USA > Maine > Franklin County > Farmington > The history of Farmington, Franklin County, Maine, 1776-1885 > Part 13
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163
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
eminently satisfactory, and accepting a unanimous call, he was installed as pastor Oct. 24, 1871. The church prospered under his charge, and it was with keen regret that his health compelled the dissolution of a relation so pleasant to both pastor and people. Mr. Marden's resignation took effect in July, 1875, and for nearly a year the church was without a settled minister. Mr. Osgood W. Rogers, a graduate of Bowdoin College, of the class of 1872, and a student at Ban- gor Theological Seminary, supplied the pulpit during the spring of 1876, and receiving a call, was ordained as pastor June 21, 1876. While he ministered to the people, a large number were received into the membership of the church. His resignation was read Sept. 15, 1878, and he soon after removed to Bridgton. Rev. Albert W. Moore, a graduate of Dartmouth College, in the class of 1864, and of Andover Seminary, of the class of 1872, supplied the pulpit from March, 1879, until Feb. 2, 1881, when he was installed as pastor. Mr. Moore was a preacher of marked ability, and his ministry was highly acceptable to his people. He ten- dered his resignation Sept. 17, 1882, to accept a call to the Central Church of Lynn, Mass. The present pastor, Rev. Charles H. Fope, a graduate of Bowdoin College, of the class of 1862, and of Bangor Theological Seminary, was in- stalled June 5, 1883.
The growth of the church since its foundation has been a gradual growth, although it has seen five periods of special religious interest, in 1828, 1834, 1843, 1862, and 1876.
At different times in its history, 611 persons have been connected with its membership, which now numbers 218. The church has given eight young men to the christian min- istry, one of whom became a foreign missionary.
The deacons of the church have been: Abraham Smith, elected in 1814; Hebron Mayhew, elected in 1815; Nathan- iel Greene, elected in 1828; Thomas Hunter, elected in 1836; John Titcomb, elected in 1859; Reuben Cutler, elected in 1859; Calvin D. Sewall, elected in 1865; Joseph P. Thwing, elected in 1883; Abel Russell, elected in 1884; Thomas F. Bixby, elected in 1884.
164
HISTORY OF FARMINGTON.
As has been stated, the Congregational Church of Ches- terville, was organized nearly twenty years before that of Farmington, and after the formation of the latter church the residents of the lower part of the town continued to worship with the Chesterville church. Meetings were frequently held at Farmington Falls, in the Union meeting-house, and the number of church members residing there so increased that in 1859, it was deemed wise to organize a church. Ac- cordingly, articles of faith and a covenant were drawn up, and March 5, 1859, the church of thirty-three members, twenty-three of whom came from the Chesterville church, was formed under the name of the First Congregational Church of Farmington Falls. Rev. Jonas Burnham, of Farmington, was invited to take the pastoral charge. Mr. Burnham, though not installed, continued to act as pastor for two years. During the next fifteen years, while the church maintained for the most of the time its social meetings, the preaching was supplied largely by the ministers of neighbor- ing churches. Rev. Isaac Rogers also preached for a time, quite regularly, and in the summer of 1876, Mr. Schurtz, a student of Bangor Seminary, labored in the parish. June 19, 1877, M. J. I. Jones was ordained over the church, and continued pastor for one year. The society having a right to worship in the Union meeting-house but a small part of the time, movements were set on foot to erect a separate house of worship. The lot selected for the purpose was admirably chosen, and a very tasteful and convenient meet- ing-house was built and dedicated with appropriate cere- monies Oct. 9, 1879, Rev. J. E. Adams preaching the dedica- tory sermon. With some help from former residents and other friends, the building was furnished with a bell and organ, as well as all other needful comforts. An arrange- ment having been made by which the Congregational church at New Sharon united with the church at Farmington Falls, in the support of stated worship, Mr. Caleb L. Rotch was ordained over both churches Oct. 8, 1879, and continued with them until he was dismissed by a council, June 13, 1882. Rev. J. L. Hill has supplied both churches since 1883.
165
CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
The parish connected with the church was organized, and its constitution adopted, Jan. 15, 1880.
Since its formation, seventy-five members have been con- nected with the church, and its present membership is thirty- eight. Its deacons have been Scotto Berry and Manson Woodman, elected in 1859, and E. C. Vaughan, elected in 1876.
CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
At one time there existed in Farmington a church calling itself Christian. Of this body, Judge Parker says :
"On the 22d day of December, 1822, a number of professed Christians in the southwest part of the town, of different societies, but principally Free-Will Baptists, met and formed an association for their mutual edification as Christians, to promote their spirituality, and to adopt meas- ures to extend the cause of the Redeemer on the earth - without however an intention of forming a distinct or sepa- rate church -but from having been impressed with the necessity of all the followers of Christ being knit together in the spirit of love, as far as their locality would permit, without reference to differences of opinion in things which they did not consider essential to their fellowship as Chris- tians. They proceeded to establish monthly or conference meetings which were constantly attended from 1822 to 1832, with a few exceptions. They entered into an agreement that they would watch over each other, not for their halting, but for their furtherance in the divine life-that they would take the scriptures for their rule of faith and practice, inviting all of every name and denomination, who sincerely love God and wish for the promotion of 'Prince Immanuel, to unite with them for the purposes referred to. It was further agreed that all such as might unite with them, should have the privilege of retaining their standing in whatever church they might be attached to, and to help, or receive help, from any Christian church or society, but were required to attend, as far as consistent, all church or confer- ence meetings appointed by the society. They continued to
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166
HISTORY OF FARMINGTON.
have accessions to their numbers from different denomina- tions, and some who had not attached themselves to any church, who signed the preceding agreement, so that their numbers increased to some sixty or seventy. On the 30th of April, 1835, Elder Peter Young, formerly from York, in this State, united with this church and became its pastor, and was much esteemed. His labors were blessed to the edification of the church, and considerable additions were made during his ministry, which was continued most of the time till his death, being about three years. In April, 1835, a number were dismissed for the purpose of forming another church in Jay who, with others, were soon after embodied in a church of the same order. Mr. Young died at his resi- dence in Chesterville, May 24, 1838, when the church was left destitute of a pastor. October 13, 1838, Elder Jonathan Bradley, of Vienna, was received into the church, and assumed the pastoral charge, and preached with the church occasionally. He died October 21, 1839. The church remained destitute of a pastor till March 23, 1841, when Elder Daniel Rogers, from New Hampshire, united with the church, took the oversight, and preached with them the principal part of the time. Under his labors there was some revival, and additions were made to the church. He continued his labors about three years, and then returned to New Hampshire. He was a man who possessed the confidence and esteem of the church, and of most of those who knew him."
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After Mr. Rogers left, Elder Henry Frost preached occasionally with the church.
Owing to the death of some members, and the removal of others, the church became extinct many years ago.
UNITARIAN CHURCH.
The first Unitarian society in Farmington, was organized Feb. 27, 1830, on the petition of the following individuals, who constituted the original members, viz .: Nathan Cutler, Asa Abbott, Joseph Johnson, William H. Johnson, Argalis Pease, E. Gilman Rawson, Henry Stewart, John A. Stoyell,
167
UNITARIAN CHURCH.
Henry Titcomb, Robert W. ,Tobey, Isaac Tyler, Thomas Williams. William H. Johnson was chosen clerk, Isaac Tyler, treasurer, and Henry Titcomb, Argalis Pease, and Henry Stewart, a standing committee. Soon afterward, John Seavey, William Williams, A. H. Stewart, Bailey Ames, David Worcester, Alson Lothrop, William A. Dunn, Frederic J. Quincy, and F. V. Stewart, were admitted to the society. In 1833 the society fitted up the upper story of the Academy for a place of worship, which was known as the chapel, and about the same time Thomas Beede assumed the pastoral charge. Mr. Beede was a man of scholarly tastes and habits, being a graduate of Harvard College in the class of 1799. Previous to coming to Farmington he had been settled in Wilton, N. H., for twenty-five years. Mr. Beede continued in charge of the church until 1840. He died Nov. 30, 1848, aged seventy-seven. His wife, Nancy Beede, died Feb. 11, 1844, aged sixty-two. They both rest in the old church-yard near the court-house. In 1836 a church was organized in connection with the society, and eight members admitted to fellowship. These were, Thomas Beede, Josiah Prescott, Hannah R. Beede, Abigail Beede, Elizabeth Moore, Deborah A. Belcher, Ann B. Titcomb, and Caroline W. Belcher. After the departure of Mr. Beede, the church was destitute of a stated ministry for many years. During this time the funds of the society received from the sale of the ministerial lands, were allowed to accumulate, although a portion of the interest was devoted to the distribution of tracts and to the support of occasional preaching.
