancock Joseph Woodman Joshua Woodman Cutting moody & Joseph Coffin are Chosen & fully authorized and impowerd as a Committee to prefer a Petition to the Town of bidedford Desiring Said Town to clear & make a good Passable Cart Rode from Biddeford up to the Narragan- sett Township no : 1 : & if the town of Biddeford do Deny the Petitioners Request : then Said Committee are impowerd to Proceed otherwise as the law Shall Direct in such Cases - -
Voted that Joseph Woodman William Hancock & John Elden Shall have four Pounds paid them for bridging or Causeing over two Swamps in Said Township one of them is called martins Swamp the other is near by that is to say if they make, said Swamps good & Passable for Loaded Carts to pass over --
Voted that maj" John Fowl Capt Sam" Walker & Lient Is- rael Reed be Chosen and are hereby authorized & Impowerd as a Committee to lay before ye Generall Court of this Pro- vince as soon as may be the unhappy Circumstances the Pro- prietors of the Narragansett Township no : 1: Labour under by Reason that we cannot get water by any means where the
152
NARRAGANSET NUMBER ONE.
fort now Stands : we the Proprietors therefore Desire the aforesd Comtt to Petition* to the Honour bl Court to grant Liberty to Remove Said fort or Garrison to Some Convenient place for water So that it Shall not Discomode the Proprie- tors
To Joseph Coffin Proprieters Clerk for the Narragansett Township no : 1 : we the Subscribers think it Proper & Re- quisite and hereby manifest our Desire that would Please to Call a Proprietors meeting as Soon as may to act what may be Proper to Preserve the timber on Said township : and allso to Lay out the undivided Land & meadows in Said township if it be Judged needfull Decem" ye 21- 1750
TIMOTHY WHITE NATHAN SIMONDS SAMUEL JOHNSON JOHN BOYNTON JOSIAH CHANDLER JOHN KINGSBURY MOSES TITCOMB. CUTTING MOODY
These are to warn & notifie the Proprietors of the narra- [*From the Massachusetts Archives.]
To the Honble Spencer Phipps Esqr Lieut Govr & Commr in Chief to the Honble Council and House of Repves in Geni Court Assembled
Jany - 10 1750
HUMBLY SHEW
The Subscribers Agents for and in behalf of the Prop's of the Narragan- sett Township Nº 1.
That this Court were pleased in their Wisdom to Erect some Works in said place for the protection of the Inhabitants there: But it unfortunate- ly happens that no water can possibly be obtained by digging in or near said Works which renders them utterly Useless for the Good Ends designed in Building them
They therefore humbly Pray your Honr & Hon's will give Orders that said Works may be removed to some convenient place where Water may be had and where it may least discommode the Proprs - And yr Humble Petrs as in duty bound shall ever pray &c
JOHN FOWLE - SAML WALKER Agents
ISRAEL READ
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· NARRAGANSET NUMBER ONE.
gansett Township no : 1 : that they meet at m' Edward Rich- ardson Innholder in newbury on the first tuesday in January next Ensuing at two of Clock in the afternoon to make Choice of a man or men to take particular care of the timber on Said Plantation that there be none Cutt & carried of to the Dam- age of the Proprietors -
& allso to Choose a Committee to lay out the undivided land & meadows in Said township if it be Judged needfull - Decem' ye 21- 1750
JOSEPH COFFIN Prop' Clerk -
At a Legall meeting of the Proprietors of the narrragant Township no 1 : held at newbury Jan' ye 1: 1750
m' Samuel morgaridge was moderator for sd meeting
Voted that m' Benjm Moodey & m' William Hancock be & hereby are Chosen & fully authorized & impowerd as agents & trustees for the Proprietors aforesd to take Particular Care that there be no timber Cutt nor Carried off from said Town- ship unless Cutt by a Proprietor & that upon his own Right or Lott, & if any man or men Shall Presume to cutt or carry off any timber, unless upon his or their own Lott as aforesd then the Said agents or either of them Shall have & hereby is fully impowerd to Prosecute, with Power of Substitution, the trespassers from Court to Court untill finall Judgment be made : Voted on the affairmative -
Voted the agents for Said Proprietors namely m" Benjm moody & m" William Hancock Shall have paid them an han- some Reward for there Servise as agents, for this winter
Voted on the affairmative
Narragansett No : 1: may ye 17: 1751
Joseph Coffin Proprietors Clerk Sr we the Subscribers do Desire & do Request that you would warn a meeting to be held as Soon as Possible to Se whether the Proprietors will allow us a minister this Summer : & to See what the Proprs will do about a Grist mill : & allso to See whether the
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NARRAGANSET NUMBER ONE.
