USA > Maine > Oxford County > Waterford > The history of Waterford, Oxford County, Maine, comprising Historical address, by Henry P. Warren; record of families, by Rev. William Warren, D.D.; centennial proceedings, by Samuel Warren, esq > Part 7
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The lots in this section of Oxford county that were best fitted for farms were sold to settlers as early as 1800. Those retained by non-residents or by shrewd residents were the timber lots, cov- ered with a heavy growth of white pine, although white pine in Waterford at this time had a prospect-
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HISTORICAL ADDRESS.
ive value only. Non-residents were of course obliged to employ agents to look after their timber, for many settlers had no more twinges of conscience when stealing shingle stuff or even logs from propri- etary lands, than has the crooked citizen of swin- dling his government by smuggling. The story is told (and I do not doubt its truth) that an honored pastor in our county, whose father owned several timber lots in the town where he was settled, one day went to see one of his parishioners with refer- ence to joining the old church. The parishioner's land joined one of the paternal lots. The people at the house said to the minister: "Father is in the woods getting out shingle stuff, down below the house." The good minister hitched his horse and went down to see him. He found him riving shin- gles from an old pumpkin pine. He noticed that the shingle-maker seemed very nervous. Just as he was about to mention the subject of joining the church, the other broke out with, "I know this old pine is a leetle over the line, but I thought I would cut it down as it was gittin old, and I could pay you for it afterward jest as well."
Mr. Thaddeus Brown was agent for most of the non-resident owners of wild lands in Waterford from 1800 until 1820, or later. These owners were Wil- liam and Barnard Douglass 1 of Portland, Josiah2
1 and 2 L. 1, R. 13. L. 10, R. 13. L. 1, R. 12. L. 8, R. 6. L. 7, R. 2.
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WILD LANDS AND PINE TIMBER.
Pierce, Esq., of Baldwin (he bought the Douglass lots), William Cross1 of Newburyport, Mass., Mr. Beemis2 of Watertown, Mass., Esquire Perley & of South Bridgton, and Major Samuel Warren 4 of Waterford.
I give the ownership of the lots about 1820; of course they have changed hands many times since. It will be seen by this statement that the most valu- able pine lots in Waterford were in the north-west part of the town and along Crooked river. Bisbee- town until after 1820 was a great pine forest. The only road into it from North Waterford was a log- ging road.
The first lumbering done in Waterford was in 1808.5 This was done below Bakers Falls on Crooked river. The price paid was $2.00 a thou- sand for logs in the river. No timber was cut less than twelve and commonly not less than fourteen · inches through. These logs would average not far from three to the thousand. Of course the stump-
1 L. 11, R. 1. L. 5, R. 10. North half of L. 5, R. 9. L. 3, R. 13.
2 L. 7, R. 9. L. 1, R. 5.
8 L. 10, R. 8. L. 10, R. 9. L. 9, R. 11. North half of L. 9, R. 9, and south half of L. 11, R. 7.
4 L. 2, R. 13. L. 6, R. 14. North half of L. 5, R. 14.
5 The accessible timber in the coast towns had been exhausted as early as 1790. In 1798 and earlier considerable timber was hauled into Sebago pond from Raymond and Standish. One man in Raymond in 1798 sold logs to the value of $1,100. .
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HISTORICAL ADDRESS.
age could not have amounted to much, perhaps sev- enty-five cents. In the winter of 1813 there was logging on lot 10, R. 10 and on lot 10, R. 13.
All the best timber in Waterford on the Crooked river, except the Perley and Warren lots, was cut previous to 1830. It did not average to bring sev- enty-five cents a thousand on the stump. The amount cut from some of these lots was enormous. From the Knight lot, L. 7, R. 13, 6,000,000 feet were drawn off. The Perley lots were not sold until about 1850. They were said to have brought over $40,000.
The timber on the Warren lot, L. 6, R. 14, was sold about 1843 for $5,000. The timber on Crooked river all went to Saccarappa; most of it to Nathan- iel and John Warren, and Joseph Walker. Phineas Eastman of Lovell, Daniel Brown and Thaddeus Brown, sen., of Waterford, were also engaged in lumbering for many years.
It is questionable on the whole if the white pine, the proudest tree in the American forest, has not been a disadvantage to the town. It certainly has led to a great deal of shiftless farming. Men neg- lected their farms, knowing that a winter's work in the woods for some lumberman, or a winter's log- ging from their own lots, would pay the over-due store bill or tax. Still the pine is the most profita- ble crop for some of our lands.
