Class. Book COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT A. HISTOET OF THE FIRST CKNTURY OF THE TOWN OF PARSONSFIELD, MAINE. INCORPORATED AUG. 29, 1785, AJSTD CELEBRATED WITH IMPRESSIVE CEREMONIES. AT ]N"OETH PARSOlSrsriELD, ^UGUST 29, 1885. PORTLAND, ME. BROWN THURSTON & COMPANY 1888. p'^^ V/,Dearborm \L PRKFACK. In placing this volume in the hands of the public, we feel that it is a duty which we owe alike to ancestry and posterity, as well as ourself, to offer some apology. It was expected that the town would take charge of the matter of preparing and publishing the work, and that a competent per- son, who could devote undivided attention thereto, would be found to per- form the arduous duty. But the town refusing to assume the responsibility, and without funds to carry such design into execution, a few determined to push on the work. Very much of the burden has fallen upon us, wholly unprepared for the taiF, busiedwith professional duties, and loaded with cares and responsibili- ties of life, only able to devote to this work those hours, fatigued by labor, which should have been passed in repose, we feel constrained to crave the indulgence of those who peruse, in this, that some apology will be found in the minds of the generous public for the errors and omissions which may be apparent, as well as for the style and matter which appear. We have no thought of avoiding criticism. But close observation and experience have alike taught us, that the severest criticisms will come from those who have been least helpful. We wish to acknowledge our great obligations to those who have con- tributed articles of interest to its pages ; to those who furnished us of their means to aid in the proper observance of the centennial ; to the members of the several committees ; to each and all of those who have exerted them- selves in collecting facts and data for the history ; * to all who have given encouragement and cheer ; to each one who has furnished us with a portrait for the work ; and especially must we mention the names of a few of those who have been very interested and helpful in the prosecution of this volume. Without their assistance the task Avould have been beyond our j^ower to accomplish. Those in town are John Bennett, Esq., H. G. O. Smith, and Hon. C. F. Sanborn ; and of those absent, Hon. James VV. Bradbury, Dr. Jos. Ricker, Prof. L. D. Emerson, Geo. I. Doe, of Wilton, N. H., Geo. Par- sons, and Edward Tuck, of New York City, Dr. Samuel K. Towle, of Hampton, Va., Dr. J. O. Moore,t of Haverhill, John Tuck,t of Biddeford, VI PREFACE. Ira Moore, of Los Angeles, Cal., Horace Piper, a.m., of Washington, Prof. C. F. Brackett, of Princeton, Rev. Asa Dalton, of Portland, and Rev. R. H. Conwell, of Philadelphia. This list might, and in justice should be, largely extended; but those named have been very pronounced in their helpfulness. A town history is mostly of value to those who are interested in histori- cal matters, — matters pertaining to family genealogies, and of biography. In order to present these topics to the enquirer intelligently and clearly, we have divided the volume into five parts. Part I. is chiefly made up of the papers that were presented in the order of exercises on the day of celebrating the town's centennial, in addi- tion to a short account of the preparation therefor, and the attendant cir- cumstances of that occasion. Part II. is the general history of the town for the past one hundred years. Part III. Personal sketches. Part IV. Genealogies. This part is far from complete. Much exer- tion has been made to render it more so, but we find it a difficult task to accomplish, and in many cases totally impracticable. Part V. is made up of miscellaneous papers, many of which were received too late to appear under their proper heads. The amount of labor requisite to present this imperfect volume to the public can never be appreciated by those who have never undertaken the accomplishment of a like thankless task. Respectfully yours, J. W. Dearborn. •A committee of ten was selected for this purpose, consisting of Dominicus Ricker, Wm. H. Doe, Oilman Lougee, Ivory Fenderson, Joseph Parsons, John W. Piper, Eben Foss, H. G. O. Smith, E. S. Wadleigh and O. B. ChurchUl. t Deceased. OBNERAL INDBX. DEDICATIOlSr, ........ I Preface, ........ v List of illustrations, ...... xi PART I. Introduction, ....... 1-4 Programme, ........ 5-8 Address of Welcome, By J. W. Dearborn, m.d., ..... 13 Oration, By Hon. James W. Bradbury, .... 14-25 Agriculture of Parsonsfikld, By John Tuck, . . . • . . . 26-34 Schools of Parsonsfibld, By Horace Piper, A.m., ll.b,, .... 36-56 College Graduates, By Rev. Joseph Ricker, d.d., .... 57-72 Progress of Physics for a Century, By Prof. C. F. Brackett, a.m., m.d., ll.d., . . 73-125 Centennial Poem, By Mrs. Isadore Merrill, . . . . . 126 Lawyers of Parsonsfield, By P. W. Mclntyre, Esq., .... 127-133 Physicians op Parsonsfield, By J. W. Dearborn, m.d., . t • • 134-158 VIII GENERAL INDEX. Minerals of Paesonsfield, By H. L. Stajjles, a.m. m.d., . , . . • 159 Parsonsfield Seminary and its Students, By Prof. G. H. Ricker, 160-162 Music and Musicians of Parsonsfield, By Prof. L. O. Emerson, .... 163-164 Progress of Christianity for a Century (Sermon), By Rev. R. H. Conwell, . . . . . 165-173 PART II. History. CHAP. I. Geography. — Indians. — Early Titles. — SHapleigh Proprie- tors. — Hunters and Trappers. — Wild Animals. — Early Homes, etc., ..... 174-181 CHAP. II. Names and Locations. — Address of H. G. O. Smith. — Residents 1785. — Early Records. — Petition For, and Act of Incorporation, ..... 182-192 CHAP. III. Prospect. — Houses. — Food. — Transportation. — Roads. — Improvements. — Crops and Business, . . . 193-200 CHAP. IV. Town Business. — Taxation. — Census Returns, . . 201-206 CHAP. V. Light and Heat. — Drinking Customs. — Coming and Go- ing. — Horses and Cows. — Progress, . , . 207-212 GENERAL INDEX. CHAP. VI. Churches and Ministers, IX . 213-224 CHAP. VII. Survey. — Plan. — Military. — Poor. — Political, 225-231 Rambles about Town, CHAP. VIII. . 232-238 Personal Sketches, PART III. 240-364 Genealogies, PART IV. 365-413 PART V. miscellaneous papers. Letter of Lauriston W. Small, . . • • Deed of Capt. Sandy to Francis Small. — Act of Incorporation, Call for First Town Meeting, ..... Extracts from Records, ..... List of Selectmen from Organization of Town till the Present, . Names of S. S. Committee since 1820, List of Native Teachers, . . . . t . List of Names of Town Clerks for a Century, List of Names of Delegates and Representatives for a century, Senators, County Treasurer and County Commissioners, 415 416 418 419 420 422 423 427 428 432. XII INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS. Dearborn, Dr. J. W., ...... v Dearborn, John, ........ 310 Dearborn, Jos. F., ....... 316 Dearborn, Jos. S., . . . . . . .315 Dearborn, Simon F., . . . . . . 317 Devereux, John, ........ 454 Dixon, Wm. D., ....... 259 Doe, Col. Bartlett, ....... 354 Doe, Hon. Alvah, ....... 358 Doe, Wm. K., . . . . . . . .352 Durgin, Prof. S. H., ". . . . . . 153 Emerson, Jos. P., ...... . 246 Emerson, Luther, ....... 245 Emerson, Prof. L. O., . . . . . . .163 Fernald, Elliott, . . . . . . . 311 Foss, Eben, ........ 334 Garland, David, . . . . . . . 302 Garland, John, ........ 303 Garner, Allen, ....... 332 Hilton, Rev. Chas. A., . . . . , . .353 Knapp, Hon. Wm. D,, ...... 66 Libbey, Capt. A. S., . . . . . . . 300 Libby, Nehemiah T., ...... 459 Lougee, Gilman, ........ 280 Maplevvood, ........ 13 Mclntire, Hon. Rufus, ....... 21 Merrill, H. Lorin, ....... 359 Merrill, John J., ....... 276 Merrill, Samuel, ....... 356 Moore, Dr. James O., . . . . . . . 143 More, Prof. Ira, ....... 274 INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS. XIII Moulton, Dr. Albert R., ...... 155 Moulton, Dr. Alvah, . . . . . . 139 Moulton, Wm. E., . . . . . . .340 Newbegin, John S., . . . . . . • 461 Parks, Orlando T., ...... . 437 Plan of Parsonsfield, ...... 225 Parsons, Asa B., ....... 360 Parsons, Capt. Thos. B., ...... 243 Parsons, Dr. Chas. G., . . . . . . • 1^4 Parsons, Dr. Jos. A., ...... 1^5 Parsons, Joseph, ....... 468 Parsons, Samuel, ....... 466 Parsonsfield Seminary, . . . . . . .160 Pease, Burleigh, . . . . . . • 65 Pease, Hon. Zebulon, ....... 262 Piper, Elisha, ....... 48 Piper, Horace, ........ 36 Piper, Jonathan, ....... 266 Ridlon, Emery S., . . . . . • .132 Ricker, Dominicus, .....•• 283 Ricker, Jos., d.d., . . . . . . .57 Sanborn, Hon. C. F., 292 Sanborn, Hon. Luther, ....... 290 Smart, John G., 307 Smith, H. G. O., . . 1"4 Stackpole, Stephen A., ...... 299 Staples, Rev. L. T., 313 Sweat, Dr. John B., ...... 147 Sweat, Dr. Moses, . . . . . . .136 Sweat, Dr. Moses E., ..... • 63 Sweat, Dr. Wra. W., 146 XIV INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS. Sweat, lion. L. D. M., ...... 127 Towle, Capt. Harvey M., 273 Towle, Dr. Samuel K., 151 Towle, Geo. W., . 463 Tuck, Hon. Amos, ....... 60 Tuck, John, ........ 26 Tuck, Samuel, ....... 325 Wadleigh, Elisha, ....... 284 Wadleigh, Elisha, Jr., ...... 286 Wadleigh, E. S., . . . . . . .295 Wedgewood, Joseph, ...... 349 Weeks, Prof. Stephen H., ...... 462 Wentworth, Hon. G. M., . . . . . . 305 Whitten, Col. Simon J., ...... 3I9 Wiggin, Wm. H., 441 PART I. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 1785. August 19. 1 The suggestion of a proper observance of the one hundredth anniver- sary of the incorporation of the town of Parsonsfield, came from one of her sons, highly honored and esteemed among us here, as well as by that very much larger number of friends and associates with whom he has lived and labored the larger part of his active life, Rev. Joseph Ricker, D.D., of Augusta, Maine. This suggestion, communicated through his brother, Dominions ' Ricker, Esq., then Representative from this town to Augusta, met the approval of the leading citizens, and acting promptly thereon, at the annual meeting in March, 1885, the town unanimously voted to raise the sum of five hundred dollars, and authorized the selectmen to draw orders on the treasurer for sums not exceeding that amount, to be ex- pended in observing with appropriate ceremonials the forthcoming anniversary. A committee was then and there chosen, and authorized by the town to take charge, and make all due preparations for the celebration, which was to occur on the twenty-ninth day of August following. This committee consisted of fifteen persons, as follows: — Dominicus Ricker, Samuel Merrill,* John Bennett, Esq., Moses E. Sweat, m.d., Joseph Parsons, William K. Doe, Ivory Fenderson, Gilman Lougee, C. O. Nute, William E. Moulton, Eben Foss, J. W. Piper, H. G. O. Smith, Rev. L. T. Staples, J. W. Dearborn. Immediately upon the adjournment of the town-meeting, this com- mittee met in the selectmen's office and organized for active work by choosing : — * Since deceased. 4 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. Twelve members of the general committee pledged themselves in the sum of three hundred dollars, to meet any exigency that might arise, thus placing, in all, at the disposal of the executive committee about two thousand dollars. The " Piper field," at North Parsonsfiekl, which commands a wide view, sweeping over portions of twenty-three towns in York, Oxford and Carroll counties, was selected as the most appropriate place to con- gregate, and twenty-five thousand feet of timber and boards for stands, tables, seats, etc., purchased and placed thereon.* Two mammoth Yale tents, one for the audience and one for the refresh- ments, were provided. Ample provision was made to give refreshments to from four thousand to five thousand people, seating one thousand at a time. This was placed under the direction of the well-known caterer, Mr. E. D. Robinson, of Portland. The services of Chandler's band, of Portland, were secured. All favors asked of railroad corporations, the Boston and Maine and its divisions, the Maine Central and its branches, the Portland and Rochester, and the Portland and Ogdensburg, by way of transportation and reduced fares, were cheerfully granted. Prof. L. O. Emerson, of Boston, a native of the town, generously of- fered his services in aid, and held a three days' convention at East Par- sonsfiekl, for the purpose of drilling a chorus for the occasion. In this effort, which proved so successful, he was greatly aided by Dr. J. T. Wedgewood, of Cornish, also a native. The committee on programme issued the following: — *The meeting for the incorporation, on August 29th, 1785, was held at the house of Thomas Parsons, Esq., the proprietor of the town. This farm is located on its western border, later became in turn the property of Capt. Luther Kinerson and of Joseph P. Einerson,Esq , son-in law and grandson, and now owned by James W. Cook, Esq., of Boston, (whose wife is a great-granddanghter,) who, haviiig remodeled the house and rebuilt the barns and outbuildings at a large expense, generously tendered the hospitalities of " Eltuwood farm," with all the privileges of ihe housf, barns and grounds for the occasion, if 'the com- mittee should deem it expedient to use them. This offer would have been accepted but from the fact that it w;is not so easy of approach. I '„L'J N II I I M I I I I I M I I I I I I I I I I I I I 1 I I II II ,L~m 785. 885. ^ ^^m^Fl^l^, S « OgMTgMiimL I ^I^ iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiuiiiiiii AUGUST 29th. 785. 885. I I M M I M II I I I I II II II I II II I II I I M I M il ^% HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 1785. 1885. In honor of Parsonsfield's Centennial, which is to be celebrated at North Parsonsfield, Me., August 2yth, there is to be a GRAHD PREPARATORY MUSICAL FESTIYAL, —AT— EfiS^T PARS0NSF1ELB, AUGUST 26th, 27th and 28th. DIRECTORS: Prof. L. 0. Emerson, of Boston, Mass. Dr. John T. Wedge wood, of Cornish, Me. Soloist, Miss Alice Crouch, Boston. PIANISTS : Miss Elizabeth U. Emerson, Boston. Miss Rosa K. Wedgewood, Cornish, Me. Exercises will commence on Wednesday, at 10 o'clock, a.m. TWO GRAND CONCERTS. TEURSDAT EVE., at S o'clock, and FRIDAY AFTN, at S. All singers are cordially invited to join the chorus, and participate in the festivities of the occasion, free. Concert Tickets, 25 cts. It is highly important that all vrho contemplate joining the chorus, should be present at its organization, on Wednesday, August 20th. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. ORDER OF EXEIROISEIS. SATURDAY, AUGUST 29. MUSIC, . . . Chandi-er's Band, Portland, Me. ADDRESS OF WELCOME, . Dr. J. W. Dearborn. President of the Day. INVOCATION, . . . Rev. Wm. Ricker Thompson. MUSIC, Festival Anthem, " Praise the Lord," (L.O.Emerson.) Chorus. *SUMMAKY OF GRANTS AND SURVEYS. EARLT SETTLEMENTS. H. G. O. SMITH. *AcT OF Incorporation and Organization, . H. G. O. Smith. MUSIC, " God of Israel," . • . (Rossini.) Chorus. ORATION, . . ... Hon. James W. Bradbury. MUSIC, ..... Chandler's Band. AGRICULTURE OF PARSONSFIELD, . . . John Tuck. SCHOOLS OF PARSONSFIELD, . Horace Piper, a.m., ll b. MUSIC, . . . . . . . Selected. REFRESHMENTS. MUSIC, ..... Chandler's Band. COLLEGE GRADUATES, . . . Jos. Ricker, d.d. MUSIC, " Hail to Thee, Liberty," .... Chorus. *CHURCHES AND MINISTERS, . . James M. Buzzell, m.d. MUSIC, (Selected) . . . . ... Chorus. tPROGRESS OF SCIENCE FOR THE LAST HUNDRED YEARS, Prof. C. F. Brackett, a.m., ll.d. POEM, ..... Mrs. Isadore E. Merrill. MUSIC, ..... Chandler's Band. JLAWYERS OF PARSONSFIELD, . . Hon. L. D. M. Sweat. MUSIC, " Hallelujah Chorus," . . . (Plandel.) PHYSICIANS OF PARSONSFIELD, . . Rev. L. T. Staples. MINERALOGY AND GEOLOGY OF THE TOWN, H. L. Staples, a.m. REMARKS OF CELEBRITES. MUSIC, (Original Hymn.) Tune, "Sessions." PARSONSFIELD SEMINARY AND PUPILS, . Prof. G. H. Ricker. MUSIC AND MUSICIANS OF PARSONSFIELD, Prof. L. O. Emerson. HYMN. In the broarl forest's trackless wild, O meadows green! O friendly wood! With ready hand and hearty cheer. Each happy bird, and muniinriiifc rill, Our fathers cleared their rugged farms,— Each breeze tliat sweeps through sighing pines, Their humble homes they builded here. Our restless souls doth sweetly tUrill. How changed the time! How changed the scene! Here first we saw the light of day, Where once their ."turdy axe« rung! Our lisping prayer we nightly said; — Above the forest's gloomy shade, In yonder, sacred, silent spot, A busy town to life has sprung. Lies many a loved one, long since dead. In these fair fields, first tilled by them, O Faith that crowned our sires of old, With grateful hearts we sing our lay, Be with us in each coming year, That memory may their worth preserve While others come again to find When we, like them, have passed away. Their joys, their hopes, and memories here. — Frank Herbert Pease. • See History of Parsonsfield, Part II. t In the absence of Prof. Bra,ckett, responded to by Rev. R. H. Conwell, of Philadelphia. X Paper by P. W. Mclntire, Esq., of Portland. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. Officers of General Committee. J. W. Dearborn, Chairman; John W. Piper, Rec. Sec; VVsi. E. MouLTON, Treas. Jonx Benxett, ") L. T. Staplks. f Cor. Samuel Merrill, ) ^^^^ ^^ C. F. Saxuorn, ( Sec'ys; Dominicus Ricker, > j^-jy^nce E. S. Wadleigh, ) Oilman Lougee, ) Com.m.ittee on Music. Dr. J. W. Dearborn. Prof. L. O. Emerson, Boston, Mass. Dr. .J. T. Wedf;ewood, Cornish, Me. T. W. Burnhain. Mis. J. W. (Jook, Boston. " B. F. Haley, Cornish. " C. F. Sanborn. *' Jesse Gould, Limerick. Robert Mei rill. Dr. J. O. Moore, Haverhill. Mrs. S. L. Dittrick, Springfield, Mo. " Ada M. Towle, Newfield. " N. M. Lcavitt. " E. A. Smart. " D. O. Blazo. •• O. B. Churchill. " E. E. Lord. " D. H. Hill, Sandwich, N. H. Miss Margaret Bullock. J. \V. Piper, Mrs. Joseph Roberts Executive Committee. JonN Bennett. L. T. Staples. C. F. Sanborn. E. S. Wadleigh. J. W. Dearborn. General Committee. Dr. J. W. Dparborn, Dominicus Ricker, Dr. Hoses' E. Sweat, •Samuel Merrill, Rev. L. T. Staples, Giluiaii Lougee, John Bennett, Esq. C. O. Nute, •John M. Ames, Hon. C. F. Sanborn, •Hon. John Bracltett, T. W. Burnham, Thos. B. Weatworth, Jos. Wedgewood, S. G. Dearborn, Chas. A. Rand, J. S. Newliegin, S. F. I'err.v, Loreuzo Moulton, Jos. iloulton, Capt A O Smart, Robert Merrill, J. W. TnieworHiy, Aeheiniah Libby, Jeremiah Bullock, H. L. Merrill, Thomas C. Huntress, A. R. Leavitt, Ivory Fendersou, Wm. E. Moulton, H. G. O. Smith, Josei)h I'arsons, John W. Piper, William K. Doe, Eben Foss, 'Hon. Alvah Doe, O. B. Churchill, Robert T. Blnzo, Esq. E. S. Wadleigh, Thos. C. Randnll," a. H. Cartland, Israel Banks, Wm. B. Davis, John Neal, J. A. Poase, Luther Neal, John U. Parsons, *S. D. Mnrston. Chase Boothbv, John Devereaux, T. S. Cliufch'll, E. B. Wadleiph, Marston .\nies, Geo. P. I>avi3, H. W. Colcord, David M. Chase, E. E. Lord, Jacob Taylor. •Deceased. A Praise service on the Sabbath, Aug. 'P,0, led by Prof. Emerson, followed by sern.on by Rev. R. H. Conwell, of Philadelphia, commenjjing at 10.30 a.m. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 9 The tents, tables, seats and stand were seasonably in order, the day as fair and beautiful as heart could desire, heralded early by the can- non's roar upon the hillside, — one hundred guns, — the police regula- tions perfect, and the event successful and satisfactory. From the "Biddeford Journal," of September 4, 1885, we clip the following: — There has not been a better day for an open air celebration such as Parsonsfield indulged in Saturday, since 1771, when Thomas Parsons and " thirty-nine others" bought the land now comprising the town. At two o'clock in the morning it was raining heavily, and the prospect for a good day was anything but flattering, but by sunrise the clouds had rolled away, and " old Sol " beamed brightly down on the good old town. From early morning until noon, hundreds of well-filled teams of every description, came pouring into the N'orth Road Yillage from all direc- tions, and by ten o'clock, the hour set for the opening of the exercises, a crowd had gathered which was variously estimated at from six thousand to twelve thousand persons — probably a number about half way between these figures would be nearer right. At its last town-meeting, definite action was taken to properly recognize and celebrate this, the one hundredth anniversary year of the town's existence. The whole matter was placed in the hands of a competent committee, the members of which labored incessantly and with enthusiasm to make this event a true memo- rial holiday, which should leave a grateful remembrance in the heart of evei-y son and daughter of Parsonsfield, whether present or absent, and be an honor to the memories of those who have gone before. That they made a wonderful success of the arduous undertaking, the excellently arranged and admirably carried out programme of exercises abundantly testifies. For days, we may almost say for weeks, the clans had been gathering. From every State in the Union, and from the isles of the sea, by ones, twos and entire families, those who claim the old town as their birthplace, came back to look upon the scenes of other days, and to join hands and hearts in the glad festivities of this memorable occasion. THE EXERCISES. A special over the Portland and Ogdensburg railroad, which left Portland at 6.30 o'clock in the morning, brought Chandler's full band and a large number of others interested, to Baldwin, the nearest railroad station, nine miles away. An ample number of conveyances were in readiness to carry the company to the scene of the celebration. Half a mile out from the North Road Village, where the pro- cession was to be formed, the band was met by a company of fifty uniformed horse- men, and escorted to the village, where line was immediately formed for the march to Academy Hill, one mile away, where the literary and gustatory exercises were to be held in two enormous tents, which were pitched in the field of Mr. Sherman E. Piper, on the summit, one for the speaking and one for the eating. lO HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. First in the procession, which was marshaled by Captain Almon O. Smart, a brave soldier in the late civil war, came the horsemen, Captain John Lougee, of the First Maine Cavalry, commanding. Following in the order named, came Thompson Post, of Cornish, and Mitchell Post, Newfield, of the Grand Army of the Republic, in uniform. Chandler's full military band, of Portland, one hundred of Parsonsfield's fairest young ladies, dressed in white, and carrying a beautiful banner, which bore the inscription, " 1785 — Parsonsfleld Centennial — 1885." After these was a carriage containing ex-United States Senator James "W. Brad- bury, his brother, Dr. Samuel Bradbury, ex-Congressman L. D. M. Sweat, and his brother. Dr. Moses E. Sweat. The procession was closed by a long line of citizens and visitors. Upon arriving at the tent where the speeches were to be made, the G. A. R. Posts were assigned seats which had been reserved for them in the front row, while the band, and young ladies, and invited guests, found seats upon the large platform, with the excellent chorus, under the direction of Prof. L. O. Emerson, of Boston, himself a native of Parsonsfleld. This tent was one hundred and forty feet long and eighty feet wide, and although it was packed full, not half the crowd could get inside. The sides of the tent were raised and many listened to the exercises from the outside. It was precisely ten minutes past eleven o'clock when the band opened the ex- ercises with a medley of popular airs. This was followed by the address of wel- come by the President of the day, Hon. J. W. Dearborn. His speech, which occupied fifteen minutes in its delivery, was able and eloquent, and his hearty words of welcome fell pleasantly upon the ears of a large audience. Rev. Wil- liam Ricker Thompson then invoked the Divine blessing, after which H. G. O. Smith, Esq., an honored resident of the town, was introduced, and gave a very interesting and concise address on the grant and surveys and early settlements in the town, the substance of which was published in our Saturday's edition. ' The act of incorporation and organization, which was to have been read by E. J. Cram, Esq., of Biddeford, was omitted on account of a lack of time, as was a poem writ- ten by Mrs. D. M. Merrill, of Boston, which was to have been read by Miss Elva Staples. After the rendition of Prof. Emerson's festival anthem, " Praise the Lord," by the chorus, Hon. James W. Bradbury, the orator of the day, was intro- duced, and was greeted with loud applause. The following is taken from the "Maine Sentinel," of the same date : — The people of the good old town of Parsonsfleld, with thousands of their outside friends, celebrated the one hundredth anniversary of the organization of the town last Saturday, by carrying out the full programme of exercises we published in the Sentinel two weeks ago. From the well-known energy of the citizens of Parsonsfleld, high expectations were raised that the occasion would be one of rare enjoyment to all participating, and all who had the pleasure of being present went away more than pleased with the varied exercises. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. II The grand preparatory Musical Festival was held at East Parsonsfield three days before the Centennial, under the able direction of Prof. L. O. Emerson, of Boston, ably assisted by Dr. John T. Wedgewood, of Cornish, with Miss Alice Crouch, of Boston, soloist, and Misses Rose K. Wedgewood, of Cornish, and Elizabeth U. Emerson, of Boston, pianists. Mr. Sherman E. Piper generously loaned the use of his field for the erection of the two mammoth tents for the Centennial, and, in fact, on the day of the cele- bration, free use was made of his house, barn, outbuildings, and nearly every foot of his whole farm, for which all interested were truly grateful to him. The Piper field, on which the two large tents were erected, was an excellent place for the celebration. The ground is the highest in the vicinity, and from the place an excellent and widely extended view can be had, overlooking twenty- three different towns in Maine and New Hampshire. A large amount of work was necessary in preparation for this Centennial cele- bration. "We had the pleasure of looking over the active preparations going on on Friday, the day before the grand celebration. The two tents had been erected, one filled with seats for three thousand or four thousand people, the other filled with tables, and handsomely arranged to dine one thousand at a time. Scores of men were actively at work (as they had been for many previous days,) in com- p leting the final arrangements for the celebration of Saturday. Much of the success of this celebration was due to the energetic efforts of the committee. Messrs. J. W. Dearborn, Chairman; John W. Piper, Recording Secretary; Wm. E. Moulton, Treasurer; John Bennett, L. T. Staples, C. F. San- born, E. S. Wadleigh, Corresponding Secretaries; Samuel Merrill, Dominicus Ricker, Gilman Lougee, Committee on Finance. Messrs. Eben Foss and the Churchill brothers, also proved very efficient aids to the Executive Committee. Saturday morning was clear and beautiful. At an early hour teams came pour- ing along from all directions, and when Chandler's band arrived from Portland, via Cornish, at about ten o'clock, there were probably fully six thousand people present. Nearly or quite two thousand carriages, bringing two, four, six or more each, were there. Over one thousand carriages were counted around the Piper place, near the tents, and nearly as many more must have stopped at points more distant. A procession was formed a half mile below the academy, on the Limerick road, made up as follows : — Marshal, Capt. Almon O. Smart, with aids. Thirty-six Cavalry men, mounted, Capt. John Lougee, commanding. Thompson Post, G. A. R. , of Cornish. Mitchell Post, G. A. R., of Newfield, both in uniform. Chandler's full band. I 2 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. One hundred of Parsonsfield's fair young ladies, dressed in white, with a beauti- ful banner bearing the inscription, "1785 — Parsonsfield Centennial — 1885."* After the young ladies, came a carriage containing ex-Senator James W. Brad- bury, his brother, Dr. Samuel Bradbury, ex-Congressman L. D. M. Sweat, and his brother, Dr. Moses E. Sweat. The procession was closed by a long line of citizens anil visitors. Upon arriving at the tent where the speeches were to be made, the G. A. R. Posts were assigned seats which had been reserved for them in the front row, while the band, young ladies and invited guests found seats upon the large plat- form, with the excellent chorus, under the direction of Prof. L.O. Emerson, himself a native of Parsonsfield. " Aunt Polly " Edgecomb is now living near the celebration grounds, in her one hundredth and fifth year. She received many callers on Saturday. On the stand were three aged sons of Parsonsfield, Messrs. Robert T. Blazo and Joseph Merrill, of Parsonsfield, and Mr. Eben Blazo, now of Porter, each of whom is about ninety years of age. Reporters on the platform: Mr. P. W. Mclntire of the Argus; Miss Mclntire of the Press; Woi-mwood of the Oxford Register; Pease of the Boston Globe; Pres- cott of the Biddeford Journal; Cummings of the Biddeford Times; and Hanscom of the Maine Sentinel. Exercises at the tent opened at ten minutes past eleven, A.M., by music from the band and singing by Prof. Emerson's chorus. On Sunday, it being quite stormy, the exercises were held in the church, which was filled. The exercises were of much interest. They were as follows: — Praise Singing — L. O. Emerson's Chorus, Miss Wedgewood presiding at the organ. Remarks — by Rev. Mr. Snow, of Cornish. Prayer and Remarks — by Rev. I. P. Quimby, of Turner, Maine. Singing — " Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing." A very interesting and powerful sermon, by Rev. R. H. Conwell, of Philadel- phia, on the progress of Christianity for one hundred years. f Singing — " Praise God from whom all Blessings Flow." In which we plainly recognized the strong bass voice of Hon. Leonard Andrews,| of Biddeford. A fervent benediction by Rev. Mr. Conwell, closed the interesting exercises pertaining to the Parsonsfield Centennial. * At the close of the exercises this bauner was presented to Prof. L. O. Emerson, who proudly took it home to Boston with him. t Digest of sermon appears in this worlj, Part III. t Since deceased. Q O O u -J CL < HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 1 3 EXERCISES AT TENT. Chandler's band opened the exercises with a medley of popular and inspiring airs. The address of welcome was then given by the Presi- dent of the day, Dr. J. W. Dearborn, which was as follows : — Ladies and Gentlemen: The town of Parsonsfield on this, the one hun- dredth anniversary of her birth, extends to you a kindly greeting and a cordial welcome. To every son and daughter of this soil, native and adopted, she gives a mother's love and blessing, and opens thereto the dearest hospitalities of the old home. Those of us who remain as members of the household, rejoice that we are again allowed to meet so many who have sought homes elsewhere, but who on this oc- casion manifest by their presence their continued regard for this, their fatherland. To you we open wide our hearts , and clasp your every hand with the warmest frater- nal greetings. To those from sister towns, from far and near, who have come here today to aid us by their presence, and by their expressions of good-will, in erecting this, the first great milestone in the onward march of years, thus mark- ing otf by centuries this town's existence, to you I say, we swing the doors wide open, and bid you hail and good cheer. On this auspicious morn we meet, a re- union of hearts, and a unity of effort, to briefly contemplate and review the his- tory of this grand old town from its infancy to the present ; and with the vision of faith glance forward to the destinies that await its future. This review and fore- cast are not altogether free from saddening thoughts, although the blessings that have been showered upon us in the past have been so rich and so varied. Of that number who participated in the exercises of incorporation, none remain. All those noble, heroic souls, with thousands of their descendants, have by the pale boatman been ferried across the dark and murky waters. But of the num- ber then living within its borders, there is one remaining, a lone woman, who resides almost within sound of my voice, and who is now more than one Imndred and four years of age. Her infancy was cradled in the century preceding this town's birth, and should her life continue through this day, into the border of the next, she will have clasped by the golden band of years, fastened only by the ten- der, silken thread of life, three centuries together. Then, again, as we look for- ward over the chasm of another hundred years, we are saddened by the contem- plation that all these — this buoyancy, and life, and beauty, and mirth — will have taken their places with the loved ones gone before, in the ranks of that great, silent, fast-swelling majority. But notwithstanding these facts, let us not fail to rejoice and give thanks for the many blessings which crowned ovir lives. For an ancestry rich in strength of character, nobleness of soul, devotion to duty, to humanity, and to Christianity. For the noble lives that have gone forth to bless and to educate. For the fathers and mothers who have endured privations and toils for us, their children. For a birth and home in this healthful, peace- 14 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. ful, productive, and quiet town. For all the unnumbered and unnoticed bless- ings which have surrounded us in the past. For this glorious day, and the privi- ege of greeting so many of the dear ones, long absent; seeking hearts of grat- itude for recognized favors and blessings, believing with the noble Whittier, — "Nor bounds, nor climes, nor creed Thou knoweit, Wide as our needs Thy favors fall; The white wings of the Holy Ghost Stoop, seen or unseen, o'er the heads of all." With gratitude for the blessings of the past, and imploring a continuance for the future, I now invite each and all to revently unite with Rev. Wm. R. Thomp- son in the invocation. After the fervent prayer by Rev. Wm. Ricker Thompson, and the ren- dering of Prof. Emerson's Festival Anthem, " Praise the Lord," by the Chorus, an able and interesting paper was read by H. G. O. Smith, giving a summary of grants and surveys, act of incorporation and or- ganization, which appears, with other historical matters of importance, in this work. Part II. The orator of the day was then introduced as one of the native sons of Parsonsfield, who comes to us laden not only with years but with honors, Hon. James W. Bradbury, of Augusta, Maine. Mr. Bradbury spoke as follows: — Mr. Chairman: Fellow Citizens — I am glad to stand upon the soil and breathe again the air of my native town — to look once more upon the hills and valleys, the fields and forests, of my earliest recollection, I am glad to see assembled here so many of the children and grandchildren of the acquaintance of my boyhood. I am glad to grasp the hand of the few that survive of those I then knew. This scene bring back the memories of the past. It recalls the changes that the lapse of years has made. My recollection goes back three-fourths of the period since the organization of this town. One hundred years ago today, the hardy pioneers of this settlement met at the house of Thomas Parsons, and organized the town of Parsonsfield. You meet today to celebrate that event. It is an appropriate, as well as an agreeable service. It is due to the memory of those enterprising pioneers, from you who occupy the places where they stood, and constitute the present citizens of the good old town. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 1$ It is well for the present generation to recall the privations and hardships en- dured by those men and women who came into the wilderness, upon the very- verge of civilization, to make homes for themselves and their posterity. The discomforts of life in the rude dwellings they were first able to provide, the toil in clearing the heavily wooded land, of walling and fencing the fields, of making the highways over the rocky soil, of erecting comfortable buildings, schoolhouses and churches, the men of the present generation hardly know how to appreciate. Such noble acts, looking beyond self, to secure homes and inde- pendence for those who should come after them, is deserving of commemora- tion. It was very kind in you, Mr. President and gentlemen of the Committee, to in- vite those of us who had strayed from the old homestead, to join you in this cele- bration, and give us the opportunity to share in its pleasures. For myself, and I think I may add in behalf of all the rest, we give you our hearty thanks. Perhaps I ought here to say, that when your committee did me the honor to invite me to make a leading address on this occasion, I was so environed by sick- ness, cares, and the weight of years, that I felt constrained to decline. And I understood that what was expected of me was to give some personal reminiscen- ces, and a sketch of the early lawyers, until I saw the programme which assigns to me a duty I am not prepared to discharge. We have heard with pleasure the interesting summary of the grants and early settlements of the territory. The most prominent figure among the first settlers was Thomas Parsons, the leading proprietor of the township. It is appropriately left for others to do justice to the memory of him, who bore so prominent a part in the early history of the town. Mr. Parsons and the settlers were sure they had a good title to the land, going back to the original lords of the soil. The deed from Captain Sundy, the local chieftain, to Francis Small, dated November 28, 1668, of the tract of land between the Ossipee rivers, was subsequently confirmed by the General Court of Massachusetts. By intermediate conveyances the title came to the pro- prietors who made .the agreement with Mr. Parsons and his associates. Whatever may be said respecting the dispossession of the original occupants of many portions of the country, the proprietors of the soil of Parsonsfield can trace their title back to the original source. According to tradition, there is something of romance connected with the origin of this deed to Mr. Small. Francis Small, when twelve years of age, came with his father from England to America. In 1868 he was an Indian trader, residing at Kittery. In the spring of that year he established a trading camp in the Ossipee region, and was proba- bly the first white man who entered upon Ossipee soil. Through the summer of that year he sold goods to the Indians on credit, to be paid for with furs in the autumn and winter. 1 6 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. In November, Captain Sundy, the Indian chieftain, came to Mr. Small and told him, that the men of his tribe intended to set fire to his camp and kill him the fol- lowing night, and, as he could not restrain them, he advised Small to tlee for his life. Small thought the story a scare, and declined the advice. But w^hen night came on, he began to think so much of the informition, that he concluded to leave his camp and secrete himself in some pines, on a hillside near by, and vratch. Toward morning he saw the flames of his burning camp, and he took to his heels to save his life, and rested not until he had reached the white settlement at Kit- tery. This mode of settling accounts did not suit Captain Sundy. A few days later he followed Mr. Small to Kittery, and to make good his losses by the fire and bad debts, he sold to Small, for a nominal consideration, the entire Ossipee tract, which was supposed to be some twenty miles square. This deed is still in exist- ence, as I am informed. Sundy appears to have been an honest man, who hated repudiation, but his men were rank repudiators. Had they lived in these times, they would not need to resort to violent means to relieve themselves from debt, if they had a United States Supreme Court to interpret the law. They could assemble in their con- gress and enact alaw making wampum, at their own price, a legal tender for debts contracted before the passage of the law, and then tender the wampum in legal payment of their debt. If not more honorable, it would be a milder and less cruel mode of discharging obligations. But I must not trench further upon the domain of the historian, who is to address you. My recollection goes back far enough to recall many of the early settlers in the town, some of whom took part in its organization. Walter Neal, who lived half a mile above Middle Eoad Village, was elected pound keeper at the first town- meeting, one hundred years ago today. His brother Enoch, lived just above him on the other side of the road. Of the venerable forms of my earliest recollection, I recall that of good old Parson Benjamin Rolfe,the first settled clergyman of the territorial parish, which then embraced the whole town. I remember seeing him in the pulpit, in the large unfinished church, situated on the small common at Middle Road Village, and in his garden moving briskly about, dressed in his green baize dressing-gown, rolled up behind. He was an ardent politician in his latter days, and his dislike of a^apoleon sometimes found vent in his prayers. I also well remember Elder Wentworth Lord, the Baptist minister, venerable in appearance and in character, who lived at the Middle road, half a mile easterly from the village, and preached in the meeting-house situated on the east side of the road, west of the village, almost up to Walter ISTeal's. Elder John Buzzell, the Free-will Baptist minister, resided at the ISTorth Eoad Village, and preached in the meeting-house there, and subsequently, a part of the time, in the meeting-house in the South part of the town. I saw him fre- quently at my father's house. I recall his venerable appearance, and his cus- HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 1 7 tomary apostolic salutation on entering a house. I must not trespass upon the field of the biographer of the clergymen, but you will allow me to add that Elder Buzzell was a remarkable, far-seeing man, who has made his name almost his- toric. He was one of the founders of his denomination, and did more than any other man to secure its enlargement and success. He early perceived the neces- sity of advancing the standard of education of the ministry, as that of the people advanced, and gave every stimulus in that direction in his power. He was one of the foremost of the founders of the seminary in this village. To provide an organ for his denomination he started, and for some time edited, the "Morning Star," which was first published at Limerick. I received letters from him after he had reached the age of eighty-four, written with the vigor and accuracy which showed that with him, as with Moses of old, his natural vigor had not abated. I recall, as if now standing before me, the good deacon, Samuel Garland, of the Congregational Society (or Standing Order, as then called), and the good Free- will Baptist deacons, Samuel Moulton and Samuel Moulton jr. Dr. Moses Sweat commenced his study of medicine with my father, and at his suggestion, as I have heard him say. My recollection of him at that time is not as vivid as in subsequent yeai-s. He was one of the first medical students who began their professional studies with him. In the course of my father's more than forty years' practice of medicine in the town, twelve or thirteen young gen- tlemen entered upon the study of their profession with him. All of them achieved success in their calling, and several of them eminence. Among my old neighbors at the Middle Road Village, I recall Benjamin Dal- ton, the careful and successful merchant. Peletiah Ricker, Tobias Bicker, Cut- ting Moulton, and the sturdy form of John Bennett, the substantial farmer, who lived a little distance on the way to the Korth road. At a later time Israel Chadbourne moved into the village, and still later, IsToah Tibbetts, Esq. On the South road we came first to the house of Deacon Samuel Moulton jr. , then to the houses of William Moulton, and Deacon Moulton senior. 'Near them re- sided the Wedgewood families, Jesse and his son; farther on were the residences of the Hilton, Bickford, Piper, Morrison, Burnham and Burbank families. On the cross roads, leading from the village to Xewfield, we came first, to houses of Richard Lord and Captain Tristram Redman; then, some distance beyond, to that of Deacon Garland, who had a large family of sons, with whom I afterward became acquainted; then further on to the residence of Col. Joseph Parsons, a son of the proprietor, who raised up a large family of sons and daughters, of whom only one, Dr. J. Addison Parsons, of Windham, is the sole survivor. Dr. Charles G. Parsons, another son of the Colonel, who married my only sister, studied medicine, removed to Windham and practiced successfully his profession for several years, and died there. The Wiggins, Samuel, the successful teacher, and Daniel, his brother, lived in the vicinity, and further on, the family of Mr. Dominicus Ricker, one of whose sons, the Rev. Joseph Ricker, D.D., has accom- 2 1 8 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. plished as much for the Baptist denomination, of which he is a veiy able and useful minister, as any man in the State. But I will consume no more of your time in personal reminiscences. I understand it is expected of mB, that I should give a biographical sketch of the lawyers who early settled here. In this respect the town has been fortunate in the character of those she has had. A good lawyer is a useful citizen; a bad one may be one of the worst. We owe to law the protection of property, liberty and life. "Without law, vio- lence and brute force seize all. Weakness and innocence would stand no chance. To secure justice and give protection, law must be wisely administered; and to do this, learned lawyers are needed, as well as good judges and intelligent jurors. The profession is, therefore, essential in securing the dearest rights of society. . I^icholas Emery was the first lawyer who settled in Parsonsfield, so far as I have any information. He was a native of Exeter, N. H., born September 4, 1776, entered Exeter Academy at the age of twelve, the same year that Mr. Ab- bott, the distinguished educator, commenced his fifty years' instruction in that institution. Young Emery, having been thoroughly prepared, entered Dartmouth College in 1791, and was graduated, with the honors of his class in 1795. The old time mode of dress had not then passed away. We should now be amused to see a graduate decked out as he appeared on Commencement day. He wore a black coat, vest and small clothes, with large silver knee buckles, black silk stock- ings, and shoes with silver shoe buckles, black silk gloves, and the head sur- mounted with a black, three-sided cocked hat. His hair was queued down the back almost to the hips with a black ribbon, his head dressed and powdered white as snow. After leaving college, he pursued the study of law with Mr. Livermore, of Portsmouth, an accomplished lawyer and learned scholar, and he diligently availed himself of the advantages of such an instructor. During this period, in 1796, he was for a few months assistant instructor in the academy, and had Dan- iel Webster for one of his pupils. He entered upon the practice of his profession thorou'^hly equipped for success. He was a carefully trained and well-read law- yer, a ready speaker, a cultured gentleman, of fine personal appearance and ad- dress. Parsonsfield at that time offered an extensive field for a young man in the profession of the law. The county was new and growing, business was done on credit, and the imperfect surveys left the boundaries of many farms uncertain, offering a broad theater for suits for the collection of debts, and the determina- tion of controversies growing out of disputed titles, uncertain boundaries, and contracts between disagreeing parties. Upon his admission to the bar, Mr. Emery came to Parsonsfield in 1798, opened his office and settled here. His accomplishments as a lawyer, and his pleasing address, soon secured for him numerous engagements, and an extensive andlucra- HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 1 9 tive practice, that extended over a wide circuit in this State, and into the border- ing towns in ]S'ew Hampshire. After eight years of successful practice here, he removed to Portland, in 1807. He immediately took rank amongst the eminent lawyers in that city, side by side with Mellen, Longfellow, Whitman and others. and continued his labors and success, until he was appointed to a seat upon the bench of the Supreme Judicial Court in 1834. He held this position for seven years, the term for which he was appointed, and filled it with honor. As a judge he was patient, impartial and just, always seeking to have justice done and the law sustained. As an advocate, he was persuasive and eloquent. As a lawyer, he was learned , acute, and over cautious in giving an opinion, and perhaps so in foi-ming one. He hesitated and balanced in reaching a decision, through honest fear of mistake, and this habit clung to him to the last. No man, however, could question his honesty. He had not much taste for public life, and seldom took part in political affairs. He was a delegate from Portland to the convention which formed the constitution of Maine, and was one of the three representatives from that city to the first legislature of the State, by which the government had to be organized, and the whole code of statute laws, reported by the Board of Commissioners ap- pointed for that purpose, had to be examined, revised, amended and adopted. He held, and faithfully discharged other public trusts. His public life closed with the termination of his judicial office. He died in 1848, respected and lamented. Samuel Cushman was the next lawyer who settled in the town. He was the immediate successor of Judge Emery, and in 1807 he took the office the Judge had built at the Middle Road Village, and continued to occupy it until 1810, suc- cessfully engaged in the practice of his profession. He descended from Puritan stock, and was a native of our State. Robert Cushman, the common ancestor of the Cushmans in New England, was one of the bandof Pilgrims who came to Plymouth in 1621, leaving England to find a home in the wilderness, where they could enjoy the privilege of religious freedom. These were men of convictions, ready to sacrifice the homes of their childhood that they might worship God according to the dictates of their own consciences. If they were not perfect, they were still a noble body of men, ahead of their time. Religious toleration is a virtue of slow but steady growth. Nations do not leap at a bound into toleration or civilization. It has taken a thousand years to bring England up to her present standard of civilization. Mr. Cushman, the subject of this notice, was born in Hebron, in the county of Oxford, July 21, 1783. His parents were Job and Priscilla (Ripley) Cushman, who were natives of Plympton, Massachusetts, where they continued to reside until their removal into Maine, in 1772. Job Cushman was a prosperous farmer, and in the latter period of his life he was licensed to preach. He raised up a large family of children, ten in all, but was unable to afford them the highest advan- tages of education. 20 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. Samuel received the best instruction that the common schools and academies afforded. He then applied himself to the study of law under the instruction of the Hon. John Holmes of Alfred. In 1807 he was admitted to the bar, and immediately went to Parsonstield and opened his ofRce, and practiced law there about nine years. He was a fair lawyer, honorable in practice, and averse to useless litigation. By his integrity and urbanity he won and retained the confidence of the commanity, anl was held in high esteem. He held various positions of trust during his residence in town. He was postmaster at the village during President Madison's administration, and as a member of the school committee, he took much interest in visiting the schools, and offering premiums to stimulate to improvement. I remember well his presence at an examination, at the close of a term of school at the village, when I was very young; and I kept with care for years, the book he awarded me on that occasion. In May, 1812, he married Miss Maria J. Salter of Portsmouth. They had a large family of twelve children, two of whom were born in Parsonstield. In 1816 he removed to Portsmouth, N. H., and resided there until his death. Such was the esteem in which he was held that he was often called upon by his fellow-citizens of Portsmouth, to serve them in various places of trust. He was at different times town agent, assessor of taxes, overseer of the poor, and chair- man of the school connnittee. He was also county treasurer for a number of years. In 1834 he was elected to Congress, and served as member of the House of Kepresentatives two years from March 4, 18.35. He was postmaster under the administration of President Van Buren, and navy agent during the administration of President Polk. In 1850, when Portsmouth became a city, he was appointed police magistrate under the new organization, and served in that office until his death, which took place May 22, 1851. Kev. Doctor Peabody, who then resided in Portsmouth, said of him, that "of the regard in which he was held in life, and is cherished in death, by citizens of Portsmouth, without distinction of sect or party, it is "impossible to speak too strongly." His professional abilities and attainments were such as might have enriched a less selfish man, but his time and his best services were always at the command of the poor, the friendless, and the public. He was prominent and dis- interested in every effort for the general good, and never labored more cheer- fully than when consciousness of being useful was the only reward. He sought to compose, not to stir up strife. In political life, Mr. Cushman, previous to his removal to Portsmouth, usually acted and voted with the Federal party. Upon his residence there, he became in- timately conversant with many prominent statesmen and politicians, and was led to revise his opinions; and from conviction and principle he became a supporter of Democratic principles. So thorough were his convictions, that he became warm and earnest in the advocacy of his political views, alike when they were in the ascendency, and when his adherence to them was to his own apparent injury. "'"""f, HON RUFUS MHNTIRE HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 21 As a citizen he took a deep interest in the cause of temperance; and among tlie departments in which he exerted a beneficent influence a prominent place should be given to the cause of common school education. It was said of him that no man has done so much as he, for the public schools of Portsmouth. But his highest claim to regard was as a christian. For many years a member of the church of Christ, it is testified of him, that he adorned his profession, alike by fidelity to the ordinances, and obedience to the precepts of his religion. The next lawyer of importance who settled in the town, was Kufus Mclntire, a descendant in direct line of Malcom Mclntire, a Scottish Highlander who was banished to this country shortly after the battle of Dunbar, by Oliver Cromwell. He v^as born in the town of York, December 19, 1784, and was of pure Scotch de- scent. He was a graduate of Dartmouth college, in 1809. After pursuing his legal studies for three years he was admitted to the York county bar in 1812. He was a patriot who loved his country with devotion. In the war of 1812, brought on by the repeated and intolerable aggressions of England, determined, it would seem, to test the question whether our Republican government could stand the strain of a war, Mr. Mclntire took sides with his own government, amidst the denun- ciations of its opponents. He received the commission of captain in the regular army, and served faithfully upon our frontier during the war. After its close he spent a year with his brother Alexander, in York. He was bred a farmer, and always retained his love of agriculture. In 1817 he came to Parsonsfield, and opened an office at the Middle Road Village, and commenced the practice of his profession there. His character and bearing were such that he acquired the con- fidence and respect of the community as soon as he became known. His towns- men elected him their representative to the first legislature, after Maine became a state. In July, 1820, he was appointed to the office of county attorney of the county of York, which office he held for a number of years, and discharged its duties to the entire satisfaction of the public. In September, ls27, he was elected a mem- ber of the House of Representatives of the twentieth Congress, to fill the vacancy arising by the death of Hon. William Burleigh. At the annual meeting in Sep- tember, 1828, he was elected to the twenty-first Congress for the full term. At the annual meeting in 1830 he was elected a member of the twenty-second Congress; and again at. the annual election in 1832, he was elected to the twenty- third Congress, making in addition to his election to fill the vacancy, three elec- tions for three full terms, and this in the intelliijent old county of York. Xo better evidence of confidence and appreciation can any man desire or hope to at- tain. January 25, 1839, Mr. Mclntire received the appointment of land agent of the state. This was during the controversy respecting our northeastern boundary. The northern part of our state was situated between ^ew Brunswick and Canada, 22 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. thus separating these two British provinces. England, coveting this intervening territory in order to establisli a connection between their provinces for military and other purposes, trumped up a groundless claim to it, and the people of New Brunswick were stimulated to take possession. Governor Fairfield was informed that some two or three hundred desperate men had gone into the Aroostook territory, and were engaged in cutting and pre- paring to run down the St. Johns, the immense timber upon it. He immediately dispatched Mr. Mclntire, the land agent, with a posse of a hundred men, to pro- tect the property of the state, stop the plundering, and arrest those who persisted. While in the act of executing these orders, the land agent was seized by an armed force, and carried beyond the limits of the state. The intelligence of this outrage upon the authority of the state, created an in- tense excitement. Our people were ready for war, if war was necessary to vindi- cate the honor of the state, and protect its rights. I have never witnessed more intense indignation than on this occasion. The governor immediately demanded of the acting governor of New Bruns- wick, whether this seizure was under the authority of the government. He forth- with dispatched a large posse to co-opei-ate with those in the territory, in main- taining possession and arresting the plundering. He also issued an order as commander-in-chief to raise by draft, or otherwise, from the state militia, a large military force to proceed at once to the scene of disturbance, to take and hold possession of our imperilled territory. This was promptly done. The often assailed militia was then sufficiently organized to fur- nish by draft, on two or three days' notice the required force, armed and equipped and ready to march to the scene of action. This forcible seizure of one of our most distinguished citizens, representing the authority of the state, brought matters to a crisis, and led to such action as re- sulted in a settlement of the boundary question. By the treaty between the United States and England, known as the Ashburton treatv, to which the state of Maine was persuaded by our government to yield its assent, there was paid to the states of Maine and Massachusetts three hundred thousand dollars, for the land constituting the northern part of England's pre- tended claim. Durino; the time that Mr. Mclntire held the office of land agent, its duties and responsibilities were greatly increased by the unsettled condition of affairs, all of which he met with his accustomed good sense and fidelity. Durinf the administration of President Polk he received the appointment of United States marshal for the state. President Pierce also recognized the value of his services, and appointed him surveyor of the port of Portland. This closed his public career. It is due to his memory to add, that in all the various positions he occupied in along and somewliat eventful life, in every public trust confided to his care, he showed himself able and faithful to his trust. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 23 As a lawyer he excelled more as a counsellor than as an advocate. He had a clear, discriminating mind, and a good knowledge of the law, and he argued his cases with force and precision, without any effort at display or eloquence. He had a scorn for any advantage by unfairness, and was ever honorable in his prac- tice. He was a good citizen, a firm friend, and a kind and devoted husband and father. In the family circle his excellent qualities were as marked as his integrity in public life; so patient under the misfortunes that came upon him in his latter years, and so devoted to the daughters that ministered to him for years after the death of his second wife. He was married to Miss oSTancy Hannaford in 1819. She died in 18.30. In 1832 he married Mary Hannaford, a sister of his first Avife. She died in 1838. Three daughters, children of the first marriage, and one son and one daughter, children of the second marriage, are now living. Tenderly cared for by his daughters after the death of his last wife, he died April 26, 1868. Long will his memory be cherished by the good citizens of Parsonsfield. N'oah Tebbetts was another worthy lawyer who settled in Parsonsfield. He was born December 26, 1802, in Rochester, N. H., where his ancestors had resided for a century before him. His father was a respectable, industrious blacksmith. Noah, being apt to learn and of delicate health, was sent to the academies at Wakefield and Saco to fit for college. He first entered Dartmouth University at Hanover, and when that institution closed, he went to Brunswick, and entered Bowdoin College, where he was graduated with high rank in his class in 1822. He then read law in the office of Jeremiah H. Woodman at Rochester for three years, and was admitted to the bar of York county, Maine, in 1825. He then settled at the jSTorth Road Village in Parsonsfield, and began the practice of his profession there. In 1827 he moved to the Middle Road and entered into part- nership with the Hon. Rufus Mclntire, who had been elected a member of Cong- ress, and continued there until 1834, when he removed to Rochester, his native town. He had a good knowledge of the law, and was a safe adviser and a fair practi- tioner; the field for training as an advocate was not large, and he had not that ambi- tion and push which characterized his neighbor in the adjoining town, Hon. Xathan Clifford, and he did not attain to that eminence as an advocate to which his abilities would have justified him to aspire. He was a useful citizen, active in carrying forward all social enterprises that he believed would promote the gen- eral welfare. The public schools, the Sabbath schools, and the cause of temper- ance, all engaged his attention. I remember very well the movement he started in 1828 for ornamenting the village by planting trees by the sides of the road. In June, 1828, he was married to Miss Mary E. Woodman, of Rochester. His eldest son, born in 1829, became a clergyman of prominence, but died early in life. In November, 1834, Mr. Tebbetts moved to Rochester and continued his prac- 24 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. tice at the Bar for eight years, unmarked by any unusual events. In 1842 he wa^ elected Representative to the State Legislature, in which he was an active member. In January, 1843, he was appointed by the Governor, circuit justice of the court of Common Pleas, a position he was well fitted by his abilities and integ- rity, to fill with honor. But his career was cut short by his death in the following August. During the short time he was upon the Bench, he showed such candor, patience and clearness of conception of the questions involved, and of the facts applicable to them, and such judicial fairness in his rulings, as gave promise of great excellence as a judge. He opened his court at Guilford in August and was soon compelled to adjourn it from illness. He returned to his home and died in a few days, leaving behind him an honorable record and name. A great change has taken place in the country since the time to which my memory goes back. The increase of wealth and the perfection of machinery have led to a change of the manner in which much of the business of the country is car- ried on. It is now done to a large extent by corporations and men of great capital. They receive the net profits, and employ the laborers, men, women and children, on wages. Competition is so fierce, and the love of profit sometimes so strong, that the wages of the laborer are only sufficient to afford a moderate support while at work. Few are able to lay up much, if anything, to provide against sickness or old age. And this state of dependence, aggravated by the competition of non- citizen labor (against which no protection is afforded by the government), must continue to increase. The future holds out little encouragement for improve- ment and relief from dependence for that class of our citizens. Agriculture is largely free from this dependence. Yours is an agricultural town. The soil is hard, but sufficiently fertile to reward the laborer with a fair return. By industry and economy he can sustain himself and his family in com- fort. He has a home; he is not dependent on the caprice or misfortune of others for his bread. Depression in business, or loss of favor does not turn him out of doors, or leave his family without food. You have a cold climate, but it is a healthy one. You have good schools, and come from a good stock. You have the elements for comfortable homes in which to rear your children, and to furnish inducements for enough of them to remain to keep your population good. Let them remember that four times as many are being educated to get their living by their wits, without work, as can succeed. Let education be practical; educate the hand as well as the head. I have said you have good schools, but there is still a chance for improvement. You have noticed how many cases have occurred within a few 3^ears of men of education and high standing who have fallen under temptation, and been guilty of frauds and breaches of trust, no better than larceny or robbery. Is it not possible that this of tea springs from defective education — educating the intellect and not the moral faculties? the head and not the heart? The earliest training and the most persistent should be of the latter. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 25 Would it not be a wise thing to do, to require every teacher in our common scliools to take a few moments at a set time, almost daily, to inculcate honesty, sincerity, truthfulness, kindness, unselfishness, temperance, reverence for God in the entire school, young and old, so as to imbue the minds of all the pupils with an abiding sense of the obligations and nobility of the virtues, and of the meanness and degradation that is sure to follow the contrasted vices. Think you that such discipline and instruction, commencing in childhood, would be valueless ? "We often hear it said that the safety of our Republican Institutions, the pres- ervation of our national liberty, depends upon the education of our citizens. But the education of the intellect is not sufficient. The moral powers must also be trained and developed. Otherwise, strengthening the intellect alone, may increase the power for evil. We may well ponder upon the words of the Father of his country, in his fare- well address to his countrymen almost a century ago : — " Of all the dispositions and habits that lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. . . And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion." I feel a natural pride in my native town. I should like to see such attention to your schools, and to education adapted to your needs, — such support of your churches and religious societies and attendance upon their services, and the cul- tivation of friendly relations between them, and such attention to your homes and farms, as shall make these homes the best nurseries of the coming generations; that they may be so trained in the practice of every virtue, and in the abhorrence of every vice, as to be valuable citizens in every condition in which they may be laced. While you are doing what you can by adopting the best mode of cultivation, and availing yourselves of the scientific knowledge of the fertilizing that your soil needs, it will still be true that while you can, by a variety of products, secure an adequate supply for your comforts, you will not have any large surj^lus of any one article for export. Maine men are found in every state of the Union, and as a whole they have reflected honor upon the land of their nativity. We rejoice in their prosperity, while we regret their loss. Let us not undervalue the privileges and the com- orts we have in our own state, and let us strive to make our homes and society so attractive, as to retain a goodly share of the coming generations within our own borders. 26 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. AGRICULTURE OF PARSONSFIELD FOR A CENTURY. BY JOHN TUCK.* To be a Roman citizen was once accounted a high honor. Now a nativity among the mountains of New England is a better passport to favor with the gathering millions in the increasing states of the West, than a birthplace in any- other country on the globe. Parsonsfield, our mother town, and not the least among the townships that cover the New England map, has therefore, no son so recreant as to withhold from her willingly, his cordial greeting on this occasion, with profound veneration; no son or daughter so forgetful of her people, as to meet them with less than a brotherly regard, or a sisterly devotion. To the touching and eloquent address of welcome by the president of the day, there are, however, absentees not a few, whose only response can be the falling tear dropped in silence under the roof of a far distant home. Such are not for- gotten by their friends today. Parsonsfield, like most other towns in York county, was first settled by a farming population, which emigrated thither to pursue that occupation, and from 1786 to the present time, agriculture has been the chief employment of a vast majority of her people. The early pioneers found the land covered with a growth of maple, oak, birch, poplar, hemlock, and pine, intermixed with minor trees and shrubs. The forests rapidly fell before the woodman's axe, and fires were employed to finish the work of clearing the ground for crops of corn, potatoes, winter rye, wheat, and oats, to be followed by crops of herdsgrass and clover. The land, prepared by the combined heat from the fires and the rays of the sun, to receive the seed in early spring, in a few days threw into the light the opening leaf, rapidly growing into the dark green blade; and soon into the yellow-ripened harvest of fruit. The farmers gained courage from their abundant crops, their cart-loads of potatoes, large, rich, and mealy, from their long, well-filled ears of yellow corn, and from their fine crops of grain and hay. Thus encouraged, our fathers somewhat over-estimated the abiding fertility of the soil, and its powers of pro- duction, without the condition of paying back to the ground the price of its expended resources. For here the elements of fertility of the land, unlike that of England, lay nearly all not far below its surface, and the deepened furrow failed to bring up from below new elements of productiveness in sufficient quantity to make up for the loss of those above, when once exhausted by con- tinued cropping. Fire had been but a spendthrift agency of a temporary fertility. In its mill it had dissipated the grist, and left to the defrauded soil only the toll in the ashes of combustion. The farmer did not discover the cheat till his land, in its third or fourth crop, began to call for payment for its repeated losses; and seemed to hint to our fathers the " Zaw," soon after promulgated by scientists, " of the con- * Since deceased. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD, 27 servation of forces,^'' and to illustrate the impossibility of creating energy from nothing. The log that rots on the ground in a hundred years, gives out the same amount of heat it would have produced in burning in a hundred minutes; but in the first case, it has been leaving its energy a legacy to the soil from which it had come, while in the latter case, it has dissipated its estate in the air. The laud is ever suggesting the lesson of honest dealing to those who do business with it. It repudiates no just debt, nor gives a crop on trust; but is ever boun- tiful to the liberal hand. But years rolled on. Men and women, ruddy in the glow of health, strong in muscle and in mind, with children inured to winter's cold and summer's heat, multiplied and replenished the earth. And as they annually assembled around the family board on a November thanksgiving, they returned their unfeigned thanks to the Divine Being for a bountiful harvest, and the increasing blessings on every side. The tables of the husbandman groaned under the weight of wholesome viands, including always the rich pumpkin pies, celebrated in song, which our mothers knew so well how to make and mold in the immense pewter platters of our antiquity. To the youth, especially of those days, the early breakfast, the midday dinner, and evening supper, alwaj's interesting formalities to those healthy youngsters, with appetites ground to a keen edge on the stone of hard work, became emi- nently ahsorhing ceremonies on Thanksgiving day, when, connected with plays and mirth and other social joys, they made the day memorable to them when youth had passed into manhood, and even old age. But farm life was not all a day of rest and joy like that. The summer of 1816 was remembered by that generation as the coldest on record. The low ground and valleys were visited by frosts every month in the year. It was only on the hills, or beside sheets of water, where the morning fog melted the frost in advance of the sun, that corn matured at all. At that time, it hardly need be noted, that the prairies of the AVest lay all unfilled in the solitude. The millions now Tjusy in driving the steam plow, the mower, or the reaper, were yet unborn, and their farms lay in the embraces of that vast region then designated on the maps as " wneccpZorecZ." No locomotive engine, drawing its long, extended railway train, bearing a burden of grain and flour, had ever broken by the sound of its whistle, or the noise of its rumbling, the stillness of a New England town. The failure of the crops here, therefore, threatened famine to the families of our fathers. Anxiety sobered alike the countenances of the farmer, and the laborer working for wages by his side in the field. A day's work that year, worth fifty cents, would purchase only a peck of corn worth two dollars a bushel; and a Aveek's labor of the house-girl would buy no more of the necessaries of life than a day's work of the farm hand. And yet the laborer, bearing to his family the little he had received, returned at night with a thankful heart, not envying his employer, who had it to spare. 28 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. Sixty-nine summers have come and gone since that cold season. J^Tow the laborer, often fresh from Europe, and from poverty, making himself more than at home with the liberties of a free country, is often seen in the cities of the East and the West, joining in "a strike for a higher wages," because he can earn and receive no more than a bushel of wheat, or two bushels of corn in a day. The question sometimes comes to our lips, Is gratitude and contentment pro- portionate to our wants, rather than to our wealth? The latest reports of the Massachusetts Bureau of Statistics of Labor (the fifteenth and sixteenth), show that the percentage of increase of wages for the last fifty years, is considerably greater than the percentage of increase in the cost of living, while the hours of labor have been diminished, as the conveniences and comforts of life, with the means of education, have been augmented. If this is the case in Massachusetts, the reverse can hardly be found in Maine. But it is hoped that the next hundred years will open a still brighter page in the history of labor, as well as in the intelligence of the laborer. To illustrate further some of the peculiarities of country life, sixty or eighty years ago, the following, which may be of interest to some, is sketched, and embraces a short account of THE OLD-FASHIONED "RAISING." House-building, in the early years of our century, differed considerably in method and style from the present fashion; though but few log-houses appear to have been at any time constructed. Most of them, though of ample width, and good length, were only one story high, and low posted. But as early as 1800, there had been erected quite a number, scattered here and there, in town, two stories in height, and about forty feet in length. The frames of these were often of red oak timber, and large enough for a ship of war. Of course it took a large number of men to raise such a frame, as the entire broadside, its great plate, ponderous posts, studs, and numerous braces, all framed together, had to be put up at once, according to the custom. This was a job requiring the greatest care and skill, for if any accident should occur through misunderstanding, or the negligence of a single boy at the foot of a post to direct with an iron bar the tenant into its place in the sill, the whole side might drop with a crash, and the killing of twenty men, more or less, might be the result. As the raising of a frame, whether of house or barn, was quite a notable event in a neighborhood, the old men and boys, as well as the able-bodied farmers, wei-e invited to enjoy the occasion as a sort of holiday for those not able to do much lifting. As the older men were able, without interrupting their stories, to make oak pins which the boys were eager to toss, as they were wanted, to the men on the frame, there were social joys, work, and play mingled, to make the afternoon a pleasant one. When the frame had all been successfully put up, and the shades of night began to appear, thejre yet remained the final ceremony of naming the building. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 29 This was a work too important to be done in prose, so the very best poet in the neighborhood was called to duty. He had of course been privately notified the night before to prepare for his ascent, and now the hour had come for his eleva- tion to the ridge-pole of the new fabric, on one end of which he was to sit astride "like a monarch of all he could survey," while on the other end, face to face with him, was perched the second officer. The crowd below, having hushed itself to silence, and standing with eyes upturned to the men above, the voice of the second man rang out the words slowly and distinctly: — " Here - is - a - fine - frame, It - deserves - a - good - name, And - what - shall - we - call - it ? " Then came the response from the poet laureate, no less distinct: — " Here is a fine frame, Stands in a fair view. The owner is industrious. And the frame it is new." To lines like these were added a quaint allusion to any curious event of family history, or such prophecies of future luck to the owner as the genius of the bard enabled him to put into rhyme. The air having been duly rent with three hearty cheers, and the windows of the next house having been dropped behind retreat- ing spectators, the men and boys were all invited in to supper, where they could enjoy with their coffee and pies, a clearer view, and the social recognition of those who had witnessed their doings through the open windows. FRUIT. If it took time to clear the land, to build houses and roads, it took still longer time to raise orchards and fruit. When at length apples and pears from natural stock came to hand, very few were such as to tempt the appetite. It was thirty years or more that the pious admonitions of mothers, and the rod of Puritan fathers, were supplemented by the sourness of neighboring orchards, to produce in their sons a predisposition to honest habits. It was not before 1830, or '35 that there came to youth the temptation of the apple of finer flavor hanging from the grafted limb. If any boy then fell from his integrity, it was from the same cause that had brought ruin into the world once before. But this time the culprit (if there were one) fared better than his prim- itive ancestors; for he was graciously permitted to retrieve his honor by subse- quent honest dealing; and by hard work, to make for himself an Eden of his own. If not miracles, at least wonders, have been accomplished by the indus- trious farmer with an honest wife to aid him. Where not long since the wild beast had his lair, and the primeval forest afforded hunting ground for the Indian, now the orchards spread their mantle of whiteness in spring-time over the land- scape, and lend their fragrance to the air; and before the falling leaves shall 30 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. forebode the coming snows, they shall fill the farmers' bins with the best of fruit.* While the soil and physical features of Parsonsfield render the town best adapted to the raising of stock and fruit, yet corn, potatoes, and oats, are next to hay, the most important crops. The total yield of corn for the present year, is estimated by one of the centennial committee (Rev. L. T. Staples), to be from ten thousand to fifteen thousand bushels, with a much larger crop of jjotatoes. Wheat, which in the early years of the century was extensively raised, has ceased to be a profitable crop on account of the low price of western flour, the best of which can be bought this year for six dollars a barrel. Oats therefore have sup- planted wheat. Farming is profitable in proportion to its net income, rather than to its ag- gregate production. Persons realizing this obvious fact are seeking the best farms, and concluding to cultivate well their best acres. Some pieces of ex- hausted land they will ultimately turn out to pasturage or perhaps profitably remand to forest, while other acres never yet cultivated perhaps, will be found, only awaiting sub-soil drainage to be converted into the most productive part of the farm. The rapidity with which the country is being stripped of its pine timber ought to admonish land-owners everywhere of the wisdom and duty of carefully pre- serving their young growth of pine. IMPROVEMENT IN STOCK. The fondness for neat cattle characteristic of the English people, had its origin perhaps as far back as the Christian Era; and the trait may have been trans- mitted through eighteen centuries to the people of Parsonsfield, as an hereditary feature of character. As early as the days of Julius Ctesar, cattle had become important propei'ty in England. The British island being divided into various local sovereignties, cattle were deemed the safest kind of property, because they could be driven before retreat- ing or advancing bands of predatory warriors. It has been, however, only dur- ing the present century that England has carried the breeding of stock to the greatest perfection. What is called in the United States the native breed, has arisen from a mixture of various breeds, imported by early settlers at a time when the fixed breeds now in favor did not exist. The first imported to New England were suffered to deteriorate from hardship and exposure to our severer climate. The earliest importation to this continent on record was by Columbus in 1493. In 1553 there were some shipped from Portugal to Newfoundland; and in 1611, a hundred head were imported from England to Virginia. A few years later, on the settlement of the Pilgrims in Massachusetts, other importations were made * Appended to this paper may ba found an estimate of some of the results of the harvest of 1885. Also names of prominent farmers. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 31 to that state. It was some 3'ears after this period, that the distinctive breeds of Durham, Ayrshires, Jerseys, etc., became famous in England. In Parsonstield the first to introduce improved stock of these distinguished English breeds, was Dea. Harvey Page, in the southern section of the town. From 1833 to 1836 he kept on his farm a bull about seven-eighths Durham, and stock became much improved in that vicinity, and stock raising received a new impetus. At a date somewhat later, John Kezar introduced the same breed in the north- erly part of the town; and subsequently in the eastern section Kathaniel Church- ill and Albion Towle introduced the Hereford stock. Through the interest created by these importations of 'English bred stock, and the improvement seen as the result, the town has reaped an annual income from the growth of beef cattle much greater than ever before. At the present time, not only the Durham, but the Hereford stock has gone into every section of Par- sonstield, attracting numerous buyers from abroad, augmenting the profits of fai-ming in its most remunerative branch, and conferring a public benefit, shared indirectly, if not directly, by every inhabitant. The improvement made in farming tools, during the century, has been fully proportionate to the rapid advance made in other directions. Prior to the estab- lishment of manufactories to make farming tools by machinery, and before the invention of various modern machines and tools to facilitate farm labor, farming required an expenditure of time and strength vastly greater than now, to accom- plish the same results. The cast-iron plow, the horse-rake and mowing machine, among the inventions of the middle and latter half of the century now closed, outrank all the others in importance to the farmer. But added to them the horse-hoe, the hay-tedder, and other inventions, have contributed much to the saving of muscular labor and time. Human strength is as impotent to compete with horse power, as the latter is to compete with steam power. W03IEN OF PARSONSFIELD. Ko account of agricultural life in Parsonstield for the century now closed, would be complete without a word of just homage paid to the tireless energy and enterprise of the women of those early days. Persons who have no recollection of the era of domestic spinning wheels, and hand-looms of old, can hardly appreciate the labor of manufacturing cloth from wool, flax, or cotton, by hand. Every thread had to pass the wicket of the spinster's thumb and finger, be reeled, warped and woven by skill of hand, and strength of muscle. AJter that, the woolen cloth having been fulled, colored , and dressed at the mill, must be cut and made into garments for the family; and the family that had wool enough for its needs, and simple machinery, with the ability to manufacture it, was deemed scarcely less than opulent. But this work was but an incidental addition to the everyday labor and care of the growing family. 32 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. The making of cheese and butter also, was not reckoned least among the duties of women. As the epoch of oleomargarine, though a substance derived, 't is said, from Ancient Grease, had not yet dawned on the world, good butter, with sometimes maple sja-up, was the only substitute those early settlers had for the invention of a later civilization. And, strange as it may seem, the good farmers of Parsonsfield cling to this day, as strongly as ever, to the old prejudice in favor of butter, which adds, as prejudices will, not a little to domestic labor. All such circumstances combine to give truth to the couplet: — "Man's work is from sun to sun, But woman's work is never done." If, however, some kind-hearted devotee to fashion or pleasure should feel impelled to di'op the tear of compassion for the sorrows of those hard-working mothers and daughters, we would like to lift the curtain for a moment, which sixty years have dropped before the scenes of the past, and let her look in upon the matron at her loom, or the maid at her wheel, and listen to her lay; for " She sings by her wheel at that low cottage door. Which the long evening shadow is stretching before, "With a music as sweet as the music which seems Breathed softly and faint in the ear of our dreams. " How brilliant and mirthful the light of her eye. Like a star glancing out from the blue of the sky; And lightly and freely her dark tresses play, O'er a brow and a bosom as lovely as they." The woman of that day saw in useful employment nothing inconsistent with her dignity, or the highest degree of happiness. In point of fact, it was labor for the family that lent its wonderful charm to her life. If her sons and daugh- ters have achieved distinction for integrity, intelligence, or honorable success, it has been largely due to her example and admonitions. There are living monu- ments to her worth, that tower higher far than those of mai'ble, and shall be more enduring than granite; for in her busy life of self-abnegation, she uncon- sciously touched the chord that reaches into heaven, and shall vibrate in melody there, when the marble shall have fallen from its pedestal, and the granite shall have crumbled to dust! Let her virtues live forever in her descendants; and let the likeness of her daughters be ever, as now, recognized in the sweet lines of Whittier: — " Our homes are cheerier for her sake, Our door-yards brighter blooming, And all about, the social air Is sweeter for her coming. "Unspoken homilies of peace Her dailj^ life is preaching, The still refreshment of the dew Is her unconscious teaching. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 33 " And never tenderer hand than hers Unknits the brow of ailing, Her garments, to the sick man's ear, Have music in their trailing. " Her presence lends its warmth and health To all who come before it, If woman lost us Eden, Such as she alone restore it." The traveler is sometimes perplexed with the question, why the roads so often lead over the hills, when they might avoid them by passing on the slopes lower down. The explanation may be found in the facts that houses were the first necessity of the pioneers; and that there was an era of horse-back riding, before that of riding wagons, or of " The Deacon's one-hoss shay," when carriages on wheels necessitated carriage roads. ISTaturally the settler had built his house on the eminence that commanded a fair view of the landscape, and overlooking the forests below. After houses, then came roads to reach them. At this time women as well as men had become accustomed to the saddle, and one now living, then but a child a year old, was carried in 1808 by her mother and father each on horse-back from their home in the west part of the town, to Hampton, I^T. H., a journey of sixty miles, and back again. Had they not been impelled by the power of love for their native town finl friends, that journey, though represented by tradition as pleasant, might not have been taken. The houses and barns have since been remodeled, or oftener replaced by new ones; but it has been on the old roads, and usually on the old sites. So the homestead has its buildings where they were, and the roads still lead over the hills ; roads built by our fathers' labor, and first honored by their foot-prints. We who remain, the remnants of a generation fast passing away, may be par- doned even amidst the joys of uie day, as our eyes involuntarily glancing down through the vista of past years, and over the familiar fields, once made fertile by the sweat of our fathers' brows, — if the old question of the fleeting centuries comes back to our hearts, — "Our Fathers, where are they?" Our missing brothers, sisters, mothers and neighbors, —where are they ? If we ask of the sculptured marble, that adorns the numerous yards of the town, and other towns, in other counties, and other states with the sad memo- rials of the dead, — many are those that will tell us how many summers the tall grass has waved over the graves of departed worth and affection, — our own de- parted ones. If the thought of them in any degree tempers with sadness the festivities of the day, it is only because memory is not dimmed by the lapse of time into forgetfulness of those whose lives are inseparable from the century whose completion, by the blessing of Providence, we have lived to see, and to celebrate; — to celebrate with thankful hearts, and cheering hopes, but with touching memorieSj 3 34 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. " The era clone, And trust God for the opening one. To thank Him while withal we crave The austere virtues strong to save, And honor proof to place or gold. The manhood never bought or sold." " O make Thou us through centuries long, In peace secure, in justice strong; Around our gift of freedom, draw The safeguards of thy righteous law; And cast in some diviner mold, Let the new cycle shame the old." When the curtain that time will drop, shall hide us all from human eyes, — and "the curfew shall toll the knell" of another century, — there will stand under the same sun that shines on us, and in view of the same hills that now circle the horizon, another multitude assembled to raise a monument to its memory. To that Assembly, on the wings of their hope and love, the farmers and peo- ple of Parsonsfield send their greeting, and their benediction ; and bid it wel- come to their fair fields, towering hills, and happy homes; and welcome to all the transcendent blessings transmitted through them by the /af /lers, to the advanc- ing generations as an everlasting inheritance. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 35 GRAFTED FRUIT HARVESTED IN 1885.* (Estimated.) By Gilman Lougee 1 ,000 bush. " Silas and James Cartland 1,000 " " John Henry Foss 500 " " Thnothy Eastman 500 " " L. T. Staples 400 " And by many others large quantities not estimated. Among these are men- tioned John Brackett, Silas Boothby, Alvin Eastman, C. O. Nute, Edmund Weeks, and James Burnham. The crop will exceed in town ten thousand barrels. PROMINENT FARMERS, Who have made their business a success in Parsonsfield, who are now living, or but recently deceased. Some among them will be readily recognized as hav- ing served the town, county, or State, in different offices of trust: — Luther Sanborn (deceased), Chase Boothby, Charles F. Sanborn, Gilman Lougee, Seth Chellis, on farm formerly of Jona- Joseph Merrill, than Morrison, Elisha Wadleigh sen., Alvah Doe (deceased), E. S. Wadleigh, ■ John M. Ames (deceased), Daniel Elliott sen., Marston Ames, Daniel Elliott jr. , John Towne, Thomas Wentworth, George I. Doe, Jacob Mudgett, Dominicus Eicker, Israel Banks, Benjamin Piper (deceased), J. W. Trueworthy, " James Burnham, Eben Foss, John Boothby, John Sutton (deceased), Joseph Moulton, William B. Davis, Samuel Moulton, Harding Kewbegin, Samuel Boothby, Zebulon Pease, Albert Band, John and Lorenzo Pease, Silas Cartland sen., Nehemiah Libby, Jonathan M. Johnson (deceased), Thomas Churchill (deceased), John Brackett, Nathaniel Churchill, Jeremiah and John Dearborn (de- Thomas Churchill jr., ceased), Robert Merrill, Ivory Fenderson, L. T. Staples, Daniel Piper, Otis B, Churchill, Asa Parsons sen., Samuel Merrill (deceased), Joseph Parsons, J. W. Cook, John Fenderson, David Perry, Joseph Wilson, •Papers referred to on page 30. 36 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. THE SCHOOLS OF PAESONSFIELD. BY HORACE PIPER, A.M., LL.B. Citizens of Parsonsfield, Ladies and Gentlemen: — The subject assigned me by the Centennial committee is, "The Schools of Parsousfield." The town of Parsonsfield, like the other towns of N'ew England, is greatly indebted to Massachusetts, its parent state, for the excellent school system which it now possesses. To Massachusetts belongs the distinguished honor of being the first to announce to the world, in its broadest sense, the great idea of free schools for the education of all the people without regard to rank, race, color, or religion. It is true that there were free schools for the education of the people at a remote period of the world's history, and also in more recent time, but they were confined to scholars of the higher ranks in society, as in Sparta and Athens, or were charity or parochial schools, designed for the educa- tion of those belonging to particular sects or religious denominations, as formerly in England, and not for all classes, and supported by the people by tax, as ours are. " In ancient times," says the Cyclopaedia of Education, " this principle was recognized by democratic states. It was, however, reserved for modern times, and for the free states of the American Union to carry this principle to its fullest extent, providing gratuitous education of every grade, for all classes, making common schools not eleemosynary institutions, but seminaries in which the chil- dren of the rich and the poor might meet together in common, and share alike in the blessings and advantages of education." It was ever the. custom in Puritan New England for parents to teach their chil- dren to read.* The first educational ordinance of Massachusetts is dated in 1642, although in 1635 the idea of free schools for all classes was recognized when " the people of Boston expressed by vote their appreciation of the need of a school," and employed a " school-master for the teaching and nurturing of children." This may be said to be the first movement looking directly toward the establish- ment of the common school system in this country, or in any other. f The ordi- nance required " the Selectmen of every town to have a vigilant eye over their brethren and neighbors to see, first, that none of them shall suffer so much barbarism in any of their families as not to endeavor to teach, by themselves or others, their children and apprentices so much learning as may enable them perfectly to read the English tongue, and knowledge of the capital laws, upon penalty of twenty shillings therein." J By the law of 1647, " it was ordered by the General Court that every township of fifty householders should appoint one of their number to teach all children that might be sent to him to read and write, the wages of such teacher to be paid * Bancroft's History of the United States. t Connecticiit lias sometimes claimed the priority, but I think that it is generally conceded to Massachu- setts. See Cyclop.'eaia of Education, under Massachusetts and Connecticut. t Cyclopaedia of Education. v-^^_,JL.e^ L/^^fi-xyL^ iiQRAGB P;feb_,A.K.,LL.B. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 37 either by the parents or guardians of the children sent, or by the inhabitants in general; the penalty attaching to the disregard of this ordinance for one year to be ten pounds."* This law may be regarded as the beginning of the common school system as now developed in the different states of the Union, since it makes full provision for the education of all who are not able to educate them- selves. It also ordered " that every town of one hundred families should main- tain, in addition to the Common School, a Grammar School for the fitting of pupils to enter the University." "This school law, re-enacted in Connecticut in the very same terms, was adopted also by Plymouth and New Haven." f The beneficial influence of this system of Common Schools, as now perfected in our country and especially in New England, where it has exerted its full power can be known only by contrasting ours with other countries in which it has not been adopted. " In these measures," says Mr. Bancroft, " especially in the laws establishing common schools, lies the secret of the success and character of New England. Every child, as it was born into the world, was lifted from the earth by the genius of the country, and in the statutes of the land received, as its birth- right, a pledge of the public care for its morals and its mind." The proprietors of the town of Parsonsfield, being deeply imbued with the educational spirit, and the high moral and religious principles of the fathers of Massachusetts, made provision, among their earliest acts for the education of its children. Three lots of land, of one hundred acres each, were given " for the use and purpose of supporting a Grammar School in said town." As this land could yield no income for several years, the town voted March 27, 1786, at the first annual meeting after its organization, " to raise one hundred dollars in produce, to be laid out in schooling the ensuing year, to be proportioned by the Selectmen." In 1790, it voted " the sum of fifteen pounds to hire schooling." In 1791, " for schooling thirty pounds to be raised by tax." In 1792, " that the Selectmen be empowered to build schoolhouses in the districts now formed." In 1793, " to raise forty pounds for schooling, to be paid in corn at four shillings, and rye at five shillings per bushel." In 1794, " to raise forty pounds for school- ing, and fifteen pounds to build schoolhouses." In 1795, " one hundred pounds for schooling." In 1796, " to raise one hundred pounds for schooling, and six hundred dollars for schoolhouses." The money raised annually was sometimes expressed in dollars and sometimes in pounds. { I have given it as found in the town records. In 1797, it voted " to sell the three school lots, and put the money at interest to support a Grammar School." The lots were sold for thirteen hundred and thirty dollars, and the next year an effort was made to appropriate * Cyclopaedia of Education. Also, Bancroft's History of the United States. Mr. Barnard represents tlie penalty as being live pounds. t Hildreth's History of the United States. t A pound was worth, at that time, about three dollars thirty-three and one-third 'cents. I am indebted to Mr. Harrison Gray Otis Smith for these facts and others which follow, taken from the town records. 38 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. the interest on the money toward the payment of the salary of a teacher of an academy, if individuals would erect a building for the same, but the plan was not approved by the town. The proceeds of the land have been preserved to the present time, and the interest, amounting annually to sixty dollars, has been appropriated to the support of the common schools of the town. This was the most feasible thing that could be done at that time, for there was not then suf- ficient wealth in the town to support an academy or a grammar school with the aid of only this small income; nor were there scholars enough, who could be spared from their labors at home, to furnish the requisite number for such a school. The school districts of the town first formed were the following: The Doe district, the Wiggin, the Morrison, the Parsons, the Middle Eoad, the Blazo, the Lougee, and the Weeks. These districts were all formed before 1795. It appears, from the preceding statement, that the first money mentioned as being raised by the town for building schoolhouses was in 1794, nine years after the organization of the town. The power to build had been intrusted to the Selectmen in 1792. It continued in their hands till 1804. Previous to 1792, the schools had generally been kept in private dwelling-houses, a room being set apart for that purpose; or in temporally log-houses, erected by the people in the neighborhoods in which the schools were located. These were rude structures compared with those now in use, with blackboards, clocks, thermometers, globes, charts, philosophical and chemical apparatus, and libraries, costing from five hundred dollars to one hundred thousand, as some of the schoolhouses in our large cities. There were no chairs in schoolrooms then. Pine slabs, with four legs put into the rounded side, or the more primitive form of blocks of wood, sawed from the smooth trunk of some forest-tree, sufficed for seats; and long tables, made of unplaned boards, and supported by cross legs of joist, supplied the place of writing-desks. It would excite a smile now to see those hardy boys and health-glowing girls, dressed in their neat homespun attire, entering those humble buildings from day to day, and finally completing their education when they had learned only to read and write, and to cipher through the four simple rules of Arithmetic; or perhaps, if they were very smart, as far as the " single rule of three." In our view, they must have been poorly prepared to enter upon the responsible duties of life, but with their vigorous intellects, and the careful moral and religious training which most of them received, their success was wonderful, and they have set noble examples of industry and virtue, worthy of the imitation of the most highly educated and refined. My memory does not extend back to those ancient buildings, by many years, but I can faintly remember one of their successors, the old schoolhouse of my almost infant years, with its great fireplace, its andirons, backlog and forestick, and the pile of green wood, cut sled length, and the dry log for kindling-wood, HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 39 all piled in front of the schoolhouse ; and how the large boys were required to cut and split the wood for the fire, to the great interruption of their studies, and the annoyance of the teacher. Many were the joys and sorrows of that old-fash- ioned schoolhouse. Often for hours the fire presented little more than a blackened, sweating mass, while the whole school would crowd densely around it, shivering with cold; and when at last it was brought to a glowing heat, the situation was little improved, for the small scholars on the front seats were scorching with heat, while the large ones on the back seats were still smarting with cold. But this state of things was not to continue forever. One cold win- ter morning, the boy who built the fire having left the school-room for a few minutes to prepare additional wood, the burning brands rolled down upon the floor, and set the house on fire. All efforts to extinguish the flames were una- vailing, and the schoolhouse, which had withstood so many wintry blasts, was consumed, with its contents, in one general conflagration. It was succeeded by a new one, on a site a short distance from it, with all the improvements then known, — long seats and desks, each being sufficient for five or six scholars, and arranged in two tiers on both sides of the school-room, with a broad area in front, between them; a stove, dress-room, and wood-room for dry wood, to the great relief of the teacher and the joy of the boys, who were forever freed from the unpleasant and dangerous labor of cutting wood, and building green-wood fires. But this schoolhouse has also passed away, and another, the fourth generation of schoolhouses, has succeeded it with many additional improvements. The long seats and desks have disappeared, and been succeeded by shorter ones, to accommodate only two scholars; and finally, these by the neat and comfortable school-chair and single desk; and I am pleased to say that some of the school- houses, recently built in town, are so neat and well-constructed that hardly any improvement is needed. The great want of schools now is apparatus to illus- trate the branches taught, and libraries of standard works for reference, not for general reading, as scholars have no time for that when pursuing a course of study. It was a happy day when our fathers learned that it is better economy, and better for humanity, to cut and dry their wood beforehand; and had the wis- dom to substitute the stove for the old fireplace, the backlog and the forestick. Up to 1794 the management of the schools appears to have been left to the school districts, but in that year the town chose a committee of three citizens for each district, whose duty it was to hire teachers, provide fuel and other things necessary for the successful operation of the school. The names of the com- mittees elected for the several districts the first year are as follows : In the Doe district, John Doe, John Doe jr., and Jere Avery; the Wiggin, Joseph Parsons, Nathan Wiggin, and Noah Wedgwood; the Morrison, Elisha Piper, George Bickford, and James Morrison; the Parsons, Thomas Parsons, Esq., David Hobbs, and Joseph Granville; the Middle Road, Cutting Moulton, Job Colcord, and Taylor Page; the Blazo, Amos Blazo and Philip Paine; the Lou- 40 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. gee, David Eemick, James Mills, and Simeon Mudgett; the "Weeks, Samuel Lougee, William Bickford, and William Fenderson. In 1804, the town ceased to pay for building schoolhouses, and voted to assess the expense of building them on the districts in which they were located, and to allow the districts to build them themselves, as they thought proper. This prac- tice has continued down to the present time, with the exception that each dis- trict is now required, by the law of the state, to submit the plan of its school- house to the superintending school committee of the town, and it must have their approval before the building can be erected. It was first left with the town to determine the amount of money to be raised annually for the support of schools, and this course was pursued till 1821, the next year after the state had been separated from Massachusetts, of which it had been a part (and shall I say a great part ?) for nearly one hundred and fifty years, from 1677 to 1820. From the organization of the town up to this time, the sum raised annually for the support of schools, had ranged from one hundred and fifty dollars to .six hundred and thirty. The wages of teachers had been very low, male teachers receiving, when boarding themselves, about fifteen dol- lars per month, and female, about ten dollars, board being about one dollar per week. In 1821, a law was enacted by the state, which required forty cents to be raised on each inhabitant of the town for the support of schools. Under this law the sum raised annually was considerabl}- increased, and the wages of teach- ers advanced a little. The law of 1854 required sixty cents to be raised on each inhabitant; and that of 1863 seventy-five cents, and of 1868 one dollar. The effect of these laws in increasing the amount of money raised, was to increase the compensation of teachers, and make it, in some measure, correspond to the arduous labors performed; so that male teachers now receive, when boarding themselves, about thirty dollars per month, and female about twenty dollars, board being about two dollars per week. The sum raised for the year ending in February, 1885, by the town, by direct tax, for the support of schools was thirteen hundred dollars. A considerable sum additional was received from the state (seven hundred and fifty-four dollars), and from the school fund of the town (sixty dollars), so that the total amount expended for schools that year was two thousand one hundred and fourteen dollars. The number of scholars, between four and twenty-one years of age, was four hundred and seventy-one, and the number of school districts eighteen. In the early years of the town, no specific qualifications were required of school teachers except a certificate of good moral character from the Selectmen of the town. At a later period an additional certificate of qualifications to teach was required of some liberally educated man. In 1821, a law was enacted by the state, requiring each town to elect annually Superintending School Commit- tees whose duty it was to examine teachers in the branches of learning required by law to be taught, and if found qualified, to give them certificates. They were HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 4I required to teach reading, spelling, writing, English grammar, arithmetic, and geography. Some other branches have since been added. The names of the Committee* chosen in Parsonsfield for the first year were, Kufus Mclutire, Moses Sweat and Jonathan Piper. I am unable to ascertain certainly who was the first school teacher in Parsons- field. John and Gideon Doe settled in the western part of the town in 1775. I am informed by Capt. Ira C. Doe that he has often heard his uncle say that John Doe, Capt. Doe's grandfather, taught the first school ever kept in the Doe district, that being the first district formed in town. The districts were num- bered at a later period. He taught in a log-house. Of the character of his teaching and mode of school government, I am not informed. The branches commonly tavight at that time were reading, spelling, writing, and arithmetic. There were few books in arithmetic then, and what was learned on that subject was taught directly by the teacher, who wrote questions for the scholars on their slates. The black-board was not known then, but was introduced many years later, in about 1830. James Hart, or Master Hart, as he was usually called, was one of the early teachers of Parsonsfield. He came from Epping or Newmarket, 1^. H. , about 1790, and left the town in 1807, having remained about seventeen years. He taught in the western, middle, eastern, and southern sections of the town, changing his residence to accommodate himself to his business. While teaching in the southern section, he kept his school in Jesse Wedgwood's dwelling-house, as I have heard my father say, who attended his school there when a small boy, probably about 179G. He was an Englishman, born in Berkeley in 1748, and governed his schools in the rigorous style of the school teachers of England. He used the rod and ferule freely. Few scholars dared to lift their eyes from their books, during study hours, in his school. He was not, however, altogether to blame for his severe mode of school discipline. It was largely the fault of his time and his English training. Corporal punishment was then niuch more fre- quently employed in the school-room, in the family, and everywhere than now; and perhaps scholars then required severer discipline. Young men were famous then according as they had lifted up axes upon the thick trees, and listened to the echo of the forest, as they, crashing, thundered down. Master Hart must have been a good teacher for his time, or he could not have continued his busi- ness for so many years, in succession, in the same town; but happily for anxious mothers and for the world, those days of severity have passed away. Teachers have now become better acquainted with the philosophy of the mind, and have found out a more excellent way of school government. They have made the school-room a place to be remembered with delight, rather than to be hated as a place of confinement and terror. Corporal punishment is now generally disapproved bj' our best teachers, except * See Superintending School Committees of Parsonsfield, Part V. 42 . HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. in extreme cases of persistent disobedience, in which the scholar, if not restrained, must be suspended, or expelled from school, and be left to grow up in ignorance and insubordination, with all their evil consequences. It is found that kind treatment, commendation of good qualities, withholding privileges granted to obedient scholars, private admonition, and appealing to the moral sense, are more pleasant both to teacher and pupil, and generally more effectual in securing good order and kind feeling, than physical force. After leaving Parsonsfleld, Master Hart taught a while in Sanford in this county, and after- ward probably moved to New Hampshire, and died there. Doctor Graves was another of the early teachers of Parsonsfleld. He was a young man, and proljably began to teach a short time before Master Hart left. As to the length of time he taught, his mode of teaching, and government, I have not been able to learn anything. He probably taught only a short time. In 1834 he was practicing medicine in Lowell, Massachusetts, and was the leading physi- cian in that place. Among the native teachers,* with one or two exceptions, who commenced the business of teaching at a later date, and pursued it as a profession for a long time, the following may be named. In speaking of the number of years taught by any teacher, I shall call four terms of twelve weeks each a year. Asa Burnham began to teach in 1806 in the Morrison district, I think, and taught a part of the time till 1819. How many years he taught, I have not been able to learn. He was a teacher of good judgment, well qualified for his busi- ness, and excelled in penmanship. His discipline was mild but firm, and scholars under his teaching improved in deportment, and made good proficiency in their studies. Jonathan Piper, my father, also commenced teaching in 1806, and taught sev- eral alternate winters in the same district as Mr. Burnham. He taught also in various other districts in Parsonsfleld, the whole time of his teaching amounting to about eight years. He was a good disciplinarian, excelled in penmanship, was quick in figures, a good grammarian, and a successful teacher. Samuel Wiggin began to teach in 1817, and taught in Parsonsfield, Alfred, and other places. He took a deep interest in his business. He made English gram- mar a prominent object, and taught it philosophically and practically. The struc- ture and idioms of the language were carefully explained, and the diflicult por- tions were required to be parsed. In order to make the study practical in secur- ing correct speaking and writing, numerous examples in false syntax were required to be corrected, and the reasons for the corrections given. His mode of teaching this important branch of study is worthy of imitation by all institutions of learning, from the common school to the college. The old idea of learning the English language by studying the Latin and Greek is now generally aban- doned by all good English scholars. The idioms of the English language are * See Native School Teachers of Parsonsfield, Part V. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 43 different from those of the Latui and Greek, and can be learned only by studying them in the English grammar and in English books. When the history, litera- ture, and beauties of the language are taught so carefully, as they now generally are, the more difficult and important work of studying the structure of the lan- guage, and of analyzing and parsing, should not be omitted, even in the highest institutions. If this method of critical teaching were generally adopted, we should have a better class of English scholars, and school committees would not so often find candidates, offering themselves for examination as teachers, so deficient in a knowledge of their vernacular tongue as they now frequently are. His teach- ing in all the branches was accurate, and his discipline good. I had the good fortune to attend his school several terms, and I can truly say that I was never better taught. He was engaged in the business about eight years. John Garland began to teach about 1S23. He belonged to a large family, of whom, beside himself, no less than seven were teachers. David (who taught ten years with eminent success), Jonathan, Thomas, Edmund, Joseph, Clarissa, and Abigail. He was accurate in scholarship, and whatever he did was done thoroughly. His views of education were broad, and he taught his scholars not only the branches of learning required by law to be taught, but also good deport- ment and the moral duties and responsibities of life. He was a believer in good order in schools and always maintained it, although his government was not se- vere, but judicious and firm. He taught in Parsonsfield, Cornish, Limington, and Effingham, IST. H., in all, about six years. His schools took a high rank. George W. Bickford taught about nine years. He began, I think, about 1826,. and taught for a long time in Calais and Eastport. He was a good disciplinarian and successful teacher. He secured the respect of his scholars by judicious treatment, and associating with them freely out of school, sometimes taking part with them in their sports; but, when he was in school, showing them that he was master. His favorite branch of study was arithmetic. Ira C. Doe began teaching in 1829 in Dover, :N'. H., and taught thirty-one years, principally in Saco — a longer time than any other teacher of Parsonsfield. He was a popular teacher, and especially distinguished as a disciplinarian. Scholars who were ungovernable in other schools were turned over to him, and, after they had been under his training a few days, nothing more was heard of their disorderly conduct. He believed that the idea inculcated by Solomon had not yet become entirely obsolete, and thought that it is better, in some extreme cases, to apply the rod and save the child, than to spare it and spoil him. No school in Saco was better taught than Mr. Doe's. Chase Boothby has had a long and very successful career as a school teacher, having taught ninety-five terms, making twenty years. He began to teach in 1834, and has continued down to a very recent period. He was distinguished for imparting knowledge to his scholars, as well as for good government. His dis- cipline was of the persuasive kind. By encouraging every effort which his scholars 44 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. made, lie threw a silken net around them so quietly and adroitly that it was unper- celved; and they were held by its soft and strong threads in willing and perfect obedience. They were ready to do anything he wished with the greatest alacrity. This I learned from personal observation, having once had the opportunity of examining one of his schools when I was on the board of Superintending School Committee of Parsonsfield. He also had a great faculty of inspiring his scholars with a love for learning, and advancing them rapidly in their studies. His schools were always reckoned as among the best in town. George O. Burnham commenced teaching in 1840, and taught six years, princi- pally in Biddeford. He qualified himself thoroughly for his business at the Com- mon School in his own town, and at Limerick Academy while under my care. He gained the reputation of being a good disciplinarian, and for aptitude in im- parting knowledge to his pupils. He was one of Biddeford's most popular teachers. Dominicus Eicker also began to teach in 1840, at the age of eighteen. He taught at Parsonsfield, Topsham, Cherryfield, Kewfield, Saco, and Biddeford, the whole time amounting to about thirteen years. For his first school, he received ten dollars per month besides his board, that being the usual price paid at that time for teachers when first beginning to teach. For the last, he was paid sixty dollars per month, including board. He was well acquainted with the human mind, and governed his schools on philosophical principles. He made it an ob- ject, first, to gain the confidence of his scholars by kind treatment, and showing them that he was interested in their improvement; and then of their parents by visiting them at their homes, and conversing with them, in a friendly manner, on such topics as would be interesting to them, never finding fault with their children, but commending them if they had commendable qualities. He be- lieved that, Avhen the good-will of the parents and children is gained, there is generally little difficulty in governing a school. He was industrious and conscien- tious, devoting his whole attention to his school, and preparing himself every day thoroughly for his work. In this way, he created a spirit for study among his scholars, and his schools were, therefore, popular and highly pi'ofitable. Burleigh Pease taught school for a longer time than any other teacher of Par- sonfield of whom I have any knowledge, except Ira C. Doe. He commenced in 1843, and taught thirty years. He brought to his business a preparation and dis- cipline of mind larger than are usually possessed by school teachers, having graduated at Waterville College, now Colby University, and, in addition, had pursued a legal coui'se of study, and been admitted to the bar in Portland. His qualifications, therefore, were of the highest order. He taught in several places, but principally in the city of Bangor. "While there he had charge of the Boys' and also of the Girl's High School, and at one time had seventeen assistants. He excelled as a disciplinarian, so much so that his name was sufficient to restore >order in the schools which he took after other teachers had been obliged to aban- HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 45 don them. This power of governing is a natural trait, which appeared in his earliest boyhood. He was always noted for his decision, firmness, and indomita- ble perseverance in whatever he undertook. His teaching was thorough, and always gave the highest satisfaction. Frank P. Moulton has had a large experience in teaching. He began in 1869, in Parsonfield, and taught in Sandwich, jST. H., Yarmouth, Turner, and Lewiston- These schools were taught before he graduated from Bates College in 1874. After his graduation he was for some time principal of the High School at Littleton, N. H., and for eight years teacher of Latin and Greek in Xew Hampton Literary Institution. He has just been elected sub-master of the High School at Wal- tham, Mass. The whole time of his teaching amounts to eleven years. In order to secure good recitations in these languages, he makes it a special object to have his scholars understand the story of what they read, and does not permit any, if possible, to leave the recitation seats till they fully comprehend the literal meaning of the text which they translate. He not only teaches these branches critically in their grammatical forms and idioms, but also makes a prac- tical application of them in acquiring a knowledge of the English language, by selecting some word or words in the lesson, and requiring his scholars to give all the English words derived from them which they can recollect or find in the dic- tionary, thus leading them to form a habit of tracing words to their original, and also making them acquainted with a large number of important English words for future use. He has always been a very successful teacher, as the long time he has been engaged in teaching and the important positions which he has held amply prove. Among the teachers who have taught a long time, William B. Wedgwood, Cy- rus r. Brackett, and John H. Kand might also be mentioned; but, as their teach- ing has been principally as college professors, they will be noticed among the college graduates by an able hand, who will do full justice to their eminent abilities. There are other teachers of Parsonsfield who have pursued the business of teaching for several years, and successfully, but I cannot mention them in detail without extending this address to too great a length. I will name a few. Alvah Doe taught in Parsonsfield, ISTewfield, and other places about seven years; Samuel D. Marston, in Parsonsfield, ISTewfield, Sandford, and Shapleigh, and in l^ew Hampshire, at Eaton and Tamworth, six years; Joseph Wedgwood, in Parsonsfield and Saco, and in New Hampshire, at Eaton and Eflingham, about six years; John W. Piper, in Newfield, Parsonsfield, Limington, Scarborough, Saco, Wells, and in Virginia and Illinois, about eight years. I am unwilling, even at the risk of being charged with impropriety for speak- ing of myself, to close these sketches of the male teachers of Parsonsfield with- out enrolling myself among them as one who has taught a long time. I first be- gan to teach in 1828, in Eflingham, New Hampshire, and afterward taught ia 46 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. Parsonsfield, Limerick, Alfred, and Biddeford. I taught Limerick Academy six years, and Biddeford High Scliool ten, making, with the common schools. taught, about twenty years. Several lady teachers of Parsonsfield have taught for a considerable length of time, and with good success, but I know the names of only a few of them. Mary Sweat, the sister of the late distinguished Doctor Moses Sweat, com- menced teaching about 1815, and taught in the Morrison district in Parsonsfield, and in Effingham, New Hampshire. She was also, for some time, assistant in LimQfick Academy. She was my first teacher, and I was led many a day to and from school by her protecting hand. I remember her, at a later period of my boyhood, as a cultivated lady of genteel manners, and fine personal appearance. She had the reputation of being an excellent teacher, and I have heard my father say that she had a remarkable faculty of comprehending the meaning of an au- thor, and was the best lady grammarian he ever knew. After an absence of about thirty-five years, I had the honor of receiving a call from her as one of her old pupils. She lived to an age of nearly fourscore years and ten (about eighty- nine years), to enjoy the happiness of a cultivated mind and a well-spent life. Ann Marston was engaged in teaching a little more than six years. She began to teach in 18-43, and taught in Kennebunkport, Newfleld, Parsonsfield, Tam- worth, New Hampshire, and Biddeford. By her kind treatment of her pupils, she gained their confidence and good-will, and secured thorough recitations in their studies. She had the faculty of preserving good order in her schools, and an aptitude for imparting knowledge. She gained a high reputation as an effi- cient and thorough teacher, and her services were eagerly sought by all who desired good schools and thorough teaching. Mehitable F. J. Wedgwood began teaching in 1847, and taught fifty-six terms, making about thirteen years — a longer time, I think, than any other female teacher of Parsonsfield. She taught in Newfield, Porter, Parsonsfield, Limerick, Monmouth, Cornish, Freedom, New Hampshire, Wolfborough, New Hamp- shire, Limington, HoUis, Biddeford, and Buxton. She was well qualified, of great industry, and gave excellent satisfaction as an accomplished and thorough teacher. Nancy Bailey began to teach about 1849. She taught six years in Biddeford, and gave good satisfaction. She was a good disciplinarian, and scholars made good improvement under her tuition. Her sister Caroline also taught four years in the same place, with marked success. Hannah E. Pray has been a teacher for about five years. She first began to teach in Parsonsfield, in 1868, and afterward taught in Freedom and Ossipee, New Hampshire. She was assistant in the High School at Cornish, in Liming- ton Academy, in Portland High School two years, and in Smithson College, In- diana, one year. She also taught music in Parsonsfield Seminary and other places. By her ability, close application to study, and judicious school manage- ment, she gained an excellent reputation as a competent and successful teacher. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 47 The first High School ia Parsonsfield, of which I have any knowledge, was opened at the Middle Road Village,* through the efforts of Hon. Rufus Mcln- tire and Koah Tebbetts, Esq., in the fall of 1830. Although the common schools had been steadily improving from their commencement down to this time, yet they did not afford a sufficient education for the wants of the people. A school was needed in which more branches were taught without incurring the expense of sending scholars out of town, and paying high tuition. This need the High School was intended to supply. It was taught by Bion Bradbury, and continued only three months. It was greatly in advance of the common school. In addi- tion to the common English branches, instruction was given in history, astrono- my, natural philosophy, rhetoric, algebra, and the Latin language. Mr. Brad- bury was an excellent scholar, and the school made good improvement under his tuition. High Schools were afterward kept in different parts of the town for one term, in the fall season, for many years, and had a great influence in improving the education of the people. The good effect of this temporary High School at the Middle Road Village called the attention of several of the leading citizens of North Parsonsfield to the importance of a higher and more extended course of education than could then be obtained at the High School; and it was then determined to erect an academy building and open a school at that place, to be continued through the year, and in which a regular course of study might be pursued in all the English branches usually taught in academies, and students be fitted for college. The school was opened on the first Monday in September, 1832. It was not incorporated till Feb- ruary 6, 1833, and was called Parsonsfield Seminary. The first trustees were Elder John Buzzell, President; Doctor Moses Sweat, Secretary; Honorable Rufus Mcln- tire. Honorable Nathan Clifford, Robert T. Blazo, Esquire, Elder Henry Hobbs, Elder Samuel Burbank, Isaac Eelch, Colonel Simon J. Whitten, Samuel Allen, Major Thomas Churchill, and Benjamin McKenney. The institution was in operation about fifty years, from 1832 to 1881. The Principals who had charge of it during this time were Hosea Quimby, Edward P. Weston, Moses M. Smart,t John Fullonton, Oren B. Cheney, Porter S. Burbank, George H. Ricker, John * I have been informed that a school was opened in this village, for one or two terms, as early as 1818, in which the higher branches were taught, and scholars were admitted from other places. It was kept by a gentleman of the name of Senter, from Centre Harbor, New Hampshire. It was not called a High School. That name is of quite recent origin in this country. I do not remember having heard it used till 1828 or 1830. According to the Cyclopedia of Education, there was no free High School in the United States outside of Massachusetts, forming a part of the common school system, till 1837, when the Phila- delphia High School was established. In Scotland it dates back to quite a remote period, as in the case of the Edinburgh High School, which was in operation in the early part of the sixteenth century. t He was also Principal of the Biblical School, of which he was largely the originator, and which was established, in connection with the Seminary, by the Free- Will Baptist denomination in 1840, being designed for the education of young men for the ministry. In 1842, it was removed to Lowell, Massa- chusetts, and then, in 1814, to Whitestown, New York. He was Principal of the school ten years, from 1840 to 1849, terminating his connection with it at Whitestown. It is now located at Lewiston, Maine. 48 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. A. Lowell, George S. Bradley, Jonathan G. Leavitt, Eeiiben V. Jenness, Mal- colm Mclntire, William E.Thompson, Addison Small, Israel P. Quimby, Mad- ison K. Mabry, James Linscott, Orestes A. Kenerson, and Thomas F. Millett. Of the wisdom of those men who founded Parsonsfield Seminary, no one can doubt. The beneficial influence which it exerted throughout Parsonsfield and other towns in Maine and New Hampshire, and in other States, cannot be over- estimated. Teachers in great numbers were educated here, and others laid a solid foundation on which to build the superstructure of the professions which, as doctors, lawyers, clergymen, or scientists, they intended to pursue. Many were fitted for college, who afterward completed a college course, and have pur- sued a successful career in the different occupations and professions in which they chose to engage. Members of Congress, presidents and professors of col- leges, governors and missionaries to foreign lands are among the numbers who obtained their early education at this Seminary, There is scarcely a State in the Union in which there is not some person who once attended this school, to say nothing of those in foreign lands. But this institution is closed. The buildings stand in their pristine beauty, but no sound is heard in their halls. They are in- habited only by the pleasant memories of the past; but the same education, or a better one, is now needed by the people of Parsonsfield as was then furnished by that Seminary. Have we anything to take the place of that grand old school ? I think we have. It is the Parsonsfield Free High School, which was opened in the Seminary build- ing in September, 1881, with Harry L. Staples as Principal, who has the honor of being the first teacher of that school. His successors are David T. Timberlake, Silas A. McDaniel, and Morius Adams. The town was fortunate in having one of its own citizens of sufficient means and generosity to endow such a school. Such a citizen deserves more than a passing remark. Elisha Piper was born January 22, 1796, and was left an orphan at seven years of age, his father, Benjamin Piper, having died at the early age of thirty-three years. He was the oldest child, and the care and support of the family, consist- ing of a mother, brother, and two sisters, naturally devolved on him. Having had the assistance of a hired man for a few years, he assumed, at the age of fourteen or fifteen years, the entire management of the farm left by his father, and with the aid of his younger brother, Benjamin Piper, made it, before he was thirty years old, by superior cultivation, walling and cross-walling, and by im- provements of buildings, one of the handsomest and best farms in town. He was a person of uncommon industry, of a kind disposition, and of the highest integrity and moral character; and by these qualities, he gained the confidence and respect of the community in which he lived. Although he had only a com- mon school education himself, he desired to confer the advantages of a higher education on his successors. By his persistent labor, genius, and good judgment, he acquired a large property for one having no greater facilities for accumulating f^^ir^^ ^-^ HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 49 wealth, as he never engaged in trade or speculation of any kind. All this prop- erty, the accumulation of a lifetime of eighty-one years, and amounting to eleven thousand and fifty-six dollars, he gave freely and of his own accord to his native town, to establish a Free High School for the education of all its inhabitants. He died March 22, 1877. He had no children of his own, but by this noble gift he has made all the children of the town his by adoption; and, although he has rested from his labors here personally, he is still working with his money, and doing perhaps a greater work than while living. His name will be held in grate- ful remembrance by the young and the old in generations yet to come. May others who have the means imitate his example. It is evident that he intended that the High School should be equal, at least, to the old Seminary, but be placed on a more permanent basis, and, besides, be free. It becomes a question how this idea can be best carried out to its full ex- tent. I hope that it will not be thought inappropriate if I venture to give my views on this subject. First, the school, it seems to me, should be permanently located, which, I have no doubt, was the design of its founder. In my opinion, a great part of its suc- cess depends on this. Teachers want a permanent home. Parents, when they send their children to a school, want to know what accommodations they are to have, and when they have found them satisfactory, they wish that they should remain there undisturbed till they have completed their course of study. Besides, apparatus, cabinets, and libraries can not be removed from place to place with safety. The place where the school is located is of the first importance. It should be a place which is easy of access to all the inhabitants of the town. It should also be one which has conveniences for boarding, so that scholars, especially young ladies, will not be obliged to walk long distances in the winter season, or in rainy weather, and thus expose themselves to sickness and other inconveniences. It should be a place where there is an opportunity of attend- ing religious services regularly on the Sabbath, and, if it could be, a place which possesses natural beauties, where the scholars would be inspired with a love of nature, and acquire a taste for the beautiful. No donations for increasing the en- dowment can be expected until the school is permanently located. Second, courses of study should be pi'epared for the High School, and also a course for the common schools of the town, llegular classes should be formed in the latter, and be continued unbroken from one term to another, till the mem- bers are qualified to enter the High School. They should be examined by the Superintending School Committee of the town, at the end of the school year, and receive a certificate of their qualifications, which would entitle them to admis- sion to the High School. The course of study for the common schools should embrace spelling, reading, writing, arithmetic, English grammar, geography, history of the United States, and a manual of morals and politeness. There should be for the High School 4 50 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. an English course of three years, a mixed course of four years, and a classical course of three years, for preparing scholars for college. These courses should be modeled after those of the best high schools in the state; and, if so, the Parsonstield Free High School will be equal, if not superior, to the old Semi- nary in its best days. The English course should embrace, at least, English grammar and analysis, arithmetic, book-keeping, natural philosophy, chemistry, algebra, rhetoric, physiology, history, geometry, zoology, botany, trigonometry and surveying, geology, mental philosoi^hy, and moral philosophy. The mixed course should embrace the studies of the English course, and the Latin and French languages. The classical course should embrace the Latin and Greek languages, and the other branches now required for admission to college. It is thought by some that the Latin and Greek languages should not form any part of a high school course of study. It is said that they are dead lan- guages, and are of no use to us now. This can hardly be said, with propriety, in the sense in which the terra is generally understood by the people — that is, that they have entirely passed away, and have now no connection with any other language whatever. They are both spoken, in a modified form, at the present time — the Latin in Italy, called the Italian language, and the Greek in Greece — not very much more changed than the English language has been since the time of Kobert of Gloucester, the poet, who wrote in the thirteenth century. It is said by recent philologists that a proportion, varying from ten to thirty per cent of our English words commonly used by our best waiters, is derived from the Latin and Greek.* The proportion so derived, when compared with all the words in the English language, is much greater. " A trustworthy estimate of the derivative words found in our great dictionaries makes nearly five-sevenths of them to be of classical derivation,"! that is, from the Latin and Greek. !^3'ew words derived from these languages are added every year, as new branches of science are developed. The scientific names of objects belonging to the natural sciences, as botany, zoology, and physiology, are nearly all Latin, or Greek Lat- inized. So in medicine and law, there are many words, phrases, and sentences which are all Latin, and need to be understood. While learning the Latin, we are also acquiring a large part of four other languages — the Italian, Spanish, French, and Portuguese, which are founded upon it, and, in a great measure, grew out of it. These languages are often called, by philologists, dialects of the Latin. Besides this, a large vocabulary of English words and synonyms is ac- quired which are necessary to fit scholars to become ready speakers and good writers, and which can be acquired in no other way. The study of the Latin and Greek languages can not be excluded from our high schools without serious detriment to them. Every high school should be able to fit students for college, otherwise many a brilliant scholar will be de- prived of a college education, not being able to incur the expense of going from * Professor Whitney's Life and Growth of Language. t The same author. Also Trench— English Past and Present. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 5 1 home to be fitted at some other school. If, however, a scholar can remain only a year or two in the high school, it would be better for him, unless he intends to pursue a profession, to devote his attention to English branches. Important as these languages are, as being the basis of a thorough education, and indispensa- ble to the professional man and the scholar, too much attention has undoubtedly been given to them in our colleges in former times for the generality of stu- dents; and some of these institutions, seeing this, have left the study of them optional after the freshman year, thus giving more time to be devoted to the natural sciences, which have become of so much more practical importance than formerly. It may be thought by some that it is a long time to devote to study, to complete any one of the courses that have been named for the High School, but it should be remembered that, aside from the happiness which the attain- ment would bring to the individual, much more can be accomplished in life, in the same time, by the educated than the uneducated person. Educated labor is also much better remunerated than uneducated; and, when usefulness is consid- ered, the difference is much greater in favor of education. Third, the school should receive an additional endowment of at least three times the amount now possessed, and be continued through the year, with the usual vacations, unconnected with any other school, to make it of the high order necessary to meet the present wants of the town. The money should be held by the town as a sacred trust, and invested in town, county, state, or gov- ernment securities, so as to be forever free from the possibility of being lost. A good school must have good teachers. The qualification of teachers of first- class high schools are veiy extensive, embracing the whole circle of the sciences. Probably no profession requires more learning. They must, therefore, be liber- ally paid for their services, so that they may be able to make teaching a profes- sion for many years or a lifetime, as no teacher of such a school can be useful, in the highest degree, till he has had an experience of two or three years in the business, and time to perfect himself in the numerous branches of learning re- quired to be taught. Teachers should not be often changed, as it usually greatly retards the progress of the school. Eor this endowment, the school must look to the wealthy sons of Parsonsfield who are now citizens, or have gone out into other towns or states. Few country towns are more fortunate in this class of persons. Some of them are able to give ten thousand dollars apiece, and then have an abundance left for their chil- dren, if they have any, and for all their relatives or friends whom they may wish to remember. Perhaps one of the best ways to raise this fund would be to es- tablish scholarships, each scholarship being five hundred dollars, or a sum bearing interest sufficient to educate one scholar for a year. The scholarships should be called by the names of the donors, as the William Bradford scholarship, the John Winthrop scholarship, etc. The names of the benefactors should be re- corded in the records of the town and of the school, with the number of schol- 52 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD, arships which each founded. Some might found twenty, others ten, or one, according to their means or liberality. Perhaps it would not be altogether a childish idea to have the names, with the amounts contributed, engraved on a brass tablet, and put up in some place in the school building where all could read them, and see who have been the benefactors and truly great men and women of the town — great as they were good. Certificates might also be given to the schol- ars, on entering the school, showing on whose scholarships they were to be edu- cated. This course would keep the names of the benefactors in grateful remem- brance, and hold up their noble example for the imitation of others. "Would not the town also do something for the support of this school ? Perhaps it would be willing, now that it is able and needs such a school to complete its school sys- tem, to contribute henceforth the sixty dollars received annually from the thirteen hundred and thirty dollars for which the land given for the support of a grammar school was sold. It is the very kind of school which the jDroprietors of the town designed to establish when they gave the three lots of land for the support of a grammar school. The name grammar school did not then mean the same kind of a school that we understand it to mean now. It meant a school in which scholars were taught not in English branches onl}^, but were also fitted for college. The name is of ancient origin, and dates back as far as the twelfth century. It -was brought over to this country from England by the first settlers, and was used to distinguish this school from the common school, in which grammar was not then taught. " By free school and free grammar school, in the early records of towns and of the General Court of Connecticut and Massachusetts," says Mr. Henry Barnard, "was not intended the common or public school, as afterward developed, particularly in Massachusetts, supported by tax, and free of all charge to all scholars, rich and poor; neither was it a charity school exclusively for the poor. The term was applied here, as well as in the early acts of Virginia and other states, in the same sense in which it was used in England at the same and much earlier dates, to characterize a grammar school, unrestricted as to a class of children or scholars specified in the instrument by which it was founded, and so supported as not to depend on the fluctuating attendance and tuition of schol- ars for the maintenance of a master. In every instance in which we have traced their history, the free grammar schools of New England were endowed by grants of land, by gifts and bequests of individuals, or by allowance out of the common stock of the town, and were designed especially for instruction in Latin and Greek, and were supported in part by payments of tuition or rates by parents. These schools were the well-springs of classical education in the country, and were the predecessors of the incorporated academies, which do not appear under •that name until a comparatively recent period." '-The gradual development of the common school system in the United States, joined with the partial decline of Xiatin and Greek as instruments of education, and the demand for studies of a aiiore practical character, that is, more in demand as a preparation for the ordi- HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 53 nary duties of life, have led to a different application of the term grammar schools. The study of English grammar having taken the place of Latin grammar in schools of an elementary grade, such schools came to be designated grammar schools, and the former grammar or classical schools received the name of high schools or academies."* Shakespeare was educated at the "Free Grammar School" at Stratford-upon- Avon, in which there was a course of study in mathematics, with some other English branches, and also in Latin and Greek; and students were fitted for the university. May not Parsonslield produce a Shakespeare ? O, that it might one of his genius, but without his faults. This school was free only to a certain class of persons, not to all, as the Parsonslield Free High School is. Fourth, scholars from other towns should be admitted to the school by paying tuition, the price being such as would encourage their patronage. If the school should be of the high order contemplated, quite an income might be derived from this source, which might be appropriated to the payment of teachers and the pur- chase of apparatus, etc. I have now traced the history of the schools of Parsousfield for a hundred years, and I think it will be admitted that our fathers have made a good record — perhaps I ought to say an excellent one. It is now incumbent on us, who are entering on a second century, to make one as good. With all the experience and wealth accumulated since their time, we ought to make a better one. If we carry out the suggestions which have been made, and those which the wisdom of the town may adopt, I think we can; and that there is a bright prospect for the education of the town in the future. I do not suppose that all of them can be put in operation at once, but a beginning can be made immediately. When the High School has been located and courses of study formed for it and for the common schools, an ambition will be created in the scholars to obtain a higher education, and parents will be stimulated to greater efforts to help them along in their laudable undertaking, remembering that education is the best legacy that they can leave them. ll is not expected, nor is it desirable, that parents should give their children much money. If they give them a good education, they will get their own money, and will keep it. Of the value of an education it seems hardly necessary to say anything fur- ther. All, I think, are agreed as to its importance. It adorns every position. It brings to its possessor usefulness, influence, honor, and generally a competence and happiness. Every star that twinkles.in the vault of heaven, every flower that expands its delicate petals to drink in the dews of the morning, every insect that sports in the noonday sun, and every grain of sand,, however insignificant,, that we tread under our feet, opens volumes to the educated person for his study and delight, and leads him up to the great Creator of all things, whose greatness can be fully comprehended only by studying His works. It is the strong pillar of * Cyclopiedia of Education — under grammar scliools. 54 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. liberty, and uo free government can long exist without it. It is a great civilizer of mankind, and has swept away the superstitions and speculations of past ages, and placed our knowledge on the firm basis of inductive reasoning and mathematical demonstration. Notwithstanding this agreement on the main question of the importance of an education, there is often a grave mistake made by young persons, and sometimes by older ones, as to the amount necessary to the highest success. Some person is selected by them of great natural abilities, who, with only a common school education, has attained to great eminence, and then he is compared with another of less abilities — perhaps a college graduate, who has been highly educated, but has not attained to distinction; and then the conclusion is drawn that a thorough education is of no value, and that the time and money spent in acquiring it are thrown away. The comparison is not just. Take two persons of the same natural abilities in every respect, and place them in similar circumstances, and it will certainly be found that he who has been the more thoroughly educated will rise to greater distinction and usefulness than the other. Natural abilities must be developed by culture and education before they can be made in the highest de- gre'e available. There are things which must be learned by previous study from books before they can be known. A person of the greatest abilities could not solve a problem in algebra or geometry before he had learned the principles on which the solution depended, although it might be of the greatest utility in its practical application. In this respect, the person who has received a thorough education evidently has a great advantage over him who has an inferior one. It is often forgotten, also, that those persons who have succeeded with little educa- tion, at the beginning of their career, have been diligent students all their lives, and by degrees have acquired an education Avhich has made them masters of their professions. Of such was Franklin. It is a noteworthy fact, also, that such per- sons have almost invariably regretted that they did not pursue a thorough course of study in their youth, and thus relieve themselves of the embarrassment and labor of acquiring an education at a later period of life. Cicero, in his oration for Archias, the poet, has finely illustrated this subject. After speaking of the eminent men of Greece and Rome who had become dis- tinguished in history for their great deeds and success in life, he says: " But were those great men, it will be asked, who are celebrated in history, distinguished for that kind of learning which you extol so highly ? It would be difficult to prove this of all, but yet what I shall answer: is certain. I admit that there have been many men of excellent mind and distinguished for nobleness of character, who, without learning and by the almost divine force of nature itself, have been wise and judicious; and also that natural abilities without learning are more effectual in attaining distinction and nobleness than learning without natural abilities; but then I affirm that, when to excellent natural abilities the discipline and culture of learning are added, then something very great and extraordinary will gener- ally result." HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 55 The argument is here summed up in a few words, showing that great natural abilities without learning will accomplish much, but when they are improved by learning, much more. Education will not make natural abilities, but it will de- velop them and adapt them to the various vocations of life. It is not, there- fore, safe to rely too much on the idea of great natural abilities; for, when a person measures his own with those of others in the school-room, in the college- hall, or in the great arena of life, he will generally find some one who has greater abilities than himself, and that he will be obliged to use all his energy, and cultivate all the abilities which he may possess, in order to make a creditable record with his competitors. A higher education is now demanded than ever before. All professional men know that an education which would give them success forty years ago would not be sufficient for them now. A great portion of our young men and young women, when of sufficient age, now leave their native town, and go into other states to seek their fortunes, and they must be qualified to compete with those whom they meet there, or they will be obliged to take inferior positions. In some of the states young women are taking the same college course as the young men, and the professors say that they are quite as good scholars. In Illinois University there were, the present year (1885), two hundred and ninety-two young men and seventy young women; in the University of Minnesota, two hundred and twenty-seven young men and eighty-three young women; in Bates College, in our own state, one hundred and six young men and eighteen young women. Nineteen young women have graduated from Bates College since it was first opened. This is the first college in 'New England from which a young woman has graduated. England has caught the American spirit, and has recently established four female colleges, Newnham and Girton at Cambridge, and Somerville and Lady Margaret's at Oxford, a thing which it never did before until within a few years. Miss Helen Gladstone is at the head of one of those at Cambridge, and Miss Lefevre, sister of the postmaster-general, presides over one of those at Oxford. Seeing the great efforts which others are making in other states and other countries to provide a thorough education for the people, we should emu- late their example, and take care that they may not surpass us in knowledge and literary culture. I have given some attention to the study of the different races of mankind. The Teutonic race, of which we, the iVnglo-Saxon race, are a branch, is unsur- passed, if equaled, by any other in physical development, energy of character, and intellectual capacity. It is the great race which is now leading the world in science, literature and the useful arts, which invented the art of printing* and the printing-press, the steam engine, the magnetic telegraph, the telephone, the phonograph, and the spectroscope, which has brought down the sun, moon, and * According to the best authorities, the art of printing with mov.able types or letters was invented by Johann Gutenberg about 1-136. The Chinese printed books fromblocl^s of wood, with the writing engraved upon them, as far back as the sixth century, and perhaps much farther. 56 HISTORY OF PARSON SFIEL'D. stars to us foi' our inspection, and made us almost as well acquainted with the elements of which they are composed as we are Mdth those of the earth on which Ave live. I am proud to say that the people of Parsonsfield belong to this race. We have a foundation, then, to build upon, and if we are willing to work and cultivate the faculties which God has given us, we can compete with any people on the face of the globe. Let, then, the people of this old and venerable town set their standard of education high, and lay it down as a fixed principle that they will not be surpassed, that no ignorant person shall go out of Parsonsfield, but that all, if possible, shall have the trade-mark stamped upon them, " Educated at the Parsonsfield Free High School;" therefore, fitted for all business, for all posi- tions, and worthy to be admitted into any society in this or any other country. 04^ ju/i^ REV. JOSEPH RICKER. D.D. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 57 THE COLLEGE GRADUATES OF PARSONSFIELD. BY JOSEPH RICKER, D. D., OF AUGUSTA. College training is by no means indispensable to distinguished success in the various callings of life. For ample proof of this, we need not go beyond the limits of this goodly town whose founding it is our joy to celebrate to-day. In the realm of teaching, many of us will readily recall to mind such names as Jon- athan Piper, David Garland, Samuel Wiggin, and Ira C. Doe; in the realm of professional life, James Bradbury, Moses Sweat and Gilman L. Bennett; in the realm of business pursuits, Bartlett, John and Charles Doe, John and Edwin Sanborn, G. M. Wentworth, J. J. Merrill, and the Ames brothers; and in the realm of official trust and service, Luther Sanborn, Alvah Doe, and John Ben- nett. Not one of all these or of hosts of others who are equally deserving of mention, ever sojourned in college halls, or enjoyed, in the technical sense, a college training. Their opportunities, on the contrary, were mostly limited to the common school and the Academy. And yet with what credit to themselves, and advantage to the public have they exercised the callings to which they sev- erally addicted themselves. All this, of course, is not saying that the severe and wholesome discipline which comes from a brave and worthy encounter with the tough problems that stud the college curriculum, might not have made these men more potent factors in society. On the contrary, it is certain that such a discipline would have greatly augmented their power to mould others to their methods of thought and action. But the fact still remains that they succeeded, and succeeded grandly, without the college — succeeded because they had that, without which the college is of little worth, viz.: brains, and brains that were re-enforced with moral stamina, purpose, persistence, and steadiness of aim. Without brains, the very gods would be unvictorious in the battle of life. If one be a dunce at the start, a dunce he will continue to be, no matter how classic the ground he may tread, or rigid the discipline to which he may be subjected. The grindstone may give the steel its edge, but never its temper. And so of the college. Its mission is not so much to put anything into a man, as to draw out and make effective what is already there, — not so much to store the mind with a knowledge of mere facts as to broaden its horizon, sharpen its powers of observation, and give it skill to grasp, judgment to classify, and capacity to use the wealth of resources that lie in profusion on every side of it. It is only as it makes one stronger and better for the race of life, that it is of any worth. Brought to this test, what must be the conclusion with respect to the somewhat large group of our brothers who have gone into and through college, from this town ? As far as the writer has been able to ascertain, their names are as follows: James "Ware Bradbury, John Usher Parsons, Edmund Garland, Amos Tuck, Thomas Parsons Emerson, William B. Wedgwood, Moses Mighels Smart, Zeuas 58 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. Paine Wentwortb, Moses Erastus Sweat, Lorenzo DeM. Sweat, Isaac Xewton Telch, Horace Piper, George Benson, Joseph Eicker, Joseph Garland, Charles Henry Emerson, Burleigh Pease, William D. Knapp, Malcolm Mclntire, Cj^rus Fogg Brackett, William Ricker Thompson, Horace Rundlette Cheney, John Holmes Band, Melville C. Towle, Andrew Jackson Eastman, Isaiah F. Pray, Edwin James Cram, John Arthur Cram, Oliver Libbey, Franklin Pierce Moul- ton, Alvah Pray Moulton, Edward John Colcord, Alanson Bean Merrill, Harry L. Staples, Frank Herbert Pease. It surely is not strange that the town should have been forty years old ere she could claim among her sons a single college graduate. Her pioneer settlers were a hardy race, full of stalwart pluck and vigor, but almost to a man, dependent upon their daily toil for their daily bread. Her hills were many and precipitous, her primeval forests yielded slowly, and after incredible toil, to the woodman's axe, her highways were difficult of construction, and her homes were made com- fortable and attractive, only by long years of waiting, and watching, and work. Her sons wrought amid scenery of almost peerless grandeur, but they were forced to battle bravely and persistently for whatever they acquired. Their labors were manifold, their luxuries few. Every member of each particular human hive had to make his or her contribution to the common store, or want, if not suffering, would be the consequence. The boys were many, but could be spared from field and shop only for a few weeks in the winter when the district school was in session, and not always, even then. The Academy was a luxury not to be thought of save by the families of the half dozen professional men and merchants of the to-wn. And so it chanced that, from the birth of the munici- pality in 1785 until many years beyond the date of its majority, it had no son to represent it at any college in the land. In 1825, however, there came a change. In that year ' James "Ware Bradbury, Who honors us with his presence today, and who, both by age and position, is entitled to be regarded as the Xestor of the occasion, stepped forth from Bowdoin's halls upon the stage of active life, with the warm benediction of his Alma Mater upon him. For classmates, he had such men as Henry W. Long- fellow, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Geo. B. Cheever, Josiah Stover Little, and the like. At Commencement, of the three English orations assigned. Little had one, with the Valedictory Addresses, and Longfellow and Bradbury the other two. After devoting one year to teaching, Mr. Bradbury read law successively with Hon. Eufus Mclntire of this town and Hon. Ether Shepley, at a later day a dis- tinguished Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court of Maine. Upon the completion of his law studies, he devoted an interval of a few months that must elapse ere there would be any opportunity for his admission to the bar, to teach- ing in Effingham, N. H., what is believed to have been the first Normal School in HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 59 'Nevf England. He would take the school only on condition that it should be for the instruction and training of teachers. The idea was his own, and at the time, entirely novel. No such school is known to have antedated it, and few have been more successful. The incident is noteworthy. In 1830, Mr. Bradbury opened a law office in Augusta, then recently made the capital of the state. This step brought him into professional contact and com- petition with such men as George Evans, Peleg Sprague, Keuel Williams, Timo- thy Boutdlle and others of like eminence. To obtain foothold in a field so occu- pied, called for labor that knew little pause, and ability that could not be lightly challenged. But the then youthful aspirant proved equal to the emergency. In no long time, his clientage grew to very large proportions. This tide of prosperitj' continued without check until 1846, when he was elected to the United States Senate. And here again he was signally fortunate in the character of his associates, including, as they did, such men as "Webster, Clay, Calhoun, Benton, Cass, Seward, and other great names, not a few. His Senatorial career of six years embraced the somewhat stormy period of the Mex- ican war. He enjoyed the rare honor of serving upon the Judiciary Committee throughout his entire term of office. He was also made chairman of the com- mittee on Printing, and a member of several other committees. Declining to be a candidate for re-election, he returned to the city of his adoption, and resumed the practice of law. His service, first as an Overseer, and since 1860 as a Trustee of Bowdoin Col- lege, has been as marked for its efficiency as for its length. In 1872 his Alma Mater conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Laws, an honor well and worth- ily bestowed. He has been an active member of the Maine Historical Society, and since 1873, its President. He has, moreover, for years, counted it both a privilege and an honor to be reckoned as a worker among fellow-workers in the Christian church. With such a life of exemplary industry and conspicuous success behind him, he is here at the summons of his mother and ours, to aid in the glad celebration of her one hundredth birthday. John Usher Parsons, The next graduate in the order of time, was a grandson of Thomas Parsons, the original proprietor of the town. He was born in 1806, and completed his college course at Bowdoin in 1828, and his theological course at Andover, in 1831. His life and labors were singularly versatile. He preached in more than half of the then States of the Union, and served through several pastorates, besides giving himself to the work of an Evangelist at different times and for considera- ble periods. He was active in establishing a Seminary in Indiana, and a college in Wisconsin, to say nothing of his labors as a teacher in Indiana, Georgia, and New Hampshire. He published elementary text books which were widely circu- lated. Two of the issues of the American Tract Society were from his pen. The 60 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. more imiDortant of his works are " A Biblical Analysis," "The Philanthropies and Practical Workings of Christianity," and "The Gospel of Christ, the only Gospel of Humanity." Ecclesiastically, he affiliated with the Congregationalists. To good scholarship he added earnestness, energy and aggressiveness, and had he confined his efforts to a single sphere of activity, he must have achieved eminent success. He died of paralysis at Wellesley, Mass., in 1874. Edmund Garland. Of this alumnus of Dartmouth, the writer only knows that he was the third son of Dea. Samuel Garland, one of the strong and stable pillars of the town in the olden time, and that, after his college and seminary course, he entered the ministry of the Congregationalist church, and during most of his long life, exer- cised his sacred calling with zeal and efiiciency in the State of Ohio. At the time of his death, which occurred in the near past, he must have been upwards of four score. Amos Tuck Is a name that deserves honorable mention in this connection. Born in 1810, and like most of the then boys of the town, held to service on the paternal acres until nearly grown to manhood, he began to feel within him a hungry craving for larger attainments in knowledge and a wider sphere of activity. Accordingly, at the age of seventeen, he left home, and for the benefit of both purse and brain, devoted himself alternately to school teaching and study. At the age of twenty-one he entered Dartmouth College, and graduated therefrom with signal honor in 1835. He then resumed teaching, devoting, however, such considerable intervals as he could spare from school duties to the reading of law. This he continued for nearly three years, when he resigned as Principal of the academy in Hampton, N. H., and entered the law office of Hon. James Bell, of Exeter, in the same state. Having completed his preliminary law studies, he formed a co-partnership with Mr. Bell in December, 1838, which was only ter- minated b}' his election to Congress in 1847, nine years thereafter. Meanwhile, however, he served one year as a member of the Legislature of his own state. His Congressional career of six years was alike honorable to himself and satis- factory to his constituents. In 1853 he cea sed to represent his district in the National councils, and resumed the practice of law. As a member of the " Peace Congress " which sat in Washington on the eve of the rebellion, he was made chairman of the committee of the Northern members of that body to present to the slave power the ultimatum of the free states. In 1860 he was an active member of the convention that nom inated Abraham Lin- coln to the highest office in the land. In 1861, he was appointed Naval Officer in Boston, and re-appointed in 1865. D uring the remaining years of his life he was engaged in extensive business operations, that took him to Europe more han once or twice. fi (O a/cii-Md — ^ HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 6 1 He was a Trustee of Dartmouth College, of Phillips Exeter Academy, of the Robinson Female Seminary, and of other Institutions of learning. He died very suddenly, December 11, 1879. It was a just as well as graceful tribute that Mr. Tuck's pastor paid to his memory in a discourse immediately subsequent to his decease. Did time allow, it would be pleasant to repeat in this presence, the calm, chaste, and thoughtful estimate of his life and character as thus delineated in the presence of his sor- rowing fellow-townsmen. Suffice it to say that it was such a portraiture as any one must have anticipated who knew the subject of it in the early flush of man- hood, but had never met him afterward. Of such sons, their native town may well be proud. Thomas Parsons Emerson, Another grandson of Thomas Parsons, the original proprietor of the town, was born in 1809, and was graduated at Bowdoin in 1836. After teaching for some time in Virginia, he pursued theological study in Lane Seminary, Ohio, and was ordained as a minister of the Presbyterian, church. He labored in the pastorate for a limited period, and then accepted an appointment as a home mis- sionary, a sphere of toil to which he gave himself earnestly and successfully for thirty years. " In his manifold ministrations he rode many thousands of miles, once declaring that his most effective sermons were thought out on horseback, as he drove from church to church. He thus labored in four or five contiguous states. In 1870 he was commissioned for service in Kansas, but soon after reaching his field of labor his health failed, and he returned to the home he had left, and died in November of that year. His self-denying spirit and his earnest devotion, as already stated, led him to choose his field of effort among feeble and destitute churches, thus seeking not his own honor, but the honor of Him whom he served." William B. Wedgwood, Like many others who in the end have made their influence widely felt, was an orphaned and penniless boy. He was born and reared in Parsonsfield. His adopted home, though wholesome as to its moral and religious tone, brought with it manifold toils. But in the face of whatever obstacles lay in his path, he forced his way onward and upward until, in 1832, he found himself sufficiently advanced in preparatory studies to be admitted to Waterville College, now Colby University, where he remained during the larger part of the course. He how- ever left toward its close, and entered the University of New York City, where he graduated in 1836. After teaching two years, he read law under the tuition of eminent jurists, and in 1841 was admitted to practice at the New York bar. In connection with his early practice he gave much time and thought to the dissemination of a better knowledge of our institutions and laws among the masses of the people. To this end he prepared a work on the constitution and 62 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. laws of New York, which sold to the extent of one hundred thousand copies^ and more. "With the same object in view, he also got up a series of popular debates, in which Horace Greeley, J. L. O'SuUivan, George Cheever, and Sam- uel Hanson Cox were the principal disputants. In 1845 he visited England, and while in London was invited to deliver a lecture, which attracted favorable notice in high quarters. His subject was Slavery in the United States. In 1846 he returned to New York and to his chosen profession, and was engaged in many of the most important suits of that day. The initial steps toward the establishment of a Law School in connection with the New York University-, were instituted by Prof. Wedgwood, and when, at length, the school was founded, he was placed at its head. He was also largely instrumental a few years later in founding the National University at Washing- ton, of which he became Vice-Chancellor, the President of the United States being, ex-officio, Chancellor. To this institution he gave his services for the space of nine years. In 1860 the degree of Doctor of Laws was conferred upon him by Kutger's College, N. J. In 1867 Prof. Wedgwood brought out his work on the Government and Laws of the United States, and in 188.3 a further work on Civil Service Eeform. He moreover took a deep and practical interest in the War of the Rebellion, the emancipation of slaves, and, indeed, in all the great crises through which the country has passed since he came upon the stage of action. His course of life has brought him into contact with many great men and great questions, and it is pleasant to note that his aims and instincts appear always to have been on the side of right. To educate the masses of the people, and so raise them to a higher plane of intelligence and virtue, is a work that may well challenge the best efforts of the best minds of which this country or any country can boast. [Prof. Wedgwood died in Parsonsfield a few months before the above sketch reached the hands of the printer.] Moses Mighels Smart Graduated from Waterville College, now Colby University, in 1836, from the Bangor Theological Seminary in 1839, and from the Central Medical College, Syracuse, N. Y.,in 1850. He also read law, and in 1843 was admitted to the York County bar in this state. He, however, studied law and medicine, as sci- ences, and not with a view to the practice of either of them as a profession. He supplemented his theological studies at Bangor with a post-graduate course of one year at Andover, and in 1840 took charge of the Freewill Baptist Biblical School, then just established, and remained in charge of it for nine years. Dur- ing that period the school was located, successively, at Parsonsfield, Me., Lowell, Mass., and Whitestown, N. Y., and was the first theological school ever founded by the denomination. ^ince 1849, Dr. Smart has been engaged in teaching, and writing Biblical works. Besides his "Biblical Doctrine," published in 1843, he has in manuscript ' *}^^m ^""fhfs/j,, ''''"■''"' Bcst.„ MOSES E. SWEAT ,A.M .M.O HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 63 "A Chronological History from the Creation of the World to the Present Cen- tury," a work on " Moral Philosophy," and " Elements of Hebrew, consisting of Grammar, Keader, and Lexicon." Verily such a life, now far into the seventies, must have been one of scrupulous, earnest, and incessant toil. From the exam- ples already adduced, who will venture the assertion that college-bred men do not belong to the laboring classes ? [Dr. Smart died at his home in Whitestown, N, Y., October 2, 1885, aged sev- enty-three 3^ears.] Zenas Paine Wentworth "Was an alumnus of Dartmouth, of the class of 1836, Immediately upon the completion of his law studies he opened an office, and commenced practice in Houlton, the shire town of Aroostook County. His physical constitution was far from strong, but he was a man of standing and influence in his adopted town and county, serving for a time as Trial Justice, and afterward as Judge of Pro- bate, until the state of his health compelled him to resign. He was born in 1809, and was never married. In 1864, Judge Wentworth, physically enfeebled, and unfitted for professional service, returned to the old homestead in this town, where he died September 2, of that year. Moses Erastus Sweat Is an alumnus of Bowdoin, and a member of the class of '37. To say that he is a worthy son of a worthy sire, is eulogy so high that one feels like uttering it with bated breath, especially in the presence of its subject. For those of us who remember the father, know well what such a declai-ation must include. Nevertheless the remark would readily find justification in the facts of the case. Upon the completion of his novitiate as a medical student in 1840, Dr. Sweat settled in Limington, and practiced his profession there until 1862, a period of twenty-two years. He then returned to the old homestead where he was born, and reared, and fitted for his life-work, and where he has since been in constant practice, going out and in before the people, after what sort, they well know. Besides holding sundry town offices, he has once represented his district in the State Legislature. Lorenzo De M. Sweat, A brother and classmate of the above, has been notably prominent in both private and public life. After his graduation from college, he read law with Hon. Piufus Mclntire, availed himself of the advantages of the Harvard LaAV School, completed his legal studies with Howard and Osgood in Portland, and was admitted to the Cumberland bar in 1840. After spending a year or so in New Orleans — a portion of it in the office of the late distinguished Pierre Soule, he returned to Portland, where he has continued to reside to the present time. In 1861 and 1862 he was a member of the Maine Senate, and in the latter year 64 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. was elected to represent his district at "VVasliington, and served with zeal and ability through the thirty-eighth Congress. To all the wealth of privilege ac- corded him by the fickle goddess, have been added the liberalizing and refining influences of foreign travel. To an exceptional extent, his lines have fallen to him in pleasant i^laces. Isaac N'ewton Felch Was born in December, 1815, and graduated from Bowdoin in 1838. He soon established himself in Belfast, where at first he engaged in commercial business, but afterward studied law, and was admitted to the Waldo bar in 1813. He, however, did not practice his profession extensively, but was more especially known as deputy collector of customs, and publisher and editor of the Waldo Signal. He also repeatedly served as a member of the State Legislature. In 1855 he removed to Portland, and took editorial charge of the Evening Courier. His last years were spent in Gorhani and Hollis. He died at the latter place in 1870. Horace Piper Was born in 1810, and graduated from Bowdoin in 1838. His life has been a very busy one. For several j^ears before entering upon the higher courses of study, he gave himself largely and successfully to the teaching of district schools. Immediately upon his graduation he took charge of Limerick Academy, and remained at its head for six years, when he became Principal of the Biddeford High School. Here he labored continuously, and to good purpose, ten years more. Simultaneously with these labors, he was a member, for York County, of the Board of Education of the State of Maine for three years, from 1816 to 1819, and held Teachers' Institutes, one term of two weeks each year, which were largely attended by the teachers of the county. In all, his career as teacher covered a period of about twenty years. He then went to Washington, where he was for nine years in the service of the government. While there he pur- sued a regular course of legal study, and graduated from the I^ational L^niver- sity, thus taking the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He, however, pursued the study as a science, and not with the purpose of practicing law as a profession. He has never published any books in his own name, but was associated with Dr. Salem Town for about two years in the preparation of his Progressive Series of Readers, consisting of six books. He also assisted Mr. Benjamin Greenlief, the distinguished mathematician, about six months in the revision of his Common School Arithmetic. He moreover prepared a copious index for forty of the Annual Reports of the Agricultural Department at Washington, besides furnish- ing many original articles for the same. And yet there are people not a few who are accustomed to think that men of letters are, as a matter of course, men of leisure! "n., »'/.» BURLEIGH PEASE A.M. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 65 George Washington Benson Graduated at Dartmouth in 1841, and died in Lawrence, Mass., in 1859, at the age of forty-three. He was a fine scholar, and a young man of excellent moral character. To an attractive presence he added other qualities that made him a general favorite. He chose the law for his profession, and opened an office in Lawrence in 1844. His prospects for a long and successful career were flatter- ing. Besides being City Clerk, he was representative for one or more years to the General Court of his adopted state. But in the midst of his successes he was stricken with apoplexy, or some kindred malady, and died almost instanta- neously. His loss was deeply felt by the general public, as well as by a very wide circle of sorrow-stricken friends. Joseph Garland "Was born August 12, 1811, and was graduated from Bowdoin in 1841, and from the Bangor Theological Seminary in 1844. Entering at once upon the work of the Christian Ministry, he served the Congregationalist church of Woolwich in this state three years, a church in Sandwich, Mass., six years, and a church in Bristol, N. H., six years. He also exercised his ministry in Acton, Mass., and Charleston, 1^. H. Since then, disease, combined with other severe afflictions, has interfered with his labors to a considerable extent. He has, however, served many churches as stated supply, and many schools as superintending committee or supervisor. He is the youngest and only survivor of six brothers, of whom David, who died in Winslow a few months since, at the age of ninety-one, was the eldest. Educationally and religiously, the family will be remembered by many present as having been conspicuously prominent. Charles Henry Emerson, A brother of Thomas P. Emerson, was born in 1818. On leaving college in 1846, he taught a few months, and then commenced a (iourse of legal studies, which he completed in Boston, and was admitted to the Suffolk bar in 1850. He, however, abandoned the practice of the profession in no long time, and took a course of theology at Andover. After laboring two years as a missionary in Washington County, in this state, he was ordained as pastor of the Congrega- tionalist churches in Lee and Springfield, where he exercised his calling with zeal and diligence fourteen years. In 1880 he had been eight years pastor in Creighton, !N'eb., and for all the writer knows to the contrary, may hold that relation still. His mother was a daughter of Thomas Parsons, the original pro- prietor of the town. Burleigh Pease Is an alumnus of Colby, and graduated in 1851. He is best known as a vet- eran school teacher. Bangor, his adopted city, early put him in charge of one of her public schools, and he continued in her service, with little pause, for 5 66 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. many years. Indeed, the vigor and strength of his life have been given to this calling. The length of his service is the best evidence that he had made himself necessary to the position, or, in other words, that he had achieved substantial success. He gave up the work a few years ago, since which, though continuing to reside in the city, he has addicted himself somewhat to agricultul'al pursuits. William Daniel Knapp, Only son of Daniel and Betsey (Neal) Knapp, was born in this town, October 17, 1830. In addition to the privileges of the district school, he took two terms at Parsonsfield Seminary, and one term at a select school in his neighborhood. In 1844 his father established a home in Conway, N". H. This brought the son within reach of the South Conwaj'' Academy, where he prosecuted his studies, and in due time found his way to Dartmouth College, at which he graduated in 1855. In the meanwhile he taught school in Conway, Jackson, and Tamworth, N. H., and in Newbury, Ipswich, Ashby, and Groton, Mass. On leaving col- lege, he was Principal of Lebanon Academy, Me., until December, 1856, when he commenced reading law with Messrs. Wells & Eastman, at Great Falls, IST. H., and was admitted to the bar at Alfred, York County, Maine, September 22, 1858. In the last-named year he taught one term in the Freewill Baptist Insti- tution, at New Hampton, N. H. Like many another son of Parsonsfield, he accomplished the diflftcult task of paying his own way through college, and to the initial stage of his chosen profession. To the practice of law, varied by sun- dry official trusts, he has devoted his life hitherto. Great Falls, N. H., is his chosen place of residence. He was School Commissioner for Strafford County in 1860 and 1861, and Sec- retary of the New Hampshire Board of Education in 1861 and 1862. He was also a member of the New Hampshire Legislature in 1870 and 1871, and in addi- tion to serving his town as selectman, he has been its Treasurer since 1866, and as if all these official trusts were not enough, he was appointed Police Judge at Great Falls in 1869, a position he still holds. Among his college classmates were ex-Governor Dingley of Lewiston, Judge Field of Boston, Judge Allen of New Hampshire, and Judge Clark of the Su- preme Court of Wisconsin. This record of Judge Knapp is only another illustration of what so many boys from the "hill country" have achieved in the way of hard-earned and honora- ble distinction. Malcolm McIntire, Son of Hon. Kufus Mclntire, was born in 1835. Graduating at Bowdoin in 1857, he was Principal for one year of the Seminary in this town. He then had charge of the Academy in Owensboro, Kentucky, until the War of the Rebell- ion, as in so many cases, brought the school to a sudden close. After serving for some years, first in the provost marshal's office, and afterward as assistant i^ Hon. William D. Knapp. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 67 collector of internal revenue for the county, he removed to Hartford of the same state, and opened an academy for boys. Remaining here until 1880, he returned to Owensboro, and became deputy collector of internal revenue. Cyrus Fogg Brackett, Grandson of the venerable Elder Wentworth Lord, was born June, 1833, and graduated at Bowdoin in 1859. He was Principal of Limerick Academy the tirst year after leaving college, and for two succeeding years taught mathematics and natural science in the New Hampton Seminary, N. H. He took his medical degree from Harvard, in 1863, and was immediately called to a tutorship in Bow- doin College, and for ten years held professorships of natural science, chemistry, geology, zoology and physics, and during the last year of service lectured to the Medical School on "Medical Jurisprudence." Of his eminence in the depart- ment to which he has devoted himself, his fellow-townsmen may well be proud. To say that he successfully occupied the chair previously filled by Parker Cleve- land and Paul Chadbourne, is high eulogy indeed, but in no wise exceeds the truth. In 1873 Prof. Brackett was called to the Henry professorship of physics in Princeton College, New Jersey, a position which he still holds. It is understood that the scientific world is quite largely indebted to his pen, as well as to his oral instructions. Oliver Libbey Was born in Parsonsfield, June, 1835, and graduated at Bowdoin in 1859. After leaving college he taught in Bloomington, 111., and Sheboygan, Wis. After reading law at the east, he returned west, and settled in his profession at Green Bay, Wis., where, it is understood, he still resides. In addition to his law prac- tice he has charge of an Insurance Agency. William Bicker Thompson Took his Bachelor's degree at Colby, in 1863, and his Master's degree in 1866. After being two years Principal of the High School in Hallowell, he pursued the full course of theological study at Newton, Mass., and upon his graduation in 1868 was ordained as a minister of the Gospel, and became pastor of the Bap- tist church in Brighton, Mass. After some three years of service, his health became so impaired as to unfit him for the labors of the pastorate. He accord- ingly spent the next four years in business pursuits, preaching meanwhile on the Sabbath, as he was able. His health having become measurably restored, in 1875 he resumed the pastorate, and has continued to exercise its functions to the present time. His places of labor have been Fayville and Townsend, Mass., and New Ipswich, N. H., where he now resides. In addition to his pastoral labors, he has been repeatedly chosen to responsible municipal offices by his adopted town. 68 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. Horace Rundlette Cheney Was born in this town October 29, 1844, graduated from Bowdoin in 1863, and became Tutor in Bates College, just then chartered as such, and of which his father, Dr. O. B. Cheney, was then, and is now, the honored President. He remained in this position three years, during which he founded the Library of the college, and was its first Librarian. After graduating from the Harvard Law School, he entered upon practice in Boston, was Assistant District Attor- ney of Suffolk County several years, was tendered the position of Attorney- General of Massachusetts, and at the time of his death had a large practice, being one of the prominent lawyers of the Suffolk bar. He died of consump- tion, December 18, 1876. Melville Cox Towle "Was born in Parsonsfield, September 14, 1835. He graduated at Harvard Uni- versity in 1865, and at the Medical School of the same Institution in 1870. He was an exceptionally fine scholar, and as a practitioner in Haverhill, Mass., during his short but brilliant career, he was without a superior. Only five years was vouchsafed him for the prosecution of his chosen profession. He died of pneumonia, December 20, 1875. The sudden ending of such a life was a bitter disappointment to his wide circle of friends, and a grave loss to his adopted city, and to the profession, of which he gave promise of becoming a distinguished ornament. John Holmes Band Graduated at Bates in 1867, being a member of the first class sent out by that college. He immediately became Professor of Mathematics at New Hampton Institution,]^. H., where he remained until 1870, when he was elected to the chair of Mathematics in his own college, a position he still holds. Reliable tes- timony assigns him high rank in his department, and exemplary devotion to its duties. Isaiah F. Pray, One of the only two, it is believed, of the whole list not natives of the town, was born in South Berwick, December 11, 1845, but afterward resided in Parsonsfield most of the time until 1866, when he matriculated at Bates, but graduated from Dartmouth in 1870. After teaching one year, he gave himself to the study of medicine, and took his degree from the University of New York in 1874. After serving for a limited time as House Surgeon on the staff of a Woman's Hospital, lie entered upon private practice in the city of New York, which he is still pursuing. But along with this practice, and incidental to it, he responded suc- cessively to the call of two public Dispensaries of the city, holding to one the relation of House Physician, and to the other that of House Surgeon. It will hence be seen that the claims made upon him by his profession must be very ■exacting as well as absorbing. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 69 Edavix James Cram, The eldest sou of Nathan B. and Elizabeth (Tarbox) Cram, was born October 17, 1846. After the customary attendance upon district schools, he completed his preparation for college at Limerick Academy and Westbrook Seminary, and matriculated at Bowdoin in 1869. At his graduation in 1873 he had well earned his Bachelor's degree, and his Master's degree followed three years later. He commenced teaching common schools at seventeen, a calling which he followed at intervals every year up to the close of his college course. In 1874, after being at the head of the Winthrop High School two terms, he was elected Principal of the Kennebunk High School, and held the position for seven years. He then commenced reading law with Strout, Gage & Strout, Portland, and after three years' study was admitted to the Cumberland bar, Ajiril, 1884, and in June of the same year opened an office in Biddeford. A good measure of success has attended him in his chosen profession. In December, 1884, he was appointed Recorder of the Biddeford Municipal Court, a position that he still holds (1887). His temperance habits are be3^ond question, having never used either liquor or tobacco in any form. John Arthur Cram, Brother and classmate of the above, was born July, 1848. He, too, fitted for college at Limerick and Westbrook, and received the honors of Bowdoin in 1873. Like his brother, he also commenced teaching at seventeen, and prosecuted it at intervals up to the time of his gradviation, when he assumed charge of the "Wells Free High School. But after two terms he faltered in health. Although a man of strong constitution, and of marked athletic skill and power, yet long and per- sistent apjjlication to study and teaching had brought on pulmonary trouble, which, with brain fever, ended his earthly life on the nineteenth of July, 1874, He was a successful teacher, a young man of the highest integrity and honor, and in his death all felt that bright prospects were blasted. Andrew J. Eastman, Only son of Andrew J. and Sarah J. (Frost) Easman, was bora in Parsonstield, July 23, 1846. Both his parents died while he was yet very young, but he had the benefit of Christian homes, in the interval between childhood and manhood. His, however, was the old story of struggle and vicissitude ere he could set foot within college walls. But his wish was at length gratified. He took his prepar- atory course at Kew Hampton, N. H., matriculated at Bates College in 1870, and received his Bachelor's degree in 1874. He then entered the Theological Depart- ment of the same college, and graduated therefrom in 1877, thus completing ten years of continuous study. He had previously united with the Paige Street Freewill Baptist church in Lowell, Mass. His first pastorate was at Steep Falls, Standish, Me., where he was ordained November 1, 1877. In the spring of 70 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 1878 he accepted the call of the Freewill Baptist church in Grafton, Mass., from which he went in December, 1880, to take the charge of a new interest in the city of Worcester, ten miles distant. After a time, finding the strain here too much for his strength, he felt obliged to resign, and in April, 1882, accepted a call to Pittsfield, IST. H., where he remained three years. In April, 1885, he was invited to Ashland, N. H., where he is still [1887] pastor. Franklin Pierce Moulton Finished his college course at Bates in 1874, since which, according to trust- worthy information, he has filled the chair of Ancient Languages at New Hamp- ton, N". H., with great ability. The training he gives in his department is excep- tionally thorough. Alvah Pray Moulton, Brother and classmate of the above, upon leaving college returned to Parsons - field, of which he has always remained a resident. His time has been mainly given to agricultural pursuits. These are all the data the writer has been able to gather, and all, therefore, he is able to give. Alanson B. Merrill, An alumnus of Bates, of the class of 1877, died in the year following. He is characterized by his instructors as having been a fine scholar, and a " young man of great worth." Harry L. Staples Was born September 21, 1858, and graduated at Bowdoin in 1881. He taught the Free High School of his native town one year, and spent the autumn of 1882 at Princeton, N. J., in the study of Physics, under the instruction of Prof. Cyrus F. Brackett. In June, 1883, he entered the Portland School for medical instruc- tion, and from that time he has devoted himself to medical studies at Portland and Brunswick. He has given quite special attention to the Natural Sciences, and has taught them for considerable periods at Mrs. Caswell's school in Port- land. If he turns his thoughts and researches largely in that direction, he can hardly fail of achieving eminent success. Frank Herbert Pease, A sou of John A. and Sarah R. Pease, was born in East Boston, Mass., July 16, 1858. When he was two years of age his father returned to his native town, and settled on the old family homestead in South Parsonsfield. Here the son enjoyed the advantages of such schools as his hnmediate neighborhood furnished, and also, for a time, of the better facilities offered by Parsonsfield Seminary, His prepai'ation for college, however, was prosecuted and completed at tlie Nich- ols Latin School, Lewiston, where he graduated in 1877. After taking his Fresh- HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 7 1 man studies at Bowdoin, and spending further time in earning money to defray expenses, he entered the Sophomore class at Tufts College, Massachusetts, in the fall of 1880, and graduated therefrom in 1883. While in college, he won the prize for the best translation of English into Latin, and was on the editorial staff of the " Tuftonian^^ for two years; besides which, he was for a time col- lege correspondent of the Boston Journal and the Boston Globe, and contrib- uted short poems to the Portland Transcript and the Boston Transcript. He also, by request of the committee, wrote an original hymn for the Parsonsfield Centennial celebration. Mr. Pease is now (1887) Principal of the Sawyer Grammar School in Dover, N. H. The school consists of three hundred pupils and eight teachers. He is the youngest, but by no means the least p-romising, of the sons of our goodly town, who are fain to own some college as their Alma Mater. Of the thirty-live known college-bred men of Parsonsfield, all save one have now passed in review before the reader. It is matter of sincere regret to the writer that, in the case of several of the foregoing sketches, the materials at hand were so meager. He can only say that he has tried to make the most of such means as were reasonably attainable. It is, perhaps, the crowning glory of the men, a mere glimpse of whose lives we have just caught, that they were not sent to college. They went, indeed, but went of their own motion, went because of an inward craving that could be sat- isfied in no other way. As a class, it was not their fortune, or rather misfor- tune, to have rich fathers ready and eager to put them through college, and into professional life, without any severe testing or tasking of the best that was in them. On the contrary, their fathers, for the most part, wei-e hard toilers upon Buch acres as they chanced to possess, and could ill afford to dispense with the aid of their sons upon the farm, to say nothing of paying the expenses of their education. And so the sons were fain to take the matter into their own hands, being only too thankful if they might gain simple consent to leave the paternal roof portionless, and fight the battle as best they could. And they did fight, some of them against fearful odds. Manual labor morning and evening, self- board, resolute and hard toil during vacation, alternation of teaching and study, anything that could help them toward the coveted end, was eagerly and heroic- ally resorted to. And so, as commonly in such cases, victory came at length. They were picked men in the sense of having successfully encountered the severest tests to which they could well have been subjected. Let me not be misunderstood. They make no boasts; they claim no prescriptive rights, arro- gate to themselves no superiority. Honor enough for them is it to be accounted sons, on an equal footing with all the other sons, of the dear mother on whose honored brow we, todaj"^, place her first centennial crown. The American col- lege is no close corporation, no nursery of class distinctions, no aristocratic excrescence upon the body politic. Born of an imperative need of society, it is 72 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. of the people, and for the people, always and pre-eminently. It is founded by the people, endowed by the people, and is the heritage of the people, and of the children of the people, to the latest generation. Upon many minds there seems to be an utter misapprehension as to the ten- dency of a really liberal education. The knowledge that " puffeth up " is never genuine. It is but a name, a bubble, a pretence. Puncture it, and lo, it turns to nothingness. One fruitage of true knowledge, on the contrary, is humility. It takes the conceit out of a man as almost nothing else can, — tends to make him introspective, modest, unpretentious, — to show him how little he knows as compared with what remains to be learned, and so to stimulate him to higher attainments and nobler achievements. Now the college, in proportion as it is true to its mission, works toward this beneficent end, and hence is a blessing beyond all price. Let it, then, have its true place as a mighty agency in the world's progress, and, under God, in the world's regeneration. [Dr. Eicker has omitted to make any extended mention of himself, but a just tribute is paid him by Dr. Wm. B. Lapham, of Augusta, a life-long friend, which sketch appears with his portrait, in Part III, to which the reader is referred. — J. W. D.] ^ J^ /3 ^....^yA^^^^— Prof. Cyrus Fogg Brackett. A.M. /V1.0. L CD. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 73 THE PROGRESS OF PHYSICS DURING THE LAST HUNDRED YEARS. It is apparent, on a moment's reflection, that a mere enumeration of the achievements of science in any given department, and for any given period, would be of little value. To be of real service to his reader, one must exhibit, as points of departure, the several disciplines constituting the subject-matter treated of, as they were at the commencement of the period under consideration. No hesitation will, therefore, be felt in stating, as occasion shall seem to demand, the views which have prevailed in earlier times concerning the matters dis- cussed. This will have the double advantage of giving a clear view of the results reached at the commencement of our period, and at the same time of making the reader familiar with the use of such terms as are necessary to set forth subsequent progress. Electricity. The history of electrical science is mainly occupied with the last three hun- dred years. Prior to the beginning of the seventeenth century, only a few apparently disconnected electrical phenomena were known, and such explana- tions of them as were attempted are better suited to illustrate the fruitless meth- ods of the philosophers than to serve any useful purpose for science. More than two thousand years, from the time of Thales, had to pass away before the genius of Dr. Gilbert could lay the foundations of the vast superstructure of electrical knowledge which hosts of subsequent workers have since reared. It was Gil- bert who first distinguished between magnetic and electrical jDhenomena, and gave a distinctive name to the latter (" Vim illam electricam nobis placet appel- lare.'''') To Thales and to the Grecian philosophers after him, till the time of Theophrastus, only a single substance appears to have been known which could be excited electrically by being rubbed. This substance was amber (electron), whence the name electricity. About two hundred and fifty years after Thales, Theophrastus discovered another substance having the same property. It was called lynkurion, but exactly what the substance was is not now known. Aristotle ascribes to Thales a knowledge of the attractive power of the mag- net. It is probable, however, that his knowledge, and that of his contempora- ries, was very incomplete, for it seems quite unlikely that any comprehensive acquaintance with phenomena so striking as those exhibited by the magnet, if it existed at the time of Thales, had been so far lost that Pliny, just after the com- mencement of the Christian era, could have written accounts concerning them so inexact, confused and absurd as those which he has left. Indeed, it was hardly possible that any considerable progress could be made in determining the relations of magnets to each other, and to the earth, before the invention of the compass. Now, however far back" a knowledge of this instrument may date among the Chinese, it was not before the twelfth century that it became known 74 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. in Europe. To Columbus, on his first V03^age of discovery, must be attributed the first authentic observation of the deviation of the compass from its usual direction, at least among Europeans, for it appears that the Chinese were long before familiar with this occurrence. In 1580, Norman, in England, published a pamphlet, in which he explains the cause of the dip exhibited by the north end of a needle which has been balanced on its pivot before " touched " with the magnet. His explanation was that the attractive point is in the earth itself, and not in the heavens, as had hitherto been supposed. Others before Norman had entertained a kindred idea, if only speculatively. Stories \vere told of moun- tains of lodestone at the north pole so powerful in their attractions that ships coming near them would either be held fast, by reason of the iron contained in them, or would have their iron bolts drawn out, and so would fall to pieces! What has been said will suffice to show the condition of this department of knowledge before the time of Gilbert. What he did for its promotion may be sufficiently stated in a few words. He showed that many bodies beside amber can be electrically excited by means of friction. As such, he mentions the dia- mond and other precious stones, glass, sulphur, shellac, and resinous bodies gen- erally. According to him, wood and the metals do not possess this property. Gilbert devised the first electroscope, or means of detecting the presence of elec- tricity. He showed that moisture diminishes or annuls the effects produced by friction, and, since neither moisture nor friction affect the magnet in the same way, he made these circumstances grounds of distinction between electricity and magnetism. He mentions, further, that magnets can act only on magnetic sub- stances, while electrified bodies attract almost all substances presented to them, provided they be not too heavy. He showed that the earth is a great magnet, and as such, exercises its directive influence upon the needle. He devised and employed, so far as he had occasion, the nomenclature in use today. Otto von Guericke, born at Magdeburg, 1G02, made the first rude beginning of the electrical machine. He noted that the light bodies which are attracted to an electrified surface are repelled after contact, so as to come in contact with some other surface. In 1670, Boyle showed that electrical attractions can take place in the so-called vacuum. Five years later Newton observed that if one surface of a plate of glass be excited by rubbing, the phenomena of attraction and repulsion of light bodies will be presented by the other surface, the action taking place through the glass. In 1708, Wall, rubbing amber with wool, produced a spark nearly an inch in length, and accompanied .by a noise. He compared these with lightning and thunder. In 1720, Stephen Gray noticed that a cork, which closed one end of a glass tube which he was using in some electrical experiments, became elec- trified, and this observation led him to the discovery that electricity can be con- ducted along threads, wires, etc. He also discovered that silken threads, hair, and lumps of resin, do not allow the electrical state of an excited body to be- HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 75 communicated to another body through them. There was thus clearly estab- lished the division of bodies into conductors and non-conductors, or insulators, although Desaugliers was the first to recognize this formally. Gray made use of the latter class of bodies to prevent the escape of electricity from other bodies on which he would experiment. Meantime Du Fay, born 1698, was busy with the same matters. He repeated Gray's experiments, and devised others. In the course of his labors he was led to make clear the follow- ing propositions: (1) Every electrified body attracts all non-electrified ones, communicates electricity to them, and then repels them. (2) There are two electricities, opposite in character, the vitreous and the resinous, produced by rubbing glass and resin respectively. Du Fay investigated the different conducting powers of various substances, and laid the foundation for the invention of the electroscope in use in all our laboratories. He showed the conducting power of flame, and he first drew an electric spai'k from the living body. This last experiment attracted great atten- tion, and doubtless had much to do with making his name famous, and his opin- ions weighty with his contemporaries. It is true, however, that they did not all readily accede to his theory of two distinct fluids. A few words here respecting the development of the two types of electrical machines in common use will be of interest. As hinted above, Guericke took the first step. His apparatus was merely a sphere of sulphur mounted, so that it could be turned about a horizontal axis, while friction was applied by holding the hand on its surface, Hawksbee replaced the sulphur sphere with glass, and added a multiplying wheel, by means of which a more rapid revolution could be given it. In 1734, Bose independently hit upon the same arrangement, and added what is now called the prime conductor. In his case this was merely a cylindrical tube of sheet metal, into one of the open ends of which was stulfed a quantity of linen threads, which could rest in contact with the revolving glass, and thus convey the electricity to the metal. These threads were a distinct anticipa- tion of the "comb " which is now always employed, although the reason for this action was not at that time perceived. The machine, so constructed, was so pow- erful that by its use long sparks could be produced, and several substances were inflamed by means of them. Winkler added the "rubber," which could pro- duce friction instead of the hand, and Gordon, in 1742, replaced the glass globe by a cylinder of the same material. This rapid sketch will be sufficient to show how the cylinder machine, the form and arrangement of which is familiar to all readers, was evolved, and be- came practically complete from the simple beginning in 1671, Electrical machines now became common, and slight changes were frequently made in their construction. Thus Wilson substituted the metallic comb for the linen thread in the prime conductor, already referred to, thereby greatly increas- ing its efficiency. 76 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. Attention was now turned to the rubber, that improvement might be made in it, if possible. Oiled silk was tried, with good results, by Canton, in 1751, but as he had noticed that a glass tube which had been dipped in mercury was strongly electrified on being withdrawn, he was led to try what effect mercury would have when applied to the rubber of the machine. He made the applica- tion in the form of an amalgam with tin. It was sucessful to a degree which led to other combinations, and the result was that another, in 1788, produced the peculiar amalgam, which has thus far proved to be the best. The plate machines of Ramsden and Winter differ in no important principle from the cylinder machines which had preceded them. During the years of the growth and development of the frictional machine there had been contrived a great many electrical experiments, which were cal- culated to excite the wonder of the uninstructed, and the admiration of the learned. Such experiments were common at exhibitions where money was paid for admission, and in the halls of learning they became the subjects of discussion. In the latter part of the year 1745, von Kleist, at Cammin, made a discovery, by accident, which led to what we now know as the Leyden jar, or condenser, one of the most important pieces of electrical apparatus; and the same discovery was made in a similar way, at Leyden, by Musschenbrock, in the early part of the following year. Kleist wished to electrify a medicine-glass by means of the electrical machine. In order to this he held the glass in his hand, and brought a nail, which had been placed in it, to the conductor of the machine, so as to receive a spark. On touching the nail with the other hand, as he attempted to remove it, he received a shock. He found the effect greatly increased when the glass contained mercury or some other liquid. Musschenbrock wished to electrify some water, and to have it keep its charge as long as possible. He thought the end Avould be attained by putting the water in a glass, and causing a wire to dip into it, so as to convey the electricity from the machine. When this was done, and the water, as he supposed, was charged, Cunajus, who was holding the glass, was about to withdraw the wire, when he received a shock. Musschenbrock, on communicating an account of the matter to Reaumur, in Paris, declared that he would not take another shock for the kingdom of France! Gralath, in 1746, showed the necessity of joining the two surfaces of the glass in order to produce the shock. He was also the first to construct a battery of several electrified glasses, which he did in the same year. He did not understand the action of the battery, but ascribed it to the " electri- cal power of water." Musschenbrock wrote to Nollet in Paris, and he it was who, not knowing the prior discovery of Kleist, gave the name " Leyden flask" to the arrangement. Many experiments were now made in France, and the conditions of their success were more clearly brought to light. Monnier pointed out that a flask cannot be charged when it stands upon an insulator; that if a charged flask be insulated one may touch the wire connected with the inner sur- HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 77 face without receiving a shock; that when the charged fiask is insulated, and the inner surface is touched, the outer surface is so electrified as to attract light bodies presented to it; and that a charged flask may retain its charge for a con- siderable time. He also attempted to measure the velocity of the transmission of the discharge along a wire. "Watson, in England, made many experiments in the same direction. Recog- nizing the fact that the power of the flask depended on the amount of the sur- faces, which were covered with conducting substance, he might have taken the last stej), which was to cover the surfaces of the glass with tin foil. This, how- ever, was done by Dr. Bevis, so far as the outer surface was concerned, but Watson saw the advantage of covering the inner surface as well. Thus was the Leyden jar evolved, as we have it. As in the work of discovering the princi- ples of construction of the Leyden jar, several persons and nationalities were concerned, and the same things were found out independently by several per- sons at about the same time, so was it with the discovery of one of the most striking phenomena connected with it, that of the "residual charge," which may be given by it after it has been completely discharged, and a time varying from a few minutes to several months has elapsed. The time had now come when the necessity for some clear view of the nature of electrical actions was felt. Hitherto, only vague hypotheses had been held, his own by each prominent worker, as he deemed sufficient to account for what he knew of the wonderful facts. In the earliest times, bodies which could be electrified were supposed to possess a soul which can be aroused by rubbing, and to whose action all the phenomena were referred; later, emanations were sup- posed to proceed from electrified bodies. These were either loaded with moist- ure, which, coalescing, like the drops of water when near each other, about the rubbed body, bring in light matters in the neighborhood (Gilbert), or flying out with great velocity so react on the air as to be swept in by it together with what- ever may be in the way (Hawksbee). Even the great ISTewton appears to have held the most hazy and unsatisfactory notions concerning it. The Leyden jar, however, offered the means of making progress, and we have our own country- man,. Dr. Franklin, to thank for one of the most important steps. It was "Watson's belief that in none of the well known electrical experiments is anything new produced. He held that the friction, or other operation, is but the occasion of the appearance of what had previously existed in another mode. Du Fay had taught that there are two electricities. In opposition to his view, Franklin assumed that there is but one electric (matter) fluid of great tenuity, and identical with fire and light. The particles of this fluid are self-repellent, but attract matter in its grosser forms. The vitreous and resinous electrical con- ditions of Du Fay are explained by Franklin by the assumption that in their natural state all bodies have a certain definite amount of this fluid, and that then they are not electrified, or charged. They may, however, be made to take 78 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. more than their natural amount, or they may be made to part with some of what they possess and thus become positively or negatively electrified. In the case of the Leyden jar, if the inner coating be connected with the machine it will acquire more than its natural amount of electricity; since non-conductors can hold only a certain amount, it follows that an equal amount must be repelled through the glass from the outer coating, through the wire or through the hand which touches it, to the earth. If now the jar be removed from contact with the machine there is not a restoration of equilibrium since the non-conducting glass intervenes. But if the outer and the inner coatings be brought into immediate contact equi- librium is at once restored by redistribution, or the jar is discharged. Franklin showed by means of a condenser whose coatings were removable, that the charge is confined to the surfaces of the glass. Also he showed that the outside and inside coatings are in opposite electrical states, as his hypothesis requires. Franklin's hypothesis led him to devise many experiments, among them the charging of several jars simultaneously by the so-called cascade method. He was, however, greatly surprised when he found that two negatively electrified bodies repel each other, and he could account for the fact only by assuming that matter which has no electricity is self-repellent, and so as the electricity is by degrees withdrawn from the bodies, the repellent action of the matter becomes more and more apparent. To Franklin we owe the very ingenious demonstration that in case of a charged body the electricity is confined entirely to the surface. He brought a cork, suspended by a silken thread, in contact with the interior of a charged silver cup. On removal he found no trace of electricity on the cork. Aepinus, in 1759, attempted to subject Franklin's hypothesis to a mathematical treatment. He had no means of knowing the law of the force between electrified bodies as regards distance, and so he made a general assumption that the force diminished when the distance increased. But though this assumption was want- ing in the precision which alone could lead to the highest results, his labor was not unfruitful. He replaced the glass, which Franklin had employed in the con- denser with air, and thus showed that the action was not dependent on glass as such, as Franklin had assumed. He also showed that there is no sharp line of demarkation between conductors and non-conductors; that all bodies conduct in some degree and that all offer some resistance to the passage of electricity tlirough them. Meantime, Symmer, in England, had revived the almost forgotten hypothesis of Du Fay. He was led to do so by observing that when he withdrew his silken stockings, of which he wore two pairs, of different colors, at the same time, that those of the same color repelled one another while those of unlike colors attracted one another. He much relied on an experiment of Franklin's devising, which is now well known and often shown. It consists in sending a powerful spark from a Leyden jar through a piece of card-board or through several sheets of paper held together, when it is found that instead of a smooth perforation the HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 79 outside sheets are blurred outwards. Symmer and those who held to his view of the nature of the discharge, looked upon this as indicating the passage of two electricities in opposite directions at the same time. Symmer thought that the puzzling observations of Guericke concerning what we now call inductive action became clearer in the light of his explanation. Though at first, Symmer's theory attracted little attention, it was shown by Wilke that it offered a clear explana- tion of the discharge of the Leyden jar and other condensers. There were, how- ever, acknowledged difficulties in the Avay of accepting either Franklin's or Symmer's views, and these difficulties have not even yet wholly disappeared. Guericke and Gray had each observed that if an insulated conductor be placed near a charged body, though not in contact with it, the former becomes electri- fied. Winkler had endeavored to account for this in accordance with the pre- vailing doctrine of the time by the assumption that there is an electrical exhala- tion, or atmosphere which goes out from the rubbed body, to which the effect maybe referred. John Canton was very active in experimentation and contrib- uted much to the overthrow of this doctrine. He showed that th^ kind of elec- trification produced in a given case depends on the character of the surfaces in contact and not at all on the nature of the underlying bodies, and, moreover, that when an insulated conductor is made to approach a charged body, the portion nearest the charged body exhibits electricity of the opposite kind. Wilke showed, in addition, that if the insulated conductor be now removed from the presence of the charged body, all signs of electrification disappear; and Aepinus showed that the same is true for non-conductors. He ascribed the effect to the action of the electricity of the charged body within a certain space about the latter, which he called the "sphere of electrical activity." Whether this action takes place through the intervention of the air, of course he did not know. Beccaria, in 1767, at Turin, investigated the same problem, and the result was that he ascribed the peculiar properties of charged insulators to a power of restoration (electrici- tas vindex) of the condition which had been disturbed. This explanation, if such it can be called, is one which belongs to the methods of philosophy rather than to science. He showed that two equally and oppositely charged bodies, separated only by a thin plate of insulating substance, can exert no outside influence, but that if they be separated from each other, they both manifest a charge. Volta noticed that the two charged bodies do not lose their electricity, but that during their near approach it ceases to act outward. As he employed, for the experi- ment, a plate of resin to separate the two movable conductors he remarked that the electrical action continued to act for a long time, and he hence called the arrangement a "perpetual electrophorous." The apparatus still remains a most important and useful one in our laboratories. Volta found that if the electrified plate of his electrophorous be a partial conductor, the electrophorous may, by its use, have its initial charge greatly strengthened. In 1778, Lichtenberg invented a double electrophorous, so contrived as to pro- 8o HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. duce both states of electrification at the same time, and to make the electricity so produced available, and both he and Yolta observed that by an obvious use of the apparatus, the charges would continue to increase so long as the work of applying and removing the movable conductors is kept up. In 1787, Bennett, in England, made use of varnished metal plates in the con- struction of an " electric duplicator," which was simply a means of conveniently applying the prmciple of Volta's electrophorous. Cavallo, Bennett's country- man, employed metal plates unvarnished, but never brought quite in contact, making use of the thin plate of air intervening, when they approached for induc- tive action. Nicholson, in 1788, embodied the same idea in a revolving apparatus which carried a metal plate constantly, and in succession past two fixed plates. There were metallic wire connections so added that the electricity displaced by inductive action could be made available in another part of the apparatus. This device is able to build up the slightest difference of electrical states between the fixed plates, which may chance to exist, so as to produce very considerable effects. Essentially the^same principles were embodied in an apparatus in which a fixed and revolving glass wheel were employed, the opposed surfaces of which were partly covered with tin foil. The foil was made, at suitable points, to touch fine metallic brushes so connected as to serve the same general purpose as the con- nections in his earlier apparatus. No further notable advance was made in apparatus of this sort for a consider- able period, the reason doubtless being that the attention of electricians was irresistibly drawn to another class of phenomena in whose investigation Volta again holds a conspicuous place. However, in 1831, Belli, an Italian, produced an apparatus having much in common with that of Nicholson, It is, in fact, a self -charging and continuous by acting electrophorous, and it may properly be regarded as the forerunner of the " influence machines " which, in one form or another, have almost entirely supplanted the friction machines of earlier times. Our limits do not permit a description of this apparatus. There is no new ad- vance to record till 1865, when, as so frequently happens, remarkable progress was simultaneously made by two persons, Toepler and Holtz, independently of each other. The principle of induction is employed by both, and there is great similarity in the apparatus which they invented, though there are very important differences in details and operation. It will be sufficient for our purpose to say that while in the apparatus of Toepler the electric potential (disposition to dis- charge) of the conductors is brought about by the action of a fixed inductor on the metallic surfaces carried past and near to it, the Holtz machine consists essentially of two combined electrophori with a common rotating plate which represents the movable cover of the Yolta device. A detailed description of either of these machines would be out of place. The invention of these means of producing electricity gave rise to a great number of researches which have resulted in advancing the theory of electrical action. Very large machines have HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 8 1 been constructed on the plan of Holtz, some of them by the use of glass plates of extraordinary size, and some by the combination of many plates so as to con- tribute to one common effect. Hitherto, they have proved rather useful for scien- tific than for practical purposes. In the early days of electrical experimentation it was not possible to detect the presence of very small amounts of electricity, for no very delicate apparatus existed for that purpose. The invention of the condenser, however, rendered the construction of such an apparatus possible, and Volta had the acuteness to take advantage of the fact. Nollet appears to have been the first to attempt to estimate the strength of the charges with which he dealt. For this purpose he made use of the fact which Du Fay had observed, that two threads hanging near each other and connected with the charged body are repelled so as to stand apart from each other, and that they diverge more and more as the charge is increased. "Waitz attached small metallic balls to the threads which gave a means of com- paring the repulsive force with that of gravity, and so measuring the charge. The next important device was to place the charged body, or a metallic plate which was in contact with it, under the pan of a balance so that the attractive force might be counter-balanced by weights placed in the other pan. This was done by Gralath and others. Le Koy and d'Arcy contrived an apparatus which could stand partly immersed in water, after the manner of an hydrometer, and when put in communication with the charged body, it could exhibit the repulsive action by displacement upwards. The amount of weight which must be added to restore the former equilibrium measured the charge. Canton employed the number of sparks which one may obtain in the discharge of a Leyden jar, and also the repulsion which two suspended pith or cork balls can show. The first plan had but little success till it was carried out by Lane, in 1767, in an apparatus which still bears his name. To the outer coating of a Leyden jar is fastened a conductor carrying a sci-ew, on whose extremity is a knob. This latter can be brought to any required distance from the knob connected with the inner coating, and thus the length of the spark can be regulated. Henley, in 1772, replaced one of the suspended balls of the former repulsion aparatus with a metal strip from which the other ball was suspended by a light rod. Cavallo, in 1780, employed thin wires instead of threads to suspend the balls and placed them in a glass case with strips of tin foil opposite the balls, to increase the divergence by induction. Volta, in the course of the next year, used light straws instead of threads, and, finally, Bennett, in 1787, substituted gold leaf. It is clear that none of the apparatus here briefly mentioned, can serve for measurements such as exact science demands, and so it was clearly impossible that theoretical results of much value could be obtained by its use. It is, how- ever, true that some of the conclusions reached by Aepinus and by Cavendish are in close agreement with the facts as they have since come to be established. 