USA > Maine > Kennebec County > Waterville > The centennial history of Waterville, Kennebec County, Maine, including the oration, the historical address and the poem presented at the celebration of the centennial anniversary of the incorporation of the town, June 23d, 1902 > Part 12
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In 1784 he drifted to the Kennebec and, with his brother Thomas, stopped in Vassalboro. One winter he taught school at eight dollars a month, and quite successfully, which as he quaintly remarks, "indicates the low state of learning in this region at that time." He traded somewhat, going on foot at cne time to Portsmouth, N. H., to buy goods.
September 2, 1787, he married Mary, the oldest daughter of Capt. Nehemiah Getchell, with whom he boarded. He remained in Vassalboro till 1792, "lumbering some, farming some and doing considerable land surveying." In that year both he and Capt. Getchell came to Winslow, west side, and built the first dam across the Kennebec at the Falls, nearly on the site of the present Lockwood dam. Redington and Getchell paying one- half the cost, the heirs of Dr. McKechnie the other half. The next year he built a small house a little north of the house now occupied by the Misses Healey ; a few years later, the exact date not known, he built a much larger one, the site of which is now covered by the Lockwood mills. It was then and for many years the largest in town. It now exists as the middle one of the three mill boarding houses.
In 1793 in connection with Nehemiah Getchell, he built a large couble saw mill, the first on the new dam. He dissolved part-
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nership with Getchell in 1799, but continued lumbering on a large scale for those days, till 1830, building several more saw mills.
In 1831, with his sons, Samuel and William, he bought the Dalton privilege at the end of the bridge, where the electric power station now is, and built a four stone grist mill. He was select- man 1819 and the five succeeding years, and issued the warrant for the first town meeting in 1802. He took an active interest in all town affairs and in town meetings spoke, especially on questions of appropriations, with an earnestness and natural eloquence that made him a match for his superiors in education.
He died March 31, 1845, aged eighty-three years. He had nine children, Asa, Samuel, Silas, William, Harriet, Mary, George, Isaac and Emily. Of these the following were residents of Waterville: Samuel, father of Chas. H. Redington of Sher- win street ; Silas, father of Harriet A. Redington, Sherwin street ; William, father of Sophia A. Redington of Silver street ; Harriet died unmarried ; Mary married Elah Esty, a grandson, Elah E. Kimball is living on Silver street ; George died unmar- ried, Emily married Solyman Heath, their children now living are, Mrs. Helen R. Buck and Mrs. A. A. Plaisted.
DR. OBADIAH WILLIAMS.
Obadiah Williams was born in 1752, probably in New Hamp- shire. He served in the War of the Revolution in the regiment of Gen. Stark as surgeon. At the close of the war he came with his family to Winslow and established himself as a physician on this side of the river, the first in what is now Waterville. He settled on Lot 104 of the McKechnie plan, next north of the falls and extending back to the Messalonskee. In 1792 he built the first frame house that is still in existence, the so-called "Parker house" on the west side of Water street, just above the bridge. He also built, before 1795, on the north side of Silver street, the first two story house in Waterville. It was occupied as a tavern by Fred Jackins and Col. Jabez Mathews. Nathl. Gilman at one time occupied it and several of his children were born there. It was taken down in 1883 and the massive hewn timbers, some of them oak, excited the admiration of the spectators.
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Dr. Williams was a generous, public spirited citizen and we, today, owe him a debt of gratitude which should not be forgot- ten. The Common in front of the City Hall, the completion of which we are celebrating in these Centennial Days, was deeded to the town of Winslow in 1796. It was given expressly for the erection of a church and school house. The church was built the same year and, very much transformed, still exists as the old Town Hall. The school house too was built on the east side of the Common and the little yellow building still survives in the memory of our older citizens. It outlived its usefulness and one night it went up in flames.
Most of the pioneers of the new country, despite the toilsome lives they led, were long-lived, but Dr. Williams died in 1799 at the age of 47, but his memory should be kept green as long as grass grows on the Common.
Two of his sons, Johnson and Clifford, were for many years in business here. Clifford was a prominent member and a Dea- con of the Baptist church. His only descendents of the Williams name now living here are Frank Williams, a farmer, Temmie and Annie S. Williams and Elizabeth (Williams) Graves, grand- children of Dea. Clifford.
He was buried in the old burial ground on the south side of Western avenue, and in 1810 his remains were removed to the cemetery, now Monument Park.
ABIJAH SMITH.
