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GEN. ISAAC ROYALL.
HISTORY
OF
Durham, Maine
WITH
GENEALOGICAL NOTES,
By EVERETT S. STACKPOLE.
PUBLISHED BY VOTE OF TOWN.
LEWISTON:
PRESS OF LEWISTON JOURNAL COMPANY.
1899.
F
CONTENTS
Chapter Page
Preface.
I. Origin of Royalsborough i
II. Some of the Founders and First Settlers , . . . 8
III. Organization and Incorporation 20
IV. Roads, Ferries, and Bridges 27
V. Ecclesiastical History 43
VI. Schools TJ
VII. Industries and Trades 82
VIII. Military Record 88
IX. A Few out of Many 105
X. Historical Miscellany 129
XI. Centennial 137
XII. Genealogical Notes 148
Appendix 291
Indices 305
LLUSTRATIONS
Gen. Isaac Royall Frontispiece
Looking North from Union Church Opposite page 2
Plan of Royalsborough " " 5
Josiah Little " " 10
Autograph Letter of Major Charles Gerrish " " 13
The Oldest House in Durham " " 16
View on the Androscoggin " " 3^
The Little Red School House " " 33
Map of Durham " " 41
Rev. Jacob Herrick " " 48
Sarah (Webster) Herrick " " 5^
Congregational Church " " 5^
Methodist Episcopal Church " " 58
Union Church " " 60
Rev. Moses Hanscom " " 61
Free Baptist Church " " 62
Friends' Meeting House " " 63
Rev. Samuel Newell " " 64
Rev. Jonathan Tracy " " 67
Rev. John Miller " " 68
Nathan Douglas " " 69
Rev. George Plummer " " 70
Rev. Frederick Howard Eveleth, D.D " " 71
Rev. Everett S. Stackpole " " 73
Rev. Charles Henry Stackpole " " 75
School House at South West Bend " " 79
The Stone Mill " " 82
South West Bend " " 87
Rev. Allen H. Cobb " " 105
Hon. Nelson Dingley, Jr. " " 106
Thomas Estes '" " 108
Col. William R. G. Estes " " 109
Julius Edwin Eveleth " " no
vi • HISTORY OF DURHAM
Joseph Marriner Gerrish Opposite page 1 1 1
John Jordan Gerrish " " 112
Hon. William H. Newell " " 115
William B. Newell " " 117
Dr. Alexander M. Parker " " 119
Joseph Plummer " " 120
Edward Plummer " " 120
Jacob H. Roak " " 121
Hon. William D. Roak " " 121
Alfred Roberts " " 122
Annie J. (Fitz) Roberts " " 122
Samuel Owen Stackpole " " ^23
James Strout " " 124
Dr. David B. Strout " " 124
William Harrison Thomas " " 125
Waitstill Webber " " 126
Howe Weeks " " 127
Dr. William Riley Wright " " 128
Durham Fair " " I34
A Rustic Bridge " " I39
Looking Down the River "' " 142
View of Durham from Mountfort's Hill " " I47
David Bowie " " ^55
Sewall Gushing • " " 165
Lorenzo Day " " 169
Gornelius Douglas " 172
James H. Eveleth " " 182
William Gerrish " " 189
Zebulon King Harmon " " 196
Jacob Herrick, Jr " " 200
Abigail (Scott) Herrick " " 200
Jotham Johnson " 20J
Sarah (Miller) (Jordan) Dingley " " 207
Secomb Jordan " " 208
Charles Emery Knight " " 209
Jonathan Libby '" " 213
Eliza (Swett) Macomber " " 217
Jonathan C. Merrill " " 219
William Miller " " 220
John Miller " " 222
ILLUSTRATIONS
Vll
Israel Mitchell Opposite page 224
Ebenezer Newell " " 227
Fred Webster Newell " " 228
John D. Osgood " " 231
Washington Parker " " 235
?Ienry Plummer " " 238
Algernon M. Roak " " 243
The Stackpole Homestead " " 249
David Dunning Stackpole " " 251
William Stackpole " " 252
Elisha Stetson, Jr " " 253
Jonathan Strout " " 256
James Strout, Jr " " 257
Revillo M. Strout " " 258
Woodbury Thomas " " 263
Joanna (Roberts) Turner " " 270
David Vining " " 275
Emery S. Warren " " 279
Ai Waterhouse " " 280
Residence of Charles W. Webber " " 282
Joseph Webster " " 283
Benjamin Weeks, Jr " " 284
Barnard Williams " " 287
PREFACE.
The preparation of this History has been a labor and a delight. It
has been impossible to cite authority for every statement, yet nothing
has been stated without good evidence. The principal sources have been
the Town Records of Royalsborough and Durham, well preserved; the
Church Records, of which there are only fragments; manuscript Records
of the Pejepscot Co.; Archives of Massachusetts; Military Rolls;
Family Registers; old Diaries and Account Books; and the "traditions
of the elders" which memory has been gathering forty years. All the
published Histories of Towns in Maine and of many in N. H. and Mass.
have been diligently examined. Maine Wills and York Deeds have been
studied. The County Records at Portland and Alfred have been searched;
likewise the Records of Lewiston, Lisbon, Topsham, Brunswick.
Harpswell, Georgetov/n, Freeport, No. Yarmouth. Falmouth, Cape
Elizabeth, Scarborough, Saco, Kittery, Berwick, Gorham, Windham, and
of Dover, N. H. Every History of Maine has been consulted. The
publications of the Maine Historical Society and various genealogical
Magazines have been utilized. Notes have been exchanged with several
authors who are preparing Histories of Towns and of Families. In fact
no pains have been spared in seeking information from every known
source.
The assistance of the following persons is cheerfully acknowledged:
William D. Roak, who for many years has been collecting material for
a History of Durham; Benjamin F. Nason, who preserved in writing
valuable traditions; Dr. David B. Strout, who left several historical
manuscripts; Charles W. Webber, whose capacious memory holds most
of the lore and family history of So. Durham; Josiah H. Williams, whose
historical sketch in Androscoggin County Atlas has been helpful; William
H. Thomas, whose aid in business management has been of great value;
and a very large number of others, whose letters have contained useful
information and encouragement.
Not the least important and interesting feature of this volume is the
portraits and illustrations, which have largely been furnished by the
generosity of friends. The endeavor has been to present as good results
as the art of the engraver could produce from defective daguerreotypes,
tin-types and photographs collected. The credit is due to the Suffolk
Engraving Company of Boston.
It is believed that the History will be of especial service to
Genealogists, since all the births, marriages and deaths found in Durham
Town Records down to 1840 are either interwoven with the genealogies
or appended at the end of the volume. This may save many a journey
to Durham and much labor to the Town Clerk. Special effort has been
made to secure accuracy and fulness. In a few cases the Town Records
have been corrected by indisputable evidence from private sources.
I.
ORIGIN OF ROYALSBOROUGH
Can any good come out of Nazareth ? Can anything of
interest be said about a small country town? Read and see. A
place possesses historical interest not because of its size, produc-
tions, wealth and natural beauty, but because of the character and
deeds of its natives and citizens. The highest praise of any town
is to point to noble men and say, "These were born there.'
So it is believed that something good and of public interest may
be written of Durliani. It should also be remembered that
Durham was not always side-tracked by surrounding railroads.
The highway of commerce for the back towns once ran through
it and made the "County Road" and "South West Bend" con-
spicuous in the eyes of travelers. Durham contained a prosper-
ous village and was the trading center for a region stretching
twenty miles or more northward, at a time when Lewiston and
x^uburn had no industrial and commercial importance.
And yet it must not be concluded that Durham is an ancient
town. When we read of settlers in North Yarmouth and Bruns-
wick before 1640, we wonder that no adventurer built his log-
house in Durham earlier than 1763, so far as history records.
The first settlers of Maine kept pretty close to the coast and
along navigable streams, thus to have easy communication by
means of sailing vessels and to provide defense and a way of
possible retreat, if attacked by hostile Indians. The inland was
exploited somewhat for ship-timber, but farmers found equally
good soil in pleasanter and safer surroimdings. It was not till
the Indian wars had ceased that farming lands became market-
able in the inland regions of Maine. So it happened that the soil
of Durham was rarely pressed by the feet of the pale faces for
many years after, in 1690, Major Church led his little army from
Maquoit Bay along the westerly side of the Androscoggin to the
capture of the Indian fort near Drummond Street, in what was
long afterward called "Goff's Town" and is the present city of
Auburn. As they marched up over the hill at South West Bend,
2 HISTORY OF DURHAM
did they pause, as travelers always do now, to note the long
stretch of water, the beautiful island and the loveliness of the
Androscoggin valley ? The arts of civilization have enriched the
scene, but even then the view must have been one long remem-
bered.
The facts which led to the settlement of Durham may be
briefly stated, since they have been amply set forth elsewhere.^
In 1620 James L granted a charter to forty ''noblemen, knights
and gentlemen," called the Council of Plymouth. This Council
granted. 16 June 1632, a patent to Thomas Purchase and George
Way of land on both sides of the Androscoggin River, extending
from the mouth in Merrymeeting Bay upward to indefinite
northern limits. Way never lived on the grant, but Purchase
spent many years in Brunswick and probably dwelt for a time
at Lisbon Falls, fishing and trading with the Indians. All
the lands of Purchase and Way were bought by Richard Wharton
in 1683, and the purchase was confirmed and enlarged by deed
given, 7 July 1684, by six Indian chiefs, Warumbee, Darumkine,
V/ihikermet, Domhegon, Nehonogasset and Numbenemet. Of
these Warumbee, or Worumbo, was the most important, and is
said by some to have had his fort in Durham, just opposite
Lisbon Falls, but it is quite certain that his fort was the one
.above mentioned. The lands purchased of these chiefs extended
lo "five miles above the uppermost Falls in Androscoggin
River," and three miles west of the river, following its course.
There were conflicting claims, especially to the part of this pur-
chase lying between the Androscoggin and Kennebec Rivers.
The case was in litigation for over a century. Various com-
promises were made, and the final adjudication was made by the
Court of Massachusetts in 1814.
Wharton died in 1693 in England. Ephraim Savage of Bos-
ton administered his estate and sold, 5 Nov. 1714, for £140, all
these lands of Wharton to Thomas Hutchinson, Adam Winthrop,
John Watts, David Jeffries, Stephen Minot, Oliver Noyes and
John Ruck, all of Boston, and to John Wentworth of Ports-
mouth. These were the original Pejepscot proprietors.- Their
lands embraced the present towns of Lewiston, Greene, a part
^See Wheeler's Hist, of Brunswick.
=York Deeds Book VIII. Fols. 56-8.
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HISTORY OF DURHAM 3
of Lisbon, parts of Poland and INIinot, Auburn, Durham, Bruns-
wick, Harpswell, Topsham, Bowdoin and a part of Leeds.
According' to a survey made by Phineas Jones in 1731, they
comprised about 450,543 acres. The price paid was less than
a cent for six acres. The company claimed also Bowdoinham
and Richmond, but this claim was relinquished. Some wanted
to claim as far up the river as Rumford Falls.
The agent of the Pejepscot Proprietors up to 1731 was Asa
Heath of Brunswick. Then Benjamin Larrabee succeeded him,
and in 1757 Belcher Noyes of Boston was chosen clerk and held
ofBce till his death in 1787. Josiah Little succeeded him and had
much to do with the early settlement of the town.
It is not known just when or by whom it was first proposed
to lay out the new town of Royalston, as Durham was first called.