Propres will give liberty for the inhabitants to have the Privi- ledge of Cutting the meadows this year : and allso to raise a Suteable Sum of mony to pay the necessary Charge the year Ensuing : & to do any other business proper to be Done
JOSEPH WOODMAN
JOSHUA WOODMAN JOHN ELDEN JOHN RADLON JOHN BROOKS SAMUEL MERRILL
JOHN BROOKS JUNE
BENJAMIN DUNELL
WILLIAM HANCOCK
These are to warn & notifie ye Proprietors of the Narragan- sett Township no : 1 : to meet at m' thomas thorlas innholder in Newbury on the twelth day of June next at two of ye Clock afternoon
To Provide a Suteable Gent man to Preach to the Inhabi- tants this Summer or a longer time -
To take care there be a Grist mill built at Said township for the Proprietors use as soon as may be -
to give liberty to the inhabitants there to cutt ye Grass on ye undivided meadows this year -
to Raise a Sutable Sum of mony to Defrey the necessary Charge that may arise this year : may ye 25-1751 by order Jos : COFFIN Clerk
At a legall meeting of the Proprietors of the Narragansett Township no : 1 held June ye 12- 1751
mr Samuel morgaridge was moderator -
Voted that major Joseph Gerrish Joseph Coffin & mir Isaac Appleton be Chosen & impowerd as a Committee to treat with Some Suteable Gent man to preach to the inhabitants at Said Plantation for Some time -
135
NARRAGANSET NUMBER ONE.
Voted that Joseph Gerrish Joseph Coffin & m" Isaac Ap- pleton be Choose & impowerd as a Committee to Enquire into the afair Relating to a Griest mill at Said township as Soon as may be & make Report of their doings -
Voted & we do hereby give liberty to the inhabitants of the Township no : 1 : to Cutt the grass Growing on the undivided meadows this year (that is to Say) to cutt in Equality each man one as much as another the above Votes passa in the afairmative
We the Subscribers Proprietors in the Township Commonly Called Narragansett no : 1 : thinking it highly Requsite that a Generall meeting of the Proprietors of Sa township Should be had within the limits of the Same : Do hereby manifest our Desire to have Such a meeting appointed or regularly Called forthwith to act upon what shall be thot Proper Either for the Benefitt of the township in Generall or of Particular Proprietors in it Particularly
To Defrey the charges of the Publick in it Since ye Resettle- ment of the place-to finish the meeting house
To settle a minister or Provide for Constant Preaching to Rectify any Errors Committed by the lott layers-
To do Justice to any that have been injured by the Sale of their lands or by the Curtailing of their lotts
To Divide the meadows & undivided Lands
to promote the building a mill or mills on the main River*
[*Statistical and descriptive view of the Water-Powers in Buxton, from " The Water-Power of Maine," by WALTER WELLS, superintendent Hydrographic Survey of Maine.]
BUXTON.
FOUR POWERS.
Two on the outlet of Bonny Eagle pond. Volume of water at ordinary low stage, nearly two square feet. The quantity for use might be consider- ably increased by a dam three or four feet in height at the outlet of the pond, which could be constructed at inconsiderable cost, and with little or no expense for additional flowage. The pond contains about one hundred and ninety acres.
First, "Bog Mills," about half a mile from the pond. Fall about 15 feet in six rods. At the head a dam of stone about 11 feet high. Grist, shingle, lath, and heading mills. Situated one mile from West Buxton vil- lage and Bonny Eagle village.