Abijah Smith came from Alna, Maine to Winslow, 1794, then twenty-one years of age. He was one of the selectmen of Waterville in 1803-4-5 and was elected town clerk in 1802 at the first election held after the separation. He held the office for twenty-nine years, a good indication of the esteem in which he was held by his fellow citizens. He was appointed postmaster by President Jackson in 1832, which office he held till 1841 when the political overturn and the election of Gen. Harrison retired him to private life. The little postoffice on the west edge of the Common is still remembered by the oldest of us.
He married Clymena Williams, daughter of Dr. Obadiah Wil- liamns, April 28, 1790. His children were, Franklin Smith, for many years a respected and valued citizen, prominent in politics
.
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and engaged in extensive lumbering operations, Harrison A., for some time a lawyer here, Edwin L. and daughters, Clymena, Susan and Orinda. The descendants of Abijah now resident here are Mrs. Helen S. daughter of Franklin Smith, wife of Edw. G. Meader, Wallace and Alice, children of Harrison A. Smith. In 1800 he was living in the house of Dr. Williams, the so-called Parker house, afterward, and for the greater part of his life, in the large house on Front street, opposite Common street.
He died September, 1841, aged sixty-seven years. Mr. Smith was actively interested in whatever concerned the intellectual and social life of the town. His part in the Waterville Social Library and the Ticonick Debating Society was that of a leader.
MOSES APPLETON.
Moses Appleton was born in New Ipswich, N. H., March 17, 1773. He graduated at Dartmouth college, 1791, then taught school in Medford, Mass. and Boston, studied medicine and received his diploma from the Massachusetts Medical Society in 1796. In the same year he established himself in Winslow, induced by a letter from his friend, Reuben Kidder, elsewhere referred to. He lived in, and probably built, the house on Silver street lately occupied by Sumner A. Wheeler. His office and store were directly opposite, being the first apothecary shop in the town. In 1814 this building was moved up across the Gil- man bog to the corner of Main and Appleton street, the site of the house of W. T. Haines. Dr. Appleton lived in it, enlarged and renovated, till 1847 when he built on the corner of Front and Appleton streets. The old house was then sold to Edwin Noyes and moved to the north side of Appleton street. Its next move was across the street where it is now the residence of A. A. Plaisted.
Dr. Obadiah Williams was the only physician here and he was pleased to retire and leave the care and toil to a younger man. The life of the country doctor, in those days, was not a pleasant one. Visits to patients twelve and fifteen miles distant were common. Carriages were unknown, roads were bad, but with saddle-bags filled with drugs thrown over his horse's back, the country practicioner rode many miles every week on his errand
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of healing. Dr. Appleton's account book shows charges against ninety-six different persons the first year, the first being against Dr. Williams for pulling a tooth. Not infrequently contracts by the year were made with patients. Jonathan Clark agrees to fur- nish the doctor's family for a year with boots and shoes in return for medical treatment for the same time. Jabez Mathews agrees to give two and a half cords wood for such medicine as he should need for a year.
Dr. Appleton was interested in establishing the old Waterville Bank (1814) and was a director many years.
In the absence of a regular minister he was frequently called upon to read a sermon in the little yellow school house on the Common.
December 6, 1801, he married Ann Clarke, daughter of Capt. John Clarke. Their children were, Louisa, who married Samuel Wells, for a few years a lawyer in this town, afterwards judge and Governor. Samuel, a well-known and much esteemed citizen, who died September 30, 1890, aged 87, Mary Jane, who married Dr. Samuel Plaisted and Moses L., a lawyer of Bangor.
A skilful physician, kind and courteous in manner, he was always welcome by his patients as a friend as well as a physician. He died May 5, 1849.
NATHANIEL GILMAN.
Nath !. Gilman was born in Exeter, N. H., February 15, 1779. A natural born trader, self reliant and intelligent, before he was of age he freighted a vessel with goods and made a trading voyage up the Kennebec. In IS02 he settled in Waterville and began business in a small way where the Dunn block now stands. His business increased but, more ambitious than the other traders, Mr. Gilman was not satisfied with the local traffic, which, on account of the scarcity of money, was mostly barter, the exchange of dry goods and West India groceries, for farm pro- duce, lumber and fish, salmon being current at 4 to 6 cents per pound.
He extended his business to the West Indies and even to the coast of Africa, thus laying the foundations of the fortune which made him a millionaire at the time of his death.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
By HIS EXCELLENCY
John Hancock, Efq
GOVERNOUR OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF
MASSACHUSETTS.
