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Ji^wtfmtt CoOese tfbtwcp

BRIGHT LEGACY

Odc half the income firom tkb heguj^ whkh
ceiTcd in 1880 under the will of

WM re-

JONATHAN BROWN BRIGHT
of Waltluun, MuMtchiuetti, it to be expended for books
for the Coll^ Libnrf. The other half of the income
Is devoted to scholnrshiM in Hanmrd UniTenltj for the
benefit of detcendnnte of

HBNRT BRIGHT, JR.,
who died at Watertown, MaMachneetts, in 1686. In the
abience of mch deecendaats, other penons are eligible
to the •ehoianhipf. The will reqoiree that thb annoonco-
ment ehali be mado in ererjr book added to the Library
•ader its provisions.

THE

HISTORY Of NORWAY:

COBftPXHBING A

MINUTE ACCOUKT OF ITS FIRST SETTLEMENT, TOWN
OFFICERS, TUB ANNUAL EXPENDITURES OF TUB TOWN, WITH

OTUBR STATISTICAL MATTERS:

INTERSPERSED WITH

HISTORICAL SKETCHES,

NARRATIVE AND ANECDOTE, AND OCCASIONAL REMARI{;S

DY THE AUTHOR.

BY DAVID NOYES.

•

NORWAY:

PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR.

1852;

OS lHoH.ZS.6

GEORGE W. MXLLETT, PRINTER,

ADVERTISER PREBS^

NORWAY VILLAGE.

PREFACE.

I suppose I must write a preface before I enter one stvp
on my work, auid tell why I am going to write a book, jukI
what I am going to write about. The why is because many
of our good citizens wish for such a work ; but the what is
more than I can tell, as I may feel very differently to-mor-
row from what I do to-day ; and therefore I am unable to tell
in what kind of a channel my ideas tnay take a notion to flow.
Sut first, I intend to give as minute an account of the early'
settlement of the town as tlio best data in my possession will
enable me to do ; and also of the expenditures of the town
for the benefit of its inhabitants ; the immigration of new
settlers since the commencement of the settlement ; the acci-
dents, and remarkable incidents, that have taken place ; histor-
ical sketches, naiTative and anecdote, occasionally interspersed
with just such ideas as happen to run in my noddle while
writing. I shall not attempt to tell a good story, or to ci*ack
a good joke, for the sake of producing a good hearty laugh ;
for such things always hit somewhere ; but I am bound to
get along without running against anybody, if I can help it.
J intend to tell the tfnith as far as I tell any thing : I shall
'' naught extenuate, nor set down aught in malice," and intend
to wholly avoid bringing any ^'railing accusation" against
any one. I humbly acknowledge the many kindnesses re-
ceived from different individuals in furnishing me with facts

17 PRE'PACE.

;and materials, as they were able, for the commenoement and
prosecution of the work; among which persons aro first,
Samuel Ames, (he has almost been my standing register
about the first settlement,*) and also Benjamin Flint, Aaron
Wilkins, Darius Holt, Nathaniel Bennett, Joel Frost, John
Pike, Daniel Knight, Jr., and Daniel Stevens ; and among
the females are the widow Olive Stevens, Mrs. Ruth Lovejoy,
Mrs. Mary Stevens, the wife of Jonas Stevens, and Mrs.
Mary Ordway, the wife of Amos Ordway ; — as they were tho
children of the very first settlers^ and were old enough to
retain their early impressions about matters and things of
those early times. Mrs. Mercy A. Whitman has my warmest
jthanks for her carefully-preserved record of the deaths in the
town since 1820. The town authorities are kindly thanked
for the use of the Selectmen's books ; and the town Clerk for
Ills records since 1843, and the same to tho Treasurer.

The several religious societies will accept my thanks for
their aid generously furnished me, and with my warm thanks,
.a warmer wish, that our Heavenly Father may always con-
:^inue to smile propitiously on them, and fit them, more than
£ver^ for the full enjoyment of a blessed immortality.

To the officers of the Militia (I can 't find any now, but I
have found tho old books) I present my thanks for tho old
records ; and all the o$cers of the Militia are entitled to
jnuch praise for the correctness with which the books have
been kept. To be sure, we all desire to see the time " when
men shall learn war no more," but perhaps it may be well to
keep the " tools ready " for fear they may be wanted.

And this scrawl I am going to call my preface to the fol-
lowing work, which I shall humbly inscribe to the good
citizens of Norway, hoping it will afford them as much pleas^
nre in reading, as it has afforded me labor in writing. It i?
possible that some things are noted which some may not de-
sire ; and that other things aro omitted which some would
like to see ; but I can 't help that j I never bargained to suit

PKEPACE. V

everybody. Doubtless there are some mistakes in regard to
dates, but instead of wondering at a few mistakes, it should
be a gi*eater wonder that there are not more ; for on an ex-
amination of the work, it will be readily seen that I have,
had a great many ^' irons in the fire" at the same time.
Many of the new immigrants probably came into the town
some montllSj and possibly a year before they are named, as
I name tliem when they appear on the tax-books. Many of
the old settlers' sons, perhaps, do not appear in the year when
they arrived at 21 yeara of age, as many of them, possibly,
Went oJF to work, out of town, for a year and perhaps several
years ; and in some instances they may be classed among the
new immigrants ; but I hope such trivial matters will give no-
unpleasant feelings to any one, or in any degree detract from
the merits or usefulness of the work. The town has kindly
afforded me a shelter and a home for neai^ly half a century ;
so long, that it seems to me that I have become a ^' part and
parcel " of the same : and should it ever be so ordained, in
Providence, that I should leavo the place, I know I should
feel a " longing for the flesh-pots '' of old Norway, for " with
all thy faults I love thee stilt"

The citizens of Norway will! please to accept my thanks
for the many favors received during a long series of years,
and should you be pleased to liberally patronize the present
work, it win greatly serve to* smooth the down-hill of life,
which I am fast descending, and will be productive of the
lasting gratitude of

Your most obedient and hu)nl)le servant,

DAVID NOYES.

HISTORY OF NORWAY.

Tub town of Norway is made up of tho following tractor
or grants of land, viz : tlie tract of land formerly known as
Rustficld, purchased by Henry Bust, of Salem, Massachu-*
setts, of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in Deeemberi
1787, estimated at six thousand acres ; the Lee Grant, esti^
mated at six thousand acres exclusive of water ; the Gummingd
Gore, containing about three thousand and six hundred acres ;
and three tiers of lots taken from the easterly side of tlie
town of Watcrford, viz : a strip one mile and a half wide^
and seven miles long, estimated to contain six thousand seven
hundred and twenty acres; and another tract called the
" Gore," or ** Bust's Gore-," lying south of the Waterford
three tiers, and bordering on the northerly line of Otisiield|
containing about seventeen hundred acres more or less, making
in tho whole a trifle over twenty-four thousand acres ; but ai
tlu&t time it was rather a custom to make quite liberal meas-^

■

ure in eastern lands, therefore we may safely calculate the
quantity to be, at least, twenty-five thousand acres, or more.
The Waterford three tiers, and the " Bust Gore," last de-
scribed, lying south of the three tiers, form the westerly side
of the town, making the whole length eight miles and one
hundred and thirty-eight rods. The Lee Grant lies in the
northeast comer of the town^ the Cummings Gore between
the Lee Grant and the northerly part of the Waterford three

8 HISTORY OF NORWAY.

tiers, and that part called BHstfield lies south of the Lee
Grant and the Oummings Gore, being the southerly part of
what is now called the town of Norway.

The Cummings Gore proper, or what is now known as the
Cummings Gore, did not extend south any farther than the
southerly line of the old Major Cummings farm, now owned
by Amos T. Holt ; but there is a gore of land lying south of
the Cummings Gore, extending from the southerly line of the
Cummings Gore proper about two hundred and eighty rods
on the Leo line to the northerly line of Rustficld, and about
one hundred and ninety rods on the easterly lino of the Wa-
terford three tiers, and 6ne mile and a half east and west,
ifhich was at first in dispute between Ilenry Rust, the pro-
prietor of Rustficld, and Jonathan Cummings, the proprietor
of the Cummings Gore ; but by an arrangement between the
parties the land was held by the said Cummings. I have
been thus minute in pointing out the difierent tracts and pieces
of land now composing the to^vn of Norway, in order that
the reader, and those interested in the firat settlement, may
the better krtow where the early settlers commenced operations
when they came into the wilderness to found a home for
themselves and posterity.

1786. — This year five individuals, viz : Joseph Stevens,
Jonas Stevens, Jeremiah Ilobbs, Amos Ilobbs, and George
Lessley, from the town of Gray, came into the place, and
felled trees on the tract called Rustficld, excepting Jeremiah
Hdbbs, who c6nimcnced on the lot easterly of Avhere the
Congregational meeting-house now stands, and then supposed
to bo wiiliin the limits of Avhat was afterwards called Rust-
field ; George Lessky commenced on what has since b^en
known as the Isdiah Hall farm, now owned and occupied by
William Frost, 3d, and brothers ; Amos Hobbs commenced
on the farm where his youngest son, Amos Hobbs, now lives j
Joseph Stevens commc^nccd ^vhcro his youngest son, Simon
Stevens, now lives; and Jonas Stevens commenced on tho

HISTORY OF NORWAY. 9

pljico now owned by Amos F. Noycs and Lorenzo D.
Hobbs.

During the first summer and fall, these hardy pioneers of
the wilderness made what preparations they were able to
make, in order to move their families the ensuing spring and
summer ; and from such accounts as the writer can gather,
Joseph Stevens built a small frame liouse early in the spring
of 1787, sixteen feet by twenty ; he split out pine rift clap-
boards, and clapboarded on the studs, and long-shingled the
roof, built a stone fire-place high enough on which to lay a
wooden mantle-piece, and after a short 'time topped out the
chimney by what used to be called catting : that is, by laying
up split sticks, cob-house fashion, in clay mortar, mixed with
straw, chopped fine, to make it adhere more strongly to the
sticks. After getting fairly into their new settlement the
other four built themselves houses of the same size and con-
struction. They split out basswood plank and hewed them
for a floor, and each one brought a board from a mill in Paris,
on Stony brook, called Jackson's Mill, to make an outside
door. Some of them had a board window which they could
take down in fair weather, and put up in foul, cold weather ;
and some of them say the most stylish had a paper window
made of white paper well coated with oil, perhaps goose oil.
At the time these fii-st settlei-s were falling trees, Samuel
Ames (now living in Norway Village — then living in Pai'is,
and tending the first grist-mill built in that town, on Stony
brook — and he says he ground the first grist in that mill,)
came over to what was afterwards called Rustfield, and went
up the pond, called the great Pennessewassee, and visited
them while falling their first trees. Previous to moving into
the wilderness, these first settlers moved the principal part of
their families into what is now called Pai-is, (incorporated in
1798) and into Shepherdsfield, now Hebron and Oxford, that
they might be nearer their contemplated place of location.

1787. — In the spring of this year, either the last of April

10 HISTORY OP NOR\yAY.

or first of May, Joseph Stevens moved his family, consisting
of himself, his wife and four children, Daniel, Jonas, Amy
and Aphia, (Jonas did not come in at that time, he remaining
at Gray with his grandfather) into his new habitation. They
came from their temporary abode to the foot of the pond, and
then proceeded up the pond in a boat to nearly opposite where
he had built his rude habitation ; but it being cloudy, and
night coming on sooner than they expected, and having by
accident got their tinder and fire-works wet, they were unable
to strike a light ; and having no other guide than a spotteil
line, they were compelled to take up their first night's lodg-
ing in the woods by the warmest side of a large tree ; and in
the morning they cheerfully proceeded to their future home.
The writer hoa often heard Mrs. Stevens, Atmt Betty ^ as wo
used to call her, say that she had a grand night's sleep, and
. felt very thankful when they reached tlieir camp, or house.

Georgo Lessley moved in the next day after Joseph Ste-
vens, and moved into Stevens' house ; and in a few weeks
aft;er, say the first of June, Amos Hobbs moved into the
same house, making only three families in one house, sixteen
feet by twenty. When Amos Hobbs moved in, they came to
the foot of the pond at the westerly end of what we now
know as Ames' point, about one hundred rods westerly of
the mill, on the northerly side of the stream, where they ex-
pected Joseph Stevens would meet them with a boat ; but it
being very windy, he did not dare to venture the voyage ;
and after waiting awhile, Mr. Hobbs went round by the
southerly end of the pond up to Mr. Stevens', and they then
came down with the boat, took the family aboard, and pro-
>ceeded to their habitation, where they all arrived in safety.
I have lately heard a description of their stop on the point,
while waiting for the boat nearly half a day, from Mrs. Jonas
Stevens, who was the oldest child of Amos Hobbs' family,
and «he said that was the first time she ever saw her motlier
ery« She then had an infant in her arms, born the March

HISTORY OF NORWAY. 11

previous, (tlio infant was Robinson Hobbs) and the mosqui-
toes and black flies were so numerous that it seemed as though
they should be devoured. In the intermediate time between
the moving in of Joseph Stevens and Amos Hobbs, Jonas
Stevens, in the fore part of May, came in with his family in
about the same manner ; and Jeremiah Ilobbs moved his
family in September following.

Perhaps I may as well here mention how the first settlers
became acquainted with the place, previous to their making a
settlement. After the close of the revolutionary war, many
old, middle-aged, and young men found themselves poor, and
in rather a poor situation to support their families, and with
little or nothing to purchase a farm, or even a piece of land
wherewith to make a peimanent home for themselves and
families. A Mr. James Stinchfield, and Jonas Stevens, (who
had been a soldier through nearly all the war) and some oth-
ers, came into the place on a hunting excursion around the
great Pennessewassee pond, and other ponds and streams in
the vicinity ; and seeing the beautiful growth of wood and
timber, and the indications of a fertile soil, came to the con-
clusion that, with the smiles of Providence, they could locate
themselves in this place, then a howling wilderness, and thus
secure a permanent home for themselves and families ; and it
appears by subsequent events that their manly exertions were
ultimately crowned with signal success.

During the first two years of the early settlement there
was no mill in the place, and the settlers were obliged to go
to Paris to Jackson's mill on Stony brook, which was but a
poor, rude apology for a^mill, or to what is now called Otis-
field to what has since been called Bay's mill, where they
sometimes in the winter went on snow-shoes, with a bushel or
two on a hand-sled. But to remedy this inconvenience, they
took a piece of a large hardwood log, about two feet long, and
dug out a cavity in one end with what they used for a tapping j
iron, (an article for tapping maple trees for the purpose of

12 HISTORY OP NORWAY.

making maple sugar) and then buiiit out the cavity as smooth
as possible, and in this pounded their corn into what they
called samp or hominy ; from that material they made what
the boys and girls of. that day called samp porridge, and ate
it in various ways, and considered it very good, too.

In the spring after first moving in, Jeremiah Hobbs, who^
had a large family of children, say eight in number, had the
misfortune to lose his only cow, which they calculated would
do much towards the support of his family. ^Fhis was a se-*
rious loss at that time, and in such circumstances ; and either
that spring or the next, Mr. Lessley met with a similar mis-
fortune ; but Mrs. Lessley, like a true woman, preserved the-
calf by feeding it with gruel, and a little milk obtained fi-om
her few, but friendly neighbors. Amos Ilobbs also met with
a serious loss about this time ; he had obttiined half a bushel
of com, which lie cuvric<l to the Stony brook mill, and had
to leave it ; when he went for it, the meal, bag and all, was
gone — probably to feed some other hungry family. This,,
although very trivial^' was a severe loss to him and family in-
such a time of privation, and almost starvation. Before the
new crop of grain could be got oiF to make bread of, Mra.
Lessley Bhelled out wheat by hand and boiled it for food for
herself and fiimily. Let the mothers of the present day
render thanks to a kind Providence, that they are not reduced
to such straits to feed their families^

In the summer of 1787, William Parsons, John Parsons,
and Benjamin Herring, and also Dudley Pike, came into
Rustfield, and felled trees in order for a settlement, commenc-
ing on the farms where they afterwaxds lived luid died. Tho
writer has good reason to believe, from Sufficient authority,
that William Parsons and John Parsons came into Rustfield
the first of June, 1786, and looked out their respective lots,
and actually conimenced falling trees on the third day of
June ; the first tree cut down was a large hemlock on John
Parsons' lot, and the roots of that tree are said to be still ift

niSTORY OF NORWAY. 13

their primitive place — ^at least they were till since his death,
which took place December 6, 1847, aged 85 years. A short
time before his death, his son, George W. Parsons, was
ploughing in the field where the old stump had stood from
the time the first tree in the place was felled, and the old
gentleman, seeing that the old roots were about to be tora
from their bed, entreated his sou to spare them while he re-
mained on the earth, arid they were accordingly sacredly pre-
served. They felled but a small opening in 1786, enlarged
it the next year, and moved their families as follows.

1788.; — This year Dudley Pil^e moved his fiirnily into
Rustfield, March 2G, and had scarcely got into his humble
habitation, when the three other pioneers, William Parsons,
John Parsons, and Benjamin Herring, arrived at his house,
that is, at night on the 27th of March ; and the road not
being quite as good as at this itime, they put up with him for
the night, and the next day proceeded to their own habita-
tions, which were nothing but humble log houses. About
this time, Lemuel Shed and a Mr. Jonathan Stickney com-
menced on two adjoining lots on the Watcrford plantation,
which is now the Watcrford three tiers ; Stickney on the
farm where Benjamin Flint now lives, and Shed where John
S. Shed now lives, which is on the Watcrford three tiers, and
now on the old County rojid leading from Swift's Corner to
Watcrford. Shed camped with Stickney on the Flint farm.

Lemuel Shed was a soldier through about all the revolu-
tionary war, and was, as he has often told the writer, one of
Washington's life-guards ; and previous to the taking of Bur-
goyne, he was sent from Washington's head-quarters with an
express to General Gates. He had to pass through a portion
•of country thickly infested with torics, and run many risks
and hair-breadth escapes ; finally he had to leap from his
horse and abandon him, and make his escape the test way he
could — which he did by taking shelter behind a sheet of water
which fell over a cataiact, leaving an open space behind the

14 HISTORY OF NORWAY.

water ; and after remaining until the searcli for him was
over, pursued his way on foot, and delivered his message ac-
cording, to orders ; and it is possible that the subsequent
important victory might, in some measure, depend on the
advices carried by this faithful soldier.

Previous to the building of the mills, Samuel Ames built
him a camp, about on the spot where the mill-sbed now
stands, which served for a shelter while at work on the mill.
This was the first shelter, or camp, built in what is now Nor-
way Village ; it was built by putting down in the ground
three posts of a proper height, and cutting off a birch trcQ
at the same height for the fourth post, and covered with bai*k«

On the 17th day of October, 1787, Sarah Stevens, tho
daughter of Jonas Stevens, was born. She wtui the. first
white child bom in the place, and the eighth child of thct
family, and is now the wife of Jonathan Edwards, of Otis^
field. The first male child bom in the place, was Joseph
Stevens, the son of Joseph Stevens, who was born May 31st,

1788. Ebene2;er Hobbs^ the son of Amos Hobbs, was tho
Tiext child bom in the place ; he was bom August 24th,

1789. Nathan Noble came into tho place probably in tho
spring, this year, and had a child bom the same yeai*, which
died in infancy.

Nathaniel Stevens felled trees in the same year that his
brothers, Joseph and Jonas, moved into the place, and moved
his family in 1788. His lot was westerly of Jeremiah Ilobbs'
lot, and his first habitation was about northwesterly of whera
tho meeting-house now stands. Soon after he moved in, he
had the misfortune to get his leg broken while falling treesj.
and his wife and three small children were left in a very des-%
titute condition ; as the few new settlers had scarcely enoughi
for their own families, and provisions had to be brought traai.
a considerable distance, even if these new settlers had the^>
wherewith to pay for the same. Mi^s. Stevens about thift
time was reduced to such necessity for fi)od, that she felt

HISTORY OP NOllWAY. 16

herself justified in digging up a few potatoes from the liills
where they had been recently planted by her neighbor, Mr.
Jeremiah Hobbs, in order to feed her hungry childi*en. Al*
though Mr. Stevens was so unfortunate, he was not forsakeh
by his few neighbors, who generously turned out and felled
trees for him, and assisted in taking care of the little crop he
had put into the ground ; and although Mrs. Stevens dug up
her neighbor's potatoes, let no one think amiss of her moral
character on that account, as all her neighbors can not speak
otherwise than weU of her through a long life.

In 1789, Capt. Hcmy Rust, the proprietor of Rustfield,
commenced building a grist and saw-mill on the same site
now improved for sunilar mills at the upper end of Norway
Village. The grist-mill was completed in October, 1789,
(the saw and grist-mills were raised in June) and Samuel
Ames ground the first grist ever ground in the place, and
continued to tend the same mill for more than forty years^
and probably for forty-five years, after.

Thomas Cowen, who came from Paris, tended the saw-
mill, under the superintendence of Mr. Ames, after it was
ready to run, about two or tliree years. He built a little hut
nearly opposite the saw-mill, and when he left the mill he
went on to a piece of land, now owned by H. G. Cole, north
of the old Peter Buck farm, and subsequently removed to
Paris. Beuben Hubbard afterwards built the two story house
now standing on the place.

While Capt. Bust was building the mills, he employed the
new settlers on his plantation to work for him as much as
they wished, allowing them half a dollar per day towards
their land, which he sold to them for half a dollar per acre ;
thus every day's work paid for an acre of land. As a land-
holder, Oapt. Bust performed many acts of kindness to the
settlers on his land, not only by selling his land very cheap,
but in trying to add otherwise to their comforts and conve-
niences. Among other things, he brought down from Salem

16 HISTORY OP NORWAY.

quite a lot of small six-squared windows of six by eight
glass, which ho distributed among the settlera, a window or
two to each ; and this wasf a valuable present to them, as this
was the first glass known in the place.

Peter Everett came into the place in this year, and com-
menced on the east end of the Esquire Eastman farm, and
supposed that it was on the Rust Grant at the time of build-
ing a small frame house, where he lived a few years ; and
after Bust and Cummings settled the question of title to that
tract of land, and it being held by Cummings, Mr. Rust gavo
Mr. Everett a lot of land lying west of William Parsons' lot,
where he moved his house, and lived till his death, which
took place March 27, 1821. When Mr. Everett lived on the
Esquire Eastman lot, his wife kept a little school for the in-
f truction of the small children in the neigliborhood. This
school she kept in lier own house, and was the fii*st school of
any description ever kept in the place.

This year Darius Holt and Nathan Foster came down —
Holt from Andover, and Foster f5w)m Tewksbury, Mass. — ^to
work for Jonathan Cummings, the proprietor of the Cum-
mings Gore, and commenced where his son Jonathan Cum-
iniiigs afterwards lived and died. They were here at the
raising of the mills in June, 1789. Nathan Foster after-
wards purchased the tier of lots north of the Cummings farm,
and afterwards lived and died on the same. Darius Holt
afterwards bargained for the seventh tier of lots on the Cum-
mings Gore, and built a small frame house where Daniel
Town now lives, and the house buUt by Holt makes a part of
said Town's house. Mr. Holt lived at what was afterwards
called Fuller's Comer about four years, and then moved into
Waterford plantation, near Lemuel Shed's lot.

This year Amos Upton came down from Reading, Mass.,
and felled trees on the lot south of Fuller's Comer, and
moved his family in Sept., 1790. Nathan Noble moved his
family into Amos Hobbs' house in the spring of 1789, and

HISTOEY OF NORWAY. 17

bttSlt a small fi*amo house whore he afterwards lived, in the
course of the summer following. Benjamin Witt came down
-with Capt. Bust subsequent to the erection of the mills, and
iros the first blacksmith that ever hammered iron in what is
now called Norway.

Fhinehas Whitney, about this time, commenced on the hill
westerly ef Lemuel Shed, on the Waterford plantation, and
came &om Harvard, Mass. He was a soldier in the revolu-
tionary war, and was in the battle of Bunker Hill, and Amos
I^pton was likewise in that memorable battle ; they were both
pensioners, and also Lemuel Shed, Darius Holt, Jonas Ste^
vcns, Samuel Ames, Daniel Knight, Stephen Curtis, Joseph
Gammon, James Packard, Joel Stevens, John Needham, and
Jacob Frost.

Mr. Ames moved into Rustfield the year before the mills
were built, and commenced on a piece of land where Ephraim
Briggs jiow lives, and raised corn one year on that place ; lie
afterwards sold out to a Moses Twitchell, ond^ailerwards lived
near the mill which he tended. When ho moved in from
Paris, as his oldest daughter says, he hod three children, and
I the way he conveyed his family would look rather picturesque
at the present day. He procured a steady horse, and put a
sack, like a pair of panniers, across the saddle ; he then put
the two youngest, one in each end, with the oldest on the
horse's back, holding it on in the rough places, and led the
horse himself; his wife traveled on foot, carrying some neces-
sary articles in her hands ; and thus they ascended what ik
how called Pike's hill to their new habitation. JMr. Ameik
built the first house in Norway Village — ^a iframo ihouse^
dghteen feet by thirty-six ; some twenty-five years ago .the
Ihonse was moved up about one mile. north of the Village, ^and
is now occupied by Elijah Jordan. 'Thb next house built in
the Village was near the site of LeVi Whitman's hous6, &ni4
built by William Gardner, who afterwards commenced on thd

JLeib Gxmt above Nathaniel Bennett's. In 1790 Daniel

-2

18 HISTORY OF NORWAT.

Knight moved from Paris, and went into the house with Wil-
liam Gardner, and lived with him a short time ; he thcu
returned to Paris, remained one winter, and then eame back
again, and commenced on the place now owned by Alanson
M. Dunham, where he lived about four years ; then he sold
out his betterments to Jeremiah Witham, from New Glouces-
ter, and began on land on the southerly end of North pond.
Isaac Cummings soon bought out Mr. Gardner, and moved on
the same lot, and afterwards sold his betterments to Josiah
Bartlett, about 1802. The farm has had many different
owners, and is now owned by Joshua Biohardson, Esq., of
Portland.

Jonathan Cummings, the proprietor of Cummings Grore, in
order to forward a beginning for a farm for his son, Amos
Cummings, hired a few acres of trees felled on the thinl tier
of lots on said Gore, (the same now owned by Thomas Mel-
zeard,) and hired Daniel Knight and Isaac Cummings to fall
the first trees that were cut down on that farm ; and he paid
to each of them a new axe and a cow-bell, (he was a black-
smith, and made such things himself,) both articles being very
necessary to the new settlers — ^the axe to cut down the forest,
and the bell to put on the old cow so. that the boys could find
her in the woods, as. they had no pastures until tliey got them
cleared and fenced. Mr. Kpight is stiU living, aged 02.

In 179Q Anthojiy Bennett and Nathaniel Bennett, twin
brothers, came from New Gloucester, and felled trees on tlie
lots where they afterwaixk continued to live — Anthony till
the time of his death, and Nathaniel i& still living on his fii*st
premises. This year, or the year bofoi*e, Joshua Smith camo
into Bustfield, from New Gloucester, and commenced on the
place now owned by Jacob Bradbury, and formerly by his
father, Joseph Bradbury, who purchased of Smith. The
year after Mr. Smith felled his first trees, he brought about
one bushel of the seed-ends and eyes of potatoes from New
Gloucester on his back> and planted them on burnt gvoundi

niSTORY OF NORWAY. 19

and i*aiscd fifty bushels of potatoes from the same. I bclievo
the account, having heard it from his own mouth.

Anthony Bennett moved his family into Bustfield in 1791,
and Nathaniel in 1793. About this time Elisha Gummings
purchased the lot east of Benjamin Witt's £urm, and began
on it, and about five years after sold the east half of the
same to John Bird, who commenced making a farm, and con-
tinues to live on it at this time. Zebedee Perry came in this
year from' Paris, and commenced on the lot south of Nathan
Noble's lot When he moved from Paris he had one child,
John Perry, who lives on the old homestead farm, but has
crecited buildings on a different part of the lot.

This year was made memorable to the settlers on account
of the first death in the place. This was a female child of
Nathaniel Stevens, aged about five years. During this year,
also, another very sudden death occurred. Mr. Daniel Gary
had commenced on the Lee Grant, near wher^ Alanson M.
Dunham now lives, or where Jacob Tubbs afterwards pur-
clioscd. Uo had been at work for Gapt Rust, and was re-
turning home in the evening, and arriving at the outlet of
the pond, near where the Grockctt bridge now stands, expected
to find a boat on the south side of the stream ; but some per-
son crossed over the stream during tlie day, and had left the
boat on the other side, and he feeling anxious to i*each home,
attempted to swim over, and when more 'than half across,
sank and drowned, unknown to any person. The next day
Jonas Stevens went down the pond in his boat to mill, and
picked up a hat on the water near the outlet of the pond, and
taking it down to the mill, the hat was shown to Mr. Ames,
who at once know it to be Gary's hat. Mr. Ames with some
others immediately returned with Mr. Stevens, and soon
found the body, which was brought down to the mill, and
thence to Gapt. Bust's house on the hill^ (then occupied in
part by Benjamin Witt) and in due time was properly in-
terred.

20 HISTOKY »0F NOitWAT.

Benjamin Witt after living awhile at, or near the mills,
pui*chased ihe lot on which Joseph Small aftcrwaixls lived,
and erected ihe bam now standing on the farm ; and after
living there a few years, purchased a lot east of Nathaniel
Bennett's lot, and commenced a &rm where he afterwards
lived and died ; and his son Benjamin Witt still lives on the
same farm.

This year Peter Buck, who had a short time before come
from Worcester, Mass., to Paris, moved into Rustfield, about
half a mile north of the mill ; and he was the first shoe-
maker in the place. The same farm, or the southerly half
of the same, is now<occupied by his son, Austin Buck. James
Kettle was the first trader that ever kept goods for sale, as a
fitore-keeper, in the place, and kept his goods in Samuel
Ames' house — ^that is, in one room ^f the same. He was
^called a very honest, fair trader, which is a pretty good enco-
mium on his character ^as a man. And while speaking of
ti*aders, I will continue the subject through the infantile years
of the settlement. William Reed was the next trader, (wo
^d not have merchants in those days) and commenced trade
in a little house, formerly called the saw-mill house, which
stood about south of, or opposite the saw-mill, and near whero
Cowen's cabin once stood. He traded here a few years, and
probably commenced, about 1792. After some years he built
a two-story store, where he traded for many years. William
Hobbs, ;the second son of Jeremiah Hobbs, was the third
trader in the town. He commenced near his father's farm, a
little east of the Congregational meeting-house, where he
.continued to .trade occasionally till his death, which occurred
in Feb., 1848. Bailey Bodwell, who came from Methuen,
Mobs., buUt the first two-story house in what is now Norway
Village, viz., the house lately occupied by Ichabod Bartlett,
Esq. ; and also put up the first clothier's works in the place
•on the privilege now occupied by H. G. Cole as a clothier's
•and carding establisliment. He ixlso built the first saw-xnill

HISTOM OF NORWAY. 21

at the Steep Falls, and the first clothier's works at that place*
The irst tannery set up in; this place was the Rust tan-yard^
and was put in operation by William Reed, under Capt. Rustr
Jacob Frost, Jr., afterwards superintended the yard, and a
few years later Joseph Shackley succeeded him, and lived in
the tan-yard house for many years. The house now owned
by John Deering was the. third two-story house erected in the-
Village, about 1803, and mov^ into by John Ordway, the
builder, in 1804. There was a two-story house built about
the same time where Esquire Whitney's house now stands,
known as the Smith house, it I)eing built by one Samuel
Smith, but was many ycai-s after pulled down by Ibcreafio
Robinson-, who built the house now occupied by William C*
Whitney, Esq. The next two-story house, in the oi-der of
building, was Luther Farrar's, Esq. — ^now occupied by Levi
Whitman, Esq.-— built in 1806. Capt. Henry Rust, Jr.,
built a large two-story house about the same time ; also Levi
Bartlett built the two-story house in which he afterwards-
lived till his death, wliich took place in the summev of 1818 ;
his two youngest children also died in a few days aftier. Li^
1807, William Beed built die two-story house now occupied
by E. F. Seal. A part of the Elm House was built for a
store by Joshua Smith, in 1806, and afterwards an addition
was made to it in order to make a dwelling house and store
m the same building. I have rather run along a little ante-
cedent to the time, in regard to the erection of some particu*
lar buildings in the Village, in order that people may under-
stand the progress of things in their early stages.

Job Eastman came fi^m the Pigwacket region, either from
Fryeburg, or vicinity, about 1792, in the spring.; and moved
in with Jonatbon Gummings^ Jr., the son of the proprietor of
CummingB Gore, and lived in. liis- house for several years. Ho
afterwards commenced on the lot on which Peter Everett first
commenced, though not in the same place. Job Eastman was
a brother to Jonathan Cummings' wife, the proprietor of the

2i2 inS!rORT OF NORWAY.

Cummings Gore ; and in consideration of his services in tlio
Gummings affairs, he had the promise of a lot of land ; but he
never having any oliildren, when his deed was given, it was
only during the hfe of himself and his wife ; and although he
had no children to inherit the fruit of his labor, he still thought
the thing was not exactly right, and others, who knew the
chx^umstances, thought just so. Job Eastman taught the first
man's school in the place, in 1798, in Jonathan Cummings'
house. Abigail Symonds, a sister to Lemuel Shed's wife, kept
the next woman's school, after Mrs. Everett, and kept it in
Cummings' bam^ Thus it seems that our first teachers had
rather humble places in which '* to teach the young idea hoW
to shoot."

About the lost of June, 1792, Benjamin Flint came from
Beading, Mass., and purchased a lot on the Waterford plantar
tion, (since known as the Peter Town farm, and now o^vncd by
Ansel Town, and the west part of the same lot recently owned
by James Smith,) and felled trees on the same. The next
spring he came down to work on his lot, and on the 18th of
June, 1793, exchanged lots with Jonathan Stickney, who had
five or six years before commenced on a lot near Lemuel Shed.
Jonathan Ilolman had begun on the lot east of the Peter Town
form previous to Flint's purchase ; he lived there a few years,
and then sold to Asa Lovejoy, and soon went to Canada.

The first marriage in the place was Nathan Foster and Mir-'
iam Hobbs, the second daughter of Jeremiah Hobbs, which
took place the 17th of May, 1791 ; the couple were united by
Nathan Merrill, of Gray, a Baptist preacher. The next mar-
riage in the place was probably Benjamin Witt and Betsey
Parsons, a sister to William and John Parsons. The next
marriage was between Joel Stevens and Olive Hobbs, the old-
est daughter of Jeremiah Hobbs. This marriage was on the
16th day of June, 1794, and in July following Benjamin
Flint was married to Elizabeth Foster, a sister to Nathan Fos^
ter. These two last marriages were solemnized also by Nathan

HISTORY OP NORWAY. 28

Merrill, and tli^ parties were published in Gray ; and afterwards
some publishments were posted up in the grist-mill as the most
public and conspicuous place in the plantation. Leiauel Shed
was married in Bridgton, by the Bey. Mr. Church, about 1791,
and Jolm Parsons was maiTicd to hi^ second wife about the
6aino time, but wos probably mai-ricd iu New Gloucester.

Joel Stevens moved into Kustfield in the spring of 1798>
tod had buried his first wife, by whom ho had two children, a
few years before, and had his second wife when he moved in^
by whom he also had two children. He buried his second
wife in the following October, 'and in the next June married his
third wife, Olive Hobbs, by whom he had fifteen more childrenv
He died in April, 1850, at the advanced age of 94 years, and
l»is widow is still Uving in this town.

In June, 1T93, Benjamin Fuller and Silas Meriam came
doAvn from Middleton, Mass., and purchased land on Cumming's
Gore, north of what has since been called Fuller's Comer, and
felled trees tlicmselves, and hired a considbrablo of an opening
felled, and had it bui*nt over the ensuing August They came
down again in the fall, cleared a part of their burnt piece, and
sowed winter rye, and then returned again to Middelton. When
they came down in the fall, Mr. Fuller drove a yoke of oxen
and a horse, with a common ox cart, and moved Asa Casd
and &mily, consisting of his wife, two daughters, and Bebekah
Curtis, an adopted daughter, with their household stuff— such
as they could bring. To be sure, such a conveyance was not
quite as comfortable as the cars would be at the present day,
but it did pretty well for that time. Mr. Case went to work
xm the lot adjoining Benjamin Flint's on the north, on the Wa^^
terford plantation. Fuller agreed with Amos Upton, (who
was a kind of carpenter, and also partly a blacksmith) to erect
a house and barn for him, early in the spring and sununer of
1794, with the intention of moving his family to his new home.

Early in the spring of 1794, Silas Meriam and Aaron Wil-
Uns, (who was a young man living with Mr. Fuller) and Jo«

24 HISTORY OF NoaiwAr.

seph Dale, a young man hired by Fuller and Meriam for tho
season, started from Middleten and went to Salen, with their
tools and baggage. They took poaaage aboard a wood-sloop,
and arrived in Portland after a stormy, bad voyage ; and then
from Portland traveled on foot to Gummings- Grant, with their
packs on .their backs, where they arrived about the 10th ef
April. They tarried one sight in Portland, and staid on board
the sloop. During the night there waa a considerable fall of
snow ; and when tlicy aciived at tlieir future residonoo they
found a foot or two of snow, and the few settlerB^ engaged in
making maple dugar. Li a few days, however, the snow dis-
appeared, and they commenced iheir clearing ; sowed giain,
and planted com^ potatoes, beans, &c.

In Juno Mr. Fuller moved liis family down. Ho came with
an ox-wagon, oneyoko of oxen, and two horses; and having
arrived at what is now Norway Village, ho wont up to hi»uew
home, and Aaron Wilkins went down with another yoke of*
oxen and helped drive the team around the pond, up to their
new habitation. This was probably the first wagon that ever
came into the town above the Village, and Mr. Wilkins says it
was with much difSculty that they got through to Fuller's*
bouse. At that time there had not beea any road located in;
the place ; but the settlers had, from necessity, cleared out tho
trees, so as to be able to get from one to another, and that was-
about all that had been done in regard to any road.
. I said that Mr. Fuller moved his-fiunily to his house ; but
Mr. Upton had not yet erected the house as Fuller expected ;
therefoie he wcoft ihtO' Mr. Upton's house, and there remained,
till late in tho M. After Fuller's arrival, Mr. Upton com-
menced in good earnest about the buildings. They w^nt into*
the woods and cut timber, and erected! a bam ih season to^putr
in his grain, and a house as fast as they could. FuSiea: pro-
cured boards at Rust's milT^ and rafted them up to the head of
the pond, and then hauled them up to where tliey were to be*
used. Tho barn was thirty-two feet by fi%, and the house

HISTORY OF NOBWAY. 25

twenty feet by tliirty-etglit, and a story onil a half liigb—- die
largest estabBshment in the Gummingg Gore; they got the
house so as to move into it, in November. Mr. Fuller, proba-
bly, was in the best pecuniary circumstances of any new set-
tler who had moved into the place ; and he wa& a very ener-
getic, working kind of a man, and remained so till old ago
disabled him from labor. He made three very good farms, and
ei*ected three sets of good buildings for that day, and probably
paid as large an amount of tax as almost any farmer in the
town ; he was addicted to no particularly bad habits, but still,
from the mutability of this world's affiiirs, he died on our poor
Cum in 1850. He probably rests as quietly in his grave m
though he had died possessed of milUons ; and could with pix>-
priety adopt the words of Watts : —

** Princes,, this clay most be your bed.

In spite of all your towers ;
The li»II, the wise, the reverend head

Must lie as low as ours."

Joseph Dale, who came down to work iTor Fuller and Mer*
lam, in a year or two bouhgt a lialf lot easterly of where Ben-
jamin Flint first began, viz., the east half of lot No. 14, in the
5th Range on the Waterford plantation, and soon after manned
Fhebe Martin, of Andover, Mass., and moved on to his land.
John Pike, a brother to Dudley Pike, came into Rustfield either
in 1794, or the year previous, and commenced on the lot east
of Dudley Pike's ; he lived tliero for more than forty years,
and then moved to Oxford, where he afterwards died. He was
a very large, athletic man, of stentorian voice, and was often
employed as master-carter, or superintendent in moving build*-
ings, and the way he would sing out to tlie men was not in a
very low tone. It was often the case that the new settlers did
not get their first bam on the spot that suited them after they
Iiad made considerable progi*ess in clearing up their farms*
Hence the repeated calls for moving their first barns and other
buildings.

26 HISTORY 0^ NORWAYi

Benjamin Il6wo began on tho lot south of Joel StevOns' lot)
as early as 1794, and occupied it a few years, and ytos suc«
ceedcd by Eliplialot Watson and bis son Ebonezcr Watson ;
they lived there a few years, and then sold out to Jeremiah
Hobbs, the oldest Hon of Amos Hobbs. Ebenezer Jenkins,
who maihied a sister to the Pikes, came into Bustfield about
this tikne, or a little aft(^r, and commenced a little south of where
Nathaniel Millett now lives ; and Jonathan Woodman likewise
commenced where Jacob Parsons now lives, soon after the samo
period ; and probably some others in different parts of the town,
of wliich the writer has not been able to ascertain the particulars.

In 1794 the first school-house in the place was built, on
Amos Hobbs' land, on the road leading from the centre of
Norway by William Parsons'. Job Eastman taught tho first
school in that house, and Abigail Symonds kept tho first wo^
man's school in t)io sambv

This year John Henley came from Massachusetts, and com«
menced on the lot south of Amos Upton's, in the Cumminga
Gore,, ^nd built a small frame house on the west side of the
road. Henley was rather ti large-sized man, and very moder-
ate in his movements ; but tlicro were few men who could com-
pete with him in using an axe. He and Darius Holt, soon
after he came into tho place, together felled twelve acres of
trees of heavy growth in one week, for Mr. Fuller, and, as
they have told the writer, finished the piece by the middle
of the afternoon on Saturday. Mr. Holt says he felled ten
acres for Jonathan Cummings, alone, in nine and a half days.
About this time John Millett and Solomon Millett began on
their respective lots, which are situated southerly of William
Parsons' lot. They had previously worked for William Parsons
for a considerable space of time, and were brothers to Parsons'
wife. Their brother, Nathaniel Millett, being younger, did not
^me into Rustfield quite so early as his brothers, but in a very
few yeara after, and located hiinsclf whci*o ho now resides*

While writing concerning thd Parsons and Millett £unilieS|

HISTORY OF NORWAti 27

it brings to Inind the number of smart, healthy cliildren be^
longing to them in former times. The writer taught the
school in that school district in the winter of 1809-10, and had
thirty-five scholai-s who bore the name of Millett or Parsons.
l?ho noted cold Friday occurred in Februi-y, while in this
school ; and the severe cold prevented mort3 than half of the
usual number from getting to thd school-housd, and more than
half who did get there were more or less froisen, and some of
them badly. And wliile writing of these families, I can not
withhold the tribute of gratitude which I ot>'0 to old Dcacoil
Parsons and wife. Slit) was a motlicr, not only to her own
children, but to all around her. My health at that time was
very feeble, and Mrs. Parsons nursed me with a mother's care*
During the last toontli, the old Deacon used to harness his old
mare and caiiry Yne to school, and at night would contrive to
get me home again. He provided the fuel for the school, and
would go in the afternoon to cut and split wood ; when cold
he would enter the school-houso to get warm and smoke his
pipe, and at night carry the master and his girls home. Blessed
days were those. Ho was, in my humble opinion, a sincere^
p!rtictic4il christian. He never fiiiled to offer up the morning
and evening prayer, and to read a portion of the Holy Bible*
His family government was firm, but very mild ; and perhaps
no family at that day conducted with more propriety and sobti*
ety than his. In the summer and fall of 1807 the wiutei'
worked, probably six months or more, on his new house, and
had an excellent opportunity to know his finn, but mild gov-J«
emment. I must relate one little anecdote in regard to hia
management of his boys — ^and he had a lot of them. One day
Joshua and Solomon, boys about ten and twelve years of age^
happened about the house, and were rather full of noisy playj '
like other boys of that age ; Mrs-. Parsons getting rather ofut
of patience with the boys, and the Deacon happening to cOmJb
in at the time, she said to him, '^ Mr. Parsons, Joshua and
Solomon want a good whipping ns much as ever two boys did.''

28 HISTORY OP NORWAY.

The Deacon listened to her with attention, and. then called out,
"Josh." The boy responded, "Sir 7" "Come here."
The bo J promptly came forward. " Your mother says you
want to be whipped — do you 7" "No sir." "Well, then,
go about your work." He then called out, "Sol." "Sir 7"
" Come here." He immediately came fonYard. "Your mother
says you want to be whipped — do you7 " "No sir." "Then,
go along to your work." And then turning to his wife, said,
** Wliy, mother, the boys say thoy don't wiuit to bo whipped,
and I guess they 41 do well enough without it" The boys*
knew better than to take, any advantage of their father's len-
ity. But there ! I have run off the tnick a little to &r, L
confess ; but I will try to keep on better for the future.

Jacob Tubbs came into the place in 1796, and commenced
on tlie Lee Grant ; although that grant was not lotted out till
about 1810 — it being a condition in the original grant tliat the
traet should be exempt' from taxation till a£ter a certain lapse'
of time ; therefore it was not put in the market for sale while
it was not liable to taxation. For this reason, that part of the^
town was not settled till long after the other parts had made^-
considerable progress in settlements. Mr. Tubbs, however^
had the good fortune to piirchase two hundred acres-, selected
tp liis own mind, and he made an excellent choice. The other
few settlers on the Lee Grant wore what were termed squat-
ters, and occupied without any title.
, Isaac Cobb and Asa Dunham came into Rustfield in 1795:.
Dunham purchased the lot where Rufus Bartlett afterwardd<
lived till his death ; and Cobb moved into Dunham's house,
and lived ,with him till the next spring, when he moved ia
with Zebedee Perry ; he soon after purchased the lot south,
of Perry's,, on which he built a small house, where he lived
about four years, and sold out to Daniel Hobbs, the oldest
son of Jeremiah Hobbs ; he then purchased where he after-
wards lived till his death^ which took place in May, 1825»
Levi Bartlett came to Rustfield about this time, and set up

HISTORY OF NORWAY. 29

Uic blacksmith business ; he built a large shop, irith a trip-
hammer, and carried on the business, on a large scale for
those days, till his death in August, 1818. William Work
was married to Betsey Stevens, the oldest daughter of Jonas
Stevens, in 1795. In 1796, Benjamin Flint built his bam,
which was the first barn erected westerly of Fuller's Comer,
lie had used a log liovel previous to that time, as also did the
other settlers ; the most of the houses were also built of logs,
and the roofs covered with spmce bark, fi&stened on with long
spmices laid across it, and confined with withes. When Ben-
jamin Flint moved his wife home, two years before building
his bam, he borrowed a cart of Mr. Fuller to carry a few
household goods from Nathan Foster's, and he says that was
the first cart ever driven west of Fuller's Comer, and much
difficulty was experienced in getting it back again.

In 1794, there was a State tax laid on Bustfield, and the
following is a copy of the assessment, as made by tlie assess-*
ors, verbatim et literatim ; .and this tax will show who were
ilie inhabitants of Eustficld at that eai*ly poi'iod :

THE COPPY OP AN BXECUTIOK*

£ 8. d.
Tax, - 6 11 8

Travel, -
Coppy, •
Scrv.,

Sum total, 7 8 4

Rtistjieldj November th 7, 1794.

Assessed the sum of seven pounds, three shillings and four

pence upon the polls and estates, to be collected by the 5 day

of December next.

BENJAMIN WITT, )
NATHAN NOBLE, ) Assessors.
WILLIAM PABSONS, )

HISTORY OP NORWAY.

Henrv Rast,
Joel Slovens,
Joseph Stevens,
John Pike,
Samuel Ames,
Jonas Stevens,
William Stevens,
Samuel Perkins,
Amos Hobbs,
Nathaniel Bennett,
Anthony Dennett,
George Lessley,
Benjamin Howe,
Asa Dunham,
Benjamin Witt,
Peter Buck,
Thomas Cowen,
Zebedee Perry,
John Cushman,
Nathan Nohle,
Benjamin Herring,
Ebenezer Whitmarsh,
Joshua Smith,
John Parsons,
James Stinchfield,
David Gotham,
John Millett,
Solomon Millett,
Nathaniel Millett,
Benjamin Stinchdeld,
William Nash,
Moses Twitchell,
William Parsons,
Dudley Pike,
Daniel Trickky,

PoUt.

lOd
lOd
lOd
lOd
lOd
lOd
lOd
lOd
.lOd
lOd
lOd
lOd
lOd
lOj
lOd
lOd
lOd
lOd
lOd
lOd
lOd
lOd
lOd

lOd
lOd
lOd
]0d
lOd
lOd
lOd
lOd
lOd

RoalEitate. |

PanonalEft.

Sum Total.

qrs

It appears that the Lee Grant was not liable to taxation
until 1807, and I have not been able to ascertain whether
Gummings Gore paid any tax at this time or not, but it is
probable that the few inhabitants did pay in some shape or
other. It thus appears that in Rustfleld there were thirty-
two taxable polls, and three other persons taxed for property;
but as yet we have no account of any highway tax, except
what was done voluntarily. In 1796 the first road in the
place was laid out by a Court's Committee from Cumberland

mSTOllY OP NORWAY. 81

County, to which we then belonged. The road in question
commenced at the north line of the town, and ran about
south, twentjr-five deg. east, over Gummings hill, thenco
southeasterly to Jeremiah Hobbs' lot, thence southerly by
Esquire Eastman's and Deacon William Parsons', around
Horse hill, and over the Graigie hill to Graigie's mills in He-
bron- — ^now Oxford. Horse hill received its name from the
following circumstance : In June, 178T, when Deacon Wil-
liam Parsons, his brother, John Parsons, and Benjamin
Herring, came into the place to fall trees, they h^ two
horses to bring their provisions ; and thqre being no pasture,
they turned the animals out in the wood@. Ope night they
were alarmed by a bear, or some other wild beast, and ran
off in a fright ; they could not be fouixd while the men re^
mained at their work. ^ Late in the fall they were discovered
on tliis hill in a very poor condition. Hence the name of
Horse hill. This was the way that the first settlers wended
their way to Portland with their surplus produce. They
generally went with their ox-teams, in Uie winter, through
deep snows and poor roads, and often returned home them-
selves to lodge the first night.

