I I I I II l! ! II I III ! J II I I I I 1 1 I tr I ttmmir**'**'*^*^ MM ¦ -2* ** 4K *nlt.t^lt* ". l5Sr- "r i ;> •I** U • ' * ll lifll^--> Ca X.X. ^2.0 ^- ^ 4*^^ "%<:.- --^ -r ^v QJC\^C^ (\/>J\.X)LX.J^ HISTORY OF BETHEL FORMERLY SUDBURY CANADA OXFORD COUNTY, MAINE ¦ 1768-1890 With a Brief Sketch of Hanover FAMILY STATISTICS Compiled by William B. Lapham 'And he called the name of that place Bethel." — Genesis xviii, 19. AUGUSTA, ME: PRESS OF THE JTAINE PARMER, 1891. copyhi&hted in isbi. BY ^AnLLIAM B. LAPHAM. riEniCiiTinN, To Mr. Timothy Api'leton (!hai"jian, mkuchant, OF MILWAUKEE, WI.SC(JNSIN, WIKJSE HONORED GRANDSIRE WAS AMONIl THE I'lOXEER SBTTLERS OF SUDBURY CANADA TO WHICH HE GAVE THE NA5IE OF BETHEL ; WHOSE FATHER SPENT HERE HIS YOUTH, HIS KARI.Y MANHOOD AND SOME OF HIS DECLINING YEARS, AND WHOSE KINDRED HAVE EVER BEEN AMONG THE FOREMOST CITIZENS OF THE TOWN ; WHOSE I'RE-EMINENT BUSINESS SUCCESS HAS AFFORDED HIM AMPLf; MEANS, AND WHOSE GENEROSITY HAS DISI'OSED HIM TO NUMEROUS DEEDS OF BENEVOLENCE AND CHARITY ; WHOSE LOYALTY TO THE HOME OF HIS ANCESTORS HAS BEEN PROVED ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS, AND THROUCill WHf^SK PUBLIC SPIRIT, THE PUBLICATION OF A iiiStoni of iethfl HAS BEEN RENDERED POSSIBLE, THIS \ OLUJIE IS MOST RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED AND DEDICATED BY THE COMPILER, \VM. B. LAPHAM. Augusta. Maine, Jan. 2, 1892. DR. WM, B. LAPHAM PREFACE In eighteen hundred fifty-nine and the year following. Dr. Nathaniel T. True published in the Bethel Courier of which he was editor, a series of articles which he called the history of Bethel. Perhaps a more appropri ate name would have been "materials toward a history of Bethel,'' for this it really was. In eighteen hundred seventy-four and Ave, the com piler of this volume, published in the Oxford Democrat, a series of articles entitled Early Bethel Families, in which most of the leading early families were written up. When Dr. True became disabled for work, he suggested that his material and mine be united and kept together until a history of Bethel could be published in book form. Accordingly he sent to me his gleanings, including the chapters in the Courier, with the request that I would make such use of them as I should deem best. I had had this material by me for more than ten years, adding to it from time to time, and arranging it in proper form, before any effort was made to have it printed. Meantime, Dr. True had passed to his eternal rest. It was not until the generous proposition was made by Hon. Timothy A. Chapman which was seconded by the town, that a way seemed opened for placing the history of Bethel in a substantial form to be preserved, and it is but simple Justice to Mr. Chapman to state here that but for him this volume could not have been printed at this time, and pej-haps never. Mr. Chap man has also contributed much more than any other to illustrate the work. Another person who has manifested a deep interest in the work is Hon. Lafayette Grover of Portland, Oregon, who in the high places he has filled and the esteem in which he is held, is second to no son of Bethel. He has contributed eight of the illustrations. Others have shown more or less interest in various ways so that the compiler has no special cause of complaint. The gleanings and gatherings by Dr. True have been of great service, though they have been used as material and most of it rewritten. It has been the desire of the compiler that Dr. True should have full credit for what he accomplished, and he consequently occupies a conspicuous position throughout the volume. Though not a native of the town, his name will ever be closely associated with the history of Bethel. It has been the aim of the compiler to group the matter which has come into his vi HISTORY OF BETHEL. hands in an intelligent manner, and by means of indexes, to secure easy reference. The loss of the plantation and a portion of the town records, has been seriously felt through all stages of the work. Such a loss is most unfortunate because irreparable. No doubt there are important omissions, for many things transpired in early Bethel of which no record was made, and it is too late to have the advantage of oral testimony. Some things of minor importance are necessarily left out, tor it is not pos sible to crowd all the incidents and doings of a town like Bethel into one volume, and keep it within reasonable dimensions. The records of some of the societies which have been established for a while and then have died out are not accessible, and so exact data concerning them could not be ob tained. They have either been mislaid or destroyed. Yet it is hoped that the intelligent people of Bethel will find many things here to interest them; that this volume will aid the venerable hi years, in recalling the almost forgotten incidents of their childhood days, and iu bringing before the mental vision, faces once familiar but long since lost to sight ; that the youug may here learn something of the privations and hardships to which their ancestors w ere exposed in making homes for themselves and for their posteritv in this wilderness, and finally, that its perusal may ]-e- sult in a more ardent love for the dear old town and a deeper veneration for those who founded it, and made it what it is. The personnel of the work has been made prominent, but I trust not unduly so, for the chief points of intei-est in a town's history are those which relate to the lives and doings of the principal inhabitants. Personal notices are brief and this has been necessary on account of the large number noticed. I have been deeply interested in my ^^¦ork, for all my early associations are with Bethel and her people. It was there that I attended the common schools and the acadenij^, and the school house still standing, where I first attended, is the same in which I first tried to teach. I have been familiar with Bethel for more than half its years. I remember the days of lum bering stage-coaches, and mails only once a week, of the hard times for fai-mers for want of a near market, of the great scarcity of money, and of enforced economy in household expenditures. I have witnessed all the great changes brought about by the introduction of railways, the tele graph and the telephone, and the application of steam power for pi-opel- liug machinery. I was acquainted with some of the early settlers, and when a boy, I heard from the lips of Nathaniel Segar, the story of his captivity. Of the second generation. I was ac(iuainted with most of them, in all parts of the town. Many years have elapsed since 1 ceased to be a resident; many familiar faces have gone out and many strangers have come in; a new generation has come upon the stage of action and many other and great changes have been wrought, yet my interest in the dear old town is unabated, for whatevei- changes may have taken place in pop ulation, till' river, the crystal brooks, the broad intervales, the hills and mountains and all the varied scenery remain the same, and after the lapse of all these years, can be called in review at will. During the pi'ogress of the work T have been laid under obligation to HISTOMY OF BETHEL. vii various persons, the chief of whom are Dr. John F. Pratt of Chelsea, Leonard B. Chapman of Deering, AddisonE. Herrick, Goodwin E. 'Wiley, Hon. Enoch Foster andLeander T. Barker of Bethel, Elbridge G. Wheeler and Oscar D. Grover of West Bethel, Virgil V. Twitchell of Gorham, N. H.', Asa P. Knight of Washington, D. C, and the librarian of the New England Historical and Genealogical Society of Boston. My thanks are also due to all who have aided in illustrating the volume aud thereby add ing to its interest and value. These almost speaking likenesses will grow dearer and dearer as the years roll by, while the glimpses of landscape beauty to those who have left the town, will be a constant reminder, and will serve to intensify the love and devotion for the scenes of their child hood days. And finally, to the discriminating judgment of Bethel people wherever they may be, this history is respectfully submitted, with the hope that those who have contributed to aid in its publication may feel that it has been profitably expended. WM. B. LAPHAM. Augusta, Me., January 1, 1892. ABSTRACT OF CONTENTS. Chapter I. Epitome of Maine History — The Northmen — Columbus — Other Early Voyagers — Claims to the Country — Colonization Schemes — North and South Virginia — The Colonies of Jamestown and Sagadahoc — Plymouth and the Massachusetts Bay — Maine ab sorbed by Massachusetts — The Separation — State Government organized — Maine in the War of the Rebellion. 1-18. Chapter II. Grants of Narragansett and Canada Townships — King Philips "War — Invasion of Canada by Sir Williams Phips — Seige and Capture of Louisburg — Grant of Maine Townships to Soldiers — Various Land Grants. 19-27. Chapter III. Sudbury Canada Grant — Petitioned for in 1737 and granted in 1768 — Petition of Josiah Richardson in 1767 — List of Original Petitioners — Additional Petitioners — The Proprietors' Records Lost^Joseph Twitchell of Sherbourn- — Early Conveyances — In habitants of Newry Petition. 19-27 Chapter IV. Natural Features — Metes and Bounds — Plans of the Township — Rivers — Mountains — Surface and Soil — Mineral Spring — Flora — Fauna. 29-36. Chapter V. First Settlers — Jonathan Keyes — Samuel Ingalls — Eleazer Twitchell — Benjamin Russell — Abraham Russell — James Swan — Jonathan HISrOBY OF BETHEL. ix Clark — Benjamin Clark— Jesse Duston — Nathaniel Segar — Amos Powers— John York— John Grover— Amos Hastings— Peter Austin. 37-45. Chapter VI. iSudbury Canada Attacked by Indians — Segar and the Clarks Cap tured — Jonathan Clark Returns — Account of the Journey to Canada with Incidents along the way — Arrive at Tribal Head quarters in Canada — Made Prisoners of War — Liberated and reach their old Homes in Newton. 45-51. Chapter VII. Defensive Measures — Great Consternation in the Plantation — Frye- burg Appealed to — John Grover the Messenger — Prompt Re sponse — Indians pursued but without avail — Fort erected and manned — Accounts for Servicfs Presented — Number Four Peti tioned for and refused— Roll of the Garrison. 53-61. Chapter VIII. JSarly Statistics — First Enumeration in 1790 — Direct Tax of 1798. 61-63. Chapter IX. Increase of Population and Incorporation — Where the early settlers lived — the Twitchell Mill — Jonathan Bean — Called Bethel ai the suggestion of Rev. Eliphaz Chapman — Act of Incorporation — First Town Meeting. 63-68. Chapter X. ¦Second Enumeration, 1800 — Large Increase in Population — Total, 622 69-70. Chapter XL The Androscoggin Indians — Worombq's Deed — The Pejepscots and Rockomekos — Their Corn fields in Bethel — Their hostility to the English — Euphonic Indian names — Lovewell's Fight — The Androscoggins emigrate to Canada — Molly Ockett — Metalluk — Various Other Indians who visited Bethel. 71-83. X mSTOSY OF BETHEL. Chapter XII. Military Affairs— Soldiers of the Revolution— Town Militia- Petition for .in Artillery Companj- — Commissioned Officers — War of 1812-16— Boundary Contest. 83-93. Chapter XIII. Travel and Mail Facilities— Post-riders— First Post Office— The Stage System — List of Post Offices and Postmasters. 93-97. Chapter XIV. Later Settlements — Intervales first settled — Francis Hemmingway — The "Whale's Back"— Abijah Lapham — Caleb Bessee — Berry Hill — Levi Berry and family — The Bryants, Jordans, Cushmaus, Birds and Estes — Kimball Hill— The Locke's Mills and Bean's Corner road — The River road — Jeremiah Andrews, Luther Bean, The Frosts, Howards and Bartletts — South Bethel, once Walker's Mills. 97-103. Chapter XV. A Chapter of Statistics — Settlement of Oxford County Towns — County of Oxford Erected — Its Original Towns — Towns since added — Population by towns 1790 to 1.S20 — Educational Matters in the County — Agricultural Statistics — Titles to the soil — Sales and Grants. IQh-Mi. Chapter XVI. Prominent Bethel Men Deceased — Jedediah Burbank — Barbour Bartlett — Lt. Jonathan Clark — George W. Chapman — Timothy Chapman — Robert A. Chapman — Elbridge Chapman — Elias M. Carter — Phineas Frost, Eli Foster, John Grover, Senior — Cuvier Grover — Tallyrand Grover — Israel Kimball Jr. — Ira C. Kimball. — John Kimball — Samuel Barron Locke — John Locke — Charles R. Locke — Moses Mason — Ayers Mason — Dr. N. T. True — Eleazer Twitchell — Eli Twitchell — Kzra Twitchell — Peter Twitchell— Joseph Twitchell — John A. Twitchell — James Walker — James Walker 2d — John Williamson. 113-156. Chapter XVII. Abstract of Town Records 1797-1850— Early Town Clerks— Char acter and ability of Town Officers— General Town Proceedings for half a century. 157-180. HISTORY OF BETHEL. xi Chapter XVIII. Picturesque Bethel — Its Beautiful Situation — Its Landscape Variety and Beauty — Its Fine Drives — Various Places Described — "From Sunset Rock Looking Westward" — Lucy Larcom's "On the Ledge". 189-197. Chapter XIX. Churches and Ministers — First Church, West Parish — Parson Brad ley — Rev. Daniel Gould — Abstract of Church Records — Rev. Charles Frost and other Ministers — Second Church — The Baptists — Act of Incorporation — Rev. Ebenezer Bray and others — Lists of Delegates — The Methodists — The Free Baptists — Universal- ists— Other Ministers. 198-241. Chapter XX. Physicians — Dr. Timothy Carter — Dr. Moses Mason — Dr. John Grover— Dr. Robert G. Wiley— Dr. Almon Twitchell— Dr. JoshuaFanning — Dr. Ozmon M. Twitchell — Dr. David W. Davis — Other Physicians. 241-254. Chapter XXI. Lawyers — William Frye — David Hammons — O'Neil W. Robinson — Richard A. Frye — Samuel F. Gibson— Enoch Foster — Moses B. Bartlett— Joel C. Virgin— Addison E. Herrick — Wm. C. Frye - Alonzo J. Grover — Albert S. Twitchell. 255-264. Chapter XXII. Bethel in the War of the Rebellion — Three Months Men — Company I, Fifth Maine — Other Bethel Organizations — Roll of Bethel Soldiers. 265-281: Chapter' XXIII. Educational Matters — Early Schools and School Houses— Prom inent Educators — Gould's Academy — List of Principals and Trustees — The Gould and other Legacies — State Aid— Alumni. 281-294. Chapter XXIV. Bethel Centennial — Organization for its Celebration — A Grand Procession — Dr. True's Address— Prof essor Chapman's Poem — Toasts and Responses — Letters. 295-332. -xii HISTORY OF BETHEL. Chapter XXV. Temperance Reform— Early Drinking Habits— The Lawyers Organ ize—The State Society— Early Societies in Bethel— The Wash- ingtonians — Sons of Temperance— Other Organizations— Bethel a Prohibition Town. 333-340. Chapter XXVI. David Robbins— His Appearance at Bethel— His Marriage— Moves to the Magalloway Country— The Lost Child— Found Among the Indians— Hinds and Cloutman— Perfidy of Robbins— Hinds and Son— Went Hunting and Never Returned— Arrest of Robbins — His Escape from Lancaster Jail— Death ofHis Wife. 341-361. Chapter XXVII. ;Sketches Personal — Eliphaz C. Bean — Timothy A. Chapman — Henry L. Chapman— Charles J. Chapman — Clark S. Edwards — Lafayette Grover— Abernethy Grover — David R. Hastings — Gideon A. Hastings — Sylvester Robertson — Ceylon Rowe — George M. Twitchell— Alice G. Twitchell. 361-^381. Chapter XXVIII. Industrial — Lack of Water Power — Early and Later Mills — Wool- carding and Cloth-dressing — Furniture — Tanning — Hotels — Traders — Steam Mills — Chnir Factory — Lost Industries — Potash Making and Shingle weaving — West Bethel — Blacksmiths — Other Trades. 381-390. Chapter XXIX. Real Estate Transfers— York or Cumberland— Jonas and Edward Bond— Early and Later Deeds. 391-398. Chapter XXX. Fraternal Societies — Free Masons— Odd Fellows — Grand Army of the Republic— Woman's Relief Corps — Knights of Pythias. 399-407. Chapter XXXI. Bethel Hill— Its Attractive Situation— The Common and Lands Bordering— Early Buildings— Transfer of Lots— Bethel Hill as Seen from Sunset Rock— Village Corporation — Water Company — Farmers' Club — Bethel Courier. 407-416. HISTORY OF BETHEL. xiit Chapter XXXII. Fragments — Dr. Mason's Wit — He goes to Congress — His Library — Uncle Ned's Tick Box — Novel Treatment of Neuralgia — Wild Pigeons — Bears — Death of James Mills — Caleb Bradley — The Great Freshet — Jonathan Bean — Indian Items — John Holt — Orren Foster's Terrible Experience — Celebration of the Anni versary of the Indian Raid — Trees Around the Common — Bethel Hill in 1859 — Bean's Corner — Washingtonian Movement — "The same to yourself. Sir"— David Marshall — Charge of Grover's Brigade — "Tommy" — The Last Wolves — Town of Mason — Town of Gilead — Hosea Ripley — "Seven by Nine Glass Boys, touch her off" — Jonathan Abbot Russell — A Beautiful View — Consider Cole— "Be you the Devil?" — Early Forest Fires — Joseph Wheeler — The Stalwart Grover Brothers — Dr. P. C. Wiley— The Village Blacksmith. 417-443. Chapter XXXIII. Official Register— Selectmen— Town Clerks — Justices of the Peace — Representatives — Senators — Councillors — Other State Officers. 443-447. Chapter XXXIV. Brief Sketch of Hanover— Its Component Parts — Howard's Gore — Abstract of Plantation Records — Incorporated as Han over — Town Officers — Patriotic Record. 447-465> HISTORY OF BETHEL. INDEX OF ILLUSTRATIONS. portraits. Jedediah Burbank 113 Dr. Silas P. Bartlett 470 Geo. W. Ghapman 115 Timothy Chapman 118 Robert A. Chapman 511 Dr. Thnothy Carter 2+2 Prof. H. L. Chapman 312 Timothy A. Chapman Frontis Charles J. Chapman 3fi5 Gilnian Chapman 507 < 'lark S. Edwards 367 Rev. H. C. Estes 237 Phineas Frost ^ 122 Abigail Frost 536 Enoch Foster 259 Rev. Charles Frost 212 William Frye 255 Lois Frye 538 Richard A. Frye ^ 295 Rev. Daniel Gould 210 Rev. David Garland 217 Gen. Cuvier Grover 126 Dr. John Grover 245 Mrs. Fanny Grover 548 Abernethy Grover 274 Lafayette Grover 368 Tallyrand Grover 288 Nathan Grover ^52 Lucinda Grover 552 David R. Hastings 376 Gideon A. Hastings 560 Ira C. Kimball 133 Ayers Mason 143 Dr. Moses Mason 243 Samuel D. Philbrook 597 Sylvester Robertson 606 Ceylon Rowe 379 Nathaniel T. True 144 Joseph Twitchell 153 Mary Twitchell 153 Peter Twitchell 151 Dr. Almon Twitchell 249 Albert S. Twitchell 263 George M. Twitchell 290 Alice G. Twitchell 380 Joseph A. Twitchell 633 VIEWS. Lot Plan of Bethel 29 Church at Middle Interval 40 Lt. Jonathan Clark House 40 River View— Mount Will '. . . 439 View on ( Jhurch Street 408 First Congregational Church 199 Eliphaz Chapman House 208 Bethel Hill from Sunset Rock 412 Gould's Academy 1860 285 Di'. Grover Place, now -'The Elms'" 384 Residence of A. E. Herrick 261 From Sunset Rock Looking Westward 197 Bethel House 584 Deacon Geo. W. Chapman Place, Gilead 116 'Gould's Academy 1890 416 HISTORY OF UETUKL. INDEX OF PERSONAL SKETCHES. Jonathan Bean 65 Jedediah Burbank 113 Barbour Bartlett 114 Rev. E. A. Buck 215 Rev. S. L. Bowler 21(1 Rev. Ebenezer Bray 220, 225 Rev. Wm. Beavius 226 Rev. Frank E. Barton 233 Rev. Nathaniel Barker 243 Dr. Zenas Bartlett 25;! Dr. Silas P. Bartlett 470 Moses B. Bartlett 260 Eliphaz ('. Bean 361 Jonathan (Jlark 40, 114 Benjamin Clark 41 Geo. W. Chapman 115 Timothy (Chapman lis Robert A. Chapman ll!i Elbridge (Jhapman 121 Elias M. Carter 121 Rev. Eliphaz Chapman 207 Rev. Calvin Chapman 2'M\ Rev. Ijawson Carter 2;!T Dr. Timothy Carter 242 Dr. Cullen Carter 253 Timothy A. Chapman :162 Henry L. Chapman 365 < 'harles J. Chapman 365 Jesse Duston 41 Rev. Arthur Drinkwater 225 Rev. Beuj. Dunham 226 Dr. David W. Davis 252 Rev. H. C. Estes 237 Rev. Sumner Estes 23!i Clark S. Edwards 367 Phineas Frost 122 Eli Foster 124 Rev. Charles Frost 213 Dr. .To.shua Fanning 251 Dr. .1. Henry Frost 253 William Frye 255 Richard A. Frye 258 Enoch Foster ' 259 Wm. C. Frye 262 Reuben B. Foster 532 ¦ John Grover 42 125 Cuvier Grover 126 Tallyrand Gi'over 132 Rev. Daniel Gould 210 Rev. Nahum P. Grover 217 Rev. David Garland 217 Rev. Alpheus Grover 239 Dr. .John Grover 245 Dr. Leander Gage 253 Dr. Chas. W. Gordon 254 Hamiiel F. Gibson 259 Alonzo J. Grovei- 262 Lafayette Grover 368 Abernethy Grover 376 Daniel Grout 544 Elijah Grover Jr ImX Nathan Grover 552 George W. Grover 5r)2-3 Amos Hastings 43 Rev. Samuel Haselton 229 David Hammons 257 Addison E. Herrick 261 David R. Hastings 376 Gideon A . Hastings 377 Samuel Ingalls 42 Israel Kimball Jr 132 Ira C. Kimball 133 Deacon John Kimball 134 Dr. .Tohn E. L. Kimball 253 Dr. Benjamin W. Kimball 253 Samuel Barron Locke 141 Dr. John Locke 135 Charles R. Locke 141 Rev. .John H. il. Leland 215 Da\ id Marshall 43 Metalluk 81 Moses Mason 141 Ayers Mason 143 Rev. Daniel Mason 225 Rev. .Tavau K. Mason 239 Dr. Moses Mason 243 Rev. Wellington Newell 240 Molly Ockett 78 Amos Powers 41 Benjamin Russell 89 Abraham Russell 40 Dr. (,'harles Russell 253 O'Xeil W. Robinson 258 Sylvester Robertson 378 Ceylon Rowe 379 .lames Swan 40 Nathaniel Segar 41 Eleazer Twitchell 39, 147 Peter Twitchell 64, 151 Di-. X . T. True 144 Eli Twitchell 149 Ezra Twitchell 150 .Joseph Twitchell 153 .Fohn A . Twitchell 154 Rev. Zenas Thompson 232 Dr. .Vlmon Twitchell 249 Di-. Ozmon M. Twitchell 251 Dr. William 'I'witchell 253 Albert S. Twitchell 263 Geo. M. Twitchell 379 Alice G. Twitchell 380 Joseph A. Twitchell 633 Joel ( '. Virgin 261 James Walker 154 .James Walker 2d 155 John Williamson 155 Rev. John B. Wheelwright 216 Dr. Robert G. Wilev 248 Dr. Wm. Williamson 254 .John York ' 42 CORRECTIONS AND ADDITIONS, Page 43, for Samuel Marshall, I'ead David Marshall. Page 85, 7th line fi-om bottom, for Daniel Grant read Daniel Grout. Page 259, 3d line from top, for one son, read one daughter. Page 473 — The record of the family of Henry Russell Bartlett is incom plete. In addition to the children there given, he had : iv Sebra Frank, b. Sept. 20, 1850, m. Clara A. Wilson. V Etta, b. Dec. 28, 1855, m. James M. Bartlett. vi Tavie, b. Aug. 30, 1857, m. Fred C. Bean, son of Eliphaz C. Bean Esq.. of East Bethel ; he resides on the homestead with his father. Page 626, 12th line from bottom, read, "she was drowned soon after." Page 502, John Chase who married for second wife, I^ouisa (Graves) widow of Charles Swan, had by this marriage : V Edgar E., b. Oct. 8, 1862. vi Harry C, b. April 16, 1866, m. Barker. vii Edith M., b. June 14, 1868. Page 537— The record of Rev. Charles Frost as there given, copied from the town records, is incomplete, and is completed here : Rev. Charles Frost was born in Limerick, Me., Jan. 12, 1796. He mar ried May 11, 1819, Lydia Fernald of Gorham, Me., who died in Bethel, Aug. 5, 1825. He married second. May 9, 1826, Lucinda M. Sheafe Smith who was born at Scarboro, Dec. 19, 1794. She was the daughter of Ezra. Smith of Hanover. Mr. Frost died Feb. 11, 1851, and his widow died Nov. 11, 1859. Children : i Mary D., b. April 12, 1820, m. Asa Thayer. ii Amanda Eliza, b. Feb. 21, 1823, d. July 18, 1827. iii James Henry Paine, b. May 24, 1825, m. 1st Margaret Johnson of Virginia ; 2d Mary Ames. By second marriage : iv Lydia Amanda, b, July 15, 1827, m. Rev. Wellington Newell. V Charles Ezra, b. Dec. 25, 1829. vi Lucinda Smith, b. July 6, 1832, d. Jan. 19, 1851. vii John Smith, b. Aug. 23, 1836, d. March 2, 1851. HISTORY OF BETHEL, CHAPTER I. Epitome op Maine History. HE early history of the coast of Maine is enveloped in mys tery. An Icelandic historian has claimed that the western hemisphere was discovered by his ancestors, and while the evidence he gives is by no means conclusive, based as it is upon tradition which did not become a matter of record until several cen turies after the incidents described are said to have transpired, yet there is some degree of plausibility in the claim. The Icelandic historian states that about the year of our Lord one thousand, certain Icelandic voyagers, some of whose names are preserved and are recorded in their sagas, left their island home in the arctic regions, sailed to Greenland, thence to Labrador, and subsequently made oft repeated voyages to the coast of New England, established colonies in Nova Scotia, and perhaps on the coast of Maine, and visiting Cape Cod gave to it the name of Vineland, on account of the abun dance of grapes they found growing there in a wild state. Historical students have differed with regard to the truth of these traditions, but a majority of them and among them some of the most eminent, have regarded the evidence as too shadowy and unsubstantial, to entitle them to confidence and give them a place in history. But the stories of early discovery on the New England coast by the Northmen have a decided mythological flavor, the geographical details being very vague, and the description of the country, its climate, soil, and its native population highly exaggerated if not wholly fictitious. I am aware that the interest upon this phase of 2 HISTORY OF BETHEL,. Maine history has been more active within a few years than form erly, though I do not know that any new evidence has been dis covered. Some of our leading Maine historians have become converted to this view, and while their opinions are entitled to great weight, I do not consider their arguments by any means conclusive. And whether it be true or not that the rude Northmen discovered and often visited the coast of New England, is a matter of very little importance save from a purely abstract historical standpoint. They left no lasting monuments of their occupancy, laid no claim to the lands discovered, and if they occupied portions of the land for a brief period at points along the coast, they thereby accom plished nothing in the interests of human advancement. It seems almost incomprehensible that people from Iceland should discover the coast of New England, remain here for a time unmolested and with no impediments in the way of a permanent occupancy, and then voluntarily return to their home in the arctic ocean with no apparent thought of reaping any permanent benefit from their discovery. But the subject is really of so little importance as to demand only a passing notice, and is only referred to because the Icelandic sagas giving accounts of these probably mythical voyages, have been translated and printed and have become a part of the literature of our day. It was from quite a different quarter of our globe that discoveries in the western hemisphere were made that resulted in peopling it with intelligent and civilized human beings. It was left for a famous Italian under the patronage of the King and Queen of Spain, to solve the great problem of a western hemisphere, and Christopher Columbus discovered the new world, for whose existence against violent opposition and even persecution, in the year of grace, one thousand four hundred and ninety- two. Five years later the elder Cabot sailed along our coast and described it to the entrance to Chesapeake bay. He was followed by various other voyagers who came in the interest of different nations. This gave rise to a san guinary contest for the possession of the country, more especially between England and France, which continued with varying suc cesses for more than a century and a half. The Indians took an important part in the contest and with them it was in part, a struggle for their very existence. The French early established missions among the Indians, and the Jesuits were untiring in their efforts to convert them. This was no difficult task, for the simple HISTORY OF BETHEL. 3 natives were charmed and awed by the imposing forms and cere monies of Catholic worship, and a large number of the eastern tribes became converts, and allies of the French. England and France claimed the country by priority of discovery, and no doubt both countries felt that they had just cause for their claims. The French claim was founded first on the discovery of the coast of Maine, by Verrazzano, in fifteen hundred and twenty-four, who named the country New France ; second, on the discovery, and occupancy of Canada in fifteen hundred and thirty-five, by Cartier ; third, the grant of Henry IV to DeMonts in sixteen hundred and! three ; fourth, the voyage and oceupaltion of the country under DeMonts and Champlain, and others who claimed under the same charter. The English defended their title on the following grounds t first the discovery of Cabot in fourteen hundred and ninety- seven ;. second, the possession of Newfoundland by Gilbert in fifteen hun dred and fifty-three ; third, the voyages and landings of Gosnold,. Pring, Waymouth and others, and fourth the charter of sixteen. hundred and six, and the occupation of the country by the Popham Colony in sixteen hundred and seven and subsequently, and by Gorges and others claiming under it. The great question between the two powers, as to the right of possession, turned on the occu pancy of the country under the charter. And as the French based their claim largely on the settlement under the charter of DeMonts in sixteen hundred and three, so the English claim was based upon the settlement in sixteen hundred and seven, under the Virginia charter of sixteen hundred and six. But as the charter of DeMonts had been revoked in sixteen hundred aud seven, and its rights con veyed by a new charter to Madame DeGuercheville, a strong advantage in the French claim was lost ; for the English claimed with great force that the English settlement under the English charter now gave them absolute priority and indisputable right. But the French did not so readily abandon their title. On the con trary, they pushed their settlements and arms and their missions to the western verge of their claims. A brief account of some of the early abortive efforts to make settlements along the Maine coast is of interest in this connection. In sixteen hundred and three. King Henry of France granted to one of his noblemen, Sieur de Monts, a territory in the New World known as "Cadie" or "Acadia," described as embraced between the fortieth and forty-sixth degrees of north latitude. The purpose of 4 HISTORY OF BETHEL. DeMonts was to found a colony here, and he immediately set about it. He equipped two vessels, and accompanied by several French gentlemen, among whom was Samuel Champlain, a distinguished navigator, sailed from France, April seven, sixteen hundred and four. He made his first headquarters upon a small island which he named St. Croix. It is situated in the St. Croix river, near the present boundary line between Maine and New Brunswick. His colony was finally established at Port Royal, near Annapolis, Nova Scotia. While coasting along through the Gulf of Maine, Cham plain discovered and named Mount Desert Island and Isle an Haut, giving them the names they still bear. Continuing, he entered the Penobscot which he described, and returning entered Sheepscot Bay, which he ascended as far as the northern extremity of Westport ; be descended the river on the west side of the island, passed close to Hockamoek point, pulled the vessel through the upper Hellgate, and entering the Kennebec river passed on to Merrymeeting Bay. The return was by the true channel of the Sagadahoc, and the fact that his was probably the first vessel that ever plowed the waters of this river, gives importance to the event in this connection. It was a small vessel called a pattache, and had on board some seventeen or eighteen men. The colonization scheme of DeMonts proved a failure, and prior to sixteen hundred and six, his charter had been revoked. It was at this time that Sir Ferdinando Gorges, Sir John Popham, Capt. Raleigh Gilbert and other distinguished Englishmen, began to take active measures for the settlement of the New Worl.., and two com panies were chartered, the one called the London Company, to plant colonies in Southern Virginia, and the other organized in Plymouth, England, was called the Plymouth Company and was to colonize North Virginia. This was the second attempt to establish a colony within the present limits of the State of Maine, the first being by DeMonts at St. Croix, as already stated. In the spring of sixteen hundred and seven, a plan was matured for establishing a colony on the Sagadahoc river. A hundred emigrants besides mariners were engaged for the enterprise, and all necessary supplies, including ordnance stores, were speedily secured. Two vessels were chartered, one commanded by George Popham and the other by Raleigh Gilbert. They sailed from Ply mouth, England, on the thirty-first of May, sixteen hundred and seven, and steered directly for the coast of Maine, then called HISTORY OF BETHEL. 5 North Virginia. They first touched at Monhegan Island, July thirty- first, and after exploring the coast and islands, they, on Sun day, August ninth, landed on an island which they called St. George, where they heard a sermon delivered by Mr. Seymour, their Chaplain. Stage Island, situated on the east side of the mouth of Kennebec river, is supposed to be the ancient St. George. It is related that they intended to make Stage Island the seat of their colony, and that they sunk wells and begun houses, but becoming satisfied that they could not have pure water from their wells, and for other reasons, they decided to make a change. Their vessels were anchored under Seguin Island on the fifteenth. This island was variously spelled "Sutguin," "Sequin" and "Seguin" by the early voyagers. On the same day, one of the ships, "The Gift of God," got safely into the river, and on the following day, the "Mary and John" came in, and both vessels came to anchor. On the seventeenth, in two boats, they sailed up the river — Capt. Popham in his pinnace with thirty persons, and Capt. Gilbert in his long boat with eighteen more. "They found it a gallant river; many good islands therein, and many branches of other small rivers falling into it." They returned, and on the eighteenth "they all went ashore, and there made choice of a place for a plantation, at the mouth or entry of the river, on the west side, being almost an island, of good bigness, in a province called by the Indians "Sabino," so called of a Sagamore, or chief commander, under the grand bashaba." There has been some disagreement among historians as to the precise spot where the colony was finally established, but it is described as on the west side of the river, at the mouth or entry, on a peninsula, and what better description of the territory, extending from the bluff, near the sea, to Atkins' Bay, could be given than is given here ? There can be no reasonable doubt that the peninsula, upon the easterly side of which stands the United States Fort, is the ancient Sabino, and the seat of the Popham Colony, subse quently known as the Sagadahoc Colony. Here they erected a commodious house and barn, a church, and quite a number of cheap cabins or huts, some say fifty in all. They also built a defensive work which they called Fort St. George. Here also they constructed a vessel, the first one built in New England, of about thirty tons, which they called the "Virginia." Little if any evidence remains at the mouth of the Kennebec of the existence of Popham's short- € HISTORY OF BETHEL. lived settlement, after the lapse of nearly three centuries, the shift ing sands having long since buried them froha human sight, but the "gallant river" so described, still flows on to the sea, and the ocean waves continue to beat and break upon the sandy beach, as they did on the day when the emigrants landed and planted their colony in the ancient and picturesque province of Sabino. When the Popham Colony broke up in sixteen hundred and eight, it has been said the French at once began to settle within their limits, though this is doubtful. The struggle, as already stated, was long and bitter, for both parties were impelled by self interest and pride, and by an assumed consciousness of right. The Great Charter of New England was granted in sixteen hun dred and twenty, while the pilgrims were on their passage to this country, and through the influence of Sir Ferdinando Gorges and his associates. The corporation was called the "Council of Ply mouth" in the county of Devon, England, and the charter granted the territory from the fortieth to the forty-eighth degree of north latitude. The southern limit was in the vicinity of Philadelphia, and the northern the Bay of Chaleur, and the grant extended through the mainland from ocean to ocean. In sixteen hundred ' and twenty-one, the Council of Plymouth granted to the pilgrims the lands which they occupied, and upon this charter as enlarged in sixteen hundred and thirty, all the legal land titles of the Old ¦Colony are based. In sixteen hundred and twenty-nine, the same Council granted to Wm. Bradford and his associates the territory on Kennebec river long known as the Plymouth Patent and subse quently as the Kennebec Purchase. Its bounds were somewhat indefinite on account of a lack of knowledge of the country by those who drafted the instrument, l)ut as finally settled in the courts, it embraced the lands on both sides of the river, fifteen miles in width, and extending from Merrymeeting bay to the falls below Norridge- wock. August tenth, sixteen hundred and twenty-two, a patent was granted to Sir Ferdinando Gorges and Capt. .John Mason, con veying to them the territory between the Merrimac and Kennebec rivers, to their farthest head and sixty-five miles inland, with all the islands within five leagues of the shore, which the indenture states, "they intend to call the Province of Maine." In March, sixteen hundred aud twenty-eight, a patent was granted to John Winthrop and his associates of the Massachusetts Bay, which was confirmed by royal charter the following year. In sixteen hundred HISTORY OF BETHEL. 7 and twenty-nine, Gorges and Mason divided their territory. Mason taking that portion situated between the Merrimac and Piscataqua rivers, which he named New Hampshire, and Gorges from the Piscataqua to the Kennebec. The French at this time claimed the Kennebec as the western boundary of Acadia. In their eagerness to settle the country and buUd up towns and cities in this wilder ness, the Council of Plymouth was careless and even reckless in making grants of land, often overlaying patents and ignoring boundaries of previous grants, thereby sowing the seeds of contro versies which yielded an abundant harvest, and were not settled for very many years. The Great Council of Plymouth having encountered many vexa tions, in sixteen hundred and thirty-five, agreed to surrender their charter, and determined to divide their territory into eight provinces, two of which were within the present limits of Maine. The region between the Kennebec and the St. Croix was to be given to Sir William Alexander, Earl of Sterling, and was to be called the county of Canada. The coast from the Kennebec to the Piscataqua and extending sixty miles into the interior, was assigned to Gorges and called New Somersetshire. Efforts were made by Gorges to establish a government in which he partially succeeded, but political dissensions in the old world unsettled everything there and in the new, and the troubles which arose from the grants previously made within this patent, induced him, in sixteen hundred and thirty-nine, to apply for a new charter which was granted by Charles I. It confirmed all the territory within his old boundaries on the coast and extended twice as far into the interior. He called this the Province of Maine. The terms of the Massachusetts charter established their northern boundary three miles north of the Merrimac river, "and each and every part of it." To this line all had agreed. But when Massa chusetts found it necessary to justify the seizure of Maine, her citizens conceived a new interpretation of the language describing the bounds. The river makes a right angle about thirty miles from its mouth, and from that point stretches almost due north ; so instead of a line three miles north of the river at its mouth, they took a point three miles north of its head waters, and from that run a line easterly to the sea, which would give them all of New Hamp shire, and a large part of Maine. In her aggressive movement for the capture- of Maine, the government of the Massachusetts Bay 8 HISTORY OF BETHEL. proceeded cautiously, but with a manifest determination to win. In sixteen hundred and fifty-two, she was at York and Saco. Four years after she had reached Falmouth. The next year an action was brought against Thomas Purchas at Brunswick, but he resisted and won his case in the courts. Then a new line was run to White Head Island in Penobscot bay. There was then an English settle ment at Pemaquid, which many claim was older than Massachusetts or Plymouth, and the new boundary was made to embrace it. It seemed to have made no difference that the territory east of the Kennebec belonged to the Duke of York. The Duke had purchased it from the Earl of Sterling in sixteen hundred and sixty-three, including all his American possessions, and the next year received a royal charter from his brother Charles II. Massachusetts pre pared to contest his title by occupation, and in sixteen hundred and seventy-four, set up a court and organized a local government at Pemaquid, naming the territory the county of Devonshire. The Duke contested until he ascended the throne as James II, when the territory was annexed to the Massachusetts Bay government. The eastern limit of Maine was first fixed at the Sagadahoc river, the name by which the Kennebec below Merrymeeting Bay was once called, then at the Penobscot, and finally at the St. Croix, as at the present time. The contest for Acadia as this Eastern territory was once called, as being the door to Canada by way of the St. Law rence, was long and bloody. Its importance as a vantage ground may be understood in the frequency with which it changed hands. It was in sixteen hundred and thirty-two ceded to the French by the treaty of St. Germains ; in sixteen hundred and fifty-five, it was repossessed by the English by conquest ; in sixteen hundred and sixty-seven, it was again ceded to the French by the treaty of Breda ; in sixteen hundred and ninety, it was reconquered by the English under Sir William Phips, a Maine man ; in sixteen hun dred and ninety-one, it was united to the Province of the Massachu setts Bay by the charter of William and Mary ; in sixteen hundred and ninety-six, it was virtually repossessed by the French, and Massachusetts surrendered it back to the Crown of England ; in sixteen hundred and ninety-seven, it reverted to France by the treaty of Ryswick ; in seventeen hundred and thirteen, it was ceded to England by the treaty of Utrecht; in seventeen hundred and fifty-five, the Acadians, who still maintained allegiance to France, were expelled ; in seventeen hundred and fifty-nine, it was confirmed to England at the capitulation of Louisburg and Quebec. HISTORY OF BETHEL. & But the contest between Massachusetts and the Gorges interest grew so bitter, and attracted so much attention in England, that commissioners were sent over by the crown to investigate the mat ter. Arms had already been resorted to, and the courts established by the Massachusetts Bay Colony were protected by troops. The question before the High Court of Chancery, the King in Council in sixteen hundred and seventy-seven, rendered the just and common sense decision that the north line of the Massachusetts Colony was- three miles from the north bank of the Merrimac river at its mouthy and the Province of Maine both as to soil and government, was the rightful property of the heirs of Sir Ferdinando Gorges. When this decision reached Boston, Massachusetts instructed her agent to make purchase of the title, and the heir of Gorges sold his interest in the Province of Maine for the paltry sum of twelve hundred and fifty pounds. But Massachusetts did not long enjoy her triumph,. for in June, sixteen hundred and eighty-four, the charter of the Massachusstts Bay was declared forfeited by the King, and a copy of the judgment was served a month after. King Charles died, and James succeeded him, and then were renewed those commotions and oppressions, which in this country were connected with the name of Sir Edmund Andros, and the attempt to consolidate and really sub jugate all the northern colonies ; and which in England resulted in the revolution of sixteen hundred and eighty-eight, the flight of King James and the accession of William and Mary of the House of Orange. At the accession of William and Mary, Massachusetts had every reason to expect to be restored to her ancient rights, but there were now numerous interests to be harmonized ; the sover eigns, though sympathizing with the Puritans, were unwilling to restore so liberal a charter, and one which had been so freely inter preted. There had come to be strong shades of difference in religious and political opinions among the colonists, but the late disturbances and common sufferings had the sentiment of a common cause and the need of unity. And so it happened, that in sixteen hundred and ninety-one, these elements, whether harmonious or dis cordant, Pilgrim, Puritan or Episcopalian, were bound together by a royal charter which consolidated the colonies of Plymouth, the Massachusetts Bay, the District of Maine, Sagadahoc and all of Acadia into one Province and under one title, the Province of the Massachusetts Bay. A few years later the Maritime Provinces were receded to the Crown. Maine was now in fact a part of 10 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Massachusetts, and the first Governor of the consolidated Provinces was Sir William Phips, a distinguished son of Maine. This rela tion existed for a hundred and thirty years, till eighteen hundred and twenty, when a separation was made by mutual consent, and Maine became an independent State. The colony at Saint Saveur was planted by the Jesuits, and destroyed by the English during the season of sixteen hundred and thirteen. Its site is still pointed out at Fernald's Point near the entrance to Somes' sound, and on Mount Desert Island, and the two springs described by Father Biard, one of the founders of the •colony, still supply the purest and coldest of water, though they are situated below high water mark, and cannot be seen at flood tide. A French Catholic mission was established on the Kennebec river in the present city of Augusta, in the autumn of sixteen hundred and forty-six. Father Gabriel Druillettes, who established this mission, was a Jesuit. He called it the "Mission of the Assump tion," and was in charge of it for several years. Like all of his associate Jesuits, he was an ardent worker and wholly sacrificed self to the good of the cause. He came here from Quebec by canoe and carry, a long and perilous journey through a broad and inhospitable wilderness. The black-robed Fathers continued their visits and' ministrations at this point for more than a century. Neither danger nor hardship ever appeared to cool the ardor or lessen the zeal of the apostles of the Jesuit school. The puritans from Plymouth had in sixteen hundred and twenty-eight, established a trading house at the same point then known as Cushnoc, with John Winslow in charge, and here in this wilderness Jesuit and Puritan met face to face. Their relations appear to have been very pleasant, for Father Druillettes speaks of being warmly welcomed at the English head quarters on several occasions. But how different their mission ! The self-sacrificing Jesuit is here to convert the heathen Indians, and lead them along the way to paradise ; the puritan comes to pro tect the material interests of Plymouth colony, and to trade and traffic with the Indians ; the one is ready to sacrifice everything, even his own life to promote the spiritual welfare of his charge ; the other is here for worldly gain, for the accumulation of perishable riches. When King Philip's Indian war broke out in sixteen hundred and ¦seventy-five, the coast of Maine was settled from the mouth of the Piscataqua to Penobscot Bay, but during this war the settlements were laid waste and the inhabitants either killed, captured or driven HISTORY OF BETHEL. 11 'away. Desolation reigned everywhere supreme. When the death of Philip brought this war to a close, many of the colonists returned and hoped to retain peaceable possession of their property, but in this they were disappointed. The contest for empire was continued with unabated zeal between France and England. The French held possession of the territory bordering upon the Saint Lawrence, and it was at Quebec, the headquarters of the Jesuits, that the raids upon the settlers of Maine were planned ; planned by the French and executed jointly by the French and Indians. Among the tribes that took part in these destructive raids were the Pequakets, whose headquarters were at Fryeburg, the Anasigunticooks or Androscog gins, who lived on the great Androscoggin river and the tribe whose headquarters were at Norridgewock. But the power of the Pequakets was broken by Lovewell and his brave compan ions in seventeen hundred and twenty-five, a few years later the Norridgewocks were coimpletely routed by Captains Har mon, Moulton and Bane, when the Jesuit Priest, Father Rasle, who had incited the Indians to slaughter the English settlers, was killed, and the Androscoggins fearing a like fate, deserted their ancient hunting grounds and removing to Canada, placed themselves under the protection of the French. Louisburg, the French stronghold in Nova Scotia, was captured by the army under Sir William Pepperell, in seventeen hundred and forty-five, and in seventeen hundred and fifty-nine, the army under the brave General Wolfe, on the Plains of Abraham, near Quebec, totally defeated the French under Mont calm, captured the stronghold and put an end to French rule in Canada. This desirable achievement was the beginning of a new and prosperous era in the history of Maine. New settlements were commenced in the interior along the banks of the principal rivers, deserted towns were repeopled, and the hum of industry was heard all along the line. Fryeburg, the first town granted and settled in what is now Oxford county, was settled in seventeen hundred and sixty-two, and Bethel granted in seventeen hundred and sixty-eight, was settled six years later. But in the midst of this general prosperity, the war of the revolution broke out which paralyzed all enterprises and put a stofj to all progress for the space of nearly eight years. Many who had just settled in Maine hastened to headquarters aud joined the ranks of the patriot army, and many others who were just on the point of coming, postponed it until the close of the contest or 12 HISTORY OF BETHEL. even more indefinitely. At the close of the struggle, which resulted so gloriously for the colonists, the tide of emigration turned toward the eastward with greater force than ever before. The soldiers had been paid in a depreciating and subsequently worthless currency, and were very poor. Massachusetts offered liberal terms if they would settle upon eastern lands, and they accepted and turned their faces toward the promised land, the new Canaan, in multitudes. Then it was that Gray, New Gloucester, North Yarmouth, Freeport and Fryeburg, became the rallying points for settlers who were on their way to the interior of Oxford County. Towns rapidly filled up and Bethel was peopled, largely by patriots of the war for inde pendence. The census of seventeen hundred and ninety showed that the District of Maine had a population of ninety-six thousand, five hundred aud forty. A decade later, it had increased to one hundred fifty-one thousand seven hundred and nineteen, and in eighteen hundred and ten, it was two hundred twenty-eight thou sand six hundred and ninety-four. Then came up the question of separation from Massachusetts, and the subject was agitated from time to time and voted upon, until eighteen hundred and twenty, when it became an accomplished fact. Massachusetts placed no obstacle in the way, and was rather pleased at the separation than otherwise. The convention to frame a constitution for the new state, convened in Portland, October eleven, eighteen hundred and nine teen. Dr. John Grover was the member from Bethel. It completed its work and adjourned October twenty-nine to reassemble January fifth following, to ascertain the result. It was found that the whole number of votes thrown in favor of the constitution, was nine thou sand and fifty, and against its adoption, seven hundred and eighty- six. William King was president of the convention, and was subsequently elected the first Governor of Maine. From sixteen hundred aud ninety-one, when under the new charter granted by William and Mary, the colony of the Massachusetts Bay including Maine, and Plymouth colony became united, to the year seventeen hundred and sixty, the county of York covered the entire District of Maine. At the later date, the county of Cumberland was erected and the county of Lincoln. York retained its present limits except it had the towns now in western Oxford. Cumberland extended to the Androscoggin river and northwardly to include some towns in the present counties of Oxford and Androscoggin, and Lincoln county embraced the rest of the District. Washington and HISTORY OF BETHEL. 13 Hancock counties were formed in seventeen hundred and eighty- nine ; Kennebec ten years later ; Oxford in eighteen hundred and five ; Somerset in eighteen hundred and nine ; Penobscot in eighteen hundred and sixteen ; Waldo in eighteen hundred and twenty-seven ; Franklin and Piscataquis in eighteen hundred and thirty-eight ; Aroostook in eighteen hundred and thirty-nine ; An droscoggin and Sagadahoc in eighteen hundred and fifty-four, and Knox in eighteen hundred and sixty. The State of Maine is situated between forty-three degrees, six minutes, and forty-seven degrees, twenty-seven minutes and thirty-three seconds of north latitude, and between sixty-six degrees, flfty-six minutes and forty- eight seconds, and seventy-one degrees, six minutes and forty-one seconds of west longitude. Its extreme length is three hundred and three miles and its breadth two hundred and eighty-eight miles, The people of the State are patriotic and loyal to the government, both state and national. In the war of eighteen hundred and twelve they were neither wanting nor tardy. In the war with Mexico many of our citizens joined the army, and in the war for the integrity of the union, no State has a more patriotic record.* Our agricultural and manufacturing resources are being constantly developed, railway facilities are annually improving, new industries are springing up on every hand, and willing hands find plenty to do at remunerative wages. Our educational system meets the demands of the people, and to conclude, we have an intelligent, thrifty and happy population. Maine has ever contributed her full share toward the public expenses and to the public defence, and as a State, has never been derelict 'in any duty. She has contributed thousands upon thousands of her hardy sons and daughters to peo ple the far west, and is proud of their achievements wherever they have lived. * The regular organizations whicti went lortli from Maine into the war for the suppres sion of the rebellion, were thirty-one regiments of Infantry, two regiments of cavalry, one regiment of heavy artillery and seven mounted batteries of light artillery, besides companies for Baker's Cavalry, sharp-shooters, unassigned companies and coast guards, numbering in the aggregate seventy-two thousand nine hundred and forty-five men, nearly seven thousand of whom were for the navy and marine corps. This does not talse into account the several thousands of natives of Maine who were residents of other states wlien the war broke out, and served upon their quotas. CHAPTER II. Grants of Narragansett and Canada Townships. the French and Indian contests which prevailed from the breaking out of King Philip's war in sixteen hundred and seventy-flve, to the fall of Quebec in seventeen hundred and fifty-nine, the soldiers of the colony of Massachusetts Bay, including the Province of Maine, bore a conspicuous and an honorable part. In fact, they formed the back-bone of the Eng lish armies operating against Canada, and sometimes the head and front. The trained soldiers of Great Britain, however brave they may have been, and of their courage and bravery there was never any question, were not familiar with Indian warfare, and always met the wily foe at great disadvantage ; while the men of New England brought up in the forest and trained to every species of woodcraft, could generally cope successfully with the aboriginal inhabitants, and being better armed and equipped, could beat them in their own shrewd tactics. The capture of Louisburg, that stronghold at Cape Breton which was regarded as impregnable, was accomplished by New England troops, under the leadership of Sir William Pepperell, a Maine man, and in all the engagements in the Maritime Provinces, around Lakes Champlain and George, and in the various expeditions against Canada, Massachusetts men formed no small part cf the invading forces and were ever conspicuous for their bravery. King Philip's war was successfully brought to a close by the combined efforts of Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut. The well-planned expedition against Canada in sixteen hundred and ninety, under the leadership of Sir William Phips, a native of Maine, resulted disas trously. Many of the soldiers never lived to return to their homes, and many of those who did return, on account of the hardships and suffering they endured, were merely wrecks of their former selves. 16 HISTORY OF BETHEL. In the early times, the Colony of the Massachusetts Bay had little money with which to reward her soldiers and provide for the families of those who died in the service, but of land the colony had an abundance and was very liberal in bestowing it. To compensate the soldiers in King Philip's war, also called the Narragansett war, ¦seven townships were surveyed and granted, of which two were in the district of Maine. The present town of Buxton was laid out as Narragansett number one, and the town of Gorham as Narragan sett number seven. The other Narragansett townships were in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Another and larger class of townships was granted on petition, to the descendants of those who accompanied Sir William Phips in the Canada expedition in* six teen hundred and ninety, and these were called Canada townships. Eight of these latter townshiiDs were laid out in New Harhpshire from territory then claimed by Massachusetts ; five of these were held by the grantees under an arrangement subsequently made with the Masonian proprietors, and the proprietors or grantees of the other three, after many years had elapsed, took grants of eastern lands in lieu of those they could not retain. These three grants are now the towns of Bridgton, Waterford and Turner. Five original ¦Canada townships were also laid out in Maine, making eight in all of this class of townships within the limits of our State. The Canada townships granted fiom New Hampshire lands by the gov ernment of Massachusetts, were granted between seventeen hundred and thirty and seventeen hundred and forty, while those laid out originally in Maine, were granted some thirty or forty years later. Besides the name "Canada," some of these townships were given the names of the towns from which the soldiers served, while others took the names of the captains under which they served, while still others had no special designation. Turner was called Sylvester Canada, in honor of Captain Sylvester, while Jay, which once in cluded the present town of Canton, was called Pl-ips Canada, in honor of Claptain David Phips. Livermore was granted for services at Port Royal, and Port Royal was the plantation name of the place. Paris was granted in lieu of a township granted from New Hamp shire lands, but for what military service, if any, cannot be ascer tained. The colony of the Massachusetts Bay granted about forty townships from lands which proved to be in New Hampshire, while the contest for the settlement of the boundaries of those states was going on. The object of hurrying up these grants was probably HISTORY OF BETHEL. 17 two-fold. The first was to get actual possession of the territory in dispute which is always regarded as equivalent to several points in law, and the second to plant colonies and people them as a barrier against invasion by the Indians from Canada. When King George II, to whom the matter had been referred, decided in favor of the Masonian proprietors, these townships were granted to other grantees which caused litigation and trouble which continued for half a century. Concord in New Hampshire was twice granted, and to compensate the first set of grantees, Massachusetts gave them a tract of eastern lands, now the town of Rumford. It is probable that the generous spirit manifested by Massachu setts in granting eastern lands was not entirely unmixed with self- interest. In addition to a desire to reward those who had fought her battles and driven the savages out of her jurisdiction, there was a desire to develop her vast resources by extending the borders of civilization into the wilds of the District of Maine, so that not only bodies of men, but private individuals, provided there was the least foundation for a claim, were successful. Samuel Jordan of Bidde- ford and Christopher Baker, who had been carried away captive to Canada and had returned ; Richard Cutt of Kittery, who for ten years had been confined to his bed from wounds ; Ruth Lee, who had lost her husband in the Port Royal fight ; the children of Major Converse who had lost their father in the Indian wars ; and Richard Tozier of Berwick who had suffered grievously from the savages ; all of these and many others obtained grants of land, varying in area from one to two hundred acres or more, which they were em powered to select from any of the unappropriated lands in Maine. Any person severely wounded, bereaved of husband or father, made cripple or captive, was upon request properly presented, sure of receiving the legislative bounty in wild lands. There was a stand ing committee on lands, through which all grants were made, whose favorable report at this time and subsequently, was considered a good and sufficient reason for favorable action on the part of the legislature, and such reports were passed upon without question or delay. When a township was granted there were always certain conditions attached, and these conditions disclose in plain terms the real animus of the grants. The grantees were obligated to secure a certain number of actual settlers upon the grant within a given time ; to guarantee that a house of public worship should be erected and a regular ordained minister be settled. Reservations were al- 2 18 HISTORY OF BETHEL. ways made for the benefit of Harvard College, for the first settled minister and in aid of public schools. With this brief outline sketch of soldiers' land grants, we are prepared to enter understandingly upon the subject of the grant to the heirs of Sudbury, Massachusetts men, who were with Governor Phips in the Canada expedition of sixteen hundred and ninety. CHAPTER III. Sudbury Canada Grant. S early as seventeen hundred and thirty-seven, the descend- ¦:q^^ ants of those who went from Sudbury, Massachusetts and ^¦"^¦^ adjacent towns, on the Canada expedition in sixteen hun dred and ninety, petitioned the Massachusetts legislature for a township of land, but for some reason not now apparent, the prayer of the petition was not granted. Soon after this the boundary be tween Massachusetts and New Hampshire was settled against the interests and claims of the former, leaving that State with no lands to grant, except those in the District of Maine, where, on account of the hostile attitude of the Indians, except along the coast, new settlements could not, with any degree of safety, be established. So the Sudbury claimants allowed the subject to rest, except an OQcasional reminder, until the conquest of Canada had been accom plished, when many of those who first petitioned had deceased. Some of them however, survived, and among them, Josiah Richard son, whose affidavit with that of Ebenezer Bartlett and Norman Clark of Newton, and Nathaniel Eames, is in the Massachusetts archives, and reads as follows : "I Josiah Richardson, of lawful age, do testify and say that ever since the year 1737 I have acted as an agent for a number of Petitioners whose Ancestors were in the Expedition to Canada in the year 1690, and in the year 1737 I in behalf of myself and my associates preferred a Petition to the Honorable Great and General Court prajang for a grant of land to be made to us on account of our said Ancestors being in the said Expedition, (as many others had) for their great suffering and Service in the said Expedition, and that by a great number of Memorials I have renewed the said Petition from time to time and now I do testify and declare that to my certain knowledge there never as yet has been any grant of land made to them on account of their Ancestors being in the said expedition. Witness my hand this 23d day of May, 1768. (Signed) JOSIAH RICHARDSON. 20 ' HISTORY OF BETHEL. Middlesex ss. May ye 23d, 1768. The above said Josiah Richardson personally appeared before me, the subscriber, one of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the County of Middlesex, and after being carefully examined and duly cautioned to testify to the truth, made oath to the truth of the above declaration above- said by him subscribed before me, JOSEPH BUCKMINSTER." "We the subscribers whose naines are hereto written, do testify and say that neither we nor our Ancestors ever had any Grant of land made to us on account of our Ancestors being in the Expedition to Canada in the year 1690. Witness our hands this 23d of May, 1768. (Signed) NATHANIEL EAMES, on the right of Nathaniel Eames, And on the right of John Jaquith." Ebenezer Bartlett, Norman Clark. PROVINCE OF THE MASSACHUSETTS BAY. To his Excellency Francis Bernard, Esq., Captain General and Com mander in Chief in and over His Majesty Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England, and Vice Admiral of the same, and to the Honorable, His Majesty's Council, and to the Honorable the House of Representatives in the Great and General Court assembled at Boston on the 27th day of JVIay ^'Luno. Domini. 1767. Josiah Richardson of Sudbury, in the County of Middlesex, Esq. and Agent for a number of Petitioners whose Ancestors were in the Expedi tion to Canada in the year 1690. Humbly remind your Excellency and Honors, that in the year 1737, a number of men whose names are hereunto annexed, Preferred a Petition to this Honorable Court for to have a Grant of Land for a Towmship, to be Layed out in the unappropri.T,ted land within the said Province, as many others for the same merit before had township Granted to them ; and this Honorable did then sustain the Petition and then ordered the said Peti tioners to make out and prove their Claims that their Ancestors were in the said Expedition and come and they should be heard with -svhich order of Court the said Petitioners fully complied, aud at a great cost proved their Claims. Since which by a number of Memorials to this Honorable Court the said Petition has been revived, but the said Petitioners have not as yet had any Grant of Land made to them on that account and by reason of the Wars and of the Townhouse being burned the same Petition has not of late been moved to this Honorable Court, but since this Honorable Court in their great wisdom and justice was pleased on the 24th day of June, 1764, to make a Grant of a Township of land to Captain William Raymond and Company for the same merit which your Memorial is now HISTORY OF BETHEL. 21 plead; and now your Memorialist, in behalf of himself and Company Humbly pray that your Excellency aud Honors would take the premises under your wise and just consideration and make us a Grant of Land for a Township as you was pleased to do to the said AVilliam Raymond and Company, and your Memorialist, in behalf of himself and Company shall ever pray. (Signed) JOSIAH RICHARDSON, Agent for said Petitioners. A list of the names of the original petitioners is also on record in the handwriting of Josiah Richardson, in the Massachusetts archives, but the original petition bearing their names cannot be found. This list of names is here given : James Taylor on his own right. John Osland on his own right. John Mixer on his own right. John Jones on his own right. John Green on the right of William Green. John Green on the right of John Green. Ephraim Twitchell on the right of Joseph Twitchell. Isaac Sheffield on the right of William Sheffield. Palmer Golding on the right of Edward Clap. James Moor on the right of George Walker, Jr. Ebenezer Flagg on the right of Richard Flagg. Daniel Moor on the right of Jacob Moor. Joshua Kibby (Kilby?) on the right of Lodwick Dowse. James Taylor on the right of Nicholas Fox. Nathaniel Morse on the right of same. Charles Richardson on the right of Samuel Ring. Thomas Macke on the right of Timothy S. (illegible). Richard Ward on the right of Obadiah Ward. Daniel Brewer on the right of same. Samuel Green on the right of Joseph Green. Samuel Stone on the right of same. Joseph Stone on the right of Samuel Parkhurst. Mich Stone on the right of Daniel Stone. John Wesson on the right of Samuel Wesson. Ebenezer Twitchell on the right of Edward Twitchell. Richard Burt on the right of Thomas Burt. Daniel Mackdafillin on the right of Robert Mackdafillin. Joseph Meriam on the right of Robert Meriam. 22 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Peter Grout on the right of John Cotter. Samuel Graves on his own right. Joseph Trumbull on the right of Joseph Trumbull. Ebenezer Rice on the right of Ebenezer Rice. John Cogin on the right of John Cogin. Caleb Bridges on the right of John Bridges. Abner (illegible) on the right of John Fay claimed by Palmer Golding. John Fay on his own right claimed by Palmer Golding. Samuel Lyscom on the right of his father. Nathaniel Dike on his own right claimed by Palmer Golding. Daniel Walker on his own right. John Woodward on the right of Joseph Moor. Daniel Walker on the right of Thomas Axdill. Ebenezer Corey on the right of Thomas Corey. James Patterson on the right of Andrew Patterson. Amos Hide on the right of Daniel Hide. Norman Clark on the right of Daniel Maekey. Ebenezer Corey on the right of Samuel Page. Peter Bent on the right of Hopestill Bent. Edward Ward on his own right. James Patterson on the right of Andrew Patterson. Noah Parker on the right of Eleazer Hide. Joseph Bartlett on his own right. John Clark on the right of John Clark. Samuel Parris. Jonathan Parker on his own right. Ezra Holbrook on the right of John Holbrook. A true copy examined by me, JOSIAH RICHARDSON, Clerk of the Petitioners. Additional Petitioners. Nathaniel Eames on the right of Nathaniel Eames. Nathaniel Eames on the right of John Jaquith. Isaac Baldwin on the right of Abraham Bryant. Joseph Harrington on the right of his father, Joseph Harrington. David Woods on the right of his uncle Woods. Isaac Rice on the right of his uncle Joseph Rice. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 23 Moses Bellows on the right of his uncle. Samuel Whitney on the right of Joseph Beach. James Fowle on the right of James Fowle. Jonas Bond on the right of Jonas Bond. Josiah Fuller on the right of Joseph Win (illegible) . Thomas Harrington on the right of Daniel Harrington. Joshua Fuller on the right of Joseph Winter. John Temple on the right of his father Richard Temple. Joseph Noyes on the right of Moses Noyes. Nathaniel Sparhawk on the right of Nathaniel Sparhawk. David Coney on the right of Richard Coney. Samuel Fuller on the right of Richard Park. Joshua Fuller on the right of Nathaniel Morse. Joseph Morse on the right of Joseph Morse. In the month of June, seventeen hundred and sixty-eight, long delayed justice was done, and a township of land by the name of Sudbury Canada was granted, situated on both sides of the Amari- scoggin river, in the supposed county of Cumberland and District of Maine. The township was to be surveyed and run out six and three-quarters miles square, and was not to interfere with any previous grants. The first meeting of the proprietors of which there is any record, was holden on the fifth of December, seventeen hundred and sixty-nine. It may as well be stated here as else where, that the proprietors' records, if they are in existence, have not been seen by any parties in interest in Maine for nearly a century. The plantation records as an entirety, and also the records of births, marriages and deaths for the first five years of the town, disappeared from mortal sight at the same time as the records of the proprietors. I remember of having heard it stated many years ago, that these proprietors and plantation records were destroyed purposely, by fire. The reason assigned was that there had been some irregularities in the proceedings, that some of the holdings of certain of the early proprietors were jeopardized and litigation threatened, which rendered it for their interest to have all record evidence put out of sight. This story is not given here as history and the names of the persons implicated by it are withheld, for without positive proof, no person should stand accused of so flagrant an offence against the people of the town and their posterity. The loss of these records is keenly felt in the preparation of this work. 24 HISTORY OF BETHEL. for the doings of the proprietors and the assignment of rights is a matter of great interest. At the meeting of the proprietors already referred to, the following document which being a matter of record, is preserved for us, and this is all : "Whereas the proprietors of a Township of land granted by the General Court to Josiah Richardson and his Associates of the con tents of six miles and three-quarters square and is now Layed out on Amariscoggin river, in the county of Cumberland, and at a meeting of the said proprietors of said Township on the Fifth of December A. D., 1769, they did order their committee to Post and Sell every of the said proprietors' rights that Had not Payed their tax of Fourty Shillings taxed on their Rights, and we Josiah Rich ardson, Esq., and Cornelius Wood, gentlemen, both of Sudbury, and Josiah Stone of Framingham, gentleman, all of the county of Middlesex, the said Proprietors' committee by them chosen to sell the delinkquent Proprietors' Rights who had not paid said Tax ; and we having first observed the directions of the law in that, case made and provided send greeting : Now know ye that we the said Josiah Richardson, Esq., Cornelius Wood and Josiah Stone, gentle men, all of the County of Middlesex and the Province of the Massa chusetts Bay in New England, In our said Capacity, for the consid eration of the sum of four pounds and one shilling to us in hand well and Truly Payed, before the ensealing and delivery hereof, by Joseph Twitchell of Sherbourn in said County of Middlesex, gentle man, the receipt whereof we do hereby acknowledge and for that consideration Do sell and confirm to him the said Joseph Twitchell and to his heirs and assigns forever, two Whole Rights in the said Township the first lott of one Right is No. 9 on the South side of the River and was drawn on the Right of Joshua Kibby (or Kilby) ; the first Lott of the other Right is No. 13 or the fourth lott on the East end and was drawn on the Right of Nathaniel Morse." The deed closes in the usual form, is signed by each member of the committee, March twenty-first, seventeen hundred and seventy, witnessed by Peter Beth and Cyprian How and acknowledged March twenty-sixth, before John Noyes, Justice of the Peace. Similar meetings were held in the years following, chiefly for the purpose of selling the rights of those who neglected to pay their taxes. None of the original grantees ever settled in the new town ship. Some of them sold their rights for a small consideration ; many allowed their lands to be sold for taxes, and a few sent their HISTORY OF BETHEL. 25 sons to occupy their Rights. Joseph Twitchell of Sherbourn was a man of affairs. He was chosen President of the Proprietors and took great interest in the plantation. He became a very large proprietor by bidding off lands sold for taxes and by purchasing Rights of others, so that he had a nearly controlling interest in the soil. Four of his sons became residents of Sudbury Canada, and spent the remainder of their days here. Joseph Twitchell was born in Sherbourn, Massachusetts, February thirteen, seventeen hundred and eighteen. His emigrant ancestor, Joseph Twitchell or Tuchill, settled at Dorchester and there took the freeman's oath May four teen, sixteen hundred and thirty-four. He had a son Joseph who united with others to extinguish the Indian titles in Sherbourn, and who had a son Joseph born in sixteen hundred and eighty-eight who married Elizabeth Holbrook and was the father of Joseph Twitchell, the large proprietor of Sudbury Canada. He was the fourth in descent from the immigrant Joseph through an unbroken line of Josephs. His children and posterity will be given in another place. Rev. Abner Morse, the historian of Sherbourn, thus embalms his memory : "Tradition has brought down a high character for this- man (Captain Joseph Twitchell) and the record confirms it. He was Captain of the Militia, Commissary for the Army in the war of seventeen hundred and seventy-six, Town Clerk, Representative and Magistrate, and the leading man of the town until succeeded by his half brother, Hon. Daniel Whitney." His home in Sher bourn was on the east side of a place still known as "Dirty Meadow," on the south side of a steep, rocky hill. Among the trusts imposed upon him, was the guardianship of the Natick Indians, in settling their estates. Long after these estates were settled and he had deceased, the Indians were in the habit of coming to the old homestead then occupied by his son Peter, to see if there was not still something due them. Joseph Twitchell had been on a business trip to Halifax, and while returning, the vessel in which he sailed encountered a violent storm, lost her rudder and become unmanageable. The captain was in utter despair and considered his ship as good as lost. Captain Twitchell examined the nature of the accident, and at once suggested a remedy ; a man was suspended head foremost over the stern of the ship, being held by his ankles, and in that position, cut a hole through the ship by means of an axe, into the cabin, and through this he fastend a temporary tiller by means of which the 26 HISTORY OF BETHEL. vessel arrived safely in Boston harbor. At a meeting of the pro prietors holden April sixth, seventeen hundred and seventy-four, it Tvas voted to sell to Captain Joseph Twitchell, lot number twenty- four in the third range, and lot number twenty-three in the fourth. This was known as the Mill Lot and embraced not only the mill privileges at the south and west of Bethel Hill, but nearly all the land upon which the village stands. The sum paid was flfteen pounds in silver. This property passed to his son Eleazer Twitchell, who erected here that same year the first mill built in the town. Captain Joseph Twitchell died at Sherbourn of apoplexy, March twelve, seventeen hundred and ninety-two. The Rights of nine of the proprietors, namely, Nathaniel Dike, Richard Ward, Edward Clap, James Paterson, John Fay, Joseph Meriam, Abner Newton, Joseph Trumbull and Daniel Walker, were drawn by Elijah Liver- more of Waltham, and in seventeen hundred and seventy-four, sold by him to Aaron Richardson and Jonathan Clark of Newton, for the sum of one hundred and eighty pounds, lawful money. Joseph Twitchell, Esq., and Isaac Fuller were appointed a committee to run out the township and divide it into lots. The surveyors, who ever they were, who performed the work, paid but little regard to the prescribed limits of six and three-quarter miles square. They •extended their survey along the river in order to include all the good interval possible, for a distance of more than flfteen miles. The intervals were at that time covered by a heavy growth of white pine which was ancther inducement for the surveyors to overstep their prescribed limits. The interval lands were first surveyed into long, narrow lots containing forty acres each. The upland was divided into lots of one hundred acres each. The following quitclaim deed possesses interest as probably being the earliest conveyance by deed of Sudbury Canada lands : "Know all men by these presents, that I Ebenezer Twitchell of Sherbourn in the county of middlesex and province of massachu- setts Bay In New England, Husbandman, In consideration of six shillings Lawfull money paid me by Joseph Twitchell of Sherbourn aforesaid, gentleman, Have Remissed, Released and forever quit claimed and by these presents for myself my Heirs do Remiss, Release and for Ever quitclaim unto the said Joseph Twitchell and His Heirs forever, all my Ritte and title to a Township of Land granted to Josiah Richardson and others, June, 1668, whose ancis- tors ware for the Expedition to Canada in 1690, together with all HISTORY OF BETHEL. 27 the Rite title and Interest use and property Clame and demand whatsoever." The deed is signed by Ebenezer Twitchell, Septem ber seventh, seventeen hundred and sixty-eight, within three months from the date of the grant. It was witnessed by Ebenezer Twitchell and Abijah Twitchell, and acknowledged two years later, before Joseph Perry, Justice of the Peace. As originally surveyed, the base line of Bethel ran east twenty degrees north, but there is now a variation of about two degrees. The following paper copied from the archives of Massachusetts, indicates a desire on the part of the settlers of Sunday River Planta tion, now the town of Newry, to unite with Sudbury Canada, and is valuable as showing who were the settlers in Newry at the date specified : "Commonwealth of Massachusetts. To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives i?i General Court assembled at Boston, May 30th, 1787. The Petition of Jonathan Barker and others. Humbly Sheweth, that whereas there is certain tract of unappropriated lands lying between the mountains northerly of a township granted to Josiah Richardson and 'Otliers, lying on Andrewscoggin river and joining to a Grant laid out join ing to said township. Said unappropriated land contains eight hundred acres and lyeth on a small river that comes off the mountains and is sur rounded with mountains on every side except that end that joins to the ¦Grant aforesaid, so that it cannot be convenient to be joined to any Town ship except it be that, that was laid out on Andrewscoggin river as afore said, and as your Petitioners are inhabitants of said tract of land and have •done much labor thereon for seven years last past they conceives it would be reasonable that they should have a Grant of the same. Your Petitioners therefore prays that your Honors would grant the said tract of unappro priated lands to them, so that they may have a lawful claim to the same, ¦either by way of purchase or some other way, as you in your great -^visdom shall see fit and as in duty bound prays your Petitioners. (Signed) Jonathan Barker, Jonathan Barker, Jr. Benjamin Barker, Benjamin Sleeper, Samuel Barker, Joseph Jackson, Nathaniel Spofpord, Jesse Barker, Abner Foster, Simon Epes Barker." CHAPTER IV. Natural Features. HE town of Bethel is situated in north latitude forty-four degrees and twenty minutes, and in longitude west from Greenwich, seventy degrees and fifty minutes. The lines as described above, cross each other not far from the center of the town. It is situated on both sides of the great Androscoggin river, and is irregular in its shape. Its greatest length by a line drawn from the point where the Grand Trunk railway passes into Gilead, to a point bounded east by Rumford aud north by the Androscoggin river, is about ten and one-half miles, and its greatest width by a line drawn from Newry line, near the mouth of Bear river, to Greenwood line near Locke's Mills, is about six and a half miles. Its average width is about five and a half miles, and its average length about nine and one-half miles. The area of the town is about fifty-two and one-fourth square miles or thirty-two and one- fourth thousand acres.* The town is bounded on the east, one mile and two hundred and eighty rods by Milton Plantation, and two miles and two hundred and sixty rods by Rumford ; on the north, five miles and two hundred rods by the Androscoggin river, which forms the dividing line between Bethel and Hanover, and six and one-half miles on Newry ; on the west, two miles and two hundred •*There are three plans of Sudbury Canada in the Massachusetts archives. The first was made by Captain Joseph Twitcliell in seventeen hundred and sixty -nine, the year after the township was granted. This is a rude plan, showing only the outline of the town, its boundaries and tlie course of the i-iver. No ^intensions are given. Tlie next was made by Colonel Eli Twitchell in seventeen hundred and niuety-flve. This is also an outline plan, but it gives the dimensions as fourteen hundred and sixty-two rods on the west, thirty-two hundred and fifty rods on the south, nineteen hundred and ninety rods on the east and thirty-five hundred and five rods on the north. A road is described following the general course of tlie river on the south side, from Gilead to Rumford. A road is also marked leading from the mills up Mill brook, and is marked "road to Port land eighty miles." Fourteen islands are marked in the river. Upon the earliest plan, a brook flowing northwardly along Gilead line and into the river is called Brackett's brook." The third plan was made and returned when the town was incorporated, and does not differ materially from the second. No lot plan is on file. 30 HISTORY OF BETHEL. and sixty rods by the east line of Gilead, one and one-fourth miles by Fryeburg Academy grant, and one mile and two hundred and forty rods by Mason ; on the south, three miles and two hundred rods by Albany, the same distance by Greenwood, and two miles and two hundred and twenty rods by Woodstock. The principal river is the great Androscoggin, which enters the town from Gilead near the middle of the southerly line of that town, and for two miles and a half, pursues nearly a due easterly course. It then runs obliquely across in a southeasterly direction about two and one-half miles to a point nearly opposite Bethel Hill, where, describing an angle of about seventy-five degrees, it pursues a north northeasterly course with some slight variations, five miles to the mouth of Bear river near Newry corner, where it approaches very near to the south line of Newry. At the mouth of Bear river, the Androscoggin, describing nearly a right angle, turns toward the southeast and runs nearly four and one-third miles, forming the dividing line between Bethel and Hanover. From this point it changes its course and runs a little north of east, still forming the dividing line between the two towns, the distance of about a mile and a half, when it enters the town of Rumford. In its meander- ings, therefore, the great Androscoggin river, within the limits of Bethel, has a length of not far from seventeen miles. There are no falls on this river within the town, and no very marked rapids, the aggregate fall between Gilead and Rumford being but a very few feet. Sunday river enters Bethel from Newry some two miles westwardly from the mouth of Bear river, and flowing in a course a little east of south, empties its waters into the Androscoggin about one and one-fourth mile from the point where it enters the town. Bear river, taking its rise in Grafton, flows southwardly through Newry and empties into the great Androscoggim at a point near Newry Corner, where the latter river almost impinges Newry south line. Alder river, having its source in a number of ponds, situated part in Woodstock and part in Greenwood, enters Bethel from Greenwood near Locke's Mills, runs northwesterly through South Bethel, where it furnishes power, and having received several small tributaries, flows into the great Androscoggin through the interval, a short distance northwardly from Bethel Hill. A stream also called Mill brook or stream, rising in the southwesterly part of the town and flowing northwardly, after receiving several small tributaries, runs along at the foot of Bethel Hill and flows into the great river HISTORY OF BETHEL. 31 half a mile below. This stream furnished the power for the first grist mill erected in town, and has supplied power for more or less- machinery ever since. Beside these already named, the waters of the Androscoggin as they meander through the town, are re-enforced by numerous brooks, some bearing names such as Bog brook. Chapman brook. Alder brook, and others having no generally recog nized names. The watershed of the Androscoggin, consisting largely of steep and barren mountains, including the easterly slopes of some of the White Hills, is such as to cause the volume of water in the river to increase very rapidly during severe rainstorms and spring freshets, the rise often amounting to one foot per hour for several successive hours, the banks soon becoming overflowed and the broad intervals presenting the appearance of a raging flood. The intervals of Bethel on both sides of the Androscoggin, extend ing through the town from west to east, in extent and fertility are not surpassed by those of any town in the State. They are about fifteen miles in length and of varying width from a few rods to a, mile or more. They are formed largely of the alluvium which has been washe.d down from the mountains, and as they are covered with water during the early springtime of almost every year, their richness is yearly renewed. There are also belts of interval on the Sunday river, on Alder brook, and bordering some of the other smaller streams. Back from the river, the country is broken into hills, the sunny slopes of which furnish sites for numerous upland farms, while the higher and rougher portions supply excellent graz ing lands. There are several swells of land which bear local names and which embrace some of the very best farming lands in town, the rich intervals alone excepted. In the west part of the town Grover Hill, named for the early settlers there, has always been noted for its fine agriculture and also for its fruit culture. Swan's Hill, situated a little eastwardly of the center of the town and named from James Swan, Jr., an early settler, is also a famous farming and fruit-growing region. Bird Hill (earlier Berry Hill) , Kimball Hill and Howard Hill, situated farther toward the easterly part of the town, have good farms and much good pasturage. Paradise Hill, situated near Bethel Hill, is noted for the beautiful vistas afforded from that elevation rather than for its agriculture. There are several mountains in Bethel belonging to the Appala chian range, but in height and grandeur not equal to those at the north and west of the town. In the west part of the town near 32 HISTORY OF BETHEL. the northern border is Ellingwood's mountain, sometimes called Anasagunticook, and a little west of Grover Hill, is Sparrowhawk. Waterspout mountain is south of Swan's Hill and near the center of the town. Northwardly from South Bethel, once Called Walker's Mills, is Walker's mountain, so called from the former owner of the mills. On the road leading from Locke's Mills to the Andro scoggin river, at what was once known as Beah's Corner, are several bald bluffs. The first on the westerly side of the road is known as the Goss mountain. Its easterly aspect rises almost perpendicular from a small pond to a height of several hundred feet. On the opposite and easterly side is Bryant's mountain, neither as high nor as bald as the one last named. North of Goss mountain and sepa rated from it by a hilly pasture known as "Egypt," is a sugar loaf mountain bearing but little vegetation, and a short distance farther along is another which closely resembles it. I have never heard any names borne by these two sugar loaves, and I take the liberty of christening the one next to Egypt, Foster mountain, in memory of Deacon Eli Foster, who was once the owner of the pasture called "Egypt," and the other Hodsdon's mountain, from an early settler who lived near it. In the eastern part of the town is a group of five mountains, none of them very high or bald. The one east of where the Kimball's once lived may be known as Kimball mountain, and the southermost one of the group I have heard called Johny's mountain. There are two bluffs east of Swan's Hill, for which I have not found any names. Locke mountain has two heads, the southerly one sometimes called Bessee's mountain, and is situated west of Sunday river and near the north line of Bethel ; it is nineteen hundred and twelve feet high, and probably the highest in town. At the eastward of the road leading from Bethel Hill to Middle Interval, and soon after leaving the Mason farm, is Farewell's mountain, on the sides of which chrystalized quartz have been found in considerable abundance. Barker's mountain, which lies mostly in Newry, a small part of it being in Bethel, is twenty-five hundred and fifty-one feet high, and Mount Will, also in Newry near Bear river, its foot-hills being in Bethel, has a height of flfteen hundred and eighty-eight feet. The surface of Bethel is composed largely of what is denominated drift. Boulders on the uplands are everywhere found far out of place, and glacial action is seen in the diluvial markings across the naked ledges and in the wide distribution of rounded pebbles and cobble HISTORY OF BETHEL. 33 stones. The easterly or southeasterly aspect of the mountains is generally steep, often nearly perpendicular and sometimes beetling, while the opposite sides are sloping and generally covered with vegetation. This is another indication of diluvial currents and glacial activity. The uplands are generally composed of a gravelly loam, the surface soils intermixed with decayed vegetable matter. Such land is excellent for corn, wheat, rye and potatoes. In some places there are sandy areas, though not of great extent, and occa sionally strata of clay suitable for making into bricks. The bottom lands are exceedingly rich in fertilizing material, and produce heavy crops of English hay, oats and vegetables. It rarely suffers from drouth and so a good crop is quite generally assured. As a whole, the town of Bethel presents a pleasing variety of meadow, interval and upland ; of valley, hill and mountain ; of charming rural vistas and grand mountain scenery ; such a variety as ought to please the most fastidious. A chalybeate spring on the north side of the river above Mayville, constantly discharges its healing waters, said to be valuable for many of the diseases to which human beings are liable, and in which many have great faith. It has been called the Anasa gunticook spring. Speaking from a geological standpoint, Bethel is composed of the Azoic series of rocks, above which the other series are entirely wanting, until the tertiary clay, diluvium and alluvium are reached. As the name of the series of rocks implies, no fossil remains are found in them, and they are presumed to have been formed before life in any form existed upon this planet. The soil is rich in all the elements of fertility, lime only excepted. This can be supplied by commercial lime in a hydrated form, known as plaster of paris. No gems except the garnet have been found within the limits of Bethel, and none of the precious metals to excite the cupidity of its people. Even the minerals are of the more common kinds and not extensive in variety. When Dr. Charles T. Jackson made a geologcal survey of the State, while he visited Norway, Paris and Rumford, he did not come to Bethel, there being nothing to call him here. But while deficient in minerals and metals. Bethel has that which is far better, a fertile soil, one that is capable of ' supporting a much larger population than any other town in the county. The flora of Bethel while the same as in other towns of Oxford county, differs from that on the sea-coast in the same latitude. 3 34 HISTORY OF BETHEL. The natural growth of wood was white pine on the intervals and upland swells, maple, yellow birch and beech on the highlands, and spruce and hemlock on the mountains. This was not invariably so, for a black growth was often found on the uplands, and pines on the mountains. On the lowlands and in the swamps were found cedar, hacmetac, elm, white maple and fir. White pine was very abundant, and clear stuff was used for ordinary building purposes. The early settlers cut it from their interval lands and sold it in the river at the rate of two dollars and fifty cents per thousand. Only the lower cuts would bring this price, and the remainder of the trees were either burned upon the land or made into fence. There were scattering Norway and pitch pines in various parts of the town. The silver fir in the swamps grows to a large size, and since the pine has disappeared, it is much used for shingles. Black spruce still grows upon the mountains, of large size and excellent for timber or lumber. White spruce is much less common, and has little value. White cedar was formerly very abundant, but it has been mostly used up. It has supplied material for a large portion of the fences in town ; has been sawed into shingles, and in more recent years has been utilized for railway ties and telegraph poles. Basswood is not common, but an occasional tree is found mixed with other growth. Hacmatac was formerly very common on low lands, but there is little left. The red maple shows itself conspicuously in the spring by its bright crimson flowers. Its timber is highly prized for nice cabinet work. The red oak is the only species of this family that grows wild in this vicinity. The white birch was formerly abundant here and furnished mate rial for canoes. It now appears only as a second growth. Poplar also comes up as a second growth. It was formerly of little value, but is now largely used in the manufacture of paper stock. Horn beam is found sparingly mixed with other growths. Brown and black ash was quite common once on low grounds but has mostly been removed. It was formerly considered of little value, but is now highly prized for inside finish. The alder grows everywhere in swamps. It is not a tree, but a shrub. Cherry trees, black, red and choke, are abundant. The mountain ash grows wild in the forest and is transplanted as an ornamental tree. The willow some times grows very large. Much of the land in town was burned over HISTORY OF BETHEL. 35 in seventeen hundred and seventeen, and again in eighteen hundred and twenty-five, and a large part of the old growth destroyed. The flowering plants in this town exhibit the same varieties as in other inland localities in this latitude. The "Wake Robin," two varieties, appear early by the woodland streams ; the trailing arbutus and the violets quickly follow the disappearance of the snow ; then follows, in order, the long train of flowering plants, embellishing meadow and pasture, hillside and valley, bordering the waysides with crimson and gold, and beautifying even the dark and sombre woods. The advent of the golden rod admonishes us that mid summer has come, and asters in great variety close the season, and are the harbingers of winter. The fauna of this region, once of considerable importance, is of little interest now. A large proportion of the wild animals that once roamed the forests in the valley of the Androscoggin, have been driven away. Among the valuable fur bearing animals wlich rendered this region especially valuable as a hunting ground for the aborigines, the beaver, the otter and the sable are found here no longer. The black bear when driven by hunger from the northern forest belt where he now for the most part has his home, sometimes at this late day, raids the flock of the farmer or satiates his appetite upon the succulent corn, but his ravages are of brief duration, for if he does not soon retreat he is sure to be destroyed. The stately moose that once roamed through the pine forests and cropped the tender herbage from the banks of the Androscoggin and its tributaries ; that supplied the larder of the early settlers with excellent food, and furnished protection to their feet, is seen no more, and the timid deer which the settlers found here in herds is now only an occasional visitor. The snarling loupcervier and the gaunt wolf have sought wilder haunts than the forests of Bethel afford, and the awful cry of the panther no more disturbs the repose of the household. The most important of the wild animals that now remain, the catlike, mink, the amphibious musk-rat, the lively red and gray squirrel, the beautiful chipmunk, the fetid skunk, the hibernating woodchuck and the prickly porcupine, are insignificant when compared with the lordly brutes that once inhabited here. The food fishes have also deteriorated. Salmon once ascended the Androscoggin, and the smaller streams and ponds abounded with 36 HISTORY OF BETHEL. the speckled trout. By clearing the land along the streams and cutting the timber from their sources, the quantity of water has been much diminished and the temperature raised, so that the trout which delights in a cool, deep pool, has become very scarce, and the ponds have been stocked with fish of inferior quality as food, but with qualities far superior for propagating and perpetuating their own species. CHAPTER V. First Settlers. ^T is diflScult to determine who was the very first person to settle here on account of the loss of the proprietors' records and the records of Sudbury Canada Plantation. So far as I have been able to ascertain by a careful examination of the records in the Cumberland county registry of deeds, the first person to purchase Sudbury Canada lands with the view of person ally settling upon them, was Jonathan Keyes of Shrewsbury, Massa chusetts. November third, seventeen hundred and seventy-two, he bought of Luke Knowlton of the same Shrewsbury, one whole right of land in Sudbury Canada. The deed states that Knowlton bought this right of Nathaniel Gray, Jr., of Worcester, for the sum of ten pounds, and that it was the original right of Joseph Orlando, who served in the Canada Expedition of sixteen hundred and ninety. On the eighteenth day of March, seventeen hundred and seventy- four, Jonathan Keyes purchased of James Towle of Woburn, one whole right number seven, in Sudbury Canada lands. Just what year Keyes came to Bethel is not known. Nathaniel Segar was here in seventeen hundred and seventy-four, but does not mention him. A deed recorded with the Cumberland records, recites that March fourteen, seventeen hundred and seventy-seven, Jonathan Keyes of Sudbury Canada, sold to Samuel Ingalls of Fryeburg, four hundred acres or four lots of land situated and being on the south side of the great Amariscoggin river, in a place called Sud bury Canada. The deed further recites that upon one of these lots Mr. Keyes had made considerable improvement ; had built a house, a barn for grain and another for English hay. This would indicate an occupancy of two or more years, but whether Mr. Keyes ever brought his wife here is exceedingly doubtful. Two of his sons, Ebenezer and Francis, were here with him, and on what appears to 38 HISTORY OF BETHEL. be good authority, the statement is made that on one occasion, Mr. Keyes went to Shrewsbury in late autumn intending soon to return, leaving his sons behind, but for some reason he did not return until spring. Ebenezer was fourteen years of age and Francis nine, and they remained in their father's camp in this remote wilderness during the long winter months with no other companionship than that of the Indians. When Jonathan Keyes sold his land in Sudbury Canada, he moved to New Penacook, now Rumford, where he had previously purchased a tract of land of Dr. Ebenezer Harnden Goss, then of Concord, N. H., afterwards of Brunswick and Paris, Maine. He was the son of Deacon Jonathan and Patience (Morse) Keyes of Shrewsbury, and was born there January twenty-one, seventeen hundred and twenty-eight. He married January twenty- three, seventeen hundred and fifty-two, Sarah, daughter of Ebenez,er Taylor. He died in Rumford November seven, seventeen hundred and eighty-six, and his wife died November fourteen, seventeen hundred and ninety-nine. Doctor Nathaniel T. True and Doctor Moses Mason have stated that Elizabeth, wife of Samuel Ingalls, was the first white woman to spend the winter in Sudbury Canada and the first who came here. The time is fixed at seventeen hundred and seventy-six, and they are said to have come from Andover, Massachusetts ; to have moved from Bethel to Bridgton, then returned here, and that Mr. Ingalls died here. There seems to be a series of mistakes here. If they were living in Fryeburg as the deed from Keyes states, in seventeen hundred and seventy-seven, they probably came from Fryeburg to Bethel, but a year later than stated by Doctor True. They moved from here to Bridgton, but did not return, as stated, and died there. At the time of the Indian raid, August third, seventeen hundred and eighty-one, Nathaniel Segar in his published account says there were then ten families living in Sudbury Canada, five at the lower part of the township and flve at the upper. Those in the west or upper part were Eleazer Twitchell, Benjamin Russell, Abraham Russell, Jonathan Clark and James Swan. Those in the lower parish, Samuel Ingalls, Jesse Duston, John York, Amos Powers and Nathaniel Segar. Joseph Twitchell had caused to be built a grist and saw mill on the Mill brook at the foot of Bethel Hill in seventeen hundred and seventy-four. These, save perhaps a rude camp or two, were the first buildings erected in the township. In seventeen hundred and HISTORY OF BETHEL. 39 seventy-nine, a house was built for the use of the miller, the first framed building erected for a dwelling. Eleazer Twitchell moved from Dublin, New Hampshire, in seven teen hundred and seventy-nine, to look after his father's interests in Sudbury Canada. He was the third son of his father and was born in Sherbourn, January twenty-second, seventeen hundred and forty-four. He married Martha, daughter of Moses Mason of Dublin. He was very active in promoting the interests of the town, and with the means placed at his disposal by his father, he was in a position to be the leading man of the township. At the time of the Indian raid, he was living on the island where the grist mill stood, and still stands, and resided here until the great freshet of seventeen hundred and eighty-five, when the house was almost sub merged, the water rising so rapidly that Mr. Twitchell was obliged to take his family off in a raft. He made the first clearing on the farm in Mayville, afterward owned by Moses and Aaron Mason, and cut off the pine timber of which there was a heavy growth, and rafted it to the mills at Brunswick. He was largely interested in real estate and a part owner of the north half of what is now Green wood. He died in June, eighteen hundred and nineteen. He thoroughly repaired the mill in seventeen hundred and eighty-eight, and the following year his father gave him a deed of the mill prop erty with the land adjoining. He built a house on Bethel Hill, the first one bordering the common, the first clapboarded house in this part of the town. In seventeen hundred and ninety-seven, he built a large house which was called the castle, and which he opened as a tavern. He was conspicuous for his liberality and kindness of heart. A deed for which his memory will ever be cherished by the people of the town, was the gift of the beautiful common at Bethel Hill. Benjamin Russell is said to have come from Fryeburg in March, seventeen hundred and seventy-seven, but it was probably a year later, for Samuel Ingalls was at this time living in Fryeburg, and he and his wife were here one winter before any other settler's wife came. Mr. Russell was accompanied by his wife and his daughter, then fifteen years of age, who married afterwards Nathaniel Segar. He was also accompanied by General Amos Hastings, who came to see the place. They came on snow shoes, and the wife and daugh ter were hauled on handsleds. At the time of the raid, Mr. Russell was living on the interval farm, on the south side of the river two 40 HISTORY OF BETHEL. or three miles below Bethel Hill. He was born in old Andover, where several generations of his ancestors had lived, January twenty-seventh, seventeen hundred and thirty-seven. His wife, Mary Favor, was born March first, seventeen hundred and thirty- nine. He was among the early settlers of Fryeburg, a civil magis trate and a leading man in town affairs. After he came to Bethel he assumed the same position, and for a long time, being the only justice of the peace, he solemnized marriages and performed other duties pertaining to his oflSce. He died in November, eighteen hundred and two, and his wife six years after. Abraham Russell, a brother of Benjamin Russell, came here later, but was here at the time of the Indian raid. He married Abigail, daughter of James Swan, and moved here from Fryeburg. He lived at first on the interval, not far from the bridge across Alder river below Bethel Hill. He subsequently moved farther down toward Middle Interval, to the place afterward occupied by John Russell. Later in life, he moved to Bethel Hill, to the place subse quently occupied by his son-in-law, Daniel Grout. James Swan was the son of Joshua Swan of Methuen, and a descendent of Robert Swan of Boston and Rowley. He married Mary Smith, and moved from Fryeburg to Sudbury Canada in seventeen hundred and seventy-nine. He settled on the Ayers Mason farm, a mile from Bethel Hill, toward Middle Interval. Mr. Swan formerly followed the sea and was impressed into the English service, but he and two others seized the ship and forced the captain to pilot her into Boston. This was before the war of the revolution, and fearing prosecution, he came to the wilds of Maine and was among the first to settle in Fyreburg. He was a friend of Sabattis, the famous Piquaket Indian, who long made his home with Mr. Swan. Jonathan Clark came to Bethel as early as seventeen hundred . and seventy-four, but returned to his home in Newton and served a term of enlistment in the war for independence. He moved to Bethel in seventeen hundred and seventy-eight or nine, and at the time of the Indian raid was living on the Jedediah Burbank farm, a little west of the Bethel bridge aud on the south side of the river. He was the son of William Clark, Jr., of Newton, and was born in that town March twenty-eight, seventeen hundred and forty-seven. He married Esther Parker, and died in Bethel, December thirtieth, seventeen hundred and twenty-one. CHURCH AT MIDDLE INTERVALE. LIEUT. JONATHAN CLARK PLACE. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 41 Benjamin, son of Norman Clark of Newton, was born there April third, seventeen hundred and fifty-nine. He came to Bethel when a young man and at the time of the Indian raid was captured and carried to Canada. On his return, he married Betsey, daughter of Moses Mason, Esq., of Dublin, New Hampshire, and settled on the place above Bethel Hill, where his son Norman afterwards liveJi. He died January thirtieth, seventeen hundred and forty-six, at Bethel. Jesse Duston or Dustin, a descendent of the famous Hannah, wife of Thomas Duston of Haverhill, Massachusetts, was born in Methuen, and was among the early settlers in Fryeburg. He was by occupation a house carpenter. He came to Sudliury Canada in seventeen hundred and seventy-eight, and settled on the farm in the lower part of the town, now in Hanover, subsequently occupied by Bela Williams. He married Elizabeth, daughter of James Swan, and to her was born in seventeen hundred and eighty-two, the first white child born in Sudbury Canada, and his name was called Peregrine. The proprietors gave Mrs. Duston a lot of land in con sideration of the fact just stated. Being among the first, if not the first carpenter in the plantation, Mr. Duston was in a position to render valuable service to the settlers, and tradition gives him a good report. Nathaniel Segar, son of Josiah and Thankful (Allen) Segar, was born in Newton, Massachusetts, January twenty-eight, seventeen hundred and fifty. He came to Sudbury Canada in the spring of seventeen hundred and seventy-four, remained through the summer and returned to Newton. He served for nearly two years in the patriot army, and returned to Sudbury Canada accompanied by Jonathan Bartlett and Aaron Barton. He cleared a farm in the lower part of the town, now Hanover, near Rumford line, and here he was living unmarried at the time of the Indian raid, but happen ing on that day to be at the upper settlement, he was taken prisoner and carried captive to Canada. After his return, he married Mary, daughter of Benjamin Russell, Esq. He dictated an account of his capture and captivity, which was printed in a small pamphlet. He lived to a very advanced age. Amos Powers was born in Princeton, Massachusetts, in February, seventeen hundred and thirty-two, the month and year of the birth of George Washington. He married Molly Parmenter, and in seventeen hundred and seventy-nine, bought of Aaron Richardson 42 HISTORY OF BETHEL. of Newton, interval lot number two on the south side of the great river in Sudbury Canada. He came here either in that or the follow ing year. His farm was in the lower part of the town on the Rumford road, and the same afterwards occupied by his son, Arnold Powers. He was about forty-eight years of age when he came here, and his six children were born in Princeton. Mr. Powers lived to an advanced age, and saw the wilderness in which he came to make him a home, cleared away, succeeded by broad fields and an industrious and thriving population. Colonel John York of Standish, in seventeen hundred and seventy- nine, bought of Aaron Richardson of Newton, lot number thirteen, on the south side of Amariscoggin river in Sudbury Canada. This lot is situated on the river road below Middle Intervale and was subsequently occupied by Humphrey and Samuel Bean. Colonel York married Abigail, daughter of Jonathan Bean of Standish, afterwards of Bethel. He was a stirring, energetic man, and an excellent pioneer. Two of his brothers, Isaac and Job, came to Bethel a few years later. Samuel Ingalls, who made up the fifth family in town at the time of the raid, bought his land of Jonathan Keyes in the spring of seventeen hundred and seventy-seven, and was then said to be of Fryeburg. Buildings had been erected upon the land by Mr. Keyes, so that the place was all ready for occupancy. It is probable that Mr. Ingalls moved into the plantation this year, and wintered here in seventeen hundred and seventy-seven-eight. Mrs. Ingalls is said to have been the first white woman in the plantation. The land he purchased was below that purchased by Colonel John York, and on the same side of the river. At the time of the raid, York and Ingalls were quite near neighbors, and Amos Powers lived a mile or two below. John Grover, the second son of Dea. James Grover, was the first of the name to settle in this town. He came when single, but just what year cannot be stated with certainty. He was here at the time of the Indian raid and was the messenger sent to Fryeburg for assistance. He had bravely served in the war for independence, was stationed for a time at Dorchester Heights and was in the engagements at Trenton and at other places under Washington. He settled at West Bethel and owned extensive tracts of pine timber lands from which he cut the timber and rafted it to Brunswick. Grover Hill perpetuates the name of this man and his family. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 43: He was a stalwart man in his make up and as brave as he was strong. He is said to have entered a den where there were five bears and to have killed one or more with a broad axe. His son. Mason Grover, who was serving around Lake Champlain in the war of eighteen hundred and twelve, was taken sick. John Grover went to visit him and he recovered, but the father was taken sick and died on the way. Amos Hastings was born in the west parish of Haverhill, Mass. He was in the affair at Concord and Lexington, and also in the battle of Bunker Hill. He served several years and came out with the rank of captain. He married Elizabeth Wiley, a sister of the wife of John Grover, and came here from Fryeburg. He settled at first at Middle Interval and for many years his house was the town house. Later he moved to a farm on the north side of the river. He was early identified with the militia of the town and held oflEice through the various grades to that of Brigadier General. He was a man possessed of sound judgment which was often utilized by the town when difficult questions came up requiring careful investigation and adjustment. He may justly be regarded as one of the fathers of the town. Samuel Marshall is not mentioned by Segar as a resident of Sud bury Canada at the time of the raid, but it is a fact that he was here and had but recently arrived. He had married Lucy, daughter of Moses Mason, Esq., of Dublin, New Hampshire, and she had sisters already here. At the time of the raid they were living about three miles below Bethel Hill, on the road to Middle Interval, on the Sanborn farm, and Mr. Marshall was temporarily absent. A neighbor gave Mrs. Marshall a very exaggerated account of the affair ; said there was a large body of Indians in the plantation ;, that if the Marshall family would remain at home, they would not be molested, but if they attempted to escape, they would all be killed. From this point we will allow Mrs. Marshall to give her own account of the affair, as she gave it some years after, in writing to her son, a document which is still preserved in the family. "At this moment I exclaimed, what shall I do? 'Hide in the woods' said my informant. While I was hastening to the woods with my children, I saw my husband coming home. I beckoned to him. to hasten and on his coming up, I hastily related what I had heard. He ran to the house and took such provisions as he could readily seize and throw into a sack, and then started with Ms little store and 44 HISTORY OF BETHEL. family into the woods. We traveled lightly and looked cautiously around, expecting every moment to see the faces of the Indians, but after a few hours, our fears considerably subsided, and we sat down to rest. I found myself very much fatigued, and without my ordi nary dress, for during the morning I had slipped off my shoes, having nothing on except a thin skirt and a handkerchief over my •shoulders. This caused my heart to ache, for we had resolved not to turn back, but to pursue our way which lay through the wilderness. After a short halt, we set out again, and traveled till dark. We ¦did not dare to strike a light for fear of being discovered by the Indians. We sat there impatiently waiting the morning of the sixth, when we renewed our journey, but much slower than the day previously. During the afternoon, we were overtaken by a Mr. Dodge* who had been sent from Bethel to New Gloucester for help. We requested him to inform the first inhabitants he met, of our ¦situation, and give him the course as nearly as he could, and ask them to meet us. Mr. Dodge missed his course to Jackson's camp in No. 4, which he expected first to reach, and came out at Lieut. Bearce's in Hebron. He informed Bearce who immediately set out for Jackson's camp, and on his arrival he obtained two men who went with him as far as the river in the north part of the township, and there struck up a fire and prepared some food, while Mr. Bearce -continued in search of us. He first found my son David, whom his father had carried a short distance ahead, and left on a log, telling him to be quiet, while he went back after me. We arrived in a short time at the river, took some refreshment, and then proceeded to J ackson's camp where we arrived on the ninth of August. We remained at this camp three or four days, consequently I was the first white woman who took lodgings in what is now the town of Paris." Mr. Marshall and his wife continued their journey to New Gloucester where they remained a few weeks, and then settled in the town of Hebron, where both lived to an advanced age and reared a large family. The family came to Sudbury Canada from Dublin, New Hampshire, but was probably born in Massachusetts. Peter Austin from Fryeburg, had also built him a camp on the farm afterwards occupied by the Barkers, but he was unmarried. He was fortunately absent from his place at the time of the raid and thus escaped capture if nothing worse. He continued to live *No person of this name is known to have lived in Bethel, and it is probable that he •was only temporarily there. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 45 upon this farm until about the year seventeen hundred and ninety- six, when he sold out and moved to Canton, Maine, where he became a wealthy farmer and reared a large family. Persons familiar with the topography of the town, from the locations here described, will be able to form a very correct idea of the places where the few scattered inhabitants lived at this time. The vast wilderness was only dotted here and there by a few clearings, the first settlers had just come to Newry, Rumford and Paris, and only a few families had come to Waterford. Also, a settlement had just been commenced in Shelburne, New Hampshire. In Sudbury Canada there were only nine families, and three single men, namely, Benjamin Clark, Segar and Austin, when there occurred the episode which has been much talked about iu town since that time, known as the Indian raid, an account of which forms the subject of the next chapter. CHAPTER VI. Sudbury Canada Attacked by Indians. -f FTEIR the fall of Quebec in seventeen hundred and fifty- nine, and the treaty which soon followed by the terms of which France relinquished all claims to Canada and the Maritime Provinces, the people of Maine were comparatively safe from Indian encroachments and depredations. There was no longer any necessity for garrison houses ; the farmer could go to his work unarmed ; the quiet of the Sabbath was no more broken by the shrill war whoop, and the mother as she placed her children in bed and retired herself, was measurably certain that their rest would not be disturbed and their lives placed in jeopardy by the blood-curdling cry and the cruel tomahawk of the ruthless savage. Those that remained within the State and sustained tribal relations, the Penob- scots and Passamaquoddies, were friendly and peaceable enough, while the strolling bands from Canada that visited the settlements, hunted and fished and then returned to their homes on the St. Francois, made nc hostile demonstrations and excited no alarm by their presence. They frequently visited the Sudbury Canada settle- 46 HISTORY OF BETHEL. ments, coming either down the Androscoggin by the way of Shelburn and Gilead, or cutting across from the Umbagog Lake by way of Orafton and Newry. Several of them were here so much and remained so long, sometimes for months together, that they became well acquainted with the settlers, understood their customs and habits, and receiving nothing but kindly treatment, showed nothing but a kindly spirit in return. The attack of the Indians upon the western settlement in Sudbury 'Canada was as sudden and unexpected as lightning from a cloudless «ky. It was during the war of the revolution, but the people in this plantation were so far removed from scenes of hostility that they had taken no thought for their safety, considering it well assured. I have heard several accounts of this attack from the sons and daughters of those upon whom the, attack was made, and while they differ in some minor points, they agree in all the essentials. But the only account written or dictated by one who suffered most 'from this raid, is the one dictated by Nathaniel Segar, written •out it is said by Rev. Daniel Gould, and printed at Paris in eighteen hundred and twenty-seven. A copy of this now rare pamphlet is before me and from it I am to make an abstract of its contents. The first pages are devoted to a sketch of the early life of Mr. Segar, his first and second visits to Sudbury Canada, and of his service in the army. It has already been said that Mr. Segar settled in the extreme eastern part of the township near Rumford line, and had he been at home when the raid occurred he would have escaped all diflBciilty, for the lower settlement was not molested. But he was at the upper settlement either for business or pleasure, when the attack was made and so suffered in common with others. This abstract is only from that part of the pamphlet giving an account ¦of the attack on the settlement and of the captivity of those who were taken to Canada, and is given in the third person, while Mr. Segar makes his relation in the first. On the third day of August, seventeen hundred and eighty-one, there came into the upper settlement in Sudbury Canada, six Indians from Canada. One of them named Tomhegan was well known to Segar, often having been at his house. Segar, Jonathan Clark and Eleazer Twitchell, were standing at a little distance from the woods, when five Indians, hideously painted and armed with guns, toma hawks and scalping knives, rushed out upon them, informed them that they were prisoners and must go to Canada. Jonathan Clark's HISTORY OF BETHEL. 47 house on the Burbank farm, was near by, and there the Indians escorted their prisoners. After binding their captives, they told them to sit down and keep quiet or they would kill them. They then commenced plundering the house, and finding several gallons of rum in the cellar, they filled some bottles and took them away with them. They also found sixteen dollars in hard money, some clothing and many other things which they appropriated and carried away. Unseen by the Indians, Mrs. Clark hid her husband's watch in the ashes and thus saved it. They then attempted to take Mrs. Clark's gold beads from her neck, but in so doing the string was broken, and the beads scattered over the floor. They did not stop to hunt them up, and after they had left, most of them were found. They also attempted to take the silver buckles from her shoes, but she berated them so that they did not take them. She resisted them so and talked to them in such a scolding manner, that the prisoners feared they would murder her, but her boldness and fearlessness doubtless operated in her favor. While these things were going on in the house of Jonathan Clark, an Indian came out of the woods with Benjamin Clark whom he had just taken. In the meantime. Captain Eleazer Twitchell, by watch ing his opportunity had absconded and had so effectually secreted himself in the woods that they could not find him. He remained all night in the woods aud in the morning returned to his home. Mrs. Clark, who had also escaped into the woods, and spent the night by the side of a log, very near the hidii..g place of Captain Twitchell, both being entirely unconscious that they had spent the night so near together until they bestirred themselves in the morn ing. After the Indians had packed up their plunder and with their prisoners were about to leave the house, they told Mrs. Clark to remain at home and she would be safe, but if she went away she would be killed, saying there were hundreds of Indians in the woods. She did not believe them, and leaving the house as soon as they were out of sight, she concealed herself in the forest and saw no more of the Indians. Having accomplished their purpose here, and having unbound the legs of their prisoners and loaded them with their plunder, they started on the long and tedious journey through the wilderness. The arms of the prisoners remained bound, and with heavy hearts as well as packs, they were driven onward before their cruel captors. They traveled about two miles and then encamped for the night. 48 HISTORY OF BETHEL. and a dismal night it was to the prisoners. In the morning at day light, they resumed their march, and came to Peter Austin's camp where he had made a clearing, but at this time he was, fortunately for himself, absent. The Indians entered the hut and searched for plunder, but found little. They found two guns, one of which they broke and the other took away, and a quantity of maple sugar. They spent the second night near this place. Before light, the Indians tried to find their packs, wishing to resume their journey, but could not find them until daybreak. One of them missed his tomahawk and accused Segar of taking it ; he would have given him a heavy and perhaps a fatal blow, had not another Indian pre vented it. When it became light enough to see, the Indian found his weapon where he had placed it himself. As soon as it was light, they started up the river and came to Peabody's Patent, now the town of Gilead. They went to a house owned and occupied by Mr. .Tames Petteugill, who on their arrival was near the house, and walking toward it. On seeing the Indians at his house he stopped, but they had observed him and ordered him to approach. They then searched the house and finding some sugar and a tub of cream, they mixed it together and made a meal of it. They told Pettengill that he must go with them to Canada, to which he demurred and said he had no shoes. They then told him he might stay if he would remain in the house, and passed on. Mrs. Pettengill and her children were in the house, but received no abuse from them. After the Indians had passed the house a short distance, they sent two of their number back who soon returned accompanied by Mr. Pettengill. They soon after murdered him by shooting him within half a mile of his home and family, without any apparent provoca tion. Several days after, Joseph G. Swan and several others from Bethel, visited the place and interred the remains. They thenpassed on to Shelburn, New Hampshire, and at a brook they found several children at play who were much terrified at the sight of the Indians. There was a house near by, and one of the Indians asked the children how many men there were in that house, to which they answered that there were ten, and that they had guns. This was a random answer and far from the fact, but the Indians were so terrified that they lightened themselves of their packs and placed them upon their captives in addition to those they already had, and immediately crossed to the other side of the Androscoggin by fording it. They crossed with great diflaculty, especially the HISTORY OF BETHEL. 49 prisoners, heavily loaded as they were, but they reached the oppo site side in safety. They then resumed their march and came to a small house occupied by Mr. Hope Austin. The family was at home but Austin fortunately was absent. The Indians plundered the house, taking a little money and some other light articles and passed on. They told Mrs. Austin to remain in the house and she would not be hurt. After marching a short distance, they halted in the woods and Tomhegan, taking his gun, went away by himself. Soon the report of a gun was heard and Tomhegan returned accom panied by a negro named Plato. They learned from Plato that Tomhegan had shot and killed a man named Peter Poor, who was on his way to his work after his mid-day meal. Having an addition to their party, the Indians informed Segar and the Clarks that one of them might return to the settlement in Sudbury Canada. It was decided that Lieutenant Jonathan Clark, who had a family, might return, but the Indians charged him to keep the road. Clark joy fully turned back but did not obey the injunction to follow the road by which they had come, and had he done so he would doubtless have been shot, two of the Indians having tarried behind, doubtless for the very purpose. Clark crossed the river, then turned into the woods and in the course of two or three days, reached his home in safety. They next came to a place where Captain Rindge had begun a clearing and was stopping with his family. On seeing the Indians approach in their war paint, the family was much alarmed, but Rindge tried to gain their favor by telling them he was on the side of the king. This did not prevent them from robbing his house, securing plunder of great value. The Indians went out and scalped Mr. Poor. Hope Austin was at the house, but seeing the Indians approach he fled to the woods and escaped injury. A boy by the name of Elijah Ingalls was stopping at the house of Mr. Rindge, and the Indians proposed to take him along, but being prevailed upon by Rindge, they allowed him to remain. The settlements had now been passed, and the Indians struck off for Canada direct. After traveling two days, they' stripped a piece of birch bark and untying Segar's hands, directed him to write upon it that if the party should be pursued by Americans, they (the Indians) would certainly kill their prisoners. After pursuing their journey for two or three days, and no longer fearing pursuit, the Indians stopped to rest and celebrate their successful raid. They had three scalps for which 50 HISTORY OF BETHEL. they were to receive eight dollars each, when they reached Canada. From this fact, it would seem that the attack on the settlements was authorized by English authorities in Canada, but I have vainly sought for any record of it among the Canadian archives. While stopping, the Indians took the scalps and holding them by the hair in their teeth, shook their heads, whooped, jumping and skipping from rock to rock, aud conducting themselves in such an insane and awful manner as to frighten their captives almost out of their senses. Finally, the fifth day after the capture, the party reached the shores of Umbagog Lake, where the savages had left their three canoes on their way down to the settlement. Embarking, they crossed the lake in safety, and now considering themselves abso lutely safe from pursuit, they proceeded more leisurely. Here the Indians divided their plunder, and gave the prisoners a little flour and some scraps of moose meat dried with the hair on. This was the last food they had for several days, except a little maple sugar left from the plunder of the settlers. The prisoners were now unbound and remained so by day during the remainder of the jour ney, but their legs and arms were pinioned with thongs by night. Passing up the Magalloway river, the Indians shot a moose on which they made a feast, but their prisoners could not partake of the half-cooked flesh without salt or bread. The Indians cut up a part of what was left and put it into the packs of the prisoners, and of the skins, they made themselves moccasins. They again set out, and as their way was through thick woods, over mountains and through dismal swamps, the journey became tedious aud the prisoners footsore and weary. They also suffered much for lack of food. The new moccasins of the Indians being worn through on the bottoms, they took them off and threw them away, and the prisoners picked them up, roasted and devoured them. After many days of suffering, the divide of the watershed was reached, and they came to the source of the river Saint Francois. At first it was only a tiny stream, but as they passed down, the volume of water increased, aud arriving at the main branch, they found more canoes, and a little store of corn which they boiled and ate with great relish. Remaining here over night, in the morning they entered their canoes and commenced the descent of the rapid river. On the way, they speared flsh and cooked them which, with boiled corn, made a very decent diet, compared with what they had been having. There were many rapids and consequent carrying HISTORY OF BETHEL. 51 places, so that their progress was somewhat slow. They came to a little farm house on the bank, where cows were kept. They milked the cows and had a delicious meal of boiled corn and milk. At length after fourteen days from the time of their capture, the party approached the Indian village, the home of the captors, and the prisoners began to fear and tremble, not knowing the things that might befall them there. It was dark as they approached, but whoop responded to whoop, and with their torches, the Indians made their village as light as day. The warriors at this point numbered seventy. There was great rejoicing over the prisoners, scalps and plunder. The prisoners were surrounded and pulled and hauled around, while a terrific howling was kept up sufficient to appall the stoutest heart. The Indians had a great frolic over Plato, the negro, throwing fire-brands at him and otherwise abusing him. But the prisoners were soon rescued by parties in authority, and conveyed to the guard house where they were safe. At the request of the Indians, on the following morning, Benjamin Clark was given up to them. They cut his hair, painted him and dressed him in Indian costume, and then requested him to become their chief. The captives remained here two days, and were then taken to Montreal and delivered to the English authorities. They were guarded on the passage up the Saint Lawrence by ten Indians who desired to retain Mr. Clark, but this they were not permitted to do. They remained prisoners at Montreal until the following year, when, after the surrender of Cornwallis, there was an exchange of prisoners. The prisoners were taken down to Quebec, and after long and vexatious delays, on the tenth of November, seventeen hundred and eighty-two, they embarked on board a ship, and after a pleasant passage, reached Boston. Segar and Clark immediately proceeded to their old home at Newton, where they were received by their relatives and friends almost as persons risen from the dead. Not one word had they heard from them since their capture, fifteen months before, and they had abandoned all hope of ever seeing them again. They remained at Newton, resting and recup erating, for several months, and then returned to their adopted homes in Sudbury Canada. CHAPTER VII. Defensive Measures. I HE Indian raid upon Sudbury Canada, in and of itself, and in its results, was not a very serious affair. Two men were carried captive to Canada, two were killed, one in Gilead and the other probably in Shelburne, and a small amount of plunder was obtained. Yet it is no wonder that after the marauders had left, there was great excitement and consterna tion in the settlements. It had developed the fact that the border settlements were insecure, and it showed the possibilities of the savages should they be disposed to continue their depredations. The report quickly spread, and the few settlers in New Pennacook (Rumford) deserted their homes and went to New Gloucester, where they remained until the close of the war. Captain Eleazer Twitchell, after remaining in the woods all night, crept out and reconoitered early in the morning, not knowing what the condition of things might be. The Indians had given him to understand that the attacking party numbered hundreds, and he did not know but the entire settlement might be destroyed. Cautiously approaching his house he was espied by one of the family who had passed the night in the greatest anxiety. The true state of the case was soon under stood, and a messenger, John Grover, was started on horseback for Fryeburg to ask for assistance. The response was everything desired. The messenger reached Fryeburg at not far from noon, and immediately two men were despatched along the Saco who summoned all the able-bodied men to repair, with their guns, to the house of Nathaniel Walker. When the call for volunteers was made, thirty brave men stepped out and volunteered to go to the assistance of their friends in Sudbury Canada. Only a few of them were in a condition to go, for some were bare-headed, others bare footed, and some had on clothing barely suflBcient to cover their. nakedness. Before nightfall, however, a party was made up con- 54 HISTORY OF BETHEL. sisting of thirty men, well armed and equipped, and under the leadership of Captain Stephen Farrington. In Indian file, with Sabattis as guide, they followed the Indian trail through Lovell, Waterford and Albany, and as the sun arose on the following morning, they reached the house of Captain Twitchell. Captain Farrington and Lieutenant Nathaniel Walker came on horseback. Sabattis soon discovered the Indian trail, and stopping but a few moments at Captain Twitchell's, they pushed forward with the utmost dispatch. The Indians had thirty-six hours the start. Following their guide, who kept the trail in sight, although the whites could see no signs, they at length came to a rocky hill where even old Sabattis was at fault. Passing around the hill, they met Jonathan Clark on his return, who briefly gave the pursuers what knowledge he had, and informed them of one of the conditions upon which he was allowed to return, namely, that he should try and stop any party of white men who should go in pursuit of the Indians. The men, however, would not be persuaded. Their blood was up, and Sabattis having again found the trail, they pushed on. They at length reached the point where the Indians had posted the piece of birch bark written upon by Segar The men now thought that further pursuit was worse than useless, as it might jeopardize the lives of the captives, and while Captain Farrington wished to push on, he yielded to the majority, and having interred the remains of Pettengill, they returned to Sudbury Canada, where spending the night, on the following day they returned to their homes in Fryeburg. In the absence of plantation records, it is somewhat difficult to determine just what defensive measures were taken by the people of Sudbury Canada, to guard against any future attack. Docu mentary history found in the Massachusetts archives shows that they built two garrison houses, and applied for soldiers to garrison them. One of these garrisons was at the end of Captain Eleazer Twitchell's house and was constructed of logs with cabins for the men. The other was built on the farm of Colonel John York, in the lower settlement. The Massachusetts government sent Lieutenant Stephen Farrington with twenty-seven men, to garrison the two defences, and they remained for the space of two months and at an expense to the Commonwealth of two hundred and flve pounds, ¦twelve shillings and eleven pence. The following documentary history, properly comes in here : HISTORY OF BETHEL. 55 Commonwealth of Massachusetts. To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives, in General Court Assembled, June 7th, 1784. The petition of Joseph Twitchell, in behalf and by order of the Proprie tors of a Xew Township of I^and, late granted hj the General Court to Josiah Eichardson and others, laid out on Androscoggin Elver and known by the way of Sudbury Canada, Humbly Slioweth, That said Proprietor at great expense (by reason that said Township being near 30 miles from any Settlement) cleared Eoads, built mills and settled a number of Inhab itants, before the War broke out. But several of them that had begun there, went into the public service and "dyed," but still some of the Inhabitants continued there and the beginning of August, 1781, the Indians came from Canada to that place and took four of the Inhabitants prisoners and plundered several of the Inhabitants of their most valuable effects and alarmed the luh.abitants of that and several other places, and it was thought Advisable l^y the Authority to place Garrisons in that place, as it was situated so as to cover a number of other Settlements that would be much exposed. If the Inhabitants should be removed and before they could have orders from Government the Inhabitants were obliged for the defence of the settlement to go to work and begin to build forts, to garrison the place, and charged the proprietors Axith the cost, which was allo-wed by said Proprietors and paid them by their Treasurer, amounting to forty pounds, five shillings, which ^\¦i\l appear by the aconipt. And whereas by the Eighth Article of the Confederation all charges of war and all other exijenses that should be Incurred for the common Defence of general welfare, itc., shall be defrayed out of a common Treasury, which shall be "suplied" by the several States. Therefore your Petitioners Humbly pray your Honors would Take their cause under their Wise consideration and grant to the said Proprietors the said sum of •101b., 5s., which they have Incurred for the common defence and general welfare, and your Petitioners as in dutj' bound will ever pray. (Signed) Jos. Twitchell, Proprietors'' Treasurer. Paid to Benj. Eussell for time spent going to Boston, &c., to get orders for soldiers to Garrison the place, and to Jona. £ Bartlett for ditto 11 To John Grover for his time at the alarm going to Fryeburg. . . 1 " Jonathan Clark for ditto 1 " Jesse Dusten 9 1-2 days on ye forts at 6s 2 " Joseph Bean for 11 " " 6s 4 " Jona. Bean for 9 " '• 6s 2 " Daniel Bean for 10 " " 6s 3 " Sam'l Ingals for 5 " " 6s 1 " Isaac York for 5 1-2 " " 6s 1 " Elea'r Twitchell for 14 days scouting and on ye Fort 4 " James Swan for -4 days on ye Fort 1 s p 0 0 10 0 10 0 17 0 4 0 14 0 0 0 10 0 13 0 4 0 4 0 56 HISTORY OF BETHEL. To John York for 1500 of boards for fort 1 16 0 " Elea'r Twitchell for 1000 boards and carting 1 13 0 " Ben Russell for 2 days on ye Fort 0 12 0 " Jesse Dusten, Joseph Bean and Isaac York, 1 day each at 6s 0 18 0 40 5 0 Taken from the Proprietors' Eecords per Jos. Twitchell, Proprietors^ Treasurer for Sudbury Canada, so-called. The foregoing account does not appear to have been allowed, and another petition and account was forwarded three years later, of which the following is a copy : Commonwealth of Massachusetts. To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, Feb. 12th, 1787. The Petition of Joseph Twitchell in behalf and by order of the Proprie tors of a New Township of Land late granted by the Grand Court to Josiah Richardson aud others, Laid out on Androscoggin River known by the name of Sudbury Canada, Humbly Sheweth, that said Proprietors had a great expense (by reason of said towmship being about 30 miles distant from any Settled Town) building Mills, clearing roads, &c Settled a few inhabitants before the ^^•ar. But Several of them that had begun there went into the Servis & Dyed. But still some of the Inhabitants continued there & in July or August 1781 the Indians came to that place and took four of the Inhabitants Prisoners & plundered Several of the Inhabi tants of all their valuable eftects, allearmed the Inhabitants of that & several other Places & it was thought Advisable that place should be garrisoned, as it was situated so as to cover a Number of other Towns that would be very much exposed if the Inhabitants of that Township should be removed, & they went to work to Build Forts to Garrison the Place & charged the Proprietors with the Cost which ¦s\-as allowed by said Proprie tors & paid them by their Treasurer amounting to Forty five Pounds, Seventeen Shillings 45£ — 17s — Od which will appear by the account & Receipt. And whereas by the Eighth Article of the Confederation all charges of war & all other expenses that shall be Incurre(i for the Common defence or general \\elfare &c should be defrayed out of a Common Trea.«ury, which shall be supplied by tlie several states : Therefore your Petitioner Humbly Prays your Honors would take their case into their Consideration, & grant to the said Proprietors the said sum of 45£ — 17s— Od & to Benj'n Barker 1£— 19s— Od \\hich they have Incurred for the common defence and your Petitioner as in duty bound shall ever Pray. (Signed) Joseph Twitchell. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 57 1782 Friday November ye 8th the Proprietors of Sudljury Canada (so called) voted to allow the account of Sundry persons as FoUoweth. Viz. : To Benj'n Eussell for going with an Express to Boston to ye General Court 190 miles for Soldiers to Garrison the Place £ s p with &c Expenses 9 18 0 To Jona"n Bartlett for two days at Boston 0 12 0 & Cash paid Simon Frye Esq 1 4 0 To John Grover For going to Fryeburg on Express 30 M's 1 10 0 To Jonathan Clarke For ditto & work on Fort &c 1 10 0 To John York For 14 days work on the Fort at 6s 4 4 0 To Jesse Dusten 9 1-2 Days on the Fort at 6s 2 17 0 To Josiah Bean For 14 days on the Fort at 6s 4 4 0 To Joua'n Bean For 9 days on the Fort at 6s 2 14 0 To Dan'l Bean for 10 daj's work on the Fort at 6s 3 0 0 To Sam'l Ingals For 5 days on the Fort at 6s 1 10 0 To Isaac York for 5 1-2 Days on the Fort at 6s 1 13 0 To Capt. Elea'r Twitchell 12 Days on j'e Fort & 2 days Scouting at 6s 4 4 0 & to going to Fryeburg to agree on a commander by order of Court 1 12 0 To James Swan For 4 days on the Fort at 6s 1 4 0 To John York for 1500 of Boards for the Fort 1 16 0 To Capt. Elea'r Twitchell For 1000 of Board and carting 1 13 0 To Benj'n Eussell for 2 Days on the Fort at 6s 0 12 0 The above payment made by Joseph Twitchell, Treasurer 45 17 0 To Benj'n Barker account of 1 19 0 We the subscribers have received the within sums as are within men tioned & for the Services as within Set forth of Capt. Joseph Twitchell Proprietor's Treasurer. Rec'd bj- us (Signed) Benjamin Russell Jesse Dustin John York Isaac York Daniel Bean Josiah Bean Elea'r Twitchell Samuel Ingles Jonathan Clark. Commonw^ealth of Massachusetts. To Benj'n Barker Debtor to working on Fort at Sudbury Canada six days & Half in August 1781 £ s P at 6s per day 1 19 0 Sudbury Canada November ye 9th 1782 Benj'n Barker. Some years later and the demand had not been settled. A new petition was now presented, asking for a grant of the territory, now 58 HISTORY OF BETHEL. the town of Greenwood. Their claims were presented at this time in aggregates rather than in detail. The prayer of the petition was not granted, and the claims never settled. Following is a copy of the last petition : To the Honorable Senate and the Honorable House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in General Court Assembled. The Subscribers, Inhabitants of the Plantation called Sudbury Canada, in the county of Cumberland, humbly pray that your honors would make a grant to them of the Township Number Four, lying between said Planta^ tion and the town of Paris in said county, which although of an Indifferent quality, would be of use to thetn, and as it lies adjoining to their settle ment, might by their attention become a benefit to other Individuals as well as to the commonwealth. And as reasons for their making their request they humbly shew. That during the Avar of the revolution about eighteen years ago, some of your petitioners, having a grant from the General Court, entered upon said Plantation and began a settlement of it ; whereby others were encouraged to settle there, and by means of their hard labour and incessant toll, they have brought forward the said Planta tion to its present increased and increasing state, insomuch that it is now Taxed for the support of government, and they expect soon will become an Incorporated Town. That at the beginning of the settlement and during their progress in the same, they had many difticulties to encounter; which they now reflect upon with wonder as well as gratitude to that Being who supported* them in their attempts, relieved them in their distresses, and enabled them to withstand the difliculties they endured, and to convert a dark and gloomy wilderness into fruitful fields, which they flatter themselves other citizens of the commonwealth will now delight to dwell in. To those who know- or can conceive of the evils which exist in bringing forward the settlement of new Townships no particulars of the hardships they endured need be mentioned, but during the settlement of this Plantation the settlers have had peculiar difliculties to encounter. They have been exposed to the invasions of the Savages, and some of them have been carried into captivity ; they have been at great expense in building Fortresses for their protection, and in clearing Eoads to the nearest settlement, which are now inconvenient for them to travel in, being not only bad in themselves, but lengthens the travel to the Sea Port, where they -would carry their produce to market. It is there fore thought necessary for them to cut a Ne-w Eoad to Cummings Gore, that they may have a more direct one to Gray and thence to Portland, to which place through their Plantation C greatly benefitted the Commonwealth at large, and that notwithstanding the immediate benefit arising from the sale of waste land to those who piu'chase more for their own benefit than that of the public, the real wealth of the State, the solid and lasting advantages it \\\\\ receive from lands of those by whose exertions and persevering Resolutions the AVilderness is subdued, are, in the opinion of your Petitioners, vastly more important than such sales. An estimate of the expenses which your Petitioners have been at, is prepared to lay before your Honors. This with the reasons ofi'ered above they flatter themselves ¦will "without any other consideration, induce your Honors to grant the prayer of their Petition — but if your Honors should judge otherwise, they humbly desire it may be granted on such additional Terms as maj- be able to comply with. And in duty bound will ever pray. Jonathan Clark, Ezra Twitchell, John Brickett, Amos Powers, John York, Jeremiah Andrews, Moses Bartlett, Stei'hen Bartlett, Peregrin Bartlett, Thad's Bartlett, John Holt, .Ionathan Bartlett, James Swan, Daniel Bean, Elea'r Twitchell, Eli Twitchell, Joseph G. Swan, Benj'n Eussell, Jr., Amos Gage, Daniel Gage, Jedediah Grover, B. Eussell, John Grover, Thad's Russell, James Holt, Eli Grover, Zela Holt, William Eussell, Charles Stearns, Nathaniel Swan, Walter Mason, John Eussell, Eliphaz Chapman. An estimate of the expense as set forth in a Petition from Sudbury, Canada : dolls. Bulding Fortresses, Clearing Eoads, &c., &c.— Cutting out and making Eighteen Miles of Eoad, which in Proportion to out- ting out and making other Eoads in that part of thfe Country is estimated at Twenty-five dollars per mile 450 Cutting ten miles in another dii'ection at Fifteen dollars per mile, 150 Building Fortresses 152 1-2 752 1-2 The Amount of the loss Lieut. Jonathan Clark sustained by the Indians 80 Two men who were carried into Captivity that were taken at the time the aforesaid Clark sustained the aforesaid loss. Fifteen months absent 300 1132 1-2. €0 HISTORY OF BETHEL. The result of the incursion of the Indians was for a time very ¦damaging. The lands became depressed, and 'few new settlers came until peace was declared. It is told, and may and may not be true, that one of the proprietors sold to Daniel Barker for a mug ¦of flip, that part of the village on Main street, from Oilman Chapman's house and the store formerly occupied by Abner Davis. After the forts were built, the inhabitants came to them by night, and during the day went about their usual vocations, the men carry ing their guns with them into the flelds. A single gun fired from the garrisons, was the signal for all to hasten hither. Besides Farrington, who had received a lieutenant's commission, other officers in charge were Mr. Hutchinson and Mr. Bradley. Mrs. Martha Rowe, who was a daughter of Captain Eleazer Twitchell, and who lived to a great age, stated before her death, that her father's house was on an island and consisted of two rooms, and that the garrison was built against one end of the house. It was a breastwork made of hewn timbers with port holes, and of such height as to prevent a man from climbing upon it. Inside of these walls, were the cabins of the soldiers, the oflScers occupying one of the rooms in Captain Twitchell's house. The parade ground for the use of the company was on a plank bridge near where Pinckney Burnham's carriage shop afterwards stood. Two men from Frye burg were hired to scout through the woods, and give due warning should the Indians again appear, but it is said they spent most of their time in hunting and trapping, and made a good thing out of their job. But the savages did not agaiu make their appearance before the close of the war, and the rascally Tomhegan never again showed himself in the settlement. Had he done so, the settlers would probably have made short work of him. He was a surly, morose fellow, schooled to arms in the French and Indian wars, but he had always been well treated by the people of Sudbury Canada, had warmed himself at their fires, fed at their tables, drank with them, and fished and hunted wdth them, all which go to make Ms course the more perfidious and cowardly. The following is a list, so far as ascertained, of the names of the men who came from Fryeburg in August, seventeen hundred and eighty-one, and went in pursuit of the Indians. Peter Austin went to Fryeburg immediately after the raid, and returned with the others : HISTORY OF BETHEL. 61 Stephen Farrington, John Walker, Abraham Bradley, Abner Charles, Samuel Charles, Benj. Wiley, Jonathan Hutchins, Barnes Hazelton, John Gordon, John S. Sanborn, Hugh Gordon, Joseph G. Swan, Isaac Walker, John Farrington, Peter Astine, Nathaniel Walker, James Parker, Jesse Walker, Joseph Knight, Isaac Abbott, Jr., John Stephens, Jr., Oliver Barron, Simon Abbot. Following is the roll of the company which constituted the garri son in Sudbury Canada, under the pay of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in seventeen hundred and eighty-two : Stephen Farrington, Hugh Gordon, Jonathan Hutchins, Rob't Howe or Rowe, Jeremiah Chandler, Daniel Eastman, Moses Hutchins, Christopher Hisom, John Johnson, Benj. Russell, Jr., James Swan, Jr., Joseph Walker, John Merrill, Benj. Walker, Eli Twitchell, Isaac Abbot, Levi Dresser, Thomas Bragdon, Ephraim Davenport, David Evans, Jr., Ebenezer Macomber, John Pierce, William Russell, Augustus Frye, John Stevens, Josiah Wood, Isaac York. CHAPTER VIII. Early Statistics. ,N seventeen hundred and ninety the first enumeration of the population of the United States was made, and a census has been taken decennially since that time. Sudbury Canada had now been settled for a period of eleven years, and the enumeration shows sixty families in the plantation and a total population of three hundred and twenty-four. The enumera tion was made by Philip Page, Assistant Marshal, under the direc tion of General Henry Dearborn, Marshal of the District of Maine. The settlers at this time were extended along the river from the point where it enters the town from Gilead, to the point where it enters Rumford. Grover Hill was also settled and a few farms had been taken up on the upland bordering the intervals. Newry at this time contained twelve families settled along the Sunday and Bear rivers, and fifty inhabitants. The names of the heads of families in Newry were Asa Foster, Abner Foster, John Littlehale, '62 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Nathaniel Spofford, Joseph Jackson, Jonathan Barker, Jesse Barker, Benjamin Barker, Elijah Swan, Joseph Lary, David Blake and John Messer. The following is a copy of the enumeration of one thousand seven hundred and ninety, from the archives at Washing ton, showing the heads of families : -Jesse Dustin, James Swan, Joseph G. Swan, Theodore Russel, Abraham Russel, Benjamin Russel, Jonathan Bean, Daniel Bean, John Kilgore, Jr., Jacob Russel, •Joseph Kilgore, Amos Hastings, Enoch Bartlett, Stephen Estes, Matthias Frost,' Jonathan Bartlett, Amos Powers, Samuel Goss, Jeremiah Andrews, JS"athaniel Segar, Josiah Segar, Gideon Powers, Silas Powers, Stephen Bartlett, Moses Bartlett, John Abbott, John Abbott, Jr., Jonathan Bean, Jr., William Harvey, Thial Smith, John Kilgore, Benjamin Russel, Jr. Zela Holt, James Swan, Jr., John Holt, Isaac York, John York, Josiah Bean, Samuel Ingalls, Thaddeus Bartlett, Recapitulation . Jonathan Abbott John Mason, Deborah Mills, Peter Asten, James Grover, Thial Smith, Jr Thomas Frost, Eli Twitchel, Ezra Twitchel, Thomas Stearns, Eleazer Twitchel, Eliphaz Chapman, Jedediah Grover, John Grover, Walter Mason, Amos Gage, Daniel Gage, Oliver Fenno, Benjamin Clark, Jonathan Clark. .])^ White males of 16 years of age and upwards, including heads of families, 82 White males under 16 years, 89 Females, including heads of families, 153 Grand total. 324 In the year seventeen hundred and ninety-eight, a direct tax was imposed by the government of the United States upon the real estate of the country. The assessors for the second division of the fifteenth Massachusetts district were Simon Frye, principal, Moses Ames and Joseph Howard, assistants. At this time there were Jiineteen taxable houses iu town. Cheap houses were not taxed, HISTORY OF BETHEL. 63 and the list does not comprise those who lived in log houses or those who were not possessed of lands, and therefore not liable to taxation. The following is a list of such owners and occupants of real estate in Bethel at this time, as had taxable houses, each being taxed for forty perches of land in addition to his dwelling house. The land and buildings were taxed according to their assessed value : Mary Bartlett |200 00 Thaddeus Bartlett 180 00 Josiah Beau 250 00 John Brickett 120 00 Jonathan Clark 370 00 «' Benjamin Clark 150 00 OViYev Fenno 180 00 John Holt 110 00 Asa Kimball 180 00 Gideon Powers 110 00 Benjamin Russell 250 00 Abraham Russell 120 00 AVilliam Russell 110 00 Joseph G. Swan 110 00 Nathaniel Segar 200 00 Eleazer Twitchell 150 00 Eli Twitchell 200 00 Ezra Twitchell 150 00 John York 260 00 CHAPTER IX. Increase of Population and Incorporation. il^Y reference to the accounts for services rendered by the '^ inhabitants of Sudbury Canada plantation in a preceding chapter, it will be seen that several settlers had come since the Indian attack, and prior to November eighth, of the following year, when the accounts were made up. Jonathan Bartlett came to the plantation with Segar in seventeen hundred and seventy-nine, but is not mentioned by Segar as being here at the time of the raid. He settled on a farm above that occupied by Amos Powers, in the lower settlement and on the south side of the river. John Grover, a single man, was here at the time of the raid and was the messen ger sent to Fryeburg for assistance. He married Miss Jerusha Wiley of Fryeburg, and settled on Grover Hill. Jonathan Bean and his son Daniel, the former well advanced in years, settled on 64 HISTORY OF BETHEL. the farm which David Marshall had deserted the year previous. , Josiah Bean, another son of Jonathan, had settled near Samuel Ingalls, and Isaac York had settled near his brother. Colonel John York. In another account found among the papers of the late Jedediah Burbank, the same parties here mentioned were allowed for labor on the highway, and in addition to the names here men tioned, were Eli Twitchell, a brother of Captain Eleazer Twitchell, Thaddeus Bartlett, who settled near his brother Jonathan, Gideon Powers, who settled on the north side of the river in what is now Hanover, Moses Bartlett, who settled on the same side, a short distance below Powers, and Jeremiah Andrews, who settled on the south side of the river below the Amos Powers place. Notwithstanding a few settlers came in one by one, yet the influx was not such as to meet the wishes of the proprietors until after the close of the revolutionary war, and the establishment of a perma nent place. Then the old soldiers began to look eastward as a sort of promised land ; large numbers came, and Sudbury Canada had its full quota. Also some young men, thi-ough the efforts of (Captain Eleazer Twitchell, were induced to purchase lands and settle upon them, paying for the same in labor. The interval farms were rapidly taken up, and some inroads were made upon the uplands. The gri.st mill at Bethel Hill was a great convenience and was patronized by every household in town. Fpr several years, there was no regu lar miller. Each person brought his grist to the mill, found the door unfastened and the latch-string out, and entering ground his grist, and left it for the next visitor. The consequence was that the mill soon got out of repair, and as it was propelled by a large undershot wheel, it required more water than the little Mill Brook could furnish in times of summer drouth. This often gave great trouble, and at such times the settlers were either obliged to pound their corn in mortars or grind it in hand mills. In seventeen hun dred and eighty-one, the grist mill was repaired, an improved water wheel put in which required less water, and there was thereafter much less difficulty in supplying the colony with meal. In seven teen hundred and eighty-eight the mill was rebuilt, under the charge of Mr. Samuel Reddington from the Kennebec, who was a first-class workman. Sixteen years later, tub wheels were introduced, which proved a great improvement. Captain Peter Twitchell, the youngest son of Joseph Twitchell, came to Sudbury Canada to reside in seventeen hundred and eighty- HISTORY OF BETHEL. 65 four. He had previously visited the place the first time when he was a boy of seventeen, and when his brother Eleazer's house was the only one in the west part of the town. It was located on the island, near the grist mill, as before stated. Peter Twitchell com menced a clearing on the north side of the river, on the farm after wards occupied by Alphin Twitchell. A more extended notice of this man will be given hereafter. Captain Eli Twitchell (they were all military men) came to the settlement in the spring of seventeen hundred and eighty-two, and made a clearing upon the farm after wards occupied by his grandson, Mr. Curatio Bartlett. Dea. Ezra Twitchell, another brother of the preceding, came a year later, and settled upon the farm near Mayville, afterwards occupied by his son Ezra Twitchell, Junior. Moses Mason came to Bethel from Dublin, New Hampshire, and bought the farm on the north side of the river, of his brother-in-law, Eleazer Twitchell, which was after ward occupied by his son, Aaron Mason, and since by his grandson, Moses A. Mason. Jonathan Bean, the early settler, was born in the town of Brent wood or Kingston, New Hampshire. He moved from that town to Chester, where he lived a number of years. A little after seventeen hundred and sixty he moved to Standish, Maine, where he lived until his removal to Bethel. He died here in eighteen hundred and nine ; it is said that he committed suicide. His sons, .Josiah, Jona than, Junior, and Daniel, came to Bethel with him, and lived and died here. They were a hardy race of men, and descendants of John Bean, who early came from Scotland and settled in Exeter, New Hampshire. The great freshet in town in seventeen hundred and eighty-five, which did a large amount of damage, is noticed elsewhere. In seventeen hundred and ninety the first census was taken and the returns show over three hundred persons, old and young, residing in the plantation. Ten years later the number had increased to six hundred and sixteen. At the beginning of the year seventeen hundred and ninety-six, the population having largely increased within a few years, the inhabi tants of Sudbury Canada began to talk of a more efficient organiza tion of their municipality, and a petition was drafted and forwarded to the General Court, asking for an act of incorporation as a town. The question of a name excited considerable interest, and Captain Twitchell suggested the name of Ai. But Rev. Eliphaz Chapman suggested the name of Bethel and it was adopted by the petitioners. 5 66 HISTORY OF BETHEL. The town was named for that Bethel so called by the patriarch Jacob, formerly known as Luz, and mentioned in the book of Genesis. The following is the act of incorporation : Commonwealth op Massachusetts. In the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-six. An act to incorporate the plantation called Sudbury Canada, in the county of York (Cumberland), and for establishing therein two Parishes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same that the tract of land called Sudbury Canada, bounded as follows, namely : Beginning at a beach tree marked S. Y., one mile from Amare- scoggin river, and on the north side of Peabody's Patent, thence running south twenty-eight degrees east ; four miles and one-half on Peabody's Patent, and Fryeburg Academy laud, to a hemlock tree marked I-I-I III. Thence east twenty degrees north, nine miles on Oxford and State lands to a beach tree marked V ; thence north twenty degrees, west four miles and one-quarter and sixty rods on Newpennicook, to Amariscoggin river ; thence west two degrees south, three miles and three-quarters on Howard's Grant to a beach tree ; thence west thirty- four degrees south on Thomastowu (Newry) to the first mentioned bound. Together with the inhabitants there on, be and they are hereby incorporated into a town by the name of Bethel. And the inhabitants of said town are hereby invested with all the powers, privileges and immunities which the inhabitants of towns within this Commonwealth do, or may, by law enjoy. And be it further enacted that Benjamin Russell, Esq., is hereby authorized and empowered to issue his warrant directed to some suitable inhabitant of said town of Bethel, directing him to notify the inhabitants of said town qualified to vote on town affairs, to meet at such time and place as he shall appoint, to choose such officers as other towns are empowered to choose, at their annual meetings in the month of March or April, annually. Be it further enacted, by the authority aforesaid, that the said town of Bethel be, and the same is hereby divided into two distinct Parishes, to be designated "The East Parish and West Parish," and the following shall be the dividing line between said Parishes, viz : Beginning at the south line of the town at a tree marked sixteen seventeen, standing on the line between the sixteenth and seven teenth ranges, to the north line of the town, and all the lands in said town with the inhabitants thereon, east of said dividing line, be and hereby are, incorporated into a separate Parish by the name of the East Parish in Bethel. And all the land in said town with the in habitants thereon west of the said dividing line, be and hereby are incorporated into a separate Parish by the name of the West Parish in Bethel. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 67 And that each of said Parishes be and are hereby possessed with all the powers, privileges and immunities which other Parishes within this Commonwealth are entitled to or do by law enjoy. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, tliat Benja min Russell, Esq., be and is hereby authorized to issue his several warrants directed to some suitable person in each of said Parishes, requiring him to notify and warn the inhabitants wherein he lives to meet at the time and place expressed in such warrant for the purpose of choosing such Parish officers, as may be chosen in the month of March, or April, annually, and also to transact any other business that may be legally transacted in Parish meetings. From the House of Representatives, June 10th, 1796. This bill having had three several readings passed to be enacted. Edw. Robbins, Speaker. From the Senate, June 10th, 1776. This bill having had two several readings, passed to be enacted.. Sam'l Phillips, President. June 10th. By the Governor approved. Sam'l Adams. True copy. Attest : John Avery, Secretary. The first town meeting after its incorporation, was held at the house of Gen. Amos Hastings at Middle Interval. It may be noticed here that it was the custom of that day to bestow the office of Hogreeve on the young men who had married within the year. Commonwealth of Massachusetts. York ss. To Eli Twitchell, of Bethel, in said County of York, Gentleman. Greeting : You are hereby authorized and directed forthwith to notify and warn freeholders and other inhabitants of said town of Bethel, qualified to vote in town meetings, viz : Such as pay to one single tax beside the pole or poles, a sum equal to a single dollar tax ; to meet and assemble at the dwelling house of Mr. Amos Hastings in said town on Monday the fifteenth day of August next, at one of the o'clock in the afternoon, giving fifteen days notice, at least of said meeting, for the purpose of choosing officers as other towns are empowered to choose, at their annual meetings in the month of March or iji,pril, annually. First, to choose a moderator to regulate said meeting; 2d, a clerk; 3d, selectmen ; 4th, a treasurer; 5th, assessors ; 6th, a constable ; 7th, a collector of taxes, and any other officers that the town may think proper to choose. And you are 68 HISTORY OF BETHEL. hereby directed to make return to me of your doings in consequence of this warrant to you directed. Given under my hand and seal, this twenty-third day of July, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-six. By order of the General Court. Benj. Russell, Justice of the Peace. Pursuant to the above warrant, I have notified and warned the inhabitants of said town qualified as therein expressed, to meet at the time and place and for the purpose within mentioned. Eli Twitchell. At a legal meeting of the inhabitants of the town of Bethel, opened on the fifteenth day of August, A. D., one thousand seven hundred and ninety-six, made choice of Lieut. Jonathan Clark, moderator of the meeting, and by a vote made choice of Benjamin Russell, town clerk for the ensuing year. Then, Voted, That there be three selectmen chosen for the ensuing year. Then by written votes made choice of John Kilgore for the first selectman the ensuing year. Voted, That Lieut. Jonathan Clark be the second selectman for the ensuing year. Voted, That Jonathan Bartlett be the third selectman for the ensuing year. Voted, That Lieut. Jonathan Clark be town treasurer for the ensuing year. Voted, That Mr. Joseph G. Swan be constable for the ensuing year. Voted, That the person that will collect the town, county and State taxes for the least sum on one dollar, be the collector for the ensuing year. It was bid off to Mr. Joseph G. Swan at three cents on the dollar. Then voted for tythingmen for the ensuing year. Made choice of Messrs. Jedediah Grover and Gideon Powers. Surveyors of lumber, Mr. John York, Lieut. Jonathan Clark. Hogreeves the ensuing year, Messrs. John Stearns, James Swan, Jr., and Silas Powers . York ss. In the month of August, 1796. Personally appeared all the above mentioned town officers and were sworn to the faithful discharge of the duties of their respective offices before me. Benj. Russell, Justice of the Peace. Yorkss. August 15th, 1796. Personally appeared Benj. Russell, Esq., and was sworn truly to record all votes passed in this meeting and at other town meetings during the year and until another clerk shall be chosen and sworn. Before Jonathan Clark, Moderator. CHAPTER X. A Second Enumeration. HE second enumeration of the people of the United States took place in the year eighteen hundred. During the decade since seventeen hundred and ninety, the population of Sudbury Canada, which had now become the town of Bethel, had nearly doubled. Forty-five heads of families had been added, making a total of one hundred and five. The total popula tion now was six hundred and twenty-two, against three hundred and twenty-four ten years previous. Several of the heads of fami lies enumerated in seventeen hundred and ninety, are not found on the later schedule, they either having deceased or left the town. Enoch Bartlett had settled in Newry, Samuel Ingalls had moved to Bridgton, Josiah Segar and Samuel Goss to Rumford, while of William Harvey, I know nothing. The Smiths also, Ithiel and Ithiel, Junior, had gone to Newry. But the Carters, the Masons, the Coffins, the Farewells, the Greenwoods and several other new families had come to take their places. The following are the heads of families as returned in the schedule of eighteen hundred : Elisha Adams, Peregrine Bartlet, Nathan Adams, Thadeus Bartlet, Isaac Adams. Moses Bartlet, Peter Adley, Reuben Bartlet, Solomon Annis, Stephen Bartlet, Solomon Annis, -Ir., Aaron Barton, Jeremiah Andrews, Benjamin Brown, Joseph Ayer, Timothy Carter, Josiah Bean, Thomas Capen, Jonathan Bean, Eliphaz Chapman, Jesse Bean, Jonathan Clark, John Bean, Benjamin Clark, Jonathan Bean, Jr., David Coffin, Daniel Bean, Daniel Coffin, Timothy Bean, Jonathan Coffin, 70 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Nepthalim Coffin, Ezekiel Duston, Jesse Duston, Ebenezer Emes, John EUenwood, Richard Estis, Absalom Farwell, Oliver Fenno, Nathaniel Frost, Moses Frost, Thomas Frost, Joseph Greenwood, Esq., Nathaniel Greenwood, Daniel Gage, Amos Gage, Benjamin Goodenow, Samuel Gossom, Rev. Daniel Gould, Elijah Grover, James Grover, John Grover, Jedediah Grover, Eli Grover, Amos Hastings, Zela Holt, James Holt, Timothy A. Holt, John Holt, Phinehas Howard, John Kilgore, John Kilgore, Jr., Asa Kimball, Asa Kimball, Jr. , Samuel Kimball, Eliphalet Lane, Samuel B. Locke, Walter Mason, Moses Mason, Joseph Merrill, Roger Merrill, Paul Morse, William Newland, James Noble, Amos Powers, Gideon Powers, Silas Powers, Benjamin Russell, Esq., Abraham Russell, Benjamin Russell, Jr., William Russell, John Russell, Theodore Russell, Josiah Russell, James Robinson, Nathaniel Seager, Nathaniel Spofford, Thomas Stearns, Charles Stearns, John Stearns, John Stearns, Jr., James Swan, Jr., Joseph G. Swan, Nathaniel Swan, Benjamin Sweat, Isaac Towne, Eleazer Twitchell, Eli Twitchell. Ezra Twitchell, Cyrus Twitchell, Simeon Twitchell, Jonas Willis, Jonathan Wheeler, Joseph Wheeler, Isaac York, John York, White males under ten years of age, 134 ; females, 137. White males between ten and sixteen, 36 ; females, 50. White males between sixteen and twenty-six, 43 ; females, 46. White males between twenty-six and forty-flve, 61 ; females, 53. White males over forty-five, 34 ; females, 28. Total males 308 Total females 314 Total population 622 CHAPTER XI. j^ The Androscoggin Indians. I'F this region, the aboriginal inhabitants were the Andro scoggin Indians, sometimes called the Anasagunticooks. They claimed the territory from Merrymeeting Bay, which they called Quabacook, to the head waters of the river. They were divided into several sub-tribes, each under a chief and all subject to the grand Sagamore. Those between Quabacook and Amigonpontook Falls, now known as Lewiston Falls, were known as Pejepscots, with headquarters at Lisbon ; those next above with headquarters at Canton, were called the Rocomekos, but just what the name of the sub-tribe was that lived in Bethel, we have no means of knowing. The history of the once powerful tribe of Anasagunticook Indians, while it would be very interesting, does not properly come within the scope of the history of a single town, and therefore only a brief outline sketch will be attempted here. Everything goes to show that the tribe that inhabited the Andro scoggin valley was a powerful one and that they were much attached to these hunting grounds. Like all the aborigines, they were no madic in their habits and often wandered away and spent their time at the seashore, and also in the region of the northern lakes. But the Androscoggin river and its tributaries, abounded with food fishes of various kinds including the salmon, while the forests were filled with every kind of game. The intervals also were easily cleared, very fertile and with but little dressing would produce luxuriant crops of maize or Indian corn. The land was cultivated by the women in a very primitive way, their hoes being the large sea shells they brought up from the coast, and their dressing the poorer quality of flsh from the river. It is recorded that the Androscoggin Indians were more implaca ble than those tribes farther east, and generally refused to make terms with the white man. After the settlement of Canada by the 72 HISTORY OF BETHEL. French, the Indians here were completely under their control and took a prominent part in raids upon the English settlernents along the coast. The Androscoggins always claimed that they never deeded away any of their lands above Rumford Falls. The deed from Worombo to Richard Wharton in sixteen hundred and eighty- four reads: "All the land from the falls to Pejepscot and Merry- meeting Bay to Kennebec, and toward the wilderness, to be bounded by a southwest and a northwesterly line to extend from the upper part of the said Androscoggin uppermost falls," etc. If Rumford Falls are here meant, the position of the Indians was entirely correct. It has been said tharthe principal cause of the raid upon the early Bethel settlers was the fact that they had never sold the land, and did not like to have it taken and settled upon by the whites. Be this as it may, the Indians continued to hang about Bethel after the first settlers came, and wintered here at the time Jonathan Keys left his boys here for several months with no white settler nearer than Fryeburg. As the deed to Worombo contains many references to land transactions, it is given verbatim below: " To all to vihom these Presents shall come : Know ye that whereas near three score years since Mr. Thomas Purchase, disceased came into this Country as we have been well informed, and did as well by Power or Pattent derived from the King of England as by Consent, Contract and Agreement with Sagamores and Proprietors of all the lands lying on the Easterly side of Casco Bay & on both sides of Androscogan River & Kennebec River ; enter upon and take possession of all the Lands, lying four Miles Westward from the uppermost falls, In sayd Androscogan River to Maqquait in Casco Bay on the lands on the other side Androscogan River from above said falls down to Pejepscott & Merrymeeting Bay to bee bounded by a South west & North west lyne, to rune from the Upper part of said falls to Kennebec River, & all the Land from Maqquait to Pejepscot & to hould the same breadth where your land will beare it, down to a place called Atkins his Bay near to Saggadahock on the westerly side of Kennebec River & the lands between the sd Atkins his Bay & Small poynt Harbour the Lands & Rivers & Ponds interiacent Contain ing yr. in breadth about three english Miles more or less and whereas wee are well assured that Major Nichols Shapleigh iu his life tyme, was both by purchase from the Indians Sagamores our Ancestors & Consent of Wm. Gorge Commissioner possessed and dyed seized of the Remaynder of all the Lands lying and Adjoying upon the Mayne, and all the Islands between the sd Small Point Harbour & Maqquait aforesaid & particularly of a neck of land called Meraconeg & an Island called Sabas- con Diggins, & wherea.s the relects & Heyrs of sd. Mr. Purchase and Major Nicholas Shepleigh have reserved accomodations for their several HISTORY OF BETHEL. 73 Pamilys should all the remainder of the aforesaid Lands, & Islands to Richard Wharton of Boston Merchant & for as much as the sd. mr. Pur chase did personally possess, improve, & Inhabit, at Pejepscot aforesaid near the Centor or Middle of all the Lands afors'd for near fifty years before the late unhappy war and whereas the sd. Richard Wharton hath desired an enlargement uppon & between the sd. Androscoggan & Kenne- becke River & to Incorage the sd. Richard Wharton to settle an English town & promote the Salmon & Sturgeon fishing by which we promise ourselves great Supplies and Relief Therefore & for other good Causes & Considerations & especially for in consideration of a valuable sume re ceived from the sd Wharton in Merchandize Wee Warumbee, Darumkine, Wehickermett, Weedon, Damhegan, Neanongasett & Numbonewett, Chief Sagamore of all the afores'd & other Rivers and Lands adjacent, have in confirmation of the sd Richard Whartons title & Propriety fully freely & absolutely given granted ratified & confirmed to him the sd Richard Wharton all the aforesaid Lands from the upper most part of Androscog gan falls foure miles, Westward & so down to Maqquit & by sd River of Pejepscot & from the other side of Androscoggan Falls, all the Land from the Falls to Pejepscott & Merrymeeting Bay to Kennebecke, & towards the wilderness to be bounded by a South west and Northwesterly direction to extend from the upper part of the sd Androscogan uppermost falls to the said River of Kennebecke and all the lands from Maqquait to Pejepscot & to rune & hould the same breadth where the land will beare it, unto Atkins his Bay & Kennebecke River & Small Paynt Harbour. In Casco Bay, and all the Islands In Kennebecke and Pejepscot River & Merrymeet ing Bay and within aforesaid bounds especially the afores'd Necke of land called Merryconeage and island called Sabascon Diggin together with all the Rivers, Rivulets, brooks, ponds, pools, Waters, Water Courses, all the Wood Trees of timber or other trees and all mines minerals quarries, & especialy the soole Use and benefit of Salmon & Spurgeon fishing in all the Rivers Rivulets or Bays of aforesaid and in all Rivers, brooks. Creeks, or ponds within any of the bounds afores'd & also Wee the said Sagamores have upon the Consideration aforesaid given, granted, bargained, & souled enfeoft'ed & confirmed. And do by these presents give, grant, bargain, & sell, allience Interoff & confirm to him the sd Richard Wharton all the Land lying miles above the uppermost of the said Androscoggan Falls, in length and breadth houlding the same breadth from Androscoggan Falls to Kennebecke River, and to be bounded by the aforesaid Southwest & North East lyne & a parcell of Lands at five miles Distance to run from Androscoggan to Kennebec River as afores'd together with all the profit privileges Commodities, Benefits & advantages & particularly the soole property beuefitts & advantages of the Salmon & Sturgeon fishing within bounds & lymits afores'd To have and hold to him the said Richard Whar. ton, his Heirs and assigns forever, all the aforenamed Land Priviledges & Premisses with all beuefitts, rights appertenances or advantages y'r now do or hereafter shall or may belong unto any part or parcell of the prem ises fully, freely & absolutely acquited & Discharged from all former & 74 HISTORY OF BETHEL. other gyfts, grants bargains & Sales Mortgage & encumbrances whatso ever ; and Wee the sd Worumbee, Darunkine, Whihhermete, Wedon, Dum- hegan, Neonongassett, & Nimbatsett, do covenant & gyant to & with the sd Eichard Wharton, that Wee have in ourselves good Eight & full power thus to confirm & convey the premises and that Wee our Heirs successors shall & will warrant and defend the s'd Richard Wharton his heirs and assigns forever in the Peaceable enjoyment of the Premises and every part thereof against all and every person or persons, that may legally claim any Right, Title, Interest or proxjriety in the Premises by from or under us the above named Sagamores, or and of our Ancestors or prede cessors. Provided nevertheless that nothing in this Deede be construed to Deprive us the sd Saggamores successors or people from improving our Ancient Planting grounds, nor from hunting in and on the said lands being not Inclosed, nor from fishing for our own Provision, so long as no damage shall be to the English Fishery ; provided so that nothing herein contained shall prejudice and of the English Inhabitants or planters being at present actually possessed of any part of the Premises and legally deriving Right from sd Mr. Purchase, and — or Ancestors. In Witness whereof — We the aforenamed Sagamores well understanding the purport hereof do set to our hands and seals at Pejepscott the sevetenth day of July in the thuty-fifth year of the Reign Severing Lord — King Charles the second one thousand six hundred eightj'-four. This Worombo seems to have been very prominent in the affairs of his tribe. He is said to have lived in a fortified place at Canton Point, though the description of the locality is somewhat indefinite, and it may have been either at Lisbon or Brunswick. He was a celebrated warrior and did much harm to the pioneer settlers of Maine. In sixteen hundred and eighty-nine, he with others, attacked Captain Church at Casco, killed seven of his men and wounded twenty more. Worombo's fort had been captured by the whites pre viously, the same year, and the attack on Church was in retaliation. Early in the eighteenth century, the authorities of Canada invited the Indians of Western Maine to move to Canada and make settle ments upon the rivers Becancourt and the Saint Francois. Among the first tribes that responded, were the Pequakets and large num bers of the Anasagunticooks. They settled upon the Saint Francois, gave up their ancient tribal names and became the Saint Francis tribe. In the subsequent Indian wars, this was the headquarters of the Indians that operated in Maine. The Androscoggins, however, did not entirely leave this region as a tribe until half a century later. Meantime, their numbers had become greatly diminished by war, and in seventeen hundred and fifty-five, most of those that had HISTORY OF BETHEL. 75 remained here, put out their council fires never again to be relighted on the upper Androscoggin and joined their brethren in Canada. They were henceforth as heretofore, the allies of the French, but only for four years, when French power in Canada received its •death blow at the conquest of Quebec, and the Indians, many of them, moved westward, and others become subjects of the English. In seventeen hundred and fifty-one the Sokokis Indians, whose families had been with the English, while they themselves were at Louisberg, had of choice, returned to their former places of abode and hunting grounds" at Pequaket, satisfied with the treatment received, and much attached to their English friends. In seventeen hundred and fifty-four hostilities breaking out, a bounty of one hundred pounds was offered by the General Court for the scalp of any St. Francis Indian, and ten pounds more additional for any one taken alive ; such was public indignation against that tribe. In seventeen hundred and fifty-five the General Court declared war against the Anasagunticook Indians, and all the other tribes east ward of Piscataqua, excepting those upon Penobscot river. In seventeen hundred and fifty-six, a small force of men was sent up the Androscoggin in whale boats, a distance of sixty-five miles, probably as far as Rumford Falls. They found no Indians, but measured distance and noted the features of the country. In seven teen hundred and fifty-seven the Anasagunticooks, who originally inhabited the banks of the Androscoggin, still viewed the country as their own, and often visited it. They made an attack on a party of eight men near the fort in Topsham, and wounded two at the first ¦onset. A severe skirmish ensued, in which the Indians, on seeing two of their number fall dead by their side, seized their bodies and fled. Two Englishmen were killed farther up the river. In seven teen hundred and seventy-flve Sabattis and Natanis accompanied Gen. Arnold to Quebec. The Indians of New England had their ancient homes on the principal rivers. On the Connecticut were the Mohicans, and those at its source Nipmues. On the Merrrimac were the Pennacooks ; on the Saco, the Sokokis, and towards its source the Pequakets. On the Androscoggin were the several sub-tribes of the Anasagun ticooks ; on the Kennebec, the Canibis and the Norredgewogs, and on the Penobscot, the Tarratines. On the St. Georges river were the Wawenocks, on the St. Croix, the Passamaquoddy, and on the Saint John, the Marachites. These New England Indians belonged 76 HISTORY OF BETHEL. to the great Algonquin nation, all speaking one language, though broken up into several dialects. The Algonquins called themselves Leni Lenapes, meaning original men. They were also called Aben- akis or Abenaquois, meaning eastern men. The English called the Abenakis, Tarratines, though this name afterwards became restricted to the tribes on the Penobscot. The principal chief was called the Bashaba, who had control over all the subdivisions of his tribe. There is something sad in the contemplation of this lost and almost forgotten tribe that once owned and occupied the fertile valley of the Androscoggin. The few scrajfs of their history that have come down to us, give us only vague ideas of their habits, their strength before the advent of the white man, and their legends and traditions. Having no written language, but for the little that is recorded of them by their conquerors, they would soon be entirely forgotten. Their implements turned up occasionally by the plow, or laid bare by the freshet, are even now the only substantial tokens we have that a rude and unlearned people occupied these lands long before the white race came here. These implements of a stone age show some, but not marked progress through a long cycle of years. In the older strata they are rough, while in the later they are polished, and this is the only material change. That they had some knowledge of metals, particularly of copper, before they came in contact with civilized people, is quite evident, though its use was limited mostly to ornaments. The stone age was nearly or quite universal. Arrow and spear heads, gouges, chisels, mortars, sinkers and numbers of other implements for domestic use, for the chase and for war, are widely distributed and vary but little in their form and manner of construction. Stone pipes are found in various places, and stone idols are peculiar to certain localities. The Indians on the Androscoggin were a brave and warlike race and exerted a powerful influence in the councils of the Maine tribes. Joseph Bane of York was captured by them in sixteen hundred and ninety-seven, and remained with them over six years. He adopted their way of living and learned their language, and probably would have remained with them but for a general exchange of prisoners provided for by treaty. His services were subsequently very valua ble to the government as an interpreter. He was familiar with the entire region of the Androscoggin, and with the different sub-tribes that dwelt upon it. But he was not a man of letters, and he left no account of his adventures and experiences. The Indians of New HISTORY OF BETHEL. 77 England have passed into history, and we have little to remind us of them save in the names of some of our lakes, rivers and moun tains. It is much to be regretted that more of the old Indian names have not been preserved. Anasagunticook is applied to the highest mountain in this region, but it is generally called by the name of a settler. The Indian names are sometimes a little long and tedious, but many of them are euphonic, and all of them are expressive of some peculiarity or quality, or commemorate some incident. Not even in the Greek language, distinguished for its euphony, is there anything finer than "Allegash," "Meduxnekeag," "Aziscoos," "Ammonoosuc," and "Amariscoggin." That taste is certainly mor bid that prefers for the names of mountains, "Old Spec," "Saddle back," "Goose-eye" and "Waterspout," to such names as "Kineo," "Katahdin," "Ossipee," "Chocorua" and "Passaconaway." Now that the Indians have left this region forever it is useless to moralize over their decay or to speak of their treatment. They may have been cheated and in some cases abused, but this is inevitable when the intellectually weak come in contact with the intellectually strong. Iu case of the aborigines of this country, history only repeats itself as it is ever doing. The original races have been driven out of every country in Europe, and some of them have been repeopled several times. The rude Briton, clothed in skins, living in caves and offering human sacrifices to his god, is hardly the type of the modern Englishman or American. It required the amalgamation of several races, and several centuries of time, to develop the present race of English speaking people. And to weld together these different races, so as to form a homogeneous people, has cost oceans of blood and cruelties too horrible to relate. But the race thus perfected has accomplished more in the way of human progress, and in the amelioration of the condition of mankind, than any that has preceded it, or any contemporary with it. The English came to America and found here a barbarous people, one that had made no progress for centuries, and in their intellectual develop ment, but little above the brute creation. They could not live in harmony together, and they could not amalgamate, and so the weak must give way to the strong. That is just what happened, and just what always will happen under similar circumstances. The Andro scoggin Indians enjoyed life in their way, but they lived at a poor dying rate. They hunted, fished and fought, and had a very few acres under cultivation. Their successors have filled the valley of 78 HISTORY OF BETHEL. the Androscoggin with pleasant homes, with school houses and churches, with green fields and broad pastures, and with everything^ that goes to make up a civilized community. We may have sympa thy for the lost tribes, but we cannot deplore a change that has been productive of such grand results. Molly Ockett. The name of this woman is well known to the older inhabitants of this vicinity. The Rokomeko Tribe at Canton Point in seventeen hundred and fifty-five, numbered several hundreds, but were visited about that time by the small pox, communicated by the French. It swept away nearly the whole tribe. It is probable that Molly Ockett, with the few remaining Indians on the Androscoggin river, left for Canada soon after, as she seems to have been called a St. Francis Indian by the early settlers of Bethel. She came, according to Mr. Nathaniel Swan's account, in whose family she lived several years, from Canada to Fryeburg, where she became acquainted with Sabattis, who is supposed to be the same that Col. Rogers brought from Canada to Fryeburg wh'en a boy in seventeen hundred and fifty-nine. He lived with her as his assumed, though not lawful wife, and had by her three children. She subse quently refused to live with him on account of his intemperate habits and quarrelsome disposition. She came to Bethel soon after the settlement of the town, and claimed a right to the land as an original proprietor. The Indians probably never included the upper waters of the Androscoggin in any of their treaties or deeds. She was described by Mrs. Martha Rowe of Gilead, who knew her well, as a pretty, genteel squaw. She had a daughter, Molly Susup, previous to her acquaintance with Sabattis. She lived with her mother at Bethel, attended school with the whites, and spoke the English language fluently. She possessed a vigorous frame, and engaged in sports with the boys for whom she was frequently more than a match. A circumstance is still remembered when she and her antagonist clinched, and in the contest, both rolled down the bank of the river together. Capt. Swarson, an old Indian, was very anxious to marry her, but Molly Ockett was opposed to the match. She afterwards married a Penobscot Indian, who quarreled with her, and left her. Molly Ockett was a good huntress and would often go into the woods and over to the lakes and shoot moose and bears, and return. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 79 to the settlement for assistance in bringing in the most valuable portions of the game. She collected duck feathers sufficient to make a bed, which she presented to Mr. Swan. Like most of the Indians, she was fond of rum. She would drink a pint of beer emptyings with the greatest relish. She was well skilled in roots and herbs, and spent the latter portion of her life in going from place to place, and giving advice and medicine to the sick. She qften boasted of her noble descent. Her father and grandfather were prominent chiefs in their tribe, and had passed through all the exciting scenes of warfare between the French and English during the last century. When the Indians came from Canada and encamped in Bethel, she refused to associate with them. At one time she had a camp of her own on the north side of the river near Curatio Bartlett's, which she had well covered and lined with bark, and where she had her bed and slept, but took her meals in some white family. She seemed to possess considerable ingenuity. A box made by her of birch bark more than seventy years ago, was once in the possession of Mrs. John Kimball of this town. Molly Ockett sympathized with the Methodists and professed to become a convert. She used to call them "drefful clever folks." She sometimes spoke in their meetings, but could not divest herself of the idea that she ought to make confession to the priest, and occasionally went to Canada for this purpose. She was easily offended. She had been out one time and gathered a pailful of blueberries, which she carried to her friend, the wife of Rev. Eliphaz Chapman, on Monday morning. Mrs. Chapman on emptying the pail, found them very fresh, and told her that she picked them on Sunday. "Certainly," said Molly. "But you did wrong," was the reproof. Molly took offence and left abruptly, and did not make her appearance for several weeks, when, one day, she came into the house at dinner time. Mrs. Chapman made arrangements for her at the table, but she refused to eat. "Choke me," said she ; "I was right in picking the blue berries on Sunday, it was so pleasant, and I was so happy that the Great Spirit had provided them for me." At this answer Mrs. Chapman felt more than half condemned for reproving her as she did. Who could harshly judge this child of nature by the same law that would condemn those more enlightened ? The following paragraph respecting her is from Willey's White Mountain Sketches : "A Colonel Clark of Boston, had been in the 80 HISTORY OF BETHEL. habit of visiting annually the White Mountains, and trading for furs. He had thus become acquainted with all the settlers and many of the Indians. He was much esteemed for his honesty, and his visits were looked forward to with much interest. Tomhegan had formed the design of killing him, and, contrary to his usual shrewdness, had disclosed his plan to some of his companions. One of them, in a drunken spree, told the secret to Molly Ockett, a squaw who had been converted to Christianity, and was much loved and respected by the whites. She determined to save Clark's life. To do it, she must traverse a wilderness of many miles to his camp. But, nothing daunted, the courageous and faithful woman, setting out early in the evening of the intended massacre, reached Clark's camp just in season for him to escape. Tomhegan had already killed two of Clark's companions, encamped a mile or two from him. He made good his escai)e, with his noble preserver, to the settlements. Colonel Clark's gratitude knew no bounds. In every way he sought to reward the kind squaw for the noble act she had performed. For a long time she resisted all his attempts to repay her, until at last, overcome by his earnest entreaties and the difficulty of sustaining herself in old age, she became an inmate of his family in Boston. For a year she bore with a martyr's endur ance, the restraints of civilized life, but at length she could do it no longer. She must die, she said, in the great forest, amid the trees, the companions of her youth. Devotedly pious, she sighed for the woods, where, under the clear blue sky, she might pray to God as she had when first converted. Clark saw her distress, and built her a wigwam on the Falls of the Pennacook, and there supported her the remainder of her days. Often did he visit her, bringing the necessary provision for her sustenance." She afterwards lived in Andover, and was present at the birth of the first child in that town, she and the mother being the only females at that time residing there. She nursed the mother, and continued to reside in the town until her death, at the advanced age of more than one hundred years. The Rev. Mr. Strickland, pastor of the church in Andover, conducted the religious services at her funeral, and she was buried in the cemetery of that town. A short distance south of the outlet of Umbagog Lake is a large smooth rock projecting into the water called Moll's Rock. Her name is also perpetuated by a mountain named after her in Wood stock, where she had a camp. She seemed to be a person of more HISTORY OF BETHEL. Ml than ordinary ability, possessed a large frame and features, and walked very erect even in old age. She wore a pointed cap, but in other respects dressed in Indian style. She was very loquacious and entertained the inhabitants with stories and anecdotes. Her name was spelled and pronounced in several different ways, Mol- lockett, Molly Ockett, Mollyockett, Mollyiockett, MoUyrockett and MoUynockett. These changes arose in consequence of tlie commu- tability of the liquids 1, n and r. Many apocryphal anecdotes have been handed down concerning her, but it is believed tiie foregoing sketch embodies all the leading facts of her history that can now be obtained. Metalluk or Natalluc. The Indian bearing the above name, of something like it, was the last of the once powerful tribe that once inhabited the valley of the- Androscoggin, and he is well remembered by many now living. Of his early life but little is known. He left the hanks of the Androscoggin with most of his tribe, and settled on the river Saint Francois in Canada, and Segar felt quite sure that he saw him there during his captivity^ The late John M. Wilson, who long resided on the Magalloway river, and knew Metalluk well, wrote as follows concerning him : "All that I knew of him prior to eighteen hundred and thirty-two, was obtained from common reports. It was said that he was a St. Francis Indian, and was banished froin the tribe for some misdemeanor. He had three children at least, probably by his first wife. His sons names were Parmagummet nnd Wilumpi. His daughter married a man in Canada by the name of Moulton. Mettalluc lived several years on the shores of Richardson's lake with his second wife, who died there and was buried on a point of land since cleared and is a part of the lake farm. He then built his wigwam and lived alone some years at the narrows of Umbagog lake, on or near what is now the Stone farm. Leaving this, he next took up his residence in township number five, range two, where I found him in eighteen hundred and thirty-two. Here he subsisted chiefly by hunting, and lived in a camp about ten feet square made of spruce bark. He was here some ten or twelve years without making any clearing about his camp and would draw potatoes from the settlement in winter twelve miles on a hand sled, rather than raise them. At this camp he was several times visited by Governor Enoch Lincoln, who would stay several days at a time. 6 82 HISTORY OF BETHEL. He was very civil and hospitable to strangers, but not very com municative, and the only bad habit he had, probably, was that of taking too much fire-water when he could get it. In the winter of eighteen hundred and thirty-six, in getting wood at considerable distance from his camp, he thrust a splinter into his eye, and was found in that condition by two men who happened that way, in a very cold day, perfectly blind, having lost one eye several years before. He was unable to reach his camp, and must soon have perished without assistance. Without being. aware of his condition, his daughter and her son arrived here for the purpose of looking after him about the time he was brought from his camp, and took him with them to Canada. He was entirely blind and helpless the remainder of his days, and died some six or seven years after he left this place, in Stewarts- town, New Hampshire, having been supported some time at the county charge. It is supposed that Metalluck at the time of death, was more than one hundred years old. He was a close built man, of about middling stature, very athletic and possessed of great powers of endurance. He came to my house one morning in the winter of eighteen hundred and thirty-five, about sunrise, having laid out about two miles in the woods, the night before, without fire. A damp snow had fallen the day before, and the weather had become very cold during the night. He had been on the track of a moose all day, until dark, 'almost see um,' he said, and when dark ness obliged him to give up the chase, 'all wet, no strike um.' " Governor Lincoln was in the habit of visiting Mataluck and camping with him, and left some account of him in his writings. One anecdote I believe Lincoln never published. He carried with him on his visit to Nataluc, a large penknife fitted up with different blades, awls, saw and the like. Nataluc had his eye on the knife and wished to buy it. Governor Lincoln told him he could not sell it to him. Nataluc's covetousness was only the more strongly excited, and he at last contrived a plan to secure the penknife. He had a little island in the lake of about an acre, on which is a sort of a cave in which he kept his furs, where they would not be plun dered. He invited the governor to go and see his furs. He took his canoe and landed the governor, showed.him his furs, and made him a most liberal offer of them for the knife. The governor told him he could not sell the knife. "Weil," said Nataluck, "me no carry you off the island if you no sell me that knife." But, said HISTORY OF BETHEL. 83 the governor, I told you I would not sell it to you, and I shall keep my word, but I will give it to you as a present. Nataluc was over joyed in the possession of his knife and of course reckoned Governor Lincoln as one of his real friends. He was visited by Hon. Moses Mason several times while he lived on the Magalloway river. He made a map of that river on birch bark, which appears to have been executed with fidelity. He had, on one occasion, shot an immense moose as he was in the water and dragged him to the shore, and cut off the best parts of meat and dried them. The doctor bought the horns, which afterward adorned his hall as a hat rack, and which are now in possession of Hon. David R. Hastings of Fryeburg. CHAPTER XII. Military Affairs. — Soldiers of the Revolution. jEHTEL had its full quota of those who had served in the war for independence. Settlers began to pour into Maine and into the valley of the Androscoggin soon after the war terminated. They had been paid off in a depreciated currency which soon became worthless, and being poor, they came to the east ward where land could be had on very reasonable terms. Massa chusetts was poor in money but rich in wild lands, and she was disposed to deal very liberally with those who had assisted in achieving independence. The following list is believed to embrace all the ex-soldiers who settled in this town : Lieutenant Jonathan Clark, who came here from Newton, served for a time as Commissary of Subsistence. James Mills, formerly of Massachusetts, came here from Dublin, N. H. He served two short enlistments. He was killed soon after coming here by a falling tree. Isaac York came here from Standish, and had served in a Massa chusetts Regiment. Eli Twitchell, from Sherbourn, was at Bunker Hill. He be came crippled for life, by injuries received in the service. 84 HISTORY OF BETHEL. John Kilgore served at the mouth of the Piscataqua. He came here from old York. Zela Holt served in the French and Indian wars and kept a diary. He also served in the war of the Revolution, and was at the surrender of Burguoyne's army. He was quite old when he came to this town. MosES Mason was in the battle of Bennington. He came here in 1799 from Dublin, N. H. Jonathan Bean was living in Standish when the war began, and he came to Bethel before it was over. He is said to have served at Kittery and Portsmouth. John Grover was at Dorchester Heights and saw other service. Ebenezer Fames served three full years. He came here from Dublin, N. H., but was previously of Needham, Mass. Moses Bartlett, from Newton, is said to have been in the ;service. Enoch Bartlett, eldest brother of Moses, served as a teamster. John Holt served one or more terms of enlistment, but came here before the war was over. Benjamin Brown was five years in the patriot army. Jeremiah Andrews was in the battle of Bunker Hill and served another term before he came here from Temple, N. H. Amos Hastings a,ssisted in digging the trenches at Bunker Hill, and was in the battle. He also served subsequently and atiained to the rank of captain. Jonathan Conn served in the Indian wars and also in the war for independence. When a small boy, I greatly enjoyed his thril ling accounts of contests with the Indians. He was at the surrender of Burguoyne. He was a pensioner and lived to be very old. He came from New Hampshire. Absalom Farewell, an pjuglishman by birth, served in the old war and also in the revolution. He formerly lived at Marblehead. Rev. Daniel Gould left college to serve his country. He was an orderly sergeant. Ezra Twitchell was in the battle of Saratoga, and in several other engagements. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 85 John Walker served on board a privateer and obtained consid erable prize money as his share. Benjamin Russell came here from Fryeburg and to that place from Andover. He served in both wars and was quite old when he came here. Samuel Barker served in the army and was detailed as tailor. He had the honor of mending clothes for General Washington, and told it with great pride after he came here and Washington became President. Isaac Russell served as clerk in the army. He perished during a severe storm of snow to which he was exposed, in Westbrook. Jacob Russell, brother of the Russells heretofore named, served on board a privateer. Others who are said to have served but of which nothing definite is known, were Thaddeus Bartlett, Jeremiah Russell, Gideon Powers, Col. John York, Solomon Annas, William Staples, James Sprague, Samuel Ingalls, Asa Kimball, James Swan, James Barker and Amos Powers. Town Organizations. As already stated, many of the early settlers of Bethel had seen active service in the war for independence and their military ardor was imparted to their sons, so that very soon after the town was incorporated, the young men began to take action for organizing the militia. The first company was organized in the year eighteen hundred, and embraced the entire town. The flrst captain was Eli Twitchell, and the second Amos Hastings. The following year the company was divided by the parish line, and the captains in the West Parish and named in the order of their service, were as follows : Daniel Grant, Samuel Barker, Jonathan Abbot, Elihu Bean, Samuel Chapman, John Harris, Thaddeus Twitchell, Isaac Littlehale, Timothy Hastings, Samuel Chapman. In the East Parish, the trainings were generally at Bean's Cornei or in that vicinity, and the captain's were : 86 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Amos Hastings, Asa Kimball, John Holt, Adam Willis, Joseph Duston, Jesse Duston, Nathan Marble, Hezekiah Moody, Jonathan Powers, James C. Bean, Elias Bartlett, Samuel Bird, William Andrews, William Goddard. Amos Andrews, A company of Light Infantry was organized in the West Parish, soon after the separation of Maine from Massachusetts, and the following were captains : Eli Twitchell, Walter Mason, Norman Clark, Edward Merrill, Perkins P. Moulton, Gideon A. Hastings. Jedediah Grover, A company of Cavalry was also organized in town and Nathan Twitchell was the first captain. Still earlier, an artillery company was organized, but a radical change was made in the militia laws of the State early in the forties, the militia, except in case of inde pendent companies, no longer being required to do duty of any kind. During the existence of the active militia. Bethel had several field officers : Amos Hasting was Brigadier-General, Eli Twitchell, Thaddeus Twitchell, Samuel Chapman and James Crocker Bean were Colonels, and Amos Hills, Peter Grover and William Andrews were Majors. The May trainings and the fall musters were gala days for the boys, and for some boys of larger growth, and there was no little disappointment and disgust felt, when they were done away with by a change in the laws. In those days, the holidays were few and far between. The circus had not then materialized, and except an occasional raising or a hauling bee, there was but little to call the people together. The training and the muster were generally made occasions of revelry, and as there was then no restraint upon the sale of alcoholic stimulants, there was generally a great amount of drunkenness. On the whole, there was probably more of evil grew out of them than good, and the doing away with them was doubtless wise legislation. For some years, no man could be elected captain who had not the means and the disposition to furnish drinks for his HISTORY OF BETHEL. 87 company, and this for a company of a hundred men was no small tax. Following is a copy of the petition and the signers thereto, for a company of artillery in Bethel : Commonwealth op Massachusetts. To His Excellency the Governor and Corhmander in Chief, and to the Honorable Council : The undersigned your Petitioners would represent to your Excellency, that the second Brigade in the thirteenth Division of the Militia, is, at present composed of two Regiments of Infantry, is rapidljr increasing in its numbers and promises soon to become a very respectable Brigade ; That in this Brigade there is but one company of Artillery which being located in the second Regiment a distance, at least, of thirty miles from the cen tral part of the First Regiment, so that this said First Regiment has no opportunity of manoeuvering in conjunction with any Artillery, and that as a very handsome company of Artillery can be got up, and principally from those who are now exempted by law from doing military duty with out reducing any of the standing companies below their competent num bers. Therefore the subscribers respectfully request, that they, together with such others as may lawfully join within the bounds of the first Eegi- ment of said second Brigade, may be organized into a company of Artil lery and authorized to elect their oiKcers and fill up the company. (Signed) Timothy Hastings, Joseph Twitchell, Norman Clark, Caleb Eowe, Ezra Twitchell, Jr., Jacob Elingwood, Eleazer Twitchell, Jr., Abbot Holt, Robbins Brown, John Price, James Walker, Jr., John Hastings, Charles Mason, Joseph C. Walker, Abiel Walker, Daniel Grout, O'Neil W. Robinson, Hiram Allen, Moses Mason, William Estes, William Johnston, Jonathan A. Russell, George Crawford, James P. Carter, Asa Twitchell, Aaron Mason, Calvin Stearns, Ayres Mason, Ebenezer Eames, Jr., Greeley Swan, Luther Eames, Bezaleel Kendall, Jr., William Swift, Jas Beatty. Jona. Merriam, Approved : William Wheeler, Col. 1st Reg. 2d Brig. Amos Hastings, Brig. Gen. 2d Brig. 13th Div. Levi Hubbard, Maj. Gen. 13th Div. Bethel, December 29th, 1815. 88 HISTORY OF BETHEL. The following list of Bethel commissioned officers, is from the files of the Adjutant General's office in Augusta : Daniel Gould, Chaplain, July 2, 1807. Peter C. Virgin, Paymaster, April 26, 1813. Timothy Hastings, Quartermaster, September 16, 1813. Samuel Chapman, Lieutenant-Colonel, August 8, 1818. Wm. Russell, Jr., Brigade-Quartermaster, March 24, 1819. John Grover, Surgeon, April 15, 1819. Thaddeus Twitchell, Captain, May 4, 1819. Elias Bartlett, Captain, May 4, 1819. John Hastings, Quartermaster, December 5, 1821. Thaddeus Twitchell, Lieutenant-Colonel, July 5, 1821. Elias Bartlett, Major, July 5, 1821. Eli Twitchell, 3d, Captain, May 1, 1821. Timothy Hastings, Captain, September 8, 1821. Asa Kimball, (Japtain, September 8, 1821. Thaddeus Twitchell, Lieutenant-Colonel, July 5, 1821. Eli Twitchell, 3d, Lieutenant-Colonel, August 10, 1825. Norman Clark, Lieutenant, May 1, 1821. Asa Twitchell, Ensign, May 1, 1821. Luther Fame-, Ensign, May 14, 1823. Samuel Barker, Jr., Captain, April 5, 1823. Wm. Andrews, Captain, April 4, 1823. Elihu Bean, Lieutenant, April 5, 1823. Andrew Willis, Lieutenant, April 4, 1823. Ebenezer Eames, Ensign, April 5, 1823. James F. Carter, Ensign, April 4, 1823. Perkins P. Moulton, Ensign, August 9, 1823. Elihu Bean, Captain, May 14, 1825. Ebenezer Eames, Lieutenant, May 14, 1825. Eli Twitchell, 3d, Lieutenant-Colonel, August 10, 1825. Adam Willis, Captain, May 14, 1825. Norman Clark, Captain, August 31, 1825. Ebenezer Eames, Lieutenant, May 14, 1825. Amos Andrews, Lieutenant, May 14, 1825. Perkins P. Moulton, Lieutenant, August 31, 1825. Luther Eames, Ensign, May 14, 1825. Israel Kimball, Jr., Ensign, August 31, 1825. Nathan A. Foster, Ensign, September 3, 1825. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 89 Nathan F. Twitchell, Lieutenant, June 24, 1826. f Amos Andrews, Captain, May 8, 1827. Nathan A. Foster, Lieutenant, May 8, 1827. Hezekiah Moody, Ensign, May 8, 1827. Wm. Bragg, Adjutant, September 8, 1827. Amos Andrews, Captain, May 8, 1827. Nathan A. Foster, Lieutenant, May 8, 1827. Wm. Bragg, Adjutant, September 8, 1827. Wm. Frye, Adjutant, July 21, 1828. Perkins P. Moulton, Captain, June 21 , 1828. Israel Kimball, Jr., Lieutenant, .June 21, 1828. James Estes, Ensign, June 30, 1828. Jedediah Grover, Jr., Ensign, June 21, 1828. Nathan F. Twitchell, Captain, October 6, 1828. Wm. Frye, Adjutant, July 21, 1828. James Estes, Lieutenant, July 11, 1829. Chas. McKenney, Lieutenant, June 4, 1830. Amos Andrews, Major, November 27, 1«30. George Chapman, Lieutenant, June 19, 1830. Nathan Stearns, Ensign, June 19, 1830. George Chapman, Ensign, March 22, 1830. Wm. Frye, Aide-de-Camp, March 12, 1831. War of 1812-16. At the breaking out of the last war with Great Britain, public sentiment was much divided. There was a strong party in almost every State that doubted the policy of declaring war, and the necessity for it, and the State Government of Massachusetts to which Maine then belonged, bitterly opposed the action of the National Government. But the people of Maine, more especially those in the interior of the State, were loyal to the President of the United States, and many towns passed resolutions sharply condemn ing the action of Massachusetts in refusing its support. Men from all parts of the District of Maine enlisted and served as regular troops, but the rolls are kept in Washington, and it is difficult to obtain information from them. Several served in this way from Bethel, and among them Mason Grover and Phineas Frost, who was wounded. When the Maine coast was threatened, a company was made up from Bethel and from some of the neighboring towns, 90 HISTORY OF BETHEL. and marched to Portland, and the following is the roll of this company : Roll of CaiDtain Joseph Holt's company in Lieutenant-Colonel William Ryerson's regiment, drafted from Bethel and vicinity and in service at Portland from the 25th of September to the 9th of November, 1814, (with three days additional for travel) : Joseph Holt, Captain. Jonathan Powers, Lieutenant. Aaron Cummings, Lieutenant. Eleazer Twitchell, Ensign. Sergeants. Isaac Kilburn, John Atherton, Norman Clark. Musicians. George W. Langley, Nathan F. Twitchell. Atherton, Ezra Andrews, William Annis, Solomon, ,Ir., Brown, Herman Bell, John, Jr., Bridgham, Bryant Bridgham, Jabez Bisbee, Moses Brigham, Luther Billings, Daniel Brown, Asaph Barker, William Barker, Samuel Bean, Jesse Beckler, Francis Bean, Daniel, Jr. Blake, Benjamin Bean, Kimball Corporals. Herman Holt, Daniel Scribner, Daniel Chaplin, Jr., Josiah Brown, Ebenezer Colby, Joseph Willis. Privates. Hale, Israel Hersey, Caleb Hapgood, Sprout Haskell, Sam'l, Jr. Holt, Timothy A. Jordan, Wales Jones, Sullivan Jewell, John, Jr. Jewell, Lewis Kendall, Joseph Kimball, Isaiah, Jr., Kimball, Jeremiah Kilgore, Gabriel Kilgore, Elihu Kendall, Bezaleel Locke, Luther Libby, Samuel Morse, Mariner HISTORY OF BETHEL. 91 Bartlett, Ebenezer Bean, Nathaniel Beebe, Robert Cummings, Francis Cross, Ebenezer, Jr, Chamberlain, John Chapman, Timothy Case, John Coffin, Naphtali Capen, Timothy Cushman, John Dustin, Farnham Estes, John French, John Frost, Peter Foster, Jeremiah Frisbee, Austin S. Grover. Elias Greenwood, Nath'l, Jr. Grover, James, Jr. Grover, Peter Grover, Asahel Grover, James Haskell, Parsons Hapgood, Oliver, Jr. Hale, Charles Hale, Benjamin, Jr. Moffatt, Stephen Plumfner, Josiah Page, Samuel Proctor, John Pride, Josiah Peabody, Asa Russell, Chandler Shed, John Sanders, Geo. W. Smith, Amos Sanborn, Nathaniel Swift, William Stearnes, Charles, Jr. Stiles, Nathan Shorey, Urbane Sprague, Elbridge Totherly, William Trull, Silas Twitchell, Sylvanus Twitchell, Asa Warren, Abijah Whitcomb, Paul Wheeler, Samuel Wetherbee, Jude Warren, Perley Walker, Joseph C. The Boundary Contest. In the year eighteen hundred and thirty-nine, it was reported to the Land Agent that a large number of lumbermen from New Brunswick were operating upon certain disputed territory on the Aroostook river, and robbing it of its valuable timbers. Thereupon, Sheriff Strickland of Penobscot county was directed to drive the trespassers away. He went to Aroostook with a posse of two hundred men, and the trespassers retreated before him across the border. But at the provincial town of Woodstock, they broke into the arsenal, and having armed themselves, they turned back to meet the sheriff's posse. They captured the Maine Land Agent, and 92 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Sheriff Strickland believing that bloodshed would be the result of the meeting of the oi)posing forces, hastened to Augusta to lay the matter before the Governor and Council. The legislature being in session, immediately appropriated the sum of eight hundred thou sand dollars to defend the public lands, and the Governor ordered out the State Militia to the number of ten thousand. A draft was ordered and there was great excitement throughout the State. There was a draft in Bethel but no organization was formed, and parties were hired to carry the drafted men to the rendezvous at Augusta, (see abstract of town records for that year) . The Governor of Maine immediately dispatched a messenger to Washington to lay the case before the General Government, and Congress appropriated ten millions of dollars to meet probable ex penses, and authorized the President of the United States, in case Governor Harvey of New Brunswick should persist in his supposed purpose, to raise fifty thousand volunteers for a term not exceeding six months. On the sixth of March, General Winfleld Scott and his staff, one of whom was the late Robert E. Lee, arrived in Maine and opened communication with Governor Harvey. The question of boundary was amicably settled in eighteen hundred and forty- two, and in due time the State received from the General Govern ment the sum of two hundred thousand dollars as a reimbursement for the expenses incurred in defending the integrity of American territory. There are many now living in this town who will remember the bloodless Aroostook war, but the majority of the people have come upon the stage of action since Governor John Fairfield issued his flawing proclamation announcing that "Our State is invaded." Later developments have shown that the affair was really a trifling one ; that the trespassers were in no sense sustained by the Colonial Government, and that war was not as imminent as many feared. To the enrolled militia who were obliged to stand a draft, it appeared to be a real thing, and the varied emotions as depicted upon their countenances as they put their hands into the box to draw out the slip of paper which was to determine their fate, was an interesting study to the outsider. It was a bitter cold day, and perhaps it was the cold that caused some to shake and tremble as they came forward to determine their destiny, but many were full of fun and the jokes and sharp repartees that occasionally shot out from the ranks, kept every one in fairly good spirits. After the draft, those who did not HISTORY OF BETHEL. 93 wish to go, found no trouble in obtaining substitutes aud at low rates, so the draft did not prove so great an evil after all. The men went no farther than Augusta, and after remaining in quarters a few days, were paid off, discharged and sent to their homes. CHAPTER XIII. Travel and Mail Facilities. RIOR to eighteen hundred and fifteen, there was no post office nearer than Waterford, and the next nearest was at Norway. The march of improvement is nowhere more strikingly shown than in the improved facilities for travel ing, and for the transmission of intelligence through the means of the mail. The first settlers of Sudbury Canada traveled on foot, making the journeys through the woods to Fryeburg, Paris, Norway and even to Portland. After roads had been opened, these journeys were made on horseback, a great improvement on the old method of locomotion. The earliest carriages were of the crudest and clumsiest kind, the bodies resting directly upon the axles, and a ride in one of them over the rough roads of the period was anything but a pleasure. Leather springs were the first improvement, and since then, the improvement in durability, ease and style has been steady, and has apparently reached perfection. In the early times, the mails 'were brought into Oxford county by^ post-riders who made the circuit on horseback, and brought a mail from Portland once a week, when the condition of the weather permitted. The first regular post rider into Oxford county, was Jacob Howe, father of the late wife of the late John Adams Twitchell of this town. He com menced about the year seventeen hundred and ninety-eight, to bring the mails to Bridgton and Fiyeburg, and when in eighteen hundred and one, post offices were established at Paris and Norway, he extended his route by way of Waterford where an office had been established in the year eighteen hundred. After a while, he came up by way of Gorham and Baldwin to Bridgton, Fryeburg, Water ford and Paris, and returned to Portland by way of Poland, New Gloucester and Gray. Waterford was for some years the distrih- 94 HISTORY OF BETHEL. uting office for western and central Oxford. In eighteen hundred and fifteen, an office was established at Bethel Hill, and Dr. Moses Mason was appointed postmaster. The doctor often remarked in after years, that the most exciting moment of his life was when he heard the post-rider's horn and knew that the first regular mail was about to arrive at Bethel Hill. The excitement and enthusiasm among the citizens was greater by far than when the first train of cars reached Bethel thirty-five years later. It would be interesting to know the name of the first post-rider to this town, but it has not come down to us. The amount of mail matter brought into town was very small at that time when compared with what is brought now. No daily paper was then published in the State, and comp.aratively few weeklies. Stationery was expensive, postage high, and the people too busy to do much letter-writing. Nevertheless, the weekly com munication with the outside world by means of the post-rider was pleasant, and an important era in the progress of the town. These post-riders were generally very obliging, and for a small remunera tion would distribute the mail matter all along their route. For instance, before leaving Waterford for Bethel, he would take from the Waterford office papers and letters belonging to persons resid ing on the way, and just before reaching a house, a shrill blast from his tin horn would announce his approach and indicate that he had something for its inmates. The next step in the progress of carry ing the mails was a single wagon, and from this, in a few years, came the elegant coach and four or six horses which brought us mails and passengers direct from Portland by way of Gray, Poland and Norway, twice a week, and this was highly satisfactory. The route was also extended up the river to Gilead, Shelburne and way to Lancaster in the heart of the Coos region. Those old stagers were a jolly set of men, but their responsibilities were great and they fully realized it. In addition to carrying the mails, they did a large amount of express business and were often entrusted with large sums of money sent by country traders to their creditors in the city. Among the early drivers through this region to the Coos country were GrosvenorG. Waterhouse, Oren Hobbs and Addison A. Latham, with a host of lesser lights, but these were the leaders. After the railway was built and the cars took away their occupation, they became railway conductors, but they have long since passed the stage of human existence to the unknown worlds beyond. The HISTORY OF BETHEL. 95 cars commenced running to Bethel in eighteen hundred and fifty- one, and a mail from Portland for each week day satisfied every one. Since then m'ail and transportation facilities through all parts of the country have steadily improved, and Bethel, actually situated. seventy miles from the sea-coast, has by the acceleration of speed been brought very near to it, as near as is desirable. The following shows the postmasters who have served in Bethel, and the date of appointment of each : Bethel. Moses Mason, Jr., January 5, 1815. Oneil W. Robinson, December 27, 1833. Robert A. Chapman, June 17, 1835. William Frye, March 31, 1846. Thomas E. Twitchell, June 22, 1849. William Y. Merrill, January 9, 1850. Thomas E. Twitchell, April 19, 1850. Sylvester Robertson, January 7, 1852. Richard A. Frye, April 11, 1853. Newton Swift, March 24, 1857. Daniel A. Twitchell, May 6, 1861. Abner Davis, July 13, 1863. Melville C. Kimball, May 6, 1865. Enoch Foster, Jr., January 6, 1868. Leander T. Barker, March 24, 1869. Samuel R. Shehan, May 28, 1869. Leander T. Barker, June 27, 1877. Oneil R. Hastings, August 19, 1885. George H. Brown, September 12, 1889. Oilman P. Bean, April 15, 1890. East Bethel. Timothy Carter, April 28, 1824. Hiram Holt, April 2, 1845. Israel G. Kimball, April 9, 1849. Charles E. Swan, August 27, 1851. John L. Dustin. January 23, 1858. Discontinued, December 28, 1858. This office was at Middle Interval, and after it was discontinued its patrons received their mail at the Bethel office. 96 HISTORY OF BETHEL. West Bethel. Jacob Holt, January 12, 1837. Henry Ward, February 4, 1842. Gilbert Chapman, January 5, 1854. Milton Holt, April 2, 1857. Alpheus S. Bean, October 19, 1871. North Bethel. Phineas Frost, March 2, 1831. Eliphas C. Bean, September 10, 1836. Discontinued, December 17, 1851. Re-established, June 1"2, 1854. John Hamlin, June 12, 1854. Discontinued, December 7, 1855. Re-established as "East" Bethel, October 28, 1862. Discontinued, October 13, 1865. Re-established, September 24, 1884. Francis Carpenter, September 24, 1«84. Discontinued, January 21, 1886. Re-established, July 8, 18«6. Eugene Bean, July, 8, 1«86. Dana B. Grant, March 26, 1890. Elbridge Crocker, November 20, 1890. North Bethel. George C. Atherton, March 28, 1862. Orange C. Frost, April 24, 1865. William D. Hastings, September 30, 1868. Arvilla Swan, June 9, 1876. Discontinued, October 2, 1878. This office was situated north of Mayville and near the mouth of Sunday river, and took the name of the discontinued office at Bean's Corner. Former patrons of this office are now accommodated at Bethel Hill. South Bethel. Hiram Hodsdon, March 31, 1875. Lyman W. Russell, October 20, 1884. This office is at what was formerly Blake's, then Abbot's, after- HISTORY OF BETHEL. 97 wards Walker's and now Virgin's Mills, situated on the Locke's Mills road, four miles distant from Bethel Hill. The mail matter for East Bethel is taken from the cars at Locke's Mills. The office at Bethel Hill is the distributing office for Norway, Grafton, Upton and all the lower lake region, including the Magalloway country ; also for North Albany. Two mails daily from Portland and beyond, are now received at Bethel, and two mails from Gorham, New Hampshire, and beyond. CHAPTER XIV. Later Settlements. a: HE land near the Androscoggin river, and at the westerly part of the town, was settled many years before other portions of the town were taken up. The belts of interval were quickly appropriated, because the soil was rich, free from stone and level. The uplands next to the intervals were taken up for building purposes, for pasturage and for upland tillage. The east and central portions of the town south of the river, is mucli broken by hills and mountains, the soil is rocky and tillage expensive. The crops on the burn were luxuriant and cheaply raised, but when it became necessary to use the plow, hard labor and comparatively poor returns were the experiences of most farm ers. When the Paris and Rumford road was built in seventeen hundred and ninety-seven, it passed through the southeasterly por tion of Bethel and brought a few lots of land into the market. The road enters Bethel about half a mile from the southeasterly corner of the town, and after passing across the corner, enters Milton Plantation about a mile from the point where it enters Bethel. The road was originally laid out and built along a ridge known as the "Whale's Back," but in later years it was made to pass through the ridge over the bed of a branch of Concord river, and then kept along east of the ridge as still traveled. The first settler on this road within the limits of Bethel was Francis Hemmingway. He was born in Boston, married Rebecca, daughter of William Godwin and settled in Rumford. He moved 7 98 HISTORY OF BETHEL. to Bethel as stated, cleared land and built a house, and after a few years, he exchanged farms with Benjamin Sweat and moved back to Rumford. Benjamin Sweat was the son of Benjamin Sweat, an early settler of Rumford, and his wife was Molly Harper, sister to the wife of William Godwin. Mr. Sweat lived and died on this farm and left it to his son Moses Sweat, who still owns and occupies it. Another settler on this road was Porter Kimball, who purchased the corner lot next to Hamlin's Gore and Milton Plantation. After a year or two, he sold out to Abijah Lapham of Buckfleld, who came to it about eighteen hundred and twenty-two. His purchase amounted to nearly three hundred acres. The place has had many owners and occupants since, and the old house built by Deacon Lapham is still standing on the west side of the road, the first house on the left after passing through the Whales' Back, going toward Rumford. The sons of Deacon Lapham, John and Thomas, settled upon portions of this land, but they left it after a year or two. Isaac Twombly was another early settler here who did not long remain. Later James Daniels came from Paris aud settled on this road, and also his son. Oilman Daniels. Enoch Estes settled upon a portion of the Lapham tract, and his sons still occupy it. In eighteen hundred and sixty-five Hobbs and Tuttle of Bryant's Pond, purchased the two Daniels' farms and made one of them, but they soon sold out. Caleb Besse of Paris, took up a lot west of the Lapham place, and near the Locke's Mills road that crosses what was once Hamlin's Gore, now a part of Woodstock. After him, Jedediah Estes came in possession and still occupies it. North of the Besse place and reached only by a settlers road, Tilden Bartlett, formerly of Norway, took a lot and cleared up a farm. This was about eighteen hundred and twenty-six. He died here and his sons Benjamin, Abijah and Enoch Bartlett, have lived on the place at different times. On the Locke's Mills road across the Gore, near where John Buck of Buck- field once lived and more recently William R. Hemmingway and Robert Bearce, is a settlers road leading into Bethel, to the farms formerly occupied by Isaac Estes, Hezekiah Moody and Stephen Estes. Moody was not the first one on his farm, but he was there quite early, and the buildings are long since gone. Still farther along on the Locke's Mills road, is a. road that leads to the Bird Hill, so called, though not much traveled. There are two farms on this road early occupied by Joseph Cummings and John Buck, Jr. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 99 More recently the places were occupied by Elbridge Fifield, Jared Young, and still later, Josiah Moody. East of the Rumford and Paris road, on the side of the hill, and not approachable with a team from the Rumford road, James Wilbur had a clearing and lived here, after his son was stolen from him as was supposed by David Robbins, near Rangeley Lake. After an absence of many years, the son returned as stated elsewhere, and then the whole family returned to Martha's Vineyard. Luther Locke, after his late in life marriage with Marilla Keuyon, also lived in this region and died here. The first settler on the Bird Hill, so called, was Levi Berry from Paris. He began on the place afterward occupied by Lyman Bird, and his house stood a little east of the school house. His three sons, Levi, Jr., William and Leonard settled around him and the place was then called Berry Hill. His son-in-law, John Lapham, also lived on this hill. William Berry lived on the place afterward occupied by John Bird, John Lapham on the Samuel Bird place, Leonard Berry on the place afterwards occupied by Peter Ayer and Daniel Dunn, and Levi Berry's house stood opposite the school house. Eli H. Cushman began on the place next below the school bouse and died here. The family still occupy it. Farther on toward Locke's Mills, on the left, John Knight took up a lot and lived here quite a number of years. After him Richard Jordan had the place and he was followed by John Chase whose son, Jacob A. Chase, still lives here. Easterly from this place a fourth of a mile, is the place where Abraham Jordan began, and where he spent his days. His son John had it after him, and later Moses Cummings. North of the Chase place above referred to, a little farther on toward Locke's Mills, is the place occupied many years by Abraham Bryant. He commenced here in the wilderness and by a long life of hard labor, he made of it a good farm. His son Benjamin had the old homestead, but sold out and moved to an interval farm near May ville. Another son, Charles C. Bryant, occupies part of his father's old farm. Farther on from the John Bird place, Eli Estes once lived, and a good man he was. He reared a large family here, apd died of cancer many years ago. The place soon after passed out of the family. Through the woods toward Kimball Hill, the road leads to where John Estes was living in eighteen hundred and forty- five and later. The place has had several owners. Daniel Estes, a brother of Eli, occupied the next place, and after him Nathan 100 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Hall. The road now sharply pitches toward the river and Bird Hill has become "Kimball Hill." Jacob Kimball had a farm here, and after him his sons Jacob, Jr., and Moses. The farm of James Estes, who was the brother of John, comes next, and this afterward became the town farm. Still farther down the hill and the last place before the Locke's Mills and Androscoggin river road is reached, is the place once occupied by Capt. William Andrews, and later by his son-in-law, Alonzo Howe. Near this place, a short road leads to the place once occupied by Chandler R. Duston. After leaving Rumford Corner and passing up the river on the south side, the road soon passes into Bethel, and the first place is that once occupied by Hezekiah Hutchins, Jr., and now by his son. Hutchins was not the flrst occupant and who was the writer knows not. Along farther is the place where Richard Estes long lived, and his son Peter. Richard Estes of the third generation now occupies it. Samuel Goss was the first settler upon this land ; he moved to Rumfoid. Aaron Moor also lived near here and also Richard Dolloff. These also went to Rumford. And still farther along, Jeremiah Andrews lived. His place was afterward owned by William Goddard. Elihu Kilgore once lived along here on the bank of the river, and near his place a setilers road turned that led to the farm of Job York, Benjamin Estes and Samuel J. Howard. Joseph Beverly once lived on this road, and on a short road that ¦branches off easterly from this, David Adamson lived. Returning to the river road and passing on toward Bean's Corner, is the place once occupied by Stephen Cummings, Jr., although not the flrst who lived upon it by several. Phineas Howard once lived here and Thomas Frost. Near this is a settlers road that leads to the farm once owned and occupied by John Estes, but for many years after by Peter Powers. Southwest of this farm, but reached by a road from the William Andrews place, were two farms once occu pied by Phineas Howard, Jr., and William Bartlett. Henry R. Bartlett succeeded to the latter and died there. These two homes were situated where the outlook was grand and beautiful, but the place was bleak in winter. There was no road between Locke's Mills aud the Androscoggin until about the year 1823, and no settlers except near the two termini. Solomon Annas, Jr., commenced on a lot just over the line in Bethel and lived here many years. Charles Crooker bought the place some forty years ago, and his son Washington Crooker HISTORY OF BETHEL. 101 still occupies it. The next place going toward the Androscoggin, was that of Thomas Goss, son of Samuel Goss. He bought two wild lots before the road was built, and cleared up a large farm. The next place and on the west side of the road, was occupied by Clark Kimball fifty years ago, and now by Emery G. Young. A little farther along and on the opposite side are the buildings put up by James Lapham, who long occupied them The next two houses have been put up on the same farm in more recent years, and the next place, on the east side of the road, is the old home stead of James A. S. Bartlett. He lived here many years, and the place is now occupied by his son. The next farm and the best on the road, is the Foster homestead. Here Eli Foster, a young man from Newry, commenced to clear land about the time that Thomas Goss took his lots, and here he worked and managed until he had one of the best farms in town. His son David now occupies it. The next place was that of Ebenezer Bartlett, who occupied it many years and died here. His son succeeded to it, but sold out to Jared Young and left the State many years ago. Near this place a settlers road turns westerly to the farm of .Jonas W. Bart lett. Phineas Frost began on this farm and built the buildings. The road formerly extended to another farm where Daniel Hodsdon once lived. After him, Zeri Whitman, Thomas Farrar and others occupied the place, but it has long since been dismantled and the buildings taken down. The next one of the old places is the one formerly owned by Aaron Stevens, where James Dunley once lived. Afterwards Evi Needham owned it and lived here. Passing the Kimball Hill road and the place where the old school house stood, the next place is the one on the right lately occupied by Enoch Stiles and previously by Timothy Glines as the tenant of Aaron Stevens. This is the last farm before the river road is again reached, and was early occupied by Nathaniel, one of the Bean family. He moved to the Magalloway. Leaving Locke's Mills and traveling toward Bethel Hill, the road soon crosses the line into Bethel. The first place is the one occupied by Benjamin Stevens. William Whitman first settled this place and subsequently several families occupied it until it was bought by John Stevens, father of Benjamin Stevens, who was the next occu pant. A collection of small houses on the cross road which comes in near here, were built by Charles Crooker and his sons. Farther along is the Ethridge house, but not an old one. Near Walker's 102 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Mills on the right hand side, a few years ago, could be seen the remains of an old house. This was built and occupied by Elijah Swan three-fourths of a century ago. The little hamlet now known as South Bethel was begun in eighteen hundred and three by David Blake, who built mills there. He also buUt a house which stood a little east of what was once known as the Walker house and which was taken down soon after the Walker house was built. The mills passed from the Blake family to Jonathan Abbot and from him to James Walker. Mr. Walker built the carding and fulling and cloth dressing mill and dug the canal which conveys water to it. This building was after wards used as a bedstead factory. Ballard Hatch was the flrst one in charge of the carding and cloth dressing establishment, and a/ter him Ebenezer Cram, James Russ, Albion K. P. Dunham and others. Stephen A. Russell long had charge of the grist mill. The oldest of the houses on the right hand side on entering the village was built by Phineas Stearns. It was afterwards occupied by Jonathan Blake and has since had many occupants. Mr. Stearns was a harness-maker and his old shop is still standing further along on the same side of the road. It was afterwards occupied as a store by the Walkers and by Erastus Hilborn who sold goods here, in cluding New England rum by the glass or quantity. The next place on the right is the Walker mansion, long occupied by James Walker, the proprietor of the mills. Nearly opposite is where Jonathan Clark Robertson, the old cabinet-maker lived, and the next on the same side, was built and long occupied by the old miller, Stephen A. Russell. Several houses have been put up in more modern times, but it is the purpose here to notice only those standing half a century ago. Across the bridge is the house once occupied by Ephraim Whitcomb, and the one occupied by Lawson E. and Lyman W. Russell. The mills here were built originally by David Blake. The sawmill a little up-stream was built by Samuel B. Locke. Passing on towards the hill, the Jonathan Abbot place is on the left. Jonathan, Senior, and Jonathan, Junior, lived and died there, and the place is still in the family. The school house stands a little beyond, and here a road turns which now extends to Bean's Corner, but formerly only to the Chandler neigh borhood aud Swan's Hill. Passing up the hill, and once through a growth of wood, the first place is that where John Cushman long lived and toiled. It is now owned by John Chase. The next is the HISTORY OF BETHEL. 103 Moses Chandler place, now occupied by his son, and then the John Stevens place, afterwards occupied by Amos A. Young, who died there. Farther along on the road are the Josiah Brown, the Abial Chandler, the James Nutting and the Stephen Hodsdon places, and as the road continues it passes near where Urban Shorey and others once inhabited. Beginning again at the school house and passing toward Bethel Hill, the place on the right has been successively occupied by Benjamin Blake, Nathan Eames, John Needham and Ira Cushman. On the plain below, Dudley M. Needham built a house a few years ago, and after crossing the meadows and the brook, the site is reached where Thomas Cushman once lived. He was called "Beaver" Cushman because he located his house over a brook. Then comes the swell of land on which Solomon Annas once lived and which, excepting that portion assigned to his son Benjamin which still remains in the family ; another son sold to the Blakes, who have retained more or less of it since that time. The John Case farm is next, afterward and long occupied by Isaac B. Littlehale, and this brings us considerably past the center of the town. With the exception of the river road from the Cummings place, this sketch covers all the roads and settlements in the east part of the town. Many changes have been wrought within the memory of those now living ; many comfortable hillside homes have been abandoned and dismantled, and where half a century ago was heard the voice of happy childhood and the hum of home industries, is now heard only the sighing of the winds through the old. trees that once shaded these humble yet comfortable dwellings. The old cellar holes in many cases are still visible, and the, mints and the worts, famous panaceas in the hands of our grandmothers, now flourish in wild profusion around them. CHAPTER XV. A Chapter of Statistics. HEN in seventeen hundred and seventy-four, people of English descent came to this place to commence a settle ment, only two settlements had been made within the original limits of the county of Oxford. One of these was at Fryeburg and the other at Turner. The region north of Poland and Minot was, with the exceptions named, an unbroken wilderness. When in seventeen hundred and sixty, Cumberland county was formed from York, there was some uncertainty as to the division line, and early deeds of Sudbury Canada lands often stated that the township was either in the county of York or Cumberland, and were sometimes recorded in one county and sometimes in the other. While much the larger number of the deeds given of lands in this town, were recorded with the Cumberland county records, as late as eighteen hundred and three, a deed before me of land in Bethel, given by Eleazer Twitchell, has upon it the certificate of the York county registry. The following shows the date of settlement of some of the older towns in Oxford county : Fryeburg 1762 Turner 1772 Livermore 1774 Hiram 1774 Brownfield 1763 Lovell 1779 Porter 1781 Waterford 1775 Buckfield 1777 Andover 1786 Rumford 1777 Bethel 1774 Paris 1 781 Norway 1781 Newry 1780 1^06 HISTORY OF BETHEL. The western towns were in the county of York and the eastern within the county of Cumberland, and Bethel being near the center was claimed at times by both. Several of the above townships settled near the same time are not far apart, and at this date with our good roads and facilities for travel, the inhabitants regard them selves almost as neighbors. It was far different in the times of which we are writing. There were then no roads connecting the different colonies, and no communication between settlement and settlement was possible save through the rough paths of the forest. Spotted trees guided the traveler between the different settlements, but when journeying to more distant places, he must depend on his own sagacity in part, and in part on the position of the sun, the course of the streams and the position of the mountains. Early in this century the question of the erection of a new county began to be agitated, and conventions were held at Paris Hill to talk it up. Finally, an act was passed through the General Court creating the county of Oxford with the shire town at Paris. At this day, it seems strange that such an inconvenient place should have been selected as the shire town, but centers of travel and of business were widely different then from what they now are, and Paris Hill was the wealthiest village in the county. The act creating the new ¦county is as follows : "That the counties of York and Cumberland shall be divided by a line beginning at a place called the Crooked Ripples on the Andro scoggin river, at the southeast corner of the town of Turner, from thence to run westerly on the dividing line between the towns of Turner and Minot, to the most northeasterly corner of the said town of Minot ; from thence southwesterly on the lines between the towns of Minot and Hebron ; thence northwesterly on the line between Hebron and Otisfield, to the town of Norway ; thence west erly and northerly on the line between the towns of Otisfield' and Norway, to the southeasterly corner of the town of Waterford ; thence westerly on the line between said Waterford and Otisfield to the northeasterly corner of the town of Bridgton ; thence westerly on the northerly line of said Bridgton to the northeast corner there of ; thence southerly on the westerly side of said Bridgton to the southeast corner x^ereof ; thence westerly on the north line of the town of Baldwin and Prescott's Grant, to Saco river ; thence down the middle of said Saco river to the mouth of the river called the Great Ossipee ; thence westerly by a line drawn on the middle of the river last mentioned, to the line of New Hampshire, and the county of York and Cumberland aforesaid : That all that part and parcel of the counties of York and Cumberland situated on the northerly side of the line before described, and extending northerly HISTORY OF BETHEL. 107 and westerly so as to comprehend all the territory lying between the State of New Hampshire and the county of Kennebec, and on the northerly side of the line aforesaid, excepting the towns of Wilton, Temple, Avon, and township number three on Sandy river, north erly of Avon, which towns shall be considered as belonging to the county of Kennebec, shall be and the same is erected into an entire and distinct county by the name of Oxford." The subjoined list embraces the original towns in Oxford county, the date of their incorporation, and the name of their first Repre sentative to the Great and General Court : Paris June 20, 1793 Elias Stowell. Hebron March 6, 1792 William C. Whitney. Buckfield March 16, 1793 Enoch Hall. Turner July 7, 1786 John Turner. Livermore February 28, 1795 Simeon Waters. Hartford June 13, 1798 David Warren. Sumner June 13, 1798 Simeon Barrett, Jr. Norway March 9, 1797 Luther Farrar. Fryeburg January 11, 1777 John McMillan. Brownfield February 20, 1802 Joseph Howard. Lovell November 15, 1800 Philip C. Johnson. Waterford March 2, 1797 Eber Rice. Albany June 20, 1803 Asa Cummings. Bethel June 10, 1796 Eliphaz Chapman. Jay February 26, 1795 James Starr, Jr. Dixfield June 21, 1803 Silas Barnard. Rumford February 21, 1800 William Wheeler. Gilead June 23, 1804 Eliphaz Chapman Jr. Newry June 15, 1805 Melvin Stowe. East Andover June 23, 1804 Edward L. Poor. The following are the names with the dates of incorporation, of the towns incorporated since the county of Oxford was formed : Byron January 24, 1833. Canton February 5, 1821. (Taken from Jay.) Denmark February 20, 1807. Greenwood February 2, 1816. Grafton March 19, 1852. Hanover February 14, 1843. (Taken from Bethel.) Hiram February 27, 1814. Mason February 3, 1843. Mexico February 13, 1843. Oxford February 27, 1829. (Taken from Hebron.) 108 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Peru February 5, 1821. (changed from Partridgetown.)i Porter February 20, 1807. Roxbury March 17, 1835. Stoneham January 31, 1834. Stowe January 28, 1833. Sweden February 26, 1813. Upton February 9, 1860. Woodstock February 7, 1815. Carthage February 20, 1826. Weld February 8, 1816. Franklin county was erected in eighteen hundred and thirty-eight, and took from Oxford county the towns of Jay, Carthage and Weld. The town of Berlin, which was formerly an Oxford county town, was absorbed in the town of Phillips, and the name of Berlin was dropped. Androscoggin county was erected in eighteen hundred and fifty-four, and took the towns of Livermore and Turner. The following statistical table from Greenleaf's Survey of the State, shows the comparative standing of Oxford county towns in popula tion, for the years specified : Population. Toiens. 1790. 1880. 1810. 1820.. Andover 22 175 264 368 Albany 69 165 288 Bethel 362 616 975 1,267 Brownfield 250 288 388 727 Buckfield 453 1,002 1,251 1,501 Denmark 436 395 Dixfield 403 595 Dixfield and Mexico 137 Fryeburg 547 734 1,004 1,056- Gilead 88 215 328 Greenwood 273 302, Hartford and Sumner 189 Hartford 243 720 1,113 Hebron, including Oxford 530 981 1,211 1,727 Hii-am 192 203 336 972 Jay, including Canton 103 430 1,107 1,614 Livermore S63 1,560 2,124 Lovell and Sweden I47 365 I^ovell 201 430 Mexico 14 j^^g Newry 92 202 203 Norway 417 609 1,019 1,330 HISTORY OF BETHEL. 109 Towns. 1790. 1880. 1810. 1820. Paris 844 1,,320 1,894 Peru 92 343 Porter 272 292 487 Rumford 262 629 871 Sweden 249 Turner 349 722 1,129 1,726 Waterford 150 535 860 1,0.35 Woodstock 236 509 Weld 318 495 Educational, 1825. JVb. of No. of AmH Districts. Scholars. Raised. Andover 3 173 S132 00 Albany 4 126 120 00 Brownfield 9 360 249 06 Buckfield 13 706 529 50 Bethel 14 600 468 10 Canton 6 290 200 00 Carthage 4 81 68 99 Denmark 11 397 299 77 Dixfield 7 400 240 00 Fryeburg 14 490 400 00 Gilead 3 144 112 00 Oreenwood 9 255 202 00 Hartford 15 597 453 00 Hebron 17 716 69100 Hiram 11 381 381 00 Jay 8 482 339 23 Lovell 9 236 100 00 Livermore 14 966 703 75 Mexico 3 109 100 00 Norway 10 637 550 00 Newry 2 160 122 00 Porter 5 255 194 80 Paris 16 817 700 00 Peru 6 205 152 23 Rumford 10 413 306 96 Sweden 5 167 100 00 Sumner 8 497 408 87 Turner 16 932 599 00 Waterford 9 894 344 82 Woodstock 8 211 150 00 Weld 5 282 200 00 Ani't Popiddtioii, Ejjieufled. 182.5. f 150 00 400 120 00 307 295 80 850 607 16 1700 502 84 1400 239 13 700 68 99 210 333 28 800 240 06 800 490 00 1250 127 06 400 g2 00 650 453 00 1250 691 00 1750 381 00 800 417 29 1800 225 08 470 871 31 2400 100 00 225 563 79 1500 122 00 340 218 91 620 830 08 2200 152 23 450 348 99 1100 164 00 380 416 00 1200 799 00 2000 414 96 1200 161 25 450 200 00 500 110 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Ageicultueal Statistics, 1820. Towns. Andover Albany Bethel Brownfield ¦ Buckfield Denmark Dixfield Fryeburg* Gilead Greenwood Hartford Hebron Hiram Howard's Gore. . Jay Lovell Livermore Mexico Norway Newry Paris Peru Porter Rumford Sumner Sweden Turner Waterford Woodstock Weld OP c^ <1B 7178 564119 580184183 412 174 41 375 460 169 17 551 79 725 37 291 61 580 100 71 221 373 80 776 313 32 164 225 196 1208 459 1335 731 574 696 222144 15181921 489 53 1354 266 2595 105772 119 1705 159 272 12251475 381 25051441 365 309 fM 182 159 1053 281 1670 994 399 585 230 176 2543 3116 310 66 1045 125 1838 72 1779 55 1988 114 167 10802637 273 20581533 199 426 P 43 36 165 81 190 84 61 136 3734 142183 74 9 189 58 274 11 168 32 244 3278 120 129 39 265161 2663 o 5721 122 52 111 4951 853126 77 118 44 6 129 19 157 11 109 26 154 20 2697 85 16 154 110 22 39 o 110 60 216 130288 158105 222 56 42 o 151 91 435 211 536242199 3.54130123 183 414 301 651 132 196 8 18 295 618 56 113 315 754 26 66 254 468 74 146 264 699 58 102 / / 141 173 354 174 247 61 95 334 676 186 447 56 162 86 189 338 196 675 264 815 483499548 190 144 1171 1125 380 53 1361 129 1982 105772 179 1250 181295 10361091 243 1673 512295245 o O 208 370 21361155 3154 1642 872 2277 595 472 1663 3057 830 56 2081 613 3652 112 1680 180 1779 362 109113981668 451 31681935 200 479 480142 905189 1616 420629591688 187 1142 1029 2180 109 2057 147 889602 1345 417 108 1417 503185 2185 633170 411 *Fryeburg had 720 acres of fresh meadow yielding 609 tons of hay. Titles to the Soil. The first eleven townships were granted by Massachusetts either for military service or for some other reason, subject to the usual settling conditions and reservations for ministerial and educational purposes : Town. Acees. Bethel 24,278 Gilead 14,345 Fryeburg 26,549 Hebron & Oxford. .36,221 Jay & Canton. . . 20,905 LiveiTQore 27,430 Lovell & Sweden. .37,430 Grantees, &c. Canada Township. Peabody's Patent. grant to Gen. Joseph Frye for military services. to Alex. Shepard, Jr., for surveying pub. lands. Phipps Canada; in lieu of a former grant. military service at Port Royal. Capt. Lovewell and company. HISTORY OF BETHEL. Ill Town. Acees. Paris 23,971 Turner 31,359 Rumford 19,170 Waterford 21,192 Geantees, &c. Joshua Fuller et als., in lieu of former grant- Sylvester Canada; in lieu of former grant. grant to citizens of Concord, N. H. Canada township, in lieu of former grant. The following are the Province sales of townships and parts of townships in Oxford county, and the grants to academies which soon came into proprietors hands : Town. Acees. Geantees, &c. Andover 29,433 S. W. Johnson and others. Albany 14,153 Joseph Holt and others. Brownfield 28,866 T. Cutler and others. Buckfield 15,959 Abijah Buck and others. Berlin 27,650 S. Wetmore and J. Abbott. Carthage 23,250 B. Ames. Denmark 27,623 Fryeburg Academy, &c. Greenwood 22,574 Phillips Academy, &c. Hiram 13,612 Peleg Wadsworth and others. Hartford 18,821 Joel Parkhurst and others. Sumner 15,713 Dixfield 19,130 J. Holman and others. Mexico 12,712 " " Norway 25,22 Lee, Rust and Cummings. Newry 32,775 Sarah Bostwiok. Peru 21,499 J. Thompson and others. Porter 15,693 J. Hill and others. Woodstock 24,194 Dummer and Gorham Academies. Weld 32,775 T. Russell, Jr. Howard's Gore 2,012 Phineas Howard. Fryeburg Addition 1,199 granted to Fryeburg. Bradley & Eastman's 2,800 Fryeburg Academy Grant 4,147 No. 7 23,937 John Derby. No. 8 25,412 Sarah Waldo. Hamlin's Grant 1,270 Cyrus Hamlin. Andover No. Surplus 15,960 John Richards. West Surplus 11,696 S. Johnson and others- X. No. 1 26,165 Phebe Ketchum. A. No. 2 28,507 J. J. Holmes. Township B, (Upton) 25,600 Hounsfield & Davis. u C " 21,074 Ann S. Davis. " j)^ " 20,500 J.Gardner. .. E " 20,600 J. Cummings. No. 1 Rl " 22,552 Moses Abbott. 112 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Town. Acees. No. 2, R. 1, (Upton) 22,080 " 3, " " 2, R2, " 3, " " 2, R 3, " 3, " " 4, " " 5, R4, .29,440 .23,040.30,720 .21,000 .21,000 .21,000 .23,040 .23,436 >^No. 1,R3, (Upton) 11,520 » " 4, " 11,520 No. 5, R2, " 29,904 " 5, R3, " 22,717 " 5,R5, " 5,760 11,520 Surplus C 12,206 Bachelder's Grant 28,822 Tract between Hartford and Livermore 1,286 Nine Islands in the Androscog gin river 214 Sundry small grants 9,200 Geantees, &c. Thomas Sewise. u John Peck. W. & G. Gilbert. John Peck. E. Blake, Jr. Dunlap and Grant. Josiah Quincy. Samuel Watkinson. Canaan Academy. Bath Academy. Huntington and Pitkin. Abel Cutler. Hallo well Academy. Farmington Academy. John Peck. Josiah Bachelder. Monmouth Free School. Monmouth Academy. Various Persons. The areas of towns in acres as here given, are taken from the returns of surveys, in the ofiSce of the Secretary of State in Boston, for all the ti-ansfers here mentioned were made prior to the separa tion of Maine from Massachusetts in eighteen hundred and twenty. In many cases, the actual number of acres is considerably greater than these returns show. In the case of Paris, for instance, the area in acres as returned, was twenty-three thousand nine hundred and seventy-one, while the town as originally laid out contained more than thirty thousand acres. An important allowance was always made in surveying for ponds and rivers, often for poor land, and for the "swag" of the four rod chain. A township of six miles square, the usually limited size of early grants, would contain twenty-three thousand and forty acres, but grantees were always greedy and sometimes unscrupulous, while the government was generally lenient where the prescribed limits were not exceeded by more than one- fourth or one-third. The grant of Sudbury Canada was for a township six and one-half miles square, but to take in as much of the Androscoggin as possible with its choice bottom lands, the length of the town was made ten or more miles and the township before Hanover was set off embraced not far from forty thousand acres. JEDEDIAH BURBANK, CHAPTER XVI. Peominent Bethel Mkn Deceased. Jedediah Buebank. iEDEDIAH Burbank was born in the town of Groveland, Massachusetts, July eight, seventeen hundred and eighty- ^ four. It is said that his great grandfather or perhaps a generation earlier, came from Scotland and settled in Massachusetts. The father of Jedediah Burbank moved to the town of Gilead, Maine, in eighteen hundred and two, and settled upon a fine intervale farm where he reared his large family who, when they become of age, settled in Gilead, Bethel and in Shelburne, New Hampshire. In eighteen hundred and three, Jedediah Burbank came to Bethel and November eleventh of that year, he married Esther, daughter of Lieutenant Jonathan Clark, and settled upon the Clark faim where, with the exception of two years, he spent the remainder of his long life. He was early appointed a Justice of the Peace and was in commission many years when the office was of much greater account than it is at the present day. All the early justice trials in Bethel were by him. He was a selectman for four years and held office for many years longer. He was much inter ested in the prosperity of the town, and whatever trusts the town imposed upon him were ably and faithfully performed. For many years Mr. Burbank kept a tavern for the accommodation of travelers, and in eighteen hundred and thirty-three, he purchased the house on Bethel Hill built by Captain Eleazer Twitchell and known as the "Castle," enlarged it and opened a tavern known as the Bethel House. This house has since been burned. He remained here about two years, when he returned to his farm. He was one of the flrst persons to aid in establishing a Sabbath School in town, and in eighteen hundred and twenty-eight, he assisted iu organizing the first temperance society in Bethel. He united with the Congre- 114 HISTORY OF BETHEL. gational church in eighteen hundred and nine and became one of its strong supports. He was interested in educational matters, was a , trustee of Gould's Academy for many years, and one of the few residents of Bethel who rendered material aid in placing it upon a firm foundation. For his efforts in this direction, he is entitled to the lasting gratitude of the many patrons of that school, and his name should be held in grateful remembrance. In his intercourse with others, he was kind, courteous and gentlemanly, and received his friends with old fashioned hospitality. He was a skilful and progressive farmer and kept his broad acres under the highest state of cultivation. His first wife died July tenth, eighteen hundred and twenty-seven, and in January, eighteen hundred and twenty-eight, he married Miss Frances, daughter of Titus 0. Brown, Esq. Mr. Burbank died February twenty-nine, eighteen hundred and sixty. Baebour Baetlett. In his day and generation, Barbour Bartlett, Esquire, was an active man in town and much connected with town affairs- He was the son of Moses Bartlett, who lived in what is now Hanover, and having married a daughter of Captain Eli Twitchell, he settled upon the Twitchell homestead. He was a selectman in eighteen hundred and fifteen and subsequently, was town clerk from eighteen hundred and sixteen to eighteen hundred and thirty-three, and for some portion of the time, collector and treasurer. He also represented the town in the Maine Legislature in eighteen hundred and twenty- two. He was a Justice of the Peace and while in commission, married many couples and performed much other oflScial business in the way of conveyancing and in trying causes within his juris diction. He spent his days and died upon the farm below Mayville, afterwards occupied by his son Spencer T. Bartlett, and later by Benjamin R. Bryant. He was fond of agriculture and the out-door life pertaining to it, and kept his fine farm in a high state of cultivation. Lieutenant Jonathan Clark. He was a Commissary in the army for a few months, but returned to Bethel in seventeen hundred and seventy-nine, during which time he cut the first hay in town which grew up the brook, opposite the steam mill. The scythe which he used is still in existence. He afterwards exchanged and obtained two intervale lots, one of HISTORY OF BETHEL. 115 which is the farm now owned by Albert L. Burbank, Esq. During the year seventeen hundred and seventy-nine, he built a plank house a few rods east of Mr. Burbank's barn. In seventeen hundred and eighty, he married Miss Esther Parker of Newton, Mass., born August twenty-sixth, seventeen hundred aud fifty-three, and with her moved to Bethel the following June. They came on horseback from Newton to the head of Long Pond in Bridgton, and the rest of the way on foot. They had seven children, all of whom died of con sumption. During the freshet in seventeen hundred and eighty- five, he made a raft of the great doors of the barn and carried his family to a place of safely. He made a shelter for the night oppo site Mills Brown's house. The water came up to the summer shelf suspended from the beams, and spoiled his books and papers. He afterwards built the house, which is still standing on the hill and is known as the "Frost house." He died August twenty-third, eigh teen hundred and twenty-one. Lieut. Clark appears to have been an active man and enjoyed the confidence of the citizens by being elected to fill the various offices in town. Mrs. Clark appears to have been a woman of uncommon resolu tion. When the Indians came to the house in seventeen hundred and eighty-one, and took her husband captive, she manifested such courage as but few men could have exhibited. After seeing the Indians carrying her husband away pinioned, she fled to the woods and there remained during the night all alone. The next morning- she passed through the woods and went to the house of Capt. Eleazer Twitchel], where was the greatest consternation. She died February thirteenth, eighteen hundred and fifteen. Geoege W. Chapman. George Whitefield Chapman was born at Methuen, Massachusetts, on Christmas day, December twenty-fifth, seventeen hundred and eighty. When ten years of age, his father. Rev. Eliphaz Chapman, came with his family to Sudbury Canada and settled on a place on the north side of the river where he had made a little clearing and built a log house, the year previous. On this farm the subject of this notice grew to manhood, having been subject to all the priva tions incident to life in a new settlement and early becoming ac quainted with the hard work of clearing and tilling land. Becoming of age he went up the river about four miles and selected a lot of 116 HISTORY OF BETHEL. land in Peabody's Patent, in what is now the town of Gilead, and here he established his home. He married Polly, daughter of Nathaniel and Mary (Mason) Greenwood, who bore him twelve children, eight of whom passed to the better land before their father. His first wife died March the seventeenth, eighteen hun dred and forty-nine. Mr. Chapman was a thoughtful man, and his thoughts frequently found expression in rhyme, and this was espec ially so during the later years of his life. On the occasion of the death of his wife, he penned the following lines : "O ! where is now my loved one gone? I miss her everywhere ; I seek her iu the walks of life But no ; she is not there. I seek her in the grove that's near, Where we were wont to roam ; And then I wipe the flowing tear. And sit and grieve alone. My home to me is lone and drear, A place of mournful gloom ; A whisper strikes my anxious ear, 'She's yonder in the tomb ! , But Where's her soul, her better part? What answer can be given? A more than whisper tells my heart, ¦'She's safe above in heaven !' And say my soul, can'st thou complain? I answer not a word. But join her spirit in a strain Of glory to the Lord. And now my faith and hope combine, God's gracious aid t' implore. That I ere long, may greet her mine. On Canaan's happy shore." In eighteen hundred and fifty-one, Mr. (Chapman married for his second wife Mrs. Hannah (Prince) Buxton of North Yarmouth. While a resident of Gilead, he enjoyed the esteem and confidence of his town's people in a marked degree as was shown in the fact that for fifteen consecutive years, he was a member of the Board of Selectmen. In eighteen hundred and twenty he was a member of the Maine Legislature when its sessions were held, in the city of DEA, GEO. W. CHAPMAN PLACE, GILEAD, HISTORY OF BETHEL. 117 Portland. He joined the Congregational church when thirty years of age, and was soon after chosen deacon. For many years he was a leading m.ember of the church and one of its strong pillars. He had a good farm, was industrious, prudent and thrifty. He was much attached to rural life, and drew inspiration from nature's works so lavishly displayed in the valley of the Androscoggin. After his second marriage he returned to Bethel leaving his Gilead farm in the hands of his son, George Granville Chapman. He purchased the Clark farm west of Bethel Hill, which had long been occupied by Rev. Charles Frost. He lived here a few years and then on account of failing sight, he sold out and moved to Bethel Hill. His sight continued to fail until, in a few years, the light of day for him was shut out forever. Mr. Chapman's second wife died in Bethel, April the eighteenth, eighteen hundred and sixty- three. The death of his wife was an irreparable loss, for she was not only his faithful companion, but he saw through her eyes. When coal oil first came into use for lighting purposes, this is what Deacon Chapman said of it : "The kerosene is clear and bright. It even helps the blind to sight ; As man and wife are one : For I, through wife do clearly see. Therefore the kerosene to me. Is brilliant as the sun." After he became blind he dictated for another to write, early sketches of Gilead, a valuable contribution to the early history of that town. After his second wife died, Mr. Chapman divided his time between the old homestead in Gilead and the pleasant home of his daughter, Mrs. Brown Thurston of Portland. In each place he had every care and every attention which filial affection could sug gest and bestow. I visited him in Portland in March, eighteen hundred and seventy-five, when he was nearly ninety-five years of age, and had a very pleasant talk with him about affairs in Bethel during his youthful days. His mind was unclouded and his memory of early events something marvelous. His poetical compositions generally took the form of acrostics of which he wrote nearly a hundred. While with him on this occasion, he repeated several of them from memory. Soon after I saw him his health began to fail him, and he longed for the green flelds, the flowing river and grand 118 HISTORY OF BETHEL. scenery of Gilead. There he was taken and there he departed this life on the twenty-ninth day of June, eighteen hundred and seventy- five. On the occasion of his seventy-fifth birthday, Christmas, eighteen hundred and fifty-five, Mr. Chapman, then blind, wrote a little poem in which he expressed himself as near the end of his earthly career, little thinking that he still had nearly twenty years to watch and wait and suffer. A quotation from this poem must close this notice : "Hail ! blessed Christmas, precious word. The brightest feature of my date ; The birthday of my blessed Lord, The glory of his advent great. I claim it as my birthday too ; Alas ! it's found me in the dark ! I turn, its beauty to survey. And lo ! it says I must depart. My seventy-fifth has come and fled ; On Jordan's brink I lingering stand. Ready to mingle with the dead, Whene'er my Master gives command. ****** Then Jordan's stream I'll fear no more. No more I'll dread the chilling wave ; My spirit upward then will soar ; To Jesus, who my soul has saved." Timothy Chapman. Timothy Chapman, the third son and fifth child of Rev. Eliphaz Chapman, was born in Methuen, Massachusetts, February seven teenth, seventeen hundred and eighty-three. He was a lad of only seven years of age when the family came to Bethel, but he well remembered, and I have heard him tell the story in his mature years, of the long, lonely and tedious journey from Methuen to York, thence across to the Saco, up the Saco to Fryeburg and thence by the old Indian trail through Lovell, Waterford and Albany to Bethel. From Waterford there was no kind of a road, and only one team had found the way through before Mr. Chapman came. He remembered the log house twenty feet square, with no partition walls, into which the family of ten persons moved ; he remembered the small frame house which succeeded the log one and which was jzr: ^^^ y A^ Qyk iX/n^r. — I HISTORY OF BETHEL. 119 regarded almost as a palace, and also the mansion house still stand ing, which his father built still later and which was left to him when his father and mother had passed away ; all this he could remember and much more. He, as well as his brother, George Whitefield, could tell the fourth generation from his father, of pioneer life in Sudbury Canada, of the early settlers, how they toiled and suffered ; what self-sacrifices they made to secure homes for their children and for their children's children ; how from the day of small things, Bethel grew to be a great and prosperous town, with fine churches, fine dwelling houses, fertile farms, manufactures of various kinds, and more marvelous still, his adopted town to which he had come through the wilderness, brought en rapport with the great world by means of the electric telegraph, and in close relation to the great business centers of the country, by means of the steam engine and the railway. All this he lived to see, and with faculties unimpaired, fully to comprehend their great importance.. Mr. Chapman was three times married ; firstly, March twelfth, eighteen hundred and seven, to Betsey Barker, who died April twentj'-fifth, eighteen hundred and nineteen ; secondly, February twenty-fourth, eighteen hundred and twenty, to Abigail Blanchard, who died August seventh, eighteen hundred and thirty-seven, and thirdly, July fifth, eighteen hundred and thirty-eight, to Sarah Johnson of Farmington, who died June eighteenth, eighteen hun dred and seventy-eight. Mr. Chapman inherited the old homestead and spent his days, after his majority, in the mansion house erected by his father. He was an excellent farmer, a diligent worker, sagacious and prudent, and became an independent lord of the soil. He was genial and hospitable, a doer as well as a believer of the word, and in all respects a model citizen. He never sought office, but preferred the quiet walks of private life, and his chief objects were the care of his farm and the comfort of his family. He died July thirteenth, eighteen hundred and seventy-one, aged over eighty- eight years. Robeet a. Chapman. Hon. Robert Andrews Chapman, eldest son and child of Eliphaz Chapman, Jr., was born in Gilead, September twenty-second, eigh teen hundred and seven. He spent his youth upon his father's farm and attended the town schools of Gilead. He had a natural aptitude for business, and when still a minor, he found employment 120 HISTORY OF BETHEL. in the store of O'Neil W. Robinson, at Bethel Hill. His ambition was, as I have heard him say, to own that store and do business therein in his own name. Though the realization of his ambitious hopes seemed to him like something afar off, and perhaps never to be realized, yet it was only a few years before he acquired the store as an actual possession, and continued to operate it for nearly half a century. He was very successful in all his business enterprises, and at the time of his death was the wealthiest man in town. For many years, he and his brother Elbridge were associated in business together, and kept the largest assortment and did the heaviest busi ness of any firm in the village. Finally Elbridge moved to Portland where he engaged in the wholesale trade, while Robert A. Chapman continued the business here, for a few years in company with Hon. Enoch W. Woodbury. Mr. Chapman was one of the most industrious of men. When I was attending school in Bethel, I was in the habit of occasionally rising early and going to Paradise Hill to have a view of the gorgeous sunrise seen from that point, and I never passed Mr. Chapman's place in the early morning twilight, without seeing him about his chores, milking his cows, and feeding his horses, or at wOrk in the garden, and getting ready for his day's employment in the store. He was correct in his habits, strictly temperate, a liberal supporter of, and a constant attendant at the Congregational church. Mr. Chapman was not a politician in the modern sense of the word. He never felt that he could afford the time to hold office, his own private business being sufficient to absorb all his time. In the time of the old parties, his sympathies were with the democrats, and as such he was elected to the State Senate in eighteen hundred and fifty, and re-elected the following year. When the third party in Oxford county was organized in the interest of prohibition of the liquor traffic, Mr. Chapman joined the movement, and he followed, when that faction became absorbed in the great republican party in eighteen hundred and fifty-five. Mr. Chapman was tall and erect, but rather slender, lithe and active in all his movements — a marked face and figure which impressed one at once as belonging to no ordinary man. His penetration and sagacity, coupled with his activity and perseverance, would have assured success in any pro fession or business he might have chosen, but he chose mercantile pursuits, and in his success outstripped all his predecessors and contemporaries. Probably Bethel never had a clearer-headed busi" HISTORY OF BETHEL. 1-21 ness man than Robert A. Chapman. He married March twenty- eighth, eighteen hundred and thirty-three, Frances, daughter of Dr. Timothy Carter of Bethel, and had a family of six children, five of whom with the widow are still living. Elbeidge Chapman. Deacon Elbridge Chapman, third son of Eliphaz Chapman, Jr., was born in Gilead, June twenty-seventh, eighteen hundred and thirteen. He came to Bethel Hill when a young man and was long in trade with his brother Robert. He was more especially the man in the store, while his brother attended to the outside business. He- was a man of strict integrity and his word was as good as his bond. He married Delinda, daughter of John and Lucia (Twitchell) Kimball, and had four children. Professor Henry Leland Chapman of Bowdoin College is their oldest son and third child. Mr. Chap man early joined the Congregational church, was chosen deacon and became a leading member. In the absence of the pastor, when a sermon was to be read, the duty generally devolved on Deacon Chapman, who was a good reader. He was a prudent and indus trious man, a man with a kind heart and obliging disposition, a good neighbor and valuable citizen. He had a deep interest in the prosperity and welfare of his adopted town which he manifested in many ways and on various occasions. He was a quiet man, domestic in his habits and had strong attachments for home and family. Sometime in the fifties he moved to Portland and was in the whole sale trade there, first in the grocery business and afterwards in the dry goods business. He never possessed a vigorous constitution and after a prolonged sickness, he died at his home on State street, Portland, June twentieth, eighteen hundred and sixty-eight. His widow has since deceased. She was a most excellent woman and will long be remembered in Bethel, not alone for Christian virtues and blameless life, but for her fine soprano voice which for so many years was heard in the choir of the Congregational church. Elias M. Carter. Elias Mellen Carter, son of Dr. Timothy Carter, was born in Bethel September eleven, eighteen hundred and eleven. Few citi zens of Bethel have been more conspicuous in public affairs, and none have left a clearer record. He served as town clerk for several 122 HISTORY OF BETHEL. years, but it was in the capacity of selectman that he appeared at his best. He had sound judgment and unwavering integrity, quali ties that admirably fitted him for the position of chief executive officer of the town which position he long held, and could have held much longer had he consented. He served also as Representative to the Legislature, as Executive Councillor, and as County Com missioner, in all which responsible positions he acquitted himself with distinguished ability. He was long in commission as Justice of the Peace and in the trial of causes, was noted for his candor, impartiality and legal acumen. He always resided at Middle Inter vale, was the "squire" of the little village and its recognized best man. By occupation he was a farmer, and devoted himself to work on his large farm when not engaged in public affairs. His social qualities were of a high order, and he was exceedingly popular with all classes. Phineas Frost. Phineas Frost, son of Thomas Frost, (see Family Statistics) was born in this town and spent the greater part of his life here. He was brought-up to labor on the farm and his educational facilities were none of the best, for at the age of seventeen years, when the last war between the United States and Great Britain broke out, he enlisted and sei*ved until near its close, in Captain Hull's Company of the Ninth United States Regiment of Infantry commanded by General, at that time Colonel Winfield Scott. Near the close of the war, in an engagement, he was severely* wounded by a rifle ball which was never extracted and which troubled him more or less during the remainder of his life. Returning from the war, he mar ried Abigail, daughter of Josiah and Molly (Crocker) Bean and settled on Howard's Gore, now a part of Hanover, where he owned and operated a mill. A little later he returned to Bethel and en gaged in farming. For many years he was prominent in town affairs, serving as one of the selectmen and for many terms as chairman of the board. During those years, he had a greater per sonal following than any other man in town. Every measure that he originated or adopted, he was sure to carry through, and iu the many wordy contests between the upper and lower parish, he was ever the leader and champion of the latter. He generally adopted the popular side, advocating the cause of the poor, and this in part, accounts for his popularity and uniform success. He was a ready PHINEAS FROST HISTORY OF BETHEL. 123 speaker, bold and defiant rather than persuasive, and pursued his object to the bitter end without fear or asking favor. When the town received its share of the surplus revenue there was a sharp contest over its disposal. Mr. Frost advocated dividing per capita among the inhabitants of the town and, after a sharp and long debate, he carried it through. He five times represented the town in the Maine Legislature, and of that body he was an able and valuable member. The last time he was not the candidate of any party. It was at the time when parties were badly divided and were being reorganized and the Democrats having nominated O'Neil W. Robinson, Esq., a very popular man aud regarded as somewhat liberal in his views, the nomination was supported by the dissenters who afterward became Republicans. The district was composed of Bethel, and the towns and plantations northwardly and in the lake region, and as soon as the nomination was made and ratified, Mr. Frost, on foot and with staff in hand, commenced a pilgrimage through the district, visiting every leading Democrat therein. The result was when election came, that Mr. Frost was elected by a decided majority. When quite advanced in years, he commenced to clear up a new farm, the one a short distance from the road between the river and Locke's Mills, and now occupied by .Jonas W. Bartlett. Here he erected a substantial set of farm buildings and cleared up quite a number of acres of land. His younger sons were now with him, but when they grew up they were not contented here, and as fast as they became of age went to seek their fortunes elsewhere. He finallj^ sold out his farm and followed them, and in eighteen hundred and fifty-six he moved to a rural town in Minnesota, where he engaged in farming. Later he removed to the shire town, now the city of Anoka, where he died on the twentieth day of March, eigh teen hundred and seventy. His wife died October twenty-first, eighteen hundred and eighty-three, and their remains repose side by side in Oakwood cemetery in the city of Anoka, where several of their children reside. Mrs. Frost was a sturdy housewife and an excellent mother, and her large family of children were well brought up and fitted for the duties and responsibilities of life. This little sketch, with the portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Frost, kindly furnished by their children, will keep them in perpetual remembrance by their numerous surviving friends in this town, and will keep fragrant their memories in the years to come. 124 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Yaa Foster. Deacon Eli Foster was the son of Asa and Anna (Bartlett) Foster of Newry, and was born in that town. When he became of age he married Dorcas, daughter of Stephen Bartlett of Bethel, and settled on wild land situated on the road between Locke's Mills and the Androscoggin river, though at the time he erected his house, the road had not been built. His land consisted of lowland and upland, and when he selected his building lot, he exercised that judgment and foresight with regard to future wants, not often shown by the early settlers. The spot selected was where the lowlands joined the upland, near a beautiful brook which comes from the hills at this point and meanders through the level ground to Otter brook. He left the forest on the high ground in the vicinity of his buildings, which consisted largely of the sugar maple, standing, and they are standing to this day and constitute one of the finest sugar orchards in the town. On the hill east of this maple grove, he cleared land for pasturage, and the level ground was cleared up for meadow and crops. The broad area of high interval, almcst a dead level, and stretching away across Otter brook and to the hills beyond, attracts- the attention and elicits the admiration of all passers by. Mr. Foster's education was somewhat limited, but he had natural abilities of a high order. He was a model farmer and a first class business man. His thrift, which was the result of prudence and economy, sometimes excited the envy of his less fortunate neighbors, and even of those who were often glad to have the benefit of his better circumstances. He was kind-hearted and accommodating, social in his tastes and habits and rendered needed assistance to the poor by giving them employment at seasons when they could find it nowhere else. His wife was a helpmate indeed. She was skilled in all the domestic arts for which the settler's wives were distinguished ; carding, spinning and weaving both flax and wool, she furnished clothing for the household, beginning with the raw material and ending with the made up and finished garments. In the evening after the household duties had been carefully attended to, she would sit with knitting work in hand, and it was marvelous to witness the numerous pairs of hose, linen for summer and woolen for winter wear, and mittens, she would produce in a single year. Mr. Foster was chosen Deacon of the Baptist church and was filling the posi tion at the time of his death. He was a man of decided views, a strong temperance man, and a few years before his death, gave up HISTORY OF BETHEL. 12,5 the use of tobacco, of which he had long made use. His wife survived him many years, dividing her time between the old home stead occupied by her only son, and the home of her eldest daughter, Mrs. Ira Cushman of South Bethel. John Geovee, Senior. Among the earliest settlers was John Grover. Respecting the genealogy of the family, an interesting communication from his grandson, Hon. Lafayette Grover of Oregon, will be read with interest. "In late researches into the early history of New England, I have quite satisfied myself as to what time our family ancestors came to this country, I find that John Grover, the first of our name in this country, was living in Charlestown, Massachusetts, in sixteen hun dred and thirty-four. He was probably among the first who arrived after the landing of the Mayflower in sixteen hundred and twenty. John Grover had a son John, born in sixteen hundred and forty, (as the old records in Charlestown still show), whose oldest son John settled near Andover, Massachusetts, where our great grand father James was born, who, with his five sons and three daughters (James, John, Jedediah, Eli, Elijah, Sarah, Olive and Naoma), soon after the close of the Revolution, purchased extensive tracts of land in Bethel, Maine, from whom all of our name descended, who live in this town. Our great grandfather was a man of great piety and some learning, and was a deacon in the church. He died in Bethel, and was the first man interred in the old cemetery on our old farm. John Grover, our grandfather, was the second son of the family, served in the Revolution, was at the battle at Princeton and Trenton, New Jersey ; returned home when the year's service expired, married Jerusha Wiley in Fryeburg, (who was a sister of the wife of General Amos Hastings,) and settled as a farmer at West Bethel. His farm included all the land upon which is built the village at West Bethel. Father was the oldest son and called ,Tbhn, which seems to have been a family name for many genera tions. Our ancestors came from England. The name is purelp ^English, and in my antiquarian researches into the genealogical history of the middle ages, I have found the "coat of arms" belong ing to our family. The escutcheon is surmounted by a crest, and an arm, embossed, from the clouds holding a wreath. There is but •one "coat of arms" representing the name of Grover in all Heraldry, 126 HISTORY OF BETHEL. and that established beyond all question of dates, consequently there never was but one original head, so the descent is not questionable." Mr. .John Grover came to Bethel in company with Capt. Eleazer Twitchell in seventeen hundred and eighty. He had a camp in company with Mr. Peter Austin on the farm now owned by Capt. Samuel Barker. He was engaged the next spring in making sugar and in clearing land. When the Indians came to Bethel, in seven teen hundred and eighty-one, they visited his camp and destroyed the sugar he had made. He happened to be from his camp and escaped to the house of Capt, Twitchell, where he and the others spent the night, expecting an attack at every moment. The next morning he started without ceremony immediately after breakfast for Fryeburg, and arrived there, a distance of thirty miles, by noon. Capt. Twitchell soon after sent off a man on horseback, but Mr. Grover arrived there first. Grover Hill took its name from him. An incident or two of him is worthy of record. He was stationed for a time at Dorchester Heights, when the British occupied Boston ; a detachment was ordered to throw up intrenchments during the night for the purpose of annoying the British in the city. A fire was incautiously built which served as a capital mark for the British Artillery. They immediately commenced a brisk cannonade ; the balls flew thickly. One arrested Mr. Grover's attention by cutting its way through an oak tree near by him. Another struck a man in the chest standing close by, cutting him nearly in two. The detachment sought refuge in the rear of the hill where they were safe. The next morning a large number of balls were collected by the soldiers. Powder carts loaded with sand arrived quite frequently, giving the enemy to understand that they were well supplied with ammunition. Mr. Grover was one of the hardy pioneers, well fitted to begin the world in a new country. A few years before his death he removed to Mercer, Maine. His son Mason was in the war of eighteen hundred and twelve, and being taken sick his father went to see him. This was in the direction of Montreal, but the father died on the way in eighteen hundred and fourteen. He had ten children. His wife died in Bethel, June, eighteen hundred and thirty-nine. Cuviee Grover. At the age of fifteen years, Cuvier Grover, son of Dr. John Grover, was prepared for college, but declined to go, much to the GEN. CUVIER GROVER, U. S. A HISTORY OF BETHEL. 127 regret of his parents. He would go to West Point Military Academy and be a soldier, or he would be a merchant. Not being old enough to be admitted to West Point, he went to Boston and secured a position as clerk with Mr. Eben D. Jordan, now the head of the great commercial house of Jordan, Marsh & Company of that city. He remained with Mr. Jordan two years and was rapidly promoted in business, until in the spring of eighteen hundred and fifty-six his father procured for him the place he wished above all others, the appointment as cadet at the United States Military Academy. He passed his examination for admission readily and took high rank as a scholar the first year of his cadetship. But in the second year he reached to near the head of his class, and held his place during the balance of his course, and his name was annually thereafter pub lished in the Army Register as one of the flve "distinguished cadets" at the National Military School, where on account of the exacting severity of the course of studies and drill, not more than one-third of the young men who enter ever graduate. His high scholarship entitled him to be appointed to the Corps of Topographical Engineers when he went into the army ; but he pre ferred the artillery and was assigned to the Fourth United States Artillery as second lieutenant in eighteen hundred and fifty. In eighteen hundred and fifty-three, he was assigned by order of the Secretary of War to engineering duty on the exploring expedition through the region now traversed by the Northern Pacific Railroad, under the command of Isaac I. Stevens, then appointed to the Governorship of the newly organized Territory of Washington. This expedition as a leading object, was to examine and report upon the feasibility of the construction of a railway to connect the head of Lake Superior with the navigable waters of the Columbia river and the Puget Sound. This region was then a terra incognita, inhabited only by savage tribes. Lieut. Grover took a prominent and active part in this explora tion. Leading journals of the country expressed grave doubts as to the advisability of this effort to locate a line for a Pacific railroad in that quarter, for the reason that, if feasible grades could be found, the depth of snows and the inhospitable climate in the Rocky Mountains near the forty-eighth parallel of North latitude would forbid the operation of a railroad there. This objection was con stantly in Governor Stevens' mind, and was the talk of the camp as the expedition advanced, without being solved by any obtainable 128 HISTORY OF BETHEL. information. At Fort Benton, a trapping post among the Indians, they were told that no one, not even an Indian, had ever passed the Rocky Mountains in those latitudes in winter time. Lieutenant Grover proposed to remain on the head waters of the Missouri, exploring the upper branches of that river till the first of January, then cross the mountains in the dead of winter and report the climate and the depth of snows, if he -could have thirty men to aid him. The expedition consisted of three hundred, all told, but Governor Stevens declined to make the detail, remarking that the proposed service was extra-hazardous and he could not order it, however much he desired the knowledge of these facts. Grover replied that he would volunteer himself for this work, and perhaps a sufficient number of men would do the same. Stevens ordered his command drawn up in line and stated to them the proposed duty and the offer of Lieutenant Grover to volunteer for its per formance if he could have thirty men to remain with him. He also stated to them that he had declined to order any men for such work, but if the number wanted would volunteer for the special service, they were at liberty to do so, and requesting such as were willing to volunteer to step two paces to the front. Four men stepped out of the ranks. And Stevens turning to Grover, said : "Lieutenant, you see you cannot have your men." Grover replied : *'I will take the four." After much hesitancy, the detail was made and Lieutenant Grover remained with his small force surveying the Tipper Missouri and the Milk river for light steamboat navigation and lines for railway approaches to the foot of the Rocky Moun tains, during the months of October, November and December, €ighteen hundred and fifty-three. Then on January first, eighteen hundred and fifty-four, made his memorable crossing of the Rocky Mountains in the dead of winter on snow shoes, drawing his rations with a train of dogs hitched to sledges. This duty was performed in the midst of hostile Sioux and Blackfoot Indians, and he and his few men stood many a narrow chance for their lives. He found no snow depths over eighteen inches in his transit of the entire moun tain range, and the climate of fair winter moderation. This owing to the trend of the main chain of the Rocky Mountains in these latitudes toward the Pacific coast, and the ocean breezes drawing eastward from the Pacific Ocean up the valley of the Columbia river and over the Puget Sound, effecting a decided modification of the winter climate in those mountain regions, as contrasted with the HISTORY OF BETHEL. 129 mountain temperatures farther south. So this great climatic prob lem was solved for the first time, and the objections to the feasibility of a Northern Pacific Railroad were removed by the report of Lieu tenant Grover of his winter expedition of eighteen hundred and fifty three-four. In eighteen hundred and fifty-seven, while he was serving as flrst lieutenant of a company in the Tenth United States Infantry, his company was ordered to duty on the Utah Expedition, com manded by General Albert Sidney Johnston, for the reduction of rebellious Mormons. The captain of his company being reported on the sick list. Lieutenant Grover took command and marched on foot with his company all the way from the Missouri river to Utah, though as commanding officer of his company he was entitled to be mounted, and he brought his company to the end of this long march in such good condition that he attracted the attention of the com manding general, who when martial law was declared in Utah, appointed Lieutenant Grover Provost Marshal of that Territory. In this most delicate, and difficult office, he conducted his duties with distinction, and to the entire satisfaction of his Commanding General. At the close of his service in Utah he was promoted Captain in the Tenth Infantry and was retained on frontier duty at Fort Union, New Mexico, at a two company post, where he was at the breaking out of the war in eighteen hundred and sixty-one. Surrender was demanded by the rebel authorities of all United States troops and munitions of war then in Texas and New Mexico. While other posts were complying with the demand, on account of lack of force to resist. Captain Grover, taking instant notice of the situation, devoted all his resources to mount and provision his men for a long forced march, and burned and destroyed everything else, even the post itself. He then pushed so rapidly North that the force sent to capture him, after his refusal to surrender, was too far behind to overtake him, and came only to witness the smoking ruins of the destroyed post. After being reported in the news papers as captured and killed, he duly arrived with his command at the Missouri river, whence he immediately reported himself at Washington. After receiving the compliments of the War Depart ment on his exploit, he was tendered the Colonelcy of the First Regiment of Sharp Shooters, at that time just being organized, but he declined the special honor, preferring the broader field of the general service. 130 HISTORY OF BETHEL. At the breaking out of the late war he held the rank of captain, but was soon promoted to brigadier-general of volunteers. In that rank he served with the Army of the Potomac in the Virginia Peninsular campaign. Took part in the siege of Yorktown and battle of Williamsburgh. For gallant services in the latter he was brevetted lieutenant-colonel in the Regular Army. For like ser vices in the battle of Fair Oaks he was brevetted colonel. General Grover was at the battles of Savage Station, Glendale, and Malvern Hill. In the northern Virginia campaign of eighteen hundred and sixty-two he took part in the action at Bristoe Station and second Bull Run. From December thirty, eighteen hundred and sixty-two, to July, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, he commanded a division of the Nineteenth Corps in the Department of the Gulf and partici pated in the occupation of Baton Rouge and Port Hudson, where he commanded the right wing of the besieging army. From August to December, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, he commanded a division of the Nineteenth Corps in the Shenandoah campaign and on October sixteenth, he was brevetted major-general of volunteers for gallantry at the battles of Winchester and Fisher's Hill. It will be noticed that General Grover received no less than four brevet promotions during the war, all for conspicuous bravery. For a short time in the latter part of eighteen hundred and sixty- two, he commanded a brigade in the defences of Washington, and to this brigade belonged the Twenty-third Maine Regiment, in which were many Bethel men, and none of us will forget how cor dially he greeted his former acquaintances, and how, when he was ordered away to the Gulf, we regretted his departure. Bravery always excites admiration, and in all the armies of the United States during the late war, there was no braver spirit than that which possessed and animated the fine and soldierly form of General Cuvier Grover. After the war, he took command of a regiment of regular cavalry, and as already stated, was most of the time on the frontier. The immediate cause of his death was hemorrhage of the lungs arising from pulmonary abscess, after having been a sufferer from nervous prostration for many years, unquestionably due to his long and faithful field services duiing the late war, and great ex posures to which he was subjected at different times, as shown by the testimony of members of his staff and medical officers of the army. In particular was he a great sufferer from facial neuralgia due to extraordinary exposure during General Bank's Red river HISTORY OF BETHEL. 131 campaign. He died at Atlantic City, whither he had retired vainly hoping for improved health, June sixth, eighteen hundred and eighty-five. The official organ of the War Department had the following notice of General Grover's death : "Brevet Major General Cuvier Grover, Colonel of the First United States Cavalry, a distinguished officer, died at Atlantic City, June sixth, eighteen hundred and eighty-five. A native of Bethel, Maine, he entered the Military Academy from that State July first, eighteen hundred and forty-six, and graduated fourth in his class, July first, eighteen hundred and fifty. He was promoted Brevet Second Lieutenant First Artillery, afterwards assigned Second Lieutenant Fourth Artillery March third, eighteen hundred and fifty-five ;. transferred to First Lieutenancy Tenth Infantry September seven teenth, eighteen hundred and fifty-eight, promoted Captain Tentk Infantry. He was on the Utah expedition of eighteen hundred and flfty-seven-eight, and on frontier duty at Fort Union, New Mexico, at the breaking out of the war. April fourteenth, eighteen hundred and sixty-two, he was made Brigadier-General of Volunteers, and served with the Army of the Potomac in the Virginia Peninsular campaign. He took part in the siege of Yorktown and the battle of Williamsburg in eighteen hundred and sixty-two, and was brevetted lieutenant-colonel for gallantry in this battle. For like services at the battle of B^air Oaks he was brevetted colonel. Gen eral Grover was at the battles of Savage Station, Glendale and Malvern Hill, and in the Northern Vii'ginia campaign of the same year, he took part in the action at Bristoe Station, and the battle of Manasses (second Bull Run) . From December thirty, eighteen hundred and sixty-two, to .July eighteen hundred and sixty-four, he commanded a division of the Nineteenth Corps in the Department of the Gulf, and commanded in the engagements of Irish Bend and Vermillion Bayou (both victories), and participated in the siege of Port Hudson, where he commanded the right wing of the besieging army. From August to December, eighteen hundred and sixty- four, he commanded a division of the Nineteenth Corps in the Shenandoah campaign, and on October sixteenth, was brevetted major-general of United States volunteers for gallantry at the bat tles of Winchester and Fisher Hill. He was wounded at the battle of Cedar Creek on the same day. From January to June, eighteen hundred and sixty-five, he was in command of the District of Savannah, and in March, eighteen hundred and sixty-five, he was 132 HISTORY OF BETHEL. brevetted Brigadier-General and Major-General of the United States Army. He was mustered out of the volunteer service August twenty- fourth, eighteen hundred and sixty-five, and inost of the time after, was in active service on the frontier. July twenty-eight, eighteen hundred and sixty-six, he was appointed Lieutenant Colonel of the Thirty-eighth United States Infantry, and in eighteen hundred and seventy, assigned to the Third Cavalry. December second, eigh teen hundred and seventy-five, he was promoted to the Colonelcy of the First Cavalry and held that position at the time of his decease. He was buried at West Point with military honors." Talleyrand Geovee. Professor Talleyrand Grover was the son of Dr. John Grover, and was born in Bethel, August twenty-nine, eigliteen hundred and twenty-two. He graduated from Bowdoin College in eighteen hnn- dred and forty-three, and was among the first in a large class. During his college course he taught sometimes in the winter vaca tion, and was a very capable and successful teacher. He taught one term in Bean's Corner, a school considered rather difficult to manage, but he kept it through without trouble. He had great facility in acquiring languages. After graduation he was Principal .of Gould's Academy for a term or two and then opened a school for young men in Camden, New Jersey. In eighteen hundred and fifty-one, he was elected professor of rhetoric and modern languages in Delaware College, and spent sometime in Europe to qualify him self for that position ; he was subsequently transferred to the pro fessorship of ancient languages and literature. Earnest in his desire for higher attainment and accomplishment, he visited the north of Europe late in eighteen hundred and fifty-eight. He was taken fatally sick at Upsala, Sweden, and died there June fourth, eighteen hundred and fifty-nine. He received kind and delicate attentions at the hands of strangers whom he easily made friends, during his sickness, who also took charge of his interment. He was zealously devoted to his work as a teacher, and was highly successful. His death at so early an age was deeply deplored. He was never married. Israel Kimball, Jr. It is always pleasant to speak of such a man as Israel Kimball, Jr., because pleasant things can be said of him without fear of IRA C. KIMBALL. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 133 adverse comment and without exposing the writer to the charge of favoritism. Such men as he are the salt of the earth, and the world is better that they have lived. He was honest, industrious, frugal and thrifty. He had an abundance of charity, but he bestowed it with discrimination and judgment. He despised shams in whatever form they were presented. He excelled in everything he undertook and as farming was his chief employment, he was one of the very best in town. He studied it in all its branches, and sought for the best results in which he generally succeeded. Inheriting the broad acres of his father at Middle Interval, he kept the farm in the highest state of cultivation. He was a man whom everybody re spected, and in whose integrity every one had the fullest confidence. He never sought office much, preferring to devote his whole time to the care of his farm, but he was often elected on the Board of Selectmen and urged to serve. In this position, he always acquitted himself with honor and to the entire satisfaction of the people of the town. In the neighborhood and town, he was peaceable and a peacemaker ; in his family he was kind and indulgent, and to visitors or strangers within his gates, he was courteous and hospitable. I speak from knowledge, having spent many pleasant hours beneath his roof-tree. His wife, Sarah (Webber) Kimball, was a most excellent woman, a model Christian mother, and an ornament to her sex. The lives of this couple were a constant inspiration to the people of the town, leading them onward to higher attainment in all that pertains to domestic and country life. Mrs. Kimball survived her husband quite a number of years, and both attained to a good old age. Ira C. Kimball. One of the most successful men of Bethel and one whose name was ever the synonym of integrity and honor, was Ira Crocker Kimball. He was the son of Israel Kimball of Middle Intervale, and was brought up on his father's farm. He came to Bethel Hill quite early and engaged in trade. His store was the northerly one of the block which was burned in war time, and which has been rebuilt. He lived in a house north of the store which was after ward occupied by Winslow Heywood and which was destroyed by fire the same time as the store. Afterward Mr. Kimball bought, remodeled and occupied the house on the corner of the Common and Church street, which was afterward occupied and is still the property 134 HISTORY OF BETHEL. of William E. Skillings. In this store, Mr. Kimball had a long and successful business career. He also engaged in outside business, dealing somewhat in wild lands and became forehanded. He was somewhat conservative in his views and acts, always proceeded with deliberation, but his sound judgment was rarely at fault, and his well balanced mind could generally be relied upon in matters of business, or upon the public issues of the day. He aided in organ izing the Republican party in the town and county, and in the councils of the party his views had great weight. He was the first Republican elected to the Legislature from Bethel, and while not a talking member, his opinions upon questions of party policy were sought after and generally heeded. He rendered substantial aid in organizing the Universalist society in Bethel, and in erecting the church edifice, and was ever one of its most faithful and active members. In war time, his loyalty to the government was given without reserve and his eldest son enlisted early and served nearly throughout the struggle. Mr. Kimball's health soon after began to fail and he went South hoping to regain it, but the disease had taken too firm hold and soon carried him away. John Ivimball. Deacon John Kimball was born in Pembroke, New Hampshire, in seventeen hundred and eighty-three. In eighteen hundred and thirteen, he came to Bethel and married Lucia, daughter of Eli Twitchell. He was by occupation a farmer, a quiet, undemonstra tive man, yet a man of sterling character and worth. He was best known as chorister at the Congregational church for nearly two generations. He had a smooth voice of remarkable depth and fullness, and in the singer's gallery he was ever master of the situa tion. When he sang bass, his daughter, Delinda Chapman, the soprano, and Mrs. Susie True the alto, it would have been extremely difficult to have found better music in any country choir. For many years his residence was nearly opposite the academy, and he and his wife were well known to the students attending. He died March the second, eighteen hundred and sixty-three. Samuel Barron I^ocke. The ancestor of the Locke families who have lived in this town was William, who came early to this country from England and HISTORY OF BETHEL. 135 settled in Woburn, Massachusetts. Numbers of his posterity have lived in New Hampshire and among others was James, the father of the subject of this notice. Samuel B. Locke married Hannah, daughter of William Russell of Fryeburg, and before coming to Bethel, had lived in Thetford, Vermont, Lemster and Newport, New Hampshire, and in Fryeburg, Maine. His fourth child was born in Fryeburg in seventeen hundred and ninety-five, and his sixth in Bethel in seventeen hundred and ninety-seven, therefore the family must have come to this town between these two dates. He settled on Sunday river on the farm still owned and occupied by his descendants. He was by occupation a millwright and a man of much energy and capacity. He was a natural mechanic, and his uncommon ability in this direction was inherited in a greater or less degree by his sons. The improvement of water power by the erec tion of mills of various kinds, occupied much of his mind and time, and such a man is always a valuable acquisition to any new settle ment. He erected mills on the Sunday river in Bethel and also in what is known as Ketchum, and was employed by various parties to build mills in other places. About the year eighteen hundred and six teen, fires in the woods killed vast quantities of timber which, if not utilized at once, would decay and be spoiled. This induced Mr. Locke to buy a tract of land, and erect mills on the outlet of certain ponds in Greenwood and Woodstock, which outlet has since borne the name of Alder river. These mills have since that time borne the name of the builder and owner, and are situated in Greenwood about half a mile from Bethel south line. Though spending much of his time at the Greenwood Mills, Mr. Locke continued to reside in Bethel, where he cleared up a good farm. He was of a philoso phical turn of mind and far in advance of his time, in his ideas of the natural sciences, aud even in matters pertaining to natural and revealed religion. He was somewhat eccentric in his habits, and stories of his peculiarities have come down to us, doubtless greatly exaggerated. John Locke. Dr. John Locke was not born in Bethel, but his parents moved here when he was a child, and he spent his youth and early manhood here. He was the son of Samuel Barron and Hannah (Russell) Locke and was born in Lempster, New Hampshire, February nine teenth, seventeen hundred and ninety-two. He came with his 136 HISTORY OF BETHEL. parents to Fryeburg, and from there to Bethel, when he was four years of age. He was remarkably precocious, and at that early age when most boys think of nothing but eating, sleeping and play, he was studying the problems of nature presented in the lavish display around him. He showed strong native talent especially in the direction of mathematics and the natural sciences. He was a great lover of nature in all her moods. He studied botany in the fields and woods bordering the Sunday and the Androscoggin rivers, and became proficient without the aid of books or teachers. At an early age, he published a text book on botany which was much admired for the simplicity of its arrangement, and for the large number of specimens described, all of which he had gathered and examined. He finally made his way to Bridgton where he made the acquain tance of Seba Smith, and they became close friends. Afterwards, when Smith published his "Jack Downing" letters, Locke remarked of them, that "it was the easiest thing for Jack to write them for it was his chimney corner language." Smith might have retorted on Locke that it was easy for him to be a philosopher and scientist, for his mind dwelt upon nothing else. Dr. Locke concluded not to go to college, for the regular college course in those days embraced many studies that were not practical, and so he entered upon the study of medicine as embracing many of the studies in which he had a deep interest. He was at Dartmouth College for a time, and then took his degree from the medical department of Yale. He entered the navy as surgeon, but the sanitary arrangements on board the ships of the United States Navy were so slack, and failing to effect the needed reform, he abandoned the position. During the trip which he was to have taken, ship fever broke out and many valua ble lives were sacrificed, thus proving the wisdom of his suggestions, and the loss to the government in not heeding them. His varied attainments and his aptitude for teaching, naturally led him to adopt this as an occupation, and for this purpose he went South and engaged as assistant teacher iu an academy at Lexington, Kentucky. In eighteen hundred and twenty-two, when thirty years of age, he crossed the Ohio and established a female academy at Cincinnati, which for many years was one of the best and most successful schools in the west. His school was patronized by the first families in the South and West, and among his pupils were the daughters of Henry Clay and of many other distinguished families. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 137 In eighteen hundred and thirty-six, he was chosen Professor of Chemistry and Pharmacy in the Ohio Medical College, and his lectures in a short time gave that institution a reputation and a popularity which it had never before enjoyed. He was an original thinker and investigator, and declining to follow the beaten paths of others, he achieved results by his own methods. He was con nected with the college for seventeen years, and besides attending to his duties there, he performed a vast amount of other work. He devoted his life to science, and the good he accomplished, and the wonderful results he achieved, will be remembered as long as the English language is spoken. He was employed by the government in surveying the mineral lands around Lake Superior, more especi ally for the development of the mines of copper, and his reports will be models for all time. He also made exhaustive geological surveys of the States of Ohio and Iowa. This work added greatly to his reputation, and his reports are still valuable works of reference. Dr. Locke's published works, besides reports of surveys just spoken of, consist of his work on botany already referred to, "An Account of a large Thermascopic Galvanometer'' published in the London Philosophical Magazine in eighteen hundred and thirty- seven ; a valuable report on the explosion of the steamboat Morelle, in eighteen hundred and forty ; papers on the magnetism of the United States published in the Transactions of the American Phil osophical Society, and papers on various topics published in Silli- man's Journal and in the reports of the Smithsonian Institution at Washington. Dr. Locke also had an inventive mind, and by the study of horology in connection with the science of magnetism, he invented the famous clock which he called the "chronograph," and which is still in use in the observatory at Washington. For this unique invention. Congress gave Dr. Locke the generous sum of ten thousand dollars. The appropriation was suggested by Hon. Thomas Corwin, then a member of the United States Senate, and Professor Locke's close friend. He was much attached to his adopted home, where he resided for more than thirty years, watch ing its growth from a struggling hamlet, to a great and beautiful city. Here in eighteen hundred and twenty-five, he married Mary Morris of Newark, New Jersey, a pupil of his school. She was a most amiable lady and his domestic life was a very happy one. They reared a large and interesting family, but one son died young and two in early manhood. 138 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Doctor Locke was a most agreeable and entertaining friend and companion. His fund of knowledge upon almost any subject of importance, seemed to be inexhaustible. After he settled down in Cincinnati, he did not visit his relatives in Maine until he had a large family and several grown up children. His reputation, though, had reached here and had become national. I well remember when the family made their first visit here, and the impression made upon me by Dr. Locke. He was a man of fine presence, his countenance benignant and open, his hair silvered with gray, in all respects a rare specimen of well developed manhood. He had a winning way, and a remarkably pleasant voice, and I was at once attracted to him as I had never been to any man before, and have never been since. When his father deeded the Locke's Mills property to his son, Samuel B. Locke, Jr., he reserved a lot to be selected for a cemetery, and at the time of Dr. Locke's second visit, the lot had not been fixed upon. But it was selected while he was there, and I assisted him in laying and staking it out, providing for avenues and winding walks, which, had the plan been carried out, would have made of it a beautiful place. I remember on that occasion how the pebbly ridges, the ravines, the swamps and even the wild flowers, formed texts from which he charmingly discoursed, and how entranced I hung upon his words and ideas, many of which I have not forgotten to this day. The family visit to Maine was several times repeated, and was mutually enjoyed. But while here. Dr. Locke was never idle. He climbed the highest mountains, studied their structure and mapped out geologically the entire range in Northern Oxford. On his plan he named the mountain in Graf ton which is usually called Speckled Mountain, or Old Spec, Lincoln Peak, in honor of Governor Lincoln, who had been one of his early friends. I well remember an occasion when he led a small party of us from Maple Grove, this being the name he gave to the old home stead, to the top of Barker's Mountain, which is twenty-five hundred feet above the sea level. The task was a trying one for Professor Locke, whose health even then had begun to decline, but his enthu siasm buoyed him up, and when we reached the summit and first caught a glimpse of the extended and varied vistas disclosed in every direction. Professor Locke was in an ecstacy of delight, and the way he raphsodized the Androscoggin river which, like a silver thread could be traced through the vast expanse of emerald meadow, thrilled us all. He had with him a theodolite with which he took HISTORY OF BETHEL. 139 the measurement of all the important mountains in sight. Dr. Locke had a broad vein of humor and could understand and appreciate the ridiculous, as well as those whose minds are less absorbed in the study and solution of great problems in nature. He also had wonderful powers of mimicry, and though I do not think he often indulged in it, yet when among friends he would sometimes imitate in facial expression, in voice and manner, some of the characters in Bethel and Newry which he had known when a boy, in a wonderful manner, and in a manner to convulse his hearers with mirth. He was generally thoughtful, sober and sedate, and it was only on rare and exceptional occasions that he indulged in anything light or trivial. He was a great and good man, a man with a wider and more lasting reputation than any who has ever gone out from Bethel, a reputation that is not limited to English speak ing people, but is as broad as the civilized world. The following words written in eulogy by one who knew him well are appropriate in this connection : "After almost a half century of unremitting exertion, intense application and constant research, he has been per mitted to lay aside his toil-stained garments and assume the spotless robes of never-ending rest. The gifted man of science, the pro found scholar, the learned gentleman and amiable citizen who con ferred benefits by his teachings and by his private worth, and excited admiration alike by his genius and generous qualities of heart, has passed from the sphere of action, he so long and so eminently adorned." Dr. Locke was in correspondence with the great scientists of the world, with Lyell, Liebig, and others, and on many points he was a recognized authority. His mathematical genius united with great mechanical skill, enabled him to construct the most delicate instru ments for use in magnetism and electricity, in his own laboratory. He had the eye and the tastes of an artist, and all his numerous drawings are wonderfully true to nature. Dr. Locke died at his ¦ home in Cincinnati July tenth, eighteen hundred and fifty-six, aged sixty-four years. He was comparatively a young man when he died, but he developed so young that his work-life was really long. His precocity coupled with his incessant mental labor, no doubt had a tendency to shorten his days. Rarely has a public man been more sincerely mourned. Scientific bodies and medical schools all over the country passed resolutions of regret. He was much attached to his family, and to them the loss was irreparable. 140 HISTORY OF BETHEL. On one of his visits to the old Locke homestead, he composed for the family the following lines which were set to music (America) and illustrated with a cut of the Locke mansion : KINSMAN'S LOVE. I. VI. We came from distant lands To join our friendly hands With those we love ; And here, midst friendship's flow. We've all been blest below With joj's A^hich angels know In realms above. II. Here, where our mother's tears. Her hopes, her toils, her fears. For us were given ; A joyous, youthful train, Have found, o'er hill and plain. The golden age again, The gift of Heaven. III. Here, where the rocks and hills, The groves and leaping rills. In beauty shine ; And lofty mountains rise Up fwards their kindred skies. With which their grandeur vies, In looks sublime ; IV. The spiry fir-tree breathes From out perennial leaves, Its odors .sweet ; The murmuring pine-trees tower Above the humbler bower, Defying storm and sh(jwer. On plain and steep ; V. White mountains, clad in light. Lift up their peaks in sight, With snowy glare; And here Great .Spirit dwells. Amid the mystic dells, So Indian legend tells. Our God is there; Where Alpine flowers bloom Around our father's tomb. Since early spring ; The Linnean vine is seen. The spicy wintergreen. The water-lily's sheen — Our hymn we sing. VII. AVhere winds salubrious blow. And crystal rivers flow. Our health to save ; ¦\Ve consecrate the ground. Where treasures such are found. With music's hallowed sound. To .Kinsman's love. Yin. And now, again w'e part, AVhile ev'rv throbbing heart. Beats high and warm ; And though the leaf be sear. Be this, our meeting here. To meni'ry ever dear, Not time shall harm. IX. Our love shall ever live. And joy shall ever give. To souls so kind. Thus time and space, no power. To mar this blissful hour. Or blight so sweet a flower. Shall ever find. X. When far away we go. Where mighty rivers flow, Our hearts shall move. Our love shall time defy. Shall seat itself on high. To reign above the sky. For God is Love. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 141 XI. Then bless his holy name From whom these raptures came, In solemn lays; Sing now, ye kindred band. In this wild picture land. Of his blest works so grand. To God give praise ! Charles R. Locke. Charles Russell Locke, son of Samuel B. Locke, was born in Bethel and always lived here. At the death of his father, he be came possessed of the old homestead and here he lived, reared a large family, and here he was gathered to his fathers. Though following the occupation of a farmer, he possessed the traits peculiar to his family and was a natural mechanic. He was a man of sound judgment, of strict integrity and therefore a valuable citizen. As one of the selectmen of the town, he discharged his duties with dis crimination, and as a Justice of the Peace he aimed to deal out exact justice between man and man. He was an intelligent farmer, following well tried and approved methods and satisfled with mod erate gains. He was a quiet man and enjoyed the quiet of home life. He was a practical man and despised shams of every kind. In his household he was kind and indulgent, and hospitable to all who came beneath his roof-tree. He was a consistent and devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Moses Mason. It is always gratifying to the biographer to be able to trace back the ancestry of his subject as far as possible. Moses Mason was a descendant of Capt. Hugh Mason who, with his wife Esther, came to this country in sixteen hundred and thirty-four, and settled at Watertown, Massachusetts. He was a tanner by trade and was much employed in town affairs. » He was commissioned as captain in sixteen hundred and fifty-three ; and was elected Representative to the Legislature for ten years. He died October tenth, sixteen hundred and seventy-eight, in his seventy-third year ; his widow died May twenty-flrst, sixteen hundred and ninety-two, aged eighty- two years. He left three sons and flve daughters, of whom Daniel became a farmer, by whose wife, Experience, he had flve children. 142 HISTORY OF BETHEL. His youngest son by his flrst wife was Moses, who married in Boston, June sixth, seventeen hundred and forty-nine, Lydia, daughter of Jesse and Mary Knap, and settled at Newton. He removed to Sherborn about seventeen hundred and fifty-seven. In July, seventeen hundred and sixty-seven, he sold land in Sherborn and then removed to Dublin, where he died October first, seventeen hundred and seventy-five. His widow removed with the family, in seventeen hundred and ninety-nine, to Bethel, Maine, and died there in eighteen hundred and two. He had four children. Moses Mason, the subject of our sketch, was born April twenty- sixth, seventeen hundred and fifty-seven. He served as a soldier in the war of the Revolution, and fought under General Stark at the battle of Bennington. As he was marching to the assault, his fellow soldier, Absalom Farwell, who had seen hard service as a boatswain on board a man-of-war, addressed him. "Moses," said he, "if they put my l^mp out and don't yours, take my money out of my pocket and carry it to my wife, and if they put yours out and don't mine, I will take yours and carry it to your mother." As they passed over the battle ground the next day, Farwell said to Moses, "Moses, you were afraid yesterday when you came on to the grounds." "No, I wasn't, sir." "Yes you were, for if they put your lamp out, you didn't care what they did with your money," showing the old veteran that he betrayed fear. He picked up an elegant sword and powder-horn on the next day, which he brought with him to Bethel and which are still preserved in the family. An incident in the battle was related by him. While they were pressing upon the enemy in their retreat, his comrade threw his gun with the bayonet forward which stuck into the back of a retreating soldier and bent forward over his head. His son. Doctor Mason, had in his possession the gun used by him in that battle. June twentieth, seventeen hundred and eighty, he married Eunice, daughter of William Ayers, and settled in Dublin, New Hampshire. In seventeen hundred and ninety-nine, he removed to Bethel and bought the farm occupied by Capt. Eleazer Twitchell, and now owned by Moses A. Mason, on the north side of Barker's Ferry. On this farm was originally a heavy growth of pine timber. So cheap was it that the fences were made of what would now be valuable pine logs. He was an industrious citizen, and a good neighbor ; was chosen Representative to the Massachusetts Legis lature for flve years. He died October thirty-first, eighteen hun- AYERS MASON, HISTORY OF BETHEL. 14,5 dred and thirty-seven, aged eighty years. His widow died February fourth, aged eighty-five years. They had nine children born in Dublin, and two in Bethel. Mr. Mason was endowed with but a limited education, yet he was a man of correct judgment, and by his practical good sense, often settled the difficulties among his fellow citizens without regard to the law. Ayers Mason. , A familiar face to three generations of Bethel people, was that of 4yers Mason, who died June fourteenth, eighteen hundred and ninety, at the remarkable age of ninety years. He was born in Bethel, on the farm his father, Moses Mason, bought of Captain Eleazer Twitchell and settled upon in seventeen hundred and ninety- nine, December thirtieth, eighteen hundred, and at the time of his death, was the only nonagenarian in town. He was brought up on his father's farm, and at the age of twenty-five years, married Eunice (Hale) Mason, widow of his brother Charles. He settled upon the farm on the Middle Interval road near its junction with the road to South Bethel and Locke's Mills. This is the farm upon which Joseph Greeley Swan settled in the early times, and here Mr. Mason spent the most of his remarkably long life. He was a good farmer, and also an excellent man of affairs. He was a large owner of timber lands and was more or less engaged in lumbering in Bethel, Newry, Grafton and around Umbagog and other northern Maine lakes. He was a shrewd man of business, ever on the alert for the main chance, a good judge of timber lands, and by good management he accumulated quite a large property. Mr. Mason was possessed of a kind and amiable disposition, a man who would never lack friends wherever he might be. He was social in his habits, fond of his family and friends, a good neighbor and a valuable citizen. He was a man of strong convictions, and where principal was concerned, as firm as a rock. He was an early anti-slavery man, and an original Republican, though the members of his father's family in politics, were generally on the opposite side. He was a man of strictly temperate habits, and his long life was doubtless due to this fact. He was rarely sick a day, until the crisis came which must come sooner or later to every one, and from which there is no appeal. He died of old age, the complex machinery of his system being worn out, and "It was his time to die." 144 HISTORY OF BETHEL. He had lived a widower twenty-five years, in the family of his youngest son, William Wallace Mason, who owns and cultivates the paternal acres. Nathaniel T. True. The ancestors of Dr. Nathaniel Tuckerman True include some of the best puritan families in New England, such names as Pike, Bradbury, Stevens, Worthley and Hatch. His great grandfather, Jonathan True, was one of the early settlers in North Yarmouth, and his grandfather, also Jonathan, was born there April thirtieth, seventeen hundred and fifty-eight. He was the second settler in that part of ancient North Yarmouth, which was set off and called Freeport, and subsequently set off from Freeport and called Pownal. He left nine children, one of whom, John True, born August seven, seventeen hundred and eighty-five, married November thirtieth, eighteen hundred and ten, Mary, daughter of Abijah Hatch, and was the father of the subject of this sketch, who was born March fifteenth, eighteen hundred and twelve, and was their eldest child. He was brought up at hard labor upon his father's farm in Pownal, attending the short schools of the town, and flnally later in life than is usually the case, fitting for college under the instruction of Dr. Joseph Shuman of North Yarmouth Academy. He was twenty- two years old when he entered college, and he remained only two years, when he commenced the study of medicine. In eighteen hundred and thirty-five, he taught the high school at Bethel Hill and also taught several successive terms. He met with marked success and from the first was a popular teacher. In eighteen hundred and forty, he received the degree of Doctor of Medicine from the Maine Medical School and commenced practice at Pownal. He was pleased with the study of medicine, more especially the branches of natural science connected with it, for which he had a fondness amounting almost to a passion. He liked the study of chemistry, botany, geology and mineralogy, and became proficient in each of them, but he had no love for the practice of medicine, and well knowing that he lacked the essential element of success, he soon abandoned it. He had a fondness and an aptitude for teaching, and laying aside his drugs and instruments, he adopted teaching as a life pursuit. He became the principal of Monmouth Academy and had charge of it for several years. When Gould's Academy was put in operation. Dr. True was preparing for the DR, N. T, TRUE. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 145 medical profession, and when he was ready to teach again, the place of teacher was already filled. But the trustees of Gould's Academy and the people of Bethel remembered the success which attended Dr. True's efforts as a high school teacher, and as soon as an opportunity was afforded, they invited him to the academy, aud he readily accepted, for he was greatly attached to the people and tlie town. It was in eighteen hundred and forty-seven when he returned to Bethel, intending to make this his permanent home. The palm iest days of Gould's Academy followed the advent of I3r. True, and continued for several years. The academy building was packed at each spring and fall term, and on some occasions pupils were turned away for lack of room. Dr. True remained in charge of the academy until the trustees decided that new methods should be introduced and an infusion of younger blood to put them in operation. After this, while his family continued to reside in l^ethel. Dr. True had charge of a Normal school in Western New York, and afterwards taught at Milan and Gorham, New Hampshire. He was editor of the Bethel Courier, the only paper ever published in Bethel, for nearly two years, and it was in this paper that his chapters on the history of Bethel were published. He was a member of tJie school committee in Bethel, and served a term as supervisor of schools for the county. At the death of Dr. Ezekiel Holmes of the Maine Farmer in eigh- teeiuhundred and sixty-five. Dr. True was invited to take charge of the agricultural department of that paper, which he conducted for four years. He was also an efficient member of the Maine Board of Agriculture. He wrote much upon the subject of agriculture and horticulture, and was the leading spirit in the Bethel Fanners' Club during the few years of its existence. He contributed many articles upon various topics to the columns of the Oxford Democrat, Lewis- ton Journal and Portland Transcript. He instructed his students at B6thel not only in theory but in practice, and it was his delight to take his spring and summer cla-ises in botany, through the fields, pastures and woods and gather and classify the various kinds of flowers in their season ; or his pupils who were interested in geology and mineralogy, up to Paradise Hill, and sometimes even to the mountain tops, where he pointed out to them and explained the diluvial markings, and gathered minerals of various kinds. His influence was felt throughout the town, and aside from his good J46 HISTORY OF BETHEL. work in the school room, he was a good citizen and interested in every movement calculated to benefit the village and town. Dr. True's studies embraced a very wide range, and he was able to give instruction in almost every department of useful knowledge. They embraced languages both ancient and modern, the natural sciences, practical surveying and engineering, scientific agriculture, navigation, astronomy and the higher mathematics. If he failed in anything, it was trying to cover too much ground, for no man can be proficient in everything, and the chances are that if he tries to know something about everything, he will be profound in nothing. For the benefit of those not personally acquainted with him, and his name will be heard by many who can never see him, it may be well to add that he was undersized, compactly built, dark com- plexioned with dark blue eyes, of a nervous temperament, quick in his movements, his natural gait in walking being very rapid, his mind so often absorbed as to be oblivious of everything going on around him. I have often been amused at seeing him start with his family for the church, keeping uniform step with them for a short distance, when suddenly his mind would fix upon something foreign to his present surroundings, and he would step off at his usual rapid gait, and not come to himself until he was several rods ahead of his party. Dr. True was inte*-ested in historical and anti quarian matters. Though not a resident of Bethel until his mature manhood, he soon became the historical man of the town. At the time of the Centennial celebration, he was selected as the historian of the occasion, and later at the Centennial of the Indian Raid, he was again called upon to officiate in the same capacity. Much of the material embraced in this history, was gathered and preserved by him. Soon after his removal to town, he united with the Con gregational church and was ever a faithful member. He was chosen deacon and officiated in that capacity a number of years. He was a ready speaker, and when lecturing on geology and kindred sub jects, always addressing his audience in a familiar and off-hand manner and making himself easily understood. He was enthusiastic in the school-room, and could always inspire his pupils with the same spirit. The ablest men that Bethel has raised and sent out into the world, are among those who have been under Dr. True's instruction. His last work in eighteen hundred and eighty-three, was a resumption of his old employment, this time at Litchfield Academy. Here he was stricken with paralysis which ever after- HISTORY OF BETHEL. 