-
To farrel
Stackpole Gentleman 02
being appointed Captain of the Post Company in thep You'll Regiment and inthe first Brigade of the eighth. Division of the Milika of this commonwealth comprehending the? County of lincoln
By Virtue of the Power vefted in me, I do by thefe Prefents (repofing fpecial Truft and Confidence in your Loyalty, Courage and good Conduct) Com- miffion you accordingly .- You are therefore carefully and diligently to dif- charge the Duty of a " Caplain~ in leading, ordering and exercifing faid Company in Arms, both inferior Officers and Soldiers ; and to keep them in good Order and Difcipline : And they are hereby commanded to obey you af their Captain and you are yourfelfto obferve and - follow fuch Orders and Inftructions as you fhall from Time to Time receive from me or your fuperior. Officers.
GIVEN wer my Hand, and the Seal of the faid Commonwealth, the Twenty Filho Day of October man in the Year of our LORD, 178%. and of the Independence of the United States of AMERICA, the Sims Ifthe (0
By his Excellency's Command,
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HISTORY OF WATERVILLE.
He never sought or received public office. Though not an edu- cated man he was a trustee of Waterville College from its begin- ning in 1821 to his death in 1859. Seldom, indeed, was there a Commencement when his tall form, slightly bowed toward the last years, with his long, white hair hanging over his shoulders, did not appear in the procession.
He was the first president of the first bank established in Waterville.
Twice married, he had sixteen children, but the only descendant now resident in Waterville is Charles, a child of Charles B. Gil- man, son of Mr. Gilman's second wife, Joanna Boyd. William, one of his sons, was in business with Samuel Appleton in a store a little north of the Common. Elizabeth, one of the daughters, married Isaac Redington. They lived on the corner of Spring and Elm streets. Charlotte, another daughter, married Sumner Percival, cashier of the Ticonic and afterwards of the Peoples' Bank. Chas. B. Gilman lived and died here, engaged in no busi- ness except looking after his property.
The last years of Mr. Gilman's life were spent in New York, though he usually passed the summers in his house on Silver street. He died in 1859.
JAMES STACKPOLE.
For three generations the name of James Stackpole has been a prominent and honored one in the annals of Waterville. The first James was born in Biddeford, Maine, 1732. His immigrant ancestor was James Stackpole of Sligo, Ireland, who came over in 1680. He came to Winslow about 1780 and at first settled 011 the east side coming to this side probably, about 1790.
He was one of the selectmen of Winslow from 1785 to 1794. In 1787 he was one of the commissioners to settle the line between Winslow and Vassalboro. In 1796 he was town clerk and town treasurer in 1798.
Like most of the pioneers he was engaged in various occupa- tions. He carried on a farm on which he raised flax among other things, which was spun and woven into linen under his own roof.
He built the second saw mill on the Redington and Getchell dam and others afterwards. He kept store from 1783 to 1787,
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HISTORY OF WATERVILLE.
built several vessels and was interested in various other indus- tries. He was captain of the first militia company. His com- mission, signed by Gov. John Hancock with the bold signature familiar to us from the Declaration of Independence, is in the possession of his granddaughter, Julia A. Stackpole.
In his diary he records the arrival of the first menagerie that visited Waterville. "July 1, 1816. This day is at the village an elephant, a lion and a man without feet or legs and only one arm, playing on violin." The exhibition was in a barn behind Plaisted's Block.
He married Abiel Hill, 1754, by whom he had thirteen chil- dren, of whom four settled in Waterville, Mary, who married Charles Dingley, two of whose grandchildren, Mrs. Eunice Corn- forth and George Dingley are living here. Jotham, whose daughters, Julia A. Stackpole and Mrs. Elizabeth Soule, reside here. James, born in Biddeford, May 28, 1769, married Mary, daughter of Dr. John McKechnie. No descendant of his is now living. Susie (Nudd) Stewart, a granddaughter of Jotham, resides here. The first James was a man of stalwart constitution. November 25, 1812, he writes "I am this day eighty years old and carried a bushel of corn and grain on my back to the mill." He lived in a small house on Silver street, where, in 1813, he, with his son James, built the larger house which is still standing though moved a little from its original site.
He died September 8, 1824, aged 92 years.
The second James was an enterprising and successful trader, lumberman and builder of vessels. His store stood a little below the west end of the bridge, its site being now covered by the Lockwood Mills. He was one of the selectmen of 1822-1823.
He had a good reputation as a land surveyor and was appointed in 1810 by Gov. Gore as a commissioner to lay out a road from Augusta to Canada. He surveyed part of it but the road was not built, though later a State road was made from the Forks to the Canada line.