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POSTAL FACILITIES.
I have said that Mr. Longley opened the first post- office within the present limits of Oxford county, except at Fryeburg and Paris. Of course at the time of its establishment the weekly mail was very small.1 Probably the mail matter for an entire year, -and this Waterford post-office supplied all of west- ern Oxford county except the part below and about Fryeburg,-did not equal in bulk that brought into Waterford now in a single day, although the town then, 1801, was nearly half as large as now.
Until 1814 the people in western Oxford county, except about and below Fryeburg, depended upon chance persons to bring them their mail matter from Waterford Flat. During these years and later we did a considerable business with Albany and the An- droscoggin valley. Cars ran from that valley to Waterford Flat, at first over the Scoggin trail, later through Hunt's Corner (Albany). They consisted of long poles of tough, well-seasoned wood lashed to either side of a horse, dragging on the ground. Across the lower ends of these poles was fastened a box, in which " salts," made by boiling down ashes, were brought to the potash factories at Waterford Flat and exchanged for light groceries or spirits.
1 In contrast with this I give the mail brought daily to one of the three offices in Waterford in April, 1878. The other two average about the same. Daily newspapers, six; weekly newspapers, one hundred and sixty ; letters received, thirty-five.
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HISTORICAL ADDRESS.
These " cars" generally came in trains to give assist- ance in case of need. This mode of conveyance was common in early times. The first mail carrier between Portland and Waterford was Jacob Howe; Seba Smith followed him. Mr. Howe made the round trip once a week, reaching Waterford Friday night. His route was through Windham, Bridgton (east side of the pond) to Waterford Flat, thence through Norway, Oxford, Poland, and Gray to Port- land. In 1814 post-offices were established at Bethel and Rumford, later at Albany, Greenwood, Wood- stock, and in the towns in western Oxford county ; but until about 1830 Waterford was the distributing office for western Oxford county.
That year the mail from Portland reached Water- ford Friday. Saturday the postman made a circuit through Sweden, Lovell, Fryeburg, Denmark Corner, South Bridgton, Middle Bridgton back to Waterford Flat, fifty-two miles.
Monday he went to Swifts Corner, Norway, Nor- way Village, Paris Cape, Paris Hill, Woodstock, Hamlins Gore and Rumford Corner, forty-four miles.
Tuesday he returned to Waterford Flat by way of Bethel Hill and Hunts Corner, thirty-three miles. For all this horseback torture he received $190 a year. The postman carried his papers in saddle- bags, his letters in a mail-bag by themselves. As he approached a house or village on his route he sound- ed his horn and threw out the papers to subscribers.
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MILITIA.
The rates for postage were as follows at that date : Twenty-five cents for four hundred miles and over ; eighteen and two-thirds cents for one hundred and fifty to four hundred miles; twelve and one-half cents for eighty to one hundred and fifty miles ; ten cents for thirty to eighty miles; six cents for any distance less than thirty miles. This was the post- age on single sheets of any size and accounts for the size of old-fashioned letter paper. Newspapers paid one cent each, if published within the State or one hundred miles outside the State; one and one- half cents if at a further distance.
There were no postage stamps or envelopes in those days. The postage due was generally marked on the letter, although it could be prepaid. The post-master collected it from the party to whom the letter was sent. The postage on papers was a perquisite of the postman. No wonder that people made postmen of their friends, a custom the origin of which I used to wonder about when a boy. The older of you will recall the poor or mean men who collected around a stage tavern fifty years ago to find some traveler who would carry a letter for them and so save them the postage.
No sooner was the town incorporated than the militia were organized. In the fall of 1799 they first assembled. They chose the following officers :
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HISTORICAL ADDRESS.
Dr. Stephen Cummings, captain ; Seth Wheeler, first lieutenant ; James Robbins, ensign. The company, consisting of seventy-two, rank and file, paraded be- fore the door of Eli Longley's tavern, where prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Ripley.
In 1801 a company of horse was formed from the militia companies of Waterford and Bridgton. The officers were Capt. Kimball, Lieut. Robbins, and Cor- net Smith.
All able-bodied men between eighteen and forty- five were by law compelled to train. They were obliged, if able, to provide themselves with a musket, knapsack, belt, scabbard, cartridge box, priming wire and brush; if unable, the selectmen were obliged by law to provide for them. The privates were without uniform for the most part. The regulation colors for officers and privates were blue with red facings. Some of the militia had previously trained in Massa- chusetts, where all were compelled to wear uniforms, so they wore their old dress.