147 ward rendered him an invalid and a cripple. He lingered along at his old home in Bethel for a year or two, and then passed away. For thirty-five years or more before his demise. Dr. True occupied one of the most beautiful situations in the charming village of Bethel Hill. The place is still occupied by the family. The commodious house is shaded by fine old trees, and the broad avenue leading thereto, is bordered by trees some of which were set out by his pupils forty or more years ago. He also had a small outlying farm on the Paradise Hill road, on which he raised excellent fruit and other crops. He was one of the most industrious of men, never losing any time, and ever an early riser. He was a kind-hearted, genial man and full of sympathy for those working for self-education with limited means. He was pleasant in the school room, popular with his pupils, and hundreds of them scattered over the country were grieved at the news of his death. Of his writings, but little was ever published in permanent form, and most of them will soon be forgotten unless gleaned from the various newspaper files and reprinted. His historical address at the Centennial is embalmed in this volume. Eleazer Twitchell. While Joseph Twitchell may be regarded in some respects as the father of the town, his son Eleazer is entitled to the credit of having been the founder of the village at Bethel Hill. He gave the Common to the West Parish on condition that the parish should clear the land and build a church edifice upon it. The land was cleared and the meeting-house lot staked out, and a portion of the lumber hauled for its construction, while subscriptions were solicited to aid in building it. At the same time, Eli Twitchell was making an effort to have the meeting-house built on the banks of the river neai the ferry and between that and the mouth of Mill Brook. Both sides made a sharp canvass and there was the usual excitement attending it. Parties living on the north side of the river were particularly anxious to have the meeting-house nearer to them than to the Common, and they were successful. Years after, nearly half a century, when the old church was dismantled and a new one built on the Hill, there was the same feeling, and a second church was organized, on the north side. Captain Twitchell becoming dissat isfied at the course pursued, fenced the Common into a field, and raised wheat and potatoes for several years. Aged citizens still 148 HISTORY OF BETHEL. remember the Common covered with stumps and roots and a crop of wheat out-topping them all. The captain not only designed it as a location for a church but as a place for regimental parade, and after a few years, still desirous that there should be a Common, he removed the fences. As he had not given any deed of the land, after his death, his heirs, Jacob Ellingwood and Joseph Twitchell, all honor to them, generously deeded the land to the parish on con dition that the stumps and rocks should be removed. This was done in eighteen hundred and twenty-nine. The inhabitants volun tarily removed the recks and stumps on the Common and on what is now Broad street, so that a regiment could and frequently did parade up the street and march down to the Common. The follow ing is a copy of the deed, which will be read with interest : "Know all men by these presents that we, Joseph Twitchell, yeoman, and .Jacob EUinwood, cordwainer, both of Bethel, in the C'ounty of Oxford, jmd .State of Maine, aware of the utility to the public from the conversion of a plot of ground into what is usually denominated a common, for the aoconiraodation of the public on the days of training anil other popular •collections; Convinced that the title to land appropriated to such use should be vested in the public ; Desirous that the parcel of land in this town generally called the Common, should be converted and accommodated to the public use, ease aud convenience ; and in consideration of one dollar and of certain labor, paid, done and performed thereon, by the inhabitants of the West Parish in said Bethel, the receipt aud performance whereof we do hereby acknowledge, do hereby give, grant, bargain, sell and con vey unto the said inhabitants, their heirs and successors the above named parcel of land situated in said Bethel as aforesaid, and being part of lot number twenty-three in the fourth range of lots on the south side of the Androscoggin Eiver, and bounded as follows to wit : beginning at the southeast corner of land situated in the said lot and deeded liy Joseph Twitchell aforesaid to James Walker, Trader, thence running south wardly to the northwest corner of land deeded by Eleazer Twitchell to James Walker, Esq., thence eastwardly on said land to the road leading to Norway. Thence northwardly on said road to southeast corner of land, deeded by the said Joseph to the said A\'alker, Trader, and thence westwardly on the said A\'alker's land to the first mentioned bound, be the same more or less for the purpose of using the same a.s a Common. To have and to hold the aforegranted and bargained premises with all the privileges and appurtances thereof, to the said inhabitants, their heii-s and successors to them, their use and behoof forever so long as they shall use and occupy the same as a Common as aforesaid and shall not convert the same to any other use by erecting buildings thereon or otherwise. And we do covenant with the said inhabitants, their heirs and successors, that we ai-e lawfully seized in fee of the pi-emises; that they ai-e free of all HISTORY OF BETHEL. 149 incumbrances ; that we have good right to sell aud convey the same to the said inhabitants, to hold as aforesaid. And that we will defcuid the same to the said inhabitants, their heirs and successors forever so long as they make use of the same as aforesaid against the lawful claims aud demands of all persons. In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seals this twenty- fourth day of April iu the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty-three. JosEi'ii Twitchell, [l. s.] .Jacob Ellingwood. The captain was generous in his impulses and many poor families that came into town received assistance from him, until they could get well started. When new families were coming, he would send a team to meet them and help them along, and open his house to them until they could get into their own quarters. He did a large business in farming and lumbering, and employed much help. In the winter he cut the large white pine trees growing on the bottom lands, on both sides of the Androscoggin, and cutting them into suitable lengths, hauled them upon the river when covered with ice. After the ice broke up in the spring, the logs were driven to Bruns wick and sold to dealers there, who had them converted into boards and planks which they shipped to the West Indies and to other foreign markets. The pay was part cash and part West India goods, including sugar, molasses and rum. About two cuts were generally taken from each log, just so much as was free from knots, and the remainder was allowed to rot upon the ground. The price paid, landed upon the river, was from two to three dollars per thousand. Captain Twitchell not only cut timber from his own land, but he purchased large quantities that had been cut by others, and had it driven to Brunswick with his own. He was well known to the business men of Brunswick. He paid for the timber he bought from the settlers, largely in goods which he hauled from Brunswick and which he sold from his own house. West India rum was a leading article in his trade with the settlers, and each family consumed more or less of it. After failing to obtain a grant of a portion of the town of Greenwood, Captain Twitchell and another purchased quite a large part of it, but it proved a losing investment. Eli Twitchell. Captain Eli Twitchell was the son of Captain Joseph Twitchell and was born in Sherburn, Massachusetts, February seventeenth. 150 HISTORY OF BETHEL. seventeen hundred and fifty-nine. He marched with others to the vicinity of Bunker Hill immediately after the battle, and by carrying a very heavy gun on his shoulder, he contracted a disease of the bone of the arm, a portion of which was removed. This unfitted him for severe bodily labor. He came to Bethel probably in seven teen hundred and eighty-two and commenced operations on the farm afterward owned by his grandson, Curatio Bartlett. He came on foot to Bethel in the winter, and was so chilled and exhausted that he was compelled to walk on his hands and knees for the last two miles before he reached his brother Eleazer's house. He built a comfortable farmhouse on the borders of the interval below Mr. Bartlett's house. He kept bachelor's fare for some time, though it it is said that the young ladies of the day were fond of visiting him every week and cooking up a week's supply of food for him, and, receiving in return some of the West India goods which he kept for sale. He was the first person in town who brought such things into town for sale. He married Miss Rhoda Leland of Sherburn, who died iu seventeen hundred and ninety-four. His second wife was Lucy Segar, who died in eighteen hundred and forty-four. In con sequence of his lameness he directed his attention to mechanical pursuits in which he was very ingenious. He made brass clocks, and guns, and repaired watches and jewelry. The Indians brought their jewelry to him from Canada to be repaired. During the great freshet in seventeen hundred and eighty-five, he stepped from his door into a boat and went over to the spot where the Ayers Mason house now stands. At the organization of the town he was chosen Captain of the Militia. He built a large house on the spot where Mr. Bartlett's house now stands, which was burned some years ago. He had four children by his flrst wife, and one by his second. Captain Twitchell died in November, eighteen hundred and forty- five. He was a man of public spirit, and was much of the time in town office, as collector, treasurer, clerk and selectman. He also was a land surveyor and Justice of the Peace. Ezra Twitchell. Ezra Twitchell came to Bethel about the same time with his brother Eli, and settled on the farm afterward occupied by his grandson, Alphin Twitchell. He was born in Sherburn, Massa chusetts, June twenty-third, seventeen hundred and forty-six, and CAPT, PETER TV\/ITCHELL, HISTORY OF BETHEL. 151 married Miss Susanna Rice of Framingham. He first resided in Dublin, New Hampshire, and afterwards removed to Bethel. He was chosen deacon of the Congregational church in Bethel, which office he worthily filled till his death. He had ten children. The eldest four children died the same day of throat distemper, leaving them childless. This occurred in Dublin. So stupefied were the parents at the terrible stroke, that they could not shed a tear at the time. Peter Twitchell. Captain Peter Twitchell, youngest son of Capt. Joseph Twitchell, was born in Sherburn, Massachusetts, July thirteenth, seventeen hundred and sixty-one. At the age of seventeen, he made a visit to Bethel, when there was no other house in the west part of the town except his brother Eleazer's on the island near the grist mill. This was in seventeen hundred and seventy-eight. He also visited the town in seventeen hundred and eighty-two, when the garrison was still standing. He was a man of uncommon strength. He used to ^relate an anecdote of his second visit here. There was a man at his brother's who was boasting of his skill, at wrestling, when Captain Twitchell told him that he could throw him over a house. The fellow rather jeered him, when the captain caught his arms around him and ran up the shed roof of his brother's house and was about to throw him over when he cried, "enough." In the year seventeen hundred and eighty-four, he came to Bethel and com menced clearing land on the north side of the river on the farm afterward occupied by Mr. Alphin Twitchell. He cleared several acres of interval, and the next year secured a burn and sowed it with winter rye, but the great freshet that year carried the drift stuff on to it in such immense quantities, that he lost one-half of his ground that year, but the remainder bore a prodigious crop. About this time, in consequence of his father's age, and he being the youngest son, he returned to Sherburn and took the charge of the homestead. He married for his first wife. Miss Sarah BuUard, May eighth, seventeen hundred and eighty-three, who died, and for his second wife Miss Amy Perry, June tenth, seventeen hundred and ninety-three. She was the daughter of Edward West Perry of Sherburn. He had eight children, three by his first wife and five by the second. All settled in Bethel except the eldest two, who died young. 152 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Captain Twitchell kept a tavern in Natick, which in those days was of no small importance. He was an assessor of the town at the time the Federal currency was introduced. He had quite a task in teaching the tax payers how to reckon in dollars and cents instead of pounds, shillings and pence. He was a soldier under General Lincoln and marched to quell Shay's rebellion. He was afterwards chosen Captain of the Militia, and did military honors on the death of Washington. In the spring of eighteen hundred and teu he came to Bethel and commenced a farm on the flat on Pleasant river, at the place afterward occupied by his son, Col. Eli Twitchell. In eighteen hundred and sixteen, he made a public profession of religion and united with the Congregational church of Bethel, and till his death was a consistent member. For thirty-flve years of his life he was a vegetarian. Meat, tea and coffee were forbidden articles, and to this habit he attributed his long life. When over ninety years of age, he walked four miles to church, standing in front of the desk leaning on his long cane, during the prayers and sermons on both parts of the day, and then walked home after services. This he did through choice of exercise, and this he was accustomed to do till a short time before his death. He was a man of strong native powers and of a reflective and philo sophic turn of mind. He prepared a manuscript of his own on Natural Philosophy. A favorite problem of his which he would propose to every educated man whom he met and which he seemed to meditate upon much of his time, was what he used to call his philoso phical riddle. The earth and the moon travel round the sun. If they travel one way every time they go round the sun, there will be one day more than the earth revolves on its axis, and one more than the moon travels round the earth. If they travel the other way, the earth will revolve on its axis once more than we have days, and the moon will travel round the earth once more than we have moons. Question : Which way should they travel to have the extra day and extra moon ? It gratifled him very much to have any one acknowledge that they could not solve it. He drew a small pension from the government. He received an injury by being struck with a carriage while out on his walks, and died November eighteenth, eighteen hundred and fifty-four, aged ninety-four years and five months. JOSEPH AND MARY TWITCHELL, HISTORY OF BETHEL. 153 Joseph Twitchell. Joseph Twitchell, son of Captain Eleazer Twitchell, was the first male child born on Bethel Hill and the flrst in the West Parish. Peregrine, son of Jesse Duston. was the flrst child born in town, his place of birth being what is now Hanover, and Joseph Twitchell was, by common consent, the second. He was born in the house situated on the island at the foot of Mill Hill, March twelve, seven teen hundred and eighty-two. He spent his minority with his father and received such education as the brief terms of school afforded. His father was much engaged in lumbering and in this branch of his business, Joseph was his able assistant. Much of the pine timber growing upon the intervals of Bethel was cut and sold to parties in Brunswick, where it was manufactured into lumber for the West India market. This valuable pine timber brought only a very small price, but little more than enough to pay for the labor required to put it into the river, and when Joseph Twitchell became of age, it was arranged that he should go to Brunswick and take charge of the business at that end of the line. He operated mills in Brunswick for some time, but the embargo placed upon American shipping during the last war with Great Britain, was very damaging to the lumber interests at Brunswick and at other places where a foreign market was depended upon, and Mr. Twitchell returned to Bethel where he engaged in farming. His place was east of what is now Vernon street, and this street is part of the road laid out to his premises as shown in the town records. Mr. Twitchell was moderate in his speech and movement, but he was a man of original thought and of sound judgment. He was among the first in town to adopt liberal views in regard to religious matters, and may be regarded as the father of the Universalist denomination in Bethel. His conclusions were reached by a careful study of the scriptures, and by applying to them what he regarded as a plain, common sense interpretation. He became convinced of the truth of the doctrine of universal salvation at a time when it was' very unpopular, but he was outspoken in his belief and lived to see it adopted by a large number of citizens, and among them, some of the best in town. Mr. Twitchell had a logical mind, and in argument upon doctrinal matters, he was not easily overcome. He was also a strong temperance man, having lived through the period when ardent spirits were generally indulged in, and learned. 154 HISTORY OF BETHEL. from observation if not from experience, of their baneful influence. When he became old he and his aged wife went to live with their son, Joseph A. Twitchell, who had erected a house on Vernon street, and here they spent their declining years, each dying at an advanced age. John A. Twitchell. John Adams Twitchell was the fifth son and sixth child of Captain Peter and Amy (Perry) Twitchell, and was born in Sherburn, Massachusetts, September seventh, seventeen hundred and ninety- eight. He was a lad of twelve years when his father came to Bethel and settled on what was called the Flat in the west part of the town, on Pleasant river. He was brought up on his father's farm, attended the town schools, and being of a mechanical turn of mind he learned the trade of Nathan Twitchell, and became a house- wright. For some years he carried on both farming and carpenter ing at the Flat, but finally in eighteen hundred and forty nine, he built him a house on Bethel Hill, moved here, and devoted his whole time to his trade. He was a superior workman, and some of the best work in the village was done under his direction. He was a member of the Congregational church, and contributed liberally to its support. He was an early temperance man, being one of the seven who organized the flrst temperance society in town. He united with the societies which followed the Washingtonians, the Sons of Temperance, and the Temperance Watchmen, and labored diligently and faithfully to do away with intemperance in the use of strong drink. He was a good man and citizen, and his infiuence was ever on the side of justice and right. He died on April thir teenth, eighteen hundred and seventy-seven. James Walker. About the year seventeen hundred and ninety-nine, James Walker came to Bethel, and opened a store in one of the rooms in Captain Eleazer Twitchell's house. This was the first regular store in town, though Captain Twitchell and his brother Eli had kept a few West India goods to accommodate the people. In eighteen hundred and two he built a large house and store on the southeast side of the Common. This was the second dwelling house on the Common. He continued in the store a few years, when, about the year eighteen HISTORY OF BETHEL. 155 hundred and seventeen, he studied theology and afterwards entered the ministry. In eighteen hundred and six, Gardiner Walker, brother of the preceding, built a store on the site of the one long occupied by Ira C. Kimball and went into trade. He was a single man, and in a few years sold out to his brother Ezekiel. The building was afterward used as a saddler's shop, and was moved by Phineas Stearns, to a spot near his residence. .Tames Walker, 2d. James Walker, son of John and Eliza (Calef) Walker, married Hannah Barker of Bethel. He purchased of Jonathan Abbot, the mill property at South Bethel, and the hamlet there was long known as Walker's Mills. He was a man of considerable enterprise, re built the mills and largely increased their capacity. He established wool-carding and cloth-dressing mills which were operated as long as there was any demand for such mills. He also kept a store, and encouraged other industries to be established in the place. The place was for some years the rival of Locke's Mills in Greenwood. Mr. Walker lost heavily in what is known as the "land speculation," in eighteen hundred and thirty-seven or thereabout, and was ever after more or less financially embarassed. He was a member of the Congregational church at Bethel Hill, and was a constant atten dant though living four miles distant. He served his town in various capacities, and one term as Representative to the Legisla ture. He had a family of eight children, some of whom have deceased and others left the town. John Williamson. John Williamson was born in Manor Hamilton, Ireland, either in seventeen hundred and eighty-six or eighty-seven. He celebrated the hundredth anniversary of his birth in eighteen hundred and eighty-six. He came to Bethel in eighteen hundred and twenty-one with his wife and children, and settled in Bethel. He was a shoe maker by trade, but followed farming after he came to Bethel. He was a lover of nature and of the land he cultivated. He was well educated and well versed in ancient history. He was never natural ized, having a strong attachment for England and her institutions, especially the established church of which he was a faithful member. 156 HISTORY OF BETHEL. He was also much attached to the land of his adoption aud its free institutions. He was a great student of the Bible, which was his constant companion, and of which he had committed to memory many chapters. He was a very interesting man socially and other wise, and his conversation was always entertaining and instructive. His wife, whose maiden name was Ann McClure, passed on many years before him, and during his later years, he was tenderly cared for by his daughter, Mrs. Elias M. Carter and her sons. They anticipated his every want, accomplished everything that loving hearts could suggest and willing hands perform to make his last years happy, and smooth the way to the bank of the dark river. CHAPTER XVII. Abstract op Town Records. 1797 TO 1850. J ETHEL has been signally fortunate in the choice of record- ^ ing officers and as a result its town records are remark ably well made. The town has also been fortunate in preserving them from the ravages of fire which has proven so dis astrous to valuable archives in many of our Maine towns. The records of proceedings began with the incorporation of the town in seventeen hundred and ninety six ; unfortunately the records of marriages, births and deaths, for the first five years, are lost. The first town clerk was Benjamin Russell, Esq., whose records are models of neatness and intelligent expression. He held the office for a period of five years, and until near the close of his life. He was succeeded by Dr. Timothy Carter, who held the office twelve years, and whose records are among the very best in the series of volumes. He wrote a plain, open hand, his pages were not over crowded, and are therefore easily consulted. The next clerk, Capt. John Holt, was doubtless more familiar with the sword than the pen, nevertheless considering the times and the opportunities for a busi ness education, he has left us a very fair page. Barbour Bartlett was an excellent recording officer, and held the position seventeen years. Elias M. Carter was clerk for many years, and was an ex ceptionally good recording officer. William Frye, Esq., occasion ally filled the position of town clerk, and for a lawyer he wrote a remarkably fine hand. He wrote with a quill pen, as did all the early clerks, and his letters are uniform, giving great neatness to the appearance of his pages. In substance, the early records are much like those of other towns. The business was chiefly routine, and the records present but little variety year after year. Money had to be raised for the building and repair of roads, for school purposes, and to meet the 158 HISTORY OF BETHEL. current expenses of the town. The road question to the early settlers was a serious one. The town was large, and for a number of years there were only two thoroughfares through it from east to west, and this necessitated a large number of settlers' roads. Aside from the Androscoggin, the four rivers in town. Pleasant, Sunday, Bear and Alder rivers, required bridges, and being subject to sud den and frequent freshets, to keep them properly bridged required no small sum of money. Roads were often indicted, and an agent had to be sent to Paris at nearly every session of the court to look after the town's interest. The road question stands out prominent ly in the records and is one of their leading features. Notwithstanding their monotony or general sameness, the records present evidence from time to time going to show that the Center school house, the Center meeting house, and later the tow^n house, formed the arena of many a wordy battle. The town was long and large, was divided into two parishes in which there were conflicting interests, but more imaginary than real. The loaves and flshes, even in those days, formed an important element in town aft'airs, and the contest for office often arrayed parish against parish, and the side that was beaten frequently introduced into the next meet ing a proposition to divide the town ; this was always voted down by a decided majority. Some of the early settlers were good talk ers, and each parish had those that could defend its interests in town meeting. Samuel B. Locke was a man of ability and a good debater. General Amos Hastings, Capt. Eleazer Twitchell, Dr. John Grover, Barbour Bartlett, Jedediah Burbank and James Walker were men who made their influence felt in moulding the affairs of the town. But the two men most potent in management and who held sway the longest, were Dr. Moses Mason and Phineas Frost. The former was more affable and a better manager, but the latter was the better speaker and possessed that perseverance and pertinacity so certain to bring success. Mr. Frost was en rapport with the ground tier, and the champion of the poor. When the town received its proportion of the surplus revenue, there was much disagreement as to what disposition should be made of it, and several meetings did nothing but discuss the question, and the debate was very bitter. Mr. Frost took ground in favor of dividing it per cajnta among the inhabitants of the town, and finally he carried his point. The next year he was elected to the Legislature with unprecedented unanimity. Both Mr. Ftost and Doctor Mason HISTORY .OF BETHEL. I59, were on the board of selectmen for many years, but rarely at the same time. In politics. Bethel early affiliated with the Democratic party. In the war o'f eighteen hundred and twelve-sixteen, this town warmly supported the national administration, and bitterly opposed the- action of Massachusetts in refusing to furnish troops for the prose cution of the war. This probably accounts for the fact, that when ever the question of separation from Massachusetts came up in town- meeting. Bethel uniformly voted in favor of the measure. The smalU Whig party embraced some of the most intelligent men in town, but they became divided upon the slavery issue and for several years there were three parties in town. The town was in favor of the prohibition of the liquor traffic, and when that issue was flrst presented, there was a strong vote for an irregular candidate. In eighteen hundred and fifty-four, the town threw a majority of its votes for Anson P, Moriill, who had been nominated for Governor on the Maine Law issue. When a year later, the Republican party was formed, this town gave it a hearty support, and since that time, a period of thirty-six years, it has uniformly given adherance to that party. None of the leading old time Democrats joined the new party, but lived and died in their early political faith, but the young men have been largely Republican. The votes for governor from time to time as shown in the following abstracts of town pro ceedings, indicate how parties were inclined and divided. In the administration of its own affairs, the town has always been prudent and economical, fareful about incurring indebtedness and prompt in the payment of its liabilities. The incorporation of Hanover in eighteen hundred and forty- three was opposed by the town because it embraced some excellent farms and valuable citizens. Not much though could be done or said against it, for the people upon this territory were isolated by the river, far from the Bethel centers of business and far from the town's voting place. About twenty-three hundred acres of land were taken from Bethel, besides Howard's Gore, to form the new town. The following abstracts from the town records may not be of special historical value, and might perhaps have been properly omitted from this volume, were it certain that the original records would always be preserved, but town records are often destroyed by fire, and if such should ever be the fate of Bethel town records, these few abstracts will be of great interest as showing the time of the 160 HISTORY OF BETHEL. location of certain roads and the progress of political parties as indicated by the recorded votes ; they also give the names of the principal actors in the management of this municipality, who have long since passed away. The proceedings of the first meeting are given elsewhere. 1797. The meeting was held the first Monday in March. Jonathan Clark was chosen moderator and Benjamin Russell, clerk. For selectmen, Jesse Duston, Jonathan Clark and Jeremiah Andrews. Joseph G. Swan was made collector and constable.^ For tythingmen, Enoch Bartlett, Ezra Twitchell, Oliver Fenno, Asa Kimball, and Jesse Duston. For surveyors of ways, Moses Bart lett, Theodore Russell, Amos Hastings, Eli Twitchell, Josiah Bean and Amos Powers. Hogreeves, Simeon Twitchell, John Stearns, Thomas Frost, Nathaniel Swan and John Russell. Surveyors of lumber, Jonathan Clark, Jesse Duston and Amos Hastings. Fence viewers, Joseph Greenwood, William Russell, Jesse Duston, Jere miah Andrews and Oliver Fenno. At a meeting on the flrst Monday in April, Moses Gill had fourteen votes for Governor, and Increase Sumner the same number for Lieutenant-Governor. At a meeting in August, a child which was a town charge, was bid off by Simeon Twitchell until eighteen years of age for twenty- four dollars. Voted that William Russell have the fourteenth lot in the eleventh range,' ¦on the north side of the river. 1798. The meeting was held at the house of Captain Amos Hastings, March fifth. Ezra Twitchell was chosen moderator and Benjamin Russell, clerk. Jonathan Bartlett was chosen treasurer, Eli Twitchell, constable, and Aaron Barton, collector, who agreed to collect for four cents on a dollar. Joseph Greenwood, Joseph G. Swan, John York, Oliver Fenno, Jesse '^Duston, Walter Mason, -John Holt and Josiah Bean, surveyors of highways, and Nathaniel Segar, Jonathan Bartlett, Amos Gage, Eleazer Twitchell, Amos Hastings, Josiah Bean and Walter Mason, school committee. For tythingmen, Amos Gage, Josiah Bean, Jesse Duston, Theodore Russell and John Ellingwood. The school committee was instructed to divide the town into school districts. A committee consisting of Eli Twitchell, Josiah Bean and Jonathan Clark was chosen to locate ferries and the prices of ferriage. At a meeting on the second day •of April, Increase Sumner had twenty votes ^or Governor, and the HISTORY OF BETHEL. 161 same number were cast for Nathaniel Wells and Simon Frye for senators. At the same meeting, it was voted that there be three school houses built in town and three hundred dollars were raised for that purpose. Eli Twitchell, John* Holt and Josiah I^ean were made a committee to take charge of the building of the school houses. Voted not to raise any money for the su|)port of schools, and to raise one hundred dollars for the repair of roads. \'oted fifty dollars to defray town charges. At an adjourned meeting, the committee on the location of school houses, voted that the one for the East Parish be near the house of Thaddeus Bartlett ; the one for the center of the town be located at Middle Interval, south of Captain Amos Hasting's house, and the one in the West Parish be near John Stearns' barn. At a meeting May thirtieth, it was voted to take the ministerial interval lot into the hands of the town and lease what had not been improved. At a meeting the last of October, three hundred dollars additional were laised for roads, and the committee on school houses was instructed to call a meeting of the town and receive proposals for furnishing materials. 1799. The meeting was held March the fourth at the usual place. Jonathan Clark was chosen moderator and Benjamin Russell, clerk. For selectmen, Eli Twitchell, Gideon Powers and Oliver Fenno. Aaron Barton bid off the taxes to collect and .was chosen constable. The surveyors of highways this year were Moses Mason, Walter Mason, Josiah Bean, Gideon Powers, Amos Hastings, Pere grine Bartlett, Jeremiah Andrews, Abraham Russell and Amos Gage. Surveyors of lumber, Jonathan Clark, Nathaniel Segar and Nathaniel Swan. Fence viewers, Eliphaz Chapman, Amos Hast ings, Thaddeus Bartlett, Theodore Russell and John Grover. Hogreeves, Jonathan (."offln, Moses Frost, Eliphalet Lane and Timothy A. Holt. Field drivers, John Grover, Reuben Bartlett and Thaddeus Bartlett. Voted three hundred dollars for roads and sixty for town charges. Eighteen votes were thrown for Increase Sumner for Governor. For Register of Deeds for the district north of the Great Ossipee, in the county of York, Elijah Russell had thirteen votes, Moses Ames, nine, and William Russell, three. At a second trial, William Russell had twenty-two, Moses Ames, nine, and James Osgood, one. 1800. Eli Twitchell was chosen moderator and Benjamin Rus sell, clerk. Amos Gage bid off the collection of taxes, and J ere- 162 HISTORY OF BETHEL. miah Andrews was chosen treasurer. For highway surveyors, Amos Hastings, Peregrine Bartlett, Josiah Bean, Richard Estes, Nathaniel Segar, Simeon Twitchell, John Russell, Eli Grover, Joseph G. Swan, James Grover. Tythipgmen, Charles Stearns, Aaron Barton and John Ellingwood. For sealers of leather, Benjamin Brown and Ezra Twitchell. Voted six hundred dollars for roads, one hundred dollars for summer schools and one hundred for winter schools. Eliphaz Chapman and John Evans were chosen a committee to examine Samuel B. Locke's mills and ascertain whether he had fulfilled his contract with the town. Moses Gill had eighteen votes for Governor, and Elbridge Gerry the same number for Lieutenant-Governor. A meeting on the thirteenth of August was had at the school house at Middle Interval. It was voted to build a bridge over Alder river, and Theodore Russell was chosen a com mittee to oversee the work. Other members of the committee were Eliphaz Chapman and Phineas Haywood (Howard). Three hun dred dollars were raised for building it. 1801. The meeting was held at the Middle school house March second. Deacon Ezra Twitchell was chosen moderator and Timothy Carter, clerk. Selectmen, Eliphaz Chapman, Timothy Carter and Phineas Howard. Joseph Greenwood, Nathan Adams and Zela Holt, tythingmen; John Merrill, Benjamin Russell, Jr., and Isaac York, field drivers. For Register of Deeds, William Russell had four votes and William Fessenden, fourteen. Voted for highways, three hundred dollars, for schooling, two hundred, and for town charges, fifty dollars. A road laid out by the selectmen last year, leading from the Rumford road to Job York's house, was accepted. For Governor, Elbridge Gerry had forty-two votes and Caleb Strong, three. At an adjourned meeting June twenty-second, the following persons were added to the committee for building Alder river bridge : Eli Twitchell, Amos Hastings, Jeremiah Andrews and John Holt. July twentieth, a meeting was held and a vote taken to build the above bridge in accordance with the plans presented by the committee. The building of the same was struck off to Eleazer Twitchell for ninety-four dollars. Voted that the commit tee to settle with Samuel B. Locke for building mills and for giving him a lease of the school lands, consult with the selectmen before giv ing such lease. At a meeting October fifth, it was voted to divide the militia company by the parish line. At a meeting called at the HISTORY OF BETHEL. 163 Center school house December seventh, the first business after organization was to adjourn to the dwelling house of Capt. Amos Hasting for fifteen minutes. A committee consisting of Timothy Carter, Jonathan Clark and John York was chosen to settle with the builders of the school houses in town Benjamin Russell, Esq., was chosen agent to defend the town in actions brought for bad roads. 1802. The meeting was held March the first. Eliphaz Chap man was chosen moderator, Timothy Carter, clerk, and John Holt, treasurer. Selectmen, Eli Twitchell, John York and John Holt. Moses Mason bid off the collection of taxes and was chosen con stable. Voted four hundred dollars for roads, two hundred and fifty for schools and one hundred and fifty for town charges. Elbridge Gerry received twenty- four votes for Governor and Caleb Strong, sixteen. Voted to accept the several school houses in town in their present condition. At a meeting August nineteenth, Josiah Bean was chosen agent to ilefend the town in actions brought for bad roads. Benjamin Russell, I^sq., died this year. 1803. The meeting was held March seventh and the principal officers re-elected. For highway surveyors, Richard Estes, Samuel Kimball, Jonathan Powers, Peregrine Bartlett, Reuben Bartlett, Theodore Russell, Jonathan Clark, Amos Gage, Jedediah Grover, Simeon Twitchell, Eli Twitchell and Ebenezer Eames. For select men, Eli Twitchell, Nathan Adams and John Holt. Amos Bean bid off the collection of taxes and was chosen constable. Six hun dred dollars were voted for ways. The sugar privilege on the school land on the south side of the river was sold to John Russell, and that on the north side to John Merrill. Voted a committee to look into the condition of the school lands. At a meeting April fourth, Caleb Strong had thirty-two votes for Governor. A com mittee was chosen to divide the town into school districts, consist ing of Timothy Carter, Jeremiah Andrews and Amos Gage. Voted to grant ferry privileges against Jesse Dustin's place, against John Russell's and against Samuel Barker's. The same amount for schools as last year, was voted, and one hundred dollars for town charges. At a meeting July twelfth, it was voted to accept the report of the committee on school districts. The report divided the town into six districts, beginning to number from the east part of the town. The first line described was between the sixth and 164 HISTORY OF BETHEL. seventh lots, running on the line to the interval lots, and then between John York's and Joseph Ayer's land to the river ; then crossing the river and taking .Jonas Willis' interval line to the north line of the town ; all east of the line described to constitute the first district. All the other districts were constituted in essen tially the same way, part of each district being on the south and part on the north side of the river. At a meeting the fourth of December, it was voted to send Dr. Timothy Carter to Paris to a convention called to take into consideration the formation of a new county, and voted to petition the legislature for same. The dele gate was instructed to ask to have Norway made the shire town, or Norway and Bethel half shire towns. 1804- The meeting occurred on the fifth day of March. .Joua- than Clark was chosen moderator and Timothy Carter, clerk. Amos Bean was chosen collector and constable. Highway surveyors, Nathan Adams, Timothy Bean, Peregrine Bartlett, Reuben Bartlett, -James Walker, Theodore Russell, Eli Twitchell, Cyrus Twitchell, JEli Grover, Jedediah Grover and Solomon Annas. Among other new names in the list of town officers this year, were Daniel Grout, Joshua Roberts, Peter Twitchell, Jesse Cross and Isaac Town. Voted the teachers of the town schools must be approbated as the law directs. Voted two hundred dollars for schools. James Sulli van had forty-four votes for Governor, and Caleb Strong twenty- one. At a subsequent meeting it was voted not to send a delegate to Palis, but to choose a committee to write to the convention, favoring a new county. Voted to have a road laid out from Solomon Annas' house to David Blake's mills. At an adjourned meeting in October, voted to expend one hundred dollars in military stores. 1805. Meeting was held March fourth, at the Center school house. Eli Twitchell was chosen moderator and Timothy Carter, clerk. John Holt was continued as treasurer. Samuel B. Locke was chosen collector and constable. Among the new names iu the list of town officers were Paul Morse, Amos Hill, Jedediah Burbank, Isaac Spofford and Joseph Twitchell. It was voted that the school money be equally divided between the summer and winter terms, and according to the number of scholars. Timothy Carter, James Walker and Eliphaz Chapman were chosen school committee. Voted that teachers in town not approbated as the law directs, shall HISTORY OF BETHEL. 165 forfeit their wages. Voted to dispose of the school lands if it can legally be done. Voted to choose a committee to appraise the school houses. James Sullivan had thirty-six votes for Governor. At a subsequent meeting, voted in favor of the Baptist society's incorporation plan. The committee to appraise school houses re ported the one in the lower part of the town worth fifty dollars ; the one at Middle Interval, ninety dollars, and the one at the upper end, fifty dollars. Voted two hundred and sixty dollars for school houses ; the first district to have forty dollars, the second, ninety, third, none, the fourth, forty, and the fifth and sixth, forty-five dollars each. Joseph Rust received seven votes for County Regis ter for Oxford county. At a meeting in November, it was voted that Paris be the shire town of Oxford county. Voted unanimously against the two half shire towns, and chose a committee to act against the petitions from Fryeburg, Brownfield, Porterfield, etc., in favor of Fryeburg as a half shire town. 1806. The meeting was held March third. The same modera tor and clerk as last year were re-elected. Col. John York bid off the collection of taxes and was made constable. The new names in the list of town officers were Peter York, John Barker, Joseph Wheeler, Elliot Powers, Ebenezer Bean, Jesse Bean and Thomas Frost. Voted two hundred and fifty dollars for schools, aud the same amount to be expended on the county road under the direction of Nathan Adams, Daniel Grout and John Holt ; also voted two hundred and fifty dollars for town roads. The selectmen this year were Eleazer Twitchell, Nathan Adams and John Kilgore, Jr. Caleb Strong had seventeen votes for Governor and James Sullivan, fifty-three. Eliphaz Chapman was elected Representative to the General Court. Jonathan Clark, Eli Twitchell and Eliphaz Chap man were made a committee to enquire into the condition of the school districts. At a meeting in November, it was voted to divide the fourth school district and make the great river the dividing line. 1807. The meeting was held at the third district school house March the second. The moderator and clerk were re-elected. James Walker was chosen treasurer. Jonathan Abbot bid off the taxes and wa.s chosen constable. Among the new names in the list of town officers were Jonathan Abbot, Luther Bean, Timothy Bean, Walter Mason, David Burbank. Voted for schools two hun- 166 HISTORY OF BETHEL. dred and fifty dollars ; for town charges, fifty, and for highwiiys, six hundred dollars. Voted to raise the per diem pay for labor on the road from sixty-seven cents to one dollar. Caleb Strong had nineteen votes for Governor and J^evi Lincoln fifty-six. At an adjourned meeting Timothy Carter, Eliphaz Chapman and Lieut. Stephen Bartlett were chosen school committee. The vote on the separation of Maine from Massachusetts stood, yeas, forty ; nays, seventeen. Eliphaz Chapman was again chosen Representative to the General Court. 1808. The clerk and moderator were re-elected. John Kilgore, Jr., Isaac Town and Samuel Kimball were chosen selectmen. Timothy Carter was chosen treasurer. Moses Mason bid off the collection of taxes at six cents on a dollar. Among the new names in the list of town officers were Arnold Powers, Nathan Marble, David Blake, Solomon Annas, Jr., Job York, Peter Walker and Otis Grover. Timothy Carter, John Holt and Isaac Town were school committee. A committee on accounts consisted of Timothy Carter, Eli Twitchell and Moses Mason, and on Alder river bridge with the view of rebuilding it, Samuel B. Locke, Eli Twitchell, Daniel Grout, Timothy Carter and John York. Voted to make the Great river the dividing line between the first and second school districts. Two hundred dollars were voted for schools, the same for the repair of Alder river bridge, and four hundred for roads. Accounts were allowed to various parties and among others to James Walker for hats, sixty-six dollars and sixty-seven cents. At a subsequent meeting, Daniel Grout bid off the building of Alder- river bridge for three hundred and seventy-five dollars, and it was voted to raise the required sum. Timothy Carter, Samuel B. Jjocke and .John York were chosen a superintending committee, to make writings with the contractor and to superintend the work, draw on the town for the money, etc. .James Sullivan had sixty-three votes for Governor and Christopher Gore, twenty-five. At an adjourned meeting, voted to set off all the inhabitants in the third school district, on the north side of the river, from Ebenezer Eames and annex them to the fourth district on the north side of the river. Eliphaz Chap man was re-elected representative. Voted May second, to set off the inhabitants of the first and second school districts on the north side of the river into a district by themselves. Voted to set off Samuel B. Locke, Ebenezer Eames, Amos Hastings, Nathaniel HISTORY OF BETHEL. 167 Swan and John Merrill, from the third school district and annex them to the fourth, on the north side of the river. Voted ten cents per head for crows and three cents per head for crow blackbirds. At a meeting in September, upon the question of petitioning the President to have the embargo taken off the town, "voted not to have the embargo taken off." Voted to accept the road laid out for Eleazer Twitchell, Jr., and the one from Joseph G. Swan's to David Blake's mills. The jury box was revised and accepted. 1809. Moses Bartlett was chosen moderator, and Timothy Carter, clerk and treasurer. For selectmen, John Kilgore, Jr., Samuel Kimball and Jonathan Abbot. The new names in the list of town officers were Daniel Gage, John Ellingwood, Silas Powers, Thomas Jackman, Jonas Willis, Abel Gossom and Samuel Robert son. Voted seven hundred dollars for roads, two hundred and fifty for schools and one hundred and fifty for town charges. Levi Lincoln received seventy-three votes for Governor and Christopher Gore twenty-eight. Eliphaz Chapman was re-elected representative. 1810. The principal town officers were re-elected, except that Peter York was chosen third selectman. Moses Mason was chosen collector and constable. Among the new town officers were Thomas Cushman, James Grover, John Case, Thomas Fletcher, Ephriam Powers, James Hodsdon and Foxwell Swan. Voted the usual sums of money for schools, roads and town charges. Voted to have a pound built and a committee was appointed to look after its construction, and to obtain a site for it. Voted that the school committee select books for the use of schools in town, and lay the same before the town for approval. For Governor, Elbridge Gerry had seventy votes and Christopher Gore thirty -three. Henry Rust had sixty-eight votes for County Treasurer. Voted to set off Eliphaz, Samuel and Timothy Chapman and Isaac Stearns from the fourth school district and annex them to the fifth. John Kilgore, Jr., was elected representative. Voted to meet and celebrate the Fourth of July at Middle Interval, and the following were appointed a committee to have the matter in charge : Lieut. Moses Bartlett, Eli Twitchell, Moses Mason, Capt. Eleazer Twitchell, Deacon Asa Kimball and Col. John York. The committee were instructed to engage an orator for the occasion. At a meeting November fifth, it was voted to build a magazine on Dr. Carter's land, built of 168 HISTORY OF BETHEL. brick, and be round in shape ; to have a platform made with flat stones, for the flooring, said house to have walls of the thickness of the length of one brick, and six feet and eight inches in height ; to have a good and substantial door to be fastened by a good lock. The job was struck off to Daniel Bean for the sum of seventeen dol lars. Timothy Carter, Major Amos Hills and John Russell were made a committee to locate the building and superintend its con struction. A committee was chosen to petition the legislature for permission to sell the public lands. 1811. The meeting was held March fourth. It was voted to have a collector of taxes in each parish. Nathaniel Swan was chosen for the West Parish and Ephraim Powers in the East. Nathan Swan and Ephraim Powers were elected constables. Among the new names in the list of town officers were Ezekiel Duston, Ephraim Rowe, Edmund Chapman, William Estes, Jeremiah Andrews, Jr., William Andrews, John Mills, Elijah Bartlett and Robbins Brown. Six hundred dollars were voted for roads, three hundred and fifty for schools and One hundred and fifty for town expenses. Voted to have two-thirds of the school money expended in winter and one- third in summer. Elbridge Gerry had seventy-seven votes for Governor, and Christopher Gore thirty- three. Voted that the road on the north side of the Great river be three rods wide. Voted to have the great road leading from Captain Twitchell's to Gilead line three rods wide. Voted to have the scholars limited to their own districts. Moses Mason was chosen representative. Voted to choose an agent to remonstrate against Mr. Howard's road. Voted that the selectmen open the road through to John Case's land lead ing from Joseph G. Swan's to David Blake's mills, some way or other. Voted to choose a committee to view Pleasant river bridge. Voted to accept the straightening of the road from Jesse Bean's to Gilead line. Voted not to accept the vote on Pleasant river bridge, and voted to do something about said bridge. Voted two hundred dollars extra to be expended on the roads under the direction of a committee. The last vote was rescinded. 1812. John Kilgore, Jr., was elected moderator and Timothy Carter, clerk. Ebenezer Bean bid off the taxes at four cents on the dollar and was chosen constable. The highway surveyors this year were Isaac Town, Daniel Grout, Walter Mason, John Holt, Samuel HISTORY OF BETHEL. 169- Kimball, Amos Bean, Jonas Willis, Thomas Frost, Ezra Twitchell,, Jr., Cyrus Twitchell, John Case and Benjamin Annas. School committee, Timothy Carter, James Walker and Moses Bartlett. One thousand dollars were raised for roads and three hundred and fifty for schools. Voted that the trustees sell the public lauds in such manner as they may see fit. Voted that the selectmen lay out a road from Joseph G. Swan's to David Blake's mills. Voted to- allow Timothy Carter two dollars per year for the last ten years, for his services as town clerk, and one per cent, on what money he had collected as treasurer. Voted not to accept the report of the selectmen on the road from Joseph G. Swan's to David Blake's mills, and voted to choose a committee to lay out said road. Voted that the next annual meeting be held on the first day of April next. At an adjourned meeting in May, Moses Mason was chosen repre sentative. Voted to accept the report of a committee appointed to- lay a road from Joseph G. Swan's to David Blake's mills, beginning at a hemlock on the town line, about two rods east of the road as now traveled by the Widow Osgood's in said Bethel, and running generally more or less west of north by James Annas' place to the county road by the guide- board near Joseph G. Swan's house, the whole length being twelve hundred and twenty-eight rods. The road run through land belonging to Widow Osgood, Benjamin Blake, Timothy Carter, Solomon Annas, James Annas, John Case, James Hall and John Walker. No damage was asked and none assessed. A meeting was called July thirteenth, to take action on the war with Great Britain. Voted that all able to bear arms should equip themselves as soon as possible, and a committee consisting of Moses Mason, John Barker, Jonathan Clark, Jonas Willis, Samuel Kimball and Nathaniel Segar, was appointed as a committee of safety. At a meeting August twenty-ninth, voted to send three delegates to Paris, one in the Federal and two in the Republican convention ; chose Amos Hastings, Jonathan Powers and Timothy Carter. Voted that notices for town meetings hereafter be posted on the Center school house and on each of the two meeting houses in town. Voted that the selectmen cause a bridge to be repaired on the "Whale's Back" before the next circuit court of common pleas for Oxford county. Chose Ephraim Powers agent to defend the town against an indictment for deficiency of powder and balls. For Governor, Elbridge Gerry had eighty-six votes, and Caleb- Strong, forty-one. 170 HISTORY OF BETHEL. 1813. John Kilgore, Jr., was chosen moderator and John Holt, clerk and treasurer. Ebenezer Eames was made collector and constable. Among the new names were Benjamin Goodenough, Edward Richardson, William Staples, Obediah Kimball, Alpheus Swan, Barbour Bartlett. Three hundred dollars were voted for schools. Voted to lend out all the books in the town clerk's office to be returned in one month, and if not so returned to collect twenty- five cents of each person so keeping a book. For representative, Timothy Carter had twenty-seven votes and Moses Mason sixty- eight. Guide boards were ordered near Robbins Browns, near Eleazer Twitchell's, near Greely Swan's and one at the river bank near Josiah Bean's. Two roads were accepted, one at the lower part of the town leading into Job York's road and the other begin ning near John Merrill's on the north side of the river, on the road leading to Newry line, at the corner of Nathaniel Swan's field and running east of south to the river, then across the river at Sand Rips, so called, then up the river to the ferriage place, etc., to be a bridle road to the river and over the river to the ferriage place, and an open road two rods wide from the ferriage way to the county road. 1814. The meeting was held at the Center school house, April fourth. For Governor, Samuel Dexter had ninety-three votes, Caleb Strong, fifty-tliiee. F.Hinnan Bartlett bid off the collector- ship at five cents on the dollar. School committee elected. Dr. Moses Mason, Barbour Bartlett and Elias Bartlett. Twelve hun dred dollars were raised for roads, and the usual sums for other purposes. Two hundred dollars were voted to help build a meeting house at Middle Interval. Chose Eli Twitchell and Jonas Willis a committee to see to fencing the burying ground. Moses Mason was re-elected representative. A road was accepted beginning at Ebenezer Fames' barn to the corner of Peter York's fence and to the main road against his barn. Also a bridle road from John Russell's field to the county road. 1815. The meeting was held April third. Ebenezer Eames bid off the collectorship. The road surveyors chosen for the north side of the river were John Bean, Peter York and Edward Richardson ; on the south side, Jesse Bean, Eben Greenwood, John Walker, Jonas Merriam, Elias Bartlett and Job York. For school commit- HISTORY OF BETHEL. 171 tee, Timothy Carter, Rev. Arthur Drinkwater, James Walker, Elisha Bartlett, Peregrine Bartlett, Samuel B. Locke, Barber Bart lett and Jonathan Abbot. Voted to give the assessors power to remit the taxes assessed to aid in building a meeting house at Middle Interval, to all who are opposed to paying the tax. Voted eight hundred dollars for roads and the usual amount for other purposes. At a meeting May eighteenth, it was voted not to divide the town. For representative, Moses Mason had sixty-three votes, Jonathan Abbot, thirty-seven, scattering, ten. The vote on a division of the town was taken on a petition for the same signed by Eli Grover, Jedediah Burbank, Amos Gage, Amos Hill, Jesse Bean, Samuel Burbank, James Grover, John Barker, Benj. Goodenough, Cyrus Twitchell, Samuel Barker, John Mills, Daniel Gage, Jedediah Grover, Peter Twitchell, Joseph Greenwood, Joseph Wheeler, John Grover, Paul Morse, .James Grover, Joseph Wheeler, Jr., Robbins Brown, Eleazer Twitchell, Benjamin Annas, Aaron Abbot, James Walker, Thaddeus Twitchell and Ezra Twitchell. Voted to send a petition to the General Court asking to have the proceedings of the town legalized. Voted to allow Daniel Gage ten dollars for work he has done on the road laid out from the great road through his fleld to the river. Voted to accept the road down by Bear river. Voted to raise money to repair the road on Whale's Back, which is complained of. Voted to accept the road in the lower part of the town for Ebenezer Bartlett and Enoch Estes. 1816. Barbour Bartlett was chosen clerk and Eli Twitchell, Samuel Chapman and Elias Bartlett, selectmen. Among the new town officers were Bezaleel Kendall, Edmund Chapman, Aaron Fiost, Calvin Twitchell and James Hodsdon. Hogreeves chosen. Rev. Valentine Little, Rev. Arthur Drinkwater, Perkins Moulton, Jonas D. Merriam, Theodore Stearns, Eli Grover, Jr., Urban Shorey, James Wheeler, Luther Locke, Nathaniel Green wood, Timothy Capen and Aaron Mason. Voted one thousand dollars for roads and three hundred for schools. Voted to dis continue the road laid out for John Mills and others. Benjamin Estes, Jesse Duston and Jonas D. Merriam were appointed tyth ingmen. At an adjourned meeting, the vote electing Messrs. Little and Drinkwater, hogreeves, was rescinded. Voted to divide the interest on the school funds among the several schools in town. For Governor, Samuel Dexter had eighty-eight and John 172 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Brooks forty-eight. Voted to divide the fourth school district by the parish line. The selectmen were directed to regulate the ferries in town. A road was laid out for the benefit of John and Cyrus Mills leading from the house of John Mills to the road near the Widow Grover's. A resolve passed by the General Court, legalizing the doings of the town, was placed on file and recorded. Voted that no person should sell spirituous liquors near the school house where the town meeting is held. Samuel Chapman was chosen representative. The town voted for separation from Massa chusetts, seventy ; opposed, twenty-two. Barbour Bartlett was elected delegate to the Brunswick convention, held with regard to separation from Massachusetts. Another vote on separation stood eighty-nine in favor, thirty-one opposed. 1817. Met at the school house and adjourned to the Center meeting house. Peter York bid off the collectorship of taxes and was chosen constable. The names of James Beattie, Micajah Blake and Dr. John Grover appear in the list of town officers. Henry Rust received ninety-nine votes as candidate for County Treasurer. The usual sums of money were raised. It was voted to assist the seventh school district to build a house. This meeting was held in Center meeting house, and it was voted that the constable clear the entry of spirituous liquors. A committee was chosen to select a site fcr a bridge across Bear river. Voted to accept of a road laid out from William Staples' to the town line. Thomas Frost was annexed to the first school district on the north side of the river. A road was laid out for Peter Grover, beginning at his corner and running to the county road between Bethel and Greenwood. Voted to build a bridge across Bear river, the expense not to exceed one hundred and ninety-five dollars. Voted to send Barbour Bartlett as agent to Paris. Voted to accept the bridle road laid out for Elijah Bartlett. Voted a committee to examine the place for a road round by Mr. Locke's and across by Col. Hastings, consisting of Timothy Carter, Capt. Daniel Grout and Deacon Asa Kimball. Voted to ask the town of Newry to build a road to meet the road built by Bethel to Bear river. Voted to raise a committee to meet a committee from Rumford to settle the legal settlement of Ephraim Colby. John Burk and family having become paupers were vari ously disposed of. 1818. The principal officers were re-elected. Four hundred HISTORY OF BETHEL. 1 7,S dollars were voted for schools. Peter York bid off the collectorship and was chosen constable. The town's poor were disposed of at auction. Besides the Burk family, Mrs. Mary Hemmingway was bid off by Francis Hemmingway at one dollar and fifty cents per week. For Governor, John Brooks had fifty-one votes, and Benja min W. Crowningshield, seventy-one. Voted to approbate the selectmen for presenting to the grand jurj' the names of persons who unlawfully sell spirituous liquors at town meetings. A road was laid out for Elijah Bartlett beginning near Ephraim Powers' potash and ending at said Bartlett's lot. Voted not to send a representative. 1819. The meeting was called at the Center meeting house. Dr. Moses Mason was chosen moderator and Barbour Bartlett, clerk. Joseph C. Walker was one of the town officers ; also Hollica Greenwood, John Y. Dustin, Hiram Allen, Jonathan A. Russell, Jacob Ellingwood. William Russell, 2d, John Stearns and William Oliver. A road for each of the last two was accepted. Voted to raise six hundred dollars for poor and for town charges, fifteen hundred for ways and five hundred for schools. Voted to divide the first school district, near Mr. Willis' north of the river, ^'oted to assist the second and seventh school districts in building school houses. Voted a bounty of one dollar on full grown bears ; also a bounty on crow's heads. Voted a committee to make enquiry into the property affairs of Samuel Ayer. Dr. Moses Mason was elected re[)resentative. A road was laid out for William Oliver, beginning on the bank of the river at Sunday Rips to the road that leads from Bezaleel Kendall's to James Beattie's. Another road was laid out from Ebenezer Bean's house to the road leading from Gilead to Capt. Eleazer Twitchell's mills. Also a road for the benefit of Jedediah Grover and others, beginning near Dr. John Grover's dwelling house and ending at the house of Widow Lydia Grover. A road was laid out by Jonathan Abbot, September eighteenth, eighteen hundred and nineteen, beginning near Samuel Ayer's and Thaddeus Bartlett's, on the line between said Ayer and Bartlett, running by Nathaniel Bean's and south of Otter Pond and so on to Greenwood line. It was laid out four rods wide and called Otter Pond road. It was voted to rebuild Alder river bridge, and a committee was chosen to look after it. It was voted to pay one-half in pro duce and one-half in labor and material. Capt. Daniel Grout took 174 HISTORY OF BETHEL. the job at one hundred and forty-five dollars. Voted in favor of sep aration from Massachusetts, one hundred and seventeen ; opposed, twenty-four. Voted to send an agent to Paris to look after indicted roads. Voted to petition the Court of Sessions to send a viewing committee to see if the road from Gen. Hastings' potato hole, by Nathaniel Swan's to John Merrill's cannot be altered. Dr. John Grover was selected as delegate to Portland to the Constitutional convention. The vote stood : Eli Twitchell, twenty-two ; Timothy Carter, four ; Moses Mason, nine ; Barbour Bartlett, seventeen, and Dr. John Grover, sixty-three. Voted to build Bethel's proportion of Bear river bridge. 1820. Dr. Carter was chosen moderator and Barbour Bartlett, clerk. For selectmen, Timothy Carter, Dr. John Grover and Deacon John Holt. Peter York bid off the collectorship. Israel Kimball was chosen pound keeper. One hundred and forty dollars were raised for building Alder river bridge. Voted that suit be commenced against Samuel B. Locke provided he does not fulfil his contract respecting the public lands. The disposition of paupers was left with the selectmen. For Governor, William King had one hundred and twenty-two votes ; scattering, fifteen. For representative there was no choice until the fifth trial. At the first trial. Doctor Timothy Carter had sixty-seven. Doctor John Grover, fifty-four, Barbour Bartlett, twenty-eight, scattering, thiriy. At the fifth trial. Doctor John Grover had sixty-nine votes and was elected. James Beattie bid off the building of the Bear river bridge for one hundred and thirty-five dollars, half to be paid in stock and half in produce. Voted two hundred and fifty dollars to make repairs and pay the fine on the road leading from Aaron Abbot's to the town line. 1821. Timothy Carter was chosen moderator but was excused, he being obliged to visit the sick. Israel Kimball was chosen first selectman, but declined and was excused. Jedediah Burbank bid off the collectorship. Among the new names in the list of town officers were James Swan, Jr., Edmund Bean, Freeborn G. Bartlett, Jonathan Wheeler, Sylvanus Twitchell, James F. Carter and Nathan A. Foster. Barbour Bartlett was chosen treasurer. Voted that the trustees of the ministerial and school funds settle with Samuel B. Locke for the lands he holds in consequence of building mills. For school committee. Dr. Timothy Carter, Dr. John Grover, Dr. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 175 Moses Mason, Barbour Bartlett and Elias Bartlett. The town's poor were set up at auction. William Burk was bid off by Timothy Bean at twenty-eight cents per week for food and lodging, mending and tobacco. Ezekiel Whitman had twenty-four votes for Gov ernor, and Albion K. Parris, one hundred and fourteen. This year Dr. Moses Mason was licensed as an inn-holder, and James Walker, O'Neil W. Robinson, John Merrill and James F. Carter as retailers of spirituous liquors. Votes were passed leaving the Ingalls family in care of the selectmen, and directing the selectmen to remonstrate against a division of Oxford county. Barbour Bartlett was elected representative. Voted one hundred dollars additional for building Bear river bridge, and that the same be assessed immediately. 1822. Peter York, Phineas Frost and Samuel Chapman were chosen selectmen. Otis Grover was elected collector and Barbour Bartlett, clerk and treasurer. Chandler Russell, Elihu Bean, Amos Andrews, Simeon Twitchell and William Holt were among the town officers. Voted to divide the lower school district on the north side of the river, the division line to be between Jonathan Powers' and Jonas Willis'. Voted to build a bridge across Sunday river. It was voted to allow William Pote twenty dollars for the support of Isaac Frost, provided he will withdraw his suit against the town. Susan Farewell and her child were bid off by Reuben Bartlett at two and sixpence per week. Timothy Bean bid off William Burk at two cents per week. Timothy Bean bid off the building of Sun day river bridge at two hundred and fifty dollars. The selectmen were authorized to enquire into the case of Burry Colby, a pauper, and commence suit against Rumford, if they thought best. Eliphaz Chapman was chosen representative. The same parties as last year were licensed as retailers of strong drink. Eleven guide boards were ordered; one at Robbins Brown's, one at James Walker's, one at Aaron Abbot's, two at Dustin's Ferry, one in the pine woods near Kendall's Ferry, one at Nathaniel Swan's, one at Moses Mason's, one at John Ellingwood's, one at Asa Kimball's and one at Micajah Blake's. 1823. The principal town officers were re-elected. It was voted to divide the fifth school district. Among the town officers were John Bean, Leonard Grover, Hezekiah Moody, Calvin Stearns, Israel Kimball, Jr., John Cushman. Voted to accept and pay the 176 HISTORY OF BETHEL. bill for the support of Polly Capen. The field drivers this year were Eli Twitchell, O'Neil W. Robinson, Amos Gage, Daniel G. Elling wood, Moses Bartlett, Eli Twitchell, 3d, Curatio Twitchell, Francis Barker, Timothy M. Swan, Aaron B. Swan, Simeon Brown, James A. S. Bartlett, Peter Kimball, Calvin Stearns, George Kimball and Hezekiah Moody. Perkins P. Moulton was chosen collector of taxes. For school committee. Rev. Charles Frost, Dr. John Grover, Timothy Carter, Barbour Bartlett and Elias Bartlett. Voted to open a road over Jesse Cross' mill stream and build a bridge. Captain Daniel Grant was chosen a committee to superin tend the work. Voted to divide the third school district, and that each district fence its own burying grounds. The road was again located between the river road and the town line near Solomon Annas' house. (This is the present road between Bean's Corner and Locke's Mills. At this time, Thomas Goss, Eli Foster and James A. S. Bartlett had settled along the line of this road.) ¦O'Neil W. Robinson, I^li Twitchell, 2d, and Luther Locke were licensed to sell strong liquors. Voted to accept with some modifi cations, the plan of Amos Hills, for a bridge across Mill Brook. Voted to abate the tax of John Burk, who lived with Justus Bean, .and to accept a road laid out for Perkins P. Moulton. 1824. Moses Mason was elected moderator and Barbour Bart lett. clerk and treasurer. Among the names of minor town officers were Jonathan Powers, John Y. Dustin, James Wheeler, William Estes, Abijah Lapham, .loshua Bean, Peter Estes and John Stev ens. School committee, William Frye, Timothy Carter and Elias Bartlett. Struck off the child of Sukey Farewell to Benjamin Estes, at seventy-five cents per week, and Mrs. Reynolds to Otis Grover at forty-six cents a week until her husband returns or some •other provision is made for her support. Voted to abate taxes in Otis Grover's bills against Thomas Coffin, William Grover, Elias Russell, Samuel Tyler, Thomas Walden, Isaac York, Jonathan Fowler and Abiather Bean. Raised five hundred dollars for town charges and fifteen hundred dollars for roads. Jonathan Abbot was chosen collector. Samuel B. Locke was chosen agent to oppose a road laid out from Jason Sherman's to Capt. Eli Twitchell's. A road was accepted from John Estes to Thomas Cushman ; also a road from a point between Timothy Capen's and Simeon Brown's !land and running east of south to Urban Shorey's land ; also a road HISTORY OF BETHEL. I77 from Jacob Kimball's to Solomon Annas' land. (The road over Berry Hill) ; also a bridle road from John Estes' to Arnold Pow ers' place. Voted to accept the alteration made id the road from Grover Hill through Amasa Clark's land. Voted to examine the road, that part of the road between Thomas Cushman's and John Estes', and to accept the part laid out between Estes' and William Farewell's. The selectmen were directed to examine the road be tween Abbot's Mills and Locke's Mills, and instruct the agent. A road was accepted beginning near Josiah Brown's barn, running by James Hodsdon's to the road leading by Elijah Bartlett, on petition of John Cushman. 1825. Moses Mason was moderator and Barbour Bartlett, clerk and treasurer. Among the minor town officers were Levi Berry, Jr., Peter Kimball, Lawson Mason, Luther Eames, Benjamin Swett, Simeon Sanborn and Nathan Eames. Voted that school districts should choose their own agents. Timothy Hastings was chosen representative, receiving fifty-nine votes to forty-three for Phineas Frost. Isaac Twombly bid off the building of the new road near Whale's Back (Rumford and Paris road) for one hundred and ninety dollars. Voted to postpone the alteration of the road near Luther Locke's store. Voted that the highway surveyors in the three nearest districts work out their delinquent taxes on the roads leading from the lower part of Bethel to Norway by way of Locke's Mills, and on the road from Abbot's Mills to Locke's Mills, in each case, to Bethel line. 1826. The old board of officers were re-elected, Barbour Bart lett as clerk and Phineas Frost as chairman of the selectmen. Two thousand dollars were voted for the repair of roads. Elijah Grover was elected collector and constable. Among the highway surveyors were Ell Estes, Eben Richardson, Edmund Bean, Hiram Holt, Jacob Kimball, George W. Grover and Walter Mason, Jr. Field drivers were Aaron Mason, Ebenezer Bean, Foster Farewell, Sylvanus Twitchell, Jefferson Howard and Thomas Goss. Voted to pay money to the soldiers and not furnish rations. Jacob Little hale bid off Susan Farewell's child at eighty-six cents a week. The support of Isaac Frost was struck off to Peregrine Bartlett, and that of Calvin Twitchell left with the selectmen. A road was accepted leading from .James Wheeler's to the road leading from Otis Grover's to John Grover's. A bridle road was accepted running from Caleb 1-2 178 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Besse's northwesterly to land owned by John Twombly. George W. Chapman of Gilead was elected representative. At an adjourned meeting held at Bear river bridge, it was voted to rebuild the bridge with long stringers supported overhead with braces. The building of the bridge was bid off by Phineas Frost. The transportation of Calvin Twitchell, wife and three children, to Oneida county. New York, where they belong, was bid off by George Bean, for eighty- four dollars and fifty cents. 1827. Peter Frost was chosen chairman of the selectmen, Adam Willis, second, and Jonathan Abbot, third. Highway surveyors were directed to keep the town roads open in winter. William Estes was made collector of taxes in the West Parish and Adam Willis in the East ; the latter declined serving and Elihu Kilgore was chosen in his place. Among the highway surveyors were .Joseph Holt, John Hastings, Caleb Rowe, Ayers Mason, .James M. Pote, Eleazer Rowe, Abijah Lapham, Edmund Segar, and Israel Kimball, Jr. Among the field drivers were David B. Glines, Wil liam Berry, Samuel Bean and Nathan F. Twitchell. Voted to supply the soldiers with rations and not money. Voted to accept the road from Joseph Sanborn's to Eben Greenwood's. William Frye, Esq., was chosen town agent. Voted to give the Berry dis trict twenty dollars to build a school house. (This is the house still standing and known as the Bird Hill school house.) The pauper child of Abigail Swan was left at the disposal of the select men. Seth B. Newell was a juryman that year. A road was laid out from near the house of William Frye to the land of Ambrose C. Cilley, and another from the old Grover Hill road to the road leading by the house of Jedediah Grover. Voted to quitclaim to Reuben Bartlett an island which was sold to the town by Isaac Frost, on condition that Bartlett take care of Frost for one year. The selectmen were instructed to discharge on certain conditions, a note given the town by Return J. Ellingwood and signed by John Ellingwood. 1828. The meeting was held March third, at the Center meeting house. Phineas Frost, Jedediah Burbank and Timothy Hastings were chosen selectmen. The collectors weie re-elected. Baxter Lyon, Peter Estes, James Estes, Enoch Estes, Peter Kimball, Francis Barker, Moses Chandler, Hannibal Kimball, Barrett Howard and William Berry were among the minor town officers. Rebecca HISTORY OF BETHEL. \7<^ Beattie and all the poor of that family were left at the disposal of the selectmen, ^^oted to give the Lapham school district (No. 11) twenty dollars toward building a school house. Phineas Frost was chosen agent to oppose the road around Swan's Hill. Voted to petition the court of sessions to change the road between Samuel Ayer's and Greenwood line. Voted to accept bridle roads over to Staples' Ferry and over to Edmund Chapman's Mills. Voted to leave the case of Solomon Annas with the overseers of the poor. Voted that the town will make the road from Thomas Gosses to Greenwood line, if certain complainants will build from Samuel Ayers' to Gosses. Voted that the selectmen lay out a road from Elijah Grover's store to Jesse Bean's. Voted to accept a new road and discontinue an old one near Elijah Grover's Corner. 1829. Doctor Mason was chosen moderator and Barbour Bart lett was continued as clerk and treasurer. Barrett Howard was chosen collector and constable. Voted to pay the soldiers money. William Estes was re-elected collector for the West Parish. For fleld drivers, Sylvanus Twitchell, Samuel Holt, William Frye, Silas Grover, George V. Ellingwood, Peter Estes, Clark Kimball and Jonathan Chapman. The trustees of the ministerial fund were directed to divide the money in their hands among the several denominations. Voted to petition the selectmen to discontinue the road over Duston's Ferry, from one county road to the other. For Governor, Samuel E. Smith had one hundred and thirty-four votes, Jonathan G. Hunton, fifty-six. Phineas Frost was chosen repre sentative. Voted that retailers be licensed by the selectmen as they formerly were. Voted that the trustees of the school funds sell the balance of the school land, and add the proceeds to the funds. 1830. Sylvanus Twitchell was chosen moderator and Barbour Bartlett, clerk. Moses Mason, Israel Kimball and Elias Bartlett were chosen selectmen. The suit Bingham against Bethel was left with the selectmen. Delinquent collectors were called upon to settle their accounts on pain of suit against themselves and their bondsmen. William Estes was chosen constable and collector. The road between Jonathan Chapman's and Edmund Chapman's mill was accepted. Voted that the ministerial fund shall be divided among the several denominations in town, and that each voter be requested to state his preference. Thaddeus Bartlett, Timothy 180 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Ayer, George Kimball, Eli Foster, James Estes, Jacob Kimball, William Bartlett and James A. S. Bartlett were allowed to draw out their school money and expend the same elsewhere. Samuel Barker was chosen agent to open the road from Eben Greenwood's to Albany line. A vote was taken on the division of the town and decided in the negative. For Governor, Samuel E. Smith had two hundred and four votes, and Jonathan G. Hunton, seventy- four. James Burbank was chosen representative. The town clerk, treas urer and selectmen were directed to petition the legislature for permission to transfer the school funds from the trustees to the selectmen. 1831. Sylvanus Twitchell was chosen moderator and Barbour Bartlett, clerk. Voted to allow Samuel Barker eighty-nine dollars and forty-nine cents for opening the road across the great meadows to Albany line. William Frye was appointed agent to make inquiry regarding the property of Widow Annas. Spencer Drake was chosen one of the selectmen. Barbour Bartlett was chosen treasurer .and collector. Voted that Dr. John Grover shall have the land belonging to James Grover on the payment by him of the cost of the support of said James Grover. Among the highway surveyors were John B. Mason, Caleb Bessee, Eli Estes, Peter Estes and Moses Bisbee. Eli Grover, Jr., James Grover, Peter Grover and Isaac C. Cross were set off from the fifth school district and made a separate district. William Frye, Lovel P. Chadbourn and Jotham S. Lane were chosen school committee. Isaac Frost was struck off to Oilman Hodgman and Return Ellingwood to Peregrine Bartlett. Voted to accept the road laid to Stephen Hodsdon's. A road was accepted beginning on the road leading from Locke's Mills to Thad deus P. Bartlett's and ending at the road leading from Walker's Mills to Locke's Mills, on the east side of Bear Brook. A road was also accepted to Robert F. Farewell's house, and one from the road leading from Samuel B. Locke's to Newry, and ending at Locke's Mills in Bethel. Voted that the selectmen petition for the discontinuance of one of the roads, either on the north or the south side of the Alder river toward Locke's Mills in Greenwood. Voted that James Walker make good the road along by his canal. 1832. Two thousand dollars had been the standard sum to raise for repair of roads for several years, and for schools the amount required by law. For school committee, William Frye, HISTORY OF BETHEL. 181 Charles Frost and Reuben B. Foster. The selectmen were directed to have the indictment removed from the road leading from Solomon Annas' by Eli H. Cushman's. Reuben Bartlett and others were set off into a school district by themselves. A bridle road was accepted from Eli H. Cushman's to the town line near Isaac Cummings'. The selectmen were directed to license retailers of strong drink. Asa Kimball was elected representative on the fourth ballot. Ebenezer Eames was chosen agent to repair Bear river bridge. 1833 The meeting was held at the Center meeting house as usual. Moses Mason, Reuben B. Foster and Norman Clark were chosen selectmen. William Estes and Phineas Frost were chosen constables. Barbour Bartlett was chosen clerk, treasurer and col lector of taxes. Among the minor town officers were Barbour Willis, Orson Powers, Benjamin Russell, Edward Thompson, Amos Gage, Jr., Jonathan Abbot, Jr., Robert A. Chapman, John Jordan and Nathan Stearns. Voted not to license retailers to sell liquors to be drank at the stores, and that the treasurer call on the retailers for their fees. Voted to sell wheat belonging to the town at auction. Voted to choose a committee to re-district the town into school dis tricts. Accepted a road from David Sanborn's to the road leading to Rumford ; also a road from Timothy A. Holt's house to Peregrine Duston's house Also a road leading from Aaron Frost's to the road laid by the town of Newry. Reuben B. Foster was chosen agent to look after complained of roads the ensuing year. Voted that the selectmen try and establish the town line at the southeast corner of the town. Voted to accept the Richard Estes school dis trict as number one, and the Eli Foster district as number two. In the list of names placed in the jury box, were Francis Barker, Luther Bean, Humphrey Bean, Nathan Grover, Fli Foster, Ayers Mason, Elias M. Carter, Robert A. Chapman, Reuben B. Foster aud John Hastings. An adjourned meeting was opened at the Center meet ing house and adjourned to Dr. Carter's wagon house. Voted to pay twelve dollars for the use of the meeting house for town purposes. 1834. Spencei Drake was chosen moderator and Barbour Bart lett, clerk. George Chapman and William P. Frost were chosen constables. The following school agents were chosen : Ephraim Powers, Samuel Holt, Walter Mason, Jr., Oilman Chapman, Thaddeus Twitchell, James Grover, Jonathan Abbot, Humphrey Bean, Joel Howe, Seth B. Newell, Abner Brown, Ebenezer Eames, 182 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Eli Estes, Leonard Grover, Hiram Holt, Wm. P. Frost, Luther Bean and Isaac J. Town. Twenty-five hundred dollars were raised for the repair of ways. Roads on the petition of John Cushman, Geo. W. Phelps, Foster Farewell, Phineas Howard, Tilden Bartlett and Hiram Allen, all private ways and mostly bridle paths. Voted to hold the next town meeting at the upper meeting house in the West Parish, and that the selectmen be a committee to confer with the proprietors of the Center meeting house, with regard to holding future meetings there. For Representative to Congress, Dr. Moses Mason had one hundred and eighty-eight votes, Timothy J. Carter, forty-eight, and Oliver Herrick, seventy-two. Capt. Asa Kimball was elected to the legislature. Voted a road from William Bart lett's to the old road leading to John Estes' place ; also an alteration of the road from Isaac Estes to the Hamlin's Gore line between Sylvanus Bartlett and Robert Bearce. Voted to discontinue so much of the road from the school house near John Williamson's, by William Farewell's to the John Swift house, as there is from where it leaves Timothy A. Holt's road to the Swift house. William Frye was town clerk the last of the year. 1835. Edmund Merrill was chosen moderator and William Frye clerk, also town agent. Stephen Bartlett bid off the collectorship. Among the minor town officers were Abraham Jordan, Pirani Bis bee, Tyler P. Town, Ball Bartlett, Jonathan C. Robertson, Daniel Estes, Sumner Stearns. The election of agents showed that there were twenty-one school districts. Four hundred dollars were raised for support of the poor, besides the usual amounts for other pur poses. Voted that teachers make reports to the school committee on blanks furnished at the expense of the town. Voted that the September meeting be held at the old Methodist meeting house on the north side of the river. (This meeting was held in the meeting house near Barker's Ferry.) Voted to accept the road laid out on petition of Samuel Bird and others. Voted that the next meeting be at the new meeting house near Capt. Timothy Hastings. The Samuel Bird road was laid out from his road through Peter Ayer's land to the road near John Bird's. Joseph Twitchell had a road accepted running from his 'house to the county road on Daniel Grout's land, to be a bridle road. 1836. Phineas Frost was chosen moderator and William Frye, clerk. Phineas Frost, Timothy Hastings and John B. Mason were HISTORY OF BETHEL 183 chosen selectmen. Voted to allow Edmund Chapman one dollar per week for keeping Betsey Chapman. Aaron Cross was chosen collector and constable. A separate school district was formed at Walker's Mills. Peter G. Smith was annexed to the fifteenth school district. Voted that Hezekiah Moody, Stephen Estes and Tilden Bartlett be permitted to draw their school money and expend the same in the Hamlin's Gore district. As required by act of the legislature, the limitation of the two militia companies was fixed by the parish line, the lower company commanded by Moses Bartlett, and the upper by John Harris. In eighteen hundred and forty- three, the lower company was commanded by Captain William God dard. Voted against the annexation of Hamlin's Gore to Bethel. Robert P. Dunlap had one hundred and ninety-five votes for Gov ernor, and Edward Kent, forty-two. A road was accepted from Hezekiah Moody's to the old road leading from John Estes, 2d to Eli Estes. 1837. Phineas Frost was chosen moderator and Elias M. Car ter, clerk. Ebenezer Eames was chosen treasurer. James C. Bean and Aaron Cross were elected collectors of taxes, each for his re spective parish. Among the minor town officers were Jedediah T. Kimball, Moses Barker, Bartlett Hodgdon, William Goddard, Stephen Estes, Benjamin Estes, Aaron M. York and Ephraim C. Bartlett. Charles Frost, Benjamin Donham and Thomas Roberts were elected school committee. Three thousand dollars were raised for roads. The town's poor were disposed of at auction. The re pair of the bridges over Bear, Sunday and Pleasant rivers was left with the selectmen. Tilton B. and Joseph Heath were added to Peter Twitchell's school district and Thomas Goss to the Eli Foster district. At a meeting March thirtieth, it was voted that Bethel re ceive its share of the surplus revenue, and Ebenezer Eames was chosen agent to receive the money. Subsequently Jedediah Bur bank and Nathan Grover, together with Ebenezer Eames were con stituted a committee to receive the money. They were required to give bonds to the town for the faithful discharge of their duties. It was then voted that the money, when received, be loaned to the inhabitants on their notes properly secured. Two new school dis tricts were created, one on petition of Jonathan A. Russell and one on petition of Dr. Timothy Carter. After several meetings and much excited discussion, it was voted that the town's proportion of 184 HISTORY OF BETHEL. the surplus revenue be deposited in the town treasury and be divided among the heads of families in town according to the last census, as a loan at six per cent, interest. At the next meeting it was voted that the money should be distributed as provided, only so modified that heads of families should only be required to give their personal promise to pay when called upon to do so. Phineas Frost was elected representative. 1838. Aaron Mason was elected collector for the whole town. Phineas Frost, Israel Kimball and Moses Mason were chosen select men. Among minor town officers were Chandler Russell, David Sanborn, Daniel Estes, John Needham, William F. Kendall and Amos Andrews. The following persons were made a school dis trict by themselves : John Williamson, Levi Shaw, John Beattie, Richard Garland, Timothy Carter, Elias M. Carter, James F. Car ter, Benjamin Donham, Israel Kimball, Jedediah T. Kimball, Ed mund Merrill and Mary Mason. Another school district was made up of the following persons : Jonathan A. Russell, Timothy Capen, Aaron Abbot, Caleb Coffin, David Coffin, John Russell, Leander Russell, Eleazer Twitchell, Aaron Abbot, Jr., Ayers Mason and George Chapman. The town's poor were bid off by Moses Bart lett at five hundred and thirty dollars. A road was accepted for Urban Shorey from his house to the house built by Elijah Gossom. The trustees of the ministerial and school funds were requested to pay over the funds in their hands to the town officers. Timothy Hastings was chosen agent to oppose the proposed road from Walk er's Mills to Lovel. For Governor, John Fairfield had two hundred and eighty-nine votes and Edward Kent ninety-seven. Phineas Frost was elected representative. 1839. Moses Masou was elected moderator and Elias M. Car ter, clerk. Voted that the town pay a reasonable sum for trans porting the soldiers to Augusta, and that they must be there on Wednesday next at nine o'clock in the forenoon. A committee was appointed who contracted with John Hastings, Bezaleel Kendall, Benjamin Brown, Joseph Twitchell, John Needham, William Fare well and Elhanon Bartlett to furnish teams and take the drafted sol diers from the town of Bethel to Augusta, their expenses to be paid by the town, but they are to receive no pay unless the State shall pay it. Israel Kimball was elected collector of taxes. Elijah Har den was chosen sexton, and Moses Mason, town agent. The poor HISTORY OF BETHEL. 185. were left in charge of the selectmen. It was voted to give the use of Barker's Ferry to the bridge corporation. Voted that the treas urer burn the receipts given for surplus revenue money. Chose a committee to re- district the town for school purposes. Francis Up ton was allowed to expend his school money in Albany. A road was accepted from Caleb Bessee's to Tilden Bartlett's, one from Rufus Grover's to Jedediah Grover's, and one from Zenas Gary's to Gould Spofford's, also a road from Abraham Bryant's house to the town road that leads from Solomon Annas' to Eli H. Cushman's. Voted to rebuild Bes^r river bridge. The job was struck off to Ezra Twitchell, the lowest bidder. The meetings were now held at Mid dle Interval meeting house. A meeting, September ninth, was ad journed to Elias M. Carter's new barn. Voted to divide the town. 1840- Moses Mason was chosen moderator and Elias M. Car ter, clerk. Israel Kimball was again elected collector. Voted to accept the report of the treasurer of the ministerial and school funds. Among those elected to office were Lyman Bird, John Bird, David Elliot, William Whitcomb, .Jesse Cross and Elihu Bean. The support of the poor was sold at auction, John Russell to Wil liam Andrews, William Grover to Sumner Stearns, Betsey Chapman to Edmund Bean, Mrs. Goss to her son Thomas Goss, and Susan Farewell's child to Bezaleel Kendall. John Estes was struck off to Edmund Bean. Mrs. Sprague and son were left in the hands of the selectmen. The report of the committee on school districts was read and accepted. District number one was in the lower part of the town on the north side of the river. Number two was next to it, and called the Willis district ; number three, the Peter G. Smith district ; number four, the Thaddeus Twitchell district ; number five, the Simeon Twitchell district ; number six, Richard Estes dis trict ; number seven, Eli Foster's district ; number eight, Samuel Kimball's district ; number nine, Humphrey Bean's district ; num ber ten. Swan Hill district ; number eleven. Middle Interval ; num ber twelve, Bezaleel I^endall's ; number thirteen, Jonathan Abbot Russell's; number fourteen, Abial Chandler; number fifteen. Bethel Hill ; number sixteen. Dr. John Grover's ; number seven teen, Leonard Grover's ; number eighteen, David Holt's ; number nineteen, Amos Andrews ; number twenty, Caleb Bessee's ; number twenty-one, Eli Cushman's (Bird Hill ;) number twenty-two, Jona than Abbot's (Walker's Mills ;) number twenty-three, James 186 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Grover's and number twenty-four, Grover Hill. Moses Mason was made town agent. Voted to accept a road from John E. Farewell's to Abial Chandler's, it being just a mile in length. 1841. Moses Mason was chosen moderator and Elias M. Car ter, clerk. Ebenezer Eames was elected treasurer. Wesley Co- burn, Pinckney Burnham, Jonathan C. Robertson and John Hast ings, surveyors of lumber. Peter H. Albee, Francis Barker, Amaziah Nutting and James Locke, tythingmen, and William Frye, Leander Jewett and Eliphaz C. Bean, school committee. Voted to build a town house, to stand somewhere between the school house in district number twelve and the Sanborn road. The selectmen were directed to build a road from Hezekiah Moody's to John Estes' place. Voted to divide the fifth school district. A road was accepted for Daniel Hodgdon from his house to the road leading from Locke's Mills to Bean's Corner, near Ebenezer Bart lett's house, also a road for John D. Gossom, beginning near Jedediah T. Kimball's house and ending near a house once owned by James Hodgdon ; also one leading from said Kimball's to the road leading from Samuel Gossom's to Urban Shorey's. Voted to build a bridge across Sunday river like the bridge across Bear river, and the job was bid off by Ebenezer Eames. At a subsequent meeting, the plan for a town house presented by the selectmen was accepted. Voted to remonstrate against the petition of Phineas Frost, to divide the tuwu by the parish line. For Governor, John Fairfield had two hundred and seventy votes, Edward Kent, sixty- five and Jeremiah Curtis, nineteen. William Frye was elected rep resentative. For biennial sessions and elections, the town voted thirty-five in favor, and one hundred and twenty-seven opposed. 1842. Aaron Cross was chosen moderator and Eliphaz C. Bean, clerk. William Frye was chosen town agent. The school committee men were re-elected. The town's poor were left at the disposal of the overseers of the podr. The practice of selling their support at auction, which had prevailed for several years, was omitted this year. A report of the school and ministerial funds was made, showing that they amounted to eleven hundred sixty-five dol lars and thirty-five cents. These proceedings were considered void, in consequence of the moderator not being sworn, and another annual was held, called at the town house,- on the eleventh day of April. The officers named above were elected. The town house HISTORY OF BETHEL. 187 was first used at the annual election in September, eighteen hun- •dred and forty-one. The question of dividing the town was again voted upon and was decided by a large majority in the negative. Voted that our representative to the legislature be informed of this vote and of the large majority against a division of the town. 1843. The old moderator and clerk were re-elected. Elias M. Carter was chosen treasurer. Oilman Chapman bid off the collec tion of taxes and was chosen constable. Among the minor town -officers were Zenas Cary, Winchester Whitman, Moses H. Frost, ¦Gideon A. Hastings, Tyler P. Town, David Blake, Alfred Estes, Thatcher York and Benjamin Donham. Voted that cows may run at large. A road was accepted for Learned Whitman, between his place and Joseph Twitchell's ; also a road from Alvah Wheeler's, of two hundred and twenty-four rods in length, and a road on petition of Edwin Coffin and others, commencing at the house of John Hib- bard. The ministerial and school funds were reported, amounting to eighteen hundred and nineteen dollars and seventy-two cents. For Governor, Hugh J. Anderson had one hundred and seventy-five votes, .James Appleton, thirty, and Edward Robinson, twenty. 1844. Phineas Frost was chosen moderator and Ira C. Kimball, clerk. William Frye, Leander Jewett and Mighill Mason were «hosen school committee. Oilman Chapman was chosen collector and constable. The support of the poor was again sold at auction. A road was accepted leading from Thomas P. Howard's to the •county road near Arnold Powers' place. For Governor, Hugh J. Anderson had two hundred and forty-eight votes, Edward Robinson, flfty-nine and James Appleton, thirty-two. At the presidential ¦election this year, the democratic electors had two hundred and forty-two votes, the whig, fifty and the free soil, thirty-six. 1845. Moses, B. Bartlett was chosen moderator and Ira C. Kimball, clerk. The usual sums were raised for town purposes. The support of the poor was sold at auction to the lowest bidders. Isaac Estes was set off from school district number seven and joined to six. Voted that John S. Swan's cellar be a pound. Voted to leave the covering of Bear river bridge in the hands of the select men. Voted that the old clothes belonging to the late Colonel York be given to Peter York. A road was accepted from John E. Fare well's to Abial Chandler's. The selectmen were instructed to ex- 188 HISTORY OF BETHEL. amine the several routes for the Grover Hill road and report on the same. Voted to accept the alteration in Samuel Hassaltine's road as made by the selectmen ; voted the selectmen examine a route for an alteration between Walker's Mills and Locke's Mills ; also a road for Andrew Stiles ; also a road for Jedediah T. Kimball, from the county road opposite Israel Kimball's. 1846. Phineas Frost was chosen moderator and Hiram Holt, clerk. Charles Frost, Elias M. Carter and Mighill Mason were chosen school committee. Voted to accept John Jordan's road. The poor were left in the hands of the selectmen. Three thousand dollars were raised for roads. Voted to give John Cushman his bond for the support of widow Conn. A road was accepted for Joseph Cummings between his place and a point opposite Jared Young's house. Voted to instruct the selectmen to petition the Supreme Court for commissioners to establish the westerly line of Bethel. For Governor, John W. Dana had one hundred and sixty- one votes, Samuel Fessenden, forty-seven aud David Bronson, thirty-one. Henry Ward and Hiram Holt, 2d, were licensed to sell spirituous liquors. 1847. Moses B. Bartlett was chosen moderator and Hiram' Holt, 2d, clerk. Voted to leave the cases of Forbes, Boothby and Gallison in the hands of the selectmen. The treasurer was directed to hire one thousand and fifty dollars for the use of the town. The paupers were left in charge of the selectmen. Voted that the town fence the burying ground on Alexander P. Wentworth's farm. The line between Bethel and Rumford was perambulated this year. The same parties as last year were authorized to sell liquors. John W. Dana had one hundred and sixty-three votes for Governor, David Bronson, seventeen, and Samuel Fessenden, fifty-four. 1848. Elias M. Carter was chosen moderator and Mighill Mason, clerk. Robert A. Chapman was elected treasurer. The poor were left in the hands of the overseers of the poor. A road was accepted from Melvin Farewell's house to the county road, about five rods west of Pleasant river bridge. Nathan Grover was elected representative. The democratic electors of president this year, received sixty- seven votes and the opposition had forty-nine. 1849. Leander Jewett was chosen moderator and Mighill Mason, clerk. Among the minor town officers were Stephen Cum- HISTORY OF BETHEL. 18y mings, Tilton Bennett, Nathan W. P^thridge, Joseph Merrill, Henry R. Bartlett, Suel Bisbee, Moses A. Mason, Eber Clough, James Lapham, John G. Elliot, Samuel H. Chapman, Evi Needham, Amos Young and Elias S. Bartlett. For Governor, John Hubbard had two hundred and thirteen votes, George F. Talbot, fifty-two, and Elijah L. Hamlin, twenty-six. Abernethy Grover had one hundred and twenty-eight votes for representative, and Eliphaz C. Bean, one hundred and twenty. 1850. Aaron Cross was elected moderator and Gideon A. Hast ings, clerk. Eliphaz C. Bean, Charles R. Locke and Tyler P. Town were chosen selectmen. Among the minor town officers were Stephen Estes, Hezekiah Hutchins, John Heselton, Jewett Howard, Abijah Bartlett, William Hapgood, Simon Stevens, Prescott Holt and Timothy Capen. Moses T. Cross was elected collector of taxes. Voted that Hezekiah Moody and Stephen Estes be allowed to spend their school money on Hamlin's Gore. A road was accepted begin ning at the road east of Tilton Bennett's and running to the old house southwest of Tilton B. Heath's. Voted to build a bridge near Mr. George Tucker's, and the job was bid off by Gideon A. Hast ings, at one hundred and forty-five dollars. Eliphaz C. Bean was chosen representative. CHAPTER XVIII. PiCTUEESQUE Bethel. ORTHERN New England is very properly called the Switz. erland of America, on account of its grand mountain scen ery extending from Mount Katahdin to the Green Moun tains, and even to the Adirondacks in New York. The county of Oxford comes within this mountain rs^nge, and the town of Bethel has scenery as varied, as beautiful and as grand as any town in the county. Its physical features have already been described, and its mountains and rivers referred to, but the story of its picturesque views, its combination of mountain, hill and valley, its delightful nooks and corners and its shaded driveways, remains to be told. Bethel is a large town, and probably has a greater extent of road way than any other Oxford county town, and there is hardly a road 190 HISTORY OF BETHEL. which, as a driveway, does not possess attractions peculiar to itself- It also has numerous hills and mountains, from the summits of which extended views are had, and it is along some of these drive ways and up some of the hills and mountains that I purpose to take the reader. Beginning at the east part of the town, the road leads along by the side of a curious ridge, called by the early settlers' and still known as the Whale's Back. The road was originally constructed and extended along this ridge for some miles, but after settlers came the route was changed for their convenience. The ridge is one of the numerous Kames or horsebacks found in Maine, only it is better defined and longer than most others. It is composed of sand, gravel, and cobble stones worn and rounded, and is without doubt the result of glacial action. The road to Rumford is quite level and bordered by pleasant farms, but the heights on both sides are wooded, and at some points rise into mountains. Passing out of Rumford about a mile above the Corner, the road continues along the table land, and below, broad intervals stretching away to the river. Occasional glimpses in passing, are had of Hanover farms once belonging to Bethel, consisting of low and high intervale and upland, in some cases extending high up the hill-slopes. At some points the road is shaded by overhanging trees, and again it passes through cultivated lands and by neat farm buildings indicating thrift and prosperity. And so having passed the Hutchins place, where Luther Bean commenced for himself ; the Richard Estes place, where Samuel Goss began a clearing ; the Goddard place, where Jeremiah Andrews lived ; the Stephen Cummings farm, first occu pied liy Eliphaz Powers, and then by the Frosts, Thomas and ¦ Phineas ; then through the pine woods, though the once beautiful pines have been laid low to gratify the insatiable avarice of the lum berman ; then by the place where Amos Powers lived at the time of the Indian raid, and the places where Jonathan Bartlett and his brother Thaddeus first erected homes, and now we are at Bean's Corner, where Joseph Ayer lived. There are two settlers' roads leading from the road we have just passed over, southwardly up steep hills, and if we choose to follow them, we can get a good view of the splendid Hanover farms early occupied by Segar, the Powers brothers, Duston, Willis and the Bartletts, backed by wooded hills, and in the distance. Puzzle Mountain, where much money was spent in mining for plumbago. Here at Bean's Corner the road comes in HISTORY OF BETHEL. 191 from Locke's Mills and Kimball and Bird Hills, and from the two latter elevations, the views are varied and beautiful. From Bird Hill the Greenwood and Woodstock ponds are seen and the beetling bluffs overhanging one of them. The Locke's Mills road passes the Goss and other mountains. This was once called the Otter pond road, from a little pond lying at the base of Goss mountain. The stream which flows from it is sometimes called Otter brook and sometimes Alder brook, either being appropriate enough, and pass ing northwardly, after being re-enforced by several other small streams, flows into the great river west of Bean's Corner. The road from Otter pond going toward Locke's Mills soon passes into the woods and along the side of a ridge, and though the views here are not particularly enchanting, the shade is very grateful, provided the day be hot and sultry. Opposite Bean's Corner, the river is some distance away, the road forming a nearly half circle, but the intervals here are broad and fertile and so low that every spring freshet inundates them. This is why the road does not keep along near the river bank as above and below. Passing upward. Otter brook is passed, and then we come to the little church on the left occupied jointly by the Bap tists and Methodists, and opposite is the old Ephraim Powers place. The never failing cemetery is south of the church where "The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep." Passing the Asa K^imball and the Samuel Kimball places where their posterity still occupy, the road approaches nearer the river at the farm where Josiah Bean lived in the early times, and where his children's children now live. Here looking backward diagonally across the river, is one of the finest interval views in the whole town. The road here is quite high, and the view of the broad interval in rear of Bean's Corner and across into Hanover, is unobstructed, save by an occasional giant elm, with drooping branches as if in mourning for its mates which fell victims to the woodman's axe in the long ago. One lingers long in this spot, entranced by the va riety and beauty of the landscape, the whole seeming almost like an enchanted land. Yet we know that nature, by its slow processes, has formed these broad and fertile intervals, these higher table lands, and the environments of hill and mountain, while man has done the rest. The road is now quite near the river, and passes the farms where Samuel Ingalls, Asa Kimball, senior, and John and 1^2 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Isaac York early lived, but which have long since been in the pos session of others. South of these places is Swan's Hill, which can be reached by several roads from each of which, a different set of views is presented, all interesting and worth seeing. The great bend in the river begins here, and the road cuts across through Mid dle Interval and approaches the river again near the Capen farm. The intervale views along here are very much the same as has been described below, but that part of Middle Interval through which the road passes, is a pine plain and continues the same for some dis tance toward Bethel Hill. Here is where Enoch Bartlett, the eldest of the six brothers who came from Newton to Bethel, first made him a home, and it was here that Amos Hastings, John Kilgore and Dr. Timothy Carter flrst settled. The intervale opposite, in the half circle formed by the river is extensive and of excellent quality. And so we pass on toward Bethel Hill, by the places where Benja min and John Russell once lived, leaving the Sanborn and Oliver places at the right, and Kendall's ferry ; by the Coffin and Aaron Abbot places, to the Ayers Mason farm once occupied by Joseph G. Swan, an early settler. Near John Russell's place, a road once led up the hill toward the mountain to the Jordan place. From this point a charming west erly view is had. The valley of the river can be seen extending be tween the mountain passes away into New Hampshire, through which is seen the Androscoggin meandering amid numerous little islands, until it reaches the base of the hill at our feet, when it turns abruptly to the north toward the mouths of Sunday and Bear rivers. The good intervale farms, the neat dwellings, the beautiful groves, the lights and shadows on the mountain sides and the full view of the different peaks of the White Hills, all unite to render this one of the most charming spots in town, and it is within twenty minutes ride of the Common on the Hill. By pursuing this route to the top of Farewell's mountain, the view is much expanded, and the line of the railroad can be seen for a distance of ten miles. The road from Walker's, now Virgin's Mills, toward Bethel Hill, presents no very great variety of scene. When passing through the lowland, AVaterspout mountain is seen, and at the Blake farm, the highest point between the two places once owned by the Annas fam ily, the view eastward is quite extended, but Walker's mountain shuts off any view in the distance. At the George Chapman place, ¦early occupied by John Walker, tailor, the village of Bethel Hill and HISTORY OF BETHEL. 193 the northward slope to the river bank, shows to good advantage. The ride to West Bethel affords fine interval and upland views, es pecially from the top of Robertson's Hill where Oliver Fenno, the early blacksmith settled. The road passes the Seth Wight place and the Samuel Barker farm, and reaching West Bethel, where the stalwart pioneer, John Grover once owned, and turning to the left, the road to Mason's Mill in the town of Mason, is attractive. This town is named for Dr. Moses Mason, who built the flrst mills, and there is fine fishing in this region for those who like to beguile the wily trout. It is a pretty, rural town, much of it still in primitive woods, and herein is the attraction. On returning, when the sum mit of Robertson's Hill is reached, the view of Bethel Hill from this point is as picturesque as can possibly be desired, and such as to enrapture the lover of landscape beauty. The road from West Bethel Corner to Gilead presents many pleasant views, especially in the vicinity of Pleasant river, called on the early plan, Brackett's brook. The view from the pinnacle of Paradise Hill, the road to which goes to Greenwood, and was once the thoroughfare to Portland, is one of the finest, and never fails to excite the admiration of the be holder. It is only about a mile from the Common. The environ ments of this part of the town are clearly seen from this place in the form of a circular wall of mountain, broken only at two or three points by narrow passes, the hill upon which we stand being the center, at the base of which is a valley, within which are swells of land of moderate height, exhibiting every variety of landscape. A mile and a half away, the Androscoggin mi anders sluggishly along, and when the lights and shadows are at their best, and the fleecy clouds float along against the azure sky, the inountain scenery from this elevation is most enchanting. The mountains in Dixfield, Newry, Grafton, Greenwood and Conway are plainly in view. This Paradise Hill is the pride of Bethel Hill people, and no visitor is permitted to go away without visiting it. A ride up the north side of the river, crossing it at the bridge, is enjoyable. A couple of miles from the Moses A. Mason farm, is the farm where Rev. Eli phaz Chapman commenced a clearing a little more than a hundred years ago. The house he built and in which he died, is still stand ing and occupied by his grandson. Near here are the mineral springs, two in number, quite near together yet unlike in character and composition. In ante helium times, Mr. John S. Chapman 13 194 HISTORY OF BETHEL. made an effort to popularize the water of these springs. He gave them the name of Anasagunticook, gave Ellingwood's mountain the same name, built a house, which was dedicated July fourth, eigh teen hundred and fifty-nine, and christened it the same, enlarged it and laid out a large sum of money, but all to little purpose. The war broke out soon after and he enlisted, remained in the south after the war was over, held official positions and suffered many hardships ; was taken sick, came to Bethel and died, and his dust mingles with that of his native town. The water of one of these springs no doubt possesses healing qualities , it being a chalybeate and operating as a mild tonic. The other throws up simply pure, cold water, and with great force, and as a beverage is decidedly prefera ble. If it is desired the trip may be extended through a fine farm ing region to West Bethel, where the river may be crossed at the Ferry, and the return trip be made over Robertson's Hill. A ride from Bethel Hill to Mount Abram, in Greenwood, is worth the while. The route may be made over Paradise Hill, through the Irish neighborhood, or by way of Locke's Mills. If by the former, fine forest views may be seen on the way. Howe Hill is reached with a carriage, but from this point the ascent must be made on foot. The view from the summit is very fine. In the vicinity is a cave where ice remains all the year round, and parties have fre quently enjoyed the luxury of an iced drink here in midsummer. By the side of Twitchell pond, (named for Captain Eleazer Twitch ell,) toward Greenwood city, is an overhanging cliff several hun dreds of feet high, the road passing between the base of the cliff and the pond. These places are not in Bethel, but the road which leads to them is, for much of the way. The Boston artist, Griggs, once painted this cliff and pond with marked effect, and his work was much admired. A pleasant and attractive trip is up Sunday river. The bridge is crossed, pretty Mayville passed, the farms where Deacon Ezra and Captain Eli Twitchell made clearings and built homes, the Locke place known as "Maple Grove" is reached, and then we are on Sunday river. The intervale and river views along the route thus far, are most charming. The only sign of de cay is the Merrill house which must soon succumb to the ravages of time.* Across the river at one point, the Sanborn farm shows beau tifully, like another garden of Eden. The road up Sunday river, alternating with farming land and forest, extends through Newry ''The old ruin has been removed. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 195 to Riley, once called Ketchum. At every point we seem to be sur rounded by impassible mountains, and wonder how we are to get through, but the road winds among them and is very level through the entire distance of ten miles. There is fine trout fishing in Rilej- and beyond, and game, including deer is very plenty. The Albany basins or kettles are within two hours ride of Bethel, on the North Waterford road, and are visited by large numbers of people. The road is quite level and somewhat monotonous. It passes along by the side of Songo pond, and a considerable part of the way is bordered by bushes or woods. The basins or kettles are depressions worn into the solid rock by the action of water, perfect ly formed and some of them of great size. One is twenty-eight feet in diameter, about fifty feet deep. There are at least thirteen of these basins, but they are not uniform in shape, and some of them are quite imperfect. There must have been a time when the volume of water was much greater than now, to bore these immense wells. Similar basins, but on a much smaller scale, may be seen at Chapman's mill above Mayville, and shows the effects of long con tinued action of water upon the solid rock. A delightful trip is down the Androscoggin to Newry Corner, and up Bear river to Grafton notch. Leaving the Sunday river road at Hastings Corner and crossing Sunday river by the covered bridge near its mouth, we pass the Ebenezer Eames place ; the farm once occupied by Peter York and later by Leander Jewett, then on by where the Smiths lived, we cross Bear river near where it flows into the Androscoggin and are in Newry. Bear river is bordered by flue farms, but back of these is the forest primeval. Except on the two rivers the town is mountainous, and for the most part still covered with wood and timber. At the head of the tide is the Poplar tav ern, and a little farther on is the site of Dr. Joshua Fanning's lum ber mill and Screw Augur Falls. Here is a tortuous channel cut down through the solid rock to a depth of about fifty feet through which the river flows. It is a curious piece of nature's work and a view of it well repays a visit. Half a mile above is a singular pas sageway in the river known as the jail. A little farther up is the Grafton pass or notch. On the easterly side of it is Saddleback, and on the westerly, Old Spec, properly Lmcoln Peak. The moun tain scenery here is among the boldest in the State, and in the notch is the head water of Bear river which flows southwardly into the Androscoggin, and of the Cambridge which flows northwardly into Umbagog lake. 196 HISTORY OF BETHEL. We have now passed over most of the roads in town and have taken note of the chief objects of interest by the way, but most of the views described thus far are circumscribed, and necessarily so, because the two parishes into which the town is divided are sepa rated by mountains, and each is nearly surrounded by mountains. From Barker's mountain, which lies mostly in Newry, but its south erly foothills in Bethel, the view is widely extended. This is the highest mountain in Oxford county and far above any of the moun tains in Bethel. From the summit of this mountain the intervales can be seen from Gilead to Middle Interval, and the tortuous course of the river like a silver cord can be traced this whole dis tance. The entire western parish is seen as upon a map, and every principal road aud stream are visible to the unaided eye. The three principal villages, Bethel Hill, West Bethel and Middle Interval are in sight, while from our much greater height. Farewell mountain, Locke mountain and Sparrowhawk appear like mounds or hills of moderate size. From Bethel Hill this mountain seems to be con nected "with Ellingwood's mountain, sometimes called Anasagunti cook, but there is a valley between them of several miles across. No pen picture can do justice to the vistas possible from the sum mit of Barker's mountain ; they must be seen to be understood, and when seen they cannot fail of fllling the observer with wonder and admiration. The mountain observatory is in Newry, but the charm ing landscape views are in picturesque Bethel. On the Middle Interval road a little more than a mile from Bethel Hill, was the residence of the late John Russell, Jr., and here his widow now resides. A few years ago this house was enlarged and improved and fltted up for summer guests. It was given the appro priate name of Riverside cottage, and became a favorite resort of literary people. Lucy Larcom spent several of her summer vaca tions here. There is a beautiful pine grove in the rear of the house with a summer house on its border, and near by is a precipitous cliff , known as "The Ledge." An easy path leads round to the top of this cliff, and from it a charming variety of landscape views are spread out. The fertile valley of the Androscoggin with the river meandering through ; the two villages of Bethel Hill and May ville ; tasty farm buildings located here and there ; the neighboring mountains already described, and in the distance through the gorge formed by the river in its passage through Gilead and Shelburne, the lofty peaks of the White Hills. The display is essentially the na:<:5 5 oo oo a: CO O HISTORY OF BETHEL. I97 same as that from Sunset Rock. It was in this enchanted spot that in the summer of eighteen hundred and seventy-nine, Lucy Larcom composed and wrote the following lines : "ON THE LEDGE. Restored unto life bj- the sun and the breeze ! Rich balsams float down from the resinous trees, Stirring into quick health every pulse of the air. Released once again from imprisoning care. At the gate of green pastures mj- soul lieth free, And to go in or out is refreshment to me. Lo yonder is Paradise ! Softly below, The river that watereth Eden doth flow ! I behold through blue gaps in the mountainous West, Height ascending on height, the abodes of the blest ; And I cannot tell whether to climb were more sweet Than to lap me in beauty spread out at my feet. There sways a white cloud on you loftiest peak ; A wind from beyond it is fanning my cheek ; Thi-ough the oak and the birch glides a musical shiver, A ripple just silvers the dusk of the river. Though I may not know how, each is a part of the whole Perfect flood-tide of peace that is brimming my soul. Here is shelter and outlook, deep rest and wide room ; The pine woods behind breathing balm out of gloom ; Before, the great hills over vast levels lean — A glory of purple, a splendor of green. As a new earth and heaven, ye are mine once again, Ye beautiful meadows and mountains of Maine !"' FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, CHAPTER XIX. Chdeches and Ministees. FiEST Chuech, West Paeish. I HE inhabitants of the town early gave their attention to the establishment of Religious Institutions. Most of them were members of some church when they left their old homes, and by far the greater number of the church members be longed to what was known as the standing order, or Congregational- ists. On account of the loss of the early records we have no infor mation concerning the action of the town upon these matters, but it is quite probable that, as in other towns at that time, the people were taxed to support preaching of the standing order until they were erhancipated from this obligation by an act of the General Court. Ministers frequently came among the settlers, gave them religious instruction and baptized their children, and among them Reverends Coffin, Taft and Fessenden. At a meeting held in the west parish September the eighth, seventeen hundred and ninety- six, an organization was effected, and the following year it was voted to raise one hundred and twenty dollars for the support of preaching the current year, and twenty dollars to defray expenses. In seventeen hundred and ninety-eight, Caleb Bradley came here, taught school for a few months and preached on the Sabbath. He was a candidate for settlement but was not engaged and flnally set tled in Westbrook where he had a long pastorate. In seventeen hundred and ninety-nine. Rev. Daniel Gould came, and he was also a candidate. There was a difference of opinion with regard to en gaging him, but he was favored by a majority and was engaged. After Mr. Gould had preached as a candidate, the parish met and passed the following votes : 1. To give Rev. Daniel Gould a call to settle with them as their pastor. 200 HISTORY OF BETHEL. 2. Voted to give Mr. Gould one hundred and eighty dollars the flrst year, as a salary, and to increase that sum ten dollars a year as long as he should remain with them as their pastor. One-third part was to be paid in money and the other two-thirds in produce from the farm. 3. Voted to give Rev. Daniel Gould the sum of one hundred and flfty dollars, to be paid in labor. Chose Esquire Benjamin Russell, Mr. Amos Gage and Lieut. Ezra Twitchell a committee to treat with Mr. Gould on the above proposals. A true copy. Attest : Joseph Geeenwood, Parish Clerk. Mr. Gould accepted these proposals requesting the Parish to fur nish in addition, a few cords of wood. Previous to installing Mr. Gould, the following persons were or ganized into a church : Bethel, Oct. 7th, 1799. Joseph Greenwood, James Grover, Ezra Twitchell, Zela Holt, Eleazer Twitchell, Asa Kimball, Benj. Russell, Sarah Greenwood, Susanna Twitchell, Mary Greenwood, Mary Russell. Voted unanimously to give the Rev. D. Gould a call to settle and to take the pastoral charge of the church in this place. At an ecclesiastical council convened at the house of Benj. Rus sell, Esq., The Rev. Wm, Fessenden was chosen Moderator and the Rev. Nathan Church, Scribe. 1. Voted, That Mr. Daniel Gould's confession of faith is satis factory, and that nothing appears at present to prevent his installa tion. 2. Upon the Rev. Mr. Gould's exhibiting his church standing, an account of his ordination as an evangelist, and after considering the opposition, unanimously proceed to the installation. 3. Voted to receive the Church in the West Parish in Bethel or ganized by the Rev. Daniel Gould as a sister church. This therefore is to certify that the Rev. Daniel Gould was this day settled over the church and people in said Parish according to gospel order. A true copy. Attest : Nathan Chdech, Scribe. Bethel, Oct. 9th, 1799. This day the Rev. Daniel Gould was admitted into the church and people of the West Parish in said Bethel. The Rev. Nathan HISTORY OF BETHEL. 201 Churcl^of Bridgton made the introductory prayer. The Rev. Wm. Fessenden of Fryeburg, preached from Heb. xiii., 17. The Rev. Joseph Robey of Otisfleld made the installing prayer and gave the charge. The Rev. Nathan Church gave the right hand of fellowship and the Rev. Wm. Fessenden made the concluding prayer. Bethel, April 25th, 1800. Lieut. Ezra Twitchell and Mr. James Grover were made Deacons. Mr. Gould continued as pastor of the Church and Parish till eigh teen hundred and nine, when it was thought advisable to dissolve the relationship existing between them. A council was called May third, eighteen hundred and nine, consisting of Rev. Nathaniel Por ter, Nathan Church, Lincoln Ripley and Lieut. Robert Andrews, Dea. Stephen .Jewett, Dea. Ephraim Chamberlain, ami decided to that effect, which was adopted by the Church, May seventh, eigh teen hundred and nine. From eighteen hundred and nine to eighteen hundred and nine teen, the church was without a pastor. Money was raised every year, and the people supplied with preaching a portion of the time. Among these were Rev. Valentine Little and Rev. Timothy Hilliard. In eighteen hundred and seventeen there was quite an addition to their numbers, and in January an Ecclesiastical Council was held to install Henry Sewall as pastor. Rev. David Thurston preached the sermon. Rev. Noah Cressey made the consecrating prayer. Rev. Wm. Ripley the charge. Rev. Samuel Sewall expressed the Fellow ship of Churches, and Rev. Wm. Thurston made the concluding prayer. The sermon was afterwards printed, a copy of which I now have in my possession. His relation with the people did not prove the most happy, and he was dismissed May eleventh, eigh teen hundred and twenty. Soon after, Mr. Charles Frost, a young man, came to the place as a candidate for settlement, and in Feb ruary, a Council was held, consisting of the following : Rev. Daniel Gould, Dea. Hezekiah Hutchins, John W. EUinwood, Bro. Ammi E. Mitchell, Rev. Josiah G. Merrill, Wm. Spurr, Rev. Asa Cum mings, Jacob Mitchell, Rev. John A. Douglass, Moses Treadwell, Rev. Joseph Walker, Daniel Stowell, Rev. Allen Greely, Martin Bradford, John T. Smith, Aaron Beamen. Rev. Mr. Merrill made the introductory prayer. Rev. John W. EUinwood preached the ser- 202 HISTORY OF BETHEL. mon. Rev. Allen Greely made the ordaining prayer. Rev. v Daniel Gould gave the charge. Rev. Joseph Walker gave the right hand of fellowship. Rev. Asa Cummings gave the charge to the people, Rev. John A. Douglass made the concluding prayer The sermon was printed, of which I have a copy. Mr. Frost commenced his ministry under favorable auspices, and he continued its successful pastor till his death in eighteen hundred and flfty, a period of thirty years. During his ministry one hundred and sixty-six persons united with the church. The church and so ciety, as soon as convenient, made arrangements for a successor to Mr. Frost. An invitation was extended to the Rev. John H. M. Leland of Amherst, Mass., to become their pastor. A council was held July second, eighteen hundred and fifty, for that purpose and on the following day Mr. Leland was installed. The following was the order of exercises : Rev. J. S. Gray, invocation and reading of the scriptures ; Eliphalet S. Hopkins, introductory prayer ; Wm. T. Dwight, D. D., sermon; J. W. Chickering, D. D., installing prayer and charge ; George T. Tewksbury, right hand of Fellowship ; G. E. Adams, D. D., address to the people ; Rev. David Garland, concluding prayer. Benediction by the pastor. Mr. Leland con tinued Pastor for nearly three years, during which time the church became better organized and efficient as a body, but for various rea sons he concluded to ask a dismission, which was granted by a council. May tenth, eighteen hundred and fifty-three. In March following, the Church and Society extended an invita tion to Rev. Edwin A. Buck to become their Pastor, which being accepted, he was ordained May thirty-first, eighteen hundred and fifty-four. The order of exercises was as follows : Invocation and reading of the scripture. Rev. David Garland ; introductory prayer. Rev. L. Rood ; Sermon, G. E. Adams, D. D. ; ordaining prayer, Rev. Mark Gould ; charge to the pastor. Rev. David Sewall ; fellow ship of the church, H. D. Walker, East Abington, Massachusetts ; address to the people, A. S. Loring ; concluding prayer, D. Good hue. Benediction by the pastor. Mr. Buck commenced his labors as pastor under favorable auspices. He labored earnestly to advance the interests of his church and people. His pastoral visits, to which he devoted much time, were made over a large extent of territory. During his min istry, forty-one persons united with the church, mostly by profes sion. His labors here were too severe for so slender a constitution HISTORY OF BETHEL 203 and he received a dismission from an ecclesiastical council held Sept. twenty-first, eighteen hundred and fifty-eight, and settled in Slatersville, Rhode Island. The last sermon preached in the old meeting house situated on the banks of the river was in February, eighteen hundred and forty- eight, by Rev. Charles Frost, from the text, "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us." Ministees. The following is a complete list of ministers of the First Congre gational church in the West Parish, since its organization October seventh, seventeen hundred and ninety-nine, to the present time. The names of ministers who supplied for only a short time are not included in this list. Rev. Daniel Gould, Pastor, from Oct. 9, 1799, till May 3, 1809. Rev. Valentine Little, Acting Pastor, from 1809 to 1815. Rev. Timothy Hilliard, Acting Pastor, from 1816 to 1817. Rev. Henry Sewall, Pastor, from July 20, 1819, to May 11, 1820. Rev. Charles Frost, Pastor, from Feb. 20, 1822, to Feb. 11, 1850. Rev. John H. M. Leland, Pastor, from July 2, 1860, to May 10, 1853. Rev. Edwin A. Buck, Pastor, from May 31, 1854, till Sept. 21, 1858. Rev. John B. Wheelwright, Acting Pastor, from April 17, 1859, to March, 1867. Rev. Eugene H. Titus, Acting Pastor, from March 1, 1868, till June 1, 1869, and from this time Pastor, till Dec. 6, 1870. Rev. Nahum W. Grover, Acting Pastor, from Jan. 1, 1874, till June, 1875. Rev. Charles L. Mills, Acting Pastor, from June 1, 1877, till Aug., 1878. Rev. S. L. Bowler, Acting Pastor, from June 1, 1879, and Pas tor, from Oct. 30, 1879, till June, 1885. Rev. D. Warren Hardy, Aug., 1885. Deacons. The following shows the Deacons of the church since its organi zation, with date of their election : Ezra Twitchell, April 25, 1800. •204 HISTORY OF BETHEL. James Grover. April 25, 1800. Samuel Barker, Oct. 4, 1805. Timothy Carter, July 7, 1817. Robbins Brown, Apr. 30, 1829. Leonard Grover, May, 1845. Elbridge Chapman, July 15, 1845. Joshua Fanning, January, 1859. Josiah Brown, 2d, June 30, 1866. Samuel W. Kilbourne, July 3, 1872. Nathaniel T. True, April 11, 1878. Edward P. Grover, March 4, 1880. Josiah U. Purington, March 4, 1880. Timothy H. Chapman, January, 1890. Edward C. Chamberlain, January, 1890. Following is a list of the names of those who were members of the first Congregational church in Bethel in eighteen hundred and eighty. A few of them were non-resident : Nathaniel Barker, Leonard Grover, Mrs. John A. Twitchell, Peter Grover, Francis Barker, Mrs. Laura Young, Mrs. Robert A. Chapman, Mrs. Joshua Chase, Mrs. Silas Grover, Miss Ruth Messer, Samuel A. Lyon, Artemas Mason, Mrs. Barbara A. Wight, Baxter A. Lyon, David F. Brown, Mrs. Nancy Brown, Robert A. Chapman, Mrs. Cynthia Russell, Almon Grover, Mrs. Olive Grover, Mrs. Caleb Rowe, Newton Grover, Wm. L. Grover, Mary M. Grover, D. Milton Grover, Hannibal Grover, Caroline T. Grover, Catharine Grover, Francis S. Chapman, Albert L. Burbank, Mrs. Robbins Brown, Charles Brown, Eli M. Barker, James L. Dillaway, Delphia King, Octavia Rowe, E. T. Russell, Frank Russell, Pinckney Burnham, Samuel D. Philbrook, Cullen F. Walker, Abby Hapgood, HISTORY OF BETHEL. 205 Mrs. John Grover, Mrs. Nancy Barker, Benjamin Spaulding, Mrs. Abigail Grover, Mrs. Hester A. York, Miss Salome G. Twitchell, Nathaniel T. True, Mrs. Susannah W. True, Miss Anstress Cross, Daniel Grover, Alfred Twitchell, Freeman Bean, Edmund E. Holt, Mrs. Edmund E. Holt, Miss Lucretia Bean, A. W. Hanson, Geo. H. Young, Mrs. Stephen Holt, Mrs. Albert L. Burbank, Mrs. Lois Frye, Alfred M. True, Miss Ella F. Lyon, Moses F. Libby, Etta B. Libby, Samuel S. Stanley, Mrs. Mary Chapman, Lucinda S. Godwin, Mary Cummings, Amanda A. Frye, Caroline E. Grover, Lottie Bridge, Mrs. N. A. Harris, Miranda B. Mason, Wm. R. Godwin, Alice B. Grover, Flora Foster, Mrs. Lucy A. Russell, Mrs. Thomas E. Twitchell, Rebecca R. Chandler, Mrs. Hannah Chandler, Mrs. Enoch Poster, Mrs. H. S. Cummings, Rachel Mason, Edmund P. Grover, Henry C. Barker, Kate H. Barker, Mary E. Twitchell, Mrs. Oilman Chapman, Woodsom Mason, Mrs. Woodsom Mason, Mrs. Agnes M. Twitchell, Mrs. Susan J. Brooks, Mrs. George B. Farnsworth, Samuel W. Kilburn, Mrs. Sarah Kilburn, Miss Fannie A. Kilburn, Charles J. Chapman, William Foot, Sabina K. Dillaway, Anna F. Kimball, Corosana B. Burnham, Lydia A. Burnham, Mrs. Francetta Purington, Josiah U. Purington, Kate A. Davis, Laura C. Hall, Lora H. Loud, Mrs. Ellen M. Barker, Mrs. Nancy E. Burnham, Elberta E. Burnham, Mattie M. Burnham, Lizzie E. Lane, Enoch W. Woodbury, Sarah L. Woodbury, Enoch Foster, Jr., Mrs. Sarah H. Grover, Mrs. Miranda H. Town, Mrs. Abby H. Godwin, May E. Robertson, Joshua G. Rich, 206 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Sarah E. Leavitt, Mrs. M. M. Rich, Sarah L. Hall, Hiram H. Wilson, Mrs. Samuel A. M. Grover, Mrs. Mary O. Wilson, Abner Davis, Florilla Richardson, Mrs. Sarah F. Davis, George H. Brown, Emily E. Davis, Mrs. Carrie A. Brown, Mary J. Chapman, Flora C. Richardson, Gilbert Chapman, John A. Morton, Phebe A. Chapman, Fannie A. Holt, Mrs. Ellen O. Chase, Mary L. Grover. Second Congeegational Chuech. There was dissatisfaction at the removal of the church edifice from the river bank to Bethel Hill, which at first found expression in words and then in action. There had always been an inconven ience in being obliged to cross the river by means of a ferry boat to attend church, when the church was on the opposite bank, and there were times in the spring of the year and during freshets, when the river was impassable. When the church was moved to the Hill, in volving a half a mile more travel in reaching it, the people on the north side of the river demurred. In September of eighteen hun dred and forty-eight, a petition was presented to the parent church by those living on the north side, asking for a separate organiza tion. A vote was taken and the request granted by a large major ity. An ecclesiastical council was called in accordance with the vote, on the thirty-first day of January, eighteen hundred and forty- nine. The council was composed of the following persons : Ministers, Revs. Isaac Rogers, Joseph Smith, Simeon Hackett, Carlton Hurd, Jotham Sewall, Jr. and Calvin Chapman. Delegates, John Barker, Stephen Cobb and Benjamin R. Page. Rev. Isaac Rogers was chosen Moderator, and Rev. Calvin Chapman, Scribe. The coun cil complied with the request of the petitioners and organized them into a separate church. At a meeting held by the church on the tenth day of February, Mr. Leander Jewett was chosen moderator of the meeting. Mr. Barbour Bartlett was chosen clerk of the church. Mr. Nathan F. Twitchell and Edmund Chapman were chosen deacons. The church edifice at Mayville was erected for the accommodation of the new church. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 207 Rev. Caleb Bbadley. Parson Bradley, as he was generally called, was never settled in Bethel, but he came here and taught school, and preached here with the idea of settling, before Mr. Gould came. He was the son of Dea. Amos and Elizabeth (Page) Bradley, and was born in Dracut, Massachusetts, March twelfth, seventeen hundred and seventy-two. His great grandmother on the maternal side was the famous Han nah (Emerson) Dustin, who was captured by the Indians, taken to Pennacook (Concord, N. H.,) where she slew her captors, and then returned to her home at Haverhill. Mr. Bradley graduated from Harvard College in seventeen hundred and ninety-five, and came to Maine that year. He spent some time in Saco, and about the year seventeen hundred and ninety-eight, he came to Bethel. For some reason not now known, he did not receive a call to settle here, and after a few months stay he went to Falmouth. In seventeen hun dred and ninety-nine he received a call from the original fourth par ish church in Falmouth, to become its pastor, and was inducted into that office in October of that year. He married two years after. Miss Sarah Crocker, who died in eighteen hundred and twenty-one, and he then married Mrs. Susanna (Webb) Partridge of Sacca- rappa. She also died, and he married Mrs. Abigail (Loring) Cod- man. He lived in the same house at Libby's Corner until his death, which took place June second, eighteen hundred and sixty-one, he being eighty-nine years of age. Mr. Bradley bought the place of Thomas Webster in the year eighteen hundred. It was not a new house when he bought it, but it is still standing in a good state of preservation. Mr. Bradley was noted for his sociability, and was distinguished for his wit. He was a man of piety, and honest in his convictions. His remains repose in Evergreen cemetery by the side of those of his first wife, Sarah Crocker, whom he survived forty years. Rev. Eliphaz Chapman. Rev. Eliphaz Chapman was never settled over any church in this town, but he preached a number of years at Madbury, New Hamp shire, and at other places before he came here. Here he engaged largely in farming, and was the founder of one of the most numer ous and distinguished families in town. He was a descendant of Edward Chapman who came from the northeast of England quite early, and settled at Ipswich, Massachusetts. He was a miller, and 208 HISTORY OF BETHEL. in sixteen hundred and forty-two, married Mary, daughter of Mark Symonds. Rev. Eliphaz Chapman was the son of Samuel Chap man, and was born at Newmarket, New Hampshire, March seventh, seventeen hundred and fifty. He married secondly, Hannah, daugh ter of Timothy Jackman of Newbury, who was the mother of his children. The name of his first wife who died soon after their mar riage, was Sarah Hutchins. He was the ninth in a family of twelve children. His brother Edmund settled in Freeport and died early, when his widow married James Rogers. Eliphaz Chapman's second wife was born July twenty-fourth, seventeen hundred and fifty- three, and they were married in seventeen hundred and seventy-two. He attended the schools of his town and studied for the ministry under the tutorship of Rev. Moses Bradford of Methuen. He preached at Madbury and then at Methuen for about fifteen years. He owned a small farm in Methuen which he sold when he came to Bethel. He came to Bethel in seventeen hundred and eighty-nine, purchased a farm on the north side of the river, where his son, Tim othy Chapman afterwards lived, felled trees and sowed winter rye. He then returned to Methuen, and the following spring came back, accompanied by his son Eliphaz, and built a house on the spot where the Indians had lived and grown corn, the hills of which could then be seen. This was the first clearing on the north side of the river above the Moses A. Mason place. Their oldest daughter, Hannah, was left behind till the next year, for the purpose of learn ing the trade of a tailoress, which would be absolutely necessary in a new country. She found abundant employment on coming to Bethel, which she did on horseback the next year. The appearance of this portion of the town as it existed in seventeen hundred and ninety, thus described by the late Dea. George Chapman, son of Rev. Eliphaz Chapman, who came here that year at the age of ten years. The whole country was an unbroken forest, save where it was in terrupted by small openings. On the north side of the river. Col. Eli Twitchell had a small clearing where Curatio Bartlett once lived ; Dea. Ezra Twitchell where Alphin Twitchell afterwards lived ; Capt. Eleazer Twitchell where Moses A. Mason now lives, and Rev. Ebphaz Chapman where Timothy Chapman lived. On the south side, the largest opening was that of Lieut. Clark which Mr. Albert L. Burbank now owns. Then that of Abraham Russell on the Grout farm, so-called, on the west side of Alder river, and Greely REV. ELIPHAZ CHAPMAN HOUSE, HISTORY OF BETHEL. 209 Swan where William W. Mason now lives. These were the princi pal openings at that time. The following description of their log house as described by Dea con George W. Chapman, his son, may be novel to the young. The house was made of second growth poplars which grew on the Indian clearings to a great height and very straight. These were hewed on two sides and laid together. The house at first consisted of but one room, but some boards were afterwards obtained and a room par titioned off for the girls. The father and mother slept in the prin cipal room, while the boys climbed up the ladder into the garret. The fireplace consisted of some rocks placed in one corner. The chimney only came down to the chamber floor and was made by crossed sticks plastered with clay. Some loose boards were laid down for a floor. These in a short time became so warped as to render it inconvenient for walking, and was the cause of a serious accident. Mrs. Chapman had brought with her from Massachu setts some beautiful crockery which was nicely arranged on the dresser ; but accidentally while walking across the floor, she stum bled, and thereby threw down her crockery and broke the whole of it. She could not have been blamed if under such circumstances she did give vent to her feelings in tears. During the flrst winter they could get no grinding done at the mill, and they were obliged to live on hulled corn, stewed peas and bean porridge. As soon as they could have some cows they lived well. Their cows found a plenty of forage on the intervales, although garlic was so abundant as to affect their milk, which unpleasant flavor they avoided by eat ing an onion before taking the milk. They succeeded in raising bountiful crops and by cutting timber and selling it they were able to purchase a yoke of oxen and two cows from Brunswick. They also obtained some sheep and put them on the islands in the river. After a few years he built the house where his son Timothy Chapman lived and died. He was chosen as the first representative from Bethel to the Massachusetts legislature. This was in eighteen hundred and eight, and he was chosen for three successive years. He was a Justice of Peace and did considerable business in that capacity. He was evidently a man of considerable ability. He published two sermons on the Prophe cies in seventeen hundred and ninety-nine, which were characteristic of the theology of his day. He died of consumption in eighteen hundred and fourteen, aged sixty-four years, and was buried iu the 14 210 HISTORY OF BETHEL. cemetery on the north side of the river. He preached occasionally in the adjoining towns but was never settled over any society after coming into Maine. Rev. Daniel Gould. Rev. Daniel Gould was born in Topsfield, Mass., Dec. eighth, seventeen hundred and fifty-three. He was the son of Daniel and Lucy (Tarbox) Gould, and the flfth in descent from Zaccheus Gould, who was born in England about flfteen hundred and eighty- nine, came to this country in sixteen hundred and thirty-eight, and settled in Topsfleld. He graduated at Harvard College, and before entering college, and while a student at Dummer Academy he served a term in the Continental army. Returning, he studied Theology with Rev. Mr. Moody of Byefield. He was admitted to the church in Topsfield, Dec. seventh, seventeen hundred and eighty-three. He came to Bethel and preached as a candidate in seventeen hun dred and ninety-eight and nine, and was installed as the first settled minister in Bethel in October, seventeen hundred and ninety-nine. He remained here until eighteen hundred and fifteen, when, having received a call, he became the pastor of the church in Rumford and moved there. He was installed as such May thirty-first, eighteen hundred and fifteen. He brought the flrst chaise into Bethel, and was himself a conspicuous flgure in his cocked hat, black silk gown and breeches which was the ministrial dress of that day. He was very social in his habits and popular with all classes. His fund of anecdotes was inexhaustible. He wrote his sermons, and when reading them held the manuscript near his eyes. In his will he left a small sum to Bethel Academy, on the condition that the institu tion should take his name, which was agreed to by the trustees. An oil portrait, said to be a correct likeness, has also been presented to the Academy by Miss Mary Hurd of Topsfield, a niece of Mr. Gould. Mr. Gould married for his first wife, Dec. twenty-fourth, seventeen hundred and eighty-two, Mary, eldest daughter of George Booth of Hillsborough, N. H. She died October first, seventeen hundred and eighty-five. They had one daughter Molly, born Sep tember twenty-eighth, seventeen hundred and eighty-five, and died the December following. December twenty-fifth, seventeen hun dred and eighty-eight, he married Mrs. Eunice Perley, daughter of Stephen Foster of Andover, Mass., and relict of Jeremiah Perley of Topsfield. She came with him to Maine and died in this town. REV, DANIEL GOULD, AT 85. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 211 She had no children. For a third wife Mr. Gould married Mrs. Anna Poor, widow of Capt Abner Rawson of Paris, who survived Mr. Gould many years, residing in her native town of Andover, Maine. Mr. Gould's ministry in this town does not appear to have been altogether a happy one. Influences that were brought to bear against him at the time of his settlement seemed to increase during his ministry in Bethel. He continued as pastor till eighteen hun dred and nine, when he was dismissed. Still the town is much in debted to Mr. Gould for the character of its inhabitants. He opened a school for young men in his own house, where they could resort and flt for college or for a profession. Many who have since distinguished themselves, availed themselves of his instruction. In this way he developed the educational interests of the town far be yond that of most towns at that time. Many anecdotes are told of him during his residence in Bethel, though few of them are worthy of record. It is said that one of his hearers expostulated with him for making such long prayers in church. "Well, then, if you are tired, sit down," was his reply. As a neighbor he was peaceable. On a certain occasion he had lost his corn, and though he had the strongest presumptive evidence who was the thief, he refused to move a step, but simply replied, "He will be his own greatest tormentor." On a certain occasion a parishioner came to him to pay his tax, but not being able to advance the money, it was proposed that he should give his note, ^s Mr. Gould commenced writing. For value received, "That is not true," said the parishioner, "I have not re ceived any value." Mr. G, instead of being offended, laughed heartily and gave him his tax, as he belonged to another denomina tion. With his chaise, the flrst in town, he certainly had advan tages over his less fortunate people. The social element was strong in him, and his fund of anecdotes was inexhaustible. On a certain occasion he was present at a "raising," and as was the custom of the day, he made a prayer just before the broadsides were erected. After the building was up and the toddy passed round, he turned to the owner, who was a young married man, and proposed a senti ment : "May you live and enjoy many years of prosperity, and, I like to have said, may you have a hundred children." In making his will he made a bequest to the academy in Bethel, on condition that it should be named after him. Unfortunately, but a part of 212 HISTORY OF BETHEL. what was supposed to belong to the institution was ever realized. The fund so received is to be devoted to the purpose of paying the teacher for his services. He lived in Bethel in the house built by Lieut. Jonathan Clark, which is still standing. He married for his third wife widow Anna Rawson of Paris, who still survives him and resides in Andover, Maine. He never had any children. For some time previous to his death he was totally blind. Mr. Gould departed this life very sud denly, while sitting at the table at dinner, May twenty-first, eigh teen hundred and forty-two, aged eighty-eight years. The writer of this volume has in his possession one of Mr. Gould's manuscript sermons, said to be the first one ever preached by him. It is -«'rit- ten in a very plain, round hand on a page about three by five inches. Mr Gould was a man of excellent character, and is still referred to with respect and reverence by the elderly people of Rumford, though he has been dead nearly half a century. His second wife died Aug. twenty-first, eighteen hundred and thirty, and was buried at Rumford Center. Rev. Chaeles Feost. The history of every town presents the character of some men who have held a prominent position in the affairs of church and State for many years. Such was the case in the biography of the man in this chapter. Rev. Charles Frost was born in Limerick, Maine, January twelfth, seventeen hundred and ninety-six. He was the son of Moses Frost, who was born June third, seventeen hundred and sixty-six, and of Sally McKenney, who was born March tenth, seventeen hundred and sixty-six. They were united in marriage April fifteenth, seven teen hundred and ninety. They had nine children, among whom Charles was the fourth. Mr. Frost spent a portion of his earlier years in Gorham, Maine, when attending the academy. He studied with reference to the ministry under the Rev. Asa Rand, pastor of the Congregationalist church in Gorham, and was licensed to preach by the Cumberland Association at a meeting held at Gorham, November fourteenth, eighteen hundred and twenty. From a diary which he kept for sev eral years during the flrst part of his ministry, it appears that he preached his flrst sermon in Bethel, flve days after he received his license, November nineteenth, eighteen hundred and twenty. His ill, 1 rf REV. CHARLES FROST, HISTORY OF BETHEL. 213 text was in Hebrews, ninth chapter, twenty-seventh verse. One who was present on that occasion described him as a young man of twenty-four years of age, youthful in appearance and exceedingly modest in demeanor, who at flrst sight would not have impressed strangers in his favor, but who soon obtained a strong hold upon the affections of the people with whom he had come to labor. After supplying the desk six Sabbaths he returned to Gorham, where he continued to preach, and at other places, till March twenty-fifth, when he again returned to Bethel where he continued his labors till his death. At a legal meeting of the Congregationalist church in the West Parish of Bethel, held November fifth, eighteen hundred and twenty- one, it was voted to extend an invitation to Mr. Charles Frost to become pastor of said church. A council was called, which met at the house of Dea. Samuel Barker, consisting of the following per sons : Rumford — Rev. Daniel Gould, Dea. Hezekiah Hutchins. Bath— Rev. John W. Ellingwood, Ammi R. Mitchell. Otisfield — Rev. Josiah G. Merrill, Wm. Spurr. No. Yarmouth — Rev. Asa Cummings, Dea. Jacob Mitchell. Waterford — Rev. A. Douglass, Dea. Moses Treadwell. Paris — Rev. Joseph Walker, Dea. Daniel Stowell. Turner — Rev. Allen Greely, Dea. Martin Bradford. Gorham — John T. Smith. Bridgton — Aaron Beaman. It is worthy of remark that a long journey was necessary to reach Bethel through the woods in those days. The ordination was held in the meeting house, February twentieth, eighteen hundred and twenty-two. The sermon was delivered by Rev. John W. Ellingwood of Bath. The minister immediately entered upon his labors as pastor. He had discriminating minds among his people, and a society that was reg ular in its attendance upon his ministry. With a theological library of limited size, he was compelled to draw his arguments more directly from the Bible itself, which gave a simple yet effective style to his preaching. He always had a large attendance and among them were many who were among the oldest settlers in the town, while a large number consisted of young people, who presented a most interesting appearance at that time. It was an audience of more than ordinary intellectual character. His appearance in th'e desk was solemn. He arrested the attention of his hearers by a clear and argumentative exposition of his subject, which he divided and subdivided so as to be easily comprehended. On one occasion he commenced his sermon by introducing his peroration or close of 214 HISTORY OF BETHEL. his sermon first. This was done in the moSt impressive manner, and a deathlike stillness reigned over the house. He then proceeded with his text and argument, and dismissed his audience, who could not fail to be strongly impressed with his subject. During his ministry the church received additions from year to year, but it was in the year eighteen hundred and thirty-nine, when there was a powerful revival, and many individuals, embracing a large number of intelligent and interesting young people united with the church. During his ministry one hundred and twenty-nine per sons united with the church. His relations with the church were generally pacific until the year eighteen hundred and forty-eight, when it was decided to build a new church in the village, and form a new society on the north side of the river. Though he took but a secondary part in the matter it seriously affected him. His health, which was never very strong, began to give way. Dyspep sia was a troublesome attendant on him. During the year eighteen hundred and forty-nine, he lost two of his children from ship fever, which had been introduced into his family, and the other members, together with himself, were sufferers from it, from which he never recovered. He died February eleventh, eighteen hundred and fifty, after a successful ministry over the same church for twenty-eight years. His funeral was attended by a large and mourning congre gation of those who had grown up under his ministry. A sermon was preached by his co-laborer for about the same length of time, Rev. .John Douglass of Waterford. He was married May eleventh, eighteen hundred and nineteen, to Miss Lydia Fernald, who was born February twenty-second, seventeen hundred and eighty-seven, and died August twenty-seventh, eighteen hundred and twenty-five. He was again married to Miss Lucinda M. S. Smith, who was born in Scarborough, December nineteenth, seventeen hundred and nine ty-four, and died in Bethel, November twelfth, eighteen hundred and fifty-nine. Mr. Frost exerted a powerful influence for the good of his peo ple. In the church and in the educational interests of the town he was always ready to give his time and influence. His mind was rather inclined to a mathematical exactness in everything to which he directed his attention. Geometry was with him a favorite study, and he rightly judged it a valuable study for every young person who would cultivate precision in their mental operations. In per son he was of medium height. His hair had become gray and his HISTORY OF BETHEL 215 eye was quite expressive. His voice was slightly tremulous, which rather gave effect to his public performances. He was remarkably uniform in his whole course of life, being neither greatly elated by success or depressed by discouragements. He commenced his labors over a society that had been but little favored with a settled minister for a period of eleven years, but by his uniform course of action he left it among the largest in this part of the State. His counsel was sought after among his brethren in the ministry, and respected. Cautious, though not over and above conservative, his opinion was ever valuable. A man who has the ability to direct the spiritual interests of a church and society so long, is worthy of no ordinary record, and his name is passed down to posterity as one who was honored by those who best knew him. Rev. ,Iohn H. M. Leland. He was born in Amherst, Mass., graduated at Amherst College and at Andover Theological Seminary, and was ordained at Sher burn, Massachusetts. Soon after the death of Mr. Frost, an invi tation was extended to Mr. Leland to be his successor. He accepted and was installed pastor of the church and parish July third, eighteen hundred and flfty. He remained till May tenth, eighteen hundred and flfty-three, when he was dismissed aud returned to Massachusetts. He afterwards resided at Amherst. Rev. Edwin A. Buck. He was the son of James Buck of Bucksport, and was born in that town. May thirty-flrst, eighteen hundred and twenty-four. After fitting for college at the academy in Andover, he graduated at Yale College in eighteen hundred and forty-nine, and at Bangor Theological Seminary in eighteen hundred and fifty-two. He was ordained in Bethel, May twentieth, eighteen hundred and flfty-four, and settled as pastor over the First Congregational church. He continued in this relation till February, eighteen hundred and flfty- nine, when he was dismissed. He was married to Miss Elmira R., daughter of Dean Walker, who was born in Aruendel county, Md., December ninth, eighteen hundred and twenty-flve. They were married January nineteenth, eighteen hundred and flfty-three. Soon after his dismissal from Bethel, he removed to Slatersville, R. I., where he became pastor of a church. 216 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Rev. John B. Wheelweight. Rev. John B. Wheelwright is a lineal descendant of that Rev. John Wheelwright who was the classmate of Oliver Cromwell, came to this country, was flrst at Boston, then was one of the founders of Exeter, New Hampshire, and subsequently came to Wells and col lected a church there. The descent is John', SamueP, Joseph% Joseph\ Aaron% Ebenezei-% to John B.' who was born in Wells, Maine, December thirteenth, eighteen hundred and twenty. He fltted for college at Kennebunk and at Kent's Hill, and graduated from Colby University, then Waterville College, in eighteen hun dred and forty-four. He married Helen A. Barton of Sidney. He was pastor of the church in Bethel from eighteen hundred and flfty- nine to eighteen hundred and sixty-seven, covering the period of the great rebellion. He has since been settled at South Paris and in Deering. He now resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They have had two children, -a daughter deceased, and a son, .John 0. P- Wheelwright, who is a prosperous lawyer in Minneapolis. Rev. Stephen L. Bowlee. Rev. Stephen Longfellow Bowler was born in Palermo, Me., July twenty-flfth, eighteen hundred and twenty. He fltted for college in part at Kent's Hill, and in part at home, and graduated from Water ville College with the class of eighteen hundred and forty-seven. After graduating, he spent a couple of years in teaching and then commenced the study of medicine under the tutorship of Doctor McRuer of Bangor. In eighteen hundred and forty-nine, he at tended medical lectures at Castleton, Vermont, and later took a course in the medical department of Harvard College. He then entered the Bangor Theological Seminary, from which he was grad uated in eighteen hundred and flfty-two. He was ordained at Machias, January flfth, eighteen hundred and flfty-three. He sub sequently settled in Orono, where. May twelfth, eighteen hundred and flfty-eight, he was married to Miss Augusta J. Colburn of that town. In eighteen hundred and sixty-three, he entered the service of the United States Christian Commission and became the superin tendent of its work at Washington. He was subsequently appointed general agent for the State of Maine, and organized the work in each county. He edited a part of the history of the commission. Soon after the war closed, he accepted a call to settle in Hampden, REV. DAVID GARLAND. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 217 where he remained six years, and since that time he has continued his labors in the ministry at Saccarappa, Machias, Bethel, Berlin Falls, New Hampshire, and at Robbinston, Maine. He came to the First Congregational church in Bethel in eighteen hundred and seventy-nine, and remained six years. Rev. Nahum W. Geovee. Nahum Wesley Grover is the son of Andrew Grover, and was born in Bethel in eighteen hundred and thirty-flve. He graduated from Bowdoin College in the class of eighteen hundred and sixty- four, and from the Theological Seminary at Bangor, three years later. He was pastor of a church in Mantorville, Minnesota, at Topsham, Maine, in Bethel and in Colebrook, New Hampshire. He married in eighteen hundred and sixty-seven, at Bangor, Fannie E. Osgood of that city. Rev. Daniel W. Haedy. Rev. Daniel Warren Hardy was born in Wilton, Maine, July twenty-fourth, eighteen hundred and thirty-four. He was educated in the common school, at Farmington Academy and at Bowdoin Col lege. He entered college with the class of eighteen hundred and sixty-one, and remained two years. He then studied medicine and graduated from the Maine Medical School in eighteen hundred and sixty-three. He was then appointed surgeon of the thirty-seventh Regiment of United States colored troops, and served through the remainder of the war. He was breveted Lieutenant Colonel, United States Volunteers, March fourth, eighteen hundred and sixty-seven. He graduated from the Bangor Theological Seminary in eighteen hundred and seventy-one, and preached two years at Presque Isle. He became acting pastor of the Congregational church in Bethel, August flrst, eighteen hundred and eighty-five, and still remains here. Rev. David Gaeland. Rev. David Garland was the fourth son of Dea. John Garland of Newfield, Maine, and was born March twenty-second, eighteen hun dred and fifteen. He graduated from Amherst College in eighteen hundred and forty-three, and from Andover Theological Seminary in eighteen hundred and forty-six. His first labor in the ministry was at South Solon, then a year in Sweden, Maine, and a year at 218 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Burlington, Massachusetts. He commenced his labors with the Second Congregational church in Bethel, in April, eighteen hundred and forty-nine, and was ordained pastor on the fifteenth day of August following. He was the flrst and only pastor of the Second church, and labored diligently as such until the time of his death, a period of nearly forty years. The council called to assist and ad vise in the service was composed of the following individuals : Bethel — Rev. Charles Frost, Josiah Brown ; Rumford — Rev. Eli phalet Hopkins, Otis C. Bolster ; Norway— Rev. Charles Packard ; Turner— Rev. John Dodd ; Albany— Rev. Charles F. Tewksbury and J. H. Lovejoy ; Sweden — Rev. John Foster and Doctor Nathan Bradbury ; North Bridgton — Rev. Z. M. Harris and Moses Gould ; Waterford— Rev. John A. Douglass and Amos Gage ; Portland- Rev. John W. Chickering. The following persons performed his ordination services : Invocation and reading the scriptures, Elipha let S. Hopkins; Introductory prayer. Rev. Charles Packard; Ser mon, Rev. John W. Chickering ; Ordaining prayer. Rev. John A. Douglass ; Charge to the pastor. Rev. Charles Frost ; Fellowship of the churches. Rev. L. W. Harris ; Address to the people. Rev. I. Dodd ; Concluding prayer. Rev. J. P. Foster ; Benediction, the pastor. On the seventeenth day of September, eighteen hundred and forty-nine, he was married by Rev. John J. Carruthers, D. D., -of Portland, to Miss Mary E., daughter of Thaddeus and Sukey (Barker) Twitchell of Bethel, who died January twenty-third, eigh teen hundred and sixty-seven, and he married secondly, Mary Jane Baker. Mr. Garland was the faithful and beloved pastor of the church as long as he lived. He worked for small pay and eked out his salary by serving on the board of superintending school com mittee and by cultivating a small piece of land. He was methodical in his habits and a hard-working man. During his pastorate he attended seventy sessions of the county conference, out of seventy- four, united in marriage, one hundred and ninety-flve couples, and attended over flve hundred funerals. He was a genial, companion able man, a good citizen, an accommodating and obliging neighbor and a true friend. Without guile himself, he trusted others, and in one instance he lost nearly all his little accumulations by misplaced confldence. He died very suddenly in his pulpit while attending upon his regular Sunday services, October sixteenth, eighteen hun dred and eighty-four. After his death, the church had a supply for a short time, but July sixth, eighteen hundred and ninety, the sec- HISTORY OF BETHEL. 219 ond church voted to disband, and its members united with the church at Bethel Hill. The bridge across the Androscoggin had removed all objections to reunion, and the people had come to learn that one strong church organization, other things being equal, is preferable to two weak ones. The Baptists. Among the early settlers were some whose sympathies were with the Calvinist Baptists, and occasionally ministers of this denomina tion came here to visit them and preach on Sunday. Some of those also, who were not satisfled with the settlement of Rev. Daniel Gould, left the denomination and affiliated with the Baptists. Among those ministers who early visited here were Elder James Hooper from Paris, Elder John Tripp from Hebron and Elder Na thaniel Chase from Buckfleld. In seventeen hundred and ninety- flve, September fourteen, a church was organized, and Rev. John Chadbourne preached here, but there was no increase. At the end of seven years the membership was reduced to two. Rev. Benja min Cole from Pejepscot came and preached here in eighteen hun dred, and two years later, three were added to the church. May twenty-ninth, eighteen hundred and three, the church consisted of six members, and for the first time, partook of the Lord's supper. The next year the church enjoyed a special revival. Large num bers were added, and the day of small numbers existed no longer. In eighteen hundred and five, an act of incorporation was asked for and granted as follows : "An Act to incorporate a number of the inhabitants of the Town of Bethel Town of Newry and Plantation of Howard's Gore, (so-called) in tlie county of Oxford into a Keligious society, by the Name of the First Baptist Society in Bethel. Sect. 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives, iu General court assembled, and by the authority of the same. That Asa K'im- ball, John Kilgore, Jr., Stephen Eastes, Ithiel Smith, Jr., John Kilgore, Samuel Ayer, Ephraim Powers, Samuel Gosson, Joseph Ayer, Jonathan Smith, Samuel Kilgore, Daniel Bean, Ebenezer Bean, Moses Mason, Thomas Stearns, Asa Poster, Jonathan Clark, William Eussell, Isaac Towne, Napthali Coffin, Jesse Bean, David Coffin, "Walter Mason, Paul Morse, Joseph Farrar, Betsy Clark and Enoch Bartlett with their families and estates, be, and 'they are hereby incorporated into a religious society by the name of The First Baptist Society in Bethel, with all the powers, pri'vileges and immunities to which parishes are entitled bj- the Constitu- 220 HISTORY OF BETHEL. tion and laws of this Commonwealth ; Provided, That all such persons- shall be holden to pay their proportion of all monies assessed in the towns and plantation aforesaid for parochial purposes, prior to the passing of this Act. Sect. 2. Be It Further Enacted : That any person belonging to the said towns of Bethel, Newry, or plantation of Howard's Gore aforesaid, being of the Baptist denomination, who may at any time hereafter, actually be come a member of, and unite in religious worship, with said Society, and give in his or her name to the Clerk of the town, parish or plantation to which he or she belongs, with a certificate signed by the minister or clerk of said Society, that he or she has actually become a member of, and united in religious worship with the aforesaid Baptist Society, fourteen days previous to the town, parish or plantation meeting therein, to be held in the month of March or April, shall, from and after giving in such cer tificate with his or her polls and estates, be considered as part of said Society. Sect. .3. Be it further enacted : That if any member of said Baptist So ciety shall at any time see cause to leave the same, aud unite in religious worship with the parish, in which he or she may reside, and shall lodge a certificate of such his or her intention, with the Clerk or Minister of said Baptist Society and also with the clerk of the town, parish or plantation in which he or she may reside, fourteen days at least before the annual town, parish or plantation meeting, to be held therein, in the mouth of March or April, and shall pay his or her proportion of all money assessed on said Society previous thereto, such person shall, from and after giving such certificate, with his or her polls and estates, be considered as belong ing to the town or parish in which he or she may reside, in the same man ner as if he or she had never belonged to said Baptist Society. Sect. 4. Be it further enacted : That any Justice of the Peace in the said county of Oxford is hereby authorized to issue his warrant directed to some suitable member of said Baptist Society, requiring him to notify and warn the members thereof to meet at such time aud place as shall be appointed in said warrant, to choose such officers as parishes in this Com monwealth are by law authorized to choose in the month of March or April annually." This Act passed ,Iune 15, 180.T. Rev. Ebenezee Beay. Rev. Ebenezer Bray was ordained as pastor in eighteen hundred and seven, and remained five years. Under his ministry, twenty- nine were added to the church. Rev. Arthur Drinkwater was the next pastor, followed by Elder Daniel Mason, who came from Free- port in eighteen hundred and seventeen, and remained until his death, April sixteenth, eighteen hundred and thirty-five, aged fifty- four years. He was a faithful worker in his Master's vineyard, and HISTORY OF BETHEL. 221 literally wore himself out in behalf of the cause. He was a cooper by trade and supported his family by the work of his hands, receiv ing but a small compensation for his pastoral work. In eighteen hundred and thirty-six, came from Hebron, Rev. Ben jamin Donham, a native of that town, and was ordained October fifth. He was well educated, taught school winters, and divided his time in preaching between Middle Interval, where he had his home, and the lower meeting house near Bean's Corner. He was an able preacher and an excellent man. When he left the church, the whole number of members was one hundred and thirty-two, mostly resi dents of the east parish. The more infiuential families belonging to this denomination, were the Holts, the Kimballs, the Estes and Kilgores. Among the Deacons have been John Holt, Joseph Holt, John Bird, Eli Foster and Moses S. Kimball. At the time the Bethel church was organized there was only one Baptist Association in the State, the Bowdoinham. It was not until eighteen hundred and four that the Baptist church in Bethel, with five others, was ad mitted to the Bowdoinham Association. The Bethel church then had only six members. In eighteen hundred and eleven, the church joined the Cumberland Association, and in eighteen hundred and twenty-nine the Oxford. Following is a list of delegates from the Bethel church to the yearly associations for the years named, with the number of members reported each year. The pastors' names appear in small capital letters. The figures show the num ber of members : 1805. Asa Kimball, John Kilgore, John Holt— 28. 1806. Stephen Estes, Samuel Kilgore — 25. 1807. Ebenezee Beay, Samuel Kilgore, John Holt, Asa Kimball— 28. 1808. Ebenezee Beay, Asa ICimball, John Swift — 35. 1809. Ebenezee Beay, John Kilgore, Solomon Crosby, Asa Kimball— 40. 1810. Ebenezee Beay, John Holt, John Kilgore — 50. 1811. Ebenezee Beay, John Kilgore, Daniel Bean — 44. 1812. Asa Kimball, John Holt, Asa Foster, John Kilgore, Jr. — 49. 1813. Asa Kimball, John Holt, Charles Stearns, Benjamin Estes — 44. 1814. Asa Kimball, John Kilgore — 45. 222 HISTORY OF BETHEL. ¦ 1815. John Holt, Isaac Stearns — 43. 1816. John Holt, Asa Foster, Ithiel Smith, Jonathan Abbott — 44. 1817. Asa Kimball, John Kilgore, Jonathan Abbot — 46. 1818. Daniel Mason, Asa Kimball — 49. . 1819. Daniel Mason, Asa Kimball, John Holt — 47. 1820. Daniel Mason, Asa Kimball, John Holt, John Kilgore —45. 1821. Daniel Mason — 45. 1822. Daniel Mason, Asa Kimball, John Holt, Asa Foster — 44. 1823. Daniel Mason— 42. 