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HISTORY  OF  BETHEL 


FORMERLY  SUDBURY  CANADA 


OXFORD  COUNTY,  MAINE 


1768-1890 


With  a  Brief  SKfeterr^F'' ^'Hanover 


FAMILY   STATrSTlCS 


Compiled  by  William  B.  Lapham 


"And  he  called  the  name  of  that  place  Bethel." — Genesis  xviii,  19. 


AUGUSTA,  ME: 

PRESS  OF   THE  MAINK   FARMER, 

1891. 


rePYniaiiTEn  tx  isoi. 

9^  :Wli.L<AM    B.    LAPHAM. 


EEDICATIDN, 


To  Mk.  Timothy  ArrLEXox  ('hapmax.  :mki;chant. 

OF   MILWAUKKK,    WISCONSIN,    WHOSK 

HONOKKI*   (iHAXDSIKE   WAS   AMONG   THK   I'tONEEK  SHTTI-ERS  OK 

SUDBl'HY   CANAKA   TO   WHICH    HE   (lAVE 

THE  NAME  OF  BETHEL: 

WHOSE  FATHER  sri:NT  HERE  HIS   YOUTH,  HIS  EARl.Y  .^lANllooD 

AN1>  SOME  OF  HIS  DECLINING  YEARS, 

AND  WHOSE  KINDRED  HAVE  EVER  BEEN  AMONG  THE  FOREMOST 

CITIZENS   OF  THE  TOWN;   WHOSE   PRK-EMINENT 

BUSINESS   SUCCESS  HAS  AFFORDED  HIM 

AMPLE  MEANS,  AND   WHOSE 

GENEROSITY  HAS  DISPOSED  HUM    TO  NUMEROUS  DEEDS  OF 

BENEVOLENCE  AND  CHARITY  :    WHOSE   LOYALTY 

TO  THE  HOME  OF  HIS  ANCESTORS  HAS 

BEEN   PROVED  ON  VARIOUS  OCCASIONS,  AND  THROlMill  WHOSE 

PUBLIC  SPIRIT,  THE  PUBLICATION  OF  A 

fusitory  of  ^^cthrl 

HAS  BEEN  RENDERED  POSSIBLE,  THIS  VOLUME  IS  MOST 
RESPECTFULLY   INSCRIBED   AND   DEDICATED  BY  THE  COMPILER, 

\VM.  B.  LAPHAM. 

Awjusta.  Maine ^  J(i)i.  7,  1892. 


DR.    WM      B.    LAPHAM 


PREFACE 


In  eighteen  hundred  fifty-nine  and  tlie  year  folloAving,  Dr.  Nathaiii*;! 
T.  True  publislied  in  tlie  Bethel  Courier  of  whicli  he  was  editor,  a  series  of 
articles  whicli  he  called  the  history  of  Bethel.  Perhaps  a  more  appropri- 
ate name  would  have  been  "materials  toward  a  history  of  Bethel,''  for 
this  it  really  was.  In  eighteen  hundred  seventy-four  and  five,  the  com- 
piler of  this  volume,  published  in  the  Oxford  Democrat,  a  series  of  articles 
entitled  Early  Bethel  Families,  in  which  most  of  the  leading  early  families 
were  written  up.  When  Dr.  'J'rue  became  disabled  for  work,  he  suggested 
that  his  material  and  mine  be  united  and  kept  together  until  a  history  of 
Bethel  could  be  published  in  book  form.  Accordingly  he  sent  to  me  his 
gleanings,  including  the  chapters  in  the  Courier,  with  the  request  that  I 
would  make  such  use  of  them  as  I  should  deem  best.  I  had  had  this 
material  by  me  for  more  than  ten  years,  adding  to  it  from  time  to  time, 
and  arranging  it  in  proper  form,  before  any  ettbrt  was  made  to  have  it 
printed.  Meantime,  Dr.  True  had  passed  to  his  eternal  rest.  It  was  not 
until  the  generous  proposition  was  made  by  Hon.  Timothy  A.  Chiipman 
which  was  seconded  by  the  town,  that  a  way  seemed  opened  for  placing 
the  history  of  Bethel  in  a  substantial  form  to  be  preserved,  and  it  is  but 
simple  justice  to  Mr.  Chapman  to  state  here  that  but  for  him  this  volume 
could  not  have  been  printed  at  this  time,  and  peihaps  never.  Mr.  Chap- 
man has  also  contributed  mucli  more  than  any  other  to  illustrate  the 
work.  Another  person  who  has  manifested  a  deep  inteiest  in  tlie  work 
is  Hon.  Lafayette  Grover  of  Portland,  Oregon,  who  in  the  higli  places  he 
has  filled  and  the  esteem  in  which  he  is  held,  is  second  to  no  son  of 
Bethel.  He  has  contributed  eight  of  the  illustrations.  Others  have  shown 
more  or  less  interest  in  various  ways  so  that  the  compiler  lias  no  special 
cause  of  comjilaint. 

The  gleanings  and  gatlierings  by  Dr.  True  liave  been  of  great  service, 
though  they  have  been  use<l  as  material  and  most  of  it  rewritten.  It  lias 
been  the  desire  of  the  compiler  that  Dr.  True  should  have  full  credit  for 
what  he  accomplished,  and  he  consefjuently  occupies  a  conspicuous 
position  throughout  the  volume.  Though  not  a  native  of  the  town,  his 
name  will  ever  be  closely  associated  witli  the  history  of  Betliel.  It  has 
been  the  aim  of  the  compiler  to  group  the  matter  which  has  come  into  his 


vi  HISrORY   OF  BETHEL. 

hands  in  au  iut*'llijjent  manner,  and  by  means  of  indexes,  to  secure  easy 
reference.  The  loss  of  the  plantation  and  a  portion  of  the  town  records, 
has  been  sei-iously  felt  through  all  stages  of  the  work.  Such  a  loss  is 
most  unfortunate  because  irreparable.  No  doubt  there  are  important 
omissions,  for  many  things  transpii-ed  in  early  Bethel  of  which  no  record 
was  made,  and  it  is  too  late  to  have  the  advantage  of  oral  testimony. 
Some  things  of  minor  impoitance  are  necessarily  left  out,  for  it  is  not  pos- 
sible to  crowd  all  the  incidents  and  doings  of  a  town  like  Bethel  into  one 
volume,  and  keep  it  within  reasonable  dimensions.  The  records  of  some 
of  the  societies  which  have  been  established  for  a  while  and  then  have  died 
out  are  not  accessible,  and  so  exact  data  concerning  them  could  not  be  ob- 
tained.. They  have  either  been  mislaid  or  destroyed.  Yet  it  is  hoped  that 
the  intelligent  people  of  Bethel  will  find  many  things  here  to  interest 
iheni;  that  this  volume  will  aid  the  venerable  in  years,  in  recalling  the 
almost  forgotten  incidents  of  their  childhood  days,  and  in  bringing  before 
the  mental  vision,  faces  once  familiar  but  long  since  lost  to  sight;  that 
till-  young  may  liere  learn  sonn'thing  of  the  privations  and  hardships  to 
whicli  (heir  ancestors  were  cxposfd  in  making  homes  for  themselves  and 
for  their  i)osteritv  in  this  w  ildt-rni'ss,  and  tinally,  that  its  perusal  may  re- 
suh  ill  a  moil'  ardent  love  lor  tlie  dear  (dd  town  and  a  deeper  veneration 
for  those  wlio  tc>und<'d  ii.  and  made  it  what  it  is.  The  personnel 
of  the  work  has  l)eeii  made  prominent,  but  I  trust  not  unduly  so,  for  the 
chief  poiiils  of  interest  in  a  town's  history  are  those  which  relate  to  the 
lives  and  doings  of  the  principal  inhabitants.  Personal  notices  are  brief 
and  this  has  been  necessary  on  account  of  tlie  large  number  noticed. 

I  have  been  deeply  interested  in  my  work,  for  all  my  early  associations 
are  with  Bethel  and  her  i)eo})le.  It  was  there  that  I  attended  the  common 
schools  and  the  academy,  and  the  school  liouse  still  standing,  where  I  first 
attt'uded.  is  the  same  in  whidi  1  first  tried  to  teach.  I  have  been  familiar 
with  Bethel  lor  more  tlian  lialf  its  vears.  I  remember  the  days  of  luni- 
l)ering  stage-coaches,  and  mails  onlv  once  a  week,  of  the  hard  times  for 
farmers  for  want  of  a  near  market,  of  the  great  scarcity  of  money,  and  of 
(Miforced  economy  in  household  exijenditures.  I  have  witnessed  all  the 
great  changes  biouglit  about  by  the  introduction  of  railwaj^s,  the  tele- 
graph and  the  telei)hone,  and  the  ai»plication  of  steam  power  for  propel- 
ling niaeliinerv.  I  was  ae(|iiaiiited  with  some  of  the  early  settlers,  and 
wlii-iia  Ixiy.  I  lieard  troni  tlie  lips  ol  Nathaniel  Segar,  the  story  of  his 
cajitivity.  Ot  tlie  second  generation.  I  was  ac<iuainted  with  most  of  them, 
in  all  parts  of  tlie  town.  Many  years  have  elapsed  since  I  ceaseil  to  be  a 
resident  :  many  taiiiiliar  laces  have  gone  out  and  many  strangers  have 
come  in  ;  a  new  generation  has  come  upon  the  stage  of  action  and  many 
other  and  great  changes  have  been  wrought,  yet  my  interest  in  the  dear 
old  town  is  unabateil.  for  whatever  clianges  may  have  taken  place  in  poj>- 
ulation,  the  river,  the  crystal  brooks,  the  broad  intervales,  tlie  hills  and 
mountains  and  all  the  varied  scenery  remain  the  same,  and  after  the  lapse 
ot  all  these  years,  can  be  called  in  review  at  will. 

During  the  ]»rogress  of  tlie  work  I  have  Ixmmi   laid  under  obligation  to 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  vii 

various  persons,  the  chief  of  whom  are  Dr.  John  F.  Pratt  of  Clielsea, 
Leonard  B.  Cliapman  of  Deering,  Addison E.  Herriclc,  Goodwin  li.  Wiley, 
Hon.  Enoch  Foster  andLeander  T.  Barker  of  Bethel,  Elbridge  G.  Wheeler 
and  Oscar  D.  Grover  of  West  Bethel,  Virgil  V.  Twitchell  of  Gorhani,  N. 
H.,  Asa  P.  Knight  of  Washington,  D.  C,  and  the  lilirarian  of  the  New- 
England  Historical  and  Genealogical  Society  of  Boston.  Mv  thanks  are 
also  due  to  all  who  liave  aided  in  illustrating  the  volume  and  tliereby  add- 
ing to  its  interest  and  value.  These  almost  speaking  likenesses  will  grow 
dearer  and  dearer  as  the  years  roll  by,  while  the  glimpses  of  landscape 
beauty  to  those  who  have  left  the  town,  will  be  a  constant  reminder,  and 
will  serve  to  intensify  the  love  and  devotion  for  the  scenes  of  their  child- 
hood days.  And  finally,  to  the  discriminating  judgment  of  Betliel  people 
wherever  they  may  be,  this  history  is  respectfully  submitted,  with  the 
hope  that  those  w  ho  have  contributed  to  aid  in  its  publication  may  feel 
that  it  has  been  profitably  expended. 

WM.  B.  LAPHAM. 
Augusta,  Me.,  January  1,  1892. 


ABSTRACT  OF  CONTENTS. 


Chapter  I. 


Epitome  of  Maiue  Histor}- — The  Northmen — Columbus — Other 
Early  Voyagers — Claims  to  the  Country — Colonization  Schemes 
— North  and  South  Virginia — -The  Colonies  of  Jamestown  and 
Sagadahoc — Plymouth  and  the  Massachusetts  Ba}' — Maine  ab- 
sorbed by  Massachusetts — The  Separation — State  Government 
organized — Maine  in  tlie  War  of  tiie  Hebellion.  1-18. 

Chai'Teu   II. 

Grants  of  Narragansett  and  Canada  Tovvnsliips — King  Philips 
War — Invasion  of  Canada  by  Sir  Williams  Phips — Seige  and 
Capture  of  Louisburg — (Jrant  of  Maine  Townships  to  Soldiers — 
Various  Land  Grants.  19-27. 

Chai'Tkr   III. 

Sudbury  Canada  Grant— Petitioned  for  in  17.17  and  granted  in 
17ti8 — Petition  of  .losiaii  Kichardson  in  17()7 — List  of  Original 
Petitioners — Additional  Petitioners — The  Proprietors'  Records 
Lost — Joseph  Twitchell  of  Sherbouni^ — Karly  Convej'anees — In- 
habitants of  Newry  Petition.  19-27 

Chapter  I\'. 

Natural  Features — Metes  and  P)Ounds — Plans  of  the  Township — 
Rivers — Mountains — Surface  and  Soil — Mineral  Spring — Flora — 
Fauna.  29-36. 

Chapter  V. 

First  Settlers — Jonathan  Iveyes — Samuel  Ingalls — Eleazcr  Twitcliell 
— Benjamin  Russell — Abraham  Russell — James  Swan — Jonathan 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  ix 

Clark — Benjamin  Clark — Jesse  Duston — Nathaniel  Segar — Amos 
Powers — John  York — John  Grover — Amos  Hastings — Peter 
Austin.  37-45. 

Chapter  VI. 

■Snclbury  Canada  Attacked  by  Indians — Segar  and  the  Clarks  Cap- 
tured— Jonathan  Clark  Returns — Account  of  the  Journey  to 
Canada  with  Incidents  along  the  way — Arrive  at  Tribal  Head- 
quarters in  Canada — Made  Prisoners  of  War — Liberated  and 
reach  their  old  Homes  in  Newton.  45-51. 

Chapter  VII. 

Defensive  Measures — Great  Consternation  in  the  Plantation — Frj'e- 
burg  Appealed  to — John  Grover  the  Messenger — Prompt  Re- 
sponse— Indians  pursued  but  without  avail — Fort  erected  and 
manned — Accounts  for  Services  Presented — Number  Four  Peti- 
tioned for  and  refused — Roll  of  the  Garrison.  53-61. 

Chapter  VIII. 

Early  Statistics — First  Enumeration  in  1790 — Direct  Tax  of  1798. 

61-63. 

Chapter  IX. 

Increase  of  Population  and  Incorporation — AV^here  the  early  settlers 
lived — the  Twitchell  Mill — Jonathan  Bean — Called  Bethel  at  the 
suggestion  of  Rev.  Eliphaz  Chapman — Act  of  Incorporation — 
First  Town  Meeting.  63-68. 

Chapter  X. 

Second  Enumeration,  1800 — Large  Increase  in  Population — Total, 
622  69-70. 

Chapter  XI. 

The  Androscoggin  Indians — Worombo's  Deed — The  Pejepscots 
and  Rockomekos — Their  Corn  fields  in  Bethel — Their  hostility  to 
the  English — Euphonic  Indian  names — Lovewell's  Fight — The 
Androscoggins  emigrate  to  Canada — Molly  Ockett — Metalluk — 
Various  Other  Indians  who  visited  Bethel.  71-83. 


X  HISTORY   OF   BETHEL. 

Chapter  XII. 
Military    Affairs — Soldiers    of    the    Revolution — Town    Militia — 
Petition  for  :in  Artillery  Company — Commissioned  Officers — War 
of  1812-16— Boundary  Contest.  83-93. 

Chaptek  XIII. 

Travel  and  Mail  Facilities — Post-riders — First  Post  Office — The 
.Stage  System — List  of  Post  Offices  and  Postmasters.  93-97. 

Chapter  XI\'. 

Later  Settlements — Intervales  first  settled — Francis  Hemraingwaj' 
— The  "Whale's  Back" — Abijah  Lapham — Caleb  Bessee — Berry 
Hill — Levi  Berry  and  family — The  Bryants,  Jordans,  Cushmaus, 
Birds  and  Estes — Kimliall  Hill — The  Locke's  Mills  and  Bean's 
Corner  road — The  Kiver  road — Jeremiah  Andrews,  Luther  Bean, 
The  Frosts,  Howards  and  Bartlctts — South  Bethel,  once  Walker's 
Mills.  ;)7-]03. 

Chapteh   X\'. 

A  Chapter  of  Statistics — Settlement  of  Oxford  County  Towns — 
County  of  Oxford  Erected — Its  Original  Towns — Towns  since 
added — Population  l)y  towns  1  790  to  1820 — Educational  JNIatters 
in  tiie  County — Agricultural  Statistics — Titles  to  the  soil — Sales 
and  (iiants.  lOii-112. 

Chapter  XVI. 
Prominent  Bethel  Men  Deceased — .ledediah  Burbank — Barbour 
Bartlett — Lt.  Jonathan  Clark — George  W.  Chapman — Timothj' 
Cliapman — Robert  A.  Chapman — El  bridge  Chapman — Elias  M. 
Carter — Phineas  Frost,  Eli  Foster,  John  (Irover,  Senior — Cuvier 
(irover — Tallyrand  (trover — Israel  Kimball  Jr. — Ira  C.  Kimball 
— John  Kiniliall — Samuel  Barron  Locke — John  Locke — Charles 
R.  Locke — Closes  Mason — Ayers  Mason — Dr.  N.  T.  True — 
Eleazer  Twitchell — Eli  'i'witchell — Ezra  Twitchell — Peter 
Twitchell — Joseph  Twitchell — John  A.  Twitchell — James  Walker 
—James  Walker  2d— John  Williamson.  113-K56. 

Chapter    XV'II. 

Abstract  of  Town  Records  1797-18.30 — Early  Town  Clerks — Char- 
acter and  ability  of  Town  Officers — General  Town  Proceedings 
for  half  a  century.  If) 7-1 89. 


HISrOBY   OF  BETHEL.  xi. 

Chapter  XVIII, 

Picturesque  Bethe! — Its  Beautiful  Situation — Its  Landscape  Variety 

and  Beauty— Its  Fine  Drives — Various  Places  Described — ••From 

Sunset    Rocl\    Looking   Westward" — Lucy  Larconi's    "On    the 

Ledge".  189-1 97_ 

Chapter  XIX. 

Churches  and  Ministers — First  Church,  West  Parish — Parson  Brad- 
ley— Rev.  Daniel  Gould — Abstract  of  Church  Records — Rev. 
Charles  Frost  and  other  Ministers — Second  Church — The  Baptists 
— Act  of  Incorporation — Rev.  Ebenezer  Bray  and  others — Lists 
of  Delegates — The  Methodists — The  Free  Baptists — Uuiversal- 
ists— Other  Ministers.  198-241. 

Chapter  XX. 

Physicians — Dr.  Timothy  Carter — Dr.  iNIoses  Mason — Dr.  Joha 
Grover— Dr.  Robert  G.  Wiley— Dr.  Almon  Twitchell— Dr. 
Joshua  Fanning — Dr.  Ozmon  M.  Twitchell — Dr.  David  W.  Davis 
— Other  Physicians.  241 -•254. 

Chapter  XXI. 

Lawyers — William  Frye — David  Hammons  — O'Neil  W.  Robinson — 

Richard  A.  Frye — Samuel  F..  Gibson — Enoch  Foster — Moses  B. 

Bartlett— Joel  C.  Virgin  — Addison  E.  Herrick — Wm.  C.  P'rye — 

Alonzo  J.  Grover — Albert  S.  Twitchell.  255-264. 

Chapter  XXII. 
Bethel  in  the  War  of  the  Rebellion — Three  Months  Men — Company 
I,    Fifth    Maine — Other    Bethel    Organizations— Roll    of   Bethel 
Soldiers.  265-281. 

Chapter  XXIII. 
Educational  Matters — Early    Schools   and   School    Houses — Prom- 
inent   Educators — Gould's    Academj- — List    of    Principals    and 
Trustees — The  Gould  and  other  Legacies — State  Aid — Alumni. 

281-294. 

Chapter  XXIV. 
Bethel    Centennial — Organization    for    its    Celebration — A    (irand 
Procession — Dr.  True's  Address—  Professor  Chapman's  Poem — 
Toasts  and  Responses — Letters.  295-.3;52. 


xii  HLSrOBY   OF   BETHEL. 

Chapter  XXV. 

Temperance  Reform — Early  Drinking  Habits — The  Lawyers  Organ- 
ize— The  State  Society — Early  Societies  in  Bethel — The  Wash- 
ingtonians — Sons  of  Temperance — Other  Organizations — Bethel 
a  Prohibition  Town.  333-340. 

Chapter  XXVI. 

David  Robbins — His  Appearance  at  Bethel — His  Marriage — Moves 
to  the  Magalloway  Country — The  Lost  Child — Found  Among  the 
Indians — Hinds  and  Cloutman — Perfidy  of  Robbins — Hinds  and 
Sou—  Went  Hunting  and  Never  Returned — Arrest  of  Robbins — 
His  Escape  from  Lancaster  Jail — Death  ofHis  Wife.     341-361. 

Chapter  XXVIL 

Sketches  Personal — Eliphaz  C.  Bean — Timothy  A.  Chapman — 
Henry  L.  Chapman — Charles  J.  Chapraau — Clark  S.  Edwards — 
Lafayette  Grovcr — Abernethy  G rover — David  R.  Hastings — 
Gideon  A.  Hastings — Sylvester  Robertson — Ceylon  Rowe — 
George  M.  Twitchell— Alice  (i.  Twitchell.  361-381. 

Chapter  XXNllI. 

Industrial — Lack  of  Water  Power — Early  and  Later  Mills— Wool- 
carding  and  Cloth-dressing — Furniture — Tanning — Hotels — 
Traders — Steam  ^Fills — ("mir  Factory— Lost  Industries-  Potash 
Making  and  Shingle  s\eavliig  — West  Bethel — Blacksmiths — Other 
Trades.  381-390. 

ClIAI'TEK     XXIX. 

Real  Estate  Transfers  — York  or  Cuml)erl;ind— -louas  and  Edward 
Bond— Early  and  Later  Deeds.  391-398. 

Chapter   XXX. 

Fraternal  Societies — Free  Masons — Odd  Fellows  —Grand  Army  of 
the    Republic — Woman's     Relief    Corps — Knights    of    Pythias. 

399-407. 

Chapter  XXXI. 

Bethel  Hill — Its  Attractive  Situation — The  Common  and  Lauds 
Bordering — Pearly  Buildings — Transfer  of  Lots — Bethel  Hill  as 
Seen  from  Sunset  Rock — Village  Corporation — Water  Company 
— Farmers'  CXwh—Bethel  Courier.  407-416. 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  xiiv 

Chapter  XXXII. 

Fragments — Dr.  Mason's  Wit — He  goes  to  Congress — His  Library 
— Uncle  Ned's  Tick  Box — Novel  Treatment  of  Neuralgia — Wild 
Pigeons — Bears — Death  of  James  INIills — Caleb  Bradley — The 
Great  Freshet — Jonathan  Bean — Indian  Items — John  Holt — 
Orren  Foster's  Terrible  P^xperience — Celebration  of  the  Anni- 
versary of  the  Indian  Raid — Trees  Around  the  Common — 
Bethel  Hill  in  1859 — Bean's  Corner — AVashingtonian  Movement 
— "The  same  to  yourself,  Sir" — David  Marshall — Charge  of 
Grover's  Brigade — "Tommy" — The  Last  Wolves — Town  of 
Mason — Town  of  Gilead — Hosea  Ripley — "Seven  by  Nine  Glass 
Boys,  touch  her  off" — Jonathan  Abbot  Russell — A  Beautiful 
View — Consider  Cole— "Be  you  the  Devil?" — Early  Forest  Fires 
— Joseph  Wheeler — The  Stalwart  Grover  Brothers — Dr.  P.  C. 
Wiley— The  Village  Blacksmith.  417-443. 

Chapter  XXXIII. 

Official  Register — Selectmen— Town  Clerks — Justices  of  the  Peace 
—  Representatives — Senators — Councillors — Other  State  Officers. 

443-447. 

Chapter  XXXIV. 

Brief  Sketch  of  Hanover— Its  Component  Parts — Howard's 
Gore — Abstract  of  Plantation  Records — Incorporated  as  Han- 
over— Town  Officers — Patriotic  Record.  447-455. 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 


INDEX  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS. 


PORTRAITS. 


Jetlediali  Buibaiik 113  Mrs.  Fauuv  Grovor 548 

Dr.  Silas  P.  Kartlett 470  Abernethy"  (Jrover 274 

(ico.  \\'.  Chapniaii 11.".  Lafayette  (Jrover 868 

'I'iiiKitliy  (  liapiiiaii 118  Tallyrand  Grover 288 

IJohcrt  A.  Chaitiuaii .")11  Xatliaii  (i rover 5.^2 

Dr.  TiinotJiv  Caiter 242  Luciuda  (J rover 552 

Prof.  n.  L.  Vhapiiiaii 312  David  P.  Hastinjrs 370 

Tiinotliv  A.  ( 'hai)niaii Fioiitis  (iideoii  A.  Hastiuii's 560 

(liariesJ.  Clmpinaii :',{;:,  Ira  C.  Kimball...  '. 133 

(iiliiiaii  Cliapinaii .307  Aytns  .Mason 143 

(lark  S.  Edwards 367  Dr.  Moses  Mason 243 

\\i-\.  II.  <■.  Ivstes 237  Samuel  D.  Philbrook 597 

i'hiiieas  Frost 122  Sylvester  Pobertson 606 

Abi;;ail   Frost 536  Ceylon  IJoAve 379 

Enoch  Foster 2.VJ  Xatliani<'l  T.  True 144 

Rev.  Charles  Frost 212  Joseph  I'witchell 153 

William  Frve 255  Marv  T\\  itchell 153 

Lois  Frve .'. .-)3S  Peter  Twitchell 151 

Pichani  A.  Frv<- ...295  Dr.  Almon  Twitchell 249 

Eev.  Daniel  (Joulil 210  Albert  S.   Twitchell 263 

Pev.  David  (Jarland 217  (Jeorjre  M.   Twitchell 29(» 

(ien.  (iivii'r  <; rover 126  Alice  <J.  'i'witchell 380 

Dr.  .lohn  (irover 245  Josepli  \.  'Twitcliell 633 


VIEWS. 

Lot  Pl.in  (d  IJelhel 29 

Church  at  .>Fiddle  Interval 4o 

Lt.  Jonathan  Claik  Mouse 40 

Piver  View— Mount  Will 439 

View  on  (  hurch  St  reel 408 

First  <  'oni>re«jational  (  hurch 199 

Elipha/  Chapman  House 208 

Bethel  Hill  from  Sunset  l»'ock 412 

GouhTs  Academy  1860 285 

Dr.  <;rover  Place,  now  •■'i'hc  Kims" 384 

Residence  of  A.  E.  Herrick 261 

From  Sunset  Rock  I>ookin<>:  Westward 197 

JJethel  House 584 

Deacon  < ieo.  W .  ( 'liapman  Place,  Gilead 116 

■Gould's  Academv  1890 416 


HISTORY    OF    ni'JIllEL. 


indp:x  of  personal  sketches. 


Jonathan  Beau li") 

Jedediah  Burbaiik 1  lo 

Barbour  Bart  let  t 1 U 

Kev.  E.  A.  Buck 215 

Rev.  S.  L.  Bowler 21(J 

Kev.  Ebeuezer  Brav 220.  225 

Rev.  ^Vul.  Beavius! 22<) 

Rev.  Frank  E.  Barton 233 

Rev.  Nathaniel  Barker ,34:'. 

Dr.  Zenas  Bartletl '•  20^ 

Dr.  Silas  P.  Bartlett 470 

Moses  B.  Bartlett 2(10 

Eliphaz  ( '.  Bean o(il 

JonatVian  <  'lark 40,  114 

Benjamin  <  'lark..' 41 

(leo.  W.  (  hapuum 1  ir. 

'I'iniothy  <  'iiapnian lis 

Itdhert  .V.  (  liapinan ll'.i 

Elbri(li>-e  (  hapiuan 121 

Elias  M.  Carter 121 

Rev.  Eliphaz  ( 'hapnian 207 

Rev.  t'alviu  <  'hapnian 2;i6 

Rev.  Lawsou  Carter 2;i7 

Dr.  Timothy  Carter 242 

Dr.  Cullen  Carter 2.53 

'J'imothy  A.  Chapman 3(12 

Heni'y  L.'(  hapnian 36") 

<  'harles  J.  (  hapnian 30.") 

Jesse  Dnston 41 

Rev.  Arthur  Driukwater 22.") 

Rev.  Benj    Dunham 220 

Dr.  David  W.  Davis 252 

Rev.  H.  C.  Estes '. ...  237 

Rev.  Sumner  Estes 23;» 

Clark  S.  Edwards 3(17 

Pliineas  Frost 1 22 

Eli  Foster 124 

Rev.  Charles  Frost 2i:! 

Dr.  .Tosluia  Fanuina; 2.51 

Dr.  .1.  Henry  Frost 25;! 

William  Frye 255 

IPiohard  A." Frve 25s 

Euoeh  Foster " 25!» 

Wm.  (  .  Frye 2(;2 

Reuben  B.  Foster 532 

John  (i rover 42    1 25 

<  uvier  (trover 12i! 

'I'allyrand  (4rovei- 132 

Rev".  Daniel  (iould 21o 

Rev.  Nahum  P.  (irover 217 

Rev.  David  (iarland ••••217 

Rev.  Alplieus  ( irover 23it 

Dr.  .lohn  (t  rover 245 

Dr.  I>eander  (iage 25;'. 

Dr.  (has.  W.  (Jordou 2.54 

Samuel  F.  Gibson 25!» 

Alouzo  J.  G rover 2(12 

I>afayette  Grover 3()S 

.\bernethy  Grover 37(! 

Daniel  ( Jrout 544 


Elijah  (irover  Jr 551 

Natlian  (irover 552 

( ieorge  W .  Grover 552-3 

Amos  Hastings 43 

Kev.  Samuel  Haselton 22!t 

David  irammons 257 

Addison  E.  IFerrick 2G1 

David  K.  Hastings 37() 

(Mdeon  .\.  Hastings 377 

Samuel  higalls 42 

Israel  Kiniliall  .Ir 132 

Ira  C.  Kimball i;;3 

Deacon  John  Kimball 134 

Dr.  John  E.  I>.  Kimball 253 

Dr.  Benjamin  W.  Kimball 253 

Samuel  Barron  Eocke 141 

Dr.  John  Locke i;i5 

Cliarles  R.  Locke 141 

Kev.  John  H.  ^l.  Leland 215 

Da\i(l  :Marshall. ..43 

Metalluk si 

Moses  Mason 141 

Avers  Mason 143 

Kev.  Diiniel  Mason 225 

Kev.  rlavan  K.  Mason 239 

Dr.  Moses  Mason 243 

Kev.  Wellington  Newell 240 

Molly  Ocket't 78 

Amos  Powers 41 

Benjamin  Russell 39 

Al)raham  Bussell 40 

Dr.  (  harles  Kussell 253 

()"Neil  W.  Robinson 258 

.Sylvester  Rol)ei'tson 378 

(  eylou  Fiowe 379 

.lames  Swan 40 

Nathaniel  Segar. 41 

Eleazer  Twitchell  39.  147 

Keter  Twitchell... (14,  151 

Dr.   N.  T.   True 144 

Eli  Twitchell 149 

Ezra    Twitchell 150 

Joseph  Twitchell 153 

John  .\.   I'witchell. 1.54 

Kev.  Zenas  Thompson 232 

Dr.  .\lmon  I'witehell 249 

Dr.  Ozmon  M.  Twitchell 251 

Dr.  William  'Twitchell   253 

Albert  S.  'J'w  itchell 2(13 

(ieo.  ]\r.  Twitchell 379 

.Vlice  (L  'Twitcliell ;580 

Joseph  A.  'Twitcliell (VoA 

Joel  C.  Virgin 2(11 

James  ^Valker 154 

.James  Walker  2d 155 

John  Williamson 155 

Kev.  John  B.  Wheelwright 21<i 

Dr.  Robert  (i.  Wilev 24s 

Dr.  Win.  Williamson 254 

.John  York 42 


CORRECTIONS  AND  ADDITIONS, 


Page  43,  for  Samiud  Marshall,  I'ead  Dacid  Marshall. 

Page  85,  7th  line  from  bottom,  for  Daniel  Grant  read  Daniel  (h-ont. 

Page  259.  3tl  line  from  top,  for  one  son^  read  one  daughter. 

Page  473 — The  record  of  the  family  of  Henry  Russell  Bartlett  is  incom- 
plete.    In  addition  to  the  children  there  given,  he  had: 
iv     Sebra  Frank,  b.  Sept.  20,  1850,  m.  Clara  A.  Wilson. 
V    Etta,  b.  Dec.  28,  1855,  m.  James  M.  Bartlett. 

vi     Tavie,  b.  Aug.  30,  1857,  m.  Fred  C.  Bean,  son  of  Eliphaz  C.  Bean  Esq^ 
of  East  Bethel ;  he  resides  on  the  homestead  with  his  father. 

Page  (;2t).  12th  Vuw  from  liottoni.  read,  "she  was  drowned  soon  after." 

Page  .502.  .John  Chase  wlio  married  for  second  wife,  Louisa  (Graves) 
widow  of  Charles  .Swan,  had  l)y  this  marriage: 
V     Edgar  E..  b.  Oct.  8.  1862. 

vi     Harry  C.  b.  April  Ki,  1866,  m. Barker. 

vii     Editli  M..  b.  .lime  14,  1868. 

Page  537 — 'I'he  it^cord  of  Rev.  Charles  Frost  as  there  given,  copied 
from  the  town  records,  is  incomplete,  and  is  completed  here: 

Rev.  Charles  Frost  was  born  in  TJmerick,  Me.,  Jan.  12,  1796.  He  mar- 
ried ^lay  11,  1819,  Lydia  Fernald  of  Gorham,  3Ie..  who  died  in  Bethel, 
Aug.  5,  1825.  He  married  second.  May  9,  1826,  Eucinda  M.  Sheafe  Smith 
who  was  born  at  Scarboro,  Dec.  19,  1794.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Ezra 
Smith  of  Hanover.  Mr.  Frost  died  Feb.  11,  1851,  and  his  widow  died 
Nov.  11.  18.59.     (liildrcn: 

i     Mary  1)..  b.  April  12,  1820,  m.  Asa  Thayer, 
ii     Amanda  Eliza,  b.  Feb.  21,  1823,  d.  July  18,  1827. 

iii     James  Henry  Paine,  b.  May  24,  1825,  m.  1st  Margaret  Johnson   of 
Virginia ;  2d  Mary  Ames. 
By  second  marriage : 
iv     Lydia  Amanda,  b,  July  15,  1827,  m.  Rev.  AVellington  Newell. 
v     Charles  Ezra,  b.  Dec.  25,  1829. 
vi     I^ucinda  Smitli.  b.  July  6,  1832,  d.  Jan.  19,  1851. 
vii     John  Smith,  b.  Aug.  23,  i336,  d.  March  2,  1851. 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL 


♦  ♦  ♦  «  ♦ 


CHAPTER  I. 

Epitome  of  Maine    History. 

HE  early  history  of  the  coast  of  Maine  is  enveloped  in  mys- 
tery. An  Icelandic  historian  has  claimed  that  the  western 
hemisphere  was  discovered  by  his  ancestors,  and  while  the 
evidence  he  gives  is  by  no  means  conclnsive,  based  as  it  is  npon 
tradition  which  did  not  become  a  matter  of  record  until  several  cen- 
turies after  the  incidents  described  are  said  to  have  transpired,  yet 
there  is  some  degree  of  plausil>ility  in  the  claim.  The  Icelandic 
historian  states  that  about  the  3^ear  of  our  Lord  one  thousand,  certain 
Icelandic  voyagers,  some  of  whose  names  are  preserved  and  are 
recorded  in  their  sagas,  left  their  island  home  in  the  arctic  regions, 
sailed  to  Greenland,  thence  to  Labrador,  and  subsequently  made  oft 
repeated  voyages  to  the  coast  of  New  England,  established  colonies 
in  Nova  Scotia,  and  perhaps  on  the  coast  of  Maine,  and  visiting 
Cape  Cod  gave  to  it  the  name  of  Viuelaud,  on  account  of  the  abun- 
dance of  grapes  they  found  growing  there  in  a  wild  state.  Historical 
students  have  differed  with  regard  to  the  truth  of  these  traditions, 
but  a  majority  of  them  and  among  them  some  of  the  most  eminent, 
have  regarded  the  evidence  as  too  shadow}'  and  unsubstantial,  to 
entitle  them  to  confidence  and  give  them  a  place  in  history.  But 
the  stories  of  early  discovery  on  the  New  England  coast  b}'  the 
Northmen  have  a  decided  mythological  flavor,  the  geographical 
details  being  very  vague,  and  the  description  of  the  country,  its 
climate,  soil,  and  its  native  population  highly  exaggerated  if  not 
wholly  fictitious.     I  am  aware  that  the  interest  upon  this  phase  of 


2  HIS  TOBY  OF  BETHEL. 

Maine  history  has  beeu  more  active  within  a  few  years  than  form- 
erly, though  I  do  not  know  that  any  new  evidence  has  been  dis- 
covered. Some  of  our  leading  Maine  historians  have  become 
converted  to  this  view,  and  while  their  opinions  are  entitled  to  great 
weight,  I  do  not  consider  their  arguments  by  any  means  conclusive. 
And  whether  it  be  true  or  not  that  the  rude  Noi'thmen  discovered 
and  often  visited  the  coast  of  New  England,  is  a  matter  of  very 
little  importance  save  from  a  purely  abstract  historical  standpoint. 
They  left  no  lasting  monuments  of  their  occupancy,  laid  no  claim 
to  the  lands  discovered,  and  if  they  occupied  portions  of  the  land 
for  a  brief  period  at  points  along  the  coast,  they  thereb}'  accom- 
plished nothing  in  the  interests  of  human  advancement.  It  seems 
almost  incomprehensible  that  people  from  Iceland  should  discover 
the  coast  of  New  England,  remain  here  for  a  time  unmolested  and 
with  no  impediments  in  the  way  of  a  permanent  occupancy,  and 
then  voluntarily  return  to  their  home  in  the  arctic  ocean  with  no 
apparent  thought  of  reaping  any  permanent  benefit  from  their 
discovery.  But  the  subject  is  really  of  so  little  importance  as  to 
demand  only  a  passing  notice,  and  is  only  referred  to  because  the 
Icelandic  sagas  giving  accounts  of  these  probably  mythical  voyages, 
have  been  translated  and  printed  and  have  become  a  part  of  the 
literature  of  our  day. 

It  was  from  quite  a  different  quarter  of  our  globe  that  discoveries 
in  the  western  hemisphere  were  made  that  resulted  in  peopling  it 
with  intelligent  and  civilized  human  beings.  It  was  left  for  a 
famous  Italian  under  the  patronage  of  the  King  and  (^ueen  of  Spain, 
to  solve  the  great  problem  of  a  western  hemisphere,  and  Christopher 
Columbus  discovered  the  new  world,  for  whose  existence  against 
violent  opposition  and  even  persecution,  in  the  year  of  grace,  one 
thousand  four  hundred  and  ninety-two.  Five  years  later  the  elder 
Cabot  sailed  along  our  coast  and  described  it  to  the  entrance  to 
Chesapeake  bay.  He  was  followed  by  various  other  voyagers  who 
came  in  the  interest  of  different  nations.  This  gave  rise  to  a  san- 
guinary contest  for  the  possession  of  the  country,  more  especially 
between  England  and  France,  which  continued  with  varying  suc- 
cesses for  more  than  a  century  and  a  half.  The  Indians  took  an 
important  part  in  the  contest  and  with  them  it  was  in  part,  a 
struggle  for  their  very  existence.  The  French  early  established 
missions  among  the  Indians,  and  the  Jesuits  were  untiring  in  their 
efforts  to  convert  them.     This  was  no  difficult  task,  for  the  simple 


HISTOBY   OF  BETHEL.  3 

natives  were  charmed  aud  awed  by  the  imposing  forms  and  cere- 
monies of  Catholic  worship,  and  a  large  number  of  the  eastern 
tribes  became  converts,  aud  allies  of  the  French.  England  and 
France  claimed  the  country  by  priority  of  discovery,  and  no  doubt 
both  countries  felt  that  they  had  just  cause  for  their  claims.  The 
French  claim  was  founded  first  on  the  discovery  of  the  coast  of 
Maine,  by  Verrazzano,  in  fifteen  hundred  and  twenty-four,  who 
named  the  country  New  France ;  second,  on  the  discovery  and 
occupancy  of  Canada  in  fifteen  hundred  and  thirty-five,  by  Cartier ; 
third,  the  grant  of  Henry  IV  to  DeMonts  in  sixteen  hundred  and 
three  ;  fourth,  the  voyage  and  occupation  of  the  country  under 
DeMonts  and  Champlaiu,  and  others  who  claimed  under  the  same 
charter.  The  English  defended  their  title  on  the  following  grounds  : 
first  the  discovery  of  Cabot  in  fourteen  hundred  and  ninety- seven  ; 
second,  the  possession  of  Newfoundland  by  Gilbert  in  fifteen  hun- 
dred and  fifty-three  ;  third,  the  voyages  and  landings  of  Gosnold, 
Pring,  ^Yaymouth  and  others,  and  fourth  the  charter  of  sixteen 
hundred  and  six,  and  the  occupation  of  the  country  by  the  Popham. 
Colony  in  sixteen  hundred  and  seven  and  subsequentl}^  aud  by 
Gorges  and  others  claiming  under  it.  The  great  question  between 
the  two  powers,  as  to  the  right  of  possession,  turned  on  the  occu- 
pancy of  the  country  under  the  charter.  And  as  the  French  based 
their  claim  largely  on  the  settlement  under  the  charter  of  DeMonts 
in  sixteen  hundred  and  three,  so  the  English  claim  was  based  upon 
the  settlement  in  sixteen  hundred  aud  seven,  under  the  Virginia 
chaiter  of  sixteen  hundred  and  six.  lUit  as  the  charter  of  DeMonts 
had  been  revoked  in  sixteen  hundred  aud  seven,  and  its  rights  con- 
veyed by  a  new  charter  to  Madame  DeGuercheville,  a  strong 
advantage  in  the  French  claim  was  lost ;  for  the  Elnglish  claimed 
with  great  force  that  the  English  settlement  under  the  English 
charter  now  gave  them  absolute  priority  and  indisputable  right. 
But  the  French  did  not  so  readily  abandon  their  title.  On  the  con- 
trary, they  pushed  their  settlements  and  arms  and  their  missions  to 
the  western  verge  of  their  claims. 

A  brief  account  of  some  of  the  early  abortive  efforts  to  make 
settlements  along  the  Maine  coast  is  of  interest  in  this  connection. 
In  sixteen  hundred  and  three.  King  Henry  of  France  granted  to  one 
of  his  noblemen,  Sieur  de  Mouts,  a  territory  in  the  New  World 
known  as  "Cadie"  or  "Acadia,"  described  as  embraced  between  the 
fortieth  and  forty-sixth  degrees  of  north  latitude.     The  purpose  of 


4  HIS  TO  BY   OF  BETHEL. 

DeMonts  was  to  found  a  colony  here,  and  he  immediately  set  about 
it.  He  equipped  two  vessels,  and  accompanied  b}-  several  French 
gentlemen,  among  whom  was  Samuel  Champlain,  a  distinguished 
navigator,  sailed  from  France,  April  seven,  sixteen  hundred  and 
four.  He  made  his  first  headquarters  upon  a  small  island  which  he 
named  St.  Croix.  It  is  situated  in  the  St.  Croix  river,  near  the 
present  boundary  line  between  Maine  and  New  Brunswick.  His 
colony  was  finally  established  at  Port  Royal,  near  Annapolis,  Nova 
Scotia.  While  coasting  along  through  the  Gulf  of  Maine,  Cham- 
plain  discovered  and  named  Mount  Desert  Island  and  Isle  an  Haut, 
giving  them  the  names  they  still  bear.  Continuing,  he  entered  the 
Penobscot  which  he  described,  and  returning  entered  Sheepscot  Bay, 
which  he  ascended  as  far  as  the  northern  extremity  of  Westport ; 
he  descended  the  river  on  the  west  side  of  the  island,  passed  close 
to  Hockamock  point,  pulled  the  vessel  through  the  upper  Hellgate, 
and  entering  the  Kennebec  river  passed  on  to  Merr3'meeting  Bay. 
The  return  was  by  the  true  channel  of  the  Sagadahoc,  and  the  fact 
that  his  was  probably  the  first  vessel  that  ever  plowed  the  waters  of 
this  river,  gives  importance  to  the  event  in  this  connection.  It  was 
a  small  vessel  called  apaWac/<(',  and  had  on  1)oard  some  seventeen 
or  eighteen  men. 

The  colonization  scheme  of  De^NIonts  proved  a  failure,  and  prior 
to  sixteen  hundred  and  six,  his  charter  had  been  revoked.  It  was 
:at  this  time  tliat  Sir  Ferdinand©  Gorges,  Sir  John  Pophum,  Capt. 
I?aleigh  Gilbert  and  other  distinguished  Englishmen,  began  to  take 
active  measures  for  the  settlement  of  the  New  Worl..,  and  two  com- 
panies were  chartered,  the  one  called  the  London  Company,  to  i)lant 
colonies  in  Southern  Virginia,  and  the  other  organized  in  Plymouth, 
England,  was  called  the  Plymouth  Company  and  was  to  colonize 
North  Virginia.  This  was  the  second  attempt  to  establish  a  colony 
within  the  present  limits  of  the  State  of  INIaine,  the  first  being  by 
DeMonts  at  St.  Croix,  as  already  stated. 

In  the  spring  of  sixteen  hundred  and  seven,  a  plan  was  matured 
for  establishing  a  colony  on  the  Sagadahoc  river.  A  hundred 
emigrants  besides  mariners  were  engaged  for  the  enterprise,  and  all 
necessarj^  supplies,  including  ordnance  stores,  were  speedily 
secured.  Two  vessels  were  chartered,  one  commanded  by  George 
Popham  and  the  other  by  Raleigh  Gilbert.  They  sailed  from  Ply- 
mouth, England,  on  the  thirtj^-first  of  jMay,  sixteen  hundred  and 
seven,    and    steered   directly  for  the  coast  of  INIaine,  then  called 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  5 

North  Virginia.  They  first  touched  at  Monhegan  Island,  July 
thirty-first,  and  after  exploring  the  coast  and  islands,  they,  on  Sun- 
day, August  ninth,  landed  on  an  island  which  they  called  St. 
George,  where  they  heard  a  sermon  delivered  by  Mr.  Seymour,  their 
Chaplain.  Stage  Island,  situated  on  the  east  side  of  the  mouth  of 
Kennebec  river,  is  supposed  to  be  the  ancient  St.  George.  It  is 
related  that  they  intended  to  make  Stage  Island  the  seat  of  their 
colony,  and  that  they  sunk  wells  and  begun  houses,  but  becoming 
satisfied  that  they  could  not  have  pure  water  from  their  wells,  and 
for  other  reasons,  they  decided  to  make  a  change.  Their  vessels 
were  anchored  under  Seguin  Island  on  the  fifteenth.  This  island 
was  variously  spelled  "Sutguin,"  "Sequin"  and  "Seguin"  by  the 
early  voyagers.  On  the  same  day,  one  of  the  ships,  "The  Gift  of 
God,"  got  safely  into  the  river,  and  on  the  following  day,  the 
"Mary  and  John"  came  in,  and  both  vessels  came  to  anchor.  On 
the  seventeenth,  in  two  boats,  they  sailed  up  the  river — Capt. 
Fopham  in  his  pinnace  with  thirty  persons,  and  Capt.  Gilbert  in  his 
long  boat  with  eighteen  more.  "They  found  it  a  gallant  river; 
many  good  islands  therein,  and  many  branches  of  other  small  rivers 
falling  into  it."  They  returned,  and  on  the  eighteenth  "they  all 
went  ashore,  and  there  made  choice  of  a  place  for  a  plantation,  at 
the  mouth  or  entry  of  the  river,  on  the  west  side,  being  almost  an 
island,  of  good  bigness,  in  a  province  called  by  the  Indians 
"Sabino,"  so  called  of  a  Sagamore,  or  chief  commander,  under  the 
grand  bashaba." 

There  has  been  some  disagreement  among  historians  as  to  the 
precise  spot  where  the  colony  w^as  finally  established,  but  it  is 
described  as  on  the  Avest  side  of  the  river,  at  the  mouth  or  entry,  on 
a  peninsula,  and  what  better  description  of  the  territory,  extending 
from  the  bluff,  near  the  sea,  to  Atkins'  Bay,  could  be  given  than  is 
given  here?  There  can  be  no  reasonable  doubt  that  the  peninsula, 
upon  the  easterly  side  of  which  stands  the  United  States  Fort,  is 
the  ancient  Sabino,  and  the  seat  of  the  Popham  Colony,  subse- 
quently known  as  the  Sagadahoc  Colony.  Here  they  erected  a 
commodious  house  and  barn,  a  church,  and  quite  a  number  of  cheap 
cabins  or  huts,  some  say  fifty  in  all.  They  also  built  a  defensive 
work  which  they  called  Fort  St.  George.  Here  also  they  constructed 
a  vessel,  the  first  one  built  in  New  England,  of  about  thirty  tons, 
which  they  called  the  "Virginia."  Little  if  any  evidence  remains 
at  the  mouth  of  the  Kennebec  of  the  existence  of  Popham's  short- 


6  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

lived  settlement,  after  the  lapse  of  uearl}'  three  centuries,  the  shift- 
ing sands  having  long  since  bnried  them  from  human  sight,  but  the 
* 'gallant  river"  so  described,  still  flows  on  to  the  sea,  and  the  ocean 
waves  continue  to  beat  and  break  upon  the  sandy  beach,  as  they  did 
on  the  da}'  when  the  emigrants  landed  and  planted  their  colon}'  in 
the  ancient  and  picturesque  province  of  Sabiuo. 

When  the  Popham  Colony  broke  up  in  sixteen  hundred  and  eight, 
it  has  been  said  the  French  at  once  began  to  settle  within  their 
limits,  though  this  is  doubtful.  The  struggle,  ns  already  stated, 
was  long  and  bitter,  for  both  parties  were  impelled  by  self  interest 
and  pride,  and  by  an  assumed  consciousness  of  right. 

The  Great  Charter  of  New  England  was  granted  in  sixteen  hun- 
dred and  twenty,  while  the  pilgrims  were  on  their  passage  to  this 
country,  and  through  the  influence  of  Sir  Ferdinando  Gorges  and 
his  associates.  The  corporation  was  called  the  "Council  of  Ply- 
month"  in  the  county  of  Devon,  England,  and  the  charter  granted 
the  territory  from  the  fortieth  to  the  forty-eighth  degree  of  north 
latitude.  The  southern  limit  was  in  the  vicinity  of  Philadelphia, 
and  the  northern  the  Bay  of  Chaleur,  and  the  grant  extended 
through  the  mainland  from  ocean  to  ocean.  In  sixteen  hundred 
and  twenty-one,  the  Council  of  Plymouth  granted  to  the  pilgrims 
the  lands  which  they  occu[)ied,  and  u[)on  this  charter  as  enlarged  in 
sixteen  hundred  and  thiity,  all  the  legal  land  titles  of  the  Old 
Colony  are  based.  In  sixteen  hundred  and  twenty-nine,  the  same 
Council  granted  to  "NVm.  l^radford  and  his  associates  the  territory 
on  Kennebec  river  long  known  as  the  Plymouth  Patent  and  subse- 
quently as  the  Kennebec  Purchase.  Its  bounds  were  somewhat 
iudelinite  on  account  of  a  lack  of  knowledge  of  the  country  by  those 
who  drafted  the  instrument,  Init  as  finally  settled  in  the  courts,  it 
embraced  the  lands  on  both  sides  of  the  river,  fifteen  miles  in  width, 
and  extending  from  INIerrymecting  bay  to  the  falls  below  Norridge- 
wock.  August  tenth,  sixteen  hundred  and  twenty-two,  a  patent 
was  granted  to  Sir  Ferdinando  Gorges  and  Capt.  John  INIason,  con- 
veying to  them  the  territory  between  the  INIerrimac  and  Kennebec 
rivers,  to  their  farthest  head  and  sixty-five  miles  inland,  with  all 
the  islands  within  five  leagues  of  the  shore,  which  the  indenture 
states,  "they  intend  to  call  the  Province  of  Maine."  In  ]March, 
sixteen  hundred  and  twenty-eight,  a  patent  was  granted  to  John 
Winthrop  and  his  associates  of  the  Massachusetts  I>ay,  whieh  was 
confirmed  l)y  royal  charter  the  following  year.     In  sixteen  hundred 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  7 

and  twenty-nine,  Gorges  and  Mason  divided  their  territorj',  Mason 
taking  that  portion  situated  between  the  Merrimac  and  Fiscataqua 
rivers,  which  he  named  New  Hampshire,  and  Gorges  from  the 
Fiscataqua  to  the  Kennebec.  The  French  at  this  time  claimed  the 
Kennebec  as  the  western  boundary  of  Acadia.  In  their  eagerness 
to  settle  the  country  and  build  up  towns  and  cities  in  this  wilder- 
ness, the  Council  of  Flymouth  was  careless  and  even  reckless  in 
making  grants  of  land,  often  overlaying  patents  and  ignoring 
boundaries  of  previous  grants,  therebj^  sowing  the  seeds  of  contro- 
versies which  jnelded  an  abundant  harvest,  and  were  not  settled  for 
very  many  years. 

The  Great  Council  of  Plymouth  having  encountered  man}'  vexa- 
tions, in  sixteen  hundred  and  thirty-five,  agreed  to  surrender  their 
charter,  and  determined  to  divide  their  territory  into  eight  provinces, 
two  of  which  were  within  the  present  limits  of  Maine.  The  region 
between  the  Kennebec  and  the  St.  Croix  was  to  be  given  to  Sir 
William  Alexander,  Earl  of  Sterling,  and  was  to  be  called  the 
county  of  Canada.  The  coast  from  the  Kennebec  to  the  Fiscataqua 
and  extending  sixty  miles  into  the  interior,  was  assigned  to  Gorges 
and  called  New  Somersetshire.  Efforts  Avere  made  bj'  Gorges  to 
establish  a  government  in  which  he  partially  succeeded,  but  political 
dissensions  in  the  old  world  unsettled  everything  there  and  in  the 
new^,  and  the  troubles  which  arose  from  the  grants  previously  made 
within  this  patent,  induced  him,  in  sixteen  hundred  and  thirty-nine, 
to  apply  for  a  new  cliarter  which  w^as  granted  by  Charles  I.  It 
confirmed  all  the  territory  within  his  old  boundaries  on  the  coast 
and  extended  twice  as  far  into  the  interior.  He  called  this  the 
Province  of  Maine. 

The  terms  of  the  Massachusetts  charter  established  their  northern 
boundary  three  miles  north  of  the  Merrimac  river,  "and  each  and 
every  part  of  it."  To  this  line  all  had  agreed.  But  when  Massa- 
chusetts found  it  necessary  to  justify  the  seizure  of  jNIaine,  her 
citizens  conceived  a  new  interpretation  of  the  language  describing 
the  bounds.  The  river  makes  a  right  angle  about  thirty  miles  from 
its  mouth,  and  from  that  point  stretches  almost  due  north ;  so 
instead  of  a  line  three  miles  north  of  the  river  at  its  mouth,  they 
took  a  point  three  miles  north  of  its  head  waters,  and  from  that  run 
a  line  easterly  to  the  sea,  which  would  give  them  all  of  New  Hamp- 
shire, and  a  large  part  of  Maine.  In  her  aggressive  movement  for 
the  capture  of  Maine,  the  government  of  the  Massachusetts  Bay 


8  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

proceeded  cautiously,  but  with  a  manifest  determination  to  win. 
In  sixteen  hundred  and  fifty-two,  she  was  at  York  and  Saco.  Four 
years  after  she  had  reached  Fahiiouth.  The  next  year,  an  action 
was  brought  against  Thomas  Purchas  at  Brunswick,  but  he  resisted 
and  won  his  case  in  the  courts.  Then  a  new  line  was  run  to  White 
Head  Island  in  Penobscot  buy.  There  was  then  an  English  settle- 
ment at  Pemaquid,  which  many  claim  was  older  than  Massachusetts 
or  Pl^'mouth,  and  the  new  boundary  was  made  to  embrace  it.  It 
seemed  to  have  made  no  difference  that  the  territory'  east  of  the 
Kennebec  belonged  to  the  Duke  of  York.  The  Duke  had  purchased 
it  from  the  Earl  of  Sterling  in  sixteen  hundred  and  sixty-three, 
including  all  his  American  possessions,  and  the  next  j^ear  received 
a  royal  charter  from  his  brother  Charles  II.  Massachusetts  pre- 
pared to  contest  his  title  by  occupation,  and  in  sixteen  hundred  and 
seventy-four,  set  up  a  court  and  organized  a  local  government  at 
Pemaquid,  naming  the  territory  the  county  of  Devonshire.  The 
Duke  contested  until  he  ascended  the  throne  as  James  II,  when  the 
territory  was  annexed  to  the  Massachusetts  Bay  government.  The 
eastern  limit  of  Maine  was  first  fixed  at  the  Sagadahoc  river,  the 
name  by  which  the  Kennebec  below  IMerryraeeting  Bay  was  once 
called,  then  at  the  Penol>scot,  and  finally  at  the  St.  Croix,  as  at  the 
present  time.  The  contest  for  Acadia  as  this  Eastern  territory  was 
once  called,  as  being  the  door  to  Canada  by  way  of  the  St.  Law- 
rence, was  long  and  bloody.  Its  importance  as  a  vantage  ground 
may  be  understood  in  the  frequency  with  which  it  changed  hands. 
It  was  in  sixteen  hundred  and  thirty-two  ceded  to  the  French  by  the 
treaty  of  St.  Germains  :  in  sixteen  hundred  and  fifty-five,  it  was 
repossessed  by  the  English  by  conquest ;  in  sixteen  hundred  and 
sixty-seven,  it  was  again  ceded  to  the  French  by  the  treaty  of 
Breda  ;  in  sixteen  hundred  and  ninety,  it  was  reconquered  by  the 
English  under  Sir  William  Phips,  a  Elaine  man  :  in  sixteen  hun- 
dred and  ninety-one,  it  was  united  to  the  Province  of  the  Massachu- 
setts Bay  by  the  charter  of  William  and  Mary  ;  in  sixteen  hundred 
and  ninety-six,  it  was  virtually  repossessed  b}^  the  French,  and 
Massachusetts  surrendered  it  back  to  the  Crown  of  England  :  in 
sixteen  hundred  and  ninety-seven,  it  reverted  to  France  by  the 
treat}'  of  Ryswick  :  in  seventeen  hundred  and  thirteen,  it  was  ceded 
to  England  by  the  treat}'  of  Utrecht :  in  seventeen  hundred  and 
fifty-five,  the  Acadians,  who  still  maintained  allegiance  to  France, 
were  expelled  ;  in  seventeen  hundred  and  fifty-nine,  it  was  confirmed 
to  England  at  the  capitulation  of  Louisburg  and  Quebec. 


HISrOBY  OF  BETHEL.  9 

But  the  contest  between  Massachusetts  and  the  Gorges  interest 
grew  so  bitter,  and  attracted  so  much  attention  in  England,  that 
commissioners  were  sent  over  by  the  crown  to  investigate  the  mat- 
ter. Arms  had  already  been  resorted  to,  and  the  courts  established 
by  the  Massachusetts  Bay  Colony  were  protected  by  troops.  The 
question  before  the  High  Court  of  Chancery,  the  King  in  Council  in 
sixteen  hundred  and  seventy-seven,  rendered  the  just  and  common 
sense  decision  that  the  north  line  of  the  Massachusetts  Colony  was 
three  miles  from  the  north  bank  of  the  Merrimac  river  at  its  mouth, 
and  the  Province  of  Maine  both  as  to  soil  and  government,  was  the 
rightful  property  of  the  heirs  of  Sir  Ferdinando  Gorges.  When 
this  decision  reached  Boston,  Massachusetts  instructed  her  agent- to 
make  purchase  of  the  title,  and  the  heir  of  Gorges  sold  his  interest 
in  the  Province  of  Maine  for  the  paltry  sum  of  twelve  hundred  and 
fifty  pounds.  But  Massachusetts  did  not  long  enjoy  her  triumph, 
for  in  June,  sixteen  hundred  and  eighty-four,  the  charter  of  the 
Massachusstts  Bay  was  declared  forfeited  by  the  King,  and  a  copy 
of  the  judgment  was  served  a  month  after.  King  Charles  died,  and 
James  succeeded  him,  and  then  were  renewed  those  commotions  and 
oppressions,  which  in  this  country  were  connected  with  the  name  of 
Sir  Edmund  Audros,  and  the  attempt  to  consolidate  and  really  sub- 
jugate all  the  northern  colonies  ;  and  which  in  England  resulted  in 
the  revolution  of  sixteen  hundred  and  eighty-eight,  the  flight  of 
King  James  and  the  accession  of  William  and  Mary  of  the  House 
of  Orange.  At  the  accession  of  William  and  Mary,  Massachusetts 
had  every  reason  to  expect  to  be  restored  to  her  ancient  rights,  but 
there  were  now  numerous  interests  to  be  harmonized ;  the  sover- 
eigns, though  sympathizing  with  the  Puritans,  were  unwilling  to 
restore  so  liberal  a  charter,  and  one  which  had  been  so  freely  inter- 
preted. There  had  come  to  be  strong  shades  of  difference  in 
religious  and  political  opinions  among  the  colonists,  but  the  late 
disturbances  and  common  sufferings  had  the  sentiment  of  a  common 
cause  and  the  need  of  unity.  And  so  it  happened,  that  in  sixteen 
hundred  and  ninety-one,  these  elements,  whether  harmonious  or  dis- 
cordant. Pilgrim,  Puritan  or  Episcopalian,  were  bound  together  by 
a  royal  charter  which  consolidated  the  colonies  of  Plymouth,  the 
Massachusetts  Bay,  the  District  of  Maine,  Sagadahoc  and  all  of 
Acadia  into  one  Province  and  under  one  title,  the  Province  of  the 
Massachusetts  Bay.  A  few  years  later  the  Maritime  Provinces 
were  receded  to  the  Crown.     INIaine  was  now   in   fact   a  part  of 


10  HIS  TOBY   OF  BETHEL. 

Massachusetts,  and  the  first  Goveruorof  the  consolidated  Provinces 
was  Sir  William  Phips,  a  distinguished  son  of  Maine.  This  rela- 
tion existed  for  a  hundred  and  thirt}^  years,  till  eighteen  hundred 
and  twenty,  when  a  separation  was  made  b}'  mutual  consent,  and 
Maine  became  an  independent  State. 

The  colon}'  at  Saint  Saveur  was  planted  by  the  Jesuits,  and 
destroyed  by  the  English  during  the  season  of  sixteen  hundred  and 
thirteen.  Its  site  is  still  pointed  out  at  Fernald's  Point  near  the 
entrance  to  Somes'  sound,  and  on  Mount  Desert  Island,  and  the  two 
springs  described  by  Father  Biard,  one  of  the  founders  of  the 
colony,  still  supply  the  purest  and  coldest  of  water,  though  they  are 
situated  below  high  water  mark,  and  cannot  be  seen  at  flood  tide. 
A  French  Catholic  mission  was  established  on  the  Kennebec  river 
in  the  present  city  of  Augusta,  in  the  autumn  of  sixteen  hundred 
and  forty-six.  Father  Gabriel  Druillettes,  who  established  this 
mission,  was  a  Jesuit.  He  called  it  the  "Mission  of  the  Assump- 
tion," and  was  in  charge  of  it  for  several  years.  Like  all  of  his 
associate  Jesuits,  he  was  an  ardent  worker  and  wholly  sacrificed  self 
to  the  good  of  the  cause.  He  came  here  from  Quebec  by  canoe  and 
carry,  a  long  and  perilous  .iourney  through  a  broad  and  inhospitable 
wilderness.  The  black-robed  Fathers  continued  their  visits  and 
ministrations  at  this  point  for  more  than  a  century.  Neither  danger 
nor  hardship  ever  ai)peared  to  cool  the  ardor  or  lessen  the  zeal  of 
the  apostles  of  the  Jesuit  school.  The  puritans  from  Plymouth  had 
in  sixteen  hundred  and  twenty-eight,  established  a  trading  house  at 
the  same  point  then  known  as  Cushnoc,  with  John  Winslow  in 
charge,  and  here  in  this  wilderness  Jesuit  and  Puritan  met  face  to 
face.  Their  relations  ai)pear  to  have  been  very  pleasant,  for  Father 
Druillettes  speaks  of  being  warmly  welcomed  at  the  PLnglish  head- 
C[uarters  on  several  occasions.  But  how  different  their  mission  ! 
The  self-sacrificing  Jesuit  is  here  to  convert  the  heathen  Indians, 
and  lead  them  along  the  way  to  paradise  ;  the  puritan  comes  to  pro- 
tect the  material  interests  of  Plynioutli  colony,  and  to  trade  and  traflBc 
with  the  Indians  :  the  one  is  ready  to  sacrifice  ever^'thing,  even  his 
own  life  to  promote  the  spiritual  welfare  of  his  charge  ;  the  other  is 
here  for  worldly  gain,  for  the  accuinuh\tion  of  perishable  riches. 

"When  King  Pliilip's  Indian  war  l)roke  out  in  sixteen  hundred  and 
seventy-five,  the  coast  of  Maine  was  settled  from  the  mouth  of  the 
Piscataqua  to  l*enobscot  Bay,  but  during  this  war  the  settlements 
were  laid  waste  and  the  inhal)itants  either  killed,  captured  or  driven 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  H 

away.  Desolation  reigned  everywhere  supreme.  When  the  death 
of  Philip  brought  this  war  to  a  close,  many  of  the  colonists  returned 
and  hoped  to  retain  peaceable  possession  of  their  property,  but  in 
this  they  were  disappointed.  The  contest  for  empire  was  continued 
with  unabated  zeal  between  France  and  England.  The  French  held 
possession  of  the  territory  bordering  upon  the  Saint  Lawrence,  and 
it  was  at  Quebec,  the  headquarters  of  the  Jesuits,  that  the  raids 
upon  the  settlers  of  Maine  were  planned :  planned  by  the  French 
and  executed  jointly  by  the  French  and  Indians.  Among  the  tribes 
that  took  part  in  these  destructive  raids  were  the  Pequakets,  whose 
headquarters  were  at  Fryeburg,  the  Anasigunticooks  or  Androscog- 
gins,  who  lived  on  the  great  Androscoggin  river  and  the  tribe 
whose  headquarters  were  at  Norridgewock.  But  the  power  of 
the  Pequakets  was  broken  by  Lovewell  and  Jiis  brave  compan- 
ions in  seventeen  hundred  and  twenty- five,  a  few  3'ears  later 
the  Norridgewocks  were  completely  routed  by  Captains  Har- 
mon, Moultou  and  Bane,  when  the  Jesuit  Priest,  Father  Rasle,  who 
had  incited  the  Indians  to  slaughter  the  English  settlers,  was  killed, 
and  the  Androscoggius  fearing  a  like  fate,  deserted  their  ancient 
hunting  grounds  and  removing  to  Canada,  placed  themselves  under 
the  protection  of  the  French.  Louisburg,  the  French  stronghold  in 
Nova  Scotia,  was  captured  by  the  arm}'  under  Sir  William  Pepperell, 
in  seventeen  hundred  and  forty-iive,  and  in  seventeen  hundred  and 
fifty-nine,  the  army  under  the  brave  General  Wolfe,  on  the  Plains 
of  Abraham,  near  Quebec,  totally  defeated  the  French  under  Mont- 
calm, captured  the  stronghold  and  put  an  end  to  French  rule  in 
Canada.  This  desiral)le  achievement  was  the  beginning  of  a  new 
and  prosperous  era  in  tlie  history  of  Maine.  New  settlements  were 
commenced  in  the  interior  along  the  banks  of  the  principal  rivers, 
deserted  towns  were  repeopled,  and  the  hum  of  industry  was  heard 
all  along  the  line. 

Fryeburg,  the  first  town  granted  and  settled  in  what  is  now 
Oxford  county,  was  settled  in  seventeen  hundred  and  sixty-two,  and 
Bethel  granted  in  seventeen  hundred  and  sixty-eight,  was  settled 
six  years  later.  But  in  the  midst  of  this  general  prosperity,  the  war 
of  the  revolution  broke  out  which  paralyzed  all  enterprises  and  put 
a  stop  to  all  progress  for  the  space  of  nearly  eight  years.  Many 
who  had  just  settled  in  Maine  hastened  to  headquarters  and  joined 
the  ranks  of  the  patriot  army,  and  many  others  who  were  just  on 
the  point  of  coming,  postponed  it  until  the  close  of  the  contest  or 


12  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

even  more  indefinitely.  At  the  close  of  the  struggle,  which  resulted 
so  gloriously  for  the  colonists,  the  tide  of  emigration  turned  toward 
the  eastward  with  greater  force  than  ever  before.  The  soldiers  had 
been  paid  in  a  depreciating  and  subsequently  worthless  currency, 
and  were  very  poor.  Massachusetts  offered  liberal  terms  if  they 
would  settle  upon  eastern  lands,  and  they  accepted  and  turned  their 
faces  toward  the  promised  land,  the  new  Canaan,  in  multitudes. 
Then  it  was  that  Gray,  New  Gloucester,  North  Yarmouth,  Freeport 
and  Fryeburg,  became  the  rallying  points  for  settlers  who  were  on 
their  way  to  the  interior  of  Oxford  County.  Towns  rapidly  filled 
up  and  Bethel  was  peopled,  largely  by  patriots  of  the  war  for  inde- 
pendence. The  census  of  seventeen  hundred  and  ninety  showed 
that  the  District  of  Maine  had  a  population  of  ninety-six  thousand, 
five  hundred  and  forty.  A  decade  later,  it  had  increased  to  one 
hundred  fifty-one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  nineteen,  and  in 
eighteen  hundred  and  ten,  it  was  two  hundred  twenty-eight  thou- 
sand six  hundred  and  ninety-four.  Then  came  up  the  question  of 
separation  from  Massachusetts,  and  the  subject  Avas  agitated  from 
time  to  time  and  voted  upon,  until  eighteen  hundred  and  twenty, 
when  it  became  an  accomplished  fact.  Massachusetts  placed  no 
obstacle  in  the  way,  and  was  rather  pleased  at  the  separation  than 
otherwise.  The  convention  to  frame  a  constitution  for  the  new  state, 
convened  in  Portlaud,  October  eleven,  eighteen  hundred  and  nine- 
teen. Dr.  John  G rover  was  the  member  from  Bethel.  It  completed 
its  work  and  adjourned  October  twenty-nine  to  reassemble  January 
fifth  following,  to  ascertain  the  result.  It  was  found  that  the  whole 
number  of  votes  thrown  in  favor  of  the  constitution,  Avas  nine  thou- 
sand and  fifty,  and  against  its  adoption,  seven  hundred  and  eightj'- 
six.  William  King  was  president  of  the  convention,  and  was 
subsequently  elected  the  first  Governor  of  Maine. 

From  sixteen  hundred  and  ninety-one,  when  under  tlie  new  charter 
granted  liy  William  and  !Mary,  the  colon}-  of  the  Massachusetts  Bay 
including  INIaine,  and  Ph'mouth  colony  became  united,  to  the  year 
seventeen  hundred  and  sixty,  the  county  of  York  covered  the  entire 
District  of  Maine.  At  the  later  date,  the  county  of  Cumberland 
was  erected  and  the  county  of  Lincoln.  York  retained  its  present 
limits  except  it  had  the  towns  now  in  western  Oxford.  Cumberland 
extended  to  the  Androscoggin  river  and  northwardly  to  include  some 
towns  in  the  present  counties  of  Oxford  and  Androscoggin,  and 
Lincoln  county  embraced  the  rest  of  the  District.     Washington  and 


HIS  TOBY  OF  BETHEL.  13 

Hancock  counties  were  formed  iu  seventeen  hundred  and  eight}^- 
nine  ;  Kennebec  ten  years  later  ;  Oxford  in  eighteen  hundred  and 
five ;  Somerset  in  eighteen  hundred  and  nine ;  Penobscot  in 
eighteen  hundred  and  sixteen ;  Waldo  in  eighteen  hundred  and 
twent3"-seven  ;  Franklin  and  Piscataquis  in  eighteen  hundred  and 
thirty-eight ;  Aroostook  in  eighteen  hundred  and  thirty-nine  ;  An- 
droscoggin and  Sagadahoc  in  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty-four,  and 
Knox  in  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty.  The  State  of  Maine  is 
situated  between  forty-three  degrees,  six  minutes,  and  fortj^-seven 
degrees,  twenty-seven  minutes  and  thirty-three  seconds  of  north 
latitude,  and  between  sixty-six  degrees,  fifty-six  minutes  and  forty- 
eight  seconds,  and  seventy-one  degrees,  six  minutes  and  forty-one 
seconds  of  west  longitude.  Its  extreme  length  is  three  hundred  and 
three  miles  and  its  breadth  two  hundred  and  eighty-eight  miles. 
The  people  of  the  State  are  patriotic  and  loyal  to  the  government, 
both  state  and  national.  In  the  war  of  eighteen  hundred  and 
twelve  they  were  neither  wanting  nor  tardy.  In  the  war  with 
Mexico  many  of  our  citizens  joined  the  army,  and  in  the  war  for 
the  integrity  of  the  union,  no  State  has  a  more  patriotic  record.* 
Our  agricultural  and  manufacturing  resources  are  being  constantly 
developed,  railway  facilities  are  annually  improving,  new  industries 
are  springing  up  on  every  hand,  and  willing  hands  find  plenty  to  do 
at  remunerative  wages.  Our  educational  s^'stem  meets  the  demands 
of  the  people,  and  to  conclude,  we  have  an  intelligent,  thrifty  and 
happy  population.  Maine  has  ever  contril)uted  her  full  share 
toward  the  public  expenses  and  to  the  public  defence,  and  as  a 
State,  has  never  been  derelict  in  any  duty.  She  has  contributed 
thousands  upon  thousands  of  her  hardy  sons  and  daugiiters  to  peo- 
ple the  far  west,  and  is  proud  of  their  achievements  wherever  they 
have  lived. 


*  The  regular  organizations  which  went  forth  from  Maine  into  the  war  for  the  suppres- 
sion of  the  rebellion,  were  thirty-one  regiments  of  Infantry,  two  regiments  of  cavalry, 
one  regiment  of  heavy  artillery  ami  seven  mounted  batteries  of  light  artillery,  besides 
companies  for  Baker's  Cavalry,  sharp-shooters,  unassigncd  companies  and  coast  guards, 
numbering  iu  the  aggregate  seventy-two  thousand  nine  hundred  and  forty-five  men, 
nearly  seven  thousand  of  whom  were  for  the  navy  and  marine  corps.  This  does  not  take 
into  account  the  several  thousands  of  natives  of  Maine  who  were  residents  of  other 
states  when  the  war  broke  out,  and  served  upon  their  quotas. 


CHAPTER  II. 

Grants  of  Narragansett  and  Canada  Townships. 

'A 
'N  the  French  aud  Indian  contests  which  prevailed  from  the 
breaking  out  of  King  Philip's  war  in  sixteen  hundred  and 
seventy-five,  to  the  fall  of  Quebec  in  seventeen  hundred 
aud  fifty-nine,  the  soldiers  of  the  colony  of  Massachusetts 
Bay,  including  the  Province  of  Maine,  bore  a  conspicuous  and  an 
honorable  part.  In  fact,  they  formed  the  back-bone  of  the  Eng- 
lish armies  operating  against  Canada,  and  sometimes  the  head  and 
front.  The  trained  soldiers  of  Great  Britain,  however  brave  they 
may  have  been,  and  of  their  courage  and  bravery  there  was  never 
any  question,  were  not  familiar  with  Indian  warfare,  and  alwaj's 
met  the  wily  foe  at  great  disadvantage  ;  while  the  men  of  New 
England  brought  up  in  the  forest  aud  trained  to  every  species  of 
woodcraft,  could  generally  cope  successfully  with  the  aboriginal 
inhabitants,  and  being  better  armed  and  equipped,  could  beat  them 
in  their  own  shrewd  tactics. 

The  capture  of  Louisburg,  that  stronghold  at  Cape  Breton  which 
was  regarded  as  impregnable,  was  accomplished  by  New  England 
troops,  under  the  leadership  of  Sir  William  Pepperell,  a  Elaine  man, 
and  in  all  the  engagements  in  the  Maritime  Provinces,  around  Lakes 
Champlain  and  George,  aud  in  the  various  expeditions  against 
Canada,  Massachusetts  men  formed  no  small  part  cf  the  invading 
forces  and  were  ever  conspicuous  for  their  bravery.  King  Philip's 
war  was  successfully  brought  to  a  close  by  the  combined  efforts  of 
Massachusetts,  Rhode  Island  aud  Connecticut.  The  Avell-planned 
expedition  against  Canada  in  sixteen  hundred  and  ninety,  under  the 
leadership  of  Sir  William  Phips,  a  native  of  Maine,  resulted  disas- 
trously. Many  of  the  soldiers  never  lived  to  return  to  tlieir  homes, 
and  many  of  those  who  did  return,  on  account  of  the  hardships  and 
suffering  they  endured,  were  merely  wrecks  of  their  former  selves. 


16  HIS  TOBY  OF  BETHEL. 

In  the  early  times,  the  Colony  of  the  Massachusetts  Bay  had 
little  money  with  which  to  reward  her  soldiers  and  provide  for  the 
families  of  those  who  died  in  the  service,  but  of  land  the  colony  had 
an  abundance  and  was  very  liberal  in  bestowing  it.  To  compensate 
the  soldiers  in  King  Philip's  war,  also  called  the  Narragansett  war, 
•seven  townships  were  survej'ed  and  granted,  of  which  two  were  in 
the  district  of  Maine.  The  present  town  of  Buxton  was  laid  out  as 
Nai'ragansett  number  one,  and  the  town  of  Gorham  as  Narragan- 
sett number  seven.  The  other  Narragansett  townships  were  in 
New  Hampshire  and  Massachusetts.  Another  and  larger  class  of 
townships  was  granted  on  petition,  to  the  descendants  of  those  who 
accompanied  Sir  William  Phips  in  the  Canada  expedition  in  six- 
teen hundi'ed  and  ninety,  and  these  were  called  Canada  townships. 
Eight  of  these  latter  townships  were  laid  out  in  New  Hampshire 
from  territory'  then  claimed  by  Massachusetts  ;  live  of  these  were 
held  by  the  grantees  under  an  arrangement  subsequently  made  with 
the  Masonian  proprietors,  and  the  proprietors  or  grantees  of  the 
other  three,  after  many  years  had  elapsed,  took  grants  of  eastern 
lands  in  lieu  of  those  they  could  not  retain.  These  three  grants  are 
now  the  towns  of  Bridgton,  Waterford  and  Turner.  Five  original 
Canada  townships  were  also  laid  out  in  Maine,  making  eight  in  all 
of  this  class  of  townships  within  the  limits  of  our  State.  The 
Canada  townships  granted  from  New  Hampshire  lands  by  the  gov- 
ernment of  INIassachusetts,  were  granted  between  seventeen  hundred 
and  thirty  and  seventeen  hundred  and  forty,  while  those  laid  out 
originally  in  Maine,  were  granted  some  thirty  or  forty  years  later. 
Besides  the  name  "Canada,"  some  of  these  townships  were  given 
the  names  of  the  towns  from  which  the  soldiers  served,  while  others 
took  the  names  of  the  captains  under  which  they  served,  while  still 
others  had  no  special  designation.  Turner  was  called  Sylvester 
Canada,  in  honor  of  Captain  Sylvester,  while  Jay,  which  once  in- 
cluded the  present  town  of  Canton,  was  called  Pl-ips  Canada,  in 
honor  of  Captain  David  Phips.  Livermore  was  granted  for  services 
at  Port  Koyal,  and  Port  Royal  was  the  plantation  name  of  the  place. 
Paris  was  granted  in  lieu  of  a  township  granted  from  New  Hamp- 
shire lands,  but  for  what  military  service,  if  any,  cannot  be  ascer- 
tained. The  colony  of  the  Massachusetts  Ba}"  granted  about  forty 
townships  from  lands  which  proved  to  be  in  New  Hampshire,  while 
the  contest  for  the  settlement  of  the  boundaries  of  those  states  was 
going  on.     The  object  of  hurrying  up  these  grants  was  probablj' 


HISTOBl'    OF  BETHEL.  17 

two-fold.  The  first  was  to  get  actual  possession  of  the  territory  iu 
dispute  which  is  always  regarded  as  equivalent  to  several  points  iu 
law,  and  the  second  to  plant  colonies  and  people  them  as  a  barrier 
against  invasion  by  the  Indians  from  Canada.  When  King  George 
II,  to  whom  the  matter  had  been  referred,  decided  in  favor  of  the 
Masonian  proprietors,  these  townships  were  granted  to  other 
grantees  which  caused  litigation  and  trouble  which  continued  for 
half  a  century.  Concord  in  New  Hampshire  was  twice  granted,  and 
to  compensate  the  first  set  of  grantees,  Massachusetts  gave  them  a 
tract  of  eastern  lands,  now  the  town  of  Rumford. 

It  is  probable  that  the  generous  spirit  manifested  by  Massachu- 
setts in  granting  eastern  lands  was  not  entirely  unmixed  with  self- 
interest.  In  addition  to  a  desire  to  reward  those  who  had  fought 
her  battles  and  driven  the  savages  out  of  her  jurisdiction,  there  was 
a  desire  to  develop  her  vast  resources  by  extending  the  borders  of 
civilization  into  the  wilds  of  the  District  of  Maine,  so  that  not  only 
bodies  of  men,  but  private  individuals,  provided  there  was  the  least 
foundation  for  a  claim,  were  successful.  Samuel  Jordan  of  Bidde- 
ford  and  Christopher  Baker,  who  had  been  carried  away  captive  to 
Canada  and  had  returned ;  Richard  Cutt  of  Kittery,  who  for  ten 
years  had  been  confined  to  his  bed  from  wounds  ;  Ruth  Lee,  who 
had  lost  her  husband  in  the  Port  Royal  fight ;  the  children  of  Major 
Converse  who  had  lost  their  father  in  the  Indian  wars  ;  and  Richard 
Tozier  of  Berwick  who  had  suffered  grievously  from  the  savages  ; 
all  of  these  and  many  others  obtained  grants  of  land,  varying  in 
area  from  one  to  two  hundred  acres  or  more,  which  they  were  em- 
powered to  select  from  any  of  the  unappropriated  lands  in  Maine. 
Any  person  severely  wounded,  bereaved  of  husband  or  father,  made 
cripple  or  captive,  was  upon  request  properly  presented,  sure  of 
receiving  the  legislative  bounty  in  wild  lands.  There  was  a  stand- 
ing committee  on  lands,  through  which  all  grants  were  made,  whose 
favorable  report  at  this  time  and  subsequently,  was  considered  a 
good  and  sufficient  reason  for  favorable  action  on  the  part  of  the 
legislature,  and  such  reports  were  passed  upon  without  question  or 
delay.  When  a  township  was  granted  there  were  always  certain 
conditions  attached,  and  these  conditions  disclose  in  plain  terms  the 
real  animus  of  the  grants.  The  grantees  were  obligated  to  secure  a 
certain  number  of  actual  settlers  upon  the  grant  within  a  given 
time  ;  to  guarantee  that  a  house  of  public  worship  should  be  erected 
and  a  regular  ordained  minister  be  settled.     Reservations  were  al- 

2 


18  HIS  TOBY  OF  BETHEL. 

ways  made  for  the  benefit  of  Harvard  College,  for  the  first  settled 
minister  and  in  aid  of  public  schools.  With  this  brief  outline  sketch 
of  soldiers'  land  grants,  we  are  prepared  to  enter  understandingly 
upon  the  subject  of  the  grant  to  the  heirs  of  Sudbury,  Massachusetts 
men,  who  were  with  Governor  Phips  in  the  Canada  expedition  of 
sixteen  hundred  and  ninety. 


CHAPTER  III. 

V^A^?/»!»  Sudbury  Canada  Grant. 

^  !^^^  early  as  seventeen  lumdred  and  thirty-seven,  the  descend- 
ants of  those  who  went  from  Sudbury,  Massachusetts  and 
adjacent  towns,  on  the  Canada  expedition  in  sixteen  hun- 
dred and  ninety,  petitioned  the  Massachusetts  legislature  for  a 
township  of  land,  but  for  some  reason  not  now  apparent,  the  prayer 
of  the  petition  was  not  granted.  Soon  after  this  the  boundary  be- 
tween Massachusetts  and  New  Hampshii-e  was  settled  against  the 
interests  and  claims  of  the  former,  leaving  that  State  with  no  lands 
to  grant,  except  those  in  the  District  of  Maine,  where,  on  account 
of  the  hostile  attitude  of  the  Indians,  except  along  the  coast,  new 
settlements  could  not,  with  any  degree  of  safety,  be  established. 
So  the  Sudbury  claimants  allowed  the  subject  to  rest,  except  an 
occasional  reminder,  until  the  conquest  of  Canada  had  been  accom- 
plished, when  many  of  those  who  first  petitioned  had  deceased. 
Some  of  them  however,  survived,  and  among  them,  Josiah  Richard- 
son, whose  affidavit  with  that  of  Ebenezer  Bartlett  and  Norman 
Clark  of  Newton,  and  Nathaniel  Eames,  is  in  the  Massachusetts 
archives,  and  reads  as  follows  : 

"I  Josiah  Eichardson,  of  lawful  age,  do  testify  and  say  that  ever  since 
the  year  1737  I  have  acted  as  au  ageul  for  a  number  of  Petitioners  whose 
Ancestors  were  in  the  Expedition  to  Canada  in  the  year  1690,  and  in  the 
year  1737  I  iu  behalf  of  myself  and  my  associates  preferi*ed  a  Petition  to 
the  Honorable  Great  and  General  Court  praying  for  a  grant  of  land  to  be 
made  to  us  on  account  of  our  said  Ancestors  being  in  the  said  Expedition, 
(as  many  others  had)  for  their  great  suffering  and  Service  iu  the  said 
Expedition,  and  that  by  a  great  number  of  3Iemorials  I  have  reuewed  the 
said  Petition  from  time  to  time  and  now  I  do  testify  and  declare  that  to  my 
certain  knowledge  there  never  as  yet  has  been  any  grant  of  land  made  to 
them  on  account  of  their  Ancestors  being  in  the  said  expedition. 

Witness  my  hand  this  23d  day  of  May,  1768. 

(Signed)  JOSIAH  EICHARDSON. 


20  '  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

Middlesex  ss.    May  ye  23d,  17(58. 

The  above  said  Josiah  Richardson  personally  appeared  before  me.  the 
subscriber,  one  of  his  Majesty's  Justices  of  the  Peace  for  the  County 
of  Middlesex,  and  after  l)eing  carefully  examined  and  duly  cautioned  to 
testify  to  the  truth,  made  oath  to  the  truth  of  the  alcove  declaration  above- 
said  by  him  subscribed  l)efore  me,  JOSEPH  BUCKMIXSTER." 

"We  the  subscribers  whose  names  are  hereto  written,  do  testify  and  say 
that  neither  we  nor  our  Ancestors  ever  had  any  Grant  of  land  made  to  us 
on  account  of  our  Ancestors  being  in  the  Expedition  to  Canada  in  the  year 
1690. 

Witness  our  hands  this  ■23d  of  May,  1768. 

(Signed)  XATHAXIEL  EA3IES. 

on  the  riglit  of  Natlianiel  Eamos,  And  on  the  right 
of  John  Jaquitli." 
Ebenezer  Bautlett, 
Norman  Clark. 


PROVINCE  OF  THE  :>[ASSACnrSETTS  BAY. 

'J'o  his  Excellency  Francis  Bernard,  Esq.,  Captain  General  and  Com- 
mander in  Chief  in  and  over  His  Majesty  Province  of  the  Massachusetts 
Bay  iu  New  England,  and  Vice  Admiral  of  the  same,  and  to  the  Honorable, 
His  Majesty's  Council,  and  to  the  Honorable  the  House  of  Representatives 
in  the  Great  and  General  Court  assembled  at  Boston  on  the  27th  day  of 
May  Anno.  Domini.  1767. 

Josiah  Richardson  of  Sudbury,  in  the  County  of  Middlesex,  Esq.  and 
Agent  for  a  number  of  I'etitioners  whose  Ancestors  a\  ere  in  the  Exjicdi- 
tion  to  Canada  in  the  year  16!)0. 

Humbly  remind  your  Excellency  and  Honors,  that  in  the  year  1737.  a 
number  of  men  whose  names  are  hereunto  annexed.  Preferred  a  Petition  to 
this  Honorable  Court  for  to  have  a  Grant  of  Land  for  a  Township,  to  J)e 
Laved  out  in  the  unapproi^riated  land  within  the  said  Province,  as  many 
others  for  the  same  merit  before  had  township  Granted  to  them:  and  this 
Honorable  did  then  sustain  the  Petition  and  then  ordered  the  said  Peti- 
tioners to  make  out  and  prove  their  Claims  that  their  Ancestors  were  in 
the  said  Expedition  and  come  and  they  should  be  heard  with  which  order 
of  Court  the  said  Petitioners  fully  complied,  and  at  a  great  cost  proved 
their  Claims.  Since  which  l)y  a  number  of  Memorials  to  this  Honorable 
Court  the  said  Petition  has  been  revived,  but  the  said  Petitioners  have  not 
as  yet  had  any  Grant  of  Land  made  to  them  on  that  account  and  by  reason 
of  the  Wars  and  of  the  Townhouse  being  l)urned  the  same  Petition  has  not 
of  late  been  moved  to  this  Honorable  Court,  but  since  this  Honorable 
Coui't  in  their  great  wisdom  and  justice  was  pleased  on  the  24th  day  of 
June,  1764,  to  make  a  Grant  of  a  Township  of  laud  to  Captain  William 
Bavmond  and  Company  for  the  same  merit  which  your  ^Femorial  is  now 


HISrOBY   OF  BETHEL.  21 

plead;  and  now  your  Memorialist,  in  behalf  of  himself  and  Company 
Humbly  pray  that  your  Excellency  and  Honors  would  take  the  premises 
under  your  wise  and  just  consideration  and  make  us  a  Grant  of  Land  for  a 
Township  as  j'ou  was  pleased  to  do  to  the  said  William  Raymond  and 
Company,  and  your  3Iemorialist,  in  behalf  of  himself  and  Company  shall 
ever  pray. 

(Signed)  JOSIAH  RICHARDSON, 

Agent  for  said  Petitioners. 

A  list  of  the  names  of  the  original  petitioners  is  also  on  record  in 
the  handwriting  of  Josiah  Richardson,  in  the  Massachusetts  archives, 
but  the  original  petition  bearing  their  names  cannot  be  found.  This 
list  of  names  is  here  given  : 

James  Taylor  on  his  own  right. 

John  Osland  on  his  own  right. 

John  Mixer  on  his  own  right. 

John  Jones  on  his  own  right. 

John  Green  on  the  right  of  William  Green. 

John  Green  on  the  right  of  John  Green. 

Ephraim  Twitcbell  on  the  right  of  Joseph  Twitchell. 

Isaac  Sheffield  on  the  right  of  William  Sheffield. 

Palmer  Golding  on  the  right  of  Edward  Clap. 

James  Moor  on  the  right  of  George  Walker,  Jr. 

Ebenezer  Flagg  on  the  right  of  Richard  Flagg. 

Daniel  Moor  on  the  right  of  Jacob  Moor. 

Joshua  Kibby  (Kilby?)  on  the  right  of  Lodwick  Dowse. 

James  Taylor  on  the  right  of  Nicholas  Fox. 

Nathaniel  Morse  on  the  right  of  same. 

Charles  Richardson  on  the  right  of  Samuel  Ring. 

Thomas  Macke  on  the  right  of  Timothy  S.  (illegible). 

Richard  Ward  on  the  right  of  Obadiah  Ward. 

Daniel  Brewer  on  the  right  of  same. 

Samuel  Green  on  the  right  of  Joseph  Green. 

Samuel  Stone  on  the  right  of  same. 

Joseph  Stone  on  the  right  of  Samuel  Parkhurst. 

Mich  Stone  on  the  right  of  Daniel  Stone. 

John  Wesson  on  the  right  of  Samuel  Wesson. 

Ebenezer  Twitchell  on  the  right  of  Edward  Twitchell. 

Richard  Burt  on  the  right  of  Thomas  Burt. 

Daniel  Mackdafillin  on  the  right  of  Robert  Mackdafillin. 

Joseph  Meriam  on  the  right  of  Robert  Meriam. 


22  HISTOBY    OF  BETHEL. 

Peter  Grout  on  the  right  of  John  Cotter. 
Samuel  Graves  on  his  own  right. 
Joseph  Trumbull  on  the  right  of  Joseph  Trumbull. 
Ebenezer  Rice  on  the  right  of  Ebenezer  Rice. 
John  Cogin  on  the  right  of  John  Cogin. 
Caleb  Bridges  on  the  right  of  John  Bridges. 
Abner  (illegible)   on  the  right  of  John  Fay  claimed  bj^  Palmer 
Golding. 

John  Fay  on  his  own  right  claimed  by  Palmer  Golding. 

Samuel  Lyscom  on  the  right  of  his  father. 

Nathaniel  Dike  on  his  own  right  claimed  b}'  Palmer  Golding. 

Daniel  Walker  on  his  own  right. 

John  "Woodward  on  the  right  of  Joseph  Moor. 

Daniel  AValker  on  the  right  of  Thoitas  Axdill. 

Ebenezer  Corey  on  the  right  of  Thomas  Corey. 

James  Patterson  on  the  right  of  Andrew  Patterson. 

Amos  Hide  on  the  right  of  Daniel  Hide. 

Norman  Clark  on  the  right  of  Daniel  Macke3^ 

Ebenezer  Corey  on  the  right  of  Samuel  Page. 

Peter  Bent  on  the  right  of  Hopestill  Bent. 

Edward  Ward  on  his  own  right. 

James  Patterson  on  the  right  of  Andrew  Patterson. 

Noah  Parker  on  the  riglit  of  Eleazer  Hide. 

Joseph  Bartlett  on  his  own  right. 

John  Clark  on  the  right  of  Jolin  CMark. 

Samuel  Parris. 

Jonathan  Parker  on  his  own  right. 

Ezra  Holbrook  on  the  right  of  John  Holbrook. 

A  true  cop  J'  examined  by  me, 

JOSIAH  RICHARDSON, 

Clerk  of  the  Petitioners. 

Additional  Petitioners. 

Nathaniel  P>ames  on  the  right  of  Nathaniel  Fames. 

Nathaniel  Eames  on  the  right  of  John  Jaquith. 

Isaac  Baldwin  on  the  right  of  Abraham  Biyant. 

Joseph  Harrington  on  the  right  of  his  father,  Joseph  Harrington. 

David  Woods  on  the  right  of  his  uncle Woods. 

Isaac  Rice  on  the  right  of  his  uncle  Joseph  Rice. 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  23 

Moses  Bellows  on  the  right  of  his  uncle. 
Samuel  "Whitney  on  the  right  of  Joseph  Beach. 
James  Fowle  on  the  right  of  James  Fowle. 
Jonas  Bond  on  the  right  of  Jonas  Bond, 

Josiah  Fuller  on  the  right  of  Joseph  Win (illegible). 

Thomas  Harrington  on  the  right  of  Daniel  Harrington. 

Joshua  Fuller  on  the  right  of  Joseph  Winter. 

John  Temple  on  the  right  of  his  father  Richard  Temple. 

Joseph  Noyes  on  the  right  of  Moses  Noyes. 

Nathaniel  Sparhawk  on  the  right  of  Nathaniel  Sparhawk. 

David  Coney  on  the  right  of  Richard  Coney. 

Samuel  Fuller  on  the  right  of  Richard  Park. 

Joshua  Fuller  on  the  right  of  Nathaniel  Morse. 

Joseph  Morse  on  the  right  of  Joseph  Morse. 

In  the  month  of  June,  seventeen  hundred  and  sixty-eight,  long 
delayed  justice  was  done,  and  a  township  of  land  b}'  the  name  of 
Sudbury  Canada  was  granted,  situated  on  both  sides  of  the  Amari- 
scoggin  river,  in  the  supposed  county  of  Cumberland  and  District 
of  Maine.  The  township  was  to  be  surveyed  and  run  out  six  and 
three-quarters  miles  square,  and  was  not  to  interfere  with  any 
previous  grants.  The  first  meeting  of  the  proprietors  of  which 
there  is  any  record,  was  holden  on  the  fifth  of  December,  seventeen 
hundred  and  sixty-nine.  It  may  as  well  be  stated  here  as  else- 
where, that  the  proprietors'  records,  if  they  are  in  existence,  have 
not  been  seen  by  any  parties  in  interest  in  Maine  for  nearly  a 
century.  The  plantation  records  as  an  entirety,  and  also  the  records 
of  births,  marriages  and  deaths  for  the  first  five  years  of  the  town, 
disappeared  from  mortal  sight  at  the  same  time  as  the  records  of 
the  proprietors.  I  remember  of  having  heard  it  stated  many  years 
ago,  that  these  proprietors  and  plantation  records  were  destroyed 
purposely,  by  fire.  The  reason  assigned  was  that  there  had  been 
some  irregularities  in  the  proceedings,  that  some  of  the  holdings  of 
certain  of  the  early  proprietors  were  jeopardized  and  litigation 
threatened,  which  rendered  it  for  their  interest  to  have  all  record 
evidence  put  out  of  sight.  This  story  is  not  given  here  as  historj^ 
and  the  names  of  the  persons  implicated  by  it  are  withheld,  for 
without  positive  proof,  no  person  should  stand  accused  of  so  flagrant 
an  offence  against  the  people  of  the  town  and  their  posterity.  The 
loss  of  these  records  is  keenly  felt  in  the  preparation  of  this  work, 


24  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

for  the  doings  of  the  proprietors  and  the  assignment  of  rights  is  a 
matter  of  great  interest.  At  the  meeting  of  the  proprietors  ah-eady 
referred  to,  the  following  document  which  being  a  matter  of  record, 
is  preserved  for  us,  and  this  is  all : 

"Whereas  the  proprietors  of  a  Township  of  land  granted  by  the 
General  Court  to  Josiah  Richardson  and  his  Associates  of  the  con- 
tents of  six  miles  and  three-quarters  square  and  is  now  Layed  out 
on  Amariscoggin  river,  in  the  county  of  Cumberland,  and  at  a 
meeting  of  the  said  proprietors  of  said  Township  on  the  Fifth  of 
December  A.  D.,  1769,  they  did  order  their  committee  to  Post  and 
Sell  every  of  the  said  proprietors'  rights  that  Had  not  Payed  their 
tax  of  Fourty  Shillings  taxed  on  their  Rights,  and  we  Josiah  Rich- 
ardson, Esq.,  and  Cornelius  Wood,  gentlemen,  both  of  Sudbury, 
and  Josiah  Stone  of  Framingham,  gentleman,  all  of  the  county  of 
Middlesex,  the  said  Proprietors'  committee  by  them  chosen  to  sell 
the  delinkquent  Proprietors'  Rights  who  had  not  paid  said  Tax  ; 
and  we  having  first  observed  the  directions  of  the  law  in  that  case 
made  and  provided  send  greeting :  Now  know  yQ  that  we  the  said 
Josiah  Richardson,  Esq.,  Cornelius  Wood  and  Josiah  Stone,  gentle- 
men, all  of  the  County  of  Middlesex  and  the  Province  of  the  Massa- 
chusetts Bay  in  New  England,  In  our  said  Capacity,  for  the  consid- 
eration of  the  sum  of  four  pounds  and  one  shilling  to  us  in  hand  well 
and  Truly  Payed,  before  the  ensealing  and  delivery  hereof,  by 
Joseph  Twitchell  of  Sherbourn  in  said  County  of  Middlesex,  gentle- 
man, the  receipt  whereof  we  do  hereby  acknowledge  and  for  that 
consideration  Do  sell  and  confirm  to  him  the  said  Joseph  Twitchell 
and  to  his  heirs  and  assigns  forever,  two  Whole  Rights  in  the  said 
Township  the  first  lott  of  one  Right  is  No.  9  on  the  South  side  of 
the  River  and  was  drawn  on  the  Right  of  Joshua  Kibby  (or  Kilbj^)  ; 
the  first  Lott  of  the  other  Right  is  No.  13  or  the  fourth  lott  on  the 
East  end  and  was  drawn  on  the  Right  of  Nathaniel  Morse."  The 
deed  closes  in  the  usual  form,  is  signed  by  each  member  of  the 
committee,  March  twenty-first,  seventeen  hundred  and  seventy, 
witnessed  by  Peter  Beth  and  Cyprian  How  and  acknowledged 
March  twenty-sixth,,  before  John  Noyes,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 
Similar  meetings  were  held  in  the  years  following,  chiefly  for  the 
purpose  of  selling  the  rights  of  those  who  neglected  to  paj^  their 
taxes.  None  of  the  original  grantees  ever  settled  in  the  new  town- 
ship. Some  of  them  sold  their  rights  for  a  small  consideration  ; 
many  allowed  their  lands  to  be  sold  for  taxes,  and  a  few  sent  their 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  25- 

sons  to  occupy  their  Eights.  Joseph  Twitchell  of  Sherbourn  was 
a  man  of  affairs.  He  was  chosen  President  of  the  Proprietors  and 
toolv  great  interest  in  the  plantation.  He  became  a  very  large 
proprietor  by  bidding  off  lands  sold  for  taxes  and  by  purchasing 
Rights  of  others,  so  that  he  had  a  nearly  controlling  interest  in  the 
soil.  Four  of  his  sons  became  residents  of  Sudbury  Canada,  and 
spent  the  remainder  of  their  days  here.  Joseph  Twitchell  was  born 
in  Sherbourn,  Massachusetts,  February  thirteen,  seventeen  hundred 
and  eighteen.  His  emigrant  ancestor,  Joseph  Twitchell  or  Tuchill, 
settled  at  Dorchester  and  there  took  the  freeman's  oath  May  four- 
teen, sixteen  hundred  and  thirty-four.  He  had  a  son  Joseph  who 
united  with  others  to  extinguish  the  Indian  titles  in  Sherbourn,  and 
who  had  a  son  Joseph  born  in  sixteen  hundred  and  eighty-eight  who- 
married  Elizabeth  Holbrook  and  was  the  father  of  Joseph  Twitchell^ 
the  large  proprietor  of  Sudbury  Canada.  He  was  the  fourth  in 
descent  from  the  immigrant  Joseph  through  an  unbroken  line  of 
Josephs.  His  children  and  posterity  will  be  given  in  another  place. 
Rev.  Abner  Morse,  the  historian  of  Sherbourn,  thus  embalms  his 
memory:  "Tradition  has  brought  down  a  high  character  for  this 
man  (Captain  Joseph  Twitchell)  and  the  record  confirms  it.  He 
was  Captain  of  the  Militia,  Commissary  for  the  Army  in  the  war 
of  seventeen  hundred  and  seventy-six,  Town  Clerk,  Repi'esentative 
and  Magistrate,  and  the  leading  man  of  the  town  until  succeeded 
by  his  half  brother,  Hon.  Daniel  Whitney."  His  home  in  Sher- 
bourn was  on  the  east  side  of  a  place  still  known  as  "Dirty 
Meadow,"  on  the  south  side  of  a  steep,  rocky  hill.  Among  the 
trusts  imposed  upon  him,  was  the  guardianship  of  the  Natick 
Indians,  in  settling  their  estates.  Long  after  these  estates  were 
settled  and  he  had  deceased,  the  Indians  were  in  the  habit  of  coming 
to  the  old  homestead  then  occupied  by  his  sou  Peter,  to  see  if  there 
was  not  still  something  due  them. 

Joseph  Twitchell  had  been  on  a  business  trip  to  Halifax,  and 
while  returning,  the  vessel  in  which  he  sailed  encountered  a  violent 
storm,  lost  her  rudder  and  become  unmanageable.  The  captain 
was  in  utter  despair  and  considered  his  ship  as  good  as  lost. 
Captain  Twitchell  examined  the  nature  of  the  accident,  and  at  once 
suggested  a  remedy ;  a  man  was  suspended  head  foremost  over  the 
stern  of  the  ship,  being  held  by  his  ankles,  and  in  that  position^ 
cut  a  hole  through  the  ship  by  means  of  an  axe,  into  the  cabin,  and 
through  this  he  fasteud  a  temporary  tiller  by  means  of  which  the 


-26  HISTOEY  OF  BETHEL. 

vessel  arrived  safely  in  Boston  harbor.  At  a  meeting  of  the  pro- 
prietors holden  April  sixth,  seventeen  hundred  and  seventy-four,  it 
was  voted  to  sell  to  Captain  Joseph  Twitchell,  lot  number  twenty- 
four  in  the  third  range,  and  lot  number  twenty-three  in  the  fourth. 
This  was  known  as  the  Mill  Lot  and  embraced  not  only  the  mill 
privileges  at  the  south  and  west  of  Bethel  Hill,  but  nearly  all  the 
land  upon  which  the  village  stands.  The  sum  paid  was  fifteen 
pounds  in  silver.  This  propertj^  passed  to  his  son  Eleazer  Twitchell, 
who  erected  here  that  same  year  the  first  mill  built  in  the  town. 
Captain  Joseph  Twitchell  died  at  Sherbourn  of  apoplexy,' March 
twelve,  seventeen  hundred  and  ninetj^-two.  The  Rights  of  nine  of 
the  proprietors,  namely,  Nathaniel  Dike,  Richard  Ward,  Edward 
Clap,  James  Paterson,  John  Fa}^,  Joseph  Meriam,  Abner  Newton, 
Joseph  Trumbull  and  Daniel  "Walker,  were  drawn  by  Elijah  Liver- 
more  of  Waltham,  and  in  seventeen  hundred  and  seventy-four,  sold 
by  him  to  Aaron  Richardson  and  Jonathan  Clark  of  Newton,  for 
the  sum  of  one  hundred  and  eighty  pounds,  lawful  money.  Joseph 
Twitchell,  Esq.,  and  Isaac  Fuller  were  appointed  a  committee  to 
run  out  the  township  and  divide  it  into  lots.  The  surve3'ors,  who- 
ever they  were,  who  performed  the  work,  paid  but  little  regard  to 
the  prescribed  limits  of  six  and  three-quarter  miles  square.  They 
extended  their  survey  along  the  river  in  order  to  include  all  the  good 
interval  possible,  for  a  distance  of  more  than  fifteen  miles.  The 
intervals  were  at  that  time  covered  by  a  heavy  growth  of  white  pine 
which  was  another  inducement  for  the  surveyors  to  overstep  their 
prescril)ed  limits.  The  interval  lands  were  first  surveyed  into  long, 
narrow  lots  containing  forty  acres  each.  The  upland  was  divided 
into  lots  of  one  hundred  acres  each.  The  following  quitclaim  deed 
possesses  interest  as  probabl}'  being  the  earliest  conveyance  by  deed 
of  Sudbury  Canada  lands  : 

"Know  all  men  by  these  presents,  that  I  Ebenezer  Twitchell  of 
Sherbourn  in  the  county  of  middlesex  and  province  of  massachu- 
setts  Bay  In  New  England,  Husbandman,  In  consideration  of  six 
shillings  Lawfull  money  paid  me  by  Joseph  Twitchell  of  Sherbourn 
aforesaid,  gentleman.  Have  Remissed,  Released  and  forever  quit- 
claimed and  by  these  presents  for  myself  my  Heirs  do  Remiss, 
Release  and  for  Ever  quitclaim  unto  the  said  Joseph  Twitchell  and 
His  Heirs  forever,  all  my  Ritte  and  title  to  a  Township  of  Land 
granted  to  Josiah  Richardson  and  others,  June,  1668,  whose  ancis- 
tors  ware  for  the  Expedition  to  Canada  in  1690,  together  with  all 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  27 

the  Rite  title  and  Interest  use  and  property  Clame  and  demand 
whatsoever."  The  deed  is  signed  by  Ebenezer  Twitchell,  Septem- 
ber seventh,  seventeen  hundred  and  sixty-eight,  within  three  months 
from  the  date  of  the  grant.  It  was  witnessed  by  Ebenezer  Twitchell 
and  Abijah  Twitchell,  and  acknowledged  two  years  later,  before 
Joseph  Perry,  Justice  of  the  Peace.  As  originally  surveyed,  the 
base  line  of  Bethel  ran  east  twenty  degrees  north,  but  there  is  now 
a  variation  of  about  two  degrees. 

The  following  paper  copied  from  the  archives  of  Massachusetts, 
Indicates  a  desire  on  the  part  of  the  settlers  of  Sunday  River  Planta- 
tion, now  the  town  of  Newry,  to  unite  with  Sudbur}'  Canada,  and 
is  valuable  as  showing  who  were  the  settlers  in  Xewr}'  at  the  date 
specified : 

"COMMONAVEALTH  OF  MASSACHUSETTS. 

To   the  Honorable    Senate   and   House  of    liepresentatives  in    General    Covrt 
assembled  at  Boston,  Jlay  30th,  1787. 

The  Petition  of  Jonathan  Barker  and  others,  Humbly  Sheweth,  that 
whereas  there  is  certain  tract  of  unappropriated  lauds  lying  between  the 
mountains  uorthei'ly  of  a  township  granted  to  Josiah  Eichardson  and 
others,  lying  on  Audrewscoggiu  river  and  joining  to  a  Grant  laid  out  join- 
ing to  said  township.  Said  unappropriated  laud  contains  eiglit  hundred 
acres  and  lyeth  on  a  small  river  that  comes  ofl'  the  mountains  and  is  sur- 
rounded with  mountains  on  every  side  except  that  end  that  joins  to  the 
Grant  aforesaid,  so  that  it  cannot  be  convenient  to  be  joined  to  auj^  Town- 
ship except  it  be  that,  that  was  laid  out  on  Audrewscoggiu  river  as  afore- 
said, and  as  your  Petitioners  are  inhabitants  of  said  tract  of  laud  and  have 
done  much  labor  thereon  for  seven  years  last  past  they  conceives  it  would 
be  reasonable  that  they  should  have  a  Grant  of  the  same.  Your  Petitioners 
therefore  praj's  that  your  Honors  ■\\'ould  grant  the  said  tract  of  unappro- 
priated lauds  to  them,  so  that  they  may  have  a  lawful  claim  to  the  same," 
either  by  way  of  purchase  or  some  other  way,  as  you  in  your  great  wisdom 
.shall  see  fit  and  as  in  duty  bound  prays  your  Petitioners. 
(Signed) 

JoxATHAX  Barker,  Joxathax  Barker,  Jr. 

Benjamin  Barker,  Benja-Min  Sleeper, 

Sajiuel  Barker,  Joseph  Jackson, 

Xathaniel  Spofford,        Jesse  Barker, 
Abner  Foster,  Simon  Epes  Barker."  ■ 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Natural  Features. 


HE  town  of  Bethel  is  situated  in  north  latitude  forty-four 
degrees  and  twenty  minutes,  and  in  longitude  west  from 
Greenwich,  seventy  degrees  and  fifty  minutes.  The  lines 
as  described  above,  cross  each  other  not  far  from  the  center  of  the 
town.  It  is  situated  on  both  sides  of  the  great  Androscoggin  river, 
and  is  irregular  in  its  shape.  Its  greatest  length  by  a  line  drawn 
from  the  point  where  the  Grand  Trunk  railway  passes  into  Gilead, 
to  a  point  bounded  east  by  Rumford  and  north  by  the  Androscoggin 
river,  is  about  ten  and  one-half  miles,  and  its  greatest  width  by  a 
line  drawn  from  Newry  line,  near  the  mouth  of  Bear  river,  to 
Greenwood  line  near  Locke's  Mills,  is  about  six  and  a  half  miles. 
Its  average  width  is  about  five  and  a  half  miles,  and  its  average 
length  about  nine  and  one-half  miles.  The  area  of  the  town  is 
about  fifty-two  and  one-fourth  square  miles  or  thirty-two  and  one- 
fourth  thousand  acres.*  The  town  is  bounded  on  the  east,  one  mile 
and  two  hundred  and  eighty  rods  by  Milton  Plantation,  and  two 
miles  and  two  hundred  and  sixty  rods  by  Rumford  ;  on  the  north, 
five  miles  and  two  hundred  rods  by  the  Androscoggin  river,  which 
forms  the  dividing  line  between  Bethel  and  Hanover,  and  six  and 
one-half  miles  on  Newry ;  on  the  west,  two  miles  and  two  hundred 

*There  are  three  plans  of  Sudbury  Canada  in  the  Massachusetts  archives.  The  first 
was  made  by  Captain  Joseph  Twitchell  in  seventeen  hundred  and  sixty-nine,  the  year 
after  the  township  was  granted.  This  is  a  rude  plan,  showing  only  the  outline  of  the 
town,  its  boundaries  and  the  course  of  the  river.  No  dimensions  are  given.  The  next 
was  made  by  Colonel  Eli  Twitchell  in  seventeen  hundred  and  ninety-five.  This  is  also 
an  outline  plan,  but  it  gives  the  dimensions  as  fourteen  hundred  and  sixty-two  rods  on 
the  west,  thirty-two  hundred  and  fifty  rods  on  the  south,  nineteen  hundred  and  ninety 
rods  on  the  east  and  tliirty-flve  hundred  and  five  rods  on  the  uoith.  A  road  is  described 
following  the  general  course  of  the  river  on  the  south  side,  from  Gilead  to  Rumford.  A 
road  is  also  mu-ked  leading  from  the  mills  up  Mill  brook,  and  is  marked  "road  to  Port- 
land eighty  miles."  Fourteen  Islands  are  marked  in  the  river.  Upon  the  earliest  i)lan, 
a  brook  flowing  northwardly  along  Gilead  line  and  into  the  river  is  called  Brackett's 
brook."  The  thii-d  plan  was  made  and  returned  when  the  town  was  incori>orated,  and 
does  not  difl'er  materially  from  the  second.    No  lot  plan  is  on  file. 


30  HISTOEY   OF  BETHEL. 

and  sixty  rods  by  the  east  line  of  Gilead,  one  and  one-fonrth  miles 
by  Fryeburg  Academy  grant,  and  one  mile  and  two  hundred  and 
forty  rods  by  Mason  ;  on  the  south,  three  miles  and  two  hundred 
rods  by  Albany,  the  same  distance  by  Greenwood,  and  two  miles 
and  two  hundred  and  twenty  rods  by  Woodstock. 

The  principal  river  is  the  great  Androscoggin,  which  enters  the 
town  from  Gilead  near  the  middle  of  the  southerly  line  of  that 
town,  and  for  two  miles  and  a  half,  pursues  nearl}'  a  due  easterly 
course.  It  then  runs  obliquely  across  in  a  southeasterly  direction 
about  two  and  one-half  miles  to  a  point  nearly  opposite  Bethel  Hill, 
where,  describing  an  angle  of  about  seventy-five  degrees,  it  pursues 
a  north  northeasterly  course  with  some  slight  variations,  five  miles 
to  the  mouth  of  Bear  river  near  Newry  corner,  where  it  approaches 
very  near  to  the  south  line  of  Newry.  At  the  mouth  of  Bear  river, 
the  Andi'oscoggin,  describing  nearly  a  right  angle,  turns  toward  the 
southeast  and  runs  nearly  four  and  one-third  miles,  forming  the 
dividing  line  between  Bethel  and  Hanover.  From  this  point  it 
changes  its  course  and  runs  a  little  north  of  east,  still  forming  the- 
dividing  line  between  the  two  towns,  the  distance  of  about  a  mile 
and  a  half,  when  it  enters  the  town  of  Rumford.  In  its  meander- 
ings,  therefore,  the  great  Androscoggin  river,  within  the  limits  of 
Bethel,  has  a  length  of  not  far  from  seventeen  miles.  There  are 
no  falls  on  this  river  within  the  town,  and  no  very  marked  rapids, 
the  aggregate  fall  between  Gilead  and  Rumford  being  but  a  very 
few  feet.  Sunday  river  enters  Bethel  from  NeAvry  some  two  miles 
westwardly  from  the  mouth  of  Bear  river,  and  flowing  in  a  course  a 
little  east  of  south,  empties  its  waters  into  the  Androscoggin  about 
one  and  one-fourth  mile  from  the  point  where  it  enters  the  town. 
Bear  river,  taking  its  rise  in  Grafton,  flows  southwardly  through 
Newry  and  empties  into  the  great  Androscoggin  at  a  point  near 
Newry  Corner,  where  the  latter  river  almost  impinges  Newr\'  south 
line.  Alder  river,  having  its  source  in  a  number  of  ponds,  situated 
part  in  Woodstock  and  part  in  Greenwood,  enters  Bethel  from 
Greenwood  near  Locke's  Mills,  runs  northwesterly  through  South 
Bethel,  where  it  furnishes  power,  and  having  received  several  small 
tributaries,  flows  into  the  great  Androscoggin  through  the  interval, 
a  short  distance  northwardly  from  Bethel  Hill.  A  stream  also  called 
Mill  brook  or  stream,  rising  in  the  southwesterly  part  of  the  town 
and  flowing  northwardly,  after  receiving  several  small  tributaries, 
runs  along  at  the  foot  of  Bethel  Hill  and  flows  into  the  great  river 


HIS  TOBY  OF  BETHEL.  31 

half  a  mile  below.  This  stream  furnished  the  power  for  the  first 
grist  mill  erected  in  town,  and  has  supplied  power  for  more  or  less 
machinery  ever  since.  Beside  these  already  named,  the  waters  of 
the  Androscoggin  as  they  meander  through  the  town,  are  re-enforced 
by  numerous  brooks,  some  bearing  names  such  as  Bog  brook. 
Chapman  brook.  Alder  brook,  and  others  having  no  generally  recog- 
nized names.  The  watershed  of  the  Androscoggin,  consisting 
largely  of  steep  and  barren  mountains,  including  the  easterly  slopes 
of  some  of  the  White  Hills,  is  such  as  to  cause  the  volume  of  water 
in  the  river  to  increase  very  rapidly  during  severe  rainstorms  and 
spring  freshets,  the  rise  often  amounting  to  one  foot  per  hour  for 
several  successive  hours,  the  banks  soon  becoming  overflowed  and 
the  broad  intervals  presenting  the  appearance  of  a  raging  flood. 
The  intervals  of  Bethel  on  both  sides  of  the  Androscoggin,  extend- 
ing through  the  town  from  west  to  east,  in  extent  and  fertility  are 
not  surpassed  by  those  of  any  town  in  the  State.  They  are  about 
fifteen  miles  in  length  and  of  varying  width  from  a  few  rods  to  a 
mile  or  more.  They  are  formed  largely  of  the  alluvium  which  has 
been  washed  down  from  the  mountains,  and  as  they  are  covered 
with  water  during  the  early  springtime  of  almost  every  year,  their 
richness  is  yearly  renewed.  There  are  also  belts  of  interval  on  the 
Sunday  river,  on  Alder  brook,  and  bordering  some  of  the  other 
smaller  streams.  Back  from  the  river,  the  country  is  broken  into 
hills,  the  sunny  slopes  of  which  furnish  sites  for  numerous  upland 
farms,  while  the  higher  and  rougher  portions  supply  excellent  graz- 
ing lands.  There  are  several  swells  of  land  wiiich  bear  local  names 
and  which  embrace  some  of  the  very  best  farming  lands  in  town, 
the  rich  intervals  alone  excepted.  In  the  west  part  of  the  town 
Grover  Hill,  named  for  the  early  settlers  there,  has  always  been 
noted  for  its  fine  agriculture  and  also  for  its  fruit  culture.  Swan's- 
Hill,  situated  a  little  eastwardly  of  the  center  of  the  town  and 
named  from  James  Swan,  Jr.,  an  early  settler,  is  also  a  famous 
farming  and  fruit-growing  region.  Bird  Hill  (earlier  Berry  Hill),. 
Kimball  Hill  and  Howard  Hill,  situated  farther  toward  the  easterly 
part  of  the  town,  have  good  farms  and  much  good  pasturage. 
Paradise  Hill,  situated  near  Bethel  Hill,  is  noted  for  the  beautiful 
vistas  afforded  from  that  elevation  rather  than  for  its  agriculture. 

There  are  several  mountains  in  Bethel  belonging  to  the  Appala- 
chian range,  but  in  height  and  grandeur  not  equal  to  those  at  the 
north  and  west  of  the  town.     In  the  west  part  of  the  to-wn  near 


32  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

the  northern  border  is  Ellingwood's  mountain,  sometimes  called 
Anasagunticook,  and  a  little  west  of  Grover  Hill,  is  Sparrowhawk. 
"Waterspout  mountain  is  south  of  Swan's  Hill  and  near  the  center 
of  the  town.  Northwardly  from  South  Bethel,  once  called  Walker's 
Mills,  is  Walker's  mountain,  so  called  from  the  former  owner  of 
the  mills.  On  the  road  leading  from  Locke's  Mills  to  the  Andro- 
scoggin river,  at  what  was  once  known  as  Bean's  Corner,  are  several 
bald  bluffs.  The  first  on  the  westerly  side  of  the  road  is  known  as 
the  Goss  mountain.  Its  easterly  aspect  rises  almost  perpendicular 
from  a  small  pond  to  a  height  of  several  hundred  feet.  On  the 
opposite  and  easterly'  side  is  Bryant's  mountain,  neither  as  high  nor 
as  bald  as  the  one  last  named.  North  of  Goss  mountain  and  sepa- 
rated from  it  by  a  hilly  pasture  known  as  "Egypt,"  is  a  sugar  loaf 
mountain  bearing  but  little  vegetation,  and  a  short  distance  farther 
along  is  another  which  closely  resembles  it.  I  have  never  heard 
any  names  borne  by  these  two  sugar  loaves,  and  I  take  the  liberty 
of  christening  the  one  next  to  Egj'pt,  Foster  mountain,  in  memory 
of  Deacon  Eli  Foster,  who  was  once  the  owner  of  the  pasture  called 
"Flg^'pt,"  and  the  other  Hodsdon's  mountain,  from  an  early  settler 
who  lived  near  it.  In  the  eastern  part  of  the  town  is  a  group  of 
five  mountains,  none  of  them  \Qvy  high  or  bald.  The  one  east  of 
where  the  Kimball's  once  lived  may  be  known  as  Kimball  mountain, 
and  the  southermost  one  of  the  group  I  have  heard  called  John3''s 
mountain.  There  are  two  bluffs  east  of  Swan's  Hill,  for  which  I 
have  not  found  any  names.  Locke  mountain  has  two  heads,  the 
southerly  one  sometimes  called  Bessee's  mountain,  and  is  situated 
west  of  Sunday  river  and  near  the  north  line  of  Bethel ;  it  is  nineteen 
hundred  and  twelve  feet  high,  and  probably  the  highest  in  town. 
At  the  eastward  of  the  road  leading  from  Bethel  Hill  to  Middle 
Interval,  and  soon  after  leaving  the  Mason  farm,  is  Farewell's 
mountain,  on  the  sides  of  which  chrystalized  quartz  have  been 
found  in  considerable  abundance.  Barker's  mountain,  which  lies 
mostly  in  Newry,  a  small  part  of  it  ])eiug  in  Bethel,  is  twenty-five 
hundred  and  fifty-one  feet  high,  and  Mount  Will,  also  in  Newrj' 
near  Bear  river,  its  foot-hills  being  in  Bethel,  has  a  height  of  fifteen 
hundred  and  eighty-eight  feet. 

The  surface  of  Bethel  is  composed  largely  of  what  is  denominated 
drift.  Boulders  on  the  uplands  are  everywhere  found  far  out  of  place, 
and  glacial  action  is  seen  in  the  diluvial  markings  across  the  naked 
ledges  and  in  the  wide  distribution  of  rounded  pebbles  and  cobble 


HIS  TOBY  OF  BETHEL.  33 

stones.  The  easterly  oi'  southeasterly  aspect  of  the  moimtains  is 
generally  steep,  often  nearly  perpendicular  and  sometimes  beetling", 
while  the  opposite  sides  are  sloinng  and  generally  covered  with 
vegetation.  This  is  another  indication  of  diluvial  currents  and 
glacial  activity.  The  uplands  are  generally  composed  of  a  gravelly 
loam,  the  surface  soils  intermixed  with  decayed  vegetable  matter. 
Such  laud  is  excellent  for  corn,  wheat,  rye  and  potatoes.  In  some 
places  there  are  sandy  areas,  though  not  of  great  extent,  and  occa- 
sionally strata  of  clay  suitable  for  making  into  bricks.  The  bottom 
lands  are  exceedingly  rich  in  fertilizing  material,  aud  produce  heavy 
crops  of  English  hay,  oats  and  vegetables.  It  rarely  suffers  from 
drouth  and  so  a  good  crop  is  quite  generally  assured.  As  a  whole, 
the  town  of  Bethel  presents  a  pleasing  variety  of  meadow,  interval 
aud  upland  ;  of  valley,  hill  and  mouutaiu  ;  of  charming  rural  vistas 
and  grand  mountain  scenery  ;  such  a  variety  as  ought  to  please  the 
most  fastidious.  A  chalybeate  spring  on  the  north  side  of  the  river 
above  Mayville,  constantly  discharges  its  healing  waters,  said  to  be 
valnable  for  many  of  the  diseases  to  which  human  beings  are  liable, 
and  in  which  many  have  great  faith.  It  has  been  called  the  Anasa- 
guuticook  spring.  Speaking  from  a  geological  standpoint,  Bethel 
is  composed  of  the  Azoic  series  of  rocks,  above  which  the  other 
series  are  entirely  wanting,  until  the  tertiary  clay,  diluvium  and 
alluvium  are  reached.  As  the  name  of  the  series  of  rocks  implies, 
no  fossil  remains  are  found  in  them,  and  they  are  presumed  to  have 
been  formed  before  life  in  any  form  existed  upon  this  planet.  The 
soil  is  rich  in  all  the  elements  of  fertility,  lime  only  excepted.  This 
can  be  supplied  by  commercial  lime  in  a  hydrated  form,  known  as 
plaster  of  paris.  No  gems  except  the  garnet  have  been  found 
within  the  limits  of  Bethel,  and  none  of  the  precious  metals  to 
excite  the  cupidity  of  its  people.  Even  the  minerals  are  of  the 
more  common  kinds  and  not  extensive  in  variety.  When  Dr. 
Charles  T.  Jackson  made  a  geologcal  survey  of  the  State,  while  he 
visited  Norway,  Paris  and  Rumford,  he  did  not  come  to  Bethel, 
there  being  nothing  to  call  him  here.  But  while  deficient  in  minerals 
and  metals.  Bethel  has  tljat  which  is  far  better,  a  fertile  soil,  one 
that  is  capable  of  supporting  a  much  larger  population  than  any 
other  town  in  the  county. 

The  flora  of  Bethel  while  the  same  as  in  other  towns  of  Oxford 
county,   differs    from  that  on  the  sea-coast  in  the  same  latitude. 

3 


34  HIS  TOBY  OF  BETHEL. 

The  natural  growth  of  wood  was  white  pine  ou  the  intervals  and 
upland  swells,  maple,  yellow  birch  and  beech  ou  the  highlands,  and 
spruce  and  hemlock  on  the  mountains.  This  was  not  invariably  so, 
for  a  black  growth  was  often  found  on  the  uplands,  and  pines  on 
the  mountains.  On  the  lowlands  and  in  the  swamps  were  found 
cedar,  hacmetac,  elm,  white  maple  and  fir.  White  pine  was  very 
abundant,  and  clear  stuff  was  used  for  ordinar}^  building  purposes. 
The  earl}^  settlers  cut  it  from  their  interval  lands  and  sold  it  in  the 
river  at  the  rate  of  two  dollars  and  fiftj'  cents  per  thousand.  Only 
the  lower  cuts  would  bring  this  price,  and  the  remainder  of  the 
trees  were  either  burned  upon  the  laud  or  made  into  fence.  There 
were  scattering  Norway  and  pitch  pines  in  various  parts  of  the 
town.  The  silver  fir  in  the  swamps  grows  to  a  large  size,  and  since 
Ihe  pine  has  disappeared,  it  is  much  used  for  shingles. 

Black  spruce  still  grows  upon  the  mountains,  of  large  size  and 
excellent  for  timber  or  lumber.  White  spruce  is  much  less  common, 
and  has  little  value.  White  cedar  was  formerly  ver}'  abundant,  but 
it  has  been  mostly  used  up.  It  has  supplied  material  for  a  large 
portion  of  the  fences  in  town  ;  has  been  sawed  into  shingles,  and  in 
more  recent  years  has  been  utilized  for  railway  ties  and  telegraph 
poles.  Basswood  is  not  common,  but  an  occasional  tree  is  found 
mixed  with  other  growth.  Hacmatac  was  formerly  very  common 
on  low  lauds,  but  there  is  little  left.  The  red  maple  shows  itself 
conspicuously  in  the  spring  b}^  its  bright  crimson  flowers.  Its 
timber  is  highly  prized  for  nice  cabinet  work.  The  red  oak  is  the 
only  species  of  this  family-  that  grows  wild  in  this  vicinity. 

The  white  birch  was  formerly  abundant  here  and  furnished  mate- 
rial for  canoes.  It  now  appears  only  as  a  second  growth.  Poplar 
also  comes  up  as  a  second  growth.  It  was  formerly  of  little  value, 
but  is  now  largely  used  in  the  manufacture  of  paper  stock.  Horn- 
beam is  found  sparingly  mixed  with  other  growths.  Brown  and 
black  ash  w^as  quite  common  once  on  low  grounds  but  has  mostly 
been  removed.  It  was  formerly  considered  of  little  value,  but  is 
now  highlj'  prized  for  inside  finish.  The  alder  grows  everywhere 
in  swamps.  It  is  not  a  tree,  but  a  shrub.  Cherry  trees,  black,  red 
and  choke,  are  abundant.  The  mountain  ash  grows  wild  in  the 
forest  and  is  transplanted  as  an  ornamental  tree.  The  willow  some- 
times grows  ver}'  large.     Much  of  the  land  in  town  was  burned  over 


HISTOBY  OF  BETHEL.  35 

in  seventeen  hundred  and  seventeen,  and  again  in  eighteen  hundred 
and  twenty-five,  and  a  large  part  of  the  old  growth  destroyed. 

The  flowering  plants  in  this  town  exhibit  the  same  varieties  as 
in  other  inland  localities  in  this  latitude.  The  "Wake  Robin,"  two 
varieties,  appear  early  by  the  woodland  streams  ;  the  trailing  arbutus 
and  the  violets  quickly  follow  the  disappearance  of  the  snow  ;  then 
follows,  in  order,  the  long  train  of  flowering  plants,  embellishing 
meadow  and  pasture,  hillside  and  valley,  bordering  the  waysides 
with  crimson  and  gold,  and  beautifying  even  the  dark  and  sombre 
woods.  The  advent  of  the  golden  rod  admonishes  us  that  mid- 
summer has  come,  and  asters  in  great  variety  close  the  season,  and 
are  the  harbingers  of  winter. 

The  fauna  of  this  region,  once  of  considerable  importauce,  is  of 
little  interest  now.  A  large  proportion  of  the  wild  animals  that 
once  roamed  the  forests  in  the  valle}^  of  the  Androscoggin',  have 
been  driven  awa3\  Among  the  valual)le  fur  bearing  animals  w]  ich 
rendered  this  region  especially  valuable  as  a  hunting  ground  for  the 
aborigines,  the  beaver,  the  otter  and  the  sable  are  found  here  no 
longer.  The  black  bear  when  driven  by  hunger  from  the  northern 
forest  belt  where  he  now  for  the  most  part  has  his  home,  sometimes 
at  this  late  day,  raids  the  flock  of  the  farmer  or  satiates  his  appetite 
upon  the  succulent  corn,  but  his  ravages  are  of  brief  duration,  for 
if  he  does  not  soon  retreat  he  is  sure  to  be  destroyed.  The  stately 
moose  that  once  roamed  through  the  pine  forests  and  cropped  the 
tender  herbage  from  the  banks  of  the  Androscoggin  and  its 
tributaries ;  that  supplied  the  larder  of  the  early  settlers  with 
excellent  food,  and  furnished  protection  to  their  feet,  is  seen  no 
more,  and  the  timid  deer  which  the  settlers  found  here  in  herds 
is  now  only  an  occasional  visitor.  The  snarling  loupcervier  and  the 
gaunt  wolf  have  sought  wilder  haunts  than  the  forests  of  Bethel 
afford,  and  the  awful  cry  of  the  panther  no  more  disturbs  the  repose 
of  the  household.  The  most  important  of  the  wild  animals  that 
now  remain,  the  catlike  mink,  the  amphibious  musk-rat,  the  lively 
red  and  graj'  squirrel,  the  beautiful  chipmunk,  the  fetid  skunk,  the 
hibernating  woodchuck  and  the  prickly  porcupine,  are  insignificant 
when  compared  with  the  lordly  brutes  that  once  inhabited  here. 
The  food  fishes  have  also  deteriorated.  Salmon  once  ascended  the 
Androscoggin,  and  the  smaller  streams  and  ponds  abounded  with 


36  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

the  speckled  trout.  By  clearing  the  laud  aloug  the  streams  and 
cutting  the  timber  from  their  sources,  the  quantity  of  water  has 
been  much  diminished  and  the  temperature  raised,  so  that  the  trout 
which  delights  in  a  cool,  deep  pool,  has  become  very  scarce,  and 
the  ponds  have  been  stocked  with  iish  of  inferior  quality  as  food, 
but  with  qualities  far  superior  for  propagating  and  perpetuating 
their  own  species. 


CHAPTER  V. 

First  Settlers. 

is  difflcult  to  determine  who  was  the  very  first  person  to 
settle  here  on  account  of  the  loss  of  the  proprietors'  records 
and  the  records  of  Sudbury  Canada  Plantation.  So  far  as 
I  have  been  able  to  ascertain  by  a  careful  examination  of 
the  records  in  the  Cumberland  county  registry  of  deeds,  the  first 
person  to  purchase  Sudbury  Canada  lands  with  the  view  of  person- 
ally settling  upon  them,  was  Jonathan  Keyes  of  Shrewsbury,  Massa- 
chusetts. November  third,  seventeen  hundred  and  seventy-two,  he 
bought  of  Luke  Kuowltou  of  the  same  Shrewsbury,  one  whole  right 
of  land  in  Sudbury  Canada.  The  deed  states  that  Knowlton  bought 
this  right  of  Nathaniel  Gra^',  Jr.,  of  Worcester,  for  the  sum  of  ten 
pounds,  and  that  it  was  the  original  right  of  Joseph  Orlando,  who 
served  in  the  Canada  Expedition  of  sixteen  hundred  and  ninety. 
On  the  eighteenth  daj'  of  March,  seventeen  hundred  and  seventy- 
four,  Jonathan  Keyes  purchased  of  James  Towle  of  Woburn,  one 
whole  right  number  seven,  in  Sudbury  Canada  lands.  Just  what 
3^ear  Keyes  came  to  Bethel  is  not  known.  Nathaniel  Segar  was 
here  in  seventeen  hundred  and  seventy-four,  but  does  not  mention 
him.  A  deed  recorded  with  the  Cumberland  records,  recites  that 
March  fourteen,  seventeen  hundred  and  seventy-seven,  Jonathan 
Keyes  of  Sudbury  Canada,  sold  to  Samuel  Ingalls  of  Fryeburg, 
four  hundred  acres  or  four  lots  of  land  situated  and  being  on  the 
south  side  of  the  great  Amariscoggiu  river,  in  a  place  called  Sud- 
bury Canada.  The  deed  further  recites  that  upon  one  of  these  lots 
Mr.  Keyes  had  made  considerable  improvement ;  had  built  a  house, 
a  barn  for  grain  and  another  for  English  hay.  This  would  indicate 
an  occupancy  of  two  or  more  years,  but  whether  Mr.  Keyes  ever 
brought  his  wife  here  is  exceedingly  doubtful.  Two  of  his  sons, 
Ebenezer  and  Francis,  were  here  with  him,  and  on  what  appears  to 


38  HISTOUY  OF  BETHEL. 

be  good  authority,  the  statement  is  made  that  on  one  occasion,  Mr. 
Keyes  went  to  Shrewsbury  in  late  autumn  intending  soon  to  return, 
leaving  his  sons  behind,  but  for  some  reason  he  did  not  return  until 
spring.  Ebenezer  was  fourteen  years  of  age  and  Francis  nine,  and 
they  remained  in  their  father's  camp  in  this  remote  wilderness  during 
the  long  winter  months  with  no  other  companionship  than  that  of 
the  Indians.  When  Jonathan  Keyes  sold  his  laud  in  Sudbury 
Canada,  he  moved  to  New  Penacook,  now  Rumford,  where  he  had 
previously  purchased  a  tract  of  laud  of  Dr.  Ebenezer  Harnden 
Goss,  then  of  Concord,  N.  H.,  afterwards  of  Brunswick  and  Paris, 
Maine.  He  was  the  son  of  Deacon  Jonathan  and  Patience  (Morse) 
Keyes  of  Shrew-sbury,  and  was  born  there  January  twent3^-one, 
seventeen  hundred  and  twenty-eight.  He  married  January  twenty- 
three,  seventeen  hundred  and  fifty-two,  Sarah,  daughter  of  Ebenezer 
Taylor.  He  died  in  Rumford  November  seven,  seventeen  hundred 
and  eighty-six,  and  his  wife  died  November  fourteen,  seventeen 
hundred  and  ninety-nine. 

Doctor  Nathaniel  T.  True  and  Doctor  Moses  Mason  have  stated 
that  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Samuel  Ingalls,  was  the  first  white  woman 
to  spend  the  winter  in  Sudbury  Canada  and  the  first  who  came  here. 
The  time  is  fixed  at  seventeen  hundred  and  seventy-six,  and  they 
are  said  to  have  come  from  Andover,  Massachusetts  ;  to  have  moved 
from  Bethel  to  Bridgton,  then  returned  here,  and  that  Mr.  Ingalls 
died  here.  There  seems  to  be  a  series  of  mistakes  here.  If  they 
were  living  in  Fryeburg  as  the  deed  from  Keyes  states,  in  seventeen 
hundred  and  seventy-seven,  they  probably  came  from  Fryeburg  to 
Bethel,  but  a  year  later  than  stated  by  Doctor  True.  They  moved 
from  here  to  Bridgton,  but  did  not  return,  as  stated,  and  died  there. 
At  the  time  of  the  Indian  raid,  August  third,  seventeen  hundred 
and  eighty-one,  Nathaniel  Segar  in  his  published  account  says  there 
were  then  ten  families  living  in  Sudbury  Canada,  five  at  the  lower 
part  of  the  township  and  five  at  the  upper.  Those  in  the  west  or 
upper  part  were  Eleazer  Twitchell,  Benjamin  Russell,  Abraham 
Russell,  Jonathan  Clark  and  James  Swan.  Those  in  the  lower 
parish,  Samuel  Ingalls,  Jesse  Duston,  Jolui  York,  Amos  Powers 
and  Nathaniel  Segar. 

Joseph  Twitchell  had  caused  to  be  built  a  grist  and  saw  mill  on 
the  Mill  brook  at  the  foot  of  Bethel  Hill  in  seventeen  hundred  and 
seventy-four.  These,  save  perhaps  a  rude  camp  or  two,  were  the 
first  buildings  erected  in  the  township.     In  seventeen  hundred  aud 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  39 

seventy-nine,  a  house  was  built  for  the  use  of  the  miller,  the  first 
framed  building  erected  for  a  dwelling. 

Eleazer  Twitehell  moved  from  Dublin,  New  Hampshire,  in  seven- 
teen hundred  and  seventy-nine,  to  look  after  his  father's  interests 
in  Sudbury  Canada.  He  was  the  third  son  of  his  father  and  was 
born  in  Sher bourn,  January  twenty-second,  seventeen  hundred  and 
forty-four.  He  married  Martha,  daughter  of  Moses  Mason  of 
Dublin.  He  was  very  active  in  promoting  the  interests  of  the  town, 
and  with  the  means  placed  at  his  disposal  by  his  father,  he  was  in 
a  position  to  be  the  leading  man  of  the  township.  At  the  time  of 
the  Indian  raid,  he  was  living  on  the  island  where  the  grist  mill 
stood,  and  still  stands,  and  resided  here  until  the  great  freshet  of 
seventeen  hundred  and  eighty-five,  when  the  house  was  almost  sub- 
merged, the  water  rising  so  rapidly  that  Mr.  Twitehell  was  obliged 
to  take  his  family  off  in  a  raft.  He  made  the  first  clearing  on  the 
farm  in  Mayville,  aftei'ward  owned  by  Moses  and  Aaron  Mason, 
and  cut  off  the  pine  timber  of  which  there  was  a  heavy  growth,  and 
rafted  it  to  the  mills  at  Brunswick.  He  was  largely  interested  in 
real  estate  and  a  part  owner  of  the  north  half  of  what  is  now  Green- 
wood. He  died  in  June,  eighteen  hundred  and  nineteen.  He 
thoroughly  repaired  the  mill  in  seventeen  hundred  and  eighty-eight, 
and  the  following  year  his  father  gave  him  a  deed  of  the  mill  prop- 
erty with  the  land  adjoining.  He  built  a  house  on  Bethel  Hill,  the 
first  one  bordering  the  common,  the  first  clapboarded  house  in  this 
part  of  the  town.  In  seventeen  hundred  and  ninety-seven,  he  built 
a  large  house  which  was  called  the  castle,  and  which  he  opened  as 
a  tavern.  He  was  conspicuous  for  his  liberality  and  kindness  of 
heart.  A  deed  for  which  his  memory  will  ever  be  cherished  by  the 
people  of  the  town,  was  the  gift  of  the  beautiful  common  at  Bethel 
Hill. 

Benjamin  Russell  is  said  to  have  come  from  Fryeburg  in  March, 
seventeen  hundred  and  seventy-seven,  but  it  was  probably  a  year 
later,  for  Samuel  Ingalls  was  at  this  time  living  in  Fryeburg,  and 
he  and  his  wife  were  here  one  winter  before  any  other  settler's  wife 
came.  Mr.  Russell  was  accompanied  by  his  wife  and  his  daughter, 
then  fifteen  years  of  age,  who  married  afterwards  Nathauiel  Segar. 
He  was  also  accompanied  by  General  Amos  Hastings,  who  came  to 
see  the  place.  They  came  on  snow  shoes,  and  the  wife  and  daugh- 
ter were  hauled  on  handsleds.  At  the  time  of  the  raid,  Mr.  Russell 
was  living  on  the  interval  farm,  on  the  south  side  of  the  river  two 


40  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

or  three  miles  below  Bethel  Hill.  He  was  born  in  old  Andover, 
where  several  generations  of  his  ancestors  had  lived,  January 
.(^^  J  7^ twenty-seventh,  seventeen  hundred  and  thirty-seven.  His  wife, 
'^  \^  '  Mary  Favor,  was  born  IMarch  first, Seventeen  hundred  and  thirty- 
"  nine.     He  was  among  the  early  settlers  of  Fryeburg,  a  civil  magis- 

trate and  a  leading  man  in  town  affairs.  After  he  came  to  Bethel 
he  assumed  the  same  position,  and  for  a  long  time,  being  the  onlj' 
justice  of  the  peace,  he  solemnized  marriages  and  performed  other 
duties  pertaining  to  his  office.  He  died  in  November,  eighteen 
hundred  and  two,  and  his  wife  six  years  after. 

Abraham  Russell,  a  brother  of  Benjamin  Russell,  came  here  later, 
but  was  here  at  the  time  of  the  Indian  raid.  He  married  Abigail, 
daughter  of  James  Swan,  and  moved  here  from  Fryeburg.  He 
lived  at  first  on  the  interval,  not  far  from  the  bridge  across  Alder 
river  below  Bethel  Hill.  He  subsequently  moved  farther  down 
toward  Middle  Interval,  to  the  place  afterward  occupied  by  John 
Russell.  Later  in  life,  he  moved  to  Bethel  Hill,  to  the  place  subse- 
quently occupied  by  his  son-in-law,  Daniel  Grout. 

James  Swan  was  the  son  of  Joshua  Swan  of  Methuen,  and  a 
descendent  of  Robert  Swan  of  Boston  and  Rowley.  He  married 
Mary  Smith,  and  moved  from  Fryeburg  to  Sudbury-  Canada  in 
seventeen  hundred  and  sevent3'-niue.  He  settled  on  the  Ayers 
Mason  farm,  a  mile  from  Bethel  Hill,  toward  Middle  Interval. 
Mr.  Swan  formerh'  followed  the  sea  and  was  impressed  into  the 
English  service,  but  he  and  tAvo  others  seized  the  ship  and  forced 
the  captain  to  pilot  her  into  Boston.  This  was  before  the  war  of 
the  revolution,  and  fearing  prosecution,  he  came  to  the  wilds  of 
Maine  and  v^as  among  the  first  to  settle  in  Fyreburg.  He  was  a 
friend  of  Sabattis,  the  famous  Piquaket  Indian,  who  long  made  his 
home  with  Mr.  Swan. 

Jonathan  Clark  came  to  Bethel  as  early  as  seventeen  hundred 
and  sevent3'-four,  but  returned  to  his  home  in  Newton  and  served 
a  term  of  enlistment  in  the  war  for  independence.  He  moved  to 
Bethel  in  seventeen  hundred  and  seventy-eight  or  nine,  and  at  the 
time  of  the  Indian  raid  was  living  on  the  Jedediah  Burbank  farm, 
a  little  west  of  the  Bethel  bridge  and  on  the  south  side  of  the  river. 
He  was  the  son  of  William  Clark,  Jr.,  of  Newton,  and  was  born  in 
that  town  March  twenty-eight,  seventeen  hundred  and  fortj'-seven. 
He  married  Esther  Parker,  and  died  in  Bethel,  December  thirtieth, 
seventeen  liiindred  and  twentv-one. 


CHURCH   AT  MIDDLE  INTERVALE. 


LIEUT.  JONATHAN  CLARK  PLACE. 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  41 

Benjamiu,  sou  of  Norman  Clark  of  Newton,  was  born  there 
-April  third,  seventeen  hundred  and  fifty-nine.  He  came  to  Bethel 
when  a  young  man  and  at  the  time  of  the  Indian  raid  was  captured 
and  carried  to  Canada.  On  his  return,  he  married  Betsey,  daughter 
of  Moses  Mason,  Esq.,  of  Dublin,  New  Hampshire,  and  settled  on 
the  place  above  Bethel  Hill,  where  his  son  Norman  afterwards  live^. 
He  died  January  thirtieth,  seventeen  hundred  and  forty-six,  at 
Bethel. 

Jesse  Duston  or  Dustin,  a  descendent  of  the  famous  Hannah, 
wife  of  Thomas  Duston  of  Haverhill,  Massachusetts,  was  born  in 
Methuen,  and  was  among  the  early  settlers  in  Fryeburg.  He  was 
by  occupation  a  house  carpenter.  He  came  to  Sudbury  (Canada  in 
seventeen  hundred  and  seventy-eight,  and  settled  on  the  farm  in 
the  lower  part  of  the  town,  now  in  Hanover,  suljsequently  occupied 
by  Bela  Williams.  He  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  James  Swan, 
and  to  her  was  l)orn  in  seventeen  hundred  and  eightj'-two,  the  first 
white  child  born  in  Sudbury  Canada,  and  his  name  was  called 
Peregrine.  The  proprietors  gave  Mrs.  Duston  a  lot  of  land  in  con- 
sideration of  the  fact  just  stated.  Being  among  the  first,  if  not  the 
first  carpenter  in  the  plantation,  Mr.  Duston  was  in  a  position  to 
render  valuable  service  to  the  settlers,  and  tradition  gives  him  a 
good  report. 

Nathaniel  Segar,  son  of  Josiah  and  Thankful  (Allen)  Segar,  was 
born  in  Newton,  Massachusetts,  January  twenty-eight,  seventeen 
"hundred  and  fifty.  He  came  to  Sudbury  Canada  in  the  spring  of 
seventeen  hundred  and  seventy-four,  remained  through  the  summer 
and  returned  to  Newton.  He  served  for  nearly  two  years  in  the 
patriot  army,  and  returned  to  Sudbury  Canada  accompanied  by 
Jonathan  Bartlett  and  Aaron  Barton.  He  cleared  a  farm  in  the 
lower  part  of  the  town,  now  Hanover,  near  Rumford  line,  and  liere 
he  was  living  unmarried  at  the  time  of  the  Indian  raid,  but  happen- 
ing on  that  day  to  be  at  the  upper  settlement,  he  was  taken  prisoner 
and  carried  captive  to  Canada.  After  his  return,  he  married  Mary, 
daughter  of  Benjamin  Russell,  Esq.  He  dictated  an  account  of  his 
capture  and  captivity,  which  was  printed  in  a  small  pamphlet.  He 
lived  to  a  very  advanced  age. 

Amos  Powers  was  born  in  Princeton,  Massachusetts,  in  February, 
seventeen  hundred  and  thirty-two,  the  month  and  year  of  the  birth 
of  George  Washington.  He  married  Molly  Parmenter,  and  in 
seventeen  hundred  and  seventy-nine,  bought  of  Aaron  Richardson 


42  HIS  TOBY    OF  BETHEL. 

of  Newton,  interval  lot  number  two  on  the  south  side  of  the  great 
river  in  Sudbury  Canada.  He  came  here  either  in  that  or  the  follow- 
ing year.  His  farm  was  in  the  lower  part  of  the  town  on  the 
Rumford  road,  and  the  same  afterwards  occupied  by  his  sou,  Arnold 
Powers.  He  was  about  forty-eight  years  of  age  when  he  came 
here,  and  his  six  children  were  born  in  Princeton.  Mr.  Powers  lived 
to  an  advanced  age,  and  saw  the  wilderness'  in  which  he  came  to 
make  him  a  home,  cleared  away,  succeeded  by  broad  fields  and  an 
industrious  and  thriving  population. 

Colonel  John  York  of  Standish,  in  seventeen  hundred  and  seventy- 
nine,  bought  of  Aaron  Richai'dson  of  Newton,  lot  number  thirteen, 
on  the  south  side  of  Amariscoggin  river  in  Sudbury  Canada.  This 
lot  is  situated  on  the  river  road  below  Middle  Intervale  and  was 
subsequently  occupied  by  Humphre}^  and  Samuel  Beau.  Colonel 
York  married  Abigail,  daughter  of  Jonathan  Bean  of  Standish, 
afterwards  of  Bethel.  He  was  a  stirring,  energetic  man,  and  an 
excellent  pioneer.  Two  of  his  brothers,  Isaac  and  Job,  came  to 
Bethel  a  few  years  later. 

Samuel  lugalls,  who  made  up  the  fifth  family  in  town  at  the  time 
of  the  raid,  bought  his  land  of  Jonathan  Kej'es  in  the  spring  of 
seventeen  hundred  and  seventy-seven,  and  was  then  said  to  be  of 
Fryeburg.  Buildings  had  been  erected  upon  the  land  by  Mr.  Keyes, 
so  that  the  place  was  all  ready  for  occupancy.  It  is  probable  that 
Mr.  Ingalls  moved  into  the  plantation  this  year,  and  wintered  here 
in  seventeen  hundred  and  seventy-seven-eight.  Mrs.  Ingalls  is 
said  to  have  been  the  first  white  woman  in  the  plantation.  The 
land  he  purchased  was  below  that  purchased  l)y  Colonel  John  York, 
and  on  the  same  side  of  the  river.  At  the  time  of  the  raid,  York 
and  Ingalls  were  quite  near  neighbors,  and  Amos  Powers  lived  a 
mile  or  two  below. 

John  Grover,  the  second  son  of  Dea.  James  (irover,  was  the  first 
of  the  name  to  settle  in  this  town.  He  came  when  single,  but  just 
what  year  cannot  be  stated  with  certainty.  He  was  here  at  the 
time  of  the  Indian  raid  and  was  the  messenger  sent  to  Fryeburg  for 
assistance.  He  had  bravely  served  in  the  war  for  independence, 
was  stationed  for  a  time  at  Dorchester  Heights  and  was  in  the 
engagements  at  Trenton  and  at  otlier  places  under  Washington. 
He  settled  at  West  Bethel  and  owned  extensive  tracts  of  pine  timber 
lands  from  which  he  cut  the  tunber  and  rafted  it  to  Brunswick. 
Grover    Hill    perpetuates    the    name  of  this  man  and  his  family. 


HIS  TOBY  OF  BETHEL.  43' 

He  was  a  stalwart  man  in  his  make  up  and  as  brave  as  he  was 
strong.  He  is  said  to  have  entered  a  den  where  there  were  five 
bears  and  to  have  killed  one  or  more  with  a  broad  axe.  His  sou. 
Mason  Grover,  who  was  serving  around  Lake  Champlain  in  the 
war  of  eighteen  hundred  and  twelve,  was  taken  sick.  John  Grover 
went  to  visit  him  and  he  recovered,  but  the  father  was  taken  sick 
and  died  on  the  way. 

Amos  Hastings  was  born  in  the  west  parish  of  Haverhill,  Mass. 
He  was  in  the  affair  at  Concord  and  Lexington,  and  also  in  the 
battle  of  Bunker  Hill.  He  served  several  years  and  came  out  with 
the  rank  of  captain.  He  married  Elizabeth  Wiley,  a  sister  of  the 
wife  of  John  Grover,  and  came  here  from  Fryeburg.  He  settled  at 
first  at  Middle  Interval  aud  for  many  years  his  house  was  the  town 
house.  Later  he  moved  to  a  farm  on  the  north  side  of  the  river. 
He  was  earl}^  identified  with  the  militia  of  the  town  and  held  office 
through  the  various  grades  to  that  of  Brigadier  General.  He  was  a 
man  possessed  of  sound  judgment  which  was  often  utilized  by  the 
town  when  difficult  questions  came  up  requiring  careful  investigation 
and  adjustment.  He  may  justly  be  regarded  as  one  of  the  fathers 
of  the  town. 

Samuel  Marshall  is  not  mentioned  by  Segar  as  a  resident  of  Sud- 
bury Canada  at  the  time  of  the  raid,  but  it  is  a  fact  that  he  was 
here  and  had  but  recently  arrived.  He  had  married  Lucy,  daughter 
of  Moses  Mason,  Esq.,  of  Dublin,  New  Hampshire,  aud  she  had 
sisters  already  here.  At  the  time  of  the  raid  they  were  living  about 
three  miles  below  Bethel  Hill,  on  the  road  to  Middle  Interval,  on 
the  Sanborn  farm,  aud  Mr.  Marshall  was  temporarily  absent.  A 
neighbor  gave  Mrs.  Marshall  a  very  exaggerated  account  of  the 
affair  ;  said  there  was  a  large  body  of  Indians  in  the  plantation  ; 
that  if  the  Marshall  family  would  remain  at  home,  they  would  not 
be  molested,  but  if  they  attempted  to  escape,  they  would  all  be 
killed.  From  this  point  we  will  allow  Mrs.  Marshall  to  give  her 
own  account  of  the  affair,  as  she  gave  it  some  years  after,  iu  writing 
to  her  son,  a  document  which  is  still  preserved  in  the  family.  '"At 
this  moment  I  exclaimed,  what  shall  I  do?  'Hide  in  the  woods' 
said  my  informant.  While  I  was  hastening  to  the  woods  with 
my  children,  I  saw  my  husband  coming  home.  I  beckoned  to  him 
to  hasten  and  on  his  coming  up,  I  hastily  related  what  I  had  heard. 
He  ran  to  the  house  and  took  such  provisions  as  he  could  readily 
seize  and  throw  into  a  sack,  and  then  started  with  his  little  store  and 


44  HIS  TOBY  OF  BETHEL. 

family  into  the  woods.  We  traveled  lightl}'  and  looked  cautiously 
around,  expecting  every  moment  to  see  the  faces  of  the  Indians,  but 
after  a  few  hours,  our  fears  considerably  subsided,  and  we  sat  down 
to  rest.  I  found  myself  very  much  fatigued,  and  without  my  ordi- 
nary dress,  for  during  the  morning  I  had  slipped  off  my  shoes, 
having  nothing  on  except  a  thin  skirt  and  a  handkerchief  over  my 
shoulders.  This  caused  my  heart  to  ache,  for  we  had  resolved  not 
to  turn  back,  but  to  pursue  our  way  which  lay  through  the  wilderness. 
After  a  short  halt,  we  set  out  again,  and  traveled  till  dark.  We 
did  not  dare  to  strike  a  light  for  fear  of  being  discovered  by  the 
Indians.  We  sat  there  impatiently  waiting  the  morning  of  the 
sixth,  when  we  renewed  our  journey,  but  much  slower  than  the  day 
previously.  During  the  afternoon,  we  were  overtaken  by  a  Mr. 
Dodge*  who  had  been  sent  from  Bethel  to  New  Gloucestor  for  help. 
We  requested  him  to  inform  the  first  inhabitants  he  met,  of  our 
situation,  and  give  him  the  course  as  nearly  as  he  could,  and  ask 
them  to  meet  us.  Mr.  Dodge  missed  his  course  to  Jackson's  camp 
in  No.  4,  which  he  expected  first  to  reach,  and  came  out  at  Lieut. 
Bearce's  in  Hebron.  He  informed  Bearce  who  immediately  set  out 
for  Jackson's  camp,  and  on  his  arrival  he  obtained  two  men  who 
went  with  him  as  far  as  the  river  in  the  north  part  of  the  township, 
and  there  struck  up  a  fire  and  prepared  some  food,  while  Mr.  Bearce 
<!ontinued  in  search  of  us.  He  first  found  my  son  David,  whom  his 
father  had  carried  a  short  distance  ahead,  and  left  on  a  log,  telling 
him  to  be  quietj  while  he  went  back  after  me.  We  arrived  in  a 
short  time  at  the  river,  took  some  refreshment,  and  then  proceeded 
to  Jackson's  camp  where  we  arrived  on  the  ninth  of  August.  We 
remained  at  this  camp  three  or  four  days,  consequently  I  was  the 
first  white  woman  who  took  lodgings  in  what  is  now  the  town  of 
Paris."  Mr.  Marshall  and  his  wife  continued  their  journej'  to  New 
Gloucester  where  they  remained  a  few  weeks,  and  then  settled  in 
the  town  of  Hebron,  where  both  lived  to  an  advanced  age  and  reared 
a  large  family.  The  family  came  to  Sudbury'  Canada  from  Dublin, 
New  Hampshire,  but  was  probably  born  in  Massachusetts. 

Peter  Austin  from  Fryeburg,  had  also  built  him  a  camp  on  the 
farm  afterwards  occupied  by  the  Barkers,  but  he  was  unman ied. 
He  was  fortunately  absent  from  his  place  at  the  time  of  the  raid 
and  thus  escaped  capture  if  nothing  worse.     He  continued  to  live 

*No  person  of  this  name  is  known  to  have  lived  in  Belliel,  and  it  is  iirol)able  that  he 
Avas  only  temporarily  there. 


HIS  TOBY  OF  BETHEL.  45 

upon  this  farm  until  about  the  year  seventeen  hundred  and  ninety- 
six,  when  he  sold  out  and  moved  to  Canton,  Maine,  where  he 
became  a  wealthy  farmer  and  reared  a  large  family.  Persona 
familiar  with  the  topography  of  the  town,  from  the  locations  here 
described,  will  be  able  to  form  a  very  correct  idea  of  the  places 
w'here  the  few  scattered  inhabitants  lived  at  this  time.  The  vast 
wilderness  was  only  dotted  here  and  there  by  a  few  clearings,  the 
first  settlers  had  just  come  to  Newry,  Rumford  and  Paris,  and  only 
a  few  families  had  come  to  Waterford.  Also,  a  settlement  had 
just  been  commenced  iu  Shelburue,  New  Hampshire.  In  Sudbury 
Cauada  there  were  only  nine  families,  and  three  single  men,  namely, 
Benjamin  Clark,  Segar  and  Austin,  when  there  occurred  the  episode 
which  has  been  much  talked  about  in  town  since  that  time,  known 
as  the  Indian  raid,  an  account  of  which  forms  the  subject  of  the 
next  chapter. 


CHAPTER   VI. 

Sudbury  Canada  Attacked  by  Indians. 

j^  FTP^R  the  fall  of  Quebec  in  seventeen  hundred  and  fifty- 
nine,  and  the  treaty  which  soon  followed  by  the  terms  of 
which  France  relinquished  all  claims  to  Canada  and  the 
Maritime  Provinces,  the  people  of  Maine  were  comparatively  safe 
from  Indian  encroachments  and  depredations.  There  was  no  longer 
any  necessity  for  garrison  houses  ;  the  farmer  could  go  to  his  work 
unarmed  ;  the  quiet  of  the  Sabbath  was  no  more  broken  by  the  shrill 
war  whoop,  and  the  mother  as  she  placed  her  children  in  bed  and 
retired  herself,  was  measurably  certain  that  their  rest  would  not 
be  disturbed  and  their  lives  placed  in  jeopardy  by  the  blood-curdling 
cry  and  the  cruel  tomahawk  of  the  ruthless  savage.  Those  that 
remained  within  the  State  and  sustained  tribal  relations,  the  Penob- 
scots  and  Passamaquoddies,  were  friendly  and  peaceable  enough, 
while  the  strolling  bands  from  Canada  that  visited  the  settlements, 
hunted  and  fished  and  then  returned  to  their  homes  on  the  St. 
Francois,  made  no  hostile  demonstrations  and  excited  no  alarm  by 
their  presence.     They  frequently  visited  the  Sudbury  Canada  settle- 


46  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

ments,  coming  either  down  the  Androscoggin  by  the  waj^  of  Shelbnrn 
and  Gilead,  or  cutting  across  from  the  Umbagog  Lake  by  wa}'  of 
Grafton  and  Newry.  Several  of  them  were  here  so  much  and 
remained  so  long,  sometimes  for  months  together,  that  they  became 
well  acquainted  with  the  settlers,  understood  their  customs  and 
habits,  and  receiving  nothing  but  kindly  treatment,  showed  nothing 
but  a  kindly  spirit  in  return. 

The  attack  of  the  Indians  upon  the  western  settlement  in  Sudbury 
Canada  was  as  sudden  and  unexpected  as  lightning  from  a  cloudless 
sky.  It  was  during  the  war  of  the  revolution,  but  the  people  in 
this  plantation  were  so  far  removed  from  scenes  of  hostility'  that 
they  had  taken  no  thought  for  their  safety,  considering  it  well 
assured.  I  have  heard  several  accounts  of  this  attack  from  the  sons 
and  daughters  of  those  upon  whom  the  attack  was  made,  and  while 
they  differ  in  some  minor  points,  the}'  agree  in  all  the  essentials. 
But  the  only  account  written  or  dictated  by  one  who  suffered  most 
from  this  raid,  is  the  one  dictated  by  Nathaniel  Segar,  written 
out  it  is  said  by  Rev.  Daniel  Gould,  and  printed  at  Paris  in  eighteen 
hundred  and  twenty-seven.  A  copy  of  this  now  rare  pamphlet  is 
before  me  and  from  it  I  am  to  make  an  abstract  of  its  contents. 
The  first  pages  are  devoted  to  a  sketch  of  the  early  life  of  JNIr. 
Segar,  his  first  and  second  visits  to  Sudbury  Canada,  and  of  his 
service  in  the  army.  It  has  already  been  said  that  Mr.  Segar  settled 
in  the  extreme  eastern  part  of  the  township  near  Rumford  line,  and 
liad  lie  been  at  home  when  the  raid  occurred  he  would  have  escaped 
all  ditliculty,  for  the  lower  settlement  was  not  molested.  But  he 
was  at  the  upper  settlement  either  for  business  or  pleasure,  wiien 
the  attack  was  made  and  so  suffered  in  common  with  others.  This 
abstract  is  only  from  that  part  of  the  pamphlet  giving  an  account 
of  the  attack  on  the  settlement  and  of  the  captivity  of  those  who 
were  taken  to  Canada,  and  is  given  in  the  third  person,  while  Mr. 
Segar  makes  his  relation  in  the  first. 

On  the  third  day  of  August,  seventeen  hundred  and  eight^'-one, 
there  came  into  the  upper  settlement  in  Sudbury  Canada,  six  Indians 
from  Canada.  One  of  them  named  Tomhegan  was  well  known  to 
iSegar,  often  having  l)een  at  his  house.  Segar,  Jonathan  Clark  and 
Eleazer  Twitchell,  were  standing  at  a  little  distance  from  the  woods, 
when  five  Indians,  hideously  painted  and  armed  with  guns,  toma- 
hawks and  scalping  knives,  rushed  out  upon  them,  informed  them 
that  they  were  prisoners  and  must  go  to  Canada.     Jonathan  Clark's 


HISTOBY    OF  BETHEL.  47 

touse  on  the  Burbank  farm,  was  near  hy,  and  there  the  Indians 
escorted  their  prisoners.  After  binding  their  captives,  they  told 
them  to  sit  down  and  keep  quiet  or  they  would  kill  them.  They 
then  commenced  plundering  the  house,  and  finding  several  gallons 
of  rum  in  the  cellar,  they  filled  some  bottles  and  took  them  away 
with  them.  The}'  also  found  sixteen  dollars  in  hard  money,  some 
clothing  and  many  other  things  which  they  appropriated  and  carried 
away.  Unseen  b}'  the  Indians,  Mrs.  Clark  hid  her  husband's  watch 
in  the  ashes  and  thus  saved  it.  They  then  attempted  to  take  Mrs. 
dark's  gold  beads  from  her  neck,  but  in  so  doing  the  string  was 
broken,  and  the  beads  scattered  over  the  floor.  They  did  not  stop 
to  hunt  them  up,  and  after  the}'  had  left,  most  of  them  were  found. 
They  also  attempted  to  take  the  silver  buckles  from  her  shoes,  but 
she  berated  them  so  that  the}'^  did  not  take  them.  She  resisted  them 
so  and  talked  to  them  in  such  a  scolding  manner,  that  the  prisoners 
feared  they  would  murder  her,  but  her  boldness  and  fearlessness 
doubtless  operated  in  her  favor. 

While  these  things  were  going  on  in  the  house  of  Jonathan  Clark, 
an  Indian  came  out  of  the  woods  with  Benjamin  Clark  whom  he  had 
just  taken.  In  the  meantime.  Captain  Eleazer  Twitchell,  by  watch- 
ing his  opportunity  had  absconded  and  had  so  effeetuall}'  secreted 
himself  in  the  woods  that  they  could  not  find  him.  He  remained 
all  night  in  tlie  woods  and  in  the  morning  returned  to  his  home. 
Mrs.  Clark,  who  had  also  escaped  into  the  woods,  and  spent  the 
niglit  by  the  side  of  a  log,  ver}'  near  the  hidi^^g  place  of  Captain 
Twitchell,  both  being  entirely  unconscious  that  they  had  spent  the 
night  so  near  together  until  they  bestirred  themselves  in  the  morn- 
ing. After  the  Indians  had  packed  up  their  plunder  and  with  their 
prisoners  were  about  to  leave  the  house,  they  told  Mrs.  Clark  to 
remain  at  home  and  she  would  be  safe,  but  if  she  went  away  she 
would  be  killed,  sa3'ing  there  were  hundreds  of  Indians  in  the  woods. 
She  did  not  believe  them,  and  leaving  the  house  as  soon  as  they 
■were  out  of  sight,  she  concealed  herself  in  the  forest  and  saw  no 
more  of  the  Indians. 

Having  accomplished  their  purpose  here,  and  having  unbound  the 
legs  of  their  prisoners  and  loaded  them  with  their  plunder,  they 
started  on  the  long  and  tedious  journey  through  the  wilderness. 
The  arms  of  the  prisoners  remained  bound,  and  with  heavy  hearts 
as  well  as  packs,  the}'  were  driven  onward  before  their  cruel  captors. 
They  traveled  about  two  miles  and  then  encamped  for  the  night, 


48  HIS  TOBY   OF  BETHEL. 

and  a  dismal  night  it  was  to  tlie  prisoners.  In  the  morning  at  day- 
light, they  resumed  their  march,  and  came  to  Peter  Austin's  camp 
where  he  had  made  a  clearing,  but  at  this  time  he  was,  fortunately 
for  himself,  absent.  The  Indians  entered  the  hut  and  searched  for 
plunder,  but  found  little.  They  found  two  guns,  one  of  which  they 
broke  and  the  other  took  awa}^  and  a  quantit}"  of  maple  sugar. 
They  spent  the  second  night  near  this  place.  Before  light,  the 
Indians  tried  to  find  their  packs,  wishing  to  resume  their  journey, 
but  could  not  find  them  until  daybreak.  One  of  them  missed  his 
tomahawk  and  accused  Segar  of  taking  it ;  he  would  have  given 
him  a  heavy  and  perhaps  a  fatal  blow,  had  not  another  Indian  pre- 
vented it.  Wiien  it  became  light  enough  to  see,  the  Indian  found 
his  weapon  where  he  had  placed  it  himself.  As  soon  as  it  was 
light,  they  started  up  the  river  and  came  to  Peabody's  Patent,  now 
the  town  of  Gilead.  They  went  to  a  house  owned  and  occupied  by 
Mr.  James  Pettengill,  who  on  their  arrival  was  near  the  house,  and 
walking  toward  it.  On  seeing  the  Indian;-  at  his  house  he  stopped, 
but  they  had  obsei'ved  him  and  ordered  him  to  approach.  The}'^ 
then  searched  the  house  and  finding  some  sugar  and  a  tult  of  cream, 
they  mixed  it  together  and  made  a  meal  of  it.  Tlieytold  Pettengill 
that  he  must  go  with  them  to  Canada,  to  which  he  demurred  and 
said  he  had  no  shoes.  They  then  told  him  he  might  stay  if  he 
would  remain  in  the  house,  and  passed  on.  Mrs.  Pettengill  and 
her  children  were  in  the  house,  but  received  no  abuse  from  them. 
After  the  Indians  had  passed  the  house  a  short  distance,  they  sent 
two  of  their  number  back  who  soon  returned  accompanied  by  Mr. 
Pettengill.  They  soon  after  murdered  him  by  shooting  him  within 
half  a  mile  of  his  home  and  family,  without  any  apparent  provoca- 
tion. Several  days  after,  Joseph  G.  Swan  and  several  others  from 
Bethel,  visited  the  place  and  interred  the  remains. 

They  then  passed  on  to  Shelburn,  New  Hampshire,  and  at  a  brook 
they  found  several  children  at  play  who  Avere  much  terrified  at  the 
sight  of  the  Indians.  There  was  a  house  near  by,  and  one  of  the 
Indians  asked  the  children  how  many  men  there  were  in  that  house, 
to  which  they  answered  that  there  were  ten,  and  that  they  had  guns. 
This  was  a  random  answer  and  far  from  the  fact,  but  the  Indians 
were  so  terrified  that  they  lightened  themselves  of  their  packs  and 
placed  them  upon  their  captives  in  addition  to  those  they  already 
had,  and  immediately  crossed  to  the  other  side  of  the  Androscoggin 
by  fording  it.     They  crossed  with  great  difficulty,  especially  the 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  49 

prisoners,  heavily  loaded  as  tliey  were,  but  they  reached  the  oppo- 
site side  iu  safety.  They  then  resumed  their  march  and  came  to  a 
small  house  occupied  by  Mr.  Hope  Austin.  The  family  was  at 
home  but  Austin  fortunately  was  absent.  The  Indians  plundered 
the  house,  taking  a  little  money  and  some  other  light  articles  and 
passed  on.  They  told  Mrs.  Austin  to  remain  in  the  house  and  she 
would  not  be  hurt.  After  marching  a  short  distance,  the}^  halted 
in  the  woods  andTomhegan,  taking  his  gun,  went  away  by  himself. 
Soon  the  report  of  a  gun  was  heard  and  Tomhegan  returned  accom- 
panied by  a  negro  named  Plato.  They  learned  from  Plato  that 
Tomhegan  had  shot  and  killed  a  man  named  Peter  Poor,  who  was 
on  his  way  to  his  work  after  his  mid-day  meal.  Having  an  addition 
to  their  party,  the  Indians  informed  Segar  and  the  Clarks  that  one 
of  them  might  return  to  the  settlement  in  Sudbury  Canada.  It  was 
decided  that  Lieutenant  Jonathan  Clark,  who  had  a  family,  might 
return,  but  the  Indians  charged  him  to  keep  the  road.  Clark  joy- 
fully turned  back  but  did  not  obey  the  injunction  to  follow  the  road 
by  which  they  had  come,  and  had  he  done  so  he  would  doubtless 
have  been  shot,  two  of  the  Indians  having  tarried  behind,  doubtless 
for  the  very  purpose.  Clark  crossed  the  river,  then  turned  into  the 
woods  and  in  the  course  of  two  or  three  days,  reached  his  home  in 
safety. 

They  next  came  to  a  place  where  Captain  Rindge  had  begun  a 
clearing  and  was  stopping  with  his  family.  On  seeing  the  Indians 
approach  in  their  war  paint,  the  family  was  much  alarmed,  but 
Rindge  tried  to  gain  their  favor  by  telling  them  he  was  on  the  side 
of  the  king.  This  did  not  prevent  them  from  rolJbing  his  house, 
securing  plunder  of  great  value.  The  Indians  went  out  and  scalped 
Mr.  Poor.  Hope  Austin  was  at  the  house,  but  seeing  the  Indians 
approach  he  tied  to  the  woods  and  escaped  injury.  A  boy  by  the 
name  of  Elijah  lugalls  was  stopping  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Rindge,  and 
the  Indians  proposed  to  take  him  along,  but  being  prevailed  upon 
by  Rindge,  they  allowed  him  to  remain.  The  settlements  had  now 
been  passed,  and  the  Indians  struck  off  for  Canada  direct.  After 
traveling  two  days,  they  stripped  a  piece  of  birch  bark  and  untying 
Segar's  hands,  directed  him  to  write  upon  it  that  if  the  party  should 
be  pursued  by  Americans,  they  (the  Indians)  would  certainly  kill 
their  prisoners.  After  pursuing  their  journey  for  two  or  three  days, 
and  no  longer  fearing  pursuit,  the  Indians  stopped  to  rest  and 
celebrate  their  successful  raid.     They  had  three  scalps  for  which 

4 


50  HIS  TOBY  OF  BETHEL. 

they  w6re  to  receive  eight  dollars  each,  when  they  reached  Canada. 
From  this  fact,  it  would  seem  that  the  attack  on  the  settlements 
was  authorized  by  English  authorities  in  Canada,  but  I  have  vainlj' 
sought  for  auy  record  of  it  among  the  Canadian  archives,  AVhile 
stopping,  the  Indians  took  the  scalps  and  holding  them  by  the  hair 
in  their  teeth,  shook  their  heads,  whooped,  jumping  and  skipping 
from  rock  to  rock,  and  conducting  themselves  in  such  an  insane  and 
awful  manner  as  to  frighten  their  captives  almost  out  of  their  senses. 

Finally,  the  fifth  day  after  the  capture,  the  part}^  reached  the 
shores  of  Umbagog  Lake,  where  the  savages  had  left  their  three 
canoes  on  their  way  down  to  the  settlement.  Embarking,  they 
crossed  the  lake  in  safety,  and  now  considering  themselves  abso- 
lutely safe  from  pursuit,  the}'^  proceeded  more  leisurely.  Here  the 
Indians  divided  their  plunder,  and  gave  the  prisoners  a  little  flour 
find  some  scraps  of  moose  meat  dried  witli  the  hair  on.  This  was 
the  last  food  they  had  for  several  days,  except  a  little  maple  sugar 
left  from  the  plunder  of  the  settlers.  The  prisoners  were  now 
unbound  and  remained  so  by  day  during  the  remainder  of  the  jour- 
ue}',  but  their  legs  and  arms  were  pinioned  with  thongs  by  night. 
Passing  up  the  Magalloway  river,  the  Indians  shot  a  moose  on 
which  they  made  a  feast,  but  their  prisoners  could  not  partake  of 
the  half-cooked  flesh  without  salt  or  bread.  The  Indians  cut  up  a 
part  of  what  was  left  and  put  it  into  the  packs  of  the  prisoners, 
and  of  the  skins,  they  made  themselves  moccasins.  They  again 
set  out,  and  as  their  wa}^  was  through  thick  Avoods,  over  mountains 
and  through  dismal  swamps,  the  journey  became  tedious  and  the 
prisoners  footsore  and  weary.  The}'  also  suffered  much  for  lack  of 
food.  The  new  moccasins  of  the  Indians  being  worn  through  on 
the  Ijottoms,  thej'^  took  them  off  and  threw  them  away,  and  the 
prisoners  picked  them  up,  roasted  and  devoured  them. 

After  many  days  of  suffering,  the  divide  of  the  watershed  was 
reached,  and  they  came  to  the  source  of  the  river  Saint  Francois. 
At  first  it  was  only  a  tiny  stream,  but  as  they  passed  down,  the 
volume  of  water  increased,  and  arriving  at  the  main  branch,  tliej' 
found  more  canoes,  and  a  little  store  of  corn  which  they  ])oiled  and 
ate  with  great  relish.  Remaining  here  over  night,  in  the  morning 
they  entered  their  canoes  and  commenced  the  descent  of  the  rapid 
river.  On  the  way,  they  speared  fish  and  cooked  them  which,  with 
boiled  corn,  made  a  very  decent  diet,  compared  with  what  they  had 
))een  having.     There  were  many  rapids  and  consequent  carrying 


HISTOBY    OF  BETHEL.  51 

places,  so  that  their  progress  was  somewhat  slow.  The}'  came  to 
a  little  farm  house  ou  the  bauk,  where  cows  were  kept.  They 
milked  the  cows  and  had  a  delicious  meal  of  boiled  coru  and  milk. 
At  length  after  fourteen  da^'s  from  the  time  of  their  capture,  the 
party  approached  the  Indian  village,  the  home  of  the  captors,  and 
the  prisoners  began  to  fear  and  tremble,  not  knowing  the  things 
that  might  befall  them  there.  It  was  dark  as  they  approached, 
but  whoop  responded  to  whoop,  and  with  their  torches,  the  Indians 
made  their  village  as  light  as  day.  The  warriors  at  this  point 
numbered  seventy.  There  was  great  rejoicing  over  the  prisoners, 
scalps  and  plunder.  The  prisoners  were  surrounded  and  pulled  and 
hauled  around,  while  a  terrific  howling  was  kept  up  sufficient  to 
appall  the  stoutest  heart.  Tlie  Indians  had  a  great  frolic  over 
Plato,  the  negro,  throwing  fire-brands  at  him  and  otherwise  abusing 
him.  But  the  prisoners  were  soon  rescued  by  parties  in  authority, 
and  conveyed  to  the  guard  house  where  they  were  safe.  At  the 
request  of  the  Indians,  on  the  following  morning,  Benjamin  Clark 
was  given  up  to  them.  They  cut  his  hair,  painted  him  and  dressed 
him  in  Indian  costume,  and  then  requested  him  to  become  their 
chief.  The  captives  remained  here  two  clays,  and  were  then  taken 
to  Montreal  and  delivered  to  the  English  authorities.  They  were 
guarded  on  the  passage  up  the  Saint  Lawrence  by  ten  Indians  who 
desired  to  retain  Mr.  Clark,  but  this  they  were  not  permitted  to  do. 
They  remained  prisoners  at  Montreal  until  the  following  3'ear, 
when,  after  the  surrender  of  Cornwallis,  there  was  an  exchange  of 
prisoners.  The  prisoners  were  taken  down  to  Quebec,  and  after 
long  and  vexations  delays,  ou  the  tenth  of  November,  seventeen 
hundred  and  eighty-two,  they  embarked  on  board  a  ship,  and  after 
a  pleasant  passage,  reached  Boston.  Segar  and  Clark  immediatelj' 
proceeded  to  their  old  home  at  Newton,  where  they  were  received 
by  their  relatives  and  friends  almost  as  persons  risen  from  the 
dead.  Not  one  word  had  they  heard  from  them  since  their  capture, 
fifteen  months  before,  and  they  had  abandoned  all  hope  of  ever 
seeing  them  again.  They  remained  at  Newton,  resting  and  recup- 
erating, for  several  months,  and  then  returned  to  their  adopted 
homes  in  Sudbury  Canada. 


CHAPTER  VII. 


Defensive  Measures. 


HE  Indian  raid  upon  Sudbury  Canada,  in  and  of  itself,  and 
in  its  results,  was  not  a  very  serious  affair.  Two  men 
were  carried  captive  to  Canada,  two  were  killed,  one  in 
Gilead  and  the  other  probably  in  Shelburne,  and  a  small 
amount  of  plunder  was  obtained.  Yet  it  is  no  wonder  that  after 
the  marauders  had  left,  there  was  great  excitement  and  consterna- 
tion in  the  settlements.  It  had  developed  the  fact  that  the  border 
settlements  were  insecure,  and  it  showed  the  possibilities  of  the 
savages  should  they  be  disposed  to  continue  their  depredations. 
The  report  quickly  spread,  and  the  few  settlers  in  New  Pennacook 
(Rumford)  deserted  their  homes  and  went  to  New  Gloucester,  where 
they  remained  until  the  close  of  the  war.  Captain  Eleazer  Twitchell, 
after  remaining  in  the  woods  all  night,  crept  out  and  reconoitered 
earh'  in  the  morning,  not  knowing  what  the  condition  of  things 
might  be.  The  Indians  had  given  him  to  understand  that  the 
attacking  party  numbered  hundreds,  and  he  did  not  know  but  the 
entire  settlement  might  be  destroyed.  Cautiously  approaching  his 
house  he  was  espied  by  one  of  the  family  who  had  passed  the  night 
in  the  greatest  anxiety.  The  true  state  of  the  case  was  soon  under- 
stood, and  a  messenger,  John  Grover,  was  started  on  horseback  for 
Fryeburg  to  ask  for  assistance.  The  response  was  everything 
desired.  The  messenger  reached  Fr^^eburg  at  not  far  from  noon, 
and  immediately  two  men  were  despatched  along  the  Saco  who 
summoned  all  the  able-bodied  men  to  repair,  with  their  guns,  to  the 
house  of  Nathaniel  Walker.  When  the  call  for  volunteers  was 
made,  thirty  brave  men  stepped  out  and  volunteered  to  go  to  the 
assistance  of  their  friends  in  Sudbury  Canada.  Only  a  few  of  them 
were  in  a  condition  to  go,  for  some  were  bare-headed,  others  bare- 
footed, and  some  had  on  clothing  barely  sufficient  to  cover  their 
nakedness.     Before  nightfall,  however,  a  party  was  made  up  con- 


54  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

sisting  of  thirty  men,  well  armed  and  equipped,  and  under  the 
leadership  of  Captain  Stephen  Farrington. 

In  Indian  file,  with  Sabattis  as  guide,  they  followed  the  Indian 
trail  through  Lovell,  Waterford  and  Albany,  and  as  the  sun  arose 
on  the  following  morning,  they  reached  the  house  of  Captain 
Twitchell.  Captain  Farrington  and  Lieutenant  Nathaniel  Walker 
came  on  horseback.  Sabattis  soon  discovered  the  Indian  trail,  and 
stopping  but  a  few  moments  at  Captain  Twitchell's,  they  pushed 
forward  with  the  utmost  dispatch.  The  Indians  had  thirty-six 
hours  the  start.  Following  their  guide,  who  kept  the  trail  in  sight, 
although  the  whites  could  see  no  signs,  they  at  length  came  to  a 
rocky  hill  where  even  old  Sabattis  was  at  fault.  Passing  around 
the  hill,  thej'^  met  Jonathan  Clark  on  his  return,  who  briefly  gave 
the  pursuers  what  knowledge  he  had,  and  informed  them  of  one  of 
the  conditions  upon  which  he  was  allowed  to  return,  namely,  that 
he  should  try  and  stop  any  party  of  white  men  who  should  go  in 
pursuit  of  the  Indians.  The  men,  however,  would  not  be  persuaded. 
Their  blood  was  up,  and  Sabattis  having  again  found  the  trail,  they 
pushed  on.  They  at  length  reached  the  point  where  the  Indians 
had  posted  the  piece  of  birch  bark  written  upon  by  Segar  The 
men  now  thought  that  further  pursuit  was  worse  than  useless,  as  it 
might  jeopardize  the  lives  of  the  captives,  and  while  Captain 
Farrington  wished  to  push  on,  he  yielded  to  the  majority,  and  having 
interred  the  remains  of  Pettengill,  they  returned  to  Sudbury  Canada, 
where  spending  the  night,  on  the  following  day  they  returned  to 
their  homes  in  Fryeburg. 

In  the  absence  of  plantation  records,  it  is  somewhat  difficult  to 
determine  just  what  defensive  measures  were  taken  by  the  people 
of  Sudbury  Canada,  to  guard  against  any  future  attack.  Docu- 
mentary history  found  in  the  Massachusetts  archives  shows  that 
the}'  built  two  garrison  houses,  and  applied  for  soldiers  to  garrison 
them.  One  of  these  garrisons  was  at  the  end  of  Captain  Eleazer 
Twitchell's  house  and  was  constructed  of  logs  with  cabins  for  the 
men.  The  other  was  built  on  the  farm  of  Colonel  John  York,  in  the 
lower  settlement.  The  ^Massachusetts  government  sent  Lieutenant 
Stephen  Farrington  with  twenty-seven  men,  to  garrison  the  two 
defences,  and  they  remained  for  the  space  of  two  months  and  at  an 
expense  to  the  Commonwealth  of  two  hundred  and  five  pounds, 
twelve  shillings  and  eleven  pence.  The  following  documentary 
history,  properly  conies  in  here  : 


HISTOBY   OF  BETHEL.  55 

Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts. 

To  the   Honorable   Senate  and  House  of  Bcprescntatives.,   in   General   Court 

Assembled^  June  7th,  1784. 

The  petition  of  Joseph  Twitcliell,  iu  belialf  and  l\v  order  of  the  Proprie- 
tors of  a  Xew  Townshij)  of  Land,  late  grauted  by  the  General  Court  to 
Josiah  Eichardson  and  others,  laid  out  on  Androscoggin  River  and  known 
by  the  way  of  Sudbury  Canada,  Humbly  Showeth,  That  said  Proprietor 
at  great  expense  (by  reason  that  said  Township  being  near  30  miles  from 
any  Settlement)  cleared  Roads,  built  mills  and  settled  a  number  of  Inhab- 
itants, before  the  War  broke  out.  But  several  of  them  that  had  begun 
there,  went  into  the  public  service  and  "dyed,"'  but  still  some  of  the 
Inhabitants  contiinied  there  and  the  beginning  of  August,  1781,  the  Indians 
came  from  Canada  to  that  place  and  took  four  of  the  Inhal)itants  prisoners 
and  plundered  several  of  the  Inhabitants  of  their  most  valuable  effects  and 
alarmed  the  Inhabitants  of  that  and  several  other  places,  and  it  was  thought 
Advisable  by  the  Authority  to  place  Garrisons  iu  that  place,  as  it  was 
situated  so  as  to  cover  a  number  of  other  Settlements  that  would  be  much 
exposed.  If  the  Inhabitants  should  be  removed  and  before  they  could 
have  orders  from  Government  the  Inhabitants  were  ol>liged  for  the  defence 
of  the  settlement  to  go  to  work  and  begin  to  build  forts,  to  garrison  the 
place,  and  charged  the  proprietors  with  the  cost,  which  was  allowed  by 
said  Proprietors  and  paid  them  by  their  Treasurer,  amounting  to  forty 
pounds,  five  shillings,  which  will  appear  by  the  acompt.  And  whereas  by 
the  Eighth  Article  of  the  Confederation  all  charges  of  war  and  all  other 
expenses  that  should  be  Incurred  for  the  common  Defence  of  general 
welfare,  &c.,  shall  be  defrayed  out  of  a  common  Treasury,  which  shall  be 
"suplied"  bj^  the  several  States.  Therefore  your  Petitioners  Humbly 
pray  your  Honors  would  Take  their  cause  under  their  Wise  consideration 
and  grant  to  the  said  Proprietors  the  said  sum  of  401b.,  os.,  which  they 
have  Incurred  for  the  common  defence  and  general  ^\•elfare,  and  your 
Petitioners  as  in  duty  bound  will  ever  pray. 

(Signed)  Jos.  Twitchell,  Proprtetors'  Treasurer. 

Paid  to  Benj.  Russell  for  time  spent  going  to  Boston,  &c.,  to 

get  orders  for  soldiers  to  Garrison  the  place,  and  to  Jona.  £ 

Bartlett  for  ditto 11 

To  John  Grover  for  his  time  at  tile  alarm  going  to  Fryeburg. . .  1 

"  Jonathan  Clark  for  ditto 1 

"  Jesse  Dusten  9  1-2  days  on  ye  forts  at  Gs 2 

"  Joseph  Beau  for  14          "            '•          6s 4 

"  Jona.  Bean  for  9             "            ''          6s 2 

"  Daniel  Bean  for  10           "            ''          6s 3 

"  Sam'l  Ingals  for  .5            "             "           6s 1 

"  Isaac  York  for  .5  1-2        "            "          6s 1 

"  Elea'r  Twitchell  for  14  days  scouting  and  on  ye  Fort 4 

"  James  Swan  for  4  days  on  ye  Fort 1 


s 

P 

0 

0 

10 

0 

10 

0 

17 

0 

4 

0 

14 

0 

0 

0 

10 

0 

13 

0 

4 

0 

4 

0 

56  HIS  TOBY  OF  BETHEL. 

To  John  York  for  1500  of  lioards  for  fort 1  16    0 

"  Elea'r  Twitehell  for  1000  boards  and  cartiuo; 1  13    0 

"  Ben  Eussell  for  2  days  on  ye  Fort 0  12    0 

"  Jesse  Dusten,  Joseph  Bean  and  Isaac  York.  1  day  each  at  Gs    0  IS    0 

40  5    0 
Taken  from  the  Proprietors"  Records 

per  Jos.  TWITCHELL, 
FropriPtors'  Tren  surer  for  Sudhury  Canada,  so-caUfd. 


The  foregoing  accotmt  does  not  appear  to  have  been  allowed,  aud 
auolher  petition  and  account  was  forwarded  three  years  later,  of 
which  the  following  is  a  copy  : 

COMMOXWEALTH  OF  MASSACHUSETTS. 

To  the  Honoralile   Senate  and  House  of   liepresentatives  in  General    Court 
assembled,  Feb.  12th,  1787. 

The  Petition  of  Joseph  Twitehell  in  behalf  and  by  order  of  the  Proprie- 
tors of  a  New  Townshij)  of  Land  late  fjranted  by  the  Grand  Court  to  Josiah 
Kichardson  and  otliers.  [.aid  out  on  Androscoggin  Kiver  known  by  the 
name  of  Sudbiuy  Canada,  Humbly  Sheweth,  that  said  Proprietors  had  a 
great  expense  (by  reason  of  said  township  being  abont  .SO  miles  distant 
from  an_v  Settled  Town)  building  Mills,  clearing  roads,  t^c  Settled  a  few 
inhabitants  before  the  war.  But  Several  of  them  that  had  l)egun  there 
went  into  the  Servis  &  Dyed.  But  still  some  of  the  Inhabitants  continued 
there  &  in  July  or  August  1781  the  Indians  came  to  that  place  and  took 
four  of  the  Inhabitants  Prisoners  &  plundered  Several  of  the  Inlial)i- 
tauts  of  all  their  valuable  eftects,  allearmed  the  Inhabitants  of  that  & 
several  other  Places  &  it  was  thought  Advisable  that  place  should  be 
garrisoiuHl,  as  it  was  situated  so  as  to  cover  a  Number  of  other  Towns  that 
would  be  very  much  exposed  if  the  Inhal)itants  of  that  Townsliip  should 
be  removed,  &  they  went  to  work  to  Build  Forts  to  Garrison  the  Place  & 
charged  the  Proprietors  with  the  Cost  which  was  allowed  by  said  Proprie- 
tors &  paid  them  Ijy  their  Ti-easurer  amounting  to  Forty  five  Pounds, 
Seventeen  Shillings  4.t£ — 17s — Od  which  will  appear  by  the  accoiuit  & 
Receipt.  And  whereas  by  the  Eighth  Article  of  the  Confederation  all 
charges  of  war  I'c  all  other  expenses  that  sluill  be  Incun-ed  for  tlie  Conunon 
defence  or  geneial  welfare  &c  should  l)e  defrayed  out  of  a  Conunon 
Treasury,  which  shall  be  supplied  by  the  several  states:  Therefore  your 
Petitioner  Humbly  Pi-ays  your  Honors  would  take  their  case  into  their 
Consideration.  &  grant  to  the  said  Proprietors  the  said  sum  of  45£ — 17s — 
Od  ct  to  Benj'n  Barker  1£ — 19s — Od  whidi  they  have  Incurred  for  the 
conunon  defence  and  your  Petitioner  as  in  duty  1)0und  shall  ever  Pray. 

(Signed)  Joseph  'I'witciiem.. 


HISTOBY  OF  BETHEL.  57 

1782  Friday  Xoveinl^er  ye  8th  the  Proprietors  of  Sudburj'  Canada  (so 
■called)  voted  to  allow  the  account  of  Sundry  persons  as  FoUoweth.    Viz. : 

To  Benj'n  Russell  for  going  with  an  Express  to  Boston  to  ye 

General  Court  190  miles  for  Soldiers  to  Garrison  the  Place  £  s  P 

with  ttc    Expenses 0  18  0 

To  Joua'n  Bartlett  for  two  days  at  Boston 0  12  0 

&  Cash  paid  Simon  Frye  Esq 1  4  0 

To  John  Grover  For  going  to  Fryeburg  on  ExjDress  30  M's 1  10  0 

To  Jonathan  Clarke  For  ditto  &  work  on  Fort  &c 1  10  0 

To  John  York  For  14  days  work  on  the  Fort  at  6s 4  4  0 

To  Jesse  Dusteu  9  1-2  Days  on  the  Fort  at  6s 2  17  0 

To  Josiah  Bean  For  14  days  on  the  Foil  at  6s 4  4  0 

To  Jona'n  Beau  For  9  days  on  the  Fort  at  6s 2  14  0 

To  Dan'l  Bean  for  10  days  work  on  the  Fort  at  6s 3  0  0 

To  Sam"l  Ingals  For  5  days  on  the  Fort  at  6s 1  10  0 

To  Isaac  York  for  5  1-2  Days  on  the  Fort  at  6s 1  13  0 

To  Capt.  Elea'r  Twitchell  12  Days  on  ye  Fort  &  2  days  Scouting 

at  6s 4  4  0 

&  to  going  to  Fryelnii'g  to  agree  on  a  conunauder  I)}'  order 

of  Court 1  12  0 

To  James  Swan  For  4  days  on  the  Fort  at  6s 1  4  0 

To  John  York  for  1500  of  Boards  for  the  Fort 1  16  0 

To  Capt.  Elea'r  Twitchell  For  1000  of  Board  and  carting 1  13  0 

To  Beni"u  Russell  for  2  Days  on  the  Fort  at  6s 0  12  0 

The  above  payment  made  by  Joseph  Twitchell,  Treasurer 4.5     17    0 

To  Benj"n  Barker  account  of 1     19    0 

We  the  subscriljers  have  received  the  within  sums  as  are  within  men- 
tioned &  for  the  Services  as  within  Set  forth  of  Capt.  Joseph  Twitchell 
Proprietor's  Treasurer. 

Rec"d  by  us        (Signed) 

Benjamin  Russell  Jesse  Dlstix 

JoHX  York  Isaac  York 

Daniel  Bean  Josiah  Bean 

Elea"r  Twitchell  Samuel  Ingles 

Jonathan  Clark. 

Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts. 

To  Benj'n  Barker  Debtor  to  working  on  Fort  at  Sudbury  Canada  sis 
days  &  Half  in  August  1781  £     S     P 

at  6s  per  day 1     19    0 

Sudbury  Canada 

November  ye  9th  1782  Benj'n  Barker. 

Some  years  later  and  the  demaud  had  not  been  settled.  A  uew 
petition  was  now  presented,  asking  for  a  grant  of  the  territory,  now 


58  HISTOBY   OF  BETHEL. 

the  town  of  Greenwood.  Their  claims  were  presented  at  this  time 
in  aggregates  rather  than  in  detail.  The  prayer  of  the  petition  was 
not  granted,  and  the  claims 'never  settled.  Following  is  a  copy  of 
the  last  petition  : 

To  the  Honorahle  Senate  and  the  Honorahle  Honse  of  Bepresentatives  of  the 
Commonv-ealth  of  3Iassachnsetts,  in  General  Court  Assembled. 

The  Subscribers,  Inhabitants  of  the  Plantation  called  Sudbury  Canada, 
in  the  county  of  Cumberland,  humbly  pray  that  your  honors  would  make 
a  grant  to  them  of  the  Towusliip  2s  umber  Four,  lying  betAveen  said  Planta- 
tion and  the  town  of  Paris  in  said  county,  which  although  of  an  ludiflereut 
quality,  Avould  be  of  use  to  them,  and  as  it  lies  adjoiuiug  to  their  settle- 
ment, might  by  their  attention  become  a  benefit  to  other  Individuals  as 
well  as  to  the  connnouwealth.  And  as  reasons  for  their  making  their 
request  they  luunl)ly  shew,  That  during  the  war  of  the  revolution  about 
eighteen  years  ago,  some  of  your  i^'titioners,  having  a  grant  from  the 
General  Court,  entered  upon  said  Plautation  and  began  a  settlement  of  it ; 
Avhereby  others  Avere  encouraged  to  settle  there,  and  by  means  of  their 
hard  labour  and  incessant  toil,  they  haA'e  brought  forAvard  the  said  Planta- 
tion to  its  present  increased  and  increasing  state,  insomudi  that  it  is 
noAV  Taxed  for  the  support  of  government,  and  they  exi)ect  soon  Avill 
become  an  Incorporated  Toaau.  That  at  the  beginning  of  the  settlement 
and  during  their  ])rogress  in  the  same,  they  liad  many  difficulties  to 
encounter ;  Avhich  they  noA\-  reflect  upon  A\ith  Avonder  as  aacII  as  gratitude 
to  that  Being  Avho  supported  them  in  their  attempts,  relicA'cd  them  in  their 
distresses,  and  enabled  them  to  Avithstand  the  difficulties  they  endured, 
and  to  couATrt  a  darl^c  and  gloomy  Avilderness  into  fiuitful  fields,  Avhich 
they  flatter  tliemsehes  other  citizens  of  the  commonwealth  AAill  noAv 
deligiit  to  dAvell  in.  To  those  Avho  knoAA-  or  can  conceive  of  tlie  evils 
AAhich  exist  in  bringing  forAvard  the  settlement  of  ucav  Townships  no 
particulars  of  the  hardshii>s  they  endured  need  be  mentioned,  but  duilug 
the  settlement  of  this  Plautation  the  settlers  have  had  peculiar  difficulties 
to  encounter.  They  have  been  exposed  to  the  iuA'asions  of  the  Savages, 
and  some  of  them  have  been  cari-ied  into  captivity ;  they  liaA'e  been  at 
great  expense  in  building  Fnrtrcsxes  for  their  protection,  and  in  clearing 
Eoads  to  the  nearest  st'ttlenn-nt,  AAhich  are  uoav  inconvenient  for  them  to 
travel  in,  being  not  only  bad  in  themselves,  but  lengthens  the  travel  to  the 
Sea  Port,  Avhere  they  Avould  carry  their  produce  to  market.  It  is  there- 
fore thought  necessary  for  them  to  cut  a  Ncav  Road  to  Cummiugs  Gore, 
that  they  may  have  a  more  direct  one  to  Gray  and  tlience  to  Portland,  to 
Avhich  i)lace  through  their  Plantation  Coos  teams  Avould  undoul)tedly 
traAt'l.  provided  there  Avere  a  road,  it  being  nearly  Thirty  miles  nearer 
than  their  Piesent  Route.  Your  Petitioners  (Avithout  boasting  of  their 
Labours  or  jiresuming  to  represent  anything  beyond  the  truth), — the  evils 
they  have  suftered — presume  to  saj^  that  in  consequence  of  them,  tliey 
have  nuich  promoted  the  settlement  of  the  adjacent  country,  andi  thereby 


HIS  TOBY  OF  BETHEL.  5C> 

greatly  benefitted  the  Commonwealth  at  large,  and  that  notwithstanding 
the  immediate  benefit  arising  from  the  sale  of  waste  land  to  those  who 
purchase  more  for  their  own  benefit  than  that  of  the  public,  the  real  wealth 
of  the  State,  the  solid  and  lasting  advantages  it  will  receive  from  lands  of 
those  by  whose  exertions  and  persevering  Resolutions  the  "Wilderness  is 
subdued,  are,  in  the  opinion  of  your  Petitioners,  vastly  more  important 
than  such  sales.  An  estimate  of  the  expenses  which  your  Petitioners  have 
been  at,  is  prepared  to  lay  before  your  Honors.  This  with  the  reasons 
offered  above  they  flatter  themselves  will  without  any  other  consideration, 
induce  your  Honors  to  grant  the  prayer  of  their  Petition — but  if  your 
Honors  should  judge  otherwise,  thej'  humblj"  desire  it  maj-  be  granted  on 
such  additional  Terms  as  maj-  be  able  to  comply  with.  And  in  duty 
bound  Avill  ever  pray. 

.ToxATHAX  Clark,  Ezra  Twitchell, 

John  Brickett,  Amos  Powers, 

John  York,  Jeremiah  Andrews, 

Moses  Bartlett,  Stephen  Bartlett, 

Peregrin  Bartlett,  Thad"s  Bartlett, 

John  Holt,  Jonathan  Bartlett, 

James  Swan,  Daniel  Bean, 

Elea'r  Twitchell,  Eli  Twitchell, 

Joseph  G.  Swan,  Benj'n  Eussell,  Jr., 

Amos  Gage,  Daniel  Gage, 

Jedediah  Grover,  B.  ErSSELL, 

John  Grover,  Thad's  Eussell, 

James  Holt,  Eli  Grover, 

Zela  Holt,  William  Eussell, 

Charles  Stearns,  Xathaniel  Swan, 

Walter  Mason,  John  Eussell, 

Eliphaz  Chapman. 

An  estimate  of  the  expense  as  set  forth  in  a  Petition  from  Sudbury, 
Canada : 

dolls. 
Bulding  Fortresses,  Clearing  Eoads,  &c..  ttc. — Cutting  out  and 
making  Eighteen  Miles  of  Eoad,  which  in  Proi^ortion  to  cut- 
ting out  and  making  other  Eoads  in  that  part  of  the  Country 

is  estimated  at  Twenty-five  dollars  per  mile 450 

Cutting  ten  miles  in  another  direction  at  Fifteen  dollars  per  mile,     1-50 
Building  Fortresses 152  1-2 

752  1-2 
The  Amount  of  the  loss  Lieut.  Jonathan  Clark  sustained  by  the 

Indians 80 

Two  men  who  were  carried  into  Captivitj'  that  were  taken  at  the 
time  the  aforesaid  Clark  sustained  the  aforesaid  loss,  Fifteen 
months  absent 300 

1132  1-2 


<60  HISTOBY  OF  BETHEL. 

The  result  of  the  incnrsiou  of  the  Indiaus  was  for  a  thiie  very 
damaging.  The  lauds  became  depressed,  aud  few  uew  settlers 
came  until  peace  was  declared.  It  is  told,  aud  raaj'  aud  may  not 
be  true,  that  one  of  the  proprietors  sold  to  Daniel  Barker  for  a  mug 
of  flip,  that  part  of  the  village  on  Main  street,  from  Oilman 
Chapman's  house  and  the  store  foi'merl}'  occupied  by  Abner  Davis. 
After  the  forts  were  built,  the  inhabitants  came  to  them  b}-  night, 
and  during  the  day  went  about  their  usual  vocations,  the  men  carry- 
ing their  guns  with  them  into  the  fields.  A  single  gun  fired  from 
the  garrisons,  was  the  signal  for  all  to  hasten  hither.  Besides 
Farrington,  who  had  received  a  lieutenant's  commission,  other 
officers  in  charge  were  Mr.  Hutchinson  and  Mr.  Bradley.  Mrs. 
Martha  Rowe,  who  was  a  daughter  of  Captaiu  Eleazer  Twitchell, 
and  who  lived  to  a  great  age,  stated  before  her  death,  that  her 
father's  house  was  on  an  island  and  consisted  of  two  rooms,  and 
that  the  garrison  was  built  against  one  end  of  the  house.  It  was 
■a  breastwork  made  of  hewn  timbers  with  port  holes,  and  of  such 
height  as  to  prevent  a  man  from  climbing  upon  it.  Inside  of  these 
walls,  were  the  cabins  of  the  soldiers,  the  officers  occupying  one  of 
the  rooms  in  Captain  Twitchell's  house.  The  parade  ground  for 
the  use  of  the  company  was  on  a  plank  bridge  near  where  Piuckney 
Burnham's  carriage  shop  afterwards  stood.  Two  men  from  Frye- 
burg  were  hired  to  scout  through  the  woods,  and  give  due  warning 
should  the  Indians  again  appear,  but  it  is  said  they  spent  most  of 
their  time  in  hunting  and  trapping,  and  made  a  good  thing  out  of 
their  job.  But  the  savages  did  not  again  make  their  appearance 
before  the  close  of  the  war,  and  the  rascally  Tomhegau  never  again 
showed  himself  in  the  settlement.  Had  he  done  so,  the  settlers 
would  probably  have  made  short  work  of  him.  He  was  a  surly, 
morose  fellow,  schooled  to  arms  in  the  French  aud  Indian  wars,  but 
he  had  always  been  well  treated  by  the  people  of  Sudbury  Canada, 
bad  warmed  himself  at  their  fires,  fed  at  their  tables,  drank  with 
them,  and  fished  and  hunted  with  them,  all  which  go  to  make  his 
course  the  more  perfidious  aud  cowardly. 

The  following  is  a  list,  so  far  as  ascertained,  of  the  names  of  the 
men  who  came  from  Fryeburg  in  August,  seventeen  hundred  and 
eighty-one,  aud  went  in  pursuit  of  the  Indians.  Peter  Austin  went 
to  Fryeburg  immediately  after  the  raid,  and  returned  with  the 
others : 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 


61 


Stephen  Farrington, 
John  Walker, 
Abraham  Bradley, 
Abner  Charles, 
Samuel  Charles, 
Beuj.  Wiley, 
Jonathan  Hutchins, 
Barnes  Hazeltou, 


John  Gordon, 
John  S.  Sanborn, 
Hugh  Gordon, 
Joseph  G.  Swan, 
Isaac  Walker, 
John  Farrington, 
Peter  Astine, 
Nathaniel  Walker, 


James  Parker, 
Jesse  Walker, 
Joseph  Knight, 
Isaac  Abbott,  Jr., 
John  Stephens,  Jr., 
Oliver  Barron, 
Simon  Abbot. 


Following  is  the  roll  of  the  compauy  w 
son  in  Sudbury  Canada,  under  the  pay 
Massachusetts,  in  seventeen  hundred  and 


Stephen  Farrington. 
Hugh  Gordon, 
Jonathan  Hutchins, 
Rob't  Howe  or  Rowe, 
Jeremiah  Chandler, 
Daniel  Eastman, 
Moses  Hutchins, 
Christopher  Hisom, 
John  Johnson, 


Benj.  Russell,  Jr., 
James  Swan,  Jr., 
Joseph  Walker, 
John  Merrill, 
Benj.  Walker, 
Eli  Twitchell, 
Isaac  Abbot, 
Levi  Dresser, 
Thomas  Bragdon, 


hich  constituted  the  garri- 
of  the  Commonwealth  of 
eighty-two : 

Ephraim  Davenport, 
David  Evans,  Jr., 
Ebenezer  Macomber, 
Jolin  Pierce, 
William  Russell, 
Augustus  P'rye, 
John  Stevens, 
Josiah  Wood, 
Isaac  York. 


CHAPTER   VIII. 


i^Jf 


Early  Statistics. 


N  seventeen  hundred  and  ninety  the  first  enumeration  of  the 
population  of  the  United  States  was  made,  and  a  census 
has  been  taken  decennially  since  that  time.  Sudbury 
Canada  had  now  been  settled  for  a  period  of  eleven  years, 
and  the  enumeration  shows  sixty  families  in  the  plantation  and  a 
total  population  of  three  hundred  and  twentj^-four.  The  enumera- 
tion was  made  by  Philip  Page,  Assistant  Marshal,  under  the  direc- 
tion of  General  Henry  Dearborn,  Marshal  of  the  District  of  Maine. 
The  settlers  at  this  time  were  extended  along  the  river  from  the 
point  where  it  enters  the  town  from  Gilead,  to  the  point  w^here  it 
enters  Rumford.  Grover  Hill  was  also  settled  and  a  few  farms  had 
been  taken  up  on  the  upland  bordering  the  intervals.  Newry  at 
this  time  contained  twelve  families  settled  along  the  Sunday  and 
Bear  rivers,  and  fifty  inhabitants.  The  names  of  the  heads  of 
families  in  Newry  w-ere  Asa  Foster,  Abner  Foster,  John  Littlehale, 


€2 


HIS  TOM  Y  OF  BETHEL. 


Nathaniel  Spofforcl,  Joseph  Jacksou,  Jonathan  Barker,  Jesse  Barker, 
Benjamin  Barker,  Elijah  Swan,  Joseph  Lary,  David  Blake  and 
John  Messer.  The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  enumeration  of  one 
thousand  seven  hundred  and  ninety,  from  the  archives  at  Washing- 
ton, showing  the  heads  of  families  : 


Jesse  Dustin, 
James  Swan, 
Joseph  G.  Swan, 
Theodore  Russel, 
Abraham  Russel, 
Benjamin  Russel, 
Jonathan  Beau, 
Daniel  Bean, 
John  Kilgore,  Jr., 
Jacob  Russel, 
Joseph  Kilgore, 
Amos  Hastings, 
Enoch  Bartlett, 
Stephen  Estes, 
Matthias  Frost, 
Jonathan  Bartlett, 
Amos  Powers, 
Samuel  Goss, 
Jeremiah  Andrews, 
Nathaniel  Segar, 


Josiah  Segar, 
Gideon  Powers, 
Silas  Powers, 
Stephen  Bartlett, 
Moses  Bartlett, 
John  Abbott, 
John  Abbott,  Jr., 
Jonathan  Beau,  Jr., 
William  Harvey, 
Thial  Smith, 
John  Kilgore, 
Benjamin  Russel,  Jr 
Zela  Holt, 
James  Swan,  Jr., 
John  Holt, 
Isaac  York, 
John  York, 
Josiah  Bean, 
Samuel  lugalls, 
Thaddeus  Bartlett, 


Jonathan  Abbott, 
John  Mason, 
Deborah  Mills, 
Peter  Asten, 
James  Grover, 
Thial  Smith,  Jr.,   ' 
Thomas  Frost, 
Eli  Twitchel, 
Ezra  Twitchel, 
Thomas  Stearns, 
Eleazer  Twitchel, 
.,  Eliphaz  Chapman, 
Jedediah  Grover, 
John  Grover, 
Walter  Mason, 
Amos  Gage, 
Daniel  Gage, 
Oliver  Feuno, 
Benjamin  Clark, 
Jonathan  Clark. 


Recapitulation. 

White  males  of  IG  years  of  age  and  upwards,  including  heads 

of  families,  82 

White  males  under  16  years,  89 

Females,  including  heads  of  families,  153 


Grand  total. 


324 


In  the  year  seventeen  hundred  and  ninety-eight,  a  direct  tax  was 
imposed  b}^  the  government  of  the  United  States  upon  the  real 
estate  of  the  country.  The  assessors  for  the  second  division  of  the 
fifteenth  Massachusetts  district  were  Simon  Frye,  principal,  Moses 
Ames  and  Joseph  Howard,  assistants.  At  this  time  there  were 
nineteen  taxable  houses  in  town.     Cheap  houses  were  not  taxed, 


HIS  TOBY  OF  BE  THEL .  6  3 

and  the  list  does  not  comprise  those  who  lived  in  log  houses  or 

those  who  were  not  possessed  of  lauds,  and  therefore  not  liable  to 

taxation.     The  following  is  a  list  of  such  owners  and  occupants  of 

real  estate  in  Bethel  at  this  time,  as  had  taxable  houses,  each  being 

taxed  for  forty  perches  of  land  in  addition  to  his  dwelling  house. 

The  land  and   buildings  were  taxed  according  to  their  assessed 

value : 

Mary  Bartlett ,$200  00 

Thaddeus  Bartlett 180  00 

Josiah  Beau 250  00 

John  Brickett 120  00 

Jonathan  Clark 370  00 

Benjamin  Clark l.oO  00 

Oliver  Feuno ISO  00 

John  Holt 110  00 

Asa  Kiml)all ISO  00 

Gideon  Powers 110  00 

Benjamin  Eussell 2o0  00 

Abraham  Eussell 120  00 

William  Paissell 110  00 

Joseph  G.  Swan 110  00 

Nathaniel  Seo-ar 200  00 

Eleazer  Twitchell loO  00 

Eli  Twitchell 200  00 

Ezra  Twitchell 150  00 

John  York 200  00 


CHAPTER   IX. 

Inchease  of  Population  and  Incorporation. 

•(Y  reference  to  the  accounts  for  services  rendered  by  the 
inhabitants  of  Sudbury  Canada  plantation  in  a  preceding 
chapter,  it  will  be  seen  that  several  settlers  had  come  since 
the  Indian  attack,  and  prior  to  November  eighth,  of  the  following 
year,  when  the  accounts  were  made  up.  Jonathan  Bartlett  came  to 
the  plantation  with  Segar  in  seventeen  hundred  and  seveut^^-nine, 
but  is  not  mentioned  by  Segar  as  being  here  at  the  time  of  the  raid. 
He  settled  on  a  farm  above  that  occupied  by  Amos  Powers,  in  the 
lower  settlement  and  on  the  south  side  of  the  river.  John  Grover, 
a  single  man,  was  here  at  the  time  of  the  raid  and  was  the  messen- 
ger sent  to  Fryeburg  for  assistance.  He  married  Miss  Jerusha 
Wiley  of  Fryeburg,  and  settled  on  Grover  Hill.  Jonathan  Bean 
and  his  son  Daniel,  the  former  well  advanced  in  years,  settled  on 


64  HI  ST  OB  Y  OF  BETHEL. 

the  farm  which  David  Marshall  had  deserted  the  year  previous. 
Josiah  Beau,  another  sou  of  Jouathau,  had  settled  near  Samuel 
Ingalls,  and  Isaac  York  had  settled  near  his  brother,  Colonel  John 
York.  In  another  account  found  among  the  papers  of  the  late 
Jedediah  Burbank,  the  same  parties  here  mentioned  were  allowed 
for  labor  on  the  highway,  and  in  addition  to  the  names  here  men- 
tioned, were  Eli  Twitchell,  a  brother  of  Captain  P^leazer  Twitehell, 
Thaddeus  Bartlett,  who  settled  near  his  brother  Jonathan,  Gideon 
Powers,  who  settled  on  the  north  side  of  the  river  in  what  is  now 
Hanover,  Moses  ]>artlett,  w'ho  settled  on  the  same  side,  a  short 
distance  below  Powers,  and  Jeremiah  Andrews,  who  settled  on  the 
south  side  of  the  river  below  the  Amos  Powers  place. 

Notwithstanding  a  few  settlers  came  in  one  by  one,  yet  the  influx 
was  not  such  as  to  meet  the  wishes  of  the  proprietors  until  after  the 
close  of  the  revolutionary  war,  and  the  establishment  of  a  perma- 
nent place.  Then  the  old  soldiers  began  to  look  eastward  as  a  sort 
of  promised  land  ;  large  numbers  came,  and  Sudbury  Canada  had 
its  full  quota.  Also  some  young  men,  through  the  efforts  of  Captain 
Eleazer  Twitchell,  were  induced  to  purchase  lands  and  settle  upon 
them,  paying  for  the  same  in  labor.  The  interval  farms  were  rapidly 
taken  up,  and  some  inroads  were  made  upon  the  uplands.  The 
grist  mill  at  Bethel  Hill  was  a  great  convenience  and  was  patronized 
by  every  household  in  town.  For  several  years,  there  was  no  regu- 
lar miller.  Each  person  brought  his  grist  to  the  mill,  found  the 
door  unfastened  and  the  latch-string  out,  and  entering  ground  his 
grist,  and  left  it  for  the  next  visitor.  The  consequence  was  that 
the  mill  soon  got  out  of  repair,  and  as  it  was  propelled  by  a  large 
undershot  wheel,  it  required  more  water  than  the  little  Mill  Brook 
could  furnish  in  times  of  summer  drouth.  This  often  gave  great 
trouble,  and  at  such  times  the  settlers  were  either  obliged  to  pound 
their  corn  in  mortars  or  grind  it  in  hand  mills.  In  seventeen  hun- 
dred and  eighty-one,  the  grist  mill  was  repaired,  an  improved  water 
wheel  put  in  which  required  less  water,  and  there  was  thereafter 
much  less  difficulty  in  supplying  the  colony  with  meal.  In  seven- 
teen hundred  and  eighty-eight  the  mill  was  rebuilt,  under  the  charge 
of  Mr.  Samuel  Reddington  from  the  Kennebec,  who  was  a  first-class 
workman.  Sixteen  years  later,  tub  wheels  were  introduced,  which 
proved  a  great  improvement. 

Captain  Peter  Twitchell,  the  youngest  sou  of  Joseph  TwitchelU 
came  to  Sudbury  Canada  to  reside  in  seventeen  hundred  and  eighty- 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  65 

four.  He  had  previously  visited  the  place  the  first  time  when  he 
was  a  boy  of  seventeen,  and  when  his  brother  Eleazer's  house  was 
the  only  one  in  the  west  part  of  the  town.  It  was  located  on  the 
island,  near  the  grist  mill,  as  before  stated.  Peter  Twitchell  com- 
menced a  clearing  on  the  north  side  of  the  river,  on  the  farm  after- 
wards occupied  by  Alphin  Twitchell.  A  more  extended  notice  of 
this  man  will  be  given  hereafter.  Captain  Eli  Twitchell  (they  were 
all  military  men)  came  to  the  settlement  in  the  spring  of  seventeen 
hundred  and  eighty-two,  and  made  a  clearing  upon  the  farm  after- 
wards occupied  b}'  his  grandson,  Mr.  Curatio  Bartlett.  Dea.  Ezra 
Twitchell,  another  brother  of  the  preceding,  came  a  year  later,  and 
settled  upon  the  farm  near  Mayville,  afterwards  occupied  by  his 
son  Ezra  Twitchell,  Junior.  Moses  Mason  came  to  Bethel  frohi 
Dublin,  New  Hampshire,  and  bought  the  farm  on  the  north  side  of 
the  river,  of  his  brother-in-law,  Eleazer  Twitchell,  which  was  after- 
ward occupied  by  his  son,  Aaron  Mason,  and  since  by  his  grandson, 
Moses  A.  Mason. 

Jonathan  Bean,  the  early  settler,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Brent- 
wood or  Kingston,  New  Hampshire.  He  moved  from  that  town  to 
Chester,  where  he  lived  a  number  of  years.  A  little  after  seventeen 
hundred  and  sixty  he  moved  to  Staudish,  Maine,  where  he  lived 
until  his  removal  to  Bethel.  He  died  here  in  eighteen  hundred  and 
nine  ;  it  is  said  that  he  committed  suicide.  His  sous,  Josiah,  Jona- 
than, Junior,  and  Daniel,  came  to  Bethel  with  him,  and  lived  and 
died  here.  They  were  a  hardy  race  of  men,  and  descendants  of 
John  Bean,  who  earh'  came  from  Scotland  and  settled  in  Exeter, 
New  Hampshire.  The  great  freshet  in  town  in  seventeen  hundred 
and  eighty-five,  which  did  a  large  amount  of  damage,  is  noticed 
elsewhere.  In  seventeen  hundred  and  ninety  the  first  census  was 
taken  and  the  returns  show  over  three  hundred  persons,  old  and 
young,  residing  in  the  plantation.  Ten  years  later  the  number  had 
increased  to  six  hundred  and  sixteen. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  year  seventeen  hundred  and  ninety-six,  the 
population  having  largely  increased  within  a  few  years,  the  inhabi- 
tants of  Sudbury  Canada  began  to  talk  of  a  more  efficient  organiza- 
tion of  their  municipality,  and  a  petition  was  drafted  and  forwarded 
to  the  General  Court,  asking  for  an  act  of  incorporation  as  a  town. 
The  question  of  a  name  excited  considerable  interest,  and  Captain 
Twitchell  suggested  the  name  of  Ai.  But  Rev.  Eliphaz  Chapman 
suggested  the  name  of  Bethel  and  it  was  adopted  by  the  petitioners. 

5 


66  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

The  town  was  named  for  that  Bethel  so  called  by  the  patriarch 
Jacob,  formerly  known  as  Luz,  and  mentioned  in  the  book  of 
Genesis.     The  following  is  the  act  of  incorporation  : 

Commonwealth  of.  Massachusetts. 
In  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  tliousand  seven  hundred  and  ninety-six. 

An  act  to  incorporate  the  plantation  called  Sudbury  Canada,  in  the 
county  of  York  (Cumberland),  and  for  establishing  therein  two 
Parishes. 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  in 
Genei'al  Court  assembled,  and  by  the  authority  of  the  same  that  the 
tract  of  land  called  Sudbury  Canada,  bounded  as  follows,  namely  : 

Beginning  at  a  beach  tree  marked  S.  Y.,  one  mile  from  Amare- 
scoggin  river,  and  on  the  north  side  of  Peabody's  Patent,  thence 
running  south  twenty-eight  degrees  east ;  four  miles  and  one-half  on 
Peabod3''s  Patent,  and  Fryeburg  Academy  land,  to  a  hemlock  tree 
marked  I-I-l  III.  Thence  east  twenty  degrees  north,  nine  miles 
on  Oxford  and  State  lands  to  a  l)each  tree  marked  V  ;  thence  north 
twenty  degrees,  west  four  miles  and  one-quarter  and  sixty  rods  on 
Newpennicook,  to  Amariscoggin  river  ;  thence  west  two  degrees 
south,  three  miles  and  three-quarters  on  Howard's  Grant  to  a  beach 
tree  :  thence  west  thirty-four  degrees  south  on  Thomastown  (Newry) 
to  the  first  mentioned  bound.  Together  with  the  inhabitants  there- 
on, be  and  they  are  hereby  incorporated  into  a  town  by  the  name  of 
Bethel.  Xn(\  the  inhal)itants  of  said  toAvn  are  hereby  invested  with 
all  the  powers,  i)rivilegcs  and  immunities  which  the  inliabitants  of 
towns  within  this  Commonwealth  do,  or  may,  by  law  enjoy. 

And  be  it  further  enacted  that  Benjamin  Russell,  Esq.,  is  hereby 
authorized  and  empowered  to  issue  his  warrant  directed  to  some 
suitable  inhabitant  of  said  town  of  Bethel,  directing  him  to  notify 
the  inhabitants  of  said  town  qualified  to  vote  on  town  affairs,  to 
meet  at  such  time  and  place  as  he  shall  appoint,  to  choose  such 
oflicers  as  other  towns  are  empowered  to  choose,  at  their  annual 
meetings  in  the  month  of  March  or  April,  annually. 

Be  it  further  enacted,  by  the  autliorit}-  aforesaid,  that  the  said 
town  of  Bethel  lie,  and  the  same  is  hereby  divided  into  two  distinct 
Parishes,  to  be  designated  "The  East  Parish  and  "West  Parish," 
and  the  following  shall  be  the  dividing  line  between  said  Parishes, 
viz  :  Beginning  at  the  south  line  of  the  town  at  a  tree  marked  sixteen 
seventeen,  standing  on  the  line  between  the  sixteenth  and  seven- 
teenth ranges,  to  the  north  line  of  the  town,  and  all  the  lands  in  said 
town  with  the  inhabitants  thereon,  east  of  said  dividing  line,  be  and 
hereby  are,  incorporated  into  a  separate  Parish  by  the  name  of  the 
East  Parish  in  Bethel.  And  all  the  land  in  said  town  with  the  in- 
habitants thereon  west  of  the  said  dividing  line,  be  and  hereby  are 
incorpoiated  into  a  separate  Parish  by  the  name  of  the  West  Parish 
in  Bethel. 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  67 

And  that  each  of  said  Parishes  be  and  are  hereby  possessed  with 
all  the  powers,  privileges  aud  immuuities  which  other  Parishes 
within  this  Commonwealth  are  entitled  to  or  do  by  law  enjoy. 

Aud  be  it  further  enacted  by  the  authority  aforesaid,  that  Benja- 
min Russell,  Esq.,  be  and  is  hereby  authorized  to  issue  his  several 
warrants  directed  to  some  suitable  person  in  each  of  said  Parishes, 
requiring  him  to  notify  and  warn  the  inhabitants  wherein  he  lives 
to  meet  at  the  time  and  place  expressed  in  such  warrant  for  the 
purpose  of  choosing  such  Parish  officers,  as  may  be  chosen  in  the 
month  of  March,  or  April,  annually,  and  also  to  transact  any  other 
business  that  may  be  legally  transacted  in  Parish  meetings. 

From  the  House  of  Representatives,  June  10th,  1796. 
This  bill  having  had  three  several  readings  passed  to  be  enacted. 

Edw.  Robbins,  Speaker. 

From  the  Senate,  June  10th,  1776. 
This  bill  having  had  two  several  readings,  passed  to  be  enacted. 

Sam'l  Phillips,  President. 

June  10th.     By  the  Governor  approved. 

Sam'l  Adams. 

True  cojjy.     Attest:     John  Avekv,  Secretary. 

The  first  town  meeting  after  its  incorporation,  was  held  at  the 
house  of  Gen.  Amos  Hastings  at  Middle  Interval.  It  may  be 
noticed  here  that  it  was  the  custom  of  that  day  to  bestow  the  office 
of  Hogreeve  on  the  young  men  who  had  married  within  the  3'ear. 

Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts. 

York  ss.     To  Eli  Twitchell,  of  Bethel,  in  said  County  of  York, 
Gentleman.  Greeting  : 

You  are  hereby  authorized  and  directed  forthwith  to  notify  and 
warn  freeholders  aud  other  inhabitants  of  said  town  of  Bethel, 
qualified  to  vote  in  town  meetings,  viz  :  Such  as  pay  to  one  single 
tax  beside  the  pole  or  poles,  a  sum  equal  to  a  single  dollar  tax  ;  to 
meet  and  assemble  at  the  dwelling  house  of  Mr.  Amos  Hastings  in 
said  town  on  Monday  the  fifteenth  day  of  August  next,  at  one  of 
the  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  giving  fifteen  days  notice,  at  least  of 
said  meeting,  for  the  purpose  of  choosing  officers  as  other  towns  are 
empowered  to  choose,  at  their  annual  meetings  in  the  month  of 
March  or  April,  annually.  First,  to  choose  a  moderator  to  regulate 
said  meeting  ;  2d,  a  clerk  ;  3d,  selectmen  ;  4th,  a  treasurer  ;  5th, 
assessors  ;  6th,  a  constable  ;  7th,  a  collector  of  taxes,  aud  any  other 
officers  that  the  town  may  think  proper  to  choose.     And  you  are 


68  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

hereby  directed  1.o  make  return  to  me  of  your  doings  in  consequence 
of  this  warrant  to  you  directed. 

Given  under  m}'  hand  and  seal,  this  twenty-third  day  of  July,  in 
the  year  of  our  Lord,  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  eightj'-six. 
By  order  of  the  General  Court. 

Benj.  Russkll,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 

Pursuant  to  the  above  warrant,  I  have  notified  and  warned  the 
inhabitants  of  said  town  qualified  as  therein  expressed,  to  meet  at 
the  time  and  place  and  for  the  purpose  within  mentioned. 

Eli  Twitchell. 

At  a  legal  meeting  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Bethel, 
opened  on  the  fifteenth  da}'  of  August,  A.  D.,  one  thousand  seven 
hundred  and  ninety-six,  made  choice  of  Lieut.  Jonathan  Clark, 
moderator  of  the  meetiug,  and  by  a  vote  made  choice  of  Benjamin 
Russell,  town  clerk  for  the  ensuing  year.     Then, 

Voted,  That  there  be  three  selectmen  chosen  for  the  ensuing  year. 
Then  by  written  votes  made  choice  of  John  Kilgore  for  the  first 
selectman  the  ensuing  j^ear. 

Voted,  That  Lieut.  Jonathan  Clark  be  the  second  selectman  for 
the  ensuing  year. 

Voted,  That  Jonathan  Bartlett  be  the  third  selectman  for  the 
ensuing  year. 

Voted,  That  Lieut.  Jonathan  Clark  be  town  treasurer  for  the 
ensuing  year. 

Voted,  That  Mr.  Joseph  G;  Swan  be  constable  for  the  ensuing 
year. 

Voted,  That  the  person  that  will  collect  the  town,  county  and 
State  taxes  for  the  least  sum  on  one  dollar,  be  the  collector  for  the 
ensuing  year.  It  was  bid  off  to  ]\Ir.  Joseph  G.  Swan  at  three  cents 
on  the  dollar. 

Then  voted  for  tythingmen  for  the  ensuing  year.  Made  choice 
of  Messrs.  Jedediah  Grover  and  Gideon  Powers.  Surveyors  of 
lumber,  INIr.  John  York,  Lieut.  Jonathan  Clark.  Hogreeves  the 
ensuing  year,  Messrs.  John  Stearns,  James  Swan,  Jr.,  and  Silas 
Powers. 

York  ss.  In  the  month  of  August,  1796.  Personally  appeared 
all  the  above  mentioned  town  officers  and  were  sworn  to  the  faithful 
discharge  of  the  duties  of  their  respective  offices  before  me. 

Benj.  Russell,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 

York  ss.  August  15th,  1796.  Personally  appeared  Benj.  Russell, 
Esq.,  and  was  sworn  truly  to  record  all  votes  passed  in  this  meeting 
and  at  other  town  meetings  during  the  year  and  until  another  clerk 
shall  be  chosen  and  sworn. 

Before  Jonathan  Clark,  Moderator. 


CHAPTER  X. 
A  Second  Enumeration. 

HE  secoud  euumeratiou  of  the  people  of  the  United  States 
took  place  iu  the  year  eighteen  hundred.  During  the 
decade  since  seventeen  hundred  and  ninety,  the  population 
of  Sudbury  Canada,  which  had  now  become  the  town  of 
Bethel,  had  nearly  doubled.  Forty-five  heads  of  families  had  been 
added,  making  a  total  of  one  hundred  and  five.  The  total  popula- 
tion now  was  six  hundred  and  twenty-two,  against  three  hundred 
and  twenty-four  ten  years  previous.  Several  of  the  heads  of  fami- 
lies enumerated  in  seventeen  hundred  and  ninety,  are  not  found  on 
the  later  schedule,  they  either  having  deceased  or  left  the  town. 
Enoch  Bartlett  had  settled  in  Newry,  Samuel  Ingalls  had  moved  to 
Bridgton,  Josiah  Segar  and  Samuel  Goss  to  Rumford,  while  of 
William  Harvey,  I  know  nothing.  The  Smiths  also,  Ithiel  and 
Ithiel,  Junior,  had  gone  to  Newry.  But  the  Carters,  the  Masons, 
the  Coffins,  the  Farewells,  the  Greenwoods  and  several  other  new 
families  had  come  to  take  their  places. 

The  following  are  the  heads  of  families  as  returned  in  the  schedule 
of  eighteen  hundred : 

Elisha  Adams,  Peregrine  Bartlet, 

Nathan  Adams,  Thadeus  Bartlet, 

Isaac  Adams.  Moses  Bartlet, 

Peter  Adley,  Reuben  Bartlet, 

Solomon  Annis,  Stephen  Bartlet, 

Solomon  Annis,  Jr.,  Aaron  Barton, 

Jeremiah  Andrews,  Benjamin  Brown, 

Joseph  Ayer,  Timothy  Carter, 

Josiah  Bean,,  Thomas  Capen, 

Jonathan  Bean,  Eliphaz  Chapman, 

Jesse  Bean,  Jonathan  Clark, 

John  Bean,  Benjamin  Clark, 

Jonathan  Bean,  Jr.,  David  Coffin, 

Daniel  Bean,  Daniel  Coffin, 

Timothy  Bean,  Jonathan  Coffin, 


70 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 


Nepthalim  Coffin,  Joseph  Menill, 

Ezekiel  Duston,  Roger  Merrill, 

Jesse  Duston,  Paul  INIorse, 

Ebenezer  Ernes,  William  Newland, 

John  Ellenwood,  James  Noble, 

Richard  fastis,  Amos  Powers, 

Absalom  Farwell,  Gideon  Powers, 

Oliver  Feuno,  Silas  Powers, 

Nathaniel  Frost,  Benjamin  Russell,  Esq., 

Moses  Frost,  Abraham  Russell, 

Thomas  Frost,  Benjamin  Russell,  Jr., 

Joseph  Greenwood,  Esq.,  William  Russell, 

Nathaniel  Greenwood,  John  Russell, 

Daniel  Gage,  Theodore  Russell, 

Amos  Gage,  Josiah  Russell, 

Benjamin  Goodenow,  James  Robinson, 

Samuel  Gossora,  Nathaniel  Seager, 

Rev.  Daniel  Gould,  Nathaniel  Spofford, 

Elijah  Grover,  Thomas  Stearns, 

James  Grover,  Charles  Stearns, 

John  Grover,  John  Stearns, 

Jedediah  Grover,  John  Stearns,  Jr., 

Eli  Grover,  James  Swan,  Jr., 

Amos  Hastings,  Joseph  G.  Swan, 

Zela  Holt,  Nathaniel  Swan, 

James  Holt,  Benjamin  Sweat, 

Timothy  A.  Holt,  Isaac  Towne, 

John  Holt,  Eleazer  Twitchell, 

Phiuehas  Howard,  Eli  Twitchell. 

John  Kilgore,  Ezra  Twitchell, 

John  Kilgore,  Jr.,  Cyrus  Twitchell, 

Asa  Kiml)all,  Simeon  Twitchell, 

Asa  Kimball,  Jr.,  Jonas  Willis, 

Samuel  Kimball,  Jonathan  Wheeler, 

Eliphalet  Lane,  Joseph  Wheeler, 

Samuel  B.  Locke,  Isaac  York, 

Walter  Mason,  John  York, 
Moses  Mason, 

White  males  under  ten  years  of  age,  134  ;  females,  137. 

White  males  between  ten  and  sixteen,  36  ;  females,  50. 

White  males  between  sixteen  and  twenty-six,  43  ;  females,  46. 

White  males  between  twenty-six  and  forty-five,  61  ;  females,  53. 

White  males  over  forty-five,  34  ;  females,  28. 

Total  males 308 

Total  females 314 

Total  population 622 


CHAPTER   XI. 

r  The  Androscoggin  Indians. 

F  this  regiou,  the  aborigiual  inhabitants  were  the  Andro- 


scoggin Indians,  sometimes  called  the  Anasagunticooks. 
They  claimed  the  territory  from  Merrymeeting  Bay,  which 
they  called  Quabacook,  to  the  head  waters  of  the  river. 
They  were  divided  into  several  sub-tribes,  each  under  a  chief  and 
all  subject  to  the  grand  Sagamore.  Those  between  Quabacook  and 
Amigoupontook  Falls,  now  known  as  Lewiston  Falls,  were  known 
as  Pejepscots,  with  headquarters  at  Lisbon ;  those  next  above  with 
headquarters  at  Canton,  were  called  the  Rocomekos,  but  just  what 
the  name  of  the  sub-tribe  was  that  lived  in  Bethel,  we  have  no 
means  of  knowing.  The  history  of  the  once  powerful  tribe  of 
Anasagunticook  Indians,  while  it  would  be  very  interesting,  does 
not  properly  come  within  the  scope  of  the  history  of  a  single  town, 
and  therefore  only  a  brief  outline  sketch  will  be  attempted  here. 
Everything  goes  to  show  that  the  tribe  that  inhabited  the  Andro- 
scoggin valley  was  a  powerful  one  and  that  they  were  much  attached 
to  these  hunting  grounds.  Like  all  the  aborigines,  they  were  no- 
madic in  their  habits  and  often  wandered  away  and  spent  their  time 
at  the  seashore,  and  also  in  the  region  of  the  northei-n  lakes.  But 
the  Androscoggin  river  and  its  tributaries,  abounded  with  food 
fishes  of  various  kinds  including  the  salmon,  while  the  forests  were 
tilled  with  every  kind  of  game.  The  intervals  also  were  easily 
cleared,  very  fertile  and  with  but  little  dressing  would  produce 
luxuriant  crops  of  maize  or  Indian  corn.  The  land  was  cultivated 
by  the  women  in  a  very  primitive  way,  their  hoes  being  the  large 
sea  shells  they  brought  up  from  the  coast,  and  their  dressing  the 
poorer  quality  of  fish  from  the  river. 

It  is  recorded  that  the  Androscoggin  Indians  were  more  implaca- 
ble than  those  tribes  farther  east,  and  generally  refused  to  make 
terms  with  the  white  man.     After  the  settlement  of  Canada  by  the 


72  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

French,  the  Indians  here  were  completely  under  their  control  and 
took  a  prominent  part  in  raids  upon  the  English  settlements  along 
the  coast.  The  Androscoggins  always  claimed  that  they  never 
deeded  away  any  of  their  lands  above  Rumford  Falls.  The  deed 
from  Worombo  to  Richard  Wharton  in  sixteen  hundred  and  eighty- 
four  reads  :  "All  the  land  from  the  falls  to  Pejepscot  and  Merry- 
meeting  Bay  to  Kennebec,  and  toward  the  wilderness,  to  be  bounded 
by  a  southwest  and  a  northwesterly  line  to  extend  from  the  upper 
part  of  the  said  Androscoggin  uppermost  falls,"  etc.  If  Rumford 
Falls  are  here  meant,  the  position  of  the  Indians  was  entirely 
correct.  It  has  been  said  that  the  principal  cause  of  the  raid  upon 
the  early  Bethel  settlers  was  the  fact  that  they  had  never  sold  the 
land,  and  did  not  like  to  have  it  taken  and  settled  upon  by  the 
whites.  Be  this  as  it  may,  the  Indians  continued  to  hang  about 
Bethel  after  the  first  settlers  came,  and  wintered  here  at  the  time 
Jonathan  Keys  left  his  boys  here  for  several  months  with  no  white 
settler  nearer  than  Fryeburg.  As  the  deed  to  Worombo  contains 
many  references  to  land  transactions,  itis  given  verbatim  below  : 

"  To  all  to  vhom  these  Presents  shall  come :  Know  ye  that  whei'cas  near  three 
score  years  since  Mr.  Thomas  Purchase,  disceased  came  into  this  Country 
as  we  liave  been  well  int'ornied,  and  did  as  well  bj'  Power  or  Patteut 
derived  from  the  King  of  England  as  by  Consent,  Contract  and  Agreement 
with  Sagamores  and  Proprietors  of  all  the  lands  lying  on  the  Easterly 
side  of  Casco  Bay  &  on  both  sides  of  Androscogan  River  &  Kennebec 
River ;  enter  upon  and  take  possession  of  all  the  Lauds,  lying  four  Miles 
Westward  from  the  uppermost  falls.  In  saj-d  Androscogan  River  to 
Maqcjuait  in  Casco  Bay  on  the  lands  ou  the  other  side  Androscogan  River 
from  al)ove  said  falls  down  to  Pejepscott  &  Merrymeeting  Bay  to  bee 
bounded  bj^  a  South  west  &  North  west  lyne,  to  rune  from  the  Upper  part 
of  said  falls  to  Kennebec  River,  &  all  the  Land  from  Mac^quait  to  Pejepscot 
&  to  hould  the  same  breadth  where  your  land  will  beare  it,  down  to  a 
place  called  Atkins  his  Bay  near  to  Saggadabock  on  the  westerly  side 
of  Kennebec  River  &  the  lauds  between  the  sd  Atkins  his  Bay  & 
Small  poynt  Harboui-  the  Lands  &  Rivers  &  Ponds  iuteriacent  Contain- 
ing yr.  in  breadth  about  three  euglisli  Miles  more  or  less  and  whereas 
wee  are  well  assured  that  ^lajor  Nichols  Shapleigh  in  his  life  tyme, 
was  both  by  purchase  from  the  Indians  Sagamores  our  Ancestors 
&  Consent  of  Wm.  Gorge  Commissioner  possessed  and  dyed  seized  of  the 
Eemaynder  of  all  the  Lauds  lying  and  Adjoying  upon  the  ^layne,  and  all 
the  Islands  between  the  sd  Small  Point  Harljour  &  Maqquait  aforesaid  & 
particularly  of  a  neck  of  land  called  Meraconeg  &  an  Island  called  Sabas- 
con  Diggins,  &  whereas  the  relects  it  Heyrs  of  sd.  Mr.  Purchase  and 
Major  Nicholas  Shepleigh  have  leseived  accomodations  for  their  several 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  73 

Familys  should  all  the  remaiuder  of  the  aforesaid  Lands,  &  Islands  to 
Richard  Wharton  of  Boston  Merchant  &  for  as  much  as  the  sd.  mr.  Pur- 
chase did  personally  possess,  improve,  &  Inhabit,  at  Pejepscot  aforesaid 
near  the  Centor  or  Middle  of  all  the  Lands  afors'd  for  near  fifty  years 
before  the  late  unhappy  war  and  whereas  the  sd.  Richard  Wharton  hath 
desired  an  enlargement  uppon  &  between  the  sd.  Androscoggan  &  Kenne- 
becke  River  &  to  Incorage  the  sd.  Richard  "Wharton  to  settle  an  English 
town  &  promote  the  Salmon  &  Sturgeon  fishing  by  which  we  promise 
ourselves  great  Siipplies  and  Relief  Therefore  &  for  other  good  Causes  & 
Considerations  &  especially  for  in  consideration  of  a  valuable  sume  re- 
ceived from  the  sd  AVharton  in  Merchandize  Wee  Warumbee,  Darumkine, 
Wehickermett,  Weedon,  Damhegan,  Xeanongasett  &  Xumbonewett,  Chief 
Sagamore  of  all  the  afores'd  &  other  Rivers  and  Lands  adjacent,  have  in 
confirmation  of  the  sd  Richard  Whartons  title  &  Propriety  fully  freely 
&  absolutely  given  granted  ratified  &  confirmed  to  him  the  sd  Richard 
AVharton  all  the  aforesaid  Lands  from  the  upper  most  part  of  Androscog- 
gan falls  foure  miles,  Westward  &  so  down  to  Maqquit  &  by  sd  River  of 
Pejepscot  &  from  the  other  side  of  Androscoggan  Falls,  all  the  Land  from 
the  Falls  to  Pejepscott  &  Merrymeeting  Bay  to  Kennebecke,  &  towards 
the  wilderness  to  l)e  bounded  by  a  South  west  and  Xorthwesterly  direction 
to  extend  from  tlie  upper  part  of  the  sd  Androscogan  uppermost  falls  to 
the  said  River  of  Kennebecke  and  all  the  lauds  from  Maqquait  to  Pejepscot 
&  to  rune  &  hould  the  same  breadth  where  the  land  will  beare  it,  unto 
Atkins  his  Bay  &  Kennebecke  River  &  Small  Paynt  Harbour.  In  Casco 
Bay,  and  all  the  Islands  In  Kennebecke  and  Pejepscot  River  &  3Ierrymeet- 
ing  Bay  and  within  aforesaid  bounds  especially  the  afores'd  Xecke  of 
land  called  Merryconeage  and  island  called  Sabascon  Diggiu  together  with 
all  the  Rivers,  Rivulets,  brooks,  ponds,  pools.  Waters,  AVater  Courses,  all 
the  Wood  Trees  of  timber  or  other  trees  and  all  mines  minerals  quarries, 
&  especialy  the  soole  Use  and  benefit  of  Salmon  &  Spurgeon  fishing  in 
all  the  Rivers  Rivulets  or  Bays  of  aforesaid  and  in  all  Rivers,  brooks, 
Creeks,  or  ponds  within  any  of  the  bounds  afores'd  &  also  Wee  the  said 
Sagamores  have  upon  the  Consideration  aforesaid  given,  granted,  bargained, 
&  souled  enfeofted  ct  confirmed,  And  do  by  these  presents  give,  grant, 
bargain,  &  sell,  allience  Interott"  &  confirm  to  him  the  sd  Richard  Wharton 
all  the  Land  lying  miles  above  the  ui^permost  of  the  said  Androscoggan 
Falls,  in  length  and  breadth  houlding  the  same  breadth  from  Androscoggan 
Falls  to  Kennebecke  River,  and  to  be  bounded  by  the  aforesaid  Southwest 
&  Xorth  East  lyue  &  a  i^arcell  of  Lands  at  five  miles  Distance  to  run  from 
Androscoggan  to  Kennebec  River  as  afores'd  together  with  all  the  profit 
l)rivileges  Commodities,  Benefits  tt  advantages  &  particularly  the  soole 
property  beuefitts  &  advantages  of  the  Salmon  &  Sturgeon  fishing  within 
bounds  &  lymits  afores'd  To  have  and  hold  to  him  the  said  Richard  Whar. 
ton,  his  Heirs  and  assigns  forever,  all  the  aforenamed  Land  Priviledges  & 
Premisses  with  all  benefitts.  rights  appertenances  or  advantages  y'r  now 
do  or  hereafter  shall  or  may  belong  unto  any  part  or  parcell  of  the  prem- 
ises fully,  freely  &  absolutely  acquited  &  Discharged  from  all  foi-mer  & 


74  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

other  gyfts,  grants  bargains  &  Sales  Moitgage  &  encumbrances  whatso- 
ever ;  and  Wee  the  sd  "Worunibee,  Darimkine,  Whilihermete,  Wedon,  Dum- 
hegan,  Xeonongassett,  &  Ximbatsett,  do  covenant  &  gyant  to  &  with  the 
sd  Eichard  Wharton,  that  Wee  have  in  ourselves  good  Eight  &  full  power 
thus  to  confirm  &  convey  the  premises  and  that  Wee  our  Heirs  successors 
shall  &  will  warrant  and  defend  the  s'd  Eichard  Wharton  his  heirs  and 
assigns  forever  in  the  Peaceable  enjoyment  of  the  Premises  and  every 
part  thereof  against  all  and  every  person  or  persons,  that  may  legally 
claim  any  Eight.  Title,  Interest  or  propriety  in  the  Premises  by  from  or 
under  us  the  above  named  Sagamores,  or  and  of  our  Ancestors  or  prede- 
cessors, Provided  nevertheless  that  nothing  in  this  Deede  be  construed  to 
Deprive  us  the  sd  Saggamores  successors  or  people  from  improving  our 
Ancient  Planting  grounds,  nor  from  hunting  in  and  on  the  said  lands  being 
not  Inclosed,  nor  from  fishing  for  our  own  Provision,  so  long  as  no  damage 
shall  be  to  the  English  Fishery :  provided  so  that  nothing  herein  contained 
shall  prejudice  and  of  the  English  Tnliabitants  or  planters  being  at  present 
actually  possessed  of  any  part  of  the  Premises  and  legally  deriving  Eight 
from  sd  ^Ir.  Purchase,  and — or  Ancestors.  In  Witness  whereof — We  the 
aforenamed  Sagamores  well  understanding  the  purport  hereof  do  set  to  our 
hands  and  seals  at  Pejepscott  the  sevetenth  day  of  July  in  the  thirty-fifth 
year  of  the  Eeign  Sovering  Lord — King  Charles  the  second  one  thousand 
six  hundred  eight v-f our. 


This  Worombo  seems  to  have  been  very  prominent  in  the  affairs 
of  his  tribe.  He  is  said  to  have  lived  iu  a  fortified  place  at  Canton 
Point,  though  the  description  of  the  locality  is  somewhat  indefinite, 
and  it  ma}'  have  been  either  at  Lisbon  or  Brunswick.  He  was  a 
celebrated  warrior  and  did  much  harm  to  the  pioneer  settlers  of 
Maine.  In  sixteen  hundred  and  eighty-uine,  he  with  otliers,  attacked 
Captain  Church  at  Casco,  killed  seven  of  his  men  and  wounded 
twenty  more.  Worombo's  fort  had  been  captured  by  the  whites  pre- 
viously, the  same  year,  and  the  attack  on  Church  was  in  retaliation. 

Early  in  the  eighteenth  ceutur}',  the  authorities  of  Canada  invited 
the  Indians  of  Western  Maine  to  move  to  Canada  and  make  settle- 
ments upon  the  rivers  Becancourt  and  the  Saint  Francois.  Among 
the  first  tribes  that  responded,  were  the  Pequakets  and  large  num- 
bers of  the  Anasagunticooks.  They  settled  upon  the  Saint  B^rancois, 
gave  up  their  ancient  tribal  names  and  became  the  Saint  Francis 
tribe.  In  the  subsequent  Indian  wars,  this  was  the  headquarters  of 
the  Indians  that  operated  in  Maine.  The  Androscoggins,  however, 
did  not  entirely  leave  this  region  as  a  tribe  until  half  a  century  later. 
Meantime,  their  numbers  had  become  greatly  diminished  b}'  war, 
and  in  seventeen  hundred  and   liftv-five,  most  of  those  that  had 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  75 

remained  here,  put  out  their  council  fires  never  again  to  be  relighted 
on  the  upper  Androscoggin  and  joined  their  brethren  in  Canada. 
They  were  henceforth  as  heretofore,  the  allies  of  the  French,  but 
•only  for  four  years,  when  French  power  iu  Canada  received  its 
■death  blow  at  the  conquest  of  ("Quebec,  and  the  Indians,  many  of 
them,  moved  westward,  and  others  become  subjects  of  the  P^uglish. 

In  seventeen  hundred  and  fifty-one  the  Sokokis  Indians,  whose 
families  had  been  with  the  English,  while  they  themselves  were  at 
Louisberg,  had  of  choice,  returned  to  their  former  places  of  abode 
and  hunting  grounds  at  Pequaket,  satisfied  with  the  treatment 
received,  and  much  attached  to  their  English  friends.  In  seventeen 
hundred  and  fiftj'-four  hostilities  breaking  out,  a  bouut}'  of  one 
hundred  pounds  was  offered  by  the  General  Court  for  the  scalp  of 
any  St.  Francis  Indian,  and  ten  pounds  more  additional  for  auy  one 
taken  alive  ;  such  was  public  indignation  against  that  tribe.  In 
seventeen  hundred  and  fiftj'-five  the  General  Court  declared  war 
against  the  Anasagunticook  Indians,  and  all  the  other  tribes  east- 
ward of  Piscataqua,  excepting  those  upon  Penobscot  river.  In 
seventeen  hundred  and  fifty-six,  a  small  force  of  men  was  sent  up 
the  Androscoggin  in  whale  boats,  a  distance  of  sixty-five  miles, 
probably  as  far  as  Rumford  Falls.  They  found  no  Indians,  but 
measured  distance  and  noted  the  features  of  the  countr3\  In  seven- 
teen hundred  and  fifty-seven  the  Anasagunticooks,  who  originally 
inhabited  the  banks  of  the  Androscoggin,  still  viewed  the  country  as 
their  own,  and  often  visited  it.  The}'  made  an  attack  on  a  party  of 
eight  men  near  the  fort  in  Topsham,  and  wounded  two  at  the  first 
onset.  A  severe  skirmish  ensued,  in  which  the  Indians,  on  seeing 
two  of  their  number  fall  dead  by  their  side,  seized  their  bodies  and 
fled.  Two  Englishmen  were  killed  farther  up  the  river.  In  seven- 
teen hundred  and  seventy-five  Sabattis  and  Natanis  accompanied 
Gen.  Arnold  to  Quebec. 

The  Indians  of  New  England  had  their  ancient  homes  on  the 
principal  rivers.  On  the  Connecticut  were  the  Mohicans,  and  those 
at  its  source  Nipmucs.  On  the  Merrrimac  were  the  Pennacooks  ; 
on  the  Saco,  the  Sokokis,  and  towards  its  source  the  Pequakets. 
On  the  Androscoggin  were  the  several  sub-tribes  of  the  Anasagun- 
ticooks ;  on  the  Kennebec,  the  Canibis  and  the  Norredgewogs,  and 
on  the  Penobscot,  the  Tarratines.  On  the  St.  Georges  river  were 
the  Wawenocks,  on  the  St.  Croix,  the  Passamaqnodd}',  and  on  the 
Saint  John,  the  Marachites.     These  New  England  Indians  belonged 


76  HISTOBY   OF  BETHEL. 

to  the  great  Algonquin  nation,  all  speaking  one  language,  though 
broken  up  into  several  dialects.  The  Algouquins  called  themselves 
Leni  Lenapes,  meaning  original  men.  They  were  also  called  Aben- 
akis  or  Abenaquois,  meaning  eastern  men.  The  English  called  the 
Abenakis,  Tarratines,  though  this  name  afterwards  became  restricted 
to  the  tribes  on  the  Penobscot.  The  principal  chief  was  called  the 
Bashaba,  who  had  control  over  all  the  subdivisions  of  his  tribe. 

There  is  something  sad  in  the  coutemplatiou  of  this  lost  and 
almost  forgotton  tribe  that  once  owned  and  occupied  the  fertile 
valley  of  the  Androscoggin.  The  few  scraps  of  their  history  that 
have  come  down  to  us,  give  us  only  vague  ideas  of  their  habits, 
their  strength  before  the  advent  of  the  white  man,  and  their  legends 
and  traditions.  Having  no  written  language,  but  for  the  little  that 
is  recorded  of  them  l)y  their  conquerors,  they  would  soon  be  entirely 
forgotten.  Their  implements  turned  up  occasionally  by  the  plow, 
or  laid  liare  by  the  freshet,  are  even  now  the  only  substantial  tokens 
we  have  that  a  rude  and  unlearned  people  occupied  these  lauds  long 
before  the  white  race  came  here.  These  implements  of  a  stone  age 
show  some,  but  not  marked  progress  through  a  long  cycle  of  years. 
In  the  older  strata  they  are  rough,  while  in  the  later  they  are 
polished,  and  this  is  the  only  material  change.  That  the}'  had  some 
knowledge  of  metals,  particularly  of  copper,  before  they  came  in 
contact  with  civilized  people,  is  quite  evideut,  though  its  use  was 
limited  mostly  to  ornaments.  The  stone  age  was  nearly  or  quite 
universal.  Arrow  and  spear  heads,  gouges,  chisels,  mortars,  sinkers 
and  numbers  of  other  implements  for  domestic  use,  for  the  chase 
and  for  war,  are  widely  distributed  and  vary  but  little  in  their  form 
and  manner  of  construction.  Stone  pipes  are  found  in  various 
places,  and  stone  idols  are  peculiar  to  certain  localities.  The 
Indians  on  the  Androscoggin  were  a  brave  and  warlike  race  and 
exerted  a  powerful  influence  in  the  councils  of  the  Maine  tribes. 
Joseph  Bane  of  York  was  captured  by  them  in  sixteen  hundred  and 
ninety-seven,  and  remained  with  them  over  six  years.  He  adopted 
their  way  of  living  and  learned  their  language,  and  probably  would 
have  remained  with  them  but  for  a  general  exchange  of  prisoners 
provided  for  by  treaty.  His  services  were  subsequently  very  valua- 
ble to  the  government  as  an  interpreter.  He  was  familiar  with  the 
entire  region  of  the  Androscoggin,  and  with  the  different  sub- tribes 
that  dwelt  upon  it.  But  he  was  not  a  man  of  letters,  and  he  left 
no  account  of  his  adventures  and  experiences.     The  Indians  of  New 


HIS  TORI'    OF  BETHEL.  77 

England  have  passed  into  history,  and  we  have  little  to  remind  us 
of  them  save  in  the  names  of  some  of  our  lakes,  rivers  and  moun- 
tains. It  is  mucli  to  be  regretted  that  more  of  the  old  Indian  names 
have  not  been  preserved.  Anasaguuticook  is  applied  to  the  highest 
mountain  in  this  region,  but  it  is  generally  called  by  the  name  of  a 
settler.  The  Indian  names  are  sometimes  a  little  long  and  tedious, 
but  many  of  them  are  euphonic,  and  all  of  them  are  expressive  of 
some  peculiarity  or  quality,  or  commemorate  some  incident.  Not 
even  in  the  Greek  language,  distinguished  for  its  euphony,  is  there 
anything  finer  than  "Allegash,"  "Meduxnekeag,"  "Aziscoos," 
"Ammonoosuc,"  and  "Amariscoggin."  That  taste  is  certainly  mor- 
bid that  prefers  for  the  names  of  mountains,  "Old  Spec,"  "Saddle- 
back," "Goose-eye"  and  "Waterspout,"  to  such  names  as  "Kineo," 
"Katahdin,"  "Ossipee,"  "Chocorua"  and  "Passaconaway." 

Now  that  the  Indians  have  left  this  region  forever  it  is  useless  to 
moralize  over  their  decay  or  to  speak  of  their  treatment.  They 
may  have  been  cheated  and  in  some  cases  abused,  but  this  is 
inevitable  when  the  iutellectuall}"  weak  come  in  contact  with  the 
intellectually  strong.  In  case  of  the  aborigines  of  this  country, 
history  only  repeats  itself  as  it  is  ever  doing.  The  original  races 
have  been  driven  out  of  every  country  in  Europe,  and  some  of  them 
have  been  repeopled  several  times.  The  rude  Briton,  clothed  in 
skins,  living  in  caves  and  offering  human  sacrifices  to  his  god,  is 
hardly  the  type  of  the  modern  Englishman  or  American.  It  required 
the  amalgamation  of  several  races,  and  several  centuries  of  time,  to 
develop  the  present  race  of  English  speaking  people.  And  to  weld 
together  these  different  races,  so  as  to  form  a  homogeneous  people, 
has  cost  oceans  of  blood  and  cruelties  too  horrible  to  relate.  But 
the  race  thus  perfected  has  accomplished  more  in  the  way  of  human 
progress,  and  in  the  amelioration  of  the  condition  of  mankind,  than 
any  that  has  preceded  it,  or  any  contemporary  with  it.  The  English 
came  to  America  and  found  here  a  barbarous  people,  one  that  had 
made  no  progress  for  centuries,  and  in  their  intellectual  develop- 
ment, but  little  above  the  brute  creation.  They  could  not  live  in 
harmony  together,  and  they  could  not  amalgamate,  and  so  the  weak 
must  give  way  to  the  strong.  That  is  just  what  happened,  and  just 
what  always  will  happen  under  similar  circumstances.  The  Andro- 
scoggin Indians  enjoyed  life  in  their  way,  but  they  lived  at  a  poor 
dying  rate.  They  hunted,  fished  and  fought,  and  had  a  very  few 
acres  under  cultivation.     Their  successors  have  filled  the  valley  of 


78  HISTOBY  OF  BETHEL. 

the  Androscoggin  with  pleasant  homes,  with  school  houses  and' 
churches,  with  green  fields  and  broad  pastures,  and  with  everything 
that  goes  to  make  up  a  civilized  community.  We  may  have  sympa- 
thy for  the  lost  tribes,  but  we  cannot  deplore  a  change  that  has 
been  productive  of  such  grand  results. 

Molly  Ockett. 

The  name  of  this  woman  is  well  known  to  the  older  inhabitants 
of  this  vicinity.  The  Rokomeko  Tribe  at  Canton  Point  in  seventeen 
hundred  and  fifty-five,  numbered  several  hundreds,  but  were  visited 
about  that  time  by  the  small  pox,  communicated  by  the  French.  It 
swept  away  nearly  the  whole  tribe.  It  is  probable  that  Molly 
Ockett,  with  the  few  remaining  Indians  on  the  Androscoggin 
river,  left  for  Canada  soon  after,  as  she  seems  to  have  been 
called  a  St.  Francis  Indian  by  the  early  settlers  of  Bethel. 
She  came,  according  to  Mr.  Nathaniel  Swan's  account,  in  whose 
family  she  lived  several  years,  from  Canada  to  Fr3'eburg,  where  she 
became  acquainted  with  Sabattis,  who  is  supposed  to  be  the  same 
that  Col.  Kogers  l)rought  from  Canada  to  Fryeburg  when  a  boy  in 
seventeen  hundred  and  fifty-nine.  He  lived  with  her  as  liis  assumed, 
though  not  lawful  wife,  and  had  by  her  three  children.  She  subse- 
quently refused  to  live  with  him  on  account  of  his  intemperate 
habits  and  quarrelsome  disposition.  She  came  to  IJethel  soon  after 
the  settlement  of  the  town,  and  claimed  a  right  to  the  land  as  an 
original  proprietor.  The  Indians  probably  never  included  the  upper 
waters  of  the  Androscoggin  in  any  of  their  treaties  or  deeds.  She 
was  described  by  Mrs.  Martha  Rowe  of  Gilead,  who  knew  her  well, 
as  a  pretty,  genteel  scpiaw.  She  had  a  daughter,  Molly  Susup, 
previous  to  her  acquaintance  with  Sabattis.  She  lived  with  her 
mother  at  Bethel,  attended  school  with  the  whites,  and  spoke  the 
English  language  flueutl}'.  She  possessed  a  vigorous  frame,  and 
engaged  in  sports  with  the  boys  for  whom  she  was  frequently  more 
than  a  match.  A  circumstance  is  still  remembered  when  she  and 
her  antagonist  clinched,  and  in  the  contest,  both  rolled  down  the 
bank  of  the  river  together.  Capt.  Swarson,  an  old  Indian,  was 
very  anxious  to  marry  her,  but  Molly  Ockett  was  opposed  to  the 
match.  She  afterwards  married  a  Penobscot  Indian,  who  quarreled 
with  her,  and  left  her. 

Moll)' Ockett  was  a  good  huntress  and  would  often  go  into  the 
woods  and  over  to  the  lakes  and  shoot  moose  and  bears,  and  return. 


HIS  TOBY  OF  BETHEL.  79 

to  the  settlement  for  assistance  in  bringing  in  the  most  valuable 
portions  of  the  game.  She  collected  duck  feathers  sufficient  to 
make  a  bed,  which  she  presented  to  Mr.  Swan.  Like  most  of  the 
Indians,  she  was  fond  of  rum.  She  would  drink  a  pint  of  beer 
emptyings  with  the  greatest  relish.  She  was- well  skilled  in  roots 
and  herbs,  and  spent  the  latter  portion  of  her  life  in  going  from 
place  to  place,  and  giving  advice  and  medicine  to  the  sick.  She 
often  boasted  of  her  noble  descent.  Her  father  and  grandfather 
were  prominent  chiefs  in  their  tribe,  and  had  passed  through  all  the 
exciting  scenes  of  warfare  between  the  French  and  English  durino- 
the  last  century. 

When  the  Indians  came  from  Canada  and  encamped  in  Bethel, 
she  refused  to  associate  with  them.  At  one  time  she  had  a  camp 
of  her  own  on  the  north  side  of  the  river  near  Curatio  Bartlett's, 
which  she  had  well  covered  and  lined  with  bark,  and  where  she  had 
her  bed  and  slept,  but  took  her  meals  in  some  white  family.  She 
seemed  to  possess  considerable  ingenuity.  A  l)ox  made  by  her  of 
birch  bark  more  than  seventy  years  ago,  was  once  in  the  possession 
of  Mrs.  John  Kimball  of  this  town.  Molly  Ockett  sympathized 
with  the  Methodists  and  professed  to  become  a  convert.  She  used 
to  call  them  "drefful  clever  folks."  She  sometimes  spoke  in  their 
meetings,  but  could  not  divest  herself  of  the  idea  that  she  ought  to 
make  confession  to  the  priest,  and  occasionally  went  to  Canada  for 
this  purpose.  She  was  easily  offended.  She  had  been  out  one 
time  and  gathered  a  pailful  of  blueberries,  which  she  carried  to  her 
friend,  the  wife  of  Rev.  Eliphaz  Chapman,  on  Monday  morning. 
Mrs.  Chapman  on  emptying  the  pail,  found  them  very  fresh,  and 
told  her  that  she  picked  them  on  Sunday.  "Certainl}',"  said  Molly. 
"But  you  did  wrong,"  was  the  reproof.  Molly  took  offence  and 
left  abruptly,  and  did  not  make  her  appearance  for  several  weeks, 
when,  one  day,  she  came  into  the  house  at  dinner  time.  Mrs. 
Chapman  made  arrangements  for  her  at  the  table,  but  she  refused 
to  eat.  "Choke  me,"  said  she  ;  "I  was  right  in  picking  the  blue- 
berries on  Sunday,  it  was  so  pleasant,  and  I  was  so  happy  that  the 
Great  Spirit  had  provided  them  for  me."  At  this  answer  Mrs. 
Chapman  felt  more  than  half  condemned  for  reproving  her  as  she 
did.  Who  could  harshly  judge  this  child  of  nature  by  the  same 
law  that  would  condemn  those  more  enlightened  ? 

The  following  paragraph  respecting  her  is  from  Willey's  White 
Mountain  Sketches  :  "A  Colonel  Clark  of  Boston,  had  been  in  the 


so  HIS  TOBY  OF  BETHEL. 

habit  of  visiting  annually  the  White  Mountains,  and  trading  for 
furs.  He  had  thus  become  acquainted  with  all  the  settlers  and 
many  of  the  Indians.  He  was  much  esteemed  for  his  honesty,  and 
his  visits  were  looked  forward  to  with  much  interest.  Tomhegan 
had  formed  the  design  of  killing  him,  and,  contrary  to  his  usual 
shrewdness,  had  disclosed  his  plan  to  some  of  his  companions.  One 
of  them,  in  a  drunken  spree,  told  the  secret  to  Molly  Ockett,  a 
squaw  who  had  been  converted  to  Christianity,  and  was  much  loved 
and  respected  b}'  the  whites.  She  determined  to  save  Clark's  life. 
To  do  it,  she  must  traverse  a  wilderness  of  many  miles  to  his  camp. 
But,  nothing  daunted,  the  courageous  and  faithful  woman,  setting 
out  early  in  the  evening  of  the  intended  massacre,  reached 
Clark's  camp  just  in  season  for  him  to  escape.  Tomhegan  had 
alread}'  killed  two  of  Clark's  companions,  encamped  a  mile  or  two 
from  him.  He  made  good  his  escape,  with  his  noble  preserver,  to 
the  settlements.  Colonel  Clark's  gratitude  knew  no  bounds.  In 
every  way  he  sought  to  reward  the  kind  squaw  for  the  noble  act  she 
had  performed.  For  a  long  time  she  resisted  all  his  attempts  to 
repay  her,  until  at  last,  overcome  b}'  his  earnest  entreaties  and  the 
difficulty  of  sustaining  herself  in  old  age,  she  became  an  inmate  of 
his  family  in  Boston.  For  a  year  she  bore  with  a  martyr's  endur- 
ance, the  restraints  of  civilized  life,  but  at  length  she  could  do  it  no 
longer.  She  must  die,  she  said,  in  the  great  forest,  amid  the  trees, 
the  companions  of  her  youth.  Devotedly  pious,  she  sighed  for  the 
woods,  where,  under  the  clear  blue  sky,  she  miglit  pra}'  to  God  as 
she  had  when  first  converted.  Clark  saw  her  distress,  and  built 
her  a  wigwam  on  the  Falls  of  the  Pennacook,  and  there  supported 
her  the  remainder  of  lieVdays.  Often  did  he  visit  her,  bringing  the 
necessary  provision  for  her  sustenance." 

She  afterwards  lived  in  Andover,  and  was  present  at  the  birth  of 
the  first  child  in  that  town,  she  and  the  mother  being  the  only 
females  at  that  time  residing  there.  She  nursed  the  mother,  and 
continued  to  reside  in  the  town  until  her  death,  at  the  advanced  age 
of  more  than  one  hundred  years.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Strickland,  pastor 
of  the  church  in  Andover,  conducted  the  religious  services  at  her 
funeral,  and  she  was  buried  in  the  cemetery  of  that  town. 

A  short  distance  south  of  the  outlet  of  Umbagog  Lake  is  a  large 
smooth  rock  projecting  into  the  water  called  Moll's  Rock.  Her 
name  is  also  perpetuated  by  a  mountain  named  after  her  in  Wood- 
stock, where  she  had  a  camp.     She  seemed  to  be  a  person  of  more 


HISTOliY   OF  BETHEL.  n\ 

than  ordinary  ability,  possessed  a  large  frame  and  features,  and 
walked  ver}^  erect  even  in  old  age.  She  wore  a  pointed  cap,  but  in 
other  respects  dressed  in  Indian  style.  She  was  very  loquacious 
and  entertained  the  inhabitants  with  stories  and  anecdotes.  Her 
name  was  spelled  and  pronounced  in  several  different  ways,  Mol- 
lockett,  Molly  Ockett,  MoUyockett,  MoUyloekett,  MoUyrockett  and 
Mollynockett.  These  changes  arose  in  consequence  of  the  commu- 
tability  of  the  liquids  1,  n  and  r.  Many  apocryphal  anecdotes  have 
been  handed  down  concerning  her,  but  it  is  believed  the  foregoing 
sketch  embodies  all  the  leading  facts  of  her  history  that  can  now  be 
obtained. 

Metalluk  or  Natali.uc. 

The  Indian  bearing  the  above  name,  or  something  like  it.  was 
the  last  of  the  once  powerful  tribe  that  once  inhabited  the  valley  of 
the  Androscoggin,  and  he  is  well  remembered  b}'  many  now  living. 
Of  his  early  life  but  little  is  known.  He  left  the  banks  of  the 
Androscoggin  with  most  of  his  tribe,  and  settled  on  the  river  Saint 
Francois  in  Canada,  and  Segar  felt  quite  sure  that  he  saw  him  tliere 
during  his  captivity.  The  late  John  M.  Wilson,  who  long  resided 
on  the  Magalloway  river,  and  knew  Metalluk  well,  wrote  as  follows 
concerning  him  :  "All  that  I  knew  of  him  prior  to  eighteen  hundred 
and  thii'ty-two,  was  obtained  from  common  reports.  It  was  said 
that  he  was  a  St.  Francis  Indian,  and  was  banished  from  the  tribe 
for  some  misdemeanor.  He  had  three  children  at  least,  probably 
by  his  first  wife.  His  sons  names  were  Parmagummet  •  ml  Wilumpi. 
His  daughter  married  a  man  in  Canada  by  the  name  of  IMoulton. 
Mettalluc  lived  several  years  on  the  shores  of  Richardson's  lake 
with  his  second  wife,  who  died  there  and  was  buried  on  a  point  of 
land  since  cleared  and  is  a  part  of  the  lake  farm.  He  then  built 
his  wigwam  and  lived  alone  some  years  at  the  narrows  of  Uml)agog 
lake,  on  or  near  what  is  now  the  Stone  farm.  Leaving  this,  he 
next  took  up  his  residence  in  township  number  five,  range  two, 
where  I  found  him  in  eighteen  hundred  and  thirty-two.  Here  he 
subsisted  chiefly  by  hunting,  and  lived  in  a  camp  about  ten  feet 
square  made  of  spruce  bark.  He  was  here  some  ten  or  twelve 
years  without  making  any  clearing  about  his  camp  and  would  draw 
potatoes  from  the  settlement  in  winter  twelve  miles  on  a  hand  sled, 
rather  than  raise  them.  At  this  camp  he  was  several  times  visited 
by  Governor  Enoch  Lincoln,  who  would  stay  several  days  at  a  time. 


82  HISTOItY  OF  BETHEL. 

He  was  very  civil  and  hospitable  to  strangers,  but  not  very  com- 
municative, and  the  only  bad  habit  he  had,  probably,  was  that  of 
taking  too  much  fire-water  when  he  could  get  it.  In  the  winter  of 
eighteen  hundred  and  thirty-six,  in  getting  wood  at  considerable 
distance  from  his  camp,  he  thrust  a  splinter  into  his  ej'e,  and  was 
found  in  that  condition  by  two  men  who  happened  that  wa}',  in  a 
very  cold  day,  perfectly  blind,  having  lost  one  eye  several  years 
before.  He  was  unable  to  reach  his  camp,  and  must  soon  have 
perished  without  assistance.  Without  being  aware  of  his  condition, 
his  daughter  and  her  son  arrived  here  for  the  purpose  of  looking 
after  him  al)0ut  the  time  he  was  l)rought  from  his  camp,  and  took 
him  with  them  to  Canad.i. 

He  was  entirely  blind  and  helpless  the  remainder  of  his  days,  and 
died  some  six  or  seven  years  after  he  left  this  place,  in  Stewarts- 
town.  New  Ham[)shire,  having  been  supported  some  time  at  the 
county  charge.  It  is  supposed  that  Metalluck  at  the  time  of  death, 
was  more  than  one  hundred  years  old.  He  was  a  close  built  man, 
of  about  middling  stature,  very  athletic  and  possessed  of  great 
powers  of  endurance.  He  came  to  my  house  one  morning  in  the 
winter  of  eighteen  hundred  and  thirty-live,  aliout  sunrise,  having 
laid  out  aiiout  two  miles  in  the  woods,  the  night  before,  without 
fire.  A  damp  snow  had  fallen  the  day  before,  and  the  weather  had 
become  very  cold  during  the  night.  He  had  been  on  tlie  track  of  a 
moose  all  day,  until  dark,  'almost  see  um,'  he  said,  and  when  dark- 
ness oltliged  him  to  give  up  the  chase,  'all  wet,  no  strike  um.'  " 

Ciovernor  Lincoln  was  in  the  habit  of  visiting  Mataluck  and 
camping  with  him,  and  left  some  account  of  him  in  his  writings. 
One  anecdote  I  believe  Lincoln  never  published.  He  carried  with 
him  on  his  visit  to  Nataluc,  a  large  penknife  fitted  up  with  dilTereut 
blades,  awls,  saw  and  the  like.  Nataluc  had  his  eye  on  the  knife 
and  wished  to  buy  it.  Governor  Lincoln  told  him  he  could  not  sell 
it  to  him.  Nataluc's  covetousness  was  only  the  more  strongly 
excited,  and  he  at  last  contrived  a  plan  to  secure  the  penknife.  He 
had  a  little  island  in  the  lake  of  about  an  acre,  on  which  is  a  sort 
of  a  cave  in  which  he  kept  his  furs,  where  they  would  not  be  plun- 
dered. He  invited  the  governor  to  go  and  see  his  furs.  He  took 
his  canoe  and  landed  the  governor,  showed  him  his  furs,  and  made 
him  a  most  liberal  offer  of  them  for  the  knife.  The  governor  told 
him  he  could  not  sell  the  knife.  "Well,"  said  Nataluck,  "me  no 
carrj'  you  off"  the  island  if  you  no  sell  me  that  knife."     But,  said 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  83 

the  goveruor,  I  told  3-011  I  would  uot  sell  it  to  3-011,  and  I  shall  keep 
1113'  word,  but  I  will  give  it  to  3'ou  as  a  present.  Nataliic  was  over- 
jo3'ed  in  ihe  possession  of  his  knife  and  of  course  reckoned  Governor 
Lincoln  as  one  of  his  real  friends.  He  was  visited  b3'  Hon.  Moses 
Mason  several  times  while  he  lived  on  the  Magalloway  river.  He 
made  a  map  of  that  river  on  birch  bark,  which  appears  to  have  been 
executed  with  fidelity.  He  had,  on  one  occasion,  shot  an  immense 
moose  as  he  was  in  the  water  and  dragged  him  to  the  shore,  and 
cut  off  the  best  parts  of  meat  and  dried  them.  The  doctor  bought 
the  horns,  which  afterward  adorned  his  hall  as  a  hat  rack,  and  whicli 
are  now  in  possession  of  Hon.  David  R.  Hastings  of  Fryeburg. 


CHAPTER   XII. 
Military  Affairs. — Soldiers  of  the  Revolution. 


^)|t!HTP2L  had  its  full  quota  of  those  who  had  served  in  the 
war  for  independeuce.  Settlers  began  to  pour  into  Maine 
and  into  the  valle3-  of  the  Androscoggin  soon  after  the  war 
terminated.  rhe3'  had  been  paid  off  in  a  depreciated  currency 
which  soon  became  worthless,  and  l)eiug  poor,  they  came  to  the  east- 
ward where  laud  could  be  had  on  very  reasonable  terms.  ^lassa- 
chusetts  was  poor  in  money  but  rich  in  wild  lauds,  and  she  was 
disposed  to  deal  very  liberally  with  those  who  had  assisted  in 
achieving  independence.  The  following  list  is  believed  to  eml)race 
all  the  ex-soldiers  Avho  settled  in  this  town  : 

Lieutenant  Jonathan  Clark,  who  came  here  from  Newton, 
served  for  a  time  as  Commissar3'  of  Subsistence. 

James  Mills,  formerl3'of  Massachusetts,  came  here  from  Dublin, 
N.  H.  He  served  two  short  enlistments.  He  was  killed  soon  after 
coming  here  b3'  a  falling  tree. 

Isaac  York  came  here  from  Standish,  and  had  served  in  a  Massa- 
chusetts Regiment. 

Eli  Twitchell,  from  Sherbourn,  was  at  Bunker  Hill.  He  be- 
came cripi)led  for  life,  1)3'  injuries  received  in  the  service. 