The earliest mention that has come to my knowledge is in a
deed, given by Belcher Noyes to David Dunning of Bnmswick,
dated Nov. 14, 1761. It conveys to said Dunning, for £33, "1-16
of land to be laid out for a new township six miles square, being
part of a tract purchased by Pejepscot proprietors from Ephraim
Savage, administrator of Richard Wharton, Esq., late of Bos-
ton." Stephen Getchell of New Meadows, Brunswick, made a
survey of Royalston in April, 1762. His bill was £22, s8. Noyes
in May, 1762, wrote a letter in which he declares himself sorry
that Getchell was employed, says his previous work has been
found to be erroneous and calls him "a poor, miserable, shuffling
fellow, indebted to every one. "^ It was later found that
Getchell's plan was incorrect, and a new one was made by Joseph
Noyes of Falmouth. His plan was dated 22 May 1766, as an old
deed shows. This also needed correction and John Brown's plan
dates 23 Nov. 1767.-
At a meeting of the proprietors, held in Boston May 28, 1765,
the name of the proposed town v/as changed by vote from
Royalston to Royalsborough, doubtless because of the incorpora-
^Not too much credit is to be given to Noyes' comments upon persons
associated with him. He seems to have been a little soured. Aug. 11.
1770 he wrote to Enocli Freeman thus: "Bagley has greatly imposed
upon me and turns out a deceitful fellow; there's no trust to be placed
in him." Again, June 24, 1771, he writes to Freeman, "Dunning has
been all his days a great trespasser and a secret enemy to our interests." —
See Pejepscot Records.
^See deed given to Andrew Pinkham.
4 . HISTORY OF DURHAM
tion in 1765, of a town in Massachusetts called Royalston, also
in honor of Col. Isaac Royal.
The bounds of the proposed town, as set forth in first deeds
given, were "To begin at the Northeast corner of the town of
North Yarmouth, from thence to Androscoggin River, and down
said river to the Northeast corner of the Township of Brunswick,
and on the Northwest line of said Brunswick to extend to North
Yarmouth line, and on said line on a Northwest course to the
forementioned bounds, including land granted to Jonathan
Bagley, Esq." July i, 1766, Bagley transferred the "Gore,"
which he had received by grant of the Court of Massachusetts,
to the proprietors, though the agreement so to do must have
been made several years earlier.
June 3, 1767, a division 01 ninety-six lots was made by lot
among the proprietors, sixty-tv/o lots having been reserved, the
sale of which was to be for the encouragement of the settlement.
The ninety-six lots were divided into eight parcels of twelve lots
each. The owners at that time were :
Samuel Waterhouse, 1-8 = 12 lots.
Belcher Noyes, 1-16 = 6 lots.
David Dunning, 1-16 = 6 lots.
Jonathan Bagley, 1-16 = 6 lots.
Moses Little", " 1-16 = 6 lots.
Jeremiah Moulton, 1-16 = 6 lots.
Enoch Freeman, 1-32 = 3 lots.
Heirs of I,ydia Skinner. 1-32 = 3 lots.
Gov. Benning Wentvvorth, 1-8 = 12 lots.
Isaac Royal, Esq. , 5-24 = 20 lots.
Heirs of Hannah Fairwether, 1-8 = 12 lots.
Heirs of Joseph Wadsworth, 1-24 = 4 lots.
These were the original owners of Durham. Not many of
them figured in the history of the town. Samuel Waterhouse
sold his share to Isaac Royal, who seems to have purchased other
shares also, for in 1796 his heirs were taxed for thirty-four lots,
chiefly in the northwest part of the town. Gov. Wentworth's
share was sold by his heir, Michael Wentworth, to Jonathan
Bagley Jan. 7, 1772.
The reader is referred to "A copy of the Plan of Durham as
taken from a plan copied by Jacob Herrick, Jr., from a plan
copied by Joseph M. Gerrish from Capt. Joseph Frye's Plan
copied from Noyes's Original Plan of said Town, laid down by
SvmY ' ifh'm 5 i (n -(^^ ^ Vsj iff h }i3~j(j\ ",Sh' '^'} '"'^
NOYES'S PLAN OF ROY ALSBOROUGH. 1766.
HISTORY OF DURHAM 5
a scale of 160 Rods to an inch. Durham, Alarch 27th A. D.,
1833, Ivory Warren." It is evident that the part of Durham as
surveyed by Joseph Noyes of Falmouth and slightly corrected by
John Brown is as it was originally drawn. The southwest corner
called "Bagley's Gore," was not surveyed at that time, but was
surveyed by Amos Davis/ as an old deed shows, probably in
1781. In O. Israel Bagley's Account Book is the following
entry: "Orlando Bagiey, Det. 1781, to vittles and drink when
his men was a running out the goor." This Amos Davis was
the same man who about this time surveyed Bakerstown, now
Poland. Bagley's Gore, as drawn in this Plan, must be as it was
about 1780. John Cushmg received the deed for his 500 acres
in 1786, his wife having received it in the will of her late father,
Jonathan Bagiey, in 1780. Ichabod March of Amesbury, Mass.,
purchased 5 Oct. 1775, thirty acres of the northeasterly side of the
Gore, marked "March" on the Plan. Weed's 100 acres were
bought by Joshua Weed of Amesbury, 25 Dec. 1780, and sold
to Josiah Burnham, 15 Feb. 1791, Levi W^ells was doubtless a
relative of the wife of Jonathan Bagiey. There is no evidence
that he ever lived in Royalsborough. "Morrill's 80 acres" were
bought by Archilaus Morrill of Col. Bagiey, and sold by Green
Morrill to William True, Sept. 3, 1785. "Jos. Noyes's 800
acres" were bought by him in 1766. He knew, as surveyor,
where the meadow land lay and chose as good as there was in
the new township. He was a prominent man in the history of
Portland, born Sept. 14, 1740, died Oct. 13, 1795. He was town
Treasurer, Selectman and member of Mass. Gen. Court.
"Prout's Gore" w^as granted to Timothy Prout in 1737. It was
claimed, at least the corner of it that appears on this map, by
both Durham and Freeport. While the question was in dispute
the Selectmen of the two towns agreed that the "Quaker Road"
mentioned in a deed as early as 1779, should be the dividing line
between the towns for purposes of taxation.
The original plan of a town six miles square was modified
greatly. Thompsonsborough and Little River Plantation, after-
wards united into Lisbon, got the east side of the Androscoggin.
^A.mos Davis, born May 12, 1741, in Gloucester, Mass., moved from
New Gloucester to Lewislon in 1774. He was a farmer, surveyor and
shoe-maker. He died 20 March 1815, leaving four sons and a daughter.
He was a leadmg member of the Friends' Society.
6 . HISTORY OF DURHAM
Freeport got the corner called Front's Gore. The northwest
corner, two miles and twenty-one rods by eighty-six rods was
set off to New Gloucester. The northern boundary was at first
a few rods north of where it is now. About 1804 it was moved
up to the northern limit of Dingley's (now Orin Libby's) farm,
and in 18 15 brought back to its present position. These changes
leave a few rods of the northern tier of lots in the present city
of Auburn, the southern part of which was formerly called
"Fejepscot Gore."
March 3, 1768, the proprietors held a meeting in Boston and
appointed Jonathan Bagley, Moses Little and Belcher Noyes a
committee to ''bring forward the settlement of said New Town-
ship and to procure Settlers," and Belcher Noyes was empow-
ered to execute deeds to the settlers. The first deeds were
executed Nov. 12, 1770. It is certain that some of the purchasers
had already been living on their lots several years, and some not
mentioned in the list of original purchasers were settlers in
Royalsborough earlier than 1776, as Josiah Day, Josiah Dunn,
John Getchell, Ezekiel Jones, Batchelder Ring, Hugh and
Robert Getchell. Charles Hill, John and Stephen Randall,
Edmund Lane, Joseph and Samuel York, Joshua Babb, Eben-
ezer Roberts, Benjamin Vining, Elias Davis, John Hoyt,' Judah
Chandler, Thomas Fearson, Micah and David Dyer, Jonathan
Armstrong, Hugh Marwick, John Farker, Samuel Smith,
Orlando Bagley, O. Israel Bagley.
ORIGINAL FURCHASERS OF LOTS IN ROYALS-
BOROUGH.
i\ll the following were of Royalsborough except Jonathan
Bagley of Amesbury, Mass. The price paid for most of the lots
was 13 pounds 6 shillings and 8 pence. Nos. 4, 28, 32, and 72
cost 26 pounds 13 shillings and 4 pence. Lots 58 and 83 were
valued at 30 pounds.
Lot. Name. Date.
5 Stephen Chase, Nov. 12, 1770.
12 John Bliffin,
13' John Dean. Jr.,
15 Nathaniel Gerrish,
17 Stephen Hart,
18 Caleb Estes,
HISTORY OF DURHAM 7
31 Charles Gerrish, Jr., Nov. 12, 1770.
53 Phineas Frost,
57 Charles Gerrish,
104 Nathan Lewis,
6 Edward Estes, June 10, 1771.
14 Patrick Welch,
16 Samuel Clough,
58 Jonathan Bagley,
83 '• " Dec. 7, 1771.
2 Thomas Coffin, Dec. 10, 1771.
4 Noah Jones,
33 William Gerrish,
67 John Dean (or Dain)
3 Joseph Estes, Dec. 10, 1776.
28 Cornelius Douglas, " -
19 Samuel Green,
32 \'incent Roberts,
38 Stephen Weston,
69 John Gushing,
72 Ichabod Frost,
24, 29, 41, 46, 49, and 59 were deeded, Dec. 10, 1776, to
Joseph Noyes of Falmouth for services as Surveyor of the Town-
ship.
Rachael Cobb,^ widow of Ebenezer, and Lemuel Sawyer of
Cape Elizabeth, purchased lot 103, Dec. 12, 1777.
'Married m Cape Elizabeth 22 Nov. 1770, Ebenezer Cobb, Jr. and
Rachel Sawyer.
HISTORY or DURHAM
II.
SOME OF THE FOUNDERS AND FIRST
SETTLERS
The reader will here wish to know something about the
lives and character of the founders and first settlers of the town.
Much will be said in the chapter on Genealogical History. Here
onl}- a few persons can be mentioned. The early settlers were
not the ofifcasts of Europe, but were descendants from the best
families of England, Scotland and Ireland. Their lineages can
be traced, in most cases, back to the earliest settlers of Mass.
and the coast towns of York and Cumberland Counties,
and not a few clear back to the Norman Conquest. Col. Bagley
brought many of his neighbors from Amesbury and adjacent
towns. North Yarmouth and Harpswell furnished a good num-
ber, and after the Revolution Cape Elizabeth and Scarborough
poured in a large colony, especially into the northwest part of
the town. They were men of sterling character, honest, indus-
trious, intelligent, religious and patriotic, in short, men of hard
muscle and sense.
GEN. ISAAC ROYALL, for whom the plantation of Royals-
borough was named, was descended from "William Ryall
Cooper and Cleever of Tymber," who settled at Salem about
1629. As early as 1635 he was at Casco Bay. March 27, 1643,
he bought of Sir Ferdinando Gorges 250 acres and an island of
30 acres, confirming his title three years later by purchasing the
same of a rival claimant, Col. Alexander Rigby. His house had
already been built on the south side of Royall's River, near its
mouth, in North Yarmouth. He married Phebe Green and died
at Dorchester, Mass., 15 June 1675. His son William died there
7 Nov. 1724, aged 85 years. William's oldest son, Isaac, was
born in North Yarmouth in 1672 and married, i July 1697, Eliza-
beth, daughter of Asaph Eliot and widow of one Oliver. He
resided for forty years at Antigua, W. I., carrying on trade
between that place and Boston. He purchased, 26 Dec. 1732,
of the heirs of Lieut.-Gov. Usher, an estate of 500 acres in Med-
ford, Mass. The house, still standing, was built by Usher and
remodeled and enlarged by Royal, and was one of the most
HISTORY OF DURHAM 9
elegant residences of the time in the suburbs of Boston. It was
once the headquarters of Gen. Washington. Isaac Royall died
at Medford 7 June, 1739.