Previous to thia time there was but one horse in the Gum-
mings Gore, aftd that an old white-faced mare, own^d by
Amos Upton ; and she was used by all the neighbors to go to
mill. Th^y used to lash the bags on to the saddle, a huge,
coarse thing inade for that purpose, and let the old mare plod
her way along the little pathway. Aaron Wilkins says (and
he knew all about it) she would crook around the trees and
rocks very carefully, so as to avoid hitting the bags against
them. Before they had any other practicable conveyance to
Portland, Francis Upton, the oldest son of Amos Upton,
went to Portland with the old maro, and carried a small hog
to market, having it laid across the pack saddle, and st]*ongly
hushed on with cords ; he went on foot himself, leading or
driving the old mare, and only reached Dudley Pike's thoi

82 HISTORY OF NORWAY.

first day, and put up there ihsd night. In 1790, Dudlej
Piko obtained one .ox, and Jolm Parsons one other. They
put tliem together, and worked them alternately, helping
tlieir neighbors with them when .they could. The next year
iliey purchased two more, and tibien had each of them a yoke.
That was the way they did up things in those early days.

Joshua Crockett, formerly of Gorham, moved to Hebron,
on the Craigie hill, and lived a few years, and in 1796
moved into Bustfield. He livod awhile in the Rust house on
tlie hill, and then went upon the Crockett farm, where he
lived till his death. Samuel Perkins had, sometime before
this, begun on.a lot between Crockett's and Anthony Ben-
nett's ; in a few years Crockett and Bennett bought Perkins
out, and divided the lot between them. Silas Barker had^
previous to this time, commenced on lot No. 14 in the 13th
Bange of the iWaterford plantation ; he did something on the
land, and soon .«old out ix> John Upton, a cousin to Amoa
Upton ; after a few years Upton sold out to a Mr. Pingree.
This year, Joel Frost, bom in Tewksbury, Mass., came into
the iWaterford plantation, in June ; he felled trees immedi-
ately, and commenced for a farm where he and his second
;son, William JTrost, now live. His lot lies east of where
Darius Holt then lived, and was lot No. 15 in the 9th Bango
^of ihe Waterford plantation.

About this time the subject of having the town incorpor-
ated was called up, and, as is almost .always the i^afle, there
"were different opinions. They had a plantation .meeting in
the Waterford plantation, to see if .they would jconsent to
have the three tiers of lots set off to help make aip the town
oF:^Norway, and after much discussion, on the question, it wad
decided in the affirmative. The same year the inhabitlELnts of
Bustfield and Cummings Gore, and a few squatters vOn the
Lee^ Grant, also had a similar meeting, to consult .on .the ex-*
pediency of an incorporation; and finally«determined,infiivor
i)f . the measure. This primary jneeting was held in .Samuel

lUSTORY OF NORWAY.

Ames^ house, near the mills ; and measures were accordingly
taken to bring about the thing in its proper time. The meet-
ing took place Sept. 29th, 1796.

In order to show who were in Rustfield previous to the in-
corporation of the town, I shall have recourse to a tax bill
committed to Joseph Stevens as Collector for the year 1796,
for a State tax, which amounted to thirty-eight dollars and
foui'teen cents. A poll tax in this bill was twenty-eight
cents ; and the highest tax en real estate was eighty-£Dur
cents to William Parsons, and the lowest waa one cent to
John Gushmon. The highest .tax on personal estate was
fifty-four cents to Benjamin Herring, and the lowest was
notliing to Thomas Gowen, and one cent to Levi Bartlott
There were a few who were taxed for a poll only. A plant-
ation tax was assessed the same year, and for about the same
sum ; although the poll tax was only twenty-five cents, yet
the tax on Jthe several estates was .the same as the State tax.

The following are the names of the peraone tazed| with the enm total of their
reapeotlve taxee:

William Parsons,

$1,83

Nathaniel Millett,

$ ,&i

John Parsons,

1,55

David Gorham,

,•^7

Dudley Pike,

1,50

Ebenezer Whitmorsh,

,05

Thomas Cowen,

,32

William Nash,

,48

Samnel Ames^ grist-mill.

1,50

Benjamin Stincbfield,

,41

John Pike,

1,20

Joshua Smith,

,00

John Millett,

1,20

Anthony Bennett,

1,71

Solomon Millett,

,60

Peter Buck,

,68

Moses Twitrh^U,

,61

Thomas Hill,

,30

John Gush man,

.20

Elisha Cummings,

,30

Joshua Crockett and Mr.Slusl, 1,58

Samuel Perkins,

,53

Nathan Noble,

1,14

Reuben Hubbard,

,67

Amos Uobbs,

,06

lames Stinehfield,

,62

John Eaton, saw-mill.

1,15

Levi Bartlett,

,70

Benjamin Herring,

1,53

Samuel Pearse,

,33

Benjamin Howe,

,64

Isaac Cobb,

,33

Joseph Stevens,

1,58

Henry Rust,

,84

Joel Stevens,

1,18

Zekiel Roberson,

,38

Jonas Stevens,

,88

Piphraliam Briggs,

.40

M^'illiam Stevens,

,59

Gimion Shcrtleef, '

.28

Benjamin Witt,

.04

David Woodman,

,28

Goorffc Lessley,
Asa Dunham,

1,06

Jonathan Woodman,

,28

,41

Joseph Eveleth,

,28

2ebedee Pervjr,

,55

Thomas Furlong,

.28

Whfle sum thirty-eight do

illars fourteen cents.

$38,14

34 HISTORY OF NORWAY.

The following settlers were on the Cummings land previous
to the incorporation of the town, viz : — Jeremiah IlobbH,
Nathaniel Stevens, Job Eastman, Jonathan Cummings, Na-
than Foster, John Ilenlcy, Amos Upton, Benjamhi Fuller,
Silas Meriam, Francis Upton, the son of Amos Upton, who-
had now become of age, and Aaron Wilkins, about, or quite
of age. On the Waterford three tiera were Joseph Dale,
Jonathan Stickney, Joel Frost, Darius Holt, Lemuel Shed,
Phinchas Whitney, Jabcz Chubb, Benjamin Flint, Asa Ca*3Cy
and Silas Barker. On the Lee Grant were Daniel Knight,
William Gardner, Isaac Cummings, Joshua Pool, William
Dunlap, and Jacob Tubbs. Perhaps there might possibly
have been a few more settlers within the limits of the several
tracts of land which afterwards made up the town of Norway.

It appears from an old order, on Jo&eph Stevens, as a Col-
lector, that Joshua Smith and Levi Bartlett were assessor
of Rustfield at some period previous to the incorporatioi) of
the town.

ACT OF INCORPORATION.
An Act to incorporate several tracts, or grants, of land situ-
, ate in the County of Cumberland, into a town by the namo-

of Norway :

Sbct. l.-^Be it enacted, by the Senate and House of Rep-
resentative, in General Court assembled, and by the author-
ity of the same. That one tract, or grant, of land, known by
the name of Rustfield ; another by Lee's Grant ; a third by
Cummings' Grant; 'together with the three tiera of lots,
which formed a part of the plantation of Waterford, lying
next to, and adjoining the easterly side of said plantation —
the outlines of the said town of Norway being as follows,
viz: — ^Beginning at a certain birch- tree, standing on the
westerly side line of Paris, and on lot number thirteen, well
marked, thence running northerly, one thousand one hundred
and sixty rods, by said Paris line, to a spruce tree, marked ^

HISTORY OF NORWAY. 36

ihcncc south, sovcnty-six degrees west, one thousand and four
rods, to a cedar tree, standmg on the easterly side line of
Cummings' Grant ; thence north, twenty-five degrees west,
fifty-five rods, to the northeasterly corner of said Cummings'
Grant; thence soutli, sixty-five degi'ees west, four hundred
mul eighty rods, to tho easterly side line of said plantation,
(of Waterford ;) thence north, twenty-five degrees west, on
said easterly line of said plantation, about three hundred and
thirty rods, tq the northccosterly corner of the plantation
aforesaid ; thence south, sixty-five degrees west, on the north-
erly side lino of said })lantation, crossing three tiers of lots
to the dividing line between the third and fourth tiers of lots,
frtm the aforesaid easterly side line of said plantation ; thence
South, twenty-five degrees east, on said dividing line, by the
town of Waterford, as incorporated, to the soutlierly side lino
of said plantation ; thence north, sixty-five degrees east, on
sai^l southerly side line of said plantation, crossing the ends
of tlie aforcflaid three tiers of lots, about t]n*ce hundred and
tliirty rods to tho southcjisterly corner of said plantation ;
(the hist-named disttuice ought to bo four hundred and eighty
rods;) thence south, twenty-five degrees east, by Phillips'
Gore (so called) six hundred and twenty-four rods, to He-
bron line ; thence north, fifty-four degrees east, by Hebron
line, about one thousand and seventy-four rods, to a tree
standing on the westerly side line of Paris, marked ; tlicnco
northerly by said Paris about nine hundred and seventy rods
to the first bound ; together with the inhabitants thereon, be,
and hereby are incorporated into a town by the name of Nor-
way ; and the said town of Norway is hereby invested with
all the powers, privileges and immunities which other towns
in this Commonwealth do, or may enjoy. Provided, never-
theless, that Waterford, as incorporated, exclusive of the
before-mentioned three eastern tiers of lots, are and shall be
entitled to four-fifths of all public lots lying within the afore-
said three tiers of lots. Provided, also, that no taxes of any

S6 msTCKS OF :kobway.

kind be kid «on aiay part -of the land • contained within the
bounds of Lee's Grant until the expiration of ten years from
tlie passing of this act.

Sect. 2. — Be it further enacted, hj the authority afore*
said, that Enoch Perley, Esq., be, and he is hereby empow-
^ed to issue his warrant, directed to some suitable inhabitant
of the said town of Norway, requiring him to notify and
warn the inhabitants thereof, 4;o meet at some convenient time
und place for the purpose of choosing all such oiBcers as
towns, are by law required to choose in the months of March
^r April, annually.

Iliis act passed March 9, 1797.

<5ontle reader, wo liave now got into Norway ; — ^not the
beciutiful Norway of the present day, but Norway in its in-
fancy. I have conducted you through a long journey, and
mostly through a dreary wilderness. We have wandered,
not quite so long a time as the children of Israel did in
reaching the promised land, but for the space of almost ten
years after females first showed themselves in the plantation,
which was in the spring of 1787. Our ancestors, the first
settlers, waded, not through seas of blood, like some mighty
conquerors, but. through mud and water, thick forests, burnt
trees, and black logs, oftentimes sufiering hunger and hard-
ships. They were thinly scattered about in small clearings
dotted here and there with little huts, log houses and log
hovels, many of them surrounded with large families of
j^ung children, many times poorly clad, and poorly fed.
Yet think not that '* they were of all men," and women^
*^ the most miserable ; " for if we may believe the testimony
of the few who are still living, we shall find that they had
their comforts and consolations as much, or more, than at the
present, day. As a general thing, they were like a band of
brothers, and stood by each other in times of need; and by
dint of patient industry and perseverance, they finally

HISTORY OF NORWAY. 8T

achieved a. glorious victory over the dark wilOerncsS) causing
it to bud and blossom as the rose. The soiL proved fertile
and productive, and under the guidance and smiles of Provi-
dence, they laid foundations for happy, happy, homes* They
could, with heartfelt gratitude, adopt the words of the Bsalmist r

*' He sends the showers of blessings down

To cheer the plains below,
He makes the grass the mountains crowns.

And corn in vallies gtow.''

I have not been, able to learn precisely on what day the
firat annual meeting was held for tho choice of town officers,
nor with certainty at what, place ; but it is believed by the
oldest settlers now. living, that it was held at the house of Job
Eastman, May 8rd, 1797, and the following persons were
chosen Selectmen and Afisessors for that year, viz : Job East-
man, Benjamin Witt, and. Joseph Stevens ; Joshua Smith,
Town Clerk ; Job Eastman, Town Treasurer ; and Ebeiitezeiv
Whitmarsh, Constable and Collector oi Taxes.

In oi^der to show who wero the inhabitants of tlib town.at*.
the time of its incorporation,.! here give the names as stand-r
ing on the first valuation, and assessment of tho firsU tax
after the organization of the town :

PEBSOKS' NAMEt.

Ame» Samueli*
Bennett Anthony,
Bennett Nathaniel,.
Buck Peter,
Bartlctt Levi,
Bartlett Capt«.,
Case Asa,

Cummings Jonathan,.
Crockett Joshua,
Cowen Thomas,
Chubb Jabez,
Cnmmings Elisha,
Dunham Asa,
Dale Joseph,

]E*ERSOiEYS' NAMBS.

Dunlap William,
Eastmnn Job,
Fuller Benjamin,
Frost Joel;
Gorham David^.
Hobbs Jeremiah,
Hohbs Amos,
Hubbard Reuben,
Herring Benjamin,
Holt Darius,
Hen 1^ John,
Hill Thomas,
Lessley George,
Lovcjoy Asa,

*The name of Samuel Ames has ttood ot the head of all our valunlioDS,
tax lists, and lisiii of voters, probably every year since the incorporation oC
the town. At all events, I have never seen one otherwise.

HISTORY OF NORWAT.

PERSONS' NAMES.

Milieu John,
Millkt Suiomon)
Milieu Nathaniel,
Meiiam Silas
Noble Nathan,
Nash William,
Parsons Williaoi,
Parsons John,
Pike Dudley,
Pike John,
Perry Zebedee^
Perkins Samuel,
Host llenr^,
Howe Uenjaroin,
Robinson Ezekiel,
Stevens Jonas,
Stevens Joseph^
Stevens Joel,
Stevens Nathaniel,
Stevens William,
Shed Lemuel,
Shirtlef Simeon,
Saunders Jonathan,
Smith Joshua,
Stinchfteld James,
Siinchfield Benjamin,

FBR80NS' NAB1E8.

Upton Amos,
Tipton Francis,
Witt Benjamin,
Whitmarsh KItenezer,
Whitney Phiuehas,
Whitney Jonathan,
Work William,
Foster Nathan,
Flint Benjamin,

Curtis

Beals William,
Brigffs Kphraim,

])ird

Woodman Jonathan,
Young Nathaniel,
Yates William,

Tuhbs

Furlong Thomas,
Knight Daniel,
Willmm Jurcmiah,

Itichardsou

Webster Simon^
Cobh ls:i:ic,
Crooker Culvin,.
Crooker Ebenezer,.
William Reed.

Making seventy-nine taxable residents, and aa polls yreT&
then taxable at sixteen years of age, there were eighty-six
polls taxed, as some of the boys had reached the age of six-
teen years.

The non-resident proprietor of land were assessed,

• $ .89,94
The settlers were assessed, - - 945,49'

Total assessment, ... |^1035,43*'

A poll tax in this assessment was one dollar and sixty cents,.

and the assessment probably included tlie State^ County, and

town tax, though the book does not positively show the £ict.

There was a highway tax assessed the same year for the

8um of - - - - $342,49,8

The non-residents pajring - . - 17,78,4

The residents the remaining

$324,71,4

A poll tax was $1,5G. In 1798, a money tax, inqludtftg;

IIISTOUV OF NOinVAY. 39

State, County, and town, was assessed, amounting to $296,73;
a jwll tiix was $1,00, and the number of polls 95. A high-
way tax the same year amounted to $498,93, and a poll tax
was $2,50. In 1799 it appears that a State tax for $41,02
was assessed ; a poll tax was thirteen cents, and there were
107 polls. The total valuation of the real and personal es-
tate in the town amounted to the sum of $21,119. I find a
.small remnant of a tax, which was called a minister tax, in
which a poll paid seventeen cents ; and another fragment,
which was probably a town tax, in which a poll paid sixty
cents. From what can be gleaned up, it appeal's that the
iaxes for the year were about as follows :

Sbvte tux, - - $ 41,02

Minister Uix, (nearly) - 52,00

Town tax, (money) - 200,00

do. do. (highway) - 360,00

Making a total of - - $G43,02

In 1800 it appears there were 115 taxable polls in the town ;
the amount of money tax not 4iscertained, but estimated the
«ame as last year, $296,73. Highway tax $611,02.

In 1798 Joshua Smith was chosen Town Clerk; Job East-
man, Treasurer ; Job Eastman, Benjamin Witt, and Joseph
Stevens, Selectmen; Ebcnezer Whitmarsh, Collector. In

1799, Job Eastman, Clerk ; Job Eastman, Treasurer ; Job
Eastman, Joshua Smith, and Benjamin Witt, Selectmen. In

1800, Job Eastman, Clerk; Job Euslmau, Treasurer; Job
Eastman, Anthony Bennett, and Jonathan Woodman, Select-
men ; Ebenezer Whitmarsh, Collector. Soon after the in-
corporation of the town. Job Eastman was appointed a Jus-
tice of the Peace, and acted in that capacity for the space of
forty-eight years.

During the summer and fall of 1799, John Parsons built
him a new one-stoiy house, 30 feet by 36 ; he had nearly
completed the fiuisliing of it in January following, and had
moved his family into the same. One evening, as one of the

40 HISTORY OP NORWAY.

joiners was working at the bench, he cut his finger badly, and
went into the room where the family lived to bind u|^ his
wound ; in jumping across the bench he knocked over the
candle, and not observing it while doing up his finger^ the
house was wrapped in flames almost instantaneously, as there
was a large quantity of shavings on the floor. This was a
sad loss. Mr. Parsons wont courageously to work, and by
the help of his kind neighbors, rebuilt the house, and got
into it before spring work commenced.

The following persons came into the town from the time of
incorporation up to, and Avithin, the year 1800, viz : Cad F.
Jones, in 1797; Edward Wells, and his son Edward Wells,
Jr., John Richardson, Jr., James French, Joseph Small, Da-
vid Morso, John Upton, Ebcnezer Cobb, Josiah Bartlctt,
Nathaniel Bancroft, Joshua Pool, Barzilla Dwelly, Richard
Blake ; Daniel Ilobbs, a son of Jeremiah Hobbs, and Amos
Upton, Jr., a son of Amos Upton, had become of ago, and
-were taxable citizens in 1798. In 1799, there is the addi-
tion of Amos Blanchard, Darius Wilkins, John Upton, Moses
Abbott, Samuel Godding, William White, David Upton, Jo-
seph Martin, and probably some others came in, in order to
make arrangements for a settlement as soon as convenient.
In 1800, there were Added, Tilden Bartlctt, Bufus Bartlett,
Jacob Bancroft, Stephen Curtis, Jacob Frost, Edmund Mer-
rill, Jacob Parsons, Alfred Barrett, Ward Noyes, Bailey
Bodw^ll, Samuel Andrews. At this time there were fifty-
^Ven' houses ULiid forty-seven bams in the town.

This ydar the Militia was organized in Norway, and the*
first ofliccrs were Jonathan Cummings, Captain, Anthony
Bennett, Lieutenant, William Reed, Ensign.

In 1801, the town officers were as follows : Job Eastman,
Clerk ; Job Eastmian, Treasurer ; Job Eastman, Jonathan
Woodman, and Cad F. Jones, Selectmen; William Hobbs,
Collector.

Highway tax $720,68 ; money tax, of all kinds, $1696^*

mSTfORt OF NORWAY. 41

64 ; number of polls 129 ; poll ta* on the highway $2,00.
This year, or last, Joseplt Rust built a grist-mill at the Steep
Falls, and it appears that he was taxed for the Bust property*
by the valuation.

Pi-evious to 1800, Amos Upton had built a large one-story
house, and in January of that year Ward Noyes moved from
Ando^^er, Mass., into Mr. Upton's Iiouse, and lived there
until the next fall. In July tliere was a terrific tempest of
lightning, thunder, rain and wind. The house was struck
by lightning at the easterly end of the ridge-pole ; the elec-
tric fluid ran down the rafter and other timbers, and wont
almost over the whole house. Seven persons were knocked
down by the shock, and Ward Noyes was insensible for a
long time ; probably he never would have recovei'ed had it
not been for the application of cold water, which by Mr. Up-
ton's direction was poured upon him by pai&fuU — ^he having,
a short time previous, seen in a newspapef an account of its
efficacy. Large spaces of thick forest were prostrated by
this wind, and considerable damago dono olliorwiso.

The first post-oflice in Norway was established in 1800,
and William Ilced appointed post-master. lie remamcd in
office about forty years, and was a vigilant, faithful officer ;
he also contmued to keep a store of goods, and traded largely
for that day, for many years. He engaged extensively in
farming, and in all kinds of business was a very energetic,
pei-severing man.

While speaking of the establishment of the firet post-office
and first post-master, I will give an acccmnt of the mail at
that time, tlie first mail-carrier, &c. Jacob Howe, grandr^
father of Jeremiah Howe of Norway Village, was the first
mail-carrier, and rodo on horseback with the mail-bag, and
a large pair of saddle-bags, in which he carried a few news-
papers. He came from Portland, through Gray, New Glou-*
ccster, Poland, Hebron, to Norway, and then to Watcrford,
Bridgton, Raymond, Standish; Gorham, to Portland again,

42 HISTORY OF KORWAY.

onco a week ; and the time of his arrival at this, and other
places, depended on circumstances, the state of the weather,
and tlie situation of the roads. The newspapers were mostly
the ohl Porthmd Gazette and Etistern Argus ; for there were
at that early day two political parties, though not many third
]7artieSy or "one idea^' parties. The carrier had an enor-
mous tin horn, or trumpet, which he sounded just before his
ai-rival at the respective post-offices, and also in neighborhoods
where a man or two took a newspaper ; then the boys and
girls would run out to get '* father's paper," and soon all the
neighbors learned the news. Mr. Howe carried the mail sev-
eral years, and was succeeded by a Mr. Smith; after a few
years, Joshua Pool, of this town, succeeded Smith, and Wil-
liam Sawin succeeded Pool — all of them carrying the mail
and newspapers in the same way. About 1 81 2, a Mr. lirown,
of Waterford, bcc«T«me a mail-conti'actor, and ventured to con-
vcy the mail in a ono-horae wagon, (one-horse wagons cauio
into being about that time,) and once in a while would carry
a passenger or two to Portland, or some other place. James
Longley succeeded Mr. Brown, and the mail-route was so
altered that a mail ran direct from Portland to Norway Vil-
lage and Paris Hill. Longley hml the hardihood to run a
pair of horses and double-sleigh in winter, and a four-wheeled
carriage in summer, though his patronage in the way of
passengers was rather small. However, by perseverance and
attention, Longley in a few years built up a pretty good busi-
ness, and was finally succeeded by John B. Stowell. He
owned the line for a few years, and was succeeded by G. G.
Waterhouse, who owned the line, and most of the time han-
dled the reins himself, until the railroad went into operation,
when he was transferred to the cars as conductor on a passen-
ger train. I must be permitted to say a word about Water-
house, as a stage-driver ; (not intending, in the least, to speak
disparagingly of his predeccssoi-s.) He was ever attentive:
•to the wants and comfort of his passcngei's, and very correct

IIJSTOUY 01' NORWAY. 48

in doing tlic thousand errands intrusted to his care. IIo
finally raised the character of the line to an eminent pitch,
and before the conveyance by cars took place, it was not un-
common to see three, or more, four-horse coaches come into
Norway Village, all loaded to overflowing — bringing some-
times sixty passengers.

About December, 1819, a company of sixteen individuals
got up a two-horse stage to run from Norway Village to
Bethel, and finally to Lancaster, New Hampshire. We en-
countered much opposition at first in regard to the mail, but
at length made it a popular and profitable line, till superseded
by the i*ailroad. Anthony Bennett, tlio son of Capt. Anthony
Bennett, was one of the company, and vfus the driver for sev-
eral yeai*s, and raised the character of the line, as business
on the route increased, so much, that the company sold out
the concern without any loss or trouble ; which was doing
jM'etty well for so wild a project, as it was called at the be-
ginning. Orren Hobbs, a grandson of Jeremiah Hobbs, drove
pomo on this route, and on tlio Portland route in Watcrliouso' s
employ ; afterwards he was on the route from Portland to
Augusta. For a few years previous to tlio commencement of
railroad conveyance, A. A. Latham drove a four-horse coach
from Norway to Bethel and Shelbunie, on the Lancaster
route, and he was considered a very gentlemanly driver.
Both Hobbs and Latham have been transferred to the cars ub
conduGtoi*s, which shows pretty clearly how they w ere es-
teemed as drivers of coaches for public conveyance.

After Mr. Reed retired from the post-office, G. J. Ordway,
(a son of Amos Ordway, who mamed, for a second wife,
Mary Ames, tlie oldest daughter of Samuel Ames, the first
miller in Rustfield,) was apix)inted post-master, and kept the
office a few ycai*s ; he was succeeded by Asa Thayer, who a
few years before came from Paris to Norway ; and in 1849,
Elliot Smith, the present incumbent, succeeded to the office.
Elliot Smith is the youngest son of Joshua Smith, and tW

44 HISTORY OF NORWAY.

only one living: I ask pardon for getting so for ahead, aa
to dates ; but £ thought the reader would better underatand
the matter in regard to our post-office and mail concenib, if
it was related altogether — therofore I have made this digress-
ion ; but I will now return back to 1801.

In 1801, Amos Upton built a grist-mill on a brook about
three-fourths of a mile westerly of Fuller's Comer. It was
leather a rudely constructed thing, as he did almost all the work
himself, even to the makiiig of the mill-stones. His oldest
son, Francis Upton, afterwai*ds owned said mill, and tended it
for many years. In the drought of summer there was not
sufficient water to grind ; but at other times it did considerable
business, and was a great convenience to the settlers in the
northwest part of tlio town. Amos Upton, Jr., anotheri son
of Amos Upton, succeeded his bix)thor Francis ; he built a
fiew mill on die same stream, a little above the old one^* and
did considerable business in gi-inding. Jonatlian Swift,. some
twenty-five years ago, succeeded AmoB^ Upton, Jr., and after-
wards built a new mill, which is still in* operation.

This year, Phinehas Whitney, on theWaterford three- tiers,
had the misfortune to lose his house by fire. It was a log
house, to be sure ; but it was all' he had. It was quite a dis-
tressing circumstance to him and his family, who were in
rather poor circumstances before the loss. Mr. Whitney was
a soldier through all the revolutionary war. He was in the
battle of Bunker Hill, and I have oft^en heard him tell the
story of that memorable contest. He said that just as he had
put his last charge into his gun, the British forces had about
reacheil their rude brcostwork ; a British officer mounted the
embankment, and cried out to his soldiers to '^ rush on, as the
fort was their own ; '' Whitney then took deliberate aim at
him, and, to use his own language, " let him have it," and he
fell into the entrenchment. He then clubbed his musket, and
cIear(Hl his way the best he could, and finally made good his
retreat.

ailSTORY OP NORWAY. 45

Jacob Fi*osi, vrlw moved from Tevrksbuiy, Mass., into Nor-
way, in 1800, was also in the battle of Bunker Hill. He
was severely wounded in the hip by a musket ball, and taken
prisoner. Afterwards he was carried to Halifax, where he was
immured in a filthy prison, and his wound poorly attended
10—41110 ball never being cxtitictod; he remained there several
months, and suffered almost everything but death. While
yet very lame, he, with three fdlow-prisoners, planned a way
to escape, by removing a stone, and digging out under the
wall of their prison. This they effected without discovery ;
but, sad to relate, one of their number was too largo to get
thiY)ugh tlie opening, and after using every possible exertion,
he had to be pushed back into his cell, and left to his lonely
and miserable fate. Frost and the other two made their way
to die nearest thicket, or woods, and as soon as daylight began
to appear, they concealed themselves as best they could, where
they lay till darkness again covered their flight. Mr. Frost
was still too lame to mako much headway, but his companions
in suffering proved true and faithful friends, and did not leave
him, but helped him along-^-oftentimes carrying him on their
backs. Frost was concealed under a large tree turned up by
the roots, and a quantity of old leaves thrown over him, dur-^
ing the first day. In the morning they were missed ; pursuit
and search were immediately made for them, and while he
was under the old tree, some soldiers came along on the trail
of the fugitives, and sat down to rest themselves, and talked
over the matter of the escape of the prisoners, on the same
log under which he lay concealed. Kind reader, can yott
imagine how the poor lame soldier felt while his pursuers were
sitting on the log and discussing the subject? Don't you
think his heart went pit-a-pat 7 However, as a kind Provi-
<lenco ordered it, the fugitives were not discovered, and as
soon as night spread its sable mantle over tlie earth, they
groped their way along as fast as possible ; they suffered very
much from hunger, having no food but a few dry crusts, which

46 HISTORY OP NORWAY.

tlicy had saved from their souity daily allowance while they
were preparing the way to escape. After their old, mouldy
crusts were gone, they were almost driven to despemtion ; and
one night they carefully appixMiched a house in hopes of iuid-
ing something to appease their hunger; but after a long
search they could find nothing for food, except an old shoe,
which they tore to pieces and chewed the leather ; and Mr.
Frost has said that was the sweetest morael he ever ate. Oc-
casionally they could steal a hen from some farm-yard or
baiii ; but then they had to eat it raw, lest they should Ix)
discovered by the smoke of their fire if they attempted to
cook it. Thus they wandei*ed many nights, and concealed
themselves many days, until they had left a long distance be-
tween them and their loathsome prison ; and they then begtm
to venture out cautiously in the daytime. One day, being
sorely oppressed witli hunger, they ventured up to a house,
and rapped at the door ; a woman came to the door, and they
asked her for something to eat. She eyed them closely, then
bade them enter, and hastily set food before them ; she told
them to eat what they would, take some to carry with them,
arid hasten away as soon as possible ; for if her husband
should come in he probably would secure them if he could.
What a heavenly trait there is in woman ! Her heart is al-
ways touched with sympathy for the distressed. They prob-
ably oftener act from the impulse ot the moment than the
stronger sex ; but that they possess more tender feelings of
benevolence to the suffering, can hardly be doubted by any
one who lias carefully studied human nature. After filling
their stomaclis and pockets, they stole away as carefully as
they came. After a long and hungry wandering, they finally
completed their escape. Mr.- Frost reached his native town,
and afterwards emigrated to the town of Norway, where he
lived to a good old age. He like to have died, however, with
the bullet in his hip ; he often, in former times, told the
writer that it never had been extracted; but it was finally

IirSTORY OP NORWAY. 47

removed a few years before his death. He was a little lame,
and had a stiffness in his hip till he died, January 28th, 1839,;
aged 84 years.

Previous to 1802, 1 find the following increase of new set-
tlei-fl, viz: Josiah Blanchard, John Bancroft, Jolin Case,
Euocli Merrill, Enoch Merrill, Jr., Daniel Merrill, Alexan-
der Mills, Amos Cummings, (son of the proprietor of Cum-
mings Gore) William Bartlctt, Daniel Holt, William Hobbs,
second son of Jeremiah Hobbs, James Packaid, Jonathan
Pottle, Timothy Stone, Joseph Stone, Paul Twombly, Wil-
liam Twombly, John Hix, Asa Hix, Daniel Davis, Johnllor,
Samuel Pingree, Joseph Gallison, Samuel Smith, John Ord-
way, Samuel Watson, Benjamin Tucker, Dr. Heath, and
probably a few more, that have not come to the knowledge of
the writer.

Town officers for 1802 — Job Eastman, Clerk ; Job East-
man, Treasurer ; Job Eastman, Cad F. Jones, and Jonathan
Woodman, Selectmen.

Stiito tax, |77,83 ; Town and County tax, $1845,60 ;
number of polls IGO ; number of houses 65, barns 55. It
may be understood that they did not tax log houses and barns,
and this accounts for the small number of houses in propor-
tion to the polls. I have not been able to find any highway
tax for this year ; but it probably was about the same as the
money tax, and blended with it, as the whole sum is large.

This year, William Hobbs, (second son of Jeremiah Hobbs)
commenced trade ; his shop was valued at $20 — stock in
trade $50. Benjamin Tucker, born in Canton, Mass., came
from Worcester, Mass., to this town, the same year, and set
up the saddle and harness-making business — the first in the
town. Ho engaged in the business successfully for many
yeitw, and his oldest son, Benjjimin Tucker, Jr., continues it
to very good advantage. '

I find a Dr. Heath on the valuation this year, but he was,
not the first doctor in the place. Dr. Shannon was the first,.

48 niSIOBT OF VORWAT.

yiho stayed but a short time, and was succeeded by Dr. Bar-
rett, vrho soon gave place to Dr. Heath. About 1803, he
vfViS succeeded by Dr. Swett, who loft in 1805 ; and in the
faM of that year Dr. Moses Ayer came lato the town, and
continued to practice till about 1524, and was generally es-
Ifiemed as a very good physician. He then removed to
SangerviUe, but in the latter part of his life was subject to
iinsanity, and died in the insane hospital a few years since.
Dr. Asa Danforth come into Norway about 1821, and r^nains
here at the present time ; he has had an extensive practice.
Dr. Jonathan S. Millett, (a son of John Millett) was bom in
tliis town. After studying his profession, and trying some
< other places, he settled do^na in his native town about 1825,
;and has over had a largo pnictice. Dr. Danforth and Dr.
3Iillett, at the present day, and for many years past, proba-
ibly stand as high in tlio estimation of the community as any
imedical characters in this section of the country. Dr. Jesse
Howe has recently settled in this town, and so far appears to
be successful. He is a grandson of our first mail-carrier. I
had almost forgotten to mention one other physician and sur-
geon, Dr. French, who resided in the town a year or more
4ibout 1825. He performed a critical operation on a cliild of
the writer, for. blindness, caused by cataracts in both eyes,
nnd was successful in restoring the child's sight in a great
measure. He also amputated .a Jeg for Phinehas Whitney,
the old soldier, >when he was seycnty-five years of age ; the
old gentleman idid well, and livod five or six years after, en-
joyii^g g^ health for so old a peinon. I speak well of the
surgeon's skill, but no further. Dr. Thomas Itobci*ts, a stu-
dent of Dr. Millett, partially located himself in the upper
part of Norway, after completing his studies, about 1831 ; ho
practiced a few years with very good success, and much to
the satisfaction «of liis employers. He then removed to Bum-
ford, where he tstill continues his practice, and lias the repu-
tation of a good physician. Dr. Naiuiniel Grant partiallj^

HISTORY OF NORWAY. 49

eettlod in tliis town about the time Dr. Roberts left ; after a
short practiee he removed to Wakefield, N. H. He married
the only daughter of William Hobbs. Dr. Leander Tripp also
settled in the upper part of the town, near Swift's Comer, about
1840, and remained there a few years, not having a very ex-
tensive praotioa There was also a Thompsonian practitioner, /
of the name of Oarsley, from about 1846 to 1848, but much
need not be said of him. In short, no town has more reason
to be satisfied with its physicians than the town of Norway
for the last forty years, and we hope to be as fortunate for the
next forty.

Joel Frost had the misfortune to have his bam burnt on the
fourth day of May, this year. It was caused by fire flying
from a felled piece, which Ward Noyes, his nearest neighbor,
was burning. Mr. Frost had been assisting him in setting the
piece on fire, and they thought there was no danger; but the
wind shifted suddenly, and fire was blown among the litter at
the side of the barn, enveloping it in flames in a few minuteSt
Tills was a serious loss to Mr, Frost, as , the bam was nearly
new, and largo for that day ; and much difficulty aidd expense
attended the transportation of boards from Bust's mill at that
time, owing to the newness and roughness of the road. This
year Benjamin Flint built a good house, having lived till this
time in one of logs.

In the fall of 1802, we had the first regimental muster,

probably, that took place in the County of Oxford — ^at all

events, the first in this regiment. The place of parade was on

the spot which I shall now call the bumt. district, about where

Anthony Jiennett's buildings stood, and just west of the little

bowling-«»lley. The land was then new, and not much cleared,

but had had the trees and bushes cut down and bumt over a .

short time before. This muster was a great day among the

other days of tliat time. The citizens of the place turned out

voluntarily, and cleared oiT the logs and wood remaining on

the ground ; they pulled and knocked up the small stumps, and

50 . niSTORT 09 NORWAT.

levdlod tho inequalities of the ground as well as they could for
this important occasion. Martial music at that day, in tliis
place^ was an enlivening affiur, as we had but little of it; and
in order to be well prepared for the occasion, John Bennett, a
younger brother of Anthony and Nathaniel Bennett, then quite
ar young man, went down to New Gloucester and obtained a
pewter fife^ and on the evening before the muster, delighted
the boys and girls, and even older ones, by playing a few tunes
as a kind of pi*eludo to the much-Iongod-for, coming day.
•' The officers of the regiment were as follows : — Levi Hub-
bard, of Paris, Colonel ; Mark Andrews, of Buckfield, William
Livermorej of Liv^rmore, M sjors ; William C. Whitney, of
Hebron, Adjutant. The Companies were from Buckfield|
Bumford, Francis Keyes, Captain, Hebron, Paris, Otisfield,
' — ^ Mores; Captain, Norway, Jonatlian Cummingg, Captain.

Six'Qompanies in all ; — a pretty formidable military force, and
anried with muskets of every color, length, and caliber; some
with bayonets, and more without ; but the greater part would
bum powder, which some of them had learned the smell of at
Bunker Hill^ Saratoga, Torktown, and other places, during our
fevoluitioiiaary^ struggle. The officers of the several companies,
at- le^t the captains, were armed' with a sword &nd al spontoon ;
nltid tlie uiiiformi was a ti*i^comered (k)ckod-liat, dbcp blue coat,
faced with bright red broadcloth, the facing turned out about
foul' inched on each sidid of the front, buff or yellow vest and
p'adta for the field officers, a^d white or cream-colored vest and
pianta foi^ the company officers ;• and they looked grand, I tell '
^li-'wedpecially those who bore a shining epaulette on one or
both shoulders.

' Oh the oj^posite side of the street^ about wliere the post-office
aibd Beal's block now stand. Ensign Beed had a lot of boards*
pilbd along by the side of the fence ; and these served nicely
for the ^^ shanty fixings,'' where Some of the goo<i dames sold
cakes, pies, maple sugar, (candy- was hardly bom then) and;
othor Uttle refreshniento.;; whili^ men o^d; boys: 9old 8iUtUio>

HISTORY OF NORWAY. 01

liquor, such as good old '' wliite-faoe and molasses/' knoTrn )
then by the sober cognomen of black strap, with a little old
Holland and Cogniac for the use of the officers and other gen-
tlemen of distinction — ^but all good enough. Not fault was
found either with the cakes, liquor, soldiers, or offic^B — ^in fact,
everything l^med propitious, oxccpti;Qg that in the afternoon
the wind blew rather strong, and the dirt and iu^i becoming
pretty thoroughly stirred up by the horses' hoofs, and being
rather dark colored from recent burning, the buQ* and white
pants looked tremendously"^for many of them appeared as if
they were putting on mourning for the wash-tub.

The regiment performed many maneuvers and evolutions
laid down by old ^^ Steuben," and other military tactitians*.
Both soldiers and officers received tho hearty applause and ap-
probation of all the lookenH)n, and that was '' glpry enough
for one day." The. place felt proud Qf the pirade, the soldiera
felt proud of their officers, and the officers felt proud of their
soldiers, but much more so of themselves. In short, it was a
day of high exultation with all, as it seemed to revive up, and
rekindle the patriotic feeh'ngs which had pervaded the bosoms^
of many old soldiers through the long war that h$A achieved,
our National Independence.

The concourse of people was immensely large, and fortunateljr
no accident occurred to mar the enjoyments and festivities of
the day. The regiment, although afterwards curtailed of a
part of its territory, continued to increase in numbers and
^' military graces," until it embraced within its limits ten com-
panies of infantry, one of artillery, one of riflemen, one of
cavalry, and two of light infantry. But those days of military
parade and glory have passed away, and are DOw numberec)
among the things tliat are not ; and probably a liko fate awaits
7iiany of the things of the present day«

Adjutant William 0. Whitney is still amongst tlio living
pnd resides in this town. He came into tbi^ new country, to
S^bicon^ wt^en a young man, and has paased through mucht

5^2 HISTORY OV NORWAY.

hard labor and toil, and many offices of honor and profit, (the
office of Councillor to the Oovemor several years, and sheriff
of tlie County of Oxford for many years more,) and has aocu-
mulatcd a krge share of this world's goods, which, according
to the course of nature, he must, in a few years at most, leare
to others. Thus we are all passing away, like the rippling
waters of a stream, every day carrying us nearer to the ocean
of Eternity.

This train of thought about old by-gone things brings freshly
to my mind another of the old worthies of the revolution, and
of the first settlement of this town, Samuel Ames. He was
the drummer at this famous muster, and the first man that beat
» rfnm in the town of Norway. He woa the firet Biiller, and
made abouf; the first wagons that were built in the town; and
he was first in many other things pertaining to those old-fiish-
ioned times. He was 98 years old Feb. 25, 1852, but up to
that time, and after, retained his physical and mental fiunilties
in a remarkable manner. I have spent days with him, taking
notes of events that occurred in the early settlement of this
town, prior to my personal knowledge of ihe place and people.
He was very clear on all subjects which ever came witliin his
notice, and particularly so in regard to dates. It makes my
heart feel sad to be so often called upon to part with these
standard settlers. Since his last birth-day, while discoursing
with him about '' old things," he, with a smile on his counte-
nance, observed to me that he delighted to help me to every
thing within his recollection, but added he, '' I feel a presenti*
ment that I shall not live to see the book." And it seems liis
presentiment was verified, for he departed this life March 18,
1852, much lamented.

In 1803, Town officers as follows: Joseph Rust, Clerk;
Job Eastman, Treasurer ; Benjamin Witt, Nathan Noble,
and Timothy Stone, Selectmen.

niSTORT Of KORWAT. 6S

Stoto tax, - - - - $ 77,88

Town voted- to vaise for schools, - 800,0Q

Town charges, - - - 20,00

Total, .... $897,88

Number of Polls 162. Highway tax same year, $803,18;
Can not find any County tax for this year. At another
meeting held at the house of Joseph Stevens some time thi»
year, the town voted to raise $150 to repair the pond bridge,,
so called, near Rufus Bartlett's.

This year, Henry Rust, Jr., a son of Henry Rust, the
proprietor of Rustfield, became an inhabitant of the town ;
also Samuel Fingree, Stephen Pingi*eo, Jr., Elijah Flint,
Charles Kinsman, and some others. Besides the addition
made by tiew-comers> several of the sons of the early settlers
had now become of age, and were many of them beginning
to make settlements, for themselves. William Lessley and
Amasa Lessley had become of age, and now lived on the
same farm on which their father, Qeorge Lessley, began ; he
being one of the firat five settlers who camo into Rustfield,
and died in 1800, as I find the estate taxed to his widow in
1801. Joel Stevens, Jr., the oldest son of Joel Stevens,
about this time, or previous, began on a lot on the Waterford
three tiers ; he raised com one year, and then sold out to the
Fingrees. Mr. Stevens lived in the town many years, and
in many places, and died in Otisfiold, 1847. Daniel Davis,
John Caw, Morton Curtis, Noah Curtis, Levi Frank, George
Doughty, and Thomas Wood, were new-comers into the town.
Among the sons of the old settlers, besides those already
named, were Amos Upton, Jr., Daniel Stevens, Jonas Ste-
vens, Frye Lovejoy, Micah Upton, Daniel Knight, Jr., and
probably some others.

The military alBSiirs underwent some change this year.
Capt. JonaUian Cummings was prompted to a Major in the
regiment, and Anthony Bennett promoted &om a Lieutenant,
to Captain, and Ward Noyes chosen Lieutenant.

54 HISTORY OP NORWAY.

This year, David Frost, an old gentleman, and John Frost,
his oldest son, and three other sons, Bobeii;, Peter, and WiU
liam, moved into Norway, upon Fi*ost's hill, so called ; also
Samuel Andrews and Moses Gummon commenced farms in
the same neighborhood. They came from Gorham, Maine.
Daniel Young, this year, came from New • Gloucester, and
«et up the hatting business with Joseph Gallison. I find
William Bartlett on the books this year ; he moved here from
Hebron, where he had lived two or three years, but originally
came from Plymouth, Mass. He had a fiimily of several
children, the oldest of whom y^ma Esther Bartlett, well known
for many years as a tailoress. She and her sister Emily
plied their needles with diligence for many years, and during
the last years of their parents' lives, who lived to a very ml-
vanced age, they manifested the most filial alTection towards
them, always doing all in their power to render their old age
comfortable and happy. An example worthy of imitation by
all future sons and daughters. Amos Town, from Andover,
Mass., came into Norway this year, und felled trees on the
Cummings Gore, in order to settle permanently in the place.

Town officers for 1804 : Job Eastman, Clerk ; Job East'
man, Treasurer ; Benjamin Witt, Nathan Noble, and Timothy
Stone, Selectmen ; Jonathan Swett, Collector. It appears
that Ebcnezer Whitmarah was mostly Collector of taxes from
the incorporation of the town up to 1804 ; and the bills wero
this year taken from Swett and given to Whitmarsh, and he
was succeeded by Aaron Witkins, who collected the taxes for
one year.

At a legal meeting of the inhabitants of the town of Nor-^

way, held at the house of Maj. Jonathan Cummings, in said

. town, March 6, 1804, the following sums of money were

voted to be raised, viz : Voted to raise nine hundred dollars

to be laid out in repairing the highways, 0900,00

Voted to raise fob the Support of schools, 850,00

Voted to raise to defray town charges, 120,00

niSTOBY OF NqnwAY. 65

' Voted to raiso to purchase Weights and Metusures, 75, 00
Voted for the support of the poor, 150,00

$1595,00
State tax, $77,83. County tax missing. Number of
polls 169 ; number of scholars 820. Total value of rateable
property in the town of Norway, as taken by the assessors in
the year of our Lord 1804, $40,977.

I came from Massachusetts into the town of Norway, Feb.
12th, 1804, and must be pardoned if I give a short descrip* )
tion of the appearance of the place at that early day. There
cwcre three two-story buildings in the Village, viz : tlie Reed
store, which has lately been remodelled, and an addition put
to it, by Robert Noyes, the old house recently occupied by
Ichabod Bartlett, Esq., and the old Samuel Smith house,
which formerly stood where William C. Whitney's house now
stands. There were a few other houses in the Village, but
mostly small and poor. There were six more two-story houses
in other parts of the town, viz : Nathaniel Bennett's, Dudley
Pike's, the Rust house on tlie hill, Amos Ilobbs', Joel Bte-
.Vens', and Jonathan Cummings ; and theliouse in the Village
now owned by John Dcoring was in progress of building^ by
John Ordway. I think that about that time, or sooii after,
Capt. Henry Rust brought a chaise into the Village, from
Salem ; and there was no other wheeled carriage in the town,
excispt a very few ox-carts and ox-Wagons, which were scarce
articles at that time. There was not such a thing as a cart
or wagon west of Fuller's Corner, and not a one-horse wagon
jn the town before 1809. The vehicles for winter conveyance
;Vere about of the same character as those for summer. The
farmers who were able had a double market sleigh or sled,
and, generally a one-horse pung, as they used to call them ;
they were usually made by setting the studs into the top-
pieces, and betiding on the runners, which wei'e made of a
straight, tough leverwood or beech, and a seat to lay acirosd /

66 HISTORY OF irORWAT.

yfhen the ladies rode to a meeting or a party. Lt the svin*
mer, or fall, when the ladies rode, it was on horse-back, either
alone, or behind their husband or beau ; and if behind, often
on a pillion, if they had one, Nov, girls, do n't laugh ; for
I have seen as pretty girls ride in this , manner as I ever saw
. in my life, as old as I am.

The first fire in the Village took place about this time ;
I the building was a potash — ^loss not very distressing. There
was one other potash in the town, first put up by Maj. Jona-
than Cummings, and after a few years purcliasod by Benjamin
Fuller, and moved up to Fuller's Comer. Fuller used to
take ashes of the inhabitants in that part of the town, and
pay them in molasses, salt-fish, salt, &;c., which he received
in excliange for his potash. It helped make business for Mr.
Fuller, and he was a business man at that day.

In 1805, Town officers as follows : Job Eastman, Clerk ;
Job Eastman, Treasurer ; Henry Rust, Jr., Nathan Noble,
and Aaron Wilkins, Selectmen ; Aaron Wilkins, Collector.

Valuation of taxable property, $41,717. Number of pollsy

187 ; houses 80 ; bams 79. Town voted to raise money aa

follows: Forscbools, - - ^ $400,00

For support of poor, and town charges, * 200,00

To pay Collector, - - - 24,00

$624,00

State tax, - - - - $77,8a

Overlaid to pay Collector, - - , 2,98'

, 180,26

I can not determine the exact amount of lfighwiQ>y tax, bvk
think it to be about $800.

