USA > Maine > Penobscot County > Old Town > Sketches of the town of Old Town, Penobscot County, Maine from its earliest settlement, to 1879; with biographical sketches > Part 5
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Raised for contingent expenses, $18,000 ; schools, $2,800; poor, $1,500; roads, $1,500; debt, $24,000 ; aid of families, $1,200; Buck road, $100; Smart road, $100; recruiting, $800.
Accepted Oak street, from Brunswick street west. Voted to hire money to build three reservoirs. Accepted road from Spring street to the river, Upper Stillwater.
For Governor-Samuel Cony, 200; Joseph Howard, 42. For Representative-D. N. Estabrook, 198; C. Noyes, 42.
1866. S. W. Hoskins, Moderator; Richard V. Moore, Clerk ; D. G. Sawyer, Daniel Lunt, N. M. Hartwell, Select- men ; G. F. Dillingham, Treasurer; H. Lancaster, Collector -2 per cent.
Raised for contingent expenses, $5,000 ; schools, $3,000; poor, $1,500; hearse, $400; Buck road, $200; reservoirs, $100; roads, in labor, $3,000.
Accepted road from Bridge street to Loren Dexter's.
For Governor-J. L. Chamberlain, 446 ; E. F. Pillsbury, 174. For Representative-N. M. Hartwell, 433; Robert El- lis, 173.
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MUNICIPAL HISTORY.
1867. Chose S. W. Hoskins, Moderator ; Albert H. Norris, Clerk ; D. G. Sawyer, N. M. Hartwell, C. H. Miller, Selectmen; G. F. Dillingham, Treasurer; H. Lancaster, Collector-1 per cent.
Raised for contingent expenses, $14,544 ; schools, $4,000 ; poor, $2,500 ; roads, $3,000 ; College, $1,060 ; Lunt road, at Pea Cove, $275.
Accepted road from Hines road to land of John Eastman. Road from south line, lot 23, to south line, lot 25. Road leading from W. Bosworth's, south to Pratt land. Road from Oak street, south by N. C. Gross. Road across Pratt & Wallace land, laid out last May. Road on Treat & Webster Island, from road accepted last May, to the 14 acre lot; and road from same, west 16 rods. Discontinued road across Pratt & Wallace land, laid out last fall. Voted to allow the E. & N. A. R'y Co., to lay their track along the river road as located.
For Governor-J. L. Chamberlain, 301; E. F. Pillsbury, 183. For Representative-N. M. Hartwell, 266; R. Ellis, 179; J. A. Cousens, 22.
1868. Chose E. C. Brett, Moderator ; E. A. Pond, Clerk ; Jos. L. Smith, Orimel Rogers, D. N. Estabrook, Selectmen ; Geo. F. Dillingham, Treasurer ; David Norton, Collector-2 per cent.
Raised for contingent expenses, $8,600 ; schools, $3,800 ; poor, $2,500; roads, $1,500; College, $1,160; road from Spring street to river, $150 ; road from Great Works to Up- per Stillwater, $125.
For Governor-J. L. Chamberlain, 469; E. F. Pillsbury, 197. For Representative-Henry Brawn, 439 ; F. Hamblen, 202. For President-Grant, 390; Seymour, 121.
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SKETCHES OF OLD TOWN.
1869. Chose E. C. Brett, Moderator ; E. A. Pond, Clerk ; D. G. Sawyer, Orimel Rogers, C. H. Miller, Selectmen ; G. F. Dillingham, Treasurer ; David Norton, Collector-2 per cent.
Raised for contingent expenses, $10,000; schools, $3,860 ; poor, $3,000 ; roads, $3,000; College, $1,180 ; Great Works and Upper Stillwater road, $300.
For Governor-J. L. Chamberlain, 226 ; Franklin Smith, 109; N. G. Hichborn, 35. For Representative-H. Brawn, 233; F. Hamblen, 122; scattering, 1.
1870. Chose Ezra C. Brett, Moderator; Edward A. Pond, Clerk ; Henry Brawn, Orimel Rogers, Chas. A. Bailey, Selectmen ; Geo. F. Dillingham, Treasurer; Benj. F. Poor, Collector-2 per cent.
Raised for contingent expenses, $10,000; schools, $5,000; poor, $3,000; roads, $3,000; cemetery, Old Town, $100; road Great Works to Upper Stillwater, $300.
Voted to build a town hall, on the corner of Brunswick and Middle street, cost not to exceed $12,000, to be raised by sale of bonds received from the State for equalizing boun- ties.