6 ' 82 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. Aepinus, as remarked before, did not know the law of the diminution in electri- cal action which depends ou distance. Cavendish, however found evidence that it is as some negative power of the distance lying between 1 and 3. He assum- ed it to be the second. Mayer, in 1769, showed that this law holds for magnetic poles. Priestly, in 1766, concluded that the law of inverse squares is valid, from Franklin's observation that the charge is wholly confined to the surface of the charged l)ody. But Coulomb first showed beyond all doubt, both experi- mentally and theoretically, that this law is rigorously true. The course of his investigations led him to the construction of his so-called " torsion balance," an apparatus of the greatest value in the estimation of very small forces. The plan is to employ the force of torsion of a very thin wire or fibre, say of unspun silk, to antagonize the repulsive action of the charged bodies so as to bring them into the same relative position which they would have before being charged. By a long series of most exact experiments Coulomb established the two facts (a) that the force exerted between two charged bodies is directly as the quantities of their electricities, and (b) inversely as the square of their distance from each other. So far as theory is concerned he showed that the hypothesis of Franklin, or that of Symmer, will equally well account for the facts. Coulomb to some extent also discussed the distribution of electricity on the surfaces of bodies, and made many exact measurements on this subject. He also explained the peculiar action of points in effecting the discharge of charged bodies, as a necessary result of the distribution. In short he laid the foundation for the theory of static electricity which no subsequent researches have disturbed. All the accumulated observations and discoveries up to this time were neces- sarj- to prepare the way for the rigorous treatment of the mathematicians. It was found that much of the mathematical work of Laplace, which had reference primarily to another field of inquiry, was applicable. Biot, in 1801, made a be- ginning when he solved the problem of distribution on the surface of a special geometrical surface, Ijut Poisson, in 1811, commenced the real work of establish- ing a mathematical theory of electricitj^. He assumed as a basis that there are two incompressible fluids whose particles are freely movable, and that they obey the laws which Coulomb had established by experiment. He was able to calcu- late what would be the distribution of a charge given to two spheres in contact and the calculations agreed with the measurements executed by Coulomb. In 1828, Green, in England, devised a new treatment of certain difficult elec- trical problems which introduced ver}^ great simplicity into the calculations. His work, however, attracted no attention till long afterwards, and it happened that Gauss, in 1837, rediscovered his general plan which has been since developed by many mathematicians. Through their labors we hav6 come to attach a physical signification to what was at first a mere mathematical form of expression. A single illustration will suffice. The potential of one electrical mass upon another at any given distance is equal to the work which must be done to bring the masses HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 83 from niutually infinite distances to their given positions, in opposition to their repulsions. As lias been said above, the vai-ious forms of electroscopes are unsuited to the exact measurements required in science. The only real measuring instrument thus far mentioned is the torsion balance of Coulomb, 1785. The successful use of this instrument, however, requires the highest skill and care on the part of the experimenter, and so in the course of time attempts were made to replace it with some more convenient device. Among the many proposed may be mentioned that devised and used by Sir Snow Harris in 1834, in- which he directly weighs the pull exerted on a charged plate held near a similar plate, parallel with it. Here was made a commencement, which, at last, in 1855, by the genius of Thom- son, was developed into an " absolute electrometer " with scarcely anything to be desired in addition. Thomson has also invented other forms of electrometers by means of which inconceivably small amounts of electricity can be compared and measured. Indeed it is hardly too much to say that more is due to him than to any other man, both for his experimental devices and for his contributions to the theoiy of electricity. We must pass without special mention a great number and variety of instruments which serve the same general purpose as those of Thomson. Some of the earlier experimenters, as we have seen, suggested the identity of the electric spark and the lightning flash. Franklin, whose attention was arrested by the peculiar action of metallic points in discharging the Leyden jar, or other charged body, conceived the idea, in 1749, of protecting buildings from the de- structive effects of lightning, by means of metallic conductors terminating in points. His plan at once attracted attention and rods were erected near Paris by Dalibard and Delor who succeeded in showing the identity of the spark with lightning. Meantime Franklin had been awaiting the erection of a church spire in Philadelphia, on which he hoped to raise his conductor. Impatient at the delay in completing the erection, he, together with his son, sent up a kite, armed with points and held by a hempen cord, and had the satisfaction of drawing a spark from a key which was tied to the cord. Everywhere the greatest interest was aroused and Franklin's bold experiment was repeated, notwithstanding its danger and the consequent warnings respecting it. At last Professor Reichmann was killed by a powerful flash from his apparatus, at St. Petersburg. Lightning rods were now speedily erected in various parts of the world, but most numer- ously in Philadelphia. As Franklin recommended they were generally pointed, but about 1766, Wilson in England contended that they should not be pointed, but should end in a rounded knob, and be led through the interior of the build- ing to some point below the highest part. Thus if the building were struck the rod would be able to convey away the charge without setting the building on fire. Beccaria supported the view of Franklin, contending that the points could attract no more electricity than they could safely carry away. Finally, the sensible view of Franklin, that the office of the rod is to discharge the cloud before the poten- 84 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. tial rises high enough to discharge disruptively, prevailed. The erection of ex- perimental rods gave the means of studying the electrical conditions of the atmosphere. The most obvious accessories were some forms of electroscopes. Lichtenberg, however, devised a means of making the atmospheric changes self registering. It consisted in arranging a plate, such as was in use for the elec- trophorous, to be constantly moved by clock-work, while a small metallic ball, in conducting communication with the rod rested on it. When the plate was strown with light powder it would adhere at the points where the contact of the ball had occurred. In 1785, Saussure established regular observations by means of which he showed that there is a regular period in the variation of the electrical condition of the atmosphere in fair weather. Schubler showed that there is a regular yearly period as well. With the exceedingly delicate instniments devised by Thomson and with the help of photography continuous registrations of the electrical con- dition of the atmosphere are now kept in many places, and the results are sub- jected to comparative study and discussion. It must not be supposed that we have thus far mentioned all the means which may be employed to produce static electricity, many of which were in some measure known at the close of the last century. The so-called cramp fish had been known for many centuries, and the similarity of its effects to those of the Leyden jar suggested that the source of its power was electrical. Walsh, in 1772, showed that the suspicion was correct, and he succeeded in producing a spark from the electrical eel. Gray, in 1731, observed that many fused bodies become charged on solidifying. Aepinus showed that many bodies are charged by gently laying them on oiled silk and removing them. In 1781, Lavoisier and Laplace found that vapor of water evaporated from iron is charged. This led Saussure and Volta to suppose that atmospheric electricity is produced by evaporation from the earth. In 1840, a workman near Newcastle, noticed that when he made con- tact with a steam boiler and with the steam escaping from its safety valve, a spark was produced. This led Armstrong to construct a very powerful machine on this plan. Faraday, in 1843, showed that the effect is due to the friction of the minute particles of water carried along with the steam. Aepinus and Wilke, in 1756, investigated the electrical phenomena exhibited l)y a crj^stal of tourmalin when it is heated. There are other crystals which show similar effects but no consistent explanation of all the facts has been reached. As a matter of convenience, we have, thus far, treated onlj- of the progress of discovery in electrical science and of the apparatus necessarily incident thereto. But it seldom happens that jirogress in science continues for any considerable time uninfluenced by the application of its results in the arts. And, conversely, such applications almost invariably react to stimulate scientific inquiry, for in such applications new conditions are constantly coming into view. In very early times, even before any notion whatever of the laws governing HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 85 electrical phenomena had been gained, the negro women of Africa had been ac- customed to bathe their sick children in water containing the gymnotus. Scribonius Largus, in the time of Tiberius, was accustomed to humbug his patients with the same prescription. ButKratzenstein, in 1744, appears to have been the Rv^t to apply electricity in surgery, artificially excited, for the cure of a disabled finger. Wonderful accounts were given of the new treatment and it soon became a sover- eign remedy for all sorts of diseases and afflictions, and the most reckless and intemperate use was made of it. The electric bath, the silent discharge from points, shocks from the Ley den jar, etc., were employed with success varying with the severity of the case and with the faith of the patient in the remedy and in its prescriber. As already remarked, Franklin showed that the mechanical effects of lightning, such as the disruption of non-conductors, could ])e produced on a small scale by electricity artificially produced. He also investigated the effects when the dis- charge is effected through good conductors, as the metals. When these were in the form of fine wires he was able to heat them to incandescence and even to- fuse and dissipate them. Priestly, in 1766, endeavored to employ this method of procedure to determine the relative conducting power of the metals, for plainly, those which were easiest heated, other things being equal, must possess the lowest conducting power. Harris, in 1830, and Kiess, in 1837, endeavoi*ed in a similar way to determine the relation which exists between the heating and the specific resistance of the metals. The heating effect produced in a wire by the discharge of the Leyden jar, was applied, first in this country in 1831, to explode charges of powder in blasting. In 1855, frictional electricity was employed in military operations by Ebner. Although the electric light as a means of general illumination, is of compara- tively recent date, and is produced by means quite different from any j-et men- tioned, electric lighting was proposed as early as 1750,. by one Grummert, a Pole. The brush-like discharge which is frequently seen on one conductor of the elec- trical machine when it is in good operation, and the small star-like glow which is at the same time seen on the other, were early noticed and studied. Watson, in 1753, explained the so-called fire of St. Elmo as being a similar discharge where the accumulation occurs by the action of natural causes. In 1766, Priestly examined the electric spark through a prism, and concluded that its light was of the same general character as that of the sun. Wollaston, however, found, in 1802, that the spectrum of the electric spark is traversed by a series of bright and dark lines, which we now know are due to the incandescent particles of the conductors and to the heated air through which the spark passes. By the aid of a rapidly revolving mirror, Wheatstone, in 1834, ascertained that the duration of the spark does not exceed the one one million one hundred and fifty-two thousandth part of a second. And by a similar use of the mirror he found that the velocity of electricity in a copper wire is about 288^000 miles per second. It must not be 86 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. supposed, however, that this is the velocity of electricity under all conditions. Such an extraordinary speed, it was early seen fits this agent for the rapid transmission of signals over long distances. The first proposal of this kind was by a wi'iter now known only by his initials, C. M. His plan is to have as many wires as there are letters, so arranged at the sending station, that the extrem- ities of the wires can be brought, each at pleasure, in contact with a charged body, say the prime conductor of an electrical machine. At the receiving station each wire terminates in a small ball placed just above a light movable letter, corresponding with one at the sending station. When a message is to be sent and received, it is only necessary for the sender to bring the wires, bear- ing the proper letters to spell his message, in contact with the charged con- ductor, while the receiver has simply to note what letters are attracted to the balls and the order of succession. An apparatus on this plan but employing small pith balls whose repulsion should indicate the letters intended, was constructed in 1774, by Lesage. The next step was to reduce the number of wires to a single one and employ the different degrees of divergence which might be produced by properly regulated amounts of charge admitted to the wire, to indicate the different letters intended. This was proposed in 1787, by Lomond, but of course it was not satisfactory. In 1798, the king of Spain had in opera- tion a fairly successful telegraph, and various endeavors were made by different persons elsewhere to solve the problem of electrical transmission of intelligence before the use of electro-magnetism for that purpose. It should be borne in mind that the science of chemistry, as we know it, had almost no existence in the time of these early electrical experiments, and it there- fore happened that little note was made of the chemical changes which often attended them. The peculiar odor which attends the action of the electrical machine, and which we now know is due to the formation of ozone, was of course noticed but was not ascribed to its true cause. Priestly attributed some of the discolorations of metals under the action of the spark, to the action of "phlo- giston." This, translated into the language of modern chemistry, would be equiv- alent to oxidation. Cavendish, in 1781, explained the diminution which a given amount of air experiences, under the continued discharge of powerful sparks, to the formation of nitric acid. In 1789, water was decomposed, and its constituent gases were again combined to reform water. This experiment was decisive of the old contest concerning the phlogiston theorj^, which long held its place in chemistry. The year 1789 was one of the most memorable in the history of physical science. It was then that the attention of Galvani was attracted by the convul- sions excited in the legs of a prepared frog lying near an electrical machine in operation. He at once commenced a careful study of the conditions under which the convulsions took place, and was led to inquire if they could be produced by atmospheric electricity. He was watching to see if any effect was produced while some frog preparations were hanging by iron hooks attached to an iron HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 87 railing and he noticed that when a metallic connection was made between the crural nerve and the muscles of the leg, the convulsions occurred, and he finally concluded that he had found a new source of electricity, — the so-called '' animal electricity." The greatest interest was aroused and Volta, with untiring zeal entered on the work of investigation. At first, he was inclined to the view of Galvani, but he was soon led to believe that the electrical disturbance noticed had its origin in the contact of the metals employed, — or more generally, in the contact of heterogeneous substances. The peculiar taste which is excited, when two different metals are placed in contact with the tongue and with each other, was known to Volta; and he employed this as a means of classifying the metals, or arranging them in a series according to their relative power of producing elec- tricity by contact. Afterwards he employed the condenser electroscope and established the series more accurately, which is now known as " Volta's series." He also showed that no closed circuit composed of metals only can, on the whole, cause an electric disturbance, but that it is necessary that there should be at least one moist conductor, or a conductor of the " second class" included in the series. Kobison, in 1792, endeavored to exaggerate the effect of a single pair of metals by piling up several pieces of silver and zinc in alternate order, and as it would seem with some success. But it was Volta who at the close of the year 1799, made the first effective arrangement. This he described in a letter to Sir Joseph Banks, then President of the Royal Society in London, in 1800. The letter con- tained a description of the now well known "voltaic pile " and of the " crown of cups." The latter we now know as the voltaic battery. A bitter controversy arose between the partisans of Galvani and those of Volta. Even the great Humboldt took the side of Galvani and advocated in written works, the view which Galvani proposed. It is clear, however, that this view had to be abandoned after the invention of the voltaic battery. Volta, in 1801, communicated his views and showed his experiments to the National In- stitute of France; and a commission was appointed to report on them. Sir Humphrey Davy showed that a current of electricity can be produced by the ac- tion of two liquids and one metal. Nobili did the same thing for three liquids without the use of any metal. Combinations of two metals and two liquids soon followed, which finally resulted in the so-called constant batteries of Dar^iell, Grove and others. The phenomena presented by a single voltaic element or cell are by no means striking to the superficial observer. Simple and inexpensive as this apparatus is, however, it has proved by far a more important invention than any which had preceded it. We will, therefore, notice a few of the important results which im- mediately followed after it became known. A few facts had been noticed, before the invention of Volta, which could only be referred to chemical action. Thus, Fabbroni observed that tin and mercury when in contact with other metals be- come rapidly oxidized which otherwise is not the case. Humboldt noted, in 88 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 1795, the appearance of bubbles of hydrogen on a silver plate which formed one of the metals of a combination used to excite electricity, and he ascribed this to the decomposition of water, though this was with him a mere hypothesis. Car- lisle and Mcholsou, immediately on the arrival of Yolta's letter in London, effected the decomposition of water in a way which left no doubt concerning it; and Robertson proposed to employ the gases liberated as a measure of the cur- rent. Cruikshank extended this study to solutions of the metallic salts and thus laid the foundation of the galvanoplastic method of covering conducting bodies with metals, as in gold and silver plating. These researches were taken up by Sir Humphrey Davy, and by the use of powerful batteries, they resulted in the de- composition of the alkalies and the alkaline earths. In 1852, Bunsen produced aluminium, the metallic basis of common clay. iSTot only were these triumphs achieved in chemistry, by the use of the battery, but the more obvious laws as respects the behavior of the electric current were deduced, and thus was laid the foundations of the electro-chemical theory of chemical combinations which was elaborated by Berzelius. Not to dwell on the details of this now supplanted theory, it may be remarked that it served a very useful purpose in chemistry in bringing facts into order and in stimulating re- rearch. In 1834, Faraday established an exact nomenclature by means of which he could clearly describe whatever results research might enable him to reach, and then there followed a long series of beautiful discoveries in the course of which Faraday may almost be said to have created the modern science of electricity. He showed that the absolute amount of an elementary substance set free from its combination depends only on the amount of electricity which passes through the electrolytic compound. He also showed that the amounts of the different chemi- cal elements which can be set free from their combinations by the same amount of electricity are alwa3'S in the proportions of their combining weights, respect- ively. This being so, it was easy to employ some of the metallic solutions as means of measuring the strength of the electrical current. It is only necessar}'- to pass the current through a metallic solution, for a given time, and to ascertain by weighing, the gain in weight of the negative electrode (the metal by which the current leaves the solution). Knowing the chemical equivalent of the metal thus deposited, in a unit of time, in any given case, the strength of the current is known in terms of some definite quantity of the same metal assumed as a standard. The standard quantity may be arbitrary or, better, it may be related to some other easil}^ observed phenomena, such as the heat evolved, or the deflec- tion of a magnetic needle. Our space will not permit even the mention of the labors of others with respect to this important matter, and it must be left with the remark that the researches of Faraday must be looked upon as marking an epoch in the history of electrical science, equally important for theory and for the practical results which have HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 89 followed. An observation of Schoenbein, in 1840, must here be mentioned. The peculiar odor which is perceived in the neighborhood of a stroke of lightning had early been noticed in the vicinity of an electrical machine in good operation. Schoenbein discovered the same thing in connection with the galvanic battery and careful inquiry resulted in referring it to the formation of a peculiar combi- nation of oxj'gen with itself so that a molecule consists of three atoms instead of two as is ordinarily the case. In 1802, Gautherot observed that two plates of the same metal, for example platinum or gold, which have formed part of a voltaic circuit by dipping in acidulated water, give rise, when placed on the tongue, to the peculiar taste which is perceived when two dissimilar metals are so placed. Ritter put together a num- ber of such plates, with moistened conducting materials between them, after the fashion of Volta's pile. "When the extreme plates were connected with the con- ducting wires of an active voltaic battery, for some minutes, and then the wires were disjoined from the battery, it was found that the pile so treated could be used as a battery. Ritter regarded this arrangement as analogous with a con- denser. Volta, on the other hand, referred the effects produced to chemical changes which had been effected by the battery current. Marianini, in 1815, reinvestigated the matter and found that the pile was active even after replacing the moist conductors with others, and after drying the plates. He referred the results to the altered electrical properties of the metals. Subsequently, Grove, using two strips of platinum, one of which was surrounded by hydrogen gas and the other bj^ oxygen made his well-known gas battery. The action, in general, to which these results are due , is called polarization and is at the basis of all the modern so-called secondary, or storage, batteries. The whole matter has been most carefully investigated by Plante, and has been utilized by him and by others in the construction of batteries for the so-called storing of electricity for com- mercial purposes. It will be seen, however, that what is really done is to effect certain chemical changes in the secondary battery whereby products are set free which can subsequently reunite and so produce an amount of current represent- ing the original current which set them free. The various forms of batteries, both primary and secondary, which have from time to time appeared must be passed over without special mention, since in many of them there is nothing which marks progress. It will be important, how- ever, to remark that the polarization just spoken of, and which takes place to some extent in all simple primary batteries is injurious in character, in that it sets up a counter electromotive force which diminishes the current which other- wise would be produced, thereby rendering the batteries inconstant in their action. This difficulty has been obviated in various ways, notably by Daniell, Grove and Bunsen. The plan by which they all accomplish this object is to employ two liquids and two metals in the construction of the battery. The two liquids are not allowed to freely mingle, but are separated by a membrane or a porous porce- 90 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. Iain cell. The liquids are of such character that they do not permit any chemical product to be formed which can set W]) the counter electromotive force above spoken of. Dauiell employed solutions of sulphate of copper and sulphate of zinc, and the metals copper and zinc. The battery thus formed is remarkably constant and long continued in its action. The long and bitter contests which have been carried on concerning the source of the electromotive force of the galvanic cell, must be passed over with the sim- ple remark that, now since the establishment of the principle of the " conserva- tion of energy," it must be agreed by all parties that the current is maintained by the chemical actions which go on in the battery, whatever part the contacts of the different elements entering into the composition of the battery may play. We now come to a most interesting epoch, namely, that in which the relations between electricity and magnetism were discovered. The principal discovery was made in 1820, by Oersted, in Copenhagen. Oersted found that when a wire joining the poles of an active galvanic battery is brought into the neighborhood of freely suspended magnet and parallel with it, the magnet is deflected so as to point transversely to the wire. If the magnet be placed above the wire in which a current is flowing towards the north the north end of the magnet is turned towards the east, if it be placed below the wire the north end turns towards the west. Thus the current and the magnetic field which always accompanies it are definitely related. From this it follows that the magnet may be employed to de- termine the presence of a current flowing in any conductor and the direction may be at the same time determined. Moreover the amount of the deflection, other things being equal, depends on the strength of the current. This fact is the basis of several forms of galvanoscopes and galvanometers to be spoken of later. This discovery of Oersted at once attracted great attention, and many investigators un- dertook systematic researches with respect to it. Seebeck regarded the current as in itself a magnet, but Ampere, with much greater skill, commenced a series of investigations which were crowned with brilliant success. Seebeck noticed that a small floating magnet is attracted by the presence of an active conductor, and Arago found that iron filings will adhere to such a conductor, and that a sewing needle is not only attracted by the conductor but becomes permanently magnetic. In order to increase this effect he placed the needle in a small glass tube around which he wound the conducting wire in a spiral. It became magnetic as he had anticipated, and he showed that the direction of its polarity depends on the direc- tion of the current in the spiral. This was the foundation of the electromagnet. The electromagnet in the form of a horse shoe was first made in 1825 by Stur- geon, an English electrician. It consisted of a bent iron core which was cov- ered with an insulating coating of varnish, upon which was wound spirally several turns of copper wire, the separate turns of the spiral being carefully sep- arated from one another. This magnet could lift a weight of nine pounds, a most marvelous result at that time. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 9I Between the years 1828 and 1831 Professor Henry made many important inves- tigations, and reached results which were greatly in advance of any which had hitherto been obtained. He wound the horse-shoe shaped iron core with many turns of insulated wire and found, as he had expected, that the magnet's power was greatly enhanced. This was Henry's first important discovery. He said of it, — "When this conception came into my brain, I was so pleased with it that I could not help rising to my feet and giving it my hearty approbation." He con- structed many different electromagnets, some of which were wound with long, thin, insulated wires, continuously applied, while some were wound with several shorter wires which were parallel with each other and all united at their several ends so that the current could traverse them side by side and thus diminish the resistance which they offered to its passage. This latter arrangement he found specially adapted to be used with a battery consisting of few plates of large size, while the former could be used advantageously with a battery of many plates joined in series. A battery thus joined can overcome the resistance offered by a long wire such as must be employed in any system of telegraphy; and Henry at once perceived that by the use of his magnet wound with many turns of wire continuously applied, it would be possible to produce signals at any required distance. He also showed that this magnet thus acting at a distance might be made to close the circuit in which was placed one of his magnets adapted to act with a battery of few plates of large size, and thus to produce mechanical effects at any remote place. This is the method which was adopted by Morse in the practical telegraph system which is known by his name. One of the larger magnets constructed by Professor Henry, and now in the collection at Princeton College is capable of supporting 3500 pounds. Much larger and more powerful ones have since been constructed and employed in various researches and for practical purposes. The more exact statements of the relations which exist be- tween the strength of the current, the number of turns of wire and the amount of iron, etc., and the strength of the magnet, were made by Lenz and Jacobi, in 1839. So far as relates to the electromotive force of the battery, the resistance of the circuit and the strength of the resulting current, G. S. Ohm, in 1827, had reached conclusions b}' mathematical discussion which were identical with those which Henry had found by experiment. Here must be mentioned another most important discovery v/hich Ampere made in the latter part of the year 1820. He was led, by the similarity of the action of a wire conveying a current to a magnet, to try the effect of one wire upon another when both are active as conductors. He sent currents through two neighboring wires, of which one was free to move, and found that when the currents move in the same direction the two wires attract one another, but when they move in opposite directions they repel one another. He devised various forms of apparatus by means of which he could examine the effects of currents on one another mutually at whatever angles he might choose. 92 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. He was led to a theory of magnetism which regards the molecules of a magnet as having minute currents of electricity circulating around them ; but which regards these currents as circulating in all possible directions in the unmagnetized state. The act of magnetization would then consist in bringing more or less of these cur- rents into positions parallel with each other. The magnet will be saturated when all the currents are parallel. It is, then, easy to see why one magnet, when used to magnetize another loses none of its magnetism. Rotations of magnets around conductors of electricity, and of right conductors around magnets were foreseen as consequences of Ampere's theory and experiment fully justified these deductions. In the hands of Davy, Faraday and others these experiments have led to a very extensive doctrine of electro-dynamics, the details of which must be omitted. The whole matter has been treated rigorously by the mathematicians, among whom may be mentioned Ampere, Grassmann, Neumann, Weber, Maxwell, Thomson and others. Seebeck held a peculiar view of the electromagnetic phenomena of Ampere, and in order to test it he formed a circuit composed wholly of two different metals, which of course, must be joined at two points. On heating one of the junctions he found that a current was produced. The same result, with the cur- rent in the reverse sense, followed the cooling of the joint. Thus was laid the foundation of the thermo-pile, by means of which heat may be applied to main- tain a constant current of electricity. The new apparatus was investigated by Henkel, the Becquerels, Mathiessen, Faraday, Gore and others. In short, it was found that all the effects which can be produced by the voltaic battery, can be secured by the thermo-pile. In its improved form, it consists of many bars of dissimilar metals, say antimony and bismuth, with their ends joined alternately and laid parallel with each other. When delicately made, the apparatus sets up a current with the slightest difference of temperature between its two faces. Oersted first employed it in investigating the radient heat. In 1839, Nobili fur- ther improved the apparatus and made it of the greatest use in measuring degrees of heat incredibly small, making use in connection with it of a very delicate gal- vanoscope devised by Schweigger. Besides its use in the physical laboratory this apparatus in modified forms has constantly rendered important service in the arts, and in physiological inquiries. Seebeck observed that the indications of the ap- paratus are not constant and proportionate to the degrees of heat to which it may be subjected. That is, as the temperature of one face of the pile rises the deviation of the needle may become proportionately less and less till at last a point is reached at which the indications will be reversed. Thomson and Tait have carefully studied this aspect of the matter, and tolerably satisfactory results have been reached, but they are too complicated for presentation here. It was early observed that the conducting wire which joins the poles of a galvanic bat- tery becomes heated on the passage of the current. In 1802 Davy showed that the rise in the temperature of the wire kept pace with the increase of chemical HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 93 decomposition in an electrolytic cell, placed in the circuit. In 1817 Oersted showed that the rise in the temperature of the conductor is proportional to the resistance which it offers to the passage of the current, but Joule, in 1841, deter- mined exactly the laws connecting the heat with the current and with the con- ductor, viz: the heat produced is directly proportional to the resistance and to the square of the strength of the current. Thus it becomes possible to measure the current strength by measuring the resistence of the conductor and the heat developed in it. Or, conversely, we can determine the heat which will be produced if we know the current and the resistance. These relations have become of the first importance in the modern applications of electricity in electric lighting and in the electrical transfer of energy from one place to another by means of the dynamo-machine . Peltier, in 1839, made a discovery which is the converse of that of Seebeck already described. If a current be sent through a circuit composed of dissimilar metals, the joint between them will be cooled if the current move in the one direction and heated if sent in the other direction. This result might have been anticipated when it is remembered that heating such a joint sets up a current. When the conducting wires of a powerful battery are separated a spark appears. Curtet, in Brussels, was the first to employ a piece of charcoal as one of the ter- minals of the conducting wires. The result was the production of the brilliant electric light now so well known. In 1812, Davy produced this light on a most magnificent scale, by the use of the great battery at his disposal in the Koyal Institution. He noted that the charcoal which formed the positive terminal was hollowed out like a crater while the other remained but little altered. He, there- fore, rightly concluded that the phenomena is not due to combustion properly so called. On presenting the pole of a magnet he found that the electric arc could be deflected by it, just as if it had been a movable wire. The electric light, how- ever, did not come into general use because there was not known any economical way of producing the necessary currents of electricity. The deflection of the magnetic needle by the action of the current suggested to several inquirers its use as a means of measuring the strength of the current as has already been hinted. A great variety of instruments have been contrived dependent on this general principle, and the laws of their action have been de- termined with the greatest accuracy, both by mathematical calculations and by experiment. It is now the common practice with electrical engineers to measure electrical quantities by means of these instruments with as much certainty as characterizes any other measurements which they have to execute. And not only so, but complete systems of units have been devised which are very simply related to the common well known fundamental units of time (second), length (centimetre), and mass (gramme); and electricity is now bought and sold for lighting and manufacturing purposes with the same confidence as coins are ex- changed for ordinary commodities. 94 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. Before leaving the matter of measurements, a word should be said respecting the remarkable investigations of Ohm already alluded to. These investigations resulted in the announcement of the law which is now known as Ohm's law. This law points out the relations which exist in every case between the electro- motive force, or cause which sets the current in motion, the resistance of the circuit and the resulting current strength. The law asserts that the current is determined by the ratio of the electromotive force to the resistance. The original observation leading to Galvani's- research which opened up the field of current electricity has been described, but the immediate cause of the convulsions observed has not been considered. It was noticed soon after the invention of the Leyden jar, that when it is discharged through a long conduc- tor, the discharge is accompanied by a so-called " return stroke," — that is, the electric equilibrium of conducting bodies in the neighborhood is disturbed and this is manifested under favorable conditions by the passage of sparks between them. As soon as the identity of the electricity produced by the battery with that produced by the electrical machine was established, it might have been expected that some similar disturbances would occur in the neighborhood of the conducting battery wires. Ampere was apparently the first to detect an action of this kind although he did not investigate it with his usual zeal. He hung a closed movable conductor in the presence of a wire conveying a current, and found that the closed conductor was attracted or repelled by a magnet, which he presented, on breaking or closing the circuit of the battery. In 1824, Arago found that if a magnet be suspended freely over a revolving copper disc, the magnet, is deflected from its proper position so as to follow the rotation; and he further observed that if the disc be at rest, and the needle be set in vibration, it sooner comes to rest than it would if the disc were removed. He at first referred this action to induce magnetism. But in 1826, he placed a revolving disc under a magnet which hung vertically from one arm of a balance and found that repulsion ensued, which he could not account for. Herschel and Babbage, in 1825, found that if the revolving disc be partially traversed by radial slits the effect already noticed is much diminished. But it was reserved for Faraday, in 1831, to give the true explanation of the phenomenon. Eeflecting on the mutual reaction of two conductors which are conveying currents, he was led to conjec- ture that by the motion of one conductor conveying a current, in the neighbor- hood of a closed conductor, a current might be excited in the latter. He there- fore commenced a systematic inquiry to ascertain if this were possible. He placed two coils of insulated wire near each other, the terminals of one of which were connected with the galvanometer while those of the other were connected with the battery. No movement of the galvanometer needle could be observed so long as the current was passing steadily, but on opening the battery circuit, he noticed a slight deflection of the needle, and on closing it there was a similar deflection, but in the opposite direction. This was positive proof of the produc- HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 95 tion of a current in the closed circuit, including the galvanometer, which had no direct connection with the battery, and he concluded that this secondary current, as he called it, depended on the changes in the inj;ensity of the primary, or battery current, which must occur during the closing and the breaking of the circuit. He next endeavored to produce a current in the wire connected with the galvanometer by suddenly magnetizing and demagnetizing a piece of iron. For this purpose, he employed an iron ring over a portion of which the battery wire was coiled, and over another portion of which the galvanometer wire was coiled, its two extremities being united with the galvanometer. When connection with the battery was made, there was a movement of the needle in one direction, and when the connection was broken there was a movement in the other direction. Thus, the magnetizing and the demagnetizing of the iron was found competent to produce the momentary currents in the secondary coil. When he joined the galvanometer coil to the instrument with no other coil near it, or with the battery removed, and merely made a permanent magnet approach the coil, there was a current of momentary duration, and another in the opposite direction when the magnet was withdrawn. These most important discoveries gave Faraday the explanation of the mutual actions of the magnet and the copper disc already spoken of. They were due to the attractions and repulsions of the Amperian currents which are in constant circulation about the molecules of the magnet and the induced currents in the metal of the disc in its vicinity, which are produced by the relative motion of the two. In pursuance of this view, he mounted a circular copper disc so that it could revolve with its edge between the poles of a powerful electromagnet. On the edge of the revolving disc he made a spring to rest which was in connection with one wire of the galvanometer, while the other galvanometer wire was in contact with the metallic axis of the disc. Now when the electromagnet was excited and the disc was put in motion, a current was produced ! Thus, the first magneto-electric machine had its origin. The reason which justifies giving this matter so much space it obvious when it is remembered to what this simple device has grown, and what a place it fills in the production of the electric light, the transfer of power from one place to another, its use in telegraphy, etc. Faraday's genius did not stop here. He rightly concluded that since the earth is a great magnet, it would be easy to produce an electi-ic current, by merely causing a coil of wire to revolve about one of its diameters. Experi- ment justified his previsions. Faraday called the currents thus excited in closed conductors, by the change of intensity in neighboring currents, or by the relative motion of the conductors conveying these currents, or by the motion of magnets, " induction currents," or " induced currents," and as just seen, he determined, experimentally, the conditions of their production as respects direction and intensity. 96 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. The whole matter was very beautifully stated, however, by Lenz, in 1834, in a form which is now known as Lenz's law. " The motion of a magnet or of a con- ductor conveying a current, in the neighborhood of a closed conductor induces, in the latter, a current which of itself, would produce an opposite movement."' This law is of universal application where magnets or electrical currents are made to move in the presence of conducting bodies. In 183'2, Henry observed that when a short wire is used to join the mercury terminals of a small battery, no spark is produced either on making or breaking the connection, but if a wire thirty or forty feet in length be used, though no spark is visible on making the connection, there is a brilliant one when it is broken. He found the effect somewhat increased when the wire was coiled on itself. This is the first notice of the phenomenon of self induction in an electric discharge. In 1834, Jenkins observed that this spark, due to induction, is gi'eatly increased if a core of iron be inserted in the spiral coil. Faraday referred these phenomena to the mutual influence of the separate turns of the wire constituting the spiral, and he showed that on making the current to pass through the spiral there is set up, in consequence of this mutual influence, an electromotive force opposite that of the battery, which prevents the current of the batter}^ rising at once to its full value, and also, that on breaking the circuit the effect is to strengthen the battery current momentarily, by inducing an electromotive force in the same direction with that of the battery. In 1849, Edlund, in Stockholm, showed that these " extra" currents are equal in intensity, and proportional to the strength of the primary. The mathematical theories of Neumann, Fechner, Weber, Kirchhoff, Helm- holtz, Clausius, Maxwell, and others must here be omitted. It was regretted by Franklin, that the results of electrical research had not, in his time, been turned to more practical use in the service of man. The discov- eries of Faraday, that in various ways electrical currents can be maintained by the expenditure of mechanical energy made it possible to remove this reproach more completely than the invention of the battery had done. Faraday, himself, pointed out this fact, but pushing on with all zeal in the path of discovery, he left the practical applications to others. In 1832, Pixi constructed a magneto-electric engine consisting of a IT shaped electro-magnet in front of the poles of which a U shaped permanent magnet could revolve about a vertical axis. The two free ends of the coils of the electro- magnet were connected with a pole changer, which could reverse the direction of the current through the electro-magnet twice for every revolution of the perma- nent magnet. Ritchie constructed a machine in which the electro-magnets were made to revolve while the heavier permanent ones remained fixed. Other im- provements followed along the same general line. Machines for converting a current into mechanical energy were constructed, having great numbers of magnets, and some of these could be operated by mechanical power, so as to HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 97 produce powerful currents, which could be employed for electriclighting, electro- plating, etc. The next important step was taken by Siemens, in Berlin, in 1857. Several steel magnets were placed parallel with each other, and a portion of their polar regions was cut away so as to form a nearly cylindrical opening in which an armature of special construction could revolve. This armature was a cylinder of iron having longitudinal grooves cut along opposite sides. These were filled by winding with insulated copper wire, the extremities of which Avere to a pole-chang- ing device, so as to turn the currents produced by revolution, in the same direc- tion, and so give a nearly continuous flow. In 1860, Pacinotti, in Florence, constructed an apparatus designed to convert the energy of a battery into mechanical power. It consisted of two electro- magnets near the poles of which an iron ring on which, at equal distances, were wound several coils of insulated copper wire continuously. Upon loops of the wire, carried to an insulating hub, on the revolving axis were placed two springs, one opposite the other. When this apparatus was joined up in circuit with a battery so that the current could traverse the electro-magnets, the coils of the iron ring and the springs, the ring was set in rotation by the attractive and repulsive action of the magnetic poles developed. It was subsequently found that the battery could be removed, and that then a current could be set up by simply making the iron ring to revolve by mechanical energy. As thus used, the arrangement embodies the principle of the dynamo-machine subsequently pointed out by Siemens. In 1866, Wilde, in England, combined in one construction a magneto-machine with steel magnets and an electro-magneto-machine. The office of the former was to furnish a current of electricity to magnetize the electro-magnets of the latter to a high degree. This resulted in producing a very powerful current. In 1867, Siemens showed that the same result as Wild had reached could be pro- duced, by making the current, generated by the revolution of the armature in the presence of a very feeble electro-magnet, to traverse the coils of the electro- magnet, and thereby develope a more intense magnetism. Thus, a current could be built up from the smallest beginnings to any required strength, by the expen- diture of sufficient mechanical energy. This, in fact, is what the Pacinotti machine, just spoken of, could do when properly regulated. The principle is called the "dynamo" principle, and is employed in the construction of most of the powerful machines now used for electric lighting, such as the Siemens, the the Brush, the Edison, the Weston, the Thompson and Houston and others. These machines, gener.ally, are capable of transforming mechanical energy into electrical energy with very little loss, so that we have at command the means of producing the electrical current for practical purposes with the greatest economy. Not only are we able, by means of these machines, to transform mechanical energy into electrical energy, but we can also reconvert the energy of the electri- 7 98 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. cal current into mechanical work. It is only necessary to connect two dynamo- machines by means of metallic or other good conductors, and apjily power to one of them to produce the current which will then traverse the coils of the other, and set it in motion by means of the magnetic actions consequent thereon. Bat- tery currents as we have seen, were used by Pacinotti, for the purpose of con- verting the electric current into work. The commencement, on this plan of pro- curing power, was made early. In the year 1830, Salvastro del Negro, and at about the same time. Prof. Henry, constructed reciprocating engines to be actuated by the energy of the battery which was made to energize an electro- magnet, first in one direction and then in the other alternately, by means of an automatic pole-changer, which could reverse the current with every stroke of the engine. Several persons m different countries, made many trials and experiments with the hope. that some cheap motive power might be secured by the use of electrici- ty, but it was early seen, and by none fclearer than by Professor Henry, that all such hopes were delusive until some means of producing the current at less cost than can be done by the battery, should be discovered. It remains to speak of a very important apparatus for transforming the electri- cal current of one potential into that of another. This apparatus is called the induction coil, or the " inductorium." Pohl, in 1835, was the first to take advantage of Faraday's discoveries in order to produce, by means of the inductive action of a current suddenly established and broken, in one coil, a momentary current, in another coil, of much higher potential. Various devices were em- ployed to effect this closing and breaking of the circuit. In 1839, Wagner de- vised a self-acting hammer by means of which the current was alternately inter- rupted and renewed. The whole apparatus then consisted of a thick, insulated wire coil, surrounded by a coil of many turns of thin insulated wire, the interior coil having within it a bundle of iron wires, and having its extremities joined to the circuit breaking hammer. When this apparatus is included in a battery circuit, the current begins to flow in the interior coil, but is immediately inter- rupted by the action of the hammer, and the iron wires at the same time lose their magnetism, thereby inducing a momentary current of high potential in the secondary coil. This operation is repeated with the successive blows of the hammer, and so a series of interrupted currents is produced which can be util- ized in any way desired. By the use of a condenser the terminals of which are joined to the extremities of the thick wire coil the effect is much increased. The condenser was added by Fizeau. Ritchie, in Boston, Rhumkorff and others, have made important improvements in the methods of winding the second, or fine wire, coil. The inductorium finds many applications in the physical laboratory, and the smaller ones are somewhat used in medicine. A modified form of the apparatus has lately been introduced into some systems of electric lighting. Mention has been made of the early attempts to use the electricity produced by HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 99 the friction machine for the purposes of telegraphy ; not long after the invention of the pile by Volta, it was proposed by Salva, at a meeting of the " Academy of Sciences," at Barcelona, to employ "Galvanism" for the same purpose. In his experiments, which he cites, he employed long wires stretched on insulators, and as means of making the signals he used frogs' legs. He even used a combination of frogs' legs for his battery, for he had not yet heard of the invention of the metallic pile by Volta. He, however, read another paper before the same body, in 1804, in which he makes reference to the pile of Volta as being better suited to his purpose. By the use of six wires and of decomposing cells containing water for his receiver, he shows how it may be possible to so make combinations of signals as to enable one to carry on telegraphic correspondence between two stations. Between the years 1809 and 1812, Sommerring devised and successfully exe- cuted an apparatus similar in principle to that of Salva. The system, however, was too complicated for practical use, inasmuch as there were as many wires as there are signals to be made. Schweigger, in 1811, reduced the number of wires to two and employed two batteries differing in strength, so as to be able to com- bine a succession of effects to produce any required signals. Other plans involving the same general principles must be passed over without mention. The first suggestion of a telegraph in which the current should be made to cause the deflection of a magnetic needle was made by Laplace, the mathema- tician, to Ampere who read a paper before the Academy of Sciences, in October 1820, setting forth a plan for carrying this idea into practice. There were to be as many pairs of conducting wires reaching from one station to the other, as there are characters to be used in correspondence, and at the receiving station, the wires were to be placed parallel to the magnetic meridian, with a freely suspended magnetic needle near each of them, so as to avail of the deflection ob- served by Oersted for manifesting the signal intended in any given case. On the 16th of Sept. preceding, Schweigger had read a paper at Halle, in which he de- scribed his " multiplier," — a simple device for increasing the amount of deflec- tion caused by a current acting on a magnet. It consisted in carrying the wire several times around in a coil so that the needle could be placed in the coil and freely suspended. In 1829, Fechner, of Leipsic, proposed to employ this device in the construction of the receiving instrument for the telegraph. In 1830, Kitchie, of the Koyal Institution, London, carried this plan into effect, and showed in a paper the great probability that it could be employed for long dis- tances notwithstanding the general scepticism among men of science concerning this point. Somewhere about 1825, Baron Schilling, of Canstadt, exhibited to the emperor Alexander, his incomplete inventions. His plan employed the deflections of a needle by the action of a current which could be reversed at pleasure. The needle carried a disc of paper, white on one side and black on the other. When the current was sent in the one direction one side of the disc lOO HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. presented, and when it was sent in the other direction tlie other side of the disc presented. By combinations of these elementary signals an alphabet could be made to serve all purposes. There was nothing new in the use of such combina- tions, for they were emjiloyed by the Greeks and Romans for military purposes, by means of flags. Some of Schilling's apparatus was on exhibition by the Russian Government, at the Paris Exhibition of 1881. In 1833, Gauss and Weber, at Goettingeu, constructed a practical telegraph which depended for its action on the deflection of a magnet by a current which passes near it. They employed two wires which were supported on posts and extended about a mile and a quarter. At first, the current was produced hy a battery, but finally it was produced by a magneto-engine. This consisted of an upright permanent magnet which was encircled by a coil of insulated wire, hav- ing in the final form, 7,000 turns. This coil could be lifted by depressing a lever on which it was mounted, when a momentary current was induced in it. On allowing the lever to resume its natural position the coil would rise, thereby inducing a current in the opposite direction. The ends of the coil Avere con- nected with the line wires which led to the receiving station, there traversing a second coil having about 3,000 turns of insulated wire. In this coil was freely suspended a bar magnet weighing about 100 lbs. To the axis of revolution was fixed a small mirror in which the reflected image of a divided scale could be seen by means of a telescope. The alternate currents just spoken of caused devia- tions of the magnet to the right or left according to their direction, and suitable combinations of these deflections constituted the alphabet with which correspon- dence could be carried on. This telegraph was in 2)ractical operation down to 1838. In 1836, Steinheil, of Munich, at the request of Gauss, greatly improved this form of telegraph. In 1S3S, he accidentally found that the earth could be used as a return conductor, thus making it possible to dispense with one wire between the sending and the receiving stations. This plan had, however, been unconsciously acted on by those who had attempted to employ static electricity in telegraphy. The current used by Steinheil, was produced by the rotation of wire coils near the poles of fixed steel magnets, as in Clark's magneto-electric machine. The indicator consisted of a wire coil in which could freely turn two magnets. These could be made to move at will by means of the induced currents just spoken of. Each magnet carried a small cup the bottom of which was drawn out into a small point with a very minute opening. These cups were filled with ink, and beneath them passed a strip of paper carried continuously by means of clock work. As the points could be brought into printing contact with the paper it is clear that the operator could produce any required signals. Instead of the printing device just explained, he also used two small bells which could be struck by the magnets as they were deflected. The pitch of the two bells being different, it was easy to interpret the message sent in signals produced by the successions of their tones. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. Id In 1837, Edward Davy exhibited in Loudon, a telegraphic apparatus which had much to recommend it. The development of his ideas commenced with the use of static electricity. He subsequently recommended the use of Danniell's bat- tery. At first he proposed to have a wire and a coil for each of the elementary signals employed, but he afterward showed how the number of the wires might be greatly reduced by the use of double deflections. He also added a "relay" by means of which he could employ the deflections of the needle in one circuit to close another circuit including a fresh battery, and so extend the action of his telegraph as far as might be required. As has been well said, "the air was full of invention at that time," and Davy had vigorous competitors in Wheatstone and Cooke, Morse and others, and failed to reap the rewards of his labors. In 1832, Professor Morse conceived the idea of an electro-magnetic telegraph which eventuated in the apparatus which is generally known as the Morse tele- graph. As remarked on a former page, the principle of this device had been developed by Professor Henry, and to him must belong the credit of the inven- tion, so far as scientific principles are concerned. In 1843, the first telegraph line in this country was constructed between Baltimore and Washington, an appropriation having been made by Congress for that purpose. The instruments used were those of Morse, and the whole constituted a telegraph in the strict sense of the word, since the messages were written by a registering device. We need not describe it in detail since its general form and operation is familiar to all. The registering apparatus is, however, at the present time very generally discarded, since it is entirely practicable to recognize the several elementai-y signals by the ear alone. To set forth the subsequent growth and development of the telegraph would require a volume. It will not be amiss, however, to call attention to the fact that whereas in the early days of the telegraph it was thought necessary to have as many wires as there are letters in the alphabet in order to send a single message, it is now possible to send as many messages over a single wire simultaneously as there are letters, and without confusion. The details of the several devices by means of which these results may be accomplished are too complicated for pre- sentation here. Hardly less remarkable is the fact that one may now have his message de- livered printed in roman character just as it comes over the wires. The submarine cables which now encircle the earth in various directions and bring us news from the uttermost parts of the world, even before the date of its happening, have ceased to be matters of surpi-ise. Their effects, however, have proved to be more than commercial and political in their character. It is to the difliculties which beset their construction and operation that we owe some of the most brilliant achievements of science. In 1837, while Morse was experimenting with his telegraphic apparatus, a dis- covery was made in Baltimore, by Page, which was destined at a later period to I02 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. open the way to greater marvels than the telegraph can ever exhibit. Page found that when a rod of iron is suddenly magnetized and demagnetized, b}?- passing a current of electricity through a coil of insulated wire containing it, it emits a sound. It was afterwards found by "Wertheim that this is due to the sudden deformation of the iron rod. These facts being known to Philipp Eeis, a young school master at Friedrichs- dorf near Homburg, he thought to utilize them in the construction of a telephone by means of which articulate speech itself might be transmitted over a conduct- ing wire. The receiver at which the ear was to be placed consisted of a small steel rod placed in the interior of a coil of insulated wire, the extremities of the rod being supported by a " sounding board" covering a small box of resonant wood. The transmitting apparatus, or that against which the voice of the speaker is to be directed, consists of a membrane stretched tightly so as to vibrate when acted on by the particles of air set in motion by the sound, and of certain accessories. These are a piece of platinum attatched to the middle of the membrane so as to be carried by it, and, in connection with the line wire, another piece of platinum resting lightly on first by means of a spring or by gravity, also connected to the line. When the circuit between the speaker and the listener is joined including this apparatus, the receiving apparatus just described and a battery, and the voice, in singing or speaking, is directed against the membrane of the transmitting apparatus, the contact between the pieces of platinum is made to- vary with the motion of the membrane, and so the strength of the battery current is made to vary from a maximum to zero, depending on the gentleness or violence of the sound. These variations of the current produce corresponding variations in the magnetism of the steel rod in the receiving apparatus, and the sounds emitted correspond to those spoken at the transmitting station. Keis describes the operation in terms which have been held to mean that he intended to absolutely make and break the circuit at every fundamental vibration of the air, or of the membrane, and the inference has been drawn that he could not have had an instrument which would transmit speech since it cannot be transmitted in that way. To all such criticism it is sufficient to reply that there is abundant proof that he did transmit speech during his life time; that there are still living those who were with him when speech was transmitted, and lastly that his apparatus will do all that was claimed for it by him. In the Annual Report of the Physical Society of Frankfort for 1860-61, we find a clear exposition of the problem to be accomplished, and a statement of the degree of success which it had at that time attained. It was not pretended that the instrument which he had invented and produced was fitted for commercial pur- poses, or that it would not need to be greatly improved before it could be of much practical value, yet it was claimed that the inventor had opened a new field of research and invention. Others entered the field and improvements followed both in Europe and in this country. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. IO3 In 1876, Professor A. G. Bell exhibited at the Centennial in Philadelphia, an apparatus which was capable of transmitting with more or less distinctness spoken words and sentences. Many improvements soon followed in which a great number of inventors took part, and the consequence is that the telephone has become as common as the telegraph. The plan of procedure which Prof. Bell adopted in his application for a patent differs essentially from that adopted by Keis. Instead of producing variations in a current supplied by a battery as the effective agency by which sounds are to be reproduced, he employed the energy of the sound waves to produce the current which should actuate the receiver. In short, his apparatus is merely two small magneto-engines joined up in the same circuit so that the action of the one shall compel corresponding actions in the other. We must pass without special mention the labors of Gray, McDonough, and others who have taken a conspicuous part in the development of telephony, but who have had the misfortune to be overborne by the successful monopoly secured by the American Bell Telephone Co. It will be of interest to remark that the plan of Keis has come to be the one which is now made the basis of commercial telephony. If one of the platinum pieces in his transmitter be replaced with a bit of carbon no other change need be made in his apparatus to constitute it a completely successful apparatus. The accomplishment of this is due to Edison. The discovery of the electric are has already been mentioned as having been made by Curtet, and as having been studied by Davy. The production of the electric light for illuminating purposes was not general, however, on account of the exi^ense attending it, until the dynamo-machine was in some good degree perfected. This as has been shown was due to the labors of several persons. Within the last decade the use of the electric light has become general in our principal cities. It is to be noticed that the inventions of electricians whereby this has been rendered possible, have, in order that they might be carried out in practice, compelled great improvements in the construction of the steam engine. The principal facts concerning electrolysis have been mentioned on an earlier page; and the laws of Faraday concerning them have been stated. It remains to mention briefly the application which these laws have found in the arts. In 1804, Brugnatelli succeeded in gilding silver coins by means of the galvanic current. De la Rive, in 1840, covered brass and copper in the same way. In 1841, Kuolz presented to the Academy of Sciences, in Paris, a communication in which he set forth a method of practical application of electrolysis for covering conducting surfaces with metals. Large establishments at once sprung up, the most notable of which was that of Elkington Brothers, in Birmingham. The art found appli- cation in copying medals and other works of art, in the electrotyping of letter- press for the press, in copying photographs, etc. It is now applied with great success in chemical analysis, in the purification of chemical products, and in many branches of manufacture which our limits do not permit us to mention. 104 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. HEAT. The earliest inquiries concerning the phenomena of heat were, as in other departments, mostly speculative in their character. It was one of the " elenien- tarj' opposites " of Anaximancler. According to him all things were formed by combinations of the hot and the cold, the dry and the moist. Others regarded heat as a form of creative power, if not the creative power itself. The sun being its most striking manifestation naturally came to be regarded as a proper object of worship. Democritus regarded heat as as efflux of exceedingly minute round particles, which could move with great velocity so as to penetrate all substances. From the finest of these particles the soul was constituted. Aristotle taught that heat is a condition of matter rather than matter itself. Bacon conceived it to consist in the motion of the minute particles of which all bodies are composed. Locke held similar views. Stahl, born 1660, developed an idea of Becher, that "phlogiston" is the principle of heat. This notion was intimately connected with the chemistry, or rather the alchemy, of the times in which they lived. The metals were combinations of certain calces (rusts) with phlogiston; and as this latter had the inherent property of levity, it was easy to explain the fact, that when a certain amount of calx was heated with charcoal, which was supposed to be mostly composed of phlogiston, it weighed less than the calx did before heat- ing. The phlogiston entered into combination with the calx to constitute the metal, and so made the whole lighter. When, however, oxygen gas was dis- covered by Steele, in 1774, it became possible to show the fallacy of this assump- tion and the uni-eality of phlogiston. Then the " caloric " theory came forward, being powerfully advocated by Lavoisier and Black. It assumed that heat is a real substance capable of entering into combination with other substances, and of passing from one body to another. This hypothesis could be overthrown only by showing that heat can be produced without recourse to any source of pre-exist- ing heat. This was done bj- Count Eumford, 1796-98. He found that the heat developed during the boring of cannon which he was engaged in constructing, was greater than could be accounted for by the changes in the form and density of the materials concern-ed. Sir Humphry Davy shortly after confirmed this con- clusion by causing ice to melt by means of friction, in a vacuum and in a room the temperature of which was below the freezing point. Finally Joule, 1843-50, fully proved that heat and mechanical energy are mutually convertible and ascer- tained, with great accuracy, the " mechanical equivalent " of a unit of heat. The general result may be stated thus: A pound of water is heated one degree Y. by the expenditure of an amount of mechanical energy which would raise 772 lbs. one foot. The conclusion of Joule has been confirmed, with very slight corrections, by others and by experiments widelj- differing in their character and mode of attack. There are two distinct lines of inquiry to be reviewed which will exhibit the HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. IO5 pi'Ogress which has been made during the century just past. One of these has to do with the laws of distribution and the effects of heat in altering the properties of bodies, and the other is concerned with heat considered as source of energy for accomplishing work in the mechanical sense. The progress of knowledge in this, as in every other, branch of physical science has been inseparably connected with the invention of the necessary ins- truments of observation. As respects heat, the most important as well as the earliest of these is the thermometer. The instrument is based on the almost universal effect of heat in increasing the bulk of bodies to which it is applied. The inventor of the thermometer appears to have been Galileo, about 1592, though there are not wanting some evidences that attempts were made by others, about the same time, to measure the temperature of bodies. The thermometer of Galileo was simply a glass tube on the end of which was blown a bulb, the open end of the tube being dipped below the surface of water in a vessel. When the bulb was heated gently a portion of the air was driven out by expansion, and on cooling, the water rose in the tube and by its height showed the temperature to which the bulb had been exposed. The defect of this instrument, besides the inconvenience of its application, was that it was affected by changes in the pres- sure of the atmosphere. About fifty years later Guericke improved this form of apparatus by employing a large copper bulb with a siphon shaped tube attached in a vertical position, and partly filled with alcohol. A small float rested on the upper surface of the alcohol and had a string attached to its upper surface so that it, passing over a pulley, could cause a small figure to traverse up and down over a scale, as the temperature varied. He assumed the temperature at which the first hoar-frost appeared as the mean temperature of his scale. By means of his air-pump he withdrew through a small tube which pould be closed, so much air as was required to make the position of the figure coincide with the assumed point on the scale. The instrument, of course was subject to the same disadvan- tages as that of Galileo. The Florentine Academicians were the first to employ a real thermometer in which the effects of atmospheric pressure were excluded. It was probably invented by Friedrich II, Grand Duke of Toscany. The tube contained alcohol, and was pumped out so as to enclose a vacuum and then it was hermetically sealed. The instrument was in existence in 1641, even before the founding of the Academy. In 1703, Amontons presented a memoir to the Paris Academy in which he showed that the temperature indicated by an open-air thermometer, was propor- tional to the elasticity of the enclosed air; and he pointed out that by reference to the barometer, the varying effects of atmospheric pressure could be elimi- nated. He knew the fact that water boils at a constant temperature, and for the first time he made use of this fact for fixing one of the points of his thermome- ter scale. He discovered and stated two important laws: " A given quantity of air increases in elasticity proportionally with the increase of heat which it re- I06 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. ceives. A given quantity of air, at a constant temperature, increases in elastici- ty proportionally with the increase of pressure which it experiences." The first form of thermometer which made Fahrenheit famous, was filled with alcohol. Instruments of his construction were common in Europe as early as 1709. About 1714-15, he employed mercury for filling the instrument. In 1724, he published his method of procedure in finding the points of reference for his scales. He took the temperature produced by a mixture of ice, water and salt, for zero. The temperature of a mixture of ice and water he marked 32; that of the human mouth he marked 96. The thermometers of Reaumer and Celsius, differ in no respect from that of Fahrenheit, save in the value of the degrees of t leir scales. Mention has been made of the thermo-pile under the head of elec- tricity. The thermometer as constructed of glass and filled with mercury or any other known liquid, is far from being a strictly accurate instrument, if it be used on the assumption that throughout the whole extent of its scale, equal degrees cor- raspond to equal amounts of heat. Accordingly, laborious researches have been undertaken to ascertain the laws which regulate the expansion of mercury and other liquids, as well as those which apply to the expansion of solids. The most notable of these labors as well as the most accurate, are those of Reguault, un- dertaken in order to determine the data necessary for calculating the duty, effi- ciency, etc., of the steam engine. His results were submitted in 1847. They are of the utmost importance to science, but are too complicated to be presented here. The expansion of gases had been studied by several philosophers. Amontons, 1699; Hawksbee, 1708; Lambert, 1779; and especially by Gay Lussac, when Regnault undertook the investigation with the rigor and completeness which characterizes all his work. He was the first to show that the latent heat of steam diminishes as the sensible heat increases, though not in the same ratio. In general, he confirmed the law of Boyle, that the volume of a gas is in the inverse ratio of the pressure to which it is subjected, the temperature remaining constant. The term temperature stands for an idea wholly differing from that involved in the expression quantity of heat. It is clear that a small amount of water, for instance, may be heated to a given temperature with a less expenditure of fuel than would be required to heat a larger amount to the same temperature, yet the thermometer would give the same indication when placed in the one as when placed in the other. The branch of science which relates to the measurement of quantities of heat is called calorimetry. It had its origin with Deluc. In the winter of 1754-55, he allowed the water surrounding a thermometer in a glass to freeze. On cai-rying the glass to the fire he noticed that the thermometer indi- cated a rise in temperature only till the ice began to melt. From that time on, the mercury remained at the zero point until the ice had entirely melted. Black HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. IO7 about the same time studied the same phenomenon, and he found that when he mixed ice at 32 degrees F. with water at 172, he did not have a mean of these two temperatures, but that the whole showed a temperature of 32, and the ice was changed into water. He concluded that a large quantity of heat passed from the water into the ice and became hidden in changing it into water so that the ther- mometer could not take cognizance of it. He called this heat "latent heat." Black's researches were published in 1779, by Crawford. Reichmann, in St. Petersburg, found that the temperature obtained when quantities of the same liquids, un- equally heated, are mixed is the mean of their temperatures, reference being had to the quantity of each in the mixture. Wilke, in 1772, found, on mixing ice-cold water with water of a higher temperature, that Reichmann's law was confirmed. On taking equal quantities of water and of snow at the melting point, he found that, on mixing them, 72 degrees C. disappeared entirely, or be- came latent. He was then led to inquire whether different bodies required different amounts of heat to raise their temperature to the same degree, other things being equal. To this end, he heated the body under examination and plunged it into the ice-cold water, and noted how much its temperature was raised. Of course the mass of the body, as well as that of the water, was ascer- tained, in order to the necessary calculations. After the work of Wilke, inqui- ries respecting the specific heat of different bodies became frequent, and the value of such researches was fully recognized. It may be well here to give a sharp definition of " specific heat" that the reader may more fully appreciate the importance of the subject. The quantity of heat required to raise one unit mass (say kilogramme or pound) of a substance from zero to one degree, is its specific heat. It requires thirty times as much heat to raise the temperature of a quantity of water one degree as it does to raise the temperature of the same weight of mercury by the same amount, for example. This great capacity of water for heat makes it admirably fitted to play the part of a regulator of climate. It stores up heat in the warmer seasons of the year to be given out during the colder. So, too, the Gulf Stream, having its origin in the warm latitudes, conveys to the higher latitudes immense quantities of heat, which there become efficient in softening their rigor. It is evident that there are sources of error in this method of mixture, which must be carefully guarded against. The vessel in which the mixture is made will have its tempei-ature altered, and besides, it will be losing heat during the time of the necessary observations, by radiation. Careful treatment can, for the greater part, eliminate these. It was natural that other plans of procedure should be devised in order to confirm and correct, if need be, the determinations made by the method of mixtures. In 1777, Lavoisier and Laplace invented an ice calorimeter, by means of which they could find the specific heat of bodies by reference to the amounts of ice they could melt when raised to a given tem- perature. The facts brought to light by all these inquiries, and the means used I08 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. to secure them, raised anew the old controversies concerning the nature of heat. The vibratory theory was opposed by the theory which regards heat as a peculiar substance. And here, no doubt, as in other cases, the great avithority of Newton did much to influence the opinions of the contestants. He had taught that light is composed of exceedingly minute particles thrown off from the luminous body with great velocity. Why should not heat be material also ? Wilke held that it is, and that its particles are self-repellant, but are attracted by most other forms of matter. Every body has its own proper amount of this heat mat- ter, but when the condition of a body is altered the amount of heat it can contain is correspondingly changed. This view enabled him to offer plausible explanations of observed facts which had thitherto proved enigmas; for exam- ple, the changes in temperature of air when it is made to expand and when it is compressed. The theory of phlogiston, which was reigning in the contempo- raneous chemistry, was closely akin to this material hypothesis concerning heat; indeed, in some aspects, it was identical with it, as may be inferred from re- marks on an earlier page. The determination of the specific heat of gases is a difficult .problem, but one of the greatest theoretical importance. In fact, there are two specific heats to be determined for every gas. Since the expansion or the contraction of a gas is accompanied by a change of temperature, it is clear that the specific heat of a gas, if determined while the gas is so confined that its volume cannot alter, will differ from the specific heat when determined under conditions which permit changes in volume corresponding with the changes in temperature. The ratio of '^ one of these specific heats to the other is a different number for every different gas, and is closely related to molecular structure. In calculating the velocity of the transmission of sound through any given gas, this ratio is an important fac- tor. It is, hence, possible to determine this ratio independently of calorimetric methods by means of observations on the velocity of sound through any given gas. In Xevvton's time, knowledge of the relations here considered were want- ing, and for this reason he failed to make his calculated velocity of sound in air agree with the observed velocity. Laplace pointed out the reason for the disa- greement. Without delaying to mention details, it may be remarked in passing that the whole matter of the distribution of heat has been fully treated by the mathema- ticians, and notably by Fourier, who, between the years 1807 and 1820. commu- nicated to the Institute of France a complete analytical treatment of the problem involved. A very important law, established by Dulong and Petit, should be mentioned : The same amount of heat is required to raise an atom of any simple substance to a given temperature as is required to raise an atom of any other simple substance by the same amount. In other words, the product of the spe- cific heat and the atomic weight, for any simple body, is a i constant quantity. Kegnault has shown that this law may be extended to compound substances hav- HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. ICQ ing the same composition. This law has an important theoretical bearing upon the views which we must hold concerning the constitution of matter. Many in- teresting relations of heat to changes in the form of matter must be passed by. The kinetic theory of gases is, however, too important to be left unmen- tioned. It is well known that any gas, if free to do so, will expand and fill any available space. This property was formerly attributed to the repulsive action of heat, with which the molecules were supposed to be charged, or united. The kinetic theory assumes that the least particles of a free gas are minute, perfectly (in a perfect gas) elastic solids, which are constantly moving with great velocity. Their paths are right lines, except when one particle encounters another, or the wall of the containing vessel. The aggregate of the blows struck by the moving particles constitutes the pressure which a gas can exert when confined. In the case of the atmosphere in which we move, the average pressure of 15 lbs. to the square inch is due to the united blows struck by the air particles per square inch of surface. When a confined gas is heated, this pressure increases. The kinetic theory asserts that this is due to the greater velocity of the particles. If, in the heated state, they were allowed to expand, they would at once assume a longer free path, and thus the expansion is explained. It is possible to calculate what is the mean average velocity of the particle, on the supposition that the kinetic theory is true, and the calculation is found to be consistent with the results of experiment. There are abundant reasons, which cannot be presented here, for the belief that the kinetic theory, thus briefly and imperfectly noticed, is correct. There remains a whole department in the domain of heat, which is of the great- est interest both for its theoretical and for its practical applications. This de- partment is called thermo-dynamics. The first law of thermo-dynamics has been mentioned when speaking of the notions which have prevailed concerning the nature of heat. It may be stated again thus: When heat is expended to perform work, the amount of work derived is mechanically equivalent to the heat which disappears. A second and no less important law is: Heat cannot, of itself , be made to pass from a colder to a hotter body; nor can it be made to pass from a colder to a hotter body by means of any inanimate material contrivance ; nor can any mechanism whatever be made to move by the simple cooling of any body below the temperature of surrounding bodies. A moment's consideration of these laws will make it clear that there are nar- row limits which the steam engine and other heat engines cannot pass as re- spects their efficiency. This depends, as is evident, on the difference in temper- ature between the in-going and the out-coming steam or hot air or gas. Xow, we cannot make this difference as great as we please; for this would compel us to construct boilers of unlimited strength (for which no materials are available), or to make a region of indefinitely low temperature for the exhaust steam to escape into (which is impossible). It is common to assume a point of absolute zero of tempei-ature 273 degrees below our practical zero C, for purposes of cal- I lO HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. culation, but no such removal of heat as this requires can be effected. The rea- son for assuming this particular point for the absolute zero is found in the beha- viour of a perfect gas. It is found that such a gas expands or contracts one 273d part of its volume, at zero, for every degree of change in temperature reckoned from that point. If, therefore, 273 degrees of heat could be withdrawn from a gas at zero, and the same law should hold continuously, the entire motion of the particles of gas would cease, and the gas as a gas would be destroyed. This view offers some peculiar advantages for purposes of calculation. At present, only a small percentage of the theoretical value of the fuel expend- ed can be made available for driving an engine. All energy besides that de- rived from the tides is found, in the last resort, to have its origin in the solar radiations; this statement includes the energy of wind, falling water, muscular contraction, etc. This being so, the inquiry is at once raised, how the energy of the sun is maintained. The reply is that it is not certain that it is maintained. For aught we know, the sun may be growing cooler as the ages go by. Some evident means, however, may be pointed out, which, doubtless, contribute to keep up the supply of heat. It would only be necessary for the sun to contract in di- mensions by an amount which would be wholly imperceptible to us, in order to maintain its present rate of radiation. The meteorites, which, no doubt, are constantly falling into it in much larger amount than they strike the earth, must supply very great amounts of heat, and thus prevent the sun's temperature from falling off. The activities at present operating are having the effect, apparently, to reduce the universe to one common temperature. Such a state of things may, in the remote future, be reached, but the doctrine of the conservation of energy will not be contravened thereby, for the whole amount of energy will remain constant, though none of it will be available as at present. Heat is the lowest form of en- ergy, and consequently it is the form to which all others tend. Illustrations of this remark are seen in the generation of heat by collision, friction and mechan- ical action generally; also in the equalization of electrical accumulations, and in chemical action. The great generalization of the century — the statement of the doctrine of the conservation of energy — asserts that the sum of the energy of the universe remains constant through all the changes which it may experience, and it may be added that it appears to be certain that heat is to be its final form. With the countless practical applications of heat which have come about dur- ing our century, we need not deal, for they are on every hand, and are observed by all. SOUND. Sound evidently presents two different provinces for exploration — acoustics, which deals with the phenomena perceived by the ear, and music which has to do with the sensations thus excited as they affect our aesthetic nature. While these two provinces are in some sense distinct, they are yet so related that dis- course concerning the one would be difficult without reference to the other. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. I I I Concerning the nature of sound, the ancients had, of course, only the most imperfect notions. Empedocles (B. C. 490) taught tliat tlie sensation of sound is caused by the streaming of fine particles from tlie sounding body into the ear — a notion similar to that which prevailed respecting smell and taste. Aristotle, with better reason, held that it is produced by motions in the air correspond- ing to those of the sounding body. Vitruvius compared the action of the air in conveying sound to that of water when the waves spread out in circles from a point of disturbance. The Arabs, to a certain extent, cultivated music, and had some exact knowledge concerning its production by means of musical instru- ments. During the middle ages music was extensively developed under the in- tiuence of the church. In the 11th century a musical staff, with notes to desig- nate the pitch of sounds, was introduced by a Benedictine monk, Guido von Arezzo. He it was who virtually gave the names to the notes as we have them. Thej^ are taken from a song of praise to St. John, in which is a prayer that all impurity might be removed from his voice : " Ut qneant laxis resonare fibris, Mira, gestorum/rtmuli tuorum, Solve polluti lahii reatam, Sancte Joannes ? " That bodies emitting sounds are themselves in motion, must have been ob- served at an early date, but Galileo was the first to undertake an investigation of the relative frequency of the vibrations producing the octave, the fifth and the . fourth referred to the fundamental of the natural musical scale, though the an- cient Greeks knew the relative lengths of a stretched cord or organ pipe corre- sponding to these several pitches. When Galileo ascertained that the number of vibrations producing the octave, the fifth and the fourth, were in the ratios 2, 3:2, 4:3, respectively, the fundamental being 1, he discarded the intangible physiolog- ical method of estimating pitch, and laid a foundation for a proper mathematical treatment. By accident, he came upon a beautiful confirmation of his results. As he was cleaning a brass plate with an iron scraper, he repeatedly heard tones of definite pitch, and he noticed minute indentations on the plate over which the scraper had passed. Measurements showed that the intervals between these inden- tations corresponded to the known ratios of frequency in vibration to which the notes were due. He made similar observations respecting the water waves in glasses which were made to sound by rubbing with the wet finger. Thus he was the first to observe the so-called " standing waves " produced by a sounding body. He did not neglect the physiological importance of the ratios he discov- ered. He believed that the ear had the power of combining easily those tones whose ratios of frequency can be expressed by simple numbers, and thus he en- deavored to find a basis for the sensations of concord and discord. Aristotle taught that the velocity of acute sounds is greater than that of grave ones, but Gassendi, born in 1592, showed that this is not so. He caused a mus- ket and a cannon to be fired at a distance, and, by observing the intervals be- 112 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. tween the flashes and the reports, he found that the two sounds had the same velocity. He obtained, as a result, about 1473 ft. per second — somewhat too high. Mersenne published a work on harmony, in 1636, in which he gives the velocity 13S0 ft. per second. He had noticed that a vibrating string produces other notes than its fundamental — overtones, as we now call them. In 1686, the "Principia" of ]S"ewton appeared, in which is given a masterly mathematical treatment of the problem of the propagation of a pulse through an elastic medium. The special problem of the velocity of sound is considered, and the result obtained is 906 ft. per second. This is too small, as Newton well knew, for the various experimental determinations had made it certain that the true velocity must be between 1,000 and 1,100 feet. ISTewton proposed unsatis- factory explanations of the discrepancy, but it was reserved for Laplace to point out the real source of the disagreement, and to amend the formula of ^sTewton so as to make it conform to the ti'uth. ISTewtou's formula, so far as it went, was perfectly correct, but he failed to take into account the fact that, as a sound con- sists in condensations and rarefactions of the medium, say the air, and that, as these traverse every portion of the medium disturbed, there must be a development of heat and cold at every point successively, so that, on the whole, there is no alteration of temperature. The effect is that the rate at which both the condensation and the rarefaction proceed is accelerated. This grows out of the fact that when a gas is heated suddenly its elasticity is increased suddenly and conversely when it is suddenly cooled. The ratio of these two elasticities is the same as that of the two specific heats, which, in the case of air, is 1.11 : 1. This factor, 1.41. is the one which Laplace introduced into Newton's formula,, and thereby made it conform to the truth. Of course there is a factor de- pending on the temperature of the air at the time of the experiment. This is the one which expresses the expansion of air for one degree of temperature reckoned from zero, 0.003665. Thus the problem is completely solved and the theory fully established. There are other methods of determining the velocity of sound, one of which should here be mentioned, on account of the light which it casts upon other branches of physical inquiry. It can easily be shown by experiment that a sound wave emitted by an open organ pipe is twice the length of the pipe. If, therefore, we can determine how many such waves are produced in a second, we have only to take the product of this number by twice the length of the given pipe in order to find the velocity of sound, since all sounds travel with the same velocity. Moreover, if the pipe be made to sound in any other gas than air, it will give a pitch depending on the density of the gas and on the ratio of its two specific heats. Thus, by observing the pitch of a pipe of known length, and the density of the gas under examination, we can find the ratio of its two specific heats. But this is immediately connected with its molecular constitution, and hence we get an idea of simplicity or complexity of its molecu- lar constitution. Reference has been made to this matter under "Heat." HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. I I 3 The labors of Galileo, Mersenne and others relating to the laws governing the vibrations of strings may be passed over with the remark that, important as they were, Dr. Taylor, in 1713, presented the results of experiment and dis- cussion in a simple mathematical formula, which shows the relations of the length, diameter, density and tension of the string to the number of vibrations which it can execute, or, what is the same thing, to its pitch. In all the discussion to which allusion is here made, reference was had only to the so-called transverse vibrations, such as are produced when a guitar is plucked or a piano string is struck. In 1701, Sauveur described the " over- tones " which accompany the lowest or fundamental tones given by the string, though he was not the first to observe them. An account of them was given in 1677, by Wallis, whose pupils, Noble and Pigot, had discovered them, and also a means of making evident the behaviour of the string to which they are due. It had long been known that when two strings, in unison, are near each other, and one of them is made to sound, the other is set in vibration so as to sound also. This was ascribed to some action of the air, by means of which the mo- tion of one string was transferred to the other, but no reason could be given why the second string does not sound when it is not in accord with the first. Noble and Pigot stretched several strings in pairs, and so tuned them that one pair gave a certain fundamental and its octave, while the second pair gave the same fundamental and its twelfth, and the third pair gave the same fundamental and the second octave. On making the fundamentals sound, they found, on placing small paper riders on the corresponding strings, that the middle point of the first, two points dividing the second into thirds, and three points on the third, dividing it into fourths, were at rest. Thus the fact that the string can vibrate as a whole, and at the same time its parts can vibrate by themselves, was demonstrated. Sauveur called the stationary points nodal points, and the intervening vibrat- ing portions, ventral segments — names which they still retain. Some notion of these overtones had been formed by Mersenne, for he had noticed that when a string is struck at random so as to produce its fundamental tone, other faint tones are heard as the fundamental vibration dies away. Des- cartes, to whom he communicated his observation, rightly explained the origin of them, but fell into the error of supposing that they did not occur except when the string is made to give a false note. The fact is that the overtones are produced by all stringed instruments as well as by most others, and it is to them that the peculiar quality of each kind of instrument is due. These results do not appear to have had much effect in making clearer the cause of the characteristic sound of different musical instruments, nor were they made subservient to music as an art. As late as 1779, Fuuke, Professor of Physics at Leipzig, held that the " character" of the sound produced by a reed or a string is due to the motion of the molecules of which the reed or 8 114 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. string is composed. Lagrange, however, in 1772, showed that a string may be so set in vibration as to produce its fundamental tone only, or it may be plucked so as to develop certain overtones Passing the labors and disputes of others concerning the cause of overtones, it may be noted that in 1800 Dr. Young gave a full and complete explanation of them by referring them to the reaction of the portions of the string on either side of the point of disturbance (the point of plucking or bowing) on each other. A similar explanation applies to the col- umn of air in the organ pipe and to the reed, etc. But, besides the fundamentals and their overtones, others are heard when two strings, pipes or reeds are sound- ed together, there being a difference of pitch between them. These tones corre- spond in frequency of vibration, to the sum or to the difference of the vibration frequencies of the primaries. Lagrange, in 1759, referred them to the same cause which produces the well known beats when two strings or pipes, not quite in accord, are sounded together. Helmholtz has, however, shown that a dis- tinct sovmd wave results from two waves simultaneously produced, and that the resultant tone in question is due to this, and not to the production of beats by interference. Strings and rods, besides the transverse vibrations thus far considered, can also execute longitudinal vibrations, giving rise to musical sounds. If with the hand, armed with a glove on which a little powdered rosin has been strewn, friction be applied along the surface of a smooth rod of glass, metal or wood, the rod being firmly held by its middle point, a clear musical note will be produced. In a sim- ilar way, friction applied along the surface of a stretched string will produce a musical note. These facts were discovered by Chladni, and published in 1787-96. They have very important bearings both as respects the theory of acoustics and that of the elasticity of solids. The laws which pertain to the vibration fre- quencies, and so to the production of tones and overtones, are very similar to those which prevail in relation to organ pipes. But, since the tones given by rods, say of steel or iron, have vibration numbers which are directly as the square roots of their elasticities, it is clear that advantage may be taken of this relation to ascertain the relative elasticities of different samples of such metals. Thus the engineer may safely decide on the fitness of any proposed materials for his purpose in the construction of bridges, roofs, etc. So two arts, which, at first sight, seem to have nothing in common, are found to be so closely related that the data of the one are made the criteria for judgments in the other. Though out of place, it seems convenient to speak here of another simple test which is applied in determining the fitness of materials for a given use. If a uniform rod of iron or steel, or an indefinite length of wire, be made to pass in a constant direction and constant velocity near a freely suspended magnetic needle, the latter will assume and retain a fixed position so long as the metal remains homogeneous. But if the least flaw or imperfection pass before it, the needle will be disturbed. Thus, by means of magnetism, is the builder warned of local HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. II5 tmperfections, while acoustics assure him of the general fitness or unfitness of his materials. Other similar applications of the data obtained by the study of acoustics might be given. As the density of a gas alters regularly with its tem- perature, it is easy to determine the latter by causing the gas to sound an organ pipe of convenient form and size. The experiment may easily be so conducted that we may determine the temperature of any highly heated region, say a fur- nace. It is only necessary to sound a small pipe of refractory material, as plati- num, porcelain, etc., after introducing it into the region to be tested, and to note the pitch of the sound. An easy calculation gives the temperature. The chem- ist can determine the density of a gas by merely noting the pitch of a pipe when blown with it, etc. It has been assumed that the pitch of every sound can be ascertained. It will be of interest to point out some of the ways in which this can be done. The simplest is that of Duhammel, inventedi n 1840. He attached a small style to the vibrating body, so that its point could trace a path on a prepared surface, such as smoked glass or smoked paper, which was made to move uniformly at right angles to the direction of vibration. When the vibrating body is set in mo- tion, a sinuous path is traced on the surface. It is only necessary to note the time during which the experiment lasts, and to count the number of undulations recorded on the surface, to know the number of vibrations made in a unit of time. The siren is also much used for the same purpose. It consists, essentially, of a revolving disc, having a number of equi-distant holes arranged in a circle about its axis of revolution. "When a jet of air is directed through a small tube so as to pass through each of the holes as they revolve past the tube, there is produced a musical note depending for its pitch on the number of revolutions which the disc makes in a second, and on the number of holes in the disc. Since we can know both of these, it is easy to determine the number of puffs of air, or the number of sound waves constituting note heard. Other sounds may be compared with those produced [by the siren, and thus their vibration frequencies may be found. There are still other methods which are frequently employed for the purpose in question, but they must be omitted. When, instead of a current of air, a blast of steam, at high pressure, is em- ployed to operate a suitably constructed siren, the sound produced is very loud. For this reason such a device is employed in the service of the Govern- ment for danger signals along the coast. A steam siren should be able to give a sound which can be heard a distance of 25 miles under favorable circumstances. A very striking effect is produced when the relative distance between the listener and the source of sound is rapidly changing. The principle involved is known as Doppler's principle. It was investigated by Buys Ballot, in 1845, on the rail- road between Utrecht and Maarsen. A trumpeter was placed on the locomotive, who blew his trumpet both when the locomotive was approaching and when it was receding from the listener, who was stationed by the road side. The loco- Il6 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. motive was moving with a speed of about 16 metres a second, and an alteration of the pitch, amounting to about a half tone, was produced. This alteration made the tone higher when the locomotive approached the listener, and lower when it receded from him. The same results were observed when the listener and the trumpeter exchanged places. The mathematical formula expressing the relations between the velocity of motion and the change in pitch produced thereby is a very simple one, and is of great use in determining the velocity of motion of the so-called fixed stars; for the same principle applies to light as to sound. In the case of light, we have to observe the resulting change in the color. When two sounds, having the same wave frequency and the same intensity or loudness, are so produced that the condensation of the one coincides with the rarefaction of the other, the air particles remain at rest and both sounds are destroyed completely. This result is easily produced by means of a common tuning fork. On striking the fork so as make it sound, a clear tone will be heard if it be presented to the ear; but if it be twirled between the fingers, intervals of silence will be observed alternating with the sound. This phenomena is called interference. There are various methods of producing it more satisfactorily than that just pointed out. They are made use of in investigating problems in sound as well as in light. In the latter case, two rays produce darkness. Our references to pi'ogress in the science of acoustics would be incomplete without a brief consideration of the physiological aspect of it. This can best be done after considering a little in detail the matter of resonance. It has been mentioned on a former page that if one of two strings (or sonorous bodies in general) be set in vibration, the other string, placed near it, if in unison, will also be set in vibration. The principle may be so extended that any number of strings will be set in vibration when one is sounded which is in accord with them. Moreover, if a single string be so set in vibration as to produce not only its fundamental, but its overtones, any strings which are in accord with the overtones will be set in vibration. Such cases may be called cases of free resonance. It was suspected early in the century that there existed in the coch- lea of the ear some arrangement of sonorous bodies which could respond, by such resonance, to any audible sound. Thus Dr. Young, in a course of lectures, published in 1807, speaks as follows: — "It has also been supposed that a series of fibres are arranged along the cochlea, which are susceptible of sympathetic vibrations of different frequency, according to the sound which acts upon them; and, with some limitations, the opinion does not appear to be wholly improbable." More recently Corti has discovered an anatomical basis for this action. In the middle compartment of the cochlea, he found arranged, side by side, like the keys of a piano, a great number of microscopic plates communicating, by one of their extremities, with the filaments of the acoustic nerve, and by the other with a stretched mem- brane. When a sound the vibration frequency of which is nearly the same as any HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. I I 7 one of these plates could produce if it were set in vibration, is conveyed to the ear cavity, this particular plate will be disturbed, and so the nerve fibre connected with it will convey to the seat of consciousness a sensation which will be asso- ciated with that particular rate of vibration. Thus is the pitch of one sound dis- tinguished from that of another. There may be needed some modification of the brief statement here given, but that it is in the main