USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Windham > Windham in the past > Part 19
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After remaining idle for a number of years, the privilege was purchased by Charles Rogers and Samuel Garland, in the sum- mer of 1858. They operated the mill until 1860 and then sold to Oliver and Joseph Pope. These men made preparations to do an extensive business, but by an oversight in building their dam, the pond broke out the next year, carrying away all their improvements, thus putting an end to all further work at the time.
Nothing more was done on the privilege until 1874, at which time it was purchased by Messrs. Henry II. Boody. Charles Rogers, John York, and a firm of lumbermen then doing business at Middle Jam. under the firm name of Goff and Plummer. This company built a large and well-appointed sawmill, to which they added a grist mill, and for several years they did a pros- perous business. But the death of some of the partners caused a dissolution of the company, and the property was sold to Mr. Edward J. Huston who occupied it for some years. It was afterwards occupied by Gerry and Cram ; still later by Mr. John Gerry as a box mill. Recently, however, the mill was acci- dentally destroyed by fire, and at the present time nothing is done on the privilege.
Pleasant River is a beautiful stream that takes its rise in the town of Gray and enters Windham near what is known as Jack- son's Falls. The river has a general westerly course of about eight miles through an exceedingly fertile part of the town, and joins the Presumpscot at a point midway between Loveitt's Falls and Gambo.
There are several fine waterpowers on the river, most of which have at different times been occupied as mill sites. On the upper, or Jackson's Falls, Mr. John A. Knight built the first mill of which we have any record, before the commencement of the last century. He had for a partner a Mr. Winslow, to whom he finally sold his right. This was a sawmill, with a grist mill
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attached, and was operated by Mr. Winslow for many years. He had associated with him the late Benjamin M. Baker, and they ran the mill for some time, but finally discontinued opera- tions. The power then remained idle until about 1862, when Edward Huston erected a lumber mill on the site of the original one.
Early in the last century, Samuel Varney had a sawmill near his house, at what is called the "Ox-bow" on Pleasant River. There he carried on lumbering for a few years, his mill being known as the "Fly Trap."
In 1781, Maj. Edward Anderson, a son of the fifth settler of Windham, built a large sawmill on the falls that still bear his name, near Windham Hill. He was an active, energetie man, and did a large amount of lumbering, giving employment to many workmen. Finding his supply of water insufficient, he caused an artificial outlet to be made from the Collins Pond into Smith's Brook, which empties into Pleasant River, for the pur- pose of obtaining the needed supply. Smith, in his "History of Windham" says, "This outlet increased in size until two saw- mills were erected upon it. On June 14, 1814, the water under- mined the mill dam, swept it and the mills from their founda- tions, disrupted the bed of the stream, rent with irresistible force the barriers of nature, and forced its way into Pleasant River. In a few hours the outlet was increased fifty feet in depth and two hundred feet in width."
He also says, "The sudden eruption of this great body of water carried away one sawmill, one grist mill, and four bridges on Pleasant River, and the bridge at Gambo and Mallison Falls on the Presumpseot."
Among the mills carried away was Maj. Anderson's, and so far as we can learn, they were never rebuilt.
Several years later Moses Little, Esq., had a sawmill and a wool-carding mill on these falls, but no traces of either now re- main, and the privilege has been unoccupied for many years.
About one mile above Anderson's Falls, a stream known as the "Ditch Brook" enters Pleasant River. Near its mouth is a mill privilege, where, as early as 1814, Abijah Varney had a saw- mill. This was afterwards owned by his son Joel. who sold it to the late Joseph Elder. He occupied it until his death, which
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took place Apr. 8. 1898. The property is now owned by Albert Sayward, who continues the business with good success.
A short distance above the last named mill is a waterpower on which the late Dea. Elijah Varney erected a lumber mill about 1862, which he operated until his death. He died Dec. 30, 1876, and his son Thomas, became owner of the property, where he still remains. He has considerably enlarged the build- ings, in which he manufactures various kinds of lumber.
The falls next below Anderson's, on Pleasant River, known as "Pope's" were occupied as a mill site, as early as 1800. by Edward Cobb, who had a sawmill here in that year. How long he remained or where he went, we have no means of knowing. but he sold his mill and other property here to Nathan Pope, Sr., who was a clothier.