In 1857, Rev. Thomas Weston, of Plymouth, Mass., was invited to the pastorate of the society. He was a devoted minister and sincerely respected in the community for his character and abilities. During his pastorate, several mem- bers were added to the church, and the ordinances main- tained. The society, too, was prospered and enlarged. The church services were held in the court-house from the time of Mr. Weston's coming until the erection of the church. Mr. Weston preached his farewell sermon October 25, 1863, and removed to Massachusetts, where he now resides.
168
HISTORY OF FARMINGTON.
During the next [five years, preaching was had only occasionally and no pastor was settled. Some of the most eminent preachers in the Unitarian church in Maine sup- plied the pulpit during these years. Prominent among them were Rev. George Bates, of Auburn, Rev. A. D. Wheeler, of Brunswick, Dr. C. C. Everett, of Bangor, now professor in the Harvard Divinity School; Dr. Sheldon, of Waterville, and Rev. Mr. Nichols, of Saco.
Rev. Charles A. Hayden, a Divinity student in Rev. Geo. H. Hepworth's School for the Ministry, at Boston, preached for the society during a portion of 1868. He was a young man of unusual talent as a speaker, and drew large congre- gations.
A large number of Universalists, and others whose affiliations were with a liberal church, becoming interested in this society, a new organization was formed October 10, 1868, under the name of the Liberal Christian Association, which was afterwards incorporated by the legislature. With this association, the greater part of the Unitarians and Universalists in the Village united. Its first officers were, Hannibal Belcher, president; David H. Chandler, secretary ; A. W. F. Belcher, treasurer; D. V. B. Ormsby, John H. Allen, and Almas S. Butterfield, prudential committee. In 1869, Mr. Hayden was settled as pastor of the society, a position he held until March, 1872, when he resigned to accept a call to Lawrence, Mass. Soon after the settlement of Mr. Hayden, movements were begun for the erection of a suitable house of worship. A lot was purchased at the corner of Court and High Sts., and in 1870 the work commenced. The vestry of the building was ready for occupancy the latter part of the year, but the church was not completed until 1873. The dedication occurred June 17, 1873, Rev. Mr. Hayden preaching the sermon. In Sep- tember, 1871, the State Unitarian Convention met at Farm- ington, and was entertained by this society in its partially finished church.
Rev. Timothy H. Eddowes succeeded Mr. Hayden in the fall of 1872, remaining until the early part of 1874. In March, 1874, Rev. Duane V. Bowen was settled, and con-
169
CATHOLIC CHURCH.
tinued the pastoral care of the church for more than a year. Mr. C. Heizer succeeded Mr. Bowen in 1877, but remained only a short time. Since Mr. Heizer's departure, preaching has been held occasionally, Rev. Charles A. Allen, of Bruns- wick, supplying the pulpit for some months.
The clerks of the Unitarian Church have been, Wm. H. Johnson, 1830-1833; Alexander H. Stewart, 1833-1853; Samuel Belcher, 1853.
David H. Chandler has been clerk of the Liberal Chris- tian Association since its organization.
CATIIOLIC CHURCH.
The first French Canadian to find a home in Farm- ington is believed to have been one Donlevy, who came through from Canada not far from 1840. For several years his was the only family of Canadian descent in the place. In a few years other families joined him, and both men and women found good opportunities for work among the citi- zens. When the railroad was opened, and a greater demand for laborers was felt, the Canadian immigration rapidly increased. They all settled in the Village, and the most of them in the east part of the Village, where many of them erected neat and comfortable houses. The nearest Catholic Church, during the early years of their settlement, was at Waterville, and thither they were accustomed to go for the solemnization of marriages, baptisms, and the other rites of their church; but after the population became considerable, the priest occasionally visited these parishioners. In 1870 the Catholic population had increased to about 100, and Rev. Father D. J. Halde was sent from Waterville to hold regular monthly services. These services were held in private houses until 1873, when a neat and commodious church was erected, although not wholly finished inside, on the corner of Middle and Quebec Sts. Rev. Father E. Genereux succeeded Father Halde, and under his care the church was finished in 1884, its total cost being $3,000. The French Canadian population now numbers about 250, with 150 communicants.
CHAPTER IX. FROM THE ORGANIZATION OF FRANKLIN COUNTY UNTIL 1850.