correct, seems hardly doubtful. Modern research concerning the exceeding minuteness of the motions which may constitute audible sounds, has surprised all who are familiar with it. The actual displacement of the air particles by an audibly sonorous body is much too small to be conceived of, and must not be thought of as comparable with the dis- placement of the masses of air which are thrown out from our lungs in speaking. It was the failure to appreciate this fact which constituted one of the chief hin- derances to the development of telephony in its early days. LIGHT. The phenomena of light are more striking and more easily made subject to observation and experiment than those of the other physical disciplines; and it is doubtless for this reason that the science of optics was early cultivated with success and reached a comparatively high development. The early philosophers regarded the eye itself as a source of visual rays, which, coming in contact with external objects, gave a knowledge of them by a process similar to that involved in touch. Some modifications of this view were here and there held. Thus Empedocles taught that, besides the rays which go out from the eye, others go out from visible objects and mingling with each other, the two sets produce images of the body seen. Such general doctrines prevailed down to the middle ages, though Aristotle held that there must be some medium between the eye and the object, by means of which vision is effected, just as is the case with respect to sound. In opposition to the prevailing view, Aristotle inquired, " If the eye be the source of light, how is it not possible to see in the dark ? " Some facts concerning the reflection of light must have been known at an early date (Milton is no doubt right in making the first woman acquainted with it. See Par. Lost, Bk. iv, line 460), as is evident from Moses, and from the fact that mirrors are found in ancient Egyptian tombs. Archimedes is said to have set the Roman fleet on fire at Syracuse, by means of mirrors with which he con- centrated the rays of the sun upon their ships! We find, however, no statement of principles which implies that anything more had been attained than an em- pirical knowledge of the facts of reflection. The ancient knowledge concerning refraction was apparently even less exact than that concerning reflection, though the bending of a ray coming obliquely from an object lying in the water must have been known. The well-known experiment of the cup and the coin is men- tioned by Cleomedes (A. D. 50). Ptolemy left a work on optics, in which he Il8 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. discourses on vision, reflection and refraction. The laws pertaining to these matters, however, he did not know. Passing over a long interval, in which nothing of much value was accomplished for the science of optics, it may be mentioned that Vitellio, in the 13th century, attempted some of the more obvi- ous problems, such as the measurement of the amount of refraction which takes place when a ray passes from air into water obliquely, though it is true that Ptolemy had attempted the solution of some of them before him. Vitellio knew the fact that light is dispersed as well as refracted, and he applied his knowledge, with success, to the explanation of the rainbow. Mirrors of glass as well as of metal were known at an early period, but at first they were not coated with metal, as at present. The first who speaks of their be- ing coated with metal is Vincenz V. Beauvais, 1240. Mirrors were coated with an amalgam of mercury and tin, as at present, first in the 14th century. More important by far, the same century saw the introduction of spectacles. They were invented by Salvino degli Armati, who died 1317. In 1311, the brothers Theodorich wrote a work in which, although the exact law of refraction does not appear, the modern explanation of the rainbow is given with sufficient clearness. Murolycus, about 1575, investigated certain problems, and among them the round image of the sun, which is seen when its light is admit- ted into a darkened room through a very small hole. In 1589, Porta invented the camera obscura, and compared it with the eye. Kepler explained the defect of the eye called short-sightedness, and showed why it is corrected by the use of concave lenses. He also explained long-sightedness, and showed that it is reme- died by the use of convex lenses. The invention of the telescope, in 1608, was made by Lippershey, and it marks, doubtless, a most important epoch in physical science. The results which followed were, as generally happens when any great invention is made, mani- fold. Researches in optics were stimulated, in order to its improvement, and most astounding achievements in astronomy were made, among the first of which was the discovery of Jupiter's moons, by Galileo. The mathematical statement of the law of refraction was made by Snell, in Leyden, 1G26, and thus it appears that the invention of the telescope, the theo- retically best construction of which would imply a knowledge of this law, was made empirically. In 1611, De Dominis attempted to account for the colors which are produced when white light passes through a prism: " When white light passes through a prism, more or less of darkness, from the material of the prism, is mingled with it according as it passes through a longer or shorter path." Hence, according to him, the blue portion of the spectrum is turned toward the thicker part of the prism, since blue is darker than red. In 1644, Mersenne constructed the first reflecting telescope, although Zucchi had previously made an observation suggestive of it. It is clear, on considera- HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. IIQ tion, that the early notions concerning the nature of light, might easily lead to two general theoi'ies. It might be regarded as consisting of material particles escaping from the eye or from the luminous body, or it might consist in the mo- tion of some medium intervening between the eye and the visible object, as Aristotle, in some vague way, believed. Descartes held a doctrine, in some sense, midway between these two general views. According to him, light is not produced by the setting up of waves in the proper sense, nor by the motion of particles emitted by the luminous body. It consists in a pressure, momentarily exercised, between bodies which are shining, and this pressure is able to affect our eyes by its impulses. Grimaldi (1618-63) made an observation which, at a later period, led to an uni- versal acceptance of the theory of undulations. He admitted a sunbeam into a darkened chamber through a very small hole. In the beam, at some distance from the hole, he set up a small rod and received its shadow on a screen. To his surprise, he found, instead of a single sharp shadow, a central shadow trav- ersed by several colored luminous bands, and he found on either side of the general shadow narrow luminous bands, alternating with dark ones. It was now, for the first time, clear that " light can shine around a corner." Grimaldi called the phenomenon " diffraction," a name which it still retains. Grimaldi was lead by these and other observations to regard light as consisting of wave motions in some medium not otherwise evident to our senses, and he compared these mo- tions to those which result when a stone is thrown into the water. He even at- tempted to explain the presence of the colors which the luminous stripes alluded to show, by supposing that the light medium is subjected to agitations, whose velocities differ. The colors due to thin films, such as appear on the surface of steel during the process of tempering, due to oxidation, and such as are exhibited by soap bul)- bles, were mentioned by Boyle, though he did not give any proper explanation of them. This was first done by iSTewton, who strenuously advocated the corpuscu- lar theory in opposition to the theory of Huyghens. Hooke espoused the theory of undulations, and a most bitter controversy between him and ISTewton resulted. Newton's work on the solar spectrum began in 1666, but the results of his re- searches were not laid before the Royal Society till 1672. As is well known, he showed that sunlight is composed of an indefinite number of colors, whose com- bined effect is to produce white light. He was no doubt justified in thinking this the most imporant discovery which had thus far been made concerning the nature of light. Deschales, born in 1674, discovered the so-called diffraction spectrum which is produced when a beam of light is reflected from a grating consisting of a great number of fine lines ruled on a plane surface of glass or metal. In 1704 appeared Newton's Optics, a complete treatise on all the then known phenomena of light. In this work he clearly shows that the production of the I20 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. prismatic spectrum is due to the unequal refraction of the different colors of the sunbeam. Moreover, he determined the indices of refraction of the several pri- mary colors into which he divided the spectrum. He was then able to show that the order of the colors of the rainbow and the width of the band conform to cal- culation. He turned his attention to the telescope in the hope of finding some means of correcting the colors with which it apparently invested objects seen through it. He concluded that it was impossible to construct an achromatic object glass, and that the only hope of the desired improvement lay in the use of reflectors. Dolland, however, satisfactorily solved the problem by the use of two kinds of glass differing in their indices of refraction. About the middle of the 18th century, Bouguer commenced the development of photometry, or the measurement of the intensity of light. In 1779, Lam- bert's work, in which he set forth the principles of photometry, appeared, and in it the light received from the sun and moon are estimated and compared. Galileo assumed the velocity of light to be indefinitely great. The Florentine Academicians endeavored to measure it, but without success. Eoemer, in 1676, solved the problem by means of observations upon Jupiter's moons. Bradley also solved the problem by an entirely independent method, in 1728. The phenomenon of double refraction presented by Iceland spar and by other crystals was accounted for by Huyghens on the supposition that the elasticity of such bodies differs in different directions, and subsequent researches have con- firmed this view. The explanation also rested on the doctrine of undulations. Newton, consid- ering the behavior of the two beams into which a single beam of common light is di- vided on passing through Iceland spar, concluded that each of them had ac- quired two-sidedness; that is, that the two beams had acquired different proper- ties on their contiguous sides. Malus, in 1808, discovered that light which has suffered reflection from the surface of glass, at an angle of 55 degrees, possesses the same properties, and he termed such light " polarized light." This observa- tion led to the complete overthrow of the corpuscular theory of Newton, by Dr. Young, and Fresnel, who independently showed that the puzzling phenomena of diffraction could be explained by the assumption of undulations which can interfere so as to destroy or to reinforce one another. Moreover, they showed that the peculiar phenomena, which are alone due to polarized light, can only be explained on the theory of undulations which take place at right angles to the path of progress of the light. The act of polarization consists in throwing all the transverse vibrations or undulations into two sets of parallel planes at right angles to each other. The hypothesis of Newton, besides being inconsistent with the phenomena of polai'ization, or, at least, incompetent to explain them, requires that the velocity of light shall be greater in dense bodies than in rare ones. It therefore be- came important to decide this question by experiment. Foucault undertook this HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 121 work and decided in favor of the theory of undulations. At the same time, as the character of the experiment permitted, he determined the velocity of light independently of astronomical methods. The experiment consists in the use of a rapidly revolving mirror, from which the beam of light is sent to a distant mir- ror so placed as to send the beam back on its path by reflection, and in the use of some means of measuring the displacement of the beam from its point of de- parture, due to the motion of the revolving mirror. If we know the rate of rev- olution of the mirror, the distance to the fixed mirror, and the amount of the displacement of the beam, it is easy to calculate the velocity of light. More re- cent repetitions of the experiment, with various modifications, by several per- sons, have been made, among which may be mentioned those by Michaelson and Newcomb, in this country. The result may be stated in round numbers as 300,- 000,000 metres in a second. Photography is an art of recent origin, and a short sketch of its rise and de- velopment must not be omitted. On its optical side, it had its germ in the inven- tion of the camera obscura, by Porta, in the second half of the sixteenth century. In the year 1556, Fabricius published an account of the printing of an image on a surface of chloride of silver (luna cornea) in shades of black and gray, by the action of sunlight, but he knew of no means of fixing the picture thus pro- duced. In 1777, Scheele found that the light in the blue and violet portions of the spectrum acted more strongly to change silver salts than the other portions. In 1802, Wedgwood and Sir H. Davy published a method of producing rough representations of objects by means of light, but even Davy knew of no means of rendering the results permanent. In 1813, Niepce, the elder, was able to re- produce engravings by the action of light, which was transmitted through them while they lay upon a plate of tin covered with a thin layer of bitumen of Judea, and also to fix in a transient way the image which was formed in the camera. Those portions of the bitumen which had been protected from the light remained unaltered, while the other portions on which the light acted were whitened. On plunging the plate thus changed into a bath of the essence of lavender, the unaltered portions were removed, and thus the picture was fixed. The result, however, was not satisfactory, and he tried many devices to im- prove it. In 1826, Daguerre, who had made some unsatisfactory advances in the rising art, solicited a correspondence with Kiepce relating to the subject. The result was a compact between the two to work jointly for the perfection of some plan of procedure. Daguerre abandoned the bitumen process, and sought to secure better results with iodide of silver. He found that with this he could produce a faint picture. This could be developed by the use of petroleum oil. At last he was led to try the vapor of mercur}^ as a developer, when at once, as by magic, the picture was developed. He wrote to Niepce concerning his success, but Niepce died before learning of it. 122 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. Photography was at last a fixed fact, and many now living will remember with what incredulity and curiosity the announcement was received. Daguerre entered into partnership with the son of his deceased co-laborer, and endeavored to secure capital to work the invention, but Avith the usual success — failure. He then decided to give his invention to the State. This was done through the intervention or Arago. The optical appliances of Daguerre were little suited to the .production of pictures of moving beings, and as the reproduc- tion of the human face was especially desirable, the opticians were stimulated to the production of better lenses, while, in the meantime, the perfecting of the chemical processes was pushed in every hopeful direction. Attempts were made in 1840 to secure portraits by the daguerreotype process, but the long time required to produce the picture made them unsatisfactory. Accellerators were found, such as the fumes of bromine, bromide of iodine, chloric acid, etc. These, together with the use of short focussed lenses, at last made it possible to reduce the sitting to four or five minutes in full sunlight. In 1834, Talbot, in England, was trying to fix the image formed in the camera on paper. Herschel solved the problem by the use of hyposulphite of sodium. This was a most important step. Besides being important in itself as adding to the range of the art, it led to the perfecting of paper so as to render it suitable for the purpose. In 1839, Herschel used glass plates to support his sensitive films for the taking of negatives. Niepce de Saint- Victor, employed glass coated with a thin film of albumen, which he rendered sensitive by plunging it into a bath of potassium iodide, and subsequently into another of silver nitrate. LeGray suggested the use of collodion instead of albumen as a means of hold- ing the sensitive silver salts. The collodion process, till lately, almost univer- sally employed in portrait and landscape photography, in its full and nearly per- fect development, was introduced in 1851 by Scott Archer and Dr. Diamond. What has just been said applies to the process for producing the negative, or the picture in which the lights and shadows as they are in nature are reversed. The positive of the finished pictures is, as is well known, printed on paper. This is done by simply placing the negative flat on sensitive paper and exposing to the direct action of sunlight till the picture appears |in full intensity, after which it is fixed by immersing in a bath of hyposulphite of sodium. It is then washed and "toned " with chloride of gold. In the same year in which the discovery of Daguerre was announced Muugo Ponto found that paper, which has been treated to a solution of bichromate of potassium, can have a photographic image developed by the action of light in a camera or under a negative. This is due to the oxidizing action of the bichro- mate under the influence of light. It was soon found that other organic bodies besides paper — such as gelatine, gum, starch, albumen — are acted on in a similar way, and that, where the action takes place, they are rendered insoluble. Poitevin made use of these facts for the production of pictures with these substances, HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 1 23 mixing with them powdered carbon. Swan, "Woodbury, Johnson and others extended the process and improved it. Means were soon found, notably by Albert and Edwards, to print in printer's ink as many positives from such nega- tives as might be desired. For purposes of duplicating books, engravings, and illustrations, the process in some one of its modifications is invaluable, and is in constant use. More recently the so-called wet process, in which collodion is employed in con- nection with a nitrate of silver bath for preparing the sensitive plate, have been largely superseded by the so-called dry plate processes. In these the bromide of silver is generally employed. The silver salt is introduced into the collodion, or, better, into gelatine, and the resulting emulsion is poured over the glass plate in an even film, in the dark room, and carefully dried with exclusion of light. Such plates, when carefully prepared, are exceedingly sensitive, and therefore rapid in their action. They are hence suited to instantaneous photography. With good light they require only a very small fraction of a second to produce good pictures. They are therefore used to produce pictures of objects in rapid motion, as the crowds and carriages in motion in the bustling street, birds in flight, horses in the race, etc. The most important application of these rapid processes is to be found in astronomy, where they can do the work of the observer with the greatest fidelity. Indeed they record the presence of objects which escape the eye alto- gether. They have the advantage over the eye that they do not get tired, and that plates may be exposed for long periods, and thus the effect of the faintest light is rendered cumulative. Photography has in fact opened a new method of attack for the astronomer, and brought within his reach a class of problems which otherwise were insoluble. This will be alluded to under our observations on the spectroscope. Our limits will permit only the most brief mention of the principles of " Spec- trum Analysis." This is the name applied to a method of ascertaining the com- position of bodies by examination of the light which they emit when brought into a volatile condition by the application of heat. In 1802, "Wallaston admitted a solar beam into a darkened chamber through a narrow slit and viewed it at a dis- tance of ten or twelve feet, through a colorless glass prism. He thus found the spectrum traversed transversely to its length, by a great number of dark lines and colored bands. In 1814-15, Fraunhofer published in the " memoirs " of the Academ}^ of Munich a map of these dai-k lines as they appear in the solar spec- trum, and designated some of the principal ones by letters of the alphabet. These lines are hence known as Fraunhofer's lines. The spectroscope employed by him consisted of a glass prism to which the narrow beam of light was admitted, and a telescope through which the resulting spectrum was viewed. By means of this arrangement he was able to see and to map between five and six hundred lines. Kirchhoff modified the spectroscope of Fravinhofer by increasing the number of prisms and by the employment of a " collimator," that is, by the use of a second 124 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. telescoiDe in which the eye-piece was replaced by a tube bearing an adjustable slit through which the light was admitted. With this arrangement he made a map of more than three thousand lines. When it was attemj^ted to compare the maps made by one observer with those made by another, it was found that, while the lines were in general arranged in the same order, their distances from each other depended on the variety of the glass or other material of which the prisms were composed, on the temperature at which the observations were made and of the peculiarities of adjustment. To avoid this inconvenience recourse was had to the spectrum produced by "gratings;" that is, to the spectrum which is formed when a beam of light formed by a narrow slit falls on a plate of glass having a great number of fine lines ruled very close to each other and at equal distances. Gratings answering the purpose better have more recently been made by ruling the lines on the surface of speculum metal, which is made quite plane. The spectrum is then produced by interference taking place in the reflected beam. The greatest accuracy is required in the ruling of the lines to secure that they shall be drawn at equal distances. Our own countrymen, Mr. Rutherford of "New York, and Professor Rowland of Baltimore, have succeeded in the construction of divid- ing engines by means of which this result is secured to a very high degree. Professor Angstrom, of Sweden, was among the first to employ a spectroscope in which the prism was replaced by a grating, in mapping the solar spectrum, on something like a complete scale, and his work will always remain a monument of skill and wonderful accuracy. It is, however, now completely superseded by the magnificent photographs of the spectrum recently made by Professor Rowland. In these there are clearly drawn by the action of the light itself many thousands of lines, which are at their normal distances depending on the absolute length of the light waves at their respective places in the spectrum. The gratings by means of which these wonderful spectra are produced are ruled on concave metallic sur- faces ground and polished with mathematical precision. But what is the meaning of these lines? This question is easily answered in the light of a principle announced by Euler. It is as follows: the same kinds of undulations, or waves, can be received or absorbed by bodies as the bodies them- selves would be able to emit under the same conditions as those in which the luminous or light giving body is placed in any given case. Angstrom was led to the conclusion that any body at a glowing heat gives out the same kinds of light and heat as it will absorb when such rays fall upon it. With some limitations this principle has been established. The first decisive experimental proof of it was made by Kirchhoff in 1859. If the lime of the calcium light be viewed through the spectroscope, there will be seen a continuous spectrum with the red at one extremity and the violet at the other. But if now the flame of an alcohol lamp be placed before the slit so that the light from the incandescent lime must pass through it, and some common salt be introduced into the flame, there will be seen a dark line crossing the spectrum in the yellow. On cutting off the light HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 1 25 from the lime a bright line will be seen at the exact point where the dark one was. In other words the salted flame can absorb the same kind of light which it can emit. By the expression, the same light, is meant light having the same color or having the same wave length. To explain the occurrence of the Fraunhofer lines we may consider that the sun is a body at so high a temperature that all known substances, at its sur- face, must exiist in a condition of vapor. Thus the principal body of the sun must be surrounded by clouds of incandescent vaporized materials. These, though hot enough to be self-luminous cannot be at so high a temperature as the interior nucleus of the sun itself, since radiation must be constantly taking place. Thus, in accordance with the principle stated above, these vaporized matters absorb, in part, such peculiar kinds of the light, coming from the sun's nucleus as they would be able to emit if at the same temperature as the nucleus itself; hence the solar spectrum is traversed by great numbers of comiDffi-atively dark lines, corresponding in thickness to the width of the slit which admits the light to the prism or grating of the spectroscope. Kirchhoff and Angstrom, besides mapping the position of the Fraunhofer lines, determined the significance of many of them by comparing them with the bright lines seen in the spectroscope when bodies the composition of which we know are rendered vaporized by high incandescence, and the resulting light is examined by means of this instrument. Many others have from time to time aided in the work of thus identifying the solar lines so that we can now say with great confi- dence that there are many substances in the composition of the sun which are identical with those with which we are familiar. Nor is this all; on the contrary, the spectroscope has given rise to a branch of inquiry, which may with some pro- priety, be called celestial chemistry. The old conjecture that the stars are suns has been fully confirmed, and much has been done towards ascertaining their composition and physical constitution. It is just here that photography is able to render the most important aid. For it has very recently been found possible to photograph the stellar spectra with the greatest fidelity. In other words, the elementary constituents of the remotest stars have been compelled to write their autographs so that they can be completely identified. The spectroscope finds constant application in our chemical laboratories, and such is the delicacy of its indications that it needs but a glance to detect the ele- mentary constituents of a given compound or mixture. Nor is this all; a careful study of the spectra of the different elements has started questions of their rela- tionship to each other, and to some common but unknown form of existence from which they may all be constituted. For the solution of such questions we may expect much from astronomical physics and chemistry, for, in the great variety of suns which the heavens present are found conditions which we cannot produce by any means at our command, and it is not unlikely that in some of these may be found the means of progress. In such matters the safest prophecies are made after the events to which they relate. C. F. Brackett. 126 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. CENTENNIAL POEM. Dear, native town, thy children bring Their gifts of love today; Of thee, our happy voices sing, To thee, we homage pay, A little while together wait Around thy altar here. In unison to celebrate This glad Centennial Year, How many changing years have passed Since thou, an infant small Wast cradled in the forest vast • Among the pine-trees tall! Today we find a gray, old town So peaceful, lingering here. Its furrowed face without a frown This glad Centennial Year. Our fathers tilled this rugged soil Long years, with tender pride. Content to gain for patient toil, A few green acres wide. The old, home farms, with sunny slopes, To many hearts are dear, — About them cluster sweetest hopes This glad Centennial Year. Yon gray-haired men of stately mien Once played among these hills, And fished for mottled trout, I ween. In pebbly, mountain rills. From cities' toil and din they come With us, to gather here, And view once more their childhood home, This glad Centennial Year. With thankful hearts we'll sing God's praise For all His care and love ; A glad, triumphant song we'll raise To Heavenly courts above. A last good-bye, one look around On faces ever dear; — With tender mercies God hath crowned This glad Centennial Year. ISADOBE E. MeREILL. ■M :*»*'' ^^. ^^-^^^ HON. L.D.M. SWEAT. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 1 27 LAWYERS OF PAESONSFIELD. BY P. W. MCINTYRE. Philip W. Mclntyre of the Portland Argus, gave a short account of the later lawyers, supplementary to the description by Mr. Bradbury of the four early members of the bar from Parsonsfield, and called attention to an important omis- sion made by the orator of the day. He said that it had fallen to his lot, in place of the Hon. L. D. M. Sweat, whose business engagements do not afford him leisure to treat the subject, to say something about the later lawyers of Parsons- field. This he did at the request of Mr. Sweat and of the Centennial committee. " You can appreciate my sorry plight," he said, " called upon as I am, to rattle round in Mr. Sweat's place. My data are scanty, my acquaintance on the whole with the men of whom I am to speak, is limited, though some of them I have personally known, and all of them are known to me by the fair repute in which they are held by their neighbors and clients. For the errors or omissions, or injustices I do, I beg your indulgence. " To one thing, however, I must call your attention at the start. You have all listened with intense interest, with pricked ears, as the common saying has it, to the eloquent and edifying oration of Mr. Bradbury. You have in mind his picturesque descriptions of the hamlets and families that clustered about the Middle Eoad— that village all shut in by hills— in the days of his youth, and his generous tribute to departed worthies. And you have noticed that he has made a serious omission for which I think modesty is not an adequate excuse. " No account of the lawyers of Parsonsfield, of the men who have made a study of the noblest science known to the world — the science of law, of regulat- ing communities, of shaping legislation, of arbitrating the quarrels that must arise between man and man — could be complete, or in the least satisfactory with- out the mention of James Ware Bradbury, who has served us in the Senate of the United States, and whose life is identified with the growth and prosperity of the Union. The admirable account given by Dr. Ricker in his exhaustive paper renders unnecessary the repetition of biographical data. To that record no words of mine can add weight. The veteran statesman to whom you have listened to- day is enjoying the calm honors of his age in the capital of the commonwealth he has aided to make illustrious. " Dr. Ricker's admirable address also renders unnecessary an extended biograph- ical sketch of the gentleman whose place I so inadequately fill today. Mr. Sweat, in whose private and public career we all take so much pride, whose excellent taste in literature and art is recognized by society, and whose efforts while a mem- ber of Congress to promote the success of that great national highway, the Northern Pacific railroad, are known of all men, is dear to you, aside from his personal achievements, and the deeds he has done in the public service, as th e 128 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. son of that admirable physician, that accomplished surgeon, that father-confessor of Parsonsfield, that man who listened to its grievances and bore its burdens, the beloved Doctor Moses Sweat. " Lorenzo D. M. Sweat, who has been so notably prominent in both private and public life, was born in Parsonsfield, May 26, 1818, His early education was under the instruction of his father. Dr. Moses Sweat, the private tuition of Prof. Davidson of Edinburgh, Scotland, and at the academies in neighboring towns. At the celebrated institution of learning at Effingham, N. H., his preceptor was James Ware Bradbury, a native of Parsonsfield, and subsequently United States Senator from Maine. When under the age of fourteen he taught a large winter term of school in Porter, Oxford county, displaying great energy and force of character, and governing unruly boys who had nearly reached their majority. He entered Bowdoin college in 1833, and was graduated with high honors in 1837, ranking among the first three of an unusually able class. He then entered the law office of Hon. Rufus Mclntire of Parsonsfield, and took up the profession to which he had determined to devote his life. Thence he went to Portland, to the office of Howard & Osgood. He completed his legal studies at the Harvard Law School and was admitted to the Cumberland bar in the fall of 1840. " That same year he went to New Orleans and entered the office of the famous Pierre Soule, where he thoroughly mastered the civil code, was admitted to the Louisiana bar, and opened an office for himself in 1841. He was summoned home by the serious illness of his mother, and at the desire of his parents relin- quished his intention of remaining in the South. He entered upon the practice of the legal profession in Portland, where he has ever since resided. " In 1849 he married Margaret J. , the daughter of John Mussey, a lady who as author and essayist is widely known, and who has for the past eighteen years been the Maine Vice-Regent of the Mount Vernon Association and its Secretary of Councils. In 1855 he traveled with his wife and brother John in Europe, making an extended sojourn. On his return he was made City Solicitor of Port- land, a position he again held in 18G0. In 1861 and 1862 he was elected State Senator. The latter year he was chosen as a democrat to the 38th Congress from the strong Republican First district, greatly on account of his well-known sym- pathy with the prosecution of the war for the restoration of the Union. " In that Congress he distinguished himself by his advocacy of or opposition to the great measures debated in that stirring time. He served on the committee on private land claims, and on the special committee on Pacific railroads. To him, perhaps more than to any other man, we are indebted for the building of the Northern Pacific railroad. He made the first speech in its favor, delivered in the halls of Congress. The project at that time was deemed chimerical, but his eloquence and convincing logic set the tide turning the other way. In a sense he may be called the father of that great trans-continental line. He also distin- guished himself in debate against Henry Winter Davis and Thaddeus Stevens, HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. I 29 "when their proposed scheme for the confiscation of Southern property came to be argued. " In 1863, the most famous joint discussion, perhaps, ever held in Maine, tpok place between Mr. Sweat and the Hon. James G. Blaine in Portland City Hall — a debate in which the former fully held his own. " Mr. Sweat was re-nominated for Congress in 1864 and 1866. He attended the National Democratic Convention held at Philadelphia in 1872, where he was chosen member of the National Committee, serving four years. He was also present at the National Democratic Convention of 1876, in St. Louis, where he did what lay in his power to secure the nomination of Mr. Tilden, whose full confidence he always enjoyed. " In 1873, he again visited Europe, and crossed the Mediterranean to Egypt. He was Honorary Commissioner to both the Paris and the Vienna World's Expositions. At this date of writing he is about to sail for Europe again. "During his active practice of law he was partner of Judge Samuel Wells (afterward Governor of Maine), Bion Bradbury, and Nathan Cleaves. " For the last four or five years he has been the counsel and attorney for the Northern Pacific Eailroad. " In politics Mr. Sweat has always been a democrat. " Permit me in this connection, to speak of another son of York county, who, though not born in Parsonsfield, won his spurs here; and after completing his collegiate course, began the active duties of life by teaching two terms of school at the little schoolhouse situated on the Town Common in Middle Road Village. I refer to Bion Bradbury, one of the most accomplished gentlemen, scholars and lawyers that Maine — so rich in manly products — has ever produced." Mr. Mclntyre then briefly and categorically spoke of the late lawyers of Par- sonsfield, beginning with mention of Robert T. Blazo, the Nestor and dean of the York County bar, who is now nearing the end of a long and useful life, and whose face is familiar to all the residents of Parsonsfield. Robert Tibbetts Blazo, son of Daniel and Abigail (Chapman) Blazo, was born at North Parsonsfield, Aug. 11, 1797. His education was received at town schools and the academy at Limerick in 1818; also, at Fryeburg, Effingham and Wolfboro. He commenced study of law in 1825, with Emerson & Hoyt, at Sandwich, N. H., and remained with them for about one year, and then Emerson having removed to Moultonboro, N. H., he continued the study of law with him. He was admitted to Strafford County bar in 1S30, and went into practice at Moultonboro, remaining there about four years. He then removed to Sandwich and practised there about five years. Thence he removed to Parsonsfield in 1839, where he has continued the practice of law, and also farming, up to this time; although on account of advanced age he 9 ^30 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. has not attended court regularly for the past six years. He was married to Mary Freeman in 1835. He has two sons and two daughters. He has accumulated much property, and is now regarded as one of the wealthiest men in town. The following summary is given of the sketches that followed: James Otis McIntire, son of Rufus McIntire, was born in Parsonsfield, March 5, 1822. Was graduated at New Hampton in 1838, and entered the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1840. He held the commission of Captain in the Mexican war. After that he studied law with his father, was admitted to the bar in 1847, and went into partnership with the Hon. John Jameson of Cornish. In 1848 he was elected Clerk of Courts for York county, and held that office ten years, being, the Supreme Court Judges of those days say, the most efficient clerk that up to that time had held the office. Subsequently he became President of the Alfred bank. In 1870 he removed to Parsonsfield, and died there in 1875, having the rare fortune— among our migratory people— to die in the house in which he was born. He was possessed of admirable literary taste, and had he chosen to devote him- self to letters, would have made his mark in the world of books. Generous, impulsive, honest and genial, he made hosts of friends who mourn his premature death. He was a man of commanding personal presence. Caleb B. Lord was born in Parsonsfield in 1819. At an early age he evinced a strong predis- position for study, and applied himself to books. After an academic course at 'New Hampton, he entered upon the study of law with Rufus McIntire, and was admitted to the bar in 1843. Soon after, he entered upon the practice of his pro- fession in Limerick, where he was known as a prudent counselor and trustworthy advocate. In 1858 he was elected Clerk of Courts for York county, and was twice re-elected, holding the position for nine consecutive years, and proving himself one of the most efficient men that ever held that onerous position. In 1870 he represented Alfred in the Legislature. In 1871 he was appointed Asses- sor of Internal Revenue, and held that position until it was abolished by act of Congress. After that he lived at Alfred in honorable leisure, occupying himself with that delightful pursuit, agriculture. [He died October 15, 1885.] Henry Bailey, son of John and Salome Bailey, of Parsonsfield, was born October 18, 1842. He attended the town school in district No. 8, Parsonsfield. In 1859-60 he attended school at the North Parsonsfield Seminary. In 1861-62-63, he was at Effingham Seminary. October 1 , 1863, he left Parsonsfield for the West with SlOO borrowed money in his pocket, and when he arrived at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, he bad S3.50 left. He studied law for a part of the season of 1864, and then went into the HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. I3I army as Captain of Co. C, 53d Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served till 1865, when he was mustered out of the service. He resumed the study of law and was admitted to practice in April of 1866, and has since resided in Oshkosh. In 1869 and 1870 he served one term as Judge of the Municipal Court. He is a prominent citizen of that flourishing town, and a striking example of Maine pluck and fortune in the West. William Daniel Knapp, son of Daniel and Betsey (Neal) Knapp, was born in Parsonsfield, Me., Sunday, October 17, 1830, attended the district school in the Emerson school district, two terms of tuition school at the Middle Road, and two terms at the seminary at North Parsonsfield under the instruction of Rev. John FuUonton; moved to Con- way, N. H., in 1844; fitted for college at South Conway Academy, and was gradu- ated from Dartmouth College in 1855. Taught school before graduating, in Con- way, Jackson and Tamworth, N.H., and in Newbury, Ipswich, Ashby and Groton, Mass. After graduation was principal of Lebanon Academy, West Lebanon, Maine, until December, 1856. Read law with Wells & Eastman at Great Falls village in Somersworth, N. H., and was admitted to the bar at Alfred, in York county, Me., September 22, 1858, and has been in the practice of law at Great Falls, N. H., ever since. He held the office of School Commissioner for Strafford county for two years from July, 1860, and was Secretary of the New Hampshire Board of Education from July, 1861, to July, 1862. He has been Treasurer of the town of Somersworth since 1866, and one of the selectmen several years. He was a Representative to the New Hampshire Legislatui'e in 1870 and 1871. He was appointed Justice of the Police Court of Somersworth in August, 1809, and still holds the position. His career has been eminently successful. Judge William G. Chadbourn, son of Israel Chadbourn, was born in Parsonsfield, Dalton's Corner, and there lived until about nine years of age, when he went to reside with his grandparents at Berwick, Me., and Somersworth, N. H., where he continued to live until 1831; then came to Alfred in September of that year, his parents having removed there the previous June. Lived at Alfred some six or seven years, when he left for Gorham Seminary. He read law in the offices of the late Judge Goodenow at Alfred, who was then Attorney General of Maine; the late Hon. Rufus Mclntire of Parsonsfield, then Land Agent of Maine, and the late Mr. Justice Clifford of Newfield, then a member of Congress. It seemed to fall to his lot to keep law offices open and running while the principals were attending to their official duties outside of their several offices. Having been brought into close connection with all the members of York bar when quite young, as clerk in the clerk's office, earning him a reputation at court of having some knowledge of the routine of law offices, perhaps explains why he was sought for in so many offices. He was ad- mitted to the bar at Alfred, May 20, 1841 , but did not enter into practice until 132 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 1842, keeping his studies up as before admission until he opened an office in Brooks, Me,, June, 1842, remaining in practice there until the spring of 1843; then removed to "VVestbrook, Me., where he continued practice up to 1855, when he removed to Portland, continuing in practice there up to 1856, when he was appointed Judge of the Police Court, which he held until a change in the admin- istration put another man in his place, and was soon after appointed to one of the best positions in the customs under the late Moses McDonald, then Collector of the port. When President Lincoln's administration came into power he, with others, went out, not exactly under the modern civil service rules, but because outside followers wanted their places for the money in them. Not having relin- quished practice while connected with the customs he continued in it until 1871, when he removed to Boston, Mass., opened an office, and still resides there. Emery S. Ridlon was born at Kezar Falls,. April 21, 1841. He was educated in the common schools and at Parsonsfield Seminary. For ten years after leaving school he was engaged in teaching. In 1864 he began the study of law with the Hon. Caleb R. Ayer of Cornish. Hfe was graduated from the Albany Law School in 1867, and was ad- mitted to the Albany bar the same j'ear, and to the York county bar. He imme- diately began the practice of his profession at Kezar Falls, where he gained the success to which his merits entitled him. In 1872 he removed to Portland and at once entered upon a successful practice. He was made a member of the City Council in 1878, and of the school committee in 1879. After 1880 he resided in Deering, but his law office was in Portland, where he had a lucrative practice, and where he took position among the best lawyers at the Cumberland county bar. [He died April 11, 1887, leaving a widow and son.] J. M. Brown was born at North Parsonsfield, April 15, 1838. He is the son of Simon and Sally Brown. At Parsonsfield Seminary he received his College fitting. Some four years he spent in farming and teaching, then entered the law office of the Hon. Caleb R. Ayer in Cornish, attending and was graduated from the Harvard Law School, and was subsequently admitted to the York County bar. He entered upon the practice of his profession at Kezar Falls, in partnership with Emery S. Ridlon, Esq. He afterwards removed to Boston, where he is now engaged in active practice, making his residence at Milton. Soon after settling in Massa- chusetts he was commissioned by the Governor as Trial Justice for Stoughton, and while residing there married Miss Fanny S. Sackett. His career has been prosperous. William H. Wiggin, son of Daniel Wiggin, was born in 1823. He studied law with Henry Holmes and Samuel Thompson of Sanford; was graduated at Ballston Spa Law School, '<^ ^. I). Aa. cU- Emery S. Ridlon.esq. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 1 33 Kew York, and was admitted to the York county bar in September, 1S53. He settled in Sanford, and there practiced his profession for a short time. He then turned his attention to other business, and became interested in contracting for tin-roofing. and the iron trade, wherein he met with great success. Most of his business was in the southern and western states. In 1870 he was married in St. Louis, and made his home there until his death in 1879. He left behind him the reputation of an honest, capable and energetic man. I think you will all agree with me in my belief that Parsonsfield, a town that has contributed so many men to so many worthy pursuits, has done her share in promoting the advancement and dignity of the ancient and honorable profession of law. 134 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. PHYSICIANS OF PAESONSFIELD. A brief paper on the physicians of the town was prepared and read at the Cen- tennial celebration, by Rev. L. T. Staples, he having been assigned that duty; and until this late date, when the printers are calling for " copy," it was expected of him to furnish it for publication in the history, but for some reason the article is not forthcoming, only the assertion that he is, in consequence of pressing duties and scarcity of material, unable to prepare and furnish the paper. This much by way of apology for the sketches which follow. The town was settled ten years prior to its incorporation. The name of the first medical practitioner I am unable to ascertain; nothing save the fact that a French physician settled at North Parsonsfield, among those first on the ground, and practiced there for a few years. Dr. John J, Blaisdell was the next, but how long he practiced in town is not now known. He also settled at North Parsonsfield, married Susan, daughter of Philip Paine, and in 1800 moved to Dixmont, Me., where he died in 1806. He studied medicine with Dr. Hall Jackson of Portsmouth. His grandfather, Amos Blazo, born in Bordeaux, France, emigrated to the United States about the year 1735 and settled in Green- land, N. H. The fourth son, William, moved to Wakefield, N. H., and changed his name to Blaisdell, — had three sons, the eldest Simeon and the youngest Dr. John J., settling in Parsonsfield. Amos, Jr., youngest son of Amos of Bordeaux, settled in Parsonsfield, from whom all the Blazos in this section have sprung. The Blaisdells and Blazos are of the same parent stock. James Bradbury, M. D., was the next in point of time. The following sketch of his life is from the pen of his son, Hon. J. W. Bradbury of Avigusta: James Bradbury was born in York, District of Maine, April 27, 1772; son of Cotton Bradbury, and grandson of the well known patriot. Elder John Bradbury of York. The family are descendants of Thomas Bradbury, who emigrated from Wicken Bonant, Essex county, England, in 1634, and was secretary of Ferdinando Gorges; settled in Salisbury, Mass., and raised a numerous family. Dr. Bradbury obtained a good education, and studied medicine in his native town. He settled in Parsonsfield in 1798, and soon ac- quired an extensive practice in which he continued more than forty years. He gave up active business and removed to Windham in 1843, to be near his only daughter, the wife of Dr. Charles G. Parsons, and died there February 7, 1844. He was a sound and judicious physician, commanding the respect and confidence of his extensive circuit of practice. As a citizen, father and husband he was cherished and beloved. An honest man of high toned morality, he became per- sonally interested in religion in 1816, and joined the Free Baptist church, and HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 1 35 continued in communion with that body until his death. It falls to the lot of few phj^sicians to have added to the profession so large a number of honorable mem- bers as did Dr. Bradbury. The following, though not a complete list, composes all now recollected by the writer, of the gentlemen who commenced and pursued to a greater or less extent their medical studies with him: Moses Sweat, Burleigh Smart, Eleazer Burbank, Jesse Mighel, Alvah Moulton, jSTathaniel Pease, Levi Hanneford, Gilmau L. Bennett, Samuel M. Bradbury, Sumner Gilman, Tristram Redman, Charles G. Parsons, Levi Moore and Thomas Drown. Of these several acquired distinction. Dr. Sweat having remained in Parsons- tield acquired great distinction as a surgeon. Dr. Smart settled in Kennebunk and was eminent in his profession. Dr. Mighel gained a high reputation in Minot and Portland, Me., and subsequently removed to Ohio, where he became con- nected with a medical institution. Dr. Moulton settled in Ossipee, N". H., in 1821, and after a career of honorable and successful practice of forty-eight years, died there September 11, 1868. He was son of Mrs. Bradbury by her first hus- band. Dr. Pease settled in Bridgton, and repeatedly served in the Senate of the State, Dr. Parsons became a prominent physician in Windham. Dr. Redman was also a State Senator from the county of Washington. All are deceased save Dr. S. M. Bradbury, who resides in Limington. Dr. Bradbury was married in 1800 to Mrs. Ann Moulton, daughter of Dea. Samuel Moulton, and widow of Samuel Moulton, a nephew of her father. He died in 1835. Dr. Bradbury had by her three children, .James W., who settled in Augusta in 1830, in the profession of the law, and was a member of the United States Senate from 1847 to 1853; Samuel M., who is a physician in Limington, and Clarisa A., who married Dr. Parsons, and died at Windham, Dec. 5, 1850. Rev. and Dr. William Taylor moved into Parsonsfleld in the year 1800, making a purchase of land at the west- ern part, which yet remains in the Taylor family. He was born in Hampton in 1761. Studied medicine with Dr. Levi Dearborn of ISTorth Hampton, and moved to Leavittstown, now Effingham, N. H., about 1785, where he resided until he removed to Parsonsfleld. He soon after sold his practice to Dr. David Weld Clark, who settled in town near the home of Thomas Parsons, the original proprietor. He was born in Sturbridge, Mass., March 20, 1779, and came to Parsonsfleld and established himself in practice in 1803, remaining until 1819, when he removed to Effingham, N. H., continuing in practice until near his death, which occurred October 24, 1846. He had an extensive practice, was a very skillful physician, going long distances, exposed to the summer suns and winter colds and storms, most of his life traveling on horseback, visiting the poor as readily as the rich. 136 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. the fatigue and expenditure in many cases far outweighing the recompense. But his memory is sweet, and his many acts of kindness and generosity are remem- bered by grateful hearts. He was a sharp, wiry man, perceptions keen, judgment sound, a ready wit, and quick at repartee. Some years since an old friend of his related to me the fol- lowing anecdote as illustrating the man. He commenced practice, as did many of his time, Avithout graduating in medicine, and on one occasion, being called as a medical expert in a case on trial, the opposing counsel found his testimony very damaging, and determined upon a course to break its force. Therefore upon cross-examination, after asking a few preliminary questions, he demanded of him to state from what medical college he received his diploma. The doctor answered: " From no medical college, sir." The attorney then in a very dignified and com- manding tone said: "Tell me, then, by what authority you practice medicine?" Quick as thought Dr. Clark, turning his eyes and pointing upward, replied: " By the authority of the God of Heaven, sir." The answer greatly amused the court, the attorney was discomfited, and the jury favorably impressed. He reared a family of six children, only one of whom is now living, R. E. Clark, Esq., of Dover, N. H. I will not attempt to follow further the order in which others have followed, but write briefly of Moses Sweat, M. D., whose career was one of marked prominence as a physician, and especially as a surgeon, for a full half century. He was the eldest son of Jonathan and Sarah (Ayer) Sweat, and was born in Portland, Me., March 18, 1788. His occupation in early life was that of a mechanic, but he soon determined to study medicine. He was well educated, was blessed with a large stock of good, sound common sense, a pleasing address, was generous, kind and affectionate, with a modest, latent boldness that brooked no obstacle nor shrunk from the performance of any known duty. He studied medicine under the instruction of Dr. James Bradbury, and later was the student and intimate friend of Prof. Eamsey, being his demon- strator of anatomy at Dartmouth and Bowdoin colleges. Possessed of those requisites, " the eagle's eye, the lion's heart and the woman's hand," added to the qualities of mind and traits of character already alluded to, he soon won and retained the richly deserved name and fame of being one of the best surgeons in the State. He attended several courses of lectures from 1807 to 1810, when he commenced practice. He became a member of the Massachusetts Medical Soci- ety and received a diploma therefrom in 1817 — one from Bowdoin in 1823, one from Castleton, Vt., in 1840. To perform surgical operations at that period when anesthesia was unknown, required fortitude which never failed him. In fractures and dislocations he was an adept. In capital operations he had no superior. He rode long distances, and his life was one of incessant toil. In politics he was a Democrat of the old school, never aspiring greatly to political honors, yet he ^^^^^^^ aJ^^A^^i^i^^ HON . MOSES SWEAT IVI . D . HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 1 37 served in both branelies of the Legislature, and was for three years a member of the board of trustees of the Maine Insane Hospital. In religion he was a Free Baptist, uniting heartily with Rev. John Buzzell in establishing the first denom- inational school at Parsonsfield, and ever a true friend and benefactor of that institution of learning which has done so much for the name and fame of this grand old town. But at that period of his life, when its duties became burdensome, because of the weight of advancing years, came that crushing and paralyzing stroke which seemed too much to bear, rendering dark and drear the pathway of every mem- ber of the family, and especially so that of the father and mother, the death of his youngest son, Dr. John B. Sweat, who had been in practice with him for six years and from whom he expected support and comfort in his declining years. From this he never fully rallied. His hopes were crushed, his anticipations de- stroyed, and the sweets of remaining life rendered a cruel bitter. Dr. Sweat was married to Miss Eliza Wedgewood, daughter of Jesse Wedge- wood of Parsonsfield, in 1811. Seven children were the fruits of the union — two daughters and five sons. A son and daughter died in infancy, and a daughter a fifteen years of age, and four sons arrived to manhood and maturer years. Mrs. Sweat died in 1S60. He died August 25, 1865, aged 77 years. Dr. John D. Buzzell, eldest son of Rev. John Buzzell, was born in Middleton, N. H., January 14, 1798, and came to Parsonsfield with that heroic father about six weeks later. So near was his birth to the date of his father's residence in town, that he may well be called a native of Parsonsfield. In early life he learned the saddler's trade with Mr. Nicholas Dor, and married Deborah, daughter of John Dor, Jr., of Parsons- field, and grand-daughter of John Dor, who with his brother Gideon settled on the western border of the town in 1775. Some years after his marriage, having a natural inclination thereto, he gave his attention to medicine; and by aid of Dr. Moses Sweat and Drs. Briggs, Gilman and Merrill of Portland, he obtained a practical knowledge of the nature and symptoms of disease, and by close appli- cation and practice became quite celebrated in the treatment of chronic diseases. He resided at Cape Elizabeth, and died there in 1876, aged 78 years. Dr. Eleazer Burbank, son of Samuel B. and Esther (Boothby) Burbank, was born in Scarboro, Maine, September 17, 1793, and died at North Yarmouth, March 30, 1867. His father removed to Parsonsfield about 1805, and reared a family of twelve children. Dr. Burbank became a student under Dr. James Bradbury and attended lectures at Dartmouth College, making the journey of over one hundred miles on foot. In 1818, he commenced practice at Poland, Maine, where he remained twenty years. Then in answer to an invitation from a committee of the citizens of North Yar- 138 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. mouth, he removed thither where he remained until his death. In politics a Re- publican from the formation of the party, and State Senator in 1857-58. In religion a Congregationalist, holding the office of deacon from 1856 till his death. He was ever an open opposer of slavery, and an earnest advocate of temperance. Jesse Mighel, M. D., was a native of our town, of whom I can learn hut little. He was born as early as 1790 to '95. For some reason he was left so friendless that he became charge- able to the town in his early boyhood, but he was possessed of a good mind, was ambitious to obtain a good education, was a keen scholar, and despite of his early surroundings and the circumstances that opposed his rise and progress, he found friends to assist him, and prominent among them was Dr. Bradbury, with whom he studied medicine; won an enviable reputation in Minot, Maine, where he first settled, thence went to Portland, and later to Ohio, becoming professor in some mfedical college. Jesse Sweat, M. D., was another who rose from comparative obscurity. His privileges being poor for an education in his home, he came to Parsousfleld in 1826 at the age of fourteen years, and was kindly cared for in the family of Dr. Moses Sweat. He attended the district school and Effingham Academy, was an apt scholar and soon became a teacher of common schools in which avocation he was very successful. He applied himself to the study of medicine during his leisure, under that best of instructors. Dr. Moses Sweat, attended lectures at Bowdoin where he was demon- strator of anatomy, and graduated at that college in 1831. He soon after went to Brownfield where he remained in practice forty -seven years. He married Miss Eliza Spring of Hiram, sister of the late lamented Hon. Samuel Spring of Port- land, and they had four children, three of whom survive. Some years since he was thrown from his carriage, receiving injuries from which he never fully recov- ered. Failing health, loss of wife and fortune, induced him to remove a few years since to Minneapolis, where his eldest daughter resides. He died August, 1885. Few practitioners of medicine and surgery have enjoyed the confidence of the populace to a greater extent than has Dr. Jesse Sweat. He was quite eccen- tric, rough in his exterior, never over-courteous toward members of the profes- sion, nor choice in his form of expression; yet to his friends kind, affectionate and generous. For a time he was surgeon in the army, and was absent from his home in the winter of 1850 to attend a course of lectures in New York; also absent a few times on visits to his daughter in the West, during his long career in Brownfield. He has one son, a practitioner of medicine, residing in Minne- apolis. '"■"'■r.. ALVAH MOULTON M.O. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 1 39 Alvah Moultok, M. D., son of Samuel and Ann (Moulton) Moulton, and half-brother of Hon. James W. Bradbury of Augusta and Samuel M. Bradbury, M. D., of Limington; was a student of Dr. James Bradbury, his step-father, and Prof. Ramsey to whom reference has been made. He was born in Parsonsfield, October 11, 1798, and died September 11, 1868. In 1821, he married Miss Mary Dalton, daughter of Samuel Dalton of Parsonsfield, and removed to Ossipee, N. H., where he resided until his death. He was a man of high moral character, integrity and upright- ness, commanding the respect of all who knew him; a physician of large practice and a surgeon of fair repute. His wife was a woman, coming from one of the best families of the town, every way worthy the noble husband. They reared a family of twelve xihildren, six sons and six daughters, all arriving to manhood and womanhood. Eight yet survive — five daughters, all married to men of wealth and influence, and three sons, successful, or retired business men, worthy a noble ancestry. Dr. Moulton was ever active in all the moral reforms of the age ; an energetic promoter of temperance, an ardent supporter of religious institutions, an active member of the church, given to hospitality, generous, and courteous to all. To his profession he gave his best efforts, and to his professional brethren his warmest sympathies, ever treating them with deference and politeness. His presence in the household where sickness and sorrow prevailed was helpful and gave a sense of relief, and his countenance ever beaming with gratitude and affection was a benediction. Burleigh Smart, M. D. Among those early to pursue the study of medicine in this town was Burleigh Smart. He was born about 1796, and was educated in the common schools and Effingham Academy. After following the vocation of teaching for a time, he studied medicine with Dr. James Bradbury, and removed to Kennebunk where he became eminent in his profession. Emery Smart, M. D., was a brother some ten years younger, — studied with Dr. Burleigh — and settled in the same town and there died. I am unable to learn more in detail of these physicians. Nathaniel Pease, M. D., son of Asa Pease, was born in this town in 1800, and died in Bridgton in 1867. He was twice married, his first wife being Martha Poor Parsons, daughter of Col. Joseph Parsons, and grand-daughter of Thomas, the proprietor of the town. She lived but a few years, dying January 14, 18.32, at the age of twentj^-seven years. He studied medicine with Dr. James Bradbury, and resided most of his profes- 140 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. sional life in Bridgton, where his reputation was well established. He was well and widely known as a physician of skill and sagacity. He was also extensively known as a politician, being among the early advocates of freedom for the slave, when to take that position brought forth determined opposition, aroused bitter animosities and subjected its advocates to censure, contumely and abuse. But he always stood firm to his convictions of duty and steadfast the champion of humanity, being among the foremost in the cause of anti-slavery in the northern portion of Cumberland county. He had the satisfaction of living to see the shackles broken, and the curse of slavery blotted from this nation. Dr. Moses Hobbs was the son of Col. David and Judith (Jenness) Hobbs of this town. He studied medicine with Dr. Moses Sweat and commenced practice at "West ^N'ewfield, Me., about 1828, in company with Dr. Marston, who had previously married his sister. Here he remained about one year and then removed to ISTorth Hampton, where the remainder of his long life was spent, dying May 23, 1885, at the age of 84 years 10 months and 23 days. He was a good practitioner, an upright citizen and a successful business man. Dr. Theopilus Doe, one of the natives of Parsonsfield, of whom I can learn but little, was born about 1795; studied medicine with Dr. Colby of Ossipee, N. H., practiced medicine for a time at Quebec, and later was settled at Deer Isle. He was very successful as a financier, and said to have been as a physician. He has one daughter now living, a resident of Augusta, Maine. Levi A. Hannefobd, M. D., was the son of Josiah and Nancy Doe Hanneford, born March 25, 1803, and died March, 1879. He was the student of Dr. James Bradbury, and Dr. Little of New Gloucester, and graduated at Brown University, Providence, E. I., in September, 1825. He commenced practice in Hiram, Maine, and remained there till 1836, being elected to the Legislature from that town in 1834. Leaving there he removed to Alfred where he tarried one year, thence to Trivoli, Illinois, where he remained until his death. In 1829 he married Miss Caroline W. Collins of Windham, Maine, who, with a son and daughter, still survives. In 1843 and again in 1845 he represented his town in the Legislature. Failing health caused him to retire from active practice in 1857, save as consulting physician. He was keenly sympathetic, given to benevolence and hospitality, and beloved and hon- ored as a citizen and friend. Dr. Daniel "Wadleigh, who was the son of Elisha and Sally (Smith) Wadleigh, was a native of this town, born November 11, 1799, studied medicine with Dr. Moses Sweat, and "'i'ii/Xliv '"'•f, Hon. G.L.BENNETT. M.D. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. I4I commenced practice at East Parsonsfield about 1824. A few years later he removed to Penobscot county, where he was located in several of the towns of said county, dying at Brewer in 1868. He was a good student, quite successful as a practitioner, a man of generous impulses, and a ready wit. Of a family of six children but on^ remains, Mrs. Helen Brackett of Cambridgeport. GiLMAN LOUGEE BENNETT, M. D., was born in Parsonsfield December 13, 1805. Studied medicine with Dr. James Bradbury, and later with Dr. Little of Portland, graduated at Bowdoin in 1827 and commenced practice in Middleton, N". H., where he remained until 1833, when he returned to his native town and continued a resident thereof until his death. He was a man of rare ability, high mental and moral culture, a close student, a keen observer, a discreet counsellor, an excellent physician, a success- ful financier, a ready writer, an easy speaker, a true friend, an honored towns- man, and a worthy and beloved husband and father. In his intercourse with physicians he was always dignified, yet courteous, decided, yet magnanimous, determined, yet tolerant. He wisely discriminated between what should be con- cealed and what revealed, and therefore his counsel was often sought in the ad- justment of such difficulties as arise in families and communities. His well- known carefulness and circumspection in the management of his own business affairs, rendered him the recipient of the trusts of many others, and through a long and eventful public and professional life he enjoyed what is vouchsafed to the few, an unsullied reputation, — not a breath of suspicion ever marring his integrity, or the faintest shadow falling upon the purity of his character. In politics a Democrat, and an acknowledged leader, being elected to the Leg- islature as early as 1838, where he served for three sessions; afterwards he was State Senator for two years, then for several years County Treasurer, and was a member of the Board of Trustees of Maine Insane Hospital for nine years. He was one who always honored the place and the position. In religious faith he was a Universalist, adopting as his own the beautiful words of the beloved Whittier. " All souls are Thine; the wings of morning bear None from that Presence which is everywhere. Nor hell itself can hide, for Thou art there. Through sins of sense, perversities of will. Through doubt and pain, through guilt and shame and ill, Thy pitying eye is on Thy children still." He was married soon after graduating in medicine to Miss Hannah Merrill of Parsonsfield, and died December 10, 1872. Mrs. Bennett survived him but a few years. Their only child, an estimable and accomplished lady, Mrs. Susan M. Oakes, resides at South Berwick, Maine. 142 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. Cyrus Blaisdell, M. D., a graduate of Dartmouth College in the class of 1835, was the son of Simeon Blaisdell of Parsonsfield, and a student of Dr. Moses Sweat. He practiced med- icine in Wolfboro, N. H., from 1838 to 1844, then he went to ISTewfleld, Maine, where he resided some two years, then returned to Wolfboro where he died about 1850, aged 46 years. He was a very thorough student and his memory was re- markably retentive, being able to repeat verbatim much of the contents of the text books. He has a son. Irvan Blaisdell, M. D., who studied medicine with Dr. Moses Sweat, graduated at Bellivue Medical Col- lege, New York, and now resides at Millmore, Penn. He has an extensive prac- tice and is very successful. Samuel Bradbury, M. D., second son of Dr. James Bradbury, was born August 22, 1805. Studied medicine with his father, graduated at Bowdoin in 1831, and commenced practice in Lim- ington where he yet (1887) resides and attends to the active duties of the profes- sion. After the lapse of more than half a century of active practice his mental and physical powers remain good. He has ever been a conservative and success- ful practitioner, honored by his townsmen and respected by his associates. Dr. Levi C. Moore was the second son of Harvey Moore, Esq., of Parsonsfield, and pursued the study of medicine under the instruction of Dr. Bradbury, and Drs. Wilkinson and Clark of Effingham, N. H., and in 1830 went into practice in Patten, Canada. He soon after moved to North Troy, Vt., close to the Canada line, and there remained in active practice until his death (with the exception of two years spent in California), which occurred October 17, 1882. He was a quiet, pleasant, hos- pitable, busy man, who enjoyed the confidence and esteem of the community in which he was known. He had two brothers who followed the same profession, John and James Otis. John Moore, M. D., was the fifth son of Harvey, and was born September 5, 1814. From a sketch prepared for publication by her who was his estimable wife I take the following facts and expressions relative to his career: " In boyhood he had the advantages of the common school and the New England Academy. In early manhood he engaged in various occupations, teaching, surveying, farming, etc. An enthusi- astic lover of music, he took a course of lessons under Dr. Lowell Mason of Boston, and for several winters taught vocal classes in Parsonsfield and vicinity, doing much to elevate the standard and taste of music. He removed in 1866 to La Salle county, Illinois, and later entered Hahneman Medical College in Chicago, ^. ^^^ ' M'r ««• «!*./<.« «f.i,^, ({y, ^JXy^^-yi^^ VIES OTIS MOORE. M.D. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 1 43 receiving his diploma in 1861. He removed to Kankakee, Illinois, in 1866, and in 1871 to Quincy. He was introduced and recommended to the people of Quincy and Adams county by a leading medical journal as ' one of the best prescribers in the State of Illinois.' He achieved the most gratifying success in practice, having the full confidence and esteem of all who knew him. He was married December 14, 1852. to Mrs. Elizabeth W. Bourne, widow of A. J. Bourne of Boston, and daughter of Capt. Luther Emerson of Parsonsfield, who bore him four children, William L., Hattie H., John H. and Harvey E. Only two survive him, — John dying in infancy, and Hattie on January 20, 1880, aged 23 years. His step-daughter, Emma F. Bourne, is the wife of Rev. A. E. Arnold of Stillman Valley, Illinois. Dr. Moore died in Quincy, March 22, 1880, in the 66th year of his age." James Otis Moore, M. D., was the youngest member of the family of Capt. Harvey Moore, being born April 20, 1822. He studied medicine with Dr. G. L. Bennett, and graduated at Castleton, Vt., in the autumn of 1848. His attention having been turned to homoeopathy, he studied that system under the instruction of Dr. Levi C. Moore of North Troy, Yt., and in 1849 established himself in Saco, Maine, where he had an extensive practice. In 1863 he was appointed assistant-surgeon of the Twenty-Second Regiment of United States colored troops, and was ordered to Fortress Monroe under General Butler. Later he was appointed to take charge of the First Regiment United States colored troops, with which he was in battle before Richmond and at the storming of Fort Fisher. Being ordered back to his old regiment they repaired to Washington to represent the colored troops in the procession at the funeral of President Lincoln, and then assisted in the pursuit of Booth. They were then ordered to Texas, and in October, 1863 were discharged, when Dr. Moore returned home. One year later he removed to Haverhill, Mass., where he continued a successful practitioner of medicine and surgery until his death, in the autumn of 1886. He served the city in various capacities, and was for a term of time City Physician. He was a good student and an earnest, honest, genial man, enjoying the confidence and respect of all his associates. In 1852 he married Miss Mary Elizabeth Ross of Gilmanton, N^. H., by whom he had four children, three daughters and a son, the latter a physician now residing in Brook- line, Mass. Silas B. Wedgewood, M. D., son of Capt. Jesse and Catharine (Paine) Wedgewood, was a student under Dr. Moses Sweat, and a graduate from Bowdoin in 1839. Commenced practice in Springvale, Maine, then removed to Great Falls, N. H., where he practiced until failing health obliged him to abandon business, when he returned to his native town and died in 1842, aged 28 years. He was ambitious and successful. 144 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. Sttmnek Gilman, M. D., studied medicine with Dr. James Bradbury, and graduated at Dartmouth in 1833. He located at Wakefield where he practiced until his death in 1841. In early life he taught school to some extent, and was quite successful in his professional career, — though he was rather peculiar, careless in his style and phraseology, and eccentric in his habits. He was the son of Daniel and Mary (Hobbs) Gilman, and was born in Parsonstield, March 7, 1800. Woodbury Gilman, M. D., was brother of the above, twenty-two years his junior, and was a superior scholar and close student. He studied medicine with Dr. Asahel Dearborn of Effing- ham, N. H., and graduated at Dartmouth in 1845. He commenced practice in Kittery, Maine, a few years later went to Epping, N. H. , and thence to Buffalo, New York, where he died December 7, 1876, aged 54 years. He left one child, a daughter. He accumulated a large property. Moses E. Sweat, A. M., M. D., second son of Dr. Moses and Eliza (Wedgewood) Sweat, was born January 12, 1861. See sketch by Dr. Joseph Bicker, page 63. Moses M. Smart, A. M., M. D., eldest son of Gardiner and Sally Mighel Smart, was born May, 1812, and died Oct. 2, 1885, aged 73 years. See sketch of his life by Dr. Joseph Bicker, p. 62. Tristram Bedman, M. D., son of Tristram and Hannah (Burbank) Bedman, born in Saco, June 15, 1807. Studied medicine with Dr. Bradbury and graduated at Dartmouth in 1831. He commenced practice in Cherryfield, and was very successful. He was an early advocate of temperance, and freedom for the enslaved, and was twice elected to the State Senate. He was married soon after he became established in business, to Miss Freeman, and died April, 1861, aged 55 years. Alva Parker, M. D., was born in Parsonstield in 1811. Studied medicine with Dr. Moses Sweat, and graduated at Bowdoin in 1835. Soon after he commenced practice at Lebanon, Maine, where he remained twelve years. Thence he removed to Great Falls, N. H., where he died in 1851. Charles G. Parsons, M. D., was the son of Col. Joseph Parsons, and was born February 15, 1807. He was a student of medicine under Dr. James Bradbury, whose daughter he married, and graduated at Bowdoin in 1837. He then moved to Windham and commenced Chas.G .Parsons, m.o. '^^ i "'"iR^ " soynn JOSEPH ADDISON PARSONS M.D. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. I45 practice, but soon abandoned it, in a great measure, and sought other emploj'- meuts. In 1852 and 1853, he made an extensive tour in the Southern States, and collected many facts relative to the institution of slaver}', which served as a basis of a series of lectures which he delivered in several of the New England States. He was among the very first to give the " true inwardness " of that abominable institution that so long cursed this land, and that found so many advocates among the Democracy of the North. He was also an open, earnest and able advocate of temperance, being active in the formation of the first temperance societj' in Parsonsfield; an easy writer and a pleasant speaker, a man of keen sympathies, quick perceptions, generous impulses, extremely hospitable, and of vitalizing enthusiasm. In 1855, he wrote a work entitled "Inside Yiew of Slavery, or a Tour Among the Planters," with an introduction by Mrs. H. B. Stowe, in which he gave a thrilling account of what he observed while traveling the few years previous in the South. In 1864 he received an appointment under Lincoln, as United States Consul to Trinidad, but was obliged to decline the position in consequence of failing health. Mrs. Parsons died, and after a time he married Miss Alice J. Walker of Portsmouth, a person of much literary taste and talent, and one in whom he found an agreeable, helpful and devoted companion, who yet survives. Joseph Addison Parsons, M. D., brother of Charles G., one of a family of sixteen children, who died in "Wind- ham in the winter of 1886, had been in the profession forty-eight years. He was born June 30, 1815, and was a student at the same time and graduated in the same class with Charles. His long professional career was passed in Windham, where his friendships were firm and abiding. He was far more conservative than his brother, yet ever on the side of humanity, justice and progress, — generous to a fault, kind to the poor, and full of sympathy for those in need, and a practi- tioner of decision, ability and skill. Past the meridian of life he married Miss Mary E. Ginn of Winterport, Maine, an estimable lady who survives him. Neither of these brothers left issue. James M. Buzzell, M. D., the seventh son of Rev. John and Anna Buzzell, was born in Parsonsfield, Nov. 4, 1812, attended school at Limerick, Effingham, N. H., and Parsonsfield Semin- ary, completing his preparatory course for college at the latter institution under Rev. Hosea Quinby. Commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Moses Sweat in 1833, attended a course of lectures at Bowdoin in 1834, where he was assistant demonstrator of anatomy. In 1835 he attended a second course at Dartmouth where he was demonstrator, and at that time carved a model of the sphenoid bone (the most irregular bone in the system), five times the natural size. It was formed from a block of bass plank glued together, which Prof. Muzzey pro- 10 146 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. nounced to be a " perfect model of the sphenoid bone," and which Prof. Muzzey took with him to the medical college of Cincinnati, where it now remains. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1837. Soon after he located for a short time at Standish Corner, Maine, then removed to Little Falls, Gorham, and remained there till 1843. He then became connected with and publisher of the r. "Vy. Baptist Repository, and soon removed to Limerick, where he continued as editor, publisher and physician till 1852. From this district he was chosen to the Legislature in 1851 and 1852, at the time the Maine Law was passed; was a mem- ber of the committee that reported it. In 1852 he removed to Portland where he remained till 1856. In 1848 he was elected Professor of anatomy and surgery in the medical school at Worcester, Mass., where he lectured two terms. In 1856 he was elected Professor of Surgery in the Penn College at Philadelphia, where he lectured two terms. He practiced four years at Springfield, Mass., where he successfully removed the parotid gland after it had grown to the size of a man's head, ligating the primitive carotid. In 1871 he lectured at the Kinth street Medical College in Philadelphia upon anatomy, and the three years following at Pennsylvania Medical University upon surgery. His life has been a very busy one, and now at the age of seventy-five, he is in active practice in Portland, Maine. Dr. Aaron Buzzell, an elder brother, studied medicine in Deerfield, N. H., with Drs. Graves and Broadhead, attended lectures at Dartmouth, and after a short term of practice in Strafford, N". H., removed to I^orfolkborough, Va., where he died aged about 45 years. He left a son, James Andrew Buzzell, who was surgeon of the Third iSTew Hampshire regiment, and won honor and distinction, dying from fever in- duced b}^ hardships, exposure and labor as medical director, and care of prisoners from the pens of Andersonville and Libby. William Wedgwood Sweat, M. D., son of Moses and Eliza (Wedgwood) Sweat, prepared for college at Limerick and Parsonsfield Seminaries. Studied medicine with his father, attended two courses of lectures at Bowdoin and one at Castleton, Vt., where he graduated in 1845. He afterwards took a special course at New York College of Physicians and Sur- geons, and thus thoroughly equipped he commenced practice in his native town where he remained but a short time. He then went to New Bedford, Mass., where he practiced some five years. He then removed to Portland, Maine, where he remained ten years; thence to Mattapoisett, Mass., where he died July 12, 1872, aged 52 years. He was very sagacious, full of commiseration for the ills and afflictions of others, and bounteous in his liberality. He married Miss Sarah Meigs of New Bedford, and there is one son, William, now a resident of Portland. ^.l'"***"" '^'^-^—C-**.-^^ Wm .W. SWEAT. W.D. JOHN , B . SWEAT . M.D. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 1 47 John Buzzell Sweat, M. D., youngest brother of the above, was born July 26, 1826. His preparatory educa- tion was obtained at Parsonsfield Seminary. After pursuing the study of medi- cine with his father for a time, he attended lectures at Castleton, Yt. , one course at Bowdoin and two at New York, where he graduated in 1849. He was genial, eminently social, generous, magnanimous, full of sympathy, of jollity and mirth, witty and entertaining, symmetrical and grand in form and feature, with a pleas- ing address, and giving promise of a career of great usefulness. At once after graduating he commenced practice of his profession with his father, continuing therein until 1855, when, in company with his brother, Hon. L. D. M. Sweat, he went abroad, where he spent nearly a year visiting the various important hospi- tals of the older countries. He was elected twice to the Legislature, and in the autumn of 1856, crowded with professional duties, he contracted typhoid fever, of which he died November 21st, aged 30 years, missed and mourned as has been none other of this town in earlier or later time. The high rank in surgery which was attained by the father was ever held by the three sons who followed the pro- fession, Moses E., William W. and John B. The two latter were by nature richly endowed, and by education and training thoroughly prepared for the practice of this important branch, in which they excelled. Dr. Thomas Ayer Drown was the son of Thomas and Mitty (Wiggin) Drown, and was born Nov. 2.3, 1813. He was the second child, and they were left to the care of the mother, as the father died previous to the birth of Thomas. Adverse circumstances attended him in his early life, but as early as 1835 he entered the office of Dr. James Brad- bury as a student. He practiced in several places, not always meeting with de- sired success, and died in 1886, aged 73 years. Samuel M. Smith, M. D., was the son of James and Betsey Smith, and was born in Parsonsfield, January 23, J.812. Studied medicine with Dr. Moses Sweat and graduated at Bowdoin in 1835. He taught school in Belfast, Prospect and neighboring towns to earn money to defray the expenses incurred. Soon after graduating he commenced practice in Charleston, and in April of 1836 was married by Kev. Silas M. Keen of Searsport, to Miss Mary E. Nickersou of Chatham, Mass. Then he removed to Sullivan, where he remained but a few months, then went to Cooper, after- wards incorporated as Meddybemps. Here he remained a series of years, enjoying the confidence of the community, having a large practice, much interested in all the reforms of the day, lecturing on temperance, opposing with his might the advance of slavery, and was actively engaged in religious work, building a church entirely at his own expense for the Baptist denomination, being a deacon of a 148 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. church of that body of Christians for many years and always paying very liberally for the support of the ministry. In 1854 he moved to Baring and continued in active practice until 1866, when his health failing he moved to Minneapolis, but the change of climate not bring- ing the desired relief, he returned to Baring where he died September 28, 1868. His family consisted of thirteen children, only four of whom are now living, one daughter the wife of A. B. Getchell, Esq., of Baring, and three sons, the eldest E. T. N. Smith, a druggist in Silver City, Idaho, the other two ph3^sicians, one residing in Baring, Dr. J, R. N. Smith, and the other A. N. Smith, in Dover, 1^6 w Hampshire. Amzi Sanborn, M. D., youngest child of John and Hannah (Bachelder) Sanborn, was born in Parsons- field on the first day of the week, of the month and of the year 1809. He studied medicine in N'ew York with Dr. Wooster Beach, the author of " Beach's House- hold Physician," and graduated at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1832. He soon after returned to his home, where he tarried but a short time, and then commenced practice in Chesterville. In September, 1836, he married Miss Julia A. Pierce of that town. His health was never firm, and in 1836 he went to Bucyrus, Ohio, tarrying for a season, and then traveled through much of the western country with his family in his own carriage. His health improving he returned East, and settled in West Dedham, Mass., where he practiced for several years, but finally returned to Maine, to the town of Phillips, where he died of consumption, January 12, 1861, aged fifty-two years and eleven days, and was buried in Chester- ville by the side of the remains of his first wife who died November 13, 1852. His second marriage was to Miss Mary Wheeler of Phillips, December 6, 1855, who is now living. By the first marriage there were six children, two of whom are living, the eldest, Mrs. Ellen (Sanborn), wife of Dr. F. M. Everleth of Wal- doboro, and Edward W. Sanborn of Benicia, Cal. There were two children by the second marriage, one dying in infancy and the other a daughter, now the wife of A. M. Greenwood of Phillips, Maine. Dr. Sanborn was a man of keen per- ceptions, discriminating, cautious and correct in his judgment, was thoroughly prepared for the duties of the profession, possessed a good knowledge of human nature, was active and energetic, a close observer and a shrewd financier. In his religious views he was a Universalist and in politics a Democrat. His professional life, although suffering from disease for many years, was emi- nently successful, being held in high esteem not only by those of the communi- ties where he resided, but by the members of the profession as well. C. F. BONNEY, M. D., who died in Manchester, N. H., in 1886, at the age of sixty-eight years, was from 1847 to 1852 in practice in Parsonsfield. He then removed to Cornish, where he HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. I49 remained twenty years, thence to Manchester,!^. H., where the remainder of his professional life was passed. He was a native of Winthrop, Maine, and was born April 9, 1818. At the age of fourteen years he went to Boston and obtained em- ployment in an apothecary store. Ten years later he went to New York and served for four years as hospital steward. In the fall and winter of 1843-'44 he attended lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, and in 1844 received license from the New York Medical Society to practice medicine. He graduated in 1846 from the same college. He was twice married, his second wife, who survives him, being sister of Hon. P. C. Chenery, United States Senator from New Hampshire. Dr. Bonney was an acute observer, a shrewd financier, an honored success in the profession, and a man highly honored and respected. Dr. N. K. Martin, of Saccarappa, practiced medicine in this town from 1852 to 1856, since which time he has occupied his present field. He was born in Portsmouth, N. H., March 28, 1820. Studied medicine with Drs. Nathaniel Brooks and Ebenezer B. Bangs of Saco, and received a diploma from Worcester Medical College in 1851. In 1847 he married Miss Eliza Bangs of Limerick, Maine. Charles Lougee, M. D., born in Parsonsfield, October 23, 1813, son of Capt. John and Anna (Parsons) Lougee, studied medicine with Dr. Ham of Newf eld, and graduated at Bow- doin in 1837. He practiced a few months at Dunstan Corner. His health failed early and he died of consumption. May 13, 1838, and was buried near his old home in Parsonsfield. His wife, the daughter of Noah Burnham, Esq., of this town, survived him but a short time. Dr. Moses S. "Wilson, now, and for many years past at Lincoln, Maine, was a native of Parsonsfield, and son of Moses Wilson. In his early manhood he was a school teacher of good repute. He has been in continuous practice of his profession for more than forty years. Although modest and retiring he has made life a success. Joseph Huntress, M. D., who died a few years since at Sandwich, N. H., was a native of this town, and graduated at Dartmouth in the class of 1844. He first settled in Yarmouth where he remained a few years. For a time he served in the army, and was in Law- rence, Mass., for a time, and then in Sandwich until his death. EiCHARD Lord, M. D., now in the shoe business in Haverhill, Mass., studied medicine with Dr. G. L. Bennett and graduated at Castleton, Vt. After receiving his diploma he went 150 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. to Sangerville, Maine, and practiced a few months. He then gave up the prac- tice of medicine, went to Saco and studied dentistry, which he practiced for a few years, but finally went to Haverhill and engaged in the business he now follows. He was the son of Dea. John Lord and younger brother of the late C. B. Lord of Alfred, and was possessed of much natural talent and aptitude. Simeon Mudgett, M. D., son of David and Salome (Merrill) Mudgett, was born February 22, 1819. He was a student of medicine under Dr. G. L. Bennett, and graduated at Castleton, Vermont, in 1846. In 1847 he commenced practice in Bartlett, N. H., where he remained about two years, and then went to Sangerville, Maine, and practiced there and at Guilford until 1870, when he removed to Dexter where he has since resided. In 1851 he married Miss Hannah S. Demming of Guilford, and they have four children, three sons and a daughter. His eldest son is one of the pub- lishers of the Bangor Commercial. Modest and retiring he brings to his profes- sional work a clear intellect, a calm reason, and an honesty of purpose which have commanded the respect and confidence of the communities in which his life has thus far been passed. He is closely devoted to his profession, and has a large and quite lucrative practice. Oscar Burbakk, M. D., of Waverley, Iowa, who has been in practice about forty years, was a native of this town. Two years since, when preparing for the Centennial celebration of Parsonsfield, I took occasion to look up the physicians to whom she had given birth, and addressed a letter of enquiry to him, to which I received the following reply. Although it was not written for publication, it contains matter descrip- tive of the man. It is as follows: Dear Doctor: — Your kind, interrogatory note was duly received. I thank you for the invitation to be present at the Centennial celebration. In reply to the main question in your note, I will say that on September 25, 1819, in a very early period of my life, my visible existence commenced, but whence or whither is still unsolved. Struggling through the vicissitudes of infantile life, with wind- colic, measles, chicken-pox and vaccination (I was never baptized), I found my- self attending the high school at the Middle Road, which, with three subsequent terms at the academy, where we spoke " On Linden when the sun was low," con- stituted my literary education. Like Topsy, I grew up, with advice in abund- ance and cash in perspective. I taught school, learned a trade, and one day found myself pursuing the study of medicine in Boston, where on March 4,1848, I was granted the degree of Doctor of Medicine at Harvard. I commenced prac- tice in Lowell, Mass. In 1849 I went to California, and on September 8, 1854, with my wife and two-year-old daughter came to Waverly, Iowa, where I have resided ever since. Professionally I have had a fair share of the public confi- dence, and it has been my fortune to do the greater part of the important surgi- cal operations in this region. Financially I do not regard myself a success, but have accumulated a fair competence. Fraternally yours, Oscar Burbank. ..^.'OETH PARSOXSFLELD. AUG. df). 1SS5. them:e : chblstiaxitt xot a failube — its peogbess fob a cestuet. [Condensed BepoAl Luke 21 : 33. A HUXDKED rear; ! The events connected with this celebrarion. and the talented presentation of Parsonsfield's historr, have shown ns what wonderful progress, .Science, Philosophy, Literarure, Commerce. Mantifacrnring and Agri- ctilture have made since this town was firet settled. But the strides forward which aU these features of a Christian civilization have made are fully e-^^ualled bv the marvelous advance made by Christianitv in church forms and church life. Religion makes even greater progress in the a^iministration of its affairs than any other enterprise of mankind. The word of Grod does not change nor can it pass away. But the interp relation, the application, the exemplification of its precepts and principles do greatly change with the flood of years. The church must make swift advance if it would hold its moral and religious influences over the hearts anl customs of the people. These arreat changes the church has made, and a glance back at the condition of religion one hundred years aso, and a comparison with the practices and beliefs of today will convince the most skeptical that the church has kept her place in the line during all this century of progress. I have been impressed very much of late with the mighty progress which has been made by Christianity in this country within the last fifty, sixty and eighty years, and the mighty uplifting? which have come as a result of the preaching of the GosDel . along with the sweeping changes in civilization which this Bible has wrought within that time. I read an editorial in a Xew Tork newspaper, in which it declaimed about the degenerate times. It told first about the cashiers of banks, and enumerated eight or ten of them who ha^i stolen monev. and had gone to Canada. It recorded the number of defalcations; it spoke of Sun. that I could not help referring to it. In this — I wrote it down — in this paper, the "Era" published, in the yearlSOO, it said: •' Unless this tide of vice, unless this tendency to crime is immediately checked by legislation or moral reform, the nation must soon lose its standing amon? the civUized nations of the earth."" l66 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. That is what they said ia 1800, and if you will take the newspaper of 1800, and compare it with the papers of today, you will be astonished; for while you see crimes of all kinds now mentioned in the newspapers, and while you see edi- torials with reference to things that should not be mentioned in public, the news- papers of these days are pure compared with many of the leading newspapers of the year 1800. You read the newspapers of 1796 and 1794 especially, and see the fearful names that the influential newspapers of New York and Philadelphia called George Washington; — the names given to the politicians in the last cam- paign were respectful compared with the terrible abuse then uttered by both parties. When you go back to those newspapers of 1794, 1796 and 1800, and see what they said about politics, there you find they openly accused the presidential candidate of being a destroyer of human life, of being a licentious i-ake and a thief, and no reserve about it whatever. You find few such barefaced libelous statements made today as were made then about candidates for office; and yet people, not stopping to think, or comparing the present with the past, believe everything is much worse now than it was then. Christianity — ^this enlightening, purifying spirit of God, this uplifting, refining power — has been at work, until the newspapers in this country today dare not utter the hideous infidelity and atheism and terrible profanity which -they then printed in bold type. By the reports taken in the year 1800 in the legislative councils of this country, we see that profane swearing was common and without reproof in the legislative halls. I^ow, it is an unusual thing for a man — 3ven the worst of men — to swear, know- ingly, in a lady's hearing. Then they swore everywhere. Men in the presidential office swore, and in 1833 it was full of swearing; and till the year 1844 to swear in public was almost universal. The President would sometimes use profane oaths in making public speeches, and so did Congressmen and political speakers. People and newspapers laughed at it, and nicknamed them after the oaths they used. No man in this country dare use profanity in the Senate of, the United States, or in the House of Representatives, today, as they used it then. He would be expelled from the House; if not by the members, he would be by the voters. Christianity — this living power — has been at work in the community, until public opinion has risen to that place where it thus utters its anathemas against these things; and although they are often uttered now, it is more out of sight, — they are hidden. As recent as 1800 this country was filled with duels. There were duels fought in Philadelphia in 1796, in which there were two men killed; and in 1797 eight men were killed in New York in duels. It was a common thing for men to shoot each other for any little quarrel or difference concerning money transactions. Then, respected men would pull out their pistols and shoot at each other; but now, in tliis Eastern country, and away to the Mississippi river, this whole question has been so utterly crushed out of sight by the Christian public opinion, that nowhere, except in certain low communities, do men indulge in such HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 1 67 a terrible and unchristian pastime. In the year 1800, every one drank wine. No, every one did not drink wine : it would have been better if they had. They drank New England rum, and brandy, and gin, in vast quantities. In the year 1801, there were drank in this country, seven and a half gallons of alcoholic liquors to every single person in the nation; so if every person had drank his share he would have consumed seven and a half gallons in that year. In the year 1880, there was but one gallon and a half drank to every person in this country. And yet there are people who think the country is going to ruin on the question of intemperance, because they actually see much of it, and make no comparison with the past. In the year 1798, in Massachusetts, two Congregational ministers were so intoxi- cated, that they were carried home; and when the question arose with regard to having them expelled, the decision was ^'- that there is no known discipline in the church for getting drunk.^^ In the year 1800, in New England, in old New England, nearly all the ministers put the wine (if they could afford it, and if not, then some cheaper liquor to drink), on their tables when their deacons came to see them. Four of the leading ministers of this country were found too intoxicated to put themselves to bed, as late as the year 1800; yet they were supposed to be the lead- ers of the morals of the country. In the year 1805, this country was said to be away at the lowest point in its history as far as intoxication was concerned. Crime was rampant, as a natural result of drink. England looked upon us and cried out " For shame! The drunken Americans.'''' There was a bottle on every dinner- table, everybody drank. They drank before breakfast and after breakfast, before dinner and after dinner, and in the evening, and sometimes got up in the night to get drunk, among respectable and successful people in other respects. Today, men who do not believe in ten:iperance associations, or at least, have nothing to do with them, prefer temperance men in business; and when they go to hire a young man the first thing they ask him is, "Do you drink?" and if he drinks, they do not want him, no matter what his other qualifications are or what their own habits are, they don't want Mm. Everywhere through this country, public opinion now supports at least the theory of total abstinence from intoxicat- ing liquors as a beverage. And yet, eighty years ago the temperance movement was unthought of, and the church was not in favor of it, but helped intemperance. Eighty years ago, in this country, men owned their wives. Men owned their wives? You say, this cannot be; but I say, what do you do with any thing you own y If a man owned a slave, he ordered it about, and if it did not obey his ordering, he gave it a whipping; and eighty-five years ago, a man, in every State but four, of all the United States, could whip his wife (and the law encouraged him), if she did not obey him. Ninety -two years ago, in two States of the Union, they had a law still on the statute books, by which, if a wife scolded more than 1 68 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. her husband thought she ought to scold, she could be placed on the end of a plank and ducked in the pond. A man owned his wife and he could say go there or here, and she must go, and by law could do as he pleased with her except maim her, in every State but four. Today, there is not a State, territory, or district, where public opinion or the law, will allow a man even to strike his wife, though the provocation be ever so great; and today the leaven of Christianity has worked out into society and into the hearts of men and women, until woman stands the equal of man everywhere and in every station. Why, it was only thirty years ago that they had an auction block in the Capital of the United States, where they sold children from their mothers. In this country there were four millions of human beings held in that slavery by which they — these colored men — could be bought and sold like cattle. But Christianity was working, working against this horrid institution; the whole spirit of the Bible being against it. Christian people began to take up this war against slavery, until at last, when armies arose, there were found heroes ready, with their faith in God, and in every principle of Christianity, to stand against it. And today, no slave clanks his chains within the bounds of our country — not one of them but is as free before the law as you or I. This nation did leap by war at a single step up to the higher and more glorious cliffs of Chris- tian freedom. And yet, men will now say the country is going to ruin, because they have not thought back to the time when slavery was here. We have a Sabbath Association, and a great institution it is. We do not ob- serve the Sabbath as we should; and it should be observed in many ways in which it never has been yet; but look back only as late as 1835, why, the United States opened its post-offices on Sunday, and ran stages. The State governments trans- acted their business the same on Sunday as on any other day. All public busi- ness went on just the same. Men broke the Sabbath in various ways, as many people do today; but there are not near so many in proportion to the population today who neglect the Holy Sabbath day, as in 1830. It was desecrated in Phila- delphia and New York. It was regarded no more than as a day of pleasure by persons of the most fashionable society. And the reports of the missionaries show the most terrible condition of affairs concerning the observance of the Sab- bath at that time in all the New England cities. There is a greater quietness, and a greater proportion of people worship now on the Sabbath day than fifty years ago. In that year of 1800, infidelity was rampant. You know Tom Paine and others had assisted this country in its hour of need. They had been strong men, and thinking men and patriots, and so they gained favor with the people of this country, who honored them for their kindness to us. And the Fi'ench infidels when they put forth their books found favor everywhere, until people began fast to secede HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 1 69 from the cliurclies, and ia the year 1800, seventeen of the prominent ministers seceded from the church because they did not believe the Bible. And a great tide of infidelity swept over this country after the Revolution; many churches were closed, and no new ones built. Persons high in office advocated infidelity in public speeches, and were respected and honored. Today such a thing would be a disgrace; today it is a disgrace. Today a man that believes not in the Bible, or who reviles and assails that which so many millions love, is in a position of disgrace in this country, and he feels it. In the year 1800, can you tell how few Bibles there were in the land? Now we have a Bible in every home, and with dust on many of them, but it is a far better thing to have a Bible in the house with dust on it than none at all. It cost so much to buy one then, that people could not afford to get them, but now they are published by the million every year, and the Word of God can everywhere be had for nothing, Christianity has made such wonderful progress. Eight}^ years ago there were no Sunday schools, but now six and a half millions of children in this land are studying the Bible every Sabbath in all parts of the country. And in that day the land was filled with crime. "We read a newspajjer today — how many murders, thefts, robberies and suicides there are ! We think the world is getting very wicked. But now there is a reporter on every corner, there is a reporter that goes into every town, and the telegraph wires connect every village in this country and other countries today, and when we read the newspa- per we read of every crime that has been committed in the civilized world. In the year 1800, if a man committed murder in New York you would never hear of it, except in a private letter from some friend; and you would never hear of a crime in any of the Southern States; it was too far away. If a murder was in Chicago, or the place where Chicago now stands, we would never have heard of it. But now we get it all, instantly, by the wonderful telegraph, and people think the world is growing worse. The statistics show, that in the year 1800, there was one murder to every ten thousand inhabitants in New England. It would be considered the most hideous thing on earth today if there was one murder to every ten thousand people in a single year — it could not be today. Now we can look back and see what Christianity has done for this country in elevating the morals of the community. I remember reading a report on the treatment of the insane in 1795; I looked back to see the first reports. The peo- ple then believed an insane person was possessed of a devil, and a very bad devil; a very wicked and very spiteful, develish devil. I cannot describe it, so frightful, so cruel in every instance did they regard it. So, the way to cure insane people, which they recommended to the Legislature, was to prick them with pins, or to whip them until the devil left them. What a hideous picture ! And they pre- tended to take the doctrine from the Bible, that the way to get the devils out was to drive them out, and consequently they tried and kept on trying until they I70 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. multiplied the insane veiy fast, and people began to think that instead of driving out devils, it drove them in. But Christianity has advanced, until now a person taken insane is treated with the greatest kindness, and placed in a palace home where you and I could not afford to dwell if sane. It is one of the sweetest thoughts now for me that, if my mind is broken at last, I shall not be taken into a dark, damp dungeon, and every day whipped until the blood-letting makes me swoon away. ISTo, I will be taken into a home, if not wildly insane, where the beds are soft, and carpets on the floor, and pictures on the wall, and every comfoi't and luxury, and all the sweetness of Christian love around me, shall show me all that there is of life to love, and all I can get, in the state of my mind, to possess and enjoy in this life. Christianity has changed all that, and it has changed all by the force of its teachings from the Bible, the pulpit, and from the Sunday-School. There was a day, in the year 1810, when there was not a public home for old men, or women, or orphans, in this country; not one — not a " Home " in this country — and yet, now, there are forty-two thousand public institutions of this kind, — public, so far as the candidates for admission are concerned, — where people have given money, so that afflicted persons may come in; such " Homes " are now found in every town and city and State with, perhaps, one bare exception. In this country, today, no man needs to be poor — when I say poor, I mean the extremes of want. No.man needs to be poor in this town, no man needs to come to your door and say he is hungry. No man needs to do that, because there is ample Christian provision for every deserving poor man in Philadelphia, 'New York, Boston, and all the towns of the States. And yet, in the year 1800, there was no provision of the kind except a public workhouse. In the year 1800, per- haps 1810, there were no descriptive or explanatory books of the Bible outside of the bare reading of the text itself. jS'ow, millions on millions of helpful aids to the understanding of this Bible are published, vmtil now "he that runs " may understand every page of it. We have had it translated and re-translated. We have had no less than five within the last twenty-five years, and now, there is one authorized, and nearer what the meaning was in Greek and Hebrew. The time was, not a century ago, when Christians persecuted each other. The time was, when to be a Baptist or a Quaker,was to be shut out from all the privileges of a citizen; and the time has not passed over sixty years since old Massachusetts, the good, old Puritan State, had a law that the members of certain Evangelical denominations, should not exercise the rights of citizenship in the Common- wealth; and the time is not far back when the denominations clashed and fought with an exceeding bitterness, and to belong to the church, one almost needed to carry about a spear and sword, to fight the battles between denominations. Within the memory of some here present, denominations would have nothing whatever to do with each other in religious matters. The feeling between denomi- nations was exceedingly bitter. There were four different churches burned in HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. I7I the State of Maryland in 1804, each burning the other's house of worship; and such was the state of Christianity that the different denominations never would meet together. The time has come when Christianity gets up and peeps over the fences. They become perplexingly mixed sometimes. Christian denominations are getting wonderfully mixed up now. People are able to get on tip-toe enough to see some other flocks of Christians in some other pasture than their own. The time has come that, if a man loves Christ, — whatever he may believe with reference to the forms that any particular church may practice, — if he believes in Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, — if he desires every one else to do so, he is one of my Father's flock, whatever fence encloses him. The time has come when men meet and clasp each other as brothers. They generally stay inside of these dif- ferent denominations because God has permitted denominations to exist for some wise and good purpose. But going out of one into another, does not take a man away from his God. And men are learning this; they are getting the true spirit of Christianity, and find- ing out that God is no respecter of persons, and that Jesus Christ was no more a Presbyterian than he was a Baptist or a Methodist, but was high up above all these differences. And men are getting enlightened enough to look over this bigoted narrowness, and greet each other as brethren, and expect to meet in heaven, Protestant and Catholic, if they love the Lord Jesus Christ. The time has come when the advances are so great that we look back with aston- ishment. Yet the old principles remain the same; the grand old principle for which we suffered in the early years of this country, that every man should have the right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience, has got- ten into the very warp of society. It has been creeping into-^e denominations, until today there is not a single one in all the land that does not agree that this is true. And yet, one hundred years ago, men were put in prison, and nearly starved there, for saying that every man had the right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience. The time was, one hundred years ago, when to be religious meant to go around with a fearfully long face. It meant often, to have a merry heart, — perhaps by the drinking of wine, but always to have a long face. The man of longest visage was always elected a deacon or elder, or put into the pulpit. One hundred years ago, Christianity seemed to be a religion of gloom, and sadness, and selfishness, a religion full of ghosts and terrible things. But men began to live with better understanding of the teachings of Christ, and greater confidence in his word, until today the happiest people, the most cheerful, and those who live the most, and get the most happiness out of life, are they who believe in Jesus Christ. In the years 1800 and 1802, there was one minister in every eighty in this country, who was turned out of the church, and usually, for immoral conduct. One in every eighty in the year 1801. 