The following persons became inhabitants of the town pre-
vious to the taking of this valuation ; Ebenezer Jenkins,
Moses Ayer, Luther Farrar, Josiah !^arrar, James Flint,
Elijah Flint, Moses Holt, D*aniel Holt, Jesse Howe, John
Nocdliam, Stephen Pingree, Ilczekiah Pingreo, Solomon

HISTORY OF NORWAT. / G7

lloot, Joseph H. Root, Joseph Shockley, John Thomas, John
Shaw, Eliphalct Watson, Ebenezer Watson, Asa Rkker, Joii-
athan Shed, John Bennett, Thomas Seal. The followhig
persons, sons of the older settlers, had now become of age^
and were taxed for their own polb, and property, if they had
acquired any, and many of them were beginning to make
farms for themselves : Asa Lorcjoy, Jr., John Pike, Jr,,
Enoch Lovejoy, Enoch Knight, James Buck, Jared M. Buck,
Stephen Bartlett, and probably some others, both of new im-
migrants, and those arriving at the age of twenty-one years.
I must say a word about some of the new immigrants into
the place. Moses Ayer I have already spoken of as one of
our doctors. Luther Farrar was of the legal profession, (a
lawyer, as the common phrase is,) and as a lawyer his char-
acter was (I was almost on the point of saying) spotless ; and
if any should say that he was not a great man^ I think there
are none to say that he was not a good man. Ever bland
and courteous in his deportment and intercourse with all, he
was emphatically a peacemaker among his fellow-men. Ho
never encouraged any frivolous, dirty litigation, but endeav-
ored to bring about an amicable adjustment of such difficulties
as ought to be settled without resort to legal process. Ho
mamed Mercy A. Whiting, from New Ipswich, N. H. She
came here in the fall of 1806, and the probability is that he
came some time in 1804. His health while here was rather
delicate, and his debility finally terminated in consumption, of
which he died, much lamented, early in the spring of 1812.
He had an extensive run of business, and built the house and
o£Sce now occupied by Levi Whitman, who became a partner
in business with Mr. Farrar a few months before his death ;
and finally succeeded him in almost everything — that is, in
business, property, (partly by purchase,) and wife — as after a
few years he married Mr. Farrar's widow, who was, and still
is, a very amiable and capable woman ; and what I consider
as another item of importance, Mr. Whitman has always pur-

68 HISTORY OF NORWAY.

Bucd the same peaceful course aa hb predecessor, by discoiui'
tenaacing all frivolous and mean litigation. Durjng Mr.
Farrar'a lifetime, another attorney by the name of Adams
mode an attempt to settle here ; but the soil did not at. that
time prove strong enough to bear two lawyers, and he retired.
In 1882 and '83, William A. Evans made a short stand in
Norway, as an attorney, and did some business for the time
he was here, but finding the feed rather short, sought a better
field. Moses B. Baitlctt, an attoi*ney from Bethel, and WiU
liam W. Virgin, an attoiney from Rumford, came into Norway
Village three yeai's or more ago ; they are doing a decent
business, and bid very fair to become useful and eminent
gentlemen, of the legal profession. I do not feel disposed to
eulogize living characters too strongly, lest it might excite
feelings of vanity in the subjects, and of envy in the minds
of oUicrs ; but I will add one word in regard to Mr. Virgin,
who has commenced one very important suit since coming
here, land it has had a happy termination in his marriage with
a daughter of H. (}. Cole, Esq. Mr. Bartlett married a lady
from Brunswick before coming to Norway.

Josiah Farrar, a brother to Luther Farrar, was a clothier;
he stayed here a f^w years only, and then went to Waterford.
Daniel |Iolt and Moses Holt were blacksmiths, and worked in
the Village. , Moses died many years ago. Daniel was always
a persevering mechanic, till old age abated his activity. Ho
still lives in the Village, enjoying a competence — t^e fruit
of an industrious life. John Shaw put in operation at the
Steep Falls a carding-machine, the first in the town or vicinity.
He was succeeded by Samuel Eatcliff, in the same maehine, a
few years after. Carding and clothier's work, at that period,
and for twenty or thirty years after, were almost indispensable
to the inhabitants. Pew people wore any finer cloth than
that made in their own families ; and, in fact, gentlemen were
prottd to appeal* dressed in a suit of clothes spun and woven
by their own wives and daughters, l^he spinning- wheel aiid

HISTORY OP NORWAY. 50

the loom made cheering music in almost every house. Gen-
tlemen in broadcloth, and ladies in silk were rather rare
articles, and appeared but seldom in this '* down east" coun-
try at that early period. Joseph Shackley undei^took the
management of Rust's tan-yard, where he continued to tan
and curry hides for many yeai's, and did wellj too, in the old
fashioned way. •

This year, the first saw-mill in the Village was destroyed
by fire, in March, but was rebuilt during the summer fol-
lowing. William Beal had tended the saw-mill for several
years previ6u8, and continued to for four or five years after.

The County of Oxford was organized this year, it having
lierctofore formed a part of Cumberland County. Joseph
Ilust, of Norway, was chosen Register of Deeds for said
County, and served in that office till his death, which took
place in the spring of 1815. He was an excellent Register,
as the books will now show on examination. In order to
avoid mistakes as to dates, among such a multiplicity of items
to bo noticed, I shall here give a list of such persons belong-
ing, or having belonged to the town, as have served as officers
of die County since its organization :

Joseph Rust, Register of Deeds, served ten years. 1807 ;
Henry Rust, County Treasurer, and served till his decease in
1820, thirteen years. 1815 ; Levi Whitman, County Attor-
ney, and served till 1863, eighteen years. 1820 ; Henry
Rust, Jr., County Treasurer, and served till 1829, ten years.
1888 ; David NoyeS, County Commissioner, and again in
1841, served two years. 1838 ; Henry W. Millett, Sheriff,
«nd again in 1841, served two yeai*s. 1842 ; Jonathan B.
Smitli, County Commissioner, and served till 1846, four years.
Jonadian Swift has been Senator in the State Legislature
two years.

I will now return back to the old tmck, and bdgin again
with 1806. Tl«5 name of the town Clerk has how become
,s>tei*e^pyed, and Vill rentain so for forty years.

60 HISTORY OF NORWAY.

In 1806, Job Eaatman, Clerk ; Henry Rust, Treasurer;
Joseph Rust, Anthony Bennett, and Aai'on Wilkins, Selectk
men ; James French, Collector of taxes.

Money tax, embracing State, County, and town, $816,11»
Poll tax in the assessment, $1. Hi^&way tax, as assessed,
$1016,68. Poll tax m the same, $2. Number of polls,
181 ; scholars, 898.

The following persons moved into town previous to the
taking of the valuation for this year : John Wagg^ a Baptist
minister, Ephraim Twombly , Willis Sampson, Aaron Shackley,
Jonathan Pollard, Benjamin Peabody, Edward Oaks, Thomaa
Judkins, Moses Houghton, Stephen Greenleaf, Holmes Doten,
Thomas George. The following became of age, and were
taxed in their own names : Anjier Tubbs, James Packai^d, Jr.,
Zcphaniah Frost, Frederick Coburn, who> came from Massa-
chusetts in 18Gft with Ward Noyes, and was an apprentice at
the carpenter and joiner business, Daniel Cummings, John
Gummings.

There was a total eclipse of the sun on the 16th day of
June, and it was so dark that a few stars were visible ; birds
acted as though they were retiring for night, and all things
appeared gloomy and dark.

Town officers in 1807 : Job Eastman, Clerk ; Henry Rust,.

Treasurer ; Aai-on Wilkins, William Parsons, and Cad F..

Jones, Selectmen ; James French, Collector of tiuxes.

State tax for 1807, - - - ^107,8a

County tax, - - - * - 89,54-

Town tax, -^ - - - 750,0ft

Deficiency of highway tax for 1806, - 37,4.3.

Overlayings, - - - 29,89'

Total amount of Collector's bills, - $1014,19'

Highway tax, $1208,65. Poll tax on highway, $2, and ib
money tax, $1,50. Number of polls, 184 ; scholars, 407»

New immigrants into the town this year : Joseph Brad-
bury, Isaac Lovejoy, Daniel Smith, Jonathan Shed, Jr.,

niSTORY OF NORWAY. 61

Elijali Jordan, John GlifTord^ Francis Batcher, David Major,
Increase Bobinson. Those arriving at twenty-one years of
age, and taxed in their own names, were : James French, Jr.,
Jeremiah Hobbs, Jr., Jeremiah Hobbs, Sd, Benjamin Her-
ring, Jr., Enoch Holt, William Pike, Joseph Stevens, Jr.,
Charles Stevens, Charles Tubbs, John Woodbridge, Cliarles
Young, Alexander lUU.

In May, this year, a shocking accident happened. Joel
Stevens, Jr., and William Stevens, sons of Joel Stevens, and
Francis Batcher, a hired man, went to a brook between the
Mad pond and the Sand pond for the purpose of catching
suckers, a kind of fish very plenty in that brook in the spring
season. There was a large, high rock near the fishing-place,
against which fishing-parties were in the habit of building
fires, and there had been built a kind of camp for a shelter
when not fishing. After fishing awhile, they laid down in the
camp in front of the fire, when suddenly the rock split asun-
der, ond a largo portion of it fell upon the camp, crushing it
down upon them ; and William Stevens was so crushed by
the weight of the rock, that he was carried home in a shock**
ing condition, and lived about three days, suffering the most
excruciating pain till his death. Joel Stevens was so con-
fined down by parts of the camp falling on him, that he could
not get out till Butcher, who fortunately was not confined,
took their axe and chopped off the poles, and thus liberated
him ; although considerably bruised, ho was not dangerously
hurt. William Stevens was a very amiable, sprightly young
man, and his sudden death was deeply lamented, not by his
family only, but by all around him. A funeral sermon was
preached by Noah Cresey, who came here as a preacher a few
weeks previous, from the following text : ^' For man also
knoweth not his time : as the fishes, that are taken in au
evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare ; sa
are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falletb
suddenly upon them.'' — Ecclesiastes, ix., 12, I shall nev&r

62 niSTOBY OF NORWAY.

forget the fervor and solemnity of that discourse, and I then
set it down in my mind that he wtis a man vrho could cut
without patterns. But I shall speak more of him when I
take up the religious affairs of the town.

The school-house in district No. 1, or Gapt. Jones' district,
was built in 1806 ; one in the Village in 1805 ; one in the
Parsons district prior to 1800, time not exactly known ; one
In the Bennett district about 1807, and one at Fuller's Cor-
oier about the same time.

A saw-mill was built by Jonathan Cummings on the outlet
<of the little Pennessewassee pond ^ as early as 1804, and in
1806 it was taken to pieces and moved down the stream a few
rods ; but it never did a great business, and rotted down
many years ago.

In the spring or summer of this year, (1807) a flagrant
outrage was committed by a British armed ship-of-theolino
•on the United States frigate Chesapeake, from which tho
British commander took three seamen, under the pretence
that they were British subjects. Our government was highly
incensed at the proceeding, and by way of putting the nation
in a posture of defence, ordered a draft of one hundred thou-
:8and militia. Capt. Anthony Bennett was ordered to mako
the requisite draft from his company ; but he, thinking a
sufficient number would volunteer their services, beat up for
volunteers ; when, behold ! every man, with the exception of
dne^ turned out, and he stood in no enviable position alone,
where the ranks stood a few minutes before. Thus tho reader
•oan see that the Maine boys were ready to resist tho right of
search at that early day. The Captain finally had to mako
the draft of. the requisite number, but happily, the drafted
soldiers were never called for. I will here add that Capt.
Anthony Bentiett performed his last military services in tho
fall of this year. He was a carpenter and mill-wright, and
Was at work on a mill at Citiigie's Mills, in Hebron, (now
Ox&rd) when the staging gave away, and he fell upon hi&

mSTOBY OF NOKWAY. 65

broad axe, cutting his thigh in a shocking mannsr ; the in- '
flammation of the T?ound produced a mortification nrhibh caused
his death October 28th. The soldiers lost a higMy-respected
officer, and the town a highly-respected and useful citizen.

In 1808, .town officera as follows : Job Eastman, Clerk ;
Henry Rust, Treasurer ; Aaron Wilkins, Joshua Smith, and
Cad F. Jones, Selectmen ; James French, Collector of taxes.
Valuation of taxable property, $50,540.* Number of
polls 193.

State tax, . - . - $109,§3

County tax, - - . - 96,62

Sum voted hj the town, - - 630,00

Deficiency ot highway tax in 1807, - 31,36

Overlayings, - - . 87,71

Overlayings in County tax, - - 4,86

Total money tax, - - - $909,78

Jt appears by an old book that a tax bill for $i02,54 wa«
committed to James French, dated Jan. 11, 1809, to be paid
into the town timsury on or before the firat day of March
next ; — ^thus making the whole money tax $1012,82, Ilighr
way tax for same year, $1009,39.

The following persons cami^ into town previous to this last
valuation : Philip Abbot, WilBam Cox, Josiah Cbvel, John
Haynes, Ephraim Packard^ Stephen Sanborn, Daniel l^own.
The following are such as arrived to the age of twenty-onit:|
Bobinson Ilobbs, Iloyt Fingrce,. Jacob llussell, Ebenczci
Sancrofb.

In the winter of this year a very sudden death occurred in
the northwest school-district. At noon-time the boys, as is
often the case, were playing goal, or " goold,*' as boys call it,
and a Francis Major, a boy about fourteen years of ago,
8tai*ted to go round, and Abial Holt, a boy on the other side,
pursued him ; the snow-crust bore them very well, but Fran-
cis slumped through very suddenly, and pitched forwai*d on.
the crust ; he sprang agaiHi upon his &et, and instantly fell.

64 HISTORT 07 NOBWAT.

•

on the snow a corpse. The writer was standing with the
teacher, Mr. Thomas Wood, before the schooUhonse door,
watching the game, and ran to him in two minutes from the
time he fell, and there was no pulse to be felt, or any sign of
life to be discerned. It was supposed by the doctor that the
siidden jerk of the neck, as he fell, broke the pith, or spine,
of the neck, which produced instant death.

Town officers for 1809: Job Eastman, Clerk ; Henry Rust,
Treasurer ; Joshua Smith, Gad F. Jones, and Nathan Noble,
Selectmen ; Joseph Bradbury, Collector and Constable.

At the annual meeting in March, the town voted to raise

for the highway, ^ . . |1000,00

In August an additional sum of - 150,00

Subsequently a third tax of - - 190,00

Total, . . - . $1840,00

Money tax, including State, County, and town taxes, with
overlaying, &c., $911,17. Value of taxable property, $50,-
756. Number of polls 212 ; scholars 410.
' The following persons came into towuiprevious to the taking
of this valuation : Nathaniel Abbott, Timothy Abbott, Isaao
Abbott, Isaiah Hall, Daniel Leighton, John Manchester, Ab-
ner Stubbs, William Twombly, Jr., John Fifield, Samuel
Nlite, Paul Lombard. The following became of age before
this valuation was taken : William Foye, John Herring,
Peter Everett, Jr., Amos Noble, John B. Everett, Henry
Rust, 8d.

This year the town of Norway sent its first Representative
to the Legislature of Massachusetts, viz., Luther Forrar, Esq.

Town officers for 1810 : Job Eastman, Clerk ; Aaron Wil-

kins. Treasurer ; Aaron Wilkins, Cad F. Jones, Solomon

Millett, Selectmen ; Joseph Bradbury, Collector and Constat

bio. Luther Farrar, Esq., Representative.

Money tax, for State and town, - $898,46

County tax not found, supposed, - 76,72

Total, - . - - $975,18

HISTOBT OV NORWAY. 65

Highway tax, $1X)00. Number of polls 202 ; scholars 421.
Number of inhabitants in .the town 1010, by the census.

New immigrants : fieuben Brackett, George Bridgham,
Thomas Crocker, Calvin Crocker, Daniel Cummings, Hum-
phrey Cleaves, JBenjamin Eastman, Abiathar Eastman, Uriah
Holt, Samuel Hall, Daniel Watson. The following becamo
tof age previous to the taking of this valuation : David Noyes,
Jacob French, Isaac F. Lovejoy, Thomas Pool, John Perry,
Joseph Stevens, 8d, Amos Young.

In September, this year, Benjamin Peabody's house was
burnt in the night, about eleven .oVslock. The fire caught, as
.was supposed, in tlie catting, or .topping out, of the chimney.

CHURCH HISTORY.

UNIYERSALIST DENOMINATION.

I have as yet said nothing about the religious affairs of the
plantations, or town, since its incorporation. But we are not
to suppose that afiairs of a religious nature were wholly neg-
leoted. By the laws of Massachusetts, at that time, towns
having a certain number of inhabitants were obliged to havQ
a certain quantum of preaching in each year ; and no other
than the standing order, (as it was sometimes called) or
^orthodox, or otherwise, the Congregational order, was considr
ered as coining within the meaning of the law ; therefore all
taxable persons were under the liability of being assessed for
the support of preaching, whetlier the doctrine preached coin*
cided withtheir particular religious sentiments or Aot. Hence,
some little difficulties arose in regard to raising money to hire
preaching. Under these circumstances, whether the law made
the provision or not, the time soon arrived when it was no
uncommon thing for individuals possessing religious sentiments
different from the faith sanctioned by the State, to form them-
selves into regular societies, and draw their tax back from the
itown treasury, in order to apply it to the support of preach-
ing adapted to their own sentiments. The following extracts

66 HISTOBT OV NORVAT.

from the old Society record will show t^e stated of thingg io
early days. Extract from the recoidbere follOiTB :

November 20/A, 1798.

Whereas it is oontomplated, as a ipitter of publick utility
and advantage, to have the Doctrinc^of the Grace of God dis-
pensed among mankind for their mutual comfort and edification,
that they thereby understand the nature and character of their
Creator God, may be lied' to put their trust in him at all times,
and thereby feel their hearts incliqed to love him, and one
another, and not only view in prospect, but know in reality
how good and pleasant it is for Brethren to dwell together in
unity — ^where all discord will cease, and party spirit Gome to
an end. It is likewise contemplate to invite Brother Thomas
Bams (who is a man of sobriety, and sustains a good moral
character, whom we conceive to- have a good degr^ of under-
standing in the Doctrine of the. Grace of God, and favoured
with a gift to dispense the same- to Ids fellow-men) to move
hia family into these parte, where it is conceived he would be
of* groat use in the regulation of societies, whoge decorum, and
good deportment would greatly adorn our pro£^pn. It is'
furthermore considered expedient (lest we should bring a bur-
den 6a hiiii iand his family unable to support) to assist him
in pr6curing a place where his family may be comfortably
Situated.

We, therefore, who have hereunto subscribed, agree to be-
Btoit lijpon him,, of freedom, and choice, the sum affixed to our
names ; in case^he move his family into these parte for the
purpose as abone—

PARIS. NOBWAT.

JiCvi Hubbard, Ten dolliirs.
Daniel Staples, Ten dollars.

Nathaniel Bennett, five dollars.
Benj. Witt, five dollars.
Levi Bartlett, five dollars.
Anthony. Bennett, five dollars.
Benj. Herring, five dollars.
A true Copy from the original,

Attest,, aOSEPa RUST, Clerk.

HISTORY OF NORWAY. 6T

Wo, the subscribers, Inhabitants of Nor\ray and the adja-
cent Towns, believing it to be the right aa well as the duty
of men to join in society, and publickly, at stated times and
seasons unite in the worship of the onlj liying and true God,
and as some of us have made voluntarj provision for the sup-
port of a publick Teacher of piety, religion and morality ; wo
do agree to establish an annual meeting, and also to appoint
other Society meetings as shall be thought proper by the sub*
scribers for the purpose of choosing a publick teacher, or
teachers, a Clerk and Committee, and other officers as shall
bo thought necessary by the subscriber for the peace and
good order of the society ; we also agree that at such society
meetings subscriptions shall be opened for the purpose of de-
fraying the expenses of the society, such as the Buildingy or
Hiring a convenient place for publick worship, for the support
of publick tea<;hers and other expenses, which may arise
according to the vote of the society, which subscription shall
be disposed of by tho vote of the society ; each subscriber
having an equal right to vote in this, and all other matters
that pertain to the regulations of this society ; and we do
agree as Disciples of Jesus Christ to live in peace among our-
selves ; Claiming no right to exercise authority over the con-
sciences of each other in spiritual matters, but henceforth
stand fast in the liberty -wherewith Christ hath made us free.
And furthermore we agree that this Society composed of the
following subscribers shall bear the appellation of the firat
Beligious society in Norway, and subscribe ourselves '^ Chris-
tian Independents" believing in the doctrine of the Salvation
of cUl men by Jesus Christ

March 2rf, 1799,

Daniel Staples, Moris Shannon, Levi Bartlett,

Levi liubbard, Samuel Ames, William White,

William Babb, Anthony Bennett, Nathaniel Young,

Elisha Cummings, Benjamin Herring, Joseph Rust,

Iteiy. Witt, Nathaniel Bennett, Josiah Bisco.

A true copy from the original.

Attest, JOSEPH RUST, Clerk-

68 HISTORT Of KOBWAT.

The following receipt will show that Thomas Barnes liad
really become a regular preacher in this society.

Nomay, April 12/A, A. 75., 1800.
Then settled with the Committee of the religious society
in Norway, and received full compensation for my serrices as
a preacher of the Gospel in that society for the year 1799.
Signed Byrne, Thomas Barnbs.

A true Copy from the original,

Attest, JOSEPH RUST, Clerk.
In 1801, I find the names on the record to be nineteen in
number. It appears that this society erected a meeting-house
in 1801, and probably covered the outside, and completed it
in the course of the ensuing year. I find the following to
prove its erection :

Notification. — ^The Universalists, or the Christian Inde-
pendent society of the towns of Paris and Norway are hereby
Notified that their annual meeting will be held on Monday
the tenth day of May next at the Meeting-house in Norway
at 2 o'clock P. M., for the following purposes viz :
1st, To choose a Moderator for said Meeting.
2d, To choose a Clerk for the society for the ensuing year.
8d, > To choose a Committee to transact the necessary busi-
ness of the society.

4th, To choose a Committee especially for the purpose of
giving Certificates to those of the society, who may apply for
the same, in order to obtain the money that they may be
obliged to pay as Minister tax to any town Corporation, or
: other society, who may presume to exercise authority over them.
5th, To choose a Collector, and Treasurer for the society,
and to transact any other business thought proper when met.

Per order of the Committee.
Norway, ^6th April, 1802.

JOSEPH RUST, Society Clerk.
A trub record. Attest, Joseph Rust, Clerk.

When called to act on the fourth article, Anthony Bennett,

HISTORY OP NORWAY, 09

Josoi)h Host, Levi Bartlctt, vrcre chosen as said committee.

In order to show the use of such a committee, I here insert

an old document on the subject :

We, the subscribers, Thomas Barnes, publick teacher of a

society in the religious sect, or denomination called Univer-

^ salists in the town of Norway, and Anthony Bennett and

Joseph llust Committee of said society do hereby certify that

Benjamin Tucker doth belong to said Society, and that he

frequently and usually, when able, attends with us in our

stated meetings for religious worship.

I Thomas Barnes,

Joseph Rust,
Norway^ January Vlth^ 1803. Anthony Bennett.

On the back of the foregoing certificate are the following

endorsements :

Norway^ Sept. 14/A, 1803*

Sir, please to pay Mr. Thomas Bams sixtj^three cents it

being Benjamin Tucker's proportion of Minister tax for the-

year 1802. BENJAmN WITT, ) Selectmen

NATHAN NOBLE, \ of Norway.

• To Job Eastman, Esq., Tovm Treasurer.

To Mr. WilKam Ilobbs Collector of the town of Norway,

please to pay the contents of the underwritten order, and this

riiall be received in the Treasury the same as cosh.

Job Eastman, Treasurer.

N. B. — The certificate was duly backed over by Tucker.

The Baptist denomination laboi'cd under the same embar*

rassments, as the following certificate will show :

This certifies to whom it may concern, that John Parsons

of Norway joined the Baptist Church of Christ in Paris in

the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-six, and has,

and, docs now attend publick woi-ahip with us.

James Hooper, Minister.

John Willis, } ^ ...

PariSf June the 6, A. D., 1801.

70 IIIBTORY OF NORWAY.

It appears by the record, April 21, 1804, that tlie society
Uumbored thiity-six.

The meeting-house built in the Village was the first in the
town, and as some (who ought to know) say, was the first
Universalist church erected in the District of Maine. In
1805, the Universalist Society of Paris and Norway was in-^
corporated by an act of the Legislature of Massachusetts;
During several successive years things went along with the
usual progress of matters, like all other societies. Mr. Barnes
continued to preach with them, with occasionally some other
preachers, and among others Sebastian Streeter. In 1822,
there were forty paying members, (and such are, in all soci-^
cties, the best members.) Nov. 22, 1828, the society, having
it in contemplation to build a new house, voted to sell the old
one. Nov. 28, 1828, they voted to build a new house, and
chose the following committee to superintend the building of
the same : Nathaniel Bennett Elijah Hall, Asa Danfortli,
Asa Barton, and Joshua Crockett Benjamin B. Murray
became the preacher in this society a short time previous to
building the new house, and continued till some time in the
year 1882. The new house was finished and dedicated in
1829. In 1388, the Bev. Henry Hawkins was invited to
preach to the society, and continued its teacher and preacher
for a short time. In 1837, Rev. Luke P. Rand was called
by the society to become its religious teacher, and remained
till some time in 1840. In 1838, there was a great revival
in the society, and an addition of twenfy-six members was
made, wliich was almost four times the number of its first
founders. Soon after the withdrawal of Mr. Rand, tlie Rev.
T. J. Teimey was invited to become the teacher of the soci-
ety, and remained till 1846. In 1849, Rev. J. L. Stevens
was called to become the pastor of the society, and continues
with it up to the present time. In 1851, the society remod-
elled and rededicated their house, and put into it an elegant
organ. As a religious society it appears flourisliing. The
paying members now number fifty-eight.

HISTORY OJf NORWAY. 71

Since the first organization of the society, very many of
the old members have bid adieu to all sublunar things, and
passed to the spirit land, '' from whose bourne no traveler
returns ; " but their places seemed to be filled with others,
(with many additions) who are springing up after them.
May the society, and its teachers, ever enjoy the smiles and
guidance of that Seing, '^ whose right it is to rule."

OOKaREaATIOirAL DEirOMIirATipK.

I now proceed to give some account of the Congregational
church and society in Norway, as that was the next in order
pf organization, except what was done to fulfil the require*
monts of the law, before any society was formed.

It seems, by the best authority within my reach, that Mr.
Oould, some years afterwards settled in Bethel, was the first
minister that was hired to preach in the town ; and it being
summer-time, he preached in Jeremiah Hobbs' barn — length
of time unknown. A minister by the name of Chapman^
who probably rosicbid in Bethel, used sometimes to pass through
the town, and preached a few times ; and occasionally a mis*
sionary made a visit, and ministered to the people. Mr.
fTathan Merrill, of Gray, a Baptist preacher, sometimes vis-
ited the settlement, even before its incorporation, and generally
preached when he came here ; he likewise solemnized severul
of the first man^ages in the place.

A minister by the name of Stoddard, about 1801 or 1802,
preached for a considerable time, and the people were so well
satisfied, that they came to the conclusion to settle him ; but
some things derogatory to his character as a preacher coming
to light, they finally dismissed him from any further duty—
as they believed him to be a wolf in sheep^s clothing, who
might devour some of the lambs. Mr. Stoddard was proba-
bly mtty^ if not good ; and thinking (rightly too) that Gapt.
Jonathan Gummings exerted considerable influence adverse to
his settlement in the town as a minister of the gospel, on

72 HISTORY or NORWAY.

preaching what be termed his farewell aermon, he paid rather
a sarcastic compliment to Cummings. He pretended to have
had a remarkable dream, and obtained the latest news front
the infernal regions. Beelzebub, the Prince of Devils, had
hastily summoned a grand council of his co-workers in evil,
to consult on the furtherance of his nefarious designs. He
stated to his compeers that he had received intelligence that
the town of Norway, on this earthly ball, was about to settle
a ministejT of the gospel, and that there must be some plan
contrived to prevent such a terrible obstacle to his ownunile
and reign in poor Norway. After much elaborate discussion,
his Satanic Majesty ordered his best and ileetest horse to be
brought up, while he was making hasty preparations for his>
journey. In the meantime, some one of hi» sago counselors
inquired of him if there was not some person in Norway who^
could bo furnished with an agency to do the business for him,.,
and save the journey. Ho began to deliberate on the subject,,
and suddenly exclaimed, '^ yes I there is Jonathan Cum-
mings ; I had at first forgotten that he was there ; he can dO'
the business just as well as I can, so you may put up my
horse again." And it seems he was not mistaken in his-
agent, for ho has done the business just as well as his master
could, had he come on purpose.

On the 6th of October, 1802, the Congregational Churck
was organized, and the following are the ^ ^Articles of Faith :"

1st. — ^We believe that there is one God, who is the Creator,
Lord, Governor and Judge, both of angels and men, and the'
Sovereign Lord of providence and grace, and who is etenial,,
self-existent, almighty, Infinite in knowledge, wisdom, love,,
goodness and holiness.

2d. — ^We believe that in the unity of the Godhead there'
are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost ,-
that these three are equal in power and glory, and that equal
honour belongs to them.

8J.— We believe that God made man in his own image in

HISTORY OF NORWAY, T5

moral rectitude ; that man fell by eating the forbidden fruity
involving his whole posterity with himself in sin and ruin ;
that all, who, by natural generation, are bom of fleshy ore
depraved and children of death ; that no one without being
born again, can enter into the kingdom of God.

4th. — ^We believe that as God reserves falkn angels to the
Judgment of the groat day, so ho might justly have left all
mankind to everlasting death ; but in the riches of his sov-
ereign love he gave his son to be bom and die for them ;
raised him from the dead for their justification and salvation,
and by his spirit keeps all, who truly believe, to eternal life
in heaven.

5th. — ^We believe the scriptures of the old and new testa-
ment to bo the word of God ; and a revelation from him of
his will and fimn^s dtUy^ and that it is a perfect mle both of
faith and practice, teaching the true knowledge of God, the
redemption of man by Jesus Christ, the justification of be*
lievers by his righteousness, and the renovation of the elect
by Ills Spirit.

6th. — We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ requires the
first day of the week to be sanctified as the Lord^s day ; that
he has appointed his ministers to preach his word and to ad-
minister christian ordinances, particularly baptism to believers
iuid their seed, and the Lord's supper to Christ's family, as
the memorial of his death, and that he requires secret, family,
nnd publick worship of God, the singing of his praises, and
the reading of his word, with the keeping of all his moral
commands.

7tli. — ^We believe that God does all things by Jesus Christ
according to his eternal counsels and decrees, and requires
inankind to do all acts of obedience, and worship in Christ's
name and Avitli the assistance of his gi*ace, going always to
God through Christ, and by the holy spirit.

8th. — ^We believe that Christ, who is exalted at the right
liand of the Father, and governs the world as head over all

"li. HMTOBY OF KOBWAT.

things to the church, will at the hist day descend from hessfen
in glory with the holy angels, Vrill raise the dead, and jadge
the world in righteousness, condemning the wicked according
to their works to eternal death) and giving to the righteeaa
eternal life in the kingdom, and blessed presence of 6od«

Covenant. — In presence of the Holy (Jod, and in the be-*
lief of the glorious truths of his word, we avouch the Lord
Jehovah, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost to be our God, and do
.^solemnly covenant with him, and promise, in dependence on
his grace, to believe, worship, and obey him in all things, at
;all times, according to his word ; making the scriptures ilie
•supreme rule of our faith and practice ; honouring him in all
his ordinances ; doing every duty in the name of Christ; re-
lying on the grace of his spirit, and walking with his saints
as joint members of Christ's body, keeping the unity of the
spirit in the bond of peace, hoping in the Lord Jesus Christ|
and waiting for his coming unto eternal life. Amen.

The names of those who signed the Covenant :

Joanna Upton, Amos Upton,
Lydia Frost, Jacob Frost,

Kachael Stone, Joseph Stone,
Miriam Foster, Nathan Foster,
Lydia Stone, Timothy Stone,

Joanna Jones, Chad Wallader F. Joncdi

Mary Bancroft, John Ilor,
Huldah Case, Enoch Merrill,

Benjamin Flint,
Jonathan Gumey,
Norway, October 6, 1802.
The foregoihg confession of faith and covenant were assent-
ed to, and signed by the subscribers, ^hose naines are above
written, whom we declare to be a regular Churck of our Lord
Jesus Christ, denominated the Church of Christ in Norway.
Bone with the approbation, and in the presence of us Mis^

sionaries and Pastors of Churches.

Enoch Hale, of West Hampton,
Sbth Payson, of Binge,
Jonathan Grant, of Hawley«

HISTORY OF NORWAY. 76

October 6, 1802. The church being formed^ chose Timo-
thy Stone Deacon, Moderator and Clerk.

Enoch Halb, ) Missionaries.
Jonathan Grant, ) ^'^«***«'^'^'«*'

It appears that the church records were to be kept in the
house of Amos Upton, who had previous to ibis time built
himself a lai*go house for that day, ftnd for many years it was
used as a place for religious meetings. He was a zealous
professor, and spent much time in fitting his house with seats
to accommodate those who attended meeting on the Sabbath. .
On Saturday afternoon he would bring in blocks and planks,
or boards, and arrange seats in his long kitchen, in prejmra*
tion for meeting the next day. Mr. Joseph Martin was a
good singer, and understood the rules of church psalmody well
for that early day. Occasionally a missionary would come
along, and stop iand preach a few Sabbaths with the church
and people ; and sometimes a minister was hired/ to preach a
Sabbath or two, or a month, and once or twice for three months.

In 1803, Juno 24, 1 find there was a town order given to
Timothy Stone, for money paid by him to Rev. Enoch Whip-
ple, for preaching two Sabbaths, $10,00. And the same
year, an order to Nathan Noble, for money paid by him to
Rev. Mn Smith, for preaching one Sabbath, $5,00. In
1805, there was an order given to Joseph Stevens, for money
paid Mr. Spaulding, for preaching eight Sabbaths, at $6,50
per Sabbath, $44,00 ; and another town order was given for
boarding the said Spaulding, and horse, $16,00.

Thus it appears that we were not entirely destitute of the
preached word ; and when there wos no minister, the people
assembled in Mr. Upton's house, and held what used to be
called a Deacon's meeting ; there would be a sermon read,
(the writer has read many in our Sabbath meetings,) and
prayers ofiered up by some of the more gifted members of the
church, and sii^ging, good enough. There were many good
singers of the Wd sc/wol method of singing, and uncle Jo

76 HiSTomr of norwat.

Martin (a» yre used to call him) would give vs the pitch of
the tone with his pitch-pipe, and we could Hiako first-nvto
church melody of such tunes as Old Hundred, St. Martins,
Wells, &c.

In the summer-time, when there was a minister, the meet-
ings were often, and usuallj, held ki* some bam — ^perhaps i»
Jeremiah Ho])bs', or Esquire Eastman's — and the elderly
people with the ladies generally occupied the lower part of
the bam, while the boys and younger portion of the assembly
ascended to the scaffolds. In such humble pkces of worship,
the little swallows would twitter the pi*aises of Almighty God
over our heads, while an attentive audience would eagerly
listen to the words of tmth which flowed from the mouth of
the speaker.

Thus things went along till the early part of the spring of
1807, when Noah Orescy came to Norway, and was employed
to preach by the Congregational order. lie gave almost uni-
versal satisfaction to all hearera, especially to those of his-
own denomination ; but an attempt to settle him proved abor-
tive, on account of there being many Universalists, Baptists^
and some few Methodists, who w'ere just beginning to appeal"
amongst us as a religious sect.

In 1808, Maj. Jonathan Cumming», though not a profe^or
of any particular order of religion, undertook, on his own
i*esponsibility, to buikl a Congregational meeting-house, on^
the same site now occupied for a similar house. The building,
ing was large — ^forty-eight feet by sixty, and thirty feet posts.
It was raised early in July, and nearly finished in that and
the succeeding year.

The attempt to settle Mr. Crcsoy having failed, only served
to stimulate the church and society, and they then applied to
the Legislature for an act of incorporation. They finally
obtained their request, as will be seen by the following act :

An Act to incorporate a religious society in the town of
Norway :

HISTOBY OP NORWAY. 77

8sCT. 1. — Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep-
resentatives' in General Court assembled, and bj the authoriiy
of 'the^ame; That the following persons, viz., Joseph Brad-
bury, Job Eastman, Joel Stevens, Cad W. F. Jones, John
Uor, Benjamin Fuller, James Flint, Joshua Crockett, Jona-
than Bottle, Darius Wilkins, Eliphalot Watson, Silas Mcriam,
John Pike, Aaron Wilkins, Amos Hobbs, Amos Town, Increase
B.obinson, Asa Nojes, Enoch Holt, William Lessley, Ward
Noyes, John Needham, Stephen Pingree, Jr., Micah Upton,
Jonathan Gumey, Joseph Martin, Benjamin Flint, Bx)binson
Hobbs, Enoch Merrill, Joel Frost, Thomas Wood, Jeremiah
Hobbs, Jeremiah Hobbs, Jr., Daniel Hobbs, Jeremiah Hobbs,
•Sd, Jonas Stevens, Jr., John Case, Daniel Holt, Jacob Bus-
sell, Frye Lovejoy, Ephraim Twombly, Francis Butcher,
Dustin Patch, Zephaniah Frost, Philip Abbott, John Ordway,
Jacob Frost, Daniel Town, Amos Upton, Amos Upton, Jr.,
Jonathan Shed, Jonathan Cummings, Luther Farrar, William
Hobbs, Benjamin Peabody, Amasa Lessley, Joseph Stevens,
Jr., Moses Ayer, Elijah Flint, Amos Cummings, Jonas Ste-
vens, Nathan Noble, Ebenezer Watson, Stephen Bartlett,
Timothy Stone, Nathan Foster, Isaac Lovejoy, Ebenezer
Bancroft, together with their families and estates with them,
be and they are hereby incorporated into a Society by the
name of the Congregational Society in Norway, with all the
power, privileges and immunities to which other Religious
Societies are entitled by the Constitution and laws of this
Commonwealth.

Sect. 2. — Be it further enacted that any Justice of the
Peace in the County of Oxford is hereby authorized and eni-
powered to issue his warrant directed to some suitable inhab-^
itant of said town of Norway requiring him to notify and
warn the members of said Congregational Society to meet at
such convenient time and place, as shall be expressed in said
Wammt for the purpose of choosing such officers as Parishes

78 HISTORY 07 NORWAT.

are by lav empowered to choose at their annual meetings in
the months of March or April.

In the House of Bopresentatiyes Feb. 25, 1809. Thia
Bill having had three seyeral readings passed to be enacted.

Timothy Biqelow, Speaker.

In Senate Feb. 28, 1809. This Bill haying had two sey-
eral readings passed to be enacted.

H. G. Otis, President.

Approyed March 1, 1809^ Levi Lincoln.

Secretary's Office^ March 7, 1809.
True Copy. Attest Wm. Tudor,

Sec, of Commofiwealih.

The first annual meeting of the society Bnder their act of
incorporation, was called oxi the tenth day of April, 1809,
and measures were taken to giye Mr. Cresey a call to become
tlieir pastor and teacher, and to be ordained oyer the church
and society at some suitable time. Jjx accordance with tliis
resolution, the following Committee waa choeen to carry this
matter into effect : Job Eastman, Nathan Noble, Joseph Ste-
yens, and John Hor. They forthwith addressed to him the
following Call :

To Mr. Noah Cresey, Candidate for the Gospel Ministry.
Dear Sir: — The church and people of the Congregational
Society in the town of Norway, being united in their desires,
to haye you continue with them to preach and administer to
them the ordinances of the Gospel, and as a manifestation of
their attachment to you as their teacher and instructor in di«
yino truth, their approbation of your walk and conyersation,
their thanks for your loye and labour with them in the Gospel
hitherto — ^Haye at a legal meeting held on the tenth day of
April Inst, by said society, unanimously yoted to renew their
inyitation for you to settle, and be ordained as Pastor and
Minister oyer said church and society. And for your encour-
agement to settle and labour with tliem in the Gospel, do
agree and engage to pay you two hundred and sixty-six doU

HISTORY OF NORWAY. 75)

lars mi. skty-sovcn cents as your salary for tlio first year ;
And odd sixteen dollars and sixty-seven cents yearly, until
the sum amounts to three hundred and thirty-three dollar^
and thirty-four cents to be your stated salary, so long as you
shall labour with the church and society in preaching the
Gospel, and administering the ordinances thereof ta their sat-
is&ction as a teacher, and you be satisfied in them as a people
under your care and charge. And for your further encour-
agement, do Agree to pay you three hundred dollars as a
settlement, to be paid in labour and materials for erecting;
buildings for yourself in said town of Norway as you may
want. And may God direct you in the path of duty, and
grant you all noeded aid and assistance whereby you may bo
enabled to came unto the church under your care and charge
from time to time in tlie fullness of the blessing of the Gospel

of peace. Job Eastman, 1 Committee

Nathan Noble, I of the
Joseph Stevens, ' Congregational
John IIor, J Society.

Norway, AprU 18, 1809.

A true record. JOB EASTMAJT, Clerk.

yAftor taking a short time for consideration of the subject,
'Hr. Gxfi&ejr returned the following answer to the aforesaid
Call :

To flie Congregational church and society in. Norway : —
Bretiueien and Eriends, OS you have renewed, your invita-
tion expitessing as you have formerly done^ a dfisire to have
me beoome your Pastor and teacher, I now proceed to com-
municaj;eimy aoswer to the same.

The IGlospel is at once the most glorious and important
object, which ever engorged the attention of man. It origi-
nated inih.0 Jove and compassion of God: and is now in
bpeitktioojin the woifld for the merciful purpoaa of destroying
sin, of ireclaiming fallen men, and guiding them to Heaven
.^aud eternal hapjiiuQaa. From the instruQtm of this Gospcl|

80 DISTORT OF NORWAY.

which has been ordered to be preached in the world, repulta
that important roLition, whicli BubBists between a minister and
people. Iq forming a connexion of this nature, serious great
and interesting consequences approach in view. Though this
connexion may dissolve, yet the consequences resulting from
it remain eternal. A Minister should not choose to take the
charge, and moral instruction of a people for any other pur^-
pose tlian to advance the Glory of God, and to seek the
salvation and happiness of immortal souls. And a people in
settling a Gospel minister should be actuated by the sincere
and laudable motives of gaining spiritual knowledge, and pro-
moting their future peace and wdl&re.

You have invited me to an important situation, to take upon
me a solemn charge, to engage in a work, in which the Glory
40f God, the prosperity of Zion, and your own salvation aro
deeply concerned. Here my thoughts extend beyond tho
grave and biing into view the interesting realities of eternity.
I c^hrink from the sacred and solemn task. This is a great
resolution to form, it is a weighty trust to devolve on a mortal.
After much serious consideration upon your situation, and the
sincere attachment, which you have manifested to me, in an-
swer to your invitation as an incorporated society I cordially
consent to become your Pastor and teacher ; praying that the
Lord would make mo a faithful embassodour of Jesus Christ ;
that he would grant his blessing to our expeeted union, and
make it a means of promoting his glory and our eternal
salvation. Noah Crbsey.

A true record. Attest JOB EASTMAN, Clerk.

In the njeantimo^ M^j- Cummings was pushing tlie building
of the ipeeting-h<we along rapidly. The time fixed for Mr.
Cresey's ordination was the twentieth day of Sept., 1809,
The affiiirs of the church and society were going along very
prosperously, and bpith minister and people indulged pleasing
janticipatio^s in ro^rd to their future prospects.

It will be recollected that the society was to give Mr. Cresey

HISTORY OF NORWAY. 81

$300 as a settlement, to be paid in materials and labor towards
erecting buildings ; and in the summer of 1809 he erected a
house on the hill above the meeting-house. It was raised in
August.

In old times, in this town, it was a custom at the raising
of buildings, when the frame was completely up, to have what
was called a name for the frame, which was always cither a
poetic couplet, or several verses, according to the taste or
inclination of the person giving the name. The ceremony
of naming a frame was as follows : The hands on the frame
paraded either on the ridge-pole, or front plate, and the two
pcreons who were to bo tho speakers were stationed, one at
each end ; a bottle of good liquor was sent up by the owner,
and after it had passed from one end of the frame to the
other, one of the speakers sung out, "Here's a fine frame,
that deserves a good name, and what shall we call it ? " The
other speaker then gave tlie name, and when through, tho
first cried out, "Will that do?" Those on the ground
answered, " yes ! " Tho hands on tho frame then gave
three rousing cheers, which were responded to by three more
from those on tho ground ; tlien one closing cheer from tho
frame, and the bottle of liquor was thrown from the frame by
the person who gave the name. The circumstance of raising
a house for a favorite minister called forth the following poetic
effusion for a name from one of the boys — D. Noyes.

It 's customary in this town

Our buildings for to name—
I Ml thank you all who are standing round

To listen to the same.

And since the task I undertake,

A name for to compose,
Don't censure me if I mistake,

And do myself expose.

According to the owner's will
We 've raised this stately frame ;

82 HI8T0RT 07 VORWAT.

May loTe and' friendship ever fiU|
And peaca adorn the same.

Long life and health may he enjoy,
And sweet oontentment find ;

And in God*s woilc find full esApbf
To exercise his mind.

As the good shepherd guards hisk shoep^
In danger them protects,

So may this man his fulluwers keop,
Through life their steps direct.

The sacred desic long may he fill»
With honor and applause ^

May he he fired with Heav'nly zeal
To aid Religion's cause.

A pattern of true piety

I hope this man will stand ;
And instrumental may he be
" In saving fallen man.

In days of old, the Isiaelites
Were through the wilderness

I^d by a cloud, and fire by night,,
Safe to the land of rest.

A fire by night, and cloud by day^
Instead of, may he stand,

- To gM^ manlcind in the right way
Safe to the Heavenly land.

May good success his works attend,,
And wisdom him direct.

The way of truth may he defend,.
And error's ways reject.

And may the aged quickly break
Off fiom their vicious ways,

The young their vanity forsake
Now in their youthful days^

BISTORT OF NORWAY. 83

And if he with some maiden fair "

In wedlock's bonds shall join, "^

May joy attend the happy pair-—
May they much comfort find.

In peace and plenty may they live

While they on earth shall dwell ;
In virtuous actions may. they strive

Each other to excel.

Easy and calmly may they sail

O'er life's tempestuous sea,
And wafted by each gentle galo

In peace and harmony.

Through life may he act well his part.

With honor quit the stage,
Possessed of a virtuous heart.

And crowned with good old age.

And since this stately frame we 've raised.

We '11 gay and cheerful be ;
With civil mirth we '11 end the day

In peace and harmony.

The good West-India round this frame

In plenty shall appear,
With cheerful hearts we 'II drink the same,

Our spirits for to cheer.

I hope in peace we all shall part

When we have spent the day : ^ '
Here 's health to all with all my heart«-r'

So I no more will say.

So much for raising. Now for ordination.

At a legal meeting of the Congregational society, holden on
We<lhcsday, Aug. 80th, voted to choose a Committee to agree
with some person to entertain the Council appointed to ordain
Mr. Noah Crcsey to the Pastoral care of the Congregational
church and people of Norway. Chose Messrs. Joseph Ste-
vens, Nathan Noble, and Amos Hobhs.

84 HISTORY OP NOEWAY.

Voted that Mr. Benjamin Eastman be President of the
singing on the ordination day, and that Joseph Martin, Amos
Gummings, and William Hobbs be a Committee to assist and
advise "with the President for the good regulation of singing
on said daj. Voted that the foregoing Committee advise with
Mr. Cresey and agree upon auch measures as shall be thought
proper, and requisite with respect to waiting upon the Council
to the Meeting-house &c. Also voted that Mr. Ephniim
Twombly bo Marshal of the day, and Jeremiah Ilobbs 8d and
Ebonezer Watson be assistant Marshals to prevent disorderly
conduct at the Meeting-house by tlironging the doors, crowd-
ing, or any indecent or irregular behaviour.

A true record. Attest JOB EASTMAN, Clerk.

Thus the reader can plainly perceive that the ordination
was viewed as a great and important affair. And truly it
wns at that day. It was a day of solemn, serious considera-
tion to the religious portion of the community, and a day of
hilarity -to the younger portion.

The long-anticipated day arrived ; the large meeting-house
was filled to overflowing ; the services were solemn and de-
vout ; the singing first-rate ; the conduct of the crowded
audience was very orderly -and still ; and finally, everything
went off in grand style, and every face beamed with the
expression of delight.

After the religious services of the day were over, many of
the young people repaired to the new hall of Mr. William
Hobbs, a few rods from the meeting-house, and 'Gripped the
light, fantastic toe " to the music of Thomas Wood's fiddle —
who, by the way, was a first-rate violin-player, both for sacred
and convivial music.

The society then numbered about seventy, and additions
continued to be made for several years following ; although
there was once in a while a loss by withdrawal or by death.

On the 28d day of October, 1809, the committee appointed
by said society for the purpose of regulating singing on days

HISTORY OP NORWAY. 85

•

of divine worship, made choice of Benjamin Eastman, fii-st
chorister, Joseph Martin, second, Thomas Wood, third, and
Amos Gummings, fourth.

From 1809 to 1813, and after, the afiaii^ of the society
moved along in a broad and smooth channel, with scarce an
obstacle to cause the smallest ripple. It was in die zenith of
its glory, and it is a pUj/ it could not Lave sustained its ele-
vated position ; but the love of some began to wax cold, and
things did not seem so flattering as at first. Nov. 1, 1819,
agreeable to an adjournment, tlie society met, and heard the
report of the committee chosen to consult the llev. Noali
Crescy with respect to his preaching for the future — a part
of the time with the society in Norway, and the other pai-t in
Paris, as should be agreed upon by the two societies ; the
report was as follows : That the Rev. Noah Cresey did not
see cause to give a direct answer. They then tried the vote
to see if the society would raise money to pay the Rev. Noah
Cresey*s salary the ensuing year, which vote was in the neg-
ative. The society tlien votCMl that their former committee,
viz., Joseph Bradbury, Jonathan Gummings, and Deacon
John Ilor, should inform Mr. Grcsey the result of said
meeting. — Extract from the record.