84  HISTOBY  OF  BETHEL. 

John  Kilgore  served  at  the  mouth  of  the  Piscataqua.  He  came 
here  from  old  York. 

Zela  Holt  served  in  the  French  and  Indian  wars  and  kept  a 
diary.  He  also  served  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  and  was  at  the 
surrender  of  Burguoyne's  army.  He  was  quite  old  when  he  came 
to  this  town. 

Moses  Mason  was  in  the  battle  of  Bennington.  He  came  here 
in  1799  from  Dublin,  N.  H. 

Jonathan  Bean  was  living  in  Standish  when  the  war  began,  and 
he  came  to  Bethel  before  it  was  over.  He  is  said  to  have  served  :it 
Kittery  and  Portsmouth. 

John  Grover  was  at  Dorchester  Heights  and  saw  other  service. 

Ehenezer  Eames  served  three  full  years.  He  came  here  from 
Dublin,  N.  H.,  but  was  previously  of  Needham,  Mass. 

Moses  Bartlett,  from  Newton,  is  said  to  have  been  in  the 
.service. 

Enoch  Bartlett,  eldest  brother  of  Moses,  served  as  a  teamster. 

John  Holt  served  one  or  more  terms  of  enlistment,  but  came 
.here  before  the  war  was  over. 

Benjamin  Brown  was  five  years  in  the  patriot  army. 

Jeremiah  Andrews  was  in  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill  and  served 
another  term  before  he  came  here  from  Temple,  N.  H. 

Amos  Hastings  assisted  in  digging  the  trenches  at  Bunk',>r  Hill, 
and  was  in  the  battle.  He  also  served  subsequently  and  atiained 
to  the  rank  of  captain. 

Jonathan  Conn  served  in  the  Indian  wars  aud  also  in  the  war 
for  independence.  When  a  small  boy,  I  greatly  enjoyed  his  thril- 
ling accounts  of  contests  with  the  Indians.  He  was  at  the  surrender 
of  Burguoyne.  He  was  a  pensioner  and  lived  to  be  very  old.  He 
came  from  New  Hampshire. 

Absalom  Farewell,  an  Englishman  by  birth,  served  in  the  old 
war  and  also  in  the  revolution.     He  formerly  lived  at  Marblehead. 

Rev.  Daniel  Gould  left  college  to  serve  his  country.  He  was 
an  orderly  sergeant. 

Ezra  Twitchell  was  in  the  battle  of  Saratoga,  and  iu  several 
other  engagements. 


HISTOEY  OF  BETHEL.  85 

John  Walker  served  oa  board  a  privateer  aud  obtained  consid- 
erable prize  money  as  his  share. 

Benjamin  Russell  came  here  from  Fryebiirg  aud  to  that  place 
from  Andover.  He  served  in  both  wars  and  was  quite  old  when  he 
came  here. 

Samuel  Barker  served  in  the  army  and  was  detailed  as  tailor. 
He  had  the  honor  of  mending  clothes  for  General  Washington,  and 
told  it  with  great  pride  after  he  came  here  and  Washington  became 
President. 

Isaac  Russell  served  as  clerk  in  the  army.  He  perished  during 
a  severe  storm  of  snow  to  which  he  was  exposed,  in  Westbrook. 

Jacob  Russell,  brother  of  the  Russells  heretofore  named,  served 
on  board  a  privateer. 

Others  who  are  said  to  have  served  but  of  which  nothing  definite 
is  known,  were  Thaddeus  Bartlett,  Jeremiah  Russell,  Gideon  Powers, 
Col.  John  York,  Solomon  Annas,  William  Staples,  James  Sprague, 
Samuel  lugalls,  Asa  Kimball,  James  Swan,  James  Barker  and 
Amos  Powers. 

Town  Organizations. 

As  already  stated,  many  of  the  early  settlers  of  Bethel  had  seen 
active  service  in  the  war  for  independence  and  their  military  ardor 
was  imparted  to  their  sons,  so  that  very  soon  after  the  town  was 
incorporated,  the  3'oung  men  began  to  take  action  for  organizing 
the  militia.  The  first  company  was  organized  in  the  year  eighteen 
hundred,  and  embraced  the  entire  town.  The  first  captain  was  Eli 
Twitchell,  and  the  second  Amos  Hastings.  The  following  year  the 
company  w  as  divided  by  the  parish  line,  and  the  captains  in  the  West 
Parish  and  named  in  the  order  of  their  service,  were  as  follows  : 

Daniel  Grant,  Samuel  Barker, 

Jonathan  Abbot,  Elihu  Bean, 

Samuel  Chapman,  John  Harris, 

Thaddeus  Twitchell,  Isaac  Littlehale, 

Timothy  Hastings,  Samuel  Chapman. 

In  the  East  Parish,  the  trainings  were  generally  at  Bean's  Cornei 
or  in  that  vicinity,  and  the  captain's  were  : 


86  HI  ST  OB  Y   OF  BETHEL. 

Amos  Hastings,  Asa  Kimball, 

John  Holt,  Adam  AVillis, 

Joseph  Duston,  Jesse  Duston, 

Nathan  Marble,  Hezekiah  Moody, 

Jonathan  Powers,  James  C.  Bean, 

Ellas  Bartlett,  Samuel  Bird, 

William  Andrews,  AYilliam  Goddard. 
Amos  Andrews, 

A  company  of  Light  Infantry  was  organized  in  the  West  Parish, 
soon  after  the  separation  of  Maine  from  Massachusetts,  and  the 
following  were  captains  : 

Eli  Twitchell,  Walter  Mason, 

Norman  Clark,  Edward  Merrill, 

Perkins  P.  Moulton,  Gideon  A.  Hastings. 
Jedediah  Grover, 

A  company  of  Cavalry  was  also  organized  in  town  and  Nathan 
Twitchell  was  the  first  captain.  Still  earlier,  an  artillery  company 
was  organized,  but  a  radical  change  was  made  in  the  militia  laws 
of  the  State  early  in  the  forties,  the  militia,  except  in  ease  of  inde- 
pendent companies,  no  longer  being  required  to  do  duty  of  any 
kind.  During  the  existence  of  the  active  militia.  Bethel  had  several 
field  officers  :  Amos  Hasting  was  Brigadier-General,  Eli  Twitchell, 
Thaddeus  Twitchell,  Samuel  Chapman  and  James  Crocker  Bean 
were  Colonels,  and  Amos  Hills,  Peter  Grover  and  William  Andrews 
were  Majors. 

The  May  trainings  and  the  fall  musters  were  gala  days  for  the 
boys,  and  for  some  boys  of  larger  growth,  and  there  was  no  little 
disappointment  and  disgust  felt,  when  they  were  done  away  with 
by  a  change  in  the  laws.  In  those  days,  the  holidays  were  few  and 
far  between.  The  circus  had  not  then  materialized,  and  except  an 
occasional  raising  or  a  hauling  bee,  there  was  but  little  to  call  the 
people  together.  The  training  and  the  muster  were  generally  made 
occasions  of  revelry,  and  as  there  was  then  no  restraint  upon  the 
sale  of  alcoholic  stimulants,  there  was  generally  a  great  amount  of 
drunkenness.  On  the  whole,  there  was  probably  more  of  evil  grew 
out  of  them  than  good,  and  the  doing  away  with  them  was  doubtless 
wise  legislation.  For  some  years,  no  man  could  be  elected  captain 
who  had  not  the  means  and  the  disposition  to  furnish  drinks  for  his 


HIS  Ton  Y  OF  BETHEL.  87 

company,  and  this  for  a  company  of  a  hundred  men  was  no  small  tax. 
Following  is  a  copy  of  the  petition  and  the  signers  thereto,  for  a 
company  of  artillery  in  Bethel : 

Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts. 

To  His  ExceUenaj  the  Governor  and  Commander  in  ChieJ\  and  to  the  Honorable 
Council : 

The  undersigned  your  Petitioners  would  represent  to  your  Excellency, 
that  the  second  Brigade  in  the  thirteenth  Division  of  the  Militia,  is,  at 
present  composed  of  two  Reghnents  of  Infantry,  is  rapidly  increasing  in 
its  numhers  and  promises  soon  to  become  a  very  respectable  Brigade ;  That 
in  this  Brigade  tliere  is  but  one  company  of  Artillery  which  being  located 
in  the  second  Regiment  a  distance,  at  least,  of  thirty  miles  from  the  cen- 
tral part  of  the  First  Regiment,  so  that  this  said  First  Regiment  has  no 
opportunity  of  manteuveriug  in  conjunction  with  any  Artillery,  and  that 
as  a  very  handsome  comi)auy  of  Artillery  can  be  got  up,  and  principal!}' 
from  those  who  are  now  exempted  by  law  from  doing  militarj'  dutj'  with- 
out reducing  any  of  the  standing  companies  below  their  competent  num- 
bers. Therefore  the  subscribers  respectfully  request,  that  thej^,  together 
with  such  others  as  may  lawfully  join  within  the  bounds  of  the  first  Regi- 
ment of  said  second  Brigade,  may  be  organized  into  a  company  of  Artil- 
lery and  authorized  to  elect  their  officers  and  fill  up  the  company. 
(Signed) 

Timothy  Hastings,  Joseph  Twitchell, 

Norman  Clark,  Caleb  Row^e, 

Ezra  Twitchell,  Jr.,  Jacob  Elingwood, 

Eleazer  Twitchell,  Jr.,    Abbot  Holt, 

ROBBiNS  Broavn,  John  Price, 

James  Walker,  Jr..  John  Hastings, 

Charles  Mason,  Joseph  C.  Walker, 

Abiel  Walker,  Daniel  Grout, 

O'Neil  W.  Robinson,  Hiram  Allen, 

Moses  Mason,  William  Estes, 

William  Johnston,  Jonathan  A.  Russell, 

George  Crawford,  James  F,  Carter, 

Asa  Twitchell,  Aaron  Mason, 

Calvin  Stearns,  Ayres  Mason. 

Ebenezer  Fames,  Jr.,  Greeley  Swan. 

Luther  Eamf^,  Bezaleel  Kendall,  Jr.,  — 

William  Swift,  Jas  Beatty. 

Jona.  Merriam, 

Approved  :    William  Wheeler,  Col.  1st  Reg.  2d  Brig. 

Amos  Hastings,  Brig.  Gen.  2d  Brig.  13th  Div. 
Levi  Hubbard,  Maj.  Gen.  13th  Div. 

Bethel,  December  29th,  1815. 


88  HIS  TOBY    OF  BETHEL. 

The  following  list  of  Bethel  commissioned  officers,  is  from  the 
files  of  the  Adjutant  General's  office  in  Augusta  : 

Daniel  Gould,  Chaplain,  July  2,  1807. 
Peter  C.  Virgin,  Paymaster,  April  26,  1813. 
Timothy  Hastings,  Quartermaster,  September  16,  1813. 
Samuel  Chapman,  Lieutenant-Colonel,  August  8,  1818. 
Wm.  Kussell,  Jr.,  Brigade-Quartermaster,  March  24,  1819. 
John  Grover,  Surgeon,  April  15,  1819. 
Thaddeus  Twitchell,  Captain,  May  4,  1819. 
Ellas  Bartlett,  Captain,  May  4,  1819. 
John  Hastings,  Quartermaster,  December  5,  1821. 
Thaddeus  Twitchell,  Lieutenant-Colonel,  July  5,  1821. 
Elias  Bartlett,  3Iajor,  July  5,  1821. 
Eli  Twitchell,  3d,  Captain,  May  1,  1821. 
Timothy  Hastings,  Captain,  September  8,  1821. 
Asa  Kimball,  Captain,  September  8,  1821. 
Thaddeus  Twitchell,  Lieutenant-Colonel,  July  5,  1821. 
Eli  Twitchell,  od,  Lieutenant-Colonel,  August  10,  1825. 
Norman  Clark,  Lieutenant,  May  1,  1821. 
Asa  Twitchell,  Ensign,  May  1,  1821. 
Luther  Eame-,  Ensign,  ^lay  14,  1823. 
Samuel  Barker,  Jr.,  Captain,  April  5,   1823. 
Wm.  Andrews,  Captain,  April  4,  1823. 
Elihu  Bean,  Ueutenant,  April  5,  1<S23. 
Andrew  "Willis,  Lieutenant,  April  4,  1823, 
Ebenezer  Eames,  J2nsign,  April  5,  1823. 
James  F.  Carter,  Ensign,  April  4,  1823. 
Perkins  P.  Moulton,  Ensign,  August  9,  1823. 
Elihu  Bean,  Captain,  May  14,  1825. 
Ebenezer  Eames,  Lieutenant,  May  14,  1825. 
•  Eli  Twitchell,  3d,  Lieutenant-Colonel,  August  10,  1825. 
Adam  AVillis,  Captain,  May  14,  1825. 
Norman  Clark,  Captain,  August  31,  1825. 
Ebenezer  P^ames,  Lieutenant,  May  14,  1825. 
Amos  Andrews,  Lieutenant,  Ma}'  14,  1825. 
Perkins  P.  jNIoulton,  Lieutenant,  August  31,  1825. 
Luther  Eames,  Ensign,  INIay  14,  1825. 
Israel  Kimball,  Jr.,  Ensign,  August  31,  1825. 
Nathan  A.  F^oster,  Ensign,  September  3,  1825. 


HIS  TOBY  OF  BETHEL.  30^ 

Nathan  F.  Twitchell,  Lieutenant,  June  24,  1826. 
Amos  Andrews,  Captain,  May  8,  1827. 
Nathan  A.  Foster,  Lieutenant,  May  8,  1827. 
Hezekiah  Moody,  Ensign,  May  8,  1827. 
Wm.  Bragg,  Adjutant,  September  8,  1827. 
Amos  Andrews,  Captain,  May  8,  1827. 
Nathan  A.  Foster,  Lieutenant,  May  8,  1827. 
Wm.  Bragg,  Adjutant,  September  8,  1827. 
Wm.  Frye,  Adjutant,  July  21,  1828. 
Perkins  P.  Moulton,  Captain,  June  21,  1828. 
Israel  Kimball,  Jr.,  Lieutenant,  June  21,  1828. 
James  Estes,  Ensign,  June  30,   1828. 
Jedediah  Grover,  Jr.,  Ensign,  June  21,  1828. 
Nathan  F.  Twitchell,  Captain,  October  6,  1828. 
Wm.  Frye,  Adjutant,  July  21,  1828. 
James  Estes,  Lieutenant,  July  11,  1829. 
Chas.  McKenney,  Lieutenant,  June  4,  1830. 
Amos  Andrews,  Major,  November  27,  1830. 
George  Chapman,  Lieutenant,  June  19,  1830. 
Nathan  Stearns,  Ensign,  June  19,  1830. 
George  Chapman,  Ensign,  March  22,  1830. 
Wm.  Frye,  Aide-de-Camp,  March  12,  1831. 

War  of  1812-16. 

At  the  breaking  out  of  the  last  war  with  Great  Britain,  public 
sentiment  was  much  divided.  There  was  a  strong  party  in  almost 
every  State  that  doubted  the  policy  of  declaring  war,  and  the 
necessity  for  it,  and  the  State  Government  of  Massachusetts  to 
which  Maine  then  belonged,  bitterly  opposed  the  action  of  the 
National  Government.  But  the  people  of  Maine,  more  especially 
those  in  the  interior  of  the  State,  were  loyal  to  the  President  of  the 
United  States,  and  many  towns  passed  resolutions  sharply  condemn- 
ing the  action  of  Massachusetts  iu  refusing  its  support.  Men  from 
all  parts  of  the  District  of  Maine  enlisted  and  served  as  regular 
troops,  but  the  rolls  are  kept  in  Washington,  and  it  is  difficult  to 
obtain  information  from  them.  Several  served  in  this  way  from 
Bethel,  and  among  them  Mason  Grover  and  Phineas  Frost,  who 
was  wounded.  When  the  Maine  coast  was  threatened,  a  company 
was  made  up  from  Bethel  and  from  some  of  the  neighboring  towns» 


so 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 


and  marched  to  Portland,   and  the  following  is  the  roll  of  this 
company  : 

Roll  of  Captain  Joseph  Holt's  company  in  Lieutenant-Colonel 
William  Ryerson's  regiment,  drafted  from  Bethel  and  vicinity  and 
in  service  at  Portland  from  the  25th  of  September  to  the  9th  of 
November,  1814,  (with  three  days  additional  for  travel)  : 

Joseph  Holt,  Captain. 
Jonathan  Powers,  Lieutenant. 
Aaron  Cummings,  Lieutenant. 
Eleazer  Twitchell,  Ensign. 


Sergeants. 

Isaac  Kilburn, 
John  Atherton, 
Norman  Clark. 

Musicians. 
George  W.  Langley, 
Nathan  F.  Twitchell. 


Atherton,  Ezra 
Andrews,  William 
Annis,  Solomon,  Jr., 
Brown,  Herman 
Bell,  John,  Jr., 
Bridgham,  Bryant 
Bridgham,  Jabez 
Bisbee,  Moses 
Brigham,  Luther 
Billings,  Daniel 
Brown,  Asaph 
Barker,  William 
Barker,  Samuel 
Bean,  Jesse 
Beckler,  Francis 
Bean,  Daniel,  Jr. 
Blake,  Benjamin 
Bean,  Kimball 


Corporals. 

Herman  Holt, 
Daniel  Scribner, 
Daniel  Chaplin,  Jr., 
Josiah  Brown, 
Ebenezer  Colby, 
Joseph  Willis. 

Privates. 

Hale,  Israel 
Hersey,  Caleb 
Hapgood,  Sprout 
Haskell,  Sam'l,  Jr. 
Holt,  Timothy  A. 
Jordan,  Wales 
Jones,  Sullivan 
Jewell,  John,  Jr. 
Jewell,  Lewis 
Kendall,  Joseph 
Kimball,  Isaiah,  Jr., 
Kimball,  Jeremiah 
Kilgore,  Gabriel 
Kilgore,  Elihu 
Kendall,  Bezaleel 
Locke,  Luther 
Libby,  Samuel 
Morse,  Mariner 


HI  ST  OB  Y   OF  BETHEL. 


91 


Bartlett,  Ebenezer 
Bean,  Nathaniel 
Beebe,  Robert 
Cummings,  Francis 
Cross,  Ebenezer,  Jr. 
Chamberlain,  John 
Chapman,  Timothy 
Case,  John 
Coffin,  Naphtali 
Capen,  Timothy 
Cushman,  John 
Dustin,  Farnham 
Estes,  John 
French,  John 
Frost,  Peter 
Foster,  Jeremiah 
Frisbee,  Austin  S. 
Grover.  Elias 
Greenwood,  Nath'l,  Jr. 
Grover,  James,  Jr. 
Grover,  Peter 
Grover,  Asahel 
Grover,  James 
Haskell,  Parsons 
Hapgood,  Oliver,  Jr. 
Hale,  Charles 
Hale,  Benjamin,  Jr. 


Moffatt,  Stephen 
Plummer,  Josiah 
Page,  Samuel 
Proctor,  John 
Pride,  Josiah 
Peabody,  Asa 
Russell,  Chandler 
Shed,  John 
Sanders,  Geo.  W. 
Smith,  Amos 
Sanborn,  Nathaniel 
Swift,  William 
Stearues,  Charles,  Jr. 
Stiles,  Nathan 
Shorey,  Urbane 
Sprague,  El  bridge 
Totherly,  William 
Trull,  Silas 
Twitchell,  Sylvanus 
Twitchell,  Asa 
Warren,  Abijah 
Whitcomb,  Paul 
Wheeler,  Samuel 
Wetherbee,  Jude 
Warren,  Perley 
Walker,  Joseph  C. 


The  Boundary  Contest. 

In  the  year  eighteen  hundred  and  thirty-nine,  it  was  reported  to 
the  Land  Agent  that  a  large  number  of  lumbermen  from  New 
Brunswick  were  operating  upon  certain  disputed  territory  on  the 
Aroostook  river,  and  robbing  it  of  its  valuable  timbers.  Thereupon, 
Sheriff  Strickland  of  Penobscot  county  was  directed  to  drive  the 
trespassers  away.  He  went  to  Aroostook  with  a  posse  of  two 
hundred  men,  and  the  trespassers  retreated  before  him  across  the 
border.  But  at  the  provincial  town  of  Woodstock,  they  broke  into 
the  arsenal,  and  having  armed  themselves,  they  turned  back  to  meet 
the  sheriff's  posse.     They  captured  the  Maine   Land  Agent,   and 


92  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

Sheriff  Strickland  believing  that  bloodshed  would  be  the  result  of 
the  meeting  of  the  opposing  forces,  hastened  to  Augusta  to  lay  the 
matter  before  the  Governor  and  Council.  The  legislature  being  in 
session,  immediately  appropriated  the  sum  of  eight  hundred  thou- 
sand dollars  to  defend  the  public  lands,  and  the  Governor  ordered 
out  the  State  Militia  to  the  number  of  ten  thousand.  A  draft  was 
ordered  and  there  was  great  excitement  throughout  the  State.  There 
was  a  draft  in  Bethel  but  no  organization  was  formed,  and  parties 
were  hired  to  carry  the  drafted  men  to  the  rendezvous  at  Augusta, 
(see  abstract  of  town  records  for  that  year) . 

The  Governor  of  Maine  immediately  dispatched  a  messenger  to 
Washington  to  lay  the  case  before  the  General  Government,  and 
Congress  approi)riated  ten  millions  of  dollars  to  meet  probable  ex- 
penses, and  authorized  the  President  of  the  United  States,  in  case 
Governor  Harvey  of  New  Brunswick  should  persist  in  his  supposed 
purpose,  to  raise  fifty  thousand  volunteers  for  a  term  not  exceeding 
six  months.  On  the  sixth  of  March,  General  Winfield  Scott  and 
his  staff,  one  of  whom  was  the  late  Robert  E.  Lee,  arrived  in  Maine 
and  opened  communication  with  Governor  Harvey.  The  question 
of  boundary  was  amicably  settled  in  eighteen  hundred  and  forty- 
two,  and  in  due  time  the  State  received  from  the  General  Govern- 
ment the  sum  of  two  hundred  thousand  dollars  as  a  reimbursement 
for  the  expenses  incurred  in  defending  the  integrity  of  American 
territory. 

There  are  many  now  living  in  this  town  who  will  remember  the 
bloodless  Aroostook  war,  but  the  majority  of  the  people  have  come 
upon  the  stage  of  action  since  Governor  John  Fairfield  issued  his 
flanring  proclamation  announcing  that  "Our  State  is  invaded." 
Later  developments  have  shown  that  the  affair  was  really  a  trilling 
one  ;  that  the  trespassers  were  in  no  sense  sustained  by  the  Colonial 
Government,  and  that  war  was  not  as  imminent  as  many  feared. 
To  the  enrolled  militia  who  were  obliged  to  stand  a  draft,  it  appeared 
to  be  a  real  thing,  and  the  varied  emotions  as  depicted  upon  their 
countenances  as  they  put  their  hands  into  the  box  to  ..draw  out  the 
slip  of  paper  which  was  to  determine  their  fate,  was  an  interesting 
study  to  the  outsider.  It  was  a  bitter  cold  day,  and  perhaps  it  was 
the  cold  that  caused  some  to  shake  and  tremble  as  they  came  forward 
to  determine  their  destiny,  but  many  were  full  of  fun  and  the  jokes 
and  sharp  repartees  that  occasionally  shot  out  from  the  ranks,  kept 
every  one  in  fairly  good  spirits.     After  the  draft,  those  who  did  not 


insTony  of  bethel.  93 

wish  to  go,  found  no  trouble  in  obtaining  substitutes  and  at  low 
rates,  so  the  draft  did  not  prove  so  great  an  evil  after  all.  The 
men  went  no  farther  than  Augusta,  and  after  remaining  in  quarters 
a  few  days,  were  paid  off,  discharged  and  sent  to  their  homes. 


CHAPTER    XIII. 

Travel  and  Mail  Facilities, 

RIOK  to  eighteen  hundred  and  fifteen,  there  was  no  post 
office  nearer  than  Waterford,  and  the  next  nearest  was  at 
Norway.  The  marcli  of  improvement  is  nowhere  more 
strikingly  shown  than  in  the  improved  facilities  for  travel- 
ing, and  for  the  transmission  of  intelligence  through  the  means  of 
the  mail.  The  first  settlers  of  Sudbury  Canada  traveled  on  foot, 
making  the  journeys  through  the  woods  to  Fryeburg,  Paris,  Norway 
and  even  to  Portland.  After  roads  had  been  opened,  these  journeys 
were  made  on  horseback,  a  great  improvement  on  the  old  method  of 
locomotion.  The  earliest  carriages  were  of  the  crudest  and  clumsiest 
kind,  the  bodies  resting  directly  upon  the  axles,  and  a  ride  in  one 
of  them  over  the  rough  roads  of  the  period  was  anything  but  a 
pleasure.  Leather  springs  were  the  first  improvement,  and  since 
then,  the  improvement  in  durability,  ease  and  style  has  been  steady, 
and  has  apparently  readied  perfection.  In  the  early  times,  the 
mails  were  brought  into  Oxford  county  by  post-riders  who  made  the 
circuit  on  horseback,  and  lu'ought  a  mail  from  Portland  once  a  week, 
when  the  condition  of  the  weather  permitted.  The  first  regular 
post  rider  into  Oxford  county,  was  Jacob  Howe,  father  of  the  late 
wife  of  the  late  John  Adams  Twitchell  of  this  town.  He  com- 
menced about  the  year  seventeen  hundred  and  ninety-eight,  to  bring 
the  mails  to  Bridgton  and  Fryeburg,  and  when  in  eighteen  hundred 
and  one,  post  offices  were  established  at  Paris  and  Norway,  he 
extended  his  route  by  way  of  ^Yaterford  where  an  office  had  been 
established  in  the  year  eighteen  hundred.  After  a  while,  he  came 
up  by  way  of  Gorham  and  Baldwin  to  Bridgton,  Fryeburg,  Water- 
ford  and  Paris,  and  returned  to  Portland  by  way  of  Poland,  New 
Gloucester  and  Gray.     Waterford  was  for  some  years  the  distril)- 


94  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

uting  office  for  western  and  central  Oxford.  In  eighteen  hundred 
and  fifteen,  an  office  was  established  at  Bethel  Hill,  and  Dr.  Moses 
Mason  was  appointed  postmaster.  The  doctor  often  remarked  in 
after  years,  that  the  most  exciting  moment  of  his  life  was  when  he 
heard  the  post-rider's  horn  and  knew  that  the  first  regular  mail  was 
about  to  arrive  at  Bethel  Hill.  The  excitement  and  enthusiasm 
among  the  citizens  was  greater  by  far  than  when  the  first  train  of 
cars  reached  Bethel  thirty-five  years  later.  It  would  be  interesting 
to  know  the  name  of  the  first  post-rider  to  this  town,  but  it  has  not 
come  down  to  us. 

The  amount  of  mail  matter  In'ought  into  town  was  very  small  at 
that  time  when  compared  with  what  is  brought  now.  No  daily 
paper  was  then  published  in  the  State,  and  comparatively  few 
weeklies.  Stationery  was  expensive,  postage  high,  and  the  people 
too  busy  to  do  much  letter-writing.  Nevertheless,  the  weekly  com- 
munication with  the  outside  world  by  means  of  the  post-rider  was 
pleasant,  and  an  important  era  in  the  progress  of  the  town.  These 
post-riders  were  generally  very  obliging,  and  for  a  small  remunera- 
tion would  distribute  the  mail  matter  all  along  their  route.  For 
instance,  before  leaving  Waterford  for  Bethel,  he  would  take  from 
the  Waterford  office  papers  and  letters  belonging  to  persons  resid- 
ing on  the  way,  and  just  before  reaching  a  house,  a  shrill  blast  from 
his  tin  horn  would  announce  his  approach  and  indicate  that  he  had 
something  for  its  inmates.  The  next  step  in  the  l)rogress  of  carry- 
ing the  mails  was  a  single  wngon,  and  from  this,  in  a  few  years, 
came  the  elegant  coach  and  four  or  six  horses  which  brought  us 
mails  and  passengers  direct  from  Portland  by  way  of  Gray,  Poland 
and  Norway,  twice  a  week,  and  this  was  highly  satisfactory.  The 
route  was  also  extended  up  the  river  to  Gilead,  Shelburne  and  way 
to  Lancaster  in  the  heart  of  the  Coos  region.  Those  old  stagers 
were  a  jolly  set  of  men,  but  their  responsibilities  were  great  and 
they  fully  realized  it.  In  addition  to  carrying  the  mails,  they  did  a 
large  amount  of  express  business  and  were  often  entrusted  with 
large  sums  of  money  sent  by  country  traders  to  their  creditors  in 
the  city.  Among  the  early  drivers  through  this  region  to  the  Coos 
country  were  Grosvenor  G.  Waterhouse,  Oren  Hobbs  and  Addison 
A.  Latham,  with  a  host  of  lesser  lights,  but  these  were  the  leaders. 
After  the  railway  was  built  and  the  cars  took  away  their  occupation, 
they  became  railway  conductors,  but  they  have  long  since  passed 
the  stage  of  human  existence  to  the  unknown  worlds  beyond.     The 


HIS  TOBY  OF  BETHEL.  95 

cars  commenced  runuing  to  Bethel  iu  eighteen  hundred  and  tifty- 
one,  and  a  mail  from  Portland  for  each  week  day  satisfied  every 
one.  vSince  then  mail  and  transportation  facilities  through  all  parts 
of  the  country  have  steadily  improved,  and  Bethel,  actually  situated 
seventy  miles  from  the  sea-coast,  has  by  the  acceleration  of  speed 
been  brought  very  near  to  it,  as  near  as  is  desirable.  The  following 
shows  the  postmasters  who  have  served  in  Bethel,  and  the  date  of 
appointment  of  each  : 

Bethel. 

Moses  Mason,  Jr.,  January  5,  1815. 
Oneil  W.  Robinson,  December  27,  1833. 
Robert  A.  Chapman,  June  17,  1835. 
William  Frye,  March  31,  1846. 
Thomas  E.  Twitchell,  June  22,  1849. 
William  Y.  Merrill,  January  9,  1850. 
Thomas  E.  Twitchell,  April  19,  1850. 
Sylvester  Robertson,  January  7,  1852. 
Richard  A.  Frye,  April  11,  1853. 
Newton  Swift,  March  24,  1857. 
Daniel  A.  Twitchell,  May  6,  1861. 
Abner  Davis,  July  13,  1863. 
Melville  C.  Kimball,  May  6,  1865. 
Enoch  Foster,  Jr.,  January  6,  1868. 
Leander  T.  Barker,  March  24,  1869. 
Samuel  R.  Shehan,  May  28,  1869. 
Leander  T.  Barker,  June  27,  1877. 
Oneil  R.  Hastings,  August  19,  1885. 
George  H,  Brown,  September  12,  1889. 
Oilman  P.  Bean,  April  15,  1890. 

East  Bethel. 

Timothy  Carter,  April  28,  1824. 
Hiram  Holt,  April  2,  1845. 
Israel  O.  Kimball,  April  9,  1849. 
Charles  E.  Swan,  August  27,  1851. 
John  L.  Dustin,  January  23,  1858. 
Discontinued,  December  28,  1858. 

This  office  was  at  Middle  Interval,  and  after  it  was  discontinued 
its  patrons  received  their  mail  at  the  Bethel  office. 


56  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

West  Bethel. 

Jacob  Holt,  January  12,  1837. 
Henry  "Ward,  February  4,  1842. 
Gilbert  Chapman,  Januar}^  5,  1854. 
Milton  Holt,  April  2,  1857. 
Alpheus  S.  Bean,  October  1*J,  1871. 

North  Bethel. 

Phineas  Frost,  March  2,  1831. 

Eliphas  C.  Bean,  September  lU,  1836. 

Discontinued,  December  17,  1851. 

Re-established,  June  12,  1854. 

John  Hamlin,  June  12,  1854. 

Discontinued,  December  7,  1855. 

Re-established  as  "East"  Bethel,  October  28,  1862, 

Discontinued,  October  13,  1865. 

Re-established,  Septeml)er  24,  1884. 

Francis  Carpenter,  September  24,  1H84. 

Discontinued,  January  21,  1886. 

Re-established,  July  8,  1886. 

Eugene  Bean,  July  8,  1H86. 

Dana  B.  Grant,  March  2Q,  1890. 

Elbridge  Crooker,  November  20,  1890. 

North  Bethel. 

George  C.  Atherton,  March  28,  1862. 

Orange  C.  Frost,  April  24,  1865. 

William  D.  Hastings,  September  30,  1<S68. 

Arvilla  Swan.  June  9,  1876. 

Discontinued,  October  2,  1878. 

This  otlice  was  situated  north  of  Mayville  and  near  the  mouth  of 
Sunday  river,  and  took  the  name  of  the  discontinued  office  at  Bean's 
Corner.  Former  i)atrons  of  this  office  are  now  accommodated  at 
Bethel  Hill. 

South  Bethel. 

Hiram  Hodsdon,  March  31,  1875. 

Lyman  W.  Russell,  October  20,  1884. 

This  office  is  at  what  was  formerly  Blake's,  then  Abbot's,  after- 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  97 

wards  Walker's  and  now  Virgin's  Mills,  situated  on  the  Locke's 
Mills  road,  four  miles  distant  from  Bethel  Hill.  The  mail  matter 
for  East  Bethel  is  taken  from  the  cars  at  Locke's  Mills.  The  office 
at  Bethel  Hill  is  the  distributing  office  for  Norway,  Grafton,  Upton 
and  all  the  lower  lake  region,  including  the  Magalloway  country ; 
also  for  North  Albany.  Two  mails  daily  from  Portland  and 
beyond,  are  now  received  at  Bethel,  and  two  mails  from  Gorham, 
New  Hampshire,  and  beyond. 


CHAPTER   XIV. 

Later  Settlements. 


HE  land  near  the  Androscoggin  river,  and  at  the  westerly 
part  of  the  town,  was  settled  many  years  before  other 
^**^  p"  portions  of  the  town  were  taken  up.  The  belts  of  interval 
were  quickly  appropriated,  because  the  soil  was  rich,  free 
from  stone  and  level.  The  uplands  next  to  the  intervals  were  taken 
up  for  building  purposes,  for  pasturage  and  for  upland  tillage. 
The  east  and  central  portions  of  the  town  south  of  the  river,  is 
much  broken  by  hills  and  mountains,  the  soil  is  rocky  and  tillage 
expensive.  The  crops  on  the  burn  were  luxuriant  and  cheaply 
raised,  but  when  it  became  necessary  to  use  the  plow,  hard  labor 
and  comparatively  poor  returns  were  the  experiences  of  most  farm- 
ers. When  the  Paris  and  Rumford  road  was  built  in  seventeen 
hundred  and  ninety-seven,  it  passed  through  the  southeasterly  por- 
tion of  Bethel  and  brought  a  few  lots  of  land  into  the  market.  The 
road  enters  Bethel  about  half  a  mile  from  the  southeasterly  corner 
of  the  town,  and  after  passing  across  the  corner,  enters  Milton 
Plantation  about  a  mile  from  the  point  where  it  enters  Bethel.  The 
road  was  originally  laid  out  and  built  aloug  a  ridge  known  as  the 
"Whale's  Back,"  but  in  later  years  it  was  made  to  pass  through  the 
ridge  over  the  bed  of  a  branch  of  Concord  river,  and  then  kept 
along  east  of  the  ridge  as  still  traveled. 

The  first  settler  on  this  road  within  the  limits  of  Betiiel  was 
Francis  Hemmingway.  He  was  born  in  Boston,  married  Rebecca, 
daughter  of  William  Godwin  and  settled  in  Rumford.     He  moved 


98  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

to  Bethel  as  stated,  cleared  land  and  built  a  house,  and  after  a  few 
years,  he  exchanged  farms  with  Benjamin  Sweat  and  moved  back 
to  Rumford.  Benjamin  Sweat  was  the  son  of  Benjamin  Sweat,  an 
early  settler  of  Rumford,  and  his  wife  was  Molly  Harper,  sister  to 
the  wife  of  William  Godwin.  Mr.  Sweat  lived  and  died  on  this 
farm  and  left  it  to  his  son  Moses  Sweat,  who  still  owns  and  occupies 
it.  Another  settler  on  this  road  was  Porter  Kimball,  who  purchased 
the  corner  lot  next  to  Hamlin's  Gore  and  Milton  Plantation.  After 
a  year  or  two,  he  sold  out  to  Abijah  Lapham  of  Buckfield,  who 
came  to  it  about  eighteen  hundred  and  twenty-two.  His  purchase 
amounted  to  nearly  three  hundred  acres.  The  place  has  had  many 
owners  and  occupants  since,  and  the  old  house  built  by  Deacon 
Lapham  is  still  standing  on  the  west  side  of  the  road,  the  first  house 
on  the  left  after  passing  through  the  Whales'  Back,  going  toward 
Rumford.  The  sons  of  Deacon  Lapham,  John  and  Thomas,  settled 
upon  portions  of  this  land,  but  they  left  it  after  a  year  or  two. 
Isaac  Twombly  was  another  early  settler  here  who  did  not  long 
remain.  Later  James  Daniels  came  from  Paris  and  settled  on  this 
road,  and  also  his  son,  Gilman  Daniels.  Enoch  Estes  settled  upon 
a  portion  of  the  Lapham  tract,  and  his  sons  still  occupy  it.  In 
eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-five  Hobbs  and  Tuttle  of  Bryant's  Pond, 
purchased  the  two  Daniels'  farms  and  made  one  of  them,  but  they 
soon  sold  out. 

Caleb  Besse  of  Paris,  took  up  a  lot  west  of  the  Lapham  place, 
and  near  the  Locke's  Mills  road  that  crosses  what  was  once  Hamlin's 
Gore,  now  a  part  of  Woodstock.  After  him,  Jedediah  Estes  came 
in  possession  and  still  occupies  it.  North  of  the  Besse  place  and 
reached  only  by  a  settlers  road,  Tilden  Bartlett,  formerly'  of  Norway, 
took  a  lot  and  cleared  up  a  farm.  This  was  about  eighteen  hundred 
and  twenty-six.  He  died  here  and  his  sons  Benjamin,  Abijah  and 
Enoch  Bartlett,  have  lived  on  the  place  at  different  times.  On  the 
Locke's  Mills  road  across  the  Gore,  near  where  John  Buck  of  Buck- 
field  once  lived  and  more  recently  William  R.  Hemmiugway  and 
Robert  Bearce,  is  a  settlers  road  leading  into  Bethel,  to  the  farms 
formerly  occupied  by  Isaac  Estes,  Hezekiah  Moody  and  Stephen 
Estes.  Moody  was  not  the  first  one  on  his  farm,  but  he  was  there 
quite  early,  and  the  buildings  are  long  since  gone.  Still  farther 
along  on  the  Locke's  Mills  road,  is  a  road  that  leads  to  the  Bird 
Hill,  so  called,  though  not  much  traveled.  There  are  two  farms  on 
this  road  early  occupied  by  Joseph  Cummings  and  John  Buck,  Jr. 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  99 

More  recently  the  places  were  occupied  by  Elbridge  Fifteld,  Jared 
Young,  and  still  later,  Josiah  Moody.  East  of  the  Rumford  and 
Paris  road,  on  the  side  of  the  hill,  and  not  approachable  with  a 
team  from  the  Rumford  road,  James  Wilbur  had  a  clearing  and 
lived  here,  after  his  son  was  stolen  from  him  as  was  supposed  by 
David  Robbins,  near  Rangeley  Lake.  After  an  absence  of  many 
years,  the  son  returned  as  stated  elsewhere,  and  then  the  whole 
family  returned  to  Martha's  Vineyard.  Luther  Locke,  after  his 
late  in  life  marriage  with  Marilla  Kenyon,  also  lived  in  this  region 
and  died  here. 

The  first  settler  on  the  Bird  Hill,  so  called,  was  Levi  Berry  from 
Paris.  He  began  on  the  place  afterward  occupied  by  Lyman  Bird,, 
and  his  house  stood  a  little  east  of  the  school  house.  His  three 
sons,  Levi,  Jr.,  William  and  Leonard  settled  around  him  and  the 
place  was  then  called  Berry  Hill.  His  son-in-law,  John  Lapham, 
also  lived  on  this  hill.  William  Berry  lived  on  the  place  afterward 
occupied  by  John  Bird,  John  Lapham  on  the  Samuel  Bird  place, 
Leonard  Berry  on  the  place  afterwards  occupied  by  Peter  Ayer  and 
Daniel  Dunn,  and  Levi  Berry's  house  stood  opposite  the  school 
house.  Eli  H.  Cushman  began  on  the  place  next  below  the  school 
I'ouse  and  died  here.  The  family  still  occupy  it.  Farther  on  toward 
Locke's  Mills,  on  the  left,  John  Knight  took  up  a  lot  and  lived  here 
quite  a  number  of  years.  After  him  Richard  Jordan  had  the  place 
and  he  was  followed  by  John  Chase  whose  son,  Jacob  A.  Chase, 
still  lives  here.  Easterly  from  this  place  a  fourth  of  a  mile,  is  the 
place  where  Abraham  Jordan  began,  and  where  he  spent  his  daj^s. 
His  son  John  had  it  after  him,  and  later  Moses  Cummings.  North 
of  the  Chase  place  above  referred  to,  a  little  farther  on  toward 
Locke's  Mills,  is  the  place  occupied  many  years  by  Abraham  Bryant. 
He  commenced  here  in  the  wilderness  and  by  a  long  life  of  hard 
labor,  he  made  of  it  a  good  farm.  His  son  Benjamin  had  the  old 
homestead,  but  sold  out  and  moved  to  an  interval  farm  near  May- 
ville.  Another  son,  Charles  C.  Bryant,  occupies  part  of  his  father's 
old  farm.  Farther  on  from  the  John  Bird  place,  Eli  Estes  once 
lived,  and  a  good  man  he  was.  He  reared  a  large  family  here,  and 
died  of  cancer  many  years  ago.  The  place  soon  after  passed  out 
of  the  family.  Through  the  woods  toward  Kimball  Hill,  the  road 
leads  to  where  John  Estes  was  living  in  eighteen  hundred  and  forty- 
five  and  later.  The  place  has  had  several  owners.  Daniel  Pastes, 
a  brother  of  p:ii,  occupied  the  next  place,  and  after  him  Nathan 


100  EISTOBY  OF  BETHEL. 

Hall.  The  road  now  sharply  pitches  toward  the  river  and  Bird  Hill 
has  become  "Kimball  Hill."  Jacob  Kimball  had  a  farm  here,  and 
after  him  his  sons  Jacob,  Jr.,  and  Moses.  The  farm  of  James 
Estes,  who  was  the  brother  of  John,  comes  next,  and  this  afterward 
became  the  town  farm.  Still  farther  down  the  hill  and  the  last 
place  before  the  Locke's  Mills  and  Androscoggin  river  road  is 
reached,  is  the  place  once  occupied  b}'  Capt.  AVilliam  Andrews,  and 
later  by  his  son-in-law.  Alonzo  Howe.  Near  this  place,  a  short 
road  leads  to  the  place  once  occupied  by  Chandler  R.  Duston. 

After  leaving  Rum  ford  Corner  and  passing  up  the  river  on  the 
south  side,  the  road  soon  passes  into  Bethel,  and  the  first  place  is 
that  once  occupied  by  Hezekiah  Hutchins,  Jr.,  and  now  by  his  son. 
Hutchins  was  not  the  first  occupant  and  who  was  the  writer  knows 
not.  Along  farther  is  the  place  where  Richard  Estes  long  lived, 
and  his  son  Peter.  Richard  Estes  of  the  third  generation  now 
occupies  it.  Samuel  Goss  was  the  first  settler  upon  this  land  ;  he 
moved  to  Rumfoid.  Aaron  Moor  also  lived  near  here  and  also 
Richard  Dolloff.  These  also  went  to  Rumford.  And  still  farther 
along,  Jeremiah  Andrews  lived.  His  place  was  afterward  owned 
by  William  Goddard.  f^lihu  Kilgore  once  lived  along  here  on  the 
bank  of  the  river,  and  near  his  place  a  settlers  road  turned  that  led 
to  the  farm  of  Job  York,  Benjamin  Pastes  and  Samuel  J.  Howard. 
Joseph  Peverly  once  lived  on  this  road,  and  on  a  short  road  that 
branches  off  easterly  from  this,  David  Adamson  lived.  Returning 
to  the  river  rOad  and  passing  on  toward  Bean's  Corner,  is  the  place 
once  occupied  by  Stephen  Cummings,  Jr.,  although  not  the  first 
who  lived  upon  it  by  several.  Phineas  Howard  once  lived  here 
and  Thomas  Frost.  Near  this  is  a  settlers  road  that  leads  to  the 
farm  once  owned  and  occupied  by  John  Estes,  but  for  many  years 
after  by  Peter  Powers.  Southwest  of  this  farm,  but  reached  by  a 
road  from  the  William  Andrews  place,  were  two  farms  once  occu- 
pied by  Phineas  Howard,  Jr.,  and  William  Bartlett.  Henr^^  R. 
Bartlett  succeeded  to  the  latter  and  died  there.  Tliese  two  homes 
were  situated  where  the  outlook  was  grand  and  beautiful,  but  the 
place  was  bleak  in  winter. 

There  was  no  road  between  Locke's  Mills  and  the  Androscoggin 
until  about  the  year  1823,  and  no  settlers  except  near  the  two 
termini.  Solomon  Annas,  Jr.,  commenced  on  a  lot  just  over  the 
line  in  Bethel  and  lived  here  many  years.  Charles  Crooker  bought 
the  i)lace  some  forty  years  ago,  and  his  son  Washington  Crooker 


HISTOIiY  OF  BETHEL.  lOl 

still  occupies  it.  The  next  place  going  toward  the  Androscoggin, 
was  that  of  Thomas  Goss,  sou  of  Samuel  Goss.  He  bought  two 
wild  lots  before  the  road  was  built,  and  cleared  up  a  large  farm. 
The  next  place  and  on  the  west  side  of  the  road,  was  occupied  by 
Clark  Kimball  fifty  years  ago,  and  uow  by  Emery  G.  Young.  A 
little  farther  along  and  on  the  opposite  side  are  the  buildings  put 
up  by  James  Lapham,  who  long  occupied  them  The  next  two 
houses  have  been  put  up  on  the  same  farm  in  more  recent  years, 
and  the  next  place,  on  the  east  side  of  the  road,  is  the  old  home- 
stead of  James  A.  S.  Bartlett.  He  lived  here  many  years,  and  the 
place  is  now  occupied  by  his  son.  The  next  farm  and  the  best  on 
the  road,  is  the  Foster  homestead.  Here  Eli  Foster,  a  young  man 
from  Newry,  commenced  to  clear  land  about  the  time  that  Thomas 
Goss  took  his  lots,  and  here  he  worked  and  managed  until  he  had 
one  of  the  best  farms  in  town.  His  son  David  uow  occupies  it. 
The  next  place  was  that  of  Ebenezer  Bartlett,  who  occupied  it 
many  years  and  died  here.  His  son  succeeded  to  it,  but  sold  out 
to  Jared  Young  and  left  the  State  many  years  ago.  Near  this 
place  a  settlers  road  turns  westerly  to  the  farm  of  Jonas  W.  Bart- 
lett. Phineas  Frost  began  on  this  farm  and  built  the  buildings. 
The  road  formerly  extended  to  another  farm  where  Daniel  Hodsdou 
once  lived.  After  him,  Zeri  Whitman,  Thomas  Farrar  and  others 
occupied  the  place,  but  it  has  long  since  been  dismantled  and  the 
buildings  taken  down.  The  next  one  of  the  old  places  is  the  one 
formerly  owned  by  Aaron  Stevens,  where  James  Dunley  once  lived. 
Afterwards  Evi  Needham  owned  it  and  lived  here.  Passing  the 
Kimball  Hill  road  and  the  place  where  the  old  school  house  stood, 
the  next  place  is  the  one  on  the  right  lately  occupied  by  Enoch 
Stiles  and  previously  b}^  Timothy  Glines  as  the  tenant  of  Aaron 
Stevens.  This  is  the  last  farm  before  the  river  road  is  again 
reached,  and  was  early  occupied  by  Nathaniel,  one  of  the  Bean 
family.     He  moved  to  the  Magalloway. 

Leaving  Locke's  Mills  and  traveling  toward  Bethel  Hill,  the  road 
soon  crosses  the  line  into  Bethel.  The  first  place  is  the  one  occupied 
by  Benjamin  Stevens.  William  Whitman  first  settled  this  place  and 
subsequently  several  families  occupied  it  until  it  was  bought  by 
John  Stevens,  father  of  Benjamin  Stevens,  who  was  the  next  occu- 
pant. A  collection  of  small  houses  on  the  cross  road  which  comes 
in  near  here,  were  built  by  Charles  Crooker  and  his  sons.  Farther 
along  is  the  Ethridge  house,  but  not  an  old  oue.     Near  Walker's 


102  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

Mills  on  the  right  hand  side,  a  few  j'ears  ago,  conld  be  seen  the 
remains  of  an  old  house.  This  was  built  and  occupied  by  Elijah 
Swan  three-fourths  of  a  century  ago. 

The  little  hamlet  now  known  as  South  Bethel  was  begun  in 
eighteen  hundred  and  three  by  David  Blake,  who  built  mills  there. 
He  also  built  a  house  which  stood  a  little  east  of  what  was  once 
known  as  the  AValker  house  and  which  w^as  taken  down  soon  after 
the  Walker  house  was  built.  The  mills  passed  from  the  Blake 
family  to  Jonathan  Abbot  and  from  him  to  James  Walker.  Mr. 
Walker  built  the  carding  and  fulling  and  cloth  dressing  mill  and 
dug  the  canal  which  conveys  water  to  it.  This  building  was  after- 
wards used  as  a  bedstead  factor3\  Ballard  Hatch  was  the  first  one 
in  charge  of  the  carding  and  cloth  dressing  establishment,  and  after 
him  Ebenezer  Cram,  James  Russ,  Albion  K.  P.  Dunham  and  others. 
Stephen  A.  Russell  long  had  charge  of  the  grist  mill.  The  oldest 
of  the  houses  on  the  right  hand  side  on  entering  the  village  was 
built  by  Phineas  Stearns.  It  was  afterwards  occupied  by  Jonathan 
Blake  and  has  since  had  many  occupants.  Mr.  Stearns  was  a 
harness-maker  and  his  old  shop  is  still  standing  further  along  on 
the  same  side  of  the  road.  It  was  afterwards  occupied  as  a  store 
by  the  Walkers  and  b}^  Erastus  Hilborn  who  sold  goods  here,  in- 
cluding New  England  rum  b}'  the  glass  or  quantity.  The  next 
place  on  the  right  is  the  Walker  mansion,  long  occupied  by  James 
Walker,  the  proprietor  of  the  mills.  Nearly  opposite  is  where 
Jonathan  Clark  Robertson,  the  old  cabinet-maker  lived,  and  the 
next  on  the  same  side,  was  built  and  long  occupied  by  the  old 
miller,  Stephen  A.  Russell.  Several  houses  have  been  put  up  in 
more  modern  times,  but  it  is  the  purpose  here  to  notice  only  those 
standing  half  a  centurj^  ago.  Across  the  bridge  is  the  house  once 
occupied  by  Ephraim  Whitcomb,  and  the  one  occupied  by  Lawson 
E.  and  Lyman  W.  Russell.  The  mills  here  were  built  originally 
by  David  Blake.  The  sawmill  a  little  up-stream  was  built  by 
Samuel  B.  Locke.  Passing  on  towards  the  hill,  the  Jonathan  Abbot 
place  is  on  the  left.  Jonathan,  Senior,  and  Jonathan,  Junior,  lived 
and  died  there,  and  the  place  is  still  in  the  family.  The  school 
house  stands  a  little  beyond,  and  here  a  road  turns  which  now 
extends  to  liean's  Corner,  but  formerly  only  to  the  Chandler  neigh- 
borhood and  Swan's  Hill.  Passing  up  the  hill,  and  once  through  a 
growth  of  wood,  the  first  place  is  that  where  John  Cushman  long 
lived  and  toiled.     It  is  now^  owned  by  John  Chase.     The  next  is  the 


HISTOBY  OF  BETHEL.  103 

Moses  Chandler  place,  now  occupied  by  his  son,  and  then  the  John 
Stevens  place,  afterwards  occupied  by  Amos  A.  Young,  who  died 
there.  Farther  along  on  the  road  are  the  Josiah  Brown,  the  Abial 
Chandler,  the  James  Nutting  and  the  Stephen  Hodsdon  places,  and 
as  the  road  continues  it  passes  near  where  Urban  Shorey  and  others 
once  inhabited.  Beginning  again  at  the  school  house  and  passing 
toward  Bethel  Hill,  the  place  on  the  right  has  been  successively 
occupied  by  Benjamin  Blake,  Nathan  Eames,  John  Needham  and 
Ira  Cushman.  On  the  plain  below,  Dudley  M.  Needham  built  a 
house  a  few  years  ago,  and  after  crossing  the  meadows  and  the 
brook,  the  site  is  reached  where  Tiiomas  Cushman  once  lived.  He 
was  called  "Beaver"  Cushman  because  he  located  his  house  over  a 
brook.  Then  comes  the  swell  of  land  on  which  Solomon  Annas 
once  lived  and  which,  excepting  that  portion  assigned  to  his  sou 
Benjamin  which  still  remains  in  the  family  ;  another  son  sold  to  the 
Blakes,  who  have  retained  more  or  less  of  it  since  that  time.  The 
John  Case  farm  is  next,  afterward  and  long  occupied  by  Isaac  B. 
Littlehale,  and  this  brings  us  considerably  past  the  center  of  the 
town.  With  the  exception  of  the  river  road  from  the  Cummings 
place,  this  sketch  covers  all  the  roads  and  settlements  in  the  east 
part  of  the  town.  Many  changes  have  been  wrought  within  the 
memory  of  those  now  living  ;  many  comfortable  hillside  homes  have 
been  abandoned  and  dismantled,  and  where  half  a  century  ago  was 
heard  the  voice  of  happy  childhood  and  the  hum  of  home  industries, 
is  now  heard  only  the  sighing  of  the  winds  through  the  old  trees 
that  once  shaded  these  humble  yet  comfortable  dwellings.  The  old 
cellar  holes  in  many  cases  are  still  visible,  and  the  mints  and  the 
worts,  famous  panaceas  in  the  hands  of  our  grandmothers,  now 
flourish  in  wild  profusion  around  them. 


CHAPTER   XV. 

■i  A  Chapter  of  Statistics. 

HEN  in  seventeen  hundred  and  seventy-four,  people  of 
P^nglish  descent  came  to  this  place  to  commence  a  settle- 
ment, only  two  settlements  had  been  made  within  the 
original  limits  of  the  county  of  Oxford.  One  of  these 
was  at  Fryeburg  and  the  other  at  Turner.  The  region  north  of 
Poland  and  Minot  was,  with  the  exceptions  named,  an  unbroken 
wilderness.  When  in  seventeen  hundred  and  sixty,  Cumberland 
county  was  formed  from  York,  there  was  some  uncertainty  as  to  the 
division  line,  and  early  deeds  of  Sudbury  Canada  lands  often  stated 
that  the  township  was  either  in  the  county  of  York  or  Cumberland, 
and  were  sometimes  recorded  in  one  county  and  sometimes  in  the 
other.  While  much  the  larger  number  of  the  deeds  given  of  lands 
in  this  town,  were  recorded  with  the  Cumberland  county  records,  as 
late  as  eighteen  hundred  and  three,  a  deed  before  me  of  land  in 
Bethel,  given  by  Eleazer  Twitchell,  has  upon  it  the  certificate  of  the 
York  county  registry.  The  following  shows  the  date  of  settlement 
of  some  of  the  older  towns  in  Oxford  county  : 

Fryeburg 1 762 

Turner 1772 

Livermore 1 774 

Hiram 1 774 

Brownfield 1763 

Lovell 1779 

Porter 1781 

Waterford 1 775 

Buckfield 1777 

Andover 1786 

Rumford 1777 

Bethel 1774 

Paris 1 781 

Norway 1781 

Newry 1 780 


106  HISrOBY   OF  BETHEL. 

The  western  towns  were  in  the  county  of  York  and  the  eastern 
w^ithin  the  county  of  Cumberland,  and  Bethel  being  near  the  center 
was  claimed  at  times  by  both.  Several  of  the  above  townships 
settled  near  the  same  time  are  not  far  apart,  and  at  this  date  with 
our  good  roads  and  facilities  for  travel,  the  inhabitants  regard  them- 
selves almost  as  neighbors.  It  was  far  different  in  the  times  of 
which  we  are  writing.  There  were  then  no  I'oads  connecting  the 
different  colonies,  and  no  communication  between  settlement  and 
settlement  was  possible  save  through  the  rough  paths  of  the  forest. 
Spotted  trees  guided  the  traveler  between  the  different  settlements, 
but  when  journeying  to  more  distant  places,  he  must  depend  on  his 
own  sagacity  in  part,  and  in  part  on  the  position  of  the  sun,  the 
course  of  the  streams  and  the  position  of  the  mountains.  Early  in 
this  century  the  question  of  the  erection  of  a  new  county  began  to 
be  agitated,  and  conventions  were  held  at  Paris  Hill  to  talk  it  up. 
Finally,  an  act  was  passed  through  the  General  Court  creating  the 
county  of  Oxford  with  the  shire  town  at  Paris.  At  this  day,  it 
seems  strange  that  such  an  inconvenient  place  should  have  been 
selected  as  the  shire  town,  but  centers  of  travel  and  of  business 
were  widely  different  then  from  what  they  now  are,  and  Paris  Hill 
was  the  wealthiest  village  in  the  county.  The  act  creating  the  new 
county  is  as  follows  : 

"That  the  counties  of  York  and  Cumberland  shall  be  divided  by 
a  line  beginning  at  a  place  called  the  Crooked  Kipples  on  the  Andro- 
scoggin river,  at  the  souUieust  corner  of  the  town  of  Turner,  from 
thence  to  run  westerly  on  the  dividing  line  between  the  towns  of 
Turner  and  Minot,  to  the  most  northeasterly  corner  of  the  said 
town  of  Minot ;  from  thence  southwesterly'  on  the  lines  between  the 
towns  of  Minot  and  Hebron ;  thence  northwesterly  on  the  line 
between  Hebron  and  Otisfield,  to  the  town  of  Norway  ;  thence  west- 
erly and  northerly  on  the  line  between  the  towns  of  Otisfield  and 
Norway,  to  the  southeasterly  corner  of  the  town  of  Waterford ; 
thence  westerlj'  on  the  line  between  said  Waterford  and  Otisfield  to 
the  northeasterly  corner  of  the  town  of  Bridgton  ;  thence  westerly 
on  the  northerly  line  of  said  Bridgton  to  the  northeast  corner  there- 
of ;  thence  southerly  on  the  westerly  side  of  said  Bridgton  to  the 
southeast  corner  thereof ;  thence  westerly  on  the  north  line  of  the 
town  of  Baldwin  and  Prescott's  Grant,  to  Saco  river ;  thence  down 
the  middle  of  said  Saco  river  to  the  mouth  of  the  river  called  the 
Great  Ossipee  ;  thence  westerly  by  a  line  drawn  on  the  middle  of 
the  river  last  mentioned,  to  the  line  of  New  Hampshire,  and  the 
county  of  York  and  Cumberland  aforesaid  :  That  all  that  part  and 
parcel  of  the  counties  of  York  and  Cumberland  situated  on  the 
northerly  side  of  the  line  before  described,  and  extending  northerly 


HISTOBY  OF  BETHEL.  107 

and  westerly  so  as  to  comprehend  all  the  teriitory  lying  between  the 
State  of  New  Hampshire  and  the  count}^  of  Kennebec,  and  ou  the 
northerly  side  of  the  line  aforesaid,  excepting  the  towns  of  "Wilton, 
Temple,  Avon,  and  township  uumlier  three  on  Sandy  river,  north- 
erly of  Avon,  which  towns  shall  be  considered  as  belonging  to  the 
county  of  Kennebec,  shall  be  and  the  same  is  erected  into  an  entire 
and  distinct  county  by  the  name  of  Oxford." 


The  subjoined  list  embraces  the  original  towns  in  Oxford  county, 
the  date  of  their  incorporation,  and  the  name  of  their  first  Repre- 
sentative to  the  Great  and  General  Court : 

Paris  June  20.  1793 Elias  Stowell. 

Hebron March  6.  179-2 William  ( ".  Whitney. 

Buckfield March  16,  1793 Enoch  Hall. 

Turner July  7,  1786 John  Turner. 

Livermore February  28,  1795 Simeon  A^"aters. 

Hartford June  13,  1798 David  Warren. 

Sumner June  13,  1798 Simeon  Barrett,  Jr. 

Norway Marcli  9,  1797 Luther  Farrar. 

Fryeburg January  11,  1777 John  McMillan. 

Brownfield February  20,  1802 Joseph  Howard. 

Lovell Xoveniber  15,  1800 Philip  C.  Johnson. 

Waterf ord  March  2,  1797 Eber  Rice. 

Albany  June  20,  1803 Asa  Cummings. 

Bethel June  10,  1796 Eliphaz  Chapman. 

Jay February  26.  1795 James  Starr,  Jr. 

Dixfield Juue  21,  1803 Silas  Barnard. 

Paunf ord February  21,  1800 William  Wheeler. 

Gilead June  23,  1804. Eliphaz  Chapman  Jr. 

Newry June  15,  1805 Melviu  Stowe. 

East  Andover June  23.  1804 Edward  L.  Poor. 

The  following  are  the  names  with  the  dates  of  incorporation,  of 
the  towns  incorporated  since  the  county  of  Oxford  was  formed  : 

Byron January  24,  1833. 

Canton February  5,  1821.  (Taken  from  Jay.) 

Denmark February  20,  1807. 

Greenwood February  2,  1816. 

Grafton March  19,  1852._^ 

Hanover February  14,  1843.         (Taken  from  Bethel.) 

Hiram February  27.  1814. 

Mason February  3,  1843. 

Mexico  February  13.  1843. 

Oxford   February  27,  1829.         (Taken  from  Hebron.) 


108  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

Peru February  5,  1821.  (changed  from  Partridgetovvn.) 

Porter February  20,  1807. 

Eoxbury March  17,  1835. 

Stoneham January  .31,  18.34. 

Stowe January  28,  1833. 

Sweden February  26,  1813. 

Upton February  9,  1860. 

Woodstock February  7,  1815. 

Carthage February  20,  1826. 

Weld February  8,  1816. 


Franklin  county  was  erected  in  eighteen  hundred  and  thirty-eight, 
and  took  from  Oxford  county  the  towns  of  Jay,  Carthage  and  Weld. 
The  town  of  Berlin,  which  was  formerly  an  Oxford  county  town, 
was  absorbed  in  the  town  of  Phillips,  and  the  name  of  Berlin  was 
dropped.  Androscoggin  county  was  erected  in  eighteen  hundred 
and  fifty-four,  and  took  the  towns  of  Livermore  and  Turner.  The 
following  statistical  table  from  Greenleaf's  Survey  of  the  State, 
shows  the  comparative  standing  of  Oxford  county  towns  in  popula- 
tion, for  the  years  specified  : 

Population. 

Toii-m.  1790.          1S80.  2S10.            1S20. 

Andover 22               175  264               368 

Albany 09  165                288 

Bethel 362               616  975  1,267 

Brownlicld 2.50               288  388                727 

Bucktield 4.53            1 ,002  1,251  1,501 

Denmarlv  436                395 

Dixfield 403               595 

Dixfield  and  Mexico 137 

Fryeburg 547                734  1,004  1,056 

Gilead 88  215               328 

Greenwood 273               302 

Hartford  and  Sunmor 189 

Hartford 243  720  1.113 

Hebron,  including  Oxford .5.30               981  1,211  1,727 

Hiram. 102                203  336               972 

Jav,  including  Canton 103               430  1,107  1,614 

Livermore 863  1,560  2,124 

Lovell  and  Sweden 147  365 

Lovell 201               430 

Mexico 14               148 

Newry 92  202               203 

Xorwav 447               609  1,019  1,330 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 


109 


Towns.  1790. 

Paris 

Peru 

Porter 

Kumf  ord 

Sweden 

Turner 349 

Waterford 150 

Woodstock 

Weld 


1S80. 

1810. 

1820. 

844 

1,320 
92 

1,894 
343 

272 

292 

487 

262 

029 

871 
249 

722 

1.129 

1.726 

535 

800 

1.035 

236 

509 

318 

495 

Educatioxal,   1825. 

No.  of  Xo.  of        Am^t  Anvt     PopuJation, 

Districts.  Scholars.     liaised.  ExpotdciJ.       1825. 

Andover 3  173  -$132  00  $150  00  400 

Albany 4  126  120  00  120  00  307 

Brownfield 9  360  249  06  295  80  850 

Buckfield 13  706  529  50  607  16  1700 

Bethel 14  600  468  10  502  84  1400 

Canton 6  290  200  00  239  13  700 

Carthage 4  81  68  99  68  99  210 

Denmark 11  397  299  77  333  28  800 

Dixfield 7  400  240  00  240  00  800 

Fryeburg 14  490  400  00  490  00  1250 

Gilead 3  144  112  00  127  06  400 

Greenwood 9  255  202  00  g2  00  650 

Hartford 15  597  453  00  453  00  1250 

Hebron 17  716  69100  69100  1750 

Hiram 11  381  381  00  381  00  800 

Jay 8  482  339  23  417  29  1800 

Lovell 9  236  100  00  225  08  470 

Livermore 14  966  703  75  871  31  2400 

Mexico 3  109  100  00  100  00  225 

Norway  10  637  550  00  563  79  1500 

Xewry 2  160  122  00  122  00  340 

Porter 5  255  194  80  218  91  620 

Paris 10  817  700  00  830  08  2200 

Peru   6  205  152  23  152  23  450 

Eumford 10  413  306  96  348  99  1100 

Sweden 5  167  100  00  164  00  380 

Sumner 8  497  408  87  416  00  1200 

Turner 16  932  599  00  799  00  2000 

Waterford 9  394  344  82  414  96  1200 

Woodstock 8  211  150  00  16125  450 

Weld 5  282  200  00  200  00  500 


110 


HIS  TOBY   OF  BETHEL. 
Agricultural  Statistics,  1820. 


TOAVNS. 


Andover ■ 

Albany 

Bethel 

Brownfield |  119 

Buekfield 580 


71 


564 


Denmark  . . 

Dixtield 

Fryeburg*.. 

Giiead 

Greenwood 
Haitford  .  • . 


184 
183 
412 
174 
41 
.375 


Hebron 400 

Hiram 

Howard's  Gore. . 

Jay 

LoVell 

Livermore 

Mexico  

Norwaj'  

Newry 

Paris 580 

Peru 100 

Porter 71 

Pumford 221 

Sumner >  373 


Sweden  . .  • . 

Turner 

Waterford.. 
AV'oodstoek. 


80 
770 
313 

32 


169 

489 

17 

53 

551 

1354 

79 

266 

725 

2595 

37 

105 

291 

772 

Gl 

119 

Weld 164 


225 
196 

1208 
459 

1335 
731 
574 
696 
222 
144 

1518 

1921 
489 
53 

1354 
266 

2595 
105 
772 
119 

1705 
159 
272 

1225 

1475 
381 

2505 

1441 
365 
309 


182 
159 

1053 
281 

1670 
994 
399 
585 
230 
176 

2543 

3116 

310 

66 

1045 
125 

1838 
72 

1779 
55 

1988 
114 
167 

1080 

2637 
273 

2058 

1533 
199 
426 


Barns. 

Horses. 

43 

57 

36 

21 

165 

122 

81 

52 

190 

111 

84 

49 

61 

51 

136 

85 

37 

31 

34 

26 

142 

77 

183 

118 

74 

44 

9 

6 

189 

129 

58 

19 

274 

157 

11 

11 

168 

109 

32 

26 

244 

154 

32 

20 

78 

26 

120 

97 

129 

85 

39 

16 

265 

1.54 

161 

110 

26 

22 

63 

39 

*Fryeburg  had  720  acres  of  fresli  meadow  yielding  609  tons  of  hay. 


Titles  to  the  Soil. 

The  first  eleven  townships  were  granted  by  Massachusetts  either 
for  military  service  or  for  some  other  reason,  subject  to  the  usual 
settling  conditions  and  reservations  for  ministerial  and  educational 
purposes : 

Towx.        Acres.  Grantees,  &c. 

Bethel 24,278  Canada  Township. 

Gilend 14,345  Peabody's  Patent . 

Fryel)urg 26. .549  grant  to  Gen.  Jo?;eph  Frye  for  military  services. 

Hebron  «fc  Oxford.  .36,221  to  Alex.  Shepard,  Jr.,  for  surveying  pub.  lands. 

Jay  &  Canton.  .    .  20,905  Pliii)ps  Canada  ;  in  lieu  of  a  former  grant. 

Livermore 27,430  military  service  at  Port  Koyal. 

Lovell  &  Sweden.. 37,430  Capt.  Lovewell  and  company. 


HI  STORY    OF  BETHEL.  HI 

Town.         Acres.  Grantees,  &c. 

Paris 23,971  Joshua  Fuller  et  als.,  iu  lieu  of  former  graut. 

Turner 31,359  Sylvester  Canada ;  in  lieu  of  former  grant. 

Rumford 19,170  grant  to  citizens  of  Concord,  X.  H. 

AVaterford 21,192  Canada  township,  in  lieu  of  former  grant. 


The  following  are  the  Province  sales  of  townships  and  parts  of 

townships  in  Oxford  county,  and  the  grants  to  academies  which 
soon  came  into  proprietors  hands  : 

Town.  Acres.  Grantees,  &c. 

Andover 29,433  S.  W.  Johnson  and  others. 

Albany 14,1.53  Joseph  Holt  and  others. 

Brownfield 28,866  T.  Cutler  and  others. 

BucMeld 15,959  Abijah  Buck  and  others. 

Berlin 27,650  S.  AVetmore  and  J.  Abbott. 

Carthage 23,250  B.  Ames. 

Denmark 27,623  Fryeburg  Academy,  &c. 

Greenwood 22,574  Phillips  Academy,  &c. 

Hiram 13,612  Peleg  AA'adsworth  and  others. 

Hartford 1 8,821  Joel  Parkhurst  and  others. 

Sumner 15,713  "  " 

Dixfield 19,130  J.  Holman  and  others. 

Mexico 12,712  "  " 

Norway 25,22  Lee,  Rust  and  Cummings. 

Newry 32,775  Sarah  Bostwick. 

Peru 21,499  J.  Thompson  and  others. 

Porter 15,693  J.  Hill  and  others. 

AA^oodstock 24,194  Dummer  and  Gorham  Academies- 

AVeld 32, 775  T.  Russell,  Jr. 

Howard's  Gore 2,012  Phineas  Howard. 

Fryeburg  Addition 1,199  granted  to  Fryeburg. 

Bradley  &  Eastman's 2,800 

Fryeburg  Academy  Grant ....  4,147 

Xo.  7 23,937  John  Derby. 

Xo.  8 25,412  Sarah  Waldo. 

Hamlin's  Graut 1,270  Cyrus  Hamlin. 

Andover  Xo.  Surplus 15,960  John  Ricliards. 

"        AVest  Surplus 11 ,696  S.  Johnson  and  others.. 

A.  Xo.  1 26,165  Phebe  Ketchum. 

A.  Xo.  2 28,.507  J.  J.  Holmes. 

Township  B,  (Upton) 25,600  Hounsfield  &  Davis. 

"         C,        "        21,074  Ann  S.  Davis. 

"         D,        "        20,500  J.Gardner. 

"         E,         "        20,600  J.  Cummings. 

Xo.  1,  R  1,  "        .... 22,.552  Moses  Abbott. 


112 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 


ToAVN.  Acres. 

No.  2,  R.  1,      (Uptou) 22,080 

"   3,     "  "        29,440 

"   2,  R2,  "        2.3,040 

"   3,     "  "        .30,720 

"    2,  R3,  "        21,000 

"   3,     "  "        21,000 

"   4,     "  "        21,000 

"   5,  R4,  "        23,040 

"  "  "        23,436 

}i  Xo.  1,  R  3,  (Upton) 11,.520 

"       "     4,         "         11, .520 

No.  5,  R2,  "         29,904 

"   5,  R3,  "         22.717 

"   5,  R,5,  "         .5.760 

"  "  "         11.520 

Surplns  C 12,206 

Bachclder's  Grant 28,822 

Tract   liotween   Hartford  and 

TJvciniorc 1,280 

Nine  Islands  in  tlie  Androscog- 
gin river 214 

Sundry  small  grants 9,200 


Grantees,  &c. 
Thomas  Sewise. 

John  Peck. 
W.  &  G.  Gilbert. 
John  Peck. 
E.  Blake,  Jr. 
Dunlap  and  Grant. 
Josiah  Quincy. 
Samuel  Watkiuson. 
Canaan  Academy. 
Bath  Academy. 
Huntington  and  Pitkin. 
Abel  Cutler. 
Hallowell  Academy. 
Farmingtou  Academj*. 
John  Peck. 
Josiah  Bachelder. 

]Mon mouth  Free  School. 

^[onmouth  Academy. 
Various  Persons. 


The  areas  of  towns  in  acres  as  here  given,  are  taken  from  the 
returns  of  surveys,  in  the  office  of  the  Secretary  of  State  in  Boston, 
for  all  the  transfers  here  mentioned  were  made  prior  to  the  separa- 
tion of  Maine  from  Massachusetts  in  eighteen  hundred  and  twenty. 
In  many  cases,  the  actual  number  of  acres  is  considerably  greater 
than  these  returns  show.  In  the  case  of  Paris,  for  instance,  the 
area  in  acres  as  returned,  was  twenty-three  thousand  nine  hundred 
and  seventy-one,  while  the  town  as  originally  laid  out  contained 
more  than  thirty  thousand  acres.  An  important  allowance  was 
always  made  in  surveying  for  ponds  and  rivers,  often  for  poor  land, 
and  for  the  "swag"  of  the  four  rod  chain.  A  township  of  six  miles 
square,  the  usually  limited  size  of  early  grants,  would  contain 
twenty-three  thousand  and  forty  acres,  but  grantees  were  always 
greedy  and  sometimes  unscrupulous,  while  the  government  was 
generally  lenient  where  the  prescribed  limits  were  not  exceeded  by 
more  than  one- fourth  or  one-third.  The  grant  of  Sudbury  Canada 
was  for  a  township  six  and  one-half  miles  square,  but  to  take  in  as 
much  of  the  Androscoggin  as  possible  with  its  choice  bottom  lands, 
the  length  of  the  town  was  made  ten  or  more  miles  and  the  township 
before  Hanover  was  set  off  embraced  not  far  from  forty  thousand 
acres. 


JEDEDIAH    BURBANK, 


CHAPTER    XVI. 

Prominent  Bethel  Men  Deceased. 

Jedediah  Buhbank. 

P^UEDIAH  Bur]):mk  was  born  iu  the  town  of  Grovehuid, 
Massachnsetts,  July  eight,  seventeen  handred  and  eighty- 
four.  It  is  said  that  his  great  grandfather  or  perhaps  a 
generation  earlier,  came  from  Scotland  and  settled  in 
Massachusetts.  The  father  of  Jedediah  Burbanlv  moved  to  the  town 
of  Gilead,  Maine,  in  eighteen  hundred  and  two,  and  settled  upon  a 
line  intervale  farm  where  he  reared  his  large  family  who,  when  they 
become  of  age,  settled  in  Gilead,  Bethel  and  in  Shelburne,  Xew 
Hampshire.  In  eighteen  hundred  and  three,  Jedediah  Barbank 
came  to  Bethel  and  November  eleventh  of  that  year,  he  married 
Esther,  daughter  of  Lieutenant  Jonathan  Clark,  and  settled  upon 
the  Clark  farm  where,  with  the  exception  of  two  years,  lie  spent  the 
remainder  of  his  long  life.  He  was  early  appointed  a  Justice  of  the 
Peace  and  was  in  commission  many  years  when  the  otHee  was  of 
much  greater  account  than  it  is  at  the  present  day.  All  the  early 
justice  trials  in  Bethel  were  by  him.  He  was  a  selectman  for  four 
years  and  held  office  for  many  years  longer.  He  was  much  inter- 
ested in  the  prosperity  of  the  town,  and  whatever  trusts  the  town 
imposed  upon  him  were  ably  and  faithfully  performed. 

For  many  years  Mr.  Burhank  kept  a  tavern  for  the  accommodation 
of  travelers,  and  in  eighteen  hundred  and  thirty-three,  he  purchased 
the  house  on  Bethel  Hill  built  by  Captain  Eleazer  Twitchell  and 
known  as  the  "Castle,"  enlarged  it  and  opened  a  tavern  known  as 
the  Bethel  House.  This  house  has  since  been  burned.  He  remained 
here  about  two  years,  when  he  returned  to  his  farm.  He  was  one 
of  the  first  persons  to  aid  in  establishing  a  Sabbath  School  in  town, 
and  in  eighteen  hundred  and  twenty-eiglit,  he  assisted  in  organizing 
the  first  temperance  society  iu  Betliel.     He  united  with  tlie  Congre- 


114  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

gational  church  in  eighteen  hundred  and  nine  and  became  one  of  its 
strong  supports.  He  was  interested  in  educational  matters,  was  a 
trustee  of  Gould's  Acadeni}^  for  many  3'ears,  and  one  of  the  few 
residents  of  Bethel  who  rendered  material  aid  in  placing  it  upon  a 
firm  foundation.  For  his  efforts  in  this  direction,  he  is  entitled  to 
the  lasting  gratitude  of  the  many  patrons  of  that  school,  and  his 
name  should  be  held  in  grateful  remembrance.  In  his  intercourse 
with  others,  he  was  kind,  courteous  and  geutlemanl}^  and  received 
his  friends  with  old  fashioned  hospitality.  He  was  a  skilful  and 
progressive  farmer  and  kept  his  broad  acres  under  the  highest  state 
of  cultivation.  His  first  wife  died  July  tenth,  eighteen  hundred  and 
twenty-seven,  and  in  January,  eighteen  hundred  and  twenty-eight, 
he  married  3Iiss  Frances,  daughter  of  Titus  O.  Brown,  Esq.  Mr. 
Burbank  died  February  twenty-nine,  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty. 

Baki'-olr  Bartlett. 

In  his  day  and  generation,  Barbour  Bartlett,  Esquire,  was  an 
active  man  in  town  and  much  connected  with  town  affairs-  He  was 
the  son  of  Moses  Bartlett,  who  lived  in  what  is  now  Hanover,  and 
having  married  a  daughter  of  Captain  Eli  Twitchell,  he  settled  upon 
the  Twitchell  homestead.  He  was  a  selectman  in  eighteen  hundred 
and  fifteen  and  subse([uently,  was  town  clerk  from  eighteen  hundred 
and  sixteen  to  eighteen  hundred  and  thirty-three,  and  for  some 
portion  of  the  time,  collector  and  treasurer.  He  also  represented 
the  town  in  the  Maine  Legislature  in  eighteen  hundred  and  twenty- 
two.  He  was  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  and  while  in  commission, 
married  many  couples  and  performed  much  other  official  business 
in  the  way  of  conveyancing  and  in  trying  causes  within  his  juris- 
diction. He  spent  his  days  and  died  upon  the  farm  below  Mayville, 
afterwards  occupied  by  his  son  Spencer  T.  Bartlett,  and  later  by 
Benjamin  R.  Bryant.  He  was  fond  of  agriculture  and  the  out-door 
life  pertaining  to  it,  and  kept  his  fine  farm  in  a  high  state  of 
cultivation. 

Lieutenant  Jonathan  Clark. 

He  was  a  Commissary  in  the  army  for  a  few  months,  but  returned 
to  Bethel  in  seventeen  hundred  and  seventy-nine,  during  which  time 
he  cut  the  first  hay  in  town  which  grew  up  the  brook,  opposite  the 
steam  mill.  The  scythe  wliich  he  used  is  still  in  existence.  He 
afterwards    exchanged   and   obtained   two    intervale   lots,    one  of 


'  \'<^'i. 


t^^-^ 


HISTORY    OF  BETHEL.  115 

whicli  is  the  farm  now  owned  by  Albert  L.  Burbank,  Esq.  During 
the  year  seventeen  hundred  and  seventy-nine,  he  built  a  plank  house 
a  few  rods  east  of  Mr.  Burbank's  barn.  In  seventeen  hundred  and 
eighty,  he  married  Miss  Esther  Parker  of  Newton,  Mass.,  born 
August  twenty-sixth,  seventeen  hundred  and  fifty-three,  and  with  her 
moved  to  Bethel  the  following  June.  They  came  on  horseback  from 
Newton  to  the  head  of  Long  Pond  in  Bridgton,  and  the  rest  of  the 
way  on  foot.  They  had  seven  children,  all  of  whom  died  of  con- 
sumption. During  the  freshet  in  seventeen  hundred  and  eighty- 
five,  he  made  a  raft  of  the  great  doors  of  the  barn  and  carried  his 
family  to  a  place  of  safety.  He  made  a  shelter  for  the  night  oppo- 
site Mills  Brown's  house.  The  water  came  up  to  the  summer  shelf 
suspended  from  the  beams,  and  spoiled  his  books  and  papers.  He 
afterwards  built  the  house,  which  is  still  standing  on  the  hill  and  's 
known  as  the  "Frost  house."  He  died  August  twenty-third,  eigh- 
teen hundred  and  twenty-one.  Lieut.  Clark  appears  to  have  been 
an  active  man  and  enjoyed  the  confidence  of  the  citizens  by  being 
elected  to  fill  the  various  otllccs  in  town. 

Mrs.  Clark  appears  to  have  been  a  woman  of  uncommon  resolu- 
tion. When  the  Indians  came  to  the  house  in  seventeen  hundred 
and  eighty-one,  and  took  her  husband  captive,  she  manifested  such 
courage  as  but  few  men  could  have  exhibited.  After  seeing  the 
Indians  carrying  her  husband  away  pinioned,  she  fled  to  the  woods 
and  there  remained  during  the  night  all  alone.  The  next  morning 
she  passed  through  the  woods  and  went  to  the  house  of  Capt.  Eleazer 
Twitchell,  where  was  the  greatest  consternation.  She  died  February 
thirteenth,  eighteen  hundred  and  fifteen. 

George  W.  Chapman. 

George  Whitefleld  Chapman  was  born  at  Methuen,  Massachusetts, 
on  Christmas  day,  December  twenty-fifth,  seventeen  hundred  and 
eighty.  When  ten  years  of  age,  his  father.  Rev.  Eliphaz  Chapman, 
came  with  his  family  to  Sudbury  Canada  and  settled  on  a  place  on 
the  north  side  of  the  river  where  he  had  made  a  little  clearing  and 
built  a  log  house,  the  year  previous.  On  this  farm  the  subject  of 
this  notice  grew  to  manhood,  having  been  subject  to  all  the  priva- 
tions incident  to  life  in  a  new  settlement  and  early  becoming  ac- 
quainted with  the  hard  work  of  clearing  and  tilling  land.  Becoming 
of  age,  he  went  up  the  river  about  four  miles  and  selected  a  lot  of 


116  lIlsroBV   OF  BETHEL. 

laud  in  Peabody's  Patent,  in  what  is  now  tlie  town  of  Gilead,  and 
here  he  established  his  home.  He  married  Polly,  daughter  of 
Nathaniel  and  Mary  (Mason)  Greenwood,  who  bore  him  twelve 
children,  eight  of  whom  passed  to  tiie  better  land  before  their 
father.  His  first  wife  died  March  the  seventeenth,  eighteen  hun- 
dred and  forty-nine.  Mr.  Chapman  was  a  thoughtful  man,  and  his 
thoughts  frequently  found  expression  in  rhyme,  and  this  was  espec- 
ially so  during  the  later  years  of  his  life.  On  the  occasion  of  the 
death  of  his  wife,  he  penned  the  following  lines  : 

'■01  where  i^;  now  my  loved  one  "joiie":' 

I  mis?  her  everywhere: 

I  seek  her  hi  tlie  walks  of  life 

But  no;  she  is  not  there. 

I  seek  her  iu  the  grove  tliafs  ne;ir. 

Wliere  we  were  wout  to  roam  ; 

Anil  tlieu  I  wipe  the  flowing'  tear. 

And  sit  and  grieve  alone. 

.My  home  lo  me  is  lone  and  drear. 
A  place  ot  mournful  gloom  ; 
A  wliis])er  strikes  my  anxious  ear. 
'Slie's  yonder  in  tlie  tomb! 
Hut  Where's  lier  soul,  her  hettei'  jiarty 
What  answer  ean  l»e  given  r 
A  more  than  whisper  tells  my  lieart. 
'Nile's  safe  above  in  lieaven  !' 
****** 

.Vnd  say  my  soul,  can'sr  thou  comiilainy 

I  auswtM-  not  a  word. 

Unt  Join  her  sjiirit  in  a  stiain 

Of  glory  to  the  Loid. 

And  now  my  faitli  and  hope  combine, 

God's  gracious  aid  t'  implore, 

That  I  ere  long,  may  gi-eet  her  mine. 

On  Canaan's  ha]>py  shore." 

In  eighteen  hundred  and  lift^'-one,  Mr.  Chapman  married  for  his 
second  wife  Mrs.  Hannali  (Prince)  Buxton  of  North  Yarmouth. 
AVhile  a  resident  of  (Jilead,  he  enjoyed  the  esteem  and  confidence 
of  his  town's  peoiile  in  a  marked  degree  as  was  shown  in  tlie  fact 
that  for  fifteen  consecutive  years,  he  was  a  member  of  the  Board  of 
Selectmen.  In  eighteen  hundred  and  twenty  he  was  a  member  of 
the  Maine  Legislature  when  its  sessions  were  held  iu  the  city  of 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  1J7 

Portland.  He  joined  the  Congregational  church  when  thirty  years 
of  age,  and  was  soon  after  chosen  deacon.  For  man}^  years  he  was 
a  leading  member  of  the  church  and  one  of  its  strong  pillars.  He 
had  a  good  farm,  was  industrious,  prudent  and  thrifty.  He  was 
much  attached  to  rural  life,  and  drew  inspiration  from  nature's 
works  so  lavishly  displayed  in  the  valley  of  the  Androscoggin. 

After  his  second  marriage  he  returned  to  Bethel  leaving  his  Gilead 
farm  in  the  hands  of  his  son,  George  Granville  Chapman.  He 
purchased  the  Clark  farm  west  of  Bethel  Hill,  which  had  long  been 
occupied  b}^  Rev.  Charles  Frost.  He  lived  here  a  few  years  and 
then  on  account  of  failing  sight,  he  sold  out  and  moved  to  Bethel 
Hill.  His  sight  continued  to  fail  until,  in  a  few  years,  the  light  of 
da}'  for  him  was  shut  out  forever.  INIr.  Chapman's  second  wife 
died  in  Bethel,  April  the  eighteenth,  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty- 
three.  The  death  of  his  wife  was  an  irreparable  loss,  for  she  was 
not  only  his  faithful  companion,  but  he  saw  tln'pugh  her  eyes. 
When  coal  oil  first  came  into  use  for  lighting  purposes,  this  is  wliat 
Deacon  Cliapman  said  of  it  : 

•'The  kerosene  is  clear  and  bi-ight. 
It  oven  helps  the  blind  to  >;io])t : 
As  man  and  wife  are  one  : 
For  I.  throuo:li  wife  do  ck'arly  soe, 
Therefore  tlie  kerosene  to  me, 
Is  brilliant  as  the  siui." 

After  lie  became  blind  he  dictated  for  another  to  write,  early 
sketches  of  Gilead,  a  valuable  contribution  to  the  early  history  of 
that  town.  After  his  second  wife  died,  Mr.  Chapman  divided  his 
time  between  the  old  homestead  in  Gilead  and  the  pleasant  home  of 
his  daughter,  Mrs.  Brown  Thurston  of  Portland.  In  each  place  he 
had  every  care  and  every  attention  which  filial  affection  could  sug- 
gest and  bestow.  I  visited  him  in  Portland  in  March,  eighteen 
hundred  and  seventy-five,  when  he  was  nearh'  ninety-five  years  of 
age,  and  had  a  very  pleasant  talk  with  him  about  a  (fairs  in  Bethel 
during  his  youthful  days.  His  mind  w-as  unclouded  and  his  memory 
of  early  events  something  marvelous.  His  poetical  compositions 
generally  took  the  form  of  acrostics  of  which  he  wrote  nearly  a 
hundred.  While  with  him  on  this  occasion,  he  repeated  several  of 
them  from  memory.  Soon  after  I  saw  him  his  health  began  to  fail 
him,  and  he  longed  for  the  green  fields,  the  flowing  river  and  grand 


118  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

scenery  of  Gilead.  There  he  was  taken  and  there  he  departed  this 
life  on  the  twenty-ninth  day  of  June,  eighteen  hundred  and  seventy- 
five.  On  the  occasion  of  his  seventy-fifth  birthday,  Christmas, 
eighteen  hundred  and  fifty-five,  Mr.  Chapman,  then  blind,  wrote  a 
little  poem  in  which  he  expressed  himself  as  near  the  end  of  his 
earthly  career,  little  thinking  that  he  still  had  nearl}^  twenty  years 
to  watch  and  wait  and  suffer.  A  quotation  from  this  poem  must 
close  this  notice  : 

''Hail  I  blessed  Christmas,  precious  Avord, 
The  brightest  feature  of  my  date ; 
The  birthday  of  my  blessed  Lord, 
The  glory  of  his  advent  great. 

I  claim  it  as  mij  l>irtbday  too: 
Alas  I  it's  fouud  me  in  the  dark  I 
I  turn,  its  beauty  to  survey. 
And  lol  it  says  I  must  depart. 

My  seventy-tiftb  lias  come  and  fled: 
On  Jordan's  l)rink  I  lingering  stand, 
lieady  to  mingle  with  the  dead. 
"Whene'er  mv  Master  gives  conunand. 


Tlien  Jordan's  sti-eam  I'll  fear  no  more. 
No  more  I'll  dread  tlie  chilling  wave: 
^ly  spirit  upward  then  will  soar; 
To  Jesus,  who  my  sonl  b;is  siivcd." 

Timothy  Ciiai'MAN. 

Timotliy  Clutpman,  the  tliird  son  and  fifth  child  of  Rev.  I^liphaz 
Chapman,  was  born  in  IMetliuen,  ]\lassachusetts,  February  seven- 
teenth, seventeen  hundred  and  eighty-three.  He  was  a  lad  of  only 
seven  years  of  age  when  the  family  came  to  Bethel,  but  he  well 
remembered,  and  I  have  heard  him  tell  the  story  in  his  mature 
years,  of  the  long,  lonely  and  tedious  journey"  from  Methueu  to 
York,  thence  across  to  the  Saco,  up  the  Saco  to  Frj'eburg  and 
thence  by  the  old  Indian  trail  through  Lovell,  "Waterford  and  Albany 
to  Bethel.  From  Waterford  there  was  no  kind  of  a  road,  and  only 
one  team  had  found  the  way  through  before  Mr.  Chapman  came. 
He  remembered  the  log  house  twent}'  feet  square,  with  no  partition 
walls,  into  which  the  family  of  ten  persons  moved  ;  he  remembered 
the  small  frame  house  Avhich  succeeded  the  I02;  one  and  which  was 


0^^ 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  119 

regarded  almost  as  a  palace,  and  also  the  mansiou  house  still  stand- 
ing, which  his  father  built  still  later  and  which  was  left  to  him  when 
his  father  and  mother  had  passed  awaj^ ;  all  this  he  could  remember 
and  much  more.  He,  as  well  as  his  brother,  George  Whitefield, 
could  tell  the  fourth  generation  from  his  father,  of  pioneer  life  in 
Sudbury  Canada,  of  the  early  settlers,  how  they  toiled  and  suffered  ; 
what  self-sacrifices  they  made  to  secure  homes  for  their  children 
and  for  their  children's  children  ;  how  from  the  day  of  small  things, 
Bethel  grew  to  be  a  great  and  prosperous  town,  with  fine  churches, 
fine  dwelling  houses,  fertile  farms,  manufactures  of  various  kinds, 
and  more  marvelous  still,  his  adopted  town  to  which  he  had  come 
through  the  wilderness,  brought  en  rajjjyort  with  the  great  world  by 
means  of  the  electric  telegraph,  and  in  close  relation  to  the  great 
business  centers  of  the  country,  by  means  of  the  steam  engine  and 
the  railway.  All  this  he  lived  to  see,  and  with  faculties  unimpaired, 
fully  to  comprehend  their  great  importance. 

Mr.  Chapman  was  three  times  married  ;  firstly,  March  twelfth, 
eighteen  hundred  and  seven,  to  Betsey  Barker,  who  died  April 
twentj'-fifth,  eighteen  hundred  and  nineteen  ;  secondly,  February 
twenty-fourth,  eighteen  hundred  and  twenty,  to  Abigail  Blauohard, 
who  died  August  seventh,  eighteen  hundred  and  thirty-seven,  and 
thirdly,  July  fifth,  eighteen  hundred  and  thirty-eight,  to  Sarah 
Johnson  of  Farmiugton,  who  died  June  eighteenth,  eighteen  hun- 
dred and  seventy-eight.  Mr.  Chapman  inherited  the  old  homestead 
and  spent  his  days,  after  his  majority,  in  the  mansiou  house  erected 
by  his  father.  He  was  an  excellent  farmer,  a  diligent  worker, 
sagacious  and  prudent,  and  became  an  independent  lord  of  the  soil. 
He  was  genial  and  hospitable,  a  doer  as  well  as  a  believer  of  the 
word,  and  in  all  respects  a  model  citizen.  He  never  sought  office, 
but  preferred  the  quiet  walks  of  private  life,  and  his  chief  objects 
were  the  care  of  his  farm  and  the  comfort  of  his  family.  He  died 
July  thirteenth,  eighteen  hundred  and  seventy-one,  aged  over  eighty- 
eight  years. 

Robert  A.  Chapman. 

Hon.  Robert  Andrews  Chapman,  eldest  sou  and  child  of  Eliphaz 
Chapman,  Jr.,  was  born  in  Gilead,  vSeptember  twenty-second,  eigh- 
teen hundred  and  seven.  He  spent  his  youth  upon  his  father's 
farm,  and  attended  the  town  schools  of  Gilead.  He  had  a  natural 
aptitude  for  business,  and  when  still  a  minor,  he  found  employment 


120  BIS  TOBY   OF  BETHEL. 

in  the  store  of  O'Neil  W.  Robinson,  at  Bethel  Hill.  His  ambition 
was,  as  I  have  heard  him  say,  to  own  that  store  and  do  business 
therein  in  his  own  name.  Though  the  realization  of  his  ambitious 
hopes  seemed  to  him  like  something  afar  off,  and  perhaps  never  to 
be  realized,  yet  it  was  onh-  a  few  years  before  he  acquired  the  store 
as  an  actual  possession,  and  continued  to  operate  it  for  nearly  half 
a  centur}'.  He  was  very  successful  in  all  his  business  enterprises, 
and  at  the  time  of  his  death  was  the  Avealthiest  man  in  town.  For 
many  years,  he  and  his  brotlier  Elbridge  were  associated  in  business 
together,  and  kept  the  largest  assortment  and  did  the  heaviest  busi- 
ness of  any  firm  in  the  village.  Finally  Elbridge  moved  to  Portland 
where  he  engaged  in  the  wholesale  trade,  while  Robert  A.  Chapman 
continued  the  business  here,  for  a  few  3'ears  in  company  with  Hon. 
Enoch  W.  Woodbury. 

Mr.  CliMpman  was  one  of  the  most  industrious  of  men.  When  I 
was  attending  school  in  liethel,  I  was  in  the  habit  of  occasionally 
rising  early  and  going  to  Paradise  Hill  to  have  a  view  of  the 
gorgeous  sunrise  seen  from  that  point,  and  I  never  passed  Mr. 
Chapman's  place  in  the  early  morning  twilight,  without  seeing  him 
about  his  chores,  milking  his  cows,  and  feeding  his  horses,  or 
at  work  in  the  garden,  and  getting  read}'  for  his  day's  employment 
in  the  store.  He  was  correct  in  his  habits,  strictly  temperate,  a 
liberal  supporter  of,  and  a  constant  attendant  at  the  Congregational 
church.  Mr.  Chapman  was  not  a  politician  in  the  modern  sense  of 
the  word.  He  never  felt  that  he  could  afford  the  time  to  hold  office, 
his  own  private  business  being  sufficient  to  absorb  all  his  time.  In 
the  time  of  the  old  parties,  his  sympathies  were  with  the  democrats, 
and  as  such  he  was  elected  to  the  State  Senate  in  eighteen  hundred 
and  fifty,  and  re-elected  the  following  year.  When  the  third  party 
in  Oxford  county  was  organized  in  the  interest  of  prohibition  of  the 
liquor  traffic,  Mr.  Chapman  joined  the  movement,  and  he  followed, 
when  that  faction  became  absorbed  in  the  great  republican  party  in 
eighteen  hundred  and  fifty-five.  Mr.  Chapman  was  tall  and  erect, 
but  rather  slender,  lithe  and  active  in  all  his  movements — a  marked 
face  and  figure  which  impressed  one  at  once  as  belonging  to  no 
ordinary  man.  His  penetration  and  sagacitj',  coupled  with  his 
activity  and  perseverance,  would  have  assured  success  in  any  pro- 
fession or  business  he  might  have  chosen,  but  he  chose  mercantile 
pursuits,  and  in  his  success  outstripped  all  his  predecessors  and 
contemporaries.     Probably  P>ethel  never  had  a  clearer-headed  busi" 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  121 

ness  man  t-hau  Robert  A.  Chapman.  He  married  March  twenty- 
eighth,  eighteen  hundred  and  thirty-three,  Frances,  daughter  of  Dr. 
Timothy  Carter  of  Bethel,  and  had  a  family  of  six  children,  five  of 
whom  with  the  widow  are  still  living. 

Elbridge  Chapman. 

Deacon  Elbridge  Chapman,  third  son  of  Eliphaz  Chapman,  Jr., 
was  born  in  Gilead,  June  twenty-seventh,  eighteen  hundred  and 
thirteen.  He  came  to  Bethel  Hill  when  a  young  man  and  was  long 
in  trade  with  his  brother  Robert.  He  was  more  especially  the  man 
in  the  store,  while  his  brother  attended  to  the  outside  business.  He 
was  a  man  of  strict  integrity  and  his  word  was  as  good  as  his  bond. 
He  married  Delinda,  daughter  of  John  and  Lucia  (Twitchell) 
Kimball,  and  had  four  children.  Professor  Henrj^  Leland  Chapman 
of  Bowdoin  College  is  their  oldest  son  and  third  child.  Mr.  Chap- 
man early  joined  the  Congregational  church,  was  chosen  deacon 
and  became  a  leading  member.  In  the  absence  of  the  pastor,  when 
a  sermon  was  to  be  read,  the  duty  generally  devolved  on  Deacon 
Chapman,  who  was  a  good  reader.  He  was  a  prudent  and  indus- 
trious man,  a  man  with  a  kind  heart  and  obliging  disposition,  a 
good  neighbor  and  valuable  citizen.  He  had  a  deep  interest  in  the 
prosperity  and  welfare  of  his  adopted  town  which  he  manifested  in 
many  ways  and  on  various  occasions.  He  was  a  quiet  man,  domestic 
in  his  habits  and  had  strong  attachments  for  home  and  family. 
Sometime  in  the  fifties  he  moved  to  Portland  and  was  in  the  whole- 
sale trade  there,  first  in  the  grocery  business  and  afterwards  in  the 
h-y  goods  business.  He  never  possessed  a  vigorous  constitution 
and  after  a  prolonged  sickness,  he  died  at  his  home  on  State  street, 
Portland,  June  twentieth,  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-eight.  His 
widow  has  since  deceased.  She  was  a  most  excellent  woman  and 
will  long  be  remembered  in  Bethel,  not  alone  for  Christian  virtues 
and  blameless  life,  but  for  her  fine  soprano  voice  which  for  so  many 
years  was  heard  in  the  choir  of  the  Congregational  church. 

Eli  AS  M.   Cakxkk. 

Elias  Mellen  Carter,  son  of  Dr.  Timothy  Carter,  was  born  in 
Bethel  September  eleven,  eighteen  hundred  and  eleven.  Few  citi- 
zens of  Bethel  have  been  more  conspicuous  in  public  affairs,  and 
none  have  left  a  clearer  record.    He  served  as  town  clerk  for  several 


122  HISTOBY  OF  BETHEL. 

years,  but  it  was  in  the  capacity  of  selectman  that  he  appeared  at 
his  best.  He  had  sound  judgment  and  unwavering  integrity,  quali- 
ties that  admirably  fitted  him  for  the  position  of  chief  executive 
officer  of  the  town  which  position  he  long  held,  and  could  have  held 
much  longer  had  he  consented.  He  served  also  as  Representative 
to  the  Legislature,  as  Executive  Councillor,  and  as  County  Com- 
missioner, in  all  which  responsible  positions  he  acquitted  himself 
with  distinguished  ability.  He  was  long  in  commission  as  Justice 
of  the  Peace  and  in  the  trial  of  causes,  was  noted  for  his  candor, 
impartiality  and  legal  acumen.  He  always  resided  at  Middle  Inter- 
vale, was  the  "squire"  of  the  little  village  and  its  recognized  best 
man.  By  occupation  he  was  a  farmer,  and  devoted  himself  to  work 
on  his  large  farm  when  not  engaged  in  public  affairs.  His  social 
qualities  were  of  a  high  order,  and  he  was  exceedingly  popular  with 
all  classes. 

Phineas  Frost. 

Phineas  Frost,  son  of  Thomas  Frost,  (see  Family  Statistics)  was 
born  in  this  town  and  spent  the  greater  part  of  his  life  here.  He 
was  brought  up  to  labor  on  the  farm  and  his  educational  facilities 
were  none  of  the  best,  for  at  the  age  of  seventeen  years,  when  the 
last  war  between  the  United  States  and  Great  Britain  broke  out,  he 
enlisted  and  served  until  near  its  close,  in  Captain  Hull's  Company 
of  the  Ninth  United  States  Regiment  of  Infantry  commanded  by 
General,  at  that  time  Colonel  Winfield  Scott.  Near  the  close  of 
the  war,  in  an  engagement,  he  was  severely  wounded  by  a  rifle  ball 
which  was  never  extracted  and  which  troubled  him  more  or  less 
during  the  remainder  of  his  life.  Returning  from  the  war,  he  mar- 
ried Abigail,  daughter  of  Josiah  and  Molly  (Crocker)  Bean  and 
settled  on  Howard's  Gore,  now  a  part  of  Hanover,  where  he  owned 
and  operated  a  mill.  A  little  later  he  returned  to  Bethel  and  en- 
gaged in  farming.  For  many  j^ears  he  was  prominent  in  town 
affairs,  serving  as  one  of  the  selectmen  and  for  many  terms  as 
chairman  of  the  board.  During  those  years,  he  had  a  greater  per- 
sonal following  than  any  other  man  in  town.  Every  measure  that 
he  originated  or  adopted,  he  was  sure  to  carry  through,  and  in  the 
many  wordy  contests  between  the  upper  and  lower  parish,  he  was 
ever  the  leader  and  champion  of  the  latter.  He  generally  adopted 
the  popular  side,  advocating  the  cause  of  the  poor,  and  this  in  part, 
accounts  for  his  popularity  and  uniform  success.     He  was  a  ready 


PHINEAS    FROST 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  123 

speaker,  bold  and  defiant  rather  than  persuasive,  and  pursued  his 
object  to  the  bitter  end  without  fear  or  asking  favor.  When  the 
town  received  its  share  of  the  surplus  revenue  there  was  a  sharp 
contest  over  its  disposal.  Mr.  Frost  advocated  dividing  per  capita 
among  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  and,  after  a  sharp  and  long 
debate,  he  carried  it  through.  He  five  times  represented  the  town 
in  the  Maine  Legislature,  and  of  that  body  he  was  an  able  and 
valuable  member.  The  last  time  he  was  not  the  candidate  of  any 
party.  It  was  at  the  time  when  parties  were  badly  divided  and 
were  being  reorganized  and  the  Democrats  having  nominated  O'Neil 
W.  Robinson,  Esq.,  a  very  popular  man  and  regarded  as  somewhat 
liberal  in  his  views,  the  nomination  was  supported  by  the  dissenters 
who  afterward  became  Republicans.  The  district  was  composed  of 
Bethel,  and  the  towns  and  plantations  northwardly  and  in  the  lake 
region,  and  as  soon  as  the  nomination  was  made  and  ratified,  Mr. 
Frost,  on  foot  and  with  staff  in  hand,  commenced  a  pilgrimage 
through  the  district,  visiting  every  leading  Democrat  therein.  The 
result  was  when  election  came,  that  Mr.  Frost  was  elected  by  a 
decided  majority. 

When  quite  advanced  in  3'ears,  he  commenced  to  clear  up  a  new 
farm,  the  one  a  short  distance  from  the  road  between  the  river  and 
Locke's  Milh,  and  now  occupied  by  Jonas  W.  Bartlett.  Here  he 
erected  a  substantial  set  of  farm  buildings  and  cleared  up  quite  a 
number  of  aci'es  of  land.  His  younger  sons  were  now  with  him, 
but  when  they  grew  up  they  were  not  contented  here,  and  as  fast 
as  they  became  of  age  went  to  seek  their  fortunes  elsewhere.  He 
finally  sold  out  his  farm  and  followed  them,  and  in  eigliteen  hundred 
and  fifty-six  he  moved  to  a  rural  town  in  Minnesota,  where  he 
engaged  in  farming.  Later  he  removed  to  the  shire  town,  now  the 
city  of  Anoka,  where  he  died  on  the  twentieth  day  of  March,  eigh- 
teen hundred  and  seventy.  His  wife  died  October  twenty-first, 
eighteen  hundred  and  eighty-three,  and  their  remains  repose  side  by 
side  in  Oakwood  cemetery  in  the  city  of  Anoka,  where  several  of 
their  children  reside.  Mrs.  Frost  was  a  sturdy  housewife  and  an 
excellent  mother,  and  her  large  family  of  children  were  well  brought 
up  and  fitted  for  the  duties  and  responsibilities  of  life.  This  little 
sketch,  with  the  portraits  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Frost,  kindly  furnished 
by  their  children,  will  keep  them  in  perpetual  remembrance  by  their 
numerous  surviving  friends  in  this  town,  and  will  keep  fragrant 
their  memories  in  the  years  to  come. 


124  HISTOBY  OF  BETHEL. 

Kli  Foster. 

Deacon  Eli  Foster  was  the  sou  of  Asa  and  Anna  (Bartlett)  Foster 
of  Xewry,  aucl  was  boru  in  that  town.  When  he  became  of  age  he 
married  Dorcas,  daughter  of  Stephen  Bartlett  of  Bethel,  and  settled 
on  wild  land  situated  on  the  road  between  Locke's  Mills  and  the 
Androscoggin  river,  though  at  the  time  he  erected  his  house,  the 
road  had  not  been  built.  His  laud  consisted  of  lowland  and  upland, 
and  when  he  selected  his  building  lot,  he  exercised  that  judgment 
and  foresight  with  regard  to  future  wants,  not  often  shown  by  the 
early  settlers.  The  spot  selected  was  where  the  lowlands  joined  the 
upland,  near  a  beautiful  brook  which  comes  from  the  hills  at  this 
point  and  meandei's  through  the  level  ground  to  Otter  brook.  He 
left  the  forest  on  the  high  ground  in  the  vicinity  of  his  buildings, 
which  consisted  largely  of  the  sugar  maple,  standing,  and  they  are 
standing  to  this  day  and  constitute  one  of  the  finest  sugar  orchards 
in  the  town.  On  the  hill  east  of  this  maple  grove,  he  cleared  land 
for  pasturage,  and  the  level  ground  was  cleared  up  for  meadow  and 
crops.  The  broad  area  ol  high  interval,  almost  a  dead  level,  and 
stretching  away  across  Otter  brook  and  to  the  hills  beyond,  attracts 
the  attention  and  elicits  the  admiration  of  all  passers  by.  Mr. 
Foster's  education  was  somewhat  limited,  but  he  had  natural  abilities 
of  a  high  order.  He  was  a  motlel  farmer  and  a  first  class  business 
man.  His  thrift,  which  was  the  result  of  lu-udence  and  economy, 
sometimes  excited  the  envy  of  his  k^ss  fortunate  neighbors,  and 
even  of  those  who  were  often  glad  to  have  the  benelit  of  his  better 
circumstances.  He  was  kind-hearted  and  accommodating,  social  in 
his  tastes  and  habits  and  rendered  needed  assistance  to  the  poor  by 
giving  them  employment  at  seasons  when  they  could  tiud  it  nowhere 
else.  His  wife  was  a  helpmate  indeed.  .She  was  skillcvl  in  all  the 
domestic  arts  for  which  the  settler's  wives  were  distinguished; 
carding,  spinning  and  weaving  both  tlax  and  wool,  slie  furnished 
clothing  for  the  household,  lieginning  with  the  raw  material  and 
ending  with  the  made  up  and  finished  garments.  In  the  evening 
after  the  household  duties  had  been  carefully  attended  to,  she  would 
sit  with  knitting  work  in  hand,  ^^nd  it  was  marvelous  to  witness  the 
numerous  pairs  of  hose,  linen  for  summer  and  woolen  for  winter 
wear,  and  mittens,  she  would  produce  in  a  single  year.  Mr.  Foster 
was  chosen  Deacon  of  the  Baptist  church  and  was  filling  the  posi- 
tion at  the  time  of  his  death.  He  was  a  man  of  decided  views,  a 
st;.voug  temperance  mau.  and  a  few  years  before  his  death,  gave  up 


HISTORY  OF   BETHEL.  \2:, 

the  use  of  tobacco,  of  which  he  had  loug  made  use.  His  wife 
survived  him  many  j-ears,  dividiug  her  time  between  the  old  home- 
stead occupied  by  her  only  son,  and  the  home  of  her  eldest  daughter, 
Mrs.  Ira  Cushman  of  South  Bethel. 

John  Gkover,  Senkh;. 

Among  the  earliest  settlers  was  John  Grove!'.  Res[)ecting  the 
genealogy  of  the  family,  an  interesting  communication  from  his 
grandson,  Hon.  Lafayette  Grover  of  Oiegon,  will  be  read  with 
interest. 

•'In  late  researches  into  the  early  lustorv  of  New  England,  I  have 
quite  satisfied  myself  as  to  what  time  our  family  ancestors  came  to 
this  country,  I  find  that  John  Grover,  the  first  of  oui  name  in  this 
coimtry,  was  livmg  in  Charlestown,  Massachusetts,  in  sixteen  hun- 
dred and  thirty-four.  He  was  probably  among  the  first  who  arrived 
after  the  landing  of  the  Mayflower  in  sixteen  hundred  and  twenty. 
John  Grover  had  a  son  John,  born  in  sixteen  hundred  and  forty, 
(as  the  old  records  in  Charlestown  still  show),  whose  oldest  son 
John  settled  near  Andover,  Massachusetts,  where  our  great  grand- 
father James  was  lioi'n,  Avho.  with  his  five  sous  and  three  daughters 
(James,  John,  Jedediah,  Eli,  P^lijah,  Sarah,  Olive  and  Naoma), 
soon  after  the  close  of  the  Revolution,  purchased  extensive  tracts 
of  land  in  Bethel,  iNIaine.  from  whom  all  of  our  name  descended, 
who  live  in  this  town.  Our  great  grandfather  was  a  man  of  great 
piety  and  some  learning,  and  was  a  deacon  in  the  church.  He  died 
in  Bethel,  and  was  the  first  man  interred  in  the  old  cemetery  on  our 
old  farm.  John  Grover,  our  grandfather,  was  the  second  son  of 
the  family,  served  in  the  Revolution,  was  at  the  battle  at  Princeton 
and  Trenton,  New  Jersey;  returned  home  when  the  year's  service 
expired,  married  Jerusha  Wiley  in  Fryeburg,  (who  was  a  sister  of 
the  wife  of  General  Amos  Hastings,)  and  settled  as  a  farmer 
at  West  Bethel.  His  farm  included  all  the  land  upon  which  is  built 
the  village  at  West  Bethel.  Father  was  the  oldest  sou  and  called 
John,  which  seems  to  have  been  a  family  name  for  many  genera- 
tions. Our  ancestors  came  from  England.  The  name  is  purelp 
English,  and  in  m}'  antiquarian  researches  into  the  genealogical 
history  of  the  middle  ages,  I  have  found  the  "coat  of  arms"  belong- 
ing to  our  family.  The  escutcheon  is  surmounted  by  a  crest,  and 
an  arm,  embossed,  from  the  clouds  holding  a  wreatli.  There  is  l)iit 
one  "coat  of  arms"  representing  the  name  of  Grover  iu  all  Heraldry, 


126  HISTOIiY  OF  BETHEL. 

and  that  established  beyond  all  question  of  dates,  consequently  there 
never  was  but  one  original  head,  so  the  descent  is  not  questionable." 

Mr.  John  Grover  came  to  Bethel  in  company  with  Capt.  Eleazer 
Twitchell  in  seventeen  hundred  and  eighty.  He  had  a  camp  in 
company  with  Mr.  Peter  Austin  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  Capt. 
Samuel  Barker.  He  was  engaged  the  next  spring  in  making  sugar 
and  in  clearing  land.  When  the  Indians  came  to  Bethel,  in  seven- 
teen hundred  and  eighty-one,  the}'  visited  his  camp  and  destroyed 
the  sugar  he  had  made.  He  happened  to  be  from  his  camp  and 
escaped  to  the  house  of  Capt.  Twitchell,  where  he  and  the  others 
spent  the  night,  expecting  an  attack  at  every  moment.  The  next 
morning  he  started  without  ceremony  immediately  after  breakfast 
for  Fryeburg,  and  arrived  there,  a  distance  of  thirty  miles,  by  noon. 
Capt.  Twitchell  soon  after  sent  off  a  man  on  horseback,  but  Mr. 
Grover  arrived  there  first.     Grover  Hill  took  its  name  from  him. 

An  incident  or  two  of  him  is  worthy  of  record.  He  was  stationed 
for  a  time  at  Dorchester  Heights,  when  the  British  occupied  Boston  ; 
a  detachment  was  ordered  to  throw  up  intrenchmeuts  during  the 
night  for  the  purpose  of  annoying  the  British  in  the  city.  A  fire 
was  incautiously  'ouilt  which  served  as  a  capital  mark  for  the  British 
Artillery.  They  immediately  commenced  a  brisk  cannonade ;  the 
balls  tiew  thickly.  One  arrested  Mr.  Grover's  attention  by  cutting 
its  wa}'  through  an  oak  tree  near  by  him.  Another  struck  a  man 
in  the  chest  standing  close  by,  cutting  him  nearly  in  two.  The 
detachment  sought  refuge  in  the  rear  of  the  hill  where  they  were 
safe.  The  next  morning  a  large  number  of  balls  were  collected  by 
the  soldiers.  Powder  carts  loaded  with  sand  arrived  quite  frequently, 
giving  the  enemy  to  understand  that  they  were  well  supi)lied  with 
ammunition.  Mr.  Grover  was  one  of  the  hard}'  pioneers,  Avell  fitted 
to  begin  the  world  in  a  new  country.  A  few  years  before  his  death 
he  removed  to  fiercer,  Maine.  His  son  Mason  was  in  the  war  of 
eighteen  hundred  and  twelve,  and  being  taken  sick  his  father  went 
to  see  him.  This  was  in  the  direction  of  Montreal,  but  the  father 
died  on  the  way  in  eighteen  hundred  and  fourteen.  He  had  ten 
children.  His  wife  died  in  Bethel,  June,  eighteen  hundred  and 
thirty-nine. 

CuviER  Grover. 

At  the  age  of  fifteen  years,  Cuvier  Grover,  son  of  Dr.  John 
Grover,  was  prepared  for  college,  but  declined  to  go,  much  to  the 


GEN.   CUVIER  GROVER.  U.  S.  /^ 


HISTOEY  OF  BETHEL.  127 

regret  of  his  parents.  He  would  go  to  West  Point  Military  Academy 
and  be  a  soldier,  or  he  would  be  a  merchant.  Not  being  old  enough 
to  be  admitted  to  West  Point,  he  went  to  Boston  and  secured  a 
position  as  clerk  with  Mr.  Eben  D.  Jordan,  now  the  head  of  the 
great  commercial  house  of  Jordan,  ]\Iarsh  &  Compau}'  of  that  city. 
He  remained  with  Mr,  Jordan  two  years  and  was  rapidly  promoted 
in  business,  until  in  the  spring  of  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty-six  his 
father  procured  for  him  the  place  he  wished  above  all  others,  the 
appointment  as  cadet  at  the  United  States  Militarj^  Academy.  He 
passed  his  examination  for  admission  readily  and  took  high  rank  as  a 
scholar  the  first  year  of  his  cadetship.  But  in  the  second  year  he 
reached  to  near  the  head  of  his  class,  and  held  his  place  during  the 
balance  of  his  course,  and  his  name  was  annually  thereafter  pub- 
lished in  the  Army  Register  as  one  of  the  five  "distinguished 
cadets"  at  the  National  Military  School,  where  on  account  of  the 
exacting  severity  of  the  course  of  studies  and  drill,  not  more  than 
one-third  of  the  young  men  who  enter  ever  graduate. 

His  high  scholarship  entitled  him  to  be  appointed  to  the  Corps  of 
Topographical  Engineers  when  he  went  into  the  army  ;  but  he  pre- 
ferred the  artillery  and  was  assigned  to  the  Fourth  United  States 
Artillery  as  second  lieutenant  in  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty.  In 
eighteen  hundred  and  fifty-three,  he  was  assigned  by  order  of  the 
Secretary  of  AVar  to  engineering  duty  on  the  exploring  expedition 
through  the  region  now  traversed  by  the  Northern  Pacific  Railroad, 
under  the  command  of  Isaac  I.  Stevens,  then  appointed  to  the 
Governorship  of  the  newly  organized  Territory  of  Washington. 
This  expedition  as  a  leading  object,  was  to  examine  and  report 
upon  the  feasibility  of  the  construction  of  a  railway  to  connect  the 
head  of  Lake  Superior  with  the  navigable  waters  of  the  Columbia 
river  and  the  Puget  Sound.  This  region  was  then  a  terra  incognita^ 
inhabited  only  by  savage  tribes. 

Lieut.  Grover  took  a  prominent  and  active  part  in  this  explora- 
tion. Leading  journals  of  the  country  expressed  grave  doubts  as 
to  the  advisability  of  this  effort  to  locate  a  line  for  a  Pacific  railroad 
in  that  quarter,  for  the  reason  that,  if  feasible  grades  could  be 
found,  the  depth  of  snows  and  the  inhospitable  climate  in  the  Rocky 
Mountains  near  the  forty-eighth  parallel  of  North  latitude  would 
forbid  the  operation  of  a  railroad  there.  This  objection  was  con- 
stantly in  Governor  Stevens'  mind,  and  was  the  talk  of  the  camp 
as  the  expedition  advanced,  without  being  solved  by  any  obtainable 


128  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

informatiou.  At  Fort  Benton,  a  trapping  post  among  the  Indians, 
they  were  told  that  no  one,  not  even  an  Indian,  had  ever  passed 
the  Rocky  Mountains  in  those  latitudes  in  winter  time.  Lieutenant 
Grover  proposed  to  remain  on  the  head  waters  of  the  Missouri, 
exploring  the  upper  branches  of  that  river  till  the  first  of  January, 
then  cross  the  mountains  in  the  dead  of  winter  and  report  the 
climate  and  the  depth  of  snows,  if  he  could  have  thirty  men  to  aid 
him.  The  expedition  consisted  of  three  hundred,  all  told,  but 
Governor  Stevens  declined  to  make  the  detail,  remarking  that  the 
proposed  service  was  extra-hazardous  and  he  could  not  order  it, 
however  much  he  desired  the  knowledge  of  these  facts.  Grover 
replied  that  he  would  volunteer  himself  for  this  work,  and  perhaps 
a  sufHcient  number  of  men  would  do  the  same.  Stevens  ordered 
his  command  drawn  up  in  line  and  stated  to  them  the  proposed 
duty  and  the  offer  of  Lieutenant  Grover  to  volunteer  for  its  per- 
formance if  he  could  have  thirty  men  to  remain  with  him.  He  also 
stated  to  them  that  lie  had  declined  to  order  au}^  men  for  such 
work,  but  if  the  number  wanted  would  volunteer  for  the  special 
service,  they  were  at  liberty  to  do  so,  and  requesting  such  as  were 
willing  to  volunteer  to  stejj  two  paces  to  the  front.  Four  men 
stepped  out  of  the  ranks.  And  Stevens  turning  to  Grover,  said  : 
"Lieutenant,  you  see  you  cannot  have  your  men."  Grover  replied  : 
"I  will  take  the  four."  After  much  hesitancy,  the  detail  was  made 
and  Lieutenant  Grovei'  remained  with  his  small  force  surveying  the 
Upper  IMissouri  and  the  Milk  river  for  light  steamlioat  navigation 
and  lines  for  railway  approaches  to  the  foot  of  the  Rock}'  Moun- 
tains, during  the  months  of  October,  November  and  Decemlter, 
eighteen  hundred  and  fifty-three.  Then  on  January  first,  eighteen 
hundred  and  fifty-four,  made  his  memoi-able  crossing  of  the  Rocky 
INIountains  in  the  dead  of  winter  on  snow  shoes,  drawing  his  rations 
with  a  train  of  dogs  hitched  to  sledges.  This  duty  was  performed 
in  the  midst  of  hostile  Sioux  and  Rlackfoot  Indians,  and  he  and  his 
few  men  stood  many  a  narrow  chance  for  their  lives.  He  found  no 
snow  de[)ths  over  eighteen  inches  in  his  transit  of  the  entire  moun- 
tain range,  and  the  climate  of  fair  winter  moderation.  This  owing 
to  the  trend  of  the  main  chain  of  tlie  Rocky  ^Mountains  in  these 
latitudes  toward  the  Pacific  coast,  and  the  ocean  breezes  drawing 
eastward  from  the  Pacific  Ocean  up  the  valley  of  the  Columbia 
river  and  over  the  Puget  Sound,  effecting  a  decided  modification  of 
the  wintei'  climate  in  those  mountain  regions,  as  contrasted  with  the 


HIS  TOBY  OF  BETHEL.  129 

mountain  temperatures  farther  south.  So  this  great  climatic  prob- 
lem was  solved  for  the  first  time,  and  the  objections  to  the  feasibilit}' 
of  a  Northern  Pacific  Railroad  were  removed  by  the  report  of  Lieu- 
tenant Grover  of  his  winter  expedition  of  eighteen  hundred  and 
fifty  three-four. 

In  eigliteen  hundred  and  fifty-seven,  wliile  he  was  serving  as 
first  lieutenant  of  a  company  in  the  Tenth  United  States  Infantry, 
his  company  was  ordered  to  dut}'  on  the  Utah  Expedition,  com- 
manded by  General  Albert  Sidney  Johnston,  for  the  reduction  of 
rebellious  Mormons.  The  captain  of  his  company  being  reported 
on  the  sick  list.  Lieutenant  Grover  took  command  and  marched  on 
foot  with  his  company  all  the  way  from  the  Missouri  river  to  L^tah, 
though  as  commanding  oflScer  of  his  company  he  was  entitled  to  be 
mounted,  and  he  brought  his  company  to  the  end  of  this  long  march 
in  such  good  condition  that  he  attracted  the  attention  of  the  com- 
manding general,  wdio  when  martial  law  was  declared  in  Utah, 
appointed  Lieutenant  Grover  Provost  Marshal  of  that  Territory. 
In  this  most  delicate  and  difficult  office,  he  conducted  his  duties 
with  distinction,  and  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  his  Commanding 
General.  At  the  close  of  his  service  in  LTtah  he  was  promoted 
Captain  in  the  Tenth  Infantry  and  was  retained  on  frontier  duty  at 
Fort  Union,  New  Mexico,  at  a  two  company  post,  where  he  was  at 
the  breaking  out  of  the  war  in  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-one. 
Surrender  was  demanded  by  the  rebel  authorities  of  all  United 
States  troops  and  munitions  of  war  then  in  Texas  and  New  Mexico. 
While  other  posts  were  complying  with  the  demand,  on  account  of 
lack  of  force  to  resist.  Captain  Grover,  taking  instant  notice  of  the 
situation,  devoted  all  his  resources  to  mount  and  provision  his  men 
for  a  long  forced  march,  and  burned  and  destroyed  everything  else, 
even  the  post  itself.  He  then  pushed  so  rapidly  North  that  the 
force  sent  to  capture  him,  after  his  refusal  to  surrender,  was  too 
far  behind  to  overtake  him,  and  came  only  to  witness  the  smoking 
ruins  of  the  destroyed  post.  After  being  reported  in  the  news- 
papers as  captured  and  killed,  he  duly  arrived  with  his  command  at 
the  Missouri  river,  whence  he  immediately  reported  himself  at 
Washington.  After  receiving  the  compliments  of  the  War  Depart- 
ment on  his  exploit,  he  was  tendered  the  Colonelcy  of  the  First 
Regiment  of  Sharp  Shooters,  at  that  time  just  being  orgauized. 
but  he  declined  the  special  honor,  preferring  the  broader  field  of 
the  general  service. 


130  HISTOBY  OF  BETHEL. 

At  the  breaking  out  of  the  late  war  he  held  the  rank  of  captain, 
but  was  soon  promoted  to  brigadier-general  of  volunteers.  In  that 
rank  he  served  with  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  in  the  Virginia 
Peninsular  campaign.  Took  part  in  the  siege  of  Yorktown  and 
battle  of  Williarasburgh.  For  gallant  services  in  the  latter  he  was 
brevetted  lieutenant-colonel  in  the  Regular  Army.  For  like  ser- 
vices in  the  battle  of  P'air  Oaks  he  was  brevetted  colonel.  General 
Grover  was  at  the  battles  of  Savage  Station,  Glendale,  and  Malvern 
Hill.  In  the  northern  Virginia  campaign  of  eighteen  hundred  and 
sixty-two  he  took  part  in  the  action  at  Bristoe  Station  and  second 
Bull  Eun.  From  December  thirty,  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-two, 
to  July,  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty- four,  he  commanded  a  division 
of  the  Nineteenth  Corps  in  the  Department  of  the  Gulf  and  partici- 
pated in  tlie  occupation  of  Baton  Rouge  and  Port  Hudson,  where 
he  commanded  the  right  wing  of  the  besieging  army.  From  August 
to  December,  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-four,  he  commanded  a 
division  of  the  Nineteenth  Corps  in  the  Shenandoah  campaign  and 
on  October  sixteenth,  he  was  brevetted  major-general  of  volunteers 
for  gallantry  at  the  battles  of  Winchester  and  Fisher's  Hill. 

It  will  be  noticed  that  (Jeneral  Grover  received  no  less  than  four 
brevet  promotions  during  the  war,  all  for  conspicuous  bravery. 
For  a  short  time  in  the  latter  part  of  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty- 
two,  he  commanded  a  brigade  in  the  defences  of  Washington,  and 
to  this  brigade  belonged  the  Twenty-third  Maine  Regiment,  in 
which  were  many  Bethel  men,  and  none  of  us  will  forget  how  cor- 
dially he  greeted  his  former  acquaintances,  and  how,  when  he  was 
ordered  away  to  the  Gulf,  we  regretted  his  departure.  Bravery 
always  excites  admiration,  and  in  all  the  armies  of  the  United 
States  during  the  late  war,  there  was  no  braver  spirit  than  that 
which  possessed  and  animated  the  fine  and  soldierly  form  of  General 
Cuvier  Grover.  After  the  war,  he  took  command  of  a  regiment  of 
regular  cavalry,  and  as  already  stated,  was  most  of  the  time  on  the 
frontier.  The  immediate  cause  of  his  death  was  hemorrhage  of  the 
lungs  arising  from  pulmonary  abscess,  aftei  having  been  a  sufferer 
from  nervous  prostration  for  many  years,  unquestionably  due  to  his 
long  and  faithful  field  services  duiing  the  late  war,  and  great  ex- 
posures to  which  he  was  subjected  at  different  times,  as  shown  by 
the  testimony  of  members  of  his  staff"  and  medical  officers  of  the 
army.  In  particular  was  he  a  great  sufferer  from  facial  neuralgia 
due  to  extraordinary  exposure  during  General  Bank's  Red  river 


IIISTOBY    OF  BETHEL.  131 

campaign.  He  died  at  Atlantic  City,  whitlier  he  liad  retired  vainly 
hoping  for  improved  health,  June  sixth,  eighteen  hundred  and 
eighty-five.  The  official  organ  of  the  War  Department  had  the 
following  notice  of  General  Grover's  death  : 

"Brevet  Major  General  Cuvier  Grover,  Colonel  of  the  First  United 
States  Cavalry,  a  distinguished  officer,  died  at  Atlantic  City,  June 
sixth,  eighteen  hundred  and  eighty-five.  A  native  of  Bethel,  Maine, 
he  entered  the  Military  Academy  from  that  State  July  first,  eighteen 
hundred  and  forty-six,  and  graduated  fourth  in  his  class,  July  first, 
eighteen  hundred  and  fifty.  He  was  promoted  Brevet  Second 
Lieutenant  First  Artillery,  afterwards  assigned  Second  Lieutenant 
Fourth  Artillery  March  third,  eighteen  hundred  and  fift3'-five ; 
transferred  to  First  Lieutenancy  Tenth  Infantry  September  seven- 
teenth, eighteen  hundred  and  fifty-eight,  promoted  Captain  Tenth 
Infautry.  He  was  on  the  Utah  ex[)editiou  of  eighteen  hundred  and 
fifty-seven-eight,  and  on  frontier  duty  at  Fort  Union,  New  Mexico, 
at  the  breaking  out  of  the  war.  April  fourteenth,  eighteen  hundred 
and  sixty-two,  he  was  made  Brigadier-General  of  Volunteers,  and 
served  with  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  in  the  Virginia  Peninsular 
campaign.  He  took  part  in  the  siege  of  Yorktown  and  the  battle 
of  Williamsburg  in  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-two,  and  was 
brevetted  lieutenant-colonel  for  gallantry  in  this  battle.  For  like 
services  at  the  battle  of  Fair  Oaks  he  was  brevetted  colonel.  Gen- 
eral Grover  was  at  the  battles  of  Savage  Station,  Glendale  and 
Malvern  Hill,  and  in  the  Northern  Virginia  campaign  of  the  same 
year,  he  took  part  in  the  action  at  Bristoe  Station,  and  the  battle  of 
Manasses  (second  Bull  Run) .  From  December  thirty,  eighteen 
hundred  and  sixty-two,  to  July  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-four,  he 
commanded  a  division  of  the  Nineteenth  Corps  in  the  Department 
of  the  Gulf,  and  commanded  in  the  engagements  of  Irish  Bend  and 
Vermillion  Bayou  (both  victories),  and  participated  in  the  siege  of 
Port  Hudson,  where  he  commanded  the  right  wing  of  the  besieging 
army.  From  August  to  December,  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty- 
four,  he  commanded  a  division  of  the  Nineteenth  Corps  in  the 
Shenandoah  campaign,  and  on  October  sixteenth,  was  brevetted 
major-general  of  United  States  volunteers  for  gallantry  at  the  bat- 
tles of  Winchester  and  Fisher  Hill.  He  was  wounded  at  the  battle 
of  Cedar  Creek  on  the  same  day.  From  January  to  June,  eighteen 
hundred  and  sixty-five,  he  was  in  command  of  the  District  of 
Savannah,  and  in  March,  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-five,  he  was 


132  HTSTOBY  OF  BETHEL. 

brevetted  Brigadier-General  and  Major-General  of  the  United  States 
Army.  He  was  mustered  out  of  the  volunteer  service  August  twenty- 
fourth,  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-five,  and  most  of  the  time  after, 
was  in  active  service  on  the  frontier.  July  twenty-eight,  eighteen 
hundred  and  sixty-six,  he  was  appointed  Lieutenant  Colonel  of  the 
Thirty-eighth  United  States  Infantr}',  and  in  eighteen  hundred  and 
seventy,  assigned  to  the  Third  Cavalry.  December  second,  eigh- 
teen hundred  and  seveiity-five,  he  was  promoted  to  the  Colonelcy  of 
the  First  Cavalry  and  held  that  position  at  the  time  of  his  decease. 
He  was  Inu-ied  at  West  Point  with  military  honors." 

Talleyrand  Grover. 

Professor  Talleyrand  Grover  was  the  son  of  Dr.  .lohn  Grover, 
.-and  was  born  in  Bethel,  August  tweut3'-nine,  eigiiteeu  hundred  and 
twenty-two.  He  graduated  from  Bowdoin  College  in  eighteen  hun- 
dred and  forty-three,  and  was  among  the  first  in  a  large  class. 
During  his  college  course  he  taught  sometimes  in  the  winter  vaca- 
tion, and  was  a  very  capable  and  successful  teacher.  He  taught 
one  terra  in  Bean's  Corner,  a  school  considered  rather  difficult  to 
manage,  but  he  kept  it  through  Avithout  trouble.  He  had  great 
facility  in  acquiring  languages.  After  graduation  he  was  Principal 
of  Gould's  Academy  for  a  term  or  two  and  then  opened  a  school 
for  young  men  in  Camden,  New  Jersey.  In  eighteen  hundred  and 
fifty-one,  he  was  elected  professor  of  rhetoric  and  modern  languages 
in  Delaware  College,  and  spent  sometime  in  Europe  to  qualify  him- 
self for  that  position  ;  he  was  subsequent!}'  transferred  to  the  pro- 
fessorship of  ancient  languages  and  literature.  Earnest  in  his  desire 
for  higher  attainment  and  accomplishment,  he  visited  the  north  of 
Europe  late  in  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty-eiglit.  He  was  taken 
fatally  sick  at  Upsala,  Sweden,  and  died  there  June  fourth,  eighteen 
hundred  and  fifty-nine.  He  received  kind  and  delicate  attentions 
at  the  hands  of  strangers  whom  he  easily  made  friends,  during  his 
sickness,  who  also  took  charge  of  his  interment.  He  was  zealously 
devoted  to  his  work  as  a  teacher,  and  was  highly  successful.  His 
death  at  so  early  an  age  was  deeply  deplored.  He  was  never 
married. 

Israel  Kimball,  Jr. 

It  is  always  pleasant  to  speak  of  such  a  man  as  Israel  Kimball, 
Jr.,   because  pleasant  things   can  be  said  of  him  without  fear  of 


/     ¥ 


IRA    C.     KIMBALL. 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  I33 

adverse  comment  and  without  exposing  the  writer  to  the  charge  of 
favoritism.  Such  men  as  he  are  the  salt  of  the  earth,  and  the  world 
is  better  that  they  have  lived.  He  was  honest,  industrious,  frugal 
and  thrifty.  He  had  an  abundance  of  charity,  but  he  bestowed  it 
with  discrimination  and  judgment.  He  despised  shams  in  whatever 
form  they  were  presented.  He  excelled  in  everything  he  undertook 
and  as  farming  was  his  chief  employment,  he  was  one  of  the  very 
best  in  town.  He  studied  it  in  all  its  branches,  and  sought  for  the 
best  results  in  which  he  generally  succeeded.  Inheriting  the  broad 
acres  of  his  father  at  Middle  Interval,  he  kept  the  farm  in  the 
highest  state  of  cultivation.  He  was  a  man  whom  everybody  re- 
spected, and  in  whose  integrity  every  one  had  the  fullest  confidence. 
He  never  sought  office  much,  preferring  to  devote  his  whole  time  to 
the  care  of  his  farm,  but  he  was  often  elected  on  the  Board  of 
Selectmen  and  urged  to  serve.  In  this  position,  he  always  acquitted 
himself  with  honor  and  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  the  people  of 
the  town.  In  the  neighborhood  and  town,  he  was  peaceable  and  a 
peacemaker  ;  in  his  family  he  was  kind  and  indulgent,  and  to  visitors 
or  strangers  within  his  gates,  he  was  courteous  and  hospitable.  I 
speak  from  knowledge,  having  spent  many  pleasant  hours  beneath 
his  roof-tree.  His  wife,  Sarah  (Webber)  Kimball,  was  a  most 
excellent  woman,  a  model  Christian  mother,  and  an  ornament  to 
her  sex.  The  lives  of  this  couple  were  a  constant  inspiration  to  the 
people  of  the  town,  leading  them  onward  to  higher  attainment  in  all 
that  pertains  to  domestic  and  country  life.  Mrs.  Kimball  survived 
her  husband  quite  a  number  of  years,  and  both  attained  to  a  good 
old  age. 

Ira  C.  Kimball. 

One  of  the  most  successful  men  of  Bethel  and  one  whose  name 
was  ever  the  synonym  of  integrity  and  honor,  was  Ira  Crocker 
Kimball.  He  was  the  son  of  Israel  Kimball  of  Middle  Intervale, 
and  was  brought  up  on  his  father's  farm.  He  came  to  Bethel  Hill 
quite  early  and  engaged  in  trade.  His  store  was  the  northerly  one 
of  the  block  which  was  burned  in  war  time,  and  which  has  been 
rebuilt.  He  lived  in  a  house  north  of  the  store  which  was  after- 
ward occupied  by  Winslow  Heywood  and  which  was  destroyed  by 
tire  the  same  time  as  the  store.  Afterward  Mr.  Kimball  bought, 
remodeled  and  occupied  the  house  on  the  corner  of  the  Common  and 
Church  street,  which  was  afterward  occupied  and  is  still  the  property 


iy4  HISTOBY   OF  BETHEL. 

of  William  E.  Skillings.  In  this  store,  Mr.  Kimball  bad  a  loDg  and 
successful  business  career.  He  also  engaged  in  outside  business, 
dealing  somewhat  in  wild  lands  and  became  forehanded.  He  was 
somewhat  conservative  in  his  views  and  acts,  always  proceeded 
with  deliberation,  but  his  sound  judgment  was  rarely  at  fault,  aud 
his  well  balanced  mind  could  generally  be  relied  upon  in  matters  of 
business,  or  upon  the  public  issues  of  the  day.  He  aided  in  organ- 
izing the  Republican  party  in  the  town  and  county,  and  in  the 
councils  of  the  party  his  views  had  great  weight.  He  was  the  first 
Republican  elected  to  the  Legislature  from  Bethel,  and  while  not  a 
talking  member,  his  opinions  upon  questions  of  party  policy  were 
sought  after  and  generally  heeded.  He  rendered  substantial  aid  in 
organizing  the  Universalist  society  in  Bethel,  and  in  erecting  the 
church  edifice,  and  was  ever  one  of  its  most  faithful  and  active 
members.  In  war  time,  his  loyalty  to  the  government  was  given 
without  reserve  aud  his  eldest  son  enlisted  early  and  served  nearly 
throughout  the  struggle.  Mr.  Kimball's  health  soon  after  began  to 
fail  and  he  went  South  hoping  to  regain  it,  but  the  disease  had 
taken  too  firm  hold  and  soon  carried  him  away. 

John  Knir.ALL. 

Deacon  John  Kimliall  was  born  in  Pembroke,  New  Hampshire, 
in  seventeen  hundred  and  eighty-three.  In  eighteen  hundred  and 
thirteen,  he  came  to  Bethel  and  married  Lucia,  daughter  of  Eli 
Twitchell.  He  was  by  occupation  a  farmer,  a  quiet,  undemonstra- 
tive man,  yet  a  man  of  sterling  character  and  worth.  He  was  best 
known  as  chorister  at  the  Congregational  church  for  nearly  two 
generations.  He  had  a  smooth  voice  of  remarkable  depth  and 
fullness,  and  in  the  singer's  gallery  he  was  ever  master  of  the  situa- 
tion. "When  he  sang  bass,  his  daughter,  Belinda  Chapman,  the 
soprano,  and  Mrs.  Susie  True  the  alto,  it  would  have  been  extremely 
difficult  to  have  found  better  music  in  any  country  choir.  For  many 
years  his  residence  was  nearly  opposite  the  academy,  and  he  and  his 
wife  were  well  known  to  the  studeuts  attending.  He  died  March 
the  second,  eighteen  hundred  and  sixt3'-three. 

Samuel  Baukon  Locke. 

The  ancestor  of  the  Locke  families  who  have  lived  in  this  town 
was  William,  who  came  early  to  this  country  from  England  and 


HIS  TOBY  OF  BETHEL.  I35 

settled  in  Woburn,  Massachusetts.  Numbers  of  his  posterity  have 
lived  in  New  Hampshire  and  among  others  was  James,  the  father 
of  the  subject  of  this  notice.  Samuel  B.  Locke  married  Hannah, 
daugliter  of  William  Russell  of  Fryeburg,  and  before  coming  to 
Bethel,  had  lived  in  Thetford,  Vermont,  Lemster  and  Newport, 
New  Hampshire,  and  in  Fryeburg,  Maine.  His  fourth  child  was 
born  in  Fryeburg  in  seventeen  hundred  and  ninety-five,  and  his 
sixth  in  Bethel  in  seventeen  hundred  and  ninety-seven,  therefore 
the  family  must  have  come  to  this  town  between  these  two  dates. 
He  settled  on  Sunday  river  on  the  farm  still  owned  and  occupied 
by  his  descendants.  He  was  by  occupation  a  millwright  and  a  man 
of  much  energy  and  capacity.  He  was  a  natural  mechanic,  and  his 
uncommon  ability  in  this  direction  was  inherited  in  a  greater  or  less 
degree  by  his  sons.  The  improvement  of  water  power  by  the  erec- 
tion of  mills  of  various  kinds,  occupied  much  of  his  mind  and  time, 
and  such  a  man  is  always  a  valuable  acquisition  to  any  new  settle- 
ment. He  erected  mills  on  the  Sunday  river  in  Bethel  and  also  in 
what  is  known  as  Ketchum,  and  was  employed  by  various  parties  to 
build  mills  in  other  places.  About  the  year  eighteen  hundred  and  six- 
teen, fires  in  the  woods  killed  vast  quantities  of  timber  which,  if  not 
utilized  at  once,  would  decay  and  be  spoiled.  This  induced  Mr. 
Locke  to  buy  a  tract  of  land,  and  erect  mills  on  the  outlet  of  certain 
ponds  in  Greenwood  and  ^yoodstock,  which  outlet  has  since  borne 
the  name  of  Alder  river.  These  mills  have  since  that  time  borne 
the  name  of  the  builder  and  owner,  and  are  situated  in  Greenwood 
about  half  a  mile  from  Bethel  south  line.  Though  spending  much 
of  his  time  at  the  Greenwood  Mills,  Mr.  Locke  continued  to  reside 
in  Bethel,  where  he  cleared  up  a  good  farm.  He  was  of  a  philoso- 
phical turn  of  mind  and  far  in  advance  of  his  time,  in  his  ideas  of 
the  natural  sciences,  and  even  in  matters  pertaining  to  natural  and 
revealed  religion.  He  was  somewhat  eccentric  in  his  habits,  and 
stories  of  his  peculiarities  have  come  down  to  us,  doubtless  greatly 
exaggerated. 

John  Locke. 

Dr.  John  Locke  was  not  born  in  Bethel,  but  his  parents  moved 
here  when  he  was  a  child,  and  he  spent  his  youth  and  early  manhood 
here.  He  was  the  son  of  Samuel  Barron  and  Hannah  (Kussell) 
Locke  and  was  born  in  Lempster,  New  Hampshire,  February  nine- 
teenth,   seventeen    hundred    and   ninety-two.     He   came   with    his 


136  HISrOBY   OF  BETHEL. 

parents  to  Fryeburg,  and  from  there  to  Bethel,  when  he  was  four 
years  of  age.  He  was  remarkably  precocious,  and  at  that  early  age 
when  most  boys  thhik  of  nothing  but  eating,  sleeping  and  play,  he 
was  studying  the  problems  of  nature  presented  in  the  lavish  display 
around  him.  He  showed  strong  native  talent  especially  in  the 
direction  of  mathematics  and  the  natural  sciences.  He  was  a  great 
lover  of  nature  in  all  her  moods.  He  studied  botany  in  the  fields 
and  woods  bordering  the  Sunday  and  the  Androscoggin  rivers,  and 
became  proficient  without  the  aid  of  books  or  teachers.  At  an  early 
age,  he  published  a  text  book  on  botany  which  was  much  admired 
for  the  simplicity  of  its  arrangement,  and  for  the  large  number  of 
specimens  described,  all  of  which  he  had  gathered,  and  examined. 

He  finally  made  his  way  to  Bridgton  where  he  made  the  acquain- 
tance of  Seba  Smith,  and  they  became  close  friends.  Afterwards, 
when  Smith  published  his  "Jack  Downing"  letters,  Locke  remarked 
of  them,  that  "it  was  the  easiest  thing  for  Jack  to  write  them  for  it 
was  his  chimney  corner  language."  Smith  might  have  retorted  on 
Locke  that  it  was  easy  for  him  to  be  a  philosopher  and  scientist, 
for  his  mind  dwelt  upon  nothing  else.  Dr.  Locke  concluded  not  to 
go  to  college,  for  the  regular  college  course  in  those  days  embraced 
many  studies  that  were  not  practical,  and  so  he  entered  upon  the 
study  of  medicine  as  embracing  many  of  the  studies  in  which  he  had 
a  deep  interest.  He  was  at  Dartmouth  College  for  a  time,  and  then 
took  his  degree  from  the  medical  department  of  Yale.  He  entered 
the  navy  as  surgeon,  but  the  sanitary  arrangements  on  board  the 
ships  of  the  United  States  Navy  were  so  slack,  and  failing  to  effect 
the  needed  reform,  he  abandoned  the  position.  During  the  trip 
which  he  was  to  have  taken,  ship  fever  broke  out  and  many  valua- 
ble lives  were  sacrificed,  thus  proving  the  wisdom  of  his  suggestions, 
and  the  loss  to  the  government  in  not  heeding  them. 

His  varied  attainments  and  his  aptitude  for  teaching,  naturally 
led  him  to  adopt  this  as  an  occupation,  and  for  this  purpose  he 
went  South  and  engaged  as  assistant  teacher  in  an  academy  at 
Lexington,  Kentucky.  In  eighteen  hundred  and  twentj^-two,  when 
thirty  years  of  age,  he  crossed  the  Ohio  and  established  a  female 
academy  at  Cincinnati,  which  for  many  years  was  one  of  the  best 
and  most  successful  schools  in  the  west.  His  school  was  patronized 
by  the  first  families  in  the  South  and  West,  and  among  his  pupils 
were  the  daughters  of  Henry  Clay  and  of  many  other  distinguished 
families. 


HIS  TOBY  OF  BETHEL.  I37 

lu  eighteen  hundred  and  thirty-six,  he  was  chosen  Professor  of 
Chemistry  and  Pharmacy  in  the  Ohio  Medical  College,  and  his 
lectures  in  a  short  time  gave  that  institution  a  reputation  and  a 
popularity  which  it  had  never  before  enjoyed.  He  was  an  original 
thinker  and  investigator,  and  declining  to  follow  the  beaten  paths 
of  others,  he  achieved  results  by  his  own  methods.  He  was  con- 
nected with  the  college  for  seventeen  years,  and  besides  attending 
to  his  duties  there,  he  performed  a  vast  amount  of  other  work.  He 
devoted  his  life  to  science,  and  the  good  he  accomplished,  and  the 
wonderful  results  he  achieved,  will  be  remembered  as  long  as  the 
English  language  is  spoken.  He  was  employed  by  the  government 
in  surveying  the  mineral  lands  around  Lake  Superior,  more  especi- 
ally for  the  development  of  the  mines  of  copper,  and  his  reports 
will  be  models  for  all  time.  He  also  made  exhaustive  geological 
surveys  of  the  States  of  Ohio  and  Iowa.  This  work  added  greatly 
to  his  reputation,  and  his  reports  are  still  valuable  works  of  reference. 

Dr.  Locke's  published  works,  besides  reports  of  surveys  just 
spoken  of,  consist  of  his  work  on  botany  already  referred  to,  "An 
Account  of  a  large  Thermascopic  Galvanometer"  published  in  the 
London  Philosophical  Magazine  in  eighteen  hundred  and  thirt}'- 
seven  ;  a  valuable  report  on  the  explosion  of  the  steamboat  Morelle,. 
in  eighteen  hundred  and  forty  ;  papers  on  the  magnetism  of  the 
United  States  published  in  the  Transactions  of  the  American  Phil- 
osophical Society,  and  papers  on  various  topics  published  in  Silli- 
man's  Journal  and  in  the  reports  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution  at 
Washington.  Dr.  Locke  also  had  an  inventive  mind,  and  by  the 
study  of  horology  in  connection  with  the  science  of  magnetism,  he 
invented  the  famous  clock  which  he  called  the  "chronograph,"  and 
which  is  still  in  use  in  the  observatory  at  AVashingtou.  For  this 
unique  invention.  Congress  gave  Dr.  Locke  the  generous  sum  of 
ten  thousand  dollars.  The  appropriation  was  suggested  by  Hon. 
Thomas  Corwin,  then  a  member  of  the  United  States  Senate,  and 
Professor  Locke's  close  friend.  He  was  much  attached  to  his 
adopted  home,  where  he  resided  for  more  than  thirty  years,  watch- 
ing its  growth  from  a  struggling  hamlet,  to  a  great  and  beautiful 
city.  Here  in  eighteen  hundred  and  twenty-five,  he  married  Mar}^ 
Morris  of  Newark,  New  Jersey,  a  pupil  of  his  school.  She  was  a 
most  amiable  lady  and  his  domestic  life  was  a  very  happy  one. 
They  reared  a  large  and  interesting  family,  but  one  son  died  young 
and  two  in  early  manhood. 


138  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

Doctor  Locke  was  a  most  agreeable  and  entertaining  friend  and 
companion.  His  fund  of  knowledge  upon  almost  any  subject  of 
importance,  seemed  to  be  inexhaustible.  After  he  settled  down  in 
Cincinnati,  he  did  not  visit  his  relatives  in  Maine  until  he  had  a  large 
family  and  several  grown  up  children.  His  reputation,  though,  had 
reached  here  and  had  become  national.  I  well  remember  when  the 
family  made  their  first  visit  here,  and  the  impression  made  upon  me 
by  Dr.  Locke.  He  was  a  man  of  fine  presence,  his  countenance 
benignant  and  open,  his  hair  silvered  with  gray,  in  all  respects  a 
rare  specimen  of  well  developed  manhood.  He  had  a  winning  way, 
and  a  remarkably  pleasant  voice,  and  I  was  at  once  attracted  to 
him  as  I  had  never  been  to  any  man  before,  and  have  never  been 
since.  When  his  father  deeded  the  Locke's  Mills  property  to  his 
son,  Samuel  B.  Locke,  Jr.,  he  reserved  a  lot  to  be  selected  for  a 
cemetery,  and  at  the  time  of  Dr.  Locke's  second  visit,  the  lot  had 
not  been  fixed  upon.  But  it  was  selected  while  he  was  there,  and 
I  assisted  him  in  laying  and  staking  it  out,  providing  for  avenues 
and  winding  walks,  which,  had  the  plan  been  carried  out,  would 
have  made  of  it  a  beautiful  place.  I  remember  on  that  occasion 
how  the  pebbly  ridges,  the  ravines,  the  swamps  and  even  the  wild 
flowers,  formed  texts  from  which  he  charmingly  discoursed,  and 
how  entranced  I  hung  upon  his  words  and  ideas,  many  of  which  I 
have  not  forgotten  to  this  day.  The  family  visit  to  Maine  was 
several  times  repeat ii I.  :\nd  w:is  mutually  enjoyed.  But  while  here, 
Dr.  Locke  was  never  idle.  He  climbed  the  highest  mountains, 
studied  their  structure  and  mapped  out  geologically  the  entire  range 
in  Northern  Oxford.  On  his  plan  he  named  the  mountain  in  Graf- 
ton wliich  is  usually  called  Speckled  Mountain,  or  Old  Spec,  Lincoln 
Peak,  in  honor  of  Governor  Lincoln,  who  had  been  one  of  his  early 
friends.  I  well  remember  an  occasion  when  he  led  a  small  party  of 
us  from  Maple  Grove,  this  being  the  name  he  gave  to  the  old  home- 
stead, to  the  top  of  Barker's  Mountain,  which  is  twenty-five  hundred 
feet  above  the  sea  level.  The  task  was  a  trying  one  for  Professor 
Locke,  whose  health  even  then  had  begun  to  decline,  but  his  enthu- 
siasm buoyed  him  up,  and  when  we  reached  the  summit  and  first 
caught  a  glimpse  of  the  extended  and  varied  vistas  disclosed  in 
every  direction,  Professor  Locke  was  in  an  ecstacy  of  delight,  and 
the  way  he  raphsodized  the  Androscoggin  river  which,  like  a  silver 
thread  could  be  traced  through  the  vast  expanse  of  emerald  meadow, 
thrilled  us  all.     He  had  with  him  a  theodolite  with  which  he  took 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  I39 

the  measurement  of  all  the  important  mountains  in  sight. 

Dr.  Locke  had  a  broad  vein  of  humor  and  could  understand  and 
appreciate  the  ridiculous,  as  well  as  those  whose  minds  are  less 
absorbed  in  the  study  and  solution  of  great  problems  in  nature. 
He  also  had  wonderful  powers  of  mimicry,  and  though  1  do  not 
think  he  often  indulged  in  it,  yet  when  among  friends  he  would 
sometimes  imitate  in  facial  expression,  in  voice  and  manner,  some 
of  the  characters  in  Bethel  and  Newry  which  he  had  known  when  a 
boy,  in  a  wonderful  manner,  and  in  a  manner  to  convulse  his  hearers 
with  mirth.  He  was  generally  thoughtful,  sober  and  sedate,  and  it 
was  only  on  rare  and  exceptional  occasions  that  he  indulged  in 
anythiug  light  or  trivial.  He  was  a  great  and  good  man,  a  man 
with  a  wider  and  more  lasting  reputation  than  any  who  has  ever  gone 
out  from  Bethel,  a  reputation  that  is  not  limited  to  English  speak- 
ing people,  but  is  as  broad  as  the  civilized  world.  The  following- 
words  written  in  eulogy  by  one  who  knew  him  well  are  appropriate 
in  this  connection:  "After  almost  a  half  century  of  unremitting 
exertion,  intense  application  and  constant  research,  he  has  been  per- 
mitted to  lay  aside  his  toil-stained  garments  and  assume  the  spotless 
robes  of  never-ending  rest.  The  gifted  man  of  science,  the  pro- 
found scholar,  the  learned  gentleman  and  amiable  citizen  who  con- 
ferred benefits  by  his  teachings  and  by  his  private  worth,  and  excited 
admiration  alike  by  his  genius  and  generous  qualities  of  heart,  has 
passed  from  the  sphere  of  action,  he  so  long  and  so  eminently 
adorned." 

Dr.  Locke  was  in  correspondence  with  the  great  scientists  of  the 
world,  with  Lyell,  Liebig,  and  others,  and  on  many  points  he  was 
a  recognized  authority.  His  mathematical  genius  united  with  great 
mechanical  skill,  enabled  him  to  construct  the  most  delicate  instru- 
ments for  use  in  magnetism  and  electricity,  in  his  own  laboratory. 
He  had  the  eye  and  the  tastes  of  an  artist,  and  all  his  numerous 
drawings  are  wonderfully  true  to  nature.  Dr.  Locke  died  at  his 
home  in  Cincinnati  July  tenth,  eighteen  hundred  and  fiftj'-six,  aged 
sixty-four  years.  He  was  comparatively  a  young  man  when  he  died, 
but  he  developed  so  young  that  his  work- life  was  really  long.  His 
precocity  coupled  with  his  incessant  mental  labor,  no  doubt  had  a 
tendency  to  shorten  his  days.  Rarely  has  a  public  man  been  more 
sincerely  mourned.  Scientific  bodies  and  medical  schools  all  over 
the  country  passed  resolutions  of  regret.  He  was  much  attached 
to  his  family,  and  to  them  the  loss  was  irreparable. 


140 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 


On  one  of  his  visits  to  the  old  Locke  homestead,  he  composed  for 
the  family  the  following  lines  which  were  set  to  music  (America) 
and  illustrated  with  a  cut  of  the  Locke  mansion  : 


KINSMAX-S  LOVE. 


I. 


VI. 


AVe  eanie  from  distant  lauds 
To  join  our  friendly  hands 

With  those  we  love ; 
And  here,  midst  friendship's  flow, 
We've  all  been  blest  below 
With  joys  which  angels  know 

In  i-oahns  above. 

II. 
Here,  wliere  our  niotlier's  tears. 
Her  liopes,  her  toils,  her  fears. 

For  us  were  given ; 
A  joyous,  youthful  train. 
Have  found,  o'er  liill  and  plain. 
The  golden  age  again, 

The  gift  of  Ilea  von. 

111. 
Here,  wliere  tlie  rocks  and  liills, 
Tlie  groves  and  Icajjing  rills. 

In  beauty  sliinc : 
And  lofty  mountains  rise 
Up  t'wards  their  kindred  skies, 
Witli  wliich  llieir  grandeur  vies, 

In  looks  sublini<> : 

I\  . 
The  spiry  tir-trec  breathes 
From  out  pei-cimial  leaves. 

Its  odors  sweet ; 
The  nun-muring  pine-trees  tower 
x\bovt'  the  humbler  bower, 
Defying  st(un)  and  shower, 

<Jn  plain  and  steep; 

V. 

White  mountains,  elad  in  light, 
Lift  up  tlieir  peaks  in  sight, 

With  snowy  glare; 
And  here  (ireat  Spirit  dwells, 
Amid  the  mystic  dells. 
So  Indian  legend  tells, 

Our  God  is  there; 


Where  Alpine  flowers  bloom 
Around  our  father's  tomb, 

Since  early  spring ; 
The  Linnean  vine  is  seen, 
The  spicy  wintergreen, 
The  water-lily's  sheen — 

Our  hymn  we  sing. 

VII. 

Where  winds  salubrious  blow'. 
And  crystal  rivers  flow. 

Our  health  to  save ; 
We  consecrate  the  ground, 
Wliere  treasures  such  are  found. 
With  music's  hallowed  sound. 

To  Kinsman's  love. 

VIII. 

And  now,  again  we  pait. 
AVhile  ev'ry  throbbing  heart. 

Beats  high  and  warm; 
And  though  tlie  leaf  be  sear, 
lie  tills,  our  meeting  here, 
To  mem'ry  ever  dear, 

Not  time  sliall  harm. 

IX. 

Our  love  shall  ever  live. 
And  joj^  shall  ever  give. 

To  souls  so  Ivind. 
Thus  time  and  space,  no  power, 
To  mar  this  bUssful  hour. 
Or  blight  so  sweet  a  flower. 

Shall  ever  And. 

X. 

When  far  away  we  go. 
Where  mighty  rivers  flow, 

Our  hearts  shall  move. 
Our  love  shall  time  def }•, 
Sliall  seat  itself  on  high, 
To  reign  above  tlie  sky, 

For  God  is  Love. 


inSTOL'Y  OF  BETHEL.  141 

XI. 

Theu  ble^is  liis  lioh-  uame 

From  whom  these  raptures  came, 

In  solemn  laj-s ; 
Sing  now,  ye  kindred  band. 
In  this  wild  picture  land, 
Of  his  lilest  works  so  grand. 

To  God  give  praise  I 

Charles  R.   Locke. 

Charles  Russell  Locke,  sou  of  Samuel  B.  Locke,  was  born  in 
Bethel  and  alwa3's  lived  here.  At  the  death  of  his  father,  he  be- 
came possessed  of  the  old  homestead  aud  here  he  lived,  reared  a 
large  family,  and  here  he  was  gathered  to  his  fathers.  Though 
following  the  occupation  of  a  farmer,  he  possessed  the  traits  peculiar 
to  his  family  and  was  a  natural  mechanic.  He  was  a  man  of  sound 
judgment,  of  strict  integrity  and  therefore  a  valuable  citizen.  As 
one  of  the  selectmen  of  the  town,  he  discharged  his  duties  with  dis- 
crimination, and  as  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  he  aimed  to  deal  out 
exact  justice  between  man  and  man.  He  was  an  intelligent  farmer, 
following  well  tried  and  approved  methods  and  satisfied  with  mod- 
erate gains.  He  was  a  quiet  man  and  enjoyed  the  quiet  of  home 
life.  He  was  a  practical  man  and  despised  shams  of  every  kind. 
In  his  household  he  was  kind  and  indulgent,  and  hospitable  to  all 
who  came  beneath  his  roof- tree.  He  was  a  consistent  and  devoted 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

Moses  Mason. 

It  is  always  gratifying  to  the  biographer  to  be  able  to  trace  back 
the  ancestry  of  his  subject  as  far  as  possible.  Moses  Mason  was  a 
descendant  of  Capt.  Hugh  Mason  who,  with  his  wife  Esther,  came 
to  this  country  in  sixteen  hundred  and  thirty-four,  and  settled  at 
Watertown,  Massachusetts.  He  was  a  tanner  by  trade  aud  was 
much  employed  in  town  affairs.  He  was  commissioned  as  captain 
in  sixteen  hundred  and  fifty-three  ;  and  was  elected  Representative 
to  the  Legislature  for  ten  years.  He  died  October  tenth,  sixteen 
hundred  and  seventy-eight,  in  his  seventy-third  year  ;  his  widow 
died  May  twenty-first,  sixteen  hundred  and  ninety-two,  aged  eighty- 
two  years.  He  left  three  sons  and  five  daughters,  of  whom  Daniel 
became  a  farmer,  by  whose  wife,  Experience,  he  had  five  children. 


142  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

His  youngest  son  by  bis  first  wife  was  Moses,  wbo  married  in 
Boston,  June  sixtb,  seventeen  bundred  and  forty-nine,  Lydia, 
daugbter  of  Jesse  and  Mary  Knap,  and  settled  at  Newton.  He 
removed  to  Sherboru  about  seventeen  bundred  and  fifty-seven.  In 
July,  seventeen  bundred  and  sixty-seven,  be  sold  land  in  Sberborn 
and  tben  removed  to  Dublin,  wbere  be  died  October  first,  seventeen 
bundred  and  seventy-five.  His  widow  removed  witb  tbe  family,  in 
seventeen  bundred  and  ninety-nine,  to  Betbel,  Maine,  and  died 
tbere  in  eigbteen  bundred  and  two.     He  bad  four  cbildren. 

Moses  Mason,  tbe  subject  of  our  sketcb,  was  born  April  twenty- 
sixtb,  seventeen  bundred  and  fifty-seven.  He  served  as  a  soldier 
in  tbe  war  of  tbe  Revolution,  and  fougbt  under  General  Stark  at 
tbe  battle  of  Bennington.  As  be  was  marcbiug  to  tbe  assault,  bis 
fellow  soldier,  Absalom  Farwell,  wbo  bad  seen  bard  service  as  a 
boatswain  on  board  a  man-of-war,  addressed  bim.  "Moses,"  said 
be,  "if  tbey  put  my  lamp  out  and  don't  yours,  take  my  money  out 
of  my  pocket  and  carry  it  to  my  wife,  and  if  tbey  put  yours  out  and 
don't  mine,  I  will  take  3'ours  and  carry  it  to  your  motber."  As 
tbey  passed  over  tbe  battle  ground  tbe  next  day,  Farwell  said  to 
Moses,  "Moses,  you  were  afraid  yesterday  wben  you  came  on  to 
tbe  grounds."  "No,  I  wasn't,  sir."  "Yes  you  were,  for  if  tbey 
put  3'our  lamp  out,  you  didn't  care  what  tbey  did  witb  your  money," 
showing  tbe  old  veteran  that  he  betra^'ed  fear. 

He  picked  up  an  elegant  sword  and  powder-born  on  the  next  day, 
which  he  brought  witb  bim  to  Bethel  and  which  are  still  preserved 
in  the  family.  An  incident  in  the  battle  was  related  by  him.  While 
they  were  pressing  upon  the  enemy  in  their  retreat,  his  comrade 
threw  his  gun  with  tbe  bayonet  forward  which  stuck  into  the  back 
of  a  retreating  soldier  and  bent  forward  over  bis  bead.  His  son. 
Doctor  Mason,  bad  in  his  possession  the  gun  used  by  bim  in  that 
battle.  June  twentieth,  seventeen  bundred  and  eighty,  be  married 
Eunice,  daughter  of  William  Ayers,  and  settled  in  Dublin,  New 
Hampshire.  In  seventeen  bundred  and  ninety-nine,  be  removed 
to  Betbel  and  bought  the  farm  occupied  by  Capt.  Eleazer  Twitchell, 
and  now  owned  by  Moses  A.  Mason,  on  the  north  side  of  Barker's 
Ferry.  On  this  farm  was  originally  a  heavy  growth  of  pine  timber. 
So  cheap  was  it  that  tbe  fences  were  made  of  what  would  now  be 
valuable  pine  logs.  He  was  an  industrious  citizen,  and  a  good 
neighbor ;  was  chosen  Representative  to  the  Massachusetts  Legis- 
lature for  five  years.     He  died  October  thirty-first,  eighteen  bun- 


AYERS  MASON. 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  I43: 

dred  aud  thirty-seven,  aged  eighty  years.  His  widow  died  February 
fourth,  aged  eighty-five  years.  They  had  nine  children  born  in 
Dublin,  and  two  in  Bethel.  Mr.  Mason  was  endowed  with  but  a 
limited  education,  yet  he  was  a  man  of  correct  judgment,  and  by 
his  practical  good  sense,  often  settled  the  difficulties  among  his 
fellow  citizens  without  regard  to  the  law. 

Ayers  Mason. 

A  familiar  face  to  three  generations  of  Bethel  people,  was  that 
of  Ayers  Mason,  who  died  June  fourteenth,  eighteen  hundred  and 
ninety,  at  the  remarkable  age  of  ninety  years.  He  was  born  in 
Bethel,  on  the  farm  his  father,  Moses  Mason,  bought  of  Captain 
Eleazer  Twitchell  and  settled  upon  in  seventeen  hundred  and  uiuety- 
nine,  December  thirtieth,  eighteen  hundred,  aud  at  the  time  of  his 
death,  was  the  only  nonagenarian  in  towu.  He  was  brought  up  on 
his  father's  farm,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-five  years,  married 
Eunice  (Hale)  Mason,  widow  of  his  brother  Charles.  He  settled 
upon  the  farm  on  the  Middle  Interval  road  near  its  junction  with 
the  road  to  South  Bethel  and  Locke's  Mills.  This  is  the  farm  upon 
which  Joseph  Greeley  Swan  settled  in  the  early  times,  and  here 
Mr.  Mason  spent  the  most  of  his  remarkably  long  life.  He  was  a 
good  farmer,  and  also  an  excellent  man  of  affairs.  He  was  a  large 
owner  of  timber  lauds  and  was  more  or  less  engaged  in  lumbering 
in  Bethel,  Newry,  Grafton  and  around  Umbagog  and  other  northern 
Maine  lakes.  He  was  a  shrewd  man  of  business,  ever  on  the  alert 
for  the  main  chance,  a  good  judge  of  timber  lands,  and  by  good 
management  he  accumulated  quite  a  large  property. 

Mr.  Mason  was  possessed  of  a  kind  and  amiable  disposition,  a 
man  who  would  never  lack  friends  wherever  he  might  be.  He  was 
social  in  his  habits,  fond  of  his  family  and  friends,  a  good  neighbor 
and  a  valuable  citizen.  He  was  a  man  of  strong  convictions,  and 
where  principal  was  concerned,  as  firm  as  a  rock.  He  was  an  early 
anti-slavery  man,  and  an  original  Republican,  though  the  members 
of  his  father's  family  in  politics,  were  generally  on  the  opposite 
side.  He  was  a  man  of  strictly  temperate  habits,  and  his  long  life 
was  doubtless  due  to  this  fact.  He  was  rarely  sick  a  day,  until  the 
crisis  came  which  must  come  sooner  or  later  to  every  oue,  aud 
from  which  there  is  no  appeal.  He  died  of  old  age,  the  complex 
machinery  of  his  system  being  worn  out,  and 
''It  was  liis  time  to  die." 


144  HISTOBY  OF  BETHEL. 

He  had  lived  a  widower  twenty-five  ^^ears,  in  the  family  of  his 
youngest  son,  AVilliara  Wallace  Mason,  who  owns  and  cultivates 
the  paternal  acres. 

Nathaniel  T.  True. 

The  ancestors  of  Dr.  Nathaniel  Tuckerman  True  include  some 
of  the  best  puritan  families  in  New  England,  such  names  as  Pike, 
Bradbury,  Stevens,  Worthley  and  Hatch.  His  great  grandfather, 
Jonathan  True,  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  in  North  Yarmouth, 
and  his  grandfather,  also  Jonathan,  was  born  there  April  thirtieth, 
seventeen  hundred  and  fifty-eight.  He  was  the  second  settler  in 
that  part  of  ancient  North  Yarmouth,  which  was  set  off  and  called 
Freeport,  and  subsequeutl}'  set  oft"  from  Freeport  and  called  Powual. 
He  left  nine  children,  one  of  whom,  John  True,  born  August  seven, 
seventeen  hundred  and  eighty-five,  married  November  thirtieth, 
eighteen  hundred  and  ten,  Mary,  daughter  of  Abijah  Hatch,  and 
was  the  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  who  was  born  March 
fifteenth,  eighteen  hundred  and  twelve,  and  was  their  eldest  child. 
He  was  brought  up  at  hard  labor  upon  his  father's  farm  in  Powual, 
attending  the  sliort  schools  of  the  town,  and  finally  later  in  life 
than  is  usually  the  case,  fitting  for  college  under  the  instruction  of 
Dr.  Joseph  Shuman  of  North  Yarmouth  Academy.  He  was  twenty- 
two  j^ears  old  when  he  entered  college,  and  he  remained  onl}^  two 
years,  when  he  commenced  the  study  of  medicine.  In  eighteen 
hundred  and  thirty-five,  he  taught  the  high  school  at  Bethel  Hill 
and  also  taught  several  successive  terms.  He  met  with  marked 
success  and  from  the  first  was  a  popular  teacher.  In  eighteen 
hundred  and  forty,  he  received  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine 
from  the  Maine  Medical  School  and  commenced  practice  at  Pownal. 
He  was  pleased  with  the  study  of  medicine,  more  especially  the 
branches  of  natural  science  connected  with  it,  for  which  he  had  a 
fondness  amounting  almost  to  a  passion.  He  liked  the  study  of 
chemistry,  ))otany,  geology  and  mineralogy,  and  became  proficient 
in  each  of  them,  but  he  had  no  love  for  the  practice  of  medicine, 
and  well  knowing  that  he  lacked  the  essential  element  of  success, 
he  soon  abandoned  it.  He  had  a  fondness  and  an  aptitude  for 
teaching,  and  laying  aside  his  drugs  and  instruments,  he  adopted 
teaching  as  a  life  pursuit.  He  became  the  principal  of  Monmouth 
Academy  and  had  charge  of  it  for  several  years.  When  Gould's 
Academy  was  put  in  operation.   Dr.  True  was  preparing  for  the 


DR.    N.   T,  TRUE. 


HIS  TOBY   OF   BETHEL.  I45 

medical  profession,  and  wlieu  he  was  ready  to  teach  again,  the  place 
of  teacher  was  already  tilled.  But  the  trustees  of  Gould's  Academy 
and  the  people  of  Bethel  remembered  the  success  which  attended 
Dr.  True's  efforts  as  a  high  school  teacher,  and  as  soon  as  an 
opportunity  was  afforded,  they  invited  him  to  tlie  academy,  and  he 
readily  accepted,  for  he  was  greatly  attached  to  the  people  and  the 
town.  It  was  in  eighteen  hundred  and  forty-seven  when  he  returned 
to  Bethel,  intending  to  make  this  his  permanent  home.  Tlie  palm- 
iest days  of  Gould's  Academy  followed  the  advent  of  Dr.  True,  and 
continued  for  several  years.  The  academy  building  was  packed  at 
each  spring  and  fall  term,  and  on  some  occasions  pupils  were  turned 
away  for  lack  of  room. 

Dr.  True  remained  in  charge  of  the  academy  until  the  trustees 
decided  that  wqw  methods  should  be  introduced  and  an  infusion  of 
younger  blood  to  put  them  in  operation.  After  this,  while  his 
family  continued  to  reside  in  Bethel,  Dr.  True  had  charge  of  a 
Normal  school  in  Western  New  York,  and  afterwards  taught  at 
Milan  and  Gorham,  New  Hampshire.  He  was  editor  of  the  Bethel 
Courier,  the  only  paper  ever  published  in  Bethel,  for  nearly  two 
years,  and  it  was  in  this  paper  that  his  chapters  on  the  history  of 
Bethel  were  published.  He  was  a  member  of  the  school  committee 
in  Bethel,  and  served  a  term  as  supervisor  of  schools  for  the  county. 
At  the  death  of  Dr.  Ezekiel  Holmes  of  the  Maine  Farmer  in  eigh- 
teen hundred  and  sixty-live.  Dr.  True  was  invited  to  take  charge  of 
the  agricultural  department  of  that  paper,  which  he  conducted  for 
four  years.  He  was  also  an  efficient  member  of  the  Maine  Board 
of  Agriculture.  He  wrote  much  upon  the  subject  of  agriculture  and 
horticulture,  and  was  the  leading  spirit  in  the  Bethel  Farmers'  Club 
during  the  few  years  of  its  existence.  He  contributed  many  articles 
upon  various  topics  to  the  columns  of  the  O-cford  Demoi-ra^,  Lewis- 
ton  Journal  and  Portland  Transcript.  He  instructed  liis  students 
at  Bethel  not  only  in  theory  but  in  practice,  and  it  was  his  delight 
to  take  his  spring  and  summer  classes  in  botany,  through  the  Helds, 
pastures  and  woods  and  gather  and  classify  the  various  kinds  of 
flowers  in  their  season  ;  or  his  pupils  who  were  interested  in  geology 
and  mineralogy,  up  to  Paradise  Hill,  and  sometimes  even  to  the 
mountain  tops,  where  he  pointed  out  to  them  and  explained  the 
diluvial  markings,  and  gathered  minerals  of  various  kinds.  His 
influence  was  felt  throughout  the  town,  and  aside  from  his  good 


146  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

work  in  the  school  room,  he  was  a  good  citizen  and  interested  in 
every  movement  calculated  to  benefit  the  village  and  town. 

Dr.  True's  studies  embraced  a  very  wide  range,  and  he  was  able 
to  give  instruction  in  almost  every  department  of  useful  knowledge. 
They  embraced  languages  both  ancient  and  modern,  the  natural 
sciences,  practical  surveying  and  engineering,  scientific  agriculture, 
navigation,  astronomy  and  the  higher  mathematics.  If  he  failed  in 
anything,  it  was  trying  to  cover  too  much  ground,  for  no  man  can 
be  proficient  in  everything,  and  the  chances  are  that  if  he  tries  to 
know  something  about  everything,  he  will  be  profound  in  nothing. 
For  the  benefit  of  those  not  personally  acquainted  with  him,  and 
his  name  will  be  heard  by  many  who  can  never  see  him,  it  may  be 
well  to  add  that  he  was  undersized,  compactly  built,  dark  com- 
plexioned  with  dark  blue  eyes,  of  a  nervous  temperament,  quick  in 
his  movements,  his  natural  gait  in  walking  being  very  rapid,  his 
mind  so  often  absorbed  as  to  be  oblivious  of  everything  going  on 
around  him.  I  have  often  been  amused  at  seeing  him  start  with 
his  family  for  the  church,  keeping  uniform  step  with  them  for  a 
short  distance,  when  suddenly  his  mind  would  fix  upon  something 
foreign  to  liis  present  surroundings,  and  he  would  step  off  at  his 
usual  rapid  gait,  and  not  come  to  himself  until  he  was  several  rods 
ahead  of  his  party.  Dr.  True  was  interested  in  historical  and  anti- 
quarian matters.  Thougli  not  a  resident  of  IJethel  until  his  mature 
manhood,  he  soon  became  tlie  historical  man  of  the  town.  At  the 
time  of  the  Centennial  celebration,  he  was  selected  as  the  historian 
of  the  occasion,  and  later  at  the  Centennial  of  the  Indian  Kaid,  he 
was  again  called  u})oii  to  officiate  in  the  same  capacity.  jMuch  of 
the  material  embraced  in  this  historv,  was  gathered  and  preserved 
by  him.  Soon  after  his  removal  to  town,  he  united  with  the  Con- 
gregational churcli  and  was  ever  a  faithful  member.  He  was  chosen 
deacon  and  officiated  in  that  capacity  a  number  of  years.  He  was 
a  ready  speaker,  and  when  lecturing  on  geology  and  kindred  sub- 
jects, always  addressing  his  audience  in  a  familiar  and  off-hand 
manner  and  making  himself  easily  understood.  He  was  enthusiastic 
in  the  school-room,  and  could  always  inspire  his  pupils  with  the 
same  spirit.  The  ablest  men  that  Hethel  has  raised  and  sent  out 
into  the  world,  are  among  those  who  have  been  under  Dr.  True's 
instruction.  His  last  work  in  eighteen  hundred  and  eighty-three, 
was  a  resumption  of  his  old  employment,  this  time  at  Litchfield 
Academy.     Here  he  was  stricken  with  paralysis  which  ever  after- 


Hisrony  of  bethel.  147 

ward  rendered  him  an  invalid  and  a  cripple.     He  lingered  along  at 
his  old  home  in  Bethel  for  a  year  or  two,  and  then  passed  away. 

For  thirty-five  years  or  more  before  his  demise,  Dr.  True  occupied 
one  of  the  most  beautiful  situations  in  the  charming  village  of  Bethel 
Hill.  The  place  is  still  occupied  by  the  family.  The  commodious 
house  is  shaded  by  fine  old  trees,  and  the  broad  avenue  leading 
thereto,  is  bordered  by  trees  some  of  which  were  set  out  by  his 
pupils  forty  or  more  years  ago.  He  also  had  a  small  outlying  farm 
on  the  Paradise  Hill  road,  on  which  he  raised  excellent  fruit  and 
other  crops.  He  was  one  of  the  most  industrious  of  men,  never 
losing  any  time,  and  ever  an  early  riser.  He  was  a  kind-hearted^ 
genial  man  and  full  of  sjMiipath}^  for  those  working  for  self-education 
with  limited  means.  He  was  pleasant  in  the  school  room,  popular 
with  his  pupils,  and  hundreds  of  them  scattered  over  the  countr}' 
were  grieved  at  the  news  of  his  death.  Of  his  writings,  but  little 
was  ever  published  in  permanent  form,  and  most  of  them  will  soon 
be  forgotten  unless  gleaned  from  the  various  newspaper  files  and 
reprinted.  His  historical  address  at  the  Centennial  is  embalmed  in 
this  volume. 

Eleazek  Twitchell. 

While  Joseph  Twitchell  may  be  regarded  in  some  respects  as  the 
father  of  the  town,  his  son  P^leazer  is  entitled  to  the  credit  of  liavinar 
been  the  founder  of  the  village  :it  Bethel  Hill.  He  gave  the  Common 
to  the  West  Parish  on  condition  that  the  i)arish  should  clear  the 
land  and  build  a  church  edifice  upon  it.  The  land  was  cleaied  and 
the  meeting-house  lot  staked  out,  and  a  portion  of  the  lumber  hauled 
for  its  construction,  while  subscriptions  were  solicited  to  aid  in 
building  it.  At  the  same  time,  Eli  Twitchell  was  making  an  effort 
to  have  the  meeting-house  Ituilt  on  the  banks  of  the  river  neai  the 
ferry  and  between  that  and  the  mouth  of  Mill  Brook.  Both  sides 
made  a  sharp  canvass  and  there  was  the  usual  excitement  attending 
it.  Parties  living  on  the  north  side  of  the  river  were  particularly 
anxious  to  have  the  meeting-house  nearer  to  them  than  to  the 
Common,  and  they  were  successful.  Years  after,  nearl}'  half  a 
century,  when  the  old  church  was  dismantled  and  a  new  one  built 
on  the  Hill,  there  was  the  same  feeling,  and  a  second  church  was 
organized,  on  the  north  side.  Captain  Twitchell  becoming  dissat- 
isfied at  the  course  pursued,  fenced  the  Common  into  a  field,  and 
raised  wheat  and  potatoes  for  several  years.     Aged  citizens  still 


148  HIS  TOBY  OF  BETHEL. 

remember  the  Common  covered  with  stumps  aud  roots  and  a  crop 
of  wheat  out-topping  them  all.  The  captain  not  only  designed  it 
as  a  location  for  a  church  but  as  a  place  for  regimental  parade,  and 
after  a  few  years,  still  desirous  that  there  should  be  a  Common,  he 
removed  the  fences.  As  he  had  not  given  any  deed  of  the  land, 
after  his  death,  his  heirs,  Jacob  EUingwood  and  Joseph  Twitchell, 
all  honor  to  them,  generously  deeded  the  land  to  the  parish  on  con- 
dition that  the  stumps  and  rocks  should  be  removed.  This  was 
done  in  eighteen  hundred  and  twenty-nine.  The  inhabitants  volun- 
tarily removed  the  recks  and  stumps  on  the  Common  and  on  what 
is  now  Broad  street,  so  that  a  regiment  could  and  frequently  did 
parade  up  the  street  and  march  down  to  the  Common.  The  follow- 
ing is  a  copy  of  the  deed,  which  will  be  read  with  interest : 

"Know  all  men  by  tlie>;('  presents  that  we,  Joseph  Twitchell,  yeoman, 
and  Jacol)  Elliuwood.  cordwaiiier.  botli  of  Bethel,  in  the  ( "ounty  of  Oxford, 
and  State  of  Maine,  aware  of  the  utility  to  the  public  from  the  conversion 
of  a  plot  of  ground  into  what  is  usually  denominated  a  common,  for  the 
acconunod.ation  of  the  puhHc  nn  tlie  days  of  trainiut^  and  other  popuhir 
collections;  Convinced  that  the  title  to  land  appropriated  to  such  use 
should  be  vested  in  the  public;  Desirous  that  the  parcel  of  laud  in  this 
town  generally  called  the  (  onunon.  should  be  converted  and  acconuuoilated 
to  the  public  use,  ease  and  convenience;  and  in  considei-ation  of  one  dollar 
and  of  certain  labor.  i»aiil.  done  and  performed  thereon,  by  the  iidiabitants 
of  the  West  Tarisli  in  said  Bethel,  the  receipt  and  performance  whereof 
we  do  hereby  acknowledjje,  do  hereby  s^ive,  j^rant.  l)ar'^ain,  sell  and  con- 
vey unto  tlie  said  inhabitants,  their  lieirs  and  successors  the  above  named 
parcel  of  land  situated  in  said  Bethel  as  aforesaid,  and  beinj;  part  of  lot 
inuuber  tw<'iity-three  in  the  fourth  ranj^e  of  lots  on  the  south  side  of  th(^ 
Androscoirjriu  Hiv<M-.  and  Itounded  as  follows  to  wit :  beiiinninu  at  the 
southeast  coiner  ot  land  situated  in  the  said  lot  and  deedeil  liy  Joseph 
Twitchell  aforesaid  to  .bunes  Walkei-.  'I'rader.  thence  ruiminj;  south- 
wardly to  the  northwest  coi-ner  o\  hiiid  d led  i)y   Elea/.er  Twitchell   to 

James  Walker.  Es(j.,  thence  eastwardly  on  said  land  to  the  road  leadinj; 
to  Xorway.  Thence  northwardly  on  said  road  to  southeast  corner  of 
land,  deeded  by  the  said  .]ose])b  to  the  said  Walkei".  Trader,  and  thence 
westwardly  on  the  said  Walker's  land  to  the  first  mentioned  bound,  be  the 
sami'  nioi-e  or  less  for  the  purpose  of  using  the  same  as  a  ('onunon.  To 
have  and  to  hold  tlie  aforegranted  and  bargained  premises  with  all  the 
privileges  and  appurtaiices  thereof,  to  the  said  inhabitants,  their  heirs  and 
successors  to  them,  their  use  and  liehoof  forever  so  long  as  they  sliall  use 
and  occupy  tlie  same  as  a  Conimon  as  aforesaid  and  shall  not  convert  tlie 
same  to  any  other  use  by  erecting  buildings  thereon  or  otlierwise.  And 
we  do  covenant  with  the  said  inhabitants,  their  heirs  ami  successors,  that 
we  are  lawfully   seized  in   tee  of  the  premises:  that    they  are  free  of  all 


HISTOBY   OF  BETHEL.  .     \^(j 

iucumbraucc^; ;  that  we  have  good  right  to  sell  and  convey  the  same  to  the 
said  inhabitants,  to  hold  as  aforesaid.  And  that  we  will  defend  the  same 
to  the  said  inhabitants,  their  heirs  and  successors  forever  so  long  as  tlu^y 
make  use  of  the  saiue  as  aforesaid  against  the  lawful  claims  and  denuinds 
of  all  persons. 

In  witness  whereof  we  have  hereunto  set  our  hands  and  seals  tliis  twenty- 
fourth  day  of  April  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  eight  hundred 
and  twenty-three. 

Joseph  Tvtitchell, 
[l.  s.]  Jacob  Eli.ix(;wooi). 

The  captain  was  generous  in  his  impulses  and  many  poor  families 
that  came  into  town  received  assistance  from  him,  until  they  could 
get  well  started.  When  new  families  were  coming,  he  would  send 
a  team  to  meet  them  and  help  them  along,  and  open  his  house  to 
them  until  they  could  get  into  their  own  quarters.  He  did  a  large 
business  in  farming  and  lumbering,  and  employed  much  help.  In 
the  winter  he  cut  the  large  white  pine  trees  growing  on  the  bottom 
lands,  on  both  sides  of  the  Androscoggin,  and  cutting  them  into 
suitable  lengths,  hauled  them  upon  the  river  when  covered  with  ice. 
After  the  ice  broke  up  in  the  spring,  the  logs  were  driven  to  Bruns- 
wick and  sold  to  dealers  there,  who  had  them  converted  into  boards 
and  planks  which  they  shipped  to  the  West  Indies  and  to  other 
foreign  markets.  The  pay  was  pait  cash  and  part  West  India 
goods,  including  sugar,  molasses  and  rum.  About  two  cuts  were 
generally  taken  from  each  log,  jttst  so  much  as  was  free  from  knots, 
and  the  remainder  was  allowed  to  rot  upon  the  ground.  The  price 
paid,  landed  upon  the  river,  was  from  two  to  three  dollars  per 
thousand.  Captain  Twitchell  not  only  cut  timber  from  his  own 
land,  but  he  purchased  large  quantities  that  had  been  cut  by  others, 
and  had  it  driven  to  Brunswick  with  his  own.  He  was  well  known 
to  the  business  men  of  Brunswick.  He  paid  for  the  timber  he 
bought  from  the  settlers,  largely  in  goods  which  he  hauled  from 
Brunswick  and  which  he  sold  from  his  own  house.  West  ludia 
rum  was  a  leading  article  in  his  trade  with  the  settlers,  and  each 
family  consumed  more  or  less  of  it.  After  failing  to  obtain  a  grant 
of  a  portion  of  the  town  of  Greenwood,  Captain  Twitchell  and 
another  purchased  quite  a  large  part  of  it,  but  it  proved  a  losing 
investment. 

Eli  Twitchell. 

Captain  Eli  Twitchell  was  the  son  of  Captain  Joseph  Twitchell 
and  was  born  in  Sherburn,  jNIassachusetts,  February  seventeenth, 


150  HISrOBY   OF  BETHEL. 

seventeen  hundred  and  fifty-nine.  He  marclied  witli  others  to  tlie 
vicinity  of  Bunker  Hill  immediately  after  the  battle,  and  by  carrying 
a  very  heavy  gun  on  his  shoulder,  he  contracted  a  disease  of  the 
bone  of  the  arm,  a  portion  of  which  was  removed.  This  unfitted 
him  for  severe  bodily  labor.  He  came  to  Bethel  probably  in  seven- 
teen hundred  and  eighty-two  and  commenced  operations  on  the  fai-m 
afterward  owned  by  his  grandson,  Curatio  Bartlett.  He  came  on 
foot  to  Bethel  in  the  winter,  and  was  so  chilled  and  exhausted  that 
he  was  compelled  to  wallv  on  his  hands  and  knees  for  the  last  two 
miles  before  he  reached  his  brother  P>leazer's  house.  He  built  a 
comfortable  farmhouse  on  the  borders  of  the  interval  below  Mr. 
Bartlett's  house.  He  kept  bachelor's  fare  for  some  time,  though  it 
it  is  said  that  the  young  ladies  of  the  day  were  fond  of  visiting  him 
every  week  and  cooking  up  a  week's  supply  of  food  for  him,  and, 
receiving  in  return  some  of  the  West  India  goods  which  he  kept  for 
sale.  He  was  the  first  person  in  town  who  brought  such  things  into 
town  for  sale.  He  married  Miss  Rhoda  Leland  of  Sherburn,  who 
died  in  seventeen  hundred  and  ninety-four.  His  second  wife  was 
Lucy  Segar,  who  died  in  eighteen  hundred  and  forty-four.  In  con- 
sequence of  his  lameness  he  directed  his  attention  to  mechanical 
pursuits  in  which  he  was  very  ingenious.  He  made  brass  clocks, 
and  guns,  and  repaired  watches  and  jewelry.  The  Indians  brought 
their  jewelry  to  him  from  Canada  to  be  repaired.  During  the  great 
freshet  in  seventeen  hundred  and  eighty-five,  lie  stepped  from  his 
door  into  a  boat  and  went  over  to  the  spot  where  the  Ayers  Mason 
house  now  stands.  At  the  organization  of  the  town  he  was  chosen 
Captain  of  the  Militia.  He  built  a  large  house  on  the  spot  where 
Mr.  Bartlett's  house  now  stands,  which  was  burned  some  years  ago. 
He  had  four  children  by  his  first  wife,  and  one  by  his  second. 
Captain  Twitchell  died  in  November,  eighteen  hundred  and  fort}-- 
five.  He  was  a  man  of  public  spirit,  and  was  much  of  the  time  in 
town  office,  as  collector,  treasurer,  clerk  and  selectman.  He  also 
was  a  laud  surveyor  and  Justice  of  the  Peace. 


KzuA  Twitch Kij,. 

Ezra  Twitchell  came  to  Bethel  about  the  same  time  with  his 
brother  Eli,  and  settled  on  the  farm  afterward  occupied  by  his 
grandson,  Alphiu  Twitchell.  He  was  born  in  Sherburn,  Massa- 
chusetts, June  twenty-third,  seventeen  hundred  and  forty-six,  and 


CAPT.  PETER  TWITCHELL 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  151 

married  Miss  Susanna  Rice  of  Framingham.  He  first  resided  in 
Dublin,  New  Hampshire,  and  afterwards  removed  to  Betliel.  He 
was  chosen  deacon  of  the  'Congregational  church  in  Bethel,  which 
office  he  worthily  filled  till  his  death.  He  had  ten  children.  The 
eldest  four  children  died  .the  same  day  of  throat  distemper,  leaving 
them  childless.  This  occurred  in  Dublin.  So  stupefied  were  the 
parents  at  the  terrible  stroke,  that  they  could  not  shed  a  tear  at  the 
time. 

Peter  Twitchell. 

Captain  Peter  Twitchell,  youngest  son  of  Capt.  Joseph  Twitchell, 
was  born  in  Sherburn,  Massachusetts,  July  thirteenth,  seventeen 
hundred  and  sixty-one.  At  the  age  of  seventeen,  he  made  a  visit  to 
Bethel,  when  there  was  no  other  house  in  the  west  part  of  the  town 
except  his  brother  Eleazer's  on  the  island  near  the  grist  mill.  This 
was  in  seventeen  hundred  and  seventy-eight.  He  also  visited  the 
town  in  seventeen  hundred  and  eighty-two,  when  the  garrison  was 
still  standing.  He  was  a  man  of  uncommon  strength.  He  used  to 
relate  an  anecdote  of  his  second  visit  here.  There  was  a  man  at 
his  brother's  who  was  boasting  of  his  skill  at  wrestling,  when 
Captain  Twitchell  told  him  that  he  could  throw  him  over  a  house. 
The  fellow  rather  jeered  him,  when  the  captain  caught  his  arms 
around  him  and  ran  up  the  shed  roof  of  his  brother's  house  and  was 
about  to  throw  him  over  when  he  cried,  ''enough."  In  the  year 
seventeen  hundred  and  eighty-four,  he  came  to  Bethel  and  com- 
menced clearing  land  on  the  north  side  of  the  river  on  .the  farm 
afterward  occupied  by  Mr.  Alphin  Twitchell.  He  cleared  several 
acres  of  interval,  and  the  next  year  secured  a  burn  and  sowed  it 
with  winter  rye,  but  the  great  freshet  that  year  carried  the  drift 
stuff  on  to  it  in  such  immense  quantities,  that  he  lost  one-half  of 
his  ground  that  year,  but  the  remainder  bore  a  prodigious  crop. 
About  this  time,  in  consequence  of  his  father's  age,  and  he  being 
the  youngest  son,  he  returned  to  Sherburn  and  took  the  charge  of 
the  homestead.  He  married  for  his  first  wife,  Miss  Sarah  Bullard, 
May  eighth,  seventeen  hundred  and  eighty-three,  who  died,  and  for 
his  second  wife  Miss  Amy  Perry,  June  tenth,  seventeen  hundred 
and  ninety-three.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Edward  West  Perry  of 
Sherburn,-  He  had  eight  children,  three  by  his  first  wife  and  five 
by  the  second.  All  settled  in  Bethel  except  the  eldest  two,  who 
died  young. 


152  HISTORY    OF  BETHEL. 

Captain  Twitchell  kept  a  tavern  in  Natick,  which  in  those  days 
was  of  no  small  importance.  He  was  an  assessor  of  the  town  at 
the  time  the  Federal  currency  was  introduced.  He  had  quite  a 
task  in  teaching  the  tax  payers  how  to  reckon  in  dollars  and  cents 
instead  of  pounds,  shillings  and  pence.  He  was  a  soldier  under 
General  Lincoln  and  marched  to  quell  Shaj^'s  rebellion.  He  was 
afterwards  chosen  Captain  of  the  Militia,  and  did  military  honors 
on  the  death  of  Washington.  In  the  spring  of  eighteen  hundred 
and  ten  he  came  to  Bethel  and  commenced  a  farm  on  the  flat  on 
Pleasant  river,  at  the  place  afterward  occupied  by  his  son,  Col.  Eli 
Twitchell.  In  eighteen  hundred  and  sixteen,  he  made  a  public 
profession  of  religion  and  united  with  the  Congregational  church  of 
Bethel,  and  till  his  death  was  a  consistent  member.  For  thirty-five 
years  of  his  life  he  was  a  vegetarian.  Meat,  tea  and  coffee  were 
forbidden  articles,  and  to  this  habit  he  attributed  his  long  life. 
When  over  ninety  years  of  age,  he  walked  four  miles  to  church, 
standing  in  front  of  the  desk  leaning  on  his  long  cane,  during  the 
prayers  and  sermons  on  both  parts  of  the  day,  and  then  walked 
home  after  services.  This  he  did  through  choice  of  exercise,  and 
this  he  was  accustomed  to  do  till  a  short  time  before  his  death.  He 
was  a  man  of  strong  native  powers  and  of  a  reflective  and  philo- 
sophic turn  of  mind.  He  prepared  a  manuscript  of  his  own  on 
Natural  Philosophy.  A  favorite  problem  of  his  which  he  would 
propose  to  every  educated  man  whom  he  met  and  which  he  seemed  to 
meditate  upon  much  of  his  time,  was  what  he  used  to  call  his  philoso- 
phical riddle.  The  earth  and  the  moon  travel  round  the  sun.  If 
they  travel  one  way  every  time  they  go  round  the  sun,  there  will  be 
one  day  more  than  the  earth  revolves  on  its  axis,  and  one  more 
than  the  moon  travels  round  the  earth.  If  they  travel  the  other 
way,  the  earth  will  revolve  on  its  axis  once  more  than  we  have  days, 
and  the  moon  will  travel  round  the  earth  once  more  than  we  have 
moons.  Question  :  Which  way  should  they  travel  to  have  the  extra 
day  and  extra  moon?  It  gratified  him  very  much  to  have  any  one 
acknowledge  that  they  could  not  solve  it.  He  drew  a  small  pension 
from  the  government.  He  received  an  injury  by  being  struck  with 
a  carriage  while  out  on  his  walks,  and  died  November  eighteenth, 
eighteen  hundred  and  fifty-four,  aged  ninety-four  years  and  five 
months. 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  l^S- 

Joseph  Twitchell. 

Joseph  Twitchell,  son  of  Captain  Eleazer  Twitchell,  was  the  first 
male  child  born  on  Bethel  Hill  and  the  first  in  the  West  Parish. 
Peregrine,  son  of  Jesse  Duston.  was  the  first  child  born  in  town,  his 
place  of  birth  being  what  is  now  Hanover,  and  Joseph  Twitchell 
was,  by  common  consent,  the  second.  He  was  born  in  the  house 
situated  on  the  island  at  the  foot  of  Mill  Hill,  March  twelve,  seven- 
teen hundred  and  eighty-two.  He  spent  his  minority  with  his 
father  and  received  such  education  as  the  brief  terms  of  school 
afforded.  His  father  was  much  engaged  in  lumbering  and  in  this 
branch  of  his  business,  Joseph  was  his  able  assistant.  Much  of 
the  pine  timber  growing  upon  the  intervals  of  Bethel  was  cut  and 
sold  to  parties  in  Brunswick,  where  it  was  manufactured  into  lumber 
for  the  West  India  market.  This  valuable  pine  timber  brought 
only  a  very  small  price,  but  little  more  than  enough  to  pay  for  the 
labor  required  to  put  it  into  the  river,  and  when  Joseph  Twitchell 
became  of  age,  it  was  arranged  that  he  should  go  to  Brunswick  and 
take  charge  of  the  business  at  that  end  of  the  line.  He  operated 
mills  in  Brunswick  for  some  time,  but  the  embargo  placed  upon 
American  shipping  during  the  last  war  with  Great  Britain,  was  very 
damaging  to  the  lumber  interests  at  Brunswick  and  at  other  places 
where  a  foreign  market  was  depended  upon,  and  Mr.  Twitchell 
returned  to  Bethel  where  he  engaged  in  farming.  His  place  was 
east  of  what  is  now  Vernon  street,  and  this  street  is  part  of  the 
road  laid  out  to  his  premises  as  shown  in  the  town  records. 

Mr.  Twitchell  was  moderate  in  his  speech  and  movement,  but  he 
was  a  man  of  oi'iginal  thought  and  of  sound  judgment.  He  was 
among  the  first  in  town  to  adopt  liberal  views  in  regard  to  religious 
matters,  and  may  be  regarded  as  the  father  of  the  Universalist 
denomination  in  Bethel.  His  conclusions  were  reached  by  a  careful 
study  of  the  scriptures,  and  by  applying  to  them  what  he  regarded 
as  a  plain,  common  sense  interpretation.  He  became  convinced  of 
the  truth  of  the  doctrine  of  universal  salvation  at  a  time  wlien  it 
was  very  unpopular,  but  he  was  outspoken  in  his  belief  and  lived 
to  see  it  adopted  by  a  large  number  of  citizens,  and  among  them, 
some  of  the  best  in  town.  Mr.  Twitchell  had  a  logical  mind,  and 
in  argument  upon  doctrinal  matters,  he  was  not  easily  overcome. 
He  was  also  a  strong  temperance  man,  having  lived  through  the 
period  when  ardent  spirits  were  generally  indulged  in,  and  learned 


154  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

from  observation  if  not  from  experience,  of  their  baneful  influence. 
When  he  became  old  he  and  his  aged  wife  went  to  live  with  their 
son,  Joseph  A.  Twitchell,  who  had  erected  a  house  on  Vernon 
street,  and  here  they  spent  their  declining  years,  each  dying  at  an 
advanced  age. 

John  A.  Twitchell. 

John  Adams  Twitchell  was  the  fifth  son  and  sixth  child  of  Captain 
Peter  and  Amy  (Perry)  Twitchell,  and  was  born  in  Sherburn, 
Massachusetts,  September  seventh,,  seventeen  hundred  and  ninety- 
eight.  He  was  a  lad  of  twelve  years  when  his  father  came  to  Bethel 
and  settled  on  what  was  called  the  Flat  in  the  west  part  of  the 
town,  on  Pleasant  river.  He  was  brought  up  on  his  father's  farm, 
attended  the  town  schools,  and  being  of  a  mechanical  turn  of  mind 
he  learned  the  trade  of  Nathan  Twitchell,  and  became  a  house- 
wright.  For  some  years  he  carried  on  lioth  farming  and  carpenter- 
ing at  the  Flat,  but  finally  in  eighteen  hundred  and  fortv  nine,  he 
built  him  a  house  on  Bethel  Hill,  moved  here,  and  devoted  his 
whole  time  to  his  trade.  He  was  a  su|)erior  workman,  and  some  of 
the  best  work  in  the  village  was  done  under  his  direction.  He  was 
a  member  of  the  Congregational  church,  and  contributed  liberally 
to  its  support.  He  was  an  early  temperance  man,  ])eing  one  of  the 
seven  who  organized  the  first  temperance  society  in  town.  He 
united  with  the  sociilits  whicli  followed  the  Washingtonians,  the 
Sons  of  Temperance,  and  the  Temperance  Watchmen,  and  labored 
diligently  and  faithfully  to  do  away  with  intemperance  in  the  use  of 
strong  drink.  He  was  a  good  man  and  citizen,  and  his  influence 
was  ever  on  the  side  of  justice  and  right.  He  died  on  April  thir- 
teenth, eighteen  hundred  and  seventy-seven. 

James  Wai.kek. 

About  the  year  seventeen  hundred  and  ninety-nine,  James  Walker 
came  to  Bethel,  and  opened  a  store  in  one  of  the  rooms  in  Captain 
Eleazer  Twitchell's  house.  This  was  tlie  first  regular  store  in  town, 
though  Captain  Twitchell  and  his  brother  Eli  had  kept  a  few  West 
India  goods  to  accommodate  the  people.  In  eighteen  hundred  and 
two  he  built  a  large  house  and  store  on  the  southeast  side  of  the 
Common.  This  was  the  second  dwelling  house  on  the  Common. 
He  continued  in  the  store  a  few  years,  when,  about  the  year  eighteen 


HISTOEY   OF  BETHEL.  I55 

hundred  and  seventeen,  he  studied  theology  and  afterwards  entered 
the  ministry.  In  eighteen  hundred  and  six,  Gardiner  Wallver, 
brother  of  the  preceding,  built  a  store  on  the  site  of  the  one  long 
occupied  by  Ira  C.  Kimball  and  went  into  trade.  He  was  a  single 
man,  and  in  a  few  years  sold  out  to  his  brother  Ezekiel.  The 
building  was  afterward  used  as  a  saddler's  shop,  and  was  moved 
by  Phineas  Stearns,  to  a  spot  near  his  residence. 


James  Walker,  2d. 

James  Walker,  son  of  John  and  Eliza  (Calef)  Walker,  married 
Hannah  Barker  of  Bethel.  He  purchased  of  Jonathan  Abbot,  the 
mill  property  at  South  Bethel,  and  the  hamlet  there  was  long  known 
as  Walker's  Mills.  He  was  a  man  of  considerable  enterprise,  re- 
built the  mills  and  largely  increased  their  capacity.  He  established 
wool-carding  and  cloth-dressing  mills  which  were  operated  as  long 
as  there  was  any  demand  for  such  mills.  He  also  kept  a  store,  and 
encouraged  other  industries  to  be  established  in  the  place.  The 
place  was  for  some  years  the  rival  of  Locke's  Mills  in  Greenwood. 
Mr.  Walker  lost  heavily  in  what  is  known  as  the  "land  speculation," 
in  eighteen  hundred  and  thirty-seven  or  thereabout,  and  was  ever 
after  more  or  less  financially  embarassed.  He  was  a  member  of 
the  Congregational  church  at  Bethel  Hill,  and  was  a  constant  atten- 
dant-though  living  four  miles  distant.  He  served  his  town  in 
various  capacities,  and  one  term  as  Representative  to  the  Legisla- 
ture. He  had  a  family  of  eight  children,  some  of  whom  have 
deceased  and  others  left  the  town. 

John  Williamson. 

John  Williamson  was  born  in  Manor  Hamilton,  Ireland,  either 
in  seventeen  hundred  and  eighty-six  or  eighty-seven.  He  celebrated 
the  hundredth  anniversary  of  his  birth  in  eighteen  hundred  and 
eighty-six.  He  came  to  Bethel  in  eighteen  hundred  and  twenty-one 
with  his  wife  and  children,  and  settled  in  Bethel.  He  was  a  shoe- 
maker by  trade,  but  followed  farming  after  he  came  to  Bethel.  He 
was  a  lover  of  nature  and  of  the  land  he  cultivated.  He  was  well 
educated  and  well  versed  in  ancient  history.  He  was  never  natural- 
ized, having  a  strong  attachment  for  England  and  her  institutions, 
especially  the  established  church  of  whicli  he  Avas  a  faithful  member. 


156  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

He  was  also  much  attached  to  the  land  of  his  adoption  aud  its  free 
institutions.  He  was  a  great  student  of  the  Bible,  which  was  his 
constant  companion,  and  of  which  he  had  committed  to  memory 
many  chapters.  He  was  a  very  interesting  man  socially  and  other- 
wise, and  his  conversation  was  always  entertaining  aud  instructive. 
His  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was  Ann  McClure,  passed  on  many 
years  before  him,  and  during  his  later  years,  he  was  tenderly  cared 
for  by  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Elias  M.  Carter  and  her  sons.  They 
anticipated  his  every  want,  accomplished  everything  that  loving 
hearts  could  suggest  and  willing  hands  perform  to  make  his  last 
years  happy,  and  smooth  the  way  to  the  bank  of  the  dark  river. 


CHAPTER   XVII. 

Ahstract  of  Town  Records. 

1797  TO  1850. 

^P2THEL  has  been  sigually  fortunate  m  the  choice  of  record- 
pj  ing  officers  and  as  a  result  its  town  records  are  remark- 
ably well  made.  The  town  has  also  been  fortunate  in 
preserving  them  from  the  ravages  of  fire  which  has  proven  so  dis- 
astrous to  valuable  archives  in  many  of  our  Maine  towns.  The 
records  of  proceedings  began  with  the  incorporation  of  the  town  in 
seventeen  hundred  and  ninety  six  ;  unfortunately  the  records  of 
marriages,  births  and  deaths,  for  the  first  five  years,  are  lost.  The 
first  town  clerk  was  Benjamin  Russell,  Esq.,  whose  records  are 
models  of  neatness  and  intelligent  expression.  He  held  the  office 
for  a  period  of  five  years,  and  until  near  the  close  of  his  life.  He 
was  succeeded  by  Dr.  Timothy  Carter,  who  held  the  office  twelve 
years,  and  whose  records  are  among  the  very  best  in  the  series  of 
volumes.  He  wrote  a  plain,  open  hand,  his  pages  were  not  over- 
crowded, and  are  therefore  easily  consulted.  The  next  clerk,  Capt. 
John  Holt,  was  doubtless  more  familiar  with  the  sword  than  the  pen, 
nevertheless  considering  the  times  and  the  opportunities  for  a  busi- 
ness education,  he  has  left  us  a  very  fair  page.  Barbour  Bartlett 
was  an  excellent  recording  officer,  and  held  the  position  seventeen 
years.  Elias  M.  Carter  was  clerk  for  many  years,  and  was  an  ex- 
ceptionally good  recording  officer.  William  Frye,  Esq.,  occasion- 
ally filled  the  position  of  town  clerk,  and  for  a  lawyer  he  wrote  a 
remarkably  fine  hand.  He  wrote  with  a  quill  pen,  as  did  all  the 
early  clerks,  and  his  letters  are  uniform,  giving  great  neatness  to 
the  appearance  of  his  pages. 

Jn  substance,  the  early  records  are  much  like  those  of  other 
towns.  The  business  was  chiefly  routine,  and  the  records  present 
but  little  variety  year  after  year.  Money  had  to  be  raised  for  the 
building  and  repair  of  roads,  for  school  purjwses,  and  to  meet  the 


158  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

current  expenses  of  the  town.  The  road  ({uestion  to  the  early 
settlers  was  a  serious  one.  The  town  was  large,  and  for  a  number 
of  years  there  were  only  two  thoroughfares  through  it  from  east  to 
west,  and  this  necessitated  a  large  number  of  settlers'  roads.  Aside 
from  the  Androscoggin,  the  four  rivers  in  town.  Pleasant,  Sunday, 
Bear  and  Alder  rivers,  required  bridges,  and  being  subject  to  sud- 
den and  frequent  freshets,  to  keep  them  properly  bridged  required 
no  small  sum  of  money.  Roads  were  often  indicted,  and  an  agent 
had  to  be  sent  to  Paris  at  nearly  every  session  of  the  court  to  look 
after  the  town's  interest.  The  road  question  stands  out  prominent- 
!}•  in  the  records  and  is  one  of  their  leading  features. 

Notwithstanding  their  monotony  or  general  sameness,  the  records 
present  evidence  from  time  to  time  going  to  show  that  the  Center 
school  house,  the  Center  meeting  house,  and  later  the  town  house, 
formed  the  arena  of  many  a  word}'  battle.  The  town  was  long  and 
large,  was  divided  into  two  parishes  in  which  there  were  conflicting 
interests,  but  more  imaginary  than  real.  The  loaves  and  fishes, 
even  in  those  days,  formed  an  important  element  in  town  affairs, 
and  the  contest  for  office  often  arrayed  parish  against  parish,  and 
the  side  that  was  beaten  frecpiently  introduced  into  the  next  meet- 
ing a  proposition  to  divide  the  town  :  this  was  alwa^'s  voted  down 
by  a  decided  majority.  Some  of  the  early  settlers  were  good  talk- 
ers, and  each-  parish  had  those  that  could  defend  its  interests  in 
town  meeting.  Samuel  1>.  Locke  was  a  man  of  abilit}'  and  a  good 
debater.  General  Amos  Hastings,  Capt.  Eleazer  Twitclieli,  Dr. 
John  Grover,  Barbour  Bartlett,  Jedediah  Burbank  and  .lames 
Walker  were  men  wlio  made  their  influence  felt  in  moulding  the 
affairs  of  the  town.  But  the  two  men  most  potent  in  management 
and  who  held  sway  the  longest,  were  Dr.  Moses  Mason  and  Phiueas 
Frost.  The  former  was  more  affable  and  a  better  manager,  but  the 
latter  was  the  better  speaker  and  possessed  that  perseverance  and 
pertinacity  so  certain  to  bring  success.  Mr.  Frost  was  en  rapjwrf 
witli  the  ground  tier,  and  the  champion  of  the  poor.  When  the 
town  received  its  proportion  of  the  sur[)lus  reveiuie,  there  was  much 
disagreement  as  to  what  disposition  should  be  made  of  it,  and 
several  meetings  did  nothing  but  discuss  the  question,  and  the 
debate  was  very  bitter.  Mr.  Frost  took  ground  in  favor  of  dividing 
it  per  capita  among  the  inhabitants  of  the  town,  and  linally  he 
carried  his  point.  The  next  year  he  was  elected  to  the  Legislature 
with  unprecedented  unanimity.     Both  ^Ir.  Frost  and  Doctor  Mason 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  I59. 

were  ou  the  board  of  selectmen  for  many  years,  but  rarely  at  the- 
same  time. 

lu  politics,  Bethel  early  affiliated  with  the  Democratic  party.  Id; 
the  war  of  eighteen  hundred  and  twelve-sixteen,  this  town  warmly 
supported  the  national  administration,  and  bitterly  opposed  the 
action  of  Massachusetts  in  refusing  to  furnish  troops  for  the  prose- 
cution of  the  war.  This  probably  accounts  for  the  fact,  that  when- 
ever the  question  of  separation  from  Massachusetts  came  up  in  town, 
meeting,  Bethel  uniformly  voted  in  favor  of  the  measure.  The 
small  Whig  party  embraced  some  of  the  most  intelligent  men  in. 
town,  but  they  became  divided  upon  the  slavery  issue  and  for  several 
years  there  were  three  parties  in  town.  The  town  was  in  favor  of 
the  prohibition  of  the  liquor  traffic,  and  when  that  issue  was  first 
presented,  there  was  a  strong  vote  for  an  irregular  candidate.  In 
eighteen  hundred  and  fifty-four,  the  town  threw  a  majority  of  its- 
votes  for  Anson  P.  Mori  ill,  who  had  been  nominated  for  Governor 
on  the  Maine  Law  issue.  When  a  year  later,  the  Republican  party 
was  formed,  this  town  gave  it  a  hearty  support,  aud  since  that  time, 
a  period  of  thirty-six  years,  it  has  uuiforml}^  given  adherance  to 
that  party.  None  of  the  leading  old  time  Democrats  joined  the 
new  party,  but  lived  and  died  in  their  early  political  faith,  but  the 
young  men  have  been  largely  Republican.  The  votes  for  governor 
from  time  to  time  as  shown  in  the  following  abstracts  of  town  pro- 
ceedings, indicate  how  parties  were  inclined  and  divided.  In  the 
administration  of  its  own  affairs,  the  town  has  always  been  prudent 
and  economical,  l^reful  about  incurring  indebtedness  and  prompt 
in  the  payment  of  its  liabilities. 

The  incorporation  of  Hanover  in  eighteen  hundred  and  forty- 
three  was  opposed  by  the  town  because  it  embraced  some  excellent 
farms  and  valuable  citizens.  Not  much  though  could  be  done  or 
said  against  it,  for  the  people  upon  this  territory  were  isolated  by  the 
river,  far  from  the  Bethel  centers  of  business  and  far  from  the  town's, 
voting  i)lace.  About  twenty-three  hundred  acres  of  land  were  taken 
from  Bethel,  besides  Howard's  Gore,  to  form  the  new  town.  The 
following  abstracts  from  the  town  records  may  not  be  of  special 
historical  value,  and  might  perhaps  have  been  properly  omitted 
from  this  volume,  were  it  certain  that  the  original  records  would 
always  be  preserved,  but  town  records  are  often  destroyed  by  fire^ 
and  if  such  should  ever  be  the  fate  of  Bethel  town  records,  these 
few  abstracts  will  be  of  great  interest  as  showing  the  time  of  the 


160  HISTOBY  OF  BETHEL. 

location  of  certain  roads  and  the  progress  of  political  parties  as 
indicated  by  the  recorded  votes  ;  they  also  give  the  names  of  the 
principal  actors  in  the  management  of  this  numicipality,  who  have 
long  since  passed  away.  The  proceedings  of  the  first  meeting  are 
given  elsewhere. 

1797.  The  meeting  was  held  the  first  JNIonday  in  March. 
Jonathan  Clark  was  chosen  moderator  and  Benjamin  Russell, 
clerk.  For  selectmen,  Jesse  Duston,  Jonathan  Clark  and  Jeremiah 
Andrews.  Joseph  G.  Swan  was  made  collector  and  constable.  For 
tythingmen,  Enoch  Bartlett,  P>.ra  Twilchell,  Oliver  Fenno,  Asa 
Kimball,  and  Jesse  Duston.  For  surveyors  of  ways,  Moses  Bart- 
lett, Theodore  Hussell,  Amos  Hastings.  P^li  Tvvitchell,  Josiah  Beau 
and  Amos  Powers.  Hogreeves,  Simeon  Twitchell,  John  Stearns, 
Thomas  F'rost,  Nathaniel  Swan  aud  John  Russell.  Surveyors  of 
lumber,  Jonathan  Clark,  Jesse  Duston  and  Amos  Hastings.  Fence 
viewers,  Joseph  Greenwood,  William  Russell,  Jesse  Duston,  Jere- 
miah Andrews  and  Oliver  Fenno.  At  a  meeting  on  the  first  Monday 
in  April,  Moses  (iill  had  fourteen  votes  for  Governor,  and  Increase 
Sumner  the  same  number  for  Lieutenant-Governor.  At  a  meeting 
in  August,  a  child  which  was  a  town  charge,  was  bid  off  by  Simeon 
Twitchell  until  eighteen  years  of  age  for  twenty-four  dollars.  Voted 
that  William  Russell  have  the  fourteenth  lot  in  the  eleventh  range, 
on  the  north  side  of  the  river. 

1798.  I'hc  meeting  was  hold  at  the  house  of  Captain  Amos 
Hastings,  March  fifth.  Kzra  Twitchell  was  chosen  moderator  and 
Benjamin  Russell,  clerk.  Jonathan  Bartlett  was  chosen  treasurer, 
p]li  Twitchell,  constable,  and  Aaron  Barton,  collector,  who  agreed 
to  collect  for  four  cents  on  a  dollar.  Joseph  Greenwood,  Joseph 
(i.  Swan,  John  York,  Oliver  Fenno,  Jesse  Duston,  Walter  Mason, 
•lohu  Holt  and  Josiah  Bean,  surveyors  of  highways,  and  Nathaniel 
Segar,  Jonathan  Bartlett,  Amos  Gage,  Eleazer  Twitchell,  Amos 
Hastings,  Josiah  Bean  and  Walter  Mason,  school  committee.  For 
tythingmen,  Amos  (iage,  Josiah  Bean,  Jesse  Duston,  Theodore 
Russell  and  John  EUingwood.  The  school  committee  was  instructed 
to  divide  the  town  into  school  districts.  A  committee  consisting  of 
Eli  Twitchell,  Josiah  Bean  and  Jonathan  Clark  was  chosen  to  locate 
ferries  and  the  prices  of  ferriage.  At  a  meeting  on  the  second  day 
of  April,  Increase  Sumner  had  twenty  votes  for  ( Governor,  and  the 


HISTOBY   OF   BETHEL.  161 

same  number  were  cast  for  Nathaniel  Wells  and  Simon  Frye  for 
senators.  At  the  same  meeting,  it  was  voted  that  there  be  three 
school  houses  built  in  town  and  three  hundred  dollars  were  raised 
for  that  purpose.  Eli  Twitchell,  John  Holt  and  Josiah  Beau  were 
made  a  committee  to  take  charge  of  tlie  building  of  the  school 
houses.  Voted  not  to  raise  any  money  for  the  su[)port  of  schools, 
and  to  raise  one  hundred  dollars  for  the  repair  of  roads.  N'oted 
fifty  dollars  to  defray  town  charges.  At  an  adjourned  meeting,  the 
committee  on  the  location  of  school  houses,  voted  that  the  one  for 
the  East  Parish  be  near  the  house  of  Thaddeus  Bartlett ;  the  one 
for  the  center  of  the  town  be  located  at  Middle  Interval,  south  of 
Captain  Amos  Hasting's  house,  and  the  one  in  the  West  Parish  be 
near  John  Stearns'  barn.  At  a  meeting  May  thirtieth,  it  was  voted 
to  take  the  ministerial  interval  lot  into  the  hands  of  the  town  and 
lease  what  had  not  been  improved.  At  a  meeting  the  last  of 
October,  three  hundred  dollars  additional  were  laised  for  roads,  and 
the  committee  on  school  houses  was  instructed  to  call  a  meeting  of 
the  town  and  receive  proi)osals  for  furnishing  materials. 

1799.  The  meeting  was  held  March  the  fourth  at  the  usual 
place.  Jonathan  Clark  was  chosen  moderator  and  Benjamin  Russell, 
clerk.  For  selectmen,  Eli  Twitchell,  Gideon  Powers  and  Oliver 
Feuno.  Aaron  Barton  bid  off  the  taxes  to  collect  and  was  chosen 
constable.  The  surveyors  of  highways  this  year  were  Moses  Mason, 
Walter  Mason,  Josiah  Bean,  Gideon  Powers,  Amos  Hastings,  Pere- 
grine Bartlett,  Jeremiah  Andrews,  Abraham  Russell  and  Amos 
Gage.  Surveyors  of  lumber,  Jonathan  Clark,  Nathaniel  Segar  and 
Nathaniel  Swan.  Fence  viewers,  Eliphaz  Chapman,  Amos  Hast- 
ings, Thaddeus  Bartlett,  Theodore  Russell  and  John  Grover. 
Hogreeves,  Jonathan  Cottin,  Moses  Frost,  Eliphalet  Lane  and 
Timothy  A.  Holt.  Field  drivers,  John  Grover,  Reuben  Bartlett 
and  Thaddeus  Bartlett.  Voted  three  hundred  dollars  for  roads  and 
sixty  for  town  charges.  Eighteen  votes  were  thrown  for  Increase 
Sumner  for  Governor.  For  Register  of  Deeds  for  the  district  north 
of  the  Great  Ossipee,  in  the  county  of  York,  Elijah  Russell  had 
thirteen  votes,  Moses  Ames,  nine,  and  William  Russell,  three.  At 
a  second  trial,  William  Russell  had  twenty-two,  Moses  Ames,  nine, 
and  James  Osgood,  one. 

1800.  Eli  Twitchell  was  chosen  moderator  and  Benjamin  Rus- 
sell, clerk.     Amos  Gage  bid  off  the  collection  of  taxes,  and  .lere- 

n 


162  HIS  TO  BY  OF  BETHEL. 

miah  Andrews  was  chosen  treasurer.  For  highwa}'  sarve3'ors,  Amos 
Hastings,  Peregrine  Bartlett,  Josiah  Bean,  Richard  Estes,  Nathaniel 
Segar,  Simeon  Twitchell.  John  Russell,  Eli  Grover,  Joseph  G. 
Swan,  James  Grover.  Tythingmen,  Charles  Stearns,  Aaron  Barton 
and  John  Ellingwood.  For  sealers  of  leather,  Benjamin  Brown  and 
Ezra  Twitchell.  Voted  six  hundred  dollars  for  roads,  one  hundred 
dollars  for  summer  schools  and  one  hundred  for  winter  schools. 
Eli[)haz  Chapman  and  John  Evans  were  chosen  a  committee  to 
examine  Samuel  B.  Locke's  mills  and  ascertain  whether  he  had 
fulfilled  his  contract  with  the  town.  Moses  Gill  had  eighteen 
votes  for  Governor,  and  Elbridge  Gerry  the  same  number  for 
Lieutcuant-Ciovernor.  A  meeting  on  the  thirteenth  of  August  was 
had  at  the  school  house  at  Middle  Interval.  It  was  voted  to  bnild 
a  bridge  over  Alder  river,  and  Theodore  Russell  was  chosen  a  com- 
mittee to  oversee  the  work.  Other  members  of  the  committee  were 
Eliphaz  Chapman  and  Pliineas  Haywood  (Howard).  Three  hun- 
dred dollars  were  raised  for  building  it. 

1801.  The  meeting  was  held  at  the  Middle  school  house  March 
second.  Deacon  Ezra  Twitchell  was  chosen  moderator  and  Timothy 
Carter,  clerk.  Selectmen,  Eliphaz  Chapman,  Timothy  Carter  and 
Phineas  Howard.  Joseph  (ireenwood,  Nathan  Adams  and  Zela 
Holt,  tythingmen:  John  Merrill,  Benjamin  Russell,  Jr.,  and  Isaac 
York,  field  drivers.  For  Register  of  Deeds,  William  Russell  had 
four  votes  and  William  F'essenden,  fourteen.  Voted  for  highwa3's, 
three  hundred  dollars,  for  schooling,  two  hundred,  and  for  town 
charges,  fifty  dollars.  A  road  laid  out  by  the  selectmen  last  year, 
leading  from  the  Rumford  road  to  Job  York's  house,  was  accepted. 
For  Governor,  Elbridge  Gerry  had  forty-two  votes  and  Caleb 
Strong,  three.  At  an  adjourned  meeting  Jqne  twenty-second,  the 
following  persons  were  added  to  the  committee  for  building  Alder 
river  bridge  :  Eli  Twitchell,  Amos  Hastings,  Jeremiah  Andrews  and 
John  Holt.  July  twentieth,  a  meeting  was  held  and  a  vote  taken 
to  build  the  above  bridge  in  accordance  with  the  plans  presented 
by  the  committee.  The  building  of  the  same  was  struck  off  to 
Eleazer  Twitchell  for  ninety-four  dollars.  \'oted  that  the  commit- 
tee to  settle  with  Samuel  B.  Locke  for  bu-lding  mills  and  for  giving 
him  a  lease  of  the  school  lands,  consult  with  the  selectmen  before  giv- 
ing such  lease.  At  a  meeting  October  fifth,  it  was  voted  to  divide  the 
militia  company  by  the  parish  line.     At  a    meeting  called  at  tlie 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  163 

Center  school  house  December  seventh,  the  first  business  after 
organization  was  to  adjourn  to  the  dwelling  house  of  Capt.  Amos 
Hasting  for  fifteen  minutes.  A  committee  consisting  of  Timothy 
Carter,  Jonathan  Clark  and  John  York  was  chosen  to  settle  with 
the  builders  of  the  school  houses  in  town  Benjamin  Russell,  Esq., 
was  chosen  agent  to  defend  the  town  in  actions  brought  for  bad 
roads. 

1802.  The  meeting  was  held  March  the  first.  Eliphaz  Chap- 
man was  chosen  moderator,  Timothy  Carter,  clerk,  and  John  Holt, 
treasurer.  Selectmen,  YA\  Twitchell,  John  York  and  John  Holt. 
Moses  Mason  bid  off  the  collection  of  taxes  and  was  chosen  con- 
stable. Voted  four  hundred  dollars  for  roads,  two  hundred  and 
fifty  for  schools  and  one  hundred  and  fifty  for  town  charges. 
Elbridge  Gerr^'  received  twenty-four  votes  for  Governor  and  Caleb 
Strong,  sixteen.  Voted  to  accept  the  several  school  houses  in  town 
in  their  present  condition.  At  a  meeting  August  nineteenth,  Josiah 
Bean  was  chosen  agent  to  defend  the  town  in  actions  brought  for 
bad  roads.     Benjamin  Kussell,  Elsq.,  died  this  year. 

1803.  The  meeting  was  held  March  seventh  and  the  principal 
officers  re-elected.  For  highway  surveyors,  Richard  Estes,  Samuel 
Kimball,  Jonathan  Powers,  Peregrine  Bartlett,  Reuben  Bartlett, 
Theodore  Russell,  Jonathan  Clark,  Amos  Gage,  Jedediah  Grover, 
Simeon  Twitchell,  P'.li  Twitchell  and  Ebonezer  Eames.  For  select- 
men, Eli  Twitchell,  Nathan  Atlams  and  John  Holt.  Amos  Bean 
bid  off  the  collection  of  taxes  and  was  chosen  constable.  Six  hun- 
dred dollars  were  voted  for  ways.  The  sugar  privilege  on  the 
school  land  on  the  south  side  of  the  river  was  sold  to  John  Russell, 
and  that  on  the  north  side  to  John  Merrill.  Voted  a  committee  to 
look  into  the  condition  of  the  school  lauds.  At  a  meeting  April 
fourth,  Caleb  Strong  had  thirty-two  votes  for  Governor.  A  com- 
mittee was  chosen  to  divide  the  town  into  school  districts,  consist- 
ing of  Timothy  Carter,  Jeremiah  Andrews  and  Amos  Gage.  \'oted 
to  grant  ferry  privileges  against  Jesse  Dustin's  place,  against  John 
Russell's  and  against  Samuel  Barker's.  The  same  amount  for 
schools  as  last  3'ear,  was  voted,  and  one  hundred  dollars  for  town 
charges.  At  a  meeting  July  twelfth,  it  was  voted  to  accei)t  the 
report  of  the  committee  on  school  districts.  The  report  divided  the 
town  into  six  districts,  beginning  to  number  from  the  east  part  of 
the    town.     The    first  line  described  was   between    the  sixth   and 


164  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

seventh  lots,  running  on  the  line  to  the  interval  lots,  and  then 
between  John  York's  and  Joseph  Ayer's  land  to  the  river  ;  then 
crossing  the  river  and  taking  Jonas  Willis'  interval  line  to  the 
north  line  of  the  town  ;  all  east  of  the  line  described  to  constitute 
the  first  district.  All  the  other  districts  were  constituted  in  essen- 
tially the  same  way,  part  of  each  district  being  on  the  south  and 
part  on  the  north  side  of  the  river.  At  a  meeting  the  fourth  of 
December,  it  was  voted  to  send  Dr.  Timothy  Carter  to  Paris  to  a 
convention  called  to  take  into  consideration  the  formation  of  a  new 
county,  and  voted  to  petition  the  legislature  for  same.  The  dele- 
gate was  instructed  to  ask  to  have  Norway  made  the  shire  town,  or 
Norway  and  Bethel  half  shire  towns. 

1804.  The  meeting  occurred  on  the  fifth  day  of  March.  Jona- 
than Clark  was  chosen  moderator  and  Timothy  Carter,  clerk.  Amos 
Bean  was  chosen  collector  and  constable.  Highway  surveyors, 
Nathan  Adams,  Timothy  Bean,  Peregrine  Bartlett,  Reuben  Bartlett, 
James  Walker,  Theodore  Russell,  Eli  Twitchell,  Cyrus  Twitchell, 
>]li  Grover,  Jedediah  Grover  and  Solomon  Annas.  Among  other 
new  names  in  the  list  of  town  officers  this  year,  were  Daniel  Grout, 
Joshua  Roberts,  Peter  Twitchell,  Jesse  Cross  and  Isaac  Town. 
Voted  the  teachers  of  the  town  schools  must  be  approbated  as  the 
law  directs,  ^'oted  two  hundred  dollars  for  schools.  James  Sulli- 
van had  forty-four  votes  for  Governor,  and  Caleb  Strong  twenty- 
one.  At  a  subsequent  meeting  it  was  voted  not  to  send  a  delegate 
to  Palis,  but  to  choose  a  committee  to  write  to  the  convention, 
favoring  a  new  county.  Voted  to  have  a  road  laid  out  from 
Solomon  Annas'  house  to  David  Blake's  nulls.  At  an  adjourned 
meeting  in  October,  voted  to  expend  one  hundred  dollars  in  military 
stores. 

1805.  Meeting  was  held  March  fourth,  at  the  Center  school 
house.  Eli  Twitchell  was  chosen  moderator  and  Timothy  Carter, 
clerk.  John  Holt  was  continued  as  treasurer.  Samuel  B.  Locke 
was  chosen  collector  and  constable.  Among  the  new  names  in  the 
list  of  town  officers  were  Paul  Morse,  Amos  Hill,  Jedediah  Burbank, 
Isaac  Spofford  and  Joseph  Twitchell.  It  was  voted  that  the  school 
money  be  equally  divided  between  the  summer  and  winter  terms, 
and  according  to  the  number  of  scholars.  Timothy  Carter,  James 
Walker  and  Eliphaz  Cifapman  were  chosen  school  committee. 
Voted  that  teachers  in  town  not  approbated  as  the  law  directs,  shall 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  165 

forfeit  their  wages.  Voted  to  dispose  of  the  school  hiuds  if  it  cau 
legally  be  done.  Voted  to  choose  a  committee  to  appraise  the 
school  houses.  James  Sullivau  had  thirty-six  votes  for  Governor. 
At  a  subsequent  meeting,  voted  in  favor  of  the  Baptist  society's 
incorporation  plan.  The  committee  to  appraise  school  houses  re- 
ported the  one  in  the  lower  part  of  the  town  worth  fifty  dollars  ; 
the  one  at  Middle  Interval,  ninety  dollars,  and  the  one  at  the  upper 
end,  fifty  dollars.  Voted  two  hundred  and  sixty  dollars  for  school 
houses  ;  the  first  district  to  have  forty  dollars,  the  second,  ninety, 
third,  none,  the  fourth,  forty,  and  the  fifth  and  sixth,  forty-five 
dollars  each.  Joseph  Rust  received  seven  votes  for  County  Regis- 
ter for  Oxford  county.  At  a  meeting  in  November,  it  was  voted 
that  Paris  be  the  shire  town  of  Oxford  county.  Voted  unanimously 
against  the  two  half  shire  towns,  and  chose  a  committee  to  act 
against  the  petitions  from  Fryeburg,  Brownfield,  Porterfield,  etc., 
in  favor  of  Fryeburg  as  a  half  shire  town. 

1806.  The  meeting  was  held  March  third.  The  same  modera- 
tor and  clerk  as  last  year  were  re-elected.  Col.  John  York  bid  off 
the  collection  of  taxes  and  was  made  constable.  The  new  names 
in  the  list  of  town  officers  were  Peter  York,  John  Barker,  Joseph 
Wheeler,  Elliot  Powers,  Ebenezer  Bean,  Jesse  Beau  and  Thomas 
Frost.  Voted  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  for  schools,  and  the 
same  amount  to  be  expended  on  the  county  road  under  the  direction 
of  Nathan  Adams,  Daniel  Grout  and  John  Holt;  also  voted  two 
hundred  and  fifty  dollars  for  town  roads.  The  selectmen  this  year 
were  Eleazer  Twitchell,  Nathan  Adams  and  John  Kilgore,  Jr. 
Calel)  Strong  had  seventeen  votes  for  Governor  and  James  Sullivan, 
fifty-three.  Eliphaz  Chapman  was  elected  Representative  to  the 
General  Court.  Jonathan  Clark,  Eli  Twitchell  and  Eliphaz  Chap- 
man were  made  a  committee  to  enquire  into  the  condition  of  the 
school  districts.  At  a  meeting  in  November,  it  was  voted  to  divide 
the  fourth  sciiool  district  and  make  the  great  river  the  dividing  line. 

1807.  The  meeting  was  held  at  the  third  district  school  house 
March  the  second.  The  moderator  and  clerk  were  re-elei-ted. 
James  Walker  was  chosen  treasurer.  Jonathan  Abbot  bid  off  the 
taxes  and  was  chosen  constable.  Among  the  new  names  in  the 
list  of  town  oHlcers  were  Jonatlian  Abbot,  Luther  Bean,  Timothy 
Bean,  Walter  Mason,  David  l>urbank.     Voted  for  schools  two  hun- 


166  HIS  TO  BY   OF  BETHEL. 

dred  and  fifty  dollars  ;  for  towu  charges,  fifty,  and  for  highways, 
six  hundred  dollars.  Voted  to  raise  the  per  diem  pay  for  labor  on 
the  road  from  sixty-seven  cents  to  one  dollar.  Caleb  Strong  had 
nineteen  votes  for  Governor  and  Levi  Lincoln  fifty-six.  At  an 
adjourned  meeting  Timothy  Carter,  Eliphaz  Chapman  and  Lieut. 
Stephen  Bartlett  were  chosen  school  committee.  The  vote  on  the 
separation  of  Maine  from  Massachusetts  stood,  yeas,  fort}' ;  nays, 
seventeen.  Eliphaz  Chapman  was  again  chosen  Kepresentative  to 
the  General  Court. 

1808.  The  clerk  and  moderator  were  re-elected.  John  Kilgore, 
Jr.,  Isaac  Towd  and  Samuel  Kimball  were  chosen  selectmen. 
Timothy  Carter  was  chosen  treasurer.  Moses  Mason  bid  off  the 
collection  of  taxes  at  six  cents  on  a  dollar.  Among  the  new  names 
in  the  list  of  town  officers  were  Arnold  Powers,  Nathan  Marble, 
David  Blake,  Solomon  Annas,  Jr.,  Job  York,  Peter  Walker  and 
Otis  Grover.  Timothy  Carter,  John  Holt  and  Isaac  Town  were 
school  committee.  A  committee  on  accounts  consisted  of  Timothy 
Carter,  Eli  Twitchell  and  INIoses  IMason,  and  on  Alder  river  bridge 
with  the  view  of  rebuilding  it,  Samuel  B.  Locke,  Eli  Twitchell, 
Daniel  Grout,  Timothy  Carter  and  John  York.  Voted  to  make  the 
Great  river  the  dividing  line  between  the  first  and  second  school 
districts.  Two  liundred  dollars  were  voted  for  schools,  the  same 
for  the  repair  of  Alder  river  bridge,  and  four  hundred  for  roads. 
Accounts  were  allowed  to  various  parties  and  among  others  to 
James  "Walker  for  hats,  sixty-six  dollars  and  sixty-seven  cents.  ■  At 
a  subsequent  meeting,  Daniel  Grout  bid  off  the  building  of  Alder 
river  bridge  for  tliree  Inuidrod  and  seventy-five  dollars,  and  it  was 
voted  to  raise  the  required  sum.  Timothy  Carter,  Samuel  B.  Locke 
and  John  York  were  chosen  a  superintending  committee,  to  make 
writings  with  the  contractor  and  to  superintend  the  work,  draw  on 
the  town  for  the  money,  etc.  James  Sullivan  had  sixty-three  votes 
for  (Tovernor  and  Christopher  (4ore,  twent3'-five.  At  an  adjourned 
meeting,  voted  to  set  off  all  the  inhabitants  in  the  third  school  district, 
on  the  north  side  of  the  river,  from  Ebenezer  Eames  and  annex  them 
to  the  fourth  district  on  the  north  side  of  the  river.  Eliphaz  Chap- 
man was  re-elected  representative.  Voted  ^lay  second,  to  set  off 
the  inhabitants  of  the  first  and  second  school  districts  on  the  north 
side  of  the  river  into  a  district  by  themselves.  Voted  to  set  off 
Samuel   B.   Locke,    Ebenezer   Eames,    Amos   Hastings,    Nathaniel 


IIJSTOBy    OF  BETHEL.  167 

Swan  aud  John  Merrill,  from  the  third  school  district  and  annex 
them  to  the  fourth,  on  the  north  side  of  the  river.  Voted  ten  cents 
per  head  for  crows  and  three  cents  per  head  for  crow  blackbirds. 
At  a  meeting  in  September,  upon  the  question  of  petitioning  the 
President  to  have  the  embargo  taken  off  the  town,  "voted  not  to 
have  the  embargo  taken  off."  Voted  to  accept  the  road  laid  out 
for  Eleazer  Twitchell,  Jr.,  aud  the  one  from  Joseph  G.  Swan's  to 
David  Blake's  mills.     The  jury  box  was  revised  aud  accepted. 

1809.  Moses  Bartlett  was  chosen  moderator,  and  Timothy 
Carter,  clerk  and  treasurer.  For  selectmen,  John  Kilgore,  Jr., 
Samuel  Kimball  and  Jonathan  Abbot.  The  uew  names  in  the  list 
of  town  officers  were  Daniel  Gage,  John  Ellingwood,  Silas  Powers, 
Thomas  Jackman,  Jonas  Willis,  Abel  Gossom  and  Samuel  Robert- 
son. Voted  seven  hundred  dollars  for  roads,  two  hundred  and  fifty 
for  schools  and  one  hundred  and  fifty  for  town  charges.  Levi 
Lincoln  received  seventy-three  votes  for  Governor  aud  Christopher 
Gore  twenty-eight.     Eliphaz  Chapman  was  re-elected  representative. 

1810.  The  principal  town  officers  were  re-elected,  except  that 
Peter  York  was  chosen  third  selectman.  Moses  Mason  was  chosen 
collector  and  constable.  Among  the  new  town  officers  were  Thomas 
Cushmau,  James  Grover,  John  Case,  Thomas  Fletcher,  Ephriam 
Powers,  James  Hodsdou  and  Foxwell  Swan.  Voted  the  usual 
sums  of  money  for  schools,  roads  and  town  charges.  Voted  to 
have  a  pound  Iniilt  and  a  committee  was  appointed  to  look  after  its 
construction,  and  to  obtaiu  a  site  for  it.  ^^oted  that  the  school 
committee  select  l)ooks  for  the  use  of  schools  in  town,  and  lay  the 
same  before  the  town  for  approval.  For  Governor,  Elbridge  Gerry 
had  seventy  votes  and  Christopher  Gore  thirty-three.  Henry  Rust 
had  sixty-eight  votes  for  County  Treasurer.  Voted  to  set  oft" 
Eliphaz,  Samuel  and  Timothy  Chapman  and  Isaac  Stearns  from 
the  fourth  school  district  and  annex  them  to  the  fifth.  John  Kilgore, 
Jr.,  was  elected  representative.  Voted  to  meet  and  celebrate  the 
Fourth  of  July  at  Middle  Interval,  and  the  following  were  appointed 
a  committee  to  have  the  matter  in  charge:  Lieut.  Moses  Bartlett, 
Eli  Twitchell,  Moses  Masoy,  Capt.  p:ieazer  Twitchell,  Deacon  Asa 
Kimball  and  Col.  John  York.  The  committee  were  instructed  to 
engage  an  orator  for  the  occasion.  At  a  meeting  November  fifth, 
it  was  voted  to  build  a  magazine  on  Dr.  Carter's  land,  built  of 


168  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

brick,  aud  be  round  in  shape  ;  to  have  a  platform  made  with  flat 
stones,  for  the  flooring,  said  house  to  have  Avails  of  the  thickness  of 
the  length  of  one  brick,  and  six  feet  and  eight  inches  in  height ;  to 
have  a  good  and  substantial  door  to  lie  fastened  by  a  good  lock. 
The  job  was  struck  off  to  Daniel  Bean  for  the  sum  of  seventeen  dol- 
lars. Timothy  Carter,  Major  Amos  Hills  and  John  Russell  were 
made  a  committee  to  locate  the  building  and  superintend  its  con- 
struction. A  committee  was  chosen  to  petition  the  legislature  for 
permission  to  sell  the  public  lands. 

1811.  The  meeting  was  held  March  fourth.  It  was  voted  to  have 
a  collector  of  taxes  in  each  parish.  Nathaniel  Swan  was  chosen  for 
the  West  Parish  and  Ephraim  Powers  in  the  East.  Nathan  Swan 
and  Ephraim  Powers  were  elected  constables.  Among  the  new 
names  in  the  list  of  town  officers  were  Ezekiel  Dnston,  Ephraim 
Rowe,  Edmund  Chapman,  "William  Elstes,  Jeremiah  Andrews,  Jr., 
William  Andrews,  John  Mills,  Elijah  Bartlett  and  Robbins  Brown. 
Six  hundred  dollars  were  voted  for  roads,  three  hundred  and  fifty 
for  schools  and  one  hundred  and  fifty  for  town  expenses.  Voted 
to  have  two-thirds  of  the  school  money  expended  in  winter  and  one- 
third  in  summer.  P"ll)ridge  Gerry  had  seventy-seven  votes  for 
Governor,  and  Christopher  Gore  thirty-three.  \'oted  that  the  road 
on  the  north  side  of  the  Great  river  be  three  rods  wide.  Voted  to 
have  the  great  road  leading  from  Captain  Twitchell's  to  Gilead  line 
three  rods  wide.  Voted  to  have  the  scholars  limited  to  their  own 
districts.  Moses  IVIason  was  chosen  representative.  Voted  to 
choose  an  agent  to  remonstrate  against  Mr.  Howard's  road.  "N'oted 
that  the  selectmen  open  the  road  through  to  John  Case's  land  lead- 
ing from  Joseph  G.  Swan's  to  David  Blake's  mills,  some  way  or 
other.  Voted  to  choose  a  committee  to  view  Pleasant  river  bridge. 
Voted  to  accept  the  straightening  of  the  road  from  Jesse  Bean's  to 
Gilead  line.  Voted  not  to  accept  the  vote  on  Pleasant  river  bridge, 
and  voted  to  do  something  about  said  bridge.  Voted  two  hundred 
dollars  extra  to  be  expended  on  the  roads  under  the  direction  of  a 
committee.     The  last  vote  was  rescinded. 

1812.  John  Kilgore,  Jr.,  was  elected  moderator  and  Timothy 
Carter,  clerk.  Ebenezer  Bean  bid  off  the  taxes  at  four  cents  on  the 
dollar  and  was  chosen  constable.  The  highway  surveyors  this  year 
were  Isaac  Town,  Daniel  Grout,  Walter  ^lason,  John  Holt,  Samuel 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  169 

Kimball,  Amos  Beau,  Jonas  Willis,  Thomas  Frost,  Ezra  Twitchell, 
Jr.,  Cyrus  Twitchell,  John  Case  and  Benjamin  Annas.  School 
committee,  Timothy  Carter,  James  Walker  and  Moses  Bartlett. 
One  thousand  dollars  were  raised  for  roads  and  three  hundred  and 
fifty  for  schools.  Voted  that  the  trustees  sell  the  public  lauds  in 
such  manner  as  they  may  see  fit.  Voted  that  the  selectmen  lay  out 
a  road  from  Joseph  G.  Swan's  to  David  Blake's  mills.  Voted  to 
allow  Timothy  Carter  two  dollars  per  year  for  the  last  ten  years, 
for  his  services  as  town  clerk,  and  one  per  cent,  on  what  mouey  he 
had  collected  as  treasurer.  Voted  not  to  accept  the  report  of  the 
selectmen  on  the  road  from  Joseph  G.  Swan's  to  David  Blake's 
mills,  and  voted  to  choose  a  committee  to  lay  out  said  road.  Voted 
that  the  next  annual  meeting  be  held  on  the  first  da\^  of  April  nest. 
At  an  adjourned  meeting  in  IMay,  Moses  Mason  was  chosen  repre- 
sentative. Voted  to  accept  the  report  of  a  committee  appointed  to 
lay  a  road  from  Joseph  G.  Swan's  to  David  Blake's  mills,  beginning 
at  a  hemlock  on  the  town  line,  about  two  rods  east  of  the  road  as 
now  traveled  by  the  Widow  Osgood's  in  said  Bethel,  and  running 
generally  more  or  less  west  of  north  by  James  Annas'  place  to  the 
county  road  by  the  guide  board  near  Joseph  G.  Swan's  house,  the 
whole  length  being  twelve  hundred  and  twenly-eight  rods.  The 
road  run  through  land  belonging  to  Widow  Osgood,  Benjamin 
Blake,  Timothy  Carter,  Solomon  Annas,  James  Annas,  John  Case, 
James  Hall  and  John  Walker.  No  damage  was  asked  and  none 
assessed.  A  meeting  was  called  July  thirteenth,  to  take  action  on 
the  war  with  Great  Britain.  Voted  that  all  able  to  bear  arms  should 
equip  themselves  as  soon  as  possible,  and  a  committee  consisting 
of  Moses  Mason,  John  Barker,  Jonathan  Clark,  Jonas  Willis, 
Samuel  Kimball  and  Nathaniel  Segar,  was  appointed  as  a  conunittee 
of  safety.  At  a  meeting  August  twenty-ninth,  voted  to  send  three 
delegates  to  Paris,  one  in  the  Federal  and  two  in  the  Eepublican 
convention  ;  chose  Amos  Hastings,  Jonathan  Powers  and  Timothy 
Carter.  Voted  that  notices  for  town  meetings  hereafter  be  posted 
on  the  Center  school  house  and  on  each  of  the  two  meeting  houses 
in  town.  Voted  that  the  selectmen  cause  a  bridge  to  be  repaired 
on  the  "Whale's  Back"  before  the  next  circuit  court  of  common 
pleas  for  Oxford  county.  Chose  Ephraim  Powers  agent  to  defend 
the  towm  against  an  indictment  for  deficiency  of  powder  and  balls. 
For  Governor,  Elbridge  Gerry  had  eighty-six  votes,  and  Caleb 
Strong,  forty-one. 


170  HISTOEY  OF  BETHEL. 

1813.  John  Kilgore,  Jr.,  was  chosen  moderator  andJohn  Holt, 
clerk  and  treasurer.  Ebeuezer  frames  was  made  collector  and 
coustuhle.  Among  the  new  names  were  Benjamin  Goodenough, 
J^dward  Richardson,  William  Staples,  Obediah  Kimball,  Alpheus 
Swan,  Barbour  Bartlett.  Three  hundred  dollars  were  voted  for 
schools.  Voted  to  lend  out  all  the  books  in  the  town  clerk's  office 
to  be  returned  in  one  month,  and  if  not  so  returned  to  collect  twenty- 
five  cents  of  each  person  so  keeping  a  book.  Yox  representative, 
Timothy  Carter  had  twentj'-seven  votes  and  Moses  Mason  sixtj'- 
eight.  Guide  boards  were  ordered  near  Bobbins  Browns,  near 
Eleazer  Twitchell's,  near  Greely  Swan's  and  one  at  the  river  bank 
near  Josiah  Bean's.  Two  roads  were  accepted,  one  at  the  lower 
part  of  the  town  leading  into  Job  York's  road  and  the  other  begin- 
ning near  John  Merrill's  on  the  north  side  of  the  river,  on  the  road 
leading  to  Newry  line,  at  the  corner  of  Nathaniel  Swan's  field  and 
running  east  of  south  to  the  river,  then  across  the  river  at  Sand 
Rips,  so  called,  then  up  the  river  to  the  ferriage  place,  etc.,  to  be  a 
bridle  road  to  the  river  and  over  the  river  to  the  ferriage  place,  and 
an  open  road  two  rods  wide  from  the  ferriage  way  to  the  county 
road . 

1814.  The  meeting  was  held  at  the  Center  school  house,  April 
fourth.  For  Governor,  Samuel  Dexter  had  ninety-three  votes, 
Caleb  Strong,  fifty-tliree.  F.lhnnan  Bartlett  bid  off  the  collector- 
ship  at  five  cents  on  the  dollar.  School  committee  elected,  Dr. 
Moses  Mason,  Barbour  Bartlett  and  Elias  Bartlett.  Twelve  hun- 
dred dollars  were  raised  for  roads,  and  the  usual  sums  for  other 
purposes.  Two  hundred  dollars  were  voted  to  help  build  a  meeting 
house  at  Middle  Interval.  Ciiose  Eli  Twitchell  and  Jonas  Willis  a 
committee  to  see  to  fencing  the  burying  ground.  Moses  Mason 
was  re-elected  representative.  A  road  was  accepted  beginning  at 
Ebenezer  Eames'  barn  to  the  corner  of  Peter  York's  fence  and  to 
the  main  road  against  his  barn.  Also  a  bridle  road  from  John 
Russell's  field  to  the  county  road. 

1815.  The  meeting  was  held  April  third.  Ebenezer  Frames  bid 
off  the  collectorship.  The  road  surveyors  chosen  for  the  north  side 
of  the  river  were  John  Bean,  Peter  York  and  Edward  Richardson  ; 
on  the  south  side,  Jesse  Bean,  Eben  Greenwood,  John  Walker, 
Jonas  IMerriam,  Elias  Bartlett  and  Job  York.     For  school  commit- 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  I7I 

tee,  Timothy  Carter,  Rev.  Arthur  Drinkwater,  James  Walker, 
Elisha  Bartlett,  Peregriue  Bartlett,  Samuel  B.  Loeke,  Barber  Bart- 
lett  and  Jonathan  Abbot.  Voted  to  give  the  assessors  power  to 
remit  the  taxes  assessed  to  aid  in  building  a  meeting  house  at 
Middle  Interval,  to  all  who  are  opposed  to  pacing  the  tax.  Voted 
eight  hundred  dollars  for  roads  and  the  usual  amount  for  other 
purposes.  At  a  meeting  May  eighteenth,  it  was  voted  not  to  divide 
the  town.  For  representative,  Moses  Mason  had  sixty-three  votes, 
Jonathan  Abbot,  thirty-seA'en,  scattering,  ten.  The  vote  on  a 
division  of  the  town  was  taken  on  a  petition  for  the  same  signed  by 
Eli  Grover,  Jedediah  Burbank,  Amos  Gage,  Amos  Hill,  Jesse  Bean, 
Samuel  Burbank,  James  Grover,  John  Barker,  Benj.  Goodeuough, 
Cyrus  Twitchell,  Samuel  Barker,  John  Mills,  Daniel  Gage,  Jedediah 
Grover,  Peter  Twitchell,  Joseph  Greenwood,  Joseph  Wheeler, 
John  Grover,  Paul  Morse,  James  Grover,  Joseph  Wheeler,  Jr., 
Robbins  Brown,  Kleazer  Twitchell,  Benjamin  Annas,  Aaron  Abbot, 
James  Walker,  Thaddeus  Twitchell  and  Ezra  Twitchell.  Voted  to 
send  a  petition  to  the  General  Court  asking  to  have  the  proceedings 
of  the  town  legalized.  Voted  to  allow  Daniel  Gage  ten  dollars  for 
work  he  has  done  on  the  road  laid  out  from  the  great  road  through 
his  field  to  the  river.  Voted  to  accept  the  road  down  by  Bear  river. 
Voted  to  raise  money  to  repair  the  road  on  Whale's  Back,  which  is 
complained  of.  Voted  to  accept  the  road  in  the  lower  part  of  the 
town  for  Ebenezer  Bartlett  and  Enoch  Estes. 

1816.  Barbour  Bartlett  was  chosen  clerk  and  Eli  Twitchell, 
Samuel  Chapman  and  Elias  Bartlett,  selectmen.  Among  the 
new  town  officers  were  Bezaleel  Kendall,  P^dmund  Chapman, 
Aaron  Fi-ost,  Calvin  Twitchell  and  James  Hodsdou.  Hogreeves 
chosen.  Rev.  Valentine  Little,  Rev.  Arthur  Drinkwater,  Perkins 
INIoulton,  Jonas  D.  Merriam,  Theodore  Stearns,  Eli  Grover,  Jr., 
Urban  Shorey,  James  Wheeler,  Luther  Locke,  Nathaniel  Green- 
wood, Timothy  Capen  and  Aaron  Mason.  Voted  one  thousand 
dollars  for  roads  and  three  hundred  for  schools.  \'oted  to  dis- 
continue the  road  laid  out  for  John  Mills  and  others.  Benjamin 
Estes,  Jesse  Dustou  and  Jonas  D.  Merriam  were  appointed  tyth- 
ingmen.  At  an  adjourned  meeting,  the  vote  electing  Messrs. 
Little  and  Drinkwater,  hogreeves,  was  rescinded.  Voted  to  divide 
the  interest  on  the  school  funds  among  the  several  schools  in 
town.     For  Governor,  Samuel  Dexter  had  eightj'-eight  and  John 


172  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

Brooks  forty-eight.  Voted  to  divide  the  fourth  school  district 
by  the  parish  Hue.  The  selectmen  were  directed  to  regulate 
the  ferries  in  town.  A  road  was  laid  out  for  the  benefit  of  John 
and  Cyrus  Mills  leading  from  the  house  of  John  Mills  to  the  road 
near  the  Widow  Grover's.  A  resolve  passed  by  the  General  Court, 
legalizing  the  doings  of  the  town,  was  placed  on  file  and  recorded. 
Voted  that  no  person  should  sell  spirituous  liquors  near  the  school 
house  where  the  town  meeting  is  lield.  Samuel  Chapman  was 
chosen  representative.  The  town  voted  for  separation  from  Massa- 
chusetts, seventy ;  opposed,  twenty-two.  Barbour  Bartlett  was 
elected  delegate  to  the  Brunswick  convention,  held  with  regard  to 
separation  from  Massachusetts.  Another  vote  on  separation  stood 
eighty- nine  in  favor,  thirty-one  opposed. 

1817-  ]Met  at  the  school  house  and  adjourned  to  the  Center 
meeting  house.  .  Peter  York  bid  otf  the  collectorship  of  taxes  and 
was  chosen  constable.  The  names  of  James  Beattie,  Micajah  Blake 
and  Dr.  John  G rover  appear  in  the  list  of  town  officers.  Henry 
Rust  received  ninety-nine  votes  as  candidate  for  County  Treasurer. 
The  usual  sums  of  money  were  raised.  It  was  voted  to  assist  the 
seventh  school  district  to  build  a  house.  This  meeting  was  held  in 
Center  meeting  house,  and  it  was  voted  that  the  constable  clear  the 
entry  of  spirituous  liquors.  A  committee  was  chosen  to  select  a 
site  fcr  a  bridge  across  Bear  river.  Voted  to  accept  of  a  road  laid 
out  from  William  Staples'  to  the  town  line.  Thomas  Frost  was 
annexed  to  the  first  school  district  on  the  north  side  of  the  river. 
A  road  was  laid  out  for  Peter  Grover,  beginning  at  his  corner  and 
running  to  the  county  road  between  Bethel  and  Greenwood.  Voted 
to  build  a  bridge  across  Bear  river,  the  expense  not  to  exceed  one 
hundred  and  ninety-five  dollars,  ^'oted  to  send  Barbour  Bartlett 
as  agent  to  Paris.  Voted  to  accept  tlie  bridle  road  laid  out  for 
Elijah  Bartlett.  Voted  a  committee  to  examine  the  place  for  a 
road  round  by  Mr.  Locke's  and  across  by  Col.  Hastings,  consisting 
of  Timothy  Carter,  Capt.  Daniel  Grout  and  Deacon  Asa  Kimball, 
Voted  to  ask  the  town  of  Newry  to  build  a  road  to  meet  the  road 
built  by  Bethel  to  Bear  river.  Voted  to  raise  a  committee  to  meet 
a  committee  from  Rumford  to  settle  the  legal  settlement  of  Ephraim 
Colby.  John  Burk  and  family  having  become  paupers  were  vari- 
ously disposed  of. 

1818.     Tlie   principal   officers   were    re-elected.     Four   hundred 


HI  STORY  OF  BETHEL.  \-% 

dollars  were  voted  for  schools.  Peter  York  bid  off  the  c-oUectorship 
and  was  chosen  constable.  The  town's  poor  were  disposed  of  at 
auction.  Besides  the  Hurk  fiimily,  Mrs.  Mary  Heminingway  was 
bid  off  by  Francis  Ilemmingway  at  one  dollar  and  fifty  cents  i)er 
week.  For  Governor,  John  Brooks  had  fifty-one  votes,  and  Benja- 
min W.  Crowningshield,  seventy-one.  Voted  to  approbate  the 
selectmen  for  presenting  to  the  grand  jury  the  names  of  i)ersons 
who  unlawfully  sell  spirituous  li(|uors  at  town  meetings.  A  road 
was  laid  out  for  Elijah  Bartlett  beginning  near  Ephraim  Powers' 
potash  and  ending  at  said  Bartlett's  lot.  'N'oted  not  to  send  a 
representative. 

1819.  The  meeting  was  called  at  the  Center  meeting  house. 
Dr.  Moses  Mason  was  chosen  moderator  and  Barbour  Bartlett, 
clerk.  Joseph  C.  Walker  was  one  of  the  town  officers  ;  also  HoUica 
Greenwood,  John  Y.  Dustiu,  Hiram  Allen,  Jonathan  A.  Russell, 
Jacob  Ellingwood.  William  Russell,  2d,  John  Stearns  and  ^Villiam 
Oliver.  A  road  for  each  of  the  last  two  was  accepted.  Voted  to 
raise  six  hundred  dollars  for  poor  and  for  town  charges,  fifteen 
hundred  for  ways  and  five  hundred  for  schools.  Voted  to  divide 
the  first  school  district,  near  Mr.  Willis'  north  of  the  river.  Voted 
to  assist  the  second  and  seventh  school  districts  in  building  school 
houses.  Voted  a  bounty  of  one  dollar  on  full  grown  bears  ;  also  a 
bounty  on  crow's  heads.  Voted  a  committee  to  make  enquiry  into 
the  property  affairs  of  Samuel  Ayer.  Dr.  Moses  Mason  was  elected 
n'i)resentative.  A  road  was  laid  out  for  William  Oliver,  beginning 
on  the  bank  of  the  river  at  Sunda^^  Rips  to  the  road  that  leads  from 
Bezaleel  Kendall's  to  James  Beattie's.  Another  road  was  laid  out 
from  Ebenezer  Bean's  house  to  the  road  leading  from  Gilead  to 
Capt.  Eleazer  Twitchell's  mills.  Also  a  road  for  the  benefit  of 
Jedediah  Grover  and  others,  beginning  near  Dr.  John  Grover's 
dwelling  house  and  ending  at  the  house  of  Widow  Lydia  Grover. 
A  road  was  laid  out  l)y  Jonathan  Abbot,  September  eighteenth, 
eighteen  hundred  and  nineteen,  beginning  near  Samuel  Ayer's  and 
Thaddeus  Bartlett's,  on  the  line  between  said  Ayer  and  Bartlett, 
running  by  Nathaniel  Bean's  and  south  of  Otter  Pond  and  so  on  to 
Greenwood  line.  It  was  laid  out  four  rods  wide  and  called  Otter  Pond 
road.  It  was  voted  to  rebuild  Alder  river  bridge,  and  a  committee 
was  chosen  to  look  after  it.  It  was  voted  to  pay  one-half  in  pro- 
duce and  one-half  in  labor  and  material.     Capt.  Daniel  (4rout  took 


174  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

the  job  at  one  hundred  and  fort^'-five  doUars.  Voted  iu  favor  of  sep- 
aration from  Massachusetts,  one  hundred  and  seventeen;  opposed, 
twenty-four.  Voted  to  send  an  agent  to  Paris  to  look  after  indicted 
roads.  Voted  to  petition  the  Court  of  Sessions  to  send  a  viewing 
committee  to  see  if  the  road  from  Gen.  Hastings'  potato  hole,  by 
Nathaniel  Swan's  to  John  Merrill's  cannot  be  altered.  Dr.  John 
Grover  was  selected  as  delegate  to  Portland  to  the  Constitutional 
convention.  The  vote  stood  :  Eli  Twitchell,  twenty-two  ;  Timothy 
Carter,  four  ;  Moses  Mason,  nine  ;  Barbour  Bartlett,  seventeen,  and 
Dr.  John  Grover,  sixty-three.  Voted  to  build  Bethel's  proportion 
of  Bear  river  bridge. 

1820.  Dr.  Carter  was  chosen  moderator  and  Barbour  Bartlett, 
clerk.  For  selectmen,  Timoth}'  Carter,  Dr.  John  Grover  and  Deacon 
John  Holt.  Peter  York  bid  off  the  collectorship.  Israel  Kimball  was 
chosen  pound  keeper.  One  hundred  and  forty  dollars  were  raised 
for  building  Alder  river  l)ridge.  Voted  that  suit  be  commenced 
against  Samuel  1».  Locke  provided  he  does  not  fulfil  his  contract 
respecting  the  public  lands.  The  disposition  of  paupers  was  left 
with  the  selectmen.  For  (Governor,  William  King  had  one  hundred 
and  twenty-two  votes  ;  scattering,  fifteen.  For  representative  there 
vas  no  choice  until  the  fifth  trial.  At  the  first  trial.  Doctor  Timotli}' 
Carter  iiad  sixty-seven,  Doctor  John  Grover,  fifty-four,  Barbour 
Bartlett,  twenty-eight,  scattering,  lliirfy.  At  the  fifth  trinl.  Doctor 
John  Grover  had  sixiy-uine  votes  and  was  elected.  James  Beattie 
bid  off  the  building  of  the  Bear  river  bridge  for  one  hundred  and 
thirty-live  dollars,  half  to  be  paid  in  stock  and  half  in  produce. 
Voted  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  to  make  repairs  and  pay  the 
fine  on  the  road  leading  from  Aaron  Abbot's  to  the  town  line. 

1821.  Timothy  Carter  was  chosen  moderator  but  was  excused, 
he  being  oliliged  to  visit  the  sick.  Israel  Kimball  was  chosen  first 
selectman,  but  declined  and  was  excused.  Jedediah  Burbank  bid 
oft"  the  collectorship.  Among  the  new  names  iu  the  list  of  town 
officers  were  .lames  Swan,  .Jr.,  Edmund  Bean,  Freeborn  G.  Bartlett, 
Jonathan  Wheeler,  Sylvanus  Twitchell,  .Tames  F.  Carter  and  Nathan 

A.  Foster.  Barbour  Bartlett  was  chosen  treasurer,  ^'oted  that 
the  trustees  of  the  ministerial  and  school  funds  settle  with  Samuel 

B.  Locke  for  the  lands  he  holds  in  consequence  of  building  mills. 
For  school  committee.  Dr.  Timothy  Carter,  Dr.   .John  (irover,   Dr. 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  I75 

Moses  Masou,  Barbour  Bartlett  and  Elias  Bartlett.  The  town's- 
poor  were  set  up  at  auction.  William  Burk  was  bid  off  by  Timotliy 
Bean  at  twenty-eight  cents  per  week  for  food  and  lodging,  mending 
and  tobacco.  Ezekiel  Whitman  had  twenty-four  votes  for  Gov- 
ernor, and  Albion  K.  Parris,  one  hundred  and  fourteen.  This  3'ear 
Dr.  Moses  Mason  was  licensed  as  an  inn-holder,  and  James  Walker,. 
O'Neil  W.  Robinson,  John  Merrill  and  James  F.  Carter  as  retailers- 
of  spirituous  liquors.  Votes  were  passed  leaving  the  Ingalls  family 
in  care  of  the  selectmen,  and  directing  the  selectmen  to  remonstrate 
against  a  division  of  Oxford  county.  Barbour  Bartlett  was  elected 
representative.  Voted  one  hundred  dollars  additional  for  building 
Bear  river  bridge,  and  that  the  same  be  assessed  immediately. 

1822.  Peter  York,  Phineas  Frost  and  Samuel  Chapman  were 
chosen  selectmen.  Otis  Grover  was  elected  collector  and  Barbour 
Bartlett,  clerk  and  treasurer.  Chandler  Russell,  Elihu  Bean.  Amos 
Andrews,  Simeon  Twitchell  and  William  Holt  were  among  the  town 
officers.  Voted  to  divide  the  lower  school  district  on  the  north  side 
of  the  river,  the  division  line  to  be  between  Jonathan  Powers'  and 
Jonas  Willis'.  Voted  to  build  a  bridge  across  Sunday  river.  It 
was  voted  to  allow  AVilliam  Pote  twenty  dollars  for  the  support  of 
Isaac  Frost,  provided  he  will  withdraw  his  suit  against  the  town. 
Susan  Farewell  and  her  child  were  bid  off  by  Reuben  Bartlett  at 
two  and  sixpence  per  week.  Timothy  Bean  bid  off  William  Burk 
at  two  cents  per  week.  Timothy  Bean  bid  off  the  building  of  Sun- 
day river  bridge  at  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars.  The  selectmen 
were  authorized  to  enquire  into  the  case  of  Burry  Colby,  a  pauper^ 
and  commence  snit  against  Rnmford,  if  they  thought  best.  J^liphaz 
Chapman  was  chosen  representative.  The  same  parties  as  last  year 
were  licensed  as  retailers  of  strong  drink.  Eleven  guide  boards 
were  ordered;  one  at  Robbins  Brown's,  one  at  James  Walker's^ 
one  at  Aaron  Abbot's,  two  at  Dustin's  Ferry,  one  in  the  pine  woods 
near  Kendall's  Ferry,  one  at  Nathaniel  Swan's,  one  at  Moses 
Mason's,  one  at  John  Ellingwood's,  one  at  Asa  Kimball's  and  one 
at  Micajah  Blake's. 

1823.  The  principal  town  officers  were  re-elected.  It  was 
voted  to  divide  the  fifth  school  district.  Among  the  town  officers 
were  John  Bean,  Leonard  Grover,  Hezekiah  Moody,  Calvin  Stearns, 
Israel  Kimball,  Jr.,  John  Cushman.     Voted  to  accept  and  pay  the 


176  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

bill  for  the  support  of  Poll}'  Capen.  The  field  drivers  this  year  were 
Eli  Twitchell,  O'Neil  AV.  Robinson,  Amos  Gage,  Daniel  G.  Elliug- 
wood,  Moses  Bartlett,  Eli  Twitchell,  3d,  Curatio  Twitchell,  Francis 
Barker,  Timothy  M.  Swan,  Aaron  B.  Swan,  Simeon  Brown,  James 
A.  S.  Bartlett,  Peter  Kimball,  Calvin  Stearns,  George  Kimball  and 
Hezekiah  Mood}'.  Perkins  P.  Monlton  was  chosen  collector  of 
taxes.  For  school  committee.  Rev.  Charles  Frost,  Dr.  John 
Grover,  Timothy  Carter,  Barbour  Bartlett  and  Elias  Bartlett. 
^'oted  to  open  a  road  over  Jesse  Cross'  mill  stream  and  build  a 
bridge.  Captain  Daniel  Grant  was  chosen  a  committee  to  superin- 
tend the  work.  Voted  to  divide  the  third  school  district,  and  that 
each  district  fence  its  own  burying  grounds.  The  road  was  again 
located  between  the  river  road  and  the  town  line  near  Solomon 
Annas'  house.  (This  is  the  present  road  between  Bean's  Corner 
and  Locke's  Mills.  At  this  time,  Thomas  Goss,  F^li  Foster  and 
James  A.  S.  Bartlett  had  settled  along  the  line  of  this  road.) 
O'Neil  W.  Robinson,  Eli  Twitchell,  2d,  and  Luther  Locke  were 
licensed  to  sell  strong  liijuors.  \'oted  to  accept  with  some  modifi- 
cations, the  plan  of  Amos  Hills,  for  a  bridge  across  Mill  Brook. 
Voted  to  abate  the  tax  of  John  Burk,  who  lived  with  Justus  Bean, 
and  to  accept  a  road  laid  out  for  Perkins  P.  Monlton. 

1824.  Moses  Mason  was  elected  modeialor  and  Barbour  Bart- 
lett. clerk  and  treasurer.  Among  the  names  of  minor  town  officers 
•were  Jonathan  Powers,  John  Y.  Dustin,  James  Wheeler,  William 
Estes,  Abijah  Lapham,  .Joshua  Bean,  Peter  Estes  and  John  Stev- 
ens. School  committee,  William  Frye,  Timothy  Carter  and  Elias 
Bartlett.  Struck  off  the  child  of  Sukey  Farewell  to  Benjamin 
Estes,  at  seventy-five  cents  per  week,  and  Mrs.  Reynolds  to  Otis 
Orover  at  forty-six  cents  a  week  until  her  husband  returns  or  some 
other  provision  is  made  for  her  support.  Voted  to  abate  taxes  in 
Otis  G rover's  bills  against  Thomas  Coffin,  William  Grover,  Elias 
Russell,  Samuel  Tyler,  Thomas  Waldeu,  Isaac  York,  Jonathan 
Fowler  and  Abiather  Bean.  Raised  five  hundred  dollars  for  town 
charges  and  fifteen  hundred  dollars  for  roads.  Jonathan  Abbot 
was  chosen  collector.  Samuel  B.  Locke  was  chosen  agent  to  opi)ose 
a  road  laid  out  from  Jason  Sherman's  to  Capt.  Eli  Twitchell's.  A 
road  was  accepted  from  John  Estes  to  Thomas  Cushman  ;  also  a 
road  from  a  point  between  Timothy  Caj^en's  and  Simeon  Brown's 
land  and  running  east  of  south  to  Url)au  Shorey's  land  ;   also  a  road 


HISTORY  OF  B ETHEL. 


177 


from  Jacob  Kimball's  to  Solomon  Annas'  land.  (The  road  over 
Berry  Hill)  ;  also  a  bridle  road  from  John  Estes'  to  Arnold  Pow- 
ers' place.  Voted  to  accept  the  alteration  made  in  the  road  from 
Grover  Hill  throngh  Amasa  Clark's  laud.  Voted  to  examine  the 
road,  that  part  of  the  road  lietween  Thomas  Cushman's  and  John 
Estes',  and  to  accept  the  part  laid  out  between  Estes'  and  William 
Farewell's.  The  selectmen  were  directed  to  examine  the  road  be- 
tween Abbot's  Mills  and  Locke's  Mills,  and  instruct  the  agent.  A 
road  was  accepted  beginning  near  Josiah  Brown's  barn,  running  by 
James  Hodsdon's  to  the  road  leading  l)y  Elijah  Bartlett,  on  petition 
of  John  Cushman. 

1825-  Moses  Mason  was  moderator  and  Barbour  Bartlett, 
clerk  and  treasurer.  Among  the  minor  town  officers  were  Levi 
Berry,  Jr.,  Peter  Kimball,  Lawson  Mason,  Luther  Eames,  Benjamin 
Swett,  Simeon  Sanborn  and  Nathan  Eames.  Voted  that  school 
districts  should  cboose  their  own  agents.  Timothy  Hastings  was 
chosen  representative,  receiving  fifty-nine  votes  to  forty-three  for 
Phineas  Frost.  Isaac  Twombly  bid  off  the  building  of  the  new  road 
near  Whale's  Back  (Rumford  and  Paris  road)  for  one  hundred  and 
ninety  dollars.  Voted  to  postpone  the  alteration  of  the  road  near 
Luther  Locke's  store.  Voted  that  the  highway'  surveyors  in  the 
three  nearest  districts  work  out  their  delinquent  taxes  on  the  roads 
leading  from  the  lower  part  of  Bethel  to  Norway  b}'  way  of  Locke's 
Mills,  and  on  the  road  from  Abbot's  ]Mills  to  Locke's  Mills,  in  each 
case,  to  Bethel  line. 

1826.  The  old  board  of  officers  were  re-elected,  Barljour  Bart- 
lett as  clerk  and  Phineas  Frost  as  chairman  of  the  selectmen.  Two 
thousand  dollars  were  voted  for  the  repair  of  roads.  Elijah  Grover 
was  elected  collector  and  constable.  Among  the  highway  surve^'ors 
were  Eli  Estes,  Eben  Richardson,  Edmund  Bean,  Hiram  Holt, 
Jacob  Kimball,  George  AV.  Grover  and  Walter  Mason,  Jr.  Field 
drivers  were  Aaron  Mason,  Ebenezer  Bean,  Foster  Farewell, 
Sylvanus  Twitchell,  Jefferson  Howard  and  Thomas  Goss.  Voted 
to  pay  money  to  the  soldiers  and  not  furnish  rations.  Jacob  Little- 
hale  bid  off  Susan  Farewell's  child  at  eighty-six  cents  a  week.  The 
support  of  Isaac  Frost  was  struck  off  to  Peregrine  Bartlett,  and  that 
of  Calvin  Twitchell  left  with  the  selectmen.  A  road  was  accepted 
leading  from  James  Wheeler's  to  the  road  leading  from  Otis  G  rover's 
to  John  Grover's.     A  bridle  road  was  accepted  running  from  Caleb 

12 


178  HISTOBY  OF  BETHEL. 

Besse's  northwesterly  to  land  owned  by  John  Twombly.  George 
W.  Chapman  of  Gilead  was  elected  representative.  At  an  adjourned 
meeting  held  at  Bear  river  bridge,  it  was  voted  to  rebuild  the  bridge 
with  long  stringers  supported  overhead  with  braces.  The  building 
of  the  bridge  was  bid  off  by  Phineas  Frost.  The  transportation  of 
Calvin  Twitchell,  wife  and  three  children,  to  Oneida  county,  New 
York,  where  they  belong,  was  bid  off  by  George  Bean,  for  eighty- 
four  dollars  and  fifty  cents. 

1827.  Peter  Frost  was  chosen  chairman  of  the  selectmen,  Adam 
Willis,  second,  and  Jonathan  Abbot,  third.  Highway  surveyors 
were  directed  to  keep  the  town  roads  open  in  winter.  William 
Estes  was  made  collector  of  taxes  in  the  West  Parish  and  Adam 
Willis  in  the  East ;  the  latter  declined  serving  and  Elihu  Kilgore 
was  chosen  in  his  place.  Among  the  highway  surveyors  were 
Joseph  Holt,  John  Hastings,  Caleb  Rowe,  Ayers  Mason,  James  M. 
Pote,  Eleazer  Kowe,  Abijah  Lapham,  Edmund  Segar,  and  Israel 
Kimball,  Jr.  Among  the  field  drivers  were  David  B.  Glines,  Wil- 
liam Berry,  Samuel  Bean  and  Nathan  F.  Twitchell.  Voted  to 
supply  the  soldiers  with  rations  and  not  money.  Voted  to  accept 
the  road  from  Joseph  Sanborn's  to  Eben  Greenwood's.  William 
Frye,  Esq.,  was  chosen  town  agent.  Voted  to  give  the  Berry  dis- 
trict twenty  dollars  to  build  a  school  house.  (This  is  the  house 
still  standing  and  known  as  the  Bird  Hill  school  house.)  The 
pauper  child  of  Abigail  Swan  was  left  at  the  disposal  of  the  select- 
men. Seth  B.  Newell  was  a  juryman  that  year.  A  road  was  laid 
out  from  near  the  house  of  William  Frye  to  the  laud  of  Ambrose 
C.  Cilley,  and  another  from  the  old  Grover  Hill  road  to  the  road 
leading  by  the  house  of  Jedediah  Grover.  Voted  to  quitclaim  to 
Reuben  Bartlett  an  island  which  was  sold  to  the  town  by  Isaac 
Frost,  on  condition  tliat  Bartlett  take  care  of  Frost  for  one  year. 
The  selectmen  were  instructed  to  discharge  on  certain  conditions,  a 
note  given  the  town  by  Return  J.  Ellingwood  and  signed  by  John 
Ellingwood. 