He died September 1, 1852, aged 83 years.
The third James, son of James Jr., was born in Waterville, November 19, 1708. He entered Bowdoin college, 1816, going thither then and on several subsequent returns by canoe to Hal- lowell. He studied law, began practice in Clinton but soon
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returned and continued for many years in active practice of his profession.
He was a member of the State Legislature, 1859, was seven- teen years treasurer of Waterville college and director of the second Waterville bank. A man of strong will and decided opinions, he was never disturbed at finding himself in a minority. He was a constant attendant at town meetings where his vote and voice were always against what seemed to him municipal extravagance.
He married, October 31, 1825, Hannah Chase of Fryeburg, and died, July, 18, 1880, leaving no children.
CAPT. JOHN CLARKE.
John Clarke was born in England, November, 1741. He came to Boston, 1772, and there is a tradition that he was one of the historic Boston Tea Party in 1773. With his son George he came to Waterville, 1797, engaged in trade and built several ves- sels, one of them, the ship Ticonic, 268 tons, being the 2nd largest launched from the Waterville shipyards.
He married in Vienna, Austria, Maria Theresa Laske, by whom he had fifteen children. One of his daughters, Ann Clarke, married Dr. Moses Appleton, who is mentioned else- where. About 1803 Mr. Clarke moved to Canterbury, Conn., where he died, August 21, 1834, aged 93. His son George remained in Waterville till his death, July 23, 1823. He built and occupied, about 1808, the house on College avenue, now known as Ladies' Hall.
JEDIAH MORRILL.
Jediah Morrill was born of sturdy Quaker stock in Berwick, Maine, 1778, though he did not retain his connection with that denomination.
He came here in 1799 and his brother Josiah about the same time. Josiah settled on what is known as "the Neck" and several farms in that locality are still held by his descendants.
Jediah, like many of the early settlers, engaged in the three occupations of trading, lumbering and farming, all of which he carried on with success.
9
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HISTORY OF WATERVILLE.
His store was on the west side of Main street where the Barrell store now stands. His house was on the east side of Main street, corner of Common street. The house next adjoining was occu- pied by David Nourse,-both gone long since. About 1840 he built on Silver street where he lived till his death.
He soon became one of the leading citizens, foremost in every good work. He was one of the founders of the Universalist church and its most liberal supporter, leaving at his death a large bequest for its continued support. He was for many years a director of the Ticonic Bank, though he rarely, if ever held public office.
He did much to originate and carry to completion the A. & K. R. R. of which he was a director.
He married Miss Taylor, a daughter of Col. Ezra Taylor, who in 1757 was an officer in the British army.
His sister, Mrs. Peace Meader, was a member of his family. She was the mother of Edw. G. Meader and Mrs. Susan L. Hoag. She died 1888, aged 94. Mr. Morrill died December 12, 1872, in the 96th year of his age.
COL. JABEZ MATHEWS.
Jabez Mathews was born in Gray, Maine, in 1743. Before he finally settled here he had passed through the place. He was in Col. Ward's division of Arnold's army on its march up the river September, 1775. After reaching the Dead River region Col. Ward's command deserted Arnold and returned to Cam- bridge.
Mr. Mathews remained at Gray till 1794 when, with his young sons, John and Simeon he came to Winslow. He kept tavern for a time in a house on the north side of Silver street, near Main. It was built by Dr. Williams about 1795 and was the first two-storied house on this side the river.
He owned the lot now covered by the Milliken block, bought of Dr. Williams. He lived in the small house on the east side of Silver street, next below the residence of W. B. Arnold. Col. Mathews died in Waterville, 1828.
John Mathews, son of Jabez, was born in 1783. For some years he was a trader in West Waterville in partnership with
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HISTORY OF WATERVILLE.
Samuel Kimball, whose sister he married ; in 1808 he bought a large tract of land on the west side of the Messalonskee which he cultivated till he moved into the village. His children were: Charlotte, b. November 22, 1813, married John S. Carter. Caroline, b. February 16, 1817, married Moses Smart.
Susan, b. February 21, 1819, married Johnson Williams. John, b. October 3, 1821.
Chas. K., b. November 19, 1823, for many years a bookseller in this city, afterward with his son, Charles W., in the insurance business. He died in August, 1902.
George, b. July 6, 1825.
Ann, b. November 13, 1827, married Calvin Davis.
Simeon Mathews, son of Col. Jabez Mathews, was born June 8, 1785.
