Saco Valley settlements and families. Historical, biographical, genealogical, traditional, and legendary, Part 61

Author: Ridlon, Gideon Tibbetts, 1841- [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Portland, Me., The author
Number of Pages: 1424

USA > Maine > Saco Valley settlements and families. Historical, biographical, genealogical, traditional, and legendary > Part 61
USA > New Hampshire > Saco Valley settlements and families. Historical, biographical, genealogical, traditional, and legendary > Part 61

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).

(5). Betsey was m. to William Johnson, of Biddeford, Nov. 23, 1806. (6). Polly, b. July 30, 1782, in Scarborough ; went to the plantation of Little Falls with her parents at the age of ten and d. at the home of William S. McKusick, in Parkman, Me., Dec. 13, 1868, aged 86 years. Polly never married. She and sister Anne lived with their aged parents in Limerick until the sister died. Having become an experienced nurse, Polly had been employed in the family of Mr. McKusick, and when they removed to eastern Maine she went with them and spent the remainder of her days -with the exception of extended visits at the homes of her brothers in Hermon and Corinth-in this family. She was a lady of excellent character whose life was useful.

(7). Anne, b. in Scarborough, lived unmarried with her parents, and d. in Limerick, Feb. 19, 1834; was buried by the side of her father and mother; a dutiful creature.

(8). Silas, b. July 5, 1792; m. Mary Knox, of Alfred, Me., Nov. S, 1815, and settled in Cornish, where he continued for some years. Between 1824 and 1826, he removed from Limerick to Exeter,

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Me., and previous to 1832 to Corinth. In 1838, he sold his farm in the latter town and removed to Orneville; thence to Wilton, where he d. in 1879 at the age of 87. His widow d. at the home of her daughter in the town of Maxfield, May 6, 1887, aged 93. He was a tall, well-formed man, of dark complexion, pos- sessed of a benevolent and pleasant disposition ; one who would not oppress his neighbors, even to collect his just dues, and who was always ready, to the extent of his ability, to help the needy. He was honest and industrious, appreciated the advantages of education, and required his children to cultivate their minds. Children as follows :

(1). Rev. George E. S., b. Oct. 28, 1818, in Cornish, Me .; m., in 1871, to Nancy S. Dexter, of Dover, and in early life worked at his trade as carriage maker. He subsequently studied for the ministry at the New Hampton Institute ; a fine scholar and interesting public speaker. He d. at the age of fifty-four, leav- ing a comfortable inheritance to his only child, now Mrs. Annie B. Emerson, offDover, Me.

(11). Horatio G., b. Dec. 9, 1820, in Cornish, Me .; m. Sarah B. Harmon, of Wellington, and had three children, named as fol- lows; drowned in 1850.

(a). Silas G., now living in Bath, Me., who entered the Union army at the age of sixteen, in the 20th Regiment Maine Infantry.

(b). Horatio G., now living at West Ripley, Me.

(c). Frances E., m. a Mr. Hinkley, of Lewiston, Me.

(III). John F., b. Mar. 12, 1824, in Limerick, Me., m. Martha D., dau. of Rev. C. H. Wheeler, Congregational missionary to Tur- key. He was a corporal in the 5th Maine Infantry, and was killed in the battle of South Mountain. Sept. 14, 1862. His captain wrote to his family: "He was a good man, true Chris- tian, and a better soldier never lived." He was a large, strong man with blue eyes, blond hair and beard. Two sons :

(a). Wl'alter R., now at Bangor.

(b). S. Dwight, deceased.

(IV). Lucinda C., b. Dec. 27, 1826, in Exeter, Me .; m. to George Mehoney, of Orneville, and removed to Iowa; later to Minne- sota. He engaged in mercantile business and acquired a competency. Mr. M. d. in 1891, leaving one daughter, now Mrs. M. E. Jones, of Princeton Mills, Lac Co., Minn.