1828.  The  meeting  was  held  ;March  third,  at  the  Center  meeting 
house.  Phineas  Frost,  Jedediah  Burbank  and  Timothy  Hastings 
were  chosen  selectmen.  The  collectors  weie  re-elected.  Baxter 
Lyon,  Peter  Estes,  James  Estes,  Enoch  Estes,  Peter  Kimball, 
Francis  Barker,  Moses  Chandler,  Hannibal  Kimball,  Barrett  Howard 
and  William  Berry  were  among  the  minor  town  officers.     Rebecca 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  lyc^ 

Beattie  and  all  the  poor  of  that  family  were  left  at  the  disposal  of 
the  selectmen.  A^oted  to  give  the  Laphara  school  district  (No.  11) 
twenty  dollars  toward  bnilding  a  school  house.  Phiueas  Frost  was 
chosen  agent  to  oppose  the  road  around  Swan's  Hill.  Voted  to 
petition  the  court  of  sessions  to  change  the  road  between  Samuel 
Ayer's  and  Greenwood  line.  Voted  to  accept  bridle  roads  over  to 
Staples'  Ferry  and  over  to  Edmund  Chapman's  Mills.  Voted  to 
leave  the  case  of  Solomon  Annas  with  the  overseers  of  the  poor. 
Voted  that  the  town  will  make  the  road  from  Thomas  Gosses  to 
Greenwood  line,  if  certain  complainants  will  build  from  Samuel 
Ayers'  to  Gosses.  Voted  that  the  selectmen  lay  out  a  road  from 
Elijah  Grover's  store  to  Jesse  Bean's.  Voted  to  accept  a  new  road 
and  discontinue  an  old  one  near  Elijah  Grover's  Corner. 

1829.  Doctor  Mason  was  chosen  moderator  and  Barbour  Bart- 
left  was  continued  as  clerk  and  treasurer.  Barrett  Howard  was 
chosen  collector  and  constable.  Voted  to  pay  the  soldiers  money. 
William  Estes  was  re-elected  collector  for  the  West  Parish.  For 
field  drivers,  Sylvanus  Twitchell,  Samuel  Holt,  William  Frye,  Silas 
Grover,  George  V.  Ellingwood,  Peter  Estes,  Clark  Kimball  and 
Jonathan  Chapman.  The  trustees  of  the  ministerial  fund  were 
directed  to  divide  the  money  in  their  hands  among  the  several 
denominations.  Voted  to  petition  the  selectmen  to  discontinue  the 
road  over  Duston's  Ferry,  from  one  county  road  to  the  other.  For 
Governor,  Samuel  E.  Smith  had  one  hundred  and  thirty-four  votes, 
Jonathan  G.  Hunton,  fifty-six.  Phineas  Frost  was  chosen  repre- 
sentative. Voted  that  retailers  be  licensed  by  the  selectmen  as 
they  formerly  were.  Voted  that  the  trustees  of  the  school  funds 
sell  the  balance  of  the  school  land,  and  add  the  proceeds  to  the 
funds. 

1830.  Sylvanus  Twitchell  was  chosen  moderator  and  Barbour 
Bartlett,  clerk.  Moses  Mason,  Israel  Kimball  and  Elias  Bartlett 
were  chosen  selectmen.  The  suit  Bingham  against  Bethel  was  left 
with  the  selectmen.  Delinquent  collectors  were  called  upon  to 
settle  their  accounts  on  pain  of  suit  against  themselves  and  their 
bondsmen.  William  Estes  was  chosen  constable  and  collector. 
The  road  between  Jonathan  Chapman's  and  Edmund  Chapman's 
mill  was  accepted.  Voted  that  the  ministerial  fund  shall  be  divided 
among  the  several  denominations  in  town,  and  that  each  voter  be 
requested  to  state   his    preference.     Thaddeus   Bartlett,    Timothy 


180  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

Ayer,  George  Kimball,  Eli  Foster,  James  Estes,  Jacob  Kimball, 
William  Bartlett  and  James  A.  S.  Bartlett  were  allowed  to  draw 
out  their  school  money  and  expend  the  same  elsewhere.  Samuel 
Bai'ker  was  chosen  agent  to  open  the  road  from  Eben  Greenwood's 
to  Albany  line.  A  vote  was  taken  on  the  division  of  the  town  and 
decided  in  the  negative.  For  Governor,  Samuel  E.  Smith  had  two 
hundred  and  four  votes,  and  Jonathan  G.  Huutou,  seventy- four. 
James  Burbank  was  chosen  representative.  The  town  clerk,  treas- 
urer and  selectmen  were  directed  to  petition  the  legislature  for 
permission  to  transfer  the  school  funds  from  the  trustees  to  the 
selectmen. 

1831.  Sylvanus  Twitchell  was  chosen  moderator  and  Barbour 
Bartlett,  clerk,  ^'oted  to  allow  Samuel  Barker  eightj^-nine  dollars 
and  forty-nine  cents  for  opening  the  road  across  the  great  meadows 
to  Albany  line.  William  Frye  was  appointed  agent  to  make  inquiry 
regarding  the  property  of  Widow  Annas.  Spencer  Drake  was 
■chosen  one  of  the  selectmen.  Barbour  Bartlett  was  chosen  treasurer 
and  collector.  Voted  that  Dr.  John  Grover  shall  have  the  land 
belonging  to  James  Grover  on  the  payment  by  him  of  the  cost  of 
the  support  of  said  James  Grover.  Among  the  highway  surveyors 
were  John  B.  Mason,  Caleb  Bessee,  Eli  Estes,  Peter  Estes  and 
Moses  Bisbee.  Eli  Grover,  Jr.,  James  Grover,  Peter  Grover  and 
Isaac  C.  Cross  were  set  off  from  the  fifth  school  district  and  made 
a  separate  district.  William  Frye,  Lovel  P.  Chadbourn  and  Jotham 
S.  Lane  were  chosen  school  committee.  Isaac  Frost  was  struck  off 
to  Gilman  Hodgman  and  Return  Ellingwood  to  Peregrine  Bartlett. 
Voted  to  accept  the  road  laid  to  Stephen  Hodsdon's.  A  road  was 
accepted  beginning  on  the  road  leading  from  Locke's  Mills  to  Thad- 
deus  P.  Bartlett's  and  ending  at  the  road  leading  from  Walker's 
Mills  to  Locke's  Mills,  on  tlie  east  side  of  Bear  Brook.  A  road 
was  also  accepted  to  Robert  F.  Farewell's  house,  and  one  from  the 
road  leading  from  Samuel  B.  Locke's  to  Newr^',  and  ending  at 
Locke's  Mills  in  Bethel.  Voted  that  the  selectmen  petition  for  the 
discontinuance  of  one  of  the  roads,  either  on  the  north  or  the  south 
side  of  the  Alder  river  toward  Locke's  Mills  in  Greenwood.  Voted 
that  James  Walker  make  good  the  road  along  by  his  canal. 

1832.  Two  thousand  dollars  had  been  the  standard  sum  to 
raise  for  repair  of  roads  for  several  years,  and  for  schools  the 
amount  required  by  law.     For  school   committee,   William  Frye, 


HISTOBY  OF  BETHEL.  181 

Charles  Frost  and  Reuben  B.  Foster.  The  selectmen  were  directed 
to  have  the  indictment  removed  from  the  road  leading  from  Solomon 
Annas'  by  Eli  H.  Cnshman's.  Reuben  Bartlett  and  others  were  set 
off  into  a  school  district  by  themselves.  A  bridle  road  was  accepted 
from  Eli  H.  Cnshman's  to  the  town  line  near  Isaac  Cummiugs'. 
The  selectmen  were  directed  to  license  retailers  of  strong  drink. 
Asa  Kimball  was  elected  representative  on  the  fourth  ballot. 
Ebenezer  Eames  was  chosen  agent  to  repair  Bear  river  bridge. 

1833.  The  meeting  was  held  at  the  Center  meeting  house  as 
usual.  Moses  Mason,  Reuben  B.  Foster  and  Norman  Clark  were 
chosen  selectmen.  William  Estes  and  Phineas  Frost  were  chosen 
constables.  Barbour  Bartlett  was  chosen  clerk,  treasurer  and  col- 
lector of  taxes.  Among  the  minor  town  officers  were  Barbour 
Willis,  Orson  Powers,  Benjamin  Russell,  Edward  Thompsou,  Amos 
Gage,  Jr.,  Jonathan  Abbot,  Jr.,  Robert  A.  Chapman,  John  Jordan 
and  Nathan  Stearns.  Voted  not  to  license  retailers  to  sell  liquors 
to  be  drank  at  the  stores,  and  that  the  treasurer  call  on  the  retailers 
for  tlieir  fees.  Voted  to  sell  wheat  belonging  to  the  town  at  auction. 
Voted  to  choose  a  committee  to  re-district  the  town  into  school  dis- 
tricts. Accepted  a  road  from  David  Sanborn's  to  the  road  leading 
to  Rumford  :  also  a  road  from  Timothy  A.  Holt's  house  to  Peregrine 
Duston's  house  Also  a  road  leading  from  Aaron  Frost's  to  the 
road  laid  by  the  town  of  Newry.  Reuben  B.  Foster  was  chosen 
agent  to  look  after  complained  of  roads  the  ensuing  year.  Voted 
that  the  selectmen  try  and  establish  the  town  line  at  the  southeast 
corner  of  the  town.  Voted  to  aece])t  the  Richard  Estes  school  dis- 
trict as  number  one,  and  the  Eli  Foster  district  as  number  two.  In 
the  list  of  names  placed  in  the  jury  box,  were  Francis  Barker,  Luther 
Beau,  Humphrey  Bean,  Nathan  Grover,  Eli  Foster,  Ayers  Mason, 
Elias  M.  Carter,  Robert  A.  Chapman,  Reuben  B.  Foster  and  John 
Hastings.  An  adjourned  meeting  was  opened  at  the  Center  meet- 
ing house  and  adjourned  to  Dr.  Carter's  wagon  house.  Voted  to  pay 
twelve  dollars  for  the  use  of  the  meeting  house  for  town  purposes. 

1834.  Spencer  Drake  was  chosen  moderator  and  Barbour  Bart- 
lett, clerk.  George  Chapman  and  William  P.  Frost  were  chosen 
constables.  The  following  school  agents  were  chosen  :  Kpliraim 
Powers,  Samuel  Holt,  Walter  Mason,  Jr.,  Gilman  Chapman, 
Thaddeus  Twitchell,  James  Grover,  Jonathan  Abbot,  Humphrey 
Bean,  Joel  Howe,  Seth  B.  Newell,  Abner  Biown,  Fbeuezer  Eames, 


182  HISTOBY    OF  BETHEL. 

Eli  p:stes,  Leonard  Grover,  Hiram  Holt,  Wm.  P.  Frost,  Luther 
Bean  and  Isaac  .1.  Town.  Twenty-five  hundred  dollars  were  raised 
for  the  repair  of  ways.  Roads  on  the  petition  of  John  Cushman, 
Geo.  W.  Phelps,  Foster  Farewell,  Phineas  Howard,  Tildeu  Bartlett 
and  Hiram  Allen,  all  private  ways  and  mostly  bridle  paths.  Voted 
to  hold  the  next  town  meeting  at  the  upper  meeting  house  in  the 
West  Parish,  and  that  the  selectmen  be  a  committee  to  confer  with 
the  proprietors  of  the  Center  meeting  house,  with  regard  to  holding 
future  meetings  there.  For  Representative  to  Congress,  Dr.  ]\Ioses 
Mason  had  one  hundred  and  eighty-eight  votes,  Timothy  J.  Carter, 
forty-eight,  and  Oliver  Herrick,  seventy-two.  Capt.  Asa  Kimball 
was  elected  to  the  legislature.  Voted  a  road  from  William  Bart- 
lett's  to  the  old  road  leading  to  John  Estes'  place  ;  also  an  alteration 
of  the  road  from  Isaac  Estes  to  the  Hamlin's  Gore  line  between 
Sylvanus  Bartlett  and  Robert  Bearce.  Voted  to  discontinue  so 
much  of  the  road  from  the  school  house  near  John  Williamson's, 
by  William  Farewell's  to  the  John  Swift  house,  as  there  is  from 
where  it  leaves  Timothy  A.  Holt's  road  to  the  Swift  house.  AVilliam 
Frye  was  town  clerk  the  last  of  the  year. 

1835.  Edmund  Merrill  was  chosen  moderator  and  William  Frye 
clerk,  also  town  agent.  Stephen  Bartlett  bid  off  the  collect© rship. 
Among  the  minor  town  otlicers  were  Abraham  Jordan,  Piram  Bis- 
bee,  Tyler  P.  Town,  Ball  Bartlett,  Jonathan  C.  Robertson,  Daniel 
Estes,  Sumner  Stearns.  The  election  of  agents  showed  that  there 
were  twentj^-one  srhool  districts.  Four  hundred  dollars  were  raised 
for  support  of  the  poor,  besides  ihe  usual  amounts  for  other  pur- 
poses. Voted  that  teachers  make  reports  to  the  school  committee 
on  blanks  furnished  at  the  expense  of  the  town.  Voted  that  the 
September  meeting  be  held  at  the  old  Methodist  meeting  house  on 
the  north  side  of  the  river.  (This  meeting  was  held  in  tlie  meeting 
house  near  Barker's  Ferry.)  ^''oted  to  accept  the  road  laid  out  on 
petition  of  Samuel  Bird  and  others.  Voted  that  the  next  meeting 
be  at  the  uew^  meeting  house  near  Capt.  Timothy  Hastings.  The 
Samuel  Bird  road  was  laid  out  from  his  road  through  Peter  Ayer's 
land  to  the  road  near  John  Bird's.  Joseph  Twitchell  had  a  road 
accepted  running  from  his  house  to  the  county  road  on  Daniel 
Grout's  land,  to  be  a  bridle  road. 

1836.  Phineas  Frost  was  chosen  moderator  and  William  Frj^e, 
clerk.     Phineas  Frost,  Timothy  Hastings  and  John  B.  Mason  were 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL  183 

choseu  selectmen.  Voted  to  allow  Edmund  Chapman  one  dollar 
per  week  for  keeping  Betsey  Chapman.  Aaron  Cross  was  chosen 
collector  and  constable.  A  separate  school  district  was  formed  at 
Walker's  Mills.  Peter  G.  Smith  was  annexed  to  the  fifteenth 
school  district.  Voted  that  Hezekiah  Moody,  Stephen  Estes  and 
Tilden  Bartlett  be  permitted  to  draw  their  school  money  and  expend 
the  same  in  the  Hamlin's  Gore  district.  As  required  by  act  of  the 
legislature,  the  limitation  of  the  two  militia  companies  was  fixed  b}- 
the  parish  line,  the  lower  company  commanded  by  Moses  Bartlett, 
and  the  upper  by  John  Harris.  In  eighteen  hundred  and  forty- 
three,  the  lower  company  was  commanded  by  Captain  William  God- 
dard.  Voted  against  the  annexation  of  Hamlin's  Gore  to  Bethel. 
Robert  P.  Duulap  had  one  hundred  and  ninety-five  votes  for  Gov- 
ernor, and  Edward  Kent,  forty-two.  A  road  was  accepted  from 
Hezekiah  Moody's  to  the  old  road  leading  from  John  Estes,  2d  to 
Eli  Estes. 

1837-  Phineas  Frost  was  chosen  moderator  and  Elias  M.  Car- 
ter, clerk.  Ebenezer  Eames  was  chosen  treasurer.  James  C.  Bean 
and  Aaron  Cross  were  elected  collectors  of  taxes,  each  for  his  re- 
spective parish.  Among  the  minor  town  officers  were  Jedediah  T. 
Kimball,  Moses  Barker,  Bartlett  Hodgdon,  William  Goddard, 
Stephen  Estes,  Benjamin  Estes,  Aaron  M.  York  and  Ephraim  C. 
Bartlett.  Charles  Frost,  Benjamin  Douham  and  Thomas  Roberts 
were  elected  school  committee.  Three  thousand  dollars  were  raised 
for  roads.  The  town's  poor  were  disposed  of  at  auction.  The  re- 
pair of  the  bridges  over  Bear,  Sunday  and  Pleasant  rivers  was  left 
with  the  selectmen.  Tilton  B.  and  Joseph  Heath  were  added  to 
Peter  Twitchell's  school  district  and  Thomas  Goss  to  the  Eli  Foster 
district.  At  a  meeting  March  thirtieth,  it  was  voted  that  Bethel  re- 
ceive its  share  of  the  surplus  revenue,  and  Ebenezer  Eames  was 
chosen  agent  to  receive  the  money.  Subsequently  Jedediah  Bur- 
bank  and  Nathan  Grover,  together  with  Ebenezer  Eames  were  con- 
stituted a  committee  to  receive  the  money.  They  were  required  to 
give  bonds  to  the  town  for  the  faithful  discharge  of  their  duties. 
It  was  then  voted  that  the  money,  when  received,  be  loaned  to  the 
inhabitants  on  their  notes  properly  secured.  Two  new  school  dis- 
tricts were  created,  one  on  petition  of  Jonathan  A.  Russell  and  one 
on  petition  of  Dr.  Timothy  Carter.  After  several  meetings  and 
much  excited  discussion,  it  was  voted  that  the  town's  [jroportion  of 


184  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

the  surplus  revenue  be  deposited  in  the  town  treasury  and  be 
divided  among  the  heads  of  families  in  town  according  to  the  last 
census,  as  a  loan  at  six  per  cent,  interest.  At  the  next  meeting  it 
was  voted  that  the  money  should  be  distributed  as  provided,  only 
so  modified  that  heads  of  families  should  only  be  required  to  give 
their  personal  promise  to  pay  when  called  upon  to  do  so.  Phineas 
Frost  was  elected  representative. 

1838.  Aaron  Mason  was  elected  collector  for  the  whole  town. 
Phineas  Frost,  Israel  Kimball  and  Moses  Mason  were  chosen  select- 
men. Among  minor  town  officers  were  Chandler  Russell,  David 
Sanborn,  Daniel  Estes,  John  Needham,  William  F.  Kendall  and 
Amos  Andrews.  The  following  persons  were  made  a  school  dis- 
trict by  themselves  :  John  Williamson,  Levi  Shaw,  John  Beattie, 
Richard  Garland,  Timothy  Carter,  Elias  M.  Carter,  James  F.  Car- 
ter, P>eniamin  Donham,  Israel  Kimball,  Jedediah  T.  Kimball,  Ed- 
mund Merrill  and  Mary  Mason.  Another  school  district  was  made 
up  of  the  following  persons  :  Jonathan  A.  Russell,  Timothy  Capen, 
Aaron  Abbot,  Caleb  Coffin,  David  Coffin,  John  Russell,  Leander 
Russell,  Eleazer  Twitchell,  Aaron  Abbot,  Jr.,  Ayers  Mason  and 
George  Chapman.  The  town's  poor  were  bid  off  bj'  Moses  Bart- 
lett  at  five  hundred  and  thirty  dollars.  A  road  was  accepted  for 
Urban  Sborey  from  his  house  to  the  house  built  by  Elijah  Gossom. 
The  trustees  of  the  ministerial  and  school  funds  were  requested  to 
pay  over  the  funds  in  their  hands  to  the  town  officers.  Timothy 
Hastings  was  chosen  agent  to  oppose  the  proposed  road  from  Walk- 
er's Mills  to  Lovel.  For  Governor,  John  Fairfield  had  two  hundred 
and  eighty-nine  votes  and  Edward  Kent  ninety-seven.  Phineas 
Frost  was  elected  representative. 

1839.  Moses  Mason  was  elected  moderator  and  Elias  M.  Car- 
ter, clerk.  Voted  that  the  town  pay  a  reasonable  sum  for  trans- 
porting the  soldiers  to  Augusta,  and  that  they  must  be  there  on 
Wednesday  next  at  nine  o'clock  in  the  forenoon.  A  committee  was 
appointed  who  contracted  with  John  Hastings,  Bezaleel  Kendall, 
Benjamin  Brown,  Joseph  Twitchell,  John  Needham,  William  Fare- 
well and  Elhanon  Bartlett  to  furnish  teams  and  take  the  drafted  sol- 
diers from  the  town  of  Bethel  to  Augusta,  their  expenses  to  be  paid 
by  the  town,  but  they  are  to  receive  no  pa}'  unless  the  State  shall 
pay  it.  Israel  Kimball  was  elected  collector  of  taxes.  Elijah  Har- 
den was  chosen  sexton,  and  Moses  Mason,  town  agent.     The  poor 


HISTOBY    OF  BETHEL.  185 

were  left  iu  charge  of  the  selectmen.  It  was  voted  to  give  the  use 
of  Barker's  Ferry  to  the  bridge  corporation.  Voted  that  the  treas- 
urer burn  the  receipts  given  for  surplus  revenue  money.  Chose  a 
committee  to  re- district  the  town  for  school  purposes.  Francis  Up- 
ton was  allowed  to  expend  his  school  money  in  Albany.  A  road 
was  accepted  from  Caleb  Bessee's  to  Tilden  Bartlett's,  one  from 
Rufus  Grover's  to  Jedediah  Grover's,  and  one  from  Zenas  Gary's 
to  Gould  Spofford's,  also  a  road  from  Abraham  Bryant's  house  to 
the  town  road  that  leads  from  Solomon  Annas'  to  Eli  H.  Cushman's. 
Voted  to  rebuild  Bear  river  bridge.  The  job  was  struck  off  to  Ezra 
Twitchell,  the  lowest  Ijidder.  The  meetings  were  now  held  at  Mid- 
dle Interval  meeting  house.  A  meeting,  September  ninth,  was  ad- 
journed to  Elias  ]M.  Carter's  new  barn.     Voted  to  divide  the  town. 

1840.  Moses  Mason  was  chosen  moderator  and  Elias  ]\I.  Car- 
ter, clerk.  Israel  Kimball  was  again  elected  collector.  Voted  to 
accept  the  report  of  the  treasurer  of  the  ministerial  and  school 
funds.  Among  those  elected  to  office  were  Lyman  Bird,  John  Bird, 
David  Elliot,  William  Whitcomb,  Jesse  Cross  and  Elihu  Bean. 
The  support  of  the  poor  was  sold  at  auction,  John  Russell  to  Wil- 
liam Andrews,  William  Grover  to  Sumner  Stearns,  Betsey  Chapman 
to  Edmund  Bean,  Mrs.  Goss  to  her  son  Thomas  Goss,  and  Susan 
Farewell's  child  to  Bezaleel  Kendall.  John  Estes  was  struck  off  to 
Edmund  Bean.  Mrs.  Sprague  and  son  were  left  in  the  hands  of 
the  selectmen.  The  report  of  the  committee  on  school  districts  was 
read  and  accepted.  District  number  one  was  in  the  lower  part  of 
the  town  on  the  north  side  of  the  river.  Number  two  was  next  to 
it,  and  called  the  Willis  district ;  number  three,  the  Peter  G.  Smith 
district;  number  four,  the  Thaddeus  Twitchell  district;  number 
five,  the  Simeon  Twitchell  district ;  number  six,  Richard  Estes  dis- 
trict ;  number  seven,  Eli  Foster's  district :  number  eight,  Samuel 
Kimball's  district ;  number  nine,  Humphrey  Bean's  district;  num- 
ber ten,  Swan  Hill  district ;  number  eleven,  Middle  Interval :  num- 
ber twelve,  Bezaleel  Kendall's;  number  thirteen,  Jonathan  Abbot 
Russell's;  number  fourteen,  Abial  Chandler;  number  fifteen, 
Bethel  Hill;  number  sixteen.  Dr.  John  Grover's;  number  seven- 
teen, Leonard  Grover's  ;  numl)er  eighteen,  David  Holt's  ;  number 
nineteen,  Amos  Andrews  ;  number  twenty,  Caleb  Bessee's  :  number 
twenty-one,  Eli  Cushman's  (Bird  Hill ;)  number  twenty-two,  Jona- 
than  Abbot's    (Walker's    Mills;)     number    twenty-three,    James 


186  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

Grover's  and  number  twenty-four,  Grover  Hill.  Moses  Mason  was 
made  town  agent.  Voted  to  accept  a  road  from  John  E.  Farewell's 
to  Abial  Chandler's,  it  being  just  a  mile  in  length. 

1841.  Moses  Mason  was  chosen  moderator  and  Elias  M.  Car- 
ter, clerk.  Ebenezer  Eames  was  elected  treasurer.  Wesley  Co- 
burn,  Pinckney  Burnham,  Jonathan  C.  Robertson  and  John  Hast- 
ings, surveyors  of  lumber.  Peter  H.  Albee,  Francis  Barker, 
Amaziah  Nutting  and  James  Locke,  tythingmen,  and  William 
Frye,  Leander  Jewett  and  Eliphaz  C.  Bean,  school  committee. 
Voted  to  build  a  town  house,  to  stand  somewhere  between  the 
school  house  in  district  number  twelve  and  the  Sanborn  road.  The 
selectmen  were  directed  to  build  a  road  from  Hezekiah  Moody's  to 
John  Estes'  place.  Voted  to  divide  the  fifth  school  district.  A 
road  was  accepted  for  Daniel  Hodgdon  from  his  house  to  the  road 
leading  from  Locke's  Mills  to  Bean's  Corner,  near  Ebenezer  Bart- 
lett's  house,  also  a  road  for  John  D.  Gossom,  beginning  near 
Jedediah  T.  Kimball's  house  and  ending  near  a  house  once  owned 
by  James  Hodgdon  ;  also  one  leading  from  said  Kimball's  to  the 
road  leading  from  Samuel  Gossom's  to  Urban  Shorey's.  Voted  to 
build  a  bridge  across  Sunday  river  like  tlie  bridge  across  Bear  river, 
and  the  job  was  bid  off  by  Ebenezer  Eames.  At  a  subsequent 
meeting,  the  plan  for  a  town  house  presented  by  the  selectmen  was 
accepted.  Voted  to  remonstrate  against  the  petition  of  Phineas 
Frost,  to  divide  the  luwu  oy  the  parish  line.  For  Governor,  John 
Fairfield  had  two  hundred  and  seventy  votes,  Edward  Kent,  sixty- 
five  and  Jeremiah  Curtis,  nineteen.  William  Fr^^e  was  elected  rep- 
resentative. For  biennial  sessions  and  elections,  the  town  voted 
thirty-five  in  favor,  and  one  hundred  and  twenty-seven  opposed. 

1842.  Aaron  Cross  was  chosen  moderator  and  Eliphaz  C. 
Bean,  clerk.  William  Frye  was  chosen  town  agent.  The  school 
committee  men  were  re-elected.  The  town's  poor  were  left  at  the 
disposal  of  the  overseers  of  the  poor.  The  practice  of  selling  their 
support  at  auction,  which  had  prevailed  for  several  years,  was 
omitted  this  year,  A  report  of  the  school  and  ministerial  funds  was 
made,  showing  that  the}'  amounted  to  eleven  hundred  sixty-five  dol- 
lars and  thirty-five  cents.  These  proceedings  were  considered  void, 
in  consequence  of  the  moderator  not  being  sworn,  and  another 
annual  was  held,  called  at  the  town  house,  on  the  eleventh  daj'  of 
April.     The  officers  named  above  were  elected.     The  town  house 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  187 

was  first  used  at  the  annual  election  in  September,  eighteen  hun- 
dred and  forty-one.  The  question  of  dividing  the  town  was  again 
voted  upon  and  was  decided  by  a  large  majority  in  the  negative. 
Voted  that  our  representative  to  the  legislature  be  informed  of  this 
vote  and  of  the  large  majority  against  a  division  of  the  town. 

1843.  The  old  moderator  and  clerk  were  re-elected.  Elias  INI. 
Carter  was  chosen  treasurer.  Oilman  Chapman  bid  off  the  collec- 
tion of  taxes  and  was  chosen  constable.  Among  the  minor  town 
officers  were  Zeuas  Cary,  Winchester  Whitman,  Moses  H.  Frost, 
Gideon  A.  Hastings,  Tyler  P.  Town,  David  Blake,  Alfred  Estes, 
Thatcher  York  and  Benjamin  Donham.  Voted  that  cows  may  run 
at  large.  A  road  was  accepted  for  Learned  Whitman,  between  his 
place  and  Joseph  Twitchell's  ;  also  a  road  from  Alvah  Wheeler's,  of 
two  hundred  and  twenty-four  rods  in  length,  and  a  road  on  petition 
of  Edwin  Coffin  and  others,  commencing  at  the  house  of  John  Hib- 
bard.  The  ministerial  and  school  funds  were  reported,  amounting 
to  eighteen  hundred  and  nineteen  dollars  and  seventj'-two  cents. 
For  Governor,  Hugh  J.  Anderson  had  one  hundred  and  seventy-five 
votes,  James  Appleton,  thirty,  and  Edward  Robinson,  twenty. 

1844.  Phineas  Frost  was  chosen  moderator  and  Ira  C.  Kimball, 
clerk.  William  Frye,  Leander  Jewett  and  Mighill  Mason  were 
chosen  school  committee.  Gilman  Chapman  was  chosen  collector 
and  constable.  The  support  of  the  poor  was  again  sold  at  auction. 
A  road  was  accepted  leading  from  Thomas  P.  Howard's  to  the 
county  road  near  Arnold  Powers'  place.  For  Governor,  Hugh  J. 
Anderson  had  two  hundred  and  forty-eight  votes,  Pxlward  Robinson, 
fifty-nine  and  James  Appleton,  thirty-two.  At  the  presidential 
election  this  year,  the  democratic  electors  had  two  hundred  and 
forty-two  votes,  the  whig,  fifty  and  the  free  soil,  tliirty-six. 

1845.  Moses  B.  Bartlett  was  chosen  moderator  and  Ira  C. 
Kimball,  clerk.  The  usual  sums  were  raised  for  town  purposes. 
The  support  of  the  poor  was  sold  at  auction  to  the  lowest  bidders. 
Isaac  Estes  was  set  off  from  school  district  number  seven  and 
joined  to  six.  Voted  that  John  S.  Swan's  cellar  be  a  pound,  ^'oted 
to  leave  the  covering  of  Bear  river  bridge  in  the  hands  of  the  select- 
men. Voted  that  the  old  clothes  belonging  to  the  late  Colonel  York 
be  given  to  Peter  York.  A  road  was  accepted  from  John  E.  Fare- 
well's to  Abial  Chandler's.     The  selectmen  were  instructed  to  ex- 


188  HISTOBY   OF  BETHEL. 

amine  the  several  routes  for  the  Grover  Hill  road  and  report  on  the- 
same.  Voted  to  accept  the  alteration  in  Samuel  Hassaltiue's  road 
as  made  by  the  selectmen  ;  voted  the  selectmen  examine  a  route  for 
an  alteration  between  Walker's  Mills  and  Locke's  Mills  ;  also  a  road 
for  Andrew  Stiles  ;  also  a  road  for  Jedediah  T.  Kimball,  from  the 
county  road  opposite  Israel  Kimball's. 

1846.  Phineas  Frost  was  chosen  moderator  and  Hiram  Holt, 
clerk.  Charles  Frost,  Elias  M.  Carter  and  Mighill  Mason  were 
chosen  school  committee.  Voted  to  accept  John  Jordan's  road. 
The  poor  were  left  in  the  hands  of  the  selectmen.  Three  thousand 
dollars  were  raised  for  roads.  Voted  to  give  John  Cushman  his 
bond  for  the  support  of  widow  Conu.  A  road  w^as  accepted  for 
Joseph  Cummings  between  his  place  and  a  point  opposite  Jared 
Young's  house.  Voted  to  instruct  the  selectmen  to  petition  the 
Supreme  Court  for  commissioners  to  establish  the  westerly  line  of 
Bethel.  For  Governor,  John  W.  Dana  had  one  hundred  and  sixty- 
one  votes,  Samuel  Fessenden,  forty-seven  and  David  Bronson, 
thirty-one.  Henry  Ward  and  Hiram  Holt,  2d,  were  licensed  to  selL 
spirituous  liquors. 

1847.  Moses  B.  Bartlett  was  chosen  moderator  and  Hiram- 
Holt,  2d,  clerk.  Voted  to  leave  the  cases  of  Forbes,  Boothby  and 
Gallison  in  the  hands  of  the  selectmen.  The  treasurer  was  directed 
to  hire  one  thousand  and  fifty  dollars  for  the  use  of  the  town.  The 
paupers  w'ere  left  in  charge  of  the  selectmen.  Voted  that  the  town 
fence  the  burying  ground  on  Alexander  P.  Wentworth's  farm.  The 
line  between  Bethel  and  Rum  ford  was  perambulated  this  year. 
The  same  parties  as  last  year  were  authorized  to  sell  liquors.  John 
W.  Dana  had  one  hundred  and  sixty-three  votes  for  Governor, 
David  Bronson,  seventeen,  and  Samuel  Fessenden,  lifty-four. 

1848.  Elias  M.  Carter  was  chosen  moderator  and  jMighill 
Mason,  clerk.  Robert  A.  Chapman  was  elected  treasurer.  The 
poor  were  left  in  the  hands  of  the  overseers  of  the  poor.  A  road 
was  accepted  from  Melvin  Farewell's  house  to  the  county  road, 
about  five  rods  west  of  Pleasant  river  bridge.  Nathan  Grover  was 
elected  representative.  The  democratic  electors  of  president  this 
year,  received  sixty- seven  votes  and  the  opposition  had  forty-nine. 

1849.  Leander  Jewett  was  chosen  moderator  and  Mighill 
Mason,  clerk.     Among  the  minor  town  oflicers  w^ere  Stephen  Cum- 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  13<) 

mings,  Tilton  Bennett,  Nathan  W.  Ethridge,  Joseph  jNIeriill,  Heniy 
R.  Bartlett,  Suel  Bisbee,  Moses  A.  Mason,  Eber  Clough,  J  .nies 
Lapham,  John  G.  Elliot,  Samuel  II.  Chapman,  Evi  Needham,  Amos 
Young  and  Elias  S.  Baitlett.  For  Governor,  John  Hubbard  had 
two  hundred  and  thirteen  votes,  George  F.  Talbot,  liftj-two,  and 
Elijah  L.  Hamlin,  twenty-six.  Abernethy  Grover  had  one  hundred 
and  twenty-eight  votes  for  representative,  and  Eliphaz  C.  Bean,  one 
hundred  and  twenty. 

1850.  Aaron  Cross  was  elected  moderator  and  Gideon  A.  Hast- 
ings, clerk.  Eliphaz  C.  Bean,  Charles  R.  J.ocke  and  Tyler  P.  Town 
were  chosen  selectmen.  Among  the  minor  town  officers  were 
Stephen  Pastes,  Hezekiah  Hutchins,  John  Heselton,  Jewett  Howard, 
Abijah  Bartlett,  William  Hapgood,  Simon  Stevens,  Prescott  Holt 
and  Timothy  Capeu.  ]Moses  T.  Cross  was  elected  collector  of  taxes. 
Voted  that  Hezekiah  Moody  and  Stephen  Estes  be  allowed  to  spend 
their  school  money  on  Hamlin's  Gore.  A  road  was  accepted  begin- 
ning at  the  road  east  of  Tilton  Bennett's  and  running  to  the  old 
house  southwest  of  Tilton  B.  Heath's.  Voted  to  build  a  bridge  near 
Mr.  George  Tucker's,  and  the  job  was  bid  off  by  Gideon  A.*  Hast- 
ings, at  one  hundred  and  forty-five  dollars.  Eliphaz  C.  Bean  was 
chosen  representative. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 


v^^^iy^^  PiCTLRES(,)UE  Bethel. 

"ORTHERN  New  England  is  very  properly  called  the  Switz. 
erland  of  America,  on  account  of  its  grand  mountain  scen- 
ery extending  from  Mount  Katahdin  to  the  Green  Moun- 
tains, and  even  to  the  Adirondacks  in  New  York.  The  county  of 
Oxford  comes  within  this  mountain  range,  and  the  town  of  Bethel 
has  scenery  as  varied,  as  beautiful  and  as  grand  as  any  town  in  the 
county.  Its  physical  features  have  already  been  described,  and  its 
mountains  and  rivers  referred  to,  but  the  story  of  its  pictures^iue 
views,  its  combination  of  mountain,  hill  and  valley,  its  delightful 
nooks  and  corners  and  its  shaded  driveways,  remains  to  be  told. 
Bethel  is  a  large  town,  and  probably  has  a  greater  extent  of  road- 
^way  than  any  other  Oxfoid  county  town,  and  there  is  hardly  a  road 


190  HISTOBY  OF  BETHEL. 

which,  as  a  driveway,  does  not  possess  attractions  peculiar  to  itself. 
It-  also  has  numerous  hills  and  mountains,  from  the  summits  of 
which  extended  views  are  had,  and  it  is  along  some  of  these  drive- 
ways and  up  some  of  the  hills  and  mountains  that  I  purpose  to  take 
the  reader. 

Beginning  at  the  east  part  of  the  town,  the  road  leads  along  by 
the  side  of  a  curious  ridge,  called  by  the  early  settlers'  and  still 
known  as  the  Whale's  Back.  The  road  was  originally  constructed 
and  extended  along  this  ridge  for  some  miles,  but  after  settlers 
came  the  route  was  changed  for  their  convenience.  The  ridge  is 
one  of  the  numerous  Kames  or  horsebacks  found  in  Maine,  only  it  is 
better  defined  and  longer  than  most  others.  It  is  composed  of  sand, 
gravel,  and  cobble  stones  worn  and  rounded,  and  is  without  doubt 
the  result  of  glacial  action.  The  road  to  Rumford  is  quite  level 
and  bordered  by  pleasant  farms,  but  the  heights  on  both  sides  are 
wooded,  and  at  some  points  rise  into  mountains.  Passing  out  of 
Eumford  about  a  mile  above  the  Corner,  the  road  continues  along 
the  table  land,  and  below,  broad  intervals  stretching  away  to  the 
river.  Occasional  glimpses  in  passing,  are  had  of  Hanover  farms 
once  belonging  to  Bethel,  consisting  of  low  and  high  intervale  and 
upland,  in  some  cases  extending  high  up  the  hill-slopes.  At  some 
points  the  road  is  shaded  by  overhanging  trees,  and  again  it  passes 
through  cultivated  lands  and  by  neat  farm  buildings  indicating  thrift 
and  prosperity.  And  so  having  passed  the  Ilutchins  place,  where 
Luther  Bean  commenced  for  himself ;  the  Richard  Estes  place, 
where  Samuel  Goss  began  a  clearing ;  the  Goddard  place,  where 
Jeremiah  Andrews  lived  ;  the  Stephen  Cummings  farm,  first  occu- 
pied by  Eliphaz  Powers,  and  then  by  the  Frosts,  Thomas  and 
Phineas  ;  then  through  the  pine  woods,  though  the  once  beautiful 
pines  have  been  laid  low  to  gratify  the  insatiable  avarice  of  the  lum- 
berman ;  then  by  the  place  where  Amos  Powers  lived  at  the  time  of 
the  Indian  raid,  and  the  places  where  Jonathan  Bartlett  and  his 
brother  Thaddeus  first  erected  homes,  and  now  we  are  at  Bean's 
Corner,  where  Joseph  Ayer  lived.  There  are  two  settlers'  roads 
leading  from  the  road  we  have  just  passed  over,  southwardly  up 
steep  hills,  and  if  we  choose  to  follow  them,  we  can  get  a  good  view 
of  the  splendid  Hanover  farms  early  occupied  by  Segar,  the  Powers 
brothers,  Duston,  Willis  and  the  Bartletts,  backed  by  wooded  hills, 
and  in  the  distance,  Puzzle  Mountain,  where  much  money  was  spent 
in  mining  for  plumbago.     Here  at  Bean's  Corner  the  road  comes  in 


HISTOBY  OF  BETHEL.  191 

from  Locke's  Mills  and  Kimball  and  Bird  Hills,  and  from  the  two 
latter  elevations,  the  views  are  varied  and  beautiful.  From  Bird 
Hill  the  Greenwood  and  Woodstock  ponds  are  seen  and  the  beetling 
bluffs  overhanging  one  of  them.  The  Locke's  Mills  road  passes  the 
Goss  and  other  mountains.  This  was  once  called  the  Otter  pond 
road,  from  a  little  pond  lying  at  the  base  of  Goss  mountain.  The 
stream  which  flows  from  it  is  sometimes  called  Otter  brook  and 
sometimes  Alder  brook,  either  being  appropriate  enough,  and  pass- 
ing northwardly,  after  being  re-enforced  by  several  other  small 
streams,  flows  into  the  great  river  west  of  Bean's  Corner.  The 
road  from  Otter  pond  going  toward  Locke's  Mills  soon  passes  into 
the  woods  and  along  the  side  of  a  ridge,  and  though  the  views  here 
are  not  particularly  enchanting,  the  shade  is  very  grateful,  provided 
the  day  be  hot  and  sultry. 

Opposite  Bean's  Corner,  the  river  is  some  distance  awa}',  the  road 
forming  a  nearly  half  circle,  but  the  intervals  here  are  broad  and 
fertile  and  so  low  that  every  spring  freshet  inundates  them.  This 
is  wliy  the  road  does  not  keep  along  near  the  river  bank  as  above 
and  below.  Passing  upward.  Otter  brook  is  passed,  and  then  we 
come  to  the  little  church  on  the  left  occupied  jointly  by  the  Bap- 
tists and  Methodists,  and  opposite  is  the  old  Ephraim  Powers  place. 
The  never  failing  cemetery  is  south  of  the  church  where 

"The  rude  forefathers  of  the  hamlet  sleep."' 

Passing  the  Asa  Kimball  and  the  Samuel  Kimball  places  where 
their  posterity  still  occupy,  the  road  approaches  nearer  the  river  at 
the  farm  where  Josiah  Bean  lived  in  the  early  times,  and  where  his 
children's  children  now  live.  Here  looking  backward  diagonally 
across  the  river,  is  one  of  the  finest  interval  views  in  the  whole  town. 
The  road  here  is  quite  high,  and  the  view  of  the  broad  interval  in 
rear  of  Bean's  Corner  and  across  into  Hanover,  is  unobstructed, 
save  by  an  occasional  giant  elm,  with  drooping  branches  as  if  in 
mourning  for  its  mates  which  fell  victims  to  the  woodman's  axe  in 
the  long  ago.  One  lingers  long  in  this  spot,  entranced  by  the  va- 
riety and  beauty  of  the  landscape,  the  whole  seeming  almost  like  an 
enchanted  land.  Yet  we  know  that  nature,  by  its  slow  processes, 
has  formed  these  broad  and  fertile  intervals,  these  higher  table 
lands,  and  the  environments  of  hill  and  mountain,  while  man  lias 
done  the  rest.  The  road  is  now  quite  near  the  river,  and  i)asses  the 
farms  where  Samuel  Ingalls,  Asa  Kimball,  senior,  and  John  and 


192  HLSrOBY  OF  BETHEL. 

Isaac  York  early  lived,  but  which  have  long  since  been  in  the  pos- 
session of  others.  South  of  these  places  is  Swan's  Hill,  which  can 
be  reached  by  several  roads  from  each  of  which,  a  different  set  of 
views  is  presented,  all  interesting  and  worth  seeing.  The  great 
bend  in  the  river  begins  here,  and  the  road  cuts  across  through  Mid- 
dle Interval  and  approaches  the  river  again  near  the  Capeu  farm. 
The  intervale  views  along  here  are  very  much  the  same  as  has  been 
described  below,  but  that  part  of  Middle  Interval  through  which 
the  road  passes,  is  a  pine  plain  and  continues  the  same  for  some  dis- 
tance toward  Bethel  Hill.  Here  is  where  Enoch  Bartlett,  the  eldest 
of  the  six  brothers  who  came  from  Newton  to  Bethel,  first  made  him 
a  home,  and  it  was  here  that  Amos  Hastings,  John  Kilgore  and  Dr. 
Timothy  Carter  first  settled.  The  intervale  opposite,  in  the  half 
circle  formed  by  the  river  is  extensive  and  of  excellent  quality. 
And  so  we  pass  on  toward  Bethel  Hill,  by  the  places  where  Benja- 
min and  John  Russell  once  lived,  leaving  the  Sanborn  and  Oliver 
places  at  the  right,  and  Kendall's  ferry  ;  by  the  Coffin  and  Aaron 
Abbot  places,  to  the  Ayers  Mason  farm  once  occupied  by  Joseph 
O.  Swan,  an  early  settler. 

Near  John  Kussell's  place,  a  road  once  led  up  the  hill  toward  the 
mountain  to  the  Jordan  place.  From  this  point  a  charming  west- 
erly view  is  had.  The  valley  of  the  river  can  be  seen  extending  be- 
tween the  mountain  passes  away  into  New  Hampshire,  through 
which  is  seen  the  Androscoggin  meandering  amid  numerous  little 
islands,  until  it  reaches  the  base  of  the  hill  at  our  feet,  when  it 
turns  abruptly  to  the  north  toward  the  mouths  of  Sunday  and  Bear 
rivers.  The  good  intervale  farms,  the  neat  dwellings,  the  beautiful 
groves,  the  lights  and  shadows  on  the  mountain  sides  and  the  full 
view  of  the  different  peaks  of  the  White  Hills,  all  unite  to  render 
this  one  of  the  most  charming  spots  in  town,  and  it  is  within  twenty 
minutes  ride  of  the  Common  on  the  Hill.  By  pursuing  this  route 
to  the  top  of  Farewell's  mountain,  the  view  is  mucli  expanded,  and 
the  line  of  the  railroad  can  be  seen  for  a  distance  of  ten  miles. 

The  road  from  Walker's,  now  Virgin's  Mills,  toward  Bethel  Hill, 
presents  no  very  great  variety  of  scene.  When  passing  through  the 
lowland,  Waterspout  mountain  is  seen,  and  at  the  Blake  farm,  the 
highest  point  between  the  two  places  once  owned  by  the  Annas  fam- 
ily, the  view  eastward  is  quite  extended,  but  Walker's  mountain 
shuts  oft"  any  view  in  the  distance.  At  the  George  Chapman  place, 
early  occupied  by  John  Walker,  tailor,  the  village  of  Bethel  Hill  and 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  103 

the  northward  slope  to  the  river  bank,  shows  to  good  advantage. 
The  ride  to  West  Bethel  affords  tine  interval  and  upland  views,  es- 
pecially from  the  top  of  Robertson's  Hill  where  Oliver  Fenno,  the 
early  blacksmith  settled.  The  road  passes  the  Seth  Wight  place 
and  the  Samuel  Barker  farm,  and  reaciiing  West  Bethel,  where  the 
stalwart  pioneer,  John  Grover  once  owned,  and  turning  to  the  left, 
the  road  to  Mason's  Mill  in  the  town  of  Mason,  is  attractive.  This 
town  is  named  for  Dr.  Moses  Mason,  who  built  the  tirst  mills,  and 
there  is  fine  fishing  in  this  region  for  those  who  like  to  beguile  the 
wily  trout.  It  is  a  pretty,  rural  town,  much  of  it  still  in  primitive 
woods,  and  herein  is  the  attraction.  On  returning,  when  the  sum- 
mit of  Robertson's  Hill  is  reached,  the  view  of  Bethel  Hill  from  this 
point  is  as  pictui-esque  as  can  possibly  be  desired,  and  such  as  to 
enrapture  the  lover  of  landscape  beauty.  The  road  from  West 
Bethel  Corner  to  Gilead  presents  many  pleasant  views,  especially  in 
the  vicinity  of  Pleasant  river,  called  on  the  earl}'  plan,  Brackett's 
brook . 

The  view  from  the  pinnacle  of  Paradise  Hill,  the  road  to  which 
goes  to  Greenwood,  and  was  once  the  thoroughfare  to  Portland,  is 
one  of  the  finest,  and  never  fails  to  excite  the  admiration  of  the  be- 
holder. It  is  only  about  a  mile  from  the  Common.  The  environ- 
ments of  this  part  of  the  town  are  clearly  seen  from  this  place  in 
the  form  of  a  circular  wall  of  mountain,  broken  only  at  two  or  three 
points  by  narrow  passes,  the  hill  upon  which  we  stand  being  the 
center,  at  the  base  of  which  is  a  valley,  within  which  are  swells  of 
land  of  moderate  height,  exhibiting  every  variety  of  landscape.  A 
mile  and  a  half  away,  the  Androscoggin  in.  anders  sluggishly  along, 
and  when  the  lights  and  shadows  are  at  their  best,  and  the  tieecy 
clouds  float  along  against  the  azure  sky,  the  mountain  scenery  from 
this  elevation  is  most  enchanting.  The  mountains  in  Dixfield, 
Newry,  Grafton,  Greenwood  and  Conway  are  plainly  in  view.  This 
Paradise  Hill  is  the  pride  of  Bethel  Hill  people,  and  no  visitor  is 
permitted  to  go  away  without  visiting  it.  A  ride  up  the  north  side 
of  the  river,  crossing  it  at  the  bridge,  is  enjoyable.  A  couple  of 
miles  from  the  Moses  A.  Mason  farm,  is  the  farm  where  Rev.  Eli- 
phaz  Chapman  commenced  a  clearing  a  little  more  than  a  hundred 
years  ago.  The  house  he  built  and  in  which  he  died,  is  still  stand- 
ing and  occupied  by  his  grandson.  Near  here  are  the  mineral 
springs,  two  in  number,  quite  near  together  yet  unlike  in  character 
and  composition.     In  ante    helium    times,    Mr.  John  S.  Chapman 

13 


194  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

made  an  effort  to  popularize  the  water  of  these  springs.  He  gave 
them  the  name  of  Anasagimticook,  gave  Ellingwood's  mountain  the 
same  name,  built  a  house,  which  was  dedicated  July  fourth,  eigh- 
teen hundred  and  fifty-nine,  and  christened  it  the  same,  enlarged  it 
and  laid  out  a  large  sum  of  money,  but  all  to  little  purpose.  The 
war  broke  out  soon  after  and  he  enlisted,  remained  in  the  south 
after  the  war  was  over,  held  official  positions  and  suffered  many 
hardships  ;  was  taken  sick,  came  to  Bethel  and  died,  and  his  dust 
mingles  with  that  of  his  native  town.  The  water  of  one  of  these 
springs  no  doubt  possesses  healing  qualities,  it  being  a  chalybeate  and 
operating  as  a  mild  tonic.  The  other  throws  up  simply  pure,  cold 
water,  and  with  great  force,  and  as  a  beverage  is  decidedly  prefera- 
ble. If  it  is  desired  the  trip  may  be  extended  through  a  fine  farm- 
ing region  to  West  Bethel,  where  the  river  ma}'  be  crossed  at  the 
Ferry,  and  the  return  trip  be  made  over  Robertson's  Hill. 

A  ride  from  Bethel  Hill  to  Mount  Abram,  in  Greenwood,  is  worth 
the  while.  The  route  may  be  made  over  Paradise  Hill,  through  the 
Irish  neighborhood,  or  by  way  of  Locke's  Mills.  If  by  the  former, 
fine  forest  views  may  be  seen  on  the  way.  Howe  Hill  is  reached 
with  a  carriage,  but  from  this  point  the  ascent  must  be  made  on 
foot.  The  view  from  the  summit  is  very  fine.  In  the  vicinity  is  a 
cave  where  ice  remains  all  the  year  round,  and  parties  have  fre- 
quently enjoyed  the  luxury  of  an  iced  drink  here  in  midsummer. 
By  the  side  of  Twitchell  pond,  (named  for  Captain  Kleazer  Twitch- 
ell,)  toward  Greenwood  city,  is  an  overhanging  cliff  several  hun- 
dreds of  feet  high,  the  road  passing  between  the  base  of  the  cliff 
and  the  pond.  These  places  are  not  in  Bethel,  but  the  road  which 
leads  to  them  is,  for  much  of  the  way.  The  Boston  artist,  Griggs, 
once  painted  this  cliff"  and  pond  with  marked  effect,  and  his  work 
was  much  admired.  A  pleasant  and  attractive  trip  is  up  Sunday 
river.  The  bridge  is  crossed,  pretty  Mayville  passed,  the  farms 
where  Deacon  Ezra  and  Captain  Eli  Twitchell  made  clearings  and 
built  homes,  the  Locke  place  known  as  "Maple  Grove"  is  reached, 
and  then  we  are  on  Sunday  river.  The  intervale  and  river  views 
along  the  route  thus  far,  are  most  charming.  The  only  sign  of  de- 
cay is  the  Merrill  house  which  must  soon  succumb  to  the  ravages  of 
time.*  Across  the  river  at  one  point,  the  Sanborn  farm  shows  beau- 
tifully, like  another  garden  of  Eden.  The  road  up  Sunday  river, 
alternating  with  farming  land  and  forest,  extends  through  Newry 

*The  old  ruin  has  been  removed. 


HISrOliY  OF  BETHEL.  1 95 

to  Riley,  ouce  called  Ketchum.  At  every  point  we  seem  to  be  sur- 
rounded by  impassible  mountains,  and  wonder  how  we  are  to  get 
through,  but  the  road  winds  among  them  and  is  very  level  through 
the  entire  distance  of  ten  miles.  There  is  fine  trout  fishing  in  Riley 
and  beyond,  and  game,  including  deer  is  very  plenty. 

The  Albany  basins  or  kettles  are  within  two  hours  ride  of  Bethel, 
on  the  North  Waterford  road,  and  are  visited  by  large  numbers  of 
people.  The  road  is  quite  level  and  somewhat  monotonous.  It 
passes  along  by  the  side  of  Songo  pond,  and  a  considerable  part  of 
the  way  is  bordered  by  bushes  or  woods.  The  basins  or  kettles  are 
depressions  worn  into  the  solid  rock  by  the  action  of  water,  perfect- 
ly formed  and  some  of  them  of  great  size.  One  is  twenty-eight 
feet  in  diameter,  about  fifty  feet  deep.  There  are  at  least  thirteen 
of  these  basins,  but  they  are  not  uniform  in  shape,  and  some  of 
them  are  quite  imperfect.  There  must  have  been  a  time  when  the 
volume  of  water  was  much  greater  than  now,  to  bore  these  immense 
wells.  Similar  basins,  but  on  a  much  smaller  scale,  may  be  seen  at 
Chapman's  mill  above  Mayville,  and  shows  the  effects  of  long  con- 
tinued action  of  water  upon  the  solid  rock. 

A  delightful  trip  is  down  the  Androscoggin  to  Newry  Corner,  and 
up  Bear  river  to  Grafton  notch.  Leaving  the  Sunday  river  road  at 
Hastings  Corner  and  crossing  Sunday  river  by  the  covered  bridge 
near  its  mouth,  we  pass  the  Ebenezer  Eames  place  ;  the  farm  once 
occupied  by  Peter  York  and  later  by  Leander  Jewett,  then  on  by 
where  the  Smiths  lived,  we  cross  Bear  river  near  where  it  flows  into 
the  Androscoggin  and  are  in  Newry.  Bear  river  is  bordered  by  fine 
farms,  but  back  of  these  is  the  forest  primeval.  Except  on  the  two 
rivers  the  town  is  mountainous,  and  for  the  most  part  still  covered 
with  wood  and  timber.  At  the  head  of  the  tide  is  the  Poplar  tav- 
ern, and  a  little  farther  on  is  the  site  of  Dr.  Joshua  Eanning's  lum- 
ber mill  and  Screw  Augur  Falls.  Here  is  a  tortuous  channel  cut 
down  through  the  solid  rock  to  a  depth  of  about  fifty  feet  through 
which  the  river  flows.  It  is  a  curious  piece  of  nature's  work  and  a 
view  of  it  well  repays  a  visit.  Half  a  mile  above  is  a  singular  pas- 
sageway in  the  river  known  as  the  jail.  A  little  farther  up  is  the 
Grafton  pass  or  notch.  On  the  easterly  side  of  it  is  Saddleback, 
and  on  the  westerly,  Old  Spec,  properly  Ivncoln  Peak.  The  moun- 
tain scenery  here  is  among  the  boldest  in  the  State,  and  in  the  notch 
is  the  head  water  of  Bear  river  which  flows  southwardly  into  the 
Androscoggin,  and  of  the  Cambridge  which  flows  northwardly  into 
Umbagog  lake. 


196  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

We  have  now  passed  over  most  of  the  roads  in  town  and  have 
taken  note  of  the  chief  objects  of  interest  by  the  way,  but  most  of 
the  views  described  thus  far  are  circumscribed,  and  necessarily  so, 
because  the  two  parishes  into  which  the  town  is  divided  are  sepa- 
rated by  mountains,  aud  each  is  nearly  surrounded  by  mountains. 
From  Barker's  mouutaiu,  which  lies  mostly  in  Newry,  but  its  south- 
erly foothills  in  Bethel,  the  view  is  widely  extended.  This  is  the 
highest  mountain  in  Oxford  county  and  far  above  any  of  the  moun- 
tains in  Bethel.  From  the  summit  of  this  mountain  the  intervales 
can  be  seen  from  Gilead  to  Middle  Interval,  and  the  tortuous 
course  of  the  river  like  a  silver  cord  can  be  traced  this  whole  dis- 
tance. The  entire  western  parish  is  seen  as  upon  a  map,  and  every 
principal  road  and  stream  are  visible  to  the  unaided  eye.  The  three 
principal  villages,  Bethel  Hill,  West  Bethel  and  Middle  Interval  ai-e 
in  sight,  while  from  our  much  greater  height.  Farewell  mountain, 
Locke  mountain  and  Sparrowhawk  appear  like  mounds  or  hills  of 
moderate  size.  From  Bethel  Hill  this  mountain  seems  to  be  con- 
nected with  Ellingwood's  mouutaiu,  sometimes  called  Anasagunti- 
cook,  but  there  is  a  valley  between  them  of  several  miles  across. 
No  pen  picture  can  do  justice  to  the  vistas  possible  from  the  sum- 
mit of  Barker's  mountain  ;  the}'  must  be  seen  to  be  understood,  and 
when  seen  they  cannot  fail  of  filling  the  observer  with  wonder,  and 
admiration.  The  mountain  observatory  is  in  Newry,  but  the  charm- 
ing landscape  views  are  in  picturesque  Bethel. 

On  the  Middle  Interval  road  a  little  more  than  a  mile  from  Bethel 
Hill,  was  the  residence  of  the  late  John  Kussell,  Jr.,  aud  here  his 
widow  now  resides.  A  few  years  ago  this  house  was  enlarged  aud 
improved  and  fitted  up  for  summer  guests.  It  was  given  the  appro- 
priate name  of  Riverside  cottage,  and  became  a  favorite  resort  of 
literary  people.  Lucy  Larcom  spent  several  of  her  summer  vaca- 
tions here.  There  is  a  beautiful  pine  grove  in  the  rear  of  the  house 
with  a  summer  house  on  its  border,  and  near  by  is  a  precipitous 
cliff  ,  known  as  "The  Ledge."  An  easy  path  leads  round  to  the 
top  of  this  cliff,  and  from  it  a  charming  variety  of  landscape  views 
are  spread  out.  The  fertile  valley  of  the  Androscoggin  with  the 
river  meandering  through  ;  the  two  villages  of  Bethel  Hill  and  May- 
ville  ;  tasty  farm  buildings  located  here  and  there  ;  the  neighboring 
mountains  already  described,  and  in  the  distance  through  the  gorge 
formed  by  the  river  in  its  passage  through  Gilead  and  Shelburne, 
the  lofty  peaks  of  the  White  Hills.     The  display  is  essentially  the 


HLSTOBl'    OF  BETHEL.  I97 

same  as  that  from  Sunset  Kock.  It  was  in  this  enchanted  spot  that 
in  the  summer  of  eighteen  hundred  and  seventy-nine,  Lucy  Larcom 
composed  and  wrote  the  following  lines : 

"OX  THE  LEDGE. 

Restored  uuto  life  by  tlie  suii  and  the  breeze ! 
Eich  balsams  float  down  from  the  resinous  trees, 
Stirring  into  quick  healtli  every  pulse  of  the  air. 
Released  once  again  from  imprisoning  care. 
At  the  gate  of  green  pastures  my  soul  lieth  free, 
And  to  go  in  or  out  is  refreshment  to  me. 

Lo  yonder  is  Paradise !     .Softly  below. 

The  river  that  watereth  Eden  doth  flow ! 

I  behold  through  blue  gaps  in  the  mountainous  AVest, 

Height  ascending  on  height,  the  abodes  of  the  blest ; 

And  I  cannot  tell  whether  to  climb  were  more  sweet 

Than  to  lap  me  in  beauty  spread  out  at  my  feet. 

There  sways  a  white  cloud  on  you  loftiest  peak ; 

A  wind  from  beyond  it  is  fanning  my  cheek ; 

Through  the  oak  and  the  birch  glides  a  musical  shiver, 

A  ripple  just  silvers  the  dusk  of  the  river. 

Though  I  may  not  know  how,  each  is  a  part  of  the  whole 

Perfect  flood-tide  of  peace  that  is  brimming  my  soul. 

Here  is  shelter  and  outlook,  deep  rest  and  wide  room ; 

The  pine  woods  behind  breathing  balm  out  of  gloom ; 

Before,  the  great  hills  over  vast  levels  lean — 

A  glory  of  purple,  a  splendor  of  green. 

As  a  new  earth  and  heaven,  ye  are  mine  once  again. 

Ye  beautiful  meadows  atid  mountains  of  Maine!" 


o 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

Churches  and  Ministers. 

First  Church,  AVest  Parish. 

HE  inhabitants  of  the  town  early  gave  their  attention  to  the 
establishment  of  Religious  Institutions.  Most  of  them 
were  members  of  some  church  when  they  left  their  old 
homes,  and  by  far  the  greater  number  of  the  church  members  be- 
longed to  what  was  known  as  the  standing  order,  or  Congregational- 
ists.  On  account  of  the  loss  of  the  early  records  we  have  no  infor- 
mation concerning  the  action  of  the  town  upon  these  matters,  but  it 
is  quite  probable  that,  as  in  other  towns  at  that  time,  the  people 
were  taxed  to  support  preaching  of  the  standing  order  until  they 
were  emancipated  from  this  obligation  by  an  act  of  the  General 
Court.  Ministers  frequently  came  among" the  settlers,  gave  them 
religious  instruction  and  baptized  their  children,  and  among  them 
Reverends  CotHn,  Taft  and  Fessenden.  At  a  meeting  held  in  the 
west  parish  September  the  eighth,  seventeen  hundred  and  ninety- 
six,  an  organization  was  effected,  and  the  following  year  it  was 
voted  to  raise  one  hundred  and  twenty  dollars  for  the  support  of 
preaching  the  current  year,  and  twenty  dollars  to  defray  expenses. 
In  seventeen  hundred  and  ninety-eight,  Caleb  Bradley  came  here, 
taught  school  for  a  few  months  and  preached  on  the  Sabbath.  He 
was  a  candidate  for  settlement  but  was  not  engaged  and  finally  set- 
tled in  Westbrook  where  he  had  a  long  pastorate.  In  seventeen 
hundred  and  ninetj^-nine,  Rev.  Daniel  Gould  came,  and  he  was  also 
a  candidate.  There  was  a  difference  of  opinion  witli  regard  to  en- 
gaging him,  but  he  was  favored  by  a  majority  and  was  engaged. 
After  JNIr.  Gould  had  preached  as  a  candidate,  the  parish  met  and 
passed  the  following  votes  : 

1.     To  give  Rev.  Daniel  Gould  a  call  to  settle  with  them  as  their 
pastor. 


200  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

2.  Voted  to  give  Mr.  C4ould  one  hundred  and  eight}'  dollars  the 
first  year,  as  a  salary,  and  to  increase  that  sum  ten  dollars  a  year  as 
long  as  he  should  remain  with  them  as  their  pastor.  One-third  part 
was  to  be  paid  in  money  and  the  other  two-thirds  in  produce  from 
the  farm. 

3.  Voted  to  give  Rev.  Daniel  Gould  the  sum  of  one  hundred  and 
fifty  dollars,  to  be  paid  in  labor. 

Chose  Esquire  Benjamin  Russell,  Mr.  Amos  Gage  and  Lieut. 
Ezra  Twitchell  a  committee  to  treat  with  Mr.  Gould  on  the  above 
proposals. 

A  true  copy.  Attest :     Joseph  Greenwood,  Parish  Clerk. 

Mr.  Gould  accepted  these  proposals  requesting  the  Parish  to  fur- 
nish in  addition,  a  few  cords  of  wood. 

Previous  to  installing  Mr.  Gould,  the  following  persons  were  or- 
ganized into  a  church  : 

Bethel,  Oct.  7th,  1799. 

Joseph  Greenwood,  James  Grover,  Ezra  Twitchell,  Zela  Holt, 
Eleazer  Twitchell,  Asa  Kimball,  Benj.  Russell,  Sarah  Greenwood, 
Susanna  Twitchell,  Mary  Greenwood,  Mary  Russell. 

Voted  unanimously  to  give  the  Rev.  D.  Gould  a  call  to  settle  and 
to  take  the  pastoral  charge  of  the  church  in  this  place. 

At  an  ecclesiastical  council  convened  at  the  house  of  Benj.  Rus- 
sell, Esq.,  The  Rev.  Wm.  Fessenden  was  chosen  Moderator  and  the 
Rev.  Nathan  Church,  Scribe. 

1.  Voted,  That  Mr.  Daniel  Gould's  confession  of  faith  is  satis- 
factory, and  that  nothing  appears  at  present  to  prevent  his  installa- 
tion. 

2.  Upon  the  Rev.  Mr.  Gould's  exhibiting  his  church  standing, 
an  account  of  his  ordination  as  an  evangelist,  and  after  considering 
the  opposition,  unanimously  proceed  to  the  installation. 

3.  Voted  to  receive  the  Church  in  the  West  Parish  in  Bethel  or- 
ganized by  the  Rev.  Daniel  Gould  as  a  sister  church. 

This  therefore  is  to  certify  that  the  Rev.  Daniel  Gould  was  this 
day  settled  over  the  church  and  people  in  said  Parish  according  to 
gospel  order. 

A  true  copy.  Attest:     Nathan  Church,  Scribe. 

Bethel,  Oct.  9th,  1799. 
This  day  the  Rev.  Daniel  Gould  was  admitted  into  the  church  arid 
people   of   the   West   Parish   in    said    Bethel.     The  Rev.   Nathan 


HIS  TOBY  OF  BETHEL.  201 

Church  of  Bridgton  made  the  iutroduetory  praj'er.  The  Rev.  Win, 
Fessendeu  of  Fryeburg,  preached  from  Heb,  xiii.,  17.  The  Rev. 
Joseph  Robey  of  Otisfield  made  the  installing  prayer  and  gave  the 
charge. 

The  Rev.  Nathan  Church  gave  the  right  hand  of  fellowsliip  and 
the  Rev.  Wm.  Fesseuden  made  the  concluding  praj'er. 

Bethel,  April  25th,  1800. 
Lieut.  Ezra  Twitchell  and  Mr.  James  Grover  were  made  Deacons. 

Mr.  Gould  continued  as  pastor  of  the  Church  and  Parish  till  eigh- 
teen hundred  and  nine,  when  it  was  thought  advisable  to  dissolve 
the  relationship  existing  between  them.  A  council  was  called  May 
third,  eighteen  hundred  and  nine,  consisting  of  Rev.  Nathaniel  Por- 
ter, Nathan  Church,  Lincoln  Ripley  and  Lieut.  Robert  Andrews, 
Dea,  Stephen  Jewett,  Dea.  Ephraim  Chamberlain,  ami  decided  to 
that  effect,  which  was  adopted  by  the  Church,  May  seventh,  eigh- 
teen hundred  and  nine. 

From  eighteen  hundred  and  nine  to  eighteen  hundred  and  nine- 
teen, the  church  was  without  a  pastor.  Money  was  raised  every 
year,  and  the  people  supplied  with  preaching  a  portion  of  the  time. 
Among  these  were  Rev.  Valentine  Little  and  Rev.  Timothy  Hilliard. 
In  eighteen  hundred  and  seventeen  there  was  quite  an  addition  to 
their  numbers,  and  in  January  an  Flcclesiastical  Council  was  held 
to  install  Henry  Sewall  as  pastor.  Rev.  David  Thurston  preached 
the  sermon.  Rev.  Noah  Cressey  made  the  consecrating  prayer.  Rev. 
Wm.  Riple}^  the  charge.  Rev.  Samuel  Sewall  expressed  the  Fellow- 
ship of  Churches,  and  Rev.  Wm.  Thurston  made  the  concluding 
prayer.  The  sermon  was  afterwards  printed,  a  copy  of  whicli  I 
now  have  in  my  possession.  His  relation  with  the  people  did  not 
prove  the  most  happy,  and  he  was  dismissed  May  eleventh,  eigh- 
teen hundred  and  twenty.  Soon  after,  Mr.  Charles  Frost,  a  young 
man,  came  to  the  place  as  a  candidate  for  settlement,  and  in  Feb- 
ruary, a  Council  was  held,  consisting  of  the  following :  Rev.  Daniel 
Gould,  Dea.  Hezekiah  Hutchius,  John  W.  Ellinwood,  Bro.  Amnii 
R.  Mitchell,  Rev.  .Josiah  G.  Merrill,  Wm.  Spurr,  Rev.  Asa  Cum- 
mings,  Jacob  Mitchell,  Rev.  John  A.  Douglass,  Moses  Treadwell, 
Rev.  Joseph  Walker,  Daniel  Stowell,  Rev.  Allen  Greely,  ^Martin 
Bradford,  John  T.  Smith,  Aaron  Beamen.  Rev.  Mr.  Merrill  made 
the  introductory  prayer.  Rev.  John  AV.  Ellinwood  preached  the  ser- 


202  HISTORY   OF   BETHEL. 

moD,  Rev.  Allen  Greely  made  the  ordaining  prayer,  Rev.  Daniel 
Gould  gave  the  charge,  Rev.  Joseph  Walker  gave  the  right  hand  of 
fellowship,  Rev.  Asa  Curamings  gave  the  charge  to  the  people, 
Rev.  John  A.  Douglass  made  the  concluding  prayer  The  sermon 
was  printed,  of  which  I  have  a  copy. 

Mr.  Frost  commenced  his  ministry  under  favorable  auspices,  and 
he  continued  its  successful  pastor  till  his  death  in  eighteen  hundred 
and  fifty,  a  period  of  thirty  years.  During  his  ministry  one  hundred 
and  sixty-six  persons  united  with  the  church.  The  church  and  so- 
ciety, as  soon  as  convenient,  made  arrangements  for  a  successor  to 
Mr.  Frost.  An  invitation  was  extended  to  the  Rev.  John  H.  M. 
Leland  of  Amherst,  Mass.,  to  liecome  their  pastor.  A  council  was 
held  July  second,  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty,  for  that  purpose  and 
on  the  following  day  Mr.  Leland  was  installed.  The  following  was 
the  order  of  exercises  :  Rev.  J.  S.  Gray,  invocation  and  reading 
of  the  scriptures  ;  Eliphalet  S.  Hopkins,  introductory  prayer  ;  Wm. 
T.  Dwight,  D.  D.,  sermon;  J.  W.  Chickering,  D.  D.,  installing 
prayer  and  charge  ;  George  T.  Tewksbury,  right  hand  of  Fellowship  ; 
G.  F..  Adams,  D.  D.,  address  to  the  people  ;  Rev.  David  Garland, 
concluding  prayer.  Benediction  by  the  pastor.  Mr.  Leland  con- 
tinued Pastor  for  nearly  three  years,  during  which  time  the  church 
became  better  organized  and  efficient  as  a  body,  but  for  various  rea- 
sons he  concluded  to  ask  a  dismission,  which  was  granted  by  a 
council.  May  tenth,  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty-three. 

In  March  following,  the  Church  and  Society  extended  an  invita- 
tion to  Rev.  Edwin  A.  Buck  to  become  their  Pastor,  which  being 
accepted,  he  was  ordained  May  thirty-first,  eighteen  hundred  and 
fifty-four.  The  order  of  exercises  was  as  follows  :  Invocation  and 
reading  of  the  scripture.  Rev.  David  Garland  ;  introductory  prayer. 
Rev.  L.  Rood;  Sermon,  G.  E.  Adams,  D.  D.  ;  ordaining  prayer, 
Rev.  Mark  Gould  ;  charge  to  the  pastor.  Rev.  David  Sewall ;  fellow- 
ship of  the  church,  H.  D.  Walker,  East  Abington,  ^Massachusetts  ; 
address  to  the  people,  A.  S.  Loring  ;  concludiug  prayer,  D.  Good- 
hue.    Benediction  by  the  pastor. 

Mr.  Buck  commenced  his  labors  as  pastor  under  favorable 
auspices.  He  labored  earnestly  to  advance  the  interests  of  his 
church  and  people.  His  pastoral  visits,  to  which  he  devoted  much 
time,  were  made  over  a  large  extent  of  territory.  During  his  min- 
istry, forty-one  persons  united  with  the  church,  mostly  by  profes- 
sion.    His  labors  here  were  too  severe  for  so  slender  a  constitution 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL  203 

and  he  received  a  dismission  from  an  ecclesiastical  council  held 
Sept.  twenty- first,  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty-eight,  and  settled  in 
Slatersville,  Rhode  Island. 

The  last  sermon  preached  in  the  old  meeting  house  situated  on  the 
banks  of  the  river  was  in  February,  eighteen  hundred  and  forty- 
eight,  by  Rev.  Charles  Frost,  from  the  text,  "Hitherto  hath  the 
Lord  helped  us." 

Ministers. 

The  following  is  a  complete  list  of  ministers  of  the  First  Congre- 
gational church  in  the  West  Parish,  since  its  organization  October 
seventh,  seventeen  hundred  and  ninety-nine,  to  the  present  time. 
The  names  of  ministers  who  supplied  for  only  a  short  time  are  not 
included  in  this  list. 

Rev.  Daniel  Gould,  Pastor,  from  Oct.  9,  1799,  till  May  3,  1809. 

Rev.  Valentine  Little,  Acting  Pastor,  from  1809  to  181.5. 

Rev.  Timothy  Hilliard,' Acting  Pastor,  from  1816  to  1817. 

Rev.  Henry  Sewall,  Pastor,  from  July  20,  1819,  to  May  11,  1820. 

Rev.  Charles  Frost,  Pastor,  from  Feb.  20,  1822,  to  Feb.  11, 
1850. 

Rev.  John  H.  M.  Leland,  Pastor,  from  July  2,  1850,  to  May  10» 
1853. 

Rev.  Edwin  A.  Buck,  Pastor,  from  May  31,  1854,  till  Sept.  21, 
1858. 

Rev.  John  B.  Wheelwright,  Acting  Pastor,  from  April  17,  1859, 
to  March,  1867. 

Rev.  Eugene  H.  Titus,  Acting  Pastor,  from  March  1,  1868,  till 
June  1,  1869,  and  from  this  time  Pastor,  till  Dec.  6,  1870. 

Rev.  Nahum  W.  Grover,  Acting  Pastor,  from  Jan.  1,  1874,  till 
June,  1875. 

Rev.  Charles  L.  Mills,  Acting  Pastor,  from  June  1,  1877,  till 
Aug.,  1878. 

Rev.  S.  L.  Bowler,  Acting  Pastor,  from  June  1,  1879,  and  Pas- 
tor, from  Oct.  30,  1879,  till  June,  1885. 

Rev.  D.  Warren  Hardy,  Aug.,  1885. 

Deacons. 

The  following  shows  the  Deacons  of  the  church  since  its  organi- 
zation, with  date  of  their  election  : 
Ezra  Twitchell,  April  25,  1800. 


204 


HIS  TOBY   OF  BETHEL. 


James  Grover.  April  25,  1800. 
Samuel  Barker,  Oct.  4,  1805. 
Timothy  Carter,  July  7,  1817. 
Kobbins  Brown,  Apr.  30,  1829. 
Leonard  Grover,  May,  1845. 
Elbridge  Chapman,  July  15,  1845. 
Joshua  Fanning,  January,  1859. 
Josiah  Brown,  2d,  June  30,  1866. 
Samuel  W.  Kilbourne,  July  3,  1872. 
Nathaniel  T.  True,  April  11,  1878. 
Edward  P.  Grover,  March  4,  1880. 
Josiah  U.  Purington,  March  4,  1880. 
Timothy  H.  Chapman,  January,  1890. 
Edward  C.  Chamberlain,  January,  1890. 


Following  is  a  list  of  the  names  of  those  who  were  members  of 
the  first  Congregational  church  in  Bethel  in  eighteen  hundred  and 
eighty.     A  few  of  them  were  non-resident  : 


Nathaniel  Barker, 

Leonard  Grover, 

Mrs.  John  A.  Twitchell, 

Peter  Grover, 

Francis  Barker, 

Mrs.  Laura  Young, 

Mrs.  Kobert  A.  Chapman, 

Mrs.  Joshua  Chase, 

Mrs.  Silas  Grover, 

Miss  Iluth  Messer, 

Samuel  A.  Lyon, 

Artemas  Mason, 

Mrs.  Barbara  A.  Wight, 

Baxter  A.  Lyon, 

David  F.  Brown, 

Mrs.  Nancy  Brown, 

Robert  A.  Chapman, 

Mrs.  Cynthia  Russell, 

Almon  Grover, 

Mrs.  Olive  Grover, 

Mrs.  Caleb  Rowe, 


Newton  Grover, 
Wm.  L.  Grover, 
Mar}'  M.  Grover, 

D.  Milton  Grover, 
Hannibal  Grover, 
Caroline  T.  Grover, 
Catharine  Grover, 
Francis  S.  Chapman, 
Albert  L.  Burbank, 
Mrs.  Robbins  Brown, 
Charles  Brown, 

Eli  M.  Barker, 
James  L.  Dillaway, 
Delphia  King, 
Octavia  Rowe, 

E.  T.  Russell, 
Frank  Russell, 
Pincknej^  Burnham, 
Samuel  D.  Phil  brook, 
Cullen  F.  Walker, 
Abby  Hapgood, 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 


205 


Mrs.  Johu  Grover, 
Mrs.  Nancy  Barker, 
Benjamiu  Spaulcling, 
Mrs.  Abigail  Grover, 
Mrs.  Hester  A.  York, 
Miss  Salome  G.  Twitchell, 
Nathaniel  T.  True, 
Mrs.  Susannah  W.  True, 
Miss  Austress  Cross, 
Daniel  Grover, 
Alfred  Twitchell, 
Freeman  Beau, 
Edmund  E.  Holt, 
Mrs.  Edmund  E.  Holt, 
Miss  Lucretia  Beau, 
A.  W.  Hanson, 
Geo.  H.  Young, 
Mrs.  Stephen  Holt, 
Mrs.  Albert  L.  Burbank, 
Mrs.  Lois  Frye, 
Alfred  M.  True, 
Miss  Ella  F.  Lyon, 
Moses  F.  Libby, 
Etta  B.  Libby, 
Samuel  S.  Stanley, 
Mrs.  Mary  Chapman, 
Lucinda  S.  Godwin, 
Mary  Cummiugs, 
Amanda  A.  Frye, 
Caroline  E.  Grover, 
Lottie  Bridge, 
Mrs.  N.  A.  Harris, 
Miranda  B.  Mason, 
Wm.  R.  Godwin, 
Alice  B.  Grover, 
Flora  Foster, 
Mrs.  Lucy  A.  Russell, 
Mrs.  Thomas  E.  Twitchell, 
Rebecca  R.  Chandler, 
Mrs.  Hannah  Chandler, 


Mrs.  Enoch  Foster, 
Mrs.  H.  S.  Cummings, 
Rachel  Mason, 
Edmund  P.  Grover, 
Henry  C.  Barker, 
Kate  H.  Barker, 
Mary  E.  Twitchell, 
Mrs.  Gilman  Chapman, 
Woodsom  Mason, 
Mrs.  Woodsom  JNIason, 
Mrs.  Agnes  M.  Twitchell, 
Mrs.  Susan  J.  Brooks, 
Mrs.  George  B.  Farnsworth, 
Samuel  VV.  Kilburu, 
Mrs.  Sarah  Kilburn, 
Miss  Fannie  A.  Kilburn, 
Charles  J.  Chapman, 
William  Foot, 
Sabina  K.  Dillaway, 
Anna  F.  Kimball, 
Corosana  B.  Burnham, 
Lydia  A.  Burnham, 
Mrs.  Francetta  Purington, 
Josiah  U.  Purington, 
Kate  A.  Davis, 
Laura  C.  Hall, 
Lor  a  H.  Loud, 
Mrs.  Ellen  M.  Barker, 
Mi's.  Nancy  E.  Burnham, 
Elberta  E.  Burnham, 
Mattie  M.  Burnham, 
Lizzie  E.  Lane, 
Enoch  W.  Woodbury, 
Sarah  L.  Woodbury, 
Enoch  Foster,  Jr., 
Mrs.  Sarah  H.  (rrover, 
Mrs.  jNIirauda  IL  Town, 
Mrs.  Abby  H.  Godwin,. 
May  E.  Robertson, 
Joshua  G.  Rich, 


206  BIS  TOBY    OF  BETHEL. 

Sarah  E.  Leavitt,  Mrs.  M.  M.  Rich, 

Sarah  L.  Hall,  Hiram  H.  Wilson, 

Mrs.  Samuel  A.  M.  Grover,  Mrs.  Mary  O.  Wilson, 

Abner  Davis,  Horilla  Richardson, 

Mrs.  Sarah  F.  Davis,  George  H.  Brown, 

Emily  E.  Davis,  Mrs.  Carrie  A.  Browu, 

Mary  J.  Chapman,  Flora  C.  Richardson, 

Gilbert  Chapman,  John  A.  Morton, 

Phebe  A.  Chapman,  Fannie  A.  Holt, 

Mrs.  Ellen  O.  Chase,  Mary  L.  Grover. 

Second  Congregational    Church. 

There  was  dissatisfaction  at  the  removal  of  the  church  edifice 
from  the  river  bank  to  Bethel  Hill,  which  at  first  found  expression 
in  words  and  then  in  action.  There  had  always  been  an  inconven- 
ience in  being  obliged  to  cross  the  river  by  means  of  a  ferry  boat  to 
attend  church,  when  the  church  was  on  the  o[)posite  bank,  and  there 
were  times  in  the  spring  of  the  year  and  during  freshets,  when  the 
river  was  impassable.  When  the  church  was  moved  to  the  Hill,  in- 
volving a  half  a  mile  more  travel  in  reaching  it,  the  people  on  the 
north  side  of  the  river  demurred.  In  September  of  eighteen  hun- 
dred and  forty-eight,  a  petition  was  presented  to  the  parent  church 
by  those  living  on  the  north  side,  asking  for  a  separate  organiza- 
tion. A  vote  was  taken  and  the  recpiest  granted  by  a  large  major- 
it}'.  An  ecclesiastical  council  was  called  in  accordance  with  the 
vote,  on  the  thirty-first  day  of  January,  eighteen  hundred  and  forty- 
nine. 

The  council  was  composed  of  the  following  persons  :  Ministers, 
Revs.  Isaac  Rogers,  Joseph  Smith,  Simeon  Hackett,  Carlton  Hurd, 
Jotham  Sewall,  Jr.  and  Calvin  Chapman.  Delegates,  John  Barker, 
Stephen  Cobb  and  Benjamin  R.  Page.  Rev.  Isaac  Rogers  was 
chosen  Moderator,  and  Rev.  Calvin  Chapman,  Scribe.  The  coun- 
cil complied  with  the  request  of  the  petitioners  and  organized  them 
into  a  separate  church.  At  a  meeting  held  by  the  church  on  the 
tenth  day  of  February,  Mr.  Leander  Jewett  was  chosen  moderator 
of  the  meeting.  Mr.  Barbour  Bartlett  was  chosen  clerk  of  the 
church.  Mr.  Nathan  F.  Twitchell  and  Edmund  Chapman  were 
chosen  deacons.  The  church  edifice  at  Mayville  was  erected  for  the 
accommodation  of  the  new  church. 


HISTOnr  OF  BETHEL.  207 

Rev.   Caleb    Bradley. 

Parson  Bradley,  as  he  was  generally  called,  was  never  settled  in 
Bethel,  but  he  came  here  and  taught  school,  and  preached  here  with 
the  idea  of  settling,  before  Mr.  Gould  came.  He  was  the  son  of 
Dea.  Amos  and  I-:iizabeth  (Page)  Bradley,  and  was  born  in  Dracut, 
Massachusetts,  March  twelfth,  seventeen  hundred  and  seventy-two. 
His  great  grandmother  on  the  maternal  side  was  the  famous  Han- 
nah (Emerson)  Dustin,  who  was  captured  by  the  Indians,  taken  to 
Pennacook  (Concord,  N.  H.,)  where  she  slew  her  captors,  and  then 
returned  to  her  home  at  Haverhill.  Mr.  Bradley  graduated  from 
Harvard  College  in  seventeen  hundred  and  ninety-five,  and  came  to 
JMaine  that  year.  He  spent  some  time  in  Saco,  and  about  the  year 
seventeen  hundred  and  ninet^^-eight,  he  came  to  Bethel.  For  some 
reason  not  now  known,  he  did  not  receive  a  call  to  settle  here,  and 
after  a  few  months  sta}^  he  went  to  Falmouth.  In  seventeen  hun- 
dred and  ninety-nine  he  received  a  call  from  the  original  fourth  par- 
ish church  in  Falmouth,  to  become  its  pastor,  and  was  inducted  into 
that  office  in  October  of  that  year.  He  married  two  years  after. 
Miss  Sarah  Crocker,  who  died  in  eighteen  hundred  and  twenty-one, 
and  he  then  married  Mrs.  Susanna  (Webb)  Partridge  of  Sacca- 
rappa.  She  also  died,  and  he  married  Mrs.  Abigail  (Loring)  Cod- 
man.  He  lived  in  the  same  house  at  Libby's  Corner  until  his  death, 
which  took  place  June  second,  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-one,  he 
being  eighty-nine  years  of  age.  Mr.  Bradley  bought  the  place  of 
Tiiomas  Webster  in  the  year  eighteen  hundred.  It  was  not  a  new 
house  when  he  bought  it,  but  it  is  still  standing  in  a  good  state  of 
preservation.  Mr.  Bradley  was  noted  for  his  social)ility,  and  was 
distinguished  for  his  wit.  He  was  a  man  of  piety,  and  honest  in  his 
convictions.  His  remains  repose  in  Evergreen  cemetery  by  the  side 
of  those  of  his  first  wife,  Sarah  Crocker,  whom  he  survived  forty 
years. 

Rev.  Eliphaz  Chapman. 
Rev.  Eliphaz  Chapman  was  never  settled  over  any  church  in  this 
town,  but  he  preached  a  number  of  years  at  Madbury,  New  Hamp- 
shire, and  at  other  places  before  he  came  here.  Here  he  engaged 
largely  in  farming,  and  was  the  founder  of  one  of  the  most  numer- 
ous and  distinguished  families  in  town.  He  was  a  descendant  of 
Edward  Chapman  who  came  from  the  northeast  of  Kngland  (juite 
early,  and  settled  at  Ipswich,  Massachusetts.     He  was  a  miUer,  and 


208  HISTOBY  OF  BETHEL. 

in  sixteen  hundred  and  forty-two,  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Mark 
Symonds.  Rev.  P^liphaz  Chapman  was  the  son  of  Samuel  Chap- 
man, and  was  born  at  Newmarket,  New  Hampshire,  March  seventh, 
seventeen  hundred  and  fifty.  He  married  secondly,  Hannah,  daugh- 
ter of  Timothy  Jackman  of  Newbury,  who  was  the  mother  of  his 
children.  The  name  of  his  first  wife  who  died  soon  after  their  mar- 
riage, was  Sarah  Hutchins.  He  was  the  ninth  in  a  family  of  twelve 
children.  His  brother  Edmund  settled  in  Freeport  and  died  early, 
when  his  widow  married  James  Rogers.  P^liphaz  Chapman's  second 
wife  was  born  July  twenty- fourth,  seventeen  hundred  and  fifty- 
three,  and  they  were  married  in  seventeen  hundred  and  seventy-two. 
He  attended  the  schools  of  his  town  and  studied  for  the  ministry 
under  the  tutorship  of  Rev.  Moses  Bradford  of  Methueu.  He 
preached  at  Madbury  and  then  at  Methuen  for  about  fifteen  years. 
He  owned  a  small  farm  in  Methuen  which  he  sold  when  he  came  to 
Bethel.  He  came  to  Bethel  in  seventeen  hundred  and  eighty-nine, 
purchased  a  farm  on  the  north  side  of  the  river,  where  his  son,  Tim- 
othy Chapman  afterwards  lived,  felled  trees  and  sowed  winter  rye. 
He  then  returned  to  Methuen,  and  the  following  spring  came  back, 
accompanied  by  his  son  Eliphaz,  and  built  a  house  on  the  spot 
where  the  Indians  had  lived  and  grown  corn,  the  hills  of  which  could 
then  be  seen.  This  was  the  first  clearing  on  the  north  side  of  the 
river  above  the  Moses  A.  Mason  place.  Their  oldest  daughter, 
Hannah,  was  left  behind  till  the  next  year,  for  the  purpose  of  learn- 
ing the  trade  of  a  tailoress,  which  would  be  absolutely  necessary  in 
a  new  country.  She  found  abundant  emplojnnent  on  coming  to 
Bethel,  which  she  did  on  horseback  the  next  year.  The  appearance 
of  this  portion  of  the  town  as  it  existed  in  seventeen  hundred  and 
ninety,  thus  described  by  the  late  Dea.  George  Chapman,  sou  of 
Rev.  Eliphaz  Chapman,  who  came  here  that  year  at  the  age  of  ten 
years. 

The  whole  country  was  an  unbroken  forest,  save  where  it  was  in- 
terrupted by  small  openings.  On  the  north  side  of  the  river,  Col. 
Eli  Twitchell  had  a  small  clearing  where  Curatio  Bartlett  once  lived  ; 
Dea.  Ezra  Twitchell  where  Alphin  Twitchell  afterwards  lived ; 
Capt.  Eleazer  Twitchell  where  Moses  A.  Mason  now  lives,  and  Rev. 
Eliphaz  Chapman  where  Timothy  Chapman  lived.  On  the  south 
side,  the  largest  opening  was  that  of  Lieut.  Clark  which  Mr.  Albert 
L.  Burbank  now  owns.  Then  that  of  Abraham  Russell  on  the 
Grout  farm,  so-called,  on  the  west  side  of  Alder  river,  and  Grcely 


HISTOliY   OF   BETHEL.  209 

Swan  where  William  W,  Masou  now  lives.  These  were  the  princi- 
pal openings  at  that  time. 

The  following  description  of  their  log  house  as  described  by  Dea- 
con George  W.  Chapman,  his  son,  ma}'  be  novel  to  the  young.  The 
house  was  made  of  second  growth  poplars  which  grew  on  the  Indian 
clearings  to  a  great  height  and  very  straight.  These  were  hewed 
on  two  sides  and  laid  together.  The  house  at  first  consisted  of  but 
one  room,  but  some  boards  were  afterwards  obtained  and  a  room  par- 
titioned off  for  the  girls.  The  father  and  mother  slept  in  the  prin- 
cipal room,  while  the  l)oys  climbed  up  the  ladder  into  the  garret. 
The  fireplace  consisted  of  some  rocks  placed  in  one  corner.  The 
chimney  only  came  down  to  the  chamber  floor  and  was  made  by 
crossed  sticks  plastered  with  cla}'.  Some  loose  boards  were  laid 
down  for  a  floor.  These  in  a  short  time  became  so  warped  as  to 
render  it  inconvenient  for  walking,  and  was  the  cause  of  a  serious 
accident.  Mrs.  Chapman  had  brought  with  her  from  Massachu- 
setts some  beautiful  crockery  which  was  nicely  arranged  on  the 
dresser ;  but  accidentally  while  walking  across  the  floor,  she  stum- 
bled, and  thereb}'  threw  down  her  crockery  and  broke  the  whole  of 
it.  She  could  not  have  been  blamed  if  under  such  circumstances 
she  did  give  vent  to  her  feelings  in  tears.  During  the  first  winter 
they  could  get  no  grinding  done  at  the  mill,  and  they  were  obliged 
to  live  on  hulled  corn,  stewed  peas  and  bean  porridge.  As  soon  as 
they  could  have  some  cows  the}'  lived  well.  Their  cows  found  a 
plenty  of  forage  on  the  intervales,  although  garlic  was  so  abundant 
as  to  affect  their  milk,  which  unpleasant  flavor  they  avoided  by  eat- 
ing an  onion  before  taking  the  milk. 

They  succeeded  in  raising  bountiful  crops  and  by  cutting  timber 
and  selling  it  they  were  able  to  purchase  a  yoke  of  oxen  and  two 
cows  from  Brunswick.  They  also  obtained  some  sheep  and  put 
them  on  the  islands  in  the  river.  After  a  few  years  he  built  the 
house  where  his  sou  Timothy  Chapman  lived  and  died.  He  was 
chosen  as  the  first  representative  from  Bethel  to  the  Massachusetts 
legislature.  This  was  in  eighteen  hundred  and  eight,  and  he  was 
chosen  for  three  successive  years.  He  was  a  Justice  of  Peace  and 
did  considerable  business  in  that  capacity.  He  was  evidently  a  man 
of  considerable  ability.  He  published  two  sermons  on  the  Prophe- 
cies in  seventeen  hundred  and  ninetj'-nine,  which  were  characteristic 
of  the  theology  of  his  day.  He  died  of  consumption  in  eighteen 
hundred  and  fourteen,  aged  sixty-four  years,  and  was  buried  in  the 

14 


210  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

cemetery  ou  the  north  side  of  the  river.  He  preached  occasionallj' 
iu  the  adjoining  towns  but  was  never  settled  over  any  society  after 
coming  into  Maine. 

Rev.  Daniel  Gould. 

Rev.  Daniel  Gould  was  born  in  Topsfield,  Mass.,  Dec.  eighth, 
seventeen  hundred  and  fifty- three.  He  was  the  son  of  Daniel  and 
Lucy  (Tarbox)  Gould,  and  tlie  fifth  in  descent  from  Zaccheus 
Gould,  who  was  born  in  England  about  fifteen  hundred  and  eighty- 
nine,  came  to  this  country  in  sixteen  hundred  and  thirty-eight,  and 
settled  in  Topsfield.  He  graduated  at  Harvard  College,  and  before 
entering  college,  and  while  a  student  at  Dummer  Academy  he  served 
a  term  in  the  Continental  army.  Returning,  he  studied  Theology 
Avith  Rev.  Mr.  Moody  of  Byefield.  He  was  admitted  to  the  church 
in  Topsfield,  Dec.  seventh,  seventeen  hundred  and  eighty-three. 
He  came  to  Bethel  and  preached  as  a  candidate  in  seventeen  hun- 
dred and  ninety-eight  and  nine,  and  was  installed  as  the  first  settled 
minister  in  Bethel  in  October,  seventeen  hundred  and  ninety-nine. 
He  remained  here  until  eighteen  hundred  and  fifteen,  when,  having 
received  a  call,  he  became  the  pastor  of  the  church  in  Rumford  and 
moved  there.  He  was  installed  as  such  May  thirty-first,  eighteen 
hundred  and  fifteen.  He  brought  the  first  chaise  into  Bethel,  and 
was  himself  a  conspicuous  figure  in  his  cocked  hat,  black  silk  gown 
and  breeches  which  was  the  ministrial  dress  of  that  day.  He  was 
very  social  in  his  habits  and  popular  with  all  classes.  His  fund  of 
anecdotes  was  inexhaustible.  He  wrote  his  sermons,  and  when 
reading  them  held  the  manuscript  near  his  eyes.  In  his  will  he  left 
a  small  sum  to  Bethel  Academy,  on  the  condition  that  the  institu- 
tion should  take  his  name,  which  was  agreed  to  by  the  trustees. 
An  oil  portrait,  said  to  be  a  correct  likeness,  has  also  been  presented 
to  the  Academy  by  Miss  Mary  Hurd  of  Topsfield,  a  niece  of  Mr. 
Gould.  Mr.  Gould  married  for  his  first  wife,  Dec.  twenty-fourth, 
seventeen  hundred  and  eighty-two,  Mary,  eldest  daughter  of  George 
Booth  of  Hillsborough,  N.  H.  She  died  October  first,  seventeen 
hundred  and  eighty-five.  They  had  one  daughter  Molly,  born  Sep- 
tember twenty-eighth,  seventeen  hundred  and  eighty-five,  and  died 
the  December  following.  December  twenty-fifth,  seventeen  hun- 
dred and  eighty-eight,  he  married  Mrs.  Eunice  Parley,  daughter  of 
Stephen  Foster  of  Andover,  Mass.,  and  relict  of  Jeremiah  Perley 
of  Topsfield.     She  came  with  him  to  Maine  and  died  in  this  town. 


REV     DANIEL    GOULD, 


HISTOUY  OF  BETHEL.  211 

She  had  no  children.  For  a  third  wife  Mr.  Gould  married  Mrs. 
Anna  Poor,  widow  of  Capt  Abner  Rawson  of  Paris,  who  survived 
Mr.  Gould  many  years,  residing  in  her  native  town  of  Andover, 
Maine. 

Mr.  Gould's  ministr}^  in  this  town  does  not  appear  to  have  been 
altogether  a  happy  one.  Influences  that  were  brought  to  bear 
against  him  at  the  time  of  his  settlement  seemed  to  increase  during 
his  ministry  in  Bethel.  He  continued  as  pastor  till  eighteen  hun- 
dred and  nine,  when  he  was  dismissed.  Still  the  town  is  much  in- 
debted to  Mr.  Gould  for  the  character  of  its  inhabitants.  He 
opened  a  school  for  young  men  in  his  own  house,  where  they  could 
resort  and  fit  for  college  or  for  a  profession.  Many  who  have  since 
distinguished  themselves,  availed  themselves  of  his  instruction.  In 
this  way  he  developed  the  educational  interests  of  the  town  far  be- 
yond that  of  most  towns  at  that  time.  Many  anecdotes  are  told  of 
him  during  his  residence  in  Bethel,  though  few  of  them  are  worthy 
of  record.  It  is  said  that  one  of  his  hearers  expostulated  with  him 
for  making  such  long  prayers  in  church.  "Well,  then,  if  you  are 
tired,  sit  down,"  was  his  reply.  As  a  neighbor  he  was  peaceable. 
On  a  certain  occasion  he  had  lost  his  corn,  and  though  he  had  the 
strongest  presumptive  evidence  who  was  the  thief,  he  refused  to 
move  a  step,  but  simply  replied,  "He  will  be  his  own  greatest 
tormentor." 

On  a  certain  occasion  a  parishioner  came  to  him  to  pay  his  tax, 
but  not  being  able  to  advance  tlie  mone^',  it  was  proposed  that  he 
should  give  his  note.  As  Mr.  Gould  commenced  wu'iting.  For  value 
received,  "That  is  not  true,"  said  the  parishioner,  "I  have  not  re- 
ceived any  value."  INIr.  G,  instead  of  being  offended,  laughed 
heartily  and  gave  him  his  tax,  as  he  belonged  to  another  denomina- 
tion. With  his  chaise,  the  first  in  town,  he  certainly  had  advan- 
tages over  his  less  fortunate  people.  The  social  element  was  strong 
in  him,  and  his  fund  of  anecdotes  w'as  inexhaustible.  On  a  certain 
occasion  he  was  present  at  a  "raising,"  and  as  w-as  the  custom  of 
the  day,  he  made  a  prayer  just  before  the  broadsides  were  erected. 
After  the  building  was  up  and  the  toddy  passed  round,  he  turned  to 
the  owner,  who  was  a  young  married  man,  and  proposed  a  senti- 
ment:  "May  you  live  and  enjoy  many  years  of  ])rosperity,  and,  I 
like  to  have  said,  may  you  have  a  hundred  children."  In  making 
his  will  he  made  a  bequest  to  the  academy  in  Bethel,  on  condition 
that  it  should  be  named  after  him.     Unfortunately,  but  a  part  of 


212  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

what  was  supposed  to  belong  to  the  institution  was  ever  realized. 
The  fund  so  received  is  to  be  devoted  to  the  purpose  of  paying  the 
teacher  for  his  services. 

He  lived  in  Bethel  in  the  house  built  by  Lieut.  Jonathan  Clark, 
which  is  still  standing.  He  married  for  his  third  wife  widow  Anna 
Rawson  of  Paris,  who  still  survives  him  and  resides  in  Andover, 
Maine.  He  never  had  any  children.  For  some  time  previous  to  his 
death  he  was  totally  blind.  Mr.  Gould  departed  this  life  very  sud- 
denly, while  sitting  at  the  table  at  dinner,  May  twenty-first,  eigh- 
teen hundred  and  forty-two,  aged  eighty-eight  years.  The  writer 
of  this  volume  has  in  his  possession  one  of  Mr,  Gould's  manuscript 
sermons,  said  to  be  the  first  one  ever  preached  by  him.  It  is  writ- 
ten in  a  very  plain,  round  hand  on  a  page  about  three  by  five  inches. 
Mr  Gould  was  a  man  of  excellent  character,  and  is  still  referred  to 
with  respect  and  reverence  by  the  elderly  people  of  Rumford,  though 
he  has  been  dead  nearl}'  half  a  century.  His  second  wife  died  Aug. 
twenty-first,  eighteen  hundred  and  thirty,  and  was  l)uried  at  Rumford 
Center. 

Rev.  Charles  Frost. 

The  history  of  every  town  presents  the  character  of  some  men 
who  have  held  a  prominent  position  in  the  affairs  of  church  and  State 
for  many  years.  Such  was  the  case  in  the  biography  of  the  man  in 
this  chapter. 

Rev.  Charles  P^rost  was  born  in  Limerick,  Maine,  January  twelfth, 
seventeen  hundred  and  ninety-six.  He  was  the  son  of  Moses  Frost, 
who  was  born  June  third,  seventeen  hundred  and  sixty-six,  and  of 
Sally  McKenney,  who  was  born  March  tenth,  seventeen  hundred 
and  sixty-six.  They  were  united  in  marriage  April  fifteenth,  seven- 
teen hundred  and  ninety.  They  had  nine  children,  among  whom 
Charles  was  the  fourth. 

Mr.  Frost  spent  a  portion  of  his  earlier  years  in  Gorham,  Maine, 
when  attending  the  academy.  He  studied  with  reference  to  the 
ministry  under  the  Rev.  Asa  Rand,  pastor  of  the  Congregationalist 
church  in  Gorham,  and  was  licensed  to  preach  by  the  Cumberland 
Association  at  a  meeting  held  at  Gorham,  November  fourteenth, 
eighteen  hundred  and  twenty.  From  a  diary  which  he  kept  for  sev- 
eral years  during  the  first  part  of  his  ministry,  it  appears  that  he 
preached  his  first  sermon  in  Bethel,  five  days  after  he  received  his 
license,  November  nineteenth,  eighteen  hundred  and  twenty.     His 


REV.    CHARLES    FROST. 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  213 

text  was  in  Hebrews,  ninth  chapter,  twenty-seventh  verse.  One 
who  was  present  on  that  occasion  described  him  as  a  young  man  of 
twenty-four  years  of  age,  youthful  in  appearance  and  exceedingly 
modest  in  demeanor,  who  at  first  sight  would  not  have  impressed 
strangers  in  his  favor,  but  who  soon  obtained  a  strong  hold  upon  the 
afifections  of  the  people  with  whom  he  had  come  to  labor.  After 
supplying  the  desk  six  Sabbaths  he  returned  to  Gorham,  where  he 
continued  to  preach,  and  at  other  places,  till  March  twenty-fifth, 
when  he  again  returned  to  Bethel  where  he  continued  his  labors  till 
his  death. 

At  a  legal  meeting  of  the  Congregationalist  church  in  the  West 
Parish  of  Bethel,  held  November  fifth,  eighteen  hundred  and  twenty- 
one,  it  was  voted  to  extend  an  invitation  to  Mr.  Charles  Frost  to 
become  pastor  of  said  church.  A  council  was  called,  which  met  at 
the  house  of  Dea.  Samuel  Barker,  consisting  of  the  following  per- 
sons :  Rumford — Rev.  Daniel  Gould,  Dea.  Hezekiah  Hutchins. 
Bath— Rev.  John  AV.  Ellingwood,  Ammi  R.  Mitchell.  Otisfield— 
Rev.  Josiah  G.  Merrill,  Wm.  Spurr.  No.  Yarmouth — Rev.  Asa 
Cummings,  Dea.  Jacob  Mitchell.  Waterford — Rev.  A.  Douglass, 
Dea.  Moses  Treadwell.  Paris — Rev.  Joseph  Walker,  Dea.  Daniel 
Stowell.  Turner — Rev.  Allen  Greely,  Dea.  Martin  Bradford. 
Gorham — John  T.  Smith.  Bridgton — Aaron  Beamau.  It  is  worthy 
of  remark  that  a  long  journey  was  necessary  to  reach  Bethel  through 
the  woods  in  those  days.  The  ordination  was  held  in  the  meeting 
house,  February  twentieth,  eighteen  hundred  and  twenty-two.  The 
sermon  was  delivered  by  Rev.  John  W.  Ellingwood  of  Bath.  The 
minister  immediately  entered  upon  his  labors  as  pastor.  He  had 
discriminating  minds  among  his  people,  and  a  society  that  was  reg- 
ular in  its  attendance  upon  his  ministry.  With  a  theological  library 
of  limited  size,  he  was  compelled  to  draw  his  arguments  more 
directly  from  the  Bible  itself,  which  gave  a  simple  yet  effective  style 
to  his  preaching.  He  always  had  a  large  attendance  and  among 
them  were  many  who  were  among  the  oldest  settlers  in  the  town, 
while  a  large  number  consisted  of  young  people,  who  presented  a 
most  interesting  appearance  at  that  time.  It  was  an  audience  of 
more  than  ordinary  intellectual  character.  His  appearance  in  the 
desk  was  solemn.  He  arrested  the  attention  of  his  hearers  l)y  a 
clear  and  argumentative  exposition  of  his  subject,  wliich  he  divided 
and  subdivided  so  as  to  be  easily  comprehended.  On  one  occasion 
he  commenced  his  sermon  by  introducing  his  peroration  or  close  of 


214  HIS  TOBY   OF  BETHEL. 

his  sermon  first.  This  was  done  in  the  most  impressive  manner, 
and  a  deathlike  stillness  reigned  over  the  house.  He  then  proceeded 
with  his  text  and  argument,  and  dismissed  his  audience,  who  could 
not  fail  to  be  strongly  impressed  with  his  subject. 

During  his  ministry  the  church  received  additions  from  3'ear  to 
year,  but  it  was  in  the  year  eighteen  hundred  and  thirty-nine,  when 
there  was  a  powerful  revival,  and  many  individuals,  embracing  a 
large  number  of  intelligent  and  interesting  3'oung  people  united  with 
the  church.  During  his  ministry  one  hundred  and  twenty-nine  per- 
sons united  with  the  church.  His  relations  with  the  church  were 
generally  pacific  until  the  year  eighteen  hundred  and  forty-eight, 
when  it  was  decided  to  build  a  new  church  in  the  village,  and  form 
a  new  society  on  the  north  side  of  the  river.  Though  he  took  but 
a  secondary  part  in  the  matter  it  seriously  affected  him.  His 
health,  which  was  never  very  strong,  began  to  give  wa}'.  Dyspep- 
sia was  a  troublesome  attendant  on  him.  During  the  3'ear  eighteen 
hundred  and  forty-uine,  he  lost  two  of  his  children  from  ship  fever, 
which  had  been  introduced  into  his  famil}',  and  the  otlier  members, 
together  with  himself,  were  sufferers  from  it,  from  which  he  never 
recovered.  He  died  February  eleventh,  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty, 
after  a  successful  ministr}^  over  the  same  church  for  twenty-eight 
years.  His  funeral  was  attended  by  a  large  and  mourning  congre- 
gation of  those  who  had  grown  up  under  his  ministr3\  A  sermon 
was  preached  by  his  co-laborer  for  about  the  same  length  of  time, 
Rev.  John  Douglass  of  Waterford.  He  was  married  May  eleventh, 
eighteen  hundred  and  nineteen,  to  Miss  Lydia  Fernald,  who  was 
born  February  twent3'-second,  seventeen  hundred  and  eighty-seven, 
and  died  August  tweuty-seveuth,  eighteen  hundred  and  twenty-five. 
He  was  again  married  to  Miss  T>ucinda  M.  8.  Smith,  who  was  born 
in  Scarborough,  December  nineteenth,  seventeen  hundred  and  nine- 
ty-four, and  died  in  Bethel,  November  twelfth,  eighteen  Inmdred 
and  fifty-nine. 

Mr.  Frost  exerted  a  powerful  infiuence  foi-  the  good  of  his  peo- 
ple. In  the  church  and  in  the  educational  interests  of  the  town  he 
was  always  ready  to  give  his  time  and  infiuence.  His  mind  was 
rather  inclined  to  a  mathematical  exactness  in  everything  to  which 
he  directed  his  attention.  Geometry  was  with  him  a  favorite  study, 
and  he  rightly  judged  it  a  valuable  study  for  every  young  person 
who  would  cultivate  precision  in  their  mental  operations.  In  per- 
son he  was  of  medium  height.     His  hair  had  become  orny  and  his 


HISrOEY  OF  BETHEL  215 

eye  was  quite  expressive.     His  voice  was  slightly  tremulous,  which 
rather  gave  effect  to  his  public  perforniauces. 

He  was  remarkably  uniform  in  his  whole  course  of  life,  beinu" 
neither  greatly  elated  by  success  or  depressed  by  discouragements. 
He  commenced  his  labors  over  a  society  that  had  been  but  little 
favored  with  a  settled  minister  for  a  period  of  eleven  years,  but  by 
his  uniform  course  of  action  he  left  it  among  the  largest  in  this  part 
of  the  State.  His  counsel  was  sought  after  among  his  brethren  in 
the  ministry,  and  respected.  Cautious,  though  not  over  and  above 
conservative,  his  opinion  was  ever  valuable.  A  man  who  has  the 
ability  to  direct  the  spiritual  interests  of  a  church  and  society  so 
long,  is  worthy  of  no  ordinary  record,  and  his  name  is  passed  down 
to  posterity  as  one  who  was  honored  by  those  who  best  knew  him. 

Rev.  John  H.  M.   Leland. 

He  was  born  in  Amherst,  Mass.,  graduated  at  Amherst  College 
and  at  Andover  Theological  Seminary,  and  was  ordained  at  Sher- 
burn,  Massachusetts.  Soon  after  the  death  of  Mr.  Frost,  an  invi- 
tation was  extended  to  Mr.  Leland  to  be  his  successor.  He 
accepted  and  was  installed  pastor  of  the  church  and  parish  July 
third,  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty.  He  remained  till  May  tenth, 
eighteen  hundred  and  fifty-three,  when  he  was  dismissed  and 
returned  to  Massachusetts.     He  afterwards  resided  at  Amherst. 

Rev.  Edwin  A.  Buck. 

He  was  the  son  of  James  Buck  of  Bucksport,  and  was  born  in 
that  town.  May  thirty-first,  eigliteen  hundred  and  twenty-four. 
After  fitting  for  college  at  the  academy  in  Andover,  he  graduated 
at  Yale  College  in  eighteen  hundred  and  fort3'-nine,  and  at  Bangor 
Theological  Seminary  in  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty-two.  He  was 
ordained  in  Bethel,  May  twentieth,  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty-four, 
and  settled  as  pastor  over  the  First  Congregational  church.  He 
continued  in  this  relation  till  February,  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty- 
nine,  when  he  was  dismissed.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Elmira  K., 
daughter  of  Dean  Walker,  who  was  born  in  Aruendel  county,  3Id., 
December  ninth,  eighteen  hundred  and  twenty-five.  They  were 
married  January  nineteenth,  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty-three.  Soon 
after  his  dismissal  from  Bethel,  he  removed  to  Slatersville,  R.  I., 
where  he  became  pastor  of  a  church. 


216  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

Eev.  John  B.  Wheelwright. 

Rev.  John  B.  Wheelwright  is  a  lineal  clesceudaut  of  that  Rev. 
John  Wheelwright  who  was  the  classmate  of  Oliver  Cromwell,  came 
to  this  country,  was  first  at  Boston,  then  was  one  of  the  founders  of 
Exeter,  New  Hampshire,  and  subsequently  came  to  Wells  and  col- 
lected a  church  there.  The  descent  is  John',  SamueP,  Joseph^, 
Joseph"*,  Aaron%  Ebeuezer",  to  John  B.''  who  was  born  in  Wells, 
Maine,  December  thirteenth,  eighteen  hundred  and  twenty.  He 
fitted  for  college  at  Kennebunk  and  at  Kent's  Hill,  and  graduated 
from  Colby  University,  then  Waterville  College,  in  eighteen  hun- 
dred and  forty-four.  He  married  Helen  A.  Barton  of  Sidney.  He 
was  pastor  of  the  church  in  Bethel  from  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty- 
nine  to  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-seven,  covering  the  period  of  the 
great  rebellion.  He  has  since  been  settled  at  South  Paris  and  in 
Deeriug.  He  now  resides  in  Minneapolis,  Minnesota.  They  have 
had  two  children,  a  daughter  deceased,  and  a  son,  John  O.  P. 
Wheelwright,  who  is  a  prosperous  lawyer  in  Minneapolis. 

Rev.   Stephen  L.   Boavlek. 

Rev.  Stephen  Longfellow  Bowler  was  born  in  Palermo,  Me.,  July 
twenty-fifth,  eighteen  hundred  and  twenty.  He  fitted  for  college  in 
part  at  Kent's  Hill,  and  in  part  at  home,  and  graduated  from  Water- 
ville College  with  the  class  of  eighteen  huudred  and  forty-seven. 
After  graduating,  he  spent  a  couple  of  j'ears  in  teaching  and  then 
commenced  the  study  of  medicine  under  the  tutorship  of  Doctor 
McRuer  of  Bangor.  In  eighteen  hundred  and  forty-nine,  he  at- 
tended medical  lectures  at  Castleton,  \'ermont,  and  later  took  a 
course  in  the  medical  department  of  Harvard  College.  He  then 
entered  the  Bangor  Theological  Seminary,  from  which  he  was  grad- 
uated in  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty-two.  He  was  ordained  at 
Machias,  January  fifth,  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty-three.  He  sub- 
sequently settled  in  Orono,  w4iere.  May  twelfth,  eighteen  hundred 
and  fifty-eight,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Augusta  J.  Colburn  of  that 
town.  In  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-three,  he  entered  the  service 
of  the  United  States  Christian  Commission  and  became  the  superin- 
tendent of  its  work  at  Washington.  He  was  subsequently  appointed 
general  agent  for  the  State  of  Maine,  and  organized  the  work  in 
each  county.  He  edited  a  part  of  the  history  of  the  commission. 
Soon  after  tlie  war  closed,  he  accepted  a  call  to  settle  in  Hampden, 


REV.     DAVID    GARLAND. 


HISrOBY   OF  BETHEL.  217 

where  he  remained  six  years,  and  since  that  time  he  has  continued 
his  labors  in  the  ministry  at  Saccarappa,  Machias,  Bethel,  Berlin 
Falls,  New  Hampshire,  and  at  Robbinston,  Maine.  He  came  to 
the  First  Congregational  church  in  Bethel  in  eighteen  hundred  and 
seventy-nine,  and  remained  six  years. 

Rev.   Nahum  W.  Grover. 

Nahum  Wesley  Grover  is  the  son  of  Andrew  Grover,  and  was 
born  in  Bethel  in  eighteen  hundred  and  thirty-five.  He  graduated 
from  Bowdoin  College  in  the  class  of  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty- 
four,  and  from  the  Theological  Seminary  at  Bangor,  three  years 
later.  He  was  pastor  of  a  church  in  Mantorville,  Minnesota,  at 
Topsham,  Maine,  in  Bethel  and  in  Colebrook,  New  Hampshire. 
He  married  in  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-seven,  at  Bangor,  F'annie 
E.  Osgood  of  that  city. 

Rev.  Daniel  W.  Hardy. 

Rev.  Daniel  Warren  Hardy  was  born  in  Wilton,  Maine,  July 
twenty-fourth,  eighteen  hundred  and  thirty-four.  He  was  educated 
in  the  common  school,  at  Farmington  Academy  and  at  Bowdoin  Col- 
lege. He  entered  college  with  the  class  of  eighteen  hundred  and 
sixty-one,  and  remained  two  years.  He  then  studied  medicine  and 
graduated  from  the  Maine  Medical  School  in  eighteen  hundred  and 
sixty-three.  He  was  then  appointed  surgeon  of  the  thirty-seventh 
Regiment  of  United  States  colored  troops,  and  served  through  the 
remainder  of  the  war.  He  was  breveted  Lieutenant  Colonel,  I'uited 
States  Volunteers,  March  fourth,  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-seven. 
He  graduated  from  the  Bangor  Theological  Seminary  in  eighteen 
hundred  and  seventy-one,  and  preached  two  years  at  Prescjue  Isle. 
He  became  acting  pastor  of  the  Congregational  church  in  Bethel, 
August  first,  eighteen  hundred  and  eighty-five,  and  still  remains  here. 

Rev.  David  Garland. 

Rev.  David  Garland  was  the  fourth  son  of  Dea.  John  Garland  of 
Newfield,  Maine,  and  was  born  March  twenty-second,  eighteen  hun- 
dred and  fifteen.  He  graduated  from  Amherst  College  in  eighteen 
hundred  and  forty-three,  and  from  Andover  Theological  Seminary 
in  eighteen  hundred  and  forty-six.  His  first  labor  in  the  ministry 
was  at  South  Solon,  then  a  year  in  Sweden,  Maine,  and  a  year  at 


218  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

Burlington,  Massachusetts.  He  commenced  his  labors  with  the 
Second  Congregational  church  in  Bethel,  in  April,  eighteen  hundred 
and  forty-nine,  and  was  ordained  pastor  on  the  fifteenth  daj'  of 
August  following.  He  was  the  first  and  only  pastor  of  the  Second 
church,  and  labored  diligently  as  such  until  the  time  of  his  death, 
a  period  of  nearl}'  forty  years.  The  council  called  to  assist  and  ad- 
Tise  in  the  service  was  composed  of  the  following  individuals  : 
Bethel — Rev.  Charles  Frost,  Josiah  Brown  ;  Eumford — Rev.  Eli- 
phalet  Hopkins,  Otis  C.  Bolster  ;  Norway — Rev.  Charles  Packard  ; 
Turner — Rev.  John  Dodd  ;  Albanj^ — Rev.  Charles  F.  Tewksbury 
and  J.  H.  Lovejoy  ;  Sweden — Rev.  John  Foster  and  Doctor  Nathan 
Bradbury;  North  Bridgton — Rev.  Z.  M.  Harris  and  Moses  Gould; 
Waterford — Rev.  John  A.  Douglass  and  Amos  Gage  ;  Portland — 
Rev.  John  W.  Chickering.  The  following  persons  performed  his 
ordination  services  :  Invocation  and  reading  the  scriptures,  ILlipha- 
let  S.  Hopkins;  Introductory  prayer.  Rev.  Charles  Packard;  Ser- 
mon, Rev.  John  W.  Chickering  ;  Ordaining  prayer,  Rev.  John  A. 
Douglass  ;  Charge  to  the  pastor.  Rev.  Charles  Frost ;  Fellowship  of 
the  churches.  Rev.  L.  AV.  Harris  ;  Address  to  the  people.  Rev.  I. 
Dodd ;  Concluding  prayer.  Rev.  J.  P.  Foster ;  Benediction,  the 
pastor.  On  the  seventeenth  da}'  of  September,  eighteen  hundred 
and  forty-nine,  he  was  married  by  Rev.  John  J.  Carruthers,  D.  D., 
of  Portland,  to  Miss  Mary  E.,  daughter  of  Thaddeus  and  Sukey 
(Barker)  Twitchell  of  Bethel,  who  died  January  twenty-third,  eigh- 
teen hundred  and  sixty-seven,  and  he  married  secondl}',  Mary  Jane 
Baker.  Mr.  Garland  was  the  faithful  and  beloved  pastor  of  the 
church  as  long  as  he  lived.  He  worked  for  small  pay  and  eked  out 
his  salary  by  serving  on  the  board  of  superintending  school  com- 
mittee and  by  cultivating  a  small  piece  of  laud.  He  was  methodical 
in  his  halnts  and  a  hard-working  man.  During  his  pastorate  he 
attended  sevent}'  sessions  of  the  county  conference,  out  of  seventy- 
four,  united  in  marriage,  one  hundred  and  ninety-five  couples,  and 
attended  over  five  hundred  funerals.  He  was  a  genial,  companion- 
able man,  a  good  citizen,  an  accommodating  and  obliging  neighbor 
and  a  true  friend.  Without  guile  himself,  he  trusted  others,  and  in 
one  instance  he  lost  nearly  all  his  little  accumulations  b}'  misplaced 
confidence.  He  died  very  suddenly  in  his  pulpit  while  attending 
upon  his  regular  Sunda}'  services,  October  sixteenth,  eighteen  hun- 
dred and  eighty-four.  After  his  death,  the  church  had  a  supply  for 
a  short  time,  but  July  sixth,  eiahteeu  hundred  and  ninety,  the  sec- 


HLSTORY    OF  BETHEL.  219 

ond  church  voted  to  disband,  and  its  members  united  with  the 
church  at  Bethel  Hill.  The  bridge  across  the  Audroscoggiu  had 
removed  all  objections  to  reunion,  and  the  people  had  come  to  learn 
that  one  strong  church  organization,  other  things  being  equal,  is 
preferable  to  two  weak  ones. 

The  Baptists. 

Among  the  earl}'  settlers  were  some  whose  sympathies  were  with 
the  Calvinist  Baptists,  and  occasionally  ministers  of  this  denomina- 
tion came  here  to  visit  them  and  preach  on  Sunday.  Some  of  those 
also,  who  were  not  satisfied  with  the  settlement  of  Rev.  Daniel 
Gould,  left  the  denomination  and  affiliated  with  the  Baptists. 
Among  those  ministers  who  early  visited  here  were  Elder  James 
Hooper  from  Paris,  Elder  John  Tripp  from  Hebron  and  Elder  Na- 
thaniel Chase  from  Buckfield.  In  seventeen  hundred  and  ninety- 
five,  September  fourteen,  a  church  was  organized,  and  Rev.  John 
Chadbourne  preached  here,  but  there  was  no  increase.  At  the  end 
of  seven  3'ears  the  membership  was  reduced  to  two.  Rev.  Benja- 
min Cole  from  Pejepscot  came  and  preached  here  in  eighteen  hun- 
dred, and  two  years  later,  three  were  added  to  the  church.  May 
twenty-ninth,  eighteen  hundred  and  three,  the  church  consisted  of 
six  members,  and  for  the  first  time,  partook  of  the  Lord's  supper. 
The  next  year  the  church  enjoyed  a  special  revival.  Large  num- 
bers were  added,  and  the  day  of  small  numbers  existed  no  longer. 

In  eighteen  hundred  and  five,  an  act  of  incorporation  was  asked 
for  and  granted  as  follows  : 

"Au  Act  to  incorporate  a  number  of  the  iuhabitaiits  of  the  Town  of  Bethel 
Town  of  Xewry  and  Plantation  of  Howard's  Gore,  (so-called)  in  the 
county  of  Oxford  into  a  Eeligious  society,  by  the  Name  of  the  First 
Baptist  (Society  in  Bethel. 

Sect.  1.  Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Kepn'seutatives.  in 
General  court  assembled,  and  by  the  authority  of  the  same,  That  Asa  Khii- 
ball,  John  Kilgore,  Jr.,  Stephen  Eastes,  Itliiel  Smith,  Jr.,  John  Kilooic, 
Samuel  Ayer,  Ephraim  Powers,  Samuel  Gossou,  Joseph  Ayer,  Jouatliaii 
Smith,  Samuel  Kilgore,  Daniel  Beau,  Ebeuezer  Bean,  Moses  Mason, 
Thomas  Stearns,  Asa  Foster,  Jonathan  Clark,  William  Russell,  Isaac 
Towue,  Napthali  Coffin,  Jesse  Beau,  David  Coffin,  Walter  Mason,  Paul 
Morse,  Joseph  Farrar,  Betsy  Clark  and  Enoch  Bartlett  with  their  families 
and  estates,  be,  and  they  are  lierel)y  incorporated  into  a  religious  society 
by  the  name  of  The  First  Baptist  Society  in  Bethel,  with  all  the  powers, 
privileges  and  innnunities  to  which  parishes  are  entitled  by  the  Const  it  u- 


220  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

tion  and  laws  of  this  Commonwealth;  Provided,  That  all  such  persons 
shall  be  holden  to  pay  their  proportion  of  all  monies  assessed  in  the  towns 
and  plantation  aforesaid  for  parochial  purposes,  prior  to  the  passing  of  this 
Act. 

Sect.  2.  Be  It  Further  Enacted  :  That  any  person  belonging  to  the  said 
towns  of  Bethel,  Newry,  or  plantation  of  Howard's  Gore  aforesaid,  being 
of  the  Baptist  denomination,  who  may  at  any  time  hereafter,  actually  be- 
come a  member  of,  and  unite  in  religious  worship,  with  said  Society,  and 
give  in  his  or  her  name  to  the  Clerk  of  the  town,  parish  or  plantation  to 
which  he  or  she  belongs,  with  a  certificate  signed  by  the  minister  or  clerk 
of  said  Society,  that  he  or  she  lias  actually  liecome  a  member  of,  and 
united  in  religious  woi-shij)  with  the  aforesaid  Baptist  Society,  fourteen 
days  previous  to  the  town,  parish  or  plantation  meeting  therein,  to  l)e  held 
in  the  mouth  of  March  or  April,  shall.,  from  and  after  giving  in  such  cer- 
tificate with  his  or  her  polls  and  estates,  be  considered  as  part  of  said 
Society. 

Sect.  3.  Be  it  further  enacted :  That  if  any  member  of  said  Baptist  So- 
ciety shall  at  any  time  see  cause  to  leave  the  same,  and  unite  in  religious 
worship  with  the  parish,  in  which  he  or  she  may  reside,  and  shall  lodge  a 
certificate  of  such  his  or  her  intention,  with  the  Clerk  or  Minister  of  said 
Baptist  Society  and  also  with  the  clerk  of  the  town,  parish  or  plantation 
in  which  he  or  she  may  reside,  fourteen  days  at  least  before  the  annual 
town,  parisli  or  plantation  meeting,  to  be  held  therein,  in  the  month  of 
March  or  April,  and  shall  pay  his  or  her  proportion  of  all  monej'  assessed 
on  said  Society  previous  thereto,  such  person  shall,  from  and  after  giving 
such  certificate,  with  his  or  her  polls  and  estates,  be  considered  as  belong- 
ing to  the  town  or  parish  in  which  he  or  she  may  reside,  in  the  same  man- 
ner as  if  he  or  she  had  never  belonged  to  said  Baptist  Society. 

Sect.  4.  Be  it  further  enacted :  That  any  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  the 
said  county  of  Oxford  is  hereby  authorized  to  issue  his  warrant  directed 
to  some  suitable  member  of  said  Baptist  Society,  requiring  him  to  notify 
and  warn  the  members  thereof  to  meet  at  such  time  and  place  as  shall  be 
appointed  in  said  warrant,  to  choose  such  officers  as  jiarishes  in  this  Com- 
monwealth are  by  law  authori/cd  to  choose  in  ilic  iiionth  of  March  oi- 
April  annually." 

This  Act  passed  .June  1.5.  180.5. 

Rev.  Ebenezer  Rhav. 

Rev.  PLheoezer  Bray  was  ordaiued  as  pastor  iu  eighteen  hundred 
and  seven,  and  remained  live  years.  Under  his  ministry,  twenty- 
nine  were  added  to  the  church.  Rev.  Arthur  Drinkwater  was  the 
next  pastor,  followed  by  Elder  Daniel  Mason,  who  came  from  Free- 
port  iu  eighteen  hundred  and  seventeen,  and  remained  until  his 
death,  April  sixteenth,  eighteen  hundred  and  thirty-five,  aged  fifty- 
four  years.     He  was  a  faithful  worker  in  his  Master's  vineyard,  and 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  221 

literally  wore  himself  out  in  behalf  of  the  cause.  He  was  a  cooper 
by  trade  and  supported  his  family  by  the  work  of  his  hands,  receiv- 
ing but  a  small  compensation  for  his  pastoral  work. 

In  eighteen  hundred  and  thirty-six,  came  from  Hebron.  Rev.  ben- 
jamin Douham,  a  native  of  that  town,  and  was  ordained  October 
fifth.  He  was  well  educated,  taught  school  winters,  and  divided  his 
time  in  preaching  between  Middle  Interval,  where  he  had  his  home, 
and  the  lower  meeting  house  near  Bean's  Corner.  He  was  an  able 
preacher  and  an  excellent  man.  When  he  left  the  church,  the  whole 
number  of  members  was  one  hundred  and  thirty-two,  mostly  resi- 
dents of  the  east  parish.  The  more  intlueutial  families  belonging 
to  this  denomination,  were  the  Holts,  the  Kiml)alls,  the  Estes  and 
Kilgores.  Among  the  Deacons  have  been  John  Holt,  Joseph  Holt, 
John  Bird,  Eli  Foster  and  Moses  S.  Kimball.  At  the  time  the 
Bethel  church  was  organized  there  was  only  one  Baptist  Association 
in  the  State,  the  Bowdoinham.  It  was  not  until  eighteen  hujidred 
and  four  that  the  Baptist  church  in  Bethel,  with  five  others,  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  Bowdoinham  Association.  The  Bethel  church  then 
had  only  six  members.  In  eighteen  hundred  and  eleven,  the  church 
joined  the  Cumberland  Association,  and  in  eighteen  hundred  and 
twenty-nine  the  Oxford.  Following  is  a  list  of  delegates  from 
the  Bethel  church  to  the  yearly  associations  for  the  years  named, 
with  the  number  of  members  j-eported  each  year.  The  pastors' 
names  appear  in  small  capital  letters.  The  figures  show  the  num- 
ber of  members  : 

1805.  Asa  Kimball,  John  Kilgore,  John  Holt — 28. 

1806.  Stephen  Estes,  Samuel  Kilgore — 2.5. 

1807.  Ebenezer  Bray,  Samuel  Kilgore,  John  Holt,  Asa 
Kimball— 28. 

1808.  Ebenezer  Bray,  Asa  Kimball,  John  Swift — 35. 

1809.  Ebenezer  Bray,  John  Kilgore,  Solomon  Crosby,  Asa 
Kimball— 40. 

1810.  Ebenezer  Bray,  John  Holt,  John  Kilgore — 50. 

1811.  Ebenezer  Bray,  John  Kilgore,  Daniel  Bean — 44. 

1812.  Asa  Kimball,  John  Holt,  Asa  Foster,  John  Kilgore,  Jr.— 
49. 

1813.  Asa  Kimball,  John  Holt,  Charles  Stearns,  Benjamin 
Estes — 44. 

1814.  Asa  Kimball,  John  Kilgore — 45. 


222  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

1815.  John  Holt,  Isaac  Stearus — 43. 

1816.  John  Holt,  Asa  Foster,  Ithiel  Smith,  Jonathan  Abbott — 
44. 

1817.  Asa  Kimball,  John  Kilgore,  Jonathan  Abbot — 46. 

1818.  Daniel  Mason,  Asa  Kimball — 49. 

1819.  Daniel  Mason,  Asa  Kimball,  John  Holt — 47. 

1820.  Daniel  Mason,  Asa  Kimball,  John  Holt,  John  Kilgore 
—45. 

1821.  Daniel  Mason — 45. 

1822.  Daniel  Mason,  Asa  Kimball,  John  Holt,  Asa  Foster — 
44. 

1823.  Daniel  Mason — 42. 

1824.  Daniel  Mason,  Charles  Stearns,  John  Cushman,  Jona- 
than Abbot — 47. 

1825.  Daniel  IVIason,  John  Kilgore — 48. 

1826.  Daniel  Mason,  Charles  Stearns,  Jonathan  Abbot — 40. 

1827.  Daniel  Mason,  Jonathan  Abbot — 41. 

1828.  Daniel  Mason,  Charles  Stearns,  Jonathan  Abbot,  James 
Fames — 52. 

1829.  Daniel  Mason,  John  Kilgore,  Charles  Stearns — 57. 

1830.  Daniel  Mason,  Charles  Stearns,  John  Kilgore — 61. 

1831.  Daniel  Mason,  Dea.    Jonathan   Abbot,   John   Kilgore, 
Charles  Stearns — 62. 

1832.  Daniel  Mason,  John  Kilgore,  Charles  Stearus,  Jonathan 
Abbot— 61. 

1833.  Daniel  Mason,  John  Abbot,  John  Kilgore — 57. 

1834.  Daniel  Mason,  Dea.  Jonathan  Abbot,  Dea.  John  Cush- 
man, John  Kilgore — 59. 

1835.  Dea.  Jonathan  Abbot,  Dea.  John  Cushuiau,  John   Kil- 
gore— 54. 

1836.  Benjamin  Doubara,  Jonathan  Abbot,  John  Cushman — 58. 

1837.  Benjamin  Donham,  A.  Abbot,  James  P^ames,  C.  Stearns 
—64. 

183-S.     Benjamin  Donham,  Addison  Abbot,  James  Fames,  Jr., 
Charles  Stearns,  John  Cushman,  Jonathan  Abbott — 84. 

1839.  Benjamin  Dunham,  Addison  Abbot,  J.  Fames,  Jonathan 
Abbot,  Charles  Stearns — 109. 

1840.  Benjamin  Donham,  Addison  Abbot,  Dea.  Joseph  Holt, 
Nahum  Moulton — 113. 

1841.  Benjamin  Donham,  Addison  Abbot,  Dea.  J.  Holt,  Jede- 
diah  T.  Kimball,  Charles  Stearns — 122. 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  22a 

1842.  Benjamin  Donham,  Addisou  Abbot,  Dea.  Joseph  Holt, 
Jedediah  T.  Kimball,  Eli  Foster,  James  Estes,  Hiram  C.  Estes- 
—120. 

1843.  Benjamin  Donham,  James  Eames,  Dea.  Joseph  Holt, 
Dea.  Eli  Foster  "and  four  others" — 132. 

1844.  Benjamin  Donhaai,  Dea.  Joseph  Holt,  Jonathan  A.  Rus- 
sell, Hiram  Holt,  John  Bird,  James  Eames — 131. 

1845.  Benjamin  Donham,  Jedediah  T.  Kimball,  Jonathan 
Abbot— 128. 

1846.  Joseph  B.  Mitchell,  Dea.  Joseph  Holt,  Dea.  Eli  Foster^ 
Hiram  Holt,  Hiram  C.  Estes — 127. 

1.S47.  Joseph  B.  Mithell,  Dea.  Joseph  Holt,  Dea.  Eli  Foster, 
John  Bird,  Jedediah  T.  Kimball— 120. 

1848.  Hiram  C.  Estes,  Dea.  John  Cushman,  Dea.  Joseph  Holt,^ 
Dea.  Eli  Foster,  Jedediah  Kimball — 119. 

1849.  Hiram  C.  Estes,  Dea.  Joseph  Holt,  John  Bird — 115. 

1850.  Levi  Burnham,  Dea.  John  Cushman,  Dea.  Eli  Foster^ 
Jonathan  A.  Russell — 108. 

1851.  Levi  Burnham,  Charles  Perkins,  Dea.  Eli  Foster — 100. 

1852.  J.  Butler,  Levi  Burnham,  Eli  Foster,  Jedediah  T.  Kim- 
ball—99. 

1853.  Dea.  Joseph  Holt,  Dea.  Eli  Foster,  A.  Estes — 93. 

1854.  D.  S.  Hawley,  Eli  Foster,  Jonathan  Abbot,  Jedediah  T. 
Kimball — 95. 

1855.  R.  Donham,  Eli  Foster,  James  Estes,  Jonathan  Abbot, 
Jedediah  T.  Kimball— 90. 

1856.  Dea.  E.  Foster,  J.  T.  Kimball,  Jonathan  Abbot,  Jona- 
than A.  Russell — 85. 

1857.  Wm.  Beavins,  Dea.  Eli  Foster,  Dea.  Joseph  Holt,  Jede- 
diah T.  Kimball— 85. 

1858.  AVm.  Beavins,  Dea.  Eli  Foster,  Dea.  Joseph  Holt,  Jede- 
diah T.  Kimball— 102. 

1859.  Wm.  Beavins,  Dea.  Joseph  Holt,  Hezekiah  Moody,  Ly- 
man Bird,  James  Lapham — 96. 

1860.  Wm.  Beavins,  Dea.  Joseph  Holt,  Ljnnan  Bird,  Jacob 
Kimball,  Hiram  Holt,  Hezekiah  Moody,  Humphrey  Bean,  Thomas 
Stearns — 99. 

1861.  Wm.  Beavins,  Dea.  Joseph  Holt,  Dea.  Eli  Foster,  Jede- 
diah T.  Kimball,  Lyman  Bird,  Humphrey  Bean — 94. 

1862.  Wm.  Beavins,  Lyman  Bird,  Hezekiah  Moody,  Dea. 
Joseph  Holt— 89. 


•224  HISTOBY  OF  BETHEL. 

1863.  Rev.  Rausom  Duuham,  Dea.    Eli  Foster,  Lyman    Bird, 
Wm.  Holt— 77. 

1864.  T.  J.  Swett,  Dea.  Eli  Foster,  Prescott  Holt,  Hiram  H. 
Beau,  Lyman  Bird — 76. 

1865.  Dea.  Eli  Foster,  Jacob  T.  Kimball,  Ira  Cushman,  Luther 
P.  Holt,  Jedediah  T.  Kimball — 75. 

1866.     75. 

1867.  E.  M.  Bartlett — 77. 

1868.  E.  M.  Bartlett — 79. 
186W. 64. 

1870.  Dea.  P:ii  Foster,  Dea.  Luther  P.  Holt,  Jacob  T.  Kimball, 
Moses  S.  Kimball — 64. 

1871.  Otis  B.  Rawson,  Jedediah  T.  Kimball,  Moses  S.  Kim- 
ball, Dea.  Luther  P.  Holt,  Arthur  Holt— 62. 

1872.  Otis  B.  Rawson,  Dea.  Eli  Foster,  Dea.  Luther  P.  Holt, 
S.  Jewett  Howard — 59. 

1873.  Otis  B.  Raavson,  Jedediah  T.  Kimball,  Samuel  J.  How- 
ard, Moses  S.  Kimball — 46. 

1874.  Otis  B.  Raavson,  Dea.    Luther  P.  Holt,  Dea.  Moses  S. 
Kimball — 51. 

1875.  Dea.  Luther  P.  Holt,  Jedediah  T.  Kimball,  Hiram   H. 
Bean,  Christopher  C.  Bean — 50 

1876.  Moses  8.  Kimball,  Hiram  H.   Bean,   Samuel  J.   Howard, 
Jedediah  T.  Kimball— 49. 

1877.  W.  M.  Harthorn,  Dea.   Moses  S.  Kimball,  Jedediah  T. 
Kimball— 49. 

1878.  W.  M.  Harthorn,  C.  H.  Kimball— 46. 

1879.  Dea.  Moses  S.   Kimball,  Dea.   Luther  P.  Holt,  Jedediah 
T.  Kimball,  Samuel  J.  Howard — 39. 

1880.  O.  B.  Rawson,  Jonathan  Abbot,  J.  T.   Kimball,  Samuel 
J.  Howard — 44. 

1881.     44. 

1882.  Jedediah  Kimball,  Samuel  J.  Howard — 43. 

1883.     33. 

1884.  Jedediah  T.  Kimall,  Samuel  J.  Howard,  Dea.   Luther  P. 
Holt— 36. 

1885.  Jedediah  T.   Kimball,  Dea.  Moses  S.  Kimball,  Jacob  T. 
Kimball — 50. 

1886.     54. 

1887.      51. 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  225 


1888.  50. 

'  1889.  48. 

1890. 43. 

The  first  minister  of  this  denomination  was  Rev.  John  Chad- 
bourne,  who  was  ordained  an  f^vangelist  at  Cornish,  Me.,  in  seven- 
teen hundred  and  ninety-eight.  How  long  he  continued  to  preach 
in  Bethel  I  do  not  know.  He  appears  to  have  been  an  itinerant, 
and  the  church,  as  stated,  did  not  increase  under  his  ministry. 

EiJEXEZER  Bray. 

Rev.  E)»enezer  Bray  was  ordained  pastor  of  the  Calviuist  Baptist 
church  in  Bethel  in  eighteen  hundred  and  seven,  and  continued  as 
such  till  eighteen  hundred  and  twelve,  when  he  was  dismissed  and 
removed  to  Canada,  where  he  died. 

Rev.  Arthur  Drinkavater, 

When  a  licentiate,  preached  more  or  less  in  Bethel  from  eighteen 
hundred  and  twelve  till  eighteen  hundred  and  sixteen,  when  he  was 
ordained  pastor  of  a  church  in  Mt.  Vernon.  He  became  one  of  the 
most  respected  ministers  of  the  denomination  in  the  State. 

Rev.  Daniel  Mason. 

Elder  Daniel  Mason  was  born  in  Stratham,  N.  H.,  in  seventeen 
hundred  and  eight^'-one.  His  early  advantages  were  exceedingly- 
limited,  but  possessing  a  good  share  of  common  sense,  and  having 
experienced  religion,  he  resolved  to  enter  the  miuistr}'.  He  was 
ordained  in  Freeport,  Maine,  October  ninth,  eighteen  hundred  and 
eleven,  and  preached  for  a  time  in  the  Calvanist  Baptist  church  in 
that  town.  He  was  settled  as  pastor  over  the  Calvanist  Baptist 
church  in  Bethel  in  eighteen  hundred  and  eighteen,  and  continued 
its  pastor  for  seventeen  years,  till  his  death,  which  occfirred  April 
sixth,  eighteen  hundred  and  thirty-five,  aged  fifty-four.  He  had 
three  wives.  The  first  two  were  sisters  by  the  name  of  Robinson. 
His  last  wife  was  the  widow  Mary  Merrill,  a  native  of  England. 
He  was  strongly  attached  to  the  Jeffersonian  School  of  Polities,  in 
which  he  took  a  deep  interest.  Being  a  cooper  by  trade  he  earned 
his  living  by  the  labor  of  his  hands,  and  by  preaching  on  the  Sab- 
bath without  any  great  hope  of  an  earthly  reward. 
15 


226  HISTOBY  OF  BETHEL. 

Elder  Benjamin  Donham. 

Benjamin  Donbam  was  born  iu  Hebron  and  was  ordained  pastor 
of  the  Baptist  church  in  Bethel  iu  eighteen  hundred  and  thirtj^-six, 
and  continued  its  pastor  for  ten  years.  He  removed  to  some  town 
in  Penobscot  county,  where  he  suddenly  died  of  cancer  in  the 
stomach.  Mr.  Donham  was  succeeded  by  Elders  Joseph  B.  Mitch- 
ell, Levi  Burnham  and  David  Hollej',  each  of  whom  remained  but  a 
short  time,  till  they  were  succeeded  by 

Rev.    Wm.  Beavins, 

Who  was  born  in  the  Parish  of  Camerton,  county  of  Cumberland, 
England,  November  twenty-first,  eighteen  hundred  and  nineteen. 
He  lived  the  most  of  the  time  in  the  adjoining  town  of  Workington. 
His  parents  were  engaged  in  a  crockery  store,  in  which  the  son  was 
employed.  In  eighteen  hundred  and  thirty-seven  he  united  with 
the  church,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty  was  licensed  to  preach.  He 
labored  as  a  licentiate  for  four  or  five  years,  when  he  emigrated  to 
America  in  eighteen  hundred  and  forty-three.  He  was  first  settled 
in  the  State  in  Waterboro,  where  he  remained  two  years.  He  came 
to  Bethel  in  July,  eighteen  hundred  and  fiftj'-seven,  where  he  be- 
come the  successful  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church.  In  Septem- 
ber, eighteen  hundred  and  forty- four,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Caro- 
line Brown  of  Lisbon,  Ct.,  who  died  in  Springfield,  Mass.,  October, 
eighteen  hundred  and  forty-seven.  In  September,  eighteen  hun- 
dred and  forty-eight,  he  was  again  married  to  Miss  Mary  A. 
SouthAvick  of  Dover,  New  Hampshire. 

The  Methodists. 

From  a  small  beginning,  the  Methodists  have  come  to  be  numeri- 
cally, among  the  largest  denominations  in  town,  sustaining  preaching 
in  both  the  upper  and  lower  parish.  A  record  of  the  first  Methodist 
church  in  town  contains  the  following  by  Rev.  Joshua  Taylor : 
"The  rise  of  Methodism  iu  Bethel  circuit  was  as  follows  :  About  the 
beginning  of  the  year  seventeen  hundred  and  ninety-eight,  Nicholas 
Suething,  who  was  then  stationed  on  the  Portland  circuit,  came  and 
preached  a  few  times  iu  Rumford  and  Bethel."  This  pioneer  of 
Methodism  was  of  Welsh  descent.  He  became  converted  to  this 
faith  in  seventeen  hundred  and  ninety-one,  was  ordained  five  years 
later  and  came  to  Maine  as  the  associate  of  Elder  Finnegan.     John 


•*i 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  227 

Martin,  a  local  preacher  of  Ruraford  also  came  and  preached  in  this 
town,  and  sent  a  request  to  Elder  Taylor  to  visit  them.  He  said  : 
"I  came  with  great  satisfaction,  as  there  appeared  to  he  some  ten- 
derness among  a  few  of  the  congregation.  After  this  the}'  were 
visited  a  few  times  by  Brother  Martin  and  myself,  and  as  they  re- 
quested to  have  a  preacher  among  them,  and  a  prospect  appeared  of 
doing  good,  I  strove  for  it  but  could  not  obtain  my  end  till  near  the 
close  of  seventeen  hundred  and  uinet3'-six.  They  w^ere  then  con- 
nected with  the  Portland  circuit,  aud  during  that  winter,  they  were 
visited  about  once  a  fortnight  by  Brother  Merritt,  Brother  Becker 
and  Brother  Merick,  who  rode  on  the  circuit.  The  spring  follow- 
ing, brother  Joseph  Baker  came  and  staid  with  the  people,  and  at 
the  conference  in  Lynn,  July,  eighteen  hundred,  Bethel  was  set  off 
as  a  separate  circuit  and  Joshua  Baker  was  appointed  as  their 
preacher.  The  following  September,  a  society'  was  formed  with 
only  fourteen  members.  There  was  no  revival  of  special  account 
till  a  preacher  was  stationed  among  them.  Although  at  times  the 
prospect  has  been  gloom}',  yet  there  has  been  a  glorious  work  for 
several  months  past,  and  I  trust  a  number  have  been  converted." 
This  letter  was  written  May  twenty-second,  eighteen  hundred  and 
one. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  circuit  preachers  in  the  town  :  Eighteen 
hundred,  Joseph  Baker  ;  eighteen  hundred  and  two,  Daniel  Jones  ; 
eighteen  hundi'ed  and  three,  David  Stinson  ;  eighteen  hundred  and 
four,  Allen  H.  Cobb;  eighteen  hundred  aud  five,  Dan  Perry;  eigh- 
teen hundred  and  six,  Clement  Parker  ;  eighteen  hundred  and  seven, 
Allen  H.  Coblj ;  eighteen  hundred  and  eight,  Jonathan  Chaney  ; 
eighteen  hundred  and  nine,  Joshua  Randall ;  eighteen  hundred  and 
ten,  Wm.  Hiuman  ;  eighteen  hundred  and  eleven,  Ebenezer  Blake  ; 
eighteen  hundred  and  twelve,  Daniel  Tilmore  ;  eighteen  hundred 
and  thirteen,  Beuj.  Jones  ;  eighteen  hundred  and  fourteen,  John  F. 
Adams  ;  eighteen  hundred  and  fifteen,  Joshua  Randall ;  eighteen 
hundred  and  sixteen,  John  Pain  ;  eighteen  hundred  and  twenty,  Job 
Pratt ;  eighteen  hundred  and  twent^'-one,  Elijah  Spear ;  eighteen 
hundred  and  twenty-three,  John  Shaw ;  eighteen  hundred  and 
twenty-four.  True  Page  ;  eighteen  hundred  and  twenty-five,  Daniel 
Wentworth  ;  eighteen  hundred  and  twenty-six,  Ebenezer  T.  Newell ; 
eighteen  hundred  and  twenty-nine,  Caleb  Fuller,  Isaac  Downing ; 
eighteen  hundred  and  thirty,  W.  T.  Farringtou ;  eighteen  hundred 


228  HISTOEY  OF  BETHEL. 

and  thirty-four,  Dan  Perry,  in  charge,  Huse  Dow,  assistant ;  eigh- 
teen hundred  and  thirty-six,  Dan  Perry  in  charge,  John  Cumner, 
assistant ;  eighteen  hundred  and  thirty-eight  and  nine,  Isaac  W. 
Morse  ;  eighteen  hundred  and  forty,  Geo.  Child  ;  eighteen  hundred 
and  forty-one,  Aaron  Fuller  ;  eighteen  hundred  and  forty-two,  Mar- 
cus Wight ;  eighteen  hundred  and  forty-three,  Daniel  Whitehouse  ; 
eighteen  hundred  and  forty-five,  Jonathan  Fairbanks ;  eighteen 
hundred  and  forty-seven,  C.  Fairbanks. 

This  closes  the  catalogue  so  far  as  recorded  in  the  records  in  our 
possession.  Could  the  early  ministers  of  this  denomination  be  per- 
mitted to  tell  the  simple  story  of  their  labors,  it  would  unfold  a 
series  of  events  now  almost  lost  to  the  present  generation. 

The  following  facts  were  furnished  by  a  circuit  preacher,  Kev. 
Mr.  Davies  :  "The  minutes  of  last  year  report  that  the  Bethel  cir- 
cuit has  one  hundred  and  seventy  members,  forty  probationers,  be- 
side some  twenty  or  thirty  in  Bethel  on  the  other  side  of  the  river, 
which  belong  to  Hanover  and  Newry  circuit.  The  Methodists  own 
ihe  greatest  part  of  Locke  meeting  house,  and  a  small  part  of  the 
-meeting  house  at  Bean's  Corner.  Since  I  came  to  the  circuit  1  have 
started  a  subscription  paper  for  a  meeting  house  at  Bethel  Hill,  and 
at  Walker's  Mills.  We  have  seven  classes  and  seven  prayer  meet- 
ings in  the  town,  weekly.  This  includes  one  of  each  at  Bethel  Hill, 
-which  we  hope  will  be  a  good  society  in  that  growing  place.  Some 
nineteen  have  been  converted  and  some  thirteen  reclaimed,  twenty- 
•six  have  joined  on  trial,  eleven  have  joined  the  church,  twent^'-eight 
have  been  baptized  this  conference  year,  this  includes  eight  baptized 
■at  letter  B.  From  the  above  facts  you  will  see  that  Methodism  in 
the  town  is  in  a  somewhat  pi'osperous  state,  tliough  its  society  is 
scattered  far  and  near,  and  without  boasting  we  may  truly  and  safe- 
ly say,  Methodism  is  doing  as  much  for  the  salvation  of  the  town  as 
any  other  society."  This  was  in  eighteen  hundred  and  fift3'-uine. 
A  neat  and  convenient  church  edifice  was  erected  early  in  the  six- 
ties, which  was  nearly  ruined  by  a  hurricane,  September  eighteenth, 
eighteen  hundred  and  ninety-one. 

Freewill    Baptists. 

The  Freewill  Baptist  denomination  was  the  last  of  the  so-called 
evangelical  denominations  to  obtain  a  foothold  in  this  town,  and  its 
membership  are  all  or  nearly  all  in  the  west  part  of  the  town.  A 
church  of  this  denomination  was  organized  at  West  Bethel,  May 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  229 

twenty-third,  eighteen  huudred  and  eighteen,  with  fourteen  mem- 
bers. This  church  soon  after  it  was  gathered,  united  with  the  Sand- 
wich Quarterly  meeting.  The  names  of  those  composing  the  coun- 
cil, were  Rev.  Dudley  Pettingill,  Deacon  Edward  Green  and  Samuel 
Wheeler.  In  February,  eighteen  huudred  and  thirty-five,  it  became 
connected  with  the  Otisfield  Quarterly  meeting,  where  it  yet  remains. 
The  first  preachers  to  labor  with  the  church  were  Rev.  Dudley  Pet- 
tingill, Samuel  Hutchinson,  Zachariah  .Jordan,  Joseph  AVight  and 
Geo.  F.  Smith.  Of  the  pastors,  Rev.  Samuel  Haseltou  officiated 
from  eighteen  hundred  and  thirty-five  to  eighteen  hundred  and  forty- 
four  ;  Rev.  George  W.  Whitney,  from  the  latter  date  to  eighteen 
hundred  and  forty-eight ;  E.  H.  Hart  to  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty- 
two  ;  David  Allen  to  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-five  ;  James  Potter 
in  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-seven  ;  PL  G.  Eaton  to  eighteen  hun- 
dred and  sixty-nine.  For  much  of  the  time  since  the  last  date  there 
has  been  no  pastor. 

There  were  no  marked  revivals  in  the  church  and  vicinity  until 
eighteen  huudred  and  thirty-nine,  when  forty  were  added  to  the  roll 
of  members.  This  was  under  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  Samuel  Hasel- 
ton,  who  was  assisted  by  Rev.  Stephen  Hutchinson,  J.  Hamblen,  J. 
Tracy  and  George  W.  Whitney.  A  church  edifice  was  erected  by 
the  Society  at  West  Bethel  in  eighteen  hundred  and  forty-four, 
which  was  dedicated  January  first,  eighteen  huudred  and  forty-five. 
The  occasional  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  Stephen  Hutchinson. 
The  cost  of  the  church  was  nine  hundred  dollars.  In  eighteen  hun- 
dred and  seventy-four,  the  pulpit  was  supplied  by  a  student  from 
Bates  College,  Mr.  S.  J.  Gould.  There  is  no  other  church  edifice 
in  the  west  part  of  the  town. 

Rev.  Samuel  Haselton. 

Polder  Samuel  Haselton  was  born  in  Windham,  N.  H.,  August 
eighth,  seveuteen  hundred  and  eighty-one,  and  learned  the  trade 
of  blacksmith.  He  did  not  enjoy  the  early  advantages  of  an  educa- 
tion, but  served  his  time  as  an  apprentice  in  Methuen,  Mass.  At 
the  age  of  twenty,  he  made  a  profession  of  religion  and  united  with 
the  Congregational  church  in  Methuen.  A  few  years  after  he  united 
with  the  Freewill  Baptist  church  in  Adams,  now  Jackson,  N.  H. 
He  commenced  preaching  in  Bartlett,  and  was  ordained  there  Nov. 
twenty-third,  eighteen  hundred  and  nineteen,  by  Elders  Daniel 
Elkius  and  Joshua  Quimby.     He  remained  in  Jackson  and  Bartlett 


230  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

till  the  year  eighteen  hundred  and  thirty-six,  when  he  removed  to 
Bethel.  There  were  several  interesting  revivals  during  his  residence 
here  and  under  his  preaching  in  other  places.  One  of  the  most  in- 
teresting episodes  in  the  life  of  Elder  Haselton  occurred  at  the  time 
of  the  destruction  of  the  Willey  family,  by  a  slide  in  the  White 
Mountains,  August  twenty-eighth,  eighteen  hundred  and  twenty- 
six.  The  following  is  quoted  from  AYilley's  Incidents  in  White 
Mountain  History.  It  describes  the  funeral  services  on  that  occa- 
sion, and  to  those  who  are  familiar  with  that  event,  and  who  knew 
Elder  Haselton,  their  imagination  can  easily  shadow  forth  some- 
thing of  the  scene  as  here  quoted  : 

"All  these  bodies,  after  suitable  time  to  make  coffins  from  mate- 
rials such  as  could  be  obtained  there,  were  made  read}'  for  burial. 
It  was  decided  to  bury  them  near  the  house  of  their  recent  habita- 
tion, and  let  them  remain  there  till  they  could  be  more  conveniently 
moved  to  Conway  the  succeeding  winter.  One  common,  wide  grave 
was  dug  for  them,  and  they  were  placed  on  its  margin,  to  remain 
till  the  befitting  and  accustomed  prayer  at  burial  was  performed. 
That  prayer  was  made  by  a  personal  friend  of  my  brother,  and  one 
who  often  ministered  in  holy  things.  The  prayer  was  suited  to  the 
occasion,  coming  from  a  kind,  sympathizing,  pious  heart.  It  was 
impressive  as  it  came  from  the  good  man's  lips  :  and  then  its  im- 
pressiveness  was  greatly  increased  from  the  circumstances  under 
which  it  Avas  made.  In  the  echoes  that  were  awakened  by  his  voice, 
the  very  mountains  around  us  seemed  to  join  with  him  in  describing 
the  majesty  of  God,  and  imploring  his  mercy  on  our  stricken  hearts. 
When,  with  slow  and  distinct  utterance,  the  minister,  at  the  com- 
mencement of  his  praj'er,  referred  to  the  magnificence  of  the  Deity 
as  described  by  the  Prophet  Isaiah,  saying,  "Who  hath  measured  the 
waters  in  the  hollow  of  his  hand,  and  meted  out  heaven  with  a  span, 
and  comprehended  the  dust  of  the  earth  in  a  measure,  and  weighed 
the  mountains  in  scales,  and  the  hills  in  a  balance,"  the  echo  gave 
back  every  word  of  this  sublime  description  in  a  tone  equally  clear 
and  solemn  with  that  in  which  they  were  first  uttered.  The  effect 
of  all  this  was  soul  stirring  beyond  description.  I  shall  never  for- 
get the  tears  and  sorrows  that  marked  the  faces  of  mauj^  that  stood 
around  that  open  grave  on  that  solemn  occasion.  The  minister  wlio 
made  that  prayer  was  Elder  Samuel  Haselton,  then  of  Bartlett,  now 
living  in  Bethel.     After  the  prayer  we  buried  the  bodies, 

"And  then,  one  summer  evening's  close, 
We  left  them  to  their  last  repose." 


HIS  TOBY  OF  BETHEL.  231 

It  was  dark  before  the  burial  was  completed,  and  we  were  com- 
pelled to  speud  the  night  in  the  house  so-  lately  left  by  the  buried 
family."  He  married  for  his  first  wife,  Alice  Bodwell  of  Methueu, 
Mass.,  and  for  his  second  wife,  Miss  IMary  Taskett  of  Bartlett. 
She  died  December  twenty-first,  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty-eight, 
aged  seventy-two. 

Uniyersalists. 

Early  in  the  history  of  the  town,  there  were  those  living  here  who 
believed  in  the  paternity  of  God  and  the  fraternity  of  man,  and  who 
could  not  reconcile  this  relationship  with  the  idea  of  future  endless 
punishment.  There  was  not  enough  of  them  to  effect  an  organiza- 
tion or  to  support  a  preacher  of  their  own  wa}'  of  thinking,  and  so 
for  many  years  they  attended  the  meetings  of  other  denominations 
and  listened  to  their  expositions  of  the  word  under  mental  protest. 
They  believed  in  going  to  church  and  in  bringing  up  their  children 
to  go,  and  as  long  as  they  could  not  have  what  they  wanted,  thej'^ 
took  what  they  could  get.  As  time  passed,  the  doctrine  which  these 
people  cherished,  became  better  known  and  ministers  of  this  denom- 
ination were  multiplied.  Occasionally  one  of  them  came  to  Bethel, 
and  among  those  who  preached  here  quite  early,  were  Rev.  George 
Bates,  Rev.  Zenas  Thompson  and  Rev.  Thomas  J.  Tenney.  There 
was  an  itinerant  Baptist  minister  by  the  name  of  Mighill  Jewett, 
who  frequently  came  to  this  town  and  preached  in  the  lower  parish. 
He  supported  himself  b}^  such  contributions  as  were  made  for  him 
from  time  to  time.  On  one  occasion,  a  text  was  given  him  to  preach 
from  by  Phineas  Frost,  and  the  church  was  crowded,  for  he  was 
considered  an  able  preacher.  But  to  the  surprise  of  every  one  pres- 
ent and  to  the  disgust  of  many,  he  preached  a  strong  Uuiversalist 
sermon,  admitting  that  before  that  time  he  had  been  in  error,  and 
that  the  study  of  the  text  given  him  with  the  context,  had  caused 
him  to  change  his  views  entirely. 

In  eighteen  hundred  and  forty-seven,  Joseph  Twitchell  and  seven 
others  associated  to  form  an  incorporated  religious  society  in  the 
town  of  Bethel.  From  the  Constitution  framed  at  that  time,  the 
first  article  reads  as  follows  :  "The  society  shall  be  called  the  first 
Universalist  Society  in  Bethel.  This  object  of  this  society  shall  be 
the  promotion  of  Truth."  During  the  next  year  the  Rev.  George 
Bates  preached  a  few  Sabbaths  at  the  academy,  but  they  did  not 
establish  public  worship  for  want  of  a  suitable  house.     In  eighteen 


232  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

hundred  and  fifty-three  a  church  was  erected  at  an  expense  of  some- 
thing over  two  thousand  dollars,  and  the  Rev.  Zenas  Thompson  was 
chosen  pastor  ;  he  entered  upon  his  duties  in  June,  eighteen  hundred 
and  fifty-four.  Under  his  ministration  the  society  sustained  preach- 
ing through  the  year,  and  in  autumn  of  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty- 
nine,  a  church  was  organized  consisting  of  forty-three  members. 
Among  those  who  joined  in  this  movement  were  Joseph  Twitchell, 
Dr.  Almon  Twitchell,  Joseph  A.  Twitchell,  Albert  H.  Gerrish, 
Moses  Pattee,  Benjamin  Freeman,  Hiram  Young,  Eber  Clough, 
Charles  Mason,  Oliver  H.  Mason,  Clark  S.  Edwards,  Ira  C.  Kim- 
ball, O'Neil  W.  Robinson  and  Albert  Stiles.  Rev.  Zenas  Thompson 
remained  here  five  years,  and  accomplished  a  good  work  for  the 
church  and  society.  His  successor  was  Rev.  Absalom  G.  Gaines, 
who  was  a  native  of  Kentucky.  He  was  a  scholarly  man  and  an 
excellent  preacher  and  pastor.  He  was  much  interested  in  educa- 
tion, and  in  every  good  cause.  He  remained  here  several  years, 
was  greatly  beloved  by  his  people,  and  respected  by  every  one. 
The  blameless  life  he  led,  and  the  true  christian  character  he  ex- 
hibited on  all  occasions  was  well  calculated  to  popularize  the  faith 
he  held  to  and  the  doctrine  he  preached.  Mr.  Gaines  afterward 
preached  at  Mechanic  Falls,  and  subsequently  left  the  State  and 
became  President  of  the  Theological  Department  of  St.  Lawrence 
University  at  Canton,  New  York. 

Rev.  Ezekiel  W.  Coffin,  who  was  settled  over  the  church  at  Bry- 
ant's Pond,  supplied  the  pulpit  here  for  a  while.  Rev.  John  F. 
Simmons  was  settled  here  for  a  few  years,  and  then  came  Rev. 
William  Bosserman,  an  Englishman.  The  society  became  greatly 
weakened  by  removals  from  town  and  by  death,  so  there  was  no 
regular  preaching  for  several  years,  until  Rev.  Mr.  Barton  came. 
One  of  the  stiong  pillars  of  the  society  was  Oliver  H.  Mason,  who 
died  in  eighteen  hundred  and  ninety.  By  the  terms  of  his  will  he 
left  the  Society  one  thousand  dollars,  the  income  only  to  be  used  for 
the  support  of  preaching.  By  this  act,  he  became  a  perpetual 
subscriber  to  the  society'  funds. 

Rev.  Zezas  Thompson. 

Rev.  Zenas  Thompson,  first  pastor  of  the  Universallst  church  in 
Bethel,  and  a  resident  of  the  town,  was  born  in  Auburn,  December 
fourth,  eighteen  hundred  and  four.  He  was  of  Scotch-Irish  lineage, 
his  first  American  ancestor,  Archibald  Thompson,  coming  from  the 


HISTOBY    OF  BETHEL.  233 

north  of  Ireland  to  America  in  seventeen  hundred  and  twent3'-four, 
and  settling  at  Bridgewater.  Capt.  John  Thompson,  the  grand- 
father of  Zenas,  married  Jeanette  Allen  and  moved  to  Buckfield. 
Archibald  Thompson  was  a  wheel-maker,  and  made  the  first  spin- 
ning-wheel ever  made  in  New  England.  John  Thompson  of  Buck- 
field  followed  the  same  trade.  The  father  of  Zenas  was  Hannibal, 
son  of  John  before  named,  and  his  mother  was  a  Dillingham  of 
Auburn.  Mr.  Thompson  early  embraced  the  Universalist  faith,  and 
began  to  preach  when  quite  young.  He  had  settlements  in  various 
parts  of  the  State,  in  Farmiugton,  Frankfort,  Bridgton,  Yarmouth, 
Saccarappa,  Augusta,  Bethel,  Bryant's  Pond,  Mechanic  Falls,  West 
Waterville  and  Paris,  and  in  several  places  in  Massachusetts.  He 
was  among  the  ablest  and  best  known  of  the  ministers  of  his  denom- 
ination in  the  State,  a  profound  thinker,  a  logical  reasoner  and  gifted 
as  a  pulpit  orator.  He  was  among  the  first  in  Maine  to  suggest  the 
prohibition  of  the  liquor  traffic,  and  one  of  its  most  eloquent  advo- 
cates. He  was  chaplain  of  the  sixth  Maine  Regiment  in  the  war  of 
the  rebellion,  and  malaria  contracted  in  the  Chickahominy  swamps^ 
in  the  Peninsula  campaign  of  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-two,  was 
the  remote  cause  of  his  death.  He  inherited  the  mechanical  genius 
of  his  ancestors.  He  could  make  an  elegant  fly-rod  or  a  rifle,  and 
was  skilful  in  the  use  of  both.  He  had  marvelous  skill  in  wood- 
carving,  and  seemed  to  have  an  intuitive  knowledge  of  almost 
everything  in  the  department  of  the  useful  and  ornamental  arts. 
He  had  social  qualities  of  a  high  order,  and  was  a  most  agreeable 
friend  and  companion.  He  married  Leonora  Leavitt  of  Turner,  and 
reared  a  large  family.  One  of  his  sons,  Geo.  W.,  was  killed  in 
action  during  the  war,  and  the  other  two,  Zenas  and  Fred  are  engaged 
in  carriage  manufacturing  in  Portland.  One  of  the  daughters,  now 
deceased,  was  the  first  wife  of  Prof.  Geo.  L.  Vose,  formerlya  Maine 
resident,  and  another,  Mrs.  Julia  Schayer  of  Washington,  D.  C, 
is  a  magazine  writer  of  repute.  Mr.  Thompson  died  at  his  home  in 
Deering,  November  seventeenth,  eighteen  hundred  and  eighty-two. 
Mr.  Thompson  built  the  fine  house  afterwards  occupied  by  Oliver 
H,  Mason.  He  closed  his  pastorate  here  in  eighteen  hundred  and 
fifty-seven,  aud  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Absalom  G.  Gaines,  as 
already  stated. 

Rev.  Frank   E.  Barton. 

Rev.  Frank  E.  Barton,  the  present   pastor  of  the  Universalist 
church,  was  born  in  Saco,  Maine,  June  twenty,  eighteen  hundred 


234  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

and  fifty-two,  and  was  the  son  of  Isaac  Somes  and  Roxanua  (Miller) 
Barton.  He  learned  of  his  father,  the  trade  of  carriage  painter  at 
Brownfield,  Maine,  having  previousl}'  been  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  Boston.  Making  up  his  mind  to  engage  in  the  ministry, 
he  studied  theology  at  the  Seminar}^  connected  with  the  Saint  Law- 
rence University  at  Canton,  New  York,  graduating  therefrom  in 
eighteen  hundred  and  eighty-nine.  His  settlement  at  Bethel  dates 
from  July  first  of  the  year  last  named.  He  was  ordained  June 
twenty-fifth,  eighteen  hundred  and  ninety.  He  found  the  parish 
much  run  down,  there  being  no  organization  and  no  Sabbath  school. 
The  society  had  suffered  severely  during  the  few  previous  years  by 
removals  by  death  and  from  the  town  of  man}'  of  its  most  active 
members.  AVhen  Mr.  Barton  came,  there  were  only  twenty-five 
families  in  sympathy  with  the  church,  but  in  a  year  the  number  had 
laeen  doubled,  and  the  Sabbath  school  numbered  ninety  attendants. 
Mr.  Barton  is  a  very  popular  preacher  and  pastor,  and  the  societj', 
though  not  large,  is  in  a  very  prosperous  condition.  Mr.  Barton 
married  October  eleven,  eighteen  hundred  and  eighty-four.  Miss 
Fannie  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  John  and  Caroline  Fogg  of  Brown- 
field.  They  have  one  child,  Agnes  Linwood,  born  at  Brownfield, 
September  eleA'enth,  eighteen  hundred  and  eight3'^-five. 

Othkk    Minister*;. 

Several  native  boni  citizens  of  Bethel,  and  others  who  have  spent 
more  or  less  time  in  town  and  who  have  entered  upon  the  work  of 
the  ministry  but  have  never  had  settlements  here,  are  briefly  men- 
tioned to  close  this  chapter. 

Rev.  Addison  AniiOT. 

He  was  the  son  of  Jonathan  Abbot,  and  was  born  in  Albany,  but 
when  3'oung  his  parents  moved  to  this  town.  He  received  a  good 
education  and  was  a  popular  school  teacher.  He  was  then  licensed 
to  preach  and  resided  a  long  time  at  North  Paris,  where  he  died. 

Rev.  Nathaniel  Bakker. 

Mr.  Barker  was  the  sou  of  Samuel  Barker,  and  was  born  in  Ames- 
bury,  Massachusetts,  Januarj'  sixth,  seventeen  hundred  and  ninety- 
six.  He  came  to  Bethel  with  his  father's  family  and  spent  his 
youth  here.     He  graduated    from  Dartmouth    College,    studied  at 


HLSTOBY  OF  BETHEL.  235 

Andover,  was  ordained  and  settled  at  South  Mendon.  His  next 
settlement  was  at  Wakefield,  New  Hampshire,  in  eighteen  hundred 
and  thirty-five,  where  he  remained  as  pastor  twenty  years.  He  died 
at  Wakefield,  October  thirteenth,  eighteen  hundred  and  eighty-three. 
The  following  is  an  extract  from  Mr,  Barker's  funeral  sermon  : 

"In  the  beautiful  village  of  Bethel  which  lies  along  the  margin  of 
the  river  Androscoggin,  as  it  winds  its  circling  course,  enriching  the 
soil  of  the  intervales,  gladdening  the  heart  of  the  husbandman,  mak- 
ing a  scene  of  beauty  and  adding  not  a  little  to  that  scener}'  of  vale 
and  mountain  which  has  made  this  village  one  of  the  most  delight- 
ful as  a  place  of  resort  in  the  summer  months  for  strangers,  who 
come  from  far  to  drink  in  health  and  inspiration,  and  always  a  glad 
resort,  or  better,  a  home  for  her  sons  and  daughters  who  come  back 
to  sit  beneath  the  old  roof  tree,  and  live  over  in  thought  those  hap- 
py days  of  childhood  which  the  good  Lord  gave,  Mr.  Barker  was 
born.  For  bodily  health  and  vigor,  for  clearness  of  thought  and 
lofty  aspirations,  even  the  air  they  breathe  must  affect  the  dwellers 
thereof,  and  a  greater  tendency  be  secured  at  the  start  for  a  health- 
ful moral  state  than  in  some  localities.  C'oupled  with  this  is  the 
character  of  the  first  settlers  of  many  of  our  New  England  commu- 
nities, vigorous,  stern,  unyielding  to  the  storms  of  nature  or  of 
human  experience.  This  was,  I  judge,  particularly  true,  in  the  case 
of  Bethel.  The  very  name  puts  its  people  under  an  obligation  so  to 
live  as  to  be  not  unworthy  to  have  the  place  of  their  abode  called 
after  the  first  Bethel,  where  to  the  weary  Jacob  came  that  entrancing 
vision  which  led  him  to  cry  out  when  he  awoke,  'This  is  none  other 
but  the  house  of  God  and  this  the  gate  of  heaven.'  " 

Kev.   William  R.  Chapman. 

Rev.  AVilliam  Rogers  Chapman,  son  of  Timothy  Chai)m'.ui,  was 
born  in  Bethel,  February  twenty-sixth,  eighteen  hundred  and  twelve. 
He  attended  the  common  schools  of  his  native  town  and  fitted  for 
college  under  the  charge  of  Rev.  Jonas  Burnham  of  Bridgton,  hav- 
ing in  view  at  this  early  date  the  entry  into  the  Christian  ministry. 
He  entered  Bowdoin  College  in  eighteen  hundred  and  thirty-three, 
and  after  two  years  joined  the  junior  class  at  Dartmouth,  where  he 
graduated  in  eighteen  hundred  and  thirty-seven.  He  tauglit  acade- 
mies at  Wakefield,  New  Hampshire,  and  at  Bethel,  commenc- 
ing his  theological  course  at  Andover,  and  completed  it  at  New  Haven 
in  eighteen  hundred  and  forty.     He  became  the  stated  pastor  for  a 


236  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

few  months  of  the  congregation  then  worshiping  in  the  Marlboro 
Chapel  in  Boston. 

In  September,  eighteen  hundred  and  forty,  a  number  of  churches 
formed  what  was  termed  the  Garden  street  chapel  in  Boston,  over 
which  Mr.  Chapman  was  then  ordained.  During  the  first  year,  one 
hundred  and  fifty  members  were  added  to  the  church,  mostly  new 
converts.  After  five  years  of  successful  labor  here,  a  union  was 
formed  with  the  Green  street  church,  the  union  being  called  the 
Messiah  church.  Mr.  Chapman  became  the  colleague  pastor  of  the 
venerable  Rev.  Dr.  Jenks.  In  eighteen  hundred  and  forty-seven, 
he  received  and  accepted  a  call  from  the  Eighth  street  church  in 
New  York  city.  In  eighteen  hundred  and  forty-nine  Mr.  Chapman 
visited  Europe  and  was  absent  fifteen  months,  travelling  in  Great 
Britain  and  on  the  Continent.  While  absent  he  formed  the  acquaint- 
ance of  many  distinguished  divines,  and  in  Geneva,  his  efforts  to 
form  a  Sabbath  school  were  successful,  and  will  be  long  remembered. 

On  his  return  to  his  native  land,  he  received  several  invitations  to 
resettle  in  the  ministry,  and  accepted  the  call  to  settle  over  the 
Presbyterian  church  in  Aurora,  New  York,  over  which  he  was  in- 
stalled December  twenty-fifth,  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty.  He 
remained  here  four  years,  but  towards  the  close  of  his  ministry  he 
was  brought  low  by  sickness,  and  for  some  time  his  life  was 
despaired  of.  In  August  of  eigliteen  hundred  and  fifty-four,  Mr. 
Chapman  moved  to  Hanover,  INIassachusetts,  where,  in  the  space  of 
five  months  he  received  twenty-one  persons  into  communion  with 
the  Second  Congregational  church.  On  the  eighteenth  of  January, 
eighteen  hundred  and  fifty-five,  he  was  prostrated  with  the  disease  of 
which  he  finally  died.  After  lingering  through  the  winter,  spring 
and  summer,  enfeebled  by  an  organic  disease  of  the  brain,  toward 
the  last  of  October,  as  he  was  walking  through  the  streets  of  Hano- 
ver, he  was  attacked  with  a  stroke  of  paralysis  and  died  on  the 
twenty-fifth  of  October,  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty-five.  His 
funeral  at  Hanover  was  attended  b}'  four  clergymen,  and  a  large  con- 
course of  people.  Funeral  services  were  again  held  at  Bethel  on  the 
twenty-ninth,  a  sermon  being  preached  by  Rev.  Mr.  Sewall  of  Paris. 
His  young  son,  named  for  his  father,  was  baptized  over  the  coflin. 

Rev.  Calvin  Chapman. 

Rev.  Calvin  Chapman,  son  of  Edmund  Chapman,  was  born  in 
Bethel  in  eighteen  hundred  and  fourteen.     He  fitted  for  colleae  at 


REV,    H,    C     ESTES,    D.  D. 


HISTOBY  OF  BETHEL.  237 

Millbury,  Massachusetts,  and  graduated  from  Bowdoin  College  in 
eighteen  hundred  and  thirty-nine.  He  taught  a  few  terms  at  Gould's 
Academy,  meantime  pursuing  a  course  in  theological  studies  at 
Andover,  where  he  graduated  in  eighteen  hundred  and  forty-two. 
He  has  had  settlements  at  Epping,  New  Hampshire,  at  Saccarappa 
and  Foxcroft,  Maine,  and  at  Lakeville,  Massachusetts.  He  has 
also  been  acting  pastor  over  churches  at  Eliot,  Andover,  Standish, 
Mannsville,  New  York,  and  Windham,  Vermont.  He  has  been 
much  interested  in  educational  matters  and  has  often  been  super- 
visor of  schools  and  on  school  boards.  In  eighteen  hundred  and 
forty-two,  he  married  Miss  Luc}^  B,  Emerson  of  Parsonsfield, 
Maine,  who  died  in  eighteen  hundred  and  seventy-eight,  and  he  then 
married  Miss  Sarah  A.  Ward  of  Kennebunkport. 

Rev.   Lawson  Carter. 

He  was  the  son  of  Dr.  Timothy  Carter,  born  at  .Sutton,  Mas- 
sachusetts, in  seventeen  hundred  and  ninety-three,  and  moved  with 
the  family  to  Bethel.  He  graduated  from  Dartmouth  College, 
studied  theology  and  was  settled  in  the  Episcopal  ministry  at  Alders- 
bury,  New  York.  He  was  subsequently  rector  of  Grace  church  in 
Cleveland,  Ohio. 

Rev.    Hiram  C.    Estes. 

Rev.  Hiram  Cushman  Estes,  D.  D.,  sou  of  John  and  Sarah 
(Andrews)  Estes,  was  born  iu  Bethel,  July  twenty-seventh,  eighteen 
hundred  and  twenty- three.  He  was  brought  up  on  a  farm,  but  early 
developed  a  love  of  learning  and  a  passion  for  books.  Like  man}' 
other  New  England  youths,  he  was  obliged  to  depend  mainly  upon 
his  own  efforts  for  the  means  necessary  to  a  course  of  study,  and  iu 
his  case  as  in  many  others,  the  fact  was  demonstrated  that  a  deter- 
mined will  is  quite  sure  to  open  a  way.  After  leaving  the  town 
school  he  attended  Bethel  Academy,  the  Turner  High  School,  which 
was  then  in  charge  of  John  M.  Adams  of  Rumford,  now  of  Deer- 
ing,  and  at  North  Yarmouth  Academy,  working  upon  the  farm  por- 
tions of  each  year,  and  teaching  iu  winter  to  meet  his  expenses. 
He  entered  Waterville  College,  now  Colby  University,  iu  eighteen 
hundred  and  forty-three,  and  graduated  with  honor  in  eighteen  hun- 
dred and  forty-seven.  He  studied  Theology  at  the  Cambridge 
(Mass.)  Divinity  School,  and  was  ordained  to  the  work  of  tlie  min- 
istry at  Auburn,  in  this  State,  May  sixteenth,  eighteen  hundred  and 


238  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

fifty.  For  three  years,  from  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty-two  ta 
eighteen  hundred  and  fifty-five,  he  was  agent  for  the  American  Bap- 
tist ^Missionary  Union  in  the  State  of  Maine  ;  settled  over  the 
church  in  East  Trenton  from  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty-five  to 
eighteen  hundred  and  sixty;  at  Leicester,  Mass.,  from  eighteen 
hundred  and  sixty  to  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-two  ;  at  Jericho, 
Vermont,  from  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-two  to  eighteen  hundred 
and  seventy-two  ;  over  the  Baptist  church  in  Paris,  from  January 
first,  eighteen  hundred  and  seventy-three,  to  July  first,  eighteen 
hundred  and  eighty-three,  and  from  September  first,  eighteen  hun- 
dred and  eighty-three,  to  Sept.  eighteen  hundred  and  eightj'-five  at 
Winchenden,  Mass.  While  at  Trenton  he  was  elected  to  the  Legis- 
lature in  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty-eight,  and  served  as  chairman 
of  tlie  committee  on  Education  on  the  part  of  the  House,  to  which 
position  he  was  admirably  adapted.  The  degree  of  Doctor  of 
Divinity  was  conferred  upon  him  by  his  Alma  Maler  in  eighteen 
hundred  and  seventy-two,  and  never  has  this  important  degree  been 
more  fitly  bestowed  b}'  that  institution.  March  first,  eighteen  hun- 
dred and  eighty-six,  he  was  again  called  to  the  Baptist  church  in 
Leicester,  and  his  connection  with  that  church  still  continues.  Dr. 
Estes  is  a  profound  scholar,  a  forcible  and  interesting  writer,  and 
whatever  he  undertakes  to  do,  he  does  well.  He  has  written  and 
delivered  several  lectures  which  have  been  highly  spoken  of  by 
those  best  (pialified  to  judge.  His  only  published  volume  is  an 
essay  entitled  "The  Christian  Doctrine  of  the  Soul,"  which  appeared 
in  eighteen  hundred  and  seventy-three,  from  the  press  of  Noyes, 
Holmes  and  Company  of  Boston.  It  is  a  duodecimo  of  one  hun- 
dred and  sixty-three  pages,  and  a  model  of  concise  and  logical  writ- 
ing. It  was  well  received  by  all  denominations  of  Christians. 
Several  of  his  occasional  sermons  have  been  printed  and  widely 
read.  He  has  also  prepared  and  published  a  history  of  the  Baptist 
church  in  Leicester,  a  work  requiring  much  patient  research  and 
admirably  done. 

Dr.  Estes  was  married  December  eighteenth,  eighteen  hundred 
and  forty-eight,  to  Sophia  Bartlett,  daughter  of  Dea.  Eli  Foster  of 
Bethel,  and  the  following  are  their  children  : 

i  David  Foster,  b.  Oct.  18,  18.51.  lie  was  graduated  from  the  Univer- 
sity of  Vermont,  1871,  and  from  tlie  Xewton  Theolojjical  Institu- 
tion, 1874;  pursued  special  studies  in  Theolojj^y  at  the  I'uivorsity 
of  Goettingeu,  1878-79;  ordained  at  Maiu'liostcr.  Vermont.  August 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  231> 

19,  1874 ;  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church,  Manchester,  1874-G ;  Bel- 
fast, Me.,  1876-8;  Vergeunes,  Vt.,  1880-3;  Professor  and  Actmg- 
President  Atlanta  Baptist  Seminary,  Atlanta,  Ga.,  1883-6;  pastor 
at  Holden,  Mass.,  since  1886.  He  married  Maj^  12,  1880,  Efligene 
Lydia,  daughter  of  Truman  Chittenden  Galusha  of  Jericho,  Vt., 
born  Sept.  14,  18.58;  has  one  child,  Walter  Dalton  Estes,  born  at 
Vergennes,  Vt.,  July  22,  1881. 

Walter  Dalton,  b.  July  20,  1855.  He  was  a  young  man  of  great 
promise,  and  while  a  student  at  law  at  Richford,  Vermont,  he 
drank  water  from  a  poisoned  well,  and  thereby  lost  his  life.  He 
died  Feb.  22,  1878. 

Alice  Maud,  b.  Feb.  13,  1874.  She  graduated  from  Leicester  Acade- 
my in  the  class  of  1891. 


Rev.  Sumxer  Pastes. 

Rev.  Sumner  Estes  was  the  sou  of  Eli  aud  Clarissa  (Kimball) 
Estes,  and  was  born  in  Bethel,  June  eleventh,  eighteen  hundred  aud 
twenty-seven.  He  fitted  for  college,  entered  at  Waterville,  but  re- 
mained only  one  year.  He  then  commeuced  preaching  and  had 
settlements  in  Sidney,  Roclvport  aud  elsewhere.  On  account  of  a 
disease  of  the  throat  aud  other  infirmities,  he  was  obliged  to  give  up 
preaching  and  is  now  an  apothecary  in  Sauford,  Maine. 

Rev.  Alpheus  Grover. 

Rev.  Alpheus  Grover  was  the  sou  of  Jedediah  Grover  of  Bethel. 
He  graduated  from  Bowdoin  College  in  eighteen  hundred  and  thirty- 
nine,  aud  later,  at  the  Bangor  Theological  Seminary.  He  died  at 
Lewiston  on  his  way  home  from  Bangor,  in  eighteen  hundred  and 
forty-three,  aged  thirty-four  years. 

Rev.  Javan  K.  Mason. 

He  was  the  son  of  Walter  Mason  of  Grover  Hill  in  Bethel.  He 
fitted  for  college  at  Gould's  Academy,  aud  graduated  from  Bowdoin 
College  in  eighteen  hundred  and  forty-five,  and  from  the  Bangor 
Theological  Seminary.  He  was  long  pastor  of  the  church  at  Hamp- 
den, and  later  at  Thomaston,  where  he  was  chaplain  to  the  State 
Prison.  While  here  he  became  much  interested  in  the  movement 
for  ameliorating  the  condition  of  convicts,  and  for  devising  means 
for  their  mental  and  moral  improvement.  He  was  delegate  from 
Maiae  to  the  World's  convention,  which  had  these  special  objects 


-240  HISTOEY   OF  BETHEL. 

in  charge.  After  this  he  had  a  long  pastorate  at  Fr^-eburg,  aud 
then  removed  from  the  State.  He  is  a  man  of  ability  and  a  faith- 
ful worker  in  his  master's  vinej'ard.  He  married  Susanna,  daughter 
of  Thaddeus  Twitchell  of  this  town. 

Rev.  AVellington  Newell. 

Rev.  Wellington  Newell  was  the  second  sou  of  Seth  Bannister 
and  Betsey  (Kimball)  Newell,  and  was  born  in  Pembroke,  N.  H., 
January  eleventh,  eighteen  hundred  and  sixteen.  His  father  re- 
moved with  his  family  to  Bethel  in  eighteen  hundred  and  twenty- 
five  and  settled  on  a  farm  on  the  north  side  of  the  river.  Wellington 
attended  the  district  school,  the  high  school  at  Bethel  Hill  and  at 
North  Bridgton  Academy,  and  qualified  himself  as  a  teacher,  in 
which  he  was  very  successful.  He  was  also  a  good  singer,  and  on 
winter  evenings,  taught  the  old-fashioned  singing  school.  Subse- 
quently he  graduated  at  the  Normal  School  in  Bridgewater,  Mass., 
and  then  went  into  business  in  Boston,  where  he  married  Lucinda 
D.  Bradford,  and  had  one  son,  who  died  at  the  age  of  six  months. 
The  mother  died  two  years  later.  Mr.  Newell  then  came  to  Bethel, 
and  for  a  time  was  employed  in  the  store  of  Robert  and  Elbridge 
Chapman.  He  entered  Bangor  Theological  Seminary  and  graduated 
in  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty-five. 

At  Brewer  \'illage,  he  was  acting  pastor  for  nine  years,  preaching 
-also  at  East  Orrington.  For  many  years  he  was  a  member  of  the 
P^xamining  Committee  of  Bangor  Seminary.  For  two  years  and  a 
half,  that  he  might  be  near  liis  mother,  he  preached  at  North  Water- 
ford,  and  after  her  death,  he  accepted  a  call  at  East  Charlemont, 
Massachusetts,  wliere  he  was  installed  in  eighteen  hundred  and 
seventy-three.  In  eighteen  hundred  and  seventy-seven  he  removed 
to  Greenfield  and  was  there  over  ten  years  as  acting  pastor,  though 
his  health  had  been  failing  for  two  or  three  years.  In  the  autumn 
of  eighteen  hundred  and  eighty-eight,  he  had  a  slight  attack  of 
pneumonia  and  came  to  Bethel.  In  March  following,  he  had 
another  attack,  and  after  this,  for  much  of  the  time  until  the  end 
came  he  was  confined  to  his  bed.  He  died  July  eighteenth,  eighteen 
hundred  and  eighty-nine,  at  the  residence  of  his  sister,  Mrs.  Timo- 
thy H.  Chapman.  He  married  a  second  time  L.  Amanda,  daughter 
of  Rev.  Charles  Frost  who  was  long  the  pastor  of  the  First  church 
in  Bethel,  and  by  this  union  there  were  five  sons  and  one  daughter. 

He  was  a  verj'  amiable  man,  always  kind  and  courteous,  yet  al- 


HlSTOliY   OF  BETHEL. 


241 


ways  diguified.  He  was  thoughtful  in  the  little  things  of  every  day 
life,  ever  regardful  of  the  feeliugs  of  others,  aud  ever  ready  with  his 
words  of  kiuduess,  to  smooth  over  the  rough  places  in  the  pathway 
of  others.  He  was  a  good  preacher,  and  under  his  ministrations 
the  churches  over  which  he  presided  grew  in  grace  and  in  numbers. 
The  churches  at  Brewer  Village  and  J:ast  Orriugton  doubled  their 
numbers  while  he  was  with  them.  The  example  of  a  blameless  life 
had  much  to  do  with  his  success  as  a  pastor. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

Physicians. 


iT  was  some  time  after  Bethel  was  settled  before  a  phj'sician 
tcame  to  dwell  in  the  town.  The  people  got  along  with  vei-y 
■^little  doctoring,  aud  probably  were  all  the  better  for  it,  but  in 
case  of  accident  or  severe  illness  the}^  were  oljliged  to  send  to  Frye- 
burg  for  a  physician,  a  distance  of  thirty  miles.  A  Doctor  Martiu, 
a  German,  was  here  soon  after  the  close  of  the  Revolutionary  War. 
He  came  to  this  country'  with  Baron  Steuben  and  formed  the  ac- 
quaintance of  some  of  the  soldiers  who  settled  here.  But  he  was  a 
man  of  intemperate  habits  to  such  an  extent  as  to  disgust  the  peo- 
ple, even  in  those  days  of  free  rum  and  its  liberal  imbibition,  and 
he  soon  went  away.  Doctor  John  Brickett,  wdio  came  previous  to 
seventeen  hundred  and  ninety,  was  a  man  of  different  character. 
He  was  a  young  man  of  good  habits,  but  the  field  here  was  not  very 
encouraging  for  a  man  of  his  attainments  and  skill.  While  here  he 
was  married  at  Fryeburg,  September  thirteenth,  seventeen  hundred 
and  ninety-five,  to  P^lizabeth  Ayer  of  Haverhill.  He  soou  after  re- 
turned to  Haverhill  and  became  a  distinguished  [)ractitioner. 

Molly  Ockett  often  came  to  Bethel.  She  was  acquainted  with  all 
the  families  and  was  ever  ready  to  prescribe  for  any  who  were  sick. 
She  carried  no  remedies  along  with  her  in  her  jourueyiugs  to  and 
fro,  but  when  asked  to  prescribe  she  would  start  for  the  woods 
where  she  was  sure  of  finding  what  she  wanted.  Her  remedies  in 
part  consisted  of  blood-root,  Solomon's  seal,  buck-thorn,  skunk- 
cabbage,  oak,  elm,  basswood  and  pine  barks,  sweet  elder,  sumach 
berries,  mountain  ash  bark  and  a  great  variety  of  herbs.  She  had 
It; 


242  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

great  skill  in  collecting  them  and  also  in  concocting  drinks,  in  mak- 
ing salves  and  poultices  and  in  applying  them.  Many  had  great 
faith  in  her  remedies  and  skill,  and  at  some  homes  she  was  ever  a 
welcome  visitant.  She  was  often  present  at  the  births  of  children, 
and  was  sometimes  retained  in  families  for  weeks  that  she  might  be 
present  on  such  occasions.  She  felt  deeply  chagrined  when  a  ph}'- 
sician  came,  and  she  realized  that  she  must  seek  a  new  field  of 
work. 

i/Dr,  Timothy  Carter. 

The  first  physician  who  came  to  Bethel  and  settled  here  perma- 
nently, was  Dr.  Timothy  Carter.  When  he  came,  the  town  had  been 
settled  for  more  than  twenty  years,  had  increased  in  population  and 
wealth,  and  with  the  neighboring  towns  that  had  no  physician, 
could  give  one  a  good  support.  Dr.  Carter  was  born  in  the  town  of 
Ward,  Worcester  county,  Massachusetts,  November  twenty-seventh, 
seventeen  hundred  and  sixty-eight.  AVhen  he  was  but  eleven  years 
of  age,  his  father,  who  was  a  house  carpenter,  fell  from  a  building 
which  he  was  finishing,  and  was  instantly  killed.  His  son  Timothj' 
being  the  eldest  child,  went  to  live  in  a  family  in  Sutton,  Massachu- 
setts. He  was  largely  dependent  on  his  own  resources  for  a  living 
and  for  an  education,  but  he  had  ability  and  pluck,  and  made  the 
most  of  his  advantages.  He  worked  for  the  man  in  whose  family 
he  lived  and  who  was  a  dealer  in  oil,  attended  the  common  schools, 
taught  school  winters,  and  in  this  way  obtained  a  good  education 
for  the  times  in  which  he  lived.  He  studied  medicine  with  Dr. 
James  Freeland  of  Sutton,  and  for  several  years  practiced  medicine 
with  his  teacher.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Fannie  Freeland,  Jul}' 
twenty-eighth,  seventeen  hundred  and  ninety-three,  who  was  born 
Sept.  ninth,  seventeen  hundred  and  seventy-one,  and  died  in  Bethel, 
Nov.  fourteenth,  eighteen  hundred  and  fifteen.  Dr.  Carter  removed 
to  Bethel  in  seventeen  hundred  and  ninety-nine,  at  a  time  when 
there  were  about  eighty  families  in  the  town.  He  settled  on  the 
spot  afterwards  occupied  by  his  son,  Elias  M.  Carter,  P^sq.,  at  Mid- 
dle Intervale.  This  section  of  the  town  was  at  that  time  regarded 
as  the  centre  of  influence,  as  it  had  increased  more  rapidly  in  popu- 
lation than  the  West  Parish.  Dr.  Carter  soon  had  an  extensive 
practice.  His  rides  on  horseback  extended  from  Dixfield  to  Shel- 
burne  on  the  river,  a  distance  of  nearly  fifty  miles,  while  he  was 
constantly  sailed  to  visit  families  among  the  mountains  and  in  places 


DR.    TIMOTHY    CARTER. 


DR.    MOStS    MASON. 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  243 

where  no  carriage  could  possibly  enter.  Much  of  the  time  his  only 
guide  was  the  spotted  trees.  In  eighteen  hundred,  the  next  year 
after  he  came  to  Bethel,  he  was  chosen  town  clerk  and  treasurer, 
which  offices  he  filled  for  twelve  years.  His  plain  handwriting 
stands  very  conspicuous  on  the  town  records.  He  was  selectman 
for  several  years,  and  was  Justice  of  the  Peace  during  his  entire 
residence  in  town.  He  was  also  the  superintending  school  com- 
mittee for  man}'  years  of  his  life,  and  visited  the  schools  all  over  the 
town  year  after  year  without  a  cent  of  compensation.  Probably  he 
did  as  much  to  raise  the  standard  of  our  common  schools  as  any 
other  man.  He  became  connected  with  the  Congregational  church 
and  was  chosen  Deacon  in  eighteen  hundred  and  seventeen,  which 
office  he  held  to  the  time  of  his  decease.  For  his  second  wife^  he 
married  June  twenty-fifth,  eighteen  hundred  and  eighteen,  "^liss-  K ,'i'^*'^*'^, 
Lydia  A.,  daughter  of  "Theodore  Russell,  who  was  born  in  Bethel,. 
July  sixteenth,  seventeen  hundred  and  ninety.  He  stood  high  as  a 
physician,  enjoying  the  confidence  of  his  numerous  patrons  in  a. 
remarkable  degree,  and  he  was  no  less  esteemed  as  a  citizen  and  as 
a  man.  Several  physicians  received  their  medical  instruction  from 
him,  among  whom  were  Dr.  James  Ayer,  Dr.  Cornelius  Holland, 
Dr.  John  Barker  and  Dr.  John  Grover.  He  w<is  a  man  of  fine 
presence,  tall,  and  rather  slender,  and  straight  as  an  arrow,  even 
when  advanced  in  years,  and  his  head  as  white  as  the  snow.  He 
was  social  in  his  habits  and  affable  and  kindly  in  his  relations  with 
his  fellowmeu.  He  was  eminently  a  gentleman  after  the  pattern  of 
the  old  school,  and  no  man  ever  lived  in  Bethel  that  had  more  warm 
and  devoted  personal  friends.  In  my  boyliood  days  I  have  often 
seen  this  venerable  man  and  good  physician,  both  at  his  home  and 
when  riding  in  his  carriage,  and  I  never  saw  one  who  more  impressed 
me  as  a  person  entitled  to  profound  respect.  He  died  suddenly  of 
heart  disease,  February  twenty-fifth,  eighteen  hundred  and  forty- 
five,  and  was  mourned  by  a  whole  town  and  Ijy  many  outside  the 
town  of  Bethel. 

Dr.  Moses  Mason. 

Dr.  Moses  Mason  was  a  conspicuous  figure  at  Bethel  Hill  for 
many  years.  He  was  portly  in  size,  of  fine  presence,  and  in  his 
later  years,  when  his  hair,  which  he  allowed  to  remain  quite  long, 
was  white  as  snow,  he  was  a  good  example  of  the  patriarch.  When 
he  was  ten  years  of  age  he  came  to  Bethel  with  his  father's  family. 


244  HISrOBY  OF  BETHEL. 

Having  but  limited  facilities  for  obtaining  an  education,  and  work- 
ing for  his  father  upon  the  farm  until  he  reached  his  majority,  he 
found  himself  at  twent^'-one  years  of  age,  very  near  the  foot  of  the 
ladder.  Desiring  to  prepare  himself  for  the  practice  of  medicine, 
he  entered  the  office  of  his  brother-in-law.  Dr.  James  Ayer,  and  not 
only  studied  medicine  but  the  rudiments  of  an  education.  He 
taught  school  winters,  and  after  some  years,  he  managed  to  pull 
through  so  as  to  commence  practice  at  Bethel  Hill  in  eighteen  hun- 
dred and  thirteen,  being  then  twenty-four  years  of  age.  He  built  a 
fine  mansion  house  facing  the  common,  upon  land  which,  when  he 
commenced  practice  was  a  swamp.  He  married  June  fifteenth, 
eighteen  hundred  and  fifteen.  Miss  Agnes  Straw  of  Xewfield,  who 
came  to  the  new  town,  and  with  willing  hand  and  heart,  aided  her 
husband  in  her  appropriate  duties  towards  establishing  a  home. 
The  doctor  soon  had  a  respectable  and  lucrative  practice,  and  won 
the  confidence  of  a  numerous  class  of  citizens.  Still  the  doctor  was 
never  wedded  to  the  practice  of  medicine.  He  had  early,  partly  by 
the  force  of  circumstances  and  partly  from  choice,  engaged  in  pub- 
lic affairs,  which  from  year  to  j^ear  increased  upon  him  till  the  year 
eighteen  hundred  and  thirty-three  he  was  elected  to  Congress,  when 
he  laid  aside  the  practice  of  medicine  entirely.  He  was  appointed 
the  first  postmaster  in  town  in  eighteen  hundred  and  fourteen.  Pre- 
vious to  that  time  the  inhabitants  had  to  go  to  Water  ford  for  their 
nearest  office.  The  doctor  used  to  say  that  he  was  scarcely  ever 
move  excited  in  his  life  than  while  he  stood  listening  to  the  post- 
man's horn  sounding  in  the  distance,  announcing  the  important  fact 
that  the  mail  was  coming  to  Bethel  for  the  first  time.  The  first 
arrival  of  a  train  of  cars  created  no  such  an  excitement.  He  held 
the  office  till  eighteen  hundred  and  thirtj'-four,  a  period  of  twenty 
years,  when  he  resigned.  He  was  commissioned  Justice  of  the 
Peace  in  eighteen  hundred  and  twenty-one,  which  office  he  held 
most  of  the  time  to  the  time  of  his  death.  He  united  in  marriage 
some  eighty-six  individuals,  for  which  he  never  received  a  cent,  in- 
variably giving  the  fees  to  the  bride.  He  was  appointed  County 
Conmiissioner  in  eighteen  hundred  and  thirty,  and  in  eighteen  hun- 
dred and  thirty-three  he  was  elected  Representative  to  Congress 
from  the  second  District,  and  re-elected  in  eighteen  hundred  and 
thirtj'-five.  He  was  in  Congress  during  the  exciting  administration 
of  Andrew  Jackson,  where  he  made  the  acquaintance  of  Wright, 
Clay,  Webster,  J.  Q.  Adams,  and  others  who  took  a  iiromiuent  part 


DR.    JOHN    GROVER. 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  245 

in  the  public  affairs  of  tliat  day.  Few  men  could  better  entertain  a 
visitor  with  the  congressional  history  of  that  period  than  Dr.  Mason. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  Governor's  Council  in  eighteen  hundred 
and  forty-three  and  five,  and  in  eighteen  hundred  and  forty-four  he 
was  appointed  a  trustee  of  the  Insane  Hospital.  For  fourteen  years 
he  was  chosen  a  selectman  of  the  town.  He  was  elected  President 
of  Gould's  Academy  in  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty-four,  which  office 
he  held  till  his  death.  For  several  years  before  his  death,  the  Doc- 
tor had  but  little  connection  with  public  affairs,  but  lived  in  quiet 
retirement  on  the  spot  which  he  first  chose  for  a  home,  where  he 
employed  his  time  in  reading  and  in  some  mechanical  work  in  which 
he  was  quite  ingenious.  He  spent  much  time  in  adorning  the  Wood- 
land cemetery,  in  which  he  exhibited  excellent  taste.  He  was,  at  the 
time  of  his  death,  the  oldest  proprietor  in  the  village,  having  lived 
on  the  same  spot  more  than  fifty  years.  Though  decided  in  his 
political  preferences,  he  had  the  good  sense  to  respect  merit  where- 
ever  it  was  found.  As  a  counsellor,  especially  in  political  affairs, 
he  was  unusually  sagacious,  as  long  as  he  was  engaged  in  public 
life,  pretty  surely  predicting  the  result  of  any  given  course  of  action. 
The  Doctor  was  a  large  proprietor  in  the  present  town  of  Mason, 
built  and  operated  mills  there,  and  when  the  town  was  incorporated 
it  was  named  in  his  honor. 

Dr.  John  Grover. 

Dr.  John  Grover  was  not  only  the  most  eminent  physician  and 
surgeon  that  ever  resided  in  this  town,  but  of  those  who  were  born 
and  reared  here  and  spent  the  major  part  of  their  lives  here,  he  was 
the  best  educated  and  possessed  of  a  greater  store  of  useful  knowl- 
edge. He  was  the  son  of  John  Grover,  the  early  settler,  and  was 
born  at  the  homestead  of  his  father  in  the  west  part  of  the  town, 
November  twenty-second,  seventeen  hundred  and  eighty-three. 
During  the  greater  part  of  his  minority  he  attended  to  agricultural 
pursuits,  assisting  his  father  in  cultivating  his  large  farm  and  in 
lumbering,  attending  to  brief  terms  of  school.  He  was  an  observant 
youth,  and  at  an  early  age  became  a  student  of  nature  whose  works 
were  so  lavishly  displayed  in  the  valley  of  the  Androscoggin  and  in 
the  adjacent  highlands. 

Jedediah  Burbauk.  Esq.,  once  remarked  that  he  employed  young 
Grover  about  some  work,  and  going  out  to  visit  him,  found  him  en- 
gaged in  solving  a  mathematical  question  on  a  post  which  he  had 


246  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

hewed  smooth  for  that  purpose.  Such  a  mind  cau  uever  be  arrested 
iu  its  onward  course,  and  accordingly  John  Grover  found  his  way  to 
the  study  of  Rev.  Daniel  Gould,  who  was  at  that  time  in  the  habit 
of  giving  instruction  in  the  English  and  classical  studies,  to  the 
young  men  of  the  town.  He  also  went  to  Monmouth  and  Hebron 
Academies,  which  had  been  recently  established.  Having  a  desire 
to  study  the  French  language,  he  went  to  Montreal,  where  he  pur- 
sued the  study  under  Messrs.  Roi  &  Jobin,  for  eighteen  mouths. 
This  rendered  him  able  to  speak  and  read  fluently  in  that  language. 
Having  acquired  an  extensive  knowledge  of  the  French,  Latin  and 
Greek  languages  and  the  mathematics,  he  commenced  the  study  of 
medicine  under  Dr.  Timothy  Carter  of  Bethel,  and  subsequently 
under  Dr.  John  Merrill  of  Portland.  He  also  attended  two  courses 
of  lectures  at  Harvard  University. 

During  the  war  with  Great  Britain,  he  was  hospital  steward  at 
Portland.  Having  thus  had  advantages,  especially  in  surgery, 
much  superior  to  most  3'oung  men  in  a  newly  settled  country,  he 
commenced  the  practice  of  medicine  in  Bethel  iu  eighteen  hundred 
and  sixteen,  where  he  was  in  constant  practice  of  his  profession  to 
near  the  time  of  his  death,  a  period  of  nearly  fifty  years.  His  prac- 
tice was  very  extensive,  and  often  of  the  most  difficult  and  trying 
character.  For  many  years  it  was  very  much  as  a  consulting  phy- 
sician and  surgeon.  Few  men  have  devoted  their  leisure  hours  to 
reading  and  study  so  unremittingly  through  a  long  life  as  he,  aud  at 
the  age  of  seventy-five  was  constantly  making  himself  familiar  with 
all  the  improvements  in  medical  science,  and  iu  new  and  valuable 
remedies.  It  is  not  saying  too  much,  that  few  men  in  the  State  of 
Maine  could  talk  so  understaudingly  on  so  great  a  variety  of  topics 
as  Dr.  Grover.  When  visiting  the  academy  as  a  trustee,  he  could 
throw  out  some  valuable  suggestions  on  every  topic  presented 
which  was  worthy  of  thought  by  teacher  and  student.  He  was, 
for  thirty-five  years  surgeon  of  the  militia.  He  was  a  memlter 
of  the  convention  that  met  at  Portland  to  frame  the  Constitution  of 
Maine,  and  was  elected  Representative  to  its  first  Legislature.  In 
eighteen  hundred  and  twenty-seven,  eight  and  nine,  he  was  elected 
a  member  of  the  Senate.  For  mau}^  3-ears  he  was  President  of  the 
board  of  trustees  of  Gould's  Academy,  and  took  a  more  lively  aud 
active  interest  in  its  prosperity  than  any  other  man.  He  always 
attended  the  examinations  of  the  classes  until  enfeebled  by  age  and 
infirmity,  and  was  something  more  than  a  mere  passive  looker-on. 


HISTOBY  OF  BETHEL.  247 

He  was  critical  in  his  examination,  and  liis  questions  were  always 
practical  and  to  the  point.  In  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty-eight,  Dr. 
Grover  made  an  extensive  journey  through  the  western  States,  and 
his  observations  were  published  in  series  of  letters  which  were  very 
entertaining  and  valuable. 

For  many  years  Dr.  Grover  resided  at  the  place  previously  occu- 
pied by  Parson  Gould,  and  more  recently  by  Dr.  Robert  G.  Wiley. 
He  sold  this  place  and  purchased  of  Jacob  Ellingwood  his  place  at 
the  southwest  of  the  common  and  extending  down  the  Mill  Hill. 
Dr.  Grover  remodeled  the  house,  and  here  he  lived  for  manj^  years 
and  until  his  family  had  grown  up  and  most  of  them  had  left  him. 
This  house  is  now  known  as  the  "Elms,"  and  has  undergone  im- 
portant changes  since  the  Doctor  left.  The  Doctor  built  a  house  on 
another  part  of  the  lot  he  purchased  of  Ellingwood  and  farther  to- 
ward the  mill,  and  here  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  days.  In  his 
later  years  he  spent  most  of  his  time  in  his  oftice,  which  was  sup- 
plied with  a  large  and  varied  stock  of  medicines,  and  where  he  was 
consulted  by,  and  prescribed  for  large  numbers  of  people.  In  eigh- 
teen hundred  and  nineteen,  he  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Fanny 
Lary  of  Gilead,  who  performed  well  her  part  in  rearing  their  distin- 
guished family  of  children.  He  died  July  nineteenth,  eighteen  hun- 
dred and  sixty-six,  aged  eighty-three  years. 

For  many  years  Doctor  Grover  was  a  familiar  figure  to  the  people 
of  early  Bethel.  He  travelled  on  horseback,  carrying  his  drugs  and 
instruments  in  saddle  bags,  after  the  manner  of  the  times,  and  he 
often  travelled  in  this  way,  thirty  or  forty  miles  a  day.  He  was 
better  skilled  in  surgery  than  any  physician  in  this  part  of  the  State, 
and  there  was  not  a  diflScult  case  within  fifty  miles  where  he  was 
not  called,  either  as  principal  or  consulting  physician.  He  was  a 
student  and  an  investigator  to  the  day  of  his  death.  This  was  a 
marked  trait  of  his  character,  and  to  the  last,  he  took  pleasure  in 
re-examining  the  very  elements  of  scientific  knowledge  as  handled 
by  some  master  mind.  His  life  presented  points  worthy  of  imita- 
tion of  every  young  man.  It  showed  what  a  determined  purpose 
can  accomplish  under  difficulties.  AVhen  he  was  a  farm  hand  there 
were  none  better,  and  when  a  river  driver,  he  had  the  reputation  of 
being  the  best  in  the  community.  When  he  studied  medicine,  he 
determined  to  excel  in  the  profession,  and  he  accomplished  his  pur- 
pose. As  a  scientist,  he  had  no  equals  in  his  native  town.  As  a 
politician  in  the  modern  acceptation  of  the  term,  he  failed,  or  would 


248  HISTOBY  OF  BETHEL. 

have  failed,  had  he  attempted  it.  He  would  uot  practice  deception 
upon  others  nor  allow  it  to  be  practiced  upon  himself.  He  was  some- 
times rough  in  his  demeanor  and  language,  but  he  could  be  kind  and 
courteous  when  sure  that  he  was  not  being  patronized.  Taken  all 
in  all,  Bethel  will  not  soon  see  his  like  again. 

Dr.  Rokert  G.  Wiley. 

Dr.  Eobert  G.  Wiley  was  born  at  Fryeburg,  November  eleventh, 
eighteen  hundred  and  seven.  After  attending  to  the  studies  per- 
taining to  a  profession,  he  commenced  the  study  of  medicine  under 
Dr.  Ira  Towle  of  Fryeburg,  and  subsetjuently  under  Dr.  John 
Grover  of  Bethel.  Under  their  instruction  he  had  an  excellent  op- 
portunity for  becoming  familiar  with  the  different  phases  under 
which  disease  constantly  presents  itself,  and  under  which  circum- 
stances the  physician  is  instantly  called  upon  to  express  his  judg- 
ment. He  was  thus  prepared  to  enter  at  once  upon  the  duties  of 
his  profession.  Having  attended  the  medical  lectures  at  Brunswick* 
and  there  being  an  opening  at  Bethel,  in  consequence  of  the  election 
of  Dr.  Moses  Mason  to  Congress,  he  commenced  the  practice  of 
medicine  in  Bethel  in  eighteen  hundred  and  thirty-five.  Earnest  in 
his  profession  then  as  he  is  now,  he  could  be  seen  at  that  time  on 
horseback,  with  his  saddlebags  behind  him  wending  his  way  into 
every  inhabited  recess  within  his  circuit  of  practice.  Dr.  Wiley  has 
been  more  exclusively  devoted  to  his  profession  than  is  the  lot  of 
most  men.  When  not  in  duty,  he  is  always  at  home  in  the  enjoy- 
ment of  his  family.  He  engages  in  no  public  matters.  His  horse 
is  harnessed  wherever  a  call  is  made  for  his  services,  and  awa}'  he 
rides,  and  so  it  has  been  for  more  than  half  a  century.  It  would 
seem  as  though  he  had  had  enough  amid  the  storms  of  wind,  snow 
and  rain  to  wear  out  a  common  man,  but  the  Doctor  still  retains  his 
hold  and  is  good,  apparently,  for  years  to  come.  A  large  book 
filled  with  incidents  of  domestic  life  could  be  written  from  the  Doc- 
tor's experience  as  a  physician.  In  consequence  of  this  devotion  to 
his  profession,  he  has  secured  an  extensive  practice  and  enjoys  the 
confidence  of  a  large  circle  of  friends.  October  seventeenth,  eigh- 
teen hundred  and  thirty-five,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Abigail  B., 
daughter  of  the  late  Col.  Thaddeus  Twitchell  of  Bethel.  Their 
course  of  life  has  been  shadowed  by  the  sudden  death  of  several  of 
their  children.     The  Doctor  has  resided    for   many   years   on  the 


DR.  ALMON  TWITCHELL 


HISTORY    OF  BETHEL.  249 

pleasant  spot  formerly  occupied  by  Dr.  John  Grover,  a  mile  and  a 
quarter  west  of  the  village,  where  he  has  a  small  lot  of  excellent 
land  which  he  keeps  in  the  highest  state  of  cultivation,  and  from 
which  he  obtains  a  bountiful  annual  harvest. 


.Dr.  Almon  Twitchell. 

Dr.  Almon  Twitchell  was  born  in  this  tow'u  September  fourteenth, 
eighteen  hundred  and  eleven,  was  the  son  of  Joseph  Twitchell,  the 
first  male  child  born  at  Bethel  Hill,  and  grandson  of  Eleazer  Twitch- 
ell who  built  mills  near  Bethel  Hill,  and  was  the  earliest  settler  in 
this  i)art  of  the  town.  Dr.  Twitchell  is  said  by  his  contemporaries, 
to  have  manifested  in  his  boyhood,  a  love  of  study  and  a  desire  to 
fit  himself  for  future  usefulness.  He  enjoyed  no  special  educational 
advantages  until  he  was  twenty-three  years  of  age,  yet  like  every 
one  who  become  really  successful  in  life,  he  set  about  educating 
himself.  He  tanght  school  at  the  age  of  eighteen,  and  to  obtain 
means  for  pursuing  his  studies,  he  continued  to  teach  winter  schools 
for  nearly  a  dozen  years.  When  the  High  school  was  opened  at 
Bethel  Hill  by  Nathaniel  T.  True,  among  the  pupils  was  Almon 
Twitchell,  who  took  up  Latin,  Greek  and  French,  and  the  higher 
mathematics,  and  was  among  the  best  scholars  in  the  school.  He 
fitted  for  college  in  all  the  requisite  branches,  but  being  somewhat 
advanced  in  years  to  take  a  college  course,  he  decided  not  to  enter. 
At  school  he  was  marked  among  his  fellow  students  for  sobriety, 
candor,  and  attention  to  study.  At  the  same  time  there  was  enough 
of  dry  humor  in  his  mental  make-up,  to  render  him  a  cheerful  and 
entertaining  companion. 

In  eighteen  hundred  and  thirty-seven,  having  decided  on  the 
medical  profession,  Almon  Twitchell  entered  the  office  of  Doctor 
Reuel  Barrows  of  Fryeburg,  where  he  remained  three  years,  mean- 
time attending  two  courses  of  lectures  at  the  Maine  Medical  School, 
from  which  he  was  graduated  in  eighteen  hundred  and  forty.  He 
entered  the  office  of  Dr.  Ingalls  of  Bridgton,  where  he  remained  one 
year,  and  then  settled  down  in  practice  at  North  Paris.  He  was 
successful  in  his  practice,  which  extended  into  Sumner,  Woodstock 
and  other  neighboring  towns,  but  the  country  was  somewhat  sparsely 
settled,  the  roads  hilly  and  generally  much  out  of  repair,  so  that  the 
Doctor's  professional  work  taxed  his  strength  to  the  utmost.  In 
eighteen  hundred  and  forty-five,  at  the  earnest  solicitation  of  his  old 


250  HISTOMY  OF  BETHEL. 

frieuds,  he  moved  to  Bethel  Hill,  where  he  continued  to  reside.  He 
soon  had  a  large  and  lucrative  practice  for  a  country  town,  was  not 
only  a  popular  physician,  but  in  other  respects,  one  of  the  most 
popular  men  in  town. 

While  at  North  Paris,  in  eighteen  hundred  and  forty-three,  he 
married  Miss  Phebe  M.,  daughter  of  Captain  Jeremiah  Buxton  of 
North  Yarmouth,  a  lady  of  much  ability,  in  whom  he  had  a  safe 
counsellor  and  a  most  worthy  companion.  Dr.  Twitchell  early 
identified  himself  with  the  temperance  cause,  was  strictly  abstinent 
in  the  use  of  alcoholic  stimulants,  discouraged  its  use  as  a  beverage 
in  others,  and  administered  it  in  his  practice  with  extreme  caution. 
He  oftened  lectured  upon  the  subject  of  temperance  from  the  medi- 
cal standpoint,  pointing  out  the  terrible  effects  of  alcohol  upon  the 
delicate  tissues  and  organs  of  the  human  sj'stem.  He  was  originally 
a  free  soil  democrat,  and  aided  in  organizing  the  republican  party 
in  Oxford  count}'.  He  was  twice  elected  to  the  State  Senate,  and 
having  the  entire  confidence  of  the  party,  had  he  lived,  he  doubtless 
would  have  received  higher  honors.  His  candor  and  integrity  com- 
pelled the  respect  even  of  his  political  opponents,  and  as  a  party 
adviser  and  manager,  he  had  few  equals  and  no  superiors  among  his 
contemporaries  in  the  county  where  he  lived.  Of  tiie  later  years  of 
his  life,  I  can  speak  with  more  perfect  understanding,  having  been 
for  nearly  four  years  under  his  tutorship  and  for  a  considerable  por- 
tion of  the  time,  one  of  the  household.  He  was  a  domestic  man, 
fond  of  his  home  and  his  family,  and  kind  and  courteous  to  all  stop- 
ping temporarily  or  otherwise,  beneath  his  roof-tree. 

From  the  time  when  he  returned  to  Bethel,  he  had  not  enjoj'ed 
perfect  health.  Exposure  to  the  rigors  of  our  climate  brought  on 
rheumatic  and  neuralgic  troubles,  and  while  rarelj'  confined  to  the 
house  for  any  great  length  of  time,  he  as  rarely  saw  a  well  day. 
Early  in  the  autumn  of  eighteen  hundred  and  fiftj'-nine,  he  was 
taken  sick  with  what  appeared  to  be  a  slow  fever,  complicated  with 
gastric  and  hepatic  troubles.  Though  suffering  more  or  less,  he 
kept  about  and  did  some  professional  business  until  into  October, 
when  he  was  obliged  to  take  to  his  bed.  He  continued  to  fail  until 
Saturday  evening,  October  twenty-ninth,  eighteen  hundred  and  fift}'- 
nine,  at  about  nine  o'clock,  when  he  breathed  his  last,  the  imme- 
diate cause  of  his  death  being  hemorrhage  from  the  bowels.  His 
pastor.  Rev.  Absalom  G.  Gaines,  and  the  writer  hereof,  besides  the 
family,  were  the  only  persons  present  when  he  died.     On  Tuesday 


HIS  TOBY  OF  BETHEL.  251 

following  his  death,  his  funeral  was  largely  attended,  and  his  pas- 
sing away  when  but  little  past  middle  life,  was  deeply  mourned  liy 
a  whole  community. 

Dr.  Joshua  Fanning. 

Joshua  Fanning,  son  of  James  Fanning,  was  born  in  Suffolk 
county,  Long  Island,  vNew  York,  March  ninth,  seventeen  hundred 
and  ninety-seven.  For  several  years  he  attended  school  with  an 
eminent  teacher,  where  he  acquired  a  good  English  and  Classical 
education.  Having  determined  on  the  choice  of  the  medical  profes- 
sion, he  entered  the  office  of  David  Hozack,  M.  D.,  a  distinguished 
physician  and  professor  of  New  York  city,  and  graduated  at  the 
Columbia  Medical  College  in  eighteen  hundred  and  nineteen.  His 
opportunities  for  hospital  practice  were  excellent.  Under  such 
Professors  as  Doctors  DeWitt,  Mitchell,  Hozack,  Post,  Mott, 
Francis,  names  familiar  to  the  profession  as  household  words,  the 
student  could  not  fail  of  receiving  such  lessons  as  would  prove  of 
the  greatest  value  to  him  in  subsequent  life.  He  commenced  prac- 
tice at  Sag  Harbor  on  Long  Island,  where  he  remained  till  eighteen 
hundred  and  fifty-four.  After  spending  a  year  in  Ohio,  he  was  en- 
gaged in  lumbering  operations  in  Graftou  and  Newry,  Oxford 
county,  Maine,  iu  which  he  was  not  as  successful  as  in  the  practice 
of  medicine.  In  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty-seven,  he  settled  at 
Bethel  and  re-entered  upon  the  practice  of  his  profession.  In  Jan- 
uary, eighteen  hundred  and  twenty,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Alma 
Tuttle  of  Riverhead,  Long  Island. 

Dr.  Ozmon  M.  Twitchell. 

He  was  the  son  of  Joseph  Twitchell  and  was  born  in  Bethel,  June 
twenty-ninth,  eighteen  hundred  and  nineteen.  After  attending 
school  more  or  less  during  his  minority  at  Gould's  Academy,  he 
entered  the  office  of  his  brother,  Dr.  Almon  Twitchell.  He  also 
attended  lectures  at  the  Medical  College  in  Hanover,  New  Hamp- 
shire, and  Woodstock,  Vermont.  He  settled  in  Milan,  New 
Hampshire  in  eighteen  hundred  and  fort3'-six.  There  being  no 
physician  near,  and  the  country  being  comparatively  new  and 
sparsely  settled,  his  rides  were  often  quite  extensive.  September 
second,  eighteen  hundred  and  forty-nine,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Rosalba  D.  Chandler  of  Milan.     In  eighteen  hundred  fifty-four  and 


252  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

fifty-five,  he  was  elected  a  Representative  to  the  Legislature  of  New 
Hampshire,  William  B.  Lapham,  his  brother's  studeut  attending  to 
his  practice  during  his  absence.  For  many  years  he  was  a  Justice 
of  the  Peace  and  Notary  Public.  On  the  death  of  his  brother,  Dr. 
Almon  Twitchell,  he  removed  to  Bethel  and  engaged  in  the  practice 
of  his  profession  here.  A  year  or  two  later  he  moved  to  Madison» 
Wisconsin,  where  he  has  since  resided.  He  had  one  child,  a  son 
who  resides  in  Madison. 

Dr.  David  W.  Davis. 

Dr.  Davis  was  born  in  Effingham,  N.  H.,  in  eighteen  hundred 
and  twenty.  He  graduated  at  the  Dartmouth  Medical  School,  and 
in  eighteen  hundred  and  forty-five  he  commenced  practice  at  Locke's 
Mills.  He  was  very  successful  and  built  up  a  large  practice.  His 
buildings  were  burned  in  eighteen  hundred  and  seventy-seven,  and 
instead  of  rebuilding,  he  moved  to  Bethel  Hill.  He  was  well  known 
in  the  village  and  at  once  had  a  large  and  lucrative  practice.  In 
eighteen  hundred  and  eighty,  his  health  began  to  fail,  and  his  dis- 
ease, mild  at  first,  developed  into  a  cancerous  condition  of  the 
stomach.  He  suffered  greatly  during  the  last  few  weeks  of  his  life 
and  died  March  fourteenth,  eighteen  luindred  and  eighty-one.  He 
was  a  member  of  Jefferson  Lodge  of  Masons  of  P>ryant's  Pond,  and 
was  buried  with  ^Masonic  honors. 

Otuek  Physicians. 

(^uite  a  number  of  Physicians  were  born  and  reared  in  this  town 
who  have  practiced  medicine  elsewhere.  The  first  medical  student 
who  was  raised  in  town  was  Dr.  James,  son  of  Joseph  Ayer.  He 
studied  medicine  with  Dr.  Timothy  Carter,  and  married  Thirza,. 
daughter  of  Moses  ^lason,  settled  in  Newfield,  and  died  in  eighteen 
hundred  and  thirty-four. 

John  Bakkkh,  M.  D.,  was  born  in  Massachusetts,  but  spent  his 
early  years  in  Bethel.  He  studied  medicine  under  Dr.  Carter  and 
settled  in  Wilton,  Me.  He  received  an  honorary  degree  of  ^L  D. 
at  Brunswick  Medical  College  in  eighteen  hundred  and  forty-six, 
and  died  in  New  York  city,  where  he  was  residing  with  his  sou.  Dr. 
Fordyce  Barker,  the  distinguished  physician  and  surgeon  of  that 
city. 

Du.  Chakles  Steahns,  son  of  Charles  Stearns,  studied  medicine 
witli  Dr.  John  Grover  and  settled  in  St.  George  where  he  died. 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  25:3 

Dr.  Leander  Gage  was  the  sou  of  Amos  Gage,  one  of  the  first 
settlers  iu  the  town.  Having  studied  medicine  with  Dr.  Timothy 
Carter  of  Bethel,  he  settled  in  AVaterford  where  he  was  for  many 
years  a  prominent  physician,  and  where  he  died. 

Dr.  Cullen  Carter,  sou  of  Dr.  Timothy  Carter,  studied  medi- 
cine and  settled  in  New  York  city. 

Dr.  Thomas  Roberts  was  born  iu  Bethel,  now  Hauover,  and 
having  graduated  at  Brunswick  Medical  College  settled  iu  Rumford, 
where  he  died. 

Dr.  Zekas  W.  Bartlett,  sou  of  P^lhauau  P>artlett,  was  born  in 
Bethel,  now  Hanover,  graduated  at  Brunswick  Medical  College  and 
settled  iu  Rumford,  then  removed  to  Dixfield,  where  he  died. 

Dr.  Samuel  Birge  Twitchell,  sou  of  Ezra  Twitchell,  graduated 
at  Dartmouth  College,  and  subsequently  graduated  at  Geueva  Med- 
ical College,  and  commenced  the  practice  of  medicine  in  Wakelield, 
New  Hampshire,  and  died  in  Bethel  iu  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty- 
four. 

Dr.  Silas  P.  Bartlett,  son  of  Ebeuezer  Bartlett,  was  born  iu 
Bethel,  graduated  at  Brunswick  Medical  College  and  settled  in  East 
Dixfield,  where  he  still  resides. 

Dr.  Wm.  Tw^itchell,  son  of  Eli  Twitchell,  studied  medicine  with 
Dr.  Isaac  Lincoln  of  Brunswick,  and  graduated  at  Brunswick  Med- 
ical College  and  settled  iu  Caynga  county.  New  York. 

Dr.  Chas.  Russell,  sou  of  James  Russell,  studied  medicine  with 
Dr.  Robert  G.  Wiley  and  settled  at  West  Paris,  then  moved  to 
Fayette,  where  he  died. 

Dr.  J.  Henry  B.  Frost,  son  of  Rev.  Chas.  Frost,  graduated  at  Skcr&h  /i 
Amherst  College  and  subsequently  in  a  Medical  College  iu  Philadel-  '^^'^  '■  •» 
phia,  and  practiced  in  Bangor. 

Dr.  John  E.  L.  Kimball,  sou  of  John  Kimball,  graduated  at 
Woodstock  Medical  College  and  went  into  practice  iu  Saco. 

Dr.  Benjamin  W.  Kimball,  son  of  Israel  Kimball,  obtained  a 
good  education  at  Gould's  and  Bridgtou  Academies.  He  studied 
medicine  with  Dr.  Almon  Twitchell,  attended  lectures  at  Dartmouth 
and  Bowdoin  Colleges,  graduating  from  the  latter.  He  was 
appointed  physician  to  a  tribe  of  Indians  on  a  reservation  in  Wash- 
ington Territory  for  a  year  or  two  ;  then  took  a  special  course  in 
pharmacy  and  spent  some  years  in  the  drug  business  in  Idaho  ;  took 
a  special  course  in  Philadelphia  on  diseases  of  the  ear  and  eye,  and 
set  up  as  a  specialist  in  Minneapolis,  Minnesota,  where  he  is  now 


254  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

in  practice.  He  lias  married  since  be  settled  in  Minneapolis,  and 
has  several  children.  He  is  a  fine  scholar  and  well  educated  in  the 
various  branches  of  the  medical  profession. 

Dr.  C.  W.  Gordon  of  Conway,  New  Hampshire,  married  Mary 
E.,  daughter  of  Timothy  Barker,  and  moved  to  Bethel  Hill.  He 
was  in  practice  a  few  years,  but  his  health  failing,  he  gave  his 
attention  to  agriculture.     He  died  several  years  ago. 

Dr.  AVm.  Williamson,  son  of  John  Williamson,  was  born  in 
Manor  Hamilton,  Ireland,  September  twenty-second,  eighteen  hun- 
dred and  twelve.  At  the  age  of  nine  years  his  parents  came  to 
America  and  resided  most  of  the  time  in  Bethel.  William,  mani- 
festing an  inclination  for  stud}',  was  sent  to  the  high  school  in  eigh- 
teen hundred  and  thirty-five,  and  subsequently  to  the  academy  in 
Bethel,  and  then  commenced  the  study  of  medicine  under  Dr.  B.C. 
Mulvey  of  Saco.  He  graduated  at  the  Medical  School  in  Bruns- 
wick in  eighteen  hundred  and  forty-seven.  He  practiced  medicine 
about  two  years  in  Saco  and  then  removed  to  Bethel  and  settled  at 
Middle  Intervale,  where  his  father  resided.  After  that  time  he  be- 
came deeply  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits.  The  practice  of 
medicine  was  never  congenial  with  his  feelings,  and  he  gave  his  ser- 
vices after  he  settled  in  Bethel,  only  when  he  could  not  avoid  it. 

The  physicians  now  in  practice  at  Bethel,  with  the  single  excep- 
tion of  Dr.  Robert  G.  Wiley,  have  come  here  within  a  few  years, 
and  none  of  them  are  native  born.  Dr.  John  A.  Morton  married 
for  his  second  wife,  a  daughter  of  Hon.  William  Frye.  Dr.  John 
A.  Twaddle  and  Dr.  C.  D.  Hill  are  in  practice  here,  and  Dr.  John 
G.  Gehring  is  a  resident  but  not  engaged  in  practice.  Dr.  Wm.  H. 
Gray,  who  was  formerly  an  army  surgeon  resided  on  Bethel  Hill 
and  engaged  more  or  less  in  practice  before  his  death,  which 
occurred  very  suddenly  in  eighteen  hundred  and  ninety. 


HON.    WILLIAM    FRYE. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 
Lawyers. 

I  ETHEL  had  little  need  of  members  of  the  legal  profession 
^??  for  the  first  few  years  after  its  settlement.  Matters  of 
difference  which  arose  among  the  early  settlers  were  gener- 
ally referred  to  one  of  the  Justices  of  the  Peace,  who  was  considered 
competent  to  decide  points  of  law,  and  where  no  points  of  law  were 
involved,  the  services  of  other  disinterested  persons  were  made  use 
of  and  sometimes  the  assistance  of  the  minister  was  invoked. 

William  Frye. 

AYilliam  Frye  was  the  first  lawyer  who  came  to  Bethel  with  the 
view  of  settling  here.  He  was  a  young  man,  and  here  he  spent  the 
remainder  of  his  years.  From  a  sermon  preached  by  his  pastor, 
Rev.  Edwin  A.  Buck,  the  following  obituary  notice  is  extracted: 
"Hon.  William  Fr3'e  was  born  in  Fryeburg,  May  twelfth,  seventeen 
hundred  and  ninety-six,  and  was  the  youngest  son  of  Richard  Fiye 
of  that  town.  His  grandfather,  from  whom  the  town  of  his  nativity 
derived  its  name,  was  a  General  of  distinction  in  the  revolutionary 
war.  His  early  studies,  in  w^hich,  as  may  be  inferred  from  his 
subsequent  life,  he  was  chiefly  distinguished  for  accuracy,  were 
prosecuted  in  the  academy  of  Fryeburg  under  preceptor  Cook.  As 
an  evidence  of  his  proficiency  he  obtained  the  prize  at  the  academy 
for  a  Latin  poem,  at  the  early  age  of  fifteen.  After  that,  having 
become  fitted  for  an  advanced  standing  in  college,  eager  to  enter 
upon  the  active  duties  of  life,  he  entered  at  once  upon  the  studies 
of  his  profession,  a  step  which  in  subsequent  life  he  greatly 
regretted,  regarding  a  thorough  collegiate  course  as  highly  valuable 
for  every  profession,  and  as  especially  so,  for  that  on  which  he  had 
entered.  Having  chosen  the  law  for  his  profession,  he  commenced 
and  prosecuted  his  studies  at  Fryeburg  under  the  direction  of  Judge 


256  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

Judah  Uaiia  and  Mr.  Stephen  Chase.  In  the  fall  of  eighteen  hun- 
dred and  twenty,  not  long  after  having  been  admitted  to  the  bar,  he 
decided  upon  a  settlement  in  Bethel,  as  a  place  whose  situation  gave 
promise  of  favorable  circumstances  for  the  honorable  pursuit  of  his 
profession.  In  September,  eighteen  hundred  and  twenty-eight,  he 
was  married  to  Miss  Lois  Twitchell.  From  the  first,  highly 
esteemed  by  those  who  were  so  happy  as  to  form  his  acquaintance, 
ere  many  years  the  confidence  of  his  fellow-citizens  w^as  evinced  by 
his  election  to  town  offices,  in  which  he  served  first  as  one  of  the 
selectmen,  and  subsequently  as  town  clerk  for  the  period  of  six 
years.  But  the  value  of  his  services  was  known  and  appreciated 
beyond  the  bounds  of  his  ordinary  practice.  Twice  he  received  the 
appointment  of  County  Attorney  ;  twice  he  was  sent  as  Representa- 
tive to  the  Legislature,  and  twice  was  chosen  a  member  of  the  Senate 
of  the  State.  From  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty-two,  as  regularly 
appointed  School  Commissioner  for  Oxford  county,  he  visited  each 
town  in  the  county,  laboring  to  promote  the  cause  of  public  educa- 
tion. Thus  for  the  space  of  eighteen  years  he  served  to  general 
acceptance  in  these  several  stations  of  public  life. 

His  interest  in  the  cause  of  education  was  ever  prominent.  View- 
ing it  as  a  bulwark  of  our  free  institutions,  he  sought  not  simplj'  for 
the  education  of  his  own  chihlren  and  those  in  the  more  immediate 
circle  of  his  friends,  but  to  open  facilities  for  the  general  diffusion 
of  knowledge.  As  a  Trustee  of  the  Academy  in  Bethel,  he  served 
faithfully  as  Secretary'  of  that  board  from  the  foundation  of  the 
institution  to  the  time  of  his  decease. 

At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  was  drafted  as  a  soldier  in  the  war  with 
Great  Britain.  On  his  arrival  at  Portland  he  was  seized  with  a 
fever  and  returned  home,  probably  satisfied  with  his  experience  in 
militar}'  life.  As  a  lawyei',  Mr.  Frye  Avas  highly  and  justly  es- 
teemed. He  was  pre-eminently  a  peacemaker.  He  discouraged 
litigation,  even  where  there  were  prospects  of  large  gain  to  himself, 
if  it  would  incite  to  or  encourage  prosecution.  His  clients  not  only 
looked  to  him  with  confidence  for  advice,  but  entrusted  to  him  any 
and  every  secret  with  the  assurance  that  their  confidence  would  not 
be  betrayed.  Being  judicious  and  safe,  it  was  as  a  counsellor  that 
he  excelled.  Possessed  of  that  integrity  and  cautiousness,  which 
are  the  prominent  characteristics  of  those  who  excel  before  the  jury, 
he  was  most  highly  esteemed  by  those  to  whom  he  was  best  known. 
Having  continued  his  habits  of  study  through  life,  and  having  now 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  257 

attained  the  full  maturity  of  his  iniud,  being  possessed  of  an  exten- 
sive experience  and  excelling  in  accuracy  as  a  scribe,  as  a  lawyer  he 
held  a  position  which  another  will  not  be  able  soon  to  fill. 

As  a  citizen  he  was  always  interested  in  whatever  he  regarded  as 
conducive  to  the  public  good.  He  even  gave  counsel  to  the  town 
free  of  charge,  and,  in  like  manner,  discharged  other  public  labors. 
He  ever  encouraged  whatever  was  calculated  to  elevate  society,  and 
deprecated  that  which  was  injurious.  Of  marked  sobriety,  he  also 
preserved  an  equanimity  of  character,  not  always  to  be  met  with  in 
the  arena  of  political  life,  or  in  those  harrassed  by  the  annoyances 
of  vexed  legal  questions.  No  profane  words  from  his  lips  pained 
the  christian's  ear  or  corrupted  the  morals  of  society,  or  bespoke  a 
spirit  \7ithin,  regardless  of  the  divine  claims.  Pure  minded  and 
upright  in  his  intercourse  with  others,  he  sought  to  cultivate  the  same 
characteristics  in  those  around  him.  Courteous  in  all  his  dealings, 
he  won  the  respect  of  strangers,  confirmed  the  love  of  his  friends 
and  soon  disarmed  his  enemies,  if  any  such  he  had."  Mr.  Frye  was 
a  man  of  sedeutar}'^  habits.  He  was  seldom  seen  elsewhere  than  in 
his  ofHce  or  at  his  own  home.  He  was  never  seen  lounging  about 
the  stores  or  public  places  of  resort,  but  was  always  ready  to  tender 
his  services  whenever  needed.  This  sedentary  disposition  probably 
undermined  his  constitution  gradually,  and  a  chronic  disease  of  the 
stomach  troubled  him  for  several  years,  till  he  was  suddenly  taken 
sick,  and  almost  before  his  neighbors  knew  of  his  danger  he  was 
dead.  This  occurred  February  eighteenth,  eighteen  hundred  and 
fifty- four. 

David  Hammons. 

Hon.  David  Hammons  was  past  middle  life  when  he  came  to 
Bethel,  and  had  a  well  established  reputation  both  as  a  lawyer  and 
statesman.  He  was  born  in  Cornish,  Maine,  May  twelfth,  eighteen 
hundred  and  eight.  He  received  a  good  academical  education  at 
Limerick  Academy,  and  then  studied  law  in  the  office  of  Hon.  David 
Gould  of  Alfred.  He  was  then  admitted  to  the  Oxford  bar,  and  for 
many  years  practiced  in  York  and  Oxford  counties.  He  was  a  good 
lawyer  and  advocate,  and  had  an  extensive  practice.  In  eighteen 
hundred  and  forty-eight  he  was  elected  to  Congress  from  the  first 
Maine  Congressional  district,  and  at  the  expiration  of  his  term, 
practiced  at  Cornish.  In  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty-nine  he  moved 
to  Bethel  Hill,  and  continued  in  the  practice  of  law.     He  enjoyed  a 

17 


258  HISTOEY   OF  BETHEL. 

large  practice  until  age  aud  impaired  health  obliged  him  to  abaadon 
it  altogether.  He  was  a  democrat  of  the  ultra  school,  aud  conscien- 
tious in  his  way  of  thinkiug  aud  acting.  He  married,  September 
twenty-ninth,  eighteen  luindred  and  thirty-nine.  Miss  Martha  O'Brien 
of  Cornish,  aud  left  a  family,  some  of  his  sons  being  lawyers. 


O'Neil  AV,  Robinson. 

Major  Robinson  was  the  son  of  O'Neil  W.  Robinson  formerly  of 
Bethel,  where  the  subject  of  this  notice  was  born  Jul}^  seventeeuth, 
eighteen  hundred  and  twenty-four.  He  graduated  from  Bowdoin 
College  in  eighteen  hundred  and  forty-five,  and  studied  law  in  the 
office  of  Elbridge  Gerr}^  of  AVaterford.  Admitted  to  the  bar,  he 
opened  an  office  at  Bethel  and  was  very  successful  in  his  business. 
He  was  here  when  the  war  of  the  rebellion  broke  out,  and  became 
Captain  of  the  Fourth  Maine  Battery  of  Light  Artillery,  and  went 
with  it  to  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  In  time  he  became  chief  of 
artillei-y  of  the  third  army  corps,  and  did  good  service  wherever  he 
was.  In  April,  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-four,  his  health  became 
much  impaired,  and  he  came  to  his  father's  house  in  Waterford  on 
leave  of  absence.  He  grew  rapidly  worse  and  died  July  seven- 
teenth, eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-four,  it  being  his  fortieth  birth- 
day. He  was  never  married.  He  was  an  honest,  square  man,  and 
as  an  attorney,  entitled  to  the  highest  confidence.  In  making  col- 
lections he  alwa^^s  made  it  a  point  to  pay  to  his  client  the  identical 
money  collected  for  him. 


Richard  A.  Frye. 

Richard  A.  Frye,  eldest  son  of  Hon.  AVilliam  Frye,  was  born  in 
this  town  July  twenty-second,  eighteen  hundred  and  twenty-nine. 
He  attended  the  common  schools  and  fitted  for  college  at  Gould's 
Academy.  He  did  not  go  to  college,  but  entered  upon  the  study  of 
the  law  with  his  father,  was  admitted  in  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty- 
five  and  succeeded  his  father  in  the  practice.  He  is  considered  a 
good  counsellor,  and  has  had  a  large  and  lucrative  practice.  He  is 
methodical  in  hie  habits  aud  pays  strict  attention  to  business.  He 
succeeded  his  father  as  Secretary  of  Gould's  Academy,  and  has 
served  one  term  as  Judge  of  Probate  for  the  county  of  Oxford.     He 


HON.   ENOCH   FOSTER. 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  ^ol) 

was  married  December  uineteeuth,  eighteen  Imndred  and  fifty-four, 
to  Miss  Esther  Kimball,  daughter  of  Kimball  and  Rachel  ((iodwin) 
Martin  of  Rumford,  and  has  one  son. 

Samuel  F.  Gibson. 

Samuel  F.  Gibson,  son  of  Hon.  Samuel  and  Rebecca  (Howard) 
Gibson,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Denmark,  count}'  of  Oxford,  in 
April,  eighteen  hundred  and  twenty-three.  He  read  law  in  the 
office  of  Howard  &  Shepley  of  Portland,  (Joseph,  afterwards  Judge- 
Howard  was  his  uncle)  and  was  admitted  to  practice  at  the  Cura- 
berland  bar.  He  began  practice  in  Patten,  in  this  State,  but  having 
received  a  clerkship  in  the  (Quartermaster's  department.  United 
States  Army,  he  went  to  California,  where  he  remained  three  years. 
He  then  returned  to  Maine  and  settled  at  Bethel,  wherfe  after  a  year 
or  two,  he  opened  a  law  office.  He  married  Miss  Abb,  daughter  of 
Moses  Pattee  of  Bethel,  who  died  after  a  few  3'ears,  and  he  married 
Agnes  M.  Ayer.  He  had  five  children,  two  by  the  first  and  three 
by  the  last  marriage.  When  he  first  came  to  Bethel  he  was  a  con- 
tractor on  the  Atlantic  and  Saint  Lawrence  railroad,  and  then  was 
in  trade  for  a  year  or  two  before  he  resumed  the  practice  of  law> 
During  the  war  he  served  six  months  as  assistant  quartermaster, 
with  the  rank  of  Captain,  having  charge  of  water  transportation  and 
stationed  at  City  Point,  Virginia.  He  died  of  apoplexy,  in  Bethel, 
in  eighteen  hundred  and  eighty-eight. 

Enoch  Foster. 

Hon.  Enoch  Foster,  son  of  Enoch  and  Persis  (Swan)  Foster,  was 
born  in  Newry,  Maine,  May  tenth,  eighteen  hundred  and  thirty- 
nine.  He  spent  his  boyhood  days  upon  his  father's  farm,  attended 
the  town  schools,  subsequently  attended  Gould's  Academy  and  at 
the  Maine  State  Seminary.  He  pursued  a  partial  course  at  Bowdoin 
College,  studied  law  in  the  office  of  Hon.  Reuben  Foster  at  Water- 
ville,  graduated  from  the  Law  school  at  Albany,  New  York,  and 
having  been  admitted  to  the  Oxford  bar,  he  commenced  practice  at 
Bethel  in  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-five.  After  the  breaking  out 
of  the  war  of  the  rebellion,  he  enlisted  and  was  mustered  into  the 
United  States  service  as  second  lieutenant  of  company  H,  Thir- 
teenth Maine  Regiment,  December  thirteenth,  eighteen  hundred  and 
sixty-one.     He  was  subsequently  promoted  to  first  lieutenant,  served 


260  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

as  provost  marshal  under  General  Banks  and  resigned  that  position 
to  take  part  in  the  Red  river  campaign.  He  was  discharged  from 
the  service  March  eleventh,  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-five,  his 
term  of  enlistment  having  expired. 

In  the  practice  of  law  Mr.  Foster  was  successful  from  the  start, 
and  soon  held  an  enviable  position  at  the  Oxford  county  bar.  A 
close  student,  a  fluent  and  eloquent  advocate,  and  added  to  this,  a 
love  of  his  profession,  could  not  fail  of  bringing  him  prominently 
before  the  public  in  a  short  time.  He  was  elected  attorney  for  the 
State  for  the  county  of  Oxford,  and  served  two  full  terms  of  three 
years  each,  ending  January  first,  eighteen  hundred  and  seventy- 
four.  The  same  year  he  was  elected  member  of  the  State  Senate, 
and  re-elected  the  following  year.  March  twent3'-fourth,  eighteen 
hundred  and  eighty-four,  he  was  appointed  by  Governor  Robie,  an 
Associate  Justice  of  the  Supreme  Judicial  Court  of  the  State  of 
Maine,  and  reappointed  by  Governor  Burleigh  in  eighteen  hundred 
and  ninety-one.  As  a  member  of  the  highest  Judicial  tribunal  of 
the  State,  he  has  taken  high  rank,  and  his  decisions  in  law  in  nisi 
j)rius,  have  rarely  been  overruled  by  the  full  court.  His  opinions 
from  that  court  are  clearly  and  succinctly  drawn,  and  are  good  ex- 
amples of  condensed,  yet  comprehensive  composition.  His  family 
iStatistics  may  be  found  in  their  proper  place. 


Moses  B.  Bartlett. 

Moses  Barbour  Bartlett,  son  of  Barbour  Bartlett,  was  born  in 
Bethel,  and  after  fitting  for  college  in  Gould's  Academy,  he  grad- 
uated at  Bowdoin  College  in  eighteen  hundred  and  forty-two.  After 
teaching  a  high  school  for  a  season  in  Brunswick,  and  Gould's 
Academy  in  Bethel  for  one  year,  he  commenced  the  study  of  law  in 
the  office  of  Wm.  Frye,  Esq.,  and  settled  in  Bethel  till  eighteen 
hundred  and  forty-eight,  when  he  removed  to  Norwa3\  and  subse- 
quently, after  several  years,  to  AVaterford.  His  practice  was  (juite 
lucrative,  but  being  anxious  to  acquire  more,  and  his  health  becom- 
ing impaired,  he  moved  to  Georgetown,  Putnam  county,  Florida. 
Since  that  time  he  has  removed  to  Kansas  and  still  resides  there. 
Some  few  years  ago  he  dropped  the  name  of  Moses  and  substituted 
that  of  Alison.  He  married  Sarah  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  General 
Thompson  of  Brunswick,  and  has  a  family. 


o- 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  261 

Joel  C.  Virgin. 

Lawyer  Frye  remained  without  a  competitor  till  the  year  eighteen 
hundred  and  thirty-four,  when  he  was  confronted  by  an  individual 
who  subsequently  became  notorious  for  his  thievish  propensities. 
It  would  be  pleasant  to  omit  this  name  from  our  history,  but  per- 
haps it  may,  by  way  of  contrast,  exhibit  in  a  clearer  light  the  good 
qualities  of  other  members  of  the  legal  profession  who  have  been 
settled  here.  Joel  C.  Virgin  was  born  somewhere  in  New  Hamp- 
shire, fitted  for  and  entered  Dartmouth  College,  where  he  remained 
through  his  Sophomore  year,  when  he  left  and  commenced  the  study 
of  law.  After  admission  to  the  bar,  he  came  to  Bethel.  He 
remained  here  about  three  years  and  became  a  vagabond.  His 
strongest  propensity  seemed  to  be  that  of  stealing.  Dr.  Nathaniel 
T.  True  had  the  misfortune  to  be  his  room  mate  while  in  Bethel, 
and  strangely  his  limited  supply  of  money  found  its  way  out  of  his 
pockets  without  his  consent.  Still  it  was  not  for  years  afterwards 
that  he  mistrusted  what  became  of  it.  So  strong  did  this  propensitj'^ 
become  that  he  would  often  pilfer  things  that  did  not  seem  to  be  of 
any  importance  to  him  ;  consequently  he  was  frequently  brought 
before  public  officers,  and  the  last  heard  of  him  here,  he  was  in  the 
State  Prison  at  Charlestown. 


Addison  E.  Herrick. 

Addison  E.  Herrick  was  the  sou  of  Benjamin  and  Maria  (Gar- 
land) Herrick,  and  was  born  in  Greenwood,  June  twenty-fourth, 
eighteen  hundred  and  forty-seven.  He  attended  the  common 
schools,  fitted  for  college  at  Hebron  Academy  and  graduated  from 
Bowdoin  College  with  the  class  of  eighteen  hundred  and  seventy- 
three.  He  taught  in  the  Abbot  Family  school  at  Farmington  for 
three  years,  and  for  three  years  was  principal  of  Bluehill  Academy. 
He  studied  law  with  Hon.  Enoch  Foster  and  was  admitted  to  the 
Oxford  bar  in  eighteen  hundred  and  seventy-seven.  He  then  be- 
came partner  of  Hon.  Enoch  Foster,  and  so  continued  until  the 
latter  was  appointed  Judge.  He  is  the  treasurer  of  the  Bethel  Sav- 
ings Bank,  and  represented  Bethel  in  the  last  Legislature.  He  is  a 
good  example  of  a  self-made  man,  having  obtained  an  education 
and  a  profession  by  his  own  unaided  efforts.  He  is  made  cf  that 
stuff  that  never  fails  of  success.     He  was  married  June  nineteenth, 


262  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

eighteen  hundred  and  eighty-two,  to  Minnie  D.,  daugliter  of  Captain 
M.  K.  Chase  of  Bluehill,  and  they  have  Miriam  P^.  Herriek,  born 
October  eleventh,  eighteen  hundred  and  eight3'-seveu. 

William  C.  Frye. 

William  C.  Frye,  second  son  of  Hon.  William  Frye,  was  educated 
at  Bethel  Academy,  studied  law  and  practiced  for  a  time  in  Rum- 
ford.  He  then  settled  in  the  south  and  married  Mrs.  Maggie 
Weaver  of  South  Carolina. 

Alonzo  J.  C4rover. 

Among  Bethel  young  men  who  emigrated  to  the  west  and  there 
distinguished  themselves,  was  Alonzo  J.  Grover.  He  was  the  son 
of  Jeremiah  and  Sophronia  (Blake)  Grover,  and  was  born  in  Bethel, 
August  twenty-sixth,  eighteen  hundred  and  twenty-eight.  He  was 
an  alumnus  of  Gould's  Academy,  and  is  well  remembered  b}'  those 
who  attended  late  in  the  forties  and  early  in  the  fifties  as  a  fluent 
speaker  and  prominent  in  the  debating  society  connected  with  the 
school.  He  had,  even  as  a  student,  radical  views  upon  political 
questions  of  the  day,  and  was  a  decided  abolitionist.  In  religious 
matters  he  was  sceptical  and  delighted  in  the  discussion  of  questions 
before  the  Ij'ceum,  in  which  his  peculiar  sentiments  could  be 
indulged  in.  After  leaving  the  academy  he  studied  law,  and  was 
admitted  to  the  Cumberland  bar  in  eighteen  hundred  and  fift^'-four, 
and  immediately  went  west,  settling  iu  the  practice  of  the  law  at 
Earlville,  in  LaSalle  county,  Illinois.  He  aided  materially  in  effect- 
ing the  first  republican  county  organization  in  the  west,  at  Ottawa, 
in  LaSall^  county,  in  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty-four.  He  was  a 
very  ardent  rei)ublican  until  Horace  Greele}',  of  whom  Mr.  Grover 
was  ever  a  great  admirer,  was  a  candidate,  when  he  gave  him  his 
support. 

INIr.  Grover  was  not  only  a  lawj'er  of  much  more  than  average 
ability,  but  he  was  able  as  a  political  writer.  In  eighteen  hundred 
and  seventy-four,  five  and  seven,  he  published  many  articles  in  the 
Chicago  Tribune  in  favor  of  taxing  bonds  and  of  a  greenback  cur- 
rency, and  when  that  paper  refused  to  admit  his  articles,  he  started 
the  Earlville  Transcri2^t,  in  which  he  sunk  several  thousand  dollars, 
but  sent  his  greenback  candidates,  one  to  Congress  and  the  other  to 
the  State  Senate.     In  the  famous  Greenback  cami)aign  in  Maine, 


HON,   ALBERT    S.   TWITCHELL. 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  263 

Mr.  Grover  was  on  the  stump  iu  this  vState,  and  by  his  fluency  of 
speech,  contributed  not  a  little  to  the  success  of  the  party.  Return- 
ing to  Illinois,  he  soon  after  moved  to  Chicago  and  there  continued 
in  the  practice  of  law,  and  later  was  candidate  for  Judge  of  the 
Superior  Court  in  that  city.  During  the  campaign  it  was  stated  in 
his  favor  that  he  was  honest  and  upright  in  his  dealings,  never  per- 
mitting a  note  to  go  to  protest,  and  never  owed  a  dollar  that  he  did 
not  pay.  It  was  claimed  that  he  was  identified  by  early  life  and 
experience,  with  the  workingmen,  and  knew  well  the  hard  road  they 
had  to  travel.  He  never  sought  office,  but  much  preferred  to  work 
for  those  who  would  carry  out  his  views,  and  in  this  case  he  was  not 
a  candidate,  until  the  nomination  was  made  and  he  was  urged  to 
accept  it.  Mr.  Grover  died  in  Chicago  in  the  early  part  of  eighteen 
hundred  and  ninety-one. 

Albert  S.  Twitchell. 

Though  a  native  of  this  town,  Hon.  Albert  S.  Twitchell  has  spent 
most  of  his  business  life  in  Gorham,  New  Hampshire.  He  is  the 
son  of  Joseph  A.  Twitchell,  and  was  born  September  sixteenth, 
eighteen  hundred  and  forty.  His  education  was  obtained  in  the 
common  schools  and  at  Gould's  Acadenn'.  He  spent  some  four 
years  in  teaching,  and  then  entered  the  law  office  of  Samuel  F. 
Gibson.  In  eighteen  hundred  and  sixt^^-three,  he  was  appointed 
enrolling  officer  of  those  subject  to  draft,  and  having  performed  this 
duty,  in  December  of  that  year  he  enlisted  in  the  Seventh  Maine 
Battery  and  was  appointed  quartermaster-sergeant.  He  was  mus- 
tered out  with  the  battery  at  Augusta,  Maine,  June  twenty-first, 
eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-five.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  both 
in  Maine  and  New  Hampshire,  in  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-five 
and  settled  at  Gorham,  New  Hampshire,  which  has  since  been  his 
home.  In  eighteen  hundred  and  seventy-two,  he  was  elected  Rail- 
road Commissioner  of  New  Hampshire,  which  office  he  held  for 
three  years.  In  eighteen  hundred  and  seventy-seven,  he  was 
appointed  postmaster  at  Gorham,  and  held  the  office  nearly  nine 
years,  when  he  resigned.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Staff  of 
Governor  Cheney  with  the  rank  of  Colonel,  and  on  that  of  Governor 
Sawyer  as  Commissary  General  with  the  rank  of  brigadier  general. 
He  has  served  two  terms  as  President  of  the  New  Hampshire  ^'et- 
erans'  Association.     He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Fraternity,  an 


264  HISTOliY  OF  BETHEL. 

Odd  Fellow,  and  was  delegate  from  the  lodge  of  Good  Templars  to 
the  Right  Worshipful  Grand  Lodge  of  the  World  which  met  at 
Saratoga  in  eighteen  hundred  and  eighty-seven.  He  is  interested 
in  everything  that  pertains  to  the  welfare  of  his  adopted  town  of 
Gorham,  but  has  never  lost  sight  of  the  fact  that  he  is  a  native  of 
Bethel  and  of  the  State  of  Maine,  to  both  of  which  he  has  ever  been 
loyal.  He  married  April  seventh,  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-nine, 
Emma  A.,  daughter  of  Parker  Howland,  and  has  a  family. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

Bethel  in  the  War  of  the  Rebellion. 
HEN  ill  eighteeu  hundred  and  sixty-one   the   war   of   the 


rebellion  broke  out,  Bethel  in  common  with  other  towns  in 
the  county,  had  no  military  organization.  There  was  only 
one  military  company  in  the  county  and  that  the  Norway  Light 
Infantry.  But  Bethel  was  loyal  to  the  government,  and  in  the  im- 
pending crisis,  was  prepared  to  do  her  whole  duty.  When  Presi- 
dent Lincoln  called  for  seventy-five  thousand  volunteers  to  protect 
the  National  Capitol,  Maine  was  asked  to  furnish  one  regiment  and 
Oxford  county  one  company.  The  Norway  company  at  once  volun- 
teered, and  asked  for  men  to  fill  up  the  ranks.  There  was  no  neces- 
sity for  repeating  the  call,  or  of  urging  men  to  enlist,  for  they  at 
once  began  to  pour  in  and  it  would  have  been  an  easy  matter  to 
have  filled  up  several  companies.  Only  a  few  could  be  taken  from 
Bethel,  but  eight  persons  enlisted  and  went  to  take  their  places  in 
the  ranks  of  the  Norway  Light  Infantry.  Their  names  were  Solon 
Robertson,  Alfred  M.  True,  Ai  E.  Seavey,  Charles  Stearns,  Edward 
Stearns,  H.  Dolloff,  Adelbert  Grover  and  Timothy  M.  Bean.  The 
first  call  was  for  three  months'  men,  and  the  Bethel  recruits  served 
their  term  and  most,  if  not  all  of  them  re-enlisted. 

A  second  call  speedily  followed  the  first,  this  time  for  three  hun- 
dred thousand  men  for  three  years.  Under  date  of  May  third,  the 
Bethel  Courier  stated  that  the  military  ardor  of  the  people  of  the 
,towu  was  aroused,  and  that  about  forty  men  had  enlisted,  and  that 
a  company  would  be  organized  the  following  day.  In  the  same 
editorial  article  it  was  stated  that  a  company  had  been  raised  at 
Bryant's  Pond  by  Dr.  Lapham.  In  its  issue  of  May  tenth,  the 
Courier  stated  that  the  company  recruited  by  Clark  S.  Edwards, 
known  as  the  Bethel  Rifle  Guards,  was  organized  on  the  Saturday 
previous,  (May  fourth)  by  the  choice  of  the  following  officers  : 
Captain,  Clark  S.  Edwards;   First  Lieutenant,    John  B.  Walker; 


266 


HISTOBY  OF  BETHEL. 


Second  Lieutenant,  C^a-us  M.  Wormell.  Major,  now  United  States 
Senator  Frye  of  General  Virgin's  staff,  Avas  present  at  the  organiza- 
tion, and  made  a  very  eloquent  and  patriotic  speech.  On  the  fol- 
lowing day  the  company  attended  at  the  Congregational  church, 
where  a  sermon  appropriate  to  the  occasion  was  preached  by  Rev. 
John  B.  Wheelwright.  In  the  afternoon  they  attended  at  the  Uni- 
versalist  church,  where  a  very  able  and  eloquent  discourse  was 
delivered  by  the  pastor,  Rev.  Absalom  Q.  Gaines,  a  native  of  Ken- 
tucky. In  the  evening  they  went  to  the  Methodist  church,  where 
they  were  addressed  by  Messrs.  Blackman,  Gaines,  Wheelwright, 
Dr.  True  and  Dea.  George  W.  Chapman.  The  roster  of  the  com- 
pany as  printed  in  the  Courier  was  as  follows  : 

Clark  S.  Edwards,  Captain. 
John  B.  Walker,  First  Lieutenant. 
Cyrus  M.  Wormell,  Second  Lieutenant. 
Daniel  W.  Sanborn,  Orderly  Sergeant. 


Sergeants. 

Charles  C.  Barker, 
Benjamin  Freeman, 
Simeon  W.  Sanborn, 
Sullivan  R.  Hutchius. 


Corporals. 

AVashiugtou  F.  Brown, 
Emery  G.  Young, 
Peter  G.  Knapp, 
James  L.  Parker. 


Asa  P.  Knight,  Clerk. 


Privates. 


Henry  F.  Barker, 
Stillman  N.  Littlehale, 
William  R.  Harper, 
James  H.  Bowker, 
Charles  Dunham, 
Oren  S.  Brown, 
Joseph  B.  Hammond, 
John  A.  Bent, 
Charles  R.  Bartlett, 
Willoughby  R.  York, 
George  E.  Small, 
M.  C.  Connor, 
Lorenzo  Poor, 


Lorenzo  D.  Russell, 
Henry  Vairiancourt, 
Levi  W.  Dolloff, 
James  M.  Everett, 
Joseph  A.  Twitchell, 
L.  D.  Wiley, 
David  E.  Andrews, 
E.  C.  Penley, 
]\Ioses  F.  Kimball, 
Dustin  A.  Cook, 
Daniel  Griffin, 
John  W.  Sanborn, 
Wm.  H.  Pingree, 


HISTOBY    OF  BETHEL. 


267 


Asa  D.  Jordan, 
Oliver  S.  Laug, 
Stephen  L.  P^thridge, 
Lewis  C.  Beard, 
Edmund  Merrill,  Jr., 
Andrew  J.  Ayer, 
T.  Spencer  Peabody, 
Joseph  U.  Frye, 
Joseph  L.  Oliver, 
Win.  G.  Capen, 
James  Seavey, 
John  E.  Bean, 
Sidney  T.  Cross, 
David  A.  Edwards, 
Frank  W.  Ham, 
Samuel  Gray,  Jr., 
Elbridge  G.  McKeeu, 


Washington  B.  Robertson, 
John  A.  Bryant, 
Benj.  C.  Hicks, 
Charles  Freeman, 
Henry  F.  Blanchard, 
Lafayette  G.  Goodnow, 
Charles  M.  Wentworth, 
Morrill  S.  Eastman, 
Albion  Adams, 
Nelson  Rice, 
Levi  W.  Towle, 
James  C.  Aj'er, 
Stephen  Burbauk, 
Clement  S.  Heath, 
Sidney  G.  Wells, 
Aaron  F.  Jackson. 


Lieutenant  Joshua  L.  Sawyer  came  up  from  Portland  to  drill  the 
company  and  prepare  the  men  for  active  service.  Before  joining 
the  Fifth  Maine  Volunteers  as  Company  I,  quite  a  change  was  made 
in  the  rank  and  fde,  a  number  of  those  who  had  enlisted  being 
dropped  out,  and  others  enlisted  to  take  their  places.  The  Fifth 
Maine  Volunteers  joined  the  army  of  the  Potomac  in  season  to  par- 
ticipate in  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  and  afterwards  bore  a  conspicuous 
and  highly  creditable  part  in  all  the  great  battles  in  which  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac  was  engaged.  Captain  Edwards  received  rapid 
promotion,  and  was  soon  at  the  head  of  the  regiment.  He  was  un- 
flinching under  fire,  often  led  his  men  into  action  and  achieved  a 
brilliant  record  for  conspicuous  bravery.  Some  of  those  who  went 
out  under  his  command  soon  returned,  others  served  out  their  time, 
re-enlisted,  and  remained  throughout  the  war,  while  some  fell  on 
the  field  of  battle  and  others  died  of  disease.  The  Fifth  was  one  of 
Maine's  best  regiments,  and  Company  I  was  one  of  its  best 
companies. 

Company  I,  Fifth  Maine  Volunteer  Infantry  was  the  only  com- 
pany organized  in  Bethel  during  the  war,  but  several  other  companies 
were  commanded  by  Bethel  oflicers.  (iideon  A.  Hastings  com- 
manded Company  A,  Twelftli  Maine,  Abernethy  Grover,  Comi)any 


268  HISTOBY  OF  BETHEL. 

H,  Thirteenth  Maine,  O'Neil  W.  Robinson,  the  Fourth  Maine  Battery, 
Adelbert  B.  Twitchell,  the  Seventh  Maine  Battery. 

The  following  list  embraces  Bethel  men  who  held  commissions  in 
the  volunteer  service  during  the  war  ; 

Clark  S.  Edwards,  Wm.  H.  H.  Brown, 

Abernethy  Grover,  John  B.  Walker, 

Adelbert  B.  Twitchell,  James  C.  Ayer, 

Harlan  P.  Brown,  James  C.  Bartlett, 

Melville  C.  Kimball,  John  M.  Freeman, 

Cyrus  M.  Wormell,  Simeon  W.  Sanborn, 

Gideon  A.  Hastings,  John  S.  Chapman, 

O'Neil  W.  Robinson,  Joseph  B.  Hammond. 
Robbins  B.  Grover, 

The  fires  of  patriotism  which  kindled  in  Bethel  at  the  firing  upon 
Fort  Sumpter,  burned  brightly  through  the  entire  war.  Every  call 
for  troops  was  promptly  met,  and  Bethel  soldiers  took  part  in  all 
the  great  battles  of  the  army  of  the  Potomac,  and  in  the  department 
of  the  Gulf.  The  organizations  to  which  Bethel  men  chiefly  be- 
longed were  the  First,  Tenth  and  Twenty-ninth  Maine,  the  last  two 
of  which  were  reorganizations  of  the  First,  the  Fifth,  Sixteenth,  Sev- 
enteenth, Twentieth  and  Twenty-third,  all  connected  with  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac,  and  the  Twelfth  and  Thirteenth  which  went  to  the 
department  of  the  Gulf  ;  also  to  the  Fourth,  Fifth  and  Seventh  light 
batteries  connected  with  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  The  Twelfth 
and  Thirteenth  took  part  in  the  campaign  of  the  Shenendoah  under 
General  Sheridan,  and  were  in  the  sanguinary  battles  of  Fisher's 
Hill  and  Cedar  Creek  in  the  autumn  of  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty- 
four.  There  were  scattering  Bethel  men  in  other  organizations,  but 
the  greater  part  of  them  were  in  the  regiments  and  batteries  here 
indicated.  Harlan  P.  Brown  who  fell  while  bravely  leading  his  men 
in  the  battle  of  Antietam,  was  an  otlicer  in  the  Seventh  Maine  Reg- 
iment. Many  natives  of  Bethel  also  served  on  the  quotas  of  other 
states  W'here  they  were  residing  Avhen  the  war  began,  and  others 
served  in  the  navy.  It  is  believed  that  these  two  classes  number  at 
least  half  as  many  as  those  who  went  on  the  quota  of  the  town. 
The  record  of  these  soldiers  is  every  way  honorable,  and  such  as  to 
reflect  credit  upon  themselves,  their  town,  their  State  and  country. 
Maiiy  of  those  who  went  to  the  war  never  returned.     Some  fell  on 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  209 

the  field  of  battle,  and  others  died  of  disease  contracted  iu  the  ser- 
vice. Some  occupy  unknown  graves,  some  repose  in  the  National 
cemeteries,  and  in  a  few  cases,  their  remains  were  hrouglit  home  to 
mingle  with  the  soil  of  their  native  town.  Every  year,  loving  hands 
renew  the  pledge  of  remembrance  and  affection  by  decorating  their 
graves  with  flowers,  and  their  sacrifices  in  behalf  of  liberty,  home 
and  a  united  country  will  never  be  forgotten. 

It  is  hoped  that  the  following  list  embraces  the  name  of  every 
soldier  who  enlisted  from  this  town.  Great  pains  have  been  taken 
to  render  it  complete,  but  in  some  cases  the  record  of  service  could 
not  be  obtained.  The  list  is  a  long  one,  and  will  be  such  a  memo- 
rial of  the  public  spirit,  the  patriotism  and  the  devotion  to  duty  of 
the  people  of  Bethel,  as  will  be  a  source  of  gratification  and  pride 
to  their  posterity  through  all  coming  time  : 

Andrew  J.  Ayer  was  mustered  in  C'omf)auy  I,  Twelfth  Maine  \'ohui- 
teers,  March  17,  1805,  and  was  mustered  out  with  the  regiment. 

James  C.  Ayer  was  mustered  in  Compauj^  I,  Fifth  Maine  Vohuiteers, 
June  24,  1861,  and  died  Aug.  7,  1862. 

James  E.  Ayer  was  mustered  in  Company  G,  Twelfth  Maine  Regiment, 
Dec.  11,  1861.  He  was  promoted  Sergeant  and  First  Sergeant,  re-enlisted 
aud  was  promoted  Second  and  First  Lieutenant,  was  wounded  September 
19,  1864.     He  now  resides  in  Xew  Orleans. 

Charles  C.  Burt  was  mustered  iu  the  Seventh  Maine  Battery,  D<^c.  80, 
1863,  and  was  discharged  iu  Washington,  D.  C,  before  the  battery  went 
to  the  front. 

Harlan  P.  Brown  was  mustered  as  Second  Lieuteuant  iu  Company  I, 
Seventh  Maine  Volunteers,  Fel)ruary  28,  1862,  and  was  instantly  killed 
while  charging  at  the  head  of  his  company  at  the  battle  of  Autietam. 

Ira  W.  Bean  was  mustered  in  the  Fourtli  Maine  Battery,  -lanuary  14, 

1862,  re-enlisted  February  23,  1864,  and  was  mustered  out  with  the  l)attery, 
June  17,  1865. 

Eli  G.  Brown  was  mustered  in  Company  H,  Thirteenth  Maine  Volun- 
teers, December  12,  1861,  re-enlisted,  was  promoted  Corporal  and 
transferred  to  the  Thirtieth  Maine. 

Peter  T.  Bean  was  mustered  in  Company  1),  Sixteenth  Maine  Volun- 
teers, August  14,  1862,  was  takeu  prisoner  July  1,  1868,  was  promoted 
Corporal  aud  mustered  out  with  the  regimeut. 

Lawson  S.  Black  was  mustered  in  Company  C,  Seventeenth  Maine 
Volunteers,  August  18,  1862,  was  wounded  and  taken  prisoner  May   12, 

1863,  aud  died. 

Joseph  W.  Bean  was  nuislered  in  the  Seventh  Maine  I'.attery,  I  )eeem- 
ber  30,  1863,  aud  was  mustered  out  with  the  battery,  .June  21,  isC").  lie 
resides  in  or  near  Boston. 


270  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

Arthur  M.  Bean  was  mustered  iu  Company  C,  Twentieth  Maine  Vol- 
unteers, August  29,  1862,  was  reported  siclv  at  Baltimore,  December 
following,  was  promoted  Corporal  and  discharged  by  order  94. 

Edgar  F.  Bean  was  mustered  in  Company  C,  Twentieth  Maine  Regi- 
ment, August  29,  1862,  was  reported  sick  at  Baltimore,  December  follow- 
ing, and  was  discharged  by  order  94. 

Freeborn  G.  Bean  Avas  mustered  in  Company  C,  Twentieth  Maine 
Regiment,  August  29,  1862,  and  was  discharged  March  4th,  following. 

Verano  G.  Bryant  was  mustered  in  Company  C,  Twentietli  Maine  Vol- 
unteers, August  29,  1862,  and  was  transferred  to  the  Invalid  Corps. 

John  H.  Barker  was  mustered  iu  Company  A,  Twelfth  Maine  Regi- 
ment, November  13,  1861,  and  was  discharged  for  disability,  July  17,  1862. 

Reuben  B.  Bean  was  mustered  as  private  in  Company  A,  Twelfth 
Maine  Volunteers,  and  was  discharged  for  disability  February  19,  1863. 
He  re-eulisted  iu  Company  G,  Thirtieth,  December  28,  1863,  and  died  in 
a  rebel  prison,  June  7,  1864. 

Sylvanus  M.  Bean  was  mustered  in  Comi)any  A,  Twelfth  Maine  Vol- 
unteers, June  24,  1861,  and  was  discharged  for  disability,  July  17,  1862. 

Levi  N.  Bartlett  was  nuistered  in  Company  G,  Twelfth  Maine  Regi- 
ment, and  was  transferred  to  tlie  Twelfth  Maine  battalion. 

Charles  C.  Bryant  was  mustered  iu  Company  I,  Twelfth  Maine  Regi- 
ment, March  17,  1865,  and  was  discharged  September  4,  1865. 

Farnham  L.  Bean  was  mustered  as  private  iu  Company  B,  Twenty- 
third  Maine  Volunteers;  in  December  he  was  reported  sick  in  liospital.  and 
died  at  Oftufs  Cross  Roads,  ;Maryland,  December  20,  18()2. 

^VILLIAM  A.  Beavins  was  mustered  in  Company  B,  Twenty-thiid  Maine 
Volunteers,  September  29,  1862,  and  was  mustered  out  witli  the  regiment. 
He  has  died  since  the  war. 

Franklin  C.  Bartlett  was  mustered  as  an  artificer  iu  the  Fourth 
Maine  Battery,  December  21,  1861,  served  out  his  time  and  re-enlisted. 

James  C.  Bartlett  was  mustered  in  tlie  Fifth  Maine  Battery,  Decem- 
ber 21,  1861 ;  was  promoted  Corporal  and  Sergeant,  and  wounded  ^lay  3, 
1863.  He  re-enlisted,  was  promoted  Second  [lieutenant,  February  20,  1864, 
and  was  discliarged  for  disability  May  5,  1865.  He  settled  in  Texas,  and 
died  there  January  28,  1891. 

Ephraim  C.  Bartlett  was  nuistered  in  Company  J,  Twelfth  Maine 
Volunteers,  March  17,  1865,  and  was  mustered  out  witli  the  regiment 
April  18.  1866. 

Tlmothy  M.  Bean  was  mustered  in  Company  I.  Twcll'lli  Maine  Volun- 
teers, March  17,  1865,  and  was  mustered  out  witli  the  regiment. 

Henry  E.  Bartlett  was  mustered  in  Company  I,  Twelftli  Maine  Vol- 
unteers, March  17,  1865,  and  was  discharged  by  order,  August  31,  1865. 

Henry  C.  Barker  was  mustered  as  Corporal  in  Company  G,  Thirtieth 
Maine  Regiment,  December  28, 1863,  was  reduced  to  ranks  and  transferred 
to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps. 

Fernando  S.  Bennett  was  mustered  in  Company  G,  Tliirtietb  Maine 
Volunteers,  December  28,  1863,  and  discharged  by  onior.  .luue  6,  1865. 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  27t 

Stephen  S.  Beeman  enlisted  iu  Company  G,  First  Maine  Volunteers, 
May  3,  1861,  and  was  mustered  out  with  the  regiment  at  the  end  of  three 
months. 

Timothy  H.  Bean  enlisted  in  Company  G,  First  Maine  Eegiment.  May 
3,  1861,  and  was  mustered  out  with  the  regiment  at  the  end  of  three 
months. 

Washington  F.  Brown  was  mustered  as  Sergeant  in  Company  [,  Fifth 
Maine  Regiment,  June  24,  1861 ;  he  was  promoted  to  First  Sergeant  in 
1862,  and  was  killed  in  battle,  May  3d,  1863. 

John  E.  Bean  was  mustered  into  Company  I,  Fiftli  Maine  Regiment, 
June  24,  1961 ;  was  wounded  in  battle,  May  12,  1864.  He  was  sul)se- 
queutly  Sergeant  iu  the  18th  unassigned  company,  and  became  a  menil)er 
of  Company  I,  Twelfth  Maine  Regiment. 

Lewis  C.  Beard  enlisted  and  was  mustered  in  Company  I,  Fiftli  Maine, 
June  24,  1861,  and  was  discharged  November  20, 1861.  He  re-enlisted  and 
was  mustered  in  Company  D,  Sixteenth  Maine,  August  14,  1862,  and 
transferred  to  the  Invalid  Corps,  March  1.5,  1864. 

John  F.  Bryant  was  mustered  in  Company  I,  Fifth  Maine  Volunteers, 
June  24,  1861 ;  was  promoted  Corporal,  and  was  killed  at  Crampton  Gap. 

Orin  S.  Brown  enlisted  and  was  mustered  into  Company  I,  Fifth  Maine 
Volunteers,  June  24,  1861,  and  was  taken  prisoner.  May  29, 1864.  He  died 
at  West  Paris. 

Barzillai  K.  Bean,  Jr.,  was  mustered  into  Company  I,  Fifth  Elaine 
Volunteers,  January  3,  1862 ;  he  was  discharged  for  disability,  September 
18,  1862. 

Wm.  H.  H.  Brown  was  mustered  as  Sergeant  of  Company  A,  Twelfth 
Maine  Volunteers,  November  15,  1861 ;  he  was  promoted  Second  laeu- 
teuant  of  Company  G;  he  died  September  6,  1863,  while  he  was  on 
detached  service  in  charge  of  the  Ambulance  corps.  He  was  found  dead 
in  his  bed  in  his  quarters  at  Thibodeaux. 

Elmer  J.  Bean  was  mustered  in  Company  H,  Thirteenth  Maine  Volun- 
teers, December  12,  1861 ;  was  promoted  Corporal,  re-enlisted,  and  was 
transferred  to  the  Thirtieth  Maine. 

Algernon  S.  Chapman  was  mustered  as  wagoner  in  the  Seventh  Maine 
Battery,  December  30,  1863,  and  was  mustered  out  with  the  battery. 