It fully appears by the records that no serious cause for
any misunderstanding existed between Mr. Gresey and the
church and society ; but as the society, from various causes,
liad greatly diminished, the remaining members thought the
burden rather heavy, and possibly some few were willing to
have a change.

Soon after the oixlination of Mr. Gresey, aa early as May
18, 1810, the church chose John Hor a deacon, in conjunc-
tion with Timothy Stone, who wjis chosen at the organization
of the church. On the 20th of May, the following additions
were made to the church, viz., Daniel Watson, and Polly, his
wife, Abiathar Eastman, and Susan, his wife, Polly Watson,
wife of Ebenezer Watson, and Sophia Cresey, wife of Noah

86 HI6T0BT OV KOBVATi

Gresey. May 19, 1811, the following were added : Lttthel* '
Farrar, and Mercy A. Farrari his wife, Tabathy Bradburyi
wife of Joseph Bradbury, Betsey Flint, wife of James Flinty
and Joel Frost. Job Eastman, and Sarah, his wife, were at
the same time received into full fellowship, on a letter of
recommendation from the church in Fryeburg. Twenty-one
members were added to the church, from the settlement of
Mr. Gresey, up to May 24, 1816 ; and at that date, Jona-'
than Gumey and Benjamin Herring, Jr., were chosen deacons
in the church. Sixteen members more were added previous
to Dec. .7, 1819, on which day, according to a previous ar-'
rangement made between Mr. Gresey and the church and
society, an ecclesiastical council met at the house of Mr. Gre*3
sey, for the purpose of sundering the relation between him
and the church and society over which he had long been
settled.

On the 29th of Nov., the church and society chose Joseph
Bradbury, Jonathan Gummings, and Deacon John Hor, a
committee to appear before the council, which was to convene
on the 7th of December. The Council met as arranged, and
was composed of the following members : From Bridgton,
Rev. Nathaniel Ghurch, Brother Ezra Gould, delegate ; Wa-«
terford. Rev. Lincoln Ripley, Deacon Ephraim Ghamberlain,
delegate ; Bethel, Rev. Henry Sewul, Deacon Samuel Bai-ker^
delegate; Otisfield^ Rev. I. G. Merrill^ Deacon Elias Han-
cock, delegate. Gouncil chose Rev. Nathaniel Church,
Moderator^ and Rev. I. G.^ Merrill, Scribe; and after dud
deliberation and hearing a full statement of both sides of the
question, closed a long report as follows :

^' Happy in finding nothing alleged against the character
of the Rev. Noah Gresey, as a reason for his dismission, and
as we know nothing ol the kind ourselves. We cordially
recommend him to the Christian charity and fellowship of
Crod's people wherever in Divine Providence he may 1x5 called.
We now humbly, and with fervency commend our Rev*

HISTORY OF NORWAY. 87

Brother, and ihid church and Bociety to God, and to the word
of his grace, which is able to build yott up and to give jou
ofti inheritance among all them that are eanctified."

Voted unanimously to accept this report.
Signed in behalf of the Council,

Nathaniel Ohurgh, Moderator
Isaiah G. Merrill, Scribe.

Thus wo see very strong, if not the strongest, religious
ties sundered without the imputation of a single &ult ; so we
must conclude that the occurrence happened from no other
cause than that the '' love of many waxed cold." And while
writings the message which St John was commanded to write
to the church of Ephesus bears so strongly upon my mind
that I must quote the latter port of it : '' Nevertheless, I
have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first
love. Bemember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and
repent, and do the first work ; or else I will come unto thee
quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place,
except thou repent."

I have thus touched on the most important events up to
the time of Mr. Gresey's dismissal ; but I must, in justice to
him, and my own feelings, say a few irords about him in an*
other sphere, than as a preacher. Previous to his coming into
the town, our schools, and all ciducational affairs, were at a
low ebb. Our school teachers were picked up wherever they
could bo found, and many of them wore very limited in their
literary acquirements* The first settlers had found hard work
to get along with their families, and erect comfortable build*
ings, and in most cases were unable to incur much expense in
educating their children ; although they felt anxious to do all
in their power, still there seemed to be something wanting to
produce the desired efiect. But Mr. Cresey seemed to bo
ilistrumental, under Providence, in greatly improving our
affairs in regard to education. He went into our town schools
as a teacher, winter after winter ; he taught five days and a

83 * HI8T0BT OF NORWAY.

half in a week, and wrote Lis two sermons in the evenings,
and on Saturday afternoon. As soon as he got into his house,
he took many schokrs there, and instructed them in all the.
diiferent branches of education usually taught in our first
academies, and particularly such branches as were necessary
to fit them for teachers. In fact, he seemed to infuse a real
thirst after knowledge into the minds of all who were within
reach of the influence of his exertions. It was but a few
years after he came amongst us bcforo we hod good tcachei'S
of our own to instruct all our own schools, and as many more
to send into the neighboring towns. Ho thus gave a strong
and lasting impulse to education, the effects of which were
felt for many yeara, and, in some degree, to the present day.
Our school laws were not very definite at that day, but not«
withstiinding, ho visited all our schools with a fatherly care,
and his influcnco was as great and as useful as though tho
town had paid him fifteen or twenty dollars per year. The
writer received much of his education under the instruction
of Mr. Cresey, and will ever retain a lively sense of his
kindness, and of his assiduity in imparting instruction in every
desired branch of study. The following persons studied more
or less under his tuition — about the same time and subse-
quently : Dr. John Grovcr, Bethel, Rev. Asa Cummings,
Portland, Jacob French, deceased. Rev. Josiah Haugton,

_ t

Hon, T. J. Carter, Levi Stowell, Esq., Rev. Sylvanus Cobb,
Samuel Cobb, Esq., Samuel Hilbourn, and S. B. Hilbourn,
of Minot, and many others belonging to Norway, and from
other towns.

Immediately after the dismissal of Mr. Cresey, the church
and society began to concert measures to supply preaching.
August 4, 1820, I find Robert Page, Jr., (a candidate for
settlement in the ministry,) was chosen as Moderator, in. a
church-meeting ; he continued to preach with them a few
months — ^the time not exactly known.

August 10, 1821, 1 find, at a regular meeting of the Con-

HISTORY OP NORWAY. 89

grcgational Church, the Rev. Joseph Walker was chosen
Moderator. This sho^TS about the time Mr. Walker began
his ministerial labora in Norway ; and it appears on the lOtb
of Nov., 1821, the church and societj^ voted to give him a
call to settle with them, in connection with the Congregational
Society in Paris, and to preach one-half of tlie time, alter-
nately, in each place. The call was formally given on the
12th of Nov., and an answer in the affirmative returned Nov.
27th. But the records do not say when the ordination took
place, nor where.

The membera of the society at this time numbered about
seventy ; and the number admitted into the church from the
dismissal of Mr. Crcsey up to the close of Mr. Walker^*
labors, appears to be sixteen; and it seems that his labors
closed about the beginning of the year 1826, as I find that
on July 6; 1826, '^ at a regular meeting of the church, voted
that 11. A. Merrill be requested to take the records, and act
OS Scribe of the church."

"Sept. 6, 1826. After preparatory lecture, 18 active
members present. Voted, unanimously, to adopt as their
Creed and Covenant^ the printed copy adopted by many of
the Congregational Churches in this County.

Attest H. A. Merrill."

I find in the Society records of Sept. 19, 1826—" Met
agreeable to adjournment. Voted, 1st, to give the llev.
Henry A. Merrill an invitation to settle over the Congi*ega-
tional Church and Society in Norway for five years from the
second of April last past."

Chose, by the church, Joseph Bradbury, Deacon Benjamin
Herring, and Joel Frost, a committee to extend a Call to Mr.
Mcn'ill to settle.

It appeal's the said committee performed the duty devolving
on them, and received an answer in the affirmative ; and the
same Committee were appointed to wait on the Council to be
convened at the dwelling-house of William Hobbs, on Tuesday

90 BISTORT OT NORWAY.

the first day of November, for the installation of the Revi
Henry A. Merrill over the Congregational church and society
in Norway.

I find no definite record of the time when Mr. Morrill
closed his ministerial labors, but it was, probably, about the
ei^d of the year 1834. Near the commencement of Mr. Mer-
rilPs ministration, or soon after, there seemed to be a great
awakening, and nineteen (all females but three) were added
to the church ; and during the remainder of his labors, up-
wards of thirty more — some of them by recommendation, but
mostly by profession. Some severe cases of discipline oc-
currod, as is almost always the case in all churches and
families. On the 16th of Nov., 1884, I find a committee
was chosen to settle with Mr. Merrill, and confer with liim in
calling a council for his dismission.

The next thing, above common-place afilurs, is a '^ meeting
of the Church at tlio dwelling-house of Williain Ilobbs, Sept.
15, 1886. Voted to raise a standing Committee to examine
Candidates for admission into the Church. Chose Rev.
Charles Soule, Dea. John Hor, Dea. Benj. Herring, and
Joel Frost"

Thus it appears that Bev. Charles Soule had commenced
his labors as a preacher previous to this time; and was in-
stalled June 7th, 1887, under a contract for five years. The
records are rather meagre during this time, but from personal
knowledge, I am convinced that affairs moved along about in
their ordinary channel ; nothing very remarkable ocourring
either in the church or society, excepting the taking down of
the old meeting-house, built by Maj. Jonathan Cummings, in
1808-09, and building a new house on the same site. The
new house is much smaller than was the old one, and is very
htttidsomely finished ; it Vould accommodate the society as
well as any other house, if they chose to be so accommodated.

At a legal meeting of the Congregational society, held ou
the 2d day of July, 1845, they proceeded as follows i

mftTORt 0? !I0UWA¥. 91

Ist, Choso Dudley Woodbridge, Moderator.

2d, Chose Simon Stevens, Clerk, James ]^int, Jacob
Bradbury, and Amos T. Holt, Assessors, and Simon Noble)
Treasurer.

8d, Voted that the arrearage of interest on the ministerial
fund up lo May, or June, last, be paid to Rev. Mr. Soule.
Voted that the assessors get up a subscription to hire the
Rev. Charles Packard to preach six ireeks, alternately, at
the Congregational meeting-house at the center of the town,
and in the Village. Voted that the Clerk write in behalf ot
the Society to the Rev. Mr. Packard, when the money shall
have been raised to pay him.

At this meeting it appears th&t twenty members were add-
ed to the BoCif^ty*

On the 17th of Feb., 1846, I jBnd it "vptcd that the
Congregational Church aild Society in Norway give the Revi
Charles Packard a call to becettie thehr Pastor for the term
of five yeard."

It appoard by a subsequent irecord, undel* date of April 7,
1846, that the committee extended an invitation to Mr. Pack-»
ord to settle over the church atid society for five years, and
received an answer in the affirmative ; the first Wednesday in
May, following) was fixed on as the day of ordination.

Mr. Packard continued to labor with the church and society
till the spring of 1850, and was succeeded by the Rev. H.
W. Strong, who is the present pastor and teacher. During
Mr. Packard's ministry, fourteen members were added to the
church, and four more since Mr. Strong commenced preaching
in the place* The whole number of members of the churchy
of both sexes, at this time, is one hundred and five.

The much-laraontcd Luther Farrar, Esq., previous to his
lleath in 1812, bequeathed $20 to the Congregational church,
for tho express purpose of purchasing suitable vessels fott
their Communion Service ; which sum was promptly paid
T)ver, oiid appropriated for the purpose intended by the donor.

92 niSTORT OF.NORWAT.

It appears tbat a Sabbath School Society, in the Gongro'
gational church, was organized May 11, 1822, and continued
in operation, during the summer season, until the 12th of
May, 1882, when it underwent a now organization, and be*
came an auxiliary to the Sabbath School Union. A Tract
Society was also organized Nov. 29th, 1827, for the gratuitous
distribution of religious tracts among the families of the town.

There is a small '^ ministerial fund" belonging to the Con-
gregational society, which accrued from the sale of land
granted for that purpose by the State, when a part of Massa-
chusetts. It produces only $11 per annum at tliis time.

BAPTIST DENOMIVATZON.

The Baptist church and society claim the next notice in
point of time ; , and though their number is not so large as
those ak'cady noticed, yet in this town they have always
mahitaincd a very steady and consistent course. Not being
in possession of the records of the society, I shall avail my-
self of the Minutes of the Oxford Baptist Association, so far
as relates to the Baptist church in Noi*way ; they were fur-
nished me by Elder Beubcn Milner.

'^ A small church was constituted, consisting of ten mem-
bers, in 1806. The original membera were dismissed from
the church in Paris in order to form a church in Nonvay.
For several years Baptist Ministers visited the place with
little success, as this was one of the strong-holds of eri*our,
and the pure gospel was disregarded by a majority of the
people ; yet the gospel has pi*ovod the power of God to the
salvation of many souls.

Pastors. — The first pastor wad John Wagg, who was
ordained October, 1806, and oiBciated until 1809, with small
success. Elder John Ilaynes was chosen Pastor in 1827,
and resigned in 1886. During this period a considerable
number were added to the Church. Reuben Milner was
received as Pastor the same year, and continued till Mai*ch,

HISTORY OF NORWAY. 93

1845, Tvlicn Joseph B. Mitchell, a hcentiato frOm Boston^
preached for the church one year, and tlien was dismissed.
Since that time B. Milner has supplied the church most of
the time till the present.

Places op worship. — Previous to 1829 the church had
no regular place of worship. They now began to feel that it
was time to open a public sanctuary. Towai-ds accomplishing
this object Mr. John Bust (a son of the old pi*oprietor of
Bustfield) a worthy member of the church, made the first
sacrifice by the gift of a lot of land, on which to build a
mccting-houso. The church encouraged by tliis act of pious
interest, pui'chascd the niccting-house owned by the Univcr-
salists, and moved it to the spot given by Brother Bust, and
it now remains their place of worship.

Officers of tub church — Clerks. — ^The first was Bufus
Bartlett, who continued to serve the church till increasing
infiimities disabled him from further service, and Brother
Asa Thayer was chosen in his place. Deacons, — Brother
"William Paraons was the first Deacon, and fulfilled his oiBco
to the satisfaction of the church ; he was succeeded by Martin
Stetson, tlieir present Deacon.

Bbvivals. — In June, 1840, we had a powerful revival of
religion in the town. Eight were baptized and added to the
church. Since that time we have had no additions, and the
greater number of our aged members are dead, so the church
at present is very small ; yet the church still hopes and prays,
' Lord revive thy work.' ''

In behalf of the church, Beuben Milner.

The present number of members in the church is thirty-
eight ; and there probably are more who consider themselves
OS belonging to that society, and render pecuniary assistance
in supporting their preachers.

The writer was personally acquainted with John Wagg, their
first settled minister, and has heard him preach many times,
both in houses and barns. He told the writer that in his

94 HISTORY 09 NORWAY.

younger days he was very illiterate, and awfully profane; and
that when he was married he could not read, or write a word.
But about that time his heart being touched with a lively
sense of his wickedness, and believing that a gracious God
had given him a new heart, and blotted out his sins from the
book of remembrance, he felt a strong desire to read the word
of God, in which he believed was contained the words of eter-
nal life ; and by turning his attention to reading, by the heip
of his wife, he soon became quite a proficient in reading the
Bible and hymn-book. In process of time he devoted him-
self to the ministry ; and among other places which he visited
was Norway. Preaching of any kind, at that time, was rather
a scarce article, and his meetings were well attended, not by
the Baptist order only, but by very many of other denomina-
tions, as well as by those professing no particular creed. As
H preacher, his voice and manner were grave and solemn, and
his deportment and discourses seemed to produce a religious
impression on his audience ; and had he possessed such liter-
ary attainments as many ministers of the present day, the
preachers would have been scarce who could so firmly rivet
the attention of an assembly as he. Under his ministration,
quite a number of members were added to the church ; but,
alas ! very many of the old members now sleep in the silent
grave. Towards the latter part of his ministry, there seemed
to be a certain indefinable something that caused a coldness
between him and the church, which resulted in his dismission.

MBTKODIST DENOMXirArXOK.

I now proceed to say something about the religious denom-
ination called Methodists. But my heart and courage almost
fail me, lest I should not be able to do them justice, as I
have not a scrap of any record to refer to ; but should I fail,
they will have this consolation, that '^ the Lord seeth not aa
man seeth ; for man looketh on the outward appearance, hxkt
God looketh on the heart."

mSTORY OF NORWAY. 95

About tho first preacher of this order, in the town,' was a
Mr. Parker, who preached occasionally in the Village, and in
some other parts of the town, about 1812-18 ; and sometimes
other ministers came along and preached, without having any
stated times or places for their labors. Thus things pro-
gressed for sovoral years. Benjamin Stevens, tho oldest son
of Jonas Stevens, (one of the first settlers in Rustfield) used
^metimes to come from Otisfield, where he then lived, and
preach and exhort among the brethren of this order. Aa
early as 1815, and for some time after, Edward Whittle and
William Yates, of Greenwood, often, afterwards, known as
Pather Whittle, and Father Tates, used to come and preach
and exhort among the brethren ; and many converts to their
faith were made under their humble teachings. In a few
years, such a field was opened that the Methodist Conference
appointed regular circuit preachers to preach at stated timea
and places in Norway, which helped to make up a regulax
circuit, in which they were to confine their ministerial labors.
Tho i*o]igious afiaira of this denomination wont along in suck
manner for many years, but gathering strength and numbers
yearly.

The writer can well remember the by-gone days, when the
few preachers and exhorters who occasionally came amongst
us were looked upon with coldness, if not with disrespect, by
somo other denominations of professed Christians ; but it seems
that, like Uio children of Israel when in tho land of Egypt,
the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied ; and
they soon became so numerous as to have their regular preach-^
ers, who were located in a circuit embracing one or more
towns, according to the numbers of their order ; and it seems
that it is a regulation of their order to appoint, at their
yearly conference, each circuit preacher to his particular field
of labor, where they often remain two years, if the pretwher
and people desire such continuances

96 HISTORY 07 NORWAY.

Previous to 1887, the Methodists had no house, other than
school-houses or dwelling-houses, in which to hold their meet-
ings ; and sometimes, in warm weather, in some ham, or
- groYO. But many were the anxious desires to have a meeting-
house (like other denominations) in which they could meet
for the public worship of God. Pride, convenience, and
piety, are all'powerful stimulants to action, especially if the
object to be obtained be a laudable one ; and surely no on^
can 4oubt tlie laudableness of their exertions to provide a
house for public worship. Accordingly, in 1887, they erected
an elegant and convenient house of worship about midway be-
tween the Village proper, and the Steep Falls. The next
year, tlie Methodists in the upper part of Norway, and some
in the southwesterly part of Greenwood, erected another house
of worship about three-fourths of a mile west of Swift's Cor-
ner, where they have preaching nearly all* the time, that is^
on the Sabbath. They have likewise built a small, snug
house and bam near Noble's Comer, for' the accommodation
of their minister, who is appointed for that circuit, from time
to time, by the officers of their yearly conference. The
meeting-house in the upper part of the town was dedicated
June 10, 1889. In consequence of a Methodist meeting-
house being built at South Paris, they do not have constant
preaching in their house in the Village, as their number is
small there in comparison with the upper part of the town.
According to the best information obtained on the subject,
the Class in the Village and vicinity numbers about tliirty or
forty, and in the upper part of the town probably between
seventy-five and one hundred. Thus wo see that from a
small beginning they have gi*own to a largo and respectable
religious church and society, in point of numbers and Chris-
tian Graces ; and may both preachers and hearers always
remember, *'that Paul may plantj andApolloa may water,
but God giveth the increase.'*

HISTORY OF NORWAY. 97

MILITARY HISTORY.

As I have now disposed of the religious a&irs of the town,
(which has been a serious matter with me, so far as writing
is concerned, and ought to be with all in practice,) I shall
now devote a small space to the military history ; — as the
scicnoe of arms was considered of great importance by our
forefathera, and by many who are now upon the stage of
action. And it is all right that it should have been so con->
sidered ; for, under the the guidance of Divine Providence,
it was the powerful instrument which achieved our Indepen-
dence, and gave us a rank among the nations of^ the civilized
M'orld. Without it, our glorious Declaration of Independence
must have fallen ingloriously to the ground, and would have
become a by- word and a reproach to us as a people ; and long
before this it would have been among the things which are
forgotten. i

Early in the winter of 1807, William Reed, who was tho
first Ensign chosen in the company at its organization, ob-
taincd his discharge, and at the May inspection, Amos Town
was chosen to supply his place. After the lamented death of
Capt. Anthony Bennett, in the spring of 1808 Ward Noyes
was chosen Captain, Amos Town, Lieutenant, and Ephraim
Twombly, Ensign. The company of militia at that time
numbered about 120 in all ; for sick soldiers were scarce then,
and a regimental surgeon hardly had to black a piece of
paper by giving a certificate for inability to perform military
duty. Beside the militia company, there was a company of
cavalry raised in the regiment, and the town of Norway fur-^
nished several privates and non-commissioned ofiicera in that
company, and one commissioned officer, viz., Lieut. Nathaniel
Bennett, a twin brother to Capt. Anthony Bennett.; In tho
winter of 1808-9, Capt. Waixi Noyes, with tho consent and
approbation of his company, petitioned the General Court and
Governor of Massachusetts, to have the company divided, and

98 HISTORY OP NORWAY.

form a new company. lie obtained the prayer of said peti-
tion, as appeal's by General Orders, Head Quarters, Boston^
March' 27, 1809. This division left tho companies about
equal in numbers, but the south company was without officei*s,
all the commissioned officers falling within the north company.
June 27, 1809, the south company met according to regi-
mental orders, and made choice of Bailey Bodwell, Captain,
William Twombly, Lieutenant, and Daniel Holt, Ensign. In
the winter of 1809-10, Capt. Ward Noyes resigned his com-
mission, and obtained his discharge. On the 7th of May^
1811, Lieutenant Amos Town was elected Captain, and En-
sign Ephraim Twombly, Lieutenant; on the 28d of August,
William Parsons, Jr., was elected Ensign.

Pursuant to order from tho Commander-in-chief of tho

■

militia of tho Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Captains
Amos Town, of tho north company, and Bailey BodwoU, of
the south company, made drafts from their respective compa-
nies as follows : From Capt. Town's company, privates-
Benjamin French, John Hobbs, JOsiah Hill, Jr., Cad F.'
Jone^, Enoch Merrill, Jr., Benjamin Peabody. From Capt.
BodAvell's coinpany — ^Jared Buck, drummer, Moses Houghton,
Daniel Noble, Enoch Knight, Jeremiah Fanner, Nathan Coy,
William Corson, Samuel Jordan. This (Jetachment, however,
was not called for,' but were ordered to hold themselves in
readiness to march at the shortest warning. On the 18th of
June, 1812, Congress declared war against Great Britain,
and this declardtion caused the minute-men to buniish up
their arms, and put their shooting apparatus in tho best order
pddsiblo.' • '

In the fall of 1812, Capt. Bailey Bodwell undertook to
raise a company of volunteers to serve one year in the wai* ;
and late in th6 season obtained a full company fi;om this and
neighboring towns. ' After completing tho complement of
men, they chose Bailey Bodwell for their Captain, William
Twombly, Lieutenant, and William Rcedj Jr., and Gustavua

lIISTORir OF NOUWAY. 99

A. Go3S, of Paris, second and tbiixl Lieutenants ; thpy finally
marched to Burlington early in the winter. Bodwell, on
account of some improper conduct, left the army and returned
home, some time in. the summer of 1813; but the company
generally served out their year, and then mostly returned
home. Seth Pike, a son of Dudley Pike, died in this cam-
paign, as also did Jacob Tubbs, Jr., a son of Jacob Tubbs.
Joseph Dale came home sick, and never recovered ; he died
in a few months, leaving a family of nine children to the caro
of his widow, with little or nothing for their support.

It appeal's by the record that Lieut. William Twombly ob-
tained Ids discharge in the summer of 1813 ; and on the 11th
of September, William Parsons, Jr., was promoted to Lieu-
tenant, and Cad F. Jones waa elected Ensign. The company
then had 70 privates, exclusive of commissioned officers and
Sergeants ; and tlio south company numbered nearly as many
more, altogether making quite a formidable military force.

Sometime in the summer of 181G, Capt. Amos Town was
promoted to the rank of Major, and subsequently to Colonel
of the regiment ; and as a natural consequence, by regimental
order, the company met and elected Lieut. William Parsons,
Jr., for Captain, Ensign Cad F. Jones, for Lieutenant, and
John Whitmarsh, Ensign.

On the 10th of Oct., 1815, a Court Martial convened at
Paris, for the trial of Capt. Bailey Bodwell, on several
charges exhibited against him by Enoch Knight, and fourteen
othera. After heai-ing all the testimony and arguments, pro
and C071, the Court decided that Capt. Bailey Bodwell be re-
moved from office, and disqualified for holding any militaiy
office under the Commonwealth for one year.

Li the meantime, Ensign Daniel Holt had resigned his
commission ; and according to regimental order's, the south
company met in the Village, their usual place of parade, on
the 28d of March, 1816, and made choice of Henry Kust,
Jr»; Captain, John MiUett, Jr., Lieutenant, and Isaac Ben^

100 HISTORY OF NORWAY.

nctt, Ensign ; all of whom accepted, as military offices, at
that period, were considered matters of high importance.

At the May inspection, in 1818, the company, then com-
manded by Henry Rust, Jr., ^^ after inspection, the reading
of the law, and partaking of some refreshment, was marched
to the ground selected for the purpose, and attended to target-
firing. The judges appointed for that purpose, awarded the
first prize, $5, to Mr. E. F. Beal for the best shot; the sec-
ond, $8, to Mr. Stephen Greenleaf ; and the third, ||2, to
Mr. Malachi Bai-tlett."

Perhaps some of the great guns among the modem peace
societies, and other modern reformers, may turn up their noses
and sneer at such historical matter as this ; but they ought to
remember that our forefather, and even many who are now
upon the stage, have seen the times when a good militaiy
foi*ce, well equipped, with twenty-four ball oirtridges in their
1)oxes, was a much more solid argument against an invading
foe, and made a far deeper impression, especially if used,
than all their paper manifestoes. But still we should all
rejoice to see the time an*ive, *' when men shall beat their
swords into plow-shares, and their spears into pruning-hooks,
and learn war no more ; " but the present aspect of things
does not look much like such a conclusion.

I ought to have stated, in the proper place, that in the fiiU
of 1814, early in October, the militia in this vicinity was
called to Portland to aid in defending that place against an
expected attack from a naval squadron of Great Britain, which
hovered ai-ound our shores. Most of the soldiers marched
off in high spirits, but some felt quite unwell Happily, they
did not come in contact with the enemy ; and a few days after
their arrival in Portland, a detachment was made from the
whole — probably about one-sixth part — and the rest returned
home, very well satisfied with going a soldiering. The drafted
men served about one month, or a little more.

On the 27th of Aug., 1818, the north company was called

HISTORY OF NOUWAY. 101

out for a choice of officers, as Capt. William Pai*sons, Jr.,
had just been promoted to a Major, (and in regular rotation
afterwards to Brigadier Genernl.) The company promoted
Lieut. Gad F. Jones ito Captain, Ensign John Whitmarsh tu
Lieutenant, and elected David Noyes, Ensign. Previous to
the May inspection, in 1820, Capt. Jones had resigned, and
the company on that day proceeded to make choice as follows :
John Whitmai'sh, Captain, David Noyes, Lieutenant, and
Thompson Ilall, Ensign. Previous to May 12, 1821, Capt.
Henry Rust, Jr., had retired from office ; and according to
orders, the south comptiny met for the purpose of electing a
Captain, and filling other vacancies; John Millett, Jr., was
promoted to Captain, Isaac Bennett to Lieutenant, and Amos
Millett elected Ensign. Previous to the lOdi of April, 1823,
Ensign Amos Millett was selected as one of the Aids of Gen.
William Parsons, Jr., and on that day the comiMiny elected
John Richards (now John Lee) as Ensign. Previous to
April 9, 1823, Ensign Thompson Hall waa appointed Brigade
Lispector, and in consequence the north comixiuy met on that
day, and elected Jeremiah Foster as Ensign. May, 6, 1823,
the south company made choice of Ensign John Richards for
Lieutenant, and Malachi Bartlett for Ensign. About this
time, Henry W. Millett was promoted to the office of Major
of the battalion of cavalry in this brigade. Capt. John
Whitmai'sh having retired from his command in the north
company, said company met on the 2d of October, 1824, and
elected Lieut. David Noyes, Captain, Ensign Jeremiah Fos-
ter, Lieutenant, and Nathan Foster, Jr., Ensign. Previous
to Oct. 25th, 1824, Capt. John Millett, Jr., having been
promoted to a Major, (and subsequently to Colonel) the south
company met on that day, and chose Lieut. John Richards,
Captain, Henry C. Reed, Lieutenant; and the following July
Thomas J. Cox was chosen Ensign in the same company.
Prior to the 8th of April, 1826, having reaped a large har-
vest of military glory, and resigned his commission, Capt.

102 Histout op KonwAt.

David Noyes took leave of liis company, vrliicli met on tlint
(lay, and promoted Lieut. Jeremiah Foster to Captain, and
elected Benjamin F. Hall, Lieutenant, and William Needham,
Ensign, (Ensimi Nathan Foster, Jr., being removed fi*om us
by death on tne 19tli of January previous.) After the resign
nation of Capt. Jeremiah Foster, the company, on the 22d
of Aug., 1828, promoted Lieut. B. F. Hall to Captain, Wil-
liam Needham to Lieutenant, and elected Ansel Town^
Ensign. It appears that after the resignation of Capt. John
llichards, in process of time the other two commissioned offi-
cers also resigned their commissions, and Aug. 11) 1830, the
south company elected Joseph Bennett, Captain, Hiram Mil-
lett, Lieutenant, and William Hayes^ Ensign. Li 1831^
Capt. B. F. Hall retired, and Ensign Ansel To\m was chosen
Captain, and William Stevens, Ensign ; and on the 24th of
Oct., 1882, William Stevens was promoted to Lieutenant, and
Henly L. Noyes was elected Ensign. Prior to Sept. 18th,
1 832 j Capt. Joseph Bennett having been promoted to the
rank of Major, tlie south company on that day promoted Himm
Millett to Captain, William Hayes, to Lieutenant, and elected
Cephas Sampson Ensign. On the 20th of April, 1886, Capt»
XL Millett and Lieut. Wm. Hayes having resigned ilicir oilices^
the south company met, and Ensign Cephas Sampson was
elected Captain, WiUiam Noble, Lieutenant, and Alanson M.
Dunham, Ensign. They continued to serve the company for
several years, till Capt. Sampson resigned, bnd was succeeded
by Lieut. William Noble, and Ensign Dunham was promoted
to Lieutenant ; after a while they both resigned their com-
missions. Since that time several aboi-tivo attempts have been
made to elect officers. David Sanborn was the last Captain
elected in this company. He has never called the company
out since he was commissioned, and he informs the writer that
he has obtained his discharge. Previous to the first Tuesday
in May, 1835, Capt. Ansel Town, of the north company, was
promoted to the rank of Major^ and Lieut. William Stcvenl^

HISTORY OF NOttWAY. 103

Vrad rsiiscd to Captain, Ucnry L. Noycs to Lieutenant, and
Amos F. Noyes was elected Ensign. Prior to May, 1886,
Henry L. Noyes resigned his commission on account of lame-
ness, and Amos F. Koycs succeeded him as Lieutenant;
Alva Uobbs was chosen Ensign. Sometime in the summer
of 1886, Amos F. Noycs was promoted to Captain, Alva
llobbs to Lieutenant, and Washington Fi*cnch was elected
Ensign. At the time of tho Madawaska war, Capt. Amos
F. Noycs, Lieut Alva Ilobbs, and Ensign Washington French
were detailed as officers to march to Augusta, where they
gained bloodless laurels witli the rest of the officers and sol^
diers in that campaign, and received tho pi*aise, from tho
soldiers under their command, of being strict in discipline,
but attentive to tho wants and comforts of those under them.
After this war, Capt. A. F. Noyes was promoted to Lieu-
tenant Colonel, Alva Hobbs to Captain, Washington French
to Lieutenant, and James French elected Ensign. In 1842,
Capt. A. Hobbs having resigned, Washington French was
promoted to Captain, James French to Lieutenant, and Henry
Upton elected Ensign. Tho next and last chango cleval^d
James French to tho office of Captain, Henry Upton, Liou-
tennnt, and Ebenezcr Crowell, Ensign.

Tho last-namiiMl board of officei*s in the north company, and
Capt. David Satibom in the south company, were the last of
the Militai-y Hci*oes in the town of Norway — os tho militia
system in the State has now become defunct. Thus we see
the end of an institution which all must acknowledge wa^
formerly of the gi'catest utility and itbportance to the State
and nation, but which, like all sublunary things, has faded
away, and become obsolete. And probably many of the in-
stitutions and associations ot the present day ai'e doomed to
the same inglorious fate. Therefore, let none exult in a
momentary triumph ; but remember the prophetic deplaratiori
of one of our fmest poets, who says :

** Princes and lords may flourish, or may faJe :
A bl'calh can tUake ihent) as a breath has mhde.''

104 HISTORY OF NORWAY.

I shall now, after humbly asking leave, go back to the old
track, where I left off to take up the i^oligious and military
af&iirs, and commence with 1811 ; but before entering upon
the affairs of that year, I will mention a few items ^vhicli
escaped my recollection at the proper time and place.

Samuel Ames, our venerable miller, had a child, aged six-
teen months, drowned in the mill-pond in 1802.

In 1806, William Reed, Esq., our first post-master, had a
sprightly little boy, aged three or four years, killed in the
Village in a very sudden manner. liis workmen had taken
off the short cart-body for some cause, and left it standing on
one end, by propping it up. Seveml little childi-en, playing
in the street, happened to get ai*ound this cart-body, and
probably endeavored to climb upon it, when it fell upon this
little boy, and killed him almost instantaneously. Thus were
the fond hopes of the parents blasted in a moment. It was
their oldest child.

In 1808, Daniel Town came to Norway, from Andover,
Mass., and set up the blacksmith business at Fuller's Comer.
He continued the work for many years, and was succeeded,
in another shop, by his son-in-law, P. D. Judkins, who, two
or three years ago, sold out his stand to E. R. Merrill, and
went to farming. Town was the first blacksmith in the upper
part of Norway, and at that time the inhabitants thought it a
great convenience. Stephen Latliam, about the same time,
had a little shop near the Comer, for making nails> Wrought
nails were then in vogue, and were worth one shilling per
pound. He made most of his nails from refuse iron, such as
old horse-shoes, ox-shoes, and other old affairs, which famiei'S
could pick up. Maj. Cummings, while building the meeting-
house, purchased his nail-rods in Portland, hauled them to
Norway, and Mr. Latham made the nails ; and some of us
frequently had to go to Latham's shop to get nails to use
about the house. Cut nails, above the size of shingle and
clapboard nails, were hardly in use at that period.

HISTORY OP NOIWAT. 105

The want of a Btoro was considerably felt in the upper part
of the town. In 1807, Deacon John Hor put up a framo for
a small store on a comer of his land, near Fuller's Corner ;
in 1808, William Lessley moved it across the road, partly
finished it, and sold out to Uriah Holt, Esq. ; he fitted up the
building, and Aaron Wilkins commenced trade in 1810, and
traded tliere about three ycai*s. The store then stood unoc*
cupied until May^ 1817, when William Pingree went into it ;
he traded about one year, and sold out to Jonathan Swift and
Ansel Field. In about two years after, Swift bought out
Field, and hns been in tirade in that place most of the time
since, lie, however, let his store to William Pingree in
1827, who occupied it about two years. He has sometimes
had a partner, but at present the trade is conducted by his
only son, Newton Swift. There has been a largo quantity
of goods sold at that Corner. Another store has recently
been put up there by E. II. Merrill. I have thus run along
with tlie story of the little place, just to show its beginning
and progress.

Town officers for 1811: Job Eastman, Clerk; Joshua
Smith, Treasurer; Nathan Noble, Solomon Millctt, Henry
llust. Selectmen ; William Hobbs, Collector. Joshua Smith,
Representative.

Total valuation, $48,204. Number of polls 224.

Money tax. For schools, . - - $600,00

Support of poor, and town charges, - 140,00

State tax, - - - . - 77,83

County tax, - - - - 115,42

Total, .... $932,75

Highway tax on common roads, - $1244,93

For a new County road to Waterford, through

the Hall neighborhood, - - 804,41

Total highway tax, - - - $1549,8+

The traders, as they were then called, stood on the valua*
tion, for store and goods, as follows :

106 HlSTOat 0» KORWAt,

William B«ed, - - - |110,00 ■■

Joekuu Smith, - - - 00,00

Oux and Robinson, - <■ 200,00

William Ilobba, - - 45,00

Aaron Wilkina, - - 100,00'

Value of stores and goods, - $576,00

This year was marked by very small additions to the popU^

lutioUk The new immigitints were — Jtunes Small, James

JUckford, John Small, John Thurston. Those living in tlie

town, and becoming of age : EWnezor Ilobbs, Samuel Pikoj

James Crockett^

Town officers for' 1812: Job Eastman, Clerk; Joshua

Smithy Treasurer; Nathan Noble, Solomon Millett, Uriah

Holt, Selectmen; William Ilobbs, Collector. Joshua Smith,

Iloprescntative.

. Money tax. Schools, *• - f 000,00

Poor, and town expenses, - - 1<J0,00

State tax^ ... * 138,66

County tax, - ' - - - 118,82

Extra County tax, - . - 118,32

' ' • '. i -

Total, - - - - $1105,80

.Ilighway tax, including extra roads, $1856,Y3. Numte
of polls, 242.

New immigrants : Edmund Bickford, George W. Cummittgs,
Erye H, Eastman, Josiah Hill, Jr., Lemuel Lovejoy, William
Noyes, Brackett Marston, William Pierce, Nathaniel Shaw,
John Shed, Joel Town, Levi Whitman, Daniel II. Warren,
Hose^ White. Those arriving of age : Rufiis Bartlett, Jr.,
Bci^amin French, Israel Millett, llobert Pike, Job Pcn*y,
Melvin . Pool, Asa Pool, Nathaniel Stevens. There was a
large accession this year, but the readel* must not conclude
that the town retained all the additions tioticed— as many of
the young men, and some old and middle-aged, yearly left
the place, either by removal to other placesj or by deathi

ToAvn officers for 1813: Job Eastman, Clerk; Joshua

IIIStORY OF NORWAY. 107

Binitli, ^Treasurer ; Natlian Noble, Uriah Holt, Joshua Crock-
ett, Selectmen ; Jacob French, Collector. Levi Whitman,
Esq., Representative.

Amount of valuation, $51,408. Number of polls, 280 ;
number of scholars over four years and umter twenty-one, 488*

Highway tax. Towh voted, $1000.

Money tax. Schools, - - $500,00

Poor, and town expenses, - • 100,00

State tax, - - - - 188,66

County tax, - - - - 118,32

TotJil, - - - . $850,98

New immigrants since the hist valuatioii : Joseph CliflTord,
Elijah Ilall, Jeremiah Henley, James Munroe, Bela Noyes,
Charles Newell, Abner Pingree, Moses Roberts, Samuel
L6rd, Andrew Gould, John Haynes, Stephen P. Watson^
"William Morrell, Asa Noyes, Levi Pmnk, Joseph Dolley,
Josiah Hill, Artemaa Rawson. Those who resided in town
tind hml become t^ixablc : Joshua Crockett, Jr., Peter Frost,
'William Frost, John Necdham, Jr., William Pingree, tienry
R. Parsons, Amod Stevens.

In the course of 1812, the "Lee Grant,^' so called, was
purchased by Edward Little, JEsq., and this year was taxed to
him ; it wad also lotted out, and offered for sale< This had
bech much desired by many young men in town for Several
years.

Near tlie cloie of this year, or early in Jan., 1814, a very
remarkable incident took place, in the disappearance of a
young man, a son of Benjamin Witt, the first blacksitoith in
Rustfield. On Thursday morning Mr. W^itt killed a cotiplo
of hogs for the market, and about noon started for Portland,
leaving his soh, who had assisted him in butchering, to Sec to
the cattle, fee, in his absencci Li the afternoon, the weather
being stormy, Mrs. Witt noticed that the cattle were not i)ut
Up in the barn, but coiicluded that her son had ^one to school ;
tixG therefore gave herself no uneasiness until the other chil-

(

108 HISTORY OP NORWAY.

clrcn returned fi*om school, and she learned that he had not
been tliere. They sent to several of the neighbors to inquire
for him, but could learn nothing. The next day diligent
search was made, but no tnico of him found ; and the search
was continued for several days by many men, sometimes,
probably, neai^ly one hundred, but without success. Mr.
Witt reached home on Saturday night, with a heavy heart,
having heard the sad news on his way. There were eight or
ten inches of snow on the ground, which lay very still and
level, and every track was followed to its termination, but
nothing led to the least discovery of his whereabouts ; and
no intelligence has ever been gained of him to the present
day. Mr. Witt was one of the volunteers in Gapt. BodwelVs
company, which marched one year before to Burlington ; ho
took his two oldest sons with him as soldiers in that campaign,
and had returned in safety but a few days before this wonder-
ful disappearance of his son. To add to the stmngeness of
tlie thing, he went away with his old clothes on, which ho
wore about the butchering, leaving a new suit in his chest,
and also a considerable lot of change. Some almost harbored
the idea that he was murdered ; but the dead make no revela*
tions, nor have the living, on this subject. ^

Town officers for 1814: Job Eastman, Clerk; Joshua
Smith, Treasurer ; Nathan Noble, Uriah Holt, Joshua Crock-
ett. Selectmen ; Jacob French, Collector. Levi Whitman,
£sq., Representative.
Highway tax, $1200.

Schools, . - . . $500,00

Poor, and town expenses, - - 180.00

State tax, .... 188,66

County tax, - . . . 118,82

Total money tax, - - - $886,98

There is a little obscurity about matters this year, and I
shall only add as new-comers — Philip He»^lton, Jonuthan

HISTORY OF NORWAY. 109

Hall, Icliabod Lcigliton, Adam Bradbury, a son of Joseph
Bradbury, and Alvin Boyden.

Town officers for 1815 : Job Eastman, Clerk ; Joshua
Smith, Treasurer ; Nathan Noble, Uriah Holt, Aaron Wil-
kins. Selectmen; Jeremiah Hobbs, Jr., Collector. Levi
Wliitman, Est]., lleprcseutative.

Valuation, $60,217. Number of polls 245: Highway

tax, as assessed, $1255,24.

State tax, . - - . $218,71

Town and Comity lax, by the bills, - 922,06

Total money taxj - - - $1141,37

There was quite an accession to the population this year ;
but it is possible that some of them came in 1814, as the old
pa])ci*s of that year were rather lean. Immigmnts : James
D. Sawyer, Allan Bartlett, Josiah Smith, William Cordwell,
William Corson, Charles Cleaves, John Davis, David S. Hall,
Thompson Hall, Abram Jordan, John Jordan, Nathan Morse,
Ephraim Crockett, Sanmel Shackley, Isaao Smith, John
Twitchell, Peter Town. Old settlei*s' sons as follows : Simeon
Noble, Joshua Perry, Jonathan Stevens, Nathaniel P. Shed,
Natlianiel Young, Jr., Samuel Crockett, John Hobbs, John
Witt. The opening of the " Lee Grant " for settlement con-
tributed some towards an increase of population ; the wholo
tmct began to be dotted with openings and houses, (some of
tlicm log-1\ouses) and other beginnings towards making farms.

Towards the latter jMU't of February, the news of peace
reached us, and joyful news it was. The Treaty of Ghent
was ratified by our government Feb. 17, and our jollification
and rejoicing occurred about the 20th. In 1814, I left my
school to make ball-cai*tridges for the soldiere when they
marched to Poiiland, but now I left it rather early in the
afternoon to help the boys, and even tlie men of all classes,
make preparations for their evening rejoicing. Several of tho
larger houses were handsomely illuminated, and the delightful

110 niSTOBY OF NORWAY.

word, " PBACB," exhibited in many a "window. The hoya
had a little homo-made ai-tillery-pieco, and although gunpow-
der was very dear, there was a plenty furnished ; erackei'S
and squibs were also added to help along ; and to cap the
climax, uncle Nat Bennett happened to have a tar-barrel,
with a few gallons of tar in it, which was sent for, mounted
on a hand-sled, set on fire, and drawn through our beautiful
street, amidst the popping of ci'ackcra and squibs, the roar of
the boys' aitillery, and tlio loud huzzas of boys of "larger
growth.*' And though there might have been some divereity
of opinion in regai*d to the policy of the war, one thing is
ceiiain, that hero in the country, and in the sea-ports, all
were united in hailing with joy the news of peace. But per-
haps some of my young readers will ask for wliat cause this
war was declared by our government? I will tell them as
well as I can. At that time, and for several yeai*s previous,
Europe was convulsed with war, and .England stood almost
alone in resisting the power of France, which, under the lead
of the gi*eat Napoleon, was fast climbing towards the pinnacle
of military glory — that is, to universal rule in Europe.
England of course wanted, and probably needed, all her sea-
men — as her naval force was her main instrument both of
defence and attack. Under a long-cherished, though false-
founded, notion that she had a right to take her own native
subjects, in wliatever land or ship they might be found, she
had long made a practice of seai'ching our merchant-vessels,
and sometimes armed vessels, to find British-bom subjects ;
and oftentimes woubl make mistakes, and imp}*ess American-
honi seamen. Tliis iv&sumption of the right of seai*ch was a
crying sin in the sight of our people and government ; and,
among a multitude of other grievances, this caused the war
of 1812. An exemption from unreasonable searches and
seizures is guaranteed to the people of the United States, and
of this State, in the strongest constitutional manner ; and
therefore ought to be forever maintained at all hazards. Tho

niSTOIlY OF NOEWAT^ 111

British government haa siuoe tho war quietly yielded the right
of search.

This year (1815) seems fraught with many incidents of
interest to myself, and douhtless was to many others. In tlio
spring I left the Village school, wlicre I had been cmploycil
for five successive wintci-s in tho town school, and during the
intermediate summers had been engaged in a private school,
or what now-a-days would be termed a high school. About
the close of the winter school, soAXie friend, Capt. Rust, Esquire
Heed, Mr. Bartlctt, or some other person, would get up a
subscription paper, and go round to get enough subscribed ta
support a scliool through the following summer— averaging
the expense in proportion to the number of scholars wliich
each subscriber should send. The number of pupils in the
winter was generally from eighty to ninety, and in summer
about forty. Thus I spent many of my happiest years in
Norway Village, teaxjhing the ''young idea ho3X to shoot."
After the close of the winter whool, wo used to have a splen-
did school exhibition. Tho scholars were iiot permitted to
devote any of their school hours in preparation for the exhi-
bition ; that was done by evening study and reliearsals ; and
ftfter the close of the teim I always gave them one week to.
prepare for tho occasion. The parents erected a stage in the
meeting-house, and the ladies furnished their best carpets to
cover it, and their best bed-dresses for curtains ; and any
nrticlos wanted from the stores were always proffered for our
use. Good music was furnished to enliven the scene, and we
never failed of having a crowded audience. Our excellent
superintendent of schools, the Rev. Noah Cresey, always
honored us with his presence ; and good old Esquire Eastman,
with some other jirivilegcd old characters, were ever furnished
with a seat upon the stage. The scholars, each one ambitious
to excel in his parts, and feeling such perfect confidence in-
their good memory and action, were never known, when on
the stage, to make a failure. The parents sat, their counte-

112 HISTORY OF NORWAY.

naiices beaming with satisfuction, witnessing these early
developments of the oratorieal faculties of their offspring.
Many of our speakers wei*o very young, and ns an illustration
of how we " went it" in those days, I will give a little piece
of original bombastic egotism, spoken at one of our earliest
performances by Henry C, Beed, son of William Reed, Esq.

Respected audience, here behold

An orator full six years old,

Who at some future day will ruisiB

Our nation's fame above all praise ;

And if to Congress I should go,

'T will save our nation's overthrow ;

For on that floor my voice shall thunder,

More eloquent than Troup, or Grundy.

If grumbling critics, with sarcastic

Tone, should even hint that I 'm bombastic,

A prettier method of haranguing

] Ml teach them all by dint of banging ;•—

For know, you grumbling set, that I .

Am very nearly four feet high ;

Besides, T always keep a cudgel

For those who of my talents judge ill ;

So if you wish to 'scape a drubbing.

Good gentlefolks, pray please to curb in,

For 1 no love nor favor '11 show

To such a grumbling, carping crew.

In literatuie I do profess

To be quite good, if not the l)est ;

I write, and read, and also spell.

And many things too much to tell.

The liatin non intelligo^

Likewise the Greek I do not know ;

13ut English grammar is my hobby,

I mount more oft than papa's nobby,

Bui lest your patience I should tire,

I 'II stifle my poetic Are ;

Then I, the wonder of this age.

Will make my bow, and quit the stage.

And, as the papers say of new actors when they make their

IIlSTOllY OF NOllWAY. 118

debtU on tlio stage, ''lie met with unbounded applause.''
While in this school my health was rather feeble, and some-
times I found it necessary to leave the school for an hour or
two ; and when this occurred, I selected certain scholars to
teach particular branches ; and on returning to the school-
room after resting, everything would be "all right." Such
was the good feeling subsisting between teacher, scholars and
parents, that there never was a word of fault found on that,
or any other account, though I sometimes left for half a day
or more at a time. But there ! I wo n't say another word
about my old scholars.- In a few weeks after leaving the
school, I commenced on a new lot of land, and had to prepai'e
myself to cut down the trees, and pile up the black logs.