The line between Old Town, Argyle, and Alton, was run, Population, 4,070.
For Governor-Sidney Perham, 326; Chas. W. Roberts, 274; scattering, 2. For Representative-M. M. Folsom, 299; G. P. Sewall, 300.
1871. Chose D. N. Estabrook, Moderator; Edward A. Pond, Clerk ; Henry Brawn, Jas. Andrews, J. A. Blanchard, Selectmen ; G. F. Dillingham, Treasurer; David Norton, Collector-2 per cent.
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MUNICIPAL HISTORY.
Raised for contingent expenses, $9,800 ; schools, $4,100; poor, $3,000; roads, $1,000; debt, $2,000; Hoskins & Wal- lace road, $200.
Accepted road from Middle street to Pushaw road, near R. M. Woodman's. Veazie street from Z. Gilbert's to Push- aw road. Spring street, westerly to Veazie street. Pushaw, Birch stream, Lancaster, Meadow brook, and Irving bridges, had all to be repaired, or rebuilt this year, at an expense of $8,461.
For Governor-Sidney Perham, 431; Chas. P. Kimball, 202. For Representative-M. M. Folsom, 432; G. P. Sew- all, 200.
1872. Chose D. N. Estabrook, Moderator ; E. A. Pond, Clerk; Henry Brawn, Jas. Andrews, J. A. Blanchard, Se- lectmen ; G. F. Dillingham, Treasurer ; Jas. H. Gould, Col- lector, 1.9 per cent.
Raised for contingent expenses, $9,000 ; schools, $4,100 ; poor, $3,000 ; roads, $2,800; Catholic cemetery, $75 ; ceme- tery, Porter's mills, $200 ; debt, $2,000.
Accepted Hoskins street. Accepted street from Spring street to Union meeting house. Voted that the E. & N. A. Railway Co. may lay their track on the street from the depot to the engine house.
For Governor-S. Perham, 441; C. P. Kimball, 313. For Representative-M. M. Folsom, 441; H. Brawn, 308. For President-Grant, 362; Greely, 106.
1873. Chose C. A. Bailey, Moderator ; Charles H. Gray, Clerk ; Albert O. Brown, Eli Rigby, J. A. Blanchard, Select- men ; G. F. Dillingham, Treasurer ; David Norton, Collector -2 per cent.
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SKETCHES OF OLD TOWN.
Raised for contingent expenses, $10,500; schools, $4,100; poor, $3,000 ; roads, $3,300; cemetery fence, Old Town, $300.
Voted to exempt the shoe factory at Upper Stillwater from taxation for ten years.
For Governor-N. Dingley, Jr., 317; Jos. Titcomb, 256. For Representative-S. Bradbury, 280; H. Brawn, 277; scattering, 5.
1874. Chose C. A. Bailey, Moderator ; Chas. H. Gray, Clerk ; Albert O. Brown, Eli Rigby, J. A. Blanchard, Select- men ; Geo. F. Dillingham, Treasurer; David Norton, Col- lector-2 per cent.
Raised for contingent expenses, $9,500; schools, $3,600; poor, $3,000; roads, $1,500 ; two reservoirs at Upper Still- water, $400.
Accepted Oak street, as laid out in 1856. Accepted a con- tinuance of Fourth street, south. Voted to purchase three " Little Giant " engines.
For Governor-Jos. Titcomb, 334; N. Dingley, Jr., 283. For Representative-H. Brawn, 363; A. O. Brown, 260.
1875. Chose C. A. Bailey, Moderator; Geo. T. Sewall, Clerk ; A. O. Brown, Otis Reed, J. A. Blanchard, Selectmen ; G. F. Dillingham, Treasurer ; David Norton, Collector-2 per cent.
Raised for contingent expenses, $7,500 ; schools, $3,256; poor, $3,000 ; roads, $2,000.
For Governor-Selden Connor, 324; Chas. W. Roberts, 292. For Representative-A. O. Brown, 323; H. Brawn, 293.
1876. Chose G. P. Sewall, Moderator ; Edward A. Pond, Clerk; A. O. Brown, Otis Reed, J. A. Blanchard, Selectmen ; C. E. Rogers, Treasurer ; D. Norton, Collector-2 per cent. .
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MUNICIPAL HISTORY.
Raised for contingent expenses, $4,000 ; schools, $3,256 ; poor, $3,500; roads, $2,000; cemetery at Old Town, $400 ; town house, $200; Torrent engine, $150 ; cemetery at Upper Stillwater, $75; poor house, $100.