Archie  S.  Cole  was  mustered  in  the  Seventh  Maine  Battery  December 
30,  1863 ;  in  the  report  for  December,  1864,  it  is  stated  that  he  lias  1)een 
absent,  sick,  since  June  11.  He  was  iu  the  Hospital  at  Augusta,  and  was 
reported  to  have  deserted,  March  1,  186.5. 

James  C.  Chapman  was  mustered  in  Company  H,  Thirteentli  Elaine 
Volunteers,  December  13,  1861,  and  deserted  December  31,  following. 

Jesse  A.  Cross  was  mustered  as  Sergeant  iu  Company  D,  Sixteentli 
Maine  Eegiment,  August  14,  1862,  and  was  discharged  November  24.  1862. 

Milton  W.  Chapman  was  mustered  in  Company  D,  sixteenth  Maine 
Regiment,  August  14,  1862,  was  reported  absent,  sick,  in  1862,  1863,  1864, 
and  1865,  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  of  the  service.  He  has 
since  died. 


•272  HISTOBY   OF  BETHEL. 

Abial  Chandi.er,  Jr.,  was  mustered  iuto  the  Fourth  Maiue  Battery, 
December  21,  1861,  was  on  detached  service  as  Quartermaster  in  the 
Ambulance  corps,  and  was  mustered  out  at  the  expiration  of  three  years. 
He  resides  at  Bethel  Hill. 

Augustus  M.  Carter  was  mustered  as  Sergeant  in  the  Seventh  Maine 
Battery,  December  30,  1863,  and  was  mustered  out  as  such  with  the 
Battery,  June  21,  1865. 

Newell  Cook  was  mustered  in  Company  A,  Twelfth  Maine  Volunteers, 
November  24,  1861,  and  was  detailed  as  ambulance  driver.  He  served 
three  years. 

Alexander  Cross  was  mustered  in  Company  I.  Twelfth  Maine  Regi- 
ment, March  17,  1865.  and  was  mustered  out  with  the  regiment. 

John  8.  Chapman  was  mustered  as  Corporal  in  Company  H,  Thirteenth 
Maine  A'olunteers,  December  12,  1861 ;  was  promoted  to  Sergeant,  and 
subsequently  to  be  Captain  in  corps  d'Afrique.     He  died  in  Betliel. 

Albion  C.  Chapman  was  mustered  in  Company  H,  Thirteenth  Maine 
Eegiment,  December  12,  1861,  and  was  transferred  to  the  Thirtieth  Maine. 

DUSTIN  A.  Cook  was  mustered  into  Company  I,  Fifth  Maine  Volun- 
teers, June  24,  1861,  and  was  dropped  from  tlie  rolls  l)y  order  102. 

Sidney  T.  Cross  was  mustered  into  Compauj-  I,  Fifth  Maine  Vol- 
unteers, June  24,  1861.  and  was  discliarged  July  8,  following.  He 
re-enlisted  in  the  Ninth  ^Maine  \'oluuteers,  and  died  Octol)er  8th. 

Joseph  T.  Chapman  was  mustered  as  a  musician  in  Company  A, 
Twelfth  Maine  Volunteers,  November  15.  1861.  and  was  dropped  from  the 
rolls. 

John  Cooper  was  nuistered  in  Company  A.  Twelfth  Maine  lieginient 
November  15,  1861.     lie  re-enlisted,  was  promoted  Corporal  aud  Sergeant, 
and    was    wounded   October    lit.    1864.       He    was    discliarged   by    order, 
Septeml)er  18,  1865. 

Gardiner  W.  Dalkymim.k  was  mustered  in  Company  H.  Twenty-third 
Maine  Begiment,  Septemlu'i'  2'.i.  1862.  and  was  disdiarged  with  the  regi- 
ment, July  17,  1863. 

Levi  W.  Dolloff  was  mustert'd  in  Conii)any  I,  P'iftli  Maine  Volunteers, 
June  24,  1861,  was  promoted  Sergeant  and  died  at  Canq)  Franklin,  January 
16,  1862.     In  the  report  of  1862,  he  is  said  to  be  of  Gorham,  N.  H. 

James  Lyman  Pastes  was  nmstered  in  Company  C.  Twentieth  Maine 
lleghnent,  August  29,  1862,  and  died  at  Fairfax  Seminary  Hospital, 
iieptember  28,  following. 

Nathaniel  S.  Estes  was  nmstered  in  Company  C.  Twentieth  Maine 
Regiment.  August  29.  1862;  was  promoted  Corixnal  and  Sergeant,  absent 
sick,  and  discharged  by  order  94. 

Charles  Estes  was  mustered  as  Corporal  in  Company  C.  Twentieth 
Maine  Regiment ;  was  reported  absent,  sick,  in  December,  1862,  and  April 
4,  was  discharged,  having  been  reduced  to  the  ranks. 

David  A.  Edwards  was  mustered  as  Corporal  in  Company  I,  Fifth 
Maine  Volunteers,  June  24,  1861.  He  was  promoted  to  Sergeant,  served 
out  his  time,  re-enlisted  and  was  transferred  to  tlie  First  Maine  Veterans. 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  273 

Stephen  Estes,  Jr.,  vva^  mustered  in  Company  I,  Fifth  Maine  liegi- 
ment,  August  30,  1862,  and  was  discliarged  for  disability,  October  23d 
following.     He  went  west  and  died  there. 

Nathan  C.  Estes  was  mustered  into  Company  G,  Tenth  Maine  Volun- 
teers, November  27,  1861,  and  was  discharged  for  disability,  from  wounds 
received  in  battle,  December  11,  1862. 

James  M.  Evans  was  mustered  as  Corporal  in  Company  I,  Fifth  Elaine, 
June  24,  1861 ;  was  promoted  Sergeant,  and  reported  a  deserter  by  general 
order  92.     In  later  reports  he  is  said  to  be  of  Gorham,  N.  PI. 

Clark  S.  Edavards  was  mustered  as  Captain  of  Companjr  I,  Fifth  Maine 
Volunteers,  June  24,  1861,  his  rank  as  such  dating  from  May  4th;  he  was 
soon  promoted  to  Major;  to  Lieutenant  Colonel,  taking  rank  from  Sep- 
tember 24,  1862;  to  Colonel,  taking  rank  from  January  8,  1863.  He  was- 
mustered  out  with  the  regiment  at  the  expiration  of  its  term  of  service,. 
July  27,  18(>4,  with  the  rank  of  Brigadier  General  by  Brevet. 

Isaac  W.  Estes  enlisted  and  was  mustered  in  Companj- 1,  Fifth  Maine 
Volunteers,  June  24,  1861,  and  was  discharged  November  11,  following^ 
He  re-enlisted  in  Company  C,  Twentieth  Maine  Regiment,  August  29, 
1862,  was  promoted  Sergeant,  and  died  of  wounds  received  in  battle,  July 
14,  1863. 

Zenas  C.  Estes  was  mustered  into  Company  I,  Twelfth  Maine  Volun- 
teers, March  17,  1865,  and  was  mustered  out  with  the  reghnent. 

George  F.  Ellingwood  was  mustered  into  Company  G,  Thirteenth 
Maine  Volunteers,  December  31, 1861,  was  transferred  to  Company  H,  and 
was  reported  "deserted,"  February  16,  1862. 

Joshua  P.  Estes  was  mustered  in  Company  F,  Seventeenth  Maine  Reg- 
iment, August  18,  1862,  and  was  mustered  out  with  the  regiment,  June  4, 
1865. 

Sereno  p.  Farewell  was  nmstered  in  the  Fifth  ]Maine  Hatteiy, 
December  4,  1861,  as  Corporal,  and  was  soon  after  discharged. 

Edwin  Farrar  enlisted  in  Company  F,  First  Maine  Regiment,  May  3, 
1861,  and  was  mustered  out  with  the  regiment  at  the  end  of  three  months. 
He  re-enlisted  as  Corporal  in  Company  D,  Sixteenth  Maine  Volunteers,  and 
died  December  26,  1862,  from  wounds  received  at  the  battle  of  Fredericks- 
burg. 

John  M.  Freeman  was  mustered  as  Corporal  in  the  Fourth  Maine 
Battery,  December  21,  1861 ;  was  promoted  Sergeant  and  First  Sergeant, 
re-enlisted,  and  was  promoted  to  Second  and  First  Lieutenant.  He  was 
mustered  out  with  the  Battery,  June  17,  1865. 

Charles  W.  H.  Farewell  was  mustered  as  Corporal  in  the  Fifth 
Maine  Battery,  December  4,  1861 ;  he  was  discharged  early. 

Charles  H.  Freeman  was  mustered  into  Company  I,  Fifth  Maine  Vol- 
unteers, June  24,  1861,  as  drummer,  was  taken  prisoner  at  Bull  Run,  and 
discharged  for  disability  December  25,  1861.  He  was  only  fourteen  years 
of  age.  He  was  mustered  as  musician  in  Company  H,  Thirteenth  Maine 
Regiment,  January  23,  1861. 

Benjamin  Freeman  enlisted  in   Company  I,  Fifth  Maine  Volunteers, 

18 


274  HISTOliY   OF  BETHEL. 

and  was  appointed  Commissary  Sei'geant  of  tlie  Regiment ;  he  was  soon 
after  discharged.     He  died  in  1890. 

Nathan  S.  Freeman  was  mustered  in  Company  C,  Twentj'-third  Maine 
Regiment,  Septemher  29,  1862,  and  was  mustered  out  with  the  regiment, 
July  15,  1863. 

Leander  G.  Grover  was  mustered  in  Company  B,  Twenty-tliird  Maine 
Volunteers,  September  29,  1862,  and  was  mustered  out  witli  the  regiment. 
He  re-enlisted  as  Corporal  in  Company  G,  Tliirtieth  ]\[aine  Volunteers, 
December  25,  1863,  was  wounded  April  23,  1864,  and  discharged  February 
8,  1865. 

Henry  P.  Gates  was  mustered  in  the  Fourtli  Maine  Battery,  December 
21,  1861,  and  served  out  his  term  of  three  years. 

J.  Woodman  Gerrish  was  mustered  in  the  Seventh  Maine  Battery, 
December  30,  1863,  and  was  mustered  out  with  the  l)attery,  June  21.  1865. 

Hazen  W.  Grover  was  mustered  in  Company  G,  Twelftli  Maine  Volun- 
teers, November  15,  1861,  was  taken  prisoner  in  action,  Oetolier  19,  1864. 

William  L.  Grover  was  mustered  as  Sergeant  in  Company  B,  Twenty- 
third  Maine  Volunteers,  September  29,  1862,  and  was  mustered  out  with 
the  regiment,  July  15,  1863. 

Albert  W.  Grover  was  mustered  in  Company  B,  Twenty-third  Maine 
Regiment,  September  29,  1862,  and  was  mustered  out  with  the  regiment. 

ROBBiNS  B.  Grover  was  mustered  as  Sergeant  in  Company  H.  Tliii- 
teenth  Maine  Volunteers,  December  12,  1861,  was  promoted  Second  Lieu- 
tenant to  rank,  from  April  28,  1862,  was  transferred  to  the  Thirtietli 
Maine,  promoted  Captain  of  Company  H,  and  was  mustered  out  with  tlie 
regiment.     He  resides  in  Brockton,  Mass. 

Abernethy  Grover  was  mustered  into  service  as  Captain  of  Company 
H,  Thirteenth  Maine  Regiment,  December  13,  1861,  was  promoted  to  Major 
to  rank,  from  April  28,  1862,  and  was  mustered  out  with  tlie  regiment. 
He  went  west. 

Robert  B.  Goddard  was  mustered  in  Company  C,  Twentieth  Maine 
Volunteers,  August  29,  1862,  was  I'eported  sick  at  Fort  Schuyler  in  1863, 
and  as  a  deserter,  July  5,  1863. 

Elbribge  G.  Grover  was  mustered  as  Corporal  in  Company  A,  Twelfth 
Maine  Volunteers,  November  15,  1861 ;  in  1863,  he  was  reported  as 
detached  and  on  provost  duty,  and  in  1864,  he  was  mustered  out  with  the 
regiment. 

Simeon  Grover  was  mustered  as  a  recruit  in  Company  A,  Twelfth 
Maine  Regiment,  June  4,  1864  and  was  transferred  to  the  Twelfth  Maine 
Battalion. 

Edward  Goddard  was  mustered  as  Corpoi-al  in  Company  G,  Tenth 
Maine  Regiment,  October  4, 1861 ;  was  made  a  prisoner  at  Winchester,  and 
was  discharged  for  disability,  November  12,  1862.     Deceased. 

Frederic  O.  Gerrish  was  mustered  as  a  musician  in  Comi>any  A, 
Twelfth  Maine  Volunteers,  November  15,  1861,  and  was  dropped  from  the 
rolls. 

Adelbert  Grover  was  mustered  into  Company  A.  Twelfth  Maine  Reg- 


MAJOR    ABERNETHY    GROVER. 


HISTORY   OF   BETHEL.  275 

imeut,  Xoveml>er  lo,  1861 ;  lie  died  at  Ship  Island,  April  4.  1802. 

John  Grover,  Jr.,  was  mustered  in  Company  A,  Twelfth  .Maine 
Volunteers,  Xovember  15,  1861,  and  was  discharged  for  disal)ilitv.  IMarch 
20,  1863. 

James  P.  Holt  enlisted  and  was  mustered  in  the  Fifth  Maine  Battery, 
December  4,  1861 :  he  was  killed  at  Chancellorsville,  May  3,  1863. 

George  Holmes  was  mustered  into  the  Seventh  Maine  Battery,  Decem- 
ber 30,  1863,  and  was  discharged  for  disability,  June  20,  1864. 

Ensworth  T.  Harden  was  mustered  into  the  Seventh  :Maine  Battery, 
December  30,  1863,  and  was  discharged  for  disability,  January  2,  1864. 

Clement  S.  Heath  was  mustered  in  Company  I,  Fifth  Maine  Regiment. 
June  24,  1861,  and  was  discharged  August  3d,  following. 

George  P.  Hall  enlisted  as  a  musician,  and  was  mustered  into  Com- 
pany D,  Sixteentn  Maine  Volunteers,  August  14, 1862,  and  was  discharged 
with  the  regiment,  June  5,  1865. 

Austin  W.  Hobart  was  mustered  in  Company  D,  Sixteenth  Maine 
Kegimeut,  August  14,  1862,  was  taken  prisoner  August  19,  1864,  and  died 
December  14,  1864. 

George  E.  Howe  was  mustered  in  Company  B,  Twenty-third  Maine 
Regiment,  September  29,  1862,  and  was  mustered  out  with  the  regiment. 
He  re-enlisted  in  the  Seventh  Maine  Batterj-,  was  mustered  December  30, 
1863,  and  was  mustered  out  with  the  battery^  June  21,  1865.  Resides  in 
Montana. 

Gideon  A.  Hastings  was  mustered  as  Captain  of  Company  A,  Twelftli 
Maine  Regiment,  Xovember  15,  1861,  was  promoted  Major,  transferred  to 
Twelfth  Maine  Battalion,  and  mustered  out  April  18,  1866. 

Orlando  E.  Harden  was  mustered  in  Company  A,  Twelfth  Maine 
Volunteers,  January  1,  1864,  and  was  mustered  out  witli  the  regiment. 

George  W.  Harden  was  mustered  in  Company  A,  Twelfth  ^hiine 
Volunteers,  Xovember  28,  1863,  and  was  mustered  out  with  tlie  regiment. 
April  18,  1866. 

Francis  O.  Hall  was  mustered  in  Company  A,  Twelfth  Maine  Regi- 
ment, January  1,  1864,  and  was  dischai-ged  July  18,  1866. 

Sullivan  R.  Hutchins  was  mustered  into  Company  I,  Fifth  Maine 
Regiment,  as  Sergeant,  June  24,  1861,  and  was  discharged  August  3,  1861. 

JOSEI^H  B.  Hammond  was  mustered  into  Company  I,  Fifth  Maine  Regi- 
ment, June  24,  1861,  as  Sergeant,  and  was  discharged  September  22,  1861. 
He  was  commissioned  as  Lieutenant  of  Company  C,  Thirty-second  >hune 
Volunteers,  to  rank  from  July  22,  1864,  and  was  promoted  to  Captain  of 
Company  D  of  the  same  regiment.  This  regiment  was  consolidated  with 
the  Thirty-first  Maine,  December  1,  1864.     Resides  Xew  Gloucester. 

David  T.  Hodsdon  enlisted  in  Company  E,  Tenth  Maine  Volunteers, 
October  4,  1861,  and  was  mustered  out  with  the  reghuent.  May  8,  1863. 

Charles  W.  Howe  was  mustered  in  as  piivate  in  Company  I,  Twelfth 
Maine  Volunteers,  March  17,  1865,  and  was  discharged  by  order,  October 
14,  1865. 

CuviER  G.  Harden  was  mustered  in  Company  11,  Thirtecutb  Maine  Vol- 
unteers, December  12,  1861,  and  died  at  Ship  Island,  June  22,  1862. 


276  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

Abel  C.  T.  Hutchins  was  mustered  as  Corporal  in  Company  C,  Twen- 
tieth Regiment,  Maine  Volunteers,  August  29,  1862,  was  reported  sick  at 
Baltimore,  December  following,  was  reduced  to  the  ranks  and  discharged 
by  order  94. 

Stephen  E.  Howard  was  mustered  iu  Company  C,  Twentieth  Maine, 
August  29,  1862,  and  was  discharged  February  10,  following. 

Aarox  F.  Jackson  was  mustered  into  Company  I,  Fifth  Maine  Volun- 
teers, June  24,  1861,  and  died  at  Lincoln  Hospital,  January  4,  1862. 

Ithiel  H.  Kennerson  was  mustered  into  Company  D,  Fifth  Maine 
Volunteers,  June  24,  1861,  lost  an  arm  and  was  nuistered  out  in  1862. 

Moses  F.  Kimball  was  mustered  in  Company  A,  Twelfth  Maine  Volun- 
teers, November  15,  1861,  and  was  discharged  for  disability,  August  27, 
1862.  He  re-enlisted  iu  Company  B,  Thirty-second  Maine,  March  10, 1864, 
and  died  July  28,  following. 

David  C.  Fvennerson  was  mustered  in  Company  H,  Thirteenth  Maine 
Volunteers,  December  12,  1861,  and  died  at  Ship  Island,  June  18,  1862. 

GuSTAvrs  M.  Kimball  was  mustered  in  Company  C,  Twentieth  Maine 
Volunteers,  and  was  discharged  by  order,  June  8,  1865. 

Melville  C.  Kimball  was  mustered  as  Sergeant  in  the  Fourth  Maine 
Battery,  December  21,  1861;  he  was  promoted  to  Second  and  First 
Lieutenant,  and  was  discharged  for  disability,  December  21,  1864. 

James  Locke,  Jr,,  was  mustered  iu  the  Fifth  Maine  Battery,  December 
4,  1861,  and  was  discharged  December  15,  1862. 

.John  E.  Lai'IIAM  was  umstered  on  the  quota  of  Bethel  in  Company  I, 
Thirty-second  Maine  Volunteers,  Maj^  5,  1864.  He  was  wounded  Septem- 
ber 30,  1864,  at  the  fight  in  front  of  Petersburg,  near  Peebles  Farm,  was 
transferred  to  Company  I,  Thirty-first  INIaine,  and  then  to  the  Veteran 
Reserve  ( "orps. 

Abijah  LathA-AI  was  mustered  in  Comi)any  I,  Thirty-second  Maine  Vol- 
unteers, and  tlie  day  after  he  joinc^d  the  regiment,  near  tlie  North  Anna 
river,  he  was  accidentally  shot  by  a  comrade,  and  died  soon  after.  He 
was  standing  in  front  of  a  tent  when  a  comrade  came  out  of  the  tent, 
dragging  his  musket  by  the  muzzle.  From  some  cause  the  musket  was 
discharged,  and  the  ball  passed  through  young  Lapham's  body.  He  is 
incorrectly  reported  by  the  Adjutant  General's  as  "lulled  in  action.  May 
26th,  1864."'     He  w as  never  in  action. 

Amos  Eames  Lariiam  enlisted  as  wagoner  in  Company  D,  Fifth  Maine 
Regiment,  June  24,  1861 .  He  was  fatally  injured  by  being  crushed  beneath 
a  heavy  bar,  and  died  in  a  hospital  in  New  York,  tlate  unknown. 

Charles  Lapham  was  mustered  in  Company  G,  Tentli  Maine  Regiment, 
November  27,  1861,  and  was  nuistered  out  with  the  regiment.  May  8,  1863. 
He  re-enlisted  in  the  Seventh  Maine  Battery,  was  mustered  December  30, 
1863,  and  was  mustered  out  with  the  Battery,  June  21,  1865.  lie  resides 
in  Greenwood. 

Charles  A.  Locke  was  mustered  as  umsician  in  Company  D,  Sixteenth 
Maine  Regiment,  August  14,  1862,  and  was  musteretl  out  with  the 
regiment. 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  277 

Solon  H.  Mills  was  mustei-ed  iuto  Company  B,  ISTiuth  Maine  Volun- 
teers, September  22,  1861;  he  re-enlisted  January  1,  1864,  and  was  mus- 
tered out  with  the  regiment,  July  13,  1865.  After  his  re-enlistment  he 
was  a  musician. 

Francis  Mitchell  was  mustered  in  Company  A,  Twelfth  Maine  Vol- 
unteers, November  15,  1861,  and  was  discharged  to  join  the  Second  United 
States  Artillery. 

Edmund  Mekrill  was  mustered  in  Company  G,  Thirtieth  Maine 
Volunteers,  and  was  mustered  out  with  the  regiment. 

Samuel  H.  Merrill  was  mustered  in  Company  G,  Twelfth  Maine  Vol- 
unteers, February  19,  1864,  and  was  transferred  to  the  Twelfth  INhiine 
Battalion. 

Alonzo  I).  Morgan  was  mustered  as  private  in  Companj^  K,  Thirteenth 
Maine  Volunteers,  December  13,  1861,  and  was  discharged  by  order  of 
Major  Gardiner,  April  17,  1862. 

Sylvester  Mason  was  mustered  in  the  Seventh  Maine  Battery,  Decem- 
ber 30,  1863,  and  was  reported  absent  sick,  when  the  battery  was  mustered 
out,  June  21,  1865. 

John  Mason  was  mustered  in  the  Seventh  Maine  Battery,  Decemlier  30, 
1863,  and  was  mustered  out  with  the  battery,  .Tune  21,  1865. 

Oliver  Y.  Nutting  was  mustered  in  the  Fourth  Maine  Battery,  Jan- 
uary 14,  1862,  was  promoted  to  Corporal,  re-enlisted  and  was  mustered  out 
with  the  batterj  .     He  resides  at  Perham,  Aroostook  county. 

James  Nutting  was  mustered  in  C^ompany  H,  Tenth  Maine  Volunteers, 
August  21,  1862,  was  transferred  to  the  Tenth  Maine  Battalion  and  thence 
to  Company  G,  Twenty-ninth  Maine,  was  placed  on  detached  service  and 
remained  until  his  term  of  three  years  expired.  He  now  lives  at  Perham, 
Aroostook  county 

Reuben  H.  Penlev  was  mustered  in  Company  G,  Ninth  Maine  Volun- 
teers, September  21,  1861,  as  a  musician;  was  transferred  to  Company  H, 
and  then  to  Company  I  of  the  same  regiment ;  he  was  discharged  for  disa- 
bility. May  10,  1863.  He  re-enlisted  as  musician  in  Company  G,  Thirti(>tli 
Maine,  was  reduced  to  the  ranks,  and  was  mustered  out  with  the  regiment . 

Charles  F.  Penlev  was  mustered  in  Company  C,  Seventeenth  iSlaine 
Volunteers,  August  18, 1862,  wounded  May  5, 1864,  was  promoted  Coi-poral 
and  was  mustered  out  with  the  regiment,  June  4,  1865. 

Le\vis  Powers  was  mustered  in  Company  I,  Thirty-second  Maine  Vol- 
unteers, May  5,  1864,  and  died  in  Washington,  July  10,  1S64. 

George  W.  Peabodv  was  mustei-ed  into  Company  B,  Thirty-second 
Maine  Volunteers,  was  transferred  to  Company  B,  Thii-ty-tirst  iNIaine,  and 
was  mustered  out  ^^•ith  that  regiment. 

Spencer  T.  Peabody  was  mustered  in  Company  I,  Fifth  Maine  \'oliin- 
teers,  June  24,  1861 ;  he  was  promoted  to  Corporal  and  Sergeant,  and  was 
taken  prisoner,  December  14,  1863.  He  is  sometimes  recorded  as  "Thomas 
S.  Peabody,"  and  sometimes  as  "T.  Spencer  Peabody.""  He  is  also  in 
some  reports  accredited  to  Gilead. 

Lowell  B.  Pratt  was  mustered  in  Company  I,  Fifth  Maine  Volunteers, 


278  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

Juue  24,  1861,  aud  was  discharged  for  disability,  October  4,  1863. 

Charles  H.  Putnam  was  mustered  in  Company  D,  Sixteenth  Maine 
Volunteers,  was  promoted  Corporal,  taken  prisoner  July  1,  1863,  and  died 
at  Richmond,  Va.,  Xovember  24,  1863. 

Stephen  S.  Robertson  was  mustered  in  Company  D,  Sixteenth  Maine 
Regiment,  September  15,  1863,  aud  was  transferred  to  Company  1  of  the 
Twentieth  Maine,  was  taken  prisoner  and  parolled.  He  was  mustered  out 
with  the  regiment. 

AuRELius  A.  Robertson  was  mustered  as  Corporal  in  Company  I,  Sev- 
enteenth Maine  Regiment,  August  18,  1862,  was  wounded  July  2,  1863,  at 
Gettysbui-g,  and  died  July  5th  following. 

ASBURY  T.  ROWE  was  mustered  in  Company  B,  Twenty-third  Maine 
Volunteers,  September  29, 1862,  was  promoted  Corporal,  aud  was  mustered 
out  with  the  regiment,  July  15,  1863. 

William  Richardson  was  mustered  in  Company  A,  Twelfth  Maine 
Volunteers,  November  15, 1861,  and  was  discharged  for  disabihty,  July  17, 
1862. 

Charles  B.  Ryerson  was  mustered  in  Company  B,  Twelfth  Maine 
Regiment.  Xovember  20.  1861,  and  was  subsequently  transferred  to 
Company  A,  and  was  discharged  for  disability  in  1863. 

Albeht  B.  Richardson  was  mustered  into  Company  H,  Thirteenth 
Maine  Volunteers,  Fel>ruary  29,  1864,  and  was  transferred  to  the  Thirtieth 
Maine,  and  was  mustered  out  with  that  regiment. 

Ceylon  Russell  was  mustered  in  Company  D,  Sixteenth  Maine  Regi- 
ment, August  14,  1862,  was  reported  absent,  sick,  in  1862  and  1863,  aud 
was  transferred  to  the  Invalid  corjjs,  Xovember  15,  1863. 

Solon  Robertson  enlisted  in  Conii)any  0,  First  Maine  Regiment,  ^fay 
3,  1861,  and  was  nuistered  out  witli  tlic  regiment  at  the  end  of  three 
mouths. 

Nelson  Rice  was  mustered  in  Company  I,  Fifth  Maine  Regiment.  June 
24,  1861,  and  was  transferred  to  gun-ljoat  service. 

Washington  B.  Robertson  was  nuistered  iu  ('omi)any  I,  Fifth  Maine 
Regiment,  was  captured  at  Bull  Run,  and  was  i-eported  a  deserter  by  vir- 
tue of  general  order  92;  he  was  also  reported  discharged  Sept.  12,  1862. 

liORENZO  D.  Russell  was  mustered  in  Company  I,  Fifth  Maine  Regi- 
ment, June  24,  1861,  and  served  out  his  full  term. 

Frank  Roavell  was  mustered  in  Company  G,  Thirtieth  Maine  Volun- 
teers, December  28,  1863,  and  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out,  was 
reported  sick  in  hospital. 

O'Xeil  W.  Robinson  was  nmstered  as  Captain  of  the  Fourth  Maine 
Battery,  Decend)er  21,  1861;  he  was  promoted  Major  and  died  July  17, 
1863,  at  his  father's  house  in  Waterford. 

Solon  Robertson  was  mustered  as  Corporal  iu  the  Fourth  Maine 
Battery,  December  21,  1861,  and  was  discharged  March  18,  1863. 

Orson  H.  Sawtelle  was  mustered  on  the  quota  of  Bethel,  in  Company 
G,  Thirtieth  Maine  Volunteers,  December  28,  1863,  and  was  mustered  out 
with  the  reginuMit. 


HIsrOE'L   OF  BETHEL.  279 

Joseph  H.  Skillings  was  mustered  in  Company  G,  Thirtieth  Maine 
Regiment,  June  20,  1864,  and  died  December  6,  following. 

OSMYN  Smith  was  mustered  in  the  Fourth  Maine  Battery,  Fe])ruary  12, 
1862,  and  was  discharged  for  disability,  March  17,  1863. 

Edavard  p.  Stearxs  was  mustered  into  Company  G,  First  Maine  Regi- 
ment, May  3,  1861,  and  was  mustered  out  with  the  regiment  at  the  end  of 
three  months.  He  was  mustered  as  Corporal  in  the  Fifth  Maine  Battery, 
December  4,  1861,  re-enlisted,  and  was  appointed  wagoner,  and  was  nms- 
tered  out  with  the  battery. 

Cyrus  Swift  enlisted  in  Company  H,  Thirteenth  Maine  Volunteers,  and 
died  at  Fort  St.  Phillip,  La.,  August  28, 1862.  He  formerly  lived  at  South 
Bethel. 

John  Mason  Swift  was  mustered  in  Company  I,  Fifth  Maine  Volun- 
teers, Xovember  9,  1861 ;  he  was  reported  a  deserter  b_v  virtue  of  order  92, 
was  subsequently  restored  to  the  rolls  and  discharged  for  disability.  He 
went  west. 

Edward  X.  Stow^eel  was  nuistered  into  Company  I,  Twelfth  Maine 
Volunteers,  and  was  mustered  out  with  the  regiment.  He  had  previously 
been  in  the  18th  uuassigned  company. 

Marcis  E.  Swan  was  mustered  in  Company  C,  Twentieth  Maine  Vol- 
unteers, August  29,  1862,  was  reported  sick  at  West  Philadelphia  in  1863, 
and  was  discharged  for  disability,  March  3,  1863. 

Charles  P.  Stearns  was  mustered  into  Company  G,  First  Maine  Regi- 
ment, May  3,  1861,  and  was  mustered  out  with  the  regiment  at  the  end  of 
three  months. 

Edward  G.  Sturgis  was  mustered  into  Company  I,  Fifth  Maine  Regi- 
ment, Xovember  13,  1861,  and  was  killed  in  battle.  May  3,  1863. 

Daniel  W.  Scribner  was  mustered  into  Company  I,  Fifth  Maine  Vol- 
unteers, as  First  Sei'geant,  June  24,  1861.  He  was  reported  a  deserter,  re- 
duced to  the  ranks,  returned,  and  was  detailed  on  gun  boat  service.  He 
resides  in  Portland.     In  some  reports  he  is  not  accredited  to  Bethel. 

Simeon  "\V.  Sanborn  was  mustered  into  Company  I,  Fifth  Maine  Volun- 
teers as  Sergeant,  June  24,  1861 ;  he  was  promoted  to  First  Sergeant,  and 
to  Second  Lieutenant  to  rauk  from  February  5,  1862;  was  dropped  from 
the  rolls  by  order  163,  restored  and  discharged  for  disability. 

Daniel  M.  Stearns  was  mustered  into  Compaay  I,  Fifth  Maine  Volun- 
teers, January  4,  1862;  he  was  wounded  May  3,  1863,  and  was  transfei-red 
to  the  First  Maine  Veterans. 

Jerome  O.  Sanborn  was  mustered  in  Company  E,  Tenth  Maine  Regi- 
ment, October  4,  1861,  was  wounded  September  7,  1862,  at  Ihi'  liattle  of 
xVntietam,  lost  a  leg,  and  was  dischiirged  3[arcli  23,  1863. 

George  W.  Smith  was  mustered  into  Company  A,  Tw(>iftli  Maine 
Volunteers,  Xovember  15,  1861,  and  deserted  December  11,  following. 

Martin  A.  Stowell  was  mustered  in  Company  I,  Twelfth  ISIaine  Kegi- 
meut,  and  was  discharged  by  order,  March  23,  1866. 

Wainsburv  B.  Seavev  was  mustered  in  Company  1.  Twclt'tli  Maine 
Volunteers,  and  was  discharged  with  the  regiment. 


280  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

Austin  F.  Twitchell  enlisted  iu  the  Fourth  Maine  Battery  and  was 
mustered  January  14,  1862.  In  Deceml)er,  he  was  reported  sick  iu  hos- 
pital, and  was  discharged  January  7,  1863.  He  re-enlisted  in  the  Seventh 
Maine  Battery,  was  mustered  December  30,  1863,  and  was  mustered  out 
with  the  battery.     He  resides  in  Portland. 

Albekt  S.  Twitchell  was  mustered  as  Quartermaster's  Sergeant  in  the 
Seventh  Maine  Battery,  ou  account  of  disalnlity  returned  to  the  ranks,  and 
was  mustered  out  with  the  regiment.  June  21, 1865.  He  resides  at  Gorham, 
N.  H. 

"William  T>.  Twitchell  was  musteied  in  the  Seventh  Maine  Battery, 
January  29,  1864,  and  was  mustered  out  with  the  l)attery.  He  died  soon 
after  from  disability  incurred  in  the  service. 

Adelbert  B.  Tavitchell  was  mustered  in  Company  I,  Fifth  Maine 
Volunteers,  June  24,  1861,  and  was  appointed  Quartermaster  Sergeant  of 
the  Kegimeut.  He  was  transferred  to  the  Fifth  Maine  Battery,  was  pro- 
moted to  be  Second  and  First  Lieutenant;  was  wounded  in  the  battle  at 
Chancellorsville:  resigned  to  accept  the  Captaincy  of  the  Seventh  Maine 
Battery,  into  which  he  was  mustered  December  29,  1863:  was  mustei-ed 
out  with  the  battei-y  June  21, 1865,  as  Brevet  Major.  l)y  reason  of  the  close 
of  the  war.     He  resides  in  Newark,  N.  J. 

OZMON  F.  Twitchell  enlisted  in  the  18th  unassigned  company,  ^larch 
17,  1865,  and  was  assigned  to  Company  I.  Twelfth  Maine  Volunteers. 

Alfred  M.  Trie  was  mustered  into  United  States  service  in  Company 
G,  First  Maine  Regiment,  and  was  nuistered  out  with  the  regiment  at  the 
end  of  its  term  of  three  months.  He  re-enlisted  in  Company  A,  Twelfth 
Maine  Volunteers,  and  was  mustered  November  15,  1861,  as  Corporal,  was 
promoted  Sergeant,  re-enlisted,  was  transferred  to  Company  A,  Twelfth 
Maine  Battalion,  as  Sergeant,  and  was  mustered  out  April  18,  1866. 

FORUVCE  r.  Twitchell  was  mustered  iu  Company  D.  Sixteenth  Maine 
Regiment,  August  14,  1862,  and  was  detailed  as  hospital  inirse.  He  was 
subsequently  promoted  to  Corporal  and  Sergeant,  and  was  mustered  out 
with  the  regiment,  June  5,  1865. 

Charles  J.  Twitchell  was  mustered  in  Company  B,  Twenty-third 
Maine  Volunteers,  September  29,  1S62.  and  died  at  Oftufs  Cross  Roads, 
December  20,  1862. 

Hexry  Vaillancoikt  enlisted,  and  was  nuistered  in  Company  I,  Fifth 
Maine  Volunteers,  June  24,  1861,  and  was  discharged  June  27.  following, 
he  being  a  British  subject. 

John  B.  Walker  was  mustered  as  First  T/ieutenaut  of  Company  I,  Fifth 
Maine  Volunteers,  June  24, 1861 ;  he  was  promoted  to  Captain  to  rank  from 
July  1,  1862,  and  was  discharged  for  disability,  June  18,  1863.  He  went 
west  and  died. 

MiLO  C.  Walker  was  nuistered  in  Company  I,  Fifth  Maine  Volunteers, 
June  24,  1861,  and  was  reported  a  deserter  by  virtue  of  oi-der  number  162. 

John  S.  Wormell  was  mustered  in  Company  I,  Fifth  Maine  Regiment, 
June  24,  1861,  and  was  reported  a  deserter  by  virtue  of  order  92. 

Cyrus  M.  Wormell  was  mustered  as  Second  Lieutenant  of  Comi)any  L 


HIS  TOBY  OF  BETHEL.  281 

Fifth  Maine  Volunteer.*,  June  24,  1861,  and  resigned  February  15.  1862. 

E.  Mellen  Wight  was  mustered  as  First  Lieutenant  in  Company  IJ, 
Twenty-third  Maine  Volunteers,  September  29,  1862,  and  was  discliarged 
December  17,  following.     He  died  at  Chattanooga. 

Jarvis  S.  Wight  was  mustered  as  Corporal  in  Company  B,  Twenty- 
third  Maine  Volunteers,  was  promoted  Sergeant  and  was  mustered  out 
with  the  regiment,  July  15,  186.3. 

Haklan  p.  Wheeler  was  mustered  in  Company  B,  Twenty-third  Maine 
Volunteers,  was  promoted  Corporal  and  mustered  out  with  tlie  reghnent. 

Cornelius  M.  York  was  mustered  In  Company  I,  Fiftli  ]Maine  Kegi- 
ment,  December  4,  1861,  and  \\as  discliarged  for  disability.  August  23, 
1862. 

Aurelius  L.  Young  was  mustered  in  Company  I.  T\\elftli  Maine 
Volunteers,  and  was  mustered  out  witli  tlie  regiment. 

George  H.  Young  was  mustered  as  Corporal  in  Company  11.  Thirteenth 
Maine  Regiment,  and  was  transferred  to  the  Tliirtietli  ]Maine  Vohuiteei's. 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 


V^'4^1  Educational    Matters. 

iC^y  HEN  the  first  school  was  opened  iu  Sudbury  Canada  plauta- 
f^^  ^^on,  caunot  be  stated  with  any  degree  of  confidence. 
^^^  There  were  no  public  schools  until  some  time  after  the 
plantation  became  a  town,  but  iu  the  west  parish  aud  quite  likely  iu 
the  east,  private  schools  were  taught  quite  early.  It  is  knowu  that 
in  seventeen  hundred  and  eightj'-eight  a  private  school  was  taught 
in  the  west  parish  by  Mr.  John  Mason.  About  this  time,  a  log 
school  house  was  built  near  the  junction  of  the  Mill  Brook  road  with 
the  river  road,  not  far  from  where  the  steam  mill  was  afterwards 
built.  It  was  a  rude  structure,  badly  lighted,  and  the  seats  were 
benches  made  of  slabs.  Rev  Eliphaz  Chapman  taught  in  this  house 
in  seventeen  hundred  and  ninety-two,  and  during  the  following  sum- 
mer, the  teacher  was  Sally,  daughter  of  Rev.  William  Fessenden  of 
Fryeburg.  The  next  teacher  was  Abigail  Warren  of  Waterford, 
then  Hannah  Chapman,  Dr.  John  Brickett  and  David  Cotiin.  Rev. 
Caleb  Bradley,  who  was  here  as  a  possible  candidate  for  settlement, 
in  seventeen  hundred  and  ninety-eight,  taught  school  in  the  house 
of  Lieutenant  Jonathan  Clark  and  had  twenty  pupils.     This  house 


282  HISTOUY  OF  BETHEL. 

was  long  occupied  by  Rev.  Charles  Frost  and  is  still  standing,  the 
oldest  house  in  the  west  parish.  In  the  lower  parish  the  terms  of 
school  were  few  and  far  between,  and  were  taught  in  private  houses. 
Abigail  Warren  taught  there  in  seventeen  hundred  and  ninety-nine. 

In  seventeen  hundred  and  ninety-eight,  there  was  provision  made 
for  the  erection  of  three  school  houses,  one  for  the  east  parish,  to  be 
near  the  house  of  Thaddeus  Bartlett,  one  for  the  center  of  the  town, 
to  be  located  at  Middle  Interval,  and  the  one  for  the  west  parish,  to 
be  near  John  Stearns'  barn,  or  near  Barker's  Ferry.  This  house 
was  moved  to  Bethel  in  three  years.  This  year,  also,  a  school  com- 
mittee of  seven  was  chosen,  Nathaniel  Segar,  Jonathan  Bartlett, 
Amos  Gage,  Eleazer  Twitchell,  Amos  Hastings,  Josiah  Bean  and 
Walter  Mason.  The  first  money  raised  for  schools  was  in  eighteen 
hundred,  when  one  hundred  dollars  were  appropriated  for  summer 
and  the  same  amount  for  winter  schools.  In  seventeen  hundred  and 
ninety-nine,  Rev.  Daniel  Gould  was  settled  over  the  Congregational 
church  at  Bethel  Hill,  and  soon  after  opened  a  boarding  school  on 
the  farm  he  then  occupied,  now  the  Doctor  Wiley  place.  His  suc- 
cess was  marked,  and  no  doubt  this  early  school  and  his  other  efforts 
in  the  same  direction,  had  mucii  to  do  in  giving  character  to  the 
town.  He  was  a  profound  scholar,  an  accomplished  teacher  and  a 
devoted  friend  of  popular  education.  He  took  great  interest  in  the 
early  schools  of  the  town,  visited  them  often,  encouraged  the  teach- 
ers in  their  good  work,  and  attached  the  pupils  to  himself  by  words 
of  advice  and  encouragement.  His  Bethel  pupils  have,  one  b}'  one, 
either  preceded  or  followed  him  through  the  dark  portals  of  the 
tomb,  but  his  memory  will  be  fragrant  in  this  town  so  long  as  the 
bell  of  Gould's  Academy  shall  be  heard,  calling  its  pupils  together 
for  study  and  for  recitation.  Some  of  his  early  Bethel  pupils  be- 
came distinguished  men  and  women.  The  amount  raised  by  the 
town  for  schools  was  gradually  increased,  and  in  a  short  time  with 
interest  on  the  school  fund  added,  amounted  to  a  respectable  sum. 

In  eighteen  hundred  and  three,  a  committee  was  appointed  to 
divide  the  town  into  school  districts,  and  at  a  subsequent  meeting 
the  committee  reported.  The  report  which  was  accepted,  divided 
the  town  into  six  school  districts,  each  district  extending  from  the 
south  to  the  north  line  of  the  town,  and  numbered  from  the  most 
easterly  district.  This  division  was  subject  to  many  inconveniences, 
but  the  town  was  sparsely  settled,  and  perhaps  it  was  the  best  that 
could  be  made  under  the  circumstances.     Each  district  was  divided 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  283 

by  the  great  river,  and  the  ouly  means  for  crossing  it  in  summer  was 
by  boats.  This  re-districting  called  for  three  additional  school 
houses,  which  were  erected  by  the  districts  with  a  little  aid  in  some 
cases  by  the  town.  As  the  population  increased,  the  school  dis- 
tricts were  divided,  the  river  being  made  the  dividing  line  until 
several  new  districts  were  formed.  In  eighteen  hundred  and  twenty- 
five,  Bethel  had  fourteen  school  houses,  six  hundred  pupils,  and  over 
five  hundred  dollars  were  expended  for  schools.  In  eighteen  hun- 
dred and  forty,  the  town  was  divided  into  twenty-four  school  dis- 
tricts, and  there  has  been  no  regular  re-districting  since  that  time. 
Some  districts  have  since  been  divided,  thereby  increasing  the  num- 
ber, but  the  numbering  made  in  eighteen  hundred  and  forty,  so  far 
as  it  goes,  is  still  in  force. 

Through  the  instrumentality  of  Gould's  Academy,  Bethel  has  sent 
out  a  large  number  of  trained  teachers,  who  have  performed  excel- 
lent service  in  the  cause  of  education.  The  town  has  not  only  been 
able  to  supply  its  own  schools  from  its  native  born  teachers,  but  it 
has  furnished  teachers  for  schools  of  every  grade,  not  only  in  this, 
but  in  many  other  States  of  the  Union.  Many  have  done  missionary 
and  educational  work  in  the  South,  and  some  who  were  there  at  the 
breaking  out  of  the  war  of  the  rebellion,  found  it  difficult  to  get 
away,  and  more  difficult  to  remain  with  any  degree  of  safety. 
Many  of  the  new  states  of  the  west  have  had  the  benefit  of  Bethel 
trained  teachers,  and  there  is  hardly  any  State  where  they  are  not 
found.  The  clergymen  of  Bethel,  following  the  example  of  Parson 
Gould,  have  ever  manifested  a  deep  interest  in  the  success  of  the 
common  schools  of  the  town,  and  have  had  much  to  do  with  their 
management.  Notably  among  them,  may  be  mentioned  Rev. 
Charles  Frost,  Rev.  David  Garland,  Rev.  John  H.  M.  Leiand,  Rev. 
Benjamin  Donham,  Rev.  Arthur  Drinkwater  and  Rev.  Absalom  G. 
Gaines.  Mr.  Donham,  besides  attending  to  his  parochial  duties, 
taught  school  nearly  every  winter  while  he  remained  here.  Mr. 
Garland  was  indefatigable  in  his  efforts  to  elevate  the  character  of 
the  common  schools,  and  the  scholarly  attainments  of  Mr.  Gaines, 
with  his  long  experience  in  teaching,  admirably  fitted  him  for  the 
duties  of  superintending  school  committee.  But  few  of  the  early 
Bethel  school  houses  are  left.  Some  have  been  burned,  but  most  of 
them  have  been  torn  down  and  given  place  to  more  convenient  and 
more  imposing  structures.  The  little  school  house  on  the  Bird  Hill, 
where  the  writer  hereof  first  attended   school,  and  where  he  first 


284  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

taught,  is  still  standing  and  still  serving  the  district  in  the  purpose 
for  which  it  was  erected. 

A  High  school  was  established  at  Bethel  Hill  in  eighteen  hundred 
and  thirty-five.  The  people  had  long  felt  the  need  of  an  institution 
of  this  kind.  Many  young  men  and  women,  feeling  the  need  of  a 
better  education  than  could  be  obtained  at  the  common  school,  had 
attended  the  academies  at  Fryeburg,  Bridgton,  Hebron  and  else- 
where, and  there  seemed  to  be  no  reason  why  a  part  of  the  expense 
could  not  be  saved  by  establishing  a  school  at  home,  where  aspirants 
for  a  higher  education  and  those  wishing  to  prepare  for  college  could 
attend.  An  organization  was  effected  by  the  choice  of  Robbins 
Brown,  President ;  William  Frye,  Secretary  ;  Robert  A.  Chapman, 
Treasurer,  and  Charles  Frost,  Jedediah  Burbank,  John  Hastings, 
Jonathan  A.  Russell,  Jesse  Cross,  John  Harris,  Ebenezer  EUing- 
wood,  Joseph  Sanborn,  James  Walker  and  Timoth}^  Chapman, 
Trustees.  Nathaniel  T.  True  was  engaged  as  Principal  and  John 
P.  Davis,  Assistant.  The  school  commenced  in  the  old  school 
house,  with  thirty-five  pupils,  and  was  highly  prosperous.  The 
school  house  was  found  inadequate  for  the  increasing  number  of 
scholars,  and  in  a  short  time  it  was  moved  to  the  ell  of  the  Bethel 
House.  There  were  eighty-five  pupils  the  first  year,  and  one  hun- 
dred and  twentj'-three  the  second.  Among  those  in  attendance  were 
the  following  who  subsequently  became  professionally  or  otherwise, 
more  or  less  distinguished  :  Dr.  Zenas  W.  Bartlett,  Moses  B.  Bart- 
lett,  Rev.  Ezekiel  AV.  Coffin,  Hon.  eJohn  P.  Davis,  Dr.  James  H.  P. 
Frost,  Major  Abernethy  Grover,  Prof.  Talleyrand  Grover,  Major 
O'Neil  W.  Robinson,  Dr.  Almon  Twitchell,'Rev.  Addison  A])bot, 
Dr.  Samuel  B.  Twitchell,  Dr.  Lawson  A.  Allen,  Augustus  J.  Bur- 
bank,  Capt.  Gideon  A.  Hastings,  Major  David  R.  Hastings,  Dr. 
Moses  lugalls,  Hon.  Lafaj^ette  Grover,  Gen.  Wm.  K.  Kimball,  Eli 
Wight,  Robert  I.  Burbank,  Dr.  John  E.  L.  Kimball,  Rev.  Welling- 
ton Newell,  Rev.  John  G.  Pingree,  Dr.  Wm.  Williamson,  Rev. 
Javan  K.  Mason,  Hiram  EUingwood  and  Dr.  Hiram  Bartlett. 

In  eighteen  hundred  and  thirty-six,  the  trustees  of  the  High 
school  petitioned  the  Legislature  for  an  act  of  incorporation  as 
Bethel  Academy.  The.  corporators  were  John  Grover,  Moses 
Mason,  Wm.  Frye,  Charles  Frost,  Jedediah  Burbank,  John  Has- 
tings, Stephen  Emerj',  Barbour  Bartlett,  James  Walker,  Levi  Whit- 
man, Robbins  Brown,  Valentine  Little,  George  W,  Chapman, 
Timothy  Carter,  Phineas  Frost,  Timothy  Hastings  and  Robert  A. 


GOULD'S  ACADEMY,    I860. 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  285 

Chapman.  The  academy  building  was  erected  daring  that  season, 
on  the  spot  where  the  present  academy  stands.  The  corporators 
chose  Dr.  Timothy  Carter,  President,  Dr.  John  Grover,  Vice  Presi- 
dent, and  William  Frye,  Secretary.  The  teacher  of  the  high  school, 
Mr.  True,  was  now  engaged  in  the  study  of  the  medical  profession, 
and  Isaac  Randall  of  Dixfield  was  chosen  Preceptor  of  the  new 
Academy,  and  continued  in  that  capacity  for  about  two  years. 
After  that,  for  some  years,  changes  were  frequent,  as  the  school  was 
in  charge  of  those  who  were  preparing  for  professional  life,  and 
teaching  was  only  a  means  to  that  end.  William  R.  Chapman 
taught  one  term  in  eighteen  hundred  and  thirty-eight,  and  Joseph 
Hill  the  rest  of  the  year.  Charles  M.  Blake  taught  in  eighteen  hun- 
dred and  thirty-nine,  Calvin  Chamberlain  the  following  year.  Moses 
Soule  had  charge  of  the  school  three  years  and  became  a  profes- 
sional teacher.  Moses  B.  Bartlett  and  Abernethy  Grover  had 
charge  in  eighteen  hundred  and  forty-two,  David  R.  Hastings  and 
Talleyrand  Grover  in  eighteen  hundred  and  forty-four,  Joseph 
Pickard  in  eighteen  hundred  and  forty-six,  William  C.  Hurd  in 
eighteen  hundred  and  forty-seven.  In  eighteen  hundred  and  forty- 
eight,  came  Dr.  Nathaniel  T.  True,  who,  since  he  taught  the  Bethel 
High  school,  had  graduated  in  medicine  and  practiced  his  profession 
for  a  time,  but  not  liking  it,  had  determined  to  return  to  his  first 
love.  He  continued  in  charge  for  thirteen  years,  and  this  was  the 
golden  era  in  the  history  of  the  school.  The  building  was  often 
packed  with  scholars  and  some  had  to  be  turned  away  for  lack  of 
room . 

In  eighteen  hundred  and  forty-two,  Rev.  Daniel  Gould,  failing  to 
awaken  an  interest  in  the  cause  of  higher  education  in  Rumford, 
proposed  to  make  a  bequest  to  the  academy,  provided  they  would 
change  the  name.  The  trustees  voted  to  accept  the  legacy  with  the 
conditions  attached,  and  a  petition  to  the  Legislature  caused  the 
institution  to  be  called  Gould's  Academy  in  Bethel.  About  eight 
hundred  dollars  were  realized  from  this  bequest.  In  eighteen  hun- 
dred and  fifty,  the  Legislature  granted  a  half  township  of  laud, 
which  the  trustees  sold  for  twenty-five  hundred  dollars.  These  two 
sums  constituted  the  permanent  funds  of  the  institution.  C^iite 
earLy  in  the  fifties,  the  interior  of  the  academy  was  changed  by  a 
rearrangement  of  the  seats,  and  in  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-nine, 
the  building  was  enlarged  by  the  addition  of  eighteen  feet  to  the 
rear.     In  eighteen  hundred  and  eighty-one,  the  old  academy  was 


286  HISTORY    OF  BETHEL. 

removed  and  a  new  one,  much  larger,  and  with  important  improve- 
ments, was  erected  on  tlie  spot.  It  was  completed  the  following 
year,  and  the  citizens  of  Bethel  contributed  over  twelve  hundred 
dollars  to  aid  in  furnishing  it. 

In  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty-five,  Dr.  John  Grover  gave  to  the 
trustees,  the  sum  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  dollars,  which  he  subse- 
quently increased  to  two  hundred  dollars,  the  interest  of  which  only, 
can  be  spent  for  chemical  and  philosophical  apparatus.  The  Gould 
and  Grover  funds  are  both  perpetual,  the  interest  only  being  permitted 
to  be  used.  The  funds  accruing  from  the  sale  of  the  land  donated 
by  the  State  can  be  used  for  an}'  purpose  connected  with  the 
Academy. 

In  eighteen  hundred  and  ninety,  there  was  serious  talk  of  chang- 
ing to  the  High  School  system,  and  the  trustees  took  a  vote  to  that 
effect,  but  there  were  many  who  desired  the  continuance  of  the 
Academy  plan,  and  on  application  to  the  Legislature,  an  annuity  of 
eight  hundred  dollars  to  be  continued  for  ten  years  was  granted, 
and  Gould's  Academy  in  Bethel  is  still  the  corporate  name  of  the 
school,  and  likel}'  to  continue  so. 

The  following  persons  have  served  as  Presidents  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees  : 

Dr.  Timothy  Carter,  May  2,  1836,  to  August  29,  1837. 

Dr.  .John  Grover,  August  29,  1837,  to  December  23,  1853. 

Dr.  Moses  INIason,  December  23,  1853,  to  November  6,  1866. 

Gilman  Chapman,  November  6,  1866,  to  the  time  of  his  death. 

Gideon  A.  Hastings,  to  the  present  time. 

The  following  persons  have  served  as  Secretaries  of  the  corpora- 
tion : 

Hon.  William  Frye,  May  2,  1836,  to  February  22,  1854. 

Hon.  Robert  A.  Chapman,  February  2,  1854,  to  February  10, 
1858. 

Richard  A.  Frye,  February  10,  1858,  to  1878. 

Enoch  Foster,  from  1879  to  1885. 

Goodwin  R.  Wiley,  from  1885,  to  the  present  time. 

The  list  of  trustees  of  the  academy  since  its  incorporation,  is  as 
follows  : 

Rev.  Charles  Frost,  James  Burbauk, 

Gilman  Chapman,  Phineas  Frost. 


HTSrORY   OF  BETHEL. 


•2S7 


Ebeuezer  frames, 
Peter  C.  Virgin, 
Alvan  Bolster, 
Eliphalet  Hopkins, 
Rev.  Edwin  A.  Buck, 
Rev.  Charles  Soiile, 
Eber  Clough, 
Oeorge  W,  Chapman, 
Gideon  A.  Hastings, 
Rev.  Absalom  G.  Gaines, 
Abefnethy  Grover, 
Dr.  George  Collins, 
Moses  C.  Foster, 
Moses  T.  Cross, 
Charles  P.  Knight, 
Ceylon  Rowe, 
Wm.  E.  Skillings, 
J.  U.  Puriugton, 
A.  W.  Grover, 
A.  PL  Herrick, 
Robbins  Brown, 
Elbridge  Gerry, 
James  Walker, 


Leonard  Grover, 

Timoth}'  Hastings, 

Alphin  Twitchell, 

Rev.  John  H.  M.  Leland, 

O'Neil  W.  Robinson,  Jr. 

Rev.  David  Garland, 

Albert  L.  Burbank, 

Rev.  John  B.  Wheelwright, 

David  Hammous, 

David  F.  Brown, 

Richard  A.  Frye, 

Rev.  Eugene  A.  Titus, 

Enoch  Foster, 

Abner  Davis, 

Samuel  D.  Philbrook, 

Samuel  B.  Twitchell, 

A.  W.  Valentine, 

Gilman  P.  Bean, 

H.  W.  Johnson, 

John  M.  Philbrook, 

Charles  Mason, 

George  H.  Brown. 


Since  Dr.  Nathaniel  T.  True  left  the  Academy  in  eighteen  liun- 
dred  and  sixty-one.  Principals  have  been  employed  as  follows  : 

Wellington  R.  Cross,  fall  of  1.^61,  to  summer  of  1862, 
E.  P.  Morse,  fall  of  1862. 

Merritt  C.  Fernald,  spring  of  1863,  to  summer,  1864. 
Benj.  P.  Snow,  fall  of  1864,  to  winter  of  1865. 
Wm.  P.  Young,  spring  of  1865,  to  spring  of  1866. 
George  T.  Plummer,  fall  of  1866,  to  summer  of  1867. 
George  M.  Bodge,  fall  of  1867,  to  fall  of  1871. 
Charles  H.  Hnssey,  spring  of  1872,  to  winter  of  1873. 
S.  A.  Thurlow,  spring  of  1873,  to  winter  of  1874. 

D.  S.  Lowell. 

E.  H.  Hall. 

McPherson. 

John  Fisk. 


28S  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

Henry  W.  Johnson,  three  years,  from  1882. 
A.  F.  Sweetsh',  one  year,  from  1885. 
W.  R.  Howard,  two  years,  from  1886. 
A.  C.  Dresser,  one  year,  from  1888. 
A.  D.  Hall,  two  years,  from  1889. 

Gould's  Alumni. 

The  following  list  embraces  the  names  of  those  who  either  fitted 
for  college  at  Gould's  Academy,  or  who  received  their  academical 
education  there,  and  who  have  become  distinguished  in  some  one  of 
the  learned  professions  or  in  other  pursuits  : 

Talleyrand  Grover,  A.  M.,  Prof,  of  Ancient  and  Modern  Languages  iu 
Delaware  College,  Del.,  graduated  at  Bowdoiu  College.  He  died  at 
Uppala,  Sweden,  ou  his  second  visit  to  Europe.  He  was  an  acconiplislied 
scholar  and  gentleman. 

Abernethy  Grover,  A.  B.,  graduated  at  Bowdoin.  has  represented  the 
town  and  county  iu  several  offices,  and  was  Major  in  the  \'1\\\  Maine 
Volunteers ;  moved  to  the  west. 

Lafayette  Grover  graduated  at  Law  School  in  Philadelphia,  Governor  of 
Oregon  for  several  years,  and  Senator  in  United  States  Senate  from  that 
State. 

Cuvier  Grover  graduated  at  \Vest  Point,  Brigadier  General  of  Volun- 
teers in  the  late  war,  Colonel  of  Cavalry  iu  I'nited  States  Army  ;  deceased. 

Sidney  Perham,  Governor  of  Elaine  and  Representative  to  Congi-ess  for 
several  terms.  He  has  been  pronuneutly  engaged  in  public  life  for  many 
years. 

Jairus  Perry,  LL.  D.,  graduated  at  Bowdoin  and  practiced  law  in  Salem, 
Mass.,  where  he  died. 

Hiram  C.  Estes,  I).  D.,  graduated  at  Waterville  College  and  Xewton 
Theological  Institution;  has  been  pastor  of  the  iiaptist  church  in  Paris, 
Maine,  and  elsewhere.     He  is  highly  respected  in  liis  denomination. 

Javau  K.  Mason,  D.  D.,  graduated  at  Bowdoin,  settled  many  years  iu 
Thomaston  and  iu  Fryeburg,  now  in  Virginia. 

Edwin  \V.  Wallace  Bartlett,  A.  M.,  graduated  at  Bowdoin,  was  the  ac- 
complished Principal  of  the  High  school  in  Koxbury,  Mass.,  and  died 
young. 

Jacol)  W.  Brown  was  a  successful  lawyer  iu  Earlville,  ill. 

Alcander  Burbank.  ^\.  1)..  graduated  at  Bowdoin,  resided  in  Lewiston, 
Maine;  died  1883. 

David  Evans,  M.  D..  graduated  at  Bowdoin,  and  resides  in  the  eastern 
l)art  of  the  State. 

Henry  H.  Packard,  te.acher,  school  officer  and  fanner,  died  in  AVoodstock, 
Maine. 


PROF.    TALLEYRAND    GROVER. 

OB.   JUNE,   1859. 


HISTOUY  OF  BETHEL.  289 

John  E.  Leland  Kimball,  M.  D.,  graduated  at  Woodstock,  Vt.,  and 
practiced  in  Saco. 

Albion  K.  P.  Sawyer,  M.  D.,  graduated  at  Bowdoin  and  resides  at 
Lewistou. 

Thomas  E.  Twitchell,  merchant,  died  in  Portland.  He  tilled  .seveial  im- 
portant offices  and  was  a  prominent  citizen. 

Dexter  A.  Hawkins,  A.  M.,  graduated  at  Bowdoin  and  was  a  dis- 
tinguished lawj^er  in  New  York  City ;  deceased. 

Wm.  ^Virt  Virgin,  A.  M.,  giaduated  at  Bowdoin,  now  a  Judge  of  the 
Supi'eme  Court  of  Maine. 

Ralph  Cummings,  I).  I).,  gi-aduated  at  Bowdoin,  residence  not  known  to 
the  writer. 

Samuel  B.  'J'witchell,  A.  B.,  M.  D.,  graduated  at  Dartmouth  College  and 
died  young. 

David  R.  Hastings,  A.  ^1..  graduated  at  Bowdoin.  a  distinguished  lawyer 
in  Fryeburg,  Maine. 

Moses  Ingalls.  A.  M..  graduated  at  Bowdoin  and  settled  in  Ohio  as 
teaclier. 

Col.  Robert  I.  Burbank,  A.  M.,  graduated  at  Dartmouth  College,  is  a 
lawyer  and  resides  in  Boston. 

Gideon  A.  Hastings  resides  in  Bethel,  has  filled  several  important  offices, 
and  was  Major  in  the  12th  Maine  Volunteers. 

Timothy  Appleton  Chaiinian,  a  distinguished  merchant  in  Milwaukee^ 
Wisconsin. 

Charles  Russell,  M.  D.,  graduated  at  Bowdoin,  died  in  Fayette. 

Samuel  A.  Allen,  M.  D.,  graduated  at  Bowdoin,  settled  and  died  in 
Andover,  Maine. 

Theodore  S.  Carter,  merchant  in  Xew  York  City. 

Augustus  J.  Burbank,  A.  B.,  graduated  at  Bowdoin,  went  to  Chicago. 

Osmon  M.  Twitchell,  ]\r.  D.,  resides  in  Madison,  Wis. 

Benjamin  AVebber  Kimball,  iC.  D.,  Maine  Medical  School,  now  an  (jccu- 
list  and  aurist,  resides  at  Minneapolis,  Minn. 

John  Locke,  merchant,  Frjeljurg,  Maine. 

Charles  R.  Locke,  millmau,  Chatham,  N.  JL 

James  E.  Carter,  insurance  agent  and  broker,  Portland. 

Philantheus  C.  Wiley,  A.  B.,  Bowdoin  College,  M.  D.,  same,  settled 
Bethel,  drowned  in  Megalloway  river,  April  26,  1877. 

Richard  A.  Frye,  Lawyei',  Bethel ;  Judge  of  Probate. 

Harlan  P.  Brown,  A.  B.,  Bowdoin  College;  killed  in  the  battle  of 
Antietam  while  leading  a  charge. 

Cullen  C.  Chapman,  merchant,  Portland ;  banker. 

Oliver  IL  Mason,  merchant,  Bethel;  died  1891. 

William  B.  Lapliam,  A.  M.,  Colby  Universitj^,  M.  D.,  New  York,  foiin- 
erly  editor  Maine  Farnur,  Historical  and  Genealogical  author,  Augusta, 
Maine. 

Albert  L.  Burbank,  Clerk  of  Courts,  official  in  Portland  Custom  House, 
merchant,  Portland. 

19 


290  HISTOBY  OF  BETHEL. 

Oscar  D.  Grover,  A.  B.,  Delaware  College:  studied  law,  but  engaged  in 
farming  and  stock-raising  in  the  west. 

Henry  W.  Hall,  writer,  deceased. 

Wm.  W.  Green,  M.  D.,  University  of  Michigan,  Professor  of  Anatomy 
and  Surgery  in  several  Medical  schools,  practiced  in  Portland,  died,  and 
was  buried  at  sea  on  the  return  trip  from  Europe. 

Chester  D.  JefFerds,  A.  B.,  Amherst,  clergyman,  died  at  Cliester,  Ver- 
mont :  a  fine  writer  and  a  true  poet. 

Charles  AV.  K.  Locke,  settled  in  Xebraska:  postmaster,  etc. 

Kev.  Uriel  AV.  Small,  A.  M.,  gi-aduated  at  Amherst  College  and  Bangor 
Theological  Seminary.     AVent  west. 

Keuben  Foster,  A.  M.,  graduated  at  Colby  University,  lawyer  in  AA'atei- 
ville.  President  of  Senate  and  Speaker  of  the  House  in  Maine  Legislature. 

Adelbert  B.  Twitchell,  A.  B.,  graduated  at  Bowdoin,  Brevet  Major  of 
Artillery  in  civil  war,  resides  in  Newark,  X.  J. 

Rev.  Sumner  Estes,  minister  in  Baptist  denominati(m,  is  now  a  druggist 
at  Sanford,  Maine. 

Daniel  AA'.  Peabody.  A.  ^L,  graduated  at  Dartmouth  College,  lawyer, 
resides  in  Boston. 

Henry  C.  Peabody,  A.  M.,  graduated  at  Dartmouth,  lawyer,  resides  in 
Portland. 

Octavus  K.  Veats,  ls\.  D.,  gi-aduatcil  at  Bowdoin  ^Icdical  School,  settled 
at  AVest  Paris. 

Benjamin  E.  Lvmt,  druggist.  I'ortland. 

Rev.  George  AV.  Carpenter,  clergyman  in  Protestant  Episcojial  church. 

John  Q.  A.  Twitchell,  merchant,  Portland. 

Rev.  Xahum  AV.  Grover,  A.  M.,  graduated  at  Bowdoin.  and  Bangor 
Theological  Seminary. 

Rev.  Wellington  R.  Cross,  A.  M.,  graduated  at  Jiowdoin  College  and 
Bangor  Theological  Seminary,  i)receptoi-  of  Gould's  Academy  in  1861-2, 
afterwards  tutor  in  Bowdoin  College,  clergyman:  died  1891. 

Cyrus  Hamlin,  Brigadier  General  in  civil  war:  died  at  New  Orleans. 

Charles  Hamlin,  A.  M.,  graduated  at  IJowdoin  College,  Brevet  Brigadier 
General  in  civil  war,  lawyer  in  Bangor. 

Rev.  Henry  L.  Chapman,  A.  M.,  graduate  and  Professor  in  Bowdoin 
College. 

Peai'l  Martin,  M.  D..  lived  in  Lewiston. 

Liberty  E.  Holden,  A.  B.,  graduated  at  Michigan  T'niversity,  lawyer  in 
Cleveland,  Ohio. 

George  F.  Leonard,  A.  M.,  graduated  at  Dartmouth  <  "ollege,  teacher  in 
Boston,  now  resides  at  Xewton. 

George  M.  Twitchell,  formerly  dentist,  resided  in  Fairfield,  now  at 
Augusta ;  on  the  Editorial  staft'  of  the  Maine  Farmer. 

John  M.  Brown,  A.  M.,  graduated  at  Bowdoin  College,  Brigadier  General 
in  civil  war,  resides  in  Portland. 

David  Hale,  lawyer,  resides  in  Bridgton. 

AVm.  E.  Gould  was  cashier  of  First  National  Bank.  I'ortland. 


DR.   GEO.    M.   TWITCHELL 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  291 

Sullivau  D.  Greeu,  A.  B..  gi-aduatcd  at  Michigan  University,  resided  at 
Berlin  Falls,  X.  H. ;  died. 

Edward  L,  Parris,  lawyer,  resides  in  Xew  York. 

Thomas  Holt,  civil  engineer  and  architect ;  died  in  California. 

John  M.  Gonld.  Major  in  civil  war  and  historian,  resides  in  Portland. 

Charles  F.  Estes,  student  Colby  University,  died  in  California. 

Gerardo  Bonau,  merchant,  resides  in  Sagua  la  Grande,  Cuba. 

Benjamin  W.  Bryant,  lawyer,  dead. 

Enoch  Foster,  Jr.,  I..  B.,  graduated  at  Albany  Law  School.  Albany,  N. 
Y. ;  resides  in  Bethel,  Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court. 

Wm.  W.  Whitcomb,  merchant,  resides  in  Norway. 

Zebulon  "Weston,  A.  M.,  graduated  at  Dartmouth  College. 

John  S.  Locke,  publisher,  resided  in  Boston. 

George  W.  Merrill,  A.  B.,  graduated  at  Bowdoin  College,  lawyer. 

Thomas  J.   Bridgham   graduated   at    Bowdoin,    resided  in  AVaterford, 
lawyer,  deceased, 
field. 

George  AV.  Thompson,  captain  in  civil  war,  killed  at  battle  of  AN'inchester. 

Seth  C.  Farringtou,  A.  B..  graduated  at  Bowdoin,  lawyer,  resides  in 
Chicago. 

Albion  Pierce,  M.  D.,  graduated  at  Bowdoin,  settled  in  Greene. 

Charles  A\'.  Gordon,  M.  D.,  graduated  at  Bowdoin,  died  in  Bethel. 

Rev.  Amos  Harris,  A.  M.,  graduated  at  Bowdoin,  and  at  the  Bangor 
Theological  school,  resides  in  Massachusetts. 

Rev.  J.  F.  McKusick,  A.  B.,  graduated  at  Waterville  College. 

Albert  S.  Twitchell,  lawyer,  resides  in  Gorham,  X.  H. ;  Raih\  ay  Coin- 
raissiouer  of  Xew  Hampshire ;  soldier  in  the  late  war. 

Virgil  V.  Twitchell,  editor  Moimtaineer,  resides  in  Gorham,  X.  IL 

Albert  M.  Edwards,  Colonel  of  Michigan  regiment  in  civil  war. 

Elias  S.  Mason,  A.  B.,  gi-aduated  at  Bowdoin,  resides  in  Chicago. 

Charles  M.   Caileton.  M.  I).,  graduated  at   Pittstield   Medical  College, 
dead. 

Jansen  T.  Paine,  dentist,  resides  in  Halifax.  X.  S. 

Jos.  L.  Wales,  merchant,  Bridgton. 

George  M.   Gage,    State   Superintendent   schools  of  Maine,  resides  in 
Minnesota. 

Edward  S.  Morse,  Ph.  I)..  Professor  Corap.  Zoology  in  Bowdoin  College, 
and  lecturer. 

Albro  E.  Chase,  A.  M.,  graduated  at  Harvard,  Principal  High  School  in 
Portland. 

Rev.  Perry  Chandler,  A.  M.,  graduated  at  Middletown  University,  now 
of  Spokane  Falls,  Mont. 

James  E.  Burns^  A.  B.,  graduated  at  Bowdoin,  lawyer. 

Ceylon  Rowe,  merchant.  Bethel. 

John  O.  Winship,  lawyer,  resided  in  Portland;  removed  from  the  State. 

Daniel  M.  Phillips,  A.  B.,  graduated  at  Bowdoin,  captain  in  civil  war. 
killed  at  battle  of  Winchester. 


292  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

Ramon  M.  Qucipo,  ineichant  in  Havana,  Cuba. 

J.  Bradley  Locke,  farmer,  went  west. 

Eicherand  Howe,  A.  B.,  M.  D.,  graduated  at  Dartmouth  College,  dead. 

John  F.  Richardson,  engraver,  resides  in  Boston. 

Mellen  P.  Burnhani,  publisher  of  Commercial  Advocate.,  San  Francisco, 
Cal. 

John  A.  Douglass,  A.  M.,  M.  D..  graduated  at  Bowdoiu  College,  resides 
in  Amesbury,  Mass. 

Rev.  Henry  O.  Thayer,  A.  M.,  gratluated  at  Bowdoiu  College  and  Ban- 
gor Theological  Seminary,  settled  in  Woolwich,  Maine;  a  well  known 
historical  writer,  now  of  Jimington,  Maine. 

Moses  M.  Rolunson,  A.  B..  graduated  at  Bowdoiu,  and  is  a  lawyer  in 
Xew  York. 

Gustavus  A.  Robertson,  teacher  of  Grammar  school,  Augusta. 

Emery  O.  Bicknell,  microscopist,  resided  in  Boston;  dead. 

Eli  3Iellen  Wight,  M.  D.,  graduated  at  Bowdoiu,  Mayor  of  Chattanooga, 
Tenu. ;  deceased. 

Joseph  8.  Burns,  A.  B..  graduated  at  iiowdoin  and  in  ]Medical  school; 
resides  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn. 

C.  L.  Wilson,  M.  D.,  graduated  at  Maine  Medical  scliool,  resides  in 
Waterford. 

Solon  Bartlett,  M.  D.,  graduated  at  Bowdoiu,  resides  at  Lowell,  Mass. 

Weston  Hannnous,  lawyer,  resides  in  Anoka,  Minn.  jk 

Everett  llannnons,  A.  B..  graduated  at  Bowdoiu,  lawyer.  City  Solicitor 
of  Anoka,  31iun. 

Wm.  R.  \Vood,  A.  JJ.,  graduated  at  Bowdoiu,  resides  in  Porland. 

Sidney  1,  Smith,  Ph.  I).,  graduate  and  Professor  of  Comparative  Zoology 
in  Yale  College. 

Charles  J.  Chapman,  A.  M.,  graduated  at  Bowdoin,  merchant.  Portland, 
and  ^Liyor  of  the  city. 

Thomas  D.  Anderson,  A.  B..  graduated  at  Bowdoin,  lawyer,  Washing- 
ton, D.  C. 

J.  Bartlett  Rich,  A.  M.,  M.  D.,  graduated  at  Yale  College,  Superintend- 
ent City  Hospital,  Worcester,  Mass. 

Buchanan  B.  Burbauk,  B.  S.,  graduated  iit  Chandler  Scientific  school, 
Dartmouth  College;  dead. 

Daniel  B.  Grover,  farmer,  resides  in  California. 

L.  Rutilus  King,  lawyer,  resides  in  Caril)Ou. 

Parker  C.  Burbaidc,  B.  S.,  graduated  at  Chandler  Scientific  school,  Dart- 
mouth College,  clerk  in  Custom  House,  Boston. 

Goodwin  R.  AViley,  druggist,  resides  in  Bethel. 

Albert  F.  Barker,  druggist,  Monticello,  Minn. 

Rev.  Lincoln  Harlow,  graduated  at  Bangor  Theological  Seminary. 

Frank  Clifford,  lawyer,  resides  in  Cornish. 

Amos  PL  Eaton,  Principal  Boys"  Boarding  school  in  Marlboro,  Massa- 
chusetts. 


HISTOEY   OF  BETHEL.  293 

Stephen  B.  Kenney,  M.  D.,  graduated  at  Bowdoiu,  resided  at  Norfolk, 
Va. ;  removed  to  South  Carolina. 
'     Chas.  ^\.  Bailey,  M.  D. 

John  G.  Wight,  A.  M.,  gi-aduated  at  Bowdoiu,  Principal  High  school  in 
Cooperstowu,  N.  Y. 

Charles  P.  French,  A.  M.,  M.  I).,  graduated  at  Georgetown  College,  D. 
C,  resides  in  Washington,  D.  C. 

Charles  O.  Perle,y,  merchant,  resides  in  Bridgtou,  Main*'. 

Edgar  S.  Brown,  lawyer  at  Earlville,  111. 

Moses  A.  Hastings,  lawyer,  resides  in  Lancaster,  X.  H. 

Wm.  W.  Hastings,  w  ith  the  business  firm  of  Mills  &  Gibbs,  New  York 
City. 

Frederic  O.  Gerrisli,  lumberman  at  MinneapoUs,  Minn. 

Addison  E.  Herrick,  A.  M.,  graduated  at  Bowdoin  College,  Principal  of 
the  Academy  at  Bluehill,  Maine,  now  a  lawyer  in  Bethel. 

Pinkuey  P.  Burnham,  mercliant,  New  York  City. 

Amos  K.  Town,  druggist,  resides  at  Gorham,  N.  H. 

Aaron  Mason  had  cliarge  of  the  Silver  King  mine,  Arizona,  at  a  salary 
of  one  thousand  dollars  per  month. 

Ezra  T.  Russell,  Clerk  in  the  Custom  House,  New  York  C-ity ;  dead. 

Louis  C.  Stearns,  lawyer  at  Caribou,  Maine. 

John  I.  Sturgis,  M.  D.,  graduated  at  Bowdoin,  resides  in  New  Glou- 
cester. 

Jesse  Jeflfrej',  lawyer,  resides  in  Turner,  Maine. 

Marshall  W.  Davis,  A.  M.,  graduated  at  Bowdoin,  ti-aveled  several  years 
in  Europe. 

Edwin  U.  Gibson,  miner,  Leadville,  Colorado. 

Lucius  B.  Stiles,  with  the  firm  of  A.  T.  Stewart  &  Co.,  New  York  City. 

Lyman  B.  Shehan,  A.  B.,  graduated  at  Amherst,  Principal  of  the  Higli 
school  in  Westbrook. 

Clarence  E.  Chapman,  graduate  of  the  Law  school,  Michigan  ITnivei-sity, 
Ann  Arbor,  Midi. 

Hervey  W.  Chapman,  A.  M.,  graduated  at  Bowdoin  and  at  Andover 
Theological  Seminary. 

Edwin  C.  Kowe,  merchant,  resides  in  Bethel. 

Ayres  M.  Edwards  graduated  at  Bowdoin  College,  teacher  in  Lt^wiston, 
Superintendent  of  schools,  author  of  text  books. 

Frank  M.  Winter,  Bowdoin  College. 

Wm.  ('.  Frye  enlisted  in  Company  A,  Twelfth  Maine  Regiment,  Novem- 
ber 21,  18G1,  served  out  his  time,  re-enlisted,  was  transferred  to  the  Twelfth 
Maine  Battalion,  and  was  mustered  out  April  IS,  186(3.  He  then  studied 
law  and  settled  in  South  Carolina. 

Joseph  LT.  Frye  was  mustered  in  the  Seventh  Maine  Battery,  December 
29,  1863,  and  was  mustered  out  with  the  battery. 

Lydia  S.  Eames,  a  fine  scholar,  assistant  to  Di-.  True,  Ix'caiue  a  distin- 
guished teaclier.     Was  married  and  settled  in  Connecticut. 


294  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

Dolly  G.  Barker  became  the  wife  of  Thomas  E.  Twitchell,  and  died  in 
Portland. 

Esther  S.  Wight,  an  excellent  scholar,  became  very  protlcieut  in  the 
Greek  and  Latin  languages;  graduated  at  Tilton  (N.  H.)  Seminary;  mar- 
ried Dr.  Chas.  M.  Fellows  and  settled  in  Lawrence,  Mass. ;  died  a  widow, 
December  29,  1876. 

Sophia  B.  Foster  became  the  wife  of  Bev.  Hiram  ( ".  Estes  and  resides  in 
Leicester,  Mass. 

Phila  D.  Locke  went  west  and  was  in  business  in  Bloomington,  111. ; 
returned  and  resides  on  the  old  Locke  homestead  in  Bethel. 

Abb  Pattee  became  the  wife  of  Samuel  F.  Gibson  and  died  in  Bethel. 

Cyrene  S.  Ayer  became  the  wife  of  Daniel  A.  Twitchell,  who  died  in 
Bethel  and  she  married  again. 

Agnes  S.  Hastings  was  a  teacher,  she  married  and  went  west. 

Frances  S.  Chapman  became  the  second  wife  of  Thomas  E.  Twitchell, 
and  resides  a  widow  in  Portland. 

Mary  Ann  Lock(>  was  a  tcaclier,  married  Horace  Chapman,  wlio  died,  and 
she  married  Edwai-d  (roddard,  Ix^came  a  second  time  a  widow,  and  died  in 
Bethel. 

Sarah  PI.  Bussell  was  a  tine  classical  scholar,  went  to  Jveutucky  as  a 
teacher,  married  Joseph  Odell,  and  died  from  the  effects  of  burns  caused 
by  the  bursting  of  a  kerosene  lamp. 

Sarah  E.  Lunt  became  the  wife  of  George  A.  Chuicliill  of  Portland; 
moved  to  Wasliington,  D.  (".,  where  he  died. 

Maria  A.  Mason  l)ecame  the  wife  of  Geneial  Clark  S.  Edwards;  she  died 
in  Bethel. 

Alice  Gray  Twitchell,  for  more  than  twenty  years  an  otHcial  at  the 
Maine  Insane  Hospital,  for  many  years  the  efficient  matron,  which  position 
she  still  holds. 

Salome  G.  Twitclicil  was  long  a  teacher  in  Bradford  Academy. 

Mary  E.  Kiml)all  married  David  B.  Gorham  and  resides  in  Norwaj*. 

Angelina  S.  (  hapnian,  a  most  amiable  young  lady  and  a  good  teacher. 
She  became  the  wife  of  Samuel  D.  Philluook.  and  died  soon  after  of 
consumption. 

Mary  Heywood,  a  bright  scholar  and  successful  teacher,  became  the 
wife  of  Merrit  C.  Fernald.  President  of  tlie  Maine  State  College  at  f)rono. 


^^p  #^^ 


HON.    R,    A.    FRYE 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

Bethel  Centennial. 

HE  citizens  of  Bethel,  feeling  that  an  event  so  important  as 
the  time  of  its  settlement  was  worthy  of  due  commemora- 
tion, a  meeting  of  its  citizens  was  held  at  the  vestry  of  the 
Congregational  church  on  Bethel  Hill,  July  14,  1874.  The 
meeting  was  organized  by  the  election  of  Major  Abernethy  Grover 
as  chairman,  and  Richard  A.  Frye,  Esq.,  as  Secretary.  It  was 
voted  to  have  a  Centennial  Celebration  on  Wednesday,  August  26, 
1874.  A  committee  was  chosen  to  make  the  necessary  arrangements 
for  such  an  occasion,  consisting  of  Nathaniel  T.  True,  M.  D.,  Hon. 
Robert  A.  Chapman,  David  V.  Brown,  Esq.,  Richard  A.  Frye, 
Esq.,  and  Moses  T.  Cross,  Esq.,  with  authority  to  make  such  addi- 
tions to  their  numbers  as  they  should  deem  proper. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  committee  held  at  Richard  A.  Frye's  office, 
July  15,  they  perfected  their  organization  by  the  election  of  Nathan- 
iel T.  True,  chairman,  and  Richard  A.  Frye,  secretary.  They 
voted  to  add  ten  members  to  their  number  to  aid  them,  as  follows  : 
John  D.  Hastings  and  Elias  8.  Bartlett  for  the  east  i)art  of  the 
town  ;  Israel  G.  Kimball  and  Augustus  M.  Carter  for  the  middle 
part  of  the  town  ;  Samuel  B.  Twitchell  and  Moses  A.  Mason  for  the 
north  side  of  the  river  ;  Elbridge  G.  Wheeler,  Gilman  P.  Bean  and 
David  M.  Grover  for  the  west  part  of  the  town,  and  Major  Gideon 
A.  Hastings  for  Bethel  Hill.  David  F.  Brown,  Moses  T.  Cross  and 
Robert  A.  Chapman  were  chosen  a  committee  to  select  a  place  for 
holding  the  centennial  meeting. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  committee  held  July  18,  it  was  voted  to  ex- 
tend an  invitation  to  Nathaniel  T.  True,  M.  D.,  to  deliver  the 
historical  address  at  the  Centennial  Celebration.  It  was  decided 
that  the  dinner  should  be  a  basket  picnic,  and  that  such  table 
accommodations  be  procured  for  each  school  district  as  may  be  re- 
quired. Messrs.  Brown,  Wheeler  and  Kiml)all  were  chosen  a  com- 
mittee to  appoint  a  person  in  each  school  district  to  see  to  the 
furnishing  of  the  tables,  and  to  have  each  district  represented  in 
the  procession.  They  appointed  in  School  District  No,  2,  Lorenzo 
Smith  ;  3,  John  I\I.  Philbrook  ;  4,  David  Garland  ;  5,  Scott  Wight ; 
6,  Wm.  H.  Goddard  ;  7,  Alonzo  Howe  ;  8,  Charles  INI.  Kimball ;  9, 
Hiram  II.  Bean;  10,  John  S.  Swan,  2d;  11,  Timothy  C.  Carter; 
12,  Wm.  Farwell;   13,  Samuel  S.  Stanley  ;   14,  Al)ial  Chandler  :   15, 


296  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

C.  I.  Kimball  aud  Newton  Grover ;  16,  Daniel  W.  Towne  ;  17, 
Wra.  L.  Beau  ;  18,  Milton  Holt;  21,  Jacob  A.  Chase  ;  22.  Oilman 
L.  Blake  and  Ira  Cushman  ;  23,  Cyrus  Wormell ;  24,  Abial  Lyon  ; 
25,  Albert  W.  Grover  ;  26,  David  T.  Foster  ;  27,  John  F.  Hap- 
good  ;  28,  Albert  Whitman  ;  29,  Gilbert  Chapman  ;  30,  Oliver  H. 
Mason  aud  Hiram  Twitcbell.  Messrs.  T.  C.  Carter,  Robert  A. 
Chapman  aud  Hiram  H.  Bean  were  chosen  a  committee  on  finance  ; 
Major  (iideon  A.  Hastings,  Marshal  of  the  day  ;  Major  Abernethy 
Grover,  President  of  the  day,  aud  the  following  gentlemen.  Vice 
Presidents:  Hon.  Elias  M.  Carter,  Mighill  Mason,  P^sq.,  Dea. 
Leonard  Grover,  Charles  R.  Locke,  P^sq.,  and  Eliphaz  C.  Bean, 
Esq.  ;  Prof.  Henry  L.  Chapman  of  Bowdoin  College,  a  native  of 
Bethel,  was  chosen  Poet;  Rev.  David  Garland,  Chaplain;  Hon. 
Enoch  Foster,  Jr.,  Toast  Master. 

Wednesday,  August  26,  1874,  was  ushered  iu  by  a  delightful  day. 
Bells  were  rung  at  sunrise,  and  almost  before  the  villagers  had 
finished  their  breakfast,  carriages  Ijegan  to  arrive  loaded  with  men, 
women  and  children.  Many  of  the  private  residences  throughout 
the  village  were  gaily  trimmed  with  evergreens  and  other  decora- 
tions. A  large  national  flag  floated  across  the  street  between  the 
Bethel  House  and  the  residence  of  Major  Gideon  A.  Hastings. 
The  procession  began  to  form  at  10  A.  M.,  under  the  direction  of 
Major  Gideon  A.  Hastings,  Chief  Marshal,  the  right  of  the  line  in 
front  of  the  residence  of  Richard  A.  Frye,  Esq.,  on  Broad  street, 
extending  across  the  common  and  down  Church  street.  The  pro- 
cession countermarched  down  Broad  street  to  the  common.  On 
entering  the  grove  through  an  arch  inscribed  "1774,  Bethel,  1874," 
there  were  arranged  on  the  right,  tables  to  accommodate  four  thou- 
sand people,  and  on  the  left,  seats  and  conveniences  for  as  many 
more. 

The  seats  being  tilled,  the  President  of  tiie  day,  Hon.  Abernethy 
Grover,  made  the  address  of  welcome. 

Fellow  Citizens: 

To-day  we  have  met  to  celebrate  the  one  hundredth  anniversary 
of  the  settlement  of  this  good  old  town  of  Bethel.  We  bid  a  cordial 
and  hearty  welcome  to  ever}'  son  aud  daughter  of  Bethel,  every  one 
ever  a  resident  among  us,  or  who  ever  thought  of  coming,  we  bid 
you  welcome.  Some  of  the  children  of  the  eighteenth  ceutur}'  are 
still  left  with  us  to-day.  It  is  nearly  one  hundred  years  since  their 
fathers  and  mothers  toiled  through  the  woods,  guided  only  b}' 
marked  trees — came  on  snow  shoes — with  their  all  ou  hand-sleds  or 
on  horseback,  (a  luxury)  to  make  homes  in  the  wilderness.  They 
and  their  children  have  reared  noble  families,  many  representatives 
of  whom  have  gone  out  from  the  old  nest,  settled  in  all  parts  of  our 
country,  and  to-day  the  good  influence  of  our  good  old  town  is  felt 
in  every  portion  of  the  Union.  Our  citizens  have  filled  offices  of 
trust  and  honor  everywhere,  and  no  Bethel  bo}^  has  l)rought  any- 
thing but  an  honored  uame  to  his  good  old  native  town.  We  are 
proud  of  our  sous  and  daughters.     We  have  now  killed  the  fatted 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  ^;97 

-calf  and  bid  them  all  a  free  and  hearty  welcome  home.  Rev.  David 
Garland  offered  prayer,  and  then  the  historical  address  was  delivered 
by  Dr.  Nathaniel  T.  True,  as  follows  :* 

Mr.  President^  NaUce-horn  Citizens.,  Adopted  Citizens  and  Frieyids  : 

One  hundred  years  is  the  involuntary  exclamation  of  everyone 
who  contemplates  the  scenes  connected  with  a  centennial  celebra- 
tion. A  crowd  of  thoughts  rushes  upon  the  mind  as  one  reviews  the 
histor}'  of  our  world  from  the  birth  of  this  town  to  the  present  occa- 
sion. Time  with  his  busy  lingers  has  placed  on  record  the  names  of 
more  than  three  thousand  million  human  beings  who  have  lived  and 
died  during  that  period.  Kingdoms  and  empires  have  risen  and 
fallen.  A  republic  whose  birth  was  almost  co-incident  with  that  of 
the  town  whose  centennial  we  this  day  celebrate,  has  been  founded 
on  these  western  shores,  containing  40,000,000  souls.  The  science 
of  chemistry  had  its  l)irth  one  century  ago  this  very  month.  The 
steamboat,  the  railroad  and  the  telegraph  have  been  invented  and 
found  their  wa}'  to  the  four  quarters  of  the  earth.  Scientific  men  of 
renown,  poets,  orators,  statesmen,  warriors  and  kings  have  been 
born,  fulfilled  their  career  and  died.  Men  are  still  living  who  were 
born  before  all  these  things  transpired.  It  is  only  one  of  the  forty 
■centuries  of  recorded  history,  but  one  of  the  most  important  in  the 
annals  of  time.  This  beautiful  town  has  been  changed  from  the 
dark  and  dense  forest  to  the  open  fields,  beautiful  landscapes,  and 
the  thrifty  homes  of  an  industrious,  intelligent  and  virtuous  people. 

We  welcome  to  our  celebration  to-day,  the  sons  and  daughters 
who  still  live  on  the  paternal  spot ;  we  welcome  those  who  have 
wandered  away,  but  who  cannot  easily  forget  the  homes  of  their 
earlier  years,  and  have  returned  to  celebrate  the  da}^  with  us. 

One  hundred  years  ago  little  was  known  of  the  Androscoggin 
river  above  Rumford  Falls.  The  earliest  map  in  which  1  can  find 
it  laid  down  is  by  Charlevoix  in  1744.  He  simply  gives  the  general 
direction  of  the  river  as  coming  from  a  nameless  lake. 

In  1745  a  party  made  a  survey'  a  few  miles  above  Rumford  Falls. 
I  find  no  record  of  any  exploration  farther  up  the  river  till  reaching 
Shelburne,  N.  H.,  which  had  received  a  charter  from  the  crown  as 
early  as  1668,  though  it  was  not  surveyed  till  1771. 

The  Indian  name  of  what  is  now  Bethel  is  lost.  The  only  Indian 
name  remaining  within  the  limits  of  the  town  is  that  of  Son.,o, 
applied  to  a  pond  on  the  extreme  south  border  of  the  town.  It 
signifies  "the  source,"  or  "the  discharging  place"  of  one  body  of 
water  into  another,  and  is  the  principal  source  of  the  Presumpscot 
river.  The  latter  meaning  applies  to  Songo  river,  which  discharges 
the  waters  of  Long  Pond,  in  Bridgton,  into  Sebago  Lake. 

On  the  banks  of  the  Androscoggin,  about  one  mile  above  the 
bridge,  and  directly  in  front  of  the  dwelling  house  of  the  late  Tim- 
othy Chapman,  Esq.,  there  is  an  elevation  of  intervale  consisting 
of  three  or  four  acres.     It  is  a  lovely  spot.     Here  was  an  Indian 

*Dr.  True's  account  of  the  Betliel  churches  and  of  some  other  matters  arc  omitteil,  as 
It  would  only  be  repetition  to  insert  them  here. 


298  HISTORY    OF  BETHEL. 

village.  How  long  it  had  been  inhabited  is  not  known.  It  is  prob- 
able that  they  had  not  occupied  the  spot  since  about  the  year  1750. 
They  had  cleared  about  ten  acres  of  the  intervale  for  a  corn  field. 
Pine  trees  measuring  eighteen  inches  in  diameter  had  grown  up  in 
some  places  when  occupied  by  the  first  settlers  ;  the  rest  was  cov- 
ered with  bushes.  Corn  hills  were  everywhere  visible  among  the 
trees. 

On  clearing  the  laud,  about  twenty  cellars  were  discovered,  which 
had  probably  been  used  as  a  deposit  for  their  corn.  A  dozen  or 
more  gun  barrels  were  found,  together  with  brass  kettles,  axes,, 
knives,  glass  bottles,  arrows  and  iron  hoes,  the  latter  of  which  were 
used  by  the  settlers  for  several  years  afterwards,  while  the  gun  bar- 
rels were  wrought  into  fire  shovel  handles  by  Fenno,  the  blacksmith. 
On  one  occasion  he  discharged  the  contents  of  a  barrel  into  his 
work-bench  while  heating  it  in  his  forge. 

A  single  skeleton  was  discovered  wrapped  in  birch  bark.  It  is 
said  that  they  generally  carried  their  dead  to  Canton  Point  for 
burial.  Probably  the  settlement  contained  one  or  two  hundred 
persons. 

A  mile  and  a  half  below  the  bridge,  near  the  Narrows,  is  Powow 
Point.  Here  they  had  a  clearing  of  three-fourths  of  an  acre,  which, 
seems  to  have  been  a  place  of  rendezvous  for  hunters  and  warriors. 
There  is  a  tradition  that  a  camp  was  burned  there  with  all  its  in- 
mates, and  that  their  implements  and  bones  were  afterwards  found. 
Later  the  Indians  made  the  point  of  land  on  Mill  Brook  their 
camping  ground. 

So  common  were  the  Indians  during  the  first  settlement  of  the 
town,  that  quite  a  fleet  of  canoes  on  the  river  was  a  common  occur- 
rence. Among  many  anecdotes  related  of  the  Indians  I  will  speak 
of  only  one  which  has  recently  come  to  my  notice.  A  partj  of 
Indians  encamped  near  Alder  river,  who  offered  to  wrestle  with 
Jonathan  Barker,  one  of  the  first  settlers  in  Newry.  They  selected 
the  weakest  first,  whom  Barker  easily  laid  on  his  back.  The  others 
came  in  turn  with  the  same  result,  till  he  reached  the  strongest. 
Barker  found  him  exceedingly  strong  in  his  arms,  but  he  succeeded 
in  tripping  his  legs  and  laying  him  solid  on  his  back.  The  Indian 
rose  and  exclaimed,  "you  all  mattahondou,"  which  in  plain  English 
meant,  '-you  all  devil." 

It  is  a  matter  of  political  significance  to  remark  that  the  Andros- 
coggin river  was  for  a  long  time  the  boundary  line  between  French 
and  f^nglish  influence.  The  later  ludians  who  visited  Bethel  used 
to  speak  of  the  happy  people  that  formerly  dwelt  there,  away  from 
the  incursions  of  the  whites.  They  never  conveyed  their  lands  to 
the  whites  above  Lewistou  Falls,  and  the  last  survivor  claimed  a 
right  to  the  lands  in  Bethel  as  long  as  he  lived. 

Among  the  many  Indians  who  were  well  known  to  the  earl}'  set- 
tlers was  Sabattis  from  Fryeburg.  iNIatalluc  was  the  last  survivor 
on  Umbagog  Lake,  who  died  at  Stewartstowu,  N.  H.,  about  1840. 

Mollocket,  a  corruption  of  Mary  Agatha,  died  in  Andover  in 
ISK).     She  was  supposed  to  be  the  last  of  the  Pequakets.     Sergeant 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  299 

Lewey  and  Capt.  Phillip  were  iu  the  revolutionary  war.  Captain 
Swarson  was  also  in  the  war.  These  were  Pequakets.  Tomhegan 
never  visited  Bethel  after  the  raid  in  1781. 

The  Indians  of  the  St.  Francis  tribe  often  visited  Bethel  to  have 
their  guns  and  jewelry  repaired  by  Eli  Twitchell,  Esq.  An  ludian 
once  came  with  a  box  of  jewelry  for  that  purpose,  but  never 
appeared  to  claim  it. 

The  following  notice  respecting  the  present  town  of  Bethel,  stands 
recorded  as  follows  : 

"June  7,  1768.  In  General  Court  of  Massachusetts.  Reported, 
Read,  and  accepted,  and  Resolved,  That  there  be  granted  to  Josiah 
Richardson  and  others,  mentioned  in  the  Petition,  whose  ancestors 
were  in  the  expedition  against  Canada  iu  1690,  a  Township  of  six 
and  three-cjuarters  miles  square,  to  be  laid  out  in  the  unappropriated 
lands  of  this  Province  to  the  eastward  of  iSaco  river.  Provided,  the 
grantees  within  seven  years  settle  eighty-three  families  in  said  town, 
build  a  house  for  the  Publick  worship,  and  settle  a  learned  Protes- 
tant minister,  and  lay  out  one  eighty-third  part  for  the  ministry, 
one  eighty-third  part  for  the  use  of  a  school  in  said  town,  and  one 
eighty-third  part  for  the  use  of  Harvard  College  forever.  Provided, 
also,  that  they  return  a  plan  thereof  into  the  Secretary's  office  in 
twelve  months  for  confirmation.     Sent  up  for  concurrence." 

It  is  worthy  of  note  here  that  seventy-eight  years  had  elapsed 
before  the  General  Court  of  Massachusetts  recognized  the  claims  of 
the  heirs  of  those  who  had  been  employed  as  soldiers  in  the  expedition 
to  Canada. 

This  township  received  the  name  of  Sudbury  Canada  from  the 
circumstance  that  the  original  proprietors  were  principally  from 
Sudbury,  in  Massachusetts,  and  the  new  township  was  located 
somewhere  near  Canada.* 

A  meeting  of  the  proprietors  was  held  the  same  year,  and  Joseph 
Twitchell  and  Isaac  Fuller,  a  surveyor,  were  chosen  to  survey  the 
township  and  divide  il  into  lots  that  year.  It  is  probable  that  they 
selected  the  location  of  the  town  from  the  unappropriated  lauds 
east  of  the  Saco  river,  by  representations  of  hunters  of  the  fine 
interval  lands  on  the  Androscoggin  river.  As  their  location  con- 
sisted of  six  and  three-fourths  miles  square  without  regard  to  its 
external  shape,  they  extended  their  survey  along  the  best  intervales 
of  the  river,  a  distance  of  seventeen  miles,  and  around  all  tlie  pine 
timber  possible.  The  lots  were  long  and  narrow,  consisting  of  forty 
acres  each.  On  the  uplands  the  lots  were  divided  into  squares  of 
one  hundred  acres.  Subsequently  an  addition  was  made  to  the  ter- 
ritory of  the  town  by  a  tier  of  lots  bordering  on  the  towns  of  Albany 
and  Greenwood,  as  it  was  found  that  the  original  surveyors  had  not 


*This  is  a  mistake,  so  far  as  the  last  word  in  the  uame  is  concerued.  It  was  called  in 
part,  "Canada,"  because  it  was  granted  for  militarv  service  in  the  invasion  of  Canada  in 
1690,  and  was  one  of  the  so-called  Canada  townships.  Turner  was  called  "Sylvester 
Canada,"  and  Jay,  "Phips  Canada,"  etc. 


300  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

included  sufficient  land  in  accordance  with  their  grant,  or  else  be- 
cause there  was  much  good  pine  timber  there. 

After  the  return  of  the  surveyors,  Joseph  Twitchell,  a  gentleman 
of  wealth,  and  am-estor  of  all  that  name  in  this  town  and  vicinity, 
saw  and  appreciated  the  future  value  of  these  lands,  and  as  many 
of  the  proprietors  refused  to  pay  the  assessments,  he  commenced 
buying  up  their  claims,  until  eventually  he  held  no  less  than  forty 
shares.  It  was  to  his  energy  and  foresight  that  the  town  was  set- 
tled, though  he  never  resided  there  himself.  Among  his  purchases 
was  the  lot  covering  a  large  portion  of  what  is  now  the  village  at 
Bethel  Hill,  including  all  the  mill  privileges  on  Mill  Brook.  He 
purchased  this  of  the  proprietors,  April  6,  1774,  for  the  sum  of 
fifteen  pounds,  silver  mone}'. 

December  5th,  1769,  .losiah  Richardson,  Esq.,  and  Cornelius 
Wood  of  Sudbury,  and  Josiah  Stone  of  Framingham,  were  author- 
ized by  the  proprietors  to  sell  to  Joseph  Twitchell,  two  whole  rights 
for  the  sum  of  four  pounds,  in  consequence  of  the  uon-pa3'ment  of 
assessments.  Similar  meetings  for  the  same  purpose  were  held  in 
1773,  1774,  1777  and  17.S3. 

Among  those  who  purchased  a  large  number  of  the  original  rights 
were  Aaron  Richardson  and  Jonathan  Clark  of  Newtown,  who  in 
December,  1774,  paid  one  hundred  and  eighty  pounds  in  lawful 
money. 

What  were  the  relations  of  Sudbury  Canada  to  the  rest  of  the 
world  one  hundred  years  ago?  Covered  with  dense  pine  forests, 
the  hunter  did  not  know  the  existence  of  a  mountain  till  he  reached 
its  base.  The  Androscoggin,  like  a  silver  thread,  wound  its  way 
mid  mountains  and  forests,  whose  banks  were  covered  with  tall 
pines  to  its  water's  cilgi*.  TIu'  pioneer  who  once  reached  the  place 
must  go  by  spotted  trees  fortj'  miles  lo  Frycburg  through  an  un- 
broken wilderness  ;  forty  miles  down  the  river  to  Livermore,  and 
forty  miles  by  spotted  trees,  or  by  the  compass,  to  New  Gloucester. 
Ascending  the  river  to  its  source,  it  was  an  unbroken  forest  to  the 
shores  of  the  St.  Lawrence.  Consequently,  for  many  years  after 
the  settlement  of  the  town,  when  a  person  came  to  Sudbury'  Canada, 
he  was  said  to  go  through  the  woods. 

The  breaking  out  of  the  revolutionary  war  prevented  the  settle- 
ment of  the  town  according  to  the  conditions  of  the  original  grant, 
and  it  was  not  till  1783  that  the  General  Court  gave  a  full  title  to 
the  settlers  for  their  lands.  Every  settler  was  entitled  to  fifty  acres 
of  land  in  addition  to  his  lot,  and  the  duty  of  surveying  these  lots 
usually  devolved  on  Capt.  ILleazer  Twitchell,  after  lie  moved  into 
town  in  1780. 

Amid  some  ver}^  shadowy  evidence  of  any  attempt  towards  clear- 
ing lands  for  a  settlement,  I  must  assume  that  the  first  man  who 
shouldered  his  axe  for  this  purpose  was  Lieut.  Nath'l  Segar,*  who 

♦.Jonathan  Kcyes,  the  first  settler  in  Rumford,  became  the  owner  of  Sudburv  Canada 
land  in  1772,  and  in  177G,  he  hail  cleared  land,  built  a  house  and  barn,  and  made  other 
improvements.  It  is  quite  probable  that  he  was  here  a  year  or  two  before  Seirar.  He 
sold  his  land  in  the  early  part  of  1777,  to  Samuel  Ingalls,  called  "of  Frveliurg,"  and 
moved  to  New  Pennacook,  now  Rumford. 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  301 

came  to  Sudbury  Cauada  from  Newtown,  Mass.,  in  the  spring  of 
1774,  and  spent  several  montiis  in  felling  and  clearing  on  the  farm 
now  occupied  by  his  daughter  and  her  husband,  Capt.  Wm.  Barker, 
in  what  is  now  Hanover. 

Lieut.  Segar  left  for  Newtown  in  the  fall,  and  enlisted  in  the 
revolutionary  war,  in  which  he  was  engaged  two  years  and  nine 
months,  and  returned  to  Bethel  in  1779,  in  company  with  Jonathan 
Bartlett.  The}^  carried  kettles  with  them  for  making  sugar,  and  the 
next  autumn  returned  to  Massachusetts.  The  next  spring  Thad- 
deus  Bartlett,  and  a  boy  by  the  name  of  Barton  came  back  and 
spent  their  time  in  making  sugar,  which  they  sold  to  the  Indians, 
and  in  clearing  their  farms. 

In  the  same  3'ear  that  Segar  came  to  town,  (1774)  Lieut.  Jona- 
than Clark  came  to  Sudbury  Canada  and  purchased  a  lot  where 
Lewis  Sanborn  now  lives,  but  did  not  make  much  progress  toward 
a  settlement,  and  he  returned  to  his  home  in  Massachusetts  and  be- 
came a  commissar}''  in  the  arm3%  but  returned  to  Sudbury  Canada  in 
1778-9,  and  exchanged  his  farm  for  the  one  now  occupied  by  A.  L. 
Burbank,  Esq.  It  is  said  that  he  cut  the  first  hay  in  town  on  the 
brook  opposite  the  steam  saw  mill,  though  this  is  also  claimed  for  a 
meadow  on  Alder  river,  where  a  beaver  dam  existed,  by  which  six 
acres  came  into  grass  spontaneously. 

In  1774,  Capt.  Joseph  Twitchell  built  a  saw  mill  on  the  fall  near 
Eben  Clough's  starch  factory.  The  remains  of  the  dam  may  still 
be  seen.  This  appears  to  have  been  the  first  building  erected  in 
town,  save  a  few  log  camps.  The  same  year  he  erected  at  the 
lower  fall  on  Mill  Brook,  a  grist  mill,  on  the  spot  where  the  present 
mill  now  stands.  On  the  opposite  side  of  the  street,  on  the  little 
island  now  owned  by  David  Brown,  Esq.,  was  erected  the  first 
frame  house  in  town  in  1779.  It  was  built  to  accommodate  the 
workmen  in  the  mill,  it  had  a  long,  shed  roof,  reaching  nearly  to 
the  ground,  and  had  two  rooms.  It  has  a  subsequent  history  which 
will  be  noticed  hereafter. 

In  the  fall  of  1776,  Mr.  Samuel  IngalU*  and  wife  came  to  the 
settlement  from  Andover,  Mass.,  and  spent  the  winter  on  the  farm 
occupied  by  Mr.  Asa  Kimball.  She  rode  part  of  the  way  on  horse- 
back, and  the  rest  of  the  way  traveled  on  foot.  She  was  the  first 
white  woman  ever  within  the  limits  of  the  town.  In  consequence 
of  this  fact  the  proprietors  of  the  plantation  gave  her  one  hundred 
acres  of  land.  He  subsequently  removed  to  Bridgtou,  and  then 
returned  to  Bethel,  and  died  on  the  farm  of  the  late  Amos  Young. 

Benj.  Russell,  Esq.,  came  to  Bethel  from  Fryeburg,  with  his 
family,  in  March,  1777.  Himself  and  Gxen.  Amos  Hastings,  then 
living  in  Fr3'eburg,  being  mounted  on  snow  shoes,  hauled  on  hand- 
sleds  his  wife  and  daughter,  then  fifteen  years  old,  and  who  after- 
wards became  the  wife  of  Lieut  Segar.  They  traveled  nearly  fifty 
miles  in  two  days.     They  camped  the  first  night  near  the  mills  at 

*In  a  deed  from  JonaUian  Keyes  to  Samuel  Ingalls,  dated  March  14.  1777,  conveying  40O 
acres  of  land  in  Sudbury  Canada,  the  latter  is  said  to  be  "of  Fryeburg;"  see  note  on 
preceding  page. 


302  HISTOliY  OF  BETHEL. 

North  Waterford.  Mrs.  Russell  was  consequenth'  the  second  white 
woman  that  came  to  town.  Mr.  Russell  performed  the  business  of 
the  plantation,  wrote  an  elegant  hand,  and  celebrated  the  marriages. 
He  used  to  say  that  he  was  the  first  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  what  is 
now  Oxford  County.  He  died  Novemlier,  1802,  and  his  wife, 
1808. 

In  1778,  Jesse  Duston  moved  into  the  town  with  his  wife,  who 
was  the  third  white  woman.  He  settled  on  the  farm  now  occupied 
by  Bela  AVilliams.  Another  important  event  worth}'  of  historic 
record  occurred  in  1782,  as  the  result  of  their  advent.  To  Mrs. 
Duston  was  born  the  first  child  in  what  was  then  Sudbury  Canada, 
but  now  Hanover.  His  name  was  Peregrine.  The  proprietors 
were  so  elated  at  the  prospect  of  an  increase  to  its  own  population 
from  within  its  own  borders  after  a  lapse  of  fourteen  years  from  the 
date  of  their  grant,  that  they  in  their  generosity  gave  their  first-born 
one  hundred  acres  of  land,  on  the  farm  now  occupied  hy  Vincent 
Chapman.  What  a  farm  situated  at  the  foot  of  Bear  mountain  was 
valued  at  at  that  time,  I  have  no  means  of  knowing.  Peregrine 
Duston  became  a  minister  of  the  Methodist  denomination,  and  died 
quite  young. 

During  the  same  year,  March  12,  1782,  Joseph  Twitchell  was 
born,  being  the  first  white  child  born  within  the  present  limits  of 
Bethel.  He  died  November  24,  1871,  aged  90  j'ears.  He  resided 
in  town  during  his  life,  except  four  years  in  Brunswick. 

In  1779,  James  8wan  came  from  Fryeburg,  Me.,  and  settled  on 
the  farm  now  occupied  by  Ayers  Mason  &  Son.  He  built  a  house 
east  of  the  road  between  Alder  river  bridge  and  Aj^ers  Mason's 
house,  on  land  now  owned  by  Samuel  D.  Philbrook.  He  had  three 
sons  who  were  young  men  when  he  came  ;  Josei)h  Greely  Swan, 
who  lived  with  his  father;  Elijah,  who  did  not  make  a  permanent 
settlement  in  the  town;  James,  who  settled  on  Swan's  Hill,  and 
Nathaniel,  who  settled  on  Sunday  river,  in  Bethel,  and  died  there. 
Their  father  was  known  as  the  man  with  whom  Sabuttis,  a  well 
known  Pequaket  Indian,  lived  many  years  in  Fryeburg. 

During  this  yeai ,  (1779)  Capt.  Joseph  Twitchell,  the  original 
proprietor  of  the  mills,  persuaded  his  son,  Capt.  Eleazer  Twitchell, 
then  living  in  Dublin,  N.  H.,  to  move  with  his  family  to  Bethel, 
and  take  charge  of  his  father's  property.  Accorduigly,  Capt. 
Twitchell,  his  wife,  and  wife's  sister,  Betsey  Mason,  five  children 
and  six  hired  men,  viz.  :  John  Grover,  Jeremiah  Andrews,  Gideon, 
Paul  and  Silas  Powers,  and  a  Mr.  B'isk,  left  Dublin  and  came  as  far 
as  Fryeburg  in  the  winter  of  1780,  and  in  the  spring  reached 
Sudbury  Canada. 

Capt.  Twitchell  sent  his  men  through  the  woods  from  Fryeburg 
to  Sudbury  Canada  to  beat  a  path  in  the  snow  on  their  snow-shoes", 
when  they  returned  to  Fryeburg,  packed  their  baggage  on  hand- 
sleds  and  started  for  Bethel,  the  women  following  in  the  rear. 
What  earnest  man  will  not  be  followed  by  an  equally  earnest  woman, 
even  to  the  wild  woods  of  Sudbury  Canada  ?  He  occupied  the  house 
which  had  been  built  on  the  island  near  the  srist-mill.     He  at  once 


HIS  TORY  OF  BETHEL.  303 

repaired  the  grist-mill,  caught  moose  on  the  neighboring  hills  for 
meat,  while  his  children  picked  berries  in  the  woods.  Capt.  T.  was 
a  great  acquisition  to  the  town.  He  sent  his  men  to  aid  settlers 
coming  into  town,  ran  out  the  town  line  and  surveyed  the  lots  for 
the  new  settlers,  and  aided  them  in  securing  homes  "for  themselves. 
He  commenced  clearing  the  farm  now  occupied  by  Moses  A.  Mason, 
cutting  the  pine  timber  of  the  best  quality,  which  w^as  put  into  the 
Androscoggin  and  floated  to  Brunswick,  while  the  poorer  ([uality  was 
used  for  making  log  fences.  Think  of  it,  ye  men  whose  eyes  now- 
a-days  glisten  with  delight  at  the  sight  of  a  pine  log,  when  Capt. 
Twitchell  hauled  into  the  river  and  sold  the  handsomest  white  pine 
imaginable  for  fifty  cents  a  thousand  !  It  was  considered  a  good 
winter's  work  in  those  days  when  a  man  could  haul  lumber  enough 
into  the  river  with  which  to  buy  a  yoke  of  oxen. 

Thus  in  the  spring  of  1781  there  had  been  but  ten  families  settled 
in  the  town  during  the  thirteen  years  since  the  plantation  had  been 
granted  to  the  proprietors.  This  occurred  during  the  stormy  times 
of  the  American  revolution.  Five  of  these  families  settled  in  the 
upper  part  of  the  town,  Capt.  Eleazer  Twitchell,  Benj.  Russell, 
Esq.,  Abraham  Russell,  Lieut.  Jonathan  Clark  and  James  Swan. 
In  the  lower  part  of  the  town  were  five  families,  Samuel  lugalls, 
Jesse  Dustin,  John  York,  Amos  Powers  and  Nathaniel  Segar.  The 
nearest  of  these  two  divisions  was  six  miles  apart,  while  some  were 
ten  or  eleven  miles. 

In  1781,  David  Marshall  and  wife  moved  into  the  town  and 
settled  on  the  Sanborn  farm,  on  which  the  old  town-house  stood. 
Peter  Austin  also  settled  on  the  farm  now  occupied  by  John  Barker. 
He  had  a  camp  but  was  not  married.     This  was  in  17^0. 

On  the  3d  of  August,  1781,  occurred  an  event  which  is  worth}'  of 
note  as  being  the  last  of  the  incursions  made  l)y  the  Indians  on  the 
whites  in  New  England.      (See  Chapter  VI,  pnge  4o.) 

As  the  records  of  the  plantation  are  supposed  to  be  irrecoverably 
lost,  I  am  compelled  to  leave  a  lilank  of  mucii  that  transpired  duiing 
these  years. 

The  only  records  of  the  plantation  now  known  to  be  in  existence 
is  the  report  of  a  committee  to  settle  accounts  with  persons  who 
had  worked  on  the  fort  and  on  the  roads,  and  for  scouting.  John 
Grover  was  allowed  £1  10s.  for  going  to  Fryeburg  on  an  express. 
This  was  in  1782.  Accounts  were  settled  at  this  time  for  work  on 
the  roads.  Probably  the  first  road  in  town  was  from, near  Albert 
Burbank's  farm  to  David  Brown's  house,  and  thence  toward  Water- 
ford,  over  the  highest,  driest  and  rockiest  portions  of  the  land. 

In  1784,  Capt.  Peter  Twitchell  moved  to  the  town  and  commenced 
clearing  a  farm  on  the  land  now  occupied  by  Alphin  Twitchell  on 
the  north  side  of  the  river.  IMany  persons  remember  him  as  a  man 
of  strong  physical  and  mental  power.  He  died  in  1854,  aged  94 
years.  In  17'So,  occurred  the  first  death  in  the  settlement.  James 
Mills,  while  engaged  in  felling  trees  on  Grover  Hill,  was  struck  by 
a  tree  and  instantly  killed. 

I  have  no  record  of  events  during  the  years  1783  and  1784,  till 


304  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

October  25th,  1785,  wheu  there  occurred  the  greatest  freshet  ever 
yet  recorded  in  the  Audroscoggiu  river.  The  inhabitants  had  built 
their  log  houses  on  the  intervales  of  this  river,  wheu  they  were 
swept  away  with  all  their  contents.  Capt.  Twitchell's  house  on  the 
island  was  surrounded  with  water,  and  he  took  off  his  family  with  a 
raft.  This  was  a  severe,  but  useful  lesson,  as  they  rebuilt  their 
houses  in  position  above  the  reach  of  freshets.  One  acquainted 
with  the  location  can  form  an  opinion  of  its  height  when  he  is  told 
that  from  Clough's  mill  to  the  Androscoggin  river  there  was  one 
continuous  sheet  of  water.  It  rose  two  feet  above  the  sills  of  Moses 
A.  Mason's  dwelling  house  beyond  the  bridge. 

We  certainly  must  attribute  to  the  early  settlers  two  unusual  and 
disastrous  events,  the  Indian  raid  and  the  great  freshet. 

I  do  not  learn  that  there  were  many  additions  to  the  population 
of  the  town  for  three  or  four  years  after  these  events.  But  great 
crops  always  occur  after  a  great  freshet,  and  the  bountiful  harvests 
induced  otiiers  to  come  through  the  woods  to  the  Scoggin  country 
as  it  was  then  called. 

It  may  give  us  an  idea  of  the  relation  of  this  town  to  that  of 
Paris  in  this  county  in  1785,  wheu  JNIiss  Dorcas  Harbour,  who  after- 
ward became  the  good  wife  of  Stephen  Bartlett,  left  her  home  in 
Gray,  on  horseback,  behind  her  father,  and  rode  as  far  as  they 
could  go  in  this  manner  to  Paris  Hill.  From  this  place  she  con- 
tinued her  journey  on  foot  or  on  snow-shoes,  accompanied  by  ]Mr. 
Josiah  Segar,  who  dragged  along  a  sled  containing  all  her  goods. 
They  reached  a  camp  at  night,  where  they  found  ditliculty  in  pro- 
curing a  fire  for  some  time,  but  she  always  afterwards  insisted  that 
she  spent  the  night  very  comfortal)ly  with  Mr.  Segar.  The}'  reached 
Mr.  Keyes'  house  at  Rumford  Point  the  next  day,  and  the  following 
day  met  her  sisters  in  what  is  now  Hanover. 

Among  the  early  settlers  was  Rev.  Eliphaz  Chapman,  who  re- 
moved from  Methuen,  Mass.,  to  Bethel,  in  178*J,  ancl  settled  on  the 
site  of  the  old  Indian  village  and  their  corn-fields,  now  occupied  by 
Timothy  Hilliard  Chapman.  His  family  came  to  town  the  next 
year.  This  was  the  first  opening  on  the  north  side  of  the  river 
above  Moses  A.  Mason's. 

Allusion  has  already  been  made  to  John  drover.  He  and  four 
brothers  settled  on  or  near  Grover  Hill.  Though  rather  tardy  in 
getting  married,  yet,  Mr.  President,  as  all  good  citizens  should  do, 
he  married,  uniting  his  fortune  with  that  of  Miss  Wile}'  of  Frye- 
burg,  of  whose  children  may  especially  be  noted  Dr.  John  Grover, 
for  more  than  fifty  years  a  physician  in  this  town. 

Let  us  glance  for  a  moment  at  the  condition  of  these  pioneers  who 
had  come  from  a  country  comparatively  old,  to  a  wilderness.  Their 
route  from  Massachusetts  to  Sudbury  Canada  was  either  by  way  of 
Fryeburg,  or  to  Standish,  and  then  across  Sebago  and  Long  Ponds, 
on  the  ice  in  the  winter,  or  in  boats  in  the  summer,  and  the  rest  of 
the  way  through  a  dense  forest.  Their  most  frequent  neighbors 
were  the  Indians,  who  still  occupied  the  region  as  their  hunting 
ground,  and  who  claimed  a  legal  right  to  the  country. 


JIISTOin     OF  BETHEL.  305 

The  pioneers  had  uo  roads.  Spotted  trees  served  as  guidel)oar(ls. 
Though  exiled  from  the  world,  the}-  had  stout  hearts,  and  the  earth 
yielded  bountiful  crops.  Marvellous  stories  were  told  by  them  re- 
lating to  their  crops  of  wheat,  potatoes  and  corn  on  the  rich  soil  of 
the  intervales. 

Yet  the}'  had  their  luxuries.  They  employed  their  time  in  the 
spring  mouths  in  making  maple  syrup  and  sugar.  Hulled  corn 
boiled  in  maple  syrup  is  no  mean  fare.  Sage  tea  took  the  place  of 
tea  and  coffee.  Fresh  moose  steak  was  as  good  then  as  now-. 
They  could  raise  the  finest  wheat,  which,  made  into  a  cake  and 
baked  before  the  rousing  fire,  had  a  flavor  which  is  sought  in  vain 
in  modern  cookery.  Dea.  George  W.  Chapman  commemorates 
their  luxuries  in  verse  : 

"Our  blueljerry  sauce  auel  crau1)erry  tai't, 

And  l)lps«ied  maple  houey,  too, 
Refresh  the  taste,  rejoice  the  heart, 

And  loss  of  appetite  renew." 

Their  sleep  was  just  as  sweet  in  a  log  house  as  in  a  palace.  The 
blazing  hard  wood  fire  in  one  corner  of  their  house  sent  out  rays  of 
comfort  to  its  inmates.  A  series  of  shelves  in  the  kitchen  held  the 
bright  pewter  plates  and  the  crockery  ware  in  proud  array,  while 
the  cupboard  beneath  had  two  kegs,  o\\^^  of  which  contained 
molasses.  The}'  ate  their  baked  beans  in  those  days  with  their 
knives  instead  of  their  forks,  and  drank  their  tea  and  coffee  from 
the  saucer  if  it  was  too  hot. 

A  stranger  at  the  table  was  never  waited  upon,  but  was  invited 
by  the  host  to  help  himself  to  tlie  food  placed  in  the  centre.  A 
man  that  could  not  help  himself  in  those  days  was  considered  of 
little  account. 

Breakfast  was  had  by  candle-light  in  winter  so  the  men  could  go 
to  the  woods  by  daylight.  Dinner  was  had  at  twelve  o'clock,  and 
announced  by  the  cliuner  horn  or  by  a  halloo  from  the  mother  of  the 
family.     Supper  in  the  evening  by  candle-light. 

The  evenings  in  autumn  and  winter  were  largely  sjjent  by  the 
men  in  husking  and  shelling  corn,  making  shoes,  baskets,  brooms, 
bottoming  chairs,  making  axe  handles,  and  perhaps  an  ox  yoke. 
The  women  worked  even  later  at  night  than  the  men.  Sometimes 
twelve  or  one  o'clock  would  find  the  mother  busy  with  her  needle, 
preparing  for  the  wants  of  her  family.  Tiiere  was  no  ten-hour 
system  then.  The  hired  man  was  out  of  bed  hy  daylight  in  sum- 
mer, and  worked  till  dark,  with  only  time  to  eat  his  meals,  and  if  a 
young  man  he  was  expected  to  see  how  fast  he  could  work.  Mar- 
vellous stories  can  be  told  here  to-day  by  old  men,  of  how  much  a 
man  could  do  in  a  single  day.  Fifty  years  ago  it  was  the  best  man 
in  town  that  could  get  ten  dollars  a  month  in  summer. 

There  was  a  neighborly  feeling  existing  then  which  is  hardly 
known  at  the  present  day.'  If  a  neighbor  called  at  another's  liouse 
he  rarely  ever  knocked,  or  if  he  did  he  heard  the  familiar  woids, 

20 


306  mSTOEY  OF  BETHEL. 

"walk  in."  The  apple-paring  bee,  the  husking,  the  raising,  the 
quilting  bee  were  scenes  of  real  hearty  enjoyment.  Public  demon- 
strations were  few,  and  these  served  as  a  substitute  and  a  useful 
purpose. 

The  family  kitchen  was  the  common  reception  room  for  every- 
thing. The  long  poles  overhead  served  for  the  clothes  after  they 
had  been  washed  and  ironed,  while  in  the  autumn  they  were  cov- 
ered with  dried  pumpkins  and  strings  of  dried  apple.  The  old 
musket  which  had  served  in  the  war  hung  to  a  beam  overhead. 
The  huge  fireplace  was  regularly  supplied  with  a  great  back-log, 
fore-stick,  and  other  wood  every  morning.  The  pile  of  ashes 
served  for  roasting  potatoes  and  burying  up  the  coals  at  night.  If 
the  fire  went  out  during  the  night  recourse  was  had  to  the  tlint  and 
steel  and  tinder  box,  or  a  boy  was  dispatched  to  a  neighbor's  for  a 
live  coal.  Seats  were  improvised,  and  the  neighbors  assembled  in 
the  kitchen  for  a  lecture  from  the  clergyman,  while  on  Sunday  even- 
ing a  neighboring  3-outh  made  his  appearance  to  court  the  oldest,  or 
some  other  daughter  of  the  family.  Candles  and  lamps  and  window 
curtains  were  not  needed  then.  The  blazing  fire  shone  cheerfully 
into  the  faces  of  those  who  made  their  courting  a  serious  matter. 

Evening  visits  to  each  others'  houses  were  common  in  winter.  A 
bowl  of  apples  and  a  mug  of  cider  always  made  their  appearance. 
A  bountiful  supper,  in  which  doughnuts  and  mince  pies  were  sure 
to  be  seen,  was  followed  by  stories  of  pirates  and  witches  which 
abounded  in  those  days,  or  of  the  personal  adventures  in  the  revo- 
lutionary war,  or  on  some  knotty  doctrinal  subject  in  theology. 
We  smile  at  these  things,  but  there  was  a  hearty,  rational  pleasure 
scarcely  enjoyed  by  a  more  artificial  state  of  society. 

They  easily  made  necessity  the  mother  of  invention.  A  wooden 
sap  trough  could  easily  be  converted  into  a  cradle  by  the  addition 
of  a  set  of  rockers.  The  manufacture  of  wooden  bowls,  plates 
and  spoons  gave' them  emplo^-ment  during  the  long  winter  evenings. 
For  the  want  of  brick  to  make  a  chimne}',  thej'  could  make  a  hole 
through  the  roof,  and  top  one  out  with  mud  and  sticks.  A  moose 
sled  of  peculiar  construction,  called  by  the  Indians,  tarboggiu, 
answered  a  variety  of  purposes  during  the  winter,  while  at  a  later 
period  long  poles  lashed  to  the  sides  of  a  horse  served  for  drawing 
in  their  supplies  from  the  outer  world.  Everybody  could  use  snow- 
shoes.  Holes  dug  in  the  ground  served  as  a  place  of  deposit  for 
their  potatoes,  and  a  crib  made  of  poles  protected  their  corn. 
Hopes  of  a  better  home  stimulated  them,  and  their  increasing  fam- 
ilies and  bountifu'  'ops  were  abundant  rewards  to  them  for  all  their 
toil. 

Among  all  the  inconveniences  incident  to  pioneer  life,  I  have 
never  heard  of  but  one  instance  where  a  ditticulty  occurred  which 
could  not  in  some  way  be  overcome.  A  man  by  the  name  of  New- 
land  had  a  fine  pig  which  he  placed  in  a  large  hollow  pine  stump 
for  his  sty.  The  pig  grew  rapidly,  and  so  large  that  he  could  not 
be  taken  out  of  his  pen  without  spoiling  the  stump. 

When  coming  to  Sudbury  Canada  they  spoke  of  going  through 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  307 

the  woods  to  the  Seoggin  country.  Everybody  knew  when  a 
stranger  came,  what  was  his  business,  and  when  he  left. 

It  may  give  you  some  idea  of  the  toils  and  the  strength  of  the 
men  of  those  da^'s  when  you  are  told  that  Jonathan  Barker  came 
from  Fryeburg  on  the  snow  in  the  spring  of  1780,  up  Sunday  river, 
hauling  on  a  hand-sled  a  five-pail  iron  kettle,  a  three-pail  iron  pot, 
and  a  grindstone,  while  he  probal)ly  had  on  his  shoulders,  his  pro- 
visions, his  gun  and  axe.  He  had  his  camp  plundered  by  the 
Indians.  His  son,  Capt.  Wm.  Birker,  aged  eighty-six,  and  his  wife 
Abigail  Segar,  daughter  of  Nathaniel  Segar,  aged  eighty-three, 
still  reside  on  the  farm  first  cleared  by  Lieut.  Segar,  and  in  the 
house  built  by  him,  which  are,  with  Lieut.  Clark's  house,  probably 
the  oldest  in  town. 

Capt.  Barker  was  born  on  the  farm  now  occupied  by  John  Rus- 
sell. Edmund  Bean,  aged  ninety  in  November,  and  present  to-day, 
was  also  born  in  this  town,  and  these  are  the  two  oldest  native-born, 
citizens  now  living. 

As  the  Plantation  now  rapidly  increased  in  population,  the  citi- 
zens petitioned  the  Massachusetts  Legislature  for  an  act  of  incorpo- 
ration as  a  town,  which  was  granted  June  10,  1796 — seventy-eight 
years  ago. 

It  might  puzzle  most  of  the  present  po|)ulation  to  know  what 
place  is  referred  to  by  tlie  following  descri[)tiou  of  its  boundaries  in. 
the  act  of  incorporation  : 

"•Beginning  at  a  beech  tree  marked  S.  Y.  one  mile  from  Amare- 
scoggin  river  and  on  the  north  side  of  Peabody's  Pataut.  thence 
running  south  20  degrees  east,  four  miles  and  one-half  on  Peabody's 
Patant,  and  Fryeburg  Academy  land  to  a  hemlock  tree  marked 
1-1-1 — 111.  Thence  east  twenty  degrees  north  nine  miles  on 
Oxford  and  State  lauds  to  a  beach  tree  marked  1.  Thence  north 
twenty  degrees  four  miles  one  quarter  and  sixty  rods  on  Nevvpenni- 
cook  to  Amariscoggin  rivei- ;  thence  west  two  degrees  south,  three 
miles  and  three  quarters  on  Howard's  Grant  to  a  beach  tree  ;  thence 
west  thirty  four  degrees  south  on  Thomastown  to  the  first  mentioned 
bound." 

Such  are  the  original  boundary  lines  of  Bethel. 

The  name  of  Bethel  was  suggested  I)y  Rev.  Eliphaz  Chapman. 

I  must  pass  over  the  events  of  the  next  few  years.  Settlers  now 
poured  into  the  town  more  rapidly,  so  that  from  17!J0  to  17D6  a 
large  number  of  the  intervale  lots  were  occupied.  This  was  espe- 
cially the  case  in  the  lower  part  of  the  town,  where  the  broad 
intervales  early  attracted  the  attention  of  these  pioneers. 

It  would  be  pleasant  to  notice  more  fully  the  name  of  Moses 
Mason,  father  of  the  late  Dr.  Moses  Mason,  a  man  of  correct 
judgment,  good  sense,  and  a  peacemaker  among  his  neighbors. 

Samuel  B.  Locke  came  to  Bethel  in  179(i.  Most  of  us  know 
what  a  family  he  reared,  and  that  one.  Prof.  John  Locke,  became 
distinguished  for  his  scientific  attainments. 

Time  will  not  allow  me  to-day  even  to  name  many  families  who 


;308  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

moved  into  town,  which  have  played  an  important  part  in  its  history. 
The  future  historian  must  do  this. 

Passing  on  to  the  close  of  the  last  century,  it  may  be  well  to 
spend  a  moment  in  reviewing  the  ground  we  have  gone  over.  It 
will  be  noticed  how  prominent  was  the  influence  of  a  few  family 
names  in  moulding  the  character  of  the  town.  First — The  Twitch- 
ells  were  the  only  descendants  of  the  old  proprietors.  They  were 
strong  men,  and  well  fitted  for  pioneer  life. 

Then  the  Grovers,  who  settled  around  Grover  Hill,  should  be 
noticed.  Some  of  them  seem  to  have  been  born  good,  and  they 
liave  played  an  important  part  in  the  history  of  the  town. 

The  Bartletts  have  always  proved  an  industrious  and  thriving 
people,  and  have  done  their  share  towards  developing  the  natural 
resources  of  the  town,  and  adorning  it  with  tasteful  residences. 

The  Swans  should  not  be  forgotten.  They  seem  to  have  con- 
verged toward  that  most  lovely  spot  in  town  known  as  Swan's  Hill, 
which  our  summer  visitors  should  not  fail  to  see  for  the  beautiful 
scenery,  the  maple  orchards  and  thriving  farms  of  its  occupants. 

The  Russells  have  hardly  kept  up  their  original  number.  Many 
moved  from  the  town,  so  that  comparatively  few  of  the  name  now 
remain,  though  of  good  quality. 

The  Chapmans  have  been  among  our  most  successful  business 
men.  They  seem  to  have  the  peculiar  faculty  of  buying  dear  and 
selling  cheap,  and  yet  contrive  to  thrive  by  the  process. 

The  Powers  are  a  name  highly  respectable  and  successful  in  the 
various  pursuits  of  life  in  which  they  have  been  engaged,  but  have 
nearly  all  left  the  town. 

The  Farwells  have  held  possession  of  Mt.  Farvvell,  which  they 
have  embellished  with  fine  farms. 

The  Masons,  fat  at  forty,  are  shrewd  in  business,  and  prosperous 
vpithout  apparent  effort. 

The  Beans  have  acted  well  their  part  as  good  tow-nsmen. 

Then  there  are  the  Barkers,  tiie  Estes,  the  Kimballs  and  the 
HcJl'ts,  and  other  names  of  equal  importance  wiiich  might  be  men- 
tioned, did  time  allow. 

Capt.  Eleazer  Twitchell  may  be  regarded  the  founder  of  the 
village  of  Bethel  Hill.  He  looked  with  jealous  care  at  everything 
^which  should  bring  the  Hill  into  notice.  He  had  a  road  built  from 
the  grist-mill  up  the  hill,  which  gave  rise  to  the  name  Bethel  Hill. 
He  had  built  a  large  house  known  as  the  castle  in  17M7,  on  the 
Common,  in  the  rear  of  the  late  Lovejoy  Hotel,  now  burnt,  where 
he  kept  tavern,  had  a  store,  surveyed. lands  and  timber,  and  had 
charge  of  a  saw  and  grist-mill.  This  was  the  first  house  on  the 
•Common.  He  gave  the  Common  to  the  parish  in  1797  on  condition 
that  the-town  would  clear  off  the  trees  and  build  a  church  on  it. 
The  opposition  to  this  measure  from  the  north  side  of  the  river  led 
lio  a  compromise  by  building  the  church  near  the  mouth  of  Mill 
Brook,  some  twenty  rods  above  the  great  bridge  over  the  Andros- 
coggin. As  he  died  without  giving  a  deed  of  tiie  property,  his  heirs, 
s  Joseph  Twitchell  and  Jacoli  Ellingwood,  gave  it  by  deed  to  the  town 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  30^ 

in  1H23.     It  is  to  be  hoped  that  the  ladies  of  the  village  will  devise 
means  to  have  the  rocks  removed  and  the  surface  graded. 

From  Capt.  Eleazer  Twitchell's  account  book,  vpe  have  an  illus- 
tration of  habits  of  people  : 

Jaiiurtvy  ye  11,  1796. 

■  To  1  Gall,  of  Euin $1.33 

1  pt.        do 18 

2  (jts.  Molases. .40 

1  lb.  Tobacco 26 

3  lbs.  Fish 21 

1  lb.  Sugar 17 

1808.       To  1  inug  Cyder 05 

>^  mug  of  Flip 10 

1  gill  of  Bitters 10 

1  bush.  Salt 1.50 

1810.  To  1  busb.  Pertatoes 1.04 

1811.  To  lodging  one  nite  ; 16 

>2  mug  Toddy 14 

In  1799,  James  Walker  came  to  Bethel  Hill  and  opened  a  store 
in  one  of  the  rooms  in  Capt.  Eleazer  Twitchell's  house.  This  was 
the  first  regular  store  in  town,  though  Capt.  Twitchell  and  bis 
brother  YA\  had  kept  a  few  goods  to  accommodate  the  people.  In 
1802  he  built  a  large  house  and  store  on  the  spot  now  occupied  hy 
Mr.  Barden  as  a  hotel.  This  was  the  second  house  built  on  the 
common. 

There  was  but  one  store  in  the  village  for  many  years,  and  no 
more  than  two  till  about  the  year  1837.  Robert  A.  Chapman  com- 
menced trade  in  the  village  in  1831,  and  has  continued  without 
interruption  till  the  present  time,  a  period  of  forty-three  years,  and 
has  labored  probably  more  hours  during  that  time  than  any  man  in 
town.  There  are  now  about  thirty  stores  and  shops  in  town  where- 
various  articles  sre  bought  and  sold. 

Among"  the  prominent  citizens  of  Bethel,  must  be  mentioned 
Jedediah  Burbank,  Esq.  He  settled  in  1803  on  the  farm  originally 
cleared  by  Lieut.  Jonathan  Clark.  As  a  Justice  of  the  Peace^ 
selectman  for  six  years,  and  a  landlord  of  a  public  house  for  many- 
years,  as  an  active  member  in  the  church,  and  in  the  cause  of  tem- 
perance and  education,  he  was  well  known.  He  bought  the  castle 
built  by  Capt.  Twitchell,  in  1833,  and  erected  the  first  hotel  of 
modern  pretensions  in  1.S34,  which  was  afterwards  enlarged  and 
known  as  the  Lovejoy  House.  He  died  February  29,  1860,  aged 
75  years. 

The  following  sketch  of  the  condition  of  our  ancestois  will  show 
in  what  respect  their  condition  differed  from  that  of  the  present 
generation  : 

"•They  raised  fiax  which  was  spun  and  woven  into  cloth,  from 
which  they  made  checked  pocket  handkerchiefs,  checked  aprons 
and  gowns,  while  for  Sunday  shirts  nothing  better  was  expected^ 
Starched  shirt  collars  were  not  in  fashion  then.  If  anything  nice 
was  wanted,  a  few  pounds  of  India  cotton  was  woven  with  the  linen. 


310  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

From  the  coarser  tow,  trowsers  were  made,  and  working  shirts  and 
frocks  in  summer.  No  bathing  cloth  was  ever  better  for  the  skin 
than  a  coarse  tow  shirt,  of  which  your  speaker  wdll  show  you  a 
specimen  woven  for  him  half  a.  century  ago.  The  wool  from  their 
sheep  was  manufactured  into  blankets,  woolen  shirts,  frocks  and 
waled  cloth  colored  blue,  while  one  web  went  to  the  fulling  mill,  out 
of  which  go-to-meeting  clothes  were  made.  They  did  not  suffer 
from  the  cold.  Every  farmer  carried  his  calf  and  cowskius  to  the 
tanner,  who  changed  them  into  leather,  and  often  he  spent  the  fall 
and  winter  evenings  in  making  boots  and  shoes  for  his  family.  A 
pair  of  calfskin  shoes  was  considered  a  fine  present  to  the  good 
mother  and  oldest  daughter  of  the  family.  The  boys  could  wear 
cowhide  shoes,  which,  well  greased  with  tallow,  looked  nearly  as 
well  as  calfskin.  A  young  man  dressed  as  a  dandy  was  of  no 
account  whatever.  Gradually  the  well-to-do  citizen  wore  a  buff 
vest  and  a  long  tailed  coat  made  of  J^nglish  blue  broadcloth,  and 
adorned  with  brass  buttons,  while  a  ruttied  shirt  appeared  promi- 
nently in  front.  A  watch  chain  with  a  carnelian  seal  hung  from  his 
pantaloons.  Drawers  and  undershirts  were  articles  unknown.  For 
the  older  men,  a  red  bandanna  pocket  handkerchief  served  a  good 
purpose,  and  a  mutHer  for  the  neck  in  cold  weather,  while  the  young 
men  had  a  gay  colored  silk  handkerchief,  one  end  of  which,  a  quarter 
of  a  yard  in  length,  was  sure  to  hang  from  the  coat  pocket  behind 
as  a  flag  of  truce.  No  young  man  in  those  days  was  considered 
well  dressed  without  this  appendage. 

The  ladies  wore  their  dresses  with  a  short  waist  and  a  short  skirt, 
exhibiting  a  well  turned  ankle  and  foot,  which  was  covered  with  a 
shoe  having  a  black  silk  bow  or  buckle  on  the  top.  A  vandyke 
surrounded  the  neck,  pinned  down  at  a  point  itehind  and  before. 
A  rutlie  surrounded  the  neck,  and  the  married  ladies  had  a  cap  con- 
taining many  yards  of  ruttie.  No  doubt  they  appeared  very  liand- 
some  and  attractive,  especially  when  a  neat  row  of  spit  curls 
bordered  a  comely  face.  A  gentleman  with  a  lady  behind  him  on 
horseback  was  a  pleasant,  and  sometimes  an  enviable  sight. 

At  their  huskings,  (juiltiugs,  and  social  gatherings,  there  was  an 
artless  simplicit}'  of  manner  among  the  young,  which  would  not  be 
witnessed  on  similar  occasions  at  the  present  day.  Society  had  its 
conventionalities  the  same  as  now.  A  clergyman  in  a  gray  or  blue 
suit  of  clothes  would  have  lost  his  position  in  his  parish.  Every- 
body with  a  beard,  shaved  once  in  a  week,  either  Saturday  afternoon 
or  Sunday  morning.  An  unchristian,  unshaved  man  did  not  then 
exist. 

Fashion  had  its  absurdities  as  great  as  those  of  to-day.  The 
huge,  protruding  bonnet  in  front  can  only  be  excelled  by  the  no 
bonnet  at  all  of  the  present  day.  Shoes,  with  high,  slender  heels, 
projecting  from  the  sole  of  the  foot,  has  no  corresponding  deformity 
now.  Huge  ear-rings,  and  combs  on  the  top  of  the  head,  were 
extravagances  like  those  in  a  different  way  at  the  present  time. 
Large,  flowing  dresses  with  long  trails -existed  then  as  now.  Ladies 
were  admired  as  much  then  as  those  of  to-day.     The  powdered  wig 


HIS  TOBY  OF  BETHEL.  311 

of  the  last  century  has  no  corresponding  absurdity  to-day,  while  the 
handkerchief  with  its  several  folds  around  the  neck,  has  given  way 
to  the  more  comfortable  necktie." 

Twitchells'  mill  has  a  history  of  its  own.  Built  in  1774,  it  was  at 
first  without  a  miller,  each  patron  grinding  his  own  grist.  It  was 
liable  to  get  out  of  repair  and  freeze  up  in  winter,  so  that  the  inhab- 
itants were  compelled  to  grind  their  grain  in  hand  mills.  Captain 
Twitchell  repaired  it  in  1781.  In  1788  it  was  rebuilt  by  Samuel 
Redington,  a  millwright  of  Augusta,  father  of  the  late  Judge 
Redington.  In  1802  a  tub  wheel  w^as  put  in,  which  was  regarded  a 
great  improvement. 

In  subsequent  years  it  ground  slow,  as  if  under  the  direction  of 
the  gods.  Persons  living  can  remember  Capt.  Twitchell  as  the 
miller,  who  would  put  in  a  grist  and  leave  the  mill  to  spend  the 
evening  at  a  neighbor's,  where  he  spent  his  time  in  singing,  "My 
name  was  Robert  Kidd  as  I  sailed." 

Sometimes  he  spent  the  whole  night  grinding  for  customers,  and 
sleeping  on  a  seat  constructed  for  the  purpose,  before  a  huge  fire 
built  in  the  wall  of  the  mill.  After  him  Mr.  Jesse  Cross  was  the 
miller.  He  would  put  three  bushels  of  wheat  in  the  hopper  at  night, 
set  the  mill  to  running,  go  home  and  spend  the  night,  and  next 
morning  visit  the  mill  and  find  the  grist  still  unfinished. 

I  must  here  allude  to  another  grist-mill.  Mr.  Jesse  Dustou,  who 
came  to  town  in  1778,  erected  a  small  water  wheel  in  a  brook,  on 
or  near  the  Adam  Willis'  farm  in  Hanover,  and  attached  a  small 
granite  stone  which  turned  like  a  grindstone.  Beneath  this  was 
another  stone  hollowed  out  so  as  to  receive  the  edge  of  the  revolv- 
ing stone.  Corn  was  dropped  in  by  hand.  My  informant  states 
that  the  meal  was  not  very  fine,  but  that  it  answered  a  very  good 
purpose. 

We  now  number  a  population  including  that  portion  of  Hanover 
which  originally  formed  a  part  of  Bethel,  and  was  set  off  February 
14,  1843,  about  two  thousand  three  hundred  souls.  It  is  not  a 
manufacturing  town.  Every  occupant  of  a  farm  is  supposed  to  own 
it.  Every  prudent  mechanic  soon  has  a  home  of  his  own.  Ever}' 
man  engaged  in  trade  is  expected  to  gain  a  competency.  Bank- 
ruptcy rarely  occurs.  While  in  England  and  Wales,  one  out  of 
every  twenty-four  persons  is  a  pauper.  While  in  Europe  the  trav- 
eller is  beset  by  beggars  tliat  swarm  around  him,  in  this  town  three- 
fourths  of  its  inhabitants  never  saw  a  pauper  or  beggar.  Our 
villages  and  our  dwellings,  like  our  landscapes,  improve  every  year, 
indicating  taste>  refinement  and  intelligence.  Intemperance,  the 
curse  of  many  towns,  has  been  but  lightly  felt  here.  Its  sons  and 
daughters  with  habits  of  industry  may  be  found  in  every  State  in 
the  Union,  prospering,  as  a  matter  of  fact.  Like  a  birdling  which 
looks  out  of  its  paternal  nest  and  desires  to  fly,  so  do  the  young  men 
and  women  fiee  away  to  form  homes  of  their  own.  We  rejoice  that 
it  is  so.     We  are  proud  of  them  in  their  success. 

If  we  cannot  record  among  our  citizens  great  orators,  statesmen 


312  HISTORY    OF  BETHEL. 

or  warriors,  we  can  present  a  long  array  of  names  who  have  become 
good  citizens  of  our  Repul)lic  in  the  highest  sense  of  the  term.  Six 
of  its  citizens  have  represented  their  constituents  in  Congress.  One 
native  born  is  now  Governor  of  a  State.  One  is  now  a  Colonel  in 
the  United  States  Army.  Three  have  been  Professors  in  our 
colleges,  while  many  have  honorably  filled  the  positions  assigned 
them  by  their  fellow  citi'zens.  The  number  who  have  entered  the 
learned  professions  is  very  large. 

This  day  is  an  important  event  in  the  history  of  this  town,  and 
when  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  nine  hundred  and  seventy- 
four  rolls  round,  though  scarcely  a  dwelling  now  existing  may 
remain  as  a  land-mark  of  the  past,  yet  progress  will  be  stamped  all 
over  its  surface,  and  our  names  and  the  names  of  our  fathers  will  be 
held  in  grateful  remembrance  by  those  who  shall  celebrate  the  next 
centennial  of  Bethel. 

Mr.  President,  I  want  to  live  one  century  from  to-day,  and  see 
what  changes  will  have  occurred  in  the  world's  progress.  I  want  to 
see  how  this  town  will  look  at  that  time.  1  want  to  see  what 
discoveries  have  been  made  in  science,  what  inventions  in  the 
arts,  what  advancement  in  human  culture,  in  virtue  and  happi- 
ness. Some  present  may  yet  have  grandchildren  who  will  witness 
and  read  the  annals  of  a  century  yet  unl)oru.  It  is  a  grand  thought, 
on  which  we  cannot  expatiate,  but  must  leave  the  problem  of  man's 
highest  destiny  to  be  wrought  out  by  future  generations. 

Farewell  to  the  great  Past,  and  welcome  to  the  great  unknown 
Future  !  May  that  kind  Providence  which  has  watched  over  our 
fathers  still  hover  over  their  sons  and  daughters  to  remote 
generations. 

Prof.  Henry  Lelaud  Chapman  of  Bowdoiu  College  then  read  the 
Centennial  Poem  as  follows  : 

When  Jacob,  with  his  father's  blessing  crowned, 

Went  forth  toward  Haran — 'mong  whose  (locks  he  found 

That  Rachel,  for  whose  sake  he  patient  wrought 

Twice  seven  years  and  gained  the  love  he  sought — 

His  steps  upon  a  certain  place  did  liglit. 

And  tarried,  so  the  Scripture  saith,  all  night; 

His  heart,  perchance,  went  forward  in  its  quest, 

His  feet  were  weary,  and  they  needed  rest. 

Wild  was  the  spot  the  foot-sore  pilgrim  chose, 

Most  fit  to  urge,  but  scarce  to  give  repose  ; 

Thick-strewn  with  stones,  and  frigid  'neath  the  reign 

Of  utter  silence,  lay  that  eastern  plain, 

Where  mother  earth  so  stern  and  cold  did  keep, 

How  could  she  lull  a  tired  child  to  sleep  ? 

The  shadows  deepened,  and  the  pilgrim  lone 

Sought  his  hard  couch,  and,  from  the  pillowing  stone, 

Saw  the  slow  step  of  night,  and  in  the  sky 

Her  twinkling  footprints  as  she  glided  by. 


PROF.    HENRY  L.    CHAPMAN. 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  313, 

What  though,  indeed,  the  stones  that  formed  his  bed 
Gave  little  comfort  to  his  weary  head  I 
He  saw  the  solemn  beauty  of  the  skies, 
And  peace  and  rest  fell  on  his  closing  eyes. 
And  thus  he  slept ;  when,  lo  I  a  fairer  sight 
Broke  through  the  shadows  of  the  silent  night : 
Floated  his  senses  on  a  noiseless  stream 
Touched  with  the  radience  of  a  heavenly  dream. 

A  ladder  rose,  whose  countless  rounds  of  light 

Wearied  the  dreamer's  upward-climbing  sight ; 

From  earth  to  heaven  it  stretched — a  glorious  way. 

From  shades  of  uight  to  realms  of  endless  day. 

And  angels  walked  thereon,  whose  shining  feet 

Came  tripping  down  in  eager  haste  to  greet 

The  sleeping  pilgrim,  in  whose  quest  of  love 

The  angel  host  did  sympathize  above. 

And  where  the  mystic  ladder  pierced  the  sky, 

Shrouded  in  light,  and  clothed  in  majesty, 

Appeared  the  Lord  of  heaven  and  earth  supreme. 

Whose  gracious  accents  crowned  the  blissful  dream. 

"Lo,  I  am  with  thee  !  and  my  love  shall  trace 

The  path  that  leads  thee  from  thy  resting-place  ; 

Thy  father's  God  am  I,  and  Abraham  knew 

My  gracious  guidance,  and  to  Jacob,  too, 

I  promise  all  the  riches  of  this  land. 

And  ceaseless  blessings  from  my  open  hand. 

Yea,  like  the  dust  of  earth  thy  seed  shall  be, 

In  number  countless  ;  and  all  eyes  shall  see 

It  spread  from  Noith  to  South,  from  East  to  AVest,. 

'Till  all  the  families  of  the  earth  are  blessed 

In  thee,  who  takest  here  thy  needed  rest." 

O  mortals,  weary  with  the  cares 

That  round  your  pathways  throng. 
The  hardest  resting-place  may  be 

The  fittest  ground  for  song. 

The  feet  that  falter  not,  tho'  faint, 

May  reach,  at  setting  sun, 
A  spot  more  rugged  than  the  road 

With  which  the  day  begun  ; — 

The  head  no  softer  pillow  find 

Than  the  unyielding  stone. 
The  shadows  gather  round  a  soul 

That  weary  is,  and  lone  ; 

But  heaven  consoles  whom  earth  aftiicts,- 

And  opens  wide  its  gates, 
To  him,  who,  reckless  of  the  road, 

On  duty  ever  waits  ; 


.314  HISrOEY   OF  BETHEL. 

And  ministers  of  love  descend 

With  healing  on  their  wings, 
And  in  sweet  visions  of  the  night 

Reveal  celestial  things  ; 

And,  best  of  all,  the  voice  of  God 

Falls  on  his  ravished  ear, 
And  sleep  grows  sweeter  at  his  words 

Of  hope,  and  peace,  and  cheer. 

When  morning  kissed  the  earth  with  lips  of  light, 
And  won  it  from  the  cold  embrace  of  night, 
Jacob,  refreshed,  arose,  with  heart  serene, 
And  eyes  still  radiapt  from  the  vision  seen. 
And  now  his  feet  were  eager  to  depart, 
But  lingered  at  the  prompting  of  his  heart. 
The  place  was  sacred  ;  he  had  known  it  not. 
Yet  God  was  here,  and  graciously  had  wrought 
Such  wonders,  and  to  him  such  visions  given. 
It  seemed  none  other  tlian  the  gate  of  heaven. 
The  wilderness  had  blossomed  ;  and  its  name 
Henceforth  was  Bethel — chosen  word  to  frame 
Its  sacred  memories. 

Then,  that  other  da3''s 
Might  read  the  glad  memorial  of  his  praise, 
He  reared  the  stone  on  which  his  head  had  lain. 
And  journeyed  onward  in  his  quest  again. 

So  we,  whose  eyes  Ijnve  seen,  whose  ears  have  heard 

How  here  the  desert  blossomed,  hail  that  word. 

And  in  this  newer  Bethel  joyful  raise 

A  simple,  heartfelt  monument  of  praise 

To  Him,  whom  Jacob  saw,  and  whom  we  know. 

By  all  the  wonders  of  his  love  below. 

A  hundred  years  !  Their  light  and  shade 

A  wondrous  web  have  wrought : 
The  eyes  that  watched,  through  smiles  and  tears. 
The  shuttle's  flight  in  by-gone  years, 

Perchance  some  glimpses  caught. 
But  tarried  not,  nor  saw  the  i)lan 
That  through  the  widening  texture  ran. 

A  hundred  years  !     The  mellow  ray 

Of  history  o'er  us  streams, 
Pierces  the  darkness,  and  displays 
The  garnered  light  of  vanished  daj-s  ; 

As  one,  who,  lost  in  dreams, 
Sees  gleams  of  glory  through  the  skies, 
And  wonders  whence  they  take  their  rise. 


IIISTOliY  OF  BETHEL.  315 


A  liuudred  years  I     Their  stateh'  steps 

Fell  on  no  mortal  ear ; 
Yet,  gathering  in  this  honored  place, 
The  tell-tale  footprints  we  can  trace, 

That  marked  their  progress  here  ; 
And  here  a  monument  we  raise, 
In  memory  of  departed  days. 


Our  verses  with  our  thcughts  will  chime, 
And  wander  to  that  distant  time 
Which  fills  our  fanc}',  flees  our  sight, 
Half-hidden  in  the  hazy  light 
That  tells  of  day,  but  hints  of  night. 
In  Sudbury  Canada  we  stand  ; 
Above  us  tower  the  stately  trees, 
Which,  stirred  by  every  passing  breeze. 
Make  murmurous  music  thro'  the  land. 
Far  from  the  thoroughfares  of  trade. 
Remote  from  all  the  noise  of  men, 
A  spot  of  calm  and  sweet  repose, 
Save  where  the  gurgling  streamlet  flows 
Along  some  moss3'-haanted  glen 
That  flickers  with  soft  light  and  shade  ; 
Or  where  the  Androscoggin  pours 
Its  tide,  impatient  for  the  sea, 
Or,  with  a  sound  like  minstrelsy. 
Loiters  along  its  shaded  shores. 
The  forest,  whose  vast  realms  of  shade 
Hide  homes  that  to  the  birds  belong. 
Spreads  a  green  canopy  o'erhead. 
All  interlaced  with  threads  of  song  ; 
Beneath  the  tiny  wild-flower  shows 
Its  petals,  moist  with  lingering  dew, 
That  trembling  stays,  and  swiftly  goes 
Whene'er  the  sunlight  trickles  through. 
And  through  the  silence  and  the  shade 
That  hover  o'er  this  sylvan  scene, 
Among  the  giant  trunks  that  show- 
Long  vistas  of  repose  between. 
The  timid  hare  fears  not  to  take 
Its  halting  leaps,  with  awkward  grace, 
Nor  rifle  shot  presumes  to  wake 
The  sleeping  echoes  of  the  place  ; 
Only  the  red  man's  stealthy  tread 
Falls  noiseless  on  the  yielding  ground, 
Whose  arrow  to  its  mark  hatli  sped 
Unerring,  with  no  tell-tale  sound. 
Here,  Beauty  dwells,  and  Silence  sweet. 
In  natui's's  undistui-bed  retreat. 


316  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

The  scene  hath  chauged  ;  the  white  man's  eyes- 
Have  rested  on  this  lovely  spot ; 
And  lo  !  his  feet  have  tarried  not 
To  follow  and  possess  the  prize. 
With  patient  toil  his  arm  doth  wield 
The  glittering  axe,  and  where  it  falls 
The  ancient  trees  unwilling  yield, 
And  form  his  rude  but  sheltering  walls. 
And  day  by  day  the  sunlight  looks 
Upon  a  slowly  changing  scene, 
And,  searching"  out  the  hidden  nooks, 
Of  which,  in  other  days,  it  sought 
A  moment's  glimpse,  and  gained  it  not. 
It  lingers  lovingly  and  late. 
And  comes  again — and  while  we  wait 
To  count  its  visits,  lo,  its  sheen. 
Hath  clothed  the  nooks  with  living  green. 
The  sturdy  pioneers,  whose  toil 
Doth  thus  transform  the  virgin  soil, 
Dwell  not,  meanwhile,  secure  from  fear ; 
In  every  rustling  leaf  the}^  hear 
The  footstep  of  the  stealthy  foe  ; 
In  every  storm  that  mutters  low. 
In  every  gale  that  shrieks,  and  fills 
With  nameless  dread  the  gathering  gloom, 
They  hear  his  war-cry,  and  their  doom 
Re-echoed  from  the  circling  hills. 
A  sense  of  danger  broods  around. 
And  clothes  with  dread  each  slightest  sound : 
Prompting  the  hearts  that  feel  the  stress 
Of  danger,  linked  with  loneliness. 
To  seek  the  comfort  and  the  aid 
That  lie  within  a  neighbor's  hand  ; 
And,  straightway,  through  the  forest  shade, 
The  conscious  want  a  path  hath  planned, 
And  notched  the  trees  on  either  side — 
A  simple,  but  unerring  guide 
To  him  who  seeks,  in  peace  or  war, 
A  neighbor's  house  that  stands  afar. 
Along  the  lines,  thus  faintly  traced. 
The  postman  rides,  with  ringing  horn, 
Or  Doctor,  whose  impatient  haste 
Tells  plainly,  ere  the  day  be  passed, 
That  some  one  will  be  dead — or  born. 
Thus  lives,  'mid  changing  hope  and  fear. 
The  stalwart,  steadfast  pioneer. 
Slowly  he  conquers  ;  slowly  yields 
The  sullen  wood  to  smiling  fields  ; 
But,  dauntless  still,  he  bides  the  fates, 
And  patient  works — and  working  waits. 


HISTORY   OF   BETHEL.  31 7 

Again  the  scene  hath  changed  ;  and  fair 
'The  meadows  stretch  ;  with  peace  the  air 
Is  laden  ;  and  the  kind  earth  yields 
The  bounty  of  her  fruitful  fields. 
Gone  is  the  wilderness  I  and  where 
It  stood,  behold  the  homes  of  men, 
And  bustle  where  repose  hath  been. 
But  why  this  later  change  rehearse 
In  cold  and  inexpressive  verse? 
Behold  the  beauties  that  before  you  rise, 
Bethel  herself  salutes  your  wondering  eyes.  ^ 

O  ye,  whose  wandering  feet  retrace  to-day 
The  path  that  led  you  from  these  scenes  away. 
Within  whose  breasts,  wherever  you  ma}'  roam, 
The  faith  still  lives,  that  jjoints  to  childhood's  home, 
We  bid  3'ou  hail  I  The  ohl-time  charm  still  dwells 
Upon  these  meadows,  in  these  shady  dells  ; 
The  sunlight  gilds,  with  all  its  ancient  grace, 
The  winsome  beauties  of  your  native  place  ; 
Still  Bethel  sits,  a  queen,  in  modest  pride, 
And  calls  her  willing  subjects  to  her  side. 

We  bow,  most  gracious  sovereign,  at  thy  feet ; 
Our  loving  lips  thy  garment's  hem  would  greet — 
Our  age  renew  the  love  that  childhood  gave. 
Our  loyal  hearts  thy  lienediction  crave. 
Our  eyes  thy  crown  of  beauty  view  once  more, 
That  thrilled  our  senses  in  the  days  of  3'ore  ; 
And  ere  the  setting  sun  bids  us  away. 
Our  heartfelt  wishes  at  thy  feet  we'd  lay. 

Long  be  thy  reign  among  thy  native  hills  I 

The  peace  unbroken  which  thy  valleys  fills  ; 

The  river,  rushing  onward  to  the  sea. 

Bring  verdure  on  its  dancing  waves  to  thee  ; 

The  stately  mountains,  like  grim  sentries,  stand 

To  guard  thy  sunny  fields  on  every  hand  ; 

Within  the  bosom  of  each  wandering  son 

The  pride  be  steadfast  which  thy  charms  have  won. 

Dwell  thou  in  peace,  secure  of  all  our  love, 

And  crowned  with  countless  blessings  from  al)ove. 

After  the  poem  a  blessing  was  invoked  by  the  Kev.  Williaju 
Warren,  D.  D.,  and  the  great  crowd  repaired  to  the  tables  assigned 
to  the  different  districts.  Sm-h  a  sight  as  was  presented  here  was 
never  before  witnessed  in  Bethel.  Every  kind  of  food,  of  ancient 
and  modern  times,  made  the  tables  fairly  groan  with  their  burden. 
Everybody  was  invited  to  come  and  bring  their  friends  with  them. 
Thev  all  ate  and  were  filled. 


318  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

Hon.  Enoch  Foster,  toast  master,  read  the  following  toasts  : 

''TJie  State  of  Maine,  ever  true  to  her  motto:  INIay  her  sons  and 
her  daughters  everywhere  do  honor  to  her  principles  by  their 
industry,  intelligence  and  virtue." 

Responded  to  by  Hon.  Sidney  Perham,  ex-Governor  of  Maine. 

Mr.  President:  I  rise  to  respond  to  the  sentiment  just  offered 
under  more  than  ordinary  embarrassment.  It  is  always  embarrass- 
ing to  stand  before  an  audience  in  a  place  that  has  been  assigned  to 
another,  l)ut  for  an  ex-Governor — one  who  has  been  dropped  from 
the  calendar  of  living  government — to  attempt  to  fill  the  place  of 
the  real  live  one,  is  especially  so.  To  this  audience  it  will  be  like 
bringing  out  and  attempting  to  adjust  to  one's  person  an  old  gar- 
ment that  has  been  laid  aside  for  years.  It  is  old  style — out  of 
fashion — ill  fitting,  and  can  never  be  worn  as  satisfactorily  as  one 
made  especially  for  the  present  time.  It  affords  me  great  pleasure 
to  meet  so  many  of  the  sons  and  daughters  of  Bethel  on  this  deeply 
interesting  and  very  pleasant  occasion.  I  congratulate  you  in  the 
prosperity  that  has  marked  all  the  interests  of  the  good  town  of 
Bethel  since  the  first  settlement  within  her  borders.  jNIany  pleasant 
memories  of  Bethel  rise  before  me  whenever  I  vi-it  3'our  beautiful 
village. 

Thirty-six  years  ago  my  parents  sent  me  to  the  academy  here, 
giving  me  twenty  dollars  to  pa}'  the  cost  of  board,  tuition,  and  in- 
cidental expenses  for  one  term.  This  sum  I  found  sufficient,  though 
but  little  could  be  appropriated  for  incidentals.  It  costs  more  now, 
as  those  who  have  children  to  educate  have  occasion  to  know.  I 
boarded  in  the  family  of  Capt.  Grout,  who  lived  just  this  side  of  the 
present  location  of  the  depot.  I  have  some  vivid  recollections  of 
mince  pies  and  doughnuts,  of  the  apple  tree  in  the  little  orchard 
near  the  house  which  I  visited  every  night  and  morning,  and  of  the 
ride  I  took  one  day  on  an  island  in  your  river  on  the  back  of  a  wild 
colt,  and  what  came  of  it.  I  do  not  recollect  so  distinctly  as  to  the 
progress  made  in  my  studies,  though  it  was  such  that  a  school  agent 
in  one  of  the  adjoining  towns  oft'ered  me  nine  dollars  a  month  to 
teach  a  winter  school  in  an  unfinished  room  of  an  old  farm-house. 
But  I  am  talking  at  random.  I  had  almost  forgotten  that  I  was 
called  to  the  stand  to  respond  for  the  State  of  Maine.  In  common 
with  this  whole  audieuce,  I  regr(  t  that  our  excellent  Chief  Magis- 
trate has  been  prevented  by  other  duties  from  being  present  and 
speaking  for  the  State,  over  whose  interests  he  so  acceptably 
presides. 

AVhat  can  I  say  of  the  State  of  Elaine  that  is  not  known  to  every 
person  in  this  large  assemblage?  1  might  point  you  to  our  rivers, 
that  take  their  rise  in  our  northern  forests,  and  fed  by  immense 
lakes,  whose  waters  can  be  used  in  time  of  need,  and  until  mid- 
summer, by  melting  snow,  furnish,  in  their  descent  to  the  ocean, 
facilities  for  manufacturing  opeiations  unecpialled  in  the  country; 


HISTOBY  OF  BETHEL.  319 

to  our  safe  and  capacious  harbors,  sufficient  to  accommodate  all  the 
commerce  and  the  navies  of  the  world  ;  to  our  extensive  shipping 
interests  ;  to  our  forests  of  wood  and  timber  ;  to  our  fisheries  ;  to 
our  inexhaustible  quarries  of  granite,  slate  and  lime,  yielding 
already  a  large  income,  which  is  rapidly  increasing  ;  to  our  ice, 
which  has  become  an  important  and  profitable  article  of  export; 
and  last,  though  not  least,  to  our  men  and  women,  who  honor  not 
only  the  State  of  their  birth,  but  every  other  State  in  the  Union. 
To  all  these  and  many  other  reasons  for  honest  pride  in  the  State 
we  love  most  of  all,  I  might  call  your  attention  at  length.  But  little 
of  it  would  be  new  to  you,  and  the  time  will  be  better  occupied  by 
those  who  will  follow  me. 

We  stand  to-day  amidst  the  scenes  that  mark  the  progress  of  a 
century  from  the  settlement  of  your  town.  What  changes  have 
been  wrought.  What  joys  and  sorrows  have  been  experienced, 
what  hopes  and  fears  have  been  realized,  what  progress  has  been 
made  in  these  hundred  years,  I  will  not  attempt  to  recount.  The 
occasion  is  opportune  for  a  review  of  the  past,  and  a  glance  at  the 
possibilities  of  the  future.  But  I  must  not  longer  occupy  your  time. 
The  road  over  which  the  next  hundred  years  will  take  us,  is  wisely 
covered  with  mist  and  shadows  that  intercept  our  vision.  But, 
gathering  wisdom  from  the  experience  of  the  past,  let  us  apply  it  to 
the  duties  of  the  present,  and  go  forward  in  the  hope  that  whatever 
vicissitudes  await  us,  our  pathway  will  lead  us  upward  and  nearer 
to  the  realization  of  our  noblest  aspiration. 

'•''Our  Elder  Sister,  Fryehurg :  She  cherished  us  in  onr  infancy ,- 
and  we  honor  her  in  her  maturity." 

Responded  to  by  D.  R.  Hastings,  Esq.,  of  Fryeburg. 

'■'■The  Clergy  of  Bethel:  Like  a  good  Mason  they  strive  to  lay  a 
solid  foundation  on  which  to  erect  a  superstructure  that  cannot  be 
easily  shaken." 

Responded  to  by  Rev.  Javan  K.  Mason  of  Thomaston. 

Mr.  President,  ladies  and  gentlemen  of  Bethel,  and  of  other  towns 
and  cities  ivhorn  this  occasion  has  brought  hither :  To  decline  speak- 
ing to  such  a  sentiment  as  the  one  just  uttered,  I  should  be  untrue 
to  my  own  instincts.  To  be  present  "on  my  native  heath  again," 
environed  by  these  hills,  familiar  to  my  boyhood's  look  and  tread  as 
to  any  boyhoods'  since  ;  overarched  by  the  same  sky  that  in  my 
childhood  I  looked  upon  and  wondered  at  so  often.  Thrilled  by  the 
memories  which  these  faces  and  our  historian  of  to-day  have  re- 
called, and  remain  silent,  would  involve  a  wrong  to  my  instinctive 
promptings  to  be  ashamed  of  forever.  The  clergy  of  Bethel  have 
done  good  foundation  work.  Its  Masonry  will  outlive  time  itself. 
The  superstructure  erected  in  institutions,  industries,  enterprises  of 
different  kinds,  in  the  intelligence,  taste  and  character  everywhere 


320  HISTOBY   OF  BETHEL. 

evinced,  is  a  monument  to  be  proud  of.  Incomplete,  indeed,  to-day, 
but  rising  higlier,  and  rising  ever ;  to  present  more  beautiful  pro- 
portions until  the  glintings  of  yonder  sun  on  these  forest-clad 
.mountain  slopes  shall  cease  ;  the  river  fail  of  its  winding  way ;  the 
sky  become  starless,  and  all  this  charm  of  nature  sketched  by  artist, 
and  admired  by  lovers  of  the  beautiful,  from  city  and  town  near  and 
remote,  yield  to  another  fiat  of  creative  power.  The  monument 
complete  will  then  remain  in  all  its  chief  essentials.  Truth,  princi- 
ples compacted,  dovetailed  by  these  "workmen  needing  not  to  be 
ashamed,"  will  stand.  The  "lively  stones"  built  thereon  will  be  as 
enduring  as  eternity.  To  have  had  a  succession  of  such  ministers 
of  religion  as  have  lived  and  wrought  here  from  the  earliest  settle- 
ment of  the  town,  has  been  a  blessing  difficult  to  overestimate. 
Many  of  them  liberally  educated,  and  so  prepared  and  earnest  to 
care  for  the  mental  as  well  as  the  moral  and  spiritual  welfare  of  the 
people.  Our  historian  has  just  enumerated  and  characterized  them, 
giving  you  an  index  of  the  kind,  amount  and  success  of  the  work 
they  did.  I  may  not,  therefore,  particularize  to  any  extent,  lest  I 
seem  to  be  invidious.  Still,  I  love  in  fancy  to  run  up  the  years  of 
the  century,  and  look  in  at  the  old  steep-roofed  mansion  of  "  Priest 
Gould,"  (as  "sinners"  used  to  name  the  first  settled  minister),  and 
see  the  youth,  inspired  by  his  love  of  letters,  grappling  with  sturdy 
will,  principles  underhnng  all  thorough  education  and  mental  disci- 
pline. That  mansion  known  to  me  only  as  the  home  of  "Dr. 
Grover,"  once  a  pupil  in  it — long  time  after,  the  owner  of  it — had 
for  me  a  charm  and  commanded  my  boyhood's  reverence  as  no 
■  other  ever  did.  Not  for  the  minister's  sake  who  lived  there  long 
before  I  was  born,  but  for  the  doctor's  sake,  who  nut  only  dealt  out 
to  me  more  physic  than  all  other  doctors,  but  did  more  to  excite  in 
me  the  desire  for  an  education,  and  to  heli)  me  gratuitously  in  my 
incipient  beginnings  with  Greek  and  Latin  roots,  than  any  other. 
1  see  him  now,  massive  head,  hair  erect,  face  radiant  with  pleasure 
at  my  success,  or  frame  shaking  all  through  at  my  blunders  in  trans- 
lation, somehow,  meanwhile  awakening  an  enthusiasm  in  me,  and 
ni}^  then  classmate  (Gov.  Grover  of  Oregon),  which,  1  trust,  has 
experienced  no  abatement  to  this  day.  The  "Parson's"  influence 
on  him  and  others  lived  and  was  perpetuated.  Others  of  the  clergj- 
who  succeeded  were  not  slow  to  recognize  the  same  need,  and  meet 
it.  Hence  it  has  been  that  Bethel  has  sent  out  more  educated  men 
and  women — many  of  them  distinguished  C'luistians,  several  minis- 
ters of  different  denominations, — than  any  other  town  in  the  county, 
and  more  than  any  other  town  in  the  State  of  equal  population. 

The  times  have  changed  ;  the  work  of  the  clergy  in  its  essentials 
is  the  same  as  always,  yet  more  multiform  and  varied  in  its  needful 
adaptations  ;  the  men  engaged  in  it  to-day  not  a  whit  behind  those 
of  former  years  ;  as  indispensable  to  the  uprearing  superstructure 
as  the  earlier  to  the  laying  of  good  foundations.  That  you  appre- 
ciate the  sentiment,  1  have  no  doubt.  That  the  Bible  you  have 
been  taught  to  cherish  in  your  homes  and  in  your  hearts  ;  whose 
.principles  your  children  have  l)een  nursing  with  their  mother's  milk  ; 


HISTOBl    OF  BETHEL.  321 

whose  influence  underlies  all  good  govei-nment ;  secures  the  pui-ity 
and  safety  of  society  ;  sanctifies  every  home  that  is  worthy  the  name 
of  home  ;  and  whose  light  makes  the  pathway  of  life  plain,  and 
reveals  glimpses  of  the  great  beyond  that  cheer  amid  many  a  trial 
and  conflict,  heightening,  too,  many  a  joy  by  the  way  ;  that  tliis  old 
Bible,  dear,  precious,  God-given,  is  and  is  to  be  talismanic,  not 
only  in  its  power  to  i)rotect  from  evil,  but  to  bless  with  positive 
good,  you  have  learned  to  believe  with  all  your  heart. 

The  century  from  which  we  step  into  the  coming  to-day.  and 
desire  to  leave  here  in  these  services  and  festivities,  our  latest  track, 
has  been  one  of  great  changes  in  church  and  State  ;  in  letters  and 
science;  in  practicalizing  theories  and  utilizing  forces.  The  march 
has  been  onward,  not  backward  and  downward,  as  some  misan- 
thropes have  thought  and  insisted,  and  so  preached  that  nothing 
but  a  miracle  could  turn  the  current;  nothing  but  the  Omnipotent 
hand  by  sheer,  sovereign  act,  could  arrest  and  turn  back  the  de- 
structive drift  of  human  kind.  The  march  has  been  onward  and 
upward.  The  years  have  been  rolling  up  new  or  increased  light, 
and  the  day  is  brightening.  The  sun,  some  of  whose  rays  the 
prophets  saw,  and  which  in  his  rising  the  shepherds  of  Bethlehem 
rejoiced  at  the  sight  of,  has  been  ascending  toward  the  zenith,  flood- 
ing the  earth  more  and  more,  sending  his  blessings  into  dark  places 
and  despairing  hearts,  assuring  the  already  lielieviug,  and  convinc- 
ing the  skeptical  that  the  promise  is  on  the  eve  of  fulfilment  when 
"the  earth  shall  be  filled  with  His  glory  as  the  waters  fill  the  sea." 
That  croaking  that  sees  nothing  good  but  in  the  past,  that  sees 
nothing  but  premonitions  of  a  coming  destruction  in  these  upheavals 
in  society  ;  these  clamorings  of  philosophy  and  developments  of 
science  ;  these  utilization^  of  all  natural  forces  seemingly  shaped 
toward  material  ends,  may  do  for  a  raven's  maw,  or  swell  the  melody 
of  an  owlet's  song,  but  the}'  shall  not  disturb  us  here  to-da^'.  Ours 
is  a  faith  that  looks  before  and  reaches  its  hand  to  one  that  leads 
and  lifts  to  clearer  visions  and  purer  joys.  Old  truths  remain, 
afl'ecting  and  underlying  every  relation  and  every  hope,  but  these 
shall  brighten  and  others  be  seen  clustering  about  them,  adding 
brilliancy,  beauty  and  glory,  until  we  shall  see  that  God's  plan 
universal,  is  one  grand,  symmetric  whole,  and  that  the  acconii)lish- 
meut  of  it  is  as  benevolent  and  wise  as  it  is  certain. 

When  invited  a  few  weeks  ago  by  your  committee  to  prepare  the 
historic  address  for  this  occasion,  1  considered  myself  honored  as  I 
have  seldom  been,  since  a  young  man,  I  went  out  from  you  to  the 
battle  of  life.  The  honor  of  the  invitation  I  api)reciated,  hut  the 
honor  of  standing  here  as  your  historian,  1  was  obliged  to  decline, 
because  it  rightfully  belonged  to  another.  No  man  could  do  it  as 
gracefully  and  well  as  he.  No  other  man,  with  my  consent,  should 
deprive  him  of  the  honor.  No  other  could  have  earned  and  worn  so 
rightfully  the  laurels  with  which  you  crown  him  to-day.  7V»(?-born, 
n^True  man  !  skilled  in  historic  lore  as  well  as  scientific  research  ;  an 
educating  chief,  whom  Bethel  will  never  forget  nor  her  sons  and 
daughters,  near  or  afar,  cease  to  remember  with  love  and  respect. 


322  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

Friends,  this  is  the  last  time.  The  old  century  has  faded,  and 
with  it  many  dear  to  you  and  me  have  faded  and  fallen  and  they 
sleep  among  the  silent.  Peace  be  to  their  ashes  1  The  future  is 
hastening  up,  bidding  us,  too — "make  haste," — gird  well  for  the 
conflict  1  there  is  battle  ahead  \  Earnest,  and  achieving  work  for  the 
world  we  live  in  I  "The  night  cometh  !"  Some  of  j'ou  are  already 
at  the  sunset  hour  I  One  more  effort ;  one  more  look  of  faith  ;  one 
more  inspiration  of  hope,  and  the  reward  shall  come  !  Some  of  us 
will  have  a  little  longer,  and  some  have  just  begun — are  in  life's 
morning. 

To  such  let  me  say,  regard  you  the  sentiment  uttered  hero  just 
now  by  our  worthy  ex-Governor,  "religion,  education  and  labor  are 
at  the  foundation  of  all  good  government,  and  of  all  local  and  indi- 
vidual prosperity."  The  sentiment  is  true.  The  world  has  come 
to  believe  it.  Twenty  nations  of  Europe,  b}^  their  representatives, 
and  as  many  States  of  our  own  have  incorporated  it  as  a  principle 
into  their  platform  of  penal  reform.  In  that  Congress  of  Nations, 
in  the  city  of  London  in  1872,  to  which  your  honorable  Governor 
sent  me  a  commissioner,  the  sentiment  was  discussed  and  urged  in 
its  broadest  scope  and  minutest  bearings,  and  incorporated  in  the 
special  platform  by  unanimous  vote.  So  the  nations  are  beginning 
to  "see  eye  to  eye."  The  forces  are  concentrating.  Old  differ- 
ences are  vanishing.  Opinions  and  pur[)oses  iu  regard  to  vital 
achievements  and  reforms  are  harmonizing.  And  it  is  true,  thank 
God  it  is  true,  that  instruments  like  this  1  now  lift  in  j'our  sight,  a 
sword  that  did  service  in  the  war  of  the  revolution,  resulting  iu  our 
national  independence,  will  be  "l»eat  into  plowshares  and  spears 
into  pruning  hooks."  May  you  and  I  be  co-operators  in  the  work 
that  shall  result  in  such  a  consummation  I  Now,  let  me  say,  Fare- 
well I  citizens,  friends,  all.  Let  your  future,  as  your  past,  show 
that  3'ou  are  not  unmindful  of  the  foundations,  or  those  working  at 
them,  or  the  superstructure  that  is  erecting.  A  good  masonry  is 
needed  all  the  way  up,  until  the  top  stone  with  shouting  is  secure. 

Clergymen  of  Bethel,  you  know  your  work.  Well  some  of  you 
have  wrought  at  it  these  many  3'ears.  Others  are  fresh  in  it.  Your 
memorial  will  be  looked  upon  by  other  eyes  than  those  which  look 
on  you  to-day.     It  shall  be  honorable. 

Meet,  we  all  shall,  but  not  here.  There  let  it  be,  in  the  "Bethel" 
above.     Nay,  rather,  in  the  "Blessed  Home." 


''The  Medical  Profession:     They  show  by  their  practice  rather 
than  by  words,  what  they  do." 


Responded  to  by  Dr.  N.  T.  True. 


"  Wiley,  as  some  men  claim  to  be,  they  cannot  easily  escape  jus- 
tice, so  long  as  the  legal  profession  maintains  integrity." 

Responded  to  by  Hon.  James  S.  AViley  of  Dover,  Maine. 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  323 

Mr.  President,  Ladies  and  Gentlemen :  A  little  more  than 
tweuty-four  hours  ago,  1  was  more  than  one  hundred  miles  away, 
at  the  mouth  of  Penobscot  Bay,  on  the  verge  of  the  Atlantic.  I 
debated  with  myself  for  a  moment  whether  1  would  return  home, 
a  comparatively  short  distance,  or  come  to  Bethel.  I  did  not  long 
hesitate.  I  wished  to  view  once  more  your  unrivaled  scenery,  to 
gaze  once  more  upon  your  beautiful  and  grand  panorama  of  valley, 
river,  hill  and  mountain.  1  longed  to  greet  again  with  cordial 
grasp  the  few  remaining  friends  of  my  youth,  and  to  renew  my 
acquaintance  with  those  whom  I  had  known  in  later  years.  I  con- 
cluded to  come,  with  not  the  remotest  idea,  however,  of  taking  any 
part  in  3'onr  celebration.  But  your  historian,  an  energetic  geologist^ 
famous  for  discoveriug  things,  found  me  out  after  I  had  retired  to 
my  room  for  rest  and  repose.  He  said  I  must  take  a  part.  1  de- 
clined, (urgiug  fatigue  and  want  of  time  for  preparation.)  He 
insisted,  claiming  that  J  was  a  son  of  Bethel ;  and  as  a  dutiful  son, 
1  obeyed.  I  am  glad  I  came.  I  have  been  highly  gratified.  I 
have  had  the  pleasure  of  receiving  a  heart}'  welcome  from  old  and 
dear  friends,  and  of  feasting  my  eyes  upon  the  beauties  of  nature 
surrounding  my  old  home.  Your  President  has  announced  me  as 
"almost  a  son  of  Bethel."  1  do  feel,  sir,  that  I  may  claim  to  be 
almost  a  son  of  Bethel.  You  have  a  history  of  one  hundred  3'ears  ;, 
concerning  forty-eight  3'ears  of  that  history  I  know  something  m\'- 
self.  I  knew  the  Cliapmaus,  the  Twitcliells,  the  Beans,  the 
Hastings,  the  Kimballs,  the  Masons,  and  most  of  the  old  worthies,, 
some  of  whom,  by  their  presence,  honor  our  meeting  to-day.  And,, 
can  1  ever  forget  your  adopted  son,  our  old  brother,  William  Fr^'e.. 
I  knew  him  well,  and  cherish  the  fondest  recollections  of  his  gentle- 
ness and  kindness  to  me.  To  him  I  was  accustomed  to  recite  many 
a  lesson  in  m^-  schoolbo}'  da^'s.  A  gentleman,  a  ripe  scholar,  a 
worthy  member  of  the  legal  profession,  whr)in  we  delight  to  honor. 

But,  Mr.  President,  I  am  expected  to  sa}'  something  more  par- 
ticular about  the  legal  profession.  Tliis  subject  presents  a  very 
broad  field  of  discussion,  and  time  will  permit  me  to  glance  at  only 
a  few  points. 

Law,  in  its  true  sense,  is  the  ver}'  foundation  of  all  civilized 
society.  All  nations  which  have  made  the  least  advance  bevond 
the  lowest  barbarism,  have  found  it  necessary'  to  restrain  and 
govern  themselves  b}'  rules  and  regulations  for  their  own  good.  In 
the  earlier  stages  of  society,  when  the  governing  power  is  lodged 
in  the  hands  of  a  few,  these  regulations  ma}'  be  few  and  simple,  but 
as  nations  and  communities  become  more  numerous,  and  their 
affairs  more  complicated,  laws  must  become  more  numerous  and 
complex.  Then  there  must  be  a  class  of  men,  learned  men,  who 
are  able  to  make,  expound  and  administer  the  law.  Hence  the 
profession. 

Moses  was  a  great  law-giver  and  lawyer  to  the  tribes  of  Israel. 
All  great  lawyers  who  really  understand  their  profession  are  states- 
men ;  he  was  such,  learned  and  wise. 

Solon  aud  L^'curgus  were  great  statesmen,  law-givers  and  law- 


324  HISTOltY  OF  BETHEL. 

yers,  under  whose  wise  administration  the  Greek  nation  made 
unprecedented  advances  in  useful  knowledge.  I  trust,  sir,  it  will 
not  be  considered  sacrilege  to  say  that  our  Savior  himself  was  the 
greatest,  wisest  and  best  law-giver  the  world  ever  saw.  He  gave 
us  the  Golden  Rule,  the  very  essence  of  all  true  law  and  justice.  I 
fear  we  do  not  properly  estimate  the  importance  of  the  legal  profes- 
sion in  founding,  building  up  and  sustaining  all  great  and  enlight- 
ened nations.  Consider  how  much  p]ngl;uid  owes  to  her  system  of 
jurisprudence.  What  would  she  have  been  without  her  great  states- 
men, judges  and  lawyers?  I  have  time  only  to  name  Lord  Mans- 
field, the  great  lawyer  and  upright  judge,  and  champion  of  English 
liberty,  who  decided  that  slaves  cannot  live  in  England.  "They 
touch  our  country  and  their  shackles  fall  I" 

Consider,  for  a  moment,  our  own  glorious  United  States.  The 
fathers  of  the  Republic,  the  framers  of  our  incomparable  Constitu- 
tion were  good  men,  wise  statesmen,  and  most  of  them,  practical, 
sound,  learned  law^yers.  And  if  we  will  but  consider  the  matter  for 
a  moment,  I  think  we  may  conclude  that  we  are  more  indebted  to 
the  legal  profession  than  to  any  other  cause  alone  for  the  exalted 
rank  which  we  hold  in  the  scale  of  nations.  As  great  judges  and 
•expounders  of  the  fundamental  law  of  the  land,  we  are  proud  of  a 
Marshall,  Taney  and  Chase  ;  as  great  lawyers  we  may  boast  of  a 
Lee,  Livingston,  Wirt,  Clay,  Webster  and  Choate.  In  short,  our 
Constitution  and  the  whole  framework  of  our  government  and  juris- 
prudence— all  the  work  of  the  legal  profession — are  such  as  justly 
to  challenge  the  admiration  of  tlie  civilized  world.  A  wonder 
indeed.  Hut  I  might  repeat  the  same  in  regard  to  almost  every 
State  in  the  Union.  I  cannot  omit  our  own  State  of  Maine.  We 
can  boast  of  judges,  lawj^ers  and  a  judiciary  system  which  will 
compare  favorably  with  those  of  any  sister  State. 

But  I  am  reminded  my  time  is  limited. 

The  other  learned  professions  are  well  represented  here  to-day, 
and  I  would  make  no  invidious  comparisons.  There  is  no  antag- 
onism among  us  ;  there  should  be  none.  The  physician  labors  to 
eradicate  or  regulate  the  evils  and  disorders  of  the  ph^^sical  system  ; 
the  clergyman  strives  to  inculcate  the  true  principles  of  morality 
among  the  people  ;  while  the  law3'er,  the  true  lawyer,  strives  to 
eradicate  or  correct  those  evils  which  infest  the  body  politic.  The 
good  clergyman  teaches  the  true  principles  of  Christianity,  the  true 
foundation  of  all  laws  ;  the  lawyer  expounds  and  enforces  them. 
So  we  see  that  neither  is  sufficient  of  himself  alone,  but  each  must 
aid  and  assist  the  other.  Then  let  us  work  together,  each  in  his 
own  appropriate  sphere,  striving  to  tit  and  prepare  the  world  for  the 
coming  in  of  that  happy  time — 

"When  Peace  o'er  eaith  lier  olive  wand  shall  sway. 
And  man  forget  his  brother  man  to  slay : 
Plenty  and  peace  shall  spread  from  pole  to  pole, 
And  earth's  gi-and  family  possess  one  soul." 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  325 

'■'Our  Mother  State,  Massachusetts:  The  blood  of  her  citizens 
still  courses  in  the  veins  of  our  sons  and  daughters." 

Responded  to  by  Rev.  Mr.  Tilden  of  Boston. 

Mr.  PresideyU :  I  believe  this  is  the  first  time  in  my  life  I  was 
ever  called  to  speak  for  a  State,  save,  when  a  young  man,  I  popped 
the  question  for  the  state  of  matrimou}'.  But  as  I  had  sucli  good 
luck  then  1  shall  not  hesitate  to  try  again,  especially'  as  I  know  full 
well  that  Massachusetts,  the  dear  old  mother  of  States,  does  most 
cordially  reciprocate  the  kindly  sentiment  you  have  just  expressed. 
Like  all  doting  mothers  she  is  very  fond  and  proud  of  her  children 
when  they  do  well.  Besides,  as  we  all  know,  she  has  special  rea- 
sons for  a  tender  regard  for  the  sons  and  daughters  of  Maine,  since 
they  are  not  only  bone  of  her  bone  and  flesh  of  her  flesh,  but  soil 
of  her  soil. 

I  remember  a  conundrum  I  used  to  hear  in  vay  boyhood,  "Why  is 
Massachusetts  like  a  sheared  horse?"  "Because  she  has  lost  her 
Maine." 

The  good  mother,  if  I  remember  right,  was  a  little  troubled  about 
that  shearing  process,  but  she  soon  got  over  it,  and  has  long  since 
seen  that  it  was  best  every  way  that  her  "down  P2ast"  children 
should  have  their  portion  of  the  farm  set  off  to  them  and  set  up  for 
themselves.  You  certainly  have  shown  your  capacity'  for  mantging 
successfully  your  part  of  the  old  homestead,  and  of  becoming  a 
strong  and  worthy  member  of  the  great  family  of  States,  now 
happily  re-united,  we  trust  forever,  in  the  bonds  of  liberty,  equality, 
justice,  and  so,  of  peace. 

Mr.  President,  this  is  a  memorable  day  for  Bethel,  and  I  am  right 
glad  to  be  with  you,  even  as  a  visitor,  and  share  in  the  pleasures  of 
your  centennial  celebration.  A  more  delightful  da}'  you  could  hard- 
ly have  had ;  a  more  charming  spot  you  could  scarcely  liave 
selected.  I  was  greatly  interested  in  your  procession,  exhibiting 
the  handicraft  of  a  former  day,  and  the  old-time  way  of  doing 
things.  I  was  pleased  with  the  pioneer  woodsmen  and  hunters, 
though  really,  I  could  hardly  have  believed  that  you  had  a  dog  in 
Bethel  a  hundred  yeais  old,  if  I  had  not  seen  with  my  own  eyes  the 
veritable  animal  led  by  one  of  the  hunters.  I  was  gratified  to  see 
so  fine  a  representation  of  glorious  old  men  and  women,  showing 
the  hardy  stock  from  which  you  sprung,  and  tlie  healthiness  of  your 
climate,  together  with  the  youth  and  beauty  of  Bethel  so  finely  rep- 
resenting the 'Old  Thirteen"  and  "the  coming  woman."  1  have 
been  glad  to  listen  to  the  interesting  story  of  the  last  hundred  years 
told  by  your  historian,  and  put  into  sweet  and  musical  rhythm  l)y 
your  poet.  Glad  to  hear  the  letters  of  your  absent  sons,  full  of 
filial  affection,  and  the  spoken  words  of  those  present  with  you. 
Glad  thus  to  learn  that  while  your  forests  yield  sound  timber  and 
your  valleys  rich  grain,  your  homes  yield  historians,  poets,  preach- 
ers, physicians,  lawyers,  and  above  all,  good,  honest,  industrious 
men  and  women  ;  the  strong  arm  of  future  prosperity  as  of  past 
achievement. 


326  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

Mr.  President,  I  was  gratified  to  hear  the  cordial  welcome  ex- 
tended to  visitors  to-day.  There  seems  to  be  a  special  propriety'  in 
this.  For  dear  as  Bethel  is  to  her  own  sous  and  daughters,  she  has 
also  a  growing  interest  to  visitors  from  abroad.  There  is  something 
in  your  charming  valleys  and  background  of  "everlasting  hills"  that 
is  common  property.  It  can  never  be  bought  or  sold.  Beauty  and 
grandeur  are  above  all  price.  Every  appreciative  mind  claims  them 
as  its  own.  Bethel  is  rich  in  this  kind  of  wealth,  and  this  will 
always  make  your  pleasant  town  a  place  of  happ}'  and  restful  resort 
for  all  lovers  of  the  beautiful. 

And  now^,  in  place  of  a  speech,  permit  me  to  offer  a  responsive 
sentiment : 

Bethel,  the  child  of  Massachusetts  !  Though  in  the  waywardness 
of  her  3^outh  she  did  run  aw-ay  with  the  "]Maine"  branch  of  the 
family,  taking  with  her  a  part  of  the  old  homestead  ;  still,  she  has 
done  so  well  ever  since  that  she  has  her  mother's  forgiveness  and 
blessing.  May  her  prosperity  be  as  perennial  as  the  beauty  of  her 
scener}^  and  in  all  coming  celebrations  may  slie  be  able,  as  to-day, 
to  select  from  her  own,  a  "True"  man  for  her  orator,  a  good  "Chap" 
for  her  poet,  and  a  rosy  "Garland"  for  her  chaplain. 

''The  Merchants  of  Bethti:' 

Responded  to  by  Abner  Davis,  Esq.,  of  Bethel. 

"•Our  Native-born  Citizens  from  other  States:  We  honor  them 
because  they  have  honored  their  native  home." 

Responded  to  by  Jacob  Brown,  Esq.,  of  Illinois. 

Mr.  Fresid  nt.  Ladies  and  Gentlemen  :  My  position  here  to-day 
is  a  strange  and  phenomenal  one.  Not  to  the  Bethel  manor  born, 
nor  yet  an  invited  Bethel-ltoin  guest  even.  I  am  here  by  the  pres- 
sure of  Providence,  or,  peradventure,  as  the  woildling  would  term 
it,  by  sheer  accident.  Born  fifty  years  ago  and  more  in  the  goodly 
town  of  Albany,  an  important  adjunct  to  the  town  of  Bethel  in 
many  respects,  for  tlie  past  week  I  have  been  treading  my 
"native  heath"  again,  and  lingering  around  the  half- forgotten  scenes 
of  my  boyhood.  A  view  of  this  dear  old  town  awakens  vivid 
recollections  of  other  daj's. 

"There  I  was  hu-olied.  there  I  was  lilcd, 
There  like  a  little  Ailani  fed 
From  learnni<>*s  woeful  tree." 

There  my  father  lived,  and  there  he  loved,  and  there  he  labored, 
and  there  he  died.  And  how  he  died,  and  how  he  lal)ored,  and  how 
he  loved,  I  can  well  imagine,  but  how  in  thunder  he  lived  so  long 
and  so  well  in  this  quaint  old  town,  amid  the  barren  valleys  and 
naked  mountains,  to  me  is  a  sealed  book — the  mystery'  of  all 
mysteries. 


HIsrOBY  OF  BETHEL.  327 

The  generation  that  knew  me  in  boyhood  has  passed  away.  The 
present  generation  knows  me  not.  Along  the  highways  and  by- 
ways of  this  rongh  old  town,  I  passed  and  repassed  without  recog- 
nition from  my  fellowmeu.  The  mountains  bent  their  heads  in 
greeting.  The  hills  knew  me  well.  The  ponds  and  the  pondlets 
caressed  me.  As  I  passed  these  old-time  friends  they  turned  up 
their  sunny  and  familiar  faces  in  hearty  welcome  and  warm  recogni- 
tion. I  was  glad  to  meet  and  greet  these  gray  old  sentinels  of  time, 
and  gently  put  my  hand  upon  their  furrowed  cheeks  and  wrinkled 
faces,  and  feel  that  no  change  can  obliterate  our  early  love.  Never 
until  the  crack  of  doom  shall  these  stupendous  monumental  piles 
crumble  and  lose  their  terrible  grandeur  and  shivering  sublimity.  I 
looked  around  and  noted  all  things  else  had  changed.  It  was  a  sort 
of  satisfaction  to  know  I,  too,  had  changed  past  recognition  by  the 
friends  of  my  early  years.  1  love  the  play-place  of  my  early  years. 
As  the  Esquimaux,  who  never  feels  the  summer  sun  nor  sees  the 
flowers  of  spring-time,  is  inspired  with  patriotic  love  of  country,  so 
I  can  stand  upon  the  hills  of  All)any,  fold  my  arms  around  me,  and 
coraplacentl}'  exclaim  with  th.'  Esquimaux,  this,  my  dear  old  native 
town,  is  the  finest  country  the  sun  ever  shown  upon. 

But  what  business  has  Albany,  her  living  and  her  dead,  in  a  cen- 
tennial celebration  of  Bethel?  Modestly,  I  can  onh'  reply,  because 
I  am  here.  Not  that  I  love  Bethel  less  but  Albany  more.  But  in 
my  present  sunny  mood  I  will  sing  my  song  of 

PATTEES  OLD  ^OLL. 

Of  all  the  pictures  in  memory's  hall, 

No  one  dotli  me  so  thrill ; 
As  pictures  of  boyhood  davs  that  were  spent 

Down  by  Pattee's  old  mill. 

There  radiant  morn,  in  her  milk-white  robes, 

Tripp'd  o'er  meadow  and  hill. 
Scattering  light,  and  never  so  bright,  as 

Down  by  Pattee's  old  mill. 

And  the  brave  old  saw  went  up  and  went  down. 

Through  knot,  splinter  and  frill : 
And  the  well-worn  wheel  turned  round  and  around 

Down  by  Pattee's  old  mill. 

And  the  mist  crept  up  from  tlie  old  mill  pond 

To  pine  trees  on  the  hill ; 
ITie  rainliow  pi-omise  of  youth  gilded  all 

Down  bv  Pattee'-i  old  mill. 

And,  oh  I  how  1  panted  and  longed  for  fame — 

'J'liese  longings  troulile  me  still 
When  I  think  ot  the  boyhood  days  I  sjient 

Down  by  Pattee's  old  mill. 

So  oft  as  of  life  I'm  sick— am  aweai  y. 

Memory  liaunts  me  still : 
Of  young  romance  1  skim'd  in  my  youtli. 

Down  bv  Pattee's  old  mill. 


328  HISTOBY    OF  BETHEL. 

The  dear  one  I  loved  with  a  boyish  love, 
Meets  me  iu  dreams  at  will, 

Aud  hallows  the  scene  that  memory  wakes 
Down  by  Pattee's  old  mill. 

Along  the  wide  ways  of  sin  1  mav  fall ; 

O  God,  be  it  Thy  will ! 
If  of  Heaven  I  fail,  to  ijrant  me  rest 

Down  bv  Pattee's  old  mill. 


Bethel,  dear  old  town  I  There  is  uo  town  in  the  State  which 
possesses  so  many  and  so  fascinating  attractions  to  the  lover  of 
nature  in  her  beauty,  grandeur  and  snljlimit}-.  Favored  above  all 
other  towns  in  the  State  of  Maine  in  the  profuse  distribution  of 
nature's  largesses,  she  has  truly  husbanded  her  resources.  Her 
soil  is  tough  and  so  are  her  people.  Her  soil  has  the  true  grit,  and 
so  has  her  people.  The  town  was  settled  by  a  proud  and  heroic 
race  of  men.  The  tough  soil  and  the  rigorous  climate  have  given 
well-knit  muscle,  strong  arms  and  sturdy  courage  and  fertile  brains 
to  her  people.  Pjethel  Hill,  the  center  of  the  town,  has  been  and 
will  continue  to  be  the  center  of  learning  and  literature,  the  very 
Athens  of  Oxford  county.  Bethel  Hill,  ])ictures(iue  and  lovely 
beyond  comparison,  clings  to  the  bold  mountain  sides  in  the  back- 
ground, in  shadow  and  sunshine,  like  the  frighted  babe  to  its 
mother's  breast. 

No  outward-bound  sou  of  Bethel  will  ever  forget  to  love  and 
honor  her.  As  long  as  the  sun  in  his  setting  shall  throw  a  flood  of 
light  and  glory  over  the  shivered  peaks  of  New  England  mountain 
tops,  lighting  up  the  whole  heavens  as  with  molten  gold,  as  long  as 
the  mists  shall  cling  around  the  hill-to[)S,  and  the  rivers  seek  the 
sea,  so  long,  in  the  future  as  in  the  past,  true  as  the  needle  to  the 
pole,  whether  upon  the  land  or  upon  the  sea,  upon  the  farm,  or  in 
the  mines,  at  the  bar,  in  the  pulpit,  or  in  the  workshop,  rich  or 
poor,  high  or  low,  the  true  son  of  Bethel  vnll  love  and  honor  her, 
and  keep  green  her  bays  forever.  I  will  now  recite  my  poem,  and 
bid  you  all  hail  and  farewell  forever,  entitled  : 


BETHEL  ACADEMY. 

By  l)arren  rocks  and  deeply  tangled  wildwood, 
Mid  valley,  lake  and  glen; 

Here  babyhood  was  cnidled  into  childhood, 
And  boys  grew  up  to  men. 

Anear  the  corner  of  this  (|uaiiit  old  l)uil(ling, 
With  the  windows  all  arow  ; 

That  stunlv  and  that  stately  growing  ehn-tree 
Grew  thirtjr  years  ago. 

The  Androscoggin  still  is  flowing  sea-ward, 

As  thirty  years  ago  ; 
Oft  down  whose  gliding  waters  just  at  night-fall 

I've  paddled  my  canoe. 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  329 

Westward  winds  tliat  little  silvery  brooklet, 

111  tune  to  my  poor  rhyme; 
Life's  wreck-besprinkled  waters  still  are  surging, 

Against  tlie  shores  of  time. 

I  look  adowu  the  lane  from  this  old  building, 

Down  to  the  dusty  street ; 
But  gone  are  all  the  bright,  familiar  faces 

Of  those  I  used  to  meet. 

And  stricken  dumb  is  my  poor  heart  with  sadness, 

Bright  lioyhood's  dreams  are  fled, 
Flowers  that  bloomed  by  every  humble  Avayside, 

All  are  withered  and  dead. 

Pool',  timid  soul  I     The  dead  may  bury  their  dead. 

As  soldier  brave  in  fight ; 
Conquer  the  -red-hot  battles  of  fife  and  learn 

To  win  and  lo^'e  the  right. 


"T/ie  Ladies  of  Bethel,  celebrated  alike  iu  the  present  as  in  the 
past,  for  their  uutiriug  devotion  to  ever^'  noble  enterprise,  their 
intelligence,  their  beauty  and  their  virtue." 

Responded  to  by  the  band. 


After  the  toasts  and  speeches,  the  audience,  led  by  the  Norway 
band  joined  in  singing  the  centennial  hymn,  composed  for  the 
occasion  by  Geo.  B.  Farnsworth,  Esq.,  to  the  tune  of  Old  Hundred  i 

CENTENNIAL  HYMN. 

As — when  to  Jaeol)  it  was  given 

To  see,  mid  Eastern  deserts  lone, 
A  ladder  reaching  up  to  heaven 

Along  whose  steps  the  angels  shone— 

He  knew  the  Lord  was  surely  there, 

And  what  liad  seemed  but  wildei-ness 
Now  God"s  own  dwelling  did  appear, 

And  "Beth-el,"  thence  he  named  the  place- 
So,  when  our  fathers  eastward  led, 

Chanced  to  this  lovely  vale  to  roam, 
Seeing  its  ennn-ald  flo<n-  outspread 

And  spanned  by  yondei'  crystal  dome. 

Into  whose  depths  the  mountains  soared 

Like  heavenly  ladders  angel-trod. 
They  said,  "Here,  surely  dwells  the  Lord  I" 

An<l  named  their  liome  th(>  "•House  of  God."" 

And  here,  from  youtli  to  age.  they  strove 

Their  goodly  heritage  to  keep 
For  freedom,  knowledge,  virtue,  love — 

Now  in  the  dust,  all  silent  sleep ! 


S'60  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

May  we,  their  childreu,  aye  defend 
The  heritage  they  loved  so  well ; 

This  heir-loom  from  the  ijast  descend 
To  children's  children,  nobler  still ; 

A  place  for  homliest  labors  meet, 
Ever  of  manly  worth  tir  abode ; 

And  aye,  a  place  of  woi'ship  sweet — 
A  temple  high — a  "House  of  God  I" 

Dwell  with  us.  Thou  I     And  when  the  stone 
Shall  1)6,  at  eve,  our  resting-place, 

Heaven's  ladder  be  to  us  let  down, 
And  may  we  see  Thee,  face  to  face  I 


Secretary  Richard  A.  Frye,  Esq.,  read  the  following  letters  from 
gentlemen  who  could  not  be  present : 

Augusta,  Me.,  August  18,  1874. 

Dr.  N.  T.  True,  Chairman  of  Committer : 

3Ii/  Dear  Sir: — I  regret  that  a  prior  engagement  to  l)e  present  at  the 
State  Educational  Convent  ion  at  Kockland  on  the  2()tli  inst.,  will  prevent 
my  acceptance  of  your  kind  invitatiou  to  participate  iu  the  exercises  of 
your  Centennial  Celebration  on  the  same  day.  1  have  no  doul)t  tliat  the 
exercises  of  the  day  will  be  sucli  as  to  increase  the  love  and  veneration 
which  every  native  of  Bethel  can  but  feel  for  a  town  which  has  so  much  to 
Inspire  regard,  and  at  the  same  time  to  increase  tlie  reputation  which  your 
grand,  natural  scenery  and  health-inspiring  air  have  so  jtistly  given  you 
elsewhere.  Accept  my  thanks  for  your  courtesy,  and  believe  me  as  ever 
the  warm  admirer  and  well-wisher  of  the  goodlv  town  which  vou  have  the 
honor  to  represent.  NELSOX  DINGLEY,  JR. 


Sai.im,  ()i{i:(i(»\,  August  7,  1874. 
E.  A.  Frye,  Esq.,  Serretanj  of  Centennial  Committee: 

Dear  Sir: — In  acknowleciging  tlie  receipt  of  your  invitatiou,  extended  to 
me  on  liehalf  of  your  fellow-townsmen,  to  be  present  at  the  approaching 
celebration  of  the  centennial  anniversary  of  th(>  settlcnu-nt  of  the  town  of 
Bethel,  on  the  2(jtli  instant,  it  is  with  more  than  ordinary  regret  that  I  am 
impelled  by  circumstances  to  forego  the  pleasure  of  compliance. 

AVlierever  I  have  wandered  in  liie,  there  lias  gone  witli  me,  next  to  the 
love  and  rememl)rance  of  parents,  the  love  and  remembrance  of  the  hills 
and  vales,  the  free  air,  the  spjirkling  waters,  the  rugged  aud  ever  striking 
landscape,  the  summers  and  the  winters  of  my  birthplace. 

The  bold  uplands  of  Oxford  county,  and  the  neighboring  White  Moun- 
tains of  Xew  Hampshii-e,  have  impressed  their  images  upon  mv  mind,  and 
stand  as  emblematic  monuments  of  a  people,  hardv.  intelligent  and 
honorable. 

The  tirst  settlers  of  Bethel  were  remarkable  for  phvsical,  mental  aud 
moral  strength;  and  the  hazards  aud  hardships  which  they  endured  were 
well  calculated  to  test  these  <]ualities. 

Their  success  in  sul)duiug  tlie  A\ilderness  and  their  savage  foes,  and  in 
rearing  school-houses,  churches,  and  the  higlier  institutions  of  learning,  is 
the  best  evidence  of  the  character  and  culture  of  our  worthy  ancestors. 

May  your  celebration  Ite  alive  with  the  spirit  of  the  pioiieers  of  Bethel 
and  with  the  §-enius  of  a  hundred  vears  ago. 

Most  faithfully  yours.  "  "        EAFAl'ETTE  GROVER. 


K.  A.  Fryk,  Esq. 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  331 

Bkooklyx,  N.  v..  August  21,  1874. 


Mil  Dear  Sir: — Your  note  of  the  29th  ult.,  infonnluji-  ine  of  the  intended 
celebration  by  the  citizens  of  Bethel  of  the  one  hundredth  annivei-sary  of 
the  settlement  of  that  town,  was  duly  received,  and,  but  for  sickness, 
would  have  been  eai-lier  acknowledged. 

I  thank  you  very  much  for  your  kindly  invitation  to  l»e  present  and  take 
a  part  in  "the  ceremonies  on  that  occasion;  an  invitation  [  should  most 
gladly  accept  but  for  ill  health,  which  at  present  uutits  me  for  any  exer- 
tion whatever,  either  physical  or  mental,  and  confines  me  to  the  house 
nearly  all  the  time. 

As  my  years  roll  on  to  near  "three-score  and  ten,"  each  successive  one 
brings  more  vividly  to  recollection  my  native  town  and  its  inhabitants,  as 
they  were  in  the  days  of  my  youth.  In  that  homestead,  beside  its  brook, 
and  in  its  new  cleared  fields,  I  gamboled  many  a  day  with  l)rothers  who 
have  long  since  passed  away;  there  our  father's  <|uiet  but  impressive 
word  was  law,  both  Indooi-s  and  out.  Within  its  walls  the  echoes  of  our 
sainted  mother's  voice  still  lingers, .and  her  loving  presence  yet  casts  its 
strengthening  shadow  within  sight  of  that  old  house;  all  which  was 
mortal  of  each  of  these  dear  parents  has  found  its  last  earthly  resting 
place,  and  memories  such  as  these  may  well  make  Bethel  the  dearest  spot 
on  earth  to  me. 

I  grieve  that  T  cannot  pei'sonally  join  with  you  in  the  reminiscences  and 
festivities  that  will  mark  your  Centennial  Celebration,  but  I  shall  be  with 
you  in  spirit,  and  it  is  pleasant  for  me  to  know  that  others  l)earing  the  old, 
familiar  name,  and  many  of  my  kindred  who  still  dwell  among  you,  will 
represent  (more  fitly  perhaps  than  I)  the  family,  on  that  day. 

In  looking  back  over  the  history  of  the  yeai-s  that  have  resulted  in  such 
wholesome  and  steady  growtli  to  you  as  a  community,  I  doubt  not  but  you 
will  realize  tliat  to  the  moral  and  truthful  training  of  your  people,  is 
chiefly  owing  your  prosperity.  A  lesson  (it  seems  to  me)  that  might  at 
this  time  fitly  be  impressed  on  the  minds  of  those  who  are  to  succeed  j-ou 
on  life's  battle-field. 

But  I  must  not  weary  you.     In  conclusion,  I  pray  that  God  may  bless 
you  all,  especially  in  your  "assembling  of  yourselves  together"  on  the  day 
you  will  meet  to  celebrate,  and  that  He  will  continue  His  mercy  and  loving- 
kindness  to  your  posterity  for  all  time  to  come. 
Yours,  in  the  bonds  of  common  svmpathv, 

I.UTHEE  C.  CARTEE. 


Earlvillk,  La  Salle  Co.,  III.,  August  23,  1874. 
R.  A.  Frye,  Esq.  : 

Dear  Sir : — I  find  it  impossible  to  be  with  you  on  the  2(Uh  instant,  to  take 
a  part  in  the  celebration  of  the  one  hundredth  anniversary  of  the  settle- 
ment of  my  native  town;  and  on  account  of  the  pressure  of  business  and 
professional  engagements,  which  just  at  this  time  seeni  to  be  under  the 
control  of  my  evil  genius,  I  am  unable  to  prepare  anything  of  value  to  be 
read  on  that  interesting  occasion. 

I  assure  you  that  no  one  can  be  half  so  regretful  and  disappointed  at  this 
privation  as  I  am.  It  would  indeed  have  been  a  great  happiness  to  me  to 
meet  and  take  l)v  the  hand  my  relatives,  old  school-mates  and  friends,  and 
my  honored  and  now  venerable  teacher,  N.  T.  True,  who  is  to  lie  your 
orator  on  that  occasion.  I  assure  you  that  it  is  with  the  utmost  self-denial 
that  I  am  able  to  keep  mvself  at  home  on  duty  under  such  circumstances. 
But  if  I  could  be  present"with  vou,  or  if  I  should  attempt  to  write  an  ap- 
propriate letter,  what  should  I  sayV  Standing  betwi'en  the  two  centuries 
contemplating  on  the  one  hand  tlie  achievements  of  the  past  along  the  dim 
perspective  of  a  hundred  vears,  and  on  the  other,  the  possibilities  of  the 


332  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

future  enfolded  in  tlie  unknown  and  undeveloped  resources  of  the  century 
to  come.  Who  sh;ill  utter  words  fitly  to  be  spoken?  Whose  conceptions- 
can  properly  eml)race  the  occasion":'  Whose  vision  is  clear  enough,  whose 
comprehension  is  broad  enough,  and  whose  judgment  is  just  enough,  to 
understand  and  to  weigh  the  history  of  the  last  century,  aiid  to  epitomize 
it  on  such  an  occasion"?  More  difficult  still,  on  whom  rests  the  spirit  of 
prophecy  to  forecast  the  future  I  Who  can  fairly  state  or  fully  learn  the 
great  lessons  which  are  taught  by  the  ages  which  are  gone"?  Who  can  un- 
derstand the  significance  of  the  '"eternal  now,''  or  penetrate  the  veil  which 
hides  the  future  ? 

The  most  we  can  do  on  this  occasion  is  to  i-ecognize  it,  to  greet  each 
other,  and  in  the  spirit  of  faith  and  ti-ust  in  the  Intiuite  Father  of  us  all,'' 
"Await  the  great  teacher  Death,  and  God  above.'' 

Thanking  vou  for  your  invitation,  I  am. 

Very  truly,  etc.,  A.  J.  GROVEE. 


chaptp:r  XXV. 

Temperance  Reform. 


HE  earl}-  settlers  of  Bethel  iu  regard  to  morality  and  religion, 
were  certainh'  abreast  of  the  inhabitants  of  any  other  town 
iu  the  county,  and  in  advance  of  some,  and  yet  the  use  of 
intoxicating  liquors  as  a  beverage  pervaded  all  classes.  It  was  one 
■of  the  vices  of  the  period,  and  general  throughout  the  whole  coun- 
try. The  people  had  come  to  regard  them  as  essential  to  health, 
and  they  were  also  the  symbol  of  hospitality  and  good  fellowship. 
Their  universal  demand  created  a  supply,  and  for  years  after  the 
first  settlers  came  to  Bethel,  they  constituted  part  of  the  stock  in 
trade  of  every  grocery  store  iu  the  town.*  They  were  sold  l)y  the 
glass  to  be  drank  on  the  premises,  and  in  quantities  to  suit  pur- 
chasers to  be  carried  away.  As  a  family  supply,  they  ranked  next 
to  tea  and  coffee,  and  many  ranked  them  second  only  to  bread.  In 
all  the  account  books  of  the  early  traders,  rum,  giu,  brandy  and 
wine  are  as  conspicuous  as  an}'  other  family  supplies,  and  sometimes 
make  up  uearly  half  the  account.  Parson  Gould  did  not  approve  of 
excess  iu  drinking,  but  his  "excess"  would  be  regarded  as  liberty 
^t  the  present  day.  He  partook  of  the  social  glass  with  his  parish- 
ioners, both  at  his  own  house  and  theirs,  and  also  at  places  where  it 
was  sold.  If  an}^  of  his  people  drank  to  excess,  in  a  comuuiuity 
where  rum  was  freely  sold  and  drank  b}-  all  classes,  the  sin  of  intox- 
ication could  not  be  regarded  as  a  ver}-  grave  one,  and  a  reprimand 
from  a  minister  who  walked  up  side  by  side  and  took  his  drinks  with 
the  one  against  whom  it  was  directed,  could  not  have  had  great 
weight,  if  administered.     But  the  influence  of  the  minister  iu  this 

*WheD  Robert  A.  Chapnmu  went  into  trade  on  the  Hill,  he  went  into  a  store  where  liiiuors 
had  always  been  sold.  Mrs.  Chapman,  who  was  bitterly  opi)oscd  to  the  drinking  habit 
as  well  as  to  the  traffic  in  ardent  spirits,  advised  her  husband  to  drop  that  braneli  of  the 
business,  but  he  expressed  doultts  aliout  the  propriety  of  so  doing,  and  fears  that  he 
■would  not  succeed  if  Ivetlid,  but  Mrs.  Chapman  carried  her  point,  and  the  wisdom  of  the 
new  departure  was  soon  manifest  in  a  better  class  of  customers,  increased  trade  and  a 
flood-tide  of  prosperity. 


334  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

regard,  was  no  doubt  injurious.  The  people  then  followed  the 
guidance,  not  only  in  spiritual,  but  in  temporal  affairs  with  much 
greater  faith  and  confidence  than  do  the  people  of  our  day. 

This  condition  of  things  continued  with  little  change  for  many 
3'ears.  Temperance  in  the  use  of  intoxicating  drinks  was  of  slow 
growth,  and  abstinence  much  more  slow.  The  profits  arising  from 
its  sale,  then  as  now,  blunted  the  consciences  of  those  engaged  in 
the  traffic,  and  blinded  their  eyes  to  the  enormity  of  the  evil.  The 
Massachusetts  Temperance  Society,  the  first  in  the  country,  was 
organized  in  eighteen  hundred  and  twelve,  but  its  intluence  was  little 
felt  in  Maine,  or  anywhere  else.  The  American  Temperance 
Society  was  organized  in  eighteen  hundred  and  twenty-six,  and  this 
was  the  result  of  many  years'  agitation  of  the  subject ;  how  many, 
it  is  impossible  to  say.  The  proceedings  of  the  second  meeting  held 
in  Boston,  January  twenty-eight,  eighteen  hundred  and  twent^^-nine, 
were  printed.  At  this  time  there  were  two  hundred  and  twenty-two 
temperance  societies,  of  which  five,  exclusive  of  Massachusetts, 
were  State  societies.  Thirteen  of  these  societies  were  in  Maine, 
though  Maine  then  had  no  State  organization.  Two  of  the  JMaine 
societies,  viz.  :  East  IMachias  and  Prospect,  made  reports.  The 
former  reported  ninety  members,  and  only  two  grog  shops  in  the 
place,  and  after  the  following  September,  there  was  to  be  no  retailer 
in  town.  The  society  at  Prospect,  organized  in  April,  eighteen 
hundred  and  twenty-seven,  with  five  members,  now  had  one  hundred 
and  one,  of  whom  forty-six  were  females.  One  retailer  had  struck 
ardent  spirits  from  his  list  of  merchandise,  and  in  one  shipyard,  it 
was  no  longer  used.  The  following  meml)ers  of  the  American  So- 
ciety were  reported  as  belonging  in  Maine  :  Bath,  Rev.  John  W. 
Ellingwood  ;  Portland,  Rev.  Charles  .lenkius,  Rev.  Bennet  Tyler, 
D.  D.,  Hon.  Albion  K.  Parris  and  Hon.  Wm.  P.  Preble;  Saco, 
Ether  Shepley,  Esq.  The  East  Machias  Society  organized  in  Jan- 
uary, eighteen  hundred  and  twenty-seven,  may  have  been  the  first 
temperance  society  in  the  State.  The  other  societies  in  Maine  were 
in  Brunswick,  Gorham,  Portland,  (iardiner,  Buckfield,  New  Sharon, 
Saco,  Livermore,  Norway,  Windsor  and  Brewer  Village.  The 
Livermore  Society,  then  in  Oxford  county,  was  organized  July 
fourth,  eighteen  hundred  and  twenty-eight,  with  Rev.  George  Bates 
as  Secretary.  In  eighteen  hundred  and  twenty-eight,  a  temperance 
society  was  formed  at  Bethel  Hill  with  the  following  members  :  Dr. 
Timothy  Carter,  Dea.  Robbins  Brown,  Leonard  Grover,  Jedediah 


HISTORY  OF   BETHEL.  335, 

Burbank,  James  AValker,  Johu  A.  Twitchell  and  Rev.  Charles 
Frost.  On  the  occasion  of  its  organization,  a  temperance  address 
was  delivered  by  William  Frye,  Esquire. 

The  first  annual  meeting  of  the  Maine  Temperance  Society  was 
holden  at  Augusta,  January  twenty-third,  eighteen  hundred  and 
thirty-three.  The  printed  proceedings  do  not  show  that  Oxford 
county  was  represented  by  delegates.  Governor  Samuel  E.  Smith 
was  elected  President,  Hon.  Samuel  Pond  of  Bucksport,  Secretary, 
Elihu  Robinson,  Augusta,  Treasurer,  and  Charles  Williams  of 
Augusta,  Auditor.  Judge  Ether  Shepley  presided.  Oxford  County 
Society  was  reported  as  having  been  organized  July  first,  eighteen 
hundred  and  twenty-nine,  with  Hon.  Luther  Cary  of  Turner,  Presi- 
dent, and  Samuel  F.  Brown,  Esq.,  of  Buckfield  as  Secretary. 
Buckfield  reported  "opposition  great  to  temperance  reform,  by  politi- 
cal demagogues,  followed  by  their  supporters  half  drunk."  Frye- 
burg  reported,  "much  opposition  from  temperate  drinkers, 
drunkards  and  sellers  of  rum."  Hebron  reported,  "opposition  by 
several  classes  and  various  characters."  Andover,  "opposition  b}^ 
the  intemperate.  Sweden,  "opposition  is  composed  of  men  of  every 
class — two  men,  however,  who  are  rival  candidates  for  office,  have 
more  influence  than  all  others."  Sumner,  "opposition  by  intemper- 
ate and  moderate  drinkers,  and  by  some  wdio  are  professors  of 
religion."  Thirteen  societies  are  reported  in  Oxford  county,  but 
many  towns,  including  Bethel,  make  no  report.  The  Buckfield 
society  is  reported  defunct.  Previous  to  the  organization  of  the 
Maine  State  Society,  the  "Union  Temperance  Society  of  Oxford 
County,"  was  organized,  presumably  at  Paris,  and  originated  among 
the  members  of  the  Oxford  bar.  The  following  is  the  constitution 
adopted,  and  the  names  of  the  first  signers  : 

"The  undersigned  being  desirous  of  exerting  their  influence  in  the 
cause  of  temperance,  and  recognizing  and  adopting  the  principle  of 
total  abstinence  from  the  use  of  ardent  spirits,  hereby  form  our- 
selves into  an  association,  to  be  called  the  Fuion  Temperance 
Society  of  the  county  of  Oxford. 

Art.  1.  The  officers  of  this  Society  shall  be  a  President,  Vice  President 
and  Secretary,  to  be  chosen  annually  by  tin-  iucuiIkts  at  the  .Tunc  icnii  of 
the  Court  of  Common  Pleas. 

Art.  2.  There  shall  be  a  meeting  of  this  association  on  some  day  dur- 
ing: each  term  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas,  at  the  Court  lIotis(\  of  which 


336  HISTOBY  OF  BETHEL. 

meeting  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Secretary  to  give  seasonable  notice— 
and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  President  to  request  some  gentleman  to 
deliver  an  address  at  each  meeting. 

Art.  3.  Every  person  signing  this  constitution  sliall  become  a  member 
of  this  society,  thereby  engaging  to  adopt  a  total  abstinence  in  reference 
to  the  use  of  "ardent  spirits  as  a  drink." 

Levi  Whitman,  Stephen  Emery,  Robert  Goodeuow,  Wm.  E.  Goodenow,  R. 
K.  Goodenow,  Isaiah  P.  Moody,  Timothy  J.  Carter,  Daniel  Goodenow, 
Reuel  Washburn,  Heury  Farewell,  James  Walker,  Samuel  F.  Brown,  Tim- 
othy Carter,  Peter  C.  Virgin,  Levi  Stowell,  Joshua  Randall.  Virgil  D. 
Parris,  Solomon  Hall,  Thomas  Clark,  James  Starr,  John  Woodbury, 
Augustine  Haynes,  John  Jameson,  Chas.  Whitman,  Albert  G.  Thornton, 
Hannibal  Hamlin,  Cyrus  Thompson,  S.  Strickland,  Eben  Poor.  Wm.  War- 
ren, Ira  Bartlett,  James  V.  Poor,  Thomas  Gammon,  Elisha  Morse,  Geo. 
Turner,  David  Gerry,  Ephraim  Bass,  Erastus  P.  Poor,  Stephen  Chase, 
Ebenezer  Jewett,  Abraham  Andrews,  Jr.,  Daniel  Chaplin,  John  S. 
Barrows,  Josiah  Blake,  Simeon  Walton. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  society,  Jamiar}'  twenty- second,  eighteen 
hundred  and  thirty-three,  it  was  voted  that  a  committee  of  one  or 
more  gentlemen  in  ever}'  town  in  the  county  be  appointed  to  take  a 
copy  of  this  constitution  and  procure  subscribers,  and  the  following 
gentlemen  were  appointed  for  the  service,  viz.  :  Fryeburg,  Benjamin 
Wyman,  Ebenezer  Fessenden,  Jr.,  Henry  C.  Buswell ;  Brownfield, 
James  Steele,  Samuel  Stickney,  George  Bean  ;  Hiram,  Peleg  Wads- 
worth,  Alpheus  Spring;  Denmark,  Samuel  Gilison,  Amos  Poor; 
Lovell,  Abraham  Andrews  ;  Sweden,  Chas.  Nevers,  Nathan  Brad- 
l)ury  ;  Fryeburg  Addition,  Samuel  Farrington  ;  VVaterford,  Charles 
Whitman,  Daniel  IJrowu,  Esq.,  Dr.  Leander  Gage  ;  Albany,  Aaron 
Cumniiugs ;  Liveimore,  Reuel  Washburn;  Jay,  Jas.  Starr;  Can- 
ton, John  Hearsey  ;  Hartford,  Cyrus  Thompson  ;  Sumner,  Samuel 
Sewall  ;  Peru,  Levi  Ludden  ;  Dixfield,  Henry  Farewell ;  Mexico, 
Joseph  Eustis  :  Hartford,  Elder  Hutchinson,  Joseph  Tobin,  Edward 
Blake ;  Buckfield,  Seth  Stetson,  Zadock  Long,  Lucius  Loring ; 
Paris,  Al)ijahHall,  Jr.,  Simeon  Walton,  Asaph  Kittredge  ;  Hebron, 
Wm.  Barrows,  Dr.  Carr ;  Oxford,  Jairus  S.  Keith,  S.  H.  King; 
Rumford,  Henry  Martin  ;  Andover,  Sylvanus  Poor,  Jr.  ;  Bethel, 
Jedediah  Burbank  :  Newry,  Josiah  Black  ;  Woodstock,  Elder  Jacob 
Whitman. 

At  the  second  annual  meeting  of  the  Maine  Temperance  Society, 
held  at  Augusta,  February  fifth,  eighteen  hundred  and  thirty-four, 
Hon.  Prentiss  Melleu  was  made  President,  and  the  other  officers  of 


HLSTOliY  OF  BETHEL. 


837 


the  previous  3'ear  were  re-elected.  There  were  more  reports  made 
from  Oxford  coimty  towns  than  the  year  previous,  showing  an  in- 
crease of  interest  in  the  cause.  The  officers  of  the  Oxford  county 
society  were  the  same  as  before.  Many  new  towns  had  formed  as- 
sociations, and  Buckfield  was  the  only  town  where  the  association 
had  become  defunct.  The  report  from  Buckfield  showed  much  op- 
position to  the  cause.  "One  deacon  both  drinks  and  sells  rum," 
says  the  report. 

The  following  table  shows  at  a  glance  the  extent  of  the  organized 
temperance  reform  in  Oxford  county  in  1834  : 


When 

Xo.  of 

Tov')i.         0) 

•ganized. 

r  resident. 

iSccretdrij. 

Members 

Albany, 

1831, 

Asa  Cumniings, 

P.  Haskell, 

91 

Andover, 

Rev.  Wm.  Gregg, 

E.  Poor,  Jr., 

88 

Bethel, 

1829, 

Dr.  T.  Carter, 

L.  Grover, 

140 

Brownfleld, 

1834, 

I.  Spring, 

\\\w.  Went  worth. 

110 

Carthag-e, 

1834, 

D.  Storer, 

D.  Stickney, 

27 

Dixfield, 

J.  Adams, 

Dr.  A.  F.  Stanley. 

,     64 

Denmark, 

1833, 

Amos  Poor, 

J.  Smith, 

40 

Fryeburo;. 

1833, 

E.  Fesseudeu,  Jr., 

Dr.  R.  Barrows, 

19,5 

Greenwood, 

Rev.  E.  Whittle, 

John  Small, 

80 

Gilead, 

G.  W.  Chapman, 

Wm.  Wight. 

67 

Hartford, 

N.  Bieknell, 

J.  Cluu-chill, 

137 

Hebron, 

S.  My  rick. 

S.  Perkins; 

138 

Jay, 

1833, 

Maj.  M.  Stone, 

Col.  D.  Merrit, 

133 

Livermore, 

1828, 

Reuel  Washburn, 

J.  Chase, 

132 

Young  Men's, 

J.  Leavitt, 

S.  Hearsey, 

202 

East  I.ivermore, 

C.  Haines, 

F.  F.  Haines, 

12(5 

Lovell, 

Rev.  V.  Kittle, 

A.  Andrews, 

85 

Norway, 

1833, 

Uriah  Holt, 

Benj.  Tucker,  Jr., 

250 

No.  Norway, 

50 

Oxford, 

1833, 

Dr.  J.  T('\\  ksbiirj-, 

Giles  .Shurtk'tf, 

125 

So.  Paris, 

1832, 

Seth  Morse, 

Henry  R.  Parsons 

,  11(> 

Sumner, 

Rev.  S.  Sewall, 

Zury  Robinson, 

120 

Sweden, 

E.  Powers, 

Wm.  H.  Powers, 

79 

Turnei", 

J.  Phillips, 

J.  R.  SI  law. 

17(5 

11 

Dr.  P.  Bradford, 

J.  P.  Harris, 

113 

Weld, 

J.  Abbott, 

Rev.  T..  Perkins, 

148 

Waterford, 

1830, 

L.  Gage, 

Wm.  W.  Stone 

300 

The  next  great  temperance  reformatory  movement  was  that  called 
the  Washingtonian.  This  began  in  a  small  way  in  Baltimore, 
among  a  few  reformed  drunkards,  but  it  spread  like  wildfire  through- 
out the  middle  and  eastern  States.     It  came  into  Maine  about  the 


338 


HISTOBY   OF  BETHEL. 


year  eighteen  hundred  and  forty-two,  like  a  tornado,  and  seemed 
likely  to  sweep  everything  before  it.  An  Oxford  county  Washing- 
tonian  society  was  formed,  holding  its  meetings  in  different  parts  of 
the  county,  and  there  were  subordinate  societies  in  almost  every 
town.  The  proceedings  as  given  in  the  papers  of  those  years,  show 
the  great  interest  manifested  in  the  good  work,  and  that  leading 
men  and  women  were  everywhere  in  the  movement.  Thousands  of 
inebriates  not  only  reformed  themselves,  but  used  every  effort  to 
bring  others  into  the  organization.  Hundreds  all  over  the  country 
were  in  the  field  battling  against  the  common  enemy,  and  every- 
where the  greatest  enthusiasm  prevailed.  About  the  year  eighteen 
hundred  and  forty-two,  or  perhaps  a  little  later,  the  movement 
reached  Oxford  county,  and  its  effect  here  was  the  same  as  else- 
where. Everybody  was  awakened,  almost  everybody  took  the 
pledge,  and  many  kept  it  inviolate  ever  after.  It  did  a  vast  amount 
of  good.  But  the  history  of  all  great  moral  movements  plainly  in- 
dicated what  the  fate  of  this  must  be.  Human  passions,  however 
noble  the  cause,  have  their  metes  and  their  bounds,  beyond  which 
they  cannot  pass,  and  the  great  success  of  a  movement  is  often  the 
first  step  towards  reaction.  In  the  excess  of  zeal  in  the  Washing- 
toniau  movement,  there  was  wanting  that  concert  of  action  to  give 
it  permanency.  The  cause  was  like  a  rudderless  bark  upon  the  sea, 
without  compass  or  pilot,  and  freighted  with  the  materials  of  its 
own  destructiou. 

It  was  when  the  Washingtonian  movement  was  at  its  height  that 
thoughtful  men  in  New  York  conceived  the  idea  of  an  organization 
that  would  combine  and  consolidate  the  discordant  elements  of  the 
movement,  invest  it  with  a  social  character,  and  leave  lasting  im- 
pressions of  affection  and  interest  on  the  mind,  in  connection  with 
the  great  cause  and  its  objects.  The  outcome  of  this  was,  the 
Order  of  the  Sons  of  Temperance,  an  organization  which  has  doubt- 
less accomplished  more  than  any  other,  in  giving  permanence  to  the 
temperance  cause,  after  the  enthusiasm  awakened  by  the  Washing- 
tonian  movement  could  no  longer  be  maintained.  The  first  Division 
of  the  Sons  of  Temperance  was  organized  in  New  York  city,  at 
Teetotaller's  Hall,  No.  71,  Division  street,  on  Thursday  evening, 
September  twenty-ninth,  eighteen  hundred  and  forty-two.  The 
order  had  a  steadj'  growth  and  reached  the  State  of  Maine  in  De- 
cember, eighteen  hundred  and  forty-four.  A  Grand  Lodge  for 
Maine  was  organized  at  Augusta  in  April,  eighteen  hundred  and 


HISTORY  OF   BETHEL.  339 

forty-five,  aucl  three  years  later,  there  were  one  hundred  and  ten 
Divisions  in  the  State,  with  a  membership  of  over  seven  tliousand. 
In  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty,  the  movement  had  reached  Oxford 
county. 

Bethel  Division,  number  one  hui.dred  and  sixty,  was  organized  at 
Middle  Interval  near  the  close  of  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty.  Israel 
G.  Kimball  was  Worthy  Patriarch  and  Albion  P.  Beatty,  Recording 
Secretary.  At  the  close  of  the  year,  twenty-nine  members  were 
reported.  The  following  year.  True  P.  Dustou  was  Worthy 
Patriarch.  The  highest  number  reported  to  the  Grand  Lodge  was 
fifty-six,  and  soon  beginning  to  decline,  in  eighteen  hundred  and 
fifty-six,  it  failed  to  make  any  report  to  the  Grand  Lodge  and  its 
charter  was  surrendered. 

Eagle  Division,  number  one  hundred  and  sixty-three,  was  organ- 
ized in  the  spring  of  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty-one.  Alfred 
Twitchell  was  Worthy  Patriarch,  and  Benjamin  Freeman,  Recording 
Secretary.  This  year  the  delegates  to  the  Grand  Lodge  were 
Alfred  Twitchell,  James  Walker  and  Thomas  E.  Twitchell.  In 
eighteen  hundred  and  fifty-two,  Benjamin  Freeman  was  Worthy 
Patriarch  and  Alfred  Twitchell,  Recording  Secretary.  In  eighteen 
hundred  and  fifty-three,  the  delegates  to  the  Grand  Lodge  were, 
Daniel  A.  Twitchell,  Benjamin  Freeman,  John  A.  Twitchell,  Dr. 
Almon  Twitchell,  Rev.  David  Garland,  Joseph  A.  Twitchell  and 
Alonzo  J.  Grover.  In  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty- four,  the  number 
of  members  was  sixty-one.  Delegates  to  the  Grand  Lodge  :  David 
F.  Brown,  Dr.  Almon  Twitchell,  David  (rarland,  Benjamin  Free- 
man, Alfred  Twitchell,  Joseph  A.  Twitchell.  Nathaniel  T.  True  and 
Asa  P.  Knight.  This  was  the  highest  wave  of  the  movement,  and 
three  years  later  the  membership  was  only  thirty-eight.  An  effort 
was  made  to  revive  the  order.  David  Garland  was  chosen  Worthy 
Patriarch,  and  Dr.  Ozmon  M.  Twitchell  was  made  Secretary.  It 
was  all  to  no  purpose  ;  the  order  had  had  its  day  in  this  community, 
and  no  return  w^as  made  to  the  Grand  Lodge  after  this  year.  In 
eighteen  hundred  and  sixty  the  charter  was  surrendered. 

A  juvenile  temperance  society  was  organized  here  in  the  fifties, 
and  with  good  success  for  a  time,  but  like  all  similar  societies,  the 
novelty  w^ore  off,  dissensions  crept  in  and  it  was  soon  numbered 
with  things  of  the  past.  The  Good  Templars  had  a  lodge  here 
which  flourished  for  a  time.  The  Reform  Club  was  also  popular, 
and  other  local  temperance  societies  have  been  organized,  accom- 


340  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

plished  their  ends,  and  then  gone  to  decay.  All  these  societies 
have  been  highly  beneficial,  and  the  aggregate  good  they  have  ac- 
complished can  hardly  be  over-estimated.  Bethel  is  a  strong  tem- 
perance town,  and  also  a  prohibition  town.  Every  time  that  the 
Maine  Prohibitory  Liquor  Law  has  been  in  issue,  and  every  time  it 
has  been  submitted  to  a  popular  vote,  Bethel  has  given  the  princi- 
ple of  prohibition  a  cordial  support.  Intemperance  exists  in  town 
to  a  greater  or  less  extent,  and  always  will  so  long  as  human  de- 
pravity exists,  but  the  popular  feeling  is  against  it,  and  so  long  as 
it  is  opposed  by  the  best  people  in  the  town,  it  cannot  make  great 
headway.  The  liquor  dealer  is  the  enemy  of  the  home,  the  euen^y 
of  morality,  virtue  and  religion,  and  for  years  the  good  people  of 
this  towni  have  not  suffered  the  traffic  to  be  openly  carried  on  within 
its  limits  ;  and  where  the  majorit}'  against  it  is  so  large,  the  contra- 
band business  cannot,  for  anj^  great  length  of  time,  be  carried  on 
surreptitiously. 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

David  Robbins. 


HE  alleged  crimes  of  David  Robbius,  coiumitted  upwards  of 
sixty  years  ago,  are  fast  fading  from  memory.  At  the 
time  when  these  events  transpired,  they  created  intense 
excitement  in  Oxford  and  Franklin  counties,  and  in  Coos  county  in 
the  State  of  New  Hampshire.  They  were  a  fruitful  topic  of  conver- 
sation for  many  years  after.  Among  the  names  indellibly  stamped 
upon  my  childish  memory  is  that  of  David  Robbins,  and  I  was  early 
taught  to  regard  it  as  the  synonym  of  depravity  and  wickedness — 
yea,  of  very  fiendishness.  Mothers  imprudentl}^  frightened  their 
children  into  obedience  by  the  bare  mention  of  this  name,  and  noth- 
ing could  strike  terror  to  the  hearts  of  the  little  ones  like  telling 
them  that  *' David  Robbins  would  come  for  them  and  carry  them 
off." 

The  evidence  against  David  Robbius  was  largely  circumstancial, 
but  it  was  of  such  a  character  as  to  leave  little,  if  au}',  doubt  of  his 
guilt.  Of  his  minor  crimes  the  proof  was  positive,  while  the  graver 
charges  of  abduction  and  murder,  were  never  fully  sustained.  The 
principal  reasons  for  this  were,  that  he  had  his  home  in  the  wilder- 
ness remote  from  courts  of  justice,  and  second,  that  he  was  never 
brought  to  trial  for  his  alleged  crimes.  The  great  Webster  said  of 
a  person  charged  with  a  capital  crime,  that  "suicide  is  confession," 
and  avoiding  trial  by  flight  amounts  to  essentially  the  same.  Sixty 
years  ago,  when  the  story  of  his  supposed  crimes  was  known  to 
every  man,  woman  and  child  in  northern  Maine,  and  was  repeated 
at  every  fireside,  no  one  for  a  moment  doubted  his  guilt. 

The  early  life  of  David  Robbins  is  shrouded  in  mystery.  It  is  by 
no  means  certain  that  we  have  his  real  name,  though  he  was  never 
known  by  any  other  after  he  came  to  Oxford  county.  It  was  about 
the  year  eighteen  hundred  and  twenty,  that  a  young  man  appeared 
in  Bethel,  who  gave  his  name  as  David    Hobbins.     He    came  on 


M2  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

horseback,  and  the  animal  he  rode  and  the  clothes  he  wore  consti- 
tuted the  sum  total  of  his  personal  estate. 

Whence  he  came,  no  one  knew  ;  and  concerning  his  past  life,  he 
declined  to  give  any  account.  He  was  tall  but  slightly  built,  his 
complexion  sandy,  his  hair  inclining  to  red,  and  his  nose,  which  was 
his  most  prominent  feature,  was  hooked  like  the  eagle's  beak  and  a 
little  bent  toward  the  left  side.  His  muscles  were  hard  like  whip- 
cords, and  his  powers  of  endurance  something"  marvelous.  He 
worked  for  the  farmers  in  the  vicinity  of  Bethel  Hill,  and  was  con- 
sidered an  extra  hand.  In  the  autumn  he  would  do  a  day's  work 
upon  the  farm  and  then  husk  corn  or  thresh  grain  until  midnight 
during  the  entire  season  of  harvest.  He  was  very  quiet  in  his  man- 
ner, holding  no  conversation  with  any  one  except  what  was  abso- 
lutely necessary  in  the  performance  of  his  work.  In  his  threshing 
operations  he  went  from  place  to  place.  This  was  before  the  days 
of  threshing  machines,  and  grain  was  separated  from  the  straw  by 
means  of  a  hand  implement  called  a  Hail.  In  tlie  winter,  Robbins 
worked  in  the  logging  swamp  in  the  neighboring  town  of  Gilead,  for 
the  brothers  Aaron  and  Ayers  Mason. 

In  the  spring  of  eighteen  hundred  and  twenty-one,  Robbins  pur- 
chased a  wild  lot  of  land  in  the  town  of  Albany,  and  in  June  of 
that  year  commenced  to  fell  trees  with  the  evident  purpose  of  mak- 
ing him  a  home.  The  place  where  he  commenced  his  clearing  was 
near  Bethel  line,  and  was  afterward  settled  by  Mr.  Samuel  Brown, 
who  occupied  it  for  many  years.  Robbins  spent  the  following  year 
in  much  the  same  manner.  He  worked  for  the  farmers  a  portion  of 
the  time,  felled  more  trees  ui)on  liis  own  lot,  cleared  up  n  piece 
where  he  had  felled  the  year  before,  threshed  grain  and  husked  corn 
in  harvest  time,  and  worked  in  the  lumber  woods  in  winter.  He 
never  appeared  to  be  tired.  He  was  straight  as  an  arrow  and  lithe 
as  the  willow  in  all  his  motions  and  movements.  He  was  very 
penurious,  in  fact  his  leading  characteristic  appeared  to  be  the  accu- 
mulation of  money.  He  was  grasping  and  mean,  allowing  himself 
but  little  for  clothing,  and  when  working  for  himself,  subsisting  on 
the  cheapest  and  coarsest  fare.  AVhile  in  Bethel  he  was  not  charged 
with  any  violation  of  the  law,  though  soon  after  he  came,  the  cloth- 
ing mill  operated  by  Asa  Twitchell,  was  broken  open  and  a  large 
quantity  of  cloth  belonging  to  customers,  stolen.  The  horse  brought 
to  Bethel  by  Bobbins  was  also  taken  away.  The  thieves  were  over- 
taken near  Waterford  and  most  of  the  stolen  property  recovered. 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  343 

It  is  remembered  that  there  were  those  in  Bethel  at  the  time  who 
suspected  Robbins  of  being  a  party  to  the  theft,  and  this  suspicion 
was  strengthened  by  his  subsequent  career  ;  but  he  was  not  molested 
and  there  was  probably  no  very  good  reason  for  suspecting  him.  It 
was  also  believed  by  some  that  the  horse  he  rode  upon  into  Bethel 
was  a  stolen  one. 

It  is  remembered  that  in  the  autumn  of  eighteen  hundred  and 
twenty-two,  Robbins  made  a  journey  to  the  head-waters  of  the 
Androscoggin  river,  a  region  then  but  little  known  in  Bethel.  He 
was  absent  three  or  four  weeks,  but  the  object  of  his  visit  was 
known  only  to  himself.  In  the  spring  of  eighteen  hundred  and 
twenty-three,  to  the  great  surprise  of  the  people  in  the  neighborliood 
of  Bethel  Hill,  Robbins  was  married  to  Miss  Harriet  Stearns, 
daughter  of  Thomas  Stearns,  one  of  the  wealthiest  and  most 
respected  farmers  in  town.  The  ceremony  was  performed  by  Bar- 
bour Bartlett,  Esq.,  on  the  twenty-third  day  of  April.  Such  an 
alliance  was  never  thought  of  outside  of  the  contracting  parties  until 
it  took  place,  and  it  was  said  that  the  parents  of  the  bride  were 
equally  ignorant  of  her  intentions  until  the  day  arrived,  and  all  the}' 
could  say  or  do  failed  to  change  her  purpose.  Bobbins  did  not  set- 
tle upon  his  Albany  lot,  but  soon  after  his  marriage  he  packed  up 
his  few  household  goods  and  farm  implements,  and  with  his  wife, 
set  out  on  the  long  and  wearisome  journey  through  the  present  towns 
of  Newry,  Grafton  and  Upton  in  Maine,  and  Cambridge  and  Errol 
in  New  Hampshire.  They  then  followed  up  the  Androscoggin  river 
to  the  mouth  of  the  Megalloway,  then  up  this  river  many  miles,  to  a 
point  which  he  had  selected  on  his  former  visit,  for  a  home-site. 
He  was  among  the  first  settlers  in  th's  still  remote  region,  and  the 
nearest  settlement  was  in  Errol,  a  day's  journey  away.  He  fell  to 
work  with  his  usual  vigor,  and  by  toiling  almost  night  and  da^',  he 
soon  had  a  shelter  for  his  wife  and  a  good  area  of  land  about  it 
cleared  up.  Fish  and  game  were  then  abundant  in  this  region,  and 
Robbins  was  an  adroit  angler  and  hunter,  and  kept  the  larder  well 
supplied.  He  soon  had  quite  a  farm  in  this  wilderness.  He  l)uilt 
him  a  comfortable  house  and  out-buildings,  kept  cows  and  oxen, 
and  ere  long  the  prattle  of  children  was  for  the  first  time  heard  in 
this  wild  region.  Robbins  was  an  expert  trapper,  and  the  country 
abounded  in  fur-bearing  animals,  which  became  to  him  a  great 
source  of  gain.  He  made  quite  frequent  trips  to  Andover  by  way 
of  Umbagog  and  Richardson's  lakes,  and  to  Faimington  by  way  of 


344  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

the  Kangeley,  where  he  disposed  of  his  furs  and  purchased  supplies 
which  he  toted  back  for  the  support  of  his  increasing  family.  He 
seemed  to  be  prosperous  and  contented,  and  half  a  century  after, 
his  aged  wife  informed  me  that  this  was  the  happiest  period  of  her 
whole  life. 

This  season  of  prosperity  did  not  long  continue.  Circumstances 
to  be  related  hereafter  broke  up  and  made  desolate  the  home  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Diamond,  and  scattered  the  family,  never  to  be  re- 
united on  earth.  Mrs.  Robbins  must  have  been  fond  of  her  hus- 
band. She  was  brought  up  in  a  home  of  plenty',  if  not  of  luxury. 
She  had  kind  parents  and  brothers  and  sisters,  and  she  had  spent 
her  youth  in  a  neighborhood  noted  for  its  social  qualities  an<l  gener- 
ous hospitalities.  And  yet,  in  a  wilderness,  fifteen  miles  removed 
from  Errol,  where  the  only  person  she  would  be  likely  to  see  year 
after  year,  save  a  neighbor  or  two  and  the  members  of  her  own  fam- 
ily, was  an  occasional  hunter  or  trap[)er,  or  a  strolling  Indian,  she 
spent  the  "happiest  period  of  iier  life."  She  was  a  brave-hearted 
woman.  In  the  trapping  season  Robbins  was  often  absent  for 
weeks  together,  and  she  lived  alone  with  her  children.  Bears 
prowled  around  her  dwelling,  and  the  blood-curdling  cry  of  the 
panther  was  often  heard  at  night.  The  sneaking  loupcervier,  in  the 
daytime,  would  watch  her  from  a  distance  when  she  went  to  the 
spring  for  water,  but  he  was  careful  to  keep  be3'ond  the  reach  of 
her  rille,  in  the  use  of  which  she  greatly  excelled.  And  so  the  years 
glided  b}',  years  of  care  and  toil  and  watchfulness,  yet  years  of  con- 
tentment and  peace  for  the  little  family  living  on  the  far  off  and 
lonely  Megalloway.  Yet  all  the  while,  calamity  with  dark  pinions 
was  brooding  over  this  devoted  household.  The  circumstances 
which  led  to  the  catastrophe  here  intimated,  I  will  now  proceed  to 
relate. 

In  the  year  eighteen  hundred  and  twenty-six,  there  lived  in  Let- 
ter E  Plantation,  a  township  situated  between  Phillips  and  the 
Rangeley  Lakes,  a  man  named  James  Wilbur.  He  was  the  son  of 
John  Wilbur,  and  was  born  in  seventeen  hundred  and  ninety,  in  the 
town  of  Durham,  Maine.  Many  of  the  quite  early  settlers  of 
Franklin  county  moved  there  from  the  town  of  Durham,  and  among 
them  were  several  members  of  the  Wilbur  family.  James  Wilbur 
was  a  quiet,  peaceable  man,  not  brilliant,  but  of  fair  ability,  a  man 
of  integrity,  industrious  and  thrifty.  The  place  he  had  selected  for 
his  home  was  quite  remote  from  other  settlements  in  the  county, 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  345. 

and  was  on  the  very  border  of  civilization,  toward  the  lake  region. 
There  was  then  only  a  lumberman's  road  leading  from  Phillips  to 
Eangeley  Lake,  and  no  travel  in  summer  except  by  fishermen  and 
hunters.  On  his  way  to  Farmingtou  to  sell  his  furs  and  procure 
supplies,  David  Robl)ins  quite  often  passed  by  the  Wilbur  place, 
and  was  well  known  to  the  family.  Mr.  Wilbur's  wife,  Sarah,  born 
in  seventeen  hundred  and  ninety-five,  was  from  Martha's  Vineyard, 
and  both  he  and  his  wife  were  inclined  toward  the  religious  sect 
known  as  Quakers  or  Friends.  At  the  time  of  which  I  am  writing, 
they  had  several  small  children,  all  daughters  but  one.  The  son 
was  named  for  his  father,  but  was  called  "Jim."  There  were  two 
daughters  older  than  he,  and  he  was  about  three  years  of  age. 

One  day  in  the  autumn  of  eighteen  hundred  and  twenty-six, 
"Jim,"  with  one  of  the  girls,  either  was  sent  or  went  of  his  own 
accord,  accounts  differ  in  this  regard,  from  the  house  in  the  direc- 
tion of  the  woods  and  the  lake.  The}'  had  been  away  some  little 
time  when  the  girl  returned  to  the  house  without  the  boy.  It  is  said 
that  they  engaged  in  play  until  they  became  tired,  when  they  laid 
themselves  down  upon  the  leaves  and  fell  asleep.  When  the  girl 
awoke,  she  missed  her  little  brother,  and  calling  aloud  to  him,  she 
received  no  answer.  Supposing  he  had  awakened  and  returned  to 
the  house,  she  hastened  there  herself,  but  found  that  he  had  not 
been  there.  When  she  awoke  she  found  the  little  red  frock  which 
her  brother  had  worn  lying  upon  the  ground  near  her,  and  this  she 
carried  to  the  house.  In  much  alarm  the  mother  hastened  to  the 
spot  and  made  a  careful  examination.  The  garment  was  entire, 
and  there  w^as  no  evidence  that  any  wild  beast  had  been  in  the 
vicinity.  She  at  once  became  convinced  that  the  fluid  had  been 
stolen  by  some  person  or  persons  unknown,  and  that  the  garment 
had  been  left  to  give  the  impression  that  little  Jimmy  had  been  de- 
voured or  carried  away  by  a  wild  beast.  It  was  known  that  Rob- 
bins  was  at  Farmingtou  the  day  before  the  boy  was  missed,  and  that 
he  left  for  his  home  by  the  way  of  the  Wilbur  place,  on  the  same 
day.  But  he  did  not  call  at  Wilbur's  at  this  time,  nor  did  they  see 
him  pass  by.     Mr.  Wilbur  at  this  time  was  absent  from  home. 

The  alarm  increased  with  every  hour,  and  the  news  soon  spread 
through  all  that  region  of  country.  Every  man  and  boy  joiued  in 
the  search,  which  was  contiuued  for  two  days  and  nights.  Some 
thought  that  the  child  might  have  thrown  off  his  garment  and  strayed 
away  into  the  woods,  prompted  by  childish  curiosity,  and  had  some 


346  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

faint  hopes  that  he  might  be  found.  They  built  huge  fires  by  night, 
and  loudly  called  his  name  during  the  day,  but  the  echo  of  their  own 
voices  wag'  the  only  response.  After  two  days  had  passed,  and 
ever}'  nook  and  corner  within  a  radius  of  two  or  three  miles  had 
been  examined,  all  remaining  hope  was  dissipated,  and  they  became 
convinced  that  "Jimmj^"  had  been  captured,  either  by  an  Indian  or 
white  man,  and  carried  away.  Circumstances  pointed  very  strongly 
to  Bobbins,  but  the  question  came  up,  what  could  be  his  object? 
He  had  children  of  his  own,  and  if  he  had  none,  he  could  not  hope 
to  conceal  the  child  from  the  anxious  search  of  his  parents  and  their 
friends.  His  place  was  visited,  but  no  evidence  of  guilt  could  be 
brought  to  bear  upon  him,  and  he  was  not  molested. 

From  that  time  forth,  melancholy  brooded  over  the  home  of  the 
Wilburs,  and  their  bereavement  was  such  that  they  refused  to  be 
comforted.  They  continued  the  search  for  the  lost  child.  They 
interviewed  Indians  wherever  they  could  find  them.  They  visited 
their  encampments,  and  carefulW  scrutinized  every  child.  Reports 
would  often  come  to  them  of  a  boy,  and  later,  of  a  young  man  of 
English  descent  seen  with  some  strolling  band  of  Indians,  and  liv- 
ing with  them,  and  many  long,  tedious  and  fruitless  journeys  were 
taken  in  consequence  of  these  stories.  Mr.  AVilbur  and  his  wife 
grew  prematurely  old  in  their  search,  attended  by  so  many  disap- 
pointments, and  finnlly  Idt  their  homestead  in  Franklin  county  and 
moved  to  Bethel.  Their  daughters  had  grown  up,  and  had  sought 
employment  in  the  cotton  factories  of  Lowell  and  Saco,  and  the  old 
people  lived  alone.  Often  have  I  seen  them  riding  out  together, 
and  a  more  disconsolate,  heart-broken  couple  I  never  saw.  Though 
hope  had  long  since  died  out,  they  still  seemed  to  be  watching  and 
waiting,  with  an  appearance  of  inexpressible  longing  which  was 
pitiable  in  the  extreme.  Their  lost  darling  seemed  to  be  ever  in 
their  thoughts,  and  they  never  tired  of  talking  of  him. 

It  has  already  been  stated  that  the  daughters  had  grown,  and  had 
left  the  paternal  roof  for  employment  in  the  factory,  but  they  had 
never  forgotten  little  Jimmy,  and  being  strictly  enjoined  liy  their 
parents,  they  had  made  it  a  point  to  visit  every  Indian  encami)ment 
in  the  vicinity  of  their  place  of  abode.  During  the  summer  sea- 
son, strolling  bands  of  Indians  had  been  in  the  habit  of  stopping 
in  the  vicinity  of  Saco,  sometimes  at  Biddeford  Pool,  and  some- 
times at  Old  Orchard,  where  they  made  baskets  and  other  simple 
wares  which  they  sold  to  the  factory  girls,  and  to  the  citizens  gen- 


HISTOBY  OF  BETHEL.  347 

erally.  Many  a  time  had  the  Wilbur  girls  visited  these  temporary 
Indiau  camps,  and  gone  away  without  results,  until  it  became  more 
a  matter  of  form  than  otherwise.  Twenty  years  had  elapsed  since 
the  disappearance  of  the  child,  and  not  one  word  of  intelligence  had 
been  received  in  response  to  their  numerous  inquires.  The  mysterj' 
was  as  profound  as  on  the  day  of  its  occurrence.  It  was  in  the 
year  eighteen  hundred  and  forty-six,  while  the  AVilhur  girls,  Persis 
and  Hannah,  were  at  work  in  the  factory  at  Saco,  that  they  learned 
that  a  party  of  Indians  had  gone  into  camp  in  the  suburbs  of  the 
city.  In  accordance  with  their  custom,  they  embraced  the  first  op- 
portunity to  visit  the  camp,  and  interview  these  sons  and  daughters 
of  the  forest.  Hardh'  had  they  reached  the  camp,  when  their  at- 
tention was  directed  to  a  person  wearing  the  Indian  garb,  spoke  the 
Indian  language,  and  had  an  Indian  wife,  and  yet  had  all  the  ap- 
pearance, in  form  and  feature,  of  a  white  man.  As  they  approach- 
ed nearer  they  were  struck  dumb,  as  it  were,  at  the  close  resem- 
blance between  this  Indian  and  their  father.  Their  stature,  their 
form  and  features,  making  allowance  for  the  difference  in  their  ages, 
were  almost  identical.  He  was  sunburnt  aud  swarthy,  and  filthy, 
as  Indians  generally  are,  but  notwithstanding  all  this,  the  resem- 
blance to  the  elder  Wilbur  was  very  striking.  Somewhat  recovering 
from  their  surprise,  the  girls  made  inquiries,  aud  found  that  this 
young  man  was  indeed  of  P>nglish  parentage,  though  he  had  been 
with  the  tribe  fiom  childhood.  They  then  entered  into  conversa- 
tion with  him.  Like  the  rest  of  the  party,  he  could  converse  in 
broken  English,  but  his  early  recollections  were  shadow}-  and 
obscure.  He  did  have  an  indistinct  recollection,  which  he  expressed 
in  his  broken  wa}',  of  living  in  the  family  of  a  wiiite  man  and 
woman,  where  there  were  other  children  ;  of  making  a  long  journey 
through  the  woods  with  a  white  man,  and  being  given  up  by  him 
to  the  Indians.  He  also  rememltered  that  his  name  was  "Jim,"  aud 
this  was  the  name  by  which  the  Indians  had  always  called  him.  He 
•was  brought  up  at  the  Indian  village  on  the  Saint  Francis  River  in 
Canada,  and  there  he  married  his  Indian  wife.  He  had  frequently 
accompanied  bands  of  these  Indians  in  their  summer  excursions  into 
the  States,  but  this  was  the  first  time  he  had  come  with  them  to 
Maine. 

All  the  circumstances  were  such  as  to  convince  the  Wilbur  girls 
that  their  long  lost  brother  had  indeed  been  found,  that  their  long 
and  patient  search  had  at  last  been  rewarded.     They  informed  the 


348  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

young  man  of  their  relationship  to  him,  gave  him  their  account  of 
the  affair,  and  spoke  of  the  patient  search  of  their  father  and 
mother,  who  they  informed  him  were  still  alive.  He  received  their 
account  with  Indian  stoicism,  almost  with  stolidity.  In  fact,  he  show- 
ed but  little  interest  in  the  whole  subject,  much  to  the  chagrin  and 
disappointment  of  his  sisters.  The  story  soon  became  noised  abroad 
and  hundreds  visited  the  camp,  and  probably  the  Indians  had  never 
before  found  so  good  a  market  for  their  simple  wares.  The  sisters 
furnished  Jim  with  a  new  suit  of  clothes,  and  when  he  was  dressed 
up,  his  hair  trimmed,  and  his  face  washed,  the  resemblance  to  his 
father  was  still  more  apparent.  The  aged  parents  were  at  once 
notified  of  the  discovery  and  positive  identity  of  their  lost  boy,  and 
preparations  made  for  a  family  meeting.  These  incidents  occurred 
about  four  3'ears  before  the  railway  traversed  Oxford  count}^,  and 
the  stage  coach  was  the  only  public  conveyance.  The  Wilburs 
were  at  this  time  on  a  high  hill  away  from  the  travelled  road,  about 
two  miles  from  the  stage  route.  It  had  been  arranged  that  the 
father  should  come  down  from  his  home  to  a  little  hamlet  iu  Milton 
plantation,  and  await  the  arrival  of  the  stage.  The  meeting  took 
place  at  the  house  of  Amasa  H.  Merrill,  where  the  stage  usually 
stopped  to  leave  and  take  mail,  and  is  described  bj^  those  present 
as  hn-ing  been  very  affecting.  But  it  was  as  nothing  to  the  meet- 
ing which  took  place  between  mother  and  son  at  the  Wilbur  home- 
stead an  hour  later.  Jim  was  accompanied  by  his  Indian  wife,  and 
several  persons  had  assembled  to  witness  the  meeting.  Pen  and 
tongue  are  wholly  inadequate  to  describe  this  meeting.  The  young 
man  for  once,  threw  away  his  stoicism,  and  falling  upon  his  mother's 
neck  wept  like  a  child.  The  recognition  was  complete.  As 
father  and  son  stood  together  beneath  the  roof-tree,  no  one  present 
could  for  a  moment  doubt  their  relationship.  Probably  the  re- 
semblance between  father  and  son  was  never  more  marked  and 
striking.  Jimmy  also  had  time  to  think  over  the  past,  and  several 
incidents  of  his  early  childhood  were  recalled  by  him.  Fragments 
of  a  story  told  him  by  his  mother  were  repeated  and  remembered  by 
both.  His  description  of  the  white  man  who  had  led  him  away, 
so  far  as  it  went,  tallied  with  that  of  Robbins,  and  there  was  no 
longer  any  doubt  in  the  minds  of  the  people  that  he  was  the 
abductor.  AVhat  the  object  was,  can  only  be  a  matter  of  conjecture. 
Not  much  could  be  learned  from  the  Indians,  who  preferred  to  be  ret- 
icent upon  the  entire  subject.     There  was  a  story  put  in  circulation,. 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  ,S4i( 

but  how  much  reliance  can  be  placed  in  it  I  do  not  know,  that  when 
Robbius  was  leading  the  child  through  the  woods,  he  met  a  party 
of  Saint  Francis  Indians,  who  were  out  hunting,  and  the  chief  of 
the  party  asked  Robbius  what  he  proposed  to  do  with  the  child. 
The  answer,  which  seems  almost  incredible,  was  that  he  was  going 
to  bait  his  traps  with  him.  The  heart  even  of  the  savage  was 
touched  with  pity,  and  he  offered  Robbius  three  lieaver  skins  for 
the  child,  which  offer  was  accepted.  Of  course  Jimmy  was  too 
young  to  understand  anything  of  such  transactions,  but  there  was 
nothing  in  his  own  story  incompatible  with  this,  and  if  auythiug, 
it  was  rather  corroborative. 

But  to  return  to  the  Wilbur  homestead.  It  has  been  stated  that 
the  meeting  betweeu  mother  and  sou  were  indiscribably  tender  and 
affecting.  Strong  men  uuused  to  the  meltiug  mood,  could  not 
restrain  their  emotions,  and  wept  like  children.  The  only  pevson 
who  was  not  deeply  moved  by  the  spectacle  was  the  Indian  wife,  who 
seemed  to  view  the  proceedings  with  jealousy  as  foreboding"  evil  to 
her.  Jimmy  remained  with  his  parents  a  few  days  and  then  returned 
to  his  Indian  friends  at  Saco.  I  saw  him  several  times  while  he  was 
with  his  parents,  and,  if  necessarry,  I  could  add  my  unbiased  testi- 
mony to  the  close  resemblance  between  him  and  the  elder  Wilbur. 
Every  inducement  was  held  out  to  him  to  remain  with  his  parents, 
but  without  avail.  They  offered  to  adopt  his  Indiau  wife,  and  at 
their  death  to  leave  him  their  property,  but  this  latter  consideration 
was  without  weight  with  him.  He  wanted  no  landed  property,  and 
he  had  so  long  led  an  indolent  and  slip-shod  life  that  the  very 
idea  of  responsibility  was  odious  to  him.  While  he  dressed  like  an 
Indian  and  spoke  their  language,  he  had  none  of  their  native  cun- 
ning and  shrewdness,  and  was  regarded  by  them  as  a  poor  Indian, 
and  as  he  was  ignorant  of  most  kinds  of  work,  uneducated,  slothful 
and  lazy,  he  would  doubtless  have  made  a  ver}'  poor  white  man. 
The  Wilburs  continued  to  reside  upon  their  hill-side  farm  for  some 
years,  and  eveiy  year  they  received  a  short  visit  from  Jim,  wlio  was 
sometimes  accompanied  by  his  wife  and  sometimes  not.  Finally 
the  family  moved  to  Martha's  Vineyard,  and  the  old  i)eople  have 
long  since  been  gathered  to  their  fathers. 

In  the  year  eighteen  hundred  and  twenty-seven,  there  lived  in 
the  town  of  Milan,  New  Hampshire,  a  man  named  Abner  Hinds. 
He  was  the  son  of  Abner  and  Lydia  (IkiU)  Hinds,  and  was  liorn 
in    Dublin,    October   thirt}',    seventeen    hundred    and    eighty-four. 


350  HISTOliY  OF  BETHEL. 

Soou  after  he  reached  his  majority,  he  married  Betsey  Pierce  of 
Dublin,  aud  moved  to  Milau.  This  town  is  situated  on  the  An- 
droscoggin River  about  one  hundred  miles  from  its  mouth  and  some 
twenty  miles  below  where  this  river  emerges  from  Umbagog  Lake. 
At  the  time  of  which  1  write,  the  township  was  unsettled.  Hinds 
being  among  the  very  first  to  settle  here.  Milan  is  still  a  border 
town,  though  the  great  wilderness  belt  adjoining,  which  stretches 
far  away  into  Canada,  has  been  broken  here  and  there  by  small  set- 
tlements. Hinds  was  a  famous  woodsman  and  hunter,  and  spent 
much  of  his  time  in  the  forest.  He  was  an  expert  trapper  and 
gathered  rich  harvests  of  furs  in  the  township  where  he  lived,  and 
those  lyiug  contiguous,  which  at  that  time  abounded  with  every 
variety  of  fur-bearing  animal  common  to  American  forests  in 
this  latitude.  In  his  hunting  trips,  Hinds  was  often  accompanied 
by  a  man  named  Seth  Cloutman,  who  was  also  an  early  resident  in 
Milau.  Together  they  traversed  the  forest  year  after  year,  and 
until  the  more  valuable  fur-bearing  animals  such  as  the  beaver,  the 
otter  aud  the  sable  had  become  less  pleuty.  Then  they  resolved  to 
go  farther  into  the  forest  and  in  September,  eighteen  hundred  and 
twenty-  seven,  they  started  w-ith  all  their  hunting  paraphernalia,  by 
means  of  canoes  up  the  Androscoggin  and  far  beyond  the  Umbagog 
Lake,  expecting  to  be  absent  several  mouths.  From  the  L^nibagog, 
they  passed  into  Richardson's,  then  into  the  Great  Mooselucmagun- 
tic  aud  through  it  to  the  Kennebago  River,  and  so  on  to  the  Little 
Kenuebago  Pond.  Near  here  they  proposed  to  erect  their  home 
camp, 

Meantime,  David  Robbins  had  continued  to  hunt  and  trap  on 
Magalloway  until  he  had  thinned  out  the  otter  and  other  fur-bearing 
animals,  so  that  his  gains  had  become  unsatisfactory.  He  also  re- 
solved to  seek  new  hunting  grounds,  and  taking  his  birch  canoe  and 
his  traps,  he  started  for  the  Little  Kennebago,  a  few  days  behind 
Hinds  and  Cloutman.  It  is  not  at  all  probable  that  Robbins  knew 
of  the  prior  occupancy  of  the  territory,  but  on  his  arrival.  Hinds 
and  Cloutman  claimed  the  exclusive  right  to  hunt  in  that  region 
under  the  Indian  rules  of  priority.  Robbins  appeared  very  friendly, 
and  suggested  the  idea  of  putting  their  traps  into  one  stock  and 
forming  a  co-partnership.  He  was  a  very  persistent  man,  had 
come  prepared  for  a  long  hunt  and  after  much  persuasion,  induced 
them  to  accept  of  his  proposition.  They  built  a  large  camp  some 
three  miles  east  of  Kennebago  Pond,  as  a  general  rendezvous,  and 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  351 

then  allotting  to  each  his  territory,  each  departed  his  way,  setting 
traps  and  each  returning  to  the  camp  occasionally,  to  deposit  his 
furs  and  obtain  supplies  of  food.  This  they  followed  for  about 
seven  or  eight  weeks,  and  were  successful  beyond  all  expectations. 
But  winter  in  this  region,  which,  through  its  great  depth  of  snow, 
places  an  embargo  on  all  hunting  operations  was  fast  approaching, 
and  their  supply  of  provisions  was  also  running  very  short.  Con- 
ferring together,  it  was  agreed  that  Robblns  should  go  to  his  home 
on  the  Magalloway,  and  bring  in  what  provisions  he  could  to  help 
them  out  until  they  could  close  up  the  season's  work.  Meanwhile, 
Hinds  and  Cloutman  were  to  go  over  the  lines  and  gather  in  the 
furs  and  take  up  the  traps.  This  would  occupy  them  about  twelve 
da3?s  while  they  had  about  five  days'  provisions,  but  they  thought 
they  could  trust  to  their  hunting  skill  to  make  up  the  deficiency. 

Soon  after  this,  and  before  Hinds  and  Cloutman  had  completed 
their  rounds,  the  weather  became  cold  and  nearly  two  feet  of  snow 
fell.  After  severe  suffering  they  reached  the  camp  or  rather 
the  site  of  their  camp,  nearly  at  the  same  time,  but  their 
late  camp  was  in  ashes  and  the  ruins  covered  deep  with  snow. 
They  were  nearly  exhausted,  were  entirely  destitute  of  food  and 
fifty  miles  from  the  nearest  habitation,  and  felt  that  death  stared 
them  in  the  face.  At  first,  they  supposed  the  burning  to  be  acci- 
dental, but  on  more  mature  deliberation,  they  calculated  that 
Robbins  had  at  first  plundered  the  camp,  then  burned  it,  and  had 
secreted  the  furs  where  he  could  return  for  them  subsequently. 
He  had  no  idea  his  fellow  hunters  would  ever  return,  as  he  sub- 
sequently confessed.  Hinds  was  a  man  of  iron  mold,  and  with 
wonderful  powers  of  endurance.  His  courage  under  difficulties 
was  a  leading  trait.  Cloutman,  on  the  other  hand,  though  an  ex- 
pert hunter  and  trapper,  was  easily  discouraged,  and  when  he  found 
the  camp  destroyed,  and  all  their  hard  earned  peltry  consumed  or 
stolen,  he  completely  broke  down,  and  was  plunged  into  the  depths 
of  despair.  Hinds  cheered  and  scolded  him  by  turns,  and  em- 
ployed every  device  to  arouse  his  dormant  energies,  and  succeded 
so  far  as  to  get  him  to  set  out  for  the  nearest  settlement. 

The  cold  weather  had  frozen  the  lakes  and  ponds,  and  in  crossing 
a  small  pond  Cloutman  had  the  misfortune  to  fall  and  fracture  one 
of  the  bones  of  the  shoulder.  The  fracture  was  reduced  by  Hinds,, 
and  afterwards  he  carried  Cloutman  much  of  the  way  on  his  back. 
They  shot  occasionally  a  rabbit  and  a  partridge  which  kept  them 


352  HISTOBY   OF  BETHEL. 

from  starving,  and  they  kept  from  freezing  at  night  by  camping  in 
some  sheltered  place  and  keeping  a  good  fire.  At  length  after  al- 
most incredible  hardships,  they  reached  the  settlements  at  the  foot 
of  Lake  Umbagog,  early  in  the  month  of  December.  Here  they 
rapidly  recruited,  and  iu  a  couple  of  weeks  were  able  to  go  back 
over  the  ground  in  order  to  gather  up  the  remaining  traps  and  the 
game  that  might  be  in  them.  They  th»n  started  for  home,  but 
before  they  reached  the  lake  they  struck  the  trail  of  Robbins,  who 
with  sleds,  had  been  after  his  plunder.  They  then  pushed  on  to 
the  home  of  Robbins,  and  arriving  at  his  house  inquired  for  him. 
His  wife,  who  was  evidently  ignorant  of  his  treachery,  replied  that 
he  had  gone  to  Farmiugton,  to  dispose  of  his  furs.  At  this  time, 
Robbins  evidently  believed  that  Hinds  and  Cloutman  had  perished 
in  the  forest,  and  that  he  could  safely  dispose  of  the  peltry  and 
enjoy  the  proceeds. 

At  this  season  of  the  year,  the  only  travel  in  the  lake  region  was 
by  means  of  snowshoes,  and  Hinds  and  Cloutman  being  supplied 
with  these  indispensables,  determined  to  waylay  Robbins  ou  his 
return  and  force  him  to  give  an  account  of  his  doings.  They  knew 
his  route  would  be  by  way  of  a  certain  river,  and  having  learned 
from  Mrs.  Robbins  how  long  he  had  been  absent,  they  also  knew 
that  it  was  nearly  time  for  him  to  return.  The  lake  country  at  this 
time  was  considered  almost  without  the  pale  of  the  laws  of  the 
State  :  there  were  certain  rules  and  regulations  adopted  by  hunters 
and  trappers  which  could  not  be  violated  with  impunity,  but  in 
other  respects,  each  man  was  a  law  unto  himself.  So  Hinds  and 
■Cloutman  set  out  to  meet  Robbins,  and  about  the  middle  of  the 
afternoon  they  sighted  him  on  the  river,  and  soon  afterward  they 
met.  There  was  a  look  of  astonishment  on  the  countenance  of 
Robbins  when  he  rocognized  his  former  comrades,  followed  by  evi- 
dent signs  of  fear.  He  tried  to  be  calm  and  collected,  and  address- 
ed them  in  a  friendly  manner,  l)ut  received  no  word  in  reply.  His 
two  antagonists  were  fully  armed  with  rifles,  hatchets  and  knives, 
but  they  did  not  for  a  moment  think  of  using  these  weapons  upon 
a  single  man  and  unarmed.  Cloutman  was  a  timid  man  and  left 
the  settlement  of  the  question  entirely  with  his  companion.  Hinds 
knew  that  all  talk  would  be  useless,  and  when  Robbins  ex- 
pressed great  joy  and  surprise  at  seeing  them  alive  and  well,  he 
answered  nothing,  but  divesting  himself  of  his  weapons  and  pack, 
he  squared  off  and  knocked  Robbins  down.     He  then  proceeded  to 


HISTOBY   OF   BETHEL.  ^53 

give  him  such  a  castigation  as  the  circumstances  seemed  to  call 
for.  Robbins  begged  for  his  life  and  made  a  clean  breast  of  it. 
He  promised  to  make  full  reparation  so  far  as  mone^^  could  do  it, 
and  as  money  was  what  they  needed  and  wanted,  they  listened  to 
his  proposition.  They  repaired  with  him  to  his  house  and  there 
effected  a  settlement.  They  treated  him  very  leniently  under  the 
circumstances,  exacting  only  their  proportion  of  the  proceeds  of  the 
peltry  they  had  secured.  Robbins  did  not  have  money  enough  by 
him  to  pay  the  sums  agreed  upon,  so  he  turned  out  four  head  of 
young  cattle,  and  gave  his  note  for  the  balance.  Cloutmau  was 
paid  in  full,  and  Hinds  took  the  note  in  his  own  name.  They  then 
started  for  home,  but  they  found  it  extremely  difficult  to  drive 
cattle  through  the  forest  in  mid-winter.  The}'  struck  across  for 
the  Connecticut  river,  followed  this  down  to  the  vicinity  of  North- 
umberland and  then  crossed  over  to  their  home  on  the  Androscog- 
gin. Their  families  had  anxiously  looked  for  them  for  several 
weeks,  and  were  delighted  at  their  safe  return.  The  perfidy  of 
Robbins  as  related  by  Hinds  and  Cloutman,  wais  soon  repeated  at 
every  hearth-stone  along  the  border,  and  created  intense  excite- 
ment and  indignation. 