1824. Daniel Mason, Charles Stearns, John Cushman, Jona than Abbot— 47. 1825. Daniel Mason, John Kilgore — 48. 1826. Daniel Mason, Charles Stearns, Jonathan Abbot — 40. 1^27. Daniel Mason, Jonathan Abbot — 41. 1828. Daniel Mason, Charles Stearns, Jonathan Abbot, James Eames — 52. 1829. Daniel Mason, John Kilgore, Charles Stearns — 57. 1830. Daniel Mason, Charles Stearns, John Kilgore — 61. 1831. Daniel Mason, Dea. Jonathan Abbot, John Kilgore, Charles Stearns — 62. 1832. Daniel Mason, John Kilgore, Charles Stearns, Jonathan Abbot— 61. 1833. Daniel Mason, John Abbot, John Kilgore — 57. 1834. Daniel Mason, Dea. Jonathan Abbot, Dea. John Cush man, John Kilgore — 59. 1835. Dea. Jonathan Abbot, Dea. John Cushman, John Kil gore- — 54. 1836. Benjamin Donham, Jonathan Abbot, John Cushman — 58. 1837. Benjamin Donham, A. Abbot, James Eames, C. Stearns —64. 183.S. Benjamin Donham, Addison Abbot, James Eames, Jr., Charles Stearns, John Cushman, Jonathan Abbott — 84. 1839. Benjamin Donham, Addison Abbot, J. Eames, Jonathan Abbot, Charles Stearns — 109. 1840. Benjamin Donham, Addison Abbot, Dea. Joseph Holt, Nahum Moulton — 113. 1841. Benjamin Donham, Addison Abbot, Dea. J. Holt, Jede diah T. Kimball, Charles Stearns— 122. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 223 1842. Benjamin Donham, Addison Abbot, Dea. Joseph Holt, Jedediah T. Kimball, Eli Foster, James Estes, Hiram C. Estes —120. 1843. Benjamin Donham, James Eames, Dea. Joseph Holt, Dea. Eli Foster "and. four others"— 132. 1844. Benjamin Donham, Dea. Joseph Holt, Jonathan A. Rus sell, Hiram Holt, John Bird, James Eames — 131. 1845. Benjamin Donham, Jedediah T. Kimball, Jonathan Abbot— 128. 1846. Joseph B. Mitchell, Dea. Joseph Holt, Dea. Eli Foster, Hiram Holt, Hiram C. Estes — 127. 1«47. Joseph B. Mithell, Dea. Joseph Holt, Dea. Eli Foster, John Bird, Jedediah T. Kimball— 120. 1848. Hiram C. Estes, Dea. John Cushman, Dea. Joseph Holt, Dea. Eli Foster, Jedediah Kimball — 119. 1849. Hiram C. Estes, Dea. Joseph Holt, John Bird — 115. 1850. Levi Buenham, Dea. John Cushman, Dea. Eli Foster, Jonathan A. Russell — 108. 1851. Levi Buenham, Charles Perkins, Dea. Eli Foster — 100. 1852. J. BuTLEE, Levi Burnham, Eli Foster, Jedediah T. Kim ball— 99. 1853. Dea. Joseph Holt, Dea. Eli Foster, A. Estes — 93. 1854. D. S. Hawley, Eli Foster, Jonathan Abbot, Jedediah T. Kimball— 95. 1855. R. Donham, Eli Foster, James Estes, Jonathan Abbot, Jedediah T. Kimball— 90. 1856. Dea. E. Foster, J. T. Kimball, Jonathan Abbot, Jona than A. Russell — 85. 1857. Wm. Beavins, Dea. Eli Foster, Dea. Joseph Holt, Jede diah T. Kimball— 85. 1858. Wm. Beavins, Dea. Eli Foster, Dea. Joseph Holt, Jede diah T. Kimball— 102. 1859. Wm. Beavins, Dea. Joseph Holt, Hezekiah Moody, Ly man Bird, James Lapham — 96. 1860. Wm. Beavins, Dea. Joseph Holt, Lyman Bird, Jacob Kimball, Hiram Holt, Hezekiah Moody, Humphrey Bean, Thomas Stearns— 99. 1861. Wm. Beavins, Dea. Joseph Holt, Dea. Eli Foster, Jede diah T. Kimball, Lyman Bird, Humphrey Bean — 94. 1862. Wm. Beavins, Lyman Bird, Hezekiah Moody, Dea. Joseph Holt— 89. 224 HISTORY OF BETHEL. 1863. Rev. Ransom Dunham, Dea. Eli Foster, Lyman Bird, Wm. Holt— 77. 1864. T. J. Swett, Dea. Eli Foster, Prescott Holt, Hiram H. Bean, Lyman Bird — 76. 1865. Dea. Eli Foster, Jacob T. Kimball, Ira Cushman, Luther P. Holt, Jedediah T. Kimball— 75. 1866. 75. 1867. E. M. Baetlett— 77. 186?. E. M. Bartlett— 79. 1869. ^64. 1870. Dea. Eli Foster, Dea. Luther P. Holt, Jacob T. Kimball, Moses S. Kimball— 64. 1871. Otis B. Rawson, Jedediah T. Kimball, Moses S. Kim ball, Dea. Luther P. Holt, Arthur Holt— 62. 1872. Otis B. Rawson, Dea. Eli Foster, Dea. Luther P. Holt, S. Jewett Howard — 59. 1873. Otis B. Rawson, Jedediah T. Kimball, Samuel J. How ard, Moses S. Kimball— 46. 1874. Otis B. Rawson, Dea. Luther P. Holt, Dea. Moses S. Kimball — 51. 1875. Dea. Luther P. Holt, Jedediah T. Kimball, Hiram H. Bean, Christopher C. Bean — 50 1876. Moses S. Kimball, Hiram H. Bean, Samuel J. Howard, Jedediah T. Kimball— 49. 1877. W. M. Harthoen, Dea. Moses S. Kimball, Jedediah T. Kimball— 49. 1878. W. M. Harthoen, C. H. Kimball— 46. 1879. Dea. Moses S. Kimball, Dea. Luther P. Holt, Jedediah T. Kimball, Samuel J. Howard — 39. 1880. O. B. Rawson, Jonathan Abbot, J. T. Kimball, Samuel J. Howard — 44. 1881. 44. 1882. Jedediah Kimball, Samuel J. Howard — 43. 1883. 33. 1884. Jedediah T. Kimall, Samuel J. Howard, Dea. Luther P. Holt— 36. 1885. Jedediah T. Kimball, Dea. Moses S. Kimball, Jacob T. Kimball— 50. 1886. 54. 1887. 51. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 225 1888. 50. 1889. 48. 1890. 43. The flrst minister of this denomination was Rev. John Chad- bourne, who was ordained an Evangelist at Cornish, Me., in seven teen hundred and ninety-eight. How long he continued to preach in Bethel I do not know. He appears to have been an itinerant, and the church, as stated, did not increase under his ministry. Ebenezer Bray. Rev. Ebenezer Bray was ordained pastor of the Calvinist Baptist church in Bethel in eighteen hundred and seven, and continued as such till eighteen hundred and twelve, when he was dismissed and removed to Canada, where he died. Rev. Arthur Drinkwater, When a licentiate, preached more or less in Bethel from eighteen hundred and twelve till eighteen hundred and sixteen, when he was ordained pastor of a church in Mt. Vernon. He became one of the most respected ministers of the denomination in the State. Rev. Daniel Mason. Elder Daniel Mason was born in Stratham, N. H., in seventeen hundred and eighty-one. His early advantages were exceedingly limited, but possessing a good share of common sense, and having experienced religion, he resolved to enter the ministry. He was ordained in Freeport, Maine, October ninth, eighteen hundred and eleven, and preached for a time in the Calvanist Baptist church in that town. He was settled as pastor over the Calvanist Baptist church in Bethel in eighteen hundred and eighteen, and continued its pastor for seventeen years, till his death, which occurred April sixth, eighteen hundred and thirty-five, aged fifty-four. He had three wives. The first two were sisters by the name of Robinson. His last wife was the widow Mary Merrill, a native of England. He was strongly attached to the .Jeffersonian School of Politics, in which he took a deep interest. Being a cooper by trade he earned his living by the labor of his hands, and by preaching on the Sab bath without any great hope of an earthly reward. 15 226 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Elder Benjamin Donham. Benjamin Donham was born in Hebron and was ordained pastor of the Baptist church in Bethel in eighteen hundred and thirty-six, and continued its pastor for ten years. He removed to some town in Penobscot county, where he suddenly died of cancer in the stomach. Mr. Donham was succeeded by Elders Joseph B. Mitch ell, Levi Burnham and David Holley, each of whom remained but a short time, till they were succeeded by Rev. Wm. Beavins, Who was born in the Parish of Camerton, county of Cumberland, England, November twenty-flrst, eighteen hundred and nineteen. He lived the most of the time in the adjoining town of Workington. His parents were engaged in a crockery store, in which the son was employed. In eighteen hundred and thirty-seven he united with the church, and at the age of twenty was licensed to preach. He labored as a licentiate for four or flve years, when he emigrated to America in eighteen hundred and forty- three. He was first settled in the State in Waterboro, where he remained two years. He came to Bethel in July, eighteen hundred and fifty-seven, where he be come the successful pastor of the Baptist church. In Septem ber, eighteen hundred and forty-four, he was married to Miss Caro line Brown of Lisbon, Ct., who died in Springfield, Mass., October, eighteen hundred and forty-seven. In September, eighteen hun dred and forty-eight, he was again married to Miss Mary A. Southwick of Dover, New Hampshire. The Methodists. From a small beginning, the Methodists have come to be numeri cally, among the largest denominations in town, sustaining preaching in both the upper and lower parish. A record of the first Methodist church in town contains the following by Rev. Joshua Taylor: "The rise of Methodism in Bethel circuit was as follows : About the beginning of the year seventeen hundred and ninety-eight, Nicholas Snething, who was then stationed on the Portland circuit, came and preached a few times in Rumford and Bethel." This pioneer of Methodism was of Welsh descent. He became converted to this faith in seventeen hundred and ninety-one, was ordained five years later and came to Maine as the associate of Elder Finnegan. John HISTORY OF BETHEL. 227 Martin, a local preacher of Rumford also came and preached in this town, and sent a request to Elder Taylor to visit them. He said : "I came with great satisfaction, as there appeared to be some ten derness among a few of the congregation. After this they were visited a few times by Brother Martin and myself, and as they re quested to have a preacher among them, and a prospect appeared of doing good, I strove for it but could not obtain my end till near the close of seventeen hundred and ninety-six. They were then con nected with the Portland circuit, and during that winter, they were visited about once a fortnight by Brother Merritt, Brother Becker and Brother Merick, who rode on the circuit. The spring follow ing, brother Joseph Baker came and staid with the people, and at the conference in Lynn, July, eighteen hundred. Bethel was set off as a separate circuit and Joshua Baker was appointed as their preacher. The following September, a society was formed with only fourteen members. There was no revival of special account till a preacher was stationed among them. Although at times the prospect has been gloomy, yet there has been a glorious work for several months past, and I trust a number have been converted.'* This letter was written May twenty-second, eighteen hundred and one. The following is a list of circuit preachers in the town : Eighteen hundred, Joseph Baker ; eighteen hundred and two, Daniel Jones ; eighteen hundred and three, David Stinson ; eighteen hundred and four, Allen H. Cobb ; eighteen hundred and five, Dan Perry ; eigh teen hundred and six, Clement Parker ; eighteen hundred and seven, Allen H. Cobb ; eighteen hundred and eight, Jonathan Chancy ; eighteen hundred and nine, Joshua Randall ; eighteen hundred and ten, Wm. Hinman ; eighteen hundred and eleven, Ebenezer Blake ; eighteen hundred and twelve, Daniel Tilmore ; eighteen hundred and thirteen, Benj. Jones ; eighteen hundred and fourteen, John F. Adams ; eighteen hundred and fifteen, Joshua Randall ; eighteen hundred and sixteen, John Pain ; eighteen hundred and twenty. Job Pratt ; eighteen hundred and twenty-one, Elijah Spear ; eighteen hundred and twenty-three, John Shaw ; eighteen hundred and twenty-four. True Page ; eighteen hundred and twenty-five, Daniel Wentworth ; eighteen hundred,and twenty-six, Ebenezer T. Newell ; eighteen hundred and twenty-nine, Caleb Fuller, Isaac Downing ; eighteen hundred and thirty, W. T. Farrington ; eighteen hundred 228 HISTORY OF BETHEL. and thirty-four, Dan Perry, in charge, Huse Dow, assistant ; eigh teen hundred and thirty-six, Dan Perry in charge, John Cumner, assistant ; eighteen hundred and thirty-eight and nine, Isaac W. Morse ; eighteen hundred and forty, Geo. Child ; eighteen hundred and forty-one, Aaron Fuller ; eighteen hundred and forty-two, Mar cus Wight ; eighteen hundred and forty-three, Daniel Whitehouse ; eighteen hundred and forty-five, Jonathan Fairbanks ; eighteen hundred and forty-seven, C. Fairbanks. This closes the catalogue so far as recorded in the records in our possession. Could the early ministers of this denomination be per mitted to tell the simple story of their labors, it would unfold a series of events now almost lost to the present generation. The following facts were furnished by a circuit preacher. Rev. Mr. Davies : "The minutes of last year report that the Bethel cir cuit has one hundred and seventy members, forty probationers, be side some twenty or thirty in Bethel on the other side of the river, which belong to Hanover and Newry circuit. The Methodists own the greatest part of Locke meeting house, and a small part of the meeting house at Bean's Corner. Since I came to the circuit I have started a subscription paper for a meetinghouse at Bethel Hill, and at Walker's Mills. We have seven classes and seven prayer meet ings in the town, weekly. This includes one of each at Bethel Hill, -which we hope will be a good society in that growing place. Some nineteen have been converted and some thirteen reclaimed, twenty- six have joined on trial, eleven have joined the church, twenty-eight have been baptized this conference year, this includes eight baptized at letter B. From the above facts you will see that Methodism in the town is in a somewhat prosperous state, though its society is scattered far and near, and without boasting we may truly and safe ly say, Methodism is doing as much for the salvation of the town as any other society." This was in eighteen hundred and fifty-nine. A neat and convenient church edifice was erected early in the six ties, which was nearly ruined by a hurricane, September eighteenth, eighteen hundred and ninety-one. Feeewill Baptists. The Freewill Baptist denomination was the last of the so-called evangelical denominations to obtain.^ foothold in this town, and its membership are all or nearly all in the west part of the town. A church of this denomination was organized at West Bethel, May HISTORY OF BETHEL. 229 twenty-third, eighteen hundred and eighteen, with fourteen mem bers. This church soon after it was gathered, united with the Sand wich Quarterly meeting. The names of those composing the coun cil, were Rev. Dudley Pettingill, Deacon Edward Green and Samuel Wheeler. In February, eighteen hundred and thirty-five, it became connected with the Otisfield Quarterly meeting, where it yet remains. The first preachers to labor with the church were Rev. Dudley Pet tingill, Samuel Hutchinson, Zachariah Jordan, Joseph Wight and Geo. F. Smith. Of the pastors. Rev. Samuel Haselton officiated from eighteen hundred and thirty-five to eighteen hundred and forty- four ; Rev. George W. Whitney, from the latter date to eighteen hundred and forty-eight ; E. H. Hart to eighteen hundred and fifty- two ; David Allen to eighteen hundred and sixty-five ; James Potter in eighteen hundred and sixty-seven ; E. G. Eaton to eighteen hun dred and sixty-nine. For much of the time since the last. date there has been no pastor. There were no marked revivals in the church and vicinity until eighteen hundred and thirty-nine, when forty were added to the roll of members. This was under the pastorate of Rev. Samuel Hasel ton, who was assisted by Rev. Stephen Hutchinson, J. Hamblen, J. Tracy and George W. Whitney. A church edifice was erected by the Society at West Bethel in eighteen hundred and forty-four, which was dedicated January first, eighteen hundred and forty-five. The occasional sermon was preached by Rev. Stephen Hutchinson. The cost of the church was nine hundred dollars. In eighteen hun dred and seventy-four, the pulpit was supplied by a student from Bates College, Mr. S. J. Gould. There is no other church edifice in the west part of the town. Rev. Samuel Haselton. Elder Samuel Haselton was born in Windham, N. H., August eighth, seventeen hundred and eighty-one, and learned the trade of blacksmith. He did not enjoy the early advantages of an educa tion, but served his time as an apprentice in Methuen, Mass. At the age of twenty, he made a profession of religion and .united with the Congregational church in Methuen. A few years after he united with the Freewill Baptist church in Adams, now Jackson, N. H. He commenced preaching in Bartlett, and was ordained there Nov. twenty-third, eighteen hundred and nineteen, by Elders Daniel Elkins and Joshua Quimby. He remained in Jackson and Bartlett 230 HISTORY OF BETHEL. till the year eighteen hundred and thirty-six, when he removed to Bethel. There were several interesting revivals during his residence here and under his preaching in other places. One of the most in teresting episodes in the life of Elder Haselton occurred at the time of the destruction of the Willey family, by a slide in the White Mountains, August twenty-eighth, eighteen hundred and twenty- six. The following is quoted from Willey's Incidents in White Mountain History. .It describes the funeral services on that occa sion, and to those who are familiar with that event, and who knew Elder Haselton, their imagination can easily shadow forth some thing of the scene as here quoted : "All these bodies, after suitable time to make coffins from mate rials such as could be obtained there, were made ready for burial. It was decided to bury them near the house of their recent habita tion, and let them remain there till they could be more conveniently moved to Conway the succeeding winter. One common, wide grave was dug for them, and they were placed on its margin, to remain till the befitting and accustomed- prayer at burial was performed. That prayer was made by a personal friend of my brother, and one who often ministered in holy things. The prayer was suited to the occasion, coming from a kind, sympathizing, pious heart. It was impressive as it came from the good man's lips ; and then its im- pressiveness was greatly increased from the circumstances under which it was made. In the echoes that were awakened by his voice, the very mountains around us seemed to join with him in describing the majesty of God, and imploring his mercy on our stricken hearts. When, with slow and distinct utterance, the minister, at the com mencement of his prayer, referred to the magnificence of the Deity as described by the Prophet Isaiah, saying, "Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with a span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance," the echo gave back every word of this sublime description in a tone equally clear and solemn with that in which they were first uttered. The effect of all this was soul stirring beyond description. I shall never for get the tears and sorrows that marked the faces of many that stood around that open grave on that solemn occasion. The minister who made that prayer was Elder Samuel Haselton, then of Bartlett, now living in Bethel. After the prayer we buried the bodies, "And then, one summer evening's close, We left them to their last repose." HISTORY OF BETHEL. 231 It was dark before the burial was completed, and we were com pelled to spend the night in the house so lately left by the buried family." He married for his first wife, Alice Bodwell of Methuen, Mass., and for his second wife. Miss Mary Taskett of Bartlett. She died December twenty-first, eighteen hundred and fifty-eight, aged seventy-two. Univeesalists. Early in the history of the town, there were those living here who believed in the paternity of God and the fraternity of man, and who could not reconcile this relationship with the idea of future endless punishment. There was not enough of them to effect an organiza tion or to support a preacher of their own way of thinking, and so for many years they attended the meetings of other denominations and listened to their expositions of the word under mental protest. They believed in going to church and in bringing up their children to go, and as long as they could not have what they wanted, they took what they could get. As time passed, the doctrine which these people cherished, became better known and ministers of this denom ination were multiplied. Occasionally one of them came to Bethel, and among those who preached here quite early, were Rev. George Bates, Rev. Zenas Thompson and Rev. Thomas J. Tenney. There was an itinerant Baptist minister by the name of Mighill Jewett, who frequently came to this town and preached in the lower parish. He supported himself by such contributions as were made for him from time to time. On one occasion, a text was given him to preach from by Phineas Frost, and the church was crowded, for he was considered an able preacher. But to the surprise of every one pres ent and to the disgust of many, he preached a strong Universalist sermon, admitting that before that time he had been in error, and that the study of the text given him with the context, had caused him to change his views entirely. In eighteen hundred and forty-seven, Joseph Twitchell and seven others associated to form an incorporated religious society in the town of Bethel. From the Constitution framed at that time, the first article reads as follows : "The society shall be called the first Universalist Society in Bethel. This object of this society shall be the promotion of Truth." During the next year the Rev. George Bates preached a few Sabbaths at the academy, but they did not establish public worship for want of a suitable house. In eighteen 232 HISTORY OF BETHEL. hundred and flfty-three a church was erected at an expense of some thing over two thousand dollars, and the Rev. Zenas Thompson was chosen pastor ; he entered upon his duties in June, eighteen hundred and fifty-four. Under his ministration the society sustained preach ing through the year, and in autumn of eighteen hundred and flfty- nine, a church was organized consisting of forty-three members. Among those who joined in this movement were Joseph Twitchell, Dr. Almon Twitchell, Joseph A. Twitchell, Albert H. Gerrish, Moses Pattee, Benjamin Freeman, Hiram Young, Eber Clough, Charles Mason, Oliver H. Mason, Clark S. Edwards, Ira C. Kim ball, O'Neil W. Robinson and Albert Stiles. Rev. Zenas Thompson remained here five years, and accomplished a good work for the church and society. His successor was Rev. Absalom G. Gaines, who was a native of Kentucky. He was a scholarly man and an excellent preacher and pastor. He was much interested in educa tion, and in every good cause. He remained here several years, was greatly beloved by his people, and respected by every one. The blameless life he led, and the true christian character he ex hibited on all occasions was well calculated to popularize the faith he held to and the doctrine he preached. Mr. Gaines afterward preached at Mechanic Falls, and subsequently left the State and became President of the Theological Department of St. Lawrence University at Canton, New York. Rev. Ezekiel W. Coflfln, who was settled over the church at Bry ant's Pond, supplied the pulpit here for a while. Rev. John K. Simmons was settled here for a few years, and then came Rev. William Bosserman, an Englishman. The society became greatly weakened by removals from town and by death, so there was no regular preaching for several years, until Rev. Mr. Barton came. One of the stiong pillars of the society was Oliver H. Mason, who died in eighteen hundred and ninety. By the terms of his will he left the Society one thousand dollars, the income only to be used for the support of preaching. By this act, he became a perpetual subscriber to the society' funds. Rev. Zezas Thompson. Rev. Zenas Thompson, first pastor of the Universalist church in Bethel, and a resident of the town, was born in Auburn, December fourth, eighteen hundred and four. He was of Scotch-Irish lineage, his first American ancestor, Archibald Thompson, coming from the HISTORY OF BETHEL. 233 north of Ireland to America in seventeen hundred and twenty-four, and settling at Bridgewater. Capt. John Thompson, the grand father -of Zenas, married Jeanette Allen and moved to Buckfield. Archibald Thompson was a wheel-maker, and made the first spin ning-wheel ever made in New England. John Thompson of Buck- field followed the same trade. The father of Zenas was Hannibal, son of John before named, and his mother was a Dillingham of Auburn. Mr, Thompson early embraced the Universalist faith, and began to preach when quite young. He had settlements in various parts of the State, in Farmington, Frankfort, Bridgton, Yarmouth, Saccarappa, Augusta, Bethel, Bryant's Pond, Mechanic Falls, West Waterville and Paris, and in several places in Massachusetts. He was among the ablest and best known of the ministers of his denom ination in the State, a profound thinker, a logical reasoner and gifted as a pulpit orator. He was among the first in Maine to suggest the prohibition of the liquor traflflc, and one of its most eloquent advo cates. He was chaplain of the sixth Maiue Regiment in the war of the rebellion, and malaria contracted in the Chickahominy swamps in the Peninsula campaign of eighteen hundred and sixty-two, was the remote cause of his death. He inherited the mechanical genius of his ancestors. He could make an elegant fly-rod or a rifle, and was skilful in the use of both. He had marvelous skill in wood- carving, and seemed to have an intuitive knowledge of almost everything in the department of the useful and ornamental arts. He had social qualities of a high order, and was a most agreeable friend and companion. He married Leonora Leavitt of Turner, and reared a large family. One of his sons, Geo. W., was killed in action during the war, and the other two, Zenas and Fred are engaged in carriage manufacturing in Portland. One of the daughters, now deceased, was the flrst wife of Prof. Geo. L. Vose, formerlya Maine resident, and another, Mrs. Julia Schayer of Washington, D. C, is a magazine writer of repute. Mr. Thompson died at his home in Deering, November seventeenth, eighteen hundred and eighty-two. Mr. Thompson built the fine house afterwards occupied by Oliver H. Mason. He closed his pastorate here in eighteen hundred and fifty-seven, aud was succeeded by Rev. Absalom G. Gaines, as already stated. Rev. Frank E. Barton. Rev. Frank E. Barton, the present pastor of the Universalist church, was born in Saco, Maine, June twenty, eighteen hundred 234 HISTORY OF BETHEL. and flfty-two, and was the son of Isaac Somes and Roxanna (Miller) Barton. He learned of his father, the trade of carriage painter at Brownfleld, Maine, having previously been educated in the public schools of Boston. Making up his mind to engage in the ministry, he studied theology at the Seminary connected with the Saint Law rence University at Canton, New York, graduating therefrom in eighteen hundred and eighty-nine. His settlement at Bethel dates from July first of the year last named. He was ordained June twenty-fifth, eighteen hundred and ninety. He found the parish much run down, there being no organization and no Sabbath school. The society had suffered severely during the few previous years by removals by death and from the town of many of its most active members. When Mr. Barton came, there were only twenty-flve families in sympathy with the church, but in a year the number had been doubled, and the Sabbath school numbered ninety attendants. Mr. Barton is a very popular preacher and pastor, and the society, though not large, is in a very prosperous condition. Mr. Barton married October eleven, eighteen hundred and eighty-four. Miss Fannie Elizabeth, daughter of John and Caroline Fogg of Brown field. They have one child, Agnes Linwood, born at Brownfield, September eleventh, eighteen hundred and eighty-five. Other Ministers. Several native born citizens of Bethel, and others who have spent more or less time in town and who have entered upon the work of the ministry but have never had settlements here, are briefly men tioned to close this chapter. Rev. Addison Abbot. He was the son of Jonathan Abbot, and was born in Albany, but when young his parents moved to this town. He received a good education and was a popular school teacher. He was then licensed to preach and resided a long time at North Paris, where he died. Rev. Nathaniel Baekee. Mr. Barker was the son of Samuel Barker, and was born in Ames- * bury, Massachusetts, January sixth, seventeen hundred and ninety- six. He came to Bethel with his father's family and spent his youth here. He graduated from Dartmouth College, studied at HISTORY OF BETHEL. 235 Andover, was ordained and settled at South Mendon. His next settlement was at Wakefield, New Hampshire, in eighteen hundred and thirty-five, where he remained as pastor twenty years. He died at Wakefield, October thirteenth, eighteen hundred and eighty-three. The following is an extract from Mr. Barker's funeral sermon : "In the beautiful village of Bethel which lies along the margin of the river Androscoggin, as it winds its circling course, enriching the soil of the intervales, gladdening the heart of the husbandman, mak ing a scene of beauty and adding not a little to that scenery of vale and mountain which has made this village one of the most delight ful as a place of resort in the summer months for strangers, who come from far to drink in health and inspiration, and always a glad resort, or better, a home for her sons and daughters who come back to sit beneath the old roof tree, and live over in thought those hap py days of childhood which the good Lord gave, Mr. Barker was born. For bodily health and vigor, for clearness of thought and lofty aspirations, even the air they breathe must affect the dwellers thereof, and a greater tendency be secured at the start for a health ful moral state than in some localities. Coupled with this is the character of the first settlers of many of our New England commu*. nities, vigorous, stern, unyielding to the storms of nature or of human experience. This was, I judge, particularly true, in the case of Bethel. The very name puts its people under an obligation so to live as to be not unworthy to have the place of their abode called after the first Bethel, where to the weary Jacob came that entrancing vision which led him to cry out when he awoke, 'This is none other but the house of God and this the gate of heaven.' " Rev. William R. Chapman. Rev. William Rogers Chapman, son of Timothy Chapman, was born in Bethel, February twenty-sixth, eighteen hundred and twelve. He attended the common schools of his native town and fitted for college under the charge of Rev. Jonas Burnham of Bridgton, hav ing in view at this early date the entry into the Christian ministry. He entered Bowdoin College in eighteen hundred and thirty-three, and after two years joined the junior class at Dartmouth, where he graduated in eighteen hundred and thirty-seven. He taught acade^ mies at Wakefield, New Hampshire, and at Bethel, commenc ing his theological course at Andover, and completed it at New Haven in eighteen hundred and forty. He became the stated pastor for a 236 HISTORY OF BETHEL. few months of the congregation then worshiping in the Marlboro Chapel in Boston. In September, eighteen hundred and forty, a number of churches formed what was termed the Garden street chapel in Boston, over which Mr. Chapman was then ordained. During the flrst year, one hundred and flfty members were added to the church, mostly new converts. After five years of successful labor here, a union was formed with the Green street church, the union being called the Messiah church. Mr. Chapman became the colleague pastor of the venerable Rev. Dr. Jenks. In eighteen hundred and forty-seven, he received and accepted a call from the Eighth street church in New York city. In eighteen hundred and forty-nine Mr. Chapman visited Europe and was absent fifteen months, travelling in Great Britain and on the Continent. While absent he formed the acquaint ance of many distinguished divines, and in Geneva, his efforts to form a Sabbath school were successful, and will be long remembered. On his return to his native land, he received several invitations to resettle in the ministry, and accepted the call to settle over the Presbyterian church in Aurora, New York, over which he was in stalled December twenty-flfth, eighteen hundred and flfty. He remained here four years, but towards the close of his ministry he was brought low by sickness, and for some time his life was despaired of. In August of eighteen hundred and flfty-four, Mr. Chapman moved to Hanover, Massachusetts, where, in the space of flve months he received twenty-one persons into communion with the Second Congregational church. On the eighteenth of January, eighteen hundred and flfty-flve, he was prostrated with the disease of which he flnally died. After lingering through the winter, spring and summer, enfeebled by an organic disease of the brain, toward the last of October, as he was walking through the streets of Hano ver, he was attacked with a stroke of paralysis and died on the twenty-flfth of October, eighteen hundred and fifty-five. His funeral at Hanover was attended by four clergymen, and a large con course of people. Funeral services were again held at Bethel on the twenty-ninth, a sermon being preached by Rev. Mr. Sewall of Paris. His young son, named for his father, was baptized over the cofl9n. Rev. Calvin Chapman. Rev. Calvin Chapman, son of Edmund Chapman, was born in Bethel in eighteen hundred and fourteen. He fltted for college at REV, H. C ESTES, D, D. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 237 Millbury, Massachusetts, and graduated from Bowdoin College in eighteen hundred and thirty-nine. He taught a few terms at Gould's Academy, meantime pursuing a course in theological studies at Andover, where he graduated in eighteen hundred and forty-two. He has had settlements at Epping, New Hampshire, at Saccarappa and Foxcroft, Maine, and at Lakeville, Massachusetts. He has also been acting pastor over churches at Eliot, Andover, Standish, Mannsville, New York, and Windham, Vermont. He has been much interested in educational matters and has often been super visor of schools and on school boards. In eighteen hundred and forty-two, he married Miss Lucy B. Emerson of Parsonsfleld, Maine, who died in eighteen hundred and seventy-eight, and he then married Miss Sarah A. Ward of Kennebunkport. Rev. Lawson Caetee. He was the son of Dr. Timothy Carter, born at Sutton, Mas sachusetts, in seventeen hundred and ninety-three, and moved with the family to Bethel. He graduated from Dartmouth College, studied theology and was settled in the Episcopal ministry at Alders- bury, New York. He was subsequently rector of Grace church in Cleveland, Ohio. Rev. Hie am C. Estes. Rev. Hiram Cushman Estes, D. D., son of John and Sarah (Andrews) Estes, was born in Bethel, July twenty-seventh, eighteen hundred and twenty-three. He was brought up on a farm, but early developed a love of learning and a passion for books. Like many other New England youths, he was obliged to depend mainly upon his own efforts for the means necessary to a course of study, and in his case as in many others, the fact was demonstrated that a deter mined will is quite sure to open a way. After leaving the town school he attended Bethel Academy, the Turner High School, which was then in charge of John M. Adams of Rumford, now of Deer ing, and at North Yarmouth Academy, working upon the farm por tions of each year, and teaching in winter to meet his expenses. He entered Waterville College, now Colby University, in eighteen hundred and forty-three, and graduated with honor in eighteen hun dred and forty-seven. He studied Theology at the Cambridge (Mass.) Divinity School, and was ordained to the work of the min istry at Auburn, in this State, May sixteenth, eighteen hundred and 238 HISTORY OF BETHEL. fifty. For three years, from eighteen hundred and flfty-two to eighteen hundred and flfty-flve, he was agent for the American Bap tist Missionary Union in the State of Maine ; settled over the church in East Trenton from eighteen hundred and fifty-five to eighteen hundred and sixty; at Leicester, Mass., from eighteen hundred and sixty to eighteen hundred and sixty-two ; at Jericho, Vermont, from eighteen hundred and sixty-two to eighteen hundred and seventy-two ; over the Baptist church in Paris, from January flrst, eighteen hundred and seventy-three, to July first, eighteen hundred and eighty-three, and from September first, eighteen hun dred and eighty-three, to Sept. eighteen hundred and eighty-five at Winchenden, Mass. While at Trenton he was elected to the Legis lature in eighteen hundred and fifty-eight, and served as chairman of the committee on Education on the part of the House, to which position he was admirably adapted. The degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by his Alma Mater in eighteen hundred and seventy-two, and never has this important degree been more fitly bestowed by that institution. March first, eighteen hun dred and eighty-six, he was again called to the Baptist church in Leicester, and his connection with that church still continues. Dr. Estes is a profound scholar, a forcible and interesting writer, and whatever he undertakes to do, he does well. He has written and delivered several lectures which have been highly spoken of by those best qualified to judge. His only published volume is an essay entitled "The Christian Doctrine of the Soul," which appeared in eighteen hundred and seventy-three, from the press of Noyes, Holmes and Company of Boston. It is a duodecimo of one hun dred and sixty-three pages, and a model of concise and logical writ ing. It was well received by all denominations of Christians. Several of his occasional sermons have been printed and widely read. He has also prepared and published a history of the Baptist church in Leicester, a work requiring much patient research and admirably done. Dr. Estes was married December eighteenth, eighteen hundred and forty-eight, to Sophia Bartlett, daughter of Dea. Eli Foster of Bethel, and the following are their children : David Foster, b. Oct. 18, 1851. He was graduated from the Univer sity of Vermont, 1871, and from the Newton Theological Institu tion, 1874; pursued special studies in Theology at the University of Goettingen, 1878-79 ; ordained at Manchester, Vermont, August 1 HISTORY OF BETHEL. 239 19, 1874 ; pastor of the Baptist church, Manchester, 1874-6 ; Bel fast, Me., 1876-8 ; Vei-gennes, Vt., 1880-3 ; Professor and Acting President Atlanta Baptist Seminary, Atlanta, Ga., 1883-6; pastor at Holden, Mass., since 1886. He married May 12, 1880, Efflgene Lydia, daughter of Truman Chittenden Galusha of Jericho, Vt., born Sept. 14, 1858 ; has one child, Walter Dalton Estes, born at Vergennes, Vt., July 2'2, 1881. ii Walter Dalton, b. July 20, 1855. He was a young man of great promise, and while a student at law at Richford, Vermont, he drank water from a poisoned well, and thereby lost his life. He died Feb. 22, 1878. iii Alice Maud, b. Feb. 13, 1874. She graduated from Leicester Acade my in the class of 1891. Rev. Sumnee Estes. Rev. Sumner Estes was the son of Eli and Clarissa (Kimball) Estes, and was born in Bethel, June eleventh, eighteen hundred and twenty-seven. He fitted for college, entered at Waterville, but re mained only one year. He then commenced preaching and had settlements in Sidney, Rockport and elsewhere. On account of a disease of the throat and other infirmities, he was obliged to give up preaching and is now an apothecary in Sanford, Maine. Rev. Alpheus Geovee. Rev. Alpheus Grover was the son of Jedediah Grover of Bethel. He graduated from Bowdoin College in eighteen hundred and thirty- nine, and later, at the Bangor Theological Seminary. He died at Lewiston on his way home from Bangor, in eighteen hundred and forty-three, aged thirty-four years. Rev. Javan K. Mason. He was the son of Walter Mason of Grover Hill in Bethel. He fitted for college at Gould's Academy, and graduated from Bowdoin College in eighteen hundred and forty-five, and from the Bangor Theological Seminary. He was long pastor of the church at Hamp den, and later at Thomaston, where he was chaplain to the State Prison. While here he became much interested in the movement for ameliorating the condition of convicts, and for devising means for their mental and moral improvement. He was delegate from Maine to the World's convention, which had these special objects 240 HISTORY OF BETHEL. in charge. After this he had a long pastorate at Fryeburg, and then removed from the State. He is a man of ability and a faith ful worker in his master's vineyard. He married Susanna, daughter -of Thaddeus Twitchell of this town. Rev. Wellington Newell. Rev. Wellington Newell was the second son of Seth Bannister and Betsey (Kimball) Newell, and was born in Pembroke, N. H., January eleventh, eighteen hundred and sixteen. His father re moved with his family to Bethel in eighteen hundred and twenty- five and settled on a farm on the north side of the river. Wellington attended the district school, the high school at Bethel Hill and at North Bridgton Academy, and qualified himself as a teacher, in which he was very successful. He was also a good singer, and on winter evenings, taught the old-fashioned singing school. Subse quently he graduated at the Normal School in Bridgewater, Mass., and then went into business in Boston, where he married Lucinda D. Bradford, and had one son, who died at the age of six months. The mother died two years later. Mr. Newell then came to Bethel, and for a time was employed in the store of Robert and Elbridge Chapman. He entered Bangor Theological Seminary and graduated in eighteen hundred and fifty-five. At Brewer Village, he was acting pastor for nine years, preaching also at East Orrington. For many years he was a member of the Examining Committee of Bangor Seminary. For two years and a half, that he might be near his mother, he preached at North Water ford, and after her death, he accepted a call at East Charlemont, Massachusetts, where he was installed in eighteen hundred and ¦seventy-three. In eighteen hundred and seventy-seven he removed to Greenfield and was there over ten years as acting pastor, though his health had been failing for two or three years. In the autumn of eighteen hundred and eighty-eight, he had a slight attack of pneumonia and came to Bethel. In March following, he had another attack, and after this, for much of the time until the end came he was confined to his bed. He died July eighteenth, eighteen hundred and eighty-nine, at the residence of his sister, Mrs. Timo thy H. Chapman. He married a second time L. Amanda, daughter of Rev. Charles Frost who was long the pastor of the First church in Bethel, aud by this union there were flve sons and one daughter. He was a very amiable man, always kind and courteous, yet al- HISTORY OF BETHEL. 241 ways dignified. He was thoughtful in the little things of every day life, ever regardful of the feelings of others, and ever ready with his words of kindness, to smooth over the rough places in the pathway of others. He was a good preacher, and under his ministrations the churches over which he presided grew in grace and in numbers. The churches at Brewer Village and East Orrington doubled their numbers while he was with them. The example of a blameless life had much to do with his success as a pastor. CHAPTER XX. Physicians. e regiment. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 277 Solon H. Mills was mustered into Company B, Ninth Maine Volun teers, September 22, 1861; he re-enlisted January 1, 1864, and was mus tered out \\ith the regiment, July 13, 1865. After his re-enlistment he was a musician. Feancis Mitchell was mustered in Company A, Twelfth ]\Iaine Vol unteers, November 15, 1861, and was discharged to join the Second United States Artillery. Edjiund Meerill was mustered in Company G, Thirtieth Maine Volunteers, and was mustered out with the regiment. Samuel H. Merrill was mustered in Companj- G, Twelfth Slaiue Vol unteers, February 19, 1864, aud was transferred to the Twelfth Maine Battalion. Alonzo D. Morgan w-as mustered as private in Company K, Thirteenth Maine Volunteers, December 13, 1861, and was discharged by order of Major Gardiner, April 17, 1862. Sylvester Mason was mustered in the Seventh Maine Battery, Decem ber 30, 1863, and w-as reported absent sick, when the battery was mustered out, June 21, 1865. John Mason w-as mustered in the Seventh INIaine Battery, December 30, 1863, and was mustered out with the battery, June 21, 1865. Olivee Y, Nutting vs-as mustered in the Fourth Maine Battery, Jan uary 14, 1862, was promoted to Corporal, re-enlisted and -svas mustered out with the battery. He resides at Perham, Aroostook county. James Nutting was mustered in Company H, Tenth Maine Volunteers, August 21, 1862, was transferred to the Tenth Maine Battalion and thence to Company G, Twenty-ninth Maine, was placed on detached service and remained until his term of three years expired. He now lives at Perham, Aroostook county Reuben H. Penley was mustered in Company G, Ninth Maine Volun teers, September 21, 1861, as a musician; was transferred to Companj- H, and then to Companj- I of the same regiment ; he was discharged for disa bility. May 10, 1863. He re-enlisted as musician in Companj^ G, Thirtieth Maine, Avas reduced to the ranks, and w-as mustered out with the regiment. Chaeles F. Penley was mustered in Company C, Seventeenth Maine Volunteers, August 18, 1862, wounded Maj^ 5, 1864, was promoted Corporal and was mustered out with the regiment, June 4, 1865. Lewis Powers was mustered in Company I, Thirtj^-second Maine Vol unteers, May 5, 1864, and died in Washington, July 10, ls64. George AV. Peabody was mustered into Company B, Thirtj^-second Maine Volunteers, was transferred to Company B, Thirtj--flrst Maine, and was mustered out with that regiment. Spencer T. Peabody w-as mustered in Company I, Fifth Maiue Volun teers, June 24, 1861 ; he w-as promoted to Corporal and Sergeant, and w-as taken prisoner, December 14, 1863. He is sometimes recorded as "Thomas S. Peabody," and sometimes as "T. Spencer Peabody." He is also in some reports accredited to Gilead. Lowell B. Pratt was mustered in Company I, Fifth Maiue Volunteers, 278 HISTORY OF BETHEL. June 24, 1861, and was discharged for disability, October 4, 1863. Charles H. Putnam was mustered in Company D, Sixteenth Maine Volunteers, was promoted Corporal, taken prisoner July 1, 1863, and died at Richmond, Va., November 24, 1863. Stephen S. Robertson was mustered in Company D, Sixteenth Maine Regiment, September 15, 1863, and was transferred to Company 1 of the Twentieth Maine, was taken prisoner and parolled. He was mustered out with the regiment. AuEELius A. ROBEETSON was mustered as Corporal in Company I, Sev enteenth Maine Regiment, August 18, 1862, w-as wounded July 2, 1863, at Gettysburg, and died July 5th following. ASBUEY T. Rowe was mustered in Company B, Twenty-third Maine Volunteers, September 29, 1862, was promoted Corporal, and was mustered out with the regiment, July 15, 1863. William Richardson was mustered in Company A, Twelfth Maine Volunteers, November 15, 1861, and was discharged for disability, July 17, 1862. Charles B. Ryerson was mustered in Company B, Twelfth Maine Regiment, November 20, 1861, and was subsequently transferred to Company A, and was discharged for disability in 1863. Albert B. Richaedson was mustered into Company H, Thirteenth Maine Volunteers, February 29, 1864, and was transferred to the Thirtieth Maine, and was mustered out with that regiment. Ceylon Russell was mustered in Company D, Sixteenth Maine Regi ment, August 14, 1862, was reported absent, sick, in 1862 and 1863, and was transferred to the Invalid corps, November 15, 1863. Solon Robeetson enlisted in Company G, First Maine Regiment, May 3, 1861, and was mustered out with the regiment at the end of three months. Nelson Rice was mustered in Company I, Fifth Maine Regiment, June 24, 1861, and was transferred to gun-boat service. Washington B. Robeetson was mustered in Company I, Fifth Maine Regiment, was captured at Bull Run, and was reported a deserter by vir tue of general order 92 ; he was also reported discharged Sept. 12, 1862. Loeenzo D. Russell was mustered in Company I, Fifth Maine Regi ment, June 24, 1861, and served out his full term. Feank Rowell was mustered iu Company G, Thirtieth Maine Volun teers, December 28, 1863, and when the regiment w-as mustered out, was reported sick in hospital. O'Neil W. Robinson was mustered as Captain of the Fourth Maine Battery, December 21, 1861 ; he was promoted Major and died July 17, 1863, at his father's house in Waterford. Solon Robeetson was mustered as Corporal in the Fourth Maine Battery, December 21, 1861, and was discharged March 18, 1863. Orson H. Sawtelle was mustered on the quota of Bethel, in Company (.;, Thirtieth Maine Volunteers, December 28, 1863, and was mustered out with the regiment. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 279 Joseph H. Skillings was mustered in Company G, Thirtieth Maine Regiment, June 20, 1864, and died December 6, following. OSJIYN Smith was mustered in the Fourth Maine Battery, February 12, 1862, and was discharged for disability, March 17, 1863. Edward P. Stearns was mustered into Company G, First Maine Regi ment, May 3, 1861, and was mustered out with the regiment al the end of -three months. He was mustered as Corporal in the Fifth Maine Battery, December 4, 1861, re-enlisted, and was appointed wagoner, and was mus tered out with the battery. Cyrus Swift enlisted in Company H, Thirteenth Maine Volunteers, and died at Fort St. Phillip, La., August 28, 1862. He formerly lived at South Bethel. .John Mason Swift was mustered in Company I, Fifth Maine A'olun- teers, November 9, 1861 ; he was reported a deserter by virtue of order 92, was subsequently restored to the rolls and discharged for disability. He went west. Edward N. Stowell w-as mustered into Company I, Twelfth Maine Volunteers, and was mustered out with the regiment. He had previously been in the 18th unassigned company. Marcus E. Swan was mustered in Company C, Twentieth Maine Vol unteers, August 29, 1862, was reported sick at West Philadelphia in 1863, and was discharged for disability, March 3, 1863. Charles P. Stearns was mustered into Company G, First Maine Regi ment, May 3, 1861, and was mustered out with the regiment at the end of three months. Edwaed G. Sturgis was mustered into Company I, Fifth Maine Regi ment, November 13, 1861, and was killed in battle. May 3, 1863. Daniel W. Sceibnee was mustered into Company I, Fifth Maine Vol unteers, as First Sergeant, June 24, 1861. He was reported a deserter, re duced to the ranks, returned, and was detailed on gun boat service. He resides iu Portland. In some reports he is not accredited to Bethel. Simeon W. Sanborn was mustered into Company I, Fifth Maine Volun teers as Sergeant, June 24, 1861 ; he was promoted to First Sergeant, and to Second Lieutenant to rank from February 5, 1862; was dropped from the rolls by order 163, restored and discharged for disability. Daniel M. Stearns was mustered into Compaay I, Fifth Maine Volun teers, January 4, 1862 ; he was wounded May 3, 1863, and was transferred to the First Maine Veterans. JerO-ME O. Sanborn was mustered in Company E, Tenth Maine Regi ment, October 4, 1861, was wounded September 7, 1862, at the battle of Antietam, lost a leg, and was discharged March 23, 1863. Geoege W. Smith was mustered into Company A, Twelfth Maine Volunteers, November 15, 1861, and deserted December 11, following. Maetin a. Stowell was mustered in Company I, Twelfth Maine Regi ment, and was discharged by order, March 23, 1866. Wainsbuey B. Seavey was mustered in Company I, Twelfth Maine Volunteers, and was discharged with the regiment. 280 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Austin F. Twitchell enlisted in the Fourth Maiue Batterj^ and was mustered January 14, 1862. In December, he was reported sick in hos pital, and was discharged January 7, 1863. He re-enlisted in the Seventh Maine Battery, was mustered December 30, 1863, and w-as mustered out with the battery. He resides in Portland. Albert S. Twitchell was mustered as Quartermaster's Sergeant in the Seventh Maine Battery, on account of disability returned to the ranks, and was mustered out ^\\i\\ the regiment, June 21, 1865. He resides at Gorham, N. H. William L. Twitchell w as mustered in the Seventh Maine Battery, Januarj' 29, 1864, and w-as mustered out with the battery. He died soon after from disabilitj' incurred in the service. Adelbert B. Twitchell was mustered in Compauy I, Fifth Maine Volunteers, June 24, 1861, and was appointed Quartermaster Sergeant of the Regiment. He w-as transferred to the Fifth Maine Batterj-, w-as pro moted to be Second and First Lieutenant ; was wounded in the battle at Chancellorsville ; resigned to accept the Captaincy of the Seventh Maine Battery, into which he was mustered December 29, 1863 ; was mustered out with the batterj- June 21, 1865, as Brevet !Major, by reason of the close of the war. He resides in Newark, N. J. Ozmon F. Twitchell enlisted in the 18th unassigned company, March 17, 1865, and was assigned to Company I, Twelfth Maine Volunteers. Alfred M. True was mustered into United States service in Company G, First Maine Regiment, and was mustered out with the regiment at the end of its term of three months. He re-enlisted in Company A, Tw-elfth Maine Volunteers, and w-as mustered November 15, 1861, as Corporal, was promoted Sergeant, re-enlisted, was transferred to Company A, Tw-elfth . Maine Battalion, as Sergeant, and w-as mustered out April 18, 1866. Fordyce P. Twitchell was mustered in Company D, Sixteenth Maine Regiment, August 14, 1862, and w-as detailed as hospital nurse. He was subsequently promoted to Corporal and Sergeant, and was mustered out with the regiment, June 5, 1865. Charles J. Twitchell w-as mustered in Companj- B, Tw-entj^-third Maine Volunteers, September 29, 1862, and died at OflTufs Cross Roads, December 20, 1862. Henry Vaillancourt enlisted, and w-as mustered in Company I, Fifth Maine Volunteers, June 24, 1861, and w-as discharged June 27, follow-ing, he being a British subject. John B. Walker w-as mustered as First Lieutenant of Company I, Fifth Maine Volunteers, June 24, 1861 ; he was promoted to C.iptain to rank from July 1, 1862, and w-as discharged for disability, June 18, 1863. He went west and died. MiLO C. Walker was mustered in Company I, Fifth Maine Volunteers, June 24, 1861, and was reported a deserter by virtue of order number 162. John S. Wormell was mustered in Company I, Fifth Maine Regiment, June 24, 1861, and was reported a deserter by virtue of order 92. CvKUS M. Wormell was mustered as Second Lieutenant of Company I) HISTORY OF BETHEL. 281 Fiftli Maine Volunteers, June 24, 1861, and resigned February 15, 1862. E. Mellen Wight was mustered as First Lieutenant in Companj- B, Twenty-third Maine Volunteers, September 29, 1862, and was discharged December 17, following. He died at Chattanooga. Jar-vts S. Wight was mustered as Corporal iu Company B, Tw-eutj^- third Maine Volunteers, was promoted Sergeant and was mustered out w-ith the regiment, July 15, 1863. Harlan P. Wheeler was mustered in Company B, Twenty-third JNlaiue Volunteers, was promoted Corporal aud mustered out w-ith the regiment. Cornelius M. York was mustered In Company I, Fifth Maine Regi ment, December 4, 1861, and w-as discharged for disability, August 23, 1862. AURELIUS L. Young was mustered in Company I, Twelfth Maine Volunteers, and was mustered out w-ith the regiment. Geoege H. Young was mustered as Corporal in Company H, Thirteenth Maine Regiment, and was transferred to the Thirtieth Maine Volunteers. CHAPTER XXIII. Educational Mattees. HEN the first school was opened in Sudbury Canada planta tion, cannot be stated with any degree of confidence. There were no public schools until some time after the plantation became a town, but in the west parish and quite likely in the east, private schools were taught quite early. It is known that in seventeen hundred and eighty-eight a private school was taught in the west parish by Mr. .John Mason. About this time, a log ¦school house was built near the junction of the Mill Brook road with the river road, not far from where the steam mill was afterwards built. It was a rude structure, badly lighted, and the seats were benches made of slabs. Rev Eliphaz Chapman taught in this house in seventeen hundred and ninety-two, and during the following sum mer, the teacher was Sally, daughter of Rev. William Fessenden of Fryeburg. The next teacher was Abigail Warren of Waterford, then Hannah Chapman, Dr. John Brickett and David Coffin. Rev. Caleb Bradley, who was here as a possible candidate for settlement, in seventeen hundred and ninety-eight, taught school in the house of Lieutenant Jonathan Clark and had twenty pupils. This house 282 HISTORY OF BETHEL. was long occupied by Rev. Charles Frost and is still standing, the oldest house in the west parish. In the lower parish the terms of school were few and far between, and were taught in private houses. Abigail Warren taught there in seventeen hundred and ninety-nine. In seventeen hundred and ninety-eight, there was provision made for the erection of three schopl houses, one for the east parish, to be near the house of Thaddeus Bartlett, one for the center of the town, to be located at Middle Interval, and the one for the west parish, tO' be near John Stearns' barn, or near Barker's Ferry. This house was moved to Bethel in three years. This year, also, a school com mittee of seven was chosen, Nathaniel Segar, Jonathan Bartlett, Amos Gage, Eleazer Twitchell, Amos Hastings, Josiah Bean and Walter Mason. The first money raised for schools was in eighteen hundred, when one hundred dollars were appropriated for summer and the same amount for winter schools. In seventeen hundred and ninety-nine. Rev. Daniel Gould was settled over the Congregational church at Bethel Hill, and soon after opened a boarding school on the farm he then occupied, now the Doctor Wiley place. His suc cess was marked, and no doubt this early school and his other efforts in the same direction, had much to do in giving character to the town. He was a profound scholar, an accomplished teacher and a devoted friend of popular education. He took great interest in the early schools of the town, visited them often, encouraged the teach ers in their good work, and attached the pupils to himself by words- of advice and encouragement. His Bethel pupils have, one by one, either preceded or followed him through the dark portals of the tomb, but his memory will be fragrant in this town so long as the bell of Gould's Academy shall be heard, calling its pupils together for study aud for recitation! Some of his early Bethel pupils be came distinguished men and women. The amount raised by the town for schools was gradually increased, and in a short time with interest on the school fund added, amounted to a respectable sum. In eighteen hundred and three, a committee was appointed to divide the town into school districts, and at a subsequent meeting the committee reported. The report which was accepted, divided the town into six school districts, each district extending from the south to the north line of the town, and numbered from the most easterly district. This division was subject to many inconveniences, but the town was sparsely settled, and perhaps it was the best that could be made under the circumstances. Each district was divided HISTORY OF BETHEL. 283 by the great river, and the only means for crossing it in summer was by boats. This re-districting called for three additional school houses, which were erected by the districts with a little aid in some cases by the town. As the population increased, the school dis tricts were divided, the river being made the dividing line until several new districts were formed. In eighteen hundred and twenty- flve, Bethel had fourteen school houses, six hundred pupils, and over five hundred dollars were expended for schools. In eighteen hun dred and forty, the town was divided into twenty-four school dis tricts, and there has been no regular re-districting since that time. Some districts have since been divided, thereby increasing the num ber, but the numbering made in eighteen hundred and forty, so far as it goes, is still in force. Through the instrumentality of Gould's Academy, Bethel has sent out a large number of trained teachers, who have performed excel lent service in the cause of education. The town has not only been able to supply its own schools from its native born teachers, but it has furnished teachers for schools of every grade, not only in this, but in many other States of the Union. Many have done missionary and educational work in the South, and some who were there at the breaking out of the war of the rebellion, found it difficult to get away, and more difficult to remain with any degree of safety. Many of the new states of the west have had the benefit of Bethel trained teachers, and there is hardly any State where they are not found. The clergymen of Bethel, following the example of Parson Gould, have ever manifested a deep interest in the success of the common schools of the town, and have had much to do with their management. Notably among them, may be mentioned Rev. Charles Frost, Rev. David Garland, Rev. John H. M. Leland, Rev. Benjamin Donham, Rev. Arthur Drinkwater and Rev. Absalom G. Gaines. Mr. Donham, besides attending to his parochial duties, taught school nearly every winter while he remained here. Mr. Garland was indefatigable in his efforts to elevate the character of the common schools, and the scholarly attainments of Mr. Gaines, with his long experience in teaching, admirably fitted him for the duties of superintending school committee. But few of the early Bethel school houses are left. Some have been burned, but most of them have been torn down and given place to more convenient and more imposing structures. The little school house on the Bird Hill, where the writer hereof first attended school, and where he first 284 HISTORY OF BETHEL. tiaught, is still standing and still serving the district in the purpose for which it was erected. A High school was established at Bethel Hill in eighteen hundred and thirty-five. The people had long felt the need of an institution of this kind. Many young men and women, feeling the need of a better education than could be obtained at the common school, had attended the academies at Fryeburg, Bridgton, Hebron and else where, and there seemed to be no reason why a part of the expense could not be saved by establishing a school at home, where aspirants for a higher education and those wishing to prepare for college could attend. An organization was effected by the choice of Robbins Brown, President ; William Frye, Secretary ; Robert A. Chapman, Treasurer, and Charles Frost, Jedediah Burbank, John Hastings, Jonathan A. Russell, Jesse Cross, John Harris, Ebenezer Elling wood, Joseph Sanborn, James Walker and Timothy Chapman, Trustees. Nathaniel T. True was engaged as Principal and John P. Davis, Assistant. The school commenced in the old school house, with thirty-five pupils, and was highly prosperous. The school house was found inadequate for the increasing number of scholars, and in a short time it was moved to the ell of the Bethel House. There were eighty-five pupils the flrst year, and one hun dred and twenty-three the second. Among those in attendance were the following who subsequently became professionally or otherwise, more or less distinguished : Dr. Zenas W. Bartlett, Moses B. Bart lett, Rev. Ezekiel W. Coffin, Hon. John P. Davis, Dr. James H. P. Frost, Major Abernethy Grover, Prof. Talleyrand Grover, Majbr O'Neil W. Robinson, Dr. Almon Twitchell, Rev. Addison Abbot, Dr. Samuel B. Twitchell, Dr. Lawson A. Allen, Augustus J. Bur bank, Capt. Gideon A. Hastings, Major David R. Hastings, Dr. Moses Ingalls, Hon. Lafayette Grover, Gen. Wm. K. Kimball, Eli Wight, Robert I. Burbank, Dr. John E. L. Kimball, Rev. Welling ton Newell, Rev. John G. Pingree, Dr. Wm. Williamson, Rev. Javan K. Mason, Hiram Ellingwood and Dr. Hiram Bartlett. In eighteen hundred and thirty-six, the trustees of the High school petitioned the Legislature for an act of incorporation as Bethel Academy. The corporators were John Grover, Moses Mason, Wm. Frye, Charles Frost, Jedediah Burbank, John Has tings, Stephen Emery, Barbour Bartlett, James Walker, Levi Whit man, Robbins Brown, Valentine Little, George W. Chapman, Timothy Carter, Phineas Frost, Timothy Hastings and Robert A. ^«v^ ?» "t^„i-'"%^>4 GOULD'S ACADEMY, I860. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 285- Chapman. The academy building was erected during that season, on the spot where the present academy stands. The corporators chose Dr. Timothy Carter, President, Dr. John Grover, Vice Presi dent, and William Frye, Secretary. The teacher of the high school, Mr. True, was now engaged in the study of the medical profession, and Isaac Randall of Dixfield was chosen Preceptor of the new Academy, and continued in that capacity for about two years. After that, for some years, changes were frequent, as the school was in charge of those who were preparing for professional life, and teaching was only a means to that end. William R. Chapman taught one term in eighteen hundred and thirty-eight, and Joseph Hill the rest of the year. Charles M. Blake taught in eighteen hun dred and thirty- nine, Calvin Chamberlain the following year. Moses Soule had charge of the school three years and became a profes sional teacher. Moses B. Bartlett and Abernethy Grover had charge in eighteen hundred and forty-two, David R. Hastings and Talleyrand Grover in eighteen hundred and forty-four, Joseph Pickard in eighteen hundred and forty-six, William C. Hurd in eighteen hundred and forty-seven. In eighteen hundred and forty- eight, came Dr. Nathaniel T. True, who, since he taught the Bethel High school, had graduated in medicine and practiced his profession for a time, but not liking it, had determined to return to his first love. He continued in charge for thirteen years, and this was the golden era, in the history of the school. The building was often packed with scholars and some had to be turned away for lack of room. In eighteen hundred and forty-two. Rev. Daniel Gould, failing to awaken an interest in the cause of higher education in Rumford, proposed to make a bequest to the academy, provided they would change the name. The trustees voted to accept the legacy with the conditions attached, and a petition to the Legislature caused the institution to be called Gould's Academy in Bethel. About eight hundred dollars were realized from this bequest. In eighteen hun dred and flfty, the Legislature granted a half township of land, which the trustees sold for twenty-five hundred dollars. These two sums constituted the permanent funds of the institution. Quite early in the fifties, the interior of the academy was changed by a rearrangement of the seats, and in eighteen hundred and sixty-nine, the building was enlarged by the addition of eighteen feet to the rear. In eighteen hundred and eighty-one, the old academy was 286 HISTORY OF BETHEL. removed and a new one, much larger, and with important improve ments, was erected on the spot. It was completed the following year, and the citizens of Bethel contributed over twelve hundred dollars to aid in furnishing it. In eighteen hundred and fifty-five. Dr. John Grover gave to the trustees, the sum of one hundred and sixty dollars, which he subse quently increased to two hundred dollars, the interest of which only, can be spent for chemical and philosophical apparatus. The Gould and Grover funds are both perpetual, the interest only being permitted to be used. The funds accruing from the sale of the land donated by the State can be used for any purpose connected with the Academy. In eighteen hundred and ninety, there was serious talk of chang ing to the High School system, and the trustees took a vote to that effect, but there were many who desired the continuance of the Academy plan, and on application to the Legislature, an annuity of eight hundred dollars to be continued for ten years was granted, and Gould's Academy in Bethel is still the corporate name of the school, and likely to continue so. The following persons have served as Presidents of the Board of Trustees : Dr. Timothy Carter, May 2, 1836, to August 29, 1837. Dr. .John Grover, August 29, 1837, to December 23, 1853. Dr. Moses Mason, December 23, 1853, to November 6, 1866. Oilman Chapman, November 6, 1866, to the time of his death. Gideon A. Hastings, to the present time. The following persons have served as Secretaries of the corpora tion : Hon. William Frye, May 2, 1836, to February 22, 1854. Hon. Robert A. Chapman, February 2, 1854, to February 10, 1858. Richard A. Frye, February 10, 1858, to 1878. Enoch Foster, from 1879 to 1885. Goodwin R. Wiley, from 1885, to the present time. The list of trustees of the academy since its incorporation, is as follows : Rev. Charles Frost, James Burbank, Oilman Chapman, Phineas Frost, HISTORY OF BETHEL. 287 JEbenezer Eames. Peter C. Virgin, Alvan Bolster, Eliphalet Hopkins, Rev. Edwin A. Buck, Rev. Charles Soule, Eber Clough, George W. Chapman, ¦Gideon A. Hastings, Rev. Absalom G. Gaines, Abernethy Grover, Dr. George Collins, Moses C. Foster, Moses T. Cross, Charles P. Knight, Ceylon Rowe, Wm. E. Skillings, J. U. Purington, A. W. Grover, A. E. Herrick, Robbins Brown, Elbridge Gerry, -James Walker, Leonard Grover, Timothy Hastings, Alphin Twitchell, Rev. John H. M. Leland, O'Neil W. Robinson, Jr. Rev. David Garland, Albert L. Burbank, Rev. John B. Wheelwright, David Hammons, David F. Brown, Richard A. Frye, Rev. Eugene A. Titus, Enoch Foster, Abner Davis, Samuel D. Philbrook, Samuel B. Twitchell, A. W. Valentine, Oilman P. Bean, H. W. Johnson, John M. Philbrook, Charles Mason, George H. Brown. Since Dr. Nathaniel T. True left the Academy in eighteen hun dred and sixty-one, Principals have been employed as follows : Wellington R. Cross, fall of l.'<61, to .summer of 1862. E. P. Morse, fall of 1862. Merritt C- Fernald, spring of 1863, to summer, 1864. Benj. P. Snow, fall of 1864, to winter of 1865. Wm. P. Young, spring of 1865, to spring of 1866. George T. Plummer, fall of 1866, to summer of 1867. George M. Bodge, fall of 1867, to fall of 1871. Charles H. Hussey, spring of 1872, to winter of 1873. S. A. Thurlow, spring of 1873, to winter of 1874. D. S. Lowell. E. H. Hall. McPherson. John Fisk. 288 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Henry W. Johnson, three years, from 1882. A. F. Sweetsir, one year, from 1885. W. R. Howard, two years, from 1886. A. C. Dresser, one year, from 1888. A. D. Hall, two years, from 1889. Gould's Alumni. The following list embraces the names of those who either fitted for college at Gould's Academy, or who received their academical education there, and who have become distinguished in some one of the learned professions or in other pursuits : Talleyrand Grover, A. M., Prof, of Ancient and Modern Languages in Delaware College, Del., graduated at Bowdoin College. He died at Upsala, Sweden, on his second visit to Europe. He was an accomplished scholar and gentleman. Abernethy Grover, A. B., graduated at Bowdoin, has represented the town and county in several offices, and was Major in the 12th Maine Volunteers ; moved to the west. Laf aj'ette Grover graduated at Law School in Philadelphia, Governor of Oregon for several years, and Senator in United States Senate from that State. Cuvier Grover graduated at West Point, Brigadier General of Volun teers in the late war. Colonel of Cavalry in United States Army ; deceased. Sidney Perham, Governor of Maine and Representative to Congress for several terms. He has been prominently engaged in public life for many years. Jairus Perry, LL. D., graduated at Bowdoin and practiced law in Salem, Mass., where he died. Hiram C. Estes, D. D., graduated at Waterville College and Newton Theological Institution ; has been pastor of the Baptist church in Paris, Maine, and elsewhere. He is highly respected in his denomination. Javan K. Mason, D. D., graduated at Bowdoin, settled many years in Thomaston and in Fryeburg, now in Virginia. Edwin W. Wallace Bartlett, A. M., graduated at Bowdoin, was the ac- comphshed Principal of the High school hi Roxbury, Mass., and died young. Jacob W. Brown was a successful lawyer in Earlville, 111. Aloander Burbank, M. D., graduated at Bowdoin, resided in Lewiston, Maine; died 1883. David Evans, M. D., graduated at Bowdoin, and resides in the eastern part of the State. Henry H. Packard, teacher, school officer and farmer, died in Woodstock, Maine. PROF. TALLEYRAND GROVER, OB JUNE, 1859. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 289 John E. Leland Kimball, M. D., graduated at Woodstock, Vt., and practiced in Saco. Albion K. P. Sawyer, M. D., graduated at Bowdoin and resides at Lewiston. Thomas E. Tw-itchell, merchant, died in Portland. He fllled several im portant offices and was a prominent citizen. Dexter A. Hawkins, A. M., graduated at Bowdoin and was a dis tinguished lawyer in New- York City ; deceased. Wm. Wirt Virgin, A. M., graduated at Bow-doin, now a .Judge of the Supreme Court of Maine. Ralph Cummings, D. D., graduated at Bowdoin, residence not known to the writer. Samuel B. 'I'witchell, A. B., M. D., graduated at Dartmouth College and died young. David 1!. Hastings, A. M., graduated at Bowdoin, a distinguished lawyer in Fryeburg, Maine. Moses Ingalls, A. M., graduated at Bowdoin and settled iu Ohio as teacher. Col. Robert 1. Burbank, A. M., graduated at Dartmouth College, is a, lawyer and resides in Boston. Gideon A. Hastings resides iu Bethel, has filled several important offices, and w-as Major iu the ]'2th Maine Volunteers. Timothy Appleton CJhapman, a distinguished merchant in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Charles Russell, SI. D., graduated at Bowdoin, died in Fayette. Samuel A. Allen, M. D., graduated at Bowdoin, settled and died in Andover, Maine. Theodore S. Carter, merchant in New Vork City. Augustus J. Burbank, A. B., graduated at Bowdoin, went to Chicago. Osmon M. Twitehell, M. D., resides in Madison, AVis. Benjamin Webber Kimball, M. D., Maine Medical School, now an occu- list and aurist, resides at Minneapolis, Minn. .lohn Locke, merchant, Fryeburg, Maine. Charles R. Locke, millman, Chatham, N. H. .James E. Carter, insurance agent and broker, Portland. Philantheus C. Wiley, A. B., Bowdoin College, M. D., same, settled Bethel, drowned in Megalloway river, April 26, 1877. Richard A. Frye, Lawyer, Bethel ; Judge of Probate. Harlan P. Brown, A. R., Bowdoin College; killed in the battle of Antietam while leading a charge. Cullen C. Chapman, merchant, Portland; banker. Oliver H. Mason, merchant. Bethel; died 1891. William B. Lapham, A. M., Colby University, M. D., New York, form erly editor Maine Farmer, Historical and Genealogical author, Augusta, Maine. Albert L. Burbank, Clerk of Courts, official in Portland Custom House, merchant, Portland. 19 290 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Oscar D. Grover, A. B., Delaware College; studied law, but engaged in farming and stock-raising in the west. Henry W. Hall, writer, deceased, V\va.. W. Green, M. D., University of Michigan, Professor of Anatomy and Surgery in several Medical schools, practiced iu Portland, died, and was buried at sea on the return trip from Europe. Chester D. Jetferds, A. B., Amherst, clergyman, died at Chester, Ver mont ; a fine writer and a true poet. Charles W. R. Locke, settled in Nebraska; postmaster, etc. Rev. Uriel W. Small, A. M., graduated at Amherst College and Bangor Theological Seminary. ^Vent west. Reuben Foster, A. M,, graduated at Colby University, lawyer in Water ville, President of Senate and Speaker of the House in Maine Legislature. Adelbert B. Twitchell, A. B., graduated at Bow-doin, Brevet Major of Artillery in civil wax, resides in Newark, N. J. Rev. Sumner Estes, minister in Baptist denomination, is now a druggist at Sanford, Maine. Daniel W. Peabodj^, A. M., graduated at Dartmouth College, lawyer, resides in Boston. Henry C. Peabody, A. M., graduated at Dartmouth, lawyer, resides in Portland. Octavus K. Yeats, M. D., graduated at Bowdoin Medical School, settled at West Paris. Benjamin R, Lunt, druggist, Portland. Rev. George W. Carpenter, clergyman in Protestant Episcopal church. John Q. A. Twitchell, merchant, Portland. Rev. Nahum W. Grover, A. M., graduated at Bowdoin, and Bangor Theological Seminar j-. Rev. Wellington R. Cross, A. M., graduated at Bowdoin College and Bangor Theological Seminary, preceptor of Gould's Academy in 1861-2, afterw-ards tutor in Bowdoin College, clergyman; died 1891. Cyrus Hamlin, Brigadier General in civil war ; died at New- Orleans. Charles Hamlin, A. M., graduated at Bowdoin College, Brevet Brigadier General in civil war, lawyer in Bangor. Rev. Henry L. Chapman, A. M., graduate and Professor in Bowdoin College. Pearl Martin, M. D., lived in Lewiston. liberty E. Holden, A. B., graduated at Michig,>0. On the 3d of August, 1781, occurred an event which is worthy of uote fts being the last of the incursions made by the Indians on the whites in New England. (See Chapter VI, page 45.) As the records of the plantation are supposed to be irrecoverably lost, I am compelled to leave a blank of much that transpired duiing -these years. The only records of the plantation now known to be in existence is the report of a committee to settle accounts with persons who had worked on the fort and on the roads, and for scouting. John Grover was allowed £1 10s. for going to Fryeburg on an express. This was in 1782. Accounts were settled at this time for work on the roads. Probably the first road in town was from near Albert Burbank's farm to David Brown's house, and thence toward Water ford, over the highest, driest and rockiest portions of the land. In 1784, Capt. Peter Twitchell moved to the town and commenced clearing a farm on the land now occupied by Alphin Twitchell on the north side of the river. Many persons remember him as a man of strong physical and mental power. He died in 1854, aged 94 years. In 17S5, occurred the flrst death in the settlement. James Mills, while engaged in felling trees on Grover Hill, was struck by a. tree and instantly killed. I have no record of events during the years 1783 and 1784, till 304 HISTORY OF BETHEL. October 25th, 1785, when there occurred the greatest freshet ever- yet recorded in the Androscoggin river. The inhabitants had built their log houses on the intervales of this river, when they were swept away with all their contents. Capt. Twitchell's house on the island was surrounded with water, and he took off his family with a raft. This was a severe, but useful lesson, as they rebuilt their houses in position above the reach of freshets. One acquainted with the location can form an opinion of its height when he is told that from Clough's mill to the Androscoggin river there was one continuous sheet of water. It rose two feet above the sills of Moses- A. Mason's dwelling house beyond the bridge. We certainly must attribute to the early settlers two unusual and disastrous events, the Indian raid and the great freshet. I do not learn that there were many additions to the population of the town for three or four years after these events. But great crops always occur after a great freshet, and the bountiful harvests induced others to come through the woods to the Scoggin country- as it was then called. It may give us an idea of the relation of this town to that of Paris in this county in 1785, when Miss Dorcas Barbour, who after ward became the good wife of Stephen Bartlett, left her home m Gray, on horseback, behind her father, and rode as far as they could go in this manner to Paris Hill. From this place she con tinued her journey on foot or on snow-shoes, accompanied by Mr. Josiah Segar, who dragged along a sled containing all her goods. They reached a camp at night, where they found difficulty in pro curing a fire for some time, but she always afterwards insisted that she spent the night very comfortably with Mr. Segar. They reached Mr. Keyes' house at Rumford Point the next day, and the following day met her sisters in what is now Hanover. • Among the early settlers was Rev. Eliphaz Chapman, who re moved from Methuen, Mass., to Bethel, in 1789, and settled on the site of the old Indian village and their corn-fields, now occupied by Timothy Hilliard Chapman. His family came to town the next year. This was the first opening on the north side of the river above Moses A. Mason's. Allusion has already been made to John Grover. He and four brothers settled on or near Grover Hill. Though rather tardy in getting married, yet, Mr. President, as all good citizens should do, he married, uniting his fortune with that of Miss Wiley of Frye burg, of whose children may especially be noted Dr. John Grover, for more than fifty years a physician in this town. Let us glance for a moment at the condition of these pioneers who had come from a country comparatively old, to a wilderness. Their route from Massachusetts to Sudbury Canada was either by way of Fryeburg, or to Standish, and then across Sebago and Long Ponds, on the ice in the winter, or in boats in the summer, and the rest of the way through a dense forest. Their most frequent neighbors were the Indians, who still occupied the region as their hunting ground, and who claimed a legal right to the country. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 305 The pioneen-s had no roads. Spotted trees served as guideboards. Though exiled from the world, they had stout hearts, and the earth yielded bountiful crops. Marvellous stories were told by them re lating to their crops of wheat, potatoes and corn on the rich soil of the intervales. Yet they had their luxuries. They employed their time in the spring months in making maple syrup and sugar. Hulled corn boiled in maple syrup is no mean fare. Sage tea took the place of tea and coffee. Fresh moose steak was as good then as now. They could raise the finest wheat, which, made into a cake and baked before the rousing fire, had a flavor which is sought in vain in modern cookery. Dea. George W. Chapman commemorates their luxuries in verse : "Our blueberry sauce and cranberry tart. And blessed maple honey, too. Refresh the taste, rejoice the heart. And loss of appetite renew." Their sleep was just as sweet in a log house as in a palace. The blazing hard wood fire in one corner of their house sent out rays of comfort to its inmates. A series of shelves in the kitchen held the bright pewter plates and the crockery ware in proud array, while the cupboard beneath had two kegs, one of which contained molasses. They ate their baked beans in those days with their knives instead! of their forks, and drank their tea and coffee from the saucer if it was too hot. A stranger at the table was never waited upon, but was invited by the host to help himself to the food placed in the centre. A man that could not help himself in those days was considered of little account. Breakfast was had by candle-light in winter so the men could go to the woods by daylight. Dinner was had at twelve o'clock, and announced by the dinner-horn or by a halloo from the mother of the family. Supper in the evening by candle-light. The evenings in autumn and winter were largely spent by the men in husking and shelling corn, making shoes, baskets, brooms, bottoming chairs, making axe handles, and perhaps an ox yoke. The women worked even later at night than the men. Sometimes twelve or one o'clock would find the mother busy with her needle, preparing for the wants of her family. There was no ten-hour system then. The hired man was out of bed by daylight in sum mer, and worked till dark, with only time to eat his meals, and if a young man he was expected to see how fast he could work. Mar vellous stories can be told here to-day by old men, of how much a man could do in a single day. Fifty years ago it was the best man in town that could get ten dollars a month in summer. There was a neighborly feeling existing then which is hardly known at the present day. If a neighbor called at another's house he rarely ever knocked, or if he did he heard the familiar words, 20 306 HISTORY OF BETHEL. "walk in." The apple-paring bee, the husking, the raising, the- quilting bee were scenes of real hearty enjoyment. Public demon strations were few, and these served as a substitute and a useful* purpose. The family kitchen was the common reception room for every thing. The long poles overhead served for the clothes after theyr had been washed and ironed, while in the autumn they were cov ered with dried pumpkins and strings of dried apple. The old musket which had served in the war hung to a beam overhead. The huge fireplace was regularly supplied with a great back-log,, fore-stick, and other wood every morning. The pile of ashes served for roasting potatoes and burying up the coals at night. If the file went out during the night recourse was had to the flint and. steel and tinder box, or a boy was dispatched to a neighbor's for a live coal. Seats were improvised, and the neighbors assembled in the kitchen for a lecture from the clergyman, while on Sunday even ing a neighboring youth made his appearance to court the oldest, or some other daughter of the family. Candles and lamps and window curtains were not needed then. The blazing fire shone cheerfully. into the faces of those who made their courting a serious matter. Evening visits to each others' houses were common in winter. A. bowl of apples and a mug of cider alwaj's made their appearance. A bountiful supper, in which doughnuts and mince pies were sure- to be seen, was followed by stories of pirates and witches which abounded iu those days, or of the personal adventures in the revo lutionary war, or on some knotty doctrinal subject in theology.. We smile at these things, but there was a hearty, rational pleasure scarcely enjoyed by a more artificial state of society. They easily made necessity the mother of invention. A wooden. sap trough could easily be converted into a cradle by the additioni of a set of rockers. The manufacture of wooden bowls, plates and spoons gave them em [Joyment during the long winter evenings. For the want of brick to make a chimney, they could make a hole- through the roof, and top one out with mud and sticks. A moose sled of peculiar construction, called by the Indians, tarboggin, answered a variety of purposes during the winter, while at a later period long poles lashed to the sides of a horse served for drawing. in their supplies from the outer world. Everybody could use snow- shoes. Holes dug in the ground served as a place of deposit for their potatoes, and a crib made of poles protected their corn. Hopes of a better home stimulated them, and their increasing fam ilies and bountifu' vops were abundant rewards to them for all their toil. Among all the inconveniences incident to pioneer life, I have never heard of but one instance where a difl9culty occurred which» could not in some way be overcome. A man by the name of New- land had a fine pig which he placed in a large hollow pine stump for his sty. The pig grew rapidly, and so large that he could not be taken out of his pen without spoiling the stump. When coming to Sudbury Canada they spoke of going througb HISTORY OF BETHEL. 307 the woods to the Scoggin country. Everybody knew when a stranger came, what was his business, and when he left. It may give you some idea of the toils and the strength of the men of those days when you are told that Jonathan Barker came from Fryeburg on the snow in the spring of 1780, up Sunday river, hauling on a hand-sled a five-pail iron kettle, a three-pail iron pot, and a grindstone, while he probably had on his shoulders, his pro visions, his gun and axe. He had his camp plundered by the Indians. His son, Capt. Wm. B:irker, aged eighty-six, and his wife Abigail Segar, daughter of Nathaniel Segar, aged eighty-three, still reside on the farm first cleared by Lieut. Segar, and in the house built by him, which are, with Lieut. Clark's house, probably the oldest in town. Capt. Barker was born on the farm now occupied by John Rus~ sell. Edmund Bean, aged ninety in November, and present to-day,. was also born in this town, and these are the two oldest native-born citizens now living. As the Plantation now rapidly increased in population, the citi zens petitioned the Massachusetts Legislature for an act of incorpo ration as a town, which was granted June 10, 1796 — seventy-eight years ago. It might puzzle most of the present population to know what place is referred to by the following description of its boundaries in the act of incorporation : "Beginning at a beech tree marked S. Y. one mile from Amare- scoggin river and on the north side of Peabody's Patant, thence running south 20 degrees east, four miles and one-half on Peabody's Patant, and Fryeburg Academy land to a hemlock tree marked 1-1-1 — 111. Thence east twenty degrees north nine miles on Oxford and State lands to a beach tree marked 1. Thence north twenty degrees four miles one quarter and sixty rods on Newpenni cook to Amariscoggin river ; thence west two degrees south, three miles and three quarters on Howard's Grant to a beach tree ; thence west thirty four degrees south on Thomastowu to the flrst mentioned bound." vSuch are the original boundary lines of Bethel. The name of Bethel was suggested by Rev. Eliphaz Chapman. I must pass over the events of the next few years. Settlers now poured into the town more rapidly, so that from 1790 to 1796 a large number of the intervale lots were occupied. This was espe cially the case in the lower part of the town, where the broad intervales early attracted the attention of these pioneers. It would be pleasant to notice more fully the name of Moses Mason, father of the late Dr. Moses Mason, a man of correct judgment, good sense, and a peacemaker among his neighbors. Samuel B. Locke came to Bethel in 1796. Most of us know what a family he reared, and that one. Prof. John Locke, became distinguished for his scientiflc attainments. Time will not allow me to-day even to name many families who 308 HISTORY OF BETHEL. moved into town, which have played an important part in its history. The future historian must do this. Passing on to the close of the last century, it may be well to spend a moment in reviewing the ground we have gone over. It will be noticed how prominent was the influence of a few family names in moulding the character of the town. First — The Twitch- ells were the only descendants of the old proprietors. They were strong men, and well fltted for pioneer life. Then the Grovers, who settled around Grover Hill, should be noticed. Some of them seem to have been born good, and they have played an important part in the history of the town. The Bartletts have always proved an industrious and thriving people, and have done their share towards developing the natural resources of the town, and adorning it with tasteful residences. The Swans should not be forgotten. They seem to have con verged toward that most lovely spot in town known as Swan's Hill, which our summer visitors should not fail to see for the beautiful scenery, the maple orchards and thriving farms of its occupants. The Russells have hardly kept up their original number. Many moved from the town, so that comparatively few of the name now remain, though of good quality. The Chapmans have been among our most successful business men. They seem to have the peculiar faculty of buying dear and selling cheap, and yet contrive to thrive by the process. The Powers are a name highly respectable and successful in the various pursuits of life in which they have been engaged, but have nearly all left the town. The Farwells have held possession of Mt. Farwell, which they have embellished with flue farms. The Masons, fat at forty, are shrewd in business, and prosperous without apparent effort. The Beans have acted well their part as good townsmen. Then there are the Barkers, the Estes, the Kimballs and the Holts, and other names of equal importance which might be men tioned, did time allow. Capt. Eleazer Twitchell may be regarded the founder of the village of Bethel Hill. He looked with jealous care at everything which should bring the Hill into notice. He had a road built from the grist-mill up the hill, which gave rise to the name Bethel Hill. He had built a large house known as the castle in 1797, on the Common, in the rear of the late Lovejoy Hotel, now burnt, where he kept tavern, had a store, surveyed lands and timber, and had charge of a saw and grist-mill. This was the flrst house on the Common. He gave the Common to the parish in 1797 on condition that the town would clear off the trees and build a church on it. The opposition to this measure from the north side of the river led to a compromise by building the church near the mouth of Mill Brook, some twenty rods above the great bridge over the Andros coggin. As he died without giving a deed of the property, his heirs, Joseph Twitchell and Jacob Ellingwood, gave it by deed to the town HISTORY OF BETHEL. 309 in 1.S23. It is to be hoped that the ladies of the village will devise means to have the rocks removed and the surface graded. From Capt. Eleazer Twitchell's account book, we have an illus tration of habits of people : January ye 11, 1796. To 1 Gall, of Rum ,$1.;33 1 pt. do 18 2 qts. Molases 40 1 lb. Tobacco 26 3 lbs. Fish 21 1 lb. Sugar 17 1808. TolmugCyder 05 }4 mug of Flip 10 1 gill of Bitters 10 1 bush. Salt 1.50 1810. To 1 bush. Pertatoes 1.04 1811. To lodging one nite 16 }4 mug Toddy 14 In 1799, James Walker came to Bethel Hill and opened a store in one of the rooms in Capt. Eleazer Twitchell's house. This was the flrst regular store in town, though Capt. Twitchell and his brother Eli had kept a few goods to accommodate the people. In 1802 he built a large house and store on the spot now occupied by Mr. Barden as a hotel. This was the second house built on the common. There was but one store in the village for many years, and no more than two till about the year 1837. Robert A. Chapman com menced trade in the village in 1831, and has continued without interruption till the present time, a period of forty-three years, and has labored probably more hours during that time than any man in town. There are now about thirty stores and shops in town where various articles are bought and sold. Among the prominent citizens of Bethel, must be mentioned Jedediah Burbank, Esq. He settled in 1803 on the farm originally cleared by Lieut. Jonathan Clark. As a Justice of the Peace, selectman for six years, and a landlord of a public house for many years, as an active member in the church, and in the cause of tem perance and education, he was well known. He bought the castle built by Capt. Twitchell, in 1833, and erected the first hotel of modern pretensions in 1S34, which was afterwards enlarged and known as the Lovejoy House. He died February 29, 1860, aged 75 years. The following sketch of the condition of our ancesto) s will show in what respect their condition differed from that of the present generation : "They raised flax which was spun and woven into cloth, from which they made checked pocket handkerchiefs, checked aprons and gowns, while for Sunday shirts nothing better was expected. Starched shirt collars were not iu fashion then. If anything nice was wanted, a few pounds of India cotton was woven with the linen. 310 HISTORY OF BETHEL. From the coarser tow, trowsers were made, and working shirts and frocks in summer. No bathing cloth was ever better for the skin than a coarse tow shirt, of which your speaker will show you a specimen woven for him half a century ago. The wool from their sheep was manufactured into blankets, woolen shirts,^ frocks and waled cloth colored blue, while one web went to the fulling mill, out of which go-to-meeting clothes werg made. They did not suffer from the cold. Every farmer carried his calf and cowskins to the tanner, who changed them into leather, and often he spent the fall and winter evenings in making boots and shoes for his family. A pair of calfskin shoes was considered a fine present to the good mother and oldest daughter of the family. The boys could wear cowhide shoes, which, well greased with tallow, looked nearly as well as calfskin. A young man dressed as a dandy was of no account whatever. Gradually the well-to-do citizen wore a buff vest and a long tailed coat made of English blue broadcloth, and adorned with brass buttons, while a ruflled shirt appeared promi nently in front. A watch chain with a carnelian seal hung from his pantaloons. Drawers and undershirts were articles unknown. For the older men, a red bandanna pocket handkerchief served a good purpose, and a muffler for the neck in cold weather, while the young men had a gay colored silk handkerchief, one end of which, a quarter of a yard in length, was sure to hang from the coat pocket behind as a flag of truce. No young man in those days was considered well dressed without this appendage. The ladies wore their dresses with a short waist and a short skirt, exhibiting a well turned ankle and foot, which was covered with a shoe having a black silk bow or buckle on the top. A vandyke surrounded the neck, pinned down at a point behind and before. A ruffle surrounded the neck, and the married ladies had a cap con taining many yards of ruflHe. No doubt they appeared very hand some and attractive, especially when a neat row of spit curls bordered a comely face. A gentleman with a lady behind him on horseback was a pleasant, and sometimes an enviable sight. At their huskings, quiltings, and social gatherings, there was an artless simplicity of manner among the young, which would not be witnessed on similar occasions at the present day. Society had its conventionalities the same as now. A clergyman in a gray or blue suit of clothes would have lost his position in his parish. Every body with a beard, shaved once in a week, either Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning. An unchristian, unshaved man did not then exist. Fashion had its absurdities as great as those of to-day. The huge, protruding bonnet in front can only be excelled by the no bonnet at all of the present day. Shoes, with high, slender heels, projecting from the sole of the foot, has no corresponding deformity now. Huge ear-rings, and combs on the top of the head, were extravagances like those in a different w-ay at the present time. Large, flowing dresses with long trails existed then as now. Ladies were admired as much then as those of to-day. The powdered wig HISTORY OF BETHEL. 311 '«f the last century has no corresponding absurdity to-day, while the handkerchief with its several folds around the neck, has given way to the more comfortable necktie." Twitchells' mill has a history of its own. Built in 1774, it was at fir-st without a miller, each patron grinding his own grist. It was liable to get out of repair and freeze up in winter, so that the inhab itants were compelled to grind-their grain in ha'bd mills. Captain Twitchell repaired it in 1781. In 1788 it was rebuilt by Samuel Redington, a millwright of Augusta, father of the late Judge Redington. In 1802 a tub wheel was put in, which was regarded a great improvement. In subsequent years it ground slow, as if under the direction of the gods. Persons living can remember Capt. Twitchell as the miller, who would put in a grist and leave the mill to spend the evening at a neighbor's, where he spent his time in singing, "My iname was Robert Kidd as I sailed." Sometimes he spent the vt-hole night grinding for customers, and sleeping on a seat constructed for the purpose, before a huge flre built in the wall of the mill. After him Mr. Jesse Cross was the miller. He would put three bushels of wheat in the hopper at night, set the mill to running, go home and spend the night, and next morning visit the mill and find the grist still unfinished. I must here allude to another grist-mill. Mr. .Jesse Duston, who came to town in 1778, erected a small water wheel in a brook, on •or near the Adam Willis' farm in Hanover, and attached a small granite stone which turned like a grindstone. Beneath this was another stone hollowed out so as to receive the edge of the revolv ing stone. Corn was dropped in by hand. My informant states that the meal was not very fine., but that it answered a very good jmrpose. We now number a population including that portion of Hanover which originally formed a part of Bethel, and was set off February 14, 1843, about two thousand three hundred souls. It is not a manufacturing town. Every occupant of a farm is supposed to own it. Every prudent mechanic soon has a home of his own. Every man engaged in trade is expected to gain a competency. Bank ruptcy rarely occurs. While in England and Wales, one out of every twenty-four persons is a pauper. While in Europe the trav eller is beset by beggars that swarm around him, in this town three- fourths of its inhabitants never saw a pauper or beggar. Our villages and our dwellings, like our landscapes, improve every year, indicating taste, irefinement and intelligence. Intemperance, the ourse of many towns, has been but lightly felt here. Its sons and daughters with habits of industry may be found in every State in -the Union, prospering, as a matter of fact. Like a birdling which looks out of its paternal nest and desires to fly, so do the young men and women flee away to form homes of their own. We rejoice that it is so. We are proud of them in their success. If we cannot record among our citizens great orators, statesmen 312 HISTORY OF BETHEL. or warriors, we can present a long array of naines who have become good citizens of our Republic in the highest sense of the term. Six of its citizens have represented their constituents in Congress. One native born is now Governor of a State. One is now a Colonel in the United States Army. Three have been Professors in our, colleges, while many have honorably filled the positions assigned them by their fello^ citizens. The number who have entered the learned professions is very large. This day is an important event in the history of this town, and when the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and seventy- four rolls round, though scarcely a dwelling now existing may remain as a land-mark of the past, yet progress will be stamped all over its surface, and our names and the names of our fathers will be held in grateful remembrance by those who shall celebrate the next centennial of Bethel. Mr. President, I want to live one century from to-day, and see what changes will have occurred in the world's progress. I want to see how this town will look at that time. I want to see what discoveries have been made in science, what inventions in the arts, what advancement in human culture, in virtue and happi ness. Some present may yet have grandchildren who will witness and read the annals of a century yet unborn. It is a grand thought, on which we cannot expatiate, but must leave the problem of man's highest destiny to be wrought out by future generations. Farewell to the great Past, and welcome to the great unknown Future ! May that kind Providence which has watched over our fathers still hover over their sons and daughters to remote generations. Prof. Henry Leland Chapman of Bowdoin College then read the Centennial Poem as follows : When Jacob, with his father's blessing crowned. Went forth toward Haran — 'mong whose flocks he found That Rachel, for whose sake he patient wrought Twice seven years and gained the love he sought — • His steps upon a certain place did light. And tarried, so the Scripture saith, all night ; His heart, perchance, went forward in its quest. His feet were weary, and they needed rest. Wild was the spot the foot-sore pilgrim chose. Most flt to urge, but scarce to give repose ; Thick-strewn with stones, and frigid 'neath the reign Of utter silence, lay that eastern plain. Where mother earth so stern and cold did keep. How could she lull a tired child to sleep? The shadows deepened, and the pilgrim lone Sought his hard couch, and, from the pillowing stone. Saw the slow step of night, and in the sky Her twinkling footprints as she glided by. PROF, HENRY L. CHAPMAN, HISTORY OF BETHEL. 313. What though, indeed, the stones that formed his bed Gave little comfort to his weary head ! He saw the solemn beauty of the skies. And peace and rest fell on his closing eyes. And thus he slept ; when, lo ! a fairer sight Broke through the shadows of the silent night ; Floated his senses on a noiseless stream Touched with the radience of a heavenly dream. A ladder rose, whose countless rounds of light Wearied the dreamer's upward-climbing sight ; From earth to heaven it stretched — a glorious way, From shades of night to realms of endless day. And angels walked thereon, whose shining feet Came tripping down in eager haste to greet The sleeping pilgrim, in whose quest of love The angel host did sympathize above. And where the mystic ladder pierced the sky, ,Shrouded in light, and clothed in majesty. Appeared the Lord of heaven and earth supreme. Whose gracious accents crowned the blissful dream- "Lo, I am with thee ! and my love shall trace The path that leads thee from thy resting-place ; Thy father's God am I, and Abraham knew My gracious guidance, and to Jacob, too, I promise all the riches of this land, And ceaseless blessings from my open hand. Yea, like the dust of earth thy seed shall be. In number countless ; aud all eyes shall see It spread froin North to South, from East to West, 'Till all the families of the earth are blessed In thee, who takest here thy needed rest." O mortals, weary with the cares That round your pathways throng. The hardest resting-place may be The flttest ground for song. The feet that falter not, tho' faint. May reach, at setting sun, A spot more rugged than the road With which the day begun ; — The head no softer pillow flnd Than the unyielding stone. The shadows gather round a soul That weary is, and lone ; But heaven consoles whom earth aflfticts, And opens wide its gates. To him, who, reckless of the road. On duty ever waits ; 314 HISTORY OF BETHEL. And ministers of love descend With healing on their wings. And in sweet visions of the night Reveal celestial things ; And, best of all, the voice of God Falls on his ravished ear. And sleep grows sweeter at his words Of hope, and peace, and cheer. When morning kissed the earth with lips of light. And won it from the cold embrace of night, Jacob, refreshed, arose, with heart serene. And eyes still radiant from the vision seen. And now his feet were eager to depart. But lingered at the prompting of his heart. The place was sacred ; he had known it not. Yet God was here, and graciously had wrought Such wonders, and to him such visions given, It seemed none other than the gate of heaven. The wilderness had blossomed ; and its name Henceforth was Bethel — chosen word to frame Its sacred memories. Then, that other days Might read the glad memorial of his praise, He reared the stone on which his head had lain. And journeyed onward in his quest again. So we, whose ej-es have seen, whose ears have heard How here the desert lilossomed, hail that word. And in this newer Bethel joyful raise A simple, heartfelt monument of praise To Him, whom Jacob saw, and whom we know. By all the wonders of his love below. A hundred years ! Their light and shade A wondrous web have wrought ; The eyes that watched, through smiles and tears. The shuttle's flight in by-gone years. Perchance some glimpses caught. But tarried not, nor saw the plan That through the widening texture ran. A hundred years ! The mellow ray Of history o'er us streams. Pierces the darkness, and displays The garnered light of vanished days ; As one, who, lost in dreams. Sees gleams of glory through the skies. And wonders whence they take their rise. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 315 A hundred years ! Their stately steps Fell on no mortal ear ; Yet, gathering in this honored place, The tell-tale footprints we can trace. That marked their progress here ; And here a monument we raise. In memory of departed days. Our verses with our thcughts will chime. And wander to that distant time Which fills our fancy, flees our sight. Half-hidden in the hazy light That tells of day, but hints of night. In Sudbury Canada we stand ; Above us tower the stately trees. Which, stirred by every passing breeze. Make murmurous music thro' the land. Far from the thoroughfares of trade. Remote from all the noise of men, A spot of calm and sweet repose. Save where the gurgling streamlet flows Along some mossy-haunted glen That flickers with soft light and shade ; Or where the Androscoggin pours Its tide, impatient for the sea. Or, with a sound like minstrelsy. Loiters along its shaded shores. The forest, whose vast realms of shade Hide homes that to the birds belong. Spreads a green canopy o'erhead. All interlaced with threads of song ; Beneath the tiny wild-flower shows Its petals, moist with lingering dew. That trembling stays, and swiftly goeS Whene'er the sunlight trickles through. And through the silence and the shade That hover o'er this sylvan scene. Among the giant trunks that show Long vistas of repose between. The timid hare fears not to take Its halting leaps, with awkward grace, Nor rifle shot presumes to wake The sleeping echoes of the place ; Only the red man's stealthy tread Falls noiseless on the yielding ground, Whose arrow to its mark hath sped Unerring, with no tell-tale sound. Here, Beauty dwells, and Silence sweet. In nature's undisturbed retreat. 316 HISTORY OF BETHEL. The scene hath changed ; the white man's eyes Have rested on this lovely spot ; And lo ! his feet have tarried not To follow and possess the prize. With patient toil his arm doth wield The glittering axe, and where it falls The ancient trees unwilling yield. And form his rude but sheltering walls. And day by day the sunlight looks Upon a slowly changing scene. And, searching out the hidden nooks. Of which, in other days, it sought A moment's glimpse, and gained it not. It lingers lovingly and late. And comes again — and while we wait To count its visits, lo, its sheen. Hath clothed the nooks with living green. The sturdy pioneers, whose toil Doth thus transform the virgin soil. Dwell not, meanwhile, secure from fear ; In every rustling leaf they hear The footstep of the stealthy foe ; In every storm that mutters low. In every gale that shrieks, and fllls With nameless dread the gathering gloom, They hear his war-cry, and their doom Re-echoed from the circling hills. A sense of danger broods around. And clothes with dread each slightest sound : Prompting the hearts that feel the stress Of danger, linked with loneliness. To seek the comfort and the aid That lie within a neighbor's hand ; And, straightway, through the forest shade. The conscious want a path hath planned. And notched the trees on either side — A simple, but unerring guide To him who seeks, in peace or war, A neighbor's house that stands afar. Along the lines, thus faintly traced. The postman rides, with ringing horn. Or Doctor, whose impatient haste Tells plainly, ere the day be passed. That some one will be dead — or born. Thus lives, 'mid changing hope and fear. The stalwart, steadfast pioneer. Slowly he conquers ; slowly yields The sullen wood to smiling flelds ; But, dauntless still, he bides the fates, And patient works — and working waits. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 31 7 Again the scene hath changed ; and fair The meadows stretch ; with peace the air Is laden ; and the kind earth yields The bounty of her fruitful flelds. Gone is the wilderness ! and where It stood, behold the homes of men. And bustle where repose hath been. But why this later change rehearse In cold and inexpressive verse? Behold the beauties that before you rise. Bethel herself salutes your wondering eyes. O ye, whose wandering feet retrace to-day The path that led you from these scenes away. Within whose breasts, wherever you may roam. The faith still lives, that points to childhood's home. We bid you hail ! The old-time charm still dwells Upon these meadows, in these shady dells ; The sunlight gilds, with all its ancient grace. The winsome beauties of j'our native place ; Still Bethel sits, a queen, in modest pride. And calls her willing subjects to her side. We bow, most gracious sovereign, at thy feet ; Our loving lips thy garment's hem would greet — Our age renew the love that childhood gave. Our loyal hearts thy benediction crave, Our eyes thy crown of beauty view once more. That thrilled our senses in the days of yore ; And ere the setting sun bids us away. Our heartfelt wishes at thy feet we'd lay. Long be thy reign among thy native hills ! The peace unbroken which thy valleys fills ; The river, rushing onward to the sea. Bring verdure on its dancing waves to thee ; The stately mountains, like grim sentries, stand To guard thy sunny fields on every hand ; Within the bosom of each wandering son The pride be steadfast which thy charms have won. D.well thou in peace, secure of all our love. And crowned with countless blessings from above. After the poem a blessing was invoked by the Rev. William Warren, D. D., and the great crowd repaired to the tables assigned to the different districts. Such a sight as was presented here was never before witnessed in Bethel. Every kind of food, of ancient and modern times, made the tables fairly groan with their burden. Everybody was invited to come and bring their friends with them. They all ate and were filled. 318 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Hon. Enoch Foster, toast master, read the following toasts : " The State of Maine, ever true to her motto : May her sons and' her daughters everywhere do honor to her principles by their- industry, intelligence and virtue." Responded to by Hon. Sidney Perham, ex-Governor of Maine. Mr. President: I rise to respond to the sentiment just offered under more than ordinary embarrassment. It is always embarrass ing to stand before an audience in a place that has been assigned to another, but for an ex-Governor — one who has been dropped from the calendar of living government — to attempt to fill the place of the real live one, is especially so. To this audience it will be like bringing out and attempting to adjust to one's person an old gar ment that has been laid aside for years. It is old style — out of fashion — ill fltting, and can never be worn as satisfactorily as one made especially for the present time. It affords me great pleasure to meet so many of the sons and daughters of Bethel on this deeply interesting and very pleasant occasion. I congratulate you in the prosperity that has marked all the interests of the good town of Bethel since the flrst settlement within her borders. Many pleasant memories of Bethel rise before me whenever I vi^it your beautiful village. Thirty-six years ago my parents sent me to the academy here, giving me twenty dollars to pay the cost of board, tuition, and in cidental expenses for one term. This sum I found sufficient, though but little could be appropriated for incidentals. It costs more now, as those who have children to educate have occasion to know. I boarded in the family of Capt. Grout, who lived just this side of the present location of the depot. I have some vivid recollections of mince pies and doughnuts, of the apple tree in the little orchard near the house which I visited every night and morning, and of the ride I took one day on an island in your river on the back of a wild. colt, and what came of it. I do not recollect so distinctly as to the progress made in my studies, though it was such that a school agent in one of the adjoining towns offered me nine dollars a month to teach a winter school in an unfinished room of an old farm-house. But I am talking at random. I had almost forgotten that I was called to the stand to respond for the State of Maine. In common with this whole audience, I regret that our excellent Chief Magis trate has been prevented by other duties from being present and speaking for the State, over whose interests he so acceptably presides. What can I say of the State of Maine that is not known to every person in this large assemblage? I might point you to our rivers, that take their rise in our northern forests, and fed by immense lakes, whose waters can be used in time of need, and until mid summer, by melting snow, furnish, in their descent to the ocean, facilities for manufacturing opeiations unequalled in the country; HISTORY OF BETHEL. 319^ to our safe and capacious harbors, suflBcient to accommodate all the commerce and the navies of the world ; to our extensive shipping interests ; to our forests of wood and timber ; to our fisheries ; to our inexhaustible quarries of granite, slate and lime, yielding already a large income, which is rapidly increasing ; to our ice, which has become an important and profitable article of export ; and last, though not least, to our men and women, who honor not only the State of their birth, but every other State in the Union. To all these and many other reasons for honest pride in the State we love most of all, I might call your attention at length. But little of it would be new to you, and the time will be better occupied by those who will follow me. We stand to-day amidst the scenes that mark the progress of a century from the settlement of your town. What changes have been wrought. What joys and sorrows have been experienced, what hopes and fears have been realized, what progress has been made in these hundred years, I will not attempt to recount. The occasion is opportune for a review of the past, and a glance at the possibilities of the future. But I must not longer occupy your time. The road over which the next hundred years will take us, is wisely covered with mist and shadows that intercept our vision. But, gathering wisdom from the experience of the past, let us apply it to the duties of the present, and go forward in the hope that whatever vicissitudes await us, our pathway will lead us upward and nearer to the realization of our noblest aspiration. '¦'¦Our Elder Sister, Fryeburg : She cherished us in our infancy, and we honor her in her maturity." Responded to by D. R. Hastings, Esq., of Fryeburg. "2'/ie Clergy of Bethel: Like a good Mason they strive to lay a solid foundation on which to erect a superstructure that cannot be easily shaken." Responded to by Rev. Javan K. Mason of Thomaston. Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen of Bethel, and of other towns and cities whom this occasion has brought hither : To decline speak ing to such a sentiment as the one just uttered, I should be untrue to mv own instincts. To be present "on my native heath again," environed by these hills, familiar to my boyhood's look and tread as to any boyhoods' since ; overarched by the same sky that in my childhood I looked upon and wondered at so often. Thrilled by the memories which these faces and our historian of to-day have re called, and remain silent, would involve a wrong to my instinctive promptings to be ashamed of forever. The clergy of Bethel have done good foundation work. Its Masonry will outlive time itself. The superstructure erected in institutions, industries, enterprises of different kinds, in the intelligence, taste and character everywhere 320 HISTORY OF BETHEL. evinced, is a monument to be proud of. Incomplete, indeed, to-day, but rising higher, and rising ever ; to present more beautiful pro portions until the glintings of yonder sun on these forest-clad jnountain slopes shall cease ; the river fail of its winding way ; the sky become starless, and all this charm of nature sketched by artist, and admired by lovers of the beautiful, from city and town near and remote, yield to another flat of creative power. The monument complete will then remain in all its chief essentials. Truth, princi ples compacted, dovetailed by these "workmen needing not to be ashamed," will stand. The "lively stones" built thereon will be as enduring as eternity. To have had a successi')n of such ministers -of religion as have lived and wrought here from the earliest settle ment of the town, has been a blessing difficult to overestimate. Many of them liberally educated, and so prepared and earnest to care for the mental as well as the moral and spiritual welfare of the people. Our historian has just enumerated and characterized them, giving you an index of the kind, amount and success of the work they did. I may not, therefore, particularize to any extent, lest I seem to be invidious. Still, I love in fancy to run up the years of the century, and look in at the old steep-roofed mansion of " Priest Gould," (as "sinners" used to name the first.settled minister), and see the youth, inspired by his love of letters, grappling with sturdy will, principles underlying all thorough education and mental disci pline. That mansion known to me only as the home of "Dr. Grover," once a pupil in it — long time after, the owner of it — had for me a charm and commanded my boyhood's reverence as no -other ever did. Not for the minister's sake who lived there long before I was born, but for the doctor's sake, who not only dealt out to me more physic than all other doctors, but did more to excite in me the desire for an education, and to help me gratuitously in my incipient beginnings with Greek and Latin roots, than any other. I see him now, massive head, hair erect, face radiant with pleasure at my success, or frame shaking all through at my blunders in trans lation, somehow, meanwhile awakening an enthusiasm in me, and my then classmate (Gov. Grover of Oregon), which, 1 trust, has experienced no abatement to this day. The "Parson's" influence on him and others lived and was perpetuated. Others of the clergy who succeeded were not slow to recognize the same need, and meet it. Hence it has been that Bethel has sent out more educated men and women — many of them distinguished Christians, several minis ters of different denominations, — than any other town in the county, and more than any other town in the State of equal population. The times have changed ; the work of the clergy in its essentials is the same as always, yet more multiform and varied in its needful adaptations ; the men engaged in it to-day not a whit behind those -of former years ; as indispensable to the uprearing superstructure as the earlier to the laying of good foundations. That you appre ciate the sentiment, 1 have no doubt. That the Bible you have been taught to cherish in your homes and in your hearts ; whose principles your children have been nursing with their mother's milk ; HISTORr OF BETHEL. 321 whose influence underlies all good government; secures the purity and safety of society ; sanctifles every home that is worthy the name of home ; and whose light makes the pathway of life plain, and reveals glimpses of the great beyond that cheer amid many a trial and conflict, heightening, too, many a joy by the way ; that this old Bible, dear, precious, God-given, is and is to be talismanic, not only in its power to protect from evil, but to bless w-ith positive good, you have learned to believe with all your heart. The century from which we step into the coming to-day, and desire to leave here in these services and festivities, our latest track, has been one of great changes in church and State ; in letters and science; in practicalizing theories and utilizing forces. The march has been onward, not backward and downward, as some misan thropes have thought aud insisted, and so preached that nothing but a miracle could turn the current ; nothing but the Omnipotent hand by sheer, sovereign act, could arrest and turn back the de structive drift of human kind. The march has been onward and upward. The years have been rolling up new or increased light, and the day is brightening. The sun, some of whose rays the prophets saw, and which in his rising the shepherds of Bethlehem rejoiced at the sight of, has been ascending toward the zenith, flood ing the earth more and more, sending his blessings into dark places and despairing hearts, assuring the already believing, and convinc ing the skeptical that the promise is on the eve of fulfilment when "the earth shall be filled with His glory as the waters fill the sea." That croaking that sees nothing good but in the past, that sees nothing but premonitions of a coming destruction in these upheavals in society ; these clamorings of philosophy and developments of science ; these utilization^ of all natural forces seemingly shaped toward material ends, may do for a raven's maw, or swell the melody of an owlet's song, but they shall not disturb us here to-day. Ours is a faith that looks before and reaches its hand to one tiiat leads and lifts to clearer visions aud purer joys. Old truths remain, affecting and underlying every relation and every hope, but these shall brighten and others be seen clustering about them, adding brilliancy, beauty and glory, until we shall see that God's plan universal, is one grand, symmetric whole, and that the accomplish ment of it is as benevolent and wise as it is certain. When invited a few weeks ago by your committee to prepare the historic address for this occasion, I considered myself liouored as I have seldom been, since a young man, I went out from you to the battle of life. The honor of the invitation I appreciated, but the honor of standing here as your historian, I was obliged to decline, because it rightfully belonged to another. No man could do it as gracefully and well as he. No other man, with my consent, should deprive him of the honor. No other could have earned and worn so rightfully the laurels with which you crown him to-day. 2'™e-born, a True man ! skilled in historic lore as well as scientific research ; an educating chief, whom Bethel will never forget nor her sons and daughters, near or afar, cease to remember with love and respect. 322 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Friends, this is the last time. The old century has faded, and with it many dear to you and me have faded and fallen and they sleep among the silent. Peace be to their ashes ! The future is hastening up, bidding us, too — "make haste," — gird well for the conflict ! there is battle ahead ! Earnest, and achieving work for the world we live in ! "The night cometh !" Some of you are already at the sunset hour ! One more effort ; one more look of faith ; one more inspiration of hope, and the reward shall come ! Some of us will have a little longer, and some have just begun — are in life's morning. To such let me say, regard you the sentiment uttered hero just now by our worthy ex-Governor, "religion, education and labor are at the foundation of all good government, and of all local and indi vidual prosperity." The sentiment is true. The world has come to believe it. Twenty nations of Europe, by their representatives, and as many States of our own have incorporated it as a principle into their platform of penal reform. In that Congress of Nations, in the city of London in 1872, to w-hich your honorable Governor sent me a commissioner, the sentiment was discussed and urged in its broadest scope and minutest bearings, and incorporated in the special platform by unanimous vote. So the nations are beginning to "see eye to eye." The forces are concentrating. Old differ ences are vanishing. Opinions and purposes in regard to vital achievements and reforms are harmonizing. And it is true, thank God it is true, that instruments like this I now lift in your sight, a sword that did service in the war of the revolution, resulting in our national independence, will be "beat into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks." May you and I be co-operators in the work that shall result in such a consummation ! Now, let me say, Fare well ! citizens, friends, all. Let your future, as your past, show that you are not unmindful of the foundations, or those working at them, or the superstructure that is erecting. A good masonry is needed all the way up, until the top stone with shouting is secure. Clergymen of Bethel, you know your work. Well some of you have wrought at it these many years. Others are fresh in it. Your memorial will be looked upon by other eyes than those which look on you to-day. It shall be honorable. Meet, we all shall, but not here. There let it be, in the "Bethel" above. Nay, rather, in the "Blessed Home." '¦'¦The Medical Profession: They show by their practice rather than by words, what they do." Responded to by Dr. N. T. True. " Wiley, as some men claim to be, they cannot easily escape jus tice, so long as the legal profession maintains integrity." Responded to by Hon. James S. Wiley of Dover, Maine. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 323 Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen : A little more than twenty-four hours ago, I was more than one hundred miles away, at the mouth of Penobscot Bay, on the verge of the Atlantic. I debated with myself for a moment whether 1 would return home, a comparatively short distance, or come to Bethel. I did not long hesitate. I wished to view once more your unrivaled scenery, to gaze once more upon your beautiful and grand panorama of valley, river, hill and mountain. I longed to greet again with cordial grasp the few remaining friends of my youth, and to renew my acquaintance with those whom I had known in later years. I con cluded to come, with not the remotest idea, however, of taking any part in your celebration. But your historian, an energetic geologist, famous for discovering things, found me out after I had retired to my room for rest and repose. He said I must take a part. I de clined, (urging fatigue and want of time for preparation.) He insisted, claiming that I was a son of Bethel ; and as a dutiful son, I obeyed. I am glad 1 came. I have been highly gratified. I have had the pleasure of receiving a hearty welcome from old and dear friends, and of feasting my eyes upon the beauties of nature surrounding- my old home. Your President has announced me as "almost a sou of Bethel." I do feel, sir, that I may claim to be almost a son of Bethel. You have a history of one hundred years ;, concerning forty-eight years of that history 1 know something my self. I knew the Chapmans, the Twitchells, the Beans, the Hastings, the Kimballs, the Masons, and most of the old worthies, some of whom, by their pre.^ence, honor our meeting to-day. And, can 1 ever forget your adopted son, our old brother, William Frye. I knew him well, and cherish the fondest recollections of his gentle ness and kindness to me. To him 1 was accustomed to recite many a lesson in my schoolboy days. A gentleman, a ripe scholar, a worthy member of the legal profession, whom vve delight to honor. But, Mr. President, I am expected to say something more par ticular about the legal profession. This subject presents a very broad fleld of discussion, and time will permit me to glance at only a few points. Law, in its true sense, is the very foundation of all civilized society. All nations which have made the least advance beyond the lowest barbarism, have found it necessary to restrain and govern themselves by rules and regulations for their own good. In the earlier stages of society, when the governing power is lodged in the hands of a few, these regulations may be few and simple, but as nations and communities become more numerous, and their affairs more complicated, laws must become more numerous and complex. Then there must be a class of men, learned men, who are able to make, expound and administer the law. Hence the profession. Moses was a great law-giver and lawyer to the tribes of Israel. All great lawyers who really understand their profession are states men ; he was such, learned and wise. Solon and Lycurgus were great statesmen, law-givers and law- 324 HISTORY OF BETHEL. yers, under whose wise administration the Greek nation made unprecedented advances in useful knowledge. I trust, sir, it will not be considered sacrilege to say that our Savior himself was the greatest, wisest and best law-giver the world ever saw. He gave us the Golden Rule, the very essence of all true law and justice. I fear we do not properly estimate the importance of the legal profes sion in founding, building up and sustaining all great and enlight ened nations. Consider how much England owes to her system of jurisprudence. What would she have been without her great states men, judges and lawyers? I have time only to name Lord Mans- fleld, the great lawyer and upright judge, and champion of English liberty, who decided that slaves cannot live in England. "They touch our country and their shackles fall !" Consider, for a moment, our own glorious United States. The fathers of the Republic, the framers of our incomparable Constitu tion were good men, wise statesmen, and most of them, practical, sound, learned lawyers. And if we will but consider the matter for •a moment, I think we may conclude that we are more indebted to the legal profession than to any other cause alone for the exalted rank which we hold in the scale of nations. As great judges and •expounders of the fundamental law of the land, we are proud of a Marshall, Taney and Chase ; as great lawyers we may boast of a Lee, Livingston, Wirt, Clay, Webster and Choate. In short, our Constitution and the whole framework of our government and juris prudence — all the work of the legal profession — are such as justly to challenge the admiration of the civilized world. A wonder indeed. But I might repeat the same in regard to almost every iState in the Union. I cannot omit our own State of Maine. We can boast of judges, lawyers and a judiciary system which will •compare favorably with those of any sister State. But I am reminded my time is limited. The other learned professions are well represented here to-day, and I would make no invidious comparisons. There is no antag onism among us ; there should be none. Tho physician labors to eradicate or regulate the evils and disorders of the physical system ; the clergyman strives to inculcate the true principles of morality among the people ; while the lawyer, the true lawyer, strives to eradicate or correct those evils which infest the body politic. The good clergyman teaches the true principles of Christianity, the true foundation of all laws ; the lawyer expounds and enforces them. So we see that neither is suflBcient of himself alone, but each must aid and assist the other. Then let us work together, each in his own appropriate sphere, striving to fit and prepare the world for the coming in of that happy time — '"When Peace o'er earth her olive wand shall sw-ay, And man forget his brother man to slay ; Plenty and peace shall spread from pole to pole. And earth's grand family possess one soul." HISTORY OF BETHEL. 325 "Owr Mother State, Massachusetts: The blood of her citizens still courses in the veins of our sons and daughters." Responded to by Rev. Mr. Tilden of Boston. Mr. President: I believe this is the first time in my life I was ever called to speak for a State, save, when a young man, I popped the question for the state of matrimony. But as I had such good luck then I shall not hesitate to try again, especially as I know full well that Massachusetts, the dear old mother of States, does most cordially reciprocate the kindly sentiment you have just expressed. Like all doting mothers she is very fond and proud of her children when they do well. Besides, as we all know, she has special rea sons for a tender regard for the sons and daughters of Maine, since they are not only bone of her bone and flesh of her flesh, but soil of her soil. I remember a conundrum I used to hear in my boyhood, "Why is Massachusetts like a sheared horse?" "Because she has lost her Maine." The good mother, if I remember right, was a little troubled about that shearing process, but she soon got over it, and has long since seen that it was best every way that her "down P^Iast" children should have their portion of the farm set off to them and set up for themselves. You certainly have shown your capacity forman;iging successfully your part of the old homestead, and of becoming a strong and worthy member of the great family of States, now happily re-united, we trust forever, in the bonds of liberty, equality, justice, and so, of peace. Mr. President, this is a memorable day for Bethel, and I am right glad to be w-ith you, even as a visitor, and share in the pleasures of your centennial celebration. A more delightful day you could hard ly have had ; a more charming spot you could scarcely have selected. I was greatly interested in your procession, exhibiting the handicraft of a former day, and the old-time way of doing things. I was pleased with the pioneer woodsmen and hunters, though really, I could hardly have believed that you had a dog in Bethel a hundred yeai s old, if I had not seen with my own eyes the veritable animal led by one of the hunters. I was gratified to see so fine a representation of glorious old men and women, showing the hardy stock from which you sprung, and the healthiness of your climate, together with the youth and >beauty of Bethel so finely rep resenting the "Old Thirteen" aud "the coming w-oman." I have been glad to listen to the interesting story of the last hundred years told by your historian, and put into sweet and musical rhythm by your poet. Glad to hear the letters of your absent sons, full of filial affection, and the spoken words of those present with you. Glad thus to learn that while your forests yield sound timber and your valleys rich grain, your homes yield historians, poets, preach ers, physicians, lawyers, and above all, good, honest, industrious men and women ; the strong arm of future prosperity as of past achievement. 326 HISTORY OF BETHEL. ^ Mr. President, I was gratified to hear the cordial welcome ex tended to visitors to-day. There seems to be a special propriety in this. For dear as Bethel is to her own sons and daughters, she has also a growing interest to visitors from abroad. There is something in your charming valleys and background of "everlasting hills" that is common property. It can never be bought or sold. Beauty and grandeur are above all price. Every appreciative mind claims them as its own. Bethel is rich in this kind of wealth, and this will always make your pleasant town a place of happy and restful resort for all lovers of the beautiful. And now, in place of a speech, permit me to offer a responsive sentiment : Bethel, the child of Massachusetts ! Though in the waywardness of her youth she did run away with the "Maine" branch of the family, taking with her a part of the old homestead ; still, she has done so well ever since that she has her mother's forgiveness and blessing. May her prosperity be as perennial as the beauty of her scenery, and in all coming celebrations may she be able, as to-day, to select from her own, a "True" man for her orator, a good "Chap" for her poet, and a rosy "Garland" for her chaplain. "The Merchants of Bethd." Responded to by Abner Davis, Esq., of Bethel. '¦'¦Our Native-horn Citizens from other States: We honor them because they have honored their native home." Responded to by Jacob Brown, Esq., of Illinois. Mr. Presidfnt, Ladies and Gentlemen: My position here to-day is a strange and phenomenal one. Not to the Bethel manor born,^ nor yet an invited Bethel-born guest even. I am here by the pres sure of Providence, or, peradventure, as the worldling would term it, by sheer accident. Born fifty years ago and more in the goodly town of Albany, an important adjunct to the town of Bethel in many respects, for the past week I have been treading my "native heath" again, and lingering around the half- forgotten scenes of my boyhood. A view of this dear old town awakens vivid recollections of other days. "There I was birched, there I was bled. There like a little Adam fed From learning's w-oeful tree.'' There my father lived, and there he loved, and there he labored, and there he died. And how he died, and how he labored, and how he loved, I can well imagine, but how in thunder he lived so long and so well in this quaint old town, amid the barren valleys and naked mountains, to me is a sealed book — the mystery of all mysteries. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 327 The generation that knew me in boyhood has passed away. The present generation knows me not. Along the highways and by ways of this rough old town, I passed and repassed without recog nition from my fellowmen. The mountains bent their heads in greeting. The hills knew me well. The ponds and the pondlets caressed me. As I passed these old-time friends they turned up their sunny and familiar faces in hearty welcome and warm recogni tion. I was glad to meet and greet these gray old sentinels of time, and gently put my hand upon their furrowed cheeks and wrinkled faces, and feel that no change can obliterate our early love. Never until the crack of doom shall these stupendous monumental piles crumble and lose their terrible grandeur and shivering sublimity. I looked around and noted all things else had changed. It was a sort of satisfaction to know I, too, had changed past recognition by the friends of my early years. I love the play-place of my early years. As the Esquimaux, who never feels the summer sun nor sees the flowers of spring-time, is inspired with patriotic love of country, so I can stand upon the hills of Albany, fold my arms around me, and complacently exclaim with the Esquimaux, this, my dear old native town, is the finest country the sun ever shown upon. But what business has Albany, her living and her dead, in a cen tennial celebration of Bethel? Modestly, I can only reply, because I am here. Not that I love Bethel less but Albany more. But in my present sunny mood 1 will sing my song of PATTEE'S OLD ISnLL. Of all the pictures in memory's hall, No one doth me so thrill ; As pictures of boyhood days that were spent Dow-n by Pattee's old mill. There radiant morn, in her milk-w-hite robes, Tripp'd o'er meadow and hill, Scattering light, and never so bright, as Down by Pattee's old mill. And the brave old saw- went up and went down, Through knot, splinter and frill ; And the w-ell-worn wheel turned round and around Down bj' Pattee's old mill. And the mist crept up from the old mill pond To pine trees on the hill ; The rainbow promise of youth gilded all Dow-n by Pattee's old mill. And, oh ! how- 1 panted and longed for fame — These longings trouble me still AVhen 1 think of the boyhood days I spent Down by Pattee's old mill. So oft as of life I'm sick — am aweary. Memory haunts me still ; Of young romance I skim'd in my youth, Down by Pattee's old mill." 328 HISTORY OF BETHEL. The dear one I loved with a boyish love. Meets me in dreams at w-ill. And hallows the scene that memory wakes Down b}- Pattee's old mill. Along the w-ide wa^s of sin I mav fall ; O God, be it Thy will ! If of Heaven I fail, to grant me rest Down by Pattee's old mill. Bethel, dear old town ! There is no town in the State which possesses so many and so fascinating attractions to the lover of nature in her beauty, grandeur and sublimity. Favored above all other towns in the State of Maine in the profuse distribution of nature's largesses, she has truly husbanded her resources. Her soil is tough and so are her people. Her soil has the true grit, and so has her people. The town was settled by a proud and heroic race of men. The tough soil and the rigorous climate have given well-knit muscle, strong arms and sturdy courage and fertile brains to her people. Bethel Hill, the center of the town, has been and will continue to be the center of learning and literature, the very Athens of Oxford county. Bethel Hill, picturesque and lovely beyond comparison, clings to the bold mountain sides in the back ground, in shadow and sunshine, like the frighted babe to its mother's breast. No outward-bound son of Bethel will ever forget to love and honor her. As long as the sun in his setting shall throw a flood of light and glory over the shivered peaks of New England mountain tops, lighting up the whole heavens as with molten gold, as long as the mists shall cling around the hill-tops, and the rivers seek the sea, so long, in the future as in the past, true as the needle to the pole, whether upon the land or upon the sea, upon the farm, or in the mines, at the bar, in the pulpit, or in the workshop, rich or poor, high or low, the true son of Bethel vrill love and honor her, and keep green her bays forever. I will now recite my poem, and bid you all hail and farewell forever, entitled : BETHEL ACADEjMV. By barren rocks and deeply tangled wildwood. Mid valley, lake and glen ; Here babyhood was' cradled into childhood. And boys grew up to men. Anear the corner of this quaint old building. With the windows all arow ; That sturdy and lliat stately grow-ing elm-tree Grew thirty years ago. The Androscoggin still is flow-ing sea-ward. As thirty years au'o ; Oft down who.se ii'liding watiirs just at night-fall I've ])addleil my ea,noe. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 329 "Westw-ard winds that little silvery brooklet, In tune to my poor rhyme ; Life's wreck-besprinkled waters still are surging, Against the shores of time. I look adown the lane from this old building, Down to the dusty street ; But gone are all the bright, familiar faces Of those I used to meet. And stricken dumb is my poor heart with sadness. Bright boyhood's dreams are fled. Flowers that bloomed by every humble wayside. All are withered and dead. Poor, timid soul ! The dead may bury their dead. As soldier brave in fight ; Conquer the red-hot battles of life and learn To w-in and love the right. '¦'•The Ladies of Bethel, celebrated alike in the present as in the past, for their untiring devotion to every noble enterprise, their intelligence, their beauty and their virtue." Responded to by the band. After the toasts and speeches, the audience, led by the Norway band joined in singing the centennial hymn, composed for the occasion by Geo. B. Farnsworth, Esq., to the tune of Old Hundred : CENTENNIAL HYMN. As — when to Jacob it was given To see, mid Eastern deserts lone, A ladder reaching up to heaven Along whose steps the angels shone — He knew the Lord was surely there. And w-hat had seemed but wilderness Now- God's own dw-elling did appear, And "Beth-el," thence he named the place. So, when our fathers eastward led. Chanced to this lovely vale to roam, Seeing its emerald floor outspread And spanned by yonder crystal dome, Into whose depths the mountains soared Like heavenly ladders angel-trod. The}' said, "Here, surely dwells the Lord!" And named their home the "House of God." And here, from youth to age, they strove Their goodly heritage to keep For freedom, knowledge, virtue, love — Now in the dust, all silent sleep ! 330 HISTORY OF BETHEL. May we, their children, aye defend The heritage they loved so well ; This heir-loom from the past descend To children's children, nobler still; A place for homliest labors meet. Ever of manly worth th' abode ; .Vnd aye, a place of worship sweet — A temple high— a "House of God!" Dw-ell with us. Thou ! And when the stone Shall be, at eve, our resting-place. Heaven's ladder be to us let dow-n. And majr w-e see Thee, face to face ! Secretary Richard A. Frye, Esq., read the following letters from gentlemen who could not be present : Augusta, Me., August 18, 1874. De. N. T. True, Chairman of Committee : My Dear Sir : — I regret that a prior engagement to be present at the State Educational Convention at Rockland on the 26th inst., will prevent my acceptance of your kind invitation to participate in the exercises of your Centennial Celebration on the same day. I have no doubt that the exercises of the day will be such as to increase the love and veneration which every native of Bethel can but feel for a tow-n w-hich has so much to inspire regard, and at the same time to increase the reputation which your grand, natural scenery and health-inspiring air have so justly given you elsewhere. Accept my thanks for your courtesy, and believe me as ever the warm admirer and well-w-isher of the goodly tow-n which you have the honor to represent. NELSON DINGLEY, JR. Salkm, Oregox, August 7, 1874. R. A. Frye, Esq., Secretary of Centennial Committee : Dear Sir : — In acknowledging the receipt of your invitation, extended to me on behalf of j^our fellow-townsmen, to be present at the approaching celebration of the centennial anniversary of the settlement of the town of Bethel, on the 26th instant, it is w-ith more than ordinary regret that I am impelled by circumstances to forego the pleasure of compliance. Wherever I have wandered in life, there has gone w-ith me, next to the love and remembrance of parents, the love and remembrance of the hills and vales, the free ah-, the sparkling waters, the I'ugged and e^er striking landscape, the summers and the winters of my birthpl.ace. The bold uplands of Oxford county, and tlie neighboring ^\'hite Moun tains of New Hampshire, have impressed their images upon ray mind, and stand as emblematic monuments of a people, hardy, intelligent and honorable. The first settlers of Bethel were remarkable for physical, mental and moral strength ; and the hazards and hardships which they endured were well calculated to test these qualities. Their success in subduing the wilderness and their sa^-age foes, and in rearing school-houses, churches, and the higher institutions of learning, is the best evidence of the character and culture of our worthy ancestors. May your celebration be alive with the spirit of the pioneers of Bethel and with the genius of a hundred -^-ears ago. Most faithfully yours, ' LAFAYETTE GROVER. R. A. Frye, Esq. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 331 Brooklyn, N. v., August 21, 1874. My Dear Sir: — Your note of the 29th ult., informing me of the intended ¦celebration Ijy the citizens of Bethel of the one hundredth anniversary- of the settlement of that tow-n, w-as duly received, and, but for sickness, w-ould have been earlier acknow-ledged. I thank you very much for your kindly invitation to be present and take a part in the ceremonies on "that occasion; an invitation I should most gladly accept but for ill health, w-hich at present unfits me for any exer tion w-hatever, either physical or mental, and confines me to the house nearly all the time. As my years roll on to near "three-score and teu," each successive one brings more vi's-idly to recollection my native tow-n and its inhabitants, as the}' w-ere in the days of my youth. Iu that homestead, beside its brook, and in its new- cleared fields, I giimboled many a daj- with brothers w-ho have long since passed a^vay: there our lather's quiet but impressive w-ord was law-, both indoors and out. "Within its w-alls the echoes of our sainted mother's voice still lingers, and her loving presence yet casts its strengthening shadow within sight of that old house ; all which w-as mortal of each of these dear parents has found its last earthlj- resting place, and memories such as these may well make Betliel the dearest spot ¦on earth to me. I grieve that I cannot pi^rsonally join with you in the reminiscences and festivities that w-ill mark your Centennial Ceiebratiou, but 1 shall lie with you in spirit, and it is pleasant for me to know that others bearing the old, familiar name, and many of my kindred who still dwell among you, w-ill represent (more fitly perhaps than I) the family, on that day. In looking back over the history of the years that have resulted in such wholesome and steadv grow-th to you as a community, I doubt not but you w-ill realize that to the moral aiid truthful training of your people, is ¦chiefly owing your prcsperitv. A lesson (it seems to me) that might at this time fitly "be impressed on the minds of those w-ho are to succeed you on life's battle-field. But I must not weary you. In conclusion, I pray that God may bless you all, especiallv in y'otir "assembling of yourselves together" on the day you w-ill meet to "celebrate, and that He will continue His mercy and loving kindness to your posterity for all time to come. Yours", in the bonds of common svmpathv. LUTHER C. CARTER. Earlville, La Salle Co., III., August 23, 1874. R. A. Frye, Esq. : /)P(„. ,y/,. ;_i fiud it impossible to be with you on the 26th instant, to take a part in the celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of the settle ment of mv native town ; and on account of the pressure ot business and professional engagements, w-hich just at this time seem to be under the control of my evil genius, I am unable to prepare anything of value to be read on that interesting occasion. . ^ , * .^v,• I assure you that no one can be half so regretful and disappointed at this -orivation as I am. It would indeed have been a great happiness to me to meet and take by the hand my relatives, old school-mates and friends, and mv honored and now venerable teacher, N. T. True, who is to he your or'ator on that occasion. I assure you that it is with the utmost self-denial that I am able to keep myself at home on duty under such circumstances. But if I could be present with you, or if I should attempt to write an ap propriate letter, what should I say? Standing between the two centuries contemplating on the one hand the achievements of the past along the dim perspective of a hundred years, and on the other, the possibilities of the 332 HISTORY OF BETHEL. future enfolded in the unknown and undeveloped resources of the century to come. AVho shall utter words fitly to be spoken'? Whose conceptions can properly embrace the occasion ? Whose vision is clear enough, whose comprehension is broad enough, and whose judgment is just enough, to understand and to weigh the history of the last century, and to epitomize it on such an occasion'? More difficult still, on whom rests the spirit of prophecy to forecast the future ! Who can fairly state or fully learn the great lessons which are taught by the ages which are gone ? Who can un derstand the significance of the ""eternal now-," or penetrate the veil which hides the future? The most we can do on this occasion is to recognize it, to greet each other, and in the spirit of faith and trust in the Infinite Father of us all," "Await the great teacher Death, and God above." Thanking you for your invitation, I am. Very truly, etc., A. J. GROVER. CHAPTER XXV. Temperance Reform. ' HE early settlers of Bethel in regard to morality and religion, were certainly abreast of the inhabitants of any other town in the county, and in advance of some, and yet the use of intoxicating liquors as a beverage pervaded all classes. It was one of the vices of the period, and general throughout the whole coun try. The people had come to regard them as essential to health, and they were also the symbol of hospitality and good fellowship. Their universal demand created a supply, and for years after the flrst settlers came to Bethel, they constituted part of the stock in trade of every grocery store in the town.* Thej' were sold by the glass to be drank on the premises, and in quantities to suit pur chasers to be carried awaj^ As a family supply, they ranked next to tea and coffee, and many ranked them second only to bread. In all the account books of the early traders, rum, gin, brandy and wine are as conspicuous as any other family supplies, and sometimes make up nearly half the account. Parson Gould did not approve of excess in drinking, but his "excess" would be regarded as liberty at the present day. He partook of the social glass with his parish ioners, both at his own house aud theirs, and also at places where it was sold. If any of his people drank to excess, in a community where rum was freely sold and drank by all classes, the sin of intox ication could not be regarded as a very grave one, and a reprimand from a minister who walked up side by side and took his drinks with the one against whom it was directed, could not have had great weight, if administered. But the influence of the minister in this *When Robert A. C hapmau went into trade on the Hill, lie went in to a store where liquors had always been sold. Mrs. Chapman, -nho was bitterly opposed to the drinking habit as well as lo the traffic in ardent spirits, advised her husband to di-op that branch of the business, but he expressed doubts about the propriety of so doing, and fears that he would not succeed if he did, but Mrs. Chapman carried her point, and the wisdom of the new departure was soon manifest in a better class of customers, increased trade and a flood-tide of prosperity. 334 HISTORY OF BETHEL. regard, was no doubt injurious. The people then followed the- guidahce, not only in spiritual, but in temporal affairs with much- greater faith and confldence than do the people of our day. This condition of things continued with little change for many years. Temperance in the use of intoxicating drinks was of slow growth, and abstinence much more slow. The proflts arising from its sale, then as now, blunted the consciences of those engaged in the traffic, and blinded their eyes to the enormity of the evil. The Massachusetts Temperance Society, the first in the -country, was- organized in eighteen hundred and twelve, but its influence was little felt in Maine, or anywhere else. The American Temperance Society was organized in eighteen hundred and twenty-six, and this- was the result of many years' agitation of the subject ; how many, it is impossible to say. The proceedings of the second meeting held in Boston, January twenty-eight, eighteen hundred and twenty-nine, were printed. At this time there were two hundred and twenty-two- temperance societies, of which flve, exclusive of Massachusetts, were State societies. Thirteen of these societies were in Maine, though Maine then had no State organization. Two of the Maine societies, viz. : East Machias and PrOspect, made reports. The former reported ninety members, and only two grog shops in the place, and after the following September, there was to be no retailer iu town. The society at Prospect, organized iu April, eighteen hundred and twenty-seven, with flve members, now had one hundred and one, of whom forty-six were females. One retailer had struck ardent spirits from his list of merchandise, and in one shipyard, it was no longer used. The following members of the American So ciety were reported as belonging in Maine : Bath, Rev. John W. Ellingwood ; Portland, Rev. Charles Jenkins, Rev. Bennet Tyler, D. D., Hon. Albion K. Parris and Hon. Wm. P. Preble; Saco^ Ether Shepley, Esq. The East Machias Society organized in Jan uary, eighteen hundred and twenty-seven, may have been the first temperance society in the State. The other societies in Maine were in Brunswick, Gorham, Portland, Gardiner, Buckfleld, New Sharon,. Saco, Livermore, Norway, Windsor and Brewer Village. The Livermore Society, then in Oxford county, was organized July fourth, eighteen hundred and twenty-eight, with Rev. George Bates as Secretary. In eighteen hundred and twenty-eight, a temperance society was formed at Bethel Hill with the following members : Dr. Timothy Carter, Dea. Robbins Brown, Leonard Grover, Jedediah HISTORY OF BETHEL. 335. Burbank, .lames Walker, John A. Twitchell and Rev. Charles Frost. On the occasion of its organization, a temperance address was delivered by William Frye, Esquire. The flrst annual meeting of the Maine Temperance Society was holden at Augusta, January twenty-third, eighteen hundred and thirty-three. The printed proceedings do not show that Oxford county was represented by delegates. Governor Samuel E. ,Smith was elected President, Hon. Samuel Pond of Bucksport, Secretary, Elihu Robinson, Augusta, Treasurer, and Charles Williams of Augusta, Auditor. Judge Ether Shepley presided. Oxford County Society was reported as having been organized .July first, eighteen hundred and twenty-nine, with Hon. Luther Cary of Turner, Presi dent, and Samuel F. Brown, Esq., of Buckfleld as Secretary. Buckfield reported "opposition great to temperance reform, by politi cal demagogues, followed by their supporters half drunk." Frye burg reported, "much opposition from temperate drinkers, drunkards and sellers of rum." Hebron reported, "opposition by several classes and various characters." Andover, "opposition by the intemperate. Sweden, "opposition is composed of men of every class — two men, however, who are rival candidates for office, have more influence than all others." Sumner, "opposition by intemper ate and moderate drinkers, and by some who are professors of religion." Thirteen societies are reported in Oxford county, but many towns, including Bethel, make no report. The Buckfleld society is reported defunct. Previous to the organization of the Maine State Society, the "Union Temperance Society of Oxford County," was organized, presumably at Paris, and originated among the members of the Oxford bar. The following is the constitution adopted, and the names of the first signers : "The undersigned being desirous of exerting their influence in the cause of temperance, and recognizing and adopting the principle of total abstinence from the use of ardent spirits, hereby form our selves into an association, to be called the Union Temperance Society of the county of Oxford. Art. 1. The officers of this Society shall be a President, Vice President and Secretary, to be chosen annually by the members at the June term of the Court of Common Pleas. Art 2. There shall be a meeting of this association on some day dur- mg each term of the Court of Common Pleas, at the Court House, of which 336 HISTORY OF BETHEL. meeting it shall be the duty of the Secretary to give seasonable notice— and it shall be the duty of the President to request some gentleman to deliver an address at each meeting. Art. 3. Every person signing this constitution shall become a member of this society, thereby engaging to adopt a total abstinence in reference to the use of "ardent spirits as a drink." Levi Whitman, Stephen Emery, Robert Goodenow-, Wm. E. Goodenow, R. K. Goodenow, Isaiah P. Moody, Timothy J. Carter, Daniel Goodenow, Reuel ^\'ashburn, Henry Farew^ell, James Walker, Samuel F. Brown, Tim othy Carter, Peter C. Virgin, Levi Stowell, Joshua Randall, Virgil D. Parris, Solomon Hall, Thomas Clark, James Starr, John Woodbury, Augustine Haynes, John Jameson, Chas. Whitman, Albert G. Thornton, Hannibal Hamlin, Cyrus Thompson, S. Strickland, Eben Poor. Wm. War ren, Ira Bartlett, James V. Poor, Thomas Gammon, Elisha Morse, Geo. Turner, David Gerry, Ephraim Bass, Erastus P. Poor, Stephen Chase, Ebenezer Jewett, Abraham Andrew's, Jr., Daniel Chaplin, John S. Barrows, Josiah Blake, Simeon AValton. At a meeting of the society, January twenty-second, eighteen hundred and thirty-three, it was voted that a committee of one or more gentlemen in every town in the county be appointed to take a copy of this constitution and procure subscribers, and the following gentlemen were appointed for the service, viz. . Fryeburg, Benjamin Wyman, Ebenezer Fessenden, Jr., Henry C. Buswell ; Brownfield, James .Steele, Samuel Stickney, George Bean ; Hiram, Peleg Wads- worth, Alpheus Spring; Denmark, Samuel Gibson, Amos Poor; Lovell, Abraham Andrews ; Sweden, Chas. Nevers, Nathan Brad bury ; Fryeburg Addition, Samuel Farrington; Waterford, Charles Whitman, Daniel Brown, Esq., Dr. Leander Gage ; Albany, Aaron Cummings; Liveimore, Reuel Washburn; .Jay, ,Jas. Starr; Can ton, John Hearsey ; Hartford, Cyrus Thompson ; Sumner, Samuel Sewall ; Peru, Levi Luddeu ; Dixfleld, Henry Farewell ; Mexico, Joseph Eustis : Hartford, Elder Hutchinson, Joseph Tobin, Edward Blake ; Buckfleld, Seth Stetson, Zadock Long, Lucius Loring ; Paris, Abijah Hall, Jr., Simeon Walton, Asaph Kittredge ; Hebron, Wm. Barrows, Dr. Carr ; Oxford, Jairus S. Keith, S. H. King; Rumford, Henry Martin ; Andover, Sylvanus Poor, Jr.t; Bethel, Jedediah Burbank ; Newry, Josiah Black ; Woodstock, Elder Jacob Whitman. At the second annual meeting of the Maine Temperance Society, held at Augusta, February fifth, eighteen hundred and thirty-four, Hon. Prentiss Mellen was made President, and the other oflScers of HISTORY OF BETHEL. 337 the previous year were re-elected. There were more reports made from Oxford county towns than the year previous, showing an in crease of interest in the cause. The oflScers of the Oxford county society were the same as before. Many new towns had formed as sociations, and Buckfleld was the only town where the association had become defunct. The report from Buckfleld showed much op position to the cause. "One deacon both drinks and sells rum," says the report. The following table shows at a glance the extent of the organized temperance reform in Oxford county in 1834 : When Xo. of Town. Oi ¦¦ganlicd. President. Secretary. Members. Albau}', 1831, Asa Cummings, P. Haskell, 91 Andover, Rev. Wm. Gregg, E. Poor, Jr., 88 Bethel, 1829, Dr. T. Carter, L. Grover, 140 Brownfield, 1834, I. Spring, Wm. AVentw-orth, 110 Carthage, 1834, D. Storer, D. Stickney, 27 Dixfield, J. Adams, Dr. A. F. Stanley. , 64 Denmark, 1833, Amos Poor, J. Smith, 40 Fryeburg, 1833, E. Fessenden, Jr., Dr. R. Barrows, 19.5 Greenwood, Rev. E. AMiittle, John Small, 80 Gilead, G. W. Chapman, Wm. Wight, 67 Hartford, N. Bicknell, J. Churchill, 137 Hebron, S. Myrick, S. Perkins, 138 Jay, 1833, Maj. M. Stone, Col. D. Merrit, 133 Livermore, 1828, Reuel Washburn, J. Chase, 132 Young Men's, J. Leavitt, S. Hearsey, 202 East Livermore, C. Haines, F. F. Haiups, 1-26 Lovell, Rev. V. Little, A. Andrews, 85 Norway, 1833, Uriah Holt, Benj. Tucker, Jr., 250 No. Norway, 50 Oxford, 1833, Dr. J. Tewksbury, Giles Shurtleff, 12.T So. Paris, 1832, Seth Morse, Henry R. Parsons , 116 Sumner, Rev. S. Sewall, Zury Robinson, 1-20 Sweden, E. Powers, Wm. H. Pow-ers, 79 Turner, J. Phillips, J. R. Shaw, 176 (L Dr. P. Bradford, J. P. Harris, 113 Weld, J. Abbott, Rev. L. Perkins, 148 Waterford, 1830, L. Gage, Wm. W. Stone 300 The next great temperance reformatory movement was that called the Washingtonian. This began in a small way in Baltimore, among a few reformed drunkards, but it spread like wildflre through out the middle and eastern States. It came into Maine about the 338 HISTORY OF BETHEL. year eighteen hundred and forty-two, like a tornado, and seemed likely to sweep everything before it. An Oxford county Washing tonian society was formed, holding its meetings in different parts of the county, and there were subordinate societies in almost every town. The proceedings as given in the papers of those years, show the great interest manifested in the good work, and that leading men and women were everywhere in the movement. Thousands of inebriates not only reformed themselves, but used every effort to bring others into the organization. Hundreds all over the country were in the fleld battling against the common enemy, and every where the greatest enthusiasm prevailed. About the year eighteen hundred and forty-two, or perhaps a little later, the movement reached Oxford county, and its effect here was the same as else where. Everybody was awakened, almost everybody took the pledge, and many kept it inviolate ever after. It did a vast amount of good. But the history of all great moral movements plainly in dicated what the fate of this must be. Human passions, however noble the cause, have their metes and their bounds, beyond which they cannot pass, and the great success of a movement is often the first step towards reaction. In the excess of zeal in the Washing tonian movement, there was wanting that concert of action to give it permanency. The cause was like a rudderless bark upon the sea, without compass or pilot, and freighted with the materials of its own destruction.' It was when the Washingtonian movement was at its height that thoughtful men in New York conceived the idea of an organization that would combine and consolidate the discordant elements of the movement, invest it with a social character, and leave lasting im pressions of affection and interest on the mind, in connection with the great cause and its objects. The outcome of this was, the Order of the Sons of Temperance, an organization which has doubt less accomplished more than any other, in giving permanence to the temperance cause, after the enthusiasm awakened by the Washing tonian movement could no longer be maintained. The first Division of the Sons of Temperance was organized in New York city, at Teetotaller's Hall, No. 71, Division street, on Thursday evening, September twenty-ninth, eighteen hundred and forty-two. The order had a steady growth and reached the State of Maine in De cember, eighteen hundred and forty-four. A Grand Lodge for Maine was organized at Augusta in April, eighteen hundred and HISTORY OF BETHEL. 339 forty-five, and three years later, there were one hundred and ten Divisions in the State, with a membership of over seven thousand. In eighteen hundred and fifty, the movement had reached Oxford county. Bethel Division, number one huudred and sixty, was organized at Middle Interval near the close of eighteen hundred and fifty. Israel G. Kimball was Worthy Patriarch and Albion P. Beatty, Recording Secretary. At the close of the year, twenty-nine members were reported. The following year. True P. Duston was Worthy Patriarch. The highest number reported to the Grand Lodge was flfty-six, and soon begiuning to decline, in eighteen hundred and fifty-six, it failed to make any report to the Grand Lodge and its charter was surrendered. Eagle Division, number one hundred and sixty-three, was organ ized in the spring of eighteen hundred and fifty-one. Alfred Twitchell was Worthy Patriarch, and Benjamin Freeman, Recording Secretary. This year the delegates to the Grand Lodge were Alfred Twitchell, James Walker and Thomas E. Twitchell. In eighteen hundred and fifty-two, Benjamin Freeman was Worthy Patriarch and Alfred Twitchell, Recording Secretary. In eighteen hundred and fifty-three, the delegates to the Grand Lodge were, Daniel A. Twitchell, Benjamin Freeman, John A. Twitchell, Dr. AliBon Twitchell, Rev. David Garland, Joseph A. Twitchell and Alonzo J. Grover. In eighteen hundred and fifty- four, the number of members was sixty-one. Delegates to the Grand Lodge : David F. Brown, Dr. Almon Twitchell, David Garland, Benjamin Free man, Alfred Twitchell, Joseph A. Twitchell, Nathaniel T. True and Asa P. Knight. This was the highest wave of the movement, and three years later the membership was only thirty-eight. An effort was made to revive the ordei . David Garland was chosen Worthy Patriarch, and Dr. Ozmon M. Twitchell was made Secretary. It was all to no purpose ; the order had had its day in this community, and no return was made to the Grand Lodge after this year. In eighteen hundred and sixty the charter was surrendered. A juvenile temperance society was organized here in the fifties, and with good success for a time, but like all similar societies, the novelty wore off, dissensions crept in and it was soon numbered with things of the past. The Good Templars had a lodge here which flourished for a time. The Reform Club was also popular, and other local temperance societies have been organized, accom- 340 HISTORY OF BETHEL. plished their ends, and then gone to decay. All these societies have been highly beneflcial, and the aggregate good they have ac complished can hardly be over-estimated. Bethel is a strong tem perance town, and also a prohibition town. Every time that the Maine Prohibitory Liquor Law has been in issue, and every time it has been submitted to a popular vote. Bethel has given the princi ple of prohibition a cordial support. Intemperance exists in town to a greater or less extent, and always will so long as human de pravity exists, but the popular feeling is against it, and so long as it is opposed by the best people in the town, it cannot make great headway. The liquor dealer is the enemy of the home, the enemy of morality, virtue and religion, and for years the good people of this town have not suffered the traflflc to be openly carried on within its limits ; and where the majority against it is so large, the contra band business cannot, for any great length of time, be carried on surreptitiously. CHAPTER XXVI. David Robbins. I HE alleged crimes of David Robbins, committed upwards of sixty years ago, are fast fading from memory. At the time when these events transpired, they created intense excitement in Oxford and Franklin counties, and in Coos county in the State of New Hampshire. They were a fruitful topic of conver sation for many years after. Among the names iudellibly stamped upon my childish memory is that of David Robbins, and I was early taught to regard it as the synonym of depravity and wickedness- yea, of very flendishness. Mothers imprudently frightened their children into obedience by the bare mention of this name, and noth ing could strike terror to the hearts of the little ones like telling them that "David Robbins would come for them and carry them off." The evidence against David Robbins was largely circumstancial, but it was of such a character as to leave little, if any, doubt of his guilt. Of his minor crimes the proof was positive, while the graver charges of abduction and murder, were never fully sustained. The principal reasons for this were, that he had his home in the wilder ness remote from courts of justice, and second, that he was never brought to trial for his alleged crimes. The great Webster said of a person charged with a capital crime, that "suicide is confession," and avoiding trial by flight amounts to essentially the same. Sixty years ago, when the story of his supposed crimes was known to every man, woman and child in northern Maine, and was repeated at every flreside, no one for a moment doubted his guilt. The early life of David Robbins is shrouded in mystery. It is by no means certain that we have his real name, though he was never known by any other after he came to Oxford county. It was about the year eighteen hundred and twenty, that a j'oung man appeared in Bethel, who gave his name as David Robbins. He came on 342 HISTORY OF BETHEL. horseback, and the animal he rode and the clothes he wore consti tuted the sum total of his personal estate. Whence he came, no one knew ; and concerning his past life, he declined to give any account. He was tall but slightly built, his complexion sandy, his hair inclining to red, and his nose, which was his most 'prominent feature, was hooked like the eagle's beak and a little bent toward the left side. His muscles were hard like whip cords, and his powers of endurance something marvelous. He worked for the farmers in the vicinity of Bethel Hill, and was con sidered an extra hand. In the autumn he would do a day's work upon the farm and then husk corn or thresh grain until midnight during the entire season of harvest. He was very quiet in his man ner, holding no conversation with any one except what was abso lutely necessary in the performance of his work. In his threshing operations he went from place to place. This was before the days of threshing machines, and grain was separated from the straw by means of a hand implement called a flail. In the winter, Robbins worked in the logging swamp in the neighboring town of Gilead, for the brothers Aaron and Ayers Mason. In the spring of eighteen hundred and twenty-one, Robbins pur chased a wild lot of land in the town of Albany, and in June of that year commenced to fell trees with the evident purpose of mak ing him a home. The place where he commenced his clearing was near Bethel line, and was afterward settled by Mr. Samuel Brown, who occupied it for many years. Robbins spent the following year in much the same manner. He worked for the farmers a portion of the time, felled more trees upon his ow-n lot, cleared up a piece where he had felled the year before, threshed grain and husked corn in harvest time, and worked iu the lumber woods in winter. He never appeared to be tired. He was straight as an arrow and lithe as the willow in all his motions and movements. He was very penurious, in fact his leading characteristic appeared to be the accu mulation of money. He was grasping and mean, allowing himself but little for clothing, and when working for himself, subsisting on the cheapest and coarsest fare. While in Bethel he was not charged with any violation of the law, though soon after he came, the cloth ing mill operated by Asa Twitchell, was broken open and a large quantity of cloth belonging to customers, stolen. The horse brought to Bethel by Robbins was also taken away. The thieves were over taken near Waterford and most of the stolen property recovered. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 343 It is remembered that there were those in Bethel at the time who suspected Robbins of being a party to the theft, and this suspicion was strengthened by his subsequent career ; but he was not molested and there was probably no very good reason for suspecting him. It was also believed by some that the horse he rode upon into Bethel was a stolen' one. It is remembered that iu the autumn of eighteen hundred and twenty-two, Robbins made a journey to the head-waters of the Androscoggin river, a region then but little known in Bethel. He was absent three or four weeks, but the object of his visit was known only to himself. In the spring of eighteen hundred and twenty-three, to the great surprise of the people in the neighborhood of Bethel Hill, Robbins was married tc Miss Harriet Stearns, daughter of Thomas Stearns, one of the wealthiest and most respected farmers in town. The ceremony was performed by Bar bour Bartlett, Esq., on the twenty-third day of April. Such an alliance was never thought of outside of the contracting parties until it took place, and it was said that the parents of the bride were equally ignorant of her intentions until the day arrived, and all they could say or do failed to change her purpose. Robbins did not set tle upon his Albany lot, but soon after his marriage he packed up his few household goods and farm implements, and with his wife, set out on the long and wearisome journey through the present towns of Newry, Grafton and Upton in Maine, and Cambridge and Errol in New Hampshire. They then followed up the Androscoggin river to the mouth of the Megalloway, then up this river many miles, to a point which he had selected on his former visit, for a home-site. He was among the first settlers in th's still remote region, and the nearest settlement was in Errol, a day's journey away. He fell to work with his usual vigor, and by toiling almost night and day, he soon had a shelter for his wife and a good area of land about it cleared up. Fish and game were then abundant in this region, and Robbins was an adroit angler aud hunter, and kept the larder well supplied. He soon had quite a farm in this wilderness. He built him a comfortable house and out-buildings, kept cows and oxen, and ere long the prattle of children was for the flrst time heard in this wild region. Robbins was an expert trapper, and the country abounded in fur-bearing animals, which became to him a great source of gain. He made quite frequent trips to Andover by way of Umbagog and Richardson's lakes, and to Farmington by way of 344 HISTORY OF BETHEL. the Rangeley, where he disposed of his furs and purchased supplies which he toted back for the support of his increasing family. He seemed to be prosperous and contented, and half a century after, his aged wife informed me that this was the happiest period of her whole life. This season of prosperity did not long continue. Circumstances to be related hereafter broke up and made desolate the home at the mouth of the Diamond, and scattered the family, never to be re united on earth. Mrs. Robbins must have been fond of her hus band. She was brought up in a home of plenty, if not of luxury. She had kind parents and brothers and sisters, and she had spent her youth in a neighborhood noted for its social qualities and gener ous hospitalities. And yet, in a wilderness, fifteen miles removed from Errol, where the only person she would be likely to see year after year, save a neighbor or two and the members of her own fam ily, was an occasional hunter or trapper, or a strolling Indian, she spent the "happiest period of her life." She was a brave-hearted woman. In the trapping season Robbins was often absent for weeks together, and she lived alone with her children. Bears prowled around her dwelling, and the blood-curdling cry of the panther was often heard at night. The sneaking loupcervier, in the daytime, would watch her from a distance when she went to the spring for w-ater, but he was careful to keep beyond the reach of her rifle, in the use of which she greatly excelled. And so the years glided by, years of care and toil and watchfulness, yet years of con tentment and peace for the little family living on the far off and lonely Megalloway. Yet all the while, calamity with dark pinions was brooding over this devoted household. The circumstances which led to the catastrophe here intimated, I will now proceed to relate. In the year eighteen hundred and twenty-six, there lived in Let ter E Plantation, a township situated between Phillips and the Rangeley Lakes, a man named James Wilbur. He was the son of John Wilbur, and was born in seventeen hundred and ninety, in the town of Durham, Maine. Many of the quite early settlers of Franklin county moved there from the town of Durham, aud among them were several members of the Wilbur family. James Wilbur was a quiet, peaceable man, not brilliant, but of fair ability, a man of integrity, industrious and thrifty. The place he had selected for his home was quite remote from other settlements in the county, HISTORY OF BETHEL. 345. and was on the very border of civilization, toward the lake region. There was then only a lumberman's road leading from Phillips to Rangeley Lake, and no travel in summer except by flshermen and hunters. On his way to Farmington to sell his furs and procure supplies, David Robbins quite often passed by the Wilbur place, and was well known to the family. Mr. Wilbur's wife, Sarah, born in seventeen hundred and ninety-flve, was from Martha's Vineyard, and both he and his wife were inclined toward the religious sect known as Quakers or Friends. At the time of which I am writing, they had several small children, all daughters but one. The son was named for his father, but was called "Jim." There were two daughters older than he, and he was about three years of age. One day in the autumn of eighteen hundred and twenty-six, "Jim," with one of the girls, either was sent or w-eut of his own accord, accounts differ in this regard, from the house in the direc tion of the woods and the lake. They had been away some little time when the girl returned to the house without the boy. It is said that they engaged in play until they became tired, when they laid themselves down upon the leaves and fell asleep. When the girl awoke, she missed her little brother, and calling aloud to him, she received no answer. Supposing he had awakened and returned to the house, she hastened there herself, but found that he had not been there. When she awoke she found the little red frock which her brother had worn lying upon the ground near her, and this she carried to the house. In much alarm the mother hastened to the spot and made a careful examination. The garment was entire, and there was no evidence that any wild beast had been in the vicinity. She at once became convinced that the child had been stolen by some person or persons unknown, and that the garment had been left to give the impression that little Jimmy had been de voured or carried away by a wild beast. It was known that Rob bins was at Farmington the day before the boy was missed, and that he left for his home by the way. of the Wilbur place, on the same day. But he did not call at Wilbur's at this time, nor did they see him pass by. Mr. Wilbur at this time was absent from home. The alarm increased with every hour, and the news soon spread through all that region of country. Every man and boy joined in the search, which was continued for two days and nights. Some thought that the child might have thrown off his garment and strayed away into the woods, prompted by childish curiosity, and had some 346 HISTORY OF BETHEL. faint hopes that he might be found. They built huge flres by night, and loudly called his name during the day, but the echo of their own voices was the only response. After two days had passed, and every nook and corner within a radius of two or three miles had been examined, all remaining hope was dissipated, and they became convinced that "Jimmy" had been captured, either by an Indian or white man, and carried away. Circumstances pointed very strongly to Robbins, but the question came up, what could be his object? He had children of his own, and if he had none, he could not hope to conceal the child from the anxious search of his parents and their friends. His place was visited, but no evidence of guilt could be brought to bear upon him, and he was not molested. From that time forth, melancholy brooded over the home of the Wilburs, and their bereavement was such that they refused to be comforted. They continued the search for the lost child. They interviewed Indians wherever they could flnd them. They visited their encampments, and carefully scrutinized every child. Reports would often come to them of a boy, and later, of a young man of English descent seen with some strolling band of Indians, and liv ing with them, and many long, tedious and fruitless journeys were taken in consequence of these stories. Mr. Wilbur and his wife grew prematurely old in their search, attended by so many disap pointments, and flnally left tlieir homestead in Franklin county and moved to Bethel. Their daughters had grown up, and had sought employment in the cotton factories of Lowell and Saco, and the old people lived alone. Often have I seen them riding out together, and a more disconsolate, heart-broken couple I never saw. Though hope had long since died out, they still seemed to be watching and waiting, with an appearance of inexpressible longing which was pitiable in the extreme. Their lost darling seemed to be ever in their thoughts, and they never tired of talking of him. It has already been stated that the daughters had grown, and had left the paternal roof for employment in the factory, but they had never forgotten little Jimmy, and being strictly enjoined by their parents, they had made it a point to visit every Indian encampment in the vicinity of their place of abode. During the summer sea son, strolling bands of Indians had been in the habit of stopping in the vicinity of Saco, sometimes at Biddeford Pool, and some times at Old Orchard, where they made baskets and other simple wares which they sold to the factory girls, and to the citizens gen- HISTORY OF BETHEL. 347 ¦erally. Many a time had the Wilbur girls visited these temporary Indian camps, and gone away without results, until it became more a matter of form than otherwise. Twenty years had elapsed since the disappearance of the child, and not one word of intelligence had been received in response to their numerous inquires. The mystery 'was as profound as on the day of its occurrence. It was in the year eighteen hundred and forty-six, while the Wilbur girls, Persis and Hannah, were at work in the factory at Saco, that they learned that a party of Indians had gone into camp in the suburbs of the city. In accordance with their custom, they embraced the first op portunity to visit the camp, and interview these sons and daughters •of the forest. Hardly had they reached the camp, when their at tention was directed to a person wearing the Indian garb, spoke the Indian language, and had an Indian wife, and yet had all the ap- ,pearance, in form and feature, of a white man. As they approach- •ed nearer they were struck dumb, as it were, at the close resem blance between this Indian and their father. Their stature, their form and features, making allowance for the difference in their ages, were almost identical. He was sunburnt aud swarthy, and filthy, as Indians generally are, but notwithstanding all this, the resem blance to the elder Wilbur was very striking. Somewhat recovering from their surprise, the girls made inquiries, and found that this young man was indeed of English parentage, though he had been with the tribe from childhood. They then entered into conversa tion with him. Like the rest of the party, he could converse in broken English, but his early recollections were shadowy and obscure. He did have an indistinct recollection, which he expressed in his broken way, of living in the family of a white man and woman, where there were other children ; of making a long journey 'through the woods with a white man, and being given up by him to the Indians. He also remembered that his name was ".Jim," and this was the name by which the Indians had always called him. He was brought up at the Indian village on the Saint Francis River in •Canada, and there he married his Indian wife. He had frequently .accompanied bands of these Indians in their summer excursions into the States, but this was the first time he had come w-ith them to Maine. All the circumstances were such as to convince the Wilbur girls that their long lost brother had indeed been found, that their long and patient search had at last been rewarded. They informed the 348 HISTORY OF BETHEL. young man of their relationship to him, gave him their account of the affair, and spoke of the patient search of their father and mother, who they informed him were still alive. He received their account with Indian stoicism, almost with stolidity. In fact, he show ed but little interest in the whole subject, much to the chagrin and disappointment of his sisters. The story soon became noised abroad and hundreds visited the camp, and probably the Indians had never before found so good a market for their simple wares. The sisters furnished Jim with a new suit of clothes, and when he was dressed up, his hair trimmed, and his face washed, the resemblance to his father was still more apparent. The aged parents were at once notified of the discovery and positive identity of their lost boy, and preparations made for a family meeting. These incidents occurred about four years before the railway traversed Oxford county, and the stage coach was the only public conveyance. The Wilburs were at this time on a high hill away from the travelled road, about two miles from the stage route. It had been arranged that the father should come down from his home to a little hamlet in Milton plantation, and await the arrival of the stage. The meeting took place at the house of Amasa H. Merrill, where the stage usually stopped to leave and take mail, and is described by those present as h'lving been very affecting. But it was as nothing to the meet ing which took place between mother and son at the Wilbur home stead an hour later. Jim was accompanied by his Indian wife, and several persons had assembled to witness the meeting. Pen and tongue are wholly inadequate to describe this meeting. The young man for once, threw away his stoicism, and falling upon his mother's neck wept like a child. The recognition was complete. As father and son stood together beneath the roof-tree, no one present could for a moment doubt their relationship. Probably the re semblance between father and son was never more marked and striking. Jimmy also had time to think over the past, and several incidents of his early childhood were recalled by him. Fragments of a story told him by his mother were repeated and remembered by both. His description of the white man who had led him away, so far as it went, tallied with that of Robbins, and there was no longer any doubt in the minds of the people that he was the abductor. What the object was, can only be a matter of conjecture. Not much could be learned from the Indians, who preferred to be ret icent upon the entire subject. There was a story put in circulation, HISTORY OF BETHEL. 349 but how much reliance can be placed in it I do not know, that when Robbins was leading the child through the woods, he met a party •of Saint Francis Indians, who were out hunting, and the chief of the party asked Robbins what he proposed to do with the child. The answer, which seems almost incredible, was that he was going to bait his traps with him. The heart even of the savage was touched with pity, and he offered Robbins three heaver skins for "the child, which offer was accepted. Of course Jimmy was too young to understand anything of such transactions, but there was nothing in his own story incompatible with this, and if anything, it was rather corroborative. But to return to the Wilbur homestead. It has been stated that the meeting between mother and son were indiscrihably tender and affecting. Strong men unused to the melting mood, could not restrain their emotions, and wept like children. The only person who was not deeply moved by the spectacle was the Indian wife, who seemed to view the proceedings with jealousy as foreboding evil to her. Jimmy remained with his parents a few days and then returned to his Indian friends at Saco. I saw him several times while he was with his parents, and, if necessarry, I could add my unbiased testi mony to the close resemblance between him and the elder Wilbur. Every inducement was held out to him to remain with his parents, but without avail. They offered to adopt his Indian wife, and at their death to leave him their property, but this latter consideration was without weight with him. He wanted no landed property, and he had so long led an indolent and slip-shod life that the very idea of responsibility was odious to him. While he dressed like an Indian and spoke their language, he had none of their native cun ning and shrewdness, and was regarded by them as a poor Indian, and as he was ignorant of most kinds of work, uneducated, slothful and lazy, he would doubtless have made a very poor white man. The Wilburs continued to reside upon their hill-side farm for some years, and every year they received a short visit from Jim, who was sometimes accompanied by his wife and sometimes not. Finally the family moved to Martha's Vineyard, and the old people have long since been gathered to their fathers. In the year eighteen hundred and twenty-seven, there lived in the town of Milan, New Hampshire, a man named Abner Hinds. He was the son of Abner and Lydia (Ball) Hinds, and was born in Dublin, October thirty, seventeen hundred and eighty-four. 350 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Soon after he reached his majority, he married Betsey Pierce of Dublin, and moved to Milan. This town is situated on the An droscoggin River about one hundred miles from its mouth and some twenty miles below where this river emerges from Umbagog Lake. At the time of which I write, the township was unsettled. Hinds being among the very flrst to settle here. Milan is still a border town, though the great wilderness belt adjoining, which stretches far away into Canada, has been broken here and there by small set tlements. Hinds was a famous woodsman and hunter, and spent much of his time in the forest. He was an expert trapper and gathered rich harvests of furs in the township where he lived, and those lying contiguous, which at that time abounded with every variety of fur-bearing animal common to American forests in this latitude. In his hunting trips. Hinds was often accompanied by a man named Seth Cloutman, who was also an early resident in Milan. Together they traversed the forest year after year, and until the more valuable fur-bearing animals such as the beaver, the otter and the sable had become less plenty. Then they resolved to go farther into the forest and in September, eighteen hundred and twenty- seven, they started with all their hunting paraphernalia, by means of canoes up the Androscoggin and far beyond the Umbagog Lake, expecting to be absent several months. From the Umbagog,. they passed into Richardson's, then into the Great Mooselucmagun- tic and through it to the Kenuebago River, and so on to the Little Kennebago Pond. Near here they proposed to erect their home camp. Meantime, David Robbins had continued to hunt and trap on Magalloway until he had thinned out the otter and other fur-bearing animals, so that his gains had become unsatisfactory. He also re solved to seek new hunting grounds, and taking his birch canoe and his traps, he started for the Little Kennebago, a few days behind Hinds and Cloutman. It is not at all probable that Robbins knew of the prior occupancy of the territory, but on his arrival. Hinds and Cloutman claimed the exclusive right to hunt in that region under the Indian rules of priority. Robbins appeared very friendly^ and suggested the idea of putting their traps into one stock and forming a co-partnership. He was a very persistent man, had come prepared for a long hunt and after much persuasion, induced them to accept of his proposition. They built a large camp some three miles east of Kennebago Pond, as a general rendezvous, and HISTORY OF BETHEL. 361 then allotting to each his territory, each departed his way, setting- traps and each returning to the camp occasionally, to deposit his furs and obtain supplies of food. This they followed for about seven or eight weeks, and were successful beyond all expectations. But winter in this region, which, through its great depth of snow,. places an embargo on all hunting operations was fast approaching, and their supply of provisions was also running very short. Con ferring together, it was agreed that Robbins should go to his home on the Magalloway, and bring in what provisions he could to help them out until they could close up the season's work. Meanwhile,. Hinds and Cloutman were to go over the lines and gather in the furs and take up the traps. This would occupy them about twelve days while they had about flve days' provisions, but they thought they could trust to their hunting skill to make up the deflciency. Soon after this, and before Hinds and Cloutman had completed their rounds, the weather became cold and nearly two feet of snow fell. After severe suffering they reached the camp or rather the site of their camp, nearly at the same time, but their late camp was in ashes and the ruins covered deep with snow. They were nearly exhausted, were entirely destitute of food and flfty miles from the nearest habitation, and felt that death stared them in the face. At flrst, they supposed the burning to be acci dental, but on more mature deliberation, they calculated that Robbins had at first plundered the camp, then burned it, and had secreted the furs where he could return for them subsequently. He had no idea his fellow hunters would ever return, as he sub sequently confessed. Hinds was a man of iron mold, and with wonderful powers of endurance. His courage under diflflculties was a leading trait. Cloutman, on the other hand, though an ex pert hunter and trapper, was easily discouraged, and when he found the camp destroyed, and all their hard earned peltry consumed or stolen, he completely broke down, and was plunged into the depths of despair. Hinds cheered and scolded him by turns, and em ployed every device to arouse his dormant energies, and succeded so far as to get him to set out for the nearest settlement. The cold weather had frozen the lakes and ponds, and in crossing a small pond Cloutman had the misfortune to fall and fracture one of the bones of the shoulder. The fracture was reduced by Hinds,. and afterwards he carried Cloutman much of the way on his back. They shot occasionally a rabbit and a partridge which kept them .352 HISTORY OF BETHEL. from starving, and they kept from freezing at night by camping in some sheltered place and keeping a good fire. At length after al most incredible hardships, they reached the settlements at the foot •of Lake Umbagog, early in the month of December. Here they rapidly recruited, and in a couple of weeks were able to go back over the ground in order to gather up the remaining traps and the game that might be in them. They then started for home, but before they reached the lake they struck the trail of Robbins, who with sleds, had been after his plunder. They then pushed on to the home of Robbins, and arriving at his house inquired for him. His wife, who was evidently ignorant of his treachery, replied that he had gone to Farmington, to dispose of his furs. At this time, Robbins evidently believed that Hinds and Cloutman had perished in the forest, and that he could safely dispose of the peltry and •enjoy the proceeds. At this season of the year, the only travel in the lake region was by means of snowshoes, and Hinds and Cloutman being supplied with these indispensables, determined to waylay Robbins on his return and force him to give an account of his doings. They knew his route would be by way of a certain river, and having learned from Mrs. Robbins how long he had been absent, they also knew that it was nearly time for him to return. The lake country at this time was considered almost without the pale of the laws of the State ; there were certain rules and regulations adopted by hunters and trappers which could not be violated with impunity, but in other respects, each man was a law unto himself. So Hinds and Cloutman set out to meet Robbins, and about the middle of the afternoon they sighted him on the river, and soon afterward they met. There was a look of astonishment on the countenance of Robbins when he recognized his former comrades, followed by evi- •dent signs of fear. He tried to be calm and collected, and address ed them in a friendly manner, but received no word in reply. His two antagonists were fully armed with rifles, hatchets and knives, but they did not for a moment think of using these weapons upon a single man and unarmed. Cloutman was a timid man and left the settlement of the question entirely with his companion. Hinds knew that all talk would be useless, and when Robbins ex pressed great joy and surprise at seeing them alive and well, he answered nothing, but divesting himself of his weapons and pack, he squared off and knocked Robbins down. He then proceeded to HISTORY OF BETHEL. 353 give him such a castigation as the circumstances seemed to call for. Robbins begged for his life and made a clean breast of it. He promised to make full reparation so far as money could do it, and as money was what they needed and wanted, they listened to his proposition. They repaired with him to his house and there effected a settlement. They treated him very leniently under the circumstances, exacting only their proportion of the proceeds of the peltry they had secured. Robbins did not have money enough by him to pay the sums agreed upon, so he turned out four head of young cattle, and gave his note for the balance. Cloutman was paid in full, and Hinds took the note in his own name. They then started for home, but they found it extremely difficult to drive cattle through the forest in mid-winter. They struck across for the Connecticut river, followed this down to the vicinity of North umberland and then crossed over to their home on the Androscog gin. Their families had anxiously looked for them for several weeks, and were delighted at their safe return. The perfidy of Robbins as related by Hinds and Cloutman, was soon repeated at every hearth-stone along the border, and created intense excite ment and indignation. Cloutman had now had enough of life and adventure in the far off lake region, and resolved not to venture there again. Hinds, on the other hand, was one of those restless men who loved adventure and courted danger, and he had no sooner recuperated from his last trip, than he resolved to try again. His oldest son Benjamin Frank lin Hinds, born March seventeen, eighteen hundred and thirteen, was a precocious youth, a chip of the old block, fearless and fond of the woods, and he besought his father for permission to accompany him on the next trip. The father somewhat reluctantly consented, and they at once set about the necessary preparations. These were made and they started for the Kennebago country about the middle of February, eighteen hundred and twenty-eight. The second son of Hinds, recently deceased, wrote me under date of December twenty-seven, eighteen hundred and eighty, that he well remembered the morning when his father and brother set out on their journey. The rest of the family were out watching them as they ascended the high grounds on the left bank of the Andros coggin, and exchanged signals with them a moment before they disappeared from view. They little thought this parting was to be forever, and that the glimpse they caught of the forms of the 354 HISTORY OF BETHEL. dear ones as they passed into the forest, was to be the last this side of eternity. But such was the case. So far was the distance to the proposed hunting grounds, nearly or quite one hundred miles, that the family at home knew they would not hear from them save by accident, until their return at the close of the spring hunt. Winter passed, the snows melted in field and forest, spring was ushered in with leaf and blossom and singing birds, and no tidings came of the trappers of the Kennebago. The mother, sore aflflicted as the weeks went by after their expected return, said but little on account of her children. The neighbors, busy about their spring work, thought but little about the matter, until well into June ; then they began to be alarmed at the mysterious and continued absence of Hinds and his son, and a party volunteered to go to the lake region in search of them. They were gone nearly a month and then returned. Their search had been fruitless, and if they had any suspicions of the fate of the missing ones, they kept them to themselves. My correspondent, the son of Mr. Hinds, writes that he always believed the searching party were fully satisfied that there had been foul play, but they disliked to add to the distress of the family by revealing their thoughts. It came out, however, subsequently, that they went among the settlers and hunters in the lake country, and learned the following facts : That Hinds and son repaired to the Kennebago, the place where Hinds, Cloutman and Robbins had hunted the fall before, and that soon after they were joined by Robbins. He professed to have become a better man, to have made a prof ession of religion, and expressed a strong, desire to make further reparation for all the wrongs he had done Hinds and his companion. He said he had found a place where beaver were plenty, and if Hinds and son would join him, they should have half the peltry, and that out of his half, he would pay the note still held against him by Hinds. So plausible was his story, and so penitent did he appear, that Hinds, notwithstanding his former experience with him, was won over and agreed to go with him. These facts were learned from other hunters who were present at the time. They went away expecting to accomplish their object in the course of three or four weeks, and then return to their camp near the Kennebago. In less than a week, Robbins returned, but Hinds and son were never again seen nor heard from. The forest held, and still holds the secret of their fate. In their investigation the searchers found articles in possession of HISTORY OF BETHEL. 355 hunters which they believed to have been the property of Mr. Hinds, and which, in some instances, they confessed to have bought of Robbins. But Robbins was known to be a violent and reckless man, and many of the hunters declined to say anything against him, or to express any opinion respecting the mysterious disappear ance of Hinds and son. So the summer passed aw-ay, and no further attempt had been made to solve the mystery. But the people of Milan and Coos county generally, as well as the settlers in northern Oxford and Franklin counties, had arrived at the conclusion that there had been foul play, and that David Robbins was the guilty party. The story of the lost Wilbur boy was yet fresh in their memories, and this helped to strengthen their convictions that he had been guilty of the greater crime. The people of Milan now determined to have Robbins arrested and arraigned for the crime of murder. But who would make the arrest? Robbins lived in the wilderness, remote from neighbors, was an expert woodsman and knew the country and all its numerous places of concealment. On complaint of Mrs. Hinds, and some of her neighbors, a war rant for the arrest of 'Robbins was made out at Lancaster, then and still the shire town of Coos county. The warrant was placed in the hands of Lewis Loomis, a deputy sheriff, and a noted character of that day. He was a stalwart man, six feet and six inches tall, well proportioned, straight as an arrow, and possessed of strength in oroportion to his size. He was known for his great strength and prowess from Canada to Portland, and was also a woodsman and hunter of much experience. The difficult task of arresting Robbins could not have been submitted to abler or better hands. Several persons volunteered to accompany him, but he declined the oft'er. He said the job was not for a posse of men, but for one man. There was a young man then living in Milan, by the name of Daniel Ellingwood, and he begged so hard to be allowed to go that Loomis consented to take him along, and subsequent events showed that he made no mistake in so doing. Loomis at once began to get ready for the expedition. He lived in Colebrook, New Hampshire, then, as now, a border town, and among the things needed was a light canoe. It so happened that an Indian who lived near Colebrook had just completed a strong birch canoe, which, after some persuasion, he consented to loan him. Well armed and well provisioned, Loomis and Ellingwood started up the Androscoggin, and in two days were 356 HISTORY OF BETHEL, in the Magalloway country, and near Robbins' place 6t abode. Here they met an old trapper of whom they made inquiries about the hunting, and whether Robbins was doing anything in that line. He said that Robbins had started the day before on a long hunting trip. His canoe was loaded down with traps and provisions, and he expected to be absent several months. This made it evident to the experienced mind of Loomis that Robbins had some suspicion of what was going on, and was making an effort to escap'd. His pro posed hunting excursion Loomis believed to be a blind, and that he had started for Canada he had not the least doubt. When the trap per had passed along, Loomis told Ellingwood that Robbins had just twenty-four hours the start of them, and they must put forth every effort or he would escape. It behooved them to proceed with ex treme caution, for if Robbins had the least suspicion, that he was followed, he would lie in ambush for them, and shoot them down without mercy. Loomis felt quite sure that Robbins would push on ;as fast as possible, and make no stop until he thought himself safe from pursuit. So they followed on, muffling their oars when they used them, keeping a sharp lookout on every hand, and when they camped at night making no fire. Ellingwood was strong and pos- isessed great powers of endurance for one of his age. He was also familiar with canoeing, and with the water passages throughout the ffegion they were to pass. The second afternoon of the pursuit they slackened their speed somewhat, fearing they might come suddenly upon him. Loomis sat in the bow of the boat with a loaded and cocked rifle in his hand, while Ellingwood worked at the oars. The afternoon passed with no results, and night coming on, they again encamped on the bank, without flre, as before. The next morning they resumed their journey with the same precaution as the day previous. About two o'clock in the afternoon they arrived at a carrying place nearly two miles in extent, where, on account of the rapids and falls, everything had to be toted along the bank. The foot-path was well worn, for this was a thoroughfare through the great northern forest belt for hunters and trappers, and also for smugglers. The pursuers now moved with extreme caution, for they felt quite sure they would flnd some signs of the fugitive in this place. They drew their canoe from the water, and hid it in a thicket, in order to examine carefully the ground where the foot path commenced. Robbins had evidently taken every precaution to baflfle pursuit, for a careful examination disclosed no tracks or other signs of any person having recently passed that way. They were about to draw out their canoe and proceed up the carry, when HISTORY OF BETHEL. 357 one of them discovered a somewhat blind trail which led from the path. Following this a few feet, they found a pack hidden in the bushes. An examination convinced them that this was Robbins' pack, and they took in the situation at ouce. He had carried up his canoe and traps, and might return for his pack at any moment. Ellingwood took position in a little grove of flrs, above the place where the pack was found, while Loomis concealed himself close by the trail, and between the foot-path and the pack, so that Robbins, in going for it, must pass within a few feet of him. They had not long to wait. In flfteen or twenty minutes they heard the sound of footsteps, as of some one coming down the path, and a moment later Robbins appeared upon the scene. Loomis had no weapons upon him, and if Robbins had, his purpose was not to give him a chance to use them. So just when the fugitive was opposite his place of concealment, Loomis sprang upon him like a tiger, and had him down in a moment. He began to feel for his knife, but Ellingwood had now come, whom Robbins seeing, he knew that re sistance would be useless, and so he gave up his weapons and al lowed them to bind his arms strongly with cords, which they had taken along for that purpose. They placed him in their canoe, and taking the other one in tow, they started on the homeward journey. At night they camped on the shore, but they had the beneflt of a flre, which they kept burning all night. They kept close watch upon their prisoner, taking turns, and keeping in hand their rifle, which they informed Robbins they should use upon him at the least effort to escape. At length, after several days had elapsed since the capture of Robbins, Loomis and Ellingwood, with their captive, reached Lan caster and lodged him in jail. The party was much worn out with tramping through the forest and loss of sleep, and were very glad when their task was done. The jail was a rude structure built of logs, and when occupied by criminals or persons awaiting trial, it was necessary to place a guard around it. Robbins was very reti cent, and for the time being, very docile. There were no newspa per reporters to interview him at that time, and every effort to ap proach him was repelled by an obstinate silence. There was great rejoicing throughout the entire region at his incarceration, and his captors received due attention at the hands of the people in old- fashioned hospitality. The next session of court, competent to try the case, would not take place before the following April. As the time drew near there was intense interest manifested in the case which would doubtless have drawn together the largest crowd ever seen in Coos county. It was understood that the counlsel employed by Robbins would in the first place, question the juri- diction of the court, or its competency to try the case, on the ground that if a crime had been committed it was not committed in New Hampshire but in Maine. The boundary line at that period and for years after, was unsettled, and while it was well known that Robbins' home was in Maine, it was not so clear in what jurisdiction he had committed his crimes. This question, however, was never to be 358 HISTORY OF BETHEL. raised in court, for on the morning of its sitting, it was found that Robbins, some time during the night previous, had made his es cape. The jail, as stated, was made of logs a foot in diameter, and spotted so that they would rest one upon another, leaving no space between. In the cell where Robbins was confined, there was a win dow hole some ten inches squaire, for the admission of light and air. He was quite broad shouldered and it seemed impossible that he could have forced himself through this apperture, but, however this may have been, he had vacated his cell, and nothing authentic was ever heard of him afterward. It was known that Robbins had the means with which to pay well for his liberty, and some thought the jailor might be implicated in the affair, while others had other theories which began and ended in talk. Years afterwards a report was in circulation in Coos county, that Robbins had been tried for murder in Canada ; that he was con victed and hanged, and that under the gibbet, he confessed to the murder of Hinds and son, and various other crimes, including the abduction of the Wilbur boy. No one attempted to follow up these reports, and it is not probable that they had any foundation in fact. Soon after the escape of Robbins, Mrs. Hinde sold her farm in Milan, and moved with her family to the southern part of the State, where her friends resided. Her oldest son, Silas P. Hinds, became a famous musician. He settled in Newark, New Jersey, and en gaged in the manufacture of pianos, which have a wide reputation. Many appliances used by other manufacturers are the inventions of Mr. Hinds, for the use of which he received a royalty. It was from this man, whose letters are now before me, that I learned the facts and incidents, so far as they relate to his father, and the capture and escape of Robbins, of this tragic story. He died a few years ago as the result of an injury. Some forty years ago he visited the scenes of his childhood aud gathered up all the facts he was able, connected with the disappearance of his father and brother. He visited Colonel Loomis at Colebrook, and from him learned the cir cumstances here related, of the capture and escape of Robbins. When he visited Milan, in which town he was the first child born of English parents, many were living who knew his father and mother, but all, including Colonel Loomis, have long since died. The story of the disappearance of Abner Hinds and his son Benja min, is still told by a later generation, but with many exaggera tions, aud but for the efforts of Silas P. Hinds in gathering up the facts and placing them upon record, it is probable that many of them would now be hopelessly lost. Soon after the arrest of her husband, Mrs. Robbins left the Magalloway country and moved out to the settlements. Her chil dren grew up, and one of them, a daughter, was married and lived in Saco. She subsequently kept a boarding house at Old Orchard, and there a few years ago, she died. The other daughters died un married, and there were no sous. A granddaughter, the only re maining descendant of David Robbins, died in eighteen hundred and ninety. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 353 In the year eighteen hundred and eighty-one, I visited Mrs. Rob bins, who was then living with her sister in the town of Newry. She was then confined to her bed by sickness, and soon after died. Fifty years had then passed since the escape of her husband from Lancaster jail, and she informed me that she had never heard from him since that time. No message or token had ever come to her to inform her whether he were living or dead. She was ready to con verse upon the subject of her husband and his alleged misdeeds, and she stated most explicitly and emphatically that she did not believe him guilty. She said that he was always kind to her and to his children. She said he was passionate and would sometimes threaten the children with severe punishment, but never inflicted it in quali ty as threatened. He was absent much of the time, but always left the family well supplied with food and fuel. She said he always told her that he was born at Machias, Maine ; that his father was a Baptist preacher, and that some day, when he could afford it, he would take her and the children to visit his folks at Machias. She said he claimed to be a Free Mason, and said he belonged to a lodge at Machias. She expressed the belief that the Free Masons assisted him in making his escape from the Lancaster jail, and in getting away to Canada. She admitted, however, that there was trouble between her husband and Hinds and Cloutman, in the set tlement of their affairs, and that her husband turned out stock to balance their claim, but she positively denied all knowledge of any subsequent relations between her husband's and these parties. She scouted the idea of her husband's complicity in the abduction of the Wilbur child, and said his disappearance had been other wise satisfactorily accounted for. She said the Indians them selves had stolen him, and then had trumped up the story of buy ing him from a white man, because they feared punishment. She talked candidly and with apparent truthfulness, and being then upon the verge of the grave, she would not have been likely to make statements which she did not believe Her children were all dead, and there was no inducement on their account for her to pre varicate and misrepresent. Before leaving the place, I had some talk with her sister's hus band, since deceased, who was well acquainted with Robbins aud had been associated with him in various ways. He said that the prevailing sin of Robbins was avarice ; that for money he would do anything. He spoke of a time when they had made maple sugar together, on the lot Robbins had selected for a homestead in Albany. When they had finished their work they stored their sugar in their camp, and a few days afterward when they went in with sleds to haul it out, they found the camp in ashes. Subsequently he found that Robbins had stolen and sold the sugar, and had fired the camp to cover up his dishonesty. He said, also, that Robbins was re vengeful and malicious, and he had no doubt he was guilty of all the charges laid against him. He said that Mrs. Robirins was greatly attached to her husband and was blind to all his failings. Robbins was also as much attached to his wife as such natures are 360 HISTORY OF BETHEL. capable of, and that so far as was possible, he kept her in ignorance of his wrong-doing. On investigation, I found that no person bear ing the name of David Robbins had ever been a member of Machias lodge of Masons, and that no Baptist minister by the name of Rob bins had ever had a settlement or lived in that town. It is clear that he deceived his wife in respect to these statements, and in all probability he deceived her in regard to others. Sixty-three years have now passed since the last act in the drama, the escape of Rob bins took place, and while some of his acts committed behind the scenes have never been fully brought to light there is no proba bility that we shall ever know more of them than we now do. With the burning of the court house at Lancaster, all the records relating to the case were destroyed, while all those persons of mature age at the time, who could possibly throw any additional light upon the subject have fallen into that sleep that knows no waking. i CHAPTER XXVII. Sketches Personal. Eliphaz C. Bean. prominent man for many years in the easterly part of the town was Eliphaz C. Bean, Esquire. He was born on the homestead of his father, Mr. Edmund Bean, and was brought up on the farm He obtained a good common school edu cation and taught winter schools in various places. He bought out the store of Thaddeus P. Bartlett, and from that time to the pres ent, the place has been known as Bean's Corner. He was the sec ond Postmaster in that part of the town, and held the position for fifteen years. He also opened his large house as a tavern, and at the same time carried on farming. After a few years he gave up the store, took down his tavern sign, and since has engaged exclu sively in agriculture. He has a productive interval farm, and has enjoyed his occupation. He has been more or less in town oflflce,has served as town clerk, selectman, and for many years on the board of superintending school committe. In eighteen hundred and fifty- one, he was elected to the Maine Legislature. He was early ap pointed a civil magistrate, and did considerable business in the way of conveyancing and uniting couples in marriage. He married in eighteen hundred and thirty-eight, Sarah B., daughter of Hall Farnham of Rumford,' who died several years ago. They reared a family, a record of which may be found with family statistics. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 361 TiMO-rnY Appleton Chapman. Like every New England community, Bethel can boast of sons whom accident or inclination has carried to distant scenes amid which they have risen to distinction and honor. Most conspicuous among them is Timothy Appleton Chapman. Mr. Chapman is of a family, English by descent, which has been identifled with New England for more than two hundred years. His parents were George Whitefleld and Mary (Greenwood) Chapman, and he was born in Gilead, May 23, 1824. His boyhood was passed upon his father's farm which lies partly in Gilead and partly in Bethel. He was educated at the district school of his native town and the academies of Bethel and Yarmouth. His first salaried employment was school teaching, which he practiced for two winters. But as he progressed toward manhood, he realized that to satisfy his ambitions and engross his abilities the life of a pedagogue and the restricted op portunities of a country town would never sufl3ce. Before he was 20, therefore, he cut himself loose from the associations of his childhood, and went to Boston to seek his fortune. He entered that great city with less than ten dollars in his purse, but with a wiry constitution, excellent habits and strong moral principles, a clear, active intellect, an inflexible will, and indomitable ambition. His first six years in Boston were passed as a clerk, most of the time in the dry goods store of C. F. Hovey & Co. His early dreams and impulses had not been in the direction of trade, but having entered upon a mercantile life, the young clerk applied himself with all his powers to acquiring by observation and practice all the mercantile knowledge which lay within his reach. Private charac ter, as well as mere executive capacity, is part of the business cap ital which may be accumulated by every young young man, how ever small his salary, or limited his opportunities of laying by money. Of this desirable foundation for a successful career, Mr. Chapman soon had a larger portion than most of the young men of his ao-e. His social associations were made with care. He was never frivolous, even in his amusements, but sought recreations which, besides serving to pass the time, held out a promise of im provement. He formed opinions of his own on topics of current in terest and when occasion invited was not backward in expressing them. He was strongly in sympathy with the Abolitionist move- 362 HISTORY OF BETHEL. ment, and a supporter of Wendell Phillips, Charles Sumner, John G. Whittier and William Lloyd Garrison, long before their doctrines had become popular. He came to be known as a young man of ideas and of sterling qualities. His character commended him to the attention of influential peo ple like James M. Beebe, at that time the greatest dry goods im porter in Boston. That gentleman gave him very substantial en couragement, and assisted him to open a dry goods store of his own. This enterprise was carried on for seven years, producing no great flnancial results, but enabling the young merchant to acquire ad ditional experience and confldence, and to secure connections which were to become useful to him in a wider fleld of operations. It was in 1857, at the age of 32, that Mr. Chapman took the step which resulted in the establishment of a business that was destined to give full employment to his matured powers, and to develop into proportions exceeding anything that had been realized by the wealthiest and most successful merchants in that line in the coun try at the time when he began his apprenticeship to the dry goods trade. This step was his removal to Milwaukee, which was then a place of less than .**0,000 inhabitants, but flourishing and promising future growth. Mr. Chapman's early employers, C. F. Hovey & Co., afforded him financial support, and he opened a dry goods store which at once became the favorite emporium of the city. The characteristics which gained for the store its original success have always been maintained. The goods handled were excellent in qual ity and selected with refined and educated taste. They were sold at one price. Every department of the store was permeated by a spirit of system. In 1872, admonished by the growth of the city and of his trade to seek larger quarters than he had previously occupied, Mr. Chap man erected and moved into what was at that time one of the larg est dry goods houses iu the Northwest. Eleven years later it had become inadequate to the growing demands of his trade, and he doubled its size. In convenience of arrangement the store had not a superior in the country. Not content with building for utility only, Mr. Chapman called decorative art to his aid, creating an establish ment which fitly came to be spoken of as "the Palace Store," and was the pride of the whole Northwest. On the night of October 23, 1884, this magnificent structure, with its entire contents — a stock valued at more than half a million dollars — was destroyed by fire. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 363 Milwaukeeaus looked upon the fire as a public calamity, rather than a merely private loss. Business men asked the question, "Will Mr. Chapman lebuild?" with much concern, for they realized that the store was an institution which brought many people and a great deal of incidental trade to the city. Petitions were received, signed by leading ladies of neighboring cities and towns, praying him to rebuild and continue in business. Leading firms throughout the country sent him telegrams expressing sympathy and offering finan cial assistance if needed. Mr. Chapman's insurance money aud his other property would have enabled him to "crown a life of labor with an age of ease," had he been disposed to avoid the responsi bilities and risks of beginning anew. But after carefully summing up the situation, he decided in favor of continued activity, and before the ashes of the fire were cold he had made arrangements for re building upon even a grander scale than before. The structure which he erected occupies an area of 17,000 square feet upon the ground floor and is flve stories in height. It is conceded to have no superior in the world for the purposes for which it is designed, and in many of its excellent features it is entirely unique. It is so ar ranged that there is not a dark corner nor a deep shadow in the whole building. The ventilation is as perfect as science can make it. The frescoeing and other works of art are European in their con ception and execution, and give the store the effect of a reception room rather than a place for the sale of goods. Ample provision is made for the comfort of the employes as well as for that of the patrons of the establishment. One of the salient characteristics of Mr. Chapman's business methods is his treatment of his employes, who number more than the entire population of the town in which he was born. He does not regard people who work for him as mere machines, out of which it is incumbent for him to get the greatest amount of labor at least cost to himself, and with no thought for their personal well-being. In the especial field of exertion to which he has mainly devoted bimself, Mr. Chapman has risen to the highest eminence. It is not alone his standing as a business man that gives him his place in the esteem of his fellow citizens. Broad-minded, cultured and public- spirited, a liberal promoter of important enterprises to beneflt the community, a patron of art and education, he is looked up to as a thoroughly representative man, who has been successful not only in business, but successful in life. 364 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Mr. Chapman was married in Boston, on the 16th of April, 1850, to Miss Laura Bowker, daughter of David and Eunice (Clapp) Bowker, of Scituate, Mass. Mrs. Chapman is a lady of rare intel ligence, fine character, and dignity and grace of manner, and has made her husband's home a recognized center of social refinement, and cultured intellectual impulse. They have two daughters. Mr. Chapman's munificent enterprise is not confined to the city of his residence. For some years past he has been making practi cal experiments in scientific agriculture, with a view of determin ing the conditions under which farming in New England, and es pecially in his native stute of Maine, can be restored to its old-time prosperity. These experiments, conducted on the old homestead- farm at Gilead, have attracted wide attention, and have demon strated that if the New England farmer will put thought and capi tal in with his hard work, he can make his acres yield him a fair revenue. Some of Mr. Chapman's ideas upon the reasons of Maine's agricultural decadence, and the means by which prosperity may be restored, he has laid before the public in the form of contributions- to the press. He is a strong believer in the American protective tariff, and in response to an attack upon the theory of protection which was made in a published criticism of one of his agricultural essays, he wrote a defense of the tariff' system which elicited much approving comment. As may be inferred from his stand on the tariff, Mr. Chapman's political sympathies generally lie with the re publican party, though he is not a narrow partisan. During the war he was a type of the staunchly loyal men who by their outspoken devotion to the union cause, and readiness to contribute liberally toward the expenses of carrying on the struggle, helped to hold up the hands of the martyr President, and to preserve the republic from dismemberment. While never shirking his political duties, he has never been a politician. When a movement to nominate him for office of Governor of Wisconsin was made, in 1888, he declined to become a candidate. Mr. Chapman is an original thinker, and a man of positive con victions. He despises cant in all things, and shows his character and ability more by what he does than by what he says. He is one of the living exemplars, and reminders of Carlyle's noble declaration that "all true work is religion," and that "the essence of every sound re ligion is, 'know thy work and do it.' " HISTORY OF BETHEL. 365 Henry L. Chapman. Professor Henry Leland Chapman was born in Bethel, July twenty-sixth, eighteen hundred and forty-five. He attended the town schools and Gould's academy until the family moved to Port land. He fitted for college and graduated from Bowdoin in the class of eighteen hundred and sixty-six. From the Bangor Theological Seminary he graduated in eighteen hundred and sixty-nine, and im mediately accepted a tutorship in Bowdoin College. In eighteen hundred and seventy-two he accepted the professorship of Latin and was subsequently transferred to the chair of rhetoric and ora tory, and English literature has since been added. He is a pro found scholar, an original thinker, and one of the most valuable and popular teachers connected with the college. He has never been settled as a pastor, though he has had frequent opportunities of do ing so. He has occasionally supplied vacant pulpits, and is an eloquent preacher. He is a ready, off-hand speaker, and on post prandial and other similar occasions, he has few equals in the State. He has a remarkably easy flow of language, can be witty or wise and can change from grave to gay, with remarkable facility. His written addresses are noted for the pure and forcible English in which they are clothed, recalling forcibly the manner and style of Addison and other English classical writers of that period. Professor Chapman sometimes successfully falls into rhyme and poetry, and bis Centennial poem printed in this volume, does him great credit, both as a literary and poetical production. He is now in the prime of manhood, in the enjoyment of excellent health, and with every promise of a brilliant future. Charles J. Chapman. Hon. Charles J. Chapman, son of Robert A. Chapman, was born in Bethel, January twenty-ninth, eighteen hundred and forty-eight, was educated in the public schools and Gould's Academy of Bethel, and Gorham academy, entered Bowdoin college and graduated with honor in eighteen hundred and sixty-eight. The first prize for ex cellence in English composition was awarded him in his senior year. After graduation, his health having become somewhat impaired by study, he made a trip to Minnesota, where he was employed by the Northern Pacific Railroad Company in its earliest railroad construe- 366 HISTORY OF BETHEL. tion across the State. He remained in the employ of this company until his return to Maine in the summer of eighteen hundred and seventy, when he became a member of the old established commis sion house in flour and grain, of Norton, Chapman & Company of Portland. He has continued with this flrm during all its changes up to the present time, having become, in the meantime, its senior member. This flrm has become the representative of some of the largest and best known mills in the West, including the famous Pillsbury-Washburn mills, and is recognized as the leading house of its kind in the State. Recently, Mr. Chapman has also become in terested in banking, having formed in connection with his brothers, Cullen C, and Robert, the Chapman Banking Company of Port land, Maine ; to this branch of business he devotes a portion of his time. Mr. Chapman is a member of the Portland Board of Trade, and has always been known as a man of large public spirit and en terprise. In politics, Mr. Chapman is a republican, and from boyhood greatly interested in political matters. H.e was elected to and served on the school board of Portland, from eighteen hundred and seven ty-three to eighteen hundred and seventy-flve, was chosen member of Common Council in eighteen hundred and seventy-seven, eight and nine, serving as President of that body in eighteen hundred and seventy-nine ; was elected Alderman in eighteen hundred and eighty and eighty-one, serving as chairman of the Board in the lat ter year ; was elected Mayor of Portland, flrst in eighteen hundred and eighty-six, and subsequently twice re-elected. During his office as Mayor, he planned and carried forward to successful consumma tion the great Centennial celebration of the city in eighteen hun dred and eighty-seven ; also among other results of his administra tion may be mentioned the Back Bay improvements, the lease of the Portland and Ogdensburg Railroad to the Maine Central, and the contract with the Portland Water Company, whereby a new reservoir was constructed on Munjoy Hill. He also accepted, in behalf of the city, in fltting speeches, the Longfellow statue from the Longfellow Association, and the magnificent Public Library building, the free gift of James P. Baxter, Esq. Mr. Chapman was appointed by the Governor of the State, one of the Commissioners to represent the State on the occasion of the National Centennial in New York eighteen hundred and eighty-eight, and was also chosen as an alternate delegate at large by the Repub- GEN. CLARK S. EDWARDS. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 367 lican State Convention to the National Republican Convention to Chicago in eighteen hundred and eighty-eight. In religion, Mr. Chapman is a Congregationalist. He was married in September, eighteen hundred and seventy-five, to Annie D., daughter of B. F. Hinds of Portland, and has a family of five children, one daughter and four sons. Clark S. Edwards. General Clark Swett Edwards is the youngest son and child of Enoch and Abigail (McLellan) Edwards, and was born at Otisfield, Maine, March twenty-six, eighteen hundred and twenty-four. His father and mother were of Gorham, Maine, and the latter was of the distinguished family of McLellan, so closely identified with the early history of that town. They had an old-fashioned family of eleven children, the youngest three of whom alone are now living. The subject of this notice was brought upon his father's farm, and obtained what education the public schools afforded. In eighteen hundred and forty-eight he came to Bethel, and with Edwin R. Eastman bought out Kimball and Pattee and went into trade in a store which stood where the store of Ceylon Rowe now stands at the northwest corner of the Common. After a year they pui chased a building standing southerly and a little back of the store they then occupied, which had been used as a shoemaker's and harness mak ing shop, moved it up in line with their store and that of John Har ris, then occupied by Abernethy Grover, which stood farther south, and finished the three stores under one roof. This was the block that was burned during the war and has since been rebuilt. He subsequently built the store near the railroad, on the spot where the store of Woodbury & Purrington now stands, and traded in com pany with Charles Mason. He sold out to Mason and the store was afterwards burned. Mr. Edwards then built a store near the foot of Vernon street, where he traded until eighteen hundred and fiftj'- eight, when he sold out. During these years he built several houses at various parts of the village, and in various ways contributed to the growth and prosperitv of Bethel Hill. At the breaking out of the war, when the first call was issued for three hundred thousand men, Mr. Edwards took out recruiting pa pers and was chosen Captain of the first company organized under this call, in the county. This company became Company I, of the Fifth Maine Regiment, and an account of it is given in another 368 HISTORY OF BETHEL. place. Captain Edwards was rapidly promoted and soon had com mand of the regiment, which he handled in the leading engagements of the Army of the Potomac including Gettysburg, until the expira tion of his term in the summer of eighteen hundred and sixty-four, except a portion of the time when he commanded a brigade. He was a braye and capable officer, and for conspicuous bravery was promoted to Brigadier General by brevet. Returning to his home. General Edwards engaged in agriculture, which was ever his favorite pursuit, and this has been his chief em ployment since that time. He has cleared up an extensive tract of grass land situated on Alder river, built an immense barn on Ver non street in eighteen hundred and seventy-four, which he fills with hay, his usual annual crop being about one hundred tons. He has not sought public ofllce, but in eighteen hundred and eighty-six the democratic nomination for Governor of Maine was urged upon him, and he reluctantly consented to accept it. He polled the full vote of his party, but as it was in the minority, he was not elected. In eighteen hundred and ninety he was appointed by the Governor of Maine, Commissioner for the Columbian Exposition at Chicago, an appointment which gave general satisfaction. General Edwards is modest and retiring, social and genial in his habits and strongly attached to his family and friends. In eighteen hundred and forty- nine, he married Miss Maria A., daughter of Ayers Mason, Esq., a most estimable woman and devoted wife and mother. She died March sixth, eighteen hundred and eighty-five. They reared an in teresting family of seven children, six of whom are still living. One of their sons, Ayers Mason Edwards, graduated at Bowdoin Col lege, was superintendent of schools in Lewiston, and now holds the same position at Pittsfield, Massachusetts. He is a prominent educator and author of several text books. Lafayette Grover. Hon. Lafayette Grover, the subject of this sketch, who became the first Representative in Congress from the State of Oregon, and afterwards Governor of that State and Senator of the United States, was the third son of Dr. John and Fanny Grover, and was born in Bethel, Maine, November twenty-ninth, eighteen hundred and twenty-three, was educated at Gould's academy in this town, and at Bowdoin College. He studied law in Philadelphia, under the in struction of the late Asa I. Fish, and was admitted to the bar there HON, LAFAYETTE GROVER, HISTORY OF BETHEL. 369 in March, eighteen hundred and fifty. Late in the autumn of that year, he took passage on a merchant vessel bound round Cape Horn to San Francisco, where he arrived in July, eighteen hundred and fifty-one, and in the next month he arrived in Portland, Oregon, by the old steamer Columbia, then on one of her early trips. He at once proceeded to Salem, the capital of the territory, and estab lished himself as a lawyer. The first regular term. of the United States District Court was held at Salem in the following month, and on the invitation of Chief Justice Nelson, who presided over the court, Mr. Grover became the clerk, stipulating that he would ac cept the position temporarily, and until a suitable successor could be appointed. He held the oflflce six months, obtaining an excellent acquaintance with local court procedure, and with jurors, witnesses and litigants. The following spring, resigning the clerkship, he formed a law partnership with Benjamin F. Harding, afterward United States District Attorney, Secretary of the Territory of Oregon and United States Senator. With him Mr. Grover at once entered upon a general and lucrative practice, which lasted for several years. In eighteen hundred and flfty-two he was elected by the legisla ture. Prosecuting Attorney of the second Judicial District of the Territory, which district then extended from Oregon City to the California line. In eig'hteen hundred and fifty-three he was elected and served as member of the Territorial Legislature. During the summer of this year, serious hostilities of the Rogue River Indians occurred in Southern Oregon, and Mr. Grover was appointed by Governor Curry, recruiting oflflcer to raise volunteer troops to aid the settlers against the hostiles. This was promptly done, and a company was at once mustered at Salem, of which J. W. Nesmith, afterwards United States Senator, was elected Captain and Lafay ette Grover First Lieutenant. These troops, with a pack-train loaded with arms, ammunition and supplies, hastened south to the aid of the hard pressed settlers in Southern Oregon. At the close of hostilities in September, Mr. Grover appeared as Deputy United States District Attorney in the United States District Courts in the southern counties, then being held for the first time, by Judge Matthew P. Deady. Congress having assumed the compensation of settlers whose property had been destroyed by hostile Indians during the Rogue River Indian war of eighteen hundred and fifty- three, Mr. Grover was appointed one of the commissioners to assess 24 370 HISTORY OF BETHEL. the spoliations, and served as President of the Board in eighteen hundred and fifty-four. He was again returned as a member of the legislature from Marion county in eighteen hundred and fifty-five, and served as Speaker of the House during the session of eighteen hundred and fifty-five and six. During this period the combined Indian tribes from the California line to the British boundary attacked the frontier settlements in a determined manner throughout Oregon and Washington, and two thousand volunteers were called into the field to co-operate with the regular forces for their suppression. In this movement on the part of Oregon, Mr. Grover aided in raising troops and served in the fleld throughout the Yakima campaign, on the staff of Col. Nesmith. He served the following year as a member of the Military Commis sion, appointed by the Secretary of War under authority of an act of Congress, in auditing and reporting to the war department the expenses of Oregon and Washington incurred in suppressing Indian hostilities of eighteen hundred and flfty-flve and six. On this com mission his co-laborers were Capts. A. J. Smith and Rufus Ingalls ; the former served as Major General in the late war ; the latter hav ing been Chief Quartermaster of the Army of the Potomac, became Quartermaster General of the United States. The people of Oregon having resolved to form a constitution, and to apply for admission to the Union as a State, the voters of Marion county elected Mr. Grover a member of the convention, which was convened for that purpose at Salem in eighteen hundred and flfty- seven. In that convention, he served as Chairman of the Com mittee on the Bill of Rights, and as member of several other impor tant committees, and took an active and prominent part in giving direction to the work of that body. Upon the holding of a general election under the constitution of the new state, Mr. Grover was returned as the first representative in Congress from Oregon. The chief work of the Oregon delegation at this time, was devoted to securing the admission of the State to the Union, and the assumption of the Oregon Indian war debt. Retiring from the thirty-fifth Congress, he devoted himself almost exclusively for ten years to professional and business pursuits. He formed a law partnership at Salem with the late Honorable Joseph S. Smith, subsequently member of Congress, which was afterwards extended to Portland, including Judge W. W. Page. This firm HISTORY OF BETHEL. 371 conducted a very important and lucrative practice throughout the State for several years. Taking an early and active interest in the establishment of manu factures in the new State, he took part in the organization of the Willamette Woolen Manufacturing Company at Salem in eighteen hundred and fifty-six. This corporation had in view the introduc tion to the State Capital, by canal and natural channels, the waters of the Santiam river, as power for general manufactures. He be came one of the directors of the company, and remained in this con nection for fifteen years, during which period this, the first broad enterprise for manufacturers in Oregon, attained large proportions and great success. In eighteen hundred and sixty, Mr. Grover purchased the shares of Joseph Watt in this corporation, and became owner of one-third of all the mills and water power of Salem. From eighteen hundred and sixty-seven to eighteen hundred and seventy-one, he was man ager of the company. Under his direction, the Salem flouring- mills,. which had been begun, were completed, including the putting in of all the machinery and works, and constructing a steamboat canal from the river to the mills. These flouring mills were a markedl success from the start, and were the flrst direct shippers of Oregon flour, by the cargo, to foreign countries. The operations of this company were great stimulants to the growth of wheat and wool in early Oregon, and facilitated many other business enterprises in all directions. The unfortunate destruction of the Salem woolen mills by flre, occurred subsequently to Mr. Grover's retirement from the company. In eighteen hundred and sixty-six, he presided over the Demo cratic State convention of that year, and by the convention was elected chairman of the Democratic State central committee, which position he held for foui years. During this period the democratic party attained the ascendancy in the polities of the state, which it had not had since eighteen hundred and sixty. In eighteen hundred and seventy, Mr. Grover was elected by the democratic party as Governor of the State for four years, and in eighteen hundred and seventy-four he was re-elected to the same position, which he held till eighteen hundred and seventy-seven, when he entered the Senate of the United States, having been elected to that position by the legislative assembly at its September session of the previous year. In his canvass for the Governorship, 372 HISTORY OF BETHEL. he based the chief issue on the abrogation of the Burlingame treaty with China, though the subject was not mentioned in the platform of either political party. During Governor Grover's term as Chief Executive, which lasted nearly seven years, many changes took place, and unusual progress was made in business enterprises, and in the general condition of Oregon. His flrst step as Executive was to put in force a law which had been enacted two years previously, but not executed, providing for tug boats at the mouth of the Columbia river, and a subsidy for their support. This movement gave the first reliable basis for a coastwise and foreign commerce from Oregon's great river, which took root vigorously, and has increased ever since, to its now strong proportions. He favored the construction of the locks at the Willamette Falls I)y a private company, assisted by aid from the state. The project was successful, and opened the Willamette river to competition with the railroads, and reduced freights throughout the Willamette Val ley to such an extent as to stimulate greatly farm production and general commerce. Another object of his administration was the securing to the state the segregation and patenting of all public lands to which Oregon was entitled under various grants by Congress, and a recognition of her rights to the tide lands which she held by reason of her sover eignty as a state. All these rights became recognized, and a large proportion of these lands were secured to Oregon during Governor Grover's administration. He also favored the erection of permanent public buildings for the state, and during his term of oflflce, penitentiary buildings and the State House were erected of permanent and enduring structure, an example of economy and honesty in public work. One feature may be noted in these buildings, they were erected at an expense inside of the estimates of the architects, quite unusual in such cases. While the State House was not at first carried to full completion, its mason work was all done, the entire roof put on, and so much of the interior was finished as to render it suitable for the .convenience of the -State offices, the Legislature and the Supreme Court. The grants by Congress for the establishment and support of a State University and for an Agricultural College in Oregon, having been secured and utilized. Governor Grover interested himself in promoting the organization of these institutions, which was also HISTORY OF BETHEL. 37;i accomplished during his term of office. There was also, during the same period, founded at Salem, the institution for deaf mutes and the school for the blind. Having labored to secure to the state the indemnity common school lands, held in lieu of those occupied by settlers before the public surveys, and the proceeds of their sales having been invested for common school revenues, the period had arrived for a more com plete organization of the public school system of the state, and for its support out of the public funds thus utilized. This important foundation work was also accomplished, and the first distribution of public funds by the state in support of common schools in Oregon, was made during the term of Governor Grover as Chief Executive. In his inaugural address to the legislative assembly in eighteen hundred and seventy, he presented the subject of Chinese exclusion, and favored the abrogation of the treaty between the United States and China, of eighteen hundred and sixty-eight, commonly known as the Burlingame Treaty. The legislature of that session, on his recommendation, memorialized Congress to that effect, and from that time forward, until from his seat in the .Senate of the United States, he voted for a bill excluding the Chinese, and for a modified treaty with China, both of which prevailed, he never abated his zeal in promoting this movement. An effort was made in the legislature of Oregon in eighteen hun dred and seventy, to initiate a system of subsidizing railway corpo rations by bonding cities and counties in their favor, as induce ments to the construction of their roads. A bill was passed by both houses, by more than two-thirds majorities, authorizing the city of Portland to issue its bonds in the sum of three hundred thousand dollars, in favor of Ben Holaday, to induce him to build the railroad up the west side of the Willamette Valley, making its principal terminus at Portland. This bill was considered by the Governor as against public policy, and as against distinct provisions of the state constitution. The hill was vetoed in a message which settled the policy of the state on the subject of public grants of money to railway corporations, as long as the present constitution of the state exists. This veto having been filed subsequently to the adjournment of the assembly, w-ent over as an issue in the elections which returned the following legislature, and the veto was almost unanimously sustained by the Senate, where the bill originated, only 374 HISTORY OF BETHEL. one vote being given against it. So that Oregon has been and now is entirely free from public debt, both general and local, growing out of the construction of railways, which has been the source of much embarrassment to the new Western states. The memorable contest for the Presidency of the United States in eighteen hundred and seventy-six, between Hayes and Tilden, raised an electorial question in Oregon. In this case. Governor Grover held, on issuing certificates of election, that under the injunc tion of the constitution forliidding a federal oflflcer to be appointed a presidential elector, the votes cast for him were void, and as- if never cast. And he gave the certificate to the candidate having the next bighest vote. This decision was far-reaching, as the contested vote in Oregon held the balance of power in the Electoral College, if all other contested votes in Louisiana ' and Florida should be counted for Hayes. And it called for the organization of the "Electoral Commission," which overruled the Governor's decision. But he desires it understood that on re-examination he adheres to his original view. Having been elected Senator from Oregon, he took his seat in the Senate of the United States in March, eighteen hundred and seventy- seven. In that body he served as member of the committees on military affairs, public lands, railroads, territories, manufactures and private land claims. His chief efforts during his term as Senator, were to secure a set tlement of the Indian war claims of Oregon ; to promote the com pletion of the Northern Pacific Railway ; to obtain liberal appropria tions for the surveys and improvement of the rivers and harbors of Oregon, and the Pacific Northwest coast ; and the extension of the government surveys of the public lands west of the Rocky Moun tains. He also labored constantly for the modification of our treaties with China, and for the enactment of laws excluding the Chinese from immigrating to this country. He made speeches on the extension of time to the Northern Pacific Railway Company, for the completion of this road, on the several Chinese Exclusion Bills, and in secret session on the ratification of the treaty with China, modifying the Burlingame Treaty of eighteen hundred and sixty- eight, and on other subjects. His health being impaired, Mr. Grover determined, on his retiie- ment from the Senate in eighteen hundred and eighty-three, to withdraw from public life, and in future to devote himself exclusively HISTORY OF BETHEL. 375 to his personal and private business affairs, which had long suffered neglect. Not proposing to return to the practice of his profession, he entered vigorously upon the improvement and disposal of tracts of real estate immediately adjacent to the city of Portland, owned in part by himself and in part by his wife. Having purchased a quarter interest in lands now known as Carter's Addition to Portland, several years prior, he joined with the other owners in laying out and establishing that extension of the city. In eighteen hundred and eighty-four, Mr. and Mrs. Grover laid out and dedicated a tract of high land belonging to her, the gift of her parents, in the northwest elevation of the city as "Grover's Addition to Portland," naming it "Portland Heights," which name became so contagious, that all the high grounds now forming the southwest part of the city bear that name. As a business move ment these enterprises have proved a great success, and these broken hills, once so forbidding, are now occupied with fine resi dences, and form a most beautiful and attractive part of Portland. Mr. Grover has made other real estate investments to the west of the city in the path of its future extension. He became one of the original incorporators and stockholders of the Ainsworth National Bank of Portland in eighteen hundred and eighty-five, and later, of the Portland Trust Company of Oregon. He is also interested in the Portland Building and Loan Association, and in the Portland Cable Railway Company. He has also invested in coal lands. He is an honorary member of the Portland Board of Trade, and takes a lively interest in the rapidly increasing commerce of Oregon. Mr. Grover was married in eighteen hundred and sixty-five, to Miss Elizabeth Carter, youngest daughter of the late Thomas Car ter, Esq., an early resident of Portland, who was one of the most successful merchants and real estate owners of that city, and one of the proprietors of the town. It is almost unnecessary to say that Mrs. Grover is one of the well-known women of the state ; a lady of high accomplishments and culture, and of artistic tastes, pos sessed also of beauty and a graceful and distinguished manner. Throughout all the varying fortunes and misfortunes of her husband — for he has at times met with adverse currents — she has been his steady companion and support. They are communicants of the Episcopal church. Their son, John Cuvier Grover, a young man of twenty-three summers, so named after his grandfather and uncle, the sole offspring of this union, was educated at the Peekskill Mill- 376 HISTORY OF BETHEL. tary Academy, New York, and is now completing his studies in Europe. Abernethy Grover. Major Abernethy Grover, son of Dr. John Grover, fitted for col lege and graduated from Bowdoin in eighteen hundred and forty- three. Among his classmates were his brother Talleyrand, Joseph Dane, Moses Ingalls, Dr. John D. Lincoln and Joseph Titcomb. After graduating. Major Grover taught at Gould's Academy for a year, and was then for several years engaged in trade. Then he moved to Albany, built mills and engaged extensively in lumbering, also in clearing lands and farming. In eighteen hundred and fifty, he represented the district, of which Bethel formed a part, in the Maine Legislature, and in eighteen hundred and flfty-six, he was chosen a member of Governor Wells' council. When the war of the rebellion broke out. Major Grover recruited a company for the thir teenth Maine regiment, which became Company H, and he was appointed Captain. He was commissioned Major to take rank from April twenty-eight, eighteen hundred and sixty-two, and was mustered out with the regiment at the close of its term of service, January six, eighteen hundred and sixty-flve. He returned to Bethel and was engaged in various kinds of business until early in the eighties, when he went west. Under the administration of President Grover Cleveland, Major Grover had charge of the Land office at Miles City, Montana. He was married January twenty-six, eighteen hundred and forty-eight, to Mary C, daughter of Timothy Chapman, who died in eighteen hundred and seventy-one, leaving no issue. In eighteen hundred and seventy-four. Major Grover married Isabel A., daughter of Samuel R. Shehan, Postmaster at Bethel. The only issue of this marriage was a daughter, who died young. David R. Hastinos. Hon. David Robinson Hastings, son of John Hastings, was born in Bethel, August twenty-six, eighteen hundred and twenty-three. He fltted for college largely at Gould's Academy, entered at Bow doin College in the class of eighteen hundred and forty-four. Among his classmates were Judge Virgin, the late Charles W. God dard, the late Joseph Bartlett, Henry P. Deane and Horace Williams. On leaving college he taught fiould's Academy for a year, then HON. DAVID R, HASTINGS. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 'SIT studied law in the oflflces of Hon. Wm. Frye of Bethel, David R. Straw of Guilford and Appleton & Allen of Bangor, aud was admitted to the Penobscot bar in eighteen hundred and forty-seven. He settled at Lovell as the partner of Hon. David Hammons, and was long a successful practitioner at the Oxford bar. He was County Attorney from eighteen hundred and flfty-three to eighteen hundred and flfty-flve, was reporter of decisions of the Supreme Judicial Court, and published volumes sixty-nine and seventy of the Maine Reports. He has for many years been one of the overseers of Bowdoin College. In eighteen hundred and sixty-one, he enlisted in the Twelfth Maine Regiment, and was commissioned Major to rank from October flve, eighteen hundred and sixty-one. He was among the flrst to enter the captured city of New Orleans. He- resigned July twelve, eighteen hundred and sixty-two, returned home and moved to Fryeburg, where he has since resided. Aside from his large legal practice, he has engaged largely in outside busi ness, especially in timber lands and lumbering. Few men have led a more active life, and few Oxford county men have met with more marked success. He has always been a leading democrat, has been a member of the State committee and candidate for Congress. He married in eighteen hundred and flfty. Miss Mary .J. Ellis, and has one daughter, and a son who is his law partner at the present time. Gideon A. Hastings. Colonel Gideon A. Hastings, son of John Hastings and grandson of General Amos Hastings, the early settler, was born in this town and has always resided here. He has always been a prominent man in town. He served as town clerk, several years on the board of selectmen, and represented the town in the State legislature. He also served on the board of commissioners for the county of Oxford. Early in the war of the rebellion he enlisted, and having been appointed Captain of Company A, of the Twelfth Maine Regiment, he was mustered into the service of the United States, November flfteenth, eighteen hundred and sixty-one. His regiment was assigned to the Department of the Gulf, and was flrst stationed on Ship Island. The history of the regiment is well known, and it need only be said that Colonel Hastings was with it throughout, ex cept a short time when on detached service. He was commissioned Major in June, eighteen hundred and sixty-three, was at the sur- 378 HISTORY OF BETHEL. render of New Orleans, and in all the campaigns of the Gulf Department. He also served in the campaign in the Shenandoah Valley, under General Sheridan. His regiment then went South, and after the surrender of Savannah, Georgia, Colonel Hastings was appointed Provost Judge. He also served as Marshal of West Georgia, with headquarters at Thcmasville. Afterwards he was detailed to serve in the Freedman's Bureau for Southwestern Georgia, with headquarters at Albany. Here he held both civil and military command over that section of country for ten months. These sev eral positions were highly responsible, requiring tact, good judg ment, firmness and decision, and were filled with satisfaction to his superiors in authority. He was mustered out of the service April twenty-sixth, eighteen hundred and sixty-six. Since that time he has lived at Bethel Hill, and been engaged in farming and lum bering. Sylvester Robertson. No face is more familiar in and around Bethel than that of the subject of this notice. Born in this town, he has always lived here, and is as well posted on Bethel and the Bethel people of his time, as any one in town. His father was Samuel Robertson, who lived on the Fenno farm on the road toward West Bethel, and here he spent his boyhood days in attending school and working upon the farm. In eighteen hundred and thirty-three, he commenced with Isaac J. Town, to learn the cabinet-maker's trade, and having com pleted his apprenticeship, he set up for himself on the Hill, and here for half a century, he has plied his trade with good success and un failing patronage. He is an ingenious workman and can do all kinds of work belonging to the business, but he has made a specialty of chairs and bureaus, and his shop has turned out a vast number of these indispensable articles. Though somewhat advanced in years, he is yet hale and hearty, and carries on the business at the same old place. He is among the last of the old regime, and has lived to see Bethel Hill, from a small hamlet, become one of the largest, as it always was the pleasantest, village in the county. He has never sought oflflce, and the only one of importance he has ever •held, was that of Postmaster. Many apprentices have learned the cabinet-maker's art in his little shop, and if they did not learn it thoroughly it was their own fault. Mr. Robertson has a very reten tive memory, and is full of reminiscences of Bethel and Bethel peo ple. His family record may be found elsewhere. CEYLON ROWE, HISTORY OF BETHEL. 379 Ceylon Rowe. Of the successful native born business men of Bethel, Ceylon Rowe is a good example. He is the son of the late Caleb Rowe, and grandson of Ephraim Rowe, who married Martha, daughter of Captain Eleazer Twitchell, and was born in Bethel, April first, eighteen hundred and thirty-eight. He attended the town school and at Gould's Academy, securing a good English education. He worked summers when quite young in the carding mill, and also learned the trade of a cloth-dresser. In eighteen hundred and fifty- nine, he entered the store of Abner Davis as clerk, and two years later was doing business as agent for the Bethel Steam Mill Com pany. In eighteen hundred and sixty-six, a copartnership was formed for general trade, under the firm name of Rowe, Grover & Company, of which Ceylon Rowe was the senior partner. This continued for three years, when the firm name was changed, and in eighteen hundred and seventy-three, Mr. Rowe took his brother, Edwin C. Rowe, as partner. In eighteen hundred and seventy-eight, Mr. Rowe sold out to his brother and commenced trade by himself, and so continues to the present time. He keeps a large assortment ¦of goods, and has found no trouble in attracting customers and retaining them. George M. Twitchell. Dr. George Maurice Twitchell, son of Dr. Almon Twitchell, was born in Bethel, September seventeen, eighteen hundred and forty- seven. His father died when he was a lad of eleven years, and left him with others, to the care of an excellent mother, who spared no pains to give them an education and lead them in the right way. George Maurice obtained his education at the town schools and at Gould's Academy ; studied the dentist's art and commenced practice in eighteen hundred and sixty-six. He engaged in business at Bethel, and was at different times at Yarmouth and Fairfield. He succeeded well in his profession, his aim being to acquire something more than the mere mechanical part, and the several papers he read before the State society showed that his investigations into the science of dentistry as well as the art, had been careful and pro found. In eighteen hundred and eighty-four, on account of failing health, and feeling that a more active, out-door life would best suit his case, he abandoned dentistry to a great extent, and purchasing a farm in Readfield, he moved there with the view of giving some 380 HISTORY OF BETHEL. attention to general farming, and making a specialty of poultry breeding, in which he had long been interested and had become an. expert. He had been a frequent contributor to the Maine Farmer, and about this time he was invited to take charge of the poultry and; horse departments of the paper, which positions he accepted and. still holds. Not being entirely satisfied with his farming operations, he sold the Readfield farm and returned to Fairfield. He was elected Lecturer of the Maine State Grange, which position he still, holds by re-elections, and which he fills to great acceptance. Im eighteen hundred and ninety, he was elected Secretary of the Maine State Agricultural Society, and in the early part of the following year, was appointed clerk to the Secretary of the Board of Agricul ture. In these several positions, it may well be inferred that he leads a busy life. He is a leading Universalist and a frequent con tributor to the literature of the denomination. He married Miss Florence Allen of Yarmouth, and they now reside in Augusta.. They have no children. Alice G. Twitchell. From her long and highly honorable connection with one of our important State institutions. Miss Alice Gray Twitchell is entitled to a place in the history of her native town and home of her ances tors. She is the eldest daughter and child of the late Dr. Almon and Phebe M. (Buxton) Twitchell, and was born July eighteenth,. eighteen hundred and forty-four. She attended the village schools at Bethel Hill, and finished her education at Gould's Academy. Her father died when she was but fourteen years of age, the care of the family then devolving upon his widow, and Alice, being the eld est child, was of great service to her mother in the performance of her difficult and arduous task. In the winter of eigliteen hundred and seventy-one. Miss Twitchell was offered a position as clerk and telegrapher in the Maine Insane Hospital, which she accepted. She had various promotions until she became supervisor of the female wards, and then a vacancy arising she was promoted to the respon sible position of matron of the institution, which position she has held to the entire satisfaction of the board of trustees and the numerous patrons of the hospital. The duties of the position are arduous and often very trying, but Miss Twitchell possesses iu a marked degree, those qualities essential to the successful adminis tration of the affairs of her department. She has marked executive MISS ALICE G, TWITCHELL HISTORY OF BETHEL. 381 ¦ability, firmness, decision of character, and perseverance. She is even-tempered, kind in her intercourse with her subordinates and with the patients, and respectful and obedient to her superiors in the management of the institution. Her town's-people and her numerous circle of friends have every reason to be gratified at the distinction she has won in the difficult and arduous duties which to such an extent, constitute her life work. CHAPTER XXVIII. Industrial. jETHEL is and ever has been an agricultural town. To this industry, with its broad belts of fertile interval lands, its rich hillside slopes and its ample grazing facilities, it is admirably adapted. The town embraces an acreage of good corn land equal to any other town in this State, and few if any excel it in the production of hay. Some portions of the town are not as well cultivated as they were half a century ago, and show deteriora tion in productive capacity, due to the fact that the second generation that occupied them have been gathered to their fathers, and their sons and grandsons, many of them, have left the old homestead and are seeking their fortunes elsewhere. Yet the land remains, and requires ojily care, cultivation and a restoration of its partially exhausted fertility, to bring it back to its old-time productiveness. This is sure to come about in time, though perhaps the present gen eration may not witness it. On account of the small amount of water power. Bethel could never become a great manufacturing center. The great river in its meanderings through the town, is sluggish in its movements, and affords no power for propelling machinery. Its tributaries within the limits of the town, except in case of freshets, are small, and much smaller on the average than they were before the lands along their courses were stripped of their wood and timber, exposing them and the brooks th'at feed them, to the direct evaporating influence 382 HISTORY OF BETHEL. of the great source of heat. The average volume of water in Alder river, in Pleasant river, in the Mill Brook, in Chapman brook and in Sunday river, streams that early in the history of the town were utilized for grinding the corn and grain of the town's people, and -for the manufacture of lumber for domestic use, is probably less than half what it was flfty years ago. Still, by means of improved machinery, some of these mills are made to do duty a considerable portion of the year, while others, years ago, went to ruin and decay. The mill built on Sunday river by Samuel B. Locke, near his home stead, for which he received concessions from the town, disappeared ¦ from human sight many years ago. The early Bethel mills have already been referred to in connection with other matters and will only be briefly referred to here. The mills built on Mill Brook near Bethel Hill, as a preliminary to the settlement of the town, by direction of Joseph Twitchell, a large proprietor, and under the direction of his son. Captain Eleazer Twitchell, in seventeen hundred and seventy-four, and several times repaired and then rebuilt by Captain Twitchell, have since been sev eral times thoroughly repaired, and again rebuilt, and are still in use. Captain Twitchell received the mill property from his father, and from him it passed to his son-in-law, Isaac Cross, and since that time the mills have had various owners. They are now owned by Eben S. Kilborn. Captain Peter Twitchell once built a mill on Pleasant river, and a portion of the old dam yet remains. Edmund Merrill built a saw-mill on the Elder Mason, now the Tapley Kim ball farm, but there was a lack of water much of the year. Jesse Duston also built a small grist mill on a small brook near his home, in what is now Hanover. The days of wool-carding and cloth-dressing passed away when cloth for the household ceased to be of domestic manufacture, but they were all important industries previous to that time, and were established in nearly every town supplied with the requisite water power. An establishment of this kind was erected on Mill Brook, and operated many years by Eleazer Twitchell, James Walker, John Harris, Moses T. Cross, and lastly by Eber Clough. Mr. Cross was a veteran at the business, and had previously carried it on at Rumford Falls. When James Walker purchased the mills at South Bethel, he took water from the main stream through a canal, and utilized it for running a carding, fulling and cloth-dressing establishment. This place was often visited by me in my early boyhdod days, and the HISTORY OF BETHEL. 383- complex machinery which converted the torn fragments of wool intO' soft and beautiful rolls all ready for the spinner's hands, and trimmed the coarse cloth until its surface became smooth and glossy, was to my youthful mind a standing wonder. The cloth of those days, woven at home, then taken to the mill, dyed and pressed for ladies' wear, and fulled, dyed and dressed for men's clothing, may not have been as stylish as that now worn, but it was good, honest cloth, composed entirely of sheep's wool, warm and durable. The manufacture of furniture has been carried on in Bethel from quite early times. A few years ago Lyman W. and Lawson E. Russell, who had carried on the business of manufacturing bedsteads at Locke's Mills, moved their machinery to South Bethel, and into the • building once used as a cloth-dressing and wool-carding establish ment. One of the brothers still carries on the business. Jonathan Clark Robertson came quite early to Walker's Mills, and carried on the cabinet and furniture business here until the time of his death. The flrst person to manufacture furniture on Bethel Hill, was Marshall Bonney. Sylvester Robertson and Elijah B. Goddard have since carried on the business and are still engaged in it. Levi Shaw was a cabinet maker at Middle Interval. At this place, also, Jonas D. Merriam carried on the hatter's trade. John Oliver learned the trade of Merriam, and sometimes worked for him. The first trader at Middle Interval was Roger Merrill, and James F. Carter was the next ; the third was Elias M. Carter, and the fourth Hiram H. Holt. Nathan Marble, whose wife was a sister to Dr. Carter's flrst wife, carried on saddle and harness making at Middle Interval, and since that time it has been done by Hiram H. Holt, Charles Swan, Nathan W. Holt and Lyman P. Duston. Simeon 0. Reynolds was the blacksmith here for some years, and after him Charles M Russell. Dr. Carter and Dr. Williamson were the only physicians at Middle Interval. The tanning business was begun at Bethel Hill by Deacon Rob bins Brown, and after him was carried on on a more extensive scale by his two sons, David F. and Robbins Brown, Jr. The shoemak er's trade was a very important one in the olden time. The EUingwoods were a family of cordwainers, and there were many who worked more or less at the business. Stephen Abbot made boots and shoes, and for fine calf boots Alfred Twitchell long excelled. Daniel G. York was a famous shoemaker in his time ; also Joseph A. Twitchell, Asa P. Knight, John and William 384 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Williamson, Abijah Lapham, Nathan W. Ethridge, and many others. The practice was, before the days of sale boots and shoes, for the •shoemaker with his bench and kit of tools, to go from house to house and shoe the families as he went. Cowhide was generally used for men and boys, and calf skin for the other sex. The tailor's trade was also important before the days of ready-made clothing. Sam uel Barker, Aaron Abbot and John Walker were early Bethel tailors. Hannah Chapman, when her parents moved to Bethel, remained behind, that she might learn to cut and make men's clothes and be •of service in the new settlement. Cynthia Twitchell, who after wards became the wife of John Russell, went to Augusta and became ' a famous tailoress after her return. She not only cut and made clothes herself, but she instructed many other girls in the art. At the lower part of the town, Mrs. Betsey Segar, daughter of Arnold Powers, was an excellent tailoress, and with her corps of assistants, annually turned out a large number of men's suits. Common-, every day clothing was made in the household, and the experts were only employed to make dress up suits. Patrick H. McClosky was an •excellent workman, and did a large business at Bethel Hill. In the early times, medicines in the country were kept only by physicians. Later they were kept by traders in a corner of the store, more especially the patent or proprietary medicines. The first person to open a drug store in Bethel was Mr. H. B. Hall, and in connection with drugs, he also kept books and stationery. Good win R. Wiley was the next druggist, and still carries it on at the Hill. His store comes up nearly or quite to the city standard. The hotel keepers in Bethel have been quite numerous, and most ly confined to the village of Bethel Hill. In the early times travel lers were generally entertained at private houses, and at the early taverns there was not much style. There was plenty lo drink and to eat, but no extra table was set for guests. Jedediah Burbank, William A. Whitcomb, Hiram Ellingwood, Abernethy Grover, William Y. Merrill, William Estes, Benjamin Barden, Frank S. Chandler, William H. Chandler, W. F. Lovejoy, Samuel H. Chap man, J. F. Barden, Andrews & Record, Mrs. J. B. Gerrish, Cyrus M. Wormell, D. H. Grover and E. Bedell, have been the principal 'hotel keepers at Bethel Hill. John S. Chapman built and operated the Anasagunticook house, but this was intended only as a summer Tcsort. The Alpine house, kept by Abial Chandler, Jr., is a sum mer boarding house, and there are several such in and around Bethel THE DR, GROVER PLACE, NOW THE ELMS, IIISTOR \' OF BETHEL. 385 Hill: At the lower part of the town. Ball Bartlett kept his tavern sign swinging for many years, and Eliphaz C. Bean for a time opened his dwelling house as a tavern. But this was many years ago, in the days when strong liquors were sold and when their sale was the chief source of income to the small taverner. Jonathan Blake carried on the manufacture of wagons and sleighs for some years at South Bethel, and then moved to Norway. David Elliot made carriages at East Bethel. Pinckney Burnham came to Bethel from Gilead and carried on carriage making at Bethel Hill, on an extensive scale for many years. He was a first-class work man and turned out honest work. He has had numerous appren tices and employed many skilled workmen. A few years ago he sold out and engaged in trade, but has now retired from active business. In more recent years, Frank C. Bartlett and Jarvis C. Billings have carried on carriage making in all its branches, and H. C. Barker does the wood work of carriages and sleighs. The useful trade of blacksmithing has been carried on in very many places in town. Probably the first smithy in town was Oliver Fenno, who lived and worked on Robertson's Hill. Fletcher Russell is said to have been the first in the village. John Hastings wrought out a great many horse and ox shoes at his shop on Bethel Hill. Simeon O. Reynolds worked at the trade at Middle Interval and also at the Hill. Benjamin Brown, Jr., was a blacksmith at the lower part of the town, and among the early ones was William Staples, who worked at different times in whatis now Hanover, and on the oppo site side of the river iu what is still Bethel. Ephraim Whitcomb carried on the business at South Bethel some flfty years ago. James L. Dilloway was a cunning worker of metals at Bethel Hill. For many years the people at the lowar part of the town have had their blacksmithing done either at Locke's Mills or Rumford Corner, though E. Bean now operates a shop at East Bethel. W. D. Mason and E. Mills now carry on the business at West Bethel, Phineas F. Hastings at North Bethel and Jarvis C. Billings, A. C. BVost, W. D. Hastings, E. P. Holt and J. Abbot at Bethel Hill. Captain Timothy Hastings was also a blacksmith. A steam mill was erected near the mouth of Sunday river in the sixties, by Hon. David Hammons and others, for the manufacture of lumber, and after having been successfully operated for some years, it was burned down and not rebuilt. When the steam mill above the Hill was rebuilt, it was as a spool mill, and is still run as 386 HISTORY OF BETHEL. such. One of the most important manufactures in town is that of chairs, by the Bethel Chair Company. The town furnished the buildings at a cost of eighty-five hundred dollars, in eighteen hun dred and eighty-five, and James H. Barrows, formerly in the same business at West Paris, leased them and operated in them for about two years, and then the Bethel chair company was organized with a capital of twenty thousand dollars, and James H. Barrows was made president and general manager, Josiah U. Purington, secretary, and Hannibal G, Brown, treasurer. It is one of the largest chair facto ries in the country, and turns out the finest kind of work, giving employment to about sixty workmen. The indispensable trade of house carpenter has always been well filled in this town. Jesse Duston, Phineas Howard, Amos Hills, who built the first church, Ephraim Powers and Nathan F. Twitchell were among the early carpenters, and since that time there have been a large number including John A. Twitchell, Edmund Merrill, Stephen Holt, Moses Houghton, Alonzo Howe, Samuel Bird, David Elliot, Edmund Merrill, Jr., Moses C. Foster, Josiah Dutton, Syl vanus Mason, Nahum W. Mason, George Kimball, Gilbert Tuell, John Holt, Sidney I. French, Hiram Twitchell, Charles H. Douglass, L. H. Holt and J. A. Knapp. Harness and saddle making was early carried on by Phineas Stearns, Nathan Marble and others. Hiram Young long worked at the business at Bethel Hill, and his son has succeeded him. The saddle part of the business has been dropped, as the call for them is very limited in modern times. Within a few years various indus tries have been introduced into town, unknown to the early settlers. Oliver H. Mason is said to have been the first to use mineral coal in town in eighteen hundred and seventy-three ; now it is quite exten sively used and there are local dealers. The manufacture and trade in stoves was unknown to our ancestors ; also in ready made cloth ing and boots and shoes. The Locke family have been the most prominent mill-wrights, though others have done more or less of this work. Hazen Keach was a mill-wright, and James N. Hods don works at the business now. John Chadbourne was a mill wright at the lower part of the town, near the close of the last century. He sold land to Richard Estes in seventeen hundred and ninety-six. Ezra Twitchell, Jr., and his son-in-law, John Russell, were brick masons, and laid many of the chimneys in town. There have been many who have worked at this business. Among those HISTORY OF BETHEL. 387 of later years have been John Stevens, Hannibal K. Andrews, Sam uel K. Estes, Thomas B. Kendall and W. B. Kendall. Most of these were also plasterers. The public libraries of Bethel have not been extensive. The library of Gould's Academy was the principal one, until the Bethel Public Library was organized a few years ago. It will not be possible to recall all the traders or store keepers of early and later Bethel. The number is large, and many of them were only temporary residents of the town. It has already been stated that some of the early settlers kept a few goods in their dwelling houses for the accommodation of the early settlers, before stores were established as a separate institution. The first trader at Bean's Corner was Thaddeus P. Bartlett, who built the store still standing. He sold out to Eliphaz C. Bean, who traded many years,. and after he sold out, the store was converted into a dwelling house,. and there was no store kept there for some time. Dana B. Grant opened a store there a few years ago and sold out to Elbridge G. Crooker, who now trades there. Abial Walker was the first trader at Walker's Mills (South Bethel), and after him was Erastus Hil born. Levi Washburn was in trade there a few years, occupying part of the old Blake carriage shop, since destroyed by flre. He introduced the industry of stripping birch for bed-filling in place of straw, shipping the product to Boston. It was a short-lived indus try, the manufacture of excelsior superceding it. The traders at Middle Interval have already been named, and many of the early traders at Bethel Hill. Among those who have sold goods of various kinds at the Hill, have been James Walker, O'Neil W. Rob inson, Eli Twitchell, Robert Chapman, Elbridge Chapman, George Chapman, Oilman Chapman, John Harris, Ezra T. Russell, Moses T. Cross, Ira C. Kimball, Edwin Eastman, Clark S. Edwards,, Abernethy Grover, Melville C. Kimball, Newton Swift, Benjamin Barden, Amos Merrill, Wm. Y. Merrill, W. J. Hayden, H. B. Hall^ Abner Davis, Nahum Grover, Ceylon Rowe, Edwin C. Rowe, Enoch W. Woodbury, Josiah U. Purington, Charles Mason, Oliver H. Mason, Mighill Mason, Seth Walker, Ira C. Jordan, Pinckney Burn ham, Hannibal Grover, Susie Russell, Abbie A. Russell, Thirza Mason, Goodwin R. Wiley, S. L. Hall, Hastings Brothers, Samuel A. Black, T. H. Jewett, Horatio R. Godwin, Oilman P. Bean, Geo. J. Hapgood, R. E. L. Farewell, Wm. E. and Julius P. Skillings, C. E. Benson, Chas. A. Lucas and Frank B. Frost. This list is by no 388 HISTORY OF BETHEL. means complete, but it embraces many of the past and present mer chants of Bethel. A lost industry, and one of which the later generations are igno rant, was the manufacture of potash. To keep comfortable in their cheaply constructed houses, the early settlers consumed vast quan tities of hard wood resulting in large accumulations of hard wood ashes. The primitive forests cut and burned upon the land when cleared, produced a large quantity of the salts of potash, and this stored in the soil, was accessible to crops, and in quantity, suflflcient for many years, so the people had no use for their wood ashes but to sell them to the potash makers. The manufacture of potash was a simple process. The ashes were leached and the lye boiled down until it would crystallize. The traders monopolized the business. They bought the ashes and paid for them in goods, and then hired .tielp to make the potash. Eight or ten cents per bushel was the •uswal price paid for ashes, and the income arising from their sale was of great beneflt to families in straightened circumstances. The ,potash when made was put into casks and carried to Portland, and having passed through a reflning process, much of it came back in the form of saleratus. Some men would cut and burn wood in the forest merely for the ash product, but this was not a profitable busi- • ness, and only the shiftless and thriftless engaged in it. Another of the early industries of which the rising generation are ignorant, was that of the manufacture of shaved shingles. This industry flourished before the pine timber disappeared, and furnished winter employment to many persons. The implements required were few and simple. After the tree had been felled it was cut up into sections of the proper length (sixteen inches for short shingles) by means of a cross-cut saw. These sections were then quartered and the parts were called shingle bolts. These bolts were riven by means of an implement called a frow, driven by another implement called a maul, into thin pieces, and were then flnished in a shingle horse by means of a draw-shave. This was before the days of sawed shingles, and they found ready sale at a remunerative price. They were often hauled to Portland. Long shingles for covering the roofs of barns and out-buildings were manufactured in much the same way, only the ends were left of equal thickness, and in laying the sides were made to lap over instead of the ends. Starch was manufactured more than flfty years ago, and the farmers of Bethel and the adjoining towns contracted to plant a cer- HISTORY OF BETHEL. 389 tain acreage of potatoes and sell the product delivered at the mill for twelve and a half cents a bushel. The yield of potatoes to the acre then was much greater than now. A variety known as long reds or Laplands, was planted, and new or well prepared land yielded four or five hundred bushels of this sort to the acre. Later, starch manufacture was carried on by Mr. Eber Clough near Bethel Hill. With the small yield to the acre, of recent years, the labor involved in fighting the potato beetle, and the consequent high prices of the tubers, starch making cannot be profitable. The ferry boat has been the only means of crossing the open Androscoggin river for most of the time since the town was settled. These ferries were early established by the town and were kept under municipal control. Samuel Barker early had charge of the ferry opposite the Hill, and it always bore, his name. A little above Middle Interval was the ferry operated by Bezaleel Kendall and which still bears his name. The ferry below Middle Interval was early operated by the Dustins and then by Stephen, son of Pere grine Bartlett. The people at the lower part of the town generally crossed at Rumford until within a few years, when a ferry boat was put in opposite the village in Hanover. On account of the sudden and powerful freshets on the Androscoggin, it has been found diffi cult to support bridges across it. In eighteen hundred and thirty- nine, a toll bridge was put across at Barker's ferry, but it was carried away the very next winter and the same freshet carried away the only toll bridge erected in Rumford. An account of the present bridge at Barker's ferry, may be found in abstracts of town records. There are times during summer drouths when the river can be forded at various places, and of course in this latitude, during the winter months, the river is spanned by ice sufficiently firm to bear the heaviest teams. West Bethel situated in a fine agricultural region, has always been a center of more or less business. Elijah Grover, who lived a short distance from the Corner, was perhaps the first trader, and the place was sometimes called Grover's Corner. It was also long known as "Gander" corner, from the circumstance that two frolicsome black smiths stole a gander from a neighboring farmer, roasted him over the forge-fire and feasted upon him in the blacksmith shop. Nathan Grover kept a tavern at his place, and at the Corner the taverners have been Gilbert Chapman, Jacob Grover and Ormsby Wight. Wight was also a trader, and his brother, Seth Wight, Jr., was also 390 HISTORY OF BETHEL. in trade for a time. Then came Henry Ward from Portland and was in trade for many years, doing a large business. John S. Allen and Gilbert Chapman have also sold goods at the Corner. After the Wards, came Lyman W. Alger, and had a large business. Fletcher Kendall was an early blacksmith, and others have here followed this important business. Milton Holt and George H. Brown are now engaged in trade here, but Alpheus S. Bean is the chief business man in this part of the town and a large owner of real estate. He is a large farmer, is also engaged in trade and owns and operates a large steam mill for the manufacture of lumber, and for working up lumber into dowels, boxes and various other useful articles. Mr. Bean possesses rare business qualities and gives direction and personal supervision to the varied operations which his business requires. Pinckney Burnham manufactured carriages and sleighs here before he went to Bethel Hill. The ferry across the Androscoggin here is known as Mason's, from Sylvanus Mason who lived near it on the north side. The only church here is that owned by the Free Baptists, an account of which has already been given. CHAPTER XXIX. Real Estate Transfers. this chapter are given some of the early and a few of the later transfers of real estate in the town of Bethel. From early deeds and other documents relating to the township, it would seem that there was some doubt as to the county in which it was situated. Some refer to it as in the county of York and others in the county of Cumberland, while a considerable num ber speak of it as "either in the county of York or Cumberland." The result of this confusion was that some of the deeds were put on record at Alfred, some at Portland, and after the year eighteen hun dred, when a registry was established at Fryeburg, and previous to eighteen hundred and five, when Oxford county was formed and a registry established at Paris, they were recorded at Fryeburg. Many of the early conveyances were not recorded at all, and there is no record evidence showing that the parties who occupied the lands and who conveyed them away, ever owned them. This was proba bly due to the fact that the registry oflflce was situated at some dis tance from Bethel, and in those days when there was but little money in circulation, the sum required to pay for recording was not always at hand. So the deeds were laid by until circumstances should be more favorable, and in some cases were destroyed by flre, and in others were doubtless lost. In some few instances they were placed on record fifteen or twenty years after they were given. Jonas Bond of Watertown, Massachusetts, was quite a large pro prietor of Sudbury Canada lands. He was an original proprietor in the right of his father, also Jonas Bond, and he also purchased a large interest of Thomas Harrington of the same town. Edward Bond, son of Jonas Bond, Jr., inherited a- portion of these lands including the great island near Bethel Hill, which is spoken of in the conveyances as Bond's Island. Edward Bond came to Sudbury Canada about the year seventeen hundred ninety-five, with the idea 392 HISTORY OF BETHEL. of settling here. He cleared land on one of the islands and raised an immense crop of corn. He purchased several lots of land besides his inheritance, and became a large landed proprietor. In eighteen hundred, he married Sarah, daughter of Abraham Russell, and the same year bought a large tract of land, embracing over three hundred acres in the town of Westbrook, near Stroudwater village, and settled upon it, and there he ever after lived. He was the grandfather of Mr. Leonard Bond Chapman, the well known local historical student of Deering, who married Ruby, daughter of Edmund Merrill of this town. The earliest deed of Sudbury Canada lands on record, was given in seventeen hundred and sixty-eight (see page 26-7) ; the next, and the earliest on Cumberland records, is dated March twenty, seventeen hundred seventy, and is a deed given of land for non-pay ment of taxes thereon. The early purchasers of these lands appear to have bought them on speculation and with no intention of ever settling upon them. The speculative fever on eastern lands was very active during these years, and we find the same parties buying and selling rights in Turner, Livermore, Paris, Jay and Bethel. Joseph Twitchell of Sherbourn, to Ezra Twitchell of Dublin, IST. H., the 15th intervale lot north side of the river; the 18th lot in the 8th range; the 13th lot in the 4th range, and 40 or 50 acres of the lot lying eastwardly of the 14th lot, south side of river, September 18, 1787. Luke Knowlton of Shrewsbury, Mass., to Jonathan Keyes of same, one w-hole right in Sudbury Canada, which he liought of Xathaniel Gray, Jr., of 'Worcester, and which was the original right of Joseph Orlando, iSTovem- ber3, 1772. ¦ James Towle of AN'oburn, to Jonathan Keyes of Shrewsbury, one whole right in .Sudbury Canada, March 18, 1774. August 29, 1774, Ebenezer Bartlett of Newton, sold to son Elisha of same, lot number five in the first division and interval lot number 13 in the fifth range, land in .Sudbury Canada. April 16, 1782, Elisha Bartlett of Newton, sold to brother Thaddeus of Sudbury Canada, the same premises deeded to him liy his father as above; consideration, one shilling. June 6, 1 789, Joseph Twitchell of Sherbourn, sold to Stephen Bartlett of Sudbury Canada, the third hiterval lot on the north side of the river. September 30, 1773, Aaron Richardson of Newton, blacksmith, sold to Jonathan Bartlett of same, one w-hole right in Sudbury Canada, the flrst division being number 33, south of great river. November 1, 1788, Nathaniel Parker of Needham, Mass., sold to Pere grine Bartlett of N<'W'ton, number !S of the first division ; consideration, Bartlett to pay taxes .and perform settling duties. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 393^ September 10, 1704, Joseph Parker of Newton, sold to Jeremiah Andrews of Sudbury Canada, number 3 interval lot at the east end, the 15th lot in the 7th range, and number 13 in the 3d range. He also bought of Abraham Russell, lot number 2 in the seventh range, and of Eleazer Twitchell, June 4, 1781, interval lot number 4 at the east end, and lot number '28 in the 4th range. February 11, 1796, Richard Estes of Sudbury Canada, bought of John Chadbourne of same, millwright, the 5th interval lot at the east end, and the 3d upland lot in the 8th range. October 18, 1779, Jesse Duston of Fryeburg, bought of Thaddeus Rich ardson of Pearsontown, interval lot number 6, north of river, with upland lot belonging to it. July 20, 1789, Enoch Bartlett of Sudbury Canada, sold to Dominicus Frost of same, flfty acres of land next to the river and "just below eighth island right." Jlarch 4, 1783, Samuel Ingalls of Sudbury Canada, sold to Nathaniel Segar of same, interval lot bounded southerly by river, northerly by town line, westerly by interval lot number one ; w-ife Elizabeth joins in the deed. Deceml)er 8, 1794, Proprietors of Sudbury Canada, to Nathaniel Segar, an island know-n as Bellows' Island in Sudbnr.y Canada ; also flve acres out of interval lot number one, at east end of tow-n. June 20, 1793, Benjamin Coffin of Conway, N. H. to Joseph Ayer of Brow-nfield, one right in Sudbury Canada, interval lot number 6 laid out to Nathaniel Pike. July 19, 1796, Josiah Bean of Sudbury Canada, sold to Joseph Ayer of same, lot number 7 in the seventh range of lots in Sudbury Canada. July 17, 1787, Eleazer Twitchell of Sudbury Canada, to Gideon Powers of same, 2d interval lot north of Great river, and a piece of land lying at the head of said lot. March 8, 1788. Same to Paul Pow-ers, 5th intervale lot at east of tow-n- ship, and 3d lot in tlie 8th range. 1786. Isaac Russell and wife Mary, both of Sudbury Canada, to John Holt, nine acres of interval in said Sudbury Canada. 1793. Peter Tw-itchell of Sherbourn, ]\Iass., to Eli Grover of Sudbury Canada, laud in Sudbury Canada. 1796. Francis Kimball of Bradford, Mass., to Amos tiage and Eli Grover of Sudbury C'anada, land in Sudbury Canada, Joseph Parker of New-ton, Mass., to Jedediah Grover of Bethel, the thirty-first lot in the fourth range, south of river, in Bethel. 1794. John Grover to Jedediah Grover, lot 28 in the oth range in Sud bury Canada ; witnessed by Benjamin and Nabby Russell. 1799. John Mason of Bethel, to Jedediah Grover, land in Bethel; witness, Benjamin and Mary Russell. March 20, 1770. Proprietors' committee to Thomas Harrington, two w-hole rights in the flrst division of lots, the flrst, No. 39, south side of the river, draw-n on the right of Ebenezer Rice, and No. 14, on the north side of the river, drawn on the right of Daniel Brewer. 394 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Jonathan Brewer of Waltham, to Thomas Harrington, a certain whole right of land granted to Josiah Richardson and others, it being one-third part of the great island, so-called, and is numbered the sixth lot. 1781. Thomas Harrington to Moses Bartlett of Newton, No. 39 on the southerly side of the great river. 1786. Thomas Harrington to John Stearns, Jr., of Watertown, interval lot number 14 on the north side of the river, with all the upland lots and the common lands thereto belonging. 1787. Thomas Harrington to Josiah Fuller, Esq., of Newton, four lots, -each containing 100 acres, viz. : lot 3 in the 3d range west side of river. Island lot No. 6, and lots numbered 8 and 4 in the twelfth range, on the east side of river, provided Fuller put settlers on three of them. 1792. Thomas Harrington of Watertown, to Jonas Bond of same, all rights not heretofore disposed of in a township granted to Josiah Richard son and others, being part of the great island so-called, which I purchased of Jonathan Brewer and Josiah Richardson ; also an interval lot, being a lot lying on the great island, and is No. 4, being the same I bought of Oliver Peabody ; also two whole rights in Sudbury Canada, granted to said Richardson, also all the after-drafts and divisions to the said rights belonging. 1795. Benjamin Clark of Sudbury Canada, to Elijah Bond of Watertown, the 25th lot in the 4th range. 1795. Eliphalet Parker to Elijah Bond, a certain lot, about 40 acres in Sudbur.y Canada, which lot was numbered 37 in the first division, and is on the south side of the great river, drawn to Charles Richardson in the right of Samuel King. 1799. Leonard Bond and Jonas Bond of Watertow-n, executors to Jonas Bond, deceased, and Ruth Bond, in relinquishment of dower, to Elijah Bond of Bethel, quit-claim all rights in the estate of their late father, being -and situated in said Bethel. 1787. Benjamin Russell of Sudbury Canada, to Daniel Bean of same, interval lot number 24, south side of river. Benjamin Russell to Phineas Howard of Temple, N. H., housew-right, lot number 10 in range 9 in Sudbury Canada. 1781. Abraham Russell of Sudbury Canada, to Jeremiah Andrews of same, the second lot in range seven, containing 100 acres. August 6, 1781. Eleazer Tw-itchell to Jonathan Bartlett, lot number 5 in the 6th rdnge. February 7, 1797. Eleazer Twitchell to Thaddeus Bartlett, 3d lot in the 7th range. January 25, 1780. Joseph Tw-itchell of Sherbourn, and others, to Jona than Bartlett, one whole right in Sudbury Canada, the flrst lot being num ber 15, drawn on the right of Daniel Wood. October 8, 1784. Same to Amos Gage, flrst intervale lot north side of river, drawn to the right of Robert Merriam, James Walker to Stephen McLellan and William Brown of Portland, a piece of land lying near the center of lot 23 in the 4th range, south of the HISTORY OF BETHEL. 395 road leading from Eleazer Twitchell's house to the mills with the potash thereon containing one-half an acre ; also another piece of land lying about flfty rods distant from the last named, containing half an acre, with house, barn and shed thereon, being- the same property I bought of Eleazer Twitchell in 1802, February 2, 1804. Joseph G. Sw-an to James Walker, seven acres adjoining said Walker's land on the road from Albany to Rumford, on the south side near Alder river bridge. May 26, 1809. Abial Walker of Concord, N. H., to James Walker, one-half of lot 19 in the 4th range, south of river, August 10, 1804. Amos Hastings to Timothy Hastings, inter-^-al lots north of river, same I bought of John Russell, March 4, 1807. Amos Hastings to Timothy ( 'arter, land bounded south by land of said Hastings, on the east by land of Reuben Bartlett, and on the west by the countjr road, September 16. 1806. James Walker and Hannah 1. AValker to Robert A. Chapman, beginning at the northeast corner of the common, and on said common westwardly 10 rods, to land of Edmund Merrill ; thence northwardly, 20 rods on Mer rill's land and Walker's land ; thence eastwardly to road to Barker's Ferry ; thence southw-ardly to first bound, July 25, 1832. Eleazer Twitchell of Peckersfleld, N. H., to John Grover of Sudbury Canada, two lots of land in said Sudburv Canada, being the 28t,h lot in the 5th range, and the 30th lot in the same range ; Grover to pay two-thirds of the taxes on one whole right until the town is incoi'porated, October 27, 1780. Eleazer Twitchell of Bethel, to Moses Mason of Dublin, N. H., the 16th interval lot, 100 acres more or less; also lot 33 in the 4th range, March 16, 1798. Hiram Allen to Robert A. Chapman, part of lot 22 in the 4th range, beginning at the east line of lot 23, on the Rumford road, and on said road to Daniel Grout's land ; thence on said Grout to a stone w-all on Dr. Mason's land; thence w-estw-ardly on Mason's land to the east line of said lot 23, and land owned by said Chapman, 6}-^ acres, June 24, 1836, O'Neil "\V. Robinson to Robert A. Chapman, house and store and laud on Bethel Hill, bounded westerly by the Common, and southerly and easterly by land of Dr. Mason and Hiram Allen, May 1, 1835. Same to same, parts of lots 22 and 23 in the 4th range, commencing on the road leading- from the Common to Greenw-ood, on the line between Jedediah Burbank's land and said Robinson's; bounded southerly by Bur bank's land, easterljr by Daniel Grout's land, northerly by Moses Mason's land, and w-estwardly by land of John Hastings, 241^ acres. May 22, 1835. Hiram Allen to Gilman Chapman, part of lot 23 in the 4th range, the same land conveyed to said Allen by O'Neil W. Robinson, April 28, 1827, and the same conveyed to said Robinson by Marshall Bonney, (the heater bet-VN-een the Rumford and Barker's Ferry roads) April 29, 1836. George Chapman to Gilman Chapman, part of 23 in the 4th range, same 396 HISTORY OF BETHEL. conveyed to him by James and Henry Stearns, May 29, 1835, May 12,, 1836. Timothy (Chapman to Gilman Chapman, laud on both sides of Alder river, composed of certain lots he bought of Alanson Tucker, Edward Thompson and Amos Hills, November 29, 1834. (Gilman Chapman, November 29, 1834, conveyed to George C^hapman, this land, and also land he bought of Ayers Mason, and deeded October 15, 1834, it being that part of lot 19 in the 5th range, lying on the road to A\'alker'.s Mills, and that part of interval lot set oft' to flrst settled minister as lies south of said road.) Ebenezer Ellingwood, shoemaker, to EzraT. Russell, part of lot 23, con veyed to him by Edmund Merrill, bounded easterly by the common, northwardly by land of said Russell, w-esterly l)y land of James "Walker, and southerly by land of John Harris, ]}; acres, excepting the small shop which stands upon it, August 4, 1835. Ezra T. Russell to .Jonathan A. Russell, all the land he possessed in Bethel, including that described above ; also part of lot 23 situated next to mill brook, with potash thereon, August 8, 1836. Jacob Ellingw-ood to O'Neil W. Robinson, land south of river — part of lot 23 in the 4th range, joining land of Dr. ^Mason, bounded 8 rods on the common, containing one acre, September 26, 1821. Marshall Bonney io O'Neil \\ . Robinson, part of lot 23, liegiuning at the corner of laud once owned liy Calvin Stearns, on the east side of the road leading to river, on Ste,arns' line, easterly 13 rods, to land of James Walker; thence southerly 8 rods, and thence eastwardly to said road and on said road to flrst bound, August 25, 1826. Elijah Bond of Falmouth, to Moses Mason, ten acres of Bond's Island, August 4, 1801. Elijah Bond to -John Merrill and John Grover, part of Bond's Island, that part now belonging to said Bond, ]\larch 10, 182] . Elijah Bond to Samuel Robertson, 4^ acres of Bond's Island, Elijah Bond to Porter Kimball, lot 1 in range 1, November 19, 1819, Elijah Bond to Aaron and ( harles _Jlason, part of the Great Island called Bond's Island, namely, all of the western part of the lower island that is not deeded to .John Stearns, Aaron ^lason and Samuel Robertson, it being 17 acres. Elijah Bouil of Falmouth, to AVilliam Barker of Betliel, lot No. 22 in the second runj^e, .July 3, 1810. Porter Kimball to Abijah Lapham, lot number 2 in the flrst range in Bethel; also 26 acres from lot 1, range 1 ; also 15 .acres of laud on Ham lin's Gore; also one-half of lot number 3 in the first range, undivided, ly ing on the road fi'oin Rumford to Woodstock. Elijah Bond of Falmouth, to Daniel Grout, 25 acres oft' from the west island, lyhi^' opposite (."apt. Anios Hill's land, March 16, 1809. Elijah Bond to Thomas Jackman, niunber 33 iu the second range, south. of river, Maieli 20. bSOl. Elijah Bond to (ii'orgc Estes, lot number 4 in the 5th ran^'e. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 397 Ebenezer Ellingwood to Ezra T. Russell, land bounded easterl}' by the 'Common, northerly by land of said Russell, westwardly by land of James Walker, and southerly by land of .John Harris, August 4, 1835. John Russell, Jr., to Timothy Wight, one acre of laud beginning at the northwest corner, made by the roads leading from Bethel Hill to Barker's Ferry, and from Gilead to Rumford, September 2, 1834. Ebenezer Ellingwood to Isaac Littlehale, the shoemaker's shop at Bethel Hill, standing between the store of George Chapman and Edmund Merrill's house, September 3, 1834. AVm. Frye, administrator of .Jacob Ellingw-ood, to John Harris, clothier, part of 24 in the 3d range, beginning at the northwest corner of said lot, and on said lot southw-ardly to the road leading- from Robbins Brown's to Jedediah Grover, .Jr. ; thence on said road to road leading to tTilead. Also another lot beginning at the southw-est corner of Robbins Brown's house lot, thence south to mill brook ; thence dow-n said brook to other land of said Brow-n, etc., November 8, 1829. William Frye, administrator of Jacob Ellingwood, to John Harris, part of lot 24 in the 3d range, beginning at northwest corner of land of Closes Twitchell, thence southerly 38 rods ; thence northerly to road leading to Bethel Hill; thence on said road westwardly to land owned by Jesse Cross ; then southw-ardly to southw-est corner of Cross' mill yard ; thence to a pine tree on the bank of mill brook ; thence up said brook to Harris' land; thence to Sylvanus Twitchell's land; thence to old county road to Greenwood, etc., November -28, 1829. William Estes to John Harris, half of lot No. 21, in the second range, September 16, 18,33. AVilliam Reed of Norw-ay, to John Harris and William Estes, lot 21 in the second range, February 9, 1832, Freeman Tw-itchell to Ezra T. Russell, land deeded him by Edmund Merrill, and to said Merrill by James Walker, May 25, 1835. Moses Tw-itchell to Sylvanus Tw-itchell, part of lot 23 in the 4th range, beginning- near the northeast corner of the shoemaker's shop, formerly owned by Jacob Ellingwood, deceased ; thence southwesterly in front of said shop, on the line of the common and on land owned by Ezra T. Rus sell, 35 feet to a bound ; thence westerljr to a post ; thence northwesterly in rear of said shop to a bound near the northwest corner of said shop, 33 feet ; thence easterly to flrst bound, .July 30, 1833, (Sylvanus Twitchell sold the above property to Ezra T. Russell, January 7, 1837.) Robbins Brown to AYm. Frye, part of 23 in the 3d range, on the county road adjoining land owned by John Price and land of Sylvanus Tw-itchell. Timothy Carter to Timothy Wight, land conveyed to him by Benj. Rus sell, and which was conveyed to said Russell by his father's will, except parts sold to Timothy Capen and Jonathan A. Russell, April 11, 1834. (Wight sold the above to Isaac Littlehale, September 2, 1834.) Timothy and Mary Ann Wight to John Harris, homestead farm in Bethel, beginning on the old county road to Norway, near the garden fence of William Frye, thence southwardly 38 rods ; thence southeasterh- 398 HISTORY OF BETHEL. 86 rods; thence northeasterly 26 rods; thence northw-esterly to southwest corner of his (Wight's) orchard fence ; thence on said fence to a stake and stones near the northwest corner of said orchard ; thence eastwardly to southwest corner of said Frye's orchard fence; thence on said Frye's. orchard fence to the northwest corner thereof ; thence eastwardly to first bound, 14 acres, "December 25, 1833. O'Neil W. Robinson to William Frye, lot 28 in the 4th range. May 20, 1825. James Walker to Isaac Adams, Eliphaz (Chapman, Geo. W. Chapman, Amos Hills, John Merrill and Eli Twitchell, land w-ith the buildings there on near the house of Eleazer Twitchell, and opposite the dw-elling of Capt. Timothy Hastings, it being in the corner of the road leading from Capt. Eleazer Twitchell's to Norway, and being my present place of residence, consisting of nearly one acre of land and bounded as follows: beginning at the corner, running southerly on the road to Norway, eighteen rods ; thence westerly 8 rods ; thence northw-ardly by land of Eleazer Tw-itchell, 18 rods to the common ; thence eastwardly to the first named bound, Octo ber 30, 1812. (The grantees were creditors of the grantor and took this property in liquidation of their claims.) William Frye, administrator of .Jacob Ellingw-ood, to .John Harris, un divided south half of lot number 24 in the second range, being all of said lot of which the said Ellingw-ood died possessed, November 28, 1829. Sylvanus Twitchell of Orono, to .John Harris, all of lot 23 in 3d range, which he had not sold to Timothy Wight and AVm. Frye ; also the north fourth part of lot 23 in the second range, and all he then owned of lot 23 in the 4th range, January 1, 1836. Sylvanus Twitchell to .John Harris, lot number 18 in the second range, January 6, 1836. Sylvanus Tw-itchell of Bethel, to A\'illiam Frye, land with buildings thereon, beginning at the fence on the road leading to Norw-ay, and thence on a line front of said Tw-itchell's house at a distance of 56 feet from same, 20 rods ; thence at a right angle 8 rods ; thence on a line parallel with the first, 20 rods ; thence at a right angle to flrst hound. May 16, 1822. Lovell P. Chadbourne, wheelwright, to Ezra T. Russell, half of the land on Bethel Hill, deeded him September 1, 1831, by Isaac Adams, Eliphaz Chapman and others, said land to be taken from the north end of said lot with the buildings thereon, February 5, 1831, (May 16, 1835, Russell sold the above property to Jedediah Burbank, CHAPTER XXX. Fraternal Societies. Free Masons. ^ tULY sixth, eighteen hundred and fifty-nine, on petition^ Grand Master Hiram Chase issued a dispensation to Edmund Merrill, Moses Pattee, Cyrus Wormell, Wm. W. Mason, William F. Foster, Thomas Holt and Newton Swift, to open a lodge at Bethel Hill. They worked under a dispensation until May third, eighteen hundred and sixty, when a charter was granted for a permanent lodge, to be known as Bethel Lodge, number 97. The lodge was duly organized, Thursday, June 14, when there was a special communication of the Grand Lodge convened at Bethel,. consisting of the following oflflcers : Josiah H. Drummond, Grand Master. Joseph Covel, Deputy Grand Master. J. I. Stevens, Senior Grand Warden. John B. Currier, Junior Grand Warden. B. G. Barrows, Grand Treasurer. Wm. B. Lapham, Grand Secretary. H. C. Lovell and Zenas Thompson, Grand Chaplains. Caleb Bessee and George W. Sholes, Grand Deacons. Daniel Jacobs, Joel Perham, Jr., Wm. R. Howe and I. E. Lovey, Grand Stewards. John B. Merrill, Grand Sword Bearer. In the afternoon a procession was formed, headed by the South Paris band, and marched to Mason's Grove, where the Lodge was con stituted in ample form. Under dispensation, the following brethren were elected members of the new Lodge : Charles Mason, Oliver H. Mason, Barker Holt, Moses A. Mason, Samuel F. Gibson, Albert H. Gerrish and John W. Partridge. 400 HISTORY OF BETHEL. The first board of oflflcers elected under the charter was as follows : William F. Foster, W. M. William W. Mason, S. W. Oliver H. Mason, J. W. Samuel F. Gibson, Secretary. Cyrus Wormell, Treasurer. Albert H. Gerrish, Chaplain. Charles Mason, S. D. John W. Partridge, J. D. Barker Holt, S. S. Moses A. Mason, J. S. Israel G. Kimball, Tyler. The new Lodge was ably addressed by Rev. Joseph Covell, Rev. Zenas Thompson and Josiah H. Drummond. The procession was then re-formed and marched to the lodge room in Pattee's Hall, which was dedicated in due and ample form. The exemplification of the work in the third degree, closed the proceedings. The acting officers under the dispensation were William F. Foster, W. M. ; Thomas Holt, S. W. ; William W. Mason, J. W., and Samuel F. Gibson, Secretary. There were raised during the year eighteen hundred and sixty- one, Abner Davis, Ozmon M. Twitchell, William F. Lovejoy, John F. Allen, John Black, Charles M. Bean and Bethuel S. Sawyer. The following have been the principal oflicers since that date : 1862. 1863. Wm. W. Mason, W. M. Oliver H. Mason, S. W. Same. Ozmon M. Twitchell, J. W. Samuel F. Gibson, Sec. 1864. 1865. Oliver H. Mason, W. M. Oliver H. Mason, W. M. •Ozmon M. Twitchell, S. W. Ozmon M. Twitchell, S. W. Charles Mason, J. W. Charles Mason, J. W. Wm. R. Eames, Sec. Barker Holt, Sec. 1866. 1867. Oliver H. Mason, W. M. Enoch Foster, Jr., W. M. ¦Charles Mason, ,S. W. H. H. Williams, S. W. Israel G. Kimball, J. W. Barker Holt, J. W. Barker Holt, Sec. Elijah S. Berry, Sec. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 401 1868. H. H. Williams, W. M. B. K. Bean, S. W. Elijah S. Berry, J. W. James E. Ayer, Sec. 1870. Edgar Powers, W. M. Wm. L. Grover, S. W. Llewellyn W. Bean, J. W. Leander T. Barker, Sec. 1872. Samuel F. Gibson, W. M. John A. Morton, S. W. Gilman P. Beaf, J. W. J. E. Adams, Sec. 1874. Goodwin R. Wiley, W. M. EbenS. Kilborn, S. W. Albert A. Tuell, J. W. Leander T. Barker, Sec. 1876. Eben S. Kilborn, W. M. Albert W. Grover, S. W. Jarvis C. Billings, J. W. Leander T. Barker, Sec. 1878. Jarvis C. Billings, W. M. D. Webster Towne, S. W. Geo. Weston Haskell, J. W. Leander T. Barker, Sec. 1880. Wm. E. Skillings, W. M. Marcus W. Chandler, S. W. D. T. Timberlake, J. W. Leander T. Barker, See. 1882. Marcus W. Chandler, W. M. Wilson Hammond, S. W. Joshua G. Rich, J. W. John B. Chapman, Sec. 1869. P. Cleveland Wiley, W. M. Samuel R. Shehan, S. W. Galen Howe, J. W. James E. Ayer, Sec. 1871. Wm. L. Grover, W. M. John A. Morton, S. W. Gilman P. Bean, J. W. Leander T. Barker, Sec. 1873. John A. Morton, W. M. Elbridge G. Wheeler, S. W. Hamlin D. Roach, J. W. Leander T. Barker, Sec. 1875. Elbridge G. Wheeler, W. M. Albert W. Grover, S. W. Webster Towne, J. W. Leander T. Barker, Sec. 1877. Jarvis C. Billings, AV. M. D. Webster Towne, S. W. Geo. Weston Haskell, J. W. Leander T. Barker, Sec. 1879. Albert W. Grover, ^X . M. Wm. E. Skillings, S. W. Marcus W. Chandler, J. W. Leander T. Barker, Sec. 1881. William E. Skillings, W. M. Mark W. Chandler, S. W. Wilson Hammond, J. W. William E. Willard, Sec. 1883. Goodwin R. W' iley, W. M. Leander T. Barker, S. W. Elbridge G. Wheeler, J. W. Joel B. Chapman, Sec. 402 HISTORY OF BETHEL. 1884. Leander T. Barker, W. M. David Bridge, S. W. Elbridge G. Wheeler, J. W. John B. Chapman, Sec. 1886. Same as 1885. 1888. Chas. M. Ander.son, W. M. J. Hastings Bean, S. W. Joshua G. Rich, J. W. David Bridge, See. 1890. Goodwin R. Wiley, W. M. Julius P. Skillings, S. W. Nathaniel F. Brown, J. W. David Bridge, Sec. 1885. David Bridge, W. M. Harlan P. Wheeler, S. W. Chas. M. Anderson, J. W. John B. Chapman, Sec. 1887. Harlan P. Wheeler, W. M. Chas. M. Anderson, S. W. J. Hastings Bean, J. W. John B. Chapman, Sec. 1889. Jarvis C. Billings, W. M. Julius P. Skillings, S. W. Nathaniel F. Brown, J. W. David Bridge, SefS. There have been many changes by death and removal since the lodge was constituted. Among the dead, are William F. Foster, John H. Douglass, Lawson C. Smith, Moses Pattee, Oliver H. Mason, Nathaniel T. True, Samuel F. Gibson, Daniel W. Towne, John Holt, Cyrus Wormell and Newton Swift. The following were reported members in good standing in eighteen hundred and ninety : Hollis Abbot, Chas. M. Anderson, Horace C. Andrews, Arthur V. Barker, Eben H. Barker, Leander T. Barker, Joseph F. Barden, Solon Bartlett, George O. Bean, B. Kendall Bean, Gilman, P. Bean, John Hastings Bean, Heman N. Bean, Elijah S. Berry, J. Frank Ballard, Wm. A. Bragg, Samuel A.' Brock, Simeon H. Bean, Nathaniel F. Brown, Aldana Brooks, E. I. Brown, David Bridge, James M. Brown, William Beavins, Jarvis C. Billings, S. W. Butterfield, Wm. L. Carter, Horatio T. Chase, Moses R. Chandler, Marcus W. Chandler, Fred Clark, Ezra M. Cross, HISTORY OF BETHEL. 403 John B. Chapman, Warren O. Douglass, True E. Estes, Hiram E. Ellingwood, Samuel K. Estes, Samuel A. Eames, Seth C. Farrington, Richard A. Frye, Chas. A. Frost, Enoch Foster, Thomas G. Flint, Wm. L. Fickett, Bion L. Folsom, Wm. L. Grover, Wm. B. Godwin, Alvan B. Godwin, Elijah B. Goddard, Edward M. Gibson, D. Milton Grover, Albert W. Grover, George W. Haskell, George P. Hall, Wm. C. Howe, Geo. R. Holt, Daniel S. Hastings, Charles H. Hersey, Joseph Hutchins, Charles D. Hill, T. O. Jordan, Charles S. Johnson, Eben S. Kilborn, Chas. W. Kimball, Calvin M. Kimball, Asa Kimball, Israel G. Kimball, Marcus E. Kilgore, C. C. Kimball, Wm. F. Lovejoy, Davis G. Lovejoy, Edwin R. Lane, Jonas G. Lary, Talleyrand G. Lary, Wm. W. Mason, Oliver H. Mason, Moses A. Mason, Charles Mason, John A. Morton, Harry H. McKeen, Elijah K. Morrill, Moses Pattee, 2d, Charles H. L. Powers, Samuel D. Philbrook, Wm. Philbrook, Ceylon Rowe, Lyman W. Russell, Joshua G. Rich, Newton E. Richardson,, Wm. O. Straw, Simeon W. Sanborn,. Wm. E. Skillings, Julius P. Skillings, Adelbert C. Scribner,. Nathaniel Trask, Rufus J. 'Virgin, Seth Walker, Abner W. West, Goodwin R. Wiley, Elbridge G. Wheeler,, Harlan P. Wheeler, Albert L. Widber, Solomon R. Widber,. Caleb Wight, Jr., Oscar F. Whitman, Cyrus M. Wormell. Odd Fellows. Mt. Abram Lodge, No. 31, was instituted at Bethel, October 3, 1873. The charter members were A. M. True, J. T. Chapman, R. L. Lurvey, E. W. Scribner, J. F. Pressey, Clifton Jones, 0. D. Clough. Oflflcers were elected and installed as follows : A. M. True, Noble Grand. J. T. Chapman, Vice Grand. R. L. Lurvey, Secretary. H. W. Gage, Treasurer. 404 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Following is a list of officers elected semi-annually since the first election : July, 1874. A. M. True, N. G. O. D. Clough, V. G. J. S. Record, Sec, R. L. Lurvey, Per. Sec. Charles Mason, Treas. July, 1875. 0. D. Clough, N. G. Fred Clark, V. G. C. C. Gerrish, Sec. A. B. Stevens, Per. Sec. Charles Mason, Treas. July, 1876. • "George Brown, N. G. Eben Clough, Jr., V. G. J. M. Twitchell, Sec. A. B. Stevens, Per. Sec. Hiram Young, Treas. July, 1877. G. W. Haskell, N. G. Milton Holt, V. G. J. M. Freeman, Sec. A. B. Stevens, Per. Sec. Hiram Young, Treas. July, 1878. T. B. Kendall, N. G. Frank Leach, V. G. D. C. Rose, Sec. A. B. Stevens, Per. Sec. Hiram Young, Treas. July, 1879. J. T. Beavins, N. G. Charles Brown, 'V. G. D. C. Rose, Sec. A. B. Stevens, Per. Sec. Hiram Young, Treas. July, 1880. A. M. True, N. G. T. H. Jewett, V. G. John B. Chapman, Sec. A. B. Stevens, Per. Sec. Biram Young, Treas. January, 1875. J. T. Chapman, N. G. Fred Clark, V. G. Everett Hammons, Sec. R. L. Lurvey, Per. Sec. Charles Mason, Treas. January, 1876. Fred Clark, N. G. C. M. C. Bishop, V. G. R. L. Lurvey, Sec. A. B. Stevens, Per. Sec. Hiram Young, Treas. January, 1877. Eber Clough, Jr., N. G. G. W. Haskell, V. G. A. M. True, Sec. A. B. Stevens, Per. Sec. Hiram Young, Treas. January, 1878. A. M. True, N. G. T. B. Kendall, V. G. J. M. Freeman, vSec. A. B. Stevens, Per. Sec. Hiram Young, Treas. January, 1879. J. F. Leach, N. G. J. S. Stevens, V. G. D. C. Rose, Sec. A. B. Stevens, Per. Sec. Hiram Young, Treas. January, 1880. Charles E. Brown, N. G. Joseph S. Mason, V. G. D. C. Rose, Sec. A. B. Stevens, Per. Sec. Hiram Young, Treas. January, 1881. T. H. Jewett, N. G. Milton Holt, V. G. John B. Chapman, Sec. D. C. Rose, Per. Sec. Hiram Young, Treas. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 405 July, 1881. Milton Holt, N. G. W. E. Skillins, V. G. John B. Chapman, Sec. D. C. Rose, Per. Sec. Hiram Young, Treas. July, 1882. W. W. Virgin, N. G. Wilson Hammons, V. G. John B. Chapman, Sec. D. C. Rose, Per. Sec. Hiram Young, Treas. July, 1883. S. I. French, N. G. Charles Bisbee, V. G. A. M. True, Sec. John B. Chapman, Per. Sec. Hiram Young, Treas. July, 1884. W. W. Virgin, N. G. Tristram H. Durrell, V G. A. M. True, Sec. John B. Chapman, Per. Sec. Hiram Young, Treas. July, 1885. Alfred W. Valentine, N. G. Henry Farwell, V. G. A. M. True, Sec. John B. Chapman, Per. Sec. Hiram Young, Treas. July, 1886. Henry Farwell, N. G. Harold B. Chapman, V. G. A. M. True, Sec. John B. Chapman, Per. Sec. Hiram Young, Treas. July, 1887. S. I. French, N. G. Wallace Farwell, V. G. Charles Mason, Sec. Alfred W. Valentine, Per. Sec. Hiram Young, Treas. January, 1882. S. I. French, N. G. W. W. Virgin, V. G. John B. Chapman, Sec. D. C. Rose, Per. Sec. Hiram Young, Treas. January, 1883. Wilson Hammons, N. G. J. F. Leach, V. G. A. M. True, Sec. John B. Chapman, Per. Sec. Hiram Young, Treas. January, 1884. Calvin Bisbee, N. G. George 0. Abbott, V. G. A. M. True, Sec. John B. Chapman, Per. Sec. Hiram Young, Treas. January, 1885. Tristram H. Durrell, N. G. Alfred W. Valentine, V. G. A. M. True, Sec. John B. Chapman, Per. Sec. Hiram Young, Treas. January, 1886. Alfred W. Valentine, N. G. Henry Farwell, V. G. A. M. True, Sec. John B. Chapman, Per. Sec. Hiram Young, Treas. January, 1887. Henry Farwell, N. G. Harold B. Chapman, V G, A. M. True, Sec. Alfred W. Valentine, Per. Sec. Hiram Young, Treas. January, 1888. Wallace Farwell, N. G. William C. Turner, V. G. Henry Farwell, Sec. Alfred W. Valentine, Per. Sec. Hiram Young, Treas. 406 HISTORY OF BETHEL. July, 1888. William C. Turner, N. G. Charles E. Benson, V. G. Henry Farwell, Sec. Morton G. Burbank, Per Sec. S. I. French, Treas. July, 1889. Charles E. Benson, N. G. Charles Mason, V. 0. Henry Farwell, Sec. Morton G. Burbank, Per. Sec. S. I. French, Treas. July, 1890. Charles Mason, N. Gt. Thomas B. Kendall, V. G. Chauncey B. Bryant, Sec. Fred L. Edwards, Per. Sec. S. I. French, Treas. July, 1891. '. Gustavus A. Burbank, N. G. Chauncey C. Bryant, V. G. Henry Farwell, Sec, Fred L. Edwards, Per. Sec. S. I. French, Treas. January, 1889. Charles E. Benson, N. G. Charles Mason, V. G. Henry Farwell, Sec. Morton G. Burbank, Per. Sec. S. I. French, Treas. January, 1890. Charles Mason, N. G. Thomas B. Kendall, V. G. Henry Farwell, Sec. Fred L. Edwards, Per. Sec. S. I. French, Treas. .Tanuarj', 1891. Thomas B. Kendall, N. G. Charles G. Kimball, V. G. Chauncey B. Bryant, Sec. Fred L. Edwards, Per. Sec. S. I. French, Treas. Grand Army of the Republic. Cuvier Grover Post, number 30, was organized at Bethel Hill, April thirtieth, eighteen hundred and sixty-eight, and flourished for a time, but ceased to exist prior to eighteen hundred and seventy- seven. Of the flrst forty-eight posts organized in the State prior to eighteen hundred and seventy, thirty-nine became defunct prior to eighteen hundred and seventy-seven. There were various causes operating to bring about this result which need not be mentioned. Brown Post, number 84, was chartered August twenty-third, eighteen hundred and eighty-three. It was named in memory of Harlan Page Brown, who was killed at the battle of Antietam, and of his brother, Wm. H. H. Brown, who died while serving in the department of the Gulf. The charter members of this Post were : Joseph L. Oliver, Samuel F. Gibson, Justus Aspinwall, Enoch Foster, Frank E. Needham, Fred A. Clark, Simeon W. Sanborn, Clifton Jones, HISTORY OF BETHEL. 407 James S. Lane, Albion C. Chapman, Hezekiah G. Mason, Charles R. Bartlett, John A. Morton, Ira A. Clark, Wm. L. Grover, Ai E. Seavy, Alvin B. Godwin, Asa B. Stowell, Algernon S. Chapman, Wm. H. Gray, Henry C. Barker, John Lydon, Peter Y. Bean, Charles B. Keith. Under the charter, the Post was organized by the choice of Enoch Foster, Commander; Wm. L. Grover, Senior Vice Commander; Alfred M. True, Adjutant, and Samuel F. Gibson, Quartermaster. The post has had a good degree of success and has steadily gained in numbers and influence. Seventy-nine persons have joined the Post, and the present number is sixty-flve. The falling off has been occasioned by deaths and removals from town, mostly the former. The present (1891) oflflcers are: John A. Morton, Commander; Joseph E. Russell, Senior Vice Commander; James H. Barrows, Junior Vice Commander; Algernon S. Chapman, Quartermaster; Alfred M. True, Adjutant, and Abial Chandler, Jr., Chaplain. Connected with the Post is a well managed and flourishing Ladies Relief Corps. Knights of Pythias. A Lodge of the Knights of Pythias was instituted at Bethel Hill, but for some cause it did not take deep root, although started by leading citizens of the village, and it soon became defunct. CHAPTER XXXI. Bethel Hill. (he village of Bethel Hill, now recognized as the most attractive and beautiful in the county, if not in the State, has had for the most part a slow and steady growth. Middle Interval being situated in the center of the town, was to a certain extent, the center of business, and it was at one time sup posed that quite a village would be built up there. The town meet ings were held there, and the military trainings and other town gatherings were also had there, but it lacked the elements of perma nent growth, in that it had no water power, and this being before the days of the application of steam to machinery, no important manufactures could be there established. On the other hand. Bethel Hill had the best water power in town, and the early establishment of mills here, naturally drew settlers around them. As late as 408 HISTORY OF BETHEL. eighteen hundred and fourteen. Doctor True has put on record that there were but four dwelling houses within the present limits of the village. One of these was the "castle," and stood near the top of Mill Hill, back of where the old Bethel House stood before it was burned ; another was situated on the spot where the present Bethel House stands, and was owned and occupied by James Walker ; one, the Amos Hastings house, stood where Gideon A. Hastings' house now stands, and was moved across the street, and is now occupied by Alfred Twitchell, and the other, the Doctor Mason house, was built that year. It is said that when Doctor Mason built his house, great commo tion was caused in the neighborhood, because he placed it so high above the ground, and a committee was raised to wait on the Doc tor and remonstrate with him. They did. not think it would stand. Just before the flrst broad-side was raised, according to the custom of those days. Parson Gould invoked the Divine blessing, and then the flowing bowl was passed, of which minister and all freely par took. A store was situated where the Albert Stiles' cottage house now stands, aud was the first painted building in the village. It went by the name of the "red store," but it was a small afliair and was subsequently hauled to the Phineas Stearns place, and was used by him as his saddler's shop. The first blacksmith shop stood north of the block of stores, on the spot where Winslow Heywood's house was burned a few years ago in war time. The first carding mill was connected with the grist mill, and in eighteen hundred and fourteen, Joseph Twitchell and others built a carding mill and cloth ing mill, where it ever after stood. Caleb Rowe was the first to have charge of them. The flrst school house on the Hill was moved here from Francis Barker's place near the ferry, and occupied the spot where the rear store occupied by the late Abner Davis now stands. Dr. John Grover taught the flrst school in the village. The next school house stood on the north side of Main street near Robertson's shop. In eighteen hundred and fourteen, there was but little glass in use for windows in town. Seven inches by nine was the only size used, and this was worth nine pence a square. Lime was worth seven dollars the cask, and nails were a shilling per pound. It is said that Doctor Mason sold the tract of land on Main street where Leander T. Barker and two others now live, for a clock case, which he used as long as he lived, and which is still in existence. VIEW ON CHURCH STREET, HISTORY OF BETHEL. 409 In eighteen hundred and thirty-flve, there was not more than one- or two houses on church street, and scarcely any on Main street, from the common to where the railway station now is. In eighteen hundred and eighteen, a Mr. George Crawford bought an acre of land in the rear of the Chapman store, and extending across the street to include the store formerly occupied by Abner Davis, for the small sum of sixty-flve dollars. Within the memory of many now living, the land between the dwelling house of Sylvester Rob ertson and that of Charles Mason, was an alder swamp. On Broad street, once called the Norway road, the late William Frye owned and occupied a house, in which some of the family still live. Oppo site the John Harris place, now occupied by Charles H. Harris, stood the humble Methodist parsonage, occupied by many families- beside ministers, and was taken down to give place to the elegant residence of Addison E. Herrick. The flrst painted house in the village was the Doctor Mason house, and people thought him very extravagant. When he put blinds on his house, it was said that he was becoming very aristocratic. The flrst sofa in town was owned' by Doctor Mason, and was made by Marshall Bonney, the flrst cabinet-maker in the village, in eighteen hundred and twenty-one. The flrst chaise in town was owned by Parson Gould, in the year eighteen hundred, and was regarded as a great curiosity. Captain John Harris brought the flrst barrel of flour into town in eighteen hundred and twenty-four. General John Chandler was carried through the town in a chaise in eighteen hundred and fourteen, on his return from captivity at Quebec, and the afi'air caused great excitement among the inhabitants. The flrst meeting house on the Hill was erected in eighteen hundred and forty-seven, and dedicated March first of the following year. The house near the river bank was built in eighteen hundred and six. A bridge was built across the river at Barker's Ferry in eighteen hundred and thirty-nine, and the same was swept away by an ice freshet in January following. The academy was built in eighteen hundred and thirty-six. In eighteen hundred and forty-eight, the population of the village was one hundred and ninety-nine ; in eighteen hundred and fifty-five, four hundred and four, and in eighteen hundred and sixty, six hun dred and two. The Universalist church was built in eighteen hundred and fifty-three-four, and the Methodist in eighteen hundred and sixty. The steam saw mill was built on the Sanborn farm in eighteen 410 HISTORY OF BETHEL. tiundred and flfty-four, by Albert H. and William Gerrish, Joseph B. Hammond and others. The first train of cars to Bethel, over the Atlantic and Saint Lawrence railroad, arrived in March, eigh teen hundred and fifty-one. This was an important era in the his tory of the village and town. In the few following years, the village made a large growth both in wealth, business and population. To this growth, during these years, no man contributed more than Clark S. Edwards. He was in trade, carried on farming and lum bering, and built a large number of dwelling houses and other buildings. The village expanded in every direction ; swampy places were filled, hills levelled, and rough places made smooth. The early as well as the later interest of Bethel Hill centered at the Common. Lots bordering upon it were regarded as desirable, although in the early times the choicest parcels sold at a very low price. The village is situated upon the mill lots, and as the Twitch ells built the mills, they were the early proprietors of these lots. Eleazer Twitchell disposed of a part of them before his death, largely to his sons and sons-in-law, and at his death, his heirs inherited the balance. .lames Walker was among the first to pur chase land adjoining the Common. He purchased of Eleazer Twitchell, the land north of the Common, and near the beginning of the century commenced trade. He also bought other lands, but he became financially embmrassed, and in eighteen hundred and twelve, deeded most of his real estate to his creditors. He became a preacher. In eighteen hundred and thirty-two, James Walker sold the land north of the Common to Robert A. Chapman, who commenced his active, business life in a small store erected upon it, part of which he used as a dwelling house. In eighteen hundred and twenty-one, Jacob Ellingwood sold to O'Neil W. Robinson, the land bordering the Common on the easterly side, and Robinson built a house and store upon it. In eighteen hundred and thirty-five, Robinson sold out to Robert A. Chapman, and moved to Portland, and subsequently to Waterford. He also sold Chapman a tract of land of near twenty-five acres, as shown in the chapter on land transfers. Edmund Merrill bought the land west of the Common. Robert Chapman bought of Hiram Allen, six and one-half acres of land on the Rumford road in eighteen hun dred and thirty-six. Eleazer Twitchell sold land next above the Chapman place, to Dr. Moses Mason, who built upon it in eighteen hundred and fourteen, and lived and died there. After Jacob HISTORY OF BETHEL. 411 Ellingwood sold to Robinson, he put up a house at the southwest of the Common. This, he or his heirs sold to Doctor John Grover, who lived there many years. The place is now "The Elms." John Oliver bought a lot north of the Chapman lot, extending to the corner and had a hatter's shop upon it. The EUingwoods, Jacob and Ebenezer, were shoemakers, and both had shops bordering the Common. Oliver's small house was near where Judge Foster's office now is. John and Timothy Hastings bought of Eleazer Twitchell, the land where the two Hastings houses now stand. At that time, all south of that was either pasture or woods. John Harris bought the place where Freeman Twitchell had begun a house, and Charles H. Harris now lives upon it. .John Harris came here from Westbrook. He bought half of the clothing and wool- carding establishment of James Walker, was in trade, purchased extensive tracts of land and became forehanded. The Jacob Elling wood house, taken from the lot he sold to Robinson, was moved away and is still occupied, and his shoemaker's shop he sold to Calvin Stearns, who moved it to the John Kimball place opposite the academy ; it was afterwards moved farther down the hill toward the river. The John Oliver house was sold to Frederic Ballard, and moved down where Moses T. Cross afterwards lived, and was enlarged by Isaac B. Littlehale ; his hatter's shop was sold to George Chapman, moved to the lot where Edwin C. Rowe's store now is, and was converted into a store. James Walker built a store and house connected, south of the Common. Walker sold out to his creditors, and they to Ezra T. Russell, who built the house after wards the Elbridge Chapman place, and which was moved to give place to the Bethel House built by Frank S. and William H. Chan dler. Russell exchanged the property with Jedediah Burbank, for what was known as the old Bethel House and which was burned. Burbank sold to David Coffin and Coflfln to Elbridge Chapman. Marshall Bonney, cabinet-maker, bought the land on the east side of Church street, and on the west side of the Rumford road — the heater, containing about three acres. He built a house where Hiram Allen afterwards lived, to whom Bonney sold. In eighteen hun dred and thirty-six, Gilman Chapman bought of Allen, the entire property for seven hundred dollars. The Allen house was moved just below Robertson's cabinet shop, and is now the Methodist par sonage. Gilman Chapman built the store where the post oflflce now {1891) is, in eighteen hundred and thirty-seven. The place north 412 HISTORY OF BETHEL. of the Common has had various owners, and has undergone many changes since Robert A. Chapman owned it ; it was enlarged and much improved by Ira C. Kimball. The beautiful elms around it were set out by Robert A. Chapman. Other ornamental trees along Broad street and around the Common were for the most part set out by the early owners. Hon. William Frye as administrator of the estate of Jacob Ellingwood who died quite early, sold various par cels of land in the vicinity of the Common, and Sylvanus Twitchell, who moved to Orono, sold land to William Frye, Timothy Wight and John Harris. Wight subsequently sold his homestead contain ing fourteen acres situated on the old Norway road and adjoining William Frye's homestead lot, to John Harris. For other transfers of real estate around the Hill and in other parts of the town, the reader is referred to the chapter relating to land transfers. Eli Twitchell, son of Dea. Ezra Twitchell, was in trade on the hill at one time, and the store he occupied is now part of the Sylvester Robertson house. The store where Robert and Elbridge Chapman long traded, and which was built by O'Neil W. Robinson, was burned, and then Rob ert A. Chapman built and occupied the store which he sold to Samuel A. Brock. He then built the store where Ira C. Jordan now trades and occupied it with Enoch W. Woodbury. Afterwards Woodbury & Purrington built the store where they now trade, on the spot where Charles Mason's store was burned. The steam mill above the Hill, then owned by Lynch and the Springs of Portland, was burned in war time, was rebuilt, and has since been burned and rebuilt. Dr. Almon Twitchell buUt the house where his daughter Mrs. Anna French now lives ; W. J. Hayden bought the Bonney- Allen house, moved it and built upon the spot ; Benjamin Freeman built the Doctor Gordon house ; Livingston G. Robinson bought the house formerly occupied by the widow of Rev. Charles Frost, and the same is now owned by the widow of Abner Davis. The widow of Dr. John Grover built the house now occupied by Dr. John A. Twaddle, and Newton Grover the one now occupied by Pinckney Burnham. Horace Andrews bought the John Kimball place and made extensive changes, and Goodwin R. Wiley built and occupies the elegant house below the academy. Isaac B. Littlehale built a house and long lived on Church street. Richard A. Frye built on part of his father's home lot, which was a full acre. Hon. David Hammons built the fine house where his widow recently lived, and BETHEL HILL, FROM SUNSET ROCK, HISTORY OF BETHEL. 