Second, half a mile below. Fall 15 feet in three rods. pied for a chair and furniture factory, now unoccupied,
Formerly occu- Situated on the
156
NARRAGANSET NUMBER ONE.
to order the Clearing up of high wayes : and to See that
road about half a mile below Bonny Eagle village and one mile above West Buxton village.
Small powers on Little river, as follows:
Third, near Buxton Centre, Leavitt's Mills, grist, stave and shingle. Stone dam 10 feet high ; head and fall 11 feet. Waterwheel, Howd patent. At lowest run not sufficient power to operate.
Fourth, about 50 rods below, "Ward's Carriage Shop ;" fall 14 feet. "Tut- tle centre vent wheel." Not sufficient water to carry the machinery at low- est water. "
BUXTON AND DAYTON.
TWO POWERS.
First, "Union Falls," on Saco river, 12 miles, following the course of the river, and eight miles by the most direct road, above Saco falls, in Saco. A good stone dam here was built by the Saco Water-Power Company in 1856. with 15 feet fall in low water. A good bridge 200 feet below the dam. This power is entirely unoccupied, with the exception of a small grist and shingle mill.
If the volume of water at this point in a severe drouth, be assumed to be 1,500 cubic feet per minute less than at Saco, or 16,500 cubic feet per minute, the gross power of the fall is 465 horse-power for 24 hours, or over 1,000 horse-power for 11 hours a day, or over 40.000 spindles.
Granite, in convenient localities for use, abounds within a mile or two of the falls.
On the west side there is below the dam an intervale of sixty acres, con- venient for building mills; the back lands are high, of granite soil, and are productive. On the east side the soil is more clayey, but not less produc- tive than that on the west. Abundance of good clay for bricks in the immediate vicinity.
The land in the vicinity is to a great extent under cultivation, though there is an abundance of wood, and of pine and oak timber.
There are also in the neighborhood large peat beds of good quality.
This power is now held by the Biddeford and Saco Water-Power Com- pany.
Second, "Union Rapids," extending half a mile below Union falls, the descent in that distance being eight or nine feet. Power in proportion as above.
The capacity of these powers can be immensely increased by the use of reservoirs on the river.
BUXTON AND HOLLIS.
THREE POWERS.
"Salmon Falls," on Saco river. The head of these falls is two miles, by the course of the river, above Union falls. A log dam has been erected here about 20 feet high. From this dam the water dashes through a narrow rock-bound channel for a distance of something above 200 rods to the foot of the falls. The whole fall is 62 feet.
If the extreme low-run volume of water at this point be assumed to be 2,000 cubic feet per minute less than at Saco for the 24 hours, the gross power of the fall, day and night, is 1,860 horse-power, 74,400 spindles ; or 4,050 horse-power for 11 hours a day, 162,000 spindles.
The east bank is high and precipitous, except near the dam, where is a favorable mill site which is now partially occupied by saw mills, containing in all four saws, capable of cutting 4.000,000 feet of lumber per annum. On the west side of the river in Hollis, the bank of primitive rock is not so high or precipitous, and has convenient sites for mills and manufactories, now only occupied for a grist-mill and one shingle and heading machine.
157
NARRAGANSET NUMBER ONE.
we have the full quantity of lands mentioned in our Grant &
At the foot of the falls, both in Buxton and Hollis, are good sites for mills, and in the immediate vicinity an abundance of good clay for bricks. About two miles west of these falls there is a large supply of granite, easily acces- sible, suitable for building purposes, Salmon Falls village, situated at the head of these falls, is upon a direct road from Alfred to Portland. The surrounding country furnishes a large supply of agricultural productions, The soil, like other localities by the river in these towns, is of various quali- ties, principally. however, a clay or sand loam, and quite productive. The head of these falls is situated fifteen miles, road distance, from Portland, and nine miles from Saco and Biddeford. The Portland and Rochester Railroad passes within one and one-fourth miles. Power is owned by the Biddeford and Saco Water-Power Company.