The composition of a regiment at that time was as follows : It was made up of a convenient number of companies,-from six to ten. The company offi- cers in an infantry regiment were captain, lieutenant, and ensign (or second lieutenant), four sergeants and four corporals. The field officers were colonel, two majors, and an adjutant. The field officers were elected by the line officers, the line officers · by their
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MILITIA.
companies. The legal complement of the company was sixty-four. Each regiment was made up of two battalions, each commanded by a major.
There were two trainings each year and a muster. The first training came on the first Tuesday in May, the second was the week before muster. The mus- ter occurred either in September or October. These trainings were under the direction of the company officers. The muster was under the direction of the regimental officers; the fine for non-attendance was $3.00. The trainings were held on Waterford Flat, on the spot where you are now seated. The musters were held at Bethel until 1822, afterward often at Lovell.
The equipments were inspected both at the May training and at the muster ; by the captain at the former, by the brigade inspector at the latter. At the May training the clerk of the company read the laws applicable to the occasion.
In 1807 the Waterford company was divided. Samuel Warren was at that time in command. Two companies were formed known as the east and west companies. Samuel Warren was captain, Daniel Green Ist lieutenant, Josiah Wright ensign of the former; Simeon Woodbury was captain, Silas Jones 1st lieutenant, and Ephraim Hapgood ensign of the latter. The west company took in all of North Waterford as far as the Jewett guide-board, and all
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HISTORICAL ADDRESS.
west of the old road to Bridgton ; the east company included the rest of the town.
In 1810 a regiment was formed, made up of com- panies from the following towns: Albany, Newry, Rumford, and Andover one company each; from Bethel and Waterford two companies each. The officers were Amos Hastings, Bethel, colonel ; Samu- el Warren, Waterford, Ist major; Amos Hill, Bethel, 2d major; William Monroe, Waterford, adjutant. To this regiment was attached a company of cavalry under the following officers: Oliver Pollard, Water- ford, captain ; -- -, Ist lieutenant; Eli Long-
ley, cornet.
The Waterford militia after 1822 belonged to a regiment made up of six companies from the follow- ing towns : Albany and Sweden one each ; Water- ford and Lovell two each and a troop of cavalry. One of the Lovell companies was a rifle company ; its uniform was gray trimmed with red. Capt. Stephen Heald commanded it. The first officers of this regiment were John Atherton, Waterford, colo- nel; Isaac Wardwell, Albany, lieutenant-colonel ; John Swan, Lovell, major; Sprout Hapgood, Water- ford, adjutant.
During this period,-from 1799 until 1820,-there was general interest taken in military matters. Of- ficial positions were eagerly sought by the ambitious, although often a disadvantage to the successful as- pirants.
En
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MILITIA.
Officers were tempted and by custom compelled to lavish expenditures for equipments, uniforms, and horses, which many could ill afford. They vied with each other in a profuse hospitality on muster day, and every line officer's house, did he wish to retain his popularity, must be open to the rank and file of his company or his regimental associates. The field officers were especially tempted to indulge in ex- travagance. A gentleman in Waterford, who was for twelve years a line and field officer, estimated that it cost him during that time twelve hundred dollars to " support his rank."
The results gained in the way of discipline were very slight. It is questionable whether a week's drill for four hours each day, under competent offi- cers, would not have produced better results than ten years' service in the militia. There were com- pensating advantages however, especially to the officers. Acquaintances were often formed, friend- ships established, which were a life-long pleasure and benefit to these men. It inevitably led to a freer, broader social life than we have to-day. The leading men in Lovell, Waterford, Bethel, Newry, Rumford, and Albany naturally met once a year, either on the muster field or at each other's houses. Doubt- less these semi-annual drills did something to keep alive the martial spirit which no nation can afford to let wholly die out.
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HISTORICAL ADDRESS.
The war of 1812 brought hard times to Water- ford. Our trade was then as now with Portland, and Portland was practically bankrupt. The embar- go stopped foreign trade, and coasting was made hazardous by British cruisers. There was conse- quently an almost entire suspension of exchange. It was then seen that the hated middleman has his uses.
The embargo act was passed in 1808. February, 1809, the people met in town meeting and chose a committee to frame a petition to the Massachusetts legislature, protesting against this act. The commit- tee were Hannibal Hamlin, David Chaplin, Abram Whitney, Eleazer Hamlin, and Calvin Farrar. The petition reads as follows ; it is certainly well put.
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of Massa- chusetts, now in session.