He built a small mill in which he exercised that handieraft for many years with uniform success. When old age disquali- fied him for active business, he retired, having amassed quite a fortune for those times.
In 1841, his three sons, Isaiah, Oliver, and Joseph, formed a company, under the firm name of Isaiah Pope and Co., and erected a building on the falls, fifty by sixty feet, and two stories in height, for the purpose of manufacturing woolen eloth. This was the first mill of the kind ever erected in Windham, and the machinery was all transported from North Andover, Mass., to Windham by horse teams.
To this company was added, a few years later, a cousin, Robert Pope, and for some years they did a safe and money- making business. They also built a corn and flour mill, which they fitted up with the best machinery then obtainable, and made the attempt to eompete with western mills.
Not being successful in this venture, in a few years they sold the machinery and converted the building into a sawmill. in one part of which they had a grist mill containing one set of stones. In and around this mill they had a large force of men to whom they gave constant employment in the manufacture of various kinds of lumber. They also had other branches of business, which they carried on for some years with marked suecess.
In 1859 or 60, two members of this firm, Oliver and Joseph Pope, purchased the waterpower at the "Narrows," for the pur- pose of lumbering, and intended to do a large business. They
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at once began the erection of a stone dam, which was finished in the winter of 1860.
Little Sebago Pond is a considerable body of water, being about eight miles in length and from one to three miles in width. It lies partly in Windham and partly in Gray, while its north- erly side touches the town of Raymond. The pond is an ex- ceedingly beautiful sheet of water and is a favorite resort of pleasure seekers, who, in large numbers, annually visit its shores for rest and recreation.
At the foot, or outlet, the Popes built their dam, near the site of Gen. Hunt's old mill. The bottom of the stream, at this place, is composed of cobble-stones and sand; on this unstable foundation they built the dam of split stone without cement or sufficient piling.
In the early spring, after the work was finished, the melting snow had filled the pond to highwater mark; long and heavy rains came on; and all who were familiar with the conditions saw that, sooner or later, a catastrophe must occur. But, although frequently warned, the owners seemed totally unmind- ful of the danger; and, as the water rose higher and higher, they sought to overcome the force of gravity by increasing the altitude of the structure with flush boards.
The last days of April were noticeable for heavy rains; on the fifth and sixth of May it rained continuously for forty-eight hours, and the end was at hand. The water in the pond was estimated to be from ten to fifteen feet higher than was ever known before, and the tremendous pressure it exerted was too much for the frail structure.
On May 7, 1861, at 7 A.M., the dam gave way, and literally "great was the fall thereof." The owners, who lived at the little village of Popeville, were notified as soon as possible, but refused to believe that any material damage would be done, and took no means to secure any part of their property. The news of the outbreak spread rapidly through the town, and several hours before the flood came hundreds of men came with offers of assist- ance in removing goods and machinery, but the owners steadily refused to allow this to be done. The writer was, at that time, employed as a clerk for the company and was an eye witness to what followed.
At about ten o'clock, a low, sullen roar, like the rushing of a
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mighty wind, gave evidence that the hour of peril was near at hand; and in a short time, around a curve in the river came an immense wave bearing on its crest a large quantity of debris, consisting of stumps, the ruin of bridges, mill logs, cord wood and trees that had been torn up by the roots, all in one confused mass, and borne along with irresistible force by the rushing waters. It first encountered a strong double boom, where its career was for a moment checked. but only for a moment. The huge logs of which the boom was constructed snapped like pipe stems, and the confused mass, augmented by hundreds of mill logs, precipitated itself upon the mill dam.
At one end of this stood a woolen mill filled with heavy machinery, a large building intended for a cotton mill and partly fitted up for that purpose, and a dye house, which con- tained all the appliances for coloring and finishing cloth. On the other end of the dam stood a sawmill, a joiner's shop, grist mill and stave mill, all in one large building. After remaining stationary on the dam for nearly half an hour, the mass of ruins, with a mighty crash, started on its downward course, carrying with it the dyc-house and town bridge, the splintered fragments of which were mingled with the already confused mass.