Town officers for 1816 : Job Eastman, Clerk ; Joshua
Smith, Treasurer ; Nathan Noble, Aaron Wilkins, William
Hobbs, Selectmen; Moses Ayer, Collector. Levi Whitman,
Esq., Representative.

Valuation, ^62,732. Number of polls 264; number of
scholai's C19.

Highway tax, |;1640,28.

Town tax, - - - - ^766,59

State tax, .... 182,67

County tax, .... 236,64

Total money tax, - - - |1175,90

New Immigmnts : Enoch Crocker, John Bust, Thomas
Clark, Benjamin Joseph, William M. Loyejoy, John March,
Jeremiah Mitchell, Edward Mitchell, John Phipps, James
Vamey, Joel Town, Dudley Woodbridge. Old settlers' sons :
Lemuel Bartlett, Flavel Bartlett, Thomas Briggs, Cyrus
Cobb, Ebenezer Cobb, Jr., Nathan Foster, Jr., Samuel B,
Gurnqy, John Lovejoy, John Noyes, Nathan Noble, Jr.,
Nathaniel Pike, Samuel Tubbs, John Millett, Jr.

This year was noted for its cold summer, and not only cold,
but extremely dry. The spring was unusually cold and back-

114 HI8T0RT OF NORWAY.

ward ; there were snow-Bqaallfl on the 7th, 8th, and 9th days
of June, and on the' 7th, plowed ground actual! j froze in many
places.

The spring of 1815 was also very cold and backward; On
the 18th day of May a snow-storm commenced, and the next
morning the snow was eighteen inches deep on an average.
The funeral of Charles Stevens, the oldest son of Nathaniel
Stevens, took place on the 19th, and people had hard work to
get to the funeral with sleighs, on account of the snow ; but
the sun shining out warm, carried it off very suddenly.

On the 7th of June, Mr. James Flint, and Jeremiah Sta-
ples, a young man living with him, and Mr. Joshua Toung,
of Qreenwood, set out with a large raft of mill-logs from the
shore of the pond against the writer's farm, intending to take
them down the pond to the mill. The morning was still, but
by the time they had reached the middle of the pond, squalls
began to rise, and soon the wind blow a gale. Their raft
parted its fastenings and went to pieces ; Mr. Flint succeeded
in getting astraddle of a large log, and Young and Staples
were lucky enough to do the same thing, both of them on one
log. Thus, in this perilous situation, they floated down the
pond, with the waves breaking over them, and running feath-
er-white, for the distance of two miles. When they reached
the shore, many men, who had in some way learned their
situation, but could do nothing to help them, were there to
assist and welcome them to terrafirma. They were so chilled
and benumbed that they could hardly stand ; and it might
truly be considered as a wonderful escape from drowning.

About this year, or a little previous, Mr. Jabez Chubb was
drowned in Crooked river, between Norway and Waterford,
while driving logs, in the spring season. He was an early
settler in the town, and married a daughter of Mr. Phinehas
Whitney, the old soldier.

The crops in 1816 were^ very much injured by the cold and
drought, and an early frost almost destroyed the corn. The

HISTORY OF NORWAY. 115

writer this year planted tlic first com on his new farm, on &
piece of burnt ground by the side of the pond ; and when tho
early frost came, the fog from the pond went over the com,
and saved it from injury in a great degree ; and he probably
had more sound com than all north of the center of the
town. Seed corn towards spring was worth $8 or more pei*
bushel ; and Maj. Jonathan Gummings, who then owned the
Phillips Academy half-township in Greenwood, bought four
bushels of seed com of the writer to furnish the poor settlers,
in part, on his new settlement. This waa a praiseworthy act
of benevolence.

Owing to the great drought, in the fall, the fires made
dreadful ravages, and hundreds, even thousands, of acres of
forest and woodland were destroyed. Many buildings were
in imminent danger, yet only one in this town was burnt ;
that was a bam belonging to Mr. Samuel Fingree, with all
his crops, with which it was well filled.

Benjamin Joseph, mentioned among tho new immigrants,
did not come here in 1816, but as early as 1807. He was a
full-blooded West India negro, from Cuba. When a boy. Dr.
Stephen Cummings, of Portland, brought him to that city ;
but thinking it would be far better for him to be brought up
in the country, he let his brother, Maj. Jonathan Gummings,
liave him, not as a slave, but as a servant Here he was well-
treated, well-fed, clothed and schooled, and when he became
tweniy-one years of age, had his time and eamings for him-
self ; he was accordingly taxed after becoming of age. His
native simplicity, and mild disposition, made him rather a
favorite in the family and neighborhood as long as he resided
in the place. He afterwards went to Portland, where he still
resides, and has a family. Ho is the only colored person who
has lived in tho town during tho last half century.

Town ofiicers for 1817: Job Eastman, Glerk; Joahua
Smith, Treasurer; Nathan Noble, Aaron Wilkins, William

116 HISTORY OF NOEWAY.

Hobbs, Selectmen ; James Crockett, Collector. No Repre*
BcntatiTO chosen.

Valuation, $49,889. JTumber of polls 262 ; number of
scholars 558.

Highway tax, by the bills, $1207,85.

Town tax', - - - - $1172,62

State tax, - - - - 182,67

'County tax, - - - 177,48

Total money tox, - - - $1582,77

New immigrants : Israel Dresser, Benjamin Richards, Jer-
-emiah Staples, Jonathan Swift. Old settlers' sons, arriving
at I twenty-one years of age: Clement Bartlett, Sylvanus
Sartlett; John Merrill, Daniel Witt.
. . The spring and early part of summer were noted on account
of the great scarcity of provisions of almost all kinds, owing
to the short crops of the year previous. Many families were
often destitute of bread for many days together ; potatpes were
nearly as scarce, and meat not much more plenty. I.saw the
-widows Dale pay $2,50 for one bushel of rye to feed her
fatherless children. Flour was worth here in Norway $16
per barrel ; > pork from 17 to 20 cents per pound, and scarce
.at that; and the war having so recently closed, all store arti-
^cles were proportionately high.

But Providence did not always frovm upon us, for this
jrear the harvest waa abundant— perhaps never better. Al-
though pressed by pinching want, people put a great deal of
jeed into the ground, and everything seemed to grow with
^eat luxuriance. There were hundreds of acres which were
iburnt.over the fall before, and this spring ihe small stuff was
picked up, and rye sown, with a scanty allowance of seed,
Bay, one peck sometimes, and at most, a half bushel to the
acre; and .the crop was abundant, often twenty to twenty-five
bushels per acre. Thus the labors of husbandmen seemed i»
be blessed in the time of their greatest npcd.

HISTORY Ot NORWAY. 117

IWn officers for 1818: Job Eafltman, Clprk; Joshua
Smith, Treasurer; Aaron Wilkins, Uriah Holt, Henry Riisty
Jr., Selectmen; James Crockett, Collector. No Representor
tive chosen.

Valuation, $49,403. Number of polls 269 ; number of
scholars 556.

Highway tax, by the bills, |1651,92.

aWntox, . - - . |898,79

State tax, - - - .. 176,67

County tax, - - - ,- 88,00

Total money tax, - - - $1163,46

New immigrants : William Churchill, Samuel Davis, Mai'-
tin Girts, Sanmcl Howe, Henry McKenney, Matthew Lassell,
Seneca Landers, Samuel Martin, Samuel Perry, Andrew
liichardson, Elijah Whiting, William Yates, James Eastman,
Ansel Field. Old settlera' sons : Baker Ames, Benjamin
Flint, Jr., Consider Hill, Stephen Jenkins, Solomon Millett,
Jr., Henry W..Millott, Bola Noyos, Jr., Evi Nccdham, Wil-'
liam Shed, Silas Shed, William. Young, Ezra F. Beal, Lewis
Crockett, Solomon Crockett, Henry Pike.

This year, on the 23d day of June, Lemuel Shed was killed '
\^hile assisting in raising a house for his oldest son, N. P.
Shed. The accident happened in the following manner : Tho
house was to bo a story and a half high; the west end had
been raised and' leaned out against two timbers to hold it uj)
>vhilo they mised the middle band ; Mr^ Shed had prepared
himself to hold one of the posts, and Capt. Ward Noyes the
other ; they stood with their backs towards the end that was
raised. The hands had just taken hold of the timber to raise
it up, when there came a strong gust of wind and blew the
end over upon them ; the other men seeing the timber falling,
made their escape from under it ; but the beam struck Mr.
Shed on his head, crushing it against the post he was about
to hold, and dashing it to pieces in a shocking manner, even"

118 HISTORY OF NORWAY,

driving some of the bones into the timbers. He ttos killed in
an instant. It also struck Capt. Noyes on his thigh and
knee, breaking his leg very badly. The w'ifo and only daugh-
ter of Mr. Shed were both present to see his son's house
raised ; but instead of witnessing that pleasing sight, they
beheld the instantaneous death of a beloved husband and fa^
ther. Thus suddenly perished tlio good and faithful old
soldier, ivho had braved the dangers of a seven years' war.
Capt. Noyes, after a long confinement, finally recovered, and
continued to follow the carpenter's business until his death,
which took place April 28d, 1822. He was a very indus-
trious, persevering man, and probably framed and raised more
buildings than any other man in the town ; as he came here
ill 1800, just as people were beginning to erect frame build-
ings, lie left a family of nine children.

Town officers for 1819: Job Eastman, Clerk; Joshua
Smith, Treasurer ; Uriah Holt, Henry llust, Jr., Jonathan
Woodman, Selectmen ; James Crockett, Collector. No Bep-
iresentative chosen.

Valuation, $50,496. Number of polls 250 ; number pf
scholars 550.

Highway tax, $2118,14.

Town tax, .... $1060,83

Second assessment, ... 79,96

State tax, . . * . 122,67

County tax, - - - 204,48

Total money tax, ... $1467,94

Now immigi*ants : Thomas Davis, James Coraon, Joseph
Gammon, Oliver Ilalo, Hatovil Hall, Charles McKenney,
William Lord, Ebenezer Lord, Grcorge Lord, Mai'tin Stetson,
William Yates, Jr. Old settlers' sons : Ichabod Bartlett,
Jeremiah Foster, George French, Reuben Knight, Simon
Noble, Charles Pike, Levi Shed, Nathaniel Twombly, Ben-
jamin Witt, Jr., Jabcz Chubb, ISdmund Frost.

HISTORY OF NORWAY, 119

Town officers for 1820: Job Eastman, Clerk; Joehua
Smith, Treasurer ; Uriali Holt, Henry Bust, Jr., Jonathan
Woodman, Selectmen ; James Crockett, Collector. . . .

By measures adopted during the preceding year, Maine was
6e])arated from Massachusetts, and erected into a separate
State. Aaron Wilkins, Esq., was chosen as a delegate from
Norway to form the Constitution, and Henry Bust, Jr., was
chosen Bepresentative to the first Legislature, which met in
Jan,, 1821.

Valuation, $76,671. Number of polls 250 ; number of
scholars 526.

Highway tax on common town roads, $1049,74

" " on County, or extra roads, 623^81

Total highway tax, - - - $1573,55

Town tax, - . - - $960,01

Slate tax, ..... 122,67

County tax, - . - - 233,79

Total money tax, - - - $1816,47

New immigrants — ^very small number : Ambrose Parris,
John II. Band, Horatio Q. Cole. Old settlers' sons : Amos^
Millett, Levi Noyes, Willianx Pool, David Smith, John S.
Shed, William Foster, Amos Hobbs, Jr., Simon Stevens,
David Noble.

By an old list of voters who voted on the question of sepa*
ration from Massachusetts, I find the whole number 199.

In the little sketch of the religious afiairs of the town, I
said something of Maj. Jonathan Cummiugs, who built the
Congregational meeting-house. He was a son of the propri-
etor of the Cummings Gore, and probably came into the
plantation under the most favorable circumstances of any early
settler. Ho was naturally of an obliging, kind disposition^
and very cheerful and social in his every-day deportment,
\vhich caused him to become a favorite with all who became
acquainted with him. From the early settlement of the town

120 BISTORT OF NORWAY.

up to nearly the time of his death, there probably was no man
in the place who could exercise so great an influence as Maj.
Cummings. He was thought to be rich, and probably waa,
during part of his life. About 1806, he purchased the half-
township, now in Greenwood, belonging to the '' Phillips
Academy," and gave back a mortgage to secure the payment
of the purchase-money. He sold many lots of land, on which
the purchasers commenced clearing and building, and he re-
ceived large quantities of lumber, and a great amount of
labor towards these lands, while building the meeting-house ;
he likewise employed much help about farming, which he
carried on largely. He built a saw-mill on the outlet of the
little Pennessewasseo pond, which did but little business ; he
also built mills in the Academy half-township, wliich produced
small profit at that early stage of the settlement of Green-
wood. Thus things ran along for many years, without any
apparent interruption, and the settlement in Greenwood was^
progressing rapidly, as he was very accommodating in receiv-
ing almost any commodity in payment for land. Some paid
up in full for their lots, and some had the precaution to insist
on his getting an acquittance of their particular lots from the
Trul^tees of the Academy, who hold the mortgage ; and, to
accomplish this, ho mortgaged his own fai*m to them to keep
their security good. Ho was, in the first place, to givo
$4500 for the land ; and in a few years he sold enough to
have paid up the sum, with interest; but, from the multi-
plicity of his concerns, he applied his receipts to other
purposes, while his debt to the Trustees was fast accumulating.
Any calculating man can discover that interest money is the
^* worm that never dies ; " and, with him, it ate out all hope
of ever being able to extricate himself from his pecuniary
embarrassments. About 1819 his afiairs were approaching a
crisis, and by the spring of 1820 his difficulties so harassed
his mind that it seems he could not bear up under the burden.
Near the first of May he was di'iven to such despemtion thai

IIIBTORY OB* KOBAVAY. 121

lio took his razor and repaired to liis barn very early one
morning, and applied it to his throat, partly severing tho
windpipe and some large veins ; he would have shortly ex-
pired had he not been discovered by his wife, who, having
occasion to pass by the barn, saw him weltering in his own
blood. She took a handkerchief from her neck and boubd
up his wound, and called*, for help. A surgeon was summoned
with all j)ossiblc dispatch, and the wound dressed in so careful
a manner, that in a few weeks he was restored' to> tolerable
bodily health, and seemed to have become very sensible of tho
awfid deed which he came so near executing. lie conversed
freely with his friends about the sad affair, and expressed a
firm determination never to yield to such wrong impulses for
the future, llis proud spirit was humbled, and he seemed to
acquiesce, and submit to come down from- the high position
he had occupied. All pitied him ; and, in fact, almost for-
gave liini for the nish act lie had committed. His creditors
felt for him ; they even offered to lend a helping hand to keep
him up ; but all human strength seemed unequal to the task
of sustaining his good ' resolutions, and about tlie middle of
July he put a period to his earthly troubles by cutting tho
jugular vein on the right side of the neck with his jack-knife.
Some time in the forenoon he left the house, telling his wife
he was going to the field where his men were mowing ; but
he went into the nuracry a few rods from the house and com-
luitted the fatjil deed. Tho writer summoned a coroner's
jury, and assisted in taking up the body ; and never, never
did he behold so horrid a spectacle as that. Thi8 wound was
below, and a little behind the point of the right jaw, two and
a half inches deep, and five-eighths of an inch wide — ^just tlie
width of tho knife. After the wound was given, ho shut up
the knife, and still held it in his hand when found. The ver-
dict of the jury was, that he put an end to his life in a stato
of partial derangement. He fell in the full strength and
pride of manhood, aged forty- two years. Thus the high hopes

122 HISTORY OF NORWAY.

of his interesting family were prostrated, as it were, in a mo«
ment. He occupies a little space in our grave-yard, and that
is the only spot of ground, of all the Gummings land in Nor-
way, that is now retained by any of the descendants. Thus
we may see the instability of all earthly possessions. But I
will write no more, for the tears of pity drop at the sad recol-
lection of his untimely end.

Without leave, I will revert back to the winter of 1816.
In January, or thereabout, the school-house in district No. 5
was burnt in the night, and many books were destroyed with
the building. This was the firat school-house built in the
town, or rather plantation, as it was built before the town was
incorporated. Another house was erected on the same spot
the ensuing summer, which gave place to a new one in 1851.
The school-house in district No. 1, in the northwest comer
of the town, was also burnt in Jan., 1819, and rebuilt in the
ensuing summer.

I have traced things up along to the time when Maine be-
came a State, and our town was commencing a new era ; but
as yet have said nothing about our public-houses ; and lest
the reader should be fatigued and wish to put up, or take a
little refreshment, I will now give some account of them.
Joseph Stevens^ one of the very first settlers, kept the first
tavern in the town, and it was a good one for that early day«
He began to put up '^ strangers and travelers and others " as
early as 1800, but had no license until the County of Oxford
was organized. He afterwards had a license until he gavid up
the business, a short time before the organization of the State.
About 1806, a Dr. Case came into Norway Village and
stopped a year or more, (he did not act the physician much
while here,) and opened a tavern in the old Samuel Smith
house, on the site now occupied by William C, Whitney's
house ; but there was not sufficient head to make it go, and ho
emigrated elsewhere. About 1812, Joshua Smith, Esq.,
opened a public-house in the Village, and did a good business

HISTORY OF NORWAY. 128

till about 1843, when he died, aged 78 years. James Bick-
ford attempted to keep a public-house in the old Samuel
Smith house, about 1818, but made rather a failure, and quit
the business. In 1807-^, William Hobbs built a large house
at the center of the town, and opened a tavern in 1809 ; he
coutinueil it until noaily 1820, but the travel was dicn small
through that pai't of the town. About 1821, Ilezckiah Pin-
grce opened a public-house at Fuller's Corner, in North
Norway, but the business was rather small, and he aoon '
abandoned it After the building of the new County road
from Bethel to Norway, which was made passable in 1828^
the writer put up travelers as occasion required, and on the
1st of Jan., 1824, he received a license from the town au-
thorities for keeping a public-house, and continued the business
until April, 1851, when the railroad rendered it unnecessary
for the public accommodation. Innholders' licenses, from the
organization of the State, were for many years $6,25,' in-*
eluding the Clerk's fee, amounting to 60 or 75 cents per
year, which wns paid into the treasury. Increase B-obinson^
after building his new and comtnodious house, on the site of
the old Samuel Smith house, oi^ned a tavern ; but at tliat
time the Village did not seem to require two public-houseisr,
and he continued the business but a few years. William Reed
likewise tried a public-house a short time, about 1820. About
1830, Ezra F. Beal fitted up a public-house neal* tile Center
of the Village, and kept it a few ycai-s ; an<l, on i-cmoving to
Portland, leased the house to Anthony Bennett, (son of Capt.
Anthony Bennett,) who, in a few years, was succeeded byhib
brother. Col. Joseph Bennett. In process of time, Mr. Beal
sold the stand to Titus 0. Brown, who previously had kept a
tavern at Qray Cbrner for many years, and he and his son-
in-law, Mr. Amos Puringt6h, managed the house till about
1842, when Anthony BciihcJtt purchased the stand ; he soon
after made additions to the hbuse and stable, and fitted up a
iarge and commodious establishment, which he occupied until

124 HtdTORt Olr NORWAY.

Sept. 23, 1851, when all his buildings and most of his furni-
ture were destroyed by fire. But I shall speak of this hereafter.
In 1844, William Hayes fitted up a house at the Corner, one
mile and three-fourths west of the Village, and entertained
strangers and travelers four or five years. About 1846, a
company of gentlemen purchased the old tavern-stand so long
occupied by Joshua Smith, Esq. ; they added a third story io
the house, and finished the whole in an elegant and convenient
styles When completed, JameS' N. Hall opened a public^
house, known' as the ^' Elm House," and managed it a year
OF more ; he was succeeded by S. T. Dutton, who kept the
house about a year and a half, when Otis True assumed the
management of the establishment, which he yet continues^ -
This is the only public-house in the town at this time.

Town officers for 1821 : Job Eastman, Clerk ; Joshua
Smith, Treasurer; Uriah Holt, Henry Rust, Jonathan
Woodman, Selectmen; James Crockett, Collector. Norway
and Hebron were classed together, and a Mr. Greenwood, of
Hebron, was Representative.

Valuation, $77,188. NumbcB of polls 262 ; number of

scholars 591.

Highway tax, - - - $1009,48

Tax on County roads, - - 504,02

Total highway tax, - - . $1513,45

Money tax, town, County, and State, $1385,74.
New immigrants : Stephen Cummings, Isaac Clark, RobeH
Frost, Benjamin Furliong, Thomas Goss, Samuel Jonlan, Ben-
jamin Jordan, Henry C. Lawrence, John Morse, Abbcrdeau .
Pmtt, William Rich, John Pike, Jr., Paul Twombly, William
Shackley, William Totherly, Zachariah Weston, John Weston,
Amos Downing, John Hix. Old settlera' sons : Jacob
Bradbury, Nathaniel Bodwell, Nathaniel Cobb, George Frost,
Daniel Herring, Darius Holt, Jr., Joseph Lombard, Na-
thaniel Millctt, Jr., Nathan Noble, Jr., Israel Pike, Sylvanus
Bartlett.

niSTORY OF NOBWAY. 126

In the summer of tliis year, or a previous year, Betsey
Gammon fell down the cellar-stairs in Benjamin Fuller's
house, and was instantly killed, her neck being broken by the
fall. She was living at Mr. Fuller's.

In the winter of 1821, during the first session of the first
liCgislaturo of the State of Maine, the '^ Rust Gore," so
called, wits annexed to Norway. As before noticed, it lies
south of tlie Watcrford three tiers, and probably contains
about 1800 acres. By this annexation, five or six families
were added to the town, viz. : John Pike, Jr., Benjamin Jor-
dan, William Frost, Robert Frost, Zachariah Weston. They
had long desired the annexation ; and it was owing to an over-
sight in draughting the fii*st act of incorjtoration, that the
Gore was omitted.

Town officers for 1822 : Job Eastman, Clerk ; Joshua
Smith, Treasurer ; Uriah Holt, Nathan Noble, William Par-
fifons, Jr., Selectmen ; James Crockett, Collector. Norway
classed with Greenwood — Uriah Holt, Bepresentatiye.

Valuation, $77,211. Number of polls 276; number of

scholars 620.

Highway tax, common roads, - $1800,00 ,

Overlaid in assessing, - - 42,08

Extra road tax, with overlayings, - 528,95

2d " " '* - 622,34:

Total road tax.

$2393,8T

For schools, -

|!G00,06

Poor, and town expenses.

200,00

County tax, -

838,68

State tax.

177,72

Overlaid in assessment,

«. "

25,68

Delinquency of highway tax for 1821,

66,97

Total money tax, - - - $1899,05

The extra road tax this year was large, in consequence of
making a new County road half the length of the town, which
opened a great thoroughfare from the valley of the Connecticut

126 BISTORT OF KORWAT.

river to Portland, and was very much traveled until super^
seded by the railroad. Manj wore much opposed to the road
at first, but it proved of groat utility to Norway Village, and
to the public travel.

New iromigrante : Benjamin Barrows, B^uben Chandler,
John S. French, David H. Gamble, Reuben Hill, John Mc^
AUister, Joseph York, Amos Downing, Dr. Asa Danforth«
Old settlers' sons : Archelaus Fuller, Edmund Merrill, Jr.,
Zenas Pool, Moses Amos, Joel Parsons, Nathan Bradbury,
Nathan Millett.

In Dec, 1822/ Bela Noyes, Jr., (now Bela Noyes) waa
visited with a severe calamity, by having his house burnt.
He was then unmarried, (but approximating very nearly
towards that blissful state,) and was finishing his house in
order to found a home for a family. A young man, Daniel
Major, who had lived several years, previous to this time, with
the writer, was at work on the inside of the house, in which
he and Mr. Noyes lodged, and cooked their food. On the
evening previous to the fire, they went to bed at the usual
hour, and about midnight were alarmed by the crackling of
flames. They sprang suddenly from their bed, and on opening
the door of the room where the fire cpmmcnocd, it burst upon
them with such violence that they were obliged to make their
escape in the quickest way possible. Mr. Noyes broke tlirough
a panel door, without stopping to open it, and then went out-
of-doors through a window, bursting out the sash and glass.
They escaped with nothing on but their shirts, and in the
midst of a clear, coU December night, in this nude condition,
they remained on the spot to save the bam fi*om destruction,
as the wind drove the flames and sparks directly upon it for
more than one hour ; finally, by the aid of a few neighbors
who came to their assistance, they saved the bam and its con-
tents. This fire caused quite a loss to Mr. Noyes ; though
the amount of property was not great, compared with many
other losses of this kind, yet it swept oS* his Utile all — ^tho

HISTORY OF NORWAY. 127

earnings of several years of hard labor. Daniel Major had
his chest in the house, containing his clothes, tools, pocket-
book, &;c., with about ^60 in money, and $200 in notes, and
lost eyerything but his shirt in which he escaped from tho
flames. The notes were against such men as made no objcor
tion to paying him honorably, when called upon ; but still it
was rather a severe loss to him, as he was a poor orphan boy,
and had no father's house for a shelter in his misfortune.
' Town officers for 1828 : Job Eastman, Clerk ; Joshua
Smith, Treasurer ; Uriah Holt, James Flint, Elijah Hal),
Selectmen; James Crockett, Collector. Uriah Holt, Repre-
sentative.

Valuation, $79,015. Number of polls 290 ; number of
scholars 631.

Highway tax, common roads, - $1880,46

Extra road tax, - - - 889,98

Total, • - . . $2170,89

Schools, .... $600,00 .

Poor, and town expenses, - - 200,00

County tax, - - .- - 260,18

State tax, - . - . 177,72

Overlaid in the assessment, - - 44,49

Delinquency of highway tax for 1822, 74,29

Total money tax, - - - $1356,68

Now immigrants : Ephraim Brown, Abbot Holt, Lewis
Hutchinson, Abijali Ingalls, Jacob Kimball, John B. Swift,
John Wolcot Old settlers' sons : Josiah Blanchard, Jr.,
Ephraim Briggs, Jr., Edmund Frost, George French, Nehe-
miah D. Frank, Daniel Hobbs, Jr., Cyprian Hobbs, William
Hor, Nathan Hor, Levi Lovejoy, Stephen Lovejoy, Samuel
Merrill, Levi Millctt, Andrew Mills, Solomon Noble, John
Bichardson, Jr., Elliot Smith, Job E. Stevens, Daniel Wat-
son, Jr., John Andrews.

This year, in the spring, or in June, James French (son
of James French, the early settler) had thfi misfortune to

128 HISTORY OF NORWAY.

have his bouse burnt, together with considerable other prop-
erty. The house was built by his father in 1806.

In July, »this year, a saw-mill built by Maj. Elijah Hall,
and his son, Thompson Hall, in 1810, was burnt, and much
lumber lying about theimill was also destroyed. The accident
was caused by a fire running in the woods, it being extremely
dry at that time. The owners rebuilt the mill, and about
1880 sold it to Isaiah Hall and Darius Holt, Jr. In 1886,
or thereabeut, it was again burnt, and a second .time rebuilt
by Mr. Hall and others ; and in 1844 was burnt a third time.
The last two burnings were caused by fire from stoves «scd
for warming the mill. While sawing shingles on the day the
mill was last burnt, Edward G. Hall, a son of Isaiah Hall,
by some accident hiul most of the fingers of his right hand
cut off witli the circular saw ] and while liis wound was being
dressed, in a house, the mill took fire and wos destroyed in
spite of all efforts to save it. A year or two subsequent,
Dudley B. Holt, a grandson of old Mr. Darius Holt, rebuilt
the mill again — the fourth building ; it is now owned by David
P. StowelJ, Esq., of Paris. This succession df saw-mills
have been built on the same stream on which Amos Upton
erected a grist-mill soon after the town was settled ; but his
mill was a mile from the saw-mill, up the stream.

In Sept., 1828, a very jnortal sickness prevailed in tho
northwest part of the town, and to some extent in other parts.
The (disorder was something like the dysentery, accompanied
with high fever, and baified the skill of the physicians in mo^
cases. Thirteen persons died in . one little neighborhood in
throb weeks, Infancy and ago alike fell before tho destroyer.

Town officers for 1824: Job Eastman, Clerk; Joshua
Smith, Treasurer ; William Hobbs, Simeon Noble, Job East-
man, Selectmen ; James Crockett, Collector. Frederick
Coburn, of Greenwood, Representative. ,

Valuation, |75,495. Number vof polls 268 ; number of
scholars 571.

HISTORY OP NORWAY. 129

Iliglmny tax, common roads,

Extra roads, - - -

$1226,02
1170,19

Total, - . . .

$2396,21

Schools, - - . .
Poor, aud town charges.

$550,00
250,00

County tax, -

State tax, - _ _ .

Overlaid, - _ - .

182,18

198,85

41,89

Deficiency of highways for 1823,

81,27

Total money tax, - - - $1308,69

Now immigi-ants: Thomas Morcy, Abial Pratt, Thomas
Pollard, James Smith, Timothy Smith, Enoch Whitney.
Old scttlera* sons : Andi-ew Case, Amos Foster, William Hall,
Silas Meriam, Jr., William Needham, Jonathan B. Smith,
Dresser Stevens, Ezra Twombly.

Previous to this valuation, probably in 1823, Job E. Ste-
vens Lad put up a little store at the Corner, since known as
Ford's Corner, Frost's Corner, &c. This was the first build- .
ing erected at that place ; the next was a blacksmith's shop,
built by William Foster in 1829 ; and wo may very fairly
call him and Stevens the first founders of that little settle-
ment. Mr. Foster hammered out a good many dollars in that
shop, and has been succeeded by several others ; Wm. Hayes
aiow works in the same shop. John B. Ford, from Gray,
succeeded Stevens in the store, and did a good business ; and
many others have tried trade at the Corner with various
success.

Town oflScers for 1825 : Job Eastman, Clerk ; Joshua
Smith, Treasurer ; Uriah Holt, William Hobbs, Levi Whit-
man, Selectmen ; James Crockett, Collector. Uriali Holt,
llcprcsentativc.

Valuation, $99,453. Number of polls 267 ; number of
scholars 635.

Highway tax, 1741,41.

180 HISTORY OF KORWAT.

Schools,

|550,00

Poor, and tovn ohargos,

800,00

Countjtax, ....

208,21

Statotax, ....

198,85

Overlaid in assewtment,

67,14

Deficiency of highway tax for 1824, -

50,08

Total money tax, - - - $1364,28

No additions to the population worth naming.

Nothing very remarkable occurred this year, excepting the
destruction of Elijah Flint's bam, in April, from a singular
cause. Mrs. Flint was about to set a goose on some eggs,
I and carried some ashes to the bam to put under the nest ;
i there happened to be a little too much fire in the ashes, and
the bam was soon in flames. We have read the old story of
geese once saving ancient Rome, but we never heard of their
burning buildings before this occurrence.

Town officers for 1826 : Job Eastman, Clork ; Joshua
Smith, Treasurer ; Uriah Holt, William Hobbs, Levi Whit-
man, Selectmen; James Crockett, Collector. Uriah Holt,
Representative.

Valuation, $99,826. Number of polls 265 ; number of
scholars 624.

Highway tox, $1721,57.

Schools, - - - - ' $550,00

Poor, and town charges, - - 850,00

County tax, - . - - 210,58

State tax, - - - - 220,10

OverlayingB, and deficiency of highway, 89,12

Total money tax, - - - $1420,85

New immigrants : John Ayer, Charles Gammon, Benjamin
Herrick, Walter B. Drew, Daniel Lufkin, John Marston,
John Rice, David Woodman, Eli Whitney, Asa Johnson,
Joseph Durgin, Dr. J. S. Millett Old settlers' sons : Sam-
uel Bird, Samuel Cobb, Elijah Flint, Jr., Iliram Millctt,

HISTORY OP NORWAY, 131

David Wilkins, David Young, Daniel Pottle, William Eowc,
Henry C. Beed, Joseph Bennett.

In May, this year, William Pierce, who lived on the north-
westerly comer lot of the Cnmmings Gore, was fatally injured
by tlie fall of a tree upon him, while at work falling trees.
Tho injury wi^s principally across the small of his back — as
his lower extremities were entirely helpless until his death.
He lived about a fortnight, and died June 3d, aO^er much suf-
fering, aged 40. He left a ^ife and six children bereft of a
kind husband and father. He was a very upright, industrious
man, and sot a good example for his family, and that example
has been well followed, llis widow and second son uow live
on tho same fai*m, which ranks among the best in that part
of the town.

Town officers for 1827: Job Eastman, Clerk; Joshua
Smith, Treasurer ; Uriah Holt, William Hobbs, David Noycs,
Selectmen ; James Crockett, Collector. Uriah Holt, Repre-
sentative.

Valuation, ^101,037. Number of polls 256 ; number of

scholars 610.

Highway tax, common roads, - $1212,61

Extra roads, - • * 992,12.

Total Ughvaj tax, - - -

$2204,78

Schools, . . , -

|550,00

Poor, and town charges,

425,00

County tax, - - , -

234,90

State tax, - - - ,

220,16

Overlaid in assessment.

25,32

Delinquency of highway tax for 1826,

47,30

Total money tax, - - - $1502,67

Now immigrants : Asa Barton, Hiram Barrows, Samuel

Brown, Rev. John Hayncs, Ira Johnson, Thomas McKin^

nee, Elias II. Leighton, Widow Betsey Latham, Rev. Henry

A, Merrill, George Morrell, Amos Ordway, J. Y. Webster,

182 1IIST611Y OF NOtfWAY.

Joel Parkhurst, iToshna Bicker. Old setiicrs' boos : Junes
Bennett, William Bcal, Jr., William Merrill, Benjamin Tca-
body, Jr., Joseph Saunders, Zachariah Weston, Jr.

Town Officers for 1828 : Job Eastmnn, Clerk ; Joshua
Smith, Treasurer ; Uriah Holt, David Noyes, Ena P. Beal,
Selectmen ; James'Orockett, Collector. Paul Wentworth, of
-Greenwood, Representative.

Valuation, $106,090. Number of polls 258 ; number of

scholars 637.

Highway tax, common roads, ^ )$1 207,52

Extra road tax, - • - 1524,69

Total highway tax, - - $2732,21

State tax, ^ - . - $220,15

County tax, - -• - - 284,90

Schools, .... 550,00

Poor, and towti expenses, - - 450,00

^Overlaid in tlie assessments, - -^ 69,64

^Delinquency of highway for 1827, • 44,11

'Total money tAX, - - - $1568,80-

•New immigrants : Daniel BuIIen, Joseph Cushman, Bo»-

Vell Oummings, Luther Gillson, John Gumey, Rev. Bcnjamiu

B^' Murray, Amos Work, Cyrus S. Cushman, James D. Suf-

Tord. Old settlers' sons : Moses Bradbury, William Frosty

Jr., Levi Oorham, Simeon Herring, Chai-les HiU, Joseph

Holt, Isaac Hall, Henry Noble, Jacob Parsons, Jr., Mark P.

Smith, Samuel Flinty John Beal, Joseph DoDy, Jr.

Towu oflScers for 1829 : Job Eastman, Clerk ; Joshua

Smith, Treasurer ; David Noyes, Thompson Hall, Nathan

Noble, Jr., Selectmen ; James Crockett, Collector. Uriah

Holt, Repr^entative.

Valuation, ^106,258L Number of pojlls 271 ; number <^

scholars 600.

Highway tax, common roadS; «- 4^1248,26

Extra roads, ... 941,91

Total highway tax, r - ^ ^2190,17

HISTORY OF NOBWAT. 13S

State tax, ^ - . . $220,15

County tax, - - - - 260,98

Schoob, - - - - 650,00

Pooi:, and town charges, - - 600,00

Building bridge, overjayings, &c.^ - 152,71

Total money tax, - - - $1088,84

New immigrants : Nathaniel K. Emery, Seba Gammon,
William IJ. Goodnow, John Howard, Edmund Millett, Willian^
P. Phelps, Eben Rich, Jonathan Sawyer, Joseph Woodman,
Harvey Wade. Old settlers' sons : Stephen Cummings, Jr.,
Andrew Case, Thomas J. Everett, Benjamin F. Hall, Joel
Millett, Thomas J. Needham, Isaac Parsons, John Saunders,
Ira Hobbft.

This year, on thq 7th of May, Solomon Millett, one of the
old settlers, lost his bam by fire. He had a cow sick wUh
the horn distemper, and carried ;to the barn a kettle with some
live coaU in it in order to smoke the cow's head — producing
a smoke by burning pieces of old shoes and woolen rags. Ho
stepped out of the barn, leaving the kettle under the cow's
nose ; by some means the fire extended beyond the kettle, and
the barn was almostjnstantly in flames. He lostjfour oxen,
eight cows, four three years old cattle, and two valuable
liorses, with several ;tons of hay and considerable grain ; the
young stock was fortunately in pasture. This was a severe
loss; but many citizens cheerfully lent a helping hand, in
labor and materials, towards erecting anoilier large and com-
modious bam, though but a trifle in comparison with his loss.
Mr. Millett had always been a very laborious, prudent man,
and by industry had accumulated a competence of this world's
goods ; and for this reason his loss was not so distressing t(j^
him or his family as it would have been had he been in poor
circumstances.

On the 18th of April, this year, l4evi Frank, senior, aged
63 years, was killed by filling itntp^ a. cellar, w hilc moving a
bouse for Jolm Parsons^ Jr, The house stood on the farm

1&4 HISTORY OF NORWAY.

where Jacob Tubbs first purchased, on the Lee Grant, and
was built by said Tubbs, Mr. Tubbs now sleeps in the silent
graye, and his farm has had several proprietors, and is now
owned by Joshua Richardson, Esq., of Portland, and improved
by his son, Thomas H. Richardson ; it is one of the best
farms in tlio town. Joshua Richardson has also recently pur-
chased the fSum above Natlianiel Bennett's, where William
Gardner first commenced on the Lee Grant, as early as 1790<
tt is now a fine fiirm. It has had many different o^vnors, but
19 now occupied by Williani P. Richardson, a bo]\ of the owner.

Town ofiicers for 1880 : Job Eastman, Clerk ; Joshua
Bmith, Treasurer; David Noyes, Thompson Hall, Nathan
Koble, Selectmen ; James Crockett, Collector. William Par*
sons, Jr., Representative.

Valuation, $107,915. Number of polls 274 ; number of

scholars 620.

Highway tax, common roads, - $1562,80

Extra road tax, - - - 619,73

Total highway tax, ...

$2082,58

State tax, - - ^ .

$220,15

Countytax, - - i *
Schools, . . - -

260,98

700,00

Poor, and town charges, •»

650,00

Overlaid in assessment.

79,87

Delinquency of highway,

9,19

Supplement added after assessment,

13,90

Total money tax, - - - $1884,15

Now immigrants : Ephraim Barrows, Hchvard Decoster^
Joseph Mitchell, Ethiel Stevens, Isaac Titcomb, Rodney Tit*
comb, John C. Walker, Jeremiah Woodward, Dr. Nathaniel
Grant, Zachariah Wardwell. Old settlers' sons : John Bird,
Jr., William Cox, Jr., Amos Downing, Jr., William Everett,
Silas Fuller, Samuel Foster, Woodward W. Latham, Amos
Meriam, Seth Morse, Alonzo Morse, Wai*d Noyes, William

UISTOHY OF NORWAY. 185

Stevens, Moses A. Stevens, John Tucker, Ansel Town,
James Tubbs.

In August, this year, John Parsons, Jr., lost his bam, well
filled with hay, by its being struck with lightning, and set on
fire. He then owned, and lived on the fiirm first purchased
by Jacob Tubbs. The loss was considerable, especially iu
hay. His grain, fortunately, was still in the field.

One other thing, happening this year, may be worthy of
note. There probably was a greater addition made to Norway
Village, in the way of buildings, than in any other year since
the settlement of the town. The three brick buildings in the
central part of the Village were built this year, and many
others of various kinds and for various uses, making the whole
number thirty.

In April, this year, Benjamin Witt, had his house burnt
in the daytime — cause unknown. It was a large house, two
dtories in front, and one on the back side, and was decently
finished. He lost considerable household stuff, as the fire
dprcad so itipidly tlicro was little time to save tlio contents df
the house.

Town officers for 1831 : 'Job Eastman, Clerk ; Joshua
Smith, Treasurer; Uriah Holt, Ichabod Bartlett, Nathan
Noble, Selectmen ; James Crockett, Collector. William Par-
sons, Jr., Representative.

Valuation, $109,236. Number of polls 268 ; number of

scholars 651.

Highway tax, common roads, * $1569,96

Extra roads, * - - 310,51

Total highway tax, - * - ^1880,4T

State tax, . *. i. - $250,86

County tax, - - - . 818,60

Schools, . . . u 675,00

Poor, and town charges, - * 700,00

!For building river bridge, ^ * 400,00

Overlayings, delinquency o^ highway, 24,50

186 HISTORY OF NORWAY.

Supplement, - - - 6,89

Total money tax, - - - $2875,85

New immigrants : Thomas Austin, Matthias Furlong, Ed-
mund Phinney, William Gaines, David P. Hannaford, Na-
thaniel Libbey, Alexander 11. Piper, Thomas Roberts, David
Cilley. Old settlers' sons : Samuel Andrews, Jr., Rufus F.
Real, Charles Frost, Stephen Greenleaf, Jr., Alva Hobbs,
Charles Tubbs, Abner Downing.

This year, the citizens of Norway and vicinity celebrated
the anniversary of our National Independence at Norway
Village, In this celebi*ation there was no political , party
known, and no political feelings were indulged — ovt hud —
whatever individuals might think. Ezra F. Real had, a short
time before this, opened liis new tavern, and furnished the
dinner with the requisite trimmings — such as liquors, punch,
wine, and beer. He did the tiling up handsomely, and no
fault found, nor was there occasion for any.

The procession, after being formed, moved to the meeting-
house, where the throne of gi'ace was addressed by the Rev.
R. R. Murray, the Declaration, of Independence read by
David Noycs, and an oration pronounced by Dr. J. S. Mil-
lett. The oration was chaste, classic, and eloquent, free from
anything pointedly political, and appeared to bo delivered with
good feeling ; it was received wuth equal good feeling by a
crowded audience. After the cloth w^as removed, the follow-
ing thirteen regular toasts were drank amidst the roar of
cannon, and the cheering strains of excellent music.

l.—Tha ith of Jvhj—n\Q birth-day of our Nation's
Independence. May tliat spirit, which animated the Patriots
of '76 to burst the bonds of tyi'anny and oppression, never
cease to glow with increasing ardor in the bosoms of their
offspring to the latest posterity.

2. — Tlie ConstittUioii of the United States — Framed by
the Heroes and Sages of tlie Revolution — may it long remain
a memento of their virtue, humanity, and patriotism.

J UISTOUY OF NORWAT* 18T

8. — Tlie Unhn of the States — DistractiodM to tho brain,
aud palsy to the arm, that vrould sover the weakest tie that
binds us together.

4. — The yeomanry of Maine — A free government needs
no other support than an enlightened community.

5. — AgridtUttrey Cotnmcrce^ Manvfa^tiires, and the Me-
chanic Arts — Tho &ur grand pillara which support the fabric
of our National Independence.

6. — Our Nartfieastem Boundary — Let Justice mark the
line, and Yankee bravery establish it

7. — T/w memory of Washington — " First in peace, first
hi war, first in the hearts of his countrymen."

** He burst the fetters of our land,

He taught us to be free ;
He raised the dignity of man,

He bade a Nation be."

And it was so.

8. — GknkhaTi Lapayktte— An herald proofaf/ns before
him, that ho is tho man that Freemen AoYif^lxt to lienor.

9. — T/ic Heroes of the /Jerotoio/i— Although most of
them have withdrawn from tho festivities of tlds day, yet
their achievements are fresh in our memories.

10. — American Independence — The center of tho great
Solar System of civil and religious liberty. May its effui-
gcnco dispel the darkness of deS])otism and bigotry, and light
the flame of liberty throughout tho universe.

11. — Poland, and all other Nations stniggling for
liberty — May God speedily break tho rod of the oppressor,
and let tlie oppressed go free.

12. — Our Sc/ioolSf Academies , and Colleges — Tho safe-
guards of our liberties.

18. — Our mothers and sisters , our wives and sweet-
hearts — The nearest, dcaicst, and most beloved objects of our
aflections ; may tliey instil into tho minds of our oITspring,
and youth, the love of virtue, liberty, and independence.

188 HISTORY OP NORWAY.

There were seyeral yolunteer sentiments offered, after tbo
regular toasts ; but by a previous arrangement, everything of
the kind was penned down, and passed the ordeal of the com-
mittee on toasts ; and if free fi*om any obnoxious sentiments,
was passed to the toast-master and given to the company.
Thus everything went along in the utmost harmony, with
nothing to jar^ or to mar^ the good feelings that seemed to
pervade the crowded tables. The writer happening to be
toast-moster at this grand celebration, has the original toasts
in his possession, and thought it might amuse some readers to
peruse such old, by-gone things. He finds inscribed on the
old paper the following motto : " Then Men felt free?'*

Town officers for 1832 : Job Eastman, Clerk ; ^Joshua
Smith, Treasurer ; David Noyes, Ichabod Bartlett, Nathan
Noble, Selectmen; James Crockett, Collector. Ichabod
Bartlett, lleprcsentativo.

Valuation, $115,697. Number of polls 278 ; numboi- of

scholars 657.

Highway tax, common roads, - $1567,15

Extra roads, . - - - 620,29

TotaJ highway tax, - - -

State tax, - - - -
GouAt^taz, - - - -
Schoou, - - - .
Poor, and town charges,
Overlajings, and delinquency of highway,

$208^,44

$250,86

12T,70

675,00

500,00

82,62

Total money tax, - - - $1586,18

New immigrants : Samuel Diibn, Joseph C. Green, James
Hill, Asa Holt, Jonathan Martin, Anthony Martin, Ransom
Ripley, Joseph S. Rounds, John M. Wilson, William C.
Whitney, Lee Mixer, Asia Ford. Old settlers's sons : Rufiid
[Griggs, Solomon Downing, Alpha B. Everett, Charles Gam->
mon^ Orin Hobbs^ Richard n. Houghton, Charles Parsonsj
John l^uckcn

HISTORY OF NORWAY. 189

Town of&cers for 1833 : Job Eastman, Clerk ; Joshua
Smitli, Treasurer ; Uriah Holt, Jonatlian Swift, Elliot Smith,
Selectmen; James Crockett, Collector. Ichabod Sartlett,
Representative.

Valuation, $116,374. Number of polls 802 ; number of
scholars 657.

Highway tax, $2610,26.

State tax, . • . - $250,80

County tax, - - - - 191,55

Schools, - - - - 675,00

Poor, and town charges, - - 500,00

Ovcrlayhigs, and delinquency of highway, 74,58

Total money tax, - - - $1691,99

New immigrants: Micah Allen, Austin Buck, Bufus
Chadboum, Richard Evans, William A. Evans, Columbus
Iloldcn, Perry D^ Judkins, Emery Livcrmore, Thomas Mar-
tin, John I^artin, Levi Roberts, William Stanley, Hiram
Stevens, John Tuttle, Ephraim Whitcomb, Augustus Wilkins,
Isaac Wotlierbee. Old scttlei*s' sons : Lyman Bird, James
Downing, William Frost, 8d, Simeon Frost, James French,
jr., Stephen Hall, Pleaman Holt, William W. Hobbs, Wilson
Hill, Cyrus Lord, Noah Meriam, Henry MeiTill, Eli Merrill,
Daniel L. Millett, Moses Parsons, Moses A. Stevens, Cephas
Sampson.

Town officers for 1834: Job Eastman, Clerk: Joshua
Smith, Treasurer; Jonathan Swift, Elliot Smith, John Mil-
lett, jr., Selectmen ; Henry W. Millett, Collector. Ichabod
Bartlett, Representative.

Valuation, $119,570. Number of polls 809 ; number of
scholars 687 ; number of voters 365.

Highway tax, $2017,70.

Statotax, ... - $250,86

County tax, - - ^ . 255,45

Schools, . . - . 675, OQ

Poor, and town charges, - - 800,00

140 HISTORY OP NORWAY.

Overiayings, delinquency liighway, supplement^ 97,01;

Total money tax, - - - |1578,81

Now immigiivnts : Joel Barrows, Titus 0. Brown, Goi'dner
Ghadboum, Sampson Dunham, William Favor, Jotham Good-
now, John Harmon, George Kimball, Joseph Morse, William
H. H. McGillfry, Sumner Shed, Joshua B. Stuart, Benjamia
Sturteviint, Daniel Thurston, David Whitcomb, Elbanan
Winchester, Jonathan Wlutohouse, James Yoatten. Old set-
tlers' sons : Himm Stetson, Samuel Andrews, jr., Samuel
Beal, Asa Hix, jr., Cliandler F. MiUett, Henry L. Noyes,
Simeon W. Pierce, Francis A. Heed, Lorenzo D. Shackley,
William Witt.

About tho foro part of May, this year, Plcaman Holt had
a bam burnt, about 12 o'clock at night, with some hay, kCy
in it. This fire was boliovcd to bo tho work of an incendiary,
but the thing was slu*ouded in so much mystery tliat the facts^
were never proved.

Town officers for 1835: Job Eastman, Clerk; Joshua
Smith, Treasurer ; Jonathan Swift, John Millett, jr., Henry
W. Millett, Selectmen ; Jacob Bradbury, Collector. William
Pai*sons, jr., Roprcscntativo.