Second, "Bar Mills Falls," situated at the village of Bar Mills, 420 rods, by the river, above Salmon falls. The fall here is 18 feet in a running dis- tance of 60 rods.
The total power of the fall in a drouth, with water as above, is 540 horse- power, gross, or 1,178 horse-power, gross, for 11 hours a day, or 47,120 spindles.
The banks are low on either side, furnishing excellent sites for the erec- tion of manufactories and mills. There is an old wooden dam at the head of the falls, which allows a great waste of water, while the power now available is only partially used. There are here 11 saws, capable of sawing at least 11,000,000 feet of lumber. In connection with the saw mills, there are several heading machines, and machines for manufacturing sugar- box shooks. In addition to the foregoing there are a grist-mill and plaster- mill. The water-wheels are the spiral vent, excepting four of the old style under-shot wheel. A county road crosses the river here over a bridge 250 feet long, and the Portland and Rochester Railroad cresses the river near the falls. Good granite quarries are open within two miles of these falls, with an abundant supply. The falls are 15 miles from Portland, and 10 from Saco.
Third, "Moderation Falls," at West Buxton village, five miles by the course of the river above Bar Mills falls. Fall 14 feet in 36 rods running distance.
If the lowest volume of water at this point be assumed to be 2,300 cubic feet less per minute for the 24 hours than at Saco, the constant gross pow- er at minimum run is about 420 horse-power, or 16,800 spindles. This is but a small part of the power that can be realized upon use of the reset- voirs above for storage. The storage is equally available upon the other powers.
At the head is an old log dam, through which at lowest water more than one-half of the water of the river escapes. The river here has a rock bed, and the banks on either side furnish excellent sites for building mills for a considerable distance below the falls, to which the water might be carried with slight expense and labor, by means of canals, penstocks, or flumes. Within two miles are now two brick-yards, where a large number of bricks of superior quality are annually manufactured. Good granite for building purposes may be obtained on the banks of the river about one mile above. The soil in the immediate vicinity of the falls is a clay loam, while further from the river a sand loam prevails. The out-cropping rocks on the west or Hollis side of the river are granite: on the east side or Buxton side the rocks are chiefly mica schist. No granite except detached rocks or boulders Wood and timber are abundant for fire and for building purposes.
This power is now partly improved by two woollen manufactories; two double saw mills, containing three single saws and one gang, capable to- gether of sawing annually 11,000,000 feet of lumber. There are besides, four machines for manufacturing sugar-box shooks, two shingle-mills, sever-
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NARRAGANSET NUMBER ONE.
to Desire & impower if need be the Committee to Sell Delin-
al heading machines, one grist-mill and one plaster-mill. Water-wheels, spiral vent and turbine. A county road here crosses the river over a good bridge 250 feet in length.
The market of this place, as well as the principal market of those doing business at either of the falls in these towns, is Portland, and is reached by way of the Portland & Rochester Railroad.
These falls are situated 18 miles from Portland, 14 miles from Saco, and five miles from the nearest station on the Portland & Rochester Railroad.
BUXTON, HOLLIS AND STANDISE,
ONE POWER.
"Bonny Eagle Falls, in Hollis on the west and Standish and Buxton on the east side, situated at Bonny Eagle village, one and one-fourth miles by the river above "Moderation Falls." Their total height is forty-eight and one-half feet. That descent is attained within a running distance of 160 rods. Twenty-five feet of fall are obtained in 50 rods. The water of the river divides at the head of the falls and runs in two channels to the foot of the falls, forming an island containing about 60 acres. By the main or western channel, the water descends through a narrow passage bounded by rocks, in a succession of falls and rapids, while by the other or castern channel. the descent, though rapid, is continuous. The banks of the west- ern channel, though not rising to a great height, are precipitous through a part of the distance, though furnishing- in some places eligible sites for mills and reservoirs. The bed of the eastern channel or "New River," so called, is of rock, with low banks, sufficiently high however to serve as a protection from freshets. The banks and the lands extending back from them, furnish excellent sites for building mills, and seem to be especially fitted for the easy and cheap construction of aqueducts and reservoirs, par- ticularly upon the island above named.