For Governor-Selden Connor, 400; J. C. Talbot, 240. For Representative-A. O. Brown, 351; G. P. Sewall, 293. For President-R. B. Hayes, 331; S. J. Tilden, 181.
1877. Chose C. A. Bailey, Moderator ; Edward A. Pond, Clerk; Geo. T. Sewall, Jas. W. Dutton, J. A. Blanch- ard, Selectmen ; Geo. F. Dillingham, Treasurer; David Norton, Collector-2 per cent.
Raised for contingent expenses, $4,000; schools, $3,256; poor, $3,500 ; roads, $1,000; reservoir on Treat and Web- ster's Island, $200. Accepted road from the north end of Smart road, to the north line of the town.
For Governor .- S. Connor, 307; J. H. Williams, 151; J. C. Talbot, 33. For Representative-J. Weymouth, 303; F. Hamblen, 192.
1878. Chose C. A. Bailey, Moderator ; Edward A. Pond, Clerk; Geo. T. Sewall, Jas. W. Dutton, Geo. W. Garland, Selectmen ; G. F. Dillingham, Treasurer ; Henry A. Pratt, Collector-3 per cent.
Raised for contingent expenses, $3,000; schools, $3,256 ; poor, $3,500 ; Dirigo engine $200; watering trough, $150 ; roads, in labor, $2,000. Voted not to license any one to sell spirituous liquor.
For Governor-J. L. Smith, 443; S. Connor, 214; A. Garcelon, 9. For Representative-J. M. Robinson, 427 ; J. Weymouth, 239.
1879. Chose C. A. Bailey, Moderator ; Edward A. Pond, Clerk ; George T. Sewall, Frank Hamblen, D. G.
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SKETCHES OF OLD TOWN.
Sawyer, Selectmen; James W. Waldron, Treasurer ; E. R. Alford, Collector-1} per cent.
Raised for contingent expenses, $3,000 ; schools, $3,256 ; poor, $3,000; roads, $1,000; sidewalk on Portland street, $25; poor house, $400.
For Governor-J. L. Smith, 381; D. F. Davis, 263; A. Garcelon, 18. For Representative-J. M. Robinson, 388 ; G. L. Godfrey, 270.
1880. Chose Frank Hamblen, Moderator ; James W. Waldron, Clerk; Geo. T. Sewall, Frank Hamblen, Daniel G. Sawyer, Selectmen ; James W. Waldron, Treasurer ; E. R. Alford, Collector-2 per cent.
Raised for contingent expenses, $3,000 ; schools, $3,256 ; poor, $2,500 ; roads, $1,200; sidewalks, $100; bridges, $300; Hudson road, $500; reservoirs, $200.
For Governor-H. M. Plaisted, 431; Daniel F. Davis, 291. Frank W. Folsom, Representative.
1881. Chose Frank Hamblen, Moderator; James W. Waldron, Clerk ; George T. Sewall, Frank Hamblen, Daniel G. Sawyer, Selectmen ; James W. Waldron, Treasurer.
Raised for contingent expenses, $3,500; schools, $2,456; poor, $3,000 ; roads, $2,100; sidewalk, $200.
CHAPTER XIII.
RELIGIOUS MATTERS.
CATHOLIC.
A mission of this denomination has existed here since early in the seventeenth century. Williamson, in his History of Maine, states that Col. Westbrook, with a party of British marines, destroyed the church on Old Town Island, in 1723.
The labors of the mission were confined to the Indian tribe previous to the nineteenth century ; and after the whites set- tled here, the place of worship was in the church on the island; but in time the membership had so increased as to overcrowd the small house ; this, together with the incon- venience of crossing the river, induced the society to build another house, which they did in 1852, near the cemetery at Great Works, where their meetings were held for several years ; but time showed, and the deep snows of winter con- vinced them, that the church was not in the right place, and in 1870 it was removed to lower Old Town, where the society at present worships. In 1877, an addition was made to it, and the whole building remodeled and fitted up in excellent style and neatness, and is now the largest church edifice in
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SKETCHES OF OLD TOWN.
town. The author is indebted to Father O'Brien for the following items of church history :
The Indians appear to have been without a missionary, ex- cept, perhaps, an occasional visit from the Canadian clergy, for about fifty years, previous to the visits of Rev. John Louis DeCheverus, first Catholic Bishop of Boston, where he ar- rived in 1796, and soon after commenced to pay annual visits to the Penobscots, which he appears to have continued at least until 1810. Of his first visit, a very interesting narra- tive is given in his Life, translated from the French, of which Father O'Brien has a copy.