Isaac, Jr., his only son, was probably born at Antigua about
1719. He married 27 March 1738, Elizabeth Mcintosh. He
was made Brig. -Gen. in 1761, the first American to bear that
title. He was a Councillor of the Province from 1751 to 1774.
April 16, 1775 three days before the battle of Lexington, he left
Medford for parts unknown. He sought at Salem passage to
Antigua, but failing in this he sailed to Halifax, where he lingered
about a year, hoping that the War would be ended. His sympa-
thies were with the Colonies, yet he was afraid to break with
England, resign his office and endanger his estates. He had
received grants of land under the Crown. He owned large
tracts in Massachusetts and Rhode Island as well as in Maine.
In May 1776 he sailed to England. A daughter, the wife of the
second Sir William Pepperell of Kittery, sailed with him and
died on the passage. He wrote from Halifax to his agent in Med-
ford, giving him instruction concerning his slaves : "Stephen and
George might be sold for £50, Hagar for £30. Mira for £25. As
to Betsey and her daughter Nancy, the former may tarry or take
her freedom as she may choose, and Nancy you may put out
to some good family by the year." He added "I shall leave
North America with great reluctance, but my health and business
require it ; and I hope through the goodness of God, if my life
is spared, to be able to return again soon." He took up his
abode in Kensington, Middlesex, where he died of small-pox, 16
Oct. 1781. He was buried at Froyle, Hampshire, Eng.
His propej-ty was confiscated in 1778 but was restored to his
heirs after some years. The town of Royalston, Mass., was
named m his honor. In his wall he left two thousand acres of
land to endow a chair in Harvard College, which still bears the
name of the 'Royall Professorship of Law." He was a man
of very high character. The only thing against him was that
he was esteemed a tory, when that was a name of reproach.
Some have asserted that Durham was so named because Isaac
Royall once lived in Durham, England, but this statement is
disproved by the facts. He had no connection whatever with
ancient Durham. It is not probable that the name of Royals-
borough would be changed because Royall was a tory and then
lO ' HISTORY OF DURHAM
that a name would be adopted in remembrance of him. There is
no discoverable reason why the new name of the town was
Durham, any more than why its inhabitants petitioned to have it
called Sharon or Bristol.^
COL. MOSES LITTLE was descended from the emigrant,
George Little of Newbury, 1640. He was born 8 May 1724 and
died 27 May i7q8. For many years he was Surveyor of the
King's woods. All pine trees over two feet in thickness were
claimed for masts for the royal navy. The mark of an arrow
vvas put upon such, and the penalty of cutting them was £100.
This office gave Mr. Little opportunity to learn the value of
wild lands, and he devoted a large part of his life to the purchase
and improvement of the same. He was colonel in the Revolu-
tionary army and fought at Bunker Hill and in the campaign
about New York.
His son Josiah (b. 16 Feb. 1747; d. 26 Pec. 1830) had charge
of his father's real estate for many years. Every year till he was
past eighty he used to visit his lands in Maine, riding over the
rough roads alone. He lost a hand by a premature explosion
while superintending the blasting of a passage through the
rapids on the Androscoggin below Lewiston f Dresser's Ripsj.
He was leading proprietor and agent of the Pejepscot company
Was Representative to General Court twenty-five years, and a
trustee of Bowdoin College, where a son Josiah graduated in
iSii. Another son Edward graduated at Dartmouth in 1797,
inherited much of the territory about Auburn and Lewiston,
and settled in Auburn in 1826. His statue stands in front of the
Edward Little High School. — See Little Genealogy.
COL. JONATHAN BAGLEY, fourth son of Orlando and
Dorothy (Harvey) Bagley, was born in Amesbury, Mass., 23
March 1717. He married Dorothea, dau. of John and Dorothy
(Hoyt) Wells, grand-daughter of the Rev. Thomas Wells, first
settled minister in Amesbury. He was a prominent man in his
native town, for twelve years representing it in the General Court.
He was Colonel in the French and Lidian war, 1756-60, and com-
missioned colonel of the Essex Co. Regt. 1767, '69, 'yi^ and '74.
'For fiirtluT particulars of the Royal Family see N. E. Hist, and
Gen. Register for 1885. pp. 348-358.
JOSIAH LITTLE.
HISTORY OF DURHAM II
He was tlie most active agent of the Proprietors in the settle-
ment of Royalsborough, and spent much time here between 1770
and 1780. His farm consisted of lots 82, 83 and 84. "Bagley's
barn" is mentioned in 1791. Tradition says that a house built
by him stood close to the northern Ime of lot 83, and near the
River Road. The part of Royalsborough known as Bagley's
Gore was granted to him by the General Court of Mass.
Here three of his sons owned farms. He was owner of what
was long known as " Chandler's Mill " in the western part of the
town. Tradition locates his mast-camp on the farm of True
G. Hunnewell not far from the mill. He cHed in Amesbury 28
Dec. 1780.
Col. Jonathan Bagley had children John, William, Jonathan,
Valentine. Dorothy, Orlando" and a daughter who married
Nathan Bartlett. Valentine b. i Jan. 1743, m. Sarah Currier.
He had lands on the County Road m 1770 and received his
father's farm on the River Road 7 Feb. 1779. He died in April,
1780, and was buried in Amesbury, leaving sons John and Valen-
tine. The last was the hero of Whittier's poem "The Captain's
Well." His brother John inherited the old Bagley farm and
sold a portion of it to Elijah Macomber in 1808. Orlando, son
of Col. Jonathan Bagley, b. 5 Nov. 1747, received 7 Feb. 1779,
from his father a deed of 400 acres on County Road marked
on Noyes's Plan. He received by his father's will the homestead
of his grandfather in Amesbury and so did not remain in
Durham. Dorothy, dau. of Col. Jonathan Bagley, born 13 Feb.
1745, married John Gushing, Esq. She received in her father's
will a house and land in Salisbury and five hundred acres in
Royalsborough a mile long by two hundred and fifty rods wide.
It is marked on Noyes's Plan as " John Cushing's 500 acres. "
CAPT. DAVID DUNNING, son of Andrew and Susan
(Bond) Dunning, came from Ashburton, Eng., with his father
and family in 1718, via Boston and Georgetown to Brunswick.
His father settled at "Maquoit," where he died Jan. 18, 1736,
aged 72 years. It is claimed that John Dunning, created Lord
Ashburton in 1782, was his grandson. David was born in 1706.
He married Mary TJ^dA about 1735. She died Aug. 16, 1784,
aged 74 yrs. His second wife was Mary (Lithgow) Hunter,
12 ^ HISTORY OF DURHAM
widow of Capt. Adam Hunter of Topsham. Both were over
eighty years of age at this second marriage. David Dunning
owned a large part of the land where the village of Brunswick
now is. He built a block-house and lived in it till 1772, when
he built a frame-house on the spot where Brunswick Town-hall
now stands. This was, after his death, kept as a hotel, called
■'Washington Hall," by his son John. He bought, with
Jeremiah Moulton, Fort George, when it was dismantled in 1761,
and built the first dam and saw-mill at Brunswick. He was one
of the most active, enterprising and respected men of his time.
He was Deacon in the Cong, church, first Represen-
tative of Brunswick in the General Court -of Mass. in 1742 and
1743 ; one of the first Board of Selectmen in 1739 and again in
1741 and 1749. He was a soldier at seventeen years of age and
Lieut, of militia in 1746. For years he was Capt. of an inde-
pendent "Alarm" company, and scoured the wilderness up and
down the Androscoggin and Kennebec in pursuit of Indians.
Two of his brothers were killed by the Indians while crossing
the river at Brunswick. In military and lumbering expeditions
he learned the value of the surrounding country. This led him
to buy one sixteenth of the township of Royalsborough. In
division of lots he drew Nos. 9, 74, 91, 113, 143 and 153. Lot
9 he sold in 1792 to Lemuel Jones; lot 74 he sold in 1776 to
William Gerrish ; lot 113 was inherited by his son Andrew; lots
143 and 153 went to his heirs. Lot 91 he deeded in 1783 to his
daughter Elizabeth (Dunning) Stackpole, grandmother of the
author of this book. Thus the casting of a lot led to the loca-
tion of the Stackpole family in Durham.
David Dunning died Aug. 16, 1793 Six children grew up.
I. Andrew b. 9 Nov. 1736, m. Dec. 29, 1768 Elizabeth, dau.
of Rev. Robert Dunlap. d. 3 July 1800, first Post Master of
Brunswick and Selectman seven years; 2. John, b. 19 Sept. 1738,
m. Lois, dau. of Judge Aaron Hinkley, ten children, one of whom
was Nathaniel Dunning, whom many will remember as an
honored citizen at S. W. Bend; 3. Mary b. 22 Oct. 1740, m. 7
Jan. 1764 William Owen of Brunswick: 4. Margaret, b. 11 Feb.
1745, m. 19 Oct. 1765 Robert Sutherland of Portland; 5. Jennet,
b. 29 Jan. 1748, m. 1 Jan. 1774 John, son of Rev. Robert Dun-
lap. Her granddaughter was the second wife of Prof. James
ft /
. "u^tcu m/i,mShH<.in^a<M^^^'^ A/it?cyi. '^'^'^^^ i^HocA-
'^' /^
Uji^&^ O^S^nA^-Uxrz^e^^
HISTORY OF DURHAM 1 3
Russell Lowell; 6. Elizabeth, b. 9 Sept. 1751 ; m. 4 July 1775
John Stackpole, then of Harpswell.
MAJOR CHARLES GERRISH was born in Berwick, Me.,
in 1716, as a deposition shows. He married Mary Frost of Ber-
wick. They came to Falmouth, now Portland in 1748. In 1758
he moved to .Saccarappa. Jan. 17, 1762 he sold his land in
Saccarappa to Enoch Freeman, Esq. A document, reproduced
in fac-simile, sheds light on his proceedings. The remarkable
thing for his day is, that the document is correctly spelled,
which proves him to have been a man of some education. His
general ability is inferred from the fact that he was selected
as an agent of the proprietors. He was by trade a blacksmith
and maker of edge-tools.
The two hundred acres first bought by him are shown on
Noyes's plan of the town. This farm remained in the Gerrish
family for nearly a century. It was occupied within the remem-
brance of many by A. True Osgood, and is now owned by
Willard Sylvester. The first house long since passed away. It
stood on the hillside east of the old, two-story, unpainted house
that succeeded it. This is one of the oldest houses in Durham
and remains in the style in which it was originally built over a
century ago. The scfuare chimney in the center, with rooms
built around it, is something enormous. Here may be seen one
of the old fire-places that took in eight-foot sticks of wood. The
partitions are of upright pine boards, some of them two feet
wide. The burial place of Major Charles Gerrish was near the
first house. No trace of it can now be seen, since the grovind
has been plowed over. He was last taxed in 1797 but is said to
have died in 1805. He was a man of ability and served often as
moderator of Town meetings and as an officer of the Town.
The date of the above document marks authoritatively the first
settlement in the Town, in 1763. Several historians have placed
the date eleven years earlier. His house was six miles from the
nearest neighbor and tradition says his wife saw no female
except her daughter for a year and a half. For his service in
the Revolution and for the history of his family see other
chapters in this book.