(v). Mary E., b. June 12, 1832, in Corinth. She was m. to Frank- lin Tourtillotte in 1854, and resides in Maxfield, Me., where her husband has been many years justice of the peace and post- master. This lady acquired an excellent education, and became a successful teacher. She has a fine literary taste and has written poetry for the Portland Transcript, Temperance Watch- word and MMorning Star. Her youngest daughter has also at- tracted considerable attention as a writer of poetry and short

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stories. We subjoin the following as a sample of the poetic style of Mrs. Tourtillotte :

THE WELCOME.

"Sweet indeed will be the greeting Of the loved ones gone before, When all tempest-tossed and weary We have gained that heavenly shore, Sweet will be their angel welcome In that world of endless day ; But another Friend awaits us, Dearer, truer, far than they.

"He who left his home in glory Fallen man from sin to save;

He who rent death's bars asunder, And in triumph left the grave;

He the golden gates will open, He will bid us enter there,

Free from sin, from pain, and sorrow, All the joys of heaven to share.

" Though our eyes have never rested On the form divinely fair; Though our ears have ne'er been gladdened By that voice of music rare ;

He unseen has walked beside ns. All along life's winding way ;

He has soothed the keenest sorrow, He has cheered the saddest day.

" When our work for Him is finished, At His feet the cross lay down,

Ile will elothe us with white raiment, On each forehead place a crown.

All our toils and trials ended, Conflict past and victory won, He will be the first to greet ns, He will speak the glad 'well done.'"

(VI). Sarah K., b. Jan. 19, 1835, in Corinth, Me .; m. William E. Dutton, of Stillwater, and had four children; d. at the age of 28. Her husband fell in the Civil war.

Alphens Bryant, b. Feb. 12, 1778; m. Hannah -, who was b. Feb. 12, 1784, and had children b. in town named as follows:

I. SALLY, b. Feb. 21, 1805.

2. MARY, b. June 13, 1807.

3. HANNAH, b. July 1, 1810.

4. JOHN, b. Apr. 19, 1815.

5. ELIZABETH, b. Dec. 27, 1817.

6. NANCY, b. Dec. 21, 1822.

7. MARGERY, b. Apr. 26, 1824.

8. STEPHEN, twins, b. Nov. 11, 1826.

9. MARTHA,

NEWMARKET BRANCH.

James Bryent, supposed to have come from England, is said to have set- tled on Great Island in Portsmouth harbor. He was b. about 1660 and d. in 1720. His wife, named Honour, was b. Jan. 31, 1678; d. in 1767. These had one (probably others) son, namely :

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BRYANT AND BRYENT FAMILY.

Walter Bryent, Esq., b. on Great Island near Portsmouth, N. H., Feb. 10, 1710 ; m. Dec. 25, 1735, Elizabeth Folsum, who was b. Sept. 10, 1712. He settled at Newmarket, and was a noted land surveyor for many years; called in history a "Royal Surveyor." To him was assigned the responsi- bility of running and establishing the northern boundary between Maine and New Hampshire, an undertaking that involved many dangers, great difficul- ties, resolution, and endurance as his Journal, which will follow, fully proves. He had three sons and two or more daughters, who lived to maturity. His death occurred in 1807, at the age of 96.

WALTER BRYENT'S JOURNAL.

" 1741. March 13. Fryday. I set out from New-Market with eight men to assist me in running and marking out one of the Province Bounderys-lodged at Cocheco. 14. Saturday. Sent our Baggage on loging sleds to Rochester from Cocheco under the care of three men, these continuing with me at Cocheco, it being foul weather.

15. Sunday. Attended Public worship at Cocheco and in the evening went to Rochester and lodged there.

16. Monday. Travelled through the upper part of Rochester and lodg'd in a Loging Camp.

17. Tuesday. West on Salmon Fall River & travelled up said River on the ice above the second pond and campt.

18. Wednesday. Went to the third pond, & about two of the clock in the afternoon it rained and snow'd very hard & oblidg'd us to camp-extream stormy that night and two men sick.