Bonny- Eagle Falls, Buxton, Hollis and Standish.
.
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NARRAGANSET NUMBER ONE.
quent Proprietors land as the law Directs to Defrey Charges
JOHN BROOKS BENJM DURELL
SAMLL ROLFE WILLIAM HANCOCK,
BENIM DONELL JOSHUA WOODMAN
TIMO HASETINE
JOSEPH WOODMAN
august 3d : 1752 DAVID MARTIN
JOB ROBERTS
JOHN ELDEN
SAMLL MERRILL
JOHN WILLISON
These are to warn & notify the Proprietors of the Narragan- sett no : 1: to assemble & meet together at the meeting House in Said township on the 12 twelth of october next Ensuing at two of the Clock afternoon
To raise mony to Defrey the ministeriall Charge Since the Resettlement of Said Township
To finish the meeting House to provide for Constant Preching at Said township
To Rectify Errors Committed by former lott layers
To do Justice to any that have been injured by the Sale of their lands or by Curtailing of their lotts
to lay out the undivided lands & meadows
To Promote the building a mill or mills on the main River to order the clearing up of high ways
At the head of the main channel the power is partially improved. On the Standish side there is one double saw mill, containing two single saws. with other machines sufficient to manufacture into headings and sugar-box shooks the boards sawed at the mills. The machinery is capable of manu- facturing 2.000,000 feet of lumber annually, On the Hollis side of the falls are two saw mills. owned by Messrs. Abijah Usher and M. M. Came, with other machinery capable of manufacturing into headings and box shooks 2,000,000 feet of lumber. Standish report says, "Three million feet of lumber manufactured annually." Total range of water from lowest to highest on the dam, six feet.
If the volume of water at this point, in extreme summer dronth, be as- sumed to be 2,500 cubic feet per minute less than at Saco, or 16.500 cubic feet per minute for the 24 hours, the gross power of the fall is 1,504 horse-power, 60,160 spindles ; or 3,203 horse-power, 180, 320 spindles. for 11 hours a day.
The out-cropping rocks at the falls and in their neighborhood, are chiefly granite of good quality for building purposes, and easily accessible. The soil in the vicinity is of various qualities and generally of good quality for agricultural purposes. Wood and timber are abundant. There is also good clay for bricks in the vicinity, and a brick-yard now being worked within half a mile of the falls.
Bonny Eagle village, at the falls, is upon the county road which formerly was the great thoron hfare from Dover, N. H., and Alfred, Me., to August& and the east. Bonny Eagle is distant from Portland 18 miles: from Saco by road 16 miles ; from the nearest station on the Portland & Rochester Rail- road, six mires.
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NARRAGANSET NUMBER ONE.
To See that we have the full quantity of land mentioned in our Grant : & to Desire & impower (if need be) the Com- 4 mittee to Sell Delinquent Proprietors land as the law Directs to Defrey Charges
the above is what I Posted up pr order
Semptem" ye 2 - 1752 JOSEPH COFFIN Proprietors Clerk
At a Legall meeting of the Proprietors of the Narragansett Township no : 1 : held at Said Township octobr the 12th 1752 mr William Hancock moderator for Said meeting
William Hancock Joseph Woodman & Sam" Rolfe are Chosen & impowerd a Committee to See the meeting house finished as Soon as may be thout Convenient
Joshua Woodman & John Elden are Chosen a Committee to build mills on the main River (viz) a Griest mill & a Saw mill --
Voted that there be raised on the Proprietors forty pounds in mony to Defrey the ministeriall charge at Sª township
Voted that there be raisd on the Proprietors twenty Six pounds thirteen Shillings & four pence mony to be laid out in clearing & mending the high ways -
Samuel merril Joshua Woodman Samnel Rolfe Job Roberts & John Elden are chosen to See the High ways Cleard & mended -
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