413 Addison E. Herrick erected his beautiful residence on the spot of the old Methodist parsonage, and purchased of the Harris heirs a portion of the old Timothy Wight place. On Main street, after passing the stores, are the houses, built by Moses Pattee, Gilman Chapman and others, on the left, and on the right those of widow Hiram Young, Leander T. Barker, erected by his father, Timothy Barker, and others, most of which have been constructed in com paratively modern times. The older dwellings are of the "Mansion house" style, square and substantially built. The first variation from this was the cottage still standing at the north of the Common and west of the Skillings house and built by Albert Stiles. I well remember when this house was constructed, the frame consisting of three by four joist, and how the old people shook their heads, and said it would not stand. But it has stood for nearly two score years, and bids fair to stand many years longer. The standard color for the early houses was snowy white with green window blinds, and in some cases a fan-like ornament over the front door, as still seen in the Doctor Mason and the John Hastings houses. These two old citizens, and also O'Neil W. Robinson married sis ters, whose maiden name was Straw, and Broad street, on which they once lived in a row, was once called Straw street. Many of the village houses are still white, but the introduction of chemical paints has served to somewhat break up the monotony. A Village Corporation, embracing the fifteenth and thirtieth school districts was chartered by an act of the Legislature, approved Feb ruary sixteenth, eighteen hundred and eighty-nine. Its purposes according to the terms of the charter, were : to provide for a Fire Department ; to construct sidewalks and sewers ; to improve Bethel Common and Kimball Park ; to provide for a Police ; for lighting the streets and for school purposes. The charter was accepted at a meeting held April twenty-seventh, eighteen hundred and eighty- nine, and the following oflflcers chosen : Wm. E. Skillings, Goodwin R. Wiley and Addison E. Herrick, a committee to draft and present by-laws ; Goodwin R. Wiley, clerk ; Wm. E. Skillings, Josiah U. Purington and Eben S. Kilburne, assessors ; Edwin C. Rowe, treas urer ; Jarvis C. Billings, collector, and Calvin Bisbee, auditor ; flre police, Ceylon Rowe, H. C. Barker, Ira Clark, W. D. Hastings, Addison E. Herrick, Charles Mason, Fred L. Edwards, Nathaniel F. Brown, Jarvis C. Billings, Alfred M. True, Cyrus M. Wormell and John B. Chapman. The corporation has proceeded in accord- 414 HISTORY OF BE'THEL. ance with the terms of its charter, has provided hydrants at various points, organized an eflScient Fire Department, built a lock-up, and made improvements in various directions. Its oflflcers for the cur rent year (1891) are: Clerk, Goodwin R. Wiley; Assessors, Charles Mason, Eben S. Kilburne, H. C. Andrews ; Treasurer, Edwin C. Rowe ; Auditor, Richard A. Frye ; Collector, N. F. Brown ; Chief Engineer, Goodwin R. Wiley ; First assistant, N. F. Brown ; Second, George A. King ; Fire Police, Ceylon Rowe, W. D. Hastings, Addison E. Herrick, H. C. Barker, Clark S. Edwards, Gideon A. Hastings, Davis Lovejoy, John Coburn, F. C. Bartlett, Cyrus M. Wormell, Ira Clark and John B. Chapman. The Bethel Water Company was chartered by the Legislature, February sixteenth, eighteen hundred and eighty-nine. A leading object was to enable the Village Corporation to carry out its pur poses in relation to a flre department. The corporators were Wm. E. Skillings, Addison E. Herrick, Enoch Foster, Samuel D. Phil brook, Enoch W. Woodbury, Gideon A. Hastings, Gilman P. Bean and Ceylon Rowe. Its object as stated in the charter, is to supply the village of Bethel Hill with pure water. By its charter the com pany was authorized to take, detain and use the water of Chapman brook and all streams tributary thereto or running therefrom in the towns of Bethel and Newry, subject to certain conditions, such as liability for damage on account of flowage, etc. The organization of the company was completed February eighteenth, eighteen hun dred and ninety, by the election of the following officers : President, Enoch Foster ; Secretary, Addison E. Herrick ; Directors, Ceylon Rowe, Gideon A. Hastings. Wm. E. Skillings, Enoch W. Wood bury and Henry M. Bearce. The works were begun and completed in eighteen hundred and ninety, the water beginning to flow Novem ber first. No contract was made, but all labor and material were procured directly by the company. The enterprise is a coniplete success, and the people of the village wonder how they ever got along without it. The water is abundant and of superior quality. The main pipe is four and one-half miles in length from the Com mon, and the water comes from Chapman brook, away up the moun tain side above all impurities, the reservoir being one hundred and eighty-five feet above the level of the Common. The analysis of the water by the Secretary of the State Board of Health, shows it to be practically pure, and equal to any supply in the State. Except an amateur sheet published by the boys, and the academy HISTORY OF BETHEL. 4I5, publications. Bethel has never had but one newspaper. This was called the Bethel Courier, and its initial number was issued Decem ber seventeenth, eighteen hundred and fifty-eight. It was a six column paper, in size fourteen by twenty inches, and bore the im print of Cady & Smith. With the second number Dr. Nathaniel T. True was advertised to write a series of articles on the early history of the town. With number three, Mr. Cady retired and was suc ceeded by James Nutting. When thirty numbers had been issued^ Mr. Frank Smith retired and Mr. Nutting became sole proprietor, with Doctor True as editor. This arrangement continued for fifteen months when Mr. Nutting sold out to J. Alden Smith, whose name first appears as proprietor with the issue for November second^ eighteen hundred and sixty. The paper now appeared in a new dress, and Doctor True ceased to be editor. Mr. Smith continued to publish the paper until July flfth, eighteen hundred and sixty- one, when it was discontinued and its list transferred to the Oxford Democrat. The Bethel Farmers' Club was started early iu the fifties. The records having been burned, the date of organization cannot be given. Its inception was due to the efforts of Dr. Nathaniel T. True and Albert L. Burbank, who talked the matter up, called a public meeting, which was addressed by Mr. Darius Forbes, agri cultural editor of the Oxford Democrat, and an organization effected and oflScers elected. The club was in existence for ten or twelve years and accomplished a great amount of good. Meetings were held at the houses of the members during the fall and winter sea son, and various topics connected with the farm, garden and orchard were intelligently discussed and the results of experiments given. The organization of the club led to the trial of experiments, which were duly reported. An outcome of the club was the Bethel town fair, which in some seasons, was almost equal to the State fair. The social advantages of the club were of great importance, a pleas ing combination of business and pleasure whose beneficial results were appreciable in a short time. An antiquarian supper under its auspices, brought out more curious and antiquated things than were previously known to exist in town. It was a rare and valuable dis play, showing the crude implements of husbandi-y used by our ancestors, and also those used in the manufacture of articles for domestic use. The persons whose names were more particularly associated with the Bethel Farmers' Club, were Nathaniel T. True, -416 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Albert L. Burbank, who was Secretary most of the time, David F. Brown, Francis Barker, Joseph A. Twitchell, Gilman Chapman, John A. Twitchell, Moses A. Mason, Dr. Joshua Fanning, Samuel H. Chapman and Josiah Brown. The Bethel club has the honor of having been the pioneer in the movement which resulted in similar clubs among the farmers in various parts of the State, which flourished until they were superceded by the Grange. The architect and builder of the old Bethel House was Edmund Merrill. He also built and occupied the house at the north of the block of stores which was last occupied by Winslow Heywood, and was burned. ,.-v*V'^'*"«»-iusm» I : Si S « ri" I", e « .•' '" ^^^^^ GOULD'S ACADEMY, 1890. CHAPTER XXXII. Fragments. "Gather up the fragments that nothing may be lost." R. Moses Mason was a practical joker, and was also very -^>«. quick at repartee. The maiden name of his wife was *-* ' -vj. Straw, and one day he chanced to meet Paul Morse, who accosted him with: "Doctor, when are you going to bring your bundle of straw over to see my wife?" Quick as a flash, the Doctor rejoined : "After you have brought your bunch of moss over to see mine." The doctor, outside of his profession, had but little education, but he was a man of influence, and for many years controlled the town in about his own way. When he was a candidate for Con gress he wrote a letter to his opponent, in whicb the spelling and grammar were not exactly in accordance with established usage, and his opponent hoping to gain a point on him, caused the letter to be published verbatim et literatim ; but the result was just the opposite of what he hoped it might be. It was regarded as such a breach of confldence ; such a violation of the rules of common courtesy, that the act gave the doctor hundreds of votes, and he was triumphantly elected and was also re-elected. This was an era in the doctor's life that was brighter than any other, and his experiences there fur nished food for thought and topics of conversation for all his subse quent life. After his return and he had settled down to a quiet life, waiting for the sere and yellow leaf, he erected a neat building on his grounds which he called his library. It was his delight to show this library to visitors at the Hill, but it must have brought a smile to the face of many a book man, when he saw that the library was made up entirely of bound volumes of the Congressional Globe and other public documents. The old doctor was a familiar flgure at Bethel Hill for a long number of years. After his hair which he 27 418 HISTORY OF BETHEL. wore quite long, had become white, with his blue swallow-tailed coat and gilt buttons, his buff vest, ruffled shirt and beaver hat, he was* the personiflcation of a flne old gentleman of the old school. He was interested in the history of Bethel, and especially of the Hill. He kept a sort of record of events which has come into the posses sion of the writer, and from which much valuable data have been gleaned. On one page, he gives an account of the sums of money he had received from the government, which are as follows : As Postmaster for nineteen years, $400 ; for his four years in Congress, $6,880 ; as County Commissioner for three years, $750 ; from Bethel, as pay for services as Selectman fourteen years, $350 ; pay as Councillor, $800 ; as Trustee of the Insane Hospital, $97 ; as Justice of the Peace, $200; to which he adds "for medical ser vices," $8,000 ; total life earnings, $17,159. Mr. Edmund Bean, generally known as "Mr. Ned," was not an educated man, but he was a good farmer and knew how to make money. One year he bought in a large number of turkeys which he drove to Portland. He had no trouble with his drove during the day, but when roosting time came, they would fly up and settle themselves upon fences or trees, whichever was the most conven ient, and there they would persistently remain through the night. He flnally reached Portland, but the market was already well stocked and he could scarcely get an offer for them. He was advised to enquire of the condition of the Boston market by tele graph, and was instructed where to go. Presenting himself to the operator and making his wants known, he was invited to take a seat and await the results. The operator then sent to Boston, had a messenger sent to Faneuil Hall market, and in a brief time the prices current of turkeys was placed in Mr. Bean's hands with a demand for a dollar and flfty cents. The old man asked them to read the dispatch, which they did, and then he flew into a passion, declaring them cheats and frauds. "Why," said he, "I've had my eye on you all the time ; you haven't been to Boston ; you haven't been out of this ofliice, nor your darned old tick-box either." After a full explanation, the old man paid the bill and went away happier and wiser than when he went in. William Grover, the third son of John and Jerusha (Wiley) Grover, was a young man of flne physical form and developmeht, and of great strength both of body and mind. He engaged with his HISTORY OF BETHEL. 419 father in the lumbering business. He was accustomed to act as foreman of gangs of "river drivers" in delivering logs to the Bruns wick saw mills. This work was done on the flood stage of the river, as soon as it was clear of ice in the spring, and was arduous and exposing in the extreme. From this exposure he became affected by severe neuralgia of the head. A quack doctor undertook to cure him of this. The quack's mode of practice was to heat two rocks to steaming heat, place one each side of the patient's head, cover the top of the head with a blanket so as to keep the steam in, then pour water on the rocks, creating a profuse steam directly upon the head. Under this system of torture the neuralgia left the patient but he soon became subject to fits, the brain having been perma nently injured, and he afterwards died of insanity, thus produced. In the year seventeen hundred and ninety-one, wild pigeons in almost endless numbers, pitched upon the territory west of Bethel Hill as a brooding place. Here they laid their eggs and hatched their young. The young pigeons called squabs, just before they are able to fly, are very fat and palatable. 'The settlers gathered them up in vast numbers and feasted upon them as long as they lasted. An account of the visitation by pigeons the year above named was printed in the New York Journal j,nd Patriotic Register of July twentieth of that year. They are therein said to have beeu flrst discovered by Mr. Benjamin Russell. The slaughter of the inno cents made by the people, prevented the parent birds from selecting. this as their brooding place thereafter. The black bear was one of the greatest pests of the early settlers. He destroyed much of the corn when it was in the milk, and Later was a terror to the flocks of sheep. Eleazer Twitchell once placed a tub containing new rum and molasses in his corn fleld, and going out in the morning, he found bruin beastly drunk. On waking up he found himself securely chained and was easily dispatched. The same method has been practiced in other towns with similar results. It was taking an unfair advantage of the beast, but he should not have got drunk, though in this respect he was only following the example of many of the settlers. Hunting was one of the profltable employments of the early set tlers in this town. Fur-bearing animals, such as the otter, beaver, mink, sable and muskrat were abundant, and larger game, such as bears, moose and deer were by no means scarce. The works of the 420 HISTORY OF BETHEL. beaver are still seen on the streams flowing into the Androscoggin in this region. One season, James Swan, Benjamin Russell, John Perkins and one-other, all of whom were cunning hunters and trap pers, beside a large amount of other game, killed sixty moose. They tried out the tallow for candles, cut off and carried away the best portions for food, and left the remainder to be devoured by wolves. As the early settlers could raise no domestic animals for food, they depended on the chase to supply the larder. The region around the Bear and Sunday rivers about Songo pond and in the region about the Alder river ponds, were favorite haunts for game. The last beaver killed in town was in eighteen hundred and twenty- flve. He was twice caught in a trap by a fore leg and gnawed them off. He was then caught by a hind leg and secured. There was considerable excitement in the plantation in seventeen Tiundred and ninety, occasioned by the death of Mr. James Mills. This was the first accidental death, if not the flrst death that •occurred in the plantation. Mr. Mills moved from Dublin, New Hampshire, flve years before, and went to farming on Grover Hill. While engaged in felling trees for his brother-in-law, he was struck by a falling tree and instantly killed. He had married Hannah, daughter of Moses Mason of Dublin ; her brother, Walter Mason, was the one for whom Mr. Mills was at work. He left flve child ren, and his widow subsequently married Elijah Grover. 'Eev. Caleb Bradley, afterwards of Westbrook, when a young man, preached for a short time in Bethel. He also taught the school here in seventeen hundred and ninety-eight. He, that year, preached a thanksgiving sermon, the flrst of the kind ever delivered in the town. The sermon was subsequently printed. In the evening of that day, Mr. Bradley and Dr. James Brickett, both young men and full to the brim of thanksgiving glee, spent the evening at Captain Twitchell's. They were invited to go down cellar for the purpose ¦of seeing the arch where Mrs. T. had some mince pies. Mr. Brad ley succeeded in roguishly purloining one of these and secreting it in his overcoat pocket. When supper came there was a general laudation of Mrs. T.'s pies, when Mr. Bradley declared that he could furnish a better one than any on the table. The challenge was accepted, but on going to his pie, what was his surprise to flnd the dinner turkey bones in its place. The sharp sighted Mrs. Twitchell liad completely outwitted him. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 421 What has ever been known as the great freshet on the Andros coggin, occurred in seventeen hundred and eighty-flve. The water reached a height never before nor since known. While it did con siderable damage, it taught the settlers a salutary lesson, namely, to erect their houses on higher ground. The upper dam on Mill Brook was swept away and the water rose to the attic in the house of Capt. Eleazer Twitchell, situated on an island below. His family was taken out at the attic window. In Lieutenant Clark's house on the Burbank place, the water rose to the beams, spoiled his books and papers and badly damaged his household goods. Joseph Greely Swan lived near Alder river bridge. His wife was taken out of the chamber window, but the house containing their goods, includ ing a web in the loom, was swept away. The house of Benjamin Russell also went down stream. Other places all along the river through the town, were more or less damaged. The water rose to a height of twenty-flve feet ; all the intervals were submerged and much of the low upland. Jonathan Bean, who came from Standish to Bethel in seventeen hundred and eighty-one or eighty-two, was then quite advanced in years and had a large family of grown up children. He settled on the farm which David Marshall left when he fled to New Gloucester, and afterward known as the Sanborn farm. He became insane and did many queer and ridiculous things. On one occasion, he fancied he could cross the Androscoggin river in summer time on snow shoes. So binding the shoes to his feet, he stepped off the bank into deep water. Of course, he immediately sank, and had not assistance been near, he would have been drowned. He left a large posterity scattered through Bethel, Mason, about the Umbagog lake region and on the Androscoggin, while very many of his descendants went west. After the Rokomeko Indians at Canton Point were scattered, it is quite likely that the dead of the Indians temporarily residing here, were buried on a point of land near Mill brook, on the Jonathan Clark farm, more recently known as the Burbank farm. There was anciently a small clearing there, and a number of graves were visi ble upon it when the place was flrst settled. It is known that the Indians in their later visits to this region, made this place their camping ground. From the gun-barrels found at the old Indian camping grounds, Oliver Fenno, the flrst blacksmith, wrought flre 422 HISTORY OF BETHEL. shovel handles for the use of the settlers. On one occasion, as he was heating a gun barrel in his forge, it suddenly burst, from a charge of powder with which it had been loaded, no one knew how long. The ball passed through the work-bench at the opposite side of the shop. There was evidently an ancient Indian village at one time, on the north side of the river, opposite the residence of the late Timothy Chapman. Precisely when it was deserted cannot now be ascer tained, but it was probably soon after the Pequakets were broken up by Lovewell and his party. About ten acres of land appear to have been cleared for the purpose of growing corn, but when the first white settlers came, it was covered with a heavy second growth. Molly Ocket, a squaw, well known to the people in Bethel early in this century, who was then very old and remembered Lovewell's flght, said the Indians lived very happily in this place before the whites drove them away. On clearing the land, some twenty or more rude cellar holes were found where the Indians buried their corn. Implements of iron and cooking utensils were found here in abundance by the early settlers, indicating that the settlement was suddenly broken up. These Indians generally buried their dead at Canton Point, but one skeleton was dug up here which Molly Ocket said was that of a girl who was accidentally killed in a drunken frolic. At the narrows below Bethel Hill is a place called "Powow Point." The Indians here had a maize-fleld of two or three acres on the east ern bank, and here they often met in council. There is a tradition that an Indian camp was once burned here, and that their imple ments as well as their charred remains were subsequently found. It was supposed that they had obtained a quantity of flre-water, had become beastly drunk, and so miserably perished as the result of their own folly. This place where the Indians had their rendez vous, and where their council fires often brightly burned in the olden times, is now one of the most delightful spots in all the town. No wonder the Indians were attached to this region and were grieved at being obliged to leave it, for it was a royal hunting ground. Every kind of game common to Maine was found here in great abundance, while the brooks, rivers and ponds were alive with food flshes of many kinds. The Androscoggin was navigable for canoes for a long distance, and when the first settlers came, and HISTORY OF BETHEL. 423 before the hostile raid, large fleets of boats passing up and down the river was no uncommon sight. After the close of the revolu tionary war, the Indians came again in smaller bands, and continued their annual visits to this region for several years. They would build a rough camp and remain in one place for several weeks, mak ing moccasins, baskets and trinkets, which they disposed of to the settlers in exchange for tobacco, spirits and food. After a time their visits ceased, and no Indians, save perhaps a stray one or two from the Penobscot tribe, have been seen in this, region within the memory of the living of to-day. An Indian called Captain Philips and another known as Captain Swasson, both of whom fought on the American side in the Revolu tionary war, sometimes came to Bethel with others. The latter had been presented with a sword for conspicuous bravery in battle. Tomhegan, properly Tumtumphegan, was the scoundrel who led the attack on the settlement. Other Indians who frequently visited here, were Peol, Black Susup, a Mohawk, Sanloo, Assabeel and Pasul, who was the oldest son of Sabattis by his flrst wife. Most of these Indians were familiar with savage warfare, the French and Indian wars having been the school of their youth, and the war of the revolution of their riper years. Among the Indians from Canada who frequently visited Sudbury Canada, was Lewey. He styled himself a sergeant, probably hav ing seen service in the French war. On one occasion he came to Captain Eleazer Twitchell's house when he was absent, accompanied by several of his tribe. They wanted rum, which Mrs. Twitchell furnished on condition that Lewey would see that they did no mis chief. After they had drank, they became very noisy and wanted more, and threatened, if it was not given them, they would break down the door. Lewey who was a very strong Indian, quelled them by main force, and then calling for Captain Twitchell's drum, he commenced to play upon it and started out of the house, the Indians staggering after him in single file. He marched them round until they sobered off suflflciently to go to their camp near the mouth of Mill Brook. When John Holt flrst came to Bethel, he bought the land at Mid dle Interval where John Kilgore afterwards lived. It has since been known as the Joshua Chase farm. When he came again, he selected a lot on Swan's hill. He worked here one year and then 424 HISTORY OF BETHEL. returned to Andover and was married to Lydia Russell. He and his wife with their household goods loaded upon a horse's back, soon after came to Bethel, where she found a little log hut with greased paper as a substitute for glass. The nearest grist mill was at Bethel Hill, flve and one-half miles away. Mr. Holt on one occa sion, took a bag of grain to mill, and while there bought a three quart pail, a kettle and a pig, and taking grist, kettle and pig on his back, he reached home with them. He served three years in the war for independence, and was a Captain of the militia in Bethel. He also held various town offices and was deacon of the Baptist church. He was born June eleventh, seventeen hundred and sixty- two, and died July sixteenth, eighteen hundred and thirty. His wife was born May twelfth, seventeen hundred and sixty-flve, and died September twelfth, eighteen hundred and forty-seven. Bears have sometimes been very troublesome to the farmers of Bethel by killing their sheep,' robbing the bee-hives and raiding the corn flelds, but rarely has human life been endangered by them. A young man in the adjoining town of Newry had a thrilling adventure, an account of which is well worth preserving. It was in the year eighteen hundred and forty-six, on the sixteenth day of September, that Orrin, son of Enoch Foster, a boy of about sixteen years of age, was sent by his father to look up some cattle which had strayed away from the mountain pasture into the woods. His route took him up the side of Puzzle mountain, through pasture and forest, and when about two miles from home, he came across a path which led to a brook. Thinking he had found the trail of the lost cattle, he pressed on, and soon heard the sound of some animal in the bushes near by, and going toward the point from which the sound seemed to proceed, he was surprised and alarmed at the appearance of a huge bear, which, with eyes flashing flre and gnashing teeth, sprang toward him from a thicket not three rods away. Foster tried to encourage a small dog which accompanied him to attack the monster, but he cowardly slunk away and hid himself in the bushes. Foster then turned and went about two rods to a sappling beech, which was the only tree in the vicinity and which was about seven inches in diameter at the ground. The body of the tree was smooth, and the lower limbs were about eight feet from the ground. The bear with jaws distended and eyes glowing like flre, was close upon him, and his only chance was in being able to climb the tree. He sprang with all his strength and tried to grasp the lower limbs, but failed, HISTORY OF BETHEL. 426, but he seized the trunk of the tree with both his hands and drew his feet up. The bear comprehending his intentions, sprang after him, but happily falling a little short of his aim, he struck at the root of the tree. Foster succeeded in reaching the limbs, and as the bear recovered, he again sprang and raked Foster's foot as he was draw ing himself into the lower branches. He came very near drawing Foster down, but with all his strength he broke away and ascended the tree with the bear in close pursuit. He went up nearly thirty feet from the ground where the tree was so small that he could easily clasp it in his hands, and the bear foaming with rage and dis appointment, was about four feet below him. The tree began to^ bend under the great weight, and Foster tried to balance it, but the bear kept slowly advancing. In this moment of extreme peril, it occurred to Foster to try and shake his pursuer from the tree. Securing his hold with a vice-like clutch, and with all his strength, quickened and increased by the fear of a horrible death, he shook the tree, and the 'oear being unable to sustain his weight on the under side, fell to the ground. His fall of twenty-five feet momen tarily stunned him, but he soon sprang up and made several unsuc cessful efforts to re-climb the tree, but each time fell back. While Bruin was trying to climb up a second time, Foster was not idle. Taking out his jack knife, he descended the tree a short distance, and cut off a large limb about five feet long, which he whittled to a point at one end, intending to make an attempt at the bear's eyes, should he succeed in re-climbing the tree. Being foiled in his attempts at climbing, he watched Foster's motions for a few moments and then went for the dog. But the dog was not pleased with Bruin's attentions and kept himself at a safe distance from his bearship and finally left for home. The bear then returned to the foot of the tree and vented his anger in dismal howls and in gnash ing his teeth. He would then follow the cattle path for twenty rods or more, and then return to the tree, thinking probably that Foster had availed himself of his absence and had descended from the tree. He tried this ruse again and again, but at last he became discour aged at the prospect of an evening meal in this direction, and about sunset, with a howl that seemed to shake the mountain and rever berate through its dark ravines and caverns, he slowly retired. When Foster rushed against the beech he bruised his stomach, and after the immediate danger from the bear had passed, his chest began to pain him severely, and he found it was badly swollen. He 426 HISTORY OF BETHEL. was without coat, and exposed on the north side of a mountain, to the chilly blasts of an autumn night. He also began to suffer from hunger and thirst, having neither ate or drank since morning. His hands and feet were badly swollen by holding onto the tree, and the blood rushed to his head and throat so as to almost produce delirium. He had called for assistance until his voice had failed him, and after the bear left him, he did not dare to leave the tree, fearing the mon ster might still be lurking near, ready to pounce upon him. This occurred on Sunday, and his parents had attended religious services at some distance from home and had stopped with a friend to take tea. Returning at night, they found the dog had returned without his master, and, from his uneasiness, they felt certain that Orrin had met with some accident and was detained on the mountain. The news quickly spread through the neighborhood and some twenty persons assembled with lanterns and tin trumpets, and with lighted torches. Dividing into small squads, they ascended the mountain, blowing their trumpets and building bonfires, to much of which young Foster from his elevated perch in the tree top, was a silent spectator. But he was so debilitated that he could neither go down from the tree nor make himself heard. It was eleven o'clock when three persons approached the tree, and among them he recognized the voice of his father. The hour of deliverance had come and he was soon in the midst of his friends. After having his limbs chafed for a while, he was able, with the assistance which he received, to descend the mountain and reach his home, but it was more than a year before he was able to perform much labor. To him, his deliv erance was like a renewal of life. While the hungry bear was exert ing all his strength to reach him, he expected to be torn in pieces, and when the monster left him, death still seemed to hover near him in the fearful forms of cold, hunger and exhaustion. While in the tree, when hope had nearly abandoned him, Foster started the blood from his arm with the point of his knife, and with a pointed stick as a pen, and the blood as writing fluid, he inscribed upon his pocket handkerchief the words, "killed by a bear," and then tied the hand kerchief to the tree, that should he never return, his friends might learn of his terrible fate. The one hundredth anniversary of »the attack on the upper settle ment of Sudbury Canada by a small party of Indians belonging to the Saint Francis tribe of Canada, was duly noticed at Bethel Hill on the third day of August, eighteen hundred and eighty-one. At HISTORY OF BETHEL. 427 early morn, the village bells were rung, and by nine o'clock, a large number of people had gathered on the Common. A procession on Broad street was formed, under the direction of Major Gideon A. Hastings, and headed by the Bethel band, marched through the principal streets to the Common, where a block house had been built similar to the one constructed after the Indian raid. Then occurred a closely contested sham flght between a company of rangers, and a party disguised as Indians. Of course the former were victorious, though when the contest was at an end, the latter did not in any sense resemble whipped Indians. The procession much augmented was then re-formed and marched to Kimball Park, where literary •exercises were held. Mr. David F. Brown was President of the occasion. Prayer was oft'ered by Rev. Javan K. Mason, a native of Bethel. In a few well chosen words, Chairman Brown then intro duced Dr. Nathaniel T. True as the orator of the occasion, who gave a detailed account of the attack upon the little settlement, and of the incidents in the captivity of Segar and Clark. Albert S. Twitchell of Gorham, New Hampshire, also a native of Bethel, read a poem composed for and appropriate to the occasion, and with brief remarks by several others, the literary exercies were brought to a close. A picnic dinner followed. It was one of the largest audiences ever assembled in town. The oflflcers in charge of the celebration, beside those already mentioned, were : General com mittee of arrangements, Nathaniel T. True, Moses T. Cross, Good win R. Wiley and Richard A. Frye. Committee on the sham flght, William E. Skillings, Leander T. Barker, Addison E. Herrick, H. Clinton Barker and Frank B. Tuell. OflScers of the parade, William E. Skillings, Leander T. Barker, Addison E. Herrick, Dwight C. Rose and H. Clinton Barker. Among the elderly persons present were Thaddeus Bartlett, John Y. Dustin, Ayers Mason, Gilman Chapman, Nathaniel Swan, George Grover, Alphin Twitchell, Eleazer Twitchell, Isaac C. Cross and Francis Barker. Some of these were sons and others grandsons of the early settlers, and Eleazer Twitchell was the son of that Captain Eleazer Twitchell who was captured by the Indians, made his escape and remained concealed in the woods all night. Only ten years have elapsed since this celebration took place, and yet the President and orator of the day, and nearly all of the elderly people mentioned as being present, have died. 428 HISTORY OF BETHEL. The late Daniel G. York is responsible for the statement that the road from Bethel station to the Mills Brown house was built in eigh teen hundred and nineteen, and that the committee to locate it con sisted of Abel Wheeler, Francis Keyes and John Thompson, all of Rumford. In the year eighteen hundred and twenty-three, the same committee located the road from the mouth of Bear river to Umba gog lake. - It was then expected that this would be a great thorough fare from the upper Coos region to Portland, but such hopes never have been and are not likely to be realized. The building of the Atlantic and Saint Lawrence railroad, and the opening of the Coos Division of the Maine Central road, have established outlets for the great north country, which will probably never be essentially changed. In the year eig'hteen hundred and eighteen, there were no bridges across either Bear or Sunday river, and Mr. York related a little experience he had when only eight years of age. His father then lived on the place since known as the Leander Jewett farm, and his grandfather, Abraham Russell who was visiting there, wished to have Daniel go home with him. Sunday river had recently expe rienced a rise, but as the general muster was to come off the next day, Mr. Russell could not wait for the waters to subside, so he boldly entered the swollen river, but in a moment the wagon floated, and the body becoming detached, Daniel was thrown out, and succeeded in reaching the opposite bank, but he hardly knew how. The horse was drowned, and Mr. Russell clinging to the bottom of the wagon, floated down stream until his frail bark caught on a root and held fast. Daniel procured help, and Mr. Russell was rescued from his perilous position, by throwing a piece of wood with a rope attached, into the river, above which Mr. Russell caught, and was pulled ashore. The memory of those who set out the shade trees around the Common and on the street sides of Bethel Hill, will remain fragrant as long as these trees shall live. In many cases offerings of thanks will be bestowed upon unknown persons, but where the names are known they should be handed down as doers of good deeds for the benefit of those coming after them. The street along the east side of the Common was once called Straw street, because O'Neil W. Robinson, Moses Mason and John Hastings lived upon this street and their wives were sisters, and before marriage, bearing the name . HISTORY OF BETHEL. 429 of Straw. The trees surrounding the common on the north side, were set out by Hon. Robert A. Chapman ; those opposite Judge Foster's place, by the early proprietor of the place, O'Neil W. Rob inson ; those opposite the Mason place by Dr. Moses Mason, and those against the Hastings place by John Hastings, the old village blacksmith. Hiram Ellingwood, a grandson of Captain Eleazer Twitchell, and formerly a hotel keeper here, set out the trees in front of Major Gideon A. Hasting's place, and also in front of the Elms hotel. Many of the shade trees at the upper end of the vil lage, and many of those around the academy were planted by stu dents. Doctor True, while he had charge of the academy, made it the duty of the young men of the school, to plant each, at least, one tree, as a memento of their school days, and for the embellishment of the academy grounds. He usually hinted also, that if agreeable to the student, a second tree might be planted upon his premises at the upper end of the village, and it was generally done. The beauty of the village is due largely to its beautiful shade trees, and those students including the writer, who toted maples, elms and other young trees from the woods and set them out, as others have fre quently done, both actually and figuratively, "planted better than they knew." A writer in the Bethel Courier in eighteen hundred and flfty-nine, gives a little sketch of the appearance and business of Bethel Hill, which possesses some interest by comparison with the village thirty- two years later, starting from the railway station, which he said needed remodelling. He spoke of the dry goods and grocery busi ness, and also the hardware business carried on by Mason & Com pany, which meant Charles and Oliver H., and Mighill Mason. He spoke of the taste even then, in the construction of buildings, and remarked that hardly an inferior looking building could be found in the whole village. Passing into Chapman street, Kilgore's carriage manufactory was complimented, and notice taken of the sash and blind factory not yet completed. Passing up Main street, the fur niture shops of Robertson & Goddard were noticed, and also Small's photographic gallery. Mason street was looked into where several buildings had been erected, and which the writer predicted would become a pleasant part of the village. Swift & Foster's store was next noticed, and the well kept post oflSce therein. The office of Samuel F. Gibson, Attorney at Law, was here, and the tailor's shop of Patrick H. McCloskey. The 430 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Bethel Courier oflflce was near by, and the two jewelry stores kept by Russell & Abbot. Blake's grocery store received due attention, and across the way, Chapman's block, occupied by Alfred Twitch ell, cordwainer, Richard A. Frye, lawyer, Hiram Young, saddler, Doctor Grandin, dentist. Young's shoe store and the millinery establishment by Abbie A. and Susan Russell. Surely, here was a busy hive, and a great variety of employments. Robert A. Chap man's store, known for a generation to everj'body in town, and long occupied by him and his brother Deacon Elbridge, was the next place noticed, and then striking clear across the broad common, the block of stores occupied by Ira C. Kimball, William J. Hayden and William H. and Frank Chandler were spoken of. Here, also, was the law oflflce of O'Neil W. Robinson, Junior. The Bethel House, then occupied by the Chandlers, but since burned, stood south of the block of stores, and all were burned together in war time. Reynold's blacksmith shop was the flrst busi ness place on the Mill hill road, and then came the carriage factory of Burnham & Mead. On the Island, a little below where the Mill Brook divides, and a little above where its waters re-unite, stood the saw and grist mills as they still stand. Opposite was the large tannery operated by David F. and Robbins Brown, and by their father, Robbins Brown, before them. Ah ! there have been sad changes here. The tannery is seen looking shabby and run-down, but the Browns, fathers, husbands, wives and children sleep the sleep that knows no waking. Two of the sons died in the war for the Union, and two more have since passed away ; one of the fathers died by his own hand, and one of the mothers became insane ; all, save one, found premature graves, and it was a terrible wreck of two good and highly respected families. The Courier writer then spoke of Clough's starch factory, and farther along, the carding and cloth-dressing mills once operated by Moses T. Cross. The writer then ascends the Mill Hill, and notes the blacksmith shops of Captain Samuel H. Chapman and John Hastings. Two flne churches on Church street were noticed, and then Kimball Park or Common was visited, and the prediction made, which has already been verifled, that some day it would become one of the most attractive places in the village. The little hamlet known as Bean's Corner, situated on the south side of the river, was formerly a place of much more importance than it is now. Thaddeus Bartlett once owned the land in this HISTORY OF BETHEL. 43I vicinity, and afterwards it became the property of his sons. Ball and Thaddeus P. Bartlett, and the old homestead was subsequently occu pied by his son-in-law, George Kimball. The flrst store built here was by Thaddeus P. Bartlett, who traded in it for a number of years. Ball Bartlett kept a hotel, which was well patronized half a century ago. The place took the name of Bean's Corner, when Eliphaz C. Bean, then a young man, nearly sixty years ago, took the store and operated it for many years. May and other military trainings, and the fall musters made the place quite lively at times,. and as the people in this region were convivial in their habits, assemblies were very common in autumn and winter, both at Bart lett's and Bean's. Dealing in ardent spirits formed no small part of the business, and the Washingtonian movement and subsequent agitation of the temperance question was very damaging to the chief interest of the place. The early blacksmith here was Joseph Ayer, who came from Standish. But neither trader, hotel-keeper, carpen ter nor blacksmith depended entirely for their living upon these branches of business, but each did more or less farming, and when their business fell off, they had something substantial to fall back upon. Mrs. Betsey Segar who was the daughter of Arnold Powers, was the tailoress for this region, and she was a very capable one. She made many a young man happy with his flrst fulled cloth suit, including a frock coat with gilt buttons. The place has never grown much, but there are quiet, happy homes here, and the inter vale farms are fertile and productive. The heads of families of flfty years ago, with the exception of Eliphaz C. Bean, are for the most part dead, and those of that period who survive, have long since moved away. The Washingtonian movement which swept over the country late in the thirties, struck the region of Bean's Corner and produced a wonderful change there in a very short time. Middle aged men and some who had passed middle life, and who had always been in the habit of drinking more or less, became interested and signed the- pledge, and not a few of them kept it to their dying day. They held meetings at the school house, and the excitement partook of much of the nature of a revival of religion. They confessed their previous sins, exhorted each other to stand flrmly to their pledges, and invited the wavering to join them. But perfect harmony did not always prevail at these meetings. I was present on one occa sion when one of the speakers confessed that he had often been. 432 HISTORY OF BETHEL. •drunk, and, said he, "there are those here who have seen me intoxi cated ;" "that is so," interposed one of his neighbors who sat near, "I have seen you drunk many a time." The flrst speaker turning toward him, and shaking his flsts at his face, exclaimed in thunder tones, "the same to yourself, sir; I have often seen you drunk." JSTo doubt both told the truth, but the speaker preferred to confess 'his own faults than be told of them. David Marshall who flrst settled on the Sanborn place near Ken dall's ferry, and was frightened away by the Indian raid and did not return, was in the battle of Bunker Hill. He used to tell the story how, during the heat of the engagement his right hand man was shot down, and well he knew who had done the deed, for he saw him step out from behind a tree, and taking deadly aim, discharge his piece. Marshall expected his turn would come next, but hastily loading his gun, he pointed it at the spot where the enemy soon re appeared, and both pieces were discharged at the same time. The enemy's ball grazed Marshall's side, but the moment his piece was discharged he dropped it, and fell, pierced through the body by Marshall's better directed bullet. The death of his fellow soldier was avenged, and a haughty veteran sent to take away the liberties ¦of the colony, was rendered powerless, and yet, Marshall said he could hardly express his feelings of sorrow that he had killed a fellow-man, though an enemy to his country, and in self-defence. In the second Bull Run battle. General Cuvier Grover showed ¦courage rarely equalled during the whole war. It was on this occasion that General Heintzelman, in whose command was Grover's brigade, in his report stated, that "Grover's brigade made the most gallant and determined bayonet charge of the war. He broke two of the enemy's lines, but was flnally repulsed by the overwhelming num bers of the rebel third line. It was a hand to hand conflict, using the bayonet and the butt of the musket. In this flerce conflict of not more than twenty minutes duration, the brigade numbering about two thousand, lost four hundred and eighty-four, mostly killed and wounded." The brigade was made up of the second New Hampshire, the first, eleventh and sixteenth Massachusetts, and the twenty-sixth Pennsylvania. The force of the enemy which they charged was Stonewall Jackson's corps numbering nearly thirty thousand, and Jackson in his report, speaks of it as a determined and hand to hand attack, and says the advance by the Federals was HISTORY OF BETHEL. 433 made "in defiance of our fatal and destructive fire, and with great determination." Had Grover been properly supported, his charge would have been a great success, but as it was, it is a marvel that any of them came out alive. In the early days, trout were much more plenty in the Andros coggin than now, and in some of the eddies, the patient and skilful angler was often well rewarded for his toil. On one occasion, a nervous and somewhat eccentric individual, whose name it may not be best to mention, but whom we will call "Johnny," undertook to recover a trout in a unique, and what proved to be a dangerous way. He had succeeded in hooking a large trout, but the hold was not strong, and after the fish had broken water, he freed himself from the hook. Entirely oblivious of the fact that the water was at least ten feet deep, and that he could not swim any more than a rock, our fisherman instantly leaped in after the fleeing beauty, and was rescued with extreme diflflculty by his companions who happened to be near. This same individual had his own peculiar views with regard to marriage obligations, and having lost one wife and being about to be married to a second, he employed a Justice of the Peace to do the legal part of the ceremony. The Justice was obligating the proposed wife, using the usual formula of "love and obey," when he was suddenly brought to by the bridegroom with the injunction, "stop right there ;" I want you to insert after the word "obey,'' the words, "all reasonable commands." The Justice who was a novice at the business, was considerably thrown out of bias, but finally recovered himself and finished the ceremony. "Tommy" lived at the lower part of the town and was a charac ter in his way. He had no school privileges when young, and so had no education. He bought twoVild lots of land between Locke's Mills and the Androscoggin, before the Otter pond road was built, put him up a shanty, and while his mother (his father having died) did the housework, he attacked the forest and cleared his lands. After a time he was married, and then he threw his old mother upon the town. He became a forehanded farmer, but it seemed almost like retributive justice, that adverse circumstances in later years, should make him a town charge. His first wife died early of con sumption, and he married a second. She also was a feeble woman, and he always claimed that he had been cheated. Speaking of the 28 434 HISTORY OF BETHEL. circumstances : "Why," he would say, "when I went to see her, her friends had collected all the yarn in the neighborhood and hung it up around her room and made me think it was her own spinning ;" "and now," continued he, "she hasn't seen a well day since I owned her, and it will take two or three hundred dollars to get her through." He always blamed his father for spending property which, according to the terms of a will, was to come to him and his brother, only the father was to have his maintenance out of it, and it took it all. The father died and was buried in the field upon the new farm, and nothing having been put up to mark the spot, its situation was soon lost, and for more than seventy seasons this field has been cultivated or mowed, and the identity of the spot where sleeps a son of a Doctor of Divinity of Bolton, Mass., is lost for ever. But with all his uncouthness, and all his apparent roughness, "Tommy" was a thoroughly honest man, and a motto which he strictly adhered to was, to give honest measure, and render to every man his exact due. He also had a soft and tender side to his heart, and no real sufferer ever appealed to him in vain. His lack of education and of knowledge of the world, rendered him suspic ious, and having suffered on several occasions by being swindled, he came to look upon all who approached him as cheats. It is not often that a man complains that his taxes are too low, but such was the case with "Tommy." One of his neighbors who owned less land was assessed a much greater amount of taxes, and on finding it out, "Tommy" went to the assessors for justice. He owned nearly twice as much land, he said, as his neighbor had, and he could not see why he should not be taxed as much. Whether he found the assessors in an obliging mood has not been transmitted, but it is certainly to be hoped he did. Though not an habitual drinker, yet like most men of his age and time, "Tommy" would occasionally indulge in a social glass, and sometimes he would take on a little too much. On the occasion of the raising of the frame of the woolen factory at Locke's Mills, (long since burned,) there was a social dance, to which all were invited. "Tommy" had been imbibing quite freely and concluded to remain and "trip the light fantastic toe," and his grotesque figure, to say nothing of his antics in the mazy dance, caused great merriment. Late in the evening he mounted his horse and started for home, arriving at which, the horse tried to stop, but "Tommy" insisted that the horse was mis taken, and applying the stick, he forced the animal to go three miles HISTORY OF BETHEL. 435 farther, and when he in a measure, had come to himself, he turned about and reached home near daylight. Absorbed in the exploits of the evening before, he called up his wife and the hired man to see him dance, and no wild Indian in full war paint ever cut up more antics than Tommy did upon that kitchen floor. Finally he jumped upon the table ready set for breakfast, and overturning it, fell sprawling, with broken crockery all around him, and this ended the performance. Samuel Goss was an early settler in Bethel, on the farm after wards owned by Richard Estes. He afterward removed to what is known as Red Hill, in Rumford. He was possessed of a flne real estate in Massachusetts, left him by his father. Rev. Thomas Goss, which he exchanged for wild, eastern lands. He was not brought up to labor, and was not a business man, and so the transactioa proved his flnancial ruin. It also affected his sons, his male heirs being the legatees according to the terms of his father's will, after he had his maintenance out of the property. One of his sons, AbiaL Goss, settled in Cambridge, Mass., and became quite wealthy. He was a carpenter and contractor. Wolves were quite plenty in Bethel when the early settlers came,, aud their howling at night has caused many a mother to shudder and press her helpless babe closer to her bosom, while she thanked the Lord for the shelter and protection which their rudely con structed house afforded. They were often destructive to sheep, and would sometimes attack and overpower cattle. But the last wolf left Bethel many years ago. It was about sixty years ago, when I was a child and we lived in a clearing at the east part of the town, that in winter our attention was called by some one of the family, to two animals which came into the opening in the gray of the early morning, and seemed in no haste to go away. The patriarch of the family pronounced them wolves, and a large hunt ing dog named "Colonel," was put after them and quickly sent them to cover in the woods. Then some neighbors came with another dog, called Major, and they followed the fugitives the entire day in the direction of Canada, but did not get sight of them. But those who followed their tracks agreed with the patriarch that they were wolves, which they undoubtedly were. I only remember that they were gray and gaunt, looked much alike and much like the pictures of wolves in the story books. 436 HISTORY OF BETHEL. As late as the forties, bears were quite plenty in the woods around the base of Goss mountain, and in the woods at the south of the mountain, which extended to Alder river. Along Alder brook, be tween the base of the Goss mountain and Alder river, back of the "Dug-away" hill, as it was called, the bears had regular beaten paths, and in passing at night along the road which ran along par allel with the brook and on the opposite side of the Dug-away hill, the growling of bears could sometimes be heard, and the calling sounds of the cubs. Our patriarch once set a trap in one of the paths, and we were all greatly excited a day or two after, when it was found that the trap was missing. A clog was attached to the trap to impede the bear's progress, and some of the neighbors hav ing turned out to witness the sport, the trail was easily followed and ibruin brought to bay within half a mile of the place where he was ¦caught. He was held by a sappling against which the clog had caught, and was dreadfully ferocious. A good sized dog which approached too near, was tossed into the air and landed ten feet away. After watching him for a few moments, a well directed ball ^ut him out of his misery. This was the last bear I saw executed, and it was about flfty years ago. Our patriarch was something of a bear hunter, and on one occa sion when he had a piece of corn on new land nearly half a mile from home, and found that the bears w^ere destroying it, he set a ;gun, by attaching a line to the trigger, so that if the bear should run against the line he would flre the gun and perhaps get the ball through his head or body. Near the middle of the night, the forest echoes were awakened by the sound of the gun, and so excited was the patriarch that he could not wait until daylight to learn the result, but dressing himself, he went alone through the woods to the corn fleld, and soon. returned with the information that a huge bear had shot himself and was lying dead near the place where he had received the fatal bullet. By the aid of neighbors, he was brought to the house on the following morning, where we all could inspect him. He was a monster bear, and terrible even in death to the group of children that surveyed him, from what they considered a safe distance. I thought at the time and I have thought since, that it required no small amount of courage on the part of the patriarch to get up at midnight and go off through the woods to the place where the gun had been discharged, with the chance of finding, not a dead bear, but a wounded one, and from which, in the darkness, he might have found it difficult to escape. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 437 The following statistics respecting the adjoining town of Mason were written down by the late Dr. Moses Mason. The town of Mason was run out into lots by Jason Sherman in eighteen hundred and twenty-flve. In eighteen hundred and twenty-seven, Moses Mason built mills there. The town was incorporated in eighteen hundred and forty-three, and named in honor of Moses Mason. At that time the following were residents, being heads of families : Jonathan Everett, Benjamin Bean, Ebenezer Bean, Jonathan Bean, Amos Bean, Peregrine Duston, Charles Burk, Chapman Brackett, Jeremiah Grover, Cyrus Mills, James Mills, Artemas Mason, John Paine, James A. Paine, Levi Shaw, Nathaniel Tyler, Nathaniel Tyler, Jr., and William Tyler. The border town of Gilead which joins Bethel on the west, form erly called Peabody's patent, was settled about the year seventeen hundred and eighty-one. The first three settlers were Oliver Pea body, Enoch Messer and a Mr. Pettingill, who was killed by the Indians after they had raided Bethel. The next settlers were the Larys, Joseph, Joseph, Jr., and Jonathan, and Mr. David Blake, who afterwards came to Bethel and built mills. This was in seven teen hundred and eighty-eight. Four years later came Thomas Peabody, then John Bennett and John Mason. In seventeen hun dred aud ninety-six, seven settlers purchased as many ranges of lots with a view of settling. They were Eliphaz Chapman, Jr., John Swan, Ephraim Wight, John Bennett, William Lucas, Samuel Wheeler and James Rogers. Others who came at the same time but did not buy land, were Timothy Bepnett, James Wiles and Andrew Gould. The first deaths were of Mrs. Blake, Mrs. Swan and Mrs. Lucas, all caused by consumption. Blake built a mill on Wild river but the flrsit freshet swept it away. By the aid of his neighbors he rebuilt it, but it was again carried away, and discour aged, he ga've it up and left the town. After the death of his wife, Lucas sold to Isaac Adams and went to Canada. During the absence of Adams, his wife attempted to cross the river in a small boat with her sister, her child, Sarah Bradley, a girl of twelve years, and Joseph Blodgett. The boat was capsized and all perished except Miss Lydia Twitchell, the sister of Mrs. Adams. Eliphalet Burbank from Bradford, Mass., came to Gilead in eighteen hun dred and two, and bought a fine interval farm of Lieut. Lary. He was accompanied by Samuel Barker, who settled in Bethel. Mr. 438 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Burbank moved into the town the following winter, hauling his household goods from Bradford with teams of six oxen and two horses. He was an enterprising man, a good farmer and a valuable addition to the colony. He had six sons, one of whom, Jedediah Burbank came to Bethel, and two daughters. He died in Gilead in eighteen hundred and sixteen. George W. Chapman was also an early resident in Gilead, and both he and his brother represented the town in the Legislature. Samuel Barker came to Bethel and bought of Daniel Clark, the farm afterwards owned by his son Francis Barker, and is still in the family. Mr. Barker was the pro prietor of Barker's Ferry and gave name to it. The Larys of Gilead moved to Shelburne and Gorham, New Hampshire, and have been prominent in those towns. They came from Wolfboro, New Hampshire, and were connected with the Messers and Blakes. A musical genius was Hosea Ripley. He was not a native of Bethel, but he lived at South Bethel many years and died there. He taught the old-fashioned singing schools at the lower part of the town and in adjoining towns nearlj' fifty years ago, and was con sidered an excellent instructor. He organized a band at Bryant's Pond and one in Bethel, and perhaps in other places. He could play with ease upon every kind of wind or stringed instrument, and was therefore in great demand as a teacher of bands. He had a fine voice for singing, and all these qualities, while they did not bring riches as they almost never do, they did bring him much enjoyment and made him a general favorite. Capt. John Harris in politics, was an ardent whig, and when the whigs gained the day, whether in the State or nation, he believed in celebrating it. In the campaign of eighteen hundred and forty- eight, when General Taylor was elected President, a few whig young men hauled the cannon to the Common and made preparations to fire a salute. The piece stood in front of the Doctor Mason house, and the Doctor who was a strong democrat, came out and objected to the firing, giving as a reason that the concussion would break his window glass. The boys hardly knew what to do, but just then Captain Harris came along, and learning the situation, he took a good look at Doctor Mason's house, and then exclaimed, "seven by nine glass, boys, touch her oft' and I'll pay the bills," and touch her off they did, and when they were done Captain Harris had no small bill to settle. RIVER VIEW, MOUNT WILL, HISTORY OF BETHEL. 439 A most enjoyable man was Jonathan Abbot Russell, who lived on the Middle Interval road, and a more enjoyable family than his, when they were all at home, never has it been my lot to meet. Mr. Russell was born in Bethel and was full of reminiscences of the early town. He was a veteran school teacher, and probably had more pupils under his charge than any other Bethel man. His sons and daughters, after attending the tcwn schools and a few terms at the academy, became teachers of public schools. But there seemed to be a fatality attending the family and every member thereof. The father died before he could be called old, then the mother and children dropped off one by one, and in a very few brief years, there was not one left. Betsey, Sarah, Matilda, Lavater and Solon, all had passed over that mysterious river which none are permitted ever to re-cross. No friends are dearer to us than those of our school days, and how deeply we regret their loss when they pass away in the ordinary course of nature ; but when a whole and interesting family are swept away in early man and womanhood, it leaves a void in the school circle as well as in the heart, which on earth can never be filled. To perpetuate the memory of early and dear friends is the object of this brief paragraph. The beautiful view opposite this page, may be seen on any day on the road below Mayville toward Newry Corner. It is only one of scores if not of hundreds that might be selected along the river in its serpentine course through the town. It was on a bright, early summer day when this view was taken, and light and shade are beautifully blended at some points, and quite distinct at others. On the left bank of the river and the right of the picture, is the Sanborn place, first occupied by David Marshall, who deserted it at the time of the Indian raid, and afterwards by the Bean family. On the left, opposite, is the Merrill place, from which the old ruin of a house has been but recen'tly removed. It will be noticed that the river here makes a sharp turn, being thrown out of its course by the wooded upland at the left of the picture. The mountain which forms the background is Mount Will, situated in the town of Newry, and is wooded nearly to its summit. It is such a combination of river meadow, forest and mountain, which can be grouped in one small picture, that gives the peculiar charm to Bethel scenery. Consider Cole w-as a Greenwood man, but he was often at Bethel Hill and when there, provided he had the means to gratify his insa- 440 HISTORY OF BETHEL. tiable appetite for drink, he was sure to become intoxicated. On one occasion he crept into the school house which stood near Rob ertson's shop, intending to spend the night there. It was a bitter cold night, and seeing him enter I followed him. He was camped upon the floor, and when I entered, he lifted his head, and resting it upon his hand, his elbow on the floor, he peered into my face and said, "are you the school committee? if you be, won't you have glass set in the windows to keep out the wind." I took him to the tavern where he had obtained his drink, and by a little coaxing and a few threats of prosecution, induced the landlord to take care of him for the night. At another time, I with another, found him late at night in a horse-shed, upon the ground, in a drunken stupor. It was a bitter night and the glittering stars looked coldly down upon the snow-clad earth. We raised him up, aud each taking an arm, walked him off toward warmer quarters. As we were going along, he turned upon me, and having some idea where he might be going or ought to go, with a drunken leer, he enquired, "be you the devil?" Our interference on this occasion doubtless saved his life, for he could not have outlived that frigid night. Consider enlisted and went to the war and never returned, which was, perhaps, just as well. He could not resist an appetite long indulged and which was hereditary. His father, lying before an open flre in a drunken sleep, was roasted alive, and the whole family were slaves to the intoxicating cup. Consider and his brother did not marry, and the family has become extinct. The early settlers were subject to many trials in their efforts to make homes in the wilderness, and not the least of their troubles was the prevalence of forest flres. At one time in autumn when the ground was covered with leaves as dry as tinder, for it was in a season of extreme drouth, fires raged on Pine mountain, and from that elevation the cinders were driven by the winds and caught in many places. It caught in the woods on the western slope of Grover Hill, and a little to the west of Joseph Wheeler's house, and in a short time the entire forest in that direction was filled with flame. The house was of bark-covered logs, and it seemed impos sible to save it. Neighbors came to the rescue and worked with a will, but fell back, saying it was no use to expose themselves farther. James Wheeler then a young man, refused to withdraw, and appealed to the others not to give up, at the same time scraping the bark from the burning logs. This encouraged, or perhaps HISTORY OF BETHEL. 441 shamed the others, who renewed the attack on the flery element, and after much effort, begrimed with dust, almost blinded by smoke, and exhausted by their efforts, they gained the victory and the house was saved. This is only one of many similar occurrences while the early settlers were clearing- up their farms. Joseph Wheeler who settled on Grover Hill and came to town somewhat later than the Grovers, was a strong man, and his large family was an important addition to the plantation. His wife was also a model housekeeper and a veritable help-mate. She was strong and vigorous, tipping the beam at two hundred pounds and enjoyed excellent health. When they came to Sudbury Canada from their home in southern New Hampshire, they journeyed on an ox-sled in early winter, the wife and mother sitting upon a bushel measure, a boy four years old on one side, one of two on the other, and a babe in her lap. They spent the winter at the house of Mrs. Wheeler's brother, and in early spring settled upon their own land. Labor soon met with its just reward. The forests gave place to cultivated fields, an orchard was provided, and two of the first three trees set out are still standing and are quite vigorous, one of them bearing ten bushels of apples the past year. It is a monster, its trunk being over two feet in diameter. They also planted plum, pear and cherry trees, provided for a large kitchen garden and were soon surrounded with plenty and lived long to enjoy it. The four stalwart sons of Elijah Grover, namely, Elijah, Jr., Nathan, George W. and Jeremiah, settled upon adjoining lands on the "Flat" road, leading southerly from West Bethel, and in physi cal strength, they were probably unequalled by an equal number in any neighborhood in town. Fortunately they were peaceable men, and devoted their great strength to the subjugation of the soil. Nor were they at all wanting in intellectual endowments, and as citizens they were everything that could be desired. Two of them, after a time, strayed away and both died in distant States, while the other two lived to be aged and were gathered to their fathers upon the soil they had aided in redeeming from the wilderness. Their lives though for the most part "along the cool, sequestered vale," were fraught with good deeds, and their works of charity and benevo lence will hold their names in grateful remembrance. Eight orphan children, adopted, clothed, fed and educated by one couple, and sent away fully equipped for the conflict of life. This is a record as 442 HISTORY OF BETHEL. rare as it is praiseworthy ; a deed raised far above the level of ordi nary charity, and which places the names of Nathan and Lucinda Grover high on the roll of benefactors. The lives of both Nathan and George W. Grover were singularly blameless, and it may be truly said of them that the world was made better by their example. The sudden death of Dr. Philantheus C. Wiley when in the prime and vigor of manhood and in the midst of what promised to be a distinguished career of usefulness in the medical profession, was greatly deplored by a large circle of patrons aud friends. He grad uated from Bowdoin College in the class of eighteen hundred and sixty-one, studied medicine with his father and took his degree from the Maine Medical school in eighteen hundred and sixty-four. He at once returned to Bethel and commenced practice, for which he had a peculiar aptitude. In a comparatively short time, he had an -extensive practice in this and the neighboring towns, and was often •called to the remote regions around the head waters of the Andros coggin. It was while returning from a professional visit iu the Megalloway country that, in crossing Umbagog lake, the boat by «ome mischance was upset, and encumbered as he was with cloth ing. Dr. Wiley was unable to keep his head above the surface and soon sank to the bottom . It was a sudden and sad going out of one -of the most popular young men ever raised in town . A model smithy was John Hastings, who long carried on the busi ness at Bethel Hill. He was a flne specimen of muscular manhood, and Longfellow accurately described him when he wrote : "The smith a mighty man is he. With large and sinewy hands ; Aud the muscles of his braw-ny arms Are strong as iron bands.'' To the boy and girl there is something intensely interesting in the operations of the blacksmith shop, and it was a favorite resort of academy scholars when I was enrolled at Gould's. With what won der we watched the process of forging the horse shoe from the steel •or iron bar, and the more delicate job of hammering out the nail with which to fasten it on. All was hand work then. He was a very industrious man, and, "Week in, week out, from morn till night. You could hear his bellows blow- ; You could hear him swing his heavy sledge fl'ith measured beat aud slow-.'' HISTORY OF BETHEL. 443 He died when by no means old, and that was the fate of most of Ms father's family. He left a number of sons who have made their mark, and honored their native town. CHAPTER XXXIII. Official Register — Selectmen. 1796. John Kilgore, Jonathan Clark, Jonathan Bartlett. 1797. Jesse Duston, Jonathan Clark, Jeremiah Andrews. 1798. Jesse Duston, Eleazer Twitchell, Jeremiah Andrews. 1799. Eli Twitchell, Gideon Powers, Oliver Fenno. 1800. Eli Twitchell, John Duston, John Holt. 1801. Eliphaz Chapman, Timothy Carter, Phineas Howard. 1802. Eli Twitchell, John York, John Holt. 1803. Eli Twitchell, John York, John Holt. 1804. Eli Twitchell, John Holt, Asa Kimball. 1805. Eli Twitchell, John Holt, Asa Kimball. 1806. Eleazer Twitchell, Nathan Adams, John Kilgore. 1807. Eli Twitchell, John Kilgore, Peregrine Bartlett. 1808. John Kilgore, Jr., Isaac Town, Samuel Kimball. 1809. John Kilgore, Jr., Samuel Kimball, Jonathan Abbot. 1810. Jonathan Kilgore, Jr., Jonathan Abbot, Peter York. 1811. Eli Twitchell, Jonathan Abbot, Peter York. 1812. Eli Twitchell, Jonathan Abbot, John Holt. 1813. John Kilgore, Jonathan Abbot, Samuel Kimball. 1814. John Kilgore, Jonathan Abbot, Samuel Kimball. 1815. Reuben Bartlett, Samuel Chapman, Barbour Bartlett. 1816. Eli Twitchell, Samuel Chapman, Elias Bartlett. 1817. Samuel Chapman, Peter York, Jonas Willis. 1818. Jonathan Abbot, Samuel Chapman. Asa Kimball. 1819. Jonathan Abbot, Samuel Chapman, Peter York. 1820. Timothy Carter, John Grover, John Holt. 1821. Timothy Carter, Samuel Chapman, Peregrine Bartlett. 1822. Phineas Frost, Samuel Chapman, Peter York. 1823. Timothy Carter, Phineas Frost, James Walker. 1824. Phineas Frost, Jedediah Burbank, Timothy Hastings. 1825. Same. 1826. Phineas Frost, Jedediah Burbank, Ebenezer Eames. 1827. Wm. Frye, Adam Willis, Jonathan Abbot. 1828. Phineas Frost, Jedediah Burbank, Timothy Hastings. 1829. Phineas Frost, Moses Mason, Israel Kimball. 1830. Moses Mason, Israel Kimball, Elias Bartlett. 1831. Moses Mason, Israel Kimball, Spencer Drake. 1832. Moses Mason, Ebenezer Eames, Spencer Lk-ake. 1833. Moses Mason, Norman Clark, Reuben B. Foster. 444 HISTORY OF BETHEL. 1834.1835. 1836.1837.1838.1839. 1840.1841. 1842.1843. 1844.1845. 1846. 1847.1848.1849. 1850. 1851.1852.1853. 1854. 1855. 1856. man. 1857.1858.1859. 1860.1861.1862.1863.1864.1865. 1866.1867. Crockett. 1868. Wheeler. 1869.1870. dard. 1871. Wheeler. 1872. ball. 1873. man. 1874.1875.1876. Phineas Frost, Jedediah Burbank, Timothy Hastings.. Same. Phineas Frost, Timothy Hastings, John B. Mason.. Phineas Frost, Edmund Merrill, John B. Mason. Israel Kimball, Moses Mason, Phineas Frost. Moses Mason, Israel Kimball, Elhanan Bartlett.. Same. Same.Phineas Frost, Ebenezer Eames, Nathan Grover. John Grover, Nathan Grover, Wm. Goddard. Moses Mason, Wm. Goddard, Elias M. Carter. Phineas Frost, Ebenezer Eames, Elias M. Carter. Elias M. Carter, John Y. Duston, Alphin Twitchell. Same. Moses Mason, Ebenezer Eames, Eliphaz C. Bean. Eliphaz C. Bean, Charles R. Locke, Tyler P. Town. Same. Charles R. Locke, John B. Mason, Elias S. Bartlett.. Phineas Frost, John B. Mason, Timothy Hastings. Elias M. Carter, Elias S. Bartlett, Eber Clough. Elias S. Bartlett, Eber Clough, Gilman L. Blake. Alphin Twitchell, Gilman L. Blake, Amos Young. Elias S. Bartlett, Clark S. Edwards, Timothy H. Chap- Same. Elias M. Carter, David F. Brown, Nathan W. Ethridge. Elias M. Carter, Eli Foster, John Barker. Same. John Barker, Oliver H. Mason, Zach. H. Bean. Same. Alphin Twitchell, Benj. T. Brown, Gilman P. Bean. Same.Gilman P. Bean, Israel G. Kimball, Sullivan R. Hutchins.. Elias M. Carter, Sullivan R. Hutchins, David F. Brown. David F. Brown, Samuel B. Twitchell, Charles T. D. Samuel B. Twitchell, Chas. T. D. Crockett, Elbridge G. Same.Samuel B. Twitchell, Gideon A. Hastings, Wm. H. God- Gideon A. Hastings, Wm. H. Goddard, Elbridge G. Gideon A. Hastings, Wm. H. Goddard, C. Mellen Kim- Elbridge G. Wheeler, Charles M. Kimball, Gilman Chap- Charles M. Kimball, John Barker, Daniel B. Grover. John Barker, Daniel B. Grover, Charles V. Martin. Same. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 445 1877. John Barker, Charles V. Martin, Gilman P. Bean. 1878. Daniel B. Grover, Gilman P. Bean, Wm. 0. Holt. 1879. Same. 1880. Daniel B. Grover, Gilman P. Bean, Charles V. Martin. 1881. Same. 1882. Same. 1883. Gideon A. Hastings, Elbridge G. Wheeler, Wm. R. Eames. 1884. Elbridge G. Wheeler, Wm. R. Eames, John D. Hastings. 1885. John Barker, Wm. B. Eames, John D. Hastings. 1886. Same. 1887. Gilman P. Bean, Albert W. Grover, Charles M. Kimball. 1888. Albert W. Grover, Charles M. Kimball, Eben S. Kilborn. 1889. Same. 1890. Same. Town Clerks. 1796-1800. Benjamin Russell. 1801-1812. Timothy Carter. 1813-1815. .John Holt. 1816-1833. Barbour Bartlett. 1834-1840. William Frye. 1841. Elias M. Carter. 1842-1843. Eliphaz C. Bean. 1844-1845. Ira C. Kimball. 1846-1847. Hiram Holt. 1848-1849. Mighill Mason. 1850-1851. Gideon A. Hastings. 1852. Wm. Frye. 1853-1854. Israel G. Kimball. 1855-1857. Benjamin Freeman. 1858-1860. Charles Mason. 1861-1862. Albert L. Burbank. 1863. Albert S. Twitchell. 1864. Oliver H. Mason. 1865-1866. Charles Mason. 1867. Enoch Foster, Jr. 1868-1873. Leander T. Barker. 1874-1876. Goodwin B. Wiley. 1877-1891. Leander T. Barker. Benjamin Russell, Eli Twitchell, James Walker, Barbour Bartlett, Jedediah Burbank, Elias Grover, Justices of the Peace. Eliphaz C. Bean, Thaddeus P. Bartlett, Mighill Mason, Phineas Frost, James Walker, 2d, Jonathan Abbott, 446 HISTORY OF BETHEL. John Grover, Moses Mason, Joel C. Virgin, Henry Ward, William Frye, O'Neil W. Robinson, Moses B. Bartlett, Robert A. Chapman, Leander Jewett, Samuel F. Gibson, O'Neil W. Robinson, Jr., Albert L. Burbank, Oliver H. Mason, Spencer Drake, Gilman L. Blake, Enoch Foster, Enoch W. Woodbury, Addison E. Herrick, Timothy Carter, Elias M. Carter, Abernethy Grover, Reuben B. Foster, Charles R. Locke, Aaron Cross, Erastus Hilborn, John B. Mason, Wm. B. Lapham, Charles Mason, David F. Brown, David Hammons, Amos Hills, Moses Soule, Richard A. Frye, Wm. E. Skillings, Ellery C. Park, Hiram Hodsdon, Joshua G. Rich, James H. Barrows, Leslie H. Mason. Representatives . The following Bethel men have represented the town, or the dis trict of which the town forms a part, in the State Legislature : Eliphaz Chapman, 1808-11. John Kilgore, 1811-12. Moses Mason, 1812-17. Samuel Chapman, 1818. Moses Mason, Jr., 1819. John Grover, 1820-1. Barbour Bartlett, 1822. Timothy Hastings, 1825-6. Phineas Frost, 1828-9. O'Neil W. Robinson, 1832. Asa Kimball, 1833-5. Ebenezer Eames, 1836-7. Phineas Frost, 1838-9. Timothy Hastings, 1840-1. William Frye, 1842-3. James Walker, 1845. Phineas Frost, 1846. Nathan Grover, 1849. Eliphaz C. Bean, 1851. Gideon A. Hastings, 1852. Phineas Frost, 1853. Ira C. Kimball, 1856-7. Eber Clough, 1858. Jedediah T. Kimball, 1861-2. John Barker, 1864-5. Israel G. Kimball, 1869-70. Moses C. Foster, 1871-2. «i Pinckney Burnham, 1875-6. Samuel B. Twitchell 1880-1. Charles M. Kimball, 1882-9. Addison E. Herrick, 1890. Senators. John Grover, 1827-30. William Frye, 1844-5. Robert A. Chapman, 1850-2. Almon Twitchell, 1856-7. Councillors. Moses Mason, 1843-5. Elias M. Carter, 1848. Abernethy Giover, 1856. Benjamin Freeman, 1858. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 447 Other State Officers. Enoch W. Woodbury, Trustee Insane Hospital. Enoch W. Woodbury, Valuation Commissioner, 1890. Enoch Foster, Associate Justice S. J. Court, 1884. CHAPTER XXXIV. Brief Sketch of Hanover. !HE component parts of Hanover are Howard's Gore and that part of original Bethel situated on the north side of the Androscoggin River, between Newry Corner and Rum ford. The town is somewhat triangular in form, the apex being at Newry line near the mouth of Bear River, and the base on Rumford line. The north. side borders on Newry south line, and the south line follows the course of the Androscoggin River. Bear mountain is on the north line, partly iu Newry, and Bartlett mountain is near the center of the town. Howard's Pond is situated in the north easterly part of the town, and its outlet flows southeasterly and into Androscoggin river about a mile from Rumford line. On this out let are several mills, which form the nucleus around which is Hano ver Villao-e. Howard's Gore was a tract of land left in running out the towns of Bethel, Newry and Rumford, and contained about twenty-one hundred acres. It was purchased of Massachusetts in seventeen hundred and ninety-two, by Phineas Howard of Temple, N. H., who soon after came to Bethel, and subsequently settled up on his gore. There is a broad belt of intervale next the Andros coggin, which, for fertility, is unsurpassed by any on the entire river. Back of this are table lands, upon which the buildings are erected, and still farther back from the river are uplands which afford excel lent grazing. There are also wooded hills, and the mountain sides are also covered with wood and timber. The north line of the town is about flfteen hundred rods ; on Rumford about six hundred and twenty-five rods, and on the river, about two thousand rods. Its superficial area is not far from three thousand seven hundred and flfty acres. The town of Hanover was incorporated by act of the Maine Legislature approved Februai-y fourteen, eighteen hundred and forty-three. In eighteen hundred and fifty, the population was 448 HISTORY OF BETHEL. two hundred and fifty-seven ; in eighteen hundred and sixty, it was precisely the same ; in eighteen hundred and seventy, it had fallen to one hundred and eighty-eight, and in eighteen hundred and eighty, it was two hundred and three. In eighteen hundred and sixty, there were sixty polls, and in eighteen hundred and eighty, sixty-seven. In eighteen hundred and sixty, the valuation was forty-five thousand seven hundred and two dollars, and in eighteen hundred and eighty, sixty-four thousand one hundred and twenty- four dollars. A pond containing about two hundred and flfty acres supplies the water power at Hanover Village. The outlet of the pond has a fall of about three hundred feet before it flows into the Androscoggin. It is a fine power and is considerably utilized. Howard's Gore was incorporated as a plantation March twenty- thiid, eighteen hundred and twelve. The warrant for calling the flrst plantation meeting was issued to Phineas Howard by Enoch Adams, Esq., of Andover, Justice of the Peace. The meeting was held at the house of Asa Howard, and the followiijg officers chosen : Moderator, Phineas Howard. Clerk, Asa Howard. Assessors, Ezra Smith, Stephen Saunders and Phineas Howard. Collector, Asa Howard. The flrst meeting to vote for State oflflcers was held April 6th of 1812, when five votes were polled for each of the several candidates. At the meeting in 1813, Phineas Howard was chosen Moderator, Asa Howard, Clerk, Phineas Howard, Stephen Saunders and Asa Howard, Assessors, Phineas Howard, Jr., Collector, Phineas How ard, Treasurer, and Stephen Saunders, highway surveyor. Ezra Smith was chosen surveyor of lumber. Voted seven dollars for plantation charges, and forty dollars for roads. In 1815, voted to abate widow Anna Bean's taxes. In 1816, it was voted to accept a road laid out from Phineas Howard's grist mill, southerly by Asa Howard's dwelling house to Bethel line ; also another road from said grist mill to the county road, a little westerly of Ezra Smith's place. This year the planta tion voted unanimously for separation from Massachusetts, polling seven votes. The collector was allowed a dollar and twenty-six cents for collecting the last year's taxes, and Asa Howard and others, one dollar each for services as assessors. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 449 In 1819, Phineas Howard was chosen moderator, Ezra Smith, clerk, Joshua Roberts, Phineas Howard and Phineas Frost, asses sors, Ezra Smith, treasurer and collector, and Stephen Saunders, surveyor of ways. Seventy-five dollars were raised for roads and ten for plantation charges. The plantation voted six in favor of separation from Massachusetts, and one against it. In 1820, Phineas Frost was chosen clerk, and other officers same as last year, except Ezra Smith was chosen first assessor, and Barrett Howard, collector. In 1821, Joshua Roberts was elected clerk. In 1822, Joshua Roberts was elected clerk, Phineas Howard, Barrett Howard and William Tripe, assessors, and Stephen Saun ders, treasurer. Voted to raise twenty-seven dollars for schooling, to be paid in wheat, rye, oats or corn — one dollar and fifty cents per bushel to be allowed for wheat, one dollar for corn and rye, and fifty cents for oats. This was the first appropriation for school purposes. In 1823, Stephen H. Sprague was chosen clerk. A committee was chosen to examine the bridge over "Stoney brook." Barrett Howard was elected clerk. Samuel Jewett was elected assessor and Nathaniel Jewett, collector. In 1826, Ebenezer Bartlett was chosen highway surveyor and assessor, and Ezra Smith, moderator, clerk and assessor. The plantation was divided into two school districts ; the three south east lots were called district number two, and all the rest of the plantation number three. Meetings were now held at the residence of Ebenezer Bartlett. Eleven votes were polled this year for Enoch Lincoln, for Governor. In 1827, John Y. Duston was chosen clerk, Ezekiel Jewett was assessor, and Sylvanus Lane, collector of taxes. One hundred and fifty dollars were raised for roads. Voted that future plantation meetings be held at the house of Washington Howard. In 1828, Peregrine Duston was chosen clerk. He was the son of Jesse Duston and the first male child born in Bethel. He was also chosen assessor and collector. Andrew Stiles was also one of the assessors. Voted to accept the road from Andrew Stiles' water privilege across the brook, to the old road near Phineas Howard's. In 1829, Caleb Perry was third assessor. It was voted to set off Caleb Perry from school district number one to Newry. Voted to set off Ebenezer Bartlett, Andrew Stiles and John Y. Duston from 450 HISTORY OF BETHEL. school district number two, to Bethel. Three highway surveyors were chosen, Caleb Perry, Ezekiel Jewett and Andrew Stiles. Fourteen votes were polled for Governor ; Samuel E. Smith had twelve, and Jonathan G. Hunton, two. In 1830, the following persons were taxed as residents of How ard's Gore, viz. : Stephen Saunders, Addison Saunders, Milton Roberts, Elijah Russell, Isaac Abbot, Chandler Duston, Phineas Howard, Ezekiel Jewett, Samuel Jewett, Ebenezer Bartlett, Wash ington Howard, Andrew Stiles, Eli Howe, Benjamin Foster, Wil liam Tripe, Ezra Smith, Caleb Perry, Sylvanus Lane, John Bean, Ambrose Powers and Stephen Saunders, Jr. The following were taxed as non-resident owners of land in the plantation, viz. : Peregrine Bartlett, Joel Howe, Jonathan Powers, Spencer Drake, Elhanan Bartlett and Edmund Segar. In 1832, Ezra Smith was chosen moderator, Andrew Stiles, clerk, Ezra Smith, Ebenezer Bartlett and Stephen Saunders, assessors, Andrew Stiles, treasurer, George W. Howard, Addison Saunders and Ambrose Powers, surveyors of roads, Andrew Stiles, surveyor of lumber, Ebenezer Bartlett, fence-viewer and Solomon J. Hay wood, field-driver. Voted to hold future plantation meetings in the school house in district number two. Samuel E. Smith had eleven votes for Governor, and Daniel Goodenow, nine. In 1833, Eli Howe was chosen first assessor, and Milton Roberts a highway surveyor. In 1834, Solomon J. Haywood was elected moderator, assessor, collector and highway surveyor. Fifty dollars and eighty cents were raised for schools. In 1835, Eli Howe was moderator and assessor, George E. Smith, Ezra Smith and Zebulon Black were chosen superintending school committee and Wheeler Abbot, field-driver. It was voted to pay Spencer Drake a note against Colman Hemmenway. In 1836, Andrew Stiles was elected moderator and clerk, and Benjamin Foster, school committee. In 1837, Eli Howe was elected clerk, Spencer Drake, school com mittee, Joseph Brown, collector, assessor and highway surveyor, and Eli Howe, treasurer. In 1838, Enoch Bartlett was allowed for former services. Asa Boyden was elected moderator. In 1839, Eli Howe was moderator and Gardiner G. Hoyt, clerk, constable and collector. Asa Boyden, Solomon J. Haywood and HISTORY OF BETHEL. 45 1 Gardiner G. Hoyt were chosen assessors. John Fairfield had thir teen votes for Governor, and Edward Kent, flfteen. The last recorded meeting in the plantation was held March 5, 1841. Spencer Drake was chosen moderator, Gardiner G. Hoyt, clerk, Spencer Drake, George E. Smith and Gilbert Howe, asses sors, Eli Howe, treasurer, collector and constable, Spencer Drake, George E. Smith and Gilbert Howe, school committee, S. F. Frost and Addison Saunders, highway surveyors, and Gardiner G. Hoyt, surveyor of wood and bark. Voted one hundred and fifty dollars for roads, twenty-five for plantation charges and fifty and one-half for schools. The plantation life of Howard's Gore covered a period of about thirty years. During those years, the affairs of the plantation appear to have been conducted with great economy and marked ability. The records were generally carefully kept, and two of the town clerks, namely, Asa Howard and Ezra Smith, must have been of superior ability and well educated. Their hand-writing is plain and systematic, and their orthography perfect. In two years after the close of the records here given, the plantation of Howard's Gore lost its identity by being merged into the town of Hanover. The persons whose names have herein been most conspicuous, have long since been gathered to their fathers, and their sons and grandsons; have succeeded them in town affairs. The settlers who cleared the land have left to their posterity a goodly heritage. The act incorporating the town of Hanover was approved by the Governor, February 14, 1843. The warrant for the first meeting was issued by Reuben B. Foster, Esq., to Gardiner G. Hoyt. The meeting was held at the school house near Howe's mills, on the twenty-second day of March, 1843. Reuben B. Foster was chosen, moderator, Gardiner G. Hoyt, clerk, Spencer Drake, Adam Willis and Phineas H. Howe, selectmen, and Eli Howe, treasurer. An adjourned meeting was held April third, when Joel Howe was chosen agent, Phineas H. Howe, collector, Reuben B. Foster, Phineas H. Howe and Bela Williams, school committee, Bela Wil liams and Moses W. Kimball, tythingmen, Enoch Bartlett, Elijah Russell and Orson Powers, field-drivers, Stephen Bartlett, Adam Willis, Milton Roberts and Solomon J. Haywood, road-surveyors. The school districts were named "The Village District, the Bartlett District, the Willis District and the Pond District." It was voted to raise flfty dollars for town charges, what the law obliged for 452 HISTORY OF BETHEL. schools, and four hundred dollars for roads. It was voted to let cattle run at large ; to hold the annual meetings the first Monday in March ; that Reuben B. Foster's barnyard be the town's pound ; that said Foster be pound-keeper ; that the selectmen may license persons to sell intoxicating liquors by the pint or gallon. At the annual election, Hugh J . Anderson had twenty votes for Governor, and Edward Robinson, eighteen. At a meeting holden September eleventh, Joel Howe was chosen agent to demand of the town of Bethel, the town of Hanover's proportion of the school fund and bank tax of 1843. The same selectmen were elected in 1844, and since that time as follows : 1845. Adam AVillis, Phineas H. Howe, Eli Howe. 1846. Phineas H. Howe, Eli Howe, Gilbert How-e. 1847. Eli Howe, Solomon J. Haywood, James .G. Roberts. 1848. Solomon J. Haywood, Jiimes G. Roberts, Stephen Bartlett. 1849. Same as last year. 1850. James G. Roberts, Stephen Bartlett, Prentiss M. Putnam. 1851. Reuben B. Foster, Gardiner G. Hoyt, Abner Brown. 1852. Eli Howe, Gardiner G. Hoyt, Abner Brown. 1853. Ball B. Willis, Eli Howe, James G. Roberts. 1854. Same. 1855. Albion K. Knapp, Elhanan Bartlett, Stephen Bartlett. 1856. Same. 1857. Albion K. Knapp, Elhanan Bartlett, Jesse D. Russell. 1858-9. Same. 1860. Adam Willis, Eben Abbot, J. B. How-e. 1861. Albion K. Knapp, Gardiner G. Hoyt, Jesse D. Russell. 1862. James G. Roberts, Jesse D. Russell, Thomas W. AVillis. 186.3. James G. Roberts, Jesse D. Russell, John C. Saunders. 1864. James G. Roberts, John C. Saunders, J. R. Howard. 1865. Albion K. Knapp, Jesse D. Russell, Henry N. Howe. 1866. Albion K. Knapp, Jesse D.. Russell, Wm. O. Straw-. 1867. Albion K. Knapp, Jesse D. Russell, Harris Marden. 1868. Jesse D. Russell, Galen Howe, Charles H. Harris. 1869. George R. Hodgdon, Wm. O. Straw, Charles P. Bartlett. 1870. Same. 1871. Same. 1872. Henry N. Howe, O. A. Saunders, A. Roberts. 1873. George E. Smith, F. H. Hutchins, James G. Roberts. 1874. Same. 1875. Same. 1876.. Same. 1877. Jesse D. Russell, Winfleld S. Howe, James M. Brown. 1878. Same. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 453 1879. Jesse D. Russell, Winfield S. Howe, J. R. Howard. 1880. George Smith, J. R. Howard, J. B. Roberts, 1881. Same. 1882. G. L. Smith, J. R. Howard, Geo. A. Virgin. 1883. Same. 1884. G. L. Smith, G. A. Virgin, Jesse D. Russell. 1885. Henry N. Howe, Oscar D. Rolfe, E. H. Powers. 1886. Oscar D. Rolfe, E. H. Powers, E. P. Smith. 1887. Jesse D. Russell, J. R. Howard, E. P. Smith. 1888. Same. 1889. Jesse D. Russell, J. R. Howard, L. A. Roberts. . Town Clerks. 1843-1847. Gardiner G. Hoyt. 1848-1851. Phineas H. Howe. 1852-1853. Prentiss M. Putnam. 1854-1855. Phineas H. Howe. 1856-1867. Henry X. Howe. 1868-1869. Edgar H. Powers. 1870-1878. Clark B.Frost. 1879. J. B. Roberts. 1880. Clark B. Frost. 1881-18S6. E. H. Powers. 1887-1889. Clark B. Frost. Hanover as shown by her list of patriots, did her whole duty in the late war for the preservation of the Union, and what is highly praiseworthy, no town debt was created in filling the several quotas. Lawson S. Black, private Company G, 17th regiment, wounded and taken prisoner at Atlanta, Ga., May 20, 1864. David I. Black w-as mustered into the 5th Maine battery December 4, 1861, was promoted Corporal, served out his time, re-enlisted, and was promoted to Second Lieutenant. Josiah S. Black was mustered in Company G, tenth Maine Volunteers, November 4, 1861, and was mustered out with the regiment. May 8, 1863., Fred J. Black was mustered in Company B, the 30th Maine Volunteers, December 18, 1863, and died of fever at New- Orleans, June 20, 1864. Charles R. Bartlett was mustered in Company D, 12th Maine, November 15, 1861, and was mustered out at the expiration of his term of service. Alonzo M. Bartlett was mustered in Company B, 30th Maine Volunteers, December 18, 1863, promoted Corporal and served out his time. He is reported as from Grafton. William W. Bartlett w-as mustered in Company B, 32d Maine Volun teers, March 10, 1864, w-as transferred to the 31st, and was mustered out with that regiment. 454 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Peter Y. Bean was mustered in Company B, 32d Maine Volunteers, March 10, 1864, w-as transferred to Company E, 31st Maine. Wm. H. Brooks was mustered in Company B, 23d Maine Volunteers, September 29, 1863, and was mustered out with the regiment. He is reported from Upton. JohnE. Carlton w-as mustered in Company C, 20th Maine Volunteers, August 29, 1862, and w-as discharged by order 94. Walker T. Elliot was mustered in Company B, 32d Maine Volunteers, March 10, 1864, died in Hanover, January 8, 1865, from chronic diarrhcea. Winfleld S. Howe was mustered as Sergeant in Company G, 3d Maine Volunteers, June 4, 1861, and w-as discharged for disability, June 23, 1862. He was mustered as Sergeant in Company B, 32d Maine Volunteers, March 10, 1864, was wounded, taken prisoner, promoted to Second Lieutenant and mustered out with the regiment. Joshua R. Howard was mustered as Sergeant in Company B, 23d Maine Volunteers, September 29, 1862, was promoted Second Lieutenant and was mustered out w-ith the regiment. Torrenoe C. Jones w-as mustered in Company B, 30th Maine regiment, December 18, 1863, and died of disease, August 11, 1864. Wm. F. Jewell was mustered in Company D, 1st Maine Volunteers, May 3, 1861, for three months, and w-as mustered out w-ith the regiment. Nathan C. Knapp w-as mustered in Company D, 1st Maiue Volunteers, May 3, 1861, and served three months. Roscoe G. Lane was mustered as Corporal in Company H, 13th Maine Volunteers, December 10, 1861, returned to ranks at his ow-n request, re- enlisted and was transferred to the 13th Maine battalion, Elisha R. Littlehale w-as mustered in Compauy H, 13th Maine Volun teers, January 16, 1862, died at Washington, D. C, August 31, 1864. John C. Littlehale was mustered in Company B, 30th Maine Volunteers, December 18, 1863, died of fever at Augusta, Me., February 4, 1864. Pascal M. Morgan was mustered in Company C, 20th Maine, August 29, 1862, was promoted Corporal, reduced to ranks and discharged by order 94. Corydon Powers was mustered iu the 5th Maine Battery, December 4, 1861, served his three years, re-enlisted and was mustered out w-ith the battery. Joseph E. Russell w-as mustered in Company B, 23d Maine Volunteers, September 29, 1862. Wm. H. Swan, Company H, 13th regiment Maine Volunteers, died in Hanover, April 18, 1864. Erskine C. Smith w-as mustered iu Company C, 20th Maiue Volunteers, August 29, 1862, and was discharged liy order 94. Richard Smith was mustered in Company B, 32d jNlaine Volunteers, March 10, 1864, was tr.ansferred to Company B, 31st Maine Volunteers, and was mustered out w-ith that regiment. George E. Staples was mustered in Company C, 20tli Maiue Volunteers, August 29, 1862, and w-as killed at Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 455 Camille P. Staples was mustered in Company B, 32d Maine Volunteers, March 10, 1864, was transferred to Company B, 31st Maine, was absent sick, and was discharged by order, July 1, 1865. Augustus D. Varney was mustered in Company B, 32d Maine Volun teers, March 10, 1864, was transferred to Company B, 31st Maine Volun teers, and was mustered out with the regiment, July 15, 1865. Orestes J. York was mustered in Company B, 30th Maine Volunteers, December 18, 1863, and died of disease June 24, 1864. He is reported as of Grafton. FAMILY STATISTICS, O part of the contents of this volume has been given more- painstaking care than the department upon which we now ''1 enter, and yet it is far from satisfactory. Some parts of it are defective, some merely fragmentary, while many families are omitted for lack of information. It is also probable that more or less errors will be found, for a large proportion of the records are from the town clerk's books, where more or less errors, especially in dates, may always be expected. Soon after the municipal election of eighteen hundred ninety-one, the town clerk sent to the compiler of this volume, the name of every person contained on the check list, and to each name was sent a blank to be filled out and returned, and another blank explaining what was desired. About five hundred blanks were so sent out, and less than two hundred were filled out and returned. There may be those who from some cause did not receive the blank, and who, had they received it would have made the desired return, and such cases, if any there are, are to be regretted. But those who did receive the blank and paid no atten tion to it, are certainly debarred from making any complaint, if their family records do not appear. In some cases, a second blank was sent, and in others, letters were written, and all to no purpose. Imperfect as they are, these records will be found of great interest, and second in importance to no other part of the volume. No other part of the book will be as often consulted, and, in view of the fact that many Bethel families do not appear here, perhaps no part will be more frequently disappointing. The compiler, however, has the satisfaction of feeling that he has resorted to all ordinary means for perfecting these records, and the fact that they are incomplete is in nowise his fault. 458 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Abbot. Jonathan Abbot, Jr., b. June 11, 1776, in Andover, Mass., married Betsey Batchelder, born in Wilton, N. H., Aug. 4, 1777. He moved to Albany and from there in 1803, came to Bethel, and -settled on a farm near Walker's Mills, where his son Jonathan afterwards lived. He was at one time proprietor of the mills at South Bethel. Four of his sisters married and lived in Bethel. He was a man of character and highly respected. Children : i Betsey, b. .January 15, 1801, m. John Howe of Rumford, soon died. iii PoUy' 1*"^^^°^' ^- ^^^- -^^' ¦^^°^' ^- ^'^ iti^ancy. iv Addison, b. July 25, 1803, m. Rebecca Chase, d. Paris. V Mary, b. Nov. 9, 1804, m. Nathan Eames, 2d Elihu Bean. vi Rebecca, b. Dec. 23, 1806, d. Nov. 10, 1824. vii Jonathan, b. Aug. 7, 1808, m. Eliza Chase. vin Daniel, b. May 16, 1810, d. April 2, 1812. ix Mehitable, b. Oct. 13, 1812, m. Joshua Ballard, r. Boston. X Dorcas, b. Sept. 9, 1814, m. Christopher Bryant. xi Stephen, b. Sept. 9, 1817, d. unmarried. xii Sybil, b. Jan. 4, 1821, m. Gayton Ballard, r. Southbridge, Mass. Jonathan Abbot, Jr., son of the preceding, an exemplary man, a good farmer and citizen, lived and died on the old homestead near Walker's Mills. He married Feb. 1, 1848, Eliza Ch.ise, who was born at Paris, Dec. 14, 1X21. He died June 29, 1887, and his wife died Oct. 6, 1886. Children : i Jonathan Flavel, b. Nov. 5, 1848, d. Nov. 2, 1852. ii Sybil Eliza, b. Feb. 25, 1851 ; teacher at Atlanta, Ga. Eliii Mary Abby, b. Aug. 6, 1853, d. Oct. 22, 1866. iv Ellen Mehitable, b. June 12, 1855, m. Rev. Wni. O. Stearns, r. Cazenovia, N. Y. V Rebecca Elizabeth, b. Apr. 2, 1857, m. Fremont L. Chase, r. Paris. vi Stephen Spurgeon, b. Feb. 17, 1859, m. Katie H. Locke, r. Denver, Col. vii Jonathan Arthur, b. May 14, 1861, d. Feb. 13, 1865. viii Jonathan Gayton, b. Feb. 2, 1864, m. Cora Chandler, r. Denver, Col. ix Curtis Eames, b. June 19, 1866. Aaron Abbot, born April 11, 1778, married Sally, daughter of Stephen Abbot. He was a tailor and farmer, and lived on the Mid dle Interval road below Ayers Mason's, and died Sept. 8, 1856. His wife died Oct. 23, 1853. Children : i Clarissa, b. May 25, 1800, d. unmarried, Sept. 30, 1856. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 459^ ii Aaron, b. Dec. 20, 1802, m. Mary Day of Wells, d. Aug. 15, 1878. iii Sarah, b. March 12, 1806, m. Timothy Capen, d. Apr. 14, 1874. iv Lydia, b. July 18, 1809, d. unmarried, January 1, 1834. V Stephen, b. Feb. 18, 1812, m. Nancy Goddard of Harrison, d. Oct. 30, 1861. vi Samuel, b. August 1, 1815, d. July 18, 1823. vii John, b. Apr. 27, 1819, m. Sarah Ackley of Rumford. Stephen Abbot married Nancy Goddard of Harrison. Children : i Gilman C, b. Feb. 5, 1843, d. Aug. 9, 1856. ii Charles A. P., b. May 14, 1849, m. Ella E. Davis. iii Flora N., b. , m. 1874, Charles L. Swan. Charles A. F. Abbot, son of Stephen and Nancy (Goddard) Abbot, born in Bethel, May 14, 1849, married Sept. 27, 1872, Ella E., daughter of Richmond Davis of Minot. He is a farmer and lives in Bethel. Children : i Florence E., b. 1873. ii Ellen A., b. 1874. iii Sadie M., b. 1875. iv Ella C, b. 1877. v Edith D., b. 1880. vi Stephen E., b. 1882. vn Angle M., b. 1884. viii Mabel L., b. 1888. John Abbot, son of Aaron Abbot, married March 31, 1841, Sarah, daughter of William Ackley of Rumford. He is a farmer and resides in Bethel. Children : i John T., b. Dec. 25, 1841, d. Feb. 10, 1844. ii John T., b. Apr. 13, 1845. d. Aug. 30, 1867. Ui Mary J., b. January 6, 1847, m. Edward Capen. iv Samuel W., b. June 9, 1851, d. Dec. 17, 1865. V Lydia A., b. Aug. 1, 1857, d. July 26, 1864. vi George A., b. Sept. 9, 1859, d. January 12, 1866. vii Frank, b. Feb. 6, 1862. viii Morton T., b. Feb. 14, 1868. Charles L. Abbot, son of Gideon C. Abbot, born in Rumford, June 14, 1834, married Aug. 23, 1856, Sophronia C, daughter of Abner Bennett of Gilead. He is a farmer and resides at West Bethel. Child : Charles L., b. Apr. 14, 1864. Adams. Isaac Adams married Deborah Twitchell. She was drowned while crossing the Androscoggin in a small boat. For second wife, he married in 1803, Olive Wight. He moved to Gilead. Child by first marriage .- Eliphalet, b. January 28, 1801. 460 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Nathan Adams of Andover, one of the proprietors and early resi dents of Andover, Maine, sold out there about the year 1800, and moved to Bethel, where his residence was only temporary. He settled on a farm in Rumford next to Bethel, now Hanover line.. While in Bethel, he served for several years as selectman. For an. account of this family see History of Rumford. Adamson. David Adamson, born in Dundee, Scotland, May 18, 1819, son- of Alexander and Susan (Fenton) Adamson of the Shetland Isles, came to this country and married in 1858, Mary, daughter of Charles Ford of Rumford, who was living in the family of Micajah Blake^ He was a farmer and lived on the hill near Rumford. He was killed by falling from a load of hay in 1891. Children : i Virgil, b. , m. Sargent of Newry. ii Sarah, b. ,. m. Charles Patten, iii Fenton, b, . Albee. Peter Albee, a peddler, formerly lived in this town. The fol lowing births are recorded on Bethel records. Children : i Son, b. March 8, 1824, d. same day. ii Harriet Emetine, b. Feb. 8, 1827, m. Horace Cummings of Paris. iii Julia Ann, b. Feb. 4, 1829, m. George F. Hammond of Paris. iv George Washington, b. Aug. 3, 1831. V Francis T., b. June 7, 1834. vi Caroline Matilda, b. Apr. 2, 1841, m. George H. Cummings of Paris.. Allen. Hiram Allen, born in Berwick, Sept. 12, 1795, a carpenter by trade, married Dorcas, daughter of Abraham Russell. In 1827, he bought of O'Neil W. Robinson, what was then known as the Mar shall Bonney place, the unfinished house standing on the east side of what is now Church street, and which was subsequently moved down Main street, and is now the Methodist parsonage. Mr. Allen,. in 1836, sold the place to Gilman Chapman, it being the heater, bounded on two sides by Church and Main street. He also owned other lands which he sold, including twenty-flve acres of Bond's- Island, which he sold to Tyler P. Town and Timothy Barker in 1839. He died in Portland, Feb. 13, 1873, his wife having died July 8, 1860. Children: HISTORY OF BETHEL. 461 1 Lawson Carter, b. January 12, 1819, d. at sea, April, 1865. ii Justus, b. Jan. 22, 1821, d. March 13, 1842. iii Samuel Abbot, b. Sept. 24, 1823. He w-as brought up in the family of Daniel Grout, and was educated as a physician, and settled at Andover. He married Oct. 14, 1854, Martha A., daughter of Ezekiel Merrill, and died February 2, 1857 ; no issue. iv James Neal, b. jNlarch 10, 1829, d. March 12, 1842. V Abigail Learned, b. July 25, 1832, m. first, Oct. 27, 1851, Dauforth Bridges of Portland, who died, and second Andrew- J, Hurd of Unity. vi Horace ^Vard, b, Nov. 28, 1835, m. Sarah Abby, widow of Frank Carlton. He was a soldier in the late war, and died Jan. 21, 1882. vii Elizabeth '\'\'alker, b. Feb. 2, 1839, m. Dec. 16, 1866, Henri Starbird at Augusta ; she resides a w-idow in Boston ; no issue. viii Sarah Frances, b. Jan. 6, 1841, m. Dec. 6, 1865, Edwin Warren Porter, who was born in Lancaster, N. H., March 20, 1827 ; r. Portland. John Fox Allen, son of James and Abigail (Berry) Allen, was born in Portland, May 4, 1813. He moved to Stoneham, then to Gilead and then to West Bethel ; was station agent and farmer. He married Sept. 3, 1833, Jane Small Allen of Norway. Children : i Benjamin Franklin, b. May 11, 1834, m. Mary Cook. ii Daniel Warren, b. May 17, 1838, m. Fannie A. Farewell. iii Emily Merrill, b. May 5, 1840, d. Dec. 3, 1861. iv Eunice Rand, b. Sept. 15, 1842, m. Ezra K. Roberts. V George Newton, b. March 22, 1846, m. Angle D. Whitman. vi Lawrence E., b. Bethel, May 4, 1849, m. S. J. Pike. vii Charles Clinton, b. Jan. 1, 1851, m. Jennie Cross. vin Gerardo Leon, b. Oct. 9, 1854, m. H.attie L. Foster. Lawrence Erving Allen, son of the preceding, married Oct. 2, 1879, Sarah Jane, daughter of Douglass P. Pike of Starks, N. H. He is a carpenter. Children : i Elmer Chester, b. Sept. 2, 1880. ii Ethel Linuell, b. March 10, 1884. Andrews. Jeremiah Andrews, born Apr. 6, 1757, married Elizabeth Saw telle of Groton, who was born Jan. 22, 1765. He was of Temple, N. H. and was married Jan. 13, 1784. He moved to Bethel soon after and settled on the south side of the river near Rumford. It has been said that he first came to Bethel some years before he set tled here, to assist in building the first mills. Children : i Hezekiah, b. Oct. 4, 1784, m. Phebe Kimball. ii Jeremiah, b. May 28, 1786, m. Anna Hodsdon, i. Rumford. 462 HISTORY OF BETHEL. iii William, b. April 8, 1788, m. Betsey Estes. iv Elizabeth, b. Feb. 1, 1790, d. March 3, 1804. V Salome, b. April 8, 1792, m. Col. Eli Howe, r. Hanover. vi Sarah, b. Feb. 20, 1794, m. John Estes. vii Elsie, b. March 12, 1796, m. Otis Howe of Rumford. viii Amos, b. Jan. 15, 1798, m. Hannah Bean. ix Huldah, b. Feb. 21, 1801, m. Eliphaz Powers. X Mary, b. Jan. 22, 1804, m. Hosea Huntress. xi Eliza, b. July 27, 1806, m. James Estes. xii Julia, b. June 18, 1809, m. B. Franklin Stearns. xiii Hannah, b. July 20, 1812, m. Jonathan Powers. Hezekiah Andrews, son of the preceding, married Phebe, daugh ter of Samuel Kimball. Children : i Infant, b. and d. May 3, 1807. ii Charlotte, b. April 30, 1807. iii Rocena Kimball, b. Dec. 30, 1810. iv Ephraim Kimball, b. April 4, 1813, m. Olive Chase, v Infant, b. Feb. 7, 1815, d. Feb. 19, following. vi Diana, b. March 12, 1817. vii Hannah Kimball, b. June 12, 1819. viii Aldana, b. July 10, 1822, d. Jan. 18, 1823. ix Hannibal, b. . William Andrews, son of Jeremiah Andrews, married Betsey, daughter of Stephen Estes. He lived below Jacob Kimball's, near the foot of Kimball Hill. He was a farmer and Captain in the militia. Children : i Elizabeth Sawtelle, b. Jan. 21, 1811. ii Nancy, b. June 1, 1818, m. Alonzo Howe. iii Phila D., b. Dec. 28, 1823, m. Jacob T. Kimball. Amos Andrews, son of Jeremiah Andrews, married Hannah, daughter of Luther Bean. He lived at the east end of the town, on the Rumford and Paris road. Children : i Moses Kimball, b. Aug. 28, 1826. ii Hosea Huntress, b. May 17, 1829. iii Alonzo H., b. Oct. 6, 1832. iv Stephen, b. Feb. 8, 1837. v Lydia, b. Feb. 10, 1843. Horace C. Andrews, son of Rev. Nathan and Nancy (Cum mings) Andrews, born in Paris, Me., Feb. 19, 1837, married June 11, 1859, Addle L., daughter of Stephen H. Abbot of Rumford. He is a carriage maker at Bethel. Child : Carrie F., b. Aug. 12, 1865, d. Dec. 12, 1887. Annas. Solomon Annas came to Bethel from Warner, N. H., and settled upon the farm afterwards the Micajah Blake homestead, where he HISTORY OF BETHEL. 463 lived and died. His emigrant ancestor settled in Newbury, Mass., about 1674. Solomon Annas served in the war for independence, and after the war, married Eliza Wright. They had six sons and one daughter. The daughter married John Gould and remained in Warner, two sons went west, one remained at Warner, and three, Solomon, James and Benjamin came to Bethel, 'the name is some times spelled Annis, and again Ennis, and the ancestor, Michael Annas, was of Enniskillen in Ireland. Solomon Annas, Jr., married Patience, daughter of David and Sarah Sanborn of Standish, who was born June 29, 1777, and came to Bethel in the family of Josiah Bean. He lived at first on part of the homestead, but later he cleared up the Washington Crooker farm, near Locke's Mills, and lived there many years. He lived to be considerably over 90 years of age. Children : i Sally Gould, b. Apr, 11, 1800, m. Edward Reynolds and d. Feb. 20, 1824. ii Laura, b. Oct. II, 1802, m. 1st, Daniel Young, 2d, John Cummings, r. Albany, Me. ni Betsey E., b. Aug. 4, 1805, m. 1st, William AVhitman, 2d, Ephraim Flint, and 3d, Rodney Carter. iv Fanny P., b. Jan. 29, 1807, m. William Whitman and d. soon after. V Dorcas P., b. Dec. 14, 1809, m. 1st, James Parks, 2d, Timothy Ayer.. vi Loana, b. Oct. 22, 1812, d. aged 22, unmarried. vii John Gould, b. March 22, 1814, m. Mary, daughter of Isaiah Edgerly.. He was a soldier in the late war, and died from the effects of wounds and disease contracted in the service. viii George W., b. .Jan. 23, 1817, m. Julia A. Clark of Wilton. He was by trade a carriage-maker. ix Ruby, b. Nov. 20, 1819, d. Aug. 28, 1823. James Annas, brother of the preceding, married Deborah Chase of Machias and moved to the eastern part of the State. He lived when here, on the Micajah Blake farm. Children : i Esther, b. Apr. 25, 1804, m. Samuel D. Tyler, ii Sarah, b. May 3„ 1806. iii Elizabeth, b. June 12, 1810, d. Aug. 30, 1823. iv Levi Chase, b Apr. 10, 1812. v Cynthia, b. March 24, 1814. vi William, b. June 3, 1818. vii ' Ephraim H., b. Feb. 14, 1820, d. Sept. 8, 1823. viii Deborah Carlisle, b. March 14, 1822. ix Ephraim, H., b. Oct. 6, 1823. Benjamin Annas, son of Solomon, married Hannah, daughter of Absalom Farewell.- He lived about half way between Bethel HilJ 464 HISTORY OF BETHEL. and Locke's Mills, on part of the old Annas homestead, and still occupied by his son, Jacob Annas. Children : i Mary, b. Jan. 14, 1813, d. Jan. 25, 1835. ii Anna, b. May 27, 1814, d. Feb. 24, 1815. iii Isaac, b. Dec. 24, 1815, d. June 2, 1837. iv Anna, b. Dec. 15, 1817, d. Jan. 23, 1841. V Caleb, b. Sept. 4, 1819, d. eleven days old. vi Lucinda, b. 1821. vii Lydia, b. May II, 1823, d. Jan. 21, 1844. viii Phebe, b. Feb. 18, 1826, d. Apr. 15, 1833. ix Eliza, b. Jan. 26, 1827. [[x Jacob, b. Dec. 10, 1827, m. 1st, Hannah Cushman, 2d, Mrs. Hayes. xi Eton G., b. Feb. 17, 1828, d. Oct. 23, follow-ing. xii Greenleaf , b. May 4, 1831, d. Aug. 24, following. xni Bannister Newell, b. Jan. 26, 1S34. xiv Mary Augusta, b. May 17, 1837. Jacob Annas, son of Benjamin Annas, married first, Sept. 11, 1851, Hannah, daughter of Dea. John Cushman. He lived on the homestead of his father on Blake's Hill. He married second, Nov. 21, 1865, Mrs. Angeline R. (Fuller) Hayes of Greenwood. •Children : i Lovinia Augusta, b. May 31, 1853, m. C. H. Barker. ii Calvin Howe, b. Aug. 26, 1855, m. Jennie L. Stew-art. iii Horace H., b. July 8, 1860. iv Fred J., b. Aug. 3, 1864, d. November 1, follow-ing. V George IT., b. Sept. 25, 1866. vi James O., b. Feb. 18, 1870, d. May 7, 1872. Newell Bannister Annas, son of Benjamin Annas, married Oct. 30, 1856, Elizabeth Jane, daughter of Richard Farew-ell. He is a farmer at Bethel. Children : i Ora D., b. Sept. 5, 1857. ii Rose G., b. March 13, 1859, m. Charles Eames. iii Lydia J., b. Apr. 1, 1861. iv C^larence M., b. March 20, 1863. V Ellis Grant, b. Aug. 24, 1864, m. Grace Stearns. vi Mary E., b. July 21 , 1866, d. Dec, follow-ing. vii Bell v., b. Sept. 16, 1868. viii <::uvier A., b. May 29, 1871, d. April 17, 1877. Ayer. Joseph Ayer, born in Standish, moved to Brownfleld and from there came to Bethel. He lived at Bean's Corner and was a black smith. His wife was Mary Moor. Children : HISTORY OF BETHEL. 465 i Samuel, b. , m. Alice Kilgore. ii James, b. , m. Thirza Mason, (M. D. at Newfield.) iii Jonathan, b. , m. Nancy Marston of Newfield. iv Hugh Moor, b. . He studied medicine with his brother iu New- field, and settled in South Carolina. V Polly, b. , m. Daniel Carr of Rumford. vi Sally, b. , She died unmarried' aged 25. Samuel Ayer, son of Joseph Ayer, married Alice, daughter of John Kilgore. He lived at Bean's Corner. Children : i Asa, b. Nov. 10, 1801. ii Benjamin, b. Dec, 12, , d. Sept. 25, 1804. iii Timothy, b. April 9, 1804, d, Sept. 30, following. iv Eliza, b. May 9, 1805. V Peter, b. Dec. 11, 1806, m. Betsey Swan; went to Pennsylvania. vi Timothy, b. Aug. 13, 1808, ni. 1st, Relief Estes, 2d, Mrs. Dorcas F. Park. vii Benjamin, b, .luly 20, 1810, d. Dec. 26, following. viii Sally, b. Jan. 9, 1812. Jonathan Ayer married Nancy Marston of Newfleld. He did not long remain in town. Children : i Tristram Currier, b. July 4, 1809, d. 5 da3rs after, ii Tristram Cur rier, b. Aug. 12, 1810. iii Nancy, b. Nov. 25, 1813. Peter Ayer, son of Samuel Ayer, married Betsey, daughter of Elijah Swan. He moved to Woodstock, and later in life, to Penn sylvania, where he died. Children : i Alice Kilgore, b. Feb. 10, 1830. ii George B., b. May 1, 1832. Timothy Ayer, son of Samuel Ayer, married flrst, Relief, daugh ter of Stephen Estes, and second, widow Dorcas F. Parks, daughter of Solomon Annas. Children : i Caroline Coombs, b. July 11, 1831, m. Dunham of Paris. ii James Cullen, b. March 15, 1833, d. in the army. iii Thirza Mason, b. Apr. 29, 1835. iv Andrew .Jackson, b. Jan. 5, 1836, m. Harriet M. Harding. V Sarah Elizabeth, b. March 7, 1844. Ballard. Frederick Ballard, son of Dr. Jonathan and Priscilla (Farnum) Ballard of Andover, Mass., came to Bethel and here married Han nah, eldest daughter of Abraham Russell. He was by occupation a 30 466 HISTORY OF BETHEL. hatter, and settled in Wakefleld, N. H., where his children were born. He returned to Bethel in 1827 and then lived at Greenwood. He died in Newry, Nov. 28, 1851, aged 89, his wife having died Apr. 3, 1848. Children: i Frederick L., b. Dec. 8, 1796, m. Mary Folsom, d. Jackson, N. H. ii Jonathan, b. Aug. 28, 1798, drowned at Wakefleld in 1820. iii Pamelia, d. young. iv Sherebiah, b. July 25, 1801, m. Elsie Tuttle, d. in Georgia. V Putnam, b. . He was insane and mysteriously disappeared. vi John S., b. Oct. 21, 1805; he was a sailor; d. Holmes' Holl, Martha's Vineyard, aged 22. vii Joseph Warren, b. Apr. 16, 1808, m. 1st, Mary Cummings of Albany, b. May, 1808, d. March 5, 1850; r. Upton, Me. viii Sarah, b. March 6, 1810, m. Aaron Smith of Newry. ix Mary, b. Jan. 9, 1812, m. March 2, 1832, Capt. Isaac B. Littlehale. X Abraham Russell, b. Apr. 30, 1814, d. Apr. 19, 1844. xi Alpheus, b. Sept. 7, 1816, m. 1850, Rebecca B. Purrington of Bath. Bartlett. The name of Bartlett has been very prominent in this town, and the family numerous. They are descended from Joseph Bartlett of Cambridge Village, now Newton, Mass., and were connected with the Clarks and Segars ; they were among the earliest settlers in Bethel. "^ Ebenezer Bartlett, son of Joseph, Junior, was of Newton, Mass., and married flrst, June 24, 1736, Ann Clark, and second, Anna Ball. Children : i Eunice, b. Oct. 29, 1735. ii Sarah, b. .Jan. 13, 1738, d. 1748. iii Mary, b. July 5, 1739, d. young. iv Enoch, Aug. 8, 1741, d. an infant. .^ f^\ V Enoch, b. Sept. 27, 1742, m. 1st, Elizabeth Segar. By second wife : vi Jonathan, b. March 16, 1746, m. Mary Shaw, (y^ vii Anna, b. June 27, 1748, d. young. ^ — viii Mercy, b. Jan. 26, 1750, m. 1st, Asa Barton/ 2d, Oliver Fenno. ix Elisha, b. Feb. 15, 1753, m. Sarah Beals. X Esther, b. May 21, 1755, m. Enoch Perry. xi Moses, b. Nov. 13, 1756, m. 1st, Mary Barbour of Gray, and 2d, Esther Beal. xii Thaddeus, b. Jan. 20, 1759, m. Sybil Powers. xiii Mary, b. March 12, 1761, m. James Sprague. xiv Sarah, b. June 10, 1763, m. William Cheney. XV Stephen, b. Apr. 24, 1765, m. Dorcas Barbour. xvi Abigail, b. June 26, 1766, m. Samuel Lovell. xvii Peregrine, b. , m. Sally Merrill of Andover. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 467 Enoch Bartlett, son of the preceding, came to Bethel and settled on the Dr. Carter farm at Middle Interval. After a few years he moved to Newry. He was twice married and reared a large family. His first wife was Elizabeth Segar, and his second a Miss House. He had 21 children, ten by the flrst and eleven by the second mar riage. The flrst three only are recorded on Newton records : i Nancy, b. Nov. 4, 1766. ii Reuben, b. Apr. 17, 1768, m. Lydia Frost. iii Relief, b. May 2, 1769, m. Stephen Estes. Of the others: Submit, m. Silas Powers; Anna, ra. Asa Foster; Betsey, m. Richard Estes; Burry, m. Ephraim Colby of Rumford; Elisha, m. Sarah Barker; Jonathan, m. 1st, Barker, 2d, Triphenia Horr; Thankful, m. Charles Stearns; Lucy, m. Jonathan Powers; Olive, m. Nathaniel Frost; Enoch, Jr., m. Sarah Hinkson; Polly, m. 1st, Willough by Russell, 2d, Urban York; Patty, m. David Sessions; Naomah, m. Rev. Mr. Tripp; Apphia, m. Joseph Chase; Lydia, m. Joseph Knapp; Lorana, d. unmarried. Jonathan Bartlett, brother of the preceding, came to BetheE with Segar in 1779, and afterwards came and settled on the south side of the river below Bean's Corner, where his grandson, the late Elias S. Bartlett lived. He married Mary Shaw of Fryeburg, and died April 14, 1798. Children : 1 Anna, b. Apr. 22, 1786, d. unmarried. ii Elijah, b. Oct. 30, 1788, m. Nancy Graham of Rumford. iii Elias, b. Aug. 10, 1791, m. 1st, Eliza Adams, 2d, Judith Farnum. iv Samuel, b. Apr. 1, 1794, m. Sarah Wardwell, r. Rumford. Moses Bartlett, brother of the preceding, married first, Mary Barbour of Gray, and second, Esther Beal of Newton, Mass. He settled on the north side of the river in what is now Hanover. He died January 16, 1818 ; his first wife died Dec. 18, 1790. Children: By flrst marriage : i Moses, b. March 13, 1785, d. March 20, 1795. ii Barbour, b. March 7, 1786, m. Julia Twitchell. iii Sylvia, b. Feb. 29, 1788, m. Sylvanus Porter, No. Yarmouth. Iv Elhanan, b. March 1, 1790, d. Sept. 18, following. By second marriage : v Esther, b. Apr. 2, 1792, m. James Hodsdon. vi Moses, b. Nov. 13, 1798, m. Huldah Powers. vii Mary, b. June 11, 1801, m. Nathaniel Brown of No. Yarmouth. 468 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Thaddeus Bartlett, brother of the preceding, married Dec. 4, 1782, Sybil, daughter of Amos Powers, who was born Oct. 27, 1765. He lived on the south side of the river near Bean's Corner. His wife died July 29, 1830. Children : i Fanny, b. Apr. 7, 1784, m. George W. Wheeler, liittleton, N. H. ii Charlotte, b. July S, 1786, m. .Jonas Willis. iii Sybil, b. Dec. 11, 1788, d. Sept. 29, 1805. iv Clara, b. Feb. 9, 1791, m. Sylvanus Jackson of Paris. V Bathsheba, b. March 22, 1793, m. Sylvanus Jackson of Paris. vi Abigail, b. Aug. 5, 1795, m. Asa Kimball of Bethel. vii Ball, b. Dec. 28, 1797, m. JLirina Bartlett. viii Mary P., b. Feb. 5, 1800, m. George Kimball. ix Thaddeus Powers, b. Apr. 8, 1802, m. Sophronia Blake of Sandwich, N. H., d. Waltham, Mass. X Ephraim C, b. July 23, 1804, ni. 1st, Mary A. Humphrey, 2d, Julia Richards, 3d, Kate E. Marble, and 4th, Abbie M. Lowring. xi Eleanor Douglass, b. Jan. 22, 1807, m. James Crocker Bean. xii Sybil Gibbs, b. May 9, 1809, m. Wm. P. Frost of Boston. Stephen Bartlett, brother of the preceding, married Oct. 23, 1787, Dorcas Barbour of Gray, who was born July 19, 1769. He -settled on the north side of the river in what is now Hanover. He •died Feb. 14, 1832, and his widow Oct. 28, 1841. Children : i Ebenezer, )). June 6, 1788, m. Lois Pow-ers. ii Elhanan, b. Sept, 2, 1791, m. Joanna Willis. iii William, b. June 6, 1794, m. Elsie Russell. iv Beulah, b. Aug. 19, 1797, m. Asa Foster of New-ry. V James Armenas Sw.an, b. Dec. 6, 1801, m. Betsey Foster. vi Dorcas, b. Feb. 20, 1804, m. Eli Poster. vii Sarah, b. May 26, 1807, m. Reuben B. Foster. viii Sophia Clark, b. March 30, 1811, m. Stephen Kenney of No. Yarmouth. Peregrine Bartlett, brother of the preceding, married Sally Merrill of Andover. He lived on the north side of the river in what is now Hanover, near Bartlett's Ferry. He died Dec. 18, 1832, and his wife died Sept. 14, 1831. Children : i Nathan, b. Aug. 3, 1793, d. May 25, 1801. ii Ruby, b. March 1, 1796, m. Aaron Mason. iii Freeborn, b. Oct. 4, 1797, d. in Mississippi unmarried. iv Maria, b. Sept. 30, 1799. V Salina, b. March 28, 1802, in. Bela Williams of Carratunk. vi Ezekiel Merrill, b. Apr. 20, 1804, went South. vii Elijah, b. Jan. 26, 1806, d. March 11, following. viii Elisha, b. Jan. 26, 1806, d. Feb. 13, following. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 469 ix Marina, b. Feb. 7, 1807, m. Ball Bartlett. X Stephen, b. July 19, 1809, m. Martha Stearns. xi Solon, b. Nov. 22, 1811. xii Lenora Emetine, b. March 19, 1814, d. March 2, 1817. xiii Socrates Plato, b. Jan. 1, 1816, d. Feb. 26, 1817. xiv Sylvanus Porter, b. Jan. 1, 1816, went South. sv Mary, b. d, 1832,. unmarried. Reuben Bartlett, son of Enoch Bartlett, married Lydia Frost. He lived on the north side of the river opposite Middle Interval. Children : i Sally, b. Jan. 30, 1792, m. AVilliam Estes. ii Betsey, b. Feb. 20, 1794, m. .Joshua Bean. iii Asa, b. Dec. 4, 1795, m. 1st, Mary Yoi-k; 2d, Betsey E. Rowe. iv Aaron, b. Apr. 20, 1800, never married. V Nathan, b. Sept. 5, 1802, m. Joanna Daniels of Paris. vi Enoch, b. May 15, 1805, d. June 15, 1828. vii Lydia, b. May 22, 1807, m. Isaac B. Littlehale. viii Esther, b. March 22, 1810, d. May, 1611. ix Fanny, b. Feb. 26, 1812, ni. Elijah Powers. Elias Bartlett, son of Jonathan Bartlett, married first, Eliza, daughter of Nathan Adams, and second, Judith, daughter of David Farnum of Rumford, who survived him, and married Rev. Dan Perry. Children : By flrst wife : i Eliza, b. March 3, 1815, m. Enoch Knapp. By second wife : ii Sylvia Porter, b. Feb. 15, 1817, d. June 8, 1836. iii Mary, b. May 9, 1819, m. Mighill Mason. iv Elias Shaw, b. Nov. 26, 1823, m. Hester Ann Bartlett. V Jonathan Madison, b. March 13, 1826, m. Olive Needham. vi Harriet, b. Nov, 15, 1829, d. Aug. 25, 1847. Elijah Bartlett, son of Jonathan Bartlett, married Nancy, daughter of Joshua Graham of Rumford. He lived in Bethel, in the Chandler neighborhood. He is remembered for his charitable deeds, and was very kind to the poor. Child : Hannah, b. Oct. 13, 1810, m. Abial Chandler. Bakbour Bartlett, son of Moses Bartlett, married Julia, daugh ter of Dea. Ezra Twitchell. (See page 114.) Children : i Julia Ann, b. July 2, 1813, m. June 29, 1842, George E. Smith of Hanover. ii Eli Leland, b. July 25, 1814, m. 470 HISTORY OF BETHEL. iii Curatio Twitchell, b. Apr. 10, 1816, m. Laura Ann Pressey. iv Moses B., b. July 12, 1818, m. Sarah E., daughter of Abner B. Thompson of Brunswick. V Sylvanus Porter, b. Feb. 23, 1820, d. Aug. 14, 1823. vi Lucia Kimball, b. June 7, 1821, m. Oct. 2, 1845, Isaac Adams, Jr. vii Miranda Jane, b. Nov. 14, 1822, d. Aug. 31, 1823. viii Sylvanus Porter, b. July 24, 1824. ix Edwin Wallace, b. Sept. 12, 1826. X Spencer T., b. Jan. 24, 1830, m. Caroline P. Adams of Brunswick. xi Jane Crombie, b. Nov. 13, 1831, d. July 2, 1833. Moses Baetlett, Jr., married Huldah Powers. He lived in that part of Bethel now Hanover, but left town many years ago. Children : i Lucy Ann, b. Sept. 28, 1827. ii Orson Powers, b. Oct. 5, 1829, d. March 31, 1830. ¦ iii Esther Beal, b. Feb. 25, 1831. iv George, b. Dec. 3, 1833. V Mary A., b. Apr. 22, 1836. * vi Alfred, b. Apr. 12, 1839. Ball Bartlett, son of Thaddeus Bartlett, married March 16, 1830, Marina, daughter of Peregrine Bartlett. He was a farmer and tavern-keeper at Bean's Corner. He died Apr. 18, 1865. Children : i Infant, b. Apr. 12, 1832, d. young. ii Abigail Rawson, b. March 23, 1833, d. June 3, 1851. iii Martha M., b. July 16, 1836, d. Aug. 7, 1858. iv Ezekiel Merrill, b. Sept. 1, 1838, m. Alma J. Colby. V Charles Solon, b. July 19, 1840, d. March 7, 1871. vi Ephraim C, b. Nov. '25, 1843, m. Rose Powers. vii Fanny M., b. Feb. 5, 1848, d. Nov. 20, 1871. viii Thaddeus G., b. Feb. 7, 1855, d. May 31, 1883. ix Harry P., b. Oct. 14, , m. Sarah Stark. Ebenezer Bartlett, oldest son of Stephen Bartlett, married Lois, daughter of Silas Powers. He lived a few years on Howard's Gore and then moved to a farm on the road between Locke's Mills and the Androscoggin. He was a farmer and pump-maker. Children : i Joanna WilHs, b. Feb. 6, 1815, d. July 28, 1836. ii Silas Powers, b. Feb. 3, 1817, m. Martha M. Morse of Jay. Dr. Bart lett is a natural scholar, aud particularly proficient in mathematics. He taught school winters w-hile he was obtaining his education DR, SILAS P. BARTLETT. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 471 and was a popular teacher. He studied the medical profession with Dr. Thomas Roberts of Rumford, graduated from the Maine INIedical School, practiced for a short time in Bethel and then set tled at East Dixfield, where he has lived for more than forty years, engaged in practice and in farming. He has been one of the principal contributors to the Maine Farmers' Almanac, and delights in devising and working out problems in the higher mathematics. He is a genial, companionable man, and deservedly popular. iii Stephen, b. Jan. 11, 1819, m. Cyrene How, r. Lowell, Mass. iv Ebenezer Nimrod, b. March 14, 1821, m. Elizabeth Kimball, and died in New Orleans. He and his son enlisted from Lowell, Mass., and both died. V Lusylvia, b. Feb. 9, 1824, m. Adams Twitchell. r. Milan, N. H. vi Artemas Powers, b. July 3, 1826, m. Julia Hodgkins, r. Lowell, Mass. vii Warren, b. Apr. 3, 1832, m. Isabelle Huston, resides West. Elhanan Bartlett, son of Stephen, married Joanna, daughter of Jonas Willis. He lived, and died Apr. 13, 1883, on the home stead of his father. He was a prominent man in town and often in town oflflce. He was also a thrifty and prosperous farmer. Children : i Zenas Willis, (M. D.) b. Aug. 10, 1818, m. Leona Roberts and settled in Rumford. ii Susanna, b. Apr. 1, 1820, d. Nov. 2, 1843. iii Cyrus, b. June 18, 1822, m. Caroline Smith; he d. Apr. 23, 1875. iv Beulah Foster, h. Dec. 10, 1824, m. James Roberts, d. Jan. '23, 1881. v Hester Ann,b. Nov. 24, 1827, m. Elias S. Bartlett. William Bartlett, son of Stephen Bartlett, married Elsie, daughter of William Russell. He lived on the hill, east of Jacob Kimball. Children : The oldest two died in infancy. i Jonas Willis, b. June 15, 1819, m. Lusannah A. Lapham. ii Leonora, b. Dec. 27, 1820, d. Nov. 17, 1840. iii Henry Russell, b. July 11, 1822, m. Sophronia Glines, d. May 4, 1885. iv Sebra Dunham, b. Feb. 28, 1825, m. Nancy Adams, r. Massachusetts. V Emma, b. Nov. 13, 1827, d. Nov. 14, 18.33. vi Benjamin Franklin, b. Oct. 29, 1829, m. Hannah Goss, d. in Texas in 1864. vii M^ehitable, b. Nov. 25, 1831, m. Joshua Bean, .Jr. ; both dead. James A. S. Bartlett, son of Stephen Bartlett, married Betsey, daughter of Asa Foster of Newry. He lived in the neighborhood of his brother, Ebenezer, where his son Asa afterwards lived, and 472 HISTORY OF BETHEL. died January 10, 1873. His widow died July 10, 1882. Children : i Asa Foster, b. Dec. 24, 1823, m. Jane Moody of Paris, d, 1891. ii Anna, ) m. Vincent G. Chapman. -b. Sept. 6, 1825. iii Dorcas, J m. 1st, Malachi Haines, 2d, Edwin Farrar. iv Cyrene, b. March 31, 1828, m. Washington Crooker. V Lucretia, b. Nov. 29, 1829, m. 1850, Albert Haines; both dead. vi James Armenas, b. May 15, 1832, m. Mary Hutchinson, r. Massachu setts. vii Sophila, b. May 27, 1836, m. George Gallbraith ; both dead. viii Betsey P., b. Dec. 13, 1838, m. 1861, William H. Corliss, Asa Bartlett, son of Reuben Bartlett, married first, Mary, daughter of Peter York, and second, Betsey E. Rowe of Newry. He lived on the homestead of his father. Children : i Mary Ann, h. Oct. 21, 1820, m. Elijah B. Goddard. ii Freeland, b. Oct. 11, 1824, m. Betsey ^Morse of Grafton. iii Dolly, b. Aug. 15, 1828. By second wife : iv Asa Warrington, b. Feb. 4, 1839. Elias Shaw Baetlett, son of Elias and Judith (Farnum) Bartlett, was a farmer and lived on the old ho'mestead. He married Hester, daughter of Elhanan Bartlett. He was one of the select men for several years and held other town oflices. Children : i Elhanan P., b. Aug. 9, 1848, m. Sarah Stevens. ii Mary E., b. July 15, 1851, m. Chas. M. Kimball. iii James M., b. Sept. 23, 1853, m. Etta M. Bartlett. iv F. Dayton, b. Apr. 30, 1856, m. Martha V. Brown. V Olivette, b. Apr. 3, 1859. vi Zenas Willis, b. Apr. 19, 1861, m. Carrie M. Swan. vii Flora E., b. Nov. 18, 1866, m. W. S. Wight. vni Elias S., b. June 19, 1870. Aetemas Powees Bartlett, son of Ebenezer and Lois (Powers) Bartlett, lived on the homestead of his father a few years, then sold out and moved to Lowell, Mass. He was a farmer and carpenter. He married Julia H. Hodgkins of Lewiston. Children : i George Forrest, b. July 22, 1850. ii Sarah Luetta, b. Oct. 26, 1851. in Charles Warren, b. June 19, 1853. iv Lusylvia Twitchell, b. March 10, 1855. V Flora Elmetta, b. Dec. 26, 1856. vi Ebenezer Powers, b. Sept. 19, 1858, d. Dec. 25, 1862. vii Jonathan IL, b. Apr. 28, 1860. vin Angie Davis, b. March 7, 1862. ix Lois Powers, b. Apr. 15, 1864. x Odell Dumon, b. Jan. 30, 1866. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 473'. CuEATio Twitchell Bartlett, son of Barbour Bartlett, married Laura Annie Pressey, who was born in Mercer, Aug. 25, 1816. He was a farmer and resided on part of the homestead of his grand father, Eli Twitchell. He died Aug. 25, 1881. Children : i Eli Leland, b. M.-iy 30, 1842, m. July 5, 1881, Jenny Taylor of Nova Scotia. He lives at the old homestead in Bethel. ii .James Cleveland, b. April 1, 18.t4, m. in Texas in 1875, Almonte Huling; he died January '28, 1891.' iii Frances J., b. March 17, 1846, m. 1876, John Kittredge of North Andover, j\lass. Jonas Willis Baetlett, son of William Bartlett, a farmer and brick-maker, married Feb. 24, 1850, Lusannah, daughter of Deacon John Lapham. She died Feb. 2, 1869. He lives in the lower part of the town on a farm adjoining the Foster farm. Children : i Lovisa Ellen, b. July 18, 1852, m. George A. Armitage, r. Lawrence, Mass. ii William Barbour, b. January 11, 1854, resides in Woburn, Mass., un married. iii Lucetta E., b. Oct. 18, 1856. She is in the dress-making business in Lawrence, Mass. iv Gardiner Morrill, b. Apr. 17, 18.58. V Elias Russell, b. Feb. 14, 1860. vi Aurilla, b. Dec. 18, 1864. Henry Russell Bartlett, brother of the preceding, farmer, married April 29, 1843, Sophronia, daughter of Timothy Glines, who was born in Rumford, Aug. 8, 1819. Henry R. Bartlett died May 4, 1885. Children: i Helen Elizabeth, b. Dec. 14, 1843. ii Althea Sarah, b. Sept. 12, 1845, d. Feb. 1871. iii Henry Edson, b. April 12, 1847. He is a brick and stone mason and farmer. He married Feb. 4, 1874, Lizzie, daughter of Daniel Coburn of Lowell, Mass., and has : 1 Walter Edson, b. Nov. 13, 1874. 2 Elsie, b. May 23, 1878. 3 Blanche, b. Aug. 28, 1880. 4 Amy, b. May 19, 1886. Asa Fostee Bartlett, son of James A. S. Bartlett, a farmer, lived on the homestead of his father adjoining the Eli Foster farm, and died there in August, 1891 He married Dec. 26, 1852, Jane, daughter of Benaiah Moody, who was born in Paris, Dec. 22, 1822. Children : 474 HISTORY OF BETHEL. i Emery W., b. January 1, 1856. He graduated at Bowdoin College in 1880, engaged in journalism and is now on the staff of the Boston Herald. ii Judson F., b. March 7, 1857. iii A. Ezbon, b. Nov. 21, 1859, m. Annie Whitman. iv Nelson M., b. Dec. 8, 1861. V Ella J., b. Nov. 1, 1864, m. Stephen H. Foster. Tilden Bartlett, son of Josiah Bartlett of Plymouth, Mass., and Norway, Me., of no relation to the other Bartletts in town, moved to a lot in the east part of Bethel previous to 1830, and died there. His wife was Elizabeth, daughter of John and Abigail (Irish) Buck of Buckfield. Mr. Bartlett's four sons settled in the same neighborhood, and one or more of them are still there. Children : i Rachel, b. June, 1808, Ximennes Philbrick of Buckfleld. ii Tilden, b. Sept. 1810, m. Sarah Eastman. iii Martha, ) b. April 1812, m. Adam Knight. [-twins. iv Abigail, J b. April, 1812, m. Joseph Frye. v Benjamin, b. March, 1814, m. Hannah Brooks of Paris. vi Syl-via, b. Dec, 1815, m. Ferdinand A. Warren of Buckfleld. vii Sarah, b. Oct., 1817, m. Asa Record. j ¦viii Abijah, b. Aug., 1819, m. Hannah Stevens. ix Eliza, b. March, 1821, m. William Chase. x Elmira, b. January, 1824, m. Alfred Harris. xi Enoch, b. Dec, 1S25, m. Louisa Trask. Levi Needham Baetlett, son of Sylvanus and Mary Jane (Howe) Martin Bartlett, and nephew of Tilden Bartlett preceding, born in Greenwood, Sept. 18, 1845, married May 27, 1875, Rowena, daughter of Learned Whitman of Bethel. He is a farmer on Grover Hill. Children : i Lizzie Grace, b. July 17, 1876. ii Maude A., b. July 20, 1878. iii Earl Alton, b. June 10, 1886. I ,,,..•!. iv ErvaMay, b. .June 12, 1889J •'''' _>u -'';.',-/.'¦¦-¦• /.A;..,,- ' BaETON. jsirfg Asa Barton (Of Needham, Mass., married. Mercy, daughter of Ebenezer Bart/ett of Newton. She subsequently married Oliver Fenno the blacksmith, and came to Bethel, and then moved to Jay. Children: i Aaron, b. -—, m. Sally Smith. ii Eunice, b. , m. Elijah Swan; d. Paris. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 4,-Jf, Aaron Barton, son of the preceding, came to Bethel, while yet a boy, with Nathaniel Segar and Jonathan Bartlett. He married Jan. 29, 1793, Sally, daughter of Ithiel Smith. He moved to Jay, and then to Livermore. Children :/ / 0/ ¦ , K' ' \ Aaron, b. , m. Pamelia Foster, ,i A^^^,^_>, ,'' - vt'*'*-^ ,.'\ ii Asa, b. , m. Lydia Chase. \^j;'y-*^^ '7- ' Ov'C^i''*'^-' ' iii Sarah, b. , m. Elliot Snijith of Norway. . ^ iv Lavinia Howard, ^j^JJ, n^lliot Smith of Norway,e:<^'^ '^ ¦ -^ ^ V Mercy Barton, b. , m. Thomas Chase of Livermore. She was ^ the mother of Elizabeth (Chase)(A.kersJAllen, the well known .t: poetical writer. / ' i '1"' ^ '¦ ^ , i.>**^^ Barker. J^,^^*.^.* , ^, ^-^ 4 ,^, The Barker families of Bethel descended from James' and Grace ., Barker, who were early at Rowley, Mass., through NathanieP and Mary, James' and Sarah, .lames'* and Elizabeth and Jedediah' and iSarah. Jedediah Barker* married Sarah . Children : i John, b. Apr. 21, 1758, m. Mary Jackman. ii James, b. . iii Samuel, b. May 15, 1762, m. 1st, Betsey Rogers, 2d, Abigail Blan chard. iv Susannah, b. Dec. 21, 1763. V Elizabeth, b. Sept., 1865. John Barker, son of the preceding, came from Londonderry, N. H., to Bethel in 1804, and he and his wife died in this town. 'Children : i Mary, b. June -26, 1782. ii Sarah, b. March 6, 1784. iii John, b. Aug. 12, 1785, (M. D. at Wilton, Me.) He w-as the fathei- of Fordyce Barker, the distinguished New York physician. ,iv Nancy, b. Jan. 31, 1788. V Abigail, b. Oct. 29, 1790. vi Samuel, b. July 6, 1792, in. Hannah B. Clark, vii Timothy, b. July 1, 1794, m. Eliza Town. viii Pamelia, b. Aug. 22, 1796. ix Hannah J,, b. July 26, 1801, m. James Walker. Samuel Barker, son of Jedediah and Sarah Barker, born in Rowley, Mass., married Betsey Rogers. He came to Bethel in 1803, and lived at and conducted the Ferry known as "Barker's Ferry." He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and Deacon of 476 HISTORY OF BETHEL. the church in Bethel. For second wife he married Abigail Blan chard. Children : i Betsey R., b. Feb. 26, 1784, m. Timothy Chapman. ii Judith, b. Aug. 30, 1785, m. Daniel Coffin of Milan, N. H. iii Susan, b. Aug. 4, 1787, d. young. iv William, b. May 8, 1789. He went to South Carolina, and settled' there. V Sukey, b. July 10, 1791, m. Thaddeus Twitchell. vi Samuel, b. Dec. 3, 1793. He settled in Mississippi. vii Nathaniel, b. Jan. 6, 1796, m. Catharine Knight; he graduated at Dartmouth College ; was a clergyman. viii Francis, b. Nov, 3, 1797, d. young. ix Francis, b. January 1, 1799, m. Nancy Ingalls of Shelburne, N. H. X Moses, b. Oct. 17, 1800, m. Ann Blanchard, r. Worcester, Mass. xi Mary C, b. May 2, 1802, m. Daniel Ingalls of Shelburne. xii Sophronia, b. Aug- 12, 1804, m. Eli Twitchell. xiii Fanny, b. Nov. 24, 1806, m. Isaac .J. Town, and second, Thos. B.. Little, Auburn. By second wife : xiv Sarah, b. Sept. 9, 1814, m. Thomas Beach of Ohio. XV Deborah Jane, b. Apr. 9, 1817, m. Lyman Eustis of Dixfield. Capt. Samuel Barker, son of John Barker, married Hannah B.. Clark. Children ; i Caroline IL, b. Dec. 14, 1819, m. Aug. 7, 1875, Samuel H. Chapman. ii Alanson, b. May 30, 1822, d. Apr. 5, 1823. iii John, b. May 23, 1828, m. Mary J. Rose. iv Samuel Alanson, b. May 26, 1826, d. Aug. 10, 1826. V Phebe Abbot, b. Feb. 4, 1830, m. Gilbert Chapman. vi Maria, b. March 7, 1833. vn Fehcia IL, b. Aug. 25, 1838. John Barker, son of Capt. Samuel Barker, married Nov. 29,. 1860, Mary Jane, daughter of Duane and Maria (Clark) Rose, formerly of Lisbon, Conn. Mr. Barker has been much in town oflflce, member of the Legislature aud is now County Commissioner. A man of ability and integrity. Children : i Clarence Eugene, b. Nov. 17, 1861 . ii Arthur E., b. Sept. 8, 1863. iii Mary Ellen, b. Apr. 11, 1868. iv Alice Maria, b. Feb. 25, 1874. Timothy Barker married Eliza Town. He was a farmer, but later in life he moved to Bethel Hill. He died Nov. 11, 1875, and his wife died January 23, 1866. Children : HISTORY OF BETHEL. 477 i Leander Town, b. Oct. 31, 1828, m. Dorcas Ellen Bracket!. ii Dolly Gould, b. Oct. 14, 1830, m. Thos. E. Twitchell, d. May 2, 1861. iii Mary Eliza, b. Feb. 17, 1833, m. Dr. Chas. W. Gordon. iv Alma Ingalls, b. Aug. 2, 18,38, d. March 17, 1843. V Ella Abba, b. Jan. 20, 1849, m. Nov. 12, 1867, Horace D. Gibbs, d. March 22, 1873. Leander Town Barker, son of the preceding, married Feb. 28, 1856, Dorcas Ellen, daughter of William and Sarah (Hobbs) Brackett of Harrison, Maine, who died Sept., 1891. Mr. Barker has served the town of Bethel in the capacity of clerk for near twenty years, and is an excellent recording oflflcer. He has no children. Francis Barker, son of Samuel Barker, married Nancy H. Ingalls of Shelburne, N. H. He lived near Barker's Ferry, and near where the toll bridge now is. Children : i Frederick Ingalls, b. Oct. 3, 1825. ii Nathaniel, b. June 22, 1826, m. Hannah Eaton, r. Wells. iii Ausina, b. Nov. 14, 1829, m. Robbins Brown, d. May 23d, 1882. iv Cullen, b. Dec. 2, 1832, drowned July 6, 1855. V Albert Francis, b. June 2, 1836, m. Eliza Brown. vi Catherine Ingalls, b. July 3, 1837. vii Eli Wight, b. Sept. 25, 1841, m. Lydia IJ. Burnham. viii Henry Clinton, b. Oct. 23, 1842, m. Ellen 51. Frost. Moses Barker married Ann Blanchard. Children : i Abigail Ann Rogers, b. Oct. 12, 1827. ii Elizabeth, b. March 4, 1830. iii Lucilla C, b. July 29, 1833, d. Nov. 23, 18,38. iv Martha Antoihette, b. Dec. 7, 1835. Eli Wight Baekee, son of Francis Barker, is a farmer and lives on the old homestead near the Bethel Bridge. He married Feb. 10, 1876, Lydia Ursula, daughter of Pinckney Burnham. Children : i Guy Burnham, b. March 2, 1884. ii Philip Merton, b. June 26, 1889. Heney Clinton Barker, son of Francis Barker, resides at Bethel and is a dealer in doors, sash and blinds. He married Oct. 30, 1865, Ellen Maria, daughter of Simeon Foster and Maria (Abbot) Frost of Upton. Children : i Evangeline Barker, b. Deo. 18, 1866. ii Francis Barnard, b. Dec. 25, 1878. 478 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Charles Allen Barker, son of Francis and Sarah Fox (Allen)' Barker of South Waterford, married Apr. 2, 1870, Harriet Kimball, daughter of James and Sarah (Moody) Lapham, and widow of" Marriner Davis. He is a farmer and lives on the Lapham home stead on the road from Locke's Mills to Bean's Corner, at East Bethel. Child : i Sarah Hannah, b. Feb. 18, 1871. Bean. Jonathan Bean, (see page 65) the ancestor of one branch of the- Beans of this town, was born either in Kingston or Brentwood, New Hampshire, on territory once a part of Exeter, where his great grandfather John Bean from Scotland, settled. Jonathan Bean lived some years in Chester, near his brother Benjamin, but soon. after seventeen hundred and sixty, he moved to Standish, Maine. The christian name of his wife was Abigail, but her family nam& has not been ascertained. In the fall of the year seventeen hun dred and eighty-one, he and his three sons came to Sudbury Canada. He died in the year eighteen hundred, and his widow in eighteen hundred and twenty-one at a great age. March 29, 1780, he sold. his homestead in Standish, to Aaron Richardson of Newton. Children. i Abigail, b. , m. Colonel John Vork. ii Josiah, b. , m. Mary Crocker of Standish. iii Jonathan, b. 1754, m. 1st, Abigail York, 2d, Ann McGill. iv Daniel, b. 1757, m. in 1780, Margaret Shaw. V Dolly, b. , m. Luther Topping, d. before 1818, no issue. vi Lois, b. , m. John Mareau, who d. 1840. She d. 1840. vii Eunice, b. 1767, m. Joseph Shaw of Standish, and died in 1832. viii Anne, b. — , ni. Ithiel Smith of New-ry. JosiAH Bean, son of Jonathan, married Molly Crocker of Stand ish. He settled in the lower parish where his sons afterwards lived. November 3d, 1780, he bought of Aaron Richardson, inter val lot number 10, south of river, in Sudbury Canada. Children : i Dolly, b. May 14, 1773, m. Francis Keyes. ii Timothy, b. June 8, 1775, m. Hannah Kimball. iii Amos, b. Apr. 15, 1778, m. Huldah Kimball. iv Luther, b. Apr. 23, 1781, m. Lydia Kimball. V Edmund, b. Aug. 12, 1786, m. Emma Kimball. vi Joshua, b. Apr. 27, 1789, m. Betsey Bartlett. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 479 vii Molly, b. January 27, 1792, m. Moses F. Kimball. viii Hannah, b. June 29, 1794, ra. Capt. Timothy Hastings. ix Abigail, b. Dec. 1, 1797, m. Phineas Frost. Jonathan Bean, Je., brother of the preceding, married first, Abigail York, and second, Ann McGill. His first three children were born in Standish. He died about the year 1827, aged about 73 years. He bought Sudbury Canada lands of Aaron Richardson of Newton, about the same time as his brother. Children : i Jonathan, b. . He was killed by an Indian in the Shadagee fight, war of 1812. He left a widow. ii John, b. , m. Hannah McGill of Standish. iii Benjamin, b. , m. Priscilla Peabody. iv Hannah, b. March 14, 1782, d. Dec. 28, following. V Lucy, b. Apr. 21, 1784, m. Josiah Smith. vi Lois, b. Oct. 24, 1786, m. . vii Job b. March 13, 1788, d. March 24, 1812. viii Abiather, b. May 8, 1789, d. Nov. 18, following. ix Nathaniel, b. April 10, 1791, m. Betsey York, s. Magalloway. x Abiather, b. June 20, 1793, m. Persis Fogg. xi Ebenezer, b. April 24, 1797, m. Clarissa Newton. xii Eunice, b. Feb. 7, 1799, m. Samuel Wilson of Topsham. xiii Sarah, b. May 6, 1800. Daniel Bean, brother of Josiah and Jonathan, married in 1780, Margaret, daughter of Ebenezer and Anna (Philbrook) Shaw of Standish. He lived on the Sanborn farm near Kendall's Ferry. June 9, 1781, he bought of Aaron Richardson, two whole rights of land in Sudbury Canada. He was a revolutionary pensioner and died at West Bethel, March 16, 1833. His wife died May, 1846. Children : i Ebenezer Shaw, b. Standish, March 25, 1781, m. Eunice Kendall. ii Susannah, b. Bethel, March 30, 1783, m. William Burke. iii Anna, b. Jan. 5, 1785, m. Bezaleel Kendall. iv Sargent, b. Nov. 14, 1787, d. Jan. 1792. V Justus, b. Nov. 8, 1790, m. Sally Rumney of Lubec vi Abiah, b. Dec. 31, 1792, m. Cyrus Mills. vii Child, b. Oct. 14, 1794, d. Oct. 30, following. viii Hadassah, b. Oct. 1, 1795, m. Elijah Grover. ix Daniel, b. Dec. 8, 1796, m. May 17, 1821, Betsey, daughter of Ithiel Smith of Newry. x Sargent, b. May 30, 1799, m. Anna Smith. xi Mary, b. Aug. 17, 1802, m. William Hall, s. Temple. xii Dolly, b. June 25, 1804, m. George W. Grover. xiii Stephen, b. Jan. 7, 1806, m. Hannah Townsend of Solon. He lived in Grafton until 1862, when he moved to Iowa and died there. 480 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Timothy Bean, oldest son of Josiah, married Hannah, daughter of Asa Kimball of Bethel. He lived near Swan's Hill. Children : i Kimball, b. Apr. 26, 1796, m. Lavinia Powers. .ii Dolly, b. Aug. 16, 1798, d. -July 5, 1804. iii Vier, b. Oct. 4, 1800, m. secondly, Rebecca Gossom. iv George W., b. Oct. 14, 1802, m. Mary Ann Estes. V James Crocker, b. May 11, 1807, m. Eleanor D. Bartlett. vi Timothy, b. Apr. 6, 1813, m. 1st, Louisa D. Russell, 2d, Betsey E. Sw-ift. Amos Bean, son of .Josiah Bean, lived on the south side of the river above Bean's Corner. He married Huldah, daughter of Sam uel Kimball, and was killed in quite early manhood, by a falling tree. Children : i Humphrey, b. Jan. 22, 1802, m. Lydia Holt. ii Samuel K., b. March 4, 1804, m. Lucretia B. Frost. iii Olive, b. Deo. 11, 1807, m. Thomas Jeft'erson Howard. iv Elsie, b. Sept. 9, 1812, m. D.aniel G. York. Luther Bean, son of Josiah, married Lydia, daughter of Samuel Kimball. He first settled on the Hutchins farm, then removed to Rumford and then to Milton Plantation, where he died. Children : i Lucinda, b. Dec. 29, 1802, m. Hezekiah Hutchins. ii Hannah, b. June 10, 1805, m. Amos Andrew s. iii Sybil B., b. March 27, 1806, m. Edward Stevens. iv Lovina, b. Apr. 21, 1814. V Stephen, b. May 4, 1809. vi Emma, b. May 4, 1811, m. Gilman \\ . Farnum. vii Maria, b. March 21, 1813, d. April 1, 1813. viii Clark Kimball, b. Oct. 26, 1818. ix Luther Dana, b. Dec. 25, 1820. x Ann Maria, b. Oct. 28, 1822. xi Edmund, b. Dec. 29, 1824. xii Aaron, b. Oct. 28, 1826. xin Lewis, b. April 29, 1828. xiv Franklin, b. June 28, 1830, killed in the army. Edmund Bean, son of Josiah, married Emma, daughter of Asa Kimball, Jr. He lived on a fine farm, on the south side of the river, above Bean's Corner. Children : i Eliphaz, b. July 25, 1813, m. Sarah B. Farnum. ii Zachariah H., b. Feb. 16, 1815, m. Eraeline B. Farnum. iii Phebe Kimball, b. Feb. 16, 1820, m. Benj. T. Brown. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 481 Joshua Bean, son of Josiah, married Betsey, daughter of Reuben Bartlett. He lived on an interval farm near his brother Edmund. Children : i Francis Cushman, b. Nov. — , 1815. He lives on the old homestead. ii Mary C, b. May 23, 1818, m. Benjamin Estes. iii Josiah, b. Apr. 28, 1820. iv Reuben Bartlett, b. July 11, 1822, d. in the army, unmarried. V Phineas Frost, b. June 7, 1824. vi Joshua, b. March 2, 1828, m. Jlehitable Bartlett. vii Lydia, b. Sept. 11, 1830. viii Dolly Kimball, b. May 27, 1833. John Bean married Hannah McGill of Standish. He lived in the lower part of Bethel and was the son of Jonathan Bean, Jr. Children : i Fanny, b. Dec. 17, 1799. ii Elmira, b. Oct. 27, 1801, m. Elijah Russell. iii Nathan, b. March 15, 1804, m. Bathsheba Smith of Newry. iv Lucy, b. March 16, 1806, m. Geo. W. How-ard. V Charlotte, b. Feb. 16, 1808, in. Chandler Duston. vi Eleanor Eames, b. Dec. 16, 1809. vii Mary, b. April 11, 1812. viii Abigail Insly, b. July 25, 1814. ix John, b. Deo. 3, 1816. X ' Peter York, b. March 8, 1819, m. 1st, Rebecca Blake, 2d, Mary C. Glidden. xi Salina, b. June 23, 1821, d. Sept. 26, 1823. xii Sarah Shaw-, b. July 25, 1823. Benjamin Bean married Priscilla Peabody of Gilead. He was the son of Jonathan Bean, .Jr., and lived in Berlin, N. H., and Mason, Maine. Children : i Lovel, b. Jan. 7, 1803, m. Sophia Coffin; issue. ii Phebe, b. Feb. 26, 1805, m. Aaron Peabody ; no issue. iii Asa, b. June 8, 1807, d. an infant. iv Fletcher I., b. July 21, 1809, m. Betsey Coflin, r. Berlin, N. H, ; issue. v^ Insley, b. Apr. 3, 1812, r. Berlin, N. H. ; issue. vi Polly, b. June 2, 1815, m. Greenleaf Coffin; issue. vii Amos. P., b. June 23, 1817, m. Roxanna Paine; issue. viii Eunice H., b. — , 1819. Abiathae Bean, son of Jonathan, married Persis Fogg. He lived in various parts of the town. Children : 482 HISTORY OF BETHEL. i Eliza, b. .Jan. 3, 1817. ii Jonathan, b. Jan. 20, 1820, d. Sept. 21, 1820. iii Lydia, b. . iv Thomas Carlisle, and probably others. Ebenezer Bean, son of Jonathan Bean, Jr., who married Clar issa Newton of Andover, lived at West Bethel. Children : i Jonathan Clark, b. Aug. 31, 1820. ii Ebenezer, b. Feb. 15, 1823, d. young. iii Clarissa N., b. Sept. 27, 1824, m. L. D. Ward. iv Stephen, d. in the army. V Addison S., b. , r. AVest Bethel. Daniel Bean, Jr., married May 17, 1821, Betsey, daughter of Ithiel Smith of Newry. He lived in Bethel a few years and then moved to the lake region and lived in what is now Upton. He died Feb. 14, 1882, and his widow, born January 20, 1796. died Oct. 10, 1868. When in Bethel he lived flrst on the Sanborn farm, the homestead of his father and grandfather, and then moved to Middle Interval, where he had a cabinet shop. Children : i Norris, b. Bethel, Apr. 15, 1822, d. Aug. 25, 1823. ii Peter Smith, b. Bethel, March 23, 1824, m. Eliza Carter. iii Clarinda, b. Bethel, May 11, 1826, m. Oliver Richmond. iv Albert D,, b. Feb. 17, 1829, m. Susan Manning. V Levi S., b. June 13, 1831, unmarried. vi Daniel, b. Sept. 21, 18-23, m. Maryana McNair. vii Ithiel Smith, b. April 3, 1825, m. Helen Underhill. Ebenezee Bean, son of Daniel Bean, married Sept. 9, 1804, Eunice Kendall, who died March 16, 1825. He married second, Mary Holt. Children : i Maria Kendall, ) d. Slay 5, 1828. Uwins,"b. Feb. 18, 1805. ii John Mareau, J m. Mary Mason of Gilead. iii Anna, ) m. Lawson Mason. Uwins, b. Oct. 30, 1806. iv Amasa, J m. Sarah B. Twitchell. V Ebenezer Shaw, b. July 28, 1808. vi Daniel Freeman, b. Feb. 21, 1810, m. Polly Patch Wight. vii Bezaleel Kendall, b. Apr. 7, 1812, m. Julia Scribner. viii Abiah, b. June 30, 1814, m. Tilton Bennett. ix Lidania, b. April 5, 1816, m. Rufus Skillings. X Eunice E., b. .June 12, 1820, m. Clark Coffin. By second wife : xi Andrew Crawford, b. Nov. 30, 1828, m. Mary Brown. xii Mary, b. Aug. 3, 1830, m. Pingree. xiii Jane, b. Feb. 28, 1832. xiv Ephraim H., b. March 8, 1834, ni. Johnson. HISTOR Y OF BETHEL. 483 Justus Bean, son of Daniel, married Sally Rumney, who was born in Lubec, July 17, 1797, and died January 8, 1874. He was a cooper and farmer. Children : i Barbara Ann, b. Nov. 1, 1815. m. Seth Wight, Jr. ii Elizabeth C'lark, b. Aug. 27, 18'20, m. Leonard Farewell. iii Isabel M. B. A., b. Nov. 15, 1822, m. Sylvanus Mason. iv Sarah Abigail, b. May 2, 18'24, m. Gilman Farewell. V Rebecca M., b. Feb. 25, 1826. vi Spencer Drake, b. May 1, 1827, m. Mary Smith. vii William Render, b. March 15, 1829, m. Judith R. Glines. viii Lydia Alfreda, b. March 19, 1830, m. Dr. Wm. Williamson. ix Stephen Jarvis C, b. Nov. 29, 1833, m. Maria Kendall. X Charles Laforest, b. March 11, 1836, m. Isabel Lane. xi Justus Elmore, b. Apr. 29, 1840. Kimball Bean, son of Timothy Bean, married Lovina Powers,, and second, Maria H. Russell. Children : i George, b. Nov. 28, 1818. ii James C, b. Feb. 23, 1820. iii Charles- H., b. Feb. 20, 1S23. iv Hannah, b. Feb. 21, 1825, d. Nov. 14, 1842. v Abigail, b. Apr, 21, 1827. vi Caroline, b. Apr. 29, 1830. vii Mary Ann, b. Feb. 7, 1832. By second wife : vin Eliza Perry, b. Oct. 17, 1837. ix. John Dustin, b. Feb, 16, 1842. ViEE Bean, son of Timothy Bean, married flrst , and second, Rebecca Gossam. Children : i Emery, b. Sept. 22, 1826. ii Vier, ,b. March 1, 1829. iii Amos, b. Feb. 24, 1831. By second w-ife: iv Jarvis AVesley, b. June 17, 1840. v Jedediah Kimball, b. July 27, 1843. George W. Bean, son of Kimball Bean, married Mary Ann, daughter of Isaac Estes. He died in the army and his widow mar ried Daniel Cummings of Albany. Children : i Fanny M., b. March 18, 1839, m. Phineas W. Abbot. ii Benjamin W., b. Nov. 8, 1841, m. Sarah Sweat; both dead. iii Sylvanus M., b. Sept. 28, 1843. iv Emery I., b. June 13, 1850. V Charles W., b. Aug. 24, 1857. Humphrey Bean, son of Amos and Huldah (Kimball) Bean, lived on the south side of the river, on part of his father's home stead. He married June 9, 1832, Lydia Holt. He died Nov. 14, 1884. Children : i Christopher Columbus, b. Jan. 1, 1833, m. Melinda L. Needham. ii Elohe V., b. May 28, 1835, m. 1855, Jotham S. Lane. 484 HISTORY OF BETHEL. iii Hiram Holt, b. Feb. 27, 1838, m. 2d, Rosilla II. Howe. iv Farman L., b. Nov. 30, 1844, d. Dec. 20, 1862. V Adesto P., b. May 27, 1848, m. F. J. Russell. vi Alfonso W., b. Jan. 21, 1852, m. Clara Holt. Eliphaz C. Bean, (see page 361) son of Edmund Bean, married Sarah B., daughter of David H. Farnum of Rumford. Children : i Loretta P., b. Sept. 9, 1839, m. James O. Brown. ii Emma Maria, b. July 20, 1841, m. Edmund Merrill, Jr. iii Freeborn G., b. May 25, 1844. He served in the late war, and after coming home, he was drowned in Portland Harbor, Aug. 3, 1873. iv Edmund D,, b. Aug. 17, 1855, m. Iniogene Perry. V Fred C, b. March 28, 1858, married May 11, 1884, Tavis, daughter of Henry R. Bartlett, and has : 1 Lester P., b. March 11, 1885. "Zachaeiah Hannafoed Bean, son of Edmund Bean, married -January 17, 1841, Emeline Bartlett, daughter of Hall Farnum of Rumford. He is a farmer and resides on part of the Josiah Bean homestead. Children : i Infant, b. Sept. 30, 1842, d. Oct. 1, 1842. ii Catharine Maria, b. Sept. 16, 1843, m. Humphrey B. Holt. iii Frances Kimball, b. March 25, 1846, m. Arthur M. Bean. iv Sarah Ellen, b. Jan. 1, 1849, m. James Frank Rich. V Emma Etta, b. Oct. 7, 1856, d. Aug. 13, 1857. John Marean Bean, son of Ebenezer Bean, married Mary Mason of Gilead. On Bethel records are the names of the following Children : i Alphonso P., b, Nov. 22, 1830, m. Lucretia Bean. ii Mary A., b. Oct. 11, 1833. Peter Smith Bean, son of Daniel Bean, Jr., married Oct. 15, 1849, Eliza C. Carter, who was born June 20, 1827. He was a soldier in the late war and now resides at Cadott, Chippewa county, Wisconsin. He is much interested in old-time affairs and his sketches of Bethel, Grafton and the lake region, published in the Oxford county papers, have excited much local interest. Children : i Edwin C, b. July 27, 1850, ip. Henrietta . ii Clarinda, b. March 27, 1852, m. David Dierck. iii A., b. Oct. 14, 1853, m. Hobart Middlebrook. iv Marian P., b. Oct. 25, 1856, m. Mary Banker. V Charles AV., b. Jan. 23, 1858, m. Louise Allen. vi Nellie A., b. July 20, 1860, m. Zanello Lovell. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 485 vii Peter N., b. Feb. 11, 1863, m^ Gertie Lee. viii William L., b. March 17, 1866, unmarried. ix Wallace E., b. March 27, 1868, d. Aug. 20, 1880. Bezaleel Kendall Bean, son of Ebenezer Bean, is a mill wright, and now lives in Gilead. He married in 1833, Julia Ann Scribner of Harrison. He has resided in Bethel, Bath, Gilead, Albany, Mason, Masardis and Gorham, N. H. Children : i John Edward, b. Nov. 3, 1833, m. Octavia P. Bennett. ii Prescott, b. July 11, 1835, d. Feb. 28, 1839. iii Barzelia K., b. Apr. 9, 1837, m. Cordelia Goodenow. iv Ann R., b. Dec. 29, 1838, m. Charles S. AVhitney. V Eunice E., b. Aug. 1, 1841, m. Joseph Gallagher. vi Henry E., b. Oct. 23, 1843, m. Eliza Bennett. vii Nathaniel, b. June 10, 1845, d. Oct. 5, following. viii William M., b. Aug. 15, 1846, m. Louisa Gammon. ix Armina G., b. Sept. 30, 1848, d. Aug. 1, 1863. x Melena M., b. Apr. 14, 1850, m. Chas. Morgan. xi M. Caroline, b. Maj-ch 12, 1853, m. Geo. H. Goodenow. xii Charles M., b. June 20, 1854. xiii Reuel, b. July 29, 1855, d. Oct. 20, 1857. xiv Augusta, b. Oct. 9, 1856, m. Reuben Howes. XV Nathaniel B., b. Feb. 28, 1859, m. Emma Tripp. xvi Frank L., b. June 14, 1862, m. Marian Thomas. Daniel Freeman Bean, son of Ebenezer Bean, married April 7, 1840, Polly Patch, daughter of Ephraim and Susanna (Patch) Wight of Gilead, who died March 7, 1888. He is a farmer at West Bethel. Children : i La Roy S., b. Jan. 14, 1841, m. Adelaide Howard; d. Aug. 20, 1887. ii Emily J., b. Feb. 22, 1843, d, Aug. 9, 1887. iii Alpheus S., b. Feb. 18, 1845, m. Lucinda E. Mason. iv Fanny E., b. Jan. 15, 1848, m. Thomas B. Morrill of Boston. V Susan E., b. Sept. 4, 1849, m. Fred AA^ Perkins of Boston. vi Daniel P., b. Aug. 22, 1852. Alpheus S. Bean, son of Daniel F. Bean, a merchant and lum berman at West Bethel, an active and successful business man, married Nov. 14, 1871, Lucinda E., daughter of Moses and Martha Mason of Gilead. They have no children : Hiram Holt Bean, son of Humphrey Bean, lives on part of the old homestead. He married first, Sept. 27, 1866, Ellen M. Davis of Minot, and second, Feb. 3d, 1880, Rosilla, daughter of Calvin Howe of Rumford. Children : i Edward L., b. Nov. 7, 1869. ii Chester H., b. July 12, 1885. 486 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Barzelia K. Bean, son of Bezaleel K. Bean, resides at West Bethel and is a farmer. He married July 9, 1859, Lois Cordelia, daughter of Henry Goodenow, who was born in Bethel, July 16, 1839. Children : i Melissa Estelle, b. June 10, 1860, d. Feb. 17, 1862. ii Willie Lester, b. Apr. 4, 1864, d. Dec 31, following. iii Mabel Maude, b. Aug. 26, 1867. ' iv Fred Thompson, b. Jan. 26, 1873, d, Sept. 14, 1873. V Rosa Caroline, b. Apr. 8, 1877. William Render Bean, son of Justus Bean, married July 6, 1851, Judith R., daughter of Timothy Glines, who was born July 17, 1831. He is a farmer and lives below Middle Interval. Children : i Alfred AA'., b. Sept. 19, 1852, m. Charlotte McCraj. ii Alice M., b. Dec. 24, 1860, m. Oscar F. Swan. Nathan Bean, son of Peter Y. Bean, married Rose M., daugh ter of John E. Farewell. He lives at Bethel Hill. Children : i Cora M., b. Jan. 22, 1870. ii William C, b. Nov. 10, 1871. iii Alice M., b. Dec. 8, 1873. iv Infant, b. Aug. 5, 1878, d. unnamed, v Percy S., b, Jan. 26, 1885, d, Apr. 7, 1889. Amasa Bean, son of Ebenezer Bean, married Sarah B. Twitchell. Children : i Amy E. Perry, b, Oct. 29, 1835. ii Julia Ann G., b. Feb. 28, 1837. iii Sarah Jane A., b. Sept. 16, 1839. iv Peter Twitchell, b. Dec 3, 1841. Jesse Bean, of no relation to the Jonathan Bean race, but a descendant of Lewis Bean or Bane of York, came here from Water boro, Me. His wife was Rhoda Coffin. Children : i Mehitable, b. Nov. 3, 1793, m. Perkins Moulton. ii Elihu, b. May 30, 1790, m. 1st, Abigail Gi'over, •2d, Mary (Abbot) Eames. iii Deidamia, b. May 13, 1798, ni. Nathaniel J. Slonlton. iv Eliphaz, b. July 13, 1808, in. Mary Beattie. Elihu Bean son of Jesse, married Abigail, daughter of Jedediah Grover, and second, the widow of Nathan Eames. Children : i Leander Gage, b. Sept, 4, 1821, d. July 31, 1827. ii Aleander Harmon, b. June 17, 1824, drowned Aug. 17, 1844. iii Gilman Philander, b. Dec. 23, 1825, m. 1st, Sept. 9, 1851, Amanda M. AVhitney, 2d, Feli. 26, 1875, Abbie G, Cross. He is a trader at Bethel Hill; has been prominent in tow-n aft'airs and is now Post- HISTORY^ OF BETHEL. 487 master. He still ow-ns the Bean homestead near AVest Bethel, where he was formerly engaged in farming. He has had : 1 Arthur G., b. IMarch 6, 1853, d. Sept. 12, following. 2 Arthur G., b. Dec. 31, 1856, d. Sept. 16, 1863. iv Lucretia A., b. Aug. 12, 1831, m. Alphonzo F. Bean. Eliphaz Bean, son of Jesse Bean, married Mary Beattie. Children : i Jesse Albert, b. June 10, 1833, d. Sept. 6, 1837. ii James P., b. May 6, 1836, d. Sept. 1, 18.38. iii Rhoda V., b. Dec. 16, 1839, d. Aug. 26, 1843. iv Alma Frances, b. Jan. 1, 1843. Beattie. James Beattie was born in Londonderry, Ireland, March 10, 1772. When seventeen years of age, he came to Freehold, New Jersey, and three years later to Bethel. He came here as the agent of Charles Bostic, who then owned the township since called Newry. In 1796 he returned to New Jersey and married Polly Patterson, who was born in Freehold, Feb. 14, 1782. He settled in Bethel, afterward went to Newry and built mills, and in 1815, he returned to Bethel and settled at Middle Interval, on the Joshua Chase farm. He died March 10, 1822. His widow died Aug. 7, 1862. Children : i Lydia, b. Jan. 11, 1798. ii John, b. Sept. 26, 1799, m. 1st, Hepsibah Brown; 2d, Ann S. Jordan. iii Eleanor, b. Oct. 4, 1802, m. Moses Bisbee. iv Eliza, b. Dec. 16, 1S04, m. S. AA'. Green. V James, b. March 8, 1807, m. Eliza Grant of Kennebunk. vi Mary, b. July 31, 1809, m. Elipliaz C. Bean of AVest Bethel. vii Patterson, b. Dec. 18, 1811, m. Polly Holt. viii Nancy, b. Apr. 13, 1815, m. AA'illiam Burnell. ix Rosannah, b. Nov. 8, 1817, m. .John Burnell. X Rebecca, b. Apr. 26, 1820, m. AA-illiam Farrington. John Beattie, son of the preceding, lived many years at Middle Interval, and then in 1864, moved to Grafton. In advanced life he became a convert to the Mormon doctrine and went to Utah, where he died. His first wife, Hepsibah Brown, died in Aug., 1861, and he married Anna S. Jordan, who went with him to Utah. Children : i Albion P., b. Feb. 21, 1826. He was a soldier in the late war, now r. Rumford. ii Dolly B., b. Nov. 20, 1827, d. Dec. 1828. iii Child, b. Feb. 11, 1830, d. unnamed. 488 HISTORY OF BETHEL. iv Harriet Carter, b. Jan. 4, 1832, m. Levi French of Holliston, Mass., d. 1874. By second wife : V Nellie R., b. , d. Feb. 8, 1870. vi Mary G., b. . She went to Utah. vii Cullen C, b. , d. March 3, 1869. viii Attie N., b. , went to Utah. Patterson Beattie, married Polly Holt of Bethel and lived in the Holt neighborhood. He died Aug. 7, 1862. Children : i Law-son C, b. Apr. 24, 1837, m. Ahnira D. Small. ii Thirza A., b. Apr. 19, 1838, d. Nov., 1862. Bennett. Tilton Bennett, born in Hill, N. H., May 31, 1812, married Abiah Bean ; he lived in Gilead, Fryeburg Academy and then came to Bethel, where he died Dec. 29, 1883. He was a farmer. Children : i Archibald L., b. Aug. 1, 1835, d. July 1, 1864. ii Freeman, b, Jan. 3, 1837. iii Freeland, b. Jan. 3, 1837, married Oct. 21, 1864, Sophronia 0., daugh ter of David Holt, and has : 1 Gertrude A., b. May 13, 1866. 2 Laura A., b. Feb. 7, 1868. 3 Linda M., b. Aug. 18, 1870. 4 Marion E,, b. May 13, 1873. iv Vienna, b. Apr. 9, 1839, m. Milton Holt. V Volerta, b. Apr. 9, 1839, m. Orin P. Kimball. vi Baby, b. Oct. 9, 1842, d. Feb. 4, 1843. vii Amanda F. T., b. March 6, 1846, m. Roscoe Barrows. viii Mary M., b. July 30, 1848, m. Aleander Bean. ix Ella A., b. May 25, 1853, m. Noah Palmer. Beeey. Levi Berry, the first settler on the Bird Hill, so-called, in the east parish, was the son of Deacon William Berry of Buckfleld, and married Lusannah, daughter of Solomon Bryant of Paris. He came to Bird Hill about 1820, and his three sons and a son-in-law settled around. In a few years they all returned to Paris. Levi Berry died at Smyrna, Me., Feb. 8, 1854. His wife died there previously. Children : i Levi, Jr., b. June 11, 1801, m. Polly Hammond of Paris. ii Louvisa, b. April 9, 1803, m. John Lapham. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 489 iii William, b. April 4, 1805, ni. Sally Lovejoy of Norw-ay. iv Leonard, b. Feb. 7, 1807, m. Hannah Pool of Norway. V Aurelia, b. April 29, 1810, m. Elijah Swan, Jr., of Paris. vi Cordelia, b. Aug. 17, 1829, m. Abel Bacon of AVoodstock. Besse. Caleb Besse moved from Paris and settled on land near the ex treme southeasterly corner of the town. He married Abigail, daughter of Daniel Packard of Buckfleld. He died in Woodstock. Children : i Satina, b. Dec. 18, 1808, m. Jonathan Kimball. ii Abigail, b. Feb. 26, 1810, m. David A. Godwin. iii Huldah, b. Aug. 13, 1811, m. Jacob Kimball, r. Portland. iv Caleb, b. July 23, 1823, m. 1st, Rhoda Buck. V Charles Otis, b. Aug. 17, 1824, d. Aug. 26, 1829. vi Hannah C, b. Nov. 23, 18'26, m. Ordw-ay. Bisbee. MosES Bisbee, son of Moses and Ellen (Buck) Bisbee of Sum ner, married Hannah, daughter of James Swan of Swan's Hill. He was a blacksmith. Children : i Elizabeth A., b. Oct. 3, 1815, m, Daniel Hollinger. ii Calvin, b. — , 1817. Went to sea and did not return. iii Charles D., b. Aug. 24, 1822, m. Maria M. Long. iv Leander D,, b. May 1, 1824, m. Sarah E. Day. V Alpheus S., b. Apr. 15, 1826, m. Mary A. Day. vi AA'm. AA'., b. 1828, d. at Puebla, Mexico, a U. S. soldier. vii Sybil A., b. March 11, 1831, d. 1833. For second w-ife, he married Eleanor, daughter of James Beattie, and had : viii Algernon S., b. May 27, 1834, m. Angie Emery. ix Hannah S., b. March 19, 1839, m. Nathaniel Stevens. X Albert P., b. Apr. 15, 1841, m. Keziah Adley. Calvin Bisbee, son of Jonas and Mary J. (Walker) Bisbee of Sumner, born March 17, 1847, married Jan. 5, 1874, Fannie U., daughter of Kingman and Loretta Churchill of Paris. He deals in. general merchandise and does a large business at the Hill. He came here from Newry. Children : i Robert C, b. May 9, 1882. ii Helen E., b. Aug. 25, 1885. Billings. Jarvis C. Billings, son of Silas and Abigail (Kilgore) Billings,. (she was the widow of Luke Russell) carriage and blacksmith, born 490 HISTORY OF BETHEL. in Woodstock, May 8, 1840, moved here from North Woodstock, and does a large business. He married March 26, 1861, Sarah Frances, daughter of Freeland and Susan (Grant) Kilgore, who was born in Bethel, May 15, 1845. Children : i Robert H., b. Aug. 14, 1863, m. Jan. 14, 1891, Alice M. Starkweather of Boston. ii Alice L., b. Sept. 13, 1868. Bird. Samuel Bird, son of John Bird of Norway, married Lucy, daugh ter of Daniel Dunn, and lived on the Bird Hill. He was Captain of the militia. He moved to Albany and died there. Children : i Harriet, b. Aug. 26, 1830, m. Fessenden Stearns and d. soon after. ii Clementine, b. March 9, 1834, m. Rev. Charles T. D. Crockett, d. 1890. iii James Freeland, b. Feb. 4, 1835, m. Rosilla Bisbee. iv Wm. AVallace, b. Jan. 27, 1840, m. Caroline A. Jordan. V Nancy, b. Jan. 26, 1843. John Bird, Jr., from Norway, married Ann, daughter of Amos Young of Greenwood, who died in 1844, and second, Emma, daugh ter of Rev. Daniel Mason. He settled on the Bird Hill about 1834, subsequently returned to Norway. He was deacon of the Baptist church. Children : 'By first wife : i Eliza Ann, b. Jan. 4, AKVA, d. Aug, 25, 1850. ii John Madison, b. Dec. 15, 1836, m. Eliza J. Jackson. iii Amos Ambrose, b. June 30, 1840, d Sept. 13, 1842. iv Angerone A., b. Feb. 18, 1844, m. Cyrus H. Witt of Norw.ay. By second mari'iag'e : , V Amos Ambrose, b. March 20, 1846, m. Anna J. Edgerly. vi James E., b. Sept. 4, 18,50, m. Martha II. Gould of Bridgton. vii Martha A., b. May 25, 1854, m. Charles H. Barniird of Bridgton. Lyman Bied of Norway, married flrst, Eliza, daughter of Capt. Amos Young of Greenwood, and second, Ruth H. Upton of Albany. He lived on Bird Hill, near his brother John, and then moved to Swan's Hill and died some years ago. He was a drummer in old militia times. Children ; i Wellington, b. Sept. 15, 1837, killed by the cars in Bethel. ii Polly, b. Apr. 11, 1839. iii Rowena, b. May 22, 1841, d. Sept. 9, 1842. iv Rowena Jane, b. July 6, 1843. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 491 Blake. The Blake family came into Bethel in the early part of the cen tury. Benjamin Blake was of Wolf borough, N. H., and had at least two sons, David and Jonathan, and three daughters, Eliza beth, Mary, and Hannah who married James Lary and moved to Gilead, Me. He died in that town, aged 99 years. His son Jona than remained in his native town and there raised up a family. He was prominent there and one of the selectmen for 30 or more years. The daughters also married there. David married Hannah Messer, lived in Wolfborough, then moved with his familj' to Gilead, to the Lary farm. Here his wife died and he married Louisa Evans of Roxbury, Mass. About the year 1803, he moved to Bethel and built what was then known as Blake's Mills on the Alder river, afterward known as Walker's Mills and now as Virgin's Mills. In 1817, he moved to New York and then to Ohio, where he died. Children : i Benjamin, b. AVolfborough, m. Nancy Ripley of Rumford, born in Methuen, Mass. ii Jonathan, b. Wolfborough. He remained in AA'^olf borough. iii Micaiah, b. AVolfborough, m, his brother Benjamin's widow. iv Lydia, b. Wolfborough. She m. Luther Varney of Dover, N. H. V Nancy, b. AVolfborough, m. William Carpenter of Bethel, s. James town, N. Y. vi Stephen, b. Wolfborough. He went to Indiana. vii Betsey, b. Gilead, 1798, m. Curatio Twitchell. By second wife : viii Hannah, b. Bethel, , went to Ohio. ix Sophronia Esther, b. Jan. 25, 1804, went to Ohio. X David, b. March 1, 1808. xi James, b. June 20, 1809. xii Lucy, b. , went to Ohio. xiii Samuel, b. , went to Ohio. xiv Fanny 31., b. New York, , went to Ohio. Benjamin Blake, eldest son of the preceding, married Nancy, daughter of Joshua Ripley of Rumford, formerly of Methuen, Mass. He bought the mills at South Bethel of his father. He died early and his widow married his brother Micaiah. Children : i David, b. . He married Olive Adams of Gilead, aud moved to that town, where he died. ii John Ripley, b. . AVhen the w-ar of the rebellion broke out he was living in Georgia. He then went to Indiana and thence to Nebraska. 492 HISTORY OF BE'THEL. Micaiah Blake, brother of the preceding, in 1816, married his brother's widow. He sold the mills to Deacon Jonathan Abbott, and bought the farm farther on towards Bethel Hill, afterwards occupied by Nathan Eames, John Needham, and now by Ira Cush man. In 1822, he exchanged this farm with James Annas for one still nearer Bethel Hill, long known as the Blake farm, and here he lived and died in 1867, aged 77 years. He was a hard-working and thrifty farmer. His widow died March, 1875, aged 92 years. Children : i Jonathan, b. June 11, 1817, m. Elizabeth S. Crockett, s. Norw-ay.. ii Galen, b. Feb. 20, 1819, d. young. iii Gilman Lary, b. Dec. 20, 1820, m. Aura Cummings. iv Albion Perry, b. Aug. 8, 1822, d. Aug. 8, 1823. V Micaiah, b. Feb. 5, 1824. vi Galen, b. Feb. 5, 1825, m. Dolly E. Moody, r. Bethel. vii Nancj-, b. March 24, 1826, m. Stephen Seavey. viii Albion Perry, b. May 4, 1829, m. Arvilla Ripley. Oilman Lary Blake, son of Micaiah Blake, married August, 1854, Aura, daughter of Joseph Cummings of Greenwood. He has been a farmer and trader ; was early a school teacher. He has served as selectman and held other town offices. Child : Frank G., b. Oct., 1854, m. Josephine Kimball, and resides in La Jara, Colorado. David Blake, son of Benjamin Blake, married Feb. 21, 1843, Olive Adams of Gilead, who was born Oct. 31, 1818. He lived for a time in Bethel and then moved to Gilead, where he died Aug. 8, 1856. Children: i Ellen Maria, b. Bethel, Feb. 13, 1844, m. Abial Chandler, Jr. ii David Newton, b. .July 7, 1845, m. Nov. 27, 1881, Eunice, daughter of Elbridge G. Fifield; he is a farmer and lives in Bethel. iii Mary Olive, b. Sept. 29, 1846, d. June 29, 1862. iv Hannah Elizabeth, b. Deo. 26, 1847, m. James N. Hodsdon. V Isaac Adams, b. Oct. 21, 1849, m. M. E. Soule. vi Son, b. Gilead, d. unnamed. vii Eliphalet Adams, b. Apr. 26, 1852. viii Benjamin Franklin, b. Sept. 3, 1853. ix Adoniram Judson, b. May 10, 1855. X Lillian Apphia, b. March 11, 1857. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 493 Bond. William Bond, who came from England and was the progenitor of all the Bonds of Watertown, Mass., purchased a farm in that town, Nov. 15, 1654. He held various oflflces ; often represented Watertown, and was elected speaker of the General Court, 1691, '92, '93 and '95. His son, "Col. Jonas Bond, Esq.," born July 13, 1664, married Grace Coolidge, Jan. 29, 1688, second, widow of John Prentice, who was born Apr. 28, 1658, died Jan. 25, 1740. He represented the town many years in the General Court. He belonged to the military forces sent to invade Canada in 1690, •under Sir Wm. Phips, and died Apr. 21, 1727. His second child, named Jonas, b. Dec. 10, 1691, married Hannah Bright, Dec. 4, 1718, d. Sept., 1768. He was a Justice of the Peace and repre sented the town in the General Court eleven years. Their fourth child, named Jonas, b. Aug. 10, 1726, m. Apr. 25, 1753, Ruth Harrington. She d. 1819, the mother of nine children. In 1794, be made a will, one bequest of which reads: "I give to my three sons, the whole of my estate in the eastern country." This had reference to lands in Bethel which eventually came into the posses. sion of Elijah Bond, one of the three sons. This Elijah Bond was the eighth child in a family of nine child ren, b. at Watertown, Mass., May 12, 1767. For a period of two or three years he occupied his Bethel estate, including certain islands in the Androscoggin river, above the Bethel bridge, but April 2, 1800, he married Sarah, the second child of Abraham Russell of Bethel, and removed to Falmouth now Deering, a half mile from .Stroudwater Village, where he purchased a fine farm, and d. Dec. .31, 1837. His wife died June 5, 1846. Children : i Hannah, b. July 15, 1801, m. Henry Chapman of Parsonsfield, b. Nov. 19, 1795, d. March 31, 1873. She d. Dec. 31, 1881. They lived in Westbrook. Henry Chapman w-as related to the Bethel families of this name. Their fourth child Leonard Bond Chapman, b. Feb. 3, 1834, married Ruby Frost, b. July 4, 1837, daughter of Edmund Merrill of this tow-n, and resides in Deering. ii Sarah, b. April 9, 1803, d. unmarried, Deo. 31, 1881. iii Jonas, b. Aug. 27, 1805, d. unmarried, Dec. 17, 1857. iv Elijah, b. Sept. 10, 1807, m. Elizabeth Angel, d. Feb. 2, 1851. V Leonard, b. Nov. 27, 1809, d. Apr. 22, 1859. vi Dennis, b. , d. at New Orleans, Oct. 26, 1834, aged 22. vii Mary, b- , d. in Portland, unmarried, Feb. -23, 1884. 494 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Bonney. Marshal Bonney was an early cabinet maker and lived at Bethel Hill. His children by wife Marcia are recorded here, as follows : i Alexis Marshal, b. Aug. 29, 18-20. ii Count DeGrasse, b. Oct. 14, 1822, d. Apr. 15, 1823. iii Marcia Ann, b. July 8, 1824. Beay. Rev. Ebenezer Bray was early settled over the Baptist church here. He came in 1807, and resigned his charge in 1812. On our records are the names of the following Children : i Sally, b. Feb. 21, 1800. ii Betsey, b. May 30, 1802. iii Ebenezer, b. Aug. 27, 1804. iv Olive, b. Sept. 6, 1808. v Eliza, b. Oct. 18, 1808. vi AVashington, b. Apr. 7, 1811. Briggs. Edwin Ruthven Briggs, son of Luther and Bethiah (Swan) Briggs, was born in Woodstock, Oct. 22, 1841. He is a farmer and a puzzle-maker, in the latter pursuit having a wide reputation. He married Jan 1, 1861, Elvira Ann, daughter of Benaiah Dow of Woodstock, who died Feb. 21, 1889. Children: i Ella Adelaide, b. Oct. 29, 1863, m. John AA'ight of Gilead. ii Edgar Rupert, b. Nov. 9, 1867. iii Eugene Allyn, b. Oct. 17, 1871. iv Etta Rowena, b. March 3, 1874. v Emma Alice, b. Bethel, Oct. 5, 1877. vi Elmer Rutherford, b. June 27, 1881. vii Edith Azora, b. June 9, 1884. viii Elbridge Ray, b. Apr. 29, 1888. Beown. Ben.tamin Brown was the first of the name to settle in Bethel. He came from some town in New Hampshire, and his wife, who was Hannah Russell, came on horseback. He died June 30, 1819. He had been a revolutionary soldier. His family record is incom plete. Children : i Benjamin, b. , m. Mary O'Douahue of Brunswick. ii Lydia, b. , m. Jonathan Smith. iii Hannah, b. , m. David Smith. iv Polly, b. Merrimac, N. H., Sept. 15, 1795, m. Peter G. Smith. V Nancy, b. , m. Alpheus Swan. vi Simeon, b. Apr. 27, 1798, m. Sophia Holt of Fryeburg. vii Dolly, b. Sept. 18, 1800, m. 1856, Kimball Bean. viii Haskell, b. Dec. 15, 1802. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 495 Simeon Brown married Sophia Holt of Fryeburg. He resided at various places in town, at one time at Middle Interval. Children ;. i William Franklin, b. June 17, 1823, d. Sept. 28, 1825. ii William Franklin, b. Oct. 8, 1825, m. Sylvia Sanborn. iii Washington Frye, b. Nov. 11, 1829, killed in the army. iv James Osgood, b. July 3, 1832, m. Loretta P. Bean. V Charles Mason, b. Feb. 7, 1835. vi John, b. Nov. 21, 1838, d. Nov. 29, 1839. vii Orrin Swan, b. Oct. 11, 1841. Josiah Brown, of another family, married Mehitable, daughter of Asa Lovejoy. He lived in the Chandler neighborhood. Children: i Elijah, b. Feb. 6, 1822, m. Abigail Y. Swan. ii Elias, b. Apr. 18, 1823, d. unmarried. iii Sarah, b. Dec. 18, 1827. iv Mary, b. Nov. 3, 1829. V Mehitable, b. Jan. 10, 1832, d. July 20, following. vi Hannah, b. Jan. 20, 1835. Bobbins Brown, brother of the preceding, married Hannah, daughter of Asa Lovejoy. He was a tanner and lived on Bethel Hill. Children : i David F., b. Sept. 28, 1812, m. Nancy Richardson. ii Hannah, b. March 10, 1814, d. Aug. 17, 1823. iii Josiah, b. June 21, 1815, m. Mary A. Stevens. iv Robbins, b. Oct. 26, 1817, m. 1st, Mary Ayer, 2d, Ausina Barker. V Mehitable, b. Apr. 13, 1819, m. Eli Grover. Benjamin T. Brown married Phebe, daughter of Edmund Bean. He lived on the river road above Bean's Corner. Children : i Charles Henry, b. June 2, 1841. ii Edmund Bean, b. Nov. 11, 1843. David F. Brown, son of Robbins Brown of Bethel, married Nancy Richardson. He was one of the well known tanners at the Hill. Children : ii Henen^'l., } t^^"«' I'' '^^y ^1' 1838, d. young. iii Harlan Page, b. Oct. 12, 1839. He graduated at Bowdoin College ; enlisted in the war, was commissioned as Lieutenant, and was killed while leading his men at the battle of Antietam. iv William H. H., b. Nov. 9, 1840, died in the army. v Charles Elbridge, b. Jan. 23, 1843, died in Bethel. vi George H., b. July 25, 1851 ; P. M. at Bethel, died 1889. 496 HISTORY OF BETHEL. JosiAH Brown, son of Robbins Brown, married Mary Stevens of Sweden. He was a shoemaker near the Hill. Children : i Hannah Ellen, b. May 23, 1841. ii Eli G., b. May 25, 1843. iii David B., b. , 1848. iv Harriet L., b. , 1856. V Frances H., b. , 1858. Bobbins Brown, Jr., tanner at Bethel Hill, married in 1846, Mary Ayer, who died, and Feb. 10, 1855, he married Ausina, daughter of Francis Barker. He died Jan. 9, 1879, and his second wife died at the Maine general Hospital, May 23, 1882. Children : i Fred Ingalls, b. Jan. 2, 1857, m. Sept. 16, 1880, Agnes Izella Brown. ii AA'illiam, b. Oct. 13, 1863, m. Lola Florence Hart of Peabody, Mass., Aug. 7, 1889. He graduated at Bowdoin College, class of 1885, taught at Norway and Hopkinton, Mass., until 1889, then studied medicine and graduated from the Maine Medical School in 1891, when he was appointed House pupil at the Maine General Hospital. James Osgood Brown, son of Simeon Brown, married Oct. 28, 1860, Loretta P., daughter of Eliphaz C. Bean. He is a farmer at East Bethel. Children : i Alphonzo A., b. June 30, 1861, d. March 7, 1884. ii John S., b. July 13,1869. iii Emma AV., b. Aug. 18, 1872. Simeon F. Brown married Harriet C. Bean. Children : i Isabelle C, b. March 5, 1857, ii Phebe K., b. Apr. 30, 1861. Bryant. Abraham Bryant from Danville, b. Cape Elizabeth, January 5, 1795, married Tabitha Hollis flrst, and afterwards, Roxalana Stur- tefant. He lived on the Bird Hill ; was deacon of the Methodist church, a hard-working and thrifty farmer. He died Dec. 21, 1873. Children : i Sarah Ann, b. May 29, 1820, in. Newell F. Rowe of AVoodstock. ii Jairus Shaw, b. Jan. 29, 1824, m. Lucinda Rolfe, i . Rumford. iii Ephraim, b. May 6, 1826, m. Maroah Tucker. iv Mary, b. March 28, 18'28. She married in Medway, Mass. V Susan, b. July 15, 1830, m. 1st, Albion P. Cole, 2d, Danville J. Libby. vi Elizabeth C, b. July 10, 1830, d. unmarried. vii Charles Cumner, b. Aug. 14, 1835, m. Lydia Chase. viii Jedediah, b. Sept. 9, 1839, died young. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 497 ix Geoi^e Childs, b. Oct. 1, 1841, m. Lydia Hobbs. By second wife : x Benjamin R., b. July 10, 1843, m. Flavilla Davis. xi Henry H., b. Oct. 27, 1845, m. 1st, Esther Bennet, 2d, Ella Farewell; d. July 11, 1882. xii Earl P., b. May 24, 1849, m. Etta Mayberry. xiii Lewis T., b. Oct. -24, 1851, m. Anna Bean. xiv Hannah S., b. May 8, 1859, d. March 23, 1880. XV Addle R., b. March 24, 1861, m. AV. R. Farewell. Ephraim Bryant, son of Abraham Bryant, a farmer, resides on Bird Hill. He married Dec. 24, 1850, Maroah, daughter of George and Hannah (York) Tucker. Children : i Florena Adelaide, b. Sept. 5, 1854, m. Aug. 7, 1880, Frank H. Estes. ii Abraham, b. Sept. '24, 1856, m. Hattie Hinman of North Stratford, who d. May 15, 1891. iii Azel Bumpus, b. Oct. 9, 1862, m, Feb. 11, 1884, Bertha C. Peverly, and second, Helen S. Foster. iv Minnie Elnora, b. Nov. 17, 1864, d. Aug. 7, 1882. V Son, b. Feb. 5, 1868, d. Feb. 10, following. Benjamin R. Bryant, son of Abraham Bryant, lived for a time on the old homestead, then sold out and bought the Barbour Bart lett farm below Mayville. He is a thrifty farmer and a good busi ness man and citizen. He married Sept. 16, 1866, Ellen Flavilla, daughter of Dr. David W. Davis. Children : i Frank D., b. Aug. 11, 1867, m. Nov. 12, 1890, Grace H. Fox. He is an engineer and electrician. ii Alton B., b. July 2, 1869. iii Bert L., b. May 8, 1872. iv Mason D., b. Feb. 20, 1883. Chauncey C. Bryant, son of William G. and Phebe A. (Billings) Bryant, born at North Woodstock, Aug. 20, 1852, married Nov. 27, 1876, Ella A., daughter of James Smith of Colebrook, N. H. He is a farmer and a dealer in meats and ice. Child : William C, b. Nov. 5, 1877. Burbank. Eliphalet Burbank, born in Bradford, Mass., June 22, 1760, married Susanna Jackman, who was born in Bradford, Dec. 21, 1763. He moved to Gilead, Me., Where he died July 4, 1816 ; his widow died July 24, 1847. Children : 32 498 HISTORY OF BETHEL. i Sarah, b. Bradford, Jan. 2, 1780. ii Abraham, b. Nov. 12, 1781. iii Jedediah, b. July 8, 1784. iv Abigail, b. Sept. 8, 1786, d. March, 1790. V Susanna, b. Dec. 10, 1788, d. Oct. 23, 1851. vi Eliphalet, b. Jan. 15, 1791, m. Betsey Lary, d. May 30, 1856. vii John, b. Jan. 27, 1793. viii Barkei-, b. Sept. 8, 1795. ix James, b. Jan. 13, 1798. X Abigail, b. Feb. 6, 1800, m. Eleazer Rowe. xi Myra, b. Gilead, Aug. 18, 1803, m. Thomas Lary. xii Elizabeth, b. March 18, 1806, m. Ephraim Rowe. Jedediah Burbank, son of the preceding, (see page 113) mar ried first, Nov. 13, 1803, Esther, daughter of Jonathan Clark, and second, January 9, 1828, Frances, daughter of Titus 0. Brown : Children -. i Sarah Jackman, b. July 26, 1805, m. Nathan F. Twitchell. ii Edward Parker, b. Sept. 3, 1811, m. first, Feb. 8, 1834, Sarah M. Graves, 2d, January 20, 1841, Emily McLellan. He d. in New York, Feb. 10, 1847. in Mary Eliza, b. Feb. 4, 1817, m. Feb. 25, 1841, Edward P. Weston, d. Sept. 15, 1868. iv Fordyce Clark, b. Dec. 13, 1820, m. January 13, 1842, Drusilla P. Ingalls. V Alma Esther, b. July 29, 1825, m. January 13, 1847, Mark E. Lowell. By second marriage : vi Augustus .Jedediah, b. March 5, 1829. He graduated from Bowdoin College, class of 1849, taught academies at St. Albans, Lee and Dennysville, was in business at Hartland and Portland, served as Captain in the flrst Maine Cavalry during the war, settled in Iowa and then in Chicago. He married Harriet E., daughter of Dr. Calvin Blake of Hartland; no issue. vii Albert Little, b. Oct. 18, 1831, m. Isabella G., daughter of Dr. Joshua Fanning. He was town clerk of Bethel ; clerk of courts for Ox ford county ; long an official in the Portland Custom House, and now a merchant in Portland. He still retains the old homestead in Bethel, w-here he was brought up and which he carried on for several years after his father's death, and has a lively interest in everything pertaining to his native town. Burnham. Pinckney Burnham. son of Perley Putnam and Mary A. (Adams) Burnham, came here from Gilead. His father died in 1820, and his mother became the wife of Joseph Greeley Swan. Mr. Burnham HISTORY OF BETHEL. 499 long carried on the carriage business, but in later years has been in trade. He twice represented the town in the Legislature. He married first, Sept. 10, 1839, Lydia, daughter of Jesse Cross ; second, Feb. 22, 1845, Betsey M., daughter of Joel Austin of Can ton ; third, April 7, 1864, Nancy E., daughter of James Walker. Children : i Lydia U., b. April 11, 1847, m. Feb. 10, 1876, Eli AV. Barker. ii Cora B., b. July 7, 1849. iii Pinckney P., b. Jan. 19, 1852, on Aug. 10, 1878 m. Minnie DeGraw. iv Elberta E., b. May 26, 1857. V Mattie M., b. Oct. 14, 1858. vi James W., b. Sept. 5, 1866, d. Feb. 6, 1867. Capen. Timothy Capen, son of Thomas Capen of Rumford, married Ruth, widow of Ezekiel Duston. For second wife he married Sarah Abbot. He lived on Middle Intervale road, near the Abbot. Russell place. Children : i Louisa, b. Jan. 13, 1816. ii Lucy Ann, b. Sept. 12, 1819,- m. Hiram T. Ellingwood. iii Francis B., b. May 1, 1822, d. Aug. '29, 1823. iv Mary A., b. Jan. 28, 18-24. By second wife : V Casper L., b. April 23, 1835, m. Abbie A. Coffin. vi Lydia Abbot, b. July 9, 1S37. vii Edward Abbot, b. April 13, 1839, m. Mary J. Abbot. viii William Gray, b. April 9, 1842. Carter. Dr. Timothy Carter, married first Fannie, daughter of Dr. James Freeland of Sutton, Mass., who died Nov. 14, 1815, and second, Lydia, daughter of Theodore Russell of Bethel. (See page 292.) Children: By first wife : i Lawson, b. Nov. 20, 1793, m. Mary S. Gale. ii Galen, b. June 19, 1795, m. Eliza Ketchum of New York. iii James Freeland, b. May 12, 1797, m. Harriet Taylor. iv Timothy Jarvis, b. Aug. 19, 1800. m. Arabella Rawson. V Luther Cullen, b. Feb. 25, 1805, m. Mary L. Conorse. vi Frances, b. Sept. 1, 1809, m. Robert A. Chapman. vii Elias Mellen, b. Sept. 11, 1811, m. Rebecca Williamson. 500 HISTORY OF BETHEL. By second wife : viii Lydia Diana, b. March 22, 1823, unmarried. New York. ix Sarah Walker, b. May 8, 1824, d. June, 1843. X Abigail, b. April 8, 1825, m. Rev. Mark Gould. xi Theodore Russell, b. July 12, 1827, m. Sarah Berdene, r. New York City. xii Benjamin, b. July 4, 1832, m. Margaret Walker, r. New York. Hon. Elias M. Carter, married Rebecca, daughter of John and Ann (McClure) Williamson. He resided at Middle Intervale on the old homestead of Dr. Carter, and died Nov. 17, 1880. (See page 121.) Children: i Fanny Ann, b. Dec. 12, 1838, m. Luther L. Carter. ii Augustus Mellen, b. Oct. 9, 1840, m. Mary F. Stanley. iii Mary Elizabeth, b. Sept. 15, 1843, m. Dr. P. Cleaveland Wiley. iv William Lawson, b. March 4, 1845, m. Helen R. Vandebargarl, r. Iowa. V Timothy Cullen, b. Aug. 1, 1846, m. Ella Clough. vi Emily Jane, b. Aug. 12, 1847, d. Sept. 25, 1861. vii Julia Elizabeth, b. May 3, 1850, d. Sept. 13, 1861. ^iii Sarah Lillie, b. Feb. 27, 1852, d. Sept. 26, 1861. ix John Herbert, b. Feb. 2, 1854, m. Carrie Clough. X Helen Louise, b. Feb. 2, 1854, d. Sept. 20, 1861. ii Anna Grace, b. Oct. ], 1856, d. Sept. 30, 1861. The above five deaths were caused by diphtheria. Augustus Mellen Carter, resides at Bethel. He is a farmer, superintendent of the corn packing establishment there, and civil engineer. He married, Dec. 25, 1867, Mary Frances, daughter of Edward and Roxanna (Spurr) Stanley, who was born in Harrison, Maine. Children : i Edward Mellen, b. March 26, 1875. ii Frances Arabella, b. Nov. 4, 1878. John Herbert Carter, son of Elias M. Carter, resides at the Carter homestead. Middle Intervale. He married Sept. 22, 1875, Carrie, daughter of Eber Clough of Bethel. Children : i Helen L., b. Feb. 17, 1877. ii Alice M., b. Feb. 23, 1879. iii Mary L., b. Aug. 14, 1885. iv John H., b. June 6, 1887. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 501 Cary. Zenas Cary, from Paris, married Susan, daughter of Benjamin Estes. He lived in the lower part of the town. Children : i Thomas Hills, b. May 15, 1828. ii Daniel, b. Aug. 22, 1830. iii Hannah Moody, b. April 5, iv Daughter, b. Dec. 25, 1835, d. same day, V Joseph Staples, b. Jan. 3, 1837, d. Feb. 17 following. vi Jane Elizabeth, b. Nov. 30, 1838, d. Aug. 8, 1839. vii Daughter, b. Jan. 22, 1842, d. same day. Chadbourne. Lovell Chadbourne married Susan C. , and at one time lived on Bethel Hill. He was by occupation a wheelwright. Child : Delphina, b. Conway, N. H., Oct. 27, 1829, d. in Bethel, June 25, 1830. Chandler. MosES Chandleb, son of Paul and Susan (Hardy) Chandler, married Mercy Fenno, daughter of Elijah and Eunice (Barton) Swan. He lived north of Walker's Mills. Children : i Susan H., b. Feb. 1, 1828, m. George T. Farrar. ii Sarah Graham, b. Sept. 1, 18'29, m. Augustus AV. Stiles. iii Nancy G., b. Jan. 1, 1832, d. May 14, 18,34. iv Moses Russell, b. Dec 28, 1833, m. Albina Connor. V Mary Ann Swan, b. March 19, 1836, m. John W. Grant. vi Betsey Jane, b. May 27, 1838, m. Benjamin Bacon, 3d. vii Oliver Perry, b. June 26, 1841, m. Mary E. Goss. viii Marcus AA'., b. June 9, 1845, m. April 4, 1869, Alma A., daughter of Capt. John Needham. He is station agent at Bethel. They have : 1 Eva A., b. Feb. 14, 1870. 2 Ella A., b. Dec. 10, 1877. Abial Chandler, son of Paul and Susan (Hardy) Chandler, lived in the Chandler neighborhood, so called, was a thrifty and prosperous farmer. Late in life he went to Bethel Hill to live with his youngest son. He married Hannah, only child of Elijah Bart lett, who was born in Bethel May 5, 1810. Children : i Elijah Bartlett, b. Jan. 14, 1830, m. Amanda M. Hedrick. He died in Boston. ii Abial, b. April 6, 1833, d. aged four years. iii Abial, b. Sept. 21, 1837, m. Ellen M. Blake. iv Caroline K., b. , 1838, m. Hiram Hodsdon. V Mary Elizabeth, b. Dec. 1840, m. Horatio R. Godwin. 502 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Oliver Peeey Chandler, son of Moses Chandler, lives on the homestead of his father. He married Jan. 16, 1866, Mary Ellen, daughter of Thomas and Waitstill (Benson) Goss. Children : i Cora May, b. April 12, 1867, m. Sept. 15, 1886, Joshua G. Abbot. ii Fred Perry, b. . Francis Shepherd Chandler, son of Enoch Folsom and Han nah (Shirley) Chandler, born at North Conway, N. H., Feb. 11, 1830, came to Bethel and he and his brother, William H. Chandler, were long in the hotel business and in trade. He married June 1, 1871, Emma Caroline, daughter of Hon. Enoch W. Woodbury. Children : i Walter Shepherd, b. Sept. 18, 1872. ii Marion Adelia, b. March 28, 1874. iii Emma Frances, b. April 21, 1877. Chamberlain. Edward Cleaveland Chamberlain, son of Joseph and Annie (Dalton) Chamberlain, born in New Haven, Conn., Nov. 4, 1844, married Sept. 24, 1870, Mary Ella, daughter of Alphin Twitchell and resides on the Alphin Twitchell farm. He is one of the dea cons of the First Congregationalist church. Children : i Beula T., b. Aug. 2, 1872, d. Feb. 16, 1873. ii Albert M., b. Jan. 14, 1877, d. Oct. 23, 1889. iii Alice B., b. May 16, 1878. Chase. Joshua Chase of Hudson, N. H., married 'Ann Holt. He lived at Middle Intervale on the Kilgore farm. Children : i Timothy Holt, b. Nov. 1. 1835. ii Henry Elmore, b. Sept. 24, 1837, d. June 14, 1840. iii Henry Elmore, b. April 29, 1841. iv AVilliam Wirt, b. Aug. 14, 1846. John Chase, born in North Yarmouth, Maine, March 5, 1811, came to Paris with his father's family. He married first, Clarissa Benson of Paris, who died Dec. 23, 1860, and he married second, Mrs. Louisa, widow of Charles Swan. He moved to Bethel and lived for a time on the Hezekiah Hutchins farm ; then moved to Bird Hill, and now lives on the John Cushman farm at South Bethel. Children : i Jacob Abner, b. Paris Pel). 17, 1836, m. Parazina, daughter of Eli H. Cushman, and lives on the old place at Bird Hill. They have no HISTORY OF BETHEL. 503 issue but their adopted daughter, Emma Ellsworth Chase, b. July 10, 1861, m. Feb. 9, 1884, Benj. F. Estes, and d. Dec. 29, 1888. ii Lydia Story, b. Sept. 15, 1838, m. Charles C. Bryant. iii Sarah Benson, b. Oct. 5, 1840, m. Geo. B. Currier, d. Nov. 27, 1864. iv Eliza Ann, b. Bethel, July 14, 1849. Chapman. Rev. Eliphaz" Chapman (Seepage 207), son of Samuel*, grand son of SamueP, great-grandson of SamueP, and great-great-grand son of Edward' Chapman, the emigrant of Ipswich, Mass., in 1644, born in Newmarket, N. H., March 7, 1750, came to Sudbury in February, 1791. He journeyed with two two-horse teams through the towns of York, Gorham, Bridgton, Waterford and Albany. From the latter place there was no road to Bethel, and only one horse team had passed over the route before. He married Hannah, daughter of Timothy Jackman of Newbury. He died Jan. 20, 1814, and his wife Hannah died Dec. 15, 1839, aged 92 years. Children : i Hannah^, b. June 24, 1773, d. young. ii Eliphaz, Jr.*, b. June 16, 1775. iii Elizabeth*, b. May 27, 1777. She married .John, son of Joseph Greely Sw-an of Bethel, and died soon after at Gilead, Me., with out children. iv Abigail", b. Dec. 29, 1778, m. James AA'alker from Concord, N. H., who was the flrst trader in Bethel. They had : 1 Milton C. (AValker), b. March 2, 1805. 2 Abigail C. (Walker), b. May 21, 1807. The mother died Oct. 3, 1807, and James AValker af terw-ard married Patty Heath, and had other children. V George AVhitefleld*, b. Dec 25, 1780. vi Timothy*, b. Feb. 17, 1783. vii Samuel" (Col.), b. Feb. -28, 1785. He lived, in his younger days, with his Aunt Mary, who married C'ol. James Rogers of Freeport, Me. He married Desire Curtis of Freeport, and moved to Bethel, to the north side of the river, the place occupied \>y Vincent Chap man. He d. May 2, 1827, and his wife Sept. 10, 1826. Children : 1 Elizabeth', b. March 6, 1806. 2 Jonathan', b. Aug. 19, 1807, m. Sept. 21, 182S, Phebe Perrin of New-ry. 3 Hannah', b. Feb. 17, 1809. 4 Susanna', b. Aug. 25, 1810. 5 Mary', b. Feb. 10, 1812. 6 Samuel Hadden', b. March 22, 1815, m. flrst Mary Trafton of AVestbrook, second Azubah L. Poor of Andover, third 504 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Caroline H. Barker, Feb, 22, 1853. He long kept the Chapman House at Bethel, and died there. 7 Salome', b. June 1, 1817. 8 Thirza Curtis', b. June 4, 1819. 9 Albion P.', b. , m. Catherine Tenney of Rockport, Mass., Oct. 4, 1856. Eliphaz Chapman, eldest son of Eliphaz, Sr., married flrst Salome Burnham, June 30, 1804, who died July 2, 1829, and second Betsey Adams, March 8, 1830. He was a prominent man in the town of Gilead. He was often in town oflfice, and also represented his town in the legislature. He died July 9, 1844. Children by his flrst wife : i Robert Andrews', b. Sept. 22, 1807. ii Timothy Jackman', b. April 5, 1810, m. first Waity W. Kimball of Gilead, Sept. 10, 18,38, who d. Dec. 27, 1862, and second Mary Frances Ingalls, April 4, 1864, who d. Oct. 6. 1865. He died April 16, 1869. No children. iii Elbridge', b. June 27, 1813. He married Delinda, daughter of John and Lucia (Twitchell) Kimball of Bethel, and was for many years in trade with his brother in Bethel. He then moved to Portland and engaged in trade, and died there June 10, 1868, leaving a com petence for his family. His children were : 1 Lucia Henrietta', b. July 7, 1840, d. June 27, 1843. 2 Helen Delinda', b. May 18, 1843, who resides with her brother in Brunswick. 3 Henry Leland (See page 365), b. July 26, 1845, m. Emma Caroline Smith of Gorham, Me., and had; Henry Smith, b. June 28, 1871. 4 John Eliphaz', b. July 14, 1853, graduated from Bowdoin,1877. iv Gilbert, b. June 22, 1817, m; flrst, March 28, 1842, Arvilla, daughter of Eli Grover of Bethel, she d. Feb. 2, 1845, second. May 14, 1846, Mary T. Grover, daughter of James Grover of Bethel, she d. March 3, 1848, third, Jan. 2, 1849, Phebe A. Barker, daughter of Samuel Barker of Bethel. Mr. Chapman was a farmer in Bethel. His children were : By first wife Arvilla : 1 Ellen Oreana, b. Dec. 1, 1843, m. July 11, 1865, Warren P. Chase, a wholesale grocer of Portland. They have : 1 Mary Grace (Chase), b. July 25, 1867. 2 Mabel (Chase), b. April 27, 1877. 3 Harriet S. (Chase), b. Aug. 12, 1878. By second wife Mary : 2 Mary Maria', b. Feb. 22, 1848, m. March 17, 1873, Wm. H. Fisher of Mass., she d. Nov. 25, 1874. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 505. By third wife Phebe : 3 Carrie G', b. Aug. 10, 1851, m. Nov. 1, 1873, Wm. H. Barney of Mass. I 4 Lizzie H.', b. May 24, 1855, d. March 9, 1870. 5 Ada P.', b. Oct. 10, 1858. 6 Harold Barker', b. Nov. 21, 1862. V Salome Burnham', b. Jan. 18, 1824. She became the second wife of Ira Crocker Kimball of Bethel, March 15, 1848, and survives him.. He d. Jan. 31, 1866. They had : 1 Anna P. (Kimball), b. Jan. 2, 1850. 2 Carrie E. (Kimball), b. Oct. 25, 1854, m. Dec 4, 1878, Charles- H. Hersey, Esq., of Springfleld, Mass. 3 Jessie F. (Kimball), b. Jan. 15, 1858. 4 Minnie (Kimball), b. July 27, 1860, d. Jan. 17, 1861. By second wife Betsey : vi Lucy Elizabeth', b. Oct. 31, 1831, m. Joseph G. Rounds, now of Maiden, Mass. No children. George Whitefield Chapman, son of Eliphaz, Sr., (See page 115), married Polly, daughter of Nathaniel Greenwood, who was born in Dublin, N. H,, April 14, 1787, and died in Gilead, March 17, 1849. Children : i AbigaiP, b. Aug. 25, 1807, d. May 1, 1814. ii George Granville', b. Aug. 22, 1809, m. March 19, 1835, Eliza, daugh ter of Timothy Chapman, his cousin. He was a farmer on the- homestead in Gilead. They had : 1 Fordyce G.', b, Jan. 30, 1836, drowned Sept. 20, 1840. 2 Sarah Elizabeth', b. June 4, 1838. 3 Abbie L., b. Oct. 13, 1840, d. May 26, 1858. 4 William Chalmers', b. Nov. 13, 1841, m. Nov. 30, 1870,, Martha E. Baldwin, b. in Stratford, N. H., Oct. 29, 1847. He is a farmer on the homestead in Gilead, and has : 1 Hannibal Hamlin^ b. April 28, 1872. 2 Alger Baldwin', b. Nov. 8, 1873. 3 Marion Eliza', b. May 19, 1876. 5 George T.', b. Feb. 5, 1844, d. Aug. 20, 1846. 6 Hannibal Hamlin', b. Oct. 31, 1845, d. May 22. 1862. 7 Lamartine T.', b. Jan. 27, 1848, d. May 5, 1849. 8 Augustus Faulkner', b. Oct. 18, 1849, a clerk with his uncle,. Timothy A. Chapman, in Milwaukee, Wis. iii Mary', b. March 18, 1811, d. Jan. 31, 1835, iv Harriet', b. Sept. 8, 1813, m. Brown Thurston of Portland. She- died Feb. 23, 1858, having had : 1 Charles Brown (Thurston), b. June 10 1843 served three- years against the rebellion, a dealer in scroll saws and fancy woods. Portland, Me. .506 HISTORY OF BETHEL. 2 Jane Mary (Thurston), b, Dec. 22, 1845, d. Jan. 9, 1846. 3 Harriet Chapman (Thurston), b. March 11, 1847, d. March 13, 1847. 4 George Francis (Thurston), b, Jan. 20, 184S, m. Sept. 7, 1871, Ella Amelia Kendall of Portland. He is a broker in company with H. M. Payson in Portland. 5 Clara Amanda (Thurston) , j ^^ j 20. 1851. 6 May Brown (Thurston), / 7 David Frederick (Thurston), b. July 25, 1853, d. Dec. 7. 1857. 8 Jessie Louisa (Thurston), b. June 20, 1856. V Joseph Greenwood', Oct. 18, 1815, d. June 24, 1835. vi Albion Perry', b. Aug. 12, 1817, m. first, April 3, 1844, Sophronia Eames, d. April 28, 1865, aged 42 ; second, Jan. 12, 1866, Mary Ophelia Skillings, d. April 15,"1869, aged 28 ; third, Oct. 23, 1871, Mrs. Betsey (Crockett) Penley of Norway, d. Jan. 26, 1876, aged 57 ; fourth, Sept. 5, 1878, Susannah P. Wight. He had all by his flrst wife Sophronia : 1 Leander Thurston', b. March 8, 1845, went west and has not been heard from for many years. 2 Paulina Kimball', b. March 6, 1847, d. Jan. 15, 1869. 3 Ebenezer Fames', b. Jan, 19, 1850. 4 Hannah Prince', b. Oct. 24, 1851. 5 Augustine AA'ashington', b. Aug. 20, 1853, d. Oct. 30, 1877. 6 Sophronia Hazen', b. Feb. 6, 1856. 7 George Albion', b. July 28, 1858. 8 Timothy Hannibal', b. Sept. 21, 1862. vii Leander Thurston', b. Sept. 18, 1819, d. Dec 23, 1845. viii Jarvis', b. Jan. k2, 1822, ra. Oct. 17, 1849, Anna, daughter of Col. Eli Twitchell. He was a farmer in Gilead, Me., enlisted in the war against the rebellion, in the 13th Maine Regiment, and died at Ship Island, below New Orleans, in 1862, she d. 1860. They had: 1 Fordyce G.», b. Sept., 1850, d. Jan., 1851. 2 Clarence Eugene', b. June 27, 1851, has been a teacher, and is now studying law at the College at Ann Arbor, Mich. , 3 Adelaide Josephine', b. July 11, 1853. 4 Harriet Amanda', b. Oct. 13, 1857. 5 Annie Grace', b. Dec 18, 1858, m. Oct. 31, 1877, Wm. J. Osgood of Leominster, Mass. ix Timothy Appleton' (See page 362), b. May 23, 1824, m. April 16, 1850, Laura Bowker of Boston, jNIass., and has : 1 Alice Greenw-ood', b. in Boston, Nov. 11, 1854. 2 Laura Appleton', b. in Milw-aukee, 1864. X Hannibal Greenwood', b. Oct. 5, 18-26, d. Feb. 5. 1858. xi Amanda', b. Dec. 31, 1828, m. Oct. 26, 1859, Browm Thurston of Portland. xii Fordyce', b, July 31, 1831, d. May 14, 1833. GILMAN CHAPMAN, HISTORY OF BETHEL. 507 Timothy Chapman, son of Eliphaz, Sr. (See page 118), was a thrifty farmer in Bethel, and a man of character and influence in town. His children by first wife were : i George', b. July 4, 1808, m. first, Susaqnah Hills of Newry, April 11, 1831, she d. Feb. 24, 1836, aged 28 ; second, Malvina A. Richard son, Sept. 14, 1837, she d. Aug. 31, 1841, aged 26 years 9 months. He w-as a farmer in Bethel, and died in 1856, leaving two children. By first wife : 1 Algernon Sidney', b. Dec 21, 1832, m. Sept. 10, 1857, Caro line Amelia Barstow. b. Aug. 29, 1835. Mr. Chapman re sides in Bethel, Me., was in the army against the rebellion, and resided awhile since that in Louisiana. They had : 1 Winnie A., b. July 6, 1858. 2 George Sidney, b. Sept. 27, 1859. 3 Ellen B., b. July 18, 1861. 4 Alice G., b. Oct. 12, 1864. 5 Fred L., b. June 18. 1866. 6 Carrie A., b. June 6, 1868. 7 Angie May, b.-April -23, 1871. By second wife : 2 Angelina G.', b. Aug. 10, 1839, m. Samuel D. Philbrook of Bethel, she d. Feb. 10, 1865, aged 25, leaving : 1 AAllliam (Philbrook), b. May, 1863. ii Gilman, born Jan. 29, 1809, married first, Oct. 9, 1836, Mary Ann Brown of Gray, she died Feb. 26, 1866 ; second. May 17, 1867, iSarah Adaline Brown, sister to his first wife. Mr. C. was a prominent citizen of Bethel, farmer, and at various times holding prominent oflBces in county and town. He was much interested in educational matters, trustee of Gould's Academy and president of the board at the time of his death. Had by flrst wife, Mary : 1 A son', b. Sept. 26, 1837, d. 2 Titus Gilman', b. Oct. 6. 1838, d. Feb. 18, 1840. 3 AVilliam Ladd', b. June 6, 1841, farmer, m. Feb. 22, 1866, Sarah Eleanor, daughter of Orange C. Frost, and had : 1 Gertrude Eleanor', b. Dec. 10, 1866. 2 Ann Cyrene', b. May 21, 1869, d. June 2, 1869. 3 Grace Brown', b. Dec. 23, 1870. 4 Mary Chase', b. March 4, 1873. 5 Oilman', b. Oct. 13, 1875. 6 Alonzo Frost', b. Jan, 22, 1878. 7 Sarah Buudy, b. Feb. 23, 1881. 8 Son, b. Dec. 10, 1884, d. aged 6 days. 508 HISTORY' OF BE'THEL. 4 John Brown', b. March 14, 1843, m. July 26, 1867, Caroline • M. Kingsbury, no children. 5 Arthur Oilman', b. May 17, 1846, d. Aug. 7, 1846. 6 Timothy Eliphaz', b. Jan. 11, 1849, d. July 28, .1861. 7 Mary Gilman', b. .June 6, 1851. 8 A son', d. Sept. 7, 1853. iii Eliza', b. March 5, 1810, m. George Granville Chapman. iv Rev. Wm. Rogers', b. Feb. 26, 1812, grad. Dartmouth' Coll., 1837, m. May 16, 1842, Emily Irene, dau. of Earl Bishop'Of .Haverhill„ Mass. Children : 1 Emily Jane', b. Aug. 31, 1843, m. Louis T. Valentine, a mei-T- chant in San Antonio, Texas, and had : : 1 Mary Emily (Valentine). 2 Eliza Carew (Valentine), d. young. 3 Adeltha Eugenia (Valentine) . 4 Charles Augustus (Valentine) . 5 George Horton (Valentine) . 2 Annie Eliza', b. Jan., 1847, d. 1847. 3 Mary Josephine A^ictoria', b. in Europe, Oct., 1850, m. Dr.- Jacob Hortou of San Antonio, Texas, and have : 1 Martha Washington (Horton), b. July 4, 1876. 4 William Rogers', b. Aug. 4, 1855, m. July 19, 1877, Emma L- Faulkner of Chicago. He is a professor of music, in Ne-w York City. v Eliphaz'. b. Feb. 5, 1814, d. Feb. 9, 1838. vi Abigail', b. May 19, 1816, d. July 6, 1836. vii Timothy Hilliard', b. April 29, 1818, m. first, Sept. 8, 1844, Sarah i Hamlin Newell, she d. Aug. 12, 1866, second, Oct. 13, 1867, Mrs... Martha (Newell) Upton. Children by flrst wife : 1 Banister Newell', b. July 26, 1845, m. Vesta Wight. 2 Infant', b. and d. Oct. 1847. 3 Fannie Eliza', b. Oct. 30, 1848, m. May 23, 1869, Calvin ¦ Emerson Chapman of Hanover, Me. One child : . Lawrence Irving', b. Oct. 17, 1870. 4 Hervey Wilfred', b. Oct. 15, 1850, graduated from Bowdoin, College, 1873, m. Mary Wolsey. 5 Florence Elma', b. Oct. 10, 1852, m. Nov. 29, 1876, Peter Libby Watts of Portland. 6 Alice Cora', b. April 30, 1856, m. Nov. 21, 1877, William Au gustus Deering of Essex, Vt. By second wife, Martha : 7 Bessie Kimball', b. Sept. 28, 1869- By second wife, Abigail : viii Infant', b. Dec. 20, 18'23, d. Feb. 2, 1824. ix John Abbot', b, Oct. 22, 1820, d. Sept. 22, 1825. X Malvina'. b. Sept. 10, 18'27, d. Aug. 20, 1829- HISTORY OF BETHEL. 509 xi Mary Chase', b. May 8, 1829, m. Abernethy Grover, Jan. 26, 1848, she d. Mav 4, 1871, no children. xii John Spencer', b. March 5, 1831, m. Nov., 1856, Arabella Philbrook of Shelburne, N. H. He enlisted in the war against the rebellion, went to Louisiana and resided in Baton Rouge. He died in Bethel. Children : 1 Georgiana P.', b. Oct. 10, 1858. 2 John Spencer', b. Nov. 13, 1861, d. March, 1865. 3 Gertrude P.', b. Oct., 1869. xiii Malvina A.', b. July 7, 1833, m. Dec. 12, 1853, Samuel B. Twitchell, a merchant and farmer in Bethel, Me. They have : 1 Marion Blanchard (Twitchell), b. Nov. 4, 1855, m. June 13, 1877, Clarence AVhitman Hobbs, who have : 1 Clarence Whitman (Hobbs), b. Oct. 1, 1878. 2 Susie Barker (Twitchell), b. Nov. 17, 1861. 3 Florence Eliza (Twitchell), b. Oct. 12, 1869. xiv Hannah A.', b. Aug. 17, 1835, m. Charles A. Chapman, now of Man- kato, Minnesota, and had three children who died in infancy, and : 1 James F. (Chapman). Edmund Chapman, son of Eliphaz, Sr., deacon, and later in life a licensed preacher in the Congregational church ; a very de cided Calvinist ; married Hitty Gould, daughter of Jonathan and Lydia Gould, of Millbury (formerly a part of Sutton), Mass. He was a farmer in Bethel, residing near the mill brook, where he had a grist mill. He died May 23, 1868, aged 81 ; she died April 21, 1877, aged 88. Children: i Vincent Gould', b. Oct. 7, 1810, d. Dec. 10, 1810. ii Vincent Gould', b. Nov. '20, 1811, m. Ann, daughter of James A. S. Bartlett of Bethel. He was a farmer in Bethel, on the north side of the river, near his father's place. They had : 1 Sarah', b. , m. McKenney of Massachusetts. 2 Lucretia', b. , m. A. Woodsum of Locke's Mills, and have two childreu. 3 Phila Elizabeth', b , m. Charles Procter of Massachu setts, one child. 4 Hettie'. 5 Flora', b. , d. 1878. 6 Genella'. 7 Howard Vincent'. 8 Carrie'. iii Sewall', b. March 30, 1814, m. flrst, Eunice French, of New York. She d. Dec. 24, 1875, second, Mrs. Bean of Upton, Maine. Mr. T. is a farmer ; for some years in New- Vork State, and now- in Upton, Maine, no children. 510 HISTORY OF BETHEL. iv Calvin' (See page 236), b. Nov. 13, 1814, m. first, Sept. 15, 1842, Lucy B. Emerson of Parsonsfield, Me. She d. April 14, 1873 ; second, Nov. 18, 1874, Sarah A. Ward of Kennebunkport, Me., and had: By flrst wife, Lucy : 1 Emily Parsons', b. July 11, 1843. 2 Calvin Emerson', b. July 23, 1844, m. May 23, 1869, Fannie Eliza Chapman, daughter of Timothy Hilliard Chapman of Bethel, who d. Dec. 4. 1884; he m. second, Oct, 17, 1886, Florence P. Ayer. He is a farmer in Hanover, Me. They have: 1 Lawrence Irving', b. Oct. 17, 1870, d. Oct. 18, 1882. 2 Bertha AV., b. Jan. 19, 1880. 3 Luther Bourne', b. Oct. 17, 1849, m. Oct. 17, 1874, Martha Amelia Howard of Windham, Vt., where they reside. They have : 1 Harry Luther', b. Aug., 1875. 2 Frank Roland', b. Jan., 1877. V Lydia', b. April 5, 1816, m. John Bradbury, a house carpenter, of Bethel. She d. 1864. They had : 1 Gilman (Bradbury). vi Mehitable', b. Feb. 26, 1818, m. Elhanan B. Foster, a farmer of Newry, Maine. They have : 1 Florella (Foster). 2 Horace (Foster). 3 LaFayette (Foster). 4 Silvia (Foster). vii Edmund Horace', b. Sept. 16, 1819, 'm. Mary Ann Locke. He was a farmer, residins; on the homestead. He d. Feb. 4, 1863, having had: 1 Virgil Horace', m. Oct. 18, 1887, Lizzie Smith. 2 Lucy Eams', m. Pierce Wheeler. 3 James Locke', b. April 3, 1858, m. Eveline Andrews, r. Ber lin Falls. 4 Edmund, d. young. 5 Mary Horace', m. Burge B. Bickford. For second husband Mrs. Chapman m. Edward Goddard, and had Nellie Grace, d. Sept. 11,'1890. Mrs. Goddard d. Sept. 11, 1890. viii Milton Walker', b. Nov. 13, 1821, m. Mary Yates. He was a farmer, enlisted in the war against the rebellion, and d. of disease con tracted in the service. They had : 1 Florella Emeline', m. Bennett, a painter in Deering, Me- 2 Elizabeth', m. Milton Penley of Bethel. 3 Ada Adelia', m. Newman Penley of Norway, she d. 4 Jotham Sewall', a painter in Bethel. 5 Ella Prances', m. . 6 William Edmund'. 7 Fred'. HON, ROBERT A. CHAPMAN. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 511 ix Florella', b. Dec. 8, 1823; m. Jan. 6. 1849, Ebenezer Richardson, a. farmer and blacksmith of Bethel. They have : 1 Melvina A. (Richardson), b. Oct. 8, 1852. 2 Newton E. (Richardson), b. Oct. 14, 1854, m. Nov. 14, 1878, Hattie L. Stearns. 3 Flora Chapman (Richardson), b. Sept. 28, 1861. X Nancy', b. July 8, 1825, d. Feb. 10, 1830. xi Hannah', b. Feb. 24, 1827; d. Aug. 15, 1831. xii Harvey C, b. March 11, 1830, d. Sept. 18, 1830. Robert Andrews Chapman, son of Eliphaz, Jr. (See page 119), married March 28, 1833, Frances Carter, daughter of Dr. Timothy- Carter of Bethel, Me. He died April 7, 1880. Children : i Cullen Carter', b. Dec 27, 1833, m. first, Jan. 21, 1862, Philaphrene,. daughter of Dr. John Grover of Bethel, she {d. Dec 17, 1871 ; second, Aug. 26, 1873, Mrs. Abbie Louise (Hart) Mclntyre. He has been a prosperous flour and grain merchant in Portland, Maine, since 1856, till recently, is now a banker, an influential member of society, and of the Congregational church : They have: 1 Fannie Louise', b. Nov. 27, 1874. 2 Florence Hart', b. July 27, 1876. ii Frances Salome', b. Dec. 30, 1837, m. July 19, 1864, Thomas E. Twitchell, a wholesale dry goods merchant, and is now a widow- in Portland. Children : 1 Alice Carter (Twitchell), b. Oct. 18, 1865. 2 Emma Frances (Twitchell), b. July 21, 1867. 3 Robert Chapman (Twitchell), b. July 18, 1872, d. May 15,. 1873. iii Charles Robert', b. July 6, 1842, d. young. iv Sarah Walker', b. Feb. 1, 1844, m. June 3, 1873, Hon. Enoch Foster, jr,, a prominent lawyer in Bethel and now associate justice of the Supreme Judicial Court. V Charles Jarvis', b. Jan. 29, 1848, m. Sept. 15, 1875, Annie Dow Hinds They have : 1 Marion Carter', b. June 29, 1876. 2 Robert Franklin', b. April 26, 1878. vi Robert', b. Jan. 3, 1850, a flour and grain merchant in Portland. Gilbert Chapman, married flrst, Arvilla Grover, second, Mary T. Grover, and third, Phebe A. Barker. Children : By first wife : i Ellen Orianna, b. Dec. 1, 1843. By second wife : ii Mary Maria, b. Feb. 22, 1848. 512 HISTORY OF BETHEL. By third wife : iii Carrie Georgianna, b. Aug. 10, 1851. iv Lizzie Holden, b. May 24, 1855. V Ada Florence, b. Oct. 10, 1858. Milton W. Chapman, son of Edmund Chapman, married flrst, Mary, daughter of William Yates, Jr., of Greenwood. Children: i FloraE., b, Aug. 27, 1848. ii Mary E., b. Nov. 23, 1850. iii Ada A., b. July 15, 18.52. iv Jotham S., b. March 15,^1854. V Ella P., b. April 10, 1850. vi AA^illiam E., b. July 14, 1858. vii Fred M., b. June 15, 1864. Clark. The Clarks of Bethel were among the earliest settlers, and came from iSTewton, Mass. Lt. Jonathan Clark (See pp. 40, 114), son of William, Jr., and Mary (Marean) Clark, born March 28, 1747, married Esther Parker. He settled near Bethel Hill, and was one of the three who were taken captive by the Indians in the raid of 1781 and was allowed to return. He died Dec 23,1821. Children: i Ebenezer, b. Oct. 28, 1781, d. Sept. 25, 1784. ii Jonathan, b. Aug. 3, 1783, d. Jan. 3, 1784. iii Esther, b. Aug. 25, 1785, m. Jedediah Burbank. iv Sally, b. April 13, 1787, m. Samuel Robertson. V Mary, b. March 8, 1791, d. March 23, 1792. vi Mary, b. April 24, 1793, m. Valentine Little. vii Eliza, b. Aug. 4, 1795, m. AVilliam Russell. Benjamin Clark (See page 41), son of Norman and Hannah (Bird) Clark, born Oct. 17, 1751, came to Bethel, and was one of those carried captive to Canada by the Indians in 1781. He mar ried Betsey Mason of Dublin, N. H., who had come to Bethel with her sister, the wife of Eleazer Twitchell. He died March 9, 1802, and his wife, born July 18, 1764, died Jan. 30, 1846. Children : i Norman, b. Dec. 18, 1784, m. Martha Watson of Norway. ii Susanna, b. Sept. 26, 1786, d. Oct. 20, 1789. iii Betsey, b. Aug. 20, 1789, d. Sept. 1864. iv Achsa, b. Dec 12, 1791, m. John Burbank of Gorham, N. H. V Hannah Bird, b. April 22, 1796, m. Samuel Barker. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 5l3 vi Lydia Knapp, b. June 25, 1798, m. Daniel AVatson of Norway. vii Amasa b. Feb. 13, 1794, d. Jan. 2, 1837. viii Moses, b. March 6, 1801, d. Feb. 7. 1802. Norman Clark, son of the preceding, married Martha Watson of Norway, formerly of Gorham, Me., who was born Feb. 10, 1791. He lived and died in Bethel on the old homestead. Chil dren : i Benjamin M.,* b. Nov. 23, 1820, m. Lydia M. Heseltine. u Mary H., b. April 27, 1823, d. 1873. iii Isabella A., b. July 11, 1828, m. Gilman C. Farewell. iv Miranda, b. Oct. 4, 1832. V Marion A., b. Dec. 22, 1S34, ra. Jairus S. Dudley. Clough. Eber Clough came here from New Hampshire and purchased the wool-carding and cloth-dressing business of Moses T. Cross. He afterwards carried on the manufacture of starch. At the taking of the census in 1870, he reported the following. Children : i Orville, b. , 1842. ii Isabel, b. , 1844, m. Lyman York. iii Emma, b. , 1846. iv Ella, b. , 1849, m. Timothy Carter. V Eber, Jr., b. , 1852. vi Mary, b. ,1854. vii Carrie, b. , 1856, m. John Herbert Carter, viii Flora, b , 1858. ix Frank, b. — • — 1859. x Herbert, b, 1861. xi Harlan, b. , 1863. xii Alfred, b. , 1865. Coffin. Jonathan Coffin by wife Jane had the following children re corded on Bethel records : i Esther, b. Oct. 29, 1800. ii Caleb Swan, b. Feb. 21, 1803. Caleb S. Coffin married Nancy Swan, who died May 1, 1838. He married second, Mary Burbank. Children : i Jonathan, b. Nov. 14, 18'29. ii David, b. Aug. 10, 1831. iii Eunice E., b. July 13, 1833. iv John B., b. May 6, 1835. By second wife : v Leland R., b. Aug. 10, 1837, d. May 9, 1839. vi Nancy S., b. May 12, 1841. vii Esther, b. Sept. 12, 1848. *Benjamin M. Clark has no issue, but he adopted Charles M. Anderson, who was born in Londonderry, N. H., when he was flve years of age, and he has since lived with him. He married Effie F. Haselton, and has ,Tohn Clark Anderson, born April 18, 1888. Mr. Clark was formerly a school teacher, and is an intelligent farmer. He lives on the old Clark homestead. 514 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Joseph Coffin, married Hannah, daughter of Jedediah Grover. Children : i Edwin G., b. June 11, 1811. ii Lucy Ann, b. April 23, 1814, m. Franklin Cross of Alban3r. iii Lenora, b. July 30, 1815, d. Sept. 2, 1815. Stephen Coffin, probably son of Benjamin Coffin, came here from Conway, N. H., and married Betsey Pratt. After his de cease she married Benjamin Proctor of Waterford. Children : i Otis, b. , d. unmarried. ii Delinda, b. , m. Thomas Proctor. iii Rowena, b. June 15, 1813, m. Charles Whitman. They moved to Washington, D. C, where he died in 1850. He was previously a lawyer in Waterford. iv Mary Ann, b. April 30, 1816, m. Stickney of Bridgton. V Ezekiel Whitman, b. . He was a Universalist clergyman,preached in Jaffery, N.,H., in Bryant's Pond, Me., Orange, Mass., and else where. He died in Massachusetts. Daniel Alphin Coffin, son of Daniel and Mary (Grover) Coffin, born in Milan, N. H., April 12, 1841, married Sept. 27, 1862, Clara Ann, daughter of Eleazer Cole of Greenwood. He is a farmer in Bethel. Children : i Alton Eugene, b. Nov. 12, 1864, m. Lillian Bean. ii Edith May, b. May 1, 1869, m. Clarence Jackson. Coburn. Wesley Coburn married Lucy Stowe of Newry. Children. i Louisa, b. Sept. 12, 1828, m. Parker Brown. ii Melvin, b. July 4, 1831, ra. Elizabeth Barker. iii Caleb Leander, b. Nov. 13, 1833, d. unmarried. iv Moses Roscoe, b. Nov. 24, 1835, m. Reynolds. V Elizabeth, b. , m. Nathaniel Barker. Cook. Ira Cook married Hannah . Children. i Arvilla, b. June 1, 1833. ii Newell, b. Jan. 12, 1836. Crooker. Charles Ceooker, son of Charles and Betsey (Packard) Crooker, born May 9, 1800, came from Hebron about 1845, and settled on the Solomon Annas place near Locke's Mills. He mar- HISTORY OF BETHEL. 515 ried Sally, daughter of Abijah Lapham, aud died April 28, 1884, his wife died May 11. 1876. Children : i Abigail, b. Jan. 17, 1825, d. Dec. 30, 1842. ii Washington, b. Nov. 2, 1827, m. Oct. 21, 1852, Cyrene Bartlett. iii AVilliam, born Nov. 3, 1829, m. Ruby R. Whitman ; no issue. iv Sarah Philbrick, b. May 20, 1838, m. John L. M. Stewart, Lowell, Mass. V Calvin Buoknam, b. April 14, 1840, ra. Maria Merrill. vi Sheppai-d Bucknam, b. April 14, 1840, d. May 14, 1843. vii Charles, b. Oct. 20, 1849, m. Mary Hayden. Washington Crooker, son of Charles Crooker, born in Bethel on the Daniels place on the Rumford and Paris road, is a farmer and lives near Locke's Mills. He married Oct. 21, 1852, Cyrene, daughter of James A. S. Bartlett. Children : i Edith S., b. Sept. 20, 1853, m. Sept. 21, 1878, Josiah D. George. ii Alice M., b. Sept. 9, 1855, m. Aug. 18, 1887, Oline P. Farrington. iii James W., b. May 28, 1861, ra. Nov. 27, 1884, Ida M. Young. iv Everett C, b. Jan. 11, 1865, d. Oct. 17, 1883. Cross. Jesse Cross, from Andover, Mass., born, Methuen, April 20, 1779., married Lydia, daughter of Capt. Eleazer Twitchell. He came to Bethel in 1800, and in 1804 was living on Bethel Hill. He cleared up a farm on the north side of the river where Ebenezer Richardson afterwards lived. When Capt. Twitchell died he in herited the grist mill and operated it many years. He lived at one time in Greenwood. Children : i Moses, b. May 5, 1805, d. April 15. 1807. ii Abigail, b. Aug. 18, 1809. iii Moses ) ''- ^^^"^i m. 1st, Rebecca Staples; 2d, Caroline E. Smith. ' \ twins. IV Aaron, | ],_ i807, m. Elvira Grover. v Franklin, b. 1812, m. Lucy Ann CofHn; Albany. vi Lydia, b. 1814. •vii Jonathan, b. Aug. 7, 1817, m. Matilda B. Harden. viii Caroline, b. , m. Samuel Foster of Norway. Moses T. Cross, married first, Rebecca Staples of Hanover, and second, Caroline E. Smith of the same town. He was in trade at the Hill the last years of his life. Children : i Celestine, b. Feb. 16, 1834. ii Anstress, b. March 25, 1835. iii Moses E., b. April 6, 1837, d. Sept. 13, 1842. iv Althea Augusta, b. Jan. 31, 1839. V Abby G., b. Nov. 14, 1840, m. Gilman P. Bean. 516 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Aaron Cross, married Elvira Grover. He was a farmer and lived above Bethel Hill. Children : i Orlando Jesse, b. Nov. 27, 1831, m, Eunice Gay of Harrison. ii Mandana M., born May 3, 1833, m. Samuel A. Brock. iii Roscoe P., b. July 8, 1835. iv Lucinda G., b. April 11, 1837. V Isadore B., b. Sept. 21, 1839, m. Charles Gerrish. vi Alanson Mellen, b. Oct. 8, 1841. Long at the Insane Hospital at Au gusta. Never was married. Franklin Cross, married Lucy Ann Coffin. He moved to North Albany and was postmaster there. Children : i Wellington R., b. March 24, 1835. ii Franklin R., b. May 20, 1836. iii Jesse Alfonzo, b. May 15, 1837. iv Roland Alanson, b. Oct. 25, 1838. V Sidney Turner, b. March 9, 1841. ,vi Thirza L, b. Dec 6, 1842, d. May 15, 1843. Isaac C. Cross, married Martha Rowe. Children : J Nancy A., b. Oqt. 21, 1828. Cummings. Solomon Cummings, son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Bryant) Cum mings, married Cinderilla, daughter of Abijah Lapham. He died April 15, 1826, and his widow married his brother Joseph Cum mings. Child : i Annis P., b. Dec 12, 1827, d. Aug. 25, 1829. Joseph Cummings, brother of the preceding, married his brother's widow. He moved to Hamlin's Gore where his wife died, Aug. 15, 1856, he married again and moved to Poland. Children: i Melissa J., b. Jan. 17, 1829, d. April 3, 1850. ii Joseph H., b. Oct. 31, 1831, d. Oct. 12, 1858. iii Phebe L., b. Jan. 15, 1833, d. July 25, 1851. iv Moses, b. Jan. 27, 1833, m. 1st, Julia E. Cushman; 2d, Juliette Barker. V Ransom D., b. April 3, 1837, m. Sarah E. Cushman. vi Abbie H., b. June 24, 1839, m. William A. Jones. vii Clarrissa, b. Aug. 11, 1843, m. Jacob Sieberling. viii Nathan M,, b. Aug. 25, 1841, m. Asenath McCrillis. ix Roscoe A\^, b. Dec 14, 1846, m. Lj-dia Nelson. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 517 MosES Cummings, son of Joseph Cummings, lives on the Abra ham Jordan farm in East Bethel. He married, flrst, Sept. 25, 1857, Julia E., daughter of Eli H. Cushman who died Dec. 29, 1863, and he married second, Aug. 5, 1866. Juliette, daughter of Samuel and Rachel (Sessions) Barker of Rumford. Children : i EliE., b. Sept. 12, 1858, m. Inez A. Bean. ii Emma Ellsworth, b. Aug. 10, 1861. She became the adopted daugh ter of Jacob A. Chase, m. Benjamin F. Estes, and died Dec. 29, 1888. By second marriage : iii Nettie B., b. Aug. 1, 1877. Ransom Dunham Cummings, son of Joseph Cummings, resides on the Eli H. Cushman farm, on Bird Hill, and is a thrifty and in dependent farmer. He married April 7, 1861, Sarah Elizabeth, daughter of Eli H. and Hannah (Jordan) Cushman. Child : i Vertie A., b. Oct. 1, 1866, m. Oct. 1, 1884, Elbridge Crooker who was born in Albany, Oct. 8, 1861, and is trader at Bean's Corner, and Postmaster. James Cummings married Sally Morse. He died March 27, 1831. Child : i Pauline Morse, b. Dec. 9, 1819, d. Sept. 14, 1820. Cushman. Deacon John Cushman married flrst, Parazitia, daughter of John and Mary (Newton) Howe of Rumford. He long lived on the farm in the Chandler neighborhood, since occupied by his son and by John Chase. Afterwards he moved to the John Needham place, previously the Nathan Eames place. He married a second wife. Children : i Eli Howe, b. Jan. 31, 1808, m. 1st, Lucy Fuller, 2d, Hannah Jordan. ii Lois, b, Oct. 7, 1809, ra. John Jordan. iii John, b. Sept. 3, 1811, m. May 5, 1836, Mary L. Courier. iv Persis, b. Nov. 16, 1813, m. April 25, 1837, Stillman Berry. V Amazina, b. March 31, 1816, m. Dec. 20, 1840, Charles Perkins, d. 1872. vi Julia, b. Dec. 18, 1818, d. Feb. 9, 1848. vii Ira, b. Jan. 25, 1821, m. Virtue AA^. Foster. viii Caroline, b. Sept. 25, 1823, d. same day. ix Hannah, b. Feb. 27, 1825, m. Jacob Annas, d- Nov. 24, 1864. 518 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Eli Howe Cushman, son of John and Parazina (Howe) Cush man, married flrst, Lucy, daughter of Consider Fuller of Green wood, who died July 9, 1834, and second, Hannah, daughter of Abraham Jordan of Bethel. Children : By first marriage : i Jonathan, b. Sept. 4, 1831, d. Dec. 16, 1833. ii Lucy Ann. b, March 16, 1833, d. Dec. 16, following. iii I^ucy Ann, b, July 1, 1834. By second marriage : iv Parazina, b. Dec 4, 1835, m. Jacob A. Chase. V Julia Ann, b. April 28, 1837, m. Moses Cummings. vi Sarah Elizabeth, b. Jan. 9, 1839, m. Ransom D. Cummingsl vii Harriet E., b. March 17, 1841, m. Hiram W. Fifleld. Thomas Cushman, son of John and Deborah (Barrows), Cush man, born February 24, 1783, married Rachel Goud of Dresden, Me. He lived at the foot of Blake's Hill on the Walker's Mills road, but moved to Greenwood and died there. Children : i C;harity, b. July 23, 1807, d. in infancy. ii AA^ashington, b. May 23, 1808, d. in infancy. iii Atholinda, b. Nov, 8, 1809, m. 1st, Benjamin Russell ; 2d, Micah Allen of Paris. iv Samuel, b. Feb. 23, 1812, m. Tabitha Baxter. V Son, b. Sept. 30, 1815, d. unnamed. vi Narcissa, b. Nov. 27, 1816, m. Daniel P. Bennett, of Greenwood. vii Lovina Howard, b. Oct. 18, 1817, ra. Augustus H. Beers of Boston. viii Caroline, b. July 27, 1819, d. Sept. 30, 1821. ix AVilliam Myrick, %. .July 11, 1823, m. Mary E. Hobbs of Norway. X Charles Mason, b. Oct. 11, 1825. xi Kendrick, b. May31, 1829. xii Caroline, b. Dec 31, 1832, d. Feb, 25, 1839. Ira Cushman, son of Johu Cushman, married April 11, 1848, Virtue Willis, daughter of Deacon Eli Foster. He lived a few years on the old homestead of his father and then exchanged farms with John Chase for the Needham farm near Walker's Mills. Children : i Eli Foster, b. May .30, 1849, m. Ellen F. Swan. ii Isaac Allerton, b. Jan. 7, 18.54, m. Lillie E. Sw.an. iii Dorcas Sophia, b. Feb. 4, 1860. iv AMrtue Gertrude, b. April 9, 1870. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 519 Dalrymple. Otis G. Dalrymple, son of Jacob Dalrymple, married Polly Stiles of Gilead, in 1825. He was the son of Jacob and Sally (Grover) Dalrymple. Jacob Dalrymple died and his widow mar ried Otis Grover and third, Samuel Bryant of Woodstock. Chil dren : i Gardiner AV., b. Jan. 19, 1827. ii Eliphalet, b. Feb. 13, 1829. iii Le ander N., b. June 24, 1831. Drake. Spencer Drake married Abigail . He was of Buckfleld. He lived in what is now Hanover and was at one time a selectman of the town. Children : i Abigail Keith, b. Nov. 11, 18-28. ii Betsey K., b. July 10, 1831. Dunham. Rev. Benjamin Dunham married Catherine Brett of Paris. He lived at Middle Interval, moved to the eastern part of the State and died there. Children : i Pauline, b. April 20, 1839. ii George Edwin, b. Sept, 1, 1840. iii Joseph E., b. July 9, 1842. Charles Dunham, son of Percival and Tabitha (Briggs) Dunham of Hartford, born February 25, 1842, married flrst, Sept. 25, 1867, Sarah G. Welch of Madison, who died July 21, 1875, and he mar ried second, , Mary A., daughter of Nathan G. Mills of Mason. He now resides at West Bethel and is a farmer. (Children : i Clara Eudora, b. June 24, 1868. ii Charlie America, b. May 15, 1879. iii Ada Isadore, b. May 28, 1885. Dunn. Daniel Dunn, born in Poland, moved into Bethel from Paris and lived and died on Bird Hill. Children : i Elias, b. , m. . He lived in Paris. ii Lucy, b. , m. Captain Samuel Bird. iii Abigail, b. , m, Luther Washburne. iv Hannah, b. , m. Seth Swift. V Daniel Jr., b. , ra. in 1840, Vesta Heath of Sumner. He lived on his father's farm on Bird Hill, and he and his wife died there. vi Catherine, b. , m. in 1841, Sylvanus Cole of Porter. 520 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Duston. Jesse Duston, (sometimes written Dustin and Dustan) house-. carpenter, from Methuen, moved to Fryeburg, and thence came to Bethel and settled in what is now Hanover. He married Elizabeth, daughter of James Swan. The old gambrel-roofed house, built by him, was standing a few years ago, occupied by Bela Williams. Mr. Duston was here at the time of the Indian raid in 1781. The children are not named in the order of birth. Children : i James, b. , m. 1791, Sarah McAllister; he moved to Ohio. ii Polly, b. , m. 1788, William Meserve at Fryeburg. iii Peregrine, b. . He was the first white child born in Bethel. He was a Methodist preacher and died quite young. iv Ezekiel, b. , m. Ruth York. V Jesse, b. , m. Lavinia Howard. vi Joseph, b. , m. Martha Dunning of Brunswick, and died there. vii Betsey, b. , ra. Chandler Russell. viii Susan, b. . She died of old age in Bethel, unmarried. Ezekiel Duston married Ruth, daughter of Colonel John York. He died January 2, 1814, and his widow became the wife of Timo thy Capen. Children : i Lois, b. Nov. 12, 1793, m. Phineas How-ard. ii John York, b. March 12, 1798, m. Delinda Howard, moved to Berlin, N. H. iii Peregrine, b. Dec. 1, 1800, m. 1st, Sarah Ryder ; 2d, Hannah Everett. He lived in Mason. iv Chandler R., b. Aug. 6, 1803, m. Charlotte Bean. V Hannah A., b. June 28, 1805, m. Joseph Stearns. vi Thomas J., b. July 28, 1807, d. young. vii Leander Gage, b. June 8, 1809, m. Sarah Emmons of Boston. viii Ezekiel, b. Sept. 7, 1813, m. Nancy Kilgore of Waterford. He was killed by a falling tree March 21, 1844. Jesse Duston, Jr., married Lovina, daughter of Phineas How ard of Howard's Gore, now Hanover. He was a blacksmith and settled in Rumford. He once owned the land on which the village of Rumford Point now stands. He subsequently moved to Bruns wick, then to Bath where he died. Children : i William P., b. -, m. 1st, Eleanor Stanwood; 2d, Fanny Leach. He was a carriage manufacturer in Portland. ii Lovina A., 1 m. John S. Bisbee, r. Brunswick. \ twins. iii Ehza, J m. Dr. Eli Edgecomb of Lewiston. iv Jesse H. b. , d. unmarried, aged 21. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 521 John York Duston, son of Ezekiel Duston, married Delinda, daughter of Phineas Howard. He lived many years on Swan's Hill, and then moved to Berlin, N. H. Children : i Barrett H., b.Nov. 16, 1819, d. Jan. 30, 1820. ii Phebe Frost, b. Aug, 15, 1S21. iii Olive Bean, b. May 15, 18-24. iv True P., b. Howard's Gore, Aug. 11, 1826, m. Esther C. Swan. V John Lyman, b. July 2, 1829, m. Sarah Swan. vi Lovina Howard, b. Waterford, June 13, 1832, m. Israel G. Kimball. vii Joseph Hale, b. Dec. 2, 1836, d. Feb. 22, 1838. viii .loseph Hale, b. March 12, 1838. ix George A., b. July 11, 1843. Peregrine Duston, son of Ezekiel Duston, married flrst, Sarah Ryder who died Aug. 3, 1839, and he married second, Hannah Everett. He lived a few years in Howard's Gore and then moved to Mason. He is the one spoken of on page 449 who is there erro neously called the son of Jesse. Children : i John, b. July 28, 1825. ii Elizabeth Ann, b. Dec. 22, 1827. iii Ezra L., b. July 2, 1830. iv Alvarus, b. March 30, 1833. v Elias Mellen Carter, b. Feb. 25, 1835. vi Olive B., b. Jan. 5, 1838. Chandler Russell Duston, son of Ezekiel Duston, married Charlotte Bean. He lived in Bethel a few years, then deserted his family and went to Pennsylvania. He was killed by a falling tree January 15, 1872. Children: i Sarah, b. . ii Zilpha, b. , m. William Kilburn Yates, 2d, Solomon Heywood,. Milan, N. H. iii Lyman, b. . iv John S., b. . V Albina, b. . vi Peter B., b. . He w-as drowned in the Androscoggin river- w-hile running logs. vii Sarah Jane, b. . Eames. Ebenezer Eames, son of Samuel Eames of Needham, Mass., and Dublin, N. H., came here from Dublin, N. H. He was brother of James who settled in Newry. By wife Elizabeth he had : Chil dren : i Eunice, b. July 9, 1780. ii Polly, b. Aug. 1, 1782, m. John Swan. 522 HISTORY OF BETHEL. iii Patty, b. June 30, 1784. iv Nelly, b. Aug. 15, 1786, m. John Copeland. V Nancy, b. Oct. 3, 1788, m. John Copeland. vi Julia, b. Oct. 1, 1790, m. Abel Hibbard. vii Ebenezer, b. Oct. 29, 1792, m. Hepsibah Kimball. viii Nathan, b. April 30, 1797, m. Mary Abbott. ix Luther, b. , m. Abigail P. Russell. X Sally, b. , m. Abner Brown. James Eames, brother of Ebenezer Eames, married Ruth Field and settled in Newry. Children : i John, b. March 26, 1785. ii Persis, b. May 29, 1786, m. James Swan 3d. iii James, b. Feb. 9, 1789, ra. Mary Russell. iv Ruth, b. March 4, 1793, ra. John Paine. V Samuel, b. Apr. 23, 1795, m. Anna B'oster. vi Patty b. , m. Capt. Jose Barker. vii Columbus, b. , d. unmarried. viii Maria, July 23, 1799, m. Reuben T. Sargent. ix Alexander, b. March 16, 1802, m. Miranda Howe. Ebenezer Eames Jr., married Hepsibah, daughter of Israel Kim ball. He lived on the north side of the river opposite Middle In terval. He was an influential man, often holding the highest town offices and was repre ciitative to the Legislature. He died Nov. 19, 1870, and his widow died March 31, 1879. Children : i Sophronia, b. May 3, 1823, m. Albion P. Chapman. ii Augustus AV., b. Nov. 26, 1824, d. in California, July 31, 1853. iii Ebenezer, b. Dec. 3, 1826, d. Dec. 6, 1827. iv Paulina Kimball, b. Sept. 13, 1835, d. young. V Paulina Ella, b. April 13, 1840, m. John M. Philbrook. Nathan Eames, married Mary, daughter of Jonathan Abbot. He lived near Walker's Mills, and died June 8, 1838. Children : i Curtis Cooledge, b. Feb., 1826, s. Tennessee. ii Daniel, b. June 10, 1827, m. Amanda P. Grover. iii Elizabeth, b. Sept. 24, 1828, ni. Albert Gro\-er; w-as killed by light ning in Minnesota. iv Eleanor, b. June 8, 1830, m. Edgar Stacy, r. Minnesota. V Mary A., b. Aug, 3, 1832, m. J, Bradley Locke, r. Minnesota. vi Martha M., Aug. 3, 1832, m. Daniel B. Grover, d, in Bethel. vii Nancy, b. March 27, 1834, m. Josliua Ballard. viii Nathan, b. April 20, 1836, s. California. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 523 Luther Eames, brother of the preceding, married Abigail Pierce, daughter of William Russell of Fryeburg. He lived in the north part of the town in the Locke neighborhood and died Dec. 5, 1883. His widow died April 6, 1888. Children : i Albert C, b. Sept. 30, 1825, died in California, April 2, 1860. ii Lucy Russell, b. Feb. 19, 1827, d. ,Ian. 23, 1849. iii William Russell, b. Sept. 9, 1832, m. Elizabeth C. Barker. William Russell Eames, son of Luther Eames, is an intelligent farmer and lives on the homestead of his father. He has served several years on the board of selectmen. He married. May 1 , 1863, Elizabeth Clarissa, daughter of Willard and Sarah (Witham) Barker of Newry. Children : i Mary Russell, b. Feb. 28, 1864. ii Ella Blanche, b. Aug. 6, 1866. iii Albert Cooledge, b. Aug. 15, 1871. iv Ethel Elizabeth, b. Sept. 25, 1879. Edwards. Clark S. Edwards, (see page 367), married, Dec. 5, 1849, Maria A., daughter of Ayers Mason, who died March 6, 1885. Children : i Charles P., b. May 21, 1851, d. June '25, 1884. ii Ellen M., b. January 27, 1853, m. June 17, 1875, James S. Phipps, Milan, N. H. Iii AValdo AV., b. Oct. 14, 1854, m. April 11, 1882, Rose Myers. iv Ayers Mason, b. Jan. 12, 1857, m. Aug. 12, 1885, Lulie Simmer. He graduated at Bow-doin College and is a distinguished educator. V Herbert A., b. April 17, 1860, m. Jan. 1, 1887, Lillian Brackett. vi Fred L., b. Oct. 12, 1865, m. June -28, 1890, Susie Frost. vii Delmer E., b. Jan. 6, 1868. Ellingwood. John Ellingwood, born in Amherst, Mass., Sept. 19, 1765, married Zerviah Abbot who was born in Andover, Mass., March 19, 1768. He came quite early to Bethel and was a shoemaker. Chil- •dren : i Sarah Stevens, b. Hancock, Sept. 22, 1790, ra. Samuel Libby, r. New ry- ii Anna, b. March 12, 1792. iii Jacob, b. Feb. 23, 1794, m. Adeline Twitchell. iv Joseph, "1 >• twins, b. July 3, 1797, d. same day, V Benjamin, j vi John, b. June 12, 1798, m. Rachel Barrows of Paris, d. 1835. 524 HISTORY OF BE'THEL. vii Daniel Gould, b. Aue;. 23, 1800, m. Catherine Brown. viii Ebenezer, b. Oct- 20, 1804, m. Sarah Chickering,.. ix George V., b. Dec. 10, 1806, ra. Esther Swan. Jacob Ellingwood, son of the preceding, married Adeline,. daughter of Eleazer Twitchell. He died March 1, 1826, and she married Stephen Abbot and moved to Milan, N. H. Children : i Hiram, b. Dec. 28, 1816. ii Cynthia T., b. March 8, 1819, d. 1823. iii Cynthia T., b. Aug. 23, 1823. iv Jacob, b. 1826. John Ellingwood Jr., brother of the preceding, married Rachel Barrows of Paris. Children : i Hester A., b. , 1820. ii Isaac, b., , 1822. iii Wesley, b. , 1824. iv Jacob, b. , 1826. v Asa F., b. , 1828. vi Oscar P., b. , 1831. Ebenezer Ellingwood married Sally Chickering. Children : i Henry Osgood, b. June 8, 1832. ii Sarah Frances, b. June- 25,. 1834.. iii Gaiten B., b. Dec. 21, 1836. iv Zerviah A., b. Feb. 41, 1839. George V. Ellingwood married 1807, Esther, daughter of Swan, and second, Mary W. Sanders of Hanover. Children : i Esther Swan, b. Aug. 12, 1829, m. Edwin S. Brown. ii Geoj-ge Fuller, b. Oct. 9, 1831, ra. Jane Bradbury. iii Fernando, b. Oct. 26, 1835, m. Ellen Corson. By second wife : iv Orin AV., b. Jan. 3, 1847, m. Jan. 1, Nellie R., daughter of Asa S.. Howard ; no issue. V Mary O., b. Feb. 13, 1848, m. Timothy C. Bryant. vi Addison S., b. May 5, 1849, m. Ada G. McAA'ain. vii Sarah R., b. June 29, 1850, m. Ezekiel Maguire. viii Nancy, b. Aug. 31, 1851, d. Sept. 20, 1869. ix Sylvia, b. Jan. 9, 1854, ra. Nevill G. Howard. X Melving, b. Dec. 7, 1859, m. Seth Cole. Hiram Ellingwood, son of Jacob Ellingwood, married Lucy Ann, daughter of Timothy Capen. He at one time kept a hotel at the Hill. He moved to Milan, N. H., where they had other chil dren. Children : i Son, b. Sept. 20, 1836, d. Sept. 26 following, ii Frances Adeline, b. Sept. 9, 1837. iii Ellen E., b. Nov. 2, 1839. iv Hiram Edgar, b. Feb. 28, 1842. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 525 Estes. The Estes family of Bethel, are descended from Mathew, son of .Robert and Dorothy Estes of Dover, England, born March 28, 1615. He came to Dover, N. H., where he married Philadelphia, ¦daughter of Ronald Jenkins. They were of the society of Friends. Daniel Estes, who with wife Mary came to Bethel late in life, was probably the great grandson of Mathew. He was of Berwick and subsequently of Shapleigh, and about the year 1795, he came to Bethel with his sons, Benjamin, Stephen, John and Richard. Still another son went to New Brunswick and remained there. His daughter Anna married Stephen Hodsdon of Rumford. Stephen Estes, son of Daniel Estes, married Relief, daughter of Enoch Bartlett. He lived in Bethel and subsequently on Howard's ¦Gore. He was largely engaged in farming, lumbering and in trade. He left home to purchase goods in New York and never returned, and his disappearance was ever a mystery to his family and friends. His wife subsequently married Abner Foster of Freedom, Me. Children : i Enoch, b June 2, 1791, m. Betsey Estes. ii Betsey, b. Dec 2«, 1792, ra. AA^illiara Andrews. iii John, b. Feb. 2, 1795, m. Sarah Andrews. iv Edmond, b. Sept. 22, 1797, ra. Miss Catherine Masters. He lived in Cambridge aud Cohasset, Mass., aud died in 1874. V James, b. Jan. 2, 1800, m. 1st Eliza Andrews; 2d, Mary York. vi Anna, b. , m. Amos Barker of Newry. vii Joseph, b. March 8, 1804, ni. Rebecca Jocelyn ; he died in Bethel, Sept, 19, 1836. Joseph J. Estes of Rockland, Mass., was his son. viii Relief, b. , ra. Timothy Ayer, d. 1861. ix Elvira, b. , m. SarauelHolt. Benjamin Estes, son of Daniel Estes, married Dolly Roberts of Berwick. His death is said to have been caused by his being thrown from a carriage in the pine woods above Rumford Corner. Children : i Ebenezer, b. in Berwick, Dec 26, 1792, m. Mary Farewell. ii Betsey, b. April 23, 1794, ra. Enoch Estes. iii Isaac, b. Sept. 25, 1795, m. Rebecca Moody. iv Stephen, b. Sept. 2, 1797, m. 1st, Nancy Packard; 2d, widow of Stephen Packard. V Hannah, b. Dec 21, 1798, m. Hezekiah Moody. 526 HISTORY OF BETHEL. vi Eunice, b. Oct. 4, 1800, m. David Ricker, Jr. of Woodstock; d. soon after. vii Susannah, b. April 24, 1803, m. Zenas Cary of Paris. viii Benjamin, b. July 2, 1807, ra. Mary C. Bean. ix Sarah, b. June 1, 1810, m. Samuel J. Howard. John Estes, son of Daniel Estes, married flrstly, Elsie Hardison and secondly, widow Polly Beatty. He lived in Newry and Bethel and died in the latter town from the effects of cancer. Children : i George, b. , m. Zerbiah . He settled in Massachusetts. ii Anna, b. , m. . iii Mary, b. , m. William Farewell. iv Ruth, b. , m. Asa Holt of Albany. V Betsy, b. , ra. Walter Mann ; r. Machias. vi Joan, b., , m. John Swift of Paris. vii Eleanor, b. , m. William Strout. Richard Estes, son of Daniel, married Betsey, daughter of Enoch Bartlett. He lived on the south side of the river near Rum ford line. Children : i Joel, b. Oct. 8, 1793. ii Peter, b. March 18, 1795, ra. Theodocia Hodsdon. iii Eli, b. May 11, 1797, m. Clarissa Kimball. iv Molly, b. Nov. 21, 1799, m. V Daniel, b. Dec. 27, 1801, m. Polly Segar. vi Dolly, b. Oct. 15, 1805, ra, Nathan Hall. vii Alva, b. March 19, 1808, ra. Charlotte Andrews. viii Joel, b. July 28, 1810. ix Infant, b. Aug. 26, 1814, d. Sept. 21, following. X Nathan C, b. March 31, 1818. Ebenezer Estes, married Mary Farewell. He deserted his fam ily, went to New Brunswick and is said to have married and reared a family there. Child : i Ebenezer, b. Jan. 26, 1820. Stephen Estes, son of Benjamin Estes, married Nancy, daugh ter of Daniel Packard of Buckfleld, who died Oct. 29, 1863. He then married Eleanor, widow of Stephen Packard. He died August 29, 1874. Children: i Louisa, b. Feb. 28, 1820, d. July 25, 1825. ii Stephen, b. Jan. 23, 1821, m. Ploma Adams; he went West and died there. iii Eunice, b. Aug. 21, 1822, m. 1st, Elijah E. Hanson; 2d, John M. Gal lison. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 527 iv Abigail B., b. Jan. 5, 1824, m. Rufus K. Dunham. V Albert, b. Sept. 24, 1825, m. 1st, Charlotte Goodrich of Naples who died, and he married Mary Peters and went West. vi Sullivan A., b. May 7, 1827, m. Mary R. Dunham. vii Horace S., b. Dec 28, 1828. He was a sailor. He returned, mar ried and died at Bryant's Pond. viii Louisa, b, July 13, 1827, d. unmarried, Sept. 25, 1852. ix Polly, b., Nov. 27, 1831, m. Ansel Moody. X Ebenezer, b. . He went to Massachusetts and m. Ellen Adams. Benjamin Estes, son of Benjamin Estes, married Mary, daugh ter of Joshua Bean. He lived on the river road below Bean's Cor ner and near Rumford. Children : i O'Neil Jewett, b. Jan. 3, 1836. ii Masell Ann, b. April 28, 1837. iii Arabell, b. June 22, 1839. iv Joshua B., b. July 9, 1843. Enoch Estes, son of Stephen, married Betsey, daughter of Ben jamin Estes. He lived in the east part of the town, on the Rum ford and Paris road. Children : i Jedediah, b. April 1, 1815, m. Mary Jane Bryant. ii Moses, b. April 25, 1817. iii Alfred, b. April 6, 1818, m. Abigail (Packard) Cole. iv Eliza Ann, b. April 26, 1820. V Alice, b. July 6, 1825. vi Samuel Sanford, b. Aug. 30, 1828. vii Charles Shapleigh, b. Nov 8, 1830. viii Eunice, b. Jan. 21, 1833. ix Dolly, b. Nov. 3, 1835. X Hannah, b. Oct. 26, 1838. John Estes, son of Stephen Estes, married Sarah, daughter of Jeremiah Andrews. Children: i Hiram Cushman (D. D.) b. July 27, 1823, m. Sophia B. Foster. ii Huldah Andrews, b. Dec. 20, 1825, d. Sept. 11, 1829. iii James Henry, b. Dec. 7, 1827, m. 1st, Ann Stevens; 2d, widow Re becca Reed, daughter of Daniel Estes. iv Charles Francis, b. Aug. 12, 1831, d. in Cloverdale, California, Oct. 15, 1856. James Estes, son of Stephen Estes, married flrst Eliza, daughter of Jeremiah Andrews, and second, Mary, daughter of Job York. Children : i James Lyman, b. January 14, 1829, m. Lydania S. Swan. ii Huldah, b. Feb. 9, 1831, d. unmarried. 528 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Peter Estes, son of Richard Estes, married Theodocia, daughter of Stephen Hodsdon. He lived on the homestead of his father. Children : i Infant, b. May 2d, 1816, d. aged 14 days. ii Infant, b. Aug. 9, 1817, d. same day. iii Richard, b. March 24, 1823, m. Laura Ann Farnum. Iv Nancy Ann, b. July 15, 1826. Eli Estes, son of Richard Estes, married Clarissa, daughter of Jacob and Emma (Stone) Kimball. He lived on the Bird Hill, so called, and died from the effects of a cancer. His widow married John Howe of Rumford. Children : i Sumner, b. June 11, 1827, m. Sarah M. Holt. He engaged in the min istry for several years, but is now in the drug business in Sanford. ii Mary Ann, b. July 23, 1829, m, Josiah K. Elliot, d. in Rumford. ii Augustus, b. March 24, 1834, m. Julia M. Holt. iv Hannibal K., b. Dec. 14, 1836, d. unmarried. V Nathaniel S., b. May 14, 1839. Daniel Estes, son of Richard Estes, married Polly or Mary, daughter of Nathaniel Segar. He lived in the Kimball neighbor hood. Children : i Submit, b. Dec 17, 1826. ii Rebecca G., b. Dec. 5, 1829, m. 1st, Mr. Reed; 2d, James H. Estes, iii Lucinda R., b. July 24, 1836. iv Cynthia C, b. March 20, 1838. Sullivan A. Estes, son of Stephen Estes, married May 13, 1849, Mary Ransom, daughter of Rev. Ransom Dunham of Woodstock. He lives on the Moses S. Kimball farm. Children : i Helen A. W., b. Jan. 8, 1851, m. Albert A. Trull, d. July 4, 1868. ii Henry M., b. May 13, 1860, m, Lalia D. (!ole. iii Hiram A., b. June 27, 1864, m. Nov. 21, 1885, Emma R. Swan. William Estes, of another family, married Sally, daughter of Reuben Bartlett. He came from Berwick and at one time kept tavern on Bethel Hill. He died in Albany. Children : i Louisa, b. June 18, 1811. ii Catherine, b. July 19, 1814, m. Philip Horr of Waterford. iii Mary Jane, b. May 12, 1819. iv Araanda, b. , m. Rand. V Phebe, b. , m. Rand. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 529 Ethridge. Nathan W. EthridgiS married Abiah, daughter of Job York. He lived at the lower part of the town a few years, and tben moved to Bethel Hill. Of his children only one is on record. i Ethan W., b. Dec 25, 1843. Farewell. Absalom Farewell, an English sailor and soldier, settled first at Marblehead, and lived at various other places. He was a soldier in the war for independence, and some years after it was over, he came to Maine. Children : i William, b. 1788, m. Mary Estes. ii Hannah, b. 1791, m. Benjamin Annas. iii Melvin, b. March 17, 1793, m. Mercy Wilson. iv Molly, b. March 17, 1795, ra. Ebenezer Estes. V Samuel, b. Feb. 5, 1797, m. Fanny Swift. vi Susan, b. April 17, 1802, d. unmarried. vii Richard, b. April 17, 1802. He was married and lived in New Hamp shire. viii Robert Foster, b. Aug. 20, 1804, m. Polly L. Burbank. William Farewell, son of the preceding, married Mary, daugh ter of John Estes of Newry and Bethel. Children : i .lohn Estes, b. , ra. Betsey Howe of AVaterford. ii Barbour B., b. , m. Sarah Brown, iii George Estes, b. . iv Richard Estes, b. . V Sarah, b. . vi Elsie b. , m. John Rowe.. vii Elizabeth, b. , was not married. Robert Foster Farewell married Polly L. Burbank who died March 13, 1852. He died May 15, 1871, aged 67. He was a farmer. Children : i Polly Amanda, b. June 29, 1836, m. June 14, 1872, John Wesley Ken dall. ii Louisa M. G., b. Jan. 22, 1838, m. March 23, 1855, AA'illiara Cutter Witham, d. July 12, 1879. iii Robert Eli, b. June 14, 1840, m. Mary Frances Bisbee. iv Albert Foster, b. March 26, 1843, m. May 14, 1869, Anna Maria Mills. V Lucinda Ellis, b. Oct. 29, 1845, d. Sept. 14, 1859. vi Augustus Cullen, b. April 19, 1848, m. Dec 25, 1877, Ella Poor, 34 530 HISTORY OF BETHEL. daughter of Joseph Knight of Paris. He is a confectioner at Bethel Hill. They have : 1 Alice Margaret, b. Sept. 16, 1880. 2 Louise May, b. Jan. 25, 1887. 3 Robert Foster, b. Sept. 10, 1889. vii Ellery Edson, b, June 19, 1850, d. April 23, 1851. Samuel Farewell married Fanny Swift of Weathersfield, Ver mont. Children : i William Swift, b. Nov. 19, 1823. ii Absalom, b. Jan. 5, 1831, in. Diana Oliver of Oxford, iii Frances Caroline, b. Feb. 11, 1''33. iv Antoinette M., b. May 4, 1836. v David Sanborn, b. Sept. 7, 1837. vi Samuel Law- son, b. Oct. 14, 1840. John Estes Farewell, son of William and Mary (Estes) Fare well, lived for a time in the Chandler neighborhood, and then moved to a farm on the Bethel Hill and Locke's Mills road. He now lives at South Bethel. He married June 7, 1838, Betsey Howe of Waterford who died May 8, 1882. He then married Althea Robert son. Children : i John Henry, b. Sept. 1, 1839, d. next day. ii Edwin Clark, b. Nov. 17, 1840, m. Nov. 10, 1868, Betsy Hale. iii Rowena Malvina, b. Aug. 12, 1842, m. April 7, 1866, Jonas AV. Swan, and resides at Norway village. iv Emily Rosette, b. July 16, 1845, d. Aug. 3, 1865. V Charles Calvin, b. Aug. 12, 1847, m. Abbie W. Andrews. vi Rosilla Melinda, b. January 26, 1853, m. Nathan Bean. vii Harriet Elizabeth, b. Oct. 3, 1856. Charles Calvin Farewell, son of John E. Farewell, is section foreman at Bethel Hill. He married, May 7, 1871, Abby Wiley, daughter of Benjamin W. Andrews of Lovell, Me. Children : i Fred Irvin, b. Jan. 4, 1875. ii Henry Merton, b. Oct. 11, 1876. Barbour B. Farewell, born Nov. 13, 1820, married Sarah Brown who was born Dec. 19, 1828. He lived near Middle Inter val. On New Year's day, 1882, while going into the woods, he was found dead in his sleigh. He had long suffered from heart disease. Children : i William Lewis, b. May 12, 1852. ii Josiah O'Neil, b. January 5, 1854, iii Mary Ella, b. March 19, 1855. iv Porter, b. April 4, 1857. v Henry, b. March 17, 1860. vi Mehitable, b. Nov. 25, 1861. vii Wallace, b. Feb. 17, 1863. viii Mersylvia, b. Aug. 3, 1865. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 531 Charles W. Farewell married Harriet Twitchell. Children : i Sereno P., b. Feb. 1, 1835, ii Lyman Dwight, b. .July 27, 1830. Darius Adams Farewell, farmer, born in Gilead, May 18, 1823, married Dec. 14. 1848, Susan Plummer who was born in Londonderry, N. H., Oct. 17, 1823. Children: i AVilliam Alverton, b. Dec. 12, 1849, m. Marion A. Bean. ii Eugene Plummer, b. Aug. 27, 1856, m. Maud AVaterman. iii Lizzie Maria, b. Feb. 2, 1859, m. Edwin R. Fothergill. William Alverton Farewell, son of Darius Adams, and Susan (Plummer) Farewell, born in Bethel, Dec. 12, 1849, married Nov. 3, 1875, Marion Alfreda, daughter of John Marean Bean of Gilead. He is a farmer at West Bethel. Child : i Grace Ethel, b. May 9, 1880. Edwin Farrar, son of Thomas Farrar, married Dorcas, daugh ter of .lames A. S. Bartlett, and widow of Malachi Haines. He enlisted and was killed in the army. His widow survives and re sides in the lower parish. Child : i George E., b. Feb. 11, 1863. Fenno. Oliver Fenno married Nov. 10, 1785, Mercy (Bartlett) Barton of Newton. She was a sister of the other Bartletts who came to this town, and was the mother of Aaron Barton. They moved to Jay, Me. When in Bethel, he lived on the Robertson farm and was a blacksmith. Children : i Sarah, b. Jan. 12, 1787. ii Eiisha Bartlett, b. June 19, 1788 iii Abigail, b. Aug. 18, 1790. iv Mary, b. Feb. 24, 1794. Fifield. Elbridge Gurney Fifield lived in the lower part of the town. He married flrst, Eunice, daughter of Alexander Day of Wood stock who died Oct. 26, 1849, and second, Hannah H., daughter of Kimball Martin of Rumford. He lived in the lower part of the town near Woodstock ; came here from Greenwood. He died Sept. 22, 1881. Children: i Hiram Wallace, b. Dec 1, 1837, m. Ellen Harriet Cushman. ii Daughter, b. Sept. 5, 1839, d. same day. 532 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Hiram Wallace Fifield, son of Elbridge G., and Eunice (Day) Fifleld, married March 20, 1860, Ellen Harriet, daughter of Eli H. Cushman. He is a farmer at East Bethel. Children : i Frank Herbert, b. April 25, 1861, m. Sept. 18, 1882, Etta L. Cole. ii Elbridge Hiram, b. May 22, 1863. iii Abbie Cristeen, b. Feb. 15, 1869, m. June 2, 1885, Elmer O. Millett. iv Jonny Eli, b. April 26, 1874. V May Louise, b. July 8, 1877. Foster. Asa P^oster, son of Abner Foster of Newry, married Anna, daughter of Enoch Bartlett. Three of his sons settled quite early in Bethel, and later came a fourth. Nathan Foster, son of Asa preceding, married Patty Stearns. Children : i Asa, b. Oct. 16, 1816, d. Dec. 20, following. ii Nathan F., b. and d. Aug. 1817. iii Thomas Jefl'erson, b. May 1, 1820, d. March 29, 1823. iv Lois, b. June 11, 1822. V Thomas Jefl'erson, b. June 8, 1824. vi Reuben Ball, b. July 25, 1826. Reuben B. Foster, son of Asa and Anna (Bartlett) Foster of Newry, was born in that town and fltted for college, but did not enter. He was by trade a carpenter, an ingenius workman, and taught school winters during his early manhood. He flnally de cided on farming as his life business, and purchased the farm con sisting of intervale and upland which Gideon and Silas Powers had previously occupied. He commenced at once to bring his land into a higher state of cultivation in which he succeeded. He was a man of superior judgment and intelligence and of a scientiflc cast of mind. He studied out methods for changing coarse material to dressing and had practiced it for years before Bomer patented his process which was identical with that of Mr. Foster's. He was a great reader, and well acquainted with history, both ancient and modern. He employed a large number of men to carry on his farm, and in the various branches of farming including stock-raising, he did a larger business than any one in his section of the State. He raised large crops of grain and grass, and delighted in a large yield of yellow corn. He attended personally to all the details of his bus iness, rarely leaving the farm unless called away on urgent busi- HISTORY OF BETHEL. 533 ness. He was on the board of selectmen in Hanover and served one or more terms in the Legislature. He married Sarah, daugh ter of Stephen Bartlett, a most amiable woman, and a model farmer's wife. He survived his wife several years, and was gathered to his father's several years ago. Children : i Agnes, b. Jan. 27, 1837, m. Lawson C. Smith of Newry. She died and he married Ruby Mason who survived hira and reraarried. ii Frances, b. Feb. 7, 1829, d. Oct. 1831. iii Sarah B., b. May 21, 1831, m. Asa R. Howe and d. Oct. 13, 1862. iv Reuben * b. Feb. 8, 1833, m. Dorcas Howe of Hanover. V Frances, b. Dec. 23, 1834, d. Nov. 12, 1854. vi Joan Amanda, b. Dec 2, 1836, m. Edwin L. Hoyt. vii Julia B., b. Aug. 9, 1838, m. 1st, Charles R. Abbott; 2d, Oscar D. Rolfe of Rumford. viii Helen, b. March 11 1840, m. Galen Howe, d. May 29, 1875. ix Nelson B., b. July 2, 1842, d. Sept., 1844. X Lucien L., b. Dec. 27, 1844, d. May 3, 1864. xi L. Letitia, b. Jan. 16, 1848, m. Henry S. Hastings, d. Aug. 24, 1866. Enoch Foster, brother of the preceding, was a farmer and re sided in Newry. He was born January 1, 1799 and married first, Persis, daughter of James Swan, and second, the widow of Ama ziah Nutting. His first wife was born in 1806, and died April 9th, 1859, and he died Dec. 26, 1881. Children : i Betsey, b. March 25, 1825, m. 1st, David Emery, and 2d, .Joseph Knapp. ii Orrin, b. March 27, 1827, m. Mary O. Stiles, r. Newry. iii Beulah Bartlett, b. July 1, 1829, m. Albert D. Stiles. iv Enoch, b. Maj- 10, 1839, m. 1st, Adeline Owen Lowe of AA'aterville,and 2d, Sarah AV. Chapman. Deacon Eli Foster, son of Asa of Newry, married Dorcas, daughter of Stephen Bartlett. He settled on land between the river and Locke's Mills, and had one of the best farms in town. He died January 6th, 1873, and his widow died April 29, 1887. Children : i Virtue AVillis, b. Aug. 1, 1826, m. Ira Cushman. ii Sophia Bartlett, b. Sept. 13, 1828, m. Rev. Dr. Hiram C. Estes. iii David Trickey, b- Sept. 5, 1831, m. Harriet B. Crockett. * He graduated at Colby University, class of 1855, studied law and has since been in the practice ot his profession at Waterville. He has served as Speaker of the House of Representatives and as President of the Sen.ate. He is Pi-esident of the Waterville Sav ings Bank, ,-ind was elected the first Mayor of the city. He is a leading business man in Waterville. 534 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Benjamin Foster, brother of the preceding, was a well known Methodist preacher, and had settlements in various parts of the State. He married Oct. 20, 1827, Louisa, daughter of Moses and Esther (Spaulding) Coburn of Newry, who was born Aug. 5, 1810. He died at Bethel, April 14, 1891. Children : i Moses Coburn, b. July 29, 1827, m. Francina Smith. He is a w^ell known builder and contractor and resides in Waterville. ii Marcia, b. Sept. 22, 1831, d. July 22, 1833. iii Leona Roberts, b. Dec 30, 1835, d. Jan. 1, 1886. iv Nellie Marcia, b. Jan. 4, 1849. Enoch Foster Jr., son of Einoch preceding, married flrst, Ade line Owen, daughter of Ivory and Jane (Walker) Lowe of Water ville, June 3d, 1864, at 'VA'aterville, married by Rev. Dr. David N. Sheldon. His first wife died and he was married secondly by Rev. Charles Morse of Bethel, to Sarah Walker, daughter of Robert A. and Frances (Carter) Chapman, June 9, 1x73. Children : By first marriage : i John Dorr, b. Bethel, Aug. 15, 1866, d. April 2, 1872. By second marriage : ii Robert Chapman, b. April 19, 1880. David Trickey Foster, only son of Deacon Eli Foster, lives on the old homestead of his father. He is a good farmer, an honest and upright man and highly estee:r.ed by the people of the neigh borhood and the town. The fine mansion house erected by his father was destroyed by flre in July, 1891, with nearly all its contents. He married, April 2, 1,S52, Harriet B., daughter of Daniel H., and Rebecca (Bacon) Crockett. Children : i Stephen IL, b. Dec. 27, 1858, m. Sept. 21, 1890, Ella J. Bartlett. ii M. Etta, b. Jan. 11, 1861, d. same month. iii Susie Helen, b. Nov. 24, 1864, m. Azel B. Bryant. iv Daniel C, b. July 24, 1867. V David Foster, b. Dec. 28, 1872. vi Hattie May, )j. May 9, 1877. French. Sidney Irving French, son of James and Sarah (Brown) French, born iu Albany, June 22, 1852, is a carpenter' and resides at the Dr. Twitchell stand on Bethel Hill. He married in 1876, Anna B., daughter of Dr. Almon Twitchell. Children : i Cornelia B., b. Oct. 22, 1877. ii George Harold, b. April 20, 1881. iii Alice Thebe, b. April 3, 1887. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 535 Frost. The Frost family of Bethel and Newry came from Berwick, and were the sons of Moses Frost. Thomas Frost married Abigail, daughter of Colonel John York, who died April 7, 1842, and he married second Mrs. Nancy (Fos ter) Jackson of Paris. Children : i Betsey, b. July 12, 1792, m. Jesse Smith of Newry. ii Phineas, b. Feb. 1*, 1794, m. Abigail Bean. iii Peter, b. July 15, 1796, m. Phebe Howard, s. Waterboro, Me. iv Lovy, ] never was married. V twins, b. May 20, 1798. V Lovina, j m. Otis Carter of Harrison. vi Reliance, b. June 30, 1800, ra. Enoch Perry of Waterford. vii Joshua Roberts, b. July 13, 1802, d. in Cincinnati, Ohio, Oct. 15, 1829. Dominicus Frost, brother of the preceding, married Dorcas Abbott of Andover, Mass. Children : i Enoch, b. , m. Louisa Long, of Bridgton. ii George, b. , drowned at Paris. iii Porter, b. . iv Joseph, b. — , m. .lennings. V William, b. , m. Sybil Bartlett. vi Nathan, b. . vii Sally, b. , m. Elipliaz C. Kilgore of Newry. viii Dolly, b. , m. Erastus Poor of Andover. ix Almira, b. , m. John Kilgore of Newry. x Hannah, b. , in. Emery Merrill of Andover. xi Harriet G., b. , m. Benjamin AV. Stevens of Rumford. Nathaniel Frost married Olive, daughter of Enoch Bartlett. Children : i Polly, b. March 12, 1798, ra. Joseph Jackson of New-ry. ii Lorenda, b. .June 14, 1801, m. Charles Goodenow. iii Huldah, b. May 31, 1804, m. Ambrose Powers. iv Maria, , m. Henry Goodenow. V Betsy, b. , m. George Rowe of Newry. vi Stephen, b. , m. Dolly Bean. vii Cullen, b. , m. Rowe. viii Relief, b. , m. Edmund ^leri'ill. ix Ruby, b. , d. young. Aaron Frost, born 1779, married Mrs. Susan (Gray) Bennett of Falmouth, born 1780. He was a carpenter by trade, born in Ber wick, but came here from Groton, Vermont. He died Oct. 19, 1860, 536 HISTORY OF BETHEL. and his widow died March 10, 1861. By her first husband Mrs. Frost had Francis Bennett who died in 1846. Children : i Lidana, b. North Yarmouth, Oct. 10, 1802, m. Thatcher York, d 1830. ii Aaron, b., March 10, 1804, d. Oct. 15, following. iii Milton A., Feb. 28, 1805, d. 1825. iv Lucretia, b. Nov. "24, 1806, ra. Samuel R. Bean. V Mary Ann, b. in Groton, Vt., Jan. 14, 1809, m. Nathan Stearns. vi Orange Clark, b. Feb. 23, 1812, m. Cyrene Straw- Hastings; 2d, Mary M. Hastings. vii Naorai, b. Jan. 13, 1814, d. 1832. viii Olive Gray, b. Bethel, July 24, 1816, d. 1845. ix Sophronia G., b. Oct. 3, 1818, d. 1844. X Nehemiah, b. March 4, 18-21, d. 1838. xi Huldah, b. Aug. 24, 1825, d. 1856. Phineas Frost, son of Thomas Frost, married Abigail, daugh ter of Josiah Bean. He died in Minnesota, March 20, 1869. His wife died Oct. 21, 1883, (see page 122.) Children : i James Crocker, b. Nov. 11, 1816, ra. S.arah Diamond, r. Anoka, Min nesota. ii Huldah Bean, b. Dec 29, 1818, m. Thomas P. How-ard, d. May 24, 1849. iii Moses Kimball, b. March 6, 1821, m. Lydia Church, r. Anoka. iv Zibiah Blake, b. Oct. 21, 1823, m. Parker Fletcher, d. Nov. 24, 1860. v Hannah Hastings, b. April 27, 1826, m. Jeft'erson Blodgett, d. May 18, 1883. vi Phineas Howard, b. April 7, 1828, m. Alpha Weston, r. Holyoke, Mass. vii Joshua Roberts, b. April 13, 1830, ra. Lucy Burnham, d. 1862. viii Francis Carter, b. Oct. 4, 1832, m. Lizzie Blodgett, r. Lowell, Mass. ix Clinton Thayer, b. Sept. 30, 1834, r. Medfleld, Mass., never was mar ried. X Samantha AVeb.ster, b. Aug. 24, 1836, m. 1st, Ephraim B. Kimball; 2d, L. G. Browning of Anoka, Minn. Orange Frost, son of Aaron Frost, married Cj'rene S. Hastings and second Mary M. Hastings. He was many years in the livery business in Portland, but returned to Bethel, then moved to Au burn and finally came back to Bethel and died here. His place was below Mayville ; he was an energetic business man, but was burnt out in 1851, when the American House was burned; he then bought out a place on Center street where he remained until 1864, when he returned to Bethel. Childreu : MRS ABIGAIL FROST HISTORY OF BETHEL. 537' i Sarah Appleton, b. April 7, 1837, d. May 12, 1843. ii Orans;e Clark, b. June, 1839, d. Sept. 9, 1859. iii Dolly Keyes, b. Portland, May 2, 1841, d. Feb. 8, 1850. iv Charles, b. 1844, d. an infant. v Sarah Eleanor, b. April 23, 1846, m. AVilliam L. C^hapman. vi Alfonzo, b. 1847, d. May 4, 1850. vii Alonzo, b, Sept. 17, 1849, m. Mary Pierce Lynds. viii Mary Hastings, May 22, 1853, m. 1st, Everett Hammons, 2d, Rufus A. Skillings. By second wife : ix Alice Preble, b. July 31, 1861, d. Aug. 25, following. X Albert Clark, b. Bethel, Oct. 6, 1864, m. Minnie T. Holt. xi Frank Bennett, b. Sept. 12, 1866, d. March 12, 1891. xii Susan Gray, b. Feb. 15, 1869, m. Fred Lee Edw-ards. xiii Nellie Hastings, b. March 23, 1874. William P. Frost, married Sybil G. Bartlett. Children : i Lydia Keys, b. Nov. 4, 1831. ii Lucy Hobbs, b. Dec. 3, 1832. Rev. Charles Frost married flrst, Lydia who died Aug. 13, 1825. For second wife, he married Lucinda Smith of Hanover. Children : By first wife : i ^Nlary D., b. Gorham, April 12, 1820. ii Araanda Eliza, b. Feb. 21, 1823, d. July, 1827. iii James Henry, b. May 24, 1825. By second wife : iv Lydia Amanda, b. July 15, 1827. v Charles Ezra, b. Dec. 25, 1830. vi Lucinda, b. July 6, 1832, vii John Smith, b. Aug. 22, 1836. Frye. AA'^illiam Frye Esq.. son of Richard and Sarah (Gorden) Frye and grandson of General Joseph Frye, the founder of Fryeburg, came to the Hill when a young man and practiced law here many years. He married, Sept. 29, 1828, Lois, daughter of Simeon Twitchell. He died February 22. 1854, and his widow died March 20, 1889. The wife of Richard Frye was the daughter of Hugh Gordon who came from Scotland. Children : i Richard Aurelius, b. July 22, 1829, m. Dec. 19, 1853, Esther K. Mar tin. ii Sarah Jane, b. March 14, 1831, d. June 11, 1833. iii Martha Mehitable, b. March 24, 1833, m. June 3, 1859, James S. Lane. iv Sarah Jane, b. July 18, 1834, m. 1855, Joseph Y. Bakeman. 538 HISTORY OF BETHEL. V Amanda Ann, b. July 30, 1835, m. July 22, 1880, Dr. John A. Mor ton. vi William Cornelius, b. Oct. 2, 1839, m. Mrs. Maggie Weaver, d. Nov. 27, 1885. vii Joseph Uzziel, b. Oct. 19, 1841, m. 1st, Aug. 1865, Delia Heath; 2d, Mrs. E. Russell. viii Marietta Frederika, b. July 16, 1844, m. July 19, 1882, William Waitt. ix George Henry Gordon, b. Aug. 3, 1847, d. Sept. 17, 1848. Richard A. Frye, son of Hon. William Frye. an attorney at Bethel, married, December 19, 1853, Esther Kimball, daughter of Kimball and Rachel (Godwin) Martin of Rumford, who was born Nov. 13, 1829. Child: i Annie Maria, b. June 5, 1855, (Note error on page 259 where "one son" should read "one daughter." Gage. Amos Gage was quite early in Bethel, and was au original mem ber of the Congregational church. His wife was Lois Hovey. He moved to Waterford. Children : i Thomas, b. June 8, 1789, m. Francis C. Stockbridge of Bath. ii Leander, b. Sept. 20, 1791, m. 1820, Anna B. Sargent. iii William, b. March 15, 1795, d. Jan. 1, 1820, d. 1842. iv Amos, b. March 2d, 1797, m. Mary Warren. Daniel Gage, bioilur of the preceding, came quite early to Bethel. He was a soldier of the Revolution, a sergeant in the Mas sachusetts line. He was in the engagement at Monmouth, and dur ing the battle the color-bearer of his regiment was shot to the ground. Gage rushed forward, seized the colors and the regiment rallying around him, they stopped the advance of the enemy. A few days after as General Washington was reviewing the brigade, he stopped at the company to which Gage belonged and calling him to the front, thanked him for his bravery and soldierly conduct. His wife was Sarah, daughter of Deacon James Grover. Children : i Sarah, b. June 25, 1789. ii Olive, b. April 12, 1794, m, Joseph AVheeler. Dr. Leander Gage, son of Amos Gage, married in 1820, Anna B. Sargent. He moved to Waterford. He was a physician of large practice aud a man of wide influence. He died in 1842. Chil dren : i Phebe, b, Nov. 29, 1821. She was a teacher. MRS, LOIS FRYE HISTORY OF BETHEL. 539 ii Frances, b. March 5, 1823, m. Col. Humphrey Cousins, s. Gorham. iii Irene, b. Dec 16, 1825, m. Deacon Samuel AVarren. iv 'I'homas IL, (M. D.,) b. May 22, 1827, ra. Annie M. L.ane. V Ann, b. May 10, 1829, m. Calvin Foster. vi Mary, b. April 21, 1831 ; a teacher in Boston. vii Lois, b. Jan. 10, 1832. viii George M., b. Aug. 22, 1834. Gibson. Samuel F. Gibson, born April 9, 1823, son of Samuel Gibson of Denmark, came to Bethel Hill and engaged in the practice of law. He married flrst, June 1, 1851, Abb, daughter of Moses Patte, who died March 4, 1864, and second May 8, 1864, Agnes M., daughter of James and Cyrene Ayer. He died Oct. 6, 1889. Children : i Edwin U., b. May 18, 1852. ii Ellen P., b, Aug. 17, 1860. By second marriage : iii Martha A., b. July 1, 1866. iv Jane H., b. Nov. 14, 1868. v Samuel A., b. June 27, 1873. Glines. Timothy Glines, son of Israel and Molly (Virgin) Glines of Rumford, married in 1819, Sally Barker of Bethel. He lived many years on the farm near Bean's Corner, afterward occupied by Enoch Stiles. Children : i Sophronia, b. , m. Henry R. Bartlett. ii Timothy, b . iii Andrew B., b. . iv Sarah, b. . V Judith R., b. , m. AVilliam R. Bean. vi Sophia, b. , ra. Palmer York. vii Aaron Stevens, b. . viii Granville M , b. , m. Carrie E. Cooper. Daniel Alphonzo Glines, son of Daniel and Esther M. (Hink son) Glines of Rumford, born at Milton Plantation Feb. 20, 1854, married Feb. 10, 1878, Matilda, daughter of George M. Gary of Sumner. Children : i Edwin Alphonzo, b. April 3, 1879. ii Loring Marshall, b. Jan. 10, 1881. iii Delia Merry, b. Jan. 1, 1883. iv Flora Mabel, b. April 22, 1885. v Eva Matilda, b. April 11, 1891. 540 HISTORY OF BE'THEL. Goddard. William Goddard, son of Robert Goddard of Sutton, after wards of .Andover, Me., and his third wife Sybil Peters (Penni- man) Goddard, married Sophia Fuller, daughter of William Clark Whitney of Norway, and settled on a farm on the south side of the river, previously known as the Jeremiah Andrews farm. He was a good farmer and industrious citizen. He was at one time captain of the militia company. His flrst wife died Dec. 9, 1842, and he married second, Joanna Curtis of Rumford. Children : i Nancy AVhitney, b. April 20, 1835, m. Charles V. Martin, ii William Henry, b. Jan. 21, 1837. iii Charles Franklin, b. Feb. 12, 1839. iv Sophia Puller, b. April 30, 1841. Elijah B. Goddard, born in Hopkinton, Mass., July 2d, 1817, son of Oliver and Tryphena (Barden) Goddard, married August 15, 1841, Mary Ann, daughter of Asa and Mary (York) Bartlett. He came to this town early in the flfties and since that time has been engaged in the furniture and undertaking business. He has also been prominently connected with town board of health. Children : i Mary Ellen, b. Nov. 14, 1843, ra. Jan. 1, 1858, Nathaniel P. Brown. ii George AA'., b. Nov. 13, 1845, unmarried. iii Roxanna B., b. Oct. 15, 1848, m. George A. Plaisted. iv Asa M., b. Bethel, Aug. 4, 1853, m. Etta Williams. V Oliver P., b. March 19, 1856, d. March -21, 1886. vi Eliza E., b. Feb. 23, 1857, m. Dec. 3, 1879, Charies E. Morse and d. Feb. 27, 1881. vii Fritz Alfred, b. Feb. 23, 1863. Edward Goddard, son of OHver Goddard and brother of the preceding, born in Sharon, Mass., June 15, 1815, married March 17. 1841, Betsy Twitchell. For second wife he married Mary Ann, daughter of James Locke, and widow of Edmund Horace Chap- mau. On Bethel records is recorded by first wife : i Lilli.in A., b. Feb. 23, 1858. By second wife : ii Nellie Grace, b. Dec. 14, 1871. Godwin. Alvan Bolster Godwin, son of Colman and Keziah (Wheeler) Godwin, born in Rumford July 21, 1826, married February 26, 1851, Arabella Carter, daughter of Moses Kimball, Esq. He now resides at Bethel Hill and has long held the position of deputy sheriff. Child : i Ella Eudora, b. May 7, 18,53, ni. May 14, 1874, Edwin C. Rowe. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 541 Goodenough. Benjamin Goodenough, married Eunice . Children : i Patty, b. Feb. 28 1799. ii AVillard, b. , d. young, iii Betsey, b. May 29, 1801. iv Benjamin, b. April 26, 1803, m. S. , 1848, vii Louisa A., b. , 1860. viii John D., b. , 1853. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 569- Thomas p. Howard, son of Phineas Howard, married Huldah, daughter of Phineas Frost. He was a clothier and cloth-dresser. He worked at Locke's Mills and also at Walker's Mills, also in Massa chusetts and in Biddeford. Children : i Helen R., b. Feb. 10, 1841. ii James O., b. Aug. 1, 1842. iii Zibia Frost, b. Oct. 14, 1843. Jefferson Howard of Howard's Gore, married Olive, daughter of Amos Bean. Children : i Humphrey Bean, b. June 9, 1827. ii Huldah Kimball, b. Feb. 5,. 1831. Jackson. Clarence Edwin Jackson, son of Jefferson and Louisa W. (Bailey) Jackson of Milton Plantation, is an engineer and resides in Bethel. He married January 18, 1890, Edith May, daughter of Daniel A. Coffin. Child : i Clara L., b. May 15, 1891. Jewett. Leander Jewett, from Waterford, b. in 1804, married Mary, daughter of Captain Timothy Hastings. He settled on the north side of the river below Mayville and on the Peter York farm where he died Oct. 18, 1882. Children : i Nathaniel O'Neil H., b. Oct. 27, 1833, d. March 14, 1836. ii Hannah Bean, b. March 25, 1838, m. Aug. 1, 1865, Henry Wilson Har mon, d. April -28, 1869. iii Timothy Hastings, b. Sept. 3, 1843, m. May 15, 1866, Carrie H., daugh ter of Rev. AA^illiam Beavins. He is a farmer on the homestead and has Han B., b. June 20, 1870. Paul .Jewett married Belinda Staples. He fesided in Hanover. Children : i Celia Maria, b. Jan. 26, 1827. ii Huldah Albina, b. June 2, 1828. .Jordan. Abraham Jordan, a lineal discendantof Rev. Robert Jordan, the early minister at Cape Elizabeth, born in Pejepscot, now Danville, Jan 3, 1789, son of Humphrey and Joanna (Bryant) Jordan, mar ried Dec. 7, 1810, Sarah Hollis, died in June 1864. He died Oct. 2, 1848. His farm was on the Bird Hill. Children : 570 HISTORY OF BETHEL. i John, b. May 2, 1811, m. Sept. 25, 1835, Lois Cushman. ii Hannah, b. July 25, 1813, m. Oct. 28, 1834, Eli H. Cushman. iii Richard H., b. Sept. 3, 1815, m. Jan. 12, 1841, Theodora Pratt. He married second, Mary E. Brown. iv Joanna P., b. Sept. 29, 1827, m. March 25, 1844, Cyrus Swift, and sec ond, Henry Libby. She resides a widow at Locke's Mills. John Jordan, son of Abraham Jordan, married Lois, daughter of Deacon John Cushman. He lived many years on part of his father's homestead ; he then moved to Albany and died there. Chil dren : i Sarah, b. March 3, 1835, m. May 16, 1856, Moses P. Mason. ii Nancy, b. Sept. 8, 1836, m. Feb. 10, 1854, Willoughby R. York. iii John Edward, b. Sept. 20, 1838, m. Feb. 4, 1862, Harriet Bennett. iv Nathaniel, b. Feb. 9, 1843, m. Aug. 3,' 1865, Emma Odell. V Ira Cushman, b. Nov. 8, 1845, m. May 4, 1870, Ella H. Bean. vi Mary E., b. Nov. 6, 1847, m. Oct. 18, 1869, George C. Brownell. vii Stillman Berry, b. Feb. 21, 1849, m. Nov. 18, 1875, Julia S. Bennett. Richard Jordan married first, Theodora L., daughter of Calvin Pratt of Paris, who died Nov. 21, 1863. He married second Mary E. Brown. Children : i Eliza Jane, b. Nov. 13, 1841, m. James LeBarron. ii Caroline Augusta, b. Jan. 25, 1844, m. William AA'. Bird. iii Ann P., b. Aug. 3, 1845, d. Dec. 23, 1863. iv Richard Henry, Ii. July 5, 1847, r. Boston. V Abraham, b. Nov. 13, 1849, m. Jane C. Brooks. vi Calvin Pratt, b. Oct. 6, 1852, d. Oct. 4, 1853. vii Deborah Elizabeth, b. Oct. 3, 1856, d. April 6, 1859. viii Ansel A., b. Aug. 11, 1858. ix Deborah Elizabeth, b. June 16, 1861. By second wife : X Arietta A., b. Oct. 11, 1866. xi Fannie A., b. Feb. 10, 1868. xii Charles AV., b. Dec. 6, 1870. xiii Clara E., b. Feb. 29, 1872. xiv Mattie S., b. Dec 24, 1874. XV Frederick E., b. April 14, 1877. Kendall. Bezaleel Kendall, Jr., married Anna, daughter of Daniel Bean. He lived at Kendall's Ferry of which he was the proprietor, above Middle Intervale, and died there. He was also a farmer. His father died in Bethel in 1829 and his mother in 1841. Children : HISTORY OF BETHEL. 571 i Francis Elias, b. Sept. 24, 1811. ii Justin I., b. Dec. 9, 1813. iii Ralph Gordon, b. Dec. 4, 1815. iv Daniel Gilbert, b. Nov. 4, 1817. V Sargent Gilmore, b. Oct. 20, 1820. vi Dolly Ann, b. Feb. 25, 1823. vii Timothy H., b. May 18, 18-25. viii Bezaleel Freeman, b. Oct. 7, 1827. He graduated from Bowdoin Col lege, studied law, went to the Pacific coast, published a paper at Olympia, Washington, and was shot dead in his office by the son of a person whose official acts, Kendall had sharply criticised in his paper. Kent. James E. Kent, by wife Ann , had the following children recorded on our records. Children : i James E., b. Dec. 21, 1827. ii Mercy Ann, b. May 7, 1831. Kilgore. John Kilgore, son of John who came from Scotland and settled in Kittery, Me., (the name is also written Kilgour and Kilgoure) married Elizabeth Brickett of Berwick, moved to Fryeburg and then to Bethel. He settled at Middle Interval where his son John after wards lived. In 1796, he was elected chairman of the board of selectmen. Children : i Joseph, b. , 1764, m. , AA'iley, s. Lisbon. ii John, b. April 14, 1766, m. Anna York of Bethel. iii Benjamin, b. — , 1768, m. Olive Grover, s. AA^aterford. iv Samuel, b. , m. Sally Hastings, s. AVarren. V Mary, b. , m. John Shorey, s. Litchfield. vi Sally, b. , m. Benjamin McCollister of Lovel. vii Elizabeth, b. , m. Elias Lord of Lyman. viii Mehitable, b. , m. AVilliam Russell of Bethel. 'ix Alice, b. , m. Sarauel Ayer of Bethel. John Kilgore, son of the preceding, born April 14, 1766, mar ried Anna, daughter of Col. John York who was born Feb. 11, 1774, and settled at Middle Interval. He was often on the board of selectmen, and prominent in town matters. Children : i Urban, b. May 30, 1790, d. in w-ar of 1812. ii Elihu, b. Jan. 30, 1792, m. Sally York. iii Eliphaz Chapman, b. April 4, 1794, m. Sally Frost. 572 HISTORY Of bethel. iv Sally, b. March 19, 1796, m. John York. V Alvah, b. March 27, 1798, m. Polly Powers, s. Newry. vi Joanna, b. June 22, 1800, d. Aug. 1, 1801. vii John, b. June 24, 1802, m. Almira Frost. viii Joanna, b. Sept. 25, 1804, m. 1st Elijah Searle; 2d, EphiFaam Mc Kusick. ix Abigail, b. Oct. 7, 1806, m. 1st, Luke R. Russell; 2d, Silas- Billings of Woodstock. X Ira, b. Oct. 19, 1808, m. Lydia Russell; both died in Augusta*.. xi Moses Hadley, b. March 30, 1811, m. Irene Shurtleff. xii Phineas H., b. July 17, 1813, m. Jane Severance, went early to Wis^ cousin. xiii Julia A., b. June 24, 1815, m. Peregrine Sessions, went to Utah. Elihu Killgore married Sally, daughter of Job York. He lived on the river road between Bean's Corner and Rumford. Child :, i Rosalie, b. March 12, 1814. KiLBORNE. Samuel W. Kilborne, son of Thomas and Lydia (Warren) Kil- borne, of Waterford, married in 1850, Sarah S., daughter of Deacon Leonard Grover. He lived in Bethel many years and was deacon of the Congregational church. By trade he was a carpenter. At the taking of the census of 1870, he returned : Children : i Fanny A., b. , 1854. ii Charles H., born , 1867. Eben Shaw Kilborn, youngest son and child of Enos L. W. Kil born, who was born in Harrison June 30, 1808, and died Nov. 18, 1846, and of his wife Rhoda Shaw who was born in Standish, May 21, 1805, and died August 20, 1886, was born in Harrison, July 1, 1846. He came to Bethel when eight years old and has since re sided here. He owns the mills on Mill brook and is a manufacturer and dealer in long and short lumber ; also dealer in flour, corn and meal. He is an active, energetic business man, has been more or less in town office, and is at the present time (1891) chairman of the board of selectmen. Kimball. Asa Kimball, born June 15, 1738, son of Jacob and Sarah (Hale) Kimball of Andover or Bradford, Mass. Married July 15, 1760, Huldah Tapley of Topsfleld, Mass. He was a descend ant of Robert Kimball of Ipswich. He moved to Bridgton quite HISTORY OF BETHEL. ol'A •early, and had a rope-walk there. When quite aged he came to Bethel where some of his sons had preceded him, and died here. He was buried on the farm now owned by his grandson Moses S. Kimball. Children : i Samuel, b. Jan. 26, 1761, m. Hannah Clark of St. John, N. B. ii Richard, b. Jan. 24, 1764, ra. and resided in St. John, N. B. iii Huldah, b. Dec 21, 1765. iv Asa Jr., b. Nov. 29, 1767, m. Phebe Foster of Bridgton. V Israel, b. Nov. 27, 1769, m. Phebe Hazen ; d. 1830, in Bethel. vi Jedediah, b. Sept. 29, 1771, ra. Elizabeth Emerson, d. 1852. vii Sally, b. , m. William Emerson Jr. viii Hannah, b. , m. Timothy Bean of Bethel. ix Jacob, b. , m. Emraa Stone of Groton, Mass. Samuel Kimball, son of the preceding, married Hannah Clark. Children : i Phebe, b. , m. Hezekiah Andrews. ii Lydia, b. , m. Luther Bean. iii Olive, b. , m. 1st, Ephraim Powers; 2d, James Daniels. iv Clark, b. Nov. 26, 1798, m. Harriet Willis. V Peter, b. March 4, 1800, m. Sophia Wheeler. vi Huldah, b. , m. Amos Bean. Asa Kimball .Jr., brother of the preceding, married Phebe Fos ter of Bridgton, who was torn Sept. 24, 1769. He died at Bethel, Aug. 7, 1823, and his widow died Oct. 11, 1858. He was a farmer and rope-maker. Children : i Moses F., b. Oct. 19, 1790, m. Mary Bean, r. Rumford. ii Asa Jr., b. Oct 12, 1792, m. Abigail Bartlett. iii Emma, b. Jan. 4, 1795, ra. Edmund Bean. iv Nancy, b. Oct. 25, 1799, m. 1st, Porter Kimball; 2d, Peter C. Virgin of Rumford. Israel Kimball, son of Asa Kimball, came to this town from Bridgton and settled at Middle Intervale where his grandchildren yet live. He married Phebe Hazen of Bridgton, and died Dec. 6, 1829. His widow died Nov. 26, 1854. His children were all born at Bridgton. Children : i Israel, b. Jan. 20, 1792, m. Sarah AVebber. ii Hannah, b. May 11, 1796, m. Aaron Littlefleld. iii Hepsibah, b. Jan. 6, 1798, m. Ebenezer Eames. iv Jacob Hazen, b. April 3, 1800, m. Harriet Gage. V Phebe, b. Feb. 21, 1804, m. 1st, Ezra T. Russell; 2d, Winslow Hey wood. 574 HISTORY OF BETHEL. vi Richard, b. Jan. 20, 1806, m. Zilpha Dresser. vii Byron AV., b. . viii Ira Crocker, b. Jan. 29,1816, m. 1st, Joanna Rowe ; 2d, Salome B.. Chapman. Jedediah Kimball, son of Asa Kimball, married Elizabeth Emerson. He lived in Bridgton and died March 26, 1852. His widow died October 31, 1853. Children : i Eliza, b. Sept. 15. 1799, d. young, ii Roxanna, b. Sept. 17, 1801. iii Eliza, b. Oct. 19, 1803. iv Sally, b. -. v Lavinia, b. Feb. 4, 1808, d. Feb. 28, 1825. vi Sarah, b. March 8, 1810, d. Dec. 1, 1836. vii Hannah A., b. M.areli 27, 1812. viii Paulina, b. Aug. 25, 1815. ix Julia, b. May 21, 1818. X Jedediah, b. Sept. 18, 1820. Jacob Kimball married Emma Stone of Groton, Mass. He came to Bethel about the year 1824, and settled in the lower part of the town, and gave the name to Kimball Hill. Children : i Clarissa, b. Sept. 5, 1796, m. 1st, Eli Estes; 2d, John Howe of Rum ford. ii Hannibal, b. Jan. 2, 1798. m. and settled in Wisconsin. iii Emma, b. ^Vug. 26, 1799, m. Benjamin Kilgore of AVaterford. iv Nancy, b. July 20, 1801, m. 1st, Rufus Barker of AVaterford; 2d, John Howe of Ruraford. V Charlotte, b. March 4, 1803, ra. AValter Mason of AA'est Bethel. vi Thirza, b. July 20, 1806, ra. Calvin Howe of Rumford. vii Jedediah, b. July 4, 1808, m. Julia Richardson, r. Byron. viii Susannah, b. Aug. 27, 1810, m. Oliver P. Powers. ix Jacob T., b.Aug. 27, 1812, m. Phila Andrews. X Moses Stone, b. May 11, 1817, m. Catherine Young. Clark Kimball, son of Samuel Kimball, married Harriet, daughter of Jonas Willis. He lived on the road between the river and Locke's Mills and died there. Children : i Joseph W., b. March 1, 1821. ii Ephraim C, b. May 31, 1825. iii Jonas Willis, b- March 24, 1827, d. April 10, 1828. iv Dorcas Barbour, b. Jan. 18, 1829. Peter Kimball, son of Samuel Kimball, married Sophia, daugh ter of Abel Wheeler of Rumford. Children : i Sophia, b. Oct. 31, 1824, m. Jan. 4, 1846, John Hamlin, Milan, N. H. ii Charles AVheeler, b. Oct. 30, 1829, d. May 31, 1830. iii Viola, b. March 27, 1830, d. July 19, 1833. iv Sarah M., b. July 19, 1833, d. Nov. 27, 1835. V Charles Mellen, b. Feb. 24, 1839, m. July 3, 1873, Mary E. Bartlett. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 575 Asa Kimball, son of Asa Jr., married Abigail Bartlett. He was a farmer, a man of influence in town, served much in town office and was elected representative to the Legislature. Children : i George AV., b. Feb. 5, 1817, d. Nov. 16, following. ii Abigail, b. June 3, 1822, d. Aug. 29, 1823. iii Moses P., b. Sept. 29, 1824, m. July 27, 1864, Dolly K. Bean. iv Emma Bean, b. March 20, 1828, m. John Decatur Hastings. Israel Kimball Jr., married July 9, 1822, Sarah, daughter of Benjamin Webber of Sweden, born March 9, 1799. He was a good farmer and lived at Middle Interval. He died, and his widow died June 2, 1881. Children : i Sarah Webber, b. May 22, 1824, m. Hiram H. Holt. ii Israel Granville, b. April 24, 1826, ra. Dec. 8, 1850, Lavinia H. Dus ton. iii Benjamin Webber, b. March 13, 1829, m. Susan L. Currier. iv Mary Elizabeth, b. May 12, 1831, m. David Abbot Gorham. V Infant, b. June 11, 1833, d. July 3, 1833. vi Hepsibah Eames, b. July 27, 1834, m. Nov. 3, 1865, AVra. W. Mason. vii Susannah Nevers, b. Nov. 1, 1837, r. Bethel, unmarried. viii Harriet Hazen, b. June 7, 1840, m. March 22, 1880, Clarence B. San born who died and she r. a widow at Bethel. Jedediah Tapley Kimball, son of Israel Kimball, married Mary Ann, daughter of Rev. Daniel Mason. He lives near Middle In tervale on the Daniel Mason place. He has represented the town in the Legislature and is a much respected citizen. Children : i Tapley Webster, b. Aug. 28, 1837, d. July 1, 1855. ii Jacob Hazen, b. Sept. 16, 1840, d. Sept. 12, 1865. iii Daniel Mason, b. Dec. 31, 1842, m. Oct. 9, 1873, Ellen, daughter of Stephen and Louisa (Penley) Packard of AVoodstock. She is still a teacher of public schools ; no issue, but have adopted Lula B. Kimball, b. Errol, N. H., April 12, 1881. iv Calvin Newton, b. March 13, 1846. V John Lincoln, b. Sept. 5, 1848, m. Oct. 9, 1876, Laura Sterling. vi Rebecca Jones, b. Feb. 15, 1851, m. July 6, 1872, Clark Caswell. vii Mary Elizabeth, b. June 21, 1853. Ira C. Kimball, son of Israel Kimball, married flrst Joanna Rowe of Bethel who died July 7, 1847, and second, Salome B. Chapman. He was a well-known merchant and successful business man at Bethel. Children : i Melville Crocker, b. Nov. 16, 1840, m. Cyrene Robinson. ii Emily Joanna, b. Jan. 19, IS-tS, m. Samuel D. Philbrook. 576 HISTORY OF BETHEL. iii Calvin Israel, b. May 14, 1845, m. Jennie Starbird of Portland. iv Martha, b. April 15, 1847, d. July 7 following. By second marriage : V Anna Flora, b. Jan. 2, 1850, d. Sept. 9, 1887. vi Carrie E., b. Oct. 25, 1854, m. Dec. 4, 1877, Charles H. Hersey, vii Jessie Francis, b. Jan. 15, 1858, m. Jan. 29, ISSO, John M. Ostrander. viii Minnie, b. July 27, 1860, d. Jan. 13,1861. Jacob T. Kimball, son of Jacob Kimball, married Feb. 16, 1841 Phila, daughter of William Andrews. He lived on Kimball Hill in the lower parish. Children : i Octavia F., b. Nov. 30, 1841, d. Dec. 26, 1864. ii Gustavus M., b. Dec. 6, 1842, m. Sarah Bragg. iii Nancy A., b. Sept. 28, 1844, m. James Mayconnell. iv Mary E., b. July 31, 1845, d. Dec. 24, 1861. V Francis E., b. .Tuly 9, 1846, d. Sept. 17 following. vi William A., b. July 3, 1847, m. Mary Macomber. vii Emma M., b. July 1, 1851, m. Deforest Bragg. viii Charles H., b. Jan. 4, 1857, m. Oct. 10, 1883, Annie C, daughter of John and Dolly Chase of Paris. They live on Kimball Hill; no issue. Moses Stone Kimball, son of Jacob Kimball, married Dec. 10, 1844, Catherine, daughter of Captain Amos Young of Greenwood, afterward of Bethel. He occupies the farm once owned by his grandfather, Asa Kimball. He is a man of intelligence, a good and progressive farmer. In more recent years, on account of failing health, he has let out his farm, and with his wife spends a portion of his time with his children who have married and settled in Massa chusetts. Mr. Kimball has long been deacon of the Baptist church. ¦Children : i Annie S., b. Sept. 1, 1846, m. Orlando B. Crane. ii Jedediah A., b. June 27, 1848, m. Addie J. Hammond. iii Sarah F., b. Oct. 9, 1852, m. Alva M. Butler. iv Flora A., b. March 4, 1855, ra. Charles H. Felker. Charles Mellen Kimball, son of Peter Kimball, married flrst in 1865, Loretta S., daughter of Jonathan A. Bartlett of Rumford who died in 1867 ; he married second, July 3d, 187-**, Mary E., daughter of Elias S. Bartlett of Bethel. Mr. Kimball cultivates the paternal acres, is a thrifty farmer and a good man of business. He has served several terms on the board of selectmen, and also was a representative to the Legislature. Children : i Irving, b. May 9, 1875. ii Lillian Retta, b. Nov. IS, 1876. iii Rose Rawson, b. May 15, 1880. iv Hester May, b. Oct. 3, 1884. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 577 Moses F. Kimball, son of Asa Kimball, married Dolly K., daughter of Joshua Bean. Children : i Charles C, b. July 27, 1856. ii Arabella, b. July 16, 1859. iii Ellen F., b. Sept. 21, 1863. Israel G. Kimball, sou of Israel Kimball Jr., married Dec 8, 1850, Lavinia H., daughter of John Y. Duston. He lives at Mid dle Interval on the old Kimball homestead. He is an active busi ness man. He was agent to fill the town's quotas during the war, has been many years a selectman, collector of taxes etc., and also represented the town in the Legislature. Children : i Charles Grenville, b. Oct. 1, 1851. ii Alice Maud, b. Nov. 15, 1853, m. Augustus E. Philbrook, r. Shelburne, N. H. iii Mary Josephine, b. Oct. 7, 1857, m. Frank G. Blake, r. Colorado. iv Benjamin AA^ebber, b. June 12, 1861, r. Minneapolis, Minn. V Mabel Annette, b. July 13, 1868. Benjamin Webber Kimball, son of Israel Kimball, Jr., married Nov. 1875, Mrs. Susie L. Currier. He graduated in medicine from the Maine Medical School, also in Pharmacy in Philadelphia and pursued a special course on diseases of the ear and eye which specialties he is now practicing in Minneapolis, Minn. Children : i AVebber Lyons, b. Sept. 5, 1876, d. Aug. 1877. ii Marion, b. Sept. 12, 1877. iii Gertrude, b. June 1879. iv Florence, b. June 8, 1880. John Kimball, from Pembroke, N. H.. married Lucia, daughter of Eli Twitchell. He lived on the hill opposite Gould's Academy. Childreu : i Delenda Twitchell, b. Aug. 23, 1814, m. Elbridge Chapman. ii John Eli Leland, b. July 30, 1818. iii Lucia Helen, b. Jan. 20, 1826, d. July 30 following. iv Thomas Brainard, b. July 18, 1831, d. Sept. 21; following. George Kimball, son of Peter Kimball of Bridgton, married Polly, daughter of Thaddeus Bartlett. He lived on the Thaddeus Bartlett place at Bean's Corner, and later in life moved to Mas sachusetts. Children : i Fanny W., b. July 3, 1823. ii Augustus D., b. May 16, 1827, d. July 14, 1833. iii Ephraim Bartlett, b. Dec. 29, 1832, m. Semantha W. Frost. iv Mary Jane, b. Feb. 5, 1830, d. July 9, 1833. v Augustus D., b. Sept. 8, 1835. vi Alphonzo B., b. Feb. 7, 1841. 37 578 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Knight. Asa p. Knight, son of Joshua and Elizabeth (Gage) Knight, born at Benton, N. H., Aug. 13, 1827, came to Bethel where he lived several years and was a boot and shoe-maker. He married Dec. 28, 1850,^ Nancy, daughter of Nathan F. Twitchell. He claims Bethel as his legal residence though he has been clerk in the post office department in Washington for 26 years. His wife died in 1891, and her remains were brought to Bethel for interment. Children : i Walter Myron, b. May 31, 1852, d. March 5, 1865. ii Lizzie Gage, b. June 23, 1857, m. Aug. 1. 1877, Milton I. Brittain. Lane. Eliphalet Lane, from North Yarmouth, came to Bethel quite early and settled in the east part of the town. He had several sons and daughters but none of their births are recorded with Bethel records. Among his sons was Sylvanus who married Submit, daughter of Asa Foster of Newry and reared a large family. Jotham S. Lane married in 1830, Susan, daughter of Jonas Willis and died early. Children : i Jonas Willis, b. July 24, 1831, m. Avice Crockett, r. Gorham, N. H. ii Mary Adaras, b. Feb. 14, 1833. James S. Lane, born in Buxton, Me., July 30, 1832, son of James and Sarah (Flanders) Lane, came to Bethel and bought out the stage line to the lakes which he still operates. He married June 3, 1859, Martha M., daughter of Hon. William Frye. Children : i Lizzie E., b. Oldtown, Oct. 12, 1859, m. ,Iune 3, 1878, rCaleb Wighti d. March 24, 1881. ii Harry A., b. Bethel, May 2, 1873. Lapham. Abijah Lapham, the first of the name in this town, was born in Scituate, Mass., Aug. 15, 1769. He came to Maine in 1793, and settled in Buckfield, then to Bethel where he died March 1, 1847. He was a farmer and shoe-maker, and deacon of the Baptist church. He married in 1790, Sarah, daughter of Nathan Hartwell of Bridgewater ; second in 1802, Abigail, daughter of John and Abigail (Irish) Buck of Buckfield and third, Sarah, widow of HISTORY OF BETHEL. 579 Nathan Maxim, whose maiden name was Jordan. He was a de scendant of Thomas Lapham who came from Tenterden, Kent, Co., England, in 1634, and three years after married Mary, eldest daughter of Nathaniel Tilden, ruling elder of Lothrop's church at Scituate. Thomas Lapham died in 1648, and his widow is supposed to have married William Bassett. The wife of Elder Tilden was Lydia Bourne whose father early settled at Marshfleld. The descent from Thomas to Abijah is as follows : Thomas' and Mary Tilden ; Thomas^ and Mary ; Joseph^ and Abigail Sherman ; Joseph'' aud Abigail Joyce ; John* and Bathsheba Eames whose only son who reared a family was Abijah". Abijah Lapham came to Bethel in 1822, and settled on the road from Paris to Rumford, on a lot once owned by Elijah Bond and later by Porter Kimball. Here his second wife died in 1823. He subsequently lived in Wood stock and Greenwood, and then with his son James Lapham in Bethel, where he died. Children : By the first marriage : i Betsey, b. Pembroke, Mass., July 17, 1792, d. unmarried in Buck- field. ii Sylvia, b. Buckfield, Dec. 8, 1794, m. John Mayhew of Buckfield. iii John, b. Feb. 28, 1797, d. April 28, 1800. iv Nathan, b. June 17, 1799, d. Sept. 21, 1801. V Abijah, b. March 7, 1801, d. an infant. Children of the second marriage, all born in Buckfield : vi John, b. May 6, 1803, m. 1st, Louvisa Berry, Dec. .2, 1824; 2d, Re becca Phinney, Aug. 18, 1873. vii Thomas, b. May 6, 1803. ra. Sophronia Crooker, 1824. viii Sally, b. Nov. 13, 1804, ra. Charles Crooker, 1825. ix Cinderilla, b. Aug. S, 1806, ra. 1st, Solomon Cummings; 2d, Joseph Cummings. X Phebe. b. March 31, 1809, never married. xi James, b. Feb. 8, 1811, m. Sally Moody. Childi-en by the third marriage : xii Abijah b. Bethel, Sept. 9, 1826, d. Oct. 25, 1830. John Lapham, son of the preceding, lived in the east part of Bethel many years. He moved to Woodstock and then to Weld where he died April 7, 1883. He married first, Dec. 2, 1824, Louvisa Berry who died Jan. 30, 1868, and second Aug. 18, 1873, Rebecca Phinney of Weld. He was deacon of the Baptist church in Woodstock. Children : i Lusannah Abigail, b. Bethel, Feb. 4, 1826, m. Feb. 22, 1852, Jonas W. Bartlett, b. Bethel, June 15, 1819 ; she d. Feb. 2, 1869. 580 HISTORY OF BETHEL. ii James Madison, b. Bethel, May 19, 1827, m. April 19, 1883, Nancy P. (Francis) Cummings, b. Carthage, July 26, 1847. iii AAniliam Berry, b. Greenwood, August 21, 182S, m. Nov. 27, 1866, Cynthia Ann Perham, b. Woodstock, June 27, 1839. iv Betsey Jane, b. Bethel, Sept. 12, 1830, m. Sept. 4, 1852, Alonzo B. Swan, b. Paris, July 26, 1832. V Isaac Freeman, b. Bethel, March 31, 1833, m. Aug. 31, 1854, Eliza Ricker, b. AVoodstock, June 14, 1837. vi Aurelia Berry, b. Bethel, December 17, 1835. vii Eli Foster, b. Greenwood, May 1, 1840, d. April 9, 1842. viii John Bird, b. Bethel March 1, 1842, drowned Sept. 20, 1S44. ix John Edward, b. Bethel, March 1, 1846, m. Feb. 24, 1868, Martha C. Tenney, b. Methuen, Mass., Feb. 16, 1851. X Francis AA'ayland, b. Greenwood, May 28, 1849, m. Oct. 31, 1872, Jennie Dean, b. Solon, July 4, 1854. xi Martha Amanda, b. Woodstock, May 15, 1852, m. March 24, 1878, Dennis Swan, b. AA'oodstock, April 10, 1851. Thomas Lapham, twin brother of the preceding, lived in Buck- 'field and Hebron until about the year 1843, when he returned to Bethel. He married Sophronia, daughter of Charles and Betsey (Packard) Crooker. He died in Errol, N. H., in 1882. Children : i Bethiah, b. Jan. 13, 1825, d. Aug. 24, 1847. ii Eliza, b. April 14, 1827, d. young. iii Daniel Crooker, b. May 5, 1829, m. 1st Jane C. Ijapham. tie m. a 2nd wife, i. Richmond, Me. iv Irene Crooker, b. May 1, 1831, m. John Needham. V Eliza, b. July 23, 1833, m. Chester Crooker, dead. ^i Mary, b. Aug. 2, 1835, m. John A. Buck. vii Richmond Mayhew, b. Oct. 17, 1837. AA'as a pi-ivate in Co. I, 5th Me. Vols. Was wounded and taken prisoner at Spottsylvania Court House, May 1864, and probably died in the prison hospital at Rich- raond Va. viii Joseph Crooker, b. Dec. 27, 1839, m. and lives in Lewiston. ix George P., b. Feb. 27, 1841, ra. and r. in Bethel. X Abijah, b. July 17, 1843. He was a private in the 32nd Me. Vols., and was accidentally shot by a comrade at the North Anna river, Va., in June, 1864. James Lapham, brother of the preceding, was long a resident of Bethel. His farm was on the road between the Androscoggin river and Locke's Mills and here he died. He married Sally, daughter of Josiah and Mehitable (Houston) Moody of Hamlin's Gore, former ly of Portland. Children : HISTORY OF BETHEL. 581 i James Otis, b. Sept. 25, 1831, resided in AV. Medway, Mass., and died there;* m. Mary Turner. ii Abijah, b. March 25, 1833, d. Nov. 10, 1834. iii Hezekiah Moody, b. March 3, 1834, m. Harriet Chase, r. Paris. iv Amos Eames, b. Aug. 8, 1836. He was a wagoner in the 5th Me. Regt., and died from injuries received in line of duty, Sept. 5, 1862. V Charles, b. April 20, 1838, m. Katie Haynes, r. Greenwood. vi Joseph Jordan, b. Jan. 20, 1840, m. Sarah Cates. vii Harriet Kiraball, b. Feb. 3, 1842, ra. 1st, Marriner Davis ; 2d, Charles Barker. She resides on the homestead of her father. viii Dorcas Matilda, b. Dec. 8, 1843, ra. Marquis F. Richardson, r. Paris. ix Thoraas Roberts, b. Sept, 30, 1845, d. Dec. 19, 1865. X Williara Franklin, b. Aug. 18, 1850, d. Dec 7, 1869. xi Levi N., b. June 21, 1853, m. Jennie Swan, 1873, r. Greenw-ood. Leavitt. Joseph Leavitt married Lois . Children : i Jonathan, b. March 15, 1805. ii Elijah, b. March 5, 1807. iii Abigail, b. Jan. 16, 1810, ra. John E. Swan, iv Samuel, b. June 16, 1811. v Sally, b. Aug. 12, 1815. Jonathan Leavitt married Lucy . For second wife he married Dolly Bennett of Gilead and settled in that town. Chil dren : i Jonathan, b. March 15, 1805. ii Elijah, b. March 19, 1807. iii Sally, b. Aug. 12, 1813. LiNNELL. Israel Linnell married Desire York. He moved to the Megal loway region. Children : i Jonas, b. Sept. 9, 1812. ii Anna Vork, b. Oct. 6, 1814. Littlehale. Captain Isaac Littlehale, a house carpenter, born Dec. 12, 1802. son of Isaac and Betsey (Ripley) Littlehale of Newry, mar ried Mary Russell, daughter of Frederick Ballard. He was long a *The local paper at Medway thus spoke of him'; "it gives great sorrow to record the death of Mr. James O. Lapham. He was one of those genial, honest, laborious pub lic-spirited, generous-hearted men, whose life gave a rare emphasis to the elements of Christian manhood. He was a reliable man; his r^ealings with his fellowmen could be measured with the goldeu rule. He entered heartily into the obscured happiness of others, therefore envy had little or no power to mar in return, his own enjoyment. All persons leel that society has sustained a great loss. His kindness to the poor w-ill in tensify his luemory in grateful hearts. He has left a legacy to his wife and children in the honorable life he lived. He was buried with Masonic honors by the Charles Kiver Lodge." 582 HISTORY OF BETHEL. resident of Bethel, his house being on Church street ; he died on the homeward passage from California June 4, 1862. Children : i Sarah A., b. Nov. 4, 1832, m. William Fuller, r. Cleveland, Ohio. ii Daughter, b. Oct. 29, 1833, d. same day. iii Son, b. Oct. 28, 1834, d. same day. iv Marjr Elizabeth, b. Aug. 30, 1835, m. Francis, son of Jonathan Far rington of Lovell. He was a lawyer and died at sea on the return trip from England, Jan. 17, 1857. V Isaac Moore, b. Nov. 18, 1838, m. Emma Fields; he was a soldier in the 7th Maine and killed in the battle of the Wilderness, May 3, 1864. vi Hannah, b. Feb. 2, 1841, m. William Andrews; r. Lewiston. vii Alma, b. Aug. 10, 1846, m. Edward Wills ; d. Gorham, N. H., 1873. viii Eudora, b. June 7, 1851, m. 1st, Alfred Eugene Twitchell who died Sept. 11, 1887, and 2d, in 1891, Augustus J. Knight of Rumford. Isaac B. Littlehale, son of Abraham and Lucy (Barker) Lit tlehale of Newry, married Lydia, daughter of Reuben Bartlett. He lived on the Case farm, on the Locke's Mills road. Children : i Orange C, b. Dec 11, 1834, m. Cyrene S. (Ayer) Twitchell. ii Diana, b. Jan. 23, 1837, m. Rufus Skillings. iii Christina, b. Jan. 23, 1837, m. John M. Swift. Jacob Littlehale married Lois Stearns. He moved to North Newry and died there. Children : i David Blood, b. Jan. 4, 1823. ii AVilliam Holt,' b. Oct. 5, 1824. iii Dorcas G., b. Dec. 19, 1825. iv Sarah A., b. June 18, 1827. Locke. Samuel Barron Locke, ancestor of families of this name was the son of James and Locke, and was born in . He married Hannah, daughter of William Russell of Fryeburg. He was a ihill-wright and built the first mills at Locke's Mills in Green wood. Children : i Hannnah, b. Thetford, V(., Feb. 20, 1790, d. Jan. 29, 1791. ii John, b. Leominster, N. H., Feb. 29, 1792, (M. D., and Prof.) d. in Cincinnati, Ohio. iii Luther, b. Newport, N. H., Feb. 22, 1794, d. in Bethel, m. Marilla Kenyon. iv Hannah, b. Fryeburg, July 8, 1795, m. William Sw.an, d. Paris. V Clarissa, b. Bethel, June 7, 1797, m. David Black Jr. vi Clementine, b. June 12, 1799, m. Origen Stone of Dixfield. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 583 vii Samuel Barron Jr.,* b. Sept. 28, 1801, m. Lucetta Edgerly, d. AVest Paris. viii James, b. July 11, 1803, m. Marcia Stowe; d. in Bethel. ix Charles Russell, b. May 4, 1806, m. Susan Hill, d. in Bethel. X Mary, b. Jan. 14, 1808, m. Moses Swan, d. California. James Locke, son of Samuel Barron Locke, married Marcia Stowe of Newry. He lived on the north half of the Locke home stead, on the Sunday river road and was an upright and exemplary man. He possessed strength of mind and character, traits peculiar to the Locke family. Children : i Mary Anne, b. Jan. 31, 1828, m. 1st, Horace Chapman ; 2d, Edward Goddard ; d. in Bethel. ii Jabez Bradley, b. March 28, 1831, m. Mary A. Eames, r. Zumbrota, Minn. He went there early and has been a prominent citizen there many years. iii Abigail Stone, b. April 8, 1836, m. Charles F. Penley, went West. iv Hannah Russell, b. March 25, 1840, m. David I. Black. V James Bradford, b. Feb. S, 1844. Charles Russell Locke, son of Samuel B. Locke, was a farmer and lived at Maple Grove, the old Locke homestead. He married Oct. 7, 1832, Susan Hill who was born at Saco, May 15, 1809. He died January 2, 1882. Children: i Phila Delia, b. Sept. 21, 1833. She spent much of her life in Bloom ington and Chicago, Illinois, but returned and lives on the old place where she and her sister Mary Ellen keep a summer boarding house. ii Charles William Russell, b. Jan. 25, 1835. He served in the 12th Iowa regiment during the war, married KateE. Smyth and settled in St. James, Nebraska, where he is Postmaster, and Justice of the Peace. No issue. iii Henry Clay, b. July 7, 1837. He served in the Massachusetts Inde pendent engineering corps, after the war settled in Nebrasks, and was murdered in his camp Oct. 18, 1870. His murderer was over taken and lynched. iv Susan Emery, b. Nov. 24, 1840, m. John Henry Douglass. V Samuel Barron, b. Nov. 24, 1840, d. Feb. 1842. vi Mary Ellen, b. Sept. 15, 1843, r. Bethel. vii Elizabeth Morris, b. March 19, 1848, m. May 2, 1885, Charles F. Sar gent, r. Lewiston. *He was a natural mechanic and a man of great business enterprise. He became pro prietor of Locke's Mills which he rebuilt and enlarged. He also built mills in Bethel, Waterford, Lovell, Fryeburg and at West Paris. 584 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Lowell. John P. Lowell, farmer, born in Harrison, Aug. 7, 1802, mar ried in 1824, Eliza Brackett of Westbrook, who was born Dec. 2, 1800, and died Nov. 22, 1861 ; he died June 30, 1874. Children : i Ira Pish, b. June 19, 1824. ii Abby G., b. July 4, 1826, d. .July 5, 1874. iii Charles AV., b. Aug. 22, 1832. iv Martha A., b. 1S34, d. Aug. 20, 1848. v Gi-infill B., b. Sept. S, 1836, m. Mary C. Mason. vi Elihu B., b. Aug. 1839, m. Maria Curtis. vii Henry H., b. April 4, 1841, m. Emraa Davis. Grinfill B. Lowell, son of John P. Lowell, farmer, married May 9, 1858, Mary C, daughter of John B. Mason. Children : i Ira AV., b. Feb. 1, 1859. ii Fred A., b. Aug. 27, 1860, d. March 19, 1870. iii Eliza E., b. Oct. 12, 1866, m. John F. Cobb. iv Hazen B., b. May 9, 1878. Lovejoy. William F. Lovejoy, son of Dr. Enoch Lovejoy who was born in Andover, Mass., Sept. 10, 1783, and of Martha Tillson, his wife, who was born in Rockland in 1792, was born in Rockland, Oct. 16, 1825, and married Feb. 4, 1853, Martha A., daughter of Henry and Sarah Hilt of Warren. Mr. Lovejoy kept the old Bethel House before it was burned. He was then in the hotel business at Win throp, Gray and elsewhere, then returned and took the new Bethel House of which he and his son are now proprietors. He is a model hotel-keeper and under his management the Bethel House is one of the best country hotels in the State. Children : i Ferren H. b. AVarren, July 19, 1857. ii William E., b. Bethel, Dec. 24, 1859, d. Oct. 20, 1869. iii Coe C, b. Bethel, Feb. 21, 1862, m. Dee. 25, 1887, Eraraa Roberts; d. April 25, 1888. iv Verdie M., b. Winthrop, May 28, 1874, d. May 14, 1880. Marble. Nathan Marble from Sutton, Mass.. was once a resident in this town. He married Mehitable, daughter of Dr. James Freeland of Sutton. He was a saddler and harness maker. He died Nov. 6, 1826, and his widow married Elijah Burbank. His first wife was a sister of Mrs. Dr. Timothy Carter. Children : THE BETHEL HOUSE, HISTORY OF BETHEL. 585- i James Putnam, b. Sutton, Nov. 25, 1800, d. Nov. 26, 1825. ii Stephen Mellen, b. Dec. 25, 1802, m. AUora Bonney of Turner. iii Palmer Merrill, b. Nov. 12, 1805, d. Dec 11, 1807. iv Nathan Merrill, b. March 8, 1808, m. Mary Ann Clark. V Mehitable Mellen, b. May 9, 1810, m. Judge Joseph G. Cole of Paris.- vi Freeland, b. Nov. 14, 1812, m. Ehza Clark. vii Elizabeth Burbank, b. July 24, 1815, ra. Hirara Hubbard. viii Franklin, b. Brunsvv-ick, Oct. 27, 1818, m. Maria L. Cole. ix Jarvis Carter, b. May 22, 1821, ra. Mary Hubbard. X Nancy Jenette, b. Aug. 22, 1824, m. Hiram Hubbard. xi James Rawson, b. May 8, 1827, killed by explosion of powder mill. Mason. The large and respectable family of Mason of this town, are de scendants of Captain Hugh Mason who with wife Esther, settled in Watertown in 1634. Moses Mason, a great grandson of Captain Hugh, married Lydia, daughter of Jesse and Mary Knap of Bos ton and settled in Dublin, N. H. Childrei) : i Martha, b. May 28, 1751, ra. Eleazer Twitchell. ii Lucy, b. May 20, 1753, m. David Marshall. iii Lydia, b. Feb. 10, 1755, m. John Morrison of Peterborough, N. H. iv Moses, b. April 26, 1757, m. Eunice Ayer. V Mary, b. March 22, 1760?' m. Nathaniel Greenwood. vi Hannah, b. May 4, 1762, m. 1st, James Mills ; 2d, Elijah Grover. vii Betsey, b. July 18, 1764, m. Benjamin Clark. viii Walter, b. Oct. 10, 1766, m. Esther Barker of AVaterford. ix John, b. May 8, 1769, m Bethiah Houghton. X Thirza, b. April 10, 1772, d. aged three and one-half years. MosEs Mason Jr., was a soldier in the war for Independence and came to Bethel in 1799. In 1780, he married Eunice, daughter of William Ayers of Dublin, N. H. He occupied the place opposite Bethel Hill, afterwards owned and occupied by his son Aaron, and now by his grandson. Moses A. Mason. He died Oct. 31, 1831, and his widow died Feb. 4, 1846. Children : i Thirza, b. July 3, 1781, m. Dr. James Ayer, s. Newfield. ii Susan, b. June 4, 1783, m. Richard Dunnels of Newfield. iii Moses Jr , b. March 31, 1785, d. young. iv Aaron, b. April 5, 1787, ra. Ruby Bartlett. V Moses, b. June 2, 1789, m. Agnes Straw ; no children. vi Lydia, b. July 21, 1791, m. Eleazer Twitchell Jr. vii Eunice, b. Sept. 12, 1793, m. Stephen A. Russell. viii Hannah, b. .Inly 23, 1795, m. Capt. John Pease of Parsonfield. ix Charles, b. Feb. 17, 1798, m. Eunice Hale of AA'aterford. X Ayers, b. Dec 31, 1800, m. Mrs. Eunice (Hale) Mason. xi Lovisa, b. June 29, 1803, m. Dr. Baker AVebster of Sandown, N. H. 586 HISTORY OF BE'THEL. Walter Mason, brother of Moses, married Esther Barker of Waterford. He lived in Bethel and died June 30, 1840. Children : i Esther, b. June 6, 1794, m. Eli Grover. ii Thirza, b. May 27, 1796, d. young. iii Elmira, b. June 12, 1798, m. Peter Grover. iv Rachel, b. July 20, 1803, d. July 14, 1806. V Walter, b. Aug. 31, 1804, m. Charlotte Kimball. vi Rachel, b. Aug. 3, 1806, m. Andrew Grover. vii John Barker, b. Sept. 18, 1809, m. 1834, Sophronia Cross. viii Katherine, b. March 29, 1812. ix Thirza, b. Feb. 15, 1815. X Javan Knapp, b. Sept. 20, 1817, m. Susanna Twitchell. John Mason, brother of the preceding, married in 1788, Bethiah Houghton of Hartford, Conn. They came to Bethel in 1789, and ;SOon moved to Gilead. When in Bethel he lived on Grover Hill. He died in 1843. He had ninety-five grandchildren. Children : i John, b. April 29, 1789, m. Hannah Stiles of Gilead. ii Lydia, b. Aug. 18, 1791, m. Seth Wight of Bethel. iii Bethiah, b. Aug. 2, 1793, m. Abraham Bennett, of Dalton, N. H. iv Sylvanus, b. Sept. 29, 1795, m. Lydia Scribner of Harrison. V Betsey, b. July 27, 1797, m. Nathan Stiles of Gilead. vi Ira, b. Jan. 16, 1800, m. Rebecca Scribner of Harrison. vii Phebe, b. Feb. 7, 1802, m. William Wight of Gilead. viii Lorenzo, b. Feb. 8, 1804, m. Mary Conner of Keene, N. H. ix Salome, b. April IS, 1805, never was married. X Mary C, b. April 23, 1807, ra. John Marean Bean. xi Artemas, b. Aug. 12, 1809, m. Betsey, widow of Hezekiah Grover of M^son. xii Orindia, b. April 22, 1812, m. Joseph A. Twitchell. xiii Moses M , b. Feb. 22, 1815, ra. Martha Walker of Embden. Aaron Mason married Ruby, daughter of Peregrine Bartlett. He was a farmer and lived on the north side of the river, opposite Bethel Hill, the homestead of his father. He was a man of sound .judgment and a good farmer. Children : i Peregrine Bartlett, b. March 9, 1819, never was married. ii Mighill, b. Feb. 4, 1820, m. Mary, daughter of Elias Bartlett. iii Sarah Merrill, b. Nov. 20, 1821, m. Henry Page of Parsonfleld. iv Charies G., b. May 4, 1824, discovered the "Silver King" mine. He lived and was married in Arizona ; d. in Califoruia. V Moses Ayers, b. April 5, 1826, r. on the old homestead iu Bethel, un married. vi Solon, b. May 25, 1828, never was married, d. 1886. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 587 vii Thirza, b. May 21, 1830, m. Dr. Eben Stone, r. Deeiing. viii Mary, b. Nov. 13, 1832, m. Dr. Philip McNabb. ix Susannah, b. Dec. 25, 1834, d. March 9, following. X Freeborn Bartlett, b. May 8, 1836, m. Louisa Winters of Iowa. xi Angeline, b. Aug. 12, 1838, m. Edward Clark. xii Ruby, b. March 12, 1841, m. 1st, Lawson Smith; 2d, John B. Reed. xiii Aaron, b. Jan. 17, 1844, m. Mersades Rabies, r. California. Charles Mason, son of Moses Mason, married Eunice Hale of Waterford, born Dec. 8, 1799. He died April 6, 1824, and his "widow married his brother Ayers Mason. Child : i Infant, b. Sept. 3, 1824, d. same day. Ayers Mason, brother of the preceding, born Dec. 30, 1800, married Eunice (Hale) his brother Charles' widow. He occupied the interval farm on Middle Interval road a mile from Bethel Hill. His wife died July 19, 1865. Children : li Charles, b. Jan. 17, 1827, m. Melis,sa M. Russell. ii Maria Antoinette, b. Aug. 8, 1828, m. Clark S. Edwards. •iii Oliver Hale, b. April 22, 1830, ra. 1st, Alma F. Connor; 2d, Olive M. Lee. iiv William Wallace, b. March 10, 1834, m. Hepsibah E. Kimball. V Mary Ellen, b. Sept. 1, 1838, ra. Seth Walker. Walter Mason married Charlotte, daughter of Jacob Kimball, He lived in the west part of the town. Children whose names are Tccorded : i Lucinda Barker, b. Oct. 14, 1837. ii Susannah Kimball, b. Oct. 14, 1840. John B. Mason married flrst Sophronia Cross who died 'Oct. 25, 1842. He then married Naomi G. Wheeler who died Feb. 15, 1845. Children: i Albion P., b. July 25, 1835, m. Hannah A. Philbrook;of Gilead. ii Mary P., b. Nov. 22, 1836. iii Rachel E. b. May 6, 1838. iv Sarah S., b. Feb. 22, 1840. By second wife : v John B., b. Feb. 1, 1845. Mighill Mason, son of Aaron Mason, married Mary A., daugh ter of Elias Bartlett. He lived a few years on part of the Bartlett homestead, near Bean's Corner, then was in trade in Bethel and Norway. He and his wife died in the latter town. He will be re membered as a noted school-master. Children : i Elias Sinclair, b. Aug. 18, 1846. ii Charles G., May 4, 1857. iii Elizabeth, b. . 588 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Charles Mason, son of Ayers Mason, was long in business on' the Hill, from which he has now, in a measure, retired. He was clerk in the store of Abernethy Grover, commenced trade for him self with Clark S. Edwards, and afterwards carried on the business alone, selling a large amount of dry goods and groceries every year. He has also been interested in timber lands and in lumber ing. He has served the town as clerk and treasurer and is a leading man in the village corporation. He married Oct. 13, 1853. Melissa M., daughter of Ezra T. Russell. Children : i Addie L., b. Aug. 22, 1854, m. Oct. 3, 1878, Levi Greenleaf, an attor ney at law at Lewiston. ii Fannie May, b. July 5, 1857. iii Susie Ada, b. June 12, 1859. iv Ellen, b. Sept. 9, 1862. V Charles Ayers, b. Oct. 9, 1866, r. Portland, Oregon. vi Harry Ezra, b. Aug. 27, 1868, r. Portland, Oregon. vii Grace G., b. July 16, 1870. Oliver Hale Mason, son of Ayers and Eunice (Hale) Mason,. was long in trade, first at Berlin Falls, N. H., and subsequently at Bethel Hill. He was a capable business man, and successful. He was interested in timber lands and in lumbering. He was also treasurer of the town for several years. Though a great sufferer from articular rheumatism which for years rendered him nearly helpless ; he continued to do business, to make money and be inter ested in public affairs. He was much interested iu the success of the Universalist church, and left it a legacy of one thousand dollars. He married first. Alma Frances Connor of Upper Stillwater, May 29, 1856. She died June 29, 1864, and he married second, Dec. 7, 1865, Olive Melissa, daughter of Chester and Lydia (Crouch) Lee of Vernon, Vermont. He died Feb. 20, 1891. Children : i Alice Gilman, b. May 23, 1859. ii Henry Ayers, b. April 17, 1864, d. Aug. 8, follow-ing. By second raarriiige : iii Leslie Lee b. July 4, 1868. William AVallace Mason, youngest son of Ayers Mason, lives on the homestead of his father. He is a farmer and also a dealer in cattle, sheep and meats. He is also interested in timber lands and in lumbering, and in this branch of business, he has been very successful. He married Nov. 30, 1865, Hepsibah, daughter of Israel Kimball. Children : HISTORY OF BETHEL. 589 i Israel AV., b, March 19, 1867. ii Frank, b. Oct. 16, 1868. iii Her man, b. July 20, 1874. iv Sarah Eunice, b. March 5, 1880. Lawson Mason married in 1727, Anna Beau. Children : i AVilliam, b. jSlarch 2, 1828. ii Thirza Maria, b. July 15, 1829. iii Son, b. Oct. .25, 1831, d. aged 6 weeks, iv Emma Eliza, b. Nov. 7, 1832. v Cyrene A., b. April 11, 1835. vi Eunice Elizabeth, b. Maj- 25, 1837. vii Wallace, b. Aug. 23, 1839. viii Son, b. Dec 30, 1843. Artemas Mason, born March 12, 1809, married Dec. 5, 1834, Betsey Bartlett, widow of Hezekiah Grover, who was born in Cum berland, Maine, Dec. 24, 1808, and who died Dec. 2, 1845. For second wife Mr. Mason married Sarah Brackett of Harrison. Chil dren : i Hezekiah Grover, b. March 28, 1835, m. Susannah B. AVatson of Nor way who died January 20, 1879. They have : 1 Luella R., b. Nov. 5, 1860, m. Rufus K. Morrill. 2 Willard H., b. M.ay 8, 1864. 3 Betsy B., b. April 21, 1871. ii Minerva A., b. March 25, 1838, d. Dec 19, 1866. iii Elizabeth P., b. Aug. 4, 1840, d. Oct. 1, 1858. By second wife : iv Adelia E., b. July 10, 1849, ni. Charles Merrill. V Oscar G., b. Nov. 19, 1852. • vi Cora E., b. Feb. 22, 1855, m. J. H. Bean. Joseph S. Mason, son of Sylvanus Mason, married Robina, daughter of Jacob D. Grover. He was born in Bethel, Oct. 1, 1837. ¦ Children : i Herbert, b. Nov. 30, 1S62, ni. Lilla Eastman. ii Nellie, b. March 18, 1869, m. AVill Gribbin of Portland. iii Grace, b. Jan. 8, 1874. Rev. Daniel Mason of another branch of the Mason family, was •settled over the Baptist church in Bethel. He died here April 16, 1835. His wife was Mary Knight, the widow of David Merrill of Fayette, Maine, and she was born in England. By her first hus- 'band, David Merrill, she had two children, one of whom was the well-known Bethel house-carpenter, Edmund Merrill Children : i Emma, b. July 23, 1814, m. Deacon John Bird. ii Marj- Ann, b. March 15, 1815, m. Jedediah Tapley Kimball. iii Daniel, b. Aug. 7, 1818. iv John, b. March 2, 1821. 590 HISTORY OF BETHEL. MCGILL. Joseph Mcgill from Standish, married Rebecca, daughter of Job York, who was killed by lightning at the church near Adami Willis,' July 11, 1819. Child: i Sewall Emery, b. Feb. 6, 1819, m. Howard. Merriam. Jonas D. Merriam lived a. few years at Middle Intervale. He^ was by occupation a hatter. He came from New Hampshire and returned there. By wife Lois he bad the following children : i Christine P., b. Rumney, N. H., June 1, 1802. ii Herschel Parke, b.. Feb, 15, 1807. iii Lucinda D., b. Feb. 20, 1809. iv Louisa M., b. Dec. 5^ 1811. v Horatio S., b. Oct. 1, 1816. Merrill. John Merrill married Hannah, daughter of Simeon Sanborn. He lived on the river road below Mayville. His old house which had become a ruin, was removed in the summer of 1891. Children ^ i John, b. Oct. 5, 1814. ii Joseph L., b. Aug. 30, 1816, m. Ann B. Foster of Newry. iii Hannah, b. Dec 16, 1817. iv Nathan Ward, b. Feb. 16, 1820, d. Dec 1, 1822. V Marcia Ann, b. April 21, 1821, m. Justus I. Kendall. vi Ruth Ward, b. Nov 24, 1823, m. Perley ; r. Portland. vii Frances Abigail, b. July 11, 1825, d. July 28, 1827. viii Samuel H., b. Feb. 4, 1830. ix David Sanborn, b. Aug. 20, 1831, m. and died in Portland. Edmund Merrill, son of David and Mary (Knight) Merrill (she born in England), born in Fayette, Me., Feb. 26, 1803, married Relief E., daughter of Nathaniel Frost. Mr. Merrill, before mar riage, was a school teacher and also a teacher of vocal music. He had a fine voice and for many winters taught the old-fashioned evening singing schools. Besides the building already referred to, he lived at one time near the Glen House in New Hampshire and built mills in that region. In later years he was a carpenter and lived on Bethel Hill, where he died July 2, 1862. Mrs. Merrill was born Jan. 26, 1809, and they were married June 28, 1832. Chil dren : i Rosetta, b. April 2, 1833, m. Emery G. Young. ii Edmund, b. May 12, 1834, m. Emma Bean. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 591 iii Mary Ann, b. Sept. 18, 1835, m. Patrick H. McCloskey. iv Ruby F., b. July 4, 1837, m. Leonard B. Chapman of Deering. V Cullen P., b. April 28, 1839, d. July 1, 1849. vi Ferdmand, b. Jan. 26, 1841, d. Nov. 1858. vii Melissa, b. May 18, 1845, d. April, 1859. viii Charles Cullen, b. Feb. 6, 1848, m. Ardelia Mason. Edmund Merrill, Jr., house carpenter, resides on Broad street. Bethel Hill. He married March 4, 1860, Emma M., daughter of Eliphaz C, and Sarah B. (Farnum) Bean. Children: i Frank L., b. July 28, 1863, m. Feb. 13, 1889, Kate Wintermate, at Kansas City, Mo. ii Abby H., b. May 30, 1871, d. June 15, following. iii Fred B., b. April 20, 1879. Mills. The Mills families of Bethel have resided in the upper part of the town. They are closely allied to the Grover family and came to- town about the same time. James Mills married Hannah, daughter of Moses Mason of Dublin, N. H., andwaskilled by afalling tree in Bethel ; his widow married Elijah Grover. Children : i John, b. July 31, 1782, m. Asenath Cummings. ii Hannah, b. Jan. 9, 1784. iii Deborah, b. Jan. 27, 1786. iv Cyrus, b. April 28, 1790, m. Abiah Bean. John Mills married Asenath Cummings. Children : i Eliza, b. June 27, 1811. ii Eli, b. June 16, 1814. iii John, b. April 23, 1816. iv Geo. W., b. Sept. 24, 1819. Cyrus Mills married Abiah Bean. Children : i AVilliam Dexter, b. Sept. 18, 1816. ii Daniel, b. April 10, 1818. iii Nelson, b. Sept. 20, 1819. iv Mary, b. April 5, 1821. James Mills married Dolly Johnson of Gilead. Children : i Samuel Johnson, b. July 8, 1815 ii Hannah Mason, b. Nov. 1817. iii Child, b. Jan. 10, 1820, d. a week after, iv Dorothy Ann, b. April 10, 1821. Nathan Grover Mills, born in Mason, Me., Feb. 20, 1824, married Mary Elizabeth (Gordon) Mills, in Sept. 1859. She was born Dec. 28, 1822, and was the widow of Daniel B. Mills. Chil dren : 592 HISTORY OF BETHEL. i Daniel Edgar, b. March 29, 1847, m. Sarah Ann Morrill. ii Mary Abiah, b. July 14, 1850, m. Charles Dunham. iii Eudora Melissa, b. April 3, 1854, m. Mellen Mason. iv George Eugene, b. Aug. 16, 1855, m. ,Iune 8, 1879, Ellen M. Shaw. He is a section hand at AA^est Bethel and has : 1 Esma Ada, b. June 15, 1880. 2 Eula Clare, b. Dec. 7, 1881. 3 Carlton Ruric, b. Dec. 4, 1884. V Bessie Alide, b. Jan. 26, 1860. vi Ada Isadore, b. Aug. 25, 1862. vii Nathan Elwell, b. May 22, 1865, m. Cora Leighton. Moody. Hezekiah Moody, son of Josiah and Humility (Proctor) Moody •of Portland, subsequently of Danville, Paris and Hamlin's Grant, married Hannah, daughter of Benjamin Estes. He lived in the east part of the town. Children : i Nahum Perkins, b. Feb. 8, 1824, m. Melinda S. Elliot. He enlisted from Rumford and died in the army. ii Dolly Estes, b. Jan. 14, 1827, m. Galen Blake. iii Sarah Maria, b. June 15, 1831, d. unmarried. iv Sophia Young, b. July 25, 1837, m. and resides in Lewiston. Moore. Charles O. Moore, farmer and truckman, born at Burlington, Me., Dec. 22, 1845, son of Levi and Elvira (Tuck) Moore, mar ried April 9, 1883, Addie E., daughter of Nathan S. Baker of Rum ford. Children : i Grace M., b. Feb. 19, 1884. ii Sadie, b. June 2, 1885, d. same day. Morse. Paul Morse was quite an early settler in Bethel and lived at west Bethel. He died in 1820 and his widow in 1844. He came here from Dublin, N. H., but I have been able to gather but little information concerning him or his family. On Bethel records are the names of the following children : i Betsey G., b. Dublin, Nov. 16, 1794, m. Ashley J. Paine. ii Sally, b. June 23, 1796, m. James Curamings. iii Rhoda, b. Bethel, Aug. 23, 1801, m. Isaac Lovejoy, s. Mason. iv Ruth, b. April 23, 1807, m. Nathan Tyler, s. Fryeburg Academy Grant. v Hannah, b. Aug. 4, 1809. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 593 Moulton. Joseph Moulton married Temperance . Children : i John AV., b. Mai-ch 26, 1833. ii James B. b. March 26, 1833. Perkins Moulton married in 1828, Hannah Moulton. Children : i Gordon F., b. Dec. 4, 1830. ii Alma Ursula, b. Aug. 2S, 1S32. Needham. John Needham, son of John and Mary (Shedd) Needham of Tewksbury, Mass., and Norway, Me., married first Abigail Holt and second, Almira (Bryant) Mills. He moved to South Bethel and long Occupied the Nathan Eames, now the Ira Cushman farm. He died at Bethel Hill Aug. 26, 1871. Children : i Stephen H., b. March 5, 1818, m. Mary Ann Taylor. ii William F., b. March 8, 1821, m. Esther AVardwell. iii Harriet, b. March 8, 1825, m. 1st, Isaac Pressey and 2d, A\'ard Noyes. iv John, b. April 14, 1828, ra. Hannah Houston. V Dudley M., b. Oct. 30, 1834, ra. Cordelia Buck. By second wife : vi Frank E., b. April 15, 1844, m. Mary A. Stowell. vii Lewis H., b. June 14, 1846, d. Sept. 14, following. viii Abigail A., b. March 30, 1849, m. Marcus AV. Chandler. Evi Needham, son of John Needham and brother of the preced ing, married Maria, daughter of Stephen Latham. He moved to East Bethel, and died there and his widow married Enoch Stiles ; She died in 1891. Only the youngest child was born in Bethel: Children : i John, b. July 2, 1823, m. Irene C. Lapham, d. at AVest Bethel. ii Reuel AV., b. Jan. 11, 1826, in. Philena Whiting. iii Sumner Henry, b. March 2, 1828, m. Hannah Johnson and settled in Lawrence. He was a member of the Massachusetts 6th Regiment, and was killed by the Baltimore mob at the beginning of the late war. iv Olive M., b. Dec. 19, 1829, ra. Jonathan M. Bartlett. They reside at Bean's Corner, and had Harriet E., b. May 15, 1857, m. July 1, 1884, Eugene Bean and died on Aug. 26, 1890. V Otis S., b. August, 1831, m. Emma Shaw, d. AVest Bethel. vi Clarissa M., b. July 2, 1837, m. Gorham AVhitney. vii Charles M., b. July 2, 1837, m. 1st, Lucy Eggleston; 2d, Ellen Moul ton. viii Melinda P., b. July 17, 1839, m. Christopher C. Bean. ix Emily E., b. Bethel, Dec. 19, 1845. 38 594 HISTORY OF BETHEL. John Needham, son of Evi and Maria (Latham) Needham, born in Norway, July 2, 1823, married July 11, 1851, Irene Crooker, daughter of Thomas and Sophronia (Crooker) Lapham. He was a farmer at West Bethel and died May 17, 1884. Children : i Jeanette L., b. April 23, 1853. ii Sumner Henry, b. July 22, 1855, killed by the cars Sept. 10, 1874. iii Charles G., b. June 9, 1857. Newell. Seth Bannister Newell, son of Col. Ebenezer and Sarah (Ban nister) Newell of Brookfield, Mass., came to Bethel about the year 1825, and settled on a farm on the north side of the river, above Mayville. He was an exemplary man, highly esteemed in the com munity where he lived, and a good farmer. Ebenezer Newell died in Bethel, Jan. 14, 1831, aged 85 years. Seth B. Newell was born June 26, 1783, married Betsey, daughter of Thomas and Olive (Lovejoy) Kimball of Pembroke, N. H. Children : i Seth Bannister, b. May 6, 1811. He went to Ohio in 1837 and died quite young. He was a successful teacher. He married Amanda Frances Dana of Newport, Ohio. ii Wellington, b. Jan. 11, 1816, m. 1st, Lucinda D. Bradford ; 2d, L. Amanda Frost. iii Wesley, b. Oct. 12, 1818, d. Nov. 9, 1822. iv Sarah Hamlin, b. June 13, 1823, m. Timothy H. Chapman d. Aug. 12, 1866. V Fanny Butterfield, b. July 9, 1824, d. Jan. 15, 1848. vi Martha Barnard, b. Jan. 17, 1830, m. 1st, Tilden Upton who died' Sept. i6, 1866, and 2d, Timothy H. Chapman, Oct. 13, 1867. vii Horatio Nelson, b. Sept. 22, 1831, m. Louisa Jane Homan, r. Con cord, N. H. viii Coryell Renton, b. July 1, 1833, d. Aug. 19, 1836. Noble. James Noble by wife Anna had the following children : i Betsey, b. Jan. 15, 1797. ii Jerusha, b. March 9, 1799. iii Juda, b. March 16, 1801. iv Samuel, b. May 14, 1803. v Anna, b. May 3, 1805. Nutting. James Nutting from Massachusetts, came when a young man to Minot, and was in the employ of Michael Little. He married Lucretia, daughter of Job Young of Gray, and settled in Wood stock, then called Number 4, of which Mr. Little was a large HISTORY OF BETHEL. 595 owner. In 1812, he bought the mills on Bacon's brook,, the first built in Woodstock, of Rowse Bisbee who erected them. After a few years he moved to a farm on Felt Hill in Greenwood, and from thence to this town, settling in the Chandler neighborhood, where he died. His widow survived him many years and died in Perham,. Me., aged over 90 years. Children : i Eliza, b. Oct. 23, 1811, d. yOung. ii Narcissa, b. Sept. 8, 1814, m. Jesse D. Hodsdon. iii Amaziah, b. July 1, 1817, m. Louisa Stevens, d. Bethel. iv Cleraantine, b. Jan. 30, 18-20, ra. Columbus Perham, d. AVoodstock. V 'Oliver Young, b. May 6, 1829, m. Lucjr Stevens, r. Perham, Me. vi Royal, b. April 17, 1831 ; he went South and died in Texas. Amaziah NuT-riNG, son of James Nutting, married Louisa,. daughter of John Stevens. After he died April 11, 1853, his widow married in 1861, Enoch Foster of Newry and died there May 4,. 1863. Children : i James, b. Feb. 20, 1839, m. 1st, Annie E. Hersey; 2d, Izora Horton and 3d, Emma J. Horton. He is a printer by trade; published the Bethel Courier, and North Star ; served in the late war ; settled in Perham plantation where he now resides engaged in farming ; has served as representative to the Legislature and is now State Sena tor. Children : 1 John L., b. June 4, 1860, d. Feb. 26, 1862. 2 May Louisa, b. Oct. 31, 1891, d. Nov. 6, following. 3 Ernest Oliver, b. Aug. 30, 1883. 4 Florence Lj^dia, b. Sept. 16, 1861. ii Viola L., b. July 20, 1849, m. Fremont Blackstone, d. May 28, 1884. Oliver. William Oliver, born in England, came to Bridgton whefa about twelve years of age. His father who had lost his wife in England, came over at the same time. He was born May 16, 1773, and his wife Hannah Fowler whom he married at Bridgton, March 19, 1794, was born Dec. 31, 1773. They exchanged farms with a man named Bray and moved into Bethel. The farm was near Kendall's Ferry and is still in the family. Here Mr. Oliver and his wife died in. 1848. Children, the last three born in Bethel : i John, b. May 8, 1795, m. Esther Russell. ii George, b. Sept. 25, 1796, d. May 5, 1799. iii Nancy, b. April 30, 1798, m. Thomas Goss ; she died Oct. 4, 1842.. iv Betsey W., b. Feb. 9, 1800, d. Oct. 21, 1822. V Miriam F., b. June 1, 1801, d. Feb. 13, 1823. 596 HISTORY OF BETHEL. vi William, b. Nov. 26, 1802, m. Martha Keen of Oxford, Me., and re sided there. vii Polly, b. June 15, 1804, d. June 17, 1829. viii Andrew C, b. June , 1806, m. Clarissa Barker of New-ry. ix Joseph PL, b. Oct. 12, 1807, d, Newburyport, Mass. X Charies, b. June 22, 1809, d. March 3, 1817. xi George, b. May 31, 1811, resides at Onawa City, Iowa. xii Hannah P., b. .June 15, 1813; d. Portland, unmarried. xiii Jane B., b. May 12, 1815, m. Sept. 1834, Abial AV. Stanley of Kenne bunkport. He died and she then married his brother Rufus Stan ley. She died in Bethel Sept. 8, 1880. xiv Lucy, b. Feb. 28, 1817., d. Dec. 4, 1829. XV Charles, b. Dec 27, 1819, ra. Mary Allen of Norway, d. Lewiston without issue. John Oliver, eldest son of William Oliver, married in 1819, Esther, daughter of Abraham Russell. He learned the hatter's trade of Mr. Merriam at Middle Interval, and set up in the business at Bethel Hill. He subsequently lived at Carthage, Portland and finally returned to Betbel. He went West leaving his family at Bethel and died at St. Charles, Illinois, in 1861. His widow died in Bethel, Oct. 12, 1876. Children: • i John, b, July 23, 1821, d. Aug. 2, 1823. Ii ,Toel Frost, b. April 6, 1823, d. Aug. 12, 1833. iii John, b. Jan. 13, 1825, m. Abbie Ames of Charlestow-n, Mass. iv Mary, b. Nov. 30, 1826, m. Hiram AVilson of Gorham, N. H. V Esther Elizabeth, b. Feb. 16, 1829, m. in Holyoke, Mass., Robert Hann. She died in 1865. vi AVilliam, b. Feb. 5, 1832, d. Feb. 16, 1848.^ vii Austin Partridge, b. June 4, 1834, m. 1st, Emilj- Frances Royal of Auburn who died, and he then married Jennie Connor of Portland. He resides at St. Louis, Mo., and is a civil engineer. Andrew Oliver, son of William Oliver, born in Bridgton in 1806, married Clarissa Barker of Newry. He lived above Middle Interval and near Kendall's Ferry, and died there April 19, 1879. Children : i Moses Fowler, b. May 13, 1833. ii Miriam Fowler, b. Nov. 4, 1834, m. Oramandel M. Kilgore. iii Clarissa Ann, b. April 12, 1836, m. William P. Putnam of Mason. iv Joseph L., b. June 1, 1838, m. January 20, 1884, Arietta A. Jordan. He is a blacksraith and farmer. ' V Lucy Jane, b. July 2, 1840, m. Charles C. Burt. vi Jesse Barker, b. March 26, 1842, d. Feb. 17, 1843. SAMUEL D. PHILBROOK. HISTOR Y OF BETHEL. 597 vii Dorcas M., b. Feb. 1844. viii Oscar E., b. Sept. 6, 1848. ix Maria R., b. Sept. 12, 1850. Paine. Thomas N. Paine married Mary , who died April 11, 1820. Children : i Thirza M., b. Dec. 21, 1815. ii Thomas N., b. Sept. 23, 1817. iii Mary Ann, b. April 3, 1820, d. March 16, 1842. Ashley J. Paine married Betsey G., daughter of Paul Morse. Children : i Roxanna AVillard, b. Dec. 1820. ii Ashley Orlando, b. Nov. 11, 1833. Pattee. Moses Pattee, son of David and Rachel Pattee of Frye burg, was born in that town March 24. 1804. He married Nov. 28, 1830, Hannah Farrington. He moved to Albany and owned mills there and early in the fifties he moved to Bethel Hill. He was an enter prising and stirring man. For second wife he married Mary Waterhouse. Child : i Abb, b. , m. Samuel F. Gibson. She was an accomplished woman and her early death was deeply mourned by a large circle of friends. Peverly. Joseph Peverly married Clarissa, daughter of Ephraim Powers.' He lived in the east part of the town and reared a large family but only two are recorded. Children : i Ephraim Powers, b. July 29, 1830. ii Joseph, b. Oct. 18, 1832, d. July 8, 1833. Philbrook. Samuel Delano Philbrook, son of Harvey and Susannah (Wight) Philbrook of Gilead, born March 8, 1838, married first. May 6, 1862, Angilina, daughter of George Chapman, who died and he married second, March 18, 1866, Emily J., daughter of Ira C. Kimball. He came to Bethel early in the sixties, and since that time has been one of the most active and successful business men in town. He has engaged in farming and has also been large ly engaged in trade in live stock. He is President of the Bethel 598 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Savings Bank and has been closely identifled with every movement having for its object the improvement of the village. Children : i AVilliam, b. May 8, 1863, m. .June 16, 1888, Louisa Lary. By second marriage : ii Harvey C, b. Feb. 12, 1867, m. Dec. 22, 1890, Jennie M. Otis. iii Dana C, b. April 25, 1871. iv Jessie, b. Feb. 9, 1874. John jM. Philbrook, son of Harvey and Susannah (Wight) Philbrook, farmer and cattle broker, born in Shelburne, N. H., April 9, 1«40, married January 1, 1862, Paulina Ella, daughter of Ebenezer and Hepsibah (Kimball) Eames. He has lived on the Eames homestead and is a very successful business man. Recent ly he purchased the Gilman Chapman place at Bethel Hill. Chil dren : i Edith A., b. Nov. 27, 1863. ii Fred J., b. Sept. 13, 1871, iii Infant, .b. Aug. 13, 1875, d. siime day. Plummer. Cyrus Plummer, married Harriet Barker of Waterford. He was the son of Samuel Plummer, an early resident of Waterford. Children : i Cyrus Moody, b. Aug. 7, 1828. ii Mellen Carter, b. March 2, 1830. iii Benjamin ilurraj', b. June 13, 1831. Leander G. Plummer, son of Josiah Plummer of Waterford, married first Lucia Rowe and second Louisa Horr. Children : i Josiah Nelson, b. Feb. 15, 1841. ii Lucinda R., b. Sept. 16, 1843. James N. Pote married Lovey . He lived on the river road near Edmund Beans' place. Only one birth is on record. There has been none of the name in town for many years. Child : i .lames Munroe, b. Aug. 8, 1823. Purrington. Josiah U. Purrington, son of Daniel T. and Paulina S. Marri ner, born in Brunswick, April 30, 1847, married Dec. 27, 1873, Francetta Adelia, daughter of Hon. Enoch W. Woodbury. He is the junior partner in the firm of which Mr. Woodbury is at the head. He is a good business man, now treasurer of the town. He is one of the deacons of the Congregational church. Children : HISTORY OF BETHEL. 599 i Alice E., b. Aug. 4, 1875. ii Bertha A., b. April 12, 1877, d. March 12, 1879. iii BurtonAV ., b. July 27, 1880, d. Jan. 5, 1886. iv Belle P., b. Nov. 15, 1882. V Harry J , b. Aug. 25, 1885. Powers. Amos Powers was living in Bethel, at the lower part of the town or in the lower settlement, at the time of the Indian raid in August, 1781. Mr. Powers was of Princeton, Mass., and not known to be related to the other families of this name, in town. He was born in February, 1732, and was about 48 years old when he came to Bethel. He bought interval lot No. 2, of Aaron Richardson of Newton, in 1779. His farm was a little below Bean's Corner on the Rumford Corner road. His wife was Polly Parmenter. He died Aug. 4, 1823. Children : i Sybil, b. , m. Dec 7, 1783, Thaddeus Bartlett. ii Arnold, b. 1768, m. 1st, Betsy Lane; 2d, Nabby Howe. iii Ephraim, b. Aug. 11, 1781, m. Olive Kimball. iv Bathsheba, b. , d. j-oung. V Anna, b. , d. young. vi Mannassah, b. July 25, 1787, moved to St. David, N. B. Arnold Powers, son of the preceding, occupied the homestead of his father for a large portion of his life and died there in 1849, aged 81 years. He married flrst Betsey Lane of New Glouces ter, and second Nabby or Abigail, daughter of Phineas and Expe rience (Wheeler) Howe of Bolton, Mass., who was born in 1778. Children : By first marriage : i Lavinia, b. Oct. 23, 1795, ra. Kiraball Bean. ii Eliphaz, b. Nov. 16, 1796, m. Huldah Andrews. By second marriage : iii Amos, b. Ruraford, July 9, 1801, m. Hannah Hobbs of Norw-ay. iv Betsey, b. Bethel, Nov. 3, 1803, m. Edmund Segar. V Oliver Pollard, b. Nov. 24, 1805, m. Susan M. Kimball. vi Experience, b. June 16, 1808, m. Moses Staples. vii Cyrus Hamlin, b. April 10, 1817, m. Sarah Dunlap of Brunswick. viii Sarah Sawyei-, b. Oct. 5, 1820, d. July 30, 1823. ix Caroline C. M., b. Oct. 2, 1722, d. Aug. 10, 1823. Ephraim Powers, brother of the preceding, married Olive, daughter of Samuel Kimball. After his death, she married James Daniels. Child : Clara B., b. , m. Joseph Peverly. 600 HISTORY' OF BETHEL. Gideon Powers of Littleton, N. H., son of Captain Peter and Anna (Keyes / Powers, born July 28, 1731, married Ruth Hosmer who was born May 28, 1738. He moved to Temple, N. H., and several of his children came to Bethel. Children : i Gideon, b. Sept. 10, 1758, ra. Ruth Packard, s. Wilton. ii Paul, b. June 24, 1760, m. a Miss U. Heald, r. Temple. iii Silas, b. Sept. 2, 1762, ra. Submit Bartlett of Bethel. iv Sarah, b. Aug. 13, 1764. V Ruth, b. May 1, 1767. vi Peter, b. May 28, 1769. vii Lavinea, b. Aug. 3, 1771, m. Phineas Howard, s. Howard's Gore. viii Jonathan, b. Aug. 3, 1773, d. young. ix Abner, b. July 17, 1775. X Jonathan, b. Aug. 3, 1777, m. Lucy Bartlett. xi Lydia, b. Sept. 1784, ra. Stephen Saunders, s. Bethel. Gideon Powers Jr , son of the preceding, married Ruth Packard of Greenland. N. H. He came to Bethel and settled in that part of Bethel now Hanover, on the land subsequently owned by Reuben B. Foster Esq. He afterwards moved to Wilton. Children : i Gideon, b. March 2, 1784, m. Apphia, daughter of Abraham Russell of Betbel. He died in Augusta. ii Ruth, b. Dec. 11, 1785, m. Elliot Powers. iii Sarah, b. Oct. 9, 1787, ra. Joshua Roberts, s. Hanover. iv Ho.smer, b. May 27, 1789. V Hannah, b. April 19, 1791. vi Zerviah, b. .luly 17, 1793. vii Polly, b. April 21, 1796. viii Betsey, b. Oct. 12, 1799, d. May 28, 1841. Silas Powers, brother of the preceding, came to Bethel about 1783, with his brother Gideon. Here he married Sept. 12, 1790, Submit, daughter of Enoch Bartlett of Bethel. He too, settled on part of what has since been known as the Foster farm in Hanover. Children : i Paul, b. Jan. 28, 1791, m. Lydia Howard, moved to Brunswick. ii Lois, 1). Aug. 8, 1793, m. Ebenezer Bartlett, r. Bethel. iii Artemas, b. May 26, 1797. He went South. iv Lovina, b. July 29, 1802, m. Stephen Sprague. r. Dexter. V Julia T., b. July 30, 1807, m. Silas Brockway, s. Sangerville. Jonathan Powers, brother of the preceding, came to Bethel much later than his brothers. He settled on a lot near to them in HISTORY OF BETHEL. 601 what is now Hanover. He married Lucy, daughter of Enoch Bart lett of Bethel. Children : i Huldah, b. Aug. 9, 1802. ii Peter, b. April 23, 1804, m. Sarah Stearns. iii Ambrose, b. Feb. 7, 1806, ra. Huldah G. Frost. iv Orson, b. May '24, 1808, m. Sally E. Hibbard. V Jonathan, b. March 20, 1809, ra. Hannah H. Andrews. vi Elias Bartlett, b. Dec. 15, 1811. vii Anna Bartlett, b. Dec 3, 1813, m. Thomas Stearns Jr. viii Joseph Stillman, b. May 16, 1816. ix Charles Stearns, b. .lune 14, 1818. X Moses Bartlett, b. , 1820. xi Nathan Bartlett, b. Aug. 12, 1822, d. Sept. 3, 1823. Gideon Powers, son of Gideon Powers Jr., married March 2, 1806, Apphia, daughter of Abraham Russell. He lived in Bethel, Wilton, Carthage and Augusta. For many years he was travelling agent for the Maine Farmer. He died at Augusta, Aug. 3, 1873, his wife having died April 24, 1858. Children : i Ann C, b. Nov. 25, 1806, m. Ist, Jereraiah Gould of Carthage; 2d, Samuel Stone of Woburn, Mass. ii Sarah S., b. Nov. 17, 1808, ra. Austin Partridge, r. Paris. iii Addison, b. Sept. 15, 1810, ra. Hannah Kinney of Dixfield. iv Ruth, b. March 11, 1812, m. Isaac Ellis of Carthage. v Apphia, b. Oct. 11, 1815, m. Amasa Holman of Carthage. vi Susan, b. Dec. 11, 1817, m. Isaac Ellis of Carthage. vii Rachel, b. May 28, 1820, m. Daniel Bacheller, of Payette. viii Abraham R., b. April 1, 1822, ra. Maria Dickey of Orono. ix Lucy M., b. March 12, 1824, d. May 7, 1824. X Hannah M., b. Oct. 25, 1826, d. Augusta, May 17, 1852. xi Lois H., b. May 5, 1828, ra. Henry Bond of Boston. xii Eliza J., b. March 29, 1831, m. Fred H. Tibbetts of Augusta. Orson Powers, son of Jonathan Powers, married Sally E. Hibbard, who was born June 15, 1817. He died Sept. 11, 1886. Children : i Henry, b. May 17, 1839, d. Julv 21, 1846. ii Coryden, b. Aug. 31, 1840. iii Sarah D., b. Jan. 21, 1842, d. Feb. 18, 1883. iv Julia E., b. Oct. 18, 1843. V Lauriston, b. April 9, 1845. vi Abner B., b. Oct. 9, 1847. vii Leander, b. July 25, 1850, d. Nov. 24, 1874. viii Rosilla, b. Sept. 28, 1852. ix Charles H., b. Aug. 25, 18.55, d. Jan. 3, 1883. X Alpha, b. Aug. 2, 1857. €02 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Jonathan Powers, son of Jonathan Powers, married May 19, 1833, Hannah H. Andrews. He died Oct. 21 , 1862. Children : i Augustus H., b. April 10, 1834. ii Galen H., b. Aug. 20, 18.35, d. Oct. 30, 1838. iii Charies H., b. Oct. 6, 1837. iv Theresa C, b. July 1, 1840. V Edgar H., b. April 4, 1843. Edgar M. Powers, son of Jonathan Powers, married Feb. 4, 1867, Jennie D. Stearns who died Sept. 20, 1882 ; he married sec ond, Dec. 11, 1883, Carrie T. . Children : i Linwood L., b. Nov. 27, 1867. ii Harvey E., b. May 13, 1880. Peter Powers, son of Jonathan Powers, married Sarah Stearns. He lived in the lower part of the town. Children : i Lewis, b. Aug. 26, 1837. ii Angeline, b. April 1, 1839. iii Lucy, b. April 10, 1841. Richardson. Edward Richardson married Charlotte Ellis of Sutton, Mass. Children : i Abel Ellis, b. June 23, 1813. ii Infant, b. Feb. 11, 1815, d. Feb. 11, 1817. iii Asa Furbush, b. May 1, 1818. iv Martha Maria, b. Oct. 4, 1819. V Silence Leland, b. Sept. 24, 1821. Ebenezer Richardson married first, Nancy, who died April 10, 1822, and second, Cyutliia Tuitrhell. Children : i Elbridge Jennison, b. Aug. 31, 1817. ii Thurston, b. Aug. 7, 1819. iii Ebenezer, b. Oct. 4, 1821. By second wife: iv Edward Lysander, b. April 18, 1828. v Cynthia L., b. Feb. 27, 1826, d. March 15, following, vi Adeline L., b. Feb. 27, 18-26, d. March 30,1826. vii Eli T., b. May 14, 1831. viii Moses, b. Sept. 3, 1832. ix Albert B., b. , 1838. Reynolds. Edward Reynolds or Runnels, married Sally, daughter of Sol omon and Patience (Sanborn) Annas, who died Feb. 26, 1825. Children : i Ruth, b. Oct. 13, 1822, d. Aug. 24, 1823. Robinson. O'Neil W. Robinson, born in Chatham, N. H., came to Bethel early in the twenties, purchased large tracts of real estate, built the house and store afterward known as the Robert Chapman stand and was in active business here for a number of years. He was an HISTORY OF BETHEL. 603 •energetic business man and very successful. He moved from Bethel to Portland and thence to Waterford. He served as senator in the State Legislature, and sheriff of the county from 1842 to 1850. He ¦owned large tracts of timber land on the Androscoggin in the towns ¦of Gorham, Berlin, Milan and Dummer. He married Betsey Straw. Children : i O'Neil AA'. Jr., b. July 17, 1824, an attorney at law, d. unmarried. ii Increase Sumner, b. April 14, 1826. iii Mary Ann, b. Aug. 16, 1827. iv Livingston G., b. March 11, 18-29, m. Ellen Town, d. Bethel. V William Cox, b. Nov. 29, 1830, d. Dec 5, 1835. vi Moses M.ason, b. April 14, 1835, m. Susan Edw-ards Booth qf Balston, Spa., N. Y. He graduated from Bowdoin iu 1856, read law in Port land, enlisted and served 3 j'ears as Captain C'o. G., Twelfth Maine Vols., was admitted to the bar and has an oSice at 54 Wall street. New- York. vii Agnes Frances, b. Oct. 20, 1840, d. Aug. 11, 1863. viii Cyrene Straw-, b. Feb. 5, 1842, m. Melville C. Kimball; r. Maiden, Mass. James Robinson married Lucy . Children : i -Lucy, b. Feb. 17, 1799. ii Charlotte, b. Feb. 24, 1801. Rowe. Ephraim Rowe came here from Standish and married Martha, •daughter of Eleazer Twitchell. He was a farmer and owned a large itract of land formerly belonging to the Twitchells. Children : i Lucinda, b. Bethel, Sept. 28, 1795. ii Caleb, b. Aug. 17, 1797, m. Abigail Plummer. iii Eleazer, b. July 21, 1799, m. Abigail Burbank of Gilead. iv Patty or Martha, b. April 28, 1801, ra. Isaac E. Cross. V ]Mary, b. , 1803. vi Ephraim, b. March 15, 1805. vii Asa, b. March 31, 1807. viii Lucia, b. Oct. 7, 1809, d. Oct. 31, 1811. ix Joanna, b. Dec. 22, 1813, m. Ira C. Kimball. X Lucia, b. Sept. 31, 1816. Caleb Rowe, son of Ephraim Rowe, married Abigail Plummer, who died July 20, 1891. He was born August 17, 1797, died Octo- 'ber 2, 1877. He was a farmer. Children : i Francina, b. July 19, 1828. ii Daughter, b. Aug. 23, 1826, d. Oct. 16, following. iii Harriet Irene, b. Aug. 18, 1830, in. Walker H. Sheldon. 604 HISTORY OF BETHEL. iv Leander Plummer, b. Dec. 25, 1833, m. Maria A. Hayes of Water ford. V Almon Twitchell, b. April 6, 1836, m. Carrie M. Noyes. vi Ceylon, b. April 1, 1838, m. May 12, 1864, Mary M. Grover, and has Herbert Ceylon, b. Oct. 26, 1877. vii Octavia, b. May 29, 1840, d. Oct. 30, 1842. viii Abra Ann, b. Oct. 10, 1842, d. Aug. 12, 1849. ix Octavia, b. March 22, 1845, ra. J. Dana Bartlett. X Edwin C, A m. Ella, daughter of Alvan B. Godwin. \ twins, b. April 11. 1848. xi Edward C, ) d. March 11, 1866. Eleazer Rowe married in 1827. Abigail Burbank of Gilead^ Children": i Asbury S., b. .Jan. 28, 1829, d. Dec. 29, following, ii Ephraim Or- mando, b. Aug. 4, 1830. iii Angie Lucia, b. Nov. 30, 18.33. iv Asbury S., h. Jan. 28, 1838. v Dalmeda, b. April 10, 1841. vi Abigail, b. July 28, 1843. Ephraim Rowe, Jr., married Lovina . Children : i Roxanna, b. Sept. 8, 1807. ii Lucinda, b. Feb. 8, 1808. iii Isaiah, b.. Oct. 29, 1810. iv Mary, b. Aug. 14, 1812. Ripley. Joseph Ripley, son of Joshua Ripley formerly of Methuen,. Mass., born in Rumford, April 14, 1793, married Betsey Barker, who was born Aug. 3, 1796, and died in Bethel, Nov. 6, 1863. He died July 19, 1859. Children : i Hosea, b. Aug. 20, 1821, m. Julia Sturgis. ii Lawson, b. Jan. 25, 1823, d. Oct. 12, 1828. iii John Bartlett, b. Dec. 30, 1824, d. Oct. 6, 1828. iv Arvilla, b. Dec 3, 1826, m. Albion Perry Blake of Bethel. V Marcia S., b. March 18, 1829, m. Aaron J. Abbott, 1847. vi John Bartlett, b. ]\[ay 3, 1831, m. Dec. 11, 1856, :Mary J. AVentworth-. of Vassalboro. He is a fanner iu Pittstou, Me. vh Betsey M., b. April 23, 1833, m. Edwin R. Abbot 1853. viii Joseph Lyman, b. Aug. 9, 1835, ra. Lucinda Holt, 1861. ix Nancy Diana, b. Dec 8, 18.38, d. Oct. 27, 1844. Hosea Ripley, son of the preceding, married Julia Sturgis. He moved to Walker's Mills and operated the water power previously owned by Jonathan C. Robertson. He sawed short lumber, threshed grain and did various other kinds of business. But he was better known as a singing master and band leader and instructor, in which HISTORY OF BETHEL. 605 he was very proficient. He died in 1887. When the census of 1870 was taken he had with him the following children : i AVilliam, b. 1851 ; ii AValter, b. 1858 ; iii Clara, b. 1863. Robertson. William Robertson, born in the north of Ireland, Feb. 8, 1703, •married in 1829, Margaret Woodend who was born Oct. 20, 1705. They were of Scotch descent and of the Scotch-Irish immigration coming to this country and settling at Londonderry, N. H., then in Pembroke, where she died Feb. 19, 1785. He died March 7, 1790. They had eight children, the 6th of whom was Andrew, born Jan uary 27, 1740, married in 1770, Mary Hall. They had eight chil dren, the youngest of whom was Samuel, born July 21, 1784, came to Bethel and settled on the farm previously occupied by Oliver Fenno. on what was afterwards known as Robertson's Hill. He married first Sally, daughter of Jonathan Clark, born Bethel, April 13, 1787, d. January 16, 1811 ; second, Eliza Hunting of Rumford, born Nov. 17, 1792, died Aug. 9, 1825, and third, Esther York, born Bethel, Feb. 23, 1800, died June 13, 1874. He died July 7, 1847. Children : i Jonathan Clark, b. April 4, 1809, m. Sally Saunders; d. Maj^ 31, 1850. By second wife ; ii Sylvester, b. Nov. 3, 1814, m. Angeline Russell w-ho died July 30, 1874. iii Samuel Barker, b. July 11, 1816. iv Sarah C, b. June 20, 1818. V George Hunting, b. ^Nlarch 18, 1820, m. Caroline Virgin. By third wife : vi Washington B., b. Sept. 20, 1826. vii Elbridge G., b. Dec. 31, 1827. viii Charles A., b. Aug. '24, 1829. ix Eliza H., b. June 9, 18.31. X Moses H., b. Jan. 13, 1833, m. Sarah J. Stowell. xi Ceylon C, b. July 7, 1837. xii Solon, b. Nov, 27, 1838. Jonathan Clark Robertson, son of Samuel Robertson, married Sally Saunders of Hanover. He was a cabinet-maker at Walker's Mills and died May 31 , 1850. Children : i Althea Celestine, b. June 15, 1837, m. John E. Farewell. ii Aurelius A., b. Aug. 27, 1839, killed at Gettysburg. iii J Lydia S., b. Aug. 4, 1841, ra. Benjarain Stevens. ivi.Sarah Clark, b. Nov. 20, 1843. 606 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Sylvester Robertson, son of Samuel Robertson, married Ange line, daughter of Stephen A. Russell. Children : i Gustavus Adolphus, b. Aug. 23, 1839, m. 1869, Lizzie S. Park. ii Son, b. Jan. 18, 1842, d. as:ed 1 month. iii Ann Maria, b. Feb. 18, 1843, r. Bethel, unmarried. Gustavus Adolphus Robertson, son of Sylvester Robertson,, was educated at the town schools and at Gould's Academy. He then learned the trade of cabinet maker of his father and being naturally ingenious, he showed great aptitude for the work. At the same time he taught town schools during the winter, and gained a wide reputation as a disciplinarian. Late in the sixties, he was en gaged to take charge of the Augusta Grammar school and continues in that position at the present time, having been in charge of it for nearly a quarter of a century. He is emphatically a live teacher,. keeping his school abreast and perhaps ahead of the times, and. while he is strict in discipline, he has always been popular with his pupils. He married in 1869 Lizzie S. Park who had been one of his pupils when he taught the school at Searsport. They have a pleasant home in Augusta and a charming summer cottage on the shore of Cobbosseecontee Lake, where, during the vacation season,. Mr. Robertson spends his time in boating and other rural sports. Russell. It is said that four brothers by the name of Russell came ta Bethel, but the only two here at the time of the Indian raid were Benjamin'' and Abraham\ They were the sons of John' Jr., and Hannah (Foster) Russell, grandsons of John'' and Sarah (Chan dler) Russell and great grandsons of Robert' Russell of Andover,. Mass., who married at Andover, July 6th, 1659, Mary Marshal. Benjamin Russell was born January 28, 1739 and married Oct. 7,. 