Cloutman  had  now  had  enough  of  life  and  adventure  in  the  far  off 
lake  region,  and  resolved  not  to  venture  there  again.  Hinds,  on 
the  other  hand,  was  one  of  those  restless  men  who  loved  adventure 
and  courted  danger,  and  he  had  no  sooner  recuperated  from  his  last 
trip,  than  he  resolved  to  try  again.  His  oldest  son  Benjamin  Frank- 
lin Hinds,  born  March  seventeen,  eighteen  hundred  and  thirteen, 
was  a  precocious  youth,  a  chip  of  the  old  block,  fearless  and  fond  of 
the  woods,  and  he  besought  his  father  for  permission  to  accompany 
him  on  the  next  trip.  The  father  somewhat  reluctantly  consented, 
and  they  at  once  set  about  the  necessary  preparations.  These 
were  made  and  they  started  for  the  Kennebago  country  about  the 
middle  of  February,  eighteen  hundred  and  twenty-eight.  The 
second  son  of  Hinds,  recently  deceased,  wrote  me  under  date  of 
December  twenty-seven,  eighteen  hundred  and  eighty,  that  he 
well  remembered  the  morning  when  his  father  and  brother  set  out 
on  their  journey.  The  rest  of  the  family  were  out  watching  them 
as  they  ascended  the  high  grounds  on  the  left  bank  of  the  Andros- 
coggin, and  exchanged  signals  with  them  a  moment  before  they 
disappeared  from  view.  They  little  thought  this  parting  was  to 
be  forever,  and  that  the  glimpse  they  caught  of  the  forms  of  the 

•23 


354  HISTOBY   OF  BETHEL. 

dear  ones  as  they  passed  into  the  forest,  was  to  be  the  last  this 
side  of  eternity.  But  such  was  the  case.  So  far  was  the  distance 
to  the  proposed  hunting-grounds,  nearly  or  quite  one  hundred  miles, 
that  the  family  at  home  knew  they  would  not  hear  from  them  save 
by  accident,  until  their  return  at  the  close  of  the  spring  hunt. 

Winter  passed,  the  snows  melted  in  field  and  forest,  spring  was 
ushered  in  with  leaf  and  blossom  and  singing  birds,  and  no  tidings 
came  of  the  trappers  of  the  Kenuebago.  The  mother,  sore  afflicted 
as  the  weeks  went  by  after  their  expected  return,  said  but  little  on 
account  of  her  children.  The  neighbors,  busy  about  their  spring 
work,  thought  but  little  about  the  matter,  until  well  into  June  ; 
then  they  began  to  be  alarmed  at  the  mysterious  and  continued 
absence  of  Hinds  and  his  son,  and  a  party  volunteered  to  go  to  the 
lake  region  in  search  of  them.  They  were  gone  nearly  a  month 
and  then  returned.  Their  search  had  been  fruitless,  and  if  they 
had  any  suspicions  of  the  fate  of  the  missing  ones,  they  kept  them 
to  themselves.  My  correspondent,  the  son  of  Mr.  Hinds,  writes 
that  he  always  believed  the  searching  party  were  fully  satisfied  that 
there  had  been  foul  play,  but  they  disliked  to  add  to  the  distress 
of  the  family  by  revealing  their  thoughts.  It  came  out,  however, 
subsequently,  that  they  went  among  the  settlers  and  hunters  in  the 
lake  country,  and  learned  the  following  facts  :  That  Hinds  and 
son  repaired  to  the  Keunebago,  the  place  where  Hinds,  Cloutman 
and  Bobbins  had  hunted  the  fall  before,  and  that  soon  after  they 
were  joined  by  Robbins.  He  professed  to  have  become  a  better 
man,  to  have  made  a  profession  of  religion,  and  expressed  a  strong 
desire  to  make  further  reparation  for  ,all  the  wrongs  he  had  done 
Hinds  and  his  companion.  He  said  he  had  found  a  place  where 
beaver  were  plenty,  and  if  Hinds  and  son  would  join  him,  they 
should  have  half  the  peltry,  and  that  out  of  his  half,  he  would  pay 
the  note  still  held  against  him  by  Hinds.  So  plausible  was  his 
story,  and  so  penitent  did  he  appear,  that  Hinds,  notwithstanding 
his  former  experience  with  him,  was  won  over  and  agreed  to  go 
with  him.  These  facts  were  learned  from  other  hunters  who  were 
present  at  the  time.  They  went  away  expecting  to  accomplish  their 
object  in  the  course  of  three  or  four  weeks,  and  then  return  to  their 
camp  near  the  Keunebago.  In  less  than  a  week,  Robbins  returned, 
but  Hinds  and  son  were  never  again  seen  nor  heard  from.  The 
forest  held,  and  still  holds  the  secret  of  their  fate. 

In  their  investigation  the  searchers  found  articles  in  possession  of 


HISTORY   OF   BETHEL.  355 

hunters  which  they  believed  to  have  been  the  property  of  Mr.  Hinds, 
and  which,  in  some  instances,  they  confessed  to  have  bought  of 
Robbins.  But  Robbius  was  known  to  be  a  violent  and  reckless 
man,  and  many  of  the  hunters  declined  to  say  anything  against 
him,  or  to  express  any  opinion  respecting  the  mj'sterious  disappear- 
ance of  Hinds  and  son. 

So  the  summer  passed  away,  and  no  further  attempt  had  been 
made  to  solve  the  n^yster}'.  But  the  people  of  Milan  and  Coos 
county  generally,  as  well  as  the  settlers  in  northern  Oxford  and 
Franklin  counties,  had  arrived  at  the  conclusion  that  there  had  been 
foul  play,  and  that  David  Robbins  was  the  guilty  party.  The  story 
of  the  lost  Wilbur  boy  was  yet  fresh  in  their  memories,  and  this 
helped  to  strengthen  their  convictions  that  he  had  been  guilty  of 
the  greater  crime.  The  people  of  Milan  now  determined  to  have 
Robbins  arrested  and  arraigned  for  the  crime  of  murder.  But  who 
would  make  the  arrest?  Robbins  lived  in  the  wilderness,  remote 
from  neighbors,  was  an  expert  woodsman  and  knew  the  country 
and  all  its  numerous  places  of  concealment. 

On  complaint  of  Mrs.  Hinds,  and  some  of  her  neighbors,  a  war- 
rant for  the  arrest  of  Robbins  was  made  out  at  Lancaster,  then 
and  still  the  shire  town  of  Coos  county.  The  warrant  was  placed  in 
the  hands  of  Lewis  Loomis,  a  deputy  sheriff,  and  a  noted  character 
of  that  day.  He  was  a  stalwart  man,  six  feet  and  six  inches  tall, 
well  proportioned,  straight  as  an  arrow,  and  possessed  of  strength 
in  proportion  to  his  size.  '  He  was  known  for  his  great  strength  and 
prowess  from  Canada  to  Portland,  and  was  also  a  woodsman  and 
hunter  of  much  experience.  The  difficult  task  of  arresting  Robbins 
could  not  have  been  submitted  to  abler  or  better  hands.  Several 
persons  volunteered  to  accompany  him,  but  he  declined  the  offer. 
He  said  the  job  was  not  for  a  posse  of  men,  but  for  one  man. 
There  was  a  young  man  then  living  in  Milan,  by  the  name  of  Daniel 
Ellingwood,  and  he  begged  so  hard  to  be  allowed  to  go  that  Loomis 
consented  to  take  him  along,  and  subsequent  events  showed  that  he 
made  no  mistake  in  so  doing.  Loomis  at  once  began  to  get  ready 
for  the  expedition.  He  lived  in  Colebrook,  New  Hampshire,  then, 
as  now,  a  border  town,  and  among  the  things  needed  was  a  light 
canoe.  It  so  happened  that  an  Indian  who  lived  near  Colebrook  had 
just  completed  a  strong  birch  canoe,  which,  after  some  persuasion, 
he  consented  to  loan  him.  Well  armed  and  well  provisioned,  Loomis 
and  Ellingwood  started  up  the  Androscoggin,  and  in  two  days  were 


356  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL, 

in  the  Magalloway  country,  and  near  Robbins'  place  of  abode.  Here 
they  met  an  old  trapper  of  whom  they  made  inquiries  about  the 
hunting,  and  whether  Robbins  was  doing  anything  in  that  line.  He 
said  that  Robbins  had  started  the  day  before  on  a  long  hunting 
trip.  His  canoe  was  loaded  down  with  traps  and  provisions,  and 
he  expected  to  be  absent  several  months.  This  raade  it  evident  to 
the  experienced  mind  of  Loomis  that  Robbins  had  some  suspicion 
of  what  was  going  on,  and  was  making  an  effort  to  escape.  His  i)ro- 
posed  hunting  excursion  Loomis  believed  to  be  a  blind,  and  that  he 
had  started  for  Canada  he  had  not  the  least  doubt.  When-  the  trap- 
per had  passed  along,  Loomis  told  Ellingwood  that  Robbios  had  just 
twenty-four  hours  the  start  of  them,  and  they  must  put  forth  ever}' 
effort  or  he  would  escape.  It  behooved  them  to  proceed  with  ex- 
treme caution,  for  if  Robbins  had  the  least  suspicion,  that  he  was 
followed,  he  would  lie  in  ambush  for  them,  and  shoot  them  down 
without  mercy.  Loomis  felt  quite  sure  that  Robbins  would  push  on 
as  fast  as  possible,  and  make  no  stop  until  he  thought  hin>self  safe 
^w>m  pursuit.  So  they  followed  on,  muffling  their  oars  when  they 
usedl  them,  keeping  a  sharp  lookout  on  every  hand,  and  when  they 
camped  at  night  making  no  fire.  Ellingwood  was  strong  and  pos- 
sessed great  powers  of  endurance  for  one  of  his  age.  He  was  also 
:famiiiar  with  canoeing,  and  with  the  water  passages  throughout  the 
teglon  they  were  to  pass.  The  second  afternoon  of  the  pursuit  they 
slackened  their  speed  somewhat,  fearing  they  might  come  suddenly 
upon  him.  Loomis  sat  in  the  bow  of  the  boat  with  a  loaded  and 
cocked  rifle  in  his  hand,  while  Ellingwood  worked  at  the  oars.  The 
afternoon  passed  with  no  results,  and  night  coming  on-,  th'ey  again 
encamped  on  the  bank,  without  fire,  as  before.  The  next  morning 
they  resumed  their  journey  with  the  same  precaution  as  the  day 
previous.  About  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  they  arrived  at  a 
carrying  place  nearly  two  miles  in  extent,  where,  oo  account  of  the 
rapids  and  falls,  everything  had  to  be  toted  along  the  bank.  The 
foot-path  was  well  worn,  for  this  was  a  thoroughfare  through  the 
great  northern  forest  belt  for  hunters  and  trappers,  and  also  for 
smugglers.  The  pursuers  now  moved  with  extreme  caution,  for 
they  felt  quite  sure  they  would  find  some  signs  of  the  fugitive  in 
this  place.  They  drew  their  canoe  from  the  water,  and  hid  it  in  a 
thicket,  in  order  to  examine  carefully  the  ground  where  the  foot- 
path commenced.  Robbins  had  evidently  taken  every  precaution 
to  baffle  pursuit,  for  a  careful  examination  disclosed  no  tracks  or 
other  signs  of  any  person  having  recently  passed  that  way.  They 
were  about  to  draw  out  their  canoe  and  proceed  up  the  carry,  when 


HISTORY    OF  BETHEL.  357 

one  of  them  discovered  a  somewhat  blind  trail  which  led  from  the 
path.  Following  this  a  few  feet,  they  found  a  pack  hidden  in  the 
bushes.  An  examination  convinced  them  that  this  was  Robbius' 
pack,  and  they  took  in  the  situation  at  once.  He  had  carried  up 
his  canoe  and  traps,  and  might  return  for  his  pack  at  any  moment. 
Ellingwood  took  position  in  a  little  grove  of  firs,  above  the  place 
where  the  pack  was  found,  while  Loomis  concealed  himself  close  by 
the  trail,  and  between  the  foot-path  and  the  pack,  so  that  Robbins, 
in  going  for  it,  must  pass  within  a  few  feet  of  him.  They  had  not 
long  to  wait.  In  fifteen  or  twenty  minutes  they  heard  the  sound  of 
footsteps,  as  of  some  one  coming  down  the  path,  and  a  moment 
later  Robbins  appeared  upon  the  scene.  Loomis  had  no  weapons 
upon  him,  and  if  Robbins  had,  his  purpose  was  not  to  give  him  a 
chance  to  use  them.  So  just  when  the  fugitive  was  opposite  his 
place  of  concealment,  Loomis  sprang  upon  him  like  a  tiger,  and 
had  him  down  in  a  moment.  He  began  to  feel  for  his  knife,  but 
Ellingwood  had  now  come,  whom  Robbins  seeing,  he  knew  that  re- 
sistance would  be  useless,  and  so  he  gave  up  his  weapons  and  al- 
lowed them  to  bind  his  arms  strongly  with  cords,  which  they  had 
taken  along  for  that  purpose.  They  placed  him  in  their  canoe,  and 
taking  the  other  one  in  tow,  they  started  on  the  homeward  journey. 
At  night  the}'  camped  on  the  shore,  but  they  had  the  benefit  of  a 
fire,  which  they  kept  burning  all  night.  They  kept  close  watch  upon 
their  prisoni'r,  taking  turns,  and  keeping  in  hand  their  rifle,  which 
they  informed  Rol)bins  they  should  use  upon  him  at  the  least  effort 
to  escape. 

At  length,  after  several  days  had  elapsed  since  the  capture  of 
Robbins,  Loomis  and  Ellingwood,  with  their  captive,  reached  Lan- 
caster and  lodged  him  in  jail.  The  party  was  miich  worn  out  with 
ti'amping  through  the  forest  and  loss  of  sleep,  and  were  very  glad 
when  their  task  was  done.  The  jail  was  a  rude  structure  built  of 
logs,  and  when  occupied  by  criminals  or  persons  awaiting  trial,  it 
was  necessary  to  place  a  guard  around  it.  Robbins  was  very  reti- 
cent, and  for  the  time  being,  very  docile.  There  were  no  newspa- 
per reporters  to  interview  him  at  that  time,  and  every  effort  to  ap- 
proach him  was  repelled  b}'  an  obstinate  silence.  There  was  great 
rejoicing  throughout  the  entire  region  at  his  incarceration,  and  his 
captors  received  due  attention  at  the  hands  of  the  people  in  old- 
fashioned  hospitality.  The  next  session  of  court,  competent  to  try 
the  case,  would  not  take  place  before  the  following  April.  As  the 
time  drew  near  there  was  intense  interest  manifested  in  the  case 
which  would  doubtless  have  drawn  together  tlie  largest  crowd  ever 
seen  in  Coos  county.  It  was  understood  that  the  counlsel  employed 
by  Robbins  would  in  the  first  place,  question  the  juri-diction  of  the 
court,  or  its  competency  to  try  th"  case,  on  the  ground  that  if  a 
crime  had  been  committed  it  was  not  committed  in  New  Hampshire 
but  in  Maine.  The  boundary  line  at  that  period  and  for  years 
after,  was  unsettled,  and  while  it  was  well  known  that  Robbins' 
home  was  in  Maine,  it  was  not  so  clear  in  what  jurisdiction  he  had 
committed   his   crimes.     This  question,   however,  was   never  to  be 


358  HIsrOBY   OF  BETHEL. 

raised  in  court,  for  on  the  morning  of  its  sitting,  it  was  found  that 
Robbins,  some  time  during  the  night  previous,  had  made  his  es- 
cape. The  jail,  as  stated,  was  made  of  logs  a  foot  in  diameter,  and 
spotted  so  that  they  would  rest  one  upon  another,  leaving  no  space 
between.  lu  the  cell  where  Robbins  was  confined,  there  w\as  a  win- 
dow hole  some  ten  inches  square,  for  the  admission  of  light  and 
air.  He  was  quite  broad  shouldered  and  it  seemed  impossible  that 
he  could  have  forced  himself  through  this  apperture,  but,  however 
this  may  have  been,  he  had  vacated  his  cell,  and  nothing  authentic 
was  ever  heard  of  him  afterward.  It  was  known  that  Robliins  had 
the  means  with  which  to  pay  well  for  his  liberty,  and  some  thought 
the  jailor  might  be  implicated  in  the  affair,  while  others  had  other 
theories  which  began  and  ended  in  talk. 

Years  afterwards  a  report  was  in  circulation  in  Coos  county,  that 
Robbins  had  been  tried  for  murder  in  Canada  ;  that  he  was  con- 
victed and  hanged,  and  that  under  the  gibbet,  he  confessed  to  the 
murder  of  Hinds  and  son,  and  various  other  crimes,  including  the 
abduction  of  the  Wilbur  boy.  No  one  attempted  to  follow  up  these 
reports,  and  it  is  not  probable  that  they  had  any  foundation  in  fact. 
Soon  after  the  escape  of  Robbins,  Mrs.  Hinds  sold  her  farm  in 
Milan,  and  moved  with  her  family  to  the  southern  part  of  the  State, 
■where  her  friends  resided.  Her  oldest  son,  Silas  P.  Hinds,  became 
a  famous  musician.  He  settled  in  Newark,  New  Jersey,  and  en- 
gaged in  the  manufacture  of  pianos,  which  have  a  wide  reputation. 
Many  appliances  used  by  other  manufacturers  are  the  inventions  of 
Mr.  Hinds,  for  the  use  of  which  he  received  a  royalty.  It  w^as  from 
this  man,  whose  letters  are  now  before  me,  that  I  learned  the  facts 
and  incidents,  so  far  as  they  relate  to  his  father,  and  the  capture 
and  escape  of  Robbins,  of  this  tragic  story.  He  died  a  few  years 
ago  as  the  result  of  an  injury.  Some  forty  years  ago  he  visited  the 
scenes  of  his  childhood  aud  gathered  up  all  the  facts  he  w^as  able, 
connected  with  the  disappearance  of  his  father  and  brother.  He 
visited  Colonel  Loomis  at  Colebrook,  and  from  liira  learned  the  cir- 
cumstances here  related,  of  the  capture  and  escape  of  Robl)ins. 
When  he  visited  Milan,  in  wliich  town  he  was  the  first  cliild  born 
of  English  parents,  many  were  living  who  knew  his  fatiier  and 
mother,  but  all,  including  Colonel  Loomis,  have  long  since  died. 
The  story  of  the  disappearance  of  Abner  Hinds  aud  his  son  Benja- 
min, is  still  told  by  a  later  generation,  but  witli  many  exaggera- 
tions, and  but  for  the  efforts  of  Silas  P.  Hinds  in  gathering  up  the 
facts  and  placing  them  upon  record,  it  is  probable  that  many  of 
them  would  now  be  hopelessly  lost. 

Soon  after  the  arrest  of  her  husband,  Mrs.  Robbins  left  the 
Magalloway  country  and  moved  out  to  the  settlements.  Her  chil- 
dren grew^  up,  and  one  of  them,  a  daughter,  was  married  and  lived 
in  Saco.  She  subsequently  kept  a  boarding  house  at  Old  Orchard, 
and  there  a  few  years  ago,  she  died.  The  otiier  daughters  died  un- 
married, and  there  were  no  sons.  A  granddaughter,  the  only  re- 
maining descendant  of  David  Robbins,  died  in  eighteen  hundred 
and  ninety. 


HISrOBY   OF  BETHEL.  3o9 

lu  the  year  eighteen  hundred  and  eighty-one,  I  visited  Mrs.  Kob- 
bins,  who  was  then  living  with  her  sister  in  the  town  of  Newry. 
She  was  then  confined  to  her  bed  by  sickness,  and  soon  after  died. 
Fifty  years  had  then  passed  since  the  escape  of  her  husband  from 
Lancaster  jail,  and  slie  informed  me  tliat  she  had  never  heard  from 
him  since  that  time.  No  message  or  token  had  ever  come  to  her  to 
inform  her  whether  he  were  living  or  dead.  She  was  ready  to  con- 
verse upon  the  subject  of  her  husl)and  and  his  alleged  misdeeds,  and 
she  stated  most  explicitly  and  emphatically  that  she  did  not  believe 
him  guilty.  She  said  that  he  was  always  kind  to  her  and  to  his 
children.  She  said  he  was  passionate  and  would  sometimes  threaten 
the  children  with  severe  punishment,  but  never  inflicted  it  in  quali- 
ty as  threatened.  He  was  absent  much  of  the  time,  but  always  left 
the  family  well  supplied  with  food  and  fuel.  She  said  he  alvvays 
told  her  that  he  was  born  at  Machias,  Maine  ;  that  his  father  was  a 
Baptist  preacher,  and  that  some  day,  when  he  could  afford  it,  he 
would  take  her  and  the  children  to  visit  his  folks  at  Machias.  She 
said  he  claimed  to  be  a  Free  Mason,  and  said  he  belonged  to  a 
lodge  at  Machias.  She  expressed  the  belief  that  the  Free  Masons 
assisted  him  in  making  his  escape  from  the  Lancaster  jail,-  and  in 
getting  away  to  Canada.  She  admitted,  however,  that  there  was 
trouble  between  her  husband  and  Hinds  and  Cloutman,  in  the  set- 
tlement of  their  affairs,  and  thai,  her  husband  turned  out  stock  to 
balance  their  claim,  but  she  positively  denied  all  knowledge  of  any 
subsequent  relations  between  her  husband's  and  these  parties.  She 
scouted  the  idea  of  her  husband's  complicity  in  the  abduction  of 
the  Wilbur  child,  and  said  his  disappearance  had  been  other- 
wise satisfactorily  accounted  for.  She  said  the  Indians  them- 
selves had  stolen  him,  and  then  had  trumped  up  the  story  of  buy- 
ing him  from  a  white  man,  because  they  feared  punishment.  She 
talked  candidly  and  with  apparent  truthfulness,  and  being  then 
upon  the  verge  of  the  grave,  she  would  not  have  been  likely  to 
make  statements  which  she  did  not  believe  Her  children  were  all 
dead,  and  there  was  no  inducement  on  their  account  for  her  to  pre- 
varicate and  misrepresent. 

Before  leaving  the  place,  I  had  some  talk  with  her  sister's  hus- 
band, since  deceased,  who  was  well  acquainted  with  Kobbins  and 
had  been  associated  with  him  in  various  ways.  He  said  that  the 
prevailing  sin  of  Robbins  was  avarice  ;  that  for  money  he  would  do 
anything.  He  spoke  of  a  time  when  they  had  made  maple  sugar 
together,  on  the  lot  Robbins  had  selected  for  a  homestead  in  Albany. 
When  they  had  finished  their  work  they  stored  their  sugar  in  their 
camp,  and  a  few  days  afterward  wlien  they  went  in  with  sleds  to 
haul  it  out,  they  found  the  camp  in  ashes.  Subsequently  he  found 
that  Robbins  had  stolen  and  sold  the  sugar,  and  had  fired  the  camp 
to  cover  up  liis  dishonesty.  He  said,  also,  that  Robbins  was  re- 
vengeful and  malicious,  and  he  had  no  dou])t  he  was  guilty  of  all 
the  charges  laid  against  him.  He  said  that  Mrs.  Robbins  was 
greatly  attached  to  her  husband  and  was  blind  to  all  his  failings. 
Robbins  was  also  as  much  attached  to  his  wife  as  such  natures  are 


360  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

capable  of,  aud  that  so  far  as  was  possible,  he  kept  her  in  ignorance 
of  his  wroug-doiug.  On  investigation,  I  found  that  no  person  bear- 
ing the  name  of  David  Bobbins  had  ever  been  a  member  of  Machias 
lodge  of  Masons,  and  that  no  Baptist  ministei'  by  the  name  of  Bob- 
bins had  ever  had  a  settlement  or  lived  in  that  town.  It  is  clear 
that  he  deceived  his  wife  in  respect  to  these  statements,  and  in  all 
probability  he  deceived  her  in  regard  to  others.  Sixty-three  years 
have  now  passed  since  the  last  act  in  the  drama,  the  escape  of  Bob- 
bins took  place,  and  while  some  of  his  acts  committed  behind  the 
scenes  have  never  been  fully,  brought  to  light  there  is  no  proba- 
bility that  we  shall  ever  know  more  of  them  than  we  now  do.  With 
the  burning  of  the  court  house  at  Lancaster,  all  the  records  relating 
to  the  case  were  destroyed,  while  all  those  persons  of  mature  age  at 
the  time,  who  could  possibly  throw  any  additional  light  upon  the 
subject  have  fallen  into  that  sleep  that  knows  no  waking. 


CHAPTEB    XXVII. 

Sketches  Personal. 

v^'H  )7,"5'  Elipiiaz  C.  Bean. 

t"^^  prominent  man  f(n-  many  3'ears  in  the  easterly  part  of  the 
^:4^;  town  was  Eliphaz  C.  Bean,  Esquire.  He  was  born  on  the 
-  -^-ra:  homestead  of  his  father,  Mr.  Edmund  Bean,  and  was 
brought  up  on  the  farm  He  obtained  a  good  common  school  edu- 
cation and  taught  winter  schools  in  various  places.  He  bought  out 
the  store  of  Thaddeus  P.  Bartlett,  and  from  that  time  to  the  pres- 
ent, the  place  has  been  known  as  Bean's  Corner.  He  was  the  sec- 
ond Postmaster  in  that  part  of  the  town,  and  held  the  position  for 
fifteen  years.  He  also  oi)ened  his  large  house  as  a  tavern,  and  at 
the  same  time  carried  on  farming.  After  a  few  years  he  gave  up 
the  store,  took  down  his  tavern  sign,  and  since  has  engaged  exclu- 
sively in  agriculture.  He  has  a  productive  interval  farm,  and  has 
enjoyed  his  occupation.  He  has  been  more  or  less  in  town  office, has 
served  as  town  clerk,  selectman,  and  for  many  years  on  the  board 
of  superintending  school  committe.  In  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty- 
one,  he  was  elected  to  the  Maine  Legislature.  He  was  early  ap- 
pointed a  civil  magistrate,  and  did  considerable  business  in  the  -v^ay 
of  conveyancing  and  uniting  couples  in  marriage.  He  married  in 
eighteen  hundred  and  thirty-eight,  Sarah  B.,  daughter  of  Hall 
Farnhani  of  Bumford,  who  died  several  years  ago.  They  reared  a 
family,  a  record  of  which  may  be  found  with  family  statistics. 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  361 

Timothy  Appleton  Chapman. 

Like  every  New  England  community,  Bethel  can  boast  of  sous 
whom  accident  or  inclination  has  carried  to  distant  scenes  amid 
which  they  have  risen  to  distinction  and  honor.  INIost  conspicuous 
among  them  is  Timothy  Appleton  Chapman.  Mr.  Chapman  is  of  a 
famiI3^  English  by  descent,  which  has  been  identified  with  New 
England  for  more  than  two  hundred  years.  His  parents  were  George 
Whitefield  and  Mary  (Greenwood)  Chapman,  and  he  was  born  in 
Gilead,  May  23,  1S24.  His  boyhood  was  passed  upon  his  father's 
farm  which  lies  partly  in  Gilead  and  partly  in  Bethel.  He  was 
educated  at  the  district  school  of  his  native  town  and  the  academies 
of  Bethel  and  Yarmouth.  His  first  salaried  employment  was  school 
teaching,  which  he  practiced  for  two  winters.  But  as  he  progressed 
toward  manhood,  he  realized  that  to  satisfy  his  ambitions  and 
engross  his  abilities  the  life  of  a  pedagogue  and  the  restricted  op- 
portunities of  a  countr}'  town  would  never  suttice.  Before  he  was 
20,  therefore,  he  cut  himself  loose  from  the  associations  of  his 
childhood,  and  went  to  Boston  to  seek  his  fortune.  He  entered 
that  great  city  with  less  than  ten  dollars  in  his  purse,  but  with  a 
wir}^  constitution,  excellent  habits  and  strong  moral  principles,  a 
clear,  active  intellect,  an  inflexible  will,  and  indomitable   ambition. 

His  first  six  years  in  Boston  were  passed  as  a  clerk,  most  of  the 
time  in  the  dry  goods  store  of  C.  F.  Hovey  &  Co.  His  early  dreams 
and  impulses  had  not  been  in  the  direction  of  trade,  but  having 
entered  upon  a  mercantile  life,  the  young  clerk  applied  himself 
with  all  his  powers  to  acquiring  by  observation  and  practice  all  the 
mercantile  knowledge  which  lay  within  his  reach.  Private  charac- 
ter, as  well  as  mere  executive  capacity,  is  part  of  the  business  cap- 
ital which  may  be  accumulated  by  every  young  young  man,  how- 
ever small  his  salary,  or  limited  his  opportunities  of  laying  by 
money.  Of  this  desirable  foundation  for  a  successful  career,  IMr. 
Chapman  soon  had  a  larger  portion  than  most  of  the  young  men  of 
his  age.  His  social  associations  were  made  with  care.  He  was 
never  frivolous,  even  in  his  amusements,  but  sought  recreations 
which,  besides  serving  to  pass  the  time,  held  out  a  [)romise  of  im- 
provement. He  formed  opinions  of  his  own  on  topics  of  current  in- 
terest, and  when  occasion  invited  was  not  backward  in  expressing 
them.     He  was  strongly  in  sympathy  with  the  Abolitionist  move- 


362  HISrOBY  OF  BETHEL. 

meut,  and  a  supporter  of  Wendell  Phillips,  Charles  Sumner,  John  G. 
Whittier  and  William  Lloyd  Garrison,  long  before  their  doctrines 
had  become  popular.  He  came  to  be  known  as  a  young  man  of  ideas 
and  of  sterling  qualities. 

His  character  commended  him  to  the  attention  of  influential  peo- 
ple like  James  M.  Beebe,  at  that  time  the  greatest  dry  goods  im- 
porter in  Boston.  That  gentleman  gave  him  very  substantial  en- 
couragement, and  assisted  him  to  open  a  dry  goods  store  of  his  own. 
This  enterprise  was  carried  on  for  seven  3'ears,  producing  no  great 
financial  results,  but  enabling  the  young  merchant  to  acquire  ad- 
ditional experience  and  confidence,  and  to  secure  connections  which 
were  to  become  useful  to  him  in  a  wider  field  of  operations. 

It  was  in  1857,  at  the  age  of  32,  that  Mr.  Chapman  took  the  step 
which  resulted  in  the  establishment  of  a  business  that  was  destined 
to  give  full  employment  to  his  matured  powers,  and  to  develop  into 
proportions  exceeding  anything  that  had  been  realized  by  the 
wealthiest  and  most  successful  merchants  in  that  line  in  the  coun- 
try at  the  time  when  he  began  his  apprenticeship  to  tlie  dr}'  goods 
trade.  This  step  was  his  removal  to  Milwaukee,  which  was  then  a 
place  of  less  than  -^0,000  inhabitants,  but  flourishing  and  promising 
future  growth.  Mr.  Chapman's  early  employers,  C.  F.  Hovey  & 
Co.,  afforded  him  financial  support,  and  he  opened  a  dry  goods 
store  which  at  once  became  the  favorite  emporium  of  the  city.  The 
characteristics  whicl:  1;  liiicd  for  the  store  its  original  success  have 
always  been  maintained.  The  goods  handled  were  excellent  in  qual- 
ity and  selected  with  refined  and  educated  taste.  They  were  sold  at 
one  price.  Every  department  of  the  store  was  permeated  by  a  spirit 
of  system. 

In  1872,  admonished  by  the  growth  of  the  city  and  of  his  trade  to 
seek  larger  quarters  than  he  had  previously  occupied,  Mr.  Chap- 
man erected  and  moved  into  what  was  at  that  time  one  of  the  larg- 
est dry  goods  houses  in  the  Northwest.  Eleven  years  later  it  had 
become  inadequate  to  the  growing  demands  of  his  trade,  and  he 
doubled  its  size.  In  convenience  of  arrangement  the  store  had  not 
a  superior  in  the  country.  Not  content  with  building  for  utility  only, 
Mr.  Chapman  called  decorative  art  to  his  aid,  creating  an  establish- 
ment which  fitly  came  to  be  spoken  of  as  "the  Palace  Store,"  and 
was  the  pride  of  the  whole  Northwest.  On  the  night  of  October  23, 
1884,  this  magnificent  structure,  with  its  entire  contents — a  stock 
valued  at  more  than  half  a  million  dollars — was  destroyed  by  fire. 


HISTOHY  OF  BETHEL.  ;^(53 

Milwaukeeans  looked  upou  the  fire  as  a  public  calamity,  rather  than 
a  merely  private  loss.  Business  men  asked  the  question,  ''Will  Mr. 
Chapman  jebuild?"  with  much  concern,  for  they  realized  that  the 
store  was  an  institution  which  brought  many  people  and  a  great 
deal  of  incidental  trade  to  the  city.  Petitions  were  received,  signed 
by  leading  ladies  of  neighboring  cities  and  towns,  praying  him  to 
rebuild  and  continue  in  business.  Leading  firms  throughout  the 
country  sent  him  telegrams  expressing  sympathy  and  offering  finan- 
cial assistance  if  needed.  Mr.  Chapman's  insurance  money  and  his 
other  property  would  have  enabled  him  to  "crown  a  life  of  labor 
with  an  age  of  ease,"  had  he  been  disposed  to  avoid  the  responsi- 
bilities and  risks  of  beginning  anew.  But  after  carefulh'  summing  up 
the  situation,  he  decided  in  favor  of  continued  activit}',  and  before 
the  ashes  of  the  fire  were  cold  he  had  made  arrangements  for  re- 
building upon  even  a  grander  scale  than  before.  The  structure 
which  he  erected  occupies  an  area  of  17,000  square  feet  upon  the 
ground  floor  and  is  five  stories  in  height.  It  is  conceded  to  have  no 
superior  in  the  world  for  the  purposes  for  which  it  is  designed,  and 
in  many  of  its  excellent  features  it  is  entirely  unique.  It  is  so  ar- 
ranged that  there  is  not  a  dark  corner  nor  a  deep  shadow  in  the 
whole  building.  The  ventilation  is  as  perfect  as  science  can  make 
it.  The  frescoeing  and  other  works  of  art  are  European  in  their  con- 
ception and  execution,  and  give  the  store  the  eifect  of  a  reception 
room  rather  than  a  place  for  the  sale  of  goods.  Ample  provision  is 
made  for  the  comfort  of  the  employes  as  well  as  for  that  of  the 
patrons  of  the  establishment.  One  of  the  salient  characteristics  of 
Mr.  Chapman's  business  methods  is  his  treatment  of  his  employes, 
who  number  more  than  the  entire  population  of  the  town  in  which 
he  was  born.  He  does  not  regard  people  who  work  for  him  as  mere 
machines,  out  of  which  it  is  incumbent  for  him  to  get  the  greatest 
amount  of  labor  at  least  cost  to  himself,  and  with  no  thought  for 
their  personal  well-being. 

In  the  especial  field  of  exertion  to  which  he  has  mainly  devoted 
himself,  Mr.  Chapman  has  risen  to  the  highest  eminence.  It  is  not 
alone  his  standing  as  a  business  man  that  gives  him  his  place  in  the 
esteem  of  his  fellow  citizens.  Broad-minded,  cultured  and  public- 
spirited,  a  liberal  promotor  of  important  enterprises  to  benefit  the 
community,  a  patron  of  art  and  education,  he  is  looked  up  to  as  a 
thoroughly  representative  man,  who  has  been  successful  not  only  in 
business,  but  successful  in  life. 


364  HISTOliY  OF  BETHEL. 

Mr.  Chapman  was  married  in  Boston,  on  the  16th  of  April,  ISoO,, 
to  Miss  Laura  Bowker,  daughter  of  David  and  Eunice  (Clapp) 
Bowker,  of  Scituate,  Mass.  Mrs.  Chapman  is  a  lady  of  rare  intel- 
ligence, fine  character,  and  dignity  and  grace  of  manner,  and  has 
made  her  husband's  home  a  recognized  center  of  social  refinement 
and  cultured  intellectual  impulse.     They  have  two  daughters. 

Mr.  Chapman's  munificent  enterprise  is  not  confined  to  the  city 
of  his  residence.  For  some  years  past  he  has  been  making  practi- 
cal experiments  in  scientific  agriculture,  with  a  view  of  determin- 
ing the  conditions  under  which  farming  in  New  England,  and  es- 
pecially in  his  native  stute  of  Maine,  can  be  restored  to  its  old-time 
prosperity.  These  experiments,  conducted  on  the  old  homestead 
farm  at  Gilead,  have  attracted  wide  attention,  and  have  demon- 
strated that  if  the  New  England  farmer  will  put  thought  and  capi- 
tal in  with  his  hard  work,  he  can  make  his  acres  yield  him  a  fair 
revenue.  Some  of  Mr.  Chapman's  ideas  upon  the  reasons  of  Maine's 
agricultural  decadence,  and  the  means  by  which  prosperity  may  be 
restored,  he  has  laid  before  the  public  in  the  form  of  contributions 
to  the  press.  He  is  a  strong  believer  in  the  American  protective 
tariff,  and  in  response  to  an  attack  upon  the  theory  of  protection 
which  was  made  in  a  published  criticism  of  one  of  his  agricultural 
essays,  he  wrote  a  defense  of  the  tariff  sj'stem  which  elicited  mucli 
approving  comment.  As  may  be  infen-ed  from  his  stand  on  the 
tariff,  Mr.  Chapman's  political  sympathies  generally  lie  with  the  re- 
publican party,  though  he  is  not  a  narrow  partisan.  During  the  war 
he  was  a  type  of  the  staunchly  loyal  men  who  by  their  outspoken 
devotion  to  the  union  cause,  and  readiness  to  contribute  liberally 
toward  the  expenses  of  carrying  on  the  struggle,  helped  to  hold  up 
the  hands  of  the  martyr  President,  and  to  preserve  the  republic  from 
dismemberment.  While  never  shirking  his  political  duties,  he  has 
never  been  a  politician.  When  a  movement  to  nominate  him  for 
office  of  Governor  of  Wisconsin  was  made,  in  1888,  he  declined  to 
become  a  candidate. 

Mr.  Chapman  is  an  original  thinker,  and  a  man  of  positive  con- 
victions. He  despises  cant  in  all  things,  and  shows  his  character  and 
ability  more  by  what  he  does  than  by  what  he  says.  He  is  one  of  the 
living  exemplars,  and  reminders  of  Carlyle's  noble  declaration  that 
"all  true  work  is  religion,"  and  that  "the  essence  of  every  sound  re- 
ligion is,  'know  thy  work  and  do  it.'  " 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  ;^(35 

Henry  L.  CuArMAX. 

Professor  Heur}'  Lelaud  Chapmaa  was  born  in  Bethel,  July 
twenty-sixth,  eighteen  hundred  and  forty-live.  He  attended  the 
town  schools  and  Gould's  academy  until  the  family  moved  to  Port- 
land. He  fitted  for  college  and  graduated  from  Bowdoin  in  the  class 
of  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-six.  From  the  Bangor  Theological 
Seminary  he  graduated  in  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-nine,  and  im- 
mediately accepted  a  tutorship  in  Bowdoin  College.  In  eighteen 
hundred  and  seventy-two  he  accepted  the  professorship  of  Latin 
and  was  subsequently  transferred  to  the  chair  of  rhetoric  and  ora- 
tory, and  English  literature  has  since  been  added.  He  is  a  pro- 
found scholar,  an  original  thinker,  and  one  of  the  most  valuable  and 
popular  teachers  connected  with  the  college.  He  has  never  been 
settled  as  a  pastor,  though  he  has  had  frequent  opportunities  of  do- 
ing so.  He  has  occasionally  supplied  vacant  pulpits,  and  is  an 
eloquent  preacher.  He  is  a  ready,  off-hand  speaker,  and  on  post- 
prandial and  other  similar  occasions,  he  has  few  equals  in  the  State. 
He  has  a  remarkably  easy  flow  of  language,  can  be  witty  or  wise 
and  can  change  from  grave  to  gay,  with  remarkable  facility.  His 
written  addresses  are  noted  for  the  pure  and  forcible  English  in 
which  they  are  clothed,  recalling  forcibly  the  manner  and  style  of 
Addison  and  other  English  classical  writers  of  that  period.  Professor 
Chapman  sometimes  successfully  falls  into  rhyme  and  poetry,  and 
his  Centennial  poem  printed  in  this  volume,  does  him  great  credit, 
both  as  a  literar}^  and  poetical  production.  He  is  now  in  the  prime 
of  manhood,  in  the  enjoyment  of  excellent  health,  and  with  every 
promise  of  a  brilliant  future. 


Charles  J.  Chapman. 

Hon.  Charles  J.  Chapman,  son  of  Robert  A.  Chapman,  was  born 
in  Bethel,  January  twenty-ninth,  eighteen  hundred  and  forty-eight, 
was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and  Gould's  Academy  of  Bethel, 
andGorham  academy,  entered  Bowdoin  college  and  graduated  with 
honor  in  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-eight.  The  first  prize  for  ex- 
cellence in  English  composition  was  awarded  him  in  his  senior  year. 
After  graduation,  his  health  having  become  somewhat  impaired  by 
study,  he  made  atrip  to  Minnesota,  where  he  was  employed  by  the 
Northern  Pacific  Railroad  Company  in  its  earliest  railroad  construe- 


366  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

tion  across  the  State.  He  remained  in  the  employ  of  this  company 
until  his  return  to  Maine  in  the  summer  of  eighteen  hundred  and 
seventy,  when  he  became  a  member  of  the  old  established  commis- 
sion house  in  flour  and  grain,  of  Norton,  Chapman  &  Company  of 
Portland.  He  has  continued  with  this  firm  during  all  its  changes  up 
to'  the  present  time,  having  become,  in  the  meantime,  its  senior 
member.  This  firm  has  become  the  representative  of  some  of  the 
largest  and  best  known  mills  in  the  West,  including  the  famous 
Pillsbury-Washburn  mills,  and  is  recognized  as  the  leading  house  of 
its  kind  in  the  State.  Recently,  Mr.  Chapman  has  also  become  in- 
terested in  banking,  having  formed  in  connection  with  his  brothers, 
Cullen  C,  and  Eobert,  the  Chapman  Banking  Company  of  Port- 
land, Maine  ;  to  this  branch  of  business  he  devotes  a  portion  of  his 
time.  Mr.  Chapman  is  a  member  of  the  Portland  Board  of  Trade, 
and  has  always  been  known  as  a  man  of  large  public  si)irit  and  en- 
terprise. 

In  politics,  Mr.  Chapman  is  a  republican,  and  from  boyhood 
greatly  interested  in  political  matters.  He  was  elected  to  and  served 
on  the  school  board  of  Portland,  from  eighteen  hundred  and  seven- 
ty-three to  eighteen  hundred  and  seventy-five,  was  chosen  member 
of  Common  Council  in  eighteen  hundred  and  seventy-seven,  eight 
and  nine,  serving  as  President  of  that  body  in  eighteen  hundred 
and  seventy-nine  ;  was  elected  Alderman  in  eighteen  hundred  and 
eighty  and  eighty-one,  serving  as  chairman  of  the  Board  in  the  lat- 
ter year  ;  was  elected  Mayor  of  Portland,  first  in  eighteen  hundred 
and  eighty-six,  and  subsequently  twice  re-elected.  During  his  office 
as  Mayor,  he  planned  and  carried  forward  to  successful  consumma- 
tion the  great  Centennial  celebration  of  the  city  in  eighteen  hun- 
dred and  eighty-seven  ;  also  among  other  results  of  his  administra- 
tion may  be  mentioned  the  Back  Bay^  improvements,  the  lease  of 
the  Portland  and  Ogdensburg  Railroad  to  the  Maine  Central,  and 
the  contract  with  the  Portland  Water  Company,  whereby  a  new 
reservoir  was  constructed  on  Munjo}'  Hill.  He  also  accepted, 
in  behalf  of  the  city,  in  fitting  speeches,  the  Longfellow  statue  from 
the  Longfellow  Association,  and  the  magnificent  Public  Library 
building,  the  free  gift  of  James  P.  Baxter,  Esq. 

Mr.  Chapman  was  appointed  by  the  Governor  of  the  Stale,  one 
of  the  Commissioners  to  represent  the  State  on  the  occasion  of  the 
National  Centennial  in  New  York  eighteen  hundred  and  eighty-eight, 
and  was  also  chosen  as  an  alternate  delegate  at  large  by  the  Repub- 


GEN.   CLARK  S.    EDWARDS. 


HI. STORY  OF  BETHEL.  367 

licau  State  Convention  to  the  National  Republican  Convention  to 
Chicago  in  eighteen  hundred  and  eighty-eight.  In  religion,  Mr. 
Chapman  is  a  Congregationalist.  He  was  married  in  September, 
eighteen  hundred  and  sevent3'-five,  to  Annie  D.,  daughter  of  B.  F. 
Hinds  of  Portland,  and  has  a  family  of  five  children,  one  daughter 
and  four  sons. 

Clark  S.  Edwards. 

General  Clark  Swett  Edwards  is  the  youngest  son  and  child  of 
Enoch  and  Abigail  (McLellan)  Edwards,  and  was  born  at  Otisfield, 
Maine,  March  twenty-six,  eighteen  hundred  and  twenty-four.  His 
father  and  mother  were  of  Gorham,  Maine,  and  the  latter  was  of 
the  distinguished  family  of  McLellan,  so  closely  identified  with  the 
early  history  of  that  town.  The}'  had  an  old-fashioned  family  of 
eleven  children,  the  youngest  three  of  whom  alone  are  now  living. 
The  subject  of  this  notice  was  brought  upon  his  father's  farm,  and 
obtained  what  education  the  public  schools  afforded.  In  eighteen 
hundred  and  fortj^-eight  he  came  to  Bethel,  and  with  Edwin  R. 
Eastman  bought  out  Kimball  and  Pattee  and  went  into  trade  in  a 
store  which  stood  where  the  store  of  Ceylon  Rowe  now  stands  at  the 
northwest  corner  of  the  Common.  After  a  j^ear  they  purchased  a 
building  standing  southerly  and  a  little  back  of  the  store  they  then 
occupied,  which  had  been  used  as  a  shoemaker's  and  harness  mak- 
ing shop,  moved  it  up  in  line  with  their  store  and  that  of  John  Har- 
ris, then  occupied  by  Abernethy  Grover,  which  stood  farther  south, 
and  finished  the  three  stores  under  one  roof.  This  was  the  block 
that  was  burned  during  the  war  and  has  since  been  rebuilt.  He 
subsequentl}^  built  the  store  near  the  railroad,  on  the  spot  where  the 
store  of  Woodbury  &  Purriugton  now  stands,  and  traded  in  com- 
pany with  Charles  Mason.  He  sold  out  to  Mason  and  the  store  was 
afterwards  burned.  Mr.  Edwards  then  built  a  store  near  the  foot 
of  Vernon  street,  where  he  traded  until  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty- 
eight,  when  he  sold  out.  During  these  years  he  built  several  houses 
at  various  parts  of  the  village,  and  in  various  ways  contributed  to 
the  growth  and  prosperitv  of  Bethel  Hill. 

At  the  breaking  out  of  the  war,  when  the  first  call  was  issued  for 
three  hundred  thousand  men,  INIr.  Edwards  took  out  recruiting  pa- 
pers and  was  chosen  Captain  of  the  first  company  organized  under 
this  call,  in  the  county.  This  company  became  Company  I,  of  the 
Fifth  Maine  Regiment,  and  an  account  of  it  is  given   in   another 


368  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

place.  Captain  Edwards  was  rapidly  promoted  and  soon  had  com- 
mand of  the  regiment,  which  he  handled  in  the  leading  engagements 
of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  including  Gettysburg,  until  the  expira- 
tion of  his  term  in  the  summer  of  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-four, 
except  a  portion  of  the  time  when  he  commanded  a  brigade.  He 
was  a  brave  and  capable  officer,  and  for  conspicuous  bravery  was 
promoted  to  Brigadier  General  by  brevet. 

Eeturning  to  his  home,  General  Edwards  engaged  in  agriculture, 
which  was  ever  his  favorite  pursuit,  and  this  has  been  his  chief  em- 
ployment since  that  time.  He  has  cleared  up  an  extensive  tract  of 
grass  land  situated  on  Alder  river,  built  an  immense  barn  on  Ver- 
non street  in  eighteen  hundred  and  seventy-four,  which  he  fills  with 
hay,  his  usual  annual  crop  being  about  one  hundred  tons.  He  has 
not  sought  public  office,  but  in  eighteen  hundred  and  eighty-six  the 
democratic  nomination  for  Governor  of  Maine  was  urged  upon  him, 
and  he  reluctantly  consented  to  accept  it.  He  polled  the  full  vote 
of  his  party,  but  as  it  was  in  the  minority,  he  was  not  elected.  In 
eighteen  hundred  and  ninety  he  was  appointed  by  the  Governor  of 
Maine,  Commissioner  for  the  Columbian  Exposition  at  Chicago,  an 
appointment  which  gave  general  satisfaction.  General  Edwards  is 
modest  and  retiring,  social  and  genial  in  his  habits  and  stronglj' 
attached  to  his  family  and  friends.  In  eighteen  hundred  and  fortj^- 
nine,  he  married  Miss  JNlaria  A.,  daughter  of  Ayers  Mason,  Esq.,  a 
most  estimable  woman  and  devoted  wife  and  mother.  She  died 
March  sixth,  eighteen  hundred  and  eighty-five.  They  reared  an  in- 
teresting family  of  seven  children,  six  of  whom  are  still  living.  One 
oi  their  sons,  Ayers  Mason  Edwards,  graduated  at  Bowdoin  Col- 
lege, was  superintendent  of  schools  in  Lewiston,  and  now  holds 
the  same  position  at  Pittsfield,  Massachusetts.  He  is  a  prominent 
educator  and  author  of  several  text  books. 

Lafayette  G rover. 

Hon.  Lafayette  Grover,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  who  became 
the  first  Representative  in  Congress  from  the  State  of  Oregon,  and 
afterwards  Governor  of  that  State  and  Senator  of  the  United  States, 
was  the  third  son  of  Dr.  John  and  Fanny  Grover,  and  was  born  in 
Bethel,  Maine,  November  twenty-ninth,  eighteen  hundred  and 
twenty-three,  was  educated  at  Gould's  academy  in  this  town,  and 
at  Bowdoin  College.  He  studied  law  in  Philadelphia,  under  the  in- 
struction of  the  late  Asa  I.  Fish,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  there 


HON.    LAFAYETTE   GROVER. 


HLSTOBY    OF  BETHEL.  369 

in  March,  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty.  Late  in  the  autumn  of  that 
year,  he  took  passage  on  a  merchant  vessel  bound  round  Cape  Horn 
to  San  Francisco,  where  he  arrived  in  July,  eigliteen  hundred  and 
■fifty-one,  and  in  the  next  month  lie  arrived  in  Portland,  Oregon,  l)y 
the  old  steamer  Columbia,  then  on  one  of  her  early  trips.  He  at 
once  proceeded  to  Salem,  the  capital  of  the  territory,  and  estab- 
lished himself  as  a  lawyer.  The  first  regular  term  of  the  United 
States  District  Court  was  held  at  Salem  in  the  following  month,  and 
on  the  invitation  of  Chief  Justice  Nelson,  who  presided  over  the 
court,  Mr.  Grover  became  the  clerk,  stipulating  that  he  would  ac- 
cept the  position  temporarily,  and  until  a  suitable  successor  could 
be  appointed.  He  held  the  otlice  six  months,  obtaining  an  excellent 
acquaintance  with  local  court  procedure,  and  with  jurors,  witnesses 
and  litigants.  The  following  spring,  resigning  the  clerkship,  he 
formed  a  law  partnership  witli  Benjamin  F.  Harding,  afterward 
United  States  District  Attorney,  Seci-etary  of  the  Territory  of 
Oregon  and  United  States  Senator.  With  him  Mr.  Grover  at  once 
■entered^upon  a  general  and  lucrative  practice,  which  lasted  for 
several  years. 

In  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty-two  he  was  elected  by  the  legisla- 
ture, Prosecuting  Attorney  of  the  second  Judicial  District  of  the 
Territory,  which  district  then  extended  from  Oregon  City  to  the 
California  line.  In  eighteen  hundred  and  fiftN-three  he  was  elected 
and  served  as  member  of  the  Territorial  Legislature.  During  the 
summer  of  this  year,  serious  hostilities  of  the  Rogue  River  Indians 
occurredHn  Southern  Oregon,  and  Mr.  Grover  was  appointed  by 
Governor  Curry,  recruiting  officer  to  raise  volunteer  troops  to  aid 
the  settlers  against  the  hostiles.  This  was  promptly  done,  and  a 
company  was  at  once  mustered  at  Salem,  of  which  J.  W.  Xesmith, 
afterwards 'United  States  Senator,  was  elected  Captain  and  Lafay- 
ette Grover  First  Lieutenant.  These  troops,  with  a  pack-train 
loaded  with  arms,  ammunition  and  supplies,  hastened  south  to  the 
aid  of  the  hard  pressed  settlers  in  Southern  Oregon.  At  the  close 
of  hostilities  in  September,  Mr.  Grover  appeared  as  Deputy  United 
States  District  Attorney  in  the  United  States  District  Courts  in  the 
southern  counties,  then  being  held  for  the  first  time,  by  Judge 
Matthew  P.  Deady.  Congress  having  assumed  the  compensation 
of  settlers  whose  property  had  been  destroyed  by  hostile  Indians 
during  the  Rogue  River  Indian  war  of  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty- 
three,  Mr.  Grover  was  appointed  one  of  the  commissioners  to  assess 

24 


370  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

the  spoliations,  and  served  as  President  of  the  Board  in  eighteen 
hundred  and  fifty-four.  He  was  again  returned  as  a  member  of  the 
legislature  from  Marion  county  in  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty-five, 
and  served  as  Speaker  of  the  House  daring  the  session  of  eighteen 
hundred  and  fifty-five  and  six. 

During  this  period  the  combined  Indian  tribes  from  the  California 
line  to  the  British  boundary  attacked  the  frontier  settlements  in  a 
deter;r.ined  manner  throughout  Oregon  and  Washington,  and  two 
thousand  volunteers  were  called  into  the  field  to  co-operate  with  the 
regular  forces  for  their  suppression.  In  this  movement  on  the  part 
of  Oregon,  Mr.  Grover  aided  in  raising  troops  and  served  in  the 
field  throughout  the  Yakima  campaign,  on  the  staff  of  Col.  Nesmith. 
He  served  the  following  year  as  a  member  of  the  Military  Commis- 
sion, appointed  by  the  Secretary  of  War  under  authorit}'  of  an  act 
of  Congress,  in  auditing  and  I'eporting  to  the  war  department  the 
expenses  of  Oregon  arnd  Washington  incurred  in  suppressing  Indian 
hostilities  of  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty-five  and  six.  On  this  com- 
mission his  co-laborers  were  Capts.  A.  J.  Smith  and  Rufus  Ingalls  ; 
the  former  served  as  Major  General  in  the  late  war  ;  the  latter  hav- 
ing been  Chief  Quartermaster  of  the  Armj'  of  the  Potomac,  became 
(Quartermaster  General  of  the  United  States. 

The  people  of  Oregon  having  resolved  to  form  a  constitution,  and 
to  ai)ply  for  admission  to  the  Union  as  a  State,  the  voters  of  INIarion 
county  elected  'Sir.  Grover  a  member  of  the  convention,  which  was 
convened  for  that  purpose  at  Salem  in  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty- 
seven.  In  that  convention,  he  served  as  Chairman  of  the  Com- 
mittee on  the  Bill  of  Rights,  and  as  member  of  several  other  impor- 
tant committees,  and  took  an  active  and  prominent  part  in  giving 
direction  to  the  work  of  that  body. 

Upon  the  holding  of  a  general  election  under  the  constitution  of 
the  new  state,  Mr.  Grover  was  returned  as  the  first  representative 
in  Congress  from  Oregon.  The  chief  work  of  the  Oregon  delegation 
at  this  time,  w-as  devoted  to  securing  the  admission  of  the  State  to 
the  Union,  and  the  assumption  of  the  Oregon  Indian  w^ar  debt. 

Retiring  from  the  thirty-fifth  Congress,  he  devoted  himself  almost 
exclusively  for  ten  years  to  professional  and  business  pursuits.  He 
formed  a  law  partnership  at  Salem  with  the  late  Honorable  Joseph 
S.  Smith,  subsequently  member  of  Congress,  which  was  afterwards 
extended  to  Portland,  including  Judge  W.  W.   Page.     This  firm 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  37X 

conducted  a  very  important  and  lucrative  practice  throughout  the 
State  for  several  3'ears. 

Taking  an  early  and  active  interest  in  the  establishment  of  manu- 
factures in  the  new  State,  he  took  part  in  the  organization  of  the 
Willamette  AVooleu  Mauufacturuig  Company  at  Salem  in  eighteen 
hundred  and  fifty-six.  This  corporation  had  in  view  the  introduc- 
tion to  the  State  Capital,  by  canal  and  natural  channels,  the  waters 
of  the  Santiam  river,  as  power  for  general  manufactures.  He  be- 
came one  of  the  directors  of  the  company,  and  remained  in  this  con- 
nection for  fifteen  years,  during  which  period  this,  the  first  broad 
enterprise  for  manufacturers  in  Oregon,  attained  large  proportions 
and  great  success. 

In  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty,  Mr.  G rover  purchased  the  shares 
of  Joseph  Watt  in  this  corporation,  and  became  owner  of  one-third 
of  all  the  mills  and  water  power  of  Salem.  From  eighteen  hundred 
and  sixty-seven  to  eighteen  hundred  and  seventy-one,  he  was  man- 
ager of  tlie  compan}'.  Under  his  direction,  the  Salem  flouring  mills, 
which  had  been  begun,  were  completed,  including  the  putting  in  of 
all  the  machinery  and  works,  and  constructing  a  steamboat  canal 
from  the  river  to  the  mills.  These  flouring  mills  were  a  marked 
success  from  the  start,  and  were  the  first  direct  shippers  of  Oregon 
flour,  by  the  cargo',  to  foreign  countries.  The  operations  of  this 
company  were  great  stimulants  to  the  growth  of  wheat  and  wool  in 
early  Oregon,  and  facilitated  many  other  business  enterprises  in  all 
directions.  The  unfortunate  destruction  of  the  Salem  woolen  mills 
by  fire,  occurred  subsequently  to  Mr.  drover's  retirement  from  the 
company. 

In  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-sis,  he  presided  over  the  Demo- 
cratic State  convention  of  that  year,  and  by  the  convention  was 
elected  chairman  of  the  Democratic  State  central  committee,  which 
position  he  held  for  foui  years.  During  this  period  the  democratic 
party  attained  the  ascendancy  in  the  politics  of  the  state,  which  it 
had  not  had  since  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty. 

In  eighteen  hundred  and  seventy,  Mr.  Grover  was  elected  by  the 
democratic  party  as  Governor  of  the  State  for  four  years,  and  in 
eighteen  hundred  and  seventy-four  he  was  re-elected  to  the  same 
position,  which  he  held  till  eighteen  hundred  and  seventy-seven, 
when  he  entered  the  Senate  of  the  United  States,  having  been 
elected  to  that  position  by  the  legislative  assembly  at  its  September 
session  of  the  previous  year.     In  his  canvass  for  the  Governorship, 


372  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

he  based  the  chief  issue  on  the  abrogation  of  the  Burlingame  treaty 
with  China,  though  the  subject  was  not  nieutioned  in  the  platform 
of  either  political  party. 

During  Governor  Grover's  term  as  Chief  Executive,  which  lasted 
nearly  seven  years,  many  changes  took  place,  and  unusual  progress 
was  made  in  business  enterprises,  and  in  the  general  condition  of 
Oregon.  His  first  step  as  Executive  was  to  put  in  force  a  law 
which  had  been  enacted  two  years  previously,  but  not  executed, 
providing  for  tug  boats  at  the  mouth  of  the  Columbia  river,  and  a 
subsidy  for  their  support.  This  movement  gave  the  first  reliable 
basis  for  a  coastwise  and  foreign  commerce  from  Oregon's  great 
river,  which  took  root  vigorously,  and  has  increased  ever  since,  to 
its  now  strong  proportions. 

He  favored  the  construction  of  the  locks  at  the  Willamette  Falls 
by  a  private  company,  assisted  by  aid  from  the  state.  The  project 
was  successful,  and  opened  the  Willamette  river  to  competition  with 
the  railroads,  and  reduced  freights  throughout  the  Willamette  Val- 
ley to  such  an  extent  as  to  stimulate  greatly  farm  production  and 
general  commerce. 

Another  object  of  his  administration  was  the  securing  to  the  state 
the  segregation  and  patenting  of  all  public  lands  to  which  Oregon 
was  entitled  under  various  grants  by  Congress,  and  a  recognition  of 
her  rights  to  the  tide  lands  which  she  held  by  reason  of  her  sover- 
eignty as  a  state.  All  these  rights  became  recognized,  and  a  large 
proportion  of  these  lands  were  secured  to  Oregon  during  Governor 
Grover's  administration. 

He  also  favored  the  erection  of  permanent  public  buildings  for 
the  state,  and  during  his  term  of  office,  penitentiary  buildings  and 
the  State  House  were  erected  of  permanent  and  enduring  structure, 
an  example  of  economy  and  honesty  in  public  work.  One  feature 
may  be  noted  in  these  buildings,  they  were  erected  at  an  expense 
inside  of  the  estimates  of  the  architects,  quite  unusual  in  such  cases. 
While  the  State  House  was  not  at  first  carried  to  full  completion, 
its  mason  work  was  all  done,  the  entire  roof  put  on,  and  so  much  of 
the  interior  was  finished  as  to  render  it  suitable  for  the  convenience 
of  the  State  offices,  the  Legislature  and  the  Supreme  Court. 

The  grants  by  Congress  for  the  establishment  and  support  of  a 
State  University  and  for  an  Agricultural  College  in  Oregon,  having 
been  secured  and  utilized,  (Governor  (irover  interested  himself  in 
promoting  the  organization  of  these  institutions,  whicli    was   also 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  373 

accomplished  during  his  term  of  office.  There  was  also,  during  the 
same  period,  founded  at  Salem,  the  institution  for  deaf  mutes  and 
the  school  for  the  blind. 

Having  labored  to  secure  to  the  state  the  indemnity  common 
school  lands,  held  in  lieu  of  those  occupied  by  settlers  before  the 
■public  survey's,  and  the  proceeds  of  their  sales  having  been  invested 
for  common  school  revenues,  the  period  had  arrived  for  a  more  com- 
plete organization  of  the  public  school  system  of  the  state,  and  for 
its  support  out  of  the  public  funds  thus  utilized.  This  important 
foundation  work  was  also  accomplished,  and  the  first  distribution 
of  public  funds  by  the  state  in  support  of  common  schools  in 
Oregon,  was  made  during  the  terra  of  Governor  Grover  as  Chief 
Executive. 

In  his  inaugural  address  to  the  legislative  assembly  in  eighteen 
hundred  and  seventy,  he  presented  the  subject  of  Chinese  exclnsion, 
and  favored  the  abrogation  of  the  treaty  between  the  United  States 
and  China,  of  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-eight,  commonly  known 
as  the  Burlingame  Treaty.  The  legislature  of  that  session,  on  his 
recommendation,  memorialized  Congress  to  that  effect,  and  from 
that  time  forward,  until  from  his  seat  in  the  Senate  of  the  United 
States,  he  voted  for  a  bill  excluding  the  Chinese,  and  for  a  modified 
treaty  with  China,  both  of  which  prevailed,  he  never  abated  his  zeal 
in  promoting  this  movement. 

An  effort  was  made  in  the  legislature  of  *)regou  in  eighteen  hun- 
dred and  seventy,  to  initiate  a  system  of  subsidizing  railway  corpo- 
rations by  bonding  cities  and  counties  in  their  favor,  as  induce- 
ments to  the  construction  of  their  roads.  A  bill  was  passed  by 
both  houses,  b}-  more  than  two-thirds  majorities,  authorizing  the 
city  of  Portland  to  issue  its  bonds  in  the  sum  of  tln-ee  hundred 
thousand  dollars,  in  favor  of  Ben  Holaday,  to  induce  him  to  build 
the  railroad  up  the  west  side  of  the  Willamette  Valley,  making  its 
principal  terminus  at  Portland.  This  bill  was  considered  by  the 
Governor  as  against  [)ulilic  policy,  and  as  against  distinct  provisions 
of  the  state  constitution.  The  bill  was  vetoed  in  a  message  which 
settled  the  policy  of  the  state  on  the  subject  of  public  grants  of 
money  to  railway  corporations,  as  long  as  the  present  constitution  of 
the  state  exists.  This  veto  having  been  filed  subsequently  to  the 
adjournment  of  the  assembly,  went  over  as  an  issue  in  the  elections 
which  returned  the  following  legislature,  and  the  veto  was  almost 
unanimously  sustained  by  the  Senate,  where  the  l)ill  originated,  only 


;^74  msronY  of  bethel. 

one  vote  being  given  against  it.  So  that  Oregon  has  been  and  now 
is  entirely  free  from  public  debt,  both  general  and  local,  growing 
out  of  the  construction  of  railways,  which  has  been  the  source  of 
much  embarrass;nent  to  the  new  Western  states. 

The  memorable  contest  for  the  Presidency  of  the  United  States  in 
eighteen  hundred  and  seventy-six,  between  Hayes  and  Tildeu, 
raised  an  electorial  question  in  Oregon.  In  this  case.  Governor 
Grover  held,  on  issuing  certificates  of  election,  that  under  the  injunc- 
tion of  the  constitution  forbidding  a  federal  officer  to  be  appointed 
a  presidential  elector,  the  votes  cast  for  him  were  void,  and  as  if 
never  cast.  And  he  gave  the  certificate  to  the  candidate  having  the 
next  highest  vote.  This  decision  was  far-reaching,  as  the  contested 
vote  in  Oregon  held  the  balance  of  power  in  the  Electoral  College, 
if  all  other  contested  votes  in  Louisiana  and  Florida  should  be 
counted  for  Hayes.  And  it  called  for  the  organization  of  the 
"Electoral  Commission,"  which  overruled  the  Governor's  decision. 
But  he  desires  it  understood  that  on  re-examination  he  adheres  to 
-his  original  view. 

Having  been  elected  Senator  from  Oregon,  he  took  his  seat  in  the 
Senate  of  the  United  States  in  March,  eighteen  hundred  and  seventy- 
seven.  In  that  body  he  served  as  member  of  the  committees  on 
military  affairs,  public  lands,  railroads,  territories,  manufactures 
and  private  land  claims. 

His  chief  efforts  during  his  term  as  Senator,  were  to  secure  a  set- 
tlement of  the  Indian  war  claims  of  Oregon  ;  to  promote  the  com- 
pletion of  the  Northern  Pnt-ific  Railway  ;  to  obtain  lilieral  a|)propria- 
tions  for  the  surveys  and  improvement  of  the  rivers  and  harbors  of 
Oregon,  and  the  Pacific  Northwest  coast;  and  the  extension  of  the 
government  surveys  of  the  public  lands  west  of  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tains. He  also  labored  constantl}^  for  the  modification  of  our 
treaties  with  China,  and  for  the  enactment  of  laws  excluding  the 
Chinese  from  immigrating  to  this  country.  He  made  speeches  on 
the  extension  of  time  to  the  Northern  Pacific  Railway  Company,  for 
the  completion  of  this  road,  on  the  several  Chinese  Exclusion  Bills, 
and  in  secret  session  on  the  ratification  of  the  treaty  with  China, 
modifyiug  the  Burlingame  Treaty  of  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty- 
eight,  and  on  other  subjects. 

His  health  being  impaired,  Mr.  Grover  determined,  on  his  retiie- 
ment  from  the  Senate  in  eighteen  hundred  and  eighty-three,  to 
withdraw  from  public  life,  and  in  future  to  devote  himself  exclusively 


HISTOUY  OF  BETHEL.  37o 

to  his  personal  and  private  business  affairs,  which  had  long  suffered 
neglect.  Not  proposing  to  return  to  the  practice  of  his  profession, 
he  entered  vigorous!}'  upon  the  improvement  and  disposal  of  tracts 
of  real  estate  immediately  adjacent  to  the  city  of  Portland,  owned 
in  part  b}'  himself  and  in  part  by  his  wife. 

Having  purchased  a  quarter  interest  in  lands  now  known  as 
Carter's  Addition  to  Portland,  several  years  prior,  he  joined  with 
the  other  owners  in  laying  out  and  establishing  that  extension  of  the 
city.  In  eighteen  hundred  and  eighty-four,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Grover 
laid  out  and  dedicated  a  tract  of  high  land  belonging  to  her,  the  gift 
of  her  parents,  in  the  northwest  elevation  of  the  city  as  "Grover's 
Addition  to  Portland,"  naming  it  "Portland  Heights,"  which  name 
became  so  contagious,  that  all  the  high  grounds  now  forming  the 
southwest  part  of  the  city  bear  that  name.  As  a  business  move- 
ment these  enterprises  have  proved  a  great  success,  and  these 
broken  hills,  once  so  forbidding,  are  now  occupied  with  fine  resi- 
dences, and  form  a  most  beautiful  and  attractive  part  of  Portland. 

Mr.  Grover  has  made  other  real  estate  investments  to  the  west  of 
the  city  in  the  path  of  its  future  extension.  He  l)ecame  one  of  the 
original  incorporators  and  stockholders  of  the  Ainsworth  National 
Bank  of  Portland  in  eighteen  hundred  and  eighty-five,  and  later,  of 
the  Portland  Trust  Company  of  Oregon.  He  is  also  interested  in 
the  Portland  Building  and  Loan  Association,  and  in  the  Portland 
Cable  Railway  Company.  He  has  also  invested  in  coal  lands.  He 
is  an  honorary  member  of  the  Portland  Board  of  Trade,  and  takes  a 
lively  interest  in  the  rapidly  increasing  commerce  of  Oregon. 

Mr.  Grover  was  married  in  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-five,  to 
Miss  Elizabeth  Carter,  youngest  daughter  of  the  late  Thomas  Car- 
ter, Esq..  an  early  resident  of  Portland,  who  was  one  of  the  most 
successful  merchants  and  real  estate  owners  of  that  city,  and  one  of 
the  proprietors  of  the  town.  It  is  almost  unnecessary  to  say  that 
Mrs.  Grover  is  one  of  the  well-known  women  of  the  state  ;  a  lady 
of  high  accomplishments  and  culture,  and  of  artistic  tastes,  pos- 
sessed also  of  beauty  and  a  graceful  and  distinguished  manner. 
Throughout  all  the  varying  fortunes  and  misfortunes  of  her  husband 
— for  he  has  at  times  met  with  adverse  currents — she  has  been  his 
steady  companion  and  support.  They  are  communicants  of  the 
Episcopal  church.  Their  sou,  John  Cuvier  Grover,  a  young  man  of 
twenty-three  summers,  so  named  after  his  grandfather  and  uncle, 
the  sole  offspring  of  this  union,  was  educated  at  the  Peekskill  Mili- 


37G  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

tary  Academy,  New  York,  and  is  now  completing  his  studies  in 
Europe. 

Aberxethy  Grovek. 

Major  AV)ernetliy  Grover,  son  of  Dr.  .John  Grover,  fitted  for  col- 
lege and  graduated  from  Bowdoin  in  eighteen  hundred  and  forty- 
three.  Among  his  classmates  were  his  brother  Talleyrand,  Joseph 
Dane,  Moses  lugalls,  Dr.  .John  J^.  Lincoln  and  Joseph  Titcomb. 
After  graduating.  Major  Grover  taught  at  Gould's  Academy  for  a 
year,  and  was  then  for  several  years  engaged  in  trade.  Then  he 
moved  to  Albany,  built  mills  and  engaged  extensively  in  lumberings 
also  in  clearing  lands  and  farming.  In  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty, 
he  represented  the  district,  of  which  Bethel  formed  a  part,  in  the 
Maine  Legislature,  and  in  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty-six,  he  wa& 
chosen  a  member  of  Governor  Wells'  council.  When  the  war  of  the 
rebellion  broke  out,  Major  Grover  recruited  a  company  for  the  thir- 
teenth Maine  regiment,  which  became  Company  H,  and  he  wa& 
appointed  Captain.  He  was  commissioned  Major  to  take  rank  from 
April  twenty-eight,  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-two,  and  was- 
mustered  out  with  the  regiment  at  the  close  of  its  term  of  service, 
January  six,  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-five.  He  returned  to 
Bethel  and  was  engaged  in  various  kinds  of  business  until  early  in 
the  eighties,  when  he  went  west.  Under  the  administration  of 
President  Grover  Cleveland,  jMajor  Grover  had  charge  of  the  Land 
office  at  Miles  City,  Montana.  He  was  man-ied  January  twenty-six, 
eighteen  hundred  and  forty-eight,  to  Mary  C,  daughter  of  Timothy 
Chapman,  who  died  in  eighteen  hundred  and  seventy-one,  leaving 
no  issue.  In  eighteen  hundred  and  seventy- four.  Major  Grover 
married  Isabel  A.,  daughter  of  Samuel  R.  Shehan,  Postmaster  at 
Bethel.  The  only  issue  of  this  mari-iage  was  a  daughter,  who  died 
young. 

David  R.   Hastin(;s. 

Hon.  David  Robinson  Hastings,  son  of  John  Hastings,  was  born 
in  Bethel,  August  twenty-six,  eighteen  hundred  and  twenty-three. 
He  fitted  for  college  largely  at  Gould's  Academy,  entered  at  Bow- 
doin College  in  the  class  of  eighteen  hundred  and  forty-four. 
Among  his  classmates  were  Judge  Virgin,  the  late  Charles  W.  God- 
dard,  the  late  Joseph  Bartlett,  Henry  P.  Deane  and  Horace  Williams. 
On  leaving  college  he  taught  Gould's  Academy  for   a  year,  then 


HON,    DAVID   R    HASTINGS. 


HLSTOEY   OF  BETHEL.  377 

studied  law  in  the  offices  of  Hon.  Wm.  Frye  of  Bethel,  David  R. 
Straw  of  (Tiiilford  and  Appleton  &  Allen  of  Bangor,  and  was 
admitted  to  the  Penobscot  bar  in  eighteen  hundred  and  forty-seven. 
He  settled  at  Lovell  as  the  partner  of  Hon.  David  Hammons,  and 
was  long  a  successful  practitioner  at  the  Oxford  bar.  He  was 
County  Attorney  from  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty-three  to  eighteen 
hundred  and  fifty-five,  was  reporter  of  decisions  of  the  Supreme 
Judicial  Court,  and  published  volumes  sixty-nine  and  seventy  of  the 
Maine  Reports.  He  has  for  many  years  been  one  of  the  overseers 
of  Bowdoin  College.  In  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-one,  he  enlisted 
in  the  Twelfth  Maine  Regiment,  and  was  commissioned  Major  to 
rank  from  October  five,  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-one.  He  was 
among  the  first  to  enter  the  captured  city  of  New  Orleans.  He 
resigned  July  twelve,  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-two,  returned 
home  and  moved  to  Fryeburg,  where  he  has  since  resided.  Aside 
from  his  large  legal  practice,  he  has  engaged  largely  in  outside  busi- 
ness, especially  in  timber  lands  and  lumbering.  Few  men  have  led 
a  more  active  life,  and  few  Oxford  county  men  have  met  with  more 
marked  success.  He  has  always  been  a  leading  democrat,  has  been 
a  member  of  the  State  committee  and  candidate  for  Congress.  He 
married  in  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty.  Miss  Mary  J.  P^llis,  and  has 
one  daughter,  and  a  son  who  is  his  law  partner  at  the  present  time. 

Gideon  A.  Hastings. 

Colonel  Gideon  A.  Hastings,  son  of  John  Hastings  and  grandson 
of  General  Amos  Hastings,  the  early  settler,  was  born  in  this  town 
and  has  always  resided  here.  He  has  always  been  a  prominent  man 
in  town.  He  served  as  town  clerk,  several  years  on  the  board  of 
selectmen,  and  represented  the  town  in  the  State  legislature.  He 
also  served  on  the  board  of  commissioners  for  the  county  of  Oxford. 
Early  iu  the  war  of  the  rebellion  he  enlisted,  and  having  been 
appointed  Captain  of  Company  A,  of  the  Twelfth  Maine  Regiment, 
he  was  mustered  into  the  service  of  the  United  States,  November 
fifteenth,  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-one.  His  regiment  was 
assigned  to  the  Department  of  the  Gulf,  and  was  first  stationed  on 
Ship  Island.  The  history  of  the  regiment  is  well  known,  and  it 
need  only  be  said  that  Colonel  Hastings  was  with  it  throughout,  ex- 
cept a  short  time  when  on  detached  service.  He  was  commissioned 
Major  in  June,  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-three,  was  at  the  sur- 


378  HISTORY    OF  BETHEL. 

render  of  New  Orleans,  and  in  all  the  campaigns  of  the  Gulf 
Department.  He  also  served  in  the  campaign  in  the  Shenandoah 
Valley,  under  General  Sheridan.  His  regiment  then  went  South, 
and  after  the  surrender  of  Savannah,  Georgia,  Colonel  Hastings  was 
appointed  Provost  Judge.  He  also  served  as  Marshal  of  West 
Georgia,  with  headquarters  at  Thcmasville.  Afterwards  he  was 
detailed  to  serve  in  the  Freedman's  Bureau  for  Southwestern  Georgia, 
with  headquarters  at  Albany.  Here  he  held  both  civil  and  military 
command  over  that  section  of  country  for  ten  months.  These  sev- 
eral positions  were  highly  responsible,  requiring  tact,  good  judg- 
ment, firmness  and  decision,  and  were  filled  with  satisfaction  to  his 
superiors  in  authority.  He  was  mustered  out  of  the  service  April 
twenty-sixth,  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-six.  Since  that  time  he 
has  lived  at  Bethel  Hill,  and  been  engaged  in  farming  and  lum- 
bering. 

Sylvester  Robertson. 

No  face  is  more  familiar  in  and  around  Bethel  than  that  of  the 
sul)ject  of  this  notice.  Born  in  this  town,  he  has  always  lived  here, 
and  is  as  well  posted  on  Bethel  and  the  Bethel  people  of  his  time, 
as  any  one  in  town.  His  father  was  Samuel  Robertson,  who  lived 
on  the  Fenno  farm  on  the  road  toward  West  Bethel,  and  here  he 
spent  his  boyhood  d:iys  in  uttciiding  school  and  working  upon  the 
farm.  In  eighteen  hundred  and  thirty-thiee,  he  commenced  with 
Isaac  J.  Town,  to  learn  the  cabinet-maker's  trade,  and  having  com- 
pleted his  apprenticeship,  he  set  up  for  himself  on  the  Hill,  and  here 
for  half  a  century,  he  has  plied  his  trade  with  good  success  and  un- 
failing patronage.  He  is  an  ingenious  workman  and  can  do  all 
kinds  of  work  belonging  to  the  business,  but  he  has  made  a  specialty 
of  chairs  and  bureaus,  and  his  shop  has  turned  out  a  vast  number 
of  these  indispensable  articles.  Though  somewhat  advanced  in 
years,  he  is  yet  hale  and  hearty,  and  carries  on  the  business  at  the 
same  old  place.  He  is  among  the  last  of  the  old  regime,  and  has 
lived  to  see  Bethel  Hill,  from  a  small  hamlet,  become  one  of  the 
largest,  as  it  always  was  the  pleasantest,  village  in  the  county.  He 
has  never  sought  office,  and  the  only  one  of  importance  he  has  ever 
held,  was  that  of  Postmaster.  Many  apprentices  have  learned  the 
cabinet-maker's  art  in  his  little  shop,  and  if  they  did  not  learn  it 
thoroughly  it  was  their  own  fault.  Mr.  Robertson  has  a  very  reten- 
tive memory,  and  is  full  of  reminiscences  of  Bethel  and  Bethel  peo- 
ple.    His  family  record  may  be  found  elsewhere. 


CEYLON   ROWE. 


HISrOBY  OF  BETHEL.  379 

Ceylon  Rowe. 

Of  the  successful  native  born  business  men  of  Bethel,  Ceylon 
Rowe  is  a  good  example.  He  is  the  son  of  the  late  Caleb  Rowe, 
and  grandson  of  Ephraira  Rowe,  who  married  Martha,  daughter  of 
Captain  Eleazer  Twitchell,  and  was  born  in  Bethel,  April  first, 
eighteen  hundred  and  thirty-eight.  He  attended  the  town  school 
and  at  Gould's  Academy,  securing  a  good  English  education.  He 
worked  summers  when  quite  young  in  the  carding  mill,  and  also 
learned  the  trade  of  a  cloth-dresser.  In  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty- 
nine,  he  entered  the  store  of  Abuer  Davis  as  clerk,  and  two  years 
later  was  doing  business  as  agent  for  the  Bethel  Steam  Mill  Com- 
pany. In  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-six,  a  copartnership  was 
formed  for  general  trade,  under  the  firm  name  of  Rowe,  Grover  & 
Company',  of  which  Ce3^1on  Rowe  was  the  senior  partner.  This 
continued  for  three  years,  when  the  firm  name  was  changed,  and  in 
eighteen  hundred  and  seventy-three,  Mr.  Rowe  took  his  brother, 
Edwin  C.  Rowe,  as  partner.  In  eighteen  hundred  and  seventy-eight, 
Mr.  Rowe  sold  out  to  his  brother  and  commenced  trade  by  himself, 
and  so  continues  to  the  present  time.  He  keeps  a  large  assortment 
of  goods,  and  has  found  no  trouble  in  attracting  customers  and 
retaining  them. 

George  M.  Twitchell. 

Dr.  George  Maurice  Twitchell,  sou  of  Dr.  Almon  Twitchell,  was 
born  in  Bethel,  September  seventeen,  eighteen  hundred  and  forty- 
seven.  His  father  died  when  he  was  a  lad  of  eleven  years,  and  left 
him  with  others,  to  the  care  of  an  excellent  mother,  who  spared  no 
pains  to  give  them  an  education  and  lead  them  in  the  right  way. 
George  Maurice  obtained  his  education  at  the  town  schools  and  at 
Gould's  Academy' ;  studied  the  dentist's  art  and  commenced  practice 
in  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-six.  He  engaged  in  business  at 
Bethel,  and  was  at  different  times  at  Yarmouth  and  Fairfield.  He 
succeeded  well  in  his  profession,  his  aim  being  to  acquire  something 
more  than  the  mere  mechanical  part,  and  the  several  papers  he  read 
before  the  State  society  showed  that  his  investigations  into  the 
science  of  dentistry  as  well  as  the  art,  had  been  careful  and  pro- 
found. In  eighteen  hundred  and  eighty-four,  on  account  of  failing 
health,  and  feeling  that  a  more  active,  out-door  life  would  best  suit 
his  case,  he  abandoned  dentistry  to  a  great  extent,  and  purchasing 
a  farm  in  Readfield,  he  moved  there  with  the  view  of  giving  some 


380 


HIS  TOBY   OF   BETHEL. 


attention  to  general  farming,  and  making  a  specialty  of  poultry 
breeding,  in  which  he  had  long  been  interested  and  had  become  au 
expert.  He  had  been  a  frequent  contributor  to  the  Maine  Farmery 
and  about  this  time  he  was  invited  to  take  charge  of  the  poultry  and 
horse  departments  of  the  paper,  which  positions  he  accepted  and 
still  holds.  Not  being  entirely  satisfied  with  his  farming  operations, 
he  sold  the  Readfield  farm  and  returned  to  Fairfield.  He  was 
elected  Lecturer  of  the  Maine  State  Grange,  which  position  he  still 
holds  by  re-elections,  and  which  he  fills  to  great  acceptance.  In 
eighteen  hundred  and  ninety,  he  was  elected  Secretary  of  the  Maine 
State  Agricultural  Society,  and  in  the  early  part  of  the  following 
year,  was  appointed  clerk  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Board  of  Agricul- 
ture. In  these  several  positions,  it  may  well  be  inferred  that  he 
leads  a  busy  life.  He  is  a  leading  Universalist  and  a  frequent  con- 
tributor to  the  literature  of  the  denomination.  He  married  Miss 
Florence  Allen  of  Yarmouth,  and  they  now  reside  in  Augusta. 
They  have  no  children, 

Alice  G.  TwaxcHELL. 

From  her  long  and  highly  honorable  connection  with  one  of  our 
important  State  institutions.  Miss  Alice  Gray  Twitchell  is  entitled 
to  a  place  in  the  history  of  her  native  town  and  home  of  her  ances- 
tors. She  is  the  eldest  daughter  and  child  of  the  late  Dr.  Almou 
and  Phebe  M.  (Buxton)  Twitchell,  and  w;is  born  July  eighteenth,, 
eighteen  hundred  and  forty-four.  She  attended  the  village  schools 
at  Bethel  Hill,  and  finished  her  education  at  Gould's  Academy. 
Her  father  died  when  she  was  but  fourteen  yeare  of  age,  the  care  of 
the  family  then  devolving  upon  his  widow,  and  Alice,  being  the  eld- 
est child,  was  of  great  service  to  her  mother  in  the  performance  of 
her  difficult  and  arduous  task.  In  the  winter  of  eigliteen  hundred 
and  seventy-one,  Miss  Twitchell  was  offered  a  position  as  clerk  and 
telegrapher  in  the  Maine  Insane  Hospital,  which  she  accepted.  She 
had  various  promotions  until  she  became  supervisor  of  the  female 
wards,  and  then  a  vacancy  arising  she  was  promoted  to  the  respon- 
sible position  of  matron  of  the  institution,  which  position  she  has 
held  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  the  board  of  trustees  and  the 
numerous  patrons  of  the  hospital.  The  duties  of  the  position  are 
arduous  and  often  very  trying,  but  Miss  Twitchell  possesses  in  a 
marked  degree,  those  qualities  essential  to  the  successful  adminis- 
tration of  the  affairs  of  her  department.     She  has  marked  executive 


MISS  ALICE  G,   TWITCHELL 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  381 

•ability,  firmness,  decision  of  cliaracter,  and  perseverance.  She  is 
even-tempered,  kind  in.  her  intercourse  with  her  subordinates  and 
with  the  patients,  and  respectful  and  obedient  to  her  superiors  in 
the  management  of  the  institution.  Her  town's-people  and  her 
numerous  circle  of  friends  have  every  reason  to  be  gratified  at  the 
distinction  she  has  won  in  the  difficult  and  arduous  duties  which  to 
such  an  extent,  constitute  her  life  work. 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 


Industrial. 


jETHEL  is  and  ever  has  l)een  an  agricultural  town.  To  this 
industry,  with  its  broad  belts  of  fertile  interval  lands,  its 
rich  hillside  slopes  and  its  ample  grazing  facilities,  it  is 
admirably  adapted.  The  town  embraces  an  acreage  of  good  corn 
land  equal  to  any  other  town  in  this  State,  and  few  if  any  excel  it 
in  the  production  of  hay.  Some  portions  of  the  town  are  not  as 
well  cultivated  as  they  were  half  a  century-  ago,  and  show  deteriora- 
tion in  i)roductive  capacity,  clue  to  the  fact  that  the  second  generation 
that  occupied  them  have  been  gathered  to  their  fathers,  and  their 
sons  and  grandsons,  many  of  them,  have  left  the  old  homestead  and 
are  seeking  their  fortunes  elsewhere.  Yet  the  land  remains,  and 
requires  only  care,  cultivation  and  a  restoration  of  its  partially 
exhausted  fertility,  to  bring  it  back  to  its  old-time  productiveness. 
This  is  sure  to  come  about  in  time,  though  perhaps  the  present  gen- 
eration may  not  witness  it. 

On  account  of  the  small  amount  of  water  power.  Bethel  could 
never  become  a  great  manufacturing  center.  The  great  river  in  its 
meanderings  through  the  town,  is  sluggish  in  its  movements,  and 
affords  no  ^wwer  for  propelling  machinery.  Its  tributaries  within 
the  limits  of  the  town,  except  in  case  of  freshets,  are  small,  and 
much  smaller  on  the  average  than  they  were  before  the  lands  along 
their  courses  were  stripped  of  their  wood  and  timber,  exposing  them 
and  the  brooks  that  feed  them,  to  the  direct  evaporating  influence 


382  HISTOliY   OF  BETHEL. 

of  the  great  source  of  heat.  The  average  volume  of  water  in  Alder 
river,  in  Pleasant  river,  in  the  Mill  Brook,  in  Chapman  brook  and 
in  Sunday  river,  streams  that  early  in  the  history  of  the  town  were 
utilized  for  grinding  the  corn  and  grain  of  the  town's  people,  and 
for  the  manufacture  of  lumber  for  domestic  use,  is  probably  less 
than  half  what  it  was  fifty  years  ago.  Still,  by  means  of  improved 
machinery,  some  of  these  mills  are  made  to  do  duty  a  considerable 
portion  of  the  year,  while  others,  years  ago,  went  to  ruin  and  decay. 
The  mill  built  on  Sunday  river  by  Samuel  B.  Locke,  near  his  home- 
stead, for  wdiich  he  received  concessions  from  the  town,  disappeared 
from  human  sight  many  years  ago. 

The  early  Bethel  mills  have  already  been  referred  to  in  connection 
with  other  matters  and  will  only  be  briefly  referred  to  here.  The 
mills  built  on  Mill  Brook  near  Bethel  Hill,  as  a  preliminary  to  the 
settlement  of  the  town,  by  direction  of  Joseph  Twitchell,  a  large 
proprietor,  and  under  the  direction  of  his  son.  Captain  Eleazer 
Twitchell,  in  seventeen  hundred  and  seventy-four,  and  several  times 
repaired  and  then  rebuilt  b}'  Captain  Twitchell,  have  since  l)een  sev- 
eral times  thoroughly  repaired,  and  again  rebuilt,  and  are  still  in 
use.  Captain  Twitchell  received  the  mill  property  from  his  father, 
and  from  him  it  passed  to  his  son-in-law,  Isaac  Cross,  and  since 
that  time  the  mills  have  had  various  owners.  They  are  now  owned 
by  Eben  S.  Kilborn.  Captain  Peter  Twitchell  once  built  a  mill  on 
Pleasant  river,  and  a  portion  of  the  old  dam  yet  remains.  Edmund 
Merrill  built  a  saw-mill  on  the  Elder  Mason,  now  the  Tapley  Kim- 
ball farm,  but  there  was  a  lack  of  water  much  of  the  year.  Jesse 
Duston  also  built  a  small  grist  mill  on  a  small  brook  near  his  home, 
in  what  is  now  Hanover. 

The  days  of  wool-carding  and  cloth-dressing  passed  away  when 
cloth  for  the  household  ceased  to  be  of  domestic  manufacture,  but 
they  were  all  important  industries  previous  to  that  time,  and  were 
established  iu  nearly  every  town  supplied  with  the  requisite  water 
power.  An  establishment  of  this  kind  was  erected  on  Mill  Brook, 
and  operated  many  years  by  Eleazer  Twitchell,  James  Walker,  John 
Harris,  Moses  T.  Cross,  and  lastly  by  Eber  Clough.  Mr.  Cross  was 
a  veteran  at  the  business,  and  had  previously  carried  it  on  at  Rumford 
Falls.  When  James  Walker  purchased  the  mills  at  South  Bethel,  he 
took  water  from  the  main  stream  through  a  canal,  and  utilized  it  for 
running  a  carding,  fulling  and  cloth-dressing  establishment.  This 
place  was  often  visited  by  me  in  my  early  boyhood  days,  and  the 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  383 

complex  machinery  which  converted  the  torn  fragments  of  wool  into 
soft  and  beautiful  rolls  all  ready  for  the  spinner's  hands,  and 
trimmed  the  coarse  cloth  until  its  surface  became  smooth  and  glossy, 
was  to  my  youthful  mind  a  standing  wonder.  The  cloth  of  those 
days,  woven  at  home,  then  taken  to  the  mill,  dyed  and  pressed  for 
ladies'  wear,  and  fulled,  dyed  and  dressed  for  men's  clothing,  may 
not  have  been  as  stylish  as  that  now  worn,  but  it  was  good,  honest 
cloth,  composed  entirely  of  sheep's  wool,  warm  and  durable.  The 
manufacture  of  furniture  has  been  carried  on  in  Bethel  from  quite 
early  times.  A  few  years  ago  Lyman  W.  and  Lawson  E.  Eussell, 
who  had  carried  on  the  business  of  manufacturing  bedsteads  at 
Locke's  Mills,  moved  their  machinery  to  South  Bethel,  and  into  the 
building  once  used  as  a  cloth-dressing  and  wool-carding  establish- 
ment. One  of  the  brothers  still  carries  on  the  business.  Jonathan 
Clark  Robertson  came  quite  early  to  Walker's  Mills,  and  carried  on 
the  cabinet  and  furniture  business  here  until  the  time  of  his  death. 

The  first  person  to  manufacture  furniture  on  Bethel  Hill,  was 
Marshall  Bonney.  Sylvester  Robertson  and  Elijah  B.  Goddard  have 
since  carried  on  the  business  and  are  still  engaged  in  it.  Levi  Shaw 
was  a  cabinet  maker  at  Middle  Interval.  At  this  place,  also,  ,)ouas 
D.  Merriam  carried  on  the  hatter's  trade.  John  Oliver  learned  the 
trade  of  Merriam,  and  sometimes  worked  for  him.  The  first  trader 
at  Middle  Interval  was  Roger  Merrill,  and  James  F.  Carter  was  the 
next ;  the  third  was  Elias  M.  Carter,  and  the  fourth  Hiram  H.  Holt. 
Nathan  Marble,  whose  wife  was  a  sister  to  Dr.  Carter's  first  wife, 
carried  on  saddle  and  harness  making  at  Middle  Interval,  and  since 
that  time  it  has  been  done  by  Hiram  H.  Holt,  Charles  Swan,  Nathan 
W.  Holt  and  Lyman  P.  Duston.  Simeon  O.  Reynolds  w^as  the 
blacksmith  here  for  some  years,  and  after  him  Charles  M  Russell. 
Dr.  Carter  and  Dr.  Williamson  were  the  only  physicians  at  Middle 
Interval. 

The  tanning  business  was  begun  at  Bethel  Hill  by  Deacon  Rob- 
bins  Brown,  and  after  him  was  carried  on  on  a  more  extensive  scale 
by  his  two  sous,  David  F.  and  Robbius  Brown,  Jr.  The  shoemak- 
er's trade  was  a  very  important  one  in  the  olden  time.  The 
Ellingwoods  were  a  family  of  cordwainers,  and  there  were  many 
who  worked  more  or  less  at  the  business.  Stephen  Abbot  made 
boots  and  shoes,  and  for  fine  calf  boots  Alfred  Twitchell  long 
excelled.  Daniel  G.  York  was  a  famous  shoemaker  in  his  time  ; 
also   Joseph    A.    Twitchell,    Asa   P.    Knight,    John    and    William 


384  HISTOBY   OF  BETHEL. 

Williamsou,  Abijah  Lapham,  Nathan  W.  E:thridge,  and  many  others. 
The  practice  was,  before  the  days  of  sale  boots  and  shoes,  for  the 
shoemaker  with  his  bench  and  kit  of  tools,  to  go  from  house  to  house 
and  shoe  the  families  as  be  went.  Cowhide  was  generally  used  for 
men  and  boys,  and  calf  skin  for  the  other  sex.  The  tailor's  trade 
was  also  important  before  the  days  of  ready-made  clothing.  Sam- 
uel Barker,  Aaron  Abbot  and  John  Walker  w' ere  early  Bethel  tailors. 
Hannah  Chapman,  when  her  parents  moved  to  Bethel,  remained 
behind,  that  she  might  learn  to  cut  and  make  men's  clothes  and  be 
of  service  in  the  new  settlement.  Cynthia  Twitchell,  who  after- 
wards became  the  wife  of  John  Russell,  went  to  Augusta  and  became 
a  famous  tailoress  after  her  return.  She  not  only  cut  and  made 
clothes  herself,  but  she  instructed  many  other  girls  in  the  art.  At 
the  lower  part  of  the  town,  Mrs.  Betsey  Segar,  daughter  of  Arnold 
Powers,  was  an  excellent  tailoress,  and  with  her  corps  of  assistants, 
annually  turned  out  a  large  number  of  men's  suits.  Common,  every 
day  clothing  was  made  in  the  household,  and  the  experts  were  only 
employed  to  make  dress  up  suits.  Patrick  H.  McClosky  was  an 
excellent  workman,  and  did  a  large  Vtusiness  at  Bethel  Hill. 

In  the  early  times,  medicines  in  the  country  were  kept  only  by 
physicians.  Later  they  were  kept  by  traders  in  a  corner  of  the 
•store,  more  especially  the  patent  or  proprietary  medicines.  The 
first  person  to  open  a  drug  store  in  Bethel  was  Mr.  H.  B.  Hall,  and 
in  connection  with  drugs,  he  also  kept  books  and  stationery.  Good- 
win R.  Wiley  was  the  next  druggist,  and  still  carries  it  on  at  the 
Hill.     His  store  comes  up  nearly  or  quite  to  the  city  standard. 

The  hotel  keepers  in  Bethel  have  been  quite  numerous,  and  most- 
ly confined  to  the  village  of  Bethel  Hill.  In  the  early  times  travel- 
lers were  generally  entertained  at  private  houses,  and  at  the  early 
taverns  there  was  not  much  style.  There  was  plenty  to  drink  and 
to  eat,  but  no  extra  table  was  set  for  guests.  Jedediah  Burbank, 
William  A.  Whitcomb,  Hiram  Ellingwood,  Abernethy  Grover, 
William  Y.  Merrill,  William  Pastes,  Benjamin  Barden,  Frank  S. 
Chandler.  William  H.  Chandler,  W.  F.  Lovejoy,  Samuel  H.  Chap- 
man, J.  F.  Barden,  Andrews  &  Record,  Mrs.  J.  B.  Gerrish,  Cyrus 
M.  Worraell,  D.  H.  Grover  and  E.  Bedell,  have  been  the  principal 
hotel  keepers  at  Bethel  Hill.  John  S.  Chapman  built  and  operated 
the  Anasagunticook  house,  but  this  was  intended  only  as  a  summer 
resort.  The  Alpine  house,  kept  by  Abial  Chandler,  Jr.,  is  a  sum- 
mer boarding  house,  and  there  are  several  such  in  and  around  Bethel 


HISTORY    OF  BETHEL.  385 

Hill.  At  the  lower  part  of  the  town,  Ball  Bartlett  kept  his  taveru 
sign  swinging  for  man}'^  years,  and  Eliphaz  C.  Bean  for  a  time 
opened  his  dwelling  house  as  a  tavern.  But  this  was  many  years 
ago,  in  the  days  when  strong  liquors  were  sold  and  when  their  sale 
was  the  chief  source  of  income  to  the  small  taverner. 

Jonathan  Blake  carried  on  the  manufacture  of  wagons  and  sleighs 
for  some  years  at  South  Bethel,  and  then  moved  to  Norway.  David 
Elliot  made  carriages  at  P^ast  Bethel.  Pinckney  Burnham  came  to 
Bethel  from  Gilead  and  carried  on  carriage  making  at  Bethel  Hill, 
on  an  extensive  scale  for  many  years.  He  was  a  first-class  work- 
man and  turned  out  honest  work.  He  has  had  numerous  appren- 
tices and  employed  many  skilled  workmen.  A  few  years  ago  he 
sold  out  and  engaged  in  trade,  but  has  now  retired  from  active 
business.  In  more  recent  years,  Frank  C.  Bartlett  and  Jarvis  C. 
Billings  have  carried  on  carriage  making  in  all  its  branches,  and  H. 

C.  Barker  does  the  wood  work  of  carriages  and  sleighs.  The  useful 
trade  of  blacksmithing  has  been  carried  on  in  very  many  places  in 
town.  Probably  the  first  smithy  in  town  was  Oliver  Fenno,  who 
lived  and  worked  on  Robertson's  Hill.  Fletcher  Russell  is  said  to 
have  been  the  first  in  the  village.  John  Hastings  wrought  out  a 
great  many  horse  and  ox  shoes  at  his  shop  on  Bethel  Hill.  Simeon 
O.  Reynolds  worked  at  the  trade  at  Middle  Interval  and  also  at  the 
Hill.  Benjamin  Brown,  Jr.,  was  a  blacksmith  at  the  lower  part  of 
the  town,  and  among  the  early  ones  was  William  Staples,  who 
worked  at  different  times  in  what  is  now  Hanover,  and  on  the  oppo- 
site side  of  the  river  in  what  is  still  Bethel.  Ephraim  Whitcomb 
carried  on  the  business  at  South  Bethel  some  fifty  years  ago.  James 
L.  Dilloway  was  a  cunning  worker  of  metals  at  Bethel  Hill.  For 
many  years  the  people  at  the  lower  part  of  the  town  have  had  their 
blacksmithing  done  either  at  Locke's  Mills  or  Rumford  Corner, 
though  E.  Bean  now  operates  a  shop  at  East  Bethel.  W.  D.  Mason 
and  E.  Mills  now  carry  on  the  business  at  West  Beth(  1,  Phineas  F. 
Hastings  at  North  Bethel  and  Jarvis  C.  Jiillings,  A.  C.  Frost,  W. 

D.  Hastings,  E.  P.  Holt  and  J.  Abbot  at  Bethel  Hill.  Captain 
Timothy  Hastings  was  also  a  blacksmith. 

A  steam  mill  was  erected  near  the  mouth  of  Sunday  river  in  the 
sixties,  by  Hon.  David  Hammons  and  others,  for  the  manufacture 
of  lumber,  and  after  having  been  successfully  operated  for  some 
years,  it  was  burned  down  and  not  rebuilt.  When  the  steam  mill 
above  the  Hill  was  rebuilt,  it  was  as  a  spool  mill,  and  is  still  run  as 


386  HISTOBY  OF  BETHEL. 

such.  One  of  the  most  important  manufactures  in  town  is  that  of 
chairs,  by  the  Bethel  Chair  Company.  The  town  furnished  the 
buildings  at  a  cost  of  eighty-five  hundred  dollars,  in  eighteen  hun- 
dred and  eighty-five,  and  .James  H.  Barrows,  formerly  in  the  same 
business  at  AVest  Paris,  leased  them  and  operated  in  them  for  about 
two  years,  and  then  the  Bethel  chair  company  was  organized  with  a 
capital  of  twenty  thousand  dollars,  and  James  H.  Barrows  was  made 
president  and  general  manager,  Josiah  U.  Purington,  secretary,  and 
Hannibal  G.  Brown,  treasurer.  It  is  one  of  the  largest  chair  facto- 
ries in  the  country,  and  turns  out  the  finest  kind  of  work,  giving 
employment  to  about  sixty  workmen. 

The  indispensable  trade  of  house  carpenter  has  always  been  well 
filled  in  this  town.  Jesse  Duston,  Phineas  Howard,  Amos  Hills, 
who  built  the  first  church,  Ephraim  Powers  and  Nathan  F.  Twitchell 
were  among  the  early  carpenters,  and  since  that  time  there  have 
been  a  large  number  including  John  A.  Twitchell,  Edmuud  Merrill, 
Stephen  Holt,  Moses  Houghton,  Alonzo  Howe,  Samuel  Bird,  David 
Elliot,  Edmund  Merrill,  Jr.,  Moses  C.  Foster,  Josiah  Button,  Syl- 
vanus  Mason,  Nahum  W.  Mason,  George  Kimball,  Gilbert  Tuell, 
John  Holt,  Sidney  I.  French,  Hiram  Twitchell,  Charles  H.  Douglass, 
L.  H.  Holt  and  J.  A.  Knapp. 

Harness  and  saddle  making  was  early  carried  on  by  Phineas 
Stearns,  Nathan  Marble  and  others.  Hiram  Young  long  worked  at 
the  business  at  Bethel  Hill,  and  his  son  has  succeeded  him.  The 
saddle  part  of  the  business  has  been  dropped,  as  the  call  for  them 
is  very  limited  in  modern  times.  Within  a  few  years  various  indus- 
tries have  been  introduced  into  town,  unknown  to  the  early  settlers. 
Oliver  H.  Mason  is  said  to  have  been  the  first  to  use  mineral  coal  in 
town  in  eighteen  hundred  and  seventy-three  ;  now  it  is  quite  exten- 
sively used  and  there  are  local  dealers.  The  manufacture  and  trade 
in  stoves  was  unknown  to  our  ancestors  ;  also  in  ready  made  cloth- 
ing and  boots  and  shoes.  The  Locke  family  have  been  the  most 
prominent  mill-wrights,  though  others  have  done  more  or  less  of 
this  work.  Hazen  Keach  was  a  mill-wright,  and  James  N.  Hods- 
don  works  at  the  business  now.  John  Chad  bourne  was  a  mill- 
wright at  the  lower  part  of  the  town,  near  the  close  of  the  last 
century.  He  sold  laud  to  Richard  Estes  in  seventeen  hundred  and 
ninety-six.  Ezra  Twitchell,  Jr.,  and  his  son-in-law,  John  Russell, 
were  brick  masons,  and  laid  many  of  the  chimneys  in  town.  There 
have  been  many  who  have  worked  at  this  business.     Among  those 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  337- 

of  later  years  have  been  John  Stevens,  Hannibal  K,  Andrews,  Sam- 
uel K.  Estes,  Thomas  B.  Kendall  and  W.  B.  Kendall.  Most  of 
these  were  also  plasterers.  The  public  libraries  of  Bethel  have  not 
been  extensive.  The  library  of  Gould's  Academy  was  the  principal 
one,  until  the  Bethel  Public  Library  was  organized  a  few  years 
ago. 

It  will  not  be  possible  to  recall  all  the  traders  or  store  keepers  of 
early  and  later  Bethel.  The  number  is  large,  and  many  of  them 
were  only  temporary  residents  of  the  town.  It  has  already  been 
stated  that  some  of  the  early  settlers  kept  a  few  goods  in  their 
dwelling  houses  for  the  accommodation  of  the  early  settlers,  before 
stores  were  established  as  a  separate  institution.  The  first  trader 
at  Bean's  Corner  was  Thaddeus  P.  Bartlett,  who  built  the  store  still 
standing.  He  sold  out  to  Eliphaz  C.  Bean,  who  traded  many  years, 
and  after  he  sold  out,  the  store  was  converted  into  a  dwelling  house, 
and  there  was  no  store  kept  there  for  some  time.  Dana  B.  Grant 
opened  a  store  there  a  few  years  ago  and  sold  out  to  Elbridge  G. 
Crooker,  who  now  trades  there.  Abial  Walker  was  the  first  trader 
at  AValker's  Mills  (South  Bethel),  and  after  him  was  Erastus  Hil- 
born.  Levi  Washburn  was  in  trade  there  a  few  years,  occupying 
part  of  the  old  Blake  carriage  shop,  since  destroyed  by  fire.  He 
introduced  the  industry  of  stripping  birch  for  bed-filling  in  place  of 
straw,  shipping  the  product  to  Boston.  It  was  a  short-lived  indus- 
tr3%  the  manufacture  of  excelsior  superceding  it.  The  traders  at 
Middle  Interval  have  already  been  named,  and  many  of  the  early 
traders  at  Bethel  Hill.  Among  those  who  have  sold  goods  of 
various  kinds  at  the  Hill,  have  been  James  Walker,  O'Neil  W.  Rob- 
inson, Eli  Twitchell,  Robert  Chapman,  Elbridge  Chapman,  George 
Chapman,  Gilman  Chapman,  John  Harris,  Ezra  T.  Russell,  Moses 
T.  Cross,  Ira  C.  Kimball,  Iklwin  Eastman,  Clark  S.  Edwards, 
Abernethy  Grover,  Melville  C.  Kimball,  Newton  Swift,  Benjamin 
Barden,  Amos  Merrill,  Wm.  Y.  Merrill,  AV.  J.  Hayden,  H.  B.  Hall, 
Abner  Davis,  Nahum  Grover,  Ceylon  Rowe,  Edwin  C.  Rowe,  Enoch 
W,  Woodbury,  Josiah  U.  Purington,  Charles  Mason,  Oliver  H. 
Mason,  Mighill  Mason,  Seth  Walker,  Ira  C.  Jordan,  Pinckuey  Burn- 
ham,  Hannibal  Grover,  Susie  Russell,  Abbie  A.  Russell,  Thirza 
Mason,  Goodwin  R.  Wiley,  S.  L.  Hall,  Hastings  P>rothers,  Samuel 
A.  Black,  T.  H.  Jewett,  Horatio  R.  Godwin,  (iilman  P.  Bean,  (xeo. 
J.  Hapgood,  R.  E.  L.  Farewell,  Wm.  E.  and  Julius  P.  Skillings,  C. 
E.  Benson,  Chas.  A.  Lucas  and  Frank  B.  Frost.     This  list  is  by  no 


388  HISTOliY  OF  BETHEL. 

means  complete,  but  it  embraces  many  of  the  past  and  present  mer- 
chants of  Bethel. 

A  lost  industry,  and  one  of  which  the  later  generations  are  igno- 
rant, was  the  manufacture  of  potash.  To  keep  comfortable  in  their 
cheaply  constructed  houses,  the  early  settlers  consumed  vast  quan- 
tities of  hard  wood  resulting  in  large  accumulations  of  hard  wood 
ashes.  The  primitive  forests  cut  and  burned  upon  the  land  when 
cleared,  produced  a  large  quantity  of  the  salts  of  potash,  and  this 
stored  in  the  soil,  was  accessible  to  crops,  and  in  quantity,  sufficient 
for  many  years,  so  the  people  had  no  use  for  their  wood  ashes  but 
to  sell  them  to  the  potash  makers.  The  manufacture  of  potash  was 
a  simple  process.  The  ashes  were  leached  and  the  lye  boiled  down 
until  it  would  crystallize.  The  traders  monopolized  the  business. 
They  bought  the  ashes  and  paid  for  them  in  goods,  and  then  hired 
help  to  make  the  potash.  Eight  or  ten  cents  per  bushel  was  the 
usual  price  paid  for  ashes,  and  the  income  arising  from  their  sale 
was  of  great  benefit  to  families  in  straightened  circumstances.  The 
potash  when  made  was  put  into  casks  and  carried  to  Portland,  and 
having  passed  through  a  refining  process,  much  of  it  came  back  in 
the  form  of  saleratus.  Some  men  would  cut  and  burn  wood  in  the 
forest  merely  for  the  ash  product,  but  this  was  not  a  profitable  busi- 
jiess,  and  only  the  shiftless  and  thriftless  engaged  in  it. 

Another  of  the  early  industries  of  which  the  rising  generation  are 
ignorant,  was  that  of  the  manufacture  of  shaved  shingles.  This 
industry  flourished  before  the  pine  timber  disappeared,  and  furnished 
winter  employment  to  many  persons.  The  implements  required 
were  few  and  simple.  After  the  tree  had  been  felled  it  was  cut  up 
into  sections  of  the  proper  length  (sixteen  inches  for  short  shingles) 
by  means  of  a  cross-cut  saw.  These  sections  were  then  quartered 
and  the  parts  were  called  shingle  bolts.  These  bolts  were  riven  by 
means  of  an  implement  called  a  frow,  driven  by  another  implement 
called  a  maul,  into  thin  pieces,  and  were  then  finished  in  a  shingle 
horse  by  means  of  a  draw-shave.  This  was  before  the  days  of 
sawed  shingles,  and  they  found  ready  sale  at  a  remunerative  price. 
They  were  often  hauled  to  Portland.  Long  shingles  for  covering 
the  roofs  of  barns  and  out-buildings  were  manufactured  in  much  the 
same  way,  only  the  ends  were  left  of  equal  thickness,  and  in  laying 
the  sides  were  made  to  lap  over  instead  of  the  ends. 

Starch  was  manufactured  more  than  fifty  years  ago,  and  the 
farmers  of  Bethel  and  the  adjoining  towns  contracted  to  plant  a  cer- 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  389 

tain  acreage  of  potatoes  and  sell  the  product  delivered  at  the  mill 
for  twelve  and  a  half  cents  a  bushel.  The  yield  of  potatoes  to  the 
acre  then  was  much  greater  than  now.  A  variety  known  as  long 
reds  or  Laplands,  was  planted,  and  new  or  well  prepared  land 
yielded  four  or  five  hundred  bushels  of  this  sort  to  the  acre.  Later, 
starch  manufacture  was  carried  on  by  Mr.  Eber  Clough  near  Bethel 
Hill.  With  the  small  yield  to  the  acre,  of  recent  years,  the  labor 
involved  in  fighting  the  potato  beetle,  and  the  consequent  high 
prices  of  the  tubers,  starch  making  cannot  be  profitable. 

The  ferry  boat  has  been  the  only  means  of  crossing  the  open 
Androscoggin  river  for  most  of  the  time  since  the  town  was  settled. 
These  ferries  were  early  established  by  the  town  and  were  kept  under 
municipal  control.  Samuel  Barker  early  had  charge  of  the  ferry 
opposite  the  Hill,  and  it  always  bore  his  name.  A  little  above 
Middle  Interval  was  the  ferry  operated  by  Bezaleel  Kendall  and 
which  still  bears  his  name.  The  ferry  below  Middle  Interval  was 
early  operated  by  the  Dustins  and  then  by  Stephen,  son  of  Pere- 
grine Bartlett.  The  people  at  the  lower  part  of  the  town  generally 
crossed  at  Rumford  until  within  a  few  years,  when  a  ferry  boat  was 
put  in  opposite  the  village  in  Hanover.  On  account  of  the  sudden 
and  powerful  freshets  on  the  Androscoggin,  it  has  been  found  diffi- 
cult to  support  bridges  across  it.  In  eighteen  hundred  and  thirty- 
nine,  a  toll  bridge  was  put  across  at  Barker's  ferry,  but  it  was 
carried  away  the  very  next  winter  and  the  same  freshet  carried  away 
the  only  toll  bridge  erected  in  Rumford.  An  account  of  the  present 
bridge  at  Barker's  ferry,  may  be  found  in  abstracts  of  town  records. 
There  are  times  during  summer  drouths  when  the  river  can  be 
forded  at  various  places,  and  of  course  in  this  latitude,  during  the 
winter  months,  the  river  is  spanned  by  ice  sufficiently  firui  to  bear 
the  heaviest  teams. 

West  Bethel  situated  in  a  fine  agricultural  region,  lias  always  been 
a  center  of  more  or  less  business.  Elijah  Grover,  wlio  lived  a  short 
distance  from  the  Corner,  was  perhaps  the  first  trader,  and  the  place 
was  sometimes  called  Grover's  Corner.  It  was  also  long  known  as 
"Gander"  corner,  from  the  circumstance  that  t'wo  frolicsome  black- 
smiths stole  a  gander  from  a  neighboring  farmer,  roasted  him  over 
the  forge-fire  and  feasted  upon  him  in  the  blacksmith  shop.  Nathan 
Grover  kept  a  tavern  at  his  place,  and  at  the  Corner  the  taveruers 
have  been  Gilbert  Chapman,  Jacob  Grover  and  Ormsby  Wight. 
Wight  was  also  a  trader,  and  his  brother,  Seth  Wight,  Jr.,  was  also 


390  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

in  trade  for  a  time.  Tlien  came  Heury  Ward  from  Portland  and 
was  in  trade  for  many  years,  doing  a  large  business,  John  S. 
Allen  and  Gilbert  Chapman  have  also  sold  goods  at  the  Corner. 
After  the  Wards,  came  Lyman  W.  Alger,  and  had  a  large  business. 
Fletcher  Kendall  was  an  early  blacksmith,  and  others  have  here 
followed  this  important  business.  Milton  Holt  and  George  H. 
Brown  are  now  engaged  in  trade  here,  but  Alpheus  S.  Bean  is  the 
€hief  business  man  in  this  part  of  the  tow^n  and  a  large  owner  of  real 
estate.  He  is  a  large  farmer,  is  also  engaged  in  trade  and  owns  and 
operates  a  large  steam  mill  for  the  manufacture  of  lumber,  and  for 
working  up  lumber  into  dowels,  boxes  and  various  other  useful 
articles.  Mr.  Bean  possesses  rare  business  qualities  and  gives 
direction  and  personal  supervision  to  the  varied  operations  which 
his  business  requires.  Pinckney  Burnham  manufactured  carriages 
and  sleighs  here  before  he  went  to  Bethel  Hill.  The  ferry  across 
the  Androscoggin  here  is  known  as  Mason's,  from  Sylvanus  Mason 
who  lived  near  it  on  the  north  side.  The  onl}^  cliurch  here  is  that 
owned  by  the  Free  Baptists,  an  account  of  which  has  already  been 
ffiven. 


chaptp:r  XXIX. 

-^  ^*  Real  Estate  Transfers. 

,N  this  chapter  are  given  some  of  the  early  and  a  few  of  the 
later  transfers  of  real  estate  in  the  town  of  Bethel.  From 
early  deeds  and  other  documents  relating  to  the  township, 
it  would  seem  that  there  was  some  doubt  as  to  the  county 
in  which  it  was  situated.  Some  refer  to  it  as  in  the  county  of  York 
and  others  in  the  county  of  Cumberland,  while  a  considerable  num- 
ber speak  of  it  as  "either  in  the  county  of  York  or  Cumberland." 
The  result  of  this  confusion  was  that  some  of  the  deeds  were  put  on 
record  at  Alfred,  some  at  Portland,  and  after  the  year  eighteen  hun- 
dred, when  a  registry  was  established  at  Fryeburg,  and  previous  to 
eighteen  hundred  and  five,  when  Oxford  county  was  formed  and  a 
registry  established  at  Paris,  they  were  recorded  at  Fryeburg. 
Many  of  the  early  conveyances  were  not  recorded  at  all,  and  there 
is  no  record  evidence  showing  that  the  parties  who  occupied  the  lands 
and  who  conveyed  them  away,  ever  owned  them.  This  was  proba- 
bly due  to  the  fact  that  the  registr}^  oftice  was  situated  at  some  dis- 
tance from  Bethel,  and  in  those  days  when  there  was  but  little  money 
in  circulation,  the  sum  required  to  pay  for  recording  was  not  always 
at  hand.  So  the  deeds  were  laid  by  until  circumstances  should  be 
more  favorable,  and  in  some  cases  were  destro3'ed  b}'  fire,  and  in 
others  were  doubtless  lost.  In  some  few  instances  they  were  placed 
on  record  fifteen  or  twent}'  years  after  they  were  given. 

Jonas  Bond  of  Watertown,  Massachusetts,  was  quite  a  large  pro- 
prietor of  Sudbury  Canada  lands.  He  was  an  original  proprietor  in 
the  right  of  his  father,  also  Jonas  Bond,  and  he  also  purchased  a 
large  interest  of  Thomas  Harrington  of  the  same  town.  Edward 
Bond,  son  of  Jonas  Bond,  Jr.,  inherited  a  portion  of  these  lauds 
including  the  great  island  near  Bethel  Hill,  which  is  spoken  of  in 
the  conveyances  as  Bond's  Island.  Edward  Bond  came  to  Sudbury 
Canada  about  the  year  seventeen  hundred  ninety-five,  with  the  idea 


392  HIS  TOBY  OF  BETHEL. 

of  settling  here.  He  cleared  land  on  one  of  the  islands  and  raised 
an  immense  crop  of  corn.  He  purchased  several  lots  of  land 
besides  his  inheritance,  and  became  a  large  landed  proprietor.  In 
eighteen  hundred,  he  married  Sarah,  daughter  of  Abraham  Russell, 
and  the  same  year  bought  a  large  tract  of  land,  embracing  over 
three  hundred  acres  in  the  town  of  Westbrook,  near  Stroudvvater 
village,  and  settled  upon  it,  and  there  he  ever  after  lived.  He 
was  the  grandfather  of  Mr.  Leonard  Bond  Chapman,  the  well  known 
local  historical  student  of  Deering,  who  married  Ruby,  daughter  of 
Edmund  Merrill  of  this  town. 

The  earliest  deed  of  Sudbury  Canada  lands  on  record,  was  given 
in  seventeen  hundred  and  sixty-eight  (see  page  26-7)  ;  the  next, 
and  the  earliest  on  Cumberland  records,  is  dated  March  twenty, 
seventeen  hundred  seventy,  and  is  a  deed  given  of  land  for  non-pay- 
ment of  taxes  thereon.  The  early  purchasers  of  these  lands  appear 
to  have  bouglit  them  on  speculation  and  with  no  intention  of  ever 
settling  upon  them.  The  speculative  fever  on  eastern  lands  was 
very  active  during  these  years,  and  we  find  the  same  parties  buying 
and  selling  rights  in  Turner,  Livermore,  Paris,  Jay  and  Bethel. 

Joseph  Twitchell  of  Sherbouru,  to  Ezra  Twitchell  of  Dul)lin,  N.  H.,  the 
15th  intervale  lot  north  side  of  the  river;  tlie  ISth  lot  in  the  8th  range; 
the  13th  lot  in  the  4th  range,  and  40  or  50  acres  <St  the  lot  lying  eastwardly 
of  the  14th  lot,  south  side  of  river,  September  18,  1787. 

Luke  Knowlton  of  Shrewsbury,  Mass.,  to  Jonathan  Keyes  of  same,  one 
whole  right  in  Sudbury  Canada,  which  he  bought  of  Nathaniel  (iray,  Jr., 
of  Worcester,  and  which  was  tlie  original  right  of  Joseph  Oi-lando.  Novem- 
ber 3,  1772. 

James  Towle  of  Woburn,  to  Jonathan  Keyes  of  Shrewsbury,  one  whole 
right  in  Sudbury  Canada,  March  18,  1774; 

August  29,  1774,  Ebenezer  Bartlett  of  Newton,  sold  to  sou  Elisha  of 
same,  lot  number  five  in  the  first  division  and  interval  lot  number  13  in  the 
fifth  range,  land  in  Sudbury  Canada. 

April  16,  1782,  Elisha  Bartlett  of  Newton,  sold  to  brother  Thaddeus  of 
Sudbin-y  Canada,  the  san)e  premises  deeded  to  hiiu  by  his  father  as  al)ove; 
consideration,  one  shilling. 

June  6,  1789,  Joseph  Twitchell  of,Sherbourn,  sold  to  Stephen  Bartlett  of 
Sudbury  Canada,  the  third  interval  lot  on  the  north  side  of  the  river. 

September  30,  1773,  Aaron  Richardson  of  Newton,  l)lacksmith,  sold  to 
Jonathan  Bartlett  of  same,  one  whole  right  in  Sudbury  Canada,  the  first 
division  l)eing  number  33,  south  of  great  river. 

November  1,  1788,  Nathaniel  Parker  of  Needhani,  :Mass.,  sold  to  Pere- 
grine Bartlett  of  Newton,  number  8  of  the  first  division:  consideration, 
Bartlett  to  pav  taxes  and  perform  settling  duties. 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  39a 

September  10, 1794,  Joseph  Parker  of  Newton,  sold  to  Jeremicah  Andrews 
of  Sudbury  Canada,  number  3  interval  lot  at  the  east  end,  the  loth  lot  in 
the  7th  range,  and  number  13  in  the  3d  range.  II6  also  bought  of  Abraham 
Russell,  lot  number  2  in  the  seventh  range,  and  of  Eleazer  Twitchell,  June 
4,  1781,  interval  lot  number  4  at  the  east  end,  and  lot  number  28  in  the  4th 
range. 

February  11,  1796,  Richard  Estes  of  Sudbury  Canada,  bought  of  John 
Chadbourne  of  same,  millwright,  the  5th  interval  lot  at  the  east  end,  and 
the  3d  upland  lot  in  the  8th  range. 

October  18,  1779,  Jesse  Duston  of  Fryeburg,  bought  of  Thaddeus  Rich- 
ardson of  Pearsontown,  interval  lot  number  6,  north  of  river,  with  upland 
lot  belonging  to  it. 

July  20,  1789,  Enoch  Bartlett  of  Sudbury  Canada,  sold  to  Dominicus 
Frost  of  same,  fifty  acres  of  land  next  to  the  river  and  "just  below  eighth 
island  right." 

INIarch  4,  1783,  Sanuiel  Ingalls  of  Sudbury  Canada,  sold  to  Xathaniel 
Segar  of  same,  interval  lot  bounded  southerly  by  river,  northerly  b_v  town 
line,  westerly  by  interval  lot  number  one ;  wife  Elizabeth  joins  in  the 
deed. 

December  8,  1794,  Proprietors  of  Sudbury  Canada,  to  Nathaniel  Segar, 
an  island  known  as  Bellows*  Island  in  Sudbury  Canada ;  also  five  acres  out 
of  interval  lot  number  one,  at  east  end  of  town. 

June  20,  1793.  Benjamin  Coffin  of  Conway,  X.  H.  to  Joseph  Ayer  of 
Brownfield,  one  right  in  Sudbury  Canada,  interval  lot  number  0  laid  out  to 
Nathaniel  Pike. 

July  19,  1796,  Josiah  Bean  of  Sudbui-y  Canada,  sold  to  Joseph  Ayer  of 
same,  lot  number  7  in  the  seventh  range  of  lots  in  Sudbury  Canada. 

July  17,  1787,  Eleazer  Twitchell  of  Sudbury  Canada,  to  Gideon  Powers 
of  same,  2d  interval  lot  north  of  Great  river,  and  a  piece  of  land  lying  at 
the  head  of  said  lot. 

March  8,  1788.  Sauie  to  Paul  Powers,  .5th  intervale  lot  at  east  of  town- 
ship, and  3d  lot  in  the  8th  range. 

1786.  Isaac  Russell  and  wife  Mary,  both  of  Sudbury  Canada,  to  John 
Holt,  nine  acres  of  interval  in  said  Sudbury  Canada. 

1793.  Peter  Twitchell  of  Sherbourn.  Mass.,  to  Eli  Grover  of  Sudbury 
Canada,  land  in  Sudbury  C^auada. 

1796.  Francis  Kimball  of  Bradford,  Mass.,  to  Amos  (Jage  and  Eli 
Grover  of  Sudbury  Canada,  land  in  Sudbury  Canada. 

Joseph  Parker  of  Newton,  Mass.,  to  Jedediah  Grover  of  Bethel,  the 
thirty-first  lot  in  the  fourth  range,  south  of  river,  in  Bethel. 

1794.  John  Grover  to  Jedediah  Grover,  lot  28  in  the  5th  range  in  Sud- 
bury Canada;  witnessed  by  Benjamin  and  Nabby  Russell. 

1799.  John  Mason  of  Bethel,  to  Jedediah  Grover,  land  in  liethel; 
witness,  Benjamin  and  Mary  Russell. 

March  20,  1770.  Proprietors"  committee  to  Thomas  Harrington,  two 
w^hole  rights  in  the  tirst  division  of  lots,  the  first,  No.  39,  south  side  of  the 
river,  drawn  on  the  right  of  Ebenezer  Rice,  and  No.  14,  on  tlie  north  side 
of  the  I'iver,  drawn  on  the  right  of  Daniel  Brewer. 


394  HISTORY    OF  BETHEL. 

Joualliau  Brewer  of  AYaltham,  to  'J'liomas  Harriugtou,  a  certain  whole 
right  of  laud  granted  to  Josiah  Kichardson  and  otliers,  it  being  one-third 
part  of  the  great  island,  so-called,  and  is  numbered  the  sixth  lot. 

1781.  'J'homas  Harrington  to  Moses  Bartlett  of  Xewton,  Xo.  39  on  the 
southerly  side  of  the  great  river. 

1786.  Thomas  Harrington  to  John  Stearns,  Jr.,  of  Watertown,  interval 
lot  number  14  on  the  north  side  of  the  river,  with  all  the  upland  lots  and 
the  common  lauds  thereto  belonging. 

1787.  Thomas  Harrington  to  Josiah  Fuller,  Esq.,  of  Xewtou,  four  lots, 
each  containing  100  acres,  viz. :  lot  3  in  the  3d  range  west  side  of  river, 
Island  lot  Xo.  6,  and  lots  numbered  3  and  4  in  the  twelfth  range,  on  the 
east  side  of  river,  provided  Fuller  put  settlers  on  three  of  them. 

1792.  Thomas  Harrington  of  Watertown,  to  Jonas  Bond  of  same,  all 
rights  not  heretofore  disposed  of  in  a  township  granted  to  Josiah  Richard- 
son and  otliers,  being  part  of  the  great  island  so-called,  which  I  purchased 
of  Jonathan  Brewer  and  Josiali  Richardson ;  also  an  interval  lot,  being  a 
lot  lying  on  the  great  island,  and  is  Xo.  4,  being  the  same  I  l)ought  of 
Oliver  Peabody  ;  also  two  whole  riglits  in  Sudbury  Canada,  granted  to  said 
Richardson,  also  all  the  after-drafts  and  divisions  to  the  said  rights 
belonging. 

1795.  Benjamin  Clark  of  Sudbuiy  Canada,  to  Elijah  Bond  of  AVatertown, 
the  25th  lot  in  the  4th  range. 

1795.  Eliphalet  Parker  to  Elijah  Bond,  a  certain  lot,  al)()ut  40  acres  in 
Sudbury  Canada,  which  lot  was  numl)ered  37  in  the  first  division,  and  is 
on  the  south  side  of  the  great  liver,  drawn  to  Charh'S  Ricliardson  in  the 
right  of  Samuel  King. 

1799.  Leonard  Bond  and  Jonas  Bond  of  \\  atertown,  executors  to  Jonas 
Bond,  deceased,  and  Ruth  Bond,  in  relinfjuishmeut  of  dower,  to  Elijah 
Bond  of  Bethel,  quit-claim  all  riglits  in  tlie  estate  of  their  kite  father,  being 
and  situated  in  said  Bethel. 

1787.  Benjamin  Russell  of  Sudbury  Canada,  to  Djinicl  Bean  of  same, 
interval  lot  number  24,  south  side  of  river. 

Benjamin  Russell  to  Phiueas  Howard  of  Temple.  \.  H.,  housewright, 
lot  number  10  in  range  9  in  Sudbury  Canada. 

1781.  Abraham  Russell  of  Sudbury  Canada,  to  .leremiali  Andrews  of 
same,  the  second  lot  in  range  seven,  containing  100  acres. 

August  6,  1781.  Eleazer  Twitchell  to  Jonathan  Bartlett,  lot  number  5 
in  the  6th  range. 

February  7,  1797.  Eleazer  Twitcbell  to  Thaddeus  Baitli-tt.  3d  lot  in  the 
7th  range. 

January  25,  1780.  Joseph  Twitchell  of  Sherbourn.  and  others,  to  Jona- 
than Bartlett,  one  whole  right  in  Sudbury  Canada,  the  first  lot  being  num- 
ber 15,  drawn  on  the  right  of  Daniel  AVood. 

October  8,  1784.  Same  to  Amos  Gage,  first  intervale  lot  north  side  of 
river,  drawn  to  the  right  of  Robert  ^Mei-riam. 

James -Walker  to  Stephen  McLellan  and  William  Brown  of  Portland,  a 
piece  of  land  lying  near  the  center  of  lot  23  in  the  4tli  rauire.  south  of  the 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  395 

road  leadiiis;  from  Eleazer  Twitchell's  house  to  the  mills  with  the  potash 
thereon  coutaiiiing-  one-half  an  acre  ;  also  another  piece  of  land  lying  about 
fifty  rods  distant  from  the  last  named,  containing- half  an  acre,  witli  house, 
barn  and  shed  thereon,  being  the  same  property  1  bought  of  Eleazer 
Twitchell  in  1802,  February  2,  1804. 

Joseph  G.  Swan  to  James  Walker,  seven  acres  adjoining  said  Walker's 
laud  on  the  road  from  Albany  to  Eumford,  on  the  south  side  near  Alder 
river  Ijridge,  May  26,  1809. 

Abial  Walker  of  Concord,  X.  H.,  to  James  "Walker,  one-half  of  lot  19  in 
the  4th  range,  south  of  river,  August  10,  1804. 

Amos  Hastings  to  Timothy  Hastings,  interval  lots  nortli  of  river,  same 
I  bought  of  John  Russell,  March  4,  18077 

Amos  Hastings  to  Timothy  Carter,  land  bounded  south  by  land  of  said 
Hastings,  on  the  east  by  laud  of  Keul)en  Bartlett.  and  on  the  west  by  the 
county  road,  Septeml>er  16.  1806. 

James  Walker  and  Hannah  I.  Walker  to  Eobert  A.  Chapman,  beginning 
at  the  northeast  corner  of  the  common,  and  on  said  common  westwardly 
10  rods,  to  land  of  Edmund  Merrill ;  thence  northwai-dly.  20  rods  on  Mer- 
rill's land  and  Walker's  land ;  thence  eastwardly  to  road  to  Barker's 
Ferry :  thence  southwardly  to  first  bound,  July  2.t,  1882. 

Eleazer  Twitchell  of  Peckersfield,  X.  H.,  to  John  Grover  of  Sudbury 
Canada,  two  lots  of  land  in  said  Sud1)ury  Canada,  being  the  28th  lot  in  the 
5th  range,  and  the  30th  lot  in  the  same  range ;  Grover  to  pay  two-thirds 
of  the  taxes  on  one  whole  right  until  the  town  is  incorporated,  October 
27,  1780. 

Eleazer  Twitchell  of  Betliel,  to  Moses  Mason  of  Dublin.  X.  11.,  the  16th 
interval  lot.  100  acres;  more  or  less;  also  lot  .S3  in  the  4tli  range,  March 
16,  1798. 

Hiram  Allen  to  Kobert  A.  Chapman,  part  of  lot  22  in  the  4th  range, 
beginning  at  the  east  line  of  lot  23,  on  the  Runiford  road,  and  on  said  road 
to  Daniel  Grout's  land :  thence  on  said  Grout  to  a  stone  wall  on  Dr. 
Mason's  land :  thence  westwardly  on  Mason's  laud  to  the  east  line  of  said 
lot  23,  and  land  owned  by  said  (  hapman,  6^^  acres,  June  24,  1836. 

O'Xeil  W.  Eol)inson  to  Eobert  A.  Chapman,  house  and  store  and  land  on 
Bethel  Hill,  bounded  westerly  by  the  Common,  and  southerly  and  easterly 
by  laud  of  Dr.  Mason  and  Hiiam  Allen,  May  1,  183.5. 

Same  to  same,  parts  of  lots  22  and  23  in  the  4th  range,  commencing  on 
the  road  leading  from  the  Comniou  to  Greenwood,  on  the  line  between 
Jedediah  Burbauk's  land  and  said  Robinson's;  bounded  southerly  by  Bur- 
bank's  laud,  easterly  by  Daniel  Grout's  land,  northerly  by  Moses  Mason's 
land,  and  westwardly  by  land  of  John  Hastings.  241^  acres.  May  22, 
18.35. 

Hiram  Allen  to  Gilman  Chai)man,  part  of  lot  23  in  the  4th  range,  the 
same  land  conveyed  to  said  Allen  by  O'Xeil  W.  Robinson,  April  28,  1827, 
and  the  same  conveyed  to  said  RoMuson  by  Marshall  Bonney,  (the  heater 
between  the  Rumford  and  Barker's  Ferry  roads)  April  29,  1836. 

George  Chapman  to  Gilman  Chapman,  part  of  23  in  the  4th  range,  same 


39 fi  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

conveyed  to  liiai  by  James  and  Heury  Stearns,  3Iay  20,  1835,  May  12,- 
1836. 

Timothy  Chapman  to  Gihnan  Chapman,  land  on  both  sides  of  Alder 
river,  composed  of  certain  lots  he  bought  of  Alanson  Tucker,  Edward 
Thompson  and  Amos  Hills,  Xovember  2i),  1834.  (Gilmau  Chapman, 
November  29,  1834,  conveyed  to  George  Chapman,  this  land,  and  also  land 
he  l)ought  of  Ayers  Mason,  and  deeded  October  15,  1834,  it  being  that  part 
of  lot  19  in  the  5th  range,  lying  on  the  road  to  Walker's  Mills,  and  that 
part  of  interval  lot  set  oft"  to  ftrst  settled  minister  as  lies  south  of  said 
road.) 

Ebeuezer  Ellingwood,  shoemaker,  to  Ezra  T.  llussell,  part  of  lot  23,  con- 
veyed to  him  by  Edmund  Merrill,  bounded  easterly  by  the  connnon, 
northwardly  by  land  of  said  Eussell,  westerly  by  land  of  James  Walker, 
and  southerly  by  land  of  John  Harris,  l)o  acres,  excepting  the  small  shop 
which  stands  upon  it,  August  4,  1835. 

Ezra  T.  Eussell  to  Jonathan  A.  Eussell,  all  the  laud  he  possessed  in 
Bethel,  including  that  described  above ;  also  part  of  lot  23  situated  next 
to  mill  l)rook,  Mith  potash  thereon,  August  8,  1836. 

Jacob  Ellingwood  to  O'Neil  \V.  Eobinson,  land  south  of  river — part  of 
lot  23  in  the  4th  range,  joining  land  of  Dr.  ^lason,  bounded  8  rods  on  the 
common,  containing  one  acre,  September  26,  1821. 

Maishall  Eomiey  to  O'Xeil  W.  Eol)inson,  part  of  lot  23.  begimiing  at  the 
corner  of  land  once  owned  by  Calvin  Stearns,  on  the  east  side  of  the  road 
leading  to  i-iver,  on  Stearns'  line,  easterly  13  rods,  to  land  of  James 
Walker;  thence  southerly  8  rods,  and  thence  eastwardly  to  said  i-oad  and 
on  said  road  to  first  bound,  August  25,  1826. 

Elijah  Bond  of  Falmouth,  to  Moses  Mason,  ten  acres  of  Bond's  Island, 
August  4,  1801. 

Elijah  Bond  to  John  Merrill  and  John  Grover,  part  of  Bond's  Island, 
that  part  now  belonging  to  said  Bond,  ilarch  10,  1821. 

Elijali  Bond  to  Samuel  Robertson,  4%  acres  of  Bond's  Island. 

Elijah  Bond  to  Porter  Kimball,  lot  1  in  range  1,  November  19,  1819. 

Elijah  Bond  to  Aaron  and  Charles  Mason,  part  of  the  Great  Island  called 
Bond's  Island,  namely,  all  of  the  western  part  of  the  lower  island  tliat  is 
not  deeded  to  John  Stearns,  Aaron  Mason  and  Samuel  Eobertson,  it  being 
17  acres. 

Elijah  Bond  of  Falmoutb.  to  William  Barker  of  ]5ethel,  lot  Nd.  22  in  tlie 
second  range,  July  .5,  ISIO. 

Porter  Kiml)all  to  Abijah  Lapliam,  lol  number  2  in  the  first  range  in 
Bethel;  also  26  acres  from  lot  1,  range  1;  also  15  acres  of  land  on  Ham- 
lin's Gore;  also  one-half  of  lot  number  3  in  the  first  rftnge,  undivided,  ly- 
ing on  the  road  from  Eumford  to  Woodstock. 

Elijah  Bond  of  Falmouth,  to  Daniel  Grout,  25  acres  oft'  from  tlie  west 
island,  lying  opposite  Capt.  Amos  Hill's  laud,  March  16,  180!). 

Elijah  Bond  to  Thomas  .Jackman,  number  33  in  the  second  range,  south 
of  "river,  March  20.  1801. 

Elijah  Bond  to  George  Estes,  lot  nmnber  -1  in  th(>  5th  range. 


HIS  TO  BY  OF  BETHEL.  397 

EbenezerEllingwood  to  Ezra  T.  Russell,  laud  bouuded  easterly  by  the 
'Commou,  uortherly  liy  laud  of  said  Russell,  westwardly  by  laud  of  James 
Walker,  aud  southerly  by  laud  of  Joliu  Harris,  August  4,  1835. 

Johu  Russell,  Jr.,  to  Timothy  Wight,  oue  acre  of  laud  begiuuiug  at  the 
•aorthwest  coruer,  made  by  the  roads  leading  from  Bethel  Hill  to  Barker's 
S'erry,  aud  from  Gilead  to  Rumford,  September  2,  1834. 

Ebenezer  Elliugwood  to  Isaac  Littlehale,  the  shoemaker's  shop  at  Bethel 
Hill,  staudiug  betweeu  the  store  of  George  Chapuiau  aud  Eduuuid  INIei-rill's 
house,  September  3,  1834. 

Wm.  Frye,  administrator  of  Jacoli  Elliugwood,  to  John  Harris,  clothiei-, 
^art  of  24  iu  the  3d  rauge,  begiimiug  at  the  uorthwest  coruer  of  said  lot, 
and  ou  said  lot  southwardly  to  the  road  leading  from  Robbius  Brown's  to 
,  Jedediah  Grover,  Jr. ;  thence  ou  said  road  to  road  leading  to  Gilead.  Also 
;another  lot  beginning  at  the  southwest  corner  of  Robbius  Brown's  house 
lot,  thence  south  to  mill  brook ;  thence  down  said  brook  to  other  land  of 
said  Brown,  etc.,  November  8,  1829. 

William  Frye,  administrator  of  Jacob  Elliugwood,  to  Johu  Harris,  part 
'Of  lot  24  iu  the  3d  rauge,  beginning  at  uorthwest  corner  of  land  of  Moses 
Twitchell,  thence  southerly  38  rods;  thence  uortherly  to  road  leading  to 
Bethel  Hill;  thence  ou  said  road  westwardly  to  laud  owned  by  Jesse 
Cross ;  then  southwardly  to  southwest  corner  of  Cross'  mill  yard ;  thence 
to  a  pine  tree  on  the  bank  of  mill  brook ;  thence  up  said  brook  to  Harris' 
laud ;  thence  to  Sylvauus  Twitchell's  laud ;  thence  to  old  county  road  to 
Greeuwood,  etc.,  November  28,  1829. 

William  Estes  to  John  Harris,  half  of  lot  No.  21,  in  the  second  range, 
September  16,  1833. 

William  Reed  of  Norway,  to  Jol^u  Harris  aud  William  Estes,  lot  21  iu 
the  second  range,  February  9,  1832. 

Freeman  Twitchell  to  Ezra  T.  Russell,  laud  deeded  liim  by  Ednumd 
Merrill,  and  to  said  3Ierrill  l)y  James  Walker,  May  25,  1835. 

Moses  Twitchell  to  Sylvauus  Twitchell,  part  of  lot  23  in  the  4th  rauge, 
beginning  near  the  northeast  coruer  of  the  shoemaker's  shop,  formerlj- 
owned  by  Jacob  Elliugwood,  deceased ;  thence  southwesterly  iu  front  of 
said  shop,  on  the  line  of  the  common  aud  on  land  owned  by  Ezra  T.  Rus- 
sell, 35  feet  to  a  bound ;  thence  westerlj^  to  a  post ;  thence  northwesterly 
iu  rear  of  said  shop  to  a  bound  near  the  uorthwest  corner  of  said  shop,  33 
feet;  thence  easterly  to  first  bound,  July  30,  1833,  (Sylvamis  'i'witchell 
sold  the  above  property  to  Ezra  T.  Russell,  January  7,  1837.) 

Robbius  Brown  to  Wm.  Frj^e,  part  of  23  in  the  3d  range,  ou  the  county 
road  adjoining  laud  owned  by  John  Price  aud  land  of  Sylvamis  Twitchell. 

Timothy  Carter  to  Timothy  Wight,  land  conveyed  to  him  by  Benj.  Rus- 
sell, aud  which  was  conveyed  to  said  Russell  by  his  father's  will,  except 
parts  sold  to  Timothy  Capen  and  Jonathan  A.  Russell,  April  11,  1834. 
(Wight  sold  the  above  to  Isaac  lattlehale,  September  2,  1834.) 

Timothy  and  Mary  Ann  Wight  to  Jolni  Harris,  homestead  farm  iu 
Bethel,  begiuuiug  ou  the  old  county  road  to  Norway,  near  the  garden 
fence  of  William  Frye,  thence  southwardly  38  rods;  thence  soutlu\isterly 


398  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

86  rods ;  thence  northeasterly  26  rods ;  thence  northwesterly  to  southwest 
corner  of  his  (Wight's)  orchard  fence ;  tlience  on  said  fence  to  a  stake  and 
stones  near  the  northwest  corner  of  said  orchard ;  thence  eastwardly  to 
southwest  corner  of  said  Frye"s  orchard  fence;  thence  on  said  Frye's 
orchard  fence  to  the  northwest  corner  thereof :  thence  eastwardly  to  first 
bound,  14  acres,  December  25,  1833. 

O'Neil  W.  Robinson  to  William  Fi-ye,  lot  28  in  the  4th  i-ange,  May  20. 
1825. 

James  Walker  to  Isaac  Adams,  Eliphaz  Chapman,  Geo.  W .  Cliapmau, 
Amos  Hills,  John  Merrill  and  Eli  Twitchell,  land  with  the  buildings  there- 
on near  the  house  of  Eleazer  Twitchell,  and  opposite  the  dwelling  of  Capt. 
Timothy  Hastings,  it  being  in  the  corner  of  the  road  leading  from  Capt. 
Eleazer  TwitcheH's  to  Norway,  and  being  \x\\  present  place  of  residence, 
consisting,  of  nearly  one  acre  of  laud  and  bounded  as  follows :  beginning 
at  the  corner,  running  southerly  on  the  road  to  Norway,  eighteen  rods : 
thence  westerlj^  8  rods ;  thence  northwardly  by  land  of  Eleazer  Twitchell, 
18  rods  to  the  common:  thence  eastwardly  to  the  first  named  l)ound,  Octo- 
ber 30,  1812.  (The  grantees  were  creditors  of  the  grantor  and  took  this 
pro])erty  in  liquidation  of  their  claims.) 

William  Frye,  administratoi-  of  Jacob  Ellingwood,  to  .luhn  Harris,  un- 
divided south  half  of  lot  number  24  in  the  second  range,  being  all  of  said 
lot  of  which  the  said  Ellingwood  died  possessed,  November  28,  1820. 

Sylvanus  Twitchell  of  Orono,  to  John  Harris,  all  of  lot  23  in  3d 
range,  wliich  he  liad  not  sold  to  Timothy  Wight  and  \Vm.  Frye;  also  the 
north  fourth  part  of  lot  23  in  the  second  range,  and  all  lie  then  owned  of 
lot  23  in  the  4th  range,  January  1,  1836. 

Sylvanus  Twitchell  to  JohuTIarris,  lot  number  IS  in  the  second  range, 
January  6,  1836. 

Sylvanus  Twitchell  of  Bethel,  to  William  Frye,  land  with  buildings 
thereon,  beginning  at  the  fence  on  the  road  leading  to  Norway,  and  thence 
on  a  line  front  of  said  Twitcheirs  house  at  a  distance  of  56  feet  from  same, 
20  rods;  thence  at  a  right  angle  8  rods;  thence  on  a  line  parallel  with  the 
first,  20  rods;  thence  at  a  right  angle  to  first  l)ound.  ^Nl.iy  16,  1822. 

Lovell  P.  Chadbourne,  wheelwright,  to  Ezra  T.  Eussell,  half  of  the  land 
on  Bethel  Hill,  deeded  him  September  1,  1831,  by  Isaac  Adams,  Eliphaz 
Chapman  and  others,  said  land  to  be  taken  from  the  north  end  of  said  lot 
with  the  buildings  thereon,  February  5,  1831.  (May  16,  1835,  Russell  sold 
the  above  property  to  Jedediah  Burliank. 


'  rf 


CHAPTER  XXX. 

Fraternal  Societies. 

Free  Masons. 

ULY  sixth,  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty-nine,  on  petit'on^ 
Grand  Master  Hiram  Chase  issued  a  dispensation  to 
^  Edmund  Merrill,  Moses  Pattee,  Cyrus  Wormell,  Wm.  W. 
Mason,  William  F.  Foster,  Thomas  Holt  and  Newton  Swift,  to  open 
a  lodge  at  Bethel  Hill.  They  worked  under  a  dispensation  until 
May  third,  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty,  when  a  charter  was  granted 
for  a  permanent  lodge,  to  be  known  as  Bethel  Lodge,  number  97. 
The  lodge  was  duly  organized,  Thursday,  June  14,  when  there  was 
a  special  communication  of  the  Grand  Lodge  convened  at  Bethel,, 
consisting  of  the  following  officers  : 

Josiah  H.  Drummond,  Grand  Master. 
Joseph  Covel,  Deputy  Grand  Master. 
J.  I.  Stevens,  Senior  Grand  Warden. 
John  B.  Currier,  Junior  Grand  Warden. 
B.  G.  Barrows,  Grand  Treasurer. 
Wm.  B.  Lapham,  Grand  Secretary. 
H.  C.  Lovell  and  Zenas  Thompson,  Grand  Chaplains. 
Caleb  Bessee  and  George  W.  Sholes,  Grand  Deacons. 
Daniel  Jacobs,  Joel  Perham,  Jr.,  Wm.  R.  Howe  and  I.  E.  Lovey, 
Grand  Stewards. 

John  B.  Merrill,  Grand  Sword  Bearer. 

In  the  afternoon  a  procession  was  formed,  headed  by  the  South 
Paris  band,  and  marched  to  Mason's  Grove,  where  the  Lodge  was  con- 
stituted in  ample  form.  Under  dispensation,  the  following  brethren 
were  elected  members  of  the  new  Lodge  :  Charles  Mason,  Oliver  H. 
Mason,  Barker  Holt,  Moses  A.  Mason,  Samuel  F.  Gibson,  Albert 
H.  Gerrish  and  John  W.  Partridge. 


400  HIS  TOBY   OF  BETHEL. 

The  first  board  of  officers  elected  under  the  charter  was  as 
follows  : 

William  F.  Foster,  W.  M. 
William  W.  Mason,  S.  W. 
Oliver  H.  Mason,  J.  W. 
Samuel  F.  Gibson,  Secretary. 
Cja-us  Wormell,  Treasurer, 
Albert  H.  Gerrish,  Chaplain. 
Charles  Mason,  S.  D. 
John  W.  Partridge,  J.  D. 
Barker  Holt,  S.  S. 
Moses  A.  Mason,  J.  S. 
Israel  G.  Kimball,  Tyler. 

The  new  Lodge  was  ably  addressed  b}^  Rev.  Joseph  Covell,  Rev. 
Zenas  Thompson  and  Josiah  H.  Drummond.  The  procession  was 
then  re-formed  and  marched  to  the  lodge  room  in  Pattee's  Hall, 
which  was  dedicated  in  due  and  ample  form.  The  exemplification 
of  the  work  in  the  third  degree,  closed  the  proceedings.  The  acting 
officers  under  the  dispensation  were  William  F.  Foster,  W.  M.  ; 
Thomas  Holt,  S.  W.  ;  William  W.  Mason,  J.  W.,  and  Samuel  F. 
Gibson,  Secretary. 

There  were  raised  during  the  year  eighteen  hundred  and  sixtj^- 
oue,  Abner  Davis,  Ozmon  M.  Twitchell,  William  F.  Lovejoy,  John 
F.  Allen,  John  Black,  Charles  M.  Bean  and  Bethuel  S.  Sawyer. 

The  following  have  been  the  principal  officers  since  that  date  : 

1862.  1803. 

Wm.  W.  Mason,  W.  M. 

Oliver  H.  Mason,  S.  W.  Same. 

Ozmou  M.  Twitchell,  J.  W. 
Samuel  F.  Gibson,  Sec. 

1864.  18Go. 

Oliver  H.  Masou,  W.  M.  Oliver  H.  Mason,  W.  M. 

Ozmon  M.  Twitchell,  S.  W.  Ozmon  M.  Twitchell,  S.  W. 

Charles  Mason,  J.  W.  Charles  Mason,  J.  W. 

Wm.  R.  Fames,  Sec.  Barker  Holt,  Sec. 

1866.  1867. 

Oliver  H.  Mason,  W.  M.  Enoch  Foster,  Jr.,  W.  M. 

Charles  Mason,  S.  W.  H.  H.  Williams,  S.  W. 

Israel  G.  Kimball,  J.  W.  Barker  Holt,  J.  \Y . 

Barker  Holt,  Sec.  Elijah  S.  Berry,  Sec. 


HIST  OB  Y   OF  BETHEL. 


401 


1868. 

H.  H.  Williams,  W.  M. 
B.  K.  Bean,  S.  W. 
Elijah  S.  Berry,  J.  W. 
James  E.  Ayer,  Sec. 

1870. 
Edgar  Powers,  W.  M. 
Wm.  L.  Grover,  S.  W. 
Llewellyn  W.  Beau,  J.  W. 
Leander  T.  Barker,  Sec. 

1872. 
Samuel  F.  Gibson,  W.  M. 
John  A.  Morton,  S.  W. 
Gilman  P.  Beau,  J.  W. 
J.  E.  Adams,  Sec. 

1874. 

Goodwin  R.  Wiley,  W.  M. 
Eben  S.  Kilborn,  S.  W. 
Albert  A.  Tuell,  J.  W. 
Leander  T.  Barker,  Sec. 

1876. 
Eben  S.  Kilborn,  W.  M. 
Albert  W.  Grover,  S.  W. 
Jarvis  C.  Billings,  J.  W. 
Leander  T.  Barker,  Sec. 


1869. 
P.  Cleveland  Wiley,  W.  M. 
Samuel  R.  Shehan,  S.  AV. 
Galen  Howe,  J.  W. 
James  Vj.  Ayer,  Sec. 

1871. 
Wm.  L.  Grover,  W.  M. 
John  A.  Morton,  S.  W. 
Gilman  P.  Beau,  J.  W. 
Leander  T.  Barker,  Sec. 

1873. 
John  A.  Morton,  W.  M. 
Elbridge  G.  Wheeler,  S.  W. 
Hamlin  D.  Roach,  J.  W. 
Leander  T.  Barker,  Sec. 

1875. 
Elbridge  G.  Wheeler,  W.  M. 
Albert  W.  Grover,  S.  W. 
Webster  Towne,  J.  W. 
Leander  T.  Barker,  Sec. 

1877. 
Jarvis  C.  Billings,  W.  M. 
D.  Webster  Towne,  S.  W. 
Geo.  Weston  Haskell,  J.  W. 
Leander  T.  Barker,  Sec. 


1878. 

Jarvis  C.  Billings,  W.  M. 
D.  A\^ebster  Towne,  S.  AY. 
Geo.  AVeston  Haskell,  J.  AA". 
Leander  T.  Barker,  Sec. 

1880. 
Wm.  E.  Skilliugs,  AV.  M. 
Marcus  AA\  Chandler,  S.  AV. 
D.  T.  Timberlake,  J.  AA^ 
Leander  T.  Barker,  Sec. 

1882. 
Marcus  AA^  Chandler,  AA\  M. 
Wilson  Hammond,  S.  W. 
Joshua  G.  Rich,  J.  W. 
John  B.  Chapman,  Sec. 

26 


1879. 

Albert  W.  Grover,  AV.  M. 
AVm.  E.  Skilliugs,  S.  AV. 
Marcus  AV.  Chandler,  J.  AV. 
Leander  T.  Barker,  Sec. 

1881. 

AVilliam  E.  Skilliugs,  AV.  M. 
Mark  AV.  Chandler,  S.  AV. 
Wilson  Hammond,  J.  AA^. 
AVilliam  E.  Willard,  Sec. 

1883. 

Goodwin  R.  AViley,  W.  INI. 
Leander  T.  Barker,  S.  AV. 
Elbridge  G.  AVheeler,  J.  AV. 
Joel  B.  Chapman,  Sec. 


402 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 


1884. 

Leauder  T.  Barker,  W.  M. 
David  Bridge,  S.  W. 
Elbridge  G.  Wheeler,  J.  W. 
John  B.  Chapman,  Sec. 

1886. 
Same  as  1885. 


1888. 
Chas.  M.  Anderson,  W.  M. 
J.  Hastings  Bean,  S.  W. 
Joshua  G.  Rich,  J.  W. 
David  Bridge,  Sec. 

1890. 
Goodwin  E.  Wiley,  AV.  M. 
Julius  P.  Skillings,  S.  W. 
Nathaniel  F.  Brown,  J.  W. 
David  Bridge,  Sec. 


1885. 
David  Bridge,  W.  M. 
Harlan  P.  Wheeler,  S.  W. 
Chas.  M.  Anderson,  J.  W. 
John  B.  Chapman,  Sec. 

1887. 

Harlan  P.  Wheeler,  W^  M. 
Chas.  M.  Anderson,  S.  W. 
J.  Hastings  Bean,  J.  W. 
John  B.  Chapman,  Sec. 

1889. 
Jarvis  C.  Billings,  W.  M. 
Julius  P.  Skillings,  S.  W. 
Nathaniel  F.  Brown,  J.  W. 
David  Bridge,  Sec. 


There  have  been  many  changes  by  death  and  removal  since  the 
lodge  was  constituted.  Among  the  dead,  are  William  F.  Foster, 
John  H.  Douglass,  Lawson  C.  Smith,  Moses  Pattee,  Oliver  H. 
Mason,  Nathaniel  T.  True,  Samuel  F.  Gibson,  Daniel  W.  Towne, 
John  Holt,  Cyrus  Wormell  and  Newton  Swift. 

The  following  were  reported  members  in  good  standing  in  eighteen 
hundred  and  ninety : 


Hollis  Abbot, 
Chas.  M.  Anderson, 
Horace  C.  Andrews, 
Arthur  V.  Barker, 
Eben  H.  Barker, 
Leander  T.  Barker, 
Joseph  F.  Barden, 
Solon  Bartlett, 
George  O.  Bean, 
B.  Kendall  Bean, 
Gilmau,  P.  Bean, 
John  Hastings  Bean, 
Hem  an  N.  Bean, 
Elijah  S.  Berry, 
J.  Frank  Ballard, 
Wm.  A.  Bragg, 


Samuel  A.  Brock, 
Simeon  H.  Bean, 
Nathaniel  Y.  Brown, 
Aldana  Brooks, 
E.  I.  Brown, 
David  Bridge, 
James  M.  Brown, 
AVilliam  Beavins, 
Jarvis  C.  Billings, 
S.  W.  Butterfield, 
Wm.  L.  Carter, 
Horatio  T.  Chase, 
Moses  R.  Chandler, 
Marcus  W.  Chandler, 
Fred  Clark, 
Ezra  M.  Cross, 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 


403 


John  B.  Chapmau, 
Warren  O.  Douglass, 
True  E.  Estes, 
Hiram  E.  EUingwood, 
Samuel  K.  Estes, 
Samuel  A.  Eames, 
Seth  C.  Farrington, 
Richard  A.  Frye, 
Chas.  A.  Frost, 
Enoch  Foster, 
Thomas  G.  Flint, 
Wm.  L.  Fickett, 
Biou  L.  Folsom, 
AVm.  L.  Grover, 
Wm.  B.  Godwin, 
AlvanlB.  Godwin, 
Elijah  B.  Goddard, 
Edward  M.  Gibson, 
D.  Milton  Grover, 
Albert  W.  Grover, 
George  W.  Haskell, 
Georae  P.  Hall, 
Wm.^C.  Howe, 
Geo.  R.  Holt, 
Daniel  S.  Hastings, 
Charles  H.  Hersey, 
Joseph  Hutchins, 
Charles  D.  Hill, 
T.  O.  Jordan, 
Charles  S.  Johnson, 
Eben  S.  Kilborn, 
Chas.  W.  Kimball, 
Calvin  M.  Kimball, 
Asa  Kimball, 
Israel  G.  Kimball, 
Marcus  E.  Kilgore, 
C.  C.  Kimball, 


Wm.  F.  Lovejoy, 
Davis  G.  Lovejoy, 
Edwin  R.  Lane, 
Jonas  G.  Lary, 
Talleyrand  G.  Lary, 
Wm.  W.  Mason, 
Oliver  H.  Mason, 
Moses  A.  Mason, 
Charles  Mason, 
John  A.  Morton, 
Harry  H.  McKeen, 
Elijah  K.  Morrill, 
Moses  Pattee,  2d, 
Charles  H.  L.  Powers, 
Samuel  D.  Philbrook, 
Wm.  Philbrook, 
Ceylon  Rowe, 
L3'man  W.  Russell, 
Joshua  G.  Rich, 
Newton  E.  Richardson, 
Wm.  O.  Straw, 
Simeon  W.  Sanborn, 
Wm.  E.  Skillings, 
Julius  P.  Skillings, 
Adelbert  C.  Scribner^ 
Nathaniel  Trask, 
Rufus  J.  Virgin, 
Seth  Walker, 
Abner  W.  West, 
Goodwin  R.  Wilej', 
Elbridge  G.  Wheeler, 
Harlan  P.  Wheeler, 
Albert  L.  Widber, 
Solomon  R.  Widber, 
Caleb  Wight,  Jr., 
Oscar  F.  Whitman, 
Cyrus  M.  Wormell. 


Odd  Fellows. 


Mt.  Abram  Lodge,  No.  31,  w^as  instituted  at  Bethel,  October  3, 
1873.  The  charter  members  were  A.  M.  True,  J.  T.  Chapman,  R. 
L.  Lurvey,  E.  W.  Scribner,  J.  F.  Pressey,  Clifton  Jones,  O.  D. 
Clough. 

Officers  were  elected  and  installed  as  follows : 


A.  M.  True,  Noble  Grand. 
J.  T.  Chapman,  Vice  Grand. 


R.  L.  Lurvey,  Secretary. 
H.  W.  Gage,  Treasurer. 


404 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 


Following  is  a  list  of  officers 
election  : 

July,  1874. 

A.  M.  True,  N.  G. 
O.  D.  Clough,  V.  G. 
J.  S.  Record,  Sec, 
R.  L.  Lurvey,  Per.  Sec. 
Charles  Mason,  Treas. 

July,  1875. 
O.  D.  Clough,  N.  G. 
Fred  Clark,  V.  G. 
•C.  C.  Gerrish,  Sec. 
A.  B.  Stevens,  Per.  Sec. 
Charles  Mason,  Treas. 

July,  1876. 

George  Brown,  N.  G. 
Eben  Clough,  Jr.,  Y.  G. 
J.  M.  Twitchell,  Sec. 
A.  B.  Stevens,  Per.  Sec. 
Hiram  Youug,  Treas. 

July,  1877. 

G.  W.  Haskell,  N.  G. 
Milton  Holt,  V.  G. 
J.  M.  Freeman,  Sec. 
A.  B.  Stevens,  Per.  Sec. 
Hiram  Young,  Treas. 

July,  1878. 

T.  B.  Kendall,  N.  G. 
Frank  Leach,  V.  G. 
D.  C.  Rose,  Sec. 
A.  B.  Stevens,  Per.  Sec. 
Hiram  Youug,  Treas. 

July,  1879. 
J.  T.  Beavins,  N.  G. 
Charles  Brown,  Y.  G. 
D.  C.  Rose,  Sec. 
A.  B.  Stevens,  Per.  Sec. 
Hiram  Young,  Treas. 

July,  1880. 
A.  M.  True,  N.  G. 
T.  H.  Jewett,  V.  G. 
John  B.  Chapman,  Sec. 
A.  B.  Stevens,  Per.  Sec. 
Hiram  Youug,  Treas. 


elected  semi-annually  since  the  first 

January,  1875. 
J.  T.  Chapman,  N.  G. 
Fred  Clark,  Y.  G. 
Everett  Hammons,  Sec. 
R.  L.  Lnrvey,  Per.  Sec. 
Charles  Mason,  Treas. 

January,  1876. 

Fred  Clark,  N.  G. 

C.  M.  C.  Bishop,  Y.  G. 

R.  L.  Lurvey,  Sec. 

A.  B.  Stevens,  Per.  Sec. 

Hiram  Young,  Treas. 

January,  1877. 
Eber  Clough,  Jr.,  N.  G. 
G.  W.  Haskell,  V.  G. 
A.  M.  True,  Sec. 
A.  B.  Stevens,  Per.  Sec. 
Hiram  Young,  Treas. 

January,  1878. 

A.  M.  True,  N.  G. 
T.  B.  Kendall,  V.  G. 
J.  M.  Freeman,  Sec. 
A.  B.  Stevens,  Per.  Sec. 
Hiram  Young,  Treas. 

January,  1879. 

J.  F.  Leach,  N.  G. 
J.  S.  Stevens,  Y.  G. 
D.  C.  Rose,  Sec. 
A.  B.  Stevens,  Per.  Sec. 
Hiram  Young,  Treas. 

January,  1880. 

Charles  E.  Brown,  N.  G. 
Joseph  S.  Mason,  Y.  G. 
D.  C.  Rose,  Sec. 
A.  B.  Stevens,  Per.  Sec. 
Hiram  Young,  Treas. 

January,  1881. 

T.  H.  Jewett,  N.  G. 
Milton  Holt,  V.  G. 
John  B.  Chapman,  Sec. 
D.  C.  Rose,  Per.  Sec. 
Hiram  Youug,  Treas. 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 


405 


July,  1881. 
Milton  Holt,  N.  G. 
W.  E.  Skillius,  V.  G. 
John  B.  Chapman,  Sec. 
D.  C.  Rose,  Per.  Sec. 
Hiram  Young,  Treas. 

July,  1882. 
W.  W.  Virgin,  N.  G. 
Wilson  Haramons,  Y.  G. 
John  B.  Chapman,  Sec. 
D.  C.  Eose,  Per.  Sec. 
Hiram  Young,  Treas. 

July,  1883. 
S.  I.  French,  N.  G. 
Charles  Bisbee,  V.  G. 
A.  M.  True,  Sec. 
John  B.  Chapman,  Per.  Sec. 
Hiram  Young,  Treas. 

July,  1884. 

W.  W.  Virgin,  N.  G. 
Tristram  H.  Durrell,  V.  G. 
A.  M.  True,  Sec. 
John  B.  Chapman,  Per.  Sec. 
Hiram  Young,  Treas. 

July,  1885. 
Alfred  W.  Valentine,  N.  G. 
Henry  Farwell,  V.  G. 
A.  M.  True,  Sec. 
John  B.  Chapman,  Per.  Sec. 
Hiram  Young,  Treas. 

July,  1886. 

Henry  Farwell,  N.  G. 
Harold  B.  Chapman,  V.  G. 
A.  M.  True,  Sec. 
John  B.  Chapman,  Per.  Sec. 
Hiram  Young,  Treas. 

July,  1887. 

S.  I.  French,  N.  G. 
Wallace  Farwell,  \.Q. 
Charles  Mason,  Sec. 
Alfred  AV.  Valentine,  Per.  Sec. 
Hiram  Young,  Treas. 


January,  1882. 

S.  I.  French,  N.  G. 
W.  W.  Virgiu,  V.  G. 
John  B.  Chapman,  Sec. 
D.  C.  Rose,  Per.  Sec. 
Hiram  Young,  Treas. 

January,  1883. 

Wilson  Hammons,  N.  G. 

J.  F.  Leach,  V.  G. 

A.  M.  True,  Sec. 

John  B.  Chapman,  Per.  Sec. 

Hiram  Young,  Treas. 

January,  1884. 

Calvin  Bisbee,  N.  G. 
George  O.  Abbott,  V.  G. 
A.  M.  True,  Sec. 
John  B.  Chapman,  Per.  Sec. 
Hiram  Young,  Treas. 

.January,  1885. 
Tristram  H.  Durrell,  N.  G. 
Alfred  AV.  Valentine,  V.  G. 
A.  M.  True,  Sec. 
John  B.  Chapman,  Per.  Sec. 
Hiram  Young,  Treas. 

January,  1886. 

Alfred  W.  Valentine,  N.  G. 
Henry  Farwell,  V.  G. 
A.  M.  True,  Sec. 
John  B.  Chapman,  Per.  Sec. 
Hiram  Young,  Treas. 

January,  1887. 

Henry  Farwell,  N.  G.- 
Harold B.  Chapman,  V.  G. 
A.  M.  True,  Sec. 
Alfred  W.  Valentine,  Per.  Sec. 
Hiram  Young,  Treas. 

January,  1888. 
Wallace  Farwell,  N.  G. 
William  C.  Turner,  V.  G. 
Henry  Farwell,  Sec. 
Alfred  W.  Valentine,  Per.  Sec. 
Hiram  Young,  Treas. 


406 


HIS  TOBY   OF  BETHEL. 


July,  1888. 

William  C.  Tiiruer,  N.  G. 
Charles  E.  Beusou,  V.  G. 
Henry  Farweil,  Sec. 
Morton  G.  Bnrbank,  Per  Sec. 
S.  I.  French,  Treas. 

July,  1889. 

Charles  E.  Benson,  N.  G. 
Charles  Mason,  V.  G. 
Henry  Farweil,  See. 
Morton  G.  Burbank,  Per.  Sec. 
S.  I.  French,  Treas. 

July,  1890. 

Charles  Mason,  N.  G. 
Thomas  B.  Kendall,  V.  G. 
Chauncey  B.  Br3^ant,  Sec. 
Fred  L.  Edwards,  Per.  Sec. 
S.  I.  French,  Treas. 

July,  1891. 
Gustavus  A.  Burbank,  N.  G. 
Chauncey  C.  Bryant,  V.  G. 
Henry  Farweil,  Sec. 
Fred  L.  Edwards,  Per.  Sec. 
S.  I.  French,  Treas. 


January,  1889. 

Charles  E.  Benson,  N.  G. 
Charles  Mason,  V.  G. 
Henr}'  Farweil,  Sec. 
Morton  G.  Burbank,  Per.  Sec. 
S.  I.  French,  Treas. 

Januaiy,  1890. 
Charles  Mason,  N.  G. 
Thomas  B.  Kendall,  V.  G. 
Henr}'  Farweil,  Sec. 
Fred  L.  Edwards,  Per.  Sec. 
S.  I.  French,  Treas. 

January-,  1891. 

Thomas  B.  Kendall,  N.  G. 
Charles  G.  Kimball,  V.  G. 
Chaunce}'  B.  Bryant,  Sec. 
Fred  L.  Edwards,  Per.  Sec. 
S.  I.  French,  Treas. 


Grand  Army  ok  thk  Rki'lt.lic. 

Cuvier  Grover  Post,  number  30,  was  organized  at  Bethel  Hill, 
April  thirtieth,  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-eight,  and  flourished  for 
a  time,  but  ceased  to  exist  prior  to  eighteen  hundred  and  seventy- 
seven.  Of  the  first  fortj^-eight  posts  organized  in  the  State  prior  to 
eighteen  hundred  and  seventy,  thirty-nine  became  defunct  prior  to 
eighteen  hundred  and  seventy-seven.  There  were  various  causes 
operating  to  bring  about  this  result  which  need  not  be  mentioned. 

Brow^n  Post,  number  84,  w^as  chartered  August  twenty-third, 
eighteen  hundred  and  eighty-three.  It  was  named  in  memory  of 
Harlan  Page  Brown,  who  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Antietam,  and 
of  his  brother,  Wm.  H.  H.  Brown,  who  died  while  serving  in  the 
department  of  the  Gulf.     The  charter  members  of  this  Post  were  : 


Joseph  L.  Oliver, 
Samuel  F.  Gibson, 
Justus  Aspinwall, 
Enoch  Foster, 


Frank  E.  Needham, 
Fred  A.  Clark, 
Simeon  W.  Sanborn, 
Clifton  Jones, 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  407 

James  S.  Lane,  Albion  C.  Chapmau, 

Hezekiah  G.  Masou,  Charles  R.  Bartlett, 

John  A.  Morton,  Ira  A.  Clark, 

Wm.  L.  Grover,  Ai  E.  Seavy, 

Alvin  B.  Godwin,  Asa  B.  Stowell, 

Algernon  S.  Chapman,  Wm.  H.  Gray, 

Henry  C.  Barker,  John  Lydon, 

Peter  Y.  Bean,  Charles  B.  Keith. 

Under  the  charter,  the  Post  was  organized  by  the  choice  of  Enoch 
Foster,  Commander ;  Wm.  L.  Grover,  Senior  Vice  Commander ; 
Alfred  M.  Trne,  Adjutant,  and  Samuel  F.  Gibson,  Quartermaster. 
The  post  has  had  a  good  degree  of  success  and  has  steadily  gained 
in  numbers  and  influence.  Seventy-nine  persons  have  joined  the 
Post,  and  the  present  number  is  sixty-five.  The  falling  off  has  been 
occasioned  by  deaths  and  removals  from  town,  mostly  the  former. 
The  present  (1891)  officers  are:  John  A.  Morton,  Commander; 
Joseph  E.  Russell,  Senior  Vice  Commander;  James  H.  Barrows, 
Junior  Vice  Commander;  Algernon  S.  Chapman,  (Quartermaster; 
Alfred  M.  True,  Adjutant,  and  Abial  Chandler,  Jr.,  Chaplain. 
Connected  with  the  Post  is  a  well  managed  and  flourishing  Ladies 
Relief  Corps. 

Knights  of  Pythias. 
A  Lodge  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias  was  instituted  at  Bethel  Hill, 
but  for  some  cause  it  did  not  take  deep  root,  although  started  hy 
leading  citizens  of  the  villaoe,  and  it  soon  became  defunct. 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 
Bethel  Hill. 


HE  village  of  Bethel  Hill,  now  recognized  as  the  most 
attractive  and  beautiful  in  the  county,  if  not  in  the  State, 
has  had  for  the  most  part  a  slow  and  steady  growth. 
Middle  Interval  being  situated  in  the  center  of  the  town,  was  to  a 
certain  extent,  the  center  of  business,  and  it  was  at  one  time  sup- 
posed that  quite  a  village  would  be  built  up  there.  The  town  meet- 
ings were  held  there,  and  the  military  trainings  and  other  town 
gatherings  were  also  had  there,  but  it  lacked  the  elements  of  perma- 
nent growth,  in  that  it  had  no  water  power,  and  this  being  before 
the  days  of  the  application  of  steam  to  machinery,  no  important 
manufactures  could  be  there  established.  On  the  other  hand.  Bethel 
Hill  had  the  best  water  power  in  town,  and  the  early  establishment 
of  mills  here,  naturally  drew  settlers    around  them.     As   late    as 


408  HISTORY    OF  BETHEL. 

eighteen  hundred  and  fourteen,  Doctor  True  has  put  on  record  that 
there  were  but  four  dwelling  houses  within  the  present  limits  of  the 
village.  One  of  these  was  the  "castle,"  and  stood  near  the  top  of 
Mill  Hill,  back  of  w^here  the  old  Bethel  House  stood  before  it  was 
burned ;  another  was  situated  on  the  spot  where  the  present  Bethel 
House  stands,  and  was  owned  and  occupied  by  James  Walker  ;  one, 
the  Amos  Hastings  house,  stood  where  Gideon  A.  Hastings'  house 
now  stands,  and  was  moved  across  the  street,  and  is  now  occupied 
by  Alfred  Twitchell,  and  the  other,  the  Doctor  Mason  house,  was 
built  that  year. 

It  is  said  that  when  Doctor  Mason  built  his  house,  great  commo- 
tion was  caused  in  the  neighborhood,  because  he  placed  it  so  high 
above  the  ground,  and  a  committee  was  raised  to  wait  on  the  Doc- 
tor and  remonstrate  with  him.  They  did  not  think  it  would  stand. 
Just  before  the  first  broad-side  was  raised,  according  to  the  custom 
of  those  days.  Parson  Gould  invoked  the  Divine  blessing,  and  then 
the  flowing  bowl  was  passed,  of  which  minister  and  all  freely  par- 
took. A  store  was  situated  where  the  Albert  Stiles'  cottage  house 
now  stands,  and  was  the  first  painted  l)uilding  in  the  village.  It 
went  by  the  name  of  the  "red  store,"  but  it  was  a  small  affair  and 
was  subsequently  hauled  to  the  Phineas  Stearns  place,  and  was  used 
by  him  as  his  saddler's  shop.  The  first  blacksmith  shop  stood  north 
of  the  block  of  stores,  on  the  spot  where  "Wiuslow  Heywood's  house 
was  burned  a  few  years  ago  in  war  time.  The  first  carding  mill 
was  connected  with  the  grist  mill,  and  in  eighteen  hundred  and 
fourteen,  Joseph  Twitchell  and  others  built  a  carding  mill  and  cloth- 
ing mill,  where  it  ever  after  stood.  Caleb  Rowe  was  the  first  to 
have  charge  of  them.  The  first  school  house  on  the  Hill  was  moved 
here  from  Francis  Barker's  place  near  the  ferry,  and  occupied  the 
spot  where  the  rear  store  occupied  by  the  late  Abner  Davis  now 
stands.  Dr.  John  Grover  taught  the  first  school  in  the  village. 
The  next  school  house  stood  on  the  north  side  of  Main  street  near 
Robertson's  shop.  In  eighteen  hundred  and  fourteen,  there  was 
but  little  glass  in  use  for  windows  in  town.  Seven  inches  by  nine 
was  the  only  size  used,  and  this  was  worth  nine  pence  a  square. 
Lime  was  worth  seven  dollars  the  cask,  and  nails  were  a  shilling  per 
pound.  It  is  said  that  Doctor  Mason  sold  the  tract  of  land  on 
Main  street  where  Leander  T.  Barker  and  two  others  now  live,  for 
a  clock  case,  which  he  used  as  long  as  he  lived,  and  which  is  still  in 
existence. 


o 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  409 

In  eighteen  hundred  and  thirty-five,  there  was  not  more  than  one 
or  two  houses  on  church  street,  and  scarcely  any  on  Main  street, 
from  the  common  to  where  the  railway  station  now  is.  In  eighteen 
hundred  and  eighteen,  a  Mr.  George  Crawford  bought  an  acre  of 
land  in  the  rear  of  the  Chapman  store,  and  extending  across  the 
street  to  include  the  store  formerly  occupied  by  Abner  Davis,  for 
the  small  sum  of  sixty-five  dollars.  Within  the  memory  of  many 
now  living,  the  land  between  the  dwelling  house  of  S3dvester  Rob- 
ertson and  that  of  Charles  Mason,  was  an  alder  swamp.  On  Broad 
street,  once  called  the  Norway  road,  the  late  William  I" rye  owned 
and  occupied  a  house,  in  which  some  of  the  family  still  live.  Oppo- 
site the  John  Harris  place,  now  occupied  b}^  Charles  H.  Harris, 
stood  the  humble  Methodist  parsonage,  occupied  by  many  families 
beside  ministers,  and  was  taken  down  to  give  place  to  the  elegant 
residence  of  Addison  E,  Herrick.  The  first  painted  house  in  the 
village  was  the  Doctor  Mason  house,  and  people  thought  him  very 
extravagant.  When  he  put  blinds  on  his  house,  it  was  said  that  he 
was  becoming  very  aristocratic.  The  first  sofa  in  town  was  owned 
by  Doctor  Mason,  and  was  made  by  Marshall  Bonney,  the  first 
cabinet-maker  in  the  village,  in  eighteen  hundred  and  twenty-one. 
The  first  chaise  in  town  was  owned  by  Parson  Gould,  in  the  year 
eighteen  hundred,  and  was  regarded  as  a  great  curiosity.  Captain 
John  Harris  brought  the  first  barrel  of  flour  into  town  in  eighteen 
hundred  and  twenty-four.  General  John  Chandler  was  carried 
through  the  town  in  a  chaise  in  eighteen  hundred  and  fourteen,  on 
his  return  from  captivity  at  Quebec,  and  the  affair  caused  great 
excitement  among  the  inhabitants.  The  first  meeting  house  on  the 
Hill  was  erected  in  eighteen  hundred  and  forty-seven,  and  dedicated 
March  first  of  the  following  year.  The  house  near  the  river  bank 
was  built  in  eighteen  hundred  and  six.  A  bridge  was  built  across 
the  river  at  Barker's  Ferry  in  eighteen  hundred  and  thirty-nine,  and 
the  same  was  swept  away  by  an  ice  freshet  in  January  following. 
The  academy  was  built  in  eighteen  hundred  and  thirty-six.  In 
eighteen  hundred  and  forty-eight,  the  population  of  the  village  was 
one  hundred  and  ninety-nine  ;  in  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty-five, 
four  hundred  and  four,  and  in  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty,  six  hun- 
dred and  two.  The  Universalist  church  was  built  in  eighteen 
hundred  and  fifty-three-four,  and  the  Methodist  in  eighteen  hundred 
and  sixt}'. 

The  steam  saw  mill  was  built  on  the  Sanborn  farm  in  eighteen 


410  HIS  TOBY  OF  BETHEL. 

hundred  and  fifty-four,  by  Albert  H.  and  William  Gerrish,  Joseph 
B.  Hammond  and  others.  The  first  train  of  cars  to  Bethel,  over 
the  Atlantic  and  Saint  Lawrence  railroad,  arrived  in  March,  eigh- 
teen hundred  and  fifty-one.  This  was  an  important  era  in  the  his- 
tory of  the  village  and  town.  In  the  few  following  years,  the  village 
made  a  large  growth  both  in  wealth,  business  and  population.  To 
this  growth,  during  these  years,  no  man  contributed  more  than 
Clark  S.  Edwards.  He  was  in  trade,  carried  on  farming  and  lum- 
bering, and  built  a  large  number  of  dwelling  houses  and  other 
buildings.  The  village  expanded  in  every  direction  ;  swampy  places 
were  filled,  hills  levelled,  and  rough  places  made  smooth. 

The  early  as  well  as  the  later  interest  of  Bethel  Hill  centered  at 
the  Common.  Lots  bordering  upon  it  were  regarded  as  desirable, 
although  in  the  early  times  the  choicest  parcels  sold  at  a  very  low 
price.  The  village  is  situated  upon  the  mill  lots,  and  as  the  Twitch- 
ells  built  the  mills,  they  were  the  early  proprietors  of  these  lots. 
Eleazer  Twitchell  disposed  of  a  part  of  them  before  his  death, 
largel}'  to  his  sons  and  sons-in-law,  and  at  his  death,  his  heirs 
inherited  the  balance.  James  Walker  was  among  the  first  to  pur- 
chase land  adjoining  the  Common.  He  purchased  of  Eleazer 
Twitchell,  the  land  north  of  the  Common,  and  near  the  beginning 
of  the  century  commenced  trade.  He  also  bought  other  lands,  but 
he  became  financially  i-nibMi  rassed,  and  in  eighteen  hundred  and 
twelve,  deeded  most  of  his  real  estate  to  his  creditors.  He  became 
a  preacher.  In  eighteen  hundred  and  thirty-two,  James  Walker 
sold  the  land  north  of  the  Common  to  Robert  A.  Chapman,  who 
commenced  his  active,  Ijusiuess  life  in  a  small  store  erected  upon  it, 
part  of  which  he  used  as  a  dwelling  house. 

In  eighteen  hundred  and  twenty-one,  Jacob  Ellingwood  sold  to 
O'Neil  W.  Robinson,  the  land  bordering  the  Common  on  tlie  easterly 
side,  and  Robinson  built  a  house  and  store  upon  it.  In  eighteen 
hundred  and  thirty-five,  Robinson  sold  out  to  Robert  A.  Chapman, 
and  moved  to  Portland,  and  subsequently  to  Waterford.  He  also 
sold  Chapman  a  tract  of  land  of  near  twenty-five  acres,  as  shown  in 
the  chapter  on  laud  transfers.  Edmund  Merrill  bought  the  land 
west  of  the  Common.  Robert  Chapman  bought  of  Hiram  Allen, 
six  and  one-half  acres  of  land  on  the  Rumford  road  in  eighteen  hun- 
dred and  thirty-six.  Eleazer  Twitchell  sold  land  next  above  the 
Chapman  place,  to  Dr.  Moses  Mason,  who  built  upon  it  in  eighteen 
hundred  and  fourteen,  and  lived    and    died    there.      After   Jacob 


HIS  TOBY    OF  BETHEL.  411 

Ellingwood  sold  to  Robinson,  he  put  up  a  house  at  the  southwest  of 
the  Common.  This,  he  or  his  heirs  sold  to  Doctor  John  Grover, 
who  lived  there  many  3'ears.  The  place  is  now  "The  Elms."  John 
Oliver  bought  a  lot  north  of  the  Chapman  lot,  extending  to  the 
corner  and  had  a  hatter's  shop  upon  it.  The  Ellingwoods,  Jacob 
and  Ebenezer,  were  shoemakers,  and  both  had  shops  bordering  the 
Common.  Oliver's  small  house  was  near  where  Judge  Foster's 
office  now  is.  John  and  Timoth}-  Hastings  bought  of  Eleazer 
Twitchell,  the  land  where  the  two  Hastings  houses  now  stand.  At 
that  time,  all  south  of  that  was  either  pasture  or  woods.  John 
Harris  bought  the  place  where  Freeman  Twitchell  had  begun  a 
liouse,  and  Charles  H.  Harris  now  lives  upon  it.  John  Harris  came 
here  from  Westbrook.  He  bought  half  of  the  clothing  and  wool- 
carding  establishment  of  James  Walker,  was  in  trade,  purchased 
extensive  tracts  of  land  and  became  forehanded.  The  Jacob  Elling- 
wood house,  taken  from  the  lot  he  sold  to  Eobiuson,  was  moved 
away  and  is  still  occupied,  and  his  shoemaker's  shop  he  sold  to 
Calvin  Stearns,  who  moved  it  to  the  John  Kimball  place  opposite 
the  academy  ;  it  was  afterwards  moved  farther  down  the  hill  toward 
the  river.  The  John  Oliver  house  was  sold  to  Frederic  Ballard,  and 
moved  down  where  Moses  T.  Cross  afterwards  lived,  and  was 
enlarged  by  Isaac  B.  Littlehale  ;  his  hatter's  shop  was  sold  to 
George  Chapman,  moved  to  the  lot  where  Edwin  C.  Rowe's  store 
now  is,  and  was  converted  into  a  store.  James  AValker  built  a  store 
and  house  connected,  south  of  the  Common.  Walker  sold  out  to 
his  creditors,  and  they  to  Ezra  T.  Russell,  who  built  the  house  after- 
wards the  Elbridge  Chapman  place,  and  which  was  moved  to  give 
place  to  the  Bethel  House  built  by  Frank  S.  and  William  H.  Chan- 
dler. Russell  exchanged  the  property  with  Jedediah  Burbank,  for 
what  was  known  as  the  old  Bethel  House  and  which  was  burned. 
Burbank  sold  to  David  Coffin  and  Coffin  to  Elbridge  Chapman. 

Marshall  Bonney,  cabinet-maker,  bought  the  land  on  the  east  side 
of  Church  street,  and  on  the  west  side  of  the  Rum  ford  road — the 
heater,  containing  about  three  acres.  He  built  a  house  where  Hiram 
Allen  afterwards  lived,  to  whom  Bonney  sold.  In  eighteen  hun- 
dred and  thirty-six,  Oilman  Chapman  bought  of  Allen,  the  entire 
property  for  seven  hundred  dollars.  The  Allen  house  was  moved 
just  below  Robertson's  cabinet  shop,  and  is  now  the  Methodist  par- 
sonage. Gilman  Chapman  built  ilie  store  where  the  post  office  now 
(1891)  is,  in  eighteen  hundred  and  thirty-seven.     The  place  north 


412  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

of  the  Commou  has  had  various  owners,  and  has  undergone  many 
changes  since  Robert  A.  Chapman  owned  it ;  it  was  enlarged  and 
much  improA'ed  by  Ira  C.  Kimball.  The  beautiful  elms  around  it 
were  set  out  by  Robert  A.  Chapman.  Other  ornamental  trees  along 
Broad  street  and  around  the  Common  were  for  the  most  part  set  out 
by  the  early  owners.  Hon.  William  Frye  as  administrator  of  the 
estate  of  Jacob  Ellingwood  who  died  Cjuite  early,  sold  various  par- 
cels of  land  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Common,  and  Sylvanus  Twitchell, 
who  moved  to  Orono,  sold  land  to  William  Frye,  Timothy  AVight 
and  John  Harris.  Wight  subsequently  sold  his  homestead  contain- 
ing fourteen  acres  situated  on  the  old  Norway  road  and  adjoining 
William  Frye's  homestead  lot,  to  John  Harris.  For  other  transfers 
of  real  estate  around  the  Hill  and  in  other  parts  of  the  town,  the 
reader  is  referred  to  the  chapter  relating  to  land  transfers.  Eli 
Twitchell,  sou  of  Dea.  Ezra  Twitchell,  was  in  trade  on  the  hill  at 
one  time,  and  the  store  he  occupied  is  now  part  of  the  Sylvester 
Robertson  house. 

The  store  where  Robert  and  Elbridge  Chapman  long  traded,  and 
which  was  built  by  O'Neil  W.  Robinson,  was  burned,  and  then  Rob- 
ert A.  Chapman  built  and  occupied  the  store  which  he  sold  to 
Samuel  A.  Brock.  He  then  built  the  store  where  Ira  C.  Jordan 
now  trades  and  occupied  it  with  Enoch  W.  Woodbury.  Afterwards 
Woodbury  &  Purrington  built  the  store  where  they  now  trade,  on 
the  spot  where  Charles  Mason's  store  was  burned.  The  steam  mill 
above  the  Hill,  then  owned  by  Lynch  and  the  Springs  of  Portland, 
was  burned  in  war  time,  was  rebuilt,  and  has  since  been  burned  and 
rebuilt.  Dr.  Almon  Twitchell  built  the  house  where  his  daughter 
Mrs.  Anna  French  now  lives  ;  W.  J.  Hayden  bought  the  Bouney- 
AUen  house,  moved  it  and  built  upon  the  spot ;  Benjamin  Freeman 
built  the  Doctor  Gordon  house  ;  Livingston  G.  Robinson  bought  the 
house  formerly  occupied  by  the  widow  of  Rev.  Charles  Frost,  and 
the  same  is  now  owned  by  the  widow  of  Abner  Davis.  The  widow 
of  Dr.  John  Grover  built  the  house  now  occupied  by  Dr.  John  A. 
Twaddle,  and  Newton  Grover  the  one  now  occupied  by  Pinckney 
Burnham.  Horace  Andrews  bought  the  John  Kimball  place  and 
made  extensive  changes,  and  Goodwin  R.  Wiley  built  and  occupies 
the  elegant  liouse  below  the  academy.  Isaac  B.  Littlehale  built  a 
house  and  long  lived  on  Church  street.  Richard  A.  Frye  built  on 
part  of  his  father's  home  lot,  which  was  a  full  acre.  Hon.  David 
Hammons  built  the  fiue  house  where  his  widow  recently  lived,  and 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  413 

Addison  E.  Herrick  erected  his  beautiful  residence  on  the  spot  of 
the  old  Methodist  parsonage,  and  purchased  of  the  Harris  heirs  a 
portion  of  the  old  Timothy  Wight  place.  On  Main  street,  after 
passing  the  stores,  are  the  houses  built  by  Moses  Pattee,  Gilman 
'Chapman  and  others,  on  the  left,  and  on  the  right  those  of  widow- 
Hiram  Young,  Leander  T.  Barker,  erected  by  his  father,  Timothy 
Barker,  and  others,  most  of  which  have  been  constructed  in  com- 
paratively modern  times.  The  older  dwellings  are  of  the  "Mansion 
house"  style,  square  and  substantially  built.  The  first  variation 
from  this  was  the  cottage  still  standing  at  the  north  of  the  Common 
and  west  of  the  Skillings  house  and  built  by  Albert  Stiles.  1  well 
remember  when  this  house  was  constructed,  the  frame  consisting  of 
three  by  four  joist,  and  how  the  old  people  shook  their  heads,  and 
«aid  it  would  not  stand.  But  it  has  stood  for  nearly  two  score 
years,  and  bids  fair  to  stand  many  years  longer.  The  standard 
color  for  the  early  houses  was  snowy  white  with  green  window 
blinds,  and  in  some  cases  a  fan-like  ornament  over  the  front  door, 
as  stQl  seen  in  the  Doctor  Mason  and  the  John  Hastings  houses. 
These  two  old  citizens,  and  also  O'Neil  W.  Robinson  married  sis- 
ters, whose  maiden  name  was  Straw,  and  Broad  street,  on  Avhich 
they  once  lived  in  a  row,  was  once  called  Straw  street.  Many  of 
the  village  houses  are  still  white,  but  the  introduction  of  chemical 
paints  has  served  to  somewhat  break  up  the  monotony. 

A  Village  Corporation,  embracing  the  fifteenth  and  thirtieth  school 
districts  was  chartered  by  an  act  of  the  Legislature,  approved  Feb- 
ruary sixteenth,  eighteen  hundred  and  eighty-nine.  Its  purposes 
according  to  the  terms  of  the  charter,  were  :  to  provide  for  a  Fire 
Department ;  to  construct  sidewalks  and  sewers  ;  to  improve  Bethel 
Common  and  Kimball  Park  ;  to  provide  for  a  Police  ;  for  lighting 
the  streets  and  for  school  purposes.  The  charter  was  accepted  at  a 
meeting  held  April  twenty-seventh,  eighteen  hundred  and  eight}^- 
nine,  and  the  following  oflScers  chosen  :  Wm.  E.  Skillings,  Goodwin 
R.  Wiley  and  Addison  E.  Herrick,  a  committee  to  draft  and  present 
by-laws;  Goodwin  R.  Wiley,  clerk;  Wm.  E.  Skillings,  Josiah  U. 
Purington  and  Eben  S.  Kilburne,  assessors  ;  Edwin  C.  Rowe,  treas- 
urer ;  Jarvis  C.  Billings,  collector,  and  Calvin  Bisbee,  auditor;  fire 
police,  Ceylon  Rowe,  H.  C.  Barker,  Ira  Clark,  W.  D.  Hastiugs, 
Addison  E.  Herrick,  Charles  Mason,  Fred  L.  Edwards,  Nathaniel 
F.  Brown,  Jarvis  C.  Billings,  Alfred  M.  True,  Cyrus  M.  Wormell 
and  John  B.  Chapman.     The  corporation  has  proceeded  in  accord- 


414  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

ance  with  the  terms  of  its  charter,  has  provided  hydrants  at  various 
points,  organized  an  efficient  Fire  Department,  built  a  lock-up,  and 
made  improvements  in  various  directions.  Its  officers  for  the  cur- 
rent year  (1891)  are:  Clerk,  Goodwin  R.  Wiley;  Assessors, 
Charles  Mason,  Eben  S.  Kilburne,  H.  C.  Andrews ;  Treasurer, 
Edwin  C.  Rowe ;  Auditor,  Richard  A.  Fr3'e ;  Collector,  N.  F. 
Brown  ;  Chief  Engineer,  Goodwin  R.  Wiley  ;  First  assistant,  N.  F. 
Brown  ;  Second,  George  A.  King ;  Fire  Police,  Ce3^1ou  Rowe,  W. 

D.  Hastings,  Addison  E.  Herrick,  H.  C.  Barker,  Clark  S.  Edwards, 
Gideon  A.  Hastings,  Davis  Lovejoy,  John  Coburn,  F.  C.  Bartlett, 
Cyrus  M.  Worm  ell,  Ira  Clark  and  John  B.  Chapman. 

The  Bethel  Water  Company  was  chartered  by  the  Legislature, 
February  sixteenth,  eighteen  hundred  and  eighty-nine.  A  leading 
object  was  to  enable  the  Village  Corporation  to  carry  out  its  pur- 
poses in  relation  to  a  fire  department.     The  corporators  were  Wm. 

E.  Skillings,  Addison  E.  Herrick,  Enoch  Foster,  Samuel  D.  Phil- 
brook,  Enoch  W.  Woodbury,  Gideon  A.  Hastings,  Gilman  P.  Bean 
and  Ceylon  Rowe.  Its  object  as  stated  in  the  charter,  is  to  supply 
the  village  of  Bethel  Hill  with  pure  water.  By  its  charter  the  com- 
pany was  authorized  to  take,  detain  and  use  the  water  of  Chapman 
brook  and  all  streams  tributary  thereto  or  running  therefrom  in  the 
towns  of  Bethel  and  Newry,  subject  to  certain  conditions,  such  as 
liability  for  damage  on  account  of  flowage,  etc.  The  organization 
of  the  company  was  completed  February  eighteenth,  eighteen  hun- 
dred and  ninety,  by  the  election  of  the  following  officers  :  President, 
Enoch  Foster ;  Secretary,  Addison  E.  Herrick  ;  Directors,  Ceylon 
Rowe,  Gideon  A.  Hastings,  Wm.  E.  Skillings,  Enoch  W.  Wood- 
bury and  Henry  M.  Bearce.  The  works  were  begun  and  completed 
in  eighteen  hundred  and  ninety,  the  water  beginning  to  flow  Novem- 
ber first.  No  contract  was  made,  but  all  labor  and  material  were 
procured  directly  by  the  company.  The  enterprise  is  a  complete 
success,  and  the  people  of  the  village  wonder  how  they  ever  got 
along  without  it.  The  water  is  abundant  and  of  superior  quality. 
The  main  pipe  is  four  and  one-half  miles  in  length  from  the  Com- 
mon, and  the  water  comes  from  Chapman  brook,  away  up  the  moun- 
tain side  above  all  impurities,  the  reservoir  being  one  hundred  and 
eighty-five  feet  above  the  level  of  the  Common.  The  analysis  of 
the  water  by  the  Secretary  of  the  State  Board  of  Health,  shows  it 
to  be  practically  pure,  and  equal  to  any  supply  in  the  State. 

Except  an  amateur  sheet  published  by  the  boys,  and  the  academy 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  415 

publications,  Bethel  has  never  had  but  one  newspaper.  This  was 
called  the  Bethel  Courier.,  and  its  initial  number  was  issued  Decem- 
ber seventeenth,  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty-eight.  It  was  a  six 
column  paper,  in  size  fourteen  by  twenty  inches,  and  bore  the  im- 
print of  Cady  &  Smith.  With  the  second  number  Dr.  Nathaniel  T. 
True  was  advertised  to  write  a  series  of  articles  on  the  early  history 
of  the  town.  With  number  three,  Mr.  Cady  retired  and  was  suc- 
ceeded by  James  Nutting.  When  thirty  numbers  had  been  issued, 
Mr.  Frank  Smith  retired  and  Mr.  Nutting  became  sole  proprietor, 
with  Doctor  True  as  editor.  This  arrangement  continued  for  fifteen 
months  when  Mr.  Nutting  sold  out  to  J.  Alden  Smith,  whose  name 
first  appears  as  proprietor  with  the  issue  for  November  second, 
eighteen  hundred  and  sixty.  The  paper  now  appeared  in  a  new 
dress,  and  Doctor  True  ceased  to  be  editor.  Mr.  Smith  continued 
to  publish  the  paper  until  July  fifth,  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty- 
one,  when  it  was  discontinued  and  its  list  transferred  to  the  Oxford 
Democrat. 

The  Bethel  Farmers'  Club  was  started  early  in  the  fifties.  The 
records  having  been  burned,  the  date  of  organization  cannot  be 
given.  Its  inception  was  due  to  the  efforts  of  Dr.  Nathaniel  T. 
True  and  Albert  L.  Burbank,  who  talked  the  matter  up,  called  a 
public  meeting,  which  was  addressed  by  Mr.  Darius  Forbes,  agri- 
cultural editor  of  the  Oxford  Democrat.,  and  an  organization  effected 
and  officers  elected.  The  club  was  in  existence  for  ten  or  twelve 
years  and  accomplished  a  great  amount  of  good.  Meetings  were 
held  at  the  houses  of  the  members  during  the  fall  and  winter  sea- 
son, and  various  topics  connected  with  the  farm,  garden  and  orchard 
were  intelligently  discussed  and  the  results  of  experiments  given. 
The  organization  of  the  club  led  to  the  trial  of  experiments,  which 
were  duly  reported.  An  outcome  of  the  club  was  the  Bethel  town 
fair,  which  in  some  seasons,  was  almost  equal  to  the  State  fair. 
The  social  advantages  of  the  club  were  of  great  importance,  a  pleas- 
ing combination  of  business  and  pleasure  whose  beneficial  results 
were  appreciable  in  a  short  time.  An  antiquai'ian  supper  under  its 
auspices,  bi'ought  out  more  curious  and  antiquated  things  than  were 
previously  known  to  exist  in  town.  It  was  a  rare  and  valuable  dis- 
play, showing  the  crude  implements  of  husbandry  used  by  our 
ancestors,  and  also  those  used  in  the  manufacture  of  articles  for 
domestic  use.  The  persons  whose  names  were  more  particularly 
associated  with  the  Bethel  Farmers'  Club,  were  Nathaniel  T.  True, 


416 


HIS  TO  BY  OF  BETHEL. 


Albert  L.  Burbank,  who  was  Secretary  most  of  the  time,  David  F. 
Brown,  Francis  Barker,  Joseph  A.  Twitchell,  Gilman  Chapman, 
John  A.  Twitchell,  Moses  A.  Mason,  Dr.  Joshua  Fanning,  Samuel 
H.  Chapman  and  Josiah  Brown.  The  Bethel  club  has  the  honor  of 
having  been  the  pioneer  in  the  movement  which  resulted  in  similar 
clubs  among  the  farmers  in  various  parts  of  the  State,  which 
flourished  until  they  were  superceded  by  the  Grange.  The  architect 
and  builder  of  the  old  Bethel  House  was  Edmund  Merrill.  He  also 
built  and  occupied  the  house  at  the  north  of  the  block  of  stores 
which  was  last  occupied  by  Winslow  Hey  wood,  and  was  burned. 


iS  IS    l»  ii!     ^  11     i 


GOULD'S  ACADEMY,  1890. 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 

P'rag.mexts. 
^^^^^^^    "Gather  up  the  fragments  that  uothiug  may  l)e  loist." 

^—fiW'^'  ^^^^^^  Mason  was  a  practical  joker,  and  was  also  very 
!^^^  quick  at  rejxtrtee.  The  maiden  name  of  his  wife  was 
*j;^%,i  Straw,  and  one  day  he  chanced  to  meet  Paul  Morse,  who 
accosted  him  with  :  "Doctor,  when  are  you  going  to  bring  your 
bundle  of  straw  over  to  see  my  wife?"  Quick  as  a  flash,  the  Doctor 
rejoined :  "After  you  have  brought  your  bunch  of  moss  over  to  see 
mine." 

The  doctor,  outside  of  his  profession,  had  but  little  education, 
but  he  was  a  man  of  influence,  and  for  many  years  controlled  the 
town  in  about  his  own  wa}'.  When  he  was  a  candidate  for  Con- 
gress he  wrote  a  letter  to  his  opponent,  in  which  the  spelling  and 
grammar  were  not  exactly  in  accordance  with  estaljlished  usage,  and 
his  opponent  hoping  to  gain  a  point  on  him,  caused  the  letter  to  be 
published  verbatim  et  literatim  ;  but  the  result  was  just  the  opposite 
of  what  he  hoped  it  might  be.  It  was  regarded  as  sucli  a  breach  of 
confidence  ;  such  a  violation  of  the  rules  of  common  courtesy,  that 
the  act  gave  the  doctor  hundreds  of  votes,  and  he  was  triumphantly 
elected  and  was  also  re-elected.  This  was  an  era  in  the  doctor's 
life  that  was  brighter  than  any  other,  and  his  experiences  there  fur- 
nished food  for  thought  and  topics  of  conversation  for  all  his  subse- 
quent life.  After  his  return  and  he  had  settled  down  to  a  quiet  life, 
waiting  for  the  sere  and  yellow  leaf,  he  erected  a  neat  building  on 
his  grounds  which  he  called  his  librar}'.  It  was  his  delight  to  show 
this  library  to  visitors  at  the  Hill,  but  it  must  have  brought  a  smile 
to  the  face  of  many  a  book  man,  when  he  saw  that  the  library  was 
made  up  entirel}^  of  bound  volumes  of  the  Congressional  Glol)e  and 
other  public  documents.  The  old  doctor  was  a  familiar  figure  at 
Bethel  Hill  for  a  long  number  of  years.     After  his  hair  which  he 

27 


418  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

wore  quite  long,  had  become  white,  with  his  blue  swallow-tailed  coat 
and  gilt  buttons,  his  buff  vest,  ruffled  shirt  and  beaver  hat,  he  was 
the  personification  of  a  fine  old  gentleman  of  the  old  school.  He 
was  interested  in  the  history  of  Bethel,  and  especially  of  the  Hill. 
He  kept  a  sort  of  record  of  events  which  has  come  into  the  posses- 
sion of  the  writer,  and  from  which  much  valuable  data  have  been 
gleaned.  On  one  page,  he  gives  an  account  of  the  sums  of  money 
he  had  received  from  the  government,  which  are  as  follows  :  As 
Postmaster  for  nineteen  years,  $400  ;  for  his  four  years  in  Congress, 
$6,880 ;  as  County  Commissioner  for  three  years,  $750 ;  from 
Bethel,  as  pay  for  services  as  Selectman  fourteen  years,  $350  ;  pay 
as  Councillor,  $800  ;  as  Trustee  of  the  Insane  Hospital,  $97  ;  as 
Justice  of  the  Peace,  $2^0  ;  to  which  he  adds  "for  medical  ser- 
vices," $8,000  ;  total  life  earnings,  $17,159. 

Mr.  Edmund  Bean,  generally  known  as  "Mr.  Ned,"  was  not  an 
educated  man,  but  he  was  a  good  farmer  and  knew  how  to  make 
money.  One  year  he  bought  in  a  large  number  of  turke3's  which  he 
drove  to  Portland.  He  had  no  trouble  with  his  drove  during  the 
day,  but  when  roosting  time  came,  they  would  fly  up  and  settle 
themselves  upon  fences  or  trees,  whichever  was  the  most  conven- 
ient, and  there  they  would  persistently  I'emain  through  the  night. 
He  finally  reached  Portland,  but  the  market  was  already  well 
stocked  and  he  could  scarcely  get  an  offer  for  them.  He  was 
advised  to  enquire  of  the  condition  of  the  Boston  market  by  tele- 
graph, and  was  instructed  where  to  go.  Presenting  himself  to  the 
operator  and  making  his  wants  known,  he  was  invited  to  take  a  seat 
and  await  the  results.  The  operator  then  sent  to  Boston,  had  a 
messenger  sent  to  Faneuil  Hall  market,  and  in  a  brief  time  the 
prices  current  of  turkeys  was  placed  in  Mr.  Bean's  hands  with  a 
demand  for  a  dollar  and  fifty  cents.  The  old  man  asked  them  to 
read  the  dispatch,  which  they  did,  and  then  he  flew  into  a  passion, 
declaring  them  cheats  and  frauds.  "Why,"  said  he,  "I've  had  my 
eye  on  you  all  the  time  ;  you  haven't  been  to  Boston  ;  you  haven't 
been  out  of  this  office,  nor  your  darned  old  tick-box  either."  After 
a  full  explanation,  the  old  man  paid  the  bill  and  went  away  happier 
and  wiser  than  when  he  went  in. 

William  Grover,  the  third  son  of  John  and  Jerusha  (Wiley) 
Grover,  was  a  young  man  of  fine  physical  form  and  development, 
and  of  great  strength  both  of  body  and  mind.     He  engaged  with  his 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  419 

father  in  the  hirabering  business.  He  was  accustomed  to  act  as 
foreman  of  gangs  of  "river  drivers"  in  delivering  logs  to  the  Bruns- 
wick saw  mills.  Th's  work  was  done  on  the  flood  stage  of  the  river, 
as  soon  as  it  was  clear  of  ice  in  the  spring,  and  was  arduous  and 
exposing  in  the  extreme.  From  this  exposure  he  became  affected 
by  severe  neuralgia  of  the  head.  A  quack  doctor  undertook  to  cure 
him  of  this.  The  quack's  mode  of  practice  was  to  heat  two  rocks 
to  steaming  heat,  place  one  each  side  of  the  patient's  head,  cover 
the  top  of  the  head  with  a  blanket  so  as  to  keep  the  steam  in,  then 
pour  water  on  the  rocks,  creating  a  profuse  steam  directly  upon  the 
head.  Under  this  system  of  torture  the  neuralgia  left  the  -patient 
but  he  soon  became  subject  to  fits,  the  brain  having  been  perma- 
nently injured,  and  he  afterwards  died  of  insanity,  thus  produced. 

In  the  year  seventeen  hundred  and  ninety-one,  wild  pigeons  in 
almost  endless  numbers,  pitched  upon  the  territory  west  of  Bethel 
Hill  as  a  brooding  place.  Here  they  laid  their  eggs  and  hatched 
their  young.  The  young  pigeons  called  squabs,  just  before  they  are 
able  to  fly,  are  very  fat  and  palatable.  The  settlers  gathered  them 
up  in  vast  numbers  and  feasted  upon  them  as  long  as  they  lasted. 
An  account  of  the  visitation  by  pigeons  the  year  above  named  was 
printed  in  the  New  York  Journal  ind  Patriotic  Register  of  July 
twentieth  of  that  year.  They  are  therein  said  to  have  been  first 
discovered  by  Mr.  Benjamin  Russell.  The  slaughter  of  the  inno- 
cents made  by  the  people,  prevented  the  parent  birds  from  selecting 
this  as  their  brooding  place  thereafter. 

The  black  bear  was  one  of  the  greatest  pests  of  the  early  settlers. 
He  destroyed  much  of  the  corn  when  it  was  in  the  milk,  and  later  was 
a  terror  to  the  flocks  of  sheep.  Eleazer  Twitchell  once  placed  a  tub 
containing  new  rum  and  molasses  in  his  corn  field,  and  going  out  in 
the  morning,  he  found  bruin  beastly  drunk.  On  waking  up  he 
found  himself  securely  chained  and  was  easily  dispatched.  The 
same  method  has  been  practiced  in  other  towns  with  similar  results. 
It  was  taking  an  unfair  advantage  of  the  beast,  but  he  should  not 
have  got  drunk,  though  in  this  respect  he  was  only  following  the 
example  of  many  of  the  settlers. 

Hunting  was  one  of  the  profitable  employments  of  the  early  set- 
tlers in  this  town.  Fur-bearing  animals,  such  as  the  otter,  beaver, 
mink,  sable  and  muskrat  were  abundant,  and  larger  game,  such  as 
bears,  moose  and  deer  were  by  no  means  scarce.     The  works  of  the 


420  HISTOHY  OF  BETHEL. 

beaver  are  still  seen  on  the  streams  flowing  into  the  Audroseoggin 
in  this  region.  One  season,  James  Swan,  Benjamin  Russell,  John 
Perkins  and  one  other,  all  of  whom  were  cunning  hunters  and  trap- 
pers, beside  a  large  amount  of  other  game,  killed  sixty  moose. 
They  tried  out  the  tallow  for  candles,  cut  off  and  carried  awa^'  the 
best  portions  for  food,  and  left  the  remainder  to  be  devoured  b}' 
wolves.  As  the  early  settlers  could  raise  no  domestic  animals  for 
food,  they  depended  on  the  chase  to  supply  the  larder.  The  region 
around  the  Bear  and  Sunday  rivers  about  Songo  pond  and  in  the 
region  about  the  Alder  river  ponds,  were  favorite  haunts  for  game. 
The  last  beaver  killed  in  town  was  in  eighteen  hundred  and  twenty- 
five.  He  was  twice  caught  in  a  trap  b}'  a  fore  leg  and  gnawed  tliem 
off.     He  was  then  caught  by  a  hind  leg  and  secured. 

There  was  considerable  excitement  in  the  plantation  in  seventeen 
liundred  and  ninety,  occasioned  by  the  death  of  Mr.  James  Mills. 
This  was  the  first  accidental  death,  if  not  the  first  death  that 
occurred  in  the  plantation.  Mr.  Mills  moved  from  Dublin,  New 
Hampshire,  five  years  before,  and  went  to  farming  on  Grover  Hill. 
While  engaged  in  felling  trees  for  his  brother-in-law,  he  was  struck 
by  a  falling  tree  and  instantly  killed.  He  had  married  Hannah, 
daughter  of  Moses  Mason  of  Dublin  ;  her  brother,  Walter  Mason, 
was  the  one  for  whom  Mr.  Mills  was  at  work.  He  left  five  child- 
ren, and  his  widow  subsequently  married  Elijah  Grover. 

Rev.  Caleb  Bradley,  afterwards  of  Westbrook,  when  a  young 
man,  preached  for  a  short  time  in  Bethel.  He  also  taught  the  school 
here  in  seventeen  hundred  and  ninety-eight.  He,  that  year,  preached 
a  thanksgiving  sermon,  the  first  of  the  kind  ever  delivered  in  the 
town.  The  sermon  was  subsequently  printed.  In  the  evening  of 
that  day,  Mr.  Bradley  and  Dr.  James  Brickett,  both  young  men  and 
full  to  the  brim  of  thanksgiving  glee,  spent  the  evening  at  Captain 
Twitchell's.  They  were  invited  to  go  down  cellar  for  the  purpose 
of  seeing  the  arch  where  Mrs.  T.  had  some  mince  pies.  ]\Ir.  Brad- 
ley succeeded  in  roguishly  purloining  one  of  these  and  secreting  it 
in  his  overcoat  pocket.  When  supper  came  there  was  a  general 
laudation  of  Mrs.  T.'s  pies,  when  Mr.  Bradley  declared  that  he  could 
furnish  a  better  one  than  any  on  the  table.  The  challenge  was 
accepted,  but  on  going  to  his  pie,  what  was  his  surprise  to  find  the 
dinner  turkey  bones  in  its  place.  The  sharp  sighted  INIrs.  Twitchell 
had  completely  outwitted  him. 


HISTORY   OF  B-ETHEL.  421 

What  has  ever  been  known  as  the  great  freshet  on  the  Andros- 
coggin, occurred  in  seventeen  hundred  and  eighty-five.  The  water 
reached  a  height  never  before  nor  since  known.  While  it  did  con- 
siderable damage,  it  taught  the  settlers  a  salutary  lesson,  namely, 
to  erect  their  houses  on  higher  ground.  The  upper  dam  on  Mill 
Brook  was  swept  awa}'  and  the  w^ater  rose  to  the  attic  in  the  house 
of  C'apt.  Eleazer  Twitchell,  situated  on  an  island  below.  His  family 
was  taken  out  at  the  attic  window.  In  Lieutenant  Clark's  house  on 
the  Burbank  place,  the  water  rose  to  the  beams,  spoiled  his  books 
and  papers  and  badly  damaged  his  household  goods.  Joseph 
Greely  Swan  lived  near  Alder  river  bridge.  His  wife  was  taken  out 
of  the  chamber  window,  but  the  house  containing  their  goods,  includ- 
ing a  web  in  the  loom,  was  swept  away.  The  house  of  Benjamin 
Russell  also  went  down  stream.  Other  places  all  along  the  river 
through  the  town,  were  more  or  less  damaged.  The  water  rose  to 
a  height  of  twenty-five  feet ;  all  the  intervals  were  submerged  and 
much  of  the  low  upland. 

Jonathan  Bean,  who  came  from  Standish  to  Bethel  in  seventeen 
hundred  and  eighty-one  or  eighty-two,  was  then  quite  advanced  in 
years  and  had  a  large  family  of  grown  up  children.  He  settled  on 
the  farm  which  David  Marshall  left  when  he  fled  to  New  Gloucester, 
and  afterward  known  as  the  Sanborn  farm.  He  became  insane  and 
did  man}'  queer  and  ridiculous  things.  On  one  occasion,  he  fancied 
he  could  cross  the  Androscoggin  river  in  summer  time  on  snow 
shoes.  So  binding  the  shoes  to  his  feet,  he  stepped  off  the  bank 
into  deep  water.  Of  course,  he  immediatel}'  sank,  and  had  not 
assistance  been  near,  he  would  have  been  drowned.  He  left  a  large 
posterity  scattered  through  Bethel,  Mason,  about  the  Umbagog  lake 
region  and  on  the  Androscoggin,  while  very  many  of  his  descendants 
went  west. 

After  the  Rokomeko  Indians  at  Canton  Point  were  scattered,  it  is 
quite  likely  Ihat  the  dead  of  the  Indians  temporarily  residiug  here, 
were  buried  on  a  point  of  land  near  Mill  brook,  on  the  Jonathan 
Clark  farm,  more  recently  known  as  the  Burbank  farm.  There  was 
anciently  a  small  clearing  there,  and  a  number  of  graves  were, visi- 
ble upon  it  when  the  place  was  first  settled.  It  is  known  that  the 
Indians  in  their  later  visits  to  this  region,  made  this  place  their 
camping  ground.  From  the  gun-barrels  found  at  the  old  Indian 
camping  grounds,  Oliver  Fenno,  the  first  blacksmith,  wrought  fire 


422  HISTOBY  OF  BETHEL. 

shovel  handles  for  the  use  of  the  settlers.  On  one  occasion,  as  he 
was  heating  a  gun  barrel  in  his  forge,  it  suddenly  burst,  from  a 
charge  of  powder  with  which  it  had  been  loaded,  no  one  knew  how 
long.  The  ball  passed  through  the  work-bench  at  the  opposite  side 
of  the  shop. 

There  was  evidently  an  ancient  Indian  village  at  one  time,  on  the 
north  side  of  the  river,  opposite  the  residence  of  the  late  Timothy 
Chapman.  Precisely  when  it  was  deserted  cannot  now  be  ascer- 
tained, but  it  was  probably  soon  after  the  Pequakets  were  broken 
up  by  Lovewell  and  his  party.  About  ten  acres  of  land  appear  to 
have  been  cleared  for  the  purpose  of  growing  corn,  but  when  the 
first  white  settlers  came,  it  was  covered  with  a  heavy  second  growth. 
Molly  Ocket,  a  squaw,  well  known  to  the  people  in  Bethel  early  in 
this  century,  who  was  then  very  old  and  remembered  Lovewell's 
fight,  said  the  Indians  lived  very  happily  in  tliis  place  before  the 
whites  drove  them  away.  On  clearing  the  land,  some  twenty  or 
more  rude  cellar  holes  were  found  where  the  Indians  buried  their 
corn.  Implements  of  iron  and  cooking  utensils  were  found  here  in 
abundance  by  the  early  settlers,  indicating  that  the  settlement  was 
suddenly  broken  up.  These  Indians  generally  buried  their  dead  at 
Canton  Point,  but  one  skeleton  was  dug  up  here  which  Molly  Ocket 
said  was  that  of  a  girl  who  was  accidentally  killed  in  a  drunken 
frolic. 

At  the  narrows  below  Bethel  Hill  is  a  place  called  "Powow  Point." 
The  Indians  here  had  a  maize-field  of  two  or  three  acres  on  the  east- 
ern bank,  and  here  they  often  met  in  council.  There  is  a  tradition 
that  an  Indian  camp  was  once  burned  here,  and  that  their  imple- 
ments as  well  as  their  charred  remains  were  subsequently  found. 
It  was  supposed  that  they  had  obtained  a  quantity  of  fire-water,  had 
become  beastly  drunk,  and  so  miserably  perished  as  the  result  of 
their  own  folly.  This  place  where  the  Indians  had  their  rendez- 
vous, and  where  their  council  fires  often  brightly  burned  in  the  olden 
times,  is  now  one  of  the  most  delightful  spots  in  all  the  town. 

No  wonder  the  Indians  were  attached  to  this  region  and  were 
grieved  at  being  obliged  to  leave  it,  for  it  was  a  royal  hunting 
ground.  Every  kind  of  game  common  to  Maine  was  found  here  in 
great  abundance,  while  the  brooks,  rivers  and  ponds  were  alive  with 
food  fishes  of  many  kinds.  The  Androscoggin  was  navigable  for 
canoes  for  a  long  distance,  and  when  the  first  settlers  came,  and 


HISTORY    OF  BETHEL.  423 

before  the  hostile  raid,  large  fleets  of  boats  passing  up  and  down 
the  river  was  no  uncommon  sight.  After  the  close  of  the  revolu- 
tionary war,  the  Indians  came  again  in  smaller  bands,  and  continued 
their  annual  visits  to  this  region  for  several  years.  They  would 
build  a  rough  camp  and  remain  in  one  place  for  several  weeks,  mak- 
ing moccasins,  baskets  and  trinkets,  which  they  disposed  of  to  the 
settlers  in  exchange  for  tobacco,  spirits  and  food.  After  a  time 
their  visits  ceased,  and  no  Indians,  save  perhaps  a  stray  one  or  two 
from  the  Penobscot  tribe,  have  been  seen  in  this  region  within  the 
memory  of  the  living  of  to-day. 

An  Indian  called  Captain  Philips  and  another  known  as  Captain 
Swasson,  both  of  whom  fought  on  the  American  side  in  the  Revolu- 
tionary war,  sometimes  came  to  Bethel  with  others.  The  latter  had 
been  presented  with  a  sword  for  conspicuous  bravery  in  battle. 
Tomhegan,  properly  Tumtumphegan,  was  the  scoundrel  who  led  the 
attack  on  the  settlement.  Other  Indians  who  frequently  visited 
here,  were  Peol,  Black  Susup,  a  Mohawk,  Sanloo,  Assabeel  and 
Pasul,  who  was  the  oldest  son  of  Sabattis  ])y  his  first  wife.  Most 
of  these  Indians  were  familiar  with  savage  warfare,  the  French  and 
Indian  wars  having  been  the  school  of  their  youth,  and  the  war  of 
the  revolution  of  their  riper  years. 

Among  the  Indians  from  Canada  who  frequently  visited  Sudbury 
Canada,  was  Lewey.  He  styled  himself  a  sergeant,  probabl}'  hav- 
ing seen  service  in  the  French  war.  On  one  occasion  he  came  to 
Captain  Eleazer  Twitchell's  house  when  he  was  absent,  accompanied 
by  several  of  his  tribe.  They  wanted  rum,  which  Mrs.  Twitchell 
furnished  on  condition  that  Lewey  would  see  that  they  did  no  mis- 
chief. After  they  had  drank,  they  became  very  noisy  and  wanted 
more,  and  threatened,  if  it  was  not  given  them,  they  would  break 
down  the  door.  Lewey  who  was  a  very  strong  Indian,  quelled  them 
by  main  force,  and  then  calling  for  Captain  Twitchell's  drum,  he 
commenced  to  play  upon  it  and  started  out  of  the  house,  the  Indians 
staggering  after  him  in  single  file.  He  marched  them  round  until 
they  sobered  off  sufficiently  to  go  to  their  camp  near  the  mouth  of 
Mill  Brook. 

When  John  Holt  first  came  to  Bethel,  he  bought  the  land  at  jMid- 
dle  Interval  where  John  Kilgore  afterwards  lived.  It  has  since 
been  known  as  the  Joshua  Chase  farm.  When  he  came  again,  he 
selected  a  lot  on  Swan's  hill.     He  worked  here  one  year  and  then 


424  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

returned  to  Andover  aud  was  married  to  Lydia  Russell.  He  and  his 
wife  witli  their  household  goods  loaded  upon  a  horse's  back,  soon 
after  came  to  Bethel,  where  she  found  a  little  log  hut  with  greased 
paper  as  a  substitute  for  glass.  The  nearest  grist  mill  was  at 
Bethel  Hill,  five  aud  one-half  miles  away.  Mr.  Holt  on  one  occa- 
sion, took  a  bag  of  grain  to  mill,  and  while  there  bought  a  three 
quart  pail,  a  kettle  and  a  pig,  aud  taking  grist,  kettle  and  pig  on  his 
back,  he  reached  home  with  them.  He  served  three  years  in  the 
war  for  independence,  aud  was  a  Captain  of  the  militia  in  Bethel. 
He  also  held  various  town  offices  and  was  deacon  of  the  Baptist 
church.  He  was  born  June  eleventh,  seventeen  hundred  and  sixty- 
two,  and  died  July  sixteenth,  eighteen  hundred  and  thirty.  His 
wife  was  born  Ma}'  twelfth,  seventeen  hundred  and  sixty-five,  and 
died  September  twelfth,  eighteen  hundred  and  forty-seven. 

Bears  have  sometimes  been  very  troublesome  to  the  farmers  of 
Bethel  by  killing  their  sheep,  robbing  the  bee-hives  and  raiding  the 
corn  fields,  but  rarely  has  human  life  been  endangered  by  them.  A 
3'Oung  man  in  the  adjoining  town  of  Newry  had  a  thrilling  adventure, 
an  account  of  which  is  well  worth  preserving.  It  was  in  the  year 
eighteen  hundred  and  forty-six,  on  the  sixteenth  day  of  September, 
that  Orrin,  son  of  Enoch  Foster,  a  boy  of  about  sixteen  years  of  age, 
was  sent  by  his  father  to  look  up  some  cattle  which  had  strayed 
away  from  the  mountain  pasture  into  the  woods.  His  route  took 
him  up  the  side  of  Puzzle  mountain,  through  pasture  and  forest,  and 
when  about  two  miles  from  home,  he  came  across  a  path  which  led 
to  a  brook.  Thinking  he  had  found  the  trail  of  the  lost  cattle,  he 
pressed  on,  and  soon  heard  thesound  of  some  animal  in  the  bushes 
near  by,  and  going  toward  the  point  from  which  the  sound  seemed 
to  proceed,  he  was  surprised  and  alarmed  at  the  appearance  of  a 
huge  bear,  which,  with  eyes  flashing  fire  and  gnashing  teeth,  sprang 
toward  him  from  a  thicket  not  three  rods  away.  Foster  tried  to 
encourage  a  small  dog  which  accompanied  him  to  attack  the  monster, 
but  he  cowardly  slunk  away  and  hid  himself  in  the  bushes.  Foster 
then  turned  and  went  about  two  rods  to  a  sappling  beech,  which  was 
the  only  tree  in  the  vicinity  and  which  was  about  seven  inches  in 
diameter  at  the  ground.  The  body  of  the  tree  was  smooth,  and  the 
lower  limbs  were  about  eight  feet  from  the  ground.  The  bear  with 
jaws  distended  and  eyes  glowing  like  fire,  was  close  upon  him,  and 
his  only  chance  was  in  being  able  to  climb  the  tree.  He  sprang 
with  all  his  strength  and  tried  to  grasp  the  lower  limbs,  but  failed, 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  42j> 

but  he  seized  the  trunk  of  the  tree  with  both  his  hands  and  drew  his 
feet  up.  The  bear  comprehending  his  intentions,  sprang  after  him, 
but  happily  falling  a  little  short  of  his  aim,  he  struck  at  the  root  of 
the  tree.  Foster  succeeded  in  reaching  the  limbs,  and  as  the  bear 
recovered,  he  again  sprang  and  raked  Foster's  foot  as  he  was  draw- 
ing himself  into  the  lower  branches.  He  came  very  near  drawing 
Foster  down,  but  with  all  his  strength  he  broke  aAvay  and  ascended 
the  tree  with  the  bear  in  close  pursuit.  He  went  up  nearly  thirty 
feet  from  the  ground  where  the  tree  was  so  small  that  he  could 
easil}'  clasp  it  in  his  hands,  and  the  bear  foaming  with  rage  and  dis- 
appointment, was  about  four  feet  below  him.  The  tree  began  to 
bend  under  the  great  weight,  and  Foster  tried  to  balance  it,  but  the 
bear  kept  slowly  advancing.  In  this  moment  of  extreme  peril,  it 
occurred  to  Foster  to  try  and  shake  his  pursuer  from  the  tree. 
.Securing  his  hold  with  a  vice-like  clutch,  and  with  all  his  strength, 
quickened  and  increased  by  the  fear  of  a  horrible  death,  he  shook 
the  tree,  and  the  bear  being  unable  to  sustain  his  weight  on  the 
under  side,  fell  to  the  ground.  His  fall  of  twenty-five  feet  momen- 
tarily stunned  him,  but  he  soon  sprang  up  and  made  several  unsuc- 
cessful efforts  to  re-climb  the  tree,  but  each  time  fell  back.  While 
Bruin  was  trying  to  climb  up  a  second  time,  Foster  was  not  idle. 
Taking  out  his  jack  knife,  he  descended  the  tree  a  short  distance, 
and  cut  off  a  large  limb  about  five  feet  long,  which  he  whittled  to  a 
point  at  one  end,  intending  to  make  an  attempt  at  the  bear's  e^-es, 
should  he  succeed  in  re-climbing  the  tree.  Being  foiled  in  his 
attempts  at  climbing,  he  watched  Foster's  motions  for  a  few 
moments  and  then  went  for  the  dog.  But  the  dog  was  not  pleased 
with  Bruin's  attentions  and  kept  himself  at  a  safe  distance  from  his 
bearship  and  finally  left  for  home.  The  bear  then  returned  to  the 
foot  of  the  tree  and  vented  his  auger  in  dismal  howls  and  in  gnash- 
ing his  teeth.  He  would  then  follow  the  cattle  path  for  twenty  rods 
or  more,  and  then  return  to  the  tree,  thinking  probably  that  Foster 
had  availed  himself  of  his  absence  and  had  descended  from  the  tree. 
He  tried  this  ruse  again  and  again,  but  at  last  he  became  discour- 
aged at  the  prospect  of  an  evening  meal  in  this  direction,  and  about 
sunset,  with  a  howl  that  seemed  to  shake  the  mountain  and  rever- 
berate through  its  dark  ravines  and  caverns,  he  slowly  retired. 

When  Foster  rushed  against  the  beech  he  bruised  his  stomach, 
and  after  the  immediate  danger  from  the  bear  had  passed,  his  chest 
began  to  pain  him  severely,  and  he  found  it  was  badly  swollen.     He 


426  HISTOBY   OF  BETHEL. 

■was  without  coat,  and  exposed  on  the  north  side  of  a  mountain,  to 
the  chilly  blasts  of  an  autumn  night.  He  also  began  to  suffer  from 
hunger  and  thirst,  having  neither  ate  or  drank  since  morning.  His 
hands  and  feet  were  badly  swollen  by  holding  onto  the  tree,  and  the 
blood  rushed  to  his  head  and  throat  so  as  to  almost  produce  delirium. 
He  had  called  for  assistance  until  his  voice  had  failed  him,  and  after 
the  bear  left  him,  he  did  not  dare  to  leave  the  tree,  fearing  the  mon- 
ster might  still  be  lurking  near,  ready  to  pounce  upon  him.  This 
occurred  on  Sunday,  and  his  parents  had  attended  religious  services 
at  some  distance  from  home  and  had  stopped  with  a  friend  to  take 
tea.  Returning  at  night,  they  found  the  dog  had  returned  without 
his  master,  and,  from  his  uneasiness,  they  felt  certain  that  Orrin 
had- met  with  some  accident  and  was  detained  on  the  mountain. 
The  news  quickly  spread  through  the  neighborhood  and  some  twenty 
persons  assembled  with  lanterns  and  tin  trumpets,  and  with  lighted 
torches.  Dividing  into  small  squads,  they  ascended  the  mountain, 
blowing  their  trumpets  and  building  bonfires,  to  much  of  which 
young  Foster  from  his  elevated  perch  in  the  tree  top,  was  a  silent 
spectator.  But  he  was  so  debilitated  that  he  could  neither  go  down 
from  the  tree  nor  make  himself  heard.  It  was  eleven  o'clock  when 
three  persons  approached  the  tree,  and  among  them  he  recognized 
the  voice  of  his  father.  The  hour  of  deliverance  had  come  and  he 
was  soon  in  the  midst  of  liis  friends.  After  having  his  limbs  chafed 
for  a  while,  he  was  able,  with  the  assistance  which  he  received,  to 
descend  the  mountain  and  reach  his  home,  but  it  was  more  than  a 
year  before  he  was  able  to  perform  much  labor.  To  him,  his  deliv- 
erance was  like  a  renewal  of  life.  While  the  hungry  bear  was  exert- 
ing all  his  strength  to  reach  him,  he  expected  to  be  torn  in  pieces, 
and  when  the  monster  left  him,  death  still  seemed  to  hover  near  him 
in  the  fearful  forms  of  cold,  hunger  and  exhaustion.  While  in  the 
tree,  when  hope  had  nearly  abandoned  him,  Foster  started  the  blood 
from  his  arm  with  the  point  of  his  knife,  and  with  a  pointed  stick  as 
a  pen,  and  the  blood  as  writing  fluid,  he  inscribed  upon  his  i)ocket 
handkerchief  the  words,  "killed  by  a  bear,"  and  then  tied  the  hand- 
kerchief to  the  tree,  that  should  he  never  return,  his  friends  might 
learn  of  his  terrible  fate. 

The  one  hundredth  anniversary  of  the  attack  on  the  upper  settle- 
ment of  Sudbury  Canada  by  a  small  party  of  Indians  belonging  to 
the  Saint  Francis  tribe  of  Canada,  was  duly  noticed  at  Bethel  Hill 
on  the  third  day  of  August,  eighteen  hundred  and  eighty-one.     At 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  427 

early  morn,  the  village  bells  were  rung,  and  by  nine  o'clock,  a  large 
number  of  people  had  gathered  on  the  Common.  A  procession  on 
Broad  street  was  formed,  under  the  direction  of  Major  Gideon  A. 
Hastings,  and  headed  by  the  Bethel  baud,  marched  through  the 
principal  streets  to  the  Common,  where  a  block  liouse  had  been  built 
similar  to  the  one  constructed  after  the  Indian  raid.  Then  occurred 
a  closely  contested  sham  fight  between  a  company  of  rangers,  and  a 
party  disguised  as  Indians.  Of  course  the  former  were  victorious, 
though  when  the  contest  was  at  an  end,  the  latter  did  not  in  any 
sense  resemble  whipped  Indians.  The  procession  much  augmented 
was  then  re-formed  and  marched  to  Kimball  Park,  where  literary 
exercises  were  held.  Mr.  David  F.  Brown  was  President  of  the 
occasion.  Praj'er  was  offered  by  Kev.  Javan  K.  Mason,  a  native  of 
Bethel.  In  a  few  well  chosen  words.  Chairman  Brown  then  intro- 
duced Dr.  Nathaniel  T.  True  as  the  orator  of  the  occasion,  who  gave 
a  detailed  account  of  the  attack  upon  the  little  settlement,  and  of 
the  incidents  in  the  captiA'ity  of  Segar  and  Clark.  Albert  S. 
Twitchell  of  Gorham,  New  Hampshire,  also  a  native  of  Bethel,  read 
a  poem  composed  for  and  appropriate  to  the  occasion,  and  with  brief 
remarks  by  several  others,  the  literary  exercies  were  brought  to  a 
close.  A  picnic  dinner  followed.  It  was  one  of  the  largest 
audiences  ever  assembled  in  town.  The  officers  in  charge  of  the 
celebration,  beside  those  already  mentioned,  were  :  General  com- 
mittee of  arrangements,  Nathaniel  T.  True,  Moses  T.  Cross,  Good- 
win R.  AViley  and  Richard  A.  Frye.  Committee  on  the  shsm  fight, 
William  E.  vSkillings,  Leander  T.  Barker,  Addison  E.  Herrick,  H. 
Clinton  Barker  and  Frank  B.  Tuell.  Officers  of  the  parade,  William 
E.  Skillings,  Leander  T.  Barker,  Addison  E.  Herrick,  Dwight  C. 
Rose  and  H.  Clinton  Barker.  Among  the  elderly  persons  present 
were  Thaddeus  Bartlett,  John  Y.  Dustin,  Ayers  Mason,  Oilman 
Chapman,  Nathaniel  Swan,  George  Grover,  Alphin  Twitchell, 
Eleazer  Twitchell,  Isaac  C.  Cross  and  Francis  Barker.  Some  of 
these  were  sons  and  others  grandsons  of  the  early  settlers,  and 
Eleazer  Twitchell  was  the  son  of  that  Captain  Eleazer  Twitchell 
who  was  captured  by  the  Indians,  made  his. escape  and  remained 
concealed  in  the  woods  all  night.  Only  ten  years  have  elapsed  since 
this  celebration  took  place,  and  yet  the  President  and  orator  of  the 
day,  and  nearly  all  of  the  elderly  people  mentioned  as  being  present, 
have  died. 


428  HIS  TOBY   OF  BETHEL. 

The  late  Daniel  G.  York  is  responsible  for  the  statement  that  the 
road  from  Bethel  station  to  the  Mills  Brown  house  was  built  in  eigh- 
teen hundred  and  nineteen,  and  that  the  committee  to  locate  it  con- 
sisted of  Abel  Wheeler,  Francis  Keyes  and  John  Thompson,  all  of 
Rumford.  In  the  year  eighteen  hundred  and  tweut^'-three,  the  same 
committee  located  the  road  from  the  mouth  of  Bear  river  to  Umba- 
gog  lake.  It  was  then  expected  that  this  would  be  a  great  thorough- 
fare from  the  upper  Coos  region  to  Portland,  but  such  hopes  never 
have  been  and  are  not  likely  to  be  realized.  The  building  of  the 
Atlantic  and  Saint  Lawrence  railroad,  and  the  opening  of  the  Coo& 
Division  of  the  Maine  Central  road,  have  established  outlets  for  the 
great  north  countr}',  which  will  probably  never  be  essentially 
changed. 

In  the  year  eighteen  hundred  and  eighteen,  there  were  no  Inidges- 
across  either  Bear  or  Sunday  river,  and  Mr.  York  related  a  little 
experience  he  had  when  only  eight  years  of  age.  His  father  then 
lived  on  the  place  since  known  as  the  Leander  Jewett  farm,  and  his 
grandfather,  Abraham  Russell  who  was  visiting  there,  wished  to 
have  Daniel  go  home  with  him.  Sunday  river  had  recently'  expe- 
rienced a  rise,  but  as  the  general  muster  was  to  come  off  the  next  day» 
Mr.  Russell  could  not  wait  for  the  waters  to  subside,  so  he  boldly 
entered  the  swollen  river,  but  in  a  moment  the  wagon  floated,  and 
the  body  becoming  detached,  Daniel  was  thrown  out,  and  succeeded 
in  reaching  the  oi)posite  bank,  but  he  hardly  knew  how.  The  horse 
was  drow^ned,  and  Mr.  Russell  clinging  to  the  bottom  of  the  wagon, 
floated  down  stream  until  his  frail  bark  caught  on  a  root  and  held 
fast.  Daniel  procured  help,  and  Mr.  Russell  was  rescued  from  his 
perilous  position,  by  throwiug  a  piece  of  wood  with  a  rope  attached, 
into  the  river,  above  which  ]\Ir.  Russell  caught,  and  was  pulled 
ashore. 

The  memory  of  those  who  set  out  the  shade  trees  around  the 
Common  and  on  the  street  sides  of  Bethel  Hill,  will  remain  fragrant 
as  long  as  these  trees  shall  live.  In  many  cases  offerings  of  thanks 
will  be  bestowed  upon  unknown  jiersons,  but  where  the  names  are 
known  they  should  be  handed  down  as  doers  of  good  deeds  for  the 
benefit  of  those  coming  after  them.  The  street  along  the  east  side 
of  the  Common  was  once  called  Straw  street,  because  O'Neil  W. 
Robinson,  Moses  Mason  and  John  Hastings  lived  upon  this  street 
and  their  wives  were  sisters,  and  before  marriage,  bearing  the  name 


HIS  TO  BY  OF  BE  7^  HE  L,  429 

of  Straw.  The  trees  surrounding  the  common  on  the  north  side, 
were  set  out  by  Hon.  Robert  A.  Chapman  ;  those  opposite  Judge 
Foster's  place,  by  the  early  proprietor  of  the  place,  O'JSTeil  W.  Rob- 
inson ;  those  opposite  the  Mason  place  by  Dr.  Moses  Mason,  and 
those  against  the  Hastings  place  by  John  Hastings,  the  old  village 
blacksmith.  Hiram  EUiugwood,  a  grandson  of  Captain  Eleazer 
Twitchell,  and  formerly  a  hotel  keeper  here,  set  out  the  trees  in 
front  of  Major  Gideon  A.  Hasting's  place,  and  also  in  front  of  the 
Elms  hotel.  Many  of  the  shade  trees  at  the  upper  end  of  the  vil- 
lage, and  many  of  those  around  the  academy  were  planted  by  stu- 
dents. Doctor  True,  while  he  had  charge  of  the  academy,  made  it 
the  duty  of  the  young  men  of  the  school,  to  plant  each,  at  least,  one 
tree,  as  a  memento  of  their  school  days,  and  for  the  embellishment 
of  the  academy  grounds.  He  usually  hinted  also,  that  if  agreeable 
to  the  student,  a  second  tree  might  be  planted  upon  his  premises  at 
the  upper  end  of  the  village,  and  it  was  generally  done.  The  beauty 
of  the  village  is  due  largely  to  its  beautiful  shade  trees,  and  those 
students  including  the  writer,  who  toted  maples,  elms  and  other 
3'oung  trees  from  the  woods  and  set  them  out,  as  others  have  fre- 
quently done,  both  actually  and  figuratively,  "planted  better  than 
the}"  knew." 

A  writer  in  the  Bethel  Courier  in  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty-nine, 
gives  a  little  sketch  of  the  appearance  and  business  of  Bethel  Hill, 
which  possesses  some  interest  by  comparison  with  the  village  thirty- 
two  years  later,  starting  from  the  railway  station,  which  he  said 
needed  remodelling.  He  spoke  of  the  dry  goods  and  grocery  busi- 
ness, and  also  the  hardware  business  carried  on  by  Mason  &  Com- 
pany, which  meant  Charles  and  Oliver  H.,  andMighill  Mason.  He 
spoke  of  the  taste  even  then,  in  the  construction  of  buildings,  and 
remarked  that  hardly  an  inferior  looking  building  could  be  found  in 
the  whole  village.  Passing  into  Chapman  street,  Kilgore's  carriage 
manufactory  was  complimented,  and  notice  taken  of  the  sash  and 
blind  factory  not  3'et  completed.  Passing  up  Main  street,  the  fur- 
niture shops  of  Robertson  &  Goddard  were  noticed,  and  also  Small's 
photographic  galler3^  Mason  street  was  looked  into  where  several 
buildings  had  been  erected,  and  which  the  writer  predicted  would 
become  a  pleasant  part  of  the  village. 

Swift  &  Foster's  store  was  next  noticed,  and  the  well  kept  post 
office  therein.  The  office  of  Samuel  F.  Gibson,  Attorney  at  Law, 
was  here,  and  the  tailor's  shop  of   Patrick  H.    McCloskey.     The 


430  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

Bethel  Courier  office  was  near  by,  and  the  two  jewelry  stores  kept 
by  Russell  &  Abbot.  Blake's  grocery  store  received  due  attention, 
and  across  the  way,  Chapman's  block,  occupied  by  Alfred  Twitch- 
ell,  cordwainer,  Richard  A.  Frye,  lawyer,  Hiram  Young,  saddler, 
Doctor  Grandin,  dentist,  Young's  shoe  store  and  the  millinery 
establishment  by  Abbie  A.  and  Susan  Russell.  Surely,  here  was  a 
busy  hive,  and  a  great  variety  of  employments.  Robert  A.  Chap- 
man's store,  known  for  a  generation  to  everybody  in  town,  and  long 
occupied  by  him  and  his  brother  Deacon  Elbridge,  was  the  next 
place  noticed,  and  then  striking  clear  across  the  broad  common,  the 
block  of  stores  occupied  by  Ira  C.  Kimball,  William  J.  Hayden  and 
William  H.  and  Frank  Chandler  were  spoken  of.  Here,  also,  was 
the  law  office  of  O'Neil  AY.  Robinson,  Junior. 

The  Bethel  House,  then  occupied  by  the  Chandlers,  but  since 
burned,  stood  south  of  the  block  of  stores,  and  all  were  burned 
together  in  war  time.  Reynold's  blacksmith  shop  was  the  first  busi- 
ness place  on  the  Mill  hill  road,  and  then  came  the  carriage  factory 
of  Burnham  &  Mead.  On  the  Island,  a  little  below  where  the  Mill 
Brook  divides,  and  a  little  above  where  its  waters  re-unite,  stood 
the  saw  and  grist  mills  as  they  still  stand.  Opposite  was  the  large 
tannery  operated  by  David  F.  and  Robbins  Brown,  and  by  their 
father,  Robbins  Brown,  before  them.  Ah  I  there  have  been  sad 
changes  here.  The  tannery  is  seen  looking  shabby  and  run-down, 
but  the  Browns,  fathers,  husbands,  wives  and  children  sleep  the 
sleep  that  knows  no  waking.  Two  of  the  sons  died  in  the  war  for 
the  Union,  and  two  more  have  since  passed  away ;  one  of  the 
fathers  died  by  his  own  hand,  and  one  of  the  mothers  became 
insane  ;  all,  save  one,  found  premature  graves,  and  it  was  a  terrible 
wreck  of  two  good  and  highly  respected  families.  The  Courier 
writer  then  spoke  of  Clough's  starch  factory,  and  farther  along,  the 
carding  and  cloth-dressing  mills  once  operated  by  Moses  T.  Cross. 
The  writer  then  ascends  the  Mill  Hill,  and  notes  the  blacksmith 
shops  of  Captain  Samuel  H.  Chapman  and  John  Hastings.  Two 
fine  churches  on  Church  street  were  noticed,  and  then  Kimball  Park 
or  Common  was  visited,  and  the  prediction  made,  which  has  already 
been  verified,  that  some  day  it  would  become  one  of  the  most 
attractive  places  in  the  village. 

The  little  hamlet  known  as  Bean's  Corner,  situated  on  the  south 
side  of  the  river,  was  formerly  a  place  of  much  more  importance 
than  it  is  now.     Thaddeus  Bartlett  once  owned  the   land  in  this 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  431 

vicinity,  and  afterwards  it  became  tlie  property  of  liis  sons,  Ball  and 
Thaddeus  P.  Bartlett,  and  the  old  homestead  was  subsequently  occu- 
pied by  his  son-in-law,  George  Kimball,  The  first  store  built  here 
was  by  Thaddeus  P.  Bartlett,  who  traded  in  it  for  a  number  of 
years.  Ball  Bartlett  kept  a  hotel,  which  was  well  patronized  half  a 
century  ago.  The  place  took  the  name  of  Bean's  Corner,  when 
Eliphaz  C.  Bean,  then  a  young  man,  nearly  sixty  years  ago,  took 
the  store  and  operated  it  for  many  years.  May  and  other  military 
trainings,  and  the  fall  musters  made  the  place  quite  lively  at  times, 
and  as  the  people  in  this  region  were  convivial  in  their  habits, 
assemblies  were  very  common  in  autumn  and  winter,  both  at  Bart- 
lett's  and  Bean's.  Dealing  in  ardent  spirits  formed  no  small  part 
of  the  business,  and  the  Washingtonian  movement  and  subsequent 
agitation  of  the  temperance  question  was  very  damaging  to  the  chief 
interest  of  the  place.  The  early  blacksmith  here  was  Joseph  Ayer, 
who  came  from  Staudish.  But  neither  trader,  hotel-keeper,  carpen- 
ter nor  blacksmith  depended  entirely  for  their  living  upon  these 
branches  of  business,  but  each  did  more  or  less  farming,  and  when 
their  business  fell  off,  they  had  something  substantial  to  fall  back 
upon.  Mrs.  Betsey  Segar  who  was  the  daughter  of  Arnold  Powers^ 
was  the  tailoress  for  this  region,  and  she  was  a  very  capable  one. 
She  made  many  a  young  man  happy  with  his  first  fulled  cloth  suit, 
including  a  frock  coat  with  gilt  buttons.  The  place  has  never 
grown  much,  but  there  are  quiet,  happy  homes  here,  and  the  inter- 
vale farms  are  fertile  and  productive.  The  heads  of  families  of  fifty 
years  ago,  with  the  exception  of  Eliphaz  C.  Bean,  are  for  the  most 
part  dead,  and  those  of  that  period  who  survive,  have  long  since 
moved  away. 

The  Washingtonian  movement  which  swept  over  the  country  late 
in  the  thirties,  struck  the  region  of  Bean's  Corner  and  produced  a 
wonderful  change  there  in  a  very  short  time.  Middle  aged  men  and 
some  who  had  passed  middle  life,  and  who  had  always  been  in  the 
habit  of  drinking  more  or  less,  became  interested  and  signed  the 
pledge,  and  not  a  few  of  them  kept  it  to  their  dying  day.  They 
held  meetings  at  the  school  house,  and  the  excitement  partook  of 
much  of  the  nature  of  a  revival  of  religion.  They  confessed  their 
previous  sins,  exhorted  each  other  to  stand  firmly  to  their  pledges^ 
and  invited  the  wavering  to  join  them.  But  perfect  harmony  did 
not  always  prevail  at  these  meetings.  I  was  present  on  one  occa- 
sion when  one  of  the  speakers  confessed  that  he  had  often  been 


432  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

drunk,  and,  said  he,  "there  are  those  here  who  have  seen  me  intoxi- 
cated ;"  "that  is  so,"  interposed  one  of  his  neighbors  who  sat  near, 
"I  have  seen  you  drunk  many  a  time."  The  first  speaker  turning 
toward  him,  and  shaking  his  fists  at  his  face,  exclaimed  in  thunder 
tones,  "the  same  to  yourself,  sir  ;  1  have  often  seen  you  drunk." 
No  doubt  both  told  the  truth,  but  the  speaker  preferred  to  confess 
his  own  faults  than  be  told  of  them. 

David  Marshall  who  first  settled  on  the  Sanborn  place  near  Ken- 
dall's ferry,  and  was  frightened  away  by  the  Indian  raid  and  did  not 
return,  was  in  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill.  He  used  to  tell  the  story 
how,  during  the  heat  of  the  engagement  his  right  hand  man  was 
shot  down,  and  well  he  knew  who  had  done  the  deed,  for  he  saw 
him  step  out  from  behind  a  tree,  and  taking  deadly  aim,  discharge 
his  piece.  Marshall  expected  his  turn  would  come  next,  but  hastily 
loading  his  gun,  he  pointed  it  at  the  spot  where  the  enemy  soon  re- 
appeared, and  both  pieces  were  discharged  at  the  same  time.  The 
enemy's  ball  grazed  Marshall's  side,  but  the  moment  his  piece  was 
discharged  he  dropped  it,  and  fell,  pierced  through  the  body  by 
Marshall's  better  directed  bullet.  The  death  of  his  fellow  soldier 
was  avenged,  and  a  haughty  veteran  sent  to  take  away  the  liberties 
of  the  colony,  was  rendered  powerless,  and  yet,  INIarshall  said  he 
could  hardly  express  his  feelings  of  sorrow  that  he  had  killed  a 
fellow-man,  though  an  enemy  to  his  country,  and  in  self-defence. 

In  the  second  Bull  Run  battle.  General  Cuvier  Grover  showed 
courage  rarely  equalled  during  the  whole  war.  It  was  on  this  occasion 
that  General  Heintzclman,  in  whose  command  was  Grover's  brigade, 
in  his  report  stated,  that  "Grover's  brigade  made  the  most  gallant 
and  determined  bayonet  charge  of  the  war.  He  broke  two  of  the 
enemy's  lines,  but  was  finally  repulsed  b^^  the  overwhelming  num- 
bers of  the  rebel  third  line.  It  was  a  hand  to  hand  conflict,  using 
the  bayonet  and  the  butt  of  the  musket.  In  this  fierce  conflict  of 
not  more  than  twenty  minutes  duration,  the  brigade  numbering 
about  two  thousand,  lost  four  hundred  and  eighty-four,  mostly 
killed  and  wounded."  The  brigade  was  made  up  of  the  second  New 
Hampshire,  the  first,  eleventh  and  sixteenth  Massachusetts,  and  the 
twenty-sixth  Pennsylvania.  The  force  of  the  enemy  which  they 
charged  was  Stonewall  Jackson's  corps  numbering  nearly  thirty 
thousand,  and  Jackson  in  his  report,  speaks  of  it  as  a  determined 
and  hand  to  hand  attack,  and  says  the  advance  by  the  Federals  was 


HISTOBY   OF  BETHEL.  433 

made  '*in  defiance  of  our  fatal  and  destructive  fire,  and  with  great 
determination."  Had  Grover  been  properh'  supported,  his  charge 
would  have  been  a  great  success,  V)ut  as  it  was,  it  is  a  marvel  that 
any  of  them  came  out  alive. 

In  the  early  days,  trout  were  much  more  plent}'  in  the  Andros- 
coggin than  now,  and  in  some  of  the  eddies,  the  patient  and  skilful 
angler  was  often  well  rewarded  for  his  toil.  On  one  occasion,  a 
nervous  and  somewhat  eccentric  individual,  whose  name  it  ma}'  not 
be  best  to  mention,  but  whom  we  will  call  "Johnu}',"  undertook  to 
recover  a  trout  in  a  unique,  and  what  proved  to  be  a  dangerous  wa}'. 
He  had  succeeded  in  hooking  a  large  trout,  but  the  hold  was  not 
strong,  and  after  the  fish  had  broken  water,  he  freed  himself  from 
the  hook.  Entirely  oblivious  of  the  fact  that  the  water  was  at  least 
ten  feet  deep,  and  that  he  could  not  swim  any  more  than  a  rock, 
our  fisherman  instantly  leaped  in  after  Jthe  fleeing  beauty,  and  was 
rescued  with  extreme  difficulty  by  his  companions  who  happened  to 
be  near. 

This  same  individual  had  his  own  peculiar  views  with  regard  to 
marriage  obligations,  and  having  lost  one  wife  and  being  about  to 
be  married  to  a  second,  he  employed  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  to  do 
the  legal  part  of  the  ceremonj\  The  Justice  was  obligating  the 
proposed  wife,  using  the  usual  formula  of  "love  and  obey,"  when 
he  was  suddenh'  brought  to  by  the  bridegroom  with  the  injunction, 
"stop  right  there  ;"  I  want  you  to  insert  after  the  word  "obey,"  the 
words,  "all  reasonable  commands."  The  Justice  who  was  a  novice 
at  the  business,  was  considerably^  thrown  out  of  bias,  but  finally 
recovered  himself  and  finished  the  ceremony. 

"Tommy"  lived  at  the  lower  part  of  the  town  and  was  a  charac- 
ter in  his  way.  He  had  no  school  privileges  when  young,  and  so 
had  no  education.  He  bought  two  wild  lots  of  land  between  Locke's 
Mills  and  the  Androscoggin,  before  the  Otter  pond  road  was  built, 
put  him  up  a  shanty,  and  while  his  mother  (his  father  having  died) 
did  the  housework,  he  attacked  the  forest  and  cleared  his  lands. 
After  a  time  he  was  married,  and  then  he  threw  his  old  mother  upon 
the  town.  He  became  a  forehanded  farmer,  but  it  seemed  almost 
like  retributive  justice,  that  adverse  circumstances  in  later  j'ears, 
should  make  him  a  town  charge.  His  first  wife  died  earl}'  of  con- 
sumption, and  he  married  a  second.  She  also  was  a  feeble  woman, 
and  he  always  claimed  that  he  had  been  cheated.     Speaking  of  the 

28 


434  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

circumstances:  "Why,"  he  would  say,  "when  I  went  to  see  her, 
her  friends  had  collected  all  the  yarn  in  the  neighborhood  and  hung 
it  up  around  her  room  and  made  me  think  it  was  her  own  spinning  ;" 
"and  now,"  continued  he,  "she  hasn't  seen  a  well  day  since  I 
oioned  her,  and  it  will  take  two  or  three  hundred  dollars  to  get  her 
through."  He  alwaj^s  blamed  his  father  for  spending  property 
which,  according  to  the  terms  of  a  will,  was  to  come  to  him  and  his 
brother,  only  the  father  was  to  have  his  maintenance  out  of  it,  and 
it  took  it  all.  The  father  died  and  was  buried  in  the  field  upon  the 
new  farm,  and  nothing  having  been  put  up  to  mark  the  spot,  its 
situation  was  soon  lost,  and  for  more  than  seventy  seasons  this  field 
has  been  cultivated  or  mowed,  and  the  identity  of  the  spot  where 
sleeps  a  son  of  a  Doctor  of  Divinity  of  Bolton,  Mass.,  is  lost  for- 
ever. But  with  all  his  uncouthness,  and  all  his  apparent  roughness, 
"Tommy"  was  a  thoroughl}'  honest  man,  and  a  motto  which  he 
strictly  adhered  to  was,  to  give  honest  measure,  and  render  to 
every  man  his  exact  due.  He  also  had  a  soft  and  tender  side  to  his 
heart,  and  no  real  sufferer  ever  appealed  to  him  in  vain.  His  lack 
of  education  and  of  knowledge  of  the  world,  rendered  him  suspic- 
ious, and  having  suffered  on  several  occasions  by  being  swindled,  he 
came  to  look  upon  all  who  approached  him  as  cheats.  It  is  not 
often  that  a  man  complains  that  his  taxes  are  too  low,  but  such  was 
the  case  with  "Tommy."  One  of  his  neighbors  who  owned  less 
land  was  assessed  a  much  greater  amount  of  taxes,  and  on  finding 
it  out,  "Tommy"  went  to  the  assessors  for  justice.  He  owned 
nearly  twice  as  much  land,  he  said,  as  his  neighbor  had,  and  he 
could  not  see  why  he  should  not  be  taxed  as  much.  Whether  he 
found  the  assessors  in  an  obliging  mood  has  not  been  transmitted, 
but  it  is  certainly  to  be  hoped  he  did.  Though  not  an  habitual 
drinker,  yet  like  most  men  of  his  age  and  time,  "Tommy"  would 
occasionally  indulge  in  a  social  glass,  and  sometimes  he  would  take 
on  a  little  too  much.  On  the  occasion  of  the  raising  of  the  frame 
of  the  woolen  factory  at  Locke's  Mills,  (long  since  burned,)  there 
was  a  social  dance,  to  which  all  were  invited.  "Tommy"  had  been 
imbibing  quite  freely  and  concluded  to  remain  and  "trip  the  light 
fantastic  toe,"  and  his  grotesque  figure,  to  say  nothing  of  his  antics 
in  the  mazy  dance,  caused  great  merriment.  Late  in  the  evening 
he  mounted  his  horse  and  started  for  home,  arriving  at  which,  the 
horse  tried  to  stop,  but  "Tommy"  insisted  that  the  horse  was  mis- 
taken, and  applying  the  stick,  he  forced  the  animal  to  go  three  miles 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  435 

farther,  and  when  he  in  a  measure,  had  come  to  himself,  he  turned 
about  and  reached  home  near  daylight.  Absorbed  in  the  exploits 
of  the  evening  before,  he  called  up  his  wife  and  the  hired  man  to 
see  him  dance,  and  no  wild  Indian  in  full  war  paint  ever  cut  up  more 
antics  than  Tommy  did  upon  that  kitchen  floor.  Finally  he  jumped 
upon  the  table  ready  set  for  breakfast,  and  overturning  it,  fell 
sprawling,  with  broken  crockery  all  around  him,  and  this  ended  the 
performance. 

Samuel  Goss  was  an  early  settler  in  Bethel,  on  the  farm  after- 
wards owned  by  Richard  Estes.  He  afterward  removed  to  what  is- 
known  as  Red  Hill,  in  Rumford.  He  was  possessed  of  a  fine  real 
estate  in  Massachusetts,  left  him  by  his  father,  Rev.  Thomas  Goss,. 
which  he  exchanged  for  wild,  eastern  lands.  He  was  not  brought 
up  to  labor,  and  was  not  a  business  man,  and  so  the  transaction 
proved  his  financial  ruin.  It  also  affected  his  sons,  his  male  heirs 
being  the  legatees  according  to  the  terms  of  his  father's  will,  after 
he  had  his  maintenance  out  of  the  property.  One  of  his  sons,  Abial 
Goss,  settled  in  Cambridge,  Mass.,  and  became  quite  wealthy.  He 
was  a  carpenter  and  contractor. 

Wolves  were  quite  plenty  in  Bethel  when  the  early  settlers  came,, 
and  their  howling  at  night  has  caused  many  a  mother  to  shudder 
and  press  her  helpless  babe  closer  to  her  bosom,  while  she  thanked 
the  Lord  for  the  shelter  and  protection  which  their  rudely  con- 
structed house  afforded.  They  were  often  destructive  to  sheep, 
and  would  sometimes  attack  and  overpower  cattle.  But  the  last 
wolf  left  Bethel  many  years  ago.  It  was  about  sixty  years  ago, 
when  I  was  a  child  and  we  lived  in  a  clearing  at  the  east  part  of  the 
town,  that  in  winter  our  attention  was  called  by  some  one  of  the 
family,  to  two  animals  which  came  into  the  opening  in  the  gray  of 
the  early  morning,  and  seemed  in  no  haste  to  go  away.  The 
patriarch  of  the  family  pronounced  them  wolves,  and  a  large  hunt- 
ing dog  named  "Colonel,"  was  put  after  them  and  quickly  sent  them 
to  cover  in  the  woods.  Then  some  neighbors  came  with  another 
dog,  called  Major,  and  they  followed  the  fugitives  the  entire  day  in 
the  direction  of  Canada,  but  did  not  get  sight  of  them.  But  those 
who  followed  their  tracks  agreed  with  the  patriarch  that  the}'  were 
wolves,  which  they  undoubtedly  were,  I  only  remember  that  they 
were  gray  and  gaunt,  looked  much  alike  and  much  like  the  pictures 
of  wolves  in  the  story  books. 


436  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

As  late  as  the  forties,  bears  were  quite  plent}^  iu  the  woods  around 
the  base  of  Goss  mountain,  and  in  the  woods  at  the  south  of  the 
mountain,  which  extended  to  Alder  river.  Along  Alder  brook,  be- 
tween the  base  of  the  Goss  mountain  and  Aider  river,  back  of  the 
"Dug-away"  hill,  as  it  was  called,  the  bears  had  regular  beaten 
paths,  and  in  passing  at  night  along  the  road  which  ran  along  par- 
allel with  the  brook  and  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  Dug-away  hill, 
the  growling  of  bears  could  sometimes  be  heard,  and  the  calling 
sounds  of  the  cubs.  Our  patriarch  once  set  a  trap  in  one  of  the 
paths,  and  we  were  all  greatly  excited  a  day  or  two  after,  when  it 
was  found  that  the  trap  was  missing.  A  clog  w^as  attached  to  the 
trap  to  impede  the  bear's  progress,  and  some  of  the  neighbors  hav- 
ing turned  out  to  witness  the  sport,  the  trail  was  easil}'  followed  and 
bruin  brought  to  bay  within  half  a  mile  of  the  place  where  he  was 
■caught.  He  was  held  by  a  sappling  against  Mhich  the  clog  had 
caught,  and  was  dreadfull}'  ferocious.  A  good  sized  dog  which 
approached  too  near,  was  tossed  into  the  air  and  landed  ten  feet 
away.  After  watching  him  for  a  few  moments,  a  well  directed  ball 
put  him  out  of  his  misery.  This  was  the  last  bear  I  saw  executed, 
and  it  was  about  fifty  years  ago. 

Our  patriarch  was  something  of  a  bear  hunter,  and  on  one  occa- 
sion when  he  had  a  piece  of  corn  on  new  land  nearl}'  half  a  mile 
from  home,  and  found  that  the  bears  were  destroying  it,  he  set  a 
gun,  by  attaching  a  line  to  the  trigger,  so  that  if  the  bear  should  run 
against  the  line  he  would  fire  the  gun  and  perhaps  get  the  ball 
through  his  head  or  body.  Near  the  middle  of  the  night,  the  forest 
echoes  were  awakened  by  the  sound  of  the  gun,  and  so  excited  was 
the  patriarch  that  he  could  not  wait  until  daylight  to  learn  the 
result,  but  dressing  himself,  he  went  alone  through  the  woods  to  the 
corn  field,  and  soon  returned  with  the  information  that  a  huge  bear 
had  shot  himself  and  was  lying  dead  near  the  place  where  he  had 
received  the  fatal  bullet.  By  the  aid  of  neighbors,  he  was  brought 
to  the  house  on  the  following  morning,  where  we  all  could  inspect 
him.  He  was  a  monster  bear,  and  terrible  even  in  death  to  the 
group  of  children  that  surveyed  him,  from  what  they  considered  a 
safe  distance.  I  thought  at  the  time  and  I  have  thought  since,  that 
it  required  no  small  amount  of  courage  on  the  part  of  the  patriarch 
to  get  up  at  midnight  and  go  off  through  the  woods  to  the  place 
where  the  gun  had  been  discharged,  with  the  chance  of  finding,  not 
a  dead  bear,  but  a  wounded  one,  and  from  which,  in  the  darkness, 
he  might  have  found  it  difficult  to  escape. 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  437 

The  followiug  statistics  respecting  the  adjoining  town  of  Mason 
were  written  down  by  the  late  Dr.  Moses  Mason.  The  town  of 
Mason  was  run  out  into  lots  by  Jason  Sherman  in  eighteen  hundred 
and  twenty-five.  In  eighteen  hundred  and  twenty-seven,  Moses 
Mason  built  mills  there.  The  town  was  incorporated  in  eighteen 
hundred  and  forty-three,  and  named  in  honor  of  Moses  Mason.  At 
that  time  the  following  were  residents,  being  heads  of  families  : 
Jonathan  Everett,  Benjamin  Bean,  Ebenezer  Bean,  Jonathan  Bean, 
Amos  Bean,  Peregrine  Dustou,  Charles  Burk,  Chapman  Brackett, 
Jeremiah  Grover,  Cj^rus  Mills,  James  Mills,  Artemas  Mason,  John 
Paine,  James  A.  Paine,  Levi  Shaw,  Nathaniel  Tyler,  Nathaniel 
Tyler,  Jr.,  and  William  Tyler. 

The  border  tOAvn  of  Gilead  which  joins  Bethel  on  the  west,  form- 
erly called  Peabody's  patent,  w^as  settled  about  the  year  seventeen 
hundred  and  eight^'-one.  The  first  three  settlers  were  Oliver  Pea- 
body,  Enoch  Messer  and  a  Mr.  Pettingill,  who  was  killed  by  the 
Indians  after  they  had  raided  Bethel.  The  next  settlers  were  the 
Larys,  Joseph,  Joseph,  Jr.,  and  Jonathan,  and  Mr.  David  Blake, 
who  afterwards  came  to  Bethel  and  built  mills.  This  was  in  seven- 
teen hundred  and  eighty-eight.  Four  years  later  came  Thomas 
Peabody,  then  John  Bennett  and  John  Mason.  In  seventeen  hun- 
dred and  ninety-six.  seven  settlers  purchased  as  many  ranges  of  lots 
with  a  view  of  settling.  They  were  Eliphaz  Chapman,  Jr.,  John 
Swan,  Ephraim  Wight,  John  Bennett,  William  Lucas,  Samuel 
Wheeler  and  James  Rogers.  Others  who  came  at  the  same  time 
but  did  not  buy  laud,  were  Timothy  Bennett,  James  Wiles  and 
Andrew  Gould.  The  first  deaths^  were  of  Mrs.  Blake,  Mrs.  Swan 
and  Mrs.  Lucas,  ull  caused  by  consumption.  Blake  built  a  mill  on 
Wild  river  but  the  first  freshet  swept  it  away.  By  the  aid  of  his 
neighbors  he  rebuilt  it,  but  it  was  again  carried  away,  and  discour- 
aged, he  gave  it  up  and  left  the  town.  After  the  death  of  his  wife, 
Lucas  sold  to  Isaac  Adams  and  went  to  Cauada.  During  the 
absence  of  Adams,  his  wife  attempted  to  cross  the  river  in  a  small 
boat  with  her  sister,  her  cliild,  Sarah  Bradle}',  a  girl  of  twelve  years, 
and  Joseph  Blodgett.  The  boat  was  capsized  and  all  perished 
except  Miss  Lydia  Twitchi  11,  the  sister  of  Mrs.  Adams.  Eliphalet 
Burbauk  from  Bradford,  Mass.,  came  to  Gilead  in  eighteen  hun- 
dred and  two,  and  bought  a  fine  interval  farm  of  Lieut.  Lary.  He 
was  accompanied  by  Sanuiel  Barker,  who  settled  in  Bethel.     Mr. 


438  HISTOBY   OF  BETHEL. 

Burbank  moved  into  the  town  the  following  winter,  hauling  his 
household  goods  from  Bradford  with  teams  of  six  oxen  and  two 
horses.  He  was  an  enterprising  man,  a  good  farmer  and  a  valuable 
addition  to  the  colony.  He  had  six  sous,  one  of  whom,  Jedediah 
Burbank  came  to  Bethel,  and  two  daughters.  He  died  in  Gilead 
in  eighteen  hundred  and  sixteen.  George  W.  Chapman  was  also 
an  earl}'  resident  in  Gilead,  and  both  he  and  his  brother  represented 
the  town  in  the  Legislature.  Samuel  Barker  came  to  Bethel  and 
bought  of  Daniel  Clark,  the  farm  afterwards  owned  by  his  sou 
Francis  Barker,  and  is  still  in  the  family.  Mr.  Barker  was  the  pro- 
prietor of  Barker's  Ferry  and  gave  name  to  it.  The  Larys  of 
Gilead  moved  to  Shelburne  and  Gorham,  New  Hampshire,  and  have 
been  prominent  in  those  towns.  They  came  from  "NYolfboro,  New 
Hampshire,  and  were  connected  with  the  Messers  and  Blakes. 

A  musical  genius  was  Hosea  Riple3\  He  was  not  a  native  of 
Bethel,  but  he  lived  at  South  Bethel  many  years  and  died  there. 
He  taught  the  old-fashioned  singing  schools  at  the  lower  part  of  the 
toAvn  and  in  adjoining  towns  nearly  fifty  years  ago,  and  was  con- 
sidered an  excellent  instructor.  He  organized  a  band  at  Bryant's 
Pond  and  one  in  Bethel,  and  perhaps  in  other  places.  He  could 
play  with  ease  upon  every  kind  of  wind  or  stringed  instrument,  and 
was  tlierefore  in  great  demand  as  a  teacher  of  bands.  He  had  a 
fine  voice  for  singing,  and  all  these  qualities,  while  they  did  not 
bring  riches  as  they  almost  never  do,  they  did  bring  him  much 
enjoyment  and  made  him  a  general  favorite. 

Capt.  .John  Harris  in  ])olitics,  was  an  ardent  whig,  and  when  the 
whigs  gained  the  day,  whether  in  the  State  or  nation,  he  believed  in 
celebrating  it.  In  the  campaign  of  eighteen  hundred  and  forty- 
eight,  wlien  General  Taylor  was  elected  President,  a  few  whig  young 
men  hauled  the  cannon  to  the  Common,  and  made  preparations  to 
fire  a  salute.  The  piece  stood  in  front  of  the  Doctor  Mason  house, 
and  the  Doctor  who  was  a  strong  democrat,  came  out  and  objected 
to  the  firing,  giving  as  a  reason  that  the  concussion  would  break  his 
window  glass.  The  boys  hardly  knew  what  to  do,  but  just  then 
Captain  Harris  came  along,  and  learning  the  situation,  he  took  a 
good  look  at  Doctor  Mason's  house,  and  then  exclaimed,  "seven  by 
nine  glass,  boys,  touch  her  off  and  I'll  pay  the  bills,"  and  touch  her 
off  they  did,  and  when  they  were  done  Captain  Harris  had  no  small 
bill  to  settle. 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  439 

A  most  enjoyable  man  was  Jonathan  Abbot  Russell,  who  lived  on 
the  Middle  Interval  road,  and  a  more  enjoyable  family  than  his, 
when  they  were  all  at  home,  never  has  it  been  my  lot  to  meet.  Mr. 
Russell  was  born  in  Bethel  and  was  full  of  reminiscences  of  the 
early  town.  He  was  a  veteran  school  teacher,  and  probably  had 
more  pupils  under  his  charge  than  any  other  Bethel  man.  His  sons 
and  daughters,  after  attending  the  town  schools  and  a  few  terms  at 
the  academy,  became  teachers  of  public  schools.  But  there  seemed 
to  be  a  fatality  attending  the  family  and  every  member  thereof. 
The  father  died  before  he  could  be  called  old,  then  the  mother  and 
children  dropped  off  one  by  one,  and  in  a  very  few  brief  years,  there 
was  not  one  left.  Betsey,  Sarah,  Matilda,  Lavater  and  Solon,  all 
had  passed  over  that  mysterious  river  which  none  are  permitted  ever 
to  re-cross.  No  friends  are  dearer  to  us  than  those  of  our  school 
days,  and  how  deeply  we  regret  their  loss  when  they  pass  away  in 
the  ordinary  course  of  nature  ;  but  when  a  whole  aud  interesting 
family  are  swept  away  in  early  man  and  womanhood,  it  leaves  a 
void  in  the  school  circle  as  well  as  in  the  heart,  which  on  earth  can 
never  be  filled.  To  perpetuate  the  memory  of  early  aud  dear  friends 
is  the  object  of  this  brief  paragraph. 

The  beautiful  view  opposite  this  page,  may  be  seen  on  any  day 
on  the  road  below  Mayville  toward  Newry  Corner.  It  is  only  one 
of  scores  if  not  of  hundreds  that  might  be  selected  along  the  river 
in  its  serpentine  course  through  the  towu.  It  was  on  a  bright,  early 
summer  day  when  this  view  was  taken,  and  light  aud  shade  are 
beautifully  blended  at  some  poiuts,  and  quite  distinct  at  others.  On 
the  left  bauk  of  the  river  aud  the  right  of  the  picture,  is  the  Sauborn 
place,  first  occupied  by  David  Marshall,  who  deserted  it  at  the  time 
of  the  Indian  raid,  and  afterwards  by  the  Beau  famih'.  On  the  left, 
opposite,  is  the  Merrill  place,  from  which  the  old  ruin  of  a  house 
has  been  but  recently  removed.  It  will  be  noticed  that  the  river 
here  makes  a  sharp  turn,  being  thrown  out  of  its  course  by  the 
wooded  upland  at  the  left  of  the  picture.  The  mountain  which 
forms  the  background  is  Mount  Will,  situated  in  the  town  of  Newry, 
and  is  wooded  nearly  to  its  summit.  It  is  such  a  conabination  of 
river,  meadow,  forest  and  mountain,  which  can  be  grouped  in  one 
small  picture,  that  gives  the  peculiar  charm  to  Bethel  scener}'. 

Consider  Cole  was  a  Greenwood  man,  but  he  was  often  at  Bethel 
Hill,  and  when  there,  provided  he  had  the  means  to  gratify  his  insa- 


440  HISTORY    OF  BETHEL. 

tiable  appetite  for  drink,  he  was  sure  to  become  intoxicated.  On 
one  occasion  he  crept  into  the  school  house  which  stood  near  Rob- 
ertson's shop,  intending  to  spend  the  night  there.  It  was  a  bitter 
cold  night,  and  seeing  him  enter  I  followed  him.  He  was  camped 
upon  the  floor,  and  when  I  entered,  he  lifted  his  head,  and  resting 
it  upon  his  hand,  his  elbow  on  the  floor,  he  peered  into  my  face  and 
said,  "are  you  the  school  committee?  if  3'ou  be,  won't  you  have 
glass  set  in  the  windows  to  keep  out  the  wind."  I  took  him  to  the 
tavern  where  he  had  obtained  his  drink,  and  by  a  little  coaxing  and 
a  few  threats  of  prosecution,  induced  the  landlord  to  take  cai'e  of 
him  for  the  night.  At  another  time,  I  with  another,  found  him  late 
at  night  in  a  horse-shed,  upon  the  ground,  in  a  drunken  stupor.  It 
was  a  bitter  night  and  the  glittering  stars  looked  coldly  down  upon 
the  snow-clad  earth.  We  raised  him  up,  and  each  taking  an  arm, 
walked  him  off  toward  warmer  quarters.  As  we  were  going  along, 
he  turned  upon  me,  and  having  some  idea  where  he  might  be  going 
or  ought  to  go,  with  a  drunken  leer,  he  enquired,  "be  you  the 
devil?"  Our  interference  on  this  occasion  doubtless  saved  his  life, 
for  he  could  not  have  outlived  that  frigid  night.  Consider  enlisted 
and  went  to  the  war  and  never  returned,  which  was,  perhaps,  just  as 
well.  He  could  not  resist  an  appetite  long  indulged  and  which  was 
hereditary.  His  father,  lying  before  an  open  fire  in  a  drunken 
sleep,  was  roasted  alive,  and  the  whole  family  were  slaves  to  the 
intoxicating  cup.  Consider  and  his  brother  did  not  marry,  and  the 
family  has  become  extinct. 

The  early  settlers  were  subject  to  many  trials  in  their  efforts  to 
make  homes  in  the  wilderness,  and  not  the  least  of  their  troubles 
was  the  prevalence  of  forest  fires.  At  one  time  in  autumn  when 
the  ground  was  covered  with  leaves  as  dry  as  tinder,  for  it  was  in  a 
season  of  extreme  drouth,  fires  raged  on  Pine  mountain,  and 
from  that  elevation  the  cinders  were  driven  by  the  winds  and  caught 
in  many  places.  It  caught  in  the  woods  on  the  western  slope  of 
Grover  Hill,  and  a  little  to  the  west  of  Joseph  Wheeler's  house,  and 
in  a  short  time  the  entire  forest  in  that  direction  was  filled  with 
flame.  The  house  was  of  bark-covered  logs,  and  it  seemed  impos- 
sible to  save  it.  Neighbors  came  to  the  rescue  and  worked  with  a 
will,  but  fell  back,  saying  it  was  no  use  to  expose  themselves 
farther.  James  Wheeler  then  a  young  man,  refused  to  withdraw, 
and  appealed  to  the  others  not  to  give  up,  at  the  same  time  scraping 
the    bark    from   the    Ijurning   logs.     This    encouraged,  or  perhaps 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  441 

shamed  the  others,  who  renewed  the  attack  on  the  fiery  element,  and 
after  much  effort,  begrimed  with  dust,  almost  blinded  by  smoke, 
and  exhausted  by  their  efforts,  they  gained  the  victory  and  the  house 
was  saved.  This  is  only  one  of  many  similar  occurrences  while  the 
early  settlers  were  clearing  up  their  farms. 