The services of Bishop DeCheverus, afterwards Cardinal Archbishop of Bordeaux, in France, were followed by the attendance of Father Romagne, of whom Williamson makes mention. He was succeeded by Rev. Ed. Demilier. In all cases these clergymen also visited the Passamaquoddies.
Father Demilier appears to have been succeeded by Rev. Virgil Barber, S. J., who erected the present chapel on the island about 1834. A chapel appears to have been erected previously, by Bishop Cheverus-the second it would appear, that had been built on the Island. Cheverus' first services were held in an enclosure of trees and branches. The suc- cession of clergy in Old Town, after Barber, is included in the names of Ratigan, Armstrong, Conway, Murphy, Sulli- livan, Bapst, (with whom were associated, Force, Moore, and Vetromile) Nycolin, McFaul, Duddy, and O'Brien-the latter being (1879,) the present officiating clergyman, who is making strenuous efforts for reformation among the Indians, especially in reference to the matter of marriage and temper- ance, and is at present engaged in constructing a grammar of the Tarratine language.
81
RELIGIOUS MATTERS.
CONGREGATIONALIST.
There had been some missionary work done here by this denomination, between 1820 and 1832. The Rev. Pindar Field, who afterwards married the widow Mary Cony, had been here one season, more especially as an envoy amongst the Indians. Rev. Mr. Ingraham labored here for a while.
In time interest was sufficiently excited that resulted in the erection of a large church edifice upon "Mount Carmel." It was commenced in 1832, and completed the next year, when the control of the house went into the hands of the Congre- gationalists, although individuals of other persuasions aided in its construction.
In 1833, a church was organized, with William S. Pritch- ard, Lucius Hyde, Nivan Bates, and Timothy Barnard, as original members, while many other citizens were connected with the parish, and contributed to the support of the church.
In 1835, Rev. Joseph C. Lovejoy was settled as pas- tor, and held the position eight years, when for several years, individuals occupied the pulpit for short periods each ; among them H. T. Chever, Andrew Dunning, Joseph Smith, and others. In 1849, Rev. Samuel H. Merrill was installed as pastor, and officiated six years, giving general satisfaction by his genial, pleasant zeal, quietly carried intó almost every household. Ebenezer Douglass followed the next four years ; Charles F. Boynton, two years. Benjamin A. Chase was pas- tor from 1863 to 1865; during this year the church edifice was burned in the Lincoln fire-and somewhat unexpectedly to the public, the society possessed sufficient vitality, aided by the untiring and persistent efforts of James Y. Richardson, in soliciting and collecting funds for the purpose, to rebuild the house in 1866-less in size, but more elegant in style and
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SKETCHES OF OLD TOWN.
graceful in finish than the old one ; crowning the height of a gentle eminence, it is an object of beauty to the country around, to stranger as well as citizen. Since the erection of the new edifice-Henry A. Shorey, for two years ; S. H. Merrill, six months ; and William H. Rand-have officiated as pastors. Since 1872, the society has existed as best it could, upon transient preaching-being somewhat favored in that matter by the near vicinity of the Theological School at Bangor, the students of which find here an opportunity to try their unfledged wings in flights of oratory preparatory to migration to larger fields and greater usefulness.
BAPTIST.
In 1835, sufficient interest was excited which resulted in the organization of a church, with John Rigby, Myrick Em- erson, Affiah Pettengill, Rachel Rigby, and Hannah Shaw, as original members ; and from the small nucleus, has grown up a large society, embracing many men of note in the community, and exerting a larger influence on society than any other church organization in town-teaching a lesson of the advantages to be derived from unity of action, that is worthy of imitation. The first pastor of the church, was Rev. E. Freeman, ordained February, 1837; Rev. Charles Blanchard followed, in May, 1839, remaining ten years ; during his pastorate the Lovejoy school house was purchased, and enlarged into a meeting house. After him, T. Bailey, J. R. Greenough, Alvira Jones, and Jacob Tuck, were pastors. In Sept., 1852, James Belcher was installed, and during his charge, the membership of the church had enlarged to such an extent as to require more room than the old house afforded, and the society erected a more commodious and ele- gant house of worship, on the corner of Church and Middle
83
RELIGIOUS MATTERS.
streets, in 1854. Charles Blanchard was pastor in 1856 ; D. C. Litchfield from December, 1857, to 1864; and James M. Follett, from June, 1864, to Nov., 1867; during his term the church was burned April 19, 1865, and rebuilt the same year.