JUDAFI CHANDLER, son of Joseph and Martha (Hunt)
Chandler was born in Duxbury, Mass., August 30, 1720. He
14 , HISTORY OF DURHAM
moved with his father to North Yarmouth in 1729. Among the
papers of the Rev. David Shepley of Yarmouth was found the
following :
"Judah Chandler, Oct. 21st, 1796, aged 76 last August,
deposes that when he was about nine years old he moved with
his father from Duxbury to North Yarmouth. About thirty
years ago he (Judah) moved east\\^ard and lived about nine years
then returned to North Yarmouth. "^ He therefore moved into
Koyalsborough in 1766, probably as an agent of Col. Bagley.
He built the mill, in the western part of the town on a branch
of Ro^all's river, that is stili called Chandler's stream. Its
successor is now called the "Old Stone Mill." Here he carried
on lumbering, sending ton-timber to Harrisicket (Freeport) by
the Old Mast Road. In the above deposition he states that he
returned to North Yarmouth in 1775. He was soon, however,
in Royalsborough again, for Feb. 24.. 1777, three-quarters of fifty
acres of land together with the mill privilege and all apperte-
nences were conveyed by Col. Jonathan Bagley to Judah
Chandler, O. Israel Bagley, Daniel Bagley, John Randall.
Stephen Randall and John Cushing, all of Royalsborough, for
£30. Probably the other quarter of the fifty acre lot had been
already occupied by Chandler as a homestead. The old road
crossed the stream below the present mill and traces of Chandler's
house near by are still visible The first mill was located at
the head of the falls, near the present bridge. Tradition has it
that the dam was built so high that the water overflowed the
adjacent lowlands to such an extent as to form a new channel,
running around and entering the main stream a quarter of a
mile below the present mill. This was, no doubt, the origin of
the "Run Round." This mill and its four successors have been
in constant operation, except at intervals of rebuilding and
repairing, for one hundred and thirty-two years.
Chandler is repeatedly mentioned on the Town Records as
surveyor of lumber. He and his wife were assisted by the town
in their old age. They were "bid off" by James Parker in 1801
at $1.50 per week. He died probably in 1802.
HON. JOHN CUSHING was bornatBoxford, Mass., i May
1741 and died at P'reeport, Me., 1813. He was son of Rev. John
'See Old Times in North Yarmouth, page 305.
HISTORY OF DURHAM 1 5
and Elizabeth (Martyn) Gushing, grandson of Rev. Caleb
Gushing of Salisbury, and fifth in descent from the Emigrant
Matthew Gushing of Hingham, 1638. (See Genealogy of the
Gushing Family.) He was a graduate of Harvard Gollege (1761)
as were also his father and grandfather. He married, i Dec.
1763, Dorothy Bagley, dau. of Gol. Jonathan Bagley of Ames-
bury, Mass. He was Gapt. of a company in Gol. Samuel
Johnson's Regt. of Militia which marched on the Alarm
April 19, 1775. They lived in Salisbury till the death of his
father, 1772, when they moved to Boxford, where his father
had been pastor thirty years. They moved to Royalsborough
bringing his widowed mother in 1782, having resided for a time
in North Yarmouth. April 9, 1782, Belcher Noyes sold lot 86 to
John Gushing. Oct. 4, 1788, Gushing sold 25 acres of lot 80
to Abel Gurtis. The deed is witnessed by Elizabeth Gushing.
The oldest tombstone in Durham is found in the cemetery back
of where the old North Meeting House stood. The inscription
reads, "Mrs. Elizabeth Gushing died Oct. 18, 1789, aged 76."
This was the mother of Hon. John Gushing. She was Elizabeth
Martyn of Boston, born 16 May 1714, and married the Rev. John
Gushing 8 April 1740. I have seen a letter of consolation written
to Hon. John Gushing by a cousin in 1790, in which Mrs. Eliza-
beth Gushing is spoken of in the highest terms as a woman of
education, piety and noble character.
John Gushing lived on the northern part of lot 80. The
farm is now owned by William Thomas of Lewiston. Traces
of the old house, which decayed over fifty years ago, may be
seen, on a hillock near the bank of the river, just south of a
gully. The house was later occupied by Abel Gurtis. In 1783
Gushing was moderator of the Town meeting and one of the
"committee" or selectmen; also treasurer of the town, and one
of a committee to petition General Gourt. He was one of the
town committee in 1784, 1785, 1786. He was on the Board of
Selectmen the first year after the incorporation of the town, 178Q.
In 1790 he moved to Freeport where he was a Justice of the
Peace. He was also a judge and member of the Gouncil
many years and Representative to Mass. General Gourt
as well as Selectman and Treasurer of Freeport. He was
on the Board of Overseers of Bowdoin Gollege 1796-1813. His
old account book lies before me, in which many old residents of
1 6 HISTORY OF DURHAM
Durham are named. Of special interest is the account of the
settlement of the estate of Nathaniel Gerrish, Nov. 1709, for
which the total charge was $37.37. His wife Dorothy was living
in Freeport, 1816, and is said to have died soon after. Eight
marriages performed by him as J. P., 1789-1791, are recorded on
Durham Town Records.
The following extracts from his diary will be of interest :
June 17, 1789. Child of Edward Lane of Lewiston lost in the woods.
July 3, "Joshua Jones raised a barn.
Oct. 7. "Doct. Jones here to see my mother sick of a fever.
Oct. 13 " " " here again — mother grows worse.
Oct. 18 " My mother died about 8 o'clock in the morning, in the 76
year of her age.
Oct. 20, 1789. My mother was buried. Bearers were Maj. Gerrish, Mr
Pearson, Mr. Vining, Mr. Arthur (?) Capt. Bagley and Lieut.
Newell.
Feb. 21 1790. Mr. Dennison preached — Gratis.
April 15, " Removed from Durham to Freeport and a most
tremendous time we had through mud and water.
June I, 1790 Dolly came home from Durham with Betty. (These were
his daughters. Mrs. Roger INlerrill and Mrs. Wm. Hoyt.)
July II " First Sacrament ever administered in Freeport — 28 members.
Aug. 18, 1794 Went to Portland. — Saw a Lion.
Aug. 25 " Board of Trustees of Bowdoin College met at Brunswick
but nothing done by reason too small No. members.
Oct. 30 1795. John Cushing's barn burnt at Durham with Corn, grain &
Hay.
Nov. 29 " Sanmei Proctor killed instantly by the fall of a rotten tree.
March 2 1796 Mr. Lambert killed by the falling of a tree.
June 30 " Went to carry the old chaise to N. Yarmouth to be
mended. (This was the first chaise ever driven in Durham.)
July 19 " Trustees and Overseers of Bowdoin College met at Brunswick
to fix a plan for the building, to be on the Plains near Dea.
Dennison s.
Aug 2, 1796 Paid to Nath Gerrish 140 dolbrs for the mill Lot.
May 13 1797 New Plow of Joshua Snow.
June 10 '' John Bagley with Valentine & their wives here from
Amesbury.
[une 14 " Went to Durham in chaise.
Nov. 22 went to Durham to appra-se Capt. Bagley's estate.
Sept. 12, 1799 Roger Merrill & wife set out for Newbury.
Jsn. I, 1800. Militia Companies meet at the Corner and walk in proces-
sion with solemn musick and muffled drum to the meeting
house where an Eulogium was pronounced by Mr. Johnson
on the much lamented death of Gen'l Washington.
July 9. 1801 College Meeting at Brunswick for choice of President.
McKeen of Beverly was chosen with a salary of $1000.
CAPT. O. ISRAEL BAGLEY was born at Amesbury,
Mass., Nov. 5, 1747. He settled early in the year 1770 on lot
I'j and built a large two-story, square house which is still
standing. It is occupied by Charles Bliss and is probably the
oldest house in Durham. Just south of his house was his store
THE OLDEST HOUSE IN DURHAM.
Built by O. Israel Barley in 1770. Now tlie
residence of Charles H. Bliss.
SOME OF THE FOUNDERS AND FIRST SETTLERS 1 7
and a little further on, in the alder swamp, was a potash-manu-
factory. His house was also a public inn, as his account book
shows. He was a shoe-maker withal. He built the first grist
mill. It was run by wind. He built the River Road from S. W.
Bend to Lewiston Falls. The first school in Royalsborough
was kept at his house. He was frequently moderator and one of
the officials of the town. He was captain of the earliest militia
company known in Royalsborough. About 1790 he abandoned
store-keeping and became master of a vessel, the "Mary Ann."
He died at Savannah of yellow fever Aug. 22, 1797. For record
of his family see Chapter on Genealogy.
O. Israel Bagley kept the first store in Royalsborough. His
account-book is in the possession of Wm. D. Roak. It is a
book twelve inches long by four wide and contains 263 pages,
bound in sheep-skin, well sewed. It was evidently used as an
account-book by his father, Thomas Bagley, before it came into
the possession of O. Israel Bagley. Entries are found in it as
early as April 17, 1745. The earliest account in Durham is witli
Charles Gerrish beginning March 19, 1770, and running to June
22, 1772. Some of the items are of interest ; the accounts are in
"old tener" or depreciated currency :
To one pear of shoes, 01 105 :o
To half days works a hoing, 00:17:0
To 16 apeltrees, 09:17:0
To 6 pound of tobaca 01 :i6:o
To 4 ax handles 01 :oo :o
to halfe a Bushel of flaxsead go:ii :o
to one wige 09:00:0
to filing of snoo shoos I pear 00:10:0
etc., etc., etc.
"June the 22d then Settled all accounts with Mr. Charles
Gerrish from the beginin of the world to this day and thair is
due to said Bagley Seventen pounds ten shiling old tener money
Setld by us."
Charles Gerrish
O. Israel Bagley.
O. ISRAEL BAGLEY'S DIARY, 1773-4.
We give only the items most interesting and that can be read.
Portions of two pages have been cut oiif.
Dec. II to making of nate garish. (Shoes for Nath. Gerrish.)
12 wente to the sou west Bend
13-16 hued and rased pig hous.
l8 HISTORY OF DURHAM
Dec. i8 Borded it.
'■ 19 finished it
■' 20 made 2 pear of shos.
" 24 wente to sawing of clabords
" 29 made one (pair of shoes?) wente to the landing.
Jan. 2 snod 2 ench (Snowed two inches.)
" 6 Went to sawing to jones (Ezekiel Jones)
" 7 down to frost's & shode 7 in shos. (Made shoes for seven of
Phineas Frost's family.)
" 8 made 3 pear of shos
" 9 went up to the mill
" II went to the 40 lot to
" 12 making of clabords.
" 13 and made one thousand
" 14 thate weeke.
'■ 19 wente to calope Estes (Caleb Estes)
Jan. 23 cornel wente to gloster (Col. Jonathan Bagley went to New
Gloucester.)
" 24 making of a Brace
" 26 wente to a falling of ash timber.
'■ 27 wente to haling of wood w Cap ga oxen, (hauling of wood
with Capt. Charles Gerrish's oxen.)
" 28 making of shos 2 pear.
" 30 wente to making of orys (oars?)
" 31 and made 1300
Feb. I wente to Yarmouth got 9 — of sola [ther] (sole-leather)
" 2 wente to mill gote 470 feet of Bords.
" 3 wente huing of oyrs (hewing of oars)
" 4 wente to making of shos Steven — (at Stephen Weston's?)
'' 7 snode all day.
■' 9 Borded my Barn.
" II wente to huing Cofin.
" 12 wente to making of shos.
" 14 wente to meting to Yarmouth.
" 15 wente to huing of oyrs.
" 17 wente to spliting of oyrs.
Feb. 21 wente to herysicate (Freeport) to meting.
" 22 Mr. Prince came here
" 23 prech to my hous 4 & 9 iS and —
" 24 hailing of wod Chatman
'■' 25 to making of shos for hoyte (Shoes for John Hoyt.)
'■ 26 making of 2 pear my wife.
Mar. I wente to huing of oyrs
" 4 staid at hom layd my flours.