Joseph  Wheeler  who  settled  on  Grover  Hill  and  came  to  town 
somewhat  later  than  the  Grovers,  was  a  strong  man,  and  his  large 
family  was  an  important  addition  to  the  plantation.  His  wife  was 
also  a  model  housekeeper  and  a  veritable  help-mate.  She  was 
strong  and  vigorous,  tipping  the  beam  at  two  hundred  pounds  and 
enjoyed  excellent  health.  When  they  came  to  Sudbury  Canada 
from  their  home  in  southern  New  Hampshire,  they  journeyed  on  an 
ox-sled  in  early  winter,  the  wife  and  mother  sitting  upon  a  bushel 
measure,  a  boy  four  years  old  on  one  side,  one  of  two  on  the  other, 
and  a  babe  in  her  lap.  They  spent  the  winter  at  the  house  of  Mrs. 
Wheeler's  brother,  and  in  early  spring  settled  upon  their  own  land. 
Labor  soon  met  with  its  just  reward.  The  forests  gave  place  to 
cultivated  fields,  an  orchard  was  provided,  and  two  of  the  first  three 
trees  set  out  are  still  standing  and  are  quite  vigorous,  one  of  them 
bearing  ten  bushels  of  apples  the  past  year.  It  is  a  monster,  its 
trunk  being  over  two  feet  in  diameter.  They  also  planted  plum, 
pear  and  cherry  trees,  provided  for  a  large  kitchen  garden  and  were 
soon  surrounded  with  plenty  and  lived  long  to  enjoy  it. 

The  four  stalwart  sons  of  Elijah  Grover,  namely,  Elijah,  Jr., 
Nathan,  George  W.  and  Jeremiah,  settled  upon  adjoining  lands  on 
the  "Flat"  road,  leading  southerly  from  West  Bethel,  and  in  ph^^si- 
cal  strength,  they  were  probably  unequalled  by  an  equal  number  in 
any  neighborhood  in  town.  Fortunately  they  were  peaceable  men, 
and  devoted  their  great  strength  to  the  subjugation  of  the  soil.  Nor 
were  they  at  all  wanting  in  intellectual  endowments,  and  as  citizens 
they  were  everything  that  could  be  desired.  Two  of  them,  after  a 
time,  strayed  away  and  both  died  in  distant  States,  while  the  other 
two  lived  to  be  aged  and  were  gathered  to  their  fatliers  upon  the 
soil  they  had  aided  in  redeeming  from  the  wilderness.  Their  lives 
though  for  the  most  part  "along  the  cool,  sequestered  vale,"  were 
fraught  with  good  deeds,  and  their  works  of  charity  and  benevo- 
lence will  hold  their  names  in  grateful  remembrance.  Eight  orphan 
children,  adopted,  elotlied,  fed  and  educated  by  one  couple,  and 
sent  away  fully  equipped  for  the  conflict  of  life.     This  is  a  record  as 


442  HISTOBY  OF  BETHEL. 

rare  as  it  is  praiseworthy  ;  a  deed  raised  far  above  the  level  of  ordi- 
nary charity,  and  which  places  the  names  of  Nathan  and  Lucinda 
<arover  high  on  the  roll  of  benefactors.  The  lives  of  both  Nathan 
and  George  W.  Grover  were  singularly  blameless,  and  it  may  be 
truly  said  of  them  that  the  world  was  made  better  by  their  example. 

The  sudden  death  of  Dr.  Philautheus  C.  "Wiley  when  in  the  prime 
and  vigor  of  manhood  and  in  the  midst  of  what  promised  to  be  a 
distinguished  career  of  usefulness  in  the  medical  profession,  was 
greatly  deplored  by  a  large  circle  of  patrons  and  friends.  He  grad- 
uated from  Bowdoin  College  in  the  class  of  eighteen  hundred  and 
sixty-one,  studied  medicine  with  his  father  and  took  his  degree  from 
the  Maine  Medical  school  in  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-four.  He 
at  once  returned  to  Bethel  and  commenced  practice,  for  which  he 
had  a  peculiar  aptitude.  In  a  comparatively  short  time,  he  had  an 
extensive  practice  in  this  and  the  ueighboring  towns,  and  was  often 
called  to  the  remote  regions  around  the  head  waters  of  the  Andros- 
coggin. It  was  while  returning  from  a  professional  visit  in  the 
Megalloway  country  that,  in  crossing  Umbagog  lake,  the  boat  by 
some  mischance  was  upset,  and  encumbered  as  he  was  with  cloth- 
ing, Dr.  Wiley  was  unable  to  keep  his  head  above  the  surface  and 
soon  sank  to  the  bottom.  It  was  a  sudden  and  sad  going  out  of  one 
of  the  most  popular  youug  men  ever  raised  in  town. 

A  model  smithy  was  John  Hastings,  who  long  carried  on  the  busi- 
ness at  Bethel  Hill.  He  was  a  fine  specimen  of  muscular  manhood, 
and  Longfellow  accurately  described  him  when  he  wrote  : 

"The  smith  a  iiiiglity  inau  is  he. 

With  large  and  siut'wv  hands  : 
Aud  the  muscles  of  his  Ijrawny  arms 

Are  strong  as  iron  l)ands."" 

To  the  boy  and  girl  there  is  something  intensely  interesting  in  the 
operations  of  the  blacksmith  shop,  and  it  was  a  favorite  resort  of 
academy  scholars  when  I  was  enrolled  at  Gould's.  With  what  won- 
der we  watched  the  process  of  forging  the  horse  shoe  from  the  steel 
or  iron  bar,  and  the  more  delicate  job  of  hammering  out  the  nail 
with  which  to  fasten  it  on.  All  was  hand  work  then.  He  was  a 
very  industrious  man,  aud, 

"AVeek  iu,  week  out,  iroin  morn  till  uiglit, 

You  could  hear  his  l>ellows  blow  ; 
You  could  hear  him  swing  his  heavv  sledge 

With  measured  beat  anil  slow."" 


HISTOEl'    OF  BETHEL.  443 

He  died  when  by  no  means  old,  and  that  was  the  fate  of  most  of 
his  father's  famil}'.  He  left  a  number  of  sons  who  have  made  their 
mark,  and  honored  their  native  town. 


CHAPTER  XXXriI. 

Official   Registek — Selectmen. 

1796.  John  Kilgore,  Jonathan  Clark,  Jonathan  Bartlett. 

1797.  Jesse  Dnston,  Jonathan  Clark,  Jeremiah  Andrews. 

1798.  Jesse  Dustou,  Eleazer  Twitchell,  Jeremiah  Andrews. 

1799.  Eli  Twitchell,  Gideon  Powers,  Oliver  Feuno. 

1800.  Eli  Twitchell,  John  Duston,  John  Holt. 

1801.  Eliphaz  Chapman,  Timothy  Carter,  Phiueas  Howard. 

1802.  Eli  Twitchell,  John  York,  John  Holt. 

1803.  Eli  Twitchell,  John  York,  John  Holt. 

1804.  Eli  Twitchell,  John  Holt,  Asa  Kimball. 

1805.  Eli  Twitchell,  John  Holt,  Asa  Kimball. 

1806.  Eleazer  Twitchell,  Nathan  Adams,  John  Kilgore. 

1807.  Eli  Twitchell,  John  Kilgore,  Peregrine  Bartlett. 

1808.  John  Kilgore,  Jr.,  Isaac  Town,  Samuel  Kimball. 

1809.  John  Kilgore,  Jr.,  Samuel  Kimball,  Jonathan  Abbot. 

1810.  Jonathan  Kilgore,  Jr.,  Jonathan  Abbot,  Peter  York. 

1811.  Eli  Twitchell,  Jonathan  Abbot,  Peter  York. 

1812.  Eli  Twitchell,  Jonathan  Abbot,  John  Holt. 

1813.  John  Kilgore,  Jonathan  Abbot,  Samuel  Kimball. 

1814.  John  Kilgore,  Jonathan  Abbot,  Samuel  Kimball. 

1815.  Reuben  Bartlett,  Samuel  Chapman,  Barbour  Bartlett. 

1816.  Eli  Twitchell,  Samuel  Chapman,  Elias  Bartlett. 

1817.  Samuel  Chapman,  Peter  York,  Jonas  Willis. 

1818.  Jonathan  Abbot,  Samuel  Chapman.  Asa  Kimball. 

1819.  Jonathan  Abbot,  Samuel  Chapman,  Peter  York. 

1820.  Timothy  Carter,  John  Grover,  John  Holt. 

1821.  Timothy  Carter,  Samuel  Chapman,  Peregrine  Bartlett. 

1822.  Phiueas  Frost,  Samuel  Chapman,  Peter  York. 

1823.  Timothy  Carter,  Phiueas  Frost,  James  AValker. 

1824.  Phiueas  Frost,  Jedediah  Burbank,  Timothy  Hastings. 

1825.  Same. 

1826.  Phiueas  Frost,  Jedediah  Burbank,  Ebenezer  Eames. 

1827.  Wm.  Frye,  Adam  Willis,  Jouathau  Abbot. 

1828.  Phineas  Frost,  Jedediah  Burbank,  Timothy  Hastings. 

1829.  Phineas  Frost,  Moses  Mason,  Israel  Kimball. 

1830.  Moses  Mason,  Israel  Kimball,  Elias  Bartlett. 

1831.  Moses  Mason,  Israel  Kimball,  Spencer  Drake. 

1832.  Moses  Mason,  Ebenezer  Eames,  Spencer  Drake. 

1833.  Moses  Mason,  Norman  Clark,  Reuben  B.  Foster. 


444 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 


1834. 

1835. 

1836. 

1837. 

1838. 

1839. 

1840. 

1841. 

1842. 

1843. 

1844. 

1845. 

1846. 

1847. 

1848. 

1849. 

1850. 

1851. 

1852. 

1853. 

1854. 

1855. 

1856. 
man. 

1857. 

1858. 

1859. 

1860. 

1861. 

1862. 

1863. 

1864. 

1865. 

1866. 

1867. 
Crockett. 

1868. 
Wheeler. 

1869. 

1870. 
dard. 

1871. 
Wheeler. 

1872. 
ball. 

1873. 
man. 

1874. 

1.S75. 

1876. 


Phineas  P'rost,  Jedediah  Burbank,  Timothy  Hastings. 
Same. 

Phineas  Frost,  Timothy  Hastings,  John  B.  Mason. 
Phineas  Frost,  Edmund  Merrill,  John  B.  Mason. 
Israel  Kimball,  Moses  Mason,  Phineas  Frost. 
Moses  Mason,  Israel  Kimball,  Elhanan  Bartlett. 
Same. 
Same. 

Phineas  Frost,  Ebenezer  Fames,  Nathan  Grover. 
John  Grover,  Nathan  Grover,  Wm.  Goddard. 
Moses  Mason,  Wra.  Goddard,  Elias  M.  Carter. 
Phineas  Frost,  Ebenezer  Fames,  Elias  M.  Carter. 
Elias  M.  Carter,  John  Y.  Duston,  Alphin  Twitchell. 
Same. 

Moses  Mason,  Ebenezer  Eames,  Eliphaz  C.  Bean. 
Eliphaz  C.  Bean,  Charles  R.  Locke,  Tyler  P.  Town. 
Same. 

Charles  R.  Locke,  John  B.  Mason,  Elias  S.  Bartlett. 
Phineas  Frost,  John  B.  Mason,  Timothy  Hastings. 
Elias  M.  Carter,  Julias  S.  Bartlett,  Eber  Clough. 
Elias  S.  Bartlett,  Eber  Clough,  Gilman  L.  Blake. 
Alphin  Twitchell,  Gilman  L.  Blake,  Amos  Young. 
Elias  S.  Bartlett,  Clark  S.  Edwards,  Timothy  H.  Chap- 
Same. 

Elias  M.  Carter,  David  F.  Brown,  Nathan  W.  Ethridge. 
Elias  M.  Carter,  Eli  Foster,  John  Barker. 
Same. 

John  Barker,  Oliver  H.  Mason,  Zaeh.  H.  Bean. 
Same. 

Alphin  Twitchell,  Benj.  T.  Brown,  Gilman  P.  Bean. 
Same. 

Gilman  P.  Bean,  Israel  G.  Kimball,  Sullivan  R.  Hutchins. 
Elias  M.  Carter,  Sullivan  R.  Hutchins,  David  F.  Brown. 
David  F.  Brown,  Samuel  B.    Twitchell,  Charles  T.    D. 

Samuel  B.  Twitchell,  Chas.  T.  I).  Crockett,  Elbridge  G. 

Same. 

Samuel  B.  Twitchell,  Gideon  A.  Hastings,  Wm.  H.  God- 
Gideon  A.  Hastings,  Wm.  H.  Goddard,  Ell)ridge  G. 
Gideon  A.  Hastings,  Wm.  H.  Goddard,  C.  Mellen  Kim- 
Elbridge  G.  Wheeler,  Charles  M.  Kimball,  Gilman  Chap- 
Charles  M.  Kimball,  John  Barker,  Daniel  B.  Grover. 
John  Barker,  Daniel  B.  Grover,  Charles  V.  Martin. 
Same. 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 


445 


1877.  John  Barker,  Charles  V.  Martin,  Gilman  P.  Beau. 

1878.  Daniel  B.  Grover,  Gilman  P.  Beau,  Wm.  O.  Holt. 

1879.  Same. 

1880.  Daniel  B.  Grover,  Gilman  P.  Bean,  Charles  V.  Martiu. 

1881.  Same. 

1882.  Same. 

1883.  Gideon   A.    Hastings,    Elbridge   G.    Wheeler,   Wm.    R. 
Eames. 

1884.  Elbridge  G.  Wheeler,  Wm.  R.  Eames,  John  D.  Hastings. 

1885.  John  Barker,  Wm.  R.  Eames,  John  D.  Hastings. 

1886.  Same. 

1887.  Gilman  P.  Bean,  Albert  W.  Grover,  Charles  i\I.  Kimball. 

1888.  Albert  W.  Grover,  Charles  M.  Kimball,  Eben  S.  Kilborn. 

1889.  Same. 

1890.  Same. 

Town  Clerks. 

1796-1800.  Benjamin  Russell. 

1801-1812.  Timothy  Carter. 

1813-1815.  John  Holt. 

1816-1833.  Barbour  Bartlett. 

1834-1840.  William  Frye. 

1841.  Elias  M.  Carter. 

1842-1843.  Eliphaz  C.  Bean. 

1844-1845.  Ira  C.  Kimball. 

1846-1847.  Hiram  Holt. 

1848-1849.  Mighill  Mason. 

1850-1851.  Gideon  A.  Hastings. 

1852.  AVm.  Frye. 

1853-1854.  Israel  G.  Kimball. 

1855-1857.  Benjamin  Freeman. 

1858-1860.  Charles  Mason. 

1861-1862.  Albert  L.  Burbauk. 

1863.  Albert  S.  Twitchell. 

1864.  Oliver  H.  Mason. 
1865-1866.  Charles  Mason. 
1867.  p:noch  Foster,  Jr. 
1868-1873.  Leander  T.  Barker. 
1874-1876.  Goodwin  R.  Wiley. 
1877-1891.  Leander  T.  Barker. 

Justices  of  the  Peace. 


Benjamin  Russell, 
Eli  Twitchell, 
James  Walker, 
Barbour  Bartlett, 
Jedediah  Burbauk, 
Elias  Grover, 


Eliphaz  C.  Bean, 
Thaddeus  P.  Bartlett, 
Mighill  Mason, 
Phineas  Frost, 
James  AYalker,  2d, 
Jonathan  Abbott, 


446 


HISTOUY  OF  BETHEL. 


John  Grover, 
Moses  Mason, 
Joel  C.  Virgin, 
Henry  Ward, 
William  Frye, 
O'Neil  W.  Robinson, 
Moses  B.  Bartlett, 
Robert  A.  Chapman, 
Leander  Jewett, 
Samuel  F.  Gibson, 
O'Neil  W.  Robinson,  Jr. 
Albert  L.  Burbank, 
Oliver  H.  Mason, 
Spencer  Drake, 
Oilman  L.  Blake, 
Enoch  Foster, 
Enoch  W.  AYoodbury, 
Addison  E.  Herrick, 
Timothy  Carter, 
Elias  M.  Carter, 


Abernethy  Grover, 
Reuben  B.  Foster, 
Charles  R.  Locke, 
Aaron  Cross, 
Erastus  Hilboru, 
John  B.  Mason, 
AVm.  B.  Lapham, 
Charles  Mason, 
David  F.  Brown, 
David  Hammons, 
Amos  Hills, 
Moses  Soule, 
Richard  A.  Frye, 
Wm.  E.  Skillings, 
Ellery  C.  Park, 
Hiram  Hodsdon, 
Joshua  G.  Rich, 
James  H.  Barrows, 
Leslie  H.  Mason. 


Representatives. 

The  following  Bethel  men  have  represented  the  town,  or  the  dis- 
trict of  which  the  town  forms  a  part,  in  the  State  Legislature : 


Eliphaz  Chapman,  1808-1 L 
John  Kilgore,  1811-12. 
Moses  Mason,  1812-17. 
Samuel  Chapman,  1818. 
Moses  Mason,  Jr.,  1819. 
John  Grover,  1820-1. 
Barbour  Bartlett,  1822. 
Timothy  Hastings,  1825-6. 
Phineas  Frost,  1^828-9. 
O'Neil  W.  Robinson,  1832. 
Asa  Kimball,  1833-5. 
Ebenezer  Fames,  1836-7. 
Phineas  Frost,  1838-9. 
Timothy  Hastings,  1840-1. 
William  Frye,  1842-3. 
James  Walker,  1845. 


Phineas  Frost,  1846. 
Nathan  Grover,  1849. 
J^liphaz  C.  Bean,  1851. 
Gideon  A.  Hastings,  1852. 
Phineas  Frost,  1853. 
La  C.  Kimball,  1856-7.  eif 
Eber  Clough,  1858.  IM.B 

Jedediah  f.  Kimball,  1861-2. 
John  Barker,  1864-5. 
Israel  G.  Kimball,  1869-70. 
Moses  C.  Foster,  1871-2.  % 
Pinckney  Burnham,  1875-6. 
Samuel  B-  Twitchell  1880-1. 
Charles  M.  Kimball,  1882-9. 
Addison  E.  Herrick,  1890. 


Senators. 

John  Grover,  1827-30. 
William  Frye,  1844-5. 
Robert  A.  Chapman,  1850-2. 
Almon  Twitchell,  1856-7. 


Councillors. 

Moses  Mason,  1843-5. 
Elias  M.  Carter,  1848. 
Abernethy  Grover,  1856. 
Benjamin  Freeman,  1858. 


HI 8 TOBY  OF  BETHEL.  447 

Other  State  Officers. 

Enoch  W.  Woodbury,  Trustee  Insane  Hospital. 
Enoch  W.  Woodbury,  Valuation  Commissioner,  1890. 
Enoch  Foster,  Associate  Justice  S.  J.  Court,  1884. 


CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

Brief  Sketch  of  Hanover. 

HE  component  parts  of  Hanover  are  Howard's  Gore  and 
that  part  of  original  Bethel  situated  on  the  north  side  of 
the  Androscoggin  River,  between  Newry  Corner  and  Rum- 
ford.  The  town  is  somewhat  triangular  in  form,  the  apex  being  at 
Newry  line  near  the  mouth  of  Bear  River,  and  the  base  on  Rumford 
line.  The  north  side  borders  on  Newry  south  line,  and  the  south 
line  follows  the  course  of  the  Androscoggin  River.  Bear  mountain 
is  on  the  noi'th  line,  partly  in  Newry,  and  Bartlett  mountain  is  near 
the  center  of  the  town.  Howard's  Pond  is  situated  in  the  north- 
easterly part  of  the  town,  and  its  outlet  flows  southeasterlj^  and  into- 
Androscoggin  river  about  a  mile  from  Rumford  line.  On  this  out- 
let are  several  mills,  which  form  the  nucleus  around  which  is  Hano- 
ver Village.  Howard's  Gore  was  a  tract  of  land  left  in  running  out 
the  towns  of  Bethel,  Newry  and  Rumford,  and  contained  about 
twenty-one  hundred  acres.  It  was  purchased  of  Massachusetts  in 
seventeen  hundred  and  ninety-two,  by  Phineas  Howard  of  Temple, 
N.  H.,  who  soon  after  came  to  Bethel,  and  subsequently  settled  up- 
on his  gore.  There  is  a  broad  belt  of  intervale  next  the  Andros- 
coggin, which,  for  fertility,  is  unsurpassed  by  any  on  the  entire  river. 
Back  of  this  are  table  lands,  upon  which  the  buildings  are  erected, 
and  still  farther  back  from  the  river  are  uplands  which  afford  excel- 
lent grazing.  There  are  also  wooded  hills,  and  the  mountain  sides 
are  also  covered  with  wood  and  timber.  The  north  line  of  the  town 
is  about  fifteen  hundred  rods ;  on  Rumford  about  six  hundred  and 
twenty-five  rods,  and  on  the  river,  about  two  thousand  rods.  Its- 
superficial  area  is  not  far  from  three  thousand  seven  hundred  and 
fifty  acres.  The  town  of  Hanover  was  incorporated  by  act  of  the 
Maine  Legislature  approved  February  fourteen,  eighteen  hundred 
and  forty-three.     In  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty,  the  population  was 


448  HISTOBY  OF  BETHEL. 

two  huudrecl  aud  fifty-seven  ;  in  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty,  it  was 
precisely  the  same  ;  in  eighteen  hundred  and  seventy,  it  had  fallen 
to  one  hundred  and  eightj^-eight,  and  in  eighteen  hundred  and 
eighty,  it  was  two  hundred  aud  three.  In  eighteen  hundred  and 
sixty,  there  were  sixty  polls,  and  in  eighteen  hundred  and  eighty, 
sixty-seven.  In  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty,  the  valuation  was 
forty-five  thousand  seven  hundred  and  two  dollars,  and  in  eighteen 
hundred  and  eighty,  sixty-four  thousand  one  hundred  and  twenty- 
four  dollars.  A  pond  containing  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  acres 
supplies  the  water  power  at  Hanover  Village.  The  outlet  of  the 
pond  has  a  fall  of  about  three  hundred  feet  before  it  flows  into  the 
Androscoggin.     It  is  a  fine  power  and  is  considerably'  utilized. 

Howard's  Gore  was  incorporated  as  a  plantation  March  twentj'- 
thiid,  eighteen  hundred  aud  twelve.  The  warrant  for  calling  the 
first  plantation  meeting  was  issued  to  Phineas  Howard  by  Enoch 
Adams,  Esq.,  of  Andover,  Justice  of  the  Peace.  The  meeting  was 
held  at  the  house  of  Asa  Howard,  and  the  following  officers  chosen  : 

Moderator,  Phiueas  Howard. 

Clerk,  Asa  Howard. 

Assessors,  Ezra  Smith,  Stephen  Saunders  and  Phineas  Howard. 

Collector,  Asa  Howard. 

The  first  meeting  to  vote  for  State  officers  was  held  April  6th  of 
1812,  when  five  votes  were  polled  for  each  of  the  several  candidates. 

At  the  meeting  in  1813,  Phineas  Howard  was  chosen  Moderator, 
Asa  Howard,  Clerk,  Phineas  Howard,  Stephen  Saunders  and  Asa 
Howard,  Assessors,  Phineas  Howard,  Jr.,  Collector,  Phineas  How- 
ard, Treasurer,  and  Stephen  Saunders,  highway  surveyor.  Ezra 
Smith  was  chosen  surveyor  of  lumber.  Voted  seven  dollars  for 
plantation  charges,  and  forty  dollars  for  roads. 

In  1815,  Aoted  to  abate  widow  Anna  Bean's  taxes. 

In  1816,  it  was  voted  to  accept  a  road  laid  out  from  Phineas 
Howard's  grist  mill,  southerly  by  Asa  Howard's  dwelling  house  to 
Bethel  line ;  also  another  road  from  said  grist  mill  to  the  county 
road,  a  little  westerly  of  Ezra  Smith's  place.  This  year  the  planta- 
tion voted  unanimously  for  separation  from  Massachusetts,  polling 
seven  votes.  The  collector  was  allowed  a  dollar  and  twenty-six 
cents  for  collecting  the  last  year's  taxes,  and  Asa  Howard  and 
others,  one  dollar  each  for  services  as  assessors. 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  449 

In  1819,  Phineas  Howard  was  chosen  moderator,  Ezra  Smith, 
clerk,  Joshua  Roberts,  Phineas  Howard  and  Phineas  Frost,  asses- 
sors, Ezra  Smith,  treasurer  and  collector,  and  Stephen  Saunders, 
surveyor  of  ways.  Seventy-five  dollars  were  raised  for  roads  and 
ten  for  plantation  charges.  The  plantation  voted  six  in  favor  of 
separation  from  Massachusetts,  and  one  against  it. 

In  1820,  Phineas  Frost  was  chosen  clerk,  and  other  officers  same 
as  last  year,  except  Ezra  Smith  was  chosen  first  assessor,  and 
Barrett  Howard,  collector. 

In  1821,  Joshua  Roberts  was  elected  clerk. 

In  1822,  Joshua  Roberts  was  elected  clerk,  Phineas  Howard, 
Barrett  Howard  and  William  Tripe,  assessors,  and  Stephen  Saun- 
ders, treasurer.  Voted  to  raise  twenty-seven  dollars  for  schooling, 
to  be  paid  in  wheat,  rye,  oats  or  corn — one  dollar  and  fifty  cents  per 
bushel  to  be  allowed  for  wheat,  one  dollar  for  corn  and  rye,  and 
fifty  cents  for  oats.  This  was  the  first  appropriation  for  school 
purposes. 

In  1823,  Stephen  H.  Sprague  was  chosen  clerk.  A  committee 
was  chosen  to  examine  the  bridge  over  "Stoney  brook."  Barrett 
Howard  was  elected  clerk.  Samuel  Jewett  was  elected  assessor 
and  Nathaniel  Jewett,  collector. 

In  1826,  P^benezer  Bartlett  was  chosen  highway  surveyor  and 
assessor,  and  Ezra  Smith,  moderator,  clerk  and  assessor.  The 
plantation  was  divided  into  two  school  districts  ;  the  three  south- 
east lots  were  called  district  number  two,  and  all  the  rest  of  the 
plantation  number  three.  Meetings  were  now  held  at  the  residence 
of  Ebenezer  Bartlett.  Eleven  votes  were  polled  this  year  for  Enoch 
Lincoln,  for  Governor. 

In  1827,  John  Y.  Duston  was  chosen  clerk,  Ezekiel  Jewett  was 
assessor,  and  Sylvanus  Lane,  collector  of  taxes.  One  hundred  and 
fifty  dollars  were  raised  for  roads.  Voted  that  future  plantation 
meetings  be  held  at  the  house  of  Washington  Howard. 

In  1828,  Peregrine  Duston  was  chosen  clerk.  He  was  the  son  of 
Jesse  Duston  and  the  first  male  child  born  in  Bethel.  He  was  also 
chosen  assessor  and  collector.  Andrew  Stiles  was  also  one  of  the 
assessors.  Voted  to  accept  the  road  from  Andrew  Stiles'  water 
privilege  across  the  brook,  to  the  old  road  near  Phineas  Howard's. 

In  1829,  Caleb  Perry  was  third  assessor.  It  was  voted  to  set  off 
Caleb  Perry  from  school  district  number  one  to  Newry.  Voted  to 
set  off  Ebenezer  Bartlett,  Andrew  Stiles  and  John  Y.  Duston  from 

29 


450  HISTOEY  OF  BETHEL. 

school  district  number  two,  to  Bethel.  Three  highway  surveyors 
were  chosen,  Caleb  Perry,  Ezekiel  Jewett  and  Andrew  Stiles. 
Fourteen  votes  were  polled  for  Governor  ;  Samuel  E.  Smith  had 
twelve,  and  Jonathan  G.  Huuton,  two. 

In  18.30,  the  following  persons  were  taxed  as  residents  of  How- 
ard's Gore,  viz.  :  Stephen  Saunders,  Addison  Saunders,  Milton 
Roberts,  Elijah  Russell,  Isaac  Abbot,  Chandler  Duston,  Phineas 
Howard,  Ezekiel  Jewett,  Samuel  Jewett,  Ebenezer  Bartlett,  Wash- 
ington Howard,  Andrew  Stiles,  Eli  Howe,  Benjamin  Foster,  Wil- 
liam Tripe,  Ezra  Smith,  Caleb  Perry,  Sylvanus  Lane,  John  Bean, 
Ambrose  Powers  and  Stephen  Saunders,  Jr. 

The  following  were  taxed  as  non-resident  owners  of  land  in  the 
plantation,  viz.  :  Peregrine  Bartlett,  Joel  Howe,  Jonathan  Powers, 
Spencer  Drake,  Elhanan  Bartlett  and  Edmund  Segar. 

In  1832,  Ezra  Smith  was  chosen  moderator,  Andrew  Stiles,  clerk, 
Ezra  Smith,  Ebenezer  Bartlett  and  Stephen  Saunders,  assessors, 
Andrew  Stiles,  treasurer,  George  W.  Howard,  Addison  Saunders 
and  Ambrose  Powers,  surveyors  of  roads,  Andrew  Stiles,  surveyor 
of  lumber,  Ebenezer  Bartlett,  fence-viewer  and  Solomon  J.  Hay- 
wood, field-driver.  Voted  to  hold  future  plantation  meetings  in  the 
school  house  in  district  number  two.  Samuel  E.  Smith  had  eleven 
votes  for  Governor,  and  Daniel  Goodenow,  nine. 

In  1833,  Eli  Howe  was  chosen  first  assessor,  and  Milton  Roberts 
a  highway  surveyor. 

In  1834,  Solomon  J.  Haywood  was  elected  moderator,  assessor, 
collector  and  highway  surveyor.  Fifty  dollars  and  eighty  cents 
were  raised  for  schools. 

In  1835,  Eli  Howe  was  moderator  and  assessor,  George  E.  Smith, 
Ezra  Smith  and  Zebulou  Black  were  chosen  superintending  school 
committee  and  Wheeler  Abbot,  field-driver.  It  was  voted  to  pay 
Spencer  Drake  a  note  against  Colman  Hemmenway. 

In  1836,  Andrew  Stiles  was  elected  moderator  and  clerk,  and 
Benjamin  Foster,  school  committee. 

In  1837,  Eli  Howe  was  elected  clerk,  Spencer  Drake,  school  com- 
mittee, Joseph  Brown,  collector,  assessor  and  highway  surveyor, 
and  Eli  Howe,  treasurer. 

In  1838,  Enoch  Bartlett  was  allowed  for  former  services.  Asa 
Boyden  w^as  elected  moderator. 

In  1839,  Eli  Howe  was  moderator  and  Gardiner  G.  Hoyt,  clerk, 
constable  and  collector.     Asa  Boyden,  Solomon  J.  Haywood  and 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  451 

Gardiner  G.  Hoyt  were  chosen  assessors.     John  Fairfield  had  thir- 
teen votes  for  Governor,  and  Edward  Kent,  fifteen. 

The  last  recorded  meeting  in  the  plantation  was  held  March  5, 
1841.  Spencer  Drake  was  chosen  moderator,  Gardiner  G.  Hoyt, 
clerk,  Spencer  Drake,  George  E.  Smith  and  Gilbert  Howe,  asses- 
sors, Eli  Howe,  treasurer,  collector  and  constable,  Spencer  Drake, 
Geoi'ge  E.  Smith  and  Gilbert  Howe,  school  committee,  S.  F.  Frost 
and  Addison  Saunders,  highway  surveyors,  and  Gardiner  G.  Hoyt, 
surveyor  of  wood  and  bark.  Voted  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars 
for  roads,  twenty-five  for  plantation  charges  and  fifty  and  one-half 
for  schools. 

The  plantation  life  of  Howard's  Gore  covered  a  period  of  about, 
thirty  years.  During  those  years,  the  affairs  of  the  plantatioiL 
appear  to  have  been  conducted  with  great  economy  and  marked 
ability.  The  records  were  generally  carefully  kept,  and  two  of  the 
town  clerks,  namely,  Asa  Howard  and  Ezra  Smith,  must  have  been 
of  superior  ability  and  well  educated.  Their  baud-writing  is  plain 
and  systematic,  and  their  orthography  perfect.  In  two  years  after 
the  close  of  the  records  here  given,  the  plantation  of  Howard's  Gore 
lost  its  identity  by  being  merged  into  the  town  of  Hanover.  The^ 
persons  whose  names  have  herein  been  most  conspicuous,  have  long 
since  been  gathered  to  their  fathers,  and  their  sous  aud  grandsons, 
have  succeeded  them  in  town  affairs.  The  settlers  who  cleared  the 
laud  have  left  to  their  posterity  a  goodly  heritage. 

The  act  incorporating  the  town  of  Hanover  was  approved  by  the 
Governor,  Februar}'  14,  1843.  The  warrant  for  the  first  meeting 
was  issued  b}'  Reuben  B.  Foster,  Esq.,  to  Gardiner  G.  Hoyt.  The 
meeting  was  held  at  the  school  house  near  Howe's  mills,  on  the 
twenty-second  day  of  March,  1848.  Reuben  B.  Foster  was  chosen 
moderator,  Gardiner  G.  Hoyt,  clerk,  Spencer  Drake,  Adam  Willis, 
and  Phiueas  H.  Howe,  selectmen,  and  Eli  Howe,  treasurer.  An 
adjourned  meeting  was  held  April  third,  when  Joel  Howe  was 
chosen  agent,  Phiueas  H.  Howe,  collector,  Reuben  B.  Foster, 
Phineas  H.  Howe  aud  Bela  Williams,  school  committee,  Bela  Wil- 
liams and  Moses  W.  Kimball,  tythingmen,  Enoch  Bartlett,  Elijah 
Russell  and  Orsou  Powers,  field-drivers,  Stephen  Bartlett,  Adam 
Willis,  Milton  Roberts  and  Solomon  J.  Haywood,  road-surveyors. 
The  school  districts  were  named  "The  Village  District,  the  Bartlett 
District,  the  AVillis  District  aud  the  Pond  District."  It  was  voted 
to  raise  fifty  dollars  for  town  charges,   what  the  law  obliged  for 


452  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

schools,  and  four  hundred  dollars  for  roads.  It  was  voted  to  let 
cattle  run  at  large  ;  to  hold  the  annual  meetings  the  first  Monday  in 
March;  that  Reuben  B.  Foster's  barnyard  be  the  town's  pound; 
that  said  Foster  be  pound-keeper ;  that  the  selectmen  may  license 
persons  to  sell  intoxicating  liquors  by  the  pint  or  gallon.  At  the 
annual  election,  Hugh  J.  Anderson  had  twenty  votes  for  Governor, 
and  Edward  Robinson,  eighteen.  At  a  meeting  holden  September 
eleventh,  Joel  Howe  was  chosen  agent  to  demand  of  the  town  of 
Bethel,  the  town  of  Hanover's  proportion  of  the  school  fund  and 
bank  tax  of  1843.  The  same  selectmen  were  elected  in  1844,  and 
since  that  time  as  follows  : 

1845.  Adam  Willis,  Phiueas  H.  Howe,  Eli  Howe. 

1846.  Phiueas  H.  Howe,  Eli  Howe,  Gilbert  Howe. 

1847.  Eli  Howe,  Solomon  J.  Haywood,  James  G.  Roberts. 

1848.  Solomon  J.  Haywood,  James  G.  Roberts,  Stephen  Bartlott. 

1849.  Same  as  last  year. 

1850.  James  G.  Roberts,  Stephen  Bartlett,  Prentiss  M.  Putnam. 

1851.  Reuben  B.  Foster,  Gardiner  G.  Hoyt,  Abuer  Brown. 

1852.  Eli  Howe,  Gardiner  G.  Hoyt,  Abuer  Brown. 

1853.  Ball  B.  Willis,  Eli  Howe,  James  G.  Roberts. 
18.54.  Same. 

1855.  Albion  K.  Knapp,  Elhanau  Bartlett,  Stephen  Bartlett. 

1856.  Same. 

1857.  Albion  K.  Knapp,  Elhanau  Bartlett,  Jesse  D.  Russell. 
1858-9.  Same. 

1860.  Adam  Willis,  Eben  Abbot,  J.  B.  Howe. 

1861.  Albion  K.  Knapp,  Gardiner  G.  Hoyt,  Jesse  D.  Russell. 

1862.  James  G.  Roberts,  Jesse  D.  Russell,  Thomas  AV.  Willis. 
186.S.  James  G.  Roberts,  Jesse  D.  Russell,  John  C.  Saunders. 

1864.  James  G.  Roberts,  John  C.  Saunders,  J.  R.  Howard. 

1865.  Albion  K.  Knapp,  Jesse  D.  Russell,  Henry  X.  Howe. 

1866.  Albion  K.  Knapp,  Jesse  D.  Russell,  Wm.  O.  Straw. 

1867.  Albion  K.  Knapp,  Jesse  D.  Russell,  Harris  Mardeu. 

1868.  Jesse  D.  Russell,  Galen  Howe,  Charles  H.  Harris. 

1869.  George  R.  Hodgdon,  Wm.  O.  Straw,  Cbarlos  P.  Bai-tlett. 

1870.  Same. 

1871.  Same. 

1872.  Henry  IST.  Howe,  O.  A.  Saunders,  A.  Roberts. 

1873.  George  E.  Smith,  F.  H.  Hutchins,  James  G.  Roberts. 

1874.  Same. 

1875.  Same. 

1876.  Same. 

1877.  Jesse  D.  Russell,  Winfield  S.  Howe,  James  M.  Brown. 

1878.  Same. 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  453 

1879.  Jesse  D.  Russell,  Wintield  S.  Howe,  J.  R.  Howard. 

1880.  George  Smith,  J.  R.  Howard,  J.  B.  Roberts, 

1881.  Same. 

1882.  G.  L.  Smith,  J.  R.  Howard,  Geo.  A.  Virgin. 

1883.  Same. 

1884.  G.  L.  Smith,  G.  A.  Virgin,  Jesse  D.  Russell. 

1885.  Henry  N.  Howe,  Oscar  D.  Rolfe,  E.  H.  Powers. 

1886.  Oscar  D.  Rolfe,  E.  H.  Powers,  E.  P.  Smith. 

1887.  Jesse  D.  Russell,  J.  R.  Howard,  E.  P.  Smith. 

1888.  Same. 

1889.  Jesse  D.  Russell,  J.  R.  Howard,  L.  A.  Roberts. 

Town  Clerks. 

1843-1847.  Gardiner  G.  Hoyt. 

1848-1851.  Phineas  H.  Howe. 

1852-18-53.  Prentiss  M.  Putnam. 

1854-1855.  Phineas  H.  Howe. 

1856-1867.  Henry  X.  Howe. 

1868-1869.  Edgar  H.  Powers. 

1870-1878.  Clark  B.  Frost. 

1879.  J.  B.  Roberts. 

1880.  Clark  B.  Frost. 
1881-1886.  E.  H.  Powers. 
1887-1889.  Clark  B.  Frost. 

Hauover  as  shown  by  her  list  of  patriots,  did  her  whole  duty  in 
the  late  war  for  the  preservation  of  the  Union,  and  what  is  highly 
praiseworthy,  no  town  debt  was  created  in  filling  the  several  quotas. 

Lawson  S.  Black,  private  Company  G,  17th  regiment,  wounded  and 
taken  prisoner  at  Atlanta,  Ga.,  May  20,  1864. 

David  I.  Black  was  mustered  into  the  5th  Maine  battery  December  4, 
1861,  was  promoted  Corporal,  served  out  his  time,  re-enlisted,  and  was 
promoted  to  Second  Lieutenant. 

Josiah  S.  Black  was  mustered  in  Company  G,  tenth  Maine  Volunteers, 
November  4,  1861,  and  was  mustered  out  with  the  regiment.  May  8,  1863. 

Fred  J.  Black  was  mustered  in  Company  B,  the  30th  Maine  Volunteers, 
December  18,  1863,  and  died  of  fever  at  New  Orleans,  .June  20,  1864. 

Charles  R.  Bartlett  was  mustei-ed  in  Companj-  D,  12th  Maine,  November 
15,  1861,  and  was  mustei-ed  out  at  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  service. 

Alonzo  M.  Bartlett  was  mustered  in  Company  B,  30th  Maine  Volunteers, 
December  18,  1863.  promoted  (,'orporul  and  served  out  his  time.  He  is 
reported  as  from  Grafton. 

William  AV.  Bartlett  was  mustered  in  Company  B,  32d  Maine  Volun- 
teers, March  10,  1864,  was  transferred  to  the  31st,  and  was  mustered  out 
with  that  regiment. 


454  HISrOEY  OF  BETHEL. 

Peter  Y.  Bean  was  mustered  in  Company  B,  32cl  Maine  ^'oliiuteers, 
March  10,  18G4,  was  transferred  to  Company  E,  31st  Maine. 

Wm.  H.  Brooks  was  mustered  in  Company  B,  23d  Maine  Volunteers, 
September  29,  1863,  and  was  mustered  out  with  the  regiment.  He  is 
reported  from  Upton. 

John  E.  Carlton  ^^  as  mustered  in  Company  C,  20th  Maine  Volunteers, 
August  29,  1862,  and  was  discharged  by  order  94. 

Walker  T.  Elliot  was  mustered  in  Company  B,  32d  Maine  Volunteers, 
March  10,  1864,  died  in  Hanover,  January  8,  1865,  from  chronic  diarrha^a. 

Winlield  S.  Howe  was  mustered  as  Sergeant  in  Company  G,  3d  Maine 
Volunteers,  June  4,  1861,  and  was  discharged  for  disability.  June  23.  1862. 
He  was  mustered  as  Sergeant  in  Company  B,  32d  Maine  Volunteers,  March 
10,  1864,  was  wounded,  taken  prisoner,  promoted  to  Second  Eieutenant 
and  mustered  out  with  the  regiment. 

Joshua  R.  Howard  was  mustered  as  Sergeant  in  Company  B.  23d  Maine 
Volunteers,  September  29,  1862,  was  promoted  Second  Lieutenant  and  was 
mustered  out  witli  the  regiment. 

Torrence  Q.  Jones  was  mustered  in  Company  B,  30tli  Maine  regiment, 
December  18,  1863,  and  died  of  disease.  August  11,  1864. 

Wm.  F.  Jewell  was  mustered  in  Company  D,  1st  Maine  Volunteers,  May 
3,  1861,  for  three  months,  and  was  mustered  out  with  tlie  regiment. 

Nathan  C.  Knai^p  was  mustered  in  Company  D,  1st  Maine  'S'olunteers, 
Majf  3,  1861,  and  served  three  mouths. 

Roscoe  G.  Lane  was  mustered  as  Corporal  in  Com2)any  II.  13th  Maine 
Volunteers,  December  10,  1861,  retvu-ned  to  ranks  at  his  own  request,  re- 
enlisted  and  was  transferred  to  the  13th  Maine  battalion. 

Elisha  R.  Littlehale  was  mustered  in  Company  II.  13th  ]\[aine  Volun- 
teers, Januarv  16,  1862,  died  at  Washington,  D.  C,  August  31,  1864. 

John  C.  Littlehale  was  mustered  in  Comi)any  B,  30th  Elaine  Volunteers, 
December  IS,  1863,  died  of  fever  at  Augusta,  Me..  Feljruary  4,  1864. 

Pascal  M.  Morgan  was  mustered  in  Company  C,  20th  Maine,  August  29, 
1862,  was  promoted  Corporal,  reduced  to  ranks  and  discharged  l»y  order 
94. 

Corydon  Powers  was  mustered  in  the  5th  Maine  Battery,  Deceml)er  4, 
1861,  served  his  three  years,  re-enlisted  and  was  mustered  out  with  the 
battery. 

Joseph  E.  Russell  was  mustered  in  Company  P..  23d  Elaine  Volunteers, 
September  29,  1862. 

Wm.  H.  Swan,  Company  II,  13th  regiment  Elaine  Volunteers,  died  iu 
Hanover,  April  18,  1864. 

Erskine  C.  Smith  was  mustered  in  Company  C,  20th  :Maine  Volunteers, 
August  29,  1862,  and  was  discharged  by  order  94. 

Richard  Smith  was  mustered  iu  Company  B,  32d  Maine  Volunteers, 
March  10,  1864,  was  transferred  to  Company  B,  31st  IMaine  Volunteers, 
and  was  mustered  out  with  that  regiment. 

George  E.  Staples  was  mustered  in  Company  C,  20th  :Maine  Volunteers, 
August  29,  1862,  and  was  killed  at  Fredericksburg,  December  13.  1862. 


HIS  TOBY  OF  BETHEL.  455 

Camille  P.  Staples  was  mustered  iu  Company  B,  32d  Maiue  Voluuteers, 
March  10,  1864,  was  transferred  to  Companj'  B,  31st  Maine,  was  absent 
sick,  and  was  discharged  by  ordei',  July  1,  1865. 

Augustus  D.  Varney  was  mustered  iu  Company  B,  32d  Maine  Volun- 
teers, March  10,  1864,  was  transferred  to  Company  B,  31st  Maine  Volun- 
teers, and  was  mustered  out  with  the  regiment,  July  15,  1865. 

Orestes  J.  York  was  mustered  in  Company  B,  30th  Maine  Volunteers, 
December  18,  1863,  and  died  of  disease  June  24, 1864.  He  is  reported  as  of 
Grafton. 


FAMILY  STATISTICS, 


^  O  part  of  the  contents  of  this  volume  has  been  given  more 
P  paiustalviug  care  than  the  department  upon  which  we  now 
■  enter,  and  yet  it  is  far  from  satisfactory.  Some  parts  of 
it  are  defective,  some  merely  fragmentary,  while  many  families  are 
omitted  for  lack  of  information.  It  is  also  probable  that  more  or 
less  errors  will  be  found,  for  a  large  proportion  of  the  records  are 
from  the  town  clerk's  books,  where  more  or  less  errors,  especially  in 
dates,  may  always  be  expected.  Soon  after  the  municipal  election 
of  eighteen  hundred  ninety-one,  the  town  clerk  sent  to  the  compiler 
of  this  volume,  the  name  of  every  person  contained  on  the  check  list, 
and  to  each  name  was  sent  a  blank  to  be  filled  out  and  returned,  and 
another  blank  explaining  what  was  desired.  About  five  hundred 
blanks  were  so  sent  out,  and  less  than  two  hundred  were  filled  out 
and  returned.  There  may  be  those  who  from  some  cause  did  not 
receive  the  blank,  and  who,  had  they  received  it  would  have  made 
the  desired  return,  and  such  cases,  if  any  there  are,  are  to  be 
regretted.  But  those  who  did  receive  the  blank  and  paid  no  atten- 
tion to  it,  are  certainly  debarred  from  making  any  complaint,  if  their 
family  records  do  not  appear.  In  some  cases,  a  second  blank  was 
sent,  and  in  others,  letters  were  written,  and  all  to  no  purpose. 
Imperfect  as  they  are,  these  records  will  be  found  of  great  interest, 
and  second  in  importance  to  no  other  part  of  the  volume.  No  other 
part  of  the  book  will  be  as  often  consulted,  and,  in  view  of  the  fact 
that  many  Bethel  families  do  not  appear  here,  perhaps  no  part  will 
be  more  frequently  disappointing.  The  compiler,  however,  has  the 
satisfaction  of  feeling  that  he  has  resorted  to  all  ordinary  means 
for  perfecting  these  records,  and  the  fact  that  they  are  incomplete  is 
in  nowise  his  fault. 


458  HISTOltY  OF  BETHEL. 

Abbot. 

Jonathan  Abbot,  Jr.,  b.  June  11,  1776,  in  Andover,  Mass., 
married  Betsey  Batchelder,  born  in  Wilton,  N.  H.,  Aug.  4,  1777. 
He  moved  to  Albany  and  from  there  in  1803,  came  to  Bethel,  and 
settled  on  a  farm  near  Walker's  ]Mills,  where  his  son  Jonathan 
afterwards  lived.  He  was  at  one  time  proprietor  of  the  mills  at 
South  Bethel.  Four  of  his  sisters  married  and  lived  in  Bethel.  He 
was  a  man  of  character  and  highly  respected.     Children  : 

i  Betsej^,  )).  January  15,  1801,  m.  John  Howe  of  Euniford,  soon  died, 

m  PoH^''  }  t^^'ius.  h.  Nov.  13,  1802,  d.  iu  infancy, 

iv  Addison,  b.  July  25,  1803,  m.  IJebecca  Chase,  d.  Paris. 

V  Mary,  b.  Xov.  9,  1804,  m.  Xatliau  Eames,  2d  Elilm  Bean. 
vi  Eebecca,  b.  Dec.  23,  1806,  d.  Nov.  10,  1824. 

vii  Jonathan,  b.  Aug.  7,  1808,  m.  Eliza  Chase, 

viii  Daniel,  b.  May  16,  1810,  d.  April  2,  1812. 

ix  Mehitable,  b.  Oct.  13,  1812,  m.  Joshua  Ballard,  r.  Boston. 

X  Dorcas,  b.  Sept.  9,  1814,  m.  Christopher  Bryant, 

xi  Steijhen,  b.  Sept.  9,  1817,  d.  uiuuarried. 

xii  Sybil,  b.  Jan.  4,  1821,  m.  Gaytou  Ballard,  r.  Southbridge,  Mass. 

.  Jonathan  Abbot,  Jr.,  son  of  the  preceding,  an  exemplary  man, 
a  good  farmer  and  citizen,  lived  and  died  on  the  old  homestead  near 
Walker's  Mills.  He  married  Feb.  1,  1848,  Eliza  Chase,  who  was 
born  at  Paris,  Dec.  14,  ]s21.  He  died  June  29,  1887,  and  his 
wife  died  Oct.  6,  1886.     Children  : 

i  Jonathan  Flavel,  b.  Nov.  5,  1848,  d.  Xov.  2,  1852. 

ii  Sybil  Eliza,  b.  Feb.  25,  1851 ;  teacher  at  Atlanta.  Ga. 

ill  Mary  Abby,  b.  Aug.  6,  1853,  d.  Oct.  22,  1866. 

iv  Ellen  JNEehitable,   b.  June   12.   1855.    ni.  Rev.    AVni.  O.  Stearns,    r. 
Cazenovia.  X.  Y. 

V  Rebecca  Elizabeth,  b.  Apr.  2,  1857.  m.  Fremont  L.  Cliase.  r.  Paris, 
vi  Stephen  Spurgeon,  b.  Feb.  17,  1859,  ni.  Katie  H.  Locke,  r.  Denver, 

Col. 
vii    Jonathan  Arthur,  b.  May  14,  1861,  d.  Feb.  13,  1865. 
viii    Jonathan  Gayton,  b.  Feb.  2,  1864,  m.  Cora  Chandler,  r.  Denver,  Col. 
ix    Curtis  Eanies,  b.  June  19,  1866. 

Aaron  Abbot,  born  April  11,  1778,  married  Sally,  daughter  of 
Stephen  Abbot.  He  was  a  tailor  and  farmer,  and  lived  on  the  Mid- 
dle Interval  road  below  Ayers  Mason's,  and  died  Sept.  8,  1856. 
His  wife  died  Oct.  23,  1853.     Children  : 

i    Clarissa,  b.  May  25,  1800,  d.  unmanied,  Sept.  30,  1856. 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  459 

ii  Aaroii,  b.  Dec.  20,  1802,  m.  Mary  Day  of  ^Yells,  d.  Aug.  1.5,  1878. 

iii  Sarah,  b.  March  12,  1800,  ni.  Timothy  Capeu,  d.  Apr.  14,  1874. 

iv  Lydia,  b.  July  18,  1809,  d.  unmarried,  January  1,  1834. 

V  Stephen,  b.  Feb.  18,  1812,  m.  Nancy  Goddard  of   Han-isou,  d.  Oct.  30, 

1861. 
vi    Samuel,  b.  August  1,  1815,  d.  July  18,  1823. 
vii    John,  b.  Apr.  27,  1819,  m.  Sarah  Ackley  of  Rumford. 
Stephen  Abbot  married  Nancy  Goddard  of  Harrison.     Children  : 
i    Oilman  C,  b.  Feb.  5,  1843,  d.  Aug.  9,  1856. 
ii    Charles  A.  F.,  b.  May  14,  1849,  m.  Ella  E.  Davis, 
iii    Flora  X.,  b. ,  m.  1874,  Charles  L.  Swan. 

Charles  A,  F.  Abbot,  son  of  Stephen  and  Nancy  (Goddard) 
Abbot,  born  in  Bethel,  May  14,  1849,  married  Sept.  27,  1872,  Ella 
E.,  daughter  of  Richmond  Davis  of  Minot.  He  is  a  farmer  and 
lives  in  Bethel.     Children  : 

i  Florence  E.,  b.  1873.  ii  Ellen  A.,  b.  1874.  iii  Sadie  M.,  b.  1875. 
iv  Ella  C,  b.  1877.  v  Edith  D.,  b.  1880.  vi  Stephen  E.,  b.  1882.  vii 
Angle  M.,  b.  1884.     viii    Mabel  L.,  b.  1888. 

John  Abbot,  sou  of  Aaron  Abbot,  married  March  31,  1841, 
Sarah,  daughter  of  William  Ackley  of  Rumford.  He  is  a  farmer 
and  resides  in  Bethel.     Children  : 

i  John  T.,  b.  Dec.  25,  1841,  d.  Feb.  10,  1844. 

ii  John  T.,  b.  Apr.  13,  1845.  d.  Aug.  30,  1867. 

iii  Mary  J.,  b.  January  6,  1847,  m.  Edward  Capen. 

iv  Samuel  W.,  b.  June  9,  1851,  d.  Dec.  17,  1865. 

V  Lydia  A.,  b.  Aug.  1,  1857,  d.  July  26,  1864. 

vi    George  A.,  b.  Sept.  9,  1859,  d.  January  12,  1866. 
vii    Frank,  b.  Feb.  6,  1862. 
viii    Morton  T.,  b.  Feb.  14,  1868. 

Charles  L.  Abbot,  son  of  Gideon  C.  Abbot,  born  in  Rumford, 
June  14,  1834,  married  Aug.  23,  1856,  Sophronia  C,  daughter  of 
Abner  Bennett  of  Gilead.  He  is  a  farmer  and  resides  at  West 
Bethel.     Child : 

Charles  L.,  b.  Apr.  14,  1864. 

Adams. 

Isaac  vVdams  married  Deborah  Twitchell.  She  was  drowned 
while  crossing  the  Androscoggin  in  a  small  boat.  For  second  wife, 
he  married  in  1803,  Olive  Wight.  He  moved  to  Gilead.  Child  by 
first  marriage  .•     - 

Eliphalet,  b.  January  28,  1801. 


460  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

Nathan  Adams  of  Andover,  one  of  the  proprietors  and  early  resi- 
dents of  Andover,  Maine,  sold  out  there  about  the  year  1800,  and 
moved  to  Bethel,  where  his  residence  was  only  temporary.  He 
settled  on  a  farm  in  Rumford  next  to  Bethel,  now  Hanover  line. 
While  in  Bethel,  he  served  for  several  years  as  selectman.  For  an. 
account  of  this  family  see  History  of  Rumford. 

Adamson. 

David  Adamson,  born  in  Dundee,  Scotland,  May  18,  1819,  son' 
of  Alexander  and  Susan  (Fenton)  Adamson  of  the  Shetland  Isles, 
came  to  this  country  and  married  in  1858,  Mary,  daughter  of  Charles 
Ford  of  Rumford,  who  was  living  in  the  family  of  Micajah  Blake. 
He  was  a  farmer  and  lived  on  the  hill  near  Rumford.  He  was  killed 
by  falling  from  a  load  of  hay  in  1891.     Children  : 

i    Vh-gil,  b. .  111. Sargent  of  Xewry.     ii     Sarah,  b. , 

111.  Charles  Patten,     iii    Feuton.  b.  . 

Albee. 

Peter  Albee,  a  peddler,  formerly  lived  in  this  town.  The  fol- 
lowing births  are  recorded  on  Bethel  records.     Children  : 

i  Son,  b.  March  8,  1824,  d.  same  day. 

ii  Harriet  Emeline,  b.  Feb.  8,  1827,  m.  Horace  ('uiiiiiiing.s  of  Paris, 

iii  Julia  Ann,  b.  Feb.  4,  1829,  m.  George  F.  Ilaiiiinond  of  Paris, 

iv  George  Washington,  b.  Aug.  3,  1831. 

V  Francis  T.,  b.  June  7,  1834. 

vi  Caroline  Matilda,  b.  Apr.  2,  1841,  m.  George  H.  Cummings  of  Paris. 

Allen. 

'^HiRAM  Allen,  born  in  Berwick,  Sept.  12,  1795,  a  carpenter  by 
trade,  married  Dorcas,  daughter  of  "Abraham  Russell.  In  1827,  he 
bought  of  O'Neil  W.  Robinson,  what  was  then  known  as  the  Mar- 
shall Bonney  place,  the  unfinished  house  standing  on  the  east  side 
of  what  is  now  Church  street,  and  which  was  subsequently  moved 
down  Main  street,  and  is  now  the  Methodist  parsonage.  Mr.  Allen, 
in  1836,  sold  the  place  to  CTilman  Chapman,  it  being  the  heater, 
bounded  on  two  sides  by  Church  and  Main  street.  He  also  owned 
other  lands  which  he  sold,  including  twenty-five  acres  of  Bond's 
Island,  which  he  sold  to  Tyler  P.  Town  and  Timothy  Barker  in  1839. 
He  died  in  Portland,  Feb.  13,  1873,  his  wife  having  died  July  8, 
1860.     Children : 


HIS  TO  El    OF  BETHEL.  461 

i  'Lawsou  Carter,  b.  January  12,  1819,  d.  at  sea,  x^Lpril,  1865. 

ii  'Justus,  b.  Jan.  22,  1821,  d.  JIarch  13,  1842. 

iii -'Samuel  Abl)ot,  b.  Sept.  24,  1823.  He  was  brouo^ht  up  iu  the  family 
of  Dauiel  Grout,  and  was  educated  as  a  physician,  and  settled  at 
Audover.  He  married  Oct.  14,  1854,  Martha  A.,  daughter  of 
Ezekiel  Men-ill,  and  died  February  2,  1857 ;  no  issue. 

iv  ''James  Xeal,  b.  March  10,  1829,  d.  March  12,  1842. 

V  "^Abigail  Learned,  b.  Juh'  25,  1832,  m.  first,  Oct.  27,  1851,  Danforth 

Bridges  of  Portland,  who  died,  and   second  Andrew  J.  Hurd  of 
Unity, 
vi  'Horace  AVard,  1).  Xov.  28,  1835,  m.   Sarah  Al)by,  widow  of  Frank 
Carlton.     He  was  a  soldier  in  the  late  war,  and  died  Jan.  21,  1882. 
vii  ''Elizabeth  Walker,  b.  Feb.  2,  1839,  m.  Dec.  16, 1866,  Henri  Starbird  at 
Augusta;  she  resides  a  widow  in  Boston;  no  issue, 
viii    Sarah  Frances,  b.  Jan.  6, 1841,  m.  Dec.  6, 1865,  Edwin  Warren  Porter, 
who  was  boi-n  in  Lancaster,  N.  H.,  March  20,  1827;  r.  Portland. 

John  Fox  Allen,  sou  of  James  and  Abigail  (Berry)  Allen,  was 
born  iu  Portlaud,  May  4,  1813.  He  moved  to  Stoueham,  theu  to 
■Gilead  and  theu  to  West  Bethel ;  was  station  agent  and  farmer. 
.He  married  Sept.  3,  1833,  Jane  Small  Allen  of  Norway.     Children  : 

i    Benjamin  Franklin,  b.  May  11,  1834,  m.  Mary  Cook. 

ii    Daniel  AVarren,  b.  May  17,  1838,  m.  Fannie  A.  Farewell. 

iii    Emily  Merrill,  b.  May  5,  1840,  d.  Dec.  3,  1861. 

iv    Eunice  Rand,  b.  Sept.  15,  1842,  m.  Ezra  K.  Roberts. 

V  George  Xewton,  b.  March  22,  1846,  m.  Angle  D.  Whitman, 
wi    Lawrence  E.,  b.  Bethel,  May  4,  1849,  m.  S.  J.  Pike. 

vii    Charles  Clinton,  b.  Jan.  1,  1851,  m.  Jennie  Cross. 
■,viii    Gerardo  Leon,  b.  Oct.  9,  1854,  m.  Hattie  L.  Foster. 

Lawrence  Erving  Allen,  sou  of  the  preceding,  married  Oct.  2, 
1879,  Sarah  Jane,  daughter  of  Douglass  P.  Pike  of  Starks,  N.  H. 
-He  is  a  carpenter.     Children  : 

,i    Elmer  Chester,  b.  Sept.  2,  1880.     ii  Ethel  Linnell,  1).  March  10,  1884. 

Andreavs. 

Jeremiah  Andrews,  born  Apr.  6,  1757,  married  Elizabeth  Saw- 
-telle  of  Groton,  who  was  born  Jan.  22,  1765.  He  was  of  Temple, 
N.  H.,  and  was  married  Jan.  13,  1784.  He  moved  to  Bethel  soon 
after,  and  settled  on  the  south  side  of  the  river  near  Rumford.  It 
has  been  said  that  he  first  came  to  Bethel  some  years  before  he  set- 
tled here,  to  assist  in  building  the  first  mills.     Cliildren  : 

i    Hezekiah,  b.  Oct.  4,  1784,  m.  Phebe  Kimball. 
W    Jeremiah,  b.  Mav  28,  178r>,  m.  Anna  Hodsdon,  r.  Rumford. 


462  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

iii  William,  b.  April  8,  1788,  m.  Betsey  Estes. 

iv  Elizabeth,  b.  Feb.  1,  1790,  d.  March  3,  1804. 

V  Salome,  b.  April  8,  1792,  m.  Col.  Eli  Howe,  r.  Hauover. 

vi  Sarah,  b.  Feb.  20,  1794,  m.  Johu  Estes. 

vii  Elsie,  b.  March  12,  1796,  m.  Otis  Howe  of  Rumford. 

viii  Amos,  b.  Jan.  15,  1798,  m.  Haunah  Beau. 

ix  Huldah,  b.  Feb.  21,  1801,  ra.  Eliphaz  Powers. 

X  Mary,  b.  Jan.  22,  1804,  m.  Hosea  Huntress. 

xi  Eliza,  b.  July  27,  1800,  m.  James  Estes. 

xii  Julia,  b.  June  18,  1809,  m.  B.  Fraukliu  Stearns. 

xiii  Haunah,  b.  July  20,  1812,  m.  Jonathan  Powers. 

Hezekiah  Andrews,  son  of  the  preceding,  married  Phebe,  daugh- 
ter of  Samuel  Kimball.     Children  : 

i  Infant,  b.  and  d.  May  3,  1807.  ii  Charlotte,  b.  April  30,  1807. 
iii  Rocena  Kimball,  b.  Deo.  30,  1810.  iv  Epliraini  Kimball,  b.  April  4, 
1813,  m.  Olive  Chase,  v  Infant,  b.  Feb.  7,  1815,  d.  Feb.  19,  following. 
vi  Diana,  b.  March  12,  1817.  vii  Hannah  Kimball,  b.  June  12,  1819. 
viii    Aldana,  b.  July  10,  1822,  d.  Jan.  18,  1823.     ix     Hannibal,  b. . 

William  Ani>rews,  son  of  Jeremiah  Andrews,  married  Betsey, 
daughter  of  Stephen  Estes.  He  lived  below  Jacob  Kimball's,  near 
the  foot  of  Kimball  Hill.  He  was  a  farmer  and  Captain  in  the 
militia.     Children : 

i    Elizabeth  Sawtelle,  b.  Jan.  21.  1811. 
ii    Nancy,  b.  June  1,  1818,  m.  Alonzo  Howe. 
iii    Phila  D.,  b.  Dec.  28,  1823,  m.  Jacob  T.  Kimball. 

Amos  Andrews,  son  of  Jeremiah  Andrews,  married  Hannah, 
daughter  of  Luther  Bean.  He  lived  at  the  east  end  of  the  town,  on 
the  Rumford  and  Paris  road.     Children  : 

i  Moses  Kimball,  b.  Aug.  28,  182(i.  ii  Hosea  Huntress,  b.  May  17, 
1829.  iii  Alonzo  H.,  b.  Oct.  6.  1832.  iv  Steplien,  1).  Feb.  8,  1837.  v 
Lydia,  b.  Feb.  10,  1843. 

Horace  C.  Andrews,  sou  of  Rev.  Nathan  and  Nancy  (Cum- 
mings)  Andrews,  born  in  Paris,  Me.,  Feb.  19,  1837,  married  June 
11,  1859,  Addie  L.,  daughter  of  Stephen  H.  Abbot  of  Rumford. 
He  is  a  carriage  maker  at  Bethel.     Child  : 

Carrie  F.,  b.  Aug.  12.  18(i5,  d.  Dec.  12,  1887. 

Annas. 

Solomon  Annas  came  to  Bethel  from  Warner,  N.  H.,  and  settled 
upon  the  farm  afterwards  the  Micajah  Blake  homestead,  where  he 


HISTOEY  OF  BETHEL.  468 

lived  and  died.  His  emigrant  ancestor  settled  in  Newbury,  Mass., 
about  1674,  Solomon  Annas  served  in  the  war  for  independence, 
and  after  the  war,  married  Eliza  Wright.  They  had  six  sons  and 
one  daughter.  The  daughter  married  .John  Gould  and  remained  in 
"Warner,  two  sous  went  west,  one  remained  at  Warner,  and  three, 
Solomon,  James  and  Benjamin  came  to  Bethel.  The  name  is  some- 
times spelled  Anuis,  and  again  Ennis,  and  the  ancestor,  Michael 
Annas,  was  of  Enniskillen  in  Ireland. 

Solomon  Annas,  Jr.,  married  Patience,  daughter  of  David  and 
Sarah  Sanborn  of  Standish,  who  was  born  June  29,  1777,  and  came 
to  Bethel  in  the  family  of  Josiah  Beau.  He  lived  at  first  on  part  of 
the  homestead,  but  later  he  cleared  up  the  Washington  Crooker 
farm,  near  Locke's  Mills,  and  lived  there  many  years.  He  lived  to 
be  considerably  over  90  years  of  age.     Children  : 

i    Sally  Gould,  b.  Apr.  11,  1800,  m.  Edward  Keyuolds  and  d.  Feb.  20, 

1824. 
ii    Laura,  b.  Oct.  II,  1802,  m.  1st,  Daniel  Young,  2d,  John  Curamiugs,  r. 

Albany,  Me. 
ill    Betsey  E.,  b.  Aug.  4,  1805,  m.  1st,  William  Whitman,  2d,  Ej)hraim 

Flint,  and  3d,  Rodney  Carter. 
iv    Fanny  F.,  b.  .Jan.  29,  1807,  m.  William  AVhitman  and  d.  soon  after. 
V    Dorcas  F.,  Ij.  Dec.  14,  1809,  m.  1st,  James  Parks,  2d,  Timothy  Ayer. 
vi    Loana,  b.  Oct.  22,  1812,  d.  aged  22,  unmarried, 
vii    John  Goukl,  b.  ^March  22,  1814,  m.  Mary,  daughter  of  Isaiah  Edgerly. 

He  was  a  soklier  in  the  late  war,  and  died  from  the  eftects  of 

wounds  and  disease  contracted  in  the  service. 
viii     George  W.,  b.  Jan.  23, 1817,  m.  Julia  A.  Clark  of  Wilton.     He  was  by 

trade  a  carriage-maker, 
ix    Ruby,  b.  Nov.  20,  1819,  d.  Aug.  28,  1823. 

James  Annas,  brother  of  the  preceding,  married  Deborah  Chase 
of  Machias  and  moved  to  the  eastern  part  of  the  State.  He  lived 
when  here,  on  the  Micajah  Blake  farm.     Children  : 

i  Esther,  b.  Apr.  2,5,  1804,  m.  Samuel  D.  Tyler,  ii  Sarah,  b.  May  3, 
1806.  iii  Elizabeth,  b.  June  12,  1810,  d.  Aug.  30,  1823.  iv  Levi  Chase, 
b.  Apr.  10,  1812.  v  Cynthia,  b.  March  24,  1814.  vi  William,  b.  June  3, 
1818.  vii  Ephraim  H.,  b.  Feb.  14,  1820,  d.  Sept,  8,  1823,  viii  Deborah 
Carlisle,  b,  March  14,  1822.     ix    Ephraim  H,,  b.  Oct.  6,  1823. 

Benjamin  Annas,  son  of  Solomon,  married  Hannah,  daughter  of 
Absalom  Farewell.     He  lived  about  half  way  between  Bethel  Hill 


464  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

and  Locke's  Mills,  on  part  of  the  old  Annas  homestead,  and  still 
occupied  by  his  son,  Jacob  Annas.     Children  : 
i     Mary,  b.  Jan.  14,  1813,  d.  Jan.  25,  1835. 

ii    Anna,  b.  May  27,  1814,  d.  Feb.  24,  1815. 

ill    Isaac,  b.  D^c.  24,  1815,  d.  June  2,  1837. 

iv    Anna,  b.  Dec.  15,  1817,  d.  Jau.  23.  1841. 

V  Caleb,  b.  Sept.  4,  1819,  d.  eleven  days  old. 
vi    Lucinda,  b.  1821. 

vii  Lydia,  b.  May  11,  1823,  d.  Jan.  21,  1844. 

viii  Piiebe,  b.  Feb.  18^  1826,  d.  Apr.  15,  1833. 

ix  Eliza,  b.  Jan.  26,  1827. 

^[x  Jacob,  b.  Dec.  10,  1827,  m.  1st,  Hannah  Cushmau,  2d,  Mrs.  Hayes. 

xi  Elon  G.,  b.  Feb.  17,  1828,  d.  Oct.  23,  following. 

xii  Greenleaf,  b.  May  4,  1831,  d.  Aug.  24,  following, 

xiii  Bannister  Newell,  b.  Jan.  26,  1834. 

xiv  Mary  Augusta,  b.  May  17,  1837. 

Jacob  Annas,  son  of  Benjamin  Annas,  married  first,  Sept.  11, 
1851,  Hannah,  daughter  of  Dea.  John  Cushmau.  He  lived  on  the 
homestead  of  his  father  on  Blake's  Hill.  He  married  second,  Nov. 
21,  1865,  Mrs.  Angeline  R.  (Fuller)  Hayes  of  Greenwood. 
Children  : 

i    Lovinia  Augusta,  b.  May  31,  1853,  ni.  ('.  \l.  Barker, 
ii    Calvin  Howe,  b.  Aug.  26,  1855,  m.  Jennie  L.  Stewart, 
iii    Horace  H.,  b.  July  8,  1860. 
iv    Fred  J.,  b.  Aug.  3,  1864,  d.  November  1.  following. 

V  George  U.,  b.  Sept.  25,  1866. 

vi    James  O.,  b.  Feb.  18,  1870,  d.  May  7,  1872. 

Newell  Bannister  Annas,  son  of  Benjamin  Annas,  married  Oct. 
30,  1856,  Elizabeth  Jane,  daughter  of  Richard  Farewell.  He  is  a 
farmer  at  Bethel.     Children  : 

i  Ora  D.,  b.  Sept.  5,  1857. 

ii  Rose  G.,  b.  March  13,  1859,  ni.  Cliarles  Fames, 

iii  Lydia  J.,  b.  Apr.  1,  1861. 

iv  Clarence  M.,  b.  March  20,  1863. 

V  Ellis  Grant,  b.  Aug.  24,  1864,  m.  Grace  Stearns. 
vi  Mary  E.,  b.  July  21,  1866,  d.  Dec,  following, 
vii  Bell  v.,  b.  Sept.  16,  1S6S. 

viii    Cuvier  A.,  b.  May  29,  1871,  d.  April  17,  1877. 

Ayer. 
Joseph  Ayer,  born  in  Standish,  moved  to  Brownfield  and  from 
there  came  to  Bethel.     He  lived  at  Bean's  Corner  and  was  a  black- 
smith.    His  wife  was  Mary  Moor.     Children  : 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  465 

1  Samuel,  b. ,  in.  Alice  Kilgore. 

ii  James,  b. ,  m.  Thirza  Mason,  (M.  D.  at  Xewfield.) 

iii  Jonathan,  b. ,  m.  Nancy  Marston  of  NewfieM. 

IV  Hugh  Moor,  b. .     He  studied  medicine  with  his  brother  in  New- 
field,  and  settled  in  South  Carolina. 

V  Polly,  b. ,  m.  Daniel  Carr  of  Kumford. 

vi  Sally,  1). ■.     She  died  unmarried'  aged  25. 

Samuel  Ayer,  sou  of  Joseph  Ayer,  married  Alice,  daughter  of 
John  Kilgore.     He  lived  at  Bean's  Corner.     Children  : 

i  Asa,  b.  Nov.  10,  1801. 

ii  Benjamin,  b.  Dec.  12, — -,  d.  Sept.  25,  1804. 

iii  Timothy,  b.  April  9,  1804,  d,  Sept.  30,  following. 

iv  Eliza,  b.  May  9,  1805. 

V  Peter,  b.  Dec.  11,  1806,  m.  Betsey  Swan;  went  to  Pennsylvania. 

vi    Timothy,  b.  Aug.  13,  1808,  ni.  1st,  Relief  Estes,  2d,  Mrs.  Dorcas  F. 

Park, 
vii     Benjamin,  b.  July  20,  1810,  d.  Dec.  26,  following, 
viii     Sally,  b.  Jan.  9,  1812. 

Jonathan  Ayer  married  Nancy  Marston  of  Newfield.  He  did 
not  long  remain  in  town.     Children  : 

i  Tristram  Currier,  b.  July  4,  1809,  d.  5  days  after,  ii  Tristram  Cur- 
rier, b.  Aug.  12,  1810.     iii    Nancy,  b.  Nov.  25,  1813. 

Peter  Ayer,  son  of  Samuel  Ayer,  married  Betsey,  daughter  of 
Elijah  Swan.  He  moved  to  AV^oodstock,  and  later  in  life,  to  Penn- 
sylvania, where  he  died.     Children  : 

i    Alice  Kilgore,  b.  Feb.  10,  1830.     ii     George  B.,  b.  May  1,  1832. 

Timothy  Ayer,  son  of  Samuel  Ayer,  married  first,  Relief,  daugh- 
ter of  Stephen  Estes,  and  second,  widow  Dorcas  F.  Parks,  daughter 
of  Solomon  Annas.     Children  : 

i  Caroline  Coombs,  b.  July  11,  1831,  m. Dunham  of  Paris. 

ii  James  Cullen,  b.  March  15,  1833,  d.  in  the  army, 

iii  Thirza  Mason,  b.  Apr.  29,  1835. 

iv  Andrew  Jackson,  b.  Jan.  5,  1836,  m.  Harriet  M.  Harding, 

y  Sarah  Elizabeth,  b.  March  7,  1844. 

Ballard. 

Frederick  Ballard,  son  of  Dr.  Jonathan  and  Priscilla  (Faruum) 
Ballard  of  Andover,  Mass.,  came  to  Bethel  and  here  married  Han- 
nah, eldest  daughter  of  Abraham  Russell.     He  was  by  occupation  a 

30 


kM^. 


4(56  HISTORY    OF  BETHEL. 

hatter,  and  settled  in  Wakefield,  N.  H.,  where  his  children  were 
born.  He  returned  to  Bethel  in  1827  and  then  lived  at  Greenwood. 
He  died  in  Newry,  Nov.  28,  1851,  aged  89,  his  wife  having  died 
Apr.  3,  1848.     Children: 

i  -  Frederick  L.,  b.  Dec.  8,  1796,  m.  Mary  Folsom,  d.  Jackson,  X.  H. 
ii  /-Jonathan,  b.  Aug.  28,  1798,  drowned  at  Wakefield  in  1820. 
ill  '  Pamelia,  d.  young, 
iv  -  Sherebiah.  b.  July  25,  1801,  ni.  Elsie  Tuttle,  d.  in  Georgia. 

V    Putnam,  1). .     He  was  insane  and  mj^steriously  disappeared. 

vi    .lohu  H.,  b.  Oct.  21,  1805;  he  was  a  sailor;  d.  Holmes'  Holl,  Martha's 

Vineyard,  aged  22. 
vii    Joseph  Warren,  b.  Apr.  16,  1808,  m.  1st,  Mary  Cummings  of  Albany, 

b.  May,  180S,  d.  March  5,  1850;  r.  Upton,  Me. 
viii  •  Saiah,  b.  March  6,  1810,  m.  Aaron  Smith  of  Newry. 
ix  -Mary,  b.  Jan.  9,  1812,  m.  March  2,  1832,  Capt.  Isaac  B.  Littlehale. 
X    Abraham  Russell,  b.  Apr.  30,  1814,  d.  Apr.  19,  1844. 
xi  -Alpheus,  b.  Sept.  7,  1816,  m.  1850,  Eebecca  B.  Purriugton  of  Bath. 

Bartlett. 

The  name  of  Bartlett  has  been  very  prominent  in  this  town,  and 
the  family  numerous.  They  are  descended  from  Joseph  Bartlett  of 
Cambridge  Village,  now  Newton,  Mass.,  and  were  connected  with  the 
Clarks  and  Segars  ;  they  were  among  the  earliest  settlers  in  Bethel. 

Ebenezer  Bartlett,    son  of   Joseph,  Junior,    was  of  Newton, 
Mass.,  and  married  first,  June  24,  1736,  Ann  Clark,  and  second, 
Anna  Ball.     Children  : 
1    Eunice,  b.  Oct.  29,  1735. 

ii    Sarah,  b.  Jan.  13,  17.38,  d.  1748. 

iii    Mary,  b.  July  5,  1739,  d.  young. 

iv    Enoch,  Aug.  8,  1741,  d.  an  infant. 

v    Enoch,  b.  Sept.  27,  1742,  m.  1st,  Elizabeth  Segar. 
By  second  wife : 

vi    Jonathan,  b.  March  16,  1746,  m.  Mary  Shaw, 
vii    Anna,  b.  June  27,  1748,  d.  young, 
viii    Mercy,  b.  Jan.  26,  1750,  m.  1st,  Asa  Barton,  2d,  Oliver  Fenno. 

ix    Elisha,  b.  Feb.  15,  1753,  m.  Sarah  Beals. 

X    Esther,  b.  May  21,  1755,  m.  Enoch  Perry. 

xi    Moses,   b.   Nov.  13,  1756,  m.  1st,  Mary  Barbour  of  Gray,  and   2d, 
Esther  Beal. 

xii     Thaddeus,  b.  Jan.  20,  1759,  m.  Sybil  Powers.  . 

xiii    Mary,  b.  March  12,  1761,  m.  James  Sprague. 
xiv    Sarah,  b.  June  10,  1763,  m.  William  Cheney. 

XV    Stephen,  b.  Apr.  24,  1765,  m.  Dorcas  Barbour. 

xvi    Abigail,  b.  June  26,  1766,  m.  Samuel  Lovell. 

xvii    Peregrine,  b. ,  m.  Sally  Merrill  of  Andover. 


HISTOBY    OF  BETHEL.  467 

Enoch  Bartlett,  son  of  the  preceding,  came  to  Bethel  and  settled! 
on  the  Dr.  Carter  farm  at  Middle  Interval.  After  a  few  years  he 
moved  to  Newry.  He  was  twice  married  and  reared  a  large  family. 
His  first  wife  was  Elizabeth  Segar,  and  his  second  a  Miss  House. 
He  had  21  children,  ten  by  the  first  and  eleven  by  the  second  mar- 
riage. 

The  first  three  only  are  recorded  on  Newton  records  : 

i    Nancy,  b.  Nov.  4,  1766. 
ii    Reuben,  b.  Apr.  17,  1768,  m.  Lydia  Frost. 
iii    Relief,  b.  May  2,  1769,  m.  Stephen  Estes. 

Of  the  others  :  Submit,  m.  Silas  Powers ;  Anna,  m.  Asa  Foster ;  Betsey,. 
m.  Richard  Estes;  Burry,  m.  Ephraim  Colby   of  Rumford;    Elisha,   m. 

Sarah  Barker;    Jonathan,   m.   1st,   Barker,  2d,   Triphenia  Horr; 

Thankful,  m.  Charles  Stearns;  Lucy,  m.  Jonathan  Powers;  Olive,  m. 
Nathaniel  Frost;  Enoch,  Jr.,  m.  Sarah  Hinkson;  Polly,  m.  1st,  Willough- 
by  Russell,  2d,  Urban  York;  Patty,  m.  David  Sessions;  Naoniah,  m.  Rev. 
Mr.  Tripp;  Apphia,*  m.  Joseph  Chase;  Lydia,  m.  Joseph  Kuapp;  Lorana, 
d.  unmarried. 

Jonathan  Bartlett,  brother  of  the.  preceding,  came  to  Bethel 
with  Segar  in  1779,  and  afterwards  came  and  settled  on  the  southi 
side  of  the  river  below  Bean's  Corner,  where  his  grandson,  the  late 
Elias  S.  Bartlett  lived.     He  married  Mary  Shaw  of  Fryeburg,  and' 
died  April  14,  1798.     Children  : 

i  Anna,  b.  Apr.  22,  1786,  d.  unmarried. 

ii  Elijah,  b.  Oct.  30,  1788,  m.  Nancy  Graham  of  Rumford. 

iii  Elias,  b.  Aug.  10,  1791,  m.  1st,  Eliza  Adams,  2d,  Judith  Farnum. 

iv  Samuel,  b.  Apr.  1,  1794,  m.  Sarah  Wardwell,  r.  Rumford. 

Moses  Bartlett,  brother  of  the  preceding,  married  first,  Mary 
Barbour  of  Gray,  and  second,  Esther  Beal  of  Newton,  Mass.  He 
settled  on  the  north  side  of  the  river  in  what  is  now  Hanover.  He 
died  January  16,  1818  ;  his  first  wife  died  Dec.  18,  1790.  Children  : 
By  first  marriage : 

i    Moses,  b.  March  13,  1785,  d.  March  20,  1795. 
ii    Barbour,  b.  March  7,  1786,  m.  Julia  Twitchell. 
iii     Sylvia,  b.  Feb.  29,  1788,  m.  Sylvanus  Porter,  No.  Yarmoutli. 
iv    Elhanau,  b.  March  1;  1790,  d.  Sept.  18,  following. 

By  second  marriage : 

V    Esther,  b.  Apr.  2,  1792,  m.  James  Hodsdon. 
vi    Moses,  b.  Nov.  13,  1798,  m.  Huldah  Powers, 
vii    Mary,  b.  June  11,  1801,  m.  Nathaniel  Brown  of  No.  Yarmouth. 


468  HISrOEY   OF  BETHEL. 

Thaddeus  Bartlett,  brother  of  the  preceding,  married  Dec.  4, 
1782,  Sybil,  daughter  of  Amos  Powers,  who  was  born  Oct.  27, 
1765.  He  lived  on  the  south  side  of  the  river  near  Bean's  Corner. 
His  wife  died  July  29,  1830.     Children  : 

i  Fanny,  b.  Apr.  7,  1784,  m.  George  W.  Wheeler,  IJttleton,  X.  H. 

ii  Charlotte,  b.  July  8,  1786,  m.  .Jonas  Willis, 

iii  Sybil,  b.  Dee.  11,  1788,  d.  Sept.  29,  1805. 

iv  Clara,  b.  Feb.  9,  1791,  m.  Sylvanus  Jackson  of  Paris. 

V  Bathsheba,  b.  March  22,  1793,  m.  Sylvanus  Jackson  of  Paris, 
vi  Abigail,  b.  Aug.  5,  1795,  m.  Asa  Kinil)all  of  Bethel. 

vii    Ball,  b.  Dec.  28,  1797,  in.  Marina  Bartlett. 
viii    Mary  P.,  b.  Feb.  5,  1800,  ni.  George  Kimball, 
ix    Thaddeus  Powers,  b.  Apr.  8,  1802,  m.  Sophroiiia  Blake  of  Sandwich, 

N.  H.,  d.  Waltham,  Mass. 
:s    Ephraim  C,  b.  July  23,  1804,  m.  1st,  JIary  A.  Humphrey,  2d.  .lulia 

Richards,  3d,  Kate  E.  Marlde,  and  4th,  Abbie  'SI.  Lowring. 
xi    Eleanor  Douglass,  b.  Jan.  22,  1807,  m.  James  Crocker  Bean, 
xii    Sybil  Gibbs,  b.  May  9,  1809,  ui.  Wni.  P.  Frost  of  Boston. 

Stephen  Bartlett,  brother  of  the  preceding,  married  Oct.  23, 
1787,  Dorcas  Barbour  of  Gra}',  who  was  born  July  19,  1769.  He 
settled  on  the  north  side  of  the  river  in  what  is  now  Hanover.  He 
died  Feb.  14,  1832,  and  his  widow  Oct.  28,  1841.     Children  : 

i  Ebenezer,  b.  June  6,  1788,  ni.  I.ois  Powers. 

ii  Elhanan,  b.  Sept,  2,  1791,  m.  Joanna  ^Villis. 

iii  William,  b.  .Juue  6,  1794,  ni.  Elsie  Russell, 

iv  Beulah,  b.  Aug.  19,  1797,  m.  Asa  Foster  of  Newry. 

V  James  Armenas  Swan,  b.  Dec.  6,  1801,  m.  Betsey  Foster, 
vi  Dorcas,  b.  Feb.  20,  1804,  m.  Eli  Foster. 

vii    Sarah,  b.  May  26,  1807,  ni.  Reuben  B.  Foster, 
viii     Sophia  Clark,  I).  March  30. 1811.  ni.  Stephen  Kenney  of  No.  Yarmouth. 

Peregrine  Bartlett,  brother  of  the  preceding,  married  Sally 
Merrill  of  Andover.  He  lived  on  the  north  side  of  the  river  in  what 
is  now  Hanover,  near  Bartlett's  Ferry.  He  died  Dec.  18,  1832,  and 
his  wife  died  Sept.  14,  1831.     Children  : 

i  Nathan,  b.  Aug.  3,  1793,  d.  May  25,  1801. 

ii  Ruby,  b.  March  1,  1796,  m.  Aaron  Mason, 

iii  Freeborn,  b.  Oct.  4,  1797,  d.  in  Mississippi  unmarried, 

iv  Maria,  b.  Sept.  30,  1799. 

V  Salina,  I).  March  28,  1802,  m.  Bela  Williams  of  Carratunk. 
vi  Ezekiel  Merrill,  b.  Apr.  20,  1804,  Avent  South. 

vii    Elijah,  b.  Jan.  26,  1806,  d.  March  11,  following. 
Viii    Elisha,  b.  Jan.  26,  1806,  d.  Feb.  13,  following. 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  469 

ix  Marina,  b.  Feb.  7,  1807,  m.  Ball  Barllett. 

X  Stephen,  b.  July  10,  1809,  m.  Martha  Stearns. 

xi  Solon,  b.  Nov.  22,  1811. 

xii  Leuora  Emeline,  b.  March  19,  1814,  d.  March  2,  1817. 

xiii  Socrates  Plato,  b.  Jan.  1,  1816,  d.  Feb.  26,  1817. 

xiv  Sylvanus  Porter,  b.  Jan.  1,  1816,  went  South. 

XV  Mary,  h. d.  1832,  unmarried. 

Reuben  Bartlett,  son  of  Enoch  Bartlett,  married  Lydia  P'rost. 
He  lived  on  the  north  side  of  llie  river  opposite  Middle  Interval. 
Children  : 

i  Sally,  b.  Jan.  30,  1792,  m.  William  Estes. 

ii  Betsey,  b.  Feb.  20,  1794,  m.  Joshua  Bean. 

iii  Asa,  b.  Dec.  4,  1795,  m.  1st,  Mary  Yoi'k;  2d,  Betsey  E.  Rowe. 

iv  Aaron,  b.  Apr.  20,  1800,  never  married. 

V  Narhan,  b.  Sept.  5,  1802,  m.  Joanna  Daniels  of  Paris, 
vi  Enoch,  b.  May  15,  1805,  d.  June  15,  1828. 

vii    Lydia,  b.  May  22.  1807.  m.  Isaac  B.  Uttlehale. 
viii    Esther,  b.  March  22,  1810,  d.  Mav,  1811. 
ix     Fanny,  b.  PVl).  26.  1812,  m.  Elijali  Powers. 

Elias  Bartlett,  son  of  Jonathan  Bartlett,  married  first,  Eliza, 
daughter  of  Nathan  Adams,  and  second,  Judith,  daughter  of  David 
Farnura  of  Rumford,  who  survived  him,  and  married  Rev.  Dan 
Perry.     Children : 

By  first  wife : 

i    Eliza,  b.  March  3.  1815,  m.  Enoch  Knaj^p. 
By  second  wife : 

ii    Sylvia  Porter,  b.  Feb.  15,  1817,  d.  June  8,  1836. 

iii    Mary,  b.  May  9,  1819,  m.  Mi|,hill  Mason. 

iv    Elias  Shaw,  b.  Nov.  26,  1823,  m.  Hester  Ann  Bartlett. 

V  Jonathan  Madison,  b.  March  13,  1826,  m.  Olive  Xeedham. 
vi     Harriet,  b.  Xov.  15,  1829.  d.  Aug.  25,  1847. 

Elijah  Bartlett,  son  of  Jonathan  Bartlett,  married  Nancy, 
daughter  of  Joshua  Graham  of  Rumford.  He  lived  in  Bethel,  in 
the  Chandler  neighborhood.  He  is  remembered  for  his  charitable 
deeds,  and  was  very  kind  to  the  poor.     Child  : 

Hannah,  b.  Oct.  13,  1810.  m.  Abial  Chandler. 

Barbour  Bartlett,  son  of  Moses  Bartlett,  married  Julia,  daugh- 
ter of  Dea.  Ezra  Twitchell.      (See  page  114.)     Children  : 

i    Julia  Ann.  b.  July  2.  1S13.  m.  June  29.  1S42.  (ieorge  E.  Smith  of 

Hanover, 
ii     Eli  Leland.  b.  Jiilv  25.  1814.  m. 


470  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

iii    Curatio  Twitchel],  b.  Apr.  10,  181G,  m.  I.aura  Ann  Pressey. 
iv    Moses  B.,   h.   July   12,   1818,   m.   Sarah  E.,  daughter  of  Abner  B. 
Thompson  of  Brunswick. 

V  Sylvanus  Porter,  b.  Feb.  23,  1820,  d.  Aug.  14,  1823. 

vi  Lucia  Kimball,  b.  June  7,  1821,  m.  Oct.  2,  1845,  Isaac  Adams,  Jr. 

vii  Miranda  Jane,  b.  Nov.  14,  1822,  d.  Aug.  31,  1823. 

"viii  Sj'lvauus  Porter,  b.  July  24,  1824. 

ix  Edwin  Wallace,  b.  Sept.  12,  1826. 

X  Speneer  T.,  b.  Jan.  24,  1830,  m.  Caroline  P.  Adams  of  Brunswick, 

xi  Jane  Ci>ombie,  b.  Xr.v.  13.  1831.  d.  July  2,  1833. 

Moses  Bartlett,  Jr.,  married  Huklah  Powers.  He  lived  iu  that 
part  of  Bethel  now  Hanover,  but  left  town  many  years  ago. 
'Children  : 

i  Lucy  Ann,  b.  Sept.  28,  1827. 

ii  Orson  Powers,  b.  Oct.  5,  1829,  d.  March  31,  1830. 

iii  Esther  Beal,  b.  Feb.  25,  1831. 

iv  George,  b.  Dec.  3,  1833. 

V  Mary  A.,  b.  Apr.  22,  1836. 
vi  Alfred,  b.  \\n-.  12.  1830. 

Ball  Bartlett,  son  of  Thaddeus  Bartlett,  married  March  16, 
1830,  Marina,  daughter  of  Peregrine  Bartlett.  He  was  a  farmer 
and  tavern-keeper  at  Bean's  Corner.  He  died  Apr.  18,  1865. 
-Children  : 

i  Infant,  b.  Apr.  12.  1832.  d.  young. 

ii  Abigail  Pawson.  b.  Maich  23,  1833.  d.  June  3.  1S51. 

iii'  Martha  M.,  b.  July  16,  1836.  d.  Aug.  7,  1858. 

iv  Ezekiel  ^lerrill.  b.  Sept.  1,  1838.  m.  Alma  J.  Colby. 

V  Charles  S(doii,  1).  July  1!»,  1840,  d.  March  7,  1871. 
vi  Ephraim  ('.,  b.  A^ov.  25,  1843,  m.  Rose  Powers. 

vii    Fanny  M.,  b.  Feb.  5,  1848,  d.  Nov.  20,  1871. 
viii    Thaddeus  G.,  b.  Feb.  7.  1855,  d.  May  31,  1883. 
ix     Harry  P.,  b.  Oct.  14, .  ni.  Sarah  Stark. 

EiiENEZER  Bartlett,  oldest    son  of    Stephen    P>artlett,    married 
Lois,  daughter  of  Silas  Powers.     He  lived  a  few  years  on  Howard's 
Gore  and  then  moved  to  a  farm  on  the  road  between   Locke's  Mills 
and  the  Androscoggin.     He  was  a  farmer  and  puinp-maker. 
Children  : 

i     Joanna  Willis,  b.  Feb.  6,  1815,  d.  July  2S,  1836. 

ii  Silas  Powers,  b.  Feb.  3,  1817,  m.  Martha  M.  Morse  of  Jay.  Dr.  Bart- 
lett is  a  natural  scholar,  aud  particularly  proficient  in  mathematics. 
He  taught  school  winters  while  he  was  oljtaiiiing  his  education 


DR.    SILAS    P.    BARTLETT. 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  471 

and  was  a  popular  teacher.  He  studied  the  medical  profession 
with  Dr.  Thomas  Roberts  of  Rumford,  graduated  from  the  Maine 
Medical  School,  practiced  for  a  short  time  in  Bethel  and  then  set- 
tled at  East  Dixtield,  where  he  has  lived  for  more  than  forty 
years,  engaged  in  practice  and  in  farming.  He  has  been  one  of 
the  principal  contributors  to  the  Maine  Farmers'  Almanac,  and 
delights  in  devising  and  working  out  problems  in  the  higher 
mathematics.  He  is  a  genial,  companionable  man,  and  deservedly 
popular. 

iii    Stephen,  b.  Jan.  11,  1819,  m.  Cyrene  How,  r.  Lowell,  Mass. 

iv    Ebenezer  Nimrod,  b.  March  14,  1821,  m.  Elizabeth  Kimball,  and  died 
in  Xew  Orleans.     He  and  his  son  enlisted  from  Lowell,  Mass.,  and 
both  died. 
V     Lusylvia,  b.  Feb.  '.>,  1824,  m.  Adams  Twitchell,  r.  Milan,  X.  H. 

vi    Artemas  Powers,  b.  July  3, 1826,  m.  Julia  Hodgkins,  r.  Lowell,  Mass. 

vii     Warren,  b.  Apr.  3,  1832,  m.  Isabelle  Huston,  resides  West. 

Elhanax  Bartlktt,  son  of  Stephen,  married  Joanna,  daughter 
of  Jonas  Willis.     He  lived,  and  died  Apr.  13,  1883,  on  the  home- 
stead of  his  father.     He  was  a  prominent  man  in  town  and  often  in 
town  office.     He  was  also  a  thrifty  and  prosperous  farmer. 
Children  : 

i    Zenas  Willis,  (M.  D.)  b.  Aug.  10,  1818,  m.  Leona  Roberts  and  settled 

in  Rumford. 
li    Susanna,  b.  Apr.  1,  1820,  d.  Nov.  2,  1843. 

iii    Cyrus,  b.  June  18,  1822,  m.  Caroline  Smith;  he  d.  Apr.  23,  1875. 
iv    Beulah  Foster,  b.  Dec.  10,  1824,  m.  James  Roberts,  d.  Jan.  23,  1881. 
v     Hester  Ann.  b.  Nov.  24.  1827,  m.  Elias  S.  Bartlett. 

^ViLLiAM  BAinLETT,  soQ  of  Stephen  Bartlett,  married  "^Isie, 
daughter  of  ■William  Russell.  He  lived  on  the  hill,  east  of  Jacob 
Kimball.     Children  : 

The  oldest  two  died  in  infancy. 

v^i    Jonas  Willis,  b.  June  15.  18111,  m.  Lusaiuiah  A.  Laphani. 
-ii     Leonora,  b.  Dec.  27,  1820,  d.  Nov.  17,  1840. 

iii     Henry  Russell,  b.  July  11,  1822,  ni.  Hophronia  (Jliues,  d.  May  4,  1885. 
.TV    Sebra  Dunham,  b.  Feb.  28,  1825,  m.  Nancy  Adams,  r.  Massachusetts, 
^v    Emma,  b.  Nov.  13,  1827,  d.  Nov.  14,  1833. 
-^i     Beujamiu  Frnnklin.  b.  Oct.  29,  1829,  m.  Ihninah  Goss,  d.  in  Texas  in 

1864. 
•'vii     Mehital)le.  1).  Nov.  25,  1S31,  ni.  .losliun  Ucaii.  .Jr.:  botli  dead. 

James  A.  S.  Bahtlett,  son  of  Stephen  Bartlett,  nuirried  Betsey, 
daughter  of  Asa  Foster  of  Newry.  He  lived  in  the  neigliborhood  of 
his  brother,  Ebenezer,  where  his  son    Asa  afterwards    lived,  and 


472  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

died  January  10,  1873,     His  widow  died  July  10,  1882.     Children  : 
i    Asa  Foster,  b.  Dec.  24,  1823,  m.  Jane  Moody  of  Paris,  d.  1891. 
ii     Anna,     )  m.  Vincent  G.  Chapman. 

\  b.  Sept.  6,  182.5. 
iii     Dorcas,  J  m.  1st,  Malachi  Haines,  2d,  Edwin  Farrar. 
iv     Cyiene,  b.  March  31,  1828,  ni.  Washington  Crooker. 

V  Lucretia,  b.  Nov.  29,  1829,  ni.  1850,  Albert  Haines;  both  dead. 

vi    James  Aimenas.  b.  May  15,  1832,  m.  Mary  Hutchinson,  r.  Massachu- 
setts. 
vii     Sophila,  b.  May  27,  1836,  m.  Georoe  Gallbraith;  both  dead, 
viii     Betsey  F.,  b.  Dec.  13.  1838,  m.  IHBl,  William  H.  T'orliss. 

Asa  Bartlett,  sou  of  Reui^en  Bartlett,  married  first,  Mary, 
daughter  of  Peter  Yorl<,  and  second,  Betsey  E.  Rowe  of  Newry. 
He  lived  on  the  homestead  of  his  father.     Children  : 

i     Mary  Ann,  b.  Oct.  21,  1820,  m.  Elijah  B.  Goddard. 
ii     Freeland,  b.  Oct.  11.  1824.  m.  Betsey  Morse  of  (irafton. 
iii     Dolly,  b.  Aug.  15.  1828. 
By  second  wife : 
iv     Asa  Warrington.  1>.  Fel).  4.  1839. 

Elias  Shaw  Bartlett,  son  of  Elias  and  Judith  (Farnum) 
Bartlett,  was  a  farmer  and  lived  on  the  old  homestead.  He  married 
Hester,  daughter  of  Elhauan  Bartlett.  He  was  one  of  the  select- 
men for  several  years  and  held  other  town  offices.     Children  : 

i  Elhanan  P..  1).  Aug.  9,  1848,  m.  Sarali  Stevens, 

ii  Mary  E.,  b.  July  15,  1851,  m.  Chas.  M.  Kimball, 

iii  James  M.,  b.  Sept.  23,  18-53,  m.  Etta  M.  Bartlett. 

iv  F.  Dayton,  b.  Apr.  30,  1856,  m.  Martha  V.  Brown. 

V  Olivette,  b.  Apr.  3,  1859. 

vi    Zeuas  Willis,  b.  Apr.  19,  1861,  m.  Carrie  M.  Swan, 
vii    Flora  E.,  b.  Nov.  18,  1866,  m.  \V.  S.  Wiglit. 
viii    Elias  S.,  b.  June  19.  1870. 

Artemas  Powers  Bartlett,  son  of  Ebenezer  and  Lois  (Powers) 
Bartlett,  lived  on  the  homestead  of  his  father  a  few  years,  then  sold 
out  and  moved  to  Lowell,  Mass.  He  was  a  farmer  and  carpenter. 
He  married  Julia  H.  Hodgkins  of  Lewiston.     Children  : 

i  George  Forrest,  b.  July  22.  18.50.  ii  Sarah  Luetta,  b.  Oct.  26,  1851. 
iii  Charles  Warren,  b.  June  19,  1853.  iv  Lusylvia  Twitchell,  b.  3Iarch 
10,  1855.  V  Flora  Elmetta,  b.  Dec.  26.  1856.  vi  Ebene/cr  Powers,  b. 
Sept.  19,  1858,  d.  Dec.  25,  1862.  vii  Jonathan  H.,  b.  Apr.  28,  1860.  viii 
Angie  Davis,  b.  March  7,  1862.  ix  Eois  Powers,  1).  Apr.  15,  1864.  x 
Odell  Dumon,  b.  Jan.  30,  1866. 


HIS  TOBY  OF  BETHEL.  473 

CuRATio  TwiTCHELL  Bartlett,  son  of  Barbouv  Bartlett,  married 
Laura  Annie  Presse}',  who  was  born  in  Mercer,  Aug.  25,  1816.  He 
was  a  farmer  and  resided  on  part  of  the  homestead  of  his  grand- 
father, Eli  Twitchell.     He  died  Aug.  25,  1881.     Children  : 

1  Eli  LelaiKl,  b.  May  30,  1842,  m.  July  5,  1881,  Jenny  Taylor  of  Nova 
Scotia.     He  lives  at  the  old  homestead  in  Bethel. 

ii  James  Cleveland,  b.  April  1,  1844,  m.  in  Texas  in  187.5,  Almonte 
Hilling;  he  died  January  28,  1891. 

iii  Frances  J.,  b.  March  17,  1846,  m.  1876,  John  Kittredge  of  North 
Andover,  Mass. 

'^ONAS  Willis  Bartlett,  son  of  William  Bartlett,  a  farmer  and 

brick-maker,  married  Feb.  24,  1850,  Lnsannah,  daughter  of  Deacon 

John  Laphara.       She  died  Feb.  2,   1869.      He  lives  in  the  lower 

part  of  the  town  on  a  farm  adjoining  the  Foster  farm.     Children  : 

i     l.ovisa  Ellen,  b.  July  18.  18.52,  m.  George  A.  Armitage,  r.  Lawrence, 

Mass. 
ii    William  Barbour,  1).  Jaiuiary  11,  1854,  resides  in  AVobuvn,  Mass.,  uu- 

mari-ied. 
iii     Lucetta  E.,  b.  Oct.  18,  1856.     She  is  in  the  dress-making  business  in 

Lawrence,  Mass. 
iv     Gardiner  Morrill,  b.  Apr.  17,  1858. 
V    Elias  Russell,  b.  Feb.  14.  1860. 
vi    Aurilla,  b.  Dec.  18,  1864. 

4Ienry  Russell  Bartlett,  brother  of  the  preceding,  farmer, 
married  April  29,  1843,  Sophronia,  daughter  of  Timothy  Glines, 
who  was  born  in  Rumford,  Aug.  8,  1819.  Henry  R.  Bartlett  died 
May  4,  1885.     Children: 

i     Helen  Elizabeth,  b.  Dec.  14,  1843. 
ii    Althea  Sarah,  b.  Sept.  12,  1845,  d.  Feb.  1871. 
iii    Henry  Edson,  b.  April  12,  1847.     He  is  a  brick  and  stone  mason  and 

farmer.     He  married   Feb.   4,   1874,    Lizzie,   daughter  of  Daniel 

Coburn  of  Lowell,  Mass.,  and  has  : 

1  AValter  Edson,  b.  Nov.  13,  1874. 

2  Elsie,  b.  May  23,  1878. 

3  Blanche,  b.  Aug.  28,  1880. 

4  Amy.  b.  May  19,  1886. 

Asa  Foster  Bartlett,  son  of  James  A.  S.  Bartlett,  a  farmer, 
lived  on  the  homestead  of  his  father  adjoining  the  Eli  Foster  farm, 
and  died  there  in  August,  1891  He  married  Dec.  26,  1852,  Jane, 
daughter  of  Benaiah  Moody,  who  was  born  in  Paris,  Dec.  22,  1822. 
Children  : 


474  HISrOBY   OF  BETHEL. 

i    Enieiy  W.,  b.  Januarj'  1,  1856.     He  graduated  at  Bowdoiu  College  in 
1880,  engaged  in  journalism  and  is  now  on  the  stall'  of  the  Boston 
Herald, 
ii    Judson  F..  b.  March  7,  1S57. 
iii    A.  Ezbon,  b.  Nov.  21,  1859,  ni.  Annie  Whitman, 
iv    Nelson  M.,  b.  Dec.  8,  1861. 

V  Ella  J.,  b.  Nov.  1,  1864,  m.  Stephen  H.  Foster. 

TiLDEN  Bakilett,  SOU  of  Josiah  Bartlett  of  Plymouth,  Mass., 
and  Norway,  Me.,  of  no  relation  to  the  other  Bartlelts  in  town, 
moved  to  a  lot  in  the  east  part  of  Bethel  previous  to  1830,  and  died 
there.  His  wife  was  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  John  and  Abigail 
(Irish)  Buck  of  Buckfield.  Mr.  Bartlett's  four  sons  settled  in  the 
same  neighborhood,  and  one  or  more  of  them  are  still  there. 
Children  : 

i    liachel,  b.  Jane,  1808,  Ximennes  Philbrick  of  Hucktield. 
ii     Tilden,  b.  Sept.  1810,  m.  Sarah  Eastman, 
iii     Martha,  I  b.  April  1812,  ni.  Adam  Knight. 

y  twins, 
iv     Abigail,)  b.  April,  1812,  m.  Joseph  Frye. 

V  Benjamin,  b.  March,  1814,  m.  Hannah  Brooks  of  Paris. 

vi  Sylvia,  b.  Dec,  1815,  m.  Ferdinand  A.  Warren  of  Bucklield. 

vii  Sarah,  b.  Oct.,  1817,  m.  Asa  Record, 

viii  Abijah,  b.  Aug.,  1819,  m.  Hannah  Stevens, 

ix  Eliza,  b.  March,  1821,  m.  William  Chase. 

X  Elmira,  b.  January,  1824,  m.  Alfred  Harris, 

xi  Enoch,  b.  Dec,  1S25.  ni.  Louisa  Trask. 

Levi  Needham  Bartlett,  sou  of  Sylvanus  and  Mary  Jane 
(Howe)  Martin  Bartlett,  and  nephew  of  Tilden  Bartlett  preceding, 
born  in  Greenwood,  Sept.  18,  1845,  married  May  27,  1875,  Rowena, 
daughter  of  Learned  Whitman  of  Bethel.  He  is  a  farmer  on 
Grover  Hill.     Children  : 

i  Lizzie  Grace,  b.  July  17,  1876. 

ii  Maude  A.,  b.  July.-20,  1878. 

iii  Earl  Alton,  b.  June  10,  1886. 

iv  Erva  May,  I).  June  12,  1889. 

Barton. 

Asa  Barton  of  Needham,  Mass.,  married  Mercy,  daughter  of 
Ebenezer  Bartlett  of  Newton.  She  subsequently  married  Oliver 
Fenno  the  blacksmith,  and  came  to' Bethel,  and  then  moved  to  Jay. 
Children : 

i    Aaron,  b. ,  m.  Sally  Smith. 

ii    Eunice,  b. ,  m.  Elijah  Swan;  d.  Paris. 


HISTOTiY  OF  BETHEL.  475 

Aaron  Barton,  son  of  the  preceding,  came  to  Bethel  while  yet  a 
boy,  with  Nathaniel  Segar  and  Jonathan  Bartlett.  He  married 
Jan.  29,  1793,  Sally,  daughter  of  Ithiel  Smith.  He  moved  to  Jay, 
and  then  to  Livermore.     Children  : 

i  Aaron,  b. ,  m.  Panielia  Foster. 

ii  Asa,  b. ,  m.  Lydia  Chase. 

iii  Sarah,  b. ,  ni.  Elliot  Smith  of  Norway. 

iv  Lavinia  Howard,  b. ,  m.  Elliot  Smith  of  Norway. 

V  Mercy  Barton,  b. ,  ni.  Thomas  Chase  of  Eivermore.     She  was 

the  mother  of  Eli/abeth    (Chase)  Akers  Allen,  the   well   known 
poetical  writer. 

Bakkek. 

The  Barker  families  of  Bethel  descended  from  James'  and  Grace 
Barker,  who  were  early  at  Rowley,  Mass.,  through  Nathaniel'  and 
Mary,  James^  and  Sarah,  James'  and  Elizabeth  and  Jedediah*  and 
Sarah. 

Jedediah  Barker*  married  Sarah .     Children  : 

i    John,  b.  Apr.  21,  1758,  in.  Mary  Jackman. 

ii    James,  b. . 

iii     Samuel,  b.  May  L5.  17()2,  ni.  1st,  Betsey  Rogers,  2(1.  Abigail  Blan- 

chard. 
iv    Susannah,  b.  Dec.  21,  1763. 

V  Elizabeth,  b.  Sept.,  186-5. 

John  Barker,  son  of  the  preceding,  came  from  Londonderry, 
N.  H.,  to  Bethel  in  1804,  and  he  and  his  wife  died  in  this  town. 
•Children  : 

i  Mary,  b.  June  26,  1782. 
ii  Sarah,  b.  March  6,  1784. 
iii    John,  b.  Aug.  12,  1785,  (M.  D.  at  Wilton,  Me.)     He  was  the  father 

of  Fordj'ce  Barker,  the  distinguished  New  York  physician, 
iv     Nancy,  b.  Jan.  31,  1788. 

V  Abigail,  b.  Oct.  29,  1790. 

vi  Samuel,  b.  July  6,  1792,  ui.  Hannah  B.  Clark. 

vii  Timothy,  b.  July  1,  1794,  ni.  Eliza  Town, 

viii  Pamelia,  b.  Aug.  22,  1796. 

ix  Hannah  J.,  b.  July  26.  1801,  m.  .lames  Walker. 

Samuel  Barker,  son  of  Jedediah  and  Sarah  Barker,  born  in 
Rowley,  Mass.,  married  Betsey  Rogers.  He  came  to  Bethel  in 
1803,  and  lived  at  and  conducted  the  Ferry  known  as  "Barker's 
Ferry."     He  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  Deacon  of 


476  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

the  church  in  Bethel.     For  second  wife  he  married  Abigail  Blan- 
chard.     Children : 

1     Betsey  E.,  b.  Feb.  26,  1784,  m.  Timothy  Chapman, 
ii    Judith,  b.  Aug.  30,  1785,  m.  Dauiel  (  othu  of  Milan,  N.  H. 
iii     Susan,  b.  Aug.  4,  1787,  d.  young. 

iv     AVilliam,  b.  May  8,  1789.     He  went  to  South  Carolina,  and  settled; 
there. 

V  Sukey,  b.  July  10,  1791,  m.  Thaddeus  Twitchell. 

vi    Samuel,  b.  Dec.  3,  1793.    He  settled  in  Mississippi, 
vii    Nathaniel,  b.  Jan.  6,  1796,  m.   Catharine  Knight;  he  graduated  at 

Dartmouth  College ;  was  a  clergyman, 
viii    Francis,  b.  Nov.  3,  1797,  d.  young, 
ix    Francis,  b.  January  1,  1799,  m.  Xancy  lugalls  of  Shelburne,  X.  H.. 
X    Moses,  b.  Oct.  17,  1800,  ni.  Ann  Blauchard,  r.  Worcester,  Mass. 
xi    Mary  ('.,  b.  May  2,  1802,  m.  Daniel  Ingalls  of  Shelburne. 
xil    Sophronia,  b.  Aug-  12,  1804,  m.  Eli  Twitchell. 
xiii    Fanny,  b.  Nov.  24,  1806,  m.  Isaac  J.  Town,  and  second,  Thos-.  B. 

Little,  Auburn. 
By  second  wife : 

xiv    Sarali,  b.  Sei)t.  9,  1814,  ni.  Thomas  Beach  of  Oliio. 
XV    Deborah  Jane.  b.  Apr.  9.  1817.  m.  Lyman  Eustis  of  Dixtield. 

Capt.  Samuel  Barker,  son  of  John  Barker,  married  Hannah  B^ 
Clark.     Children ; 

i  Caroline  H.,  b.  Dec,  14,  1819,  m.  Aug.  7,  187.5,  Samuel  JL  (  hapman. 

h  Alausou,  b.  May  30,  1822,  d.  Apr.  5,  1823. 

hi  John,  b.  May  23,  1828,  m.  Mary  J.  Rose. 

iv  Samuel  Alanson,  b.  May  26,  1826,  d.  Aug.  10,  1826. 

V  Phebe  Abbot,  b.  Feb.  4,  1830,  m.  Gilbert  Chapman, 
vi  Maria,  b.  Maich  7,  1833. 

vh     Felicia  H.,  b.  Aug.  25.  18.38. 

John  Barker,  son  of  Capt.  Samuel  Barker,  married  Nov.  29,. 
1860,  Mary  Jane,  daughter  of  Duane  and  jNIaria  (Clark)  Rose,, 
formerly  of  Lisbon,  Conn.  IMr.  Barker  has  been  much  in  town 
office,  member  of  the  Legislature  and  is  now  County  Commissioner. 
A  man  of  ability  and  integrity.     Children  : 

i  Clarence  I]ugene.  b.  Nov.  17.  1861. 

h  Arthur  E.,  b.  Sept.  8,  1863. 

in  Mary  Ellen,  1),  Apr.  11.  1868. 

iv  Alice  Maria,  h.  Feb.  25,  1874. 

Timothy  Barker  married  P:iiza  Town.  He  was  a  farmer,  but 
later  in  life  he  moved  to  Bethel  Hill.  He  died  Nov.  11,  1875,  and 
his  wife  died  January  23,  1866.     Children  : 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  477 

i  Leander  Towu,  b.  Oct.  31,  1828,  m.  Dorcas  Elleu  lirackott. 

ii  Dolly  Gould,  b.  Oct.  14,  1830,  in.  Thos.  E.  Twitchell,  d.  May  2,  1861. 

lii  Mary  Eliza,  b.  Feb.  17,  1833,  m.  Dr.  Chas.  W.  Gordon, 

iv  Alma  Ingalls,  b.  Aug.  2,  1838,  d.  March  17,  1843. 

V  Ella  Abba,  b.  Jan.  20,  1840,  m.  Xov.  12,  1867,  Horace  D.  Gibbs,  d. 

March  22,  1873. 

Leander  Toavn  Barker,  son  of  the  preceding,  married  Feb.  28, 
1856,  Dorcas  Ellen,  daughter  of  William  and  Sarah  (Hobbs) 
Brackett  of  Harrison,  Maine,  who  died  Sept.,  1891.  Mr.  Barker 
has  served  the  town  of  Bethel  in  the  capacity  of  clerk  for  near 
twenty  years,  and  is  an  excellent  recording  officer.  He  has  no 
children. 

Fran'Cis  liARKER,  SOU  of  Samuel  Barker,  married  Nancy  H. 
Ingalls  of  Shelburne,  N.  H.  He  lived  near  Barker's  Ferry,  and 
near  where  the  toll  bridge  now  is.     Children  : 

i  Frederick  Ingalls,  b.  Oct.  3,  1825. 

ii  Xathauiel,  b.  June  22,  1826,  m.  Hannah  Eaton,  r.  Wells, 

iii  Ausina,  b.  Xov.  14,  1S29,  m.  Eobbins  Brown,  d.  May  23d,  1882. 

iv  Cullen,  b.  Dec.  2,  1832,  drowned  July  6,  1855. 

V  Albert  Francis,  b.  June  2,  1836,  m.  Eliza  Brown, 
vi  Catherine  Ingalls,  b.  July  3,  1837. 

vii    Eli  Wight,  b.  Sept.  25,  1841.  ni.  Lydia  U.  Buruhani. 
viii    Henry  Clinton,  h.  Oct.  23.  1842,  m.  Ellen  M.  Frost. 

Moses  Barker  married  Ann  Blanchard.     Children  : 

i  Abigail  Ann  Rogers,  b.  Oct.  12,  1827. 

ii  Elizabetli,  b.  Marcli  4,  1830. 

iii  Lueilla  C.  1).  July  29,  1833,  d.  Xov.  23,  1838. 

iv  Martlia  Antoinette,  b.  Dec.  7,  18.35. 

Eli  AVi(;ht  Barker,  son  of  Francis  Barker,  is  a  farmer  and  lives 
on  the  old  homestead  near  the  Bethel  Bridge.  He  married  Feb.  10, 
1876,  Lydia  Ursula,  daughter  of  Piuckney  Burnham.     Children  : 

i    Guy  Burnhara,  1).  March  2,  1884. 
ii     Philip  Merton,  b.  June  26.  1889. 

Henry  Clinton  Barker,  son  of  Francis  Barker,  resides  at  Bethel 
and  is  a  dealer  in  doors,  sash  and  blinds.  He  married  Oct.  30, 
1865,  Ellen  Maria,  daughter  of  Simeon  Foster  and  Maria  (Abbot) 
Frost  of  Upton.     Children  : 

i    Evangeline  Barker,  b.  Dec.  18,  1866. 
ii    Francis  Barnard,  b.  Dec.  25,  1878. 


478  HISTOBY  OF  BETHEL. 

Charles  Allex  Barker,  sou  of  FraDcis  and  Sarah  Fox  (Allen) 
Barker  of  South  Waterford,  married  Apr.  2,  1870,  Harriet  Kimball, 
daughter  of  James  and  Sarah  (Moody)  Lapham,  and  widow  of 
Marriner  Davis.  He  is  a  farmer  and  lives  on  the  Lapham  home- 
stead ou  the  road  from  Locke's  Mills  to  Bean's  Corner,  at  East 
Bethel.     Child : 

i    Sarali  Hannah,  b.  Feb.  18,  1871. 

Bean. 

Jonathan  Bean,  (see  page  65)  the  ancestor  of  one  branch  of  the 
Beans  of  this  town,  was  born  either  in  Kingston  or  Brentwood,  New 
Hampshire,  on  territory  once  a  part  of  Exeter,  where  his  great- 
grandfather John  Bean  from  Scotland,  settled.  Jonathan  Bean 
lived  some  years  in  Chester,  uear  his  brother  Benjamin,  but  soon 
after  seventeen  hundred  and  sixty,  he  moved  to  Standish,  Maine. 
The  christian  name  of  his  wife  was  Abigail,  but  her  family  name 
has  not  been  ascertained.  In  the  fall  of  tlie  year  seventeen  hun- 
dred and  eight^'-one,  he  and  his  three  sons  came  to  Sudburv  Canada. 
He  died  in  the  year  eighteen  hundred,  and  his  widow  in  eighteen 
hundred  and  twenty-one  at  a  great  age.  March  29,  1780,  he  sold 
his  homestead  in  Standish,  to  Aaron  Richardson  of  Newton. 
Children. 

i  Abigail,  b. .  ni.  Colonel  John  York. 

ii  Josiah,  b. .  ni.  Mary  f  rocker  of  Standish. 

iii'  Jonathan,  b.  1754,  ni.  1st,  Al)io:ail  York,  2d,  Ann  McGill. 

iv  Daniel,  b.  1757,  ni.  in  1780,  Marpirct  Shaw'. 

V  Doll.y,  b. ,  ni.  Luther  Topping,  d.  before  1818,  no  issue. 

vi  Lois,  b. ,  m.  John  Mareau,  who  d.  1840.     She  d.  1840. 

vii  Eunice,  b.  1767.  m.  Joseph  Shaw  of  Standish,  and  died  In  1832. 

viii  Anno.  b. .  ni.  Ithiel  Smith  of  Xowry. 

JosiAH  Bean,  son  of  Jonathan,  married  Molly  Crocker  of  Stand- 
ish.    He  settled  in  the  lower   parish    where    his    sons   afterwards 
lived.     November  od,  1780,  he  bought  of  Aaron  Richardson,  inter- 
val lot  number  10,  south  of  river,  in  Sudbury  Canada.     Children  : 
i    Dolly,  b.  May  14,  1773,  m.  Francis  Keyes. 

ii    Timothy,  b.  June  8,  1775,  m.  Ilannali  Kimball. 

iii    Amos,  b.  Apr.  15,  .1778,  ni.  Iluldab  Kimball. 

iv    Luther,  b.  Apr.  23,  1781,  m.  Lydia  Kimball. 

v    Edmund,  b.  Aug.  12,  1786,  ni.  Emma  Kimball. 

vi    Joshua,  1).  Apr.  27,  1780,  m.  Hotscy  Hartlott. 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  479 

vii     Molly,  b.  January  27,  1792,  m.  Moses  F.  Kimball, 
viii     Hannah,  b.  June  29,  1794,  m.  Capt.  Timothy  Hastings, 
ix    Abigail,  b.  Dec.  1.  1797.  ili.  Phineas  Frost. 

Jonathan  Bean,  Jr.,  brother  of  the  preceding,  married  first, 
Abigail  York,  and  second,  Ann  McGill.  His  first  three  children 
were  born  in  Standish.  He  died  about  the  year  1827,  aged  about 
73  years.  He  bought  Sudbury  Canada  lands  of  Aaron  Richardson 
of  Newton,  about  the  same  time  as  his  brother.     Children  : 

i  Jonathan,  1). .     He  was  killed  by  an  Indian  in  the  Shadagee 

fight,  war  of  1S12.     He  left  a  widow. 

ii  John,  b. ,  m.  Hannah  McGill  of  Standish. 

iii  Benjamin,  b. ,  m.  Pviscilla  Peabody.'^ 

iv  Hannah,  b.  March  14,  1782,  d.  Dec.  28,  following. 

V  Lucy,  b.  Apr.  21,  1784,  m.  Josiah  Smitli. 
vi  Lois,  b.  Oct.  24,  1786,  m. . 

vii  Job  1).  March  13,  1788,  d.  March  24,  1812. 

viii  Abiather,  b.  May  8,  1789,  d.  Nov.  18,  following. 

ix  Nathaniel,  b.  April  10,  1791,  m.  Betsey  York,  s.  Magalloway. 

X  Abiather,  b.  June  20,  1793,  m.  Persis  Fogg. 

xi  Ebenezer,  b.  April  24,  1797,  m.  Clarissa  Newton. 

xii  Eunice,  b.  Feb.  7,  1799,  m.  Samuel  Wilson  of  Topsham. 

xiii  Sarah,  b.  May  6,  1800. 

Daniel  Bean,  brother  of  Josiah  and  Jonathan,  married  in  1780, 
Margaret,  daughter  of  Ebenezer  and  Anna  (Philbrook)  Shaw  of 
Standish.  He  lived  on  the  Sanborn  farm  near  Kendall's  Ferry. 
June  9,  1781,  he  bought  of  Aaron  Richardson,  two  whole  rights  of 
land  in  Sudbury  Canada.  He  was  a  revolutionary  pensioner  and. 
died  at  West  Bethel,  March  16,  1833.  His  wife  died  May,  1846. 
Children  : 

i    Ebenezer  Shaw,  b.  Standish,  March  2.o,  1781,  m.  Eunice  Kendall.   ^ 
ii     Susannah,  b.  Bethel,  March  30,  1783,  m.  William  Burke, 
iii    Anna,  b.  Jan.  5,  1785,  m.  Bezaleel  Kendall. 
iv     Sargent,  b.  Nov.  14,  1787,  d.  Jan.  1792. 

V  Justus,  b.  Nov.  8,  1790,  m.  Sally  Rumuey  of  Lubec. 
vi    Abiah,  b.  Dec.  31.  1792,  m.  Cyrus  Mills. 

vii    Child,  b.  Oct.  14,  1794,  d.  Oct.  30,  following, 
viii    Hadassah,  b.  Oct.  1,  1795.  m.  Elijah  Grover. 
ix    Daniel,  b.  Dec.  8,  1796,  m.  May  17,  1821,  Betsey,  daughter  of  Ithiel 

Smith  of  Newry. 
X     Sargent,  b.  May  30,  1799,  m.  Anna  Smith, 
xi    Mary,  b.  Aug.  17,  1802,  m.  William  Hall,  s.  Temple, 
xii    Dolly,  b.  .June  25,  1804,  m.  George  W.  Grover. 

xiii     Stephen,  b.  Jan.  7,  1806,  m.  Hannah  Townsend  of  Solon.     He  lived 
in  Grafton  until  1862,  when  he  moved  to  Iowa  and  died  there. 


480  HISTOBY   OF  BETHEL. 

Timothy  Bean,  oldest  son  of  Josiah,  married  Hanuah,  daughter 
of  Asa  Kimball  of  Bethel.     He  lived  near  Swan's  Hill.     Children  : 

i  Kimball,  b.  Apr.  26,  1796,  m.  Laviuia  Powers, 

ii  Dolly,  b.  Aug.  16,  1798,  d.  .July  5,  1804. 

iii  Vier,  b.  Oct.  4,  1800,  m.  secondly,  Rebecca  Gossom. 

Iv  George  W.,  b.  Oct.  14,  1802,  in.  Mary  Ann  Estes. 

V  James  Crocker,  b.  May  11,  1807,  m.  Eleanor  D.  Bartlett. 

vi    Timothy,  1).  Apr.  6,  1813.  m.  1st.  Louisa  I).  Russell,  2d,  Betsey  E. 
Swift. 

Amos  Bean,  son  of  Josiah  Beau,  lived  on  the  south  side  of  the 
river  above  Bean's  Corner.  He  married  Huldah,  daughter  of  Sam- 
uel Kimball,  and  was  killed  in  quite  early  manhood,  b}'  a  falling 
tree.     Children  : 

i  Humphrey,  b.  .Tan.  22,  1802,  ni.  Lydia  Holt, 

ii  Samuel  K.,  b.  March  4,  1804,  m.  Lucretia  B.  Frost, 

iii  Olive,  b-.  Dec.  11,  1807,  m.  Thomas  Jeflerson  Ho^\  ard. 

iv  Elsie,  b.  Sept.  9,  1812,  m.  Daniel  G.  York. 

Luther  Bean,  son  of  Josiah,  married  Ljdia,  daughter  of  Samuel 
Kimball.  He  first  settled  on  the  Hutchins  farm,  then  removed  to 
Rumford  and  then  to  Milton  Plantation,  where  he  died.     Children  : 

i  Lucinda,  b.  Dec.  29.  1802,  m.  Hezekiah  Hutchins. 

ii  Hannah,  b.  June  10,  1805,  m.  Amos  An<lrews. 

iii  Sybil  B..  b.  March  27,  1806,  ni.  Edward  Stevens, 

iv  Lovina,  b.  Apr.  21,  1814. 

V  Stephen,  b.  May  4,  1809. 

vi  Emma,  b.  May  4,  1811,  m.  (iilnian  \\  .  Faiiiuni. 

vii  Maria,  b.  March  21,  1813,  d.  April  1. 1813. 

viii  Clark  Kimball,  b.  Oct.  26,  1818. 

ix  Luther  Dana,  b.  Dec.  25,  1820. 

X  Ann  Maria,  b.  Oct.  28,  1822. 

xi  Edmund,  b.  Dec.  29,  1824. 

xii  Aaron,  b.  Oct.  28,  1826. 

xiii  I^ewis,  b.  April  29,  1828. 

xiv  Franklin,  b.  June  28,  18.30.  killed  in  the  urniy. 

Edmund  Bean,  son  of  Josiah,  married  Emma,  daughter  of  Asa 
Kimball,  Jr.  He  lived  on  a  fine  farm,  on  the  south  side  of  the 
river,  above  Bean's  Corner.     Children  : 

i    Eliphaz,  b.  July  25,  1813,  ni.  Sarah  B.  Farnum. 
ii    Zachariah  H.,  b.  Feb.  16,  1815,  m.  Emeline  B.  Farnum. 
iii    Phebe  Kimball,  b.  Feb.  16,  1820,  m.  BenJ.  T.  Brown. 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  481 

Joshua  Bean,  son  of  Josiah,  married  Betsey,  daughter  of  Reuben 
Bartlett.     He  lived  on  an  interval  farm  near  his  brother  Edmund. 
Children  : 

i  Francis  Cushmau,  b.  Xov.  — ,  1815.     He  lives  on  the  old  homestead, 

it  Mary  C,  b.  May  23,  1818,  m.  Benjamin  Estes. 

iii  Josiah,  b.  Apr.  28,  1820. 

iv  Reuben  Bartlett,  b.  July  11,  1822,  d.  in  the  army,  umnarried. 

V  Phineas  Frost,  b.  June  7,  1824. 

vi  Joshua,  b.  March  2,  1828,  m.  Mehitable  Bartlett. 

vii  Lydia,  b.  Sept.  11,  1830. 

viii  Dolly  Kimball,  b.  May  27,  1833. 

John  Bean  married  Hannah  McGill  of  Standish.     He  lived  in  the 
lower  part  of  Bethel  and  was  the  son  of  Jonathan  Bean,  Jr. 
Children  : 

i  Fanny,  b.  Dec.  17,  1799. 
ii/^lmira,  b.  Oct.  27,  1801,  m.  Elijah  Paissell. 

iii  Xathan,  b.  March  1.5,  1804,  m.  Bathsheba  Smith  of  Xewry. 

iv  Lucy,  b.  March  16,  1806,  m.  Geo.  W.  Howard, 

v  Charlotte,  b.  Feb.  16,  180S,  m.  Chandler  Dustou. 

vi  Eleanor  Fames,  b.  Dec.  16,  1809. 

vii  Mary,  b.  April  11,  1812. 

vih  Abigail  lusly,  1).  July  2.5,  1814. 

ix  John,  b.  Dec.  3,  1816. 

X  Peter  York,  b.  March  8,  1819,  m.  Ist,   Rebecca  Blake,  2d,  .Mary  C. 

Glidden. 

xi  Salina.  b.  June  23,  1821,  d.  Sept.  26,  1823. 

xii  Sarah  Shaw.  b.  Julv  25.  1823. 


J 


Ben-tamin  Bean  married  Priscilla  Peabod}-  of  Gilead.  He  was 
the  son  of  Jonathan  Bean,  Jr.,  and  lived  in  Berlin,  N.  H.,  and 
Mason,  Maine.     Children  : 

i  Lovel,  b.  Jan.  7,  1S03,  m.  Sophia  Coffin;  issue. 

ii  Phebe,  b.  Feb.  26,  1805,  m.  Aaron  Peabody ;  no  issue. 

iii  Asa,  b.  June  8,  1807,  d.  an  infant. 

iv  Fletcher  I.,  b.  July  21,  1809,   m.  Betsey  Coffin,  r.    Berlin,  X.  H. ; 

issue. 

V  Tnsley,  b.  Apr.  3,  1812,  r.  Berlin,  X.  H. ;  issue, 

vi  Polly,  b.  June  2,  1815,  m.  Greenleaf  Coffin;  issue, 

vii  Amos.  P.,  b.  .June  23,  1817,  m.  Roxanna  Paine;  issue, 

viii  Eunice  H.,  b.  — ,  1819. 

Abiathar  Bean,  son  of  Jonathan,  married  Persis  Fogg.  He 
lived  in  various  parts  of  the  town.     Children  : 

31 


482  HISTORY    OF  BETHEL. 

i  Eliza,  b.  Jan.  3,  1817.  ii  Jonathau,  b.  Jan.  20,  1820,  d.  Sept.  21, 
1820.     iii    Lyclia,  b. .     iv    Thomas  Carlisle,  and  probably  others. 

Ebenezer  Bean,  sou  of  Jonathau  Beau,  Jr.,  who  married  Clar- 
issa Newton  of  Andov  er,  lived  at  West  Bethel.     Children  : 
i    Jonathau  Clark,  b.  Aug.  31,  1820. 
ii    Ebenezer,  b.  Feb.  15,  1823,  d.  young. 
iii    Clarissa  N.,  b.  Sept.  27,  1824,  m.  L.  D.  Ward, 
iv    Stephen,  d.  in  the  army. 

V  Addison  S.,  b. ,  r.  West  Bethel. 

Daniel  Bean,  Jr.,  married  May  17,  1821,  Betsey,  daughter  of 
Ithiel  Smith  of  Newry.  He  lived  in  Bethel  a  few  years  and  then 
moved  to  the  lake  region  and  lived  in  what  is  now  Upton.  He  died 
Feb.  14,  1882,  and  his  widow,  born  January  20,  1796.  died  Oct.  10, 
1868.  When  in  Bethel  he  lived  first  on  the  Sanborn  farm,  the 
homestead  of  his  father  and  grandfather,  and  then  moved  to  Middle 
Interval,  where  he  had  a  cabinet  shop.     Children  : 

i  Norris,  b.  Bethei,  Apr.  15,  1822,  d.  Aug.  25,  1823. 

ii  Peter  Smith,  ]).  Bethel,  March  23,  1824,  m.  Eliza  Carter, 

iii  Claiiuda,  b.  Bethel,  May  11,  1826,  m.  Oliver  Kichmond. 

iv  Albert  D.,  b.  Feb.  17,  1829,  m.  Susan  j\[anniag. 

V  Levi  S.,  b.  June  13,  1831,  unmarried. 

vi    Daniel,  b.  Sept.  21,  1823,  m.  Maryaua  McXair. 
vii    Ithiel  Smith,  b.  April  3,  1825,  m.  Helen  Underhill. 

Ebenezer  Bean,  sou  of  Daniel  Bean,  married  Sept.  9,  1804, 
Eunice  Kendall,  who  died  March  16,  1825.  He  married  second, 
Mary  Holt.     Children  : 

i     Maria  Kendall,  )  d.  May  5,  1828. 

twins."  b.  Feb.  18,  1805. 
ii    John  Mareau,    J  m.  Mary  Mason  of  Gilead. 
iii    Anna,     ]  m.  Lawson  ]\Iasoii. 

V  twins,  b.  Oct.  30,  ISOd. 
iv     Amasa,  J  m.  Sarah  B.  Twitchell. 

V  Ebenezer  Shaw,  b.  July  28,  1S08. 

vi  Daniel  Freeman,  b.  Feb.  21,  1810,  m.  Polly  Patch  Wight. 

vii  Bezaleel  Kendall,  b.  Apr.  7,  1812,  m.  Julia  Scribner. 

viii  Abiah,  b.  June  30,  1814,  m.  Tilton  Bennett. 

ix  Lidauia,  b.  April  5,  ISIG,  ni.  Rufus  Skillings. 

X  Eunice  E.,  b.  June  12,  1820,  m.  Clark  Coffin. 
By  second  wife : 

xi  Andrew  Crawford,  b.  Nov.  30,  1828,  m.  Mary  Brown. 

xii  Mary,  b.  Aug.  3,  1830,  m. Pingree. 

xiii  Jane,  b.  Feb.  28,  1832. 

xiv  Ephraim  H.,  b.  March  8,  1834,  m. Johnson. 


HISTORY    OF  BETHEL.  48^ 

Justus  Bean,  son  of  Daniel,  married  Sally  Rumney,  who  was 
born  in  Lubec,  July  17,  1797,  and  died  January  8,  1874.  He  was 
a  cooper  and  farmer.     Children  : 

i  Barbara  Ann,  b.  Xov.  1,  1815.  m.  Setli  Wight,  Jr. 

ii  Elizabeth  Clark,  b.  Aug.  27,  1820,  in.  Leonard  Farewell. 

iii  Isabel  M.  B.  A.,  b.  Nov.  15,  1822,  m.  Sylvanus  Mason. 

iv  Sarah  Abigail,  b.  May  2,  1824,  ni.  Oilman  Farewell. 

V  Rebecca  M.,  b.  Feb.  25,  1826. 

vi  Spencer  Drake,  b.  May  1,  1827,  m.  Mary  Smith, 

vii  William  Render,  b.  March  15,  1829,  m.  Judith  R.  Glines. 

viii  Lydia  Alfreda,  b.  March  19,  1830,  m.  Dr.  Wm.  Williamson, 

ix  Stephen  Jarvis  €.,  b.  Nov.  29,  1833,  m.  Maria  Kendall. 

X  Charles  Laforest,  b.  March  11,  1836,  m.  Isabel  Lane. 

xi  Justus  Elmore,  b.  Apr.  29,  1840. 

Kimball  Bean,  son  of  Timothy  Beau,  married  Lovina  Powers^ 
and  second,  Maria  H.  Russell.     Children  : 

i  -George,  b.  Nov.  28,  1818.  ii  -rlames  C,  b.  Feb.  23, 1820.  iii  'Charles 
H.,  b.  Feb.  20,  1823.    iv    Ilannah,  b.  Feb.  21,  1825,  d.  Nov.  14,  1842.     v 

Abigail,  b.  Apr.  21,  1827.  vi  -^'aroliue,  b.  Apr.  29, 1830.  vii  -^ary  Ann, 
b.  Feb.  7,  1832.     By  second  wife:     viii  .Eliza  Perry,  b.  Oct.  17,  1837.     ix 

•John  Dustin,  b.  Feb.  16,  1842. 

ViER    Bean,  son    of  Timothy    Bean,  married    first  ,  and. 

second,  Rebecca  Gossam.     Children  : 

i  Emery,  b.  Sept.  22,  1826.  ii  Vier,  b.  March  1,  1829.  iii  Amos,  b. 
Feb.  24,  1831.  By  second  wife:  iv  Jarvis  Wesley,  b.  June  17,  1840.  v 
Jedediah  Kimball,  b.  July  27,  1843. 

George  W.  Bean,  son  of  Kimball  Bean,  married  Maiy  Ann, 
daughter  of  Isaac  Estes.  He  died  in  the  army  and  his  widow  mar- 
ried Daniel  Cumraings  of  Albany.     Children  : 

i  Fanny  M.,  b.  March  18,  1839,  m.  Phineas  W.  Abbot, 

ii  Benjamin  W.,  b.  Nov.  8,  1841,  m.  Sarah  Sweat;  both  dead, 

iii  Sylvanus  M.,  b.  Sept.  28,  1843. 

iv  Emery  I.,  b.  June  13,  1850. 

v  Charles  AY.,  b.  Aug.  24,  1857. 

Humphrey  Bean,  son  of  Amos  and  Huldah  (Kimball)  Bean, 
lived  on  the  south  side  of  the  river,  on  part  of  his  father's  home- 
stead. He  married  June  9,  1832,  Lydia  Holt.  He  died  Nov.  14, 
1884.     Children : 

i     Christopher  Columbus,  b.  Jan.  1,  1833,  m.  Meliuda  L.  Necdham. 
ii    Elohe  V.,  b.  May  28,  1835,  m.  1855,  Jotham  S.  Lane. 


484  HISTOBY   OF  BETHEL. 

iii  Hiram  Holt,  b.  Feb.  27,  183S,  m.  2d,  Eosilla  H.  Howe, 

iv  Farman  L.,  b.  Nov.  30,  1844,  d.  Dec.  20,  1862. 

V  Adesto  F.,  b.  May  27,  1848,  m.  F.  J.  Russell, 
vi  Alfonso  W.,  b.  Jan.  21,  18.52,  m.  Clara  Holt. 

Eliphaz  C.  Bean,  (see  page  361)  son  of  Edmund  Bean,  married 
Sarah  B.,  daughter  of  David  H.  Farnum  of  Rumford.     Children  : 

i    Loretta  P.,  b.  Sept.  9,  1839,  ni.  James  O.  Brown, 
ii     Emma  Maria,  b.  July  20,  1841,  m.  Edmund  Merrill.  Jr. 
iii     Freeborn  C4.,  b.  May  25,  1844.     He  served  in  the  late  war,  and  after 
coming  home,  he  was  drowned  in  Portland  Harbor,  Aug.  3,  1873. 
iv    Edmund  D.,  b.  Aug.  17,  1855,  m.  Imogeue  Perry, 
y    Fred  C,  b.  March  28,  1858,  married  May  11,  1884.  Tavis,  daughter  of 
Henry  E.  Bartlett,  and  has : 
1     Lester  F.,  b.  March  11,  1885. 

Zachariah  Hannaford  Bean,  son  of  Edmund  Bean,  married 
-January  17,  1841,  Emeline  Bartlett,  daughter  of  Hall  Farnum  of 
Rumford.  He  is  a  farmer  and  resides  on  part  of  the  Josiah  Bean 
homestead.     Children : 

i  Infant,  b.  Sept.  30,  1842,  d.  Oct.  1,  1842. 

ii  Catharine  Maria,  b.  Sept.  16,  1843,  m.  Humphrey  B.  Holt, 

iii  Frances  Kimball,  b.  March  25,  1846,  m.  Ai'tluu-  M.  Beau, 

iv  Sarah  Ellen,  b.  Jan.  1,  1849,  m.  James  Frank  Rich. 

V  Emma  Etta,  b.  Oct.  7,  1856,  d.  Aug.  13,  1857. 

John  Marean  Bean,  son  of  P^heuezer  Bean,  married  Mary  Mason 
of  Gilead.  On  Bethel  records  are  the  names  of  the  following 
Children  : 

i     Alphonso  F.,  b,  Nov.  22,  1830,  m.  I.uci-i'tia  Bean, 
ii    Mary  \.,\).  Oct.  11,  1833. 

Peter  Smith  Bean,  son  of  Daniel  Bean,  Jr.,  married  Oct.  15, 
1849,  Eliza  C.  Carter,  who  was  born  June  20,  1827.  He  was  a 
soldier  in  the  late  war  and  now  resides  at  Cadott,  Chippewa  county, 
Wisconsin.  He  is  much  interested  in  old-time  affairs  and  his 
sketches  of  Bethel,  Grafton  and  the  lake  region,  published  in  the 
Oxford  county  papers,  have  excited  much  local  interest.  Children  i 
i    Edwin  C,  b.  July  27,  18.50,  m.  Henrietta . 

ii    Clarinda,  b.  March  27,  1852,  m.  David  Dierck. 

iii    A.,  b.  Oct.  14,  18.53,  m.  Hobart  Middlebrook. 

iv    Marian  F.,  b.  Oct.  25,  1856,  m.  Marv  Banker. 

v    Charles  W.,  b.  Jan.  23,  1858,  m.  Louise  Allen. 

vi    Nellie  A.,  b.  July  20,  1860,  m.  Zanello  Lovell. 


HISTOBY  OF  BETHEL.  485 

vii    Peter  N.,  b.  Feb.  11,  1863,  ni.  Gertie  Lee. 
viii     William  !>.,  b.  Marcli  17,  186fi,  unmarried, 
ix     Wallace  E.,  b.  March  27,  1868,  d.  Aug.  20,  1880. 

Bezaleel  Kendall  Bean,  son  of  Ebenezer  Bean,  is  a  mill- 
wright, and  now  lives  in  Gilead.  He  married  in  1833,  Julia  Ann 
Scribner  of  Harrison.  He  has  resided  in  Bethel,  Bath,  Gilead, 
Albany,  Mason,  Masardis  and  Gorham,  N.  H.     Children: 

i  John  Edward,  b.  Nov.  3,  1833,  m.  Octavia  P.  Bennett, 

ii  Prescott,  b.  July  11,  1835,  d.  Feb.  28,  1839. 

iii  Barzelia  K.,  b.  Apr.  !>,  1837,  m.  Cordelia  Goodenow. 

iv  Ann  P.,  b.  Dec.  29,  1838,  m.  Charles  S.  Whitney. 

V  Eunice  E.,  b.  Aug.  1.  1841,  m.  Joseph  Gallagher. 
vi  Henry  E.,  b.  Oct.  23,  1843,  m.  Eliza  Bennett. 

vii  Nathaniel,  b.  June  10,  1845,  d.  Oct.  5,  following, 

viii  William  M.,  b.  Aug.  15,  1846,  m.  Louisa  Gammon. 

ix  Armina  G.,  b.  Sept.  30.  1848,  d.  Aug.  1,  1863. 

X  Melena  M.,  b.  Apr.  14,  1850,  m.  ("has.  Morgan. 

xi  M.  CaroUne,  b.  March  12,  1853,  m.  Geo.  H.  Goodenow. 

xii  Charles  M.,  b.  June  20,  1854. 

xiii  Reuel,  b.  July  29,  1855,  d.  Oct.  20,  1857. 

xiv  Augusta,  b.  Oct.  9,  1856,  m.  Keuben  Howes. 

XV  Nathaniel  B.,  b.  Feb.  28,  1859,  m.  Emma  Tripp, 

xvi  Frank  L.,  b.  June  14,  1862,  m.  Marian  Thomas. 

Daniel  Freeman  Bean,  son  of  Ebenezer  Bean,  married  April  7, 
1840,  Polly  Patch,  danghter  of  Ephraim  and  Susanna  (Patch) 
Wight  of  Gilead,  who  died  March  7,  1888.  He  is  a  farmer  at  West 
Bethel.     Children : 

i    La  Roy  S.,  b.  Jan.  14,  1841,  m.  Adelaide  Howard;  d.  Aug.  20,  1887. 
ii    Emily  J.,  b.  Feb.  22,  1843,  d.  Aug.  9,  1887. 
iii     Alpheus  S.,  b.  Feb.  18,  1845,  m.  Luciuda  E.  Mason, 
iv     Fanny  E.,  b.  Jan.  15,  1848,  m.  Thomas  B.  Morrill  of  Boston. 

V  Susan  E.,  b.  Sept.  4.  1849,  m.  Fred  W.  Perkins  of  Boston, 
vi    Daniel  F.,  b.  Aug.  22,  1852. 

Alpheus  S.  Bean,  son  of  Daniel  F.  Bean,  a  merchant  and  lum- 
berman at  West  Bethel,  an  active  and  successful  business  man, 
married  Nov.  14,  1871,  Lncinda  PL,  daughter  of  Moses  and  Martha 
Mason  of  Gilead.     They  have  no  children  : 

Hiram  Holt  Bean,  son  of  Humphrey  Bean,  lives  on  part  of  the 
old  homestead.  He  married  first,  Sept.  27,  1866,  Ellen  ]M.  Davis 
of  Minot,  and  second,  Feb.  3d,  1880,  Rosilla,  danghter  of  Calvin 
Howe  of  Rumford.     Children  : 

i    Edward  L.,  b.  Nov.  7,  1869.     ii     (  liester  II.,  b.  .Inly  12,  1885. 


486  HIS  TO  BY  OF  BETHEL. 

Barzelia  K.  Bean,  son  of  Bezaleel  K.  Beau,  resides  at  West 
Bethel  and  is  a  fanner.  He  married  July  9,  1859,  Lois  Cordelia, 
daughter  of  Henry  Goodenow,  who  was  born  in  Bethel,  July  16, 
1839.     Children  : 

i    Melissa  Estelle,  b.  Juue  10,  1S60,  d.  Feb.  17,  1862. 
ii    Willie  Lester,  b.  Apr.  4,  1864,  d.  Dec.  31,  following-. 
iii    Mabel  Maude,  b.  Aug.  26,  1867. 
iv    Fred  Thompson,  b.  Jan.  26,  187.3,  d.  Sept.  14,  1873. 
V    Rosa  Caroline,  b.  Apr.  8,  1877. 

William  Render  Bean,  son  of  Justus  Bean,  married   July   6, 
1851,  Judith  R.,  daughter  of  Timothy  Glines,  who  was  born  July 
17,  1831.     He  is  a  farmer  and  lives  below  Middle  Interval. 
Children  : 

i    Alfred  W.,  1).  Sept.  19,  18.^2,  ni.  Charlotte  McCrjp. 

ii    Alice  INI.,  b.  Dec.  24,  1860,  m.  Oscar  F.  Swan. 

Nathan  Bean,  son  of  Peter  Y.  Bean,  married  Rose  M.,  daugh- 
ter of  John  E.  Farewell.     He  lives  at  Bethel  Hill.     Children  : 

i  Cora  M.,  b.  Jan.  22, 1870.  ii  William  C,  b.  Nov.  10, 1871.  iii  Alice 
M.,  b.  Dec.  8,  1873.  iv  Infant,  b.  Aug.  5,  1878,  d.  unuanied.  v  Percy 
S.,  b.  Jan.  26,  188.5,  d.  Apr.  7,  1880. 

Amasa  Bean,  son  of  Ebenezer  Bean,  married  Sarali  ]>.  Twitchell. 
Children  : 

i  Amy  E.  Perry,  b.  Oct.  20,  183,5.  ii  Julia  Ann  G.,  b.  Feb.  28,  1837. 
iii    Sarah  Jane  A.,  1).  Sept.  16,  1839.     iv    Peter  Twitchell.  I).  Dec.  3,  1841. 

Jesse  Bean,  of  no  relation  to  the  Jonathan  Bean  race,  but  a 
descendant  of  Lewis  Bean  or  Bane  of  York,  came  here  from  Water- 
boro,  Me.     His  wife  was  Rhoda  Coflin.     Children: 

i    Mehitable,  b.  Xov.  3,  1793,  m.  Perkins  Moultou. 
ii    Elihu,  b.  May  30,  1706.  m.  1st,  Abio-ail  Grover.  2d.  Mary  (Abbot) 

Eames., 
iii    Deidamia,  b.  May  13,  1798,  m.  Natliauiel  J.  Moulton. 
iv    Eliphaz,  b.  July  13,  1808,  m.  Mary  Beattie. 

Elihu  Bean  son  of  Jesse,  married  Abigail,  daughter  of  Jedediah 
Grover,  and  second,  the  widow  of  Nathan  Eames.     Children  : 

i    Leander  Gage,  1).  Sept.  4,  1821,  d.  July  31,  1827. 
ii    Aluauder  Harmon,  b.  Juue  17,  1824,  drowned  Aug.  17,  1844. 
iii    Gilmaii  Philander,  b.  Dec.  23,  1825,  m.  1st,  Sept.  9,  1851,  Amanda  M. 
Whitney,  2d,  Feb.  26.  1875,  Abbie  G.  Cross.     He  is  a  trader  at 
Bethel  Hill;  has  been  promuieut  in  town  allairs  and  is  now  Post- 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  487 

master.     He  still   owns  the  Beau  homestead  uear   West  Bethel, 
where  he  was  formerlj-  engaged  in  farming.     He  has  had : 

1  Arthur  G.,  b.  March  G,  18.53,  d.  Sept.  12,  following. 

2  Arthur  G.,  b.  Dec.  31,  IS.ofi,  d.  Sept.  16,  1863. 
iv     Lucretia  A.,  b.  Aug.  12,  1831,  ui.  Alphouzo  F.  Beau. 

Eliphaz  Bean,  son  of  Jesse  Bean,  married  Mar}'  Beattie. 
Children  : 

i    Jesse  Albert,  b.  June  10,  1833,  d.  Sept.  6,  1837. 
ii    James  P.,  b.  May  6,  1836,  d.  Sept.  1,  1838. 
iii    Ehoda  V.,  b.  Dec.  16,  1839,  d.  Aug.  26,  1843. 
iv    Alma  Frances,  b.  Jan.  1,  1843. 

Beattie. 

James  Beattie  was  born  in  Londonderry,  Ireland,  March  10, 
1772.  When  seventeen  years  of  age,  he  came  to  Freehold,  New 
Jersey,  and  three  years  later  to  Bethel.  He  came  here  as  the  agent 
of  Charles  Bostic,  who  then  owned  the  township  since  called  Newry. 
In  1796  he  returned  to  New  Jersey  and  married  Polly  Patterson, 
who  was  born  in  Freehold,  Feb.  14,  1782.  He  settled  in  Bethel, 
afterward  went  to  Newr}'  and  built  mills,  and  in  1815,  he  returned 
to  Bethel  and  settled  at  Middle  Interval,  on  the  Joshua  Chase  farm. 
He  died  March  10,  1822.     His  widow  died  Aug.  7,  1862.     Children  : 

i  Lydia,  b.  Jan.  11,  1798. 

ii  John,  b.  Sept.  26,  1799,  m.  1st,  Hepsibah  Browu;  2(1,  Ann  S.  Jordan, 

iii  Eleanor,  b.  Oct.  4,  1802,  m.  Moses  Bisbee.  * 

iv  Eliza,  b.  Dec.  16,  1S04,  m.  S.  W.  Greeu. 

V  James,  b.  March  8,  1807,  m.  Eliza  Grant  of  Kenuebuuk. 

vi  Mary,  b.  July  31,  1809,  m.  Eliphaz  C.  Bean  of  AVest  Bethel, 

vii  Patterson,  b.  Dec.  18,  1811,  m.  Polly  Holt, 

viii  Xancy,  b.  Apr.  13,  1815,  m.  William  Burnell. 

ix  Rosannah,  b.  Xov.  8,  1817,  m.  .John  Burnell. 

X  Rebecca,  b.  Apr.  26,  1820,  m.  AVilliam  Farringlou. 

JoHX  Beattie,  son  of  the  preceding,  lived  many  j'ears  at  Middle 
Interval,  and  then  in  1864,  moved  to  Grafton.  In  advanced  life  he 
became  a  convert  to  the  Mormon  doctrine  and  went  to  Utah,  where 
he  died.  His  first  wife,  Hepsibah  Brown,  died  in  Aug.,  1861,  and 
he  married  Anna  S.  Jordan,  who  went  with  him  to  Utah. 
Children  : 

i     Albion  P.,  1).  Feb.  21,  1826.     He  was  a  soldier  in  the  late  war,  now  r. 

Rumford. 
ii     Dolly  B.,  b.  Xov.  20,  1827,  d.  Dec.  1828. 
iii     Child.  I).  Fel).  11.  1830,  d.  unnamed. 


488  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

iv    Harriet  Carter,  1).  Jan.  4.  1S32,  in.  Levi  French  of  Holliston,  Mass., 
d.  1874. 
By  second  wife : 

V     Nellie  E.,  b. .  d.  Feb.  S,  1870. 

vi    Mary  G.,  b. .     Slie  A\ent  to  Utah. 

vii    Cullen  C,  b. ,  d.  March  3,  1869. 

viii    Attie  X.,  b. ,  went  to  Utah. 

Patterson  Beattie,  married  Polly  Holt  of  Bethel  and  lived  in 
the  Holt  neighborhood.     He  died  Aug.  7,  1862.     Children  : 

i     Lawson  ('.,  b.  Apr.  24,  1837,  m.  Almira  D.  Small, 
ii    Thirza  A.,  b.  Apr.  19,  1838,  d.  Nov.,  1862. 

Bennett. 

Tilton  Bennett,  boru  in  Hill,  N.  H.,  May  31,  1812,   married 
Abiah  Bean  ;  he  lived  in  Gilead,  Fryeburg  Academy  and  then  came 
to  Bethel,  where  he  died  Dec.  29,  1883.     He  was  a  farmer. 
Children  : 

i    Archibald  L.,  b.  Au.ir.  1.  183.5.  d.  .Inly  1,  1864. 
ii    Freeman,  b.  Jan.  3,  1837. 

iii    Freelaud,  b.  Jan.  3,  1837,  mariied  Oct.  21,  1864,  Sophronia  O.,  daugh- 
ter of  David  Holt,  and  ha.«  : 

1  Gertrude  A.,  b.  May  13,  1866. 

2  Laura  A.,  b.  Feb.  7,  1868. 

3  Linda  M.,  b.  Aug.  18,  1870. 

4  Marion  E.,  b.  May  13,  1873. 

iv  Vienna,  b.  Apr.  9,  1839,  m.  Milton  Holt. 

v  Volerta,  b.  Apr.  9,  18.39,  m.  Orin  F.  Kinil)all. 

vi  Baby,  b.  Oct.  9,  1842,  d.  Feb.  4,  1843. 

vii  Amanda  F.  T.,  b.  ]\rarch  6,  1846,  m.  Eoscoe  Barrows, 

viii  Mary  M.,  b.  July  30,  1848,  m.  Alcauder  Bean, 

ix  Ella  A.,  b.  May  2.5,  18.53.  ni.  Xoah  Palmer. 

Bekrv. 

Levi  Berky,  the  first  settler  on  the  Bird  Hill,  so-called,  in  the 
east  parish,  was  the  son  of  Deacon  William  Berry  of  Buckfield,  and 
married  Lusannah,  daughter  of  Solomon  Bryant  of  Paris.  He  came 
to  Bird  Hill  about  1820,  and  his  three  sons  and  a  son-in-law  settled 
around.  In  a  few  years  they  all  returned  to  Paris.  Levi  Berry 
died  at  Sm^Tua,  Me.,  Feb.  8,  1854.  His  wife  died  there  previously. 
Children  : 

i    Levi,  Jr.,  b.  June  11,  1801.  \\\.  Folly  Hammond  of  l^iris. 
ii    Louvisa,  b.  April  9,  1803,  m.  John  Lapham. 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  489- 

iii  William,  b.  April  4,  1805,  in.  Sally  Lovejoy  of  Norway, 

iv  Leonard,  b.  Feb.  7,  1807,  m.  Hannah  Pool  of  Xorway. 

V  Aurelia,  b.  April  29,  1810,  ni.  Elijah  Swan,  Jr.,  of  Paris, 
vi  (?ordelia,  b.  Aug.  17,  1829,  m.  Abel  Bacon  of  Woodstock. 

Besse. 

Caleb  Besse  moved  from  Paris  and  settled  on  laud  near  the  ex- 
treme southeasterly  corner  of  the  town.  He  married  Abigail^ 
daughter  of  Daniel  Packard  of  Buckfield.  He  died  in  Woodstock. 
Children  : 

i     Satiua,  b.  Dec.  18,  1808,  m.  Jonathan  Kimball, 
ii    Abigail,  b.  Feb.  26,  1810,  m.  David  A.  Godwin. 
iii    Huldah,  b.  Aug.  1.3,  1811,  m.  Jacob  Khnball,  r.  Portland. 
iv    Caleb,  b.  July  23,  182.3,  m.  1st,  Pthoda  Buck. 

V  Charles  Otis,  b.  Aug.  17,  1824.  d.  Aug.  2G.  1829. 
vi    Hannah  C,  b.  Xov.  2.3.  1826.  m. Ordway. 

BiSBEE. 

Moses  Bisbee,  sou  of  Moses  and  Ellen  (Buck)  Bisbee  of  Sum- 
ner, married  Hannah,  daughter  of  James  Swan  of  Swan's  Hill.  He 
was  a  blacksmith.     Children  : 

i  Elizabeth  A.,  b.  Oct.  3.  181.5,  m.  Daniel  Holliuger. 

ii  Calvin,  b.  — ,  1817.     "Went  to  sea  and  did  not  return, 

iii  Charles  D.,  b.  Aug.  24,  1822,  m.  Maria  M.  Long, 

iv  Leander  D.,  b.  May  1,  1824,  m.  Sarah  E.  Day. 

V  Alpheus  S.,  b.  Apr.  15,  1826,  m.  Mary  A.  Day. 

vi    Wm.  W.,  b.  1828,  d.  at  Puebla,  Mexico,  a  \].  S.  soldier, 
vii    Sybil  A.,  b.  March  11,  1831,  d.  1833.     For  second  wife,  he  married 

Eleanor,  daughter  of  James  Beattie,  and  had : 
viii    Algernon  S.,  b.  May  27,  1834,  m.  Angle  Emerj-. 
ix    Hannah  S.,  b.  March  19,  1839,  m.  Xathaniel  Stevens. 
X     Albert  P.,  b.  Apr.  15,  1841,  m.  Keziah  Adley. 

Calvin  Bisbee,  son  of  Jonas  and  Mar}'  J.  (Walker)  Bisbee  of 
Sumner,  born  March  17,  1847,  married  Jan.  5,  1874,  Fannie  U., 
daughter  of  Kingman  and  Loretta  Churchill  of  Paris.  He  deals  in 
general  merchandise  and  does  a  large  business  at  the  Hill.  He 
came  here  from  Xewr}-.     Children  : 

i     Kobert  C.,  b.  May  9.  1882.     ii     Helen  E.,  b.  Aug.  25.  1885. 

Billings. 

Jarvis  C.  Billings,  son  of  Silas  and  Abigail  (Kilgore)  Billings^ 
(she  was  the  widow  of  Luke  Kussell)  carriage  and  blacksmith,  born 


490  HISTOBY   OF  BETHEL. 

in  Woodstock,  May  8,  1840,  moved  here  from  North  Woodstock, 
and  does  a  large  bjusiness.  He  married  March  26,  1861,  Sarah 
Frances,  daughter  of  Freeland  and  Susan  (Grant)  Kilgore,  who  was 
born  in  Bethel,  May  15,  1845.     Children  : 

i  Robert  H.,  b.  Aug.  14,  1863,  m.  Jan.  14,  1891,  Alice  M.  Starkweather 
of  Boston. 

ii    Alice  L.,  b.  Sept.  13,  1868. 

Bird. 

Samuel  Bird,  son  of  John  Bird  of  Norway,  married  Lucy,  daugh- 
ter of  Daniel  Dunn,  and  lived  on  the  Bird  Hill.  He  was  Captain  of 
the  militia.     He  moved  to  Albany  and  died  there.     Children  : 

i    Harriet,  b.  Aug.  26,  1830,  m.  Fessenden  Stearns  aud  d.  soou  after. 

ii  Clementine,  b.  March  9,  1834,  m.  Rev.  Charles  T.  D.  Crockett,  d. 
1890. 

iii    James  Freeland,  b.  Feb.  4,  1835,  m.  Rosilla  Bisbee. 

iv    Wm.  Wallace,  b.  .Jan.  27,  1840,  m.  Caroline  A.  .Jordan. 

V    Nancy,  b.  Jan.  26.  1843. 

John  Bird,  Jr.,  from  Norway,  married  Ann,  daughter  of  Amos 
Young  of  Greenwood,  who  died  in  1844,  aud  second,  Emma,  daugh- 
ter of  Rev.  Daniel  Mason.  He  settled  on  the  Bird  Hill  about  1834, 
subsequently  returned  to  Norway.  He  was  deacon  of  the  Baptist 
church.     Children : 

By  first  wife : 

i    Eliza  Ann,  b.  Jan.  4.  1S33,  d.  Aug,  25,  18.50. 
ii    John  Madison,  b.  Dec.  15,  1836,  m.  Eliza  J.  Jackson, 
iii    Amos  Ambrose,  b.  June  30,  1840,  d.  Sept.  13,  1842. 
iv    Angerone  A.,  b.  Feb.  18,  1844,  m.  Cyrus  II.  Witt  of  Norwuy. 
Bjr  second  marriage : 

v    Amos  Ambrose,  b.  March  20,  1846,  m.  Anna  .T.  Edgerly. 
vi    James  E.,  b.  Sept.  4,  1850,  m.  Martha  II.  Gould  of  Bridgton. 
vii    Martha  A.,  b.  May  25,  1854,  m.  Charles  II.  Barnard  of  Bridgton. 

Lyman  Bird  of  Norway,  married  first,  P^liza,  daughter  of  Capt. 
Amos  Young  of  Greenwood,  and  second,  Ruth  H.  Upton  of  Albany. 
He  lived  on  Bird  Hill,  near  his  brother  John,  and  then  moved  to 
Swan's  Hill  and  died  some  years  ago.  He  was  a  drummer  in  old 
militia  times.     Children  ; 

i  Wellington,  b.  Sept.  15,  1837,  killed  by  the  cars  in  Bethel. 

ii  Polly,  b.  Apr.  11,  1839. 

iii  Rowena,  b.  May  22,  1841,  d.  Sept.  9,  1842. 

iv  Rowena  Jane,  b.  July  6,  1843. 


HIS  TOBY   OF  BETHEL.  491 

Blake. 

The  Blake  family  came  into  Bethel  in  the  early  part  of  the  cen- 
tury. Benjamin  Blake  was  of  Wolf  borough,  N.  H.,  and  had  at 
least  two  sons,  David  and  Jonathan,  and  three  daughters,  Eliza- 
beth, Mary,  and  Hannah  who  married  James  Lary  and  moved  to 
Gilead,  Me.  He  died  in  that  town,  aged  99  j'ears.  His  son  Jona- 
than remained  in  his  native  town  and  there  raised  up  a  family.  He 
"was  prominent  there  and  one  of  the  selectmen  for  30  or  more  years. 
The  daughters  also  married  there.  David  married  Hannah  Messer, 
lived  in  AYolfborough,  then  moved  with  his  famil}'  to  Gilead,  to  the 
Lary  farm.  Here  his  wife  died  and  he  married  Louisa  Evans  of 
Roxbury,  Mass.  About  the  j'ear  1803,  he  moved  to  Bethel  and 
built  what  was  then  known  as  Blake's  Mills  on  the  Alder  river, 
afterward  known  as  Walker's  Mills  and  now  as  Virgin's  Mills.  In 
1817,  he  moved  to  New  York  and  then  to  Ohio,  where  he  died. 
Children  : 

i    Benjamin,  b.  \Yolfboiono;li.  ni.  Nancy  Ripley  of  Runifoid,  l)orn  in 

Methuen,  Mass. 
ii    Jonathan,  b.  Wolfborough,     He  remained  in  Wolfborough. 
iii    3Iicaiah,  b.  Wolfborough,  m.  his  brother  Benjamin's  widow, 
iv    Lydia,  b.  Wolfborough.     She  m.  Luther  Varney  of  Dover,  N.  II. 
v    Nancy,  b.  Wolfborough,  m.  William  Carpenter  of  Bethel,  s.  James- 
town, N.  Y. 
vi    Stephen,  b.  Wolfborough.    He  went  to  Indiana. 
vii    Betsey,  b.  Gilead,  179S,  m.  Curatio  Twitchell. 
By  second  wife : 

viii     Hannah,  b.  Bethel, ,  went  to  Oliio. 

ix    Sophrouia  Esther,  b.  Jan.  •2.5,  1804,  went  to  Ohio. 
X    David,  b.  March  1,  1808. 
xi    James,  b.  June  20,  1809. 

xii    Lucy,  b. ,  went  to  Ohio. 

xili     Samuel,  b. ,  went  to  Ohio. 

xiv     Fanny  M.,  b.  New  York, ,  went  to  Ohio. 

Benjamin  Blake,  eldest  son  of  the  preceding,  married  Nancy, 
daughter  of  Joshua  Ripley  of  Rumford,  formerly  of  Methuen,  Mass. 
He  bought  the  mills  at  South  Bethel  of  his  father.  He  died  early 
and  his  widow  married  his  brother  Micaiah.     Children  : 

i    David,  b. .     He  married  Olive  Adams  of  Gilead.  and  moved  to 

that  town,  where  he  died, 
ii    John  Ripley,  b. .     When  the  war  of  the  relielliou  t)roko  out  he 

was  living  in  Georgia.     He  then  went  to  Indiana  and  thence  to 

Nebraska. 


492  HISTOllY  OF  BETHEL.  ' 

MiCAiAH  Blake,  brother  of  the  precediag,  iu  1816,  married  his 
brother's  widow.  He  sold  the  mills  to  Deacon  Jonathan  Abbott,^ 
and  bought  the  farm  farther  on  towards  Bethel  Hill,  afterwards 
occupied  by  Nathan  Eames,  John  Needham,  and  now  by  Ira  Cush- 
man.  In  1822,  he  exchanged  this  farm  with  James  Annas  for  one 
still  nearer  Bethel  Hill,  long  known  as  the  Blake  farm,  and  here  he 
lived  and  died  in  1867,  aged  77  years.  He  was  a  hard-working  and 
thrifty  farmer.  His  widow  died  March,  1875,  aged  92  years. 
Children  : 

i    Jonathan,  b.  June  11,  1817,  m.  Elizabeth  S.  Crockett,  s.  Norway.. 

ii     Galeu,  b.  Feb.  20,  1819,  d.  young. 

hi    Gilman  Lary,  b.  Dee.  20,  1820,  ni.  Aura  Cummiu^s. 

iv    Albion  Perry,  b.  Aug.  8,  1822,  d.  Aug.  8,  1823. 

V    Micaiah,  b.  Feb.  5,  1824. 

vi    Galeu,  b.  Feb.  .5,  1825,  m.  Dolly  E.  Moody,  r.  Bethel, 
vh    Nancy,  b.  Mai-ch  24,  1826,  m.  Stephen  Seavey. 
viii    Albion  Perry,  1).  May  4,  1829.  ni.  Arvilla  Ripley. 


Oilman  Lary  Blake,  son  of   Micaiah  Blake,  married  August^ 

1854,  Aura,  daughter  of  Joseph  Cummings  of  Greenwood.  He  has 

been  a  farmer  and  trader  ;  was  early  a  school   teacher.  He  ha& 
served  as  selectman  and  held  other  town  offices.     Child  : 

Frauk  G.,  b.  Oct.,  1854,  ni.  Josephine  Kinil)all,  and  resides  in  lia  Jara, 
Colorado. 


David  Blake,  son  of  Benjamin  Blake,  married  Feb.  21,  1843, 
Olive  Adams  of  Gilead,  who  was  born  Oct.  31,  1818.  He  lived  for 
a  time  in  Bethel  and  then  moved  to  Gilead,  where  he  died  Aug.  8, 
1856.     Children : 

i  Ellen  Maria,  b.  Bethel,  Feb.  13,  1844,  m.  Abial  Chandler,  Jr. 

ii  David  Newton,  b.  July  7,  1845,  m.  Nov.  27,  1881,  Eunice,  daughter  of 

Elbridge  G.  Fifield ;  he  is  a  farmer  and  lives  iu  Betliel. 

iii  Mary  Olive,  b.  Sept.  29,  1846,  d.  Jun'e  29.  1862. 

iv  Hannah  Elizabeth,  b.  Dec.  26,  1847,  m.  James  N.  Ilodsdou. 

V  Isaac  Adams,  b.  Oct.  21,  1849,  ui.  .AI.  E.  Soule. 

vi  Son,  b.  Gilead,  d.  unnamed, 

vii  Eliphalet  Adams,  b.  Apr.  26,  1852. 

viii  Benjamin  Franklin,  b.  Sept.  3,  1853. 

ix  Adoniram  Judson,  b.  May  10,  1855. 

X  Lillian  Appliia,  b.  Marcli  11.  1857. 


HISTOBY   OF   BETHEL.  493 

Bond. 

William  Bond,  who  came  from  England  and  was  the  progenitor 
of  all  the  Bonds  of  Watertown,  Mass.,  purchased  a  farm  in  that 
town,  Nov.  15,  1654.  He  held  various  offices  :  often  represented 
Watertown,  and  was  elected  speaker  of  the  General  Court,  1691, 
'92,  '93  and  '95.  His  sou,  "Col.  Jonas  Bond,  Esq.,"  born  July  13, 
1664,  married  Grace  Coolidge,  Jan.  29,  1688,  second,  widow  of 
John  Prentice,  who  was  born  Apr.  28,  1658,  died  Jan.  25,  1740. 
He  represented  the  town  many  years  in  the  General  Court.  He 
belonged  to  the  military  forces  sent  to  invade  Canada  in  1690, 
under  Sir  Wm.  Phips,  and  died  Apr.  21,  1727.  His  second  child, 
named  Jonas,  b.  Dec.  10,  1691,  married  Hannah  Bright,  Dec.  4, 
1718,  d.  Sept.,  1768.  He  was  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  and  repre- 
sented the  town  in  the  General  Court  eleven  years.  Their  fourth 
child,  named  Jonas,  b.  Aug.  10,  1726,  m.  Apr.  25,  1753,  Ruth 
Harrington.  She  d.  1819,  the  mother  of  nine  children.  In  1794, 
he  made  a  will,  one  bequest  of  which  reads  :  "I  give  to  my  three 
sons,  the  whole  of  my  estate  in  the  eastern  countiy."  This  had 
reference  to  lands  in  Bethel  which  eventually  came  into  the  posses, 
sion  of  Elijah  Bond,  one  of  the  three  sons. 

This  Elijah  Bond  was  the  eighth  child  in  a  family  of  nine  child- 
ren, b.  at  Watertown,  Mass.,  May  12,  1767.  For  a  period  of  two 
or  three  years  he  occupied  his  Bethel  estate,  including  certain  islands 
in  the  Androscoggin  river,  above  the  Bethel  bridge,  but  April  2, 
1800,  he  married  Sarah,  the  second  child  of  Abraham  Russell  of 
Bethel,  and  removed  to  Falmouth  now  Deering,  a  half  mile  from 
Stroudwater  Village,  where  he  purchased  a  fine  farm,  and  d.  Dec. 
31,  1837.     His  wife  died  June  5,  1846.     Children  : 

i  Hannah,  b.  July  15,  1801,  ni.  Ileury  Chapman  of  Parsonstield,  b. 
Nov.  19,  179.5,  d.  March  31,  1873.  She  d.  Dec.  31,  1881.  They 
lived  in  Westbrook.  Henry  Chapman  was  related  to  the  Bethel 
famines  of  this  name.  Their  fourth  child  Leonard  Bond  Cliapniau, 
b.  Feb.  3,  1834,  married  Kuhy  Frost,  b.  July  4,  1837,  dau<>-hter  of 
Edmund  Merrill  of  this  town,  and  i-esides  in  Deering. 

ii     Sarah,  b.  April  9,  1803,  d.  unmarried,  Dec.  31,  1881. 

iii    Jonas,  b.  Aug.  27,  1805,  d.  uuinarned,  Dec.  17,  1857. 

iv    Ebjah,  b.  Sept.  10,  1807,  m.  Elizabotli  Angel,  d.  Feb.  2,  1851. 

v     Leonard,  b.  Nov.  27,  1809,  d.  Apr.  22,  1859. 

vi     Dennis,  b. ,  d.  at  New  Orleans,  Oct.  2(5,  1834,  aged  22. 

vii     ^farv,  b. ,  d.  in  Portland,  unmarried,  Feb.  23,  1884. 


494  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

BONNEY. 

Marshal  Bonney  was  an  early  cabinet  maker  and  lived  at  Bethel 
Hill.     His  children  by  wife  Marcia  are  recorded  here,  as  follows  : 

i  Alexis  Marshal,  b.  Aug.  29,  1820.  ii  Count  DeGrasse,  b.  Oct.  14, 
1822,  d.  Apr.  15,  1823.    iii    Marcia  Ann,  b.  July  8,  1824. 

Be  AY. 

Rev.  Ebenezer  Bray  was  early  settled  over  the  Baptist  church 
here.  He  came  in  1807,  and  resigned  his  charge  in  1812.  On  our 
records  are  the  names  of  the  following  Children  : 

i  Sally,  b.  Feb.  21,  1800.  ii  Betsey,  b.  May  30,  1802.  iii  Ebenezer, 
b.  Aug.  27,  1804.  iv  Olive,  b.  Sept.  6,  1808.  v  Eliza,  b.  Oct.  18,  1808. 
vi    Washington,  b.  Apr.  7,  1811. 

Briggs. 

Edwin  Kltthyen  Briggs,  son  of  Luther  and  Bethiah  (Swan) 
Briggs,  was  born  in  Woodstock,  Oct.  22,  1841.  He  is  a  farmer 
and  a  puzzle-maker,  in  the  latter  pursuit  having  a  wide  reputation. 
He  married  Jan  1,  1861,  Elvira  Ann,  daughter  of  Benaiah  Dow  of 
Woodstock,  who  died  Feb.  21 ,  1889.     Children  : 

i  Ella  Adelaide,  b.  Oct.  29,  1863,  m.  John  Wight  of  Gilead.  ii  Edgar 
Rupert,  b.  Nov.  9,  1867.  iii  Eugene  Allyn,  b.  Oct.  17,  1871.  iv  Etta 
Rowena,  b.  March  3,  1874.  v  Emma  Alice,  b.  Bethel,  Oct.  ,5,  1877.  vi 
Elmer  Rutherford,  b.  June  27,  1881.  vii  Edith  Azura,  b.  June  9,  1884. 
viii    Elbridge  Ray,  b.  Apr.  29,  1888. 

Brown. 

^       Ben.iamin  Brown  was  the  first  of  the  name  to  settle  in  Bethel. 


"^      He  came  from  some  town  in  New  Hampshire,  and  his  wife,  who 
was  Hannah  Russell,  came  on  horseback.     He  died  June  30,  1819. 
He  had  been  a  revolutionary  soldier.     His  family  record  is  incom- 
;  plete.     Children : 

i  Benjamin,  b. ,  m.  Mary  O'Donahue  of  Brunswick. 

ii  Lydia,  b. ,  m.  Jonatlian  Smith. 

iii  Hannah,  b. ,  ni.  David  Smith. 

iv  Polly,  b.  Merrimac,  X.  H.,  Sept.  15,  1795,  ni.  Peter  G.  Smith. 

V  Nancy,  b. ,  m.  Alpheus  Swan. 

yi  Simeon,  b.  Apr.  27,  1798,  m.  Sophia  Ilolt  of  Fryeburg. 

^Ao.yu  Vt.  'vii  Dolly,'.b.  Sept.  18,  1800,  m.  1836.  Kimball  Bean.      ...r    tW^vAv 

viii  Haskell,  b.  Dec.  15,  1802. 


HISTOBY  OF  BETHEL.  495 

Simeon  Brown  married  Sophia  Holt  of  Fryeburg.  He  resided  at 
various  places  iu  town,  at  one  time  at  Middle  Interval.     Children  j 

i  William  Franklin,  b.  June  17,  1823,  d,  Sept.  28,  182.5. 

ii  William  Franklin,  b.  Oct.  8,  1825,  m.  Sylvia  Sanborn, 

iii  Washington  Frye,  b.  Nov.  11,  1829,  killed  in  the  army, 

iv  James  Osgood,  b.  July  3,  1832,  m.  Loretta  P.  Bean. 

V  Charles  Masou,  b.  Feb.  7,  1835. 

vi    John,  b.  Nov.  21,  18.38,  d.  Nov.  29,  18.39. 
vii    Orrin  Swan,  b.  Oct.  11,  1841. 

JosiAH  Brown,  of  another  family,  married  Mehitable,  daughter 
of  Asa  Love  joy.    He  lived  in  the  Chandler  neighborhood.    Children  : 

i  Elijah,  b.  Feb.  6,  1822,  m.  Abigail  Y.  Swau. 

ii  Elias,  b.  Apr.  18,  1823,  d.  unmarried, 

iii  Sarah,  b.  Dec.  18,  1827. 

iv  Mary,  b.  Nov.  3,  1829. 

V  Mehitable,  b.  Jan.  10,  1832,  d.  July  20,  following, 
vi  Hannah,  b.  Jan.  20,  1835. 

RoBBiNS  Brown,  brother  of  the  preceding,  married  Hannah, 
daughter  of  Asa  Lovejoy.  He  was  a  tanner  and  lived  on  Bethel 
Hill.     Children : 

i  David  F.,  b.  Sept.  28,  1812,  m.  Nancy  Richardson, 

ii  Hannah,  b.  March  10,  1814,  d.  Aug.  17,  1823. 

iii  Josiah,  b.  June  21,  1815,  m.  Mary  A.  Stevens, 

iv  Kobbins,  b.  Oct.  26,  1817,  m.  1st,  Mary  Ayer,  2d,  Ausina  Barker. 

V  Mehitable,  b.  Apr.  13,  1819,  m.  Eli  Grover. 

Benjamin  T.  Brown  married  Phebe,  daughter  of  Edmund  Bean. 
He  lived  on  the  river  road  above  Bean's  Corner.     Children  : 

i    Charles  Henry,  b.  June  2,  1841. 
ii    Ednumd  Bean,  b.  Nov.  11,  1843. 

David  F.  Brown,  son  of  Robbius  Brown  of  Bethel,  married 
Nancy  Richardson.  He  was  one  of  the  well  known  tanners  at  the 
Hill.     Children : 


ii     Heflen^^A.,  }  t'^'^'^"'  '^-  J"^>^  "^1'  ^8^^'  '^-  ^^^^^^S' 

iii  Harlan  Page,  b.  Oct.  12,  1839.  He  graduated  at  Bowdoin  College; 
enlisted  iu  the  war,  Avas  commissioned  as  Lieutenant,  and  wa& 
killed  while  leading  his  men  at  the  battle  of  Antietam. 

iv    William  H.  H.,  b.  Nov.  9,  1840,  died  in  the  army. 

V     Charles  Elbridge,  b.  Jan.  23,  1843,  died  in  Bethel. 

vi     George  H.,  b.  July  25,  1851 ;  P.  M.  at  Bethel,  died  1889. 


496  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

JosiAH  Brown,  son  of  Robbins  Browu,  married  Mary  Stevens  of 
•Sweden.     He  was  a  shoemaker  near  the  Hill.     Children  : 

i  Hannah  Ellen,  b.  May  23,  1841. 

ii  Eli  G.,  b.  May  25,  184.3. 

iii  David  B.,  b. ,  1848. 

iv  Harriet  L.,  b. ,  18.56. 

V  Frances  H.,  b. .  1S5S. 

Robbins  Brown,  Jr.,  tanner  at  Bethel  Hill,  married  in  1846, 
Mary  Ayer,  who  died,  and  Feb.  10,  1855,  he  married  Ausina, 
daughter  of  Francis  Barker.  He  died  Jan.  9,  1879,  and  his  second 
wife  died  at  the  Maine  general  Hospital,  May  23,  1882.     Children : 

i    Fred  lugalls,  b.  Jan.  2,  1857,  m.  Sept.  16,  1880,  Agnes  Izella  Browu. 

ii  William,  b.  Oct.  13,  1863,  m.  Lola  Florence  Hart  of  Peabody,  Mass., 
Aug.  7,  1889.  He  graduated  at  BowtIoIu  College,  class  of  1885, 
taught  at  Norway  aud  Hopkiuton,  Mass.,  until  1889,  theu  studied 
medicine  aud  graduated  from  the  Maine  Medical  School  in  1891, 
wheu  he  was  appointed  House  pupil  at  the  Maine  General  Hospital. 

James  Osgood  Brown,  sou  of  Simeon  Brown,  married  Oct.  28, 
1860,  Loretta  P.,  daughter  of  Eliphaz  C.  Bean.     He  is  a  farmer  at 

East  Bethel.     Children  : 

i  Alphouzo  A.,  b.  June  .30,  18G1,  d.  March  7,  1884.  ii  .Tohn  S.,  b.  July 
13,  1869.     iii    Ennna  W..  b.  Aug.  18.  1872. 

Simeon  F.  Brown  married  Harriet  C.  Bean.     Children  : 

i    Isabelle  ('.,  b.  March  5,  1857. 
ii    Pliebe  K.,  1).  Apr.  30,  1861. 

Bryant. 

Abraham  Bryant  from  Danville,  b.  Cape  Elizabeth,  January  5, 
1795,  married  Tabitha  Hollis  first,  and  afterwards,  Roxalana  Stur- 
tefant.  He  lived  on  the  Bird  Hill ;  was  deacon  of  the  Methodist 
church,  a  hard-working  and  thrifty  farmer.  He  died  Dec.  21, 
1873.     Children : 

i  Sarah  Ann,  b.  May  29,  1820,  in.  XeA\  ell  F.  Kowe  of  Woodstock, 

ii  Jairus  Shaw,  b.  Jan.  29,  1824,  m.  Luciuda  Rolfe,  r.  Runiford. 

iii  Ephraini,  b.  May  6,  1826,  ni.  Maroah  Tucker, 

iv  Mary,  b.  March  28,  1828.     Slie  married  in  Medway,  Mass. 

v  Susan,  b.  July  15,  1830,  m.  1st,  Albion  P.  Cole,  2d,  Danville  J.  Libby. 

vi  Elizabeth  C,  b.  Julv  10,  1830,  d.  unmarried, 

vii  Cliarles  Cumuer,  b.  Aug.  14,  1835,  m.  Lydia  Cliase. 

viii  Jedediah,  h.  Sept.  9,  1839.  died  voung. 


MIS  TORY   OF  BETHEL.  497 

ix    George  Cliilds,  b.  Oct.  1,  1S41,  111.  Lydia  Hobbs. 
By  second  wife : 
X    Benjamin  K.,  b.  July  10,  1843,  m.  Flavilla  Davis.  ♦ 

xi    Henry  H.,  b.  Oct.  27,  1845,  ni.  1st,  Esther  Bennet,  2d,  Ella  Farewell; 

d.  July  11,  1882. 
xii    Earl  P.,  b.  May  24,  1849,  ni.  J^tta  Mayberry. 
xiii    Lewis  T.,  b.  Oct.  24,  18.51,  m.  Anna  Bean, 
xiv    Hannah  S.,  b.  May  8,  1859,  d.  March  23,  1880. 
XV    Addie  R.,  b.  March  24,  18G1,  m.  W.  R.  Farewell. 

Ephraim  Bryant,  son  of  Abraham  Bryant,  a  farmer,  resides  on 
Bird  Hill.  He  married  Dec.  24,  1850,  Maroah,  daughter  of  George 
and  Hannah  (York)  Tucker.     Children  : 

i    Florena  Adelaide,  b.  Sept.  5,  1854,  m.  Aug.  7,  1880,  Frank  H.  Estes. 
ii    Abraham,  b.  Sept.  24,  1856,  m.  Hattie  Hiuman  of  Xorth  Stratford, 

who  d.  May  15,  1891. 
ill    Azel  Bumpus,  b.  Oct.  9,  18G2,  m.  Feb.  11,  1884,  Bertha  C.  Peverly, 

and  second,  Helen  S.  Foster. 
Iv    Minnie  Elnora,  b.  Xov.  17,  1864,  d.  Aug.  7,  1882. 
V    Son,  b.  Feb.  5,  1868,  d.  Feb.  10,  following. 

Benjamin  R.  liRYANX,  son  of  Abraham  Bryant,  lived  for  a  time 
on  the  old  homestead,  then  sold  out  and  bought  the  Barbour  Bart- 
lett  farm  below  Mayville.  He  is  a  thrifty  farmer  and  a  good  busi- 
ness man  and  citizen.  He  married  Sept.  16,  1866,  Ellen  Flavilla, 
daughter  of  Dr.  David  W.  Davis.     Children  : 

i    Frank  D.,  b.  Aug.  11,  1867,  m.  Xov.  12,  1890,  Grace  H.  Fox.     He  is 

an  engineer  and  electrician, 
ii     Alton  B.,  b.  July  2,  1869. 
iii     Bert  L.,  b.  May  8,  1872. 
iv    Mason  D.,  b.  Feb.  20,  1883. 

Chauncey  C.  Bryant,  son  of  William  G.  and  Phebe  A.  (Billings) 
Bryant,  born  at  North  Woodstock,  Aug.  20,  1852,  married  Nov. 
27,  1876,  P^lla  A.,  daughter  of  James  Smith  of  Colebrook,  N.  H. 
He  is  a  farmer  and  a  dealer  in  meats  and  ice.     Child  : 

William  C,  b.  Xov.  5,  1877. 

BURBANK. 

Eliphalet  Burbank,  born  in  Bradford,  Mass.,  June  22.,  1760, 
married  Susanna  Jackman,  who  was  born  in  Bradford,  Dec.  21, 
1763,  He  moved  to  Gilead,  Me.,  where  he  died  July  4,  1816  ;  his 
widow  died  July  24,  1847.     Children  : 


498  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

i  Sarah,  b.  Bradford,  Jan.  2,  1780. 

ii  Abraham,  b.  Nov.  12,  1781. 

iii  Jedediah,  b.  July  8,  1784. 

iv  Abigail,  b.  Sept.  8,  1786,  d.  March,  1790. 

V  Susanna,  b.  Dec.  10,  1788,  d.  Oct.  23,  1851. 

vi  Eliphalet,  b.  Jan.  15,  1791,  m.  Betsey  Lary,  d.  May  30,  1856. 

vii  John,  b.  Jan.  27,  1793. 

viii  Barker,  b.  Sept.  8,  1795. 

ix  James,  b.  Jan.  13,  1798. 

X  Abigail,  b.  Feb.  6,  1800,  m.  Eleazer  Eowe. 

xi  Myra,  b.  Gilead,  Aug.  18,  1803,  m.  Thomas  Lary. 

xii  Elizabeth,  b.  March  18,  1806,  m-  Epliraim  Kowe. 

Jedelhah  BuRBANK,  son  of  the  preceding,  (see  page  113)   mar- 
ried first,  Nov.  13,  1803,  Esther,  daughter  of  Jonathan  Clark,  and 
second,  January  9,  1828,  Frances,  daughter  of  Titus  O.  Brown  : 
Children  : 

i    Sarah  Jackman,  b.  July  26,  1805,  m.  Xathan  F.  Twitchell. 
ii    Edward  Parker,  b.  Sept.  3,  1811,  m.  first,   Feb.  8,  1834,  Sarah  M. 
Graves,  2d,  January  20,  1841,  Emily   McLellan.     He  d.   in  New 
York,  Feb.  10,  1847. 
iii    Mary  Eliza,  b.  Feb.  4,  1817,  m.  Feb.  25,  1841,  Edward  P.  Weston,  d. 

Sept.  15,  1868. 
iv    Fordyee  Clark,  b.  Dec.  13,  1820,  m.  January  13,   1842,  Drusilla  P. 
Ingalls. 

V  Alma  Esther,  b.  Julv  29,  1825,  m.  Jauuarv  13,  1847,  Mark  E.  Lowell. 
■> 

By  second  nuarriage : 

vi  Augustvis  Jedediah,  b.  March  5,  1829.  He  graduated  from  Bowdoiu 
College,  class  of  1849,  taught  academies  at  St.  Albans,  Lee  and 
Deuuysville,  was  in  business  at  Hartlaud  and  Portland,  served  as 
Captain  in  the  first  Maine  Cavalry  during  the  war,  settled  in  Iowa 
and  then  in  Chicago.  He  married  Harriet  E.,  daughter  of  Dr. 
Calvin  Blake  of  Hartland ;  no  issue. 

vii  Albert  Little,  b.  Oct.  18,  1831,  m.  Isabella  G.,  daughter  of  Dr.  Joshua 
Fanning.  He  was  town  clerk  of  Bethel ;  clei-k  of  courts  for  Ox- 
ford county;  long  an  official  in  the  Portland  Custom  House,  and 
now  a  merchant  in  Portland.  He  still  retains  the  old  homestead 
in  Bethel,  where  he  was  brought  up  and  which  he  carried  on  for 
several  years  after  his  father's  death,  and  has  a  lively  interest  in 
everything  pertaining  to  his  native  town. 

BUKNllAM. 

PiNCKNEY  BuKNHAM.  SOU  of  Perley  Putnam  and  Mary  A.  (Adams) 
Burnham,  came  here  from  Gilead.  His  father  died  in  18"20,  and  his 
mother  l)ecame  the  wife  of  Joseph  Greeley  Swan.     Mr.  Burnham 


HISTORY    OF  BETHEL.  499 

long  carried  on  the  carriage  business,  but  in  later  years  lias  been  in 
trade.  He  twice  represented  the  town  in  the  Legislature.  He 
married  first,  Sept.  10,  1839,  Lydia,  daughter  of  Jesse  Cross; 
second,  Feb.  22,  1845,  Betsey  M.,  daughter  of  Joel  Austin  of  Can- 
ton ;  third,  April  7,  1864,  Nancy  P^.,  daughter  of  James  Walker. 
Children  : 

1  Lydia  U.,  b.  April  11,  1847,  m.  Feb.  10,  1876,  Eli  W.  Barker. 

ii  Cora  B.,  b.  July  7,  1849. 

ill  Piuckuey  P.,  b.  Jan.  19,  1852,  ou  Aug.  10,  1878  m.  Minnie  DeGraw. 

iv  Elberta  E.,  b.  May  26,  1857. 

V  Mattie  M.,  b.  Oct.  14,  1858. 

vi    James  W.,  b.  Sept.  5,  1866,  d.  Feb.  6,  1867. 
• 

Capen. 

Timothy  Capen,  son  of  Thomas  Capen  of  Rumford,  married 
Ruth,  widow  of  Ezekiel  Dustou.  For  second  wife  he  married 
Sarah  Abbot.  He  lived  on  Middle  Intervale  road,  near  the  Abbot 
Russell  place.     Children  : 

i  Louisa,  b.  Jan.  1.3,  1816. 

ii  Lucy  Ann,  b.  Sept.  12,  1819,  m.  Hiram  T.  Ellingwood. 

iii  Francis  B.,  b.  May  1,  1822,  d.  Aug.  29,  1823. 

iv  Mary  A.,  b.  Jan.  28,  1824. 

By  second  wife : 

V  Casper  L.,  b.  April  23,  1835,  m.  Abbie  A.  Coffin, 
vi    Lydia  Abbot,  b.  July  9,  l>s37. 

vii    Edward  Abbot,  b.  April  13,  1839,  ni.  Mary  J.  Abbot, 
viii    William  Gray,  b.  April  9,  1842.  /  \JM 

Cakteh         L^*^'"'   \    ^^A^^'^' 

•^Dr.  Timothy  Carter,'  married  first  Fannie,  daughter  of  Dr. 
James  Freeland  of  Sutton,  Mass.,  who  died  Nov.  14,  1815,  and 
second.  »^Eydia,   daughter   of^Theodore  Russell  of    Bethel.       (See  -^ 

page '^^2.)     Children:  .    K;^ 

By  first  wife:  |,     "^'j^"' 

i  Lawson,  b.  Nov.  20,  1793,  m.  Mary  S.  Gale.  (V^  * 

ii  Galen,  b.  June  19,  1795,  m.  Eliza  Ketchum  of  New  York, 

iii  James  Freeland,  b.  May  12,  1797,  m.  Harriet  Taylor, 

iv  Timothy  Jarvis,  b.  Aug.  19,  1800.  m.  Arabella  Kawson. 

V  Luther  Cullen,  b.  Feb.  25,  1805,  m.  Mary  L.  Conorse. 
y  vi  Frances,  b.  Sept.  1,  1809,  m.  Robert  A.  Chapman.  .^^L 

y  y\\    Elias  Melleu,  b.  Sept.  11,  1811,  m.  Rebecca  Willia^iison. 


500  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

By  second  wife : 

viii    Lydia  Diana,  b.  Marcli  22,  1823,  unmarried,  New  York. 

ix    Sarah  Walker,  b.  May  8,  1824,  d.  June,  1843. 

X    Abigail,  b.  April  8,  182.5,  m.  Rev.  Mark  Gould. 

xi    Tlieodore  Russell,  b.  July  12,  1827,  m.  Sarah  Berdene,  r.  New  York 
City. 

xii    Benjamin,  b.  July  4,  1832,  m.  Maroaret  AValker,  r.  New  York. 


Hon.  Elias  M.  Carter,  married  Rebecca,  daughter  of  John  and 
Ann  (McChire)  AVilliamsou.  He  resided  at  Middle  Intervale  on 
the  old  homestead  of  Dr.  Carter,  and  died  Nov.  17,  1880.  (See 
page  121.)     Children  : 

i    Fanny  Ann,  b.  Dec.  12,  1838,  m.  Luther  L.  Carter. ' 

ii    Augustus  Mellen,  b.  Oct.  9,  1840,  m.  Mary  F.  Stanley. 

iii    Mary  Elizabeth,  b.  Sept.  1.5,  1843,  m.  Dr.  P.  Cleaveland  AViley. 

iv    William  Lawson,  b.  March  4,  1845,  ni.  Helen  R.  Yandebargarl,  r. 
Iowa. 

v    Timothy  Cullen,  b.  Aug.  1,  1840,  ni.  Ella  Clougli. 

vi    Emily  Jane,  b.  Aug.  12,  1847,  d.  Sept.  25,  1861. 
vii    Julia  Elizabeth,  b.  May  3,  1850,  d.  Sept.  13,  1861. 
-viii    Sarah  Lillie,  b.  Feb.  27,  1852,  d.  Sept.  26,  1861. 

ix    John  Herbert,  b.  Feb.  2,  1854,  m.  Cari-ie  Clougii. 

X    Helen  Louise,  b.  Feb.  2,  1854,  d.  Sept.  20,  1861. 

xi    Anna  Grace,  b.  Oct.  1,  1856,  d.  Sept.  30,  1861. 

The  above  five  deaths  were  caused  by  diphtheria. 

Augustus  Mellen  Carter,  resides  at  Bethel.  He  is  a  farmer, 
superintendent  of  the  corn  packing  establishment  there,  and  civil 
engineer.  He  married,  Dec.  25,  1807,  Mary  Frances,  daughter  of 
Edward  and  Roxanna  (Spurr)  Stanley,  who  was  born  in  Harrison, 
Maine.     Children : 

i    Edward  Mellen,  b.  March  26,  1875, 

ii    Frances  Arabella,  b.  Nov.  4,  1878. 

John  Herbert  Carter,  son  of  Elias  M.  Carter,  resides  at  the 
Carter  homestead.  Middle  Intervale.  He  married  Sept.  '22,  1875, 
Carrie,  daughter  of  Eber  Clough  of  Bethel.     Children  : 

i  Helen  L.,  b.  Feb.  17,  1877. 

ii  Alice  M.,  b.  Feb.  23,  1879. 

iii  Mary  L.,  b.  Aug.  14,  1885. 

iv  John  IL,  b.  June  6,  1887. 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  501 

Gary. 
Zenas  Gary,  from  Paris,  married  Susau,  daughter  of  Benjamin 
Estes.     He  lived  in  the  lower  part  of  the  town.     Ghildren  : 

i  Thomas  Hills,  b.  May  15,  1S28. 

ii  Daniel,  b.  Aug,  22,  1830. 

iii  Hannah  Moodj^,  b.  April  5, 

iv  Daughter,  b.  Dec.  25,  1835,  d.  same  day, 

V  Joseph  Staples,  b.  Jan.  3,  1837,  d.  Feb.  17  following, 
vi  Jane  Elizabeth,  b.  Xov.  30,  18.38,  d.  Aug.  8,  1839. 

vii    Daughter,  b.  Jan.  22,  1842,  d.  same  day. 

Chadbourne. 

LovELL  Ghadbourne  married  Susan  G.  ,  and  at  one  time 

lived  on  Bethel  Hill.     He  was  by  occupation  a  wheelwright.    Ghild  : 
Delphina,  b.  Conway,  X.  H.,  Oct.  27,  1829,  d.  in  Bethel,  June  25,  1830. 

Ghandlek. 

Moses  Ghandler,  son  of  Panl  and  Susan  (Hardy)  Ghandler, 
married  Mercy  Feuno,  daughter  of  Elijah  and  Eunice  (Barton) 
Swan.     He  lived  north  of  Walker's  Mills.     Ghildren: 

i     Susan  H.,  b.  Feb.  1,  1828,  m.  George  T.  Farrar. 
ii    Sarah  Graham,  b.  Sept.  1,  1829,  m.  Augustus  W.  Stiles, 
iii    Nancy  G.,  b.  Jan.  1,  1832,  d.  May  14,  1834. 
iv    Moses  Russell,  b.  Dec.  28,  1833,  m.  Albina  Connor, 
v    Mary  Ann  Swan,  b.  March  19,  1836,  m.  John  W.  Grant, 
vi    Betsey  Jane,  b.  May  27,  1838,  m.  Benjamin  Bacon,  3d. 
vii    Oliver  Perry,  b.  June  26,  1841,  m.  Mary  E.  Goss. 

viii    Marcus  W.,  b.  June  9,  1845,  m.  April  4,  1869,  Alma  A.,  daughter  of 
Capt.  John  Needham.     He  is  station  agent  at  Bethel.     They  have : 

1  Eva  A.,  b.  Feb.  14,  1870. 

2  Ella  A.,  b.  Dec.  10,  1877. 

Abial  Ghandler,  sou  of  Paul  and  Susan  (Hardy)  Ghandler, 
lived  in  the  Ghandler  neighborhood,  so  called,  was  a  thrifty  and 
prosperous  farmer.  Late  in  life  he  went  to  Bethel  Hill  to  live  with 
his  yonngcst  son.  He  married  Hannah,  only  child  of  P^lijah  Bart- 
lett,  who  was  born  in  Bethel  May  5,  1810.     Ghildren  : 

i    Elijah  Bartlett,  b.  Jan.  14,  1830,  m.  Amanda  M.   Hedrick.     He  died 

in  Boston, 
ii    Abial,  b.  April  6,  1833,  d.  aged  four  years, 
iii     Abial,  b.  Sept.  21,  1837,  in.  Ellen  M.  Blake, 
iv     Caroline  K.,  b. ,  1838,  m.  Hiram  Hodsdou. 

V  Mary  Elizabeth,  b.  Dec.  1840,  m.  Horatio  R.  (Godwin. 


502  HISrORY  OF  BETHEL. 

Oliver  Perry  Chandler,  sou  of  Moses  Chandler,  lives  ou  the 
homestead  of  his  father.  He  married  Jan.  16,  1866,  Mary  Ellen, 
daughter  of  Thomas  and  Waitstill  (Benson)   Goss.     Children: 

i    Cora  May,  b.  April  12,  1867,  m.  Sept.  15,  1886,  Joshua  G.  Abbot. 
11    Fred  Perry,  b. . 

Francis  Shepherd  Chandler,  son  of  Enoch  Folsom  and  Han- 
nah (Shirley)  Chandler,  born  at  North  Conway,  N.  H.,  Feb.  11, 
1830,  came  to  Bethel  and  he  and  his  brother,  William  H.  Chandler, 
were  long  in  the  hotel  business  and  in  trade.  He  married  June  1, 
1871,  Emma  Caroline,  daughter  of  Hon.  Enoch  W.  Woodbury. 
Children  : 

i    Walter  Shepherd,  b.  Sept.  18,  1872. 

ii    Marion  Adelia,  b.  March  28,  1874. 
iii    Emma  Frances,  b.  April  21,  1877. 

Chamberlain. 

Edward  Cleaveland  Chamberlain,  son  of  Joseph  and  Annie 
(Dalton)  Chamberlain,  born  iu  New  Haven,  Conn.,  Nov.  4,  1844, 
married  Sept.  24,  1870,  Mary  Ella,  daughter  of  Alphin  Twitchell 
and  resides  on  the  Alphin  Twitchell  farm.  He  is  one  of  the  dea- 
cons of  the  First  Congregationalist  church.     Children  : 

i    Beula  T.,  b.  Aug.  2,  1872,  d.  Feb.  16,  1873. 
11    Albert  M.,  b.  Jan.  14,  1877,  d,  Oct.  23,  1889. 
iii    Alice  B.,  b.  May  16,1878. 

Chase. 

Joshua  Chase  of  Hudson,  N.  H.,  married  Ann  Holt.  He  lived 
at  Middle  Intervale  on  the  Kilgore  farm.     Children  : 

i  Timothy  Holt,  b.  Nov.  1.  1835.  ii  Heury  Elmore,  b.  Sept.  24,  1837, 
d.  June  14,  1840.  iii  Heury  Ehuore,  b.  April  29,  1841 .  iv  William  Wirt, 
b.  Aug.  14,  1846. 

John  Chase,  born  in  North  Yarmouth,  Maine,  March  5,  1811, 
came  to  Paris  with  his  father's  family.  He  married  first,  Clarissa 
Benson  of  Paris,  who  died  Dec.  23,  1860,  and  he  married  second, 
Mrs.  Louisa,  widow  of  Charles  Swan.  He  moved  to  Bethel  and 
lived  for  a  time  on  the  Hezekiah  Hutchins  farm  ;  then  moved  to 
Bird  Hill,  and  now  lives  on  the  John  Cushman  farm  at  South 
Bethel.     Children : 

i    Jacob  Abner,  b.  Paris  Feb.  17,  1836,  m.  Paraziua,  daughter  of  Eli  H. 
Cushman,  and  lives  ou  the  old  place  at  Bird  Hill.     They  have  no 


HLSrORY  OF  BETHEL.  503 

Issue  but  their  adopted  daughter.  Emma  Ellsworth  Chase,  b.  Jul}' 
10,  18G1,  m.  Feb.  9,  1884,  Beuj.  F.  Estes,  and  d.  Dec.  29,  1888. 

ii    Lydia  Story,  b.  Sept.  15,  1838,  m.  Charles  C.  Bryaut. 

ill    Sarah  Benson,  b.  Oct.  .5,  1840,  m.  Geo.  B.  Currier,  d.  Nov.  27,  1864. 

iv    Eliza  Ann,  b.  Bethel,  July  14,  1849. 

Chapman. 

Rev.  Eliphaz*  Chapman  (Seepage  207),  sou  of  Samuel",  graud- 
son  of  SamueP,  great-graudson  of  Samuel',  and  great-great-grand- 
son of  Edward'  Chapman,  the  emigrant  of  Ipswich,  Mass.,  in  1644, 
born  in  Newmarket,  N.  H.,  March  7,  1750,  came  to  Sudbury  in 
February,  1791.  He  journeyed  with  two  two-horse  teams  through 
the  towns  of  York,  Gorham,  Bridgton,  Waterford  and  Albany. 
From  the  latter  place  there  was  no  road  to  Bethel,  and  only  one  horse 
team  had  passed  over  the  route  before.  He  married  Hannah, 
daughter  of  Timothy  Jackman  of  Newbur^i.  He  died  Jan.  20, 
1814,  and  his  wife  Hannah  died  Dec.  15,  1839,  aged  92  years. 
Children  : 

i    Hannah®,  b.  June  24,  1773,  d.  young. 

ii    Eliphaz,  Jr.",  b.  June  16,  1775. 

lii  Elizabeth®,  b.  May  27,  1777.  She  married  John,  son  of  Joseph 
Greely  Swan  of  Bethel,  and  died  soon  after  at  Gilead,  Me.,  with- 
out children, 

iv  Abigail®,  b.  Dec.  ^9,  1778,  m.  James  Walker  from  Concord,  X.  H., 
who  was  the  first  trader  in  Bethel.     They  had : 

1  Milton  C.  (Walker),  b.  March  2,  1805. 

2  Abigail  C.  (Walker),  b.  May  21,  1807. 

The  mother  died  Oct.  3,  1807,  and  .James  Walker  afterward  married 
Patty  Heath,  and  had  other  children. 
V    George  Whitefield®,  b.  Dec.  25,  1780. 
vi    Timothy®,  b.  Feb.  17,  1783. 

vii  Samuel®  (Col.),  b.  Feb.  28,  1785.  He  lived,  in  his  younger  days,  with 
his  Aunt  Mai-y,  who  married  Col.  James  Rogers  of  Freeport,  Me. 
He  married  Desire  Curtis  of  Freeport,  and  moved  to  Bethel,  to  the 
north  side  of  the  river,  the  place  occupied  by  ^'incent  Chap- 
man.    He  d.  May  2,  1827,  and  his  wife  Sept.  10,  1826.     Children : 

1  Elizabeth^  b.  March  6,  1806. 

2  Jonathan^  b.  Aug.  19,  1S07,  m.  Sept.  21,   1828,  Fhebe  Perdu 

of  Xewry. 

3  Hannah",  b.  Feb.  17,  1809. 

4  Susanna',  b.  Aug.  25,  1810. 

5  Mary',  b.  Feb.  10,  1812. 

v6     Samuel  Hadden',  b.  ^larch  22,  1815,  m.  first  31ary  Trafton  of 
Westbrook,   second  Azubah    L.  Poor  of    Antlover,   third 


504  HIsrORY   OF  BETHEL. 

Caroline  H.  Barker,   Feb,   22,   1853.      He  lono;  kept   the 
Chapman  House  at  Bethel,  and  died  there. 

7  Salome^,  b.  June  1,  1817. 

8  Thirza  Curtis^  b.  June  4,  1819. 

9  Albion  P.'',   b.   ,   m.  Catherine  Tenney   of  Eockport, 

Mass.,  Oct.  4,  1856. 

Eliphaz  Chapman,  eldest  son  of  Eliphaz,  Sr.,  married  first 
Salome  Biiruham,  June  30,  1804,  who  died  July  2,  1829,  and  second 
Betsey  Adams,  March  8,  1830.  He  was  a  prominent  man  in  the 
town  of  Gilead.  He  was  often  in  town  office,  and  also  represented 
his  town  in  the  legislature.  He  died  July  9,  1844.  Children  by 
his  first  wife  : 

i    Kobert  Andrews',  b.  Sept.  22,  1807. 

ii  Timothy  Jackmau',  b.  April  5,  1810,  m.  tlrst  AVaity  AV.  Kimball  of 
Gilead,  Sept.  10,  1838,  wlio  d.  Dec.  27,  18G2,  and  second  Mary 
Frances  Ingalls,  April  4,  1864,  who  d.  Oct.  6.  1865.  He  died  April 
16,  1869.     No  children. 

iii  Elbridge',  b.  June  27,  1813.  He  married  Belinda,  daughter  of  John 
and  Lucia  (Twitchell)  Kimball  of  Bethel,  and  was  for  many  years 
in  trade  with  his  brother  in  Bethel.  He  then  moved  to  Portland 
and  engaged  in  trade,  and  died  there  June  10,  186^,  leaving  a  com- 
petence for  his  familj-.     His  children  were : 

1  Lucia  Henrietta^  b.  July  7,  1840,  d.  June  27,  1843. 

2  Helen  Belinda*,  1).  May  18,  1843,  who  resides  with  her  brother 

in  Brunswick. 

3  Henry  Leland  (See  page  365),  b.  July  26,  1845,  m.  Emma 

Caroline  Smith  of  Gorham,  Me.,  and  had  ; 
Henry  Smith,  b.  June  28,  1871. 

4  John  Eliphaz^  b.  July  14, 1853,  graduated  from  Bowdoin,1877. 
iv    Gilbert,  b.  June  22,  1817,  m.  first,  March  28,  1842,  Arvilla,  daughter 

of  Eli  Grover  of  Bethel,  she  d.  Feb.  2,  1845,  second.  May  14,  1846, 
Mary  T.  Grover,  daughter  of  James  Grover  of  Bethel,  she  d. 
March  3,  1848,  third,  Jan.  2,  1849,  Phebe  A.  Barker,  daughter  of 
Samuel  Barker  of  Bethel.  Mr.  Chapman  was  a  farmer  in  Bethel. 
His  children  were : 

By  first  wife  Arvilla : 

1  Ellen  Oreana,  b.  Bee.   1,  1843,  ra.  July  11 .  1865,  AVarren  P. 

Chase,  a  wholesale  grocer  of  Portland.     They  have: 

1  Mary  Grace  (Chase),  b.  July  25,  1867, 

2  Mabel  (Chase),  b.  April  27,  1877. 

3  Harriet  S.  (Chase),  b.  Aug.  12,  1878. 
By  second  wife  Mary  : 

2  Mary  Maria^  b.  Feb.  22,  1848,  m.  March  17,  1873,  AVni.  H. 

Fisher  of  Mass.,  she  d.  Nov.  25,  1874. 


HISrORY  OF  BETHEL.  505 

By  third  wife  Phebe  : 

3  Carrie  G^  b.  Aug.  10,  1851,  m.  Nov.  1, 1873,  Wm.  II.  Barney 

of  Mass. 

4  Lizzie  H.»,  b.  May  24,  1855,  d.  March  9,  1870. 

5  Ada  F.»,  b.  Oct.  10,  1858. 

6  Harold  Barker*,  b.  Nov.  21,  1862. 

V  Salome  Buinham^  b.  Jan.  IS,  1824.  She  became  the  second  wife  of 
Ira  Crocker  Kimball  of  Betliel,  March  15,  1848,  and  survives  him. 
He  d.  Jan.  31,  1866.     They  had : 

1  Anna  F.  (Kimball),  b.  Jan.  2,  1850. 

2  Carrie  E.  (Kimball),  b.  Oct.  25,  1854,  m.  Dec.  4,  1878,  Charles 

H.  Hersey,  Esq.,  of  Springfield,  Mass. 

3  Jessie  F.  (Kimball),  b.  Jan.  15,  1858. 

4  Minnie  (Kimball),  b.  July  27,  1860,  d.  Jan.  17,  1861. 

By  second  wife  Betsey  : 
vi    Lucy  Elizabeth',  b.  Oct.  31,  1831,  m.  Joseph  G.  Rounds,  now  of 
Maiden,  Mass.     Xo  children. 

George  Whitefield  Chapman,  son  of  Eliphaz,  Sr.,  (See  page 
115),  married  Polly,  daughter  of  Nathaniel  Greenwood,  who  was 
born  in  Dublin,  N.  H,,  April  14,  1787,  and  died  in  Gilead,  March 
17,  1849.     Children  : 

i    Abigail',  b.  Aug.  25,  1807,  d.  May  1,  1814. 

ii  George  Granville^  b.  Aug.  22,  1809,  m.  March  19,  1835,  Eliza,  daugh- 
ter of  Timothy  Chapman,  his  cousin.  He  was  a  farmer  on  the 
homestead  in  Gilead.     They  had : 

1  Fordyce  G.^  b,  Jan.  30,  1836,  drowned  Sept.  20,  1840. 

2  Sarah  Elizabeth^  b.  June  4,  1838. 

3  Abbie  L.,  b.  Oct.  13,  1840,  d.  May  26,  1858. 

4  William    Chalmers^  b.   Nov.    13,   1841,   m.   Nov.   30,    1870, 

Martha  E.  Baldwin,  b.  in  Stratford,  N.  H.,  Oct.  29,  1847. 
He  is  a  farmer  on  the  homestead  in  Gilead,  and  has : 

1  Hannibal  Hamlin^,  b.  April  28,  1872. 

2  Alger  Baldwin^  b.  Nov.  8,  1873. 

3  Marion  Eliza^,  b.  May  19,  1876. 

5  George  T.^  b.  Feb.  5,  1844,  d.  Aug.  20,  1846. 

6  Hannibal  Hamlin^  b.  Oct.  31,  1845,  d.  May  22.  1862. 

7  Lamartine  T.«,  b.  Jan.  27,  1848,  d.  May  5,  1849. 

8  Augustus  Faulkner^  b.  Oct.  18,  1849,  a  clerk  with  his  uncle, 

Timothy  A.  Chapman,  in  ]\[ilwaukee,  Wis. 
iii    Mary',  b.  March  18,  1811,  d.  Jan.  31,  1835, 

iv  Harriet',  b.  Sept.  8,  1813,  m.  Brown  Thurston  of  Portland.  She 
died  Feb.  23,  1858,  having  had  : 

1  Charles  Brown  (Thurston),  b.  June  10  1843  served  three 
years  against  the  rebellion,  a  dealer  in  scroll  saws  and 
fancy  woods.  Portland,  Me. 


506  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

2    Jaue  Mary  (Thurston),  b,  Dec.  22,  1845,  d.  Jau.  9,  1846. 
.3    Harriet  (hapniau  (Thurston),  b.   March  11,   1847,  d.  March 
13,  1847. 

4  George  Francis    (Thurston),   b,  Jan.   20,  1848,  m.  Sept.  7, 

1871,  Ella  Amelia  Kendall  of  Portland.    He  is  a  broker  iu 
company  with  H.  M.  Paysou  in  Portland. 

5  Clara  Amanda  (Thurston),  \  ,^  j^^^^^  ^O.  1851. 

6  May  Brown  (Thurston),        j 

7  David  Frederick  (Thurston),  b.  July  25, 1853,  d.  Dec.  7. 1857. 

8  Jessie  Louisa  (Thurston),  b.  June  20,  1856. 
V    Joseph  Greenwood^  Oct.  18, 1815,  d.  June  24,  1835. 

vi  Albion  Perry',  b.  Aug-.  12,  1817,  m.  first,  April  3,  1844,  Sophrouia 
Fames,  d.  April  28,  1865,  aged  42;  second,  Jan.  12,  1866,  Mary 
Ophelia  Skillings,  d.  April  15,'1869,  aged  28;  third,  Oct.  23,  1871, 
Mrs.  Betsey  (Crockett)  Penley  of  Norway,  d.  Jan.  26,  1876,  aged 
57;  fourth,  Sept.  5,  1878,  Susannah  P.  Wight.  He  had  all  by  his 
first  wife  Sophrouia : 

1  Leander  Thurston"^,  b.  ]March  8,  1845,  went  west  and  has  not 

been  heard  from  for  many  yeaj's. 

2  Paulina  KimbalP,  b.  March  6,  1847,  d.  Jau.  15.  1869. 

3  Ebenezer  Fames*,  b.  Jan,  19,  18.50. 

4  Hannah  Prince^  b.  Oct.  24,  1851. 

5  Augustine  Washington*,  b.  Aug.  20,  18.53,  d.  Oct.  30,  1877. 

6  Sophrouia  Hazeu'*,  b.  Feb.  6,  1856. 

7  George  Albion**,  b.  Juh'  28,  18.58. 

8  Timothy  HannibaP,  b.  Sept.  21,  1862. 

vii  Leander  Thurston',  b.  Sept.  18,  1819,  d.  Dec.  23,  1845. 
viii  Jarvis',  b.  Jan.  :  2,  1822,  m.  Oct.  17,  1849,  Anna,  daughter  of  Col. 
Eli  Twitchell.  He  was  a  farmer  in  Gilead,  Me.,  enlisted  in  the 
war  against  the  rebellion,  in  the  13tli  Maine  Regiment,  and  died 
at  Ship  Island,  Ijelow  New  Orleans,  in  1862,  she  d.  1860.  They 
had  : 

1  Fordyce  G.^  b.  Sept.,  1850,  d.  Jan.,  1851. 

2  Clarence  Eugene*,  b.  June  27,  1851,  has  been  a  teacher,  and 

is  now  studying  law  at  the  College  at  Ann  Arlior,  Mich. 

3  Adelaide  Joseplline^  b.  July  11,  1853. 

4  Harriet  Amanda*,  b.  Oct.  13,  1857. 

5  Annie  Graced  b.  Dec.  18,  18.58,  m.  Ocl.  31,   1877,  Wm.  J. 

Osgood  of  Leominster,  Mass. 
ix    Timothy  Appletou'  (See  page  362),  b.  May  23,  1824.  m.  April  16, 
1850,  Laura  Bowker  of  Boston,  Mass.,  and  has  : 

1  Alice  Greenwood®,  b.  in  Boston,  Nov.  11,  18.54. 

2  Laura  Appletou'*,  1).  in  Milwaukee,  1864. 

X    Hannibal  Greenwood',  b.  Oct.  5,  1826.  d.  Feb.  5.  18.58. 
xi    Amanda',  b.  Dec.  31,   1828,  m.  Oct.  26,  1859,  Brown  Thurston  of 

Portland, 
xii     Fordyce',  b.  July  31.  ls:n.  d.  May  14,  1833. 


m 


GILMAN    CHAPMAN. 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  507 

Timothy  Chapman,  son  of  Eliphaz,  Sr.  (See  page  118),  was  a 
thrifty  farmer  in  Bethel,  and  a  man  of  character  and  influence  in 
town.     His  children  by  first  wife  were  : 

i  George',  b.  July  4,  1808,  m.  first,  Susannah  Hills  of  Newry,  April 
11,  1831,  she  d.  Feb.  24, 1836,  aged  28 ;  second,  Malvina  A.  Richard- 
son, Sept.  14,  1837,  she  d.  Aug.  31,  1841,  aged  26  years  9  months. 
He  was  a  farmer  in  Bethel,  and  died  in  1856,  leaving  two  cliildren. 

By  first  wife : 

1  Algernon  Sidney^  b.  Dec.  21,  1832,  m.  Sept.  10,  1857,  Caro- 

line Amelia  Barstow.  b.  Aug.  29,  1835.  Mr.  Chapman  re- 
sides in  Bethel,  Me.,  was  in  the  army  against  the  rebellion, 
and  resided  awhile  since  that  in  Louisiana.     They  had : 

1  Winnie  A.,  b.  July  6,  1858. 

2  George  Sidney,  b.  Sept.  27,  18.59. 

3  Ellen  B.,  b.  July  18,  1861. 

4  Alice  G.,  b.  Oct.  12,  1864. 

5  Fred  L.,  b.  June  18.  1866. 

6  Carrie  A.,  b.  June  6,  1868. 

7  Angle  May,  b. -April  23,  1871. 
Uy  second  wife : 

2  Angelina  G.S  b.  Aug.  10,  1839,  m.  Samuel  D.  Philbrook  of 

Bethel,  she  d.  Feb.  10,  1865,  aged  25,  leaving: 
1     AA'illiani  (Philbrook),  b.  May,  1863. 

il  Oilman,  born  Jan.  29,  1809,  married  first,  Oct.  9,  1836,  Mary 
Ann  Brown  of  Gray,  she  died  Feb.  26,  1866  ;  second,  May 
17,  1867,  Sarah  Adaline  Brown,  sister  to  his  first  wife. 
Mr.  C.  was  a  prominent  citizen  of  Bethel,  farmer,  and  at 
various  times  holding  prominent  offices  in  county  and  town. 
He  was  mucli  interested  in  educational  matters,  trustee  of 
Gould's  Academy  and  [)resiJent  of  the  board  at  the  time  of 
his  death.     Had  by  first  wife,  Mary  : 

1  A  son**,  b.  Sept.  26,  1837,  d. 

2  Titus  Gilmau*,  b.  Oct.  6.  1838,  d.  Feb.  IS,  1840. 

3  William  Ladd*,  I).  June  6,  1841,  farmer,  m.  Feb.  22,  1866, 

Sarah  Eleanor,  daughter  of  Orange  C.  Frost,  and  had : 

1  Gei-trude  Eleanor^  b.  Dec.  10,  1866. 

2  Ann  Cyreue",  b.  ]May  21,  1869,  d.  June  2,  1869. 

3  Grace  Brown',  b.  Dec.  23,  1870. 

4  Mary  Chase',  b.  :March  4,  1873. 

5  Oilman',  b.  Oct.  13,  1875. 

6  Alonzo  Frost',  b.  Jan.  22,  1878. 

7  Sarah  Buudy,  1).  Feb.  23,  1881. 

8  Son,  1).  Dec.  10,  1884,  d.  aged  6  days. 


508  HISTOltY  OF  BETHEL.. 

4  John  Bl•owu^  b.  Maich  14,  1843,  in.  JTuly  26,  1867,  Caroline 

M.  Kingsbury,  no  cliiklreu. 

5  Arthur  Gilmau»,  b.  May  17,  1846,  d.  Aug.  7,  1846. 

6  Timothy  Eliphaz*,  b.  Jan.  11,  1849,  d.  July  28,  1861. 

7  Mary  Gilmau^,  b.  June  6,  1851. 

8  A  son^,  d.  Sept.  7,  1853. 

iii    Eliza',  b.  March  5,  1810,  m.  George  Granville  Chapman. 

iv    Eev.  Wm.  Eogers",  b.  Feb.  26,  1812,  grad.  Dartmouth  Coll.,  1837,. 

m.  May  16,  1842,  Emily  Irene,  dan.  of  Earl  Bishop  of  Haverhill^ 

Mass.     Children : 

1  Emily  Jane*,  b.  Aug.  31,  1843,  m.  Louis  T..  Valentine,  a  mer- 

chant in  San  Antonio,  Texas,  and  had : 

1  Mary  Emily  (Valentine). 

2  Eliza  Carew  (Valentine),  d.  young; 

3  Adeltha  Eugenia  (Valentine). 

4  Charles  Augustus  (Valentine). 

5  George  Hortou  (Valentine). 

2  Annie  Eliza^  b.  Jan.,  1847,  d.  1847. 

3  Mary  Josephine  Victoria®,  b.  in  Europe,  Oct.,  1850,  m.  Dr. 

Jacob  Horton  of  San  Antonio,  Texas,  and  have : 
1     Martha  Washington  (llorton),  b.  July  4,  1876. 

4  William  Eogers**,  b.  Aug.  4,  1855,  m.  July  19,  1877,  Emma  L. 

Faulkner  of  Chicago.     He  is  a  professor  of  nuisic  in  New 
York  City. 
V    Eliphaz^.  b.  Feb.  5,  1814,  d.  Fel).  9,  1838. 
vi    Abigail',  b.  :\Iay  19,  1816,  d.  July  6,  1836. 

vii    Timothy  Hilliard',  b.  April  29,   1818,  m.  first,  Sept.  8,  1844,  Sarah 
Hamlin  Newell,  she  d.  Aug.  12,  1866,  second.  Oct.  13,  1867,  Mrs. 
Martha  (Xewell)  Upton.     Children  by  first  wife  : 
1    Banister  NewelP,  b.  July  26,  1845,  m.  Vesta  \Vight. 
2-  Infant®,  b.  and  d.  Oct.  1847. 

3  Fannie  Eliza®,   b.   Oct.   30,   1848,  m.  May  23,    1869,   Calvin 

Emerson  Chapman  of  Ilanovei-,  Me.     One  child  : 
Lawrence  Irving^,  b.  Oct.  17,  1870. 

4  Hervev  Wilfred®,  b.  Oct.  15,  1S50,   graduated  from  Bowdoin 

College,  1873,  m.  Mary  Wolsey. 

5  Florence  Elma^  b.  Oct.  10,  1852,  m.  Nov.  29,  1876,  Peter 

Libby  Watts  of  Portland. 

6  Alice  Cora®,  b.  April  30,  185*).  m.  Nov.  21,  1877,  William  Au- 

gustus  Deering  of  Essex,  ^'t. 

By  second  wife,  Martha  : 

7  Bessie  Kimball®,  b.  Sept.  2S,  18()9. 

By  second  wife,  Abigail : 
viii    Infant',  b.  Dec.  20,  1823,  d.  Feb.  2,  1824. 
ix    John  Abbot',  b,  Oct.  22,  1820,  d.  Sept.  22,  1825. 
X    Malvina'.  b.  Sept.  10,  1827,  d.  Aug.  20,  1829. 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  509 

xi    Mary  Chase',  b.  May  8,  1829,  m.  Aberuethy  Grover,  Jau.  26,  1848, 

she  d.  May  4,  1871,  no  children, 
xii     John  Spencer',  b.  March  5,  1831,  m.  Nov.,  1856,  Arabella  Philbrook 
of  Shelburue,  N.  H.     He  enlisted  in  the  war  against  the  rebellion, 
went  to  Louisiana  and  resided  in  Baton  Rouge.     He  died  in  Bethel. 
Children  : 

1  Georgiaua  F.^  b.  Oct.  10,  18.58. 

2  John  Spencer^,  b.  Xov.  13,  1861,  d.  Marcli,  1865. 

3  Gertrude  P.«,  b.  Oct.,  1869. 

xiii     Malviua  A.',  b.  July  7,  1833,  m.  Dec.  12,  1853,  Samuel  B.  Twitchell, 
a  merchant  and  farmer  in  Bethel,  Me.     They  have  : 

1  Marion  Blanehard  (Twitcliell),  b.  Nov.  4,  1855,  m.  June  13, 

1877,  Clarence  AVhitman  Ilobbs,  who  have  : 
1     Clarence  Whitman  (Hobbs),  b.  Oct.  1,  1878. 

2  Susie  Barker  (Twitchell),  b.  Nov.  17,  1861. 

3  Florence  Eliza  (Twitchell),  b.  Oct.  12,  1869. 

xiv    Hannah  A.',  b.  Aug.  17,  1835,  m.  Charles  A.  Chapman,  now  of  Man- 
kato,  Minnesota,  and  had  three  children  who  died  in  infancy,  and : 
1     James  F.  (Chapman). 

Edmund  Chapman,  sou  of  Eliphaz,  Sr.,  deacon,  and  later  in 
life  a  licensed  preacher  in  the  Congregational  church  ;  a  very  de- 
cided Calvinist ;  married  Hitty  Gould,  daughter  of  Jonathan  and 
Lydia  Gould,  of  Millbury  (formerly  a  part  of  Sutton),  Mass.  He 
was  a  farmer  in  Bethel,  residing  near  the  mill  brook,  where  he  had 
a  grist  mill.  He  died  May  23,  1868,  aged  81  ;  she  died  April  21, 
1877,  aged  88.     Children: 

i    Vincent  Gould',  b.  Oct.  7,  1810,  d.  Dec.  10,  1810. 

ii  Vincent  Gould',  b.  Nov.  20,  1811,  m.  Ann,  daughter  of  James  A.  S. 
Bartlett  of  Bethel.  He  was  a  farmer  in  Bethel,  on  the  north  side 
of  the  river,  near  his  father's  place.    They  had  : 

1  Sarah*,  b. ,  m. McKenney  of  Massachusetts. 

2  lAicretia*,  b. ,  m.  A.  Woodsum  of  Locke's  Mills,  and 

have  two  children. 

3  Phila  Elizabeth*,  b ,  m.  Charles  Procter  of  Massachu- 

setts, one  child. 

4  Hettie*. 

5  Flora^,  b. ,  d.  1878. 

6  Genella'*. 

7  Howard  Vincent-. 

8  Carrie*. 

iii  Sewall',  b.  March  30,  1814,  m.  tirst,  Eunice  French,  of  New  York. 
She  d.  Dec.  24,  1875,  second,  Mrs.  Bean  of  Upton,  Maine.  Mr.  T. 
is  a  farmer ;  for  some  years  in  New  York  State,  and  now  in  Upton, 
Maine,  no  children. 


510  HISTOBY  OF  BETHEL. 

iv    Calviu'  (See  page  236),  b.  Nov.  13,  1814,  m.  first,  Sept.  15,  1842, 
Lucy  B.  Emerson  of   Parsonsfield,  Me.     She  d.  April  14,  1873 ; 
second,  Nov.  18,  1874,  Sarah  A.  Ward  of  Kennebuukport,  Me.,  and 
had : 
By  first  wife,  Lucy  : 

1  Emily  Parsons*,  b.  July  11,  1843. 

2  Calvin  Emerson*,  b.  July  23,  1844,  m.  May  23,  1869,  Fannie 

Eliza  Chapman,  daughter  of  Timothy  Hilliard  Chapman  of 
I  Bethel,  who  d.  Dec.  4.  1884;  he  m.  second,  Oct,  17,  1886, 

Florence  P.  Ayer.     He  is  a  farmer  in  Hanover,  Me.    They 
have: 

1  Lawrence  Irving'*,  b.  Oct.  17,  1870,  d.  Oct.  18,  1882. 

2  Bertha  W.,  b.  Jan.  19,  1880. 

3  Luther  Bourne*,  b.  Oct.  17,  1849,  m.  Oct.  17,  1874,  Martha 
Amelia  Howard  of  Windham,  Vt.,  where  they  reside. 
They  have : 

1  Harry  Luther",  b.  Aug.,  1875. 

2  Frank  Kolaud",  b.  Jan.,  1877. 

V    T^ydia',  b.  April  5,  1816,  m.  John  Bradbury,  a  house  carpenter,  of 

Bethel.     She  d.  1864.     They  liad  : 
1     Oilman  (Bradbury), 
vi    Mehitable',   b.  Feb.  26,  1818,  m.  Elhauau  B.  Foster,   a  farmer  of 

Newry,  Maine.    They  have : 

1  Florelhi  (Foster). 

2  Horace  (Foster). 

3  LaFayette  (Foster). 

4  Silvia  (Foster). 

vii  Edmund  Horace",  b.  Sept.  16,  1819,  'm.  3Iary  Ann  Locke.  He  was 
a  farmer,  residing  on  the  liomestead.  He  d.  Feb.  4,  1863,  liaving 
had : 

1  Virgil  Horace*,  m.  Oct.  18,  1887,  Lizzie  Smith. 

2  Lucy  Earns*,  m.  Pierce  A^'^leeler. 

3  James  Locke*,  b.  April  3,  1858,  m.  Eveline  Andrews,  r.  Ber- 

lin Falls. 

4  Edmund,  d.  young. 

5  Mary  Hoi-ace*,  m.  Burge  B.  Bickford. 

For  second  husband  Mrs.  Chapman  m.  Edward  Goddard,  and  liad 
Nellie  Grace,  d.  Sept.  11,'1890.     Mrs.  Goddard  d.  Sept.  11,  1890. 
viii    Milton  Walker',  b.  Nov.  13,  1821,  m.  Mary  Yates.     He  was  a  farmer, 
enlisted  in  the  war  against  the  rebellion,  and  d.  of  disease  con- 
tracted in  the  service.    They  had  : 

1  Florolla  Emeline*,  m. Bennett,  a  painter  in  Deering, Me* 

2  Elizabeth",  m.  Milton  Penley  of  Bethel. 

3  Ada  Adelia*,  m.  Newman  I'enley  of  Norway,  she  d. 

4  Jotham  Sewall*,  a  painter  in  Bethel. 

5  Ella  Frances*,  m. . 

6  William  Edmund*. 

7  Fred*. 


HON.    ROBERT  A.  CHAPMAN. 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  511 

ix  Florella',  b.  Dec.  S,  1823;  m.  Jan.  6.  1849,  Ebenezer  Richardson,  a 
farmer  and  blacksmith  of  Betliel.     They  have : 

1  Melvina  A.  (Richardson),  b.  Oct.  8,  1852. 

2  Xewton  E.  (Richardson),  b.  Oct.  14,  1854,  m.  Nov.  14,  1878, 

Hattie  L.  Stearns. 
.3    Flora  Chapman  (Richardson),  b.  Sept.  28,  1861 . 
X    Nancys  b.  July  8,  1825,  d.  Feb.  10,  1830. 
xi    Hannah',  b.  Feb.  24,  1827;  d.  Aug.  15,  1831. 
xii    Harvey  C.^  b.  March  11,  1830,  d.  Sept.  18,  1830. 

Robert  Andrews  Chapman,  son  of  Eliphaz,  Jr.  (See  page  119)^ 
married  March  28,  1833,  Frances  Carter,  daughter  of  Dr.  Timothy 
Carter  of  Bethel,  Me.     He  died  April  7,  1880.     Children  : 

i  Cullen  Carter^,  b.  Dec.  27,  1833,  m.  first,  Jan.  21,  1862,  Philaphrene, 
daughter  of  Dr.  John  Grover  of  Bethel,  she  [d.  Dec.  17,  1871 ; 
second,  Aug.  26,  1873,  Mrs.  Abbie  Louise  (Hart)  Mclntyre.  He 
has  been  a  prosperous  flour  and  grain  mei'chant  in  Portland, 
Maine,  since  1856,  till  recently,  is  now  a  banker,  an  influential 
member  of  society,  and  of  the  Congregational  church :  They 
have : 

1  Fannie  Louise*,  b.  Nov.  27,  1874. 

2  Florence  Hart*,  b.  July  27,  1876. 

11  Frances  Salome^  b.  Dec.  30,  1837,  m.  July  19,  1864,  Thomas  E. 
Twitchell,  a  wholesale  dry  goods  merchant,  and  is  now  a  widow 
in  Portland.     Children : 

1  Alice  Carter  (Twitchell),  b.  Oct.  18,  1865. 

2  Emma  I'rauces  (Twitchell),  b.  July  21,  1867. 

3  Robert   Chapman    (Twitchell),  b.  July  18,  1872,  d.  May  15» 

1873. 
iii     Charles  Robert^,  b.  July  6,  1842,  d.  young, 
iv    Sarah  Walker®,  b.  Feb.  1,  1844,  m.  June  3,  1873,  Hon.  Enoch  Foster, 

jr,,  a  prominent  lawyer  in  Bethel  and  now  associate  justice  of  the 

Supreme  Judicial   Court, 
v    Charles  Jarvis*,  b.  Jan.  29,  1848,  m.  Sept.  15, 1875,  Annie  Dow  Hinds 

They  have : 

1  Marion  Carter*,  b.  June  29,  1876. 

2  Robert  Franklin*,  b.  April  26,  1878. 

vi    Robei-t**,  b.  Jan.  3,  1850,  a  flour  and  grain  merchant  in  Portland. 

Gilbert  Chapman,  married  first,  Arvilla  Grover,  second,  Mary 
T.  Grover,  and  third,  Phebe  A.  Barker.     Children  : 

By  first  wife : 

i    Ellen  Orianna,  b.  Dec.  1,  1843. 

By  second  wife : 

ii    Mary  Maria,  b.  Feb.  22,  1848. 


512  HISTOBY  OF  BETHEL. 

By  third  wife : 
iii    Carrie  Geoi'^ianna,  b.  Aug.  10,  1851. 
iv    Lizzie  Holden,  b.  May  24,  1855. 

V  Ada  Floreuce,  b.  Oct.  10,  1858. 

Milton  W.  Chapman,  son  of  Edmuud  Chapman,  married  first, 
Mary,  daughter  of  William  Yates,  Jr.,  of  Greenwood.     Children: 

i  Flora  E.,  b.  Aug.  27,  1848. 

ii  Mary  E.,  b.  Nov.  23,  1850. 

iii  Ada  A.,  b.  July  15,  1852. 

iv  Jotham  S.,  b.  March  15,^1854. 

V  Ella  F.,  b.  April  10,  1850. 

vi    AVilliam  E,,  b.  July  14,  1858. 
vii    Fred  M.,  b.  June  15,  1864. 

Clark. 

The  Clarks  of  Bethel  were  among  the  earliest  settlers,  and  came 
from  Kewton,  Mass. 

Lt.  Jonathan  Clakk  (See  pp.  40,  114),  son  of  William,  Jr., 
and  Mary  (Marean)  Clark,  born  INlarch  28,  1747,  married  P^sther 
Parker.  He  settled  near  Bethel  Hill,  and  was  one  of  the  three  who 
were  taken  captive  by  the  Indians  in  the  raid  of  1781  and  was 
allowed  to  return.     He  died  Dee    23,  1821.     Children  : 

i  Ebenezer,  b.  Oct.  28,  1781,  d.  Sept.  25,  1784. 

ii  Jonathan,  b.  Aug.  3,  1783,  d.  Jan.  3,  1784. 

iii  Esther,  b.  Aug.  25,  1785,  m.  Jedediah  Burbanlv. 

iv  Sally,  b.  April  13,  1787,  m.  Samuel  IJobertsoii. 

v  Mary,  b.  March  8,  1791.  d.  March  23.  1702. 

vi  Mary,  b.  April  24,  1793,  ui.  Valentine  IJttle. 

vii  Eliza,  b.  Aug.  4,  1795,  ni.  AVilliaiii  llussell. 

Bkn.tamin  Clark  (See  page  41),  son  of  Norman  and  Hannah 
(Bird)  Clark,  born  Oct.  17,  1751,  came  to  Bethel,  and  was  one  of 
those  carried  captive  to  Canada  by  the  Indians  in  1781.  He  mar- 
ried Betsey  Mason  of  Dublin,  N.  H.,  who  had  come  to  Bethel  with 
her  sister,  the  wife  of  Eleazer  Twitchell.  He  died  March  9,  1802, 
and  his  wife,  born  July  18,  17fi4,  died  Jan.  30,  1846.     Children: 

i  Norman,  b.  Dec.  18,  1784,  ni.  Martha  Watson  of  Norway. 

ii  Susanna,  b.  Sept.  26,  1786,  d.  Oct.  20,  1789. 

iii  Betsey,  b.  Aug.  20,  1789,  d.  Sept.  1864. 

iv  Aclisa,  b.  Dec.  12,  1791,  ni.  John  Burbank  of  Gorliam,  N.  H. 

V  Ilannali  Bird,  b.  April  22,  1796,  m.  Samuel  Barker. 


HISTORY    OF  BETHEL.  5l3 

vi     Ijydia  Knapp,  b.  Jime  25,  1798,  m.  Daniel  Watson  of  Xoiway. 
vii    Amasa  b.  Feb.  13,  1794,  d.  Jan.  2,  18.37. 
viii    Moses,  b.  March  6,  1801,  d.  Feb.  7.  1802. 

Norman  Clark,  son  of  the  preceding,  married  Martha  Watson 
of  Norway,  formerly  of  Gorham,  Me.,  who  w^as  born  Feb.  10, 
1791.  He  lived  and  died  in  Bethel  on  the  old  homestead.  Chil- 
dren : 

i    Benjamin  M.,*  b.  Nov.  23,  1820,  m.  Lydia  M.  Heseltine. 

ii    Mary  H.,  b.  April  27,  1823,  d.  1873. 

iii    Isabella  A.,  b.  July  11,  1828,  m.  Oilman  C.  Farewell. 

iv    Miranda,  b.  Oct.  4,  1832. 

V    Marion  A.,  b.  Dec.  22,  1S34,  m.  Jairus  S.  Dudley. 

Clough. 

Eber  Clough  came  here  from  New  Hampshire  and  purchased 
the  wool-carding  and  cloth-dressing  business  of  Moses  T.  Cross. 
He  afterwards  carried  on  the  manufacture  of  starch.  At  the  taking 
of  the  census  in  1870,  he  reported  the  following.     Children  : 

i    Orville,  b. ,  1842.     ii    Isabel,  b. ,  1844,  m.  Lyman  York. 

iii    Emma,  b. ,  1846.     iv    Ella,  b. ,  1849,  m.  Timothy  Carter. 

V    Eber,  Jr.,  b.  ,  1852.      vi    Mary,  b. ,  1854.     vii    Carrie,  b. 

' ,   1856,   m.  John   Herbert   Carter,     viii     Flora,   b ,  1858.     ix 

Frank,  b. 1859.     x    Herbert,  b, 1861.      xi    Harlan,  b. , 

1863.     xii    Alfred,  b. ,  1865. 

Coffin. 

Jonathan  Coffin  by  wife  Jane  had  the  following  children  re- 
corded on  Bethel  records  : 

i    Esther,  b.  Oct.  29,  1800. 
ii    Caleb  Swan,  b.  Feb.  21,  1803. 

Caleb  S.  Coffin  married  Nancy  Swan,  who  died  May  1,  1838. 
He  married  second,  Mary  Burbank.     Children  : 

i  Jonathan,  b.  Nov.  14,  1829.  ii  David,  b.  Aug.  10,  1831.  iii  Eunice 
E.,  b.  July  13,  1833.  iv  John  B.,  b.  May  6,  1835.  By  second  wife :  v 
Leland  R.,  b.  Aug.  10,  1837,  d.  May  9,  1839.  vi  Nancy  S.,  b.  May  12, 
1841.     vii    Esther,  b.  Sept.  12,  1848. 

*Benjamiii  M.  Clark  has  no  issue,  but  he  adopted  Charles  M.  Anderson,  who  was  born 
in  Londonderry,  N.  H.,  when  he  was  five  years  of  age,  and  he  has  since  lived  with  him. 
He  married  Eflie  F.  Haselton,  and  has  .John  Clark  Anderson,  born  Ai>ril  18,  ]888.  Mr. 
Clark  was  formerly  a  school  teacher,  and  is  an  intelligent  farmer.  He  lives  on  the  old 
Clark  homestead. 

33 


514  HISTOEY   OF  BETHEL. 

Joseph  Coffin,  manied  Hannah,  daughter  of  Jedediah  Grover. 
Children  : 

i    Edwin  G.,  b.  June  11,  1811. 

ii    Lucy  Ann,  b.  April  23,  1814,  m.  Franklin  Cross  of  Alban3^ 
iii    Lenora.  b.  July  30,  1815,  d.  Sept.  2,  1815. 

Stephen  Coffin,  probably  son  of  Benjamin  Coffin,  came  here 
from  Conway,  N.  H.,  and  married  Betsey  Pratt.  After  his  de- 
cease she  married  Benjamin  Proctor  of  Waterford.     Children  : 

i    Otis,  b. ,  d.  unmarried. 

ii    Deliuda,  b. ,  m.  Thomas  Proctor. 

iii    Eoweua,   b.  June  15,    1813,  m.  Charles    Whitman.     'J'hey  moved  to 
Washington,  D.  C,  where  he  died  in  1850.     He  was  previously  a 
lawyer  in  Waterford. 
iv    Marj^  Ann,  b.  April  30,  1816,  m. Sticknej'  of  Bridgtou. 

V  EzeliienVhitraan,  b. .  He  was  a  Universalist  clergyman, jji-eached 

in  Jaftery,  X.,H.,  in  Bryant's  Pond,  Me.,  Orange,  Mass.,  and  else- 
whore.     He  died  in  Massachusetts. 

Daniel  Alphin  Coffin,  son  of  Daniel  and  Mary  (Grover) 
Coffin,  born  in  Milan,  N.  H.,  April  12,  1(S41,  married  Sept.  27, 
1862,  Clara  Ann,  daughter  of  Eleazer  Cole  of  Greenwood.  He  is 
a  farmer  in  Bethel.     Children  : 

i    Alton  Eugene,  b.  Xov.  12,  1864,  m.  Tiillian  Bean, 
ii    Edith  May,  b.  May  1,  1860.  m.  Clarence  Jackson. 

TOBURN. 

Wesley  Cobuiin  married  Lucy  Stowe  of  Newry.     Children. 

i  Louisa,  b.  Sept.  12,  1828,  m.  Parker  Brown. 

ii  Melvin,  b.  July  4,  1831,  m.  Eli/abeth  Barker, 

iii  Caleb  Loaudor,  b.  Xov.  13,  1833,  d.  unmarried, 

iv  Moses  Poscoe.  b.  Xov.  24,  1835,  m.  Reynolds. 

V  Elizabeth,  b. ,  in.  Xathaniel  Barker. 

Cook. 

JuA  Cook  married  Hannah .     Children. 

i    Arvilla,  b.  June  1,  1^33.     ii    Xewell,  b.  Jan.  12,  1836. 

Crocker. 
Charles    Crooker,    son    of    Charles    and    Betsey    (Packard) 
Crooker,  born  May  9,   1800,  came  from  Hebron  about  1845,  and 
settled  on  the  Solomon  Annas  place  near  Locke's  Mills.     He  mar- 


HISTOEY    OF  BETHEL.  515 

ried  Sally,  daughter  of  Abijah  Lapham,  and  died  April   28,   1884, 
his  wife  died  May  11.  l.STG.     Children  : 

i  Abigail,  b.  Jau.  17,  1825,  d.  Dec.  30,  1842. 

ii  WashingtOD,  b.  Nov.  2,  1827,  m.  Oct.  21, 1852,  Cyreue  Bartlett. 

iii  William,  born  Nov.  3, 1829,  m.  Ruby  E.  Whitman ;  no  issue. 

iv  Sarah  Philbrick,  b.  May  20,  1838,  m.  Jolni  I..   M.  Stewart,  Lowell, 
Mass. 

V  Calvin  Bucknam,  b.  April  14, 1840,  m.  Maria  Merrill, 
vi  Sheppard  Buckuam,  b.  April  14,  1840,  d.  May  14,  1843. 

vii     diaries,  b.  Oct.  20,  1849,  m.  Mary  Hayden. 

Washington  Crooker,  son  of  Charles  Crooker,  born  in  Bethel 
on  the  Daniels  place  on  the  Rumford  and  Paris  road,  is  a  farmer 
and  lives  near  Locke's  Mills.  He  married  Oct.  21,  1852,  Cju'ene, 
daughter  of  James  A.  S.  Bartlett.     Children  : 

i    Edith  S.,  b.  Sept.  20,  1853,  m.  Sept.  21,  1878,  Josiah  D.  George. 

ii    Alice  M.,  b.  Sept.  9,  1855,  m.  Aug.  18,  1887,  Oliue  P.  Farrington. 
iii    James  W.,  b.  May  28,  1861,  m.  Nov.  27,  1884,  Ida  M.  Young. 
iv    Everett  C,  b.  Jan.  11,  1865,  d.  Oct.  17,  1883. 

Cross. 

Jesse  Cross,   from  Andover,  Mass.,   born,  Methuen,  April  20, 
1779.,  married  Lydia,   daughter  of  Capt.    Eleazer  Twitchell.     He 
came  to  Bethel  in  1800,  and  in  1804  was  living  on  Bethel  Hill.     He 
cleared  up  a  farm  on  the  north  side  of  the  river  where  Ebenezer 
Richardson  afterwards  lived.     When  Capt.  Twitchell  died  he  in- 
herited the  grist  mill  and  operated  it  man}^  years.     He  lived  at  one 
time  in  Greenwood.     Children  : 
i    Moses,  b.  May  5,  1805,  d.  April  15.  1807. 
ii    Abigail,  b.  Aug.  18,  1809. 
iii    Moses     1   ^'  1^07,  m.  1st,  Rebecca  Staples;  2d,  Caroline  E.  Smith. 

4         '    r  twins. 
IV    Aaron,    )   |j    i;^07,  m.  Elvira  Grover. 

V  Franklin,  b.  1812,  m.  Lucy  Ann  Coffin;  Albany. 
vi    Lydia,  b.  1814. 

vii    Jonathan,  b.  Aug.  7,  1817,  m.  Matilda  B.  Harden, 
viii    Caroline,  b. ,  m.  Samuel  Foster  of  Norway. 

Moses  T.   Cross,    married    first,   Rebecca   Staples  of  Hanover, 
and  second,  Caroline  E.  Smith  of  the  same  town.     He  was  in  trade 
at  the  Hill  the  last  years  of  his  life.     Children  : 
i     Celestiue,  b.  Feb.  16, 1834. 
ii    Austress,  b.  March  25,  1835. 
iii    Moses  E.,  b.  April  6,  1837,  d.  Sept.  13,  1842. 
iv    Althea  Augusta,  b.  Jan.  31,  1839. 
v     Abby  G.,  b.  Nov.  14,  1840,  m.  Gilman  P.  Bean. 


516  IIISrOBY   OF  BETHEL. 

Aaron  Cross,  married  Elvira  Grover.  He  was  a  farmer  and 
lived  above  Bethel  Hill.     Children  : 

i  Orlando  Jesse,  b.  Nov.  27,  1831,  m,  Eunice  Gaj-  of  Harrison, 

ii  Mandana  M.,  born  May  3,  1833,  m.  Samuel  A.  Bi'ock. 

iii  Eoscoe  F.,  b.  July  8,  1835. 

iv  Luciuda  G.,  b.  April  11,  1837. 

V  Isadore  B.,  b.  Sept.  21,  1839,  m.  Charles  Gerrish. 

vi     Alanson  Mellen,  b.  Oct.  8,  1841.     Long  at  the  Insane  Hospital  at  Au- 
gusta.    Never  was  married. 

Franklin  Cross,  married  Lucy  Auu  Coffin.  He  moved  to  North 
Albany  and  was  postmaster  there.     Children  : 

i  Wellington  E.,  b.  Maich  24,  1835. 

li  Franklin  R.,  b.  May  20,  1836. 

iii  Jesse  Alfonzo,  b.  May  15,  1837. 

iv  Roland  Alanson,  b.  Oct.  25,  1838. 

V  Sidney  Turner,  b.  March  9,  1841. 

vi    Thirza  L,  b.  Dec.  6,  1842,  d.  May  15,  1843. 

Isaac  C.  Cross,  married  Martha  Rowe.     Children  : 
J    Nancy  A.,  b.  Oct.  21, 1828. 

CUMMINGS. 

Solomon  CuMMiNGS,  son  of  Isaac  and  Elizabeth   (liryant)  Cum- 
mings,  married  Cinderilla,  daughter  of  Abijah  Lapham.     He  died 
April  15,  1826,  and  his  widow  married  his  brother  Joseph  Cum- 
mings.     Child : 
i    Annis  P.,  b.  Dec.  12,  1827,  d.  Aug.  2.5,  1829. 

Joseph  Cummings,  brother  of  the  preceding,  married  his 
brother's  widow.  He  moved  to  Hamlin's  Gore  where  his  wnfe  died, 
Aug.  15,  1856,  he  married  again  and  moved  to  Poland.     Children  : 

i  Melissa  J.,  b.  Jan.  17,  1829,  d.  April  3,  1850. 

ii  Joseph  II.,  b.  Oct.  31,  1831,  d.  Oct.  12,  1858. 

iii  Phebe  L.,  b.  Jan.  15,  1833,  d.  July  25,  1851. 

iv  Moses,   b.   Jan.   27,   18.33,  ni.   1st,  Julia  E,   Cushman ;    2d,  Juliette 

Barker. 

V  Ransom  D.,  b.  April  3,  1837,  m.  Sarah  E.  Cushman. 

vi  Abbie  H.,  b.  June  24, 1839,  m.  William  A.  Jones. 

vii  Clarrissa,  b.  Aug.  11,  1843,  m.  Jacob  Siel)erling. 
viii    Nathan  M.,  b.  Aug.  25,  1841,  m.  Aseuath  MeCiillis. 

ix  Roscoe  W.,  b.  Dec.  14,  1846,  m.  Lydia  Nelson. 


HIS  TO  BY   OF  BETHEL.  517 

Moses  CumminCxS,  son  of  Joseph  Cummings,  lives  on  the  Abra- 
ham Jordan  farm  in  East  Bethel.  He  married  first,  Sept.  25,  1857, 
Julia  E.,  daughter  of  Eli  H.  Cnshman  who  died  Dee.  29,  1863,  and 
he  married  second,  Aug.  5,  1866.  Juliette,  daughter  of  Samuel  and 
Rachel  (Sessions)  Barker  of  Rumford.     Children  : 

i    EliE.,  b.  Sept.  12,  1858,  m.  Inez  A.  Beau. 

ii    Emma  Ellsworth,  b.  Aug.  10,  1861.     She  became  the  adopted  daugh- 
ter of  Jacob  A.  Chase,  m.  Benjamin  F.   Estes,  and  died  Dec.  29,^ 
1888. 
By  second  marriage : 
iii    Xettie  B.,  b.  Aug.  1,  1877. 

Ransom  Dunham  Cummings,  son  of  Joseph  Cummings,  resides 
on  the  Eli  EL.  Cushman  farm,  on  Bird  Hill,  and  is  a  thrifty  and  in- 
dependent farmer.  He  married  April  7,  1861,  Sarah  Elizabeth, 
daughter  of  Eii  H,  and  Hannah  (Jordan)  Cushman.    Child  : 

i  Yertie  A.,  b.  Oct.  1,  18(36,  m.  Oct.  1,  1884,  Elbridge  Crooker  who  was 
born  in  Albany,  Oct.  8,  1861,  and  is  trader  at  Bean's  Corner,  and 
Postmaster. 

James  Cummings  married  Sally  Morse.    He  died  March  27,  183K 
Child  : 
i    Pauline  Morse,  b.  Dec.  9,  1819,  d.  Sept.  14,  1820. 


Cushman. 

Deacon  John  Cushman  married  first,  Parazina,  daughter  of  John- 
and  Mary  (Newton)  Howe  of  Rumford.  He  long  lived  on  the 
farm  in  the  Chandler  neighborhood,  since  occupied  by  his  son  and 
by  John  Chase.  Afterwards  he  moved  to  the  John  Needham  place, 
previously  the  Nathan  Eames  place.  He  married  a  second  wife. 
Children  : 

i  Eli  Howe,  b.  Jan.  31,  1808,  m.  1st,  Lucy  Fuller,  2d,  Hannah  Jordan, 

ii  Lois,  b,  Oct.  7,  1809,  m.  John  Jordan, 

iii  John,  b.  Sept.  3,  1811,  ra.  May  5,  1836,  Mary  L.  Courier, 

iv  Persis,  b.  Nov.  16,  1813,  m.  April  25,  1837,  Stillmau  Berry, 

v  Amazina,  b.  March  31,  1816,   m.  Dec.  20,  1840,  Charles  Perkins,  d. 

1872. 

vi  Julia,  b.  Dec.  18,  1818,  d.  Feb.  9,  1848. 

vii  Ira,  b.  Jan.  25.  1821,  m.  Virtue  ^Y.  Foster, 

viii  Caroline,  b.  Sept.  25,  1823,  d.  same  day. 

ix  Hannah,  b.  Feb.  27,  1825,  m.  Jacob  Annas,  d-  Nov.  24.  1S04. 


518  HLSrOBY   OF  BETHEL. 

Eli  Howe  Cushman,  son  of  John  and  Parazina  (Howe)  Cush- 
man,  miarriecl  first,  Lucy,  daughter  of  Consider  Fuller  of  Green- 
wood, who  died  July  9,  1834,  and  second,  Hannah,  daughter  of 
Abraham  Jordan  of  Bethel.     Children  : 

By  first  marriage : 

1    Jonathan,  b.  Sept.  4,  1831,  d.  Dec.  16,  1833. 
ii    Lucy  Auu.  b,  March  16,  1833,  d.  Dec.  16,  following. 
iii     Lucy  Auu,  b,  July  1,  18.34. 

By  second  marriage : 
iv    Parazina,  b.  Dec.  4,  1835,  m.  Jacob  A.  Chase. 
V    Julia  Ann,  b.  April  28,  1837,  m.  Moses  Cummings. 
vi    Sarah  Elizabeth,  b.  Jan.  9,  1839,  m.  Ransom  D.  Cummings. 
vii     Harriot  E.,  b.  March  17,  1841,  m.  Hiram  W.  Fifield. 


Thomas  Ccshman,  son  of  John  and  Deborah  (Barrows),  Cush- 
man,  born  February  24,  1783,  married  Rachel  Goud  of  Dresden, 
Me.  He  lived  at  the  foot  of  Blake's  Hill  on  the  Walker's  Mills 
road,  but  moved  to  Greenwood  and  died  there.     Children  : 

i  Charity,  b.  July  23.  1807,  d.  in  infancy, 

ii  Washington,  b.  May  23,  1808,  d.  in  infancy. 
iii/Atholinda.  b.  Xov.  8,  1809,  m.  1st,  Ben).imiii  Ihisscll ;  2d,  Micah  Allen 

ot  Paris, 

iv  Samuel,  b.  Feb.  23,  1812,  m.  Tabitha  Baxter, 

v  Son,  b.  Sept.  30,  1815,  d.  unnamed. 

vi  Xarcissa,  b.  Nov.  27,  1816,  m.  Daniel  P.  Bennett,  of  Greenwood, 

vii  Lovina  Howard,  b.  Oct.  18, 1817,  m.  Augustus  H.  Beers  of  Boston, 

viii  Caroline,  b.  July  27,  1819,  d.  Sept.  30,  182L 

ix  AVilliani  Myrick,  b.  July  11,  1823,  m.  Mary  E.  Hohhs  of  Norway. 

X  Charles  Mason,  b.  Oct.  11,  1825. 

xi  Kendrick.  b.  May31,  1829. 

xii  Caroliue,  b.  Dec.  31,  1832,  d.  Feb,  25,  1839. 


IliA  Cl>;himan,  son  of  John  Cnshman,  married  April  11,  1848, 
Virtue  Willis,  daughter  of  Deacon  Eli  Foster.  He  lived  a  few 
years  on  the  old  homestead  of  his  father  and  then  exchanged 
farms  with  John  Chase  for  the  Needham  farm  near  Walker's  ]Mills. 
Children  : 

i  Eli  Foster,  b.  May  30,  1849,  ui.  Ellen  F.  Swan, 

ii  Isaac  Allertou,  b.  Jan.  7,  1854,  m.  LillicE.  Sw.ui. 

iii  Dorcas  Sophia,  b.  Feb.  4,  1860. 

iv  Virtue  Gertrude,  b.  April  9,  1870. 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  519 

Daluymple. 

Otis  G.  Dalrymple,  son  of  Jacob  Dalrymple,  raarried  Polly 
Stiles  of  Gilead,  in  1825.  He  was  the  son  of  Jacob  and  Sally 
(Grover)  Dalrymple.  Jacob  Dalrymple  died  and  his  widow  mar- 
ried Otis  Grover  and  third,  Samuel  Bryant  of  Woodstock.  Chil- 
dren : 

i  Gardiner  AV.,  b.  Jan.  19,  1827.  ii  Eliphalet,  b.  Feb.  13,  1829.  iii  Le- 
ander  N.,  b.  June  24,  1831. 

Drake. 

Spencer  Drake  married  Abigail .     He  was  of  Buckfield. 

He  lived  in  what  is  now  Hanover  and  was  at  one  time  a  selectman 
of  the  town.     Children  : 

1    Abigail  Keith,  b.  Nov.  11,  1828.     ii    Betsey  K.,  b.  July  10,  1831. 

Dunham. 

Rev.  Benjamin  Dunham  married  Catherine  Brett  of  Paris.  He 
lived  at  Middle  Interval,  moved  to  the  eastern  part  of  the  State  and 
died  there.     Children  : 

i     Pauline,  b.  April  20,  18.39. 
ii    George  Edwin,  b.  Sept,  1,  1840. 
iii    JosephE.,  b.  July  9,  1842. 

Charles  Dunham,  sonof  Percival  and  Tabitha  (Briggs)  Dunham 
of  Hartford,  born  February  25,  1842,  married  first,  Sept.  25,  1867, 
Sarah  G.  Welch  of  Madison,  who  died  July  21,  1875,  and  he  mar- 
ried second, ,   Mary  A.,  daughter  of   Nathan    G.  Mills    of 

Mason.    He  now  resides  at  West  Bethel  and  is  a  farmer,     ('hildren  : 

i     Clara  Eudora,  b.  .Juue  24,  1868. 
ii    Charlie  America,  b.  May  15,  1879. 
iii    Ada  Isadore,  b.  May  28,  1885. 

Dunn. 

Daniel  Dunn,  horn  in  Poland,  moved  into  Bethel  from  Paris 
and  lived  and  died  on  Bird  Hill.     Children  : 

i  Elias,  b. ,  ni. .     He  lived  in  Paris. 

ii  Lucy,  h. ,  ni.  Captain  Samuel  Bird. 

iii  Abigail,  b.  ,  m.  Euther  Washburue. 

iv  Hanuah,  b. ,  m.  Seth  Swift. 

V  Daniel  Jr.,  b. ,  m.  iu  1840,  Vesta  Heath  of  Sumner.     He  lived 

on  liis  father's  farm  on  Bird  Hill,  and  he  aud  his  wife  died  there, 

vi  Catherine,  b. ,  m.  in  1841,  Sylvanus  Cole  of  Portei'. 


520  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

DUSTOX. 

Jesse  Duston,  (sometimes  written  Dustin  and  Dustan)  house- 
carpenter,  from  Methueti,  moved  to  Fryebnrg,  and  thence  came  to 
Bethel  and  settled  in  what  is  now  Hanover.  He  married  P>lizabeth, 
daughter  of  James  Swan.  The  old  gambrel-roofed  house,  built  by 
him,  was  standing  a  few  years  ago,  occupied  by  Bela  Williams. 
Mr.  Duston  was  here  at  tlie  time  of  the  Indian  raid  in  1781.  The 
children  are  not  named  in  the  order  of  birth.     Children  : 

i    James,  b. ,  m.  1791,  Sarah  McAllister;  he  moved  to  Ohio. 

ii     Poll}  ,  b. ,  m.  1788,  William  Meserve  at  Fryeburg. 

iii    Peregrine,  b. .  He  was  tlie  first  white  child  boru  in  Bethel.  He 

was  a  Methodist  preacher  and  died  quite  young, 
iv    Ezekiel,  b. ,  m.  Ruth  York. 

V  Jesse,  b. ,  m.  Laviuia  Howard. 

vi    Joseph,  b. ,  m.  Martha  Duuniug  r)f  Brunswick,  and  died  there. 

vii  ■'Betsey,  b.*^-^.™^  m.  Chandler  Russell. 
viii     Susan,  b.  .     She  died  of  old  age  in  Bethel,  unmarried. 

P^zEKiEL  DusToN  married  Ruth,  daughter  of  Colonel  John  York. 
He  died  January  2,  l''^14,  and  his  widow  became  the  wife  of  Timo- 
thy Capen.     Children : 

i    Lois,  b.  Nov.  12,  1793,  m.  Phineas  Howard. 

ii    John  York,  b.  March  12,  1798,  m.  Delinda  Howard,  moved  to  Berlin, 

N.  IT. 
iii    Peregrine,  b.  Dec.  1,  1800,  m.  1st,  Sarah  Ryder;  2d,  Hannah  Everett. 

lie  lived  in  Mason, 
iv    Chandler  R.,  b.  Aug.  6,  1803,  m.  Charlotte  Bean. 

V  Hannah  A.,  b.  June  28,  180.5,  m.  Joseph  Stearns, 
vi    Thomas  J.,  b.  July  28,  1807,  d.  young. 

vii    Leander  Gage,  b.  June  8,  1809.  m.  Sarah  Emmons  of  Boston, 
viii    Ezekiel,  b.  Sept.  7,  1813,  m.  Nancy  Kilgore  of  Waterford.     He  was 
killed  by  a  falling  tree  March  21,  1844. 

Jesse  Duston,  Jk.,  married  Lovina,  daughter  of  Phineas  How- 
ard of  Howard's  C4ore,  now  Hanover.  He  was  a  blacksmith  and 
settled  in  Rumford.  He  once  ow^ned  the  land  on  which  the  village 
of  Rumford  Point  now  stands.  He  subsequently  moved  to  Bruns- 
wick, then  to  Bath  where  he  died.     Children  : 

i     William  P.,  b. ,  m.  1st,  Eleanor  Stanwood;  2d,  Fanny  Leach. 

He  was  a  carriage  manufacturer  in  Portland. 

ii    Lovina  A.,]   m.  John  S.  Bisbee,  r.  Brunswick. 

>  twins, 
iii    Eliza,           J   m.  Dr.  Eli  Edgecomb  of  Lcwiston. 
iv    Jesse  H.  b. ,  d.  unmarried,  aged  21. 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  521 

John  York  Duston,  son  of  Ezekiel  Duston,  married  Delinda, 
daughter  of  Phiueas  Howard.  He  lived  many  years  on  Swan's  Hill^ 
and  then  moved  to  Berlin,  N.  H.     Children.: 

i  Barrett  H.,  b.  Xov.  16,  1819,  d.  Jau.  30,  1820. 

ii  Phebe  Frost,  b.  Aug,  15,  1821. 

iii  Olive  Bean,  b.  May  15,  1824. 

iv  True  P.,  b.  Ho\yard"s  Gore,  Aug.  11,  1826,  m.  Esther  C.  Swan. 

V  John  Lyman,  b.  July  2,  1829,  m.  Sarah  Swan. 

vi  Lovina  Howard,  b.  Waterford,  June  13,  1832,  m.  Israel  G.  Kimball, 

vii  Joseph  Hale,  b.  Dec.  2,  1836,  d.  Feb.  22,  1838. 

viii  Joseph  Hale,  b.  March  12,  1838. 

ix  George  A.,  b.  July  11,  1843. 

Perkgrine  Duston,  son  of  Ezekiel  Duston,  married  first,  Sarah 
Ryder  who  died  Aug.  3,  18yi»,  and  he  married  second,  Hannah 
Everett.  He  lived  a  few  years  in  Howard's  Gore  and  then  moved 
to  Mason.  He  is  the  one  spoken  of  on  page  449  who  is  there  erro- 
neousl}^  called  the  son  of  Jesse.     Children  : 

i  John,  1).  July  28,  1825.  ii  Elizabeth  Ann,  b.  Dec.  22;  1827.  iii  Ezra 
L.,  b.  July  2,  1830.  iv  Alvarus,  b.  March  30,  1833.  v  Ellas  Mellen 
Carter,  b.  Feb.  25,  1835.     vi    Olive  B.,  b.  Jau.  5,  18.38. 

Chandler  Russell  Duston,  son  of  Ezekiel  Duston,  married 
Charlotte  Bean.  He  lived  in  Bethel  a  few  years,  then  deserted  his 
family  and  went  to  Pennsylvania.  He  was  killed  by  a  falling  tree 
January  15,  1872.     Children: 

1    Sarah,  b. -. 

ii    Zilpha,  b. ,  m.  William  Kilburu  Yates,  2d,  Solomon  Heywood, 

Milan,  jST.  H. 

iii    Lyman,  b. . 

iv    John  S.,  b. . 

V  Albina,  b. . 

vi    Peter  B.,  b. .    He  was  drowned    in  the  Androscoggin   river 

while  running  logs, 
vii    Sarah  Jane,  b. . 

Eames. 

Ebenezer  Eames,  son  of  Samuel  P'ames  of  Needham,  Mass., 
and  Dublin,  N.  H.,  came  here  from  Dublin,  N.  H.  He  was  brother 
of  James  who  settled  in  Newry.  By  wife  Elizabeth  he  had  :  Chil- 
dren : 

i    Eunice,  b.  July  9,  1780. 

ii    Polly,  b.  Aug.  1,  1782,  m.  John  Swan. 


522  HISTOEY   OF  BETHEL. 

iii  Patty,  b.  Juue  30,  1784. 

iv  Nelly,  b.  Aug.  15,  1786,  m.  John  Copelaud. 

V  Nancy,  b.  Oct.  3,  1788,  m.  John  Copelaud. 
vi  Julia,  b.  Oct.  1,  1790,  m.  Abel  Hibbard. 

vii    Ebeuezer,  b.  Oct.  29,  1792,  m.  Hepsibah  Kimball, 
viii  ^Nathan,  b.  April  30,  1797,  m.  Mary  Abbott. 

ix    Luther,  1). ,  m.  Abigail  P.  Bussell. 

X    Sally,  b. ,  m.  Abner  Brown. 

James  Eames,  brother  of  Ebenezer  Eanies,  married  Ruth  Field 
and  settled  in  Newry.     Children  : 

i    John,  b.  March  26,  1785. 
ii    Persis,  b.  May  29,  1786,  m.  James  Swan  3d. 
iii  '^ James,  b.  Feb.  9,  1789,  m.  Mary  Russell, 
iv    Ruth,  b.  March  4,  1793,  m.  John  Paine. 

V  Samuel,  b.  Apr.  23,  1795,  m.  Anna  Foster, 
vi    Patty  b.  ,  m.  Capt.  Jose  Barker. 

vii    Columbus,  b. ,  d.  unmarried. 

viii    Maria,  July  23,  1799,  m.  Reubeu  T.  Sargent. 
ix    Alexander,  b.  jNIarch  16,  1802.  m.  Miranda  Ilowe. 

Ebenezer  Eames  Jr.,  married  Hepsihah,  daughter  of  Israel  Kim- 
ball. He  lived  on  the  north  side  of  the  river  opposite  Middle  In- 
terval. He  was  an  influential  man,  often  holding  the  highest  town 
oflices  and  was  reprr  rntiiiivi'  to  tlie  Legislature.  He  died  Nov.  19, 
1870,  and  his  widow  died  March  ;^i,  LSTiJ.     Children: 

i  Sophronia,  h.  May  3,  1823,  m.  Albion  P.  Chapman. 

ii  Augustus  AV.,  b.  Nov.  26,  1824,  d.  in  California,  July  31,  1853. 

iii  Ebenezer,  b.  Dec.  3,  1826,  d.  Dec.  6,  1827. 

iv  Paulina  Kimball,  b.  Sept.  13,  1835,  d.  young. 

V  Paulina  Ella,  b.  April  13,  1840,  m.  John  M.  Philbrook. 

Nathan  Eames,  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Jonathan  Abbot. 
He  lived  near  "Walker's  Mills,  and  died  June  8,  1838.     Children  : 

i  Curtis  Cooledge,  b.  Feb.,  1826,  s.  Tennessee, 

ii  Daniel,  b.  Juue  10,  1827,  m.  Amanda  P.  Grover. 

iii  Elizabeth,  b.  Sept.  24,  1828,  m.  Albert  Grover;  was  killed  by  light- 
ning in  ^Minnesota, 

iv  Eleanor,  b.  June  8,  18.30,  m.  Edgar  Stacy,  r.  ^linnesota. 

V  Mary  A.,  b.  Aug.  3,  1832,  m.  J.  Bradlej-  Locke,  r.  ^linnesota. 
vi  Martha  M.,  Aug.  3,  1832,  m.  Dauiel  B.  Gi'over,  d.  in  Bethel, 
vii  Nancy,  b.  March  27, 1834,  m.  Joshua  Ballard. 

viii    Nathan,  b.  April  20,  1836,  s.  California. 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  523 

^Luther  Eames,  brother  of  the  preceding,  married  "Abigail 
Pierce,  daughter  of  'William  Russell  of  Fryeburg.  He  lived  in  the 
north  part  of  the  town  in  the  Locke  neighborhood  and  died  Dec.  5, 
1883.     His  widow  died  April  6,  1888.     Cliildren  : 

i  -Albert  C,  b.  Sept.  30,  1825,  died  in  California,  April  2,  1860. 
ii  .Lucy  Russell,  b.  Feb.  19,  1827,  d.  Jan.  2.3,  1849. 
iii     William  Russell,  b.  Sept.  9,  1832,  m.  Elizabeth  C.  Barker. 

William  Russell  P^ames,  sou  of  Luther  Eames,  is  an  intelligent 
farmer  and  lives  on  the  homestead  of  his  father.  He  has  served 
several  years  on  the  board  of  selectmen.  He  married,  May  1,  1863, 
Elizabeth  Clarissa,  daughter  of  Willard  and  Sarah  (Witham) 
Barker  of  Newry.     Children  : 

i  Mary  Russell,  b.  Feb.  28,  1864.  ii  Ella  Blanche,  b.  Aug.  6,  1866.  iii 
Albert  Cooledge,  b.  Aug.  1.5,  1871.     iv    Ethel  Elizabeth,  b.  Sept.  25,  1879. 

Edwards. 

Clark  S.  Edwards,  (see  page  367),  married,  Dec.  o,  1849, 
Maria  A.,  daughter  of  Ayers  Mason,  who  died  March  6,  1885. 
Children  : 

i    Charles  F.,  b.  May  21,  1851,  d.  June  25,  1884. 

ii    Ellen  M.,  b.  January  27,  1853,  m.  June  17,  1875,  James  S.  Phipps, 

Milan,  N.  H. 
iii     AValdo  W.,  b.  Oct.  14,  1854,  m.  April  11,  1882,  Rose  Myers. 
Iv    Ayers  Mason,  b.  Jan.  12,  1857,  m.  Aug.  12,  1885,  Lulie  Simmer.     He 

graduated  at  Bowdoin  College  and  is  a  distinguished  educator. 
v    Herbert  A.,  b.  April  17,  1860,  m.  Jan.  1,  1887,  Lillian  Brackett. 
vi    Fred  L.,  b.  Oct.  12,  1865,  m.  June  28,  1890,  Susie  Frost, 
vii    Delmer  E.,  b.  Jan.  6,  1868. 

Ellingwood. 

JoHX  Ellingwood,   born   in  Amherst,   Mass.,   Sept.    19,   1765, 
married  Zerviah  Abbot  who  was  born  in  Andover,  Mass.,  March  19, 
1768.     He  came  quite  early  to  Bethel  and  was  a  shoemaker.     Chil- 
dren : 
i    Sarah  Stevens,  b.  Hancock,  Sept.  22,  1790,  ni.  Samuel  Libby,  r.  N"ew- 

ry. 
ii     Anna,  b.  Mai-ch  12,  1792. 

iii    Jacob,  b.  Feb.  23,  1794,  m.  Adeline  Twitchell. 
iv    Joseph, 


twins,  b.  July  3,  1797,  d.  same  day. 
V     Benjamin, 

vi    John,  b.  June  12,  1798,  m.  Rachel  Barrows  of  Paris,  d.  1835. 


524  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

vii    Dauiel  Gould,  b.  Auac.  23,  1800,  ni.  Catherine  Brown, 
viii    Ebenezer,  b.  Oct-  20,  1804,  m.  Sarah  Chickering. 
ix     George  V.,  b.  Dec.  10,  ISOfj,  m.  Esther  Swan. 

Jacob  Ellingwood,  son  of  the  preceding,  married  Adeline,, 
daughter  of  Eleazer  Twitehell.  He  died  March  1,  1826,  and  she 
married  Stephen  Abbot  and  moved  to  Milan,  N.  H.     Children  : 

i  Hiram,  b.  Dec.  28,  1816. 

ii  Cynthia  T.,  b.  March  8,  1819, "d.  1823. 

iii  Cynthia  T.,  b.  Aug.  23,  1823. 

iv  Jacob,  b.  1S26. 

John  Ellingwood  Jr.,  brother  of  the  preceding,  married  Rachel 
Barrows  of  Paris.     Children  : 

i    HeBter  A.,  b. ,  1820.     ii   Isaac,  b., ,  1822.     iii  Wesley,  b. 

,  1824.     iv  Jacob,  b. .  182(;.     v  Asa  F.,  b.  ,  1S2S.     vi 

Oscar  P.,  b.  ,  1831. 

Ebenezek  Ellingwood  married  Sally  Chickering.     Children  : 
i  Henry  Osgood,  b.  June  8,  1832.     ii  Sarah  Frances,  b.  June  25,  1834.. 
iii  Gaiten  B.,  b.  Dec.  21,  1830.     iv   Zerviah  A.,  b.  Feb.  41,  1839. 

Geouge  \ .  Ellixgw'OOd  married  1807,  Esther,  daughter  of 

Swan,  and  second,  Mary  W.  Sanders  of  Hanover.     Children: 
i    Esther  Swan,  b.  Aug.  12,  1829,  m.  Edwin  S.  Brown, 
ii    George  Fuller,  b.  Oct.  9,  1831,  m.  Jane  Bradbury, 
iii    Fernando,  b.  Oct.  26,  183.5.  ni.  Ellen  Corson. 

By  second  wife :  . 
iv    Orin  W.,  b.  Jan.  3,  1847.  ni.  Jan.  1,  Nellie  R.,  daughter  of  Asa  S. 

Howard ;  no  issue. 
V    Mary  O.,  b.  Feb.  13,  1848,  m.  Timotliy  C.  Bryant, 
vi    Addison  S.,  b.  :May  5,  1849,  m.  Ada  G.  McWain. 
vii    Sarah  R.,  b.  June  29,  18.50,  m.  Ezekiel  Maguire. 
viii    Nancy,  b.  Aug.  31,  1851,  d.  Sept.  20,  1869. 
ix     Sylvia,  b.  Jan.  9,  1854,  m.  Nevill  G.  Howard. 
X    Melving.  b.  Dec.  7,  18.59,  ni.  Setli  Cole. 

Hiram  Ellingwood,  sou  of  Jacob  Ellingwood,  married  Lucy 
Ann,  daughter  of  Timothy  Capen.  He  at  one  time  kept  a  hotel  at 
the  Hill.  He  moved  to  JNIilan,  N.  H.,  where  they  had  other  chil- 
dren.    Children  : 

i  Son,  b.  Sept.  20,  1836,  d.  Sept.  26  following,  ii  Frances  Adeline,  b. 
Sept.  9,  1837.  iii  Ellen  E.,  b.  Nov.  2,  1839.  iv  Hiram  Edgar,  b.  Feb. 
28,  1842. 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  525 

PASTES. 

The  Pastes  family  of  Bethel,  are  descended  from  Mathew,  son  of 
Robert  and  Dorothy  Estes  of  Dover,  England,  born  March  28, 
1615.  He  came  to  Dover,  N.  H.,  where  he  married  Philadelphia, 
daughter  of  Ronald  Jenkins.     They  were  of  the  society  of  Friends. 