The pastors since, were James Williams and George M. Preston ; some others have officiated at short periods, whose names are not mentioned. At present, like every · other protestant society in town, (1879,) the church is without a pastor. [Since writing the above, an invitation has been ex- tended to Rev. H. B. Marshall, to assume the position of pastor, who has accepted the charge.]
METHODIST.
There had been in this town, occasional itinerant preaching, by followers of John Wesley, and in 1837, a class was formed, consisting of Joanna Davis, Betsey Stinson, Maria Marsh, Louisa Emery, Mary Snow, Catherine Palmer, Sarah John- ston, and Ruth Sterling, as members-and in 1843, Benjamin Bryant was appointed to this circuit, residing in this village. During his ministry a church was organized, and interest enough excited to result in building a small house of worship. It was in the second story of a building on the old County road, a few rods south of Bridge street. Those appointed upon the circuit since that time, so far as can be gathered from the record, are as follows : William McDonald, in 1844; D. H. Mansfield, in 1846; Mr. Scammon, in 1847; Phineas Higgins, in 1848; Mark R. Hopkins, in 1849 ; E. A. Helmershausen, in 1851; Leonard P. French in 1852; and Daniel Clark, in 1853; during Clark's ministry, through his efforts, a lot was procured, and a new church edifice erected on Brunswick street.
Since that time, there has been stationed here, R. B. Curtis,
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SKETCHES OF OLD TOWN.
Joseph C. French, J. O. Knowles, and some others, not now recalled; H. P. Blood, in 1869; R. L. Mathison, in 1870; H. W. Bolton, in 1871; S. S. Goss, in 1872; and J. H. Crom- well, in 1873-since which time there has been no preacher. stationed here, and the society has had to live upon occasional preaching, like scattered crumbs dropped here by other cir- cuits-and for this year (1879,) with no preaching at all.
UNIVERSALIST.
In this vicinity, this denomination had an occasional sermon by some itinerant preacher whom business or pleasure led in- to the neighborhood; amongst others, Moses McFarland and Job Chase; the latter illustrated his idea of the word "ever lasting," by saying that "if one should put his finger in the blaze of the lamp by his side, and be obliged to hold it there only for the space of a minute, he would be likely to think it was an everlasting while." And so of the rich man, praying for Lazarus to put a drop of water upon his parched tongue. " Why," said he, "if Lazarus had started with a five-pail kettle full of water, with a junk of ice in it as big as a pail, it would have been boiling hot before he could reach the suf-
fering man." Whenever, in those early days, a preacher of this denomination happened along, uncle Asa Smith would pass around the neighborhood from door to door, giving peo- ple notice of the fact, and asking them to appear at the "Old Cradle of Liberty." Asa Smith, David Elkins, Solomon and Joseph Moulton, were the most prominent men of that persuasion in town at that time.
In 1843, a parish was organized-the members being Fos- ter Wood, Joseph Moulton, Thomas Hunt, Jeremiah Lebal- lister, Solomon Moulton, Caleb Page, Newell Blake, David Hanson, William C. Whitmore, James S. Tozer, Robert G.
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RELIGIOUS MATTERS.
Gatchell, Ansel Smith, Moses Haskell, Asa De Witt, Charles Fisk, John O. Porter, Denny M. Hall, Jere. A. Swan, Zimri Gilbert, and Thomas Weeks, who organized under a code of by-laws, and made arrangements for preaching. L. P. Rand was engaged for that season, and meetings were held in the old school house. The next two years, Otis H. Johnson was pastor, and held meetings in the Wadleigh school house, sit- uated on the south-east corner of D. N. Estabrook's lot. In 1846, the society erected the church edifice, which they now own, at a cost of $2,500. Samuel Pratt, Newell Blake, and Foster Wood, were a building committee, and at the sale of pews the bonus bid for choice was sufficient to buy a carpet for the house. Otis H. Johnson continued as pastor, complet- ing five years. Giles Bailey succeeded him five years; and after a year or two vacation, Isaac C. Knowlton preached for six years, up to 1860, after which the society had a rest for some years, having services part of the time in connection with the Orono society-Messrs. Barstow and Lovejoy being the pastors. In 1873, Alfred Day was pastor. The next four years, the society depended upon Orono for a minister, and Rev. Henry Shepherd was here part of the time. For 1878, J. M. H. Smith was pastor ; and now, (1879) the soci- ety is without a minister.