" 5 stayd at hom stiking of Bords
" 6 wente to yarmouth drod of my si — (drawed off my cider?)
" 8 wente to falling of trees.
'■ 9 wente to split oyrs Michel came (Hired man, who signed him-
self Mick Farren.)
" 12 wente to hall out oyrs 1400 —
" 16 wente to Bromsic (Brunswick)
" 17 went to worke upone my hous.
etc., etc.
This shows more plainly than any description could how the
first settlers got a living.
SOME OF THE FOUNDERS AND FIRST SETfLERS 1 9
BENJAMIN VINING, son of Thomas, was born in Read-
ing, IMass., 16 Nov. 1738, and died in Durham 2 Aug. 1812.
On his seventeenth birthday he was apprenticed to Samuel
Jackson of Abington, Mass., for four years, eight months, during
which time the Indenture declares "he shall his said master
faithfully serve, his secrets keep, his lawful Commands every-
where gladly obey. He shall do no damage to his s'd master's
goods, nor see it done by others without letting or giving notice
thereof to his s'd master ; he shall not waste his s'd master's
goods, nor lend them unlawfully to any ; he shall not Commit
Fornication nor Contract matrimony within s'd term, at Cards
or dice or any other unlawful Game he shall not play whereby his
s'd master may be damaged in his own good or the goods of
others ; he shall not absent himself day or night from his s'd
master's service without his leave, nor haunt Taverns nor play
houses but in all things behave himself as a faithful apprentice
ought to do." His master obliged himself to "learn s'd appren-
tice the art or mistery of a Shop Joyner, and to provide for s'd
apprentice sufficient meat and drink, washing and Lodging and
apparell and all Necessaryes in health and sickness fiting for
such an apprentice," also to "learn s'd apprentice to write,
Cypher and read and at the expiration of the above s'd term to
give to s'd apprentice Two suits of wearing apparall, one suit
fitting for the Lord's day." This Indenture was signed by
Benja Vining and Thomas Vining in good bold hand-writing
and witnessed by Abram Joslyn and Sam'l Norton.
He was living in Falmouth, next to the N. Yarmouth line
and near the bay in 1763. He moved to Royalsborough about
1775, and 13 Dec. 1776, he bought of Belcher Noyes Lot 71, on
the "County Road" about a mile from the river. Here he
carried on his trade in connection with farming. He was a
Justice of the Peace, Deacon in the Cong. Church, and town
Clerk of Royalsborough from 1778 to 1786. Tradition speaks
of him as a verv worthv and useful citizen.
20 HISTORY OF DURHAM
III.
ORGANIZATION AND INCORPORATION
The inhabitants of Royalsborough first met for pubhc business
Feb. 24, 1774, probably at the house of O. Israel Bagley, since
it is certain that the second meeting was held there, March 14,
1774. The meeting was "in order to consult upon Some method
for Entering into Some order in Said Town." Josiah Dunn^ was
chosen moderator and Charles Hill, Esq., clerk. Charles HilP
and Thomas Cofifin were elected wardens and O. Israel Bagley,
Wm. Gerrish and Stephen Chase a committee for selecting a
lot for a Meeting House and burying yard, and also a lot for a
school. This was the only business transacted.
At the second town meeting Major Charles Gerrish was
moderator, Mr. Dunn having refused to serve. Other modera-
tors before the incorporation of Durham were Jonathan Bagley,
Jonathan Armstrong,'* O. Israel Bagley, Ebenezer Newell and
John Gushing, Esq. The meetings were held at the houses of
b. Israel Bagley, John Dain, Nathaniel Gerrish and William
McGray, until 1780, after which date they were held at the
school house built on Benj. Vining's land. From the incorpora-
^Josiah Dunn, from Falmouth, Oct. 28 1771, bought of Thomas CofHn
lot 35 in Royalsborough Nov. 25, 1777, he sold fifty acres of this to
N?thaniel Gerrish. Nothing more is known of him in Durham. A
Josiah Dunn bought 1.34 acres in Poland Oct. 15, 1778. It is an easy
inference that the josiah Dunn of Royalsborough was the ancestor of the
Dunns of Poland, Waterville and Auburn. He came from England with
a brother Nathaniel and first settled in Falmouth. He died in Poland
about 1825, aged 93 years. „ , , .
A Josiah Dunn was taxed in Durham m 1802, but this tax may have
been for the unsold fifty acres. A Revolutionary soldier, Joshua Dunn
of Royalsborough, afterwards was a pensioner living in Phillips, Me.
'Charles Hill, Esq., was clerk of Royalsborough 1774-7- His wife's
name was Sarah. They had two children born in Royalsborough,
George, 4 Mch. 1774 and Amos Adams, 20 Feb. 1778. Charles Hill sold
lot 66 to Ebenezer Newell, 8 June 1779, for 1000 pounds. He then
disappeared from Durham history.
'Jonathan Armstrong, mariner, of Falmouth married Lydia Flint of
Harpswell April 9, 1767. He bought, Dec. i, I775, of Samuel Green, half
of lot 19; and Feb. 6, 1779 he bought a lot of Thomas Pearson and sold
it in 1 781. The name soon disappeared in Durham.
ORGANIZATION AND INCORPORATION 2 1
tion of Durham in 1789 till the building of the Town House in
1840 all the town meetings were held at the old North Meeting
House.
The proceedings of the early town meetings had to do with
roads, schools and the church, and so have been arranged in
chapters treating of those subjects.
Oct. 8, 1783, it was voted that "all the Sleds in this town
Shall Bee four feet Beten goints and any man in this town Be
found Sleding with a Sled of Less weadth than that a Bove
mentioned Shall Be Liabel to fine of twenty Shillings fine."
In 1782 the warrant for town meeting included, "to see if the
inhabitants of this Plantation will Petition to the General Court
to have it incorporated in to a Township acording to the Desier
of the Proprietors allso to alter the Name of Said Plantation
also Petition To Sad Cort for the Laws of this Common welth."
In 1784 and again in 1786 the town voted not to be incorporated.
The records for 1787-8 are lost. However, a petition, dated
Feb. 4, 1788, was sent to the General Court, asking for incor-
poration under the name of Sharon, or Bristol. The petition,
which treats largely of matters pertaining to the Revolutionary
War, is here given.
To the Honourable the Senate and House of Representatives
of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in General Court
assembled : — •
The petition of the Inhabitants of a Plantation Called Royals-
borough in the County of Cumberland, humbly showeth — That
your Petitioners being settled on a tract of Land in the Pejepscot
Claim, So called, adjoining the rear line of Brunswick, lying on
the Westerly side and adjoining the Androscoggin River, In the
said County, were early called upon when there were but few
families In the place to furnish a quantity of clothing for the
Army which we were exceedingly unable to comply with, at that
Infant period of our settling in the Wilderness, not having where-
withal to cloath ourselves and families In such Manner as to be
any ways comfortable In the Winter season. But from a Hearty
Desire to lend every aid and assistance In our Power toward
carrying on the War, We did by uncommon exertion procure by
one means or other all that we were called upon for at that time,
and have regularly paid our taxes provided our part of the
cloathing and procured ail the soldiers we have been called upon
for from time to time except one single man from the year 1778
viz In the year 1779 we paid the Sum of thirteen hundred and
sixty-five pounds twelve shilings and four pence and another
Tax of the Same Sum and in the year 1780 we paid four Taxes,
22 HISTORY OF DURHAM
viz one of two thousand six hundred and eighty-three pounds
six shilhngs and eight pence and another of the same sum, with
a Beef Tax of one Thousand six hundred and fifty pounds, also
a Hard Money Tax of Thirty-four pounds and for the year 1781
we paid eighty eight pounds fourteen shilhngs and eight pence
and two hundred and forty Seven pounds ten shillings and for
the year 1782 we paid the Sum of one hundred and six pounds
and sixteen shillings and five pence toward raising soldiers and
sixty two pounds six shillings and two pence for the same
purpose. Also a Beef Tax of the Sum of fifty four pounds and
sixteen shillings and four pence which sum amounted to a great
deal more than any other Plantation In this county have paid,
tho some are much more able than we.
But Tax bills have still been to us which, from the great
difficulties and straits we have been put to ; In paying the above
mentioned Sums and the charges we have been at ; In clearing
roads building and maintaining a great many Bridges added to
the Barrenness of a great part of our Land and the Poverty of
the People, cannot at present be paid by any means in our
Power. We therefore pray that our Delinquent Taxes may be
taken off (Which we are rather encouraged to expect from the
Kindness shown to other Plantations around us In as good
circumstances as we are whose Taxes have been Abated In
whole or In Part upon application being made for that purpose)
and being arrived to the number of about seventy families and
desirous of being Incorporated Into a Township by the name of
Sharon that we may be In a capacity of enjoying those Civil
and Religious Privileges which other Towns enjoy, which if
rightly Improved will make us a happy people. The bounds
of the Town are as follows : Beginning at the N. E. Corner of
Brunswick thence running a South West course to North Yar-
mouth line, thence running a N. W. course seven miles and forty
Rods, thence on a N. E. course about four miles to Androscog-
gin River, then down said River to the said N. E. Cor. of Bruns-
wick first mentioned. Also we further pray that a committee
from the General Court may be sent to take a View of our Cir-
cumstances that the Honorable Court may be the better satisfied
of the reasonableness of this our request and your Petitioners as
In duty bound shall ever pray.
Royalsborough, Feb. 4th, 1788.
JOHN CUSHING,
ISRAEL BAGLEY,
E. NEWELL, Committee.
JOSHUA STROUT,
JONATHAN CURRIER.
N. B. if there shall be any other Town In this County by
the Name of Sharon, Our desire is that ours may be called
Bristol.
ORGANIZATION AND INCORPORATION
-O
The town was incorporated 17 Feb. 1789, with a population
estimated at 700. The petition states that there were seventy
famiHes. Ten persons to a family is not too high an estimate
for those days, as the chapter on Genealogy will show. Notice
that in 1778 there were only forty-nine families. The name
given to the new town was Durham. Why it was so named no
one has yet told, though, doubtless it was suggested by the
Durham of old England. The reason sometimes assigned has
been shown in a previous chapter to be fallacious. The Act of
Incorporation is as follows : —
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
In the year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and
eighty nine.
An act to incorporate the Plantation called Royalsborough
in the County of Cumberland into a town by the name of
Durham.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in
General Court assembled and by the authority of the same that
all the lands of Royalsborough aforesaid bounded as follows viz
beginning at the westerly corner of a tract of land called Fronts
Gore in the line of North Yarmouth thence north west seven
miles adjoining said North Yarmouth thence north east to
Androscoggin river thence South easterly by the middle of said
river to the head line of Brunswick thence South w-esterly adjoin-
ing the head line of Brunswdck and said Fronts Gore to the first
mentioned bounds with the inhabitants thereon be and hereby
are incorporated into a town by the name of Durham and
invested with all the powers, privileges and immunities that
towns in this Commonwealth do or may by law enjoy.
And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid that
Samuel Merrill Esc[. be and he is impowered and required to
issue his Warrant to some principal inhabitant of Said town of
Durham directing him to warn the Inhabitants thereof to assem-
ble at some convenient time and place in said town, to choose
all such officers as by law are to be chosen annually in the
months of March or April.
In the House of Representatives Feb. 16, 1789.
This bill having had three several readings passed to be
^T^^cied, William Heath, Speakr.
In Senate Feb. 17th 1789.
This bill having had two several readings passed to be
enacted. ^^^'^ Phillips, V. President.
Approved John Hancock
A true copy Attest.
John Avery, Jr., Secy.
24 HISTORY OF DURHAM
The first town meeting of Durham was held March 17, 1789.