Daniel  Estes,  who  with  wife  Mary  came  to  Bethel  late  in  life, 
was  probably  the  great  grandson  of  Mathew.  He  was  of  Berwick 
and  subsequently  of  Shapleigh,  and  about  the  year  1795,  he  came 
to  Bethel  with  his  sons,  Benjamin,  Stephen,  John  and  Richard. 
Still  another  son  went  to  New  Brunswick  and  remained  there.  His 
daughter  Anna  married  Stephen  Hodsdon  of  Rumford. 

Stephen  Estes,  son  of  Daniel  Pastes,  married  Relief,  daughter  of 
Enoch  Bartlett.     He  lived  in  Bethel  and  subsequently  on  Howard's 
Gore.    He  was  largely  engaged  in  farming,  lumbering  and  in  trade. 
He  left  home  to  purchase  goods  in  New  York  and  never  returned, 
and  his  disappearance  was  ever  a  mystery  to  his  family  and  friends. 
His  wife    subsequently    married   Abner  Foster   of  Freedom,    Me. 
Children  : 
i    Enoch,  b  June  2,  1791,  ni.  Betsey  Estes. 
ii    Betsey,  b.  Dec.  2**,  1792,  m.  William  Andrews, 
ill    John,  b.  Feb.  2,  1795,  m.  Sarah  Andrews. 

iv    Edmoud,  h.  Sept.  22,  1797,  m.  Miss  Catlierine  Masters.     He  Uved  in 
Cambridge  and  Cohasset,  INIass.,  and  died  in  1874. 

V  James,  b.  Jan.  2,  1800,  ni.  1st  Eliza  Andrews;  2d,  Mary  Vork. 
vi     Anna,  1). ,  m.  Amos  Barker  of  Newry. 

vii    Joseph,  b.  March  8,  1804,  ni.  Rebecca  Jocelyu ;  he  died  in  Bethel, 
Sept.  19,  1836.     Joseph  J.  Estes  of  Rockland,  Mass.,  was  his  sou. 

viii    Relief,  b. ,  m.  Thnothy  Ayer,  d.  1861. 

ix     Elvira,  b. ,  m.  Samuel  Holt. 

Benjamin  Estes,  sou  of  Daniel  Estes,  married  Dolly  Roberts  of 
Berwick.  His  death  is  said  to  have  been  caused  by  his  being 
thrown  from  a  carriage  in  the  pine  woods  above  Rumford  Corner. 
Children  : 

i    Ebeuezer,  b.  in  Berwick,  Dec.  26,  1792,  m.  Mary  Farewell, 
ii    Betsey,  b.  April  23,  1794,  ui.  Enoch  Estes. 
iii    Isaac,  b.  Sept.  25,  1795,  m.  Rebecca  Moody. 

iv    Stephen,   b.  Sept.   2,  1797,   m.  1st,  Nancy  Packard;  2d,  widow  of 
Stephen  Packard. 

V  Hannah,  b.  Dec.  21,  1798,  m.  Hezekiali  Moodv. 


526  HISTORY   OF   BETHEL. 

vi    Eunice,  b.  Oct.  4,  1800,  iii.  David  Eiclier,  Jr.  of  Woodstock;  d.  soou 

after, 
vii    Susannah,  b.  April  24,  1808,  ni.  Zenas  Carj'  of  Paris, 
viii     Benjamin,  b.  July  2,  1807,  m.  Mary  ('.  Bean, 
ix    Sarah,  b.  June  1,  1810,  m.  Samuel  J.  Howard. 

John  Estes,  son  of  Daniel  Estes,  married  firstly,  Elsie  Hardison 
and  secondly,  widow  Polly  Beatty.  He  lived  in  Newry  and  Bethel 
and  died  in  the  latter  town  from  the  effects  of  cancer.     Children  : 

i  George,  b. ,  m.  Zerbiah .     He  settled  iu  Massachusetts. 

ii  Anna,  b. ,  m. . 

iii  Mary,  b. ,  m.  William  Farewell. 

iv  Ruth,  b. ,  m.  Asa  Holt  of  Albany. 

V  Betsy,  b. ,  m.  Walter  Maim ;  r.  Machias. 

vi  Joan,  b., ,  m.  John  Swift  of  Paris. 

vii     p]leauor,  b.  — ,  ni.  William  Strout. 

RiCHAKD  Estes,  son  of  Daniel,  married  Betsey,  daughter  of 
Enoch  Bartlett.  He  lived  on  the  south  side  of  the  river  near  Rum- 
ford  line.     Children : 

i  Joel,  b.  Oct.  8,  1793. 

ii  Peter,  b.  March  18,  179.5,  m.  Theodocia  Hodsdou. 

iii  Eli,  b.  May  11,  1797,  m.  Clarissa  Kimball. 

iv  Molly,  b.  Nov.  21,  1799,  m. 

V  Daniel,  b.  Dec.  27,  1801,  m.  Polly  Si'gar. 
vi  Dolly,  b.  Oct.  15,  1805,  m.  Nathan  Hall. 

vii  Alva,  b.  March  19.  1808,  m.  Charlotte  Andrews, 

viii  Joel,  b.  July  28,  1810. 

ix  Infant,  b.  Aug.  26,  1814,  d.  Sept.  21,  following. 

X  Nathan  C..  b.  March  31,  1818. 

Ph'.ENEZER  Estes,  married  Mary  Farewell.     He  deserted  his  fam- 
ily, went  to  New  Brunswick  and  is  said  to  have  married  and  reared 
a  family  there.     Child  : 
i    Ebenezer,  1).  Jan.  2(),  1820. 

Stephen  Estes,  son  of  Benjamin  Estes,  married  Nanc}',  daugh- 
ter of  Daniel  Packard  of  Buckfield,  who  died  Oct.  29,  1863.  He 
then  married  Eleanor,  widow  of  Stephen  Packard.  He  died  August 
29,  187-1.     Children: 

i     Louisa,  b.  l\b.  28,  1820,  d.  July  25,  1825. 

ii     Stephen,  b.  Jan.  23, 1821,  m.  Ploma  Adams;  he  went  West  and  died 

there, 
iii    Eunice,  b.  Aug.  21,  1822,  m.  1st,  Elijah E.  Hanson;  2d,  John  M.  Gal- 
lison. 


HISrOBY   OF  BETHEL.  527 

iv     Abigail  B.,  b.  Jan.  5,  1824,  m.  Rufus  K.  Duuhani. 

V  Albert,  b.  Sept.  24,  1825,  m.  1st,  Charlotte  Goodrich  of  Naples  who 

died,  and  he  married  Mary  Peters  and  went  West. 
vi     Sullivau  A.,  b.  May  7,  1827,  m.  Mary  E.  Dunham, 
vii    Horace  S.,  b.  Dec.  28,  1828.     He  was  a  sailor.     He  returned,  mar- 
ried and  died  at  Bryant's  Pond, 
viii    Louisa,  b,  July  13,  1827,  d.  unmarried,  Sept.  25,  1852. 
is    Polly,  b.,  Xov.  27,  1831,  m.  Ansel  Moody. 
X    Ebenezer,  b. — .  He  went  to  Massachusetts  and  m.  Ellen  Adams. 

Benjamin  Estes,  son  of  Benjamin  Estes,  married  Mary,  daugh- 
ter of  Joshua  Beau.'  He  lived  on  the  river  road  below  Beau's  Cor- 
ner and  near  Rumford.     Children  : 

i  O'Neil  Jewett,  b.  Jan.  3,  1836. 

ii  Masell  Ann,  b.  April  28,  1837. 

iii  Arabell,  b.  June  22,  1839. 

iv  Joshua  B.,  b.  July  9,  1843. 

Enoch  Estes,  sou  of  Stephen,  married  Betsey,  daughter  of  Ben- 
jamin Estes.  He  lived  in  the  east  part  of  the  town,  on  the  Rum- 
ford  and  Paris  road.     Children  : 

i  Jedediah,  b.  April  1,  1815,  m.  Mary  .Jane  Bryant, 

ii  Moses,  b.  April  25,  1817. 

iii  Alfred,  b.  April  6,  1818,  m.  Abigail  (Packard)  Cole, 

iv  Eliza  Ann,  b.  April  26,  1820. 

V  Alice,  b.  July  6,  1825. 

vi  Samuel  Sanford,  b.  Aug.  30,  1828. 

vii  Charles  Shapleigh,  b.  Nov  8,  1830. 

vili  Eunice,  b.  Jan.  21,  1833. 

ix  Dolly,  b.  Nov.  3,  1835. 

X  Hannah,  b.  Oct.  26,  1838. 

John  Estes,  sou  of  Stephen  Estes,  married  Sarah,  daughter  of 
Jeremiah  Andrews.     Children  : 

i    Hiram  Cushnian  (D.  D.)  b.  July  27,  1823,  m.  Sophia  B.  Foster, 
ii    Huldah  Andrews,  b.  Dec.  20,  1825,  d.  Sept.  11,  1829. 
iii    James  Henry,  b.  Dec.  7,  1827,  m.  1st,  Ann  Stevens;  2d,  widow  Re- 
becca Reed,  daughter  of  Daniel  Estes. 
iv     Charles  Francis,  b.  Aug.  12, 1831,  d.  in  Cloverdale,  California,  Oct.  15, 
1856. 

James  Estes,  son  of  Stephen  Estes,  married  first  Eliza,  daughter 
of  Jeremiah  Andrews,  and  second,  Mary,  daughter  of  Job  York. 
Children  : 

i    James  Lyman,  b.  January  14,  1829,  m.  Lydania  S.  Swan, 
ii    Huldah,  b.  Feb.  9,  1831,  d.  unmarried. 


r,28  HIS  TO  BY  OF  BETHEL. 

Peter  Pastes,  son  of  Richard  Estes,  married  Ttieodocia,  daughter 
of  Stephen  Hodsdon.  He  lived  on  the  homestead  of  his  father. 
Children  : 

i  Infant,  b.  May  2d,  1816,  d.  aged  14  days. 

ii  Infant,  b.  Aug.  9,  1817,  d.  same  day. 

iii  Richard,  b.  March  24,  1823,  m.  Laura  Ann  Faruum. 

iv  Nancy  Ann,  b.  July  15,  1826. 

Eli  Estes,  son  of  Richard  Estes,  married  Clarissa,  daughter  of 
Jacob  and  Emma  (Stone)  Kimball.  He  lived  on  the  Bird  Hill,  so 
called,  and  died  from  the  effects  of  a  cancer.  His  widow  married 
John  Howe  of  Rumford.     Children  : 

i    Sumner,  b.  June  11,  1827,  m.  Sarah  M.  Holt.     He  engaged  in  the  min- 
istry for  several  years,  but  is  now  in  the  drug  business  in  Sauford. 
ii    Mary  Ann,  b.  July  23,  1829,  m.  Josiah  K.  Elliot,  d.  in  Eumford. 
ii    Augustus,  b.  March  24,  1834,  m.  Julia  M.  Holt, 
iv    Hannibal  K.,  b.  Dec.  14,  1836,  d.  unmai-ried. 

V  Nathaniel  S.,  b.  May  14,  1839. 

Daniel  Estes,  son  of  Richard  Estes,  married  Polly  or  Mary, 
daughter  of  Nathaniel  Segar.  He  lived  in  the  Kimball  neighbor- 
hood.    Children  : 

i  Submit,  b.  Dec.  17,  1826.  ii  Rebecca  U.,  b.  Dec.  5,  1829,  m.  1st,  Mr. 
Reed;  2d,  James  H.  Estes.  iii  Lucinda  R.,  b.  July  24,  1836.  iv  Cynthia 
C,  b.  :Marcli  20,  1838. 

Slllivan  A.  Estes,  son  of  Stephen  Estes,  married  May  13,  1849, 
Mary  Ransom,  daughter  of  Rev.  Ransom  Dunham  of  Woodstock. 
He  lives  on  the  Moses  S.  Kimball  farm.     Children  : 

i     Helen  A.  W.,  b.  Jan.  8,  18.51,  m.  Albert  A.  Tiull,  d.  July  4,  1868. 
ii     Henry  M.,  b.  May  13,  1860,  m,  Lalia  D.  Coh^ 
iii     Hiram  A.,  b.  June  27,  1864,  m.  Nov.  21,  1885,  Emma  R.  Swan. 

William  Estes,  of  another  family,  married  Sally,  daughter  of 
Reuben  Bartlett.  He  came  from  Berwick  and  at  one  time  kept 
tavern  on  Bethel  Hill.     He  died  in  Albany.     Children  : 

i  T^ouisa,  b.  June  18,  1811. 

ii  Catherine,  b.  July  19,  1814,  m.  Philip  Horr  of  Waterford. 

iii  Mary  Jane,  b.  May  12,  1819. 

iv  Amanda,  h. ,  m. Rand. 

V  Phebe,  b. ,  m. Rand. 


HISTOBY   OF  BETHEL.  5-23 

Ethkidgk. 

Nathan  W.  Ethridge  married  Abiah,  daughter  of  Job  York.  He 
lived  at  the  lower  part  of  the  town  a  few  years,  and  then  moved  to 
Bethel  Hill.     Of  his  children  only  one  is  on  record. 

i    Ethan  W.,  b.  Dec.  -25,  1843. 

Farewell. 

Absalom  Farewell,  an  English  sailor  and  soldier,  settled  first  at 
Marblehead,  and  lived  at  various  other  places.  He  was  a  soldier  in 
the  war  for  independence,  and  some  years  after  it  was  over,  he 
came  to  Maine.     Children  : 

i  William,  b.  1788,  m.  Mary  Estes. 

11  Hauuah,  b.  1791,  m.  Beujamiu  Annas, 

ill  Melvin,  b.  March  17,  1793,  m.  Mercy  Wilson, 

iv  Molly,  b.  March  17,  1795,  m.  Ebenezer  Estes. 

V  Samuel,  b.  Feb.  5,  1797,  m.  Fannj'  Swift, 

vi  Susan,  b.  April  17,  1802,  d.  unmarried. 

vii  Eichard,  b.  April  17,  1802.     He  was  married  and  lived  in  Xew  Hamp- 
shire, 

viii  Kobert  Foster,  b.  Aug.  20,  1804,  m.  Polly  L.  Burbank. 

William  Farewell,  son  of  the  preceding,  married  Mary,  daugh- 
ter of  John  E^es  of  Newry  and  Bethel.     Children  : 

i  John  Estes,  b. ,  m.  Betsey  Howe  of  Waterford. 

ii  Barbour  B..  b. ,  m.  Sarah  Brown, 

iii  George  Estes,  b. . 

iv  Richard  Estes,  b. . 

V  Sarah,  b. . 

vi    Elsie  1). ,  m.  John  Rowe. 

vii    Elizabeth,  b. ,  was  not  married. 

Robert  Foster  Farewell  married  Polly  L.  Burbank  wlio  died 
March  13,  1852.  He  died  May  15,  1871,  aged  67.  He  was  a 
farmer.     Children : 

i    Polly  Amanda,  1).  June  29,  1836,  m.  June  14,  1872,  John  Wesley  Ken- 
dall, 
ii    Louisa  M.  G.,  b.  Jan.  22,  1838,  m.  March  23,    1855,  William   Cutter 

Witham,  d.  July  12,  1879. 
iii    Robert  Eli,  b  June  14,  1840,  m.  Mary  Frances  Bisbee. 
iv    Albert  Foster,  b.  March  26,  1843,  m.  May  14,  1869,  Anna  Maiia  Mills. 

V  Lucinda  Ellis,  b.  Oct.  29,  1845,  d.  Sept.  14,  1859. 

vi    Augustus   Cullen,  b.   April  19,    1848,  m.  Dec.   25,  1877,   Ella  Poor, 

34 


530  HISTORY    OF  BETHEL. 

dauglitei-  of  Josepli  Knight  of  Paris.   He  is  a  coufectiouer  at  Bethel 
Hill. 

Thoy  have : 

1  Alice  Margaret,  b.  Sept.  16,  1880. 

2  Louise  Maj'^,  b.  Jan.  25,  1887. 

3  Robert  Foster,  b.  Sept.  10,  1889. 
vii    ElleryEdson,  b.  June  19,  18o0,  d.  April  23,  1851. 

Samuel  Farewell  married  Fanny  Swift  of  Weathersfield,  Ver- 
mont.    Children  : 

i  William  Swift,  b.  Nov.  19,  1823.  ii  Absalom,  b.  Jan.  5,  1831,  m.  Diaua 
Oliver  of  Oxford,  iii  Frances  Caroline,  b.  Feb.  11,  1<*33.  iv  Antoinette 
M.,  b.  May  4,  1836.  v  David  Sanborn,  b.  Sept.  7,  1837.  vi  Samuel  Law- 
son,  b.  Oct.  14,  1840. 

John  Este?  Farewell,  son  of  William  and  Mary  (Estes)  Fare- 
well, lived  for  a  time  in  the  Chandler  neighborhood,  and  then  moved 
to  a  farm  on  the  Bethel  Hill  and  Locke's  Mills  road.  He  now  lives 
at  South  Bethel.  He  married  June  7,  1838,  Betsey  Howe  of 
Waterford  who  died  May  8,  1882.  He  then  married  Althea  Robert- 
sou.     Children  : 

i  John  Henry,  b.  Sept.  1,  1839,  d.  next  day. 

ii  Edwin  (lark,  b.  Nov.  17, 1840,  m.  Nov.  10,  1868,  Betsy  Hale, 

iii  Rowena  Malvina,  b.  Aug.  12,  1842,   m.  April  7,  1866,  Jonas  W.  Swan, 

and  resides  at  Norway  village, 

iv  Emily  Rosette,  b.  July  16,  1845,  d.  Aug.  3,  1865. 

V  (  harles  Calvin,  b.  Aug.  12,  1847,  m.  Abbie  W.  Andrews, 

vi  IJosilla  ^Icliiida,  b.  January  26.  18.53.  m.  Nathan  Beau. 

vii  Hariict  Eii/.al)eth,  1).  Oct.  3,  1S56. 

Charles  Calvin  Farewell,  son  of  John  E.  Farewell,  is  section 
foreman  at  Bethel  Hill.  He  married,  May  7,  1871,  Abby  Wiley, 
daughter  of  Benjamin  W.  Andrews  of  Lovell,  Me.     Children  : 

i    Fred  Irvin.  b.  Jan.  4.  1S75.  ,  ii    Henry  Merton,  b.  Oct.  11,  1876. 

Barbour  B.  Farewell,  liorn  Nov.  13,  1820,  married  Sarah 
Brown  who  was  born  Dec.  19,  1828.  He  lived  near  Middle  Inter- 
val. On  New  Year's  day,  1882,  while  going  into  the  woods,  he  was 
found  dead  in  his  sleigh.  He  had  long  suffered  from  heart  disease. 
Children  : 

i  William  Lewis,  b.  May  12,  1852.  ii  Josiah  O'Neil,  b.  January  5,  1854, 
iii  Mary  Ella,  b.  March  19,  1855.  iv  Porter,  b.  April  4,  1857.  v  Henry, 
b.  March  17,  1860.  vi  Mebitable,  b.  Nov.  25,  1861.  vii  Wallace,  b.  Feb. 
17,  1863.     viii  Mersylvia,  b.  Aug.  3.  1865. 


HISTORY    OF  BETHEL.  531 

Charles  W.  Farewell  married  Harriet  Twitchell.     Children  : 
i  Sereuo  P.,  b.  Feb.  1,  1835.  ii    Lyman  Dwight,  b.  July  27,  1830. 

Darius  Adams  Farewell,  farmer,  born  in  Gilead,  May  18, 
1823,  married  Dec.  14.  1848,  Susan  Plummer  who  was  born  ia 
Londonderry,  N.  H.,  Oct.  17,  1823.     Children: 

i     William  Alvertou,  b.  Dec.  12,  1849,  m.  Marion  A.  Bean, 
ii    Eu<i;eue  Plummer,  b.  Aug.  27,  1856,  m.  Maud  Waterman, 
iii     Lizzie  Maria,  b.  Feb.  2,  1859,  m.  Edwin  R.  Fothergill. 

William  Alverton  Farewell,  sou  of  Darius  Adams,  and  Susan 
(Plummer)  Farewell,  born  in  Bethel,  Dec.  12,  1849,  married  Nov. 
3,  lfS75,  Marion  Alfreda,  daughter  of  John  Marean  Beau  of  Gilead. 
He  is  a  farmer  at  West  Bethel.     Child  : 

i    Grace  Ethel,  b.  May  9,  1880. 

Edwin  Farrar,  son  of  Thomas  Farrar,  married  Dorcas,  daugh- 
ter of  James  A,  S.  Bartlett,  and  widow  of  Malachi  Haines.  He 
enlisted  and  was  killed  in  the  army.  His  widow  survives  and  re- 
sides in  the  lower  parish.     Child  : 

i    George  E.,  b.  Feb.  11,  1863. 

Fenno. 

Oliver  Fekno  married  Nov.  10,  1785,  Mercy  (Bartlett)  Barton 
of  Newton.  She  was  a  sister  of  the  other  Bartletts  who  came  to 
this  town,  and  was  the  mother  of  Aaron  Barton.  They  moved  to 
Jay,  Me.  When  in  Bethel,  he  lived  on  the  Robertson  farm  and 
was  a  blacksmith.     Children: 

i  Sarah,  b.  Jan.  12,  1787. 

it  Eiisha  Bartlett.  b.  June  19,  1788 

iii  Abigail,  b.  Aug.  18,  1790. 

iv  Mary,  b.  Feb.  24,  1794. 

Fi  field. 

Elbridge  Gurney  Fifield  lived  in  the  lower  part  of  the  town. 
He  married  first,  Eunice,  daughter  of  Alexander  Day  of  Wood- 
stock who  died  Oct.  26,  1849,  and  second,  Hannah  H.,  daughter  of 
Kimball  Martin  of  Rumford.  He  lived  in  the  lower  part  of  the 
town  near  Woodstock  ;  came  here  from  Greenwood.  He  died  Sept. 
22,  1881.     Children: 

i    Hiram  Wallace,  b.  Dec.  1,  1837,  m.  Ellen  Harriet  Cushmau. 
ii    Daughter,  b.  Sept.  5,  1839,  d.  same  day. 


532  HISTOBY   OF  BETHEL. 

Hiram  Wallace  Fifield,  sou  of  Elbridge  G.,  and  Eimice  (Day) 
Fifield,  married  March  20,  1860,  Elleu  Harriet,  daughter  of  Eli 
H.  Cushman.     He  is  a  farmer  at  East  Bethel.     Childreu  : 

i  Frank  Herbert,  b.  April  25,  1861,  m.  Sept.  18,  1882,  Etta  L.  Cole. 

ii  Elbridge  Hiram,  b.  May  22,  1863. 

iii  Abbie  Cristeeu,  b.  Feb.  15,  1869,  m.  June  2,  1885,  Elmer  O.  Millett. 

iv  Jonuy  Eli,  b.  April  26,  1874. 

V  May  Louise,  b.  July  8,  1877. 

Foster. 

Asa  Foster,  son  of  Abner  Foster  of  Newry,  married  Anna, 
daughter  of  P2noch  Bartlett.  Three  of  liis  sons  settled  quite  early 
in  Bethel,  and  later  came  a  fourth. 

Nathan  Foster,  son  of  Asa  preceding,  married  Patty  Stearns. 
Children  : 

i    Asa,  b.  Oct.  16,  1816,  d.  Dec.  20,  following. 

ii    Nathan  F.,  b.  and  d.  Aug.  1817. 

iii     Thomas  Jefferson,  b.  May  1,  1820,  d.  March  20,  1823. 

iv    Lois,  b.  June  11, 1822. 

V  Thomas  Jefferson,  b.  June  8,  1824. 
vi    Eeuben  Ball,  b.  July  25,  1826. 

Reuben  B.  Foster,  son  of  Asa  and  Anna  (Bartlett)  Foster  of 
Newry,  was  born  in  that  town  and  fitted  for  college,  but  did  not 
enter.  He  was  by  trade  a  carpenter,  an  ingenins  workman,  and 
taught  school  winters  during  his  early  manhood.  He  finally  de- 
cided on  farming  as  his  life  business,  and  purchased  the  farm  con- 
sisting of  intervale  and  upland  which  Gideon  and  Silas  Powers  had 
previously  occupied.  He  commenced  at  once  to  l)ring  liis  land  into 
a  higher  state  of  cultivation  in  which  he  succeeded.  He  was  a  man 
of  superior  judgment  and  intelligence  and  of  a  scientific  cast  of 
mind.  He  studied  out  methods  for  changing  coarse  material  to 
dressing  and  had  practiced  it  for  years  before  Bonier  patented  his 
process  which  was  identical  with  that  of  Mr.  Foster's.  He  was  a 
great  reader,  and  well  acquainted  with  history,  both  ancient  and 
modern.  He  employed  a  large  number  of  men  to  carry  on  his  farm, 
and  in  the  various  branches  of  farming  including  stock-raising,  he 
did  a  larger  business  than  any  one  in  his  section  of  the  State.  He 
raised  large  crops  of  grain  and  grass,  and  delighted  in  a  large  yield 
of  yellow  corn.  He  attended  personally  to  all  the  details  of  his  bus- 
iness, rarely  leaving  the   farm  unless  called   away  on  urgent  busi- 


HISTOEY   OF    BErilEL.  533 

uess.  He  was  ou  the  board  of  selectmen  in  Hanover  and  served 
one  or  more  terms  in  the  Legislature.  He  married  Sarah,  daugh- 
ter of  Stephen  Bartlett,  a  most  amiable  woman,  and  a  model 
farmer's  wife.  He  survived  his  wife  several  years,  and  was  gathered 
to  his  father's  several  years  ago.     Children  : 

1  Agues,  b.  Jan.  27,  1837,  in.  Lawsou  C.  Smith  of  Newry.  She  died  and 

he  married  Eubj'  Mason  who  survived  liim  and  remarried, 

ii  Frances,  b.  Feb.  7,  1829,  d.  Oct.  1831. 

iii  Sarah  B.,  b.  May  21, 1831,  m.  Asa  R.  Howe  and  d.  Oct.  13,  1862. 

iv  Reuben  *  b.  Feb.  8,  1833,  ra.  Dorcas  Howe  of  Hauover. 

v  Frances,  b.  Dec.  23,  1834,  d.  Nov.  12,  1854. 

vi  Joan  Amanda,  b.  Dec.  2,  1836,  m.  Edwin  L.  Hoyt. 

vii  Julia  B.,  b.  Aug.  9,  1838,  ni.  1st,  Charles  R.  Abbott;  2d,  Oscar  D. 

Rolfe  of  Rumfovd. 

viii  Helen,  b.  March  11    1840,  m.  Galen  Howe,  d.  May  29,  1875. 

ix  Xelsou  B.,  b.  July  2,  1842,  d.  Sept.,  1844. 

X  Lucieu  L.,  b.  Dec.  27, 1844,  d.  May  3,  1864. 

xi  L.  Letitia,  b.  Jan.  16,  1848,  m.  Henry  S.  Hastings,  d.  Aug.  24,  1866. 

Enoch  Foster,  brother  of  the  preceding,  was  a  farmer  and  re- 
sided in  Newry.  He  was  born  January  1,  1799  and  married  first, 
Persis,  daughter  of  James  Swan,  and  second,  the  widow  of  Ama- 
ziah  Nutting.  His  first  wife  was  born  in  1806,  and  died  April  9th, 
1859,  and  he  died  Dec.  26,  1881.     Children  : 

i    Betsey,  b.  March   25,  1825,    m.    1st,  David  Emery,   and  2d,   Joseph 

Knapp. 
ii     Orrin,  b.  March  27,  1827,  m.  Mary  O.  Stiles,  r.  Newry. 
iii    Beulah  Bartlett,  b.  Julv  1,  1829,  m.  Albert  D.  Stiles. 
iv    Enoch,  b.  May  10,  1839,  m.  1st,  Adeline  Owen  Lowe  of  Waterville,and 

2d,  Sarah  W.  Chapman. 

Deacon  Eli  Foster,  son  of  Asa  of  Newry,  married  Dorcas, 
daughter  of  Stephen  Bartlett.  He  settled  on  land  between  the  river 
and  Locke's  Mills,  and  had  one  of  the  best  farms  in  town.  He  died 
January  6th,  187:3,  and  his  widow  died  April  29,  1887.     Children: 

i    Virtue  Willis,  b.  Aug.  1,  1826,  m.  Ira  Cushman. 
ii     Sophia  Bartlett,  b.  Sept.  13,  1828,  m.  Rev.  Dr.  Hiram  C.  Estes. 
iii    David  Tricl^ey,  b*  Sept.  5, 1831,  m.  Harriet  B.  Crockett. 

*  He  graduated  at  Colby  Uuiversitj-,  class  of  1855,  studied  law  and  has  slu(-e  beeu  in 
the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Waterville.  He  has  served  as  Speaker  of  the  House  of 
Representatives  and  as  President  of  the  Senate.  He  is  President  of  the  Waterville  Sav- 
ings Bank,  anil  was  elected  the  lirst  Mayor  of  the  city.  He  is  a  leading  business  man  in 
Waterville. 


534  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

Benjamin  Foster,  brother  of  the  preceding,  was  a  well  known 
Methodist  preacher,  and  liad  settlements  in  various  parts  of  the 
State.  He  married  Oct.  20,  1827,  Louisa,  daughter  of  Moses  and 
Esther  (S()auldiug)  Coburu  of  Newry,  who  was  born  Aug.  5,  1810. 
He  died  at  Bethel,  April  14,  1891.     Children  : 

i    Moses  Coburu,   b.  July  'Id,  1827,  m.  Frauciua  Smith.     He  is  a  well 

known  l)uil(ler  aud  contractor  and  resides  in  Waterville. 
ii     Marcia,  b.  Sept.  22,  18,31,  d.  July  22.  18,33. 
ill    Leoua  Roberts,  b.  Dec.  30,  1835,  d.  Jan.  1,  188(1. 
iv    Nellie  Marcia,  b.  Jan.  4,  1849. 

Enoch  Foster  Jr.,  sou  of  Enoch  preceding,  married  first,  Ade- 
line Owen,  daughter  of  Ivory  and  Jane  (Walker)  Lowe  of  Water- 
ville, June  3d,  1864,  at  Waterville,  married  by  Eev.  Dr.  David  N. 
Sheldon.  His  first  wife  died  and  he  was  married  secondly  by  Rev. 
Charles  Morse  of  Bethel,  to  Sarah  Walker,  daughter  of  Robert  A. 
and  Frances  (Carter)  Chapman,  June  9,  1.^73.    Children: 

By  first  marriage : 
i    John  Dorr,  b.  Bethel,  Aug.  15,  18(50,  d.  April  2,  1872. 

By  second  marriage : 
ii     Robert  diapmau,  b.  April  19,  1880. 

David  Trickey  Foster,  onl}'  soil  of  Deacon  Eli  Foster,  lives  on 
the  old  homestead  of  his  father.  He  is  a  good  farmer,  an  honest 
and  uprigiit  man  aud  higlily  esteeu.ed  by  tiie  people  of  the  neigh- 
borhood and  the  town.  The  fine  mansion  liouse  erected  by  his  father 
was  destroyed  b}'  [ire  in  July,  1891,  with  nearl}'  all  its  contents  He 
married,  April  2,  1852,  Harriet  B.,  daughter  of  Daniel  H.,  and 
Rebecca  (Bacon)  Crockett.     Cliildren  : 

1  Steplien  11.,  b.  Dec.  27,  18,58,  m.  Sept.  21,  1890,  Ella  J.  Bartlett.      • 

ii  M.  Etta,  b.  Jan.  11,  1861,  d.  same  month, 

iii  Susie  Helen,  b.  Nov.  24,  1864,  ni.  Azcl  H.  Ibyant. 

iv  Daniel  C,  b.  July  24,  1867. 

V  David  Foster,  b.  Dec.  28,  1872. 

vi  Hat  tie  May,  b.  May  9.  1877. 

French. 

Sidney  Irving  French,  sou  of  James  aud  Sarah  (Brown) 
P'rench,  born  in  Albau}',  June  22,  1852,  is  a  carpenter  aud  resides 
at  the  Dr.  Twitchell  stand  on  Bethel  Hill.  He  married  iu  1876, 
Anna  B.,  daughter  of  Dr.  Almon  Twitchell.     Children  : 

i  Cornelia  B.,  b.  Oct.  22,  1877.  ii  (ieorge  Harold,  b.  April  20,  1881. 
iii     Alice  riicbe,  b.  April  3,  1887. 


HISTORY   OF   BETHEL.  535 

P'kost. 

The  Frost  family  of  Bethel  aud  Newry  came  from  BerAvick,  and 
were  the  sous  of  Moses  Frost. 

Thomas  Frost  married  Abigail,  daughter  of  Colonel  John  York, 
who  died  April  7,  1842,  and  he  married  second  Mrs.  Nancy  (Fos- 
ter) Jackson  of  Paris.     Children  : 

i  Betsej',  b.  July  12,  1792,  m.  Jesse  Smith  of  Newry. 

11  Phuieas,  b.  Feb.  1*^,  1794,  m.  Abigail  Bean, 

ill  Peter,  b.  July  15,  1796,  m.  Phebe  Howard,  s.  Waterboro,  ]Me. 

iv  Levy,      )    uever  was  mari-iecl. 

\  twins,  b.  May  20,  1798. 

V  Lovina,  J   ni.  Otis  Carter  of  Harrison. 

vi  Eeliance,  b.  June  30,  1800,  ra.  Enoch  Perry  of  Waterford. 

vii  Joshua  Roberts,  b.  July  1.3,  1802,  d.  iu  Cinciunati,  Ohio,  Oct.  15,  1829. 

DoMiNicus  Fkost,  brother  of  the  preceding,  married  Dorcas 
Abbott  of  Andover,  Mass.     Children  : 

i    Enocli,  b. ,  m.  Louisa  Long,  of  Bridgton. 

ii     George,  b. ,  drowned  at  Paris. 

iii    Porter,  b. . 


iv    Joseph,  b. ,  m. Jennings. 

V     William,  h. ,  m.  Sybil  Bartlett. 

vi    Nathan,  b. . 


vii  Sally,  li. ,  m.  Eliphaz  ('.  Kilgore  of  Newry. 

viii  Dolly,  b. ,  m.  Erastus  Poor  of  Andover. 

ix  Almira,  b. ,  ni.  John  Kilgoi-e  of  Xewry. 

X  Hannah,  b. ,  ni.  Emery  Merrill  of  Andover. 

xi  Harriet  G.,  b. ,  m.  Benjamin  W.  Stevens  of  Eumford. 

Nathanikl  Frost  married  Olive,  daughter  of  Itnoch  Bartlett. 
Children  : 

i    Polly,  1).  March  12,  1798,  m.  Joseph  Jackson  of  Newry. 

ii    Lorenda,  b.  June  14,  1801,  m.  Charles  Goodenow. 

iii    Huldah,  b.  May  31,  1804,  m.  Ambrose  Powers. 

iv    Maria, ,  m.  Henry  Goodenow. 

V    Betsy,  b. ,  m.  George  Rowe  of  Newry. 

vi     Stephen,  b. ,  m.  Dolly  Beau. 

vii    Cullen,  b. ,  m. Rowe. 

viii     Relief,  b. ,  m.  Edmund  Merrill. 

ix     Ruby,  b. ,  d.  young. 

Aaron  Frost,  born  1779,  married  Mrs.  Susan  (Gray)  Bennett 
of  Falmouth,  born  1780.  He  was  a  carpenter  by  trade,  born  in  Ber- 
wick, but  came  here  from  Groton,  Vermont.  He  died  Oct.  19,  1860, 


536  HIS  TOBY   OF  BETHEL. 

and  his  widow   died -March  10,    1861.     By  her  first  husband  Mrs. 
Frost  had  Francis  Bennett  who  died  in  1846.     Children  : 

i     Lidaua,  b.  North  Tariv.dith,  Cct.  10.  1802,  m.  'Jli:itclier  York,  d 

1830. 
ii     Aaron,  b.  March  10,  1804,  d.  Oct.  15,  following, 
iii    Mihou  A.,  Feb.  28,  1805,  d.  1825. 
iv    Lucretia,  b.  Nov.  24,  1806,  m.  Samuel  R.  Beau. 

V  Mary  Aun,  b.  in  Grotou,  Vt.,  Jan.  14,  1809,  m.  Nathan  Stearns. 

vi  Orange   Clark,  b.    Feb.  2.3,  1812,  m.  Cyrene    Straw  Hastings;   2d, 

Mary  M.  Hastings, 

vii  Naomi,  b.  Jan.  13,  1814,  d.  1832. 

viii  Olive  Gray,  b.  Bethel.  July  24,  1816.  d.  1845. 

ix  Sophronia  C,  b.  Oct.  3,  1818,  d.  1844. 

X  Nehemiali,  b.  March  4,  1821,  d.  1838. 

xi  Huldah,  b.  Aug.  24,  1825,  d.  1856. 

Phineas  Frost,  son  of  Thomas  Frost,  married  Abigail,  daugh- 
ter of  Josiah  Bean.  He  died  in  Minnesota,  March  20,  186!».  His 
wife  died  Oct.  21,  1883,  (see  page  122.)     Cliildren  : 

i    James  Crocker,  b.  Nov.  11.  1816,  ui.  Sarah  Diamond,  r.  Anoka,  Min- 
nesota. 
ii     llul(hdi  Beau,  ]).  Dec.  20,  1818,  m.  Thomas  P.  Howard,  d.  ^Nlay  24, 

184!). 
iii     Moses  Kimt)iill.  b.  starch  6.  1821,  ni.  Lydia  (hurcli,  r.  Anoka, 
iv     Zibiah  Blake,  1).  Oct.  21,  1823,  m.  Parker  Fletcher,  d.  Nov.  24,  1860. 

V  Hannah  Hastings,  b.  April  27,  1826,  m.  Jefferson  Blodgett,  d.  May 

18,  1883. 
vi    Phiueas  Howard,  b.  April  7,  1828.  m.  Alpha  Weston,  r.  Holyoke, 

Mass. 
vii    Joshua  Roberts,  1).  April  13,  1830,  m.  Lucy  Burnliam,  d.  1862. 
viii    Francis  Carter,  b.  Oct.  4,  1832,  m.  Lizzie  lilodgett,  r.  Lowell,  Mass. 
ix     Clinton  Thayer,  b.  Sept.  30,  1834,  r.  Mcdtield,  ^lass.,  never  was  mar- 
ried. 
X    Samautha  Webster,  b.  Aug.  24,  1S36,  m.  1st,  Ephraiin  15.  Kimball; 
2d,  L.  G.  Browning  of  Anoka,  Minn. 

Okangk  Frost,  son  of  Aaron  Frost,  married  Cyrene  S.  Hastings 
and  second  Mary  M.  Hastings.  He  was  many  years  in  the  livery 
business  in  Portland,  but  returned  to  Bethel,  then  moved  to  Au- 
burn and  finally  came  back  to  Bethel  and  died  here.  His  place  was 
below  INIayville  ;  he  was  an  energetic  business  man,  but  was  burnt 
out  in  1851,  when  the  American  House  w'^as  burned;  he  then 
bought  out  a  place  on  Centei  street  where  he  remained  until  1864, 
when  he  returned  to  Bethel.     Children  : 


MRS      ABIGAIL    FROST 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  537 

i  Sarah  Appleton,  b.  April  7,  1837,  d.  May  12,  184S. 

ii  Orau^-e  Clark,  b.  June,  1839,  d.  Sept.  9,  1859. 

iii  Dolly  Keyes,  b.  Portland,  May  2,  1841,  d.  Feb.  8,  1850. 

iv  Charles,  b.  1844,  d.  an  infant. 

V  Sarah  Eleauoi-,  b.  April  23,  1846,  ni.  William  L.  Chapman, 

vi  Alfonzo,  b.  1847,  d.  May  4,  18,50. 

vii  Alonzo,  b.  Sept.  17,  1849,  m.  Mary  Pierce  Lynds. 

viii  Mary  Hastings,  May  22,  1853,  m.  1st,  Everett  Hammons,  2d,  Rufus 
A.  Skillings. 
By  second  wife : 

ix  Alice  Preble,  b.  July  31,  1861,  d.  Aug.  25,  following. 

X  Albert  Clark,  b.  Bethel,  Oct.  6,  1864,  m.  Minnie  T.  Holt, 

xi  Fi-auk  Bennett,  b.  Sept.  12,  1866,  d.  March  12,  1891. 

xii  Susan  Gray,  b.  Feb.  15,  1869,  m.  Fred  Lee  Edwards, 

xiii  Xellie  Hastings,  b.  March  23,  1874. 

William  P.  Frost,  married  Sybil  G.  Bartlett.     ChildreD  : 

i    Lydia  Keys,  b.  Xov.  4,  1831. 
ii     Eucy  Hobbs,  b.  Dec.  3,  1832. 

Rev.  Charles  Frost  married  first,  Lydia  who  died  Aug.  13, 
1825.  For  second  wife,  he  married  Liicinda  Smith  of  Hanover. 
Children  : 

By  first  wife : 

i  Mary  D.,  b.  Gorham,  April  12,  1820.  ii  Amanda  Eliza,  b.  Feb.  21, 
1823,  d.  July,  1827.     iii  James  Henry,  b.  May  24,  1825. 

By  second  wife  :  -?^/v^  •  S'^i' 

iv  Lydia  Amanda,  b.  July  15,  1827.  v  Charles  Ezra,  b.  Dec.  25,  1830. 
vi     Luciuda,  b.  July  6,  1832.     vii    John  Smith,  \>.  Aug.  22,  1836. 


Frye. 

William  Frye  Esq..  son  of  Richard  and  Sarah  (Gorden)  Frye 
and  grandson  of  General  Joseph  Frye,  the  founder  of  Fryeburg, 
came  to  the  Hill  when  a  young  man  and  practiced  law  here  many 
years.  He  married,  Sept.  29.  1828.  Lois,  daughter  of  Simeon 
Twitchell.  He  died  February  22.  1854,  and  his  widow  died  March 
20,  1889.  The  wife  of  Richard  Frye  was  the  daughter  of  Hugh 
Gordon  who  came  from  Scotland.     Children  : 

i    Eichard  Aurelius,  b.  July  22,  1829,  m.  Dec.  19,  18.53,  Esther  K.  Mar- 
tin, 
ii     Sarah  Jane,  b.  March  14,  1831,  d.  June  11,  18,33. 

iii    3Iartha  Mehitable,  b.  March  24, 1833,  m.  June  3, 1859,  James  S.  Lane. 
iv     Sarah  .Jane,  b.  July  18,  1834,  ni.  1855,  Joseph  Y.  Bakeman. 


538  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

V     Amanda  Ann,  b.  July  30,  1835,   m.  July  22,  1880,  Dr.  John  A.  Mor- 
ton, 
vi     William  Cornelius,  b.  Oct.  2,  1839,  m.  Mrs.  Maggie  Weaver,  d.  Xov. 
27,  188,5. 
vii    Joseph  Uzziel,  b.  Oct.  19,  1841,  m.  1st,  Aug.  1865,  Delia  Heath ;  2d, 

Mrs.  E.  Russell, 
viii    Marietta  Frederika,  b.  July  16, 1844,  m.  July  19,  1882,  William  Waitt. 
ix    George  Henry  Gordon,  b.  Aug.  3,  1847,  d.  Sept.  17,  1848. 

Richard  A.  Frye,  sou  of  Hon.  William  Fr3'e.  an  attorne}'  at 
Bethel,  married,  December  19,  1853,  P^sther  Kimball,  daughter  of 
Kimball  and  Rachel  (Godwin)  Martin  of  Rumford,  who  was  born 
Nov.  13,  1829.     Child: 

i  Annie  Maria,  b.  June  5,  1855,  (Xote  error  on  page  259  where  "one 
son"  should  read  "one  daughter." 

Gage. 

Amos  Gage  was  quite  earlj'  in  Bethel,  and  was  an  original  mem- 
ber of  the  Congregational  church.  His  wife  was  Lois  Hovey.  He 
moved  to  Waterford.     Children  : 

i  Thomas,  b.  June  8,  1789,  m.  Francis  C.  Stockbridge  of  Bath, 

ii  Leander,  b.  Sept.  20,  1791,  m.  1820,  Anna  B.  Sargent, 

iii  William,  b.  March  15,  1795,  d.  Jan.  1,  1820,  d.  1842. 

iv  Amos,  b.  March  2d,  1797,  m.  ilary  Warren. 

Daniel  Gage,  IkiIu  (.1  the  preceding,  came  quite  early  to 
Bethel.  He  was  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution,  a  sergeant  in  the  Mas- 
sachusetts line.  He  was  in  the  engagement  at  Monmouth,  and  dur- 
ing the  battle  the  color-bearer  of  his  regiment  was  shot  to  the 
ground.  Gage  rushed  forward,  seized  the  coloi^  and  the  regiment 
rallying  around  him,  they  stopped  the  advance  of  the  enemy.  A 
few  days  after  as  General  Washington  was  reviewing  the  brigade, 
he  stopped  at  the  company  to  which  Gage  belonged  and  calling  him 
to  the  front,  thanked  him  for  his  In-avery  and  soldierly  conduct. 
His  wife  was  Sarah,  daughter  of  Deacon  James  Grover.    Children  : 

i     Sarah,  1).  June  25,  1789. 
ii     Olive,  b.  April  12,  1794,  m.  Joseph  Wheeler. 

Dr.  Leander  Gage,  son  of  Amos  Gage,  married  in  1820,  Anna 
B.  Sargent.  He  moved  to  Waterford.  He  was  a  physician  of 
large  practice  and  a  man  of  wide  influence.  He  died  in  1842.  Chil- 
dren : 

i     Pliebe.  b.  Nov.  29,  1821.     She  was  a  teacher. 


MRS.    LOIS    FRYE 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  539 

ii  Frauces,  b.  Maich  5,  1823,  m.  Col.  Humphrey  Cousius,  s.  Gorhani. 

iii  Irene,  b.  Dec.  16,  1825,  m.  Deacon  Samuel  Warren. 

iv  Tliomas  II.,  (M.  D.,)  b.  May  22,  1827,  m.  Annie  ]\r.  Lane. 

V  Ann,  b.  May  10,  182!),  m.  Calvin  Foster. 

vi  Mary,  b.  April  21,  1831 ;  a  teacher  in  Boston, 

vii  Lois,  b.  Jan.  10,  1832. 

viii  George  M.,  1).  Aug.  22,  1834. 


Gibson. 

Samuel  F.  Gibson,  born  April  9,  1823,  son  of  Samuel  Gibson  of 
Denmark,  came  to  Bethel  Hill  and  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law. 
He  married  first,  June  1,  1851,  Abb,  daughter  of  Moses  Patte,  who 
died  March  4,  18C4,  and  second  May  8,  1864,  Agues  M.,  daughter 
of  James  and  Cyrene  Ayer.     He  died  Oct.  6,  1889.     Children  : 

i  Echviu  U.,  b.  May  18,  18-52.  ii  Ellen  F.,  b.  Aug.  17,  1800.  By  second 
marriage:  iii  Martlia  A.,  b.  July  1,  1S(?6.  iv  Jane  II.,  b.  Nov.  14,  1808.  v 
Samuel  A.,  b.  June  27,  1873. 


Glines. 

Timothy  Glines,  sou  of  Israel  and  Molly  (Virgin)  Glines  of 
Rumford,  married  in  1819,  Sally  Barker  of  Bethel.  He  lived  many 
years  on  the  farm  near  Bean's  Corner,  afterward  occupied  by  Enoch 
Stiles.     Children : 

i  Sophronia,  b. ,  m.  Henry  IJ.  Bartlett. 

ii  Timothy,  b  . 

iii  Andrew  B.,  1). . 

iv  Sarah,  b. . 


V    Judith  R.,  b. ,  m.  William  E.  Bean. 

vi     Sojihia,  1). ,  m.  Palmer  York. 

vii    Aaron  Stevens,  b. . 


viii     Granville  M  ,  b. ,  m,  Carrie  E.  Cooper. 


Daniel  Alphonzo  Glines,  sou  of  Daniel  and  Esther  M.  (Hink- 
son)  Glines  of  Rumford,  born  at  Milton  Plantation  Feb.  20,  1854, 
married  Feb.  10,  1878,  Matilda,  daughter  of  George  M.  Gary  of 
Snmner.     Children : 

i  Edwin  Alphonzo,  b.  April  3,  1879.  ii  Loring  Marshall,  b.  Jan.  10, 
1881.  iii  Delia  Merry,  b.  Jan.  1,  1883.  iv  Flora  Mabel,  b.  April  22,  1885. 
V    Eva  Matilda,  b.  April  11,  1891. 


540  HISrOliY  OF  BETHEL. 

GODDARP. 

William  Goddard,  son  of  Robert  Goddard  of  Sutton,  after- 
wards of  Andover,  Me.,  and  his  third  wife  S^'bil  Peters  (Penni- 
man)  Goddard,  married  Sophia  Fuller,  daughter  of  William  Clark 
Whitney  of  Norway,  and  settled  on  a  farm  on  the  south  side  of  the 
river,  previously  known  as  the  Jeremiah  Andrews  farm.  He  was  a 
good  farmer  and  industi'ious  citizen.  He  was  at  one  time  captain 
of  the  militia  company.  His  first  wife  died  Dec.  9,  1842,  and  he 
married  second,  Joanna  Curtis  of  Rumford.     Children  : 

i  ISTaucjr  Whitnej^,  b.  April  20,  1835,  m.  Charles  V.  Martin,  ii  William 
Henry,  b.  Jan.  21,  1837.  iii  Charles  Franklin,  b.  Feb.  12,  1839.  iv  Sophia 
Fuller,  b.  April  30,  1841. 

Elmah  B.  Goddard,  born  in  Hopkintou,  Mass.,  July  "id,  1817,. 
son  of  Oliver  and  Tryphena  (Barden)  Goddard,  married  August 
15,  1841,  Mar}' Ann,  daughter  of  Asa  and  Marj^  (York)  Bartlett. 
He  came  to  this  town  early  in  tlie  fifties  and  since  that  time  has  been 
engaged  in  the  furniture  and  undertaking  business.  He  has  alsO' 
been  prominently  connected  with  town  board  of  health.     Children  : 

i  ^lary  Ellen,  b.  Xov.  14,  1843,  in.  Jan.  1.  1858,  Nathaniel  F.  Brown, 

ii  George  W.,  b.  Nov.  13,  1845,  unmarried, 

iii  Roxanna  B..  b.  Oct.  15,  1848,  ni.  Georoe  A.  Plaisted. 

iv  Asa  M.,  b.  Bethel.  Aug.  4,  1853,  m.  Etta  Williams, 

v  Oliver  F.,  b.  .March  19,  1856,  d.  March  21,  188G. 

vi  Eliza  E.,  b.  Feb.  23,  1857,  m.  Dec.  3,  1879,  Charles  E.  Morse  and  d. 

Feb.  27,  1881. 

vii  Fritz  Alfred,  b.  Feb.  23,  1863. 

Edward  Goddard,  son  of  Oliver  Goddard  and  brother  of  the 
preceding,  born  in  Sharon,  Mass.,  June  15,  1815,  married  JMarch 
17.  1841,  Betsy  Twitchell.  For  second  wife  he  married  Mar}'  Ann, 
daughter  of  James  Locke,  and  widow  of  PLdniund  Horace  Chap- 
man.    On  Bethel  records  is  recorded  by  first  wife  : 

i  TJllinn  A.,  b.  Feb.  23.  18.58.  By  st'cond  wife:  ii  Nellie  (iracf.  1).  Dec 
14,  1871. 

Godwin. 

Alvan  Bolster  Godwin,  son  of  Colman  and  Keziah  (Wheeler) 
Godwin,  born  in  Rumford  July  21,  182.>,  married  February  26, 
1851,  Arabella  Carter,  daughter  of  Moses  Kimball,  Esq.  He  now 
resides  at  Bethel  Hill  and  has  long  held  the  position  of  deputy 
sheriff.     Child : 

i     Ella  Eudora,  1).  May  7,  1853,  in.  May  14,  1874,  Edwin  C.  Bowe. 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  541 

GOODENOUGH. 

Bp:njamin  Goodenough,  married  P^unice .     Children  : 

1    Patty,   b.  Feb.  28    1799.     ii  Willard,  b. ,  d.  yoiino-.  iii  Betsey, 

b.  May  29,  1801.  iv  Betijamiu,  b.  April  26,  1803,  m.  Sarah  Gammon,  v 
Willard,  b.  March  15,  180.5.  vi  Charles,  1).  April  G,  1807.  vii  Caleb,  b. 
Sept.  16,  1809.  viii  Henry,  h.  May  10,  1811,  m.  Maria  Frost  of  Xewry.  ix 
Julian,  b.  May  2G,  1813. 

Henky  Goodenow  married  Maria  Frost  of  Newry.     Children  : 

i  Olive,  b.  Aug.  23,  1837.  ii  Cordelia,  b.  July  16,  1839.  iii  Nathaniel, 
b.  Oct.  23,  1841. 

Caleb  Goodenow  married  Dorcas ,     Children  : 

i  Mary  Ann.  b.  Feb.  19,  1839.     h  Ellen  Maria,  b.  Jau.  14,  1843. 

Goodwin. 

Joel  Goodwin,  son  of  Mark  and  Lydia  (Wentworth)  Goodwin, 
born  in  Lebanon,  Me.,  came  to  this  town  from  Rumford.  He  was 
born  at  Lebanon,  Dec.  25,  1839,  served  in  the  war  of  the  rebellion, 
married  Oct.  1,  1860,  Fanny  A.,  daughter  of  James  R.,  and  Nancy 
(Putnam)  Keunersou.  He  lives  at  South  Bethel,  where  his  last 
three  children  were  born.     Children  : 

i  Franklin  R.,  b.,  Aug.  4,  1861,  m.  Electa  Jordan,  ii  Sidney  B.,  b. 
Aug.  6,  1803.  iii  Jennie  C,  b.  Oct.  8,  1866,  m.  Amos  S.  King,  iv  Walter 
H.,  b.  Xov.  17,  1869.  v  Herbert,  b.  March  20,  1871.  vi  Faunie  A.,  b.  Feb. 
25,  1873.  vii  Edward  J.,  b.  April  16,  1875.  viii  Harriet  W.,  b.  Feb.  22, 
1877.  ix  H.  AVallace,  b.  April  16,  1879.  x  AVillie  S.,  b.  Oct.  10,  1883.  xi 
Eldeu  S..  b.  Oct.  4.  1888. 

Goss. 

Samuel  Goss,  son  of  Rev.  Tliomas  Goss  of  Bolton,  Mass.,  born 
Oct.  16,  1754,  married  Lucretia,  oldest  daughter  of  Phineas  Howe 
of  Berlin,  and  was  an  early  settler  in  Bethel.  He  lived  on  the  south 
side  of  the  river  near  Rumford  line,  and  after  a  few  years  he  moved 
to  Red  Hill  in  Rumford.  He  returned  to  Bethel  in  his  old  age,  and 
died  at  the  residence  of  his  son,  Thomas  Goss.     Children  : 

i  Abigail,  b. ,  m.  Moses  Gammon  of  Paris. 

ii  Charlotte,  h. ,  m.  Joseph  Small  of  Xorway. 

iii  Clarissa,  b. ,  m. Gray. 

iv  Sarah,  b.  Jan.  9,  1790,  m.  Jeremiah  Hobbs  of  Xorway. 

V  Sophia,  b. ,  m.  Mathias  ^lorton  of  Andover  Surplus. 

vi  Thomas,  b.  Jan.  21,  1794,  m.  1st,  \ancy  Oliver,  2d,  Waitstill  Benson, 

vii  Abial,  b. ,  m.  ^lyran  Boynton ;  r.   hi  Cambridge,  Mass.,   a  car- 
penter and  builder. 


542  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

Thomas  Goss,  sou  of  Samuel  aud  Lucietia  (Howe)  married  first, 
Naucy,  daughter  of  William  Oliver.  He  settled  ou  a  wild  lot  on  the 
road  between  the  river  and  Locke's  Mills.  For  second  wife,  he  mar- 
ried Waitstill  Benson  of  Sumner.     Children  : 

i    Wesley  Newell,  b.  Aug.  17,1833.     He  was  a  sailor,  went  ISouth   and 
married  there.     He  was  a  soldier  in  the  lebel  army,  and  died  soon 
after  the  war. 
ii    Daniel  3Iason,  b.  June  16,  1836,  m.  Olive  Crockett, 
iii    Charles  A.,  b.  Dec.  3,  1837,  d.  March  7,  1838. 

By  second  wife : 
iv    Joseph  Benson,  b.  Sept.  7,  1840,  d.  in  Chicago,  luimarried. 
V     Mary,  b. ,  m.  Oliver  P.  Chandler. 


GOSSOM. 

Samuel  Gossom  lived  on  Swan's  Hill.     The  following  by  wife 
Mary,  are  ou  Bethel  records.     Children  : 

i  Betsey,  b.  Dec.  19,  1798,  ra.  Joshua  Pliillips  of  No.  8. 

ii  Eebecca,  b.  June  9,  1801,  m.  Vier  Bean, 

iii  Maribe,  b.  Feb.  6,  1803,  m.  Nathan  Hall, 

iv  John  Dean,  b.  May  6,  1804,  ni.  Kachel  Sliaw  of  Oxford. 

V  Ira,  b.  May  6,  1806. 

vi  Hannah,  b.  Marcli  1.5,  1808,  d.  Nov.  •_>7,  18U. 

vii  Elijali,  b.  May  30,  1809. 

viii  Sally,  h.  Nov.  2,  1811. 

ix  Joshua,  b.  March  8,  181.5. 

X  Elias,  b.  Feb.  1.5,  1820. 


John  D.  Gossom,  married  Rachel  Shaw  of  Oxford.     Children  : 
i    John  S..  b.  Nov.  28.  1829.     ii  William  F.,  b.  Jan.  22,  1832. 

GOKDON. 

Chahlks  Walker  Gordon,  son  of  John  and  Mary  (Shirley)  Gor- 
don, born  at  Sweden,  Me.,  Nov-  25,  1831,  a  physician,  married 
Oct.  2,  1861,  Eliza,  daughter  of  Timothy  Barker,  and  settled  in 
practice  at  Bethel  Hill.  His  health  having  become  impaired,  he 
engaged  in  agriculture  and  was  a  frequent  contributor  to  the  agri- 
cultural press.     He  died  September  30,  1887.     Children  : 

i  Fred  Eugene,  b.  :\ray  31,  1870.     ii  Addie  May,  b.  Feb.  13,  1873. 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  543 

Greenwood. 

Thomas  Greenwood,  by  occupation  a  weaver,  was  at  Newton, 
Mass.,  1667,  then  aged  24.  He  married  Hannah,  daughter  of  John 
Ward,  and  among  his  children  was  John"  who  married  Hannah, 
daughter  of  James  Trowbridge.  Among  the  sons  of  the  latter  was 
Thomas^  born  January  28,  1696,  who  by  wife  Lydia,  had,  besides 
other  children,  Joseph\  born  January  9.  1723,  married  his 
cousin,  Sarah  Greenwood,  daughter  of  Lt.  Josiah  and  Phebe 
(Stearns)  Greenwood  and  moved  to  Sherbourn,  Mass.  He  subse- 
quently moved  to  Dublin,  N.  H.,  and  later  in  life  came  to  Bethel. 
They  had  one  child.  Nathaniel,  who  married  in  Dublin,  Mary, 
daughter  of  Moses  and  Sarah  (Knap)  Mason,  and  settled  in  Bethel. 
They  lived  for  a  time  on  the  Moses  A.  Mason  farm,  some  lived 
on  Grover  Hill  and  another  settled  in  Farmington.  All  died  or  left 
tow'U  many  years  ago.  Mrs.  Mary  Greenwood  died  P^eb.  21,  1825. 
Children  : 

i  Sarah,  ta. ,  m.  Hezekiah  Farris  of  Hebron. 

ii  Ebenezer,  b. ,  m.  1st,  (Salome  Howe,  2d,  Lucy  Grover. 

iii  Joseph,  b. ,  d.  aged  18. 

iv  Polly,  b. ,  m.  Deacon  George  W.  Chapniau. 

V  Nathaniel,  b.  — — ,  m.  Huldah  Howe  and  moved  to  Farmington. 

vi    Thaddeus,   )   ni.  Belinda  Caldwell  of  Hebron,  s;  Sangerville. 
b. . 


vii  Lydi;i,  J   m.  1st,  John  Grover ;  2d,  Elias  Grover. 

viii  Hollica,  b.  Aug.  25,  1796,  m.  Julia  Twitchell ;  s.  Jefferson,  N.  H. 

ix  Mason,  b.  March  .30,  1798. 

X  Harley,  b.  April  18,  1800,  m.  Fanny  Timberlake;  s.  Indiana, 

xi  Hannibal,  b,  .     He  was  a  physician ;  s.  San  Jose. 

Ebenezer  Greenwood,  son  of  Nathaniel  Greenwood,  married 
Salome,  daughter  of  Jacob  Howe  of  Norway,  who  died  Dec.  26,. 
1820,  and  he  married  second,  Lucy,  daughter  of  Jedediah  Grover- 
Children  : 

i    Joseph,  b.  July  14,  1809,  d.  Nov.  15,  1820. 
ii    Noah  Cressey,  b.  Nov.  20,  1810,  ra.  Susan  Tarbox. 
iii    Nancy  Kimball,  b.  Jan.  19,  1813,  m.  and  moved  to  Haverhill,  Mass- 
iv    Abigail  Chapman,  b.  Dec.  26,  1815,  m.  John  Case  of  Haverhill. 
V    Abner  Smith,  b.  March  25,  1817,  m.  Amanda  Davis ;  r.  Georgia. 
vi    Mar  J'  Miranda,  b.  June  29,  1820,  never  was  married. 
By  second  wife : 
vii    Hannibal,  b.  April  22,  1822,  d.  July  12,  1827. 
viii    Philomela,  b.  Oct.  14,  1823,  m.  Edwin  Wilder  of  Bridgton.. 
ix    Josephine,  b.  Aug.  10,  1825,  d.  Aug.  20,  1826.. 


544  HISrOBY  OF  BETHEL. 

X    Josephiue,  b.  Dec.  6,  1826,  imniairied. 
xi    Sophia,  b. ,  m.  Christopher  Wilder  of  Couway,  X.  H. 

Nathaniel  Greenwood  Jr.,  married  Huldah,  daughter  of  Jacob 
Howe  of  Norway.     He  moved  to  Farmiugtou.     Children  : 

i  Julia,  b.  March  14, 1816,  m.  George  Braun  of  Farmiugtou. 

ii  Mason  K.,  b.  July  17,  1818,  d.  youug. 

iii  Albert  N.,  b.  Aug.  14,  1820,  m.  Matilda  Soule,  s.  Fairfield, 

iv  Ziua,  b.  Sept.  22,  1824,  m.  Emily  Fellows. 

V  Alanson  A.,  b. ,  m.  Ann  Eliza  Xess  of  Searsmout. 

vi  Marcia  A.,  b. ,  \\\.  1st,  Ira  Aruisby,  2d,  Zadoc  Morrill,  aud  3d, 

Cyms  Morrill. 

vii  Huldah  J.,  b. .     She  was  a  school  teacher  iu  Haverhill. 

viii  Alma  E.,  b. ,  ui,  James  A.  Bullen,  moved  to  Kausas. 

ix  (  harles,  b. ,  ui.  ^[artha  Prescott,  r.  Lewiston. 

Thaddeus  Greenwood  married  Melinda  Caldwell  of  Hebron. 
He  moved  to  Sangerville,  Me.     Children  recorded  in  Bethel : 

i     Albiou  O.,  b.  .luue  2G,  1820.     ii    Sarali  Jaue,  b.  Oct.  8,  1822. 

HoLLiCA  Greenwood,  son  of  Nathaniel  Greenwood,  married 
Julia,  daughter  of  Peter  Twitchell.  He  moved  to  Jefferson,  N.  H. 
Children  : 

i  Fauuie  E.,  b.  Dec.  3,  1820.  ii  Altemiua  Perry,  b.  July  1,  1823.  iii 
Harlcy  E.,  b.  Sept.  3,  182.5,  d.  June  21,  1827.  iv  Harley  E.,  b.  Sept.  1, 
1827,  d.  May  10,  1841.  v  Julia  Auu,  1).  June  20,  1830,  d.  Dec.  31,  1832. 
vi     George  H.,  b.  Aug.  14,  1833. 

Grout. 

This  name  on  page  8o  is  spelled  Grant.  Captain  Daniel  Grout 
came  to  Bethel  when  a  young  man  and  married  Mary,  daughter  of 
Abraham  Russell.  His  name  first  appears  iu  the  Oxford  County 
Registry  of  Deeds  in  1809.  He  became  possessed  of  the  homestead 
of  Abraham  Russell  and  resided  there  for  many  years.  This  was  a 
large  landed  estate  situated  on  both  sides  of  Main  street,  and  ex- 
tending nearly  to  Alder  river,  including  the  land  occupied  by  the 
Grand  Trunk  railway  company.  He  was  a  respectable  citizen,  a 
good  farmer  and  a  man  possessed  of  good  judgment  in  business 
matters  His  wife  died  Sept.  24,  IS.'ifi,  and  he  a  few  years  later. 
After  his  Bethel  Hill  property  was  disposed  of,  the  aged  couple 
went  to  Andover  to  live  with  their  nephew.  Dr.  Samuel  A.  Allen, 
who  formerly  lived  with  them,  and  there  they  died  ;  their  remains 
were  brought  to  Bethel  and  buried  in  the  old  burying  ground.  They 
left  no  issue. 


inSTOBY   OF   BETHEL.  545 

Gkover. 

The  uumerous  and  highly  respected  families  of  Grover  who 
have  lived  in  this  town  and  are  still  resident  here,  are  descended 
from  Thomas  Grover  who  came  from  England  and  settled  in 
Charlestown,  (Maiden  side)  in  1G42.  By  wife  Eliza,  (family  name 
not  known)  he  had  several  children  among  whom  was  Thomas  Jr., 
who  born  April  1,  1653,  married  Sarah,  daughter  of  John  Chad- 
wick.  His  three  sons,  Thomas,  Andrew  and  Ephraim.  Nov.  14, 
1702.  bought  land  in  that  part  of  Norton  known  as  the  '-West  Pur- 
chase," afterwards  incorporated  as  Norton.  They  lived  in  the 
North  Parish  of  Norton,  afterwards  incorporated  as  Mansfield.  An- 
drew"  Grover,  by  wife  Mary  (family  name  not  known),  had  James, 
born  Sept.  7,  1699,  who  married  Sarah  Austin,  and  their  son  James 
Jr.,  b.  Aug.  15,  1729.  married  April  8,  17o4,  Sarah  Wellman.  This 

I  ast  James  was  Deacon  James  Grover  who  moved  from  Mansfield 
to  Peckersfield  (now  Nelson)  N.  H.,  and  subsequently  came  to 
Bethel.  On  page  125  of  this  volume  is  a  letter  written  by  Hon 
Lafayette  Grover,  to  Dr.  True  and  published  in  the  Bethel  Courier 
more  than  thirty  years  ago.  More  recent  investigation  has  enabled 
Mr.  Grover  to  correct  some  errors  contained  in  this  letter,  especial- 
ly with  regard  to  the  place  where  the  immigrant  ancestors  settled 
in  Massachusetts,  and  his  conclusions  are  the  same  as  those  of  the 
compiler  as  stated  above.  The  children  of  Deacon  James  and 
Sarah   (Wellman)  Grover  were  as  follows  : 

1  i    James,  b.  March  31,  1755,  m.  Polly . 

2  ii    John,  b. — ,  m.  Jerusha  Wiley. 

3  ill    Jedecliah,  b. ,  m.  Hannah  Wheeler. 

4  iv    Eli,  b.  1763,  m.  Mehitable  Austin. 

5  V    Elijah,  b. ,  m.  Mrs.  Hannah  (Mason)  Mills. 

6  vi    Sally  or  Sarah,  b. ,  m.  Daniel  Gage. 

7  vii    Olive,  b.  1766,  m.  Benjamin  Killgore  of  Waterford. 
Sviii    Naomi,   b.  1770,  m.  Joseph  Wheeler. 

1 

James  Grover,  Jr.,  eldest  son  of  Deacon  James  Grover,  mar- 
ried Polly .     He  died  in  1810.     Children  : 

9      i    James,  b. ,  1783,  m.  Sally  Brooks. 

10      ii    Otis,  b. ,  1785,  m.  Mrs.  Sally  (Grover)  Dalrymple. 

II  iii    John,  b. ,  1787,  m.  Lydia  Greenwood. 

12    iv    Elias,  b. ,  1789,  m.  Lydia  (Greenwood)  Grover. 

121/2  v     Ashael  b. ,  d.  aged  23  years. 

35 


546  HTSTOBY   OF  BETHEL. 

2 

John  Grover,  (see  pp.  42,  125)  son  of  Deacon  James  Grover, 
married  May  29,  1783,  Jerusha  Wiley  of  Fryeburg,  and  settled  on 
Grover  Hill.  He  was  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution.  He  died  in  1813, 
near  Plattsburg,  N.  Y.,  where  be  had  gone  to  visit  a  sick  son  who 
was  serving  in  the  army.     Children  : 

13  i    John,  b.  Xov.  22,  1783,  (M.  D.)  m.  Fauuy  Lary  of  Gilead. 

14  ii     Sallj-,  b.  Xov.  9,  1785,  in.  Jacob  Dalrymple,  2d,  Otis  Grover,  3d, 

Samuel  Bryant  of  Woodstock. 
1.5     iii    Olive,  b.  Oct.  5,  1788,  d.  Aug.  18,  1793. 

16  iv    Masou  AV.,  b.  Nov.  25, 1790,  m.  aud  went  to  Wisconsin. 

17  V    Olive,   b.  May  31,   1794,  m.   Doiniuicus  Killgore  and  moved   to 

Mercer. 

18  vi     ) 

y  twiii^i,  h.  Juiit'  8.  1797,  d.  same  dav. 

19  vii     J 

20  viii    William,  b.  April  8, 1799,  d.  unmarried.     He  was  insane. 

21  ix    Naucy,  b.  March  23,  1801,  m.  Stephen  Morse  of  Sidney. 

22  X    .Tacob,  b.  Jan.  16,  1805,  m.  Naomi  AVlioeler. 

Jedediaii  Grover,  son  of  Deacon  James  Grover,  married  Han- 
nah, daughter  of  Josei)h  Wheeler,  who  died  in  1818,  and  he  mar- 
ried 1821,  Hannah,  widow  of  Rev.  Samuel  R.  Hall  of  Rumford. 
Children  : 

Hanuidi,  b.  July  25,  1789,  m.  Joseph  Coffin. 
Lucy,  b.  Dec.  17,  1790,  m.  Ebenezer  Greenwood. 
Mehitable,  b.  Oct.  22,  1794,  m.  Josepli  Larv  of  Gilead. 
Abigail,  b.  Jan.  10,  1799,  m.  Elihu  lioau. 

Jedediah,  b.  Oct.  10,  1796,  m.  1st,  Mehitable  Grover;  2d,  Abigail 
Cross. 

28  vi    Esther,  b.  Dec.  30,  1792,  m.  James  Wheeler  of  Albany. 

29  vii    Silas,  b.  May  21,  1801,  m.  Susanna  Blanchard. 

30  viii    Lovina,  b.  Aug.  11,  1803. 

4 

Eli  Grover,  son  of  Deacon  James  Grover,  married  Mehitable 
Austin  who  was  born  January  14,  1772.  He  died  Sept.  2,  1837. 
Children  : 

31  i     Abigail,  b.  May,  1790,  d.  Aug.  2,  1793. 

32  ii    Eli,  b.  January  18,  1792,  m.  Esther  Mason;  d.  Sept.  30,  1843. 

33  iii    James,  b.  Nov.  18,  1793,  m.  Pamelia  Barker ;  2d,  Tbirza  Twitchell. 

34  iv    Peter,  b.  Julv  30.  1795,  m.  Elmira  Mason ;  d.  1874. 


23 

24 

ii 

25 

iii 

2(5 

iv 

27 

V 

HISTORY   OF   BETHEL.  547 

35  V    31ehitable,  b.  July  3,  1797,  in.  Jedcdiah  Grover,  d.  Nov.  Kj,  1831. 

36  vi     Leonard,  b.  Maj^  9,  1799,  ni.  1st,  Tabitha  Green,  2d,  Lj'dia  Gould; 

d.  Feb.  2.5,  1884. 

37  vii    Amos,  b.  July  13, 1801,  m.  Susau  Taylor  Gould.    He  lived  in  Port- 

laud  and  died  Aug.  1,  1883. 

38  viii    Hezekiah.  b.  Sept.  2,  1803,  ni.  Betsy  Bartlett,  d.  Oct.  6,  1831. 

39  ix    Andiew,  b.  Sept.  2.5,  1805,  m.  Rachel  Mason,  d.  1863. 

40  X    Abel,  b.  Dec.  7,  1807,  in.  Harriet  Adams;  r.  Westbrook. 

41  xi    Alpheus,  b.  Oct.  26,  1809,  graduated  B.  C,  d.  unmarried  Nov.  1, 

1842. 

42  xii    Sarah,  b.  Oct   7,  1812,  d.  July  15,  1819. 
43xiii    Almou,  b,  Jan.  24,  1815,  m.  Olive  Wheeler. 

44xiv    Arvilla.  b.  Jan.  20, 1817,  m.  Gilbert  Chapman,  d.  June  2,  1845. 

a 

Elijah  Grovek,  son  of  Deacon  James  Grover,  was  a  man  of 
much  energy,  a  trait  that  characterized  all  the  early  Bethel  families 
of  this  name.  He  married  Mrs.  Hannah  Mills  who  was  the  daugh- 
ter of  Moses  Mason  of  Dublin,  N.  H.,  and  the  widow  of  James 
Mills  who  was  killed  in  Betliel  by  a  falling  tree.  Elijah  Grover's 
four  sous  settled  originally  on  adjoining  lands  along  the  "Flat" 
road.     Children : 

Elijah  Jr.,  b.  April.  7,  1791 ;  ni.  1st,  Hadassah  Bean. 
Marj^,  b.  March  12,  1793,  m.  Thomas  S.  Paine. 
Nathan,  b.  June  12,  17^7,  m.  Lucinda  Barker  of  Waterford. 
George  W.,  b.  June  23,  1798,  ni.  Dolly  Bean. 

49  V    Jeremiah,  b. .  1801,  m.  Sophronia  Blake  of  Portland.  '  He  re- 

sided some  years  in  Bethel,  then  went  toFryeburg  Academy  Grant 
and  operated  a  saw^  mill,  next  returned  to  Bethel  and  in  a  few  j'^ears 
went  West,  settling  first  in  Illinois,  and  then  in  Brown  county,  Kan- 
sas, where  he  died  in  1871.  He  was  the  father  of  Hon.  Alouzo  J. 
Grover. 

50  vi    Elvira,  b.  Dec.  14,  1805,  m.  Aaron  Cross. 

9 

James  Grover  Jr.,  married  Sarah  Brooks  of  Buxton.     He  died 
in  1830.     Children  : 
51  i  Charles,  b.  July  4,  1820.     52  ii  Ruth,  b.  Jan.  20,  1822. 

10 

Otis  Grover,  son  of  James  Jr.,  and  Polly  Grover,  married  Mrs. 
Sally  (Grover)  Dalrymple.     Children  : 
53  i  Otis,  b.  Sept.  24,  1805.     54  ii  Rufus,  b.  Jan.  13, 1809,  m.  Anna  Ben- 


45 

46 

ii 

47 

iii 

48 

iv 

548  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

nett  of  Gilead.  55  iii  Mary,  b.  Nov.  16,  1810.  56  iv  Jenisha,  b.  Jan.  19, 
1813,  d.  Jau.  13,  1827.  57  v  John,  b.  Dec.  9,  1814.  58  vi  Levi,  b.  Sept.  10, 
1816  59  vii  Nancy,  b.  Sept.  5,  1818.  60  viii  Sarah,  b.  Dec.  16,  1820.  61 
ix  Stephen  C,  b.  Nov.  19,  1822.  62  x  Clarissa,  b.  Feb.  19,  1824,  d.  Sept. 
1  following. 


Elias  Grover  married  Lydia  (Greenwood)  Grover,  widow  of  his 
brother  John.     Children  : 

63  i  Penelope,  b.  Oct.  29,  1820,  d.  Sept.  1823.  64  ii  Virginia,  b.  Aug.  16, 
1824.  65  iii  Caroline,  b,  Jau.  2,  1827.  66  iv  Van  Buren^  b.  Aug.  17,  1830. 
67,  v  Elias  Hannibal,  b,  July  5,  1837. 

13 

Dk.  John  Grover,*  oldest  sou  of  John  Grover,  see  page  (245) 
married  July  4,  1819,  Fanny  Lary  of  Gilead,  who  died  July  18, 
1880,  aged  78  years.     He  died  July  19,  1866.     Children  : 

.68  i  Abernethy,  (see  page  376)  b-  Feb.  16,  1821,  ni.  June  26,  1848,  Mary 
Chase,  daughter  of  'J'imotliy  Chapman  who  died  May  4,  1871 ;  he 
then  married  Isabella  Shehau,  and  went  "West. 

69  ii     Tallyrand  (see  page  132)  b.  Aug.  20,  1822,  died  at  Upsala,  Sweden, 

while  on  a  tour  of  Europe,  June  4,  1859. 

70  iii     Lafayette  (see  page  368)  b.  Nov.  30,  1823.  m.  Lizzie  Carter;  r.  Port- 

land, Oregon. 

71  iv     Philophrene,  b.  July  24,  1825.  d.  April  5,  1833. 

72  v     Cuvicr.  (see  page  126)  b.   July  29,  1828,   m.  Aug.  1,    1865,   Susan 

Flint  who  died  in  Texas,  Sept.  27,  1869.     He  then  married  Jan.  28, 
1875,  Ella  Miller;  he  died  June  6,  1885  at  Atlantic  City. 

73  vi    Philophrene,  b.  Jan.  3,  1835,   m.  Cullen  C.  Chapman.     She  died  in 

.  Bethel  Dec.  17,  1871. 

22 

Jacop.  I).  Grover  who  married  June  2,  1832,  Naomi  Wheeler, 
lived  at  West  Bethel  and  died  there  Oct.  10,  1872.  He  was  a 
farmer  and  tavern-keeper.     Children  : 


When  tlie  war  of  1812  came  about  Dr.  Grover  was  a  medical  student  with  Dr.  Timottiy 
Carter  at  Middle  Interval,  lie  immediately  enlisted  as  a  private  soldier  but  the  fact  be- 
coming known  to  his  commanding  olllcer  that  he  was  a  student  in  medicine,  he  was  ap- 
pointed hospital  steward  and  assigned  to  duty  in  the  hospital  at  Portland.  Having 
charge  of  the  dispensary  he  betook  himself  to  the  study  of  pharmacy  and  mastered  it. 
He  also  entered  his  name  with  Dr.  .John  Merrill  of  Portland,  so  that  his  time  might  go 
on.  During  his  second  year  there,  he  took  up  the  subject  of  surgery,  entering  upon  it 
with  gi-eat  Zealand  soon  be(;oming  a  skillful  operator.  When  the  war  closed,  he  was 
about  to  be  commissioned,  but  his  services  no  longer  being  required,  he  was  discharged. 
Before  settling  down  to  practice  in  Bethel,  he  went  to  Boston  an<l  spent  a  year  as  the 
pupil  of  the  celebrated  Dr.  Warren,  and  at  the  same  time  attended  lectures  at  Harvard. 
In  1816  he  settled  down  to  his  life  work  In  his  native  town  of  Bethel. 


MRS.    FANNY    (LARY)    GROVER. 


HISTORY    OF  BETHEL.  549 

74  i    Kobina,  b.  Nov.  23,  1834,  m.  Sept.  1,  1855,  Joseph  S.  Mason. 

75  ii    Elcina,  b.  Aug.  27,  183**,  m.  Greenleaf  Coffiu,  r.  Berlin,  N.  H. 

76  iii    Llewellyn,  b.  March  30,  1840,  m.  Hattie  Grover. 

77  iv    Octavia,  b.  Jan.  30,  1842. 
77;^  V     Sarah,  b.  July  G,  1855. 

27 
Jedediah    Grover    Jr.    married    Mehitable,    daughter   of    Eli 
Grover,  who  died  Nov.  17,  1831,  and  he  married  in  1833,  Abigail 
Cross.     Children : 

78  i  Hezekiah  Austin,  b.  Oct.  21,  1831.  79  ii  Charles  H.  A.,  b.  .June  7, 
1834.  80  iii  Mehitable,  b.  March  27,  1836.  81  iv  Lydia  Cross,  b.  April  30, 
1838.     82     v    Virgil  Bradford,  b.  Aug.  29,  1840. 

29 

Silas  Grover  married  Susannah  Blauchard.  He  died  June  19, 
1855,  aged  54  years.     Children  : 

83  i  David  M.,  b.  Dec.  6,  1829.  84  ii  Sarah,  b.  Oct.  21,  1831.  85  iii 
Darius  Hannibal,  b.  June  18,  1835.  86  iv  Susan  Matilda,  b.  Nov.  30,  1837. 
87  V  Amelia  J.,  b.  March  18,  1839.     88  vi  Caroline  L.,  b.  Oct.  19,  1841. 

32 

Eli  Grover,  Jr.,  married  Esther  Mason.  He  died  in  1843. 
Children  : 

89  i    Eli,  b.  Sejjt.  10,  1817,  m.  Mehitable  Brown.     He  died  in  Xorway 

and  his  widow  married  John  Temple. 

90  ii    Esther  T.,  b.  Aug.  29,  1819,  m.  Richard E   Twitchell. 

91  iii    Eppelena,  Thirza,  b.  May  29,  1826,  m.  Samuel  M.  Berriam. 
91J^  iv    Malviua,  b.  July  16,  1826,  d.  young. 

913-2    V     Eliza,  b. ,  d.  jouug. 

91^  vi     AValter  Mason,  b. ,  d.  young. 

33 

James  Grover,  son  of  Eli,  married  Pamelia  Barker  who  died 
Dec.  30,  1840.     Children: 

92  i    Frederick  Orville,  b.  May  11,  1821,  d.  Aug.  IS,  1823. 

93  ii    Sarah,  b.  Xov.  10,  1822. 

94  iii    Mary  Thurston,  b.  Sept.  18,  1824. 

95  iv     Child,  b.  Aug.  21,  1826,  d.  next  day. 

96  V    James,  b.  Sept.  6,  1827. 

97  vi    Ebenezer  I.,  b.  Sept.  20,  1829,  d.  Aug.  12,  1830. 

98  vii    Frederick  Ebenezer,  b.  April  27,  1832. 

99  viii    Amanda  Pamelia,  b.  March  19,  1834,  m.  Daniel  Fames. 


550  HISrOEY    OF  BETHEL. 

100  ix    Aurilla  Loduska,  b.  March  13,  1836.  ' 

101  X    Eveline  Fidelia,  b.  Sept.  21,  1838. 

102  xi    Cornelius  Barber,  b.  Nov.  18, 1840. 

34 

Peter  Grover,  son  of  Eli  Grover,  married  Almira  Mason.  He 
was  a  farmer.     Children  : 

103  i    Child,  b.  June  8,  1820,  d.  July  2,  following. 

104  ii    Leonard  O.,  b.  May  19,  1821,  d.  Aug.  15,  1823. 

105  iii    Abigail,  b.  June  14,  1823. 

106  iv    Leonard  O.,  b.  Avig.  23,  1825. 

107  v    Almira  E.,  b.  July  10,  1827. 

108  vi     Thirza  Mason,  b.  Nov.  23,  1829,  d.  of  diphtheria  Feb.  14,  1861. 

109  vil     Mehitable  Austin,  b.  Dec.  23, 1831,  d.  of  diphtheria. 

110  viii    Peter  O.,  b.  Feb.  23, 1836,  d.  of  diphtheria  March  1,  1861. 

111  ix    Catherine  Ardelia,  ) 

\  Twins,  b.  March  3,  18,39. 

112  X    Catherline  Ardelia,  ) 

Leonard  Grover,  sou  of  Kli  (irover,  married  first  Tabitha 
Green  of  Waterford,  and  second  Lydia  Gould.  He  was  deacon  of 
the  Congregational  church,  a  man  liighly  respected,  a  thrifty  farmer 
and  an  exemplary  citizen.  He  died  Feb.  25,  1«84,  and  his  first 
wife  died  March  2,  1864.     Children  : 

113  i  Sarali  Sylvia,  1).  July  20,  1828.  m.  Feb.  12.  18.50,  Deacon  Samuel 
Kilbounif. 

114  ii     f>('()iiard  Ansel,  b.  Marcli  10.   1S3().  in.   Mary  Barnes :  d.  May  21, 

ISfifj. 

115  iii     Talutha  Jane.  b.  Feb.  17,  18.32,  d.  Sept.  25,  1865. 

116  iv     William  Warren,  b.  June  12,  1834,  d.  Aug.  31,  1837. 

117  V    Newton,  b.  June  12,  1836,  m.  Nov.  23,  1864,  Emeline  Walker. 

118  vi     Mary  Malvina,  b.  Nov.  6,  18.39,  m.  Ceylon  Rowe. 

119  vii     William  Ladd,  b.  Aug.  13,  1841,  m.  1st.  Mehitable  K.  Gammon; 

2(1.  Sarah  Kilbouine. 

:iH 

Hezekiah  Grover,  sou  of  Eli  Grover,  married  Betsey  Bartlett. 
He  died  in  Mason  Oct.  6,  1831,  and  his  widow  married  Artemas 
Mason  and  died  Dec.  2,  1846.     Children  : 

119i^  i  Amos  Abbott,  b.  July  2,  1829,  m.  May  6,  1855,  Cordelia,  daugh- 
ter of  Daniel  Watson  of  Norway.  He  is  a  farmer  and  resides  at 
Norway.     Children : 

1     Daniel  W.,  b.  Dec.  24,  18.56,  d.  July  25.  1862. 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  3ol 

2  Frances  A.,  b.  Oct.  26,  1859,  d.  Oct.  17,  1880. 

3  Fred  O.,  b.  Nov.  14,  1863. 

4  Florence  C,  b.  Sept.  19,  1866. 

119^  ii    Mehitable  Jaue,  b.  Sept.  23,  1831,  m.  Elbridge  G.  Wheeler. 

S9 

Andrew  Gkover,  sou  of  P^li  Grover,  married  Rachel  E.  Masou. 
He  died  March  20,  1863,  and  his  widow  died  Oct.  10,  1880.  Mr. 
Grover  was  a  farmer  and  always  lived  at  West  Bethel.     Children  : 

120  i    Frederick  O.,  b.  Nov.  14,  1831,  d.  June  18,  1852. 

121  ii    Nahum  Wesley,  b.  Feb.  13,  1835,  m.  Fannie  E.  Osgood. 

122  iii    Harlan  Page,  b.  Dec.  15,  1836,  d.  Dec.  24,  1861. 

123  iv    Edward  P.,  b.  Aug.  17,  1839,  m.  Augusta  W.  Wight. 

43 

Almon  Grover,  son  of  Eli  Grover,  married  May  13,  1839,  Olive 
Wheeler  who  was  born  in  Bethel  Nov.  3,  1818.  He  lived  in  Newry, 
Albany  and  Bethel  and  died  in  Bethel  Feb.  14,  1882.     Children  : 

124  i    Almeda  E.,  b.  Dec.  6,  1840,  d.  May  5,  1857. 

125  ii    Leonard  G.,   b.  June    29,    1842,  m.   June    29,    1866,    Lydia    D. 

Wheeler. 

126  iii    Gabrilla  O.,  b.  Sept.  11,  1844,  d.  April  18,  1859. 

127  iv    Arvilla  D.,  b.  July  21,  1847,  d.  March  6,  1859. 

128  V     Samuel  O.,  b.  Oct.  28,  1849,  m.  Oct.  28,  1870, 1st,  Emma  Wheeler, 

2d,  Sarah  Wheeler. 

129  vi    George  A.,  b.  Dec.  5,  1851,  m.  May  1,  1881,  Anna  R.,  daughter  of 

Seth  Wight ;  he  is  a  farmer  at  West  Bethel. 

130  vli    Augustus  L.,  b.  Feb.  28,  1853. 

131  viii    Eugene  C,  b.  June  20,  1856,  went  West  and  married  there. 

132  ix    Albert  B.,  b.  Oct.  5,  1857,  m.  Jan.  3,  1889,  Edith,  daughter  of 

Cliflbrd  Wheeler. 

45 

Elijah  Grover,  Jr.  was  a  store  Iveeper,  farmer  and  cattle  dealer 
and  was  also  interested  in  lumber'ng.  He  was  a  man  of  energy  and 
enterprise  and  accumulated  a  large  fortune  for  those  days.  He 
moved  to  Solon,  on  Kennebec  river  and  engaged  in  lumbering 
there,  but  lost  heavilj'  in  the  laud  speculation  collapse  of  \H?>^.  He 
then  moved  to  Maehias  and  carried  on  lumbering  there.  Here  he 
lost  his  wife  Ijy  fever  and  four  of  his  daughters,  and  then  moved  to 
Skowhegan  where  he  remarried  and  where  he  and  his  sous  carried 
on  business  and  trade.  He  then  went  to  the  Pacific  coast  where  his 
sons  operated  grain  ranches  uear  Stockton,  Cal.     He  removed  to 


133 

134 

ii 

135 

iii 

136 

iv 

137 

V 

138 

vi 

139 

vii 

552  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

Oakland,  Cal.,  where  he  died.  He  married  Hadassah,  daughter  of 
Daniel  Bean,  and  was  subsequently  twice  married.  Children  on 
Bethel  record  : 

Charles  B.,  b.  Aug.  18,  1812. 

Esther  B.,  b.  June  21,  1816. 

Harriet  A.,  b.  March  25,  1818,  d..  of  fever  at  Machias. 

James  Lyman,  b.  Jan.  5,  1820,  d.  Santa  Cruz,  Cal. 

Susanna,  b.  Nov.  25,  1821,  m.  Dr. Blunt,  d.  at  Machias. 

Sjdvia,  b.  May  23,  1824,  d.  at  Machias. 
Mary  Elvira,  b.  Jan.  1,  1826,  d.  at  Machias. 

140  viii    Elijah  Whitney,  b.  June  13,  1828,  r.  Santa  Cruz,  Cal. 

After  leaving  Bethel  they  had  Freeland,  Hilliard,  Lucinda  and 
Lafayette.  All  of  these  last  four  except  Lafayette,  who  died  j^oung, 
reside  at  Santa  Cruz,  California. 

47 

Nathan  Gkoveh,  sou  of  Elijah  Grover,  was  a  thrifty  farmer  and 
operated  a  large  farm  on  the  road  from  West  Bethel  to  Albany'.  He 
was  a  man  of  marked  abilit}'  in  business  affairs,  and  of  the  strict- 
est integrity.  He  served  several  years  on  the  board  of  selectmen, 
and  one  term  in  the  State  Legislature.  He  was  also  well  versed  in 
public  affairs  both  State  and  national,  and  interested  himself  in  all 
the  great  movements  of  his  day.  He  was  industrious,  prudent  and 
thrift}',  and  charity  with  him  was  something  more  than  a  theory, 
for  besides  his  own  family,  he  cared  for  and  reared  to  man  and 
womanhood,  in  his  own  house,  eight  orphan  children.  For  many 
years  his  house  was  a  tavern,  and  the  favorite  resort  of  travellers 
from  the  upper  Coos  when  on  their  wa}'  to  and  from  Portland 
market.  Through  a  long  life  he  was  one  of  the  most  active  and 
influential  men  in  his  part  of  the  town.  He  married  Lucinda,  daugh- 
ter of  Daniel  Barker  of  Waterford,  a  most  excellent  woman,  a 
veritable  mother  in  Israel.     Children  : 

141  i     Oscar  Dunreath,  b.  May  10,  1828. 

142  ii     Daniel  Barker,  b.  March  L"i,  1831,  ni.  1st,  Martha  M.  Eames  and 

2(1.  'I'hoi-es;i  Stowe. 

143  iii     Nathan  Sumner,  b.  Aug.  10,  1833,  d.  Oct.  2,  1836. 

4H 

Geokce  W.  Guover,  sou  of  Elijah  Grover,  married  Dolly,  daugh- 
ter of  Daniel  Bean.  He  was  a  stalwart  farmer  on  the  "Flat"  at  West 
Bethel,  redeemed  a  large  area  from  a  primeval  forest  and  made  of 
it  a  splendid  and  productive  farm.     He  commenced  with  thirty-five 


145 

ii 

146 

iii 

147 

iv 

148 

V 

149 

vi 

HISTOIiY   OF  BETHEL.  bb2l 

acres,  and  having  cleared  them,  he  bought  more,  until  he  had 
acquired  two  hundred  acres.  When  he  was  married  there  was  no 
road  through  the  flat  and  he  and  his  newly  made  wife  walked  across 
lots  carrying  in  a  basket  all  their  cloth  furnishings  including  bed- 
ding. At  the  age  of  80  years,  he  had  a  cancer  cut  from  his  upper 
lip,  the  incision  extending  from  the  mouth  to  the  nose  and  remov- 
ing a  portion  five-eights  of  an  inch  wide.  During  the  operation  he 
sat  firmly  in  his  chair  and  never  winced,  though  not  under  the  in- 
fluence of  any  pain-killer.  His  wife  died  April  16,  1864,  and  he  at 
an  advanced  age,  Dec.  7,  1888.     Children: 

144       i    Melissa  G.,  b.  Feb.  16,  1S26,  m.  Elbridge  G.  Wheeler,  ,d.  March 
31,  1851. 

Amanda,  b.  Feb.  5,  1828,  m.  Ira  F.  Lowell,  d.  April  9,  1879. 

Horace,  b.  March  22,  1830,  d.  May  9,  following. 

George  Lewis,  b.  March  17,  1831,  d.  Oct.  13,  1854. 

Arabella,  b.  Feb.  8,  1833,  m.  Joslab  A.  Torrey. 

Dolly  Ann,  b.  Aug.  3,  1830.  m.  Xeal  Donovan. 

150  vii    Sou,  b.  Feb.  14,  1835,  d.  March  4,  following. 

151  viii    Climena  Abigail,  b.  April  28,  1839,  m.  Oliver  Howard. 

152  ix    Albert  Wellington,  b.  March  21,  1841,  m.  Olive  S.  Willis. 

153  X    Mary  Ann  Paine,  b.  Sept.  4,  1842,  d.  Aug.  23,  1845. 

49 

Jeremiah  Grovek,  sou  of  Elijah  Grover,  married  Sophronia  Blake 
of  Portland.  He  moved  to  Hamlin,  Kansas,  and  died  there  in  1871. 
Children  : 

154  i  Almon  F.,  b.  Oct.  30,  1826.  155  ii  Alouzo  J.,  b.  Aug.  26,  1828 
(see  page  262).  156  iii  Samuel  B.,  b.  July  19,  18.30.  157  iv  Jeremiah, 
Orison,  b.  June  9,  1832,  d.  Julv  9, 1833.  1.58  v  Almira  L.,  b.  Jan.  17,  1834. 
159  vi  Xatbau  Sumner,  b.  June  19,  1840.  160  vii  Moses  Mason,  b.  June 
19,  1840.     161  viii  Eli  Arthur,  b.  Sept.  .30,  1842. 

89 
E^Li  Grover  Jr.,  son  of  Eli  Grover,  married  Mehitable,  daugh- 
ter of  Robbins  Brow^n  of  Bethel.  He  was  a  resident  of  Norwny  and 
by  occupation  a  barber.  He  died  Sept.  22,  1854,  and  his  widow 
married  John  Temple  who  was  killed  in  Bethel  by  a  falling  tree. 
His  widow  now  resides  in  Brockton,  Mass.     Children  : 

i    Luman  Webster,  b.  April  21,  1839,  r.  Boston. 

ii    Robbins  Brown,  b.  July  24,  1841,  m.  Oct.  24,  1867,  Mary  F.,  daugliter 
of  James  Mears  of  Stoughton,  Mass.    He  is  a  large  shoe  manu- 
facturer in  Brockton.    ISTo  issue, 
iii    Eliza  Malvina,  b.  May  20,  1843,  m.  Charles  C.  Barker. 
iv    Cliarles  W.  S.,  IT.  Oct.  4,  1847,  r.  Brockton. 


554  HISTOBY   OF  BETHEL. 

119 

William  Ladd  Grover,  son  of  Deacon  Leonard  Grover,  farmer, 
resided  some  years  in  this  town  wlieere  his  children  were  born,  then 
moved  to  Harrison.  He  married,  November  29,  1865,  Mehitable 
Rich,  daughter  of  Andrew  Gammon,  of  Gilead,  and  second,  Sarah, 
daughter  of  Thomas  Kilburne  of  Waterford.     Children.: 

162  i  Leonard  Andrew,  b.  April  7,  1867.  163  ii  Heury  Albert,  b.  Aug. 
15,  1872.     164  iii  Robert  Merton,  b.  Jan.  7,  1877,  d.  April  8,  1838. 

123 

Edward  P.  Grover,  son  of  Andrew  Grover,  is  proprietor  of 
Maple  Lane  farm  which  is  also  a  summer  boarding  house.  He  mar- 
ried Nov.  25,  18G2,  Augusta  W.,  daughter  of  Seth  AVight  of  West 
Bethel.     Children : 

165  i    M.  Lillelleb.  March  7,  1864,  m.  Xov.  4,  1886,  Geo.  C.  Chapman. 

166  ii     Bertlia  Mary,  b.  Dec.  25,  1867. 

167  iii    Dana  Andrew,  b.  May  7,  1872. 

168  iv    Liiciau  Wii-lit.  h.  ^Marcli  14,  1878,  d.  March  7,  1879. 

169  v    Adrian  Lorino-,  b.  April  25,  1884. 

141 

Oscar  Dunreath  Grover,  son  of  Nathan  Grover,  fitted  for  col- 
lege at  Gould's  Academy,  and  graduated  from  Delaware  College  at 
Newark,  Delaware.  ITe  studied  law  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar 
but  never  practiced  lie  lauglit  Paris  Hill  Academy  and  spent 
some  years  in  teaching,  more  or  less.  He  finally  went  West  and  re- 
mained there  many  years.  He  was  a  fine  scholar,  excelling  espec- 
ially in  mathematics  and  In  English  literature.  In  his  school  days 
he  sometimes  indulged  in  writing  poetry,  and  his  compositions 
showed  marked  ability.  He  was  a  very  popular  teacher.  He  now 
lives  at  the  homestead  at  West  Bethel,  and  is  engaged  in  farming. 

142 

Daniel  Barker  Grover,  son  of  Nathan  Grover,  lived  for  many 
years  on  the  Grover  homestead  at  West  Bethel,  then  moved  to  Red- 
lands,  San  Bernardino  county,  California.  He  was  well  educated  at 
Gould's  Academy  and  became  an  intelligent  farmer.  He  married 
May  9,  1860,  Martha  Matilda,  daughter  of  Nathan  Eames  of 
Bethel.  She  died  and  he  married  second,  Oct.  21,  1880,  Theresa, 
daughter  of  INIelvin  Stowe  of  Newry.     Children  : 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  555 

170  i    Mary  Luciiida,  b.   April  13,   1861,   ra.  Aug.    24,  1881.  George  A. 

Cheney- 

171  ii    Nathan  Eames,  b.  May  25,  1864,  d.  in  infauej'. 

172  iii    Sumner  Abbot,  b.  April  24,  1865. 

173  iv    Xathan  Clifford,  b.  Jan.  31,  1868.     He  fitted  for  college  at  Gould's 

Academy,  graduated  from  the  Maine  State  College  and  is  assistant 
engineer  in  that  institution. 

174  V    Arthur  Curtis,  b.  Aug.  21,  1870;  student  State  College. 

175  vi    Oscar  Llewellyn,  b.  Aug.  28,  1874;  student  State  College. 

152 

Albert  Wellington  Grover,  sou  of  George  W.  Grover,  is  a 
farmer  and  occupies  the  old  homestead  at  West  Bethel.  He  mar- 
ried, Dec.  1,  1864,  Olive  Swift,  daughter  of  Ball  B.  and  Joanna 
(Roberts)  Willis,  who  was  born  at  Hanover,  June  26,  1843.  Chil- 
dren : 

180  i  Grace  Edna,  b.  Xov.  21,  1867.  181  ii  Edith  Olive,  b.  June  25, 
1869.     182    iii  Archie  Lewis,  b.  May  24,  1876. 

James  Grover  married  Martha  Bell  of  Albany.     Children  : 
i  Albert  Augustine,  b.  April  20,  1842.     ii  Daughter,  b.  Nov.  21,  1843. 

Haines. 

Fred  Quinby  Haines,  son  of  Albert  F.  and  Lucretia  (Bartlett) 
Haines,  born  Dec.  17,  1851,  in  Hopkinton,  Mass,  married  January 
8,  1873,  Abbie,  daughter  of  George  and  Lucinda  (Cole)  Dolly  of 
Rnmford,  born  January  17,  1852.  He  occupies  part  of  the  Bartlett 
homestead  in  the  Foster  neighbood.     Children  : 

i  Maud  L.,  b.  April  11,  1874. 

ii  George  L.,  b.  Feb.  29,  1876. 

iii  Eugene  F.,  b.  Aug.  24,  1880. 

iv  Lillian  A.,  b.  Feb.  26,  1886. 

V  Katie  B.,  b.  Xov.  19,  1889. 

Hall. 

Nathan  Hall  married  Dolly,  daughter  of  Richard  Estes.  He 
lived  ou  the  Daniel  Estes  farm  on  Kimball  Hill.  His  first  wife  was 
Maribe  Gossom.     Children: 

i  Wni.  A.,  b.  Nov.  12,  1828. 

ii  Mary  B.,  b.  Sept.  12,  1830. 

iii  Henry  B.,  b.  Jan.  18,  1833. 

iv  Betsey  Estes,  b.  Nov.  10,  1835,  m.  Stephen  D.  Knight. 

V  Francis  O.,  b.  Aug.  20,  1843. 


556  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

Hammons. 

David  Hammons,  sou  of  Edmund  and  Betsey  (Hill)  Hammons,. 
born  in  Pavsonfield,  May  12,  1808,  married  Sept.  25,  1839,  Martha, 
daughter  of  John  and  Abigail  (Wilson)  O'Brien  of  Cornish.  He 
came  to  Bethel  and  engaged  in  the  practice  of  the  law  and  died 
here  Nov.  7,  1888,  (see  lawyers).     Children: 

i    Weston,  b.  Feb.  7,  1841,  m.  Salina  Bjaou. 
ii    Wilson,  b.  Aug.  27,  1842,  m.  1st,  Ada  Kelley;   2d,  Emma  Knight  and 

died  soon  after, 
iii     Everett,  b.  Jan.  10,  18.50,  m.  Lena  F.,  daughter  of  Oreu   Foster  of 

Newry. 

Harding. 

Thomas  Harding  (spelled  also  Harden)  came  to  Bethel  from 
Danville.     By  wife  Deborah  lie  had  the  following  Children  : 

i  Elijali  G.,  b.  Dec.  9,  1812,  ni.  Betsey  H.  Bell, 

ii  Cyrus  M.,  b.  Feb.  19,  181.'),  m.  1841,  Sarah  M.  Lyon, 

iii  William  T.,  b.  Dec.  3,  ]818. 

iv  T>ouisa,  b.  Feb.  4,  1821. 

V  Matilda  B.,  b.  Nov.  29,  1823. 

vi  Abigail,  b.  March  2.5,  182G. 

vii  Lucy  Elvira,  b.  Feb.  28,  1829. 

Kli.iah  Harding  married  Betsey  S.  Bell  of  Albany  who  was  born 
Sept.  27,  IHIO.  He  was  born  in  Danville,  and  died  Sept.  28,  1867. 
His  wife  died  May  1,  1866.     Children  : 

i  Hannah  Eliza,  b.  Sept.  26,  1836. 

ii  Frances  A.,  b.  Dec.  25,  1837. 

iii  Mary  Ellen,  b.  .Tan.  11,  1840. 

iv  Geo.  W.,  b.  July  9,  1841. 

V  Orlando  Evander,  b.  March  11,  1843. 

vl  Cuvier  Grover,  b.  Sept.  24,  1844,  d.  June  22,  1862. 

vii  Abbie  M.,  b.  Dec.  25, 1846,  d.  Dec.  4,  1864. 

viii  Lizzie  D.,  b.  April  26,  1847. 

ix  Victoria  B.,  b.  Jan.  21,  1852. 

X  Ella  L.,  b.  Dec.  20,  18.53. 

Cyrus   Harding   married   Sarah  M.  Lyon  and  lived  in  BetheL 

Children  : 

i     'i'bomas  Eusworth.  b.  .Juno  20,  1843. 
ii     Ellon  Frances,  b.  :Marcb  16, 1842,  d.  Aug.  19,  following. 


HTSTOBY   OF  BETHEL.  557 

George  W.  Harden,  son  of  Elijah  Harden,  laborer  at  West 
Bethel,  married  Dec.  5,  1867,  Hulda,  daughter  of  Samuel  Brown  of 
Albany.     Children : 

i  L.  Wiunifred.  b.  Sept.  21,  1868,  d.  May  16,  1874. 

ii  Eva  E.,  b.  Jan.  1,  1870. 

iii  Bessie  L.,  b.  Feb.  .5,  1872. 

iv  Byrou  W.,  b.  Nov.  8,  1873. 

Hardy. 

Rev.    Daniel   W.    Hardy,   son    of  Levi  and    Eliza  A.  (Drury) 

Hardy  of  "Wilton,  Me.,  married  Lydia,  daughter  of  Prescott 

and  Mary  (Lowe)  Follansbee  of  Waterville.     Children: 

i    Warren  Follansbee,  b.  Bluehill,  Dec.  14,  1878. 
ii    Edgar  Drury.  b.  Bluehill,  April  3,  1880. 

Harris. 

John  Harris,  the  well-known  clothier  merchant  and  business 
man  of  Bethel  Hill,  married  Esther  Proctor.  He  was  born  in  Gor- 
ham,  Oct.  15,  1792.  He  came  here  from  Westbrook  about  1823. 
He  was  captain  of  the  militra,  a  large  real  estate  owner,  and  an  act- 
ive and  successful  business  man.  He  died  May  16,  1875,  and  his 
wife  died  Jan.  26,  1877.     Children  : 

i    Frederick  Proctor,  b.  May  28,  1817,  d.  Aug.  19,  1827. 
ii     Harriet  Maria,  b.  March  15,  1821. 
iii    William  Henry,  b.  April  9,  1823,  d.  Aug.  15,  1827. 
iv     Rebecca,  b.  March  31,  1826,  d.  Aug.  19,  1827. 
V    Eebecca,  b.  April  27,  1828,  d.  April  16,  1833. 

vi    Mary  Ann,  b.  Jan.  12,  1829,  m.  1st,  AVilliam  A.  Whitconib;  2d,  Wil- 
liam Frost  3d  of  Norway,  dead, 
vii    Charles  H.,  b.  Sept.  28,  1835,  m.  March  6,  1862,  Hannah  A.,  daughter 
of  Elisha  Bartlett  of  Xewry.     He  has  been  in  trade  in  Newi-y  and 
at  Bethel.    Xow  resides  at  the  Hdrris  place  in  Bethel.     They  have : 

1  John,  b.  June  19, 1870. 

2  Hattie  M..  b.  Dec.  31,  1873. 

Isaac  Harris  married  Phebe  and  has  on  Bethel  records  the  fol- 
lowing children  : 

i  Mary,  b.  Feb.  17,  1810. 

ii  Amos,  b.  July  17,  1812. 

iii  Lucy,  1).  ^Nlarch  27,  1814. 

iv  Celia.  b.  Dec.  16.  1816. 


558  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

Haselton. 

Rev.  Samuel  Haselton  (or  Hasaltine)  married  first  Alice  B.  Bod- 
well  of  Methuen,  Mass.,  and  second,  Mary  Tasker  of  Bartlett,  N. 
H.  He  died  Dec.  31,  1867,  and  his  wife  Alice',  born  June  3,  1782^ 
died  Aug.  22,  1828.     Children  : 

i  Judith,  b.  March  14,  1S0(J. 

ii  Samuel,  b.  Aug.  27,  1808. 

iii  Alice  B.,  b.  Xov.  19,  1810. 

iv  Chester,  b.  April.  25,  1815. 

V  Lydia,  b.  Jan.  14,  1818. 

vi  John,  b.  Jan.  8,  1812. 

vii  James  L.,  b.  March  19,  1824. 

viii  Ann  E.,  b.  Aug.  11,  1828. 

Hastings. 

General  Amos  Hastings,^  an  early  settler  in  Bethel,  married 
Sept.  10,  1778,  at  Fryeburg,  Elizabeth  Wiley  who  was  a  sister  of 
the  wife  of  John  Grover.  He  was  the  son  of  John^  and  Rebecca 
(Kelley)  Hastings,  grandson  of  John"  and  P^dnah  (Braley)  Has- 
tings and  great  grandson  of  Robert,'  and  Elizabeth  (Davis)  Hast- 
ings, and  was  born  in  Haverhill,  Mass.,  Feb.  3,  1757.  He  was 
prominent  in  early  Bethel  affairs,  a  frequent  town  officer,  and  a 
leading  citizen  generally.     Children  : 

i  Sally,  b. ,  ni.  Samuel  Kilgore  of  Newry. 

ii  Amos,  b.  ,  ni.  Deborah  Howard;  r.  Fryeburg. 

iii  Luciuda,  b.  April  24,  1785,  d.  May  5,  1790. 

iv  Susanna,  b.  May  31,  1788,  m.  Josi-s  Gay  of  Raymond. 

V  'I'imotliy,  b.  Oct.  31.  1790,  m.  Hannah  Bean,  d.  Bethel,  1844. 

vi  Luciuda,  b.  April  7,  1794,  m.  Thoma;?  Fletcher, 

vii  John,  b.  May  6,  1796,  m.  Abigail  Straw. 

viii  Huldah,  b.  April  17.  1798.  m.  Nathaniel  Barker  of  Xewry. 

John  Hastincis  married  Abigail  Straw.  He  was  the  well  known 
village  blacksmith  for  many  years  at  liethel  Hill.  He  died  April  5, 
1859.     Children: 

i  (iideon  Alplionzo.  b.  Feb.  18,    1821,  m.  Oct.  3,  1847,   Dolly   Keyes 

Kimball, 

ii  David  Robinson,  1).  Aug.  26,  1823,  m.  Mary  J.  Ellis,  r.  Fryeburg. 

iii  John  Decatur,  b.  June  11,  1825,  m.  Emma  Kimball, 

iv  Daniel  Straw,  b.  Aug.  12,  1828,  d.  July  31,  1833. 

v  Solon  S.,  b.  Aug.  25,  1832,  d.  June  2,  1833. 

vi  Moses  Mason,  b.  Dec.  2,  1834,  m.  T^ouisa  (iould,  r.  Bangor, 

vii  Agnes  Straw,  b.  Aug.  8,  1837.  ni.  \Viiruun  O.  Straw. 


HIS  TOBY  OF  BETHEL.  559 

viii  Daniel  Straw,  b.  May  5,  1841,  m.  1868,  Eiigeuia  L.  D.  Roberts.  He 
is  a  civil  engineer ;  owns  the  old  homestead,  at  Bethel  Hill,  but  runs 
a  sheep  ranch  in  the  AVest. 

Timothy  Hastings  married  Hannah,  daughter  of  Josiah  Bean. 
He  lived  on  the  north  side  of  the  river  below  Mayville  and  died 
March  11,  1844.  Mr.  Hastings*  was  one  of  the  leading  men  in 
town.     Children : 

i    Mary,  b.  Dec.  5,  1810,  m.  Oct.  16,  1832  Leander  Jewett. 
ii    Timothy,  b.  Oct.  1,  1814,  m.  Xov.  28,  1838,   Sarah  A.  Stowe;  d.  Aug. 

21,  1880. 
iii    Cyreue,  b.  April  12,  1818,  m.  July  1,  1838,  Orange  C.  Frost,  d.  Jan. 

26,  1860. 
iv    O'Neil,  b.  July  17,  1822,  m.  April  4.  1845,  Mary  Ann  Small. 
V    Sarah  Jane  Straw,  b.  June  25,  1828,  m.  1st  Albert  Small :  2d,  Hon. 

Charles  W.  Walton, 
vi    St.  John,  b.  March  12,  1832,  m.  Elizabeth  W.  Athertou. 

Timothy  Hastings  Jr.,  sou  of  Captain  Timothy  Hastings,  mar- 
ried Sarah  A.  Stowe.     Children  : 

i    Timothy,  b.  June  13, 1839,  d.  Sept.  12,  following, 
ii    MaryM.,  b.  July  3,  1840. 
iii    William  D.,  b.  April  25,  1842. 

*At  the  death  of  Mr.  Hastings,  the  following  notice  was  published  and  copied  into 
many  of  the  leading  papers  of  the  State : 

In  Bethel,  llth  inst.  Captain  Timothy  Hastings,  aged  53  years.  How  often  are  we 
called  in  the  providence  of  God,  to  mourn  the  loss  of  friends  eminently  qualified  to  pro- 
mote the  happiness  of  those  with  whom  they  are  associated.  Such  was  Captain  Hast- 
ings. In  all  the  relations  of  life,  in  all  his  intercourse  with  his  fellovrmen,  he  secured 
the  confidence  and  esteem  of  those  who  knew  him.  He  was  the  afl'ectionate  husband, 
the  kind  and  tender  father  and  the  obliging  neighber  and  friend.  The  social  circle  was 
rendered  cheerful  and  happy  by  his  presence.  As  a  private  citizen,  he  was  esteemed 
and  respected  by  all;  the  kindness  of  his  disposition  brought  around  many  friends; 
his  sound  and  discriminating  judgment  brought  many  to  him  for  advice  and  council* 
The  poor  were  never  suflered  to  go  away  empty,  and  to  the  ministers  of  the  Gospel  his 
house  was  always  open.  His  sick  room  was  visited  by  himdreds  of  his  townsmen,  all 
anxious  to  express  their  sympathy  with  him  in  his  disti-ess ;  and  it  was  truly  aflTecting  to 
witness  the  emotions  of  their  grief  as  they  took  their  leave  of  him. 

Asa  public  man  he  possessed  in  a  high  degree  the  confidence  of  his  fellow  citizens, 
having  been  many  years  an  oflicer  in  the  town,  and  four  years  its  Representative  in  the 
Legislature.  His  last  sickness  was  protracted  and  distressing,  but  he  bore  his  sufferings 
with  great  patience  and  truly  Christian  fortitude ;  not  a  complaining  word  escaping  his 
lips.  He  was  calm  and  tranquil  to  the  last;  he  was  enabled  to  contemplate  death  as  a 
welcome  messenger;  and  relying  as  he  did  for  acceptance  with  God  on  the  merits  of  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  we  trust  his  end  is  peace.— "Blessed  is  that  servant  whom  his  Lord 
when  he  cometh  shall  find  so  doing." — His  funeral  was  attended  at  his  late  residence,  by 
a  very  large  concourse  of  people,  whose  presence,  and  the  lines  of  gi'ief  so  distinctly 
marked  on  their  countenances,  bore  unequivocal  testimony  to  the  high  estimation  ia 
which  he  was  universally  held. 


560  HIS  TOBY   OF  BETHEL. 

St.  John  Hastings,  son  of  Timothy  Hastings,  is  a  farmer  and 
lives  on  the  homestead  near  the  mouth  of  Sunday  river.  He  mar- 
ried May  15,  1815,  Elizabeth  Wyman,  daughter  of  Josiah  and 
Betsey  (Carter)  Atherton  of  Waterford.     Children  : 

i  Fannie  Carter,  b.  Jan.  6,  1855. 

ii  Maria  Atherton,  b.  Dec.  24,  1857. 

iii  Sarah  Sewall,  b.  Dec.  10,  1859. 

iv  JIajor  William,  b.  Aug.  25,  1861. 

V  Henry  Harmon,  b.  March  25,  1865,  graduated  from  Bowdoin  College 

class  of  1890. 
vi     Charles,  b.  Nov.  6,  1867,  graduated  from  Bowdoin  College,   class  of 

1891. 
vii    Cora  Walton,  b.  Jan.  29,  1872,  is  at  Kent's  Hill  to  graduate  in  1894. 
viii    Carrie  Jewett,  b.  April  1,  1875. 

Gideon  A.  Hastings,  son  of  John  Hastings,  married  Dolly, 
daughter  of  Moses  F.  Kimball  of  Rumford.     Children  ; 

i  :S[oses  Alphonzo,  b.  Dec.  31,  1848,  m.  Jan.  12,  1884,  Annie  F.  Poor. 

ii  William  Walter,  b.  Feb.  15,  1851. 

iii  Frank  Wallace,  b.  Sept.  25,  1852,  d.  July  2,  1872. 

iv  Florence  Grabella,  b.  May  11,  1854,  d.  Aug.  13,  following. 

V  David  Robinson,  b.  Jan.  24,  1857,  m.  1st,  May  19,  1878,  Josephine  A. 

Sanderson;  2d,  Nov.  10,  1886,  Ella  J.  Coffin, 
vi    O'Neil  W.  R..  1).  March  28,  1859. 
vii    Herbert  Bryant,  b.  June  25,  1861. 
viii    Tom  Foskett,  b.  Jan.  14,  1871. 

John  Dkcatur  Hastings,  son  of  John  Hastings,  a  farmer  at  East 
Bethel,  married  ^lay  3,  l)-!4!>,  Emma  Bean,  daughter  of  Asa  Kim- 
ball. He  resides  on  the  Asa  Kimball  homestead  at  ICast  Bethel  and 
is  a  farmer.     He  has  held  the  office  of  selectman.  Children  : 

i  Abbie  Frances,  b.  Feb.  11,  18.50. 

ii  John  Prentice,  b.  Dec.  28,  1852. 

iii  Marv  Emma,  b.  Dec.  27,  1855,  m.  AVilliam  C.  Howe. 

IV  Agnes  Louise,  b.  Julj^  13,  1859,  m.  Fred  B.  Howe. 

v  George  Kimball,  b.  June  28,  1863. 

Jonas  Hastings  married  Apphia  Baker  of  Fosterfield  ( ?)  in  Sept. 
1802.     Child: 
i    Benjamin  Baker,  b.  Dec.  1,  1804. 

Hkyvtood. 
WiNSLOW  Heyavooi),  born  in  Durham,  Me.,  June  3d,  1793,  mar- 
ried Ma;y  13,  1821,  Sally  Converse  who  was  born  in  Durham  March 
28,   1803,  and  died  in  Weld,  Me.,  March  11,  1851.     For  second 


COL.    GIDEON   A,    HASTINGS, 


HISTOltY  OF   BETHEL.  561 


wife,  Mr.  Heywood  maniecfjMrs.  Phebe,  widow  ofEzra  T.  Russell, 
and  moved  to  Bethel  Hill.  He  was  a  farmer,  and  is  remembered  as 
a  man  of  character  and  standing  in  the  community,  an  upright  and 
highly  respected  citizen.  He  died  Oct.  29,  1877,  and  his  second 
wife  died  several  years  later.     Children  : 

i    Lucy  Auu,  b.  May  18,  1822,  d.  Feb.  20,  1851. 
ii    Erastus  Wiuslow,  b.  January  16, 1825. 

iii    Joseph  Converse,  b.  July  31,  1827,  m.  Mrs.  Julia  K.  McAllister.     He 
graduated  at  Harvard,  studied  law,  and  now  resides  iu  Rome,  Italy, 
iv     Mary  Elizabeth,  b.  Jan.  20,  1830,  d.  Feb.  26,  following. 
V     William  Edward,  b.  Nov.  23,  1831,  d.  March  10,  1864. 
vi    John  Zimri,  b.  Nov.  10,  1834,  d.  Aug.  10,  1851. 
vii    Charles  Augustus,  b.  May  9,  1837,  d.  Feb.  3,  1856. 
viii     Sarah  Louisa,  b.  Dec.  9,  1839,  m.  1870,  Eobert  M.  Reynolds,  who  has 
since  taken  his  wife's  name  of  Heywood. 
ix     Auonj^ma,  b.  Dec.  18,  1841,  d.  same  month. 

X  Mary  Lovejoy,  b.  May  8,  1845,  m.  Merritt  Caldwell  Fernald,  formerly 
principal  of  Gould's  Academj^,  and  for  several  years  Pj-esideut  of 
the  Maine  State  College  at  Orouo. 

Hills. 

Amos  Hills,  born  in  AVest  Newbury,  Mass.,  Sept.  13,  1768, 
came  quite  early  to  this  town  and  lived  on  the  farm  now  the  San- 
born place,  near  the  Bethel  steam  mill.  He  was  also  a  carpenter 
and  built  the  first  meeting  house  in  town.  He  was  Major  of  the 
militia  and  prominent  iu  town  affairs.  He  married,  April  25,  1793, 
Mary  Chase  who  was  born  at  West  Newbury,  Mass.,  April  25,  1771 
and  died  in  Bethel.  March  4,  1831.  He  died  in  Nhelburne,  N.  H.. 
Sept.  27,  1834.  He  moved  from  Bethel  to  Newry  a  few  j^ears  be- 
fore his  death.*     Children  : 

i    Harriet,  b.  March  17,  1794,  m.  Xathau  F.  Twitchell,   d.  Oct.  3,  1824. 
li    Caroline,  b.  June  20, 1797,  d.  Dec.  8,  1810. 
iii    Rufus,  b.  Feb.  26,  1799,  d.  April  6,  1823. 


k*<. 


*A  notice  of  the  death  of  Mr.  Hills,  published  in  the  Christian  Mirror  said  of  him  : 
"He  was  a  man  of  much  decision.  As  a  magistrate,  a  citizen  and  a  parent,  this  valuable 
trait  of  character  was  often  brought  into  exercise.  He  was  not  rash  nor  hasty ;  and  seldom ' 
did  he  commit  himself  or  his  course,  by  deciding  without  deliberation.  But  generosity 
was  the  prominent  trait  in  his  character.  Few  men  have  thought  less  of  show  or  riches, 
or  gratification  than  he  did,  or  enjoyed  a  greater  luxury  in  proportion  to  their  means,  in 
relieving  the  wants  of  their  fellowman.  Had  it  been  in  his  power  he  would  have  driven 
poverty  and  want  from  society;  he  would  not  only  have  relieved  the  distressed,  but 
would  also  have  made  all  around  him  prosperous  and  happy.  He  was  a  valuable  citizen, 
a  kind  and  obliging  neighbor,  and  in  his  ft-iendship,  warm  and  enduring.  His  views  of 
religion  wei-e  evangelical;  he  sustained  its  Institutions  with  cheerfulness,  and  died  in  a 
hope  of  a  blessed  immortality." 

36 


562  HIsrOBY  OF  BETHEL. 

iv    Eowena,  b.  June  28,  1801,  ni.  Eobert  lugalls  of  Shelbunie,  N.  H. 
V     ISusauua,  b.  Aug.  27,  1807,  m.  George  Chapman,  d.  Feb.  24,  1836. 
vi    Mary  Chase,  b.  Oct.  18,  1809,  d.  in  Rodney,  Miss.,  Oct.  30,  1833. 
vii    Thomas  C,  b.  June  8,  1811.  He  went  South  and  died  in  New  Orleans 

in  1889. 
viii    Sarah  J.,  b.  May  25,  1813,  m.   Oct.    18,   1838,   Ferdinand  Ingersoll 
Ilsley  of  Portland.     She  died  in  Paterson,  N.  J.,  Nov.  1,  1889. 

HODSDON. 

Stephen  Hodsdon  of  Berwick,  married  Anna,  daughter  of  Dauiel 
Estes,  and  came  to  Rumford  and  lived  there  until  the  death  of  his 
wife.  After  that,  he  lived  with  his  children  a  portion  of  the  time 
in  Bethel.     Children  : 

i  Anna,  b.  1783,  m.  Jeremiah  Andrews  Jr.,  s.  Rumford. 

ii  Stephen,  b.  1785,  m.  Iluldali  Wasliburn  of  Hebron.x 

iii  Theodocia,  b.  1788,  m.  Peter  Estes,  s.  Bethel, 

iv  James,  b.  1791,  m.  Esther  Bartlett,  r.  Greenwood, 

v  Betsey,  b.  1794,  d.  in  Bethel  1872,  unmarried, 

vi  Susan,  b.  1796,  m.  John  Buchannan,  a  Scotchman, 

vii  Daniel,  b.  1799,  m.  Mary  R.  Richanlson,  r.  Rinnford. 

viii  Lucy,  b.  1802,  m.  Reuben  AVhitman  of  Woodstock. 

ix  Abigail,  b.  1805,  m.  John  Tobin  of  Hartford,  r.  Lincoln, 

Stephen  Housdon  Jr.,  son  of  the  preceding,  married  Feb.  2, 
1815,  Iluldah  Washburn  of  Hebron.  He  lived  in  Bethel  in  the 
Chandler  neighborhood,  north  of  Walker's  Mills.     Children  : 

i    Alden,  b.  June  22,  1816,  d.  Oct.  22,  1833. 
ii    Azuba  W.,  b.  Jau.  7,  1819,  d.  Sept.  11,  1823. 
iii    Lyman,  b.  June  23,  1821,  d.  Sept.  12,  1823. 

iv    Hiram,  b.  Sept.  7,  1825,   m.  Oct.  10,  1856,   Caroline  K.  Chandler.     He 
resides  at  South  Bethel. 

James  Hodsdon  married  Esther,  daughter  of  Moses  Bartlett.  Ha 
lived  in  Bethel  a  few  years,  then  moved  to  Greenwood  and  died 
there.     Children : 
i     Philina,  b.  :March  30,  1810,  m.  William  T.  Brown, 
ii    Elisha  Bartlett,  b.  July  23,  1811,  m.  Emma  Stevens, 
iii    Jesse  Duston,  b.  Jan.  16,  1815,  m,  Narcissa  Nutting, 
iv    Mary  Brown,  b.  Nov.  23,  1823,  d.  1843. 
V    Esther  Beals,  b.  ,Fune  18, 1826,  m.  John  Grant, 
vi    Zerviah  P.,  b.  Jan.  25,  1828. 

vii    Nathaniel  Brown,  b.  Aug.  26,  1833,  m.  Mary  F.  Chaplin  of  Water- 
ford. 


HISrORY   OF   BETHEL.  563 

Elisha  Bartlett  Hodsdon,  son  of  Jumes  Hodsdon,  married 
Emma  W.,  daugliter  of  John  and  Lucy  (Mugford)  Stevens.  He 
died  April  27,  1839.     Children  : 

I  David  T.,  b.  Juue  11,  183G. 

11    Hauuali  C,  b.  Xov.  23,  1837,  d.  April  15,  1859. 

James  Nutting  Hodsdon,  son  of  Jesse  D.  and  Narcissa  (Nut- 
ting) Hodsdon,  Mechanic,  born  in  Bethel,  Sept.  28,  1847,  mar- 
ried Dec.  3,  1888,  Elizabeth  H.,  daughter  of  David  Blake  of 
Gilead.  He  had  previously  lived  in  Aroostooli  county  and  Miss 
Blake  was  his  second  wife.     No  issue. 

Holt. 

The  Holts  of  Bethel  came  generally  from  Andover,  Mass.,  and 
are  descendants  of  Nicholas  Holt,  an  early  settler  there.  Some  of 
the  Bethel  families  settled  first  in  New  Hampshire,  and  subsequent- 
ly came  here. 

Zela  Holt,  son  of  James  and  Mary  (Chandler)  Holt,  born  in 
Andover,  Dec.  29,  1738,  married  Nov.  16,  1762,  Priscilla,  daugh- 
ter of  Barrachias  and  Hannah  (Holt)  Abbot;  he  removed  to  Wil- 
ton, N.  H.,  and  from  there  came  to  Bethel.     Children  : 

i    James,  b.  Andover, ,  ni.  Mehitable . 

II  Calvin,  b.  Auo-.  26,  1763,  d.  March  21.  1795. 
iii    Timothy,  b. . 

iv    Mary,  b. . 

v    Priscilla,  b.  Wilton,  June  2,  1768,  m.  John  Stearns. 
vi    Bridget,  b. . 

James  Holt  married  Mehitable.     Children  : 

i    Timothy  Eaton,  b.  Jan.  13,  1794. 
ii    Joseph  Burnot,  b.  Nov.  16,  1796. 
iii    James,  b.  Jan.  1798. 

Timothy  Holt,  son  of  Timothy,  married  Anna  Stearns  or 
Stevens.     His  children  were  all  born  in  Bethel.     Children  : 

i  Timothy  A.,  b.  April  16,  1800. 

ii  Anna,  b.  Dec.  21,  1801. 

iii  Samuel,  b.  April  7,  1802,  m.  Elvira  Estes. 

iv  Hepziba,  b.  Jan.  25,  1805. 

V  Zela,    -)   d.  Aug.  11.  1806. 

\  twins,  b.  July  6,  1806. 

vi  Peter,  J   m.  Louisa  Wilson  of  Newbury. 


564  HTSTOBY   OF  BETHEL. 

vii  Phebe,  b.  May  G,  1808,  d.  immanled. 

viii  Priscilla,  b.  March  14,  1810. 

ix  Salome,  b.  July  14,  1812. 

X  Betsey,  b.  Sept.  16,  1818. 

Samuel  Holt,  son  of  Timothy  Holt  Jr.,  married  Elvira,  daugla- 
ter  of  Stephen  Estes.     He  lived  on  Swan's  Hill.     Children  : 

i  Therou  Johnson,  b.  Dec.  22,  1820. 

ii  Edmund  Estes,  1).  April  21,  18.32,  m.  Phebe  M.  ^\^g\\X  of  Gilead. 

iii  Juliette  Matilda,  b.  July  15,  18,34,  m.  Augustus  Estes. 

iv  Samuel  Lelaud,  b.  Sept.  5,  1836. 

V  James  Porter,  b.  Dec.  8,  1838,  m.  Mary  P.  Hix. 
vi  Asa  Stevens,  b.  Aug.  24,  1841. 

John  Holt,  son  of  Humphrey  and  3Iary  (Holton)  Holt,  born  in 
Tewksbury,  Mass.,  May  12,  1764,  married  Lydia,  daughter  of 
Elijah  Russell.  When  twenty-one  years  of  age  he  came  to  Bethel, 
and  settled  here.  He  had  been  a  soldier  in  the  war  for  independ- 
ence, served  here  as  town  clerk  and  in  various  other  town  offices, 
and  was  deacon  of  the  Baptist  church.     Children  : 

1    John,  b.  Bethel,  Juue  1,  1788,  d.  Jan.  22,  1780. 
ii  JIannau,  b.  Xov.  12,  1780,  m.  Sally  Dustou,  d.  iuMilford,  Me. 
Iii   J\Tilliam,  b.  Feb.  4,  1702,  m.  Mary  Stearns.  / 
iv  Joseph  Russell,  b.  Jan.  28,  170.5,  m.  Susan  Steams. 
V  .Maiy,  b.  Jan.  20,  1707,  d.  Oct.  20,  180^2. 
vi  -Xathan  A.,  b.  3Iarch  20,  1700,  d.  Au,s;.  6,  1802. 
Vii  -Haskell,  1).  June  3,  1801,  d.  Sept.  30,  1S02. 
viii   ^liram.  b.  July  24,  1803,  ni.  Elohe  Verrill. 
jx  d^^ydia,  1).  Xov.  17,  1805,  m.  Ilumphrej- Beau. 

■Hak:*ian  Holt,  son  of  the  preceding  John,  married  Sally  Dus- 
ton.     Children : 

i    John,  1).  June  26,  1812,  m.  Sept.  15^  1S.74,  Mercy  A.  iEonroe. 

ii     Sarah,  b.  .Sept.  5,  1814. 

iii    Moses  Emery,  b.  ;March  25, 1816,  r.  Medford,  Mass. 
iv     Svlvanus  'Washburn,  b.  Dec.  15,  1820,  m.  Anne  E.  Hunt,  r.  Boston. 

V  Justus  Wilber,  b.  March  31,  1825. 
vi     WilliamC.,b.  May  1.3,  1828. 

William  Holt,  brother  of  the  preceding,  married  INIay  4,  1814, 
Mary,  daughter  of  Tliomas  Stearns,  He  was  a  farmer  and  died 
Dec.  5,  1868  ;  his  widow  died  Jan.  5,  1875.     Children  : 

i    Mary  Ann,  b.  April  16,  1815,  m.  Orin  Swan, 
ii     Iliram  11.,  b.  May  27.  1818,  m.  Sarah  W.  Kimball. 


HISTOEY    OF  BETHEL.  565 

iii     Galen  C,  b.  Feb.  22,    1821,  in.  Sylvia  Foster;  2d,  Maria  K.  Eurbank. 
iv    Xathan  Ward,  b.   April  25,   1827,  m.  Flora  C.  Brown,  r.  Waltham, 

Mass. 
V    William  Ornaudo,  b.  Sept.  25,  1830,  ni.  Deborah  B.  Young, 
vi    Marcia  Case,  b.  Sept.  25,  1833,  m.  Frank  Davis  of  Minot. 
vii    Hiuniihrey  Bean,  b.  Sei)t.  5,  1835,  m.  Katie  M.  Bean. 

Deacon  Joseph  Holt,  brother  of  the  preceding,  married  Susan, 
daughter  of  Thomas  Stearns.  He  was  a  prosperous  and  thrifty 
farmer,  and  succeeded  his  father  as  deacon  of  the  Baptist  church. 
Children  : 

i  Lydia  Maria,  b.  Nov.  20,  1819,  m.  1845,  Wills  Forbes. 

ii  Joseph,  b.  Sept.  10,  1823. 

iii  Sarah  M.,  b.  Aug.  30,  1825,  m.  Rev.  Sumner  Estes.  d.  in  Sanford. 

iv  Infant,  b.  Jan.  25,  1839. 

HiKAM  Holt,  brother  of  the  preceding,  married  June  9,  1826, 
Elolie,  daughter  of  Samuel  Verrill  of  Minot,  who  was  born  Nov,  6, 
1801.  He  was  a  farmer  near  the  middle  of  the  town  and  died  in 
1868  ;  his  wife  died  in  1870.     Children  : 

i    Luther  Prescott,  b.  May  27,  1827,  m.  1853,  Clara  A.  Davis, 
ii    Arthur  Drinkwater,  b.  Feb.  2,  1830,  m.  Rowena  J.  Bird  and  resides  in 
Hanover. 

Nehemiah  Holt,  son  of  Jacob  and  Rhoda  (Abbot)  Holt,  born  in 
Andover,  Dec.  28,  1767,  married  Abigail  Twist  of  Reading.  He 
lived  in  Albany  and  Bethel.     Children  : 

i  Osgood  Damon,  b.  May  6,  1794,  m.  Achsa  Cofflin  of  Gilead. 

ii  Abbot,  b.  May  29,  1796. 

iii  Abigail,  b.  May  14,  1797,  m.  John  Needham,  d.  Bethel, 

iv  Eebecca,  b.  Aug.  21,  1799,  d.  young. 

V  Maiy,  b.  Oct.  22,  1800,  m.  Ebenezer  Bean. 

vi  Nehemiah,  b.  May  25,  1802,  m.  Mrs.  Sarah  Bigelow ;  r.  Portland. 

vii  Eliza,  b.  May  31,  1803,  m.  Lewis  Howard. 

viii  Stephen,  b.  Jan.  5,  1805,   m.   1st,  Sophronia  Austin;  2d,  Arminda 
Follansbee. 

ix  David,  b.  Feb.  10,  1806,  m.  Laurania  Needham. 

X  Jacob,  b.  July  7,  1807,  m.  Hannah  W.  Watson, 

xi  Sarah,  b.  July  7,  1808,  m.  William  F.  Kendall, 

xii  Ephraim  Abbot,  b.  Marcli  21,  1810,  m.  Julia  A.  Kemp, 

xiii  Uriah,  b.  Jan.  19,  1812,  m.  Mary  K.  Bell, 

xiv  Daniel  6.,  b.  Aug.  10,  1814,  m.  Abby  Cummings. 

XV  John  L.,  b.  June  26,  181G,  m.  Lucinda  Leacli. 


566  HISTORY    OF  BETHEL. 

Stephen  Holt  married  first  Sophronia  Austin  and  second, 
Armiuda  Follansbee.  After  he  came  to  Maine  he  lived  in  Albany 
and  on  Bethel  Hill  and  was  by  occupation  a  carpenter.     Children  : 

By  first  wife : 

i    Sophronia,  b.  Andover.  July  9,  1826,  d.  Sept.  26,  following. 
ii    Sophronia,  h.  July  21,  1827. 

hi    Stephen  Gorham,  b.  Jan.  31, 1830,  in.  Abigail  J.  Robertson,  Manches- 
ter, X.  H. 
By  second  wife : 

iv    Maria  W.,  b.  Nashua,  July  9,  1838.  m.  Amos  AVormell. 
V    Luciuda,  b.  Bethel,  Dec.  28, 1840,  m.  Lyman  E.  Ripley, 
vi    John,  b.  June  12,  1842. 
vii    Arminda,  b.  July  14,  1844. 
viii    Aberuethy  Grover,  b.  Xov.  0,  1846. 
ix    Dolly  H.,  b.  May  6,  1849. 
X    Lewis  IL,  b.  July  2,  18.53. 

David  Holt,  son  of  Neliemiah,  married  Laurania  Needham  of 
Norway  :     Children  : 

i    Sophronia  C).,  b.  Sept.  28,  1831. 

ii    David  Osgood,  b.  Aug.  23,  1833. 
hi    Milton,  b.  May  23,  1835,  m.  Vienna  Bennett, 
iv    Osburu,  b.  Xov.  25,  1836. 

V    May  W.,  b.  Oct.  15,  1839. 
vi     ITciiry  A.  W..  b.  April  12.  1843. 

jACon  Holt,  son  of  Nehemiah,   married  Hannah  Watson  of  Nor- 
way.    He  was  a  carpenter  and  lived  for  several  years,  near  Bethel 
railway  station  :     Cliildren  : 
i    Eli/a  Ann,  b.  May  29.  1833.  d.  March  1,  1842. 

ii    Thomas,  b.  Dec.  5,  1834,  m.  X.  Jciniie  Jordan  of  Xorway.     He  was 
civil  engineer  of  the  Maine  Central  railroad,  and  died  in  California, 
iii     Barker,  b.  April  27.  1837.  ni.  Fannie  .\.  Burbank. 

Uriah  Holt,  son  of  Neliemiah   Holt,  married  Mary  K.  Bell  of 
Albany.     Children  : 
i    Sumner  Greenlief,  b.  May  16,  1S39. 
h    George  Henry,  b.  Feb.  15.  1841. 
iii    Sarah  Green,  b.  July  2,  1843. 
iv     Son.  b.  July  21.  18.38.  d.  same  day. 

HiKAM  H.  Holt,  son  of  William  Holt,  married  Aug.  16,  1846, 
Sarah  Webber,  daughter  of  Israel  Kimball.  He  is  a  harness  maker 
and  lives  at  Middle  Interval.     C^hildren  : 

i    Saiah  Luciuda,  b.  Sept.  25,  1848,  m.  Feb.  19,  1879,   William  Wirt  Chase 
and  has  :    i    Willis  Webber  (Chase)  h.  Xov.  2, 1886. 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  o67 

James  P.  Holt  married  Mary  P.  .  Child  : 

i    Eugeue  Charles,  h.  Dec.  30,  1860. 

Humphrey  Bean  Holt,  sod  of  William  Holt,  a  farmer  at  East 
Bethel,  married  March  4,  1866,  Caty  M.,  daughter  of  Zachariah 
Bean,     Children: 

i    lone  H.,  b.  July  7,  1867. 
ii    Fannie  B.,  b.  Aug.  26,  1871. 

Luther  Prescott  Holt,  sou  of  Hiram  Holt,  a  farmer,  married 
June  2,  1853,  Clara,  daughter  of  Benjamin  Davis  of  Miuot,  who 
died  and  he  married  second,  Mrs,  Delia  (King)  Warren,  daughter 
of  Isaac  R.  King.     Children  : 

1    Frank  Arthur,  b.  May  26,  1855, 

li     Sarah  L.,  b.  March  18,  1857. 
ill    Freelaud,  L.,  b.  Jau.  28,  1861. 

By  second  wife : 
iv    Lawrence  Bertram,  b.  April  21,  1886. 

HOLLIS. 

Richard  Hollis  was  born  in  Weymouth  Mass,,  April  22,  1752. 
Sarah  Hanscom,  his  wife,  was  born  in  Cape  P^lizabeth,  January  27, 
1757.  They  moved  to  Danville  where  their  children  were  born. 
Children  : 

i  Deborah,  b.  Xov.  24,  1782,  m.  AVilliam  Ward, 

ii  8olomou,  b,  Feb.  15,  1785,  ni.  Elizabeth  Jordan,  d.  Bethel, 

iii  Xathauiel.  b.  May  28,  1787. 

iv  Richard,  b.  April  30,  1789. 

v  Sarah,  b.  June  29,  1791,  m.  Abraham  Jordan, 

vi  Hannah,  b,  April  19,  1794,  m.  John  Jordan, 

vii  David,  b.  June  30,  1796,  m.  ]Mary  Fox. 

viii  Tabitha,  b.  Sept.  11,  1800,  m.  Abram  Bryant, 

ix  Polly,  b.  Xov.  22.  1803. 

Howe. 

Alonzo  Howe,  son  of  Col.  Eli  Howe  of  Hanover,  married  first, 
Lucy  Brown  and  second  Nancy  A.,  daughter  of  Captain  William 
Andrews.  He  settled  on  the  Andrews  farm.  His  second  wife  died 
April  20,  1887,  aged  63  years.  He  died  April  21,  1886.  Several 
of  the  children  reside  at  Butte,  Montana.     Children  : 

i     George  E.,  b.  May  9,  1845. 
ii    Charles  Warren,  b.  Xov.  31.  1846. 


568  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

iii    William,  b,  July  15,  1S47. 
iv    Clarence,  b. ,  1849. 

V  Elleu  Maria,  b.  July  26,  1853. 

vi    Fred  Bardeu,   b.   Dec.   IS,   1855,  ra.   Dec.  22,    1883,   Agues  Louise, 
daughter  of  John  D.  Hastings  and  has : 
i    John  Hastings,  b.  Juue  7,  1891. 
vii    Freeman,  b.  Feb.  20,  1857,  d.  Nov.  1891. 
viii    Mellen  Kimball,  b.  Nov.  27,  1860. 
ix    Mary  Ellen,  b.  Nov.  27,  1860.         .^   , 
X     Henry  Dean,  b. SUfe->  '  '^    *  ''   ^ 

John  Howe,  son  of  William  and  Mercy  (Cooley)  Howe,  both 
from  England,  a  farmer,  was  born  in  Wheeloek,  Vt.,  Nov.  22, 
1818.  His  father  moved  to  Greenwood,  Me.,  where  he  died  and 
his  widow  returned  to  Wheeloek,  Vt.  John  Howe  was  married 
April  16,  1843,  to  Harriet  T.,  daughter  of  Joseph  Cummings  of 
Greenwood.     Children : 

i    Ellice,  b.  1844,  m.  Dennis  W.  Cole. 

ii    Abbie  F.,  b.  1846,  m.  Xatlian  Pride, 
iii     H.  Virginia,  b.  1849,  ni.  Sylvanus  Bean, 
iv    Aura  P.,  b.  1851. 

Howard. 

Phineas   Howard,   Jr.,    from    Howard's  Gore,    married  Lois 
Duston.  He  lived  east  of  Kimball  Hill,  in  the  east  part  of  the  town. 
Most  of  the  family  early  left  the  town.     Children  : 
i    Samuel  Jewett,  b.  Jan.  6,  1815,  m.  Sarah  Estes. 

ii    Thomas,  P.,  b. ,  m.  Iluldah  Frost. 

iii     Horatio  Southgate,  b.  Feb.  28,  1818. 
iv    Maria  Farnum,  b.  Sept.  13,  1820. 

V  Horace  Farnum,  b.  Aug.  19,  1822. 
vi     Chandler  Duston,  b.  July  3,  1825. 

vii  James  Smith,  b.  Xov.  16,  1827. 

viii  Alden  Emery,  b.  Dec.  1,  1829. 

ix  Charles  B.,  b.  Feb.  10,  1832. 

X  George  R.,  b.  :March  10,  1834. 

xi  William  AV.,  b.  March  23,  1836. 

Samuel  Jewett  Howard  married  Sarah,  daughter  of  Benjamin 
Estes.  He  was  the  oldest  son  of  Phineas  Howard,  Jr.,  and  lived 
at  the  lower  part  of  the  town.     Children  : 

i  Wallace  Mason,  b.  Xov.  25.1835.  ii  Edson  Fairtield,  b.  April  15, 
1838.  iii  Emeline  Farnum,  b.  Sept.  5,  1839,  d.  Xov.  12,  1840.  iv  Stephen 
Emery,  b.  Jan.  29,  1841.     v    Alma  Maria,  b.  Feb.  14,  1843.     vi    Sarah  E., 

b. ,  1S48.     vii     Louisa  A.,  1). ,  1S50.     viii    John  D.,  b. , 

1853. 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  569- 

Thomas  P.  Hoavard,  sou  of  Phiueas  Howard,  married  Huldah, 
daughter  of  Phineas  Frost.  He  was  a  clothier  and  cloth-dresser.  He 
worked  at  Locke's  Mills  and  also  at  Walker's  Mills,  also  in  Massa- 
chusetts and  in  Biddeford.     Children  : 

i  Helen  R.,  b.  Feb.  10,  1841.  ii  James  O.,  b.  Aug.  1,  1842.  iii  Zibia 
Frost,  b.  Oct.  14,  1843. 

Jefferson  Howard  of  Howard's  Gore,  married  Olive,  daughter 
of  Amos  Bean.     Children  : 

i  Humphrey  Beau,  b.  June  9,  1827.  ii  Huldah  Kimball,  b.  Feb.  5, 
1831. 

Jackson. 

Clarence  Edavin  Jackson,  son  of  Jefferson  and  Louisa  W. 
(Bailey)  Jackson  of  Milton  Plantation,  is  an  engineer  and  resides 
in  Bethel.  He  married  January  18,  1890,  Edith  May,  daughter  of 
Daniel  A.  Coffin.     Child  : 

1    Clara  L.,  b.  May  15,  1891. 

Jeavett. 

Leander  Jeavett,  from  Waterford,  b.  in  1804,  married  Mary, 
daughter  of  Captain  Timothy  Hastings.  He  settled  on  the  north 
side  of  the  riA^er  below  MayAnlle  and  on  the  Peter  York  farm  Avhere 
he  died  Oct.  18,  1882.     Children  : 

1    Xathauiel  O'Xeil  H.,  b.  Oct.  27,  1833,  d.  March  14,  1836. 
ii    Hannah  Bean,  b.  March  25,  1838,  m.  Aug.  1,  1865,  Henry  Wilson  Har- 
mon, d.  April  28,  1869. 
iii    Timotliy  Hastings,  b.  Sept.  3,  1843,  m.  May  15,  18G6,  Carrie  H.,  daugh- 
ter of  Rev.  William  Beavius.     He  is  a  farmer  on  the  homestead  and 
has  Han  B.,  b.  June  20,  1870. 

Paul  Jewett  married  Belinda  Staples.  He  resided  in  Hanover, 
Children  : 

i    Celia  Maria,  b.  Jan.  26,  1827. 
ii    Huldah  Albina,  b.  June  2,  1828. 

Jordan. 

Abraham  Jordan,  a  lineal  discendant  of  Rev.  Rol)ert  Jordan,  the 
early  minister  at  Cape  Elizabeth,  born  in  Pejepscot,  now  Danville, 
Jan  3,  1789,  son  of  Humphrey  and  Joanna  (Bryant)  Jordan,  mar- 
ried Dec.  7,  1810,  Sarah  Hollis,  died  in  June  1864.  He  died  Oct. 
2,  1848.     His  farm  was  on  the  Bird  Hill.     Children  : 


570  ■      HIS  TOBY  OF  BETHEL. 

i    John,  b.  May  2,  1811,  m.  Sept.  25,  1835,  Lois  Cushmau. 

ii    Hauuali,  b.  July  25,  1813,  m.  Oct.  28, 1834,  Eli  H.  Cushmau. 

iii  Eichard  H.,  b.  Sept.  3,  1815,  m.  Jan.  12,  1841,  Theodora  Pratt.  He 
married  second,  Mary  E.  Brown. 

iv  Joanna  P.,  b.  Sept.  29,  1827,  m.  3Iarch  25,  1844.  Cyrus  Swift,  and  sec- 
ond, Henry  Libby.     She  resides  a  widow  at  Locke's  31ills. 

John  Jordan,  son  of  Abraham  Jordan,  married  Lois,  daughter^ 
of  Deacon  John  Cushman.     He  lived  many  years  on  part  of  his 
father's  homestead  ;  he  then  moved  to  Albany  and  died  there.  Chil- 
dren : 

i  Sarah,  b.  March  3,  1835,  m.  May  16,  1S5G,  Moses  P.  Mason, 

ii  Nancy,  b.  Sept.  8,  1836,  m.  Feb.  10,  18.54,  AVilloughby  R.  York, 

iii  John  Edward,  b.  Sept.  20,  1838,  m.  Feb.  4,  1862,  Harriet  Bennett, 

iv  Nathaniel,  b.  Feb.  9,  1843,  m.  Aug.  3,  1865,  Emma  Odell. 

V  Ira  Cushman,  b.  Nov.  8, 1845,  m.  May  4,  1870,  Ella  H.  Bean, 

vi  Mary  E.,  b.  Nov.  6,  1847,  m.  Oct.  18,  1869,  George  C.  Brownell. 

vii  Stillman  Berry,  b.  Feb.  21,  1849,   m.  Nov.  IS,  1875.   Julia  S.  Bennett. 

Richard  Jordan  married  first,  Theodora  L.,  daughter  of  Calvin 
Pratt  of  Paris,  who  died  Nov.  21,  1863.  He  married  second  Mary 
E.  Brown.     Children  : 

i  Eliza  Jane,  b.  Nov.  13,  1841,  m.  James  LeBarron. 

ii  Caroline  Augusta,  b.  Jan.  25,  1844,  m.  William  AV.  Bird, 

iii  Ann  P.,  b.  Aug.  3,  1845,  d.  Dec.  23,  1<<63. 

iv  Richard  Henry,  b.  July  5,  1847,  r.  Boston. 

V  Abraham,  1).  Nov.  1.'),  1S4J,  m.  Jane  C.  Brooks, 

vi  Calvin  Pratt,  b.  Oct.  6, 1852,  d.  Oct.  4,  1853. 

vii  Deborah  Elizabeth,  b.  Oct.  3,  18.56,  d.  April  6,  1859. 

viii  Ansel  A.,  b.  Aug.  11,  1858. 

ix  Deborah  Elizabeth,  b.  June  16.  1861. 
B}^  second  wife : 

X  Arietta  A.,  b.  Oct.  11,  1866. 

xi  Fannie  A.,  b.  Feb.  10,  1868. 

xii  Charles  W.,  b.  Dec.  6,  1870. 

xiii  Clara  E.,  b.  Feb.  29,  1872. 

xiv  Mattie  S.,  b.  Dec.  24,  1874. 

XV  Frederick  E.,  b.  April  14,  1877. 

Kendall. 

Rezaleel  Kendall,  Jr.,  married  Anna,  daughter  of  Daniel 
Bean.  He  lived  at  Kendall's  Ferrj'  of  which  he  was  the  proprietor, 
above  Middle  Intervale,  and  died  there.  He  was  also  a  farmer.  His 
father  died  in  Bethel  in  1829  and  his  mother  in  1841.     Children  : 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  571 

i  Frauds  Elias,  b.  Sept.  24,  1811. 

ii  Justin  I.,  b.  Dec.  9,  1813. 

iii  Ralph  Gordou,  b.  Dec.  4,  1815. 

iv  Dauiel  Gilbert,  b.  Nov.  4,  1817. 

V  Sargeut  Gilmore,  b.  Oct.  20.  1820. 
vi  Dolly  Auu,  b.  Feb.  25,  1823. 

vii    Timothy  H.,  b.  May  18,  1825. 

viii  Bezaleel  Freemau,  b.  Oct.  7,  1827.  He  graduated  from  Bowdoiu  Col- 
lege, studied  law,  went  to  the  Pacific  coast,  published  a  paper  at 
Olympia,  Washington,  and  \vas  shot  dead  in  his  office  by  the  son 
of  a  person  whose  ofiicial  acts,  Kendall  had  sharply  criticised  in  his 
paper. 

Kent. 

James  E.  Kent,  by  wife  Ann ,  had  the  following  children 

Tecorded  on  our  records.     Children  : 

i    James  E.,  b.  Dec.  21,  1827. 
ii    Mercy  Ann,  b.  May  7,  1831. 

KiLGORE. 

John  Kilgore,  son  of  John  who  came  from  Scotland  and  settled 
in  Kitter}^,  Me.,  (the  name  is  also  written  Kilgour  and  Kilgoure) 
married  P^lizabeth  Brickett  of  Berwick,  moved  to  Fryeburg  and  then 
to  Bethel.  He  settled  at  Middle  Interval  where  his  son  John  after- 
wards lived.  In  1796,  he  was  elected  chairman  of  the  board  of 
selectmen.     Children : 

i  Joseph,  b. ,  1764,  m. ,  AViley,  s.  Lisbon. 

ii  John,  b.  April  14,  17(56,  m.  Anna  York  of  Bethel. 

iii  Benjamin,  b. ,  1768,  m.  Olive  Grover,  s.  Waterford. 

iv  Samuel,  b. -^  m.  Sally  Hastings,  s.  Warren. 

V  3Iary,  b. ,  m.  John  Shorey,  s.  Litchfield. 

vi    Sally,  b. ,  m.  Benjamin  McCollister  of  Lovel. 

vii    Elizabeth,  b. ,  m.  Elias  Lord  of  Lyman. 

Mehitable,  li. ,  m.  William  Eussell  of  Bethel. 

Alice,  b. ,  m.  Samuel  Ayer  of  Bethel. 


>^Tiii 


John  Kilgore,  son  of  the  preceding,  born  April  14,  1766,  mar- 
ried Anna,  daughter  of  Col.  John  York  who  was  born  Feb.  11, 
1774,  and  settled  at  Middle  Interval.  He  was  often  on  the  board 
of  selectmen,  and  prominent  in  town  matters.     Children  : 

i    Urban,  b.  May  30,  1790,  d.  in  war  of  1812. 
ii    Elihu,  b.  Jan.  30,  1792,  m.  Sally  York, 
iii    Eliphaz  Cliapman,  b.  April  4,  1794,  m.  Sally  Frost. 


572  HI  ST  OH  Y  OF  BETHEL. 

iv  Sally,  b.  March  19,  1796,  m.  Johu  York. 

V  Alvali,  b.  March  27,  1798,  ni.  Polly  Powers,  s.  Newry, 

vi  Joanna,  b.  June  22,  1800,  d.  Aug.  1,  1801. 

vii  John,  b.  June  24,  1802,  m.  Almira  Frost. 

viii  Joanna,  b.  Sept.  2.5,   1804,  m.  1st  Elijah  Searle;  2d,   Ephraim  Mc- 
y         Kusick. 

ix  Abigail,  b.  Oct.  7,  1806,  m.  1st,   Luke  R.  Russell;   2d,  Silas  Billings 
/       of  Woodstock. 

K    X  Ira,  b.  Oct.  19,  1808,  m.  Lydia  Russell ;  both  died  in  Augusta. 

xi  Moses  Hadley,  b.  March  30,  1811,  m.  Irene  Shurtletf. 

xii  Phineas  H.,  b.  Julj^  17,  1813,  m.  Jane  Severance,  went  early  to  Wis- 
consin. 

xiii  Julia  A.,  b.  June  24,  1815,  ni.  Peregrine  Sessions,  went  to  Utah. 

Elihu  Killgore   mai'riecl  Sally,  daughter  of  Job  York.  He  lived 
on  the  river  road  between  Bean's  Corner  and  Rumford.     Child  : 
i     Rosalie,  b.  March  12,  1814. 

KiLBOUNE. 

Samukl  W.  Kilburne,  son  of  Tliomas  and  Lj^dia  (Warren)  Kil- 
borue,of  Waterford,  married  in  1850,  Sarah  S.,  daughter  of  Deacon 
Leonard  Grover.  He  lived  in  Bethel  many  years  and  was  deacon 
of  the  Congregational  church.  By  trade  he  was  a  carpenter.  At 
the  taking  of  the  census  of  1870,  he  returned  :     Children  : 

i     Fanny  A.,  b. ,  1854.     ii    Charles  H.,  born ,  1867. 

Eben  Shaw  Kilborn,  youngest  son  and  child  of  Enos  L.  W.  Kil- 
born,  who  was  born  in  Harrison  June  30,  1808,  and  died  Nov.  18, 
1846,  and  of  his  wife  Rhoda  Shaw  who  was  born  in  Standish,  May 
21,  1805.  and  died  August  20,  1886,  was  born  in  Harrison,  July  1, 
1846.  He  came  to  Bethel  when  eight  years  old  and  has  since  re- 
sided here.  He  owns  the  mills  on  Mill  brook  and  is  a  manufacturer 
and  dealer  in  long  and  short  lumber ;  also  dealer  in  flour,  corn  and 
meal.  He  is  an  active,  energetic  business  man,  has  been  more  or 
less  in  town  otlice,  and  is  at  the  present  time  (1891)  chairman  of 
the  board  of  selectmen. 

Kimball. 

Asa  Kimball,  born  June  15,  1738,  sou  of  Jacob  and  Sarah 
(Hale)  Kimball  of  Andover  or  Bradford,  Mass.  Married  July  15, 
1760,  Huldah  Tapley  of  Topsfield,  Mass.  He  was  a  descend- 
ant of  Robert  Kimball  of  Ipswich.     He  moved  to  Bridgtou  quite 


HISTOBY   OF  BETHEL.  573 

earl}',  and  had  a  rope-walk  there.  When  quite  aged  he  came  to 
Bethel  where  some  of  his  sons  had  preceded  him,  and  died  here. 
He  was  buried  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  his  grandson  Moses  S. 
Kimball.     Children : 

i  Samuel,  b.  Jan.  2G,  1761,  m.  Hannah  Clark  of  St.  Jolm,  X.  B. 

ii  Richard,  b.  Jan.  24,  1764,  ni.  and  resided  in  St.  John,  X.  B. 

iii  Huldah,  b.  Dec.  21,  176.5. 

iv  Asa  Jr.,  b.  Nov.  29,  1767,  m.  Phebe  Foster  of  liridgtou. 

V  Israel,  b.  Nov.  27,  1769,  m.  Phebe  Hazen;  d.  1830,  in  Bethel, 

vi  Jedediah,  b.  Sept.  29,  1771,  m.  Elizabeth  Emerson,  d.  1852. 

vii  Sally,  b. ,  m.  William  Emerson  Jr. 

viii  Hannah,  b. ,  m.  Timothy  Bean  of  Bethel. 

ix  Jacob,  b. ,  m.  Emma  Stone  of  Grotou,  Mass. 

Samuel  Kimball,  son  of  the  preceding,  married  Hannah  Clark. 
Children  : 

i  Phebe,  b. ,  m.  Ilezekiah  Andrews. 

ii  Lydia,  b. ,  m.  Luther  Bean.     U^ 

iii  Olive,  b. ,  m.  1st,  Ephraim  Powers;  2d,  James  Daniels. 

iv  Clark,  b.  Nov.  26, 1798,  m.  Harriet  Willis. 

V  Peter,  b.  March  4,  1800,  m.  Sophia  Wlieeler. 

vi  Huldah,  b. ,  m.  Amos  Bean.L'^ 

Asa  Kimball  Jr.,  brother  of  the  preceding,  married  Phebe  Fos- 
ter of  Bridgton,  who  was  born  Sept.  24,  1769.  He  died  at  Bethel, 
Aug,  7,  1823,  and  his  widow  died  Oct.  11,  1858.  He  was  a  farmer 
and  rope-maker.     Children  : 

1    Moses  F.,  b.  Oct.  19,  1790,  m.  Mary  Bean,  r.  Rumford.i 
ii     Asa  Jr.,  b.  Oct  12,  1792,  lu.  Abiojail  Bartlett. 
iii    Emma,  b.  Jan.  4,  1795,  m.  Edmund  Bean.  ^'^ 

iv    Nancy,  b.  Oct.  25,  1799,  m.   1st,  Porter   Kimball;  2d,   Peter  C.  Virgin 
of  Rumford. 

Israel  Kimball,  son  of  Asa  Kimball,  came  to  this  town  from 
Bridgton  and  settled  at  Middle  Intervale  where  his  grandchildren 
yet  live.  He  married  Phebe  Hazen  of  Bridgton,  and  died  Dec.  6, 
1829.  His  widow  died  Nov.  26,  1854.  His  children  were  all  born 
at  Bridgton.     Children  : 

i     Israel,  b.  Jan.  20,  1792,  m.  Sarah  AVebber. 
ii    Hannah,  b.  May  11,  1796,  m.  Aaron  Littlefield. 
iii    Ilepsibah,  b.  Jan.  6,  1798,  m.  Ebenezer  Fames. 
iv    Jacob  Hazen,  b.  April  3,  1800,  m.  Harriet  Gage. 
l^v    Phebe,  b.  Feb.  21,  1804,  m.  lst,/^.ra  T.  Russell;  2d,  Winslow  Ilej-- 
wood. 


574  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

vi    Richard,  b.  Jau.  20,  1806,  m.  Zilpha  Dresser. 

vii    Byron  AV.,  b. . 

viii    Ira  Crocker,  b.  Jau.  29,1816,   m.  1st,   Joauua  Rowe ;  2d,   Salome  B.. 
Chapman. 

Jedediah  Kimball,  sou  of  Asa  Kimball,  married  Elizabeth 
Emerson.  He  lived  in  Bridgton  and  died  March  26,  1852.  His 
widow  died  October  31,  1853.     Children  : 

1    Eliza,  b.  Sept.  15.  1799,  d.  jouug.     ii  Roxanua,  b.  Sept.  17,  1801.     iii 

Eliza,  b.  Oct.  19.  1803.     iv  Sally,  b. .     v  Lavinia,  b.  Feb.  4,  1808,  d. 

Feb.  28,  182.5.  vi  Sarah,  b.  March  8,  1810,  d.  Dec.  1,  1836.  vii  Hannah 
A.,  b.  March  27,  1812.  viii  Paulina,  b.  Aug.  25,  1815.  ix  Julia,  b.  May 
21,  1818.     X    Jedediah,  b.  Sept.  18,  1820. 

Jacob  Kimball  married  Emma  Stone  of  Groton,  Mass.  He 
came  to  Bethel  about  the  year  1824,  aud  settled  in  the  lower  part 
of  the  town,  and  gave  the  name  to  Kimball  Hill.     Children  : 

i    Clarissa,  b.  Sept.  5,  1796,  ni.  1st,  Eli  Estes;   2d,  John  Howe  of  Rum- 
ford, 
ii    Hannibal,  b.  Jan.  2,  1798.  ni.  and  settled  in  AVisconsiu. 
iii    Ennua,  b.  Aug.  26,  1799,  m.  Benjaniiu  Kilgore  of  Waterford. 
iv    Nancv,    b.  July  20,  1801,  ni.  1st,  Rufus  Barker  of  Waterford;  2d, 

John  Howe  of  Rumford. 
v    Charlotte,  b.  Marcli  4,  1803,  m.  Walter  Mason  of  West  Bethel, 
vi    Thirza,  b.  July  20,  1806,  m.  Calvin  Howe  of  Rumford. 
vii    Jedediah,  b.  July  4,  1808,  m.  Julia  Richardson,  r.  Byron, 
viii    Susannah,  b.  Aug.  27,  1810,  ni.  Oliver  P.  Powers. 
ix    Jacob  T.,  b.Aug.  27,  1812,  m.  Phila  Andrews. 
X    Moses  Stone,  b.  May  11,  1817.  m.  Cuthoriue  Young. 

Clark  Kimball,  sou  of  Samuel  Kimball,  married  Harriet, 
daughter  of  Jouas  Willis.  He  lived  on  the  road  between  the  river 
and  Locke's  ^Nlills  aud  died  there.     Children: 

i  Joseph  ^V.,  1).  :\Iarch  1, 1821. 

ii  Ephraini  C.  b.  :SIay  31,  1825. 

iii  Jonas  Willis,  b.  March  24,  1827,  d.  April  10,  1828. 

iv  Dorcas  liarbour.  b.  Jan.  18,  1829. 

Peteh  Kimball,  sou  of  Samuel  Kimball,  married  Sophia,  daugh- 
ter of  Abel  Wheeler  of  Rumford.     Children  : 

i  Sophia,  b.  Oct.  31,  1824,  m.  Jau.  4,  1846,  John  Hamlin,  Milan,  N.  H. 

ii  Charles  Wlieeler,  b.  Oct.  30.  1829,  d.  May  31, 1830. 

iii  Viola,  b.  :Mareh  27,  1830,  d.  July  19,  1833. 

iv  Sarah  M.,  b.  July  19,  1833,  d.  Xov.  27,  1835. 

V  Charles  Mellen,  b.  Feb.  24,  1839,  ni.  July  3,  1873,  Mary  E.  Bartlett. 


HIS  TOBY  OF  BETHEL.  575. 

Asa  Kimball,  son  of  Asa  Jr.,  married  Abigail  Bartlett.  He  was 
a  farmer,  a  man  of  influence  in  town,  served  much  in  town  office 
and  was  elected  representative  to  the  Legislature.    Children  : 

i  George  AV.,  b.  Feb.  5,  1817,  d.  Xov.  16,  following. 

ii  Abigail,  b.  June  3,  1822,  d.  Aug.  29,  1823. 

iii  Moses  F.,  b.  Sept.  29,  1824,  m.  July  27,  1864,  Dolly  K.  Bean. 

iv  Emma  Beau,  b.  March  20,  1828,  m.  John  Decatur  Hastings. 

Israel  Kimball  Jr.,  married  July  9,  1822,  Sarah,  daughter  of 
Benjamin  Webber  of  Sweden,  born  March  9,  1799.  He  was  a  good 
farmer  and  lived  at  Middle  Interval.  He  died,  and  his  widow  died 
June  2,  1881.     Children: 

i    Sarah  Webber,  b.  May  22,  1824,  m.  Hiram  H.  Holt. 
ii    Israel  Granville,  b.  April  24,  1826,  m.  Dec.  8,  1850,  Lavinia  H.  Dus- 

ton. 
iii    Benjamin  Webber,  b.  March  13,  1829,  m.  Susan  L.  Currier, 
iv    Mary  Elizabeth,  b.  May  12,  1831,  m.  David  Abbot  Gorham. 
v    Infant,  b.  June  11,  1833,  d.  July  3,  1833. 

vi    Hepsibah  Fames,  b.  July  27,  1834,  m.  ISTov.  3,  1865,   Wm.  W.  Mason, 
vii    Susannah  Xevers,  b.  Nov.  1,  1837,  r.  Bethel,  unmarried, 
viii    Harriet  Hazen,  b.  June  7,  1840,  m.  March  22,  1880,  Clarence  B.  San- 
born who  died  and  she  r.  a  widow  at  Bethel. 

Jedediah  Tapley  Kimball,  son  of  Israel  Kimball,  married  Mary 
Ann,  daughter  of  Eev.  Daniel  Mason.  He  lives  near  Middle  In- 
tervale on  the  Daniel  Mason  place.  He  has  represented  the  town 
in  the  Legislature  and  is  a  much  respected  citizen.     Children  : 

1    Tapley  Webster,  b.  Aug.  28,  1837,  d.  July  1,  1855. 
ii    Jacob  Hazen,  b.  Sept.  16,  1840,  d.  Sept.  12,  1865. 

iii    Daniel  Mason,  b.  Dec.  31,  1842,  m.  Oct.  9,  1873,  Ellen,  daughter  of 
Stephen  and  Louisa  (Peuley)  Packard  of  Woodstock.    She  is  still  a 
teacher   of  public  schools;   no  issue,  but  have   adopted  Lula  B^ 
Kimball,  b.  Errol,  N.  H.,  April  12,  1881. 
iv    Calvin  Newton,  b.  March  13,  1846. 

v    John  Lincoln,  b.  Sept.  5,  1848,  ra.  Oct.  9,  1876,  Laura  Sterling, 
vi    Rebecca  Jones,  b.  Feb.  15,  1851,  in.  July  6,  1872,  Clark  Caswell. 
vii    Mary  Elizabeth,  b.  June  21,  1853. 

Ira  C.  Kimball,  son  of  Israel  Kimball,  married  first  Joanna 
Rows  of  Bethel  who  died  July  7,  1847,  and  second,  Salome  B. 
Chapman.  He  was  a  well-known  merchant  and  successful  business 
man  at  Bethel.     Children  : 

i    Melville  Crocker,  b.  Nov.  16.  1840,  m.  Cyrene  Eobinson. 
ii    Emily  Joanna,  b.  Jan.  19,  1843.  m.  Samuel  D.  Philbrook. 


576  HI  STORY  OF  BETHEL. 

iii    Calviu  Israel,  b.  May  14,  1845,  m.  Jeuuie  ytarbird  of  Portlaud. 
iv    Martha,  b.  April  15,  1847,  d.  July  7  following. 
By  second  marriage : 

V  Anna  Flora,  b.  Jan.  2, 1850,  d.  Sept.  9,  1887. 

vi    Carrie  E.,  b.  Get.  25,  1854.  m.  Dec.  4,  1877,  Charles  H.  Hersey, 
vii    Jessie  Francis,  b.  Jan.  15,  1858,  m.  Jan.  29,  1880,  John  M.  Ostrander. 
viii    Minnie,  b.  July  27,  1860,  d.  Jan.  1.3,  1861. 

Jacob  T.  Kimball,  son  of  Jacob  Kimball,  married  Feb.  16.  1841 
Phila,  daughter  of  William  Andrews.  He  lived  on  Kimball  Hill  in 
the  lower  parish.     Children  : 

i  Octavia  F.,  b.  Nov.  30,  1841,  d.  Dec.  26,  1864. 

ii  Gustavus  M.,  b.  Dec.  6,  1842,  m.  Sarah  Biagg. 

iii  Xancy  A.,  b.  Sept.  28,  1844,  m.  James  Mayconnell. 

iv  Mary  E.,  b.  July  31,  1845,  d.  Dec.  24,  1861. 

V  Francis  E.,  b.  July  9,  1846,  d.  Sept.  17  following, 
vi  AVilliam  A.,  b.  July  3,  1847,  m.  Mary  Macomber. 

vii    Emma  M.,  b.  July  1,  1851,  m.  Leforest  Bragg, 
viii     Chai-les  H.,   b.  Jan.  4,  1S57,   m.  Oct.  10,  1883,   Annie  C,  daughter  of 

John  and  Dolly  Chase  of  Paris.    Thej-  live  on  Kimball  Hill ;  no 

issue. 

Moses  Stone  Kimball,  sou  of  Jacob  Kimball,  married  Dec.  10, 
1844,  Catherine,  daughter  of  Captain  Amos  Young  of  Greenwood, 
afterward  of  Bethel.  He  occupies  the  farm  once  owned  by  his 
grandfather,  Asa  Kimball.  He  is  a  man  of  intelligence,  a  good  and 
progressive  farmer.  In  more  recent  years,  on  account  of  failing 
health,  he  has  let  out  his  farm,  and  with  his  wife  spends  a  portion  of 
his  time  with  his  children  who  have  married  and  settled  in  Massa- 
chusetts. Mr.  Kimball  has  long  been  deacon  of  the  Baptist  church. 
Children  : 

i     Annie  S.,  b.  Sept.  1,  1846,  m,  Orlando  B.  Crane. 

ii    Jedediah  A.,  b.  June  27,  1848,  ni.  Addie  J.  Hanmiond. 
iii     Sarah  F.,  b.  Oct.  9,  1852,  m.  Alva  M.  Butler, 
iv     Flora  A.,  b.  March  4. 18.55,  m.  (Irarles  II.  Felker. 

Chakles  Mellen  Kimball,  son  of  Peter  Kimball,  married  first  in 
1865,  Loretta  S.,  daughter  of  Jonathan  A.  Bartlett  of  Rumford 
who  died  in  1867  ;  he  married  second,  July  3d,  187?,  Mary  E., 
daughter  of  ILlias  S.  Bartlett  of  Bethel.  Mr.  Kimball  cultivates  the 
paternal  acres,  is  a  thrifty  farmer  and  a  good  man  of  business.  He 
has  served  several  terms  on  the  board  of  selectmen,  and  also  was  a 
representative  to  the  Legislature.     Children  : 

i  Irving,  b.  May  9,  1875.  ii  Lillian  Ketta,  b.  Nov.  18,  1876.  iii  Rose 
Ilawson,  b.  May  15,  1880-    iv  •  Hester  May,  b.  Oct.  3,  1884. 


ins  TO  BY   OF   BETHEL.  577 

Moses  Y.  Kimball,  sou  of  Asa  Kimball,  married  Dolly  K., 
daughter  of  Joshua  Bean.     Childreu  : 

i  Charles  C,  b.  July  27,  1856.  ii  Arabella,  b.  July  16,  1859.  iii  Ellen 
F.,  b.  Sept.  21,  1863. 

Israel  G.  Kimball,  sou  of  Israel  Kimball  Jr.,  married  Dec  8, 
1850,  Laviuia  H.,  daughter  of  John  Y.  Duston.  He  lives  at  Mid- 
dle Interval  on  the  old  Kimball  homestead.  He  is  an  active  busi- 
ness man.  He  was  agent  to  fill  the  town's  quotas  during  the  war, 
has  been  many  years  a  selectman,  collector  of  taxes  etc.,  and  also 
represented  the  towu  in  the  Legislature.     Children  : 

i    Charles  Grenville,  b.  Oct.  1,  1851. 

ii    Alice  Maud,  b.  Xov.  15, 1853,  m.  Augustus  E.  Philbrook,  r.  Shelburne, 

N.  H. 
iii  ■  Mary  Josephiue,  b.  Oct.  7,  1857,  m.  Frank  G.  Blake,  r.  Colorado, 
iv    Benjamin  Webber,  b.  June  12,  1861,  r.  Minneapolis,  Minn. 

V    Mabel  Annette,  b.  July  13.  1868. 

Benjamin  Webber  Kimball,  son  of  Israel  Kimball,  Jr.,  married 
Nov.  1875,  Mrs.  Susie  L.  Currier.  He  graduated  in  medicine  from 
the  IMaine  Medical  School,  also  in  Pharmacy  in  Philadelphia  and 
pursued  a  special  course  on  diseases  of  the  ear  and  eye  which 
specialties  he  is  now  practicing  in  Minneapolis,  Minn.    Children  : 

i  AVebber  Lyons,  b.  Sept.  5,  1876,  d.  Aug.  1877.  ii  Marion,  b.  Sept.  12, 
1877.     iii  Gertrude,  b.  June 1879.     iv  Florence,  b.  June  8,  1880. 

John  Kimball,  from  Pembroke,  N.  H.,  married  Lucia,  daughter 
of  Eli  Twitchell.  He  lived  on  the  hill  opposite  Gould's  Academy. 
Children  : 

i  Delenda  Twitchell,  b.  Aug.  23,  1814,  ni.  Elbridge  Chapman, 

ii  John  Eli  Leland,  b.  July  30,  1818. 

iii  Lucia  Helen,  b.  Jan.  20,  1826,  d.  July  30  following. 

iv  Thomas  Brainard,  b.  July  18,  1831,  d.  Sept.  21,  following. 

George  Kimball,  son  of  Peter  Kimball  of  Bridgton,  married 
Polly,  daughter  of  Thaddeus  Bartlett.  He  lived  on  the  Thaddeus 
Bartlett  place  at  Bean's  Corner,  and  later  in  life  moved  to  Mas- 
sachusetts.    Children  : 

i  Fanny  W.,  b.  July  3,  1823.  ii  Augustus  D.,  b.  May  16,  1827,  d.  July 
14,  1833.  iii  Ephraim  Bartlett,  b.  Dec.  29,  1832,  m.  Semautha  W.  Frost, 
iv  Mary  Jane,  b.  Feb.  5,  1830,  d.  July  9,  1833.  v  Augustus  D.,  b.  Sept. 
8,  1835.     vi    Alphonzo  B.,  b.  Feb.  7,  1841. 

37 


578  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

Knight. 

Asa  p.  Knight,  sou  of  Joshua  and  Elizabeth  (Gage)  Knight, 
born  at  Benton,  N.  H.,  Aug.  13,  1827,  came  to  Bethel  where  he 
lived  several  j-ears  and  was  a  boot  and  shoe-maker.  He  married 
Dec.  28,  1850,  Nancy,  daughter  of  Nathan  F.  Twitchell.  He 
claims  Bethel  as  his  legal  residence  though  he  has  been  clerk  in  the 
post  office  department  in  Washington  for  26  years.  His  wife  died 
in  1891,  and  her  remains  were  brought  to  Bethel  for  interment. 
Children  : 

i    Walter  Myrou,  b,  May  31,  18.52,  d.  March  5,  1865. 
ii    Lizzie  Gage,  b.  June  23, 1857,  m.  Aug.  1.  1877,  Milton  I.  Brittaiu. 

Lane. 

Eliphalet  Lane,  from  North  Yarmouth,  came  to  Bethel  quite  early 
and  settled  in  the  east  part  of  the  town.  He  had  several  sons  and 
daughters  but  none  of  their  births  are  recorded  with  Bethel  records. 
Among  his  sons  was  Sylvanus  who  married  Submit,  daughter  of 
Asa  J'oster  of  Newry  and  reared  a  large  family. 

Jotham  S.  Lane  married  in  1830,  Susan,  daughter  of  Jonas 
Willis  and  died  early.    Children  : 

i    Jonas  AVillis,  b.  July  24,  1831,  m.  Avice  Crockett,  r.  Gorham,  N.  H. 
ii    Mary  Adams,  b.  Feb.  14,  1833. 

James  S.  Lane,  born  in  Buxton,  Me.,  July  30,  1832,  son  of 
James  and  Sarah  (Flanders)  Lane,  came  to  Bethel  and  bought  out 
the  stage  line  to  the  lakes  which  he  still  operates.  He  married  June 
3,  1859,  Martha  1\I.,  daughter  of  Hon.  William  Frye.     Children  : 

i    Lizzie  E.,  b.  Oldtown,  Oct.  12,  1859,  m.  June  3,  1878,  [Caleb  Wigliti  d. 

March  24,  1881. 
ii    Harry  A.,  b.  Bethel,  May  2,  1873. 

Lapham. 

Abijah  Lapham,  the  first  of  the  name  in  this  town,  was  born  in 
Scituate,  Mass.,  Aug.  15,  1769.  He  came  to  Maine  in  1793,  and 
settled  in  Buckfield,  then  to  Bethel  where  he  died  March  1,  1847. 
He  was  a  farmer  and  shoe-maker,  and  deacon  of  the  Baptist 
church.  He  married  in  1790,  Sarah,  daughter  of  Nathan  Hartwell 
of  Bridgewater ;  second  in  1802,  Abigail,  daughter  of  John  and 
Abigail   (Irish)   Buck  of  Buckfield  and    third,   Sarah,    widow    of 


HISTORY  OF   BETHEL.  579 

Nathau  Maxim,  whose  maiden  name  was  Jordan.  He  was  a  de- 
scendant of  Thomas  Lapham  who  came  from  Tenterden,  Kent,  Co.^ 
England,  in  1634,  and  three  years  after  married  Mary,  eldest 
daughter  of  Nathaniel  Tilden,  ruling  elder  of  Lothrop's  church  at 
Scituate.  Thomas  Lapham  died  in  1648,  and  his  widow  is  supi)osed 
to  have  married  William  Bassett.  The  wife  of  Elder  Tilden  was 
Lydia  Bourne  whose  father  early  settled  at  Marshfield.  The  descent 
from  Thomas  to  Abijah  is  as  follows  :     Thomas'  and  Mary  Tilden  ; 

Thomas"    and    Mary    ;    Joseph^'    and    Abigail     Sherman ; 

Joseph^  and  Abigail  Joyce  ;  John*  and  Bathsheba  Eames  whose 
onl}'  sou  who  reared  a  family  was  Abijah".  Abijah  Lapham  came 
to  Bethel  in  1822,  and  settled  on  the  road  from  Paris  to  Rumford^ 
on  a  lot  once  owned  by  Elijah  Bond  and  later  by  Porter  Kimball, 
Here  his  second  wife  died  in  1823.  He  subsequently  lived  in  Wood- 
stock and  Greenwood,  and  then  with  his  son  James  Lapham  in 
Bethel,  where  he  died.     Children  : 

By  the  first  marriage  : 

i    Betsey,  b.  Pembroke,  3Iass.,  July  17,  1792,  d.  immarried  iu  Buck- 
field, 
ii     Sylvia,  b.  Buckfield,  Dec.  8, 1794,  ni.  Johu  Mayhew  of  Buckfield. 
iii    Johu,  b.  Feb.  28,  1797,  d.  April  28,  1800. 
iv    Xathan,  b.  June  17,  1799,  d.  Sept.  21,  1801. 
V     Abijah,  b.  March  7,  1801,  d.  an  iufaut. 
Children  of  the  second  marriage,  all  born  in  Buckfield : 
vi    John,  b.  May  6,  1803,  m.  1st,  Louvisa  Berry,  Dec.  2,  1824;  2d,  Re- 
becca Phinuey,  Aug.  18,  1873. 
vii    Thomas,  b.  May  6,  1803.  m.  Sophronia  Crooker,  1824. 
viii    Sally,  b.  Xov.  13,  1804,  m.  Charles  Crooker,  182.5. 
ix     Cinderilla,  b.  Aug.  8,  1806,  m.  1st,  Solomon  Cummings;  2d,  Joseph 

Cummiugs. 
X     Phebe.  b.  March  31,  1809,  never  married. 
xi    James,  b.  Feb.  8,  1811,  m.  Sally  Moody. 
Children  by  the  third  marriage : 
xii    Abijah  b.  Bethel,  Sept.  9,  1826,  d.  Oct.  25,  1830. 

John  Lapham,  son  of  the  preceding,  lived  in  the  east  part  of 
Bethel  many  years.  He  moved  to  AVoodstock  and  then  to  Weld 
where  he  died  April  7,  1883.  He  married  first,  Dec.  2,  1824, 
Louvisa  Berry  who  died  Jan.  30,  1868,  and  second  Aug.  18,  1873, 
Rebecca  Phiuney  of  Weld.  He  was  deacon  of  the  Baptist  church  in 
Woodstock.     Children  : 

i  Lusannah  Abigail,  b.  Bethel,  Feb.  4,  1826,  m.  Feb.  22,  1852,  Jonas 
W.  Bartlett,  b.  Bethel,  June  15,  1819;  she  d.  Feb.  2,  1869. 


580  HISTOBY   OF  BETHEL. 

ii    James  Madisou,  b.  Bethel,  May  19,  1827,  m.  April  19,  1883,  Naucy 

P.  (Francis)  Cummings,  b.  Carthage,  July  26,  1847. 
iii     VVllliam  Berry,  b.  Greenwood,  August  21,  1828,  m.  Nov.  27,  1866, 

Cynthia  Ann  Perham,  b.  Woodstock,  June  27,  1839. 
iv    Betsey  Jane,  b.  Bethel,  Sept.  12,  1830,  m.  Sept.  4,  1852,  Alouzo  B. 

Swan,  b.  Paris,  July  26,  1832. 
V    Isaac  Freeman,  b.  Bethel,  March  31,  1833,  m.  Aug.  31,  1854,  Eliza 

Ricker,  b.  Woodstock,  Jime  14,  1837. 
vi    Aurelia  Berry,  b.  Bethel,  December  17,  1835. 
vii    Eli  Foster,  b.  Greenwood,  May  1,  1840,  d.  April  9,  1842. 
viii    John  Bird,  b.  Bethel  March  1,  1842,  drowned  Sept.  20,  1844. 
ix    John  Edward,  b.  Bethel,  March  1,  1846,  m.  Feb.  24,  1868,  Martha  C. 

Teuuey,  b.  Methuen,  Mass.,  Feb.  16,  1851. 
X    Francis  Waylaud,  b.  Greenwood,  ^lay  28,  1849.  m.  Oct.  31,  1872, 

Jennie  Dean,  b.  Solon,  July  4,  1854. 
xi    Martha  Amanda,  b.  Woodstock,  May  15,  1852,  m.  Mareli  24,  1878, 
Dennis  Swan,  b.  AVoodstock,  April  10,  1851. 


Thotuas  Lapham,  twin  brother  of  the  preceding,  lived  in  Buck- 
field  and  Hebron  until  about  the  year  1843,  when  he  returned  to 
Bethel.  He  married  Sophronia,  daughter  of  Charles  and  Betsey 
(Packard)  Crooker.     He  died  in  Errol,  N.  H.,  in  1882.     Children  : 

i    Bethiah,  b.  Jan.  13,  1825,  d.  Aug.  24,  1847. 
ii    Eliza,  b.  April  14,  1827,  d.  young, 
iii    Daniel  Crooker,  b.  May  5,  1829,  m.  1st  Jane  C.  T.apham.     He  m.  a 

2nd  wife,  r.  llichmond,  Me. 
iv    Irene  Crooker,  b.  ]\Iay  1,  1831.  ni.  John  Xeedham. 
V    Eliza,  b.  July  23,  1833,  m.  Chester  Crooker,  dead, 
vi    Mary,  b.  Aug.  2,  1835,  m.  John  A.  Buck. 

vii    Richmond  Mayhew,  b.  Oct.  17,  1837.    Was  a  private  in  Co.  I,  5th  Me. 
Vols.     Was  wounded  and  taken  prisoner  at  Spottsylvania    Court 
House,  May  1864,  aud  probably  died  in  the  prison  hospital  at  Rich- 
mond Va. 
viii    Joseph  Crooker,  b.  Dec.  27,  1839,  ni.  and  lives  in  I.eAvistou. 
ix    George  F.,  b.  Feb.  27,  1841,  m.  and  r.  in  Bethel. 
X    Abijah,  b.  July  17,  1843.     He  was  a  i^rivate  in  the  32nd  Me.  Vols., 
and  was  accidentally  shot  by  a  comrade  at  the  North  Anna  river, 
Va.,  in  June,  1864. 

James  Latham,  brother  of  the  preceding,  was  long  a  resident  of 
Bethel.  His  farm  was  on  the  road  between  the  Androscoggin  river 
and  Locke's  Mills  and  here  he  died.  He  married  Sally,  daughter  of 
Josiah  and  Mehitable  (Houston)  Moody  of  Hamlin's  Gore,  former- 
ly of  Portland.     Children  : 


Hisrouy  OF  bethel.  581 

i    James  Otis,  b.  Sept.  25,  1831,  resided  iu  W.  Medway,  Mass.,  aud  died 

there;*     m.  Mary  Turner, 
ii    Abijah,  b.  March  25, 1833,  d.  Nov.  10, 1834. 
iii     Hezekiah  Moody,  b.  March  3,  1834,  m.  Harriet  Chase,  r.  Paris, 
iv    Amos  Eames,  b.  Aug.  8,  1836.    He  was  a  wagoner  in  the  5th  Me. 
Eegt.,  and  died  from  injuries  received  in  line  of  duty,  Sept.  5,  1862.. 
V     Charles,  b.  April  20,  1838,  m.  Katie  Haynes,  r.  Greenwood, 
vi    Joseph  Jordan,  b.  Jan.  20,  1840,  m.  Sarah  Cates. 
vii    Harriet     Kimball,  b.  Feb.  3,  1842,  m.     1st,    Marriner  Davis;     2d, 

Charles  Barker.     She  resides  on  the  homestead  of  her  father, 
viii    Dorcas  Matilda,  b.  Dec.  8,  1843,  m.  Marquis  F.  Pachardson,  r.  Paris. 
ix    Thomas  Roberts,  b.  Sept,  30,  1845,  d.  Dec.  19,  1865. 
X    William  Franklin,  b.  Aug.  18,  1850,  d.  Dec.  7,  1869. 
xi    Levi  N.,  b.  June  21,  1853,  m.  Jennie  S^van,  1873,  r.  Greenwood. 

Leavitt. 
JosEFH  Leavitt  married  Lois .     Children  : 

i  Jonathan,  b.  March  15,  1805.  ii  Elijah,  b.  March  5,  1807.  iii  Abigail, 
b.  Jan.  16,  1810,  m.  John  E.  Swan,  iv  Samuel,  b.  June  16,  1811.  v  Sally, 
b.  Aug.  12,  1815. 

Jonathan  Leavitt  married  Lucy      -  .     For  second  wife  he 

married  Dolly  Bennett  of  Gilead  and  settled  in  that  town..  Chil- 
dren : 

i  Jonathan,  b.  March  15,  1805.  ii  Elijah,  b.  March  19,  1807.  iii  Sally,- 
b.  Aug.  12,  1813. 

LiNNELL. 

Israel  Linnell  married  Desire  York.  He  moved  to  the  Megal- 
loway  region.     Cliildren  : 

i  Jonas,  b.  Sept.  9,  1812.     ii  Anna  York,  b.  Oct.  6,  1814. 

Littlehale. 

Captain  Isaac  Littlehale,  a  house  carpenter,  born  Dec.  12^ 
1802.  son  of  Isaac  and  Betsey  (liipley)  Littlehale  of  Newry,  mar- 
ried Mary  Russell,  daughter  of  Frederick  Ballard.     He  was  long  a 


*Tlie  local  paper  at  Jledway  thus  spoke  of  him  :  "It  gives  great  sorrow  to  record 
the  death  of  Mr.  James  O.  Lapham.  He  was  one  of  those  genial,  honest,  laborious  pub- 
lic-spirited, generous-hearted  men,  wliose  life  gave  a  rare  emphrisis  to  the  elements  of 
Christian  manhood.  He  was  a  reliable  man;  his  dealings  with  his  fellowmen  could  be 
measured  with  the  golden  rule.  He  entered  heartily  into  the  obscured  happiness  of 
others,  therefore  envy  had  little  or  no  power  to  mar  in  return,  his  own  enjoyment.  All 
persons  feel  that  society  has  sustained  a  great  loss.  His  kindness  to  the  poor  will  in- 
tensify his  memory  in  grateful  hearts.  He  has  left  a  legacy  to  his  wife  and  children  in 
the  honorable  life  he  lived.  He  was  biu-icd  with  Masonic  honors  by  the  Charles  River 
Lodge." 


582  HISTORY    OF  BETHEL. 

resident  of  Bethel,  his  house  being  on  Church  street ;  he  died  on  the 
homeward  passage  from  California  June  4,  1862.     Children  : 

i    Sarah  A.,  b.  Nov.  4,  18.32,  m.  William  Fuller,  r.  Cleveland,  Ohio, 
ii    Daughter,  b.  Oct.  29,  1833,  d.  same  day. 
ill    Son,  b.  Oct.  28,  1834,  d.  same  day. 

iv  Mary  Elizabeth,  b.  Aug.  30,  1835,  m.  Francis,  son  of  Jonathan  Far- 
rington  of  Lovell.  He  was  a  lawver  and  died  at  sea  on  tlie  return 
trip  from  England,  Jan.  17,  1857. 

V  Isaac  Moore,  b.  Nov.  18,  1838,  m.  Emma  Fields;  he  was  a  soldier  in 

the  7th  Maine  and  killed  in  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  3, 
1864. 
vi     Hannah,  b.  Feb.  2,  1841,  m.  AVilliam  Andrews;  r.  Lewiston. 
vii    Alma,  b.  Aug.  10,  1846,  m.  Edward  Wills;  d.  Gorham,  N.  H.,  1873. 
viii    Eudora,  b.  June  7,  1851,  m.  1st,  Alfred  Eugene  Twitchell  who  died 
Sept.  11,  1887,  and  2d,  in  1891,  Augustus  J.  Knight  of  Eumford. 

Isaac  IJ.  Littlehale,  son  of  Abraham  and  Lucy  (Barker)  Lit- 
tlehale  of  Newry,  married  Lydia,  daughter  of  Reuben  Bartlett.  He 
lived  on  the  Case  farm,  on  the  Locke's  Mills  road.     Children  : 

i     Orange  C,  b.  Dec.  11,  1834,  m.  C'yrene  S.  (Ayer)  Twitchell. 
ii    Diana,  b.  Jan.  23,  1837,  m.  Kufus  Skillings. 
iii    Christina,  b.  Jan.  23,  1837,  m.  John  M.  Swift. 

Jacob  Littlehale  married  I>ois  Stearns.  He  moved  to  North 
Newry  and  died  there.     Children  : 

i  David  Blood,  b.  Jan.  4,  1823.  ii  William  Holt.  b.  Oct.  5,  1824.  iii 
Dorcas  G.,  b.  Dec.  19,  1825.     iv  Sarah  A.,  b.  June  18.  1827. 

Locke. 

^Samuel  Baruon  Locke,    ancestor  of  families  of  this  name  was 

the  sou    of   James    and Locke,   and    was    born    in . 

He  marriecMhinnah,  daughter  of  "William  Russell  of  Fr^'cburg.  He 
was  a  mill-wright  and  built  the  first  mills  at  Locke's  Mills  in  (green- 
wood.    Children : 

i    Hammah,  b.  Thetford,  Vt.,  Feb.  20,  1790,  d.  Jan.  29,  1791. 
ii    -John,  b.  Leominster,  N.  H.,  Feb.  29,  1792,   Ql.  D.,  and  Prof.)  d.  in 

^Cincinnati,  Ohio, 
iii  ^Luther,  b.  Newport,  N.  H.,  Feb.  22,  1794,  d.  in  Bethel,  m.  Marilla 

Kenyon. 
iv    "Hannah,  b.  Fryeburg,  July  8,  1795,  m.  William  Swan,  d.  Paris. 

V  -Clarissa,  b.  Bethel,  June  7,  1797,  m.  David  Black  Jr. 

vi     Clementine,  b.  June  12,  1799,  m.  Origen  Stone  of  Dixlield. 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  583 

vii    Samuel  Barron  Jr.,*  b.  Sept.  28,  1801,  ni.  Lucetta  Edgerlj-,  d.  West 

Paris, 
viii   -James,  b.  July  11,  1803,  m.  Marcia  Stowe;  d.  iu  Bethel. 
ix  Xharles  Russell,  b.  May  4,  1806,  m.  Susan  Hill,  d.  in  Bethel. 
X  -Mary,  b.  Jan.  14,  1808,  ra.  Moses  Swan,  d.  California. 

James  Locke,  sou  of  Samuel  Barrou  Locke,  married  Marcia 
iStowe  of  Newry.  He  lived  on  the  north  half  of  the  Locke  home- 
stead, on  the  Sunday  river  road  and  was  an  upright  and  exemplary 
man.  He  possessed  strength  of  mind  and  character,  traits  peculiar 
to  the  Locke  family.     Children  : 

i    Mary  Anne,  b.  Jan.  31,  1828,  ni.  1st,  Horace  Chapman;  2d,  Edward 

Goddard ;  d.  in  Bethel, 
ii    Jabez  Bradley,  b.  March  28,  1831,  m.  Mary  A.  Eames,  r.  Zumbrota, 
Minn.     He  went  there  early  and  has  been  a  prominent  citizen  there 
many  years, 
iii    Abigail  Stone,  b.  April  8,  1836,  m.  Charles  F.  Penley,  went  West, 
iv    Hannah  Russell,  b.  March  2.5,  1840,  m.  David  I.  Black. 
V    James  Bradford,  b.  Feb.  8,  1844. 

Charles  Russell  Locke,  son  of  Samuel  B.  Locke,  was  a  farmer 
and  lived  at  IMaple  Grove,  the  old  Locke  homestead.  He  married 
Oct.  7,  1832,  Susan  Hill  who  was  born  at  Saco,  Ma}'  15,  1809.  He 
died  January  2,  1882.     Children  : 

i  Phila  Delia,  b,  Sept.  21,  1833.  She  spent  much  of  her  life  in  Bloom- 
ington  and  Chicago,  Illinois,  but  returned  and  lives  on  the  old 
place  where  she  and  her  sister  Mary  Ellen  keep  a  summer  boarding 
house, 
ii  Charles  William  Russell,  b.  Jan.  25, 1835.  He  served  in  the  12th  Iowa 
regiment  during  the  war,  married  KateE.  Smvth  and  settled  in  St. 
James,  Nebraska,  where  he  is  Postmaster,  and  Justice  of  the  Peace. 
No  issue. 

iii  Henry  Clay,  b.  July  7,  1837.  He  served  iu  the  Massachusetts  Inde- 
pendent engineering  corps,  after  the  war  settled  iu  Nebrasks,  and 
was  murdered  in  his  camp  Oct.  18,  1870.  His  murderer  was  over- 
taken and  lynched. 

iv     Susan  Emery,  b.  Nov.  24,  1840,  m.  John  Henry  Douglass. 
V     Samuel  Barron,  b.  Nov.  24,  1840,  d.  Feb.  1842. 

vi    Mary  Ellen,  b.  Sept.  15,  1843,  r.  Bethel. 

vii  Elizabeth  Morris,  b.  March  19,  1848,  m.  May  2,  1885,  Charles  F.  Sar- 
gent, r.  Lewiston. 


*He  was  a  natural  mechanic  and  a  man  of  great  business  enterprise.  He  became  pro- 
prietor of  Locke's  Mills  which  he  rebuilt  and  enlarged.  He  also  built  mills  in  Bethel, 
Waterford,  Lovell,  Fryeburg  and  at  West  Paris. 


584  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

Lowell. 

John  P.  Lowell,  fanner,  born  in  Harrison,   Aug.  7,  1802,  mar- 
ried in  1824,  Eliza  Brackett  of  Westbrook,   who  was  boru  Dec.  2, 
1800,  and  died  Nov.  2-2,  1861  ;  he  died  June  .30,   1874.     Children: 
i    Ira  Fish,  b.  June  19,  1824. 
ii     Abby  G.,  b.  July  4,  1826,  d.  July  .5,  1874. 
iii     Charles  W.,  b.  Aug.  22,  1832. 
iv     Martha  A.,  b.  1834,  d.  Aug.  20,  1848. 
V    Grinfill  B.,  b.  Sept.  8,  1836,  m.  Mary  C.  Mason, 
vi    Elihu  B.,  b.  Aug.  18.39,  ni.  Maria  Curtis, 
vii    Henry  H.,  b.  Api-il  4,  1841,  m.  Emma  Davis. 

Grinfill  B.  Lowell,  son  of  John  P.  Lowell,  farmer,  married 
May  9,  18o8,  Mary  C,  daughter  of  John  B.  Mason.     Children  : 

i  Ira  W.,  b.  Feb.  1,  18.59. 

ii  Fred  A.,  b.  Aug.  27,  1860,  d.  March  19,  1870. 

iii  Eliza  E.,  b.  Oct.  12,  1866,  m.  .loliii  F.  Cobb. 

iv  Hazen  B.,  b.  May  9,  1878. 

l^OVE.IOV. 

William  F.  Lovejoy,  son  of  Dr.  Enocli  Lovejoy  who  was  born 
in  Andover,  Mass.,  Sept.  10,  1783,  and  of  Martha  Tillson,  his  wife, 
who  was  born  in  Rockland  in  1792,  was  born  in  Rockland,  Oct.  16, 

1825,  and  married  Feb.  4,  1853,  Martha  A.,  daughter  of  Henry 
and  Sarah  Hilt  of  Warren.  Mr.  Lovejoy  kept  the  old  Bethel  House 
before  it  was  burned.  He  was  then  in  the  hotel  business  at  Wiu- 
throp.  Gray  and  elsewhere,  then  returned  and  took  the  new  Bethel 
House  of  which  he  and  his  son  are  now  proprietors.  He  is  a  model 
hotel-keeper  and  under  his  management  the  Bethel  House  is  one  of 
the  best  country  hotels  in  the  State.     Children  : 

i     Ferrou  11.  b.  Warren,  July  19,  18.57. 
ii     William  E.,  b.  Bethel.  Dec.  24,  18.59,  d.  Oct.  20,  1869. 
iii     Coe  C,  1).  Bethel,  Feb.  21,  1802,  ni.  Dec.  25,  1887,   Eunna  Roberts;  d. 

April  25,  1888. 
iv     Verdie  M..  b.  Wintlnop,  May  28,  1874.  d.  May  14,  1880. 

Marhle. 

Nathan  Marble  from  Sutton,  Mass..  was  once  a  resident  in  this 
town.  He  married  Mehitable,  daughter  of  Dr.  James  Freeland  of 
Sutton.     He  was  a  saddler  and  harness  maker.     He  died  Nov.  6, 

1826,  and  his  widow  married  Elijah  Burbank.  His  first  wife  was 
a  sister  of  Mrs.  Dr.  Timothy  Carter.     Children  : 


■  4 1 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  585- 

i  James  Putuani,  b.  Sutton,  Xov.  25,  1800,  d.  Xov.  26,  1825. 

ii  Stephen  Mellen,  b.  Dec.  25,  1802,  m.  Allora  Bonuey  of  Turner, 

iii  Palmei-  Merrill,  b.  Nov.  12,  1805,  d.  Dec.  11,  1807. 

iv  Natlian  Merrill,,  b.  March  8,  1808,  \\\.  Mary  Ann  Clark. 

V  Mehilable  Mellen,  b.  May  9,  1810,  m.  Judge  Joseph  G.  (;ole  of  Paris, 
vi  Freelaud,  b.  Xov.  14,. 1812,  m.  Eliza  Claris. 

vii  Elizabeth  Burbank,  b.  July  24,  1815,  m.  Iliratn  Hubbard, 

viii  Franklin,  b.  Brunswick,  Oct.  27,  1818,  m.  Maria  L.  Cole, 

ix  Jarvis  Carter,  b.  May  22,  1821,  m.  Mary  Hubbard. 

X  Nancy  Jenette,  b.  Aug.  22,  1824,  m.  Hiram  Hubbard, 

xi  James  Eawsou,  b.  May  8,  1827,  killed  by  explosion  of  powder  mill- 

Mason. 

The  large  and  respectable  family  of  Mason  of  this  town,  are  de- 
sceudants  of  Captain  Hugh  Mason  who  with  wife  E^sther,  settled  in 
.  Watertown  in  1634.     Moses  Mason,  a  great  grandson  of  Captain 
Hugh,  married  Lydia,  daughter  of  Jesse  and  Mary  Knap  of  Bos- 
ton and  settled  in  Dublin,  N.  H.     Children  : 

i  Martha,  b.  May  28,  1751,  m.  Eleazer  Twitchell. 

ii  Lucy,  b.  Maj^  20,  1753,  m.  David  Marshall. 

iii  Lydia,  b.  Feb.  10,  1755,  m.  John  Morrison  of  Peterborough,  N.  H. 

iv  Moses,  b.  April  26,  1757,  m.  Eunice  Ayer. 

V  Mary,  b.  March  22,  1760,  m.  Nathaniel  Greenwood. 

vi  Hannah,  b.  May  4,  1762,  m.  1st,  James  Mills;  2d,  Elijah  Grover. 

vii  Betsey,  b.  July  18,  1764,  m.  Benjamin  Clark, 

viii  Walter,  b.  Oct.  10,  1766,  ra.  Esther  Barker  of  Waterford.     -^ 

ix  John,  b.  Maj'^  8,  1769,  m  Bethiah  Houghton. 

X  Thirza,  b.  April  10,  1772,  d.  aged  three  and  one-half  years. 

Moses  Mason  Jr.,  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  for  Independence  and 
came  to  Bethel  in  1799.  In  1780,  he  married  Eunice,  daughter  of 
William  Ayers  of  Dublin,  N.  H.  He  occupied  the  place  opposite 
Bethel  Hill,  afterwards  owned  and  occupied  by  his  sou  Aaron,  and 
now  by  his  grandson.  Moses  A.  Mason.  He  died  Oct.  31,  1831,. 
and  his  widow  died  Feb.  4,  1846.     Children  : 

i  Thirza,  b.  July  .3,  1781,  m.  Dr.  James  Ayer,  s.  Newfield. 

ii  Susan,  b.  June  4,  1783,  m.  Richard  Dunuels  of  Newfield. 

iii  Moses  Jr  ,  b.  March  31,  1785,  d.  young, 

iv  Aai-on,  b.  April  5,  1787,  m.  Ruby  Bartlett. 

V  Moses,  b.  June  2,  1789,  ni.  Agnes  Straw;  no  children. 

vi  Lydia,  b.  July  21,  1791,  m.  Eleazer  Twitchell  Jr.  4x/? 

t/vii  Eunice,  b.  Sept.  12,  1793,  m.  Stephen  A.  Russell, 

viii  Hannah,  b.  July  23,  1795,  ni.  Capt.  John  Pease  of  Parsonfield. 

ix  Charles,  b.  Feb.  17,  1798,  m.  Eunice  Hale  of  Waterford. 

X  Ayers,  b.  Dec.  31,  1800,  m.  Mrs.  Eunice  (Hale)  Mason, 

xi  Lovisa,  b.  June  29,  1803,  m.  Dr.  Baker  Webster  of  Sandowu,  N.  H.. 


586  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

Walter  Mason,  brother  of  Moses,  married  Esther  Barker  of 
Waterford.     He  lived  in  Bethel  and  died  June  30,  1840.    Children  : 

i  Esther,  b.  June  6,  1794,  in.  Eli  Grover. 

ii  Thirza,  b.  Maj^  27,  1796,  d.  young. 

ill  Elmira,  b.  June  12,  1798,  ni.  Peter  Grover. 

iv  Rachel,  b.  July  20,  1803,  d.  July  14,  1806. 

V  Walter,  b.  Aug.  31,  1804,  m.  Charlotte  Kimball, 
vi  Rachel,  b.  Aug.  3,  1806,  m.  Andrew  Grover. 

vii  John  Barker,  b.  Sept.  IS,  1809,  m.  1834,  Sophronia  Cross. 

viii  Katherine,  b.  March  29,  1812. 

ix  Thirza,  b.  Feb.  15,  1815. 

X  Javau  Knapp,  b.  Sept.  20,  1817,  m.  Susanna  Twitchell. 

John  Mason,  brother  of  the  preceding,  married  in  1788,  Bethiah 
Houghton  of  Hartford,  Conn.  They  came  to  Bethel  in  1789,  and 
soon  moved  to  Gilead.  When  in  Bethel  he  lived  on  Grover  Hill. 
He  died  in  1843.     He  had  ninety-five  grandchildren.     Children  : 

i  John,  b.  April  29,  1789,  m.  Hannah  Stiles  of  Gilead. 

ii  Lydia,  b.  Aug.  18,  1791,  m.  Seth  Wight  of  Bethel, 

ill  Bethiah,  b.  Aug.  2,  1793,  m.  Abraham  Bennett,  of  Dalton,  N.  H. 

iv  Sylvanus,  b.  Sept.  29,  1795,  m.  Lydia  Scribner  of  Harrison. 

V  Betsey,  b.  July  27,  1797,  m.  Nathan  Stiles  of  Gilead. 
vi  Ira,  b.  Jan.  16,  1800,  m.  Rebecca  Scribner  of  Harrison. 

vii  Phebe,  b.  Feb.  7,  1802,  ni.  William  AVight  of  Gilead. 

viii  Lorenzo,  b.  Feb.  8,  1804,  m.  Mary  Conner  of  Keene,  N.  H. 

ix  Salome,  b.  April  l*^.  1805.  never  was  married. 

X  Mary  C,  b.  April  Jli.  1807,  m.  Jolm  Marenn  Bean, 

xi  Aitemas,  b.  Aug.  12,  1809,  m.  Betsey,  widow  of  Ilezekiah  (irover  of 

^lason. 

xii  Orindia,  b.  April  22,  1812,  ni.  .loscpli  A.  Twitchell. 

xiii  Closes  M  ,  b.  Feb.  22,  1815,  m.  M;ntli;i  Walker  of  Embden. 

Aaron  Mason  married  Rub}',  daughter  of  Peregrine  Bartlett. 
He  was  a  farmer  and  lived  on  the  north  side  of  the  river,  opposite 
Bethel  Hill,  the  homestead  of  his  father.  He  was  a  man  of  sound 
judgment  and  a  good  farmer.     Children  : 

i     I'eregriue  Bartlett,  b.  March  0,  1819,  never  was  nuirried. 

ii    Mighill,  b.  Feb.  4,  1820,  m.  Mary,  daughter  of  Elias  Bartlett. 
iii    Sarah  Merrill,  b.  Nov.  20,  1821,  m.  Henry  Page  of  Parsonfield. 
iv     Charles  G.,  b.  May  4,  1824,  discovered  the  ''Silver  King"'  mine.     He 
lived  and  was  married  in  Arizona:  d.  in  California. 

V  Moses  Aj'ers,  b.  April  5,  1826,  r.  on  the  old  homestfiid  in  Bethel,  un- 

married, 
vi    Solon,  b.  May  25,  1828,  never  wns  miirried,  d.  1880. 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  587 

vii  Thirza,  b.  May  21,  1830,  m.  Dr.  Ebeii  Stone,  r.  Deeriiig. 

viii  Mary,  b.  Nov.  13,  1832,  m.  Dr.  Philip  McNabb. 

ix  Susannah,  b.  Dec.  25,  1834,  d.  March  9,  following. 

X  Freeborn  Bartlett,  b.  May  8,  1836,  m.  Louisa  AVinters  of  Iowa. 

xi  Ang-eline,  b.  Aug.  12,  1838,  m.  Edward  Clark. 

xii  Ruby,  b.  March  12,  1841,  m.  1st,  Lawson  Smith;  2d,  Jolni  B.  Reed, 

xiii  Aaron,  b.  Jan.  17,  1844,  ni.  Mersades  Rabies,  r.  California. 

Charles  Mason,  sou  of  Moses  Masou,  married  Eunice  Hale  of 
Waterforcl,  born  Dec.  8,  1799.  He  died  April  6,  1824,  and  his 
widow  married  his  brother  Ayers  Mason.     Child  : 

i    Infant,  b.  Sept.  3,  1824,  d.  same  day. 

Ayers  Mason,  brother  of  the  preceding,  born  Dec.  30,  1800, 
married  Eunice  (Hale)  his  brother  Charles'  widow.  He  occupied 
the  interval  farm  on  Middle  Interval  road  a  mile  from  Bethel  Hill. 
His  wife  died  July  19,  18Go.     Children  : 

»^  Charles,  b.  Jan.  17,  1S27,  m.'^Melissa  M.  Russell.' 
ii    Maria  Antoinette,  b.  Aug,  8,  1828,  m.  Clark  S.  Edwards. 

iii    Oliver  Hale,  b.  April  22,  1830,  m.  1st,  Alma  F.  Connor;  2d,  Olive  M. 
Lee. 

iv     William  Wallace,  b.  March  10,  1834,  m.  Hepsibah  E.  Kimball. 
V    Mary  Ellen,  b.  Sept.  1,  1838,  m.  Seth  Walker. 

Waltp:r  Mason  married  Charlotte,  daughter  of  Jacob  Kimball. 
He  lived  in  the  west  part  of  the  town.  Children  whose  names  are 
recorded  : 

i  Lucinda  Barker,  b.  Oct.  14,  1837.  ii  SusWnah  Kimball,  b.  Oct.  14, 1840. 

John  B.  Mason  married  first  Sophrouia  Chx)ss who  died 

Oct.  25,  1842.     He  then  married  Naomi  G.  Wheeler  who  died  Feb. 
15,  1845.     Children  : 

i  Albion  P..  b.  July  25.  1835,  m.  Hannah  A.  Philbrook^of  Gilead.  ii  Mary 
P.,  b.  Nov.  22,  1836.  iii  Rachel  E.  b.  May  6,  1838.  iv  Sarah  S.,  b.  Feb. 
22,  1840.     By  second  wife :     v    John  B.,  b.  Feb.  1,  1845. 

MiGHiLL  Mason,  son  of  Aaron  Mason,  married  Mary  A.,  daugh- 
ter of  Elias  Bartlett.  He  lived  a  few  years  on  part  of  the  Bartlett 
homestead,  near  Bean's  Corner,  then  was  in  trade  in  Bethel  and 
Norway.  He  and  his  wife  died  in  the  latter  town.  He  will  be  re- 
membered as  a  noted  school-master.     Children  : 

i    Elias  Sinclair,  b.  Aug.  18,  1846. 
ii     Charles  G.,  May  4,  1857. 
iii    Elizabeth,  1). . 


588  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

^'^  Charles  Mason,  son  of  Ayers  Masou,  was  long  in  business  oni 
the  Hill,  from  which  he  has  now,  in  a  measure,  retired.  He  was- 
clerk  in  the  store  of  Abernethy  Grover,  commenced  trade  for  him- 
self with  Clark  S.  Edwards,  and  afterwards  carried  on  the  business 
alone,  selling  a  large  amount  of  dry  goods  and  groceries  every 
year.  He  has  also  been  interested  in  timber  lands  and  in  lumber- 
ing. He  has  served  the  town  as  clerk  and  treasurer  and  is  a  leading 
man  in  the  village  corporation.  He  married  Oct.  13,  18o3.'T^Ielissa 
M.,  daughter  of*4'2zra  T.  Russell.     Children: 

^\  AddieL.,  b.  Aug.  22,  1854,  m.  Oct.  3,  1878,  Levi  Greenleaf,  an  attor- 
ney at  law  at  Lewistou. 

.   ii  Fannie  May,  b.  July  5,  1857. 

^  iii  Susie  Ada,  b.  June  12,  1859. 

_  iv  Ellen,  b.  Sept.  9,  1862. 

^  V  Charles  Ayers,  b.  Oct.  9,  1866,  r.  Portland,  Oregon. 

^'  vi  Harry  Ezra,  b.  Aug.  27,  1868,  r.  Portland,  Oregon. 

vii  Grace  G.,  b.  July  16,  1870. 


Omver  Hale  Mason,  son  of  Ayers  and  Eunice  (Hale)  Mason,, 
was  long  in  trade,  first  at  Berlin  Falls,  N.  H.,  and  subsequently  at 
Bethel  Hill.  He  was  a  cai)able  business  man,  and  successful.  He 
was  interested  in  timber  lauds  and  in  lumbering.  He  was  also 
treasurer  of  the  town  for  several  years.  Though  a  great  sufferer 
from  articular  rheumatism  which  for  years  rendered  him  nearly 
helpless  ;  he  continued  to  do  business,  to  make  money  and  be  inter- 
ested in  public  affairs.  He  was  much  interested  in  the  success  of 
the  Universalist  church,  and  left  it  a  legacy  of  one  thousand  dollars. 
He  married  first,  Alma  Frances  Connor  of  Upper  Stillwater,  May 
29,  1856.  She  died  June  20,  1864,  and  he  married  second,  Dec.  7^ 
1865,  Olive  Melissa,  daughter  of  Chester  and  Lydia  (Crouch)  Lee 
of  Vernon,  Vermont.     He  died  Feb.  20,  18i)l.     Children  : 

i     Alice  Gilniau,  V).  May  23,  1859. 
ii     Henry  Ayers,  b.  April  17,  1864,  d.  Aug.  8,  followiug. 

By  second  marriage : 
iii    Leslie  Lee  b.  July  4,  1868. 

William  Wallace  Mason,  youngest  son  of  Ayers  Mason,  lives 
on  the  homestead  of  his  father.  He  is  a  farmer  and  also  a  dealer 
in  cattle,  sheep  and  meats.  He  is  also  interested  in  timber  lands 
and  in  lumbering,  and  in  this  branch  of  business,  he  has  been  very 
successful.  He  married  Nov.  30,  1865,  Hepsibah,  daughter  of 
Israel  Kimball.     Chihlren  : 


m STORY   OF  BETHEL.  -j89 

i    Israel  W.,b,  March  19,   1867.     ii     Frank,  1).  Oct.  16,  1868.     iii     Her- 
man, b.  July  20,  1874.    iv     Sarah  Eunice,  b.  March  .5,  1880. 

Lawson  Mason  married  in  1727,  Anna  Bean.     Children  : 

i  AVilliam,  b.  March  2,  1828.  ii  Thirza  Maria,  b.  July  15, 1829.  iii  Sou, 
b.  Oct.  2.5,  1831,  d.  aged  6  weeks,  iv  Emma  Eliza,  b.  Xov.  7,  1882.  v 
Cyrene  A.,  b.  April  11,  1835.  vi  Eunice  Elizabeth,  b.  May  25,  1837.  vii 
Wallace,  b.  Aug.  23,  1839.     viii     Sou,  b.  Dec.  .30.  1843. 

Artemas  Mason,  born  March  12,  1809,  married  Dec.  5,  1834, 
Betsey  Bartlett,  widow  of  Hezekiah  Grover,  who  was  born  in  Cum- 
berland, Maine,  Dee.  24,  1808,  and  who  died  Dec.  2,  1845.  For 
second  wife  Mr.  Mason  married  Sarah  Brackett  of  Harrison.  Chil- 
dren : 
i  Hezekiah  Grover,  b.  March  28,  1835,  m.  Susannah  B.  Watsou  of  Nor- 
way who  died  January  20,  1879.     They  have  : 

1  Luella  R.,  b.  Nov.  5,  1860,  m.  Paifus  K.  Morrill. 

2  Willard  H.,  b.  May  8,  1864. 

3  Betsy  B.,  b.  April  21,  1871. 

ii    Minerva  A.,  b.  March  25,  1838,  d.  Dec.  19,  1866. 
Iii    Elizabeth  F.,  b.  Aug.  4,  1840,  d.  Oct.  1,  18.58. 

By  second  wife : 
iv    Adelia  E.,  b.  July  10,  1849,  m.  Charles  Merrill. 

V    Oscar  G.,  b.  Nov.  19,  1852. 
y\    Cora  E.,  b.  Feb.  22,  1855,  m.  J.  H.  Bean. 

Joseph  S.  Mason,  son  of  Sylvanus  Mason,  married  Robina, 
daughter  of  .Jacob  D.  Grover.  He  was  born  in  Bethel,  Oct.  1,  1837. 
•Children  : 

i    Herbert,  b.  Xov.  30,  1862,  m.  Lilla  Eastman, 
ii    Nellie,  b.  March  18,  1869,  m.  Will  Gribbin  of  Portland. 
iii     Grace,  b.  Jan.  8,  1874. 

Rev.  Daniel  Mason  of  another  branch  of  the  Mason  family,  was 
settled  over  the  Baptist  church  in  Bethel.  He  died  here  April  16, 
1835.  His  wife  was  Mary  Knight,  the  widow  of  David  Merrill  of 
Fayette,  Maine,  and  she  was  born  in  England.  By  her  first  hus- 
band, David  Merrill,  she  had  two  children,  one  of  whom  was  £he 
well-known  Bethel  house-carpenter,  Edmund  Merrill     Children  : 

i  Emma,  b.  July  23, 1814,  m.  Deacon  John  Bird, 

ii  ]Mary  Ann,  b.  March  15,  1815,  m.  Jedediah  Tapley  Kimball, 

iii  Daniel,  b.  Aug.  7,  1818. 

iv  John,  b.  March  2,  1821. 


590  m^STORY   OF  BETHEL. 

MCGILL. 

Joseph  Mcgill  from  Staudish,  married  Rebecca,  daughter  of 
Jot  York,  who  was  killed  by  lightning  at  the  chtirch  near  Adam 
Willis,'  July  11,  1819.     Child: 

i     Sewall  Emery,  b.  Feb.  6,  1819,  m. Howard. 

Merriam. 

Jonas  D.  Merriam  lived  a  few  j^ears  at  Middle  Intervale.  He 
was  by  occupation  a  hatter.  He  came  from  New  Hampshire  and 
returned  there.     By  wife  Lois  he  had  the  following  children  : 

i  Christine  P.,  b.  liumnej^  N.  H.,  June  1,  1802.  11  Herschel  Parke,  b. 
Feb.  1.5,  1807.  ill  Luciuda  D.,  b.  Feb.  20,  1809.  iv  Louisa  M.,  b.  Dec.  5» 
1811.     V  ITonitio  S.,  b.  Oct.  1,  1816. 

Merrill. 

John  Merrill  married  Hannah,  daughter  of  Simeon  Sanborn. 
He  lived  on  the  river  road  below  INIayville.  His  old  house  which 
had  become  a  ruin,  was  removed  in  the  summer  of  1891.    Children  : 

i  Jolin,  1).  Oct.  5,  1814. 

ii  Joseph  I..,  b.  Aug.  ;^0,  1810,  m.  Ann  B.  Fostei-  of  Newry. 

ill  Hannah,  b.  Deo.  1(1.  1817. 

iv  Natlian  Ward,  I).  Fel).  16,  1820,  d.  Dec.  1,  1822. 

V  Marcia  Ann,  b.  April  21,  1821,  m.  Justus  1.  Kendall. 

vi  Ruth  Ward,  b.  Nov  24, 1823,  m. Parley ;  r.  Portland. 

vii  Frances  Abigail,  b.  Julv  H,  182.5,  d.  July  28,  1827. 

viii  Sanuiel  H.,  b.  Feb.  4,  1830. 

ix  David  Sanborn,  b.  Aug.  20,  1831.  in.  and  died  in  Portland. 

Edmund  Merrill,  son  of  David  and  Mary  (Knight)  Merrill  (she 
born  in  England),  born  in  Fayette,  Me.,  Feb.  26,  1803,  married 
Relief  E.,  daughter  of  Nathaniel  Frost.  Mr.  Merrill,  Vjefore  mar- 
riage, was  a  school  teacher  and  also  a  teacher  of  vocal  music.  He 
had  a  fine  voice  and  for  many  winters  taught  the  old-fashioned 
evening  singing  schools.  Besides  the  building  already  referred  to, 
he  lived  at  one  time  near  the  Glen  House  in  New  Hampshire  and 
built  mills  in  that  region.  In  later  years  he  was  a  carpenter  and 
lived  on  Bethel  Hill,  where  he  died  July  2,  1862.  Mrs.  Merrill  was 
born  Jan.  26,  1809,  and  they  were  married  June  28,  1832.  Chil- 
dren : 

i     liosetta.  b.  April  2,  1833,  ni.  Emery  G.  Young, 
ii    Edmund,  I).  May  12,  1834,  m.  Emma  Bean. 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  591 

iii  Mary  Ann,  b.  Sept.  18,  1835,  m.  Patrick  H.  McCloskey. 

iv  Euby  F.,  b.  July  4,  1837,  m.  Leonard  B.  Chapman  of  Deering. 

V  Cullen  F.,  b.  April  28,  1839,  d.  July  1,  1849. 

vi  Ferdinand,  b.  Jan.  26,  1841,  d.  Nov.  1858. 

vii  Melissa,  b.  May  18,  1845,  d.  April,  1859. 

viii  Charles  Cullen,  b.  Feb.  6,  1848,  in.  Ardella  Mason. 

Edmund  Mekrill,  Jr.,  house  carpenter,  resides  on  Broad  street. 
Bethel  Hill.  He  married  March  4,  1860,  Emma  M.,  daughter  of 
Eliphaz  C,  and  Sarah  B.  (Farnum)  Bean.     Children: 

i    Frank  L.,   b.  July   28,  1863,  m.  Feb.  13,  1889,  Kate  Wintermate,  at 

Kansas  City,  Mo. 
ii    Abby  H.,  b.  May  30,  1871,  d.  June  15,  following, 
iii    Fred  B.,  b.  April  20,  1879. 

Mills. 

The  Mills  families  of  Bethel  have  resided  in  the  upper  part  of  the 
town.     They  are  closely  allied  to  the  Grover  family  and  came  to 
town  about  the  same  time. 

James  Mills  married  Hannah,  daughter  of  Moses  Mason  of 
Dublin,  N.  H.,  and  was  killed  by  a  falling  tree  in  Bethel ;  his  widow 
married  Elijah  Grover.     Children  : 

i  John,  b.  July  31,  1782,  m.  Asenath  Cummiugs. 

ii  Hannah,  b.  Jan.  9,  1784. 

iii  Deborah,  b.  Jan.  27,  1786. 

iv  Cyrus,  b.  April  28,  1790,  m.  Abiah  Bean. 

John  Mills  married  Asenath  Cummings.     Children  : 

i  Eliza,  b.  June  27,  1811.  ii  Eli,  b.  June  16,  1814.  iii  John,  b.  April  23, 
1816.     iv  Geo.  W.,  b.  Sept.  24,  1819. 

Cyrus  Mills  married  Abiah  Beau.     Children  : 

i  William  Dexter,  b.  Sept.  18,  1816.  ii  Daniel,  b.  April  10,  1818.  iii 
Nelson,  b.  Sept.  20,  1819.     iv  Mary,  b.  April  5,  1821. 

James  Mills  married  Dolly  Johnson  of  Gilead.     Children  : 

i  Samuel  Johnson,  b.  July  8,  1815  ii  Hannah  Mason,  b.  Nov.  1817. 
iii  Child,  b.  Jan.  10,  1820,  d.  a  week  after,  iv  Dorothy  Ann,  b.  April 
10,  1821. 

Nathan  Grover  Mills,  born  in  Mason,  Me.,  Feb.  20,  1824, 
married  Mary  Elizabeth  (Gordon)  Mills,  in  Sept.  1859.  She  was 
born  Dec.  28,  1822,  and  was  the  widow  of  Daniel  B.  Mills.  Chil- 
dren : 


592  HISrOBY   OF  BETHEL. 

i    Daniel  Edgar,  b.  March  29,  1847,  m.  Sarah  Ann  Morrill. 
ii    Mary  Abiah,  b.  July  14,  1850,  ni.  Charles  Dunham, 
iii    Eudora  Melissa,  b.  April  3,  18.54,  m.  Mellen  Mason, 
iv     George  Eugene,  b.  Aug.  16,  1855,  m.  June  8,  1879,  Ellen  M.  Shaw. 
He  is  a  section  hand  at  West  Bethel  and  has : 

1  Esma  Ada,  b.  June  15,  1880. 

2  Eula  Clare,  b.  Dec.  7,  1881. 

,3     Carlton  Euric,  b.  Dec.  4,  1884. 
V    Bessie  Alide,  b.  Jan.  26,  1860. 
vi    Ada  Isadore,  b.  Aug.  25,  1862. 
vil    Nathan  Ehvell,  b.  May  22,  1865,  m.  Cora  Leighton. 

Moody. 

Hezekiah  Moody,  sou  of  Josiah  and  Humility  (Proctor)  Moody 
of  Portland,  subsequently  of  Danville,  Paris  and  Hamlin's  Grant, 
married  Hannah,  daughter  of  Benjamin  Estes.  He  lived  in  the  east 
part  of  the  town.     Children  : 

i     Nahuni  Perkins,  b.  Feb.  8,  1824,  m.  Melinda  S.  Elliot.     He  enlisted 

from  Kuniford  and  died  in  the  army, 
ii    Dolly  Estes,  b,  Jan.  14,  1827,  m.  Galen  Blake, 
iii    Sarali  Maria,  b.  June  15,  1831,  d.  unmarried, 
iv    Sophia  Young,  b.  July  25,  1837,  m.  and  resides  in  Lewistou. 

MoORE. 

Charles  O.  Moore,  farmer  and  truckman,  born  at  Burlington, 
Me.,  Dec.  22,  1845,  son  of  Levi  and  Elvira  (Tuck)  Moore,  mar- 
ried April  9,  1883,  Addie  E.,  daughter  of  Nathan  S.  Baker  of  Rum- 
ford.     Children  : 

i     Grace  M.,  b.  Feb.  10,  1884.     ii     Sadie,  b.  June  2,  1885,  d.  same  day. 

Mohse. 

Paul  ^Iorse  was  quite  an  early  settler  in  Bethel  and  lived  at 
west  Bethel.  He  died  in  1820  and  his  widow  in  1844.  He  came 
here  from  Dublin,  N.  H.,  but  I  have  been  able  to  gather  but  little 
information  concerning  him  or  his  family.  On  Bethel  records  are 
the  names  of  the  following  children  : 

i     Betsey  G.,  b.  Dublin,  Nov.  16,  1794,  m.  Ashlej'^  J.  Paine. 
ii     Sally,  b.  June  23,  1796,  m.  James  Cummings. 
iii    Rhoda,  b.  Bethel,  Aug.  23,  1801,  m.  Isaac  Lovejoy,  s.  Mason, 
iv     Ruth,   b.   April  23,    1807,  m.  Nathan  Tyler,  s.  Fryeburg  Academy 

Grant. 
V     Tlamiidi.  b.  Aug,  4,  1809. 


HISTORY   OF   BETHEL.  593 

MOULTON. 

Joseph  Moulton  married  Temperance .     Children  : 

i    John  W.,  b.  March  26,  1833.     ii     James  B.  b.  March  26,  1833. 

Perkins  Moulton  married  in  1828,  Hannah  Moulton.    Children  : 
i     Gordon  F.,  b.  Dec.  4,  1830.     ii    Ahna  Ursula,  b.  Aug.  28,  1832. 

Needham. 

John  Neeuham,  son  of  John  and  Mary  (.Shedd)  Needham  of 
Tewksbury,  Mass.,  and  Norwa}',  Me.,  married  first  Abigail  Holt 
and  second,  Almira  (Bryant)  Mills.  He  moved  to  South  Bethel 
and  long  occupied  the  Nathan  Eames,  now  the  Ira  Cushman  farm. 
He  died  at  Bethel  Hill  Aug.  26,  1871.     Children  : 

i    Stephen  H.,  b.  March  5,  1818,  m.  Mary  Ann  Taylor, 
ii     William  F.,  b.  March  8,  1821,  m.  Esther  Wardwell. 
ill    Harriet,  b.  March  8,  182.5,  m.  1st,  Isaac  Pressey  and  2d,  Ward  Xoyes. 
iv    John,  b.  April  14,  1828,  ni.  Hatnah  Houston. 

V  Dudley  M.,  b.  Get.  30,  1834,  m.  Cordelia  Buck. 
Bj-  second  wife : 

vi    Frank  E.,  b.  April  15,  1844,  m.  Mary  A.  Stowell. 
vii    Lewis  H.,  b.  June  14,  1846,  d.  Sept.  14,  following, 
viii    Abigail  A.,  b.  March  30,  1849,  m.  Marcus  W.  Chandler. 

Evi  Needham,  son  of  John  Needham  and  brother  of  the  preced- 
ing, married  Maria,  daughter  of  Stephen  Latham.  He  moved  to 
East  Bethel,  and  died  there  and  his  widow  married  Enoch  Stiles  ; 
She  died  in  1891.  Only  the  youngest  child  was  born  in  Bethel: 
Children  : 

i    John,  b.  July  2,  1823,  m.  Irene  C.  Lapham,  d.  at  West  Bethel, 
ii    Reviel  W.,  b.  Jan.  11,  1826,  m.  Philena  Whiting. 

iii  Sumner  Henry,  b.  March  2,  1828,  m.  Hannah  Johnson  and  settled  in 
Lawrence.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Massachusetts  6th  Regiment, 
and  was  killed  by  the  Baltimore  mob  at  the  beginning  of  the  late 
war. 
iv  Olive  M.,  b.  Dec.  19,  1829,  m.  Jonathan  M.  Bartlett.  They  reside  at 
Bean's  Corner,  and  had  Harriet  E.,  b.  May  15,  1857,  m.  July  1,  1884, 
Eugene  Bean  and  died  on  Aug.  26,  1890. 

V  Otis  S.,  b.  August,  1831,  m.  Emma  Shaw,  d.  West  Bethel, 
vi    Clarissa  M.,  b.  July  2,  1837,  m.  Gorham  AVhitney. 

vii    Charles  M.,  b.  July  2,  1837,  m.  1st,  Lucy  Eggleston;  2d,  Ellen  Moul- 
ton. 
viii    Melinda  F.,  b.  July  17,  1839,  m.  Christopher  C.  Bean, 
ix    Emily  E.,  b.  Bethel,  Dec.  19,  1845. 


594  HISTOEY   OF  BETHEL. 

John  Needham,  son  of  Evi  and  Maria  (Latham)  Needhara,  born 
in  Norway,  July  2,  1823,  married  July  11,  1851,  Irene  Crooker, 
daughter  of  Thomas  and  Sophronia  (Crooker)  Lapham.  He  was  a 
farmer  at  West  Bethel  and  died  May  17,  1884.     Children  : 

i    Jeanette  L.,  b.  April  23,  1853. 

ii    Sumuer  Henry,  h.  July  22,  1855,  killed  by  the  cars  Sept.  10,  1874. 
iii    Charles  G.,  b.  June  9,  1857. 

Newell. 

Seth  Bannister  Newell,  son  of  Col.  Ebenezer  and  Sarah  (Ban- 
nister) Newell  of  Brookfield,  Mass.,  came  to  Bethel  about  the  year 
1825,  and  settled  on  a  farm  on  the  north  side  of  the  river,  above 
Mayville.  He  was  an  exemplar}'  man,  highly  esteemed  in  the  com- 
munity where  he  lived,  and  a  good  farmer.  Ebenezer  Newell  died 
in  Bethel,  Jan.  14,  1831,  aged  85  years.  Seth  B.  Newell  was  born 
June  26,  1783,  married  Betsey,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Olive 
(Lovejoy)  Kimball  of  Pembroke,  N.  H.     Children  : 

i    Seth  Baimister,  b.  May  6,  1811.     lie  went  to  Ohio  in  1837  and  died 
quite  young.    He  was  a  successful  teacher.    He  married  Amauda 
Frances  Dana  of  Newport,  Ohio, 
ii     Wellington,  b.  Jan.  11,  1816,  m.  1st,  Lucinda  D.  Bradford;   2d,  L. 

Amanda  Frost,  t   'S  >  "     !>  "^  ■'  ^ 
iii    Wesley,  b.  Oct.  12.  1818,  d.  Nov.  i).  1822. 
iv     Sarah  Hamlin,  b.  June  13, 1823,  ni.  Timothy  H.  Chapman  d.  Aug.  12, 

1866. 
v    Fanny  Butterfield,  b.  July  9,  1824,  d.  Jan.  15, 1848. 
vi    ]\Iartha  Barnard,  b.  Jan.  17,  1830,  m.  1st,   Tilden  Upton  who  died 

Sept.  16,  1866,  and  2d.  Timothy  II.  Chapman,  Oct.  13,  1867. 
vii     Horatio  Nelson,  b.  S»ipt.  22,  1831,  ni.  Louisa  Jane  Honian,  r.  Con- 
cord, N.  H. 
viii    Corj'ell  Kenton,  b.  .Inly  1.  1833,  d.  Aug.  19,  1836. 

Noble. 
James  Nop.le  by  wife  Anna  had  the  following  children  : 

i  Betsey,  b.  Jan.  15.  1797.  ii  Jerusha,  b.  March  9,  1799.  iii  Juda,  b. 
March  16,  1801.     iv  Samuel,  b.  May  14,  1803.     v  Anna,  b.  May  3,  1805. 

Nutting. 

James  Nutting  from  Massachusetts,  came  when  a  young  man  to 
Minot,  and  was  in  the  employ  of  Michael  Little.  He  married 
Lucretia,  daughter  of  Job  Young  of  Gray,  and  settled  in  Wood- 
stock,   then    called  Number  4,   of  which  Mr.   Little  was  a  large 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  595 

owner.  lu  hsi2,  he  bought  the  mills  ou  Bacon's  brook,  the  first 
built  in  Woodstock,  of  Rowse  Bisbee  who  erected  them.  After  a 
few  years  be  moved  to  a  farm  on  Felt  Hill  in  Greenwood,  and  from 
thence  to  this  town,  settling  in  the  Chandler  neighborhood,  where 
he  died.  His  widow  survived  him  many  years  and  died  in  Perham, 
Me.,  aged  over  90  years.     Children  : 

i  Eliza,  b.  Oct.  23,  1811,  d.  voung. 

ii  Narcissa,  b.  Sept.  8,  1814,  m.  Jesse  D.  Hodsdou. 

ill  Amaziah,  b.  July  1,  1817,  m.  Louisa  Stevens,  d.  Bethel, 

iv  Cleniantiue,  b.  Jau.  30,  1820,  m.  Columbus  Perham,  d.  Woodstock.. 

V  Oliver  Young,  b.  May  6,  1829,  m.  Lucy  Stevens,  r.  Perham,  Me. 

vi  Royal,  b.  April  17.  1831 :  be  went  South  and  died  in  Texas. 

Amaziah  Nuttixg,  son  of  James  Nutting,  married  Louisa, 
daughter  of  John  Stevens.  After  he  died  April  11,  1853,  his  widow 
married  in  1861,  Enoch  Foster  of  Newry  and  died  there  May  4, 
1863.     Children : 

i  James,  b.  Feb.  20.  1839.  m.  1st,  Auuie  E.  Hersey;  2d,  Izora  Hortou 
and  3d.  Emma  J.  Horton.  He  is  a  printer  by  trade;  published  the 
Bethel  Courier,  and  North  Star;  served  in  the  late  war;  settled  in 
Perham  plantation  wliere  he  now  resides  engaged  in  farming ;  has 
served  as  representative  to  the  Legislature  and  is  now  State  Sena- 
tor.    Children : 

1  John  L.,  b.  June  4,  1860,  d.  Feb.  26,  1862. 

2  May  Louisa,  b.  Oct.  31,  1891,  d.  Xov.  6,  following. 

3  Ernest  Oliver,  b.  Aug.  30, 1883. 

4  Florence  Lydia.  b.  Sept.  16,  1861. 

ii    Viola  L..  b.  July  20.  1849,  m.  Fremont  Blackstone,  d.  May  28,  1884. 

Oliver. 

William  Oliver,  born  in  England,  came  to  Bridgton  when  about 
twelve  years  of  age.  His  father  who  had  lost  his  wife  in  England, 
came  over  at  the  same  time.  He  was  born  May  16,  1773,  and  his 
wife  Hannah  Fowler  whom  he  married  at  Bridgton,  March  19,  1794, 
was  born  Dec.  31,  1773.  They  exchanged  farms  with  a  man  named 
Bray  and  moved  into  Bethel.  The  farm  was  near  Kendall's  Ferry 
and  is  still  in  the  family.  Here  Mr.  Oliver  and  his  wife  died  m 
1848.     Children,  the  last  three  born  in  Bethel : 

•^i  John,  b.  May  8,  1795,  m.  Esther  Russell. 

ii  George,  b.  Sept.  25,  1796,  d.  May  5,  1799. 

iii  Nancy,  b.  April  30,  1798,  m.  Thomas  Goss;  she  died  Oct.  4,  1842. 

iv  Betsey  W.,  b.  Feb.  9,  1800,  d.  Oct.  21,  1822. 

v  Miriam  F.,  b.  June  1,  1801,  d.  Feb.  13,  1823. 


596  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

vi     William,  b.  Xov.  2C,  1802.  m.  Martha  Keeu  of  Oxford,  Me.,  and  re- 
sided there, 
vii    Polly,  b.  June  15,  1804,  d.  Jiiue  17,  1829. 

viii    Andrew  C,  b.  June ,  180(j,  m.  Clarissa  Barker  of  Newry. 

ix    Joseph  II.,  b.  Oct.  12,  1807,  d,  Xewburyport,  Mass. 
X    Charles,  b.  June  22,  1809,  d.  March  3,  1817. 
xi    George,  b.  May  31,  1811,  resides  at  Onawa  City,  Iowa, 
xii    Hannah  F.,  b.  June  15,  1813;  d.  Portland,  unmarried, 
xiii    Jane  B.,  b.  May  12,  1815,  m.  Sept.  1834,  Abial  A^^  Stanley  of  Kenne- 
bunkport.     He  died  and  she  then  married  liis  l)rother  Rufus  Stau- 
ley.     She  died  in  Bethel  Sept.  8,  1880. 
xiv    Lucy,  b.  Feb.  28,  1817.,  d.  Dec.  4,  1829. 

XV     Charles,  b.  Dec.  27.  1819.  m.  Mai-y  Allen  of  Norway,  d.  I.ewiston 
without  issue. 

'^  JoH:Si  Oliver,  eldest  sou  of  William  Oliver,  married  iu  1819^ 
Esther,  daughter  of  Abraham  Russell.  He  learned  the  hattei-'s 
ti'ade  of  Mr.  Merriam  at  Middle  Interval,  and  set  up  iu  the  business 
at  Bethel  Hill.  He  subsequently  lived  at  Carthage,  Portland  aud 
finally  returned  to  Bethel.  He  went  West  leaving  his  family  at 
Bethel  and  died  at  St.  Charles,  Illinois,  in  1861.  His  widow  died 
.in  Bethel,  Oct.  12,  1876.     Children  : 

i  ^John,  b,  July  23,  1821,  d.  Aug.  2,  1823. 
ii  -Joel  Frost,  b.  April  G,  1823,  d.  Aug.  12,  1833. 
iii    John.,  b.  Jan.  13,  1825,  m.  Abbie  Ames  of  Charlestown,  Mass. 
iv   'Mary,  b.  Xov.  30,  1826,  m.  Hiram  Wilson  of  (iorhani,  X.  H. 
w  'Esther  Elizabeth,    b.   Feb.  10.  1829,   m.  in  Ilolyoke,  Mass.,  Robert 

Ilann.     She  died  in  1865. 
vi   -^Villiam,  b.  Feb.  5,  1832,  d.  Feb.  16,  1848.. 
vii    A.ustin  Partridge,  b.  June  4,  1834.  m.  Ist,  Emily  Frances  Royal  of 

Aulmrn  who  died,  and  he  then  married  Jennie  Connor  of  Portland. 

He  resides  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  and  is  a  civil  engineer. 

Andrew  Oliver,  sou  of  William  Oliver,  born  in  Bridgtou  in 
1806,  married  Clarissa  Barker  of  Newry.  He  lived  above  Middle 
Interval  and  near  Keudall's  Ferry,  and  died  there  April  19,  1879. 
Children  : 

i  Moses  Fowler,  b.  May  13,  1833. 

ii  Miriam  Fowler,  b.  Xov.  4,  1834,  m.  Oramandel  M.  Kilgore. 

iii  Clarissa  Ann,  b.  April  12,  1836,  m.  William  P.  Putnam  of  Mason, 

iv  Joseph  I>.,  b.  June  1,  1838,  m.  January  20,  1884,  Arietta  A.  Jordan. 

He  is  a  blacksmith  and  farmer. 

v  Lucy  Jane,  b.  Julv  2,  1840,  m.  Charles  C.  Burt, 

vi  Jesse  Barker,  b.  March  26,  1842,  d.  Feb.  17,  1843. 


SAMUEL    D.    PHILBROOK. 


HiSTOlil    OF  BETHEL.  597 


vii    Dorcas  M.,  b.  Feb.  1844. 
viii    Oscar  E.,  b.  Sept.  6,  1848. 
ix     Maria  R.,  b.  Sept.  12,  1850. 


Paine. 


Thomas  N.  Paine  married  Mary ,    who    died  April   11, 

1820.     Children : 

i  Thii-za  M.,  b.  Dec.  21,  1815.  ii  Thomas  IST.,  b.  Sept.  23,  1817.  iii 
Mary  Ann,  b.  April  3,  1820,  d.  March  16,  1842. 

Ashley  J.  Paine  married  Betsey  G.,  daughter  of  Paul  Morse. 
Children  : 
i    Roxanua  Willard,  b.  Dec.  1820.     ii  Ashley  Orlando,  b.  Nov.  11,  1833. 

Pattee. 

Moses  Pattee,  sou  of  David  and  Rachel  Pattee  of  Fryeburg,was 
born  in  that  town  March  24.  1804.  He  married  Nov.  28,  1830, 
Hannah  Farrington.  He  moved  to  AUjany  and  owned  mills  there 
and  early  in  the  fifties  he  moved  to  Bethel  Hill.  He  was  an  enter- 
prising and  stirring  man.  For  second  wife  he  married  Mary 
Waterhouse.     Child : 

i    Abb,   b.   ,   m.  Samuel   F.  Gibson.     She  was  an  accomplished 

woman  and  her  early  death  was  deeply  mourned  by  a  large  circle 
of  friends. 

Pkvekly. 

Joseph  Peverly  married  Clarissa,  daughter  of  Ephraim  Powers- 
He  lived  in  the  east  part  of  the  town  and  reared  a  large  family  but 
only  two  are  recorded.     Children  : 

i  Ephraim  Powers,  b.  Jul}'  29,  1830.  ii  Joseph,  b.  Oct.  IS,  lb32,  d. 
July  8,  1833. 

Philbrook. 

Samuel  Delano  Philbrook,  son  of  Harvey  and  Susannah 
(Wight)  Philbrook  of  Gilead,  born  March  8,  18o8,  married  first. 
May  6,  1862,  Angilina,  daughter  of  George  Chapman,  who  died 
and  he  married  second,  March  18,  1866,  Emily  J.,  daughter  of 
Ira  C.  Kimball.  He  came  to  Bethel  early  in  the  sixties,  and  since 
that  time  has  been  one  of  the  most  active  and  successful  business 
men  in  town.  He  has  engaged  in  farming  and  has  also  been  large- 
ly engaged  in   trade  in   live  stock.     He  is   President  of  the  Bethel 


598  HISTOBY   OF  BETHEL. 

Savings  Bank  and  has  been  closely  identified  with  every  movement 
having  for  its  object  the  improvement  of  the  village.     Children  : 

i    William,  b.  May  8,  1863,  m.  June  IG,  1888,  Louisa  Lary. 
By  second  marriage : 
ii    Harvey  C,  h.  Feb.  12,  1S67,  m.  Dec.  22,  1890,  Jennie  M.  Otis, 
iii    Dana  C,  b.  April  25,  1871. 
iv    Jessie,  b.  Feb.  9,  1874. 

John  M.  Philbrook,  son  of  Harve}'  and  Susannah  (Wight) 
Philbrook,  farmer  and  cattle  broker,  born  in  Shelburne,  N.  H., 
April  9,  1H40,  married  January  1,  1862,  Paulina  Ella,  daughter  of 
Ebenezer  and  Hepsibah  (Kimball)  Eames.  He  has  lived  on  the 
Eames  homestead  and  is  a  very  successful  business  man.  Recent- 
ly he  purchased  the  Gilman  Chapman  place  at  Bethel  Hill.  Chil- 
dren : 

i  Edith  A.,  b.  Nov.  27,  18G3.  ii  Fred  J.,  b.  .Sept.  13.  1871.  iii  Infant, 
b.  Auii'.  13,  1875,  d.  same  day. 

Pll'MMEK. 

Cyrus  Plummer,  married  Harriet  Barker  of  Waterford.  He 
was  the  son  of  Samuel  Plummer,  an  early  resident  of  Waterford. 
Children  : 

i  (ynis  Moody,  b.  Aug.  7,  1828.  ii  ilelleii  (  artt'r.  1>.  .March  2.  1830.  iii 
Benjamin  Murray,  b.  .Tunc  13.  1831. 

Lkander  G.  Pllmjieu,  sou  of  Josiah  Plummer  of  Waterford, 
married  first  Lucia  Rowe  and  second  Louisa  Horr.     Children  : 
i  Josiah  Xelson,  1).  Feb.  15.  1841.     ii   Lucinda  IJ.,  b.  Sept.  10,  1843. 

Jamks  N.  Pote  married  Lovey  - — .     He   lived    on  the  river 

road  near  Edmund  Beans'  place.  Only  one  birth  is  on  record.  There 
has  been  none  of  the  name  in  town  for  many  years.     Child  : 

i  James  Munroe,  b.  Aug.  8,  1823. 

PUUKINGTOX. 

Jo.siAii  U.  Plrhixgton,  son  of  Daniel  T.  and  Paulina  S.  Marri- 
ner,  born  in  Brunswick,  April  30,  1847,  married  Dec.  "27,  1873, 
Francetta  Adelia,  daughter  of  Hon.  Enoch  W.  Woodbury*.  He  is 
the  junior  partner  in  the  firm  of  which  Mr.  Woodbury  is  at  the  head. 
He  is  a  good  business  man,  now  treasurer  of  the  town.  He  is  one 
of  the  deacons  of  the  Congregational  church.     Children  : 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  599 

i  Alice  E.,  h.  Aug.  4,  1875. 

ii  Bertha  A.,  b.  April  12,  1877,  d.  March  12,  1879. 

iii  BurtouAV  .,  b.  July  27,  1880,  d.  Jau.  5,  1SS6. 

iv  Belle  F.,  b.  Xov.  1.5,  1882. 

V  Harry  J  ,  b.  Aug.  25,  1885. 

Powers. 

Amos  Powers  was  living  in  Bethel,  at  the  lower  part  of  the  town 
or  in  the  lower  settlement,  at  the  time  of  the  Indian  raid  in  August, 
1781.  Mr.  Powers  was  of  Princeton,  Mass.,  and  not  known  to  be 
related  to  the  other  families  of  this  name,  in  town.  He  was  born  in 
February,  1732,  and  was  about  48  years  old  when  he  came  to 
Bethel.  He  bought  interval  lot  No.  2,  of  Aaron  Richardson  of 
Newton,  in  1779.  His  farm  was  a  little  below  Bean's  Corner  on 
the  Rumford  Corner  road.  His  wife  was  Polly  Parmeuter.  He 
died  Aug.  4,  1823.     Children  : 

i  Sj^bil,  b. ,  m.  Dec.  7,  1783,  Thaddeus  Bartlett. 

ii  Arnold,  b.  1768,  m.  1st,  Betsy  Lane;  2d,  Xabby  Howe, 

iii  Ephraim,  b.  Aug.  11,  1781,  m.  Olive  Kimball, 

iv  Bathsheba,  b. ,  d.  youug. 

V  Anna,  b. ,  d.  youug. 

vi    Mauuassah,  b.  July  25,  1787,  moved  to  St.  David.  X.  B. 

Arnold  Powers,  son  of  the  preceding,  occupied  the  homestead 
of  his  father  for  a  large  portion  of  his  life  and  died  there  in  1849, 
aged  81  years.  He  married  first  Betsey  Lane  of  New  Glouces- 
ter, and  second  Nabby  or  Abigail,  daughter  of  Phineas  and  Expe- 
rience (Wheeler)  Howe  of  Bolton,  Mass.,  who  was  born  in  1778. 
Children  : 
By  first  marriage : 

i    Laviuia,  b.  Oct.  23,  1795,  m.  Kimball  Bean. 
ii    Eliphaz,  b.  Xov.  16,  1796,  m.  Huldah  Andrews. 
By  second  marriage : 

iii    Amos,  b.  Rumford,  July  9,  1801,  m.  Hannah  Hobbs  of  Norway, 
iv    Betsey,  b.  Bethel,  Nov.  3,  1803,  m.  Edmund  Segar. 
V    Oliver  Pollard,  b.  Nov.  24,  1805,  m.  Susau  M.  Kimball, 
vi    Experience,  b.  June  16,  1808,  m.  Moses  Staples, 
vii    Cyrus  Hamlin,  b.  April  10,  1817,  m.  Sarah  Duulap  of  Brunswick, 
viii    Sarah  Sawyei",  b.  Oct.  5,  1820,  d.  July  30,  1823. 
ix    Caroline  C.  M.,  b.  Oct.  2,  1722,  d.  Aug.  10,  1823. 

Ephraim  Powers,  brother  of  the  preceding,  married  Olive, 
daughter  of  Samuel  Kimball.  After  his  death,  she  married  James 
Daniels.     Child : 

Clara  B.,  b. ,  m.  Josepli  Peverly. 


600  HLSrOEY   OF  BETHEL. 

Gideon  Powers  of  Littleton,  N.  H.,  son  of  Captain  Peter  and 
Anna  (KeyeS)  Powers,  born  July  28,  1731,  married  Ruth  Hosmer 
who  was  born  May  28,  1738.  He  moved  to  Temple,  N.  H.,  and 
several  of  his  children  came  to  Bethel.     Children  : 

i  Gideon,  b.  Sept.  10,  1758,  m.  Ruth  Packard,  s.  Wilton. 

ii  Paul,  b.  Juue  24,  1760,  m.  a  Miss  U.  Heald,  r.  Temple, 

iii  Silas,  b.  Sept.  2,  1762,  m.  Submit  Bartlett  of  Bethel, 

iv  Sarah,  b.  Aug.  13,  1764. 

V  Ruth,  b.  May  1,  1767. 
vi  Peter,  b.  Mav  28,  1769. 

vii  Lavinea,  b.  Aug.  3,  1771,  m.  Phineas  Howard,  s.  Howard's  Gore, 

viii  Jonathan,  b.  Aug.  3,  1773,  d.  young, 

ix  Abuer,  b.  July  17,  177.5. 

X  Jonathan,  b.  Aug.  3,  1777,  m.  Lucy  Bartlett. 

xi  Lydia,  b.  Sept.  1784,  m.  Stephen  Saunders,  s.  Betliel. 

Gideon  Powers  Jr  ,  son  of  the  preceding,  married  Ruth  Packard 
of  Greenland,  N.  H.  He  came  to  Bethel  and  settled  in  that  part 
of  Bethel  now  Hanover,  on  the  land  subsequently  owned  by  Reuben 
B.  Foster  Esq.     He  afterwards  moved  to  Wilton.     Children  : 

^    i  Gideon,  b.  ^Shircli  2.  1784,  ni.  Appliia,  daughter  of  Abialiam  Russell 
of  Bethel.     He  died  in  Augusta, 

ii  Ruth,  b.  Dec.  11,  1785,  ni.  Elliot  Powers, 

iii  Sarah,  b.  Oct.  1),  1787,  m.  Joshua  Roberts,  s.  Hanover, 

iv  Hosmer,  b.  May  27,  1789. 

V  Hannah,  b.  April  19,  1791. 
vi  Zerviah,  b.  July  17,  1793. 

vii    Polly,  b.  April  21,  1796. 
viii     Betsey,  b.  Oct.  12.  1799,  d.  May  28.  1841. 

Silas  Powers,  brother  of  the  preceding,  came  to  Bethel  about 
1783,  with  his  brother  (4ideon.  Here  he  married  Sept.  12,  1790, 
Submit,  daughter  of  Enoch  Bartlett  of  Bethel.  He  too,  settled  on 
part  of  what  has  since  been  known  as  the  Foster  farm  in  Hanover. 
Children  : 

i  Paul,  b.  Jan.  28,  1791,  ni.  Lydia  Howard,  moved  to  Brunswick. 

ii  Lois,  b.  Aug.  8,  1793,  m.  Ebeuezer  Bartlett,  r.  Bethel, 

iii  Artemas,  b.  May  26,  1797.     He  went  South, 

iv  IvOvina,  b.  July  29,  1802,  m.  Steplien  Sprague.  r.  Dexter. 

V  Julia  'I'.,  1).  July  30,  1807,  m.  Silas  Brockway,  s.  Sangerville. 

Jonathan  Powers,  brother  of  the  preceding,  came  to  Bethel 
much  later  than  his  brothers.     He  settled  on  a  lot  near  to- them  in 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  601 

what  is  now  Hanover.     He  married  Lucy,  daughter  of  Enoch  Bart- 
lett  of  Bethel.     Children  : 

i  Hulclah,  b.  Aug.  9,  1802. 

ii  Peter,  b.  April  23,  1804,  ni.  Sarah  Stearns, 

iii  Ambrose,  b.  Feb.  7,  180fi,  m.  Huldah  G.  Frost, 

iv  Orson,  b.  May  24,  1808,  m.  Sally  E.  Hibbard. 

V  Jonathan,  b.  March  20,  1809,  m.  Hannah  H.  Andrews, 
vi  Elias  Bartlett,  b.  Dec.  15,  1811. 

vii  Anna  Bartlett,  b.  Dec.  3,  1813,  m.  Tliomas  Stearns  Jr. 

vili  Joseph  Stilhnan,  b.  May  16,  1816. 

ix  Charles  Stearns,  b.  June  14,  1818. 

X  Moses  Bartlett,  b. ,  1820. 

xi  Nathan  Bartlett,  b.  Aug.  12,  1822,  d.  Sept.  3,  1823. 

Gidp:on  Poweks,  son  of  Gideon  Powers  Jr.,  married  March  2, 
1806,  Apphia,  daughter  of  Abraham  Russell.  He  lived  in  Bethel, 
Wilton,  Carthage  and  Augusta.  For  man}^  years  he  was  travelling 
agent  for  the  Maine  Farmer.  He  died  at  Augusta,  Aug.  3,  1873, 
his  wife  having  died  April  24,  1858.     Children  : 

i  ^Auu  C,  b.  Nov.  25,  1806,  m.  1st,  Jeremiah  Gould  of  Carthage;  2d, 

Samuel  Stone  of  Wobui-n,  Mass. 
ii  ^Sarah  S.,  b.  Nov.  17,  1808,  m.  Austin  Partridge,  r.  Paris, 
iii   ^ddison,  b.  Sept.  15,  1810,  m.  Hannah  Kinney  of  Dixfield. 
iv  ^vuth,  b.  March  11,  1812,  m.  Isaac  Ellis  of  Carthage. 

V  Apphia,  b.  Oct.  11,  1815,  m.  Amasa  Holmau  of  Carthage, 
vi  /Susan,  b.  Dec.  11,  1817,  m.  Isaac  Ellis  of  Carthage. 

vii  'Rachel,  b.  May  28, 1820,  m.  Daniel  Bachellei-,  of  Fayette. 
vili   Abraham  R.,  b.  April  1,  1822,  ra.  Maria  Dicliey  of  Orono. 
ix  .Lucy  M.,  b.  March  12,  1824,  d.  31ay  7,  1824. 
X    .Hannah M.,  b.  Oct.  25,  1826,  d.  Augusta,  May  17,  1852. 
xi    Lois  H.,  b.  May  5,  1828,  m.  Henry  Bond  of  Boston, 
xii  -Eliza  J.,  h.  March  29,  1831,  m.  Fred  H.  Tibbetts  of  Augusta. 

Orson  Powers,  son  of  Jonathan  Powers,  married  Sally  E. 
Hibbard,  who  was  born  June  15,  1817.  He  died  Sept.  11,  1886. 
Children  : 

i    Henry,  b.  May  17,  1839,  d.  Julv  21,  1846. 
ii    Coryden,  b.  Aug.  31,  1840. 
iii     Sarah  D.,  b.  Jan.  21,  1842,  d.  Feb.  18,  1883. 
iv    Julia  E.,  b.  Oct.  18,  1843. 

V  Lauriston,  b.  April  9,  1845. 
vi    Abner  B.,  b.  Oct.  9,  1847. 

vii  Leander,  b.  July  25,  1850,  d.  Nov.  24,  1874. 

viii  Rosilla,  b.  Sept.  28,  1852. 

ix  Charles  H.,  b.  Aug.  25,  18.55,  d.  Jan.  3,  1883. 

X  Alpha,  b.  Aug.  2,  1857. 


602  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

Jonathan  Powers,  sou  of  Jouathau  Powers,  married  May  19, 
1833,  Hannah  H.  Andrews.     He  died  Oct.  21,  1862.     Children  : 

i  Augustus  H.,  b.  April  10,  1834.  ii  Galeu  H.,  b.  Aug.  20,  1835,  d.  Oct. 
30,  1838.     iii  Charles  H.,  b.  Oct.  6,  1837.     iv    Theresa  C,  b.  July  1,  1840. 

V  Edgar  H.,  b.  April  4,  1843. 

Edgar  M.  Powers,  son  of  Jonathan  Powers,  married  Feb.  4, 
1867,  Jennie  D.  Stearns  who  died  Sept.  20,  1882  ;  he  married  sec- 
ond, Dec.  11,  1883,  Carrie  T.  .     Cliildren  : 

i  Linwood  L.,  b.  Xov.  27,  1867.     ii  Harvev  E.,  b.  May  13,  1880. 

Peter  Powers,  son  of  Jonathan  Powers,  married  Sarah  Stearns. 
He  lived  in  the  lower  part  of  the  town.     Children  : 

i  Lewis,  b.  Aug.  26,  1837.  ii  Angolino,  b.  April  1,  1839.  iii  Lucy,  b. 
April  10, 1841. 

Richardson. 

Edwaud  Richardson  married  Charlotte  Ellis  of  Sutton,  Mass. 
Children  : 

i  Abel  Ellis,  b.  June  23,  1813.  ii  lufaut,  b.  Feb.  11,  1815,  d.  Feb.  11, 
1817.    iii  Asa  Furbush,  b.  May  1,  1818.     iv  Martha  Maria,  b.  Oct.  4,  1819. 

V  Sileuce  Loland,  b.  Sept.  24,  1821. 

Ehenezer  Richardson  mnrried  first,  Nancy,  who  died  April  10, 
1822,  and  second,  Cyiilliia  Twitchell.     Children: 

i  Elbridge  Jeunison,  b.  Aug.  31,  1817.  il  Thurston,  b.  Aug.  7,  1819.  iii 
Ebeuezer,  b.  Oct.  4,  1821.  By  second  wife:  iv  Edward  Lysander,  b. 
April  18,  1828.  v  Cynthia  L.,  b.  Feb.  27.  1826,  d.  :Marcli  15,  following,  vi 
Adeline  L..  b.  Feb.  27,  1826,  d.  March  30,  1826.  vii  Kli  T..  b.  May  14, 
1831.     viii    Moses,  b.  Sept.  3,  1832.     i\     All-ort  R..  b. .  1S3S. 

Reynolds. 

Edward  Reynolds  or  Runnels,  married  Sally,  daughter  of  Sol- 
omon and  Patience  (Sanborn)  Annas,  who  died  Feb.  26,  1825. 
Children  : 

i     Kuth.  b.  Oct.  13,  1822,  d.  Aug.  24.  1823. 

ROHINSON. 

U'Neil  W.  Robinson,  born  in  Chatham,  N.  H.,  came  to  Bethel 
early  in  the  twenties,  purchased  large  tracts  of  real  estate,  built  the 
house  and  store  afterward  known  as  the  Robert  Chapman  stand  and 
was  in   active  business  here  for  a  number  of  years.     He  was  an 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  603 

energetic  business  man  and  very  successful.  He  moved  from  Bethel 
to  Portland  and  thence  to  Waterford.  He  served  as  senator  in  the 
State  Legislature,  and  sheriff  of  the  county  from  1842  to  1850.  He 
owned  large  tracts  of  timber  land  on  the  Androscoggin  in  the  towns 
of  Gorham,  Berlin,  Milan  and  Dumnier.  He  married  Betsey  Straw. 
Children  : 

i  0"Xeil  W.  Jr.,  b.  July  17,  1824,  an  attorney  at  law,  d.  unmarried, 

ii  Increase  Sumner,  b.  April  14,  1826. 

iii  Mary  Ann,  b.  Aug.  16,  1827. 

iv  Liviugstou  G..  b.  March  11.  1829,  m.  Ellen  Town,  d.  Bethel. 

V  William  Cox,  b.  Nov.  29,  1830,  d.  Dec.  .5,  18,35. 

vi  Moses  Mason,  b.  April  14,  183.5,  m.  Susan  Edwards  Booth  of  Balstou, 
Spa.,  X.  Y.  He  graduated  from  Bowdoiu  in  1856,  read  law  in  Port- 
laud,  enlisted  and  served  3.  j-ears  as  Captain  Co.  G.,  Twelfth  Maine 
Vols.,  was  admitted  to  the  bar  and  has  an  office  at  54  Wall- street, 
New  York.  ^  ^^ 

vii     Agues  Frances,  b.  Oct.  20,  1840,  d.  Aug.  11,  1863. 
viii     Cyrene  Straw,  b.  Feb.  5,  1842,  m.  Melville  C.  Kimball;  r.  Maldeu, 
Muss. 

James  Robixson  married  Lucy .     Children  : 

i  Lucy.  b.  Feb.  17,  1799.     ii  Charlotte,  b.  Feb.  24,  1801. 

RowE. 

Ephraim  Rowe  came  here  from  Standish  and  married  Martha, 
daughter  of  Eleazer  Twitchell.  He  was  a  farmer  and  owned  a  large 
tract  of  laud  formerly  belonging  to  the  Twitchells.     Children  : 

i  Luciuda,  b.  Bethel,  Sept.  28,  1795. 

ii  Caleb,  b.  Aug.  17,  1797,  ni.  Abigail  Plummer. 

iii  Eleazer,  b.  July  21,  1799,  m.  Abigail  Burbauk  of  Gilead. 

iv  Patty  or  Martha,  b.  April  28,  1801,  m.  Isaac  E.  Cross. 

V  Mary,  b. ,  1803. 

vi  Ephraim,  b.  March  15,  1805. 

vii  Asa,  b.  March  31,  1807. 

Tiii  Lucia,  b.  Oct.  7,  1809,  d.  Oct.  31,  1811. 

ix  .Joanna,  b.  Dec.  22,  1813,  m.  Ira  C.  Kimball. 

X  Lucia,  b.  Sept.  31,  1816. 

Caleb  Rowe,  son  of  P^phraim  Rowe,  married  Abigail  Plummer, 
■who  died  July  20,  1891.  He  was  born  August  17,  1797,  died  Octo- 
ber 2,  1877.     He  was  a  farmer.     Children  : 

i    Franciua,  b.  July  19,  1828. 

ii    Daughter,  b.  Aug.  23,  1826,  d.  Oct.  16,  following, 
iii    Harriet  Irene,  b.  Aug.  18.  1830,  m.  Walker  H.  Sheldon. 


604  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

iv    Leauder  Plumnier,  b.  Dec.  25,   1833,  in.  Maria  A.  Hayes  of  Water- 
ford. 

V  Almon  Twitchell,  b.  April  6,  1836,  m.  Carrie  M.  Noyes. 

vi     Ceylou,  b.  April  1,  1838,  m.  May  12,  1864,  Mary  M.  Grover,  and  has 

Herbert  Ceylon,  b.  Oct.  26,  1877. 
vii    Octavia,  b.  May  29,  1840,  d.  Oct.  30,  1842. 
viii    Abra  Ann,  b.  Oct.  10,  1842,  d.  Aug.  12,  1849. 

ix    Octavia,  b.  March  22,  1845,  m.  J.  Dana  Bartlett. 

X    Edwin  C,    ]   m.  Ella,  daughter  of  Alvau  B.  Godwin. 

\  twins,  b.  April  11.  1848. 
xi    Edward  C,  )   d.  March  11,  1866. 

Eleazer  Rowe  married  in  1827,  Abigail  Burbank  of  Gilead. 
Children  : 

i  Asbury  S.,  b.  Jan.  28,  1829,  d.  Dec.  29.  following,  ii  Ephraim  Or- 
mando,  b.  Aug.  4,  1830.  iii  Angle  T>ucia,  b.  Xov.  30,  1833.  iv  Asbury  S., 
b.  Jan.  28,  1838.  v  Dalmeda,  b.  April  10.  1841.  vi  Abigail,  b.  July  28, 
1843. 

Ephraim  Rowe,  Jr.,  married  Lovina  .     Children: 

i  Koxanna,  b.  Sept.  8,  1807.  ii  Lucinda,  b.  Feb.  8,  1808.  iii  Isaiah,  b.. 
Oct.  29.  1810.     iv     y\-A\y,  b.  Aug.  14.  1812. 

Ripley. 

Joseph  Riplev,  son  of  Joshua  Ripley  formerly  of  Methueu, 
Mass.,  born  in  Riimford,  April  14,  1793,  married  Betsey  Barker, 
who  was  born  Aug.  3,  1796,  and  died  in  Bethel,  Nov.  6,  1863.  He 
died  July  19,  1859.     Children  : 

i  Hosea,  b.  Aug.  20,  1821.  ni.  Julia  .Sturgis. 

ii  T.awson,  b.  Jan.  25.  1823.  d.  Oct.  12.  1828. 

iii  Joliii  Bartlett,  b.  Dec.  30.  1824,  d.  Oct.  6,  1828. 

iv  Arvilla,  b.  Dec.  3,  1826,  in.  Albion  Perry  Blake  of  Betliel. 

V  ]\Iarcia  S..  b.  March  18,  1829,  m.  Aaron  J.  Abbott,  1847. 

vi    John  Bartlett,  b.  May  3,  1831,  in.  Dec.  11,  1856,    :Mary  J.  AVentworth 

of  "S'assalboro.     He  is  a  farmer  in  Pittston,  Me. 
vii     Betsey  M.,  b.  April  23,  18.33,  m.  Edwin  R.  Abbot  18.53. 
viii    Joseph  Eynian,  b.  Aug.  9,  1835,  ni.  Lucinda  Holt.  1861. 

ix     Nancy  Diana.  1).  Dec.  8,  1838,  d.  Oct.  27.  1844. 

Hosea  Ripley,  son  of  the  preceding,  married  Julia  Sturgis.  He 
moved  to  Walker's  Mills  and  operated  the  water  power  previously 
owned  by  Jonathan  C.  Robertson.  He  sawed  short  lumber,  threshed 
grain  and  did  various  otiier  kinds  of  business.  But  he  was  better 
known  as  a  singing  master  and  band  leader  and  instructor,  in  which. 


HISrOBY   OF  BETHEL.  605 

he  was  very  proficient.    He  died  in  1887.  When  the  census  of  1870 
was  taken  he  had  with  him  the  following  children  : 
i     William,  b.  1851;  ii  Walter,  1).  1858;    iii     Clara,  b.  18(i3. 

Robertson. 

William  Robertson,  born  in  the  north  of  Ireland,  Feb.  8,  170/^, 
married  in  l'^29,  Margaret  Woodend  who  was  born  Oct.  20,  1705. 
They  were  of  Scotch  descent  and  of  the  Scotch-Irish  immigration 
coming  to  this  country  and  settling  at  Londonderry',  N.  H.,  then  in 
Pembroke,  where  she  died  Feb.  19,  1785.  He  died  March  7,  1790. 
They  had  eight  children,  the  6th  of  whom  was  Andrew,  born  Jan- 
uar}'  27,  1740,  married  in  1770,  Mary  Hall.  They  had  eight  chil- 
dren, the  youngest  of  whom  was  Samuel,  born  July  21,  1784,  came 
to  Bethel  and  settled  on  the  farm  previously  occupied  by  Oliver 
Feuno.  on  what  was  afterwards  known  as  Robertson's  Hill.  He 
married  first  Sally,  daughter  of  Jonathan  Clark,  born  Bethel,  April 
13,  1787,  d.  January  16,  1811  ;  second,  Eliza  Hunting  of  Rumford, 
born  Nov.  17,  1792,  died  Aug.  9,  1825,  and  third,  Esther  York, 
born  Bethel,  Feb.  23,  1800,  died  June  13,  1874.  He  died  July  7, 
1847.     Children : 

i    Jonathan  Clark,  b.   April  4,  1809,  in.  Sally  Saunders;  d.   May   31, 

18.50. 
&>- second  wife;  , 

i/Mi     Sylvester,  b.  Xov.  3.  1814.  m.  Anoeline  Eussell  who  died  Julv  30, 
1874. 
iii     Samuel  Barlver,  b.  July  11,  1816. 
iv     Sarah  C,  b.  June  20,  1818. 

v     George  Hunting,  b.  ^larcli  18,  1820,  m.  Caroline  Virgin. 
By  third  wife : 

vi     Washington  E.,  b.  Sept.  20,  1826. 
vii    Elbridge  G.,  b.  Dec.  31,  1827. 
viii    Charles  A.,  b.  Aug.  24,  1829. 
ix    Eliza  H.,  b.  June  9.  1831. 

X    Moses  H.,  b.  Jan.  13,  1833,  m.  Sarah  J.  Stowell. 
xi    Ceylon  ('.,  b.  July  7,  1837. 
xii     Solon,  b.  Xov,  27,  1838. 

Jonathan  Clark  Robertson,  son  of  Samuel  Robertson,  married 
Sally  Saunders  of  Hanover.  He  was  a  cabinet-maker  at  Walker's 
Mills  and  died  May  31 ,  1850.     Children  : 

i    Altliea  Celestiue,  b.  Juno  15,  1837,  m.  John  E.  Farewell. 

ii    Aurelius  A.,  b.  Aug.  27,  1839,  killed  at  Gettysburg, 
iii'^  Lydia  S.,  b.  Aug.  4,  1841,  m.  Benjamin  Stevens. 
iv^Sarah  Clark,  b.  Xov.  20,  1843. 


606  HISrOEY   OF  BETHEL. 

/Sylvester  Robertson,  son  of  Samuel  Robertson,  married  Auge- 
line,  daughter  of  Stephen  A.  Russell.     Children  : 

i  ^ustavus  Adolphus,  b.  Aug.  23,  1839.  m.  1869,  T.izzie  S.  Park, 
ii  ^Son,  b.  Jan.  18,  1842,  d.  aged  1  mouth, 
iii  ^Ann  Maria,  b.  Feb.  18,  1843,  r.  Bethel,  unmarried. 

'  GusTAvus  Adolphus  Robertson,  son  of  Sylvester  Robertson,, 
was  educated  at  the  town  schools  and  at  Gould's  Acfldem3\ 
He  then  learned  the  trade  of  cabinet  maker  of  liis  father  and  being 
naturally  ingenious,  he  showed  great  aptitude  for  the  work.  At  the 
same  time  he  taught  town  schools  during  the  winter,  and  gained  a 
wide  reputation  as  a  disciplinarian.  Late  in  the  sixties,  he  was  en- 
gaged to  take  charge  of  the  Augusta  Grammar  school  and  continues 
in  that  position  at  the  present  time,  having  been  in  charge  of  it  for 
nearly  a  quarter  of  a  century.  He  is  emphatically  a  live  teacher, 
keeping  his  school  abreast  and  perhaps  ahead  of  the  times,  and 
while  he  is  strict  in  discipline,  he  has  alwaj's  been  popular  with  his 
pupils.  He  married  in  1869  Lizzie  S.  Park  who  had  been  one  of 
his  pupils  when  he  taught  the  school  at  Searsport.  They  have  a 
pleasant  home  in  Augusta  and  a  charming  summer  cottage  on  the 
shore  of  Cobbosseecontee  Lake,  where,  during  the  vacation  season,. 
Mr.  Robertson  spends  his  time  in  boating  and  other  rural  sports. 

Russell. 

It  is    said  that  four  brothers  by  the  name  of   Russell    came  to 
Bethel,  but  the  only  two  here  at  the  time  of  the  Indian  raid  were 
vtRenjamin''  and  'Abraham\     They  were  the  sons  of  Johu^  Jr.,  and 
/•Hannah  (Foster)    Russell,  grandsons  of  John'  and  Sarah  (Chan- 
f     dler)   Russell  and  great  grandsons  of 'Robert'  Russell  of  Andover, 
Mass.,    who  married  at  Andover,  July  6th,   165'.),  Mary  Marshal, 
"benjamin  Russell  was  born  January'  28,   1739  and  married  Oct.  7, 
/  y^/     J  762,'  Mary  Favor.  He  was  an  early  settler  at  Fryeburg,  was  chair- 
^  man  of  the  selectmen  and  a  leading  citizen.     He  came  to  Bethel  in 

,  1779,  was  the  first  town  clerk,  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  and  a  man  of 

•'  affairs  generally.     His  records  are  models  of  neatness  and  clear- 

ness of  expression.  He  sold  his  real  estate  in  Fryeburg  in  Oct. 
1782,  to  Isaac  Abbott.     He  died  Nov.  23,  1802."'  Children  : 

i  Tlieodore,  b.    ^I*^  •*  ,  m.  Abigail  Abbot  of  Andover. 

-  ii  Benjamin,  b.    ^T*"^  ,  m.  Mehitable  Abbot  of  Andover. 

,  iii  John,  b. ,  m.  Susie  Twitchell. 

iv  William,  b. ,  m.  Mehitable  Kilgore  of  Bethel. 

v  Mary,  b.  — ^-^-^,  m.  Nathaniel  Segar. 


« 


SYLVESTER   ROBERTSON, 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  607 

Theodore  Russell,  sou  of  Benjamin  Russell  senior,  married 
Abigail  Abbot  of  Andover.  He  lived  on  the  south  side  of  the  river 
between  Bethel  Hill  and  Middle  Interval.  He  died  June  4,  1821  ; 
his  first  wife  Abigail  died  in  June,  1810,  aged  39,  and  his  second 
wife  Tabitha  died  March  13,  1855,  aged  72.     Children  : 

i    Lydia,  b.  July  16,  1790,  m.  June  29,  1818,  Dr.  Timothy  Carter. 

ii    Jonathau  Abbot,  b.  June  12,  1793,  m.  Sarah  Hale. 
Hi     Beujamin,  b.  April  15,  1795,  d.  3  days  after, 
iv    Beujamin,  b.  June  11,  1796,  m.  Atboliuda  Cushmau. 

For  second  wife  he  married  Tabitha  (Strickland)  Twaddle. 

V  Abigail,  b.  July ,  1812. 

vi  Infant,  b.  July  1813,  d.  same  month, 

vii  Zilpha  A.,  b.  March  28,  1814. 

viii  Theodore,  b.  June  2,  1816. 

ix  Martin  Seward,  b.  March  31,  1819. 