19. Thursday. Went to the head of Nechawannock River and there set my course, being north two Degrees West, but by the needle North Eight Degrees East, and run half a mile on a neck of land with three men-then returne'd to the other five and campt.

20. Fryday. Crost the head pond which was a mile over, and at two hundred rods distance from sd head pond was another which lay so in my course that I crost it three times, and has communication with Mousum River as I suppose-from the last men- tion'd pond, for six mile togather I found the land to be pretty even, the growth gen- erally White and Pitch Pine, (N. B. At the end of every mile | mark'd a tree where the place would admit of it, with the number of miles from the head of Nechwannock River.) Went over a mountain from the summit of which I plainly see White Hills & Ossipa Pond which [pond] bore about North West and was about four mile distant. There also lay on the north side of said Mountain at a mile distant a pond in the form of a circle, of the diameter of three miles, the East end of which I crost. I also crost the River which comes from the East and runs into said pond & campt, had good travelling to-day & went between seven and eight miles.

21. Saturday. In travelling five miles (the land pretty level) from the place where I campt last night. I came to a river which runs out from the last mention'd pond & there track'd an Indian & three Dogs, kill'd two Deer & Campt,

22. Sunday. Remain'd in my Camp & about nine o'clock at night we was hail'd by two Indians (who were within fifteen rods of it) in so broken English that they called three times before I could understand what they said, which was, " What you do there,"-upon which I spoke to them and immediately upon my speaking they asked what news. I told them it was Peace. They answered, "May be no." But however, upon my telling them they should not be hurt, and bidding them to come to the Camp, they came and behaved very orderly and gave me an account of Ossipa pond & River, as also of a place call'd Pigwacket. They told me the way to know when I was at Pigwacket was by observing a certain River which had three large hills on the southwest side of it, which narrative of said Indians respecting Ossipa & Co., I found to correspond pretty well with my observations. They also informed me of their names which were Sentur & Pease. Sentur is an old man, was in Capt. Love- well's fight, at which time he was much wounded and lost one of his eyes; the other is a young man. They informed me their living was at Ossipa pond. They had no gun but hatchett and spears. Our snowshoes being somewhat broken they readily imparted

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BRYANT AND BRYENT FAMILY.

wherewith to mend them. They would have purchased a gun of me, but could not spare one. They were very inquisitive to know what bro't Englishmen so far in the woods in peace, whereupon I informed them. And upon the whole they said they tho't it was war finding Englishmen so far in the woods & further that there were sundry company's of Indians a hunting & they believed that none of sd company's would let me proceed if they should meet me.

23. Monday. Parted with Indians & went to Ossipa River which is fifteen mile from the head of Salmon Fall which number of miles 1 marked on a pretty large tree that lay convenient. (And in my return 1 found on said tree a sword handsomely formed grasp'd by a hand.) One mile from Ossipa River came to a mountain from the top of which I saw the White Hills. Travell'd over five large mountains. Campt. 24. Tuesday. Found the snow very soft today, so that we sunk half leg deep in snowshoes. See where two Indians had Campt on Hemlock Boughs. Campt. Snow'd all night.

25. Wednesday. Continued snowing all day & night. The general depth of the snow which fell last night & today was four feet and a half to five feet deep.

26. Thursday. The weather fair and clear and in my travel today saw the White Hills which were West and by North from me, and about seven miles distant as near as I could guess. I also see Pigwacket Plain or Intervale Land as also Pigwaket River which runs from the North West to the South East and cuts the aforesaid Interval to two Triangles, it lying North & South about eight miles in length & four in breadth. About two or three miles beyond Pigwaket, I saw a large body of Water three or four miles long & half a mile broad, but whether River or Pond I do not know.