Erection of the County. - First County Officers. - Court-House. - Litigation Concerning Court-House. - Other County Buildings. - Distribution of Surplus Revenue. - Aroostook War. - Growth of the Town. - Harrison Campaign. - Anti-Slavery Society. - Liberty Party. - Washingtonian Movement. - Revivals. - Protestant Methodist Movement. - Millerite Delusion. - Agricultural Society. - Other Societies. - New Streets Laid Out. - Condition of Village in 1850.
THE question of a new county had been a fruitful theme for discussion in Farmington and surrounding towns, from the period of the separation of Maine from Massachusetts. As early as July 12, 1832, a convention of the citizens of various towns in what is now Franklin County, assembled to consider the expediency of petitioning the legislature to divide the county of Kennebec and erect a new county. Of this convention, Theodore Marston, of Phillips, was chosen chairman, and Nathan Cutler, secretary. A committee of one was appointed in each town represented, to lay the matter before their fellow citizens. No particular result seems to have followed this meeting, and the movement did not assume tangible form until the session of the legislature in 1838, when the town was ably represented by Dr. Josiah Prescott, who had been elected to the House with reference to the formation of a new county, with the `shire town at Farmington. Dr. Prescott brought the question forward carly in the session, and was ably seconded by Hon. Hiram
I71
ORGANIZATION OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
Belcher, a good lawyer and a man of large legislative experience, who held a seat in the Senate. The measure encountered strong opposition, especially from many of the delegations representing the counties which were to lose a part of their territory by establishing a new county ; and even the delegation from the proposed county, were not a unit upon the question. After long and earnest discussion in the legislature, a bill was passed, and approved by the Governor March 20, 1838, creating the County of Franklin, provided a majority of the legal voters in the towns included in the new county were in favor of the measure. The act further provided that meetings should be called in the several towns on the second Monday of April, 1838, and the votes as cast were to be returned to the Secretary of State's office, there to be opened and counted by the Governor and Council, and if a majority of the votes so cast were in favor of the measure, then the Governor was authorized and directed to issue his proclamation establishing the new county ; the act to take effect from the date of the proclamation. The vote of the town of Farmington upon the question, was 405 in the affirmative, and one in the negative. The other towns included were, Avon, Berlin, Carthage, Chesterville, Freeman, Industry, Jay, Kingfield, Madrid, New Sharon, New Vineyard, Phillips, Salem, Strong, Temple, Weld, and Wilton.
Governor Kent issued his proclamation on the 10th day of May, 1838, consequently the County of Franklin became established on that day. The creation of this new county necessitated a board of county officers to administer the government, and as the law then stood, all offices, except register of deeds and county treasurer, were filled by appointment by the Executive. Governor Kent was a whig of that day, and as the practice then was and now is, he filled the various offices with his party friends, viz .: James Stanley, Farmington, sheriff ; Jesse Huse, Wilton, clerk of the Judicial Court; Thomas Parker, Farmington, judge of probate ; Holmes A. Boardman, New Sharon, register of probate; Moses Sherburne, Phillips, county attorney ;
172
HISTORY OF FARMINGTON.
Ezekiel Richardson, Jay, Benjamin Allen, Industry, Eben
Pillsbury, Kingfield, county commissioners. Ebenezer Childs, of Farmington, was appointed county treasurer by the county commissioners, and Samuel Baker, of New Sharon, was elected register of deeds in September, and entered upon his term of office October 16, 1838, the duties of the office having before been discharged by Mr. Huse, clerk of courts, as provided by law.
During the pendency of the bill for establishing the County of Franklin, certain Farmington individuals had pledged themselves to furnish a court-house for ten years free from expense to the county. Arrangements were made June 1, 1839, with the proprietors of the Center Meeting- House, by which they voted :-
That the treasurer of this society be authorized and directed to convey to the County of Franklin all the right, title and interest which this society has, to that part of the Common lying east of the county road, and westerly of the burying-ground fence, together with the meeting-house standing on the same, reserving for a common and passage way to the burying-ground, a strip of land of forty-five feet in width, off of the southerly end thereof, for the ‘ purpose of site for a court-house for the use of said county, provided the same shall be accepted by the county commissioners of said county as a full equivalent and discharge of all claims of said county on any individuals thereof for furnishing a court-house for ten years; the deed of conveyance to reserve to said society the use of said meeting-house for town-meetings and meetings of worship in the lower story, so long as the same shall remain standing, but with liberty to the county to alter, repair or fit up the same in a proper manner for holding the courts of said county; and also conditioned that said deed to be void whenever a court- house for the use of said county be erected on any other site.