Samuel Merrill Esq., was moderator, Ebenezer Newell, clerk ;
John Gushing Esq., Lieut. Nathaniel Gerrish and Thomas Fisher
Selectmen.
May 4, 1 79 1, the town voted 21 to o that the " Destrict of
Main be Set off into a Separate State." May 7, 1792, another
vote was taken on the same proposition and there were 11 yeas
to 20 nays. April 7, 1807, the vote on same proposition stood
6 yeas to 113 nays. The agitation continued and May 20, 1816,
the vote was 45 for separation and 54 against. Another vote
was taken Sept. 2 of the same year resulting in 55 yeas to 92
nays. Notwithstanding all this opposition the separation took
place in 1820.
It seems that no one could settle in the town without permis-
sion. The following, found on the Town Records, will interest
many : —
Gumberland Ss. to Benjamin Vining Gonstable for the said
Town of Durham Greeting.
You are in the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
directed To warn, and give notice unto Samuel Jordan, Jedediah
Jordan, Daniel Roberson, Paul Dyer of Gape Elizabeth. . . .John
Stackpoie, Jeremiah Smith, James Johnson of Harpswell, Daniel
Harmon of Standish, Elias Davis of Bakerstown, Ezekiel Turner
of Freeport, and Samuel Proctor of Falmouth, Labourers in the
Town of Durham and Gounty of Gumberland, Which above
named persons, has lately come into this Town for the Purpose
of abiding therein, not having obtained the Towns consent.
Therefore that they depart the Limits thereof, With their
Ghildren And others under their care, if any they have, within
fifteen days. And of this precept, with your doings thereon,
you are to make Return into the office of the Town, within
Twenty days next Gommg, that such further proceedings may
be had in the premises. As the Law Directs Given under
our hands and Seal, at Durham aforesaid this 25 day February
A. D. 1793. Nathaniel Garish, Select-
Aaron Osgood, men.
Attest, Martin Rourk, Town Glerk
Piu-suant to the within Warrant, I have warned those persons
M'lthin mentioned To Depart the Limits of the Town, As soon
as may be, or within fifteen days, from the date thereof.
Benjamin Vining, Gonstable.
A true copy, Martin Rourk, T. Glerk.
Durham, March ye 14, 1793.
ORGANIZATION AND INCORPORATION 25
In similar manner John Hibbard and family and James Hib-
bard and " Nethanel Merril and now wife of Gofftown in the
County of Hillsborough Labourer and Betty B. Merrill Single
woman of the Same Town " were warned out of town in 1791.
There is no evidence of their departure, and some of them
became honored citizens. They probably complied with the
legal formalities.
There was much dispute between the first settlers and the
Pejepscot Proprietors. Many seem to have been squatters. For
their contentment the Mass. Court passed a " Betterment Act "
in 1798 so that settlers could not be ousted without payment for
improvements miade. Under this act Nathaniel Dummer, John
Lord and Ichabod Goodwin, Esquires, were appointed Com-
missioners to survey the lands in dispute and adjust the claims.
They fixed a price for each farm, on payment of which the Pro-
prietors were under legal obligation to give a deed to the
settlers. The report of the commissioners was submitted to Gov.
Caleb Strong July 12, 1804. It is here given so far as it pertains
to Durham. The original is in the Mass. Archives. I have cor-
rected the spelling.
Names of Settlers. No.
William McKenny,
Heirs of Nathaniel Gerrish,
Thomas Lambert,
Micah Dyer and Nathaniel Merrill,
Samuel Mitchell,
Isaac Lambert,
Gideon Bragdon,
Robert Hunnewell,
Jonathan Libby,
John Larrabee,
William Blake,
Daniel Robinson, Richard Mitchell,
job Larrabee,
Magnus Ridlon,
Chas. Kelley and Nath'l Wilbur,
Elisha Douglas,
Thomas Larrabee,
Amos Parker,
Ephraim Bragdon.
Daniel Harmon N. E. half,
Zebulon York,
Joshua Fickett,
of Lot.
Acres.
Value.
139
100
$97.60
77
82.23
25
47-50
79
35
5992
90
48i
92-15
90
46i
88.35
115
100
92.80
136
50
58.80
158
100
97.60
134
100
92.80
123
100
103.20
92
100
114.00
137
100
128.60
112
100
135-^0
133
100
139.20
117
100
132.00
140
100
146.40
122
100
142.80
116
100
88.00
127
50
52.00
146
100
59.20
156
100
146.40
26 HISTORY OF DURHAM
William Thomas, N. E. half, loi 50 $95.20
Daniel True, 119 100 142.80
Ebenezer Bragdon, 108 100 176.00
John Hoyt and Isaac Davis, 124 100 94-40
Jonathan Bragdon, 131 100 95.20
James Parker and William Wilson, 64 100 85.00
Andrew Adams, 58 100 99.60
Nath'l Gerrish, So. half, 73 50 95.20
James Hibbard, 77 100 132.80
Christopher Tracy, 78 100 123.20
John Vining, So. half, 75 5° 60.60
James Blethen, 62 100 128.00
[acob Sawyer, 109 100 124.80
Joseph Knight, 60 100 1 18.40
David Grossman, 22 &23 100 80.80
Jonathan Beal, 61 100 132.80
Solomon Tracy, Nath'l Getchell, 47 100 70.80
Bela Vining, N. E. half, 65 50 20.00
ROADS, FERRIES, AND BRIDGES 2']
IV.
ROADS, FERRIES, AND BRIDGES
It is certain that lumber roads existed in different parts of
Royalsborough before its settlement. Ship-builders in North
Yarmouth and Freeport, then called Harrisicket, penetrated into
the township for masts and timber. June 26, 1766, the Proprie-
tors chose Jonathan Bagley and Moses Little a " committee to
lay out a road and build a log house in Royalsborough for
accommodation of the settlement.'" This implies that there were
settlers in the town at that date. They doubtless reached their
homes by means of the old logging roads.
Traces may still be seen of an old mast road that led from
the " Great Meadow Pond " southwesterly to the County Road.
It is related of Cornelius Douglas that some time before 1770 he
with other young men went from Harpswell twenty-five miles
into the interior in search of grass. They found a small tract
of land clear of timber, where the beavers had formerly built a
dam across a small stream overflowing several acres. The dam-
had been partially torn away by hauling masts over it, which
drained the meadow, causing the wild grass to grow in great
abundance. These young men cut and stacked a supply of this ;
then retracing their steps, guided only by spotted trees, they
returned home, reaching there late in autumn. They then pro-
vided themselves with the necessary articles for camp life, drove
their father's cattle to their newly discovered territory, where
they built a rude camp for themselves and a hovel for the cattle.
They spent their time in tending the stock and making baskets ;
thus the winter passed quite pleasantly. It was by these fre-
quent visits to the back woods, that Cornelius chose his future
home.^
The place referred to was the Great Meadow Pond, in the
southern part of the town, whose outlet into the Androscoggin
river was '" Joseph Noyes's River Brook," so called on the Town
'See the Douglas Genealogy by J. Lufkin Douglas, p. 29.
2 8 HISTORY OF DURHAM
Records. Here was an ancient saw-mill, and a road ran there-
from across Snow's farm and just above the point where the
road from Methodist Corner joins the Brunswick road and so on
back of the old Gerrish house, where A. True Osgood recently
lived, to connect with the County Road near the Freeport line.
The road has probably not been used for a century, but it was
the oldest road in Durham. It was the existence of this logging
road that led Major Charles Gerrish to build his house where
he did. "' The path that goes to Capt. Gerrish's " from the
County Road is mentioned in 1775, in the Town Records. That
path is still in existence as a private road.
About the same time there must have been a rough road
from the Mast Landing at Harrisicket to South West Bend. A
petition, dated Oct. 3, 1769, for a County Road, is on record
at the County Commissioners' Office in Portland. It was
signed by Enoch Freeman, Jonathan Bagley, Joshua PYeeman,
Jr., Daniel Ilsley, Obediah Berry, and John Robinson. The
comm.ittee appointed to run out the road consisted of Ephraim
Jones, Joshua Freeman, Jr., Daniel Ilsley, Peter Noyes and Benj.
Humphrey. The survey was made by Ephraim Jones. Their
report is dated Oct. 23, 1770. It mentions an accompanying
" plan," which is thought to have been lost when the British
bombarded and burned Falmouth m 1776. A good copy of it
was made, however, by Jonathan Bagley for the Proprietors'
clerk, which is still preserved among the Pejepscot Records.
The road as surveyed began '' at a brook about 60 rods below
the middle of the South west Bend of Androscoggin River."
This is marked on the plan as a Trout Brook. It was afterward
known as Dyer's Brook, from the fact that it ran through Micah
Dyer's farm. The road ran up along the river bank a short
distance and then turned toward the south and followed its
present course. A mile and twenty rods from the river it
crossed the same " Trout Brook " and soon came to Thomas
'' Coffin s^ cleared land " on the easterly side. Just beyond was
'Oct. 28, 1771, Coflin sold this lot, No. 35, to Josiah Dunn, who sold
half of it to Nathaniel Gerrish in 1777. The Records of Royalsborough
tell us that March 25, 1776, the town voted " that there be liberty to
Erect a gate across the County Road below Capt. Dunn's at the bridge."
This bridge must have been over the Trout Brook mentioned above,
afterward called Dyer's Brook. The gate was. probably, to prevent from
straying too far the hogs, sheep and cattle that ran at large. Thomas
Coffin took a deed of lot No. 2 Dec. 10, 1771, but did not long remain in
ROADS, FERRIES, AND BRIDGES 29
marked the distance of tvvo miles from the river. Then came
Pbincas ''Frost's cleared land" on the westerly side, and a little
further on, and on the west side, "Ezra (O. Israel) Bagley's
Frame and cleared land, and the middle of the road is six rods
to the Northward of said Frame." Just beyond and on the same
side of the road the surveyors came to Thomas Pearson's
cleared land," and then was reached the mark indicating three
miles from the river. Next on the easterly side was "Vallentine
Bagley's cleared land," and then they came, on the opposite
side of the road, to ''the south corner of Orlander Bagley's
cleared land to a beach tree marked 4 miles." Then came
cleared land of Col. Bagley and the "North Yarmouth line," five
miles from the river. The road then passed over Bagley's
"Bridge at the east branch of Royall's River, and so on to
the line between Moses Morrill and Jonathan Griffin." A little
further on the road ran "abreast of the dividing line between
Joseph and Joshua Mitchell" and so on "to a road between
Joseph Mitchell and Dennison's land." This was the road to
Brunswick built in 171 7. Then the County Road passed
tlirough Dennison's land "to Benjamin Rackley's land" and
" down to the point of Mitchell's landing," ^ known afterward
as Porter's Landing. The Survey is of great interest as showing
who lived along this road in 1770-
This road was the highway of commerce for many years.
Along it goods were hauled to South West Bend, then rowed
up the river, hauled around Dresser's Rips, and so on to Lewis-
ton and regions beyond. This was the route by which Lawrence
Harris carried his goods to Lewiston in 1771. O. Israel Bagley
records that he bi ought the iron work for Josiah Little's mill at
Lewiston from Harrisicket along this road in 1783. Here were
the earliest settlements. About midway between the North
Yarmouth line and the river was for twenty years the business
center of the town. Here the church was built. Near by was
the first school-house. Here O. Israel Bagley kept the first
store and public house. There were at least two potash manu-
factories, one belonging to Bagley, the other to John Dow.
town. A Thomas Coffin married Marj' Fogg in Freeport Aug. 29, 1770.
Their eleven children are recorded in the Town Records of Freeport.
It is, doubtless, the same man above mentioned.
'See Pejepscot Records, Vol. VIII. 69.