Valuation, $129,949. Number of polls 300 ; number of
scholars 003.

Highway tax, $2345,18.

State tax, - ^ - - $250,86

County tax, - - - - 255,4S

Schools, .... 675,00

Poor, and town charges, - - 850,00

Overlayings, delinquency highway, supplement, 42,44 .

Total money tax, - - - f 1573,7S

New immigrants : Dwight Avery, Pinkney Burnham^
Ballard, Frederick Coultman, Isaiah Daily, Lyman

Daniels, Jonas Eastman, Scth Philpot, Edmund Foster, Rich-
ard Garland, Eljcnczcr Holmes, liinim llanis, Augustus

IIIBTOIIY OF NORWAY. 141

llaiTis, Timothy JonUn, Charles Pcnlcy} John Pierce, Asa
Thayer, WiUiam Wilkins, Loren II. Wrisley, Azel Tuttle,
David R, Holden. Old settlers' sons : Benjamin Bird, Cad
J. Blancliard, John Frost, jr., Amos T. Holt, John Hill, Na-
IImui Morse, jr., William W. D. S. Millett, Ebenesser J. Pottle,
Mark S. Bicliardson, Uriah Upton, Ainos F. Noyes, Wash-
ington Frencli, Williiun Noble.

On tlio 27th of April, 1835, Mr, David Whitcomb, for-
merly of Waterford, was killed at IlalFs saw-mill, by logs
Tolling upon him. He was about 65 years of age, and liad
lived in Norway but a short time. Ephraim Whitcomb, a
blacksmith, was his son, {ind came to Norway in 1833 ; ho
lias resided in town most of the time since, but died in Paris
in 1851, of hemoh*hage of the lungs.

Town officers for 1836 : Job Eastman, Clerk ; Joshua
Smith, Treasurer ; John Millett, jr., Simon Stevens, Cyrus
Cobb, Selectmen; Joseph Bennett, Collector. Henry W.
Millett, Representative.

Valuation, $127,607. Number of polls 806 ; number of
scholars 664.

Highway tax, #2547,76.

County tax, . - - - $351,25

Schools, . - - - 675,00

Poor, and town charges, - - 850,00

Additional sum afterwards raised for town charges, 200,00
Overlayings, delinquency highway, supplement, 66,8T

Total money tax, - - - |1648,12

Now immigrants : David M. Brown, William W. Berry^
Elbridge G. Fuller, Jeremiah Howe, William Hall, jr.>
I'rancis Holden, Benjamin Holden, Addison A. Latham, John
Martin, John Millett, 3d, Ilezekiah McLitier, Richard Mc-
Intier, William Pratt, Samuel Pierce, James Yates, Richard
Lombard. Old settlers' sons : Asa Packard, Ebenezer Ban-
ci-ofli, jr., Samuel Crockett, Perlcy French, David 0. Ilolt^
Jeremiah/ W. Hobbs, Seth Pike, William Pingree, jr., (Jyo»^

142 HI8T0BT OF NORWAY.

▼ille L. Beed, James Shacklej, Daniel G. Town, Jacob Tnbbs,
Kimball Holt, Nathaniel Andrews.

On the 5th day of Feb., this year, Nathan Foster, one of
tho early settlors, died in a very sudden manner. He went
to Iiis bam about 9 o'clock, A. M., carrying with him some
potatoes for his calves ; in a short time after, he was wanted,
and when sent for, was found dead in his barn-yard. He
had sometimes been subject to faint spells, and the probability
is, that he was taken in one of his fainting fits, fell upon tlio
icy yard, and was stunned by the fall, or died in a fit. Ho
left a large family to mourn his sudden exit

Town officers for 1837 : Job Eastman, Clerk ; Joshua
Smith, Treasurer ; Simon Stevens, Gyrus Cobb, Jonathan B.
Smith, Selectmen ; James Crockett, Collector. Jonathan B.
Smith, llepresentativo.

Valuation, |128,719. Number of polls 822 ; number of
scholars 723.

Highway tax, $3094,17.

County tax, - - - • |383,17

Schools, ... - 675,0a

Overlaid in the assessment, - n 46,13

Delinquency of highway, - - 28,70

Supplement, ... 34,6S

Total money tax, - - - 11162,60

New immigrants : Titus 0. Brown, jr., Ebenezer Crowell,
John Deering, Timothy H. Hutchinson, Edwin F. Hutcliin-
son, Ebenezer N. Holmes, Erastus Hilboum, Richard M.
Jordan, Peter Knight, Asa McAllister, John McAllister,
George J, Ordway, Timothy Smith, Rev. Charles Soule,
Jolm B. Stowell, Samuel Stowell, €>jrrus S. Thayer, William
Verrill, Silas W. Bumpus, Rev. Reuben Milner. Old set-
tlers' iom : George W. Cox, Luther P. Foster, Timothy J.
Frost, James S. Greenleaf, Samuel Hill, Eben C. Shackley,
Francis Upton, jr., David F. Young, Joel S. Frost, George
W. Everett. \

HISTORY OF NORWAY. 143

This year, a town census was taken on account of tlie sur-
plus revenue. The inhabitants, of all ages, numbered 1791.
The first instalment was loaned in sums of $25 to $50 ; the
second instalment was loaned in smaller sums of $10 ; and
after the legislature passed an act giving towns the power to
distribute the money, the town, or a large part of it, was
anxious for the distribution, and it accordingly took place —
the sum averaging $2 per head, besides the expense. It was
quite an unnatural measure for government to distribute money
to the people, while the government is supported by the
people.

On the 4th of July, this year, Bradley Foster, aged 18
years, was drowned. There was a sort of celebration in the
adjoining town of Greenwood, and he, with other boys, went
to participate in the recreations of the day. A company of
boys resorted to a mill-pond for the purpose of bathing, and
by some mishap he got into too deep water, and drowned be-
fore he could bo rescued. He was the son of Nathan Foster,
jr., and grandson of Nathan Foster, sen. Ilis father died on
the 19th of Jan., this same year, and his grandfather was
found dead in his barn-yard on the 5th of Feb., 1836. The
mother of the unfortunate boy still remains a widow, and
resides in the city of Lowell, as also do several of her
children.

Town oflScers for 1838 : Job Eastman, Clerk ; Henry Rust,
Treasurer ; Simon Stevens, Jonathan B. Smith, John Whit-
marsh, Selectmen ; James Crockett, Collector. Elliot Smith,
llepresentative.

Valuation, $115,924. Number of polls 325 ; number of
scholars 726.

Highway tax, .$2092,49.

County tax, - - - - •# 383,17

Schools, - - . - 675,00

Poor, and town charges, - - 1000,00

For building town-house, - - 500, OQi

144 HISTORY 0? KORWAY.

OverUjings, delioqnency highway, supplement, 126,81

Total money tax, - - - $2684,98

Now immigrants : Daniel H. Blake, Salmon Cnshman,
Alonzo Curtis, Gilman Davis, Walter B. Drew, Charles
Gardner, Timothy Hodgdon, Lorenzo Hathaway, John Howe,
Jacob Hcrrick, James Haskell, Josiah Libby, Lewis Mixer,
Ward Mclntier, Samuel Partridge, Joseph Richardson, Bct.
Luke P. Rand, Stephen Rowe, David Sanborn, George W.
Smith, Daniel B. Sawyer, Dr. Leander S. Tripp, Amos Pu-
rington, Ephraim Brown, jr. Old settlers' sons : John
Bancroft, Amos W. Briggs, William Briggs, Joshua Frost,
John Gallison, William Hill, William Knight, Henry Love-
joy, Solomon L Millett, Nathan K Noble, George W. Parsons,
Moses A. Young, Daniel H. Buck, Simon P. Everett

This year, the town built a suitable house in which to hold
town-meetings, and for other town business. After the erec-
tion of the £!ongregational meeting-house by Maj. Jonathan
Cummings,lfae town-meetings were held in that building; but
they made rather dirty work in the house, and some £stult was
"" found — probably not without reason ; 90 the town concluded
to build a house Tor its especial use. There was some excite-
ment on the question of a place for the house ; but the
committee chosen for the purpose of selecting a central and
convenient spot, selected the site now occupied, on the land of
David Noyes, and he gave the land free to the town for so
long a time as the house sliall be used exclusively for the
transaction of town business.

Tpwn officers for 1889 : Job Eastman, Clerk ; Henry Rust,
Treasurer ; Simon Stevens, John Whitmarsh, Henry C. Reed,
Selectmen; James Crockett, Collector. Elliot Smith, Rep-
resentative.

Valuation, $114,908. Number of polls 818 ; number of
scholars 717.

Highway tax, $2218,99.

niSTORY OP NORWAY. 145

County tox, .... $ 348,62

Schools, .... 675,00

Poor, and town charges, - - 1000,00 •

Overkyings, delinquency highway, supplement, 89,12

Total money tax, - - - $2112,74

Now immigrants : William Bisbcc, Alva York, Caleb *
Cushman, Alvan Clifford, Henry Clifford, James F. Carter,
John CoflSn^ Alvan Dinsmore, Ara S. Fuller, Isaac Farring-
ton, Mark S. Grover, Saunders Kimball, Magnus llidlon,
Moses Swan, Samuel Whitney. Old settlers' sons : David
Andrews, Asaph Bird, Henry L. Crockett, Hiram Everett,
David Frost, William Lord, Jr., James Lassell, Leonard
Young, Jacob F. Holt.

On the 15th day of June, this year, John S. Shed's house
was burnt ; cause of the fu*e unknown. Mr. Shed was ab-
sent, about one mile distant, and did not get home in time to
do anything towards saving the contents of the house. The
house was 28 feet by 36, the outside well finished, and a con-
siderable part of the inside ; it was rather a haixl loss for the
owner. His father, who was killed in 1818, in raising N. i?^
Shed's house, built the house in 1806, on the farm where he
first began in 1788.

Town officers for 1840 : Job Eastman, Clerk ; Henry Rust,
Treasurer ; Simon Stevens, Henry C. Reed, Solomon Noble,
Selectmen; James Crockett, Collector. Simon Stevens,
Representative.

Valuation, $116,887. .Number of polls 321 ; number of

scholars 713 ; number of inhabitants, by the. census, 1786.

Highway tax, common roads, - $1881,84

Extra roads, - - - 628,11

Total highway tax, .- - - $2409,95

State tax, - - - - $487,60

County tax, - - - - 196,18.

Schools, .... 675,00'

Pooi;, and town charges, - - 2500,00-

146 mSTORT OF NORWAY.

OverlajingB in aasessment, - - 112,95

Delinquency of highvrajr, and supplement, 55,78

Total money tex,. - - - |4027,46

Now I hope our good citizens, and others, yfoxCt be startled
at our enormous tax for this year^ as the town then purchased
a farm for its poor, which cost $1110, with several hundreds
of dollars additional for repairs of buildings, furniture, stock,
and fanning implements ; besides all this, the town incurred
considei*ablo expense in 1839 in fitting out tlio soldiers for the
Madawaska war, which left the treasuiy rather low at the
commencement of 1840.

New immigrants : Depleura Bisbee, Benjamin Cummings,
Archibald B. Ward, Charles Cushman, William Coleman,
Thomas Ellis, Jonathan Merrow, Ilorsloy Shed, Winslow
Bamsdale, Beuel Shaw, Theodore Yenill, Joshua II. Whit-
ney, John Davis. Old settlers' sons : Daniel Bancroft,
Ephraim S. Crockett, Samuel P. Frost, Kobert Hall, Brad-
bury C. A. Pingree, Amos Upton, Jr., Joseph Eastman,
Lewis H. Hobbs, Perez B. Latham.

In December, this year, there was a small fire in the Vil-
lage. Daniel Holt's blacksmith shop was burnt in the night
time, and his coal-house adjoining, or very near, was also
burnt; the wind being westerly, no other buildings were
injured. Loss not very great, or distressing, but yet it caused
considerable loss and inconveniience to the owner.

Early in the fall, 1840, widow Estlier Millett lost her barn
and its contents by fire. The cause of tlie fire ought to be a
caution to. all bays^ and 9non, too, about discharging guns in
or about their buildings. One of her boys seeing a squirrel
on the bam, running along under the eaves, got liis gun and
shot thd poor little animal ; and probably some part of the
wad passed through a crack between the boards, and was uh-
noticed at the time, but shortly after the brm was discovered
in flames* Mrs. Millett, in May, 1826^ lost her husband^ in

HISTORY OP NORWAY; 147

tlic full vigor of manhood, aged 40 yeai*s, and had with un-
common fortitude and industry encountered all the hardships
and inconveniences of a widowed life ; she had nobly suc-
ceeded in keeping her family and; farm; together, and finished
a new house which was partly built when her husband died ;
yet she was not exempted from this heavy loss. The next
year she replaced the old bam by a much larger and better
one, and is still living on the same farm, in good circum-
stances.

To^vn officers for 1841 : Job Eastman, Clerk ; Elliot Smithy
Treasurer ; Kenry C. Reed, Solomon Noble, Ichabod Bart-
Ictt, Selectmen. Simon Stevens, Representative.

Valuation,. |114,4!?3. Numbly of polls 310 ; number of

scholars 723.

IBghway tax, common roads, - $2818,35

Extra roadsj - - - 1262,16

Total highif^y tax, ^ . ^

$3580,61

Stato tax, - . . -.

#720,91

County tax, - - -. ,

282,08

Schools, - . _ .

750,00

Poor, and town cLqrgcs,

1600,00

Ovcrkyings, . _ -

70,1 »

delinquency of highway.

28,79

. Supplement added after assessment,

06,07

Total money tax, - - - |3398,04

On the 12th day of Sept., tho town voted to raise money
for making the new County road from Ford's Corner to Otis-
field line — the road to be let out in small sections to the lowest
bidder ; and the sum was accordingly assessed, amounting to
^1262,16. This made a large addition to the already heavy
money tax, making the whole for this year $4660,20. Tho
road was made that fall, and has proved a very useful one.

New immigrants : Isaac Abbott, Ephraim H. Bit)wn, Jamca
IIale> Richaid Jackson, Noah Joidan, Aruna Judkins, Peau

148 HISTORY OF NORWAY.

A. Kilgofe, William Kelley, Alexander Libby, Joseph Tur-
iier, Eugene Upton, Simeon Walton, Nathan Hathaway,
ifoses Hanscum, James N. Hall. Old settlers' sons : Joseph
K. Ames, Benjamin G. Ban'ows, IIii*am W. Dcering, Henry
Upton, Jonathan G. Noble.

The first new immigrant mentioned this year is Isaae Ab-
bott. I speak of him here because I find his name on the
tax list, but I hope his tax was abated. He came into the
town in 1808, and has lived here mostly since, but a part of
the time in Oxford. He has been a very unfortunate man,
and is deserving the sympathy of all who possess the proper
feelings of humanity. His| father, with a large family, emi-
grated from Andover, Mass., to East Andover, (as it was
then called) in Maine, probably about 1800. The place was
then new, with but few settlera. About the winter of 1804,
a family wished to move from East Andovor to Errol, N. H.,
on the west side of Umbagog lake ; and Iss^ic Abbptt, then a
very active, vigorous young man, went to drive an ox-team,
among others, for the conveyance of the household goods and
family. There was little, or no rpad through Letter B town-
ship, and they had to cross Umbagog lake with their teams.
On their return homo, they found the water had risen over
the ice ; they were overtaken by a violent storm and cold
squalls, which completely hid the poor track; they were
almost lost in the storm, and the whole company came very
near perjshing on the lake. They finally unyoked their oxen,
and succeeded in getting out to a settlement with their lives
spared. Mr. Abbott was frozen in a shocking manner, having
both feotj nearly, or quite, to his ancles, frozen hard ; and
traveled for several miles, after his feet were hard as ice, by
holding to the tail of a gentle ox. He was conveyed home,
and after intense pain and sufiering, had both feet ainputated
at the ancles ; but the thing was probably not very skillfully
done ; he suflFered a long time, and finally, before jiis legs
could be healed up, he underwent a second amputation of both

HISTORY OP NORWAT. 14ft

legs about eight inclios below tho knees. Afber tlie h&t am-
putation, bis stumps healed up sound, and he ever since ha3.
Ayalked on his knees, and baa, wonderful to reUte, performed
much hard labor. A few years aftei^ his legs were amputated
the last time, he married a daughter of Asa Lovejoy, (one of
tho early settlers on the Watcrford three tiers,) and hq3.
brought up a family of SQveral children.

I ought to have noticed, in the account of 1840, that Baker
Ames had a SQU, John Ames, drowned in tlie mill-pond, above
tho Village mills ; he went upon the ice to play, with other
boys, and broke through, and before help could bo procured,
sauk to rise no more. lie was drowned Dec. 4, 1840, aged
iiino years.

There have been several very narrow escapes from drowning
iu tho pond, by venturing upon ice when not strong enough to,
be safe. About 1833, on thanksgiving day, Ephraim S.
• Crockett, a son of Ephraim Crockett, who lives ojx the east
side of tho pond, nearly oi)iK)sito tlio writer's farm, thinking
to have a fine tiniQ-skatjpg oa the ice, crossed tlie head of tho
j>ond to D. Noyea', and Claudius A. Noyes, then about twelve
years of age, went with him. to participate, in the amusement
of skating. They skated awhile, and growing more venture-
some, went near the middle of the pond, when Crockett broke
in, and could not get upon the ice again, as when he attempted
to spring ijipon it, it would break, without jissigting him from
tho water. In this dilemma, C. A. N(»yos, although but a
small boy, told him to hold upon the edge of the ice, and he
would soon help him ; he then skated quickly to the shore,
and took a long, slim pole from a fence, and going, within the
length of the pole, to the other boy, he laid hijjaself! dowQ on
the ice, and reached him the small end, which he* grasped
tightly, aud giving a smart spring, was pulled out of the
water, and drawn to where tho ice was strong enough to bear
them. They had had skating enough for one thanksgiving.
James Bennett; al>Qut the same year, broke through the ico

150 HIST0R7 OF KORWAT.

>vhilo skating, and being alone, came very near dro^ming.
lie kept tiying to spring upon tbd ice, -which continued breaks
lug, until it was broken to a place strong enough to hold him
up, when he succeeded in getting from die water, but was
nearly chilled to death. He says that was a sufficiency of
skatmg for him.

To^vn officers for 1842 : Job Eastman, Clerk ; Elliot Smith,
Treasurer ; Henry C. Reed, Solomon Noble, Ichabod Bart-
Ictt, Selectmen. Bcnjamiu Tucker, Jr., llcprescntative.

Valuation, $154,018. Number of polls 800 ; number oif
scholars 690.
Highway tax, $2615,38.

^tatetax, - - - . $720,91

County tax, - - - - 814,43

Schools, ... - 750,00

Poor, and town charges, - - 600,00

Ovorlayings, - - - 79,99

Delin<^ueucy of highway, and supplement, 50,13

Total monciy tax, - - - $2515,46

New immigrants : Elias Adamft, Nathaniel G. Bacon, Isaac
Bolster, Alfi-ed P. Bumell, Henry R. Cushmj^, Caileb Her-
Bcy, Jjicob Ilcrrick, James M. Lewis, Bartlo Perry, Gardner
Howe, William Stowell, lElias Stowcll, Rev. Titnothy J. Tcn-
^loy, Foster Wentworth. Old settlers' sons : Steadman
Bennett, Joshua B. Crockett, Calvin L. Herring, Samuel
Lord, 2d, Edwin Morse, Edward H. L. Morse, Israel D. Mil-
Ictt, David B. Noycs.

This year, on the 18th day of March, Col. John Millctt'a
liouse was burnt, and but little saVed from it. It was a good
farm-house, and the loss large. Origin of the fire unknown.

ToAvn officers for 1843: Simon Stevens, Clerk; Elliot
Smith, Treasurer ; Jonathan Swift, John Parsons, Jr., Ben-
jamin Tucker, Jr., Selectmen; George J. Ordway, Collector.
Classed with Oxford, and John J. Perry, of Oxford, Repro*
scntative.

HISTORY OP NORWAY. 161

Valuation, $150,312. Number of polls 847 ; number of

isoliolars 713.

Highway tax, $8610,01.

State tax, - . - . $720,91

County tax, - - ^ - 262,02

Schools, .... 750,00

Poor, and town cbai-ges, - - 800,00

To build bridge pier, »• - 60,00

O vcrlayings, dehnqfeoncy highway, supplement, 134,84

Total money tax, u *. . $2717,77

New immigrants ; William Andrews, Solomon Cloudman,
Adna 0. Dcuison, Moses G. Dow, Samuel Favor, Elhanan
Vf. Fylcr, Thomas Iliggins, Nathaniel 0. Hicks, Darius
Holt, 8d, E/^'kicl Jackson, William Ilutchins, John Wood-
man, Edmund S. Dean. Old settleirs' sons :• Ebenezer Ban-
ci-oft, Jr., licvi Bartlett, William Suck, Churchill Cobb,
Nathan M. Crockett, Eliab Frost, Cornelius Hobbs, Lyman
Hobbs, Ora Hix, Solomon S. Hall, Jeremiah Hall, Stephen
Hall, William Merrill, Benjamin Miu*ston, Claudius A. Noycs,
Simon Stevens, 2d, Oren Tubbs, William Upton, Daniel M.
Young.

This year will ever be memorable in the annals of Norway,
on account of the destruction of Esquire Eastman's dwelling
house by fire, and the records of the town from the time of
its incorporation. It is supposed, but not certainly known,
that die fire communicated to the house from ashes in the
wood^house. When the fire was discovered, the inmates had
not a moment to spare, but made their escape by tlie back
door, which had not been used for the winter. They got out
with nothing on them but their night-clothes. Esquire East^
man was then about 93 years old, quite unwell, and could
hardly walk in the liouso ; the snow was four feet deep from
tlie door to the road, with a fence to bo got over in the way.
Mi*s. Eastman, with almost superhuman strength, dragged
iiim through snow licja-ly up to hfer arms, put him over tho-

152 niSTOBY OF NORWAT.

fence, and got Iiim into the barn-yard, as mnch from the wind
as possible, and then wrapped him ina oovorlet, which she
had fortunately dmggcd from the bed with her husband. Ann
A. Shaw, a gmnddaughtor of Mis. Eastman, about fifteen
years of age, escaped in the same nude condition as the others,
and rendered her grandmother all the assistance in her power.
They were exposed to the severe cold for a considerable time.
The fire was at length discovered from Mr. William Hobbs'-^
the alarm being given by old Mi*s. Richardson— when his boys
hastened to the scene of distress. As soon as they arrived at
the burning house, one of them ran home, hastened back with
a horse and sleigh, and carried the family to Mr. Hobbs' in a
piteous condition. Mrs. Eastman's feet were shockingly
frozen ; and as soon as the frost was out, they were a com-
plete blister nearly to her ancles, excepting the upper parts.
The girl was considerably frozen, but nothing compared to
Mi*s. 'Eastman. Esquire Eastman was very much chilled,
but his wife had wrapped him in the coverlet so closely that
he got frozen but a little. For more than a month Mrs. East-
man was unable to walk, or stand ; but by good care she at
length entirely recovered, and has, till recently, been able,
and willing, to perform much labor for an old lady. But on
the evening of Feb. 13, 1852, she met with another affliction :
she accidentally fell upon the floor and injured her hip, so
that she is entirely confined to her bed. How long her lame-
ness will continue is uncertain, but the writer hopes not long.
The name and services of Job Eastman, for many^ many
years, were as familiar as household words to almost every
man, woman, and child, in the town of Norway. After the
incorporation of the town, Joshua Smith was town Clerk dur-
ing two years, and in 1803, Joseph Rust was Clerk one year ;
Job Eastman filled the ofiice all the other years until 1843.
He was first Selectman, and town Treasurer, for nine years
after the town was incorporate.! ; and was an acting Justice

HISTORY OF NORWAY. 153

of the Peace from 1797 until his death, which took place
Feb. 28, 1845, at the age of 96 years.

Mark S. Richardson and wife, with one young child, and
his mother, lived in the west end of Esquire Eastman's house
at the time of the fire. They escaped by the front-door with
much less danger and difficulty than the Eastman family.

In the spring of this year, there was a remarkable freshet,
which flooded many cellars, and carried off many bridges.
Ephraim Brown then owned the old grist-mill at the Steep
Falls, below the Village, and it was swept away by the flood ;
his peg manufactory, also, shaix)d the fate of the mill.

liy a request to the Selectmen, there was a special town-
meeting called on the Saturday previous to the first Monday
in May, for the puri>os0 of instructing the town authorities in
regard to licensing suitable persons to sell spirituous liquors
for medicinal and mechanical purposes. The meeting was
rather thin, but the Selectmen were instructed to license no
person, except the town Clerk and to^vn Treasurer, to sell for
the above purposes ; and the profits, after paying the expense
of selling, to go into the town treasury for supporting the
poor. What the profits amounted to, is as yet unknown to
the town, as no report has been made.

A very melancholy affair happened in this town on the
evening of the 6th of October, 1843. Mr. Dresser Stevens,
next-door-neighbor to the writer, as is very common among
furmcra, made a husking for the evening, and invited his
neighbors to assist him. In the course of the evening, some
i-ather rude joking was indulged in by a portion of the com-
pany at the expense of a youngster named Hiram Totherly,
and his making rather a tart reply irritated the feelmgs of a
few present, which caused hard words between the parties.
At the close of the husking, Ebcnczer Ilobbs made an assault
on Totherly, and they soon closed in with each other, and
both fell on the floor in the squabble; Totherly, with his
jack-knife, stabbed Hobbs in many places, and a wound just

over the colkr-bonOi proved mortal. The -idfiray tbolc place
about cloven o'clock on Friday nigkt, and be died near five
o'clock Saturday morning. Tothcrly was immediately arrcst-
<cd, and the next day committed to jail. At the following May
term of the Supreme Judicial €ourt, he had his trial, but was
not convicted, the jury not agreeing. The first indictment
by the grnnd jury was for murder ; but at the October term
the case was put to the grand jury a second time, and a bill
'^vas found against him for manslaugliter. Tlio next spring
flic had a second trial, was convicted of manskughter, and
«entenced by the Court to one year's imprisontnent in the
County jail. After the expiration of his imprisonment, he
went to Portland, and finally enlisted as a soldier in the Mex-
ican war, where he was wounded, and died in a hospital.
But I forbear to enlarge upon the subject, lest it should open
afresh the deeply-wounded feelings of relatives and otliers.
The mild sentence of the Court very plainly shows tlmt tliey
did not think all tlio blame ought to be attributed to him.
Doth the youngstera were about eighteen years of age at the
time of this sad tragedy.

Town officers for 1844 : Simon Stevens, Clerk ; James
Crockett, Treasurer; Jonathan Swift, William Pai-sons, Jr.,
Mark P. Smith, Selectmen; Georgo J. Oi-dway, Collector.
Jonathan Swift, llopresentativo.

Valuation, $153,173. Number of polls 321 ; number of
scholars 667.

Highway tax, $2039,06.

State tax, . - '- - $.540,68

County tax, -; - . - 874^20

Schools, - - - .. 750,00

Poor, and town charges, - - 900,00

Overlayings, delinquency highway, supplement, 119,78

Total money tax, - - - $2684,72

New immigrants : Noble Blossom, James Blossom, Iiu
Berry, Levi T. Boothby, America Briggs, John A. Bolst6r,

HISTORY OF NORWAT> 155

]]0DJamiil Robbins, Thomas G. Brooks, James Do^^, Peter B.
Frost, Samuel Favor, Joseph Honiford, Edward Higgins,
Robert Noyes, .William D. Faine, Beuben S. Ri<5h, Amos
Thurlow, Daniel Whitehouse, Charles Walton, Oron Wilbur.
Old settlors' sons : David R. Everett, Joseph Hor, Henry H.
llobbs, Lorenzo D. Ilobbs, George W. Knight, Newton SAvift*

In the fall of this year, Richard W. Houghton's house,
near the Steep Falls, was burnt; origin of the fire unknown.
*A.lso, on the night of the 19tli of Nov., Ilolden's mills, on
Crooked river, were burnt ; origin of the fire unknown, but
thought by many to bo the work of an incendiary.

Town officers for 1845 : Siinon Stevens, Clerk; James
Crockett, Treasurer ; William Parsons, Jr., Mark P. Smith,
Ilcnry W. Millett, Selectmen; George J. Ordway, Collector.
•Mark P. Steith, Representative.

Valuation, $105,701. Number of polls 380 ; nuiAber of
sdiolars 664.

llighway tax, |1 592,29.

State tax, - . . - P8(V33

County tax, - - - - 822,68

Schools, - . - . 750,00

Poor, and town charges, - - 700,00

Overlayings, delinquency highway, supplement, 90,10

Total money tax, - - - $2352,00

New immignints : Jairus Bryant, Zachary Carey, Aaron
Xvluuidler, Joki Davis, Johnson Edwards, William Evans,
William Howe, David McAllister, Samuel L. Preble, John
l*culey, Joshua Richardson, David RoWe, Benjamin Wade,
J)aniel Stone, Moses Town. Old settlerfe' sohs : Edmund
Ames, Albion Buck, Cyrus Cobb, iJ'r., Robert I. Frost, Sam-
uel Lord, Jr., Orren F. Millett, Ebenezer Marston, Prescott L.
Pike, Daniel Pike, Otis Stevens, Francis H. Whitman,
George P. Whitney.

This year seems rather remarkable for the record of many
ilcaths of the early settlers of this town. Among those who

15G HISTORY OF NORWAY.

died ^6Yc Deacon William Paroons, aged 85 years, Benjamin
HeiTing, ^^ Josiali Hill, 80, Job Eoatman, 95, Mib. Asa
Hix, 64, Mrs. Peter Town, 60, Mrs. Joseph. Bradbury, 79^
Daniel Watson, 83, John Frost, 77, Joshua Crockett, son of
Joshua Gjrockett, the old settler, 64, Mrs. Mary Hall, 51 ;
and many others.

Town oiBcers for 1846 : Simon Stevens, Clerk ; Jamesi
Crockett, Treasurer ; Mark P. Smith, Henry W.; Millett,
Simeon Noble, Selectmen; Henry W. Millett,, Collector*
Isaac A. Thaiyer, Oxford, lleprcsentativo.

Valuation, $172,036. Number of polla 820 j number of
scholars 714.

Highway tax, $2355,24.

State tax, - . - . $052,44

County tax, - - - . 822,65

Schools, . . - . 750,00

Poor, and town charges, - - 500,00

Overlayings, delinquency highway, supplement, 129,64,

Total money tax, - - - $2o54,T5

New immigrants : Levi B. Abbott, Jamf, s Corson, Eb^nezer
Carsley, Alva B. Davis, Ebcnezer P, Fi:tz, Jameson Gammoa,.
Edwin Plummer, Reuben Penloy, Ar^Bel Ross, Amoa SrnilJv
Joseph Tuttle, Joshua Weeks. Old settlcra' sona: Cyrus
W. Buck, Mahalon Crockett, Milton W. Hobbs, Oliver A.
Hall, Samuel S. Millett, John H. Millett, William Marston,
Stephen Merrill, Osgood P'erry, John I. Kke, Jonathan G.
Town, Albion Hall.

Town officers for 1847 : Simon Stevens, Clerk ; Ebcncicr
C. Shackley, Treasurer ; Henry W. Millett, Henry C. Reed,
Solomon Noble, Relectmen ; Henry W. Millett, Collector.
Simeon Noble, Ptcpresentative.

Valuation, $182,089. Number of polls 827 ; number of
scholars 668.

Highway tax, common raids, - $1 042,54

Exti-a roads, -. . - 1042,54

Totnl hinrlnvnv tfiv, - - . ^208/^08

HISTORY OF NOJtWAY. 15T

State tax, - - . . P26,22,

County tax, - - - - $322,65

Schools, .... 750,00'

Poor, and town charges, - - 900,00

Overlayings and supplement, - - 60,19

Total money tax, - - - $2849,00

Now immigrants : Thomas Blake, Jatrus S. Ghipmany
Charles Callahan, Sumner Frost, John S. French, Edwin W.
Howe, Ebenezer P. Hinds, Charles Kendall, Clark Knight^
James H. Merrill, Franklin Manning, Rev. Charles Packard,
Horace Paine, Clemens Randal, Jonathan Richards, Levi
Thayer, Thomas Thorn. Old settlers' sons : George L. Real,
James H. Cox, Barzilla S. Cobb, David B. Crockett, David
W. Frost, Osgood French, William H. Fostw, Daniel Holt,
3d, Isaac Jordan, Levi W. Pingree, Lewis Shackley, George
Wilkins.

On the 12th of April, this year, Joseph York, Jr., a young
man employed in the saw-mill at the Steep Falls, received a
death-blow, by accident. Ho was assisting in phvcing a log
upon the mill-camago, and by some means a handspike was
wrenched from his grasp, one end of which struck him upon
the right side of the abdomen, producing mortal injury inter-
nally. He survived the accident from Monday afternoon till
Thursday morning.

On the morning of tho 18th of November, this year, Cyrus
Cobb, Esq., met an untimely death by a fall in his baan. Ho
went to his barn for the purpose of feeding his cattle, and
went up over the beams to throw down hay, when a board
gave way and precipitated him into the barn-floor, killing him
instantly, as was supposed, his neck being broken by the fall.
This was a severe loss to his family, and also to the commu-
nity, as he was a very industrious and useful man. Tho
family still feel as though their loss was irrei)ai'able. He was
the son of Ebenezer Cobb, who was among the early settlers,
^f this town, and lived on the old homestead of his father.

158 BISTORT OF KORWAT.

Town officers for 1848 : Simon Stevens, Clerk ; Ebenezcr

C. Sliacklcy, Treasurer ; Henry W. Millett, Henry 0. llecd,
Solomon Noble, Selectmen ; Samuel Favor, Collector. Ben-
jamin Richards, Oxford, Representative.

Valuation, ^198,575. Number of polls 863 ; numbei: of
scholars 752.

Highway tax, $1042,41.

State tax, -.-.,.$ 652,44
County tax, ... - 876,43

Scliools, . . - . 750,00

Poor, building roads, and other towixchai'gG^, 2700,00
Overlayings and supplement, - 5^,88

Total money tax, - - . $4581,25

New immigrants : Elbridge G. Allen^ James M. Abbott,.
James C. Bennett, Philander Barnes^ Hosea B. Bisbee, Charles

D. Bisbee, William Blake, Moses B. Bartlett, D. H. Blake,
Cyrus W. Brown, William M. Cushman, Job Cushman, Bc-
saleel Cushman, Leander Dorman, Albert B. Davis, Luke
Fletcher, Jonathan Fairbanks, Charles L. Francis, Freeman
Higgins, Danforth Jordan, Joseph Judkins, Charles P. Kim-
ball, Joseph A. Kendall, Amos T. Murphy, Bansom Morton,
James P. Morton, John W. Noble, Charles Newhall, Peter
0. Putnam, Isaac Pressoy, Asa H. Phinney, Edwin F. Quinby,
Alfred Raymond, Alfred Shattuck, Oi^samus Smiley, Isniel
Swett, George W. Seavems, John G. Swett, Jonathan M.
Smiley, William Stone, Otis True, Ephraim H. Wood, John
Walton, William Walton, G. B. Wentworth, Joseph Whitman,
George J. Wardwell, Joseph Wilson. Old settlers' sons :
Joseph BuUen, Isaac Bai-tlett, Benjamin Dale, Levi Fi'ost,
William P. French, Jonathan Holt, Cornelius W. Hobbs,
Lewis Lovejoy, Theodore L. Lassell, Coleman F. Lord, Hiram
Lovejoy, Ceylon Watson.

This year there was a great accession to the number of new
immigrants, in conseqence of the railroad operations ] and if
they can all get a good living, and make money, or other

HISTORY OP NORWAY. 159

property-, we bid them welcome ; but the old settlers havol
always found it necessary to attend closely te some regular
business, and I guess the new ones will find the same course,
eventually, for their permanent interest.

Town officers for 1849 : Simon Stevens, Clerk ; Ebenczer
0. Shiwkley, Ti-cjusurer ; Mark P. Smith, Henry W. Millctt,
Solomon Noble, Selectmen j Ansel KosSj Collector. Henry
C. Reed, Representative.

Valuation, $200,982. Number of polls 369 ;. mumber of
scholars 742.

Highway tax, $1245,55.

State tax, . - - ., |. 652,44

County tax, - - - -. 484,91

Schools, ... - T50,00

Poor, and town charges, - - 1150,00

Ovcrlayinga and supplement, - 153,55

Total money tax, - - - $3190,90

New immigrants : James Anderson, A. A. Adams, G. H.
IJarnard, David N. Cushman, Rev. E. K. Colby, S. 'J\ Dut-
ton, David P. Flood, Eli Grover, L. D. Foster, William
Hutchins, Benson Hawkins, Abner Jackson, John Johnson,
William W. KimbaH; George Kimball, Joseph Lovejoy, Jon-
athan Ryerson, Thomas Richardson, George W. Stevens,
Samuel Sumner, Joshua B. Stuart, G. E. Shattuck, Clark
P. True, Charles Thompson, John F. True, George Hum-
phrey, Henry B. Upton, William W. Virgin. Old settlei-s'
sons : John D. Seal, Josiah Danforth, George A. Frost, Jon-
athan S. Millett, 2d, Edwin Millett, Washiagton Noyes, Noah
Pike, Henry S. Small, Edwin Stetson, Ezra Shackley, Wil-
liam B. Upton;

Early in the morning of March 31, 1849j the store of
Moses A. Young was discovered to be on fire. The store waa
saved, but the goods (a small stock) were considerably injured
by fire, smoke, and water. The origin of the fire yet remaini
unknown.

160 HISTORY OP NORWAY.

On the 2l8t of June, this year, Uriah Holt, Esq., died.
His sickness was very shoii;, about four or five days ; his dis-
order was gravel, combined with other complaints. His family
felt their loss severely, as well as the neighborhood and town.
He had been in tovfn office much, from the time he came into
Norway, and was a very correct man in any business which
he undertook. I must be pardoned if I indulge my own feel-
ings a little in regard to his death. We had been associated
much in business fi*om 1811 up to the time of his death, and
many times on important affairs ; and, whether owing to his
disiKwition, or mine, or both, we never had the first word of
disagreement in any of our business. I was with him through
the most of his last sickness, and with a heavy heart performed
the last sad offices duo to an old friend. His wife, Hannah
Holt, who had been a youthful companion of my own wife,
previous to the marriage of either, died of consumption, Feb.
4th, 1885.

Almost everybody, in this vicinity, knows that old Uriah
Holt and old David Noyes have been practical surveyors for
many years ; and from thk circumstance, we were much to-
gether in such business. We have traversed the woods in
company through many wearisome days, and passed many
dreary nights in the forest, with no other bed than some hem-
lock or fir boughs, and no other shelter than the heavens,
except in rainy weather, when we used to erect a little camp,
covered with spruce bark, which we could build in a few min*
utes. At one time, in 1835, we were in the woods, and saw
no living person, except rtwo Indians, and our own assistants,
for sixty days ; tand if .those were not times to '^ try men's*
souls," they were to try their "stomachs," when the grub'
fell short ; and once, in particular, we had to pinch down to a.
small pittance, at only morning and night, for two days, and
on the third day ate nothing till afternoon. By that time wo
had excellent appetites, and the food tasted good without many
trimmings to make it relish.

HISTORY OP NORWAY, IGl

At the annual meeting on the 5tli of Marcli; 1849, the
town enacted, or, leather, passed a vote to adopt a code of by-
laws, in regaixl to a bowling-saloon, and ball-playing in tbe
street, and afterwards applied to the County Commissioners to
ratify, or sanction, said by-laws. By these by-laws, the game
of ball wna not allowed to be played in any street, or public
place, witliin ten rods of any house, store, or shop, nor, to be
thrown by any person, a snow-ball, brick-bat, stone, or other
thing liable to injure any person or property, under a penalty
of one dollar for each and every oflfence ; and no person al-
lowed to keep any place for playing at bowls, or other noisy
^amc, within half a mile of any dwelling-house, mecting-
liouse, or school-house, or within eighty rods of any public
highway, under a penalty of five dollars, and any person
playing at any such games in such places waa liable to a
penalty of two dollars. The Selectmen were clothed with
power iio appoint a police-officer, under the imposing title of
'* Inspector of Police," to carry out the provisions of said
by-laws.

The thing, like oAer new notions, caused some little excite-
ment among the boys and men, when the snow got off in the
spring, and they began to hunt up their balls ; and a notice
in the Village paper, warning persons not to visit particular
places, was rather hard speUing and reading for some ; but
liappily, the threatened little storm has mostly blown over,
and our atmosphere has nearly resumed its accustomod seren-
ity. The bowling-saloon still stands, just south of where
Benison's stable was burned, at the time of the calamitous
fire last fall ; and, wonderful to relate, the poor little thing
seems to stand as a monument of sparing mercy, for it must
have had a shower of fire over it during the conflagration.
It has been open but little since the fire.

A careful observaticm, at different times, and in different

places, will convince any reasonable person that severe i^estraint

is generally a weak preventative of common and civil recrea-

162 BISTORT 09 NORWAT.

tion among almost all classes of the community ; and tho
more stringent the law, the more strong the inclinatioato tasto
the "forbidden fruit." For "still, still man's heart will
draw the secret sigh for pleasures unenjoyed." Mankind are
80 constituted that something recreative and gratifying to the
sense, (or reason, if you please so tq call it,) in some shape
or other, will be sought for by every human being, while
physical and mental fiicultiea are capable of enjoyment. For,
as a great poet says —

** Behold the child, by nature's kindly law,
Pleaaud with a rattle, tickled with a straw.
Some livelier plaything gives bis youth delight,
A little louder, but as empty (juite.
Scarfs, garters, gold, amuse his riper stage.
And beads and prayer-books are the toys of age.
Pleased with thtt bauble still, as that before.
Till tired he sleeps, and life's poor play is o'er."

No individual lias a right to expect that the views and feelings
of all others should exactly coincide with his own ; therefore
it is not acting with candor to be too tenacious of our own
opinions and practice, or too illiberal and censorious in regard
to. the opinions and practice of others, who do not tally exactly
with us in all things. For ^^ whatsoever ye would that men
should do unto you, do y(^ even so unto them." And this is
tk Divine injunction, which all are bound to follow. Such
illiberal, censorious persons do not seem to. be very deeply
imbued witk the spirit of our Heavenly Father ; for "He
maketh his sun to shine on the evil and on the good, and
sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust."

Now, to further illustrate the bearing and effects of tho
illiberal, overbearing, down-treading feelings and views mani-
fested by a certain portion of mankind in regard to the feelings
and views of other portions of the human family, the writer
will relate a little anecdote of an affair which once took place

in the town of . In the dining-hall of % fashionable

hotel, a splendid table was. spread, for regaling the appetites

UISTORY OF NORWAY. 1G3

of tlio numerous guests ; — there was one dish, in particular,
containing a rare and choice delicaey. A certain gentleman,
who counted himself as one of the '' upper ten," after carving
up this choice dish, took the pepper, and gave the whole a
most liberal sprinkling, observing, at the same time, '' Gen-
tlemen, I suppose you all like pepper ; I am very fond of it
myself" A little French gentleman, though not at all lacking
in good manners, and good breeding, but wishing to impress a
useful lesson upon the mind of this assuming gentleman,
thereupon drew from his pocket a capacious snuff-box, and
gave the same delicate dish a thorough sprinkling of good old
maccaboy, and says, " Gentlemen, I suppose you are all fond
of snuff; I like it very much myself." You can easily judge
what were the feelings of the disappointed guests, in conse-
iqucnce of this improper assumption by one of their number,
thus to endeavor to prepare the wbole dish to suit his own
particular palate, without regard to the tastes of others.

The effects are about the same where one, or a few, set out
to regulate and restrain decent and common amusements in
the community. For we all very well know that one likes to
fiddle, another to dance, another to sing, another to thump
the piano, another to play ball, another cards, dice, or back-
gammon, another seeks amusement in the bowling-saloon,
some drive fast horses and crack elegant whips, some fish,
some hunt, others read frivolous, and even obscene tales and
novels, while others choose useful and instructive books and
periodicals, &c., &;c. Now all these tilings, although not
productive of any positive good, are nevertheless better than
worse, and more corrupting amusements ; and if there ai*e
any who prefer no amusement at all, it is nobody's business ;
and they, like all othera, ought to have the privilege of self-
gratification (avoiding all excess) in their own way, provided
they do not infringe on the rights and enjoyments of othci'S.
Shis, is a wide world — wide enough for all to get along pretty

164 HISTORY OP NORWAY,

comfortably, proyided each one 'will avoid miming against
Ilia neighbor.

, << In faith and hope the world will disagree,

But all mankind's concern is charity."

It haa, of late years, become very fashionable for many,
especially from crowded cities, to make excursions into yarious
A of the coantry-sometimes on business, sometimes for
pleasure, and occasionally for both — and they often wish to
stop for a few days, or a few weeks, for the purpose of relax-
ation from business, and to enjoy the social amusements of
the place ; to yiew the beauties of lakes, ponds and riyers,
of mountain, hill, dale, &;c. We think our town, and Vil-
lage, by due attention to the wishes and wants of visitors, may
be made a ycry attractive and agreeable stopping-place for
such persons ; and who, among our citizens, can indulge in
any other feelings than a desire for the up-building and pros-
perity of the place. We need not caution strangers, and
others, not to visit us, or particular places in our town. It
savors rather too strongly of the old Connecticut " blue-laws "
for this enlightened age.

Such persons as delight in rural sights and sounds, whether
strangers or residents, I would invite to take a ramble up the
side of the " Pike Hill," and seat themselves, on a summer
forenoon, under some refreshing shade, ayd listen to the con-
tinual hum of business and pleasure proceeding from the busy
multitude below, and around*. Hark ! hear the busy clip,
clip, clip, clip, of the saw-mill, the buzz of circular saws,
turning-lathes, &c., the monotonous rumble of the grist-mill,
in its various departments, the click of tlie mason's trowel,
attended with the well-known cry of " mort, more mort," the
clipping and hammering of stone by the stone-cutters, the
lively clap of the joiner's hammer, the heavy thump of the
carpenter's mallet, the clink of' the blacksmith, (not forging
fetters for serfs and slaves, but agiicultural implements for a

niSTOKY OF NORWAY. 1G5

frcc yeomanry, who ivo nH be fettered,) and, in short, almost
every sound attendant on the prosecution of almost every
mechanical business ; all intermingled with the rattling of
carriages, from a gig to a six-horso coach, or wagon, and oc-
casionally the loud, rough voice of the teamster to his oxen,

" Wliile down ihe rough slopo Iho ponderous wagon lings,"

heavily loaded with rough gi*anite for the foundations of nu-
merous buildings in progress of erection ; intci-spersed witli
all these, occasionally you will hear the sweet notes of the
piano, and other musiail instruments ; nnd the noise also of

** The playful children juat let loose from school ; "

the tinkle of the tea, dinner, school, and factory-bell, and the
beautifully toned church-bell ; and to crown the whole, some-
times, (when they used to roll) the low rumble of the famous
bowling-saloon, which serves as a fine thorough-bass to the
varied concert. And now let mo ask, who, among the lovcrn
of iniral scenery, but must bo delighted with such enchanting
sights Of id sounds ?

The writer is no advocate for the bowling-saloon, or any
other vain amusement, when carried to the least excess ; ho
never rolled a ball in the saloon, and hardly in any other
place ; but think.s we all ought to live and conduct in such a
manner, that, when we are young, wo may consider that w<i
matj one day be old ; and when wo arc old, we ought also to
consider that we have once been young.

We have in this town very many persons, of both scxc»,
possessing great intellectual and physical powers, exercising
their minds, or bodies, or both, in laudable and useful em-
ployments ; and some few idlers, loafoi*s, and gossips, (would
to God we had less) which seems to bo the common lot of
almost all places, of any note, or business. But perhaps it
would be well for those who are so anxious to root out one

166 HISTORT OF KORWAT.

particular evil, to remembor the parable of the tares and tbe
"wheat, and to act with candor and moderation, '^ lest while ye
gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.-'
Por the command to the servants was, to ^' let both grow to-
gether until the harvest ; and in the time of harvest, I will
say to the reapers, gather ye together first the tares, and bind
them in bundles to bum them ; but gather the wheat into my
barn." But a word of candid advice to the lovers of pleasure
and amusements I know will be received with good feelings ;
and 'that advice is, to be '^ temperate in all things."

Town officers for 1850 : Simon Stevens, Clerk ; Ebenezcr
0. Shackley, Treasurer; Mark P. Smith, William Hall,
Ichabod Bartlett, Selectmen; Jonathan Blake, Collector.
E. B. Ilolmcs, Oxford, llepresentative.

Valuation, $200,594. Number of polls 400 ; number of
scholar 770 ; whole number of inha1)itants, 1)y census, 10G2.

Highway tax, |1531),54.

State tax, - - - - $ 652,44

County tax, - - - - 481,03

Schools, . - . . 750,00

Poor, roads, and town charges, - 1500,00

verlayings, delinquency highway, supplement, 118,42

Total money tax, - - - $3451,89

Kew immigrants: Hii*am E. Abbott, Francis Bennett,
Thomas F. Barton, George W. Crockett, Bethael F. Drake,
Mark H. Dunnell, Isaac A. Denison, George Eveleth, Ste-
phen Fuller, William Getchell, Oliver Goddard, Ezra Jewell,
George W. Johnson, Peter Kimball, Otis F. Mixer, Charles
Mallctt, John H. Moore, George II. Merrill, Ausburn Mer-
rill, William P. Merrill, Jackson Pillsbury, Charles Pike,
William A. Parsons,' S. J. Seavey, Zephaniah Starbird, James
Stanley, George W. Sholes, Franklin Sargent, Samuel Vance,
Frederick L. Young. Old settlers' sons : Erastus G. Brad-
bury, Franklin P. Bolster, Osgood N. Bradbury, Sewall
Crockett, Grovcsnor Crockett, Joseph A. Danforth, Albert

HISTORY OF NORWAY. 167

(janimon, Elijah Ilobbs, Benjamin G. Holt, Jeremiah Hall,
pd, Hanson Lord, David F. Noyes, Aaron Noble, John
Smith, Calvin Shed.