1762, Mary Favor. He was an early settler at Fryeburg, was chair man of the selectmen and a leading citizen. He came to Bethel ia 1779, was the first town clerk, a Justice of the Peace and a man of .affairs generally. His records are models of neatness and clear ness of expression. He sold his real estate in Fryeburg in Oct- 1782, to Isaac Abbott. He died Nov. 23, 1802. Children : i Theodore, b. , m. Abigail Abbot of Andover. ii Benjamin, b. , m. Mehitable Abbot of Andover. iii John, b. , m. Susie Twitchell. iv William, b. , m. Mehitable Kilgore of Bethel. V Mary, b. , m. Nathaniel Segar. J > SYLVESTER ROBERTSON. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 607 Theodore Russell, son of Benjamin Russell senior, married Abigail Abbot of Andover. He lived on the south side of the river between Bethel Hill and Middle Interval. He died June 4, 1821 ; his first wife Abigail died in June, 1810, aged 39, and bis second wife Tabitha died March 13, 1855, aged 72. Children : i Lydia, b. July 16, 1790, ni. June 29, 1818, Dr. Timothy Carter. ii Jonathan Abbot, b. June 12, 1793, m. Sarah Hale. iii Benjamin, b. April 15, 1795, d. 3 days after. iv Benjamin, b. June 11, 1796, m. Atholinda Cushman. For second wife he married Tabitha (Strickland) Twaddle. V Abigail, b. July , 1812. vi Infant, b. July 1813, d. same month. vii Zilpha A., b. March '28, 1814. viii Theodore, b. June 2, 1816. ix Martin Seward, b. March 31, 1819. Benjamin Russell Jr. married Mehitable Abbot of Andover, Mass. He was one of the scouts that guarded the settlement after the Indian raid. He was a noted hunter and trapper. Children : i Stephen Abbot, b. July 6, 1788, m. Eunice Mason. ii Samuel, b. Feb. 14, 1790, m. Abigail Barker, r. Newry. iii Willoughby, b. Dec. 22, 1791, m. Polly Bartlett. iv Polly, b. Feb. 24, 1794, m. James Eames, r. Newry. V Dorcas, b. April 8, 1796, m. Samuel Woodbridge, r. Andover. Vi John, b. June 22, 1798, d. July 28, 1820. vii Luke Reilly, b. April 6, 1801, m. Abigail Kilgore. viii Benjamin, b. Newry, January 11, 1803, m. Mahala Wright, s. Green wood. ix Abigail, b. Jan. 3, 1805, d. July 20, 1825. X Mehitable, b. March 4, 1807, m. Ballard Hatch of China, Me. xi Martha, b. Dec. 23, 1810, m. Alonzo Fifield of Riley Plantation. xii Lydia, b. Aug. 31, 1812, m. Ira Kilgore, d. Augusta. John Russell, brother of the preceding, married Susannah, daughter of Ezra Twitchell of Bethel who was born in Framing ham, Mass., and died Sept. 2, 1856. John Russell, died July 1 1850. Children : i Persis, b. May 13, 1799, m. 1st, Jeremiah Virgin; 2d, Luke Reilly. ii Ezra Twitchell, b. Aug. 19, 1803, m. Phebe Kimball, d. 1838. iii John, b. June 17, 1807, m. Cynthia Twitchell. iv Susannah, b. June 15, 1810, d. young. V Elmira, b. Aug. 29, 1812, d. young. vi Leander Gage, b. Oct 15, 1816, m. Sarah P. Wight. 608 HISTORY OF BETHEL. William Russell, son of Benjamin senior, married Mehitable, daughter of John Kilgore. He became insane in his old age. Chil dren : i Mehitable, b. Jan. 4, 1792, m. Sebra Dunham of Paris. ii Cynthia, b. Dec. 20, 1793, m. William Bent of Paris. iii Elsie, b. March 8, 1796, d. young. iv William, b. March 12, 1798. V Elsie, b. March 28, 1800, m. William Bartlett. vi Samuel, b. March 9, 1802. vii Henry, b. Feb. 15, 1804, r. Newburyport, Mass. viii Mary, b. June 13, 1806. ix Theodore, b. Aug. 1, 1808, removed early from town. x Palmer, b. Aug. 1, 1813, removed early from town. xi Sophia, b. Aug. 8, 1811, m. Rodney Cole, s. Sidney, Me. Jonathan Abbot Russell, son of Theodore, lived on the home stead of his father. He was a noted school teacher. His wife was Sarah Hale of Waterford to whom he was married June 23, 1818. Most of this large and interesting family died of consump tion and all within a few years. He died March 22, 1859, and his widow died January 5, 1864. Children : i Casper Lavater, b. March 23, 1819, d. Aug. 6, 1823. ii Solon Hale, b. Nov. 3, 1820, d. Aug. 1, 1823. iii John Orrison, b. Oct. 10, 1822, d. Dec 24, 1842. iv Betsey Hale, b. Oct. 23, 1824, m. Sarauel S. Stanley, d. May 28,1866. V Casper Lavater, b. Sept. 10, 1827, m. Nellie Richardson, and died July 1, 1868. vi Solon Abbot, b. June 12, 1829, d. Dec. 24, 1856; he was a school teacher. vii Sarah Hale, b. Aug. 18, 1831. She was a highly accomplished young lady, went to Kentucky as a teacher, married Joseph Odell, for merly of Conway, N. H., and was fatally burned by the breaking of a lamp three years after her marriage, June 10, 1860. viii Charlotte M. H., b. Feb. -20, 1834; she married E. H. Pickering and died Nov. 21, 1854, in Lewiston. Stephen Abbot Russell, son of Benjamin Russell Jr., married Eunice, daughter of Moses Mason. He was a miller for many years :at Walker's Mills and later at Bethel Hill. Children : i Agnes Mason, b. Feb. 11, 1818, ra. Levi Twitchell. ii Angeline, b. Jan. 28, 1819, m. Sylvester Robertson. iii John, b. July 11, 1820, d. Oct. 15, 1839. iv Mary, b. Oct. 9, 1821, d. Oct. 3, 1822. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 609 V Maria, b. Oct. 9, 1821, m. Merchant 11. Lufkin, r. Lowell; m. 2d, Nathaniel , vi Hannah, b. Aug. 14, 18-23, m. AVilliam Benson, d. Newfield. vii Mary b. Sept. 27, 1824, m. Dr. John E. Donnell, r. a widow in Bos ton. viii Thirza Ayer, b. July 14, 1826, ni. John C. Moulton. i . Auburn. ix Eunice, b. Oct. 28, 1827, m. Francis B. Caswell of Harrison. X Moses Mason, b. March 5, 1829, m. ]SIary A. Stearns, both deceased. xi Mehitable, b. Jan. 13, 1831, ra. Ellery P. Goss, d. at Auburn, Dec. .20, 1891. xii Abigail, b. April 13, 1^:32, m. William Benson, r. Norway, d. 1891. xiii Stephen Abbot, b. Dec 8, 1833, m. Orphelia Keyes. Ezra Twitchell Russell, son of John Russell, married Phebe, daughter of Israel Kimball. He died in early manhood in 1839, and his widow, after many years of widowhood, married Winslow Heywood. He was a trader at Bethel Hill and a dealer in real es tate. Children : i Melissa M., b. Sept. 24, 1832, m. Charles Mason. ii Susannah, b. Aug. 10, 1834. John Russell Jr., married Sept. 15, 1836, Cynthia, daughter of Ezra Twitchell. He lived below Bethel Hill, on the Middle Inter val road. He was a brick mason and farmer. Children : i Daniel AV., b. Nov. 1, 1837, d. Nov. 4, 1858 in Bethel. ii Ezra Twitchell, b. Aug. 3, 1S42, m. Helen Augusta Shirley and died Nov. 13, 1888. He was a teacher and farmer, and long held a posi tion in the New York custom house. They had : 1 Nellie Shirley, b. Brookly, N. A"., Dec. 17, 1885. Lyman W. Russell, furniture manufacturer and dealer and farmer, resides at Bethel. He is the son of Willoughby and Polly (Bartlett) Russell and was born in Newry where all his brothers and sisters were born, Oct. 1, 1826. With his brother Lawson E. Russell who was born Feb. 29, 1820, and married Rebecca Jane Weston, he established a furniture manufactory at Locke's Mills and then removed it to South Bethel, utilizing the building and power formerly occupied by James Walker for wool-carding and cloth-dressing. Lawson E. Russell went West and Lyman remains at South Bethel. He married January 1, 1855, Lucy Anna, daugh ter of John and Lucy (Merrill) Edgerly of Buxton, Maine. They have no children. 39 610 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Abraham-i Russell, brother of Benjamin, was living in his house near Alder River bridge at the time of the Indian raid. He was born in Andover, Mass., in 1748, and died in Bethel, Dec. 9, 1839. He married at Fryeburg, Sarah, daughter of James Swan. His house was carried away during the great freshet of 1785, and he then built him a house near the base of Bethel Hill, on the Rum ford road, where Daniel Grout afterwards lived. He did not move toward Middle Interval as stated elsewhere on the authority of Dr. True. Mr. Russell owned a large lot of valuable land on which a considerable portion of the village now stands. He was a good farmer and a valuable citizen. He sold his real estate in Fryeburg, laid out to the right of John Russell, in 1793, to Samuel Phillips, Jr. ; in 1 783 he sold two lots to the same party, laid out to the right of Mark Stacy. Children : i Hannah, b. Fryeburg, Sept. 19, 1776, m. Frederick Ballard. ii Sarah, b. April 26, 1779, m. Elijah Bond. iii Abiah, b. Conway, N. H., Aug. 16, 1781, m. Peter York. iv Mary, b. Bethel, Oct. 3, 1784, ra. Daniel Grout. V Apphia, b. April 6, 1787, ra. Gideon Powers, vi Susan, b. July 4, 1789, m. Otis Horn of Kittery, s. Westbrook. vii Esther, b. Sept. 18, 1792, m. John Oliver. viii Fletcher, b. July 2, 1795, m. Betsey Howard. ix Dorcas, b. March 10, 1800, m. Hiram Allen. Fletcher Russell, only son of Abraham Russell, said to have been the first blacksmith on Bethel Hill, married April 20, 1823, Hannah Howard of Fryeburg. He lived with his parents on the lot now occupied by Samuel D. Philbrook, and his shop stood near by but back from the road. He subsequently moved to Canaan, Ver mont, and died there June 3, 1853. His widow died June 20, 1879. Children : i Richard H., b. Dec. 17, 1823, d. Aug. 14, 1824. ii Gideon Powers, b. May 23, 1825, m. 1st, Mary Cooper; 2nd, Malvina Nutting, d. Dec. 3, 1865. iii William Howard, b. Aug. 28, 1828, m. Emily Duffe ; d. Oct. 18, 1877. iv Horace Fletcher, b. March 17, 1830, m. Malvina Russell. V Alonzo Baily, b. Aug. 31, 1835, m. Mary A. Corbet, killed in action before Richmond June 30, 1862. vi Susan Hillard, b. Aug. 31, 1835, m. Captain Samuel C. Romney who died at Cuba in 1878. James Russell of Andover, Mass., married Dolly, daughter of Jacob and Dorothy (Shattuck) Russell. He moved from Andover HISTORY OF BETHEL. 611 to Waterford and then to Bethel. In his old age be went to live with his son in Paris, and died there Nov. 2, 1861. His widow died Sept. 10,1863. Children: i Dolly, b. Nov. 1, 1805, d. young. ii James, b. Oct. 8, 1807. iii Lydia, b. Dec. 1, 1808, m. 1st, Dr. Gould of Boxford ; *2d, Leonard Grover. iv Dolly S., b. Sept. 10, 1811, d. young. V Daniel G., b. Oct. 26, 1814, d. in Baltimore, Jan. 21, 1845. vi Jacob, b. Feb. 10, 1816, d. in Scott Co., Ky., Oct. 13, 1839. vii Henry J., b. June 7, 1818. viii Charles (M. D.) b. July 19, 1820, m. Asenath Willis, d. Fayette 1888. ix Joel, b. July 16, 1822. x Warren F., b. Aug. 15, 1825. xi Malvina A., b. .June 6, 1828, d. young. Jacob Russell, brother of Benjamin and Abraham, came to Bethel from Andover. He married Dorothy Shattuck of Andover and died in 1799. He was a Revolutionary soldier. Children : i Jacob, b. . He moved to New York. ii Dolly, b. Oct. 23, 1784, m. James Russell. iii Abigail, b. , m. Eli Twitchell. iv Charles, b. . He never married ; resided in the family of James Russell. Isaac Russell, brother of the preceding, was a clerk in the Rev olutionary war. He was born in Andover and came to Bethel, but there is no existing record of his family. He perished during ex posure to a snow storm, early in the century in the town of West brook. William Russell, 2d, married Eliza, daughter of Lieutenant Jonathan Clark, who was born April 4, 1795, and died July 2, 1821. He was from Fryeburg and once kept a store on Bethel Hill. Chil dren : i Albion, b. July 8, 1819. ii Ceylon, b. Feb. 6, 1821. Josiah Russell married Betsy . Children : i Lucy, b. June 17, 1799. ii Leonard, b. Dec. 15, 1800. iii Amos Hastings, b. Sept. 5, 1802. Leonard Russell married Betsey . Children, i Eleanor Eames, b. Sept. 2, 1805. ii Charles, b. June 28, 1807. 612 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Sanborn. John Sanborn, son of Simeon Sanborn of Standish and Green wood, married Naomi Barker of Newry. He lived near Kendall's Ferry. Children : i Sylvia, b. July 27, 1824. ii Marj' Ann, b. March 16, 1826. iii Frances Ann, b. Dec. 16, 1827. iv David Porter, b. Dec. 8, 1829. V Simeon, b. Sept. 9, 1831. vi Ellen Maria, b. Dec 18, 1836, d. March 16, 1838. vii John Oscar, b. Dec 10, 1840. David Sanborn, son of Simeon Sanborn, married Virtue Barker of Newry. He lived above Middle Interval, near Kendall's Ferry, and near his brother John. Children : i John AVard, b. Feb. 14, 1833. ii Robert Wiley, b. Oct. 30, 1855. iii Abby Augusta, b. Feb. 15, 1837. iv Ellen Maria, b. March 9, 1839. Joseph Sanborn, son of Simeon Sanborn, married Lucy Verrill •of Minot. He lived near the Burbank place where the steam mill was built. His son Lewis A. now occupies the place. Children : i George W., b. July 11, 1823. ii Lewis Atwood, b. Oct. 8, 1827. iii Mary Melinda, b. Dec. 5, 1831. iv Lorinda Emerson, b. April 6, 1834. V Osgood Jerome, b. March 31, 1837, m. Emily E. Holt. -vi Marcia Ann, b. June 14, 1838. vii Sarah Verrill, b. Jan. 17, 1841, d. July 14, following. Seavy. Clement Seavy married Susan Cloutman of Gorham in 1829. Children : i Daniel Eli, b. Aug. 21, 1832, d. May 27, 1833. ii Wainesboro B., b. Nov. 1, 1833. iii AiE.,b. Jan. 5,18,35. iv Harriet L., b. March 8, 1836. v James M. R., b. July 30, 1837. vi Jane M., b. April 27, 1839, d. Oct. 28, 1840. vii Daniel R., b. Aug. 12, 1840. viii Roland G., b. June 31, 1842. ix Mary G., b. April 9, 1849. X George H., b. Oct. 28, 1851. HISTOR Y OF BETHEL. 613 Segar. Nathaniel Segar, son of Josiah and Thankful (Allen) Segar, born in Newton, Mass., Jan. 28, 1755, has the credit of being the first to make improvements in Sudbury, Canada, but that credit may be due to Jonathan Keyes. He came here in 1774, then served in the war of the revolution, returned here in 1779, was here in 1781, and one of the three carried captive to Canada. He married Mary, daughter of Benjamin Russell, settled in the lower part of the town in what is now Hanover, and lived to a great age. Chil dren : i Pamelia, b. April 18, 1789, m. Samuel Lufkin, s. Rumford. ii Edmund, b. April 1, 1790, d. Sept. 18, 1797. iii Abigail, b. Sept. 16, 1792, m. Capt. William Barker. iv Allan, b. May 13, 1793, m. Elizabeth Howard ; 2d, Achsa Howard. V Apphia, b. Nov. 8, 1794, m James Godwin. vi Lucy, b. Jan. 21, 1796, m. Ichabod Norton of Norridgewock. vii Polly, b. Sept. 1, 1797, ra. Daniel Estes. viii Edmund, b. Oct. 21, 1798, m. Betsey Powers. ix Russell, b. Feb. 21, 1800, went to Ohio. X Nathan, b. Oct. 6, 1801, went to Ohio. xi John E., b. March 4, 1803, m. Lydia Farnum. xii Nathaniel, b. Sept. 4, 1804,. went AVest. xiii Submit, b. Feb. 28, 1806, d. Nov. -28, 1824. Edmund Segar was the only son of Nathaniel Segar who re mained in Bethel. He married Betsey, daughter of Arnold Powers, who was a skillful tailoress. Children : i Abial G., b. Aug. 24, 1827, d. Dec. IS, 1829. ii Abial G., b. June 18, 1829, d. Nov. 15, 1834. iii Sarah Elizabeth, b. Dec 2-2, 1831, d. Jan. 7, 1832. iv Edmund Scribner, b. March 22, 1833. V Caroline Abigail, b. Oct. 1, 1835. vi Hamilton Augustine, b. Jan. 20, 1840. Shaw. Levi Shaw married Clarissa Harlow Johnson who was born Id Charlestown. N. H , August, 1812, and died May 2, 1836. He was a cabinet maker at Middle Intervale, Children : i Clara, b. . ii Lovina Jane, b. ,Alay 11, 1817, m. George H.' Brown of Mason., iii I.,evi Frederick, b. Aug. 2, 1820. iv Isaac Lewis, b. July 27, 1822, m. Almira Estabrook. 514 HISTORY OF BETHEL. V William Pomeroy, b. Oct. 4, 1824, ra. Dorcas V. Hooper. vi Henry Cliff'ord, b. Jan. 27, 1828, d. June 10, 1830. vii Frances Amanda, b. March 13, 1830, m. Francis L. Hutchins. Shorey. Urban Shorey married Susan Hayes of Limerick in 1816. He lived in the lower Parish, near Bean's Corner. Children : i Mary, b. July 11, 1818. ii Edmund, b. June 19, 1822, d. Sept. 1, 1823. iii Urban, b. Aug. 28, 1828, m. Emeline L. Swan. Skillings. Rufus Skillings married Lidania Bean who died Dec. 17, 1843. He married second, 1845, Diana Littlehale. He moved to Port land. Children : i Susan Maria, b. Jan. 15, 1839. ii Mary Ophelia, b. June 10, 1840. iii Russell Linnell, b. June 5, 1842, d. Jan. 13, 1844. Small. Albert Warren Small, a farmer, residence Bethel, son of Albert H., and Sarah Jane (Hastings) Small, born Oct. 1, 1859, married Sept. 5, 1883, Etta Davidson who was born at Gaspereau, Nova Scotia. Children : i Warren Chester, b. Jan. 9, 1885. ii Hazel Linnwood, b. May 6, 1888. Smith. Ithiel Smith was born in Brentwood, N. H., and was by occu pation a tailor. He married Bathsheba Foote and settled at Cape Elizabeth where he was living and working at his trade during the revolutionary war. By this marriage he had Ithiel Jr., who settled in Newry, married Lucy Littlehale ; James who was a blacksmith in Yarmouth ; Betsey, Polly,. and Sally who married Aaron Barton of Betbel. His wife died, ynd he moved to Standish where he mar ried Anna, daughter of .Jonathan Bean. He then moved to Liming ton, and later to Bethel. He was in Bethel in 1790, but he finally settled at the mouth of Bear River in Newry. By the second mar riage he had Jonathan who married Lydia Brown, David who mar ried Hannah Brown, and Peter Gilman who married Polly Brown. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 615 Peter Oilman Smith moved into Bethel, near Newry, and lived there nearly half a century, and died there. Children : i Caroline, b. Oct. 18, 1822, m. Cyrus Bartlett of Hanover. ii Seth E., b. , m. Hannah Richardson, r. Lewiston. iii Sylvia, b. , m. Josiah Dutton, r. Norway. iv Francina, b. , m. Moses C. Poster; d. Waterville, 1888. V Lorenzo, b. , m. Martha Richardson. vi Julia, b. , m. Thomas AVillis of Hanover. Charles D. Smith, born in Calais, Me., Nov. 19, 1813, married June 12, 1851, Harriet Delphina Wight who was born in Gilead May 7, 1824. He was a farmer and died January 18, 1891. Chil dren : i Ida Esther, b. Feb. 6, 1856. ii Edward Sidney, b. April 3d, 1861. Gilman Smith, a shipwright, born Oct. 8, 1824, married Dolly Bean Bartlett who was born in Bethel, Aug. 15, 1826. He died in Bethel, May 23, 1885. Children : i Erving Alvarez, b. Sept. 2, 1852. ii Asa Gerald, b. Oct. 19, 1855, m. Ada May Ingraham. iii Delbert Mains, b. Jan. 18, 1861, m. Lauren Jane, daughter of Warren C. Hadley of Jackson, Me. Spiller. Nathan Spiller married 1813, Dorothy Heath of Gilead. On Bethel records are the names of the following children : i Eliphaz, b. Aug. 15, 1814. ii Betsey, b. May 1, 1816. Spofford. Isaac Spofford from Temple, N. H., married Nancy Fish of New Ipswich, N. H., in 1804. He lived in the easterly part of the town. Children : i Nicy M., b. Jan. 28, 1806, d. Dec. 5, 1823. ii Anna, b. May 16, 1808, m. Edmund Chase of Woodstock. iii Isaac Gould, b. June 28, 1810, m. 1st, Louisa AVhitman ; 2d, . iv Lucinda, b. June 23, 1812, m. Lawrenson Cole of Greenwood. V Earl Sully, b. Jan. 25, 1817, d. Sept. 4, 1823. 616 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Stanley. Samuel Spurr Stanley, married January 1, 1852, Betsey Hale, daughter of Jonathan A. Russell. He was a farmer and had the Abbot Russell farm. He was a noted ballad singer. He died July 14, 1890, his wife having died May 28, 1866. Child : i Edward Orne, b. May 14, 1868, d. June 25, following. ii Ossian Russell (adopted) b. Oct. 12, 1852. He occupies the Russell farm. He married May 2, 1877, Alma Etta, daughter of Charles E. and Frances Abigail (Sanborn) Swan and has : 1 Harold Sanborn, b. Nov. 1, 1878. 2 Edward Russell, b. July 24, 1881 3 Bessie Frances, b. June 21, 1885. 4 Mary Constance, b. Dec. 8, 1890. Stearns. The Stearns families of Bethel are descendants of Isaac Stearns, an early resident of Watertown, Mass. John Stearns, son of John and Martha (Harrington) Stearns, baptized Aug. 22, 1762, married Priscilla Holt and settled in Bethel. Children : i John, b. Julv 25, 1792, d. 1820, unmarried. ii Calvin, b. Aug. 24, 1793, m. in 1825, Nancy Brown and died 1826. iii Henry, b. Aug. 7, 1795, d. unmarried. iv Joseph, b. April 2, 1797, m. Mary Duston. V Hannah, b. Nov. 11, 1799, m. AVilliara AVTiite of Gilead. vi James, b. July 8, 1802, m. in 1827, Nancy, his brother Calvin's w-idow. vii Priscilla, b. May 14, 1806, d. April S, 1847, unmarried. viii Abigail, b. Sept. 3, 1811, m. Alonzo Holt of Rumford. Joseph Stearns, son of John Jr., married Mary, daughter of Ezekiel Duston. He lived on Swan's Hill. Children : i Cordelia C, b. May 8, 1827. ii Frances Caroline, b. June 12, 1829. iii John H., b. May 22, 1831. iv Joseph Henry, b. May 29, 1833. V Charies Jeft'erson, b. Oct. 10, 1835. yi Albert L., b. April -28, 18,38. vii Edward Payson, b. June 10, 1840. viii Daughter, b. Feb. 14, 1844. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 617 James Stearns married Nancy (Brown) who was his brother Calvin's widow. Children : i John Calvin, b. Sept. 3, 1827, m. Lydia Cook, d. early. ii Nancy, b. April 16, 18'29, d. Oct. 1, 1829. iii Nancy, b. June 28, 1830, d. July 4, 1830. iv Mary Augusta, b. August 8, 1831. V James T., b. Jan. 25, 1836. vi Charles H., b. Nov. 25, 1838, m. 1866, Louisa J. Harding. Thomas Stearns, brother of John Jr., preceding, baptized Jan uary 22, 1764, married Lois Colby and settled near Mayville. He was an enterprising farmer. Children : i Patty, b. April 12, 1794, ni. Nathan Foster. ii Mary, b. April 18, 1795, m. William Holt. iii Susan or Sukey, b. Dec. 30, 1797, m. .Toseph Holt. iv Lois, b. March 20, 1799, m. Jacob B. Littlehale. V Sumner, b, June 21, 1801, m. Mahala Besse of Paris. vi Harriet, b. March 6, 1804, m. David Robbins, r. Magalloway. vii Sally, b. Aug. 11, 1806, m. Peter Powers. viii Thomas, b. .Tan. 8, 1807, m. 1st, Ann Powers ; 2d, Emily Rowe. He lived in Newry. ix Rufus, b. March 8, 1811, m. Lavinia Eames of Newry. X Mahala, b. Feb. 11, 1821, m. Josiah Smith of Cambridge, Mass. Sumner Stearns, son of Thomas Stearns, married Mahala Besse of Paris. He moved to Newry. Children : i Samuel Fessenden, b. April 30, 1830, d. July 6, 1830. ii Samuel Fessenden, b. July 19, 1831, m. Harriet Bird; 2d, Hannah Harden. iii Matilda, b. June 16, 1S33. iv Mary Frances, b. May 16, 1836,m. Ozmyn M. Smith. V Lydia, b. Jan. 4, 1839, d. Aug. 6, 1842. vi Edwin H., b. Nov. 20, 1840, ra. Esther A. Kidder. vii A. .Tones, b. June 26, 1842. Thomas Stearns Jr., was born in Bethel, Feb. 28, 1808, and married Emily Rowe of Newry. He died June 4, 1888 in Bethel. His wife died in Newry in 1857. Children: i Prescott, b. 1839. ii Anna Maria, b. 1845, ra. Dexter Brow-n. iii Mary A., b. 1848, d. 1852. iv Eraiiy L., b. 18.50. V Louis Colby, b. 1853, m. Lell Trask. He is an Attorney at Law at Caribou, Me. vi George L., b. 1855, d. in infancy. •618 HISTORY OF BE'THEL. vii Nathan Augustus, b. Oct. 5, 1856, married March 3d, 1885, Dora Mil lett, daughter of Ezekiel C. Jackson of Norway. He~is a farmer in Bethel. They have : 1 Gwen Ira, b. July 15, 1887. 2 Karl J., b. Aug. 17, 1889. Rufus Stearns, son of Thomas Stearns, born in Bethel, March «, 1811, married April 23, 1838, Lavina Eames who was born April 23, 1819, and died Sept. 5, 1889. Children : i Asa Foster, b. March 8, 1840, ra. Angie Powers. ii Eli Poster, b. Jan. 24, 1849, m. Ellen P. Bryant. iii Irving, b. Nov. 1, 1855, ra. Minnie Littlehale. Charles Stearns, brother of Thomas preceding, came to Bethel :and married Thankful, daughter of Enoch Bartlett. Children : i Theodore, b. March 4, 1793, m. Mary Besse of Paris. ii Charles, b. March 10, 1795, m. Betsey Fuller of Jay, a physician set tled at St. George, Me. iii Thankful, b. Oct. 17, 1798, d. March 1801. iv Thankful, b. April 9, 1801, m. Anthony Besse of Paris. V Phineas, b. Dec. 17, 1803, m. Betsey Martin of Rumford. vi Jonathan, b. Aug. 4, 1806, m. Mary Chapman. vii Nathan, b. April 1, 1809, m. Mary Ann Frost. viii Salome, b. July 14, 1812, m Jonas B. Willis of Hanover. ix Betsey E., b. Sept. 16, 1814, m. Isaac Adams of Gilead. X Martha, b. Aug. 31, 1816, m. Stephen Bartlett of Hanover. xi Benjarain Franklin, i.. April 11, 1821, m. Julia Andrews, s. Hanover. Theodore Stearns, son of Charles Stearns, married Mary Besse. He is remembered as a teamster, hauling goods from Portland to Bethel, before the days of the railroads. His team of several horses was known as "Brig Thoder." Children : i George AVashington, b. May '24, 1818. ii Mary Ann, b. Sept. 25, 1S19. iii Sarah Jane, b, .July 3, 1821. iv Phineas, b. Feb. 22, 1823. V Levi, b. Feb. 22, 1825. vi Mark Emery, b. Dec. 8, 1826. vii Louisa Amanda, b. Aug. 3, 1828, d. Sept. 13, 1829. viii Martha Louisa, b. Oct. 1, 1830. ix Nancy, b. July 16, 1832. X Malvina Elizabeth, b. Nov. 26, 1835. xi Nathan, b. April 1834, d. June following. xii Amanda, b. Oct. 30, 1837. xiii Theodore Martin Van Buren, b. Dec. 7, 1840. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 619 Phineas Stearns, married Betsey Martin of Rumford. He was :a saddler and harness maker. Children : i Nathan Kimball, b. Oct. 29, 1835. ii Martha Antoinette, b. Nov. 1, 1837. iii Daniel Martin, b. Nov. 24, 1839. iv Phineas, b. March 7, 1841, V Henry Bond, b. July 12, 1846. Jonathan Stearns married Hannah C. Chapman. Children : i Elmarean JudSon, b. Dec. 12, 1836. ii Helen Salome, b. Feb. 25, 1838. iii Mary Chapman, b. Aug. 11, 1839. iv Elizabeth, b. Feb. 1, 1842. V Jane D., b. Oct. 17, 1843. Thomas Stearns married Ann B. Cross. Children : i Lyman Johnson, b. Oct. 13, 1836. ii Prescott, b. Nov. 12, 1839. Isaac Stearns married Anna Wight. Children : i Daniel, b. Sept. 15, 1812. ii Anna, b. Aug. 6, 1814. iii Isaac, b. Nov. 12, 1816. iv Dorcas, b. Dec 18, 1818. Stevens. John Stevens of Gorham, married Lucy Mugford of Marble head, Mass. He was a brick mason and lived in the Chandler neighborhood. Children : i Emma AV., b. March 9, 1815, ra. Bartlett Hodsdon. ii Louisa, b. Nov. 17, 1818, ra. Araaziah Nutting; 2d, Enoch Foster. iii Lucy, b. July 17, 1820, d. Sept. 7, 1823. iv John, b. Sept. 17, 1822, d. Sept. 14, 1823. V Benjamin, b. Aug. 25, 1825, ra. 1st, Harriot H. Swift; 2d, Lydia S. Robertson. vi John, b. Nov. 8, 1827, d. unmarried in the South. vii Lucy, b. May 6, 1830, m. Oliver Y. Nutting. -viii Charlotte, b. March 10, 1832. Stone. Luther Stone married Hadassah Kimball of Waterford, and re- "sided a short time on a farm below Middle Interval. They had children Phebe, Luther, Hadassah, William (died) Joel K., AVil liam H., Nathaniel K., before coming to Bethel, and here they had: 620 HISTORY OF BETHEL. viii Zina E., b. March 31, 1823, m. Charlotte A. Shaw, r Lowell, Mass.- ;ix Salina, b. July 24, 1824, m. Salmon Hooper. X Mary W., b. Jan. 6, 1826, m. James H. Jackson. Swan. James Swan, the early Bethel settler, was the son of Joshua and' Sarah (Ingalls) Swan, and was born in Methuen, Mass , Mareht 14, 1721-2. He married Mary Smith of Haverhill, April 10, 1746. He was in Bethel at the time of the Indian raid in 1781, having moved here from Fryeburg. His last two children were born in- Fryeburg ; the others in Methuen. He was the fourth in descent from Robert who settled in Boston and moved to Rowley. He died: in 1800, in Bethel. Children : i Elizabeth, b Jan. 13, 1747, m. Jesse Dustin. ii Joseph Greely, b. Oct. 4, 1748, ra. Elizabeth Evans. iii Molly, b. Aug. 8, 1751, A. young. iv Sarah, b. Feb. 9, 17.56, m. Abraham Russell. V Abigail, b. Aug. 25, 1758, m. Jeremiah Farrington of Fryeburg. vi James, b. Dec. 2, 1760, m. Hannah Shattuck of Andover, Mass. vii Elijah, b. July 5, 1763, m. Eunice Barton, d. Paris. viii Nancy, b. Sept. 22, 1765, m. Jonathan Barker of Newry. ix Nathaniel, b. Jan. 9, 1769, m. Elizabeth Colby of Sutton, Mass. X Naomi, b. May 22, 1771, m. Jesse Barker, s Newry. Joseph Greeley Swan, son of the preceding, married Elizabeth Evans of Fryeburg. He came to Bethel a young man and died here Dec. 10, 1816. Children : i John. b. July 13, 1772, m. 1st, Betsey Chapman ; 2nd, Polly Eames.- ii Dudley, b. Sept. 30, 1774, m. Mary Green, s. Waterford. iii James, b. Sept. 12, 1777, m. Persis Earaes, s. Newry. iv Caleb, b. March 20, 1780, d. in the AVest Indies. V Betsey, b. Oct. 15, 1782, m. David Coflin. vi AVilliara, b. April 28, 1784, d. June 7, 1785. vii Abigail, b. Dec. 15, 1787, m. Peter Walker. viii AVilliara, b. Nov. 4, 1790, m. Betsy Howe. ix Hannah, b. April 7, 1793, m. John AVarren, s. Denmark. X Greely, b. Nov. 11, 1795, d. Jan. 27, 1797. James Swan Jr., who married Hannah Shattuck of Andover,. Mass., early moved to the locality since known as Swan's Hill in Bethel. Children : i Foxw-ell, b. July 19, 1788, in. Polly Swan. ii Alpheus, b. .April 23, 1789, m. Nancy Brown. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 621 iii Hannah, b. June 17, 1793, m. Moses Bisbee. iv John Shattuck, b. July 24, 1795, m. Lydia Holt. V Nathaniel, b. Oct. 9, 1797, m. Shuah Young. vi Timothy Merrit, b. July 16, 1801, ra. Ann Merrill. Elijah Swan, brother of the preceding, married Eunice, daugh ter of Asa and Mercy (Bartlett) Swan of Needham, Mass. He lived for a time a little easterly of Walker's Mills. I have seen the • cellar hole where his house stood. In 1822, he moved to AA'^est Paris where he spent the remainder of his life. Children : i Polly, b. Dec. 4, 1790, m. Foxwell Swan. ii Sally, b. May 13, 1793, m. George Berry. She \\ as over 90 years of age when she died. iii Oliver P., b. Aug. 16, 1797, m. and lived in Gardiner; d. in Boston. iv Mercy Bartlett, b. Oct. 22, 1800, ra. Merrill Chase; she died in 1891. v Aaron Barton, b. July 4, 1801, m. Mehitable York of Bethel. vi Elijah, b. June 11, 1804, d. July 16, 1804. vii Nancy Fenno, b. July 11, 1805, ra. Moses Chandler of Bethel. viii Betsey W., b. Aug. 30, 1807, m. Peter Ayer of Bethel; they went to Penn. ix Abigail, b. Jan. 1, 1810, d. Oct. 22, 1812. X Elijah, b. Oct. 9, 1812, ra. Aurelia Berry. Nathaniel Swan married Mehitable Colby of Sutton, Mass. He Hived on the north side of the river, below Mayville. Children ; i Esther Parker, b. July 2, 1798, d. Dec 11, 1800. ii Joseph Greeley, b. March 22, 1800. m. widow Mary (Adaras) Burn ham, s. Gilead. iii Esther, b. Dec 31, 1801, ni. Hazen Keoch of Bethel. He was a mill wright and lived at various places. iv Julia, b. Feb. 13, 1804, m. Ransom Twitchell of Milan, N. H. V Jonathan, b. May 14, 1806. vi Abigail, b. March 20, 1808. vii Joshua G., b. Jan. 8, 1814, m. Julia Goodenow. He was a stone mason and had a family but no reco'rd has been returned. viii Huldah, b. , m. Moses Twitchell. ix Mehitable, b. Nov. 10, 1819. John Swan, oldest son of Joseph Greeley Swan, married flrst, Betsey, daughter of Rev. Eliphaz Chapman, who soon died, and he married second Polly, daughter of Ebenezer Eames, who died Oct. 7, 1811. The children were by the second wife. Children': i Betsey Chapman, b. July 21, 1804. ii Mary, b. July 12, 1806. iii Nancy Eames, b. March 21, 1808. iv Patty Eames, b. Oct. 30, 1809. v John Evans, b. Aug. 19, 181L 622 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Foxwell Swan, son of James of Swan's Hill, married first,Polly- daughter of Elijah Swan. He married second, a Mrs. Hall, and third Mrs. Mary Knight. He was a farmer and hotel keeper at Paris, but died at North Woodstock. His last wife had previously had husbands named, Howe, Washburne, Bisbee and Knight. Chil dren by flrst marriage : i Mary Ann, b. Aug. 17, 1810, ra. Isaac Dunham; 2d, Samuel Merrill Jr. ii James AA'ashington, b. Sept. 2, 1814, ra. Mercy Washburn. iii Lorenzo Dow-, b. Dec. 3, 1817, m. Sarah A., daughter of Rev. Levi Burnham. Alpheus Swan, son of James of Swan's Hill, married Nancy, daughter of Benjamin Brown. He was a farmer and resided on Swan's Hill. Children : i- Eliza, b. May 14, 1813, d. July 25, following. ii Infant, b. May 16, 1814, d. June 28, following. iii Nancy, b. May 3, 1815. iv Orin, B. b. April 12, 1817, m. Mary A. Holt. V Daughter, b. Deo. 14, 1818, d. Feb. 25, following. vi Charles, b. April 19, 1821, d. Aug. 14, 1823. .vii Lydia, b. Oct. 22, 1822, d. Aug. 20, 1823. viii Charles Emery, b. June 11, 1824, m. Frances A. Sanborn. ix George Killman, b. Oct. 20, 1825, m. Frances Stearns. X Sarah, b. April 6, 1827. xi John Shattuck, b. Aug. 12, 1829, ra. Mary Brown. xii Julia Ann, b. June 2, 1830. John Shattuck Swan, son of James Swan of Swan's Hill, mar ried Lydia Holt. He was a farmer on Swan's Hill and lived to an advanced age. Children : i Lydia Emeline, b. March 13, 1824. ii Esther Caroline, b. Oct. 17, 1826. iii Sarah P., b. Jan. 16, 1828. iv Nathaniel S., b. July 19, 1834. V Shuah L., b. July 14, 1838. vi John Edwin, b. July 2, 1843. Nathaniel Swan, son of James, of Swan's Hill, married Shuah, daughter of Job Young of Gray. He lived at Swan's Hill and was a farmer. Children : i Rowena. b. Feb. 14, 1819, d. Aug. 27, 1823. ii Abigail, b. Dec. 29, 1S20. m. Elijah Brown. iii Rowena Caroline, b. July 30, 1825, d. March 5, 1829. Timothy Merrit Swan, son of James of Swan's HQl, married Ann Merrill. She was the only daughter of David and Mary (Knight) Merrill and was born at Fayette, March 16, 1801. He HISTORY OF BETHEL. 623 was a tin-peddler and left town on the death of his wife. Children : i Elizabeth Ann, b. April 20, 1824, d. Nov. 7, 1825. ii Edward Merrill, b. Sept. 3, 1828, m. at Dover, N. H., Nov. 23, 1864, Susan Y. Clark, of Northwood, N. H. He is a trader at Dover. iii Amanda E., b. Sept. 11, 1830, r. unmarried at Manchester, N. H. , James Herbert Swan, son of Leander S. and Harriet A (Decos- ter) Swan of Paris, and grandson of William and Hannah (Locke) Swan, is a farmer and resides at East Bethel. He was born in Paris June 6, 1853, and married Oct. 5, 1879, Nina Victoria, daughter of Daniel C. Mason of Sumner. Children : i Grace Harriet, b. July 15, 1881. ii Jennie Allen, b. Aug. 15, 1883. iii Elsie Blanche, b. Dec 20, 1884. iv C^arl Herbert, b. June 12, 1886. v Edgar Forrest, b. Oct. 7, 1887. vi Arthur Albert, b. July 2, 1889. Sweat. Moses Sweat, son of Benjamin and Molly (Harper) Sweat, mar ried Fanny, daughter of John and Martha Cummings of Albany. He lives at the extreme east part of the town, on the Rumford and Paris road, and on the farm his father bought of Francis Hemming way in 1819. Children: i Mary, b. Oct. 30, 1841, d. Aug. 20, 1867. ii Benjamin, b. April 23, 1843, m. Imogene Andrews. iii Martha C, b. Aug. 9, 1844, m. Joseph E. Brooks. iv Sarah, b. March 9, 1846, m. Benjamin W. Bean. V John C, b. Oct. 20, 1847, ra. Ella Greenleaf. vi Moses E., b. Aug. 2, 1849, m. Calista Sessions. vii Franklin P., b. Sept. 14, 1851, d. Oct. 2, 1853. viii Daniel C, b. Deo. 17, 1855, d. June 9, 1861. ix William Henry, b. Sept. 17, 1856, d. June 17, 1861. Swift. Cyrus Swift of Paris, married Joan P., daughter of Abraham Jordan. He lived at Walker's Mills, enlisted and died in the ser vice. Children : i Nelson S., b. Aug. 23, 1847. ii Emily J., b. Nov. 11, 1849, m. Horace A. Bennett of Gilead. iii Mary Elizabeth, b. May 28, 1852. iv William Cullen, b. Jan. 19, 1855, m. Laura H. Brownell. v Rodney Walter, b. Nov. 11, 1858. / 624 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Town. Isaac Town from Oxford, Mass., born July 19, 1775, married Dolly Gould of Millbury, who was born in Sutton, and was the daughter of Jonathan and Lydia Gould. She died Dec. 25, 1831, and then Mr. Town married T^ucy Hapgood. He was a farmer and died Dec. 22, 1855. Children : i Isaac Jennison, b. Feb. 13, 1801, m. July '23, 1829, Fanny Barker. ii Sophia, b. Feb. 27, 1804, m. April 26, 1821, Sylvanus Twitchell, d. Feb. 9, 1865. iii Eliza, b. Aug. 3, 1804, m. Feb. 2, 1824, Timothy Barker, d. Jan. 23, 1866. iv Sumner, b. July 5, 1806, d. Aug. 5, 1834. V Tyler Pratt, b. Aug. 1, 1810, ra. Feb. 26, 1838, Miranda H. Watson of Norway. vi Leonard, A d. Aug. 11, 1823. \ twins, b. Nov. 12, 1815. vii Leander, J d. Feb. 16, 1816. Isaac Jennison Town married Fanny Barker. He died Feb 15, 1838. He was a cabinet maker and lived above the hill on the West Bethel road, at the junction of the road leading to the Frost place. Children : i Arthur, b. June 11, 1830, d. May 20, 1839. ii Ann Eliza, b. Nov. 19, 1833. iii Sumner, b. Dec. 9, 1835, d. Aug. 10, 1838. Tyler Pratt Town married February 29, 1839, Miranda H. Watson who was born in Poland, Me., Feb. 27, 1809. He was a farmer. Later in life he removed to California, and settled at Po mona in that state where he died Nov. 18, 1891 Children : i Sarah M., b. Sept. 12, 1839. ii Eraraa, b. Dec. 10, 1840, m. Dec. 22, 1866, Livingston G. Robinson. iii Ellen, b. .Tan. 1, 1842, d. .Tuly 10, 1874. iv Daniel Webster, b. Feb. 9, 1845, m. Oct. 3, 1871, Mary A. Kelly. He died June 27. 1888. True. Nathaniel T. True, BI. D., married August 29, 1830, Ruth Ann Winslow, who died and he married secondly, Sept. 16, 1849, Susanna Webber Stevens who was born March 25, 1827. He died May 18, 1887. Children: i Harriet Winslow, b. May 25, 1839, d. Feb. 21, 1853. ii Brackett Winslow, b. July 20, 1841, d. Oct. 18, 1862. iii Alfred Marston, b. Feb. 13, 1844. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 625 iv Mary Hatch, b. April 19, 1845. She is the well known expert teacher of deaf mutes. V Ellen Frances, b. Aug. 8, 1847, d. April 11, 1863. By second marriage : vi Susie Marian, b. Oct. 6, 1850, m. firstly George B. Farnsworth of Bos ton who died April 11, 1886, and secondly Oct. 20, 1888, Di-. John George Gehring. vii John Preston, b. Feb. 13, 1859. He has marked literary ability and holds a responsible position with the book publishing flrm of Houghton, Miflln & Company Boston. viii Lillian Farnsworth, b. Nov. 20, 1871. Twaddle. John Adam Twaddle, son of John Twaddle, who was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and of Arena H. Phelps, his wife, was born in Weld, Me., Aug. 14, 1859, graduated in medicine and settled in practice at Bethel Hill where he has been very successful. He mar ried May 1, 1878, Harriet L., daughter of Josiah Brown of Bethel. i Eva v., b. April 19, 1880. ii AVidd V., b. Mar. 11, 1884. iii Gard AA'., b. Jan. 31, 1890. Tucker. George Tucker married Hannah York. He lived on the south side of the river near Bartlett's Ferry. Children : i Isaac Insley York, b. Lyndon, Vt., Aug. 3, 1818. ii Hannah, b. Jan. 18, 1823. iii Francina, b. Feb. 4, 1825. iv Maroah, b. Dec 23, 1S2S, m. Ephraim Bryant. Tyler. Jonathan Tyler, son of Nathaniel and Eunice (Wright) Tyler, born Jan. 1, 1822, married Dec. 31, 1845, Elizabeth L., daughter of Kimball and Delia (Kennerson) Hall who was born Feb. 14, 1829, in Denmark, Maine. Children : i Eunice H., b. June 26, 1847, m. Almon T. Littlehale, d. Mar. 24, 1890. ii Delia T., b. March 4, 1851, m. Geo. A. Murphy. iii Calista L., b. Oct. 10, 1852, d. June 27, 1863. iv Isabella R., b. June 16, 1855, m. Sewall J. Walker. V Ann M., b. July 7, 1857, m. Ammi C. Gilbert. vi James G., ) m. Maud R. Verrill. \ twins, b. April 19, 1864. vii John Adam, J He is now a medical student at the University of Ver mont. viii Almon B., b. April 7, 1869. 40 626 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Samuel D. Tyler, married July 15, 1821, Esther, daughter of James Annas and soon removed from town. Child : i James Annas, b. Sept. 9, 1822, d. Aug. 31, 1823. Twitchell. The Twitchells of Bethel were among the flrst settlers. Their ancestor was one of the largest proprietors, and they have ever been numerous and influential. The immediate ancestor of the brothers who came here, was Joseph Twitchell of Sherbourne, Mass., son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Holbrook) Twitchell, and also the grandson and great grandson of Joseph Twitchell. He married June 28, 1739, Deborah Fairbanks. Children : i Samuel, b. Aug. 24, 1740, m. Alice Wilson, r. Dublin, N. H. ii Joseph Jr., b. Nov. 27, 1741, m. Mercy Holbrook, r. Dublin, N. H. iii Elizabeth, b. July 27, 1743, m. Joel AA'hite. iv Eleazer, b. Jan. 22, 1744-5, m. Martha Mason, r. Bethel. V Ezra, b. June 23, 1746, m. Susanna Rice, r. Bethel. vi Martha, b. Dec 16, 1747, m. Nathan Bixby. vii Deborah, b. March 26, l749, d. May 13, 1752. viii Abel, b. May 28, 1751, m. Sarah Adams, r. Dublin, N. H. ix Deborah, b. Dec. 23, 1752, m. Joseph Maynard. x Molly, b. May 17, 1755, m. Moses Rider. xi Amos, b. Dec. 28, 1756, d. in the army. xii Eli, b. Feb. 17, 1759, m. Rhoda Leland, r. Bethel. xiii Peter, baptized Aug. 30, 1760, m. 1st, Sarah Bullard ; 2d, Amy Perry. xiv Julia, b. March 18, 1766, m. William Tucker. Eleazer Twitchell married Martha, daughter of Moses Mason of Dublin, N. H. He was one of the early settlers in Bethel, came here as the agent of his father and built mills. He owned the land where the village of Bethel Hill now is, and gave to the town the common. He died June 23, 1819. Children : i Simeon, b. Feb. 18, 1770, m. Hannah Abbot of Andover, Mass. ii Deborah, b. Feb. 2, 1772, m. Isaac Adams ; he was drowned soon after. iii Martha, b. May 6, 1774, m. Ephraim Rowe. iv Amos, b. Aug. 22. 1776, m. Sally Stearns. V Moses, b. March 6, 1779, m. Miss Harris and went West. vi .Toseph, b. Bethel, March 28, 1782, m. Mary Abbot. vii Lydia, b. May 26, 1784, m. Jesse Cross of Andover; r. Bethel. viii Eleazer, b. Nov. 28, 1786, m. Lydia Mason. ix Sylvanus, b. May 2, 1789, d. Oct. 6, following. X Asa, b. June 1, 1791, m. Miss Gorham and went West. xi Cynthia, b. July 14, 1793. xii Adeline, b. April 2, 1797, m. 1st, Jacob Ellingwood; 2d, Stephen Abbot. HISTORY' OF BETHEL. 627 Deacon Ezra Twitchell, son of Joseph Twitchell, married Susanna Rice of Framingham. Children : i Susanna, b. Nov. 9, 1768, d. Dec. 19, 1776. ii Hannah, b. Nov. 9, 1768. iii Anna, b. Dec. 15, 1770. iv Calvin, b. June 4, 1773, d. young. V Susannah, b. Nov. 27, 1777. vi Calvin, b. Nov. 2, 1779, m. Hannah Coffin. vii Ezra, b. Nov. 24, 1781, m. Betsey Coffin. viii Eli, b. July 26, 1785, ra. 1st, Betsy Gould. ix Thaddeus, b. June 4, 1788, m. Sukey Barker. X Anna, b. Dec. 30, 1790, d. Dec. 19, 1819. xi Nathan P., b. July 2, 1794, m. 1st, Harriet Hills; 2d, Sarah J. Bur bank. Eli Twitchell, brother of the preceding, married Rhoda Leland. He came to Bethel and settled on the North Side of the river, on the farm afterwards occupied by his son-in-law, Barbour Bartlett. Mrs. Twitchell died March 27, 1792. For second wife, he mar ried Lucy Segar who died in 1844. He died in 1845. Children: i Julia, b. July 7, 1788, m. Barbour Bartlett. ii Curatio, b. Aug. 9, 1789, d. Aug. 7, 1791. iii Lucia or Lucretia, b. June 6, 1791, m. John Kimball. By second wife : iv Delinda, b. January 29, 1794, d. Nov. 19, ISOO. Captain Peter Twitchell, youngest son of Joseph Twitchell, kept a tavern in Sherbourne, Mass., and had command of the militia at the time of the funeral of Washington. He came to Bethel after his brothers and was a farmer. He died from the effects of being thrown from his carriage Nov. 18, 1855, aged 94 years and 5 months. He had long been a vegetarian. He married flrst Sarah Bullard and second. Amy Perry. Children : By his flrst wife : i Almon, b. July 10, 1783, d. Nov. 18, 1792. ii Jonathan, b. May 20, 1789, d. unmarried. iii Eli, b. . d. of .small pox Sept. 26, 1792. iv Eli, b. July 22, 1794, m. Sophronia Barker. V Julia, b. April 10, 1797, m. Hollica Greenwood. vi John Adams, b. Sept. 7, 1798, m. Roxana Howe. vii Harriet, b. June 1, 1805, m. Charles W. Farewell. viii Sarah Perry, b. Sept. 6, 1811, m. Nov. 27, 1834, Amasa Bean. 628 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Simeon Twitchell, oldest son of Eleazer, married Hannah Abbot who was born at Andover, Mass., Nov. 18, 1774, and died Sept. 5, 1854. Mr. Twitchell was a farmer and lived on the north side of the river, about two miles from the Bethel bridge. Early in life he engaged somewhat in lumbering. Children. i Sylvanus, b. June 10, 1796, m. Sophia, daughter of Isaac Town. ii Curatio, b. Jan. 16, 1798, m. Betsey Blake, s. Gilead. iii Jonathan, b. Jan. 1800, m. Ann Flanders of Richmond, Me. iv Uzziel, b. Jan. 2, 1802, d. Aug. 31, 1820. V Andrew, b. Dec. 21, 1803, m. Lydia B. Littlehale; he died at Henry, Ills. ; no issue. vi Levi, b. Feb. 10, 1806, m. Agnes M. Russell, d. 1891. vii Lois, b. Jan. 11, 1808, m. Hon, Wm. Frye. viii Moses, b. Aug. 29, 1809, m. Huldah H. Swan. ix Abigail, b. July 31, 1811, m. William Shaw of South Berwick; noi issue. X Hiram, b. Sept. 2, 1813, m. Mary Hunter, r. Bethel. xi Nancy, b. Jan. 25, 1816, m. Capt. Calivin Bakeman, b. Castine, Me.,, Jan. 26, 1798, d. Oct. 27, 1886. The widow resides at Newton JTpper Falls, Mass. Amos Twitchell, son of Eleazer Twitchell, married Sally Stearns. Child : i Rufus, b. Feb. 7, 1802. Joseph Twitchell, son of Eleazer Twitchell, married Mary Abbot. He was the first white child bosm at Bethel Hill, and he spent the most of his long life near the place of his birth. Chil dren : i Deborah, b. Jan. 3, 1805, m. Learned AVMitmaa. ii Martha, b. Nov. 12, 1806, d. unmarried ; S'he was a school teacher. iii Almon (M. D.) b. Sept. 14, 1811, ra. Phebe Buxton. iv Albert, b. June 25, 1814, d. July 29, 1823. V Alfred, b. June 25, 1814, m. Martha A. Stevens. vi Joseph Abbot, b. May 14, 1817, m. Orinda L. Mason. vii Osmon M., b. June 29, 1829, m. Rosalba Chandler. He was a physi cian in Milan, N. H., and moved to Wisconsin. Eleazer Twitchell Jr., married Lydia, daughter of Moses Mason. He lived on the river road that leads from Bethel Hill to Middle Interval. Children : i Susanna Mason, b. Jan. 23, 1814, m. Henry Tuttle. ii Charlotte, b. Aug. 14, 1815, m. Sarauel Walker. iii Amos, b. Sept. 4, 1817, m. Rosanna McGrath, r. Boston. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 629 iv Benjamin Clark, b. March 22, 1819. V Martin Van Buren, b. Nov. 12, 1835. vi Martha, b. , d. aged 18 years, Calvin Twitchell, son of Ezra Twitchell, married Hannah Coflfin. Children : i Sumner, b. July 10, 1801, d. Feb. 21, 1802. ii Renfrew, b. May 21, 1803, s. New York. iii Horton, b. Nov. 5, 1804, s. New York. iv Emily, b. June 17, 1807, m. Samuel Philbrook. V Calvin, b. May 28, 1809, s. New York. vi Hannah, b. Sept. 22, 1812, d. in New York. vii Lawson Buckminister, b. Sept. 6, 1815, s. Rochester, N. Y. viii Stephen Coffin, b. Aug. 20, 1819, d. young. Ezra Twitchell, Jr., was a farmer and mason, and lived on the north side of the river below Mayville. He married Betsey Coflfln and died in 1874, aged 94 years. Children : i Daniel, b. Nov. 24, 1803, d. Aug. 9, 1833. ii Alphin, b. Dec. 27, 1804, m. Roxanna Twitchell. iii Nancy, b. Oct. 2, 1806, d. Oct. 25, 1826. iv Cynthia, b. March 11, 1809, m. John Russell. V Abiah, b. April 27, 1811, d. Dec 5, 1826. vi Sarauel, b. Feb. 2, 1814, d. March 3 following. vii Sarauel Birge, (A. M. M. D.) b. May 27, 1816, m. Sarah E. Swasey of AVakefleld, N. H. viii Richard Eastman, b. Feb. 10, 1819, s. Portland. ix Betsey Chapman, b. June 1, 1821, m. Edward Goddard. X Lucian, b. July 29, 1823, d. Oct. 2, 1849. Eli Twitchell, son of Ezra Twitchell, married Betsey Gould, and second. Abigail Russell. He was a farmer, then a trader on the Hill, then moved to Rushville, New York, where his second wife died and he married a sister of his flrst wife. At Bethel Hill he also kept tavern. Children : i Clarissa, b. March 27, 1808. ii .Ionathan Gould, b. April 14, 1809. iii Athirza, b. Jan. 8, 1811. iv Eli, b. Aug. 6, 1812, d. July 4, 1S31. V Freeman, b. March 20, 1814, m. Thirza M. Paine, d. 1840. vi Betsey, b. Jan. 28, 1816, d. April 3, 1818. vii Ezra, b. Sept. 10, 1819, d. Jan. 3, 1820. viii Nathan, b. Jan. 18, 1818. ix Leander, b. Nov. 30, 1820, d. Aug. 1823. 63d HISTORY OF BETHEL. By second marriage : X Philomela, b. Oct. 25, 1823. xi AVilliam L., b. Feb. 17, 18'25. xii Betsey, b. March 25, 1826, d. Aug. 4, 1826. xiii George AVashington, b. June 14, 1828. Thaddeus Twitchell, son of Ezra Twitchell, married in 1813, Sukey Barker. He was a thrifty farmer at Mayville, and died March 27, 1860. His widow died October 3, 1871. Children : i Abigail B., b. Feb. 1, 1814, m. Dr. Robert G. AViley. ii Roxanna, b. Dec. 20, 1816, m. Alphin Twitchell. iii Mary Elizabeth, b. Jan. 10, 1821, m. Rev. David Garland. iv Susannah R., b. May 30, 1824, m. Rev. Javan K. Mason. V Samuel Barker, b. March 16, 1829, m. Malvina A. Chapman. Nathan F. Twitchell, youngest son of Ezra Twitchell, married first Harriet, daughter, of Amos Hills and second Sarah Jackman, daughter of Jedediah Burbank. He was a carpenter and builder, captain of the mibtia and deacon of the Congregational church. He lived on the north side of the river near Mayville, and died June 10 1873. His second wife died April 3, 1871. Children : i Harriet Hills, b. Aug. 29, 1824, d. Oct. 13, 1837. By second marriage : ii Nancy, b. Nov. 30, 1826, m. Asa P. Knight, d. AVashington, D. C, 1891. iii Joseph Maynard, b. Feb. 29, 1828, m. 1856, Mary Drayer of the Province of New Brunswick. He is a mechanic, resides at Melrose, and does business in Boston. Ten children : iv Lonsville, b. Jan. 18, 1830, married June 10, 1855, Mary A. Farring ton of Andover, Me. He went to jVIinnesota in 1857, and estab- lishejl a business and classical academy. At the breaking out of the war he enlisted as hospital stew-ard and also served as acting as sistant surgeon ; moved to AA'ashington, w-as clerk ten years in the Interior department and since in the Treasury department. Three children : v Esther Angelia, b. June 27, 1832, d. July 5, 1837. vi Chester Loomis, b. Dee. 31, 1834, m. Harriet Tilden. He resides at Appleton, Swift Co. Minnesota. Three children : vii Anna Frances, b. Jan. 24, 1837, married August 23, 1864, David P. Craig who was born Dec. 23, 1836, and is President of the Tempo rary Soldiers' Home at Washington. 3 Children : viii Preston, b. Dec. 10, 1839, m. July 23, 1867, Georgianna Crawford. Enlisted a private in Massachusetts cavalry, served under Butler in the Sonth, promoted 2d and 1st Lieutenant and Capt.ain, wounded at Cedar Cireek Oct. 19, 1864; mustered out May 15, 1865. He be- HISTORY OF BETHEL. 631 came foreman in the repair shops of the Mexican Central railway, and was murdered at Tamos, Mexico, Oct. 23, 1891. Family reside at Cincinnati, Ohio. ix Nathan Riee, b. June 2, 1841, m. 1879, Nellie Fowle of Boston. He served 9 months in a Massachusetts regiment ; went to Colorado in 1876, located at Salida, engaged in mining in Arizona ; was inter ested in the great "Silver King" mine and in other mining opera tions ; resides at Denver City and a member of the stock exchange. X Fordyce Parker, b. April 16, 1844, m. Dec. 28, 1877, Maria Robinson. He is a merchant and farmer at Appleton, Minnesota. Four chil dren : xi Sarah Emily, b. Nov. 5, 1846, m. Dec. 31, 1889, J. A. B. Espey who is superintendent of a division in the Government Printing office at AA'ashington, D. C. CoL. Eli Twitchell, son of Captain Peter Twitchell, married December 5, 1822, Sophronia, daughter of Deacon Samuel Barker, who died March 1861. He resided at West Bethel. Children : i Edward Perry, b. Aug. 17, 1823, d. young. ii Ann Johnson, b. Nov. 12, 1825, ra. Oct. 17, 1849, Jarvis Chapman iii Edw-ard Perry, b. July 18, 1827. iv AVilliam Barker, b. Oct. 21, 1829. V George H. Greenw-ood, b. March 24, 1832. vi Charles McClellen, b. Jan. 11, 1834, d. Dec. 15, 1834. vii Ellen Maria, b. April 15, 1835, viii Charles Jenkins, b. Nov. 8, 1838. ix Alice Amelia, b. March 24, 1841. X Fanny Barker, b. March 25, 1844; d. Nov. 21, 1845. xi Caroline Little, b. Feb. 21, 1847, ra. Osborne J. Pierce, r. Chicago, ni. John Adams Twitchell married Roxanna, daughter of Jacob Howe who died Feb. 22, 1888. Children : i Thomas Elw-yn, b. May 15, 1824. He married flrstly, Dolly G. Barker of Bethel w-ho died, aud he married secondly, Frances S. Chapman. He was mail agent on the Grand Trunk, long a wholesale mer chant in Portland, and representative to the Legislature. He died January 31, 1886. ii Mary Araanda, b. Dec. 5, 1825, d. April 6, 1846. iii Salome Greenwood, b. Oct. 4, 1828 ; she graduated at Bradford semi nary, and was a teacher there. She now resides in Bethel unmar ried. iv Daniel Alphin, b. Feb. 25, 1831. He was in trade at Bethel, married Cyrene S. Ayer and died of diphtheria June 20, 1863. V Roxana Althea, b. Feb. 15, 1836, m. Joseph F. French of Haverhill, Mass. 632 HISTORY OF BE'THEL. vi John Quincy Adams, b. May 18, 1838. He is a merchant in Portland, at the head of the wholesale grocery and provision flrm of Twitchell Champlin Company. He married Angie B. Marble of Portland. vii Lydia Lucinda, b. Aug. 8, 1841, d. Aug. 11, 1874. Sylvanus Twitchell, son of Simeon Twitchell, married Sophia Town. He moved to Orono, Me. Children : i Sylvia, b. Sept. 2, 1821, d. Aug. 8, 1823. ii Leonard Newton, b. Feb. 3, 1825, d. Dec. 1830. iii William Frye, b. Aug. 29, 1827. iv James O'Connell, b. Sept. 21, 1829. V Infant, b. Sept. 16, 1826, d, next day. Curatio Twitchell, son of Simeon, married Betsey, daughter of David Blake. Children : i Uzziel, b. April 27, 1824. both deceased. ii Lucy Marilla, b. Levi Twitchell, son of Simeon Twitchell, was born Feb. 11, 1806, and died April 23, 1891. He married Nov. 15, 1836, Agnes, daughter of Stephen A. Russell. He was a farmer. He died from the results of an injury in the spring of 1891. She died very sud denly at Bethel Jan. 9, 1892. Children : i Harriet Ann, b. Aug. 26, 1837. ii Levi, b. March 16, 1839, d. Aug. 15, 1S56. iii Eunice M., b. Nov. 26, 1840. iv Jonathan M., b. Nov. 7, 1843, d. aged 7 years. V Joshua B., b. , d. Aug. 28, 1847. vi Thirza J., b. , 1847, d. Aug. 10, 1850. Almon Twitchell, M. D., son of Joseph Twitchell, married Phebe M. Buxton of North Yarmouth. Children : i Alice Gray, b. July 18, 1844, unmarried, matron of Maine Insane Hos pital. ii Cornelia Buxton, b. Sept. 19, 1845, d. 1847. iii George Morris, D. D. S., b. Sept. 17, 1847, m. Florence Allen, r. Au gusta. iv Mary Jane, b. Sept. 10, 1849, m. Austin A. Trull, d. V Edward Almon, b. Nov. 22, 1853, d. Aug., 1854. vi Anna Buxton, b. May 1, 1856, m. Sidney I French, r. Bethel.. JOSEPH A. TWITCHELL. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 63S Alfred Twitchell, son of Joseph Twitchell, married Martha, daughter of Ebenezer Stevens of Sweden. He is a shoe-maker and resides at Bethel Hill. Children : i Mary Elizabeth, b. April 27, 1840, m. Wm. H. Chandler. ii Ozmon Mason, b. Sept. 2, 1842, m. Alice J. Smith. iii Austin Frisbie, b. May 11, 1845, m. Anna L. McAUa. iv Alfred Eugene, b. May 11, 1848, m. Dora Littlehale, d. V Horace Q. B., b. April 27, 1851. vi Fanny Perley, b. January 27, 1855. ' Joseph Abbot Twitchell, son of Joseph and Mary (Abbot) Twitchell, was born on Bethel Hill, May nineteenth, eighteen hun dred and seventeen, and died of pneumonia. May second, eighteen hundred and ninety. He had always lived at Bethel Hill on part of the old homestead of his grandfather, and no man was better known in the village or in the west parish of Bethel. He was by occupation a shoe-maker, but after the wants of the people began to be, for the most part supplied with ready made boots and shoes from the factories, he became a dealer in these goods. He was a quiet, peaceable man, one who took life easy and undisturbed by outside influences, pursued the even tenor of his way. He was a de cided temperance man, both theoretically and practically, and joined each of the leading organizations for the promotion of tem perance, in which he was an active member. He was a leading member of the Universalist organization at Bethel Hill, and exem- plifled his faith by a life of charitable deeds. It was said of him that "he had not an enemy in the world." He married Dec. 12, 1839, Orinda Leonard, daughter of John Mason of Gilead, early in Bethel, who survives him. Children : i Albert S., b. Sept. 16, 1840, m. Emraa A. Howland. ii Virgil V., b. June 27, 1842. He was connected with the Portland Ad vertiser for several years, then went to Gorham, N. H., and founded the "Mountaineer," a weekly paper which he ably con ducted up to the time of his decease. He was a ready w-riter and a natural born newspaper man. He was genial and made friends wherever he went. He was married at Portland, Sept. 18, 1866, to Georgie E. Cary who was born at Saccarappa, June 15, 1847. They have had three children, two of whom, a son and daughter are liv ing. Mr, Twitchell died of pneumonia after a brief illness, Jan. 4,. 1892. iii William L., b. Aug. 17, 1844, d. 1869. iv Joseph, b. July 13, 1846, d. in infancy. V Charles E., b. July 24, 1848, d. 1867. vi Ada A., b. Dec. 12, 1856, m. AValton AAlght, r. Hartford, Conn. '634 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Alphin Twitchell, son of Ezra Twitchell Jr., married Roxanna, ¦daughter of Thaddeus Twitchell. He lived near Mayville, was an active business man ; a farmer and dealer in cattle, often in town •ofldce, a good citizen and highly respected. Children : i Adelbert B., b. Dec. 14, 1836. ii Adeltha, b. April 13, 1840. iii Amelia J., b. Sept. 2, 1842, m. John M. Gould, r. Portland. iv Adelia B., b. May 7, 1847, d. Feb. 1848. V Mary Ella, b. April 23, 1849. vi Herbert P., b. Nov. 16, 1859, m. Alice J. Gould. vii Clai-a P., b. May 25, 1864. Samuel Barker Twitchell, son of Thaddeus Twitchell, resides at the homestead of his father, has erected elegant buildings and keeps a summer boarding house. He is a capable busin'ess man, has been much in town office and has served two terms in the Maine Legislature. He married Dec. 11, 1853, Malvina A., daughter of Timothy Chapman, a most amiable woman now deceased. Chil dren : i Marion Blanchard, b. Nov. 4, 1855, m. Clarence W. Hobbs, r. Lynn, Mass. ii Susie Barker, b. Nov. 17, 1861. iii Florence Eliza, b. Oct. 12, 1869. Daniel A. Twitchell, son of Adams Twitchell, married Cyrene ;S. Ayer. He was in trade on the Hill and died in early manhood of diphtheria. Child : i Ada L., b. Dee. 18, 1858. Herbert F. Twitchell, son of Alphin Twitchell, was educated in the common schools and at Gould's Academy in Bethel. He was clerk in a retail dry goods store for a year ; studied medicine and graduated from the Maine Medical school in 1883 ; served one year as house physician at the Maine General Hospital, and then went into general practice at Freeport, Me. He was married May 14, 1885, to Alice J., daughter of Rev. S. L. Gould. He has met with marked success-in the practice of his profession. Freeman Twitchell, son of Eli Twitchell, married Thirza M. Paine and died June 1, 1840. He was a house-carpenter, an extra workman and a man highly respected in the community. He re sided at Bethel Hill. Children : HISTORY OF BETHEL. 635 i Ozro Leander, b. July 17, 1837, r. Grass Valley, Cal. ii Elizabeth, b. Dec 5, 1838. Iii Thomas Freeman, b, Nov. 4, 1840, r. Grass Valley, Cal. Cyrus Twitchell, son of Abel and Sarah (Adams) Twitchell, of Sherbourne, Mass., and grandson of Joseph Twitchell of Sher bourne, born March 13, 1778, married January 16, 1801, Eunice Belknap who was born March 8, 1778, and came flrst to Bethel where he lived a few years and then removed to Milan, N. H., where he died Sept. 19. 1873, aged 95 years and 6 months. His wife died April 4, 1856 aged 78. He was a farmer and lived on the place now occupied by his son, Adams Twitchell, Esq , and grand son Cassius Twitchell. Children : i Ransom, b. Oct. 31, 1801, ra. Aug. -26, 1824, Julia E. Swan, d. Nov. 7, 1879. ii Gilman, b. Dec. 27, 1802, m. Lucy Harris, d. March 17, 1867. iii George Sullivan, b. April 18, 1804, m. Emily Harvey of Providence, R.I. iv Cyrus, b. Aug. 10, 1805, d. Oct. 9, 1806. v Cj'rus, b. March 25, 1807, m. Rebecca B. Heath, d. April 25, 1854. vi Harvey, b. Nov. 21, 1808, d. Feb. 16, 1814. vii Hannah, b. July 4, 1810, m. Sept. 13, 1828, Nathan Bickford, d. Jan. 11, 1872. viii Adams, b. Jan. 27, 1812, m. Oct. 31, 1843, Lusylvia, daughter of Ebenezer Bartlett of Bethel, He is a farmer and lumberman, w-as formerly in trade at Milan, and has had a long and successful busi ness career. ix Clayton, b. Jan. 13, 1814, m. Feb. 23, 1834, Mary Phipps, d. Dec 6, 1877. X Lucy, b. Nov. 15, 1815, d. July 5, 1816. xi Harry, b. June 21, 1817, d. March 21, 1852. xii Lucy, b. April 4, 1821, d. Sept. 2, 1823. Upton. Tilden Upton, born in North Reading, Mass., a teacher and farmer, married Sept. 2, 1862, atCarmin, Illinois, Martha Barnard, daughter of Seth B. Newell of Bethel. He died at North Reading, .Sept. 6, 1866. Children: i Horatio Newell, b. Carmin, 111., July 26, 1863. ii Abbie Damon, b. Bethel, July 25, 1866. 636 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Valentine. Alfred Wilbur Valentine, born in Hopkinton, Massr,.Aug. 8,^ 1841, married May 18, 1864, Lauretta Miranda Green. He was a farmer much interested in agriculture and in associated effort to improve the condition of the tillers of the soil. He was a leading member of the Bethel Grange. He died June 14, 1888. Children : i Charles Elmer, b. March 14, 1865. ii Fred Ambrose, b. Oct. 28, 1868, d. March 14, 1869. iii William Alton, b. Jan. 8, 1870. Walker. The Walkers of Bethel are from Concord, New Hampshire. John Walker, son of James and Ruth (Abbot) Walker,, born May 8, 1763, came to Bethel Hill quite early. His wife was Eliza Calef who died Nov. 14, 1«29. He died Feb. 25, 1830. He was a tailor by trade, and lived on the place afterwards occupied by, George Chapman. Children : i Joseph C, b. , m. Lucinda Hale of AVaterford. ii James, b. , ra. Hannah Barker. iii Hannah, b. , m. Isaac Pressey of Mercer. iv Abial, b. , m. Armina Stevens of Greenwood. He moved to • Dummer, N. H. V Ruth, b. . vi Eliza, b. , d. Jan. 11, 1835. vii Charles, b. Aug. 7, 1809, m. Louisa Barker of Bridgton. viii Betsey b. . James Walker, brother of the preceding, born July 26, 1778,. and died Sept. 4, 1826. He was a Congregational minister; he married first Abigail Chapman of Bethel who died Oct. 3, 1807,. and second Patty Ingalls of Shelburne, N. H. He was also an early trader at Bethel Hill. Children : By flrst marriage : i Milton Cliapinan, b. :March 2, 1805. ii Abigail Chapman, b. May 21,1807, d. young. By second marriage : iii Abigail Chapman, b. June 14, 1811. iv Robert Ingalls, h. Sept. 24, 1813. v .Tames Abbot, b. Dec. 14, 1816. Peter Walker, brother of the preceding, born July 6, 1780,. married in Fryeburg, Jan. 3. 1808, Abigail Swan. He came from that town to Bethel. Children : i AVilliam Swan, b. Dec 12, 1810, d. April 1, 1836. ii Galen Carter, b. Dec 4, 1814, m. Lois 0. Pillsbury. iii Lyimin, b. Oct. 28, 1817, m. Lucy Ann Pratt, iv Clement A., b. July 3, 18-20. v Charles W., b. Nov. 25, 1822. vi .Tudith, b. April 26, 1826. vii Henry D., b. Sept. 1, 1829. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 637 James Walker, spn of John Walker, married Hannah I. Barker. IHe was the proprietor of Walker's Mills. Children : i Lucretia, b. July 8, 18'24, m. S. R. Johnson, s. Milwaukee, AVis. ii Nancy Eliza, b. Nov. 15, 1828, m. Pinckney Burnham. iii Hannah Fisk, b. April 12, 1832. iv John Barker, b. April 17, 1834. v Augusta, b. May 24, 1836. vi Emeline, b. Dec. 21, 1838, ra. Newton Grover. vii Cullen Fordyce, b. Feb. 15, 1841, m. Mary E. Twitchell. viii Alma Ingalls, b. July 13, 1843. Seth Walker, born in Chatham, N. H., Feb. 7, '1836, married April 28, 1860, Mary Ellen, daughter of Ayers and Eunice (Hale) Mason. He has long been a dealer in hardware and stoves at Bethel Hill. Children : i Edith Alberta, b. Oct. '20, 1863. ii Ernest Mason, b. April 24, 1865. iii Lulu May, b. April 2, 1868, d. Aug. 26, following. iv Edith May, b. Sept. 16, 1873. Wheeler Joseph Wheeler, born in Langdon, N. H., Nov. 26, 1789, was the son of Joseph Wheeler who was born in Temple, N. H., Nov. 9, 1766, and grandson of Peter Wheeler who was born Feb. 22, 1732, and married Mehitable Jewett of Bradford, Mass. Joseph Wheeler married Naomi, daughter of Deacon James Grover, who was born in Mansfield, Mass., Sept. 28, 1770. He came to Bethel in the fall of 1793. He had previously been here and made a small clearing upon lot 29, in the 5th range. He had a barn 36x40 built upon it for which he paid one hundred silver dollars. He was an in dustrious man and cleared up a large farm which is still in posses sion of the family. Children : i Joseph, b. Nov. 26, 1789, m. Olive Gage. ii James, b. Nov. 24, 1791, ra. Esther Grover. iii Naomi, b. Dec. 9, 1790, d. Feb. 3, following. iv Daniel, b. Jan. 19, 1793, m. Sarah Cummings of Albany. V Benjamin, b. Jan. 6, 1795, m. Betsey Seavy. vi Jedediah, b. March 3, 1796, d. Nov. 3, following. vii Peter, b. Aug. 27, 1797, m. Phebe Haskell of Sweden. viii Sarah, b. Jan. 14, 1799, d. Aug. 7, 1819. ix Joel, b. Aug. 14, 1800, m. Sarah Coffin of Gilead. X Alvah, b. Aug. "29, 1803, m. Martha Haskell of Sweden. xi Elijah, b. Feb. 7, 1806, ra. Lydia Haskell of Sweden and lives in Albany, Me. - xii Naomi, b. April 9, 1809, m. Jacob D. Grover. 638 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Joseph Wheeler married Nov. 26, 1813, Olive, daughter of Daniel Gage who was born in Bethel, April 12, 1799, and died Aug. 23, 1860. He died Jan. 29, 1873. Mr. Wheeler and wife were educated in the Bethel schools and were intelligent, industrious and upright people. Children : i Sarah Gage, b. Oct. 23, 1814. ii Joseph, b. Sept. 9, 1816, m. Eliza R. Clark, r. South Paris. iii Olive, b. Nov. 3, 1818, m. 1839, Almon Grover. iv Emeline Abigail, b. Jan. 10, 1821, m. 1850, Brockley Shaw-, d. East Abington, 1851. V Daniel Gage, b. April 1, 1823, m. Clara Ann' Boothby. vi Elbridge Gerry, b. July 8, 1825, m. 1st Melissa Grover and 2d, Me hitable Jane Grover. vii Mary, b. June 18, 1827, m. Nelson Lowell, d. March 9, 1891. viii Gabriella, b. Oct. 21, 1829, d. Aug. 17, 1833. ix Malvina, b. Nov. 3, 1831, m. 1861, Van Buren Grover. James Wheeler married Esther, daughter of Jedediah Grover. He settled on Grover Hill and then moved to Albany. Children : i Esther, b. Jan. 24, 1816. ii James AA'ellman, b. April 28, 1818, accidentally killed. iii Hannah, b. Dec. 30, 1819, ra. John B. Hazeltine. iv Silas, b. , m. Lucy Ann Hibbard. V Jedediah, b. , moved to Portland. vi Zachariah, b. . He was educated at the Cobb Divinity school and became a preacher. vii Abigail, b. , m. Alvin Hobart, r. Albany. Daniel Wheeler married Sarah Cummings of Albany. Chil dren : i Almira, b. Dec. 9, 1820, d. Oct. 19, 1826. ii Daniel C, b. Aug. 15, 1822, d. Sept. 3, 1823. iii Melita, b. Aug. 19, 1824. iv Hannah A., b. Feb. 16, 1826, m. Parker P. Pingree, Topsfield, Mass. V Daniel, b. April 23, 1828, d. May 2, 1832. vi Evander, b. June 1, 1830, d. May 6, 1832. vii Son, b. April 8, 1832, d. June 12, following. viii Laona, b. March 13, 1833. ix Leonard, b. March 13, 1833. Benjamin Wheeler, born in Bethel, married Betsey, daughter of Clement Seavy, and lived on the farm now occupied by Albert B. Grover. Children : i Benjamin Seavy, b. Nov. 13, 1818, m. Eliza Dawes of Harrison. ii Sarah, b. March 22, 1820, d. Nov. 1, 1828. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 639' iii Eliza J., b. June 5, 1822, d. Nov. 13, 1839. iv Naomi Grover, b. July 5, 1824, m. John B. Mason, d. Feb. 15, 1845. V Alfred, b. Sept. 5, 1826, d. April 15^1831. vi Irene A., b. July 1, 1828, d. Sept. 6, 1831. vii Sylvia, b. Aug. 28, 1831, m. Oliver Edson of Harrison. viii Melissa, b. Sept. 27, 1835, m. Alanson Dawes, r. Harrison. ix Hannah, b. , 1837, m. William Ward of Harrison. Peter Wheeler was born, reared and always lived on the old! homestead on Grover Hill. He was an honest and painstaking farmer and a kind and accommodating neighbor. He married. Phebe Haskell of Sweden. Children : i Caroline, b. Sept. 29, 1828, m. Wra. F. Horn, r. MUan, N. H. ii William M., b. May 3, 1825, d. Aug. 31, 1827. iii Peter Jr., b. May 26, 1831, m. Jan. 2, 1868, Mrs. Hattie Stover and re sides on the old homestead. iv Galen, b. Oct. 12, 1833, m. Dec. 25, 1855, Frances A. Harden, r. Milan, N. H. V Rowena, b. Aug. 18, 1836, m. Alexander AV. Grover and died in. Bethel, May 3, 1862. Joel Wheeler married Sarah, daughter of Daniel CoflSn of Gilead. He moved to Albany and then to Milan, N. H., where he- died aged 84 years. Children : i Columbia Rawson, b. April 9, 1822. ii Electa Pamelia, b. July 25, 18-23. iii Christopher C, b. March 29, 1825. iv William P., b. Aug. 13, 1826. V Columbia, b. . vi Naomi G. AV., b. . vii Betsy, b. . viii Fernando C. ix George Fox. X Sarah. xi Mary Dyer. Alvah Wheeler married Martha Haskell of Sweden. Children : i Lucy Matilda, b. Feb. 12, 1833. Joseph Wheeler Jr., married March 5, 1843, Eliza Clark of Bethel. He is a farmer, has resided in Bethel, Mason and Albany and now in Paris. Children : i John Kimball, b. Jan. 5. 1845. ii Charles Elbridge, b. August 25, 1847, d. at Lincoln Hospital August 6, 1864. ¦640 HISTORY OF BETHEL. iii Ellery Freeman, b. March 5, 1848. iv AVendell Edson, b. Sept. 11, 1850. V Pierce Elliot, b. Feb. 28, 1852. vi Nelson Blake, b. August 9, 1854. vii Hannibal Lincoln, b. Sept. 12, 1860. viii Ulysses Grant, b. May 26, 1862. Daniel Gage Wheeler, son of Joseph Wheeler, married Clara Ann Boothby of Turner and settled in that part of Abbington, Mass., which is now called Rockland. He has resided there for nearly flfty years, and has filled many responsible positions. He served two enlistments in the late war. Children : i Channing Eugene, b. March 2, 1848, d. May 9, 1852. ii Emma Etta, b. April 9, 1850. iii Clarence Eldon, b. July 6, 1852. iv Daniel Laforest, b. Oct. 10, 1854. V Laura, b. , 1856, d. young. vi Arthur Wilson, b. April 1859. He graduated from Amherst College, was elected Professor in Smith College, but died at Johns Hopkins University before entering upon its duties. vii Freddie, b. , 1863, d. young. viii Cuvier Gage, b. July 29, 1867. Elbridge Gerry Wheeler, son of Joseph Wheeler, was edu cated in the common schools, and in early manhood settled in East Abbington where he engaged in the shoe business. Returning to Maine, he carried on the same business at West Bethel for nearly thirty years, when he settled upon a farm. In politics, he was early a free soiler, and later a republican. He has been prominent in town affairs having served seven years as selectman and also in other po sitions of trust. He is a prominent free mason. He married first, Melissa, daughter of George W. Grover and second, Mehitable Jane, daughter of Hezekiah Grover. Children : i Ella Melissa, b. March 3, 1851, m. Sept. 30, 1871, Ralph W. Bean, r. Archer, Cal. By second marriage : ii Minnie Estella, b. May 3, 1863 ; she w-as educated at Gould's Academy and Bates College and is a teacher. iii Flora Jane, b. July 9, 1864, was educated at Gould's Academy and elsewhere and is also a teacher. iv Edward Elbridge, b. Jan. 29, 1869. He fltted for college and entered at Bates in the class of 1892. He was a young man of great promise but was attacked with the grip from which he did not recover and which resulted in consumption of which he died October 31, 1891. HISTORY OF BETHEL. ' 641 Galen Wheeler, son of Peter Wheeler, married Frances A. Harden and resides in Milan, N. H. Children : i Edwin E., b. Jan. 20, 1857. ii Nellie E., b. Nov. 4, 1860. iii Frank E., b. Oct. 26, 1862. iv Ernest a., b. April 6, 1866. Jonathan Wheeler, a younger brother of Joseph Wheeler, mar ried Hannah Colburn and came to Bethel about the same time as his brother, and lived on what is now the Freeland Bennett place. Children : i Jonathan, b. Feb. 1, 1797, m. Mary Ann Seavy. ii Abel, b. Aug. 30, 1801, m. New-ell s. Albany. iii Polly, b. 21, 1805. iv Elias Colburn, b. Jan. 1, 1811. V Abigail, b. Nov. 23, 1814. Amos Wheeler, the well known jeweller and itinerant clock re pairer was born in Langdon, N. H., Aug. 30, 1787, and died at Milan, N. H., Jan. 4, 1876. He married Dec. 27, 1812, Lydia Pearson Gould who was born in Wolfboro, N. H., July 21, 1793, and died Jan. 26, 1824, and he married second, Eunice Morse who was born in Otisfield, Aug. 27. 1800, and died in Bethel, April 13, 1836. For third wife, he married Nancy Brown born at Water ford Aug. 8, 1801, and died at Bethel. Children : i Daughter, b. Shelburne, N. H., March 26, 1814, d. next day. ii Zenas, b. Feb. 5, 1816, m. Nancy Sparkes, d. 1869. iii Lydia Gould, b. Feb. 24, 1820, m. Oct. 13, 1839, James M. Phipps of Milan, N. H. By second marriage : iv Mariana, b. Nov. 12, 1825, m. George W. Furbush. V Horatio A., b. Mason, March 13, 1829, d. June 1, 1830. vi Lucy Marilla, b. April 18, 1831, d. April 21, 1833. vii Lucy Abigail, b. May 28, 1833, m. David S. Abbot of Grafton. Whitman. Winchester Whitman, son of Luther Whitman of Woodstock, married Hannah M. Paine of Greenwood. He lived in the east part of the town. He had several children but only one is on record. Child : i Eliza Prances, b. July 26, 1833. 41 642 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Learned Whitman, son of Luther Whitman of Woodstock, born Feb. 17, 1808, married flrst, in 1829, Deborah, daughter of Joseph Twitchell of Bethel, who died and he married second in 1845,, Angeline Stiles. He lived on Grover Hill and died there. His children returned in the census of 1870 were as follows : i Dora v., b. 1849; ii Albert L., b. 1850; iii Alvernon B., b. 1849; iv Albert, M., b. 1852; v Oscar F., b. 1855; vi Rowena M., b. 1857; vii Elden R., b. 1860; viii Mellen M., b. 1862. William Whitman, a Free Baptist exhorter, came to this town having a family. He lost his wife and married Fanny Annas wtio soon after died, and he married her sister, Betsey Annas. Chil dren : By last marriage : i Ruby Roseltha, b. Nov. 16, 1835, m. William Crooker. ii Corgeanna Delena, b. April 8, 1838. iii Charles Richards, b. Jan. 27, 1541. Whitney. Isaac S. Whitney married Maria . Children : i Mary W., b. June 9, 1837. ii Zeri, b. Aug. 19, 1839. Wight. Joel Wight, the flfth in descent from Thomas Wight who set tled in Dedham, Mass., in 1637, married Elizabeth Twitchell. He lived in Dublin, N. H., in Sherburne, Mass., and came to Gilead. Children : i Hannah, b. March 11, 1769. ii Ephraim, b. May 20, 1771. iii Eli, b. May 6, 1773. iv Anna, b. , m. Isaac Stearns. V Olive, b. • , m. Isaac Adams. vi Elizabeth, b. . vii Ehza, b. , m. Josiah Stearns. viii Seth, b. May 21, 1783, ra. Lydia Mason. Seth Wight, son of the preceding, married Lydia, daughter of John Mason of Gilead. He lived a few years in Gilead, then moved to Bethel where he died. His place was west of Robertson Hill, on the road between Bethel Hill and West Bethel. He died Dec. 29, 1863, and his widow died Aug. 8, 1872. Children : HISTORY OF BETHEL. 643 i Nahum, b. Gilead, Nov. 27, 1S07, M. D., Maine Medical School 1832, married Mary Straw and moved to Gilmanton, N. H. He studied w-ith Dr. Johu Grover and died in 1880. ii Almira, b. Nov. 20, 1807, d. Jan. 22, 1810. iii Daniel Ormsbv, b. Mar. 1, 1811, m. Julia A. Peabody, d. June 7, 1872. iv Rebecca Haywood, b. Dec. 22, 1812, m. Asa Peabody, d. Feb. 20, 1885. V Seth Jr., b. Aug. 8, 1815, m. Barbara Ann Bean. vi Eli, b. Jan. 16, 1818, d. Aug. 26, 1841. vii Mary Moore, b. Jan. 22, 1820, m. Cyrus K. Kelly, d. March 6, 1886. viii Lydia Mason, b. Feb. 9, 1822 m. Joseph Smith. ix Harriet Delphina, b. May 7, 1824, m. Charles D. Smith. X Alexander Patrick, b. .March 17, 1820. m. Eliza A. Hart. xi Joseph, b. Feb. 19, 1828, d. March 6, following. xii Franklin Adams, b. March 2, 1830, d. July 6, 1833. xiii Esther Sew-all, b. Aug. 6, 1832, m. Dr. Charles M. Fellows, Ply mouth, N. H., d. Dec -29, 1876. xiv Joel AVilson Learned, b. Oct. 1, 1835, d. Nov. 10, 1841. Seth Wight Jr. married Barbara Ann, daughter of Justus Bean.. He lives at West Bethel. His wife died suddenly January 4, 1892. Children : i Augusta AVard, b. Sept. 2, 1839, m. Nov. 25, 1862, E. Payson Grover. ii Eli Mellen M. D., b. ^Nlay 4, 1841, m. Jan. 14, 1866, Millicent Blair- He died at Chatanooga, Tenn., Jan. 6, 1881.* iii Seth Jairus, b. April 8, 1843, d. Jan. 24, 1869. iv Mary Elizabeth, b. March 7, 1845, d. April 15, 1847. V Edwdn Eastman, b. May 15, 1847, d. Feb. 26, 1854. vi Henry Spencer, b. Sept. 1, 1850. vii Loui Jane, b. Jan. 12, 1853, d. Aug. 1, 1877. viii Charlie Smith, b. Nov. 13, 1855. ix Anna Rebecca, b. Jan. 11, 1857, m. George A. Grover. X Sarah Belle, b. Feb. 28, 1861. Daniel Wight married Hannah . Child : Thomas, b. March 2, 1799. Timothy Wight married Mary Ann . He lived at one time at Bethel Hill. Only the birth of one child is recorded on Bethel records : Wesley, b. May 26, 18.34. *He enlisted and was commisioned as Lieutenant in Company B. 23d Me. Volunteers^ but soon resigned. He graduated in medicine and after the close of the war settled at Chatanooga, Tennessee. He had an extensive practice and became, in a short time, a leading citizen. He was on the State Board of Health, and held other important official positions. He died from the result of over-work and exposure, much lamented by a wide circle of friends. 644 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Wiley. Dr. Robert Goodwin Wiley came here from Fryeburg and mar ried Abigail B. Twitchell. He was the son of Benjamin Jr., and Mary D. (Bryant) Wiley and was born Nov. 7, 1807. Children : i Leland Barker, b. June 6, 1837, d. May 12, 1839. ii Philantheus Cleveland, b. Feb. 20, 1840. He graduated at Bowdoin College and Maine Medical School, settled in practice in Bethel where he had great success, was drowned in Magalloway river when he was going to visit a patient. He married Mary E., daugh ter of Hon. Elias M. Carter. iii Philelius Leland, b. Jan. 20, 1843, d. Oct. 20, 1850. iv Goodwin Robert, b. Jan. 13, 1846, m. Matilda O. Swift. V Thaddeus Twitchell, b. Jan. 10, 1848, d. Oct. 12, 1850. vi Lawson Buckminster, b. May 26, 1852, d. Jan. 8, 1856. yii Mary Elizabeth, b. Jan. 28, 1856. tJooDWiN Robert Wiley, son of Dr. Robert 6. Wiley, is a skill- :ful druggist and pharmacist at Bethel Hill. He is a very capable ^business man, especially in clerical work. He has been town clerk, 'is clerk of the village corporation, and secretary of the trustees of 'Gould's Academy. His books are models of neatness and accuracy. jHc is a prominent Mason and has held the second highest office in the Grand Lodge. He built and occupies the elegant house below ¦the academy. He married Oct. 5, 1869, Matilda Olive, daughter of iNewton Swift. Children : i Blanche, b. June 24, 1872, d. Aug. 18, 1875. ii Goodwin Arthur, b. Jan. 6, 1874. iu Howard, b. Jan. 21, 1876. iv Bertha May, b. July 22, 1880. Y Gladys Rose, b. May 22, 1886. Willis". Jonas Willis came from Sudbury, Mass., to Bethel when a young man. He married Susan Barbour first who died April 3, 1808, and second Charlotte Bartlett. He lived in what is now Hanover. Children : i Joseph, b. Jan. 22, 1793, d. Nov. 11, 1815. ii Joanna, b. March 31, 1794, m. Elhanan Bartlett. iii Adam, b. Dec 20, 1796, m. Mary Adams. iv Harriet, b. Segt. 24, 1799, m. Clark Kimball. V Virtue, b. Aug. 8, 1803, m. Robert C. Kimball of Rumford. vi Zenas, b. Nov. 8, 1806, d. Oct. 19, 1812. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 645' By second wife : vii Jonas Barbour, b. Aug. 16, 1809. viii Susanna, b. Feb. 26, 1813, m. Jotham S. Lane. ix Mary Adams, b. Nov. 10, 1815. X Ball Bartlett, b. March 6, 1820, m. Joan AV. Roberts.. Adam Willis, son of Jonas Willis, married Mary Adams of Arn- dover, born May 30, 1796. He lived on the north side of the river below Bartlett's Ferry, removed to Fayette and died there May 14, 1874. His widow died April 15, 1881. Children : i William Adams, b. Sept. 16, 1822, m. Feb. 17, 1850, EuniceE. Hibbard. She died and he m. 2d Jan. 11, 1876, Nancy G. Adams. ii Asenath, b. May 17, 1825, m. Dr. Charles Russell. iii John Emery, b. April 7, 1827, m. March 28, 1849, Laura AVight of Gilead. He was killed by the cars after the war. iv Ethan, b. Dec. 7, 1829, m. Selina Wight of Gilead. v Thomas AVeston, b. Dec. 12, 1833, m. July 3, 1858, .lulia L., daughter of Peter G. Smith. Jonas Barbour Willis, son of Jonas Willis, married Salome Stearns of Bethel. Children : i Charles S., b. Feb. 12, 1833. ii Nathan J., b. Jan. 24, 1835, d. Sept. 18, 1837. iii Octavus N., b. Aug. 7, 1838. iv Salome B., b. Jan. 24, 1841. V Frances H., b. Nov. 19, 1844. Ball Bartlett Willis, son of Jonas Willis, lived on the home stead of his father in Bethel, then moved to Lewiston where he died July 14, 1873. He married Dec. 5, 1841, Joan W., daughter of Joshua Roberts, who was born Sept. 25, 1822, and died May 11, 1860. Children : i Olive S., b. June 26, 1843, m. Dec 1, 1864, Albert AV. Grover. ii Mary M., b. Apr. 25, 1848, ra. July 12, 1875, John T. Cleveland. iii Alice C, b. April 30, 1854. Wilson. Hiram H. Wilson, son of Evans and Anna (Bray) Wilson, mar ried in 1851, Mary, daughter of John and Esther (Russell) Oliver. He is a farmer and resides at Bethel, Children : 5 i Virgil Lincoln, b. Sept 10, 1852, m. Kate A. Maloney. ii Austin Oliver, b. May 24, 1859, d. Jan. 6, 1860. iii Irving Hiram, b. Dec. 28, 1862. iv Mary Lizzie, b. March 1, 1865, d. Api'. 13, 1886. €46 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Williamson. William Williamson from Ireland, married Eliza. He was a shoemaker and moved to Newry. Children : i Ann Eliza, b. Nov. 4, 1835. ii Rebecca, b. July 18, 1838, d. March 5, 1843. iii Wm. Henry, b. March 17, 1841. Woodbury. Hon. Enoch Webster Woodbury, son of Andrew and Sally (Stevens) Woodbury, was born in Sweden, Maine, January 8, 1818. He was married July 2, 1840, to Sally Ludlow, daughter of Aaron and Phebe (Chadbourne) Kimball of Bridgton, who died at Augusta, Me., in 1889. Mr. Woodbury has been much in public life. He was a farmer in Sweden for many years, served two terms in the Maine Senate, was Superintendent of the State Reform School and Judge of Probate for Oxford county. His farm build ings in Sweden having been destroyed by fire, a few j'ears ago, he came to Bethel and went into trade with the late Robert A. Chap man. He subsequently associated with himself his son-in-law, Josiah U. Purington, and the firm is still carrying on a large busi ness in trade, making a specialty of flour, corn aud feed, but keep ing a general stock of merchandise. Children : i AVebster, b. Apr. 20, 1841. He graduated at Bowdoin College in 1864 and at Bangor in 1868. He has had several pastorates and is now settled over the Congregational church at Milford, Mass., m. Hulda Denison. ii Francetta Adelia, b. May 18, 1844, m. Josiah U. Purington. iii Ambrose, b. Nov. 2 1845, d. Feb. 25, 1847. iv Emma Caroline, b. Aug. 25, 1848, m. Francis S. Chandler. V Wesley Kimball, b. Feb. 25, 1855, m. Annie B. Bellville. He is a suc cessful attorney at law at Pottsville, Penn. York. Three brothers, John, Isaac I. and Job York, sons of John and Sarah York of Standish, came quite early to Bethel. Colonel John York was here at the time of the Indian raid in 1781. and lived in the lower settlement on the south side of the Great river. He married Abigail, daughter of Jonathan Bean. The dates of birth of children are wanting, and are not arranged in or der of birth. Children : HISTORY OF BETHEL. 647 i Anne, bap. April 17, 1774, m. John Kilgore Jr. ii Sarah, bap. Aug. 3, 1775, d. young. iii Jonathan, bap. Ana;. 31, 1777. iv Ruth, bap. April 25-1, 1779, m. flrst Ezekiel Duston ; second, Timothy (;apen. V Peter, b. , 1777, m. Abiah Russell. vi Abigail, b. , m. Thomas Frost. vii Lois, b. Feb. 20, 1781, d. Feb. 14, 1786. Isaac Insley York, brother of the preceding, was a resident of Bethel a year or two later than John. His farm was the one after ward occupied by Humphrey Bean and still in his family. He married Betsey Thorn of Standish. The record of his children is not at hand, but the following were born to him in Standish and Bethel. Children : i John, b. July 5, 1787, m. Sally Killgore: moved to Newry. ii Hannah, b. Dec. 16, 1788, m. George Tucker of Bethel. iii Levina, b. Aug. 30, 1789, m. Rowe. iv Betsey, b. Sept. 25, 1792, m. Nathaniel Bean. V Mercy, b. June 12, 1794, m. Josiah Carter. vi Isaac, b. April 17, 1796, d. Nov. following. vii Joel, b. Oct. 17, 1797 ; he w-ent to New York. viii Jacob, b. June 13, 1799, ra. Dolly Fogg of Paris. ix Lydia, b. March 20, 1803, m. Lorenzo Bumpus of Hebron. X Levi, b. Feb. 17, 1805. xi Anna, b. Jan. 2, 1807, m. Bennett. xii Delinda, b. Oct. 21, 1809, m. John Hibbard. Job York, brother of Colonel John York, came from Standish to Bethel a few years later than his brother. He married Sally Jones. He lived in the east part of the town on a hill back from the river. Children : i Desire, b. Standish, April 7, 1791, m. Israel Linnell. ii Sally, b. May 18, 1793, ra. Elihu Killgore. iii Rebecca, b. March 6, 1795, m. Joseph McGill. iv Randall, b. Bethel, April 7, 1798, d. unmarried. V Esther, b. Feb. 23, 1800, m. Samuel Robertson. vi Mehitable, b. March 5, 1802, m. Aaron Barton Swan. vii Mary, b. Feb. 9, 1804, m. James Estes. viii Hannah F., b. Aug. 4, 1806 ix Clarissa Bartlett, b. April 7, 1810, d. unmarried. X Abiah, b. Sept. 17, 1812, m. Nathan AV. Ethridge. xi Lois, b. Aug. 4, 1815. 648 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Peter York, son of Colonel John York, bom in Standish in 1777, married Abiah, daughter of Abraham Russell. He lived on the north side of the river nearly opposite Middle Interval for some years, and subsequently in Grafton and elsewhere. He was a select man and otherwise prominent in town affairs. He lost one of his legs by a falling tree, and for many years walked upon a "peg leg." Children : i Mary, b. , 1801, m. Asa Bartlett ; d. 1836. ii Thatcher, b. , 1803, m. Lydania Frost ; second, Luey Powers. He died in Falmouth Jan. 31, 1873. iii Abraham Russell, b. , 1805, m. Apphia Smith; d. Grafton, Me., 1878. iv Aaron Marean, b. , 1807, m. Hannah Carter; he went to Utah. V Daniel Grout, b. , 1810, m. Elsie Bean, d. Mareh 13, 1889. vi Sally, b. , 1812, m. William P. Carter, went to Utah. vii Martha E., b. Sept. 9, 1814, m. Philip L. Carter, went to Tioga, Illinois. viii Albina, b. , 1816, d. in infancy. ix Charlotte Willis, b. , 1817, m. Noi-man Pearse of Plattsburg, New York. X Melissa! D., b. , 1821, m. Joshua R. Russell; s. Lowell, Mass. xi Hester Ann, b. 1823, m. Charles Thissell, of Lowell, Mass. John York, son of Isaac I. York, married Sally, daughter of John Killgore. Children : i Urban, b. Nov. 10, 1814, m. widow Polly (Bartlett) Russell. ii Francina, b. Dec. 13, 1816, d. Feb. 10, 1817. iii Infant, b. May 2, 1818, d. May 30 following. iv Isaac Insley, b. Jan. 13, 1820. V Infant, b. May 2, 1823, d. June 7, following. Thatcher York, son of Peter York, married Lidania Frost. He lived on the south side of the river below Mayville. His first wife died May 11, 1830 and he then married Lucy Powers. Children : i Francis Carter, b. Aug. 26, 1824. ii Aaron M., b. May 12, 1826. iii Hiram A., b. May 16, 1828. iv Edwin T., b. Feb. 9, 1830. By second wife : V Orrington, b. Feb. 17, 1842. Daniel Grout York, son of Peter York, married Elsie, daugh ter of Amos Bean. He was a shoemaker, lived in Bethel, Green wood, Milan, N. H., Woodstock and Hanover. Children : HISTORY OF BETHEL. 649- i Lyman Rawson, b. March 24, 1836. ii Albina Melissa, b. Dec. 4, 1839. iii Viola Kimball, b. April 1, 1842. Aaron M. York married Lucinda C. Emery who was born Oct.. 12, 1832. Children : i Frank M., b. Jan. 23, 1854. ii Fred O., b. Dec. 25, 1855. iii Lilla A., b. Oct. 7, 1857. iv Nellie E., b. Oct. 8, 1862. Young. Captain Amos Young, son of Nathaniel Young of Norway, mar ried Sophia, daughter of Joseph Bradbury of Norway and for many years lived on Young Hill in Greenwood. Later in life he movedl to the Samuel Bean farm above Bean's Corner and died there. Children : i Ann, b. April 23, 1814, m. John Bird Jr., d. Bethel. ii Eliza, b. Oct. 11, 1815, m. Lyman Bird, d. Bethel. iii Leonard, b. April 14, 1817, m. Lorinda Curtis, r. Deering. iv Hiram, b. Feb. 3, 1819, m. Olive C. Bacon of Greenwood. V Jeanette, b. Feb. 11, 1821, m. Adoniram Curtis, r. Paris. vi Sophia, b. Nov. 25, 1822, m. Kingsbury Curtis, r. Paris. vii Catherine, b. Oct. 26, 1824, m. Moses S. Kimball. viii Amos A., b. July 13, 1828, m. Sophia Hutchins, d. Bethel. ix Diana, b. Oct. 6, 1835. Amos A. Young, son of Captain Amos Young, married Sophia. F., daughter of Hezekiah Hutchins, and settled on the John Stevens. farm in the Chandler neighborhood. He died in Bethel and his- widow married Curtis Gilman. Children : i Julia P. ii Fred E. iii Edward L. iv Leander L. v Ada E. vi Blanche. Hiram Young, son of Amos Young of Greenwood, born Feb. 3, 1819, married Aug. 5, 1845, Olive C, daughter of Benjamin Bacon of Greenwood who was born Sept. 30, 1821. Mr. Young was a harnessmaker, a superior workman, came here when a young man and carried on the business here many years, until his death. He was an active and energetic man, and a good citizen. He died some years ago. Children : i Sarah Francis, b. March 31, 1847, d. July 25, 1851. •650 HISTORY OF BETHEL. ii Olive Ellen, b. July 30, 1849, m. Oct. 12, 1869, Joseph E. Adams, d. Nov. 3, 1869. iii Sarah DeAlbra, b. Feb. 13, 1852, m. June 12, 1886, Lewis B. Hopkins. iv Elmer H., b. April 13, 1858, m. Nov. 12, 1887, Annie M. Lucas. V Ava L., b. Oct. 13, 1862, m. June 16, 1883, Wm. E. Finney. Jared Young, son of Charles and Mary Ann (Buck) Young of Greenwood, born March 7, 1811, married flrst January 1, 1842, Mercy, daughter of Alexander Day of Woodstock who died, and second Feb. 19, 1850, Hannah, daughter of George Tucker of Bethel. He lives in Bethel on the Ebenezer Bartlett farm. Chil dren : i George AV., b. Jan. 29, 1843, m. Olive W. Hobart. ii Aurelius L., b. Nov. 5, 1844, m. Mary E. Dutton. iii Kingsbury V., b. Jan. 1, 1848, d. Nov. 8, following. iv Charles L., b. Jan. 1, 1848, m. Ella Waterman. By second marriage : V Mercie Day, b. Nov. 1, 1850. vi Antoinette P., b. Oct. 23, 1852, m. John Murphy. vii Ida Nancy, b. Aug. 3, 1854. m. James Crooker. viii Isaac Insley, b. Aug. 3, 1854, m. Lizzie C. Bryant. Daniel Young lived at Bethel Hill. He was not related to the other Young families. His first wife, Sally Plummer, died and in September, 1842, he married Laura, daughter of Solomon Annas Jr. His children were by the first marriage. Emery G. Young from Buckfield, born in Peru, Nov. 13, 1827, ¦son of Eben E. and Patience (Ricker) Young, married Rosetta, daughter of Edmund Merrill of Bethel, and moved to the Clark Kimball place in the lower part of the town where he now resides. -Children : i Florence Ruby, b. June 27, 1856, ra. May 3d, 1877, Charles L. Brown. ii Eva Melissa, b. Aug. 26, 1857, m. Jan. 3, 1878, Jesse F. Libby. iii Monie Emery, b. Nov. 30, 1861, m. June 7, 1885, Lillyine M. Cole. iv Ray Clarence, b. Nov. 2, 1876. Some Hanover Families, Bartlett. Elhanan Bartlett, son of Stephen Bartlett, was a thrifty farmer and occupied the old homestead of his father. He married July 3, 1817, Joanna, daughter of Jonas Willis, who died Oct. 21, 1863. He died Feb. 25, 1851. He held the office of selectman. Children: i Zenas Willis, b. Aug. 10, 1818. He married Leona Roberts. He was a physician and practised in Rumford and Dixfleld. He died Sept. 9, 1870. ii Susanna B., b. Apr. 1, 1820, d. Nov. 2, 1843. iii Cyrus, b. June 18, 1822, ra. Jan. 4, 1848, Caroline Smith. iv Beulah Foster, b. Dec. 10, 1824, m. James G. Roberts, d. Jan. 23, 1881. V Hester Ann, b. Nov. 24, 1827, m. Elias Shaw Bartlett. •Cyrus Bartlett, son of Elhanan Bartlett, resided on the old Bartlett homestead, where he died April 23, 1875. He was married to Caroline, daughter of Peter G. and Mary Smith, Jan. 4, 1848, by 'Charles R. Locke, Esq., of Bethel. Children: a Frank L., b. March 2, 1852. A chemist. State assayer and mineral ogist. He is the author of a work on Maine minerals and metals. He married Dec 17, 1879, Hattie Baldwin. ii Mary D., A m. Allen Richardson, Apr. 13, 1882. [ born Apr. -27, 1858. iii Martha E., j Stephen Bartlett, son of Peregrine Bartlett, married Martha Stearns. He was a farmer and proprietor of Bartlett's ferry. He died Aug. 29, 1861. Children: i Sarah M., b. Dec. 16, 1840. ii Charles P., b. Aug. 18, 1842. iii Solon, b. Aug. 30, 1845. iv Freeborn G., b. July 25, 1848, d. Nov. 29, following. 652 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Enoch Bartlett, son of Enoch Bartlett, born July 5, 1811,. married July 5, 1835, Sarah G. Hinkson, who was born at Rum ford, April 29, 1817. He was a blacksmith. Children: i Euphrasia, b. Sept. 8, 1836. ii Marcia S., b. Aug 17, 1838. iii Charles- R., b. Apr. 25, 1841. iv William W., b. Apr. 25, 1843. v Herman N., b. Feb. 28, 1845. vi Frank M., b. Oct. 15, 1848. vii Asa M., b. May 16, 1850. viii Joseph E., b. Feb. 22, 1856. ix Herbert C, b. July 3, 1858. Barker. Capt. William Barker from Newr-y, born Nov. 22, 1788, mar ried Abigail, daughter of Nathaniel Segar, who wa,s born in Bethel,. Sept. 16, 1791. He lived on the Segar homestead, and died Feb. 2, 1881 . His widow died Apr. 9, 1888. Children : i Jonathan, b. Nov. 20, 1819. ii Solon, b. Feb. 17, 1822. iii AVilliam, b.. March 8, 1823. iv Caroline, b. Apr. 17. 1826. v Lucy S., b. Sept. 3, 1828. Ebenezer H. Barker, born Aug. 9, 1838, married Nov. 18,. 1866, Emma L. Kilgore who was born Feb. 12, 1847. Children :- i Elmer K., b. March 24, 1867. ii Jenifred L., b. July 10, 1868. iii. Alice I., b. Dec. 6, 1870. iv Gilbert C, b. May 9, 1873. Bean. Peter York Bean, son of John Bean, married Rebecca Blake,. who died Dec. 28, 1861, and he then married Maria C, Glidden.. Five of the children died in 1864 of diphtheria. Children : i Clement P., b. June 9, 1842, d. Jan. 17, 1864. ii Nathan, b. Aug. 9, 1843. iii Seward W., b. Aug. 21, 1846, d. Jan. 11, 1864. iv Ellen E., b. Feb. 13, 1849, d. Jan 30, 1864. V Cynthia E., b. Aug. 11, 1854, d. Jan. 19, 1864. vi Sarah L., b. May 26, 1856, d. Feb. 18, 1864. vii Elnora J., b. Nov. — , 1861, d. Aug. 9, 1862. By second marriage. viii Charles D., b. June 30, 1863. Brown. Abner Brown, farmer, lived in that part of Bethel now Han over. He was born January 12, 1803, and married in July 1829, Sarah, daughter of Ebenezer Eames, who was born in 1799, and died Dec. 23, 1846. He died Aug. 8, 1875. Children : i Edwin S., b. June 12, 1830, m. Esther S. Ellingwood, r. Caribou. ii Oscar L., b. Feb. 17, 1834. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 653 Iii Diantha P., b. Apr. 19, 1836, m. Fillmore Small. iv Abigail L., b. Jan. 25, 1845. V Sarah L., b. Jiin. 25, 1845. By second wife. vi Albert E., b. Oct. -24, 1849, d. Sept. 1, 1850. vii Albert, b. May, 1853, d. about 1875. James Monroe Brown, son of Hon. James Brown of Grafton, born in Canton, Me., Nov. 15, 1825, married Nov. 15, 1849, Eunice Gould, daughter of AVilliam and Dorothy (Sweat) Frost of Rumford. He resides at Hanover and is a blacksmith. Children : i Emma Gould, b. March 2, 1852, m. May 30, 1874, George A. Virgin and d. January 26, 1887. ii Mary Rowe b. Aug. 5, 1857, d., aged 5 weeks. iii Dollie Frost, b. Oct. 20, 1859, m. March 10, 1884, Charles E. Wheelock. Frost. Clark B. Frost, son of William Frost, of Rumford, born July 28, 1839, married January 1, 1865, Abbie D., daughter of Joel Howe, who was born May 13, 1843, and died Oct. 16, 1877. He married second, January 2, 1887, Emily C. Holt. Child : Ellery C, b. Sept. 15, 1867. Holt. Arthur D. Holt, son of Hiram Holt of Bethel, married Sept. 27, 1862, Rowena, daughter of Lyman Bird, who was born in Bethel, July 6, 1843. Children : i Etta M., b. Sept. 9, 1863. ii Llewellyn B., b. Dec 10, 1865. iii Winona L., b. Oct. 13, 1870. iv Herman E., b. Aug. 23, 1878. Howe. Joel Howe, oldest son of John Howe of Rumford, married first, Esther Howard of Howard's Gore, and second Dorcas Barker of Newry. He engaged in wool-carding and cloth-dressing, which business he carried on in Hanover for many years. He died Oct. 12, 1871, and his second wife died Aug. 15, 188s. Children : i Mary Newton, b. June 19, 1814, m. Joseph Hutchins. ii Joel B., b. Dec. 12, 1816, d. iii Phineas H., b. Dec. 8, 1819, m. 1st, Nancy Staples, 2d, Albina Jewett. 654 HISTORY OF BETHEL. By second wife : iv Jesse Barker, b. May 26, 1830, m. Matilda Abbot, d. Nov. 30, 1886- V Dorcas, fm. Hon. Reuben Poster, r. Waterville. \ tw4ns b. May 24, 1832. vi Esther, (m. Prentiss M. Putnam, r. a widow in Portland. vii Galen, b. Aug. 4, 1834, m. Helen Poster. He resides in Arizona. viii AVinfleld S., b. Feb. 23, 1839, m. Clara Knapp, r. Hanover. ix Abbie D., b. May 13, 1843, m. Bradley Frost; she died Oct. 16, 1877. Col. Eli Howe, son of John Howe of Rumford, born in Marl boro, Mass., March 19, 1789, married Apr. 8, 1811, Salome, daugh ter of Jeremiah Andrews, who was born in Bethel, April 8, 1792. He lived several years in Rumford, then moved to Hanover, and was long the popular miller. He died June 16, 1870, and his widow died Oct. 25, 1877. Children : i Betsey A., b. January 26, 1812, m. May 9, 1836, Joseph Staples, d. July 30, 1876. ii Alonzo, b. June 3, 1814, m. flrst Lucy Brown, second Nancy Andrews. iii Galen, b. May 24, 1816, d. Apr. 12, 1834. iv Gilbert, b. Feb. 16, 1818, m. Jan. 24, 1849, Sarah D. Perry. V Lyman, b. Jan. 23, 1820, d. 1821. vi Albion Keith Parris, b. Apr. 7, 1822, m. Eliza Brown, d. Aug. 1882. vii William A., b. Jan. 22, 1825, m. Johanna Demerritt. viii Mary E., b. Nov. 12, 1827, m. 1st, George Lampher, 2d, Horatio F. Houghton ; d. Bryant's Pond, January 1883. ix Charies L., b. Dec 21, 1829, m. Elizabeth Crummer. X Henry Newman, b. Apr. 7, 1832, m. Oct. 27, 1859, Caroline Graham. Winfield S. Howe, son of Col. Joel Howe married March 27, 1864, Clara M., daughter of Albion K. Knapp. Children : i Albert C, b. January 16, 1866, d. March 16 following. ii Albion D., b. Apr. 11, 1867, d. Jan. 12, 1870. iii Sidney R., b. Apr. 7, 1869. iv Mabel P., b. Feb. 19, 1872. V Scott H., b. June 13, 1881. vi Abbie I., b. May 29, 1883. vii Clarence G., b. May 29, 1886. Henry Newman Howe, son of Col. Eli Howe is a farmer, and lives at Hanover Village. He married Oct. 27, 1859, Caroline, daughter of Joshua and Hannah (Goddard) Graham of Rumford. Children : i Arthur G., b. Sept. 8, 1861. ii Etta Maude, b. Sept. 17, 1868. iii Eva Lizzie, b. Oct. 28, 1875 HISTORY OF BETHEL. 655- Howard Asa Howard, blacksmith, was the son of Dea. Samuel Howard, who was born in Maiden, Mass., Oct. 5, 1739, and his wife Eliza beth Barrett, born also in Maiden, January 24, 1743. Samuel Howard was by occupation a tanner, and moved to Temple, N. H., from where his sons Asa and Phineas came to Maine, and settled upon and gave the name to a tract of land called Howard's Gore, afterwards incorporated as Hanover. Asa Howard married Lydia, daughter of Eldad and Lucy (Spaulding) Spofford. He died Nov. 9, 1840, and his wife Lydia, Oct. 9 preceding. Children : i Lydia. b. Temple, Nov. 10, 1792, d. March 3d following. ii Lydia, b. March 4, 1794, m. Joseph H. AVardwell. iii Lucy, b. Feb. 18, 1795, m. Thomas Prince. iv Phebe, b. Dec 5, 1797, d. Feb. 17, 1800. V Elizabeth, b. June 24, 1800, ra. Allen Segar. vi Salley, b. July 30, 1802, m. Oliver Wakefleld. vii Milla, b. May 30, 1804, m. John Morgan. viii Asa Spofibrd, b. Howard's Gore, Dec. 6, 1806, m. 1st, Dorcas Holt 2d, Betsey 8. Roberts. , ix Dollie, b. June 3, 1809, d. Feb. 5, 1836. X Eldad Spofford, b. Nov. 14, 1810, d. Nov. 2, 1841. xi Virtue, b. Aug. 9, 1812, d. Feb. 13, 1876. She was well-known in. Rumford and surrounding towns, as a very efficient school teacher. Phineas Howard of Howard's Gore, brother of the preceding, married Lavinia Powers. He came from Temple, N. H., and settled first in Bethel and then on Howard's Gore, of which he was pro prietor. Children : i Phineas, b. m. Lois Dustin. ii Barrett, b. m. Asenath Lane. iii Thomas Jefferson, b. m. Olive Bean. iv George Washington, b. m. Lucy Bean. V Joseph, b. m. Zerviah Roberts. vi Esther, b. m. Joel Howe. vii Phebe, b. m. Peter Frost. viii Delinda, b. m. John Y. Dustin. ix Sarah, b. m Howard. X Lois, b. d. aged 18. Joseph Howard, son of Phineas Howard, married Zerviah- Roberts. He died Apr. 10, 1885 ; his wife is also dead. Children: i Arabella C, b. July 11, 1831. ii Milton R., b. July 22, 1833. iii Joshua R., b. Nov. 3, 1835. iv Osmon P., b. March 7, 1837. v Phylantha C, b. Nov. 14, 1840. vi Nevilla S., b. March 1, 1843. vii Sarah P., b. Sept. 8, 1846. • 656 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Roberts. Joshua Roberts, from Berwick married Sally Powers and set tled in Hanover, on that part formerly Howard's Gore. Children : i Thomas, b. Nov. 22, 1805, m. Harriet AA^ilkins (see Rumford). ii Milton, b. Feb. 13, 1809, m. Lydia J. Jew^ett. iii Sally, b. May 3, 1809, m. Addison Saunders. iv Zerviah, b. May 29, 1811, m. Joseph Howard. V Joshua, b. May 3, 1813, d. Apr. 17, 1817. vi Betsey S., b. May — 1815, m. Asa S. Howard. vii James G., b. 1820, m. Beulah P. Bartlett. viii Joann W., b. Sept. 25, 1822, m. Ball B. Willis. ix Leona, b. m. Dr. Zenas W. Bartlett. Milton Roberts, son of Joshua Roberts, married Feb. 6, 1840, L. Josephine Jewett, who was born Aug. 15, 1815, and died March 31,1885. Hedied June 17, 1873. Children: i Mary E., b. March 4. 1842, d. Dec 4, 1867. ii Laurantha, b. May 6, 1844, d. Nov. 18, 1862. iii Almeran, b. Apr. 29, 1846, m. Melinda I. Paine. iv Modestus, b. May 28, 1851, d. Nov. 29, 1867. James G. Roberts, son of Joshua Roberts, married Beulah, daughter of Elhanan Bartlett, and died January 26, 1881. His wife died January 23, 1881. Children: i Eugenie L. D., b. Apr. 28, 1846. ii James G., b. May 19, 1848. iii Sarah J., b. Oct. 22, 1849. iv Joshua B., b. Sept. 4, 1851. v Emma L., b. July 25, 1853. vi Etha E., b. June 9, 1854, d. Feb. 14, 18^4. vii Sophia K., b. June 28, 1857. viii Leon A., b. Aug. 9, 1860. Almeron E. Roberts, born Apr. 29, 1846, son of Milton married October 19, 1872, Melinda I. Paine, who was born October 19, 1854. Children : i Geneva M., b. Feb. 22, 1875. ii Cyrus P., b. Feb. 26, 1877. iii Waldo, b. June 7, 1879, d. Oct. 23, 1881. iv Ethel M., b. Sept. 20, 1882. v Miller, b. Oct. 6, 1885. Kkapp. Albion K. Knapp, son of Nathan Knapp of Rumford, was long a trader in Hanover. He married Oct. 16, 1838, Phebe M. Graham who was born June 19, 1820, and died November 22, 1880 ; he died Dec. 10, 1887. Children: i Nathan Clitford, b. Feb. 11, 1840, m. Hutchins. He died of diphtheria Nov. 7, 1863. HIS TOR Y OF BE THEL. 657 ii Clara M., b. Nov. 25, 1842, m. Winfleld S. Howe. iii Phebe L., b. Sept. 27, 1845, d. next day. iv Lyman R., b. Aug. 7, 1846, d. May 14, 1867. v William K., b. Sept. 26, 1848, d. aged 2 days. Kimball. Adam Willis Kimball born August 18, 1833, married Phila Swain who was born August 1, 1836. Child : John D. M., b. Aug. 11, 1867. Russell. Chandler Russell, born in Andover, Mass., Sept. 22, 1775, married in 1803, Betsey, daughter of Ezekiel Duston, who was born July 12, 1782. Mr. Russell, died June 8, 1846. Children : i Elijah, b. June 17, 1804, ra. Alraira Bean. ii Maria, b. Oct. 22, 1809. iii Ezekiel Duston, b. April 19, 1811, m. Hannah E. Verder. iv Peregrine, b. July 12, 1813, d. Jan. 14, 1837. V Joseph H., b. May 16, 1814. He was a dentist and settled in Nash ville, Tenn. vi Lovina D., b. Sept. 17, 1816. vii Farnum D., b. June 12, 1820. viii Joshua R., b. March 27, 1824. Elijah Russell, married Almira, daughter of John Bean who was born Oct. 27, 1802. He died April 8, 1888; she died Sept. 22, 1880. Children : i Jesse D., b. July 19, 1829. ii Emily W., b. Nov. 23, 1830, d. June 25, 1851. iii Joseph E., b. Jan. 22, 1832. iv Francis M., b. Jan. 28, 1836, d. Sept. 15, 1863. V William B., b. Oct. 27, 1838. vi Lyman R., b. May 15, 1842, d. Feb. 1, 1864. vii Maria E., b. Oct. 24, 1844, d. Feb. 8, 1864. Ezekiel Duston Russell, son of Chandler Russell, married April 19, 1835, Hannah Elizabeth Verder of Townsend, Mass., born there Sept. 14, 1810. He was a carpenter and lived at Ipswich, N. H., and came to Bethel where he died Aug. 8, 1883. His widow died March 12, 1889. Children : i Lorenzo Dow, b. May 7, 1837, m. Jan. 14, 1868, Letitia Coburn. ii Orlando Peregrine, b. Jan. 18, 1840, m. Jan. 11, 1880, Annie M. Abbot. 42 658 HISTORY OF BETHEL. iii Helen Elizabeth, b. Oct. 17, 1842, m. Oct. 23, 1859, Arthur D. Holt. iv Roscoe Farnum, b. May 9, 1847, d. June 1, 1849. V Frank Joshua, b. May 9, 1847, m. Oct. 11, 1876, Adesta Prances, daughter of Humphrey Bean, and has : 1 Maud Lane, b. June 30, 1883. vi Olive May, b. April 30, 1849, d. Dec. 28, 1883. Saunders. Stephen Saunders, born in Temple, N. H., May 3, 1779, mar ried January 24, 1804, Lydia Powers of Temple who was born Sept. 28, 1784. She was sister of the Powers brothers who early came to Hanover. Stephen Saunders came here with the early set tlers and lived on Howard's Gore. He died Feb. 7, 1864, and his wife died January 23, 1839. Children : i Lydia, b. Oct. 13, 1804, m. Nov. 4, 1834, Joseph Brown, d. Dec. 27, 1844. ii Stephen, b. Jan. 29, 1807, m. 1st, Ann Anderson; second, Ann Churchill, and 3d Phebe Holmes. iii Addison, b. Dec. 19, 1809, m. April 9, 1835, Sally Roberts. iv John, b. Jan. 3, 1812, d. Feb. 25, 1834. v Sally, b. Sept. 14, 1814, m. Jonathan Clark Robertson who was a cabinet maker at Walker's Mills in Bethel and died there many years ago. vi Joseph, b. April 9, 1816 ; never was married. vii Mary AV., b. April 5, 1818. Addison Saunders, son of Stephen Saunders, married Sally, daughter of Joshua Roberts, and died April 5, 1847. His widow died Feb. 5, 1853. Children : i John C, b. Dec. 27, 1835. ii Ollin E., b. March 9, 1843. Smith. Ezra Smith was one of the early settlers on Howard's Gore and occupied land next to Rumford line. He was a man of character and a leading man in the community. He kept the first store at Rumford Point. He married Maria Burleigh. He died Feb. 10, 1846 aged 82, and his widow died April 27, 1859. Both are buried at Rumford Point. Children : i Lucinda M., b. Dec. 19, 1794, m. Rev. Charles Frost of Bethel. ii Saint John, b. Jan. 28, 1799, m. Susan Hopkins. He was the well ' known Portland merchant and long the partner of John B. Brown. iii Mary S., b. Oct. 6, 1801, m. Mark P. Emery of Portland. iv Henry B., b. Nov. 28, 1803. He went West and died there. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 659 V Marcia B., b. July 19, 1805, m. James Stevens of Andover. vi George E., b. Dec. 11, 1811, m. Julia Ann, daughter of Barbour Bartlett of Bethel. vii Caroline E., b. Jan. 16, 1815, m. Moses T. Cross of Bethel. Sprague. James Sprague, son of William and Margaret Sprague, born in Mendon, Mass., March 16, 1750, in 1781, married Mary, daughter of Ebenezer Bartlett of Newton, Mass., who was born March 12, 1761, and moved to Greene, Maine, where his older brother William had settled. James Sprague was accompanied to Greene by his aged father who died there. His wife died at Monmouth, in 1805, and he married Nancy Richards of Bath, and moved to Bethel in 1816, where he resided until the time of his death. Chil dren : By flrst marriage : i Elisha, b. Greene, 1782, d. Monmouth, about 1856. ii Elijah W., b. Dec 28, 1784, m. Phebe Parker, r. Dexter but died int. Jolliet, Illinois, May 5, 1879. iii Elkanah, b. 1786, d. Bath, 1825. iv Elhanan, b. , d. in Greene when young. V Elbridge Gerry, b. 1798, raoved to Sangerville where he died Dec 20', 1867. vi Stephen H., b. April 12, 1796, m. Lavinia Powers of Bethel, moved to Sangerville where he died April 18, 1874. vii Perley W., b. , m, Rufus Brockway of Sangerville, d. 1850. viii James, b. Monmouth, June 29, 1799, settled in Frankfort, Me., d. Jan. 1889. By second wife : ix Joseph R., b. 1810, s. Frankfort, d. 1879. X Mary A., b. Aug. 16, 1812, m. Buchaunan Fisher, s. Corinna. xi Elhanan, b. Bethel, 1818, lived many years with his mother in that part of Bethel now Hanover. He was weak in intellect and very indolent. His mother Nancy (Richards) Sprague, was only 17 years of age when she married Mr. Sprague who was then 55. After his death she earned a precarious living by cultivating a small patch of ground aided by her son, telling fortunes and oc casionally going out to wash. She was addicted to drink, and so was her son. They were living in Hanover as late as 1850. Staples. William Staples, blacksmith, came here from Berwick and set tled on land now in Hanover. His first wife was Patience , and his second Joanna Quint of Topsham. At one time he lived south of the river. Children : 660 HISTORY OF BETHEL. i Patience, b. Sanford, Feb. 14, 1791, d. unmarried. ii Ansel, b. May 14, 1793, m. Deborah Keene of No. 5, moved to Weld. By second wife : iii Moses, b. Sept. 20, 1801, m. Experience Powers. iv Aurelia, b. April 19, 1803, d. Oct. 22, 1819. V Rebecca, b. Aug. 30, 1804, m. Moses T. Cross. vi Joseph, b. Aug. 11, 1806, m. Betsey A. Howe. vii Belinda, b. March 8, 1808, m. Paul Jewett. viii Dolly, b. Dec. 1, 1809. ix Sylvester, b. Nov. 25, 1810, s. Haverhill, Mass. X Diadamia, b. Nov. 9, 1813. xi Nancy Graham, b. April 2, 1818, m. Phineas H. Howe. Joseph Staples, son of William Staples, born August 11, 1805, married May 19, 1837, Betsey A. Howe, who was born January 26, 1812, and died July 30, 1876. He died Sept. 4, 1884. Chil dren : 1 Melissa R., b. Nov. 9, 1838, d. Sept. 14, 1884. ii Howard A., b. March 27, 1840. Iii George E., b. Nov. 28, 1841, killed at Fredericksburg, Va., Dec. 13, 1862. iv Camille P., b. Nov. 15, 1843, d. April 2, 1878. V Helen M., b. Oct. 5, 1845; she was a teacher, assisted in Gould's Academy and went West. vi Matilda J., b. May 31, 1847. vii Charles C, b. Aug. 30, 1849. viii Mary O., b. Nov. 22, 1851. ix Fred O., b. Aug. 15, 1854. X Harry A., b. March 12, 1858. Stearns. Benjamin F. Stearns married Julia, daughter of Jeremiah An drews who died July 7, 1859. He died Feb. 21, 1884. Children: i Julia F.,.b. Sept. 10, 1843. ii Fidelus F., b. Jan. 23, 1845. iii John B., b. June 9, 1847, d. Sept. 18, 1884. iv Fidelia, b. Jan. 23, 1849. v Rosetta, b. April 9, 1851. Swain. John Swain from Rumford, born June 30, 1822, married Nov. 20, 1849, Charlotte W. Kimball who was born Jan. 1, 1829. He died May 25, 1884. Children : i Wallace K., b. July 21, 1854, d. April 2, 1855. ii Roscoe E., b. May 23, 1856. iii Virtue K., b. July 10, 1858. iv Marshall J., b. July 26, 1860. V Rosie L., h. March 23, 1864. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 661 Virgin. Jonathan Virgin, son of Rufus Virgin of Rumford, married April 2, 1850, Mrs. Nancy K. (Elliot) Whitman who died Jan. 19, 1871, and he married second, Phebe Hutchins. Children : i George A., b. Nov. 15, 1851. ii Rufus J., b. Jan. 13, 1857, m. S. Marcella, daughter of Prentiss M. Putnam of Rumford. He is proprietor of the mills at South Bethel, APPENDIX ABSTRACT OF TOWN RECORDS. 1851. Abernethy Grover was chosen moderator and Gideon A. Hastings clerk. O'Neil W. Robinson Jr. was elected town agent, and Gilman Chapman, treasurer. For school committee, John H. M. Leland, David Garland and Mighill Mason. The collectorship was bid off by Mighill Mason. Three thousand dollars were voted for roads. Voted to accept of the road leading from the Gore line to Daniel Dunn's. Voted to divide school district number flfteen and to set off Nathan Hall from number twenty-one to number seven. The question of re-building Bear river bridge came up, and the job was taken by Abernethy Grover for two hundred and nine ty-eight dollars. Voted to place the settlement of the Parsons case into the hands of a committee. 1852. Moses Mason was chosen moderator and William Frye clerk. For selectmen, Phineas Frost, John B. Mason and Timothy Hastings. Alphin Twitchell was chosen town agent. Voted to set •off Stephen Estes, Hezekiah Moody and Galen Blake into a sepa rate school district, and to set off Lyman Bird from number ten school district to number fourteen'. The selectmen were directed to make provisions for repairing the road over Bryant Hill, and the road from Walker's Mills toward Albany. John Hubbard had two hundred and flfteen votes for Governor ; Anson G. Chandler, one hundred and seventy-one; William G. Crosby, twenty-three and .Ezekiel Holmes, two. For member of Congress Samuel Mayall had three hundred and sixteen and Charles ,1. Gilman ninety-flve. For representative to the Legislature, Ebenezer Eames had two hundred and eleven votes, and Gideon A. Hastings one hundred and ninety- two. The democratic electors polled two hundred and sixteen votes, the whigs forty-flve and the free soilers forty. Measures were taken to rebuild Sunday river bridge, and a committee was chosen to superintend the work. 664 HISTORY OF BETHEL. 1853- Moses Mason was chosen moderator and Israel G. Kim ball, clerk. For selectmen, Elias M. Carter, Elias S. Bartlett and Eber Clough. Mighill Mason and Gilman Chapman were elected constables Voted to receive part of a school district from Milton Plantation and annex -the same to district nineteen. Among the names placed in the jury box were William Goddard, Elias S. Bart lett, James A. S. Bartlett, Benjamin Freeman, Samuel J. Howard, Charles Mason, Henry Ward Jr., Artemas P. Bartlett, Jonathan M. Bartlett, Samuel Bird and Moses S. Kimball. Voted to accept of a road for Henry Jordan from his house to the county road be tween Eleazer Twitchell's and John Russell's. The case of Isaac Pressey was left in the hands of the selectmen. Voted to accept a new road in the old as now travelled, from Mr. Edward Coad's by John Swan's and Joseph Holt's to the old county road. For Gov ernor, Albert Pillsbury had one hundred and eighty-seven, Anson P. Morrill, one hundred and twenty-flve, Ezekiel Holmes forty and William G. Crosby thirty-seven. For representative to the Legis lature O'Neil W. Robinson had two hundred and twelve, Phineas Frost one hundred and fifty, scattering fifteen. (The towns classed with Bethel gave large majorities for Phineas Frost and he was elected though' not nominated by any party. ) 1854. Elias M. Carter was chosen moderator, Israel G. Kim ball clerk, Gilman Chapman treasurer, Alphin Twitchell, agent and David Garland, school committee. Chose following school agents : James Locke, Spencer T. Bartlett, Ebenezer Richardson, Nathan W. Ethridge, Enoch Stiles, John Hamblin, Arthur D. Holt, John S. Swan, Leonard Farewell, John E. Farewell, Abial Chandler, David F. Brown, Benjamin M. Clark, Seth Wight Jr., David Holt, Gilman Daniels, Jedediah Estes. John Jordan, Jonathan Abbot, James Grover, Charles E. Paine, George W. Grover, James Lap ham, Daniel AVheeler and Galen Blake. Voted that Charles R. Locke be a committee to repair Sunday river bridge. A road was accepted from Henry Goodenow's house to Pleasant river bridge ; also a road between Simeon Brown's and James M. Bote's, and a road beginning near the foot of Williamson's hill and ending at the county road which goes past Joseph Holt's. For Governor, Anson P. Morrill had two hundred and twenty-two votes, Albion K. Parris one hundred and forty-three, Isaac Reed ten and Sheppard Cary one. 1855. Elias M. Carter was chosen moderator and Benjamin Freeman, clerk. Charles Mason was chosen town treasurer and Mighill Mason collector. The school districts were . allowed to choose their own agents. A town road was ordered from Hiram Young's to Joseph A. Twitchell's. Anson P. Morrill had two hun dred and thirty-two votes, Samuel Wells two hundred and twenty- six and Isaac Reed eight. Voted that the selectmen review the road leading from Greenwood line to the house formerly occupied by William Frye and put the same in repair. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 665- 1856 Elias M. Carter was chosen moderator and Benjamin Freeman clerk. For selectmen, Elias S. Bartlett, Clark S. Edwards and Timothy H. Chapman. David Garland was re-elected school committee. Benjamin Freeman bid off the .collection of taxes at nine mills on the dollar and was elected collector. Almon Twitchell,. Charles R. Locke and O'Neil W. Robinson were chosen a commit tee on accounts. Voted to comply with the request of the county commissioners in cutting down Emerson Hill,' so called. For Gov ernor, Hannibal Hamlin had three hundred and ten votes, Samuel Wells one hundred and ninety-five, and George. F. Patten six. Ira C. Kimball had three hundred and twenty votes for representative, and James M. Brown of Grafton, one hundred and ninety-four. The republican electors polled three hundred and ten votes and the democrats one hundred and seventy-nine. The county commission ers, on appeal from the selectmen by Nathaniel Swan and others,. established a road from Edward Coad's house to Joseph Holt's. The town was ordered to pay the expense incurred amounting to- forty-one dollars and sixty cents. 1857. Elias M. Carter was chosen moderator, Benjamin Free man clerk, Charles Mason, treasurer and Elias M. Carter agent and school committee. Benjamin Freeman was chosen collector and constable. Voted that all accounts against the town shall pass the examination of the auditors before being allowed. Voted to dis continue the road leading from Isaac Estes to the Day farm. Voted to raise one hundred dollars to be expended on the road from Hiram Young's to Greenwood line. Voted that the town pay Elias S. Bartlett thirty dollars for services as guardian for Samuel Ayer, in action against Timothy Ayer. Voted flfty dollars to repair Alder- river bridge, and John Brown was chosen agent to expend it. At a meeting in August, Albert L. Burbank was chosen collector of taxes. Lot M. Morrill had three hundred and nine votes for Gov ernor and Mannasseh H. Smith, one hundred and ninety-six. For representative, Ira C. Kimball had three hundred and eight votes and Isaac B. Littlehale one hundred and ninety. 1858. Moses Pattee chosen moderator and Charles Mason clerk. A committee was chosen to petition the county commission ers to discontinue some part of the road between Moses A. Mason's and Bethel Hill. Chose Elias M. Carter, David F. Brown and Moses Houghton, selectmen, and Samuel F. Gibson, agent. Mig hill Mason was chosen collector of taxes. Voted to discontinue the road leading from Hiram Day's, Howard, farm to land owned by Stephen Cummings. -Daniel A. Twitchell was elected town treas urer. A committee was appointed to use their influence against the establishment of a free bridge across the river near Bethel Hill. At a meeting in June, Nathan W. Ethridge was elected selectman. The town voted one hundred and sixty-four in favor of prohibition of the liquor traflJc ; in favor of license, none. The republicans polled three hundred and three votes this year, and the democrats 666 HISTORY OF BE'THEL. two hundred and twenty-one. Voted to build a new bridge across Alder river, and that the abutments be built of split stone. The selectmen were directed to repair the road from David F. Brown's to Samuel Andrews. 1859. The meeting was held March seventh Elias M. Carter was chosen moderator, Charles Mason "clerk, Daniel A. Twitchell treasurer and Absalom G. Gaines school committee. David F. Brown, Timothy Hastings, Israel G. Kimball, J. Decatur Hastings, and Nathan Grover were chosen road commissioners. Israel G. Kim ball was chosen collector and constable. Voted to set off Cyrus Mills, Nelson Mills, and O'Neil R. Mills from district twenty-nine to number twenty-flve. Voted to set off John B. Mason, Samuel J. Mills, Joseph Wheeler and Elbridge G. Wheeler from school dis trict twenty-flve to. eighteen. The treasurer was authorized to hire money at a rate of interest not exceeding bank rate. The town votea one hundred and sixty-seven against donating the public lands for a railway into Aroostook county — none voted for it. The repulilicans polled two hundred and ninety-nine votes and the dem ocrats two hundred and seventeen. Reuben B. Foster of Hanover was elected representative. 1860. Elias M. Carter was chosen moderator, Charles Mason clerk, O'Neil W. Robinson agent, and William Beavins school com mittee. Mighill Mason was chosen collector and constable, Elias S. Bartlett was chosen school agent in district number six. Voted to set off certain inhabitants from the southeast part of the town and annex the same to Hamlin's Gore, for school purposes only. The town lines were per.Tmbulated by the selectmen. Voted to dis count thirty-three per cent, on highway taxes when paid in cash. The town voted that Mighill Mason and Benjamin Freeman must settle with the treasurer and pay over the amounts due within a specified time. The selectmen this year were Elias M. Carter, John Barker and Eli Foster. Israel Washburn had three hundred and twenty-two votes for governor and Ephraim K. Smart two hundred and seventeen. Jedediah T. Kimball was elected representative. Voted to petition the Legislature for authority to take stock in the Bethel Bridge Company. The republican electors polled two hun dred and sixty votes in Bethel, the democrats one hundred and one and the third party forty. 1861. David F. Brown was chosen moderator and Albert L. Burbank clerk. For selectmen, John Barker, Oliver H. Mason and Alonzo Howe. Charles Mason was chosen treasurer, Samuel F. Gibson agent and Rev. David Garland school- committee. Horace Chapman was chosen agent in school district number flve. Voted to choose road surveyors. Mr. Williamson's claim for in juries received on the road was left with the selectmen. Three thousand dollars were voted for roads. Voted to divide school dis trict number five. AVashington Crooker was allowed to expend his share of the school money in Greenwood. At a meeting March HISTORY OF BETHEL. 667 -twenty-fifth, Benjamin T. Brown was chosen selectman. It was voted to accept the act of the Legislature authorizing the town to take stock in the Androscoggin Bridge Company at Barker's Ferry. At a meeting July thirteenth, Elias M. Carter was chosen agent to look after the families of volunteers and authorized to render them all necessary assistance. For Governor Israel Washburn had two hundred and ninety-nine votes, John W. Dana one hundred and twenty-nine and Charles D. Jameson seventy-two. For represent ative Jedediah T. Kimball had three hundred and three votes, and John B. Mason one hundred and eightv-three. The enrolled militia was returned this year by the selectmen as follows : Benjamin W. Bean. Stephen Estes, Jr. Jedediah Estes. James B. Daniels. Charles Estes. Hiram W. Fifield. Wm. W. Bird. Jairus S. Bryant. Benjamin Bryant. Ephraim Bryant. Jacob A. Chase. John E. Jordan. Charles Crooker. Charles H. Buck. Ithiel Kennerson. David Kennerson. Lewis Powers. Ethan W. Ethridge. Samuel J. Howard. Abial Chandler Jr. David T. Hodsdon. Hiram Hodsdon. Wallace M. Howard. David Adamson. Galen Blake. Sullivan R. Hutchins. Abel T. Hutchins. Richard Estes 2d. Wm. H. Goddard. Stephen L. Ethridge. Stephen H. Cummings. Revel W. Needham. James 0. Brown. Charles M. Brown. Oliver Y. Nutting. James Nutting. Benjamin Stevens. Jonas W. Bartlett. Daniel M. Goss. James O. Lapham. Asa F. Bartlett. Eli Swan. David T. Foster. J. Decatur Hastings. Francis C. Bean. John S. Colby. James L. Estes. David K. Hall. Jason Gay. Elias S. Bartlett. Benjamin F. Brown. Zachariah H. Bean. Kingsbury Curtis. Christopher C. Bean. Hiram H. Bean. Jotham S. Lane. Arthur D. Holt. Orlando P. Russell. John D. Bean. Lawson C. Beattie. L. C Bean. Luther P. Holt. Wm. O. Holt. Oren B. Swan. Joseph Holt. George K. Swan. Elijah Brown. John S. Swan. James Brown. Ira J. Bean. Seth E. Smith. Wm. H. Swan. 668 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Wm. T. Brown. Elisha T. Swan. Amos A Young. Oliver P. Chandler. Ira Cushman. Judson E. Stearns. Wm. Laughlin. Samuel B. Twitchell. Edward Goddard. Alex P. Eames. Milton W. Chapman. Joseph L. Merrill. Hiram A. York. St. John Hastings. Geo. C. Atherton. Timothy Hastings. Wm. R. Eames. Gilman Smith. L. S. Smith. Clifford Wheeler. Thomas E. Mead. Wm. O'Riley. Franklin Bartlett. J. H. Burkett. B. C. Grover. Lewis A. Sanborn. Albert L. Burbank. A. C. Chapman. John F. Bryant. Newton Grover. J. H. Grover. Edward P. Grover. Sylvester Mason. Seth Wight Jr. Franklin Allen. Charles Morrill. N. H. Potter. R. S. Lamb. Milton Holt. Bazaleel K. Bean, Jr. Charies J. Twitchell. Freeland Bennett. Cyrus Mills Jr. Nelson Mills. J. R. Heath. Joseph Heath. Wm. Parker. Geo. W. Harden. O. E. Harden. C. S. Heath. Chas. F. Penley. Charles D. Smith. Samuel T. Ordway. Moses H. Robertson. Washington B. Robertson. Solon Robertson. Benjamin M. Clark. Jonathan Cross. Tyler P. Towne. Asbury T. Rowe. Richard A. Frye. Samuel D. Philbrook.. Jacob Bancroft. Wm. H. Chandler. Frank S. Chandler. Melville C. Kimball.. Alfred Twitchell. Wm. F. Lovejoy. Amasa P. Lovejoy .- M. F. Libby. E. J. Richardson. Peter Wheeler Jr. Galen Wheeler. Alex Grover. Paul Stone. Chas. L. Abbot. Osgood A. Brown. E. Farewell. Charles Farewell. M. H. Leach. Dennis Farewell. John F. Leach. Amos Scribner. Elbridge G. Wheeler. Walter M. Mills. Albert Groyer. Daniel B. Grover. L. S. Bean. E. W. Brown. A. P. Mason. Gardiner L. Dalrymple. John F. Hapgood. Richard Hapgood. 0. S. Wheeler. Robbins B. Grover. Wm. H. Brown. Hiram H. Wilson. Ralph Plummer. John B. Hammond. L. D. Ward. HISTORY OF BETHEL. 669 -Andrew J. Stiles. Abial B. Lyon. Daniel M. Grover. Oscar D. Grover. Reuben L. Paine. Jacob Paine. L. J. Wheeler. Jedediah Wheeler. ;J. S. Young. Moses M. Russell. John F. Holt. John S. Chapman. Sylvanus Mason Jr. Wm. R. Bean. J. T.Tyler. Gilbert P. Bean. Moses A. Mason. Timothy H. Chapman. Spencer T. Bartlett. Theodore B. Verrill. Austin Grover. Elbridge Grover. MeUen Cross. Benjamin Dyer. -J. Woodman Gerrish. Charles Gerrish. -John Q. A. Waterman. John Barker. Geo. W. Parsons. Mighill Mason. Artemas Mason. Amos Merrill. -John W. Philips. David A. Edwards. John B. Rowe. Gustavus A. Robertson. John B. Chapman. Wm. L. Chapman. Daniel A. Twitchell. James E. Ayer D. F. Mitchell. Patrick H. McClosky. Charles Crosby. G. B. Maxwell. Samuel F. Gibson. ¦Cyrus M. Wormell. John Wormell. John D. Paine. Thomas Holt. .J. F. Pallard. J. F. Ellingwood. Albion P. Chapman. B. G. Chapman. E. H. Chapman. J. Arno. H. N. Newell. Gilbert Chapman. Timothy Richardson. E. L. Richardson. R. H. Penley. Artemas W. Mason. Emery G. Young. Samuel W. Butterfield. Elias S. Mason. Simeon W. Brown. T. R. Lovejoy. Eben Richardson Jr. James L. Dillaway. Virgil V. Twitchell. Albert S. Twitchell. Moses C. Foster. Algernon S. Chapman. Charles Tubbs. Geo. H Robertson. James Keyes. John Russell. Orange C. Littlehale. Osmon Smith. Edmund Merrill Jr. Albert Stiles. Ezekiel Eveleth. Jerome O. Sanborn. Asa P. Knight. Daniel M. Stearns. Osmon M. Twitchell. C. L. Chapman. Edmund Chapman. Gilman L. Blake. Geo. F. Cook. A. L. Stearns. Samuel S. Stanley. J. W. Sanborn. John E. Farewell. E. Farewell. Bannister N. Annas. Jacob Annas. Albion P. Blake. Dudley M. Needham. Aranda G. Tinkham. Lyman W. Russell. 670 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Edward Gerrish. J. Dalton. E. H. Davis. Newell B. Clark. John B. Walker. Simeon W. Sanborn. Daniel Jacobs. Ceylon Rowe. John Temple. Clinton Barker. Hiram Young. Wm. C. Frye. Gideon A. Hastings. Henry Brown. Charles PI. Harris. O'Neil W. Robinson. Solon Robinson. William Stowell. J. S. Mason. Wm. Jackson. Jairus S. Dudley. Charles Mason. Oliver H. Mason. Hiram Twitchell. John Abbot. Newton Swift. D. C. Rowe. Chris. C. Holt. J. R. King. F. Rowell. Lawson E. Russell. Cyrus M. Buck. Stephen L. Ripley. L. D. Russell. Willoughby R. York.. Charles Russell. E. Russell. John B. Ripley. Hosea Ripley. E. G. Stringer. Clark S. Edwards. Isaac Cross. L. Farewell. True P. Dustin. A. P. Abbot. Wm. Macomber. John Cooper. Orren R. Haskell. George Farewell. Luther P. Holt. Abraham Farewell. Lyman L. Dustin. Israel G. Kimball. James M. Pote. Wm Williamscm. John C. Stearns. John C" Stearns. John C. Stearns. Wm. W. Mason. Benjamin Freeman. 1862. Elias M. Carter was chosen moderator and Albert L. Burbank clerk. John Barker, Oliver H. Mason and Benjamin T. Brown were chosen selectmen, and David F. Brown, treasurer. Mighill Mason bid off the collection of taxes and was duly elected collector of taxes and constable. The care of the families of sol diers was left in the hands of the selectmen. Voted to raise one thousand dollars for town purposes and thirty-five hundred for ways. Voted that two-thirds of the road tax when paid in cash shall be au equivalent for the full tax in labor. Voted to buy a poor farm. At a meeting May tenth voted to raise one thousand dollars for the support of the families of volunteers. Voted to dis continue the road leading from the county road near Silas G. Wheeler's, to near Charles E. Paine's house. At a meeting July twenty-third, on motion of Robert A. Chapman, voted to pay a bounty for volunteers on the town's quota, and that the treasurer be authorized to hire fifteen hundred dollars for that purpose. At a meeting September second, on motion of Mighill Mason, voted to pay a bounty to volunteers of twenty dollars and five dollars a month for the first six months service, and that nine hundred dol- HISTORY OF BETHEL. 671 lars be raised for that purpose. Abner Coburn received two hun dred and forty-seven votes for Governor and Bion Bradbury one hundred and fifty-two. 1863. Elias M. Carter was chosen moderator and Albert S. Twitchell clerk. Alphin Twitchell, Benjamin T. Brown and Gilman P. Bean were chosen selectmen and David F. Brown treasurer. Israel G. Kimball was chosen town agent, and Mighill Mason col lector. Voted to raise two thousand dollars to pay past bills in aid of the families of volunteers. Twenty-five hundred dollars were voted for roads and a discount of one-third provided for when road taxes were paid in cash. A road was accepted beginning near Joseph Hall's house and ending at the road near Joshua Gossom's. At a meeting July twenty-eighth, a motion to pass over the article for paying bounties to drafted men or conscripts was discussed and carried and the meeting adjourned without transacting any other business. The discussion, to say the least, was very animated. Another meeting was held for the same purpose August eighth, and with the same result, the vote for passing over the article being seventy-four, and against it sixteen. The record shows that an other meeting was held on the same day as the above, when a mo tion to pass over the article giving bounties to conscripts was de feated, and it was voted to pay such men when mustered in, the sum of flfty dollars each. The treasurer was directed to hire the money necessary for carrying out the above vote. Samuel Cony had two hundred and ninety-seven votes for Governor and Bion Bradbury two hundred and fourteen. At a meeting December twelfth, voted to exempt the Bethel Steam Mill Company from tax ation for a term of ten years. An article relating to bounties was passed over. 1864. Elias M. Carter was chosen moderator and Oliver H, Mason clerk. Sullivan B. Hutchins was chosen school committee and Elias M. Carter, agent. For constables, Mighill Mason, David F. Brown, Israel G. Kimball and EHas S. Bartlett. Voted to set off Hiram Hodsdon from school district number twenty-two and an nex him to number fourteen. Fifteen hundred dollars were raised to defray town charges and twenty-five hundred for ways. The town treasurer was authorized to renew the notes held against the town or pay the same. A road was accepted laid out on petition of Samuel Bird and others, beginning near the barn of the late Isaac W. Estes and ending at the county road near the place of Enoch. Stiles. At a meeting August twenty-fourth, it was voted to fill the town's quota for recent calls, by enlistment, and a committee con sisting of Israel G. Kimball, Gilman L. Blake and Timothy Bean was raised as a recruiting committee. Voted to raise one thousand dollars to pay bounties. For Governor Samuel Cony had two hun dred and sixty-five votes and Joseph Howard one hundred and ninety-two. At a meeting December third, Israel G. Kimball was chosen agent to procure either enlisted men or substitues to fill the town's quotas, and the treasurer was authorized to borrow or hire ..672 HISTORY OF BETHEL. the sum of three thousand dollars to be expended by the above- named agent, for the purposes specified. It was voted that the agent pay the expenses of those who go to Lewiston to be examined by the enrolling board ai^d who are exempted by said board from mil itary service and no others. At a meeting December sixteenth, voted to raise money to pay volunteers or substitutes for future quotas of the town, and twelve thousand dollars were voted for that purpose. Voted that Israel G. Kimball and Gideon A. Hast ings be agents for filling future quotas, and the sum raised was placed at their disposal. 1865. Elias M. Carter was chosen moderator and Charles Mason clerk. For selectmen, Gilman P. Bean, Israel G. Kimball and Sullivan R. Hutchins. Three thousand dollars were raised for Toads, and what the law required for schools. Ten thousand five hundred dollars were raised to meet liabilities of the town. The treasurer was authorized to hire flfteen hundred dollars, if needed, to aid families of volunteers ; also to hire money to meet bills that may become due. For Governor Samuel Cony had two hundred and forty-eight votes, and Joseph Howard one hundred and thir teen. For representative Reuben B. Foster of Hanover and Thomas IS. Littlehale were the opposing candidates and each polled the party vote. 1866. The moderator and clerk were re-elected. For select men Elias M. Carter, Sullivan R. Hutchins and David F. Brown. Robert A. Chapman was elected treasurer, Nathaniel T. True, school committee, and Samuel F. Gibson agent. Cyrus Wormell bid off the taxes to collect and was chosen collector. Highway surveyors, Clark S. Edwards, James Lapham, John B. Peaslee, D. M. Grover, Abial Chandler Jr., Casper L. Russell, John Chase, Augustus M. Carter, Orrin B. Swan, Kingsbury Curtis, Stephen Estes Jr., Alfred Estes, Ira Cushman, Wm. L. Grover, Francis Barker, D. A. Adams, Daniel B. Grover, Isaac Cross, Aaron Cross, Josiah Brown, Charles T. D. Crockett, Ephraim Bryant, Benjamin Bartlett, Charles R. Locke, Timothy H. Chapman, Moses S. Kimball, John, S. Swan, Samuel J. Howard, Richard Estes, Jared Young, Humphrey B. Holt, Leonard Farewell and David A. Adamson. Voted to set off from school district number fifteen all the polls and estates in said district, eastwardly and northwardly of the following described lines. Up Main street from James L. Dillaways to Spring street; on Spring street to land owned by Moses Mason ; on said Mason's line eastwardly and northwardly to land owned by Robert A. Chapman ; thence southwardly on said Chapman's line to land owned by Daniel S. Hastings ; thence east wardly on said Chapman's line to land owned by Levi Twitchell ; thence southwardly to Greenwood line. Commencing at the junction of High and Mechanic streets near Butterfield's Mill, thence up High to Church street to the south line of land owned by Henry Stearns and others, following said line to the mill brook, into a «, school district to be numbered thirty. Voted the usual sums for HISTORY OF BE'THEL. 073 ways, schools and town charges and seven hundred and fifty dollars to pay interest. Joshua L. Chamberlain had three hundred and seven votes for Governor and Eben F. Pillsbury two hundred and one. Isaac I. York of Grafton was chosen representative. 1867. Josiah Brown was chosen moderator and Enoch Foster Jr. clerk. Selectmen, David F. Brown, Samuel B. Twitchell and Charles T. D. Crockett. Enoch. Foster was chosen agent and Charles T. D. Crockett school committee. Israel G. Kimball bid off the collection of taxes and was chosen collector. Three thou sand dollars were raised for roads ; eighteen hundred and ninety- three and one-fourth dollars for schools, twenty-two huudred for town charges, and nine hundred toward the town's indebtedness. Voted fifty dollars to build a pound. Voted to accept a road laid ¦ out by the selectmen, beginning at the foot of the hill in the town way leading to .loseph Holt's near the corner of land owned by John Williamson, and ending in the said town way above the hill near where the school house in district number ten once stood. The amended liquor law was adopted, thirty-four to four. At a meet ing December eighteenth, known as the Bridge meeting, it was voted that the town build a bridge across the Androscoggin river at or near Barker's Ferry, and that flfteen thousand dollars be raised for that purpose for which town bonds should be issued. Voted a committee to petition the Legislature for a charter for said bridge, establishing rates of toll to be charged and the right to charge toll for a period not exceeding twenty years, and Robert A. Chapman, Richard A. Frye and Charles R. Locke were chosen as such com mittee. A committee to have charge of building the bridge was chosen as follows : Eber Clough, Pinckney Burnham and Samuel B. Twitchell. 1868. Elias M. Carter was chosen moderator and Leander T. Barker, clerk. The report of the selectmen was read and accepted. It was voted to pay David Edwards one hundred dollars town bounty. Selectmen, Samuel B. Twitchell, Charles T. D. Crockett and Elbridge G. Wheeler. Robert A. Chapman was re-elected treasurer and David Garland school committee. Chose John M. Philbrook, John D. Hastings. Augustus M. Carter, John Barker and Josiah Brown 2d, Road Commissioners. Voted flfty-five hun dred dollars for support of poor and for other town charges. Voted to make a discount of flve cents on the dollar to all who paid their money tax before November first, proximo. At a subsequent meet ing voted to ratify doings of the committee appointed to examine the farm and personal property of Charles C. Bryant and J. W. Kimball, who recommended the town to ratify their purchase. Voted to raise thirty-eight hundred dollars to pay for said real es tate and personal property At a meeting in April, the selectmen were authorized to repair the town house. At a meeting .fune third, the treasurer was authorized to obtain money by loan or otherwise, to be expended in building the bridge at Barker's Ferry ; also au thorized the treasurer to dispose of the town scrip or bonds in such 43 674 HISTORY OF BETHEL. quantity and at such rate of interest as he might deem best. Voted to accept the widening of the road leading from Dr. True's to Broad street. For Governor .loshua L. Chamberlain had three hun dred and thirty-four votes and Eben F. Pillsbury two hundred and twenty-four. Israel G. Kimball was elected representative. At a meeting in October, voted to raise fifteen hundred dollars additional to build the bridge at Barker's Ferry. At the November election the republican electors polled three hundred and nine votes and the democratic one hundred and fifty-two. At a meeting in February, the Bridge Company reported total cost of bridge to that date, six teen thousand four hundred and ninety-six dollars. The report was accepted, and a committee was appointed to purchase the buildings of the old Bridge Company for a toll house. Edmund E. Holt was chosen toll gatherer. 1869. Albert L. Burbank was chosen moderator. The several reports were accepted. Voted that the treasurer collect the execu tion against Mighill Mason. Eber Clough was chosen collector of taxes at one cent on the dollar. The town treasurer was instructed to hire what money it was necessarj' to have to pay maturing in debtedness of the town. William H. Goddard was appointed school committee in place of Charles T. D. Crockett who had re moved from town. For Governor, Joshua L. Chamberlain had two hundred and thirty-four votes, Franklin Smith one hundred and ten and Nathan G. Hichborn, fourteen. 1870. Albert L. Burbank was chosen moderator. The reports of town oflflcers were read and accepted. Eber Clough was re-elect ed collector of taxes, and Samuel F. Gibson agent. Three thousand dollars were raised for town purposes, and five thousand dollars for the repair of roads. At a meeting in August the selectmen were in structed to petition the county commissioners to discontinue the road not yet opened, from near Samuel Stanley's, by Daniel G. Kendall's to near Joshua Chase's house at Middle Interval. The selectmen were instructed to expend what money they thought suf ficient to protect the south bank of Sunday river below Swan's Corner and Sunday river bridge, provided Joshua Swan would pay seventy-five dollars toward the same. For Governor Sidney Per ham had two hundred and twenty-six votes and Charles W. Roberts two hundred and twenty-three. Moses C. Foster was elected repre sentative. The doings of the county commissioners relating to locating a road on petition of John S. Swan and others were spread upon the records this year. 1871. Elias M. Carter was chosen moderator, Robert A. Chap men treasurer, Enoch Foster agent and George M. Bodge school committee. The selectmen were authorized to furnish the treasurer with bridge tickets to be sold by the quantity to parties desiring them. Twenty-flve hundred dollars were raised for schools, twenty- flve hundred for roads and two thousand for town purposes. Voted to instruct the selectmen to hire Pattee's Hall for five years at a HISTORY OF BETHEL. 675 sum not exceeding ten dollars per meeting, for the purpose of holding therein the meetings of the town. A road was accepted be ginning on line ot land between Clifford Wheeler and Austin Wheeler ; also a road on application of Jedediah Estes and others beginning on lot number three in the second range, to intersect a town way leading from Hamlin's Gore to Benjamin Estes in Bethel ; also a road, on petition of Robert A. Chapman and others, beginning at a point thirty rods south of Josiah Dutton's house to the county road leading from Bethel Hill to the depot. Voted that the selectmen tender to Andrew C. Oliver, five dollars for alleged damage received from defective highway. Voted that the old town house be sold to the highest bidder, and the same was sold to Abernethy Grover for sixty-seven dollars. A road was accepted from Almon Grover's house to the Paine road near Thomas Mabury's. For Governor Sidney Perham had two hundred and fifty-six votes and Charles P. Kimball two hundred and three. Moses C. Ji'oster was re-elected representative. 1872. At a meeting January thirteenth Gilman P. Bean was chosen moderator. The town voted to discontinue the town way commencing on the line of Clifford and Austin Wheeler and ending at the Paine road. Voted to pay Francis C. Bean one hundred dol lars as a compromise for damage alleged by him to have been oc casioned by a defective highway. The annual meeting was held March fourth. Abernethy Grover was chosen moderator. Town officers' reports were read and accepted. Robert A. Chapman was allowed fifty dollars for services as treasurer. Melville C. Kimball was chosen town treasurer, and Eber Clough collector. Four thousand dollars were raised for the various purposes of the town. David Hammons was authorized to employ Mr. Lovett of Fryeburg to make a copy of the original plan of the town of Bethel, and that David Hammons take the deposition of Jos. ph A. Twitchell in per - petuam, identifying said original plan. Voted to have a tax laid upon dogs. Voted to erect a building for the use of the town equal to one hundred and fifty feet in length and thirty wide, and to lease the same for manufacturing purposes. Voted to raise twelve thou sand dollars by issuing town bonds, for the purpose of erecting such building. Robert A. Chapman, Melville C. Kimball Richard A. Frye and Daniel B. Grover were appointed a building committee. Voted to discontinue the town way from True P. Dus tin's house to the meeting house near Eli Swan's. Chose a commit tee to look up evidence to be used in the case of Albert S. Twitchell and others for the possession of the common. Voted to accept the street deeded to the town by the heirs of Elbridge Chap man, Samuel D. Philbrook and Pinckney Burnham. For Governor Sidney Perham had two hundred and seventy-six votes and Charles P. Kimball had two hundred and ten. At the November election the Republican electors polled two hundred and seventy-one votes and the democratic one hundred and six. 1873. Abernethy Grover was chosen moderator, Elbridge 676 HISTORY OF BETHEL. G. Wheeler, C. M. Kimball and Gilman Chapman, selectmen, David Hammons treasurer, Abernethy Grover auditor, David Gar land superintending school committee, Eber Clough collector of taxes and Enoch Foster agent. Voted four thousand dollars for highways. Voted that the selectmen adopt some method for es tablishing the south line of the town. Voted that the muaicipal of ficers sell the town's poor house and all the personal property con nected therewith. Voted to accept a road or private way laid out for the benefit of .Jedediah Estes ; also a road laid out on petition of Tilton Bennett. Voted that the treasurer hire money to pay the execution against the town in favor of Frederick A. Dumond and wife. Voted fifty dollars to build the road laid out from Hanover Ferry across the land of Charles V. Martin. For Governor, Nelson Dingley Jr. had two hundred and twenty-six votes, and Joseph Tit- comb one hundred and thirly-eight. Voted to oppose the repeal of the law for the establishment of a toll bridge in Bethel and the right to demand toll, and a committee was chosen to go before the Legislative committee for that purpose. 1874. Abernethy Grover was chosen moderator and Goodwin E. Wiley clerk. Town officers' reports were read and accepted. Richard A. Frye was chosen town agent and Rev. John F. Sim mons school committee. Voted to raise seven thousand six hun- -dred and twenty-six dollars for town purposes and five thousand •dollars for roads. Voted five hundred dollars to rebuild Alder river bridge. Voted to tax dogs the sum required by law. Pinck ney Burnham was elected representative. The town lines were perambulated as required by law. At a meeting January twenty- mine, voted to resist the petition of Alphin Twitchell and others, to the Legislature, asking for the repeal of the act permitting the town of Bethel to collect toll on the bridge across the Androscog gin river at Barker's Ferry. 1875. Enoch Foster was chosen moderator. Robert A. Chap man treasurer and Richard A. Frye agent. Voted a discount of ten per cent on all money taxes paid before October first. David Garland and Nahum W. Grover were chosen school committee. Voted fifteen hundred dollars for the suipport of the poor, five hun dred dollars for building roads, and six thousand dollai-s for the re pair of roads. Voted "that all single sleighs and sleds used by the inhabitants of this town shall be so altered or constructed that the center of the sleigh or sled shall run from twelve to fourteen inches to the right of the center of the draft thereof, this vote to take ef fect on the first day of December, eighteen hundred and seventv- five." Voted twenty-flve per cent discount on highway taxes when paid in cash, before the fifteenth of June proximo. For Governor Selden Connor had two hundred and twenty-seven votes and Charles W. Roberts one hundred and seventy-five. Each of the several proposed constitutional amendments were ratified by a large majority. INDEX OF NAMES. PAGE 1 TO 455. Alexander 7 Austin 44, 45, 48, 61, 126, 303 Andrews, 59, 62, 64, 69, 84, 86, 88, 89, 90, 100, 160, 161, 162, 163, 168, 175, 184, 185, 190. 201, 266, 302, 336, 337, 384, 387, 393, 894, 402, 412, 414. 443. Abbot, 61, 62, 85, 102, 111, 155, 165, 167, 171, 173, 174, 175, 176. 178, 181, 184, 185, 192, 222, 223, 224, 284, 261, 284, 387, 888, 884, 885, 402, 405, 430, 443, 445, 450, 452. Asten 62 Ames 62, 111, 161 Avery 67 Adams 67, 69, 162, 163, 164, 165, 202, 227, 244, 267, 837, 398, 401, 437, 443, 448. Adley 69 B Bane 11, 76. Baker 17, 218,227 Bartlett, 19, 20, 22, 41, 57, 59, 62, 63. 64, 65, 68, 69, 79, 84, 85, 86, 88, 91, 98, 100, 101, 114, 123, 124, 150, 157, 158, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178. 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 192, 206, 208, 219, 224, 238, 253, 260, 266, 268, 270, 282, 284, 285, 288, 292, 295, 801, 804, 308, 386, 843. 361, 376, 385, 887, 389, 892, 393, 394, 395, 402, 407, 414, 427, 480, 431, Annis 69, 85, 90, 100, 103. Ayer, 69, 99, 164, 173, 179. 180, 182, 190, 219, 241, 243, 244, 252, 259, 267, 268, 269, 294, 393, 401, 431. Arnold 75 Allen, 87, 173, 182. 229, 238, 284, 289, 877, 880, 390, 395, 400, 410, 411,412. Atherton 90, 96 Adamson 100 Ayers 142 Annas, 164, 166, 169, 171, 176, 177, 179, 180, 181, 185, 186. Albee 186 Anderson 187, 293, 402, 452. Appletbn 187, 377 Alger 390 Aspinwall 406 443, 444, 445, 446, 449. 450, 451, 452, 453. Buckminster 20 Bernard 20 Brewer 21. 393, 894. Burt 21, 269 Bridges 22 Bent 22. 366 Baldwin 22 Bryant, 22, 99, 114, 185, 267, 270, 271, 291, 406. Bellows 23 Bond 23, 391, 394, 396 Beth 24 Barker, 27, 56, 57, 60. 62, 85, '88, 90, 95, 119, 126, 155, 168, 165, 169, 171, 176, 178, 180, 181, 183, 678 HISTORY OF BETHEL. 186, 193, 204, 205, 206, 213, 234, 235, 243, 252, 254, 266, 270, 292, 294, 298, 301, 303, 307, 308, 384, 385, 389, 396, 401, 402, 407, 408, 413, 414, 416, 427, 437, 438, 444, 445, 446. Barton, 41, 69, 160, 161, 162, 216, 232, 233, 234. Bean, 42, 55, 57, 59, 62, 63, 64, 65, 69, 84, 85, 86, 88, 90, 91, 95, 96, 122, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 168, 169, 170, 171, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 181, 182, 183, 185, 186, 189, 190, 191, 205, 219, 221, 223, 224, 265, 267, 269, 270, 271, 282, 287, 295, 296, 307, 808, 828, 336, 361, 385, 387, 890, 393, 394, 400, 401, 402, 407, 414, 418, 421, 431, 437, 439, 444, 445, 446, 450, 454. Bearce .44, 98, 182, 414 Brickett 59, 63, 241, 281, 420 Bradley, 60, 61, 199. 207, 281, 420, 437. Barron 61 Bragdon 61 Blake, 62, 90, 102, 108, 112, 164, 166, 167, 168, 169, 172, 175, 178, 187, 192, 227, 285, 296, 836, 385, 430, 437, 444, 446. Burbank, 64, 118, 114, 115, 158, 164, 165, 171, 174, 178, 180, 183, 204, 205, 208, 245, 267, 284. 286, 287, 288, 289, 292, 301, 303, 309 ,335, 336, 384, 395. 898, 406, 411, 415, 416, 438, 443, 444, 445, 446. Brown, 69, 84, 87, 90, 95, 103, 114, 115, 162, 168, 170. 171, 175, 176, 177, 181, 184, 204, 206, 218. 226, 266, 268, 269. 271, 284, 287, 288, 289, 290, 298, 295, 301. 803, 326, 334, 385, 386, 839, 342, 383, 385, 386, 390, 394, 897, 402, 404, 406, 413, 414, 416, 427, 428, 430, 444, 446, 450, 452. Bird, 86, 99, 182, 185, 221. 223, 224, 386. Beatty, 87, 172, 173, 174, 179, 184, 339. Bragg 89, 402 Bell 90 Bridgham 90, 291 Bisbee 90, 180, 182, 189, 405, 413 Billings 90, 885, 401, 402, 413 Beckler 90 Beebe 91, 362 Besse 98, 178, 180, 185, 399 Buck, 98, 111, 202, 203, 215. 255, 287 Berry 99, 177, 178, 400, 401, 402 Barrett 107 Barnard 107 Bostwick Ill Bachelder 112 Buxton 116, 250 Blanchard 119, 267 Banks 130, 260 Bradbury 144, 218, 336 Bullard 151 Brooks 172, 173, 205, 402, 454 Burk 172, 173, 175, 176, 437 Burnham, 186, 204, 205, 223, 226, 235, 292, 293, 385, 387, 890, 412, 430, 446. Bronson 188 Boothby 188 Bennett 189, 270 Bradford 201, 208, 213, 240, 337 Beaman 201, 213, 271 Bowler 203, 216 Bridge 205, 402 Booth 210 Bolster 218, 287 Bray 220, 221, 225 Butler 223 Beavins 223, 226, 270, 402, 404 Becker 227 Bodwell 231 Bates 231, 334 Bosserman 232 Barrows, 249, 836, 837, 886, 899, 407, 446. Burleigh 260 Blackman 266 Bowker 266, 362 Beard 267, 271 Black, ....269, 336, 887, 400, 450, 453 Bodge 287 Bonan 291 Burns 291, 292 Bicknell 292, 337 Bailey 293 Barbour 304 Barden . 309, 384, 387, 402 Bass 336 Buswell 336 Baxter 366 Bonney.. 383, 395, 396, 409, 411, 412 Bedell 384 Benson 387, 406 Ballard 402, 411 Brock 402, 412 Butterfield 402 Bishop 404 Brackett 437 Bennett 437 Blodgett 437 Boyden 450 HISTORY OF BETHEL. 679 Cartier 3 Champlain 4 Cutt 17 Converse 17 Clark, 19, 20, 22, 26, 38, 40, 41, 45, 46, 47, 48, 51, 54. 57, 59, 62, 63, 68, 69, 79, 80, 88, 86, 87. 88, 90, 113, 114, 115, 160, 161, 163, 164, 165, 169, 177, 181, 208, 212, 219, 281, 300, 301, 303, 307, 309, 336, 394, 402, 404, 406, 407, 418, 414, 421, 427, 438, 443. Cogin 22 Corey 22 Coney 23 <;5iapman, 59, 60, 62, 65, 69, 79, 85, 86, 88, 89, 91, 95, 96, 107, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, -121, 184, 161, 162, 168, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 171, 172, 175, 178, 179. 181, 188, 184, 185, 187, 188, 189, 192, 193, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209. 235, 236, 240, 266, 268, 271, 272, 281, 284, 285, 286, 287, 289, 290, 292, 293, 294, 295, 296, 297, 302, 304, 305, 307, 308, 309, 312, 328, 333, 337, 362, 363, 364, 365, 366, 376, 384, 387, 389, 390, 392, 395, 396, 897, 398, 401, 402, 403, 405, 407, 410, 411, 412, 413, 414. 416, 422, 427, 429, 480, 437, 438, 443, 444, 446. Charles 61 Chandler, 61, 103, 178, 185, 186. 187, 205, 251, 272, 291, 295, 384, 401, 402, 407, 409, 411, 430. Carter, 69, 87, 88, 95, 121, 156, 157, 162, 163, 164. 166, 167, 168, 169, 170. 171, 172, 174, 175, 176, 181, 182, 183, 184. 185, 186, 187, 188, 192, 204, 237, 242, 246, 252, 253, 272, 284, 285, 286, 289, 295, 296, 331, 334, 336, 337, 375, 383, 395, 397, 402, 443, 444, 445, 446. Capen, 69, 91, 171, 176, 184, 189, 267, 397. Coffin, 69, 70, 91, 161, 176, 184, 187, 192, 199, 219, 232, 281, 393, 411. Church 74, 200, 201 Conn 84, 188 Crawford 87, 409 Cummings, 90, 91, 98, 99, 100, 107, 111, 181, 188, 190, 202, 205, 289, 336, 337. Chaplin 90 Colby 90, 172, 175 Cross, 91, 164, 176, 180, 183, 185, 186, 189, 205, 267, 271, 272, 284, 287, 290, 295, 811, 382, 387, 397, 402, 411, 427, 430, 446. Chamberlain 91, 201, 204, 285 Case 91, 108, 167, 168, 169 Cushman, 91, 99, 102, 103, 125, 167, 175, 176, 177, 181, 182, 185, 188, 213, 222, 223, 224, 296. Carpenter 96 Crooker 96, 100, 101, 387 Chase, 99, 102, 204, 206, 219, 256, 262, 291, 296, 324, 336, 337, 399, 402, 423. Cram 102 Cutler Ill, 112 Clay 136, 244 Corwin 187 Crowingshield 173 Cilley 178 Chadbourn, 180, 219, 225, 386, 393, 398. Cary 185, 187, 385 Coburn 186, 414 Curtis 186 Clough. 189, 232, 287, 301, 382, 389, 403, 404, 430, 444, 446. Cressey 201 Chickering 202, 218 Cobb 206, 227 Crocker 207 Codman 207 Cromwell 216 Colburn 216 Carruthers 218 Cole 219, 271, 439 Crofeby 221 Chancy 227 Cumney 228 Child ....228 Cook 255, 266, 272 Cheney 263 Connor 266 Cooper 272 Collins 287 Carpenter 290 Carleton 291, 454 Clifford 292 Churchill 294 Clay 324 Choate 324 Chaplin 836 Carr 336 Churchill 337 Cloutman, 350, 351, 352, 353, 354, 360 Cleveland 376 Covel 399, 400 Currier 399 Cady : 415 Crockett 444 680 HISTORY OF BETHEL. DeMonts 3,4 DeGuerchville 3 Druillettes 10 Dike 22 Duston, 38, 41, 56, 57, 62, 70, 86. 91, 95, 100, 153, 160, 163, 168, 171, 173, 176, 181, 190, 207, 302, 303, 311, 339, 382, 383, 386, 389, 393, 427, 437, 443, 444, 449, 450. Dodge 44 Davis, 60, 95, 111, 205, 206, 252, 284, 287, 293, 326, 379, 387, 400, 408, 409, 412. Dresser 61 Davenport 61 Dearborn 61 Daniels 98 Dunn 99 Dolloft 100, 265, 266, 272 Dunley 101 Dunham, 102, 183, 184, 187, 220. 222, 223, 224, 226, 266, 283. Derby Ill Dunlap 112, 183 Dexter 170, 171 Drinkwater 171, 220, 225, 283 Drake. ...180, 181, 443, 446, 450, 451 Dana 188, 256 Douglass, 201, 202, 213, 214, 218, 292, 386, 402, 403. Dwight 202 Dillaway. 204, 205, 385 Dodd 218 Dow-ning 227 Dow 228 Davies 228 Dillingham 233 DeWitt 251 Dalrymple 272 Dresser 288 Dingley 380 Deady 369 Dane". 376 Deane 376 Dutton 386 Drummond 399, 400 Durrell 405 Eames, 19, 20, 22, 70, 84, 87, 88, 108, 168, 166, 170, 177, 181, 183, 186, 195, 222, 223, 287, 293, 400, 403, 448, 444, 445, 446. Eastman, 61,267,367,387 Evans 61, 162, 273, 288 Estes, 62, 70, 87, 89, 91, 98, 99, 100, 162, 168, 168, 171, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 189, 190, 219, 221, 223, 237, 238, 239, 272, 278, 288, 290, 291, 294, 308, 884, 386, 387, 393, 396, 397, 403, 435. Ellenwood 70 Elingwood, 87, 148, 149, 160, 162, 167, 173, 175, 176, 178, 179, 180, 201, 213, 247, 273, 284, 308, 334, 355, 356, 857, 383, 884, 396, 897, 898, 403, 410, 411. 412, 429. Elliot 185, 189, 385, 386, 454 Ethridge 189, 267, 384, 444 Eaton 229, 292 Elkins 229- Edwards, 282, 265, 266, 267, 268, 272, 273, 291, 293. 294, 367, 368, 387, 406, 410, 413, 414, 444. Emerson 237 Everett 266, 437 Emery 284, 336 Eustis 336 Endicott 362 Ellis 877 21 Pay 22 Puller, 23, 26, 111, 227, 228, 299, 394 Foster, 27, 32, 61, 88, 89, 91, 95, 101, 124, 174, 176, 180, 181, 183, 185, 205, 210, 218, 219, 221, 222, 223, 224, 238, 259, 260, 261, 286, 287, 290, 291, 294, 296, 318, 386, 399, 400, 402, 403, 406. 407, 411, 414, 424, 425, 426, 429, 443, 444, 445, 446, 447, 450, 451, 452. Favor 40 Farrington, 54, 60, 61, 227, 291, 336 Frye, 61, 62, 89, 95, 110, 157, 161, 176, 178, 179, 180, 182, 186, 187, 205, 254, 255, 256, 257, 258, 260, 261, 262, 266, 267, 284, 285, 286, 287, 289, 293, 295, 296. 823, 330, 331, 335, 877, 397, 398, 403, 409, 412, 414, 427, 430, 443, 445, 446. Frost, 62, 70, 89, 91, 96, 100, 101, 117, 122, 123, 158, 160, 161, HISTORY OF BETHEL. 681 165, 169, 171, 172, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 186, 187, 188, 190, 201, 202, 203, 212, 213, 214, 215, 218, 231, 240, 253, 282, 283, 284, 286, 385, 385, 387, 393, 408, 412, 443, 444, 445, 446, 449, 451, 453. Fenno, 62, 63, 70, 160, 161, 193, 298, 885, 421, 448. Farwell, 70, 84, 142, 175, 176, 177, 180, 182, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 273, 295, 308, 336, 387, 405, 406. French.... 91, 293, 386, 405, 406, 412 Frisbee 91 Fairfield 92, 184, 186, 451 Fifield 99 Farrar 101, 107, 219, 273 Fessenden, 162, 188, 199, 200, 201, 281, 336, 337. Fletcher 167 G Gorges 5, 6, 9 Gilbert 5, 112 Grover, 12, 42, 43, 53, 57, 59, 62, 63,- 68, 70, 84, 86, 88, 89, 91, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 158, 161, 16-2, 163, 164, 166, 167, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 188, 185, 186, 188, 189, 193, 200, 201, 203, 204, 205, 206, 217, 239, 243, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 252, 262, 263, 265, 267, 268, 274, 275, 284, 285, 286, 287, 288, 290, 292, 295, 296, 802, 303, 304, 308, 320, 330, 332, 834, 337, 389, 367, 868, 369, 370, 371, 372, 373, 374, 375, 376, 379, 384, 387, 389, 393, 395, 396, 897, 401, 403, 407, 408, 411, 412, 418, 420, 427, 432, 433, 437, 441, 442, 443, 444, 445, 446. Green 21, 229, 290, 291 Golding 21 Grout, 22, 40, 87, 164, 165, 166, 168, 172, 173, 182, 895, 396. Graves 22 Gray 37, 202, 254, 267, 392, 407 Goss, 38,. 62, 69, 100, 101, 176, 177, 179, 183, 185, 190, 435. Gould, 46, 70, 84, 88, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 207, 210, 211, 212, 213, 218, 219, 229, 246, 247, 257, 282, 283, 285, 290. 291, 320, 383, 408, 409, 437. Gage, 59, 62, 70, 160, 161, 163, 167, 171, 176, 181, 200, 218, 253, Fowler 176 Forbes 188, 415 Panning 195, 204, 251, 416 Farnsworth 205, 329 Foot 205 Fernald 214, 287, 294 Finnegan 226 Fairbanks 228 Freeman, 282, 266, 267, 268, 278, 274, 339, 404, 412, 445, 446. Fogg • 234 Freeland 242 Francis 251 Fisk 287, 368 Fellows 294 Fish 302 Farnum 361 Farrington 403 Flint 403 Fickett 403 Folsom 403 282, 291, 336, 337, 393, 394, 403. Gordon 61,254, 291, 412. Greenwood, 70, 91, 116, 160, 162, 170, 171, 178, 178, 180, 200. Goodenow, 70, 170, 171, 267, 336, 450. Gossom 70, 167, 184, 186, 219 Grant 85, 96, 112, 176, 387 Goddard. 86, 100, 183, 274, 294, 295, 376, 383, 403, 429, 444. Godwin.... 97, 98, 205, 387, 408, 407 Glines 101, 178 Gardner Ill, 277 Gill 160, 162 Gerry, 162, 163, 167, 168, 169. 258, 287, 336. • Gore 166, 167, 168 Garland, 184, 202, 217, 218, 283, 287, 295, 296, 297, 389. Gallison 188 Griggs 194 Greeley 201, 202, 213, 262 Goodhue 202 Gerrish, 232, 274, 298, 384, 399, 400, 404, 410. Gaines... 232, 238, 250, 266, 283, 287 Galusha 239 Gehring 254 Gibson, 259, 263, 293, 294, 336, 399, 400, 401, 402, 403, 406, 407, 429, 446. Griffin 266 Gates 274 Gorham 294 Gammon 336 Gregg 337 Grandin 430 €82 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Harmon 11 Hide 22 Holbrook 22 Harrington 22, 23 Howe, 24, 93, 100, 181, 275, 386, 399. Hastings, 89, 48, 62, 67, 70, 88, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 95, 96, 125, 158, 160, 161, 162, 163, 166, 169, 172, 174, 177, 178, 181, 182, 184, 186, 187, 189, 192, 267, 268, 275, 282, 284, 285, 286, 287, 289, 293, 294, 295, 296, 301, 319, 323, 376, 377, 378, 385, 387, 395, 898, 403, 408, 411, 413, 414, 427, 428, 429, 430, 442, 443, 444, 445, 446. Holt. 59. 62, 63, 70, 84, 86, 87, 90, 95, 96, 111, 157, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 168, 170, 174, 175, 177, 178, 179, 181, 182, 185, 188, 189. 200, 205, 206, 221, 222, 223, 224, 275, 291, 296, 308, 337, 388, 385, 386, 390, 393, 399, 400, 402, 403, 404, 405, 423, 424, 443, 445. Hutchinson 60, 229, 386 Hutchins, 61, 100, 189, 201, 208, 213. 266, 275, 276, 403, 444, 452. Hazelton 61, 229, 230 Hisom 61 Harvey 62, 69, 92. Howard, 62, 70, 100, 107, 111, 162, 168, 177, 178, 179, 182. 187, 189, 224, 229, 2/0, 288, 386, 394. 443, 447, 448, 449, 450, 451, 452, 453, 454. Harris, 85, 183, 205, 218, 284, 291, 337. 367, 382, 387, 896, 397, 898, 409, 411, 412, 413, 488, 452 Hills, 86, 168, 176, 886, 396, 398, 446 Hubbard 87, 189 Hale 90, 91, 290 Hersey 90, 403 Hapgood... 90, 91, 189, 204, 296, 387 Haskell.. ..90, 91, 337, 401, 403. 404 Hobbs 94, 98 Hamlin 96, 111, 189, 290, 336 Hodsdon, 96, 101, 103, 167, 171, 177, 180, 275, 386, 446. Hemmingway 97, 98, 173 Hai-per 98, 266 Hatch 102, 144 Hilburn 102, 887, 446 Hall, 107, 169, 205. 206, 275, 287, 288, 290, 336, 884, 387, 403. Holman Ill Hill Ill, 164, 171, 254, 396, 403 Holmes 111,145,238,275 H Hounsfield. : Ill Huntington 112 Hull 122 Heywood, 133, 294, 408, 416, 450, 451, 452. Hunton 179, 180, 450 Hodgman 180 Herrick, 182. 261, 262, 287, 293, 409, 413, 414, 427, 446. Hodgdon 183,186 Heath 183, 189, 267 Harden -.184, 275 Hibbard 187 Hasseltine 188 Haselton 189 Hilliard ,..201, 203 Hopkins 202, 218, 287 Hardy 203, 217 Hanson 205 Hackett 206 Hurd 206, 210, 285 Hooper 219 Hawley 223 Harthorn 224 Holley 226 Hinman 227 Hart 229 Hamblen 229 Holland...... 243 Hozack 251 Hammons, 257, 287, 292, 877, 385; 404, 405, 412, 446. Howland 264 Hammond.. ..266, 268, 275, 401, 410 Ham 267 Hicks 267 Heath 275 Hobart 275 Hussey 287 Hawkins 289 Holden 290 Howe, 292, 295, 401, 403, 450, 451, 452, 453, 454. Harlow- 292 Haynes 336 Hearsey 336, 337 Hinds, 349, 350, 351, 352, 353, 354, 355, 358, 359, 360, 367. Hovey 362 Hasset 362 Harding 369 Holaday 373 Hayes..' 374 Houghton 386 Hayden 387, 412, 430 Harrington 393, 394 Heintzelman 432 Hemmenway 450 Hoyt 450,451, 452, 453 HISTORY OF BETHEL. 683 Ingalls, 37, 38, 42, 49, 55, 57, 62, 64, 69, 85,, 175, 191, 249, 284, 289, 300, 301, 303, 370, 376, 393. ¦Jordan, 17, 90,99, 127, 181, 182, 188, 192, 229, 267, 367, 403, 412. Jaquith 20, 22 Jones, 21, 90, 227, 403, 406, 454 Jackson, 27, 33, 62, 244, 267, 276 432. Johnson, 61, 107, 111, 119, 287, 288, 403. Johnston 87, 129 Jewell 90. 454 ..Jackman 167, 208, 396 Kilby 21, 24 Keyes, 37, 38, 72, 300, 301, 304, 392, 428. Knowlton 87, 392 Knight 61, 99, 266, 287, 339, 383 Kilgore, 62, 68, 70, 84, 90, 100, 165, 166, 167, 168, 170, 178, 192, 219, 221, 222, 408, 423. 429, 443, 446. Kimball, 68, 70, 79, 85, 86, 88, 89, 90, 95, 98, 100, 101, 121, 132, 133, 134, 155, 160, 163, 166, 167, 169, 170, 172, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 191, 200, 205, 219, 221, 222, 223, 224, 232, 253, 259, 266, 268, 276, 284, 289, 294, 295, 296, 801, 308, 323, 389, Jewett, 186, 187, 188, 195, 201, 206, 231, 336, 387, 404, 428, 446, 449. 450. Jenks 235 Jobin 246 Jefferds 290 Jeffrey 293 Jenkins 334 Jameson 336 Jacobs 399 K 867, 882, 386, 387, 393, 396, 400, 403, 406, 411, 412, 430, 431, 443, 444, 445, 446, 451. Kendall, 87, 90, 171, 173, 184, 185, 387, 389, 390, 404, 406. Kilbiirn. 90, 204, 205, 382, 401, 408, 413, 414, 445. Kenyon 99 Ketchum Ill Knap 142,266,886,452,454 King 174, 204, 292. 336, 394, 414 Kent 183, 184, 186, 451 Kennerson 276 Kenney -293 Kittredge 336 Keith 336. 407 Kurty 364 Keach 386 Lee 17,92, 111 Lyscom 32 Livermore 26 Littlehale, 61. 85, 103, 266, 397, 411, 412, 454. Lary 62, 247, 403, 437, 438 Lane, 70, 161, 180, 205, 403, 407, 449, 450, 454. Locke, 70. 90, 99, 102, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 141, 158, 162, 164, 166, 171, 172, 174, 176, 177, 180, 186, 189, 276, 289, 290, 291, 292, 294, 296, 307, 382, 386, 444, 446. Lincoln, 81, 82, 83, 138, 152, 166, 167, 253, 266, 376, 449. Lansfley 90 Libby.. 90,205 latham 94 Lapham, 98, 99, 101, 176, 178, 189, 223, 252, 265, 276, 289, 384, 396, 399, 446. Lovewell 110, 422 Lyell 139 Liebig 139 Leland. ..150, 202, 203, 215, 283, 287 Little 171, 201,203, 284, 387 Lyon 178, 204, 205, 296 Larcom 196, 197 Loring 202, 336 Loud 205 Leavitt 206, 233, 837 Lovejoy 218, 884, 400, 403, 414 Lang 267 Lowell 287 Lunt 290, 294 Leonard 290 Lewey 299, 423 684 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Lee 324 Livingston 324 Ludden 386 Long 336 Loomis 855, 356. 357, 359 Lucas 387, 437 Lovell 399 Lovey 399 Lurvey 403, 404 Leach 404, 405- Lydon 407 Lynch 412; M Moulton, 11, 81, 86, 88, 89, 171, 176, 222. Mixer 21 Moor 21, 100 Mackdafillin 21 Meriam, 21, 26, 87. 170, 171, 383, 394. Macke 21 Morse,- 23, 25, 70, 90, 164, 171, 219, 228, 287, 291, 336, 837, 417. Mason, 6, 38, 39, 41, 43, 59, 62. 65, 70, 83, 84, 86, 87, 94, 95, 141, 142, 143, 144. 150, 158, 160, 161, 163, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 192. 198, 205. 208, 209, 219, 220, 222, 225, 232, 233, 239, 243, 245, 248, 252, 277, 281, 282, 284, 286. 287, 288, 289, 291, 293, 294, 295, 296, 302, 303, 304, 307, 308, 319, 328, 342, 367, 368, 382, 385, 386, 387, 390, 395, 896, 399, 400, 402, 403, 404. 406, 407, 408, 409, 412, 413, 414, 416, 417, 420, 427, 428. 429, 437, 438, 443, 444, 445. 446. Marshall 43, 64, 303, 824, 421, 432, 439. Merrill, 61, 70, 86, 95, 162, 163, 167, 170, 174, 175, 182, 184, 189, 201, 213. 225, 246. 267, 277. 291, 348, 382, 383, 884, 386, N Noyes 23, 24, 238 Newton 26 Newland 70, 306 Noble 70 Needham 101, 103, 184, 189, 406 Nutting 108, 186, 277, 415 O Osland 21 Ockett 78, 79, 80, 241, 422 Osgood 161, 169, 217 Oliver.... 173, 192, 267, 383, 406, 411 387, 392, 395, 396, 397, 398,, 399, 410, 416, 439, 444. Macomber 61 Messer 62, 204, 437 Mills, 62, 83, 168, 171, 172, 203, 277,. 303, 385, 420, 437. Marble 86, 166, 383, 386. Moody.. 86. 89, 98, 99, 175, 176, 183,. 186, 189, 210, 223, 336. McKenney 89, 212 Moffatt 91 McMillan, 107' Morris 137 McClure 156: Morrill 159, 403 Mitchell, 201, 218, 223, 226, 251, 277 Morton 206, 254 401, 403, 407 McRuer 216. Martin, 227, 241, 259, 290, 336, 444, 445. Merritt 227. 337 Merick 227 Mott 25! Mulvey — 254 McKeen 267,403 Morgan 277. 454^ McPherson 287 M cKusick 291 Mellen 336. Myrick 337 Miller 364 McLellan 367, 394 McClosky 384, 429' Mead 430' Marden 452 Newell 178, 181, 227, 240, 284 Nevers 336: Norton 366 Nelson 369 Nesmith 369,370' O'Brien 258: Odell.. •• 294 Orlando • 39a HISTORY OF BETHEL. 685 Popham 5 Purchas -.8 Phips 8, 10, 15, 16, 18 Pepperell 15 Patterson 22 Parker, 22, 40, 61, 115. 227, 266, 392, 893, 394, 446. Parris, 22, 175, 291, 334, 336 Perry, 27, 151, 227, 228, 288, 449, 450. Powers, 38, 41, 42, 59, 62, 63, 64, 68, 70, 85. 86, 90, 100, 160, 161, 163, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 173, 175, 176, 177, 181, 187, 189, 190, 191, 219, 277, 802, 303, 308, 337, 384, 386, 398, 401, 403, 431, 443, 450, 451, 458, 454. Parmenter 41 Pettengill 48, 54, 229, 437 Poor 48, 107, 211. 266, 336, 337 Pierce 61, 291, 350 Page 61, 91, 206, 227, 370 PhUlips 67, 291, 299, 337, 423 Purchase 72. 73, 74 Price 87, 397 Plummer.... 91, 287 Proctor 91 Pride 91 Peabody.. .91, 267, 277, 290, 394, 437 Peverly 100 Parkhurst Ill Peck 112 Pitkin 112 Pike 144, 393 Pote 175, 178 Phelps 182 Purington, 204. 205, 287, 867, 886, 387, 412, 413. Philbrook, 204, 287, 294, 295, 802, 408, 414. Partridge 207, 399, 400 Perley 210, 293 Packard 218, 288 Perkins 223, 337. 420 Pain 227, 291, 437 Pratt 227, 277 Potter 229 Pattee, 232, 259, 294, 367, 399, 402. 403, 413. Past 251 Penley 266, 277 Pingree 266, 284 Putnam 278, 452, 453 Pickard 285 Perham 288, 318, 399 Preble 834 Pond 385 Parsons 337 Pressey 403 Park 446 'Quincy 112 Qucipo. •Quimby 229 .292 R Richardson, 19, 20, 21, 24, 26, 41, 55, 56, 170, 177, 206, 278, 292, 299, 300, 392, 393, 394, 403. Raymond 20, 21 Eice 22, 107, 151, 267, 278, 393 Eussell, 38, 39, 40, 41, 55, 56, 57, 59, 61, 62, 63, 66, 67, 68, 70, 85, 87, 88, 91, 96, 102. Ill, 135, 157, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 168, 170, 173, 175, 176, 181, \ 183, 184, 185, 192, 196, 200, 204, 205, 208, 219, 223, 243, 253, 266, 278, 284, 289, 293, 294, 301, 302, 303, 307, 308, 383, 384, 385, 386, 387, 392, 393, 394, 395, 396, 397, 398, 403, 407, 411, 419, 420, 421, 424, 428, 430, 439, 445, 450, 451, 452, 453, 454. Einge ^^ Rowe, 60, 78, 87, 168, 178, 204, 278, 287, 291, 293, 367, 379, 387, 403, 408, 411, 818, 414. Eeddington 64, 311 Robbins, 67, 99, 841, 342, 348, 344, 345, 349, 350, 351, 352, 353, 354, 355, 856, 357, 358, 369, 360. Robinson, 70, 87, 95, 120, 123, 175, 176, 187, 232, 268, 268, 278, 284, 287, 292, 335, 837, 387, 395, 396, 398, 410, 411, 412, 413, 429, 430, 446, 452. Eogers 78, 206, 208, 437 Eyerson 90. 278 Eobertson, 95, 102, 167, 182, 186, 205, 265, 267, 278, 292, 378, 383, 396, 408, 409, 412, 429, 440. Russ 102 Eust Ill, 165, 167 Eichards Ill 686 HISTORY OF BE'THEL. Eoberts, 164, 183, 258, 449, 450, 461, 452, 453. Eeynolds 176,383, 385, 430 Eobey 201 Eipley 201, 438 Eood 202 Eich, 205, 206, 292, 401, 402, 408, 446- Eawson 211, 212, 224 Eand 212 S Seymour 6 Sheffield 21 Stone 21, 24, 300, 337 Sparhawk 23 Spofford 27, 62, 70, 164, 185 Sleeper 27 Swan, 31, 38, 40, 41, 48, 56, 69, 61, 62, 63, 68, 70, 78, 79, 85, 87, 95, 96, 102. 143, 160, 161, 162, 167, 168, 169, 170, 174, 175, 176, 178, 187, 192, 279, 296, 302, 803, 308, 383, 395, 420, 421, 427, 437, 454. Segar, 87, 38, 41, 45, 46, 48, 51. 62, 63, 69, 70, 81, 150, 160, 161, 162, 169, 178, 190, 282, 800, 301, 303, 304, 307, 384, 393, 427, 431, 450. Smith, 40, 62. 69. 91, 136, 179, 180, 188, 185, 195, 201, 206, 213, 214, 219, 222, 229, 279, 292, 295, 335, 337, 370, 402, 415, 448, 449, 450, 461, 452, 453, 454. Stearns, 69, 62, 68, 70, 87, 89, 91, 102, 155, 160, 161, 162, 167, 171, 173, 175, 176, 181, 182, 185, 219, 221, 222, 223, 252, 265, 279, 282, 293, 843, 386, 394, 396, 408, 411. Sanborn, 61, 91, 177, 178, 181, 184. 192, 194, 266, 268, 279, 284, 301, 403, 406. Stevens, 61, 101, 127, 128, 144, 176, 189, 387, 399, 404. Sweat 70, 98, 177, 224 Shapleigh 72 Sabattis 78 Swarson 78, 299, 428 Susup 78 Strickland 80, 91, 92, 336 Staples.. -.85, 170, 172, 386, 454, 455 Sprague 85, 91, 185, 449 Swift, 87, 91, 95, 182, 221, 279, 387, 399, 402, 429. Scribner 90, 279, 403 Shed 91 Sanders. ..91, 448, 449, 450, 451, 452 Eandall 227, 285, 836: Eoi 246- Eobie 260 Eowell 278 Eecord 384, 404 Eeed 397 Roach 401 Eose 404, 405, 427 Eolfe 453- Stiles, 91, 101, 188, 232, 293, 408, 413, 449, 450. Shorey.... 91, 103, 171, 176, 184, 186 Scott 92, 122 Shehan 95, 293, 376, 401 Stowell.. 107, 201, 213, 279, 336. 407 Starr 107, 336 Stowe 107 Shepard 1 10^ Sewise 112 Skillings, 184, 279, .287, 387, 401, 402, 403, 405, 413, 414, 427, 446. Stark 142 Shuman 144 Shay 152 Sumner 160, 161 Strong, 162. 163, 164, 165, 166, 169, 170. Sullivan 164, 165, 166 Sherman 176, 437 Shaw 184, 227, 887, 383. 437 Sewall, 201, 202, 208, 206, 286, 336, 387. Spaulding 205 Stanley 205, 295. 337 Symonds 208 Spurr 213 Southwick 226 Snething 226 Stinson 227 Spear 227 Simmons 232 Schayer 233 Steuben 241 Straw, 244, 877, 403, 413, 417, 429 452. Shepley 269, 384, 335 Sawyer 263, 267, 289, 400 Seavey 265, 267, 279 Small 266, 290, 337, 429 Sheridan 268, 378 Sawtelle 278 Sturgis 279, 293 Soule .' 285, 287, 446 Snow 287 Sweetsir 288 Steele 336 HISTORY OF BETHEL. 687 Stickney 836, 337 Shurtleff 837 Spring 386, 337 Sholes 399 Stetson 386 Seavy 407 Storer 387 Spring 412 Tosier 17 Taylor 21, 38, 226, 227, 438 Twitchell, 21, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 39, 46, 47, 53, 64, 56, 57, 59, 60, 62, 63, 64, 66, 67, 68, 70, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 93, 95, 105, 113, 114, 115, 126, 184, 142. 143, 147, 148, 149, 150, ,151, 152, 163, 154, 158, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 187, 194, 200, 201, 203, 204, 206, 206, 208, 218, 231, 232, 240, 248, 249, 250, 251, 262, 253, 256, 263, 266, 268, 280, 282, 284, 287, 289, 290, 291, 294, 295, 296, 299, 300, 301, 302, 303, 304, 308, 309, 811, 323, 335, 889, 342, 879, 380, 382, 383, 384, 386, 387, 892, 893, 394, 395, 397, 398, 400, 404, 408, 410, 411, 412, 416, 419. 420, 421, 428, 427, 429, 430, 487, 448. 444, 445, 446. Trumbull 22, 26 Temple 23 Towle 37, 248, 267, 392 True, 38, 134, 144, 145, 146, 147, 204, 205, 249, 261, 265, 266, 280, 284, 285, 287, 293, 295, 297, 322, 330, 331, 402, 403, 404, 405, 407, 408, 413, 415, 427, 429. Towne, 70. 164, 166, 168, 182, 187, 189, 205, 219, 293, 296, 878, 401, 402, 443, 444. Totherly 91 Trull 91 Twombly 98, 177, 178 Tuttle 98. 251 Turner 107, 336, 406, 406 Thompson, 111, 181, 231, 232, 283, 260, 291, 336, 396, 399, 400, 428. Thurston 117, 201 Tyler 176, 334, 437 Talbot 189 Tucker 189, 337, 396 Taft 199 Treadwell 201, 213 Tewksbury 202, 218, 337 Titus 203, 287 Tripp 219 Tilmore 227 Tracy 229^ Taskett 231 Tenney 231 Twaddle , 254, 412' Thurlow 287 Thayer 292 Taney 324 Tilden 325, 374 Thornton 336 Tobin 336 Titcomb 376 Tuell 376, 401, 427 Timberlake 401 Trask 403 Tripe 449, 450 U Upton . .185 Verrazzano 3 Virgin, 88, 261, 287, 289, 386, 376, 403, 405, 446, 453. Vose 233 Vaillancourt 266, 280 Valentine 287, 405 Varney 455 W Ward... 21, 22, 96, 188, 237, 390, 446 Wesson 21 Walker. 22, 26, 53, 61, 85, 87, 91, 102, 148, 154, 165, 258, 164, 165. 166, 169, 170, 171, 173, 175, 180, 192, 201, 202, 204, 213, 215, 265, 266, 268, 280, 284, 287. 809, 335, 386, 339, 382, 384, 887, 394, 895, 396, 397, 398, 403, 408, 410, 411, 443, 445, 446. Woodward 22- 688 HISTORY OF BETHEL. Woods 22 Whitney 28, 107, 229 Wood 24, 61, 292, 800, 894 Williams, 41, 302, 836, 376, 400, 401. 451. Wiley, 43, 61, 63, 126, 230, 247, 248, 263. 254, 266, 282, 286, 289, 292, 304, 322, 384, 387, 401, 402, 403, 412, 413, 414, 427, 442, 445. Willis, 70, 86, 88, 90. 164, 167, 169, 170, 173, 175, 178, 181. 190, 311, 448, 451, 452. Wheeler, 70, 87, 91. 107, 165, 171, 174 176, 177, 187, 229, 281, 295, 401, 402, 403, 428, 437,' 440, 441, 444, 445. Wharton 72, 73, 74 Wilson 81, 292 Washington 85, 152 Warren. ...91, 107. 281, 282, 317, 336 Whitcomb 91, 102, 185, 291, 384, 385 Wetherbee 91 Waterhouse 94 Wilbur, 99, 844, 845, 846, 847, 848, 849. 368, 860. Whitman, 101, 176, 187, 284. 296, 336, 403. Waters 107 Wetmore Ill Wadsworth Ill, 336 Waldo Ill Watkinson 112 Whitefield 119 Woodbury, 120, 205, 336, 367, 387, 412, 414, 446. 447. Worthley 144 Williamson, 156, 182, 184, 254, 284, 383, 384. Wells 161, '267 Walden 176 Wentworth 188, 227, 267, 337 Wight, 193, 204, 228, 229, 281, 284, 292, 298, 294, 295, 387, 389, 397, 398, 403, 412, 413, 437. Wheelwright 203, 216, 266, 287 Wilson 206 Webster 207, 244, 324, 341 Whitehouse 228 Wright 244 Weaver 262 Wormell, 266, 268, 280, 296, 384, 399. 400, 402, 403, 413, 414. Weston 291 Wales 291 Winship 291 Winter 293 Wirt 324 Washburn 336, 837, 387 Walton 336 Wyman 336 "Whittle 337 Watt 370 Willard 401 West 403 Widber 403 Wiles 437 York, 42, 64, 55, 56, 57, 69, 61, 62, 63, 64, 68, 70, 83, 86, 100, 160, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 170, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 183, 187, 192, 195, 205, 266, 281, 303, 383, 428, 443, 455. Young, 99, 101, 103, 188, 189. 204, 205, 232, 266, 281, 287, 301, 386, 404, 405, 413 430, 444. Yeats 290 4 J »' r !S^?!S^^|r -..*ffi««!!ft'-".;;.'-".'--:"'-^^'- '