Under the foregoing vote, John Church, treasurer of the proprietors, made and executed a deed of the meeting-house and site to the inhabitants of the County of Franklin, upon the terms and conditions as recited in the vote. The county commissioners, at a session held July 6, 1839, ordered the
COUNTY BUILDINGS. I73
acceptance of the property, but upon condition that a satisfactory bond should be given, to "indemnify and save harmless said inhabitants, their county commissioners, and all others acting under their lawful authority, from all damage, trouble, or expense arising from defect of title in said meeting-house and common, and particularly against any actions or suits that may be commenced by persons holding or claiming pews in said house, which said suits or actions said obligors shall defend." Such a bond was exe- cuted on the 26th day of June, 1839, and signed by the eighteen following persons :
John Titcomb.
Fred V. Stewart.
Robert Goodenow.
Thomas Parker.
Nathan Cutler.
Hiram Belcher.
Joseph Johnson.
Enoch C. Belcher.
Ebenezer Childs.
Francis G. Butler.
Edward Butler. John Kempton, Jr.
James Stanley.
Allen Phillips.
Zachariah T. Milliken.
Samuel Baker.
Henry Titcomb.
Jacob Abbot.
The county took possession of the above described property, and remodeled the upper story of the house into a court-room, and it was first occupied by the District Court, holding a session there in March, 1840, since which time it has been regularly occupied as a court-room.
A suit was brought by a writ of entry, dated Nov. 19, 1867, to test the validity of the title to the court-house property, by Joseph S. Craig, treasurer of the Center Meeting-House in Farmington, against the inhabitants of Franklin County, which was tried in Androscoggin County in the January term of Supreme Court, 1869, when the case was reported to the full Court, which subsequently rendered a decision for defendants. During the present year (1884) the county has purchased the interest of the proprietors for the sum of seven hundred and fifty dollars, and thus the property now vests in the County of Franklin. The brick building which is used for the accommodation of the county
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174
HISTORY OF FARMINGTON.
officers, and which stands at the southwest corner formed by the intersection of Broadway and Main St., was erected in 1843. The jail was erected the same year, but was enlarged and greatly improved in 1855.
The United States government passed an act, in 1837, authorizing the distribution of the surplus revenue then in its treasury, amounting to about $40,000,000, among the various States, provided they would stand ready to. refund the same on demand. In this distribution, the proportion of Maine was $955,838.25, and its legislature, in turn, passed an act to deposit this amount with the several towns of the State in proportion to their population, upon the conditions prescribed by the national government. At a town-meeting held April 8, 1837, Farmington voted to accept the share which should fall to her, and Hiram Belcher was chosen agent to act in receiving the funds. It was further voted that the money be kept by the treasurer of the town, under the direction of the selectmen, as a loan fund, to be loaned at six per cent. to inhabitants of the town for "needful and beneficient purposes only," and to be distributed in such a way as in the opinion of the selectmen "shall best subserve the manifest and comparative wants of the various applicants for a share thereof, not exceeding, however, in any case, to one individual, more than one hundred dollars."
The legislature, at its session of 1839, very unwisely passed an act authorizing the different towns to distribute this fund among the inhabitants per capita. Accordingly, at the town-meeting held April 9, 1839, it was voted that such a distribution be made according to the census taken March, 1837. The money at this time, including interest, amounted to $5,400, and cach inhabitant received $2.10. Most of the towns in the State pursued a similar course, and thus a fund which might have proved of great advantage to the people, was practically wasted. The fact that Farmington is still destitute of a town hall and a town library, suggests ways in which this gift might have been profitably used.
In March, 1839, a small war-cloud was descried in the eastern horizon, the outcome of which has been facetiously
175
AROOSTOOK WAR.
called the Aroostook War, which, although bloodless, was yet attended with many episodes which have been perpetuated in song. The northeastern boundary line between the State of Maine and the Province of New Brunswick, had been a subject of controversy for more than half a century, and the attention of Congress had been called to the subject from time to time by our presidents, as well as by the legislature and governors. The State of Maine was a unit upon the question, claiming the boundary as defined by the treaty of Paris in 1783, while Great Britain put a construction upon the treaty which would give nearly one-third of the State to "Her Majesty's government."
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