In December, this year, the grist-mill at the head of the
Village was burnt. It is supposed the fire took from a defect
in the stove-funnel. The fire occurred in the night, and the
destruction of the building, with all its cotaitents, was com-
plete, OS little was saved fix)m the devouring element. The
mill was large aiid commodious ; it had four run of stones,
two bolts, a cleanser, and corn-cracker ; and much inconve-
nience was experienced by the town until another was built.
The establishment was owned, by a wealthy company, viz :
Levi Whitman, Ezra F. Seal, Ebenezer Hobbs, Nathaniel
Bennett, and John B. Brown, of Portland, and waa built new
some fifteen years ago. Owing to their pecuniary circum-
stances, the distress of the ownei^s was not so great as often
follows the burning of a poor man's buildings. In 1851, the
Company rebuilt the mill in a very substantiai manner, and
have calculated a jmrt of it for the manufacture of superfine
flour, equal to the choicest fancy brands. They have, during
the winter of 1861-2, purchased western wheat, from which
they make very nice flour, said to be equal to tSbe best.

Town officers for 1851 : Simon Stevens, Clerk ; Ebenezer
C. Shackley, Treasurer; Ichabod Bartlett, William Hall,'
Ansel Town, Selectmen; Jacob Bradbury, Collector. Lee
Mixer, lloprcscntativo.

Valuation, $211,812. Number of polls 484 ; number of
scholars 800.

Highway tax, $2110,00.

State tax, - - ^ - I 656,G4

County tax, - . . . 404,72

Schools, .... 950,00

Poor, and other town charges, - 1000,00

Overlayings, ... 64,04

Total money tax, x ^ . $8075,40

168 mSTORT OV ROBWAT.

New immigrants : Hecekiah B. Bisbee, Ephraim Bean,
Ilaney Blake, Smith Bartlett, 0. B. Coffin,* Job B. Crooker,
Isaac Copps, Edwin Cummings, Benjamin Cobb, Asa Green,
William Ureen, Ricbard Ilammett, Dr. Jesse Ilowe, Enoch
Holt, George Jackson, J. H. Kemp, Josiah P. Loyejojr, G.
W. Mann, William D. Merrill, Aaron D. Mussey, Josiah
Monroe, R J. Pillsbory, Isaiah Penley, Melvin Pool, William
T* Raymond, Calvin Richardson, Levi D. Steams^ Rev. H. W.
Strong, Jonas Stevens, Rev. J. L. Stevens, Michael Welch,
Thomas Molzcard* Old settlers' sons : William Cushman,
Ansel II. Cushman, James Crockett, 2d, James S. Crockett,
Amos French, Jeremiah Foster, 2d, Cyrus S. Cobb, Timothy
Gorham, Benjamin F. Hall, William C. Hobbs, George A.
•Noyes, John W. Pingrce, Jr., Albert Small, Jonathan M.
Shed, Isaac N. Small, Jacob Tubbs, Rollin Town, Alanson
B. Watson, John II. Witt.

In March, this year, Joel Parkhurst, while sawing shingles,
received a severe wound on his left hand from the circular
saw. The tpdon, or cord, attached to the third finger, was
cut entirely off, and the finger rendered powerless ; one end
of the cord protruding from the wound, it was removed with
scissors. His hand was so injured that many thought it would
never again be fit for active use ; but it has been in a great
measure restored by pcrscveriiig in the "cold-water-cure"
treatment ; even when most inflamed and painful, no dressing
but water was applied, and that always with comforting efiect.
In 1880, the same hand was severely wounded by a premature
explosion, while Mr. parkhurst was engaged blasting rocks^
and it has suifercd injuries from roacliinory several times ;
yet, though not so convenient as an unmaimed hand, it is in
tolerable repair, and serves quite well its owner, who is thankful
it has so well endured the various accidents.

This year, on the night of the 22d of Sept., (or the early
morning of the 23d,) a great calamity, by fire, befel tlio
Village, the sad effects of which are felt by the whole tov^n.

IIISTOUt OF NORTf AT. . 169

The firo was first discovered in tlio stable of Anthony Bennett,
'who kept the Railroad House, about midnight. The flames
spread so rapidly, that Mr. Bennett saved but a small part of
the contents of the house, as it was large, and contained much
furniture of various kinds. The conflagration spread from
building to building, until eighteen, of all kinds, were burnt,
and one, a wood-house of Mi*s. Young, was pulled down to
stop the fire. The following persons were the sufierers :
Joseph Shackley lost his house, barn, and two sheds ; A. C»
Denison a very large store, stable, and shed ; an extensive
stock of goods of almost every description was in the store,
owned by Isaac A. Denison and Joseph A. Kendall, who oc-
cupied the building ; Anthony Bennett lost house, stable, a
large wood and carriage shed, five valuable horses, one cow,
one hog, harnesses and carriages ; part of the horses were
owned by other persons ; Benjamin Tucker, • Jr., lost house,
barn, and two large sheds, with a quantity of hay and gmin,
can*iages, harnesses, &c. ; Henry Rust, Esq., a very large,
well-finished house, and three largo outbuildings for necessaiy
uses. There probably was more stuff saved from the last-
named houses than from Mr. Bennett's, as there was moro
time for removing the goods. This w;as a sad blow to the
Village, and even to the whole toAvn, and tenfold more so to
the owners. It seemed to almost paralyze all Iwsiness for a
while, and it will require a long lapse of time to fully recover
from the shock. The origin of this fire is still shrouded in
mystery ; but scarcely a doubt rests on the mind of any one
but that it was the work of an incendiary. One individual,
yea, two, were arrested, and examined before a magistrate
touching the matter, but, the evidence not being very positive,
were discharged ; still, public opinion awards a vcrdici of
guilty, on some person ; but that is not legal proof Buty an
all-wise Providence, perhaps, will not let justice slumber al-
ways ; but will yet visit the atrocious wickedness of this deed
upon the head of the guilty one.

170 HISTOBY OF NOBWAY.

On the niglit of the 28th of December a horrible affair
took place near the middle of this town. A number of yonng
men met for the purpose of ^^ serenading " a party yrho had
been recently married. In the midst of the performance,
some one in the house discharged a gun, loaded with shot and
peas, at the crowd. The charge principally took effect upon
the person of a young man named Foster, a son of Capt. Jer-
emiah Foster, injuring him severely, and it was at the time
jfoai^ed fatally. lie received from twenty to tliirty shot and
peas in his face and neck, otie of which lodged in one of his
.eyes, destroying it entirely ; several took effect in one of his
liands, breaking the bones, and otherwise injuring it. It is
reported that some others were struck by the scattering shot,
but not severely injured. The horrible transactioil has been,
and is still to come under a judicial investigation. The young
man has pretty much recovered from his wounds, but with the
complete loss of his injured eye. Much excitement existed
at the time, especially against the individual who was supposed
to have fired the gun. This " serenading " is not very com-
mendable, but yet it is one of the fashionable follies of the
present day ;. and a persch of common sense and humane
feelings can plead no excuse for so wanton and wicked an act
as firing ;nto an indiscriminate crowd of men and boys.
,. Town officers tot 1852 : Wm. Wirt Virgin, Clerk ; Ebenezer
0. Shackley, Treasurer; Simon Stevens, Simeon Noble, Lee
Mixer, Selectmen; Jonathan Blake, Collector. Asa Dan-
forth, . Representative.

, Ya-luation, $208,88T* Number of polls 406 ; number of
scholars 797 ; voters in March 478 — in September 508,

Highway tax, as voted by the town, $2200,00.

State tax, - - - . - $ 656,66

County tax, - - - - 622,85

Schools, - - - - 950,00

Poor, and town charges, - - 1000,00

Extra road moneys - . - 200,00

Total money tax, - - - $8829,01

mSTORY 01? NORWAY. 171

New immigrants : E. W. CoUis, Jolin Dealy, Edgar Emery,
Benjamin B. Francis, Samuel Gibson, John G. Kimball,
Joseph F. Herrick, John J. Hayden, Henry Houghton, Charles
Jackson, Ezekicl Jackson, Elijah G. Knight, James Lyndes,
Joseph M. Little, John McGee, Alexander H. Muzzey, Isaac
Merrill, Francis W. Mallett, Stuart H. Noble, James L^
Paine, Thomas Plummer, George L. Plummer, Charles A.
Radford, £. Bobinson, John W. Baymond, Erostus Bichard-
son, Franklin Sargent, W. H. Stillson, George Titcomb,
Marshal Warren, Charles Wolcot, Ephraim F. Wood, Solo-
mon N. Cloudman, Horace P. McAllister. Old settlers' sons :
Joseph BuUen, William B. Danforth, William Frost, 4th,
Elijah H. Hobbs, Darius M. Holt, Aurelius C. Noble, Ben-
jamin G» Holt, Benjamin Tucker, 8d, Amos Hi Needham,
Henry A. Bradbury, Servilla A. Bennett, Charles H« Evans,
Wilson Hill, Jr., Simon Stevens, 2d, Daniel Herring,
George W. Millett, Edward Morse, Joshua B. Crockett,
Charles F» Parkhurst. • i

On the 11th day of May, this year, Daniel H. Witt, a son
6(f Benjamin Witt, and grandson of Benjamin Witt, the old
settlor, was suddenly killed on the railroad ; ho lived one
hour and ten minutes after being run over. He was employed
as fireman on an engine.

The following persons, in Norwayj hold commissions as
Justices of the Peace, and of the Quorum, viz :

Justices Peace and Quorum — Moses B. Bartlett, Levi
Whitman, Samuel Cobb, Samuel Gibson,* William E. Good-
now, David Noyes, Jonathan B. Smith, Jonathan Swift, Wm.
Wirt Virgin. Justices Peace — ^William Foster, David F.
Frost, Simeon Noble.

There have, since the first settlement of this town, been
many difibreut individuals who have engaged in trade, and

have prosecuted that business for a long or short time, as

•

*Saiiiuul Gibson formerly resided in Denmark, ond is Sheriff of tlie
County of Oxford. Asa Tlinyer is Deputy Sheriff nt tliis time.

172 HISTORY 0? NORWAY.

suited their interest or inclination, with varioos success. I
here give the names of sucl^ as can be recollected, without
pretending to ^ye dates as to the time when, or how ^'^^S •
James Kettle, William Beed, William Hobbs, Joshua Smithy
Daniel Smith, William Cox, Increase Hobinson, Allan Bart-
lett, Jacob French, Jeremiah Mitchell, Edward Mitchell,
Aaron Wilkins, William Pingree, Jonathan Swift, Ansel
Field, Job E. Stevens, John B. Ford, Samuel Dunn, Jona-
than Stevens, Asa Barton, Emery Livermore, George J.
Ordway, Stephen Gumming^, Ichabod Bartlett, Lemuel Bart-
lett, Anthony Bennett, David Smith, Jonathan B. Smith,
Lee Mixer, Samuel Houghton, John Tucker, Stephen Green-
leaf, Jr., William E. Goodnow, William Frost, 8d, William
Hayes, Otis True, Josephus Harris, Cyrus Thayer, Daniel
Hubbard, Jotham Goodnow, James N. Hall, Moses G. Dow,
David B. Holdon, Mosos A. Young, Bailey Bodwoll, Ezra
Jewell, James Crockett, Henry L. Crockett, Ebenezer C*
Shackley, Samuel Favor, Adna C. Denison, ClarkP. True,
Elhanan W. ' Fyler, Isaac A. Dehison, Joseph A. Kendall,
Fi*anklin Manning, Jeremiah Howe, Edwin W. Howe, Charles
P. Kimball, M. L. Burr, Charles Tubbs, Orin Tubbs, Nathan
Noble, 'William Hor,- Newton Swift, David Crockett, Elijah
R. Merrill, Henry Upton, James H. Merrill, William Foster,
James French, Jr:, George Frusnch, Asa Noyes, Joseph Ben-
nett, William Buck, William Howe, Kendall Deering, Henry
Hemghton, Francis H.Whitman, George A. Frost, George
W. Knightj Charl9S Penley, James Tubbs, David N. Cushman.
' In addition to this long list, a large number of females have
kept milliner's shops, for furnishing articles in the female
department.

Among this multiplicity of traders are many who, in their
day, did a thriving business, and many more who did not lay
out to do but little. Some continued in business many years'^
and others but a short time. Some got rich, and others prob-
ably did not ; but it takes everybody to do everything, and

UISTOIiy Ol^" KOIWAY. 178

men Tvill generally do ^rhat ibej like best if they can. The
method and character of trade has undergone great changes
since the early settlements in this town. Formerly it was
very difficult to sell any articles of produce for cash ; hence
the farmer was under the necessity of carrying much of his
surplus produce to Portland in order to get a little money ;
and then it was quite a trick to get much, say one-half money^
at best, for. good staple articles. But at the present day^
good staple articles will command cash, if required, at home,
and but few farmers carry their surplus produce to Portland
themselves. And we do sincerely hope that the town will
always be blessed with good, fair, honest traders, rich enough
and willing to pay the hard-laboring fiumers cash when they
need it. >

I will here mention, though a little out of place, that Ste-
phen Greenleaf, senior, was the first cabinet-maker in Norway
Yilkge, and in early times was considered a fine workman.
He has performed the duty of sexton in the Village for many
yeai*s ; . but is now vergmg toward the grave himself, as he is
quite aged.

Gentle reader, I have led you along, year by yeaT) marking
out the way through piles of old documents, and new scraps
of memoranda collected with much labor, and have consulted
both the living and the dead (as I have sometimes visited the
grave-yard to procure dates of certain matters) to enable me
to point out things in their true light and under proper dates ;
and now I shall*proceed to show the piresent situation of things
'^ about town," that you may be able to make a fair compari-
son between the situation of the place in 1786, and in 1862,
comprising a space of 66 years. The great and principal
business of the town is agriculture, although there is much
meclianical and other business done at the present day, and
for that matter, always has been, since its first settlement.
There are now fourteen school-houses, and the same number

174 HISTORT OF NORWAT.

of Bchool-diatricts, containing eight hundred scholars, and one
academy, of which I shall speak hereafter. At the first-
named period, this town was a howling wilderness— one
unbroken forest, destitute of the first mark of civilization :
now, few towns caa boast of fiedrer fields, or a more pleasant,
thriving Village. In regard to the business done in the town,
besides that of farming, (which is the basis of all other busi-
ness,) I will commence with affitirs at the Steep Falls.

The stream which furnishes the water-power is the outlet
of the great Pennessewassee pond, and the whole M\ is about
sixty-five feet, within a distance of twenty rods, or less. The
upper privilege is occupied by the paper-mill of Dr. Asa
Panforth ; . it is built on the most improved plan, and does a
good business. This establishment uses up 100 tons of ragd,
175 cords of wood, 150 casks of lime, 12 casks chloride of
lime, 960 pounds oil of vitriol, and turns out $15,000 worth
of paper annually. Three men and three girls are employed^
George W. Seavoms foreman and superintendent This is a
very fine privilege for the paper-making business, on account
of the clearness and softness of the water, which fiur surpasses
many other privileges improved, for like purposes. The mill
was put in opeiration in Jan.; 1848, and the paper manufiic^
tured in it has already established a high reputation.
^' On the next fall is a shingle-machine, and an ^ngine-Iatho,
•owned by Jod Parkhurst, who saws 200 thousand of shingles
per year, and sometimes more, besides other business.

On the lower fall is A. 0. Denison's saw-mill, which cuta
out about 600 thousand of lumber per year. J. B. Orooker
foreman.

On the lower fall, also, opposite the saw-mill, is Brown &
Co.'s iron-foundery, in which i^e numu&ctured, largely,
stoves, fire-frames, ash, oven, and boiler-mouths, agricultural
implements, wheel-hubs, and almost anything else made in.
such establishments, besides a large business in the manufac-
ture of butt-binges, latcheS; &c. ; they have two engine-lathes.

HISTORY OP NORWAY* 175

and are prepared to execute almost any work in wood or iron,
that is called for ; there are used 150 tons of iron, and 50
tons of coal per year. Connected with this establishment, is
a shop for working tin and sheet-iron, and a large store of
goods of almost all kinds, which are sold to the amount of
$25,000 per year, exclusive of their castings. J. B. Brown,
of Portland) principal, or sole owner; Franklin Manning,
superintendent. Works started in 1847, and yearly increasing.

A new store has been opened near Brown & Co.'s by Henry
Houghton, within the past year, not long enough since to. de^
termine, with much accuracy, the amount of business ; but
probably about $6000 to $8000 per year. .

Adna 0. Denison came from Vermont to Norway in 1842,
and commenced trade in the store of J. B. Brown, at the
Steep Falls, (the same store now occupied by Brown & Go.,)
and in a short time did a great business for a country store.
He carried on trade on a different scalb from what had previ-
ously been customary in this section of the country : he bought
almost every commodity offered, which could bo considered t
proper article of traffic, and for staple articles paid cash, if
required ; in this way ho soon drew around him a large amount
of business. He remained at the Falb about four years, and.
then moved his quarters to near the center of the Village ^
soon after) he purchased Uie stand next door east of Bennett'^
tavern, where ho made largo additions, to the building, and
•erected a stable and other things necessary for his large bu&i^
ness; his trade amounted to about $50,Q00 per year. This
trade was under the name of Denison Sb. True ; afterwards^
Denison, True k Kendall ; ai^d at the time of the destructive
fire, his brother, Isaac A. Denison, and Joseph A. Kendall,
occupied the store, and w^e, with others, great sufferers.
Isaac Ai Denison and JosepBi A. KendaH have resumed trader
«ince the fire, and now occupy the store neax the center bridge ;
they are doing a good bidsiness, probably at the rate of $30,*-
000 per year ; and it is; hoped that the trading community

176 HISTORY OF NOEWAT.

will not be uninindful of them, as a good run of custom would
do much to moke them forget their heavy loss. : ,

Jeremiah and Edwin W. Howe are carrying on trade in tho
brick store near the center of tho Village, built in 1880, and
«rst occupied by Emery Livermore. Jeremiah Howe com-
menced trade in this store in July, 1885, and lias continued
since in the same building. His brother, E, W. Howe, is
now a partner in the business ; their trade, amounts to some-
thing like $20,000 per year. Pretty good business for tlie
old mail-carrier's descendants. They ore grandsons of Jacob
Howe, who carried the first mail through Norway, and used
to sound his tin horn, as he approached die post-office, and
neighborhoods where any one took the old '^ Portland (jazette,''
or '^ Eastern Argus ; " and even these papers^ at that day,
were only in their swaddling-clothes, compared with tho pres-
ent time.

. James H. Merrill carries on timle in a store built, a few
years since, by Oeorge J. Ordway ; he deals in English and
West India goods, and readynmade clothing ; does a pretty
good business, amounting, probably, to about $8000 or $10,-
000 per year, . ,

Ebenezer 0. Shackley toid Samuel Favor trade near the
head of the .Yillt^e ; they keep a good assortment of articles
of almost all Icinds, and do a thriving business, probably about
$10,000 or $15,000 per year; among their stock is a good
iissortment of joiner's tools and hardware.
, James Crockett trades at , the head of the Village, and has
traded there for miany years ; . he never l^ept a large stock of
goods, but does a steady, snug little business, and probably
makes as good a living as any of them. He is the town agent
for selling spirituous liquors for medicinal and mechanical
purposes! He has long been licensed as a retailer, and is as
careful and discreet^ in selling the article as the most fastidious
could wish. When his father, Joshua Crockett, moved into
the place, he was a small boy, .and has seen the town grow up

HISTORY OF NORWAY, 177

to its present state. In 1817, he was ehosen Constable and
Collector of taxes, and since that time has collected the taxes
of the town twenty-three years, and been Constable ever
since, and Coroner for many years, also ; and when the taxes
were collected, the money was always put in the right place^
and that is saying considerable.

The tanning business is carried on largely in the Village
by Mark P. Smith. He commenced in 1841 with fifteen
pits, and has been making additions to his buildings and pits
erer since ; and at the present time has fifty-six pits. He
takes in 400 slaughter hides yearly, and tans at least .1700
hides and 400 calf-skins annually ; he uses 200 cords of barkj
and l|200 worth of oil and tallow in finishing his leather.

Ebenezer Hobbs, the' third child bom in Rustfield,has car-
ried on the blacksmith and plow business for many years ; he
makes from 50 to 150 plows annually ; and from 1820 up to
1842, when the old-fashioned plows were used, he made many
more than that number. He has done a large business in
ironing carriages and sleighs ; for several years he has had a
small foundery, and does his own castings ; and the probability
is, that he has hammered out on his anvil, and cast in his
foundery, a good many hard dollars — ^and he has worked hard
to get them.

While speaking of plows, I will give the history of the first
one evei* made, or used, in the place ; and that plow was con-^
Btructcd for Mr. Dudley Pike. In the spring of 1790,
Anthony and Nathaniel Bennett came up from New Glouces-
ter to look out land, in order to purchase and settle on the
same, and went to Dudley Pike's to stay over night, on their
arrival in Bustfield. After exploring and selecting their lots,
they retuiiied to the same hospitable cabin for another night's
lodging before returning homo. Mr. Pike happened to have
a set of old plow-irons, and they tarried another day with
their host, and made a plow for him, which was a very valu-
able acquisition to bis new farm, and probably did not come

1T8 HISTOET 07 KORWAT.

aiDiBB to hia few neighbors. And posterity may set it Jlown,
that Capt Anthony, and Lieut Nathaniel Bennett, were the^
builders of the first plow in Norway.

Horatio G. Colo cards wool and dresses cloth. He came
to Norway in 1820, and tended a carding-machine a few years
for Nathaniel Bennett, near the grist-mill ; he then bought
the nmchine, and afterwards purchased the priYi]^ where
Bailey Bodwell first erected clothier's works, and since has
carried on both branches ; thus ho has had a very good chance
to "puU the wool over the eyes" of the whole town. He
cards, or has carded, from 15,000 to 20,000 pouiftds of wool
annually ; but carding and cloth-dressing are not so fiishion-
able as they were thirty years ago. Then you could hear the
tnusio of the spinning-wheel and loom in almost every house,
and men and women, boys and girls, wero clad in home-spun
and home-dressed gaimonts.

We have a few mqn to cut up leather after Mark P. Smith
tans it. Solomon S^ Hall manufactures 600, or more, pairs,
of boots and shoes annually. Lee' Mixer has done a large,
business in the shoe line, probably to the amount of $4000
per year. , Hawkins k Stearns do about $2500 per year.
Many others in different parts of the town do much custom
work, and use a large quantity of leather. Benjamin Tuck-
er, Jr., aUo helps off the leather ; he works at the harness-
making and carriage-trimming business, to the amount ot
||500, annually.

Thomas H. Eelley, a tailor, cuts up Cole's cloth, and that
of everybody else, which comes in his way. The amount of
work done in his shop probably amounts to $2000, or more,
annually. He makes goad ^/*— otherwise he would do
miich less.

An apothecary store i& kept by Robert Noyes in the old
store first built by William Beed ; but the building has a large
addition to its former size, and is fitted up in good styles
Amount of drugs and rnqdicinea sold annually, f 10Q0« JxK

niSTORT OF NORWAY. 179

the samo building is a bookstore and bindery, managed by
Bobert Noyes and George L. Beal ; amount of business about;
$1000 annually.

Bulpit & Barnard, formerly of Boston, carry on a large
business, for a country place, in the cabinet and furniture
maimfacture. They have very nice machinery for doing much
of the labor, and can probably sell furniture cheaper, for the
quality, than any other concern of the kind in this section of
the country. They turn out about $15^000 worth annually.

The mills at the head of the Village, owned by the com-t
pany before spoken of, do a good business ; the grist-mill
grinds from ten to sixteen thousand bushels per year, and.
sometimes more ; and the saw-mill cuts out frou^ two to three
hundred thousand of lumber per year^ There are four other
saw-mills in the town besides those at the YiUage and the
Falls, viz : Col. John Millett's, on the outlet of North pond^
which cuts out from one hundred to ojie hundred and fi{ty
thousand annually ; Holden's piill, on Crooked river, which
saws from two hundred to eight or tet^ hundred thousand per
year, with a shingle-machine which iganufactures from two
hundred to six or eight hundred thous&nd of shingles annu--
ally. Another saw-mill and shingle-Qiachine stands on the
Upton brook, and does, considerable business-^-i-amount un-^
known to the writer. The latter mill, ns previously stated,,
has been three times destroyed by fire, and Holden's mill
once burnt. Jonathan Swift, Esq., has a grist-mill and a
shingle-machine near the old Upton privilege, which do somo
business, but the stream being small, does not afford a suffi-^
cient supply of water in dry times. Capt. Richard Lombard
has a saw-mill on the Everett brook, and cuts a large quantity
of lumber each spring.

^ In 1847, Charles P. Kimball came into l^Torway Village,
and commenced the sleigh and carriage-making business. At
first he had from two to four hands, employed in his shop, and
\g4i W? iron-work done in other shopp ; but his work, proving;

180 HISTORY OF NORWAY.

quite satisfactory to purchasers, he gradually increased his
help from six to fifteen, or more, hands. In the spring of
1850, he purchased a water-privilege near Mr; Colo's works,
and erected a largo shop, 100 feet by 82, and thl'oo stories
liigh ; the lower story is built of split stone, and used for the
blacksmith shop, where he has all his sleighs and carriages
ironed under his own direction ; the nyichinery of the estab-
lishment probably cost more than $2000. He now employs
about forty hands in all departments of his business, that is,
on the wood-work, ironing, painting, and trimming. He uses
a large amount of lumber, iron, coal, leather, paints, oil, and
varnish, and sells more than one hundred wheel carriages, and
two or three times that number of sleighs ; besides doing a
great deal of small jobbing and repairing. His carriages and
sleighs go into almost every part of the State, and many into
New Hampsliire and Massachusetts. He has recently estab-
lished a depository for his carriages in Portland, and has a
salesman to sell the same as opportunity shall offer. Last
year he purchased the old stand where William Cox formerly
traded and lived, and has almost built the store anew, and fit-
ted it up in a handsome style for the purpose of trade ; and
a large quantity of articles are wanted by the men in his
employ, and by other people, who can as well trade with him
as with any odier person, provided he sells ai*ticles as good
and as cheap as others. The old Cox house, it wiU be recol-
lected, was the first two-story building erected in the Village,
and was occupied by Mr. Cox from 1808 to 1843. While
trading here, he sold a great amount of goods, and accumu-
lated a decent property, besides bringing up a large family of
children ; he now sleeps in the silent tomb.

Perhaps the reader will wonder what so many folks in the
Village live on; I will just tell what helps them some about
living. Maj. Henry W. Millett kills and cuts up from 120
to 160 head of beef cattle, 40 or 60 round hogs, 3 60 veal
calves, and from 600 to 1000 sheep and lambs annually, and

lUSTOllY OP NORWAY. 181

Icccps his mcat^carriago running sufficiently to supply the
needy and destitute. And neai* Maj. Millett lives Josiali
Munroe, a baker, who bakes up the good, little and great
cakeS) which the children love dearly — even the "children
of lai'ger gi-owth." He uses from eight to ten baiTcls of
Hour ])or week, and sometimes more.

There are a number of blacksmiths in the town, sevei*al of
whom are in the Village : E. G. Allen, Amos T. Mui'phy,
llosea B. Bisbee, Joshua B. Stuart, Sumner Hale, William
Hayes, Dudley Woodbridge, P^ D. Judkius. Amos T. Mur^
phy now OAvns the same anviL and bellows used by tho
first blacksmith in town, Benjamin Witt. The bellows has
been ncAvly Icatliered several times, but tho anvil is a hard-
faced old fellow, and stands the blows well yet

There are three watch-menders and jewelers near the cen-
tral part of the Village, viz : Simeon Walton, old, honest,
and experienced — he also rings the bell, and is always very
exact about tho time ; 0. B. Coffin works in the same shop
willi Mr. Walton; and William M. Oushman, whoso sign is
near tho apothecary store.

Then, for gentlemen^s convenience, there is a barber, Jon-
athan Blake, who shaves and tonsures in genteel style ; and
ill a part of his shop sella confectionary, fruit, nuts, &c.,
making a pretty little business of the whole concern.

Loron H. Wrisley manufactures rifles, fowling-pieces, pis-
tols, and many other things in his line ; and all work goes
out of his hands in a highly-finished style.

Jeremiah Hobbs, C. W. Hobbs, and Alanson B. Watson,
make pumps and lay aqueducts.

Thomas Higgins has an establishment at the head of the
Village for working tin and sheet-iron.

In short, we liavo mechanics and workmen that can furnish
almost any ai'ticlc, from a tin whistle to an omnibus, and oven
to a book, as this book is entirely of home-manufacture. The
materials for the work, had their origin in Norway ; the TUTiter,

18S HISTORT Of KORWAT.

the paper-maker, the printer, and the book-bindersi are all of
Norway ; and we earnestly hope to find a corresponding lib-
(Btal patronage in the old town of Norway.

E. P. Fitss must not be overlooked among the other nseful
members of our little community ; he is a glazier, painter,
and paper-hanger of the first order ; his graining on inside
finishing looks rich and beautiful, and he likes to be called on
in his business line.

The town is well supplied with carpenters and house-join-
ers ; the following are in and about the Village : Enoch L«
Knight, Granville L. Reed, Richard Evans, J. A. Stnall,
Lorenzo Hathaway, James S« Greenleaf, Stephen Greenleaf^
Jr., Ansel Dinsmore, George Jackson, John Deering, Amos
Ordway, George W. Sholes, Ephraim II. Bi*own, Otis P«
Mixer, and George W. Mann, sash, door, and blind-maker ;
in other parts of the town are. Col. Amos E. Noyes, Henry
Small, Isaac N. Small, Samuel B. Gumey, Capt. J. Whit-'
marsh, Clark Knight, Lemuel Lovejoy, Thomas Lovejoy/
Capt. Cephas Sampson, Theodore L. Lassell, Eben Marston^
and some others who do common work when necessary.

I have said much about ornamental things, but just now
peimit me to refer to one very useful and profitable affiiir ;
that is, Jonathan B. Smith's nursery of fruit trees. He has
several acres covered with fruit trees, mostly of the apple
kind, and probably has of all kinds nearly, or quite, half a
million ; they are mostly budded or engrafted, of all ages and
sizes, from the little pips of one year old, up to a handsomo
size for transplanting, and of the best standard kinds of fruit.
He has raised them on purpose to sell ; and now, gentlemen
farmers, don't let this fine nursery grow up like a forest, and
become worthless for want of a ready sale. But to encourage
you to purchase some of these fine trees, I will tell you a
little matter-of-fact story about apple trees. In the spring of
1815, I commenced on a new lot of land where I now live,
and as soon as I had cleared and prepared land suitable for

niSTOllY OF NORWAY. 188

%ucli purposes, I sowed a small bursery ; and when the trees,
became big enough, transplanted some of them for an orchard,
and sold the rest ; and have since then raised many thousands
of trees for sale, and have continued to set more trees every
few years up to the present year. I have engraft^ all my
trees except those set within a few years, and raise no fruit
but that which is engrafted. My orcliard now produces so
many apples that I sell one hundred barrels yearly, and have
enough for uome use ; and in fact, in my humble opinion, a
farmer can not invest his money and labor in any way. on his
fai*m to so much profit as in the right cultivation of the applet
No State in tho Union can produce so good apples for ship-*
ping as Maine ; and if tho wheat crop should continue to fail
^s, wo can easily raise our flour on apple trees. Z am not a
partner in Mr. Smith's nursery, but I wish to see our farmers
Awake to their own interests ; and as apple trees ai*e my hobby
which I ride every spring, you will pardon my notice of Mr»
Smith's tree-garden. The writer has set sixty thousand scions
within the last ten springs, besides liis own, and never made
a bad failure.

The printing business in Nonvay commenced on a small
Bcale as early as 1826. Asa Barton then commenced pub-
lishing the "Oxford Observer" in this Village, (he had
previously published a paper of the same title oii Paris Hill,)
mid from 1828 William P. Phelps was associated with him
till April, 1829, when William £. Goodnow bought out th6
interest of Asa Barton, and the paper was published by Good-
now and Phelps till October, 1830 ; at that time Goodnow
bought out the interest of Phelps, and published the Observed
till June, 18S2, when the title of said paper was changed to
the " Politician," edited by William A. Evans, to conform to
the high state of political feeling then existing, on the eve of
^Presidential election. The Politician was continued till
April, 1833, when the establishment was sold to Horatio Kina
of Paris, who took it, with tho "'J^efferspniaa" establishment^

184 HISTORY OF NORWAT.

to Portland, and the County was destitute of amy paper till
June, 1883 ; ajt that time Asa Barton commenced the publi-
cation of the '^ Oxford Oracle," an independent paper, and
having issued seven numbers, sold the establishment ; and the
^^ Oxford Democrat" was then started in Paris by George W.
Millett, who continued its publication nearly eighteen years.
In April, 1832, the ^'Journal of the Times," a sn^all, inde-
pendent, weekly paper, was commenced by William E. Good-
now, and published about three months, but was then discon^
tinned, from the fact of its interfering with the subscription
list of the Politician. In March, 1830, a smajl, independent
paper, called the **Vilhige Spy," was commenced by Asa
Baiion, and in a short time discontinued for want of patronage.
Asa Barton became an attorney some years before his death.
The '^Norway Advertiser," an independent family paper,
was commenced by Im Berry, in March, 1844, and subse-
quently published by Im Berry and Francis Bluko, Jr. ; and
after the dissolution of the copartnership, by said Berry alone,
again. : The paper was then published by Edwin Plummer,
then by Albert B. Davis and Cyrus W. Brown, then by
Thomas Witt, and lastly by Mark H. Dunnell; he soon al-
tered the name to the ** Pine State News," but the pines arc
become so scarce in this vicinity, that it seemed to be rather
lonesome, and finally was discontinued in Jan., 1851. In
July, 1851, a new paper under the old name of the Norway
Advertiser, printed on a large, handsome sheet, was estab-
lished by Moses B. Bartlett, Esq. ; it was subsequently
purchased by George W. Millett, who now owns and publishes
the same/ and has a handsome patronage. Up to the present
paper, with the exception of the Politician, the Norway papers
have been what, in common parlance, are styled neutral pa-
pers; but within a few months the Advertiser has shed its
old neutral skin, and appears at this time in a democratic
garb. This course, in my humble opinion, is about right, for
I s^liould think an editor and publisher, of any mind and /a/-

HISTORY OF NORWAY. , 185

eivls must feel as though ho were in a straight jacket, to^ bo
all the time catering for a set of nobodjs and nothings, who
do not belong to any party, but are ready to join any popular
current which happens to be in the ascendancy. For myself,
I always wish to be pretty certain about knowing to what
particular genus every creature which I feed belongs, whether
it be pig or puppy. I should have liked the paper full as
well had it come out under whig colors ; but the editor and
myself shall probably never quarrel about opinions, for ho
has as good right to enjoy and exercise his a« I have mine ;
but at all events, these pai)ers of the neuter gender I do n't
think much of, except they arc, in reality, literary papers.
They remind me, too much, of the man who pi-aycd, first to
the Lord, and then to the devil, because he did not know cer-
tain " into whose hands '' he might hereafter fall.

Among other impi*ovements in the town and Village, is a
fii*st-ratc engine for extinguishing fii*es ; altliough ii is desir-
able to have but little use for it, yet should another calamitous
fire, like that of last fall, happen, we hope it may be instru^
mental in saving much proj)erty from the devouring element*
The two Village school-districts have become a corporate body
for the purpose of procuring an engine, and the to^vn very
liberally voted to pay $500 towards the same; and we fer-
vently hope that no tax-payer will ever have cause to regret
tlic appropriation ; it is also hoped that the members of the
engine company may never gi'ow cold in their attachment to
the^' Oxford Bear.^'*

Late in the evening of the 29th of April, 1852, the house
of Moses B. Bartlett, Esq., was discovered to be on fire.
The alarm was instantly given, and in a few minutes the en-
gine company with the " Bear '' were on the ground ; shortly
aftorwardi the fire was extinguished, and the house saved.

This was their firat essay in squirting Avater at the ** real

1 1 1 1 II II I I II i - ---.--. -I

* The name of the engiue.

186 HISTORY OP NOEWAt.

cloment/' And they were sigtially suocessful. May tlicy lobg
wait for oootlier trial of their skill and prowe88%

The " Norway Sax Horn Band " has been recently organ-
ized) and bids fair to become celebrated for '^ discouraing sweet
music." Such an organization is useful as well as ornamental,
and was much needed on some occasions. Success attend the
enterprise^

And now, almost last, but not least, is the Academy to be
noticed. This institution is incorporated under the title of
^' The Norway Libeml lastitute." The building is large and
commodious, stands on a very dry and handsome elevatiiHi)
open to a good, wholesome circulation of pure air, and seems
every way fitted, under proper management, combined with a
pi*oper disposition in the students, to be a fine place for tho
acquisition of useful knowledge. It was opened in 1847)
under favorable auspices ; in a catalogue for that year, I find
the teachora wero us foUoAVS : Ebenczer P. IlindS) Principal ;
Jacob W. Brown, Vice Principal ; John 0. Coolidge, Charles
H. Nickerson, Silas S. Gifibi*d, Lemuel Bourne, Assistants ;
Isaiah It. Baker, Teacher of Penmanship ; Miss Mary F.
Chase, Preceptress ; Miss Mary A. A. Additon, Teacher of
Music ; Miss Anne N. Deering, Teacher of Drawing and
Painting. Number male students, 83, female, 01 ; total, 174*
In 1848-49, the school was under the direction of J. 0»
Eveleth, Principal ; Walter M. Hatch, Assistant ; and Miss
Nancy F. Shaw in the female department. In 1850, the
school was taught by Mark H. Dunnell, Principal ; Thomas
F. Barton, Warren F. Barnes, Assistants ; and Miss Cath-^
orine Woodman in the female depai'tmetit. Such other assist*
ants were employed as were necessary for the instruction of
the various branches required to be taught in the institution*

The institution has no permanent funds for its support, like
many other, and old^r, Academies, but has to rely on its own
oavnings to support itself; and it is hoiked that a discerning
])ublic will pati-onize this self^upportcd school as much| ut

lIIgTOUV OJj^ NOJttWAl'. 187

Icsvst, OS tliey would ono which has been endowed with Ainds
by the State. And while thinking and writing on thia sub-
ject, I will at once enter my caveat against our Legislature's
granting land or money to any incorporated literary institution.
The reasons why they should not, are obvious to my mind,
find I hope they Avill for the future bo to the members of tho
Legislature. In the first place, as a general thing, the sons
and daughters of tlie more opulent class enjoy, by fai*, the
greatest advantages of such schools — as the poorer classes are
not able to be at tho expense of sending their children to
schools of so high a gi*ade ; and, furthermoi*e, the rich are
abundantly able to provide such schools without the aid of the
State. I would not bo understood as wishing to throw any
impediment in the way of the education of our youth ; but
contrary to that, I would open wide, and wider, the door for
the education of the poor maws child, as well as the child
of the rich nian% If the State has anything to bastow for
the encouragement of education, let it be granted towards tho
support of our primary schools ; in this way tho benefits will
reach all classes of the community, ])Oor as well as rich.
This would be acting a little in imitation of our Heavenly
Father, '^ who causcth the sun to shine on the evil and on the
good, and sendeth rain on the just and oh the unjust." In
fact, I think the best disposition that could be made of a por-
tion of our State lands, would be to grant it for the purpose
of raising a fund for aiding our primary schools. Doubtless
some argue in this way, that our primary schools do not afford
such advantages as they wish their children to enjoy ; very
good ; then send them to a higher school, but not at the ex-
pense of the State. Furthermore, if our primary schools are
not of so high a grade as some desire, then I say, apply the
right remedy, and do something in a substantial way to raise
them to the proper standard. For it must be obvious to every
reflecting mind, that our primary schools are the great nurse-
ries, from which are transplanted all those towering geniuses

188 HISTORY OP NORWAY.

which ornament our academies, colleges, the learned profess^
ions, and halls of legblation, throughout our happj laiul.
But I must stop this tirade, lest some should think that I am
arguing the cause of education hcfore our grave legislature ;
and I fervently hope they Yf'iW be assailed with stronger
arguments than these on the subject hereafter.

The present teachera in the Institute are WiUiam D. Put-
nam, Principal, and Miss Emeline F. Wright, Assistant. It
is presumed that the advantages for students, male or female,
at this institution, ai*e equal, at least, to any simikr institu-'
tiou in this section of the country.

The town has a small school fund, the interest amounting
annually to $13,70, which accrued from the sale of some Luid
gi'anted to the town by the legislature of Massachusetts, prior
to our separation from that State. At the time of the dis-
tribution of the surplus revenue, the writer believed it would
bo good i)olicy lor the town to convert the money into a jkt-
manent school fund, and expend the interest annually towards
the support of our primai'y schools ; a few others were of the
same opinion, but the majority thought otherwise. Probably
they ma4lo a very prudent calculation, as some are cai-eful to
see to the spending of all their earnings, lest the next gener-
ation should not appropriate them to proper purposes. But
such a fund would have been an hononible monument to have
'erected ; and would have been productive of much benefit to
posterity.

The whole amount of t^ixcs assessed and paid in the town

since its incorporation is as follows :

Highway tax, - - - $94,15198

Money tax, including State and County, 91,398 08

Total amount of taxes, - - $185,550 06

Individuals in the town of Norway OAvn about 280 shares
in the At^antic & St. Lawrence Railroad, which we hope will
ultimately bo beneficial to the business of the town and Vil-

IIISTOIIY OF NORWAY. 189

lagc. E. F. Beal, Esq., is one of tho Dircctora, and lias been
since its commencement.

At the first establishment of the post-office in Norway, or
soon after, the receipts in the office for one quarter amounted
to 18 3-4 cents, (this was the yery lowest extreme ;) the
amount of receipts for tho quarter ending Juno 80th, 1861,
being the last quarter under the old law, was $195,06 1-2
centd ; and for the quarter ending March 31st, 1862, being
the last quarter under the new law, $104,73. This is rather
a wide contrast, but many other things have expanded in nearly
the same ratio. Th^ receipts in the post-office at North Nor-
way are unknown to the writer, but probably are rather small
compai'cd with the Village office ; still it is a great convenienco
to tho upper part of the town. Daniel Noble is post-master.

I must begin to think about drawing towards the close of
this imperfect sketch, but before I do that fully, I must be
indulged in ttiaking a few comparisons of matters and things,
although compai*i8ons ai*o said, by some, to bo invidious ; but
I will try and not hit any one hard if I can help it ; and,
furthermore, I do not mean comparisons about persons, but
about things.

Half a century ago, our beautiful Village consisted of a
rude corn-mill, a saw-mill, a blacksmith's shop, and one store,
where was kept for sale, rum, molasses, sugar, (mostly maple
sugar) a little tea and coiTee, tobacco, salt, salt-fish, and a few
other groceries ; a little calico, (oftentimes purchased by the
pattern, say six yards to a pattern in those days) a little India
cotton shirting and sheeting, a bag of cotton-wool, as it was
then called, and other little etceteras to make up an assort-
ment; and was finally a pretty good store for that day.
There was no school-house in the Village at that time, and
but two in the whole town. Houses small, poor, few and far
betAvecn, with here and there a barn ; and most of the new
farms were dotted with a log house and log hovel, and many

190 HISTORY OP NORWAY.

with nothing but a rudo hut to afford nightly shelter to the
brawny laborer who was I'eclaiming the land from the wilder-
ness. Beads were few and poor, and tlie vehicles of conyeyanoo
poorer. The new settlers generally liad largo families of
half-clad, hungi*y children around them, and everything wore
the aspect of poverty and want

I hope no fastidious reader will sneer at the uncouth ap^
pearance of our town while she was dressed in this simple and
homely garb of childliood ; for, oven at that day, diero was
good promise that impravcmcnt in the circumstances of Ufo^
conveniences, manners, and morals, would succeed tliose daya
and years of poverty and privation. Now some one, perhaps,
M'ill ask, what were the grounds of hope for improvement in
that dark time ? I will tell you. There were many liaid
hands, stout arms, and courageous hearts, not only in the
fields and woods, but in the houses also ; — ^liearts that did not
quail at a little hardship. The fathers wielded tlie axe, the
handspike, the crowbar, shovel and hoe, with all the other
implements necessary for new farming, and also all the imple*
ments necessary for the mechanical business of the times ;
the sons followed in the footsteps of their fathers. The good
mothers were well acquainted with the dish-kettle, the frying-
pan, the chum, and cheese-tub, and almost daily and nightly
furnished sweet music on the spinning-wheel and loom ; the
fair daughters did the same. And it is not at ajil surprising
to a careful observer, that such causes should produce a great
and important change in the lapse of half a century.

But where, now, lot mo ask, are the first founders of our
town 7 Where the Busts, tho Cummingses, the Eastman, the
Stevenscs, the Ilobbsos, tho Bartlotts, the Parsonses, the Witt,
the Milletts, the Smith, the Woodman, the Pikes, the Her-
ring, the Noble, the Fuller, the Meriam, the Bennett, the
Uptons, the Foster, the Holt, the Noyeses, the Sheds, the
Farrar, tho Beed, tho Crocketts, the venerable Ames, with a
host of other equally venerable and meritorious names, who

HISTORY OP NORWAY. 191

bore the lic&fc and burden of the day in the settlement of this
town and Village ? Alas ! tliey have gone to that spirit land,
from whose bourne no traveler returns I Let n& erect a monr
ument of gratitude in our hearts to perpetuate the remembrance
of the founders of this our beautiful town, who so nobly bat-
tled with hardships, toil, and sometimes hunger and cold, ini
subduing a wilderness, that they might leave to their poster-
ity a land flowing with milk and honey. And may posterity
learn wisdom and prudence from their departed ancestors^
covering with the mantle of charity their faults and frailties,,
if any they had, and imitating and multiplying their praise-
worthy acts.

Now, let us take a careful view of the advantages, improve-
ments and conveniences which we enjoy, and see if we, as a
community, have not a little gi'ound for an honest pride ; and
cause for great thankfulness for our present situation and
prospects, when compared with former times. For by the
long-continued pi-actice of industry and economy, our town
and Village have made i*apid advances in agricultural improve-
ments, in buildings, in mechanical business of almost all kinds,
and in the mercantile line. We have now no less than four-
teen school-liouses, a splendid academy, five meeting-houses,
twelve or fifteen stores, ten or more blacksmith's shops, two*
iron-founderies, seven saw-mills, two grist-mills, clapboard,,
shingle, and lath-machines, plough manufactory, one larga
carriage maimfactory, beside several smaller ones, goldsmith's,
and gunsmith's shops, milliner's and dress-maker's shops,
(and fine fingers to do up these matters in elegant style,)
large shoe and boot establishments, besides many other smaller
establishments for the accommodation of difierent parts of tho
town, a largo furniture warehouse, a printing-press and weekly
newspaper, (which, by the way, does up things pretty well,)
a large paper-mill of tho latest improvement, an cxtensivo
tannery, apothecary and barber's shops, a bool-bindery, card-
ing and clothier's mills, and tailors to work u^. the cloth in as.

192 HISTORY OP NORWAY. *

gooil as Boston or New York style, two post-offices, three
attorney's offices, all ably filled, three regularly bred physi-
cians, all in deservedly high repute, dentists occasionally, (I
inny almost say continually) and patent medicines almost
anywhere, a splendid hotel in the Village, with a gentlemanly
landlord, a baker and butcher to supply the daily wants of
the hungry, besides many other things necessary and con-
venient.

And now, after seeing you all so well provided for, I must
commit you to the care of a kind Trovidence, and bid you
adieu, fondly hoping that the next half century will be as
productive of improvements in the condition of the town as
the preceding half has been. If any should think that I have
i*ated things on too low a scale, they must impute it to my
dull apprehension ; and if too high, the citizens of the to^vn
must strive to come up to the standard.

UISTOllY OJf" NOllWAY. lUU

RECORD

Of deaths in the town of Norway, from 1820 to 1852, as kept, and kindly Ittrniehed

by Mrs. MEROY A. WHITMAN.

1820.

May 2, Mrs. Mary Cleaves, aged 92 years. June 21,
Solomon Smith, 23, fits. July 12, Maj. Jonathan Cummings,
42, suicide. Aug. 23, Judith Ayer, 2, fever ; 25, Capt.
Henry Rust, 59, consumption ; 30, Edwin P. Reed, 2, dys-
entery. Sept. 8, Mrs. Whiting, 32 ; 10, Martha C. Tucker,
8 months; 26, Asa Lovejoy, jr., 47, consumption. Nov.
20, Child of J. DoUey, 7 months. Dec. 24, Mrs. Tubbs, G8 ;
26, Miss Martha Davis, 65, fever.

1821.
Feb. 5, child of Anjier Tubbs, 17 months ; 21, child of
William Twombly, 5 months. March 17, child of James
French, jr. ; 27, Mr. Peter Everett, senior ; one of the early
settlers, and a native of France ; he came to this country
previous to the revolution ; 27, child of John Case, 17 months.
Aug. 25, Martha Twombly, 8, dysentery. Sept. 15, Mrs.
Churchill, 25, consumption. Oct. 29, child of Mr. tiOrd, 8
weeks. Nov. 7, Emma Stevens, 38, consumption.