The inhabitants of the town of Waterford, in legal town meet- ing assembled, respectfully represent,
That although the inhabitants of this town are not a commercial people, but whose employment is cultivation of the soil, yet they sensibly and severely feel the pressure and evils of the present calamitous and distressing times. We believe we have borne, and shall continue to bear, with patience and fortitude, any necessary burdens or privations which are necessarily and constitutionally imposed upon us by our rulers; but when we see and feel the de- structive effect of measures, the inutility of which have been so ably and eloquently made manifest by the minority in Congress, we are indeed filled with alarming apprehensions. If we resort to the market where formerly our produce brought a great price, the alteration is truly deplorable; our produce brings us scarce money enough to defray our expenses on the road, and instead of that
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WAR OF 1812.
contentment and prosperity which formerly prevailed among the citizens of those places, we now see despondency and misery. The embargo has stopped the circulation of money, and to enforce it armed men are patroling their streets and gun-boats are ma- neuvering on their waters. Should we attempt to petition Con- gress on this distressing subject, the presumption is that our recommendation would be unheeded or disregarded. We, there- fore, inhabitants of the town of Waterford, respectfully solicit your honorable body to take such immediate and constitutional steps as in your wisdom you shall deem proper, to relieve us, in common with others in this part of the State, from the accumu- lated evils and embarrassments under which we now suffer. And we beg leave to express to your honorable body our entire appro- bation of those salutary measures you have already taken on this important subject, and as in duty bound will ever pray.
The town accepted the report of the committee, and voted that it be printed in the Portland Gazette. They also voted that the number of dissenting votes -two-be printed with the prayer.
During the war two calls were made upon Water- ford for troops, the first in 1812. At this time six- teen men were drafted from each company and stood as minute men for a year. They drilled twice in Bethel with the drafted men from Bethel and Rumford, and occasionally together at the Flat. Capt. Keyes of Rumford acted as captain of these drafted men, Capt. Abel Houghton of Waterford was ensign. Gov. Strong refused to allow drafted men to leave the State, so at the end of the year they were dismissed.
In 1814 another draft was made. It consisted of
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HISTORICAL ADDRESS.
the following persons : John Atherton, jr., Jabez Brown, Josiah Brown, Heman Brown, Luther Brig- ham, Daniel Billings, Moses Bisbee, Daniel Chaplin, jr., Eben Cross, jr., Bryant Brigham, Austin Frisbee, Caleb Hersey, Samuel Haskell, Oliver Hapgood, Sprout Hapgood, Israel Hale, Charles Hale, Benja- min Hale, Sullivan Jones, Lewis Jewell, Nathan Jew- ell, John Jewell, jr., Jerry Kimball, Isaiah Kimball, Isaac Kilborn, Gabriel Kilgore, George Longley, Stephen Muffitt, John Proctor, Josiah Pride, Samuel Page, John Page, Amos Smith, Abijah Warren, Per- ley Warren, Samuel Wheeler, Silas Trull, Judah Wetherbee, jr.
The Waterford, Albany, and West Bethel drafted men made a company. The men, singly and in squads, started for Portland in 1814, taking their ac- coutrements with them. They were in barracks in a rope-walk near Vaughan's bridge for a while ; they afterward encamped near Portland pier. Their offi- cers were Joseph Holt, Albany, captain; Aaron Cummings, Albany, lieutenant; Eleazer Twitchell, Bethel, ensign.
The soldiers were kept busy on intrenchments which were thrown up at Fish Point, near the Grand Trunk railroad yard. They were drilled daily and did some picket duty. The soldiers were rather lawless and much addicted to stealing. One compa- ny made itself particularly obnoxious to the people
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COLD SEASONS.
of Portland in this respect. Its captain is said to have paid over seventy dollars on account of its thieving propensities. Iron bars, hoes, shovels, scrap-iron,-anything that could be of use on a farm,-were conveyed to their barracks, and sent home by friends who came to Portland to see them. The Waterford section had this rather dubious com- pliment paid them: "they stole less than the rest." The drafted men were out forty-one days and re- ceived each sixteen dollars and fifty cents for ser- vices.