27. Fryday. Finding the travelling Difficult by the softness of the snow and the Rivers and Brooks breaking up, togather with some backwardness in my men to ven- ture any further, I concluded to return which I did accordingly, and on Wednesday the first of April we got safe back to New-Market and all in good health.

WALTER BRYENT."

I. MARY, b. Oct. 4, 1736.

2. ELIZABETH, b. Feb. 3, 1738.

3. WALTER, EsQ., Feb. 12, 1740; in. Nov. 17, 1762, Mary Dole (she was b. July 21, 1738; d. Nov. 9, 1777,) and had issue of whom here- after. Like his father, he was an expert land surveyor; was commis- sioned to survey the lots of Wolfborough, N. H., and built a camp for his headquarters in the southern part of the township, the exact location of which is still pointed out. This survey was completed in 1762. He was one of the grantees of Tamworth and Albany, N. H. 1 sup- pose his home was at Newmarket. He d. Oct. 2, 1784. Six children, as follows :

I. ANNE, b. Aug. 25, 1763; m. Eliphalet Smith (a relative of St. John Smith), and resided in Portland. She d. July 31, 1836, aged 73 years.

II. WALTER, b. July 16, 1765; m. Hannah Goodwin, of Newmarket, N. H., and resided there as farmer and tavern-keeper many years. He began life with bright prospects and had acquired considerable property, but misfortune came and he lost nearly all. Coming into the wilderness of Maine, where "wild land " was cheap, he purchased a tract in Lovell and sought to retrieve his fortune. Here he built a log-house, and to this lonely spot he brought his family in 1803. Neither Mr. Bryent nor his wife were fitted to this new condition of life. She was a woman of proud spirit who had been accustomed to the concomitants of wealth and the influence of good society, and

NOTE .- This survey extended about thirty miles, and was not finished till 1762, to Canada line. There are provincialisms in this journal, proving that the writer, whoever it was, was no stranger in New England.

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BRYANT AND BRYENT FAMILY.

felt most keenly the deprivation and hardships that are incident to a new and remote settlement. Chafing under some embarrassment, Mr. Bryent abruptly left home in 1815, and remained silent and un- known to his relatives for nearly twenty-five years. Meanwhile, his wife, worn out with disappointment and sorrow, had strangled her- self with a skein of yarn at the home of her daughter at North Frye- burg, and was buried in Stowe.

To the astonishment of everybody Mr. Bryent came back when an old man, with a horse and sleigh, and drove first to his daughter's, Mrs. Bachelder, who at once recognized him as her father; but as he went from house to house to call upon his other children, they regarded him with feelings akin to those that might be experienced in seeing one who had come from the abodes of death. This was in the year 1844. He claimed to have been in the state of New York, and alluded to a mill he owned there; but nothing very definite could be learned from him respecting his experiences while absent. He wished to go back, but by the importunity of his children decided to remain with them the remainder of his days. Much of his time was spent in visiting his sons and daughters, alternating between Frye- burg, Lovell, and Chatham, until the infirmities of age rendered it imprudent for him to undertake such long journeys on foot, and a permanent home was provided for him at John L. Farrington's, where he mostly continued till his death, in 1856-7, at the age of 94. He was buried at North Fryeburg.

During the last years of his life Mr. Bryent was fond of fishing, and as his children remonstrated, considering it unsafe for him to go alone, he would promise not be long away, but seldom returned till the day was well spent. As he came home nearly exhausted, and without any fish, he always said he threw them upon the bank, one by one, as caught, but that he could never find them when he was ready to return home. It is said of him that he would often drop his head and exclaim: "As a man thinketh so is he."

He was a man of heavy build, with fair, fresh complexion, and was well preserved, physically and mentally, when advanced in years.