172 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. In the years 1878, and 1879, only one, in six thousand, five liundred ministers were accused of immorality sufficiently strong, to be turned out of their church, and yet, I have heard people say the ministers are all going wrong. You read in the newspapers of some minister, just as some men see some mem- ber of the church doing wrong, and forget that there are a thousand others in the same church who would do nothing of the kind. There is a total of 10,065,963 members of Protestant churches in this country. In 1800, there was one church member for every fourteen and fifty one-hundredths of the population, and in the year 1880 there was one member of the church for every five in the country. In the year 1800, there were no Protestant Sunday Schools in this country; in the year 1880, there were 3,760,000 scholars under the charge of the churches. In the year 1800, there was no home mission work; not a particle in the pres- ent forms. In the year 1810, there were ^233,000 expended in this work. In the year 1880, there was S72,276,000 laid out in home mission work. And if you will look out over the other countries, you can see the general prog- ress which Christianity has made. In the year 1800, there were of Christian inhabitants in the world, 4,200,000. Now, there are under Christian government, 685,459,411. There are, now, 402,000,000 persons attached to some Christian church, and the progress has been over two millions and a half in eighty years in the number of church membership of the world. The growth of Christianity has been wonderful. The fact is, Christianity, this all pervading Spirit of Christ, this happy faith in God, which comes from the teachings of the Bible, is just like the great Spirit of Life which settles on the world. The Arabians represent an angel going and saying to a grain of sand, " Now, you grow up into a flower;" and the grain of sand immediately begins to col- lect other little grains of sand, and grows up into a beautiful bud. So this Divine Spirit goes into a community, takes up these rough, rude, coarse lives, and says to them, '• Now you build up a beautiful character for humility; " and it is built up. " And you build up a character for holiness, and for teaching, and you for greatness, and you for giving, and you for visiting the sick, and you for visiting prisons." Thus, each grain in this great desert begins to aid this work; and attracting to itself others, builds up these beautiful temples, these holy charac- ters which now adorn Christian society. Today, to be anything but a Christian, is to be anything but respectable. Every man and woman in this land now wishes to be known as a Christian in character. The whole community has learned to believe in Christians, and you will accuse a woman of being unwomanly, if you say she is unchristian; and if you accuse a gentleman of being unchristian, you accuse him of being anything but a gentle- man. The whole community wishes it to be understood that they are Christians. All wish to have their children Christians, because Christianity now, means hon- esty, truth, purity, holiness and love, that indwelling of the great Spirit of God, for God is love, truth, purity; and God is the beautiful; and if the Spirit of God HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 1 73 dwell in the life it will develop these characteristics. And the time has come now, when every man, woman and child, wishes to have it, or wishes to be thought to have it, and they either are, or they pretend to be Christians even when they do not unite with the church. Christianity has advanced, until today it becomes a mighty principle in which every person of common sense believes. One hundred years ago war was almost the exclusive road to fame and high office. To have had some share in a campaign, or in a battle, or in furnishing the plans or provisions, was the chiefest ambition. Even the [peaceable Quaker published histories of great wars and printed stories of heroic contests in battle. But what a change has come. There are now many victories of Peace which bring equal honors with those of war. To have been in the battle of Antietam on which the fate of the Nation's unity turned was honorable. And they who rushed into its conflicts, charged the batteries, captured the flags, and defeated the enemy, raised their shouts of victory until the retreating foe could hear them far beyond the Potomac. But there was a great field of dead, dying, crip- pled and scarred soldiers left to curse the memory of the battle, and made war to seem like a hideous monster. Could the armies have met in peace, could every foe have been made a friend, could every soldier have returned alive and happy to care for his family and strengthen the nation, how much greater and nobler would have been that victory. Today the spirit of Christianity has so permeated public opinion and social life, that such Christian victories of peace are esteemed as great as the mightiest victories of war. To make a good man and a friend of a bad man and an enemy, is far greater honor than it is to kill him. Arbitration, which is a form of Christi- anity, comes to prevent w:ar between nations, and charity, a higher attribute of religion, extends its delightful sway over religious denominations, and sectarianism dissolves into the universal spirit of growing Christian Love. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. PART II. BY H. G. O. SMITH. INTRODUCTION. In the preparation of this history, we have been materially aided by a special committee of citizens, each working near his own home. Access has been had to county, town and private records, have copied from old family Bibles and moss covered grave stones, and have listened to the traditions of fathers, and the child memory of grand- mothers. Our aim has been accuracy as well as information. Many facts and incidents have been put into fitting language by gifted, but absent sons and daughters of the town, while other absent ones have freely aided us in our researches, by forwarding copies of private and public records, not forgetting valuable personal reminiscences and lib- eral contributions in money. GEOGRAPHY. The town of Parsonsfield is in the extreme northwest corner of York county, Maine. Center Square, on the northern slope of Cedar Moun- tain, is about thirty miles from the ocean, at Old Orchard and thirty- two from Wells Beach on an air line, and thirty-three miles west-north- west from Portland. Its northern boundary is the Great Ossipee River (Ossipee signifies "•River of Pines" in the Indian dialect). The towns of Porter and Hiram are north of the river. Effingham and Wakefield, N. H., are on the western border, Newfield is on the south. Limerick and Cornish on the east. The outer lines of the town have been measured several times, giving an area of from sixty-two and twenty-three hundredths to sixty-four square miles, or about forty thousand acres. The length I '••"«&,,„., '?- 7 -J^^^^^ HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 1 75 of the western line is nearly eight and one-half miles, the eastern some- thing over nine, the northern and southern about seven and one-third miles. The surface of Parson sfield is quite broken, or more properly, rises into high swells. Ricker's Mountain, in the southwest, is the highest, it being not far from one thousand six hundred feet above the level of the sea. Cedar Mountain, in the center, comes up within one hun- dred feet of Ricker's, while Randall's Mountain in the east, may fall one hundred feet below Cedar. The Seminary varies but little from one thousand two hundred feet above the sea level, while the average alti- tude of the town is estimated at one thousand feet. Ricker's Mountain takes its name from Dea. Dominicus Ricker, who lived and died near the summit. Cedar is so called from the mountain cedar growing there. A legend tells how a hunter named Randall perished from cold on the mountain called by his name. Another tradition is that : "Many years ago a famous hunter, named Randall, hunted hereaway among these mountains and caught much game. He usually reposed on the top of the high mountain by the rivulet, where it is supposed he was murdered by another hunter for his furs. The supposed murderer was absent only a few days from the settlements and returned heavily laden with valuable skins." The high ridge, of which Cedar Mountain is the apex, runs east and west almost across the town. It is the water-shed, or divide, between the Great and Little Ossipee Rivers. The town is dotted all over with hills and swells, some of them hard to climb, but generally productive. The principal river is the Great Ossipee. By estimation the yearly discharge is nine billion cubic feet, the length thirty-three miles, drain- ing an area of about two hundred and forty square miles. There is an excellent water power at Kezar Falls, the descent being fifty feet in one mile. South River is next in size. It enters the Ossipee above Porter Bridge. The privilege at Lord's mills is the best within the town. The Bickford and Blaisdall mill streams run into the Little Ossipee. Smaller brooks are found in all parts of the town. It would be hard to find a lot of land not having one or more living springs, and as many never failing rivulets. 176 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. A small part of Province Pond is in Parsonsfield. The state line is one-fourth of a mile from the eastern shore, and the distance across, by that line, is about one mile. Long Pond, in the northeast, is a beau- tiful sheet of water, one and one-half miles long, and about one-third that in width. Mudgett's Pond, separated from Long Pond by a ridge, is nearly half as large. Smaller ponds are found among the hills. Coarse granite rock projects here and there, but surface ledges cover only a small part of the town. Less than half the wells extend down to the rock bed. The prevailing soil may be denominated granite. There are patches of sand, but clay, even of inferior quality, is scarce. From one to two feet below the surface there is a hard pan or subsoil. There are but few swamps or bog meadows, for the reason that the surface is tilted this, that, and every way, but valuable intervales lie along the brooks and rivers. There are very few farms without stones enough to fence them. A large surplus of this imperishable fence material is the rule. The original forest growth was maple, beech, hemlock, pine, birch, oak and ash, with scores of other trees interspersed. Each variety pre- vailing in its favored locality, but not holding exclusive possession of a single farm. Where a second growth has been allowed to spring up, the soft woods in many cases have succeeded the hard, while the hard has been followed by soft. It is known that the present growth is a little more mixed than the first. Since our forefathers made a break in the forest, there have been some climatic changes. Winter weather is more variable. Summer days are hotter and droughts more severe. INDIANS. There is no proof that Lidians had any permanent settlements within the present town of Parsonsfield. There was a tribe called the Ossi- pees whose home was near the western shore of the Ossipee Pond. The village was supposed to number from thirty to fifty families. Other Indians were scattered along the valley of the Saco, with whom the Ossi- pees were allied by intermarriages, and also in their predatory warfare on the white settlements oT New Hampshire and Massachusetts. The early white hunters found a well-trodden trail across Parsonsfield from Cornish PISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 1 77 into Effingham. The northern Indians doubtless passed over this route in their traffic with the white traders, as well as when on their murder- ing expeditions. From the narratives of captives, and other information, it seems probable that, incited by the French in Canada, the St. Francis braves started on the war path, were joined by the upper Androscoggins, the Peg- wakets at Fryeburg and the blood thirsty Ossipees. Returning with their plunder and prisoners, they crossed the Ossipee near Cornish village. It is almost certain that Captain Lovell and his brave band followed this trail when pursuing Paugus in 1725. EARLY TITLES. We learn from history* that King James First, of England, granted to merchants of Plymouth, April 20, 1606, all the territory between the fortieth and forty-eighth degrees of latitude, and extending from the Atlantic to the Pacific. This patent was renewed November 3, 1620. The Plymouth Colony conveyed to Sir Ferdinando Gorges and John Mason the country between the rivers Merrimac and Kennebec, in 1622. Gorges and Mason divided their purchase in 1629, Gorges taking all east of the Piscataqua River. The affairs of the Plymouth Colony were so loosely managed that the same territory had been granted to several persons, therefore, Gorges obtained a new patent, under the seal of King Charles, the First, 1639. In 1651, Massachusetts claimed that the Province of Maine was withia the limits of that State, and the next year enforced her claim.* In 1661, Fluellen, a prominent chief of the Sokokis or Saco Indians, conveyed to Major William Phillips, a tract of country, which, evident- ly, included the Ossipee towns. This grant was confirmed by Gorges, grandson of Sir Ferdinando, but not sanctioned by Massachusetts. Captain Sandy, a fourth-class chief, living in Berwick, deeded all lands between the Ossipees, to Francis Small, February 28, 1668. This conveyance, the Massachusetts authorities afterwards ratified. Francis Small conveyed one undivided half to Major Nicholas Shapleigh, and the other half to his son Samuel, April 30, 1711. It appears that Major Phillips gave, by will, his property, purchased * Huckinson'a History of Massachusetts. 12 178 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD, of Fluellen, to his wife Bridgett. That in 1696, she disposed of the same by her will. Hence, we have the Phillips, the Small, and the Shapleigh proprietors. The records of the Phillips proprietors are deposited with the Clerk of Courts, at Alfred. When the heirs of Small and Shapleigh divided their property, a tract, extending from the Great Ossipee halfway to the Little Ossipee, fell to the Shapleigh heirs. The township, now Parsonsfield, was deeded by the heirs of Mrs. Bridg- ett Phillips, to Thomas Parsons and his associates, on August 5, 1771, and surveyed under his direction, by Joseph Cram, of Exeter, New Hampshire, in the autumn of the same year ; and in order to obtain undisputed title to said lands, and to avoid litigation, he purchased of the Shapleigh heirs the same tract of territory, which was by them con- veyed to him on December 23, 1774, as per survey before mentioned. The boundaries then established remain unchanged. If either of the before named Sagamores had any right to convey lands it was Fluellen. Captain Sandy was a petty chief down in South Berwick. Apparently, his tribe had no interests in, or jurisdiction over the territory. He would have sold the Atlantic Ocean or North Pole at the same price. SHAPLEIGH PEOPRIETOES. Among the assets of Major Nicholas Shapleigh, late of Kittery, was a half interest in a tract of wild land between the Great and Little Ossi- pee rivers. In process of time, his heirs and others, to whom shares had been sold, were known as the " Shapleigh Proprietors." Their records give the names of forty-three persons interested in this property, holding forty full shares. It may be that Thomas Parsons held one at the date of transfer. It is certain that he bought three or four soon after. The names of the proprietors were : Nathan Bartlett, John H. Bartlett, Edward Cutts, Jonathan C. Chadbourne, Benjamin Chadbourne, Wil- liam Frost, John Frost, Mark Fernald, Andrew Fernald, Tobias Fern- aid, Dennis Fernald, Ichabod Goodwin, James Gowen, James Garvin, Moses Hanscom, John Hill, Philip Hubbard, Joshua Hubbard, Simon Jenness, Samuel Jenness, Samuel Leighton, William Leighton, Daniel Moulton, Jotham Moulton, Doctor David Pierce, William Parsons, Robert Parker, Robert Rogers, William Rogers, Nathaniel Remick, HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 179 Humphry Scamraon, Nicholas Scammon, Rev. Alpheus Spring, Jona. than Sayword, James Sullivan, Alexander Scammel, Samuel Stacy, Samuel Stackpole, John Shapleigh, James Shapleigh, Dependence Shapleigh, and Elisha Shapleigh. It is not known that any of these proprietors settled in Parsonsfield, or that they ever held a proprietors meeting within our limits. INDIANS, HUNTERS AND TRAPPERS. We learn from history, that soon after the death of Paugus, the Ossi- pees and Pegwakets went north into Canada. That in 1758, General Amherst sent Captain Rogers, with his New Hampshire Rangers to exterminate the St. Croix and their Indian confederates ; and that the order was executed to the letter. The subjugation of Canada rendered it safe for white hunters and trappers to enter these woods. George Kezar came here as early as 1766, and found an abundance of game. Others soon followed. About this time, six met at a hunter's camp on the hill, near the house of John Moore. As early as 1780, beaver, otter, and other animals, bearing valuable fur, were nearly extinct. Broken and decaying dams told where they had sported. Meadows, covered with grass, showed where their ponds had been. Minks and musk-rats waded the brooks. Bears, wolves, deer, foxes, and other animals, roamed the woods. Wild-cats and panthers were not common. These hunters were the news-gatherers and reporters of the day, there - fore, welcome at every cabin. Their adventures have been told and re-told for generations. WILD ANIMALS. A pioneer was asked about wild animals. He replied, "Hunters and trappers traversed the woods before the advent of white settlers, so that animals bearing valuable fur were scarce." Deer were sometimes seen in the openings, feeding with cattle and sheep. Bears often broke into the fields after green corn. Having made a break, they used the same path night after night. A gun, with a string attached, was placed near their road. When Bruin pressed against the line he discharged the musket and got the contents. Deep pits were dug and covered. l8o HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. A stuffed lamb's skin was an attractive bait, for the bear was a dear lover of mutton. Bears did not often attack persons except in defence of their young or when wounded. George Kezar had a fight with a wounded bear at close hugs, and came out victorious. WOLVES. Wolves, were numerous, and in the winter, ferocious. A pen, ten feet high, was needed to protect domestic animals during the night. When day-light appeared, the snarling cowards would skulk away. They usually hunted in droves, and with the noise of a double brass band, thus giving the pursued notice of their approach. Though often chased by wolves, tradition does not mention the loss of any lives. Hunter Kezar was much annoyed by them, for they were adroit and persistent robbers of his traps. To frighten them away he fastened a bell to a piece of iron. When Mr. Wolf grabbed the bait, the iron clasped him around the neck. Away he went, but as he neared his mates, the sound of the bell frightened them. For a little time Kezar heard the tinkling, here and there, but before morning all was quiet. Later on, he was told that a big flock of wolves, followed by a belled one, were seen scampering toward Canada. A young man named " John " had made an opening and reared a cab- in on the North Road. A young lady christened '•'' UUzaheth" came to reside on the South Road. There were full four miles of unbroken forest between them. But love regards nei ther woods nor wolves. On one occasion it took the lovers so long to sa y " good bye," that the cur- tains of night closed around John when only half way home. His ear caught a dismal howl, then responsive answers from every quarter. Soon a pack of yelling demons were in hot pursuit. Our hero stepped up a tree, around which they circled, showing clean teeth and consider- able agility in leaping. With the approach of daj' the serenade ceased and the minstrels left for deeper shades. EARLY HOMES. At the period our ancestors planted homes upon these hill-tops, the national and state governments, were heavily loaded with debts, and the towns had assumed liabilities equal to a large percentage of their valuation. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. l8l The burden of taxation fell largely upon well-to-do farmers. It took about every dollar they could obtain to pay their taxes. Therefore, they encouraged their children to go into the woods, and there make homes for the mselves. The young people were equal to the emergency. The ancestral family homesteads are witnesses to the truth of the asser- tion, that it was not poverty, but the peculiar crisis in national affairs, that peopled Parsonsfield with well-trained, energetic men and women. In many instances, fathers bought land enough for every child a farm. There is apparent poverty in new settlements, yet there may be no des- titution. The houses are not garnished nor the tables loaded with for- eign luxuries, yet the wife finds something wholesome for food and something warm for clothing. BEGINNING. One hundred years ago, paper money was nearly worthless, silver was scarce, while of gold there was none. It was the custom of the times, for boys to work at home till twenty-one, and girls, up to eighteen. Parents encouraged early marriages, but the young people must first have a home and something to put in it. The father, if able, bought his son a farm. The mother required the daughter to spin, weave and knit for herself, a supply of clothing and bedding, before she was given in marriage. The scarcity of money compelled fathers to buy new land. Mr. Par- sons sold farms at from twenty-five to one hundred dollars per lot, to be paid in installments if desired. This liberal policy accounts for the rapid settlement of the town, and explains the reason why the pro- prietors did not amass wealth. Apparently, about half the pioneers were single or recently married when they became citizens. A majority spent one or two summers here before bringing the wife. The first houses were of logs, the barns mere hovels for cattle, while the fodder was in stacks. Corn was planted in the ashes with a stick, and hoed with a mattock. The live stock con- sisted of a yoke of oxen, or a horse, a cow and pig, a dog for protec- tion, and a cat for company. Io2 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. NAMES AND LOCATIONS — 1785. In giving the names and location of established residents at the date of organization, it is known that a few have been omitted from lack of information. Persons who had purchased land and were preparing to settle, are not enumerated when they had legal homes elsewhere. Thomas Parsons was cultivating his farm and erecting a house in Parsonstown, yet he in his deeds invariably says, " I, Thomas Parsons, of Leavittstown." While Samuel Pease was here, preparing a home for his family, his deeds read, " of Newmarket." Very many of the early land-holders never became citizens. The names of transient persons, even when known, are not intro- duced. There were many of this floating class abroad. An aged pioneer* remarked that, "Some came, looked, and left. Other's bar- gained, then gave up the trade. Several made openings they never occupied. Not a few were homesick. Quite a number started, sold their improvements, to start anew somewhere else. I can recall," said he, " ten such cases right around me." [The following address which was deliyered by the Historian of Parsonsfleld, Harrison Gray Otis Smith Esq., at its Centennial celebration on August 29, 1885, is here pertinent.] Fellow-Citizens^ Ladies and Gentlemen : — It is ray purpose to give a brief history of a place in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts known as Parsonstown. The territory comprising the town of Parsonsfleld was probably the hunting- ground, but not the home of the Ossipee Indians. The last trace of hostile red men in these parts was about 1761, when Chocorua and a younger brave returned to avenge the blood of their kindred, only to meet tragic deaths. After the departure of the savages, white hunters roamed through these forests in quest of valuable furs. During the summer of 1771 Thomas Parsons, who had recently become a resi- dent of Leavittstown, having business in Saco, penetrates the woods guided by a pocket compass. His route lay across Parsonsfleld. The beautiful scenery, as seen from our hills, and the fertility of the soil, inspired him with a desire to here make a home and name for himself and children . From Saco, Mr. Parsons went to Kittery, where he found two parties, each claiming to own all the lands between the Ossipees. Away back in 1661 — Fluellen, Sundy, and Hobinowell, three noted Sagamores, conveyed to Maj. Wm. Phillips of Saco, a tract of land bounded in part as fol- lows: "From the Saco Kiver up the Ossipee to Ossipee Pond, thence to Ossipee * Thomas Smith. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 1 83 Mountain, thence to Humphrey Chadbourne's logging camp." The same Capt. Suudy in 16G8 deeded to Francis Small of Kittery, a tract containing twenty square miles, between the Great and Little Ossipee, and from the river jSTewicha- wannock to the Saco Kiver. To secure the coveted township, Mr. Parsons must trade with one or both of these parties. According to our town records, he purchased of proprietors claim ing under will of Mrs. Bridgett Phillips, Aug. 5, 1771. Eeceiving his grant, Esq. Parsons, with characteristic promptness, employed Joseph Cram of Exeter to survey his township. A full record of the survey has been preserved. It was begun October 11, 1771, and completed the first day of November following, it being the only full survey ever made. The present boundaries of the town were established. Twelve ranges were run out and divided into two hundred and twenty lots, the corners of which were marked by letters and figures cut on trees. The controversy between the Phillips and Small heirs remaining unsettled, Mr. Parsons sought and obtained confirmation of his title from proprietors claiming under will of Major Nicholas Shapleigh, who had bought half of Small's interest. This grant is dated at Berwick, Dec. 23, 1774, and to it Mr. Parsons refers in his deeds to individuals. A committee consisting of James Gowen, Jotham Moulton, Alexander Scam- mell, Philip Hubbard and Nathaniel Kemick, on the one part, in the name and in behalf of proprietors holding under the will of Major Nicholas Shapleigh, and Thomas Parsons on the other part — agree that after reserving to themselves eighty lots of one hundred acres each, marked on the plan; three lots for the sole use of the first settled Congregational minister; three for the use of the ministry; three for the support of a Grammar School ; and one for a mill, — they give and grant all the claim, title, interest and estate said proprietors have in all the remainder and residue of said lands to him, the said Thomas Parsons, his associates, their heirs, and assigns forever. The conditions are that Parsons shall settle a specified number of families, reserve land for roads, erect a meeting-house and procure the preaching of the gospel within the time and in the manner set forth. Another record gives the names of thirty-nine individuals who were interested in the estate of Major Shapleigh at this date. Their Parsonstown property, con- sisting of eighty reserved lots, was soon after divided among them. The Shap- leigh proprietors as such, thereafter ceased to have any interest within our borders. Individual proprietors conveyed lots of land, which fell to their share, early as August 26, 1777, while the names of others may be found on our lists forty years later. These transactions explain the historic phrase "Thomas Parsons and thirty- nine others," and show that Parsonstown was wild land, without organization up to 1785. 184 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. Early in the spring of 1775, Eben and John Moore left Scarborough to make homes in the wilderness. Penetrating several miles beyond any known settle- ment, they pitched upon a swell of land in the southeast corner of Parsons' pur- chase. Each cleared a little space, built a log cabin, and prepared for larger farm operations the next season. In June, John joined the army investing Bos- ton, returning to his home at the close of a year's service. Eben left in August for his wife and child, who arrived in October. The same spring, but a little later, according to agreed statements of the old pioneers, John and Gideon Doe, searching for a desirable spot where to plant their roof trees, espied from the hills of New Hampshire a mountain slope, and at its foot a lake of sparkling water. They viewed the landscape and ceased to wander. Camps covered with bark were hastily erected. Preparations for housekeep- ing pushed so vigorously, that before the close of summer, wives and three chil- dren were welcomed to their new homes. Tradition gives to Jere Avery the honor of being the fifth pioneer. He came in 1776, settled on the western side of Ricker's Mountain, where he lived till 1806, after which I have no trace of the family. George Kezar, the noted hunter, who brained the bear and belled the wolf, brought his wife and three children to his favorite hunting camp near the Kezar meadow, January, 1778. During March of the same year, Amos Blazo, in quest of a lodge in some vast solitude, discovered this elevation, secured a title and commenced operations. He claimed to rank as the seventh comer. Only a few weeks, or months after Blazo, three brothers, Gilman, Samuel and John Lougee, selected forest farms where their descendants still have homes, bringing in or finding wives when prepai'ed. The deed of Thomas Parsons to Samuel Pease, now the town farm, is dated September 15, 1777. Mr. Pease made ready a home for his wife and daughter, who came November, 1779. I conclude that these eleven households, comprising eleven men, nine women, one maiden, seven imported and seven native born children, made up the whole population of Parsonstown at the beginning of the year 1780. As the Revolutionary War drew to a close, many returned soldiers sought homes in the woods of Maine. Parsonstown was a favorite locality. Other immi- grants joined them, increasing the population to about three hundred at the time of organization. For purposes of taxation, wild land was at first valued at about fifty dollars per lot, while the personal and real estate of citizens averaged some two hundred dollars each. As all the gore and one hundred and sixty of the two hundred and twenty lots were still covered with primitive forest, I assume a valuation of from twenty to twenty-five thousand dollars. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 1 85 In conclusion I will say that I have gathered and arranged some of the facts and traditions connected with our early history, that we may save from oblivion the names, deeds, and privations of the honored pioneers who laid the founda- tions of Parsonsfleld. RESIDENTS, 1785. Tradition, considered reliable, says, there were sixty-two names of resident tax-payers in the first list. Their names, so far as they have been traced, and place of residence, are here given : J ere Avery, lived west of Kicker's Mountain. John Allen, North Koad. John Ames, near Province Pond. Amos Blazo, a few rods west of R. T. Blazo's. Eobert Brown. . George Bickford, South Road, Bickford farm. Josiah Colcord, Middle Road, farm of H. W. Colcord. Job Colcord, Middle Road Village, tavern. James Champeon, Mountain Road, R. Bisbee farm Edmund Chase, Mountain Road, G. Tarbox. John Doe, the Alvah Doe farm. Gideon Doe, the W. K. Doe farm. Levi Doe. John Doe Jr., near the Dodge house. Michael Floyd, Gibbs farm, moved to Porter. John Fox, North Road, west of Lougee Schoolhouse. Edward Fox, North Road, west of Lougee Schoolhouse. Joseph Granville, west of Lord's Mills, in field. Dudley Hilton, South Road, A. S. Hilton farm. David Hobbs, near Effingham line. Samuel Hobbs, south side of town. Jonathan Kinsman, top of Merrill's Hill, S. Merrill. George Kezar, in woods between Cornish and Kezar Falls. Solomon Keniston, Hasty farm. John Libby, North Road, near Cemetery. Gilman Lougee, North Road, Gilman Lougee farm. John Lougee, North Road, J. H. Foss farm. Samuel Lougee, East Parsonsfleld, S. Lougee farm. James, David and Caleb Marston, southwest corner of town. James Morrison, South Road, S. Chellis farm. Moses Mighels, south part of town, John Boothby. David Mudgett, near Mudgett's Pond. John Moore, southeast corner of town. 1 86 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. Eben Moore, South Eoad, near Newfield, Enoch Neal, Middle Eoad, west of village. Walter Neal, Middle Eoad, west of village. Thomas Parsons, proprietor, on Emerson, now Elmwood farm, owned by J. W. Cook. Thomas Parsons Jr., east part of town, Wilson farm. Col. Joseph Parsons, above Wiggin schoolhouse, G. P. Davis. Elisha Piper, South Eoad, Samuel Piper. Samuel Pease, South Eoad, present Town-farm. Samuel Pease Jr., South Eoad, present Town-farm. Joseph Pease, South Eoad, on T. W. Burnham farm. Zebulon Pease, South Eoad, Lorenzo Pease farm. Asa Pease, West Parsonsfield, top of hill. Josiah Pease, above Dearborn Mill, below Asa's. Samuel Page, south part of town, on J. Knight farm. Taylor Page, south of Cedar Mountain, W. E. Moulton farm. Philip Paine, Porter Eoad, Simon Brown farm. Jonathan Towle, North Eoad, where Yarney lives. William Sanborn, near Emerson schoolhouse. Jacob Scagel, Mountain Eoad, north of Cedar Mountain. Lot Wedgewood, !N'orth Eoad village. Jesse Wedgewood, between Middle and South Eoads. Samuel Weeks, East Parsonsfield. Benjamin Smith, Blaisdell Mills. INCIDENTS. The early settlers of Parsonsfield often related the history of how they came to their forest homes, what they did not have, and how they managed to subsist and enjoy life. Eben Moore moved his wife and child from Saco. A road had been cut to Perry's Corner, in Limerick. From this point Mr. Moore brought all his family and farm fixings on his shoulders, to his clearing, a distance of more than three miles. Mr. Jonathan Garland, of Hampton, in 1792, bought three hundred acres of wild land for his son Samuel (known as Deacon Garland), who spent the next season making preparations for his wife. In April, 1794, the deacon and his wife, each on horseback, started from Hampton at four in the morning, and reached their new home the evening of the same day — a distance of sixty miles. The husband was loaded with HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 1 87 sundry household articles, the wife took upon her lap her son David, born the previous September. Araos Blazo, lacking a vessel in which to boil his dinner, brought an old style iron pot from Pittsfield, lashed to his back. That same big- bellied utensil served three generations. Mr. Blazo, in company with Jere Avery, went twenty miles on foot, returning next day, each with a bushel of meal. Gilman Lougee made a trip to Gilmanton, horseback, and brought home a few apple trees, one of them is still bearing frnit. Eben Gould came in the spring of 1796, equipped with gun, ax and pack, and worked on till late in autumn. Before the close of the sea- son he found himself without shoes, and neither shoemaker or leather to supply the want. After a heavy snow fall, he bound up his feet as best he could and started for Saco. At places along the route his foot-prints were mistaken for the tracks of some huge wild animal. Hunters gave chase, but did not overtake him. The next spring, after John and Gideon Doe moved into town, one of the brothers shouldered a bushel of meal in Rochester and brought it to his home, and when coming through Wakefield, added a half- bushel of seed potatoes to his load. EARLY RECORDS. The earliest town records of Parsonsfield were arranged and copied by James Hart, who was town clerk from 1789 and onwards. They are plainly written and well preserved. On the first page is a plan of the township. Twelve ranges are divided into two hundred and twen- ty lots, which average not far from one hundred and fifty acres each. The ranges are numbered from the south, and the lots back and forth, beginning at the southwest corner. An original deed now before me, says, lot two hundred and six, twelfth range. Some one changed the starting point to the northeast corner. Another method, said to be Parsons' plan, was to name the range and then count the lots from the west. The territory north of the twelfth range is called the Gore ; a strip across the north part of the town about three-fourths of a mile wide on an average. The term gore is now applied to that part east of Porter 1 88 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. Bridge. " Sold to Patrick Tracy " is written thereon. In 1794, it is taxed to the heirs of Patrick Tracy. Tracy's heirs or assigns held most of it late as 1817. Land for highways four rods wide, is reserved on every range, and every fourth check. Here and there our present highways follow these reservations, but the surface of the town is so broken that these road- ways were either exchanged for more suitable pass ways across the lots, or abandoned to the owners of lots from which the roadway was taken. A central lot of ten acres, set apart for public buildings, is on the northern slope of Cedar Mountain, This is the territorial center of Parsonsfield. It is now part of the farm of Hardy Merrill, and was taken out of the Stackpole lot. The return of the surveyor, found on the second page of records, tells us that this township was granted August 5, 1771, to Thomas Parsons and his associates, by proprietors claiming under will of Mrs. Bridgett Phillips. Surveyed by Joseph Cram, of Exeter, who began the 11th of October, 1771, and completed the same the second day of November following. We have no public records, or private papers of Mr. Parsons, telling of transactions from the close of this survey to August, 1774, when the Shapleigh proprietors voted to relinquish their claim to Thomas Parsons, upon conditions specified in their grant to him, December 23, 1774. DEED. At a meeting of the Shapleigh proprietors, holden at Kittery, August, 1774, a committee of five was appointed and authorized to convey to Thomas Parsons, certain interests in the territory now Parsonsfield. The parties met at Berwick, in December, and executed a deed or agreement. The essential part of the lengthy document is as follows : " This agreement made this 23d day of December, 1774, between the committee acting in behalf of the Proprietors holding under the heirs of Major Nicholas Shapleigh, and pursuant to a vote of said pro- prietors, on the one part, and Thomas Parsons, of Leavit's town on the other part." The northern boundary is the Great Ossipee River, the western, the New Hampshire line. The others are not given, but conform to the sur- HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 1 89 vey made by Joseph Cram in 1771. The committee say that the grant is made, tliat the lands may become useful to themselves and the public. Eighty lots marked on the plan, are reserved to the proprietors, not to be taxed till improved. There are also reserved three lots for the sole use of the first settled Congregational minister, and three for the use of the ministry. Three for the support of a Grammar school, and one to the man who would erect the first saw and grist mill on the selected privilege, now known as Lord's Mills. Parsons was to settle twelve families before the last day of March following, each with a house eighteen feet square, and three acres of cleared land. He was to settle forty families within four years, and in seven years erect and board a meeting-house thirty by forty, and have a minister settled. In case of war, time should be reckoned from return of peace. If Parsons did not fulfill the agreement as specified, the township should revert to the proprietors. The proprietors agree to defend any suits that may be brought by adverse claimants. This agreement is signed by Jotham Moulton, Alexander Scammel, and Philip Hubbard, committee for proprietors, and Thomas Parsons, for himself. Recorded Book 43, Folios 188, 189, 190, York County Records. Daniel Moulton, Register of Deeds. PETITION. Having concluded the foregoing contract, it is evident that Mr. Par- sons bestirred himself to fulfill its terms. Early the next spring, men entered to prepare homes, so that before the close of the Revolutionary War some forty families were living within our borders. Their names, time and place of settlement, are given elsewhere, therefore, omitted here. It has been the custom in Maine, to first organize, as a plantation, and when population has increased, seek an act of incorporation as a a town, but Parsonsfield stepped over the plantation stair and sent in the following petition : — * ♦Historical Society. IQO HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. To the Honorable^ the Senate and the Honorable, the House of Representatives in General Court assembled: — January, 1785. Humbly shew the subscribers, Inhabitants of a certain tract of land situate between the rivers of grate and little Ossipee, In the county of York. Which was granted by the proprietors of Shapleigh claim (so called) to Thomas Parsons and associates. That at grate labor and expense, to have sever- ally settled said tract. And as far as in them lies, complied with the terms of the grant. But by reason of their unincorporated state, are not in a capacity to raise money, necessary for repairing roads and support the preaching of the Gospel and a school, nor answer- ing the demands that may arise for their Proportion of the Public Taxes of the state and contenent, "Whereby they are deprived of the Power of advancing their own interests as a community, and are exposed to the jurisdiction of towns that are incorporated. Therefore they Pray that the said tract of land may be erected into a Township within the following bounds, viz : Beginning at Grate Ossipee River where the Province line (so called) Between New Hampshire and the late Province of Maine crosses said river. Thence running south eight degrees west by said line to the top of a mountain, three quarters of a mile south of a Pond called Province Pond. Thence east, eight degrees south by a spotted line to an elm tree near a small frogpond. Thence IS'orth eight deg. East by a spotted line to the branch of the Grate Ossipee River. Thence westerly by said river to the first mentioned bound. "Which includes the land represented by the PLAN annexed to said grant recorded in the county aforesaid, containing by estimation thirty six square English miles, by the name of Parsonsfield, and that the inhabitants of said tract may be erected into a body Politick and corporate, to have succession during time, and invested with all the powers. Enfranchised with all the rights, Priviledges and Immunities that towns in said Commonwealth Hold, and your Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray. Edmon Chase Joseph Maloon David Mudget Joseph Granvill Thomas Parsons Solomon Keuiston Gideon Doe Stephen Dutch Samuel Dalton Jacob Schagel jr. Robert Brown Josiah Colcord Tayler Page "V\''m. Sanborn Samuel Page James Thompson John Doe John Brown Benj. Bickford "VYm. Keons David Hobbs James Hobbs "Walter Neal James Marston David Marston Jona Towle Caleb Marston Job Colcord "Winthrop "Wiggin Andrew Hilton Jere Avery Samuel Hobbs James Berry John Allen Robert Brown jr. Samuel Hobbs John Libby Enoch Libby Jona Kinsman Jacob League Moses Chase Samuel Maloon Lot "Wedgewood Samuel Lougee Gilman Lougee Dudley Hilton Levi Towle Andrew Tibbets Benjamin Smith HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. I9I It is probable that Enoch Libby and Benjamin Bickford moved to Porter soon after signing this petition, and that William Keons, Jacob League, Joseph Maloon, James Thompson and Andrew Tibbets were transient residents. The names of George Kezar, John Lougee, Samuel Weeks, George Bickford, Elisha Piper, James Morrison, Joseph Pease, Samuel Pease, Samuel Pease jr., Moses Mighels, Eben and John Moore, known to be residents, are not found on the petition. Apparently, the carrier did not go down the South Road. iNCORPORATroisr. In accordance with the request made in the foregoing petition, an act of incorporation passed the House of Representatives March 5, 1775, and the Senate, March 9. It was signed by Samuel A. Otis, Speaker, Samuel Adams, President, and approved by Thomas Gushing, Governor. The preamble recites the substance of the petition, fixing the boun- daries as specified therein. Simon Frye, Esq., of Fryeburg, was author- ized to call the first meeting for the choice of Town Officers. The meeting was called August 29, at the dwelling-house of Thomas Parsons. Mr. Frye opened the meeting by reading a copy of the act of incorporation and of the notice. Thomas Parsons was chosen Moderator. John Doe, Town Clerk. Thomas Parsons, John Doe and Gilman Lougee, Selectmen. Also other officers required by law. No other business was transacted. The legal voters of the infant town, who, for the first time met, accept- ed and entered upon the privileges and duties of enfranchised citizens of the Commonwealth, were emigrants from localities far apart. Com- parative strangers to each other, self-reliant, independent freemen, men, having fixed opinions and widely different beliefs. There was no business centre. No man or men, whose controlling influence reached from border to border. Instead, neighborhood lead- ers, whose plans and purposes were often local. Another disturbing element was religious intolerance, from which no sect or community had, up to this time, been freed. Denominations were arrayed against each other much as political parties of today are. Town-meetings were frequent and often inharmonious. Passing votes 192 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. at one, rescinding at the next, voting to do, then choosing a committee to neglect doing. parsons' EXPLANATION. Diligent search has been made for the private papers of Thomas Parsons, Esq., without success. A verbal explanation made in old age throws light on the enlargement of the grant of six miles square. He is remembered as saying, * " After I secured the grant in August, 1771, I went directly to Exeter, engaged the services of Joseph Cram and brought him here with me. We started from the Ossipee River, follow ing the New Hampshire line south, six miles. Finding ourselves in a- swamp, unable to see anywhere, we concluded to climb the mountain just ahead and look around. From the summit to the east of us, a long and apparently fertile valley was open to our view. ' Just the place for a town line ' was the unanimous decision. So, making a corner on the top of Province Mountain we went east till we came to a line of trees recently cut. This, we knew, was Sullivan's town line, or west- ern boundary of Limerick. Thence, we ran north till we reached the river." This is how Parsonsfield happens to cover sixty-four instead of thirty- six square miles. •Gamaliel E. Smith in personal conversation with Thomas Parsons, Esq. CHAPTER III. THE OUTLOOK. If we stand upon our central mountain some clear summer day and look westward, our vision is bounded by mountains whose springs feed the Merrimac River. Northward fifty miles away, the White Moun- tains and lesser peaks rise to meet the clouds. Looking eastward the eye rests upon numerous hill tops around and beyond Sebago Lake. Then turning a little southward we get glimpses of the Atlantic Ocean and the intervening plain. The distant prospect is sublime, the nearer view beautiful, for, all around may be seen white farmhouses with ample barns, green fields and thrifty orchards, busy farmers and herds of cattle, a wood lot near every home, and forest trees of every variety crowning the ridges. We can trace winding streams, white roads, and miles of stone fence. Nestling villages with church and schoolhouse are in plain sight. Such is the landscape as seen today. One hundred and eleven years ago the distant outlook was the same, but how different the nearer view. Then wandering hunters and trappers were the only human beings within the limits of our fair town. From the hill tops, nothing but an unbroken forest could be seen. Close inspection revealed tufts of grass here and there, and a few green meadows where beaver ponds once had been. In 1775 the woodman with his ax first came. Openings were made and four log-cabins erected that year. In 1780 eleven cabins, each with a hovel, surrounded with patches of vegetation among logs and stumps black as night, graced the landscape. Then one by one came the old pioneers, and little by little the shaded ground was opened to sunlight, till in 1785 full sixty punctures had been made in the dense woods, and as many smut spots revealed to the sight. A colored picture of one of these new farms as they then looked would be interesting. Yet considerable progress had been made. Fields were 13 194 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. fenced with logs. Acres of corn, rye, flax, clover and vegetables were producing luxuriantly, yielding a full supply of food for man and beast. HOUSES. When our ancestors first came into the wild woods of Parsonsfield, they built houses for temporary shelter similar to the logging-camps of the present day. These soon gave place to more permanent structures or else were made to do until saw-mills were put into operation. The writer recollects one of these improved dwellings, built about 1780 and used as a shop late as 1820. It was not far from twenty by thirty feet, one story, hewn frame, boarded with shingles four feet long, a timber floor nicely smoothed, a home-made door with bill and socket hinges and big wooden latch lifted by a string. Slide windows admitted light and excluded cold. The chimney, at one end, built of rocks, clay and wood, was ample, substantial and almost ornamental. The recess on one side was a bedroom, on the other the dressers where the grandmother ranged upon their edges, her well-scoured pew- ter dinner set. Hanging ladders did duty as stairs, while trap-doors saved the unwary from sudden falls. THE KITCHEN. It would require pages to describe minutely the kitchen of olden days. It was usually some twenty feet square. It served as pantry, cook and living room, and occasionally as sitting-room and parlor. Most prominent was the big chimney, with its broad mantle shelf, and fireplace capacious enough to admit a back log of the largest diameter four feet long. This foundation for a fire was dragged into the room and rolled over the glowing embers into its place. Then came back stick, fore stick and filling. From a wooden bar or iron crane, pot hooks and trammels depended, and perchance a big bellied iron pot The earthern dye-pot stood in one corner, upon which, according to tradition, the bright boy of the famih^ was seated when his grandsire expounded the law. Hence the saying "dye-pot law." Around and overhead, posts and beams stand out. There is a shelf in every niche, wooden pegs driven here, and wooden hooks fastened there. A long crane for drying clothes, swinging out or back as occa- HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 1 95 sion requires, while just below the beams a pole extends across the room, always ready for use. Peg number one is for the long handled frying-pan, number two for the skillet, and so around to the brass warm- ing-pan hanging near the old folks' bed, under which is a trundle-bed all out of sight. Beneath the uncurtained front windows a well- scoured table stands, while between them hangs a looking-glass. A trusty gun, with flint lock, rests above the door. A few chairs and blocks are pushed into corners. And last but not least, in the middle of the floor is seen a box cradle, or possibly trough with rockers, in which is sleeping the fat-faced last comer, while the fond mother pushes forward her preparations for the next meal. FOOD. In the earl}'' years of the town people lived almost entirely upon the products of their land, flocks and herds. Commonly there was a full supply of corn, rye, potatoes, peas, beans and garden vegetables. The sweet grasses insured an abundance of milk and meat. Fresh air and plenty of exercise gave the children an earnest appetite. Before the introduction of brick ovens it was customary to bake bread either before the fire or by wrapping a loaf in cabbage leaves and bury- ing it in hot ashes. Potatoes also were roasted in the ashes, then shook till clean. Corn food was likewise prepared in the form of samp, hominy, hulled corn and hasty puLlings. With ovens came baked beans, pumpkin bread, suet puddings, and apple dowdies. Prepared in these and other ways corn was the staff of life, palatable and wholesome. Our grandmothers could cook luscious cakes and pies, but they held that dainty food made puny sickly men and women. Tea and coffee were luxuries proper for the aged and infirm, but hurt- ful to growing boys and girls. TRANSPORTATION. At first most of the burdens were borne on human shoulders and the backs of horses. Single horses could wind in and out among stumps and logs better than yoked oxen. A grandmother said, "I helped bring to the stack on poles our first crop of hay." A grandfather said that he "killed a lamb, carried the meat to Saco in saddlebags and exchanged 196 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. it for groceries." Panniers or side baskets were in frequent use. If the load was a single article a stone was used to balance it. Sometimes a sort of drag consisting of two crooked poles with slats across was at- tached to a horse. From this, first sleds, and what passed for sleigha, were common in winter. Horses were trained to carry a man in the saddle with a child before him, and a woman with a child in her lap, on a pillion behind him. The second step in farming was clearing and fencing the fields. At these log rollings oxen were necessary. Soon as the fields were free from logs, wheels and carts were introduced. A quarter of a century passed before road carriages were known. LOG ROLLING. Cutting down trees was the first work of the pioneer. These trees were neither few nor small. Most of them were from one to four feet in diameter. When the torch was applied to these prostrate trees the branches were consumed, but the blackened trunks remained, encum- bering the ground, till it was convenient for the farmer to pile them. A swamp or hillside was selected as a place of deposit. Neighbors were invited to change work. A gallon runlet filled with the best West India was procured. Imagine a ten-acre lot now smooth and green as a lawn, covered with these half consumed giants of the forest. See a dozen stalwart forms in tow frocks "wetting the whistle" before they grasp the sharpened axes. Hear the noisy teamsters "haw" and "gee" to clear the frequent stumps. Log after log is drawn to the hillside and added to the pile by men with skids and handspikes. The close of the day shows us the men of the morning covered with smut and ashes, tired and jolly, but proud of the betterments accomplished. EOADS. Parsonsfield is noted for its highlands and lowlands ; for its rocks and brooks, but more for its winding roads, which climb the highest hills, then dip into the lowest valleys. In the plan of the town, land four rods wide, along every range, HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 1 97 and every fourth check was reserved for highways. The original plan was not carried out. Families came in, one at a time and two together. Each selected an elevated and central spot for his domicile, andjmarked a path to the house of a neighbor by spotting trees. This foot track became a bridle path, then a sled road and finally a town way. One of the first acts of the new town was to require the removal of obstructions from these private walks, practically making them public thoroughfares. They were at best only such passways as farmers open through their woodlands. In the process of time stumps rotted, the larger stones were removed, and the surface of the roadbed leveled. Up to the close of the century the rattle of the modern car- riage had not been heard. It was the era of horse blocks, pillions and saddlebags. IMPROVEMENTS. During the year 178-4 Thomas Parsons, Esq., built the first modern frame house in Parsonsfield. The boards were probably sawed at a mill he had in Effingham, where the Towle mill now is. Somewhere between the years 1785 and 1790 three saw-mills were put into opera- tion. One by Benjamin Smith at Blaisdell's Mills, one by Joseph Gran- ville where Lord's Mills are; the other by Asa and Josiah Pease, known as the Dearborn Mill. The working of these mills caused a revolution in buildings all over town, and prepared the way to an extensive lumbering business. At first there were too many roots for plows, and too many stumps for the free passage of carts. The first wheels were sawed off from the butt of some elm tree, or other tough wood ; they were four or more, inches thick with a hole in the center, bored with a pod augur and enlarged with a gouge. The style of plows introduced about this time were in common use down to 1820 and later. The hoes of the period were made to kill sprouts. Fork tines were as large as a farmer's fingers. Soon as mills were erected, settlers went zealously to work drawing logs for boards, and timber for frames. Barns, to shelter live stock from storms and cold, as well as for the preservation of crops, seem to have taken precedence. Then spacious houses, boarded and glazed, having brick chimneys and ovens, bat without a particle of paint or paper rapidly supplanted the old pent up cabins. 198 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. New buildings gave an improved aspect to farms and homes. New roads were opened and old ones smoothed, facilitating neighborly inter- course and business interests. With new houses came the desire and apparent necessity for more fashionable furniture. Ways and means must be devised to meet these expenditures, so the lofty pines, growing here and there all over town, were cut and drawn to the seaboard. While the toiling husband and his stalwart sons had been providing better buildings, the thrifty housewife and her helpful daughters had been equally busy converting wool and flax into useful and tasty fabrics. CROPS. Hay, to the production of which seven-eighths of the improved land in town is now devoted, was at first found growing only on a few beaver meadows. A cow was sometimes exchanged for a ton of hay, and a sheep for a hive of bees, to insure good luck. It was customary to burn a clearing early in the spring and sow the ground to peas and clover seed, thus providing for summer food as well as a hay crop the next season. About the middle of May the torch was applied to the big cut down, intended for corn, and pumpkins. Patches of potatoes and beans were planted here and there. A suitable plat was reserved for flax. In August, winter rye was hacked in among the ripening corn. The green pea was first in time. The common use of the dry pea gave rise to the couplet : "Pea porridge hot and pea porridge cold, Pea porridge best when nine days old." Corn was ground into meal in the distant mills or prepared for hominy and samp in the home mill. Potatoes were buried deep in the ground on some hillside to save them from winter's frosty cold. Flax was pulled and carefully spread upon the ground or beneath still water, two or three weeks, to rot. The outer coating was mashed with a sharp edged hand-brake, after which the deft workman at the swingling board beat the broken husk from the fibre. Thus prepared HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 1 99 the good woman of the house drew it through a many toothed flax comb, to separate the tow from the linen, preparing one for the foot- wheel, the other for the hand-cards, the spinning-wheel and loom. Before the erection of barns, rye was threshed by holding the bundle above the edge of a bin or cask and whipping the heads. Time brought about changes. Plows came into use. Hay-mows grew in s ize. Cotton supplanted flax sixty years ago. At nearly that date wheat and rye were grown in about equal quantities. Oats were introduced soon after and have grown in favor till now they constitute more than half our grain crop. BUSINESS. The primary women of Parsonsfield carded, spun, wove, colored and made up the family clothing. Their handiwork, though not so fine or showy as the garments and fixings of today, would outwear our mod- ern flimsies seven times over. The implements of the men were home-made, but answered well their purpose. The farms yielded a suppl}^ of corn, rye, potatoes, peas, beans and flax. The flocks plenty of wool, and the herds an abundance of meat milk, butter and cheese. Then there was a disposition to share the surplus with the needy. People lived and helped others Vive. In process of time, carding and cloth-dressing mills were built. Tanneries were planted here and there. Ti'ained tailors and shoe- makers succeeded. Soon as saw-mills were put into operation the transportation of boards to our sea ports commenced. Lumber was our principal export up to 1808. In time the business drew farmers from the plow and field to the woods and highways. It was a set back to improvements and prosperity. The opening of stores was coeval with the exportation of lumber, the millman and merchant often being the same. Over the store door the sign "West India Goods and Groceries" was affixed. Rum and other liquors, molasses, salt fish and crockery could be found within. The embargo, or non-intercourse between the United States and the colonies of Great Britain checked these imports and exports. From 200 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 1808 to 1812 business was paralyzed. It was hard to return to the frugal methods of primitive days, and harder still to find means to meet increased! expenditures. The war of 1812 to 1815 gave to business a little life. Following close upon the return of peace were the cold years of 1815 and '16, and the suffering during the first half of 1817. During the summer of 1816, there was a killing frost every month, with snow occasionally. There was no southern or western granary, from which to draw supplies. Labor was not wanted, for there was nothing with which to pay. A wealthy farmer* said, that not being able to buy, he borrowed a bushel of corn of a miser, gladly promising him fourfold the next winter. REVIEW TO 1800. Having traced farming operations and changes from the first openings in the wilderness to the close of the last century, we will pause and note the condition of this all-important industry and the families engaged therein. As more than ninety-five per cent were nothing but farmers, their wives and children, it is convenient to include the few exceptions. The gain in population was from nobody in 1775, to eleven men in 1780, then sixty-two in 1785 and one hundred and fifty in 1794, while at the beginning of the new century two hundred and seventy-one names of residents are on our tax lists. It is safe to assume that there were then at least two hundred and fifty farms under cultivation, a majority of them having comfortable buildings, and producing food sufficient for the whole population. Also that the increase in valuation kept pace with the increase of pop- ulation. The changes already delineated prove that the augmentation of comforts and conveniences were even greater than the gain in pop- ulation or wealth. Neither should we overlook the great gain in social educational and religious privileges. *Dea. John Pease. CHAPTER IV. TOWN BUSINESS — 1785. On the twenty-fifth of September, 1785, a town-meeting was called to act upon matters pertaining to the interests of the inhabitants. They first voted to remove obstacles from roads, or rather,to make their bridle paths passable. By the second vote, preliminary steps were taken toward building a meeting-house, but this vote was made void by the action of a subsequent meeting, and the meeting-house question dragged along till 1790, when Mr. Parsons put up and boarded a house according to his agreement with the Shapleigh proprietors. After a controversy last- ing four years the town withdrew opposition and the house was finished and paid for by the members of the Congregational society, but the town was allowed to hold meetings in it for nearly forty years. The selectmen went through the ceremony of assessing a ministers tax on all up to 1796. Then on Congregationlists till 1802, when all connection between church and state ceased in Parsonsfield. The taxes of all who asked were abated. KOADS — 1786. At several town-meetings during the year 1786, special attention was given to the opening of roads. The first one accepted by the town was from Province Pond through the Doe neighborhood to New Hamp- shire line, probably connecting with the Effingham road over Grace's hill. A road from Francesborough (now Cornish) to Granville's mill was pro- vided for. This was from East Parsonsfield over Chapman's hill, then aslant Merrill's hill and along the mountain road to near the Emerson schoolhouse, thence to Lord's Mills. Preliminary steps were taken this year to make the Middle and South roads public highways. These projected roads were not imme- diately completed. In 1791 the County Commissioners legally estab- lished" a road from Effingham, by Lord's Mills, Middle road. South road and so down that road to Newfield line. For fifteen years the selectmen 202 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. were busy locating and altering. Porter Bri-lge was connnencecl, 1798, and finished after two years. Kezar Falls Bridge was not built till 1832. TOWN — 1787. At the annnal town-meeting, 1787, more than half the oflBcers chosen refused to take the oath required by law. We can only conjecture their reasons for refusing. One theory is that they would not agree to assess and collect the ministers tax required by law, but as there was no Congregational minister in town and Elder Weeks could not claim a salary, this supposition is not probable. Another and more probable conjecture is that they were opposed to the change of government from a Confederac}^ to a Union, according to the vote of Congress, Feb- ruary 21, 1787. It is matter of history that there was war almost to the knife between the advocates of these two forms of government, and that a majority of our citizens prefer red to retain the confederate form. A new town -meeting was called and officers chosen who served the remainder of the year. The next spring the majority party elected their old officers, and they did not refuse to be sworn. WATERS AND WASHINGTON CLAIM — 1789. In addition to the election of officers in 1789, two important matters came before the town for action. From information gathered here and there, we infer that Colonel Waters of Boston, had acquired, or got control of the Bridget Phillips claim to the Ossipee towns and was pro- ceeding against citizens. The town chose a committee to confer with other towns and employ an able attorney to defend them in court. If the case ever came to trial the decision was against Waters, for we hear no more of the Phillips claim to lands between the Ossipees. We are free to say both grants were fraudulent and should have been repu- diated by Massachusetts. The other measure was the request of Washington Plantation, now Newfield that Parsonsfield would surrender to them two ranges of lots next that town. By agreement between the Small and Shapleigh pro- prietors, the territory west of Limerick was to be equally divided, the Smalls taking the southern half. Parsonsfield by the act of incorpora- tion secured more than two-thirds, and refused to give it up. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 2O3 VOTERS. When the old States prepared constitutions, the law-makers assumed that transient residents had not sufficient interest to entitle them to the ballot, therefore the right of suffrage was restricted to freeholders, or persons owning real estate. The tax lists of 1796 and 1808 show several entries of less than ten cents on real estate, some only two cents in addition to the poll tax. After the close of the war of 1812 political excitement died out for a saason, and poor men were not so anxious to vote, consequently this class of land owners were not so numerous. In the constitution of Maine adopted in 1820, the property qualifica- tion was omitted. TAXATION — 1796. The tax book of 1796 gives the names of two hundred and nineteen persons who had a poll tax, and thirteen persons who were exempted making two hundred and thirty-two resident tax payers. The property tax amounted to two hundred and eighty-four dollars and eight cents ; viz., on real estate one hundred and tliirty-nine dollars and eight3'-four cents, on personal estate one hundred and forty-five dollars and twenty- four cents, rate two and one-fourth per cent on assessed value. Assessed value one-third of real value. Making a property valuation of about thirty-seven thousand, eight hundred and eighty dollars. Persons named below paid more than five dollars money tax : — Elisha Piper seven dollars and sixty-eight cents ; Thomas Parsons, Esq., six dollars and forty-seven cents ; Philip Paine six dollars and fifty-two cents ; Joseph Parsons six dollars and five cents ; Gideon Doe five dollars and forty cents. Thirteen non-resident proprietors are taxed ninety-two dollars and seventy cents on real estate valued at one thousand, three hundred and seventy-three dollars. About one-third of this is assessed to the heirs to Patrick Tracy on land in the Gore. If we call the property of residents thirty -seven thousand, eight hun- dred and eighty dollars and add value of non-resident land equal to four thousand one hundred and twenty dollars, we find the valuation of the town to be forty-two thousand dollars. The whole tax was five 204 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. hundred and seventy-five dollars and sixty-six cents, divided as follows : Commonwealth one hundred and sixty dollars ; County sixty dollars and three cents ; Town three hundred and fifty-five dollars and fifty- three cents. Poll tax one dollar and five cents. The statement and footings do not quite agree but they approximate. TAXATION — 1808. Coming down to the year 1808 we find three hundred and twenty names on the tax lists. The whole tax is one thousand, three hundred and eighty-eight dollars and sixty-two cents divided as follows : Com- monwealth two hundred and seventy-three dollars and seventy-three cents ; County one hundred and fifty-one dollars and seventy-five cents ; Town nine hundred and sixty-three dollars and fourteen cents. The rate is one and one-third per cent assessed on one-third value. Poll tax one dollar and forty cents, which deducted leaves eight hundred and ninet3'--six dollars and sixty-two cents on property. The non-resi- dent tax is twelve dollars and eighty-seven cents on land estimated to be worth two thousand eight hundred and eighty-nine dollars. Add- ing this to the resident valuation we have seventy thousand, one hun- dred and thirty-three dollars. At this period the value of personal and real estate is nearly equal. The Patrick Tracy interest in lands in the Gore is taxed to Dearborn & Leavitt in the resident list. The following persons paid more than ten dollars tax : Dearborn & Leavitt thirteen dollars and thirty-eight cents ; Zebulon Pease twelve dollars and fifty cents ; Elisha Piper eleven dollars and fifteen cents ; John Sanborn ten dollars and forty-two cents ; Joseph Parsons ten dollars and forty cents ; Samuel Burbank ten dollars and thirty- two cents. TAXES — 1817. In 1817 the names of four hundred and forty-nine tax payers are entered. The whole tax was one thousand, nine hundred and sixty- seven dollars and forty-three cents. The State tax was two hundred and sixteen dollars ; County one hundred and fifty-three dollars ; Town one thousand, five hundred and ninety-eight dollars and forty-three HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. ' 205 cents. As the percentage is not given we cannot estimate the valu- ation. Persons here named paid more than ten dollars : James Brad- bury ten dollars and eighteen cents ; Amos Blazo & Son seventeen dollars and twenty cents ; Henry Boothby ten dollars and forty-three cents; Paul Burnham ten dollars and eighty cents; Caleb Burbank fifteen dollars and forty-seven cents ; Samuel Burbank fifteen dollars and eighty cents; Josiah Colcord thirteen dollars and sixty cents; heirs of Enoch Neal twelve dollars and thirty-one cents; George New- begin twelve dollars and eighty-one cents ; Thomas Parsons ten dollars and twenty-five cents ; Joseph Parsons ten dollars and seventy-five cents ; John Pease sixteen dollars and seventy cents ; Zebulon Pease twelve dollars and thirty cents ; Nathaniel Pease twelve dollars and fifty-four cents ; Elisha Piper fifteen dollars and twelve cents ; A. Mc- Chapman ten dollars and twenty-five cents ; Ichabod Churchill thir- teen dollars and seventy-eight cents ; Jeremiah Dearborn twelve dollars and twenty cents ; heirs of Joseph Dearborn ten dollars and eighty cents ; Jeremy Doe twelve dollars and forty-eight cents ; Samuel Fox fourteen dollars and twenty-seven cents ; Samuel Garland twenty dollars and fourteen cents ; Eben Gould twelve dollars and sixty cents ; Dudley Hilton fourteen dollars and eighteen cents; Israel Hodsdon thirteen dollars and sevent3^-eight cents ; Abner Kezar ten dollars and eighty- three cents ; Richard Lord twelve dollars and forty cents ; Morris Lord fourteen dollars and thirty-four cents ; Caleb Marston twelve dollars and forty-nine cents ; Hardy and Joseph Merrill seventeen dollars and forty-one cents ; John Merrill sixteen dollars and fifty-two cents ; Sam- uel Moulton seventeen dollars and eighteen cents ; John Sanborn sev- enteen dollars and sixty-six cents ; Andrew Welch thirteen dollars and eighty-two cents ; Noah Weeks sixteen dollars and ninety-one cents ; Simon J. Whitten twelve dollars and forty-three cents ; William Moul- ton, Jr., twelve dollars and fifty-two cents ; John Moore and John Moore third, seventeen dollars and eighty-six cents ; James Morrison thirteen dollars and twelve cents. The check list of 1817 has only three hundred and twenty -six names, but they are all freeholders. 206 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. Individuals whose names are in this list became residents about the time specified. Nathan Wiggia Noah Weclgewood James Benson James Berry Cutting Moulton Daniel Chick Joseph Mudgett John Sanborn Joseph Quint Jona Kimball James llavt Samuel Chapman Andrew McChapman Daniel Elliott Elisha Wadleigh Joseph Knight Moses Chase 1786. Henry Boothby 1787. Benjamin Rolfe 1787. Eben Gould 1787. Harvey Moore 1788. Jeremiah Dearborn 1798. Samuel Garland 1790. David Johnson 1790. Hardy Merrill 1790. Daniel Thurston 1790. Samuel Perry 1790. Samuel Knapp 1791. Paul Burnham 1791. Simeon Towle 1791. Nicholas Emery 1799. Ichabod Churchill 1792. James Bradbury 1792. John Buzzell 1793. 1794. 1794. 1794. 1794. 1795. 1795. 1795. 1794. 1796. 1796. 1796. 1796. 1798. 1797. 1798. 1798. POLLS AND RESIDENT TAX PAYERS. 1785, 1794, 1808, 1817, 1841, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1885, Polls Polls Polls Polls Polls Polls Polls Polls 62 190 375 427 Resident tax payers Resident tax payers Resident tax payers 418 Resident tax payers 432 Resident tax payers 410 Resident tax payers 416 Resident tax payers 206 397 458 536 684 559 630 CROPS — CENSUS. We can only guess at the amount of crops produced during the earlier years of the town. The census returns tell us the number of people and but little else. The numbers of live stock and the amount of crops raised have been added. The crop statistics of Parsonsfield here given are based on census returns and may be considered nearly accurate. Corn, bushels Wheat " Oats " Potatoes " Beans and Peas Orchard Products, dollars Hay, tons Butter, pounds Eggs, dozen Forest Products, dollars 1850 11,350 I860 10,313 1870 8,750 1880 7,630 1,139 3,044 2,781 3,009 3,500 6,863 5,130 11,137 25,585 25,576 26,500 22,707 827 935 1,160 1,717 3,994 5,495 11,450 16,000 4,713 6,320 4,717 4,662 63,760 64,093 55,750 55,840 43,417 19,200 CHAPTER V. LIGHT AND HEAT. Going back in our researches to the time when " early to bed and early to rise" was the universal custom, it is evident that neither arti- ficial heat, save for culinary purposes, or light, was often required in summer. As the days shortened, and people made evenings, light from the open fire was sufficient for ordinary occupations. Tallow candles with tow or cotton wicks, served for special light. Fires were kindled, and, if need be, brightened by light wood stripped from pine stumps. A few box-stoves were put into schoolhouses and shops early as 1818, and about 1829 " James' Patent cooking-stove " was first put into our kitchens. Within fifteen years after, improved cooking-stoves could be found in a majority of farmhouses. But, wherever that black and gloomy thing was installed, in place of the cheerful open fire, the feeble rays of a tallow dip became insufficient, and lamps burning whale oil came into common use. As the supply of oil was less than the consumption, a preparation known as burning fluid was soon after introduced. This gave place to kerosene about 1855. And soon the electric light will be at our doors. Up to date farmers use wood for fires, but a few village families are beginning to burn coal. LUMBERING. Farming was for several years the primary occupation of our fore- fathers. Soon after 1785 Benjamin Smith built a mill, afterwards known as the Blaisdell Mills. About the same time Asa and Josiah Pease built one known as the Mark Dearborn Mill, and a few years later mills were erected by Joseph Granville at the place now known as Lord's Mills. In process of time several company mills were put up on small streams to cut the lumber from neighboring farms. When saw-mills were first operated most of the boards were used for new 208 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. buildings ; but before the close of the century lumbering became a prominent interest. Boards were drawn by ox-teams to Portland and Kennebunk for exportation to the West Indies. Rum was a common item of the home load. The annual consumption of which was said to be from twenty to thirty hogsheads. It was years before the people realized that the result of this excessive toil and expenditure was broken health and heavy debts ; that the brown jugs had swallowed their pine trees. It is no marvel that stimulating liquors were in constant demand. Lumbermen took breakfast before light, dinner was a cold lunch, and supper at an uncertain hour. DRINKING CUSTOMS. Much has been said and written about the use and abuse of alcohol, before and after the opening of the present century. To enable us to understand the facts we should first consider the circumstances. Away back in the days of ancient history wine was freely used on fes- tive occasions to stimulate the devotees of pleasure. Kings and nobles, queens and honorable ladies, sanctioned the custom. The fashion of inviting friends to take a social glass as a. mark of respect came down through ages. From high authority came the dictum that the use of alcohol was the panacea for the prevention and cure of all diseases. Fashion is despotic, example all-powerful, while few question the correctness of popular and agreeable theories. Heedless of cost or consequences, people then, as now, followed pre- vailing fashions. We are told that the good minister frequently partook before ascending the sacred desk. The lawyer fired his brain to sharpen his wit. Statesmen quaffed the ardent to rouse patriotism. Liquor carried elections. The laborer took a dram in the morning, at eleven and at three, to prevent fatigue. Alcohol w as never absent on occasions of birth, marriage or burial. Although considerate men and the better class of women conformed to the social customs of the age, they opposed drunkenness. With them appetite was subordinate to reason. Their first united effort was to lift the inebriate from the gutter. Inquiry led to the estimate that one- HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 2O9 fifth of the men and one-tenth of the women were of this class. That about two hogsheads of rum and one-fourth that quantity of other intox- icants were brought into town monthly. Regulation failing, self absti- nence was the next step. The festive bowl was banished; the glass decanter consigned to the upper corner of the cupboard. Then moral suasion became a power for good. The hogshead shrank to the barrel and the barrel to the jug and pocket flask. While the quantity consumed now is but a decimal of sixty years ago, intemperance has not diminished in the same proportion. Stimu- lants palatable but poisonous, tempt the young and deprave the appetite. COMING AND GOING. From 1775 to 1800 single men and men with families moved from the older towns of southeastern New Hampshire, and Massachusetts towns near the mouth of the Merrimac River, to the new town of Par- sonsfield. The movement ceased almost entirely within the closing century. Within ten years after the tide of population commenced to flow from Parsonsfield into central and eastern Maine. Children of Esq. Parsons, Dea. Garland, Nathan Wiggin and others, located in Winslow and vicinity. The Bickford, Piper, Morrison and Pease fami- lies peopled in part, towns west of Bangor. This eastern outflow ceased about 1820. About this date factories were built in New Hampshire and Mass- achusetts, which gave employment to large numbers of male and female laborers. The inhabitants of these rapidly growing villages must be fed, and the outlying country furnished most of the food up to the day of railroads. In the spring our young men with packs strapped to their shoulders wended their way to these villages and garden farms, getting at first eight then twelve to fifteen dollars per month. They returned in the fall dressed in new broadcloth, and a long watch chain swinging from the fob. Girls crowded to the factories, earned many dollars, spent a part for nicer garments, and a moiety to adorn the homes of the mother. The earnings of these young adven- turers lifted many a family to comparative ease and competence. Do not imagine that these wage-workers of sixty years ago were the slums 14 2IO HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. of society. They belonged to energetic families, and many of them be- came the leading men and women of their day. It is safe to affirm that there gathers not in city theater or concert hall a sprightlier look- ing or better behaved company of ladies, than they who then plied the shuttle in our factories. Factories and the resulting travel led to the introduction of stage- coaches. Aline from Effingham through West Parsonsfield to Dover was well patronized. A few years later stages from Portland and Saco passed through the town. Then followed five new post-offices with tri-weekly mails. The Parsonsfield post-office was established in 1798. A little old man, on a little dark horse with a meagre mail bag across the saddle, came jogging into town Saturday afternoon year after year. HORSES. If we are allowed to draw conclusions from incidental remarks made by old people, the inference is that a majority of middle-aged men among our early immigrants brought horses with them; but that the larger half of young men did not keep a horse at the start. Horses of one hundred years ago, and even forty years later, were small, plump, rough-coated and hardy. In breeding, stamina was of the first importance. Colts were not pampered. Horses were worked on the farm alone, and also used before oxen. The usual gait of horses was a canter for horseback riding, whether carrying one or two persons. Pacers were popular and sometimes fast. The feed of horses was grass in summer, and hay in winter. They did not often get provender, or even grooming. Unless accidentally lamed, they were usually sound up to thirty years or past. cows. Every farmer had more or less cows — from one to fifteen. They were not of any particular breed, but selected for milk and butter. On June feed a good cow would fill a ten-quart pail at night. Cows were about five feet in girth, while oxen lined six feet and occasionally six feet six inches. The cattle of that age were not symmetrical, and but little pains was taken to match steers. Nothing was thought of three HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 2 I I inches advantage in an ox yoke, or divers colors in oxen. Harvey Page made the first innovation by bringing into town a Durham bull, in 1833, and not many years after the Durhams were common in all parts of the town. Some fifteen years after Devons were introduced, but at this date Herefords are the popular breed. Jerseys are seen here and there, but the slow sales of country butter check the increase of this stock. SHEEP. For half a century sheep were to be found on every farm, but since people ceased to manufacture their own clothing, flocks of sheep have been growing smaller till now few are seen. It is admitted that on our hill farms sheep are the most profitable stock kept, but most difiicult to keep in place. SWINE. The hogs of olden days were long-legged, lank and sharp-nosed. The major part of farmers wintered two or more, adding as many pigs in the spring. They had the freedom of the dooryard, highway, orchard and woods. After harvest they were fed with corn to gain a streak of fat and a leaf of lard. PROGRESS. A very little house painting was indulged in as early as 1812, but it is doubtful if a single one was painted outside and in earlier than 1820. The favorite colors were red and yellow for outside preservation, and sky blue for inside decoration. The tidy housewife still scoured the unpainted table, and swept the sanded floor into herring-bone. Early in the century a four-wheeled vehicle called a Rattler was brought to town by Moses Mighels, and not long after Jacob Banks bought one. It presaged the modern wagon. The chaise came into use about 1820. William D. Dixon brought many of them from Ames- bury. The story goes that when Mighels came to the North Road with his carriage on Sunday, more than half the men and boys staid out of meeting to examine and discuss the "flimsey notion." 2 12 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. MARKETS. The new business enterprises that were started about the time the district of Maine became a State, led to the opening of markets for all kinds of farm products, and as there were no railroads for some years, farmers furnished most of the supplies therefor. CHAPTER VI. CHUKCHES AND MINISTERS. Many of the early settlers of Parsonsfield were church members before their removal to this wilderness. They belonged principally to the sects known as Congregationalists, Baptists, and Freewill Bap- tists. For several years they were too scattered to maintain stated gospel ordinances. Itinei^ant preachers, mostly Free Baptists, traveled from place to place, holding meetings in private houses, barns and groves. Elder Benjamin Randall, and other pioneers of the denomina- tion, occasionally held services within our borders. Up to the time Maine came under the jurisdiction of Massachusetts, Episcopacy was the established religion. Thence Congregationalism was the religion of the State. At the time Parsonsfield was settled all sects were tolerated and protected. The government assumed that all cit- izens should assist in supporting the preaching of the gospel. Every man was free to choose his denominational home, but unless he claimed another home he was taxed for the support of the Congregational min- ister of the town. Popular sentiment was opposed to this law, and to evade it those not religiously inclined called -themselves Baptists, for the reason that Baptist ministers did not receive a regular salary. The Shapleigh proprietors made provision for a Congregationalist meeting in town. This implied a tax for the support of a minister. To avoid the tax, the opponents of the law opposed building a meeting- house and settling a minister. Failing, they suddenly became Baptists in name. The Congregational society was incorporated in 1S09, with thirty- one members. In 1810 it had twenty-seven members. The Baptist society was incorporated later, but the time and number of members we are unable to ascertain. The Freewill Baptist society was incor- porated in 1809 with ninety-one members. After 1802 each society provided for its own minister. 214 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH AND SOCIETY. The agreement between Thomas Parsons and the Shapleigh proprie- tors reads in brief : that after reserving for themselves and heirs eighty lots marked on the plan — a mill privilege — lots for the support of schools, three lots for the sole use of the first settled Congregational minister, and three for the use of the ministry, "we do hereby give and grant all the claim, interest, title and. estate, said proprietors have in the remainder and residue of the land in said township, to Thomas Par- sons upon conditions. First, the settlement of families, and in seven years erect, board and shingle a house thirty by forty feet for the wor- ship of God, procure the gospel to be preached in said place, and pro- vide for the support thereof; in case of war the time is extended." This grant is dated December 23, 1774. The war closed in 1783. The house known as Rolfe's Meeting House was erected, 1790, by Thomas Parsons. By the laws of Massachusetts then in force, the town was the parish, and all citizens had the right to vote in parish matters. A majority of the voters were not Congregationalists. Denominational acrimony was so prevalent that the frame stood uncovered four years. The friends and opponents in the mean time passing and rescinding a variety of votes. In 1791, the house was finished at the expense of the pew holders. Rolfe's Meeting House was located near the highway east of the present church, remaining more than forty years, and being in its later days, the greatest curiosit}' in town. It was two stories high, lighted by forty-eight windows, galleries on three sides, the pulpit half-way to the beams, with a huge sounding-board. In 1792, Rev. Jeremiah Shaw was invited to settle, but declined. The next year the Rev. Mr. Anderson declined the like offer. In 1791, Rev. Benjamin Rolfe accepted a call, at a salary of forty pounds, one-third cash, the remainder in corn or other produce. A small church was organized January 11, 1795, and Mr. Rolfe ordained as pastor the same day. The ministers present were Rev. Daniel Little, Rev. John Turner and Rev. Samuel Hidden. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 215 Mr. Rolfe continued to preach till May 31, 1815. He died at Par- sonsfield December 7, 1817, aged sixt3'-t\vo years. Mr. Rolfe was born in Newbury, graduated at Harvard, 1777. He was a strict moralist in theory and practice, an exemplary Christian, a close student and thoroughly educated, especially in the Classics. His style of speaking and writing, showed more knowlege of books than men. His reasoning powers were of a high order, but his perceptive faculties were defective. Eccentric in his manners and quite absent minded, his peculiarities unfitted him for large usefulness in his field of labor. The dwelling at Middle Road, known as the Mclntire house, was built for Mr. Rolfe in 1794. A Congregational society was incorporated by the General Court of Massachusetts, on petition of Thomas Parsons and twenty-seven others, February 27, 1802, with the right to control all real estate reserved by the Shapleigh proprietors in their deed to Thomas Parsons, for the support of the Congregational ministry. The adverse claims of the town and society to these three lots and to the ownership of the meet- ing-house, led to years of litigation, the result of which was, the society held the house and the avails of one lot of land, while the town was made custodian of the other two lots, the court holding that the word congregational had reference to church polity rather than doctrinal opinions. The money affairs of the parish are managed by an incorporated Board, known as the Trustees of the Congregational Ministerial Fund. The annual income is about seventy-five dollars, which is expended for preaching. The little church formed in 1795, was reduced in numbers during Mr. Rolfe's pastorate. After his death the records could not be found. The society records refer to ministers who supplied occasionally. Sept. 14, 1823 the church was re-organized, with fourteen members, Samuel Garland was chosen deacon and served till his death, March 5, 1855. He was the stay and staff of the church while he lived. "Old Puritan" was the hardest name ever given him. The church records show a rapid increase of members up to 1840, after this date, a gradual loss by emigration. From June, 1825 to 1827, Rev. Henry T. Kelley preached half the time, alternating with Newfield From September 1828 2l6 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. Charles S. Adams two years. David P. Smith two years, from July, 1832. Mr. Smith was succeeded by John H. Mordough of Effingham. November, 10, 1838, Samuel Ordway was ordained, preaching here all the time for three years. Mr. Ordway had a second pastorate during 1854 — 55 of two years. Rev. Elias Chapman supplied from 1849 to 1852. Mr. Chapman was accounted a model minister, making and holding many personal friends. Though a quiet every -day man his influence for good is yet bearing fruit. Other ministers for short periods have been here. N. W. Sheldon, 1857 ; Thomas N. Lord, 1875 ; David L. Jones, 1878 ; Jona Edwards, 1879 and 1881 ; Amos Redlon, 1883 ; W. S. Wade in 1886. While some of the stories told about Rev. Mr. Rolfe were not strictly accurate, or should be credited to some other absent-minded minister, yet it is probably true that he did ride home the wrong horse ; that he certified that a candidate he had just rejected as a teacher in Parsons- field.^ was qualified to teach in Porter ; that he did bring from the store the requisite number of yards of ribbon, when asked by his carpenter for strips called ribands to fasten the boards on his barn ; that when he found a drunken law-student mowing his wheat and yelling, "The Lord said the fields are white for the harvest," the parson with fishing- pole in hand called out "The Lord said smite," and down came the pole on the culprit's head. Mr. Rolfe was riding horseback intently musing. His horse turned up to the bars of a barnyard and stopped. The farmer came out and bade his minister good-day. After some delay the parson lifted his head and inquired, "Jacob, Jacob, why is this highway fenced up?" The story of the green bay horse in his sermon is probably credited to the wrong man. FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH. In 'February 1788, Rev. Samuel Weeks removed from Gilmanton to East Parsonsfield, and soon after commenced preaching there, and in the vicinity. From the narrative of Elder Buzzell, and other sources, it is inferred, that a church was organized there in 1785, by Elders Randall and Weeks. Mr. Weeks continued to preach, and cultivate his farm, up to January 1793 ; at which time, he got lost in the woods, returning HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 21 7 from a meeting in Porter, and was severely frozen. He never recov- ered from the effects of this exposure. Elder Weeks was born in Greenland, N. H., November 21, 1746, bred a mechanic, ordained pastor of the Baptist church in Gilmanton, June 15, 1780, united with the Freewill Baptists after he came to Parsonsfield, died June, 1832. Elder Weeks was six feet four inches tall, with broad shoulders, and full voice. A single anecdote will show the kind of man he was. On his way to meet an appointment in Limerick, he came to a bridge upon which two men were standing. They told him to " go home, for he was no minister, and could not pass." He quietly turned his horse but soon returned, bearing aloft a stake, calling out, " The Lord told me to go to Durgin's and preach. If you attempt to stop me I will split your heads." The men stepped aside. There are scraps of information, respecting this first church, but no reliable records. It is known that Gilman Lougee was Deacon till his death in 1788, and that Elder Levi Chadbourn, a Baptist minister, who lived near the Lougee schoolhouse, preached in an unfinished meeting- house, situated near the northeast corner of Liston B. Merrill's farm, on the road that then ran aslant the hill. In a deed still preserved, dated June 20, 1789, Isaac Burnham of Ipswich " for the sum of five shillings, paid by the Wardens of the Baptist society in Parsonsfield, quit claims to said wardens, one fourth acre of land, on which their meeting-house stands." It is probable that in after years, a majority of the acting members of this first church became Freewill Baptists and took the church into that denomination. It seems that eight members of the church, which was formed at East Parsonsfield, in or about 1785, invited Elder John Buzzell of Mid- dleton, to become their minister. He arrived April 4, 1798. After stopping a few months, he removed to North Parsonsfield. About 1801, his parishioners purchased fifty acres of land for a parsonage, and built him the house in which he lived and died, still known as the " Elder Buzzell house." This farm was his private property. Mr. Buzzell gradually extended his field of labor, to other parts of Parsonsfield, and into other towns. Within twenty years, this church had branches at East and South Parsonsfield, Lord's Mills, the Gore, 2l8 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. Effingham and Porter, numbering in all nearly three hundred mem- bers. At one period the Elder made the circuit, and held meetings about once in four weeks, either on the Sabbath, or during the week. The church members made it a rule to attend these local meetings and take part in the exercises. ELDER JOHN BUZZELL. More than fifty years' service as a gospel minister in Parsonsfield, would of itself entitle Elder Buzzell to especial notice in a history of the churches, while the commanding influence he exerted in molding the political and religious opinions of the people, renders him even more conspicuous. A friend says of him,* "His attainments were above the average, early becoming a teacher of common schools ; and in after years he improved every opportunity to acquire knowledge. He wrote the Life of Elder Benjamin Randall, also was the first edi- tor of the Morning Star, which position he held for seven years, pub- lished the first religious magazine in the denomination, was instrumen- tal in establishing the Orissa Mission, and, with Dr. Moses Sweat and Hon. Rufus Mclntire, founded the first school in the denomination, North Parsonsfield Seminary. Established at North Parsonsfield over a large and flourishing church, yet he traveled much, heeding the command, "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel," his itineracy extending over portions of all the New England States, and even the Canadas. He thus exerted an influence that was potent for good, and that will be perpetuated down the ages. As a preacher he was bold in declaring the truths of the Gospel, forci- ble in the denunciation of sin and error, dignified in his demeanor, yet in spirit humble, with sympathies keen and active, ever ready to "weep with those who weep, and rejoice with those who rejoice." He had a wonderful power of holding mixed audiences in admiration and sympathy, and exerting an uplifting and controlling influence over the minds of men. He was "gathered to his fathers" from his old home in North Parsons- field, at the advanced age of ninety -five years, clothed with the honors •Rev. L. T. Staples. ^ ^ irA^y^ ^ Rev. JOHN BUZZELL. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 219 of a well-spent life, and a simple marble slab marks the resting-place of this noble old "Herald of the Cross." July 3, 1822, the East Parsonsfield branch was organized into a sepa- rate chuBch, and the South Parsonsfield one became an independent church July 15, 1830. BAST PARSONSFIELD FREEWILL BAPTIST CHURCH, ORGANIZED JULY 3, 1822. Elder Christopher Bullock, an aged man, was the first pastor. He died April 18, 1824. Then sundry teachers supplied the desk for six years. Rev. J. Fernald was pastor from 1830 to 1836. He was suc- ceeded by John O. Hackett, J. W. Hubbard, James Rand, Uriah Chase and Z. Jordan, each one or two years. G. W. Whitney came for five years from 1856. Then for two years each, P. Caverly and G. W. Gould ministered to the people. In 1865, E. Cook preached, and later E. Brewer. About 1883, Francis W. Towne supplied one year. Since Mr. Towne there have not been regular services. Present membership, thirty-one. FREE BAPTIST CHURCH, SO. PARSONSFIELD, ORGANIZED JULY 15, 1830. Rev. Andrew T. Foss was the first minister. He remained two years. Mr. Foss was a young man possessing much native talent. He did not strictly follow the customs of the early fathers, neither did he press innovations. Rev. Daniel Jackson was the second minister, preaching nearly two years. He was a man of quite pleasing address and univers- ally respected. From July, 1838 to October, 1839 Carlton Small, Ami R. Bradbury, and Thomas M. Preble had charge. Elder Zechariah Jordan closed a pastorate of five years, May, 1846. Mr. Jordan was a worthy man. J. W. Woodman supplied one year. Rev. Z. Jordan was recalled for one year, then William T. Smith officiated till October, 1852. Rev. Charles O. Libby came in Novem- ber, 1852, and remained till May, 1860. Mr. Libby was born in Gor- ham, received a good education, was engaged in secular business sev- eral years before entering the ministry. After leaving Parsonsfield he was the efficient secretary of the Free Baptist Foreign Mission Society. Elders Charles Bean and G. W. Whitney each supplied one year, then 2 20 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. O. F. Russell and Arthur Caverno two years each ; Francis W. Towne from April, 1866 to April, 1870. C. B. Peckham succeeded, remaining three years, Porter S. Burbank one year. W. Lamprey was pastor in 1874, and his successors have been F. C. Bradeen, J. Q. Adams, Rev. L. G. Clark and Mr. Blaisdell, who is the present pastor. Membership one hundred and twenty-five. The first meeting-house was a low one-story building, standing where the schoolhouse is. It was "erected early in the century. A new house was built 1840 and renovated 1872. NOETH PARSONSFIELD CHURCH. On the 27th day of April, 1856, thirteen persons met and were formed into a church by Rev. B. S. Manson and G. W. Whitney, taking the name of the North Parsonsfield Free Baptist Church. Samuel Moulton and John Blazo were chosen deacons and Ira A. Philbrick clerk. The next Sabbath ten joined by baptism and others by letter making thirty- seven in all. After the formation of the new church Mr. Manson continued his labors till November following. Rev. Charles Hurlin supplied from 1857 to 1860. Mr. G. S. Bradbury was ordained here in 1860, when a pastorate of five years followed. After, Mr. Hurlin had a second term of one year. He was followed by Benjamin Moody and E. C. Cook. During 1876 and 1877, Rev. Mr. Gowen ministered, followed by Thomas F. Millett, who preached two years. Rev. L. H. Winslow was called April, 1885, for one year. i There was a rude unfinished meeting-house, near the northeast corner of Listen B. Merrill's farm, built about 1790 and occupied occasionally till 1804, when the large and imposing church, known as "Elder Buz- zell's church," was finished. This last was burnt by an incendiary, July, 1859. The present house was built 1853. OLD SCHOOL FREE BAPTIST CHURCH. The Freewill Baptist denomination was an offshoot from the Bap- itists, on the question of "Freedom of the will." There grew out from this starting point many opinions and practices, differing from the theo- jies and customs of other churches. The early ministers were earnest HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 221 energetic men, and were sincere and firm believers in the teachings of the Bible. About 1837, dissensions about modes of worship and other matters arising within the Parsonsfield Quarterly Meeting, some of the min- isters and churches withdrew by permission and formed the Lim- ington Quarterly Meeting. Elder Jeremiah Bullock was the leader of this band of believers. Those withdrawing in or about 1837 and form- ing the Limington Quarterly Meeting have ever professed to hold to the fundamental doctrines as enunciated by the father of the denomina- tion, Elder Benjamin Randall. They have churches in various towns, and one located near East Parsonsfield. They have prospered by a steady growth of numbers. BAPTIST CHURCH. Many of the first settlers were Baptists in sentiment, but as the line between Calvinists and Freewill was not then distinctly drawn, we cannot say how many inclined to this or that wing. Elder Levi Chad- bourne preached and baptised in different neighborhoods, but we find no trace of a church until September 12, 1796, when the first regular Baptist church was formed at the house of David Marston. The names of David Marston, Levi Chadbourne, N. Knox, Caleb Marston, Dr. Will- iam Taylor, Joseph Towle, Went worth Lord, and several others are recorded. As dates of admission are not given, the number of original members cannot be stated. There were more than two hundred admis- sions before 1835, gathered from Parsonsfield, Newfield, Effingham, and other towns. The first meeting-house was near the house of John Neal. The second at Middle Road village, built in 1834, remaining till 1884. They have a fund of one thousand dollars donated by will of Perkins. Mr. Chadbourne continued to preach up to 1803. He was a popular speaker and gathered many into the church. In 1791 the church voted to give "Brother Wentworth Lord and Brother William Taylor appro- bation to preach." Mr. Wentworth Lord was ordained August, 1803, and was the regular pastor till 1833. He was diligent in his calling, a devoted Christian, a man universally reverenced, living to the ripe age of eighty-nine years. Mr. Lord was succeeded by Parker L. Fogg one year, William N. Hanson three years. Charles H. Green was ordained 22 2 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. July 4, 1838 and labored successfully several years. He left in 1844. Several short pastorates have followed. SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH. Those members of the Baptist Church living west of Ricker's Moun- tain, asked for and were granted permission to become an independent church. The church was established March 12, 1838. Soon after they became independent, they lost by death and emigration some of their leading members, which so reduced them that they were unable to maintain regular Sabbath worship. A church was built on Ricker's Mountain which was later the dwelling of Dea. Dominicus Richer, and afterward a union meeting-house was built on the Newfield road, about half a mile south of the present one. The Baptists and others occupied it for a few years, but like most other union houses it then ceased to be occupied by any one. Little by little this church and society fell to pieces, and is not now reported. They have a fund* but no one to take care of it. CHRISTIAN ADVENT SOCIETY. This society may be called the successor of the Second Baptist, as they entered into the field once occupied by that church. It originated in a series of meetings held by D. W. Stevens in 1869. Rev. Mark Stevens became pastor. A new union meeting-house was built, 1872, in which there has been preaching part of the time. D. W. Stevens was ordained here July 4, 1876. A society with twelve members was formed August 4, 1877. UNIVERSALISTS. This denomination have a society, formed within a few years, in the southwest part of the town. They are connected with those of like faith in Effingham. Their house of worship is just over the State line and near the "Taylor City" so called. It was built 1870. They are favored with a preacher part of the time. *0ne thousand dollars donated under the will of James Marston. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 2 23 THE FRIENDS. We have a brief but interesting account of the Society of Friends, from the pen of S. H. Cartland. He says that : — "The first meeting of Friends held in this town was not far from the year 1798. Edward Cobb and wife were the first ministers of the denomination in town. The first meeting-house was built in 1838, and the number of members at that date was twenty. There has been a gradual increase of membership to the present time, so that our monthly conference now numbers one hundred or very nearly. The number of ministers at the present time, six. The religious interest is good and increasing among the members. The meeting is now established at the village at East Parsonsfield." The division of the ministerial money in 1848 shows the relative strength of the religious societies. Elder John Buzzell's, one hundred and twenty-four voters ; South Parsonsfield fifty-seven ; East Parsons- field, fifty-two ; Old School Baptists, thirty-nine ; First Regular Bapt- ist, forty-two ; Second Baptist, fifty-two. The Friends and Congrega- tionalists did not apply for a share. In 1865, only the amounts severally paid are given : Old School Baptists, eleven dollars and twenty-four cents ; South Parsonsfield, ten dollars and seventy-one cents ; East Parsonsfield, six dollars and seventy eight cents ; North Parsonsfield, four dollars and seven cents ; First Regular Baptist, five dollars and forty-two cents ; Second Regular Baptist, eight dollars and fourteen cents ; Congregational, three dollars and sixty-six cents. MINISTERS. There were four churclies in Parsonsfield in the year 1800, and six at the present date, not counting societies, or church members whose house of worship is in another town. The average number of ministers preaching in town since 1800 may have been about four. During the first years of the century the pastorates were for life, but for the last fifty years stated supplies have not remained more than two years on the average. Not less than one hundred and fifty clergymen have occupied the pulpits in Parsonsfield. As the churches have not kept a record of their names and time of service we are obliged to rely upon ndirect mention and memory. 2 24 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. Other ministers not employed for stated periods have labored in town successfully. It is presumed that Elder Benjamin Randall was the first of this class. Elders Tingley, Jeremiah and Wescott Bullock, Sam- uel Burbank, Benjamin Bridges, Robinson, David House, F. F. Rice, W. H. Cotton, Thomas Strout, Loring T. Staples and others are entitled to honorable mention. Neither should we overlook Friend Edward Cobb in early years ; the Cartland family later, and Friend Charles C. Varney at this time. Several of the teachers connected with the Academy preached some- where on the Sabbath. Other towns have furnished the religious teachers of Parsonsfield, with one or two possible exceptions. What has Parsonsfield done in return ? The names of Joseph Ricker, d. d., Moses M. Smart, d. d., John M. Parsons, Edmund and Joseph Garland, Thomas and Charles H. Emerson, William R. Thompson, James Rand, Charles H. Hilton, Albert S. Hill, Edward Colcord, and several other natives of the town, most of whose names are enrolled among college graduates, while many more not thus honored have dispensed messages of pardon and peace. Neither do we forget the scores of fair daughters who have become co-laborers of clergymen, even though we are notable to call them by name. <^ ^ "f \ 9i ^ CHAPTER VII. When Parsonsfield was surveyed in 1771, Mr. Cram, the surveyor, dre\y a plan of the town which has been preserved. The plan and field notes were copied into the Clerk's book of records by James Hart. The map here inserted is a copy reduced to one inch to the mile. The lots reserved by the Shapleigh proprietors for themselves are marked G ; lots for the first minister marked, first minister ; for ministry marked, ministry ; for grammar school, so marked ; for mill, M. P. The names of owners given in this list show what lots were drawn by individual proprietors as well as lots purchased of Mr. Parsons. Blanks appar- ently indicate parcels still owned by him. The exact date is not known, probably soon after the town was organized. The Gore has never been lotted. The line passes through the house of Isaac Libby, crosses the highway west of J. W. Trueworthy's house, runs south of the homestead of Andrew Edgecomb. Lot Owner 1 .Joseph Hubbard. 2 Joseph Granville. 3 Brad Doe. 4 Grammar School. 5 James Sanborn. 6 John Brown. RANGE ONE. Lot Owner 7 ,Tohn Brown. 8 Philip Hubbard. 9 John Sanborn. 10 Daniel Moulton. 11 Samuel Shapleigh. 12 Bickford. Lot Own er 13 Alonzo Scamman. 14 Mighells. 15 Thomas Scamnan. 16 Eben Moore. 17 John Moore. 18 .John Moore. 19 Lot Owner. 19 20 21 Common School. 22 First Minister. 23 Samuel Pease. 24 James Morrison. 15 RANGE TWO Lot Owner 25 Elisha Piper. 26 George Bickford. 27 Dudley Hilton. 28 Tobias Fernald. 29 Joseph Parsons. 80 Joseph Parsons. Lot Owner 31 Stephen Parsons. 32 Stephen Parsons. 33 John Doe. 34 John Doe. 35 James Marston. 36 Nathaniel Ames. 37 Andrew Hilton. ^^ ^ ^/^ r ^ V> o >V ^ ^ ^ lir "^ S Fold-out aceholder ; being digitized, and will be inserted at a future date. 226 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. EANGE THREE. Lot Owner 38 Col. Chesley. 39 Gideon Doe. 40 Gideon Doe. 41 Jere Avery. 42 Nathaniel Pease. 43 -^ — Leavitt. Lot Owner 57 Saward. 58 Thomas Parsons, Jr. 59 Thomas Parsons, Jr. 60 William Parsons. 61 Noah Scamman. 62 Nathan Rosers. Lot Owner Lot Owner 44 Nathan Wiggin, 50 Rev. Alpheus Spring 45 Nathaniel Remick. 51 Ministry. 46 Aug. Chase. 62 Edward Cutts. 47 Lot Wedgewood. 53 48 Dudley Hilton. 64 49 Zebulou Pease. 55 56 John Page. EANGE FOUR. Lot Owner Lot Owner 63 Dep. Shapleigh. 69 Garland. 64 Patrick Tracy. 70 65 Edmund Chase. 71 Nathaniel Pease. 66 Moulton. 72 John Shapleigh. 67 Jona Colcord. 73 John Doe, Jr. 68 Garland. 74 Samuel Page. 76 Samuel Pase. Lot Owner 75 Samuel Page. 76 Robert Brown. 77 Sanborn & Hunt. 78 First Minister. 79 Captain Garvin. 80 Captain Garvin. RANGE FIVE. Lot Owner 81 Garland. 82 Brown. 83 James Sullivan. 84 Samuel Moulton. 85 Captain John Frost. 86 Taylor Page. Lot Owner 87 Winthrop Wiggin. 88 Winthrop Wiggin. 89 John Goodwin. 90 Simon Jennis. 91 92 Colonel Moulton. 93 William Stacy. Lot Owner 94 James Fernald. 95 Major Shapleigh. 96 Robert Rogers. 97 Patrick Tracy. 98 Robert Rogers. 99 RANGE SIX. Lot Owner 100 Wint. Wiggin. 101 Wint. Wiggin. 102 Wint. Wiggin. 103 Wint. Wiggin. 104 David Moulton. 105 John Goodwin. Lot Owner 106 James Segel. 107 Walter Neal. 108 Simon Jennes. 109 Alex Scamman. 110 William Keon. 111 Saward. 112 Samuel Maloon. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 227 Lot Owner 112 Samuel Maloon. 113 114 115 116 Jonah Colcord. 117 William Frost. 118 Joseph Parsons. Lot Owner 131 132 William Parsons. 133 Patrick Tracy. 134 Nathaniel Bartlett. 135 Gilman Lougee. 13G John Lougee. RANGE SEVEN. Lot Owner 119 Samuel Dalton. 120 Jona Kinsman. 121*Jona Kinsman. 122 Nathaniel Remick. 123 James Shapleigh. 