Business had not recovered from the depressing influences of the war before the famous cold seasons came on ; these included 1815, 1816, and 1817. Of the three 1816 was the coldest. On the 26th day of May, 1816, snow fell to the depth of eighteen inches, and for a day or more the sleighing was good. An aged man present tells me that he chopped wood all day in June with his coat on, the snow flying in squalls about him. June 7th, 8th, and 9th it snowed and ice formed thick as window-glass, while the surface of the ground was frozen. During these three years no corn was raised in Waterford, or bare- ly enough for seed. But little wheat or rye was raised at that time, so the people were in great straits for food. Rye was two dollars and fifty cents a bushel, and scarce at that; pork was a shilling or
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HISTORICAL ADDRESS.
more a pound, and flour was twenty dollars a barrel. The Perleys and Ingalls of Bridgton raised a lit- tle corn during these cold seasons, so the coun- try was not destitute of seed when the famine was passed. One man went from Waterford to Portland and bought a bushel of corn, which he brought home on horseback. There is a tradition that the poorest of the people boiled brake roots and ate them in milk, and that skim-milk cheese was eaten as a sub- stitute for bread. A good deal of grain was hauled from Portland, but prices ruled high there, as the cold seasons affected all New England.
The superstitious thought the cold seasons were ominous of the end of the world, and fancied that they could see spots on the sun. Added to the suf- ferings for want of food was the calamity of fire. In 1817 a terrible fire swept through South Albany. No attempt was made to stop it, but only to ward it off the buildings. It burned over immense tracts of wood land and destroyed two barns. Finally all
Waterford and Albany turned out and fought it. This fire was a providence in disguise, for the people cleared great tracts of land over which it had run, and sowed it with rye; the next year they reaped a most bounteous harvest, and the spots on the sun obligingly suspended growth.
This was the nearest to a famine ever known in northern New England. It is comforting to know
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PHYSICIANS.
that improvements in transportation make such a calamity to-day impossible.
During the plantation history of our town physi- cians in Oxford county were few and but little need- ed. Open houses, plain food, a wholesome disregard of foolish conventionalities in dress and daily life on the part of women, together with plenty of work, kept people generally healthy. Brave women at- tended their sex at critical times and with success.
The first physician in Waterford was Dr. Stephen Cummings. He came here about 1795. He lived where Mr. Douglass now resides. He removed to Portland about 1800, where he had an extensive practice, and ranked among the first physicians of the State.
Dr. Samuel Crombie followed him. He came from New Boston, N. H .; was in feeble health, and soon after died of consumption.
Dr. Luke Lincoln, also from New Boston, was the next in order. He remained in town but a short time. Little is known concerning him.
Dr. Charles Hay seems to have been the next physician in the place. He resided on the Kingman farm, just north of the old meeting-house. His health failing, he left town.
Dr. Cushi Hathaway was here a short time, but nothing definite can be learned of him.
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HISTORICAL ADDRESS.
Dr. Abner Johnson, known in connection with the famous " Anodyne Liniment," was next here, and lived in the house formerly occupied by Dr. Hay. He remained several years, then removed to Brewer in this State.
Dr. Young Walker was next; he came from Denmark. He lived on the Carter place, west side of the pond. He remained in town long after he ceased to practice. He had natural and acquired talents that could have insured him eminent success.
Dr. Leander Gage came to Waterford from Bethel, Me., in 1817. He erected and lived in the house where Mr. Porter now resides. He stood high in the profession, indeed was far broader than his profes- sion. He was a man of commanding presence and influence; often moderator at town meetings, an influential member of the school committee, an earn- est christian, a public spirited citizen, enthusiastic in his profession,-he left his mark on Waterford. He continued in practice here until his death in 1842.
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The first lawyer on the Flat was Henry Farwell, a man of superior ability. He came here about 1806. He moved to Dixfield and died there.
Edward Andrews, a native of Massachusetts, fol- lowed him. He became a minister, went to New York and died there.
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LAWYERS,-SOCIAL LIFE.
Charles Whitman, a native of Portland, com- menced practice here in 1817. He married Rowena Coffin of Waterford. After practicing in Waterford for twenty years, he was appointed department clerk at Washington, where he died. Mr. Whitman was a gentleman socially ; self-respectful and not ambitious of public distinction. He was a peace-maker rather than an exciter of litigation. He was a man of public spirit and took great pride in the town.
Elijah L. Hamlin, a native of Paris, was cotempo- rary with Mr. Whitman. After practicing law a short time in Waterford, he moved to Bangor. Though a man of superior ability, he did not seek distinction in his profession. He became identified with the growth of Bangor and was largely connected with its public business. He was several times mayor, and was once whig candidate for governor of the State.
During these years-from 1797 to 1820-farm work was done mostly with oxen; horses were few ; cart wheels were seldom iron-rimmed; plows were huge and home-made and mostly of wood.
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