Benjamin  Russell  Jr.  married  '^leliitable  Abbot  of  Andover, 
Mass.  He  was  one  of  the  scouts  that  guarded  the  settlement  after 
the  Indian  raid.     He  was  a  noted  hunter  and  trapper.     Children  : 

i  Stephen  Abbot,  b.  July  6,  1788,  m.  Eunice  Mason, 

ii  Samuel,  b.  Feb.  14,  1790,  m.  Abigail  Earlier,  r.  Xewry. 

iii  Willoughby,  b.  Dec.  22,  1791,  m.  Polly  Bartlett. 

Iv  Polly,  b.  Feb.  24,  1794,  m.  James  Fames,  r.  Newry. 

V  Dorcas,  b.  Api-il  8,  1796,  m.  Samuel  Woodbridge,  r.  Andover. 
vi  John,  b.  June  22,  1798,  d.  July  28,  1820. 

vii  Lulie  Reilly,  b.  April  6,  1801,  m.  Abigail  Kilgore. 

A'iii  Beujamin,  b.  Newry,  January  11,  1803,  m.  Mahala  Wright,  s.  Green- 
.wood, 

ix  Abigail,  b.  Jan.  3,  1805,  d.  July  20,  1825. 

X  Mehitable,  b.  March  4,  1807,  m.  Ballard  Hatch  of  China,  Me. 

xi  Martha,  b.  Dec.  23,  1810,  m.  Alonzo  Fifleld  of  Riley  Plantation, 

xii  Lydia,  b.  Aug.  31,  1812,  m.  Ira  Kilgore,  d.  Augusta. 

John  Russell,  brother  of  the  preceding,  married  Susannah, 
daughter  of  Ezra  Twitchell  of  Bethel  who  was  born  in  Framing- 
ham,  Mass.,  and  died  Sept.  2,  1856.  "John  Russell,  died  July  1 
1850.     Children: 

i  Persis,  b.  May  13,  1799,  m.  1st,  Jeremiah  Virgiu ;  2d,  Luke  Reilly.. 

ii  Ezra  Twitchell,  b.  Aug.  19,  1803,  m.  Phebe  Kimball,  d.  1838. 

iii  John,  b.  June  17,  1807,  m.  Cynthia  Twitchell. 

iv  Susannah,  b.  June  15,  1810,  d.  young. 

v  Elmira,  b.  Aug.  29, 1812,  d.  young, 

vi  Leander  Gage,  b.  Oct   15,  1816,  m.  Sarah  P.  Wight. 


-608  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

/  William  Russell,  son  of  Benjamin  senior,  married  Mehitable, 
-daughter  of  John  Kilgore.  He  became  insane  in  his  old  age.  Chil- 
dren : 

V  i  Mehitable,  b.  Jan.  4,  1792,  m.  Sebra  Dunham  of  Paris. 

^  ii  Cjmthia,  b.  Dec.  20,  1793,  m.  William  Bent  of  Paris. 

'  iii  Elsie,  b.  March  8,  1796,  d.  youug. 

'  iv  William,  b.  March  12,  1798. 

^v  Elsie,  b.  March  28,  1800,  m.  William  Bartlett. 

t^\  Samuel,  b.  March  9, 1802. 

»Vli  Henry,  b.  Feb.  15,  1804,  r.  Xewburyport,  Mass. 

^'sv^  Mary,  b.  June  18,  1806. 

r^:x  Theodore,  b.  Aug.  1,  1808,  removed  early  from  town. 

^  X  Palmer,  b.  Aug.  1,  1813,  removed  early  from  town. 

•^xi  Sophia,  b.  Aug.  8,  1811,  m.  Rodney  Cole,  s.  Sidney,  Me. 


'^Jonathan  Abbot  Russell,  son  of  Theodore,  lived  on  the  home- 
stead of  his  father.  He  was  a  noted  school  teacher.  His  wife 
wasi^arah  Hale  of  Waterford  to  whom  he  was  married  June  23, 
1818.  Most  of  this  large  and  interesting  family  died  of  consump- 
tion and  all  within  a  few  years.  He  died  March  22,  1859,  and  his 
widow  died  January  5,  1864.     Children  : 

K      i    Casper  I.avater,  b.  March  23,  1819,  d.  Aug.  6,  1823. 

y"    ii     Solon  Hale,  b.  Nov.  3,  1820,  d.  Aug.  1,  1823. 
(^    iii    Jolin  Orrison,  b.  Oct.  10,  1822,  d.  Dec.  24,  1842. 

ty  iv     Betscv  Hale,  b.  Oct.  23.  1824,  m.  Samuel  S.  Stanley,  d.  May  28,1866. 

^    v     Casper  Lavater,  b.  Sept.  10,  1827,  m.  Nellie  Richardson,  and  died 
July  1,  1868. 

>/ vi  Solon  Abbot,  b.  June  12.  1829,  d.  Dec.  24,  18.56;  lie  was  {\  school 
teacher, 
vii  Sarah  Hale,  b.  Aug.  18,  1831.  She  was  a  highly  accomplished  young 
lady,  went  to  Kentucky  as  a  teacher,  married  Joseph  Odell,  for- 
merly of  Conway,  N.  H.,  and  was  fatally  Iniined  by  the  breaking 
of  a  lamp  three  j-ears  after  her  marriage,  June  10,  1860. 

^^viii    Charlotte  M.  H.,  b.  Feb,  20,  1834;  she  married  E.  H.  Pickering  and 
died  Nov.  21,  1854,  in  T.ewiston. 

*^   Stephen  Abbot  Russell,  son  of  Benjamin  Russell  Jr.,  married 
•'Eunice,  daughter  of  Moses  ]\Iason.  He  was  a  miller  for  many  years 
sX  Walker's  Mills  and  later  at  Bethel  Hill.     Children  : 

/  i  Agnes  Mason,  b.  Feb.  11,  1818,  m.  Levi  Twitchell. 

J  ii  Augeliue,  b.  Jan.  28,  1819,  m.  Sylvester  Robertson. 

.'  iii  John,  b.  July  11,  1820,  d.  Oct.  15,  1839. 

.  IV  Mary.  b.  Oct.  9,  1821.  d.  Oct.  3,  1822. 


HISTORY   OF   BETHEL.  60!) 

^\    Maria,  b.  Oct.  9,  1821,  m.  Merchant  II.  Lufkin,  r.  Lowell;  m.  2d, 

Nathaniel . 

'^  vi    Hannah,  b.  Aug.  14,  1823,  m.  William  Benson,  d.  Newfield. 
•^vii    Mary  b.  Sept.  27,  1824,  m.  Dr.  John  E.  Dounell,  r.  a  widow  in  Bos- 
ton. 
y  viii    Thirza  Aver,  b.  July  14,  1826,  ni.  John  ('.  Moulton.  r.  Auburn. 
''    ix    Eunice,  b.  Oct.  28,  1827,  ni.  Francis  B.  Caswell  of  Harrison. 
^  X    Moses  Mason,  b.  March  5,  1829,  m.  ]\[ary  A.  Stearns,  both  deceased. 
^  xi    Mehitable,  b.  Jan.  13,  1831,  m.  Ellery  F.  Goss,  d.  at  Auburn,  Dec. 

20,  1891. 
^  xii     Abigail,  b.  April  13,  1832,  ni.  \Mlliani  Benson,  r.  Xorway,  d.  1S91. 
^  xiii    Stephen  Abbot,  b.  Dec.  8,  1833,  m.  Orpbelia  Keyes. 

'^  Ezra  Twitchell  Russell,  son  ofJohn  Russell,  married  l^hebe, 
daughter  of  Israel  Kimball.  He  died  iu  early  manhood  in  1839, 
and  his  widow,  after  many  years  of  widowhood,  married  Winslow 
Hey  wood.  He  was  a  trader  at  Bethel  Hill  and  a  dealer  in  real  es- 
tate.    Children  : 

y    i     Melissa  M.,  b.  Sept.  24,  1832,  m.  Charles  Mason. 
/^\\     Susannah,  b.  Aug.  10,  18,34. 

>^  John  Russell  Jr.,  married  Sept.  15,  1836,  Cynthia,  daughter  of 
Ezra  Twitchell.  He  lived  below  Bethel  Hill,  on  the  Middle  Inter- 
val road.     He  was  a  brick  mason  and  farmer.     Children  : 

•^    i     Daniel  W.,  b.  Nov.  1,  1837,  d.  Nov.  4,  1858  iu  Bethel. 

i^il  Ezra  Twitchell,  b.  Aug.  3,  1842,  m.*'^len  Augusta  Shirley  and  died 
Nov.  13,  1888.  He  was  a  teaclier  and  farmer,  and  long  held  a  posi- 
tion iu  the  New  York  custom  house.     Thev  had : 

1     Nellie  Shirley,  b.  Brookly,  N.  Y..  Dec.  17,  lS8.o. 

"'LvMAN  W.  Russell,  furniture  manufacturer  and  dealer  and 
farmer,  resides  at  Bethel.     He  is  the  son  of  Willoughby  and  Polly 

(Bartlett)  Russell  and  was  born  in  Newry  where  all  his  brothers 
and  sisters  were  born,  Oct.  1,  1826.  With  his  brother -Law'son  E. 
Russell  who  was  born  Feb.  29,  1820,  and  married J^ebeeca  Jane 
"Weston,  he  established  a  furniture  manufactory  at  Locke's  Mills 
and  then  removed  it  to  South  Bethel,  utilizing  the  building  and 
power  formerly  occupied  by  James  Walker  for  wool-carding  and 
cloth-dressing.  Lawson  E.  Russell  went  West  aiwi  Lyman  remains 
at  South  Bethel.  He  married  January  1,  1855,'T,ucy  Anna,  daugh- 
ter of  John  and  Lucy  (Merrill)  Edgerly  of  Buxton,  Maine.  They 
have  no  children. 

39 


610  HLSTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

'^BRAHAM^  Russell,  brother  of  Benjamiu,  was  living  in  his  house 
near  Alder  River  bridge  at  the  time  of  the  Indian  raid.  He  was 
born  in  Andover,  Mass.,  in  1748,  and  died  in  Bethel,  Dee.  9,  1839. 
He  married  at  Frj^eburg, -^arah.  daughter  of  James  Swan.  His 
house  was  carried  away  during  the  great  freshet  of  1785,  and  he 
then  built  him  a  house  near  the  base  of  Bethel  Hill,  on  the  Rum- 
ford  road,  where  Daniel  Grout  afterwards  lived.  He  did  not  move 
toward  Middle  Interval  as  stated  elsewhere  on  the  authority  of  Dr. 
True.  Mr.  Russell  owned  a  large  lot  of  valuable  land  on  which  a 
considerable  portion  of  the  village  now  stands.  He  was  a  good 
farmer  and  a  valuable  citizen.  He  sold  his  real  estate  in  Fryeburg, 
laid  out  to  the  right  of  <fohn  Russell,  in  1793,  to  Samuel  Phillips, 
Jr.  ;  in  1783  he  sold  two  lots  to  the  same  part}',  laid  out  to  the  right 
of  Mark  Stacy.     Children  : 

i     Ilaimah,  b.  Fryeburg,  Sept.  19,  177G,  m.  Frederick  Ballard. 

ii     .Sarah.  1).  April  26,  1779,  m.  Elijah  Boud. 

iii     Al)iah,  b.  Conway.  X.  H.,  Aug.  16,  1781,  m.  Peter  York. 

iv     Maiy,  b.  Bethel,  Oct.  3,  1784,  ni.  Daniel  Grout. 

v     Apphiii,  b.  April  6,  1787,  m.  Gideon  Powers, 

vi     Susan,  b.  Julv  4.  1789,  ni.  Otis  Horn  of  Kittery,  s.  Westbrook. 
'vii    Esther,  b.  Sept.  18,  1792,  ni.  John  Oliver, 
'viii     Fletcher,  b.  July  2,  1795,  m.  Betsey  Howard. 
'  ix     Dorcas,  h.  Maroh  10,  1800,  m.  Hiram  Allen. 

-  Fletchkk  RissELL,  oulv  son  of  AI)raham  Russell,  said  to  have 
been  the  first  blacksmith  on  Bethel  Hill,  married  April  20,  18'23, 
Hannah  Howard  of  Fryeburg.  He  lived  with  his  parents  on  the  lot 
now  occupied  by  Samuel  1).  Philbrook,  and  his  shop  stood  near  b}' 
but  back  from  the  road.  He  subsequently  moved  to  Canaan,  Ver- 
mont, and  died  there  June  3,  1853.  His  widow  died  June  20,  1879. 
Children  : 

i     Richard  11.,  b.  Dec.  17,  1823,  d.  Aug.  14,  1824. 

ii    Gideon  Powers,  b.  May  23,  1825,  m.  1st,  Mary  Cooper;  2nd,  Malvina 

Nutting,  d.  Dec.  3,  1865. 
iii     William  Howard,  b.  Aug.  28,  1828,  ni.  Emily  Dufte;  d.  Oct.  18,  1877. 
iv     Horace  Fletcher,  b.  March  17,  1830,  m.  Malvina  Russell. 

V    Alonzo  Baily.  b.  Aug.  31,  1835,   m.  Mary  A.  Corbet,  killed  in  action 

l)efore  I'icbmoud  June  30,  1862. 
vi     Susan  Hillard,  b.  Aug.  31.  1835.  ni.  Captnin  Snnuiel  C.  Romuey  who 
died  at  Cuba  in  1878. 

.James  Russell  of  Andover,   Mass.,  marriedi)olly,  daughter  of 
^Jacob  and'Dorothy   (Shattuck)  Russell.     He  moved  from  Andover 


HISTORY   OF   BETHEL.  611 

to  Waterford  and  then  to  Bethel.  In  his  old  age  he  went  to  live 
with  his  son  in  Paris,  and  died  there  Nov.  2,  1861.  His  widow  died 
Sept.  10,  1863.     Children: 

-  i  Dolly,  b.  Nov.  1,  1805,  d.  yoimj;-. 

ii  James,  b.  Oct.  8,  1807. 

iii  Lydia,  b.  Dec.  1,  1808,  ni.  1st,  Dr.  Gould  of  Boxford;  2d,   Leonard 
Grover. 

-iv  Dolly  S.,  b.  Sept.  10,  1811,  d.  young. 

.  v  Daniel  G.,  b.  Oct.  26,  1814,  d.  in  Baltimore,  Jan.  21,  1845. 

^vi  Jacob,  b.  Feb.  10,  1816,  d.  in  Scott  Co.,  Ky.,  Oct.  13,  1839. 

vii  Henry  J.,  b.  June  7,  1818.  ti   1  i        C- 

viii  Charles  (M.  D.)  b.  July  19,  1820,  m.  Asenath  Willis,  d.  Fayette  1888.  "wM.   *V^ ' 

.  ix  Joel,  b.  July  16,  1822. 

X  Warren  F.,  b.  Aug.  15,  1825. 

xi  Malvina  A.,  b.  June  6,  1828,  d.  young. 

^ACOB  Russell,  brother  of  Benjamin  and  Abraham,  came  to 
Bethel  from  Andover.  He  married  TJorothy  Shattuck  of  Andover 
and  died  in  1799.     He  was  a  Revolutionary  soldier.     Children  : 

i    Jacob,  1). .     He  moved  to  New  York. 

ii     Dolly,  b.  Oct.  23,  1784,  m.  James  Kussell. 

iii    Abigail,  b. ,  m.  Eli  Twitchell. 

iv     Charles,  b.  .     He  never  married ;  resided  in  the  fanuly  of  James 

Kussell. 

>     Isaac  Russell,  brother  of  the  preceding,  was  a  clerk  in  the  Rev-    /^'  X^  ^ 
olutionary  war.     He  was  born  in  Andover  and  came  to  Bethel,  but     r,  ^'(li-ni'^^ 
there  is  no  existing  record  of  his  family.     He  perished  during  ex-      ' 
posure  to  a  snow  storm,  earl}^  in  the  century  in  the  town  of  West- 
brook. 

William  Russell,  2d,  married  'Eliza,  daughter  of  Lieutenant 
Jonathan  Clark,  who  was  born  April  4,  1795,  and  died  July  2,  1821. 
He  was  from  Fryeburg  and  once  kept  a  store  on  Bethel  Hill.  Chil- 
dren : 

.  i     Albion,  b.  July  8,  1819.     ii  "Ceylon,  b.  Feb.  6,  1821. 

JosiAii  Russell  married'  Betsy .     Children  : 

^\  Lucy,  b.  June  17,  1799.  ii  Leonard,  b.  Dec.  15,  1800.  iii  Amos 
Hastings,  b.  Sept.  5,  1802. 

*  Leonard  Russell  married  Betsey .     Children. 

i  /Eleanor  Fames,  b.  Sept.  2,  1805.     ii    Charles,  b.  June  28,  1807. 


612  HTSTOBY   OF  BETHEL. 


Sanborn. 


John  Sanborn,  son  of  Simeon  Sanborn  of  Staudish  and  Green- 
wood, married  Naomi  Barker  of  Newry.  He  lived  near  Kendall's 
Ferry.     Children : 

i  Sylvia,  b.  Julj^  27,  1824. 

ii  Mary  Ann,  b.  March  16,  1826. 

iii  Frances  Ann,  h.  Dec.  16,  1827. 

iv  David  Porter,  b.  Dec.  8,  1829. 

V  Simeon,  b.  Sept.  9,  1831. 

vi    Ellen  Maria,  b.  Dec,  18,  1836,  d.  March  16,  1838. 
vii     John  Oscar,  b.  Dec.  10,  1840. 

David  Sanborn,  son  of  Simeon  Sanborn,  married  Virtue  Barker 
of  Newry.  He  lived  above  Middle  Interval,  near  Kendall's  Ferr}', 
and  near  his  brother  John.     Children  : 

i  John  Wiird,  b.  Feb.  14,  18.33. 

ii  Roliert  Wiley,  b.  Oct.  30,  185.5. 

iii  Abby  Augusta,  b.  Feb.  15,  1837. 

iv  Ellen  Maria,  b.  March  9,  1839. 

Joseph  Sanborn,  son  of  Simeon  Sanborn,  married  Lucy  Verrill 
of  Minot.  He  lived  near  the  Bnrban^v  place  where  the  steam  mill 
was  built.     His  son  Lewis  A.  now  occupies  the  place.     Children  : 

i  (ieorge  W.,  b.  July  11,  1823. 

ii  Lewis  Atwood,  b.  Oct.  8,  1827. 

iii  Mary  :Melinda,  b.  Dec.  5,  1831. 

iv  Loriiida  Emerson,  b.  April  6,  18.34. 

V  Osgood  J(n-onie,  b.  >^[arch  31,  1837,  ni.  Emily  E.  Holt, 
vi  ISIarcia  Ann,  b.  June  14,  18.38. 

vii     Sarah  Verrill,  b.  Jan.  17,  1841,  d.  July  14.  tollowin;^. 

Seavy. 

Clement  Seavy  married  Susan  Cloutman  of  Gorham  in   1829. 

Children  : 

i  Daniel  Eli,  b.  Aug.  21,  1832,  d.  May  27,  1833.  ' 

ii  Wainesboro  B.,  b.  Nov.  1,  18.33. 

iii  AiE.,b.  Jan.  5,18.35. 

iv  Harriet  L.,  b.  March  8,  1836. 

V  James  M.  R.,  b.  July  30,  1837. 

vi  Jane  M.,  b.  April  27,  1839,  d.  Oct.  28,  1840. 

vii  Daniel  R.,  b.  Aug.  12,  1840. 

viii  Roland  G.,  b.  June  31,  1842. 

ix  Mary  G.,  b.  April  9,  1849. 

X  George  IL,  b.  Oct.  28,  1851. 


HLSTOin    OF  BETHEL.  613 

Segak. 

Nathaniel  Segar,  sou  of  Josiah  and  Thankful  (Allen)  Segar, 
born  in  Newton,  Mass.,  Jan.  "28,  1755,  has  the  credit  of  being  the 
first  to  make  improvements  in  Sudbury,  Canada,  but  that  credit 
may  be  due  to  Jonathan  Keyes.  He  came  here  in  1774,  then 
served  in  the  war  of  the  revolution,  returned  here  in  1779,  was  here 
in  1781,  and  one  of  the  three  carried  captive  to  Canada.  He  married 
Mary,  daughter  of  lienjamin  Russell,  settled  in  the  lower  part  of 
the  town  in  what  is  now  Hanover,  and  lived  to  a  great  age.  Chil- 
dren : 

i    Pamelia,  b.  April  18,  1789,  m.  Samuel  Lufkin,  s.  Rumford. 

ii    Edmund,  b.  April  1,  1790,  d.  Sept.  18,  1797. 

iii    Abigail,  b.  Sept.  16.  1792,  m.  Capt.  William  Barker. 

iv    Allan,  b.  May  1.3,  179.3,  m.  Elizabeth  Howard;  2d,  Achsa  Howard. 

V    Apphia,  b.  Nov.  8,  1794,  m  James  Godwin. 

vi    Lucy,  b.  Jan.  21,  1796,  m.  Ichabod  Norton  of  Norridgewock. 

vii    Polly,  b.  Sept.  1,  1797,  m.  Daniel  Estes. 
viii    Edmund,  b.  Oct.  21,  1798,  m.  Betsey  Powers. 

ix    Russell,  b.  Feb.  21,  ISOO,  went  to  Ohio. 

X    Nathan,  b.  Oct.  6,  1801,  went  to  Ohio. 

xi    John  E.,  b.  March  4,  1803,  m.  Lydia  Faruum. 

xii     Nathaniel,  b.  Sept.  4,  1804,  went  West. 
xiii     Submit,  b.  Feb.  28,  1806,  d.  Nov.  28,  1824. 

Edmund  Sec^ar  was  the  only  son  of  Nathaniel  Segar  who  re- 
mained in  Bethel.  He  married  Betsey,  daughter  of  Arnold  Powers, 
who  was  a  skillful  tailoress.     Children  : 

i  Abial  G.,  b.  Aug.  24,  1827,  d.  Dec.  IS,  1829. 

ii  Abial  G.,  b.  June  IS,  1829,  d.  Nov.  15,  1834. 

iii  Sarah  Elizabeth,  b.  Dec.  22,  1831,  d.  Jan.  7,  1832. 

iv  Edmund  Scribuer,  b.  March  22,  1833. 

V  Caroline  Abigail,  b.  Oct.  1,  183.5. 

vi  Hamilton  Augustine,  b.  Jan.  20,  1840. 

SlIAW. 

Levi  Shaw  married  Clarissa  Harlow  Johnson  who  was  born  in 
Charleatown.  N.  H  ,  August,  1812,  and  died  May  2,  18oG.  He  was 
a  cabinet  maker  at  Middle  Intervale      Children  : 

i     Clara,  b. 


ii     Loviua  .Jane,  b.  May  11,  1817,  m.  George  H.  Brown  of  iAlason. 
iii    Eevi  Frederick,  b.  Aug.  2,  1820. 
iv     Isaac  Lewis,  b.  .luly  27,  1822,  ni.  Ahnira  Estabrook. 


614  HISTORY    OF  BETHEL. 

V    William  Pomeroy,  b.  Oct.  4,  1824,  m.  Dorcas  V.  Hooper, 
vi    Henry  Clifford,  b.  Jan.  27,  1828,  d.  June  10,  1830. 
vii     Frances  Amanda,  b.  March  13,  1830,  m.  Francis  L.  Hutchins. 

Shorey, 

Urban  Shorey  married  Susan  Hayes  of  Limerick  in  1816.  He 
lived  in  the  lower  Parish,  near  Bean's  Corner.     Children  : 

i    Mary,  b.  July  11,  1818. 
ii    Edmund,  b.  June  19,  1822,  d.  Sept.  1,  1823. 
iii    Urban,  b.  Aug.  28,  1828,  m.  Emeline  L.  Swan. 

Skillings. 

RuFUS  Skillixgs  married  Lidauia  Bean  who  died  Dee.  17,  1843. 
He  married  second,  184o,  Diana  Littlehale.  He  moved  to  Port- 
land.    Children  : 

i     Susan  Maria,  b.  Jan.  1.5,  1839. 
ii    Mary  Ophelia,  b.  June  10,  1840. 
iii    Russell  Linnell,  b.  June  5,  1842,  d.  Jan.  13,  1844. 

Small. 

Alhkkt  Waruen  Small,  a  farmer,  residence  Bethel,  son  of 
Albert  H.,  and  Sarah  Jane  (Hastings)  Small,  born  Oct.  1,  1859, 
married  Sept.  5,  1883,  F^tta  Davidson  who  was  born  at  Gaspereau, 
Nova  Scotia.     Children  : 

i    Warren  Chester,  b.  Jan.  9,  188.5. 
ii     Hazel  T.innwood,  b.  Jlay  G,  1888. 

Smith. 

Ithiel  Smith  was  born  in  Brentwood,  N.  H.,  and  was  by  occu- 
pation a  tailor.  He  married  Bathslieba  Foote  and  settled  at  Cape 
Elizabeth  where  he  was  living  and  working  at  his  trade  during  the 
revolutionary  war  By  this  marriage  he  had  Ithiel  Jr.,  who  settled 
in  Newry,  married  Lucy  Litllelude  ;  James  wlio  was  a  blacksmith 
in  Yarmouth  ;  Betsey,  Polly,  and  Sally  who  married  Aaron  Barton 
of  Bethel.  His  wife  died,  and  he  moved  to  Standish  where  he  mar- 
ried Anna,  daughter  of  Jonathan  Bean.  He  tlien  moved  to  Liming- 
toii,  and  later  to  Bethel.  He  was  in  Bethel  in  17!»0,  but  he  finally 
settled  at  the  mouth  of  Bear  River  in  Newry.  By  the  second  mar- 
riage he  had  Jonathan  who  married  Lydia  Brown,  David  who  mar- 
ried Hannah  Brown,  and  Peter  Cihnan  who  married  Polly  Brown. 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  615 

Peter  Gilman  Smith  moved  into  Bethel,  near  Newry,  and  lived 
there  nearly  half  a  centur}',  and  died  there.     Children  : 

i  Caroline,  b.  Oct.  18,  1822,  m.  Cyrus  Bartlett  of  Hanover. 

ii  Seth  E.,  b. ,  ni.  Hannah  Richardson,  r.  Lewistou. 

iii  Sylvia,  b. ,  m.  Josiali  Dutton,  r.  Norway. 

iv  Franciua,  b. ,  m.  Moses  C.  Foster;  d.  Waterville,  1888. 

V  Loren7.o,  b. ,  m.  Martlia  Richardson. 

vi  Julia,  b. ,  m.  Tliomas  Willis  of  Hanover. 


Charles  D.  Smith,  born  in  Calais,  Me.,  Nov.  19,  1813,  married 
June  12,  1851,  Harriet  Delphina  Wight  who  was  born  in  Gilead 
May  7,  1824.  He  was  a  farmer  and  died  January  18,  1891.  Chil- 
dren : 

i    Ida  Esther,  b.  Feb.  6,  1856. 
ii    Edward  Sidney,  b.  April  3d,  1861. 

Oilman  Smith,  a  shipwright,  born  Oct.  8,  1824,  married  Dolly 
Bean  Bartlett  who  was  born  in  Bethel.  Aug.  15,  1826.  He  died  in 
Bethel,  May  23,  1885.     Children  : 

i    Erving  Alvarez,  b.  Sej)t.  2,  1852. 

ii    Asa  Gerald,  b.  Oct.  19,  1855,  m.  Ada  May  Ingraham. 
iii    Delbert  Mains,  b.  Jan.  18,  1861,  m.  Lauren  Jane,  daughter  of  Warren 
C.  Hadley  of  Jaclisou,  Me. 


Spiller. 

Nathan  Spiller  married  1813,   Dorothy  Heath  of  CTilead.     On 
Bethel  records  are  the  names  of  the  following  children  : 

i    Elipliaz,  b.  Aug.  15,  1814. 
ii    Betsey,  b.  May  1,  1816. 


Spofford. 

Isaac  Spofford  from  Temple,  N.  H.,  married  NanC}'  Fish  of 
New  Ipswich,  N.  H.,  in  1804.  He  lived  in  the  easterly  part  of  the 
town.     Children : 

i  Nicy  M.,  b.  Jan.  28,  1806,  d.  Dec.  5,  1823. 

ii  Anna,  b.  May  16,  1808,  m.  Edmund  Chase  of  Woodstocl^. 

iii  Isaac  Gould,  b.  June  28,  1810,  m.  1st,  Louisa  Whitman ;  2d. . 

iv  Luciuda,  1).  June  23,  1812,  ra.  Lawrenson  Cole  of  Greenwood. 

v  Earl  Sully,  b.  Jan.  25,  1817,  d.  Sept.  4,  1823. 


616  Hlt^rORY   OF  BETHEL. 

Stanley. 

"Samuel  Spurr  Stanley,  married  January  1,  1852,  Betsey  Hale, 
daughter  of  Jonathan  A.  Russell.  He  was  a  farmer  and  had  the 
Abbot  Russell  farm.  He  was  a  noted  ballad  singer.  He  died  July 
14,  1890,  his  wife  having  died  May  28,  1866.     Child: 

i    Edward  Orne,  b.  May  14,  1868,  d.  June  25,  following, 
ii   -Ossian  Russell  (adopted)  b.  Oct.  12,  1852.     He  occupies  the  Russell 
farm.     He  married  May  2,  1877,  Alma  Etta,  daughter  of  Charles 
E.  and  Frances  Abigail  (Sanborn)  Swan  and  has : 
-l     Harold  Sanborn,  b.  Nov.  1,  1878.    ' 
-2    Edward  Russell,  b.  July  24,  1881 
^^    Bessie  Frances,  b.  June  21,  1885. 
"4    Mary  Constance,  b.  Dec.  8,  1890. 

Stearns. 

The  Stearns  families  of  Hethel  are  descendants  of  Isaac  Stearns, 
an  early  resident  of  Watertown,  Mass. 

John  Stearns,  son  of  John  and  Martha  (Harrington)  Stearns, 
baptized  Aug.  22,  1762,  married  Priscilla  Holt  and  settled  in 
Betliel.     Children : 

i  John,  b.  July  25,  1792,  d.  1820,  uuniarriod. 

ii  Calviu,  b.  Aug.  24,  179H,  m.  in  1825,  Xancy  Ibown  and  died  1826. 

iii  HtMiry,  b.  Aug.  7,  1795,  d.  unmarried, 

iv  .b)Scpli,  1).  April  2.  1797,  m.  Mary  Duston. 

V  Hannah,  1).  Nov.  11,  1799,  m.  William  White  of  Gilead. 

vi     .bimes,  b.  .Fuly  8,    1802,  m.   in  1827,    Nancy,   his  brother  Calvin's 

widow, 
vii     J'n.^c'illa,  b.  May  14,  1S06,  d.  April  8,  1847,  unmarried, 
viii     Abigail,  1».  Sept.  .3,  1811.  m.  Alonzo  Holt  of  Rumford. 

JosEi'H  Stearns,  son  of  Jolin  Jr.,  married  INIar}',  daughter  of 
Ezekiel  Duston.     He  lived  on  Swan's  Hill.     Children: 

i  Cordelia  C,  b.  May  8,  1827. 

ii  Frances  Caroline,  b.  June  12,  1829. 

iii  John  II.,  b.  May  22,  1831. 

iv  Joseph  Henry,  b.  3Iay  29,  1883. 

V  Charles  Jeftersou,  b.  Oct.  10,  1835. 
vi  Albert  L.,  b.  April  28,  1838. 

vii    Edward  Paysou,  b.  June  10,  1840. 
viii     Daughter,  1).  Feb.  14,  1S44. 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  617 

James  Stearns  married  Nancy  (Brown)  who  was  his  brother 
Calvin's  widow.     Children  : 

1  John  Calvin,  b.  Sept.  3.  1827,  m.  Lydia  Cook,  d.  earh^. 

li  Nancy,  b.  April  16,  1829,  d.  Oct.  1,  1829. 

iii  Nancy,  b.  June  28,  1830,  d.  July  4,  1830. 

iv  Mary  Augusta,  b.  August  8,  1831. 

V  James  T.,  b.  Jan.  25,  1836. 

vi  Charles  H..  b.  Nov.  25,  18.38,  m.  1866,  Louisa  J.  Harding. 

Thomas  Stearns,  brother  of  Jolin  Jr.,  preceding,  baptized  Jan- 
uary 22,  1764,  married  Lois  Colby  and  settled  near  Mayville,  He 
was  an  enterprising  farmer.     Children  : 

i  Patty,  b.  April  12,  1794,  m.  Nathan  Foster, 

ii  Mary,  b.  April  18,  1795,  m.  William  Holt, 

iii  Susan  or  Sukey,  b.  Dec.  30,  1797,  m.  Joseph  Holt, 

iv  Lois,  b.  March  20,  1799,  m.  Jacob  B.  Littlehale. 

V  Sumner,  b,  June  21,  1801,  m.  Mahala  Besse  of  Paris, 

vi  Harriet,  b.  March  6,  1804,  m.  David  Robbius,  r.  Magalloway. 

vii  Sally,  b.  Aug.  11,  1806,  m.  Peter  Powers. 

viii  Thomas,  b.  Jan.  8,  1807,  m.  1st,  Ann  Powers;  2d,  Emily  Rowe.     He 
lived  in  Newrj'. 

ix  Rufus,  b.  March  8,  1811,  m.  Lavinia  Eames  of  Newry. 

X  Mahala,  b.  Feb.  11,  1821,  m.  Josiah  Smith  of  Cambridge,  Mass. 

Sumner  Stearns,  son  of  Thomas  Stearns,  married  Mahala  Besse 
of  Paris.     He  moved  to  Newry.     Children  : 

i     Samuel  Fessenden,  1).  April  30,  1830,  d.  July  6,  1830. 
ii     Samuel  Fessenden,  b.  July  19,  1831,  m.  Harriet  Bird:   2d,    Hannah 

Harden, 
in    Matilda,  b.  June  16,  1833. 
iv    Mary  Frances,  b.  May  16,  1836, m.  Ozmyn  M.  Smith. 

V  Lydia,  b.  Jan.  4,  1839,  d.  Aug.  6,  1842. 

vi    Edwin  H.,  b.  Nov.  20,  1840,  m.  Esthei-  A.  Kidder, 
vii     A.  Jones,  b.  June  26,  1842. 

Thoaias  Stearns  Jr.,  was  born  in  Bethel,  Fel).  28,  1808,  and 
married  Emily  Rowe  of  Newr^'.  He  died  June  4,  1888  in  Bethel. 
His  wife  died  in  Newry  in  1857.     Cliildren: 

i  Prescott,  b.  1839. 

ii  Anna  Maria,  b.  1845,  m.  Dexter  Hrown. 

iii  Mary  A.,  b.  1848,  d.  1852. 

iv  Emiiy  L.,  b.  1850. 

V  Louis  C'olby,  b.  1853,  m.  Lell  Trask.     He  is  an  Attorney  at  Law  at 

Caribou,  Me. 
vi     Georg(>  L.,  b.  1855,  d.  in  infancy. 


•618  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

vii  Nathan  AuguBtus,  b.  Oct.  5,  1856,  married  March  3d,  1885,  Dora  Mil- 
lett,  daughter  of  Ezekiel  V.  Jackson  of  Xorway.  He  is  a  farmer  in 
Bethel.     They  have : 

1  Gwen  Ira,  b.  July  15,  1887. 

2  Karl  J.,  b.  Aug.  17,  1889. 

RuFUS  Steakns,  sou  of  Thomas  Stearns,  born  in  Bethel,  March 
8,  1811,  married  April  23,  1838,  Lavina  Eames  who  was  born  April 
23,  1819,  and  died  Sept.  5,  1889.     Children  : 

i  Asa  Foster,  b.  March  8,  1840,  m.  Angle  Powers, 
ii  Eli  Foster,  b.  Jan.  24,  1849,  m.  Ellen  F.  Bryant, 
iii    Irving,  b.  Nov.  1,  1855,  m.  Minnie  Littlehale. 

Charles  Steakns,  brother  of  Thomas  preceding,  came  to  Bethel 
and  married  Thankful,  daughter  of  Enoch  Bartlett.     Children  : 

i  Theodore,  b.  March  4,  1793,  m.  Mary  Besse  of  Paris, 

ii  Charles,  b.  March  10, 1795,  m.  Betsey  Fuller  of  -fay,  a  physician  set- 
tled at  St.  George,  Me. 

iii  Thankful,  b.  Oct.  17,  1798,  d.  March  1801. 

iv  Thankful,  1).  April  9,  1801,  m.  Anthony  Besse  of  Paris. 

V  IMiincas,  b.  Dec.  17, 1803,  ni.  Betsey  ^Martin  of  Ptumford. 
vi  Jonathan,  b.  Aug.  4,  1800,  m.  Mary  Chapman. 

vii  Nathan,  b.  April  1,  1809,  m.  Mary  Ann  Frost, 

viii  Salome,  b.  July  14,  1812,  m  Jonas  B.  Willis  of  Ilanover. 

ix  Betsey  E.,  b.  Sept.  16,  1814,  m.  Isaac  Adams  of  Gilead. 

X  Martha,  b..Aug.  31.  1816,  m.  Stephen  Bartlett  of  Hanover, 

xi  Benjamin  Franklin,  i^.  April  11,  1821,  m.  Julia  Andrews,  s.  Hauover. 

TiiEoDOKE  Steakns,  son  of  Charles  Stearns,  married  Mary  Besse. 
He  is  remembered  as  a  teamster,  hauling  goods  from  Portland  to 
Bethel,  before  the  days  of  the  railroads.  His  team  of  several  horses 
was  known  as  ''Brig  Tiioder."     Children: 

i  (Jeorge  Washington,  b.  May  24,  1818. 

ii  Mary  Ann,  b.  Sept.  25,  1810. 

iii  Sarah  Jane,  b,  July  3,  1821. 

iv  Phineas,  b.  Feb.  22,  1823. 

V  Levi,  b.  Feb.  22,  1825. 

vi  Mark  Emery,  b.  Dec.  8,  1826. 

vii  Louisa  Amanda,  b.  Aug.  3,  1828.  d.  Sept.  13,  1829. 

viii  Martha  Louisa,  b.  Oct.  1,  1830. 

ix  Nancy,  b.  July  16,  1832. 

X  ]\[alvina  Elizabeth,  b.  Nov.  26,  18.35. 

xi  Nathan,  b.  April  1834,  d.  June  following, 

xii  Amanda,  b.  Oct.  30,  1837. 

xiii  Theodore  Martin  Van  Biu-en.  b.  Dec.  7.  1840. 


HLSTOBY  OF   BETHEL.  619 

Phineas  Stearns,  married  Betsey  Martin  of  Rumford.  He  was 
a  saddler  and  harness  maker.     Children  : 

i  Nathan  Kimball,  b.  Oct.  29,  1835. 

ii  Martha  Antoinette,  b.  Nov.  1,  1837. 

iii  Daniel  Martin,  b.  Nov.  24,  1839. 

iv  Phineas,  b.  March  7,  1841. 

V  Henry  Bond,  b.  Jnly  12,  1846. 

Jonathan  Stearns  married  Hannah  C.  Chapman.     Children  : 

i  Ehnarean  .Judsoii,  b.  Dec.  12,  1836. 

ii  Helen  Salome,  b.  Feb.  25,  1838. 

iii  Mary  Chapman,  b.  Aug.  11,  1839. 

iv  Elizabeth,  b.  Feb.  1,  1842. 

V  Jane  D.,  b.  Oct.  17,  1843. 

Thomas  Stearns  married  Ann  B.  Cross.     Children  : 

i    Lyman  Johnson,  b.  Oct.  13,  1836. 
ii     Prescott,  b.  Nov.  12,  1S39. 

Isaac  Stearns  married  Anna  Wight.     Children  : 

i  Daniel,  b.  Sept.  15,  1812. 

ii  Anna,  b.  Aug.  6,  1814. 

iii  Isaac,  b.  Nov.  12,  1816. 

iv  Dorcas,  b.  Dee.  18,  1818. 

Stevens. 

John  Stevens  of  Gorham,  married  Lncy  Mngford  of  Marble- 
head,  Mass.  He  was  a  brick  mason  and  lived  in  the  Chandler 
neighborhood.     Children : 

i  Emma  W.,  b.  March  9,  1815,  m.  Bartlett  Hodsdon. 

ii  Louisa,  b.  Nov.  17,  1818,  m.  xVmaziah  Nutting;  2d,  Enoch  Foster, 

iii  Lucy,  b.  July  17,  1820,  d.  Sept.  7,  1823. 

iv  John,  b.  Sept.  17.  1822,  d.  Sept.  14,  1823. 

V  Benjamin,  b.  Aug.  25,  1825,  m.  1st,  Harriet  H.  Swift;  2(1,  Lydia  S. 

Robertson. 

vi  John,  b.  Nov.  8,  1827,  d.  unmarried  in  the  Soutli. 

vii  Lucy,  b.  May  6,  1830,  m.  Oliver  Y.  Nutting, 

viii  Charlotte,  b.  March  10,  1832. 

Stone. 

Luther  Stone  married  Hadassah  Kimball  of  Waterford,  and  re- 
sided a  short  time  on  a  farm  below  Middle  Interval.  The}'  had 
children  Phebe,  Luther,  Hadassah,  William  (died)  Joel  K.,  Wil- 
liam H.,  Nathaniel  K.,  before  coming  to  Bethel,  and  here  they  had  : 


620  HISrOBY   OF  BETHEL. 

viii    Zina  E.,  b.  March  31,  1823,  m.  Charlotte  A.  Shaw,  r  Lowell,  Mass.. 
ix    Salina,  b.  July  24,  1824,  m.  .Salmon  Hooper. 
X    Mary  W.,  b.  Jan.  6,  1826,  m.  James  H.  -lackson. 

Swan. 

James  Swan,  the  earl}^  Bethel  settler,  was  the  sou  of  Joshua  and' 
Sarah  (Ingalls)  Swau,  and  was  born  in  Methuen,  Mass  ,  March' 
14,  1721-2.  He  married  Mary  Smith  of  Haverhill,  April  10,  1746. 
He  was  in  Bethel  at  the  time  of  the  Indian  raid  in  1781,  having 
moved  here  from  Fryeburg.  His  last  two  children  were  born  in. 
Fryeburg ;  the  others  in  Methuen.  He  was  the  fourth  in  descent 
from  Robert  who  settled  in  Boston  and  moved  to  Rowley.  He  died, 
in  1800,  in  Bethel.     Children  : 

i    Elizabeth,  b  Jan.  13,  1747,  m.  Je^Jsi"  Dustin. 
i".    Joseph  Greely,  b.  Oct.  4,  1748,  ni.  KHzabcth  Evans. 
iii    Moll}^,  b.  Aug.  8,  17.51,  d.  young. 
ivv^Sarah,  b.  Feb.  9,  17.56,  m.  Abraham  Russell. 

V  Abigail,  b.  Aug.  25,  17.58,  m.  Jeremiah  Karrington  of  Fryeburg. 
vi    James,  b.  Dec.  2,  1760,  m.  Hannah  Shattuck  of  Andover,  Mass. 

vii  Elijah,  b.  July  5,  1763.  m.  Eunici-  Harton,  d.  Paris, 

viii  Nancy,  b.  Sept.  22,  1765,  m.  .Jonathan  Barker  of  Nevvry. 

ix  Nathaniel,  b.  Jan.  9,  1769,  m.  Elizabeth  Colby  of  Sutton,  Mass. 

X  Naomi,  b.  May  22.  1771,  m.  .Jesse  Harkor.  s  Nowry. 

Joseph  Greeley  Swan,  son  of  the  preceding,  married  Elizabeth 
Evans  of  Fryeburg.  He  came  to  Bethel  a  young  man  and  died  here 
Dec.  10,  1816.     Children: 

i  John.  b.  July  13,  1772,  ni.  1st,  Betsey  Cliapman ;  2n(I,  PoUv  Eamcs.. 

ii  Dudley,  b.  Sept.  30,  1774.  m.  Mary  Green,  s.  Waterford. 

iii  James,  b.  Sept.  12,  1777,  m.  Persis  Eames,  s.  Newry. 

iv  Caleb,  b.  March  20,  1780,  d.  in  the  West  Indies. 

V  Betsey,  b.  Oct.  15,  1782,  m.  Daviil  Collin, 
vi  William,  b.  April  28,  1784,  d.  June  7,  1785. 

vii  Abigail,  b.  Dec.  15,  17S7,  m.  Peter  W:iiker. 

viii  William,  b.  Nov.  4,  1790,  m.  Betsy  Howe, 

ix  Hannah,  b.  April  7,  1793,  m.  John  Warren,  s.  Denmark. 

X  Greely,  b.  Nov.  11,  1795,  d.  Jan.  27,  1797. 

James  Swan  Jr.,  who  married  Ilannali  Shattuck  of  Andover, 
Mass.,  early  moved  to  tlie  locality  since  known  as  Swan's  Hill  in 
Bethel.     Children  : 

i     Foxwell,  b.  July  19,  1788,  m.  Polly  Swan, 
ii     Alphous,  b.  April  23,  1789,  m.  Nancy  Brown. 


UISTOBY   OF  BETHEL.  621 

iii  Hauuiih,  b.  June  17,  1798,  in.  Moses  Bisbee. 

iv  John  Shattuck,  b.  July  24,  1795,  m.  Lydia  Holt. 

V  Xathauiel,  b.  Oct.  9,  1797,  m.  Shuah  Young, 

vi  Timothy  Merrit,  b.  July  16,  ISOl,  m.  Ann  :Men-ill. 

Elijah  Swan,  brother  of  the  preceding,  married  Eunice,  daugh- 
ter of  Asa  and  Mercy  (Bartlett)  Swau  of  Needham,  Mass.  He 
lived  for  a  time  a  little  easterly  of  Walker's  Mills.  I  have  seen  the 
cellar  hole  where  his  house  stood.  In  1822,  he  moved  to  West 
Paris  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life.     Children  : 

i    Pollv,  b.  Dec.  4,  1790,  m.  Foxwell  Swan, 
ii     Sally,  b.  May  13,  1793,  m.  Geoi-ge  Berry.     She  was  over  90  years  of 

age  Avhen  she  died, 
iii    Oliver  F.,  b.  Aug.  16,  1797,  m.  and  lived  in  Gardiner;  d.  in  Boston, 
iv    Mercy  Bartlett,  b.'Oct.  22,  1800,  ra.  Mei-rill  Chase;  she  died  in  1891. 
v    Aaron  Barton,  b.  July  4,  1801,  ni.  Mehitable  York  of  Bethel, 
vi    Elijah,  b.  June  11,  1804,  d.  July  16,  1804. 

vii    Xancy  Feuno,  b.  July  11,  1805,  m.  Moses  Chandler  of  Bethel. 
viii     Betsey  W.,  b.  Aug.  30,  1807,  ni.  Peter  Aver  of  Bethel;  they  went  to 
Penn. 
ix    Abigail,  b.  Jan.  1,  1810,  d.  Oct.  22,  1812. 
X    Elijah,  b.  Oct.  9.  1812,  m.  Aurelia  Berry. 

Nathaniel  Swan  married  Mehitable  Colby  of  Sutton,  Mass.  He 
lived  on  the  north  side  of  the  river,  below  Mayville.     Children  ; 

1    Estlier  Parker,  b.  July  2,  1798,  d.  Dec.  11,  1800. 

ii    Joseph  Greeley,  b.  March  22,  1800    ni.  widow  Mary  (Adams)  Burn- 
ham,  s.  Gilead. 
iii    Esther,  b.  Dec.  31,  1801.  m.  Hazen  Keoeh  of  Bethel,     lie  was  a  mill- 

wi'iglit  and  lived  at  vai-ious  places, 
iv     Julia,  b.  Feb.  13.  1S04,  ni.  Kansom  Twitchell  of  Milan,  N.  II. 
v     Jonatliau,  b.  May  14,  1806. 
vi     Abigail,  b.  March  20,  1808. 

vii    Joshua  G.,   b.  Jan.  8,  1814,    m.   Julia  Goodenow.     He  was  a  stone 
mason  and  had  a  family  but  no  record  has  been  returned. 

viii     Huldah,  1). ^ — ,  m.  Moses  Twitchell. 

ix     Mehitable.  b.  Nov.  10,  1819. 

John  Swan,  oldest  son  of  Joseph  Greeley  Swan,  married  first, 
Betsey,  daughter  of  Rev.  Eliphaz  Chapman,  who  soon  died,  and  he 
married  second  Polly,  daughter  of  Ebenezer  Eames,  who  died  Oct. 
7,  1811.     The  children  were  hy  the  second  wife.     Children: 

i  Betsey  Chapman,  b.  July  21,  1804.  ii  Mary,  b.  July  12,  1806.  iii  Nancy 
Eames,  b.  March  21,  1808.  iv  Patty  Eames,  b.  Oct.  30,  1809.  v  John 
Evans,  b.  Aug.  19,  1811. 


622  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

FoxwELL  Swan,  son  of  James  of  Swau's  Hill,  married  first, Folly 
daughter  of  Elijah  Swan.  He  married  second,  a  Mrs.  Hall,  and 
third  Mrs.  Mar}-  Knight.  He  was  a  farmer  and  hotel  keeper  at 
Paris,  but  died  at  North  Woodstock.  His  last  wife  had  previously- 
had  husbands  named,  Howe,  Washbnrne,  Bisbee  and  Knight.  Chil- 
dren by  first  marriage  :    ■ 

i    Mary  Ann,  b.  Aug.  17,  1810,  m.  Isaac  Dunham;  2d,  Samuel  Merrill  Jr. 
ii    James  WashiugtOD,  b.  Sept.  2,  1814,  m.  Mercy  Washburu. 
iii    Loveuzo  Dow,  b.  Dec.  3,  1817,  m.  Sarali  A.,  daughter  of  Rev.  Levi 
Buiuham. 

Alpheus  Swan,  son  of  James  of  Swan's  Hill,  married  Nancy, 
daughter  of  Benjamin  Brown.  He  was  a  farmer  and  resided  on 
Swan's  Hill.     Children  : 

i  Eliza,  b.  May  14,  1813,  d.  .July  2.3,  follow  bag. 

ii  lufaut,  b.  May  16,  1814,  d.  June  28,  following, 

iii  Nancy,  b.  May  3,  181.5. 

iv  Oriu,  B.  b.  April  12,  1817,  m.  Mary  A.  Holt, 

v  Daughter,  b.  Dec.  14,  1818,  d.  Feb.  2.5,  following, 

vi  Charles,  b.  April  19,  1821,  d.  Aug.  14,  1823. 

vii  Lydia,  b.  Oct.  22,  1822,  d.  Aug.  20,  1823. 

viii  Charles  Emery,  b.  June  11,  1824,  m.  Frauces  A.  Sauborn. 

ix  George  Killmau,  b.  Oct.  20,  182.5,  m.  Frances  Stearns. 

X  Sarah,  b.  April  6,  1827. 

xi  John  Sliattuck,  b.  Aug.  12,  1829,  ni.  ^Mai-y  iJrown. 

xii  Julia  Aim,  b.  .June  2.  1830. 

.loiiN  SiiATTUCK  Swan,  son  of  James  Swan  of  Swan's  Hill,  mar- 
ried Lydia  Holt.  He  was  a  farmer  on  Swan's  Hill  and  lived  to  an 
advanced  age.     Children  : 

i  Lydia  Emeline,  b.  March  13,  1824.  ii  Esther  Caroline,  b.  Oct.  17^ 
1826.  iii  Sarali  F.,  b.  Jan.  16,  1828.  iv  Nathaniel  S.,  b.  July  19,  1834. 
V     Shuab  L..  1).  July  14,  1838.     vi    John  Kdwin,  b.  .luly  2,  1843. 

Nathaniel  Swan,  son  of  James,  of  Swan's  Hill,  married  Shuah, 
daughter  of  Job  Young  of  Ciray.  He  lived  at  Swan's  Hill  and  was 
a  farmer.     Children  : 

i    Roweua.  b.  Feb.  14,  1819,  d.  Aug.  27,  1823. 
ii     Abigail,  b.  Dec.  29.  1820.  ni.  Elijah  Brown, 
iii     Rowena  Caroline,  b.  July  30,  182.5,  d.  March  .5,  1829. 

Timothy  Merrit  Swan,  son  of  James  of  Swan's  Hill,  married 
Ann  IMerrill.  She  was  the  only  daughter  of  David  and  Mary 
(Knight)    Merrill  and  was  born  at  F,ayette,  March  16,  1801.     He 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  623 

was  a  tin-peddler  and  left  town  on  the  deatli  of  his  wife.   Children : 

i    Elizabeth  Ann,  b.  April  20,  1824,  d.  Nov.  7,  182,5. 
ii    Edward  Merrill,  b.  Sept.  3,  1828,  m.  at  Dover,  N.  H.,  Nov.  23,  1864, 

Susan  Y.  Clark,  of  Northwood,  N.  H.     He  is  a  trader  at  Dover, 
iii    Amanda  E.,  b.  Sept.  11,  1830,  r.  unmarried  at  Manchester,  N.  H. 


James  Herbert  Swan,  son  of  Leander  iS.  and  Harriet  A  (Decos- 
ter)  Swan  of  Paris,  and  grandson  of  William  and  Hannah  (Locke) 
Swan,  is  a  farmer  and  resides  at  East  Bethel.  He  was  born  in  Paris 
June  6,  1853,  and  married  Oct.  5,  1879,  Nina  Victoria,  daughter  of 
Daniel  C.  Mason  of  Sumner.     Children  : 

i  Grace  Harriet,  b.  July  15,  1881.  ii  Jennie  Allen,  b.  Aug.  15,  1883. 
iii  Elsie  Blanche,  b.  Dec.  20, 1884.  iv  Carl  Herbert,  b.  June  12,  1886.  v 
Edgar  Forrest,  b.  Oct.  7,  1887.     vi    Arthur  Albert,  b.  July  2,  1889. 

Sweat. 

Moses  Sweat,  sou  of  Benjamin  and  Molly  (Harper)  Sweat,  mar- 
ried Fanny,  daughter  of  John  and  Martha  Cummings  of  Albany. 
He  lives  at  the  extreme  east  part  of  the  town,  on  the  Rumford  and 
Paris  road,  and  on  the  farm  his  father  bought  of  Francis  Hemming- 
way  in  18l9.     Children  : 

i  Mary,  b.  Oct.  30,  1841,  d.  Aug.  20,  1807. 

ii  Benjamin,  b.  April  23,  1843,  m.  Imogeue  Andrews. 

iii  Martha  C,  b.  Aug.  9,  1844,  m.  Joseph  E.  Brooks, 

iv  Sarah,  b.  March  9,  1846,  m.  Benjamin  W.  Bean. 

V  John  C,  b.  Oct.  20,  1847,  m.  Ella  Greenleaf. 

vi  Moses  E.,  b.  Aug.  2,  1849,  m.  Calista  Sessions. 

vii  Franklin  P.,  b.  Sept.  14,  1851,  d.  Oct.  2,  1853. 

viii  Daniel  C,  b.  Dec.  17,  1855,  d.  June  9,  1861. 

ix  William  Henry,  b.  Sept.  17,  1856,  d.  June  17,  1861. 

Swift. 

Cyrus  Swift  of  Paris,  married  Joan  P.,  daughter  of  Abrahami 
Jordan.  He  lived  at  Walker's  Mills,  enlisted  and  died  in  the  ser- 
vice.    Children  : 

i  Nelson  S.,  b.  Aug.  23,  1847. 

ii  Emily  J.,  b.  Nov.  11,  1849,  m.  Horace  A.  Bennett  of  Gilead. 

iii  Mary  Elizabeth,  b.  May  28,  1852. 

iv  William  Cullen,  b.  Jan.  19,  1855,  m.  Laura  H.  Browuell. 

v  Rodney  Walter,  b.  Nov.  11,  18.58. 


624  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

Town. 

Isaac  Town  from  Oxford,  Mass.,  born  July  19,  1775,  married 
Dolly  Gould  of  Millliur}',  who  was  born  in  Sutton,  and  was  the 
daughter  of  Jonathan  and  Lydia  Gould.  She  died  Dec.  25,  1831, 
and  then  Mr.  Town  married  Lucy  Ilapgood.  He  was  a  farmer  and 
died  Dec.  22,  1855.    Children  : 

i    Isaac  Jeuuison,  b.  Feb.  13,  1801,  m.  July  23,  1829,  Fanny  Barker, 
ii     Sophia,  b.  Feb.  27,  1804,  m.  April  26,  1821,    Sylvauus  Twitchell,  d. 

Feb.  9,  1865. 
iii     Eli/a.  1).  Au,o-.  3.  1804.  in.  Feb.  2,  1824,  Timothy  Barker,   (i.  Jau.  23. 

1866. 
iv     Smnner,  b.  .luly  5,  1806,  d.  Aug.  5,  1834. 
V    Tyler  Pratt,  b.  Aug.  1,  1810,  m.  Feb.  26,  1888.  Luanda  11.  Watson  of 

Norway, 
vi     Leonard.)    d.  Aug.  11.  1823. 

[  twins.  V).  Nov.  12,  181.5. 
vii     Leander,  j    d.  Feb.  16,  1816. 

Isaac  Jennison  Town  married  Fanny  Barker.  He  died  Feb  15, 
1838.  He  was  a  cabinet  maker  and  lived  above  the  hill  on  the 
West  Bethel  road,  at  the  junction  of  the  road  leading  to  the  Frost 
place.     Children : 

i     Arthur,  I).  June  11,  1830,  d.  May  20,  1839. 
ii     Aim  Eliza,  b.  Nov.  10,  1833. 
iii     Sumnor,  b.  Doe.  9,  183.i,  d.  Aug.  10,  1838. 

Tylfr  Phatt  Town  married  February  29,  1839,  Miranda  H. 
Watson  who  was  born  in  PoKind,  Me.,  Feb.  27,  1809.  He  was  a 
farmer.  Later  in  life  he  removed  to  California,  and  settled  at  Po- 
mona in  that  state  where  he  died  Nov.  18,  1891      Children  : 

i     Sarah  M.,  b.  Sept.  12.  1839. 

ii     Eimna.  b.  Doc.  10,  1840.  in.  Doc.  22,  1866,  Livingston  G.  Robinson, 
iii     Kllou,  !..  .bm.  1,  1842,  d.  .July  10,  1874. 

iv     D.iiii.-l  Webster,  b.  Feb.  9,  184.5,  m.  Oct.  3,  1871.   Mary  A.  Kolly.     He 
diod  .Tune  27.  1888. 

TrI  E. 

Nathanikl  T,  True.  ^L  ]).,  married  August  29,  1830,  Ruth  Ana 
Winslow,  who  died  and  he  married  secondly,  Sept.  16,  1849, 
Susanna  Webber  Stevens  who  was  born  March  25,  1827.  He  died 
May  18,  1887.     Children: 

i     Harriet  Winslow,  b.  May  25,  1839,  d.  Fob.  21,  1853. 
ii     Hiackott  AVinslow,  b.  July  20,  1841,  d.  Oct.  18,  1862. 
iii     Alfred  Marstou,  1).  Feb.  13.  1844. 


HISTOBY  OF   BETHEL.  625 

iv     Mary  Hatch,  b.  April  19,  1845.  She  is  the  well  known  expert  teacher 
of  deaf  mutes. 

V  Elleu  Frances,  b.  Aug.  8,  1847,  d.  April  11,  1863. 
By  second  marriage : 

vi  Susie  Marian,  b.  Oct.  6,  1850,  m.  firstly  George  B.  Farusworth  of  Bos- 
ton who  died  April  11,  1886,  and  secondly  Oct.  20,  1888,  Dr.  John 
George  Gehring. 
vii  John  Preston,  b.  Feb.  13,  1859.  He  has  marked  literary  ability  and 
holds  a  responsible  position  with  the  book  publishing  firm  of 
Houghton,  Mitfin  «fe  Company  Boston, 
viii    Lillian  Farnsworth,  b.  Nov.  20,  1871. 

Twaddle. 

John  Adam  Twaddle,  son  of  John  Twaddle,  who  was  born  iu 
Glasgow,  Scotland,  and  of  Arena  H.  Phelps,  his  wife,  was  born  iu 
Weld,  Me.,  Aug.  14,  1859,  graduated  iu  medicine  aud  settled  iu 
practice  at  Bethel  Hill  where  he  has  been  very  successful.  He  mar- 
ried May  1,  1878,  Harriet  L.,  daughter  of  Josiah  Brown  of  Bethel. 

i  Eva  v.,  b.  April  19,  1880.  ii  Widd  V.,  b.  Mar.  11,  1884.  iii  Gard  W., 
b.  Jan,  31,  1890. 

Tucker. 

George  Tucker  married  Hannah  York,  He  lived  ou  the  south 
side  of  the  river  near  Bartlett's  Ferry.     Children  : 

i  Isaac  Insley  York,  b.  Lyndon,  Vt.,  Aug.  3,  1818. 

ii  Hannah,  b.  Jan.  18,  1823. 

iii  Fraucina,  b.  Feb.  4,  1825. 

iv  Maroah,  b.  Dec.  23,  1828,  m.  Ephraim  Bi-yaut. 

Tyler. 

Jonathan  Tyler,  sou  of  Nathaniel  and  Eunice  (Wright)  Tyler, 
born  Jan.  1,  1822,  married  Dec.  31,  1845,  Elizabeth  L.,  daughter 
of  Kimball  and  Delia  (Keuuerson)  Hall  who  was  born  Feb.  14, 
1829,  in  Denmark,  Maine.     Children  : 

i  Eunice  IL,  b.  June  26, 1847,  m.  Almon  T.  Littlehale,  d.  Mar.  24,  1890. 

ii  Delia  T.,  b.  March  4,  1851,  m.  Geo.  A.  Murphy, 

iii  Calista  L.,  b.  Oct.  10,  1852,  d.  June  27,  1863. 

iv  Isabella  R.,  b.  June  16,  1855,  m.  Sewall  J.  Walker. 

V  Ann  M.,  b.  July  7,  1857,  m.  Ammi  C.  Gilbert. 

vi    James  G.,      ")   m.  Maud  R.  Verrill. 

[  twins,  b.  April  19,  1864. 
vii    John  Adam,  j  He  is  now  a  medical  student  at  the  University  of  Ver- 
mont, 
viii    Almon  B.,  b.  April  7,  1869. 

40 


626  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

Samuel  D.  Tyler,  mavried  July  15,  1821,  Esther,  daughter  of 
James  Annas  and  soon  removed  from  town.     Child  : 
i    James  Annas,  b.  Sept.  9,  1822,  d.  Aug.  .31,  1823. 

Tayitchell. 

The  Twitchells  of  Bethel  were  among  the  first  settlers.  Their 
ancestor  was  one  of  the  largest  proprietors,  and  they  have  eA'er 
been  numerous  aud  influential.  The  immediate  ancestor  of  the 
brothers  who  came  here,  was  J_Q§eph_X^'ittlLell  of  Sherbourne,  ' 
Mass.,  son  of  Joseph  and  Elizabeth  (Holbrook)  Twitchell,  and 
also  the  grandson  and  great  grandson  of  Joseph  Twitchell.  He 
married  June  28,  1739,  Deborah  Fairbanks.     Children  : 

i  Samuel,  b.  Aug.  24,  1740,  m.  Alice  Wilson,  r.  Dublin,  N.  H. 

ii  .Tosepli  Jr.,  b.  Xov.  27,  1741,  m.  Mercy  Holbrook,  r.  Dublin,  X.  H. 

iii  Elizabeth,  b.  July  27,  1743.  m.  Joel  White, 

iv  Eleazer,  b.  Jan.  22,  1744-.1,  m.  Martha  Mason,  r.  Bethel. 

V  Ezra.  b.  June  23,  1746,  m.  Susanna  Kice,  r.  Bethel, 

vi  Martha,  b.  Dec.  16,  1747,  m.  Xathau  Bixby. 

vii  Deborah,  b.  March  26,  l749,  d.  May  13,  1752. 

viii  Abel.  1).  May  28,  1751,  m.  Sarah  Adams,  r.  Dublin,  N.  II. 

ix  Deborah,  b.  Dec.  23.  1752,  m.  Joseph  Maynard. 

X  Molly,  b.  May  17,  1755,  m.  Moses  Rider, 

xi  Amos.  b.  Dec.  28,  1756,  d.  in  the  army.  ^ 

xii  Eli,  b.  Feb.  17,  1759,  m.  Rhoda  Lelaud,  r.  Bethel.    .  -2/  -'^  '^  '/  -^J^^ 

xiii  Peter,  baptized  Aug.  .30,  1760,  m.  1st,  Sarah  BuUard ;  2d,  Amy  Perry, 

xiv  Julia,  b.  ^larch  18,  1766,  m.  AVilliam  Tucker. 

Eleazek  Twitchell  married  Martha,  daughter  of  Moses  Mason 
of  Dublin,  X.  H.  He  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  in  Bethel,  came 
here  as  the  agent  of  his  father  and  built  mills.  He  owned  the  land 
where  the  village  of  Bethel  Hill  now  is,  and  gave  to  the  town  the 
common.     He  died  June  23,  1819.     Children: 

i  Simeon,  b.  Feb.  18,  1770,  m.  Hannah  Abbot  of  Andover,  Mass. 

ii  Deborah,  b.  Feb.  2, 1772,  m.  Isaac  Adams ;  he  was  drowned  soou  after, 

iii  Martlia,  b.  May  6,  1774,  m.  Ephraim  Rowe. 

iv  Amos,  b.  Aug.  22,  1776,  m.  Sally  Stearns, 

v  Moses,  b.  March  6,  1779,  m.  Miss  Harris  and  went  West, 

vi  Joseph,  b.  Bethel,  ]\Iarch  28,  1782,  m.  Mary  Abbot, 

vii  Eydia,  b.  May  26,  1784,  m.  Jesse  Cross  of  Andover;  r.  Bethel, 

viii  Eleazer,  b.  Xov.  28,  1786,  m.  Lydia  Mason. 

ix  Sylvanus,  b.  May  2,  1789,  d.  Oct.  6,  following. 

X  Asa,  b.  June  1,  1791,  m.  Miss  Gorham  and  went  West, 

xi  Cynthia,  h.  July  14,  1793. 

xii  Adeline,  b.  April  2,    1797,  m.    1st,  Jacob  EUingwood ;  2d,  Stephen 
Abbot. 


IV 


HISTOEY   OF  BETHEL.  627 

Deacon   Ezka  Twitchell,    sou   of  Josei)h    Twitchell,    married 
Susanna  Rice  of  Framiughaui.     Children  : 

i     Susanna,  b.  Nov.  9,  1768,  d.  Dec.  19,  1776. 
ii    Hannah,  b.  Nov.  9,  1768. 
iii    Anna,  b.  Dec.  15,  1770. 

Calvm,  b.  June  4,  1773,  d.  young.    .     ^         Q       ,  .  qD 
Susannah,  b.  Nov.  27,  1777.      ri^^Y^'^  \f"Ox'M-U>v' 
vi     Calvin,  b.  Nov.  2,  1779,  ni.  Hannah  Coffin, 
vii    Ezra,  b.  Nov.  24,  1781,  m.  Betsey  Coffin.  ^ 

^iii    Eli,  b.  July  26.  1785,  m.  1st,  Betsy  Gould.    >.  »MX^^  fWw^d 
ix    Thaddeus,  b.  June  4,  1788,  m.  Sukey  Barlvei-. 
X     Anna,  b.  Dec.  30,  1790,  d.  Dec.  19,  1819. 

xi    Nathan  F.,  b.  July  2,  1794,  m.  1st,  Harriet  Hills;  2d,  Sarah  .J.  Bur- 
bank. 


Eli  Twitchell,  brother  of  the  preceding,  married  Rlioda  Lelaud. 
He  came  to  Bethel  and  settled  ou  the  North  Side  of  the  river,  on 
the  farm  afterwards  occupied  by  his  son-in-law,  Barbour  Bartlett. 
Mrs.  Twitchell  died  March  27,  1792.  For  second  wife,  he  mar- 
ried Lucy  Segar  who  died  in  1844.     He  died  in  1845.     Children: 

i    Julia,  b.  July  7,  1788,  m.  Barbour  Bartlett. 
ii    Curatio,  b.  Aug.  9,  1789,  d.  Aug.  7,  1791. 
iii    Lucia  or  Lucretia,  b.  June  6,  1791,  ni.  John  Kimball. 

By  second  wife : 
iv    Deliuda,  b.  January  29,  1794,  d.  Nov.  19,  1800. 

Captain  Peter  Twitchell,  youngest  sou  of  Joseph  Twitchell, 
kept  a  tavern  in  Sherbonrne,  Mass.,  and  had  command  of  the  militia 
at  the  time  of  the  funeral  of  Washington.  He  came  to  Bethel  after 
his  brothers  and  was  a  farmer.  He  died  from  the  effects  of  being 
thrown  from  his  carriage  Nov.  18,  1855,  aged  94  years  and  5 
months.  He  had  long  been  a  vegetarian.  He  married  first  Sarah 
Bnllard  and  second.  Amy  Perry.     Children  : 

By  his  first  wife : 

i  Ahnon,  b.  July  10,  1783,  d.  Nov.  18,  1792. 

ii  Jonathan,  b.  May  20,  1789,  d.  uuniai-ried. 

iii  Eli,  b. .  d.  of  small  pox  Sept.  26,  1792. 

iv  Eli,  b.  July  22,  1794,  m.  Sophronia  Barker. 

V  Julia,  b.  April  10,  1797,  m.  Hollica  Greenwood, 

vi  John  Adams,  b.  Sept.  7,  1798,  m.  Roxana  Howe, 

vii  Harriet,  b.  June  1,  1805,  m.  Charles  W.  Farewell, 

viii  Sarah  Perry,  b.  Sept.  6.  1811,  m.  Nov.  27,  1834,  Amasa  Bean. 


628  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

Simeon  Twitchell,  oldest  son  of  Eleazer,  married  Hannah 
Abbot  who  was  born  at  Andover,  Mass.,  Nov.  18,  1774,  and  died 
Sept.  5,  1854.  Mr.  Twitchell  was  a  farmer  and  lived  on  the  north 
side  of  the  river,  about  two  miles  from  the  Bethel  bridge.  Early  in 
life  he  engaged  somewhat  in  lumbering.     Children. 

1     Sylvauus,  b.  June  10,  1796,  m.  Sophica,  daughter  of  Isaac  Town, 
ii     Curatio,  b.  Jau.  16,  1798,  m.  Betsey  Blake,  s.  Gilead. 
iii    Jonathan,  b.  Jau.  1800,  in.  Auu  Flanders  of  Richmond,  Me. 
iv    Uzziel,  b.  Jan.  2,  1802,  d.  Aug.  31,  1820. 

v     Andrew,  b.  Dec.  21,  1803,  m.  Lydia  B.  Littlehale;  he  died  at  Henry, 
Ills. ;  no  issue. 
■»^vi    Levi,  b.  Feb.  10,  1806,  m.  Agues  M.  Russell,  d.  1891. 
vii    Lois,  b.  Jau.  11,  1808,  m.  Hou.  Wm.  Frye. 
viii    Moses,  b.  Aug.  29,  1809,  m.  Huldah  H.  Swan, 
ix    Abigail,  b.  July  31,  1811,  m.  William  Shaw  of  South  Berwick;  no 

issue. 
X    Hiram,  b.  Sept.  2,  1813,  m.  Mary  Hunter,  r.  Bethel, 
xi    Nancy,  b.  Jan.  25,  1816,  m.  Capt.  Calvin  Bakemau,  b.  Castine,  Me., 
Jan.  26,  1798,   d.  Oct.  27,   18§6.     The  widow   resides  at   Newton 
Upper  Falls,  Mass. 

Amos  Twitchell,    sou   of    Eleazer    Twitchell,    married    Sally 
Stearns.     Child : 
i    Rufus,  b.  Feb.  7,  1802. 

Joseph  Tw^itchell,  son  of  Eleazer  Twitchell,  married  Mary 
Abbot.  He  was  the  first  white  child  born  at  Hetliel  Hill,  and  he 
spent  the  most  of  his  long  life  near  the  place  of  his  birth.  Chil- 
dren : 

i    Deborah,  b.  Jau.  3,  1805,  m.  Learned  Wbitmau. 
ii    Martha,  b.  Nov.  12,  1806,  d.  unmarried;  she  was  a  school  teacher, 
iii    Almou  (M.  D.)  b.  Sept.  14,  1811,  m.  Phebe  Buxton, 
iv    Albert,  b.  June  25,  1814,  d.  July  29,  1823. 
v    Alfred,  b.  June  25,  1814,  m.  Martha  A.  Stevens, 
vi    Joseph  Abbot,  b.  May  14,  1817,  m.  Orinda  L.  Mason, 
vii    Osmon  ^L,  b.  June  29,  1829,  m.  Rosalba  Chandler.     He  was  a  physi- 
cian iu  Milan,  N.  II..  and  moved  to  AViscousin. 

Eleazer  Twitchell   Jr.,    married  Lydia,    daughter  of    Moses 
Mason.     He  lived  on  the  river  road  that  leads  from  Bethel  Hill  to 
Middle  Interval.     Children  : 
i     Susanna  Mason,  b.  Jau.  23,  1814,  m.  Henry  Tuttle. 
ii    Charlotte,  b.  Aug.  14,  1815,  m.  Samuel  Walker, 
iii    Amos,  b.  Sept.  4,  1817,  m.  Rosauna  McGrath,  r.  Boston. 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  629 

iv     Beujamiu  Clark,  b.  March  22,  1819. 
V    Martin  Van  Buren,  b.  Nov.  12,  1835. 
vi    Martha,  b. ,  d.  aged  18  years. 

Calvin  Twitchell,  son  of  P2zra  Twitchell,  married  Hannah 
Coffin.     Children  : 

i  Sumner,  b.  July  10,  1801,  d.  Feb.  21,  1802. 

ii  Kenfrew,  b.  May  21,  1803,  s.  New  York, 

iii  Horton,  b.  Nov.  5,  1804,  s.  New  York, 

iv  Emily,  b.  June  17,  1807,  m.  Samuel  Philbrook. 

V  Calvin,  b.  May  28,  1809,  s.  New  York. 

vi    Hannah,  b.  Sept.  22,  1812,  d.  in  New  York, 
vii    Lawson  Buckmiuister,  b.  Sept.  6,  1815,  s.  Rochester,  N.  Y. 
viii    Stephen  Coffin,  b.  Aug.  20,  1819,  d.  young. 

Ezra  Twitchell,  Jr.,  was  a  farmer  and  mason,  and  lived  on 
the  north  side  of  the  river  below  Mayville.  He  married  Betsey 
Coffin  and  died  in  1874,  aged  94  years.     Children  : 

i  Daniel,  b.  Nov.  24,  1803,  d.  Aug.  9,  1833. 

ii  Alpliin,  b.  Dec.  27,  1804,  m.  lloxauna  Twitchell. 

iii  Nancy,  b.  Oct.  2,  1800,  d.  Oct.  25,  1826. 

\^v  Cynthia,  b.  March  11,  1809,  m.  Jolui  Russell. 

V  Abiah,  b.  April  27,  1811,  d.  Dec.  5,  1826. 

vi     Samuel,  b.  Feb.  2,  1814,  d.  March  3  following, 
vii     Samuel  Birge,  (A.  M.  M.  D.)  b.  May  27,  1816,   m.  Sarah  E.  Swasey 

of  Wakefield,  N.  H. 
viii    Richard  Eastman,  b.  Feb.  10,  1819,  s.  Portland. 
ix     Betsey  Chapman,  b.  June  1,  1821,  m.  Edward  Goddard. 
X    Lucian,  b.  July  29,  1823,  d.  Oct.  2,  1849. 


Eli  Twitchell,  son  of  Ezra  Twitchell,  married  Betsey  Gould, 
and  second.  Abigail  Russell.  He  was  a  farmer,  then  a  trader  on 
the  Hill,  then  moved  to  Rushville,  New  York,  where  his  second 
wife  died  and  he  married  a'^ister  of  his  first  wife.  At  Bethel  Hill 
he  also  kept  tavern.     Children  : 

'  i  Clarissa,  b.  March  27,  1808. 

•  ii  Jonathan  Gould,  b.  April  14,  1809. 

iii  Athirza,  b.  Jan.  8,  1811. 

-  iv  Eli,  b.  Aug.  6,  1812,  d.  July  4,  1831. 

•'  v  Freeman,  b.  March  20,  1814,  m.  Thirza  M.  Paine,  d.  1840. 

vi  Betsey,  b.  Jan.  28,  1816,  d.  April  3,  1818. 

vii  Ezra,  b.  Sept.  10,  1819,  d.  Jan.  3,  1820. 

viii  Nathan,  b.  Jan.  18,  1818. 

^  ix  Leander,  b.  Nov.  30,  1820,  d.  Aug.  1823. 


630  HISTOBY  OF  BETHEL. 

By  second  marriage : 
-^x    Philomela,  b.  Oct.  25,  1823. 
^xi     William  L.,  b.  Feb.  17,  182.5. 
-xii    Betsey,  b.  March  25,  1826,  d.  Aug.  4,  1826. 
.xxiii    George  Washington,  b.  June  14,  1828. 

Thaddeus  Twitchell,  son  of  Ezra  Twitchell,  married  iu  1813, 
Sukey  Barker.  He  was  a  thrifty  farn;er  at  Mayville,  and  died 
March  27,  1860.     His  widow  died  October  o,  1871.     Children  : 

i  Abigail  B.,  b.  Feb.  1,  1814,  m.  Dr.  Robert  G.  Wiley. 

ii  Roxanua,  b.  Dec.  20,  1816,  m.  Alphin  Twitchell. 

iii  Mary  Elizabeth,  b.  Jan.  10,  1821,  m.  Rev.  David  Garland, 

iv  Susannah  R.,  b.  May  .30,  1824,  m.  Rev.  Javau  K.  Mason. 

V  Samuel  Barker,  b.  March  16,  1829,  m.  Malvina  A.  Chapman. 

Nathan  F.  Twitchell,  3'oungest  sou  of  Ezra  Twitchell,  married 
first  Harriet,  daughter,  of  Amos  Hills  and  second  Sarah  Jackmau, 
daughter  of  Jedediah  Burbank.  He  was  a  carpenter  and  builder, 
captain  of  the  militia  and  deacon  of  the  Congregational  church.  He 
lived  on  the  north  side  of  the  river  near  Mayville,  and  died  June  10 
1873.     His  second  wife  died  April  ;>,  1<S71.     Children: 

i     Harriet  Hills,  b.  Aug.  29,  1824,  d.  Oct.  13,  IS37. 

By  second  marriage : 

ii  Nancy,  b.  Nov.  .30,  1826,  m.  Asa  P.  Kniglit.  d.  Washington,  D.  C, 
1891. 

iii  .Fo-icpli  :Maynard,  b.  Feb.  29,  1828,  m.  18.56,  Mary  Dra.ver  of  the 
Province  of  New  Brunswick.  He  is  a  mechanic,  resides  at  Melrose, 
and  does  business  in  Boston.    Ten  cliildron  : 

iv  T>onsville,  b.  Jan.  18,  18.30,  married  June  10,  1855,  Mary  A  Farring- 
ton  of  Andover,  Me.  He  went  to  Minnesota  in  1857,  and  estab- 
lished a  business  and  classical  academy.  At  tlie  l)reaking  out  of  the 
war  lie  enlisted  as  hospital  steward  and  also  served  as  acting  as- 
sistant surgeon ;  moved  to  Washington,  was  clerk  ten  years  in  the 
Interior  department  and  since  in  the  Treasurv  department.  Three 
children : 
V    Esther  Augelia,  b.  June  27,  1832,  d.  Julv  5,  1837. 

vi  Chester  Loomis,  b.  Dec.  31,  1834,  m.  Harriet  Tilden.  He  resides  at 
Appletou,  Swift  Co.  Minnesota.    Three  children  : 

vii  Anna  Frances,  b.  Jan.  24,  1837,  married  August  23,  1864,  David  P. 
( 'raig  who  was  born  Dec.  23,  1836,  and  is  President  of  the  Tempo- 
rary Soldiers"  Home  at  Washington.  3  Children : 
viii  Preston,  b.  Dec.  10,  1839,  m.  July  23,  1867,  Georgiauna  Crawford. 
Enlisted  a  private  in  ^Massacluisetts  cavalry,  served  under  Butler  in 
the  South,  promoted  2d  and  1st  Lieutenant  and  Captain,  wounded 
at  Cedar  Creek  Oct.  19,  1864;  mustered  out  May  15.  1865.     lie  be- 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  631 

came  foremau  iu  the  repair  shops  of  the  JNIexicau  Ceutral  railway, 
and  was  murdered  at  Tamos,  Mexico,  Oct.  23,  1891.  Family  reside 
at  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 

ix  Xathan  Rice,  b.  June  2,  1841,  m.  1879,  Nellie  Fowle  of  Boston.  He 
served  9  months  in  a  Massachusetts  regiment ;  went  to  Colorado  in 
1876,  located  at  Salida,  engaged  iu  mining  in  Arizona ;  was  inter- 
ested iu  the  great  "Silver  King"  mine  and  in  other  mining  opera- 
tions; resides  at  Denver  City  and  a  member  of  the  stock  exchange. 
X  Fordyce  Parker,  b.  April  16,  1844,  m.  Dec.  28,  1877,  Maria  Robinson. 
He  is  a  merchant  aud  farmer  at  Appleton,  Minnesota.  Foui-  chil- 
dren : 

xi  Sarah  Emily,  b.  Nov.  5,  1846,  in.  Dec.  31,  1889,  J.  A.  B.  Espey  who  is 
superintendent  of  a  division  in  the  Government  Printing  office  at 
Washington,  D.  C- 

CoL.  Eli  Twitchell,  sou  of  Captain  Peter  Twitchell,  married 
December  5,  1822,  Sophrouia,  daughter  of  Deacon  Samuel  Barker, 
who  died  March  1861 .     He  resided  at  West  Bethel.     Childreu  : 

i  Edward  Perry,  b-  Aug.  17,  1823,  d.  young. 

ii  Ann  Johnsou,  b.  Xov.  12,  1825.  m.  Oct.  17,  1849,  Jarvis  Chapman 

iii  Edward  Perry,  b.  July  18,  1827. 

iv  William  Barker,  b.  Oct.  21,  1829. 

V  George  H.  Greenw*d,  b.  March  24,  1832. 

vi  Charles  McClellen,  b.  Jan.  11,  1834,  d.  Dec.  15,  1834. 

vii  Ellen  Maria,  b.  April  15,  1835. 

viii  Charles  Jenkins,  b.  Nov.  8,  1838. 

ix  Alice  Amelia,  b.  March  24,  1841. 

X  Fanny  Barker,  b.  March  25,  1844;  d.  Xov.  21,  1845. 

xi  Caroline  Little,  b.  Feb.  21,  1847,  m.  Osborne  J.  Pierce,  r.  Chicago, 
111. 

John  Adams  Twitchell  married  Roxauna,  daughter  of  Jacob 
Howe  who  died  Feb.  22,  1888.     Childreu  : 

1  Thomas  Elwyu,  b.  Maj^  15,  1824.  He  married  firstly,  Dolly  G.  Barker 
of  Bethel  who  died,  aud  he  married  secondly,  Frances  S.  Chapman. 
He  was  mail  agent  on  the  Grand  Trunk,  long  a  wholesale  mer- 
chant in  Portland,  and  representative  to  the  Legislature.  He  died 
January  31,  1886. 

ii    Mary  Amanda,  1).  Dec.  5,  1825,  d.  April  6,  1846. 

iii  Salome  Greenwood,  b.  Oct.  4,  1828;  she  graduated  at  Bradford  semi- 
nary, and  was  a  teacher  there.  She  now  resides  in  Bethel  unmar- 
ried. 

iv    Daniel  Alphin,  b.  Feb.  25,  1831.     He  was  iu  trade  at  Bethel,  niairied 

Cyrene  S.  Ayer  and  died  of  diphtheria  June  20,  1863. 
V    Roxana  Althea,  b.  Feb.  15,  1836,  m.  Joseph  F.  French  of  Haverlrlll, 
Mass, 


632  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

vi  John  Quincy  Adams,  b.  May  18,  1838.  He  is  a  merchant  in  Portland, 
at  the  head  of  the  wholesale  grocery  and  provision  firm  of 
Twitchell  Champlin  Company.  He  married  Angle  B.  Marble  of 
Portland. 

vii    Lydia  Lucinda,  b.  Aug.  8,  1841,  d.  Aug.  11,  1874. 


Sylvanus  Twitchell,  son  of  Simeon  Twitchell,  married  Sophia 
Town.     He  moved  to  Orouo,  Me.     Children  : 

i  Sylvia,  b.  Sept.  2,  1821,  d.  Aug.  8,  1823. 

ii  Leonard  Xewton,  b.  Feb.  3,  1825,  d.  Dec.  1830. 

iii  William  Frye,  b.  Aug.  29,  1827. 

iv  James  O'Connell,  b.  Sept.  21,  1829. 

V  Infant,  b.  Sept.  16,  1826,  d,  next  day. 

CuRATio  Twitchell,  son  of  Simeon,  married  Betsey,  daugltter  of 

David  Blake.     Children  : 

i    Uzziel,  b.  April  27,  1824.  | 

y  both  deceased, 
ii    Lucy  Marilla,  b.  .  J 

*^Evi  Twitchell,  son  of  Simeon  Twitclfell,  was  born  Feb.  11, 
1806,  and  died  April  23,  1891.  He  married  Nov.  15,  1836,*^gues, 
daughter  of  Stephen  A.  Russell.  He  was  a  farmer.  He  died  from 
the  results  of  an  injury  in  the  spring  of  1891.  She  died  very  sud- 
denly at  Bethel  Jan.  9,  1892.     Children  : 

i  Harriet  Ann,  b.  Aug.  26,  1837. 

-   ii  Levi,  b.  March  16,  18,39,  d.  Aug.  1.5,  1856. 

AW  Eunice  M.,  b.  Xov.  26,  1840. 

A\  Jonathan  M.,  b.  Nov.  7,  1843,  d.  aged  7  years. 

^y  Joshua  Ii.,  b.  ,  d.  Aug.  28,  1847. 

i^\  Thirza  J.,  b. .  1847.  d.  Aug.  10,  18.50. 

Almon  Twitchell,  i\L    I).,  son   of  Joseph  Twitchell,  married 
Phebe  M.  Buxton  of  North  Yarmouth.     Children  : 
i    Alice  Grav,  b.  July  18,  1844,  unmarried,  matron  of  Maine  Insane  Hos- 
pital, 
ii     Cornelia  Buxton,  b.  Sept.  19,  1845,  d.  1847. 

iii     George  Morris,  D.  D.  S.,  b.  Sept.  17,  1847,  m.  Florence  Allen,  r.  Au- 
gusta, 
iv    Mary  Jane,  b.  Sept.  10,  1849,  m.  Austin  A.  Trull,  d. 
v     Edward  Almon,  b.  Xov.  22,  1853,  d.  Aug.,  1854. 
vi     Anna  liuxton,  b.  May  1,  1856,  m.  Sidney  I  French,  r.  Bethel. 


JOSEPH    A.  TWirCHtLL. 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  633 

Alfred  Twitchell,  sou  of  Joseph  Twitchell,  marfied  Martha, 
daughter  of  Ebenezer  Stevens  of  Sweden.  He  is  a  shoe-maker  and 
resides  at  Bethel  Hill.     Children  : 

i  Mary  Elizabeth,  b.  April  27.  1840,  m.  Wm.  H.  Chandler. 

ii  Ozmou  Mason,  b.  Sept.  2,  1842,  m.  Alice  J.  Smith, 

iii  Austin  Frisbie,  b.  May  11,  1845,  m.  Anna  L.  McAlla. 

iv  Alfred  Eugene,  b.  May  11,  1848,  m.  Dora  Littlehale,  d. 

V  Horace  Q.  B.,  b.  April  27,  18.51. 

vi  Fanny  Parley,  b.  January  27,  1855. 

Joseph  Abbot  Twitchell,  son  of  Joseph  and  Mary  (Abbot) 
Twitchell,  was  born  on  Bethel  Hill,  May  nineteenth,  eighteen  hun- 
dred and  seventeen,  and  died  of  pneumonia,  May  second,  eighteen 
hundred  and  ninety.  He  had  always  lived  at  Bethel  Hill  on  part  of 
the  old  homestead  of  his  grandfather,  and  no  man  was  better 
known  in  the  village  or  in  the  west  parish  of  Bethel.  He  was  by 
occupation  a  shoe-maker,  but  after  the  wants  of  the  people  began 
to  be,  for  the  most  part  supplied  with  ready  made  boots  and  shoes 
from  the  factories,  he  became  a  dealer  in  these  goods.  He  was  a 
quiet,  peaceable  man,  one  who  took  life  easy  and  undisturbed  by 
outside  influences,  pursued  the  even  tenor  of  his  way.  He  was  a  de- 
cided temperance  man,  both  theoretically  and  practically,  and 
joined  each  of  the  leading  organizations  for  the  promotion  of  tem- 
perance, in  which  he  was  an  active  member.  He  was  a  leading 
member  of  the  Universalist  organization  at  Bethel  Hill,  and  exem- 
plified his  faith  by  a  life  of  charitable  deeds.  It  was  said  of  him 
that  "he  had  not  an  enemy  in  the  world."  He  married  Dec.  12, 
1839,  Orinda  Leonard,  daughter  of  John  Mason  of  Gilead,  early 
in  Bethel,  who  survives  him.     Children  : 

i    Albert  S.,  b.  Sept.  16,  1840,  ni.  Emma  A.  Rowland. 

ii  Virgil  Y.,  b.  June  27,  1842.  He  was  connected  with  the  Portland  Ad- 
vertiser for  several  years,  then  went  to  Gorham,  X.  H.,  and 
founded  the  "'Mountaineer,"'  a  weekly  paper  which  he  ably  con- 
ducted up  to  the  time  of  his  decease.  He  was  a  ready  writer  and  a 
natural  born  newspaper  man.  He  was  genial  and  made  friends 
wherever  he  went.  He  Avas  married  at  Portland,  Sept.  18,  1866,  to 
Georgie  E.  Cary  who  was  born  at  Saccarappa,  June  15,  1847.  They 
have  had  three  children,  two  of  whom,  a  son  and- daughter  are  liv- 
ing. Mr,  Twitchell  died  of  pneumonia  after  a  brief  illness,  Jan.  4, 
1892. 

iii    William  L.,  b.  Aug.  17,  1844,  d.  1869. 

iv    Joseph,  b.  July  1.3,  1846,  d.  in  infancy. 

v    Charles  E.,  b.  .July  24,  1848,  d.  1867. 

vi    Ada  A.,  b.  Dec.  12,  1856,  m.  Walton  AVight,  r.  Hartford,  Conn. 


■634  HIS  TOBY   OF  BETHEL. 

Alphin  Twitchell,  son  of  EzraTwitchell  Jr.,  married  Roxanna, 
daughter  of  Thaddeus  Twitchell.  He  lived  near  Mayville,  was  an 
active  business  man  ;  a  farmer  and  dealer  in  cattle,  often  in  town 
office,  a  good  citizen  and  highly  respected.     Children  : 

i  Adalbert  B.,  b.  Dec.  U,  1836. 

11  Adeltha,  b.  April  13,  1840. 

iii  Amelia  J.,  b.  Sept.  2,  1842,  m.  John  M.  Gould,  r.  Portland, 

iv  Adelia  B.,  b.  May  7,  1847,  d.  Feb.  1848. 

V  Marj-  Ella,  b.  April  23,  1849. 

vi  Herbert  F.,  b.  Xov.  16,  18.59,  m.  Alice  J.  Gould, 

vil  (laia  F.,  b.  May  25,  1864. 

Samuel  Barker  Twitchell,  son  of  Thaddeus  Twitchell,-  resides 
at  the  homestead  of  his  father,  has  erected  elegant  buildings  and 
keeps  a  summer  boarding  house.  He  is  a  capable  business  man, 
has  been  much  in  town  office  and  has  served  two  terms  in  the  Maine 
Legislature.  He  married  Dec.  11,  1853,  Malvina  A.,  daughter  of 
Timothy  Chapman,  a  most  amiable  woman  now  deceased.  Chil- 
dren : 

i    Marion  Blanchard.  b.  Xov.  4,  1855,  m.  Clarence  W.  Hobbs,  r.  Lyuu, 

Mass. 
ii    Susie  Barker,  b.  Nov.  17,  1861. 
iii    Florence  Eliza,  b.  Oct.  12,  18G9. 

Daniel  A.  Twitchell,  son  of  Adams  Twitchell,  married  Cyrene 
S.  Ayer.  He  was  in  trade  on  the  Hill  and  died  in  early  manhood  of 
diphtheria.     Child : 

i     Ada  L.,  b.  Dec.  18,  18.58. 

Heri'.kht  V.  Twitchell,  son  of  Alphin  Twitchell,  was  educated 
in  the  common  schools  and  at  Gould's  Academy  in  Bethel.  He 
was  clerk  in  a  retail  dry  goods  store  for  a  year  ;  studied  medicine 
and  graduated  from  the  Maine  Medical  school  in  1883  ;  served  one 
year  as  house  physician  ut  the  Maine  General  Hospital,  and  then 
went  into  general  practice  at  Freeport,  Me.  He  was  married  May 
14,  1885,  to  Alice  J.,  daughter  of  Rev.  S.  L.  Gould.  He  has  met 
with  marked  success  in  the  practice  of  his  profession. 

Freeman  Twitchell,  son  of  Eli  Twitchell,  married  Thirza  M. 
Paine  and  died  June  1,  1840.  He  was  a  house-carpenter,  an  extra 
workman  and  a  man  highly  respected  in  the  community.  He  re- 
sided at  Bethel  Hill.     Children  : 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  635 

i    Ozro  Leauder,  b.  July  17,  1837,  r.  Grass  Valle.v,  Cal. 
ii    Elizabeth,  b.  Dec.  5,  1838. 
iii    Thomas  Freeman,  b,  Xov.  4,  1840,  r.  Grass  Valley,  Cal. 


Cyrus  Twitchell,  sou  of  Abel  and  Sarah  (Adams)  Twitchell, 
of  Sherbourne,  Mass.,  and  graudsou  of  Joseph  Twitchell  of  Sher- 
bourue,  born  March  13,  1778,  married  January  16,  1801,  Eunice 
Belknap  who  was  born  March  8,  1778,  and  came  first  to  Bethel 
where  he  lived  a  few  j^ears  and  then  removed  to  Milan,  N.  H., 
■where  he  died  Sept.  19.  1873,  aged  95  years  and  6  months.  His 
wife  died  April  4,  1856  aged  78.  He  was  a  farmer  aud  lived  on  the 
place  now  occupied  by  his  sou,  Adams  Twitchell,  Esq  ,  aud  grand- 
sou  Cassius  Twitchell.     Children  : 

i    Ransom,  b.  Oct.  31.  1801,  m.  Aug.  26,  1824,  Julia  E.  Swan,  d.  Xov. 

7,  1879. 
ii    Gilmau,  b.  Dec.  27.  1802,  m.  Lucy  Harris,  d.  March  17,  1867. 
ill    George  Sullivan,  b.  April  18,  1804,  m.  Emilv  Harvey  of  Providence, 

E.  I. 
iv    Cyrus,  b.  Aug,  10,  180.5,  d.  Oct.  9,  1806. 

V    Cyrus,  b.  March  2.5,  1807,  m.  Rebecca  B.  Heath,  d.  April  25,  1854. 
vi    Harvev,  b.  Xov.  21,  1808,  d.  Feb.  16,  1814. 
vii    Hannah,  b.  July  4,  1810,  m.  Sept.  13,  1828,  Xathan  Bickford,  d.  Jan. 

11,  1872. 
viii    Adams,  b.  Jan.  27,  1812,  m.  Oct.  31,  1843,    Lusvlvia,   daughter  of 
Ebenezer  Bartlett  of  Bethel,     He  is  a  farmer  aud  lumberman,  was 
formerly  in  trade  at  ^lilau.  aud  has  had  a  long  and  successful  busi- 
ness career. 
ix    Clayton,  b.  Jan.  13,  1814.  m.  Feb.  23,  1834,  Mary  Phipps,  d.  Dec.  6, 

1877. 
X    Lucy,  b.  Xov.  15,  1815,  d.  July  5,  1816. 
xi    Hai-ry,  b.  June  21,  1817,  d.  March  21,  1852. 
xii     Lucy.  b.  April  4,  1821,  d.  Sept.  2,  1823. 


Uptox. 

TiLDEX  Upton,  born  in  North  Reading,  Mass.,  a  teacher  and 
farmer,  married  Sept.  2,  1862,  atCarmiu,  Illinois,  Martha  Barnard, 
daughter  of  Seth  B.  Newell  of  Bethel.  He  died  at  North  Reading, 
Sept.  6,  1866.     Children  : 

i    Horatio  Xewell,  b.  Carmiu,  111.,  July  26,  1863. 
ii     Abbie  Damon,  b.  Bethel,  July  25,  1866. 


636  HISTORY    OF  BETHEL. 

Valentine. 

Alfred  Wilbur  Valentine,  boru  in  Hopkiuton,  Mass.,  Aug.  8,. 
1841,  maiTied  May  18,  1864,  Lauretta  Miranda  Green.  He  was  a 
farmer  much  interested  in  agriculture  and  in  associated  effort  to 
improve  the  condition  of  the  tillers  of  the  soil.  He  was  a  leading 
member  of  the  Bethel  Grange.     He  died  June  14,  1888.     Children  : 

1     Charles  Elmer,  b.  March  14,  18(55. 
ii    Fred  Ambrose,  b.  Oct.  28,  18G8,  d.  March  14,  1869. 
iii    William  Alton,  b.  Jan.  8,  1870. 

Walker. 

The  Walkers  of  Bethel  are  from  Concord,  New  Hampshire. 

John  Walker,  son  of  James  and  Ruth  (Abbot)  Walker,  boru 
May  8,  1763,  came  to  Bethel  Hill  (juite  earl}'.  His  wife  was  Eliza 
Calef  who  died  Nov.  14,  l.s29.  He  died  Feb.  25,  1830.  He  was  a 
tailor  by  trade,  and  lived  on  the  place  afterwards  occupied  by 
George  Chapman.     Children  : 

1  Joseph  C,  b. ,  111.  Lucinda  Hale  of  Waterford. 

ii  James,  h. .  m.  Hannah  Barker. 

iii  Haiinali,  1). ,  in.  Isaac  Pressev  of  Mercer. 

iv  Abial,   b. ,  m.  Ainiina  Stevens  of  Greenwood.     He  moved  to 

Dummer,  N.  H. 

v  Rutli,  I). . 

vi  Eliza,  1). ,  d.  Jan.  11,  1S3.5. 

vii  Chailes,  b.  Aug.  7,  1800,  in.  Louisa  Barker  of  Bridgtou. 

viii  Betsey  Vi. . 

James  Walker,  brother  of  the  preceding,  born  July  26,  1778, 
and  died  Sept.  4,  1826.  He  was  a  Congregational  minister;  he 
married  first  Abigail  Chapman  of  Bethel  who  died  Oct.  3,  1807, 
and  second  Patty  Ingalls  of  Shell)urne,  N.  H.  He  was  also  an  early 
trader  at  Bethel  Hill.     Children  : 

By  first  marriage:  i  Milton  Chapman,  b.  Marcli  2,  1805.  ii  Abigail 
Chapman,  b.  May  21,1807,  d.  young.  By  second  marriage:  iii  Abigail 
Chapman,  b.  June  14,  1811.  iv  Bobert  Ingalls,  1).  Sept.  24,  1813.  v  James 
Abliot,  b.  Dec.  14,  1810. 

1'eter  Walker,  brother  of  the  preceding,  l)orn  July  6,  1780, 
married  in  Fryeburg,  Jan.  3.  1808,  Abigail  Swan.  He  came  from 
that  town  to  Bethel.     Children  : 

i  William  Swan,  b.  Dec.  12,  1810,  d.  April  1,  18;{G.  ii  Galen  Carter,  b. 
Dec.  4,  1814,  m.  Lois  C.  Pillsbury.  iii  Lyman,  b.  Oct.  28,  1817,  m.  Lucy 
Ann  Pratt,  iv  Clement  A.,  b.  July  3,  1820.  v  Cbarles  W.,  b.  Nov.  25, 
1822.     vi    Judith,  b.  April  26,  1826.     vii    Henry  D.,  b.  Sept.  1,  1829. 


HLSTOPi\     OF   BETHEL.  637 

James  Walker,  sou  of  John  Walker,  married  Hannah  I.  Barker. 
He  was  the  proprietor  of  Walker's  Mills.     Children  : 

i  Lucretia,  b.  Julj^  8,  1824,  m.  S.  E   Johnson,  s.  Milwaukee,  Wis. 

ii  Nancy  Eliza,  b.  Nov.  15,  1828,  m.  Piuckney  Burnham. 

iii  Hannah  Fisk,  b.  April  12,  1832. 

iv  John  Barker,  b.  April  17,  1834, 

V  Augusta,  b.  May  24,  1836. 

vi    Emeline,  b.  Dec.  21,  1838,  m.  Newton  Grover. 
vii    CXillen  Fordyce,  b.  Feb.  15,  1841,  ni.  Mary  E.  Twitchell. 
viii    Alma  Ingalls,  b.  July  13,  1843. 

Seth  Walker,  born  in  Chatham,  N.  H.,  Feb.  7,  1836,  married 
April  28,  1860,  Mary  Ellen,  daughter  of  Ayers  and  Eunice    (Hale) 
Mason.     He  has  long  been  a  dealer  in    hardware  and  stoves    at 
Bethel  Hill.     Children  : 
i    Edith  Alberta,  b.  Oct.  20,  1863. 
ii    Ernest  Mason,  b.  April  24,  1865. 
iii    Lulu  May,  b.  April  2,  1868,  d.  Aug.  26,  following, 
iv    Edith  May,  b.  Sept.  16,  1873. 

Wheeler 

Joseph  Wheeler,  born  in  Laugdon,  N.  H.,  Nov.  26,  1789,  was 
the  son  of  Joseph  Wheeler  who  was  born  in  Temple,  N.  H.,  Nov. 
9,  1766,  and  grandson  of  Peter  Wheeler  who  was  born  Feb.  22, 
1732,  and  married  Mehitable  Jewett  of  Bradford,  Mass.  Joseph 
Wheeler  married  Naomi,  daughter  of  Deacon  James  Grover,  who 
was  born  in  Mansfield,  Mass.,  Sept.  28,  1770.  He  came  to  Bethel 
in  the  fall  of  1793.  He  had  previously  been  here  and  made  a  small 
clearing  upon  lot  29,  in  the  5th  range.  He  had  a  barn  36x40  built 
upon  it  for  which  he  paid  one  hundred  silver  dollars.  He  was  an  in- 
dustrious man  and  cleared  up  a  large  farm  which  is  still  in  posses- 
sion of  the  family.     Children  : 

i    Joseph,  b.  Nov.  26,  1789,  m.  Olive  Gage, 
ii    James,  b.  Nov.  24,  1791,  m.  Esther  Grover. 

iii    Naomi,  b.  Dec.  9,  1790,  d.  Feb.  3,  following. 

iv    Daniel,  b.  Jan.  19,  1793,  m.  Sarah  Cunnnings  of  Albanj-. 

V  Benjamin,  b.  Jan.  6,  1795,  m.  Betsey  Seavy. 

vi  Jedediah,  b.  March  3,  1796,  d.  Nov.  3,  following, 

vii  Peter,  b.  Aug.  27,  1797,  m.  Phebe  Haskell  of  Sweden, 

viii  Sarah,  b.  Jan.  14,  1799,  d.  Aug.  7,  1819. 

ix  Joel,  b.  Aug.  14,  1800,  m.  Sarah  Coffin  of  Gilead. 

X  Alvali,  V).  Aug.  29,  1803,  m.  Martha  Haskell  of  Sweden. 

xi  Elijah,   b.  Feb.  7,    1806,  m.   Lydia  Haskell  of  Sweden  and  lives   in 

Albany,  Me. 

xii  Naomi,  b.  April  9.  1809.  ni.  Jacob  D.  Grover. 


638  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

Joseph  Wheeler  married  Nov.  26,  1813,  Olive,  daughter  of 
Daniel  Gage  who  was  born  in  Bethel,  April  12,  1799,  and  died 
Aug.  23,  1860.  He  died  Jan.  29,  1873.  Mr.  Wheeler  and  wife 
were  educated  in  the  Bethel  schools  and  were  intelligent,  industrious 
and  upright  people.     Children  : 

i    Sarah  Gage,  b.  Oct.  2.3,  1814. 

ii    Joseph,  h.  Sept.  9,  1816,  m.  Eliza  E.  Clark,  r.  South  Paris, 
ill    Olive,  b.  Nov.  3,  1818,  m.  1839,  Almou  Grover. 
iv    Emeline  Abigail,  b.  Jau.  10,  1821,  ni.  1850,  Brockley  Shaw,  d.  East 

Abingtou,  18.51. 
V    Daniel  Gage,  b.  April  1,  1823,  m.  Clara  Ann  Boothby. 
vi    Elbridge  Gerry,  b.  July  8,  1825,  m.  1st  Melissa  Grover  and  2d,  Me- 

hitable  Jane  Grover. 
vii    Mary,  b.  June  18,  1827,  m.  Nelson  Lowell,  d.  ^larch  9,  1891. 
viii    Gabriella,  b.  Oct.  21,  1829,  d.  Aug.  17,  1833. 
ix    Malvina.  b.  Nov.  3,  1831,  m.  1861,  Van  Buren  Grover. 

Ja5ies  Wheeler  married  Esther,  daughter  of  Jedediah  Grover. 
He  settled  on  Grover  Hill  and  then  moved  to  Albany.    Children  : 

i  Esther,  b.  Jan.  24,  1816. 

ii  James  Wellman,  b.  April  28,  1818,  accidentallv  killed. 

iii  Hannah,  b.  Dec.  30,  1819,  m.  John  B.  llazeltine. 

iv  Silas,  b. ,  ni.  Lucy  Ann  llibbard. 

v  Jedediah,  b. ,  moved  to  Portland. 

vi  Zachariah,  b. .     He  was  educated  at  the  Cobb  Divinity  school 

and  becaujc  a  preacher, 

vii  Abigail,  b. ,  m.  Alvin  Hobart.  r.  Albanv. 

Daniel  Wheeler  married  Sarali  Cummings  of  Albany.  Chil- 
dren : 

i     Ahnira,  b.  Dec.  9,  1820,  d.Oct.  19,  1826. 

ii    Daniel  C,  b.  Aug.  15,  1822,  d.  Sept.  3,  1823. 

iii     Melita,  b.  Aug.  19,  1824. 

iv     Hannah  A.,  b.  Feb.  16,  1826,  m.  Parker  P.  Pingree,  Topsfield,  Mass, 

v    Daniel,  b.  April  23,  1828,  d.  May  2,  1832. 

vi    Evander,  b.  June  1,  1S30.  d.  May  (i,  1832. 
vii     Son,  b.  April  8,  1832,  d.  .June  12.  following, 
viii     Laona,  b.  March  13,  1833. 

ix     Leonard,  b.  ^larch  13.  1833. 

Benjamin  Wheeler,  born  in  Bethel,  married  Betsey,  daugliter  of 
Clement  Seavy,  and  lived  on  the  farm  now  occupied  l^y  Albert  B. 
Grover.     Children : 

i    Benjamin  Seavy,  b.  Nov.  13,  1818,  m.  J^liza  Dawes  of  Harrison, 
ii     Sarah,  b.  :March  22.  1820.  d.  Nov.  1,  1828. 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  639' 

iii  Eliza  J.,  b.  Jime  5,  1822,  d.  Nov.  13,  1839. 

iv  Naomi  Grover,  b.  July  5, 1824,  m.  John  B.  Masou,  d.  Feb.  15,  1845. 

V  Alfred,  b.  Sept.  5,  1826,  d.  April  15,  1831. 
vi  Irene  A.,  b.  July  1,  1828,  d.  Sept.  6,  1831. 

vii    Sylvia,  b.  Aug.  28,  1831,  m.  Oliver  Edson  of  Harrison, 
viii    Melissa,  b.  Sept.  27,  1835,  m.  Alanson  Dawes,  r.  Harrison, 
ix    Hannali,  b. ,  1837,  m.  William  Ward  of  Harrison. 

Peter  Wheeler  was  born,  reared  and  always  lived  on  the  old 
homestead  on  Grover  Hill.  He  was  an  honest  and  painstaking 
farmer  and  a  kind  and  accommodating  neighbor.  He  married 
Phebe  Haskell  of  Sweden.     Children  : 

i    Caroline,  b.  Sept.  29,  1828,  m.  Wm.  F.  Horn,  r.  Milan,  N.  H. 
ii    William  M.,  b.  May  3,  1825,  d.  Aug.  31,  1827. 

iii    Peter  Jr.,  b.  May  20,  1831,  m.  Jan.  2,  1868,  Mrs.  Hattie  Stover  and  re- 
sides on  the  old  homestead, 
iv     Galen,  b.  Oct.  12, 18.33,  m.  Dec.  25,  1855,  Frances  A.  Harden,  r.  Milan, 

X.  H. 
V    Rowena,   b.    Aug.   18.   1836,   m.   Alexander  W.   Grover  and  died  in 
Bethel,  May  3,  1862. 

Joel  Wheeler  manned  Sarah,  daughter  of  Daniel  Coffin  of 
Gilead.  He  moved  to  Albany  and  then  to  Milan,  N.  H.,  where  he- 
died  aged  ^i4  years.     Children  : 

1  Columbia  Eawson,  b.  April  9,  1822. 

ii  Electa  Pamelia,  b.  July  25,  1823. 

iii  Christopher  C,  b.  March  29,  1825. 

iv  William  P.,  b.  Aug.  13,  1826. 

V  Columbia,  b. . 

vi  Xaomi  G.  W.,  b. . 

vii  Betsy,  b. . 

viii  Fernando  C. 

ix  George  Fox. 

X  Sarah. 

xi  Mary  Dyer. 

Alvah  Wheeler  married  Martha  Haskell  of  Sweden.    Children  r 
i    Lucy  Matilda,  b.  Feb.  12,  1833. 

Joseph  Wheeler  Jr.,  married  March  5,  1843,  Eliza  Clark  of 
Bethel.  He  is  a  farmer,  has  resided  in  Bethel,  Mason  and  Albany 
and  now  in  Paris.     Children  : 

i    John  Kimball,  b.  Jan,  5.  1845. 

ii    Charles  Elbridge,  b.  August  25, 1847,  d.  at  Lincoln  Hospital  August 
6,  1864. 


640  HUSTOBY  OF  BETHEL. 

iii  Ellery  Freeman,  b.  March  5,  184S. 

iv  Weudell  Edson,  b.  Sept.  11,  1850. 

V  Pierce  Elliot,  b.  Feb.  28,  1852. 
vi  Xelson  Blake,  b.  August  9,  1854. 

vii    Haunibal  Lincoln,  b.  Sept.  12,  1860. 
-viii    Ulysses  Grant,  b.  May  26,  1862. 

Daniel  Gage  Wheeler,  son  of  Joseph  Wheeler,  married  Clara 
Ann  Booth  by  of  Turner  and  settled  in  that  part  of  Abbington, 
Mass.,  which  is  now  called  Rockland.  He  has  resided  there  for 
nearly  fifty  years,  and  has  filled  many  responsible  positions.  He 
served  two  enlistments  in  the  late  war.     Children  : 

i  Chanuing  Eugene,  b.  March  2,  1848,  d.  May  9,  1852. 

ii  Emma  Etta,  b.  April  9,  1850. 

.iii  Clarence  Eldou,  b.  July  6,  1852. 

iv  Daniel  Laforest,  b.  Oct.  10,  1854. 

V  Laura,  b. ,  1856,  d.  young. 

vi  Arthur  Wilson,  b.  April  1859.  He  graduated  from  Amherst  College, 
was  elected  Professor  in  Smith  College,  but  died  at  Johns  Hopkins 
University  before  entering  upon  its  duties. 

vii     Freddie,  b. ,  1868,  d.  young. 

viii     Cuvier  Gage,  b.  July  29,  1867. 

Elbridge  Gerry  Wheeler,  son  of  Joseph  Wheeler,  was  edu- 
cated in  the  common  schools,  and  in  early  manhood  settled  in  East 
Abbington  where  he  engaged  in  the  shoe  business.  Returning  to 
Maine,  he  carried  on  the  same  business  at  West  Bethel  for  nearly 
thirty  years,  when  he  settled  upon  a  farm.  In  politics,  he  was  early 
a  free  soiler.  and  later  a  republican.  He  has  been  prominent  in  town 
affairs  having  served  seven  years  as  selectman  and  also  in  other  po- 
sitions of  trust.  He  is  a  prominent  free  mason.  He  married  first, 
Melissa,  daughter  of  George  W.  Grover  and  second,  Mehitable 
Jane,  daughter  of  Hezekiah  Grover.     Children  : 

i     Ella  Melissa,  b.  March  3,  1851,  m.  Sept.  30,  1871,   Ralph  W.  Beau,  r. 

Archer,  Cal. 
By  second  marriage : 
ii    ]Minnie  Estella,  b.  May  3,  1863 ;  she  was  educated  at  Gould's  Academy 

and  Bates  College  and  is  a  teachci-. 
iii     Flora  Jane,  b.  July  9,  1864,   was  educated  at  Gould's  Academy  and 

elsewhere  and  is  also  a  teacher, 
iv    Edward  Elbridge,  b.  Jan.  29,  1869.     He  fitted  for  college  and  entered 
at  Bates  in  the  class  of  1892.  He  was  a  young  man  of  great  promise 
but  was  attacked  with  the  grip  from  which  he  did  not  recover  and 
which  resulted  in  consmnption  of  whicli  he  died  October  31,  1891. 


HISTOBY  OF   BETHEL.  641 

Galen  Wheeler,  son  of  Peter  Wheeler,  married  Frances  A. 
Harden  and  resides  in  Milan,  N.  H.     Children  : 

i  Edwin  E.,  b.  Jan.  20,  1857. 

ii  Xellie  E.,  b.  Xov.  4,  1S60. 

iii  Frank  E.,  b.  Oct.  26,  1862. 

iv  Ernest  A.,  b.  April  6,  1866. 

Jonathan  Wheeler,  a  younger  brother  of  Joseph  Wheeler,  mar- 
ried Hannah  Colburn  and  came  to  Bethel  about  the  same  time  as 
his  brother,  and  lived  on  what  is  now  the  Freeland  Bennett  place. 
Children  : 

i  Jonathan,  b.  Feb.  1,  1797,  m.  Mary  Ann  Seavv. 

ii  Abel,  b.  Auo^.  30,  1801,  m. Newell  s.  Albany. 

iii  Polly,  b. 21,  1805. 

iv  Elias  Colburn,  b.  Jan.  1,  1811. 

V  Abigail,  b.  Nov.  23,  1814. 

Amos  Wheeler,  the  well  known  jeweller  and  itinerant  clock  re- 
pairer was  born  in  Langdou,  N.  H.,  Aug.  30,  1787,  and  died  at 
Milan,  N.  H.,  Jan,  4,  1876.  He  married  Dec.  27,  1812,  Lydia 
Pearson  Gould  who  was  born  in  Wolfboro,  N.  H.,  July  21,  1793, 
and  died  Jan.  26,  1824,  and  he  married  second,  Eunice  Morse  who 
was  born  in  Otisfield,  Aug.  27,  1800,  and  died  in  Bethel,  April  13, 
1836.  For  third  wife,  he  married  Nancy  Brown  born  at  Water- 
ford  Aug,  8,  1801,  and  died  at  Bethel.     Children  : 

i    Daughter,  b.  Shelburne,  N.  H.,  March  26,  1814,  d.  next  day. 
ii    Zeuas,  b.  Feb.  5,  1816,  m.  Nancy  Sparkes,  d.  1869. 
iii    Lydia  Gould,  b.  Feb.  24,  1820,  m.  Oct,  13,  1839,  James  M.  Phipps  of 
Milan,  N.  H. 

By  second  marriage : 
iv    Mariana,  b.  Nov.  12,  1825,  m.  George  W.  Furbush. 

V  Horatio  A.,  b.  Mason,  March  13,  1829,  d.  June  1,  1830. 
vi    Lucy  Marilla,  b.  April  18,  1831,  d.  April  21,  1833. 

vii    Lucy  Abigail,  b.  May  28,  1833,  m.  David  S.  Abbot  of  Grafton. 

Whitman. 

Winchester  Whitman,  sou  of  Luther  Whitman  of  Woodstock, 
married  Hannah  M,  Paine  of  Greenwood.  He  lived  iu  the  east  part 
of  the  town.  He  had  several  children  but  onW  one  is  on  record. 
Child : 

i    Eliza  Frances,  b.  July  26,  1833. 
41 


642  HISrOBY  OF  BETHEL. 

Learned  Whitman,  son  of  Luther  Whitman  of  Woodstock,  boru 
Feb.  17,  1808,  married  first,  in  1829,  Deborah,  daughter  of  Joseph 
Twitchell  of  Bethel,  who  died  and  he  married  second  in  1845, 
Angeline  Stiles.  He  lived  on  Grover  Hill  and  died  there.  His 
children  returned  in  the  census  of  1870  were  as  follows  : 

i  Dora  v.,  b.  1849;  ii  Albert  L.,  b.  1850;  iii  Alvernou  B.,  b.  1849; 
iv  Albert,  M.,  b.  1852;  v  Oscar  F.,  b.  1855;  vi  Eoweua  M.,  b.  1857;  vii 
Eklen  E.,  b.  1860;     viii  Melleu  M.,  b.  1862. 

William  Whitman,  a  Free  Baptist  exhorter,  came  to  this  town 
having  a  family.  He  lost  his  wife  and  married  Fanny  Annas  who 
soon  after  died,  and  he  married  her  sister,  Betsey  Annas.  Chil- 
dren : 

By  last  marriage : 

1    Kubv  Koseltha,  b.  Xov.  16,  1835,  m.  William  Crooker. 
ii    Corgeanua  Delena,  b.  April  8,  1838. 
iii     Charles  Eichards,  b.  Jan.  27.  1841. 

Whitney. 

Isaac  S,  Whitney  married  Maria .     Children  : 

i    Mary  W.,  b.  June  9,  1837. 
ii    Zeri,  b.  Aug.  19,  1839. 

AViGHT. 

Joel  Wight,  the  fifth  in  descent  from  Thomas  AVight  who  set- 
tled in  Dedham,  Mass.,  in  1637,  married  Elizabeth  Twitchell.  He 
lived  in  Dublin,  N.  H.,  in  Sherburne,  Mass.,  and  came  to  Gilead. 
Children  : 

i  Hannah,  b.  March  11.  1769. 

ii  Epluaini.  b.  May  20,  1771. 

iii  Eli.  b.  May  6,  1773. 

iv  Anna,  b. .  m.  Isaac  Stearns. 

V  Olive,  b. .  ni.  Isaac  Adams. 

vi  Elizabeth,  b. . 

vii  P^liza,  b. ,  ni.  Josiah  Stearns. 

viii  Setli.  b.  May  21,  1783,  m.  Lydia  Mason. 

Seth  Wight,  son  of  the  preceding,  married  Lydia,  daughter  of 
John  Mason  of  Gilead.  He  lived  a  few  years  in  Gilead,  then  moved 
to  Bethel  where  he  died.  His  place  was  west  of  Robertson  Hill,  on 
the  load  between  Bethel  Hill  and  West  Bethel.  He  died  Dec.  29, 
1863,  and  his  widow  died  Aug.  8,  1872.     Children  : 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  643 

i    Nahum,  b.  Gilead,  Xov.  27,  1807,  M.  D.,  Maine  Medical  School  1832, 
married  Mary  Straw  and  moved  to  Gilmantou,  X.  H.     He  studied 
with  Dr.  John  Grover  and  died  in  1880. 
ii     Almira,  b.  Nov.  20,  1807,  d.  Jan.  22,  1810. 

iii    Daniel  Ormsby,  b.  Mar.  1,  1811,  m.  Julia  A.  Peabody,  d.  June  7, 1872. 
iv    Rebecca  Haywood,  b.  Dec.  22, 1812,  m.  Asa  Peabody,  d.  Feb.  20, 1885. 

V  Seth  Jr.,  b.  Aug.  8,  1815,  m.  Barbara  Ann  Bean, 
vi    Eli,  b.  Jan.  IC,  1818,  d.  Aug.  26,  1841. 

vii  Mary  Moore,  b.  Jan.  22,  1820,  m.  Cyrus  K.  Kelly,  d.  March  6,  1886. 

viii  Lydia  Mason,  b.  Feb.  9,  1822  ni.  Joseph  Smith, 

ix  Harriet  Delphina,  b.  May  7,  1824,  m.  Charles  D.  Smith. 

X  Alexander  Patrick,  b.  March  17,  1826.  m.  Eliza  A.  Hart, 

xi  Joseph,  b.  Feb.  19,  1828,  d.  March  6,  following, 

xii  Franklin  Adams,  b.  March  2,  1830,  d.  July  6,  1833. 

xiii  Esther  Sewall.    b.  Aug.  6.  1832.   m.  Dr.  Charles  M.  Fellows,   Ply- 
mouth, X.  H.,  d.  Dec.  29,  1876. 

xiv  Joel  AVilson  Learned,  b.  Oct.  1,  1835,  d.  Xov.  10,  1841. 

Seth  Wight  Jr.  married  Barbara  Auu,  daughter  of  Justus  Bean- 
He  lives  at  West  Bethel.  His  wife  died  suddenly  January  4,  1892. 
Children  : 

i    Augusta   Ward,    b.    Sept.  2,    1839,    m.   Xov.   25,    1862,   E.   Payson. 

Grover. 
ii    Eli  Mellen  M.  D.,  b.  3Iay  4,  1841,  m.  Jan.  14,  1866,   Millicent  Blair. 

He  died  at  Chatauooga,  Tenn.,  Jan.  6,  1881.* 
iii     Seth  Jairus,  b.  April  8,  1843,  d.  Jan.  24,  1869. 
iv     Mary  Elizabeth,  b.  March  7,  1845,  d.  April  15,  1847. 

V  Edwin  Eastman,  b.  May  15,  1847,  d.  Feb.  26,  1854. 
vi    Henry  Spencer,  b.  Sept.  1,  1850. 

vii  Loui  Jane,  b.  Jan.  12,  1853,  d.  Aug.  1,  1877. 

viii  Charlie  Smith,  b.  Xov.  13,  1855. 

ix  Anna  Rebecca,  b.  Jan.  11,  1857,  m.  George  A.  Grovei-. 

X  Sarah  Belle,  b.  Feb.  28,  1861. 

Daniel  Wight  married  Hannah .     Child  : 

Thomas,  b.  March  2,  1799. 

Timothy  Wight  married  Mary  Ann  .     He  lived  at  one 

time  at  Bethel  Hill.  Only  the  birth  of  one  child  is  recorded  on 
Bethel  records  : 

Wesley,  b.  May  26,  1834. 

*He  enlisted  and  was  conimisioned  as  Lieutenant  in  Company  B.  23d  Me.  Volunteers^ 
but  soon  resigned.  He  graduated  in  medicine  and  after  the  close  of  the  war  settled  at 
Cliatanooga,  Tennessee.  He  had  an  extensive  practice  and  became,  in  a  short  time,  a 
leading  citizen.  He  was  on  the  State  Board  of  Health,  and  held  other  important  official 
positions.  He  died  from  the  result  of  over-work  and  exposure,  much  lamented  by  a  wide 
circle  of  friends. 


(/ 


644  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

Wiley. 

Dr.  Robert  Goodwin  Wiley  came  here  from  Fryeburg  and  mar- 
ried Abigail  B.  Twiteliell.  He  was  the  son  of  Benjamin  Jr.,  and 
Mary  D.  (Bryant)   Wiley  and  was  born  Nov.  7,   1807.     Children  : 

1    Lelaud  Barker,  b.  Jime  6,  1837,  d.  Maj-  12,  1830. 

ii    Philautheus  Clevelaud,  b.  Feb.  20,  1840.     He  graduated  at  Bowdohi 
College  and  Maine  Medical   School,    settled   in  practice  in  Bethel 
where  he  had  great  success,   Avas  drowned  in  MagalloA\ay  river 
when  he  was  going  to  visit  a  patient.    He  married  Mary  E.,  daugh- 
ter of  Hon.  Elias  M.  Carter, 
iii    Philelius  Lelaud,  b.  Jan.  20,  1843,  d.  Oct.  20,  1S50. 
iv    Goodwin  Robert,  b.  Jan.  13,  1846,  m.  Matilda  O.  Swift. 
V    Thaddeus  Twitchell,  b.  Jan.  10,  1848,  d.  Oct.  12,  1850. 
vi    Lawson  Bucloiiinster,  b.  May  26,  18.52,  d.  Jan.  8,  1856. 
vii    Mary  Elizabeth,  b.  Jan.  28,  1856. 

Goodwin  Robert  Wiley,  sou  of  Dr.  Robert  G.  Wiley,  is  a  skill- 
ful druggist  and  pharmacist  at  Betliel  Hill.  He  is  a  very  capable 
business  man,  especially  in  clerical  work.  He  has  been  town  clerk, 
is  clerk  of  the  village  corporation,  and  secretary  of  the  trustees  of 
Oould's  Academy.  His  books  are  models  of  neatness  and  accuracy. 
He  is  a  prominent  Mason  and  has  held  the  second  highest  office  in 
the  Grand  Lodge.  He  built  and  occupies  the  elegant  house  below 
the  academy.  He  married  Oct.  5,  1869,  Matilda  Olive,  daughter  of 
Newton  Swift.     Children : 

i  Blanche,  b.  June  24,  1872,  d.  Aug.  18,  1875. 

ii  Goodwin  Arthur,  b.  Jan.  6,  1874. 

iii  Howard,  b.  Jau.  21,  1876. 

iv  Bertha  May,  b.  July  22,  1880. 

v  Gladys  Rose,  b.  3Iay  22,  1886. 

Willis. 

Jonas  Willis  came  from  Sudbury,  Mass.,  to  Bethel  when  a 
young  man.  He  married  Susan  Barbour  first  who  died  April  3, 
1808,  and  second  Charlotte  Bartlett.  He  lived  in  what  is  now 
Hanover.     Childrpu : 

i  Joseph,  b.  Jan.  22,  1703.  d.  Nov.  11,  1815. 

ii  Joanna,  b.  March  31,  1704,  m.  Elhanan  Bartlett. 

iii  Adam,  b.  Dec.  20,  1706.  m.  Mary  Adams, 

iv  Harriet,  b.  Sept.  24,  1700,  ni.  Clark  Kimball. 

V  Virtue,  b.  Aug.  8.  1803,  m.  Robert  C.  Kimball  of  Runiford. 

vi  Zcnas,  b.  Xov.  8,  1806,  d.  Oct.  10,  1812. 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  645 

By  second  wife : 
vii    Jonas  Barbour,  b.  Aug.  16,  ISOO. 
viii    Susanna,  b.  Feb.  26,  1813,  m.  Jolham  S.  Lane, 
ix    Mary  Adams,  b.  Nov.  10,  1815. 
X    Ball  Bai-tlett,  b.  March  6,  1820,  m.  Joan  W.  Roberts. 

Adam  Willis,  son  of  Jonas  Willis,  married  Mary  Adams  of  An- 
dover,  born  May  30,  1796.  He  lived  on  the  north  side  of  the  river 
below  Bartlett's  Ferry,  removed  to  Fayette  and  died  there  May  14, 
1874.     His  widow  died  April  15,  1881.     Children  : 

i    William  Adams,  b.  Sept.  16,  1822,  m.  Feb.  17,  1850,  Eunice E.  Hibbard. 

She  died  and  he  m.  2d  Jan.  11,  1876,  Nancy  G.  Adams, 
ii  .^Asenath,  b.  May  17,  1825,  m.  Dr.  Charles  Russell, 
iii    John  Emery,   b.   April  7,  1827,  m.  March  28,  1849,  Laura  Wight   of 

Gilead.     He  was  killed  by  the  cars  after  the  war. 
iv    Ethan,  b.  Dec.  7,  1829,  m.  Seliua  Wight  of  Gilead. 
v     Thomas  Weston,  b.  Dec.  12,  1833,  m.  July  3,  1858,  Julia  L.,  daughter 
of  Peter  G.  Smith. 

Jonas  Barbour  Willis,  son  of  Jonas  Willis,  married  Salome 
Stearns  of  Bethel.     Children  : 

i  Charles  S.,  b.  Feb.  12,  1833. 

ii  Nathan  J.,  b.  Jan.  24,  1835,  d.  Sept.  IS,  1837. 

iii  Octavus  N.,  b.  Aug.  7,  1838. 

iv  Salome  B.,  b.  Jan.  24,  1841. 

v  P>ances  H.,  b.  Nov.  19,  1844. 

Ball  Bartlett  Willis,  son  of  Jonas  Willis,  lived  on  the  home- 
stead of  his  father  in  Bethel,  then  moved  to  Lewiston  where  he  died 
Jnly  14,  1873.  He  married  Dec.  5,  1841,  Joan  W.,  daughter  of 
Joshua  Eoberts,  who  was  lx)ru  Sept.  25,  1822,  and  died  May  11, 
1860.     Children  : 

i    Olive  S.,  b.  June  26,  1843,  m.  Dec.  1,  1864,  Albert  W.  Grover. 
h    :\[ary  M.,  b.  Apr.  25,  1848,  m.  July  12,  1875,  John  T.  Cleveland. 
iii    Alice  C.  b.  April  30,  18.54. 

Wilson. 

Hiram  H.  Wilson,  son  of  Evans  and  Anna  (Bray)  Wilson,  mar- 
ried in  1851,  Mary,  daughter  of  John  and  Esther  (Russell)  Oliver. 
He  is  a  farmer  and  resides  at  Bethel,      Children  : 

\  i  Virgil  Lincoln,  b.  Sept  10,  1852,  m.  Kate  A.  Maloney. 

ii  Austin  Oliver,  b.  May  24,  1859,  d.  Jan.  6,  1860.     . 

iii  Irving  Iliram,  b.  Dec.  28,  1862. 

iv  Mary  Lizzie,  b.  March  1,  1865,  d.  Apr.  13,  1886. 


€46  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

Williamson. 

William  Williamson  from  Irelaiicl,  married  Eliza.  He  was  a 
shoemaker  and  moved  to  Newry.     Children  : 

i    Ann  Eliza,  b.  Xov.  4,  1835. 
ii    Rebecca,  b.  July  18,  1838,  d.  March  5,  1843. 
ii     Wm.  Henry,  b.  March  17,  1841. 

Woodbury. 

Hon.  Enoch  Webster  Woodbury,  son  of  Andrew  and  Sally 
(Stevens)  Woodbury,  was  born  in  Sweden,  Maine,  January  8,  1818. 
He  was  married  Jul}^  2,  1840,  to  Sally  Ludlow,  daughter  of  Aaron 
and  Phebe  (Chadbourne)  Kimball  of  Bridgton,  wlio  died  at 
Augusta,  ^le.,  in  1889.  Mr.  Woodl)ury  has  been  much  in  public 
life.  He  was  a  farmer  in  Sweden  for  many  years,  served  two 
terms  in  the  Maine  Senate,  was  Superintendent  of  the  State  Reform 
School  and  Judge  of  Probate  for  Oxford  county.  His  farm  build- 
ings in  Sweden  having  l)een  destro3'ed  by  tire,  a  few  years  ago,  he 
came  to  Bethel  and  went  into  trade  with  the  late  Robert  A.  Chap- 
man. He  subsequently  associated  with  himself  his  son-in-law, 
Josiah  U.  Puriugton,  and  the  firm  is  still  carrying  on  a  large  busi- 
ness in  trade,  making  a  specialty  of  flour,  corn  and  feed,  but  keep- 
ing a  general  stock  of  merchandise.     Children  : 

i     Webster,  b.  Apr.  20,  1841.     He  graduated  at  Bowdoiu  Colle2,"e  iu  1864 
and  at  Baugor  iu  1868.    lie  has  had  several  pastorates  ami  Is  now 
settled  over  the  Congregational  cburcli  at  ^lilford.  Mass..  in.  Ilulda 
Den  ISO  n. 
ii    Francetta  Adelia,  b.  Mav  18,  1844,  ni.  Josiali  V .  Puriugton. 
iii     Ani1)rose,  b.  Xov.  2   1845,  d.  Feb.  25,  1847. 
iv    Emma  Caroliue,  b.  Aug.  25,  1848,  m.  Francis  8.  (handler. 
V    Wesley  Kimball,  b.  Feb.  25,  1855,  ni.  Annie  B.  Bellville.     He  is  a  suc- 
cessful attorney  at  law  at  Pottsville,  Peun. 

York. 

Three  brothers,  John,  Isaac  I.  and  Job  York,  sons  of  John  and 
Sarah  York  of  Standish,  came  quite  early  to  Bethel. 

Colonel  John  York  was  here  at  the  time  of  the  Indian  r.aid  iu 
1781.  and  lived  in  the  lower  settlement  on  the  south  side  of  the 
Great  river.  He  married  Abigail,  daughter  of  Jonathan  Bean.  The 
dates  of  birth  of  children  are  wanting,  and  are  not  arranged  in  or- 
der of  birth.     Children  : 


HISTOBY  OF  BETHEL.  647 

i    Anue,  bap.  April  17,  1774,  m.  Jolm  Kilgore  Jr. 

ii    Sarali,  bap.  Aug.  3,  1775,  d.  young. 
iii    Jonathan,  bap.  Aug.  31,  1777. 

iv    lluth,  bap.  April  25-1,  1779,  m.  first  EzekielDuston;  second,  Timothy 
Capen. 

v-^eter,  b. ,  1777,  m.'Abiah  Russell. 

vi    Abigail,  b. ,  m.  Thomas  Frost. 

vii    Lois,  b.  Feb.  20,  1781,  d.  Feb.  14,  1786. 


Isaac  Insley  York,  brother  of  the  preceding,  was  a  resident  of 
Bethel  a  year  or  two  later  than  Jolm.  His  farm  was  the  one  after- 
ward occupied  by  Humphrey  Bean  and  still  in  his  family.  He 
married  Betsey  Thorn  of  Staudish.  The  record  of  his  children  is  not 
at  hand,  but  the  following  were  born  to  him  in  Standish  and  Bethel. 
•Children  : 

i  John,  b.  July  5,  1787,  m.  Sally  Killgore:  moved  to  Newry. 

ii  Hannah,  b.  Dec.  16, 1788,  m.  George  Tucker  of  Bethel. 

iii  Leviua,  b.  Aug.  30,  1789,  m. Rowe. 

iv  Betsey,  b.  Sept.  25,  1792,  m.  Nathaniel  Bean. 

V  Mercy,  b.  June  12,  1794,  m.  Josiah  Carter. 

vi  Isaac,  b.  April  17,  1796,  d.  Xov.  following, 

vii  Joel,  b.  Oct.  17,  1797;  he  went  to  New  York, 

viii  Jacob,  b.  June  13,  1799,  ra.  Dolly  Fogg  of  Paris, 

ix  Lydia,  b.  March  20,  1803,  m.  Lorenzo  Bumpus  of  Hebron. 

X  Levi,  b.  Feb.  17,  1805. 

xi  Anna,  b.  Jan.  2,  1807,  m.  Bennett. 

xii  Delinda,  b.  Oct.  21,  1809,  m.  Jolm  Hibbard. 


Job  York,  brother  of  Colonel  John  York,  came  from  Standish  to 
Bethel  a  few  years  later  than  his  brother.  He  married  Sally  Jones. 
He  lived  in  the  east  part  of  the  town  on  a  hill  back  from  the  river. 
Children  : 

i  Desire,  b.  Staudish,  April  7,  1791,  m.  Israel  Linuell. 

ii  Sally,  b.  May  18,  1793,  m.  Elihu  Killgore. 

iii  Rebecca,  b.  March  6,  1795,  m.  Joseph  McGill. 

iv  Randall,  b.  Bethel,  April  7,  1798,  d.  unmarried. 

V  Esther,  b.  Feb.  23,  1800,  m.  Samuel  Robertson. 

vi  Mehitable,  b.  March  5,  1802,  m.  Aaron  Barton  Swan, 

vii  Mary,  b.  Feb.  9,  1804,  m.  James  Estes. 

viii  Hannah  F.,  b.  Aug.  4,  1806. 

ix  Clarissa  Bartlett,  b.  April  7,  1810,  d.  unmarried. 

X  Abiah,  b.  Sept.  17,  1812,  m.  Nathan  \\ .  Ethridge. 

xi  Lois,  b.  Aug.  4,  1815. 


648  HISTOMY  OF  BETHEL. 

'  Peter  York,  sou  of  Colonel  John  York,  born  in  Stanclish  in 
1777,  married  Abiah,  daughter  of  Abraham  Russell.  He  lived  on 
the  north  side  of  the  river  nearly  opposite  Middle  Interval  for  some 
years,  aud  subsequently  in  Grafton  and  elsewhere.  He  was  a  select- 
man and  otherwise  prominent  in  town  affairs.  He  lost  one  of  his 
legs  by  a  falling  tree,  and  for  many  years  walked  upon  a  "peg  leg." 
Children  : 

1  4larv,  b. ,  1801,  m.  Asa  Bartlett;  d.  1836. 

ii    Thatcher,  b. ,  1803,  m.  Lydania  Frost ;  second,  Lucy  Powers. 

He  died  in  Falmouth  Jan.  31,  1873. 

iii    Abraham  Russell,   b. ,  1805,  m.   Apphia  Smith;   d.  Grafton, 

Me.,  1878. 

iv  'Aaron  Mareau,  b. ,  1807,  m.  Hannah  Carter;  he  went  to  Utah. 

V  -Daniel  Grout,  b. ,  1810,  m.  Elsie  Bean,  d.  March  13,  1889. 

vi  -^ally,  b. ,  1812,  m.  AVilliam  F.  Carter,  went  to  Utah. 

vii    ;Martha  E.,  b.  Sept.  9.  1814,   m.   Philip  L.  Carter,   went  to  Tioga, 
Illinois. 

viii    Albiua,  b. ,  1816,  d.  in  infancy. 

ix  •  Charlotte  Willis,  b.  ,  1817,  m.  Xorman  Pearse  of  Plattsburg, 

New  York. 

X  -Melissa  D.,  b. ,  1821,  m.  Joshua  R.  Russell;  s.  Lowell,  Mass. 

xi  -Hester  Ann,  1). 1823,  m.  Charles  Thissell,  of  Lowell,  Mass. 

John  York,  son  of  Isaac  I.  York,  married  Sally,  daughter  of 
John  Killgore.     Children  : 

i  I^ban,  b.  Nov.  10,  1814,  m.  widow l*olly  (Bartlett)  Russell. 

ii  Francina,  b.  Dec.  13,  1816,  d.  Feb.  10.  1817. 

iii  Infant,  b.  May  2,  1818,  d.  May  30  following, 

iv  Isaac  Insley,  b.  Jan.  13,  1820. 

V  Infant,  b.  31ay  2,  1823,  d.  June  7,  following. 

Thatcher  York,  son  of  Peter  York,  married  Lidania  Frost.  He 
lived  on  the  south  side  of  the  river  below  JNIayville.  His  first  wife 
died  May  11,  1830  and  he  then  married  Lucy  Powers.    Children  : 

i     Francis  Carter,  b.  Aug.  26,  1824. 
ii    Aaron  M.,  b.  May  12,  1826. 
iii    Hiram  A.,  b.  May  16,  1828. 
iv    Edwin  T.,  b.  Feb.  9,  1830. 

By  second  wife : 
v    Orrington,  b.  Feb.  17.  1842. 

Daniel  Grout  York,  son  of  Peter  York,  married  Elsie,  daugh- 
ter of  Amos  Bean.  He  was  a  shoemaker,  lived  in  Bethel,  Green- 
wood, Milau,  N.  H.,  AVoodstock  and  Hanover.     Children: 


HIS  TOE  Y  OF  BETHEL.  649- 

i    Lymau  Eawson,  b.  March  24,  1836. 
ii    Albina  Melissa,  b.  Dec.  4,  1839. 
iii    Viola  Kimball,  b.  April  1,  1842. 

Aaron  M.  York  married  Lucinda  C.  Emery  who  was  boru  Oct^ 
12,  1832.     Children: 

i  Frank  M.,  b.  Jan.  23,  1854. 

ii  Fred  O.,  b.  Dec.  25,  1855. 

iii  Lilla  A.,  b.  Oct.  7,  1857. 

iv  Nellie  E.,  b.  Oct.  8,  1S62. 

Young. 

Captain  Amos  Young,  son  of  Nathaniel  Young  of  Norway,  mar- 
ried Sophia,  daughter  of  Joseph  Bi'adbury  of  Norway  and  for  many 
years  lived  on  Young  Hill  in  Greenwood.  Later  in  life  he  moved 
to  the  Samuel  Bean  farm  above  Bean's  Corner  and  died  there. 
Children  : 

i  Ann,  b.  April  23, 1814,  m.  John  Bird  Jr.,  d.  Bethel, 

ii  Eliza,  b.  Oct.  11,  1815,  m.  Lyman  Bird,  d.  Bethel, 

iii  Leonard,  b.  April  14,  1817,  m.  Lorinda  Curtis,  r.  Deering. 

iv  Hiram,  b.  Feb.  3,  1819,  m.  Olive  C.  Bacon  of  Greenwood. 

V  Jeanette,  b.  Feb.  11,  1821,  m.  Adoniram  Curtis,  r.  Paris, 

vi  Sophia,  b.  Nov.  25,  1822,  m.  Kingsbury  Curtis,  r.  Paris, 

vii  Catherine,  b.  Oct.  26,  1824,  m.  Moses  S.  Kimball, 

viii  Amos  A.,  b.  July  13,  1828,  m.  Sophia  Hutchins,  d.  Bethel, 

ix  Diana,  b.  Oct.  6,  1835. 

Amos  A.  Young,  son  of  Captain  Amos  Young,  married  Sophia 
F.,  daughter  of  Hezekiah  Hutchins,  and  settled  on  the  John  Stevens- 
farm  in  the  Chandler  neighborhood.  He  died  in  Bethel  and  his 
widow  married  Curtis  Gilman.     Children  : 

i  Julia  F.  ii  Fred  E.  iii  Edward  L.  iv  Leander  L.  v  Ada  E.  vi 
Blanche. 

Hiram  Young,  son  of  Amos  Young  of  Greenwood,  born  Feb.  3, 
1819,  married  Aug.  5,  1845,  Olive  C,  daughter  of  Benjamin  Bacon 
of  Greenwood  who  was  boru  Sept.  30,  1821.  Mr.  Young  was  a 
haruessmaker,  a  superior  workman,  came  here  when  a  3'ouug  man 
and  carried  on  the  business  here  many  years,  until  his  death.  He 
was  an  active  and  energetic  man,  and  a  good  citizen.  He  died  some^ 
years  ago.  Children  : 
i    Sarah  Francis,  b.  March  31,  1847,  d.  July  25,  1851. 


650  HI^rOBY   OF  BETHEL. 

ii    Olive  Elleu,  b.  Jul.y  30,  1849,  m.  Oct.  12,  1860,  Joseph  E.  Adams,  d. 

Nov.  3,  1869. 
iii    Sarah  DeAlbra,  b.  Feb.  13,  1852,  ui.  Juue  12,  1886,  Lewis  B.  Hopkins, 
iv    Elmer  H.,  b.  Apiil  13,  18.58,  m.  Xov.  12,  1887,  Auuie  M.  Lucas. 

V    Ava  L.,  b.  Oct.  13,  1862,  m.  June  16,  1883,  Wm.  E.  Finney. 

Jared  Young,  sou  of  Charles  and  Mary  Ann  (Buck)  Young  of 
Greenwood,  born  March  7,  1811,  married  first  January  1,  1842, 
Mercy,  daughter  of  Alexander  Day  of  "Woodstock  who  died,  and 
second  P'eb.  I'J,  1850,  Hannah,  daughter  of  George  Tucker  of 
Bethel.  He  lives  in  Bethel  on  the  Ebeuezer  Bartlett  farm.  Chil- 
dren : 

i  George  W.,  b.  Jan.  29,  1843,  m.  Olive  W.  Ilobart. 

ii  Aurelius  L.,  b.  Xov.  5,  1844,  m.  Mary  E.  Dutton. 

iii  Kingsbury  Y.,  b.  Jan.  1,  1848,  d.  Nov.  8,  following, 

iv  Charles  L.,  b.  Jan.  1,  1848,  m.  Ella  Waterman. 
By  second  marriage : 

v  Mercie  Dav,  b.  Nov.  1,  18.50. 

vi  Antoinette  P.,  b.  Oct.  23,  1852,  m.  John  Murphy, 

vii  Ida  Nancy,  b.  Aug.  3,  18.54.  m.  James  Crocker. 

viii  Isaac  Insley,  b.  Aug.  3,  18.54,  m.  Li/zie  C.  Bryant. 

Daniel  Young  lived  at  Bethel  Hill.  He  was  not  related  to  the 
other  Young  families.  His  first  wife,  Sally  Pliimmer,  died  and  in 
September,  1842,  he  married  Laura,  daughter  of  Solomon  Annas 
Jr.     His  children  were  by  the  first  marriage. 

Emery  G.  Young  from  Buckfield,  born  in  Peru,  Nov.  13,  1827, 
son  of  Eben  E.  and  Patience  (Kicker)  Young,  married  Rosetta, 
daughter  of  Edmund  Merrill  of  Bethel,  and  moved  to  the  Clark 
Kimball  place  in  the  lower  part  of  the  town  where  he  now  resides. 
Children  : 

i  Florence  Ruby,  b.  June  27,  1856,  m.  May  3d,  1877,  Charles  L.  Brown, 

ii  Eva  Melissa,  b.  Aug.  26,  1857,  m.  Jan.  3,  1878,  Jesse  F.  Libby. 

iii  Monie  Emery,  b.  Nov.  30,  1861.  m.  June  7,  1885,  Lillyine  M.  Cole, 

iv  liay  Clarence,  b.  Nov.  2.  1876. 


Some  Hanover  Families, 


Bartlett. 


Elhanak  Bartlett,  sou  of  Stephen  Bartlett,  was  a  thrifty  farmer 
and  occupied  the  old  homestead  of  his  father.  He  married  July  3, 
1817,  Joauna,  daughter  of  Jouas  Willis,  who  died  Oct.  21,  1863. 
He  died  Feb.  25,  18;31 .     He  held  the  office  of  selectman.     Children  : 

i    Zenas  Willis,  b.  Aui>-.  10,  1818.     He  married  Leona  Koberts.     He  was 
a  physician  and  practised  in  Eumford  and  Dixfield.     He  died  Sept. 
9,  1870. 
ii     Susanna  B.,  b.  Apr.  1,  1820,  d.  Nov.  2,  1843. 
iii    Cyrus,  b.  June  18,  1822,  m.  Jan.  4,  1848,  Caroline  Smith, 
iv    Beulah  Foster,  b.  Dec.  10,  1824,  m.  James  G.  Roberts,  d.  Jan.  23,  1881. 
V     Hester  Ann,  b.  Nov.  24,  1827,  ra.  Elias  Shaw  Bartlett. 

Cyrus  Bartlett,  son  of  Elhanan  Bartlett,  resided  on  the  old 
Bartlett  homestead,  where  he  died  April  23,  1875.  He  was  married 
to  Caroline,  daughter  of  Peter  G.  and  Mary  Smith,  Jan.  4,  1848,  by 
Charles  R.  Locke,  Esq.,  of  Bethel.     Children  : 

i    Frank  1..,  b.  March  2,  1852.     A  chemist.  State  assayer  and  mineral- 
ogist.    He  is  the  author  of  a  work  on  Maine  minerals  and  metals. 
He  married  Dec.  17,  1879,  Hattie  Baldwin, 
ii     Mary  D.,      ]  m.  Allen  Eichardsou.  Apr.  13,  1882. 

>  born  Apr.  27,  1858. 
iii    Martha  E..  j 

i  Stephen  Bartlett,  son  of  Peregrine  Bartlett,  married  Martha 
Stearns.  He  was  a  farmer  and  proprietor  of  Bartlett's  ferr3\  He 
died  Aug.  29,  1861.     Children: 

i  Sarah  M.,  b.  Dec.  16,  1840.  ii  Charles  P.,  b.  Aug.  18,  1842.  iii  Solon, 
b.  Aug.  30,  1845.     iv  Freeborn  G.,  b.  July  25,  1848,  d.  Nov.  29,  following. 


652  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL, 

Enoch  Bartlett,  son  of  Enoch  Bartlett,  born-  JuTy  5,  1811  ^ 
married  July  5,  1835,  Sarah  G.  Hiukson,  who  was  born  at  Rum- 
ford,  April  29,  1817.     He  was  a  blacksmith.     Children: 

i  Euphrasia,  b.  Sept.  8,  1836.  ii  Marcia  S.,  b.  Aug  17,,  1888.  iii  Charles 
E.,  b.  Apr.  25,  1841.  iv  William  W.,  b.  Apr.  25,  1843.  v  Herman  X.,  b. 
Feb.  28,  1845.  vi  Frank  M.,  b.  Oct.  15,  1848.  vii  Asa  M.,  b.  May  16, 
1850.     viii  Joseph  E.,  b.  Feb.  22,  1856.     ix  Herbert  C,  b.  J!ul.y  3,.  1858. 

Barker. 

Capt.  William  Barker  from  Newry,  born  Nov,  22,  1788,.  mar- 
ried Abigail,  daughter  of  Nathaniel  Segar,  who  was  born  in  Bethel, 
Sept.  16,  1791.  He  lived  on  the  Segar  homestead,  and  died  Feb. 
2,  1881.     His  widow  died  Apr.  9,  1888.     Children  : 

i  Jonathan,  b.  Nov.  20,  1819.  ii  Solon,  b.  Feb.  17, 1822.  iii  William,  b.- 
March  8,  1823.    iv  Caroline,  b.  Apr.  17.  1826.    v  Lucy  S.,  b.  Sept.  3,  182S. 

Ebenezer  H.  Barker,  born  Aug.  9,  1838,  married  Nov.  18,. 
1866,  Emma  L.  Kilgore  who  was  born  Feb.  12,   1847.     Children: 

i  Elmer  K.,  b.  March  24,  1867.  ii  Jenifred  L.,  b.  July  10,  1868.  iii 
Alice  I.,  b.  Dec.  6,  1870.    iv  Gilbert  C,  b.  May  9,  1873. 

Bean. 

Peter  York  Bean,  sou  of  John  Bean,  married  Rebecca  Blake,, 
who  died  Dec.  28,  1861,  and  he  tlien  married  Maria  C.  Glidden.. 
Five  of  the  children  died  in  1864  of  diphtheria.     Children  : 

i  Clement  P.,  b.  June  9,  1842,  d.  Jan.  17,  1864. 

ii  Nathan,  b.  Aug.  9,  1843. 

iii  Seward  W.,  b.  Aug.  21,  1846,  d.  Jan.  11,  1864. 

iv  Ellen  E.,  b.  Feb.  13,  1849,  d.  Jan  30,  1864. 

V  Cynthia  E.,  b.  Aug.  11,  1854,  d.  Jan.  19,  1864. 

vi  Sarah  L.,  b.  May  26,  1856,  d.  Feb.  18,  1864. 

vii  Elnora  J.,  b.  Nov.  — .  1861,  d.  Aug.  9,  1862. 

By  second  marriage, 

viii  Charles  D.,  b.  June  30,  1863. 

Brown. 

AuNER  Brown,  farmer,  lived  in  that  part  of  Bethel  now  Han- 
over. He  was  born  January  12,  1803,  and  married  in  July  1829, 
Sarah,  daughter  of  Ebenezer  Fames,  who  was  born  in  1799,  and 
died  Dec.  23,  1846.     He  di6d  Aug.  8,  1875.     Children  : 

i    Edwin  S.,  b.  June  12,  1830,  m.  Esther  S.  Ellingwood,  r.  Caribou, 
ii    Oscar  L.,  b.  Feb.  17,  1834. 


HISrOBY   OF  BETHEL.  653 

iii    Diantha  P.,  b.  Apr.  10,  1836,  m.  Fillmore  Small, 
iv    Abigail  L.,  b.  Jan.  25,  1845. 
V     Sarah  L.,  b.  Jan.  25,  1845. 

B}'  second  wife, 
vi     Albert  E.,  b.  Oct.  24,  1849,  d.  Sept.  1,  1850. 
vii    Albert,  b.  May,  1853,  d.  about  1875. 

James  Monroe  Brown,  son  of  Hon.  James  Brown  of  Grafton, 
born  in  Canton,  Me.,  Nov.  15,  1825,  married  Nov.  15,  1849, 
Eunice  Gould,  daughter  of  William  and  Dorothy  (Sweat)  Frost  of 
Rumford.     He  resides  at  Hanover  and  is  a  blacksmith.     Children  : 

i    Emma  Gould,  b.  March  2,  1852,  m.  May  30,  1874,   George  A.  Virgin 

and  d.  January  26,  1887. 
ii     Mary  Rowe  b.  Aug.  5,  1857,  d.,  aged  5  weeks, 
iii    Dollie  Frost,  b.  Oct.  20,  1859,  m.  March  10,  1884,  Charles  E.  Wheelock. 

Frost. 

Clark  B.  Frost,  son  of  William  Frost,  of  Rumford,  born 
July  28,  1839,  married  January  1,  1865,  Abbie  D.,  daughter  of 
Joel  Howe,  who  was  born  May  13,  1843,  and  died  Oct.  16,  1877. 
He  married  second,  January  2,  1887,  Emily  C.  Holt.     Child : 

Ellery  C,  b.  Sept.  15,  1867. 

Holt. 

Arthur  U.  Holt,  son  of  Hiram  Holt  of  Bethel,  married  Sept. 
27,  1862,  Rowena,  daughter  of  Lyman  Bird,  who  was  born  in 
Bethel,  July  6,  1843.     Children  : 

i  Etta  M.,  b.  Sept.  9,  1863. 

li  Llewellyn  B.,  b.  Dec.  10,  1865. 

iii  Winona  L.,  b.  Oct.  13,  1870. 

iv  Herman  E.,  b.  Aug.  23,  1878. 

Howe. 

Joel  Howe,  oldest  son  of  John  Howe  of  Rumford,  married  first, 
Esther  Howard  of  Howard's  Gore,  and  second  Dorcas  Barker  of 
Newry.  He  engaged  in  wool-carding  and  cloth-dressing,  which 
business  he  carried  on  in  Hanover  for  many  years.  He  died  Oct. 
12,  1871,  and  his  second  wife  died  Aug.  15,  188<s.     Children  : 

i    Mary  Xewton,  b.  June  19,  1814,  m.  Joseph  Hutchins. 

ii    Joel  B.,  b.  Dec.  12,  1816,  d. 

iii    Phineas  H.,  b.  Dec.  8,  1819,  m.  1st,  Nancy  Staples,  2d,  All)ina  Jewett. 


654  HISTORY    OF  BETHEL. 

By  second   wife : 
iv    Jesse  Barker,  b.  May  26,  1830,  m.  Matilda  Abbot,  d.  Nov.  30,  1886.. 
V    Dorcas,  (m.  Hon.  Reuben  Foster,  r.  AVaterville. 

\  twins  b.  May  24, 1832. 
vi     Esther,  (m.  Prentiss  M.  Putnam,  r.  a  widow  in  Portland, 
vii    Galen,  b.  Aug.  4,  1834,  m.  Helen  Foster.     He  resides  in  Ai-izona. 
viii    Winfield  S.,  b.  Feb.  23,  1830.  m.  Clara  Knapp,  r.  Hanover, 
ix    Abbie  D.,  b.  May  13,  1843,  ni.  Bradley  Frost;  she  died  Oct.  16,  1877. 

Col.  Eli  Howe,  son  of  John  Howe  of  Rumforcl,  born  in  Marl- 
boro, Mass.,  March  19,  1789,  married  Apr.  8.  1811,  Salome,  daugh- 
ter of  Jeremiah  Andrews,  who  was  born  in  Bethel,  April  8,  1792. 
He  lived  several  3'ears  in  Rumford,  then  moved  to  Hanover,  and 
was  long  the  popular  miller.  He  died  June  16,  1870,  and  hi& 
widow  died  Oct.  25,  1877.     Children  : 

i    Betsey  A.,  1).  January  20,  1812.  ni.  :May  9,  1836,  Joseph  Staples,  d. 

July  30,  1876. 
ii    Alonzo,  b.  June  3,  1814,  ni.  first  Lucy  Brown,  second  Nancy  Andrews., 
iii    Galen,  b.  May  24,  1816,  d.  Apr.  12,  1834. 
iv    Gilbert,  b.  Feb.  16,  1818,  m.  Jan.  24,  1849,  Sarah  D.  Perry, 
v    Lyman,  b.  .Jan.  23,  1820,  d.  1821. 

vi    Albion  Keith  Parris,  b.  Apr.  7,  1822,  m.  Eliza  Brown,  d.  Auj;.  1882. 
vii    AVilllam  xV.,  b.  Jan.  22,  182.5,  m.  Jolianna  Domerritt. 
viii    3Iary  K.,  b.  Xov.  12,  1827,  m.  1st,  George  Lamphcr,  2d,  Horatio  F. 
Houghton;  d.  Brvant's  Pond,  January  1883. 
ix    Charles  L.,  b.  Dec.  21,  1829.  m.  Elizabeth  Crummer. 
X    Henry  Newman,  b.  Apr.  7.  l'*32.  m.  Oct.  27,  18.59,  Caroline  Graham. 

Winfield  S.  Howe,  son  of  Col.  Joel  Howe  married  March  27, 
1864,  Clara  M.,  daughter  of  Albion  K.  Kiiapp.     Children  : 

i  Albert  ('.,  b.  January  16,  1866,  d.  March  16  following.  - 

ii  Albion  D.,  b.  Apr.  11,  1867,  d.  Jan.  12,  1870. 

iii  Sidney  R.,  b.  Apr.  7,  1869. 

iv  Mabel  F.,  b.  Feb.  19,  1872. 

V  Scott  IL,  b.  June  13,  1881. 

vi  Abbie  I.,  b.  :\Iay  29,  1883. 

vii  Clarence  G.,  b.  :>[av  29,  1886. 

Henry  Newman  Howe,  son  of  Col.  Eli  Howe  is  a  farmer,  and 
lives  at  Hanover  Village.  He  married  Oct.  27,  1859,  Caroline, 
daughter  of  Joshua  and  Hanuaii  (Goddard)  Graham  of  Rumford. 
Children  : 

i  Arthur  G.,  b.  Sept.  8,  1861.  ii  Etta  Maude,  b.  Sept.  17,  1868.  iii  Eva 
Lizzie,  b.  Oct.  28,  1875 


HISTORY    OF  BETHEL.  655. 

Howard - 

Asa  Howard,  blacksmith,  was  the  son  of  Dea.  Samuel  Howard, 
who  was  born  in  Maiden,  Mass.,  Oct.  5,  1739,  and  his  wife  Eliza- 
beth Barrett,  born  also  in  Maiden,  January  24,  1743.  Samuel 
Howard  was  by  occupation  a  tanner,  and  moved  to  Temple,  N.  H., 
from  where  his  sous  Asa  and  Phineas  came  to  Maine,  and  settled 
upon  and  gave  the  name  to  a  tract  of  land  called  Howard's  Gore, 
afterwards  incorporated  as  Hanover.  Asa  Howard  married  Lydia, 
daughter  of  Eldad  and  Lucy  (Spaulding)  Spofford.  He  died  Nov. 
9,  1840,  and  his  wife  Lydia,  Oct.  9  preceding.     Children  : 

i  Lydia.  b.  Temple,  Nov.  10.  1792,  d.  March  3d  followino;. 

ii  Lydia,  b.  March  4,  1794,  m.  .Joseph  II.  AVardwell. 

iii  Lucy,  b.  Feb.  18,  1795,  m.  Thomas  Priuce. 

iv  Phebe,  b.  Dec.  5,  1797,  d.  Feb.  17,  1800. 

v  Elizabeth,  b.  June  24,  1800,  m.  Allen  Seo-ar. 

vi  Salley,  b.  July  .30,  1802,  m.  Oliver  Wakefield, 

vii  Milla,  b.  May  30,  1804,  m.  Jolm  Morgan. 

viii  Asa  Spoftbrd,  b.  Howard's  Gore,  Dec.  6,  1806,   m.  1st,   Dorcas  Holt 
2d,  Betsej'  S.  Roberts. 

Ix  Dollie,  b.  June  3,  1809.  d.  Feb.  .5,  1836. 

X  Eldad  Spofford,  b.  Nov.  14,  1810,  d.  Nov.  2,  1841. 

xi  Virtue,  b.   Aug.  9,  1812,  d.  Feb.  13,  1876.     She  was  well-known  in 
Rumford  and  surroimding  towns,  as  a  very  efficient  school  teacher. 

Phixeas  Howard  of  Howard's  Gore,  brother  of  the  preceding, 
married  Lavinia  Powers.  He  came  from  Temple,  N.  H.,  and  settled 
first  in  Bethel  and  then  on  How^ard's  Gore,  of  w'hich  he  was  pro- 
prietor.    Children  : 

i    Phineas,  b. m.  Lois  Dustiu. 

ii     Barrett,  b. m.  Asenath  Lane. 

iii    Thomas  Jefferson,  b. m.  Olive  Bean. 

iv     George  AVashington,  b. m.  Lucy  Bean. 

v    Joseph,  b. m.  Zerviab  Roberts. 

vi    Esther,  b. m.  .Joel  Howe. 

vii    Phebe,  b. m.  Peter  Frost. 

viii    Deliuda,  b.  m.  John  Y.  Dustiu. 

ix    Sarah,  b. m  ^-:— : — Howard.   VHcY^ti^L 

X    I^ois,  b. d.  aged  18. 

Joseph  Howard,  son  of  Phineas  Howard,  married  Zerviah 
Roberts.     He  died  Apr.  10,  1885  ;  his  wife  is  also  dead.     Children  : 

i  Arabella  C,  b.  July  11,  1831.  ii  Milton  R.,  b.  July  22,  1833.  iii 
Joshua  R.,  b.  Nov.  3, 1835.  iv  OsmonP.,  b.  March  7,  1837.  v  Phylantha 
C,  b.  Nov.  14,  1840.  vi  Nevilla  S.,  b.  March  1,  1843.  vii  Sarah  P.,  b. 
Sept.  8,  1846. 


656  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

Roberts. 

Joshua  Roberts,  from  Berwick  married  Sally  Powers  and  set- 
tled in  Hanover,  on  that  part  formerly  Howard's  Gore.    Children  : 

1  Thomas,  b.  Nov.  22,  1805,  m.  Harriet  Wilkius  (see  Eumford). 

11  Miltou,  b.  Feb.  13,  1809,  m.  Lydia  .T.  Jewett. 

iii  Sallj',  b.  May  3,  1809,  m.  Addison  Saunders, 

iv  Zerviah,  b.  May  29,  1811,  ra.  Joseph  Howard. 

V  Joshua,  b.  May  3,  1813,  d.  Apr.  17,  1817. 

vi  Betsey  S.,  b.  May  —  1815,  m.  Asa  S.  Howard. 

vii  James  G.,  b. 1820,  m.  Beulah  F.  Bartlett. 

viii  Joami  W.,  b.  Sept.  25,  1822,  m.  Ball  B.  Willis. 

ix  Leoua,  b. m.  Dr.  Zenas  W.  Bartlett. 

Milton  Roberts,  son  of  Joshua  Roberts,  married  Feb.  6,  1840, 
L.  Josephine  Jewett,  who  was  born  Aug.  15,  1815,  and  died  March 
31,1885.     Hedied  June  17,  1873.     Children: 

i  Mary  E.,  b.  March  4.  1842,  d.  Dec.  4,  1867. 

ii  Laurantha,  b.  May  6,  1844,  d.  Xov.  18,  1862. 

iil  Almerau,  b.  Apr.  29,  1846,  m.  Melinda  I.  Paiue. 

iv  Modestus,  b.  May  28,  1851,  d.  Nov.  29,  1867. 

James  G.  Roberts,  son  of  Josliua  Roberts,  married  Beulah, 
daughter  of  Elhanan  Bartlett,  and  died  January  26,  1881.  His 
wife  died  January  23,  1881.     Children: 

i  Eugenie  L.  D.,  b.  Apr.  28,  1846.  ii  James  G.,  b.  May  19,  1848.  iii 
Sarali  J.,  b.  Oct.  22,  1849.  iv  Joshua  B.,  b.  Sept.  4,  1851.  v  Emma  L., 
b.  July  25,  1853.  vi  Etha  E.,  b.  June  9,  18.54,  d.  Feb.  14,  1864.  vii  Sophia 
K.,  b.  June  28,  1857.     viii    Leou  A.,  b.  Aug.  9,  1860. 

Almekon  E.  Roberts,  born  Apr.  29,  1846,  son  of  Milton 
married  October  19,  1872,  Melinda  I.  Paine,  who  was  born  October 
19,  1854.     Children: 

i  Geneva  M.,  b.  Feb.  22,  1875.  ii  Cyrus  P.,  b.  Feb.  26,  1877.  iii  Waldo, 
b.  June  7, 1879,  d.  Oct.  23,  1881.  iv  Ethel  M.,  b.  Sept.  20,  1882.  v  Miller, 
b.  Oct.  6,  1885. 

Kkapf. 

Albion  K.  Knapp,  son  of  Nathan  Knapp  of  Rumford,  was  long 
a  trader  in  Hanover.  He  married  Oct.  16,  1838,  Phebe  M.  Graham 
who  was  born  June  19,  1820,  and  died  November  22,  1880 ;  he  died 
Dec.  10,  1887.     Children  : 

i    Nathan  Cliflbrd,  b.  Feb.  11,  1840,  ni.  Hutchius.    He  died  of 

diphtheria  Nov.  7,  1863. 


ijtt^^^ 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  657 

ii  Clara  M.,  b.  Nov.  25,  1842,  m.  Winfield  S.  Howe, 

iii  Phebe  L.,  b.  Sept.  27,  1845,  d.  next  day. 

iv  Lymau  R.,  b.  Aug.  7,  1846,  d.  May  14,  1867. 

V  William  K.,  b.  Sept.  26,  1848.  d.  aged  2  days. 

Kimball. 

Adam  Willis  Kimball  born   August   18,  1833,    married  Phila 
Swain  who  was  born  August  1,  1836.     Child  : 
John  D.  M.,  b.  Aug.  11,  1867. 

Russell.  ^  ,  ^  .  ,^ 

<3handler  Russell,  born  in  Andover,  Mass.,  Sept.  22,  1775, 
married  in  1803,  .Betsey,  daughter  of  Ezekiel  Duston,'^ho  was 
born  July  12,  1782.    Mr.  Russell,  died  June  8,  1846.     Children  : 

i  -  -Elijah,  b.  Juue  17,  1804,  m.  Almira  Bean, 
ii    Maria,  b.  Oct.  22,  1809. 

iii    Ezekiel  Duston,  b.  April  19,  1811,  m.  Haiiuah  E.  Verder. 
iv    Peregrine,  b.  July  12,  1813,  d.  Jan.  14,  1837. 

V    Joseph  H.,  b.  May  16,  1814.     He  was  a  dentist  and  settled  in  Nash- 
ville, Tenu. 
vi  -Lovina  D.,  b.  Sept.  17,  1816. 
vii    Farnum  D.,  b.  June  12,  1820. 
viii    Joshua  R.,  b.  March  27,  1824. 

<  Elijah  Russell,  marriedr^lmira,  daughter  of  John  Bean  who 
was  born  Oct.  27,  1802.  He  died  April  8,  1888;  she  died  Sept. 
22,  1880.     Children  : 

i  "Jesse  D.,  b.  July  19,  1829. 

ii  Emily  W.,  b.  Nov.  23,  1830,  d.  Juue  25,  1851. 

iii  Joseph  E.,  b.  Jan.  22,  1832. 

iv  Francis  M.,  b.  Jan.  28,  1836,  d.  Sept.  15,  1863. 

V  AVilliam  B.,  b.  Oct.  27,  1838. 
vi  Lyman  R.,  b.  May  15,  1842,  d.  Feb.  1,  1864. 

vii '  Maria  E.,  b.  Oct.  24,  1844,  d.  Feb.  8,  1864. 

'  Ezekiel  Duston  Russell,  son  of  Chandler  Russell,  married 
April  19,  1835,OHannah  Elizabeth  Verder  of  Towusend,  Mass., 
born  there  Sept.  14,  1810.  He  was  a  carpenter  and  lived  at  Ipswich, 
N.  H.,  and  came  to  Bethel  where  he  died  Aug.  8,  1883.  His  widow 
died  March  12,  1889.     Children  : 

i  ■''Lorenzo  Dow,  b.  May  7,  1837,  m.  Jan.  14,  1868,  Letitia  Coburn. 
ii -'Orlando   Peregrine,  b.  Jan.  18,    1840,  m.  Jan.    11,    1880,    Annie    M. 
Abbot. 

42 


658  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

iii  -Helen  Elizabeth,  b.  Oct.  17,  1842,  m.  Oct.  23,  1859,  Arthur  D.  Holt, 
iv  'Eoscoe  Faruum,  b,  May_9,  1847,  d.  June  1,  1849. 

V  -Frank    Joshua,  b.   May  9,  1847,  m.  Oct.   11,  1876,    Adesta  Frances, 
daughter  of  Humphrey  Bean,  and  has : 
-^     Maud  Lane,  b.  June  30,  1883. 
vi  -Olive  May,  b.  April  30,  1849,  d.  Dec.  28,  1883. 

Saunders. 

Stephen  Saunders,  born  in  Temple,  N.  H.,  May  3,  1779,  mar- 
ried January  24,  1804,  Lydia  Powers  of  Temple  who  was  born 
Sept.  28,  1784.  She  was  sister  of  the  Powers  brothers  who  early 
came  to  Hanover.  Stephen  Saunders  came  here  with  the  early  set- 
tlers and  lived  on  Howard's  Gore.  He  died  Feb.  7,  1864,  and  his 
wife  died  January  23,  1839.     Children  : 

i    Lydia,  b.  Oct.  13,  1804,  m.  Nov.  4,  1834,  Joseph  Brown,  d.  Dec.  27, 

1844. 
ii     Stephen,   b,    Jan.   29,    1807,   m.    1st,    Aim   Anderson;   second,   Ann 

Churchill,  and  3d  Phebe  Holmes, 
iii    Addison,  b.  Dec.  19,  1809,  m.  April  9,  1835,  Sally  Roberts, 
iv    John,  b.  Jan.  3,  1812,  d.  Feb.  25,  1834. 

V    Sally,  b.  Sept.  14,  1814,  m.  Jonathan  Clark  Eobertsou   who   was  a 
cabinet  maker  at  Walker's  Mills  in  Bethel  and    died  there  many 
years  ago. 
vi    Joseph,  b.  April  9,  1816;  never  was  manied. 
vii    Mary  W..  b.  April  5,  1818. 

Addison    Saunders,  son   of  Stephen    Saunders,  married   Sally, 
daughter  of  Josliua  Roberts,  and  died  April  .t,   1847.     His  widow 
died  Feb.  5,  1853.     Children  : 
i    John  C.  b.  Dec.  27.  1835.     ii     OUin  E.,  b.  March  9,  1843. 

Smith. 

Ezra  Smith  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  on  Howard's  Gore  and 
occupied  land  next  to  Rumford  line.  He  was  a  man  of  character 
and  a  leading  man  in  the  community.  He  kept  the  first  store  at 
Rumford  Point.  He  married  Maria  Burleigh.  He  died  Feb.  10, 
1846  aged  82,  and  his  widow  died  April  27,  1859.  Both  are  buried 
at  Rumford  Point.     Children  : 

i    Luciuda  M.,  b.  Dec.  19,  1794,  m.  Rev.  Charles  Frost  of  Bethel, 
ii     Saint  John,  b.  Jan.  28,  1799,  m.  Susan  Hopkins.     He  was  the  well 
known  Portland  merchant  and  long  the  partner  of  John  B.  Brown, 
iii    Mary  S.,  b.  Oct.  6,  1801,  m.  Mark  P.  Emery  of  Portland, 
iv     Henry  B.,  b.  Nov.  28,  1803.     He  went  West  and  died  there. 


HIS  TOBY    OF  BETHEL.  659 

V    Marcia  B.,  b.  July  19,  1805,  m.  James  Stevens  of  Andover. 
vi    George  E.,  b.  Dec.    11,  1811,   m.  Julia    Ann,  daughter  ol  Barbour 

Bartlett  of  Bethel, 
vii    Caroline  E.,  b.  Jan.  16,  1815,  m.  Moses  T.  Cross  of  Bethel. 

Sprague. 

James  Sprague,  son  of  William  and  Margaret  Sprague,  born  in 
Mendou,  Mass.,  March  16,  1750,  in  1781,  married  Mary,  daughter 
of  Ebenezer  Bartlett  of  Newton,  Mass.,  who  was  born  March  12, 
1761,  and  moved  to  Greene,  Maine,  where  his  older  brother 
William  had  settled.  James  Sprague  was  accompanied  to  Greene 
by  his  aged  father  who  died  there.  His  wife  died  at  Monmouth, 
in  1805,  and  he  married  Nancy  Richards  of  Bath,  and  moved  to 
Bethel  in  1816,  where  he  resided  until  the  time  of  his  death.  Chil- 
dren : 

By  first  marriage : 

i    Elisha,  b.  Greene,  1782,  d.  Monmouth,  about  1856. 
ii    Elijah  W.,  b.  Dec.  28,  1784,  ra.  Pheb'e  Parker,  r.  Dexter  but  died  in 

Jolliet,  Illinois,  May  5,  1879. 
iii    Elkauah,  b.  1786,  d.  Bath,  1825. 

iv    Elliauau,  b. ,  d.  in  Greene  when  young. 

V    Elbridge  Gerry,  b.  1798,  moved  to  Sangerville  where  he  died  Dec.  20, 

1867. 
vi    Stephen  H.,  b.  April  12,  1796,  ni.  Lavinia  Powers  of  Bethel,  moved 
to  Sangerville  where  he  died  April  18,  1874. 

vii    Perlej^  W.,  b. ,  m,  Eufus  Brockway  of  Sangerville,  d.  1850. 

viii     James,  b.  Monmouth,  June  29,  1799,  settled  in  Frankfort,   Me.,  d. 
Jan. 1889. 
By  second  wife : 

ix    Joseph  E.,  b.  1810,  s.  Frankfort,  d.  1879. 
X    Mary  A.,  b.  Aug.  16,  1812,  m.  Buchannan  Fisher,  s.  Corinna. 
xi    Elhanan,  b.  Bethel,  1818,  lived  many  years  with  his  mother  in  that 
part  of  Bethel  now  Hanover.     He  was  weak  in  intellect  and  very 
indolent.     His  mother    Nancy    (Richards)  Sprague,  was  only   17 
years  of  age  when  she  married   Mr.  Sprague  who  was  then  55. 
•  After  his  death  she  earned  a  precarious  living   by   cultivating  a 

small  patch  of  ground  aided  by  her  son,  telling  fortunes  and  oc- 
casionally going  out  to  wash.  She  W'as  addicted  to  drink,  and  so 
was  her  son.    They  were  living  in  Hanover  as  late  as  1850. 

Staples. 
William  Staples,  blacksmith,  came  here  from  Berwick  and  set- 
tled on  laud  now  in  Hanover.     His  first  wife  was  Patience , 

and  his  second  Joanna  Quint  of  Topsham.     At  one  time  he  lived 
south  of  the  river.     Children  : 


660  HISTOBY   OF  BETHEL. 

i  Patience,  b.  Sanford,  Feb.  14,  1791,  d.  unmarried. 

ii  Ansel,  b.  May  14,  1793,  m.  Deborah  Keeue  of  No.  5,  moved  to  Weld, 

By  second  wile : 

iii  Moses,  b.  Sept.  20,  1801,  m.  Experience  Powers. 

iv  Aurelia,  b.  April  19,  1803,  d.  Oct.  22,  1819. 

V  Rebecca,  b.  Aug.  30,  1804,  m.  Moses  T.  Cross, 
vi  Joseph,  b.  Aug.  11,  1806,  m.  Betsej^  A.  Howe. 

vii  Belinda,  b.  March  8,  1808,  m.  Paul  Jewett. 

viii  Dolly,  b.  Dec.  1,  1809. 

ix  Sylvester,  b.  Nov.  25,  1810,  s.  Haverhill,  Mass. 

X  Diadamia,  b.  Nov.  9,  1813. 

xi  Nancy  Graham,  b.  April  2,  1818,  m.  Phineas  H.  Howe. 

Joseph  Staples,  son  of  William  Staples,  born  August  11,  1805, 
married  May  19,  1837,  Betsey  A.  Howe,  who  was  born  January 
26,  1812,  and  died  July  30,  1876.  He  died  Sept.  4,  1884.  Chil- 
'dren  : 

i    Melissa  R.,  b.  Nov.  9,  1838,  d.  Sept.  14,  1884. 

ii    Howard  A.,  b.  March  27,  1840. 
iii    George  E.,  b.  Nov.  28,  1841,  killed  at  Fredericksburg,  Va.,  Dec.  13, 

1862. 
iv     Camille  P.,  b.  Nov.  1.5,  1843,  d.  April  2,  1878. 

V  Helen  M.,  b.  Oct.  5,  1845;   she  was  a  teacher,  assisted  in  Gould's 

Academy  and  went  "West, 
vi    Matilda  J.,  b.  May  31,  1847. 
Tii     Charles  C,  b.  Aug.  30,  1849. 
viii    Mary  O.,  b.  Nov.  22,  1851. 
ix    Fred  O.,  b.  Aug.  15,  1854. 
X     Harry  A.,  b.  March  12,  1858. 

Stearns. 

Benjamin  F.  Stearns  married  Julia,  daughter  of  Jeremiah  An- 
drews who  died  July  7,   1859.     He  died  Feb.  21,  1884.     Children  : 

i  Julia  F.,  b.  Sept.  10,  1843.  ii  Fidelus  F.,  b.  Jan.  23,  1845.  iii  John 
B.,  b.  June  9,  1847,  d.  Sept.  18,  1884.  iv  Fidelia,  b.  Jan.  23,  1849.  v 
Rosetta,  b.  April  9,  1851. 

Swain. 

John  Swain  from  Rumford,  born  June  30,  1822,  married  Nov. 
20,  1849,  Charlotte  W.  Kimball  who  was  born  Jan.  1,  1829.  He 
died  May  25,  1884.     Children  : 

i  Wallace  K.,  b.  July  21,  1854,  d.  April  2,  1855.  ii  Roscoe  E.,  b.  May 
23,  1856.  iii  Virtue  K.,  b.  July  10,  1858.  iv  Marshall  J.,  b.  July  26, 
1860.    V    Rosie  L.,  b.  March  23,  1864. 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL.  661 

Virgin. 

Jonathan  Virgin,  son  of  Rufus  Virgin  of  Rumforcl,  married 
April  2,  1850,  Mrs.  Nancy  K.  (Elliot)  Whitman  who  died  Jan.  19, 
1871,  and  he  married  second,  Phebe  Hutchins.     Children  : 

i    George  A.,  b.  Nov.  15,  1851. 

ii    Rufus  J.,  b.  Jan.  13,  1857,  m.  S.  Marcella,  daughter  of  Prentiss  M. 
Putnam  of  Rumford.  He  is  proprietor  of  the  mills  at  South  BetheL 


APPENDIX 


ABSTRACT  OF  TOWN    RECORDS. 


1851.  Abernethy  Grover  was  ehoseu  moderator  and  Gideon  A. 
Hastings  clerk.  O'Neil  W.  Robinson  Jr.  was  elected  town  agent, 
and  Gilojan  Chapman,  treasurer.  For  school  committee,  John  H. 
M.  Leland,  David  Garland  and  Mighill  Mason.  The  collectorship 
was  bid  off  by  Mighill  Mason.  Three  thousand  dollai-s  were  voted 
for  roads.  Voted  to  accept  of  the  road  leading  from  the  Gore  line 
to  Daniel  Dunn's.  Voted  to  divide  school  district  number  fifteen 
and  to  set  off  Nathan  Hall  from  number  twenty-one  to  number 
seven.  The  question  of  re-building  liear  river  bridge  came  up,  and 
the  job  was  taken  by  Abernethy  Grover  for  two  hundred  and  nine- 
ty-eight dollars.  Voted  to  place  the  settlement  of  the  Parsons  case 
into  the  hands  of  a  committee. 

1852.  INIoses  Mason  was  chosen  moderator  and  William  Frj'e 
clerk.  For  selectmen,  Phineas  Frost,  John  B.  Mason  and  Timothy 
Hastings.  Alphin  Twitchell  was  chosen  town  agent.  Voted  to  set 
off  Stephen  Estes,  Hezekiah  Moody  and  Galen  Blake  into  a  sepa- 
rate school  district,  and  to  set  oft'  Lymau  Bird  from  number  ten 
school  district  to  number  fourteen.  The  selectmen  were  directed  to 
make  provisions  for  repairing  ihe  road  over  Bryant  Hill,  and  the 
road  from  Walker's  Mills  toward  Albany.  John  Hubbard  had  two 
hundred  and  fifteen  votes  for  Governor;  Anson  G.  Chandler,  one 
hundred  and  seventy-one;  William  G.  Crosby,  twenty- three  and 
Ezekiel  Holmes,  two.  For  member  of  Congress  Samuel  Mayall  had 
three  hundred  and  sixteen  and  Charles  J.  Gilman  ninety-five.  For 
representative  to  the  Legislature,  Ebenezer  Fames  had  two  hundred 
and  eleven  votes,  and  Gideon  A.  Hastings  one  hundred  and  ninety- 
two.  The  democratic  electors  polled  two  hundred  and  sixteen  votes, 
the  whigs  forty-five  and  the  free  soilers  forty.  Measures  were  taken 
to  rebuild  Sunday  river  bridge,  and  a  committee  was  chosen  to 
superintend  the  work. 


664  HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 

1853.  Moses  Mason  was  chosen  moderator  and  Israel  G.  Kim- 
ball, clerk.  For  selectmen,  Elias  M.  Carter,  Elias  S.  Bartlett  afid 
Eber  Clough.  Mighill  Mason  and  Gilraan  Chapman  were  elected 
constables  Voted  to  receive  part  of  a  school  district  from  Milton 
Plantation  and  annex  the  same  to  district  nineteen.  Among  the 
names  placed  in  the  jnry  box  were  William  Goddard,  Elias  S.  Bart- 
lett, James  A.  S.  Bartlett,  Benjamin  Freeman,  Samuel  J.  Howard, 
Charles  Mason,  Henry  Ward  Jr.,  Artemas  P.  Bartlett,  Jonathan 
M.  Bartlett,  Samuel  Bird  and  Moses  8.  Kimball.  Voted  to  accept 
of  a  road  for  Henry  Jordan  from  his  house  to  the  county  road  be- 
tween P^leazer  Tvvitchell's  and  John  Russell's.  The  case  of  Isaac 
Pressey  was  left  in  the  hands  of  the  selectmen.  Voted  to  accept  a 
new  road  in  the  old  as  now  travelled,  from  Mr.  Edward  Coad's  by 
John  Swan's  and  Joseph  Holt's  to  the  old  county  road.  For  Gov- 
ernor, Albert  Pillsbury  had  one  hundred  and  eighty-seven,  Anson 
P.  Morrill,  one  hundred  and  twenty-five,  Ezekiel  Holmes  forty  and 
William  G.  Crosby  thirty-seven.  For  representative  to  the  Legis- 
lature O'Neil  W.  Robinson  had  two  hundred  and  twelve,  Phineas 
Frost  one  hundred  and  fifty,  scattering  fifteen.  (The  towns  classed 
with  Bethel  gave  large  majorities  for  Phineas  Frost  and  he  was 
elected  though  not  nominated  by  any  part}'.) 

1854.  Elias  M.  Carter  was  chosen  moderator,  Israel  G.  Kim- 
ball clerk,  Gilman  Chapman  treasurer,  Alphin  Twitchell,  agent  and 
David  (iarland,  school  committee.  Chose  following  school  agents  : 
James  Locke,  Spencer  T.  Bartlett,  Ebenezer  Richardson,  Nathan 
W.  Ethridge,  Enoch  Stiles,  John  Hamblin,  Arthur  D.  Holt,  John 
S.  Swan,  Leonard  Farewell,  John  E.  Farewell,  Abial  Chandler, 
David  F.  Brown,  Benjamin  M.  Clark,  Seth  Wight  Jr.,  David  Holt, 
Gilman  Daniels,  Jedediah  Estes.  John  Jordan,  Jonathan  Abbot, 
James  Grover,  Charles  E.  Paine,  George  W.  (irover,  James  Lap- 
ham,  Daniel  Wheeler  and  Galen  Blake.  Voted  that  Charles  R. 
Locke  be  a  committee  to  repair  Sunday  river  bridge.  A  road  was 
accepted  from  Henry  Goodenow's  house  to  Pleasant  river  bridge  ; 
also  a  road  between  Simeon  Brown's  and  James  M.  Pote's,  and  a 
road  beginning  near  the  foot  of  Williamson's  hill  and  ending  at  the 
county  road  which  goes  past  Joseph  Holt's.  For  Governor,  Anson 
P.  Morrill  had  two  hundred  and  twenty-two  votes,  Albion  K.  Parris 
one  hundred  and  forty-three,  Isaac  Reed  ten  and  Sheppard  Cary 
one. 

1855.  Elias  M.  Carter  was  chosen  moderator  and  Benjamin 
Freeman,  clerk.  Charles  Mason  was  chosen  town  treasurer  and 
Mighill  Mason  collector.  The  school  districts  were  allowed  to 
choose  their  own  agents.  A  town  road  was  ordered  from  Hiram 
Young's  to  Joseph  A.  Twitchell's.  Anson  P.  Morrill  had  two  hun- 
dred and  thirt3'-tvvo  votes,  Samuel  Wells  two  hundred  and  twenty- 
six  and  Isaac  Reed  eight.  Voted  that  the  selectmen  review  the 
road  leading  from  Greenwood  line  to  the  house  formerly  occupied 
by  AVilliam  Frye  and  put  the  same  in  repair. 


HISTOBY   OF  BETHEL.  665 

1856  Elias  M.  Carter  was  chosen  moderator  and  Benjamin 
Freeman  clerk.  For  selectmen,  Elias  S.  Bartlett,  Clark  S.  Edwards 
and  Timothy  H.  Chapinan.  David  Garland  was  re-elected  school 
committee.  Benjamin  Freeman  bid  off  the  collection  of  taxes  at 
nine  mills  on  the  dollar  and  was  elected  collector.  Almon  Twitchell, 
Charles  R.  Locke  and  O'Neil  W.  Robinson  were  chosen  a  commit- 
tee on  accounts.  Voted  to  comply  with  the  request  of  the  county 
commissioners  in  cutting  down  Emerson  Hill,  so  called.  For  Gov- 
ernor, Hannibal  Hamlin  had  three  hundred  and  ten  votes,  Samuel 
Wells  one  hundred  and  ninety-five,  and  George.  F.  Patten  six.  Ira 
C.  Kimball  had  three  hundred  and  twenty  votes  for  representative, 
and  James  M.  Brown  of  Grafton,  one  hundred  and  ninety- four. 
The  republican  electors  polled  three  hundred  and  ten  votes  and  the 
democrats  one  hundred  and  seventy-nine.  The  county  commission- 
ers, on  appeal  from  the  selectmen  by  Nathaniel  Swan  and  others, 
established  a  road  from  Edward  Coad's  house  to  Joseph  Holt's. 
The  town  was  ordered  to  pay  the  expense  incurred  amounting  to 
forty-one  dollars  and  sixty  cents. 

1857.  Elias  M.  Carter  was  chosen  moderator,  Benjamin  Free- 
man clerk,  Charles  Mason,  treasurer  and  Elias  M.  Carter  agent  and 
school  committee.  Benjamin  Freeman  was  chosen  collector  and 
constable.  Voted  that  all  accounts  against  the  town  shall  pass  the 
examination  of  the  auditors  before  being  allowed.  Voted  to  dis- 
continue the  road  leading  from  Isaac  Estes  to  the  Day  farm.  Voted 
to  raise  one  hundred  dollars  to  be  expended  on  the  road  from  Hiram 
Young's  to  Greenwood  line.  Voted  that  the  town  pay  Elias  S. 
Bartlett  thirty  dollars  for  services  as  guardian  for  Samuel  Ayer,  in 
action  against  Timothy  Ayer.  Voted  fifty  dollars  to  repair  Alder 
river  bridge,  and  John  Brown  was  chosen  agent  to  expend  it.  At 
a  meeting  in  August,  Albert  L.  Burbank  was  chosen  collector  of 
taxes.  Lot  M.  Morrill  had  three  hundred  and  nine  votes  for  Gov- 
ernor and  Mannasseh  H.  Smith,  one  hundred  and  ninety-six.  For 
representative,  Ira  C.  Kimball  had  three  hundred  aud  eight  votes 
and  Isaac  B.  Littlehale  one  hundred  and  ninety. 

1858.  Moses  Pattee  chosen  moderator  and  Charles  Mason 
clerk.  A  committee  was  chosen  to  petition  the  county  commission- 
ers to  discontinue  some  part  of  the  road  between  Moses  A.  Mason's 
and  Bethel  Hill.  Chose  Elias  M.  Carter,  David  F.  Brown  and 
Moses  Houghton,  selectmen,  and  Samuel  F.  Gibson,  agent.  Mig- 
hill  Mason  was  chosen  collector  of  taxes.  Voted  to  discontinue  the 
road  leading  from  Hiram  Day's,  Howard,  farm  to  land  owned  by 
Stephen  Cummiugs.  Daniel  A.  Twitchell  was  elected  town  treas- 
urer. A  committee  was  appointed  to  use  their  influence  against  the 
establishment  of  a  free  bridge  across  the  river  near  Bethel  Hill.  At 
a  meeting  in  June,  Nathan  W.  Ethridge  was  elected  selectman. 
The  town  voted  one  hundred  and  sixty-four  in  favor  of  prohibition 
of  the  liquor  traffic  ;  in  favor  of  license,  none.  The  republicans 
polled  three  hundred  and  three  votes  this  year,  and  the  democrats 


666  HISTOMY  OF  BETHEL. 

two  hundred  and  twenty-one.  Voted  to  build  a  new  bridge  across 
Alder  river,  and  that  the  abutments  be  built  of  split  stone.  The 
selectmen  were  directed  to  repair  the  road  from  David  F.  Brown's 
to  Samuel  Andrews. 

1859.  The  meeting  was  held  March  seventh  Elias  M.  Carter 
was  chosen  moderator,  Charles  Masoncierk,  Daniel  A.  Twitchell 
treasurer  and  Absalom  G.  Gaines  school  committee.  David  F. 
Brown,  Timothy  Hastings,  Israel  G.  Kimball,  J.  Decatur  Hastings, 
and  Nathan  Grover  were  chosen  road  commissioners.  Israel  G.  Kim- 
ball was  chosen  collector  and  constable.  Voted  to  set  off  Cyrus 
Mills,  Nelson  Mills,  and  O'Neil  R.  Mills  from  district  twenty-nine 
to  number  twenty-five.  Voted  to  set  off  John  B.  Mason,  Samuel  J. 
Mills,  Joseph  Wheeler  and  Elbridge  G.  AVheeler  from  school  dis- 
trict twenty-five  to  eighteen.  The  treasurer  was  authorized  to  hire 
money  at  a  rate  of  interest  not  exceeding  bank  rate.  The  town 
voted  one  hundred  and  sixt3'-seven  against  donating  the  public 
lauds  for  a  railway  into  Aroostook  county — none  voted  for  it.  The 
republicans  polled  two  hundred  and  ninety-nine  votes  and  the  dem- 
ocrats two  hundred  and  seventeen.  Keuben  B.  Foster  of  Hanover 
was  elected  representative. 

1860.  Elias  jNI.  Carter  was  chosen  moderator,  Charles  Mason 
clerk,  O'Neil  W.  Robinson  agent,  and  William  Beavins  school  com- 
mittee. IMighill  iVIason  was  chosen  collector  and  constable,  Elias 
S.  Bartlett  was  chosen  school  agent  in  district  number  six.  Voted 
to  set  off  certain  inhabitants  from  the  southeast  part  of  the  town 
and  annex  the  same  to  Hamlin's  Gore,  for  school  purposes  only. 
The  town  lines  were  ]ioinmniilated  by  the  selectmen.  Voted  to  dis- 
count thirty-three  [).  i-  real,  on  liighwaN'  taxes  when  paid  in  cash. 
Tlie  town  voted  that  Mighill  Mason  and  Benjamin  Freeman  must 
settle  with  the  treasurer  and  pay  over  the  amounts  due  within  a 
specified  time.  The  selectmen  this  year  were  Elias  M.  Carter,  John 
Barker  and  Eli  Foster.  Israel  Waslil)urn  liad  three  hundred  and 
twenty-two  votes  for  governor  and  Epliraim  K.  Smart  two  hundred 
and  seventeen.  Jedediah  T.  Kiml)all  was  elected  representative. 
Voted  to  petition  the  Legislature  for  authority  to  take  stock  in  the 
Bethel  Bridge  Company'.  The  republican  electors  polled  two  hun- 
dred and  sixty  votes  in  Bethel,  the  democrats  one  hundred  and  one 
and  the  third  part}'  fort}'. 

1861.  David  F.  Brown  was  chosen  moderator  and  Albert  L. 
Burbank  clerk.  F'or  selectmen,  John  Barker,  Oliver  H.  Mason 
and  Alonzo  Howe.  Charles  ]Mason  was  chosen  treasurer,  Samuel 
F.  Gibson  agent  and  Rev.  David  Garland  school  committee. 
Horace  Chapman  was  chosen  agent  in  school  district  number  five. 
Voted  to  choose  road  surveyors.  Mr.  Williamson's  claim  for  in- 
juries received  on  the  road  was  left  with  the  selectmen.  Three 
thousand  dollars  were  voted  for  roads.  Voted  to  divide  school  dis- 
trict number  five.  Washington  Crooker  was  allowed  to  expend  his 
share  of  the  school  money  in  Greenwood.     At  a  meeting  March 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 


667 


twenty-fifth,  Benjamiu  T.  Brown  was  chosen  selectman.  It  was 
voted  to  accept  the  act  of  the  Legislature  authorizing  the  town  to 
take  stock  in  the  Androscoggin  Bridge  Company  at  Barker's  Ferry. 
At  a  meeting  July  thirteenth,  Elias  31.  Carter  was  chosen  agent  to 
look  after  the  families  of  volunteers  and  authorized  to  render  them 
all  necessary  assistance.  For  Governor  Israel  Washburn  had  two 
hundred  and  ninety-nine  votes,  John  W.  Dana  one  hundred  and 
twenty-nine  and  Charles  D.  Jameson  seventy-two.  For  represent- 
ative Jedediah  T.  Kimball  had  three  hundred  and  three  votes,  and 
John  B.  Mason  one  hundred  and  eishtv-three. 


The  enrolled  militia  was  returned  this  year  by  the  selectmen  as 
follows  : 


Benjamin  W.  Bean. 
Stephen  Estes,  Jr. 
Jedediah  Estes. 
James  B.  Daniels. 
Charles  Estes. 
Hiram  W.  Fifield. 
Wm.  ^\.  Bird. 
Jairus  S.  Bryant. 
Benjamin  Brj^ant. 
Ephraim  Bryant. 
Jacob  A.  Chase. 
John  P^.  Jordan. 
Charles  Crooker. 
Charles  H.  Buck. 
Ithiel  Kennerson. 
David  Kennerson. 
Lewi'^  Powers. 
Ethan  W.  Ethridge. 
.Samuel  J.  Howard. 
Abial  Chandler  Jr. 
David  T.  Hodsdon. 
Hiram  Hodsdon. 
Wallace  M.  Howard. 
David  Adamson. 
Galen  Blake. 
Sullivan  R.  Hutchius. 
Abel  T.  Hutchins. 
Richard  Pastes  2d. 
Wm.  H.  Goddard. 
Stephen  L.  Ethridge. 
Stephen  H.  Cummiugs. 
Revel  W.  Needham. 
James  O.  Brown. 
Charles  M.  Brown, 
Oliver  Y.  Nutting. 
James  Nutting. 


Benjamin  Stevens. 
Jonas  W.  Bartlett. 
Daniel  M.  Goss. 
James  O.  Lapham. 
Asa  F.  Bartlett. 
Eli  Swan. 
David  T.  Foster. 
J.  Decatur  Hastings. 
Francis  C.  Bean. 
John  S.  Colby. 
James  L.  Estes. 
David  K.  Hall. 
Jason  Gay. 
Elias  S.  Bartlett. 
Benjamin  F.  Brown. 
Zachariah  H.  Bean. 
Kingsbury  Curtis. 
Christopher  C.  Beau. 
Hiram  H.  Bean. 
Jotham  S.  Lane. 
Arthur  D.  Holt. 
Orlando  P.  Russell. 
John  D.  Bean. 
Lawson  C.  Beattie. 
L.  C   Bean. 
Luther  P.  Holt. 
Wm.  O.  Holt. 
Oren  B.  Swan. 
Joseph  Holt. 
George  K.  vSwan. 
Elijah  Brown. 
John  S.  Swan. 
James  Brown. 
Ira  J.  Bean. 
Seth  E.  Smith, 
Wm.  H.  Swan. 


668 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 


Wm.  T,  Brown. 
Elisha  T.  Swan. 
Amos  A  Young. 
Oliver  P.  Chandler. 
Ira  Cushman. 
Judson  E.  Stearns. 
Wm.  Laughlin. 
Samuel  B.  Twitchell. 
Edward  Goddard. 
Alex  P.  Eames. 
Milton  W.  Chapman. 
Joseph  L.  Merrill. 
Hiram  A.  York. 
St.  John  Hastings. 
Geo.  C.  Atherton. 
Timothy  Hastings. 
Wm.  R.  Eames. 
Gilman  Smith. 
L.  S.  Smith. 
Clifford  Wheeler. 
Thomas  E.  ^lead. 
Wm.  O'Riley. 
Franklin  Bartlett. 
J.  H.  Burkett. 

B.  C.  Grover. 
Lewis  A.  Sanborn. 
Albert  L.  Burbank. 
A.  C.  Chapman. 
John  F.  Bryant. 
Newton  Grover. 

J.  H.  Grover. 
Edward  P.  Grover. 
Sylvester  Mason. 
Seth  Wight  Jr. 
Franklin  Allen. 
Charles  Morrill. 
N.  H.  Potter. 
R.  S.  Lamb. 
Milton  Holt. 
Bazaleel  K.  Bean,  Jr. 
Charles  J.  Twitchell. 
F'reeland  Bennett. 
Cyrus  Mills  Jr. 
Nelson  Mills, 
J.  R.  Heath. 
Joseph  Heath. 
Wm.  Parker. 
Geo.  W.  Harden. 
O.  E.  Harden. 

C.  S.  Heath. 


Chas.  F.  Penley. 

Charles  D.  Smith. 

Samuel  T.  Ordway. 

Moses  H.  Robertson. 

Washington  B.  Robertson. 

Solon  Robertson.    • 

Benjamin  M.  Clark. 

Jonathan  Cross. 

Tyler  P.  Towne. 

Asbury  T.  Rowe. 

Richard  A.  Frye. 

Samuel  D.  Philbrook. 

Jacob  Bancroft. 

Wm.  H.  Chandler. 

Frank  S.  Chandler. 

Melville  C.  Kimball. 

Alfred  Twitchell. 

Wm.  F.  Lovejoy. 

Amasa  P.  Lovejoy. 

M.  F.  Libby. 

E.  J.  Richardson. 

Peter  Wheeler  Jr. 

Galen  Wheeler. 

Alex  Grover. 

Paul  Stone. 

Chas.  L.  Abbot. 

Osgood  A.  Brown. 

E.  Farewell. 

Charles  P^irewell. 

M.  H.  Leach. 

Dennis  Farewell. 

John  F.  Leach. 

Amos  Scribner. 

El  bridge  G.  Wheeler. 

Walter  M.  Mills. 

Albert  (irover. 

Daniel  B.  Grover. 

L.  S.  Bean. 

E.  W.  Brown. 

A.  P.  Mason. 

Gardiner  L.  Dalrymple. 

John  F.  Hapgood. 

Richard  Hapgood. 

O.  S.  Wheeler. 

Robbins  B.  Grover. 

Wm.  H.  Brown. 

Hiram  H.  Wilson. 

Ralph  Plummer. 

John  B.  Hammond. 

L.  D.  Ward. 


HISTOBY  OF  BETHEL. 


669 


Andrew  J.  Stiles. 
Abial  B.  Lyon. 
Daniel  M.  G rover. 
Oscar  D.  Grover. 
Reuben  L.  Paine. 
Jacob  Paine. 
L.  J.  Wheeler. 
Jedediah  AYheeler. 
J.  S.  Young. 
Moses  M.  Russell. 
John  F.  Holt. 
John  S.  Chapman. 
Sylvanus  Mason  Jr. 
Wm.  R.  Bean. 
J.  T.  Tyler. 
Gilbert  P.  Bean. 
Moses  A.  Mason. 
Timothy  H.  Chapman. 
Spencer  T.  Bartlett. 
Theodore  B.  Verrill. 
Austin  Grover. 
Elbridge  Grover. 
Mellen  Cross. 
Benjamin  Dyer. 
J.  Woodman  Gerrish. 
Charles  Gerrish. 
John  Q.  A.  Waterman. 
John  Barker. 
Geo.  W.  Parsons 
Mighill  Mason. 
Artemas  Mason. 
Amos  Merrill. 
John  W.  Philips. 
David  A.  Edwards. 
John  B.  Rowe. 
Gustavus  A.  Robertson. 
John  B.  Chapman. 
Wm.  L.  Chapman. 
Daniel  A.  Twitchell. 
James  E.  Ayer 
D.  F.  Mitchell. 
Patrick^H.  McClosky. 
Charles  Crosby. 
G.  R.  Maxwell. 
Samuel  F.  Gibson. 
Cyrus  M.  Wormell. 
John  Wormell. 
John  D.  Paine. 
Thomas  Holt. 
J.  F.  Pal  lard. 


J.  F.  Filing  wood. 
Albion  P.  Chapman. 

B.  G.  Chapman. 
E.  H.  Chapman. 
J.  Arno. 

H.  N.  Newell. 
Gilbert  Chapman. 
Timothy  Richardson. 
E.  L.  Richardson. 
R.  H.  Penley. 
Artemas  AY.  Mason. 
Emery  G.  Young. 
Samuel  W.  Butterfield. 
Elias  S.  Mason. 
Simeon  W.  Brown. 
T.  R.  Lovejoy. 
Eben  Richardson  Jr. 
James  L.  Dillaway. 
Virgil  V.  Twitchell. 
Albert  S.  Twitchell. 
Moses  C.  Foster. 
Algernon  S.  Chapman. 
Charles  Tubbs. 
Geo.  H   Robertson. 
James  Keyes. 
John  Russell. 
Orange  C.  Littlehale. 
Osmon  Smith. 
Edmund  Merrill  Jr. 
Albert  Stiles. 
Ezekiel  Eveleth. 
Jerome  O.  Sanborn. 
Asa  P.  Knight. 
Daniel  M.  Stearns. 
Osmon  M.  Twitchell. 

C.  L.  Chapman. 
Edmund  Chapman. 
Gilman  L.  Blake. 
Geo.  F.  Cook. 

A.  L.  Stearns. 
Samuel  S.  Stanley. 
J.  W.  Sanborn. 
John  E.  Farewell. 
E.  Farewell. 
Bannister  N.  Annas. 
Jacob  Annas. 
Albion  P.  Blake. 
Dudley  M.  Needham. 
Aranda  G.  Tinkham. 
Lyman  AY.  Russell. 


670 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 


Edward  Gerrish. 
J.  Daltoa. 

E.  H.  Davis. 
Newell  B.  Clark. 
John  B.  Walker. 
Simeon  W.  Sanborn. 
Daniel  Jacobs. 
Ceylon  Kowe. 

John  Temple. 
Clinton  Barker. 
Hiram  Young. 
Wm.  C.  Frye. 
Gideon  A.  Hastings. 
Henry  Brown. 
Charles  II.  Harris. 
O'Neil  W.  Robinson. 
Solon  Eobinson. 
William  Stowell. 
J.  S.  Mason. 
Wm.  Jackson. 
Jairus  S.  Dudley. 
Charles  ]\Iason. 
Oliver  II.  ]Mason. 
Hiram  Twitchell. 
John  Abbot. 
Newton  Swift. 
D.  C.  Kowe. 
Chris.  C.  Holt. 
J.  K.  King. 

F.  Kowell. 


Lawson  E.  Russell. 
Cyrus  M.  Buck. 
Stephen  L.  Ripley. 
L.  1).  Rnsseil. 
Willoughby  R.  York. 
Charles  Russell. 
E.  Russell. 
John  B.  Ripley. 
Hosea  Ripley. 
E.  G.  Stringer. 
Clark  S.  Edwards. 
Isaac  Cross. 
L.  Farewell. 
True  P.  Dustin. 
A.  P.  Abbot. 
Wm.  Macomber. 
John  Cooper. 
Orren  R.  Haskell, 
(ieorge  Farewell. 
Luther  P.  Holt. 
Abraham  Farewell. 
Lyman  L.  Dustin. 
Israel  G.  Kimball. 
James  M.  Pote. 
Wm   Williamson. 
John  C.  Stearns. 
John  C*  vStearns. 
John  C.  Stearns. 
Wm.  W.  Vinson. 
Benjamin  Freeman. 


1862.  Elias  M.  Carter  was  chosen  moderator  and  Albert  L. 
Burbank  clerk.  John  Barker,  Oliver  II.  ^lasou  and  Benjamin  T. 
Brown  were  chosen  selectmen,  and  David  F.  Brown,  treasurer. 
Mighill  IMason  bid  off  the  collection  of  taxes  and  was  duly  elected 
collector  of  taxes  and  constable.  The  care  of  the  families  of  sol- 
diers was  left  in  the  hands  of  the  selectmen.  Voted  to  raise  one 
thousand  dollars  for  town  purposes  and  thirty- five  hundred  for 
ways.  Voted  that  two-thirds  of  the  road  tax  when  paid  in  cash 
shall  be  an  equivalent  for  the  full  tax  in  labor.  Voted  to  buy  a 
poor  farm.  At  a  meeting  May  tenth  voted  to  raise  one  thousand 
dollars  for  the  support  of  the  families  of  volnntfeers.  Voted  to  dis- 
continue the  road  leading  from  the  county  road  near  Silas  G. 
Wheeler's  to  near  Charles  E.  Paine's  house.  At  a  meeting  July 
twenty-third,  on  motion  of  Robert  A.  Chapman,  voted  to  pay  a 
bounty  for  volunteers  on  the  town's  quota,  and  that  the  treasurer  be 
authorized  to  hire  fifteen  hundred  dollars  for  that  purpose.  At  a 
meeting  September  second,  on  motion  of  ^Mighill  Mason,  voted  to 
pay  a  bounty  to  volunteers  of  twenty  dollars  and  five  dollars  a 
month  for  the  first  six  months  service,  and  that  nine  hundred  dol- 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL.  671 

lars  be  raised  for  that  purpose.  Abuer  Cobura  received  two  hun- 
dred and  forty-seven  votes  for  Governor  and  Bion  Bradbury  one 
hundred  and  fifty-two. 

1863.  Elias  M.  Carter  was  chosen  moderator  and  Albert  S. 
Twitchell  clerk,  Alphin  Twitchell,  Benjamin  T.  Brown  and  Gilman 
P.  Bean  were  chosen  selectmen  and  David  F.  Brown  treasurer. 
Israel  G.  Kimball  was  chosen  town  agent,  and  Mighill  Mason  col- 
lector. Voted  to  raise  two  thousand  dollars  to  pay  past  bills  in  aid 
of  the  families  of  volunteers.  Twenty-five  hundred  dollars  were 
voted  for  roads  and  a  discount  of  one-third  provided  for  when  road 
taxes  were  paid  in  cash.  A  road  was  accepted  beginning  near 
Joseph  Hall's  house  and  ending  at  the  road  near  Joshua  Gossom's. 
At  a  meeting  July  twenty-eighth,  a  motion  to  pass  over  the  article 
for  paying  bounties  to  drafted  men  or  conscripts  was  discussed  and 
carried  and  the  meeting  adjourned  without  transacting  any  other 
business.  The  discussion,  to  say  the  least,  was  very  animated. 
Another  meeting  was  held  for  tlie  same  purpose  August  eighth,  and 
with  the  same  result,  the  vote  for  passing  over  the  article  being 
seventy-four,  and  against  it  sixteen.  The  record  shows  that  an- 
other meeting  was  held  on  the  same  day  as  the  above,  when  a  mo- 
tion to  pass  over  the  article  giving  bounties  to  conscripts  was  de- 
feated, and  it  was  voted  to  pay  such  men  when  mustered  in,  the 
sum  of  fifty  dollars  each.  The  treasurer  was  directed  to  hire  the 
money  necessary  for  carrying  out  the  above  vote.  Samuel  Cony  had 
two  hundred  and  ninet^'-seven  votes  for  Governor  and  Bion 
Bradbury  two  hundred  and  fourteen.  At  a  meeting  December 
twelfth,  voted  to  exempt  the  Bethel  Steam  Mill  Company  from  tax- 
ation for  a  term  of  ten  years.  An  article  relating  to  bounties  was 
passed  over. 

1864.  Elias  M.  Carter  was  chosen  moderator  and  Oliver  H. 
Mason  clerk.  Sullivan  R.  Hutchins  was  chosen  school  committee 
and  Elias  M.  Carter,  agent.  For  constables,  Mighill  Mason,  David 
F.  Brown,  Israel  G.  Kimball  and  Elias  S.  Bartlett.  Voted  to  set 
off  Hiram  Hodsdon  from  school  district  number  twenty-two  and  an- 
nex him  to  number  fourteen.  Fifteen  hundred  dollars  were  raised 
to  defray  town  charges  and  twenty-five  hundred  for  ways.  The 
town  treasurer  was  authorized  to  renew  the  notes  held  against  the 
town  or  pay  the  same.  A  road  was  accepted  laid  out  on  petition  of 
Samuel  Bird  and  others,  beginning  near  the  barn  of  the  late  Isaac 
W.  Estes  and  ending  at  the  county  road  near  the  place  of  Enoch 
Stiles.  At  a  meeting  August  twenty-fourth,  it  was  voted  to  fill  the 
town's  quota  for  recent  calls,  by  enlistment,  and  a  committee  con- 
sisting of  Israel  G.  Kimball,  Gilman  L.  Blake  and  Timothy  Bean 
was  raised  as  a  recruiting  committee.  Voted  to  raise  one  thousand 
dollars  to  pay  bounties.  For  Governor  Samuel  Cony  had  two  hun- 
dred and  sixty-five  votes  and  Joseph  Howard  one  hundred  and 
ninety-two.  At  a  meeting  December  third,  Israel  G.  Kimball  was 
chosen  agent  to  procure  either  enlisted  men  or  substitues  to  fill  the 
town's  quotas,  and  the  treasurer  was  authorized  to  borrow  or   hire 


672  HISTOBT  OF  BETHEL. 

the  sum  of  three  thousand  dollars  to  be  expended  by  the  above- 
named  agent,  for  the  purposes  specified.  It  was  voted  that  the  agent 
pay  the  expenses  of  those  who  go  to  Lewiston  to  be  examined  by 
the  enrolling  board  and  who  are  exempted  by  said  board  from  mil- 
itary service  and  no  others.  At  a  meeting  December  sixteenth, 
voted  to  raise  money  to  pay  volunteers  or  substitutes  for  future 
quotas  of  the  town,  and  twelve  thousand  dollars  were  voted  for 
that  purpose.  Voted  that  Israel  G.  Kimball  and  Gideon  A.  Hast- 
ings be  agents  for  filling  future  quotas,  and  the  sum  raised  was 
placed  at  their  disposal. 

1865.  Elias  M.  Carter  was  chosen  moderator  and  Charles 
Mason  clerk.  For  selectmen,  Gilmau  P.  Bean,  Israel  G.  Kimball 
and  Sullivan  R.  Hutchins.  Three  thousand  dollars  were  raised  for 
roads,  and  what  the  law  required  for  schools.  Ten  thousand  five 
hundred  dollars  were  raised  to  meet  liabilities  of  the  town.  The 
treasurer  was  authorized  to  hire  fifteen  hundred  dollars,  if  needed, 
to  aid  families  of  volunteers  ;  also  to  hire  money  to  meet  bills  that 
may  become  due.  For  (Governor  Samuel  Cony  had  two  hundred 
and  forty-eight  votes,  and  Joseph  Howard  one  hundred  and  thir- 
teen. For  representative  Reuben  B.  Foster  of  Hanover  and  Thomas 
S.  Littlehale  were  the  opposing  candidates  and  each  polled  the 
party  vote. 

1866.  The  moderator  and  clerk  were  re-elected.  For  select- 
men Elias  M.  Carter,  Sullivan  R.  Hutchins  and  David  F.  Brown. 
Robert  A.  Chapman  was  elected  treasurer,  Nathaniel  T.  True, 
school  committee,  and  Samuel  F.  (Jibson  agent.  Cyrus  Wormell 
bid  off  the  taxes  to  collect  and  was  chosen  collector.  Highwa}' 
surveyors,  Clark  S.  Edwards.  James  Lapham,  John  B.  Peaslee,  D. 
M.  (irover,  Abial  Chandler  Jr.,  Casper  L.  Russell,  John  Chase, 
Augustus  M.  Carter,  Orrin  B.  Swan.  Kingsbury  Curtis,  Stephen 
Pastes  Jr.,  Alfred  Estes,  Ira  Cushman,  Wm.  L.  Grover,  Francis 
Barker,  D.  A.  Adams,  Daniel  B.  Cirover,  Isaac  Cross,  Aaron 
Cross,  Josiah  Brown,  Cliarles  T.  D.  Crockett.  Ephraim  Bryant, 
Benjamin  Bartlett,  Charles  R.  Locke,  Timothy  II.  Chapman,  Moses 
S.  Kimball,  John,  S.  Swan,  Samuel  J.  Howard,  Richard  Estes, 
Jared  Young,  Humphrey  B.  Holt,  Leonard  Farewell  and  David  A. 
Adamson.  Voted  to  set  off  from  school  district  number  fifteen  all 
the  polls  and  estates  in  said  district,  eastwardly  and  northwardly 
of  the  following  described  lines.  Up  Main  street  from  James  L. 
Dillaways  to  Spring  street ;  on  Spring  street  to  land  owned  b}' 
Moses  Mason  ;  on  said  Mason's  line  eastwardly  and  northwardly  to 
land  owned  by  Robert  A.  Chapman;  thence  southwardly  on  said 
Chapman's  line  to  land  owned  by  Daniel  S.  Hastings  ;  thence  east- 
wardl}'  on  said  Chapman's  line  to  land  owned  by  Levi  Twitchell ; 
thence  southwardly  to  Greenwood  line.  Commencing  at  the  junction 
of  High  and  Mechanic  streets  near  Butterfield's  Mill,  thence  up 
High  to  Church  street  to  the  south  line  of  land  owned  by  Henry 
Stearns  and  others,  following  said  line  to  the  mill  brook,  into  a 
a  school  district  to  be  numbered  thirty.     Voted  the  usual  sums  for 


HISTORY   OF    BETHEL.  (573 

ways,  schools  and  town  charges  and  seven  hundred  and  fifty  dolhirs 
to  pay  interest.  Joshua  L.  ChamberLain  had  three  hundred  and 
seven  votes  for  Governor  and  Eben  F.  Pillsbury  two  hundred  and 
one.     Isaac  I.  York  of  CIrafton  was  chosen  representative. 

1867-  Josiah  Brown  was  chosen  moderator  and  Enoch  Foster 
Jr.  clerk.  Selectmen,  David  F.  Brown,  Samuel  B.  Twitchcll  and 
Charles  T.  D.  Crockett.  P^noch  Foster  was  chosen  agent  and 
Charles  T.  D.  Crockett  school  committee.  Israel  G.  Kimball  bid 
off  the  collection  of  taxes  and  was  cliosen  collector.  Three  thou- 
sand dollars  were  raised  for  roads  ;  eighteen  hundred  and  ninety- 
three,  and  one-fourth  dollars  for  schools,  twenty-two  hundred  for 
town  charges,  and  nine  hundred  toward  the  town's  indebtedness. 
Voted  fifty  dollars  to  build  a  pound.  Voted  to  accept  a  road  laid 
out  by  the  selectmen,  beginning  at  the  foot  of  the  hill  in  the  town 
wa}'  leading  to  Joseph  Holt's  near  the  corner  of  land  owned  by  John 
Williamson,  and  ending  in  the  said  town  way  above  the  hill  near 
where  the  school  house  in  district  number  ten  once  stood.  The 
amended  liquor  law  was  adopted,  thirty-four  to  four.  At  a  meet- 
ing December  eighteenth,  known  as  the  Bridge  meeting,  it  was 
voted  that  the  town  build  a  bridge  across  the  Androscoggin  river  at 
or  near  Barker's  Ferry,  and  that  fifteen  thousand  dollars  be  raised 
for  that  purpose  for  which  town  bonds  should  be  issued.  Voted  a 
committee  to  petition  the  Legislature  for  a  charter  for  said  iiridge, 
establishing  rates  of  toll  to  be  charged  and  the  right  to  charge  toll 
for  a  period  not  exceeding  twenty  years,  and  Robert  A.  Chapman, 
Richard  A.  Frye  and  Charles  R.  Locke  were  chosen  as  such  com- 
mittee. A  committee  to  have  charge  of  building  the  bridge  was 
chosen  as  follows  :  Eber  Clough,  Pincknev  Burnham  and  Samuel  B. 
Twitchell. 

1868.  Elias  M.  Carter  was  chosen  moderator  and  Leander  T. 
Barker,  clerk.  The  report  of  the  selectmen  was  read  and  accepted. 
It  was  voted  to  pay  David  Edwards  one  hundred  doUais  town 
bounty.  Selectmen,  Samuel  B.  Twitchell,  Charles  T.  D.  Crockett 
and  Elbridge  G.  Wheeler.  Robert  A.  Chapman  was  re-elected 
treasurer  and  David  Garland  school  committee.  Chose  John  M. 
Philbrook,  John  D.  Hastings.  Augustus  M.  Carter,  John  Barker 
and  Josiah  Brown  2d,  Road  Commissioners.  Voted  fifty-five  hun- 
dred dollars  for  support  of  poor  and  for  other  town  charges.  Voted* 
to  make  a  discount  of  five  cents  on  the  dollar  to  all  who  paid  their 
money  tax  before  November  first,  proximo.  At  a  subsequent  meet- 
ing voted  to  ratify  doings  of  the  committee  appointed  to  examine 
the  farm  and  personal  property  of  Charles  C.  Bryant  and  J.  W. 
Kimball,  who  recommended  the  town  to  ratify  their  purchase. 
Voted  to  raise  thirty-eight  hundred  dollars  to  pay  for  said  real  es- 
tate and  personal  property  At  a  meeting  in  April,  the  selectmen 
were  authorized  to  repair  the  town  house.  At  a  meeting  June  third, 
the  treasurer  was  authorized  to  obtain  money  by  loan  or  otherwise, 
to  be  expended  in  building  the  bridge  at  Barker's  Ferry  ;  also  au- 
thorized the  treasurer  to  dispose  of  the  town  scrip  or  bonds  in  such 

43 


674  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

quantity  and  at  such  rate  of  interest  as  he  might  deem  best.  Voted 
to  accept  the  widening  of  the  road  leading  from  Dr.  True's  to 
Broad  street.  For  Governor  Joshua  L.  Chamberlain  had  three  hun- 
dred and  thirty-four  votes  and  P^ben  F.  Pillsbury  two  hundred  and 
twenty-four.  Israel  G.  Kimball  was  elected  representative.  At  a 
meeting  in  October,  voted  to  raise  fifteen  hundred  dollars  additional 
to  build  the  bridge  at  Barker's  Ferry.  At  the  November  election 
the  republican  electors  polled  three  hundred  and  nine  votes  and  the 
democratic  one  hundred  and  fifty-two.  At  a  meeting  in  February, 
the  Bridge  Company  reported  total  cost  of  bridge  to  that  date,  six-- 
teen  thousand  four  hundred  and  ninety-six  dollars.  The  report  was 
accepted,  and  a  committee  was  appointed  to  purchase  the  buildings 
of  the  old  Bridge  Company  for  a  toll  house.  Edmund  E.  Holt  was 
chosen  toll  gatherer. 

1869.  Albert  L.  Burbank  was  chosen  moderator.  The  several 
reports  were  accepted.  Voted  that  the  treasurer  collect  the  execu- 
tion against  Mighill  Mason.  Eber  Clough  was  chosen  collector  of 
taxes  at  one  cent  on  the  dollar.  The  town  treasurer  was  instructed 
to  hire  what  money  it  was  necessary  to  have  to  pay  maturing  in- 
debtedness of  the  town.  William  H.  Goddard  was  appointed 
school  committee  in  place  of  Charles  T.  D.  Crockett  who  had  re- 
moved from  town.  For  Governor,  Joshua  L.  Chamberlain  had 
two  hundred  and  thirty-four  votes,  Franklin  Smith  one  hundred 
and  ten  and  Nathan  (i.  Hichborn,  fourteen. 

1870-  Albert  L.  Burbank  was  chosen  moderator.  The  reports 
of  town  officers  were  read  and  accepted.  Eber  Clough  was  re-elect- 
ed collector  of  taxes,  and  Samuel  F.  Gibson  agent.  Three  thousand 
dollars  were  raised  for  town  purposes,  and  five  thousand  dollars  for 
the  repair  of  roads.  At  a  meeting  in  August  the  selectmen  were  in- 
structed to  petition  the  county  commissioners  to  discontinue  the 
road  not  yet  opened,  from  near  Samuel  Stanley's,  by  Daniel  G. 
Kendall's  to  near  Joshua  Chase's  house  at  Middle  Interval.  The 
selectmen  were  instructed  to  expend  what  money  they  thought  suf- 
ficient to  protect  the  south  bank  of  Sunday  river  below  Swan's 
Corner  and  Sundaj'  river  bridge,  provided  Joshua  Swan  would  pay 
seventy-five  dollars  toward  the  same.  For  Governor  Sidney  Per- 
ham  had  two  hundred  and  twent3'-six  votes  and  Charles  W.  Roberts 
two  hundred  and  twenty- three.  Moses  C.  Foster  was  elected  repre- 
sentative. The  doings  of  the  county  commissioners  relating  to 
locating  a  road  on  petition  of  John  S.  Swan  and  others  were  spread 
upon  the  records  this  year. 

1871.  Elias  M.  Carter  was  chosen  moderator,  Robert  A.  Chap- 
men treasurer,  Enoch  Foster  agent  and  George  M.  Bodge  school 
committee.  The  selectmen  were  authorized  to  furnish  the  treasurer 
with  bridge  tickets  to  be  sold  by  the  quantity  to  parties  desiring 
them.  Twenty-five  hundred  dollars  were  raised  for  schools,  twenty- 
five  hundred  for  roads  and  two  thousand  for  town  purposes.  Voted 
to  instruct  the  selectmen  to  hire  Pattee's  Hall  for  five  years  at  a 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL,  675 

sum  not  exceeding  ten  dollars  per  meeting,  for  the  purpose  of 
holding  therein  the  meetings  of  the  town.  A  road  was  accepted  be- 
ginning on  line  of  land  between  Clifford  Wheeler  and  Austin 
Wheeler  ;  also  a  road  on  ap|»lication  of  Jedediah  Estes  and  others 
beginning  on  lot  number  three  in  the  second  range,  to  intersect 
a  town  way  leading  from  Hamlin's  Gore  to  Benjamin  Estes  in 
Bethel ;  also  a  road,  on  petition  of  Robert  A.  Chapman  and  others, 
beginning  at  a  point  thirty  rods  south  of  Josiah  Dutton's  house  to 
the  county  road  leading  from  Bethel  Hill  to  the  depot.  Voted  that 
the  selectmen  tender  to  Andrew  C.  Oliver,  five  dollars  for  alleged 
damage  received  from  defective  highway.  Voted  tliat  the  old  town 
house  be  sold  to  the  highest  bidder,  and  the  same  was  sold  to 
Abernethy  Grover  for  sixty-seven  dollars.  A  road  was  accepted 
from  Almon  Grover's  house  to  the  Paine  road  near  Thomas 
Mabury's.  For  Governor  Sidney  Perham  had  two  hundred  and 
fifty-six  votes  and  Charles  P.  Kimball  two  hundred  and  three. 
Moses  C.  Foster  was  re-elected  representative. 

1872.  At  a  meeting  January  thirteenth  Gihnan  P.  Bean  was 
chosen  moderator.  The  town  voted  to  discontinue  the  town  way 
commencing  on  the  line  of  Clifford  and  Austin  Wheeler  and  ending 
at  the  Paine  road.  Voted  to  pay  Francis  C.  Bean  one  hundred  dol- 
lars as  a  compromise  for  damage  alleged  by  him  to  have  been  oc- 
casioned by  a  defective  highway.  The  annual  meeting  was  held 
March  fourth.  Abernethy  Grover  was  chosen  moderator.  Town 
officers'  reports  were  read  and  accepted.  Robert  A.  Chapman  was 
allowed  tift}'  dollars  for  services  as  treasurer.  Melville  C.  Kimball 
was  chosen  town  treasurer,  and  Eber  Clough  collector.  Four 
thousand  dollars  were  raised  for  the  various  purposes  of  the  town. 
David  Hammons  was  authorized  to  employ  Mr.  Lovett  of  Fryeburg 
to  make  a  copy  of  the  original  plan  of  the  town  of  Bethel,  and  that 
David  Hammons  take  the  deposition  of  .Jos.  ph  A.  Twitchell  in  j^er- 
petuam,  identifying  said  original  plan.  Voted  to  have  a  tax  laid 
upon  dogs.  Voted  to  erect  a  building  for  the  use  of  the  town  equal 
to  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  in  length  and  thirty  wide,  and  to  lease 
the  same  for  manufacturing  purposes.  Voted  to  raise  twelve  thou- 
sand dollars  by  issuing  town  bonds,  for  the  purpose  of  erecting 
such  building.  Robert  A.  Chapman,  Melville  C.  Kimball 
Richard  A.  Frye  and  Daniel  B.  Grover  were  appointed  a  building 
committee.  Voted  to  discontinue  the  town  way  from  True  P.  Dus- 
tin's  house  to  the  meeting  house  near  Eli  Swan's.  Chose  a  commit- 
tee to  look  up  evidence  to  be  used  in  the  case  of  Albert  S. 
Twitchell  and  others  for  the  possession  of  the  common.  Voted  to 
accept  the  street  deeded  to  the  town  by  the  heirs  of  Elbridge  Chap- 
man, Samuel  D.  Philbrook  and  Pinckney  Burnham.  For  Governor 
Sidney  Perham  had  two  hundred  and  seventy-six  votes  and  Charles 
P.  Kimball  had  two  hundred  and  ten.  At  the  November  election 
the  Republican  electors  polled  two  hundred  and  seventy-one  votes 
and  the  democratic  one  hundred  and  six. 

1873.  Abernethy  Gi-over    was    chosen    moderator,    Elbridge 


676  HLSTOBY   OF  BETHEL. 

G.  AVheeler,  C.  M.  Kimball  and  Gtlmau  Chapman,  selectmen, 
David  Hammons  treasurer,  Abernethy  Grover  auditor,  David  Gar- 
land superintending  school  committee,  Eber  Clough  collector  of 
taxes  and  Enoch  Foster  agent.  Voted  four  thousand  dollars  for 
highwa3^s.  Voted  that  the  selectmen  adopt  some  method  for  es- 
tablishing the  south  line  of  the  town.  Voted  that  the  municipal  of- 
ficers sell  the  town's  poor  house  and  all  the  personal  property  con- 
nected therewith.  Voted  to  accept  a  road  or  private  way  laid  out 
for  the  benefit  of  Jedediah  Estes  ;  also  a  road  laid  out  on  petition  of 
Tilton  Bennett.  Voted  that  the  treasurer  hire  money  to  pay  the 
execution  against  the  town  in  favor  of  Frederick  A.  Dumond  and 
wife.  Voted  fifty  dollars  to  Iniild  the  road  laid  out  from  Hanover 
Ferry  across  the  land  of  Charles  V.  Martin.  For  Governor,  Nelson 
Dingley  Jr.  had  two  hundred  and  twenty-six  votes,  and  Joseph  Tit- 
comb  one  hundred  and  thirty-eight.  Voted  to  oppose  the  repeal  of 
the  law  for  the  establishment  of  a  toll  bridge  in  Bethel  and  the 
right  to  demand  toll,  and  a  committee  was  chosen  to  go  before  the 
Legislative  committee  for  that  pni'pose. 

1874.  Abernethy  Grover  was  chosen  moderator  and  Goodwin 
R.  AViley  clerk.  Town  officers'  reports  were  read  and  accepted. 
Richard  A.  Frye  was  chosen  town  agent  and  Rev.  John  F.  Sim- 
mons school  committee.  Voted  to  raise  seven  thousand  six  hun- 
dred and  twenty-six  dollars  for  town  purposes  and  five  thousand 
dollars  for  roads.  Voted  five  hundred  dollars  to  rebuild  Alder 
river  bridge.  Voted  to  tax  dogs  the  sum  required  by  law.  Pinck- 
ne}'  Burnham  was  elected  representative.  The  town  lines  were 
perambulated  as  required  by  law.  At  a  meeting  January  twenty- 
uine,  voted  to  resist  the  petition  of  Alphin  Twitchell  and  others,  to 
the  Legislature,  asking  for  the  repeal  of  the  act  permitting  the 
town  of  Bethel  to  collect  toll  on  the  bridge  across  the  Androscog- 
gin river  at  Barker's  Ferry. 

1875.  Enoch  Foster  was  chosen  moderator.  Robert  A.  Chap- 
man treasurer  and  Richard  A.  Frye  agent.  Voted  a  discount  of  ten 
per  cent  on  all  money  taxes  paid  before  October  first.  David 
Garland  and  Xahum  W.  Grover  were  chosen  school  committee. 
Voted  fifteen  hundred  dollars  for  the  support  of  the  poor,  five  hun- 
dred dollars  for  building  roads,  and  six  thousand  dollars  for  the  re- 
pair of  roads.  Voted  "that  all  single  sleighs  and  sleds  used  by  the 
inhabitants  of  this  town  shall  be  so  altered  or  constructed  that  the 
center  of  the  sleigh  or  sled  shall  run  from  twelve  to  fourteen  inches 
to  the  right  of  the  center  of  the  draft  thereof,  this  vote  to  take  ef- 
fect on  the  first  day  of  December,  eighteen  hundred  and  seventv- 
five."  Voted  twentv-five  per  cent  discount  on  highway  taxes  when 
paid  in  cash,  before  the  fifteenth  of  June  proximo.  For  Governor 
Selden  Connor  had  two  hundred  and  twenty-seven  votes  and 
Charles  W.  Roberts  one  hundred  and  seventy-five.  Each  of  the 
several  proposed  constitutional  amendments  were  ratified  by  a  large 
majority. 


1 


INDEX   OF    NAMES. 


PAGE    1    TO    455. 


Alexander 7 

Austin 44,  45,  48,  61,  126,  303 

Andrews,  59,  62,  64,  69,  84,  86,  88, 
89,  90,  100,  160,  161,  162,  163, 
168,  175,  184,  185,  190.  201, 
266,  302,  336,  337,  384,  387, 
393,  394,  402,  412,  414.  443. 
Abbot,  61,  62,  85.  102,  111,  155,  165, 

167,  171,  173,  174,  175,  176. 
178,   181,   184,    185,    192,    222, 

.  223,  224,  234,  261,  284,  337, 
383,  384,  385,  402,  405,  430. 
443,  445,  4.50,  452. 

Asten 62 

Ames 62,  111,  161 

Avery 67 

Adams  67,    69,    162,    163,    164,    165, 
202,  227,    244,    267,    337,    398, 

401,  437,  443,  448. 

Adley 69 

B 

Bane 11,  76. 

Baker 17,  218,  227 

Bartlett,  19,  20,  22,  41,  57,   59,  62, 

63.  64,  65,  68.  69.  79,  84,  85. 
86,  88,  91,  98,  100,  101,  114. 
123,  124,  150,  157,  158.  160, 
161,    162,   163,    164,    166,   167, 

168,  169,  170,  171.  172,  173, 
174.  175,  176,  177,  178.  179, 
180,  181,  182,  183,  184,  185, 
186,  187,  188,  189,  190.  192. 
206,  208,  219.  224,  238.  253, 
260,  266.  268,  270,  282,  284, 
285,  288,  292,  295,  301,  304, 
308,  336,  343.  361,  376,  385, 
387,   389,    392,    393,  394.    395, 

402.  407,    414,    427,    430.    431, 


Anuis 69,  85,  90,  100,  103. 

Ayer,  69,  99,   164.  173,  179.  180,  182, 

190,    219,  241,    243,    244,    252, 

259,  267,    268,    269,    294,    393, 

401,  431. 

Arnold 75 

Allen,  87,   173,    182.    229,    233,    284, 

289,  377,  380,    390,    395.    400, 

410,  411,412. 

Atherton 90.  96 

Adamson 100 

Ayers 142 

Annas,  164,  166,   169,  171,  176.    177, 

179,  180,  181,  185,  186. 

Albee 186 

Anderson 187,  293,  402,  452. 

Appletou 187.  377 

Alger 390 

Aspinwall 406 


443,  444,    445,    446,    449.    450, 

451,  4.52,  453. 

Buckminster 20 

Bernard 20 

Brewer 21 .  393.  394. 

Burt 21.  269 

Bridges 22 

Bent 22.  266 

Baldwin 22 

Bryant,  22,  99,   114,   185.    267.    270, 

271,  291,  406. 

Bellows 23 

Bond 23,  391,  394.  396 

Beth 24 

Barker,  27,  56,  57,  60.  62,  85,  88,  90, 

95.  119,  126.  155,  163,  165,  169, 

171,   176,    178,    180,    181,    183, 


678 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 


186,  193,  204,  205,  206,  213, 
234,  235,  243.  252,  254,  266, 
270,  292,  294,  298,  301,  303, 
307,  308,  384,  385,  389,  396, 
401,  402,  407.  408.  413,  414, 
416.  427,  437,  438,  444,  445, 
446. 

Barton,  41,  69,  160,    161,    162,    216, 

232,  233.  234. 
Bean,  42,  55.  57,  59.  62,  63,  64,  65, 
69,  84,  85,  86.  88,  90.  91,  95, 
96.  122,  160.  161.  162,  163,  164, 
165.  168,  169,  170,  171.  173. 
174.  175,  176,  177,  178,  179, 
181,  182.  183,  185,  186,  189. 
190,  191.  205,  219,  221,  223. 
224,  265.  267,  269,  270,  271, 
282,  287,  295,  296.  307,  308, 
323,  336,  361,  385,  387,  390, 
393.  394.  400.  401,  402,  407, 
414,  418.  421.  431.  437.  439. 
444.  445.  446.  450,  454. 

Bearce 44.  98,  182,  414 

Brickott 59.  63.  241.  281.  420 

Bradley,  60,  61.  199.  207.  281.  420. 
437. 

Barron 61 

Bragiloii 61 

Blake.  62,  90,  102,  103.  112.  164.  166. 
167,   168,    169.    172.    175,    178. 

187,  192,  227,  285,  296.  336. 
385.  430,  437.  444.  446. 

Burbank,  64,  113,  114.  115.  158.  164. 
165.  171.  174,  178,  180,  183. 
204,  205.  208.  245.  267.  284. 
286.  287,  288.  289.  292.  301, 
303.  309  .335.  336.  384.  395. 
398,   406,    411.    415.    416.    438. 

443,  444,  445.  446. 

Brown,  69,  84.  87.  90.  95.  103.  114. 
115.  162,  168.  170.  171.  175. 
176.  177,  181.  184,  204,  206, 
218.  22C,  266,  268.  269.  271. 
284,  287,  288,  289.  290.  293. 
295.  301.  303,  326.  334.  335. 
336,  339.  342.  383,  385.  386. 
390.  394,  397,  402,  404,  406, 
413,  414,    416,    427,    428.    430. 

444.  446,  450.  452. 

Bird,    86,  99,  182,  185.  221.  223,  224. 

386. 
Beattv,  87,   172.   173,   174,   179,   184. 

339. 

.Bragj? 89.  402 

Bell 90 

Bridoiiani 90,  291 

Bi.shee....90,  180,  182,  189,  405,413 

Billinjrs 90,  385,  401,  402,  413 

Beekler 90 

Beebe 91,  .362 

Besse 98,  178,  180,  185,  399 


Buck,  98,  111,  202,  203,  215.  255,  287 

Berry 99,  177,  178,  400,  401,  402 

Barrett 107 

Barnard 107 

Bostwick Ill 

Bachelder 112 

Buxton 116,  250 

Blauchard 119,  267 

Banks 130.  260 

Bradbury ..144,218.  336 

Bullard." 151 

Brooks 172,  178,  205,  402,  454 

Burk 172,  173,  175.  176,  437 

Burnham,  186,    204.    205,    223.    226, 

235,   292,    293,    385.  387.    390, 

412,  430,  446. 

Bronson .  188 

Boothby 188 

Bennett 189,  270 

Bradford 201,  208,  213,  240,  337 

Beanian 201,  213,  271 

Bowler 203,  216 

Bridji-e 205,  402 

Bootb 210 

Bolster 218,  287 

Bray 220,221,  225 

Butler 223 

Beayins 223,  226,  270.  402,  404 

Becker 227 

Bodwell 231 

Bates 231,  334 

Bosserman 232 

Barrows.  249.  33G.  337,  386.  399,  407, 

446. 

Burleio;li 260 

Blaekmau 266 

Bowker 266,  362 

Beard 267,  271 

Blaek 269,  336,  387,  400,  450,  453 

Bwdge 287 

Bonan 291 

Burns   291,  292 

Bicknell 292.  337 

Bailey 293 

Barbour 304 

Burden 309,  384,  387,  402 

Bass 336 

Buswell 336 

Baxter 366 

Bonuey..383,  395,  396,  409,  411,  412 

Bedell! 384 

Benson 387,  406 

Ballard 402,  411 

Brock 402,  412 

Buttertield 402 

Bisliop 404 

Bracket! 437 

Bennett 437 

Blodgett 437 

Boyden 450 


II  1ST  on  Y   OF  BETHEL. 


679 


Cartier 3 

Champlaiu 4 

Cutt 17 

Converse 17 

Clark,  19,  20,  22,  26,  38,  40,  41,  45. 
46,  47,  48,  51,  54.  57,  59,  62, 
63,  68,  69,  79,  80,  83,  86,  87. 
88,  90,  113,  114,  115,  160,  161, 
163,  164,  165,  169,  177,  181, 
208,  212,  219,  281,  300,  301, 
303,  307,  309,  336,  394,  402, 
404,  406,  407,  413,  414,  421. 
427,  438.  443. 

Cogiu 22 

Corey 22 

Coney 23 

Chapman,  59,  60,  62,  65,  69,  79,  85, 
86,  88,  89,  91,  95,  96,  107,  115, 
116,  117,  118,  119,  120,  121, 
134,  161,  162,  163,  164,  165, 
166.  167,  168,  171,  172,  175, 
178,  179,  181,  183,  184,  185, 
187,  188,  189.  192,  193.  204. 
205,  206,  207.  208,  209.  235, 
236,  240,  266,  268,  271,  272, 
281,  284,  285,  286,  287,  289, 
290,  292,  293,  294,  295,  296, 
297,  302,  304,  305,  307,  308, 
309,  312,  323,  333,  337.  362, 
363,  364,  365,  366.  376,  384. 
387,  389,  390,  392,  395,  396^ 
397,  398,  401,  402,  403,  405. 
407,  410,  411,  412,  413.  414. 
416,  422,  427,  429.  430.  437. 
438,  443,  444,  446. 

Charles 61 

Chandler,  61.  103,  178,  185,  186.  187, 
205,  251,  272,  291,  295,  384, 
401,  402,  407,  409,  411,  430. 
Carter,  69,  87,  88.  95,  121,  156,  157. 
162,  163,  164.  166.  167,  168, 
169,  170.  171,  172,  174,  175, 
176,  181,  182.  183.  184.  185. 
186,  187,  188,  192,  204.  237. 
242,  246,  252,  253,  272,  284, 
285,  28(!,  289,  295,  296,  331. 
334,  336,  337,  375,  383,  395, 
397.  402,  443,  444,  445,  446. 
Capen,  69,  91,  171,  176.  184.  189,  267, 

397. 
Coffin,  69,  70,  91,  161,  176,  184,  187, 
192,    199,    219,  232,    281,    393, 
411. 

Church 74,  200,  201 

Conn.. 84,  188 

Crawford 87,  409 

Cummings,  90,  91,  98,  99,  100.  107, 
111,  181,  188,  190,  202,  205, 
289,  336,  337. 

Chaplin 90 

Oolby 90,  172,  175 


Cross.  91,  164,  176,  180,  183,  185, 
186,  189,  205,  267,  271,  272, 
284,  287,  290,  295,  311,  382, 
387,  397,  402,  411,  427,  430, 
446. 

Chamberlain 91,  201,  204,  285 

Case 91,  103,  167,  168,  169 

Cushman,  91,  99,  102,  103,  125,  167, 
175,  176,  177,  181,  182,  185, 
188,  213,  222,  223,  224,  296. 

Carjjenter 96 

C'rooker 96,  100,  101,  387 

Chase,  99,  102,  204,  206,  219,  256, 
262,  291,  296,  324,  336,  337, 
399,  402,  423. 

Cram 102 

Culler Ill,  112 

Clay 136,  244 

Corwin 137 

Crowiugsliield 173 

Cillev 178 

Chadbourn,  180.  219,  225,  386.  393. 
398. 

Carv 185.  187,  335 

( 'oburn 186,  414 

'Curtis 186 

Clough.  189,  232,  287,  301,  382,  389, 
403,  404,  430,  444,  446. 

Cressev 201 

Chickering 202,  218 

Cobb - 206.  227 

Crocker 207 

Codman 207 

Cromwell 216 

Colburn 216 

Carruthers 218 

Cole 219,  271.  439 

Crosby 221 

Chaney 227 

Cumnev 228 

Child .  .* 228 

Cook 255.  266,  272 

Cheney 263 

Connor 266 

Cooper 272 

Collins 287 

Carpenter 290 

Carletou.   291,  454 

Cliftbrd 292 

Churchill 294 

Clav 324 

Choate 324 

Chaplin 336 

Can- 336 

Churchill 337 

Cloutnum,  350,  351,  352,  353,  354,  360 

Cleveland 376 

Covel 399,  400 

Currier 399 

Cadv 415 

Crockett 444 


680 


HIS  TOBY  OF  BETHEL. 


DeMonts :'.,  4 

DeGuerchville 8 

Druillettes 10 

Dike 22 

Duston,  38,  41,  56,  57,  62,  70,  86.  91. 

95,  100,  153,  160,  163,  168.  171, 

173.   176,    181,    190,    207,    302. 

303,  311,    339,    382,    383,    386. 

389.   393.  427,    437,    443,    444. 

449.  450. 

Dodge 44 

Davis,  60,  95,  111,  205,  206,  252.  284. 

287,  293,    326.    379.    3»7,    400, 

408,  409,  412. 

Dresser 61 

Davenport 61 

Deail  )oni 61 

Dauiels 98 

Dunn 99 

Dolloft 100.  265.  266,  272 

Dunlev 101 

Dunliani,  102.  183,  184.  187.  220.  222. 

223,  224,  226,  266,  283. 
Derby Ill 


Dunlap 112.  183 

Dexter 170,   171 

Drinkwater 171,  220,  225,  283 

Drake....  180,  181,  443,  446,  450,  451 

Dana 188,  256 

Douglass,  201,    202,    213,    214.    218, 
292.  38G,  402,  403. 

Dwiglit 202 

Dillawav 204,  205,  385 

Dodd..". 218 

Downing 227 

Dow...." 228 

Davies 228 

Dillinohani 233 

DeWitt 251 

Dalrymple 272^ 

Dresser 288 

Dinglev 330 

Deadv". 369 

Dane". 376 

Deane 376 

Dutton 386 

Drnmniond 399,  400 

Durrell 405 


Eames,  19,  20, 
163.  166, 
186,  195, 
400,  403, 

Eastman 

Evans 

Estes,  62.  70,  8 
162,  163. 
178,  179, 
184.  185, 
219,  221. 
272.  273. 
308.  384. 
397.  403, 

Ellenwood 

Elingwood,  87 
167,  173. 
180,   201, 


22,  70,  84,  87,  88,  103, 
170.    177,    181,    183, 

222,  223,   287,    293, 
443,  444.  445,  446. 
...     61.  267.  367.  387 

61.  162.  273.  288 

7.  89.  91,  98.  99,  100. 
,    168.   171.    176.    177, 

180,  181,  182.  183. 
186,    187,    189,    190. 

223,  237,  238.  239, 
288,  290,  291,  294. 
386.    387.    393,    396. 

435. 

70 

,   148,   149,    160,    162, 

175,    176,    178.    179, 

.  213.    247,    273,    284. 


308,  334,  355,  356,  357,  383, 
384,  396,  397,  398,  403.  410, 
411.  412,  429. 

Elliot 185,  189,  385,  386,  454 

Ethridge 189,  267,  384,  444 

Eaton . 229.  292 

p:ikins 229 

Edwards.  232.  265,  266,  267,  268. 
272.  273,  291,  293.  294.  367, 
368.  387,  406.  410,  413.  414. 
444. 

Emerson 237 

Everett 266,  437 

ICnierv 284,  336 

Eustis 336 

Endioott 362 

Ellis 377 


Flagg. 
Fay. 


Fuller,  23,  26,  111,  227,  228,  299 
Fester.  27,  32,  61,  88,  89,  91,  95, 
124,  174,  176,  180,  181, 
185,  205,  210,  218,  219, 
222,  223,  224,  238,  259, 
261,  286,  287,  290,  291, 
296,  318,  386,  399,  400, 
403,  406.  407,  411,  414, 
425,  426,  429,  443,  444, 
446,  447,  450,  451.  452. 


.  .21       Favor 40 

..22  Farrington,    54,60,61,227,291,336 

.394  Frve,  61.  62.  89,  95,   110,   157,    161, 

101,  ■        176,   178,    179,    180,    182,    186, 

183,  187,  205,    254,    255,    256,    257, 

221,  258,   260.  261.    262.    266,    267, 

260,  284.  285,    286,    287,    289.    293, 

294,  295,  296.    323,    330.    331.    335, 

402,  377,  397,    398,    403.    409.    412, 

424,  414.  427,  430,  443,  445,  446. 

445,  Frost,  62,   70,  89,  91,  96,    100,    101, 
117.     122,    123,   158,  160.    16U 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 


681 


165,  169.  171,  172,  175,  176, 
177,  178,  179,  180,  181,  182, 
183.    184,   186,    187,    188,    190, 

201,  202,  203,  212,  213.  2U, 
215,  218,    231,    240,    253,    282, 

283,  284,  286,  335,  385,  387, 
393.  403,  412,  443,  444,  445, 
446,  449,  451,  453. 

Fenno,  62.  63,  70,  160,  161,  193,  298, 

385,  421.  443. 
Farwell,  70,  84.   142.   175,  176,   177, 

180.  182,   184.  185,   186,     187, 

188,  273,  295,  308,  336,  387, 
405,  406. 

French.... 91,  293,  386,  405,  406,  412 

Fiisbee 91 

Fairfield 92,  184,  186,  451 

Fifield 99 

Farrar 101,  107,  219,  273 

Fessendeu,    162.  188,  199,  200,  201, 

281,  336,  337. 
Fletcher 167 

G 

Gorges 5,  6.  9 

Gilbert 5,  112 

Grover,  12,  42,  43,  53,  57,  59.  62,  63, 

68,  70,  84,  86,  88,  89,  91,  125, 
126,  127,  128,  129,  130,  131, 
132,   158,    161,    162,    163,    164, 

166,  167,  171,  172,  173,  174, 
175,   176,    177,    178,    179.    180, 

181.  182.    183,    185,    186,    188. 

189,  193,  200,  201,  203.  204, 
205,  206,  217,  239.  243,  245, 
246,  247,  248,  249.  252,  262, 
263,   265,  267,    268,    274,    275, 

284,  285,  286,  287,  288,  290. 
292,  295,  296,  302,  303,  304, 
308,  320,  330,  332,  334,  337, 
339,  367,  368,  369,  370,  371, 
372,  373,  374,  375,  376,  379, 
384.  387,  389.  393,  395,  396, 
397,  401,  403,  407,  408.  411,- 
412,  418,  420.  427,  432,  433, 
437,  441,  442,  443,  444,  445, 
446. 

Green 21,  229,  290,  291 

Golding 21 

Grout,  22,  40,  87,  164,  165,  166,  168, 

172,  173,  182,  395,  396. 

Graves 22 

Gray 37,  202,  254,  267,  392,  407 

Goss,  38,  62,  69,   100,   101,  176,   177, 

179,  183,  185.  190,  435. 
Gould,  46,  70,  84,  88.   199,  200,  201, 

202,  203,  207,  210,  211,  212, 
213,  218,    219,    229,    246,    247, 

■  257,  282,    283,   285,    290.    291, 
320,  333,  408.  409,  437. 
Gage,  59,  62,  70,   160,  161,  163,   167, 
171.   176.    181,    200.    218,    253, 


Fowler 176 

Forbes 188,  415 

Fanniug~r 195,  204,  251,  416 

Farnsworth. 205,  329 

Foot 205 

Fernald 214,  287,  294 

Finnegan 226 

Fairbanks 228 

Freeman,    232,    266,    267,    268,    273, 
274,  339,  404,  412,  445,  446. 

Fogg 234 

Freeland 242 

Francis 251 

Fisk 287,  368 

Fellows 294 

Fish 302 

Faruum 361 

Farrington 403 

Flint .'. 403 

Fickett 403 

Folsom 403 


282,  291,    336,    337,    393,    394, 

403. 

Gordon 61,254,  291.  412. 

Greenwood.    70,   91,    116.    160,   162, 

170,  171,  173,  178,  180,  200. 
Goodenow,    70,    170,    171.  267,  336, 

450. 

Gossom 70,  167,  184,  186,  219 

Grant 85,  96.  112,  176.  387 

Goddard.  86,  100,  183.  274,  294.  295, 

376,  383,  403,  429,  444. 
Godwin.... 97,  98.  205,  387,  403.  407 

Glines 101,  178 

Gardner 111.  277 

Gill 160.  162 

Gerry,  162,   163,   167,   168,  169.    258, 
'  287,  336. 

Gore 166,  167.  168 

Garland,  184,  202,  217,  218,  283.  287, 

295,  296,  297,  339. 

(xallison 188 

Griggs 194 

Greelev 201.  202.  213.  262 

Goodhue 202 

Gerrish.  232,  274,  293,  384,  399,  400, 

404,  410. 
Gaines... 282,  233,  250,  266,  283,  287 

Galusha 239 

Gehring 254 

Gibson,  259,  263,  293,  294,  336.  399, 

400,   401,  402,    403,    406.    407. 

429,  446. 

Griffin 266 

Gates 274 

Gorhani 294 

Gammon 336 

Gregg 337 

Grandin 430 


•682 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 


Harmon 11 

Hide 22 

Holbrook 22 

Han-iugtou 22,  23 

Howe,  24,  93,  100.  181,  275,  38(i,  399. 
Hastiugs,  39,  43,  62,  67.  70,  83,  84, 
85,  86,  87,  88,  95.  96,  125,  158, 
160,  161,  162,  163,  166,  169, 
172,  174,  177,  178,  181,  182, 
184,  186.  187.  189,  192,  267, 
268,  275,  282,  284,  285,  286. 
287,  289,  293,  294,  295,  296, 
301,   319,  323,    376,    377,    378, 

385,  387,  395,  398,  403.  408, 
411,  413,  414,  427,  428,  429, 
430,  442.  443,  444,  445.  446. 

Holt.  59.  62,  63,  70,  84.  86.  87,  90, 
95.  96,  111.  157,  160,  161.  162, 
163,  164,  165,  166,  168,  170. 
174.  175,  177,  178,  179,  181. 
182.  185.  188.  189.  200,  205. 
206,  221.  222.  223,  224,  275. 
291,  296,    308,  337,    383.    385, 

386.  390.  393,  399,  400,  402, 
403,  404,  405,  423,  424,  443. 
445. 

Hutchinson 60.  229,  336 

Hutchins.  01,  100.  189,  201.  208,  213. 

266,  275,  276,  403,  444,  452. 

Hazelton 61,  229,  230 

Hisoin (Jl 

Harvey 62,  69.  92. 

Howard,  62,  70.   100,   107.  111.    162. 

168,   177.    178,    179.    Is2.    1S7. 

189.   224,    229,    2 TO.    286,    oSC. 

394,  443,    447,    448,    440,    450. 

451,  452,  453,  454. 
Harris,   85,   183,  205,  218,  284.  291, 

337.  367,    382,    387,    39(J,    397. 

398,  409,  411, 412,  413, 438,  452 
Hills.  .S6,  168,  176.  386,  396,  398,  446 

JIul}bard 87,  189 

Hall' 90,  91,  290 

HiTscy 90.  403 

Ha]>i>:ood...90,  91,  189.  204.  296,  387 
Haskell.... 90,  91,  337,  401,  403.  404 

H"l'bs 94,  98 

Hamlin 96,  111,  189,290,336 

Hodsdon,  96,  101.  103.  167,  171,  177. 

180,  275,  386,  446. 

Hcmmingway 97.  98.  173 

Harper .98,  266 

Hatch 102,  144 

Hilbm-n 102.  387,  446 

Hall,   107,   169,    205.    206,    275,    287, 

288,  290,  336,  384,  387,  403. 

Holman Ill 

Hill Ill,  164,  171,  254,  396,  403 

Holmes Ill,  145,  238,  275 


H 

Hounsfleld in 

Huntington 112 

Hull 122 

Heywood,    133,    294,    408,  416,  450, 
451,  452. 

Huuton 179,  180,  450 

Hodgman 180 

Herrick,  182.  261,  262,  287,  293,  409, 
413,  414,  427,  446. 

Hodgdon 183,  186 

Heath 183,  189,  267 

Harden -  .184,  275 

Hibbard 187 

Hasseltine 188 

Haselton 189 

Hilliard 201,  203 

Hopkins 202.  218,  287 

Hardy 203,  217 

Hanson 205 

Hackett 206 

Hard 206.  210.  285 

Hooper 219 

Hawlev 223 

Harthdrn 224 

Hollev 226 

Hiimian 227 

Hart 229 

Hamblen 229 

Holland 243 

Hozack 251 

Hammons,    257,    287,  292,  377,  385, 

404,  405,  412,  446. 

Howland 264 

Hammond.... 266,  268,  275,  401.  410 

Ham  267 

Hieks 267 

Heath 275 

Hobart 275 

Hussev 287 

Hawkins 289 

Holden 290 

Howe.  292,  295,  401,  403,  450.  451, 

452,  453.  4.54. 

Harlow 292^ 

Havnes 336 

Hearsev 336.  .337 

Hinds,  "349,  350,  351,  352,  353,  354, 

355,  358,  359,  360,  367. 

Hovey 362 

Hasset 362 

Harding 369 

Holaday 373 

Hayes. 374 

Houghton 386 

Havden 387,  412,  430 

Harrington 393,  394 

Heintzelman 432 

Hemmeuwav 450 

Hoyt '. 450,451,  452,  453 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 


683 


Ingalls,  37,  38,  42,  49,  55,  57,  62,  64, 
69,  85,,  175,  191,  249,  284,  289, 


300,  301,  303,  370,  376,  393. 


Jordan,  17,  90,  99,  127,  181,  182,  188, 
192,  229,  267,  367,  403,  412. 

Jaquith 20,  22 

Jones, 21,  90,  227,  403,  406,  454 

Jackson,    27,    33,    62,    244,  267,    276 

432. 
Johnson,  61,  107,  111,   119.  287,  288, 
403. 

Johnston 87,  129 

Jewell 90.  454 

Jackman 167,  208,  396 

Kilby 21,  24 

Keyes,  37,  38,  72,  300,  301,  304,  392, 
428. 

Knowlton 37,  392 

Knight 61,  99,  266,  287,  339,  383 

Kilgoi-e.  62,  68,  70,  84,  90,  100,  165, 

166,  167,  168,  170,  178,  192, 
219,  221,  222,  403,  423.  429, 
443,  446. 

Kimball,  63,  70,  79,  85,  86,  88,  89, 
90,  95,  98,  100,  101,  121,  132, 
133,   134,    155,    160,    163,    166, 

167,  169,  170,  172,  174,  175, 
176,  177,  178,  179.  180,  181, 
182,  183,  184,  185,  186,  187, 
188,  191,  200,  205,  219,  221, 
222,  223,  224,  232,  253.  259, 
266.  268,  276.  284,  289.  294, 
295,  296,    301,    308,    323,    339, 


Jewett,  186,  187,  188,  195,  201,  206, 
231,  336,  387,  404,  428,  446, 
449,  450. 

Jenks 235 

Jobiu 246 

Jefferds 290 

Jeffrey 293 

Jenkins 334 

Jameson 336 

Jacobs 399 


K 


367,  382,   386,    387.    393,    396, 
400,  403,    406,    411,    412,    430, 
431,  443.  444.  445,  446,  451. 
Kendall,  87,  90,   171,    173,   184,   185, 

387,  389,  390,  404,  406. 
Kilburn.  90.  204,  205,  382,  401,  403, 
413,  414,  445. 

Kenyon 99 

Ketchum Ill 

Knap 142,  266,  386,  452.  454 

King 174,  204,  292.  336,  394,  414 

Kent 183,  184,  186,  451 

Keuuerson 276 

Kenney 293 

Klttredge 336 

Keith 336.  407 

Kurty 364 

Keach 386 


Lee 17,  92,  111 

Lyscom..' 22 

Liverniore 26 

Littlehale.  61,  85,  103,  266,  397,  411, 
412,  454. 

Larv 62,  247,  403,  437,  438 

Lane,  70,  161,  180,  205,  403,  407,  449, 

450,  454. 
Locke,  70.  90,  99,  102,  134,  135,  136, 
137,  138,  139,  141,  1.58,  162, 
164,  166,  171,  172,  174,  176, 
177,  180,  186,  189,  276,  289, 
290.  291,  292,  294,  296,  307, 
382,  386,  444,  446. 
Lincoln,  81,  82,  83,  138,  152,  166, 
167,  253,  265,  376,  449. 

Langley 90 

Libby 90,  205 

Latham 94 


Lapham,  98,  99,  101,  176,  178,  189, 
223,  252.  265,  276,  289,  384, 
396,  .399.  446. 

Lovewell 110,  422 

Lyell 139 

Liebig 1.39 

Leland.  ..150,  202,  203,  215,  283,  287 

Little 171,  201,20.3,  284,  337 

Lj'ou 178,  204,  205,  296 

Larcom 196,  197 

Loring 202.  336 

Loud 205 

Leavitt 206,  233.  337 

Lovejoy 218,  384,  400,  403.  414 

Lang 267 

Lowell 287 

Lunt 290,  294 

Leonard 290 

Lewey 299,  423 


684 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 


Lee 324 

Livingstou 324 

Ludden...    336 

Long 336 

Loomis 855,  356.  357,  359 

Lucas 387.  437 


Lovell 399 

Lovev 399 

Lurvev 403,  404 

Leach'. 404,  405- 

Lydou 407 

Lynch 412 


M 


Moulton,   11,  81,  86,  88,  89,  171,  176, 
222. 

Mixer 21 

Moor 21,  100 

Mackdalillin 21 

Meriain,    21,  26,  87.    170.    171.    383, 
394. 

Macke 21 

Morse,  23,  25,  70,  90,   164,  171.  219, 

228,  287,  291,  336,  337,  417. 
Mason,    6,  38,  39,  41,  43.  59.  62.  65, 
70.  83,  84,  86.  87,  94,  95,   141, 
142,   143,    144.    150.    158,    160, 
161.   163,    165,    166,    167,    168, 

169,  170,  171,  173,  174,  175, 
176,  177,  178,  179,  180,  181, 
182,  184,  185,  186,  187,  188, 
189,  192.  193,  205.  208.  209, 
219,  220,  222.  225,  232,  233, 
239,  243.  245,  248,  252.  277, 
281,  282,  284.  286.  287.  288. 
289.  291,  293,  294,  295.  296. 
302,  303.  304.  307,  308,  319, 
323.  342,  367.  368.  382,  385, 
386,  387,  390.  395,  396,  309, 
400,  402,  403.  404.  406.  407. 
408.  409,  412.  413.  414.  416. 
417,  420.  427.  428.  429.  437. 
43.S,  443.  444.  445.  446. 

Marshall  43,  64,  303,  324,  421.  432. 

439. 
Merrill,    61.  70,  86,  95,  162.  163.  167. 

170,  174,  175,  182,  184,  189, 
201.  213,  225,  246.  267,  277. 
291.   348,    382,    383.    .384.    386. 


387,  392,    395,    396,    397,    398, 

399,  410.  416,  439,  444. 

Maconiber 61 

Messer 62,  204,  437 

Mills.  62,  83,  168,  171,  172,  203,  277, 

303,  385,  420,  437. 

Marble 86,  166,  383,  386. 

Moody.. 86.  89.  98,  99,  175,  176,  183, 

'l86.  189,  210,  223,  336. 

McKeuney 89,  212 

Moffatt..." 91 

McMillan, 107 

>[orris " 137 

Mc(  lure 156 

Morrill 159,  403 

Mitchell.  201.  213,  223,  226.  251.  277 

Morton 206,  254  401.  403,  407 

McRuer 216 

Martin.    227,  241.  259,  290,  336,  444, 

445. 

Merrill 227.  337 

Meriek 227 

Mott 251 

Mulvev ...-254 

McKeeu 267,403 

Morgan 277.  454 

McPherson   287 

McKusick 291 

Mellen 336 

Mvrick 337 

Mill.'r 364 

McLellan 367,  394 

McClo.sky 384,  429 

Mead...." 430 

Mardeu 452 


N 


Noyes 23,  24,  23« 

Newton 26 

Newland 70,  306 

Noble 70 

Needhani 101,  103,  184,  189,  406 

Nutthig 103.  186.  277,  415 


Newell 178.  181,  227,  240,  284 

Nevers 336 

Norton 366 

Nelson 369 

Nesniith 369,  370- 


o 


Osland 21 

Ockett 78,  79,  80.  241,  422 

Osgood : 161,  169,  217 

Oliver....  173,  192,  267,  383,  406,  411 


O'lJrien 2,58 

Odell..-- 294 

Orlando :  392: 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 


685 


Popham 5 

Purchas 8 

Phips 8,  10,  15,  16,  18 

Pepperell 15 

Patterson 22 

Parker,  22,  40,  61,  115.  227,266.  392, 

393,  394,  446. 

Parris, 22,  175,  291,  334,  33C 

Perry,  27,    151,  227.    228.    288,    449, 

450. 
Powers,  38,  41,  42,  59,  62,  63,  64,  68, 

70,  85.    86.  90,  100,  160,    161, 

163,   165,    166,    167,    168,    169. 

173,    175,    176,   177,    181.    187, 

189,    190,   191,    219,    277,    302. 

303.  308,    337,    384,    386,    393. 

401,  403,    431.    443.    450.    451. 

453,  454. 

Parmenter 41 

Petteugill. 48,  54,  229,  437 

Poor 48,  107.  211.  266,  336,  337 

Pierce 61,  291,  350 

Page 61,  91,  206,  227,  370 

Phillips 67.  291,  299,  337,  423 

Purchase 72.  73.  74 

Price 87,  397 

Plummer. 91.  287 

Proctor .....91 

Pride 91 

Peabodv...91.  267,  277,  290,  394,  437 
Peverlv 100 


Parkhurst Ill 

Peck 112 

Pitkin 112 

Pike 144,  393 

Pote 175.  178 

Phelps 182 

Puringtou,  204.  205,  287.  367,'  386, 

387,  412,  413. 
Philbrook,    204.  287,  294,  295.    302, 

403.  414. 

Partridge 207,  399,  400 

Perley 210.  293 

Packard   218,  288 

Perkins 223,  337.  420 

Pain 227,  291.  437 

Pratt 227,  277 

Potter 229 

Pattee,  232,  259.  294,  367.  399,  402. 

403,  413. 

Past 251 

Penley 266,  277 

Pingree.  - 266,  284 

Putnam 278,  452,  453 

Pickard 285 

Perham 288.  318,  399 

Preble 334 

Pond 335 

Parsons 337 

Pressey 403 

Park.." 446 


Quincv 112      Qucipo. 

Q\iiniby 22i» 


.292 


fuchardson,  19,  20,  21.  24.  26.  41.  55. 
56,  170,  177.  206,  278,  292.  299, 
300,  392,  393,  394,  403. 

Raymond 20,  21 

Rice 22,  107,  151,  267,278.  393 

Russell,  38,  39,  40,  41,  55,  56,  57,  59. 
61,  62,  63,  m,  67.  68,  70,  85. 
87,  88,  91,  96,  102.  Ill,  135, 
157;  160<  Ifilj^  16a,  16^,  16< 
168^  170V  173";:  175,  176.-^181, 
183,'  184,  18'5,  192,  196}  200, 
204,  205,  208,  219,  5^  243, 
253,  266,  278,  28.4,  289,  293, 
294,  301,  302.  303,  307,  308, 
383,  384,  385,  386,  *387,  392, 
393,  394,  395,  396,  397,  398, 
403,  407,  411,  419,  420,  421, 
424,  428,  430,  439,  445,  450, 
451,  452,  453,  454.  uu:   .      ■  — 

Ringe 49 

Rowe,  60,  78,  87,   168,  178,  204,  278, 


287.  291,    293,    367,    379,    387, 
403,  408,  411,  813.  414. 

Reddington 64,  311 

Robbins,  67,  99,  341,  342,  343,  344, 
345,  349,  350,  351.  352,  353, 
354.  355.  356,  357,  358,  359. 
360; 
Robinson,  70.  87.  95,  120,  123,  175, 
176,  187,  232,  2.58,  268,  278, 
284,  287,  292.  335,  337,  387, 
395,  396,  398,  410,  411,  412. 
413.  429,  430,  446,  452. 

Rogers 78,  206,  208.  437 

Ryerson 90.  278 

Robertson,  95,  102,  167,  182,  186, 
205,  265,  267,  278,  292,  378, 
383,  396,  408,  409.  412,  429, 
440. 

Russ 102 

Rust Ill,  165,  167 

Richards HI 


686 


HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 


Eoberts,  164,  183,  253,  449,  450,  451, 
452,  453. 

Reynolds 176,  383,  385,  430 

Robey  201 

Ripley 201,  438 

Rood 202 

Rich,  205,  206,  292,    401,    402,    403, 
•     446- 

Rawson 211,  212,  224 

Rand 212 

s 

Seymoui- 6 

Sheffield 21 

Stone 21,  24,  300,  337 

Sparhawk 23 

Spottbrd 27,  62,  70,  164,  185 

Sleeper 27 

Swan,  31,  38,  40,  41,  48,  55,  59,  61, 

62,  63,  68.  70,  78.  79,  85,  87. 
95,  96,  102.  143,  160.  161,  162. 
107,  168,  169,  170,  174,  175, 
176,  178,  187,  192,  279,  295, 
302,  303,  .308,  383,  395,  420, 
421,  427,  437,  454. 

Segar,  37,  38.  41,  45,  46,  48.  51.  62. 

63,  69.  70,  81,  150,  160,  161, 
162,  169,  178,  190,  282,  300, 
301,  303,  304,  307,  384,  393, 
427,  431,  450. 

Smith.  40,  62.  69.  91,  136,  179,  180, 
1.S3,  185,  195,  201,  206,  213. 
214,  219,  222,  229,  279,  292, 
295,  335,  337,  370,  402,  415, 
448,  449,  450,  451,  452,  453, 
454. 
Stearns,  59.  62,  68,  70,  87,  89,  91, 
102,  155,  160,  161.  162,  167, 
171,  173,  175,  176.  181,  182. 
185,  219,  221,  222,  223,  252, 
265,  279,  282,  293,  343,  386, 
394,  396,  408,  411. 
Sanborn.  61.  91,  177.  178,  181,  184. 
192,  194,  266,  268,  279,  284, 
301,  403,  406. 
Stevens,  61,  101,  127,  128,  144,  176, 
189,  387.  399,  404. 

Sweat 70,  98,  177,  224 

Shnplcigh 72 

Sabattis. 78 

Swarson 78,  299,  423 

Susup 78 

Strickland 80.  91,  92.  336 

Staples.. -.85,  170,  172,  385,  454,  455 

Sprague -  85,  91.  185,  449 

Swift,   87,  91,  95,  182,  221,  279,  387, 
399,  402,  429. 

Scribner 90,  279,  403 

Shed 91 

Sanders- .  .91,  448,  449,  450,  451,  452 


Randall 227,  285,  336 

Roi 246 

Robie 260 

Rowell 278 

Record 384,  404 

Reed 397 

Roach 401 

Rose 404,  405,  427 

Rolfe 453 


Stiles,   91,    101,   188,  232,  293,    408, 

413,  449,  450. 
Shorey....91,  103,  171,  176,  184,  186 

Scott 92,  122 

Shehan 95,  293,  376,  401 

Sto\vell..l07,  201,  213,  279,  336.  407 

Starr 107,  336 

Stowe 107. 

Shepard 110 

Sewise 112 

SkilHngs.    134,    279,    287,    387,    401, 

402,  403,   405,    413,    414,    427, 

446. 

Stark 142 

Shuman 144 

Shay 152 

Suniner 160,  161 

Strong.    162.  163,  164,   165.  166,  169, 

170. 

Snllivan 164,  165,  166 

Slierman 176,  437 

Shaw 184,  227,  337,  383.  437 

Sewall,  201,  202,  203,  206,  236,  336,. 

337. 

Spanlding 205 

StJiidey 205,  295.  337 

Svnioilds 208 

Spun- 213 

Soutliwick 226 

Snething 226 

Stinson 227 

Spear 227 

Simmons 232 

Scliaver 233 

Steuben. 241 

Straw,    244,  377,  403.  413,  417,  429 

452. 

Sliepley 259,  334,  335 

Sawyer 263,  267,  289,  400 

Seavey 265,  267,  279 

Small 266,  290,  337,  429 

Sheridan 268,  378 

Sawtelle 278 

Slnrgis 279,  293 

Soule 285,  287,  446 

Snow 287 

Sweetsir 288 

Steele .336 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL. 


687 


Stickney 336,  337  Shurtleff 337 

Spring.'. 33(5,  337  Sholes 399 

Stetson 336  Seavy 407 

Storer 337  Spring 412 


Tosier 17 

Taylor 21,  38,  226,  227,438 

Twitchell,  21,  24,  25,  26,  27,  29,  39, 
46,  47,  53,  54,  56,  57,  59,  60, 
62,  63,  64,  65,  67,  68,  70,  83,  84, 
85,  86,  87,  88,  89,  90,  91,  93, 
95,  105,  113,  114,115,  126,  134, 
142.  143,  147,  148,  149,  150, 
151,  152,  153.  154.  158,  160, 
161,  162,  163,  164,  165,  166, 
167,  168,  169,  170,  171,  173, 
174,  175,  176,  177,  178,  179, 
180,  181,  182,  183,  184,  185, 
187,  194,  200,  201,  203,  204, 
205,  206,  208,  218,  231,  232, 
240,  248,  249,  250,  251,  252, 
253,  256,  263,  266,  268,  280, 
282,  284,  287,  289,  290,  291, 
294,  295,  296,  299,  300,  301, 
302,  303,  304,  308,  309,  311, 
323,  335,  339,  342,  379,  380, 
382,  383,  384,  386,  387,  392, 
393,  394,    395,    397,    398,    400, 

404.  408.  410,  411,  412,  416, 
419.  420,  421,  423,  427,  429. 
430,  437,  443.  444.  445,  446. 

Trumbull 22,  26 

Temple 23 

Towle 37,  248,  267,  392 

True,  38,  134,  144, 145,  146,  147,  204, 
205,  249,  261,  265,  266,  280, 
284,  285,  287,  293,  295,  297, 
322,   330,  331,    402,    403,    404, 

405,  407,    408.    413,    415,    427, 
•     429. 

Towne,   70.   164,   166.  168,  182,   187, 


189,    205,  219,    293,    296,    378, 

401,  402,  443,  444. 

Totherly 91 

Trull...'. 91 

Twombly 98.  177,  178 

Tuttle . .'. 98.  251 

Turner 107,  336,  405,  406 

Thompson,    111,   181,  231,  232,  233, 

260,  291,   336,    396,   399,    400, 

428. 

Thurston 117,  201 

Tyler 176,  334,  437 

Talbot 189- 

Tucker 189,  337,  396 

Taft 199 

Treadwell 201,  213 

Tewksburv 202,  218,  337 

Titus ' 203,  287 

Tripp 219 

Tilraore '.  .227 

Tracv 229 

Taskett 231 

Tenney 231 

Twaddle 254,  412 

Thurlow 287 

Thayer 292 

Taney 324 

Tilde'n 325,  374 

Thornton 336 

Tobin 336 

Titcomb 376 

Tuell 376,  401,  427 

Timberlake 401 

Trask 403 

Tripe 449,  450 


U 
Upton 185 

V 

Verrazzano 3 

Virgin,  88,  261,  287.  289,  336,    376, 

403,  405,  446,  453. 
Vose 233 


Vaillaucourt 266,  280' 

Valentine 287,  40& 

Varney 455 


W 


Ward... 21,  22,  96,  188,  237,  390,  446 

Wesson 21 

Walker.  22,  26,  53,  61,  85,  87,  91, 
102,  148,  154,  155,  258,  164, 
165.  166,  169,  170,  171,  173, 
175,  180,    192,    201,    202,   204, 


213,  215,  265,  266,  268,  280, 
284,  287.  309,  335,  336,  339, 
382,  384,  387,  394,  395,  396, 
397,  398,  403,  408,  410,  411, 
443.  445,  446. 
Woodward 22 


^688  HISTORY   OF  BETHEL. 

Woods 22  Woodbury,  120,  205,  336,  367,  387. 

Whitney .23,  107.  22!)  412".  4U,  446.  447. 

Wood. ." 24,  61,  292,  300,  394       Worthley 144 

Williams,  41,  302,  335,  376,  400,  401.  Williamsou,   155,  182,  184,  254,  284, 

451.  383,  384. 

AViley.  43,  61,  63,   125,  230,  247,  248,       Wells 161,  267 

'  253.  254,    266.    282,    286,    289,       Waldeu 176 

292,304,    322,    384,    387,    401,       Wentworth 188,227,267,337 

402,    403,    412,    413,  414,   427.  Wight.  193,  204,  228,  229,  281,  284, 

442.  445.  292,    293.  294,    295,    337,    389, 

Willis.    70,  86,  88,  90.   164,  167,  109,  397,  398,  403,  412,  413,  437. 

170,   173,   175.    178,    181.    190,       Wlieelwright ..203,216,266,287 

311,  443.  451,  452.  Wilson 206 

AVheeler,   70,  87,  91.  107,  165,   171,       Webster 207,244,  324,341 

174     176,    177,    187,229,281,       Whitehouse 228 

295,401,   402,   403,   428,   437,       Wright *. 244 

440.  441,  444,  445.  Weaver 262 

Wliarton 72,  73,  74  Wormell,    266,   268,    280,    296,   384, 

Wilson 81,  292  399.  400,  402.  403,  413,  414. 

Washington 85,  152       Weston 291 

Wanen.  ...91.  107.  281,  282,  317,  336       Wales 291 

Wliitcomb  91,  102,  185,  291,  384,  385       Winsl)ip 291 

Wetherbee 91       Winter 293 

Waterhouse   94       Wirt 324 

Wilbur,  99,  344,  345,  346,  347,  348,       Washburn 336,  337,  387 

349.  358,  360.  Walton 336 

Whitman,  101,   175,    187,    284.    296,       Wvman 336 

336,403.  ■  Whittle 3.37 

Waters 107      Watt 370 

Wetmore Ill       AVillard 401 

Wadswortli Ill,  336       West 403 

Waldo ill       Widber 403 

Watkiiison 112       Wiles 437 

Whitetield 119 


York,  42,  54.  .55.  .56.  57,  59,  61,  (;2.  281.  303,  383,  428,  443,  455. 

63.  64,  68,  70,  83,  85,  100,  160,  Young.  99.  101,  103,   188,  189.    204, 

162,    163,   164,    165,    166,    167,  205,  232.    266,    281,    287,    301, 

170,    172,  173,    174,    175,    176,  386.  404.  405,  413    430,  444. 

183,187,    192,    195,   205,   266,       Yeats 290 


yw  -  i^Aj/o 


tC 


A 


THE  NEW  YORK  PUBLIC  LIBRARY 

REFERENCE   DEPARTMENT 


This  book  is  under  no  circumstances  to  be 
taken  from  the  Building 


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