30
HISTORY OF DURHAM
The transportation of goods from S. W. Bend to Lewiston
by water was not sufficiently easy and expeditious. For this
reason, and to open up new land for settlement, O. Israel Bagley
was employed by the Proprietors in 1781 to build the river road
" from South West Bend to the Line of Royalsborough." It
was continued all the way to what is now the City of Auburn.
The bill of settlement is still preserved and is here given in full.
"Dr Cap. O. Israel Bagley
To 227lt) Cotton (c^ 2/8 £30. 5. 4
To 2o6tb Sugar (^i; /9f 8. 4.10
To 15 gallons N. E.
Rum (Ci 5/
To 10 Silk Hankerchiefs
To 4 yd Silk @ 16/
To 4 Silk Hankerchiefs
To 16 yd Duch Lace
£50: 4: 2
3-I5-
5 2.14.
3- 4-
I. 4.
0.17.
Royalsborough April 10, 1784
then Ballanced all accounts as
witnis my hand
Josiah Little
To Josiah Little Cr. 1781.
By 184 Day work on
the Rode from the
South west Bend to
the Line of Royal
Bourough Clearing
Rodes & Building
Bridges @ 4/ 36.16.
By 8 Day my Self in
overseeing the
workmen @ 4/ 1.12.
By Paying your
fathers ord M. Dyer 2. 8. o
By 6m Shingles @ 9/4 2.16. o
By 5m Shingles @ 9/4 2. 6. 8
By 6;^ Hundred Clab-
boards (« 4/ 1. 8. o
By your Paying
freight 0:11. o
By 10 Days work on
the Bridge over the
Little Androscog-
srin River 2. o. o
£49:17: 8
By cash to Ballance o. 6. 6
£50. 4. 2
This road began at the end of the County Road and followed
the bank of the river. It has since been moved back over the
hill by the Union Church at S. W. Bend in 1828; also
at Garcelon's or Dingley's Ferry and along by James Wagg's in
South Auburn. At all these points the old road was on the
river bank. In O. Israel Bagley 's account book there is an
interesting entry connected with the building of this road. It
reads thus : " Went to work upon Luestown Royd October 4,
12!
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ROADS, FERRIES, AND BRIDGES 3 I
1781." Then follow the names of the men employed and the
number of days each worked. Major Charles Gerrish 8 days :
William Gerrish 10: Charles Gerrish i: George Gerrish i:
Ezekiel Jones 9: Simeon Sanborn 17: John Blake 7: " Wilan "
Deans 8: John Randall 31 : O. Israel Bagley 25 : John Deans i :
John Farr i ; Lemuel AIcGray 4: Benjamin Vining 23: Pelatiah
Warren 17: Nathaniel Gerrish 5: Stephen Weston 2: Ebenezer
Roberts 4: Samuel Green 7: Samuel Ray 3.
This road built by Bagley for the Proprietors was afterward
laid out as a County Road by the following Commissioners:
John Lewis, David Mitchell, Samuel Merrill, Isaac Parsons and
William Widgery, Esq. Their report is dated Oct. 17, 1791.
The survey began at the " Turner Road," a little below Hildreth's
Ferry, just south of the mouth of the Little Androscoggin River,
and " near Great Androscoggin River." It ran " two rods
southwesterly of James Wagg's house" "near Josselyn'.s
Ferry,". ..." two and a half rods N. Easterly of Bagley's barn,"
which stood near where George Miller now lives. ..." until it
strikes the County Road formerly laid out in Durham." The
expense of laying out the road was one hundred and fifty-five
pounds, three shillings and four pence.
The building of this road led immediately to the settlement
of the northern part of the town, and after fifteen years every
lot to the old Pejepscot, later Danville, later still Auburn, line
was settled. The business center was transferred from the
County Road to the region between " Eunice's Brook " and
■' Stoddard's Tavern.''
Let us take an imaginary ride along the River Road in 1801,
starting from the Bend. Keeping close to the river bank we
pass first the house built by Hon. John Gushing, and occupied
by Abel Curtis later. It long ago disappeared. In the gulley
north of it we see the tannery of Samuel Field and then we
come to the house built by Dr. John Converse, where Simeon
Bailey long lived. It was burned a few years ago. Near the
mouth of "Eunice's Brook" is the house of William Gerrish. In
1832 he built the brick house now occupied by Andrew G. Fitz.
The brick were made by him on the river bank. After crossing
the Brook an old rangeway joins the River Road, and now we
are in the heart of the city, so to speak. Here is the hotel kept
by Joseph Proctor, 1795-1810. The building was afterward
32 HISTORY OF DURHAM
moved up on the hill on the back road and was the residence of
Joseph Weeman. North of the hotel is a large two-story house,
some say built by Joseph Little. Here lived Dr. David G.
Barker. The house was moved onto the hill at the Bend and is
now the residence of Dea. Wm. Hascall. Foster Waterman had
his law-office near by a little later and David Bowie his bakery.
Samuel Merrill had a house and store, and a little later Meshack
Purington lived in this region. All these buildings were upon
the old farm of Col. Jonathan Bagley, which occupied three lots.
Tradition says that his house and barn stood a little north of
where Herbert A'liller now lives. Miller's house was built by
James Strout in 1836. Strout bought the place in 1809. We
next pass the house of Elijah Macomber a little north of George
Millers present house. Macomber settled here in 1801. His
house long ago was destroyed by fire. Here also was a country
store. Next north was later the residence of Capt. Jonathan
Strout, and about opposite where Mr. White now lives was
Dain's Ferry, kept by John Dain who lived on the Lisbon side
at this time, 1799-1818. Thirty years earlier he lived on the
County Road, opposite the old North Meeting House.
We now come to two large, two-story houses, built in 1800
and 1801 by the brothers Abel and William Stoddard. Both are
still standing and occupied by Everett Macomber and Josiah
Williams. The first was " Stoddard's Tavern." Here Secomb
Jordan, Esq., afterward lived and kept store in a building near
by, which was later moved to S. W. Bend and was for nearly
half a century the shop of James FL Eveleth, shoe-maker.
Stoddard bought this farm in 1797 of Samuel Merrill for $1000,
and Merrill bought it of John Gushing. The row of stately elm
trees was planted in 1801. Jordan was succeeded here in trade
by the brothers Henry and Joseph Moore from Newfield, Me.
Henry married Rhoda, dau. of Secomb Jordan and died 13 Sept.
1843, aged 45 yrs. Joseph married a daughter of Thomas Pierce,
Esq., and settled in Lisbon. The Williams farm was also owned
by Samuel Merrill, who may have come from New Gloucester.
He died in 1800. He was an active business man, farmer,
lumberman and Justice of Peace. His house stood north-west
of Williams' and back in the field across the brook. William
Stoddard built the present Williams house in 1801. George
MpMP^'
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ROADS, FERRIES, AND BRIDGES 33
Williams was employed as a carpenter in the building of the
house and bought it in 1825.
■'Dam Brook," so called in the town records of a century ago,
received its name because of the beaver dams upon it, traces of
which and of the elliptical dome-shaped beaver house may still
be clearly seen. Here, doubtless, beaver were trapped by
Indians, whose stone hatchets and spear-heads have been found
on a hill near by. In 1804 Secomb Jordan was paid $87.52 for
building a bridge across Dam Brook. Again in 1807 Isaac
Lambert and Nathaniel Gerrish were paid $63, for rebuildmg
tliis bridge. In 1804 Abel Stoddard was allowed $4, for people
passing through his land in time of freshet. These items show
how history repeats itself. Many a time have these farms been
overflowed. The "great freshet" of 1814, when families had to
leave their homes by night in boats, was repeated in 1896.
Just beyond the mouth of Dam Brook lived John Skinner,
who sold his farm in 1808 to Samuel Nichols Jr. Later it was
occupied by Joseph Miller.
Next we come to the old Secomb Jordan place. The house
now occupied by Millard Dingley was built over eighty years ago
for Apollos Jordan, whose widow was the second wife of
Jeremiah Dingley, who long lived here. The oldest Jordan
bouse stood near the road and further north. It disappeared
half a century ago. A few apple-trees mark the site.
The next square, two-story house was built by William
Webster in 1798. It was burned in 1893. In front of it, on the
river bank we see, in 1801, the first school-house of this district,
afterward occupied by Webster as a shop for the manufacture of
yokes, ploughs and axe-handles. The second school-house was
a fevv rods below it, afterwards moved and desecrated as a pig-
pen by Israel Mitchell. The third school-house was the little
red one by the big elm trees below Dingley's, where also stands
the fourth, for which there seems to be now no use. Four
ancient districts of Dvu'ham and So. Auburn must be combined
in order to make up a school of fourteen pupils.
Beyond W^ebster's, now William Stackpole's, and on a hill-
top by the rangeway stands, in 1801, the square one-story house
facing the river, built by John Stackpole about 1792. It was
burned in 1837, and the present house was then built by Samuel
34 , HISTORY OF DURHAM
O. Stackpole. Nothing but a bridle-path along spotted trees led
to it before 1800.
"House's Brook River" is so named in the town records nearly
a century ago. Tradition says that on the head waters of this
stream lived at one time a man named House. He tried one
dark night to cross on a log the brook swollen by rains. Was
it the favorite beverage that caused him to fall into the water?
At any rate he was drowned, and the brook has immortalized
his name. iVnother form of the legend is that he was acci-
dentally drowned while employed in the construction of a bridge
over the brook. Who was this man House? No mention of
his name is found on the town records. No living person
remembers aught of him or of his family. Among the papers
of Col. Jonathan Bagley at Amesbury, Mass., there is found an
agreement, dated 26 July 1773, between Bagley and Elisha
House of Sherburn, Mass. The said House was to enter upon,
cut down the trees and clear up all the stuff and fix for sowing
grain, planting corn and pasturing, the northwesterly half ot a
100 acre lot. No. 82, m Royalsborough, within the space of five
years, to clear ten acres every year and build a good sufificient
lawful fence on the line in the middle and on each end, said
Bagley to find one half the grass seed to sow what land he shall
improve the first year, to find one half the seed corn and half
the grain to sow and plant yearly, to provide one yoke of oxen
and build a barn. Bagley was to have half the produce and
half the hay, and at the end of five years to give to the said
Elisha House a good and lawful Warrantee Deed of the other
half of the lot. Here is probably the man for whom was named
"House's Brook River." The agreement was never fulfilled.
House's Brook has been famous for pickerel for a century. I
have seen a score of persons fishing there by the light of bon-
fires.
North of the Brook we come to the farm of Samuel Mitchell
who brought his wife, Betsey Dingley, all the way from Cape
Elizabeth on horse-back and moved into a corn-barn as a tem-
porary residence, while his house was being built. The next
house is that of Dea. Isaac Lambert. The original house is still
standing and occupied by Herbert Wagg. Here was born the
Hon. Nelson Dingley, Jr. ; also William Henry Lambert. See
biographical sketches.
I
ROADS, FERRIES, AND BRIDGES 35
If we were to continue our ride to the northern Hmit of
ancient Durham we would pass the spot where now is the ceme-
tery, in which sleep many of the persons already mentioned, and
come to the house of John Dow, which became some years
later Simeon Blethen's, where later dwelt for many years
Dea. William Dingley. Then we should come to Thomas
Proctor's house. He was succeeded by his son William, and
he by Augustus Parker. Next was the farm of Elias Staten who
is said to have come from Virginia. He married in Cape Eliza-
beth, 13 Nov. 1796 Keziah Atwood. He died in Lewiston 3
May 1850, aged 79 yrs. His farm was occupied later by Elder
Shimuel Owen, who was born in Topsham 2 April 1771 and died
here 29 Dec. 185 1, a preacher of the old Calvinistic school.