The meagre outlines of history furnished by the descendants of this remarkable man, indicate an experience as strange and eventful as the most thrilling romance. While preparing this brief sketch, the conjuring imagination has many times forced me to ask: "What must have been the reflections of this poor old man during the years of his long expatriation, and after his return?" His career certainly involved much that is pathetic, and the motives for his singular con- duct, locked within the security of his own breast, must ever remain enshrouded in mystery. Childrens' names as follows :

(1). Mary D., b. Nov. 11, 1786, in Newmarket, N. H .; m., May 7. 1805, Benjamin Wiley, of Fryeburg, Me., and has issue.

(2). Walter L., b. Oct. 28, 1788; m., May, 1814, Mary Swan, who was b. May 19, 1789. He purchased a farm at North Lovell the place since owned by Dea. Peter MacAllister-and lived there for many years. He used to tell his children of his going to Canada where he worked till he had saved one hundred dollars

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BRYANT AND BRYENT FAMILY.

in gold, which he gave for his land. After the death of his son Walter, in the West, Mr. Bryent sold his farm and purchased a house and sufficient land for cultivation and for pasturing a horse and cow, at Lovell Centre, and lived there, in the enjoyment of health and happiness, for many years. After the death of his wife, and when his health failed, he lived with his daughter, the wife of Dr. Chandler, and died there Oct. 13, 1872. He was buried at Lovell Centre, by the side of his wife, who d. Apr. 21, 1869. Like his ancestors of the same name, Walter Bryent was an accomplished surveyor of land and long a justice of the peace and trial justice. He was for many years agent for the late Ellis B. Usher, having charge of his timber lands and superintending the cutting, hauling, and surveying. He was also public spirited and active in local affairs, holding offices in town at times, and declining to serve at other times.

(1). Mary Ann, b. Sept. 21, 1815 ; d. Jan. 2, 1818.

(II). Walter L., b. Sept. 17, 1817; m., Dec. 24, 1844, Amanda Phipps, and had issue, two children, both of them dying in minority. He d. Nov. 21, 1853, some say "out West."

(111). Marian, b. Mar. 27, 1820; m. Moses Kilgore, Jan. 24, 1844; d. Oct. 6, 1846.

(IV). Henrietta, b. Feb. 20, 1822 ; d. Nov. 26, 1840.

(v). Eliza, b. Apr. 20, 1824; d. Sept. 18, 1826.

(VI). Israel L., b. Feb. 13. 1826; d. Dec. 21, 1826.

(v11). Elisa F., b. Nov. 18, 1827 ; m., Dec. 16, 1849, to Freeman Evans, of Lovell; now living at Pleasantdale, Cape Elizabeth, Me. ; a lady of accomplishments.

(VIII). Olive G., b. Dec. 7, 1829 : m., Dec. 6, 1849, to Dr. Isaac Chan- dler, of Lovell. She is now living at North Fryeburg, a widow. Like her sister, Mrs. Chandler is a woman of cultivated mind, greatly beloved.

(IX). Hannah E., b. Sept. 2, 1835 ; d. Aug. 13, 1851.

(3). Sarah G., b. Aug. 16, 1792, in Newmarket, N. H .; d. June 14, 1839.

(4). Martha H., b. Jan. 31, 1794; m. Richard Bachelder, of North Fryeburg ; had children.

(5). John S., b. Feb. 12, 1797, in Newmarket, N. H .; m. Mary, dau. of Samuel McDonald, of Chatham, N. H., and settled in that town. He was a man well endowed by nature, but of irregular habits and speculative propensities; died at the home of his daughter in Brownfield, May 15, 1879, aged 82. His wife pre- deceased him, Nov. 11, 1874. Children, probably all born in Chatham, as follows:

(1). Walter L., b. June 29, 1824; m. Mary A. Johnson; resided at North Conway, N. H .; d. Oct. 20, 1885. Two children.

(II). John S., b. July 3, 1826; m., first, Caroline McIntire; second, Octavia Gibson ; d. Jan. 15, 1792 ; resided at North Fryeburg, Me. Three children.