1822.
Feb. 2, child of John Case, 18 months, fever ; 24, Mrs.
]3ai*tlett, 43, mortification. March, child of Joseph Small,
17 months ; 26, Mrs. Sarah Eastman, 71, rheumatic con-
sumption. April 23, Capt. Ward Noyes, 50, fever. May 7,
Widow Bartlett, 65, apoplexy. Dec. 10, Joseph Frost, 18,
scrofula ; 10, child of Joseph Shackley.

18 23.
Jan. 2, child of S. Emery, 6 weeks. April 1, cliild of
Thomas Judkins, 18 months ; 2, child of William Heed, 4
weeks ; 14, Mrs. Moses Houghton, 42 ; 22, child of J.
Rowe, 10. July 10, child of Mr. Howe, 7, fever. Aug. 9,
Mx. Enoch Menill, 80 ; came to Norway in 1802 ; 26, child

194 HISTORT OF NORVAT.

of Jonathan Stevens, dysentery ; 27, Martha B. Hall, 4,
fever ; 27, ehild of Joel Stevens, 1, whooping-cough ; 27,
child of William Corson. Child of John Merrill. Child of
E. Bancroft, dysentery. Sept 6, child of N. Morse, lung
fever. Child of J. Bancroft, dysentery. Sept. 12, Mrs.
Benjamin Peabody, dysentery ; IS, child of Reuben Hill,
18 months, dysentery. Three children of Hezekiah Pingree,
dysentery. Child of E. Merrill, jr., dysentery. Child of

E. Merrill, dysentery. Child of Mr. Bancroft, dysentery.
Sept 14, Mrs. Elijah Flint, dysentery ; 20, child of J. Hall,
1, cough. Child of Mr. Hutchinson, dysentery. Oct. 6,
child of M. Lassell, dysentery ; 8, child of Simeon Noble, 4,
dysentery. Child of David Morse, 9, dysentery. Nov., child
of John Case, fever.

1824.
Jan. 2, child of J. Knight, fever ; 28, child of Dca. B.
Herring, quinsy. Fob. 1, Mr. Stephen Latham, 55, colic ;
16, Andrew Meriam, 19, decline. April 14, child of Israel
Millett, fever ; 80, Fatima Millett, 10, quinsy. May 10, Mrs.
Shed, consumption; 18, child of Aaron Shackley, 7 weeks,,
fits. June 18, Mrs. Jeremiah Hobbs, 79, lung fever ; she
was one of the oldest settlers. Aug. 1, child of 0. Pike, 4,
dysentery. Aaron 0. Hall, 18 months, fever. Aug. 8, C.

F. Pike, 4, dysentery; 28, Martha Bartlett, 10 montlis, dys-
entery. Sept. 5, M. E. Greenleaf, 15 months, dysentery ;
6, Orvella Tucker, 8, canker ; 7, Laura S. Morey, 2 ; 27,
Catharine Knight, consumption. Oct. 14, William F. Beal|

15 months.

1825.

Jan. 17, child of J. Pike. James Noyes, consumption.
March 8, child of W. Mitchell, 2, fever; 26, Mrs. H. Noble,
58, consumption. April 29, child of J. Hobbs, 8 months.
May 26, Rebekah Downing, 16, fever. July 12, Mrs. H.
Archer, 84 ; 29, Mrs. Case, 90, dropsy '; she moved into Nor-
way in 1793, in an ox-cart, from Middleton, Mass. Aug. 2,

history' OF NORWAY. 195

child of J. Smith, 1, fever; 15, child of Darius Holt, jr. ;
27, child of Reuben Hill, 2, dysentery. Sept 8, child of J.
Shackley, canker ; 6, child of William Lord, 1, dysentery ;
16, Lydia M, Fuller, fever ; 21, child of William Frost, 4,
dysentery ; 24, child of J. Pike, 2, dysentery ; 26, child of
H. Pingrcc, 8 ; 29, Mrs. S. Smith, 47, jaundice.

1826.

March 12, Mr. David Frost, 88, influenza. May 9, Mr.

Eben Cobb, 70, consumption ; 18, Mr. Israel Millett, 40.

June 8, Mr. William Pierce, 40 ; killed by a tree falling on

him ; he lived a few days after the accident. Dec. 24, Polly

Churchill, 3 months.

1827.

Jan. 18, Kathan Noble, 65 } injured fatally by the fall
of a tree. Bravety Marston, 15, colic. Jan. 23, Mrs.
Saunders, 45, consumption; 27, Lucinda A. Shackley, 18,
dropsy. March 9, child of J. Hall, 1. May 8, Mrs. Wink-
Icy, jaundice ; 19, Lydia C. Noble, wife of S. Noble, 22.
Juno 6, Mrs. E. Whitmarsh, 70 ; 20, Mrs. Whitney, old age ;
her house was the first building burned in Norway. July 29,
child of J. Hall, 4 months, quinsy. Aug., Mr. Howard.
Sept. 3, Mrs. French, 68, consumption ; 8, child of H. Pin-
gree. Oct. 1, child of D. Holt ; 19, child of M. Upton.
Nov., child of William Parsons, jr., quinsy. Child of WiU
liam Hor. Dec. 28, Mrs. Israel Pike, consumption.

1828. .
Jan. 12, child of Asa Bai*ton, 5. Child of Mrs. Cushman,
18 months. March 26, Mrs. Brown, 87, fits. May 12, Ju-
dith P. Tucker, 4, quinsy ; 23, Olive Latham, 22, consump-
tion. June 1, Harriet Foster, 8, fits ; 4, child of J. Hall ;
21, Mrs. Sally Shackley, 42, consumption. Aug. 19, cliild
of Joseph York, 4, dysentery ; 23, child of Joseph York, 2,
dysentery. Sept. 2, Sally Greenleaf, 22 ; 4, child of Capt.
IL Rust, 14 months ;* 6, child of D. Young, 4, quinsy. Oct.
5, child of J. Bennett, 5, quinsy. Nov. 5, Sarah Rust, 4 8-4,

196 niST(WlT OF NORWAT.

quinsy:; 11, Heury Rust, 8, quinsy. Dec. 28, iAiM of J.

Bradbury.

1829.

Jan. 1, Mrs. Witt, m(o of Benj. Witt, 50, consumption;

17, Hannah Gorham, 20, consumption. March 1, Mrs. Jo-

siah Blanchard, 48, fever ; 8, John Robinson, 70, dropsy.

April 18, Levi Frank, 68 ; killed by faUing into a cellar

"while moving a house. May 14, Mrs. Ruth Cade, 88. June

26, Jacob Frondi, 40, fever. July 10, child of Nathaniel

Millett, 2, lung fever. Aug. 2, chiW of Levi Shed, dyscn-

leiy. Sept. 2, Woodman Bartlett, 8, fever ; 80, child of

Simon Stevens, 16 months, quinsy. Oct. 20, Mrs. 'John S.

Shed, SO, consumption. Nov. 19, Harriet Buck, 12, fever;

26, Mrs. S. Buck, 42, fever ; 28, child of Mrs. Hall, 4

months. Dec, child of William Lovcjoy.

1880.
Jan. 2, child of Hoyt Pingrce, 18 ; 28, child of John
Witt, 8, quinsy. Feb. 9, David Smith, 80, fever. May 1,
Mrs. Jordan, 94, old age. Stephen Curtis, palsy and old
age. May 26, Clarissa Small, 24, consumption ; 27, child
of Rufus 3artlett, jr., 6 months. June, Mr. Phinehas Whit-
ney, 80, consumption ; he had a log amputated in 1824.
July 8, Mr, Thomas Hill, 84 ; he was one of Burgoyne's
men, and finally adopted the country ho came to figlrt. Child
of H. Pike, whooping-cough. July 26, George L. Smith,
15, consumption. Aug. 14, Joseph Stevens, 77, decline ; ho
moved the first family into Rustfield ; 80, child of C. Cobb,
dysentery. Sept. 30, Mrs. Churchill, 50, fever. Oct. 15,
child of William Churchill ; 28, child of Ira Johnson, 14
months ; 16, Mrs. M. Millett, 88, fever.

1881.

March 2, Edmund Merrill, 52, consumption ; 11, child of

B. B. Murray, 1. May 18, child of John Witt, 8 months.

June 80, Otis S. Noyes, son of D. Noycs, 16, consumption.

July 5, child of John M. Wilson, 6, dysentery. Sept 17,

UISTOttY OF NOftWAY. 11)7

child of M. Smith, 1 month. Nov. 14, child of J. Shocklcy,
18 months, meafiles ; 16, Simeon Herring, 23.

1882.
ISf arch 20, child of Charles Cleaves, 5, scarlet fever ; 23,
child of same, 7, same disease ; 28, child of same, 3, samo
disciiso. April 12, chikl of Dea. B. Herring, 4, samo. Child
of Mr. Bich, 5, same; Child of same, 3 months, same.
April 18, son of Dea^ B. Herring, 17, same; 17, child of
Benjamin Peabody, jr., 3, samo; 20, child of Mr. Rich,
same ; 21, Henry Herring, 13, same ; 23, child of Bobert
Frost, 4, same. Child of Mr. Rich, 3, same. May 6, child
of J. Holt, 2,. same ; 9, child of same, 4, same ; 11, Mi*s.
BaiTOws, 27, fever ; 19, child of Cyrua Cobb ; 24, child of
J. Andrews, 1, canker rash. June 11, child of Mr. Tucker,
2, lung fever ; 19, child of William C. Whitney, 3, canker
rasii ; 24, child of Gen. William Parsons, 5, lung fever.
July 14, child of J. Hobbs, 3 months ; 15, William Tother-
]y, 48; 20, child of James Hill, 2, canker rash; 25, child
of same, 12, samo. Aug. 11, child of Reuben Hill, 1, samo ;
10, Mrs. Jero Henley, 35, consumption. Sept. C, child of
B. Barrows, 5, canker rash ; 16, Algernon Cox, 6, same.
Oct. 4, child of Dr. J. S. Millett, 1 month ; 2.7, Mrs. John
Gurney, 32. Nov. 15, Mrs. Frost, 78.

1838.

Feb. 9, Jonas Stevens, 84, palsy ; 24, Elizabeth Beal, 12,

typhus fever ; 27, Mi*s. Joseph Rounds, consumption. April,

child of E. Merrill, 6. July, child of A. Fuller, 6, canker

rnsh. Aug. 25, David Stevens, 2 1-2, same. Sept. 28,

child of If, Holt, same. Oct. 3, child of Mr. Hale. Dec.

16, child of J. Hobbs, 8.

1834.

. Jan. 5, Mrs. Bobbins, 48, fover ; 18, Mrs. Ephraim Briggs,

dropsy; 24, Mi-s. Twombly, fever. Feb. 1, child of Daniel

Cummings, 1 ; 14, Eliza Fuller, consumption ; 15, wife of

William Frost, 41 , fever ; 18, child of same, 2 weeks. March '

108 HI8T0BY or NORWAT.

7, child of A. Fuller, 1. May 17, Charles L. Hobbs, 18^
fever ; 26, Capt. John Rust, 72, erysipelas ; 29, Dayid Gor^
ham, 72, consumption. June 19, child of Henry Pike, 7.
Sept Jacob Parsons, 58, consumption. Nor. 22, Mrs. Nan*
cy Cummings.

Feb. 4, Hannah tlolt, wife of Uriah Holt, 46, consump^
tion ; 25, Mrs. Biggs, 19, same. March 19, wife of Sili»
Meriam, 55, same ; 28, child of Benjamin Tucker, 6 montlis.
April 22, David Whitcomb, 65, killed by logs rolling on him
while at work. June 9, Mi*s. Sally Smith, 87, consumption ;
18, child of Hirdm Millett, 10 montlis ; 18, Ehnira Hor, 18,
consumption ; 28, Mrs. Eunice Bartlett, 88, in a fit. July
11, Mrs. Gammon, 65, suddenly; 25, child of Elliot Smitli,
10 months ; 28, Mary Crockett, 20, cancer. Aug. 8, Scw^
all G. Ordway, 29, consumption ; 27, Mrs. Joseph Morse,
25, same. Nov. 12, Mrsi Adalino A; Boal, 28, same. Child
of William Brown, 8 months^

1886.
Jan. 16, child of J. Rounds, 9 months; l7, Louisa Cush-
man, 27, consumption. Feb^ 5, Nathan Foster, senior, 72^
found dead in his bam-yardi March 19, Zachariah Weston^
75, decline ; 22, child of Andrew Mills, feveri April 4, Jo-"
seph Bradbury, 67, erysipelas ; 22, child of Asa Thayer, 1
month ; 29, child of H. C. Reed, 15 months. May 21, Mrs.
Alexander Mills, 60, decline; 31, Martha Hobbs, 11, disease
of the heart. July 80, Mrs. Mary Cushman, 28, dropsy^
Aug. 1, "Mrs. Anna French, 40, consumption ; 3, Mrs. Ei
Itall, 60, same ; 5, Mrs. John Case, 47, cancer ; 11, child
of Thomas Pool, cough. Sept. 28, wife of Tliomas Chase,
•28, consumption. Oct. 11, Elizabeth, wife of Benjamin
Flint, 70, same; 21, wife of Stephen Pingree, senior, 84 j
same ; 80, Mary Jane Upton, 28, same. . Nov., Maj. Elijah
Ha^U, 72, cancer. Dec. 20, Mrs. Daniel Knight, 74, con-
sumption.

HISTORY OF NOUWAYi 100

18 87.

Jan. 8, Col. Amos Town, suddenly ; 10, Nathan Foster^

jr., 45, fever* Feb. 6, child of M. Lassell, 6, fever ; 14j

child of Asa Pool, quinsy. March 10, Sally, wife of David

Noble, 80, spine complaint; 17, Sally Crockett, 80, dropsy*

April 14, Jane Bodwell, 27, consumption. June 21, child

of A. Fuller. July 4, Bradley Foster, 18^ drowned in mill*

pond in Greenwood; 20, child of Titus 0. Brown, jr., 2 l-2j

canker rash ; 24, John Brown, 14, same* Aug. 14, child of

Henry Pike, 18 monUis ; 24, Mr. Carr, a stranger, 60, colic j

26, child of William Pingrce, 6, canker rash ; 29, Lorenzo

D. Shackley, 24, consumption. Septi 11, child of M. P»

Smith, 23 months. Nov. 11, Ann J. Witherbee, 18, canker

rash ; 80, child of S. Merrill, 4, same* Dec. 5, 6. Golfing

24, consumption.

1888.

March 1, Mrs. Abagail Fuller, 72, influenza ; 29, Martha

M. Young, 11, fever; 80, child of L. Millett, 8, canker rash.

April 8, Amos Upton, 06, old ago ; 10^ child of Paul Twom-»

bly, 1. Child of Jabez Chubb. May 18, child of Dresser

Stevens ; 28, Cyrus Lord, 26, consumption ; 80, Ephraim

Barrows, 77, decline. July 15, Archelaus Fuller, 86, colic ;

80, Dudley Pike, 78, decline. Aug. 9, child of Wm. Hallj

2 weeks; 16^ child of Dr. L. Tripp, 16 months. Sept. 18,

child of J. Grcenlcaf, 1 month ; 26, child of E. Flint, 4;

Mrs. William Frost, 44. Nov. 12, wife of William Hallj

'82, consumption. Dec. 16, Jonathan Saunders, 62, insanity;

he attempted to destroy his own liCd several years before, by

cutting his throat, but did not cut quite deep enough^ and

most of the time afterwards was a raving maniac:

1889.

Jan. 21, Jacob Frost, 84, old age; he was wounded at

Bunker Hill. Fob. 2, daughter of John Perry, 8, quinsy*

Child of William Lord, 4 months. Samuel Andrews, 66,

consumption. Child of William Twombly, 6, Canker rash*

200 HISTORY OF NORWAY.

March 10, child of Amos Briggs, 9 months ; 19, Ghloe Cobb,
78, consumption ; 20, child of Joel Millott, 10 montlis; 81,
child of J. Stanley, 18 months. April 10, Mrs. John Mil-
lott, 78, consumption ; 80, wifo of Dudley Piko, 82, dropsy.
John B. Ford, 88, consumption. May 4, Mrs. L. Houghton,
37, same. June 8, Amos Hobbs, 77, dropsy— one of the
first settlers ; 19, Sally Parsons, 21, palsy. July 16, child
of Jlenry C. B«ed, 5 months. Aug. 6, Sally S. Hale, 11,
colic; 17,. child of Wm. Beal, 5, dysentery. Child of Dr.
L. Tripp, 1 month. Sept. 10, Mra. Peter Buck, 80, con-
sumption ; 16, Mi*s. Zebedee Perry, 81, dropsy. Child of
Mrs. Town, 2, dysentery. Sept. 19, child of Henry W. Mil-
lett, 7 months. Child of J. Saunders, 15 months. Oct. 16,
Edmund Frost, colic. Dec. 22, child of David P. Hanaford,
18 months ; 29, Josiah Blancliard, 70 ; 80, M. A. McAllis-
ter, 16, dysentery.

1840.

. Jan. 13, Mrs. Thomas Hill, 90, old age March 21, Miss
Pool, 18, colic; 4, Mrs. II. Giles, 66, consumption; 25, child
of Simon Stevens, 7. April 24, John Needham, 80, palsy ;
25, Mrs. Joel Frost, 64, apoplexy. May 18, Elizabeth Whitr-
man, 42, dropsy. June 27, Mary A. Colins, 22, consump-
tion. Sept. 22, child of Elliot Smith,. 2 ; 8, Miss Stevens,
65, consumption. Lovejoy, 16, fever. Oct. 18, Mrs. Pool,
30, same ; 21, Mrs. Thaddeus Brown, 64, dropsy — she was
the widow of Capt. Ward Noyes. Nov. 6, David Woodman,
98 ; 7, Mi-s. H. Shackley, 52, consumption ; 80, Mre. Eben
Bancroft, 66, same. Dec. 4, John Ames, 9, drowned; 31,
wife of Joshua Smith, 65, consumption.

1841.
Jan. 3, Joel Town, lung fever ; 7, Henry L. Noyes, son
of D. Noyes, 28, consumption. Feo. 25, Mrs. Chubb, fever.
March 10, wife of Henry Noble, same ; 21, child of M. P.
Smith, 8 months. April 10, widow of Joseph Stevens, 83,
hurt fatally by a fall — tho first woman who camo into Nor-

HISTORY OP NORWAY. 201.

way ; 20, child of Moses Ames, 5 months. May 15, wife
of M. P. Smith, 81, consumption ; 17, Willis Sampson, 65,
cancer and dropsy. June 2, Josephine Young, 83, consump-
tion ; 25, wife of Moses Ames, 83, same ; 26, Mr. Francis,
79, stoppage. Aug. 2, Diana Ames, 9, fits. Sept 14,
Nancy Jones, consumption ; 24, child of Dr. N. Grant, 1,
dysentery. Oct. 21, child of E. Brown, 1 month ; 29, child

of J. Tamer, 2 months.

1842.

Feb. 12, Malvina Frank, 5; 18, child of W. Ramsdell, 4,
canker rash ; 22, child of same, 2, same ; 24, child of Aaron
Shacklcy, 4, same. March 2, Desire Tubbs, 19, consump-
tion ; 5, child of Cephas Sampson, 2, canker rash ; 20, child
of Seba Gammon, same ; 22, child of J. llichardson, scarlet
fever. April 3, child of Amos Briggs, same ; 21, Mrs.
Churchill, 76, consumption; 24, child of II. W. Millett, 2;
29, child of Rev. T. J. Tenney, 15 months, canker rash ; 29,
Jonathan Hall, 52, aj)oplexy. May 5, child of A. Thayer,

I, canker rash; 12, child of A. A. Latham, 2 1-2, same;.
14, child of A. Thayer, 3, ssvme; 31, Sarah Maria Noyes,.
only daughter of D. Noyes, 18, consumption. June 4, child
of Wm. Hall, 6, canker rash ; 15, Catherine Tubbs, 9, con-
sumption. Child of Mr. McAllister, 7, canker rash. , July

II, Widow Prince, 73, apoplexy. Aug. 11, Asa Pool, 50,
consumption ; 14, Wm. Lord, Jr., 26, sciatica ; 31, Hannah
l^ubbs, 16, consumption. Sept. 20, John Pierce, son of
Wm. Pierce, 24, canker rash ; 22, child of E. L. Knight.
Wife of Heniy Pike, 43, fever. Mrs. Thompson, 91, old age.
Oct. 9, Maria P. K. Holt, daughter of Uriah Holt, 18, con-
sumption; 10, Lydia Frost, 21, dropsy; 23 and 24, two
children of Reuben Noble, canker rash : 28, wife of Lee
Mixer, 34, consumption. Benjamin Witt, 77, palsy — the
first blacksmith. Nov. 6, Peter Buck, 94, old age — the first
nhoemaker; 24, Mrs. Ruth Rust, 79, jaundice. Son of
Daniel Town, 10, canker rash. Dec. 13, child of William
Hall, 3, scalded. Mrs. Serena Frost, 31, fever.

202 BISTORT OF KORWATi

184 8.
Feb. 20, Bichard Morse^ 15, fever. William Hobbs, 63^
consumption. Feb. 21, Dorcas Knigbt, 18, same ; 22, child
of J. Morso, jr., 8 weeks. April 4, Mrs. Bullon, 48, con-
sumption ; 6, Sarah Bust, IS, erysipelas ; 10, Joel Frost,
jr., 58, fever. Child of Mr. Smith, 2. May 2 and 8, Jo-
sephine, 2, Harriet D., 4, children of J. N. Hall, whooping
cough ; 17, child of Pleaman Holt; 26, Catharine G. Nojes,
wife of n. L. Noyes, 32, coniiumptiOn. Esther Herring,
insanity. June 28, widow of Ebon Cobb, 00, consumption.
July 10, Mrs. Amelia Wilkins, dropsy. Sept. 21, Harriet
Crockett, 19, fever ; 23, child of John Howe, 14 months.
Oct. 8, Ebenezer Hobbs, 2d, 17, from wounds received at a
husking; 26, Joshua Smith, 73, consumption. Nov. 8^
Catharine Morse, 11, fever. Dec. 1, John Millett, 76, iu-) ^
fluenza ; 7, Mrs. Israel Pike, fever.

1844.
Jan. 8, wife of Samuel Ames, 85, influenza. Feb. 11,
child of Silas Meriam, jr., 8 months. Child of John S.
Shed, 14 months, Scalded. Feb. 29, Samuel Cutter, 56, ap
oplexy. March 18, Mrs. Cushman, 47, lung fever ; '4, Mrs.
Herring, 83. April 16, Thomas J. Everett, 38, brain fever.
May 16, child of Otis True, 1, scarlotina. July 20, wife of*
Wm. Parsons, 83 ; 30, Silas Meriam, 76, palsy. Sept. 8,
Mrs. Sarah Crockett, 77, dropsy ; 13, Theodosia E. Stetson,
18, consumption. Oct. 7, Mrs. John Swift, 82 ; 25, Martha
Whitmarsh, 27, consumption; 29, Ephraim Brown, 56.
Nov. 2, wife of J. N. Hall, consumption.

1845.
Jah. 8, D6a. Wm. Parsons, 85, old age ; 18, Mrs. Mary
Hall, 57, consumption. Feb. 4, Benj. Herring, 84, old age ;
.23, Josiah Hill, 80, palsy ; 28, Job Eastman, 95, old age.
April 11, Harriet E. P. Goodnow, 14, diabet^ ; 12, wife of'
PleaVnan Holt, 34, consumption. June 4, wife of Asa Hicks^
64, dropsiy. July 6, Harriet W* Henley, 20, consumption j

HISTORY 0^ NOllWAY. 208

20, Catharine Hobba, 17, foVer. Aug. 10, Mnl. Peter Town,
69, fever ; 20, child of Samuel Foster, 1 ; 24, Mrs. Brad-
bury, 79, decline. Child of Mr. Jordan, 8. Sept. 15, Hen-
ry L. Crockett, 28, fever ; 28, Mary M. Phelps, 21, same ;
•27, wife of J. Bounds, 27, consumption. Oct. 80, Joshua
Crockett, 54, from obstruction of the swallow and stomach.
Dec. 16, wife of Henry Noble, fever ; 24, Daniel Watson,
senior, 83, asthma and consumption ; 29, John Frost, 77.

1846.

Jan. 7, wife of L. Hathaway, consumption. Feb., Mrs.
Mercy Hobbs, same. April 11, Daniel Young, 64, same.
Child of Mrs. Everett, 2. April 27, Miss Tarbox, 80, jatill-
dice. Juno 18, wife of H. Kust, 55, consumption ; 28, Mrs.
Anie Morse, 68, same. Aug. 4, Mrs. Sarah Ruejt, 83 ; 18,
fchild of D. Cummings. Sept. 1, Mrs. Mercy Woodman, 75,
consumption ; 22, wife of J. B. Richardson, 29, and twiu
children. Oct. 6, wife of Lemuel Shed, 88, consUinption ]
22, Wilson Hill, 19, fever. Nov. 19, wife of S. Grcejnlcaf,
jr., 88 ; 27, Asa Danforth, jr., 6, fever. Dec. 10, Mi*sj
Hannah Hill) 45, fever.

1847.

Jan. 17, Mrs. Lydia Tubbs, 61, consumption ; 19, Mrsj
Kebekah Frost, 80 ; she was the widow of Nathaniel Stevens,
one of the early settlers, whose family was at one time dis-^
tressed for want of food. Feb. 17, child of J. Bancroft, 20
months. March 31, Mrs. Sargeant, 22. April 15, Joseph
York, jr., 19, hurt in a saw-mill; 16, Helen M. Noyes, 5^
.dropsy; 17, William Cox, 73, consumption; 20, widow of*
Amos Upton, consumption ; 26, Mrs. Nancy Hobbs, 59, con-
.sumption. May 2, child of Cephas Sampson, 2, croup.
June 3, son of Andrew Mills, 18, consumption ; 18, Lucy
Jane Perry, 20, same ; 16, wife of John Frost, 72, fit ; wife*
of Wm. Loi-d, 50, fever. July 8, Mrs. Mercy Bartlett, 80y
consumption ; 11, child of Lyman Bird, 2 ; 16, George E.
Smith, 15 ; 23, wife of Jacob Parsons, suddenly ; 27, Mrs^

204 niSTOBT OF NORWAT.

Esther JordaD, 75, consumption. Sept S, wife of John
l^Iarch, 77, same ; 10, child of Wm. G. Pierce, 2 ; 80, wifo
of Aaron Shackloy, 47, cancer. Oct 7, child of Wm. Brown,
; 8, child of Amos F. Noyes, 8, fever ; 24, wife of Col.
A. Town, 67, fall, and dropsy. Not. 18, Cyrus Cobb, 54,
killed by a &1I in his bam ; 25, David Morse, 75, dropsy.
Doc. 6, John Parsons, 85 ; 7, child of J. S. French, 20
mouths ; 20, child of M. P. Smith, 9 months.

1848.
Jan. 16, Caroline Pike ; 29, £mily Cliandler, 27, con-
sumption. Feb. 1, Asa Barton, 54, same; 10, Matthias
Smith, 42, found dead ; 21, James Packard, 89, old age.
March 5, daughter of Mr. Herrick, 14, dropsy ; 27, Mrs.
David Gorham, 80, consumption. April 20, Mra. Merrill,
85. May 30, Jonathan G. Town, 28, brain fever. Juno 11, '
wife of Maittbew Tinssell, 58, consumption ; 29, child of E.
L. Knight, 4 1-2, fever. July 19, llufus Bartlctt, 87, old
age ; 25, Zephaniah Frost, 68 ; 29, Ann Lassell, 27, con-
sumption. Sept 4, Joseph Small, 74, same ; 7, wife of Amos
Hobbs, 89, old age— one of tbe first settlers ; 16, John Case,
75, cancer. Oct 2, Mrs. John Parsons, 80. Nov. 2, child
of Mr. Rowe ; 26, William Walton, 45, fever ; 28, William
Reed, the firat post-master, 78, consumption. Dec. 29, Ellen

Flint, 17, same.

1849.

March 10, child of J. Morse, 10 weeks ; 17, child of James

Merrill, 2, whooping cough. Timothy Jordan, 82, old age.

Child of Iliram Millett April, Ezra Stevens, 40, fits ; 26,

Sophia L. Frost, 13. Susannah Tubbs, 90, non compos

mentis. May 13, Avidow Ripley, 68, cancer; 26, child of'

A. P. Bumell, 14 months. June 9, child of Mr. Tucker ;

21, Uriah Holt, Esq., 73, gravel. July 12, Charles Tubbs,

68, consumption ; 21, widow Anthony Bennett, 70, same;

24, wife of Solomon Millett, 70, same ; 27, Rebckah Everett, .

14, croup; 31, child of Asa S. Pool, 14 mouths. Aug, 25,

HISTORY OF NORWAY. 206

Afinio Slmttiick, 2, dysentery ; 21, Frederic Tucker, 2 1-2,
same ; 24, child of A. Smith, some ; 25, child of J. H. Mer-
rill, 2 1-4, same ; 28, child of Mr. Stevens. Sept. 3, child
of F. Manning, same ; 4, Mrs* Ridlon, 50, same ; 5, Mrs.
Stevens, 31, same ; 6, Gilbert Noble, 21, same ; 10, child of
E. Amos, 14 months, same; 11, child of P. L. Pike, 11
months, same ; 12, child of J. Morse, 4, same ; 15, child of
E. P. Fitz, 19 mouths, samo ; 19, child of Ezra Shackley, 9
months, same; 20, child of J. H; Morse, 1, same ; 21, child
of Mr. Raymond, 9 months, same ; 22, Mr. Woodbury, 65,
same ; 23, child of Thomas Iliggins, same ; 24, child of Mr.
Holden, 1, same. Child t)f James Merrill, 8, same. Oct.
11, Mi*s. Ghloe Holt, 80, consumption; 13, Mrs. Mason, 50,
ilysentery. Child of Mr. Sargent, 2, same. Nov. 5, Aaron

Chandler, SO, same.

1850.

Jan 12, wife of E. J. Pottle, 85, consumption ; 15, wife
of A. Thayer, 40, fever. Mrs. Clark, fever. William C.
Brooks, 74, dysentery. Cliild of William Ilall, same. Child
of Daniel Hobbs, same. Daniel Davis, 24, consumption.
Feb. 15, Jeremiah Hobbs, 64, same. Joel Stevens, 95, old
age. Wife of G. W. Seaverns, 25, consumption. Josiah
Ilill, 30, same. May, Michael Welsh, 9, scrofula. Harriet
N. Noyes, 30, consumption. Harriet B. Morse. Child of
Reuben Noblo. July 20, Jonathan Woodman, 78, sudden.
Child of A. Smith, 13. July 30, wife of Jonathan Pottle,
82. Aug. 3, wife of James Crockett, 59, diarrhoea ; 10,
Wm. Churchill, 54, consumption; 12, David Woodman
Bartlctt, 19, brain fever. Child of J. Hannaford, J, dysen-
tery. Mrs. Brown, 70, consumption. Aug. 18, cliild of
Ephraim H. Brown, 2, dysentery ; 24, daughter of John
Bird, 19, brain fever. Child of Edmund Merrill, 2. Sept.
3, daughter of Sewall Crockett, 21, fever ; 11, child of Charles
Parsons, 8, same ; 22, Eli Grover, 34, same ; 25, child of
Henry Small, 14 months. Oct. 5, wife of L. Hathaway, 34,

206 inSTORT 07 NORWAT.

consumption ; 6, child of William Cox, 4 months ; 10, vifo
of Simeon Walton, 72, fevor ; 18, child of M. P. Smith, 18
months ; 28, William Beal, 81, old age ; 28, Eunice Ban-
croft, 28, consumption. Nov. 8, wife of Sewall Crockett, 50,
foyer ; 14, wife of S. S. Hall, 80, consumption. Child of
J. Greenleaf, 8 weeks. Nov. 24, wife of D. Pottle, 44, con-
sumption. Child of Wm. C. Pierce, T, dysentery. Dec. 7,
child of A. T. Murphy, 1, scalded; 80, Ansel Boss, 30, con-
sumption. Four children died in the north part of the town;

names unknown.

1851.

Jan. 2, daughter of Horsley Shed, 7, canker rash ; 17,
Hannah Jordan, 76 ; 15, child of Mr. Grelderman, 1 ; 25,
Betsey Witt, 48, consumption. April, Mrs. Forbes, 70,
palsy; 21, Lois T. Cobb, 15, consumption'. May 22, Ann
M. Woodbridge, 19, same ; 25, Levi Shed, 55, same. Juno,
daughter of M. Parsons, 15, same; 17, Daniel Watson, 50, ,
same ; 25, wife of Samuel Foster, same. July 14, child of
J. B. Stuart, 8 montlis ; 26, James Foster, 6, fever. Aug.
4, child of T. J. Needham, 4, canker raah ; 4, Mrs. Benja-
min Jordan, 60, consumption'; 28, Mrs. William Frost, 48,
same ; 27, child of Eev. E. F. Quinby, 4, croup. Child of
Lewis Shackley, 8 weeks. Sept. 2, Mra. Wentwortb, 72,
jaundice ; 10, child of W. W. Ilobbs, 4, cholera morbus ; 10,
wife of H. W. Strong, 87, consumption ; 18, wife of William
Frost, 8d, 28, same. Oct. 7, child of H. W. Strong, 5
months ; 24, Abigail Parsons, 54, fits ; 80, wife of Titus 0.
Brown, 82, congestion of the lungs. Nov. 4, wife of Daniel
Ilolt, 68, consumption ; 24, child of Clark Knight, 4. Dec.
25, child of Mahalou Crockett.

1852.

Jan. 4, child of Charles Walton, 5, croup ; 14, Elizabeth

Cobb, 20, consumption. John Richardson, 80, same. Jan.

27, II. Mclntire, 83, dropsy ; 28, Widow Ellis, 82, consump-

tion ; 29, child of Reuben Noble, 5, canker rash. Feb, 2,

HISTORY OP NORWAY. 20T

A. Dunham, 46, decline. March 1, 1. Merrill, 82, consump-
tion ; 6, Mrs. Frances Chandler, 58, stoppage ; 8, Mrs. Sarah
Farwell, 63, consumption ; 18, Samuel Ames, 93, palsy ;
28, Nancy Morse, 8. April 9, Nathaniel Millett, 80, dropsy
and apoplexy. Ellen F., 7, 22, Rebecca G., 1 5-6, daugh-
ters of Dr. Jesse Howe, both congestion of the lungs. May
11, Daniel Witt, 24, killed on railroad. June 15, Mrs. Ma-
ry Frost, 68, consumption. William K. Emery, 54, same.
July 12, wife of John Bird, 76, same ; 21, Clara Sophia,
daughter of Gen. William Parsons, 17, fever ; 10, wife of A.

A. Latham, 36 ; 24, wife of Daniel Herring, dropsy ; 29,
Gen. William Parsons, 66, fever. Aug. 3, wife of William

B. Upton, 24, consumption; 24, wife of Martin Stetson,
palsy ; 26, Rev. Edwin F. Quinby, just from California, fe-
ver. Sept. 29, wife of Otis True, 31, consumption. Oct.
11, William B. Upton, stoppage of stomach; 19, wife of
Benjamin Rowe, 82, dropsy ; 25, Ebenezer Bancroft, jr.y
fever. Wife of John Witt.

PATRONS.

As a grateful acknowledgment of iho liberal patronage
bestowed on the preceding work by the citizens of the to\m
of Norway, and by many gentlemen of other towns, the writer
cheerfully embraces the opportunity of publishing a list of its
patrons at the close of the book, believing that it will bo
gratifying to future generations to look back, and see the lib-
erality displayed for the purpose of preserving from oblivion
the memories and names of those who have patiently and
perseveringly labored to build up the town to its present
prosperous condition, from what was formerly a howling wil--
demess, and only the abode of savage beasts, and moro
savage men.

The reader will probably see, and if not, may plainly
understand, that the writer has purposely omitted saying
anything about political parties of any description, or any of
the prevailing isms of the present day ; as he thinks there will
be enough of the acrimony and bitterness of party strife go
down to future generations without making a book record for
its preservation. Heither ^oga he intend to hide l^mself be-
hind the oft-resorfed-to-^creen pi belonging to no party, or
sect; for his political course has always boon distinctly
marked, and known, and probably will continue the same,
until ho sees a siifficient reason for changing his opinion.
Tho present ago is an ago of progress, and (ho hopes) of
improvement, in the diffusion of knowledge, and in tho ame-
lioration of the condition of the human family ; and time only

210

KAUBS OF PATROK&

will doYolop wliothor tlio oonflioting oxortionfl of tlio various
parties and organissations will ultimately tend te promote tlio
prosperity and happiness, first of our own nation, and then
of the whole human fiunily. This is a momentous question,
the consideration of which ought to haye a large place in the
mind of every considerate and candid person.

NAMES OF

William Wirt Virgin, 2

Moses C. Bartlett, 2

Edwin W. Howe,
Dr. Jesse Howe,
John Deering,
Adna 0. Dcnison,
Otis True,
Levi Whitman,
Ezekiel 0. Jackson,
George F. Kimball,
Thomas F. Beal,
Joseph A. Small,
John 0. Kimball,
James Crockett, ,

Samuel Favor,
Bobert Pike, Oxford,
Ebenezer G. Shackley,
Edmund Ames,
William Parsons,
Thomas Higgins,
Ebenezer Hobbs,
Thomas G. Benson^
Aurelius 0. Noble,
James H. Merrill,
GIiandlerF. Millett, Oxford,
Thomas H. Kelley,

PATRONS.

Solomon S. Hall,
Jeremiah Howe,
Jeremiah W. Hobbs,
Asa Thayer,
Mark ?. Smith,
Elbridge G. Allen,
Enoch L. Knight,
Ceylon Watson,
Henry Bust,
Loren H. Wrisley,
Dudley Pike,
Aaron Shackley,
Franklin Manning,
Granville L. Beed,
Samuel Crockett, Oxford,
Ansel Dinsmore,
Oren Hobbs, Portland,
William B. Danforih,
Francis A« Danfbrth,
Nathaniel Bennett,
Josiah P. Lovejoy,
John Beal,
George W. Seavems,
Titus 0. Brown, jr.,
John W. Baymond, *
Francis H. Whitman, .

NAUES OF PATROHS.

211

Isaac A. Denison,

Lee Mixer,
Amos T. Murphy,
Horatio G. Cole,

1
2

Joshua B. Stuart,

Jonathan Blake,

Sihis Bates,

William M, R. Lunt, 1

John Dealy, 1

Thomas Pool, 1
Cliarles Pike, . 1
William D. Cordwell, Paris, 1

Isaac Bartlett, 1

Elliot Smith, 1

William Needham, 1

Henry W. Millett, 1

Cephas Sampson, 1

Thomas T. Uobbs, 1

Ebenezer P. Fitz, 1

Richard Evans, 1

Samuel Gibson, 1

Elijah R. Merrill, 1

Ocorgo H. Bernard, 1

James 0. Bulpit, 1

Orovcsnor Crockett, 1

Ichabod Bartlett, 2

Otis F. Mixer, 1

Isaac Bolster, 1

Moses Ames, 1

Ephraim H. Brown, 1

John S. Hutchins, 1

David McAllister, 1

Joel Parkhurst, 1

Dr. Asa Danforth, 2

James S. Greenleaf, 1

Greorgo L. Beal, 1
J.W. B. Welcome, Oxford, 1

Isaac Bennett, 1

Benjamin Barrows, 1

Sewall Crockett, jr., 1

Alfred P. Bumell, 1

Zebulon Rowe, 1

(jeorge W. Mann, 1
Peter W. Buck, Greenwood, 1
WilUam C. Whitney, . 1

Moses A. Young, 1

Charles S. Mallett, 1

Samuel Partridge, 1

Jeremiah H. Hall, 1

Sumner Hale, 1

Samuel Cobb, jr., 1

William Hayes, 1

Samuel P. Frost, 1

Ezra F. Beal, 2

Edwin Stetson, 1
Stuart H. Noble, Portland, 1

Charles P. Kimball, <6

John Woodman, 1
James L. Shackley, Paris, 1

Jesse Howe, Sumnci*, 1

Jonathan B^ Smith, 2

William P. Witt, 1

Luther F. Foster, 1

Daniel Holt, 3d, 1

William B. Upton, 1

Simbn Stevens, 2d, 1

Anthony Bennett, 1

Nathaniel G. French, 1

Charles Parsons, 1

Isaac Farrington, 1

212

NAMBS 07 PATB0N8/

Washington Noycs, 1

Boubcn Noble, 1

Aaron Wilkins, 1

Theodore L. Lassell, 1
Kufus Bartlett, Greenwood, 1

William P. Buck, 1

James Merrill, ^ 1

Simon Stevens, 1

William D. Paine, 1

Uriah II. Upton, 1

James Tubba, 1

Calvin Shed, 1

William Pingree, 1

Perry D. Judkins, 1

Darius M. Holt, 1

William Frost, jr., 1

John S. Shed, 1

Dudley B. Holt, 1

Simeon Noble, 1

David B. Crockett, 1

Horsley Shed, 1

William Hall, 1

William Cox, 1

Augustus Heirick, 1

Thomas Melzeard, 1

Amos T. Holt, 2

Elijah II. Hobbs, 1

Simeon Frost, 1

Ansel Town, 1

Jeremiah Foster, 1

Luke Fletcher, 1

George W. Sholes, 1

John Bird, jr., 1

George Frost, 1

Henry C. Reed, 1

Nathan Millett, 1

Bev. J. L. Stevens, 1

Joseph A. Bradbury, 1

Johnson Frost, 1

Thomas Witt, 1

Amos F. Noyes, 1

John Millett, . 1

Lorenzo D. Hobbs, . 1

Charles Penley, 1

David B. Noyes, 1

Mohalon Crockett, 1

Joei Millett, 1

James Bennett, 1

David T. Frost, 1

Henry Pike, 1

Bodolphus Young, 1

Dudley Woodbridge, 1

Thos. Judkins, Greenwood, 1
Brockett Morston, 1

Nathaniel Pike, 1

Ethiel Stevens, Greenwood, 1
W.Stevens, Cambridge, Ms. 1
John A. Holmes, Paris, 1
Addison A. I^tham, 1

Joseph A. Kendall, 1

William Frost, 8d, 1

Elhanon W. Fyler, Minot, 1
Henry Upton, 1

Lawson Cobum, Greenwood, 1
James Hill, 1

Jacob F. Holt, Pennsylvania, 1
Benjamin Jordan, 1

Stephen G. Seavey, 1

GeorgeP.Whitney,Oxford, 1
William E. Goodnow, 1

NAMES OF PATBONS.

218

Joseph S. Rouncb,
Isaac N. Small,
Eben. Marstoii,TVaterford,
Bcnj. Marston, ''
Albion Buck,
Charles Newhall,
Ephraim Briggs,
Jacob Parsons,
Luther F. Pike,
Jonathan PotUe,
Goorgo W. Parsons^
William Hall, 2d,
Solomon Millett,
Hiram Millett,
Seba (}ammon,
Richard Lombard,
John P. Jordan,
John Piko,
William Frost,
Zachary Carey,
John Frost,
Samuel Lord,
George W; Everett,
Alpha B. Everett,
Wilson Hill,
Osgood Perry,
Henry Noble,
William W.D.S.MiUett,
Jonathan Whitehouse,
Thomas Hill,
Benjamin Tucker, jr.,
Alanson B. Watson,
Nathaniel G. Bacon,
Charles Jackson,
Charles L. Francis,

1 James Smith, 1

1 Nath. Andreirs, Otisfield, 1

1 Lewis Crockett, Andover, 1

1 James N.Hall, 1

1 Henry R. Webber, Oxford, 1

1 John Merrill, 1

1 Dan. Merrill, Methuen, Ms. 1

1 Samuel W. Saunders, 1

2 Stephen Merrill, 1
1 Henry Merrill, 1
1 John Bancroft, 1
1 Sumner Frost, 1
1 Andrew Case, 1
1 John Co£Sn, 1
1 Joel Frost, 1
1 Ebenezer Crowell, 1
1 William P. French, 1
1 Elijah FUnt, 1
1 Amos Upton, 1'
1 William C. Pierce, 1
1 Enoch Holt, 1
1 Jacob Herrick, 1
1 RoUinTown, 1
1 Jonathan Swift, 1
1 John Whitmarsh, 1
1 Charles Frosty 1
1 William Frost, 4th, 1
1 Elijah Jordan, 1
1 Nathaniel S; Frost, 1
1 Silas Meriam, 1
1 Daniel Hobbs^ 1
1 Bela Noyes, 1
1 Noah 0. Stevens, 1
1 David Wilkins, 1
1 Jacob Tttbbs, 1

S14

HAHBS OF PAtROKS.

William Knight,
William R. Crockett,
Katbaa Mone,
Bphraim S. Crockett,
Joseph G. Penley,
Alanaon M. Dunham,
William P. Richardson,
Thomas H. Richardson,
Joseph F. Crockett,
Bewail J. Crockett,
Joseph York,
David M. Brown,
John Richardson,
Moses Parsons,
Hiram Loyejojr,
Levi Millett,
Jared M. Bnck^
John H. Millett,
Thomas Briggs,
Samuel S. Millett,
Joseph F. Merrill, Oxford,
Daniel Cummingp,
Calvin Richardson,
Benjamin Witt,
Mrs. Austin Buck,
Cha's Young, jr. Greenwood,
Daniel Green,
Levi Frank,
James C. Bennett,
Thomas R. Lovejoy,
Lemuel Lovejoy,
John B. Brown, Portland,
Robert Noyes,
David S. Andrews, Otisfield,
Geo. W. Patch, Greenwood,

S. H. Houghton, Greenwood,
Eliaa H. Bemis,
Samuel A.Webb6r,Ozford,
Ich. B. Yerrill, Greenwood,
Alexander Crocker, Minot,
William S. Allen, Oxford,
William Young,
William Gallison, Paris,
William.K Kimball, <<
Joshua B. Crockett,
Alva B. Davis,
William W. Hobbs,
Cornelius W. Hobbs,
Reuben Favor, Paris,
John W. Noble, Watcrford,
Hon. E. Gerry, "
Benjamin G. Holt,
Henry H. Hobbs,
Henry Houghton,
Dr. J. S. Minett,
David F. Noyes,
Bezaleel A. Cushman,
Rev. H. W. Strong,
Levi T. Boothby, Paris,
George J. Ordway, Porthind,
Thomas J. Cox, Augusta,
Benjamin Crockett, Oxford,
Dr. Thos. Roberts, Rumford,
John Parsons, Paris,
Ward Noyes, Portland,
Bowers Barton, Boston,
Ajalon Godwin, Rumford,
John Dennett, Paris,
Wm. H. Sweetser, Boston,
G. G. Waterhouse, iPorthmd,

NAMBS OF PATBONS.

215

Alva Hobbs, Qreenwood,
Cha'sH. Crocker, "
John Noyes, "

Simon Noble,
Mrs. Bebekah Ames,
Asa S. Fool, Portland,
B. R. Robinson, ''

Increase Robinson, Skow^^l
Samuel Cobb, 1

1
1
1
1
1
1
2

Sylvanus Cobb, jr., 1

Fred. Cobom, Greenwood, 1
Malbory Brown, Waterford, 1
Daniel Chaplin, '^ 1
N. Abbott, 2d, Andoyer, Ms. 1
Thomas Crocker, Faris, 1
Thomas Ellis, 1

George W. Millett, 6

CJiarles F. Farkhurst, 6

ERRATA.

• #

Page 13, bottom lipp, fqt "rataract" read preoipioe.
" 23, 15th line from bottom, for **MiddeltOD" read Middletoo.
«« 25,16th " " " " bouhgt " read bonght.

" 27, 5th line from top, for <<Febrary " read February.
" 28, 12th " •« " "to far" read too fer.
" 60, bottom line, for " atereotpyed " read atereotyped.
" 79, 14th line from top, for "came" read come.
" 97, 9th " " " " the the " read the.

" 125, 18th " " " " Greenwood " read Greenwood.

" 129, bottom line, for " 1741 " read $1741.

" 146, 2d line from bottom, for " brm " read bam.

" 158, 2d " " " " conaeqence " read oonaeqaence.

" 205,7th « " " " J, dyaen- " read 2, dyaen-.

The printer regreta that theae typographioal errora were not de-
tected until an hour too late for their correction. They are as
mortifying to hia eye aa they can be odiooa to that of the reader.
But, aa the author aaya in hia preface of hia own errora, " instead
of wondering at a few mistakes, it should be a greater wonder that
there are not more ; ** for, if the compositor has not had many
" irons in the fire," he has had perplexities of which readers can
not know. In the revised and enlarged edition of 1952, the errors,
doubtless, will he expunged.

37^

This book is a preservatioQ phoCooopy.

It was produced on HammenniU Uuer Print n^^

a 60 # book weight add-fiee aicfaival pqier

which meets the reqpiirenieats of

ANSI/NISO Z39.48-1992 (pennaneoce of pqw)

Pieservation photocopying and binding

Acme Bookbinding

Cbariestown, Massachusetts

1996

WTOENER LIBRARY

Harvard CoUege, Cambridge, MA 02138: (617) 495-2413

If the ttem is recalled, the borrower ¥iill be notified of

the need for an earlier return. (Non-receipt of overdue

notices do es not exempt the borrower from overdue fines.)

WIDENER

Thank you for helping us to preserve our collectioni

3 2044 025 022 75

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