Above Staten's we come to William Dingley 's, ancestor of
about all by that surname in Androscoggin County. The old
house is still standing, one of the most ancient landmarks along
the road. The Ferry here was once much in use.
There is very little found in the records of Royalsborough
about road-making. A few days' works were voted on the
County and private roads. March 25, 1774, it was voted that
each man in the town do four days' work on the " road between
the first and second range of lots, said road leading to the
County Road that leads by North Yarmouth and the private
road." This road, laid out by the Proprietors across the
southern part of the town past the Friends' meeting-house and on
to Freeport, is still in use. In the early times it extended easterly
straight on to the river, where there was a ferry to connect with
the Topsham road and with Little River Plantation, that lay
between Little and Sabattus Rivers. Little River was once an
industrious place, having six saw-mills and a woolen mill upon
its narrow waters. Lisbon Falls, built a half mile above it, must
be distinguished from the ancient village of "Little River.''
The ferry just alluded to is called on the old Records "Jones'
Ferry," since Lemuel Jones lived close by it on lot No. 9.
Later it is called " Estes Ferry. "
On petition of the Pejepscot Proprietors a road was accepted
by the town of Brunswick in 1773, leading from that village to
Royalsborough. It was a crooked thing and kept pretty close
to the bank of the Androscoggin. It was extended up to meet
the rangeway between lots 78 and 62. This led to a distinct
settlement. Among the earlv families on this road were those of
36 HISTORY OF DURHAM
Rev. Christopher Tracy, Reuben Blethen, Jonathan Beal, the
Getchells, Joseph Knight, Solomon and David Grossman,
Lemuel Jones, and Andrew Pmkham.
There was an old mast road leading from the County road at
the meeting-house to a mast camp near Chandler's Mill. This
is mentioned as an old road in 1789. It probably existed as
early as 1766, when the Mill was built. It has long been discon-
tinued, yet traces of corduroy construction along swampy lands
may still be seen.
The "road leadmg from O. Israel Bagley's to Chandler's
Mill" is incidentally mentioned in a deed in 1780 and is dotted,
in part, on the chart of the town. It passes through Methodist
Corner to the County Road. In 1796 a road was surveyed along
this route from New Gloucester to Brunswick, entering Durham
and running "to the flowing of the Pond nearly 4 rods above
Chandler's saw-mill so-called, thence across said Pond, computed
eight rods, to the height of a rock by the side of said Pond. . . .to
a rangeway in Durham near Samuel York's house in the
above mentioned rangeway, four rods 8 links N. 26 E.
from the Back door of William True's dwelling house, to the
(^ounty Road leading from Hildrake's Landing to Freeport
Landing, near Cc-pt. Bagley's Potash, to a County Road,
the three last courses being in said County Road, to the
Range Road near W. Sanborn's dwelling house in said Range
Road, to the middle of the town road near the Quaker
Meeting House in said Durham, " and so on to Brunswick.
The "road that leads from the North Church to Gerrish's
Mill," is mentioned in 1775. It was laid out by the Proprietors'
surveyor. Its continuance to the river, near Christopher Tracy's,
lot 78, is called the Rangeway in 1795, when a road was laid out
by the town connecting this rangeway with Beal's Landing and
Ferry, opposite lot 61, where Jonathan Beal lived. This Ferry
was continued till 1818, when the bridges were built at S. W.
Bend and Little River.
In 1789 a road was laid out "beginning at the Town Line
between land of G. Ferguson and Joseph Paul, thence running
N. E. about 224 rods or till it come within about five rods of
the N. Easterly Corner of G. Goodwin's Land, thence N. W. and
by N. between the Land of the said Goodwin and Land of E.
Warren about 46 rods till it strike the westerly line of the said
ROADS, FERRIES, AND BRIDGES T^^J
Warren's Land, thence North Easterly on said Line till it come
within Seven Rods of Abil True's Land, thence about North till
it strikes the Line between the said Abil True's Land, and Land
of Arch Morrill Seven Rods from the S. \\'. Corner of the said
Abils Land, thence on the hne between the said Abil and Arch's
Land i6o rods to the road leading from the County Road "near
Capt. Bagley's to Chandler's Mill." There seems to have been a
road leading from where the one just mentioned ends to the Meet-
ing-House and so connecting with the road leading to Gerrish's
Mill and Beal's Ferry. In 1803 a County Road was laid out lead-
ing along this route from Walnut Hill to Tracy's Narrows, a
distance of fourteen and a half miles. It entered Durham near
George Ferguson's dwelling house, "4 rods and 21 links south-
east of the east corner thereof, abreast with the back side
of Ebenezer Warren's dwelling house, and two rods and 14 links
distant from the southeast corner thereof abreast of the
front side of Enoch Davis's dwelling house and 5 rods and 9
links from the southeasterly corner thereof, abreast with
the east end of Durham meeting house and three rods and 4
Imks distant from the southeast corner thereof to Andro-
scoggin River at Tracy's Narrows." There were allowed for
damages to William True $380, to Enoch Davis $80, to John
Gushing $40. This road was changed by the Commissioners,
on petition, in 1805, to nm from Ferguson's "to the County
Koad leadmg from New Gloucester to Brunswick. by
Deacon True's northwest of William Mitchell's barn
to the center of the bridge southwesterly of John Gushing Jun's
Dwelling House, to the center of the town road by Martin
Rourke's leading to the North Meeting House, to the
brow of a Gully, to the cross Range road leading by
Benjamin Vining's, to the center of the river County Road
two rods from the easterly corner of David Dyer's House,
thence 10 rods to two rods in front of Symond Baker's eastern
end door, to the river opposite Boswell's Point." There
were allowed for damages to Ebenezer Warren $30, to William
Mitchell $75, to Michael Dyer $25. June 26. 1805, it was
voted to "give George Ferguson the old road in lieu of the post
road laid out by the County." The road from Methodist
Corner to S. W. Bend, through which this post road ran, is
mentioned as a "Rangeway" in use in 1791. It was laid out on
38 . HISTORY OF DURHAM
the Proprietors' plan. It was long called the "Hallowell Road,"
since this was the stage line from Portland to Hallowell. Let
the old names contmue to be used.
It will be noticed that the road from S. W. Bend to Methodist
Corner was originally straight. It came out over the hill west
of the Methodist Church, and at the other end it terminated some
rods north of where Wesley Day now lives.
The road from S. W. Bend to Gerrish's Mill was laid out in
1795. A county Road from Brunswick to S. W. Bend by
Gerrish's Mill "through Noyes' Land" was laid out in 1801.
South of Noyes' 800 acres the road was laid out to Brunswick
line in 1789. Edward Estes, Micajah Dudley, Elijah Douglas,
Hugh Getchel, Josiah Day, Joshua Babb and Benjamin Babb
are mentioned as then living along this road.
In 1791 a road was accepted leading from the "Northwest
corner of Benjamin Vining's lot. No. 71, on the Rangeway
running Southwest to a Rangeway adjoining lot 103, thence
running Northwest to the head of the Town." This is the
"Back Road" one tier of lots from the river. The Rangeway to
connect it with the " River Road," between the lots of Stackpole
and Webster was accepted in 1801, though it had been used in
a rough state for several years. At the same date were accepted
Rangeways between lots 85 and 86 and between lots 83 and 84,
but these roads seem never to have been completed.
"Aug. 13, 1801. This day run a Rangeway: — Beginning at
southwest corner of Lott : No. 127 and 128: thence North-
easterly to Androscoggin river"' signed by Isaac Davis and
George Ferguson, Selectmen.
In 1793 the Selectmen of Durham and of Freeport agreed
that "the Road commonly known as the Quaker Road shall be
the line by which said Durham and Freeport shall tax to, till
such a time as the line may be settled between Front's and
Bagley's Gores by the Proprietors of said Gores, likewise to the
ancient N. Yarmouth line from said Road to the Head of said
Freeport." This old "Quaker Road" ran from the
Friends' Meeting House to the County Road, over the hills,
nearly parallel with and perhaps a mile distant from the oldest
Mast Road above mentioned that ran by the original cabin of
Major Charles Gerrish. This "Quaker Road" has long been
out of use.
ROADS, FERRIES, AND BRIDGES 39
The road between lots 95 and 96 running "southwest the
length of two lots" was laid out in 1800. It was on the
Proprietors' Chart and must have been somewhat in use before
that date. This road was continued in 1813 till it met the "Minot
Road," so called.
The County Road through the Northwest corner of the town
was built in 1806. It was long called the " Minot Road," since it
was the regular stage line from Portland to Minot, or to that part
of Minot which was afterward called " Gofif's Corner " and is now
better known as the city of Auburn. The Town Treasurer's
book gives the names of the men employed in building the road,
who were nearly all settlers in that vicinity. They were Isaac
Davis, Thomas Larrabee, Job Larrabee, John Larrabee, Vinson
Fickett, Meshack Purington, Moses Larrabee, William Libby,
Moses Hunnewell, William McKenney, John Martin, Lemuel
Rice, Robert Hunnewell, Benjamin Hunnewell, Thomas Water-
house, Dominicus Libby, L>ennis Libby, Benjamin Hunnewell
Jr., Nathaniel Larrabee, Joseph Larrabee, Joshua Fickett, Joseph
Weeman, and John Cushing Jr.
^Guide Posts, in 1823, were erected, by advice of James Strout,
Elijah Macomber, and Thomas Pierce, Selectmen, "at Josiah
Day Jr., Lisbon Bridge, South West Bend, Friends' Meeting
House, George Gerrish's, Samuel Sawyer's, Methodist Corner,
James Gerrish's Mill, North Meeting House, Ebenezer Newell's,
Barnabas Strout's, Joseph Philbrook's, Josiah Day's, Waitstill
Webber's."
Jones's Ferry, afterward called Estes' Ferry, has already been
mentioned at the southern part of the town, at the terminus of
the first rangeway. It was kept for many years by Jeremiah
Getchell, who also became the first toll collector when the
bridge was built at Lisbon Falls in 1818. Beal's Ferry has also
been mentioned, opposite lot 61 — just below Tracy's Island. It
was first thought to build the bridge between Durham and
Lisbon at or near this place, but South West Bend and Little
River each wanted it and as neither would yield to its rival, two
bridges were built the same year. The one near the Bend took
the place of " Dyer's Ferry " that had long been in existence.
^The first mention of Guide Boards is in an order given March S,
1795 " to Ebenezer Ayers for making & panting four goid bords @ g'^
1. 16.0. "
40 • HISTORY OF DURHAM
The Town Records mention both bridges in 1819 as having-
been recently built. The bridge near the Bend fell Aug. 8, 1829,
carrying down a loaded team and two men. One of them,
Joseph Weeman, was killed ; the other, Orlando Merrill,
escaped. It was twice rebuilt, once in 1833. This fell in 1839.
The last one was carried away by a freshet in 1844. Tradition
says that James Sawyer, William Green, and Lemuel McGray
were on it and were carried down river four hundred rods and
taken ofif in a boat. Many attempts have beeen made to induce
tlie towns and the County to rebuild but without success.
'■ McGray 's Ferry" was the immediate successor to the bridge,
and under other names there has been a ferry there unto this
day.
"Dain's Ferry" was a mile or more above the island, and
was kept 1799-1818 by John Dain, who .lived on the Wagg farm,
on the Lisbon side. The landing on the Durham side was
opposite where Mr. White now lives. Just above this
ferry was the fording place, where in my boyhood 1 have seen
droves of cattle fording the river, on their way to Brighton
market.
It may not be known to many that there was once a ferry at
the northern part of the town, opposite the dwelling house of
Samuel Stackpole. The Rangeway once terminated near a pine
tree still standing a little north of the present terminus, and the
ferry landing was just south of that tree. I have heard my
father speak of it and I remember seeing on the opposite bank
traces of the timbers to