124 Patrick Tracy. 125 Humphry Scamman. RANGE EIGHT. Lot Owner 137 Captain Gammon. 138 Jacob Scagel. 139 Robert Spring. 140 Jona Kinsman. 141 Jona Kinsman. 142 John Mudgett. Lot Owner 126 127 128 Samuel Stacy. 129 William Parsons. 130 Samuel Lougee. Lot Owner 143 Soloman Kenison. 144 S. Gilman. 145 146 147 Colcord & Champion. 148 Lot Owner 149 Dea. Hobbs. 150 William Frost. 151 Philip Hubbard. 152 Edmund Chase. 153 Amos Blazo. 154 Jona Chadbourne. Lot Owner 167 William Leighton. 168 Major Shapleigh. 169 170 Dr. Daniel Pease. 171 172 Ministry. Lot Owner 185 186 John Hill. 187 188 John Bartlett. 189 Patrick Tracy. 190 James Shapleigh. RANGE NINE. Lot Owner 155 Jona Moulton. 156 Dr. Daniel Pease. 157 Edward Cutts, Esq. 158 159 James Gowen. 160 Grammar School. RANGE TEN. Lot Owner 173 .Joseph Hubbard. 174 James Gowen. 175 Mill Privilege. 176 John Hill. 177 Tobias Fernald. 178 Enoch Libby. RANGE ELEVEN. Lot Owner 191 Philip Paine. 192 John Frost. 193 Samuel Stacy. 194 Dennis Durell. 195 Patrick Tracy. 196 Moses Ham. Lot Owner 161 Ministry. 162 Capt. Wm. Rogers. 163 Nathaniel Scamman. 164 Patrick Tracy. 165 Patrick Tracy. 166 Patrick Tracy. Lot Owner 179 Amos Blazo. 180 Jona Towle. 181 Moses Leighton. 182 Samuel Leighton 183 William Stacy. 184 William Rogers. Lot Owner 197 Nathan Bartlett. 198 George Kezar. 199 Patrick Tracy. 200 Elisha Shapleigh. 201 Benjamin Brown. 202 Benjamin Brown. *Lot 121, ten acres, in northeast corner get apart for a training field and burying ground. 228 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. Lot 0«'ner 203 Benjamin Brown. 204 Benjamin Brown. 205 Patrick Tracy. 206 207 Samuel Leighton. 208 First Minister. RANGE TWELVE. Lot Owner 20D George Kezar. 210 William Leighton. 211 Patrick Tracy. 212 George Kezar. 213 Depend. Shapleigh. 214 Capt. John Shapleigh. Lot Ovmer 215 Samuel Shapleigh. 216 Samuel Shapleigh. 217 218 William Parsons. 219 Patrick Tracy. 220 Patrick Tracy. MILITARY. At the time of the Revolutionary war many soldiers returned after the British had been driven from New England, without money, and often without decent clothing. Wishing to settle down in homes of their own, numbers were attracted to Parsonsfield. In getting their names we are compelled to rely upon tradition. The early colonists were compelled to be ever ready for wMr, and were often called to engage in bloody struggles. These wars and nec- essary preparations intensified the military spirit. The law required every able-bodied man from eighteen to forty-five years of age to meet for company drill annually, on the first Tuesday in Ma}-, and also two or three times during the fall months. Some time in October all the companies within a given territory met for regimental review. The first gathering for inspection was near the top of Merrill's Hill, Colonel Jonathan Kinsman commanding. The regiment in later years consisted of five companies from Parsonsfield, two from Newfield, and two from Cornish. General muster was the exciting event of the year. The only uni- versal holiday, when men and boys, women and children, from four- score to the cradle, gathered from far and near, before the morning dew left the grass, to see, hear, and have a good time generally. As wars became less frequent, the interest in trainings grew luke- warm, until in 1841 these gatherings ceased to be required. During the war of 1812, the militia of the town were called out for short periods to defend our sea-coast. As that war was one of posts rather than field operations no large army was required, and but few of our citizens entered the service of the general government. Tlieir names are not remembered. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 229 It is not known that any soldiers went into the Mexican war from here, excepting Edwin A. Wliitten, who was commissioned as Lieu- tenant. The Civil war which raged from 1861 to 1865 will long be remem- bered. Parsonsfield is credited with one hundred and eighty-five sol- diers. Fifty of these were substitutes, and thirty-seven not residents of the town, leaving ninety-eight citizens who entered the army. Thirty-six of these ninety-eight enlisted for nine months, the others for one or three years. Town bounties were paid to eighty-three sol- diers and fifty citizens who furnished substitutes. A few extracts from the records will show the action of the town during these years. At a special meeting June 3, 1862, it was "voted to furnish aid to the fa nilies of soldiers when in need." State aid amounting to one thou- sand, seven hundred and ninety-four dollars was furnished to fort}'- one families, and the amount repaid by the state. To fill the call of July 2, 1862, the town "voted a bounty of one hun- dred dollars to each volunteer." Tlie quota was twenty-four, and only eight responded. September 8, 1862, "voted to pay a bounty of two hundred each to fill the quota of thirty-six nine months' men." The quota was filled and the bounty paid. December 14, 1863, "voted to pay a bounty of three hundred dollars to fill the call of October 17, for twenty-eight men, and for deficiency in draft of July 9, 1863." February 22, 1864, "voted to pay twenty-five dollars in addition to state bounty of three hundred dollars." Number of men required, ten. September 24, 1834, "voted to raise eighteen thousand dollars to fill the call of July 18, 1864, and seven tliousand to meet deficiencies." Fifty men were raised. December 19, 1864, for twenty men, eight enlisted but did not go. Bounties paid, forty-four thousand, nine hundred and twenty-seven dollars ; reimbursed by state 1869, nine thousand, eight dollars and thirty-three cents, leaving a balance of thirty-five thousand, nine hun- dred and eighteen dollars and sixty-six cents, which balance was paid by the town. 230 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. COLONEL JOSEPH PARSONS. The story comes down to us, that when Colonel Joseph Parsons, who was every inch an officer, commanded the regiment, he established his rear picket line not far from a stone wall, and paraded the troops near that line. The day was fine, the evolutions prompt, the spectators unusually numerous, interested, and massed behind the pickets. As the sun neared the western hills the regiment was being put through the manual exercises. They were faced to the rear and were made to handle arms lively. Bayonets were fixed, muskets leveled, a whispered order was sent to the music. Suddenly the command rang out clear and loud, "Charge !" Drums rattled, fifes screeched, the whole regi- ment rushed forward, hundreds of screaming women went over that wall at "double quick." The Colonel called "Halt, shoulder, right about, well done ! Brave soldiers you are dismissed." THE POOR. In the early years of the town persons falling into distress and need- ing public charity were set up at auction and provided for by the low- est bidder. It was the duty of the selectmen to see that they were humanely treated, and as a rule they were kindly cared for. When Parsonsfield bought a poor farm in 1835 nearly thirty paupers were supported by the town. The number has been steadily lessening till now only two are on the farm. That class of vagrants known as tramps have ever been summarily dealt with. The first case recorded is an order from the selectmen to the constable directing him "to warn Fannj^ Gisbee to leave town immediately and not return, otherwise she would be forcibly ejected." A few years later two men and a woman with minor children received a similar warning. Modern methods of riddance have been more quiet. POLITICAL. Politically, Parsonsfield has been democratic- since the day of its organization, and with few exceptions men elected to office have been of that party. Rotation in office has been a popular theory and prevail- ing practice. The customary term of service in one capacity has been three years, followed by possible promotion. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 23 1 The votes given for governor show the standing of political parties from time to time : 1792, John Hancock forty votes ; 1812, Elbridge Gerry, one hundred and seventy-four, Caleb Strong seventy-nine ; 1822, Albion K. Parris one hundred and thirty-seven; Ezekiel Whitman thirty-eight ; 1816, John W. Dana two hundred and fifty-eight, David Bronson thirty-three, Samuel Fessenden forty-two. The largest vote thrown in town was September, 1860, Ephraim K. Smart two hundred and fifty-six, Israel Washburn, Jr., two hundred and forty-six, scatter ing two, total five hundred and four. 1868 Pillsbury, two hundred and eighty-five. Chamberlain two hundred and seventeen ; 1886, Edwards two hundred and thirty, Bodwell one hundred and fifty-five, Clark fourteen. CHAPTER VIII. RAMBLES ABOUT TOWN. It is our purpose in this chapter to give a brief outline of the location of families in different sections of Parsonsfield, with occasional running comments on persons and things not elsewhere mentioned. We learn from unquestioned documents that Thomas Parsons, Esq., the original proprietor, was a resident of Effingham as late as August 14, 1784, and of Parsonsfield (then Parsonstown), January, 1785. The first frame house built in town aiid the oldest now inhabited, was erected by him and finished during the season of 1784. The farm on which this building was erected is now owned and occupied as a sum- mer residence, by James W. Cook of Boston, Mass., who married a great granddaughter of said Parsons. He has remodeled the house, erected commodious additions and capacious outbuildings. About a mile south of this, upon a hill stands the residence of Har- vey Moore, Esq. The graves of the fathers and mothers are not for- gotten, but their home has been forsaken. All adown the slope from Ricker's Mountain to New Hampshire line the Doe families occupied the land. A few of other names, related by marriage, were found here and there. John, Jr., the first deacon of the Congregational church, was a tanner, most of the others followed farm- ing. Nearer the pond John Ames, from New Market, N. H., settled before the town was incorporated. Later, two of his sons, Marston and Dan- iel. They increased in land, cattle and money, but one generation after another lacked a quiver full of children. Their farms have recently passed to men of other names. Down by the sandy shore two generations of the Tuck family tilled the soil, but they too are gone. Three Marston brothers made openings near the southwest corner of the town. Their children pitched new tents along our southern bor- der, but, with one exception, strangers dwell in all these homes. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 233 East of Ricker's mountain, extending down to the higliway from Middle Road to Maplewood, a block of lots in the second and third ranges was given by Esquire Parsons to three of his sons, and occupied by them some fifty years or more. Their neighbors on the north were Samuel Garland and Samuel Dutch. On the south resided Dudley Page, John Sanborn and Israel Hodsdon, and on the east, Nathan Wig- gin, Isaac Emery and Noah Wedgewood. Along the Whale's Back, half a dozen cellars and half that number of graveyards mark the locality where once the Quint families had homes. Adjoining the Quints on the east was, and now is, the Benson neighborhood, where dwelt several families of that name. Across the vaUey from Bensons, Moses Mighel's commenced, then sold to Aaron Goodwin, wlio was with Paul Jones in his notable sea fight by moon- light. , ^, East, beyond a vacant lot, is the farm, but not the house, where the first white child was born. According to family and town records, Joseph, son of Eben Moore, was born January 17, 1777. His father claimed that, by usage, the child was entitled to a lot of land. Turning from Newfield and coming up the South Road a mile or more, the'phices where Samuel Pease and his two sons first built may be seen. The younger Samuel was a Drum-Major in the army. The Burnham house was erected in 1799; the Burbank house early in the century, which have till the present been occupied by them and their descendants. Here the road to East Parsonsfield branches off. Joseph Pease sold to Major Paul Burnham about 1795. North of Burnham's is the farm once known as the Fairbank's home. Capt. James Morn- son lived toward the west. A minister once asked the captain if he was afraid of death. Springing to his feet, the old soldier rephed : -Afraid! I afraid ! why, nr, I was at Bunker Hill, Brandy wine and through the Jarseys.'' West of Morrison's, John Lougee, of the second generation, ran a tannery from young manhood to old age. Tanning hides on shares was a common custom. Then the shoemaker with his kit went from house to house working by the day. Next, we find the old homesteads of Elisha Piper, Levi Howe, the blacksmith, George Bickford, Major Zebulon Pease, the old trapper, 2 34 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. and Enoch Hale, the cabinet-maker. The Free Baptist meeting-house was opposite Mr. Hale's. ■ Turning toward the middle road, we pass the farms where Dudley Hilton and Jesse Wedgewood early felled the forest, to the hill settled by the Moulton's, and still occupied by their descendants. On the brook, south of the road traveled, there have been three saw- mills within the memory of man. Bickford's is yet operated. Two or three stores have been opened at South Parsonsfield for brief periods. A post-office was established here, 1831, George Hilton, Postmaster. He held the office till 1883. It is one mile or more from the Moulton hill to Middle Road village. Job Colcord settled here before the incorporation of the town and opened a tavern. The parish records of 1790 say the meeting-house was between the dwelling houses of Bradstreet Wiggin and John Brown. No mention is made of other families. Town-meetings were held at Wiggin's and Colcord's till the meeting-house was finished, 1795; then at the meeting-house till the erection of the present town house, about 1832. Lot number 51, in the third range, was set apart for the use of the ministry. In 1790, the parish exchanged it for the lot and buildings Brown owned at the Middle Road. This was known as the parsonage till the death of Mr. Rolfe. The parsonage house was built 1795. After Mr. Rolfe's death in 1817, Mar}'-, his widow, returned to Massachusetts. The parsonage house and land lying on the eastern side of the highway and extending from land of Richard Lord, on the south, to land of Daniel Philbrick, on the north, reserving one acre, occupied as a bur}-- ing ground, was sold to Andrew Pease by the Congregational Society. Under date of July 12, 1802, Nicholas Emery, Esquire, says he has posted a notice for a parish meeting at his office and at the store of Samuel Dalton. Benjamin, brother of Samuel, succeeded him in trade. Samuel Cushman and Rufus Mclntire followed Judge Emery. Doctor James Bradbury and Gilman L. Bennett have been the physicians residing here. The mechanics have been Josiah Hannaford, Francis S. Grace, John Morrill, Lorenzo Redman, Hiram Billings, C. E. Weeman and others. Half a mile west of the village, Walter and Enoch Neal lifted their HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 235 axes against the thick trees, where John and Luther Neal, of the third generation, yet own and occupy. On the road branching toward West Parsonsfield, a Baptist meeting-house was standing, 1796. Beyond was the Dearborn mill, first built by Josiah and Asa Pease. Josiah dwelt half-way up the long hill, while Asa looked down from the sum- mit. Here, on this hill, James Fogg, Captain Lemuel Miller, Rufus and Isaac Nason and John G. Lombard, have since lived. Bearing to the right is an out-of-the-way farm, where Moulton Smart raised two smart doctors. Returning to the Middle Road by way of Trueworthy D. Palmer's and his son, Joshua D., and another pioneer, we climb the steep hill, and view the spot where the domicile of Caleb Burbank stood many years, later owned by Deacon John Lord and the Anderson brothers. Half-way down the hill, past Albert R. Leavitt's, the former home of Doctor David W. Clark, is the farm bought by Josiah Colcord, but not since sold. Around the Emerson schoolhouse several houses were erected, which have ceased to be. At South River, Joseph Granville built mills, which were rebuilt by George Lord, near the close of the last century. Later on, his son Samuel, added a small factory, in which he carded and spun wool, wove and dressed cloth by water power, for the neighboring farmers. The home of Colonel David L. Hobbs, so many years selectman, was near Eftiugham. Li returning from Lord's Mills to the Emerson schoolhouse, the neighborhood settled and still occupied by the Chase family is at the left.. From the schoolhouse, the ascent to the highlands is up, past the old homes of William Sanborn, Joseph Huckins, Solomon Kenison, Edmund Chase, Samuel Knapp, who, with his two sons, finished many of the older houses yet inhabited, then past James Champion's and another at the top of the hill, once known as Hunter's Hill, because there was a common camp there, in which hunters and trappers sought shelter, rest and companionship, before the ax-men made war on the shady forest. Wishing them plenty of game and sure shots, we will go down to the top of Merrill's hill, and view the field where Colonel Jonathan Kinsman— then living there— assembled the first regiment of soldiers for General Master. Center square is a mile east, so, turn- 236 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. ing south, let us go down the shipe of this divide, past the farm of John Bennett, the third generation of that name residing there, since Samuel Dalton, senior's, past Joseph Wedgewood's to Middle Road village, and without delay turn eastward to take a look at residences along the old Middle 'Road. The discontinued Corson road runs close to the base of Cedar moun- tain, beneath wliose shelter half a dozen families found protection from the fierce western winds. Among them, Taylor Page and Elder Went- worth Lord. Several orchards and miles of stone wall mark their places of abode as well as the hardy character of these denizens. In this solitude we would gladl}"- stop to meditate, but must pursue our way up and down the frequent hills. Upon the first, William Moulton found a resting place, while Stephen Merrill crowned the second one with a modest dwelling. In the valley, Joseph Boothby tilled the land, and Andrew Welch traded in cattle. A side road, at the corner of which stood the Welch meeting-house, takes us up past the homes of Messrs. Deacon Rand, John Lord and George and John Perkins, to ruins on an elevated plateau, once the residence of William Frost. John and James Cram secured the next eminence, having the Cartland " Friends " for neighbors on the north. Johnson's hill and the willow cane of John Fenderson, grandfather of Ivory, which grew to a majestic tree, attract attention before reach- ing the Parsons' neighborhood. Bordering on Limerick and Cornish, there are three or four lots and gores, which Thomas Parsons, junior, received from his father. Turning north, through and by these par- cels, the original home-place of William Fenderson is seen toward Randall's mountain. Thence past the homes of John Fenderson, Joseph Wilson (first occupied by Thomas Parsons, 3d), and Cliase Boothby, the veteran school teacher, to the summit of the next hill, and the village of East Parsonsfield (or Weeks' Corner) is just in front. Between Middle Road village and East Parsonsfield, a distance of five miles, there is a superabundance of rocks all along the route, yet there is no section of the town more productive, no soil better adapted to any and every crop. Keeping in mind that the object of these rambles is to note the loca- tion chosen by early settlers, yet a few facts respecting the business and growth of villages are in place. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 237 Samuel Longee was the pioneer at East Parsonsfield. Elder Weeks became his neighbor some five years later. Noah and Eliphalet Weeks were taxed in 1794. Samuel and Joseph Perry paid a property tax that year, but no poll tax till 1797. The name of Archelaus Pray first occurs 1799, while that of Thomas Pendexter, the first of that name, is not found till 1806, and the mime of Samuel Eastman, 1809. Several other families came into this vicinity, who did not remain many years. The five here named intermarried, and have held most of the ground, Noah Weeks was the prominent merchant for many years. Follow- ing him were: Richardson, Thomas Parsons, 3d, John Goddard, John McArthur, James Weeks, Simeon Folsom, Nathaniel Pendexter, Joseph Pray, Moses R. Brackett, Isaac and Nathaniel Brackett, Simeon D. Mudgett, Cyrus E. Bean, J. F. Dearborn, Jeremiah Bullock, G. J. Pen- dexter, Joseph Ridlon, Jonathan Devereux, A. O. Smart, N. Pease, Ridlon Brothers, Jerome W. Cole, Timothy A. Pendexter and C. O. Nute & Sons. About forty families reside in the village. After remarking that the Perrys took up farms on the road leading to North Parsonsfield, and the Pendexters and Eastmans east of them, we will travel west to Little Hampton, so-called, for the reason that the first residents emigrated from Hampton, N. H. The family names of Dearborn, Johnson, Towle and Brackett have all these years been associated with this locality. A short tramp brings us to the north road again, near the homes of Jacob Dearborn and Samuel Foss. Here, also, of old, lived James Remick and Gilman Lougee, on which farm Gilman Lougee, of the third generation, now resides, and down under the hill David Mudgett, after whom "Mudgett Pond" was named. Stopping at Mr. John Henry Foss' to taste the fi-uit of that apple-tree John Lougee brought from Gilmanton on horseback more than a hun- dred years ago, and then ascending a gentle rise, past Mr. Bartlett's, we reach the primitive homesteads of Edward and John Fox. Descend- ing the hill, we arrive at the homes of Captain Joseph Merrill and his son Hardy, and just below, that of Andrew McChapman and his son George F. The spot where Samuel Allen wrought at blacksmithing is halfway down the hill. Crossing the brook, on our left once stood the Potash works of Jacob Schagel, where our great-grandmothers procured leaven for their bread, superior to burnt corn-cobs. 238 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. The neighborhood known as North Parsonsfield is a broad, straight street, more than one mile in length, rather than a compact village. It numbers about forty families. There is a cluster of houses and stores near the eastern limit, and Parsonsfield Seminary on the hill, one mile away, near the other extreme. Starting at the public cemetery, within which scores of white stones mark the resting-place of fathers, mothers and children, to the third and fourth generation, nearly opposite to which, John Libby estab- lished a home about 1780, for a few years, we go northward. The Freewill meeting-house occupied the ground between the two stores. Joseph Mulloy was in trade opposite, soon after the year 1800. The first frame-house, built by Lot Wedgewood, stands at the corner of 'the roads. About 1801, the societ}^ bought the farm and built the house now standing for Elder Buzzell. Eben and Joseph Blazo built on the lot opposite Elder Buzzell's, about 1796. Samuel Dalton had a store opposite Wadleigh's blacksmith shop. The home of John Allen was below Dr. Sweat's. Also the homes of Colonel Simon J. Whitten and, farther down, that of General James Thomas. Amos Blazo, the earliest emigrant locating in this section of the town, built several rods west of the Porter road, but later in life lived on the corner east of that highway. Following the Porter road a short distance, we pass the Academy, and the field in which the Cen- tennial exercises were held ; remarking that John Burbank deeded the Piper farm to Isaac Felch in 1815, and that Thomas Thompson sold the Merrill farm to Samuel Allen (now owned by Robert Merrill) at about the same date. The farm beyond has been owned by Benjamin Bickford, Philip Paine, John Merrill and Simon Brown. Returning to Blazo's, and facing westward, we note the spot in the sharp triangle between the ways, where Jonathan Towle first settled, learn that the house on the hill to our left belonged for three generations to the Thurston family, now owned by the Leavitts, that, in olden days, James Smith had a home near the Hobbs' bridge and a clothing-mill on South river, and that Colonel David L. Hobbs took up the flat near the state line. By cutting across lots, the Huntress neighborhood, in the extreme northwest corner of the town, is reached. It is within the gore that HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 239 was sold to Patrick Tracy, and held by his heirs till about 1815. Pro- ceeding over the hill and down the river road, we pass the homes of Thomas C. Huntress, Pratt brothers, Charles Bennett and the ruins of a log-house, which was erected in the last century. Before reaching the Porter road, we come to the ruins of the homes of John Stacy and Richard Devereaux. Once on the main road, at O. B. Churchill's, and facing north, the homesteads of James Smith and Ichabod Churchill, since occupied by Major Thomas Churchill and his son Nathaniel H., are in view. Leaving Porter bridge, over which the horse of Dr. Moses Sweat once crossed on a stringer without wakening his rider, on our left we will turn down the gore road, seeking more information. The locality was first settled by Elijah and Samuel Fox. In process of time, George Kezar settled three or four of his children along the road. It is probable that the old hunter remained in the woods, where his old camp was pitched. None of the family ever lived at Kezar Falls, or owned property there. Eastward from the Kezar settlement, there is a swell of fine farming land. It was not brought under cultivation until the early years of the present century. The name of Ebenezer Foss first appears on the tax list of 1800. That of Benning Parker in 1804. Thomas Edgecomb in 1805, while the names of George Newbegin, Jacob and Moses Banks are added in 1807. The descendants of these pioneers still hold most of the hill. The Great Ossipee river is a mile to the north. Kezar Falls, said to have been so named from the fact that hunter Kezar here had a sort of foot-bridge from rock to rock, is an unrivaled water power. Within seventy years, a smart village has grown up near the Falls, of which more is said in another place. Taking the Cornish road, there was a carding-mill near the corner of the town about 1812. On the road from Cornish to North Parsons- field, the records say Daniel Chick brought his family in 1798 ; Eben Gould, 1796; Elisha Wadleigh, 1799; Daniel Elliot, 1792; Henry Boothby was early on Bickford's hill and Samuel Chapman here, 1792. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. PART III. PERSONAL SKETCHES. Honorable James W. Bradbur}*, in his oration, Horace Piper, Esquire in "Schools of Parsonsfield," Doctor Joseph Ricker on " College Graduates," P. W. Mclntire on " Lawyers of Parsonsfield," the paper on " Physicians of Parsonsfield," and H. G. O. Smith in " Part H " of this History have made mention of many of the former and present resi- dents of the town, and in this part it is proposed to treat briefly of others. In this we have been aided largely by contributions from other sources, to whom we have endeavored to give due credit. Of those in town who have furnished valuable contributions, especial mention should be made of Mr. Joseph Parsons, Mr. John Pray, Mr. William K. Doe, Mr. Gilman Lougee, Mr. Eben Foss, Mr. O. B. Churchill and Mr. Ivory Fenderson, besides many unmentioned names to whom we are largely indebted. To all those referred to in the preface and here mentioned, as well as to the very many interested ones whose efforts are appreciated, but whose names are omitted, we acknowledge our obligations and express our gratitude. THOMAS PARSONS, ESQUIRE. The original proprietor of this town, and he from whom it took its name was Thomas Parsons. At this late date, no one is found who remembers him with distinctness, and we regret to say that but little of liim can be learned on which to make a sketch of his life. The town has been signally blessed in the high character of her sons and daughters, and the honorable and gratifying record they have made. Much of this is due to the high standing and character of Thomas Parsons. Of ancestry direct from the aristocracy of England traced back to Sir Humphrey, Lord Mayor of London, in 1740 and HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 24 1 1731, thence to Sir John, who held the same office in 1704, thence to Sir Thomas of Great Milton, who received the honor of knight- hood from Charles First in 1634, to whom was granted a coat-of- arras, retained in the Parsons family in the United States, as well as by the descendants of Sir Thomas in London, and by a branch of the family that settled in Barbadoes ; and thence back to John Par- sons, who was Mayor in Hereford in the county of Herefordshire, in 1481; and then in the United States he comes down from Joseph Parsons, of Springfield, Massachusetts, called Cornet Joseph, who was a resident of that place as early as 1686, for on July fifteenth of that year his name appears as a witness to the deed from the Indians of lands of that place and vicinity, and who died in Springfield, March 25, 1684 ; through his eldest son Joseph junior, a man in active and extensive business, and in political and military life ; through his eldest son Joseph, 3d, who was a collegian and clergyman, dying at Salsbury in 1738, at the age of sixty-eight years ; through his eldest son Joseph, 4th, also a collegian and clergyman, dying in 1765 in Braintree, Mas- sachusetts, to himself, the fourth son of this latter Joseph, 4th, and Elizabeth (Usher) Parsons. Such a line of ancestry could but give character to the man, and in settling the township he called around him, in accordance with a nat- ural law, those congenial to him and to each other. He was a man of activity, broad in his views, incisive, fixed and determined, with large executive abilities, extreme hospitality and far-reaching circumspec- tion. He was quite liberally educated, as is evidenced by his writings, where he employed very clear and concise language and wrote with a bold, plain and firm hand. He was born September 18, 1735, in Bradford, Massachusetts, was twice married, first to Anna Poor, of Andover, Massachusetts, who died May 24, 1783, aged forty-four years, and second, to Lucy Brad- bury, of Saco, who died November 10, 1811, surviving her husband but three months. By his first wife he had nine children, and by his second, ten, making a family of nineteen children. The township of land was granted to Mr. Parsons, on the fiftli of August, 1771, by the proprietors claiming it under the will of Mrs. Bridget Phillips, and under his direction surveyed by Joseph Cram, 16 242 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. Esquire, of Exeter, New Hampshire, in the autumn of the same year. Mr. Parsons became very soon a resident of Leavittstown, New Hamp- shire, now Effingham, residing very near the northwestern border of Parsonsfield. Here he remained until 1784. The town records of Leavittstown, or Effingham, show that he was moderator of the town- meeting in March, 1784. But he had erected a dwelling-house in Par- sonsfield and become a resident there prior to August, 1785, for at that time he was chosen moderator and chairman of the first Board of Select- men of the newly-incorporated town. The records show that he was actively engaged in the business affairs of the town until 1802. In religious views and profession, like his ancestors, he was a Congregationalist. His remains lie in the cemetery on the old homestead by the side of those of his wives and several of his children. The inscription on the plain, unpretending slab, runs thus : " In memory of Thomas Parsons, who departed this life August 10, 1811, aged 76 years. "Behold fond man, see here thy pictured life, Thy flowery spring, thy summer's ardent strength; The sober autumn fading into age, And pale concluding winter comes at last, And shuts the scene." THOMAS PARSONS, JUNIOR, Eldest son of Thomas and Anna (Poor) Parsons, was born at South- ampton, Massachusetts, February 8, 1759. Married Hannah Foster, of Limerick, then Sullivan's Town, in 1778, and moved to the south- eastern portion of Parsonsfield, where he owned about one thousand acres of land, his residence being the farm now owned by Daniel Piper and Joseph Parsons. His wife died March 5, 1784, and he married Miss Abigail Drake, of Effingham. By his first wife he had three children, Thomas, Enoch Poor and Ann. Of his family there are and have been very many. His eldest son, Thomas, was born April 26, 1779, and married Anna Lougee and settled on the farm now owned by Joseph Wilson, later moved to East Parsonsfield and thence moved to Canada. Enoch Poor, the second son, born April 2, 1781, married Betsey Burnham, November 10, 1800, lived on the home-farm, joined the ^^^ '^'"■rtniKenSiU etti'" Capi THOMAS BRADBURY PARSONS. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 243 society of Friends, with whom he remained during life, dying Febru- ary 6, 1860. Thomas Parsons, junior, was killed by the falling of a tree, December 23, 1788, and then followed another son of the proprietor, Thomas B. Parsons. CAPTAIN THOMAS BRADBURY PARSONS, The twelfth child of Thomas, and third by his second wife Lucy Brad- bury, was born in Parsonsfield, February 11, 1789. Of his early edu- cational advantages we can only form some idea, t)y the facts that appear in his later life. His ancestry is traced at some length in the sketch of the life of his father, Thomas Parsons, Esquire, to which the reader is referred. How early he commenced his career as a seafaring man is not known to the writer, but in 1808, at the age of nineteen years, he performed one of the most noble, gallant and daring acts in the records of history. Senator James W. Bradbury, in speaking in the United States Senate in 1848, upon a bill giving a small arrear of pension to Mr. Parsons on this point, said : " It was one that, if he had been a Roman citizen, would have entitled him to a civic croivn, nay, to seven, for he saved the lives of seven American seaman, at the imminent hazard of his own, and Rome conferred the civic crown on him who saved the life of a Roman citizen." It appears that, at that time, Mr. Parsons was an officer in the United States Navy, attached to one of the gun-boats that were employed off the coast of Louisiana to enforce the embargo and suppress piracy. They had occasion to send out a boat on an expedition, under sailing- master Brown, with eight persons, one of whom was Parsons, and one midshipman Jones. In crossing the bar, the boat was struck by the breakers and sunk in some twelve feet of water, a mile from shore. Another breaker capsized and emptied it of its contents, and it rose to the surface. Parsons and Brown were the only members of the party who could swim. They assisted their drowning companions to regain and cling to the boat, and then each taking an oar they started for the shore. The tide was strong against them and before reaching the shore Brown gave out. Parsons now gave up his oar to Brown and made for the shore without assistance. Divesting himself hastily of 244 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. his clothing, he swam back to Brown, reaching him just in time to save him from sinking, and brought him to land in so exhausted a condi- tion that he was unable to stand for several hours. For a time, the capsized boat, with the others clinging to it, was drifted with the tide out to sea, and seemingly inevitable destruction awaited them ; but upon the return of flood tide, the boat was drifted toward the land to a point far distant. Parsons again, at the hazard of his own life, renewed his exertions to save his companions. He swam to the wreck and brought off Jones, then back again and brought to shore another, and then a third time and brought to shore the boat with the remaining sailors clinging to it. In this effort he received an injury from which he never recovered, and for which, in 1835, he was pensioned. When the matter of pension came up in the House, Mr. Reed, of Massachusetts, regarded it as a story without any foundation of truth, but as Mr. Jones (then commodore) was referred to, he inquired of him and found it true in every particular. In 1848, an arrear of pen- sion was granted him. In 1814, he was sailing master of the famous privateer brig General Armstrong, of New York, and assisted in defending her and heading off the boats of a British squadron in two attacks in the harbor of Fayal, which for bravery and hand-to-hand fighting on shipboard were not equaled during the war of 1812. In this attack, the British were obliged to retire with the loss of two hundred men killed and ninety wounded. Captain Parsons on this occasion was severely wounded. It is said that the loss to the British in these engagements was the means of saving New Orleans, the squadron being so disabled that they could not join, as intended, in the attack on that city, which gave General Jackson time to prepare, and thus the attack was postponed and the city saved. After the war. Captain Par- sons served in the merchant service until 1826, when he became a teacher of navigation in Portland, in which he continued until 1866. At that time his dwelling on Deer Street was burned in the great fire which then prevailed, and thereafter Captain Parsons lived in retire- ment, dying in 1872 at the age of eighty-three years, respected and beloved. He was twice married, first on January 25, 1823, to Elizabeth !3^ Capt. LUTHER EMERSON HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 245 Hedskins, and second, on January 26, 1846, to Anna Chase. He left no issue. CAPTAIN LUTHER EMERSON, Was born in Alfred, Maine, November 11, 1782, the son of Joseph and Lydia (Durrell) Emerson, and grandson of Rev. John Emerson of Topsfield, Massachusetts, whose father was Edward, of Chelmsford, Massachusetts. His ancestors were among the earliest settlers of the Massachusetts colony, coming from Durham, England, and settling at Ipswich about 1635, and were of the staunch old Puritan stock, descending from Sir Ralph Emerson, of York, England, who was knighted by King Henry Eighth, in 1585. The heraldic arms have been inherited by the family of the late Ralph Waldo Emerson, a branch of the same family. In 1807, he married Miss Elizabeth • Usher Parsons, daughter of Thomas Parsons, of Parsonsfield. He then settled on a farm in Lyman, adjoining Alfred, where he resided until after the death of his father-in-law, when he purchased the Parsons homestead and removed to Parsonsfield, where the re- mainder of his life was passed. Mrs. Emerson died in 1857, and in 1868 he married a second time. He died July 4, 1875, at the age of ninety-two years and eight months. In politics a whig, and later, a republican, and in religious views and profession, a Congregationalist. He reared a family of five sons and two daughters. He was ambitious, energetic, a man of sound judgment, passionately fond of poetry and a great lover of music, hospitable and kind, a good friend and a worthy citizen, neighbor, father and husband. JOSEPH PRATT EMERSON, Was born in Lyman, Maine, November 10, 1810. His father was Captain Luther Emerson, who moved to Parsonsfield in 1814, and settled on tlie homestead farm of Thomas Parsons, whose daughter he married. Joseph P. followed agriculture as a business, yet music with him was not only a passion but a part of his being. And to it he devoted much time and service. He taught over two hundred classes and schools in vocal music, and devoted months of time and 246 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. traveled thousands of miles to render service to others in times of need, in this capacity, without charge or remuneration. In 1829, he went to New Brunswick and tarried there' seven years, and during this time was married to Miss Sarah Dunfield. The union was blessed with eight children, three sons and five daughters — all yet living. In 1836, he returned to Parsonsfield to the old homestead, where he remained till his death, which was instantaneous — being thrown from a mowing- machine on the seventeenth of July, 1884. He was one of the charter members of Charter Oak Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of Effingham, New Hampshire, and gave it its name. His remains were taken charge of by that Order, the largest and most impressive funeral service which ever occurred in town. His genuine hospitality, unselfish generosity and his cheering wit and good humor were marked traits of his character, and his friend- ships were wide, numerous, firm and abiding. In politics he was a republican, in religion a Baptist. He was one of the few, whose removal from earth creates a vacuum that remains, and a sadness that is lasting. PROFESSOR LUTHER ORLANDO EMERSON. Luther Orlando Emerson, youngest son of Captain Luther and Eliza- beth Usher (Parsons) Emerson, and grandson of Thomas Parsons, the original proprietor of the town, was born in Parsonsfield, August 3, 1820. He early manifested a taste and talent for music, inherited, in a greater or less degree, by the other members of the familjs which was cultivated as circumstances would best allow during his boyhood and the earlier years of his manhood. At the age of twenty-one he left home and went to Boston. His education had been obtained at the district school, Parsonsfield Seminary and Effingham Academy. He was full of energy, quick and versatile, an apt scholar and, with a view to entering the profession of medicine, he entered Dracut Academy, Massachusetts. But the great love and passion for music swerved him from that course, and now, having far better opportunities of cultivating and enjoying this taste and ability, he soon determined upon music as the profession of his choice. He accordingly commenced a course of musical instruction, under the late I. B. Woodbury. ^^^^ '^m^. I ^^l^^ Qy^^K^ IrUJl -1^ _ '!^E^- Emerson Homestead 1784. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 247 After several years of study on the voice, piano, organ and harmon}'', he went to Salem, Massachusetts, and began teaching, and there took charge of his first choir at a salary of -f 100 a year. Here, naturally, he began to compose for liis choir, hymns and anthems, which were so suc- cessful with the congregation tliat he felt encouraged to collect them in book-form, as in a few years they had largely accumulated. This resulted in the " Romberg Collection," published in 1853, while he was still in Salem. This book was not a great success, although it con- tained some of Mr. Emerson's best efforts, as was proven when some years later he incorporated nearly one-half of this venture in a new collection. He was a young, unknown author, and it was not easy to find a firm willing to undertake the publication of his work. He remained in Salem six years, then returned to Boston and accepted the position of director of music and organist at Bulfinch Street Church, which position he held for four years. Meanwhile, he continued teach- ing, studying and writing music. In 1857 was publisned by Oliver Ditson & Co., the " Golden Wreath," by Emerson, a song-book for schools, which at once became very pop- ular and met with a ready sale. The first year there were sold forty thousand copies, and the sale now amounts to over three hundred thou- sand. In 1858, he put forth the " Golden Harp," a Sunday-school book, which was also a great success. These efforts gave him not only encouragement but reputation, since which he has never been obliged to seek for a publisher. Leaving Bos- ton, he accepted the position of organist and musical director in the Second Congregational Church, at Greenfield, Massachusetts, and was at the same time elected to take charge of the musical department of Powers' Institute, at Bernardston, Massachusetts, both of whicli posi- tions he held for eight years. In 1860, he published a second book of church music, the "Sabbath Harmony," which took high rank and has had an extensive sale. Much of the better portion of this collection was taken from the " Romberg," which proves beyond a question that its failure was not due to lack of merit. The tune of " Sessions " alone, which it contained, would, had he never composed another, have immortalized his name. In 1863, he brought out the " Harp of Judah," the sale of which 248 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. was unequaled by any book of its kind, reaching fifty thousand copies during the first three months. This book probably gave Mr. Emerson his pre-eminence as a composer of church music. From that time to the present, his church music books have taken the lead of all that have been published in the country. In 1866, the " Jubilate " was published. This was equally successful with the "Harp of Judah." Then followed in 1869 the "Choral Tribute"; in 1872, the "Standard"; in 1874, the "Leader"; in 1879, the " Voice of Worship," and " Emerson's Vocal Method." In all, Mr, Emerson has published fifty-one books for churches, schools, socie- ties and the household, which together have had an aggregate sale of over a million copies. Notwithstanding all this labor, Mr. Emerson has written over fifty songs and pieces for the piano, most of which have had large sales and are well known. His war-song "We are coming Father Abraham," words by Bryant ; " Negro Boatman's Song," words by Whittier, are too well known and appreciated to call for comment. Among those that are familiar may be mentioned " Out in the cold," " I have no mother now," " I'll paddle my own canoe," " The flower girl," "Though lost to sight to memory dear," "Sleep my baby, sleep and dream," " Star of the twilight," " Why did we meet ? " " Why did we part?" "Parting whispers," "Alpine echo," "Little Gertie and Uncle True," "Mountain land" and "Star of descending night." Among his popular sacred songs are : " Stand up for Jesus," " Jesus loves me," " Tarry with me, oh my Saviour," " Rock of ages," " So the day of rest declineth," " When the hues of daylight fade," " O, praise the mighty God," " Daughter of Zion," " Guide me, O thou great Jehovah," etc., etc. Nearly all of his writings have been pub- lished by Oliver Ditson & Co. Of late years, Mr. Emerson has devoted his energies to the grand purpose of elevating the general character of music in our churches — uplifting and upbuilding in its tendency, and thus largely advancing the interests of true worship. With this in view, he has taken a very active part in musical conventions and festivals, being engaged in this noble work for more than twenty-five years, during which period he has conducted over three hundred conventions throughout the country. Emerson Homestead Elmswood Farm, 188^ HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 249 These musical conventions have done more to create and foster a general interest in music than any other agency. The great Boston Jubilee owed its success in great measure to the hundreds of these con- ventions held in different parts of the country and especially in New England. As a conductor, Mr. Emerson ranks among the first. As a lecturer upon music, Mr. Emerson has attracted considerable attention, his best known lecture being that entitled " The World of Music." In this he traces its origin and progress, and gives some excellent lessons drawn from the lives of the great composers. He shows the design of music ; how it has been prized in every age of the world, among all nations ; its power in the church and state and the need of its influence in the family. He is now full of life and vigor, busy laboring in his chosen field, not chilled in his ardor, kindness and genuine hospitality by contact with the world's selfishness, nor wanting in that generosity of nature which 1 as ever won him hosts of friends. JAMES \V. COOK, Second son of Nathaniel H. and Fannie (Chamberlin") Cook, and one of a family of seven children, was born in Wakefield, New Hampshire, May 1, 1837, where he resided until February, 1845, when his father removed with his family to North Parsonsfield to avail himself of the benefits afforded by Parsonsfield Seminary. At the age of sixteen years he went to Manchester, New Hampshire, with a view to learning mercantile business, where he remained one year. Then in conse- quence of the failing health of his father, he was obliged to return to his home, where he engaged in farming for several years. In the spring of 1857, he went to New York, and found ready employment as clerk in Lovejoy's Hotel. There he tarried till November, 1 858, when he again returned to his Parsonsfield home, saddened by the death of his mother and two of his sisters. As the family was thus well-nigh broken up, he, at the urgent request of the surviving members, decided to open a store for general merchandise at North Parsonsfield, near the residence of his father. In connection therewith, he carried on farming and lumbering, meeting with marked success in his business enterprises for a period of thirteen years. 250 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. On November 24, 1859, he married Miss Sarah J. Emerson, daughter of Joseph P. Emerson and great-granddaughter of Thomas Parsons, and they have three chiklren, two sons, William H. and Charles E., and one daughter, Fannie S. In 1872, he sold his entire property in Parsonsfield and removed with his family to Boston, Massachusetts, purchasing the old established business of John Devereux and others, of pianoforte moving, estab- lished in 1823. He conducted this business until January 1, 1887' when his son William H. entered into partnership with him under the firm name of " J. W. Cook & Son." Here, by strict attention to busi- ness, he has acquired a large property. While in Parsonsfield, he enjoyed the confidence of the community, being one of the municipal officers of the town, actively interested in the moral reforms and progress of the times, a charter member of Drummond Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, at North Parsonsfield, and, after removing to Boston, becoming interested in religious matters, joining the Baptists worshiping at Tremont Temple. A few years since, he purchased " Elmwood Farm " in Parsonsfield, well known as the Emerson homestead, being the late residence of Joseph P. Emerson, deceased, and earlier the farm of Thomas Parsons, the proprietor of the town, on which stands the original house erected by him, which Mr. Cook has remodeled and enlarged for a summer residence. On this farm he has at a great expense erected large farm buildings, and is successfully engaged in farming enterprise, making many and valuable improvements. HONORABLE JAMES W. BEADBURY, LAWYER AND EX-UNITED STATES SENATOR, AUGUSTA, MAINE. (See Frontispiece.) Of the many distinguished public men to whom the State has given birth, few have attained to greater prominence or achieved a more enviable success in life than the subject of this brief sketch. That suc- cess, however, has not been due alone to a liberally educated, highly cultivated mind, united to native vigor of intellect, but largely to an indefatigable industry, which has marked his career througliout — an industry devoted to the investigation of public questions as they arose ; HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 25 I and to an understanding of the merits of the engrossing topics of the hour ; whereby lie lias kept himself fully abreast of the times. And even now, at the age of more than fourscore, when most men of his years sink into the torpor of senility, he is remarkably active, both in body and mind — still taking as lively an interest as ever in foreign affairs, in the doings of Congress, in the legislation of the State, in the success of our colleges and other educational agencies, in the development of the industrial interests of the country, in the discov- eries of science and the inventions of art, as well as in the varied social, religious and political movements of the day. The limits prescribed to this sketch admit of only a meagre outline of his life and labors. James Ware Bradbury was born in Parsonsfield,York County, Maine, July 10, 1802. His father, James Bradbury, was a successful practicing physician in that town for upward of forty years. The common ances- tor of the family in this country was Thomas Bradbury,* a native of Essex, England, who came to Massachusetts about the year 1634, as agent of Sir Ferdinando Gorges. He was repeatedly elected a member of the General Court of Massachusetts from the town of Salisbury. After leaving the common schools, Mr. Bradbury attended for one or more terms the academies at Saco, Limerick and Effingham, New Hampshire, and fitted for college under the tuition of Preceptor Nason, at Gorham. He entered the sophomore class at Bowdoin, in the autumn of 1822, and was graduated in 1825. Among the graduating class of that year were Longfellow, Little, Hawthorne, Cilley, Abbott and others, who afterward became celebrated. Josiah Storer Little took the first rank in scholarship, having assigned to him the first of the three English orations. Bradbury and Longfellow had the other two, their rank being in the order of their names, Gorham Dean, who held the second rank, having died before Commencement. Soon after graduating, Mr. Bradbury became preceptor of Hallowell Academy, giving universal satisfaction. He then commenced the study of law in the office of Rufus Mclntire, of Parsonsfield, finishing in that of Ether and John Shepley. Some three months intervening before he could be admitted to the bar, he *Jame3 W. is sixth in the line of descent from Thomas Bradbury. 252 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. opened a school in Effingham, New Hampshire, for the instruction of teachers, which he taught one term with success, drilling the pupils for the special business of teachers. This is believed to have been the first attempt at a normal school in New England. On being admitted, in 1830, Mr. Bradbury removed to Augusta, where he commenced practice. In 1833, he formed a short professional co-partnership with Horatio Bridge. Subsequently he had for law- partners. Honorable Lot M. Morrill, J. M. Meserve and Richard D. Rice. In all of the firms he was senior member. When Mr. Bradbury began practice, the Kennebec bar was, perhaps, unsurpassed in ability by any in the State, numbering, among others, such distinguished names as those of Reuel Williams, Peleg Sprague, George Evans, Fred- erick Allen, Timothy Boutelle, Samuel Wells, William Emmons, H. W. Fuller and Hiram Belcher. To obtain a foothold in a field so occupied required not only legal ability but untiring application and effort. His success was rapid and permanent. He soon had a large and remunerative practice, being employed from morning till night in office consultations and in court cases. He was devoted to his profession. He was a sound, thoroughly-read lawyer and a skillful and able advo- cate, who never failed to do justice to the cause of his client. In 1835, Mr. Bradbury was appointed by Governor Dunlap, County Attorney for Kennebec, an office he held for four years, discharging its duties with ability and fidelity. In politics, Mr. Bradbury was a " born democrat," and has ever remained true to the party. On coming to Augusta he became, for one year, editor of the Maine Patriot^ a democratic paper then pub- lished in the town ; and, wielding as he did a vigorous pen, he made the journal very acceptable to its patrons. He was a delegate to the Baltimore Convention of 1844, and, during the election of that year being chosen a presidential elector, was president of the electoral col- lege of the state, which cast its vote for James K. Polk. In the can- vass, Mr. Bradbury took the stump for Mr. Polk, speaking often and in different parts of the State, the leading issue being the admission of Texas into the Union. In 1846, Mr. Bradbury was elected United States Senator for six years, commencing March 4, 1847. He took his seat in the Senate, HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 253 December 10, 18-47, at the beginning of the first session of the Forty- Third Congress. Tliirteen days after, his colleague Plonorable John Fairfield fell a victim to a hazardous surgical operation, and on the twenty-third of December, Mr. Bradbury announced his death to the Senate, and pronounced a fitting eulogy upon his life and character. Mr. Bradbury's entrance into the Senate occurred at a period of unusual interest in the legislation of the country, when the Mexican war and the slavery question absorbed its deliberations; and when such statesmen as Webster, Calhoun, Clay, Benton, Cass, Douglas, Seward and Chase occupied seats in that body. Mr. Bradbury gave an efficient support to the war measures of Mr. Polk's administration ; and when hostilities with Mexico ceased, he and his colleague W. B. S. Moore labored for th'e ratification of the treaty of peace, which secured us so much and was in danger of being rejected. In the assignment of the Senate committees, Mr. Bradbury was made chairman of the Committee on Printing, a member of the Committee on Claims and of the Judiciary Committee, upon the latter of which he continued to serve until the close of his term. The labors of the com- mittee were heavier than now, as the members had to draft their own bills and were unprovided with a clerk, but Mr. Bradbury never shrank from doing his full share of the work. July 24, 1850, Mr. Clay, from the Committee of thirteen, reported what is known as the " Compromise Bill," establishing territorial gov- ernments for New Mexico and Utah, and providing for the adjustment of the boundaries of Texas and for the payment of a stipulated amount for territory relinquished to the United States. The bill gave rise to a long debate, in which a large number of the members of the Senate (Mr. Bradbury among them) participated. It was a time of intense excitement, and, as subsequent events have proved, of great danger to the Union. Mr. Bradbury gave an earnest support to the bill as fair in its terms, and the only measure that could command a majority in Congress and quiet a controversy which threatened the peace of the country. It was designed to relieve Congress from the agitation of the subject of slavery in the territories, by placing its determination in the hands of the people of the respective territories themselves, where it could be safely lodged. Had Congress afterward 254 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. adhered to the principle of the bill, we might have escaped the civil war, which followed the excitement that resulted from the repeal of the Missouri line restriction in the bill for the organization of Kansas in 1854. The conspicuous advocacy and harmonious co-operation of Mr. Clay and Mr. Webster, in aid of these plans of adjustment, led Mr. Brad- bury to entertain a profound admiration for their broad statesmanship and lofty patriotism ; and he has always regarded Mr. Webster's seventh of March speech as the most patriotic utterance of his life. In Senate, April, 1852, Mr. Bradbury made the leading argument in favor of the French Spoliation Bill ; and in reply to Senator Felch, of Michigan, who made an elaborate speech against it. The facts, figures and reasoning then presented by Mr. Bradbury possess the same inter- est today that they then did. The bill passed the Senate by a large majority. Mr. Bradbury was the originator of the movement which led to the establishment of the Court of Claims. In 1849, he offered a resolution for the establishment of such a board, and at the next session he pre- sented a carefully prepared bill, which was substantially the same as that passed by Congress the next year. n In 1852, Mr. Bradbury introduced a bill to indemnify Maine and Massachusetts for land conveyed to settlers this side the new boundary line under the treaty of Washington. He made a labored investiga- tion of the whole subject, and delivered a clear, convincing speech in favor of the bill, which received a passage. It was subsequently passed by the House and became a law. He also secured the passage of a bill for the payment to Maine of interest on money advanced by her in 1839-40, for military expenses incurred in the "Aroostook War." It was likewise through his efforts that the first appropriation was made by Congress for improving the navigation of the Kennebec River. Mr. Bradbury (as the columns of the Congressional Q-lohe will show) was an active and efficient member during his entire term of service in the Senate, looking carefully after the interests of his State and of the country. He was a ready debater and good speaker, who presented the strong points of a subject skillfully and with great clearness and HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 255 force. He declined to be a candidate for re-election, and, at the close of his official service, resumed the practice of the law. As a citizen, Mr. Bradbury has ever taken an active interest in all public enterprises, and has been readv to give time and money to the advancement of those calculated to benefit the city of his adoption or the State at large. Mr. Bradbury, ever since his graduation, has kept up his interest in Bowdoin College — his latest act of service to that institution being in connection with the Dummer will case, settled a few months since. He was elected a member of the Board of Overseers in 1847, and a member of the Board of Trustees in 1861. In 1876, on the retirement of Judge Shepley, he was chosen chairman of the Committee on Finance, and has held the office to the present time. He received, in 1872, the honorary degree of ll. d. from the college. He has been an active member of the Maine Historical Society since 1842, and was elected Corresponding Secretary in 1859 and President in 1874. He has been continued in office by annual elections from that date, and is now the onl}'- survivor of the forty-nine corporators. In 1846, he was influential in obtaining from the Legislature a grant of half a township of land for the society, which has been the means of placing it on a sound financial footing. He has also been an exemplary and useful member of the Congregational Church of Augusta, for more than thirty years, taking a deep interest, not only in the affairs of his own denomination, but also in the general progress of religion without reference to creeds. Mr. Bradbury married Miss Eliza Ann Smith, daughter of Thomas W. Smith, Esquire, a prosperous merchant of Augusta, November 25, 1834. Mrs. Bradbury was an excellent woman, affectionate, cheerful, fall of life and energy, and possessed of great executive ability — a model wife, mother and member of society. She died suddenly January 29, 1879, greatly lamented by her family and friends. Four children were the fruit of this marriage, Henry Westbrook, James Ware, junior, Thomas Westbrook Smith and Charles. Thomas W. died May 11, 1868, and James W. junior, September 21, 1876,— both in the prime of life and full of promise. Henry W. died June 10, 1884, leaving a wife and two children, one of whom has since died. These successive bereave- 256 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. ments have left Mr. Bradbury with only one surviving son, Mr. Charles Bradbury, of Boston, and one surviving grandchild, the remaining daughter of Henry W. ALBION P. BENTON". Prominent among the active and enterprising citizens of Parsonsfield, from 1865 till his death December 11, 1886, was Albion P. Benton. He was born in Denmark, Maine, August 28, 1816, of a grand New England family, celebrated for heroism, patriotism and uncommon intellectual endowments. His grandfather. Doctor Joseph Benton, was a relative of the late distinguished statesman Colonel Thomas H. Ben- ton, of Missouri, and will be remembered by our eldest citizens as one of the most successful and celebrated physicians of his generation, who, having been called some fifty years ago to New Hampshire, in an epi- demic of fearful and fatal nature, arrested its ravages, cured every patient and on his return remarked, in his dry, peculiar humor, that he had " driven death through the Notch of the White Mountains and put up the bars." His five sons, Nathaniel S., Joseph D., Charles, Stephen P. and Alfred, the father of Albion P., all served in the War of 1812. Nathaniel S. and Charles became members of Congress, the latter also a judge. Reared amid scenes of hardship, toil and deprivation, incident to that early period, Albion P. Benton early developed those qualities of industry, economy, sagacity and self-reliance that became such prom- inent characteristics in his long and useful career. Inheriting nothing but his remarkable physical and mental powers, he was a self-made man ; his quick, acute mind grasped, as if by intuition, the salient points of an entei'prise, and obstacles that would have discouraged an ordinary man were swept away by the might of his restless, resistless energy. He was honorable and truthful in his dealings, courteous, but frank and straightforward, and the certainty that attended his words, deeds and principles became an important element in his character. Usefulness was the leading idea of his life, and his example and advice, based on ripe experience and good sense, were exceedingly valuable. In early life, he entered the primeval forest in Hiram, cleared a farm, built a home, and in 1843 he married Miss Sarah Wadsworth, of Hiram, a lady in every respect a worthy helpmeet. She died in Par- A. p. BENTON CfO H .,„ Rev. ASA OALTON O.D. neCltR . ST. SIEPHtNS CHURCH POSTIAND ME. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 269 » ADAM WILSON, D. D., Was born in Topshara, Maine, February 10, 1794, united with the Baptist Church in 1816, graduated from Bowdoin College in 1819, was ordained to the gospel ministry in 1820, and died January 16, 1871. His long and fruitful labors and ministry were given to his native state. He was pastor at Saco, Paris, Bangor and other important cen- ters, and was also for many years the editor and proprietor of Zion's Advocate^ of which he was the founder and which he conducted with much ability. To this day, it is the recognized organ of the Baptists of Maine. As editor, preacher and pastor, he easily ranked among the able men of the state, whether of his own or other denominations. Calm, self-poised, faithful to his convictions and fearless of everything but wrong, his life was a great power for good to the world. Intem- perance and human oppression found in him an uncompromising foe, while the gospel of Christ, in its broad and blessed scope, in like man- ner, found in him an advocate and herald of marked ability, of clean- out convictions and of high-toned Christian living. The cause of education also was to him a subject of much thought and of many sacrifices. In his wife Sally H., daughter of Deacon Dominicus and Susanna (Perkins) Ricker, he possessed a companion of kindred qualities and aims. Together they wrought. out results in their various fiields of labor that, for generations to come, must prove a standing benediction to the race. REV. JOSEPH RICKER, D. D. (by dr. wm. b. lapham.) (See page 57 for portrait.) Joseph Ricker was born in Parsonsfield, June 27, 1814. He was the son of Deacon Dominicus Ricker by his second wife Susanna Per- kins, of Wells. Until he was eighteen years of age, Mr. Ricker lived upon the farm with his parents, and as soon as he was old enough, he assisted in cultivating the paternal acres. The next three years he spent in teaching and in study at Gorham Academy, Parsonsfield Sem- inary and select schools in the neighborhood of his home. During a considerable portion of the time he worked morning and evening in 270 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. payment for his board. He then entered Waterville College, now Colby University, and for lack of means he was, for long periods, obliged to board himself and practice the strictest economy. He received no assistance from education societies and scarcely any from individuals, being obliged to depend mainly upon his own resources for the means to pay his college obligations. He did not suffer these obstacles to interfere with his onward progress, and, indeed, they really became helps in developing those traits of independence and self- reliance which have characterized his career. He graduated from the college in 1839, at the age of twenty-five, with one of the highest assignments of his class. Upon the completion of his college course. Dr. Ricker was called to the editorial charge of the Zion's Advocate, the organ of the Baptist denomination in Maine, then, as now, published in Portland. This was a responsible position for a young man just out of college, but he proved equal to the demands of the situation, and filled the place with marked ability for nearly four years. January 1, 1813, he retired from the paper and entered upon what he regarded as his life-work, and to which his previous labors and studies had only been preparatory — that of the gospel ministry. For a period of twenty-nine years to 1872, with the exception of two years and a half, when he served as chaplain of the Massachusetts State Prison, he was successively and continuously employed by the Baptist Churches in New Gloucester and Belfast, Maine, Woburn and Milford, Massachusetts, and Augusta, Maine. Simultaneously with his pastoral labors in the two states, he served as Secretar}'- of the Massachusetts Baptist Convention for seven years, of the Maine Baptist Convention for two years, and as chaplain of the Maine Insane Hospital two years. He was elected Secretary of the Maine Baptist Convention in 1869, and two years later he resigned the pastorate of the church in Augusta, that he might devote his entire time and energies to the superintendence of state missionary-work, supplemented by labors to promote the growth and efficiency of the educational institutions of his denomination. In 1849, Doctor Ricker was elected a trustee of Waterville College, and in the period of service, since the death of Honorable Abner Coburn, he ranks all the members of the Board. He has never been HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 27I absent from Commencement since his election as trustee, and only in a single instance since his graduation. In 1868, the college, which had now become Colby University, conferred upon him the well-earned degree of Doctor of Divinity. It has fallen to his lot to raise a large amount of money for the pur- poses of his denomination. A portion of this sum was for the building of church edifices, and for the supply of the current needs of the con- vention, whose interests he had in charge, and the remainder for the three training schools connected with Colby University, respectively located at Waterville, Hebron and Houlton. In the Houlton school, his sympathy and interest have been shown in a manner so marked, that, by recent legislative enactment, it is hereafter to be known as "Ricker Classical Institute." This change was made in response to the unanimous action of the Houlton Board of Trustees and the University Board, and in accordance with the expressed wishes of the friends and patrons of the institution, and is a fitting acknowledgment of the important services rendered by Doctor Ricker, whose personal gifts to the schools, it is understood, will amount to about ten thousand dollars. Nor is this all, since it was through his influence and agency that the sum of- thirty thousand dollars was obtained for the erection of a building commensurate with its needs. This timely and munificent gift was from the widow of the late Judge W. E. Wording, who was a graduate of Colby University and a life-long friend of Doctor Ricker. The name of the new structure is to be Wording Hall, and it will be a fitting and perpetual monument to the memory of an able, honest and worthy man. Doctor Ricker's other gifts to his Alma Mater and to various missionary organizations connected with his denomination, aggregate about five thousand dollars. After a perusal of the foregoing sketch of the work accomplished by Doctor Ricker, no one need be told that his life has been a very busy one. Such indeed is the fact. Few Maine men have led busier or more useful lives, and few, if any, have accomplished as much in the interest of the Baptist denomination as he. And the interests which he has been the means of promoting are among the most important, and will be perpetual and far-reaching in their influence and results. It was largely through his influence that the three training schools 272 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. and feeders to Colby University have been placed upon a sound and substantial financial basis, and that the University itself has attained high rank among the institutions of learning in the land. To accom- plish these ends, Doctor Richer has labored untiringly and persistently, oftentimes under the most discouraging circumstances. And now, in the full fruition of what he has so ardently hoped and so long labored for, he is to be warmly congratulated. Not every one is thus permitted to witness the grand results of their many years of labor. As a preacher, Doctor Richer early took high rank, and as a concise and logical writer, he has no superiors among the ministers of his denomination in the State. He possesses naturally a logical mind, and his early editorial experience contributed its share in perfecting his clear and concise style of composition. His popularity as a pastor is abundantly shown in his long pastoral service and few settlements. He possesses those qualities of head and heart which endear him to all with whom he is brought in contact, whether it be in the church or in the secular affairs of life. He has been more than the good preacher and the good pastor ; he has been a good citizen, faithfully and conscien- tiously discharging all his duties as such. His popularity has never been limited to his own church or denomination. By his affability, his genial good nature, and his charitable toleration of the opinions of those who have differed from him, he has won and held the respect of all. His financial abilities are certainly deserving of brief mention. Not many ministers with the salary paid during his pastorate, could support a family and put aside enough so as to be able to donate fifteen thousand dollars to the cause of religion and of education. Economy, prudence and sagacity in the investment of his surplus funds, supple- mented by the helpful sympathy of his estimable wife, have accom- plished all this, and accomplished it without resort to speculation of any kind. And now, after such liberal donations, it is pleasant to know that he has a competency laid by for himself and for those dependent upon him. Doctor Richer is passing his declining years in Augusta, the city of his adoption, still laboring so far as his health and strength will permit, in overseeing the management of the Maine Missionary field ; inter- ested in temperance, humanity and progress ; interested also in public Capt. HARVEY M.TOWLE HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 2 J 2, affairs at home and abroad, and serene and happy in the consciousness of a well-spent life. HARVEY MOORE TOWLE, Son of Simeon and Betsy (Moore) Towle, and grandson of Levi and Ruth Towle, who were amongst the first settlers of Parsonsfield, was born in that town in 1801, and died in Bradford, Massachusetts, in 1877. He was twice married, first to Clarissa Knapp, who died in 1829, and afterward to Chastina S. Morse, who survived him a few years. " Captain " Towle was for many years actively identified with the best interests of his native town, which he faithfully served as school teacher and committee, selectman and representative, and his influence over the young in favor of education was great. He was a man of positive opinions and strong feelings and sympathies, and ardently aided whatever he thought for the public good. For the last twenty- five years of his life he resided in Bradford, Massachusetts, of which town he was many years treasurer, and there, no less than at his old home, he had the confidence, respect and friendship of those most actively interested in education, morality and religion. HARRISON" GRAY OTIS SMITH. The first American ancestor of this family, John Smith, came from England in 1631, and settled near Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Hig son or grandson located in Durham, whence Thomas, grandfather of Harrison G. O. Smith, came to Newfield when the town was a wilder- ness. Stephen Moulton, grandfather on the mother's side, emigrated from Hampton to that town early as 1777. Through these relations and their associates, Mr. Smith became familiar during boyhood with the names and history of man}'- pioneers of Newfield and Parsonsfield. Mr. Smith worked on his father's farm till of age, attended the dis- trict school winters till seventeen, and later, prepared for college at Limerick Academy. Followed teaching more or less up to 1850, when he removed to Parsonsfield and engaged in farming. He was superin. tending school committee from 1852 to '56. Represented Parsonsfield 18 2 74 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. and Cornish in the Legislature in 1870 and 1871. In 1885, he was chosen a member of the Centennial Committee and by that committee assigned to the investigation of historical events. He was author of the paper on grants and surveys, early settlements, acts of incorporation and organization, which was presented at the cen- tennial celebration, and which is incorporated in the "History of Parsi nsfiild," Second Part of this work, of which he is author. IRA MORE, Youngest son of Isaac More, born May 20, 1829. Thrown on his own resources in his twelfth year by the death of his father, he struggled up through boyhood with some difficulty ; went to Massachusetts in 1847 ; graduated at the State Normal School, at Bridgewater, in 1849 ; after- ward taught in the same school and in Hingham, Milton and Newbury- port ; graduated at the Scientific Department of Yale College in 1865. Was elected first assistant of the Chicago High School in 1856, and helped to organize that institution, especially the normal department of it. Married that year, Lucy C, the youngest daughter of Winborn Drew, of Newfield. In 1857, was elected to the mathematical depart- ment of the Illinois Normal University at Bloomington. In the sum- mer of 1861, enlisted in the Thirty-third Regiment Illinois Infantry. Saw three years of hard service, the siege and capture of Vicksburg being one of the campaigns. Resigned as Captain of Company G in the summer of 1864, broken in health by the malaria of the western Louisiana ba3^ous. Removed to Minnesota in the spring of 1865. Was professor of mathematics in the University of Minnesota at Min- neapolis, 1867-69. In this latter year was appointed principal of the Minnesota State Normal School at St. Cloud. Emigrated to California 1875, and taught in the State Normal School at San Jose until 1883, since which time he has been principal of the State Normal School at Los Angeles, California. Although he has visited Parsonsfield but few times since leaving the state of Maine in 1847, his recollectious of boyhood days are very vivid. Living with his grandfather, on the next farm, was a boy of the same age as himself, Samuel K. Towle, now Doctor Towle, of Hampton, Virginia. The two boys were inseparable playmates, a ay HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 275 friendship that has held to the present time, letters still occasionally passing back and forth between their widely separated homes. Not far away, in the same school district and neighborhood, and nearl}'- of the same age, was William D. Knapp, now Judge Knapp of Somersworth, New Hampshire. Among the boys of the same school were L. O. Emerson, famous for his musical work, and Daniel Wentworth, lately laid to rest with many tears at the Chicago Normal School, and suc- ceeded in his work by Colonel Parker, of Quincy fame. The little old square schoolhouse where the four roads met, and the stern-faced men and women who made themselves a terror to the evil- doers therein, will not soon be forgotten. The steep and rounded hills made fine coasting ground, and the hollows filled by the January thaw made skating almost equal to flying. In the summer, too, the pebbly soil furnished excellent material for training the arm muscles. The writer remembers feelingly the descent of a stone sent upwards by the stalwart arm of Sam Tibbetts. It broke through the cap, both cloth and lining, but was safely stopped by an extra thickness and toughness of skull. He i-emembers too, with sorrow, that a random stone from his own sling cut a deep gash in the upper lip of Judge Knapp, the mark of which may be very plainly seen to this day. The sling of those days was made after the old King David pattern, of two long leather thongs, attached to a wider piece with a hole in the center to keep the stone from slipping out. It was swung two or three times around the head, and discharged by loosing the hold upon one string. The stone went with great force but very uncertain in direction. We were not Benjamites, who could " sling at an hair and not miss." In fact, I knew one unlucky fellow who took a barn-door for target and sent a stone crashing through a window high up in the gable end of the barn. Perhaps the boys of that school district still sling stones as their predecessors did fifty years ago ; but more prob- ably it is one of the "lost arts" of a vigorous but semi-barbarous age. JOHN MERRILL, Father of John I. Merrill, deserves more than a passing mention among those who gave a sterling reputation to the town of Parsonsfield, in the first part of the present century. He was born in Newbury, Mas- 276 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. sacbusetts, in 1780, and when a youth of seventeen, in company with an older brother, drove an ox-team from his home to Parsonsfield (the road from Limerick being rough, and mostly through a wilderness). He returned to Newbury the same year, but a few years later went again to Parsonsfield, settling on " Merrill's Hill," between the villages of the " Middle " and "North Roads." In 1803, he married Miss Mary Mills, daughter of John and Mary Mills, of Effingham, New Hampshire. Their married life was a notable example of successful industry, of praiseworthy frugality, of generous hospitality, and of domestic comfort. They were happy in their family of one son and seven daughters, all of whom were of the highest repu- tation from their early years. Sarah, the eldest, married Simon Brown and settled in Parsonsfield. Rebecca married Henry Merrill, and also settled in her native town. Mary married Doctor William B. Pike, of Cornish, Maine, where she resided until her decease. Mehitable died in early womanhood, unmar- ried. Abigail married Richard Horn, and settled in Roxbury, Massa- chusetts. Cynthia W. was twice married, her last husband, Albert Batchelder, esquire, still surviving her. They also lived in Roxbury. John Jay Merrill married Harriet Josephine, daughter of Colonel Josiah Browne, of Rockingham County, New Hampshire, in 1850. Annette married Reverend Doctor David H. Lord. They lived some years in Michigan, but now reside in Brooklyn, New York. Only John Jay and Annette, the youngest two, are now living. The mother, after a life of devotion to the interests of her family, and of pure Christian example to the community around her, died in 1837. The father, after a long life of successful thrift, that made him one of the wealthiest men of his town, died in January, 1857, leaving a stainless character as an additional and most valuable legacy to his chil- dren and friends. Hs is still remembered by old persons as among the original and active supporters of that excellent academical institution, "Parsonsfield Seminary." JOHN JAY MERRILL, The only son of John and Mary Merrill, was born in Parsonsfield, April 16, A. D. 1821.* His earl}'- life was passed in the midst of the • On the farm now occupied by a cousin, Joseph Merrill, the oldest man in the town. '::X^-i e« « w(iu<«4"' ^-/ai^.^ ^ JJj^^i^uiZl. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 277 most healthful influences of New England society. Fortunate in the careful training of intelligent and watchful parents, and educated under the tuition of Rev. Hosea Quiraby, the first " Preceptor of Par- sonsfield Academy," then in its first brilliant glow of success. He developed the sterling qualities of honesty, business capacity and quiet reflection, which have distinguished his later career, on a broader field of life. In 1846, he established himself in Roxbury, now Boston, engaging in the building lumber trade extensively, and in the purchase and sale of real estate in the suburban towns of Boston, as well as within the limits of the old city. By these and other methods, which his active insight and close observation of the progress of business around him, enabled him to use to his just advantage, he has acquired large wealth, without ever losing the reputation for honorable dealing and unsullied integrity, which he acquired in early life. His sympathies are active, and have been, through life, always shown to struggling worth, whether in the ambitious student or the humble laborer ; while his judicious conservatism has ever kept him from giving any encouragement to the communistic tendencies, developed in later times in a portion of the laboring masses. His private charities have been bestowed with liber- ality, and his aid has been freely given to many feeble religious socie- ties. He has been the recipient of frequent ofBcial honors, and the dis- charge of duties devolving on him has always justified the confidence his friends reposed in him. In his worldly success he has maintained the same simplicity of habits that distinguished his early life, harmo- niously blending the just man of business with the manners of the Christian gentleman. . Promptly patriotic when our country called for active sympathy and financial aid, he allied himself with the republican party, and still remains an active member of the same. It is understood among his friends that he intends making a liberal donation to some institution of learning in Maine, which will make a fitting close to an honorable career. SIMON BROWN Was descended from English ancestry. His paternal grandparents came from England, and settled in Hampton, New Hampshire, where 278 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. his father was born. His parents, Simon Brown and Sally Brown, set- tled in the west part of Parsonsfield, near " the city," where the sub- ject of this sketch was born, October 2, A. d. 1802. From the com- bination in his parentage of the strength and firmness of the Old and New England character, young Brown inherited a vigorous constitution of body and an active and ambitious mind ; and while he improved the former in the healthy labors of the farm, he assiduously cultivated the latter through all the limited means obtainable in the newly planted settlement, where the district school was one of its earliest institutions. Studious by nature, he acquired a solid education from such books as he could procure, and by thoughtful reflection upon all suggested subjects. His application to general reading and study was a prominent feature of the whole life, and although too retiring to parade his learn- ing, it was an instructive pleasure to his intimate acquaintances to listen to the discussion of any matter upon which he had read and reflected. He taught school successfully for a number of winters before his marriage, working upon the farm during the farming season, or going abroad for larger wages than he could realize at home. During those years he wrought in laying the foundation of the first cotton-mills at Saco, and at garden-farming in the vicinity of Boston ; always com- mending himself to his employers by his intelligence and correct habits. In 1826, he married Miss Sarah Merrill, daughter of John and Mary Merrill, a most worthy wife and mother, who died in 1868. Their children were : Harriet, who married Clark Merrill ; Annette M., who married Samuel Stanley, now deceased ; Martha, also deceased ; Sarah C. ; Etta E., the wife of Rev. I. P. Quimby, and John M. Brown, a practicing lawyer of Boston, Massachusetts. They lived, some years after marriage, on the farm now occupied by Captain Joseph Merrill, then purchased and removed to the " Joseph Blazo Farm," on the " North Road," one of the most attractive and productive of that favored region, only a half-mile distant from " the seminary," where their children were educated. He lived here as a successful farmer and dairyman (also engaging in quite extensive lum- bering operations in Albany, New Hampshire), until about 1856, when •;•/"« s^ HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 279 his wife acquired her father's homestead, in the distribution of the large estate he left, and they removed to that place. Mr. Brown's whole life was an example of quiet industry, patient thought and constant efforts for his family's welfare. He was by nature and habit much interested in sustaining tlie common-school system, and in promoting the means of obtaining an advanced educa- tion, such as " Parsonsfield Seminary" afforded to his own children, and to great numbers of other favored pupils. His religious opinions were best exemplified by a life of just dealing with others, by devotion to the best interests of his family, by regarding the rights of all, while never willingly yielding to what he believed unjust, and by that strict yet cheerful sobriety, which marks the best character of the husband, father and neighbor. He was liberal in aid of religious worship, and in 1853 contributed largel}^ to the new Free Baptist Church, at North Parsonsfield, and was selected by his co- contributors to erect the same. Thus he spent a life of active labor, until near his death in 1884, at the age of eighty-two years, leaving behind him respect for his memory among his friends and acquaintances, and the sincerest love of his surviving children. SAMUEL LOUGEB Was the first settler at East Parsonsfield, coming there from Gilman- tou, New Hampshire, and selecting a home as early as 1778, but not moving to town with his family until 1780. On this place his son Taylor, born January 3, 1784, lived after him, married a Watson, and had two sons, Samuel and Thomas. Samuel resides near the old home yet. His wife dying, he next married a Tibbetts and had by her two sons, Greenlief and Sylvester, the latter now residing in Effing- ham, New Hampshire, where he has reared quite a family of children, among them a lawyer and two physicians. Doctor George E. Lougee, of Freedom, New Hampshire, being one. This wife dying, he mar- ried a third time, a Miss Hayes, and two sons were theirs, Hayes and Cyrus. Mr. Taylor Lougee moved to Effingham Falls, New Hamp- shire, in 1840, and there died. 2 80 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. GILMAISr LOUGEB, An older brother of Samuel came to Parsonsfielcl about the same time. It is said they arrived in June, 1778, and first builded a log-house at the foot of " Mudgett's Hill," so-called. He was deacon of the first church formed in Parsonsfield. After making a clearing he went back to Gilmanton and brought a bundle of apple-trees on horseback to this town. Several of them are now standing, and one, which bears annu- ally, measures nine feet around its trunk. This farm has been kept in the family ever since. Mr. Lougee was killed while working in a clay pit, by the falling of a rock, on September 29, 1788. With these two brothers came a third, John Lougee, who lived and died here. GILMAN LOUGEE, Whose portrait here is seen, is the grandson of Gilman before men- tioned, and son of Gilman Lougee, 2d, who married Mary, daughter of John Buzzell, August 19, 1810. He was born January 8, 1817. His father died when he was but fifteen years of age, leaving a widow and eight children, — Gilman the oldest son. Possessed of very little prop- erty, the burden came heavily upon him, but with that energy and enterprise, which has ever characterized the man, he pushed his way onward and upward, met and overcame all obstacles, furnished a home for his mother and the family, and married Miss Almira B. Richardson. Their children were Juliett, Mary Ann, Amelia, Delphina, Hugh Bartis, Louisa and David G. Mr. Lougee was the first to bring from Canada horses to supply the home market. Li this business he engaged in 1847, and has followed it occasionally until the present time. For the most of his life he has been engaged in agriculture, in buying and sell- ing horses, cattle and sheep, and has made life a success. In politics a republican and in religious preferences a Free Baptist. He has held various town offices, and is esteemed as a man of integrity and moral worth, a good citizen and a valued neighbor and friend. His sons, Hugh Bartis and David G., both reside in town. -^^i^-^-^^^^x^^^i^ -^ c>^~^-^^-^-— JOHN M. BROWN tSQ. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 28 1 JOHN M, BROWN, The son of Simon and Sarah Brown, was born at the " North Road " village, April 15, A. d. 1839. His boyhood and youth were spent upon his father's farm, and in attendance upon the school, at " Parsonsfield Seminary," where he prepared to enter college in an advanced class. During his school days he developed the habits of industry and close attention to all his undertakings, which have marked his later life and which he carried into the schoolroom, when he became the successful teacher of youth in his native district and in adjoining towns of Maine and New Hampshire. In 1861, he commenced the study of law in the office of Messrs. Ayer and Wedgwood, of Cornish ; subsequently attended, for a term of two years, Harvard Law School, Cambridge, Massachusetts, at the close of which he was admitted to the bar of York County. He began the practice of his profession as partner of Emery S. Ridlon, then of Kezar Falls, Parsonsfield, with whom he continued a year. He soon after opened a law-office in Boston, and resided in Stoughton. His character as a citizen and lawyer is thus outlined by an old friend, Edwin W. Wedgwood : — " Soon after his removal from Maine, Mr. Brown was appointed by Governor Rice, a Trial Justice for Norfolk County. In that capacity, he had jurisdiction of a large portion of the civil and criminal cases originating in the town of Stoughton and its vicinity. His careful weighing of testimony, patient investigation of all the points which each case presented, and fixed purpose to render justice to all parties, made his opinions respected, and but few appeals were ever entered in his court. " While residing at Stoughton, he married Miss Fannie Sackett, the only child of Almeran and Sophia L. Sackett, of Westfield, Massa- chusetts. "After four years, he resigned his office of magistrate, purchased a valuable farm in the charming town of Milton, to which he removed, and where he now lives, continuing his law practice in Boston and the adjacent counties of Middlesex and Norfolk, where he has been a suc- cessful practitioner, both in the state and federal courts. He has given much attention to marine law, and is good authority upon questions 282 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. arising under it, while his faithful study of jurisprudence, as a science, and familiarity with the rules of the various courts, have secured him a fine reputation as a lawyer of general practice. "As a republican in politics, he is candid in support of his opinions, just in his judgment of others, and devoted more to the general wel- fare than to any mere partisan success. He has never lost sympathy with and for ' the people,' and holds strenuously to the New England doctrine of individual independence of thought and action, subject only to the laws of God and the restraints which well-regulated society imposes. "But it is not in the ardent contests witnessed in the courts, nor in the successes won in the strife of a great city, that we see him at his best. To witness the simplicity of his early life, expanded and trained to a manly love of rural enjoyment, we must go with him to his delightful suburban home, where from the flower-embowered cottage we go out amid green fields and fruit-laden orchards, see the well- cared-for domestic fowls and animals, and the luxuriant vegetation ripe for the harvest; and feel a part of the inspiration which surround- ing scenes impart, and from which he draws his constant supply of life-giving energy." DOMINICUS RICKER, Youngest son of Deacon Dominicus and Susanna (Perkins) Ricker, was born in Parsonsfield, May 14, 1823. Here he remained for many years, marrying in 1848, Miss Caroline E. Thompson, daughter of George Thompson of this town. In 1864, he sold the farm on Kicker's Mountain, and moved with his family to Biddeford, where he remained about ten years, when he again purchased a farm in his native town where he now resides. Although he has always been engaged in agri- cultural pursuits, yet he has been prominently identified with the inter- ests of the towns in which he has resided during a large portion of the time since he attained his majority. As a school teacher he has ever taken high rank — having tanght fift t/-f our terms of school. The admir- able tribute paid him by Horace Piper, Esquire, in his paper on the schools of Parsonsfield, page 44, renders any further comment on this subject unnecessary. .'■iirtWw i,r« •»«^'' - ^'c^- HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 283 Notwithstanding his absence from town for so many years of his active life, yet he has served as superintending school committee of Parsonsfield twelve years, as selectman four years, as treasurer one year and as representative from Parsonsfield and Cornish, in 1887. During his residence in Biddeford, he was President of the Board of Aldermen in 1867 and 1868, one of the assessors in '69, '70, '71 and '72, and chairman of the board for two years. He also was a representa- tive from the city of Biddeford to the Legislature in 1873. These facts show far more than words from the pen of any friend of the true merit of tlie man, and one thus esteemed, honored and trusted needs no further commendation. In religious views and professions, he is a Baptist, and in politics a democrat, yet no creed, dogma, doc- trine, faith or policy circumscribes or controls his friendships, or causes him to accord to others less than he claims for himself, — an honesty of purpose and a broad freedom of expression and action. EEVEREND EDMUND GARLAND. BY REV. JOSEPH RICKER, D. D. Since the meagre notice of this college graduate of the town (see page 60) was put in print, further and more circumstantial facts have come to hand which, in justice to their subject, are here summarized. Edmund Garland was born in Parsonsfield, February 15, 1799, and died in Granville, Ohio, April 3, 1886, at the ripe age of eighty-seven. He graduated at Dartmouth in 1828, at Andover in 1831, and went thence to Ohio, where he spent the remainder of his life. His sermons are represented as having been " models in nicety of construction, clear- ness in deduction and ease of application." His chosen field of labor embraced, more especially, "destitute churches and neighborhoods." Colleges and seminaries of learning, moreover, found in him a true and constant friend. Toward laying tlie foundation of these he was espe- cially helpful, wise in his plans, indefatigable in his labors and scrupu- lously honest in his aims.^ He served his generation well, and in the ripeness of wisdom and of years slept with his fathers. 284 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. ELISHA WADLEIGH "Was born in a garrison house in Kittery, Maine, on the fifteenth day of February, 1769, and died in Parsonsfield on the third of July, 1872, aged one hundred and three and one-half years. His parents were too poor to bestow on the son anything outside of existence, and therefore, in those early and troublous times, with father in the war of the Revolution and the struggrle great for sufficient sub- sistence to keep body and soul companions, his education and advan- tages were none, attending school but one day in his life. After attaining his majority, he married Miss Sally Smith of Berwick, and removed to the town of Parsonsfield as early as 1798 or '99, and took up a farm subject to all the inconveniences and hardships of those early days. Inured to hard work and harder fare, with a physical endowment the envy of ordinary men, jovial and happy, determined and resolute withal, he met the j)rivations and endured the hardships with a manly zeal and spirit, and with his good wife gallantly bore the full share of all the toils and burdens of pioneer life. His political affiliations were from the earliest with the democratic party, voting that ticket for over seventy-five years. He retained his mental faculties to a wonderful degree. In the last year of his advanced life his memory of early events was keen and accurate. Always easy in conversation, he retained that faculty till the last. Despite the circumstances attendant upon his early life, his attainments were fair, reading considerable and retaining what he read. Of his family of seven children, four sons and three daughters, all are gone save one, the youngest, Mrs. Catherine Wedgwood, of Newport, Maine. PEAY. Samuel Pray, who lived on Beach Ridge, in Berwick, was of the second generation in this country. Joseph, son of Samuel and Dolly Pray, was born in Berwick in 1739. Married ^ethsheba Brackett and settled in Lebanon. To them were born five children, three sons and two daughters, who lived to manhood and womanhood. The eldest daughter married Tobias Fernald, of Berwick. The second daughter married Jabez Ricker, of Waterboro. One son, Nathan, married Alice ■^'^i'Sis^ J«S5it5i»>»,, '>^. Elisha Wadleigh i HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 285 Horr, of Lebanon. The second son Samuel, died in 1806, aged twenty- two years. Tobias, the oldest son, born March 23, 1775, married Sally Gowen, of Lebanon, and settled in Parsonslield in 1800. To them were born three children, two sons and one daughter. Isaac, born November 5, 1800, Rebecca, born May 20, 1802, and John, born January 24, 1804. The sickness of relatives in Lebanon called Mr. and Mrs. Pray to that place. They rode on horseback and she contracted a severe cold, — fever followed and she died November 19, 1806, aged twenty-eight years. Mr. Pray married a second time Miss Mary Young, of Wolfboro, daughter of John and Sally Young, in January, 1809, and they had four children two sons and two daughters. Mr. Pray died April 20, 1835, and Mrs. Pray, April 17, 1859. Isaac Pray married Zipporah Dearborn, daughter of Jeremiah and Ruth Dearborn, December 15, 1828. They had one son, John Cole- man. She died March 15, 1830. He married for his second wife, Sarah Goldsmith, of Ossipee, and they are both now living, he eighty- seven years, she eighty-four years of age. John Pray married Elizabeth Dearborn, daughter of Jeremiah and Ruth Dearborn, November 28, 1833. They had two children. She died April 20, 1844, and he married June, 1846, Mrs. Hannah (Gold- smith) Nute, of Ossipee, and they have one daughter Hannah E., who is referred to by Mr. Piper, page 46. Mr. and Mrs. Pray are both living— he at the" age of eighty-three years. These two brothers mar- ried sisters for their wives at both marriages. They are men of strong character, with minds well balanced, upright and straightforward, industrious and frugal, hospitable, conscientious and kind. John sold to his brother Joseph the home place in 1839, and moved to East Par- sonslield, purchasing the Taylor Lougee place, where he yet resides. Their sister Rebecca married James Brown, of Ossipee, in 1833. The sons of Tobias, Joseph and Samuel, by his second wife deserve more than a passing notice. JOSEPH PRAY Was born December 10, 1810, in Parsonsfield, and died in Woodstock in March, 1868. 286 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. He was educated in the common schools and North Parsonsfield Seminary. In early life he commenced teaching, which he followed during the winters until 1835, and ever after was much interested in educational matters during his active business life in Parsonsfield. He was a member of the superintending school committee for many years. In 1835, he went to Kennebunk and was employed on the ledge, taking the job of building a pier, and on October 26, 1836, by a prema- ture blast, he received an injury to his eyes from which he never recov- ered. By this, he was rendered entirely unable to perform labor for about two years. Returning to his home he, as soon as he could labor, engaged in farming, and in 1839 purchased the home place of his brother John. Here he remained until 1851, when he made purchase of a place at East Parsonsfield of James W. Weeks, and there con- tinued in agriculture until 1854, when he entered into trade in com- pany with Nathaniel Pendexter, in dry goods and groceries and the manufacture of ready-made clothing. This partnership ceased in 1857, and in June, 1858, he removed to Woodstock and continued in the same kind of business until his death. He was a man of much energy and enterprise, but his great misfortune was a serious hindrance to his success. He was never married. SAMUEL PRAY Was the youngest brother, born March 3, 1819, and was quite schol arly, improving every opportunity for the acquirement of an educa- tion. He early became a teacher of common schoT)ls in his native town, then went to Calais, Maine, where he continued in the business of teaching until 1845, when he went to Iowa, where he remained until his death in 1851. Their sister Sarah was never married. Nancy married Albert Rand, of Parsonsfield, and is now a resident of Dover, New Hampshire. DEACON ELISHA WADLEIGH. Elisha Wadleigh, junior, son of Elisha and Sally (Smith) Wadleigh, was born in Parsonsfield, September 15, 1801, and resided on the farm where he was born until he was "gathered to his fathers" at the ripe age of seventy-four years. ■%;..'* Z^ J^- "^^^i^ /W^^, X HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 287 In early life he became a member of the Freewill Baptist church, and about 1840 was installed deacon, which office and position he filled until his death. He married Miss Mary, daughter of Caleb Burbank, of Parsonsfield, who survived him but a few years. Three sons and a daughter were the fruit of this union. He was hospitable in the extreme, his home and heart ever open, cordial and pleasant, always recognizing the source from which flowed all his blessings ; love, reverence and thank- fulness not only making their impress upon the man and beaming from his countenance, but in turn making their impress upon those with whom he associated. He was a man of sound judgment and discretion, one of the best of townsmen, citizens and neighbors; a husband ever faithful; a father indulgent, exemplary, kind and generous; a son whose duty to his aged parents was always performed as a service of love, and a noble Christian, to whom the precepts of His Holy Word, governing and controlling his life, were not a grievous burden but a joyous service. BEACKETT. The first settler of this name was John Brackett, son of James Brackett, of Berwick. He came to Parsonsfield in the year 1800, mar- ried Betsey Fogg and they had two children, Anna, who married Silas Cartland, born April 13, 1801, and John, born June 4, 1803. Mr. Brackett died April, 1803, aged about twenty-nine years, and soon after a brother of his, James Brackett, junior, came and after a time married the widow of John, and reared a family of three children, •^ames, Susan and Elizabeth. The two latter were the wives of Doctor Samuel M. Bradbury, of Limington, — Elizabeth now living. James married Miss Betsey Barker, of Limerick and reared a family of five children, two sons and three daughters, now all gone save the youngest, Miss Ann C. Brackett, of Lawrence, Massachusetts. James was a man of sound judgment, an industrious citizen, who served the town as one of its municipal officers faithfully, a kind and indulgent husband and father, a worthy townsman, neighbor and friend. He died in 1848, at the age of forty-three, surviving his father but three years. 288 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. HONORABLE JOHN BRACKETT, 2d, Whose portrait here appears, as before mentioned the son of John and Betsey (Fogg) Brackett, was an active, energetic business man, of more than ordinary mental endowments. His early life was passed on the home farm, making the most of the limited privileges for improve- ment which the location afforded. In early manhood, he learned the trade of house carpenter, which business he followed in part for many years. He was for a few years, prior to his marriage, a resident of Dover, New Hampshire, but on March 23, 1827, he married Miss Jemima B. Lord, daughter of Reverend Wentworth^Lord, of Parsonsfield, and made his home in the eastern portion of the town, where he resided until his death. Here they reared a family of four children, John W., piano manufacturer in Boston, Massachusetts ; Cyrus F., professor of physics at Princeton ; Susan E., wife of Alfred Brown, of Wolf boro. New Hampshire ; and Emily, who resides on the home place. Mr. Brackett was quick and decided, independent and unyielding, shrewd, secretive and circumspect, easy and entertaining in conversa- tion, yet never satisfying the morbid desires of the inquisitive, lior indulging in display or ostentation. He was early a democrat and later a republican, yet as both served well his townsmen as their ser- vant in important positions for many years, and was county treasurer for several years. He was a good financier and one of the best of neighbors and friends. In religious views, he and his estimable wife were Baptists, being active members of that denomination from their early lives. Mr. Brackett died in 1886, aged eighty-three years. His wife died seven years previous. THE SANBORN FAMILY. ^ The progenitor of the family in this country was a certain John San- born, who was born in England about 1600, married a daughter of the Reverend Stephen Bachilor, had three sons, and died in England, leaving his widow and her sons to the care of her father. Mr. Bachilor took Episcopal orders, but was ejected for non-conformity, retired to Holland, and thence to America, taking his daughter and her three sons with him. They came over in the ship " William and Francis," Captain Thomas, and landing at Boston June 5, 1632, went directly to :W^^^ Hon. John brackett. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 289 Lynn, where another daughter, the wife of Christopher Hussey, was then living. They remained here five years, the old gentleman, then over seventy years of age, acting as pastor of a church he had organized without regular installation. Difficulties in the church, in part owing to the eccentricities of Mr. Bachilor, made a further sojourn here unpleasant, and taking his company with him, then increased by Mr. Hussey's family, he removed to Ipswich, from there to Newbury, and in 1638 settled in Hampton. Here he was regularly installed pastor of the first Congregational church, and remaining a few years finally returned to England, probably accompanied by his grandson Stephen, dying at the ripe age of more than a hundred years. In Hampton then, the widow and her two sons, John and William Sanborn, lived and died, and for nearly a century few, if any, of their descendants had passed the limits of the colony. For the purposes of this work it will be sufficient, and lack of space compels us, to give only the lineal descent to the original settler in Parsonsfield. JOHN SANBORN Was born in Newmarket, New Hampshire, March 20, 1763. (His father moved to Gilmanton in 1764.) Mr. Sanborn moved to Parsons- field in 1787, and took up the farm now owned by his grandson, Charles F. January 18, 1789, he married Hannah Batchelder, of Hampton and they had eight children, five sons and three daughters. He was a man of great strength of character, a strict disciplinarian in his family, and had a decisive way of speaking which earned for him the soubriquet of " Sir John." His son LUTHER SANBORN » Was born in Parsonsfield, April 30, 1803. He lived there for sixty- two years, dying April 27, 1865. Mr. Sanborn was the seventh of the nine children of John and Hannah (Batchelder) Sanborn. His father came to Parsonsfield just a hundred years ago, and settled, and built the house where his grandson, Charles F. Sanborn, now resides. It is the same house, somewhat remodeled and improved, in which 19 290 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. Luther Sanborn was born and lived and died. He lost his mother when he was twelve years old, and his father ten years later. In 1826, he married Sally Hayes, a daughter of John and Temper- ance Hayes, of Limerick. To her, one of the best of wives and mothers, he owed much of his happiness and success in life. Mr. Sanborn early displayed great business ability and capacity for affairs. In connection with Mr. Harvey Page, who still remains with us in the enjoyment of a hale and hearty old age, in 1836, he com- menced buying cattle for the Brighton market. The business was a success from the first, and was continued for many years, in fact, in some form as long as he lived. He did a large and lucrative trade also in sheep and lambs. The Mt. Eagle enterprise, a local matter of considerable importance, after many experiments and bad management, was taken in hand by Mr. Sanborn and developed into a steady and satisfactory business, which, first and last, has brought a good deal of money into the town and distributed it where it would do the most good. Between 1828 and 1844, seven children were born to him, four daughters and three sons, all of whom survive him except the youngest, a daughter, who died in infancy. Mr. Sanborn occupied several public positions of honor, but of no remarkable emolument, during his career. As a military man he was commissioned ensign, lieutenant and captain, respectively and succes- sively. All these between 1823 and 1828. In 1829, he resigned these accumulated honors, and was " honorably discharged " from the ser- vice. He was known and addressed ever after as Captain Sanborn. Militai-y laurels won in the state militia never fade nor grow stale and unprofitable. In 1858, and again in 1859, he was elected to the Legislature from Parsonsfield and Newfield. In 1863, he was elected to the Senate to fill a vacancy caused by the death of Honorable Nehemiah Colby. He was re-elected Senator in 1864, and again in 1865. In his 'capacity of legislator, he served his town and district faithfully and well. During the Civil War, he strongly sustained the government by his voice, his vote and his money. He died suddenly of heart disease, April 27, 1865, and lies buried in i'^' c ^ € r^-^^'^ZZ^ --a>'^;^/^'Z^-^C? HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 29 1 the family cemetery near the house, beside his wife, who survived him twelve years, and his little daughter Mary, who twenty years before him had entered the " Silent Land." The engraved portrait of Mr. Sanborn, prefixed to this sketch, is by Stuart, of Boston, from a photograph made at Augusta while he was in the Senate, and is considered a good likeness of the man. In some respects Mr. Sanborn was a man above the common. His intellect was acute and strong. He had a strong will. His judgments of men and things were nearly always sound and sure. Long experi- ence and a habit of close observation had trained his faculties to great practical perfection ; and no man's counsel and advice, in a wide neighborhood, were more frequently sought and followed to advantage than Captain Sanborn's. He took great interest in local affairs and exercised a good influence therein. Universally known to be capable, efficient and trustworthy, many trusts were confided to his care, many estates put into his hands for settlement, many last wills and testaments came to him for probate and execution. He had rare sagacity, a way of minding his own busi- ness, and a wise reticence of speech. He had a happy faculty of settling differences and difficulties that sometimes arise between friends and neighbors. He was a Christian man, and tried to live by the Golden Rule. He loved his home, his friends and his native town with an unchanging love, and through all his life did what he could to. promote their best good and highest interests. He was the soul of hospitality, and no waif or wayfarer went hungry or uncared-for from; his door. He had many of the best characteristics of his race, a certain largeness of mental structure, a nobility of thought and motive, a terse- ness of expression, and a just balance of all the faculties appeared in him and gave color and tone to the impression his individuality made upon all who knew him. But enough is said to show in some measure what he was: an affec- tionate husband and father, an enterprising and successful man of business, a useful citizen, a kind neighbor and an honest man. S. H. B.. 292 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. HONORABLE CHARLES F. SANBORN. Charles Franklin Sanborn, a member of the tenth generation of the family in this country (Charles F./*^ Luther,^ John,^ the first settler in Parsonsfield, John,'^ Benjamin,*^ John,'^ Richard,* John,^ John,^ John,^ who was born in England as early as 1600, and died there prior to 1632), is a resident on the farm selected by the paternal grandfather, John, as early as 1787, and occupies the same house, remodeled some- what, that was built by said pioneer. It is one of the best and most attractive farms in town, and has ever been kept under good cultiva- tion, never better than under its present management. The buildings are large and commodious, and an air of plenteous prosperity and afflu- ence greets the beholder. He is the second son of Luther and Sarah (Hayes) Sanborn. In early life, besides the labor incident to farm life, he taught several terms of winter school and was employed in Massachusetts for one or two years, but yielding to the urgent desire of his parents, he returned and made his home here. November 30, 1864, he married Miss Esther, youngest child of Samuel and Louisa (Downing) Wiggin, and four children have been theirs. The second, a little daughter, died in early childhood. The others, a son, Luther Edwin, and two daughters, Alta May and Ida Lou, with himself and estimable wife constitute the family. He is a man reserved yet positive, quick and sensitive yet modest and reticent, a firm and steadfast friend, anxiously endeavoring to be governed by the princi- ples of justice, propriety and uprightness, seeking more the approval of an eidightened conscience than the applause of others. This is recognized by all with whom he comes in contact, and he is therefore highly appreciated and trusted. He has never sought political prefer- /ment, but has, by his friends, been pressed into positions of honor and trust. He has served in both branches of the Legislature and has been a town officer for several years. He was born September 12, 1835. HORACE R. CHENEY, Only son of President O. B. Cheney, d. d., of Bates College, was born at Parsonsfield, Maine, October 29, 1844. He graduated from Nichols' Latin School in 1859, and from Bowdoin College in the class of '63. i A.r. HON. CHARLES F. SANBORN, HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 293 Bates College began its work in the fall of the same year, and Mr, Cheney was the first tutor. In this position he remained three years. During thivS time he founded the college library. He was deeply inter- ested in this work, and spent much time in soliciting subscriptions and obtaining books. Having chosen the profession of law, Mr. Cheney studied in the office of Senator Boutwell and Judge French of Boston, and graduated from Harvard Law School. After but two years' practice in the office of A. A. Ranney, Esquire, of Boston, he was appointed Assistant Dis- trict Attorney for Suffolk County. At the end of three years, he resigned this position, and devoted himself to the general practice of law in Boston until his deatli, which occurred in Philadelphiji, Decem- ber 13, 1876. Mr. Cheney was twice married. His first wife, who died in 1871, was Miss Virginia P., daughter of Colonel Joseph K. Wing, of Bloom- field, Ohio. In 1874, he married Miss Mary E. Chace, of Valley Falls, Rhode Island. She and their only daughter are still living. In The Bates Student for April, 1877, we find a sketch of Mr. Cheney, written by his friend and associate in the college, Professor J. Y. Stanton, from which we take the following : "Wlien I entered upon ray duties in the college, Mr. Cheney was not quite twent)^ years old. He had been a member of the College Faculty one year as Tutor of Latin, and without any special preparation for work in his department, he had become a critical teacher of Latin, doubtless one of the most thorough in the state. . , . With my knowledge of what he accomplished, I feel authorized to say that the college never has had a more devoted or more efficient servant than was Mr. Cheney, during his brief connection with it. . . . About eleven years elapsed from the time of his leaving the institution to his death. One year was spent in regaining his health, which had become seriously impaired. Three years he gave to the study of law at Harvard Law School, and in the office of Senator Boutwell and Judge French. Seven years he was engaged in the practice of law in Boston, two in the office of Mr. Kanney, three as Assist- ant District Attorney, and two after he resigned that office. His success in his profession was remarkable. While he was Assistant Dis- trict Attorney, a prominent Judge of Massachusetts said of him: "Mr. Cheney is one of the most promising lawyers in this Commonwealth." In the second year of his office, he was granted leave of absence for three months. The Boston /owrnaZ, speaking of the term of court before his departure for Europe, said: "During the present term, within the six working days, Mr. Cheney has disposed 294 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. of ninety-six cases, which is unparalleled in the record of the court." The year closing June 20, 1876, his practice amounted to over eight thousand dollars, not including much unfinished business. . . . His early development was not in an extraordinary degree due to books or to other foreign aids, but to a force within which impelled his mind to activity. When I first knew him, scarcely more than a boy in years, his language was sim- ple and forcible, and his habitual manner of expressing himself, in conversation and in writing, was marked by the ease and perspicuity which are seldom seen, except as the result of years of practice. He had accumulated a valuable law library worth three thousand eight hun- dred dollars, and in his profession he was a very faithful student. He made all the prepai'ation for his cases in court that time would allow, and like all faithful students, he always felt driven by his work. George E. Smith, Esquire, of Bos- ton, who studied with Mr. Cheney, and has succeeded to his business, says of him: "He always looked up himself all the details of his cases, and performed all his work in a wonderfully careful and thorough manner." . . . While Assistant District Attorney, he shared the duties and responsibilities with his superior, each assuming the management of the business for a month, alternately. It is gratifying to the friends of Mr. Cheney to know that he was always above the suspicion of compounding felonies, or being deterred from the fullest performance of his duty by any influences of wealth or position. Speaking of his integrity and fearlessness in the discharge of duty, the Bos- ton Traveler said: "Assistant District Attorney Cheney is adding daily to his first-rate reputation. In the Hapgood case the prisoner expected that by pleading guilty his wealth and social position would enable him to escape with a fine, instead of being sen- tenced to imprisonment, as poor adulterers ai'e, but Mr. Cheney was not disposed to assent to any such arrangement, and Hapgood was sent to the House of Cor- rection for eighteen months." And again: "The argument of Assistant District Attorney Cheney in the Parker trial yes- terday, was, perhaps, the best that this efficient and talented prosecuting oflicer has ever made in a similar case. It was a model of conciseness, brevity and eloquence, and all who listened to it must have been fully convinced that the speaker earnestly believed in the justice of the cause for which he pleaded, and was determined to do all in his power to see that the law was impartially admin- istered. The shallow sophistries of the attorney for the defendant, and espe- cially the absurd pretence that the bar-keeper was the proprietor of the lunch- room where the liquors were seized, were clearly exposed and destroyed by the telling logic and irrefutable argument of the Attorney, In the brief space of twenty minutes, he went through the finely spun web of Mr. Bradley's remark- able argument, unraveling its ridiculous pretences and exposing its cunning ZLMof^^^-^^^ HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 295 deceit. It was, in short, an argument of unusual ability and power, and Mr. Cheney may well be congratulated for having dared to face aristocratic public opinion, and in something more than a metaphorical sense, to beard the lion so manfully in his den." In this connection, I take the liberty of quoting from a private letter from Honorable Charles R. Train, Attorney General of Massachusetts. "From the time Mr. Cheney became Assistant District Attorney until his death, I knew him thoroughly and watched him with increasing interest day by day. He had made rapid progress, and had he lived would have very early become a leader at the Suffolk bar. He was an enthusiast in his love of the pro- fession, a fine legal scholar, and seemed to me to possess all the elements required to ensure success as a nisi prius lawyer. He (if one may be allowed the expres- sion) was faithful and indefatigable to a fault. I loved him as a younger brother for his sterling qualities of mind and heart, and was overwhelmed by the news of his death which I had never anticipated." In the society of strangers I think Mr. Cheney was reserved, but to his friends he was cordial, sincere and confiding. He died so much beloved by them all, that no one of them could trust his impartiality in speaking af the virtues of his heart. ELTSHA SMITH WADLEIGH, Son of Elisha, junior, and Mary (Burbank) Wadleigb, occupies the old homestead, on which Elisha Wadleigh settled during the last years of the past century. He is one of the prominent farmers and success- ful business men of the town. He has within a few years remodeled and enlarged the farm house and buildings, planted shade trees, grad- ing and making attractive and pleasant the grounds. It is here his life has been thus far passed, a large part of which has been devoted to caring tenderly for the aged grandparents, and later the father and mother, reaping the reward of pecuniary blessings in addition to the greater, of dut}^ faithfully done, and it is here he intends to pass the remainder of his years. During the past thirty years, he has served on the board of superintending school committee of the town twelve years, and is at present, as several times before, its chairman. He was born December 6, 1830, and married Mrs. Josephine Lord, July 3, 1879. 296 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. EDWAED C. CHAMBEELIN, Son of Joseph Chamberlin and grandson of Benjamin Dalton, was born in New Haven, Connecticut, November 4, 1844. When about one year old, his parents removed to Parsousfield. Lived in Parsonsfield until February, 1864, having received an education sufficient to enter upon mercantile life, when he went to Portland, Maine, and there, after some difficulty, obtained a situation as clerk in the retail dry goods house of Samuel B. Gowell. Remaining about two years with this house, he was sought for by the firm of J. R. Corey & Co., where he remained eleven years, becoming very successful as a clerk, making many friends and acquaintances throughout the city and surrounding towns. This last firm becoming obliged to give up business, Mr. Chamberlin, with Mr. C. C. Millett and X. John Little, purchased the stock and entered into a co-partnership, September 1, 1876, under the firm name of Millett, Chamberlin & Little, remaining together as part- ners four years, when Mr. Chamberlin retired from the firm. In Octo- ber, 1880, Mr. Chamberlin and Mr. T. F. Homsted formed a co-partner- ship and entered into the dry goods business again at 451 Congress Street, under "the firm name of Chamberlin & Homsted, where they have carried on a very successful business up to the present time. After being in Portland one year, he became a Christian and united with the Seaman's church, where he found it a delight to do Christian work among the seamen for three years. In 1870, Mr. Chamberlin was married to Miss Mary E. Twitchell, of Bethel, Maine, and after two years they both united with the Plymouth church (Congregational), when soon after, Mr. Chamberlin was chosen and elected deacon and remained in that office a number of years until the church was dissolved. Mr. Chamberlin was also superintendent of the Plymouth Sunday-school for two years, and for the same term of years was superintendent of the Sunday-school at Allen's Corner, Deering, Maine. He was also an active member of the Portland Young Men's Christian Association for many years. After the dissolution of the Plymouth church, Mr. Chamberlin and wife united with the Williston church, where he is now an active member. •^"'"♦^ ^(^^i/rzyrc:^ 4jj. A^^TU^^'iy^^^^^^^ HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 297 GEORGE W. BENSON, The eldest child of James M. and Anna (Clark) Benson, was born in South Parsonsfield, Maine, January 17, 1816, and died suddenly of heart disease in Lawrence, Massachusetts, April 12, 1859. For a few months of his youth, he was in Bangor as clerk in a lum- ber office, and he taught at one time in Dixmont ; but his first school was taught when fifteen years of age. He began his preparation for college in Hopkinton, N. H., but spent his last year at Kimball Union Academy, Meriden, New Hampshire, under the late Doctor Cyrus Richards. He entered Dartmouth Col- lege in 1837, and graduated in 1841. He ranked well as a student, being in the first third of a class of more than seventy members, not- withstanding he was broken in health during the last two years of his college life. He was a very fine penman, and by teaching writing schools in con- nection with day schools three months in the winters, he was able him- self to meet the greater part of his college expenses, and so greatly lessened the burden which would otherwise have fallen upon the family at home. It was no doubt the exposure to the inclemencies of the weather on Cape Cod, where he taught school two winters, which broke down his health and planted the seeds of disease which carried him to an early grave. After his graduation he taught, very success- fully, the Academy in Hopkinton, N. H., in the meantime studying law with Honorable Matthew Harvey, of Hopkinton, and Honorable Samuel Fletcher, of Concord, and also six months in the Cambridge Law School. He was admitted to the bar in Concord, New Hampshire, in the autumn of 1844, and was married the same year to Maria, eldest daughter of Honorable William Tenney, of Hanover, New Hampshire. In April, 1845, he had an opportunity to engage in teaching in Cox- sackie, Green County, New York, and with his wife taught there three years. In the spring of 1848, he removed to the then new town of Lawrence, Massachusetts, where he at once engaged in the practice of his chosen profession. He was elected town clerk in 1850, which office he held three years ; and when the town became a city, in 1853, he was con- tinued in the same office one year or more. Afterward he held the 298 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. office of city solicitor for one and a half vears. He was also appointed one of the Associate Justices of the Police Court by the late Governor George N. Briggs. In 1858, he was elected a representative to the General Court of the state. That year the statutes were to be revised. He was one of a committee of forty who were appointed to sit during the summer of 1859 to make the revision. The Legislature adjourned April 6, 1859. The following Saturday he went to Boston to attend the first meeting of that committee, and was then appointed one of a sub-committee of seven to adopt rules for their guidance in the important work before them. This sub-committee was to meet the next Wednesday in the State House, but before that day dawned he had passed away from earth. He also served upon the committee on Bills in the Third Read- ing, and in that position his critical judgment and painstaking assiduity were of signal advantage to the state. His criticisms upon a bill, upon one occasion, were so remarkably acute and pertinent as to elicit a public complimentary recognition upon the floor of the House from Honorable Caleb Cushing, who was the most experienced member. In his law practice he was most successful, having a large and respon- sible business. He was known as the poor man's friend, and he often not only gave gratuitous advice but money to pay his clients' fare back home, or to help them in other ways. He paid great attention to religion ; in all questions concerning the material and moral prosperity of the community he was much inter- ested ; and in his profession it was universally conceded that he was a man of the strictest integrity. He was one of the deacons of the Law- rence Central Congregational church, in which he felt the deepest solicitude from the period of its organization. His leading characteristic was a large-hearted, far-reaching benevo- lence, which controlled every thought and act of his life. He enjoyed, in a very high degree, the esteem and confidence of the people of Law- rence, and when early called away he seemed only to have entered upon a career of honors and successes, influence and usefulness, open- ing wide before him. f./ SnH.Will,aiCa.l.,ih BKhn , ^^?ffe^^fe^^^/2^ -.^ HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 299 STEPHEN A. STACKPOLE. Stephen Abbott Stackpole was born in Parsonsfield, Maine, October 26, 1818, being the third sou of Edmund and Sabra Abbott Stackpole. He received his early education in the district schools and was gradu- ated from North Parsonsfield academy in the year 1837, after which he taught in the public schools of the towns of Ossipee and Freedom, New Hampshire, Parsonsfield and Calais, Maine, respectively. Pre- ferring a mercantile to a sedentary life, Mr. Stackpole, in 1844, went to Boston, Massachusetts, and soon entered the employ of John D. Rich- ardson as a clerk in his grocery, baking and provision business, carried on in South Boston. In the interest of Mr. Richardson, he worked zealously and assiduously, early and late, and was rewarded in 1852 by being admitted as an equal partner in the business under the style of J. D. Richardson & Co. Subsequently, upon the decease of the senior partner in 1856, he became sole proprietor by purchase, not only of the business but of the estate. Mr. Stackpole continued the business until the year 1858, when he disposed of all but the baking business. This he has since conducted, giving personal attention to it until 1886, when his son was admitted as partner under the firm name of S. A. Stackpole & Son. Under his own name, Mr. Stackpole also carried on business as a wholesale flour merchant, at 224 State Street, Boston, his long and practical experience with the staples being of great advantage to him in handling it. As a citizen of Boston, he has taken more than an ordinary interest in its affairs, and. his labors have several times been recognized by the suf- frages of his constituents. Within two years after his locating in South Boston, he was elected to the school board of Boston and con- tinued by successive elections an active member thereof for a period of ten years, retiring in 1856. In 1850, he was drawn and served as a juror on the celebrated Webster-Parkman murder trial. He was an assistant assessor of the city of Boston for two years, viz. : 1869 and 1870. In 1872, he was elected to the board of aldermen and was overseer of the poor during 1873, '74 and '75. Mr. Stackpole also represented the fi.fteenth district of the County of Suffolk in the Massachusetts Legislature, during the year 1878. 300 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. Since 1872, he has served continuously as a member of the board of directors of the South Boston Gas Light Company. He was married in 1852 to Susan Ann Brao-don, dauo-hter of Mr. William Bragdon, of Limington, Maine, by whom he was blessed with two children, a daughter and a son. As early as 1854, he became interested in the Masonic Fraternity, which was evinced by his becoming a member of Saint Paul's Lodge, at South Boston. Later, in 1866, he became a charter member of Adelphi Lodge, and in 1878 was elected its treasurer, which office he has filled in response to unanimous elections. In 1889, he received the chapter degrees in Saint Matthews Royal Arch Chapter, and the fol- lowing year the orders of Christian Knighthood, in Saint Omer Corn- man dery. ALVAH S. LIBBEY Was born December 5, 1830, on his grandfather Bachelder's honlestead, now owned by Charles Hobbs. When he was four years old, his father moved into Effingham, New Hampshire, where he received his educa- tion at the town school and the Effingham Academy. At the age of fourteen, he went to Haverhill, Massachusetts, to work on a farm. After one year he went to Boston as clerk on a lumber wharf, where he remained three years. Since that time he has been engaged in mill and lumber business, except when he was absent during his service in the army. Mr. Libbey enlisted in the Sixteenth Regiment New Hamp- shire Volunteers and was engaged in the campaign for the reduction of Port Hudson, La., under General N. P. Banks. He was promoted to Lieutenant after four months' service. In 1864, he was commis- sioned Captain of Company G, First New Hampshire Heavy Artillery, one hundred and forty-seven men and four lieutenants, commanded at Fort Scott, Fort Sumner and Battery Gareschee in 1864, and 1865 in defences of Washington, District of Columbia. Since 1865, he has been in the firm of Libbey, Varney & Co., Wolfborough, New Hampshire, manufacturers of lumber and box shook. He was a member of New Hampshire Legislature in 1871 and '72, and has held various town offices. Married Miss Abbie E. Pray and has three children. Sarah Ellen Cv/^Z.,/1^^'/^ /y/ ^ Capt. ALVAH S. LIB3EY. .^-'"'•'•^ .^f" SAMUEL M. BRADBURY M. O. i^-ty^ HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 3OI Rand married to Charles E. Randall ; Edward Judson married to Bessie Drew, and Fred S. (graduate of New Hampton Seminar}'-), who entered Bates College in September, 1887. Captain Libbey is one of the ster- ling men of Wolfborough, generous to a fault, ever ready to assist those in need, a true friend and a worthy citizen. DOCTOR SAMUEL M. BRADBURY Was the second son of Doctor James Bradbury, born August 22, 1805. He commenced the study of his profession under the instruction of his father, and continued it at the medical school connected with Bowdoin College, at Brunswick, and received his degree of M. d. on Commence- ment Day in 1831. He then entered upon the practice of his profession at Parsonsfield. In 1836, he moved to Limington, and from that time until the present (1887), he has continued in the active practice of his profession, making, both places, a period of fifty-six years. He is now active and in fair health. In 1831, he married Susan Brackett, a daughter of James Brackett, of Parsonsfield. She and a son and daughter who survived her have all deceased. In December, 1847, he married Elizabeth Brackett, sister of his first wife, estimable women both. She and two sons and a daughter are now living, the oldest son, James Otis, is a prominent lawyer in Piscataquis County. GARLAND. John Garland lived in Hampton, New Hampshire, and was contem- porary with George Garland, who appeared in Maine about 1659. John was born about 1620, and married Elizabeth, widow of Thomas Chase, and daughter of Thomas Philbrick, on October 26, 1654. He died Jan- uary 4, 1672. SAMUEL GARLAND, Who settled in Parsonsfield in 1795, was of the sixth generation (Sam- uel,6 Jonathan,^ Samuel,* Jonathan,^ Peter,^ John^). Married Molly Bachelder, and they had ten children. He died March 5, 1855, aged eighty-three years. His wife died November 18, 1833. He was long a deacon of the Congregational church, a strong-minded, resolute man, 302 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. fixed in his views, strictly moral and upright, commanding the respect and esteem of his townsmen, neighbors, friends and all with whom he associated. DAVID GARLAND, Eldest son of Deacon Samuel and Mary (Bachelder) Garland, was born in Hampton, New Hampshire, August 23, 1794. In the following autumn, Deacon Garland purchased a tract of land in the town of Par- sonsfield, to which he moved in the spring of 1795, making the journey on horseback. He had two horses, on one of which he placed his wife with David (the subject of this sketch) in her arms, while he, with such articles as could be packed, rode the other horse, accomplishing the journey of a little more than sixty miles, in one day. Here David spent bis early life, with only such advantages for an education as could be obtained from the common school, till he arrived at the age of twenty years, when he attended one term at Wakefield Academy. He then taught school in Parsonsfield for two or three winters. Soon after, he went to Winslow in Kennebec County, and in 1819, purchased the farm on which he lived and died. In March, 1821, he married Catherine M. Parsons, daughter of Colonel Joseph Parsons, who died February 5, 1831, leaving four chil- dren, three of whom are now living. She was an estimable woman, a devoted and affectionate wife and a true Christian. December 12, 1881, he married Miranda Parsons, a sister of his former wife, a woman of marked ability, whose home was a sunlight of joy and happiness, not only to her husband and children, but to all her friends and acquaint- ances. She died May 8, 1884, the beloved mother of five children, three of whom survive her. Mr. Garland retained his faculties to a remarkable degree up to the time of his death, which occurred March 22, 1885, in the ninety-first year of his age. Mr. Garland was often called upon to occupy places of trust in the town, county and state. He was town clerk and selectman for twenty- five consecutive years. He served as commissioner of Kennebec County nine years. He was quite often a member of the Legislature of the state from 1834 to 1860. Pie was a member of the House of Representatives, and voted for the original Maine law. ~*T?g?FT''-" '« ei^ynry » \^^Jl/^x^./-v-NJl jVjV JOHN BENNETT. Esq. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 32 I Pike, of Cornish, where she has resided for nearly twenty-five years. The youngest, Mary A., married James C. Ayer, of Cornish, and there resides. Mr. Bennett was quiet and reserved, always gentlemanly and digni- fied in his deportment, kind and courteous to those with whom he associated, to his friendships ever true and to his trusts ever faithful. In addition to holding the various offices in the gift of the town, he was a member of the Legislatures of 1847 and '48. Mrs. Bennett sur- vived her husband many years, dying August 6, 188/". JOHN BENNETT, ESQUIRE, The only son of John P. and Armine (Whitten) Bennett, was born June 12, 1837, his father dying when he was but little past fourteen years of age, thus casting the heavy burden incident to the care and management of a large farm upon him and his widowed mother. To this onerous duty he devoted himself with zeal and assiduity. He attended school at North Parsonsfield Seminary, and at the age of eighteen years engaged in school teaching and civil engineering. To this latter and farming, he devoted most of his time till twenty-six years of age. At that time, having pursued the study of law, during his leisure hours, he commenced practice in the probate courts, but con- tinuing the business of civil engineering until about ten years since. He now and for man}-^ years has devoted most of his time to law busi- ness, having a very extensive practice in the probate courts of Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. ,^ In politics a democrat and an acknowledged party leader, he has held the various town offices for the past twenty-five years, was a member of the democratic county committee for four years, and of the state committee for two years, and also was a representative in the Legisla- tures of 1872 and 1873. He has devoted considerable attention to farming, having greatly improved his lands in productiveness, and made substantial improve- ments in many ways. He possesses in a remarkable degree the merit of not only knowing how to mind his own business, but of keeping others in profound ignorance relative thereto; and in his wide acquain- 21 32 2 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. tance and busy life he is known as a discreet counselor and as a trusty and worthy friend. KNAPP. The name is of German origin, and the family is probably of Saxon stock. Its ancestry in England, however, has been traced as far back as the twelfth century, to one Petrus Knape, who lived in Suffolk County, in the eighth year of King Richard, 1198. The Knapps, of Parsonsfield are all included in the following geneal- ogy, arranged by generations : William Knapp, born in Suffolk County, England, in 1578, came to America as one of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, in 1630, settled in Watertown, Massachusetts, was twice married, had seven children and died in Watertown in 1658. John Knapp, born in England in 1624, was brought to this country by his parents in 1630, married Sarah Young, May 25, 1660, had six children, and died in Watertown, in 1696. Isaac Knapp, born in Watertown, married Anna , lived in Charlestown, Cambridge and Salem, had eight children, and died in Salem, Massachusetts. Isaac Knapp, born in Charlestown, Massachusetts, June 15, 1699, lived in Salisbury, Massachusetts, was twice married, and died Febru- ary 4, 1792, leaving two sons. John Knapp, born in Salisbury, Massachusetts, March 11, 1736, was a soldier in both the French war and the Revolution, married Sarah Brown, and had four sons and four daughters, all born in Salisbury. He was by trade a ship carpenter. About the year 1800, he moved to Parsonsfield, and lived on the farm in school district No. 5, afterward occupied by Joshua Neal, now occupied by S. Leighton Ricker, Esquire. He died May 10, 1816. His wife died February 14, 1810. Children of John of Salisbury. Lois, born February 13, 1766, married Richardson, lived in New Hampshire, died April 6, 1842. Sally, born August 14, 1768, came to Parsonsfield with her parents, and died unmarried, December 27, 1811. Samuel, born July 9, 1770, came to Parsonsfield under the following circumstances: He had learned the trade of a carpenter, and in 1792 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 323 went to Portland to obtain work. There he met a stranger who wanted a carpenter to go out in the country. The stranger was Thomas Parsons of Parsonsfield, and Samuel went home with him and finished his house. The house is still standing and known as the Emerson house, said to have been the first built frame house in the town. He bought a farm in school district No. 5, one-half mile east of the schoolhouse, and settled upon it, married Polly Mead, of Newmar- ket, New Hampshire, April 30, 1795, had five children who lived to grow up and be married, and died September 3, 1837. Polly, born July 3, 1773, married Thomas Osgood, lived in Ames- bury, Massachusetts, and died February 9, 1843. John, born December 28, 1776, came to Parsonsfield in 1795, was a carpenter and farmer, married Abigail Drake, lived with his father in Parsonsfield, moved to Effingham, and died April 11, 1843. Had no children. His wife died March 29, 1843. William, born December 1, 1778, came to Parsonsfield in 1798, mar- ried Mary Tucke, lived in Parsonsfield, moved to Effingham, owned mill since known as Morse's Mill, moved to Conway, New Hampshire, and died in Meredith, New Hampshire, January 5, 1859. Had no children. His wife died in 1851. Betsy, born June 26, 1782, came to Parsonsfield, married Josiah Gate, moved to Camden, Maine, and died February 6, 1842. She left four daughters. Daniel, born August 28, 1785, came to Parsonsfield in 1800, " served his time " with his brother Samuel, married Betsy Neal, daughter of Enoch Neal, January 8, 1816, who died January 22, 1842. He mar- ried Mehitable Tucke, December 28, 1842, resided in school district No. 5 until 1844, moved to Conway, New Hampshire, but returned in 1858, and died in Parsonsfield, February 9, 1859. Had three children by his first wife. His wife Mehitable died May 10, 1860. Children of Samuel Knapp. Sally, born March 20, 1797, married Stephen Shores in 1822, died in Suffield, Connecticut, March 6, 1879, leaving one son. Mary, born September 12, 1799, married first, Isaac Moore, second, Joseph Hobbs, died in Parsonsfield, September 8, 1884. Had no chil- dren. 324 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. John, born November 25, 1801, married Nancy Dresser, in 1826, lived in Parsonsfield, moved to Standish, Maine, was a farmer, died January 10, 1881. Left two daughters. Clarissa, born December 28, 1803, married Harvey M. Towle, Octo- ber, 1826, died in Parsonsfield, August 26, 1829. Left ope daughter and one son. Samuel, born in 1809, married Hannah Brown, was a carpenter, lived in Parsonsfield until 1843, moved to Great Falls, New Hampshire, then to Biddeford, Maine, died in Biddeford, March 5, 1857. His wife died October 6, 1863. They left two sons and two daughters. Children of Daniel Knapp. Sarah Ann, born June 22, 1818, married Jesse Adams, October 18, 1849, died in Newbury, Massachusetts, June 15, 1859. Left one daughter. Elizabeth Rhoda, born May 13, 1824, married Samuel Merrill, June 21, 1842, died in Parsonsfield, January 21, 1868. Left one son and three daughters. William Daniel, born October 17, 1830, graduated from Dartmouth College in 1855, admitted to the bar in York County, September, 1858, married Susan Hale Hussey, November 29, 1866, is a lawyer in Great Falls, New Hampshire, has no children. Abby Lane, daughter of Josiah and Betsy (Knapp) Cate, born in 1827, is unmarried and resides in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Her sisters are ;not living. Joseph Augustus, son of Stephen and Sally (Knapp) Shores, born in Acton, Maine, November 23, 1827, graduated from Dartmouth College in 1851, married Clara M. Towle August 25, 1852, has followed the profession of teacher, and resides in West Bridgewater, Massachusetts. Clara Melissa, daughter of Harvey M. and Clarissa (Knapp) Towle, born in Parsonsfield August 1, 1827, graduated from New Hampton Ladies' Seminary in 1849, was a teacher, married Joseph A. Shores, .August 25,. 1852. They have two sons and one daughter. Samuel Knapp, son of Harvey M. and Clarissa (Knapp) Towle (see page 151). Children of John Knapp, of Standish. Mrs. Harriet M. Chase, born in 1828, died in 1885. »<■*>, '"ij fujusnv ^', ?yfU^,^,,--^^ -^^ TH£ ORDER FOR LiTH . RECEIVED AFTER THE ENTIRE WORK WA^ IN PRinT. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. PART IV. GENEALOGIES. AMES. The first settler In Parsonsfleld by the name of Ames was John, b. in 1746, in New- market, N. H. ; m. Elizabeth Neal, of Gilmanton, N. II., in 1770; came to Parsonsfleld in 17S6; d. June 21, 1824; wife d. Feb. 18, 1827. They had six children, viz: John, b. 1773; settled in Tam worth, N. H. Samuel, b. 1775; settled in Wakefield, N. H. Betsey, b, 1777. Marston, b. 1779. Catherine, b. 1782. Daniel, b. 178(3. Marston and Daniel settled in town, near "Province Pond." Daniel died without issue. Marston m. Mary Manning, of Ossipee, N. H.. in 1809; d. Sept. 14, 1851 ; wife d. Dec. 12. 18i!6. Their children were: Hannah, b. May 30, 1810; m. Titcomb Wentworth, of Newfield; bad three children, their only son, John T. Wentworth, resides on the Ames' home- stead in town; she died in 1885. Elizabeth, b. Feb. 22, 1812. Lydia, b. Dec. 15, 1813; m. John Sutton, of Parsonsfield, now a resident of Illinois; no issue. John M.. b. April 10, 1816; d. April 10, 1885; unmarried. Marston, b. Feb. 19, 1818; unmarried; a resi- dent of Illinois. Daniel J., b. June 1, 1822; m. Miss Abby Fogg; resides in Illinois; has two children. Zimri Fisher, b. July 10, 1824; married ' '; resides in La Salle Co., 111.; has three children. Martha, b. Feb. 13, 1829; m. John Towne; resides in Parsonsfield; has one daughter, Nathaniel Ames, a brother of John, came to Parsonsfield about 1786, had a son Phineas, and a daughter who married Moulton Smart. Phineas had a son John, who married Abby Picker, daughter of John Kicker; they had one child, none residing in town. The only other member of this original Ames family was a daughter, who became the wife of John Doe, of Parsonsfield. BANKS. (See Banks family, page 326, Paft 111.) Jacob Banks, son of Moses and Phebe Banks, was the first settler; b. Feb. 27, 1775, in Scarboro, Me.; m. Reliance Edgcomb, Oct. 5, 1805; d. March 28, 1861; wife died Sept. 10, 1832; had seven children: Mary, b. July 9, 1806; m. Thomas Churchill, March 14, 1830; now living. Otis, b. March 14, 1808; m. ; Nov, 23, 1872, Phebe C, b. Sept. 25, 1811; d. Jan. 30, 1874. Sally E., b. June 30, 1814; m. David Pills- bury, jr., Dec. 10, 183.5. Israel, b. March 22, 1816; m., Ist, Martha A. Pillsbury; had one daughter, b. Oct. 23, 1841, d. Nov. 30, 1853; Mrs. Banks d. Dec. 18, 1813; 2d wife, Elvira Moulton, m. June 26, 1849; have four children: Martha A„ b. May 21, 1854, m. Charles T. Wentworth; Lydia W., b. June 21, 1856, m. Stanton L Hanson, April 7, 1880; Frank O., b. April 8, 1860, and Olife^L., b. Sept. 22, 1869. Eliza W., b. July 3, 1820; m. Chase Moulton, July 17, 1842. Lydia E., b. Nov, 10, 1822; m. Elisha Wad- leigh, June 6, 1844; d. Oct. 26, 1866. 366 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. BLAZO. This family descended from one Amos Blazo, who came from Bordeaux, France, in 1735, and settltd in Greenland, N. H. His son Amos settled in Parsonsfleld, b. Dec. 3, 1788, moved to town in 1778, and settled in North Parsonsfleld. Farmer m. Joauna Libby in 1760; d. Feb. 23, 1821 ; wife died Aug. 30, 1810. Their children were : Catherine, b. Aug. 11. 17G2. Danielf b. Sept. 1764. Michance. b. . Joseph, b. June 16, 1768. Ebenezer, b. Sept 1, 1770. John, b. Dec. 4, 1776; all born in Rye, N". H. Jonathan, b. July, 1775. William, b. March 1, 1777, in Epsom, N. H. Polly, b. in Par- sonsfleld, April 2, 1779; d. October 10, 1784. The sons all settled in Parsonsfleld, at what is known as Blazo's Corner. Catherine m. Jonathan Towle; d. Dec. 16, 1809 Daniel m. Abigail Chapman in 1796; d. Jan. 19, 1802; had three children: Robert Tibbetts, b. Aug. 11, 1797; John, b. Nov. 23, 1798, and Henry, b. 1800. Joseph m. Susan Paine; d. Jan., 1827. Ebenezer m. Nancy Towle; d. Sept. 10, 1855. John died Nov. 4, 1821. Jonathan ra. Jane Deshon, 1799; d. June, 1817. William m. Mehitable Wedgwood, Dec. 1, 1808; d. Aug. 2.5, 1830. Robert Tibbetts Blazo, lawyer, son of Daniel, m. Mary Freeman, Dec. 24, 18.35; has four children: Daniel Otis, lawyer and farmer, lives at North Parsonsfleld; m. Emily Perkins; have had flve children, two living, Mildred and Grace. Susan C, m. John G. Leavitt, and they have one son, Robert Blazo Leavitt, now at Cambridge University, Mass. Charles, physician (see page 156). Emily m. Hiram H. Brown, a lawyer, residing in Lowell, Mass. They have one daughter. John Blazo, second son of Daniel Blazo, married Nancy Towle May 1,1825; died Dec. 1, 1878; wife died Jan. 11, 1846. They had seven children: Mary, Nancy, John, Lorenzo, Mariah, James H. and Enoch W. Mary was born March 3, 1826, died Sept. 25, 1876; Nancy, b. June 19, 1827, d. Jan, 11, 1846; John, b. April 8, 1831, m. , resides in Parsonsfleld; Mariah, b. Feb 9, 1836; Lorenzo, b. June 9, 1837; Enoch W., b. Nov. 30, 1839, d. Aug 30, 1840; James H.. b. June 16, 1844, m. Abby Fogg, resides on homestead. BOOTHBY. Brice Boothby came to this country from Scotland and settled in Scarborough, and from him all of the name have descended. Joseph Boothby settled in this town. His parents' names were Brice and Mariam Boothby. He was born in 1781 in Buxton, and settled on the Middle Road, so called, in 1818; was by occupation a farmer. In 1810, he married Hannah Boothby, and died in 1841. Mrs. Boothby died in 1874. They had ten children : Marriam, b. 1811; m. Samuel Lord, and settled in New Hampshire. David, b. 1812; m. Hannah Boothby in 1840; settled in Baldwin. Joseph, b. 1815; m, Salome Staples 1845; resides in Cornish. Jane, b. 1817;m. Jonathan Morrison ; had two children; d. 1864. Hannah, b. 1819; m. and settled in Scarborough. Benjamin R., b. 1821 ; m. Ethlinda Staples 1847; settled in Limerick; d. 1885. Samuel, b. 1826; resides in Cornish; m. flrst, Rebecca Moulton in 1851; had two sons, Silas and Jos- eph. Silas is married and resides on the original homestead of Joseph Boothby. Joseph is a resident of Florida. Samuel m. second, Mrs. Severance of Cornish, and resides in said town. John, b. 1828: is one of the most successful farmers of Par- sonsfleld ;m. Sarah Moulton 1854; has one son. Achsah, b. 1833; m. Lafayette Davis. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 367 of Newfield in 1854. Sarah, b. 1835; m. Charles M. Burbank in 1854, and resides in Boston. The Boothbys are very industrious, frugal people, intelligent, upright citi- zens, and good financiers. For the most part they are devoted to agricultural pursuits. There ai-e several families by the name of Brown who have been residents of the town, between whom we are unable to trace any connection. Simon Brown came from Hampton, New Hampshire, in 1801. He was born Jan. 22, 1775; ra. Oct., 1800, Sarah Speed; d. Oct. 31, 1852; wife died March 16, 1857. They had four children: Simon, Abraham, Harriet and Samuel. Simon, b. Oct. 2, 1802 (see page 277). Abraham, born March 10, 180(3: died July 9, 1827. Samuel, b. Sept. 13, 1815; m. Maranda Hill; had three children: Simon, b. May 7, 1847; Charles, b. June 19, 18-19, and Mary A., b. Oct. 1, 1856. Mr. Brown died Nov. 27, 1886. Then there was a Luther Brown, who came from Lynn, Massachusetts, in 1806, and settled in the northeast part of the town. He was born in 1756, and married Elizabeth Peabody of Salem in 1786; died 1850. They had four children: Thomas, b. 1789; ra. Esther Lane, and moved to Gorham. Sally, b. 1791; m. Joseph Chick, of Parsons- field Ephraim, b. 1793. Nancy, b. 1796; ra. Dean Sawyer, and here settled. Ephra- im married Hannah Hart, daughter of the noted ''Master" Hart, and they reared a family of twelve children: Jane B., Ivory, Catherine G., Belinda H., Hannah C, Horace T., Mary W., Susan G., James H., Lydia A., Luther and Ruth A. Jane, b. 1817: m. Benjamin Simpson, of Bridgton; d. 1884. Ivory, b. 1819; ra. Jane Hart. Catharine G., b. 1821; m. Isaac F. Quinby, of Saccarappa. Belinda H., b. 1822; m. Thomas McLellan, of Meriden, Conn. Hannah C, b. 1824; m. John Brown, of Cor- nish; d. 1886. Horace T., b. 1826; m. Margaret A. Babb, of Saccarappa; d. 1863, at Fort St. Philip, New Orleans; was a member of the Thirteenth Maine Regiment Mary VV., b. 1828; m. Thomas C. Howe, of Westfield, Mass. Susan G., b. 18:30; m; William Baker, of Meriden, Conn. James H., b 1833; m. Ellen M. Carter, of Limer- ick, Me. Lydia A., b. 1834; m. Charles H. Eastman, of Parsonsfleld. Luther, b. 1837; d. in infancy. Ruth A., b. 1838; ra. Horace Manwarring, N. Y. Children of James H. and Ellen (Carter) Brown: — Herbert Stillman, b. Jan. 1, 1857; m. 1884. Alice Estelle, b. June 1,1859. Ernest Elmer, b. Nov. 21, 1861; m. 1883. Bertha Ellen, b. April 1, 1864; m. 1885. Fannie M. C, b. July, 1867. Clarence J., b. Nov, 1809. Millies., b. 1872. Ethel, b. Sept., 1876. BUKBA.NK. Caleb Burbank was a blacksmith and farmer, and settled above Middle Road Vil- lage. He was born November 6,1771; married Sarah Littlefield, and their children were: Esther, b. August 13, 1795; m. Deacon John Lord, of Parsonsfield; d. ; had five children: Caleb, Richard, Henry, Lydia and Adaline. Hannah, b. March 24, 1799; m. Captain Joseph Merrill, of Parsonsfleld; d. ; had four children: D. W. Clark and Hardy — twins, Josephine and John B. Samuel L., b. Aug. 11, 1800; set- tled in Newport. Sarah A., b. Sept. 13, 1803; m. Joseph I^ord, of Newport; d. Jan. 15, 182.5. Mary, b. Feb. 9, 1805; m. Elisha Wadleigh jr., of Parsonsfield; had four children: Caleb, Elisha S., Sally and Lemuel, and died May 24, 1879. Olive O., b. 368 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. July 10, 1807; ra. Lemuel Miller, of Kennebunk; had three daughters; d. April 7, 1SS6, Lydia A.,b March 24, 1810; m 1st, Joseph Lord of Parsonsfield ; 2d, Jeremiah Leavitt, of Effingham, and 3d, Daniel Elliot, of Parsonsfield; d. Aug, 26, 1878. Caleb B., b. Nov. 27, 1812; d. March 19, 1814. Josephine, b. March 28, 1815; d. Feb. 19, 1816. BURKHAM. It is asserted on good authority that the first settler in this country by the name of Burnham was one Thomas, who came from England and settled in Ipswich, Mass. From him descended Paul Burnham, of the third generation, who settled here in 1795. He was born in 1760, in Lee, N. II., and man-ied first, Sally Weymouth, and second, Comfort Pease. He died June 2, 1832. By his first wife he had eight children, viz. : Betsey, Abigail, Asa, Noah, Sally, Anna, Polly and Susannah, and by his second wife, seven, viz. : Nancy A., Mary, John, Julia A., Comfort M., Joseph P. and Susan. Bet- sey, b. March 5, 1784; m. Enoch P. Parsons in 1800; d. March 2, 1870. Abigail, b. Nov. 24, 1785; m. William Morris, of Scarboro; d. . Asa, b. Dec. 13, 1787; m. Lydia Parsons; settled in Parsonsfield and moved to Winslow, Me. He was a teahcer and farmer; had four children. Noah, b. Jan. 24, 1790; m. Martha Hilton; settled in Parsonsfield; had nine children; d. Jan., 1865. Sally, b. March 2, 1792; d. Nov. 26, 1802. Anna, b. April 13, 1794; d. April 13, 1803. Polly, b. Oct. 14, 1795; d. Nov. 24, 1799. Susannah, b. Aug. 4, 1799; d. Nov. 2, 1802. Nancy A., b. Nov. 3, 1803; m. Moses Dannells, of Newfield; d. . Mary, b. March 31, 1805; m. Cyrus Brown, of Baldwin, Me. John, b. Nov. 29, 1806; m. 1st, Lydia Burbank; had five children, Joseph) Rhoda, Thatcher W., Melissa and John U.; m. 2d, Sally Adams, of Limerick; d. Sept. 26, 1871. Julia A., b. Feb. 16, 1809; m. Charles Brown, and is now living in Min- neapolis, Minn. Comfort M., b. Nov. 23, 1813; d. . Joseph P., b. Jan. 5, 1816; d. . Susan, b. August 31, 1820; m. Lafayette Davis, of Newfield; d. . Children of Noah and Martha (Hilton) Burnham : — Rhoda H., b. Sept. 21, 1813; d. Feb. 3, 1833. Caroline W., b. May 11, 1816; d May 5, 1840. George 0.,b. Sept. 4, 1818; m. Jane Harper and settled in Biddeford. James E., b. Dec. 18, 1820; m. Susan Perry, of Parsonsfield, and resides on the home place; is a successful farmer and has two sons, Earnest L., b. April 12, 1865, and Everett C, b. June 16, 1867. N. Augustus, b. March 20, 1823; d. Nov. 25, 1843. Martha A., b. Aug. 17, 1825; m. Ira Bickford, of Boston. J. Lorenzo, b. March 6, 1828; merchant in Nashville, Tennessee. Emeline A., b. July 18, 1830; m. Dr. Charles Lougee and settled in Scarborough; d. May 21, 1845. Charles S , b. Aug. 7, 18.32; died Dec. 13, 1832. Children of Asa and Lydia (Parsons) Burnham: — Lydia, Asa, Usher, Thomas R. ^Children of John and Lydia (Burbank) Burnham : — Joseph, b. Aug. 12, 1833. Rhoda, b. July 5, 1835; m. 1st, William Wilmouth, Dec. 4, 1856; m. 2d, C. B. Green, June, 1886. Thatcher W., b. March 29, 1837; m. Dec. 6, 1863, Deborah Hayes; occupies the place where Major Paul Burnham built in 1799. It is the same house, somewhat remodeled. Mr. Burnham is a farmer, interested in stock raising and horse breeding. He was a member of the Twenty seventh Regiment Maine Volun- teers, has devoted much time to music, of which he is very fond, and in which he is proficient. They had one little daughter, b. Jan. 1865; d. May, 1868. Melissa S., b. , Feb. 14, 1839; m. Dr. E. F. Severance, of Limerick. John U., b. Nov. 15, 1842; m. Abby'Moulton and settled in Djver, N. H. ; dealer in meats. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 369 BUZZELL. (See page 2180 Rev. Jobn Buzzell, son of William and Anna Buzzell, was born in Barrington, N. H., Sept. 16, 1767; married Anna Buzzell, and moved to Parsonsfield in April 1798. His wife died in 1835, and he again married, dying on March 29, 1863. He was a man devoted to his calling, and an honor to the town of his adoption. Although by his influence he did much to mold the political as well as religious views of the citizens of the town, yet he did not desire to hold office. He was, however, for a time, town clerk, and was chosen as delegate to the convention which met in 1818 at Brunswick> to take action relative to a separation of the District of Maine from Massachusetts, and served in that capacity; yet, when upon the establishment of the State government he was chosen to represent Parsonsfield in the first Legislature, he declined to serve, asserting that he had a higher office to fill and a greater duty to perform, that of proclaiming the Gospel of Christ, and therefore another town-meeting was called, and Eufus Mclntire was chosen in his stead. His family consisted of eleven children : Mary.b. May 10, 1792; ra. Gilman Lougee; d. Sept., 1876. Nancy, b. ; m. Benja- min McKinney. Luke, b. ; m. Mercy Mudgett. JohnD., b. 1798 (see page 137). Alvah, b. April 4, 1800; d. in infancy. Aaron, b. March 16, 1802; m. Hannah Leigh- ton. William B. b. Sept. 25, 1804; m. Susan Sanborn. Alvah, b. April 15, 1807; m. Mary A. Cilley. Clarinda, b. March 4, 1809; ra. Isaac N. Sanborn. James M., b. Nov. 4, 1812; m. Rebecca Hobson (see page 145). Martha, b. May, 1816; m. Sewall Hobson. CAETLAKD. John Cartland, born in Scotland, came to America early in the eighteenth century, and settled in what was then Dover, now Durham, N. H. A grandson of his, named Pelatiah Cartland, born Dec. 14. 1746, in Lee, N. H.,the son of Joseph and Lydia (Allen) Cartland, came to Parsonsfield in 1798 and settled in what is now known as the Cartland neighborhood, near East Parsonsfield. He was married in 1777 to Anna Hanson, and died May 1, 1830. His wife died April 10, 1849. Their children were Charles, Abigail and Silas. Charles* (Pelatiah,^ Joseph,^ Johni), b. March 27, 1778, in Lee, N. H.; m. Mariam Robinson; settled in Parsonsfield; had ten children, viz.: Content, Anna, Joseph, John, Stephen, Charles, Cyrus, Isaiah, Lydia, Abbie, all born between 1815 and 1834. Charles Cartland died March 20, 1839. Silas Cartland, brother of Charles, b. March 19, 1798; m. Anna Brackett; had seven children, viz.: Asa, John B., James, Silas H., Elizabeth, Anna H. and Joseph D. Only three are living, viz. : John B., James and Silas H. Most of the children of these two families joined the society of Friends, and most settled for a time in town. Abigail, the daughter of Pelatiah, married Benjamin Daltou (see page 330). CHUBCHILIi. John Churchill was a resident of Plymouth, Mass., and his name enrolled among those capable of bearing arms as early as 1643. In 1644, he married Hannah Pontus. They had a son Joseph, who on June 3, 1672, married Sarah Hicks. In turn, their son Barnabas, b. July 6, 1686, m. Lydia Harlow, Feb. 14, 1714. Their son Thomas, b. in Plymouth, April 30, 1730, m. Mary Ewer, daughter of Seth Ewer, of Barnstable, 24 370 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. Mass. ; moved to Newmarket, N. H. Ichabod Churchill, the first settler of the name in town, was the son of said Thomas, born in Newmarket, June 21, 1764, and married Elizabeth Doe; moved to Parsonsfield in 1797 and settled on* the farm ever since retained in the name, now the property of his grandson, Nathaniel H. Churchill. He was by occupation a farmer and shoe-maker. His wife Elizabeth died Nov 23, 1809, and he married Leah Allen, Oct. 27, 1810, who died Sept. 3, 1858. He died Sept. 1.5, 185.5. By his first wife he had six children, viz.: Nicholas, b. June 3, 1790; lived on the homestead ; unmarried. Betsey, b. March 27, 1793 ; unmarried; lived in Sandwich, N. H. ; d. March 30, 1877. John.b. Sept. 22, 1795; moved to Sandwich; d. Oct. .5, 1873 unmarried. Thomas, b. Jan. 20, 1798, remained on homestead; m. Mary Banks March 14, 1830; had eight children, viz.: Thomas S., Otis B., John C, Reliance Nathaniel H., Elizabeth, Joseph and Lydia, all living save Elizabeth and Joseph. Mr Churchill died Oct. 16, 1878. Mrs. Churchill is yet living with her son, Nathaniel H Mary, b. Jan. 21, 1801 ; m. Robinson Blaisdell, of Madison ; d. May 17, 1865. Nancy, b Oct. 8, 1803; m. Greenlief Smith, of Cornish; d. March 2, 1877. Thomas S., eldest son of Thomas and Mary, b. May 6, 1831; m. Mary A. Dixon; had three children, only one now living, "William D. D. Churchill, of Cornish, who married Mabel, only daughter of Dr. Moses E. Sweat. Otis B., second son of Thomas and Mary, b. Nov. 5, 1832; m. Susan E. Ferrin, of Freedom, N. H., June 2, 1861, and they have had three children: Wilbur F., b. April 24, lf^> d. June 19, 1862; Charlie C, b. June 2, 1863, and Sarah M., b. June 14, 1865. Mr. O. B. Churchill is a successful farmer of Parsons- field. John C, third son of Thomas and Mary, b. Dec. 11, 1843; m. Annie Burk, of Boston, Oct 18, 1S69; resides in Freedom, N. H. and has four children. Nathaniel H. resides on the homestead; b. May 8, 1839; m. Sophia Edgar, of New York, Jan. 7? 1885. The daughter. Reliance, mai-ried Nehemiah Libby, of Parsonsfield, and Lydia married John W. Colcord, of Cornish, Maine. COLCORD. Gideon and Edward Colcord came from England some time about 1700, and settled in Newmarket, N. H. All the Colcords in Parsonsfield and the surrounding towns are descended from Edward. Edward's sons were also named Gideon and Edward, and both settled in Newmarket. Gideon, the older, was the father of six sons, one of whom, Jesse, was the father of Capt. David Colcord, late of Porter. Edward jr., who died before the Revolution at fifty years of age, was the father of nve sons and one daughter, viz: Gideon, Nathaniel, Josiah, Joab, Jeremiah, Benjamin and Eunice. Of these, Josiah and Joab settled in Parsonsfield, on the estates occupied until recently by their descendants, not far from the New Hampshire line. Jeremiah also died in Parsonsfield, and is buried near his brother Josiah. From Josiah and Joab have sprung all the Colcords of Parsonsfield, and their names are among the original mem- bers of the first town-meeting called to organize the town. The genealogy of the family of Josiah, the older of these two brothers, is as follows: Josiah Colcord, who was born April 10, 1755, and died April 5, 1837, married Mary Shepard about 1833. She was born Aug. 12, 1762, and died Aug. 1, 1838. The children from this mar- riage were two sons and five daughters, viz.: Rachel, b. May 22, 1785; death date unknown. Gideon, b. May 25, 1787; d. April 11, 1863. Comfort, b. April 23, 1789; d. / HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 37 1 Oct. 12, 1864. Nancy, b. Oct. 27, 1791; d. Sept. 11, 1866. John S.,b. Dec. 7, 1795; d March 31, 1885. Abby. b. June 20, 1800; d. Dec, 1868. Mercy S., b. July 29, 1803; d. Dec. 28, 1831. Mary, b. March 26, 1805 ; d. March 5, 1845. Of the above cliildren. Cora- fort, Nancy, John, Mercy and Mary died without issue; Gideon and Rachel settled in Parsonsfield ; Abby, in Lowell, Mass. Gideon Colcord married Comfort Doe, June 10, 1809. She was born Aug. 10, 1791, and died Oct. 1, 1834. Their children were; Eliza- beth D., b. June 20, 1811; living in 1885. Rufus, b. June 20, 1813; d. April 9, 1884. Josiah H., b. July 6, 1817; d. Sept. 14, 1852. Climena E., b. April 13, 1820; still living. Mercy S., b. May 23, 1825; d. Jan. 21, 1869. Clara L., b. April 27, 1826; still living. John D., b. July 21, 1829; d. Aug. 20, 185.3. Of these children, Elizabeth, Climena, Mercy and John leave no issue. The children of the others are as follows: Rufus Colcord married Roxanna Wentworth, who was born June 7, 1822. Their children are: Henry W., b. Nov. 23, 1844. Edward J., b. July 28, 1849. Rufus Judson, b. Oct. 4, 1851. Clara L., m. Rev. Ephraim A. Edwards, late of Beverly, Mass. Their children are: Justin, Charles, Frank, George and Benjamin. Josiah H. left one daughter, Clara, born 1849. Rachel Colcord, the sister of Gideon, married Stephen Swett, formerly of Parsonsfield, and they settled in this town. Their children were eight in number, viz. : Mary. Alice, Meribah, Mercy, Asa, John, Stephen and Josiah. The dates of these children are not at hand. Of these, Josiah was the father of Emily Swett, so long a teacher of Parsonsfield. Abby, the other sister of Gideon who mar- ried, man-ied Morris Lord, of Parsonsfield. Their children were: George C, still a resident of Parsonsfield, Josiah C, Augustus, Hester, Randolph and Charles. The family of Joab Colcord, the brother of Josiah, and the Joab Colcord whose name appears among the founders of Parsonsfield, is as follows: Joab Colcord (the dates of his birth and death are not known; nor his wife's maiden name) left four sons, viz. : Harvey, Joab, Josiah and Charles. Of these, Joab and Charles settled in Parsonsfield, near the western line, Harvey, first in Tuftenboro, N. H., then in eastern Maine, and Josiah in New York state. The families of Joab and Charles are as follows: Joab Colcord, b. Aug. 14, 1793; m. Betsey M. Towle, Dec. 24, 1818; d. April 14, 1878. Mrs. Colcord was born May 14, 1797; died Jan. 19, 1867. Their children were: John M., b. Dec. 13, 1819; d. Nov, 13, 1863. Henry A. F., b. Nov. 24, 1823; still living. Charles, b. Nov. 6, 1826; d. Jan. 18, 1830. Simeon F., b. April 2, 1831; d. Jan. 14, 1833. EUzabeth, b. July 31, 1821; d, Feb. 9, 1823. Clarinda, b. May 6, 1837; d. March 31, 1838. Of these, only John and Henry were married. John M. married Lucy Bingham, Nov. 27, 1849. Henry A. F. married Nancy C. Wingate (born April 22, 1824; died June 16, 1855), May 23, 1850, and upon her death, was again married to Eliza A. Towle, September 6, 1855. The children of Henry A. F. are: An infant son, died in 1851. Lewis H., b. Nov. 26, 1853; d. April 22, 1854. Sarah H. B. b. Aug. 18, 1854; d. Aug. 20, 1877. John H., b. June 16, 1857; d. April 5, 1864. Clara b. Oct. 18, 1861. John M., b. Jan. 18, 1865. Charles F., b. Sept. 21, 1868. Charles Colcord, the brother of Joab, married Abigail Towle, of Paisonsfield. They had several children, most of whom died in early youth. Jxiliette and Hester lived to young womanhood. This completes the genealogy of the descendants of both Josiah and Joab, except in the remote branches. The other descendants have left town. ? 37^ HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. CONNER. Jesse Conner, son of Jonathan Conner, of Exeter, N. H. was born Dec. 18, 1765, and married Chase Deshon, of Waterboro, Me., moved to Parsonsfield and died Dec. 8, 1843. His wife died Sept. 1, 1852. They had eight children, viz. : Jesse and Dorcas, twins, b. May 21, 1799. Mary, b. Sept. 16, 1802; d. Oct. .31, 1879, unmarried. Sarah, died in infancy. Daniel and Eunice, twins, b. 1806. Jonathan C. . Moses, b. Feb. 2, 1814. None of the name remain in town. A daughter of Jesse jr. was the wife of John Merrill, deceased, of East Parsonsfield. Moses married Koxanna Durgin, of Limerick, and resided in that town, dying Feb. 3, 1880. He had five children. Dorcas married Daniel Smith, of Epping, N. H., now a resident of Parsonsfield, and they have three children, Daniel, Chase and Dorcas. Eunice married Isaac H. Hunt, of Concord, Mass. DALTON. Samuel Dalton, who came to Parsonsfield a year or two after the incorporation of the town, 1786-87, was a lineal descendant in the fifth generation of Philemon Dalton, who was one of the founders of Dedham, Mass., and subsequently one of the original proprietors of Hampton, N. H. Philemon Dalton came to this country in 1635, his brother, Rev. Timothy Dalton, following him in 1637 from Suffolk County, England, where in Woolverstone, on the river Orwall, near Ipswich, Rev. Mr. Dalton had been minister until under the arbitrary rule of Archbishop Laud he was deprived of his living in 1636. He was a graduate of St. John's College, Cambridge, England, and on the incorporation of the town of Hampton, 1639, became the first "Teacher" of the church there, continuing in this ofl&ce till his death, 1661, at the age of eighty-four years. He left no issue. His wife Ruth died in 1666. By their wills the greater part of their property was given to the church at Hampton, and is the basis of ministerial support to this day. Philemon was made surveyor of the new town, and continued active in its affairs until his death in 1662. His widow married second, Godfrey Dearborn, the progenitor of all of that name in this country. Philemon left one child, Samuel,''^ born in England in 1629, who was the leading man of the town until his death in 1681. His name is also intimately connected with the colonial histoiy of the period. His widow married second, Reverend Zachariah Symmes, of Bradford, Mass. Samuel' s^ son Philemon^ was deacon of the church in Hampton until his death, 1721, and his son Samuel* was father of the Samuel,^ who removed to "Parsonsfield. An- other son, Michael, became a wealthy merchant of Newburyport, and was father of Honorable Tristram Dalton, first United States Senator from Mass. Samuel* married Sarah Scott, of Hampton, and their children, with possibly one exception, were born in Hampton, They were seven in number, four sons and three daughters. The daughters married and removed from Parsonsfield. Two of the sons died young. Samuel and Benjamin, growing up, remained at what was long known in the town as Dalton's Corner, and became perhaps the most prominent business men of their day. Samuel^ married Mary, daughter of Joel and Lydia (Perkins) Bennett, of York. Their children were born iu Parsonsfield, viz. : Lydia, b. July 18, 1796; m. Peter Huck- i 1 I ■I f HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 373 ins. Samuel, b. Nov. 25, 1797; married Mary Anna, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Jenness) Huckins, of Effingham, N. H. Mary, b. March 22, 1799; m. Alvah Moulton, M.D., of Ossipee, N. H. Betsy, b. Nov. 21, 1800; m. 1st, George Thomes, 2d, Amos Hodgdon. Tristram, b. July 11, 1802; d. unmarried. Comfort, b. 1805; d. unmarried. Louisa, b. April 15, 1807; m. Asahel Dearborn, m.d., of Effingham, N. H. Sarah Scott, b. April 18, 1809; m. Samuel Jefferson Quarles, Ossipee, N. H. Though Mr. Samuel Dalton's business relations with the town continued many years after, he removed his residence from Parsonsfield, about 1810. ^ BenjaminB married Abigail, daughter of Pelatiah and Anna Cartland, of Rochester, N. H. Their children were born in Parsonsfield, viz. : John, b.l808; d. 1825; unmar- ried. Anne, born Jan. 27, 1810; m. Joseph Chamberlain, of Alton, N. H. Asa, b. April 15, 1812; m. Patience Weed, daughter of Samuel and Isabella (Chamberlain) Dalton. ' Huldah, born April 27, 1814; m. John Mc Arthur. Benjamin Dalton died in Parsonsfield, Sept. 25. 1856. His widow died April 10, 1883, having lived in the Dalton house, now owned and occupied by Rev. L. T. Staples, whose wife is a granddaughter of Mr. Benjamin Dalton. to the age of ninety-eight years, and in the vigorous exer- cise of her faculties, both mind and body. Besides Mrs. Staples, the only members of the Dalton family residing in Parsonsfield are, Mrs. Anne, widow of the late Joseph Chamberlain, and her son, John Dalton Chamberlain. DAVIS. John Davis, with two brothers, came from Wales to America about 1640. John settled near Casco Bay. John Davis, who settled in Saco, was born 1748; married Hannah Fletcher; had ten children, two of whom settled in Parsonsfield, viz. : James and William. James moved here in 1817; was born in Buxton, 1789; married, 1811, Harriet Milli- ken- died February 9, 1837; she died November 18, 1883; had nine children, viz. : Lu- cind'a, Jeremiah, Sally, Jane, Sarah, Moses B., Mary, Isabelle and Harriet, all living (1837), save one. Lucinda,! b. Aug 9. 1812 ; m. Wm. H. Foster, 1838; had six chddren. viz : Eliza; James D., now a resident of Freedom, N. H.; Lucinda, died minfancy; Nancy W L., died in childhood; William L., died in 1862, in the United States service. Jeremiah,-^ b. June 26, 1815; m. Mehitable W. Foster, 1833. He had one son, James, b. June 16, 1841, m. Sarah F. Stacy, of Porter, in 1860; enhsted in Thirty second Regiment, Massachusetts, under Colonel Prescott, and re-enlisted ; drove General McLellan's private carriage; settled in Dorchester, where his family now resides; had children, Albert, Fanny, Florence and Sidney, and died at Soldiers' Home in Chelsea, Mass., Feb. 12, 1887. Mrs. Mehitable Davis died Dec. 12. 1842, and Jeremiah^ married Elizabeth Day. April 25, 1843, and had children : i, Charles, b. May 5 1844- entered the Twenty-seventh Maine; re-enlisted and served through the war ; m. 1st,' Julia Weeks; had two children, Alta May and Clark; m. 2d, MiUa Pugsley, of Porter, May 20, 1886. ii, Elizabeth; iii, Stephen, both died young, iv, Ehza, b. July 5 1849- m. Charles W. Jenness; has two children, v, John, b. Jan. 2, 1851 ; m. Myra Bray ; settled in Webster, Mass. vi, Ellen, b. May 4, 1852 ; m. Austin Hanson, vn, Jerry, b. Dec. 8, 1858; m. Grace J. Higgins, March 9, 1887. viii, Hattie, b. July 24. 1860; m. Edwin Libby ; d. Oct. 25, 1883. ix, Ella, born July 20, 1863; m. Herbert L. Ridlon; has 374 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. three children, Gertrude, Myron and Samuel. Sally^ b. Nov. 30, 1817 ; m. Stephen Mar- tin; had two daughters, Sarah, the wife of Andrew Edgcomb, of Parsonsfield, who had four children, and Mary, the wife of George Mason, of Porter. Jane,* b. June 12, 1820; m. Isaac Foster, of Parsonsfield ; had eight children, Charles, Martha, Hannah, Mary, William, Moses, Emma, Ida. Susan,^ b. Aug. 7, 1822; m. Irst, Smith Sargent, of Cor- inth; 2d, Stephen Chick. Moses B.,*' b. Nov. 8, 1825; m. Martha Ramsdell,1854; resides in Cornish; has children, Susett, Fulton, Elizabeth, Anna, Albert. Mary'^, b. May 23, 1828; m. John P. Lougee, of Parsonsfield, Oct. 15,1845; had children, Hattie, Mary, Gertrude, John, Caleb. Isabelle.^ b. June 7, 1830; m. Asa Cartland, of Parsonsfield, who died in the Insane Hospital at Augusta in 1885; had children, Julia, Emily, John and James. Harriet,^ b. March 9, 1832; m. James Sargent; children, Ellen, Louis G,. Albert, Fred, Lizzie, Harriet, Marsha, Jenny; Lizzie and Hattie diedin January, 1887. DEARBORN. All the Dearborns in the United States are descendants of Godfrey^ Dearborn, who came to Exeter, N. H., about 1639, and settled in Hampton about ten years later. He had three sons and three daughters. His two oldest sons, Henry and Thomas, were born in England. The youngest son, John,'^ was born in Exeter in 1642; married Mary Ward, December 12, 1672 ; d. November 14, 1730. Issue of John^: — John,^ b. Sept. 2, 1673; m. Hannah Dow, Jan. 10, 1695; d. March 19, 1746. Thomas, b. June 22, 1676; m. Mary Garland, Dec. 4, 1707; d. . Mary, b. May 6, 1678; m. Stephen Bachelder, Aug. 25, 1698; d. . Issue of John^: — Ann, b. Oct. 22, 1695; m. Joseph Philbrick, Dec. 4, 1717; d. . Joseph, b. April 9, 1699; died Dec. 9, 1700. John,* b. March 28, 1703; m. Annie San- born (daughter of John Sanborn, son of William Sanborn, one of the fii'st Hamp- ton Company), Sept. 20, 1724; d. March 24, 1754. Issue of John*: — Anne, b. Dec. 17, 1725; m. Joseph Wadleigh, Jan. 11, 1749; d. . John, died young. Hannah, b. Dec. 3, 1730; m. Dearborn Blake. Mary, b. Aug. 1, 1732; m. Wadleigh; d. . Ruth, b. June 5, 1734; m. Thomas Blake, April 24, 1755; d. . Elizabeth, b. March 5, 1736; m. Joseph Sanborn, March 9, 1756; d. . Josiah, b. Jan. 11, 1738; m. Sarah Freese, Nov. 17, 1757; d. Sept. 15, 1814. John,5b. July 21, 1740; m. Ziporah Towle; d. Oct. 18, 1794. Issue of John^: — John, b. Aug. 3, 1763; m. Mary Towle; d. Dec. 8, 1845. Jeremiah,^ b. Jan. 8, 1768; m. Ruth Bachelder, subsequently Nancy, sister of Ruth, moved to Parsonsfield; d. Jan. 25, 1851. Levi, b. Dec. 25, 1769. Francis,6 b. April 3, 1772; m. Betsey , of Tuftenboro, N. H. ; moved to Parsonsfield; d. April, 1839. Jacob,® b. May 8, 1774; m. Mary Brown; moved to Parsonsfield; d. Feb. 7, 1854. Josiah, b. Nov. 12, 1783; resided in Hampton; d. . Thomas, b. Aug. 25, 1786; m. Ruth John- son; lived in Parsonsfield for a time, then moved to Dexter, Me.; d. ; had four children, Polly, Ruth,Thomas and David; Polly m. Asa Cram; Ruth m. William Trip; Thomas m. , resided in Garland, Me, died, 1883; David died at sea, unmarriv.(I. Jonathan, b. Aug. 22, 1788; m. Sarah Towle, daughter of Joseph Towle, of Hampton; d. Feb. 24, 1862; had three children, Joseph Frederick, b. May 14, 1817, m, Adelie C. M. Kiersten, of Dresden, Saxony, Jan. 1, 1871, resides in Melrose, Mass.; John Edwin, b. Oct. 23, 1819, m. Elvira Johnson, of Parsonsfield, d. ; George, b. July 9, 1838, d. a prisoner of war at Andersonville, July, 1864. 1 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 375 Issue of Jeremiah^: — By his first wife he had eleven children: 1, Dorothy, b. Sept. 27, 1790; m. Daniel Mighel, Oct. 15, 1812; had seven children, all dead but one daughter, Elizabeth. 2, Jeremiah, b. Aug. 25, 1792; was soldier in War of 1812; d. June 26, 1821. 3, Lydia, b. Ault. H, 1794; m. Isaac White, May 19, 1813; had six children, Jeremiah, Lydia, Susan, Ruth, Elizabeth and Isaac; she died December 6, 1871; hus- band died June 17, 1823. 4, Nancy, b. May 2, 1796; m. Morris Brown, of Effingham, Dec. 28, 1812; had six children, Theodate, Morris, Jeremiah, Nathan, Abram and Kesewell. all dead; she died June 5, 1861. 5, Ruth, b. May 1, 1799; m. Joseph Atchin- son, of Effingham; died without issue, Oct. 7, 183S. 6, John, b. Feb. 13, 1801; m. Sally S. Wadleigh, Dec. 20, 1826; had five children, Ruth, Samuel, Jeremiah, Elisha and Eveline; Ruth, b. 1827, m. Elliot Fernald, March, 1853, and they have two children living, the eldest, a daughter, Alfreda, the wife of Theodore Young, of Saco, and the youngest, a sou, John, unmarried; Samuel G., the eldest son, b. 1830, resides on the old homestead, unmarried; Jeremiah W., b. 1832, m. Mary G. Smart, is a resident of Parsonsfield, no children; Elisha, b. 1837, d. in early childhood; Eva, b. 1839, m. Albert Roberts, of Waterboro, has two sons, Arthur and Frederick; John Dearborn died April 17, 1877; Mrs. Dearborn died May 18, 18.50. 7, Ziporah, b. June 5, 1803; m. Isaac Pray, of Parsonsfield, Dec. 18, 1828; moved to Ossipee; d. March 6, 1830; left infant son, John, now a resident of California, 8, Joseph, b. 4pril 5, 1808; m. Judith Fernald, June 11, 1837; had three children: Elliot M., b. Sept. 27, 1842, m. Olive Roberts, Jan. 2, 1864, have four sons, Frederick C, Frank R., Luther E. and Joseph; Sarah E., b. April, 1849, d. Nov., 1851; Melissa S., b. Dec. IS. 1853, unmirried; Joseph Dearborn died January 9, 1874 ; Mrs. Dearborn died March 14, 1882. 9, Lucinda, b. May 6, 1810; d. Aug. 4, 1830. 10, Elizabeth, b. Dec. 6, 1812; m. John Pray; had two daughters, Lucinda who married a Rowe and resides in Woodstock, Maine, and Olive, who married Geo. Nute, and resides in Wolfborough, N. H. ; Mrs. Pray died Aug. 4, 1830. 11, Francis, b. July 20, 1815 ; d. unmarried, June 29, 1855. Issue of Francis^: — Mehitable, b. Feb. 11, 1799; m. Jonathan Johnson, Aug. 18, 1818; had children, Elizabeth, Lorenzo, Mary, Edwin, Lydia, Elvira, Ann and John O. John, b. April 18, 1802i m. Sarah Lougee; had three daughters; moved to Dixmont, and died there. Ziporah, b. Feb. 9, 1804; m. James Sanborn; d. — . Issue of Jacob^: — Rachel, b. July 6, 1798; m. James Wadleigh, Dec. 4, 1817; d. May, 1885. Ziporah, b. Feb. 9, 1800; married John Mudgett. Mary, b. Feb. 17, 1802; m. William D. Dixon Dec. 3, 1831; d. Oct. 30, 1878; had two children: Mary, b. Oct., 1832, m. T. S. Churchill, has one child living, William D. D. Churchill, of Cornish, Me. ; Ellen, wife of Jeremiah Bullock, of Parsonsfield, has one daughter, Margarette. Betsey, b. Sept. 17, 1805: m. Samuel Foss; has two children, John Colby and Almira; John C, m. Abby Lord; has several children. Jacob, b. July 19, 1807; m. Maliala Towle; had three children who died; he died March 13, 1869; Mrs. Dearborn died Feb. 28, 1861. Joseph S.,^ b. Dec. 26, 1811; m. Lydia Frost, March 22, 1831; is yet living; Mrs. Dearborn died April 13, 1883; they had thirteen children. John, b. Aug. 24, 1819; m. Mary Day, Feb. 13, 1840; d. June 21, 1882; had three children, one son and two daughters : his son, Ruthvin John, has one son, Clarence Jacob. Issue of Joseph S.," son of Jacob*^ :— John E., b. June 8, 1832; m. Eliza H. Heath, Feb., 1856; died Feb. 8, 1872; left one son, William H. Dearborn, b. June 12, 1857. 2f']6 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. Sarah F., b. Jan. 11, 1834; m. Tristram Hooper; no issue. Joseph F., b. May 29, 1835; m. Mary Brackett; has two children, Allie E., b. Oct. 19, 1863, and Franklin, b. Aug. 1, 1870. He resides in Mattoon, 111. Mary A., b. Nov. 1, 1836; m. Jefferson Laurie, Oct. 20, 1857; has two children, Fred and Florence. They reside in Medford, Mass. Valorus, b. Dec. 7, 1838; d. Sept. 13, 1864, in the United States service. Lydia M., b.l840; m. Rev. A. G. Hill, July 2, 1861; has three children, Wilbur, Georgia and Ernest. They reside in Dover, Me. Ellen, b. Sept. 12, 1842; m. Joseph Frye, July 2, 1861; has five children, Lewis, Nellie, Addle, Edgar and Lillian. Moses Sweat, b. Jan. 9, 1845; m. Edith M. Smith; resides in California; has five children, Mary, Nellie- Frank, Mollie and Lydia. George W.,b. Sept. 29, 1847; m. Emma Mudgett; no chil- dren. Charles A., b. July 22, 1849; m. Eliza Kenney; has five children, Grace, Ada, Harry, Edna and Ei-nest; resides in Parsousfield. Simon F., b. Jan. 24, 1851; m. Annie L. Rand, Oct. 15, 1881; has one child, Sarah F., b. Sept. 8, 1885. Annah F., b. July 17, 1853; unmarried. Clara A., b. Dec. 25, 1856; m. Rev. A. H. Hanscomb; resides in Phoenix, N. T. ; has three children, Harold, aged six, and twin daughters, born in 1887. DEVEKEUX. Richard Devereux was the first of the name to settle here. His son, Tlaoraas, b. Aug. 4, 1790; m. Phoebe Trueworthy, July 31, 1818; d. Feb. 1, 1865. Mrs. Devereux d. Dec. 25, 1880. Their children were John, Jonathan, Mary, Judith, Thomas and Phoebe. John, b. Feb. 6, 1820; ra. Eliza A. Patten, of Newport; has one son, Dr. F. G. Devereux (see page 157). Jonathan, b. Feb. 20, 1822; ra. 1st, Edgcomb; 2d, Mrs. Pamelia Brackett; has two children, Willie and Frank A.; resides in Brownfield, Me.; merchant and manufacturer of clothing. Mary, b. April 19, 1824; d. Aug. 21, 1859. Judith, b. April 2, 1826. Thomas, b. Feb. 23, 1829; d. Dec. 28, 1837. Phcsbe, b. Aug. 15, 1832 ; d. Feb. 23, 1838. Nicholas Doe and brother (name unknown) came from England about 1650. Nicho- las^ settled at Newmarket; was twice married; had, by first wife, a son, Nicholas, jr., and by his second wife, a son, Bradstreet. Nicholas,^ jr., married; had sons^ NathanieP settled in Newfield, Me; Joseph^ settled in Newmarket; Nicholas Churchill, also in Newmarket; Gideon^ and John,^ the two latter settled in Parsousfield. Issue of NathanieF: — Simon settled in Fairfield, Me. Nathaniel settled in Water- ville. Henry settled in Augusta. John Washington settled in Tamworth, N. H. ; had seven sons. Dearborn Doe, who died in Parsonsfield in 1886, was his second son. Issue of Joseph*: — Walter died in Albany, N. Y. Joseph settled in Somersworth, N. H. Bartlett settled in Saratoga, N. Y. Nicholas Churchill was drowned in New- market. Gideon,* b. 1740; m., 1st, Abigail Conner, of Newmarket, in 1765; 2d, Eunice Hill, in 1798, who died in 1799; 3d, Sarah Gilman, in 1799, who died June 15, 1819. He died April 8, 1820. By his first wife he had eleven children, viz. : Betsey, b. Feb. 13, 1766, d..in infancy. Eliphalet,^ b. March 10, 1707, d. in Parsonsfield; Gideon, jr., b. Aug. 7, 1769, d. at sixteen years of age; Jeremy,* b. March 19, 1771, d. in Parsonsfield; Amasa, b. July, 1773, no record of his death; Joseph, b. Oct. 8, 1774, (]. in Parsonsfield; Abigail, b. March 10, 1777, d. in P.; Conner, b. April 28, 1779, d. in 4 I -* '=« HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 377 Parsonsfield ; Nicholas, b. May 21, 1781, d. in P.; Meribah, b. March 21, 1783, d. in infancy; Olive, b. March 8, 1788, killed in New Tork state by railroad. Issue of Eliphalet^: — Elipbalet m., 1st, a Hannaford; had two sons, Mark and Josiah. Mark died in Par'sonsfield ; Josiah died in Virginia, leaving three children. Elipbalet married, 2d, Mrs. Betsey Hill, nee Clark, of Stratham, and they had Ebeu- ezer H. ; Nancy; Ira; Moses; Salome, and Meribah. Issue of Jeremy^:— Jeremy m., 1796, Sarah Garland; d. Feb. 14, 1854; wife d. Oct. 1.3, 1842; had children: Hannah, b. Sept. 4, 1797; unmarried; d. Dec. 28, 1808. Gideon, b. Oct. 25, 1799; d. .Jan. 2, 1824. Mary G., b. Oct. 5, 1801; d. July 6, 1870. Nancy, b. Aug. 4, 1805; m. David H. Coombs, 18.35; had five children; d. Aug. 4, 1875. Olive, b. April 10, 1807; m. William Buzzell; d. June 22, 1875. Amasa,^ b. Nov. 27, 1808; m. Mary J. Pease, Jan. 1, 1840; d. July 10, 1882. Joseph G.,6 b. Jan. 4, 1810; m. Louisa K. Hurd, 1839; d. Nov. 28, 1868. Oliver C. b. April 1, 1815; d. unmarried, June 22, 1875. Issue of Amasa^; — Bradbury, b. July 11, 1844; m. Rebecca C. Hawes. Jan. 2, 1870; has four children. Charles F., b. Jau. 29, 1848; m. Lizzie Whiting, Nov. 18, 1879. John W., b. March 24, 1852; m. Clara C. Castellon, Sept 10, 1874; has four children. Eugene M., b. May 6, 1854; m. Myra B. Lord, Nov. 11, 1879; resides in Parsonsfield; has three children, Herbert, Laforest and Eugene. Issue of Joseph G^: — Howard, b. March 1, 1841; m. Emma F. Blake; has one child, H. Leslie. Ellen M., b. Feb. 20, 1843; d. , leaving one son, Orestes. Tristram H., b. July 18, 1844; m. Fanny Stone; has three children. Issue of John^:— John Doe,^ b. Sept. 9, 1748; m. Elizabeth Ames, Dec. 27, 1773; d. Feb. 21, 1819; wife d. July 27, 1810; they had eight children: Annie, Bartlett, John, Mary, Betsey, Bartlett,* Sally, ;Comfort. Anne, b. Sept. 15, 1774; m. Josiah Hannaford. Bartlett, b. June 22, 1776; d. in infancy. John, jr„ b. Aug. 31, 177S; m. Abigail Giddings; d. Jan. 24, 1821 ; had ten children: Deborah, Betsey, John, Martha, Mary, Bartlett, Ira, Rufus, Maria, William. Mary, b. June 23, 1781 ; m. Morris Leav- itt; had four children; died . Betsey, b. Sept. 13, 1783; m. David Crockett; had eight children; d. . Bartlett,* b. Aug. .30, 1785; m. Mary Sanborn, Nov. 29, 1810; d. Feb. 11, 1872; had twelve children, Martha, Mary, Alvah, Amzi, Hannah, Bartlett, John, Elizabeth, Calvin, Calvin 2d, Nancy, Charles. Sally, b. July 29, 1787; m. James Manston; d. . Comfort, b. Aug. 11, 1790; m. Gideon Colcord, 1809; d. 1833; had six children. Rufus, Elizabeth, Climena, Josiah, Clara and Mercy. Issue of Bartlett^: — Martha m. Ira Moore; resided in Parsonsfield. Mary, twin sister, m. Jonathan Wedgwood, of Effingham, N. H. Alvah, b. ; m. 1st, Martha J. Leavitt; 2d, Susan Moulton; sons by first wife: Edward A., d. in Parsonsfield, 1860; George I., a resident of Wilton, N. H. ; Amzi S., d. in Galveston, Texas, in 1867; Augustus, d. in Parsonsfield, 1846; Mellen; Frank P.; Charles H. The three last are residents of San Francisco, Cal. Amzi settled in Presque Isle, Me ; d., 1867; left one son, Arthur, a resident of Parsonsfield; m. Estelle Lombard; no children. Bartlett, unmarried; resident of San Francisco, Cal. John, unmarried; resident of San Francisco, Cal, Elizabeth m. David Moulton, of Newfield; resides in Boston. Calvin, died early. Calvin, 2d, died early. Nancy, m. Samuel F. Kezar and resides in Turner, Me. Charles, unmarried ; resident of San Francisco, Cal. 37^ HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. DURGIN. Silas Durgin settled in Parsonsfield in 1833. He was born March 8, 1788, in Cornish, Me.; m., 1810, Dorcas Holmes; d. June 18, 1867; wife d. Jan. 3, 1881. They had twelve children: Clarissa, b. Feb. 11, 1811; d. Aug. 1, 1819. Dorcas H., b. May 13, 1813; m. Caleb Marston; d. Aug. 30, 1863. James H., b. April 21, 1815; m. Jane Var- ney; d. May 8, 1873. Sally W., b. Oct. 13, 1817; m. 1st, Major H. Folsom; had two sons Levi and Peter; m. 2d, Moses Cross. Silas, b. March 11, 1820; m. 1st, Martha Rogers; 2d, Caroline F. Gale; d. March 18, 1867. Stephen, b. Jan. 31, 1823; ra. Clara Jackland ; resides at Woliborough, N. H. Aaron K., b. Sept. 10, 1825 ; m. Susan Beatty. Simeon, b. April 4, 1828; m. 1st, Jane Mooney; 2d, Elizabeth Wentworth. Susan, b. May 10, 1831; d. in infancy. Joseph E., b. Aug. 10, 1833; m. Francis Taylor; d. Sept. 23, 1871; left a daughter, who married Everett Leavitt, of Effingham, N". H. John, b. Nov. 18, 1836; d. Nov, 1862; unmarried. Samuel H. (see page 153). Samuel Dutch, b. in Lee, N. H., 1773; m. Betsey Marshall, of Brentwood; moved to Parsonsfield; d. Oct. 12, 1842; wife d. Sept. 25, 1866, aged ninety-one. They had three children: Abigail, b. Oct. 14, 1797; m. Ebeuezer Booth by; d. Feb. 5, 1844. Henry, b. Nov. 4, 1802; d. Nov., 1887; unmarried. Samuel, jr., b. Oct. 4, 1804; m. Olive Towle, of Effingham; d. March 24, 18,56; wife d. June 25, 18S3. They had one son, Charles, b. Oct. 6, 1849, who married Eliza Knox, of Parsonsfield, and has three children. EMERSON. (For ancestry see page 245.) First settler, Luther Emerson, b. in Alfred, Me., Nov. 11, 1782; m. Elizabeth Usher Parsons, 1807; d. July 4, 1875; wife d. Oct. 11, 1857; children: Thomas P. (see page 61), b. May 17, 1839; m. Mrs. Stella F. Briggs; had one son, Sylvester; d. Nov. 8, 1870. Sylvester, b. June 17, 1812; d. Oct. 17, 1833. Joseph Pratt (see page 2451. Lucy Brad- bury, b. March 25, 1815; m. Rev. Calvin Chapman, Sept. 3, 1842; d. April 14, 1873; had three children. Charles H. (see page 65). Luther O. (see page 246). Elizabeth Usher, b. March 9, 1825 (see John Moore, md., page 142). Issue of Joseph P., b. Nov. 13, 1810; m. Sarah Dunfield, Sept. 15, 1831; d. July 17, 1884: wife died July, 1887; had eight children: Elizabeth U., m. B. T. Allen, and has two children, Lizzie E. and Frederick E. Abbie P., m. 1st, Anthony Jackson; has three children; m. 2d, Edmond Richards. George E., m. Elvira Shanks; has four children, Ralph, Victor, George and Clyde. Sarah D., m. J. W. Cook (see page 249). Augusta C, m. E. T. Knight; has two children. Helen A., m. Newton Hobbs; has one son, James. Henry B., m. Alice Ames; has one son, Henry Waldo. Herbert J., m. Anna Stetson; has two children, Archie, Sai-ah. Issue of Charles H.,b. Aug. 3, 1818; m. Lydia E. Ricker, Sept. 6, 1858; bad seven children: Rose, d. Jan. 6, 1860. Elizabeth P., m. O. A. H. Bruce; no children; d. Jan. 7, 1886. Ralph B., Luther, Abbie F. Edward U., d. Feb. 5, 1879. Alfred, d. Jan. 28, 1879. Issue of Luther O. : — b. At^g. 3, 1820; m. Mary Jane Gove, of Boston, Mass. March 4, 1847; had seven children: Mary G., m. E. W. Clark; children, Mabel 3 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 379 E. and Caroline B. ; m. 2d, William B. Jones. John G. married Ada H. Elden; had one child, Elden E. Luella P., m. Robert Davis; had one child, Robert E. Charles W., m. Fannie B. Esty; children, Luther O. and Alexander M. Abbie R., d. 1859. Eliza- beth U. and Mabel Holmes. FENDERSOK. Ancestor, Samuel Fenderson, came from England, and settled in Scai'borough. First settler, John Fenderson, moved to town in 1795, and settled where Ivory Fen- derson now lives. He was born July 15, 1757, in Scarborough, Me. ; married 1st, Sarah Keuney, of Saco, who died March, 1798; married 2d, Mary Milliken, who died Aug. 29, 1851, aged ninety-seven. He died June 24, 1852. Children: Polly, Nathan, Nathaniel, John, Edward A., Sally. Polly, b. ; ra. John Perry; has children, Josiah, William, Mary and Sally; moved to eastern part of State; d. Nov., 1821. Nathan, b. March 1, 1785; m. Betsey Parks, June 19, 1809; settled on homestead; had children, Joseph, Edward A., Ivory, Jonathan A. and John. Nathaniel, b. ; was in the war of 1812; last known of him, was in Dartmoor prison, John, b. ; m. Hannah Perry; settled in East Machias. Edward A., b. ; killed by falling of tree, June 15, 1807. Sally, b. April 15, 1795; unmarried; lived on homestead; d. . Issue of Nathan : — Joseph, b. Aug. 11, 1810. Edward A., b. Nov. 2, 1814; m. Martha Babb, May 12, 183- ; children: William B., m. Sarah Chick; Edward J., m. Mahala Mackey. Ivory, b. Feb. 9, 1816; m. Martha Chase, April 4, 1841; children, i, Nathan W., b. Aug. 22, 1842, m. Abby F. Brackett, and has two children; ii, Mary E., b. June, 1844, unmarried; iii, George H., b. Aug. 12, 1852, m. Mary Davis, of Ports- mouth. Jonathan A., b. Nov. 18, 1821 ; m. Emma Haley, of Boston ; has two children, Charles W. and Juliette. John, b. March 16, 1826; m. Eliza E. Savage, of Charles- town, April 11, 1849; has five children, Mary, John S., Martha, James O. and Eliza. FERNALD. Dr. Reginald Fernald was born in England, 1595; came to this country, settled in Portsmouth, N. H., about 1630; d., 1656. Elliot, fifth generation from him, son of Eleazer and Margery Fernald, b. in Berwick, Me., March 9, 1785; came to North Par- sonsfield in 1800; m. Sally Mudgett, Jan. 31, 1811; d. June 16, 1858; wife d. April 7, 1882; had four children: Judith, b. Feb. 18, 1812; m. Joseph Dearborn, June 11, 1837 (see Dearborn genealogy). Dorothy M, b. Dec. 22, 1815; m. Rev. James Rand, of Par- sonsfield, Dec. 26, 1839; had children: i, John E., b. April 2,1841. m, Lizzie E. Randall, April 2, 1865, has two childivn, James L. and Eva E. ; ii, Sarah F., b. May 29, 1845, m. Andrew Abbott, April 12, 1877, three children ; iii, Eliza L., b. Oct. 24, 1848, m. C. W. Fernald, one child; iv, Zylpha, b. Apr. 18, 1853, m. Charles A. Littlefield, Nov. 29, 1877. Sarah, b. March 3, 1820; m. Thomas B. Wentworth, Feb. 5, 1850; has four children: i, Charles F., b. Feb. 17, 1851, m. Mattie A. Banks, June 24, 1877, has four children: ii, Lizzie, b. April 8, 1853; iii, Frank, b. July 2, 1856; iv, Zenas P., b. Dec. 17, 1862. Elliot, jr., b. Nov. 19, 1828; m. Ruth B. Dearborn, March 8, 1853; had three children: Alfreda E., b. May 15, 1854, m. Theodore T. Young, a.b., Feb. 25, 1885; Ida Eva, b. April 4, 1858, d. Oct. 6, 1876 ; John E., b. Sept. 3, 1866. 380 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. The first ancestor in this country was Samuel Fogj?, born in England about 1630 ; came to Hampton, N. H., where his son Samuel lived to the age of one^huudred and seven years. James Fogg, seventh in descent from him, son of Deacon Seth and Elizabeth Mordough Fogg, born in Ossipee, March 31, 1793; m. Hannah Hubbard July 5, 1818; removed to West Parsonsfield, 1836; died Nov. 5, 185S; wife d. Dec. 14, 1862; had six sons and three daughters: i, Daniel, b. Jan. 16, 1820; m. Clara Benson, 1857; had two children, Nettie and Eva. ii, Moses, b. Dec. 22, 1821 ; died April 6, 1844. iii, John C, b. May 6, 1824; died Oct. 3, 1842. iv, James, b. March 10, 1826; d. Nov. 16, 1844. V, Amasa,b. Nov. 10, 1827; d. Nov. 24, I80I. vi, Hubbard, b. Oct. 12, 1829; m. Lois Ann Allen, June 6, 1856; has five' children, all living (1887): Willis A., m. Clara Pierce, Oct, 5, 1886; George H. m. Mary Allen, Oct. 11, 1885; Newton H., m. Katie A. Bradun, Aug. 18, 1883; Newell T. ; Mercy Flora, vii, Ruth, b. July 27, 1831 ; died Nov. 14, 1844. viii, Hannah b. Sept. 22, 1833; m. George West, 1858; d,Jan. 23, 1860. ix, Elizabeth, b. Feb. 15, 1838; m. Joseph Burke, 1866; has three children. GARLAND. John Garland lived in Hampton, N. H , and was contemporary with George Gar- land, who appeared in Maine in 1659. John married, Oct. 26, 1654, Elizabeth, wid ow of Thomas Chase and daughter of Thomas Philbrick. His will bears date, Nov. 15, 1671, he being then about fifty years old (b. about 1620). He died Jan. 4, 1672, and his widow married Henry Roby, Feb. 19, 1674. John Garland^ and Elizabeth had John, who took oath of allegiance in Hampton, Dec. 1678, Jacob, Peter.'-^ Peter Garland^ married, and had Jonathan, John, James, Mary and Abigail. Jonathan Garland^ (Peter^, Johu^) m. Oct. 21, 1714, Rachel Dow; had Samuel,* Jona- than, Abigail, Mary, Sarah, Elizabeth, James, Rachel, Anna, Simeon (d. early), Simeon and Mary. Samuel Garland* CJonathau^, Peter,^ Johni), m. and had Jonathan,^ b. July 3, 1746, Samuel, DoUe, Anna, Sarah and Abigail. Jonathan Garland^ (Samuel,* Jonathan,^ Peter,^ Johni), m. Abigail , b. Feb. 5, 1746; had Sainuel.s b. Nov. 28, 1771, d. March o, 1855; Lydia, b. March 9, 1774. m. Ward, d. Oct. 5, 1861, aged 87; David, b. Dec. 10, 1775, d. Aug. 8. 1858, aged 82; Hannah, b. Oct. 13, 1777, m. — Randall, d. April 1, 1856, aged 78; Dolle, b. Feb. 10^ •1781; Jonathan b. Aug. 29, 1782, d. Nov. 6, 1865, aged 83; John, b. July 7, 1787, d! Feb. 11, 1870, aged 82. Samuel Garland^ (Jonathan■^ Samuel,* Jonathan,^ Peter,^ John^). m. Molly Batch- elor, b. July 7, 1775, d. Nov. 18, 1833; he d. March 5, 1855. They had: David, b. Aug. 23, 1794; d. March 23, 1885, aged 91. Jonathan, b. March 15, 1796; d. Oct. 31, 1873, aged 77. Abigail, b. May 14, 1797; m. Rev. H. A. Merrill, of Conway, N. H.; d. in Granville, Ohio, Feb. 2:3, 1882, aged 85. Edmund, b. Feb. 1.5, 1799; d. in Granville, Ohio, April 3,1886, aged 87. Thomas L., b. Nov. 15, 1800; d. March 11, 1864. Clarissa, b. Aug. 1, 1802. John, b. Jan. 10, 1805; d. July 23, 1883, aged 78. Mary A., b. March 6, 1808; d. Feb. 1, 1868, aged 89. Joseph, b. Aug, 12, 1811. Dorothy, b. June 15, 1813. Issue of SamueF ( Jonathan,^ Samuel,* Jonathan,^ Peter,^ John^) : — 1, David { see page 302). His eldest son, i, Samuel, m. Catharine P. Wiggin, daughter of Lot Wiggin, of HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 38 1 • Limerick; lias two daughters, resides in Gorham ; ii, Joseph, iii, William, iv, Charles, V, Abigail; vi, Mary, yet living. 2, Jonathan moved to Winslow, Me. 3, Edmund (see pages 60, 283), married 1st, Mary, daughter of Daniel Sewell, of Kennebunk; she d. March 17, 1872, aged 76; m. 2d, Lucre tia W. Dorrance, of Kennebunk; she d. Nov. 23, 1882, aged 72 years. 4, Thomas, m. Elizabeth Drummond, of Winslow, Me. ; there re- sided. 5, Clarissa, m. 1st, Rev. Henry P. Kelley; 2d, Rev. Mr. Olds, of Granville, Ohio: there resides, a widow. 6, John (see page 30.3). 7, Mary A., unmarried ; d. in Granville, Ohio; buried in Maple Grove cemetery; inscrip tion on stone runs thus: "Mary Ann Garland, b. Parsonsfield, Me., 6 Mar., 1808; d. 1 Feb. 1868, aged 59 yrs., 10 mo. 5 d. Asleep in Jesus." She was an amiable lady. 8, Joseph (see page 65), m. Clarissa Loring, of Norridgewock; has two children, Joseph B. and Clara E. 9, Dorothy, m. Thomas Ward, of Hampton, and there resided; d. . Jacob Garland^ (John^) lived in Newbury: he ra., Jan. 17, 1682, Rebecca, daughter of Thomas Sears ; had two children, Jacob, b. Oct. 26, 1682, and Rebecca, b. Dec. 3, 1683; he then removed to Hampton, N. H., and had eleven children whose names are unknown. Savage also mentions " Petei-, Charlestown, 1637; Boston, 1654; by wife Joan had Mary; removed to New Hampshire perhaps, before 1686." [Was he John's^ father, or brother?] Also " Jabez, Dover; by wife Dorcas had Jabez, b. Feb. 10, 1693; Dor- cas, b. April 3, 1698; Rebecca, b. Jan. 25, 1700; Ebenezer, b. March 14, 1704; Nathan- iel, b. April 12, 1706; Lydia, b. Feb. 17, 1708." From his date he may have been a son of John.2] GRANVILLE. The first settler of this name was a descendant of Lord Granville, of England. He had two children, Joseph and Nancy. Said Joseph (or a son by said name), b. in Newburyport, 1762; entered the army at sixteen years of age; came to Parsonsfield, 1783; built first saw-mill in town; had eight children, four sons and four daughters, all dead. One son settled in Parsonsfield, and has one son Rufus now living. Said Rufus married and has several children. One of the Granvilles settled in Effingham, N. H., and had sons Thomas and John, and daughters , wife of Elijah Taylor, Hannah, unmarried, Sophronia, wife of Cyrus Champion, Mrs. Grush, of Brookliue, Mass., and Mary, who died in 1861. A sister of this Effiingham Granville married Reuben Edwards, and raised a numerous family. These Granvilles were born prior to the present century. HANNAFORD. This family was of English descent, first settling near Newmarket, N. H. First settler in Parsonsfield, Josiah Hannaford, son of and Anna Dearborn Hannaford; moved to town about 1790; was born May, 1770, Newmarket, N. H. ; m. Nancy Doe, April 17, 1784; d. March, 1816; wife d. 1828; had nine children: Sally, b. June 9, 1794; m. Tobias Ricker; d. Sept., 1863; her one surviving child, Erastus F., lives in Osceola, Iowa. Nancy, b. May 12, 179G; m. Rufus Mclntire; d. Feb. 2, 18:30. Betsj, b. April 27, 1798; m. Josiah P. Oilman; d. Dec. 18:32; her only child, George, lives in Illinois. Susan L., b. April 25, 1800, unmarried; d. Aug. 1834. Levi A., b. March 29, 1S03; ra. 382 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. Caroline W. Collins, of Windham, Me. ; settled in Hiram; d. in Farmington, 111., 1879; had two children, Edward and Carrie (see page 140). John, b. Sept. 20, 1805; m. Mrs. Lydia Young, of St. Louis, Mo. ; after living several years in St. Louis, went to Peoria County, 111., where he now lives; no children. Mar^B., b, Feb. 2, 1808; ra. Rufus Mclntire; d. Nov. 19, 18.38. Reuben, b. March 29, 1810; m. Mary A. Smith, of Gorham, Me.; he settled and is now living in Trivoli; has one son, James B., living in the same town. QatliMinej b. Oct., 1815; d. Nov. 18:^<2, unmarried. Josiah Hannaford's mother married a second time, Samuel Page, then of Wakefield, N. H., and was the mother of John and DanieJ Dearborn Page, Theodate Corson and Sarah H. Page; she died in Parsonsfleld in 1816. Her daughter, Nancy Haunaford, married Elipbalet Doe, son of Gideon Doe, one of the early settlers of Parsonsfleld, and died young. Levi Hannaford, a younger brother of Josiah, was a youth of great promise, it is said; he was a student of Phillips' Exeter Academy, but from ill health was obliged to give up his studies, and died of consumption at the age of twenty-three, at his brother's home in Parsonsfleld. Daniel Dearborn Page left home in Parson-sfleld when a boy, and after living in Boston, Cincinnati and New Orleans, drifted to St. Louis, Mo., then a French village; he had marked natural abilities, and became a wealthy and influential citizen of St. Louis, and her first miyor. One of his daughters is the wife of Henry D. Bacon, the other, the wife of William T. Coleman, both prominent citi- zens of San Francisco, Cal. D. D. Page died in 18G9. His only son, Francis W., died in St. Louis, in 1883, HILTON. Tradition says that Edward Hilton was the first of the name in this country, settled in Dover, N. H., in the seventeenth century. Dudley Hilton, son of Dudley and Sarah (Taylor) Hilton, b. March 28, 1753, in Newmarket, N. H. ; m. Rhoda Bickford; d. May 11, 183(5; wife d. July 21, 1822; six children: Nancy, b. April 3, 1785; m. James Morrison; d. . Martlin, b. April 15, 1790; m. Noah Burnham; d. Aug. 4, 1869. Rhoda, b. Dec. 2, 1795; m. James Thomas; d. Aug. 1868. Susan, b. March 28,1797; d. Aug. 18, 1817. George.5 John, b. July 27, 1801; m. Sarah Whittier; d. Sept.. 1880. Issue of George^ (Dudley^): — George,^ b. March 22, 1799; m. 1st, Abigail F. Ricker, Jan. 21, 1823; 2d, Martha A. Eastman, Nov. 18, 1858. By first wife : i, Rhoda Y., b. Jan. 22, 1824; m. William H. Hoyt, of Lowell, Aug. 29, 1850. ii, Susan E., b. Jan. 12, 1826; m.Frederick Lovejoy, of Lowell, Nov. 29, 1853. iii, Rufus M.,b. Jan. 1, 1828; m. Susan C. Dunnells, March 13, 1851 ; resides in Parsonsfield, has one daughter, iv, Mary A., b. Dec. 1, 1829; m. William H. Cross, Feb. 27, 1858; resides in San Francisco, v, Alpheus S., b. Feb. 19, 1832; m. 1st, Orriville A. Parks, Nov. 8, 1854; had two children, one died early, and one son, Frank, now living; m. 2d, Etta Y. Fogg, of Limerick, May 28, 1831 ; resides on family homestead, vi, Moses M., b. Nov. 27, 1835; m. Carrie Huse, Aug. 21, 1862; enlisted in the late war and died in United States service, April 26, 1863. vii, George W. (see page 154), b. Aug. 9, 1839; m. Mary E. McCommon, Dec. 3, 1865. viii, Pelatiah R., b. March 4, 1843; m. Agnes O. Ricker, May 9, 1869. ix, Charles A., b. July 22, 1845; m. Sarah A. Carpenter, April 21, 1872 (see personal notice). By second wife: x, Cora B., b. Dec. 15, 1860; d. 1879. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 383 David Hobbs, born in England, Feb. 6, 1718, came to Rye, N. H., May 24, 1738. David Hobbs J1-.2 son of David^ and Elizabeth (Scllley) Hobbs, b. May 21, 1738; m. Susan Leavitt, 1774; moved to Parsonsfiekl, 1782; d. 1826: had children, David,^ Mollie and Benjamin. David, b. July 3, 1779; m. Judith Jenness, 1799; d. Aug. 5, 1865. Mollie m. Daniel Gilman; d. ; had several children, Sumner, Woodbury (see page 144), Smith and Mary. Benjamin m, Abigail Parsons, April 14, 1808; resided in Effingham. Issue of David^ (David,^ Davidi): — i, Moses L. (see page 140). ii, Mary, b. 1802; m. 1st, Dr. Moses L. Marston; had three daughters: Cornelia, m. John Goodwyne, settled in Mississippi, had one daughter, Florence E. (now the wife of George W. Davis, of Newfield), who has one sou, b. 1887, (Mrs. Goodwyne resides with her) ; Judith, m. Jesse Wedgwood, has one daughter, Mary Kate, a lady of fine musical attainments; Helen, m. Asahel D. Clark of Effiingham, had two daughters, Anna and Delia. Dr. Marston d. , and Mrs. Marston m. 2d, Dr. Stejjhen Adams of Newfield, and had three children: Clement J. Adams, m. Sarah J. Dorman; Stephen L., m. 1st, Caroline Perkins, 2d, Love Lord, has one son, Stephen Clement; Rebecca, m. Dr. Noah Sanborn, resides in Jersey City, iii, Victory, b. 1806; d. in Texas, 1840, unmarried, iv, Alvah, b. 1812; m. Jane Perkins; settled in Effingham; had three sons, Harry, Newton and David. V, John, b. Dec. 5, 1809; m. 1st, Arvilla Gammon; had one son. Victory, married, living on homestead; m. 2d, Mercy J. Whitten. Dr. Moses L. had four sons and one daugh- ter: David L., d. ; Joseph, d. ; Leavitt M., settled in California, now resi- dent of North Hampton; Victory, d. ; Angie, settled at Seabrook; m. . Joshua W. Hodsdon, b. March 1, 1806, in Porter; m. Anna Moony, Feb. 7, 1833; children: 1, Gilman M., b. in Eaton, Sept. 23, 1834; ra. Sarah J. Reed, Jan. 1859; four children: Charles E., b. Jan. 21, 1860; Frank E., b. in Acton, Sept. 5, 1861; Cora B,, b. in Newfield, Aug. 16, 1864; Albert H., b. in Parsonsfield, Aug. 24, 1867. 2, Ann A.,b. in Parsonsfield, Sept. 6, 1836; m. James F. Smith, of Brownfield, Aug. 14, 1864; two children: Anna, b. May 8, 1865; Gilbert H., b. in Boston, Nov. 23, 1869. 3, Sophia M., b. April 15, 1839; m. Edgar A. Neal, Jan. 2, 1856; had two children: Ida A., b. in Por- ter, Jan. 1, 1860; Eva E., b. Nov. 21, 1861. 4, Abby A., b. Nov. 9. 1841; m. Stillman C. Smith, Boston, Nov. 26, 1867; one child, Arthur, b. in Boston, Oct. 8, 1875. 5, Marcia E., b. Dec. 7, 1846; d. in Boston. George Kezar, the noted hunter, was early in the forests of Parsonsfield, some years prior to its purchase by Thomas Parsons, probably as early as 1768, but did not move his family here until 1777. None of the family ever lived at Kezar Falls; that place, however, taking its name from George Kezar's foot-bridge, across the river at that point. His sons were George, Josiah, Ebenezer and Abner, and three daugh- ters. These sons all lived for many years in Parsons6eld. The descendants of Eben- ezer and Abner until the present. Abner, b. in Canterbury, N. H., 1773 ; m. Dorcas Perry, Oct. 27, 1803; d. Oct. 9, 1849; wife d. Sept. 7, 1847, aged sixty-five; children: 1, Sally, b. Jan. 31, 1804; m. George Gibbs; settled in Porter. 2, Jane, b. Oct., 1806; m. 384 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. George Young; settled in Parsonsfleld ; d. 1886, in Lynn; had four children: Dorcas, wife of Jacob Mudgett, of Lynn ; John m. Eveline Dearborn, resides in Parsonsfleld; George m. Sadler, resides in Parsonsfleld, and Winfield Scott killed at Sauford, Me., 1887. 3, John, b. 1806; m. 1st, Annie Mathews, of Ossipeej had five children; m. 2d, Mrs. Abraham Roberts, of Porter; d. 1864 (see page 336). 4, Nancy, b. June, 1810. 5, Mary, b. Oct. 1812; m. Dominicus McKenney, of Limington; d. 1848. 6, Abner, b. Sept., 1814; m. Rebecca Merrill; has one son, Abner Hardy, a physician in Cal. ; d. 1849. 7, Susan, b. Oct., 1816; m. 1st, Oliver Kennison, 2d, Eben Blazo, of Porter; d. Nov. 18—; no children. 8, Hannah, b. Nov. 1818; m. John Kennison, of Parsonsfleld; resides on homestead. 9, James, b. March, 1820; m. Lettice Newbegin; has three children, Edwin, George and Ellen live in Parsonsfleld. Maria, b. 1827; d. June, 1858. Issue of John,3 son of Abner: — Samuel F., b. Dec. 4, 1829; m. Nancy A. Doe, Dec. 4, 1853; two children: John B., b. Oct. 14, 1855; Mary A., b. Aug. 29, 1859; all settled in Turner, Me. Horace, b. Dec. 13, 1833; m. Deborah Fowler Freedom, 1856; d. . Sarah J., b. Jan. 22, 1837; m. John Trueworthy and settled in Michigan, Martha A., b. May 20, 1844; m. Rufus Bickford ; settled in Michigan. Dorcas P., b. Dec. 22, 1847; m. Isaac Libby; settled in Cambridge. Ebenezer, son of Abner, m. Hannah White, of Parsonsfleld, Nov. 25, 1806; had quite a numerous family; his sons, George and Eben, settled in town, both dead. Have no further trace of the family. Jeremiah Leavitt, of Hampton, b. Sept., 1780; m. Margarette Libby about 1811; settled in Parsonsfleld; d. Nov, 25, 1839; wife d. July 10, 1831; had children : Thomas, John, Ira, Joseph, Newell, Uriah, Jeremiah, Mary A., and Alonzo. Thomas,^ b. June 29, 1812; m. Susan Merrill, of Freedom; d. June 13, 1833; has son George, resident on home place. John,'^ b. Aug. 1813; m. Deborah Parks; d. DdC. 11, 1876; no children. Ira,^ b. October, 25, 1816; d. July 16, 1836. Joseph,* b. March 11, 1818; drowned at Cape Cod, Sept. 11, 1846. Newell,^ b. Feb. 14, 1820; m. 1st, Abby Hobbs, July 14, 1850; m. 2d, Lizzie Berry, of Freedom, Feb. 21, 1853; d. Dec. 16, 1884; left three sons, two living, Charles S. and Henry W. ; Charles S. m. Annie WooSsorae, March 18, 1882, has two children, Leon N. and Otto F. Uriah,^ b. Feb. 2, 1822; na. Sarah Tuttle, of Effingham; d. at Andover, Mass., Jan. 24, 1856; had two sons, Frank W. and Charles U. Jeremiah,^ b. June, 1824; m. Etta Barker, of Campton, N. H. ; d. March 29, 1869, at Brockton, Mass.; left one daughter, Addie B. Mary A.,^ b. July, 1826; m. Ira A. Clough, June, 1858; d. March 23, 1859. Alonzo,^ b. July 7, 1830; m. Emma Derby, of Boston; and had seven children, one living. Jereraiafii married for second wife, Sarah Chase; had one son, Isaac,i° now a resident of Newfield, and Arthur!^ ajitj Maria, 12 both dead; Isaac m. Emily Smith, of Wakefield, and has two daughters. LIBBY. Isaac Libby, son of Tobias, b. in Porter, Sept. 5, 1809; moved to Parsonsfleld, March 1, 1854; m. Roxanna Towle, April 8, 1833; two children: Sarah A., b. Oct. 17, 1834; m. Abner K. Gibbs, of Porter, July 3, 1854. Nehemiah T., b. Sept. 20, 18:37; m. Reliance Churchill,- Feb. 21, 1860; d. May 23, 1887. Nehemiah had two children: Emma A., b. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 385 Nov. 2, 1862, m. O. F. Wiggin, Jan. 30, 1887, Wiggin died July 4, 1887; and Walter D., b. Nov. 8, 1864. LOMBAKD. John Lombard m. Mary Wentwoith, of Wakefield, daughter of Pbineas; settled on Fogg farm; had three daughters: Susan, wife of Oscar Burnham, of Limerick. Estelle, wife of Arthur Doe, of Parsonsfield, and Ada, wife of Clintou Gliddeu, of Boston, The descendants in this country claim that three brothers, Abram, Nathan and John represent the parent stock. George Lord, the first settler in Parsonsfield, descended from Nathan; was the son of Samuel and Lydia (Wallingford) Lord, b. in Berwick, Me., Oct. 19, 1764; m. Patience Hobbs, of Hampton, N. H., March 1, 1789; came to Parsonsfield, April, 1799, and settled at what is now known as Lord's Mills; d. July 11, 1811; wife d. May 19, 1816; had children: 1, Samuel, Mary, Morris, Lydia, George W., Isaac, Sarah, Frederick, Louisa T., Betsey. Samuel, b. Dec. 4, 1789; m. Ist, Nancy Neal, Jan. 4, 1811; 2d, Lydia Neal, March 24, 1812; 3d, Eunice H. Knight, March 4, 1835 ; by his second wife he had two children, Samuel and Lydia. both reside in the west; by his third wife, two, Edwin and Carrie; Carrie died in early life, Edwin E. m. Rose Nutter, and had two children, Delle and Minnie, Minnie is living with her parents on the homestead farm of George; Samuel d. Nov. 15, 1862. 2, Mary, b. Feb. 4, 1792 ; m. John L. Marston ; had one daughter, Betsey, the wife of Joshua Meloon, of Effingham. N. IL ; d. Feb. 14, 1881. 3, Morris, b. Sept. 29, 1794; m. Abigail Colcord ; d. Sept. 25, 1849. 4, Lydia, b. Aug. 3, 1796; d. Oct. 15, 1818, 5, George W., b. Nov. 3, 1799; m. Sally Sweat, May 23, 1825; moved to Buxton; his son, A. K. P., there resides; d. April 4, 1864. 6, Isaac, b. April 25, 1801 ; ra. Hannah Redman, Oct. 26, 1826; had four daughters and one sou, who lived to maturity; d. Nov. 6, 1855, 7, Sarah, b. Aug. 23, 1803; d. Sept. 16, 1823. 8, Frederick, b. July 9, 1806; m. Lydia Leavitt, of Effingham; d, Nov, 29, 1846. 9, Louisa T., b. Sept, 4, 1808; m. James Leavitt, Nov. 11, 1852. 10, Betsey W., b. March 3, 1811; m. 1st, Leander Doane, had one son, George, now a resident of Effingham; m. 2d, Amos Dutton ; d. April 3, 1885. Ammi R. Lord, also a descendant of Nathan, sou of Ammi R. W. and Mary Lord, b. in Limerick, Me., April 4, 1778, thrice married; m. 1st, Mary Durgin, 1801; 2d, Dru- silla. Lord, of Freedom; 3d, Mercy Whitten, of Cornish; had a nnmerous family; settled in Parsonsfield, in 1801; d. May 1, 1864. Among his children are the follow- ing: 1, Arthur, b. June, 1802; d. June 7, 1826, 2, Louis, b. May 6, 1804; m. Eliphalet Pease ;d. . 3, Isaac, b. Dec. 19, 1805; went to Wisconsin; m. Emmeline Morton. 4, Ammi R., b. Aug. 8, 1807; d. June 29, 18:32. 5, Simeon, b. March 16, 1809; m. Annah Lord; d. Sept. 30, 1880. 6, Cyrus K., born June 10, 1811 ; m. Abby S. Clark, Jan. 6, 1836; resides at La Crosse, Wis. ; lawyer. 7, Julia A., b. Nov. 17, 1818; ra. Daniel Lord, son of Nathaniel; has several children. 8, Edmund, b. Aug. 13, 1821; d. June 21, 1848. By his second wife, Woodbury and Caroline, residents of Wisconsin, and Martin Luther, who died early. By his third wife, two now living, Martha, the wife of Daniel Baker, and Abby, the wife of John Colby Foss, of Parsonsfield. 25 386 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. LOUGEE. John Lougee, fi-om the Isle of Jersey; born about 1700; settled at Exeter, N". H. His grandsous, Gilman, Samuel and John, settled in Parsonsfield early as 1779. They were sous of John and Mary Lougee, born in Gilmanton. Gilman was b. Sept. 15, 17.58 m. Joanna Smith, of Brentwood, N. H., 1775 ; was killed by a falling stone while at work in a clay pit, Sept. 29, 1788; wife d. March 21, 1831 ; had four children: 1, Susanna, b. Jan. 4, 1781 ; m. John Bennett. 2, Gilman, b. May 12, 1783 ; m. Mary Buzzell, Aug. 19, 1810. 3, Hugh Bartis, b. 1785; moved to Salem. 4, Joanna, b. 1788; m. Jonathan Watson. Issue of Gilman and Mary (Buzzell) Lougee: — 1, Mary, b. Aug. 11, 1811 ; m. Augustits Wentworth. 2, Joanna, b. Jan., 1813; m. Samuel Eastman, of Cornish; has one son. 3. Ann B., b. Feb. 1815; d. 1810. 4, Gilman, b. Jan., 1817; m. Elmira B, Richardson (see page 280). 5, Susan B., b. Aug., 1821 ; m. D. W. C. Merrill; has one son, Fred Merrill; d. . 6, Julia, b. Aug., 1823; m. Marshall Peirce, of Saco. 7, Albion K. P., b. Nov. 17, 1827; m. 1st, Maiy Thurston; 2d, Orinda Morrill, of Limerick. 8, ClarindaS. b. June 7, 1829; m. Thomas Brown. The children of Gilman* were; i, Juliett, b. May 28, 1842; m. Ansel Hawkes. ii, Mary A., b. Sept. 20, 1843; m. Stephen A. Hussey. iii, Amelia, b. June 7, 1845; m. Nathaniel Hussey. iv, Delphiua, b. Feb. 28, 1847; m. Dr. Osborn G. Lord, v, Hugh B., b. Dec. 22, 1848; m. Anuah Eastman, daughter of Timothy Eastman and great- great great-granddaughter of Thomas Paisons, Esq. vi, Loui.'>a R., b. Jan. 8, 1851; m. 1st, Simeon P. Genish; 2d, Samuel Garland, son of Ira Garland, vii, David G., b. May 28, 1858; m. Almira L. Fogg. David Marston, a descendant of William, and son of Col. David Marston, of Hamp- ton, was among the first settlers in Parsonsfield ; b Feb. 5, 1756 ; m. Mary Page, 1782; d. Jan. 29, lb35 ; wife d. Dec. 17,1847 ; had children : 1, David, b. March 23, 1783; m. Betsey Giddings, 1804; had six children, Elizabeth, John, David, Mary, Abigail, Han- nah ; resided in Ossipee ; d. April 3, 1860. 2, Abigail, b. Feb. 23, 1786; m Eben Mars- ton, 1808; had five children; settled in Tamworth; d. Jan. 26, 1866, 3, Mary, b. Jan. 25, 1787; m. Jonathan Ayer, 1808; had eight children; resided in Lowell; d. April, 18-55. 4, Levi, b. Oct. 23, 1787; m. Sally Page, 1815; resided in Parsonsfield ; had five children, Mary, John, Sally, Levi, Elizabeth; d. June. 1868. 5, Anna, b. June 6, 1792; m. Andrew Page, 1816; resided at South Parsonsfield; had seven children, Jacob, Lucinda, Mary, Isaac, Alonzo, Amanda, Lucinda2d. 6, Jacob, b. Oct. 16, 1794; d. Sept., 1796. 7, Betsey, b. April 28, 1797; m. Jeremiah Marston, 1844; resided in Newfield; d. Feb. 14, 1863. 8, Jacob, b. April 16, 1799; m. Martha Doe; had twelve children, Jobn, Abigail, David, Comfort, Oran, Ira, Elizabeth, George, Maria, Jacob, Frank, Bennett; d. Jan. 29, 1853. 9, Ruth, b. Dec. 6, 1801; d. Nov., 1803. Caleb, brother of David, and son of Col. David, b. Oct. 8, 1760; m. Rachel Garland, Oct. 9, 1784; d. March 18, I808; resident at West Parsonsfield ; had children: i, Joseph, unmarried, ii, Hannah, m. Jeremiah Marston. iii, Simon, m. Safronia Sanborn; had seven children, Julia, Hannah, Mary, Judith, Jane, Emma, Charles, iv, Sally, m. Mason Dorr; had five children, Sarah, Simon, Abigail, William, Lewis, v, Caleb, m. Huldah, HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 387 Rollins; had eight children, Lucinda, Simon, Sarah, Amos, Silas, Rachel, Hannah Lewis. All of the above family left town early. 1, John Merrill, b. in Newbury. Mass. ; came to Parsonsfield in 1794; m. Mary Mills in 1803; had one son and seven daughters; d. 1856. i, Sarah, b. Aug. 9, 1804; m. Simon Brown, jr. ; d. ; had five children, ii, Rebecca, b. Oct. 0, 1807; m. Henry Merrill; had one child Paul (see page 152); d. Aug. 25, 1835. iii, Mary, b. July 23, 1809; m. Dr. William B. Pike, of Cornish; four children, iv, Mehitable, b. April 4, 1812; d. Dec. 30, 1838. v, Abigail, b. March 16, 1816; m. Richard Horn; d. Sept. 1, 1840. vi, Cynthia, b. June 23, 1818; m. Richard Horn; had one child; m. 2d, Albert Bachelder; had three children, vii, John Jay (see page 276). viii, Annette, b. June 30, 1823; m. Rev. D. H. Lord, Nov. 7, 1348; three sons. Stephen Merrill came from Newbury to Parsonsfield, in 1791 (probably a relative of the above); b. 1755; m. Anna Bailey, 1777; children: 1, Anna, 2, Stephen T., 3, David, 4, Mary, 5, Betsey, 6, Henry, 7, Sally, all settled in Parsonsfield. Issue of llenry", Stephen^:— Henry m. 1st, Isabel Morrill ; 2d, Aurelia Pray. 7, i, Henry; 8, ii, Nancy; 9, iii, Julia, by first wife. By second wife, 10, iv, John; 11, v, Robert; 12, vi, Isabelle. Henry,^ b. Sept. 19, 1820; m. Diantha P. Parks, May 17, 1848; had three children: i, Mary A., b. March 22, 1849, m. Ervin Pike, of Cornish, Feb. 7, 1867, has one son Carroll; ii, George P., b. Aug. 24, 1850, ra. Jennie L. King, Aug. 30, 1876, has one son Ralph ; iii, Vesta, b. May 22, 1853,ra. E. I. Towle, of Freedom, Feb. 22, 1872, has one child. Nancy ,» b. Dec. 26, 1822; m. Stephen Stanley, Dec. 30, 1841 ; one son Frank; she d. May 9, 1864. -Julia A.,^ b. Nov. 19, 1831; m. 1st, John Stanley, Feb. .5. 1853; 2d, Timothy Eastman; has two children. John.i^ b. Feb. 11, 18:34; m. Vesta Conner, daughter of Jesse Conner, May 23, 18.55 ; three sons, Herbert, John H. and Wesley F. Robert," b. May 13, 18:^6; m. Sarah E. Allen, March, 1859; chil- dren, Frederick, Arthur and Mabel. Isabel,!^ b. April, 1838; m. Albion Towle, of Freedom, N. H. Stephen,^ son of Stephen,^ has one son John, a resident of Parsonsfield. MOtTLTOK. William Moulton was born in Norfolk County, England, 1617, and came to New- bury, Mass., in 1637. Samuel, fifth in descent from him, son of Samuel and Mary Ordway, was born June 14, 1753; m. Hannah Noyes; settled at South Parsonsfield, Dec. 25,1786; d. Dec. 25, 1837; wife d. Oct. 30, 1815; had eight children, viz. : 1, Ann ; 2, Polly; 3, Samuel; 4, William; 5, Joseph; 6, Hannah ; 7, Sally; 8, Abigail. 2, i, Anna. b. Sept. 24, 1777; m. 1st, Samuel Moultou; 2d, James Bradbury; d. March 22, 1835. 3, ii, Polly, m. Richard Campbell ; d. Aug. 22, 1835. 4, iii, Samuel, b. March 18, 1780; m. 1st, Sally Davis, Oct. 26, 1800; 2d, Hannah Lord, March 21, 1812; d. March 22, 1871. 5, iv, William, b. 1782; m. Margaret Stevens; d. Oct. 11, 1860. 6, v, Joseph, b. 1787; d. Oct. 13, 1813. 7, vi, Hannah, b. 1789; d'. Dec. 2, 1836. 8, vii, Sally, b. 1793, in Parsonsfield: d. Oct. 10, 1813. 9, viii, Abigail, b. 1795; ra. Moses Davis, of Parsonsfield; d. May 31, 1851. Ann,2 ra. 1st, Samuel Moulton, son of Cutting, 1798; had two children, 10, i, Alvah and U, ii, Clarissa, died in infancy; m. 2d, Dr. James Bradbury, Nov. 12, 1800; SS'S HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. had three children, 12, iii, James W. (see sketch page 250), 13, iv, Samuel (see sketch page 301). 14, v, Clarigsa, m. Charles G. Pars-ons (see page 144). Issue of Samuel,* SamueU: — 1.5, i, Hannah, b. Dec. 25, 1801 ; d. July 26, 1860. 16, ii, Charles, b. May 12, 1803; m. Lovina Knowles, Dec. 13, 1832; d. June 3, 1855; wife d. 1887. 17, iii, Samuel, b. July 17, 1805; m. Cyrena Kuowles, Oct., 1826; d. Feb. 19, 1875. 18, iv, George, b. April, 1807; m. Jane Day, Nov. 18 50. 19, v, Silas, b. Sept. 13, 1809. m. 1st, Louisa Merrill, 1834; 2d, Patience Lord, Sept. 11, 1856; d. May 5, 1869. 20, vi, Sally, b. Sept. 1, 1811; d. Dec. 25, 1860. 21, vii, Joseph, b. Nov. 8, 1816; m. Judith Moulton, Nov. 7, 1839. 22, viii, Wentworth L., b. Oct, 6, 1818 ; m. Sarah A. Benson, Sept., 1839; d. March 23, 1881. 2.3, ix, Isaac M., b. March 25, 1822; m. Betsey L. Frost, Feb. 6, 1851. Issue of Alvah,!" Ann,2 SamueU (see page 139): — i, Ann B., m. John C. Dore, of Chicago, ii, Louisa F., m. "Warren Nickerson, Boston, iii, Ferdinand, settled in Washington; d. Aug. 13, 1866. iv, Maria A., m. Henry A. Jackson, Boston, v, Clar- issa B., m. Daniel O. Quiiiby, New York; d. Nov. 30, 1882, vi, Alvah D., resides in California, vii, James B., resided in San Francisco; d. June 21, 1861. viii, George F., a resident of Newburyport, Mass. ix, Henry W., also a resident of Newburyport. X, Sarah E., m. Charles H. Dore, of Boston, xi, Mary E., m. Amos T. Tovvle, of Bos- ton, xii, C;harles E., resided in Chicago; d. in Newburyport, Nov. 18, 1869. Issue of Charles,!^ Samuel,* SamueU: — i, Hannah, ra. Richard Eastman, ii, Harriet P.,b. 18.35; d, 1860. iii, Maria B., b. 1839; d. 18-54. iv, Charles, b. 1846; d. 1847. V, Charles 3d, b. 1849; m. Mary E. Fenderson, 1871; had four children, two living, Melinda and Charles L. Issue of Samuel," Samuel,* SamueP: — i, David, d. . ii, Sally, m. John Boothby; resides in Parsonsfield; has one son, Samuel, iii, Axa, d. . iv, John, m. ; a resident of Aroostook County. Edwin M., m. Miss Gilpatrick, of Limerick; d. 1885; left one daughter. Issue of Silas, 13 Samuel,* SamueU: — i, Rebecca M., b. 18.35; m. Samuel Boothby, 1851; d. 1857; left two sons, Silas M. and Joseph; Silas m. and resides on the home- stead of Joseph Boothby, has two children; Joseph m. Eva Churchill, had one daughter; Mrs. Boothby d., and he removed to Florida, ii, George, b. 1837; m. Eliza A. Moulton, 1863; has three daughters and one son; resides in Limerick, iii, Salome K., b. 1840; m. Daniel Wentworth, of Porter, 1866. iv, Alviu C, b. 1844; m. Emily J. Randall, 1868; d. 1880. By his 2d wife: v, Bennetts., b, 18.57; m. Ada F. Moulton, 1878; has one daughter, Nellie, vi, Sarah L., b. 1859; d. 1878. Issue of Joseph^i (Samuel,* Samuel^) : — i, Susan E., b. 1840; m. Lorenzo Moulton, 1860. ii, Emily B., b. 1842; m. Irving Nasou, 1875. iii, Eliza A., b. 1844; m. George Moulton, 1863, sou of Silas.i^ iv, Charles C, b. 1844; m. Grace McLean, 1884; resides in Par- sonsfield. V, Alvah O., b. 1848; m. Ella Bean, 1886 (see page 70). vi, John F., b. 18.50; m. Mattie Parsons, 1874 (see page 154). vii, Frank P., b. 1851 ; m. R. Emma White, 1881 (seepage 70). viii, Henry D., b. 1853; m, Nellie A. Roberts, 1882; resides on hoqie place, ix, Mary P., b. 1857; m. Joseph H. Roberts, of Parsonsfield, 1884. x, Elisha W., b. 1859; d. 1871. Issue of Wentworth h.