EPISCOPALIAN.
The first services of this denomination, in Old Town, were held in the early part of 1845, by the Rev. John West, of Bangor, in the Wadleigh school house, which had been en- larged and fitted up for the purpose. In April, 1847, Rev. Samuel Durborow, visited Old Town, and held services here some five weeks, and then changed to Milford, which at that time seemed a more promising field for missionary labor.
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SKETCHES OF OLD TOWN.
The parish of "St. James' Church, Milford," was organized in the autumn of 1847, and included members from Old Town, whose names are not now obtainable, but among them were Edward W. Murry, Solomon Hopkins, Rufus D. Folsom, Ira Wadleigh, and Jeremiah Norris.
It may not be out of place here, to draw attention to the memory of Mrs. Catherine M. Wadleigh, whose personal in- fluence and unceasing labor had much to do with the estab- lishment of the church here ; in season and out of season she was always doing something to build up the church, and in 1847 organized a Sunday school, which held its sessions in the Wadleigh school house; the school is still kept up by the church.
In 1849, circumstances had so changed, that it was thought best to change the location of the parish to Old Town, and the present parish was organized Nov. 6, 1849, under the style of "St. James Church, Old Town." The persons present at the organization, were Amos Eastman, Geo. C. V. Eastman, David Spaulding, David Elkins, James McB. Cal- pin, Francis Milton, Samuel Durborow, David Winslow, Fred Roberts, and Ira Wadleigh.
In 1849, the parish bought a lot, and commenced the work of building the church, as it now stands, upon the corner of Brown street and the new County road, which was completed the first of January, 1852, and was consecrated by the Rt. Rev. George Burgess, Bishop of the diocese, on the second day of February, 1853. It is an imposing structure, costing near $8,000.
The officiating clergymen have been the Rev. John West, 1845; Samuel Durborow, 1847; George C. V. Eastman, 1849; W. H. C. Robertson, 1851; Daniel C. Weston, 1852;
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RELIGIOUS MATTERS.
Ruel H. Tuttle, 1853; Mr. Hodges, 1854; Robert Paul, 1855; John F. Spaulding, (now Bishop of Colorado,) 1857 ; William M. Willian, 1860; Thomas Atkins, 1863; Daniel Goodwin, 1864; Nath'l L. Briggs, 1866; Richard W. B. Webster, 1868; James Davies, 1870 ; William B. Bolmer, 1871; Alex. F. Samuels, 1872; Robert Wylie, 1877 ; Fred- erick Pember, 1879.
UNION CHURCH.
In 1858, the Baptist and Universalist people at Upper Still- water, united their energies and erected a fair sized meeting house, sufficiently large to accommodate all the wants of the village. The Congregationalists and Methodists were invited to join in building the house, but for reasons that were satis- factory to themselves, they declined to do so, but since that time, those societies have bought into the building, and now occupy the house the largest part of the time. It is now in reality a union house. There was no other place of worship in the village, and the erection of the house was required for the accommodation of the people of the neigh- borhood, and it has kept up more interest in religious mat- ters, than would have been, without so convenient a place of meeting.
CHAPTER XIV.
RAILROADS.
It is proposed to speak of those roads only whose route touched the limits of this town. As early as 1832, Ira Wad- leigh, Charles Ramsdell, Isaac Damons, Ford Whitman, Amos M. Roberts, Eben'r French and others, procured a charter for a road from Bangor village to Old Town village, under the style of "Old Town Railway Company," and graded the road bed part of the way to Orono, and built piers for bridges to and from Ayer's Island, and then sold out to the B. & P. C. and R. R. Co., for the sum of $50,000. Speaking of the matter to Mr. Wadleigh, a few years ago, he said the money was never paid.
In 1833, Moses Greenleaf, Henry W. Fuller, Benjamin P. Gilman, and others, procured a charter for a canal and rail- road from Bangor to the Piscataquis river and the slate quar- ries in Piscataquis county, and the construction of the road to Old Town commenced in 1835. At once a violent oppo- sition arose between the rival roads, which resulted in the purchase of the shore road by the owners of the back route. The latter road was completed to Old Town, and the cars commenced to run in November, 1836. The first track was laid with wooden rails, with an iron rail three-fourths of an inch thick on the top. The first two engines were of English
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