USA > Maine > Waldo County > Stockton Springs > The story of Stockton Springs, Maine > Part 5
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Names of the postmasters and the dates of their appoint- ments since 1824 were: Nathaniel Stowers, October 21, 1824; Ira B. Partridge, August 25, 1857; Jefferson Goodwin, Nov- ember 29, 1858; Nathaniel Stowers, June 28, 1861; John C. Stowers, June 24, 1870; James F. Stowers, January 19, 1872; Alexander Black, December 28, 1874; Owen C. Wardwell, September 25, 1885; Miss Emma J. Black, March 30, 1889; Owen C. Wardwell, April 4, 1893; Charles F. Snow, May 5, 1894; Frank S. Harriman, August 21, 1897; Millard M. Grant, February 9, 1914; William Grant, December 9, 1930; Mrs. Lillian M. Grant, June 25, 1934; and Mrs. Emma S. Curtis, January 31, 1949.
The post office at what is now Stockton Springs village was established December 9, 1845. It was called South Prospect post office. Nathan G. Hichborn was the first postmaster. The post office was in Hichborn's Block, which stood where Denslow Hall Block now stands. The location of this post
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office has been changed several times. The name was changed to Stockton, March 23, 1857. There was a change to Stockton Village in 1869. There is a question as to whether this postmark was ever used. In 1872 the name was changed back to Stock- ton. On March 22, 1889, the name was changed to Stockton Springs.
Names of the postmasters and the dates of their appoint- ments at this office were: Nathan G. Hichborn, December 9, 1845; Crawford S. Fletcher, January 25, 1854; John Griffin, June 20, 1861; Willard M. Griffin, March 26, 1866; Joseph F. Frye, April 17, 1871; John M. Ames, December 17, 1877; Lewis J. Snell, September 23, 1885; Barnabus M. Roberts, August 17, 1889; Rufus L. Mudgett, January 31, 1894; Harry R. Hichborn, February 2, 1898; Rufus L. Mudgett, March 2, 1915; George H. Hopkins, September 1, 1925; Clara M. Col- cord, February 4, 1936; Georgia K. Beam, July 31, 1952; as acting postmaster.
In 1907 both the Sandy Point and Stockton Springs post offices were money order offices. At that time Stockton Springs had two rural routes.
July 7, 1910 the R. F. D. formerly running from Bucksport through Prospect and Stockton Springs was transferred to the Stockton Springs post office as R. F. D. No. 3. Eugene F. Barnes was the carrier. January, 1933, the rural routes were reorganized and changed from three routes to two.
The post office of Maple Point was established January 4, 1899 and was discontinued July 9 of that year. The location is unknown.
An office which was called Bertha was established January 4, 1899, but was never opened. George Darby of Brooksville was to have been postmaster. It was located on the west side of Cape Jellison.
A post office was established at West Prospect (which is now Searsport) January 16, 1819.
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CHAPTER V Interesting Facts About Our Town
At the time that Fort Pownal was built in 1759 and the first settlement made here, this territory was known as Frankfort Plantation, No. 2, County of Lincoln, State of Massachusetts.
The first explorers on the Penobscot were the French. Andre Thevet, a French priest, and explorer, came into Penobscot Bay and sailed a short way up the river about 1556. About 1605, Demonts explored along the north Atlantic seaboard. He explored the coasts of Maine and entered the Penobscot and Kennebec rivers. He claimed the territory around these rivers for France. He gave the name Acadia to the land. That same year, 1605, George Weymouth came to Maine and ex- plored the Penobscot and Kennebec rivers. He landed near what is now Thomaston, Maine. On one of the little islands in that vicinity, he set up a granite cross and claimed the ter- ritory for the Crown of England. This was the earliest known claim by an Englishman on New England soil. It is doubtful if these early explorers went up the Penobscot river for any great distance. In 1772, Colonel Thomas Westbrook is thought to have sailed up the river as far as Marsh Bay. His party went ashore and did some exploring. They hoped to find im- portant Indian settlements. They found no Indian towns so they returned to St. Georges. Captain John Smith explored the New England coast in 1614 and gave it the name of New England. A provincial charter was granted in 1639 that pro- vided for the Province of Maine. By 1643, Massachusetts Bay Colony included all of the settlements of Maine and New Hampshire, so Maine became a part of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
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As early as 1759 this territory was called Frankfort Planta- tion. It was not incorporated as a town until 1789. In 1789 thirty-nine settlers petitioned the General Court for the in- corporation of the town. The petition reads as follows:
"The Hon. Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled.
The Petition and Memorial of the Subscribers Inhabitants of the Plantation of Frankfort in the County of Lincoln bounded as follows, Viz: Beginning at the South-eastwardmost corner of Belfast on ye sea (or Bay) shore from thence running in the line of s'd Belfast, to the Northeastwardmost extremity thereof, from thence North to a Large Spruce tree on the East- wardly side of Goose pond (so called) Marked with a Marking Iron W. P. B. F. two large white stones on the westwardly side of said pond. Directly in range and bearing due north from said tree; From thence down said Marsh river, about a mile to Penobscot river; From thence down said Penobscot river Southwardly to Fort Point so called; From said Fort Point westwardly to the first mentioned bounds at Belfast.
Humbly Sheweth there are now living upon said plantation upwards of Sixty Families who Labour under great disad- vantages for want of being incorporated with town privileges; Therefore Humbly pray your Honors to take into your wise consideration our Present very disagreeable situation and re- lieve us by Incorporating us, together with the adjacent Island of Brigadiers Island (so called) into a town by the name of Knoxbury.
Your Petitions as in duty bound will ever Pray :
Frankfort.
May ye 16, 1789."
The signers of this petition were: John Odom, Benj. Shute, Henry Black, Jas. Crary, Alexander Young, Samuel Young, William Griffin, Ichabod Colson, Daniel Goodell, Jacob Eustis, William Pendleton, Samuel Griffin, Samuel Griffin, Jr., Wil- liam Hichborn, John Pierce, Dan Lancaster, John Staples,
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David Partridge, Benj. Shute, Jr., Clark Partridge, James Nichols, David Nichols, James Nichols, Jr., Barak Ellis, Peleg Pendleton, John Park, Zetham French, Ebenezer Griffin, Long- worthy Lampher, Miles Staples, William Staples, Jotham Staples, Thos. Fletcher, William Dickey, Joshua Treat, John Odom, Jr., John Sweetzer, James Grant and Joseph McMann.
The General Court acted on this petition and passed an act incorporating the town of Frankfort, June 25, 1789. The town was incorporated as the town of Frankfort, County of Hancock, State of Massachusetts.
The following is a copy of the Act of Incorporation: "Commonwealth
of Massachusetts
In the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.
"An Act to incorporate the plantation from Belfast to Wheeler's Mills, West side of the Penobscot River in the county of Lincoln, into a Town by the name of Frankfort.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the Authority of the same: That the Tracts of Land bounded as followeth, viz., Northeasterly on the Bay of Belfast, and Penobscot River up said river to Wheeler's Mills. Thence by a line beginning at the Southwest corner of Belfast and running due North, on the eastern bounds of Belfast, until a line running due west from said Wheeler's Mills shall intersect the same, together with the Inhabitants thereon, be and are hereby, Incorporated into a Town, by the name of Frankfort, and the Inhabitants of the said Town, are hereby invested with all powers, privi- leges, and immunities which the inhabitants of Towns within this Commonwealth do or may by law enjoy.
Also be further enacted that Benjamin Shute, Esq., is hereby authorized and enpowered to issue his Warrant directed to
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some suitable Inhabitant of the said Town, to meet at such time and place as he shall appoint, to choose such officers, as other Towns are empowered to choose at their Annual Meet- ings in the Months of March or April Annually.
In that
This Bill having had three several readings, passed to be engrossed.
Sent up for concurrence. David Cobb, Sp'kr.
In Senate June 24, 1787, this bill having had two several readings, passed a concurrence to be engrossed.
Saml. Phillips, Jr., Presedt."
However, the settlers were not satisfied even though the General Court incorporated the town. They thought the town was too large, and they were annoyed because the legislature had named the town Frankfort instead of Knoxboro. So they petitioned the General Court again in 1789. The petition read as follows:
"The Honorable Senate, and House of Representatives in General Court assembled-
The Petition and Memorial of the Subscribers, Inhabitants of the Plantation of Frankfort in the County of Hancock.
Humbly sheweth
That whereas, the Honorable General Court, did by an act passed ye 25th of June 1789, incorporating two Plantations of the west side of Penobscot River, viz. from Belfast to Wheel- er's Mills: into a town, by the name of Frankfort, which for want of a true representation of our boundries being seasonably exhibited we presume that an undersigned mistake has been made: as the two plantations are about sixteen miles in length, and very inconvenient for one town .- There are now upwards of sixty families in this plantation.
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We therefore humbly pray your Honors to take into your wise consideration, our Present difficult situation: and in- corporate us, together with the adjacent island, called Brig- adiers Island, (separate from the other Plantation) according to the following boundries and plan annexed-viz: beginning at the southeast corner of Belfast, running up the brook, to ye northeast corner of said Belfast: thence north to Goose pond, thence along the shore of said pond, to a large spruce tree, on the east side of Goose pond, marked with a marking Iron W.P.B.F .: thence eastwardly to Marsh River: thence east down s'd Marsh River to Penobscot River: thence down Pe- nobscot River to Fort Point, thence bounding on the bay of Penobscot, to the bounds first mentioned, into a town by the name of Knoxboro.
Your Petitioners as in duty bound, will pray : Frankfort Plantation, Nov. 28, 1789.
This petition was signed by the following men: Daniel Lan- caster, John Sweetzer, Daniel Goodell, Jr., Henry Black, John Odom, Jur., John Odom, Alex'r Young, Peleg Pendleton, David Partridge, Wm. Pendleton, Isaac Clewley, John Sweetzer, Jr., Samuel Young, William Dickey, Nath'l Tebetts, Nathaniel Cleford, Benjamin Shute, Jr., Joseph P. Martin, Joseph Boyd, Zetham French, Samuel Grant, William Farley, James Scott, John Dwelly, Josh'a Treat, Abraham Mudgett, John Clifford, Jacob Clifford, John Staples, Miles Staples, James Grant, Joseph McMann, Samuel Griffin, John Park, Henry Black, Jr., Josiah Ames, Jacob Eustis, Daniel Goodell, Ebenezer Griffin, Longworthy Lampher, James Nichols. James Nichols, 2nd., John Pierce, Thomas McMann, William Staples, David Nichols, Henry Lord, Clark Partridge, William Hichborn and Wm. Mclaughlin.
In the House of Representatives January 13, 1790. Read and committed to the Standing Committee on applications for Incorporation of Towns to consider and report.
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Sent up for concurrence. David Cobb, Spkr.
In Senate Feb'y 1, 1790. Read and concurred, Tho. Dawes, Presedt., Pro Tem."
There is no record of any further action being taken on the second petition. The town remained as originally granted by the General Court and the name remained Frankfort. The town included all of Prospect, all of Stockton, all of Frankfort, a large part of Hampden, a large part of Searsport, part of Belfast, part of Newburg, and all of Winterport.
The first census of the United States was taken in 1790 and at that time there were 169 families, with a population of 891 people in Frankfort.
February 24, 1794, Prospect was incorporated as a town. It included what is now Stockton Springs, Prospect, and a large part of Searsport. Prospect was situated between "Half-Way Creek" in Searsport and the mouth of the Marsh River. Its name was taken from the beautiful prospect presented by an elevation near the center of the town, in the vicinity of Fort Pownal. *
At the time that Prospect was incorporated, the population of the town was one hundred people.
The first town meeting in Prospect was held on Monday, April 7, 1794. The warrant read as follows: Hancock, ss:
To Miles Staples of Prospect, in the said County of Hancock, Yeoman.
Greetings:
You are hereby required in the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to notify and warn the Freeholders and other Inhabitants Qualified by Law to vote in Town Meetings, (Viz: Such as pay one single tax besides the poll or polls, a sum Equal
* Probably Fletcher's Hill.
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to Two-thirds of a single poll tax) to Meet and Assemble at the dwelling house of Zetham French in said Prospect, on Mon- day, the seventh day of April next, at ten of the Clock in the Forenoon, to Act on the following Articles, Viz:
(We have not copied all of the articles of the warrant but some of them were as follows):
Article 15: "To elect two or more Tything men, Hog-Greeves, Fence Viewers, Field Drivers, Pound Keepers, Sealers of Leather, Inspectors of Fishery, A Meet person for Collector of Taxes." "To see if the town will choose a Committee to choose out a convenient place in the town to build a Meeting- house, and Report to the town as soon as maybe." "To see if the town will pass a vote how Town Meetings shall be warned in the future." "To see if the town will vote a sum of Money for the purpose of hiring a minister for Ensuing year, and how much." Other articles called for votes for several state and county officers. The warrant was dated March 25, 1794. It was signed by Simeon Fowler, Justice of the Peace, by order of the General Court.
At this meeting Joseph Boyd was chosen moderator; Joseph Crary, town clerk; Joseph Crary, Benjamin Shute, and Eph- raim Stinson, selectmen; Capt. Henry Black, town treasurer; Miles Staples constable and collector; Ephraim Stinson, John Park, John Griffin, William Hichborn, John Staples, Joseph Boyd, Joseph Hatch and James Grant, surveyors of highways; John Park and Daniel Goodell, fence viewers; Miles Staples, Jr., Nathaniel Cousins, and John Mudgett, inspectors of fishery; Capt. John Park and Capt. Henry Black, sealers of leather; William Staples and John Clifford, pound keepers; Edward Webber, Barak Ellis, and Isaac Clewley, hog-greeves; Joseph Crary and John Odom, Jr., field drivers; Joseph Crary, Robert Hichborn, Henry Black, Eliakin Darling, James Grant, Eph- raim Stinson and Benjamin Shute, Esq., a committee to choose a place for a meeting house and report to the town.
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It was voted 0} pay one shilling on the pound for collecting taxes. Sixty pounds were raised for the County or Post Road to be paid in labor at five shillings a day. Thirty pounds were raised for the town road, also to be paid in labor at five shillings a day. Thirty pounds were raised for schools. Five pounds were raised to hire a minister to preach. Thirty pounds were raised to defray other town charges.
Simeon Foster received thirty-two votes for county treas- urer; Hon. Samuel Adams received thirty-seven votes ior Governor; Isaac Parker, Esq., and Dr. Corey, received thirty and twenty-seven votes respectively for senator.
Zetham French was appointed to represent the town of Prospect in settling the accounts with the town treasurer of Frankfort. Isaac Parker, Esq., was appointed as agent in behalf of the town to apply to the General Court for the re- linquishing of back taxes.
It will be noticed that all moneys were under the English system of pounds and shillings. It was not until 1798 that town estimates were made in dollars and cents.
Some of the terms used in this old warrant may not be familiar to people today, so we will explain a few of them:
If the cattle, sheep or other animals got loose and ran wild, no one could drive a neighbors animals from his fields. The field drivers had to be called to catch the cattle or other animals and take them to the pound. After the animals were impounded the pound-keeper posted a notice in a conspicuous place that certain animals were in the pound. The owner could then go to the pound and reclaim his animals if he paid all damages they might have done to the property where they were found. Also, he had to pay pound fees and boarding charges. Until the animals were claimed, it was the duty of the poundkeeper to care for and feed the animals; also milk any cows impounded. The poundkeeper was not obliged to find the owner. He did have to keep records in which he recorded a description of all animals impounded.
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In this town the poundkeepers were elected by popular vote in town meetings until 1909. At the town meeting of 1909 it was voted that every man be poundkeepers. Each man was to use his own barn as a pound. In 1910 it was voted to have the poundkeepers appointed by the selectmen; in 1911 the pound- keeper was elected in town meeting; in 1912 and 1913 every man was again poundkeeper; in 1914 one was elected in town meeting. In 1917 the selectmen were appointed as pound- keepers. In 1919 this article was passed over, also in 1920. 1920 was the last year this article was included in the warrant.
The fence viewers settled disputes over fences between property.
In July 1794, a special town meeting was called so the "Meetinghouse Committee" could report to the town. They reported that they favored a piece of land on the northern side of the county road on the land belonging to Joshua Treat and directly opposite his dwelling house, as the site of the meeting- house. Mr. Treat offered to give this land to the town, but this site was opposed by the voters. At this meeting plans were made to build a bridge at Long Cove. James Nichols, Joseph Crary and Peleg Pendleton were put in charge of this work.
Joseph Crary, the first town clerk, served in that office for two years. He was followed by Zetham French who served for twenty-two years. French was succeeded by Joseph P. Martin who served for twenty-five years. Mr. Martin was the great-grandfather of Walter F. Trundy who has served as town clerk of Stockton for forty-seven years. Mr. Martin made his town records interesting and lively by noting the weather, crop conditions and numerous other things. These things may have seemed trivial in his day but they are of interest and value to us now.
The following are some of Mr. Martin's notations in his records: "The summer of 1823 remarkably dry, supposed to be the greatest drought ever known by the older inhabitants. Hay, etc. exceedingly scarce; the cattle almost famished by
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thirst; great fires in all directions, extensive damage done by it. No rain of any consequence from the first part of July to the middle of September. Serious, melancholy time."
"The winter of 1807-08 remarkably mild, not snow enough for sleding. The forepart of the spring as remarkably wet and tempestuous; great damage done to roads, bridges and build- ings by wind and water."
"The winter of 1834-35 was the coldest ever known by oldest inhabitants of this town. The bay was frozen down to the outermost islands. Sleighs and sleds passed back and forth from the mainland to Long Island (Islesboro) in March. Hay exceedingly scarce; prices from fifteen to twenty dollars a ton; many cattle perished. People in general were obliged to use. corn, grain, potatoes, and every vegetable substance in their possession that cattle could eat to keep them alive. In the country there was snow six feet deep in April, and in some places four or five feet deep in May, or even the first part of June. The spring following cold, wet and backward. I ne'er saw such a winter since I was born of my mother; by the favour of Heaven, I hope ne'er to see such another."
Mr. Martin's records are preserved intact and among them are seventeen marriage intentions. They were written on small slips of paper which were kept in a leather folder. These were dated 1837-1841. They were all similar to the following: "I hereby certify, that the intentions of marriage between Mr. Alexander Erskins and Miss Eliza Thomson, both of Prospect, has been entered with me fourteen days prior to the date there- of, and published in said Prospect as the law directs, Given under my hand this day of Feby. A. D. 1841.
Joseph P. Martin, Town Clerk of Prospect.
Recorded in the Partridge Book by Thomas Partridge were seventeen marriages. The records start at May 30, 1833 and are carried up to October 13, 1841.
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The town meetings were held at the dwelling house of Joshua Treat for many years. Meetings were also held at the homes of James Treat, Capt. Green Pendleton, James Blanchard, Paul R. Hichborn and at several schoolhouses. In 1829, a meeting was held at the house of John Dickey and it was de- cided at this meeting to build a building 40 x 35 feet to be used as a Town House. It was voted to build the building on the property of Capt. Samuel S. Heagan. The Heagan property was the farm in North Stockton now owned by Norman Staples. The Town House was built somewhere near where the four roads come together near the properties now owned by Norman Staples, Andrew Littlefield, Medbury Staples and Henry Littlefield.
There was once a road which led from this point to Pout Town. This road was called Town House Lane. Pout Town was first called the Ellis Settlement. Later it was called Pulp Town because pulpwood was cut there in large quantities. Still later it was called Pout Town. There is a yarn that a family by the name of Pout moved into this neighborhood. They were regarded with disfavor by their neighbors who called them those "Poutin Noggers". In time the settlement became known as Pout Town.
Some years after it was built, the Town House was moved to Stockton village. It was hauled by several teams of oxen. It was used for many years as a livery stable. In recent years it was rebuilt by Ralph Stowell and converted into a garage. It is situated on the lot next to the Hotel. During the years of World War II, this building was used as a barracks and fire- house by the U. S. Army.
At the same town meeting mentioned above, it was voted not to divide the town into two separate townships.
As we have mentioned before our forefathers were fond of rum. In the early eighteen hundreds the town began to issue licenses to dealers in liquors. One year sixteen licenses were issued. This situation changed in this town in the middle
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eighteen hundreds as a large group of prominent citizens banded together and advocated total abstinence. Their influence led to the first liquor vote which was cast in this town in 1858. There were one hundred and twenty-five votes cast for pro- hibiting the sale of liquor within the town limits. Miss Hich- born said, "Stockton became the banner temperance town of Maine-her citizens respected at home and abroad, for their capability, alertness and integrity."
As we have previously said, this town was a part of Mass- achusetts but about the year 1819 dissatisfaction with the principles of that state reached a fever pitch. The citizens of this region had disliked Massachusetts' stand in the War of 1812. As a result of this dissatisfaction a meeting was called at the home of James Blanchard on June 7, 1819 to consider what should be done about separating from the State of Mass- achusetts. It was voted to petition the General Court for a separation of this state. That vote for separation was taken on July 20, 1819. Eighty votes were cast for separation and four votes were cast against separation. Abel W. Atherton, Esq. had been elected to represent this town at the constitutional convention which was held in 1819.
Miss Faustina Hichborn in her Historical Sketch of Stockton Springs states: "The position of Massachusetts, during the ‘ War of 1812, in opposing the measures of the President and Congress, was highly displeasing to the patriotic citizens of Maine, doubtless influenced the vote on the question of sep- aration later. During the conflict Maine suffered greatly along her entire seaboard from pillage and capture of towns by British cruisers. The Penobscot River was ascended and cannon balls thrown hither and yon along its banks; to protect the inhabi- tants in case of landing of troops, the Militia company, of the then town of Prospect, under the command of Capt. Henry Hichborn, his commission bearing the date, "Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the fourth day of May, 1813," was called into service for several weeks. Perhaps, owing to that pre- paration for "greeting them warmly", no British soldiers were landed in the vicinity."
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"Throughout these trials and hardships Maine remained loyal to the general government, and condemmed, in unmis- takable language, "the disloyal and rebellious acts", of the governor and legislature of Massachusetts. Thus the breech widened between the "province of Maine" and the parent state; and, chiefly through the untiring exertions of Hon. William King of Bath, the project of separation became an accomplished fact in 1819-the constitution being adopted, and William King elected governor the following year. These proceedings were most gratifying to the representative men of the large town of Prospect."
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