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BRYANT AND BRYENT FAMILY.

(III). Robert G., b. May 6, 1828; m. Martha Goodwin; resided at Cape Elizabeth ; d. Dec. 20, 1892.

(Iv). Martha H., b. May 1, 1830; never married.

(v). Benjamin I'., b. Mar. 20, 1833; m. Mary H. Goddard ; resided at Paris Hill; lawyer by profession; d. July 20, 1865 ; left one child.

(v1). Hannah E., b. Nov. 13, 1836; m. Phendeus Hill, and is now (1893) living in Brownfield, Me.

(VII). Mary R., b. Apr. 29, 1840; a single woman.

(6). Nancy, b. June 13, 1800; m., Dec. 31, 1842, John L. Farrington, and lived at North Fryeburg, Me.

(7). Olive G., b. Jan 14, 1804; d. Mar. 14, 1842.

(8). Elisa C., b. Sept. 9, 1809 ; m. Simeon C. Wiley, of North Frye- burg. She d. and her husband m. Hannah M., dau. of Benja- min D. Bryant, of Lisbon, now living in Greene, Me.

III. MOLLY, b. Oct. 6, 1768, at Newmarket, N. H .; m. Ilateville Knight, of Rochester.

IV. BENJAMIN D., b. Nov. 17, 1770; m. Rachel Davis, dau. of Jesse Davis, May 7, 1809. He attended school at Exeter, N. H., and after leaving there, went with his brother-in-law, Eliphalet Smith, to Port- land, where he engaged in mercantile business. From there he re- moved to Webster in 1806, and settled on a farm, where he continued to live until his death, Dec. 14, 1844. Mr. Bryant was many years a magistrate and much employed in town business. His widow d. July 14, 1856, aged 66. Twelve children.

(1). Paulina A., b. May 27, 1810 ; d. Nov. 20, 1837.

(2). James, b. July 4, 1811; m. Harriet N. Hamilton, and had two daughters; d. Feb. 20, 1887, aged 75 years. The widow is in Boston.

(3). Anne S., b. Apr. 24, 1813; m. Daniel L. Weymouth and has two sons.

(4). Benjamin D., b. Aug. 24, 1815 : d. Apr. 8, 1887, aged 72.

(5). Mary D., b. Dec. 29, 1816; d. Sept. 17, 1819.

(6). Walter, b. May 25, 1819.

(7). John C., b. Sept. 2, 1821 ; m. Drusilla Patten, of Lisbon, and lived on the homestead ; d. June 26, 1884; widow living.

(8). Christopher C., b. Dec. 18, 1823; went to California and lives there now; unmarried.

(9) Hannah M., b. July 31, 1826; m. Simeon C. Wiley, whose first wife was her cousin, Eliza, a dau. of Walter Bryent, of Lovell. Mrs. Wiley is a woman of intelligence, who has by extensive read- ing acquired a rich store of general information. Residence, Greene, Me.

(10). Sarah J., b. May 2, 1829; d. Mar. 12, 1863.

(11). Eliphalet S., b. Oct. 31, 1831 ; m. and resides in Webster, Me.

(12). Danicl C., b. Aug. 16, 1834 ; d. May 8, 1838.

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v. JOHN S., b. Jan. 11, 1773, in Newmarket, N. H .; supposed to have been killed near Canada, in 1814.

VI. ELIZABETH, b. Apr. 2, 1775 ; m. Isaac Hopkins; lived and d. in Port- land, Me.

4. JEREMY BRYENT, son of Walter (1), b. Aug. 7, 1743, in Newcastle, N. H. ; m. Apr. 25, 1765, Mary , who was b. Mar. 6, 1741, and had as many as six children, some of them b. in Newmarket. His name appears frequently in the early records of northern New Hampshire. He was a grantee of Albany in that state. He d. May 25, 1786. Issue as follows:

I. JAMES, b. Sept. 16, 1766.

II. MARY, b. Apr. 12, 1767 ; d. Apr. 25, 1772.

III. JOHN, b. Apr. 25, 1770; d. in 1863, leaving five sons and three daugh- ters. of whom hereafter. He was a very useful man in town and county; was for several years selectman of Tamworth, N. H., his place of residence, and served in the legislature.