-^ (Samuel,* SamueP) :— i, Jane, b. 1840. ii, George W., b. 1842 ; m. Phoibe P. Hill, 18:37. iii, Emily A., b. 1844; d. 1866. iv, James B., b. 1847, resides in Parsonsfield. v, Albert R., b. 18^2; m. Ida M. Hoppiu (see page 155.) HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 389 Issue of Isaac-^ (Samuel,* SamueP) : — i, Noyes, b. 1852; tn. Jessie N. Cuirie, 1873. ii, Anna M., b. 1854; ra. James G. Fendersou, 1875; bas tbree cbildren. iii, Abby S., b. 1857; m. Josepb G. Clinkaicl, 1874. iv, Nettie, b. 1863; m. Howard B. Ueuderson, 1887. V, Leonard F., b. 1870. Cuttinji Moulton,'^'' a brotlier of Samuel, ^ came witb him to Parsonsfleld in 1776, b. July 25, 1748, in Newbury; m. 1st, Mary Merrill; 2d, Judith Emery; d. 1809. Issue:— 25, i, Samuel, b. 1775; m. Anna'-; d. May 2, 1800; had son, Alvah.i'' By Juditb Emery: 26, ii, William, b. July 28, 1785; m. Mary Pearl, 1804; d. May 1, 1875. 27, iii, John, b. Nov. 5, 1786; ra. Hannah Foster; d. . 28, iv, Cutting, b. June 14, 1788; m. Lydia, daughter of Rev. Wentworth Lord; d. March 22, 1854. 29, v, Polly, b. Sept. 7, 1789; d. April 7, 1856. 30, vi, Joseph, b. Nov. 6, 1791; m. Ruth Messer, and 2d, Polly Barker; d. 1864. 31, vii, David, b. July 27, 1793; m. Sally Wetherby, xMay 5, 1817; d. Oct. 1, 1868. .32, viii, , b. Oct. 8, 1794; d. 1873. 33, ix, Nathan, b. Feb. 2, 1796; m. Mary Edgerly; d. Dec. 20, 1874. Issue of William'^« (Cuttiug^ij :_34, i, Clarissa, b. Sept. 26, 1805; m. Mavston Ames, of Ossipee; had six children. 35, ii, Samuel, b. June 11, 1807 ; m. Nancy Towle, daugh- ter of Jabez Towle. 36, iii. Cutting, b. April 19, 1810; m. Mary Towle; d. Sept. 17, 1886. 37, iv, William E., b. March 19, 1813; m. Priscilla Towle, Nov. 80, 1837. 38, v, Judith, b. July 19, 1817; m. Joseph Moulton-i; d. Oct. 17, 1886. 39, vi, Catherine, b. Dec. 11, 1820; m. Currier. Issue of Nathan'*-^ (Cutting^*) :— i, Lorenzo, b. Oct. 7, 1830; m. Susan E. Moulton, Nov. 29, 1860; has one daugbter, Ina May, b. Sept. 2, 1867; lost two. ii, Martha J., b. Sept. 5, 1832; d. Sept. 7, 1865. iii, Mary A., b. Oct. 23, 1834; m. Eben G. Perry, Jan. 1, 1865; bas two sons, iv, Eli, b. 1836; d. 1843. v, Hannah, b. April 22, 1839; m. Tristram H. Tucker, 1873; has two daughters. Issue of SamuePs (VVilliam,-^ Cutting^*) :— i, David 0.,b. 1830; m. Mehitable P. Worm- wood, 1856; has four children, i, Clarence, b. 1875, ra. Eda J. Brown, has three children, Eda, Hazel and Jennie; ii, Willis B., b. 1862; iii, Margie E., b. 1870; iv, David E., b. 1871. ii, George J., b. 1832; m. Fannie M. Bride, 1865; has three children, Annie, George and Sadie, iii, Mary A., b. 18:33; m. Ivory B. Weeks ; d. 1882. iv, John H., b. 1835; d. 1837. v, Albion T., b. 1837; d. 18:39. vi, Sarah, b. 18:39. vii, Ann, b. 1840 ; d. 1858. viii, Hannah, b. 1842 ; d. 1862. ix, Martha, b. 1843; d. 186:3. x, Harriet, b. 1845; d. 1851. xi, Lucian D., b. 1840. xii, Melissa, b. 1849. xiii, Wescotfc, b. 1852. Issue of William E.^^ (Wiliiam-'e Cutting-*) :— i, Lucy E., m. James G. Perry, Portland; has two daughters, ii, Mary E., m. D. H. Hill, of Sandwich, has two children, Walter and Bertha, iii, Alonzo P., m. Mary E. Towle ; has three children living, Genevra, Alonzo, Marshall ; d. Aug. IS, 18S6. iv, Ada C, m. Albion K. P. Towle, of Newfield; has three children, Fred, Albion, Ada. v, Eva. m. N. W. Colcord. vi, Clara P., in. John B. Lord ; has daughter, Katy. vii, Hattie A. MUDGETT. (See page .337.) It is claimed by his descendants that Simeon Mudgett was the first to settle in Par- sonsfleld, a descendant of one John Mudgett, who came from England to Brentwood, N. H. Simeon,! was b. Jan. 7, 1768, in Gilmanton, N. H. ; m. Dorothy Edgerly, Nov. 26, 1789; d. Nov. 26, 1815; wife d. March 14, 1852; six children: 2, i, Sally, b. July 3, 390 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 1791 ; m. Elliot Fernald ; d. 1S82. 3, ii, David, b. May 18, 1794 ; ra. Salome Merrill, March 12, 1818 ; d. Feb. 14, 1879. 4, iii, John, b. April 21, 1796; m. Ziporah Dearboru, daughter of Capt. Jacob Dearborn; d. 1866. 5, iv, Judith, b. 1800; d. early. 6, v, Dorothy, b. Feb. 7, 1804; m, Joseph Sanborn, of Waterboro, July 9, 1840. 7, vi, Mary, b. ; m. Daniel Oilman; resides in Newport. Issue of David^ (Simeon^) :— 8, i, Simeon (see page 150). 9, ii, Abigail, b. Jan. 8, 1823; m. Hardy Merrill, April 5, 1843. 10, iii, Hardy M., b. Sept. 28, 182(5; m. Sarah F. Chap- man, March 4, 1855. 11, iv, Harriet E., b. Oct. 4, 1832; m. 1st, Henry Keunison ; 2d, Ira A. Philbrick; 3d, B. F. Pease. 12, v, Sarah K., b. Jan. 28, 1836; m. Frank S. Carr, June 12, 1856. Simeon,^ physician, has four children: i, Millard; ii, Hattie A.; iii, W. D. ; iv, D. H, Abigail had three children, two living, David and Hardy Lorin. Hardyi'^ has two children, Lewis and Lucille. Hari-iet^i has one chilJ, Arthur H. Kennison. Sarah^'- has three children, Fred, Nellie and Alton. Issue of John* (Simeon^) :-i, Simeon D. m. Ilebecca Trueworthy. ii, Mary E., m. Eben Day, of Limerick, iii, Jacob D., m. Dorcas Young ; resides in Lynn, iv, John m. Lydia Elliot; resides in Parsonsfield. v, Dorothy m. Tracy Hewes, of Saco. vi, Ada A., m. Fogg. Issue of Dorothy^ (Simeon^): — i, Mary E. ; ii, John F. has one son Joseph. Issue of Mary" (Simeon'): — 1, Simeon; ii, Sarah; iii, John; iv, David T. ; v, Viola. (See page 312). Enoch, b. in Newmarket, 1762; m. Nancy Towle, 1788; d. in Parsonsfield, June 22, 1817; wife d. Dec. 23, 1840; children: 1, Betsey, b. April 20, 1790; m. Daniel Knapp, Jan. 8, 1816; d. in Parsonsfield, Jan. 22, 1842. 2, Joshua, b. Jan. 5, 1792 ; m. Mary Wedg- wood; had two children, Enoch W. m. ; d. . Elizabeth, d. . 3, Sally, b. July 18, 17i'5; m. Josiah Wedgwood; resided in Parsonsfield; d. . 4, Oliver, b. Aug. 22, 1797; lived in Tuftenboro, N. H. 5, Enoch, b. Dec. 16, 1803; m. Nancy Lord, daughter of Richard; d. ; had five sous and one daughter. 6, Na- thaniel, b. July 26, 1800; m. Miss Folsom; living in Tuftenboro. 7, Nancy, b. Jan. 17, 1814; d. in Parsonsfield. Issue of Enoch^: — i, Lorenzo, d. . ii, Enoch, m. Sarah Morrill; d. ; left one son and one daughter, iii, Edgar m. Matilda Hodsdon; resides in Boston, iv, Luther m. Eveline Rumery, of Effingham, daughter of John, resides in P. Has been one of its municipal officers several years, a man highly respected; has one son Charles, who m. Miss Leavitt, and they have a son. v. John m. Miss Lord; re-^ides in Parsonsfield; had three children, one son, Herbert (see page 156), one son resides with father, and daughter d. 1887. vi, Charles d. in Parsonsfield. vii, Daughter, d. . Charles O. Nute came from Ossipee to Parsonsfield in 1846; b. 1831; m. Sally, daughter of Samuel Weeks; has two sons: i, John A., b. 1857; m. daughter of Alvin Eastman, and has one child; merchant at East Parsonsfield. ii, Charles, b. 1800; mer- chant at East Parsonsfield. Mr. C. O, Nute has been town treasurer for many years and is a correct business man and an upright citizen. nSTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 39! the southwestern part of the town ; m. Polly Quint, and 2, Ann; 3, Olive; 4, Joshua; 5, Mary; (3, Emily; 7, Clara. n, m. Shortridge; d. . Olive, m. Mr. Goudy; Martha Perkins and resides in town; has a family of I, Edwin, Elizabeth A., Belle, , Ida, Laura, Fred mntry was William Palmer. The first set- in Rye, N. H. ; he married Mehitable Sally; 4, Mehitable; 5, William; ' ""^""mpton; had four chil- ' •" b. 1800; 390 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD 1791 ; m. Elliot Fernald ; d. 1S82. 3, ii, David, b. May 18, 1794 12, 1818; d. Feb. 14, 1879. 4, iii, John, b. April 21, 1796; m. Zi of Capt. Jacob Dearborn; d. 1866. 5, iv, Judith, b. 1800; Feb. 7, 1804; m. Joseph Sanborn, of Waterboro, July 9, li m. Daniel Gilraan; resides in Newport. Issue of David^ (Siraeoni): — 8, i, Simeon (see page 150). m. Hardy Merrill, April 5, 1843. 10, iii, Hardy M., b. Sep man, March 4, 1855. 11, iv, Harriet E., b. Oct. 4, 1832 ; Ira A. Philbrick; .3d, B. F. Pease. 12, v, Sarah K., b. J June 12, 1856. Simeon,^ physician, has four chil^' iii, W. D. ; iv, D. H. Abigail had three children. ' Hardy 1" has two children, Lewis and Lucill' Kennison. Sarah^'^ has three children, Fr Issue of John* (Simeon^):-!, Simf- Eben Day, of Limerick, iii ^ ni. Lydia Elliot- '•'^ vi * HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 39^ NUTTER. Thomas Nutter settled in the southwestern part of the town; m. Polly Quint, and had children, 1, Elizabeth; 2, Ann; 8, Olive; 4, Joshua; 5, Mary; (J, Emily; 7, Clara. Elizabeth, died young. Ann, m. Shortridge; d. . Olive, m. Mr. Goudy; resides in Saco. 4, Joshua m. Martha Perkins and resides in town; has a family of three sons and five daughters, Edwin, Elizabeth A., Belle, . Ida, Laura, Fred and . PAI.MER. The ancestor who first settled in this country was William Palmer. The first set- tler in Parsonsfield was also a William, born in Rye, N. H. ; he married Mehitable Blazo; had six children, 1, Joshua; 2, Richard; 3, Sally; 4, Mehitable; 5, William; 6, John. 1, Joshua was b. in 1775; m. Jemima Dearborn, of Hampton; had four chil- dren, i, William W., b. 1778, m. Mitty Wiggin, had five children; ii, Joshua, b. ISdO; iii, Nancy, b. 1803, and iv. True worthy D.,b. 1806. 3, Sally m. Joseph Champion. 4, Mehitable m. William Stewart, iv, Trueworthy D., m. Eliza Snell, of Eaton; had six children: i, Harriet M., m. G. K. Murray, ii, Franklin T., m. Annie Hoyt. iii, Joshua D., m. Emma Roberts, iv, Charles E., m. Emma Hoyt. v, Mary A , m. Asa Bean, vi, Martha E., m. Charles Littlefield. Franklin and Charles reside in Mass Joshua. D., on the homestead. The three enlisted and served through the war. PARKS. This family first came from Ireland. The first settler in this town was Joseph Parks. He m. Lydia Kennison; had twelve children: Polly,^ died young. Thomas^ married and settled in Edding, Me. John,^ died young. Joseph," died unmarried. Betsey,5 m. Nathan Fenderson. Eunice,^ unmarried. Eliphalet R.,'^ was b. 1793; d. July, 1861 ; m. Abigail M. Parsons. Lydia,« unmarried. Richard H.,^ ra. Margaret Thompson ; both dead. Asa,w m. Mary Piukery ; both dead. Mary," m. John Forbes ; both dead. Deborah,!^ m. John Leavitt. Issue of Eliphalet R.-:-i, Mary Ann, b. June 8, 1816; m. 1st, Rufus Milhken ; 2d, Tristram Storer; 3d, Thomas Richardson, ii, Edwin R., b. Nov., 1823; m. Clarissa Moore; d. Nov. 15, 1859. iii, Diaatha P., b. Sept. 5, 1826; m. Henry Merrill, May 17, 1848. iv, OrriviUe A., b. April 19, 1829; m. Alpheus Hilton; d. Jan. 20, 1877. v, Orlando T., b. June 7, 1831 (see " Poets of Parsoiisfield " Part V) ; m. Mary Burbauk ; she d. Jan. 17, 1867, and he m. Susie Lougee ; he d. Dec. 11, 1880. vi, John Arthur, b. May 20, ISSo ; m. Lucy Saywaid ; had one child, vii, Ellen O., b. Jan., 1840 ; m. Sylvester Doe. PARSONS. (See pages 340 to 350.) Thomas,! b. Sept. 18, 17.35 ; m. 1st, 1757, to Anna Poor ; 2d, 1785, to Lucy Bradbury ; d 1811- 1st wife d. 1783; 2d, 1811; children: 2, i, Thomas (page 242). 3, ii. Stephen, b. 1760- d.l764. 4, iii, Joseph, b. 1762; m. 1st, Lydia Lord. 1785; 2d, Abigail Adams 1800. 5,iv,Enoch,b. 1764; d- 1782. 6, v, Stephen, b. 1766; m. Abigail Moore, of Stratham, N. H., 1787 ; d. Sept. 6. 1836. 7, vi, Nancy, b. 1769 ; m. 1st, Josiah Pease ; 2d, 392 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. Holmes; d. . 8, vli, John Usber, b. 1771; m. Mrs. Susan Savory, of Kenne- bunk, in 1803; d. Oct. 13, 182.5. 9, viii, Sai.ih, b. 1773; m* 1st, Asa Pease, of Newmar- ket; 2d, John Leavitt; d. , 10, ix, Mary, b. 1775; m. Mnj. John Leavitt, of Effing- ham ; d. Dec. 20, 1856. Children by second wife: 11, x, Elizabeth Usher, b. 1787; m- Luther Emerson; d. Oct. 11, 1857. 12, xi, Siuan, b. 1788; m. Richard F. Dow, of Wakefield, 1808; d. Aug. 2, 18.37. 13, xii, Thomas Bradbury (see page 243). 14, xiii. Abigail, b. 1790; m. Isaac M. Parker, 1807 ; d. Nov. 20, 1848. 15, xiv, William, b. 1791; ni. Sarah S. Dearborn, 1813; d. April 15, 1876. 16, xv, Lucy, b. 1792; m. Isaac B. Chesley; d. March, 1884. 17, xvi, Lucinda, b. 1795; d. Jan, 27, 1796. 18, xvii, Sylves- ter, 1796; m. Abigail Pickeriug, of Greenland; d. Aug. 7, 1860. 19, xviii, Lucinda, b. 1798; m. David T. Livy. m.d., of Wolfborough; d. Aug. 31, 1877. 20, xix, Samuel, b. 1801 ; m. Mary B. Allen, 1828; d. Dec. 22, 1869. Joseph* had children : 21, i, Anna, b. 1786. 22, ii, Joseph, b. 1788; d. . 23, iii, Lydia. 24, iv, Mary. 25, v, Joseph, b. 1794; d. 1815. 26, vi, Sally, b. 1796; d. 1872. 27, vii. Pamelia, b. 1798; d. 1848. By second wife: 28, viii, Hannah, b. 1801. 29, ix, Catherine, b. 1803; m. David Garland ; d. 1831. 30, x, Patty Poor, b. 1805; m. Dr. Pease; d. 1832. 31, xi, Charles G. (see page 144). 32, xii, Miranda, b. 1807; m. David Garland; d. 1864. 33, xiii, Sukey, b. 1811 ; d. 1812. 34, xiv. Susannah, b. 1813; d. 1844. 3.5, xv, Joseph A. (see page 145). 36, xvi, Frances U., b. 1818; d. 1883. (See pages 260 to 264.) Samuel.i b. 1728; m 1750 ; moved to town, 1779; d. 1803; had children: 2, Nathaniel, 3. May; 4, Joseph; 5, Lucy; 6, Dorothy; 7, Samuel; 8, Elizabeth. Samuel,^ sou of Samuel, i b. March 10, 1754; d. Sept. 7, 1834; m. Comfort Marston ; known as Mnj. Pease; had six children: 9, Comfort; 10, Nancy; 11, John; 12, Sally; 13, Asa; 14, Philena. John'^ (Dea.), b. March, 1786, was the only one who settled in town ; m. Sally Wiggin, Jan. 26, 1811; d. 1853 ; wife d. 1825. Had children: i, MaryA., m. 1st, George Hasty ; had children, Alonzo, John, Emeline and others; ra. 2d, Harvey Moore ; resides in Parsonsfield. ii, Sally, m. Samuel Burbank. iii, Olive, b. April 16, 1816; m. H. G. O. Smith ; d. July, 1863. iv, Lovina, d. young, v, Almira, m. B. H. Chapman, vi, John, d. at 24 years of age. Mijor Zebulon,!^ was a nephew of Samuel, and son of Nathaniel and Lucy Page Pease; came to Parsonsfield, 1784; m. Mary Burleigh; had children: 16, i, Nathaniel, b. Sept. 24; 1786; 17, ii, Andrew, b. May 1:^, 178S; 18, iii, Betsey, b. S^pt. 24, 1791 ; 19, iv, Martha, b. Jan. 20, 1794; 20. v, Zebulon (see page 262). Issue of NathanieU'^ Maj. Zebulon^'^: — 21, i, Sophia, b. Oct. 16,1816; ra. Amasa Allen, 1844; d. Oct. 12, 1866. 22, ii, Mary J., b. Sept. 7, 1818; m. Amasa Doe, 1840; d. July, 1836. 23, iii, Usher P., b. Jan. 29, 1820; m. liiiiette Williams, 1845 ; resides in Boston; has five children, one daughter, Alta, a celebrated singer. 24, iv, Clara T., b. Aug. 31, 1821; m. Uriah BuUard and resides in Cambridgeport. 25, v, Burleigh (see pages 65 and 263), 26, vi, Lorenzo D., b. Jan.25, 1825; m, Hannah Gilpatrick, 1862 ; resides on homestead of Maj. Zabulou ; has one daughter and three sons. 27, vii, Lizzie W., b. Nov. 9, 1826; m, Edward Gordon, 1866; resides in Haverhill, Mass, 28, viii, Roxy S., b. March 27, 1828; ra. Hiram C. Walker, 18o6 ; resides in Springfield, 111, 29, ix, John, b, Nov, 17, 1829; m, 1st, Sarah R, Shea, May 1, 1854; had children; i, Fred, ii, Frank; HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 393 iii, Nathaniel; iv, Annie; v, Sarali; vi, Edwin; m. 2d, Olive Frost Hale; resides on homestead of Nathaniel. The ancestry of Samuel Perry.^ son of James and Annie (Holmes) Perry, is unknown ; was b. in Limerick, Me., July 12, 1762; m. Mehitable Peri-y, Nov. 17, 1787; came to Parsonsfield, 1792; d. Aug. 29, 1840; wife d. July 27, 1860. Children of SaraueU :— 2, i, Susan P., b. June 27, 1790 ; d. June 26, 180.5. .3, ii, Martha P., b. June 22, 1792; m. Andrew Philpott; d. Nov. 1873. 4, iii .Mehitable, b. Aug. 27, 1794; m. 1st, Ivory Morrison; 2d, James Wormwood; d. Dec. 21, 1861. 5, iv, Hannah P., b. June 30, 1797; m. John Fenderson; d. May 27, 1818. 6, v, Nathaniel, b. June 3, 1800; m. Eliza Perkins; d. Sept. 5, 1879. 7, vi, Samuel, b. March 22, 1803; m. 1st, Mary Barker; 2d, Mrs. Phebe Davis; d. Sept. 6, 1834. 8, vii, Susan P., b. April 20, 1806; m. William Pray; d. Aug. 31, 1860. 9, viii, Asenath B., b. Sept. 4, 1809; d. March 21, 187.5. 10, ix, Mary B., b. June 12, 1812; m. Elkauah Sweat; d. 1887. 11, x, David P., b. May 27, 1815 ; m. Eliza Wormwood. Children of Martha^ and Andrew Philpott: — 12, i, Samuel ra. Katherine Harmon. 13, ii, Hannah, ra. Luther Dole. 14, iii, Elmira, m. Allen Berry. 1.5, iv, Susan, m. Joseph Harmon. 16, v, Rolins, m. Elmira Bangs. 17, vi, Cyrus, ra. Eunice Bryant. 18, vii, Mary. 19, viii, Mary Ann. 20, ix, Moses. 21, x, Elkanah, ra. Abbie Haley. Children of Mehitable* and Ivory Morrison: — 22, i, Benjamin, m. Sarah Wads- worth. 2.3, ii. Ivory, m. Mary Wormwood. 24, iii, Martha, m. Benjamin. Children of Mehitable* and James Wormwood: 25, iv, Mehitable, m. David Moulton. 26, v, Samuel. Hannah^ and John Fenderson had one daughter, 27. i, Hannah, who died in infancy. Children of Nathaniel*^ and Eliza Peri-y:— 28, i, Susan E. m. Amos Wormwood. 29, ii, Amanda M. ;30, iii, Mary J. m. Edward Grant. 31, iv, Amanda M., m. James G. Wormwood. ;32, v, Loviua. 33, vi, Hannah, ra. Frank Rideout. 34, vii, Elmira. 35, viii, Eliza, unmarried. Children of SamueH and Mary Perry :— 36. 1, Augusta, unmarried. 37, ii, Elizabeth m. Eben Littlefield. 38, iii. Barker, m. Delia Moore. 39, iv, Samuel E. 40, v, Lettie B., unmarried. Children of Susan^ and William Pray: — 41, i, Marcia S. m. Albion Weeks; d. 1887. 42, ii, Hannah F., m. Irvi-n Mason. 43, iii, Benjamin R., m. 1st, Hannah Moul- ton; 2d, Lizzie Hammonds. 44, iv, Osborn J., m. Emma Boynton. Children of Mary BV and Elkanah Swutt: — 45, i, Martha P., m. William Bangs. 46, ii, Louisa, died. 47, iii, Elizabeth, m. Frank Perry. 48, iv, Elkanah S. died. Children of David P." and Eliza Pray:— 49, i, Samuel F., b. March 13, 1842; m. 1st, Maria J. Brackett, 2d, Dorcas Stone; had one daughter, 50, i, Jennie. 51, ii, David, b. April 18, 1814; m. Miranda Pugsley ; one son, 52, i, Clinton D. 53, iii, James W., b. April 1, 1852; m. 1st. Clara A. Brooks; 2d, Mary E. Garland; had two sons: 54, i, Arthur B. ; .55, ii, George W. 56, iv, Eliza E., b. Oct. 15, 1859 ; m. Charles D. Elliot. Martha P.*^ resides in Limerick; has one sou, C. H. Bangs, farmer and teacher. Elizabeth" resides in Minneapolis ; has one son. The children of the third genera- tion of Samuel number seventy-nine, of the fourth, twenty-four. 394 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. Genealogy of Elisha Piper and his descendants, who reside, or have resided, in Par- sonsfield. First Generation. (1) Nathaniel,^ b. in England; a farmer ; m. Sarah ; he d. about 1676, in Ipswic^^' Mass. She probably died in Wenham, Mass. He came to this country from Dartmouth, England, about 1665, and settled in Ipswich. See his children, Nos. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. Second Generation. (I) Nathaniel^ Piper's children: — 2, i, Sarah,"^ b. ; d. . 3, ii, Nathaniel,^ b. June 25, 1658; d. . 4. iii, Josiah,'^ b. Dec. 18, 1661 ; d. — ^. 5, iv, John,- b. ; d. . 6, V, Thomas,^ b. Nov. 26, 1666, in Ipswich; m. Grace ; had daughter. Patience, b. in Ipswich, Feb. 25, 1702. He d. . 7, vi, Mary,^ b. ; d. . 8, vii, Margaret,^ b. ; d. . 9, viii, Samuel,^ grandfather of Elisha Piper, b. June 12, 1670, in Ipswich ; d. , probably in Stratham, N". H. 10, ix; Jonathan,^ b. , in Ipswich; a farmer; m. 1st, Sarah . She d. May 6, 1700, in Ipswich; 2d, Alice Darby, published Sept. 21, 1700. He d. May 11, 1752, in Concord, Mass. She d. April 23, 1758, in Concord. Third Generation. (9) SamueP Piper's children : — 11, i, Samuel,^ father of Elisha, b. , probably in 'Stratham, N. H.; d. , probably in Loudon, N. H., to which town he and bis son Samuel removed from Stratham. He had ten children. See his sons, Nos. 12, 13, 14. Fourth Generation. (II) SamueF Piper's children: — 12, i, Johnathau,* b. in 1742, in Stratham ; a farmer; m. Olive Light, of Exeter, N. H. ; d. . She d. . They had fourteen children, six sons and eight daughters. One, Noah, was a Christian Baptist minister. He lived and died in Stratham. 13, ii, Samuel,* b. in Straiham; a farmer; m. Sally Norris, b. , d. . He d. , probably in Loudon. They had six sous and three daughters. 14, iii, Elisha,* b, June 17, 1746, in Stratham; a farmer; m. 1st, Sarah Barker, b. in 1748, probably in Stratham, d. Nov. 13, 1798, in Parsonsfield, Me : 2d, Olive Dyer, b. in 1758, in Biddeford, d. April 20, 1808, in Parsonsfield ; 3d, Rosannah Dyer, Oct. 3, 18U8, b. July 15, 1767, in Biddeford, d. April 23, 18;39, in Parsonsfield. He d. March 10, 1836, in Parsonsfield, where he settled in 1780. He commenced clearing his farm in 1779. See their children, Nos. 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24. Fifth Generation. (14) Elisha* Piper's children :— 15, i, Suky,^ b. Feb. 15, 1767, in Stratham, N. H. ; m. James Remick, Aug. 30, 1788, b. about 1764, in Kittery; she died about 1791, in Parsonsfield. His second wife was Anna Haynes, b. in 1764, in Waterborough ; d. April 8, 1848, in Bangor, where she resided with her step-daughter, Susau (Remick) Clarke. He resided in Parsonsfield, on the North road, near the Mighels place, now owned by Samuel Bartlett. He died about 1822, in Parsonsfield. Have not been able I 1 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 395 « to ascertain the exact time when they died. His children by first wife were: i, Jane Remick; ii, Susan Remick. Jane, m, Thomas Carll, of Waterborough. Susan, ra. Royal Clarke, of Cornish. No issue by second wife. The children belong to the sixth generation. 16, ii, Benjamin,* b. Aug. 19, 17(59, in Stratham, N. H. ; ra. Hannah Hodg- don, b. in 1770, in Limerick. He d. April 15, 1S03, in Parsonsfield. She d. April 12, 1849, in Parsonsfield. See their children, Nos. 25, 26, 27, 28. 17, iii, David,* b. Dec. 24, 1771, in Stratham, N. H. ; m. Nancy Chever, May 2.3, 1793, b. about 1776; d. about 18.")2, in Amelia, Ohio. He d. in the same place in 1861. 18, iv, Sarah,* b. March 17, 1774, in Wakefield, N. H. ; m. Daniel Felch, b. Sept. 26, 1771, in Limerick; a merchant. He d. Oct. 3, 1806, in Limerick. She d. Feb. 28, 1808. in Limerick. Their children are : i, Susan Piper Felch ; ii, Sarah Barker Felch ; iii, Lydia Felch ; iv, Julia Felch ; V, Alpheus Felch, a graduate of Bowdoin College, lawyer, judge of the Supreme Court, governor of Michigan, United States senator ; and vi, Eunice Felch. The children belong to the sixth generation. 19, v. Daniel.* b. March 4, 1776, in Wakefield, N. H. ; an ensign, in the war of 1812; m. Anna Parsons, Aug. 3, 1798, b. May 7, 1783, in Par- sonsfield. He settled in Newburgh, in 1779, and d. Aug. 24, 1842. She d. Oct., 1865, in Newburgh. See their children. No. 29. 20, vi, Mary,* b. April 14, 1778, in Wake- field, N. H. ; m. Joseph Moff"att, b. , d. , in Illinois. She d. about 1822, in Ohio. Their children are: i, Joseph (and others). The children belong to the sixth genera- tion. 21, vii, Elisha,* b. May 1, 1781, in Parsonsfield; a farmer; m. Betsey Mighels, b. in 1783, in Newmarket, N. H. He d. in 1812, in Newburgh, where he first settled. She d. Aug. 15, 1864, in Newburgh. See their children, No. 3U. 22, viii, Jane,* b. May 1, 1783, in Parsonsfield; m. Jacob Bradbury, June 20, 1803, b. Jan. 7, 1769, in Bidde- ford. He d. May 4, 1837, in Limerick, where he first settled. She d. there, Oct. 2, 1863. Their children are : i, John ; ii, Benjamin P. ; iii, Jane ; iv, Albion ; v, Sally. The children belong to the sixth generation. 23, ix, Betsey,* b. April 11, 1786, in Parsons- field; m. Isaac Felch in 1805, b. in Limerick, May 7, 1782. He d. June 14, 1841, in Gorham, where he resided. He previously lived in Parsonsfield, near Parsonsfield Seminary. She d. Oct. 3, 1841, in Gorham. Their children are: i, Susan; ii, Noah; iii, Hannah K. ; iv, Eliza J. ; v, Isaac N., a graduate of Buwdoin College, lawyer, representative in the Maine Legislature, editor; vi. Surah P.: vii, Lydia C. The chil- dren belong to the sixth generation. 24, x, Jonathan* (see page 266) See his chil- dren, Nos. 31, 32, 33, 34. Sixth Generation. (16) Benjamin* Piper's children : — 25, i, Elisha,« b. Jan. 22, 1796, in Parsonsfield (see page 48) ; m. Sally Foster, b. Aug 21, 1812, in Parsonsfield. She d. D -c. 24, 1869. 26, ii, Sally ,fi b. Sept., 1797, in Paisonsfield; m Isaac Moore, b. 1788, in Parsonsfield, a farmer. She d. July 10, 1835, in Parsonsfield. Hj d. M ly 6, 1841, in Parsonsfield. Their children are: i, Mary J.; ii, Charles; iii, Benjamin P ; iv, Caroline; v, Harriet; vi, Addison; vii, Ira (see page 274); viii, Isaac. The children belong to the seventh generation. 27. iii, Polly,'^ b. Dec. 2, ISiJO, in Parsousfleld; m. Capt. Gideon Bickfoid, Feb. 19,1818, b. July 12, 1796, in Parsonsfield. He d. Feb. 3, 1873, in Parsonsfield, where he always resided. She d. Mirch 20, 18S2, in Gorham. Their children are: i, Hannah P; ii, Mary A.; iii, Harriet N.; iv. George Irving; v, Albion K. P ; vi, Cyrus; vii, Roscoe G. ; viii, Laurinda E. ; ix, Rufus Mclntire; x, Sarah M.; xi, Adaline H. The 39^ HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. children belona to the seventh geueration. 28, iv, Benjamin,6 b. March 29, 1802, in Parsonsfield; ra. 1st, Nancy Sargent, b. Nov. 9, 1808, d. Jan. 24, 1870, in Parsonsfield ; 2d, Mrs. Mercy (Lang) Smith, Oct. 28. 1872, b. Feb. 24, 1805, in Effingham, N. H. He d. in Newfield, Dec. 23, 1881. See their children, Nos. 35, 36, 37, 38. (19) Daniel^ Piper's children: — (i, Thomas Parsons"; ii, Benjamin"; iii, Daniel'*; iv, Elisha"; v, Hannah Foster"; vi, Abigail Hobbs"; vii, Enoch Parsons"; viii, Daniel"; ix, Simeon Barker"; x, Alpheus Felch"; xi, John Usher Parsons"; xii, David." Only Daniel resides in Parsonsfield.) 29, viii, Daniel," b. July 1, 1814, in Newburgh; a farmer and selectman ; m. Hannah F. Parsons, July 16, 1837, b. Sept. 14, 1808, in Par- sonsfield. She d. June 7, 1883, in Parsonsfield. He settled in Parsonsfield in 1887, where he has since resided. See their children, No. 40. (21) Elisha^ Pijjer's children: — (i, Sally"; ii, Betsey Mighels"; iii, Ann"; iv, David"; V, Elisha"; vi, Jesse." Only Elisha resided in Parsonsfield.) 30, v, Elisha," b. April 8, 1809, in Newburgh; m. Harriet Burbank, Nov. 21, 1833, b. Jan. 15, 1811, in Parsons- field. He resided on the old homestead, devised to him by his grandfather with whom he had lived from early childhood, and whose confidence and esteem he had gained by his fidelity, industry, and integrity. He d. April 11, 1876, in Parsonsfield. See their children, Nos. 41, 42, 43. (24) Jonathan^ Piper's children: — 31, i, Horace," b. Dec. 30, 1810, in Parsons- field; a graduate of Bowdoin College; teacher; lawyer; member, for York County, of the Board of Education of the State of Maine; m. Josephine Bennett Lord, Aug. 30, 183S, b. June 16, 1816, in Parsonsfield. She d. Aug. 5, 1867, in Bidde- ford. He resided in Parsonsfield, Limerick, and Biddeford. He now resides in Wash-, ington, D. C. See their children, Nos. 44, 45, 46. 32, ii, Irving," b. Nov. 29, 1813, in Parsonsfield; a farmer and teacher; m. 1st, Mary Emery, in 1841, b. April 1, 1815, in Buxton, and d. Feb. 6, 1847, in Parsonsfield; 2d, Elizabeth Chase, Dec. 15, 1849, b. June 15, 1822, in Parsonsfield. He d. May 14, 1881, in Parsonsfield, on the homestead devised to him by his father. She d. Sept. 3, 1882, in Poland. See their children, No. 47. 33, iii, Catherine Redman," b. Dec. 28, 1815, in Parsonsfield; m. Abram F. Marston, Oct. 3, 1847, b. Oct. 5, 1818, in Effingham, N. H. Their children are: (i, Mary Lucretia ; ii, John P., a graduate of Bates College, a teacher, and is now prin- cipal of the Kockland High School.) Their children belong to the seventh generation. 34, iv, Osborne Barker," b. June 25, 1819; d. May 20, 1873. Seventh Generation. (28) Benjamin" Piper's children: — :35, i, Lorenzo Dow,^ b. Sept. 19, 1829, in Parsons- field; a farmer, teacher, high sheriff of Mitchell Co., Iowa; m. Mary Jane Nason, Sept. 26, 1850, b. March 27, 1829, in South Berwick, He resides in West Mitchell, Iowa. See their children, Nos. 48, 49. 36, ii, Joseph Perkins,'' b. July 9, 1881, in Shap- leigh; m. Ann Maria Frost, Sept. 23, 1852, b. Sept. 23, 1836, in Parsonsfield. He resides in Charlestowu, Mass. See their children, N os. 50, 51. 87, iii, Charles Abbott,^ b. Jan. 18, 1835, in Shapleigh; m. Mary Eraeline Hall, July 9, 1854, b. June 15, 1882, in Shapleigh. She d. Dec. 21, 1878, in Biddeford. He resides in Charlestown, Mass. See their children, Nos. 52, .53, 54, 55, 56, 57. 38, iv, Sarah Jane," b. June, 18:38, in Shapleigh; d. July 24, 1841. 39, v, Horace Manson,^ b. May 11, 1844, in Parsonsfield; a carpenter, teacher, and soldier in the Union Army, in the war of the rebellion; m. -i J i HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 397 1st, Hannah Wedgwood Moore, April 9, 1872, b. Dec. 8, 1844, in Newfield, d. May 30, 1879, in Newfield; 2d, Emma Mary Joy, Dec. 20, 1881, b. Oct. 22, 1861, in Mitchell, Iowa. No children. (29) DanieP Piper's children: — 40, i. Eliza Ann,^ b. Augr. 19, 1850, in Parsonsfield; m. Brackett T. Lord, Jan. 13, 1870, b. July 29, 1847, in Coinish; a farmer and selectman. He resides in Parsonsfield. Their children are: (i, George Lord, and ii, Eliza Hannah Lord.) The children belong to the eighth generation. (30) Elisha'' Piper's children: — 41, i, Samuel Burbank,' b. May 19, 18.35, in Parsons- field; d. April 23, 1837. 42, ii, Samuel FuUerton," b. March 11, 1838, in Parsonsfield; a farmer; m. Mary Jane Bragdon, Nov. 6, 18(55. b. Oct. 31, 18 !6, in Limington; a teacher before marriiige. He resides on the homestead of his faiher and great-grandfather. See their children, Nos. 58, 59. 43, iii, John Wesley,'' b Oct. 4, 1839, in Parsonsfield; a farmer and teacher; m. Ellen Adelaide Manson, Jan. 1, 1867, b. April 7, 1845, iu Limingt(m, a teacher before marriage. He resides in Parsonsfield, on the South Road, on the farm formerly owned by Jonathan^ Piper. See their children. No. 60. (31) Horace'^ Piper's children: — 44, i, William Wirt' (see page 156); was assistant surgeon iu the Union army in the war of the Rebellion ; m. Lucindi Cook, Aug. 28, 1875, b. July 9, 1845, in Oshtemo, Mich. He resides and practices medicine iu Cleve- land, Ohio. They have no children. 45, ii, Horace Lord,' b. July 14, 1841, in Limer- ick; was one year in Bowdoiu College, lieutenant in tlie Union army iu the war of the Rebellion, received a medal from Congress for meritorious services iu the war, breveted major, graduated at the Law School of Columbian University, receiving the degree of ll.b., and was admitted to the bar at Washington, D. C. He ra Tryphuna Stuart Gove, Oct. 18, 1862, b. June U, 1843, in Limington. He resides in Washington, D. C. See their children. No. 61. 46, iii, Miry Josephine,' b. Jan. 25, 1813, in Limer- ick; m. Oren Hooper, Dec. 7, 1864, b. Dec. 10, 1840, iu Biddeford; a merchant. She d. Oct. 5, 1869, in Portland. Their children are: Frederick Noah, Mary Josephine, and Moses Arthur. Their children belong to the eighth generation. (32) Irving^ Piper's children: — 47, i, Sherman Emery,' b. Jan. 28, 1847, in Parsons- field; a teacher, land-surveyor, trustee of Parsonsfield Seminary; m. Minnie Charlotte Black, Miy 1, 1878, b. Jan. 28, 1849, in Limington; assistant teacher, before m irriago, in Parsonsfield Seminary. He resides in Parsonsfield on the homestead of his father and grandfather. See their children, Nos. 62, 63. Eighth Generation. (.35) Lorenzo Dowl Piper's children: — 48, i, *Ida Wallingford.s b. May 27, 1851, in * These have never resided in Parsonsfiekl, but are inserted to make the family complete. Berwick; m. John Torsleflf, Dec. 18, 1872, b. Oct. 12, 1844, in Boston, Mass. ; a farmer. He resides in West Mitchell, Iowa. (They have one child, Lorenzo Francis Torsleflf.) Belongs to the ninth generation. 49, ii, *Mary Wallingford,^ b. Jan. 18, 1857, in Ber- wick; m. Robert Waddall, Sept. 17, 1879, b. Jan. 23, 1847, in Scotland, a farmer. He resides in West Mitchell, Iowa. (They have one child, Loren Burton Waddall.) Be- longs to the ninth generation. (36) Joseph Perkins' Piper's children: — 50, i, Freddy Wilder.^ b. July 10, 1853; d. Nov. 16, 1859, in Parsonsfield. 51, ii, Sarah Jane,^ b. July 10, 1855, in Parsonsfield. (37) Charles Abbott' Piper's children: — 52, i, Perley Wesley,** b. Jan. 29, 1856; d. 398 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. Feb. 26, 1857. 58, ii, Perley Wesley,' b. Feb. 21, ISoT; d. Dec. 22, 1858. 54, iii, Marsis,^ b. May 27, 1861; d. July 28, 1861. 55, iv, George Henry,^ b. March 9, 1864. He resides in Biddeford. 56, v, Edward Everett,^ b Sept. 29, 1866, ; a bookkeeper. He resides in Portland. 57, vi, Alvah Cliessraan,^ b. Dec. 11, 1869. He resides in North Ber- wick. All were born in Parsonsfield. (42) Samuel Fullerton'' Piper's children: — 58, i, Carrie Lizzie, ^ b. Sept. 28, 1868; a teacher. 59, ii, Hattie May,' b. April 17, 1872. Both were born in Parsonsfield. (43) John Wesley^ Piper's children: — 60, i, Augustus Burbank,' b. June 4, 1868, in Parsonsfield; a farmer. (45) Horace Lord^ Piper's children: — 61, i, Josephine Lord^ b. June 11, 1864, in Biddeford. She resides in Washington, D. C. (47) Sherman Emery" Piper's children: — 82, i, George Irving,^ b. Aug. 9, 1879. 63, ii, Frank Sherman,' b. July 5, 1884. Both were born in Parsonsfield. (See Page 284.) Tobias,^ b. March 2-3, 1775, in Lebanon; m. 1st, Sally Gowen; settled in Parsons- field, 1800; had three children: 2, i, Isaac, b. Nov. 5, 1800; 3, ii, Rebecca, b. May 20, 1802, m. James Brown, of Ossipee, June 20, 1833, d. ; 4, iii, John, b. Jan. 24, 1804. By 2d wife, Sally Young: 5, iv, Sarah, b. Sept. 20, 1809, d , 1886, unmarried; 6, v, Joseph (see page 285); 7, vi, Nancy, b. July 28, 1812, m. Albert Rand, of Parsons- field; 8, vii, Samuel (see page 286). Isaac, ^ m. 1st, Ziporah, daughter of Jeremiah Dearborn, Dec. 15, 1828; had one son, John Coleman, ra. 2d, Sarah Goldsmith, of Ossipee, where they reside, and have quite a large family. John,* m. Ist, Elizabeth, daughter of Jeremiah Dearborn, Nov. 28, 1883; had children: i, Lucinda, b. Feb. 26, 18.36, m. Augustus Rowe, of Woodstock, Me., June 24, 1872, had one son, Lee; ii, Olive, b. Sept. 6, 18 lO, m. Geo. W. Nute, of Wolfborough, June 26, 1879, one son, Geo., b. ; 2d wife, Mrs. Hannah Go'dsmith Nute, by her one daughter, Hannah, m. (see page 46.) Deacon John Holmes Rand, son of Micah and Dorcas Rand, was born in Buxton, Aug. 29, 1785. He was of Scotch and English descent; m. Sarah Hancock, of Bux- ton, Nov. 22, 1807; moved to Parsonsfield in March, 1812; d. July 13, 1872. There were born to them six children, two in Buxton, four in Parsonsfield. Scwall H., b. Feb. 18, 1810; ra. Cordelia Perkins, March 13, 1834; had four children, Eliza, John, Elisha and Ellen; Eliza, m. Thomas French and soon after died, leaving four chil- dren; John is unmarried; Elisha died in the army; Ellen m. Silas Brown, and has one child. Elizabeth b. Oct. 28, 1811; m. Nathaniel Hill, of Brownfield, Me., Jan. 2, 1842; had four children, Sarah F., Albert R., James R. and Charles S. ; Sarah, m. Chesley Tibbetts, of Denmark, and has six children: Albert, m. Lizzie Lord, and has two children; James, m. Emma Hill, of Brownfield, and has three children; Charles, m. in the South, and is now living there, Albert, b. in Parsonsfield, July 22, 1813; m. Nancy Pray, Nov. 12, 1837; had three children, John H., James E. and Charles A.; John, m. Emma J. Clark, of Lewiston, Nov. 24, 1881, has one child; James is unmar- ried; Charles, m. Hattie Ayer, June 15, 1882. James, b. in Parsonsfield, Sept. .5, 1815; HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. . 399 m. Dorothy M. Fernald, Dec. 26, 1839; had four children, John E., Sarah F., Eliza L. and Zylpha M. ; John m. Lizzie Randall, of Lebanon, has two children ; Sarah, m. Andrew Abbott, has one child; Eliza, m. Charles Fernald, of Boston, has one child; Zylpha, m. Charles Littlefield, of Wells. Dorcas, b. in Parsonsfield, June 25,1828; m. Simon Frost, Sept. 2-5, 1858. Sarah J., b. in Parsonsfield, Dec. 12, 1826; d. Feb. 10, 1848. Dea. Rand was a man of commanding presence, six feet four inches in height, and well proportioned — every inch a man — full of benevolence and kindness, digni- fied, and at the same time eminently social; rigid in his discipline, determined but tolerant; a man well informed, and possessed of sound judgment. For many years he was one of the loved and reverenced deacons of Rev. John Buzzell's church, and many of the present generation remember him with grateful pie isure. KAN D ALL. Thomas C, of Kezar Falls (Parsonsfield) furnishes the following. Milesi Randall built the Garrison, , in 1705, and twenty-four families occupied it. Thomas'- was b. there; m. Abigail Huckins; moved to Parsonsfield, in 1776 (name not found on records until 1796) ; purchased a large tract of land near Porter Bridge, afterward moved to Canada with most of his family. Thomas Randall, jr., 3 b. 1779; m. Lydia Matthews, of Lee, N. H., 1798; moved to Parsonsfield, 1800; chil- dren: Anna*; Gideon M ,^ b. 1801; R. W.,^ b. 1803; Lydia,' b. 1807. Thomas, jr.,8 moved to Freedom, in 1809; had Sally,^ b. 1812; Mary H.,^ b. 1814. Thomas C.i' b. 1819. Gideon M.,^ settled in Parsonsfield; ra. Eliza D. Fox, 1824; had children: i, Elijah F., b. 1827; ii, Hannah, b. 1828; iii, Reuben \V., b. 1830; iv, Ehza J., b. 1834; V, John W., b. 1838; ,vi, William H., b. 1840; vii, Ed. G., and viii, Mary G., b. 1845; ix, Rowena, b. 1848; none leside in Parsonsfield. Thomas C.,^°m. Alice T. Guptill, of Parsonsfield, 1840; moved to Eaton ; had children: i, Charles H., b. 1841, d. 1847; ii, James E., b. 1845; iii, Charles H., b. 1847; iv, Lydia E., b. 1851, d. 1852; v, Lydia E., b. 1853, d, 1857. Thomas C. moved to Parsonsfield in 1853, and has since resided here. (1) Capt. Tristara Redman, a descendant of Tristam Redman, of England, who came to Hampton in the seventeenth century, and son of David and Sarah Parcher Redman, was born in Scarborough, Me., 1770; m. Hannah Burbank, 1800; settled at Parsonsfield, 1815; d. 1853; wife d. 1846. Names of children: 2, i, Hannah, b. 1804; m. Isaac Lord, Oct. 2(5, 1820; he d. Nov. 6, 185i); 3, ii, Tristam, b. 1807, m. Frances Free- man, 1834, d. 1832; 4, iii, Lorenzo, b. 1814, ra. Mary Collins, d. 1881. Children of Hannah^ and Isaac Lord: — 5, i, Catherine R., b. Jan. 19, 1828; m. Nicholas Springer, March 7, 1855; resides in St. Louis; 6, ii, Frances, b. March 12, 1833; m. Dr. Frank Moore, of St. Louis, April 17, 1867; 7, iii, Lauriston, b. Feb. 18, 1831; d. Jan. 21, 18:32; 8, iv, Sarah L., b. Sept. 24, 1835; m. James A. Dittrick, July 17, 18(;0; reside in Springfield, Mo.; 9, v, Hannah B., b. Aug. 17, 1838; ra. John T. Wells, June 4, 1807; settled in Newton, Mass.; d. July 19, 1879; 10, vi, Isaac L., b. March 2, 1840; m. Kate Thomas, March 5, 1873. Children of Tristam^: — 11, i, Fannie, b. 1832; m. Mr, Brooking; 12, ii, Elizabeth, b. 18:34; m. Samuel Campbell; 13, iii, Lottie, b. 1836; m. Mr. Upham ; 14, iv, Kate, b. 18:38; m. Mr. Gardner; 15, v, Helen, b. 1839; d. 1844; 16, vi, Sadie, b. 1841; 17, vii, Lucy, b. 1813. 400 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. Children of Lorenzo*: — 18, i, John C, b. 1S39; m. ; 19, ii, Charles, b. 1841; d. 1860; 20, iii, Lorenzo, jr., b. 1842; ra.; has two sons and one daughter; 21, iv, Mary E., b. 1845. KICKER. There is good reason for believing that all in this country, bearing this name, are traceable to the same genealogical tree, and that that tree had its roots in the Isle of Jer- sey. Capt. Joseph RiCker, who d. in Parsonsfield in 1825, was grandson to one of the emigrants. Whether the two emigrant brothers, or only their ancestors, were born in Jersey, is not known. One of these, George Ricker, was a resident of Cocheco, now Dover, N. H., in 1670, and was taxed there in 1672. The first earnings he could spare appear to have gone to pay for his brother Maturin's passage to America. Roth brothers became residents of Dover, where tliey raised famihes, and where both were killed by the Indians, June 4, 1706. Joseph Ricker, son of Maturin, lived in Somersworth, N. H. ; m. Elizabeth Garland; admitted to the First Church, Dover, March 22, 1780; d. in Berwick, Me. His Avill, executed at the latter place, Jan. 19, 1771, shows that he was well endowed with worldly substance, mostly in farms, which, he distributed among his numerous children. To two of his sons, Tristram and Joseph, he gave his Berwick homestead, and his negroes, whose ashes repose in the family burying-ground of their former masters. Joseph Ricker (last named), m. Deborah Wentworth, of Somersworth, N. H., Dec. 17, 1767. He was born Dec. 9, 1746, andshe, Aug. 14, 1749. (See Wentworth Genealogy by Hon. John Wentworth, of Chicago.) They resided in Berwick until about 1788, then in Lyman until 1806, then their eldest son, Dominicus, established a home in Parsons- field, to which they accompanied him, and where they spent the i-emnant of their days. He d. Oct. 18, 1825, and she, Feb. 18, 1835. They had children (all born in Berwick, except the last two), as follows: — i, Dorcas, b. Nov. 25, 1768; m. Joseph Shores; d. ; ii, Molly, b. April 19, 1771; m. 1st, Edward Scribner; 2d, Josiah Pei'kins; d. Sept. 6, 1861; iii, Dominicus, b. June 4, 1773; m. 1st, Sarah Hayues; 2d, Susanna Perkins; d. Dec. 30, 1863; iv, Pelatiali, b. Dec. 17, 1775; ra. Jane Leighton; d. Dec. 4, 1842; v, Amaziah, b. May 4,1778; ra. Susan Baker; d. March 24, 1826; vi, Joanna, b. July 15, 1781; unmarried; d. Feb. 4, 1820; vii, Anna, b. June 11, 1784; m. Elislia Strout; d. at an advanced age; viii, Tobias, b. July 15, 1786; m. Sally Hannaford; d. Jan. 30, 1844; ix, Susanna, b. May 6, 1790; d. in infancy; x, Betsey, b. March 5, 1796; d. young. Of the above-named children, three, Dominicus, Pelatiah and Tobias, settled in Parsonsfield, and to their families the remainder of this paper will be devoted. Dominicus Ricker, b. in Berwick, June 4, 1773; d. in Parsonsfield, Dec. 30, 1863. For nearly forty years he was a deacon of the Baptist church. He m. 1st, Nov, 19, 1801, Sarah Hayues, of Waterborough, who d. in 1803. They had born to them, Feb. 19, 1803, i, John H., who m. 1st, Sept. 1, 1831, Eloisa Morrill, of Dexter. She d. in Topsham, March 7, 1851. They had 1, Sarah Haynes, b. Sept. 13, 1832, d. March, 1877; 2, Levi Morrill, b. Dec. 31, 1835, d. March 18, 1836; .3, Abbie, b. Dec. 9, 1840, d. Nov. 28, 1878. He m. 2d, March 7, 1852, Mary Jane, daughter of Pelatiah Ricker. b. April 20, 1802, d. Oct. 10, 1878. They had no children, Dominicus Ricker ra. 2d, HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 4OI Oct. 4, 1804, Susanna, daughter of William Perkins, of Wells, b. Sept. 15, 1784, d. April 14. 1864. They had: i, Rnfus, b. July 28, 180.5, m. 1st, Jan., 1832, Nancy W. Whittemore, of Topsliam. who d. April 21, 1863. They had 1, Rufus W., b. Feb. 14, 1833; 2, Abbie M., b. June 21, 1838; 3, Eioisa E., b. Sept. 18, 1840; 4, George E., b. July 18. 1842. He is a deacon of the Warren A v. Baptist church, Boston, and the pastor's assistant, giving all his time to church work. 5, Mary Ann S., b. July 22, 1845, d. Junes, 1875; 6, Alfred T., b. Feb. 7, 1848. They all married. RufusRicker m. 2d, Sept. 12, 1885, Lucy M. Strout, of Poland. They lived in Charlestown, Mass., where he d. Sept. 19, 1866. ii, Sally H., b. Oct. 15, 1807, m. Jan. 23, 183.3, Adam Wilson, d.d. (See personal notice, p. 269.) They had 1, John Butler, b. Feb. 24, 1834, d. March 15, 1866; 2, Mall- ville Anna, b. Nov. 19, 1835, d. Sept. 2, 1837; 3, Angie R., b. May 31, 1838; 4, Charles H., b. June 2, 1840. d. June 4, 1841; 5, George A., b. July 31, 1812; 6, Frederic M , b. Dec. 1, 1850. All the sons that survived to adult age graduated at Colby University, iii, J^ancy, b. Maich 14, 1810, m. George Thompson, June 12, 1831, and d. Aug, 6, 1S49. They had 1. George B., b. Dec. 6, 18-32; 2, Albert, b. July 22, 1834; .3, William R., b. March 13, 1837; 4, Charles G., b. June 9, 1839; 5, Horace P., twin with Charles. Wil- liam R. graduated at Colby University in 1863, and is pastor of the Baptist church in New Ipswich, N. H. iv, William, b. Aug. 12, 1812, d. in Chillicothe, HI., Sept. 17, 1S78. For many years deacon of the Baptist church. Oct. 1, 1840, he m. Harriet N. Morrill, of Dexter, Me., b. Sept. 29, 1823; removed to Illinois, where his widow still resides. Tliey had 1, Mary Ellen, b. Dec. 16, 1841; 2, Lyman Jordan, b. Aug. 18, 1843, d. May 29, 1846; 3, Harriet Newell, b. Nov. 17, 1845; 4, Samuel Morrill, b. Jan. 18, 1848; 5, William Clarence, b. Jan. 13, 1851; 6, Annie Eioisa, b. Aug. 29, 1854; 7, Susan Idalette, b. May 10, 18-57; 8, Rosa Alice, b. Aug. 13- 1860; 9, Dominicus, b. Oct. 31, 1873, d. June 3, 1865; 10, Lucy O., b. Nov. 5, 1866, d. Oct. 29, 1870; 11, Frederic O., b. April 21, 1868, d. Oct. 29, 1870. v, Joseph (see personal notice, p. 269, also pages 1 and 17), b. Jnne 27, 1814, m. 1st, June 9, 1841, Anna Judson Clarke, of Bangor, b. Feb. 14, 1819, d. Nov. 16, 1847. They had 1, Howard Clarke, b. Feb. 3, 1844, d. Jan. 4, 1845; 2, Anna Judson, b. July 12, 1846, m. Jan. 1, 1872, George A. Philbrook, of Augusta, and had Mary Gardner, b. Sept. 15, 1877. Joseph Ricker, m. 2d, May 7, 1849, Lucy M. Corey, of Brookline, Mass. No children were bjrn to them, vi, Mary, twin with Joseph, m. June 9, 1843, David Whittier, of Bangor, and d. July 25, 1884. He was b. July 24, 1815, d. Oct. 19, 1869. They had 1, Charles Howard, b. Sept. 5,;il841, d. June 29, 1864, of wounds received before Petersburgh, Va., June 18, 1864; 2, Abbie M., b. July 4, 1855, m. Dec. 19, 1878, Charles F. Meserve, of Mass. They had one child, vii, Olive, b. July 2, 1818, d. March 17, 18:^0. viii, Ann, b. April 12, 1820, m. Oct. 8, 1844, Danville D. Swett. of Turner, b. July 20, 1817. They had 1, John Adams, b. March 9, 1848; 2, Edward R., b. Nov. 6, 1855. ix, Dominicus, b. May 14, 1823 (see sketch, p. 282, also p. 44), ni. Aug. 10, 1848, Caroline E. Thompson. They had 1, Frank H., b. Oct. 7, 18-50; 2, Abbie C, b. Aug. 19, 18-56, ra. Oct. 14, 1878, Joseph H. Chadbourne, of Bidde- ford. X, Lucy Jane, b. Sept. 19, 1825, d. Dec. 26, 1861 ; Oct. 10, 1849, she m. Enoch W. Neal, who d. Nov. — , 18.55. They had Florence E., b. June 6, 1854. Lucy Jane Neal, m. 2d, May 15, 1861, Ira A. Philbrick, who survived her several years, xi, Susan, b. April 31, 1828; d. in Illinois, Sept. 11, 1876; m. Jan. 17, 18-50, George B. Wing, of Bangor; re- moved to Illinois where he d. in the spring of 1871. They had live children, xii, 26 402 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. Abbie W., b. Dec. 24, 1831, m. June 1, 1854, Abel G. Wliittier, of Bangor, and d. Sept. 23, 1854. Pelatiah Ricker,^ b. Dec. 17, 1775, d. Dec. 4, 1842. He m. June 25, 1799, Jane Leigh- ton, who d. Oct. 1.5, 1870, aged 91. They had i, Mary J., b. April 20, 1802, d. Oct. 10, 1878. She m. March 2, 1852, John H. Ricker, and had no children, ii, Abigail F., b. Jan. 21; 1804, d. x'Vpril 8, 1854. She m. George Hilton, b. March 22, 1799, d. Oct. 24, 1886. See Hilton genealogy, iii, Julia A., b. Feb. 12, 1806, m. Hiram N. Tripp, b. Feb. 13, 1800. Both d. in Alfred at an advanced age. They had 1, Edwin; 2, Franklin; 3, Mary Ann; 4, Alonzo; 5, Abigail; 6, George L ; 7, Pelatiah R. ; 8, Annette; 9, Lucy; 10, Charles H. iv, Samuel Leighton, b. Dec. IS, 18)8, m. Eliz ibeth Wentworth, of Parsonsfield, who was born Nov. 10, 1813. She d. several years since. He had no children. Has always resided in his native town. Tobias Ricker, i^ b. July 15, 1786, and d. Jan. 30, 1844. He was deputy sheriff for many years. He m. Sally, daughter of Josiah Hannaford, of Parsonsfield. She was b. June 8, 1794, and d. Sept., 1863. They had i, Josiah H., b. Marcli 3, 1816; d. in St. Louis, Mo., in 1854. He was a merchant, and unmarried, ii, Elizabeth H., b. Dec. 25, 1817; d. March, 1851; m. Charles .Malloy, in 1836, and had Harriet E., who lives in VVal- tbam, Mass. iii, Erastus F., b. April 27 1823; ra. Olive B. Trull in 1849, and had Edward Bruce, Charles, and a daughter. His home is in Osceola, Iowa, iv, Harriet F., b. Dec. 27, 1824, and d. in 1842. v, Araaziah, d. young, vi, Anna W., b. Dec. 29, 1831, and d. in 18.56. She m. 1st. in 1851, Hazen Leavitt, of Efiangham, N. H., and 2d, Dr. John Emery, of Trivoli, 111. The ancestor who fii'st settled in this country was Magnus Redland, born in 1674, at Orkney Islands. Scotland. He first settled in York, York Co., Me., in 1717 or 1718. The first settler in Parsonsfield was Magnus Ridlon, he was born in Buxton, Me., Aug. 5, 1815; he moved to town, 1840, and settled at Kezar Falls; m. Emily Emery, 1840; d. Feb. 1, 18S8; had children: i, Emery S., b. April 21, 1841; m. Ida M. Bick- ford, April 30, 1864; has one son (see page 132). ii, Elizabeth R., b. Jan. 18, 1844, and d. young, iii, John F., b. Sept. 7, 1846, and is still at the blacksmith trade, iv. Still- man J., b. Dec. 7, 1849; m. Nellie A. Quimby; live there now and have children, v, Emily F.,b. Oct. 6, 1853. vi. Marcia, b. July 25, 18-57. vii, Nellie, b. Nov. 28, 1867. Magnus Redland, son of Thomas Redland and Barbara Laughton, was born in the parish of St. Andrews, Orkney Isles, on Sept. 3, 1674. He was named for his maternal uncle, Magnus Laughton, who stood his godfather at his baptism. Had brothtrs, Nicol and Edward, with sisters, Janet and Catherine. This young man was taken by a British Press-gang and brought to America on a man-of-war. He deserted and first settled in the town of York where he owned land; m. Susanna Austin, widow of Ichabod Austin, whose maiden name was Young, of Scottish extracticm; had five children, Ebenezer, Daniel, Matthias, John and Susanna, born in York; wife d. in 1730; removed to Biddeford and married Quelly Massie, daughter of Abraham Towu- send, and had born to him, Abraham, Jeremiah and Jacob, at Saco Ferry, so-called. Purchased land of father-in-law, house on bank of Saco river at Rendezevus Point, two miles below the present city of Saco. Will made in 1766. Died in 1772, aged 98. (See Ridlon's history of the family, pages 588, 589, 590, 591.) HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 4O3 ROBERTS. The first settler in Parsonsfield of this family was Joshua Roberts. He settled at West Parsonsfield in the year 1811; b. 1779, at Berwick, Me.; m. Abigail Hubbard, 1799; d. 1855; wife d. 1863; had nine children: i, Tristram, b. 1800; m. Betsy Page; d. March 11. 1864; had seven children, li, Mark, b. 1803; m. Lydia Abbott; d. May 27, 1884; had three children, iii, Joshua, b. 1805; m. Lucy Neal ; d. June 18,1882; had seven children, iv, Hubbard, b. 1808; m. Mary GrifSn; d. April 8, 1858; had ten chil- dren. V, Lewis, b. 1810; m. Susan Weymouth; d. Nov. 25,1876; had two children, vi, Joseph, b. 1814; m. 1st, Louisa Howe; 2d, Mary J. Cole; d, March 26, 1878; had eleven children, vii, John, b. 1818; m. Clarissa Cooper; had five children; resides in Dover, N. H. viii, Betsy, b. 1822; m. Abel Jellison; d. Nov. 4, 1852; had two chil- dren, ix, Abby, b. 1825; m. Levi Howe; had three children. SANBORN. (See pages 288 to 292). First Generation. 1, John (2), b. about 1600; m. daughter of Rev. Stephen Bachilor and d. in England, prior to 1632. Second Generation. 2, Lieut. John (5), b. 1620; m, 1st, Mary, daughter of Robert Tucke. She d. Dec. 30, 1668; m. 2d, Margaret Moulton (widow); she d. July 13, 1699; he d. Oct. 20, 1692. 3, Esq. William, b. about 1622; m. Mary Moulton, and d. Sept. 18, 1692. 4, Stephen. Third Generation. 5, John, jr., b. 1649; m. Nov. 19, 1674, Judith Coffin; and d. Nov. 10, 1723. 6, Mary, b. April 12, 1651 ; d. 1654. 7, Abial, b. Feb. 23, 1653; m. Feb. 19, 1677, Ephraim Mars- ton. 8, Richard (15), b. Jan. 4, 1655; m. Dec. 5, 1678, to Ruth Moulton; 2d, Dec. 20, 1693, (widow) Mary Boulter. 9, Mary, b. March 19, 1657; d. March 4, 1660. 10, Joseph, b. March 13, 1659; m. Dec. 28, 1682, Mary Gove. 11, Stephen, b. Nov. 1661; d. Feb. 24, 1662. 12, Anne, b. Dec. 20, 1662; m. Samuel Palmer; d. Oct. 4, 1745. 13, Nathaniel, b. Jan. 27, 1666;' m. 1st., Rebecca Prescott, Dec. 3, 1691; shed. Aug. 19, 1704; m. 2d, Sarah Nason; he d. Nov. 9, 1723. 14 (a), Benjamin, b. Dec. 20, 1668; m. 1st, Sarah ; she d. Jan. 29, 1720; m. 2d, Meribah Tilton (widow); shed. Dec, 15, 1740; m. 3d, Abigail Dalton (widow). 14, Jonathan, b. May 25, 1672 ; m, Elizabeth Sherborn, and d. June 20, 1741, Fourth Generation, Issue of Richard (8) :— 15, Mary, b, Sept. 30, 1679. 16, John (19), b. Nov. 6, 1681 ; m Aug. 8,1701, Sarah Philbrick ; she b. 1683; he d. May 30, 1761. 17, Ruth, b. , 18, Shubael, b. 1694; m. June 7, 1716, Mary Drake, and d. May 3, 1759. Fifth Generation. Issue of Ensign John (16):— 19, Daniel, b. Feb. 17,1702; m. Jan. 14, 1725, Catherine Rollins. 20, Benjamin (.33), b. Nov. 8, 1703; m. Elizabeth Gilman. 21, Phebe, b. Feb, 6, 1706 ; m. Nathaniel Pease. 22, Richard, b. May 29, 1708; m. Elizabeth Bachilor. 23, Nathan, b. May 29, 1708; ra. Catharine Sattalee, 24, Elisha, b, April 1, 1710; m. Lydia 404 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. . 25, Ebenezer, b. March 4, 1712; m. May 1, 1735, Ruth Sauborn; d. April 9, 1794. 26, Sarah, b. May 21, 1714. 27, Abigail, b. Oct. 24, 1716. 28, Ruth, b. March 18, 1719; m. Capt. Jouathan Gilraan. 29, John, b. May 5, 1721; m. Sarah Gilmau. 30, Hannah, b Feb. 3, 1723; m. Deacon Stephen Dudley. 31, James, b. April 5, 1724. 32, Mary, b. March 1, 1726. Sixth Generation. Issue of Benjamin (20):— 33, Deacon John (39), b. July 17, 1730; m. Dec. 20, 1754, MaryGlidden; she b. Sept. 6, 1732, and d. April 1.5, 1806; he d. Sept. 4, 1812. 34, Elisha, b. ; d. 1756, unmarried. 35, Mary. 36, Benjamin, a celebrated teacher. 37, Israel. 38, Joseph. Seventh Generation. Issue of Deacon John (33):— 39, Betsey, b. Nov. 17, 1755; ra. Samuel Osgood; d. June, 1823. 40, Mary, b. June 11, 1757; m. Ebeuezer Stevens, and d. Dec. 18, 1828. 41, Eunice, b. June 3, 1760; m. Ricliard Boyington. 42, John (48), b. March 20, 1763; m. 1st, Hannah Batchelder, Jan. 18, 1789; she was b. July 15, 1766, and d. Dec. 30, 1814; m. 2d, Miriam Burbank (widow), April 13, 1815; she was b. Feb. 28, 1768, and d. April 28, 1838; he d. Oct. 21, 1825. 43, Sarah, b. Feb. 5, 1765; m. Nathaniel Tilton. 44, Benjamin, b. Nov. 1, 1766; m. June 8, 1793, Judith Tilton; she was b. Jan. 8, 1770, and d. Nov. 11, 1853; he d. May 20, 1831, Gilford, N. H. 45, Elisha, b. May 10, 1769; m. twice ; d. April, 1856. 46, Susannah, b. March 12, 1771 ; m. John Page, Gilmanton, N. H. 47, Lieut. David E., b. June 14, 1775; m. 1st, Sept. 17, 1798, Hannah Hook; she wasb. March 27, 1778, and d. Oct. 2, 1827; ra. 2d, Sophia Wood, Aug. 2, 1828; she wash. June 10, 1794; he d. Feb. 24, 1854. This brings us to the original settler" in Parsonsfield, John Sanborn (42). His children are as follows: Issue of John (42). the original settler in P.:— 48. Child b'irn, and died Dec. 19, 1789. 49, Mary (Polly) b: June 20, 1791; m. Nov. 29, 1810, Col. Bartlett Doe, and d. May 22, 1863; had issue, seven sons and five daughters. 50, John (57), b. April 22, 1793; m. Feb. 27, 1819, Esther, daughter of "Parson " Eastman, of Limerick ; he d. Feb. 18, 1868, 51, Hannah, b. March 31, 1795; m. Oct. 12, 1815, Ira Chadbourn ; d. March 4, 1826; he d. 1862; had issue, one son, three daughters. 52, Benjamin (66), b. Feb. 22, 1798; m. April 30, 1820, Sarah Scribner; d. Sept. 28, 1882; she d. 1877. 53, Sally, b. April 2S, 1800; m. Nov, .30, 1820, John Moore, of Newfield; d. July 28, 1839; had issue five sons. 54, Luther (71), b. April 30, 1803; m. Nov. 30, 1826, Sarah, daughter of John and Tem- perance Hayes, of Limerick ; she was b. Oct. 1, 1804, and died at Newton Center, Mass., Oct. 27, 1877; he d. April 27, 1865 (see page 289). 55, Ira (77), b. March 4, 1806; m. June 16, 1832, Hannah Hodgdon ; she was b. Feb. 16, 1810, and d. Aug. 14, 1870; he d. Jan. 24, 1859, 56, Amzi (85), b. Jan. 1, 1809; m. Sept. 10, 1835, Julia A. Pierce, of Chesterville, Me.; she d. in Phillips, Me., Nov. 13, 18£2; m. 2d, Mary Wheeler, of Phillips, Dec. 6, 1855 (See page 148). Ninth Generation. Issue of John (.50):— 57, Edmund Eastman, ra. Elizabeth Freeman ; had issue Nancy. 58, John, 59, Charles A., m. Phoebe Brown; had issue, Charles, Edmund and Ella. 60, Erastus E., m. Letitia McLoud; had issue, Anna L. ; Carrie E., d. July 1, 1877. 61, William H., m. Anna Sabin; had issue Lillie, and d. Aug. 4, 1884. 62, John, d. Oct. 21, 1862. 63, Harriet. 64, Lucia A., m. Daniel McLean; d. 1886. 65, Edward. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 405 Issue of Benjamin (o2):— 66, David S„ b. Aug. 18, 1821; m. June 21, 1849, Azalia Davis; had issue, George I., b. Jan. 19, 1851, m. Laura Colby, March 1, 1876; Frank L. b. Aug. 22, 1S52, m. Anvella Getchell, Nov. 26, 1874; Davis, b. April 29, 1856, m. Arabella Thompson, Jan. 6, 1883; Milan B., b. April 13, 1862, m. Mellie Thompson, Sept. 22, 1886; Herman M., b. March 31, 1864, d. Aug. 29, 1864 ; Albert J., b. Jan. 19, 1866. 67, Nancy P., b. Jan. 13, 1824; d. June 27, 1840. 68, Elthera H., b. Sept. 25, 1826; m. John M. Jameson, May 26, 1853; he d. May 22, 1862; m. 2d, Given Jameson, Nov. 2, 1864. 69, Hannah B., b. March 14, 1830; m. Dec. 29, 1856, George W. Crockett; had issue, four sons, two daughters. 70, Amzi, b. June 29, 1840; m. April 26, 1866, M. Emma Davis; d. Oct. 7, 1871 ; had issue one daughter, Mary E., b. May 29, 1808. Issue of Luther (54):— 71. Hannah Batchelder, b. Feb. 4, 1828; m. Sept. 15, 1850, Solon H. Brickett, of Newton Centre, Mass. ; had issue, three sons, four daughters. 72, Jane Adams, b. Jan. 20, 1830; m. June 5, 1855, George O. Sanborn, son of Abiel, of Gilford, N. H., and grandson of Benjamin. No. 44; had issue, two sons, one daughter. 73, John Hayes, b. Nov. 5, 1832; m. 1st. April 20, 1870, Agnes E. McJanet; she was b. July 1, 1839, d. May 16, 1875; had issue, one son, one daughter; m. 2d, Ella Leora Foote, Dec. 19, 1883; resides at Newton Center. 74,' Charles Franklin, b. Sept. 12, 18.35; m. Nov. 30, 1864, Esther A., daughter of Samuel and Louisa Wi2:gin, of Parstms- field ; she was b. Feb. 22. 1838 (see page 292) ; children, 1, Luther Edwin, b. Nov. 18, 1867; -2, Louise Wiggin, b. Oct. 21. 1869, d. April 19, 1871; 3, Alta May, b. Sept. 1.3, 1872; 4, Ida Louise, b. Oct. 18, 1878. 75, Edwin Luther, b. Jan. 13, 1840; m. Nov. 21, 1867, Lydia, daughter of VVilliain Hilton Emmons, of Boston; had issue, two sons, two daughters ; resides in Boston. 76, Sarah Frances, b. July 25, 1842; m. April 23, 1873, to Russell H. Conwell (see pages 165 and 307) ; had issue one daughter. 77 (a), Mary Hayes, b. Dec. 15, 1844; d. Aug. 27, 1846. Issue of Ira (55) :— 77, Ira Edwin, b. April 27, 1833, 73, Charles Henry, b. June 10, 1834; d. Dec. 15, 1867. 79, John Murray, b. Jan. 16, 1836; d. May 8, 1861. 80, Wash- ington Irving, b. Dec. 24, 1836. 81, Hannah Hodgdon, b. Dec. 1, 1838; d. March 20, 1841. 82, Martha Ann, b. August .30, 1840. 83, Hannah Hodgdon, b. May 29, 1843. 84, Lydia Ellen, b. March 23, 1846; d. Sept. 14, 1846. Issue of Amzi (56):— Two chiLlren died in infancy. 85, Ellen A., b. May 10, 1836; m. Dr. F. M. Everleth. 86, Juliet C, b. March 1, 1839: d. Aug. 22, 1840. 87, Marsh- man VV., b. Feb. 20, 1841 ; m. Augusta Talbot, and d. April 25, 1884. 88, Edward VV., b. Feb. 19, 1845; is in government service in the arsenal at Benecia, Cal. 89, Sou, died in infancy. 90, Aphia \V., b. Jan. 18, 1861 ; m. A. M. Greenwood. I am indebted to Frank W. Shepardson, of Granville, Ohio, a descendant of the Smarts, for many of the data relative to this family. Caleb Smaiti moved from Newmarket to Hopkinton, N. H., and had childi-en; Elijah, Caleb, Joseph, Beuning, Mary, Charles,^ b. 1767, Susan, Francis (moved to Ohio), Rebecca, Drusilla and Durell. These are descended from Captain John Smart, who settled in Hingham, Mass., 1635; had sons: Charles, James, Robert. There was a Dudley Smart, who resided in Sanbornton, N. H. (brother of Caleb? ); he was b. 1758; a Samuel, who resided in Wentworth, N. H., b. 1763; a Moses in Rumney, N. H., b. 1755; a Robert, d. at Sanbornton, 1818; wife d. 1824, aged about 101 years. 406 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. Charles' married Silence (Garduer?); resided in Grafton, N. H. ; had sons: Gardner,^ b. 1790, Samuel, Charles, Joseph, Caleb, F -nelon, Watson, and daughters, Rebecca, Sally, Irenia, Sophronia — all became residents of Ohio save Gardner.^ He m. Sally Mighel, b. May 25, 1793; he d. 1868; she d. 1862; had children: i, Moses M.* (see page 62); li, James R.,6b. Sept., 1813; iii, Eliza A.,6b. April, 1815; iv, John GJ (see page 307); V, Sewall.s b. Sept., 1818; vi, William,^ b. 1820, d. in Coolville, Ohio, 18:39; vii, Sarauel.w b. 1823, d. in infancy; viii, Sarah A.,ii b. 1825; ix, Gardner,!^ b. Aug. 1826; X, Charles,i3 b. 1828; xi, Harriet A.» (see pages 262,:3), b. July, 18:30; xii, Mary G.i^ (see page 1.58), b. July, 1832; xiii. Almond O.is b. 1834. Moses M.,* m. 1st, Caroline Matthews, of Waterville, Me.; had children, John M., Caroline, William, Ella, Leilie, Charles; 2d wife, Mary McMaster; one daughter, Mary; none reside in town. James R.,^ m. Hannah Mulloy; moved to Cincinnati, Ohio; d. 1835; left one daughter, Eliza, the wife of Daniel Shepardson, d.d., of Granville, Ohio. Eliza A.,^ m. 1st, Stephen Jones, of Sweden; 2d, James Bowers, of Whitesiown, N. Y.; reside in Newfield, Me.; have one daughter, Hattie. Sewall,' m. Eliza Blinn, of New York; has two children, Hattie and Mellen; resides in Bridgewater, Mass. Sarah^S m. 1st, Alvah M. Davis, of Parsonsfield; had three children — only one living, Mrs. Hattie Boynton, of Limerick, Me.; 2d, Rev. G. W. Gould, of Lisbipee, N". H., who d. June 10, 1840, five weeks after the death of her husb lud, leaving four children : 1, Elizabeth, of 12 years, m. July 27, 1848, Zimri Fogg; live in Minnesota. 2, Ada- line, b. Aug. 19, 1830; d. July 19, 1844. 3, Jeremiah, b. Sept. 22, 1833; lives in Hlinois, unmarried. 4, Pembroke, b. Jan. 26, 1836; d. in infancy. 5, Abbie M., b. Dec. 2, 1838; m. June 7, 1859, Charles M. Young, of Stoneham, Mass.: have Belmont H., Emma F., Blanche M. and Ora Bell. She died in 1883. iii, John Carter, b. March 28, 1808; m. March 13. 1833, Susan Channell, of Georgeville, P. Q. Children: 1. Fitz John, b. April 26, 1855; 2, James Edmund, b. Feb. 5, 1837; 3, Mary Ann, b. Nov. 25, 1838; 4, Charles S.. b. May 6, 1841; 5, Helen France.s, b. June 1.5, 1843; 6, William E., b. Jan. 6, 1847; 7, Eva S., b. Feb. 5, 1852; 8, Whitfield Leon, b. June 13, 18.5.5. iv, James M., b. July 15. 1810; m. Abigail Huntress, Oct. 8, 1834. Children: 1, Caroline A, b. Sept. 24, 1837; m. Oct. 3, 1855, Reuben L. Cooper. 2, Samuel H., b. Jan. 16, 1839; was a soldier in the war; d. in Virginia, April 12, 1865. 3, Eliza Jane, b. June 9, 1840; m. Jan. 5, 1861, Bennetts. Lougee; have one child, Fred Everett, b. Nov. 1, 1866. 4, Mary A., b. Feb. 25, 1812; m. Jan. 1, 1867, Charles W. Warren; have one child, Maude May. 5. Julia Annette, b. July 22, 1843; m. Charles L. Tarbox; have one child, Edith May, b. March, 1869. 6, Harriet Adaline, b. Feb. 16, 1845; d. unmar- ried, March 1.", 1870. 7, James Lewis Cass, b. July 27. 1846. 8, Susan E., b. Feb. 3 1848; d. May 9, 1867. 9, John R . b. Aug. 14, 185! ; m. July 4, 1876, Maria A. Field. 10. Ella G., b. Aug. 1, 18.53; m. Nov. 10, 187-5, Byron H. Wood. They have: 1, James Perley, b. Oct. 10, 1876. v, Samuel (see page 325). John Tuck was b. in Hampton, N. H., Aug. 23, 1780, and moved to Parsonsfield in 1807; m. Betsey Towle, of Hampton, who was b. Aug. 5, 1783, d. Aug. 5, 1860. Mr. Tuck d. April 22, 1847, aged 66 years, 8 mos. Children: i, Jonathan, b. Sept. 21, ISOl ; m. 1st, Lois Bean, of Gilford, N. H. They had: 1, McKenzie, b. Oct. 28, 1827; d. un- married, June 24, 1850. 2, Sarah, b. Dec. 27, 1829; d. June 24, 1850. His wife, Lois, d. Feb. 11, 1834. He married 2d, Polly Tripp, of Alfred, and had two children: 1, Lois Ann, b. Jan. 15, 1837; m. E. F. Pillsbury, of Biddeford; d. in 1878, leaving three daughters, Carrie T., Mary Lois and Emma F. 2, Caroline, b. April 25, 1848; d. un- mirried, Aug. 1, 1856. Mr. Tuck was militia captain, a farmer, teacher, business man, representative to Legislature from Parsonsfield; d. in Biddeford while mayor of the city, Jan. 19. 1861, having been postmaster of Biddeford 14 consecutive years, ii, Sarah, b., Dec. 14, 1804; m. John Hodgdon, of Effingham, N. H. ; d. Oct. 8, 1829 They had: 1, John, b. in 1824; lives, unmarried, in Eflingham. 2, Amzi, b. in 1826; d. in childhood, iii, Betsey, b. Aug. 25, 1807; m. in 1831, John Hodgdon, who had beeil the husband of her deceased sister; have one daughter, Sarah, b. in 1835, m. Hiram HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 4O9 Davis, of Tamworth, N. H., and have two sous, Amasa and Amos Tuck, iv, Amos, b. Aug. 2, ISIO; m. Sarah Ann xNTudd, of Hampton, b. Oct. 13, 1810, d. Feb. 21, 1847. (Further account of him may be found in the list of collef^e {graduates of Parsonsfield, page 60.) Children: 1, Abby Elizabeth, b. Nov. 4, 183'); m. 1st. Willijim R. Nelson, of Peekskill, N. Y., who d. Feb. 24, 1864. They had 1, Laura, b. Aug. 7. 18.i4, unmar- ried. 2, Nellie Tuck, b. Nov. 2.), 1856; m. Henry VV. Stevens(lawyer), of Concord, N. H. 3, Mary D., b. April 18, 1859; m. Rev. Biinley Morj^nn, of Exeter, N. H. ; they have Julia, b. in 1883. Mrs. Nelson m. 2d, June 16, 1866, Orren F. Frye, of Boston (pub- lisher), who d. May 29, 1871. 2, Charles, b. Dec. 26, 1836: d. in childhood. 3, Ellen, b. April 4, I808; m. March 5, 1861, F. A. French (lawyei-), b. Sept. 12, 1817; reside in New York City, Have had: 1, Elizabeth R. b. Dec. 17, 1861. 2, Amos Tuck, b. July 20, 1863; m. Dec. 2, 1885, Pauline Leiloy. 3, Benjamin B., b. Jan. 27, 1872; d. in infancy. 4, Elsie, b. June 6, 1879. 4. Edward, b. June 6, 1841 ; d. in infancy. 5, Edward, b. Aug, 25, 1842; m. in 1872, in England, Julia Stell; residence in New York City. 6. Isabella, b. April 25, 1844; d. in childhood. 7, Charles, b. July 10, 1845; d. Dec. 10, 1849. 8. Amos Otis, b. Aug. 26, 1846; d. in childhood. Mr. Tuck m. 2d, Mrs. C. P. Shepard, of Salisbury, N. H., b. Jan. 20, 1815; d. Oct. 10, 1876. v, Mary, b. Oct. 12, 1814; m. Dec. 5, 1844, Daniel Wiggin, of Parsonsfield. She d. July 16, 1850, aged 35. They had: 1, Augeline, b. Jan. 2-5, 1848; m. J. C. Clarke, of Portland; d. Oct., 1873. 2, Amos Otis, b. April 23, 1849; d. Feb. 4, 1871, at St. Louis, Mo. vi, John (see pages 23-315), b. April 8, 1819; m. 1st, Harriet A. Wiggin, Dec. 29, 1S44. Chil- dren: 1, Henry Alfred, b. April 22, 1846; d. in infancy. 2, Alfred J. b. Nov. 13, 1819; d. Dec. 27,1853. 3, Laura- Adaline, b. March 28, 1856; d. Nov. 1, 1877. 4, Arabel Frances, b. Sept. 9, 1857; d. Oct. 3. 1874. 5, Amos, b. July 8, 1861; resides in North Springfield, Mo. Mr. Tuck ra. 2d, Ida A. Merrow, of Newfield. They have; 1 John, b. April 22,1880. 2, Mary Ahce, b. May 21, 1883. Mr. Tuck removed from Parsonsfield to Biddeford in 1848. TVADLKIGH. (1) Elisha, son of John and Patience Wadleigh, was born in South Berwick, Me., Feb. 15, 1769; m. Sally Smith; settled in Parsonsfi.ld, 1799; d. July 5, 1872; wife d. May 30, 1849. (See page 284.) Children of Elishai: 2, John, b. Oct. 7, 1792, m. Mrs. Sally Burbank,Nov. 20, 1817, d. Feb. 27, 1856; 3, James, b. Nov. 1, 1794, ra. Rachel Dearborn, Nov. 10,1817; 4, Lavinia, b. Dec. 20, 1796, m. Thomas Wedgwood, April 9, 1S18, d. April 17, ISyP,; 5, Daniel, b. Nov. 11, 1799, m. Mary Footman, d. Jan. 12, 1864; 6, Elisha jr., b. Sept. 29. 1801, m. Mary A. Burbank, April 1, 1824, d. Aug. 4, 1875; 7, Sally S.,b. Aug. 5, 1803; m. John Dearborn, Dec. 21, 1825 ; d. May 18, 18-50; 8, Catherine, b. Oct. 1, 1805, m. Stephen Wedgwood, Dec. 2, 1834, resides in Newport, Me. John Wadleigh^ had four sons and two daughters, viz: i, Elisha, m. Lydia Banks ; d. in Lyman, ii, Jesse, ra. Charlotte Hall; d. in New York, iii, Elizabeth, m. Edward Leavitt; d. in Saco. iv, John, m. ; resides in Manchester, N. H. v, William, m. Harriet Newell; d. at North Parsonsfield. vi, Sarah, m. Milton Goodwin ; d. in Saco. Jaraes'^had: i. James D., b. 1818; m. Harriet Moore, Dec. 12, 1842; settled in Gor- hara; d. , ii, George W., b. 1820; m. Abby Edgecorab, 18-47; resides at Kezar Falls; had four sons, Clarence, George W. jr., Ernest and Fred, Fred d, 1862 4IO HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. The others are living and m. iii, Mary A., b. 1823; in. Joseph Thompson, of Par- sonsfield, 184fi; d. 1886; left one son. iv, Sarah J., b. 1825; d. 1842. v, Caroline D., b. 1827; m. Woodbury GooCh, of Biddeford, 18^6. vi, Hannah M., b. 1829; m. Dr. John S. Hidden, 1848; resides in Kansas, vii, Mahala T., b. 18:U; ni. Eldrude Plummer, of Biddeford. viii, Eliza F., b. Aug. 10, 1833 ; m. Elijah P. Lewis ; resides in Portland; has two sons, ix, Jacob D., b. 1836; m. Arvilla Hobson, 1858; resides at Sebn<^ HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 463 Medical and Surgical Journal for November 24, 1887, appears an inter, esting report by him of a case of nephrectomy for hydronephrosis. He belongs to the Surgical staff of the Maine General Hospital, and also is consulting surgeon of the Maine Eye and Ear Infirmary. Besides his many operations of more or less magnitude, he has made rising _^^y abdominal sections. As a surgeon, and as a consulting physician, he approaches his work studiously and contemplatively, with an honesty of purpose and a calmness and clearness of judgment, as well as with a thoroughness of knowledge and practical skill which insure success. In his intercourse with others he is dicfuified and deferential in man- ner, though fixed and determined in spirit. He was married soon after graduating, to Miss Mary, daughter of Rev. P. C. Richmond of Frj^e- burg, and they have one daughter, Marion Richmond. GEORGE W. TOWLE Of Kezar Falls, was born in Westbrook, Maine, July 7, 1829, son of Joseph G., and grandson of William Towle, Esq., of Porter, who came from Hampton, and settled there at an early period in the present century, and who became a large owner of real estate, and for many years was the leading merchant and business man of that place. Joseph G. returned with his family to Porter in 1835, and there resided. Here the subject of this sketch has passed most of life, becoming a resident of Parsonsfield in 1879. Most of his life has been devoted to agriculture, mercantile and lumber business. He was a member of the board of selectmen for ten successive years, six of which he was chairman, besides holding for periods, the office of treas- urer, also constable and collector. During all these years he was a pronounced democrat, but for the past few years has refused to follow the party in their free trade theories, but is in perfect accord with the protectionists, and is an ardent admirer and supporter of Hon. James G. Blaine. Since becoming a resident of Parsonsfield, he'has invested largely in, and was one of the proprietors of the Woolen Manufac- turing Company established at Kezar Falls, — is the heaviest stock owner — and has erected a large store, in which he is doing a lucrative business. He is president, treasurer, and one of the directors of the Company, and they are doing some over $100,000 worth of business 464 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. per annum. Their mills are lighted by electricity, as is also his store and the dwellings of the members of the firm. This place is by far the most important business point in town, has a large water power, is very prosperous and thriving, and it owes its development and growth largely to G. W. Towle and John Devereux, of whom mention has been made on a previous page. Industry, circumspection, and busi- ness capacity have made Mr. Towle a notable success. In religious views he is an avowed liberal. He was married in 1853 to Miss Susan M. Gilman. Two children have been theirs, both dying early. PILLSBURY. The enterprise of the Pillsbury Brothers, sons of David and Sally (Banks) Pillsbury, deserves brief mention. They have erected a large boarding-house at Kezar Falls, which they occupy during the summer months, and which is deservedly well patronized. They are all young men of much ambition, and carry on quite an extensive business at 74 East Dedham street, Boston, where they have a sale, livery, and boarding stable. They are also extensively engaged in the manufacture and sale of carriages and sleighs. These brothers, Oliver, D., John, and Jacob Banks, were born in Parsonsfield. There is one sister, Abby, and the widowed mother. One of the brothers is married. THOMAS parsons' FAMILY. We regret very much that no more appears in this volume relative to the large family of nineteen children of Thomas Parsons, Esq., yet the fault is none of ours, but in consequence of the indifference of others. A few of the descendants have interested themselves in this direction, notably. Prof. L. O. Emerson, aud George Parsons, Esq., but their efforts have not been seconded by others, in whose hands and memories the facts and data necessary are lodged. We have been en- abled, at much expense of time and research, to place before the en- quirer such facts as appear relative to Mr. Parsons on page 240, of his his eldest son Thomas, on page 2'12, and of his son Thomas B., page 243. The second was a son, Stephen, who was born in 1760, and died in 1764. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 465 The third was Joseph, well and widely known as Colonel Joseph Parsons, who was twice married, first, to Lydia Lord, and second, to Abigail Adams, and who had a family of sixteen children. Of these, the eldest, a daughter Anna, married John Garland of Hampton, who died in Newfield, Maine, in 1872. Among her ten children, are Rev. David Garland, late of Bethel, and Deacon Jonathan A. Garland, of Newfield. One daughter, Mary, was the mother of Joseph Parsons, whose portrait appears further on, and of George Parsons, Esq., referred to above. One married Asa Burnham. Two became in turn the wives of David Garland, late of Winslow (see page 301). One married Dr. Nathaniel Pease, late of Bridgton. One married Lot Wiggin, late of Limerick. Several died unmarried, and two sons, physicians, are noticed, and have portraits, pages 144 and 145. The fourth child of Mr. Thomas Parsons was Enoch, who was drowned in Parsonsfield, in 1782, at the age of twenty-two years. The fifth was Stephen, reference to whom is made on page 314. He married Abigail Moore, and had a numerous family, among whom was Rev. John Usher (see page 59), also Abigail, the mother of Orlando T. Parks was one of his daughters (see page 437). One also, married Harvey Moore ; one, Stephen Piper ; one, Timothy Sims ; one, Caleb Burbank; and one, John Lougee. The sixth was Nancy, who married John Pease, and later, Holmes. The seventh was Hon. John Usher, who married Susan Savoy, and died 1825, aged 46 years. Mary, the eighth, married Major John Leavitt of Effingham. Sarah, the ninth, married Asa Pease of Newmarket. The tenth child, Elizabeth, married Capt. Luther Emerson, who, as well as his sons, has received mention elsewhere (see pages 61, 65, 142, 163, 245, 246). The eleventh, Susan, married Richard F. Dow of Wakefield. His descendants occupy as a summer resort, the old homestead, which has recently been made very attractive and commodious, at a large expense. Capt. Thomas B. Parsons (see page 243), was the twelfth child. The thirteenth was Abigail, who married Isaac M. Parker. William was the fourteenth, born 1792 ; married Sarah S. Dearborn, 80 466 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. daughter of Benjamin and Sarah (Pickering) Dearborn of Greenland, N. H., resided in Springfield, Mass., and died in 1876. Had six chil- dren, four sons and two daughters. The fifteenth was Lucy, who married Isaac B. Chesley of Wakefield. James Chesley of Wakefield, N. H., and Charles Chesley of Washing- ton, D. C, are among her children. She was born in 1793, and out- lived all the other members of this family. Lucinda, the sixteenth, died in infancy. Captain Sylvester, the seventeenth, born in Parsonsfield, May, 1797, married Abigail Dearborn, another daughter of Benjamin and Sarah, of Greenland; had nine children; resided in Wilson, N. Y. He fol- lowed a sea-faring life for about fourteen years, receiving the commis- sion of Captain. His later life was devoted to agriculture. One of his sons, Sylvester, graduated at Geneva Medical College and afterward pursued the study of law, which he practiced at Wilson. Lucinda, the eighteenth, married Dr. David T. Livy of Wolfborough, N. H,, and had seven children, the eldest the wife of Dr. Jeremiah Hall, of Portsmouth, and the youngest, the wife of Samuel W. Rollins, of Somersworth, N. H. This family later resided at Meredith village. SAMUEL PAESONS. This brings us to the latest born, the nineteenth child, Samuel, born June 15, 1801 ; married Mary Brown Allen (to whom John Brown of Harper's Ferry fame, was related), March 5, 1828, and died in West Newton, Mass., December 22, 1869. His family of eight children were all born in Boston. The eldest, a son, Samuel, born in 1829, was a lawyer, and died at the age of thirty, in Philadelphia. The second, a son, Charles Allen, was born in 1831. The third, Mary Augusta, died in infancy. The fourth was Henry Bradbury, born 1834. The fifth, James Allen, born in 1837 ; the sixth, Ellen Augusta, is a resident of West Newton. The seventh, Edward Francis, born 1841. The eighth, a daughter, died in early childhood. One of the sons served during the entire war. They are mostly engaged in mercantile pursuits. Mr. Parsons became early a leading wholesale dry goods merchant in Boston. His career was one of success, and he is remembered by the older business men, as a man of kindness, integrity and prompti- SAMUEL PARSONS j HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 467 tilde during his long business life. His place of business was on Kilby street ; here he carried on a large and profitable trade. He was mirth- ful, wittj, hospitable, generous, magnanimous, and honest. He en- joyed a joke, and could relate an anecdote to perfection. In the Boston Budget of November, 1883, a writer, unknown, under the caption of " The Dry Goods Trade, its History for Fifty Years and More," says : " By the way, Sam Parsons was an original character, and very pop- ular with the dry goods fraternity. He was a great tobacco chewer, and it was rather an interesting sight to see Parsons, Aaron Hobart, and George Blackburn, meet on the sidewalk between Water and Milk streets, on Kilby, to discuss political and business matters, and take a ' chaw ' all around. Charles Merriam, of Sayles & Merriam, usually joined the ruminating crowd, which was sometimes disturbed in its dis- cussions by the advent of that irrepressible money borrower, Charles A. White, who was always 'short a few hundred.' " Mr. Parsons was a democrat, but a war democrat, and a great ad- mirer of President Lincoln, Another anecdote is related by a writer in the Sunday Herald of November 23, 1883, relative to an old time merchant, Johnny Lepeau, in which Mr. Parsons bore a part. The writer says : " The following anecdote of Johnny Lepeau was often related by Sam. Parsons, of whom I have already told you as being a large dry goods jobbing merchant on Kilby street. When a young man, Sara, was a clerk with Johnny, and one Monday morning, having drummed up a good customer from Wilde's tavern and brought him to the store, and sold him a large bill of goods, he was gratified at the glee mani- fested by his employer, who ended in saying, 'You have done very well, Sam ; and Sara, you may go to Higgins', get one new hat, and have it charged to me, by gar.' But Sam did not at once avail him- self of his employer's generosity. He thought it would be in better taste to wait a few days, and while waiting, it slipped his memory where he was to go for the hat. On Saturday, however, with bright visions of the sensation he would create on Sunday with his new hat, Sam approached Johnny with a reminder of his kindness, saying, ' I have forgotten who it was you told me to go to for that hat.' ' So have I, by gar, so have I,' quickly responded Johnny, who was not in 468 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. particularly good humor over some loss he had met with, which was aggravated by a bad day's business. This furnished Mr, Parsons with a moral for young men. 'Never neglect to avail yourself at once of a generous offer, as delays make donors forgetful.' " Of this large and mentally strong family, Samuel Parsons, the latest born, was an honored success. The following sketch and portrait are furnished for this volume as a tribute of respect to the memory of the departed brother, by George Parsons, Esq., of New York City. Joseph Parsons, who died in Kennebuuk, Maine, September 11th, 1887, waa born in Alfred, December 6th, 1816. He was the great-grandson of Thomas Parsons, the grantee of Parsonsfield, the grandson of Col. Joseph Parsons of Parsonsfield, and a son of his daughter Mary (whom he strikingly resembled) and William Parsons of Alfred, being on his father's side, the seventh generation, and on his mother's, the eighth from his first ancestor in this country — Cornet Joseph Parsons of Northampton, Massachusetts. He mirried Mary Jane Cram of Merideth, N. H. The accompanying engraving shows he was no ordinary man, and his character proved that he inherited the sterling traits of his ancestors. He passed his youth in Alfred, and like most New England boys of his time, worked on his father's farm in summer and went to school in winter. He spent many winters South looking after affairs for himself and brother. Being a close observer of landscape scenery, of the manners and habits of people, a social and ready talker, it was a great pleasure to accompany him on those trips. He had a vigorous constitution, kept so through life by simple habits of living. He was upright and reliable in his dealings with others. He was not profuse in promises, but always making good, and more than good, those he did make. Once get him to say he would do a specific thing, and you did not need paper and ink for it. He was a resident of Kennebunk the last thirty-two years of hia life. He was trusted by his fellow-citizens and represented them in the State Legis- lature. He maintained his own rights and respected the rights of others, which kept him from being either servile or arrogant. This was the basis of his courtesy. Having a thoroughly democratic spirit, he met on a footing of delightful equality any man, however limited in capacity or humble in position. He was^acquisitive, but not avaricious. A favorite expression of his was " Live and let live." He exemplified it. He was accommodating and ready to respond to the needs of others. His was a social turn pervaded by a decided vein of pleasantry. He ^^ii^^^^:^^ 7 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 469 immensely enjoyed a good story, and laughed heartily in hearing and telling one. His hospitality was sincere, unobtrusive; it had a largeness and freeness delight- fully suggestive of the olden time. The ties of relationship and friendship were psculiarly strong, and struck their roots through every fibre of his being. He was powerfully drawn toward old scenes, ways and customs, and most of all to old friends. Mr. Pars )as had an active mind an i a mature judgment which enabled him readily and w'sely to perfect plans. He was especially strong in will power; having once undertaken an enterprise he carried it through with persistent vigor, certitude and dispatch. To this power of planning and willing, he added con- stancy in effort. He worked hard and was among the busiest of mortals. He did not say go, but come, and thus was well-fitted to lead and spur others on in the line of practical work and enterprise. Thus his individuality asserted itself. "When he said a thing, he meant it. He had a way of saying a thing with so much quiet decision that it became evident to the most obtuse that he meant it. Though not a large man in physical stature, yet there was something indefinable about him which assured one that he was not to be trifled with or imposed upon. He had latent capacity which would doubtless have enabled him to reap marked success in a wider sphere in business enterprises. He was a true son of the soil — he loved his mother earth. Land and plenty of it was his delight. He reveled in open spaces of which he was proprietor. " Four acres enough" was not in accordance with his ideas. He enjoyed seeing things grow and causing them to grow. He facetiously said of his well-stored barn, that " it was the pleasantest room in the house." There, looking out upon a fine prospect, in a vicinage his own, and off upon the Sanford and Lebanon hills, he loved to sit and chat with his friends. Many an acre is the more productive because of him. He bettered everything he had to do with. He was not content unless he saw marked improvements, and he was ever on the alert in contributing toward them. He had a passion for trees. If all men were like him the forestry question would be settled. He did more than any one else to adorn and beautify the village of his residence with ornamental trees. The Centennial tree, near the Town Hall, will always be associated with his name. The elm was Mr. Parsons' favorite tree. He spent much time in setting them out on his own land, the lands of others, and along the highways. These same trees are monuments to his public spirit, his taste and benevolence. During the summer, a few months previous to his death, he took special inter- est in the building of a fine substantial beach cottage, that he might increase the pleasure of his children and grandchildren in their annual visits to their old home. This proving to be his last work, will serve as a parting expression of his strong attachment to them. It was a felicity that he lived to round the three-score years and ten, his eye not dim, his natural force not materially abated; a felicity that he enjoyed 470 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. such good health through the full course of the achieving years allotted unto man; a felicity that he saw his own large and unbroken family of nine children established in life, and that he had in his many grandchildren so large and bright a promise of ample transmission in the line of family descent. Thus passed away at three-score years and ten, a man of the most approved Kew England type in thrift and achievement. DR. JEREMIAH W. DEARBORN. The following sketch is from the pen of a friend long known and highly appreciated, Judge David H. Hill of Sandwich, N. H. It was received after the entire work was prepared for the press, and all save the few last pages in type. In compliance with his expressed desire we give it place here. — [J. W. D.] Among the notices of Parsonsfield physicians (which town has been greatly distinguished, as well in the eminence as numbers of that hon- orable profession,) an observer in Carroll County desires to mention briefly Dr. Jeremiah W. Dearborn. After fifteen or twenty years of successful practice in Parsonsfield, Me., and Effingham, N. H., his practice began to extend and his reputation became much more than local. He has enjoyed in a very high degree the personal friendship of his medical rivals, and in matters of surgery and in the crises of dan- gerous diseases he has been much employed as a consulting physician and surgeon, meeting his brother physicians in hardly less than thirty towns in York, Oxford, Carroll and Strafford counties. His valuable judgment and experience, as well as his pleasant personal relations with such distinguished physicians as his eminent townsman, Dr. Moses Sweat, Dr. Augustus D. Merrow, of Freedom, Dr. W. H. H. Mason, of Moultonborough, Dr. W. H. Bragdon, of Conway, and Dr. S. O. Clark, of Limerick, and the kindly aid rendered to the younger physicians, have necessarily led to this result. He is yet in the prime of life, and few men who are so incessantly engaged can so keep in abeyance all corroding care, and enjoy so well the sunshine and poetr}^ of life. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. In the brief preface we have made mention of some of those who have by their efforts greatly aided us in the performance of the task of pre- paring this volume ; but we feel that a duty will be left undone, and our obligations not discharged, if we fail to emphasize in some manner the great helpfulness of those, without whose ready response to our needy call it could not have been issued. HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 47 1 First and foremost in pecuniary aid came Geo. I. Doe, of Wilton, N. H., son of Hon. Alvah Doe. His thought was, that the centennial of the town was not only worthy of being observed, but that in all particulars it should be accomplished properly, and that could not be done without money ; accordingly he volunteered his donation, and and urged that others should do likewise. He is a man of much busi- ness enterprise and of sterling worth, circumspect and successful as a financier, social and frank in his intercourse, quick in his perceptions, accurate and honest in his judgments, generous and genuine in his friendships, and kind and liberal in his charities. Three of his uncles each bestowed upon us a like sum with him. These were followed by similar donations from others, among whom, besides their gifts in cash, has come sustaining power, such as men like Hon. James W. Brad- bury, Dr. Joseph Ricker, Horace Piper, A.M., and Dr. S. K. Towlcj know h-ow to bestow. Especially must we here mention a dear friend of our early and later years. Prof. C. F. Brackett, of Princeton, N. J., who, although weighed down with sadness at the recent loss of his amiable and accomplished wife, as well as crowded with labor beyond the endurance of most minds, has furnished the admirable paper on the " Progress of Physics for a Century." The article does not need any commendation. Then we wish to express our great obligations to Rev. R. H. Con- well for the valuable services he rendered, supplying for the day the place of Prof. Brackett, who was unable to attend, and furnishing us a rich treat on the Sabbath following, a digest of which appears. John Bennett has ever been ready to assist and to counsel, has per- formed his full share in the revision of papers, and has furnished sketches of Bartlett and Alvah Doe, Samuel Merrill and Rev. L. T. Staples. Of those who have never been residents of Parsonsfield, several have been very helpful. George Parsons, of New York City, a descendant of the fourth generation from Thomas Parsons, the proprietor, has been extremely generous and kind. He has furnished no less than three engravings for the work, besides bestowing upon us a liberal sum to assist in carrying out the programme for the centennial. It is with pleasure we acknowledge our great obligations, and at the same time 472 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. our regrets that we are not allowed by him to present his portrait in our history, with some facts and data relative to his career, which would be of interest to his many friends. We have at several times urged him to allow this, and we take the liberty to quote from several of his letters to show that, although he refuses to grant the request, it is not from want of interest for us, nor lack of generosity of spirit. Alluding to this subject, under date of December 2, 1887, he says : " Your esteemed favors of October and of last week were duly re- ceived. I fully appreciate your kindness and good will in offering to insert a portrait and a sketch of myself in the history of your town. I should regard it an honor to be associated with the people of Par- sonsfield. Her long list of doctors, lawyers, ministers, teachers, &c., have made their impress at home and abroad. * * * They are worthy of honor and commendation, and I congratulate you that it has fallen to your lot to contribute so largely toward this result." " But I am of the present, and hope to remain so for a long time." Under date of January 5, 1888, he writes : " I have written Prof. L. O. Emerson, enquiring if a portrait and sketch of his uncle, Samuel Parsons, would appear, and offering any pecuniary aid therefor, or for any other person he might desire." January 10, in a letter to Prof. Emerson, which was forwarded to me, he writes : " I notice that Dr. Dearborn is intent on carrying me ' down the ages ' in his history. I certainly think it good company to glide along with. * * * j contribute most cheerfully for Uncle Addison's [Dr. Jos. A. Parsons] picture and sketch. Enclosed, you will find a check for $75. Therefore, we deem it but simple justice that reference should thus be made to his unselfish generosity and great kindness and helpful- ness. EXPENSES OF CENTENNIAL. The following is a list of the contributors and contributions, and a statement of the aggregate expenses incurred, not including the expenses of publication of the volume : Georgel. Doe, Wilton, N. H., - - - - 8100.00 Bartlett Doe, San Francisco, Cal., - - . 100.00 John Doe, " " u . . . iqo.OO Charles Doe, " " u . . . . 100.00 HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. 473 Hon. James W. Bradbury, Augusta, Me., - 100.00 Edward Tuck, New York City, - . - - 50. 00 James W. Cook, Boston, 60.00 Hon. G. M. Wentworth, Calais, - . - . 50.00 E. L. Sanborn, Boston, - - - - . 50.00 J. H. 8auborn, Newton Centre, - . - - 50.00 George Parsons, New York City, ... 50.00 Hon. L. D. M. Sweat, Portland, - - - - 50.00 Burleigh Pease, Esq., Bangor, Me., - - - 25.00 Dr. S. K. Towle, Hampton, Va., - - - - 25.00 Ira Moore, Los Angeles, Cal., - - - - 20.00 Dr. Isaiah Pray, New York City, - - - - 20.00 Eev. Joseph Ricker, d.d., Augusta, Me., - - 15.00 C. D. Moore, Lynn, Mass., ----- 10.00 Charles Moore, " " 10.00 Dr. A. R. Moulton, Worcester, Mass., - - - 10.00 Hon. C. K. Lord, La Crosse, Wis., - - - 10.00 Dr. S. H. Durgin, Boston, 10.00 James Edgcomb, Hiram, Me., - - - - 10.00 L. G. Lougee, Portland, Me., - - - - 10.00 Mrs. A. A. Fessenden, Gorham, Me., - - 10.00 C. B. Parsons, Burlington, Iowa, - - - - 10.00 John J. Merrill, Roxbury, 10.00 Horace Piper, A. M., Washington, D. C, - - 10.00 *Henry Whitten, 10.00 Mrs. Sarah Googins, Saco, 10.00 Anson J. Wedgwood, Boston, - - - - 7.00 Mrs. Dr. Parsons, Windham, - - - - 5.00 A. S. Pennock, Boston, ----- 5. 00 Capt. A, S. Libby, Wolfborough, N. H., - - 5.00 Rev. Asa Dalton, Portland, - . - - 5. 00 Samuel Garland, Gorham, Me., - - - - 5. 00 Edward Sanborn, Boston, 5.00 *E. S. Ridlon, Esq., Portland, - - - - 5.OO J. M. Brown, Esq., Boston, - - - - 5. 00 Hon. W. D. Knapp, Great Falls, N. H., - - 5.00 Lorenzo D. Piper, , Wis., - - - I.OO Town of Parsonsfield, ^500 on 5 months, - - 487.50 Total, SI, 625.50 Total amount expenditures, - - - $1, 664. 38 Total amount of relays, 8295.13 Balance to apply toward expenses of preparing and publishing history, - - . - S256.25 January, 1888. J- W. Dearborn. •Deceased. INDKX. INDEX Acknowledgments , Act of Incorporation, Ames John M., Marston, Marston jr., Brothers, Daniel, . Ziniri, Daniel jr.. Family, . . John, Address of Welcome, H. G. O. Smith, Andrews Leonard, . Allen John, Allen Samuel, Avery Jeremiah, Joseph H., Family, Walter, Altitude of Parsonsfield, Alcohol, Banks Jacob, Israel, Family, Moses, . Barker Nathaniel, Lewis, David, Bailey John, Henry, Nancy, . 31 184, 185 , . 470 . , 416 2,8, 258, 421, 431 , , 257, 365 , 2,8, 258 , , 57 , • 257 • • • 258 258 365 • 185, 232, 257 13 182 12 185 190 238 , . 238 459 »,190 350,418 457 , , 350 , . 350 , . 350 457 . . 175 • • 208 • 211 330 2,8 326 ,365 239 • . 261 , . 261 . 261 ,437 ,439 349 ,420 • ,430 ,432 130 46 478 INDEX. Bennett John, John P., Dr. John L., Family, . Charles, Dr. Gilman L., Bennett John, . Bean Cyrus E., Benson James, Geo. W., Family, John, Benton Albion P., Berry James, Bickforcl Geo, Geo. W., Dr. Stephen E., Benjamin, John, Biddeford Journal, Billings Hiram, Blazo Eobert T., . Amos, Mrs. Daniel O., Daniel Otis, Dr. Charles, Family, John, William, Eben, Blaisdell Dr. John J., Dr. Cyrus, Dr. Irvan, Bonney Dr. C. F., . Boothby Joseph, Chase, Fanaily, Henry, Samuel, John, Bolton Friend, Bounties paid soldiers. V, 1, 2, 3, 8, 57, 236, 321, 415, 423, 428, 432, 471 . 320,421,422,423,431 155 320 239 67, 141, 234, 420, 421, 422, 423, 430, 432 16, 320 237 206,453 65, 297, 423 453 453 256, 450 190, 206, 458 185, 191, 233, 452 43, 423 155, 424 . 190, 238 . 453 . 9 234 2, 8, 12, 129, 341, 421, 424 134, 184, 185, 187, 205, 238 . 3 . 366,423,424 156 341, 366 . 220,366 420, 429 . 12,424 134 . 142,424 142 148 236 . 2, 8, 43, 236, 421, 422 342, 366 205, 206, 239 .342 342 . 453 229 INDEX. 479 Brackett Prof. C. F Hon. John, John, James, James Jr., John W., Moses R., Isaac, Nathaniel, Joseph, Bradbury James, Hon. James W. frontispiece Bion, Dr. Samuel M. , Bragdon Dr. W. H. Brown John M., Simon, Family, . Eobert, John, Robert jr., Burbank Samuel, Caleb, John, Dr. Eleazer, Dr. Oscar, Dr. Silas, Family, . Deacon David, Rufus, Burnham Paul, Thatcher W., Asa, Geo. O., . Family, Burleigh William, Bullock Jeremiah, Miss Margaret, Elder Christopher, Jeremiah, Rev. Wescott, 7,14, vi, 7, 45, 67, 73, 154, 424, 471 2, 8, 287, 288, 420, 421, 430, 432 . 287 287 287, 421, 431 . 288,424 . 237 237 237,422 451 57, 134, 205, 206, 234, 428, 429 58, 240, 250, 422, 424, 433, 471, 473 47,129 142, 287, 301, 424 . 470 132, 281, 424, 473 235, 277, 424 367 .185,190 , 190,234 . 190 204, 205, 424, 451 205,235 238 137,424 . 150,424 . 155 367, 451, 454 . ■ . .454 454 205, 206, 233, 335, 4.36 2, 8, 335 42,424 .44,424 335, 368 21 2, 8, 237, 260 3 219 221 224 48o INDEX. Buzzell Dr. John D., , • > • 137 Family, . . 869 Eev. John, . 16,161,206,216,217, 218, 238, 339, 428, 429, 430 Dr. James M., , , . 7, 145, 424 Dr. Aaron, , • • . 146,424 Business, town, O . 199 Cartland Silas H., , . . • 2, 8, 223, 424 Family, . . 369 Carriages, early, . . 211 Captains, . . 436 Census, . • . . 206 Centennial Poem, . . 126 Hymn, . . 7 Committee, . . 1,2,8 Cedar Mountain, . 1 • . . 175,263 Chandler's Band, . 4,7,11,13 Chase David M., . . 2,8 Moses, . 190, 206, 458 Edmund, . 1 185, 190, 235, 418 David, . . 458 John, . . . • 458 Chapman Samuel, . 206, 239, 458 Andrew Mc, . . 205,206,237 George F., . 237, 421, 428 Eev. Elias, . . 216 Chadbourn Hon. William G., . . 131 Champion James, . . . 185,235 Changes in production. . . . 434 Chamberlin Edward C. 5 . 296 Cheney Horace R., . . 68, 292, 293, 424 Daniel, . . 455 Chellis Seth, . . . 363 Chick Daniel, . 206, 239, 455 Church, Old School F. Baptist, . . 220 So. Parsonsfield F. Baptist, . 219 No. a . . 220 East " ii . 219 Free Baptist, . . 213, 217 First Baptist, . . 216 Baptist, . . 213, 216, 221 INDEX. 481 Church, Congregational, Second Baptist, Christian Advent, Universalist, Friends, Churches and Ministers, Churchill Ichabod, Maj. Thomas, Nath. H., Family, OtisB., . Thomas S., . Mrs. O. B., Clifford Hon. Nathan, Clark Dr. D. W. C, Dv. S. O., . Colcord Josiah, Job, Family, Kev. E. J., . Henry W., Conditions of Settlement, Conwell Eev. Russell H., . Sermon by, . County Commissioners, Treasurers, . Committee on Vocal Music, Programme, Contributors list of, College Graduates, Colonels, Cook .James W. , Dr. Richard L., Mrs. J. W., Cole J. W., . Conner family. Crouch Miss Alice, Cows, Crops, Cram Joseph, Edwin J., John A., 213 ,214 ,215 ,216 222 222 222 223 213 • 205 ,206 ,239 239 31 239 342 457 . 342 ,369 2,8 239 240 452 • 2,8, 260, 343 3 23 • 135 235 470 185 190 205 235 • 185 190 234 370 • * • 424 445 2,8 189 vi, 7, 12, 165, 307, 471 . 165 to 173 . . 432 . . 432 . . 3 , , . 2 , , 472, 473 • • 57 436 4, 232, 249, 421, 473 • • 157, 424 3 237 372 • • e ,11 210 , 198, 206, 434 . 178, 188, 18» . . 69, 424 . 6£ 1,42 482 INDEX. Cram Family, .... . 336 James, .... . 236 Cushman Samuel, .... . . . 19, 234 Robert, 19 Job, ..... • 19 JD Dalton Samuel, .... 190, 234, 236, 238 Benjamin, .... , . 17, 234, 330 Rev. Asa, .... . vi, 268, 473 Family, ..... . 372 Davis William B., 2, 8, 421, 451 George P., .... , 2,8,425,455 George, .... . 455 Malcolm, .... . , 154 Moses, .... . 343 Davis Alvah M., . . . 343 Family, .... . 373 Wm. G., .... , , 450 Fulton B., . . 450 Dearborn and Leavitt, . 204 Joseph of , . . 205 Dearborn Dr. J. "VV., . . v, 1, 2, 3, 7, 10, 11, 13 , 158, 425, 432, 470 Jeremiah, .... 205, 206, 310 John, . 310 Joseph S., . . 315,421,436 Joseph F., . 237, 316, 423, 432 Simon F., . . 317 Jacob, ..... . 237, 421, 436 Samuel G., . 2, 8, 310, 421, 423 Family, ..... . . 309, 374 Joseph, .... 312 , 379, 421, 425, 436 Dedication, ..... . iii. Deed of Capt. Sandy to Francis Small, . 416 Delegates chosen for Separation from Mass., . 428 Devereux Richard, 239, 351 Thomas, .... . . 351 John, .... 2, 8, 332, 351, 454 Jonathan, . . . i . . . 237, 351 Dr. Frank G., 157, 351 Family, ..... . . 351, 376 DittrickMrs. S. L., 3, 348 INDEX. 483 Dixon William D. , , Doe Jeremy, Family, Charles, William K., Hon. Alvah, Ira C, . Bartlett jr., John, Dr. Theophilus, Gideon, John, Levi, John jr., Col. Bartlett, George I., Downs Benjamin, Droft^n Dr. T. A., Dutch Stephen, Samuel, Family, . Henry, DurginProf. S. H., Family, . Dye-pot law, Eastman A. J., . Edgcomb Thomas, Edgerley Daniel, Electricity, Elliot Daniel, Emerson Prof. L. O., Rev. Thomas P., Rev. Charles H., Capt. Luther, Joseph P., Elizabeth U., Family, . Homestead, . Emery Isaac, Nicholas, Dr. Melville A., 2,4, ,8, . 211, . 352, . 57, 355, 1, 8, 240, 352, 57, 358, 421, 423, 427, 431, 432, 43,57, . 57,355, 57, 355, . 184, 185, 187, 190, 184, 185, 187, 189, . 354, V, 471, E 233, 153, 259 205 376 472 423 436 423 472 472 140 203 190 185 185 436 472 460 147 190 423 378 423 473 378 194 69 239 . 451 . 73,464 206, 239, 458 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 163, 246, 423, 445, 471 61, 423 . 65,423 . 245 4, 163, 245 6, 11 245, 378 246, 249 233, 456 18, 206, 234 155, 424 484 INDEX. Emigration, .... ...>.. 209 Executive Committee, 3 Expenses of Centennial, 472 Evans Hiram, .... 450 Edgcomb James, .... 473 IF Fairfield Gov., .... 22 Farmers, prominent, 35 Felch Isaac N., .... . 64,2.38 Fenderson Ivory, . 1,2,8,240,344,421,432 John, ..... 236 William, .... 236,344 Family, ..... 344,379 Fernald Elliot, .... 311,420, Elliot Jr., .... . 310,312,421 Family, .... 311,379 Fesseuden Mrs. A, A., •473 First white male child born in town , 233,350,457 Flanders James N., . . . 450 Floyd Michael, .... 185 Fluellen, ..... 177,178,182 Folsom Simeon, 237 Fogg James, .... 235 Family, .... 380 Food, Early, ..... 195 Foss Eben, .... 1,8,240,334 Samuel, ..... . 237,335 Levi, .... 335 Ebenezer, .... 239 JohnH., .... 237 Family, ..... 334 Fowler G. A. S., ... 450 Fox Samuel, .... . . 205, 239, 430 John, .... 185, 237 Edward, .... . 185,237 Thomas E., , 451 Frost William, .... 236 French Woodman, .450 Fruit, ..... . 35,435 INDEX. 485 Garland Jonatharij 186 Samuel, . 17, 186, 205, 206, 215, 233, 301, 429, 430 Samuel ,2 473 David, 57,301,424 John, 43,301,422,424,4.31 Edmund, 60,283 Joseph, 65,314,424 Edmund,2 424 Daniel S., 424 Family, . 301,380 Gammon John, . 458 Garner Allen, 332,450 Generals, 436 General Muster, 228 Index, . ^'ii Geography of Parsonsfield, 174 Gilman Dr. Sumner, . 144 Dr. Woodbury, 144 Goodwin Aaron, , . 233,456 Googins Mrs. Sarah, 473 Goddard John, . . 237 Gould Mrs. Jesse, . . . . -3 Eben, . 187,205,206,239,458 Gore, 187,225,238 Grace Francis S., . . 234 Graves Dr., 42 Granville Joseph, , . 185,190,197,235,460 Family, . 381 Haines Ira, ^ , 452 John M., 452 Joseph, . 452 Haley Mrs. B. F., • 3 Hale Enoch, , , 234,452 Hart James, . 41,187,206,225,427 Hanneford Dr. Levi A, 140 Josiah, 234 Family, . . " . ' . . . .381 Heat, 104 486 Hilton Eev. Charles A , George, . Dr. Geo. W., Dudley, . Family, Andrew, Hill Mrs. M. M., Judge David H. , Hobbs Dr. Moses, Samuel, David L., . Family, . , James, Hodsdon Israel, Family, Holmes John, Homes, Early, Horses, Howe Levi, Houses, Early, Huntress Thomas C, Dr. Joseph, Joseph C, John, Huckins Joseph, Improvements, Immigration, Indians, Incorporation of Town, Intoxicants, Invocation, Improvement in Stock, Johnson David, Family, Keons William, Kezar Falls, George, . INDEX. IC 353, 424 . • • 234 , , . 154 185, 190 , 205, 233 , , . 382 . . • 190 , , 3,444 • • • 470 . . 140 185 , 190, 456 185, 190, 235 , 238, 420 . 383 , . 190 205 233, 455 , , . 383 20 , , . 180 , , . 210 • • . 233 . • • 181, 194 , , 2, 8, 239 » • » 149 , , . 456 , . . 456 • . 235 197 . . 209 176, 177, 179, 434 , . 191, 416 • 208 , , . 14 31, 342, 350, 457 206, 351 • 451* 190 175, 239, 433 179, 180, 184, 185, 191, 239 INDEX. 487 Kezar Abner, John, Ebenezer, Samuel F., Family, Kent Josiah, Kennard Dr. John A., Kennison Solomon, Kimball Dr. John G., Jonathan, Kitchen, the, Kinsman, Col. Jonathan, Knapp Hon. William D., Samuel, Family, Knight Joseph, Shem, James, 205, 336, 420, 429, 430 31, 336, 421, 431, 432, 436 336, 458 336 336, 383 456 . . 156,424 : 186, 190, 235 . 156 . 206,460 . 194 185, 190, 228, 235, 420, 436 66, 131, 332, 424, 473 206, 235, 430 . 332 . 206,455 .455 455 Lawyers of Parsonsfield, Leavitt Albert E. , Mrs. A. K., Family, League Jacob, Light, . . Libby Oliver, John, Nehemiah T., . Family, Kev. Charles O., Libbey Capt. A. S., Enoch, Light and heat, . Libraries, List of Illustrations, Log rolling, Lord Richard, Morris, Rev. Wentworth, Dea. John, John, Dr. Richard, 127 2, 8, 235 . 3 . 384 190 . 117 67 185, 190, 238 2, 8, 421, 459 . 384 219 300, 473 190 . 207 432 xi . 196, 262 205, 234 205 16, 221, 236 235 . 236 . 149, 424 488 INDEX. Lord Caleb B., Edwin E., Mrs. E. E., Ammi R., Cyrus K., George, . Samuel, ||. Eamily, Almon, Lougee John, Gilmau, Samuel, . John, 2 Gilman,2 Gilman,^ David G., Hugh B., Dr. George E. Sylvester, Dr. Charles, Taylor, Lewis G., Family, Lombard John G., Family, Lumbering, . . . . 130,424 2, 8, 347 8 '. . . . 346,385,420 346,473,385 347,385 347,433 346,385 460 . 184, 185, 191, 237, 280, 386, 436, 459 184, 185, 187, 190, 217, 237, 280, 386, 420 184, 185, 190, 207, 279, 420 233 280 1, 8, 237, 240, 280, 421, 424 280 280 279 279 ... . 149 279 473 386 .... 235 385 207 nyc Maple wood, . Maine Sentinel, . Martin Dr. N. R., Majors, Manufactories, Me Arthur John, Mason George, Dr. W. H. H., Marston Samuel D. Ann, Family, . David, Caleb, James, 13, 2,8,45, 46, . 341, 185, 190, 420, 428, 429, 430, 436, 185, 190, 205, . 185,190,435, 433 10 149 436 433 237 450 470 424 427 386 460 460 436 INDEX. 489 Marston Simon, Jacob, Isaac, Smith, Maloon Joseph, Samuel, Mclntire Rufus, James O., Malcolm, Rufus jr. , Philip W., . Merrill Maj. Samuel, Robert, H. Loring, Alanson B., Liston B., Hardy, Joseph, . Stephen, John, John Jay, Dr. Paul, Henry, Family, . Isadore P., Merrow Dr. A. D. Military, . Militia, Mills Blaisdell, . Lord, Dearborn, Ministers and churches, Ministers, Miller Lemuel, Mighel Dr. Jesse, Moses, Tristram, Minerals of Parsonsfield, Moore Dr. Levi C, Dr. John, Dr. James O., John,^ 21, 47, 218, 234, 317 420, 429, 430, 456 421, 431, 436 341 . 341 190 . 190 420,422,428,430,431,4.32 . 130, 318 66, 318 318 . 7, 127, 240 1, 2, 8, 356, 421, 428, 436 2, 8, 238 2, 8, 359, 428 70 . 217, 220 188, 205, 206, 311, 420 12, 205, 237, 436 . 236 206, 238, 275 276, 473 152 . 345 387 . 7, 126, 445 470 . 228 435 197, 207, 453 175,197,207,235,433 197, 207, 234 213 . 223 235 . 138 185, 191, 211, 233 . 457 159 . 142 . 142, 163 V. 3, 143 . 205, 420 490 INDEX. Moore Harvey, Eben, John, Joseph, . Family, . Cyrus K., Ira, Luther S., article by, Chas., CD., . More Prof. Ira, . Morrison James, Moulton Dea. Samuel, . Joseph, . Lorenzo, Wm. E., Frank P., Alvah O., Dr. Alvah, Dr. John P., Cutting, Samuel,^ William, jr., David O., George, Dr. A. E., Family, Cutting, jr., Mudgett David, . Joseph, . Simeon, David,2 . John, Dr. Simeon, Simeon D., . Family, . Mulloy Joseph, Music and Musicians of Parsonsfield, Nason Eufus, Isaac, InT 184, 186 184 185 1,2,8 185 163, 206 191, 233, 357, 457 185, 191, 205, 357 . 233, 457 345, 357 346 346, 421, 422, 423 357 . 473 473 vi. 274, 423, 473 191, 205, 233, 456 . 17, 205, 339 . 2, 8, 424 2, 8, 422, 424 340, 421, 422, 427 . 45, 70, 424 . 70, 423 . 139 . 154, 424 206, 339 . 220, 339 . 205, 236 340 . 340 . 155, 473 338, 387 458 190, 237, 339, 418 206 337, 389, 420 . 337, 389 337, 421, 431 150 . 237 . 337, 389 238, 458 163 235, 454 235, 454 INDEX. 491 Neal Walter, Enoch, Enoch W. , . Luther, . John, Dr. J. Herbert, Family, Newbegin Elias, George, John S., . Walter H., . Norton Samuel, Moses F., Nute Charles O., Family, Nutter Family, . 186, 190, 234, 390 186, 205, 234, 312 . 390, 421, 422, 424 ,8,235,421, 422, 424, 428 . 2,8, 235, 421, 424 156,424 312, 390 461 205, 239 2, 8, 461 . 450 451 . 450 . 1,8 237, 390 • . 390 391 Officers of General Committee, Oration, Osgood James F., 14 450 . 31,350 186, 190, 236 . 186, 190 . 233 186, 203, 238, 305 . 305 235 . 235 391 . 239 144 . 441 422, 424, 437 . 391 9, 15, 59, 178, 182, 183, 186, 188, 189, 190, 191, 197, 203, 205, 214, 215, 225, 232,240, 260, 314, 418, 420, 435, 464. Dr. Charles G., 17,134,144,163 Dr. Joseph A., ....... 145,473 Rev. John U., 59 Thomas jr., 186,236,242,418 Page Harvey, Taylor, Samuel, . Dudley, Paine Philip, . Family, Palmer Trueworthy D , Joshua, Family, . Parker Benning, Dr. Alvah, Parks Eliphalet, Orlando T., Family, Parsons Thomas, 492 INDEX. Parsons Colonel Joseph, 186, 203, 204, 205, 230, 420, 427, 429,465 Samuel, .... 466 Captain Thomas B., 243 Stephen, 314_^465 Hon. John U., 465 David M., 315,361 JohnU., .... 315,361 Asa B., . 315,360,424 Thomas,* . . . . 236,237,420 Family, .... 240,391,464 Asa A., . . . . . ^ 421,424 Joseph, .... . 1,8,240,315,421,424 C. B., 473 Explanation of Survey, 192 Joseph, .... , 468 George, .... . ' . . . V. 471, 473 Parsonsfield Seminary and its Students, 160 Assistant Teachers, . 161 Principals of, . 47 Trustees of, . 47 Free High School, . 48,50,53 Geography of , . 174 Altitude of , . 175 Eivers of, ... 175 Ponds of , . 176 Soil of, .... 176 Terms of Settlement of. 189 Poets of, ... 437 Size of, ... . 174,417 Paupers, . ... 230 Perry Joseph, .... 237 s. r.,. .... 2,8,421 Mrs. Lucy M., 443 Samuel, .... 206,237 Family, .... 393 Pearl Melvin, 422,450 James, .... 450 Pease N., .... 237,261 Nathaniel, .... . 139,205,260,262 John, .... 205,261,262,436 Andrew, .... 234,261 Family, . ' . 392 INDEX. 493 Pease Burleigh, Frank H., Maj. Samuel, Samuel, jr., Maj. Zebulon, Joseph, . Asa, . Josiah, Hon. Zebulon, jr., . Hon. Edwin, Ned, . Peabody Rev. Dr., Pendeiter T. A., Nathl., Thomas, G. J., Charles, Pennock A. S., Perkins Elisha, George, John, Petition for Incorporation, Petitions, names of, Philbrick Ira A., Daniel, Phillips Major, . Mi's. Bridgett, Physicians of Parsonsfield, Piper Elisha, Sherman E., Benjamin, Jonathan, JohnW., Horace, Elisha, . Dr. William W., Genealogy, L. D., Pillsbury Oliver, Brothers, David, Plan of Parsonsfield, 32 44,65,263,473 . . . 7,70,445 184, 186, 191, 260, 261, 418 186,191,233,261 186, 204, 205, 233, 261, 436 186,191,233,261 186, 197, 235, 262, 436, 449 186, 197, 235, 262 261,262,263 262,263 263 20 237 237 .... 237 237 451 473 453 236,453 236 189 190 220 . 234,456 177 178,183,188,202 134 186, 191, 203, 204, 205, 233, 264, 418, 420 9 48 42, 57, 266, 420, 422, 424, 430, 431, 432 1,8,45 vi, 7, 36, 42, 64, 240, 422, 424, 471, 473 48 156 .394 * . * . . . .473 3 ' 464 450 .225 494 INDEX. Poets of Parsonsfield, Ponds of Parsonsfield, . Political, Polls, .... Post-olfices, . Pray Joseph, John, Tobias, Isaac, Samuel ,2 Archelaus, Hannah E,, . Dr. Isaiah P., Samuel, Family, Pratt Brothers, Preface, Programme, Progress of Physics for a century, Prospect, . . . . Public Conveyance, . 437 . 176 . 230, 231 . 206 210 237, 285, 422, 425 .240,285,420 . 285 285 . 286 . 237, 459 46, 426 153, 425, 473 284, 425 398 . 239 V 5,6,7,8 73 . 193 210 Quint Joseph, Quimby Kev. I. P. Q, 206 12 :r Rand Deacon John, John H., Charles A., Albert, Rev. James, Family, Randall Elder Benjamin, Thomas C, . Family, Mountain, Legend of, Thomas, Ranges, Rambles about town. Records, Early, 236, 339, 398, 399 . 45, 68, 425 . 2, 8,425 286 398 219,311,379,425 . 398 213, 216, 218, 221, 224 2, 8, 450 399 . 175 449 . 225 232 187, 418, 419 INDEX. 495 Kedman, Dr. Tristram, ...... 144, 268, 425 Capt. Tristram, 17, 267, 420, 428, 431 P Lorenzo, ........ 234, 268 Genealogy, ......... 399 Remick James, ........ 237 Reporters, .......... 12 Representatives to General Court of Massachusetts, . . . 429 Legislature of Maine, ....... 430 Review to 1800, ........ 200 Ricker Dea. Dominicus, ....... 17, 222 Dr. Joseph, . . v, 1, 7, 17, 57, 224, 240, 269, 283, 445, 471, 473 Dominicus, 1, 8, 44, 281, 421, 422, 425, 432 Tobias, . . . 17,428 Prof. G. H., 7,47,160 Mountain, 175, 232, 233 Genealogy, ......... 400 Peletiah, ......... 17 Richardson A. L., ........ 450 Ridlon Joseph, ........ 287 Emery S., 132,281,422,423,425,473 Genealogy, . ... . . . . . 402 Roads, 196, '201 Roberts Mrs. Joseph, . . . . . . . .3 Genealogy ......... 403 Rogers John, ......... 456 Robinson E. D., . . . . . . . . .4 Rolfe Rev. Benjamin, .... 16, 206, 214, 215, 216, 234 Rolfe's meeting-house, ........ 21^ 3 Sanborn William, 186, 190, 235 John, 204,205,206,233,289 Hon. Luther, 57,289,431,432,436 Hon. C. F., 2,3,8,292,425,432 JohnH., 57,425,473 Edwin L., 57,425,473 Dr. Amzi, ......... 148 Mrs. C. P., 3 Edward, . 473 Family, 288,403 Sawver Roswell, ........ 451 Sandy Captain, 16,177,178,182,415,416 Sargent Jamie, . ........ 451 W. T., 451 49^ INDEX. Scagel Jacob, ........ 18G, 190 School Teachers,' list of, ...... . 423 Senators, list of, ........ 432 Selectmen, list of, . . . . . , . . 420 Settlement^of Parsonsfield, conditions of, . ... 189 Shapleigh Major. Nicholas, ...... 177, 183 Proprietors, ...... 178, 213, 214, 215 Sheep, ......... 211 Shores Mrs. M. T., ....... 161,442 Smart Dr. Burleigh, ........ 139 Dr. Emery, . . . . . . . . .139 Prof. M. M., 47, 02, 144, 224, 422, 425 Mrs. E. A., . . . . . . . . .3 Capt. A. O., . . 2, 8, 237 John G., . ........ 307 Family, 307,405 Moulton, ......... 2.35 Gardner, ........ 307, 405 Small Francis, ...... 15, 177, 183, 415, 416 Lauriston W. , letter of, ...... 415 Smith Dr. Samuel M., ....... 147,425 • Benjamin, ...... 186, 190, 197, 207, 453 H. G. O. , . . V, 1 , 7, 14, 174, 182, 240, 260, 273, 406, 422, 432, 434 James, ......... 238 Family, . . . . . . . . .406 David, ......... 459 Snow Rev. H. F., ........ 12 Soldiers of the Civil War, . 229 Soil of Parsonsfield, ......... 176 Sound, ......... 110 Springer Mrs. C. R., ........ 348 Staples Rev. L. T., .... 1, 3, 7, .30, 224, 313, 421, 423, 432 Dr. H. L., 7,70,157,1.59,425 Family, ......... 407 Stacy John, ......... 239 Family, ...... ... 407 StackpoleDr. Geo. F., ........ 155 Stephen A. ........ . 299 Superintending School Committee, list of, .... . 422 Sweat Dr. Moses, 17, 40, 57, 127, 128, 136, 161, 218, 2.38, 239, 420, 422, 430, 432 Dr. Moses E., . . . . . 1,8, 63, 144, 425, 470 Dr. Jesse, ........ 138, 425 Dr. William W., ....... 146,425 INDEX. Sweat Dr. John B., Mary, Hon. L. D. M., Swine, Taylor Jacob, Dr. William, Taxation 1790, 1803, 1817, Tibbets Andi-ew, Noah, Dr. B. L., . Thompson Eev. Wm. R., Thomas, Thurston Daniel, Titles, Early, Town Meetings, Business, 1785, Clerks, list of. Plan of, Towne John, . Towle Jonathan, . Dr. Samuel K. , Dr. Melville C, Capt. Harvey M., Mrs. Ada M. , Jabez, James, Family, Simeon, Albion, Levi, Geo. W., Transportation, . Tracy Patrick, Trueworthy J. W. , Tuck John, Hon. Amos, Samuel, . Genealogy, Edward, T 497 147, 431 r, 63, 128, 425, 473 . 211 2,8 . 135 203 204 204 . 190 23, 47, 431 154, 425 7, 10, 14, G7, 425 .238 . 206, 459 . 177 191, 202, 418 201,419 427 187, 188, 225 257 186, 190, 238 . V, 151, 425, 473 . 68,151,425 273, 420, 422, 425, 430 3 352 . 352 . 352, 407 . 206 31 . 190 463 . 195 188, 203, 204, 239 . 2,8,421,422,425 V, 7, 26, 315, 422, 425 60, 425 320 . 407 V, 473 498 INDEX. Varney C. C, Voters, .... Wadleigh Elisha, Elisha jr. , . E. S., . E. B., Dr. Daniel, Genealogy, . Waters Col., claims of, "Watson Dr. David, Washington Plantation, claims of, Wedgwood Joseph, Dr. John T., William B., . Miss Rose K., . M. E. J., . Dr. Silas B., Genealogy, Jesse, Lot, .... Noah, A. J., Weeks Prof. S. H., . Eliphalet, Maj. James, . . , Elder Samuel, Noah, . . . . Weeman C. E., . Welch Andrew, Wentworth Tappan, Thomas B., Zenas P., . Giles M., Family, John T., Whittier J. G., quotations from, Whitten Col. Simon J., Edwin A., . Henry, Genealogy, Willard M., ■^ ■w 224 . 203 206,239,283 . 286 2,3,8,295,422,425 . 2,8 140 . 409 . 202,418 . 152 . 202,418 . 2, 8, 45, 236, 349, 425, 427 3, 4, 6, 11, 152, 163, 428 . 45,61,425 6,11 46 143 . 410 . 186,234 186, 190, 238 206, 233, 457 . 473 . 153,462 . 237 . 237, 363, 420, 432, 436 186, 190, 202, 210, 217, 236, 362 . 205, 237, 429, 430, 431 . 234 205,236,453 . 304 . 2,8,421 63,425 305, 425, 473 . 412 257 . 14, 32, 33, 34, 141 205, 238, 319, 425, 430, 436 .229 473 . 412 450 INDEX. 499 Wiggin Bradstreet, ........ 234 Winthrop, 190, 333 ^N^athan, 206,233,333 Samuel, 17,42,57,333,422,425 William H., 132, 441 Family, 333,413 Wilson Joseph, ........ 236, 345 Rev. Adam, . . , ' . . . . . 269 Dr. Moses S. , . . . . . . . .149 Moses, ......... 345 Wild Animals, ......... 179 Wilkinson Plummer E., ...... . 450 Wolves, .......... 180 Women of Parsonsfleld, ....... 31 Woodman Jeremiah H., . . . . . . . .23 Woodsom Genealogy, ....... 413 Young W. Scott, . 423, 425 ERUATA. Page 137 For "Dor " read '' Doe." 156 For " David " Kimball, read " Jonathan." 275 For " .John I " Merrill, read " John J." 350 In 15th line for " 1776," read " 1777." .352 Last line, for " 1820 " read " 1821." 360 14th line from bottom, for " Merrill " read " Morrill." 370 19th line for " June," read " Jan." 391 Under " Parks " 2d line from last, for " 1880 " read " 1879." 391 Under " Parsons " for " See pages 340 to 350," read " 240 to 250." 407 1st line after " has one s.on " read, " Dorcas, residing with father, un- married; and a daughter, the wife of Jos. Lord of Newtield." 420 In foot note for ^ composing " read '' comprising." 450 14th paragraph, for " Gamer " read " Garner." i LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 013 995 656