In partnership with Nath'l Gilman he carried on an extensive business in the store on Main street next north of the Common. The kind and amount of their business transactions is shown by their purchase and shipping in one year 6,000 bushels of wheat and corn and 20,000 bushels of oats, all bought of the farmers in this vicinity. In 1826 he built and lived in till his death, the house on lower Silver street now owned by G. F. Terry. The long line of beautiful elm trees on the street shows his generous forethought for posterity. His children were :
William, born July 28, 1818. The well known scholar, editor and author, now living in Boston.
Edward E., born June 26, 1822. Murdered by Dr. V. P. Coolidge September 30, 1847.
Ann E., born August 28, 1824 ; now living in Hartland.
Simeon, born May, 1827 ; not living.
Jesse R., born September 15, 1830; not living.
Climena, born March 1, 1833 ; not living.
DANIEL MOOR.
Daniel Moor was born in Pembroke, N. H., February 17, 1770, and came to Winslow 1779. His father, Capt. Daniel Moor, was with Gen. Montgomery's column that marched to Canada by Lake Champlain to assist Arnold in his disastrous attack on Quebec.
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HISTORY OF WATERVILLE.
His grandfather, James Moor, came from Tyrone County, north of Ireland, 1723. Most of his six sons took part in the War of the Revolution.
Daniel Moor married Rebecca Spring, 1797. Their children were: Joseph March Moor, born 1798 ; a business man of Ban- gor where he died, 1866.
Agnes Moor, not married, born October 5, 1800; died June 28, 1881.
Julia Ann Moor, not married, born March II, 1802; died May 9, 1875. She will be remembered as a writer of graceful verses which occasionally appeared in the local newspaper.
William Moor, born March 1, 1804; died November 24, 1872.
Henry Moor, born February 17, 1807. Received a commis- sion as lieutenant in U. S. navy, resigned on account of ill health, went to California where he was killed by a steamboat explo- sion on the Sacramento river, March, 1853.
Daniel Moor, born July 1, 1809.
Wyman B. S. Moor, born November 3. 1811 ; died in Lynch- burg, Va., March II, 1869.
Rebecca E. Moor, born September 13, 1814 ; died April 1, 1902. She married Freeman Tilton and later Rev. Arthur Drinkwater. By her brilliant intellectual powers and high character she won many friends. She was deeply interested in the centennial which she did not live to see.
The first house of the elder Daniel was opposite the steam- boat landing. About 1800 he built and occupied a large house which is still standing at the upper end of the Plains.
His sons, William and Daniel, under the firm name of W. & D. Moor, were for a long period prominent among the business men as traders, as boatmen and more especially as builders of steamboats. In this industry they were easily first. Of the boats employed on the river between Waterville and Gardiner the larger part were owned and run by them. One of their boats was on the Merrimac and more than one on the rivers of Cali- fornia. After the dissolution of partnership William went west and lived in Minneapolis till his death.
Daniel remained here and devoted much time to searching for coal and gold which he was confident existed in this vicinity. In 1877 he invented a machine for dredging gold from the bot-
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HISTORY OF WATERVILLE.
tom of rivers which was tried in Colorado, British Columbia and South America. Its success was not notable. The descendants of the first Daniel now residing here are: Frank A. Moor, son of Lieut. Henry Moor, now living on a farm on the west side of the Messalonskee, and Mrs. N. G. H. Pulsifer, a daughter of William Moor.
NEHEMIAH GETCHELL.
Nehemiah Getchell, the youngest of seven brothers, was born 1744. He came to Vassalboro about 1770 where he carried on trading and farming. He, together with John Horn, were employed by Arnold in 1775 as scouts and preceded his army on his expedition against Quebec, going probably as far as the Dead River country.
He was one of the selectmen of Vassalboro two years and town treasurer one year. In 1792 with his son-in-law, Asa Redington, he moved to Winslow, west side, and together they built the first dam and sawmill on Ticonic Falls. He continued with Redington till 1799, after that carrying on an extensive lumbering business, building mills, and manufacturing and ship- ping lumber. Even at that early date he as well as others oper- ated as far away as Dead River.
He married January 23, 1768, Hannah Bragg of Vassalboro, by whom he had eight children. Of these who have any asso- ciation with Waterville are Mary, who married Asa Redington and died December 8, 1804; Nehemiah, Jr., who married Philo- mela A. Williams, widow of Dr. Obadiah Williams, May 22, 1803. He lived in the house on Elm street known as the Dow house. Nehemiah, Jr., had nine children, of whom Mrs. Charles C. Dow, Horace Getchell and Eldridge L. Getchell lived and died in this town, all upright, useful and esteemed citizens.
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