IV. JEREMY, b. Apr. 25, 1772.

V. WALTER, b. Mar. 21, 1774, at Newmarket, N. H. ; m., Nov. 16, 1797, Rachel Gilmore, who was b. Sept. 4, 1774, and had five children. He was settled in Tamworth, N. H., as early as 1790, as a farmer. Children as follows:

(1). Lucy, b. Sept. 29, 1799.

(2). James, b. Sept. 16, 1801; in. and settled in Industry, Me., when a young man. He lost his wife and three children within a few days, but m. again, and had two other children. William, by first wife, now living. The father has been dead many years.

(3). John, b. Oct. 3, 1803; lived in Tamworth, N. H., where he was, for many years, a prominent man, serving as selectman and as representative. He d. in 1863, leaving five sons and three daughters.

(4). Walter, b. Mar. 20, 1807; left home when quite young and re- sided in Boston many years; had no children of his own but adopted one of his sister's daughters, who is now living in Som- erville. Mr. Bryant died about 1873.

(5). Jerry G., b. June 5, 1810; is now living, a feeble old man, in Tamworth, N. H., where he has lived all his days. He had a family of eight children, only two now living.

BRIANTS OF HOLLIS.

Joel Briant married Eunice Cutting somewhere in Massachusetts and came to Hollis. This has been called "a runaway match." He lived for several years near the house of Squire Usher, where Madison Usher after- wards lived, on the old Alfred road, between the "Guide-board hill" and Cyrus Bean's, in a house built by old Aaron Eldridge, and was a peddler of lamp-black burned by Bets Eldridge. The family was poor, but subsequently received a legacy from Mrs. Briant's folks which enabled them to purchase land and build the house at Moderation Mills where they lived and died. The family was, to use modern parlance, "high-toned," and carried themselves

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BRYANT AND BRYENT FAMILY.

with lofty airs, in consequence of which the daughters were held in envy by the daughters of the farmers round-about, and one old lady said in my hear- ing: "Those Briant gals would dress out in great finery outside when they didn't have a shirt to their back." This was "surmised," probably. Well, there were several "darters ": ABIGAIL, called "Nabby"; LOUISA, the wise "schule-marm,"; JUDITH, called "Judy," who owned the little black dog, and HORATIO, who perpetuated the name. We remember Joel Briant well. He was a little, erabbed man, with an enormous nose that always seemed just ready to capsize him. He kept ducks and at the same time Louisa kept the district school. Ephraim Tibbetts attended school and Joel's ducks sported in the Tibbetts duck pond. Ephraim would throw stones at the ducks to decoy Joel, who with great vehemence came to the rescue of his domestic fowls, and Ephraim would instantly seize the spiteful little man and douse him in the filthy duck pond till he looked like a "drookit eraw," as the Scotch would say. Well, as soon as Louisa, who had been cognizant of the treatment received by her father, had opened her school, she would call Ephraim to the floor and finish him down with her " birch " till she had exhausted her strength of arm. The lusty lad would take this without wincing, but woe to Joel when he got hold of him; he was sure to plunge him into the brook or duck pond. And thus the feud was kept up till Ephraim ran off to sea and left Joel and Louisa to their reflections.

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Saco Valley settlements and families. Historical, biographical, genealogical, traditional, and legendary, Part 61

Author: Ridlon, Gideon Tibbetts, 1841- [from old catalog] Publication date: 1895 Publisher: Portland, Me., The author Number of Pages: 1424

Author: Ridlon, Gideon Tibbetts, 1841- [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Portland, Me., The author
Number of Pages: 1424