The woolen mill remained firm and uninjured, but the cotton mill which stood at right angles with it was moved at least ten feet from its original foundation, and doubtless would have been destroyed had not the water forced a passage around one end and joined the main channel, leaving the building in compara- tive safety. However, as it was, the water rose to the second story of both these mills and ruined the machinery and a large amount of materials, and manufactured eloth.
On the opposite side of the town road near the river's brink, stood a large store in which was kept an assortment of groceries, dry goods, and clothing; the water beat into fragments the base- ment of this building, but did not damage it otherwise.
About one-fourth of a mile below Popeville stood the well- appointed sawmill belonging to Josiah S. Allen. This mill was said to be the best and most firmly constructed of any similar building in town. Having withstood the flood for some time, it was at length lifted bodily from its foundation, and floated out of sight apparently unharmed, and with the chimney stand-
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ing. At some distance below, it was dashed into a thousand fragments by the mad rush of the torrent.
In this wide-spread destruction, every bridge below the mouth of Ditch Brook to Presumpscot River was carried away, excepting the one on the New County Road, near the residence of the late A. J. Morrell ; while, on the Presumpscot, considerable damage was done at Gambo, Little Falls, and Mallison Falls, the bridges at all these places being destroyed.
Shortly after this catastrophe the Pope brothers rebuilt the mills, and repaired damages as best they could; and, for a few years, continued to do business. But they never recovered their old-time prosperity, and having met with other reverses, they were finally compelled to suspend operations, and the property passed to other owners.
A man named Garnier purchased the woolen mill and com- meneed to make extensive repairs, when it took fire and was totally consumed, together with one dwelling house, the store, and a building one hundred feet long, that the Popes had used . as a storchouse. The sawmill on the opposite side of the river was bought by John Keene, who used it as a grist mill and also for a wool carding mill. He remained here for a few years, but this building accidentally took fire and was burned to the ground, and with it a dwelling house, formerly occupied as a boarding house, and a large stable that stood near by. Now nothing remains of this once busy hamlet, save a few charred and blackened timbers and the rapidly decaying logs of the old dam.
In 1866, several gentlemen of Gorham and Windham pur- chased the waterpower on Windham side of the Presumpscot, at Horse Beef, and erected on the site of the first sawmill, a small woolen mill, which they fitted up with one set of machinery. In the winter of 1867 they obtained a charter in which they are styled the "Mallison Falls Manufacturing Company." One of the incorporators was Mr. Algernon L. Cole, who had been forc- man of several mills in Maine and New Hampshire. He was chosen superintendent of the new mill, which was put in opera- tion in the spring of 1867. After running for about a year, from lack of capital they were unsuccessful ; however, they sold stock enough to enable them to continue business for about two years, when they were compelled to close the mill.
It then remained idle for some time. It was finally leased
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to Joseph Hurst and William MeQuaker, who ran it for one year, with good success. At the end of that time a mutual dislike existing between the partners caused a dissolution of the part- nership, and Mr. Hurst went to Buxton, Me., where he operated the Hall woolen mill for a few years. Mr. MeQuaker being a stockholder, retained his grip on the mill at Mallison Falls, which he ran with what seemed at the time to be fairly good success.
In October, 1879, Thomas L. Robinson came from Oxford and started up the mill, which then contained one set of cards, two hand spinning jaeks, and seven old-fashioned Andover looms. He obtained more looms and other machinery and ran the mill until the next year, when he bought the property and built a large addition to the original building. He fitted it up with improved machinery and gave employment to between seventy- five and one hundred workmen. He also built four tenement houses to accommodate his employees and made other and vari- ous improvements on the property. He continued in business until Feb. 17. 1888, when the mills were totally destroyed by fire.
Nothing daunted, however, he at once commenced the erec- tion of the present brick mill. This he had nearly completed when he was suddenly smitten with illness which proved fatal ; and on June 22, 1890. he passed away. Mr. Robinson was an active, energetic man, endowed with a fine business capacity. and his death was a great loss to the community.
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Woolen Mill, South Windham, Maine
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His two sons, Joseph L. and Charles, completed the mill and started it in the autumn of 1891. For quite a number of years they continued to manufacture woolen goods of various kinds; but, owing to business depression, they were compelled to sus- pend operations a few years ago. The plant is now run by the Rindge Woolen Co.
CHAPTER XI INDUSTRIES, MANUFACTURES, ETC. (Continued)
Among the industries carried on by the early settlers of Windham was that of tanning. The first person to exercise that handicraft in this town was doubtless John Robinson. a native of Dover, N. H., who came here about 1765, and bought the farm now owned by Mr. Joseph Nugent, on what is now called the "Gray Road." He had a small tannery which he operated in connection with his farm. He was a Quaker of the old school and died a worthy member of that denomination, Aug. 21, 1800.
His son Timothy, born here in 1767. was also a tanner and currier ; and, in 1794, settled on the farm afterwards owned by his son, the late Oliver Robinson. Timothy had a tannery near the town road directly in front of the well and near his dwelling house, where he carried on the business for many years. IIe was a Quaker, noted for his strict honesty and systematic meth- cds. He died June 5. 1851, and is buried in the old Quaker Burial Ground near Windham Center.
Sometime about the commencement of the last century. Francis Osgood built a tan yard on the farm known as the "Josiah Little Place." It was built not far from the Presump- scot River, and traces of the old pits were plainly visible a few years ago. How long Mr. Osgood remained here we do not know, but it is said that he was in Windham for a long time; afterwards he removed to Portland, where he died.
About the year 1827, David Allen, a Quaker, built a large building on the farm now owned by Royal T. Mayberry, in which to exercise his trade as a tanner and currier. He carried on that business until his death, which took place Aug. 8. 1850. He was a fine workman and a man of undoubted integrity. and his death was deeply regretted by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
He was succeeded by Samuel Mayberry, who purchased the property in 1850-1. He operated it with good success for a long
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term of years; but at length failing health compelled him to retire from active life. He died in 1889.
No one has succeeded him, and the art of making leather cannot now be included among the industries of the town.
The manufacture of boots and shoes was formerly carried on here quite extensively. Just who our first shoemaker was we cannot tell positively; but it may have been Nathaniel Hawkes. He was born in old Marblehead, Aug. 31, 1740. and came here before 1771; as in that year he was married. This event is duly entered on the Quaker records of the Falmouth Quarterly Meeting, and reads as follows :
"Nathaniel Hawkes of Windham, in the County of Cumber- land, in the Province of Massachusetts Bay in New England, Shoe Maker, son of Ebenezer and Anna Hawkes of Marblehead in the County of Essex in said Province; Ebenezer being de- ceased ; and Mercy Jones, daughter of Lemuel Jones and Waite his wife, of Harpswell, 7th month 27th, 1771."
Mr. Hawkes settled in the easterly part of the town, not far from the Westbrook line, and is said to have been a quiet, indus- trious man, and a worthy member of the Friends' Society.
Here, let me say that the foot wear of the early settlers was vastly different from that worn by their descendants; modern boots were worn by but few and were costly articles ; hence, the greater part of the people wore shoes made of stout leather and hand-sewed. Such a thing as a pegged shoe was then unheard of. In the winter. men wore heavy home-knit buskins, which effectually protected their ankles from the cold and snow. The writer well remembers several old gentlemen who could never be induced to wear boots. but who elung to the old-fashioned shoe and buskin as long as they lived, claiming that they were more comfortable than that modern article, the boot.
Timothy Robinson was a shoemaker. as well as a tanner, and united the two trades, having a shop near his tannery and giving employment to a few journeymen and apprentices. He was succeeded by his son Isaac, who remained here a few years. Isaac Robinson sold out to his brother Oliver, and located in some eastern town where he carried on the making of boots and shoes until his death.
On coming into possession of the property. Oliver Robinson closed the old tannery and gave his attention to the manufacture
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of boots and shoes, which business he greatly enlarged. He built a new shop, in which he gave employment to a considerable number of workmen and apprentices, and, in the course of a few years, became the principal manufacturer of men's foot wear in Windham. He was a pleasant, kind-hearted gentleman, and was highly respected for his honest dealings. He spent his entire life of nearly 80 years on the farm where his father first settled, and died there Mar. 5, 1890.
For several years, Greenleaf Senter manufactured women's shoes at Windham Hill, where he had a shop and gave employ- ment to quite a number of journeymen. He finally retired and died, leaving no successor.
Andrew Allen and his sons, Thomas and William H., at one time had a shop near Baker's Corner, where they manufactured. boots and shoes, and also leather hose pipe for the Portland fire department ; but, in the lapse of time, they suspended operations and gave their time wholly to farming.
The foregoing were the principal shoe manufacturers in town, fifty years ago, but the business has become a thing of the past, and the shoes worn by both sexes are now made almost entirely by machinery.
In the early days it was customary for each householder to buy his own leather, and, at certain periods every year, to have a shoemaker come to his house and make the shoes for the family, big and little. This class of workmen used to go from house to house, carrying their tools in a stout bag or tied up in their leather aprons; while their advent into a household was always a source of great pleasure to the younger members of the family. This method was known to shoemakers as "Whipping the cat." Among those in this town who went about in this manner we remember Benjamin Goold, Peter Elder, Andrew Bodge, George Goold, and Frederick Smith, all of whom have been dead for many years.
The first blacksmith to exercise that handicraft in Windham was William Mayberry, whose career in Windham is fully de- seribed elsewhere in this book.
Col. Timothy Pike was a blacksmith. He was a native of Newbury, Mass., and had a shop in Portland, before 1764. He came to Windham, previous to 1777, but we do not know where he settled in this town, neither can we tell whether he ever
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worked at his trade here, but it is quite likely that he did. He remained here until 1779, when he went to Saccarappa, and we think that he died there. Col. Pike was an active, influential man, and through his removal the town lost a valuable citizen.
About 1800, Daniel Frost, a native of Gorham, had a black- smith's shop at Gambo, which stood near where the present schoolhouse stands. This he operated for many years.
As early as 1825, Joseph C. Larry, also a native of Gorham, who had learned the trade of Mr. Frost, built a shop and estab- lished himself as a blacksmith near the mouth of the "Horse Beef Road" in Windham. (See Larry genealogy.)
In 1833, William Bacon had a shop at South Windham, where he worked at blacksmithing. It stood on the spot where the groeery store of William Bickford and Company now stands. Mr. Bacon continued to work at his trade until 1843, when he sold his tools and leased his shop to Jolm A. Bodge, who had been his apprentiee.
Mr. Bodge had as a partner James Crockett, and they earried on the business for one year, when they dissolved the partnership. Mr. Bodge then built a shop on land now owned by the pulp company, and for some time did a large amount of work, but he finally sold out, and both he and his former partner, Crockett, afterwards became Freewill Baptist elergymen.
John Bacon, brother of William, came originally from Gor- ham and was a blacksmith. He owned a farm on the River Road at South Windham, where he built a shop, nearly opposite the residence of the late Jonathan Sanborn. He was a very indus- trious man, and loved farming better than he did his trade, and spent but little time at his forge. Ile lived to be quite aged and died in the winter of 1892.
Elijah Pope, ancestor of the Popes of Windham, was a black- smith. IIe came to this town from Falmouth, about the year 1769, and purchased a farm near Pleasant River. it being the same on which his grandson. Oliver Pope, afterwards lived. He built a shop near the present brick house, now owned by Mr. Peter Trickey, where he worked at his trade for a long term of years. He was a Quaker. He is said to have been a fine workman and had a large number of customers.
About 1850, Meshach P. Larry erected a building where
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Oriental Hall now stands, at South Windham, and carried on blacksmithing for a few years. (See Larry genealogy.)
Samuel Bragdon did the iron work for the Oriental Powder Company for a long term of years; he also had a shop at one time on the Gray Road opposite the residence of Fred A. Cash. Old age finally compelled him to retire from active life, and he died not long afterwards.
During the period of their prosperity, Isaiah Pope and Co. gave constant employment to a blacksmith and had, at different times, Jason Knight, who afterward located at Windham Center; Ransom Morton, a very ingenious workman; Thomas Frost ; and George G. Young, in that capacity. A few years ago, George Long had a shop at South Windham, in which he worked at his trade of blacksmith, but he finally gave up the shop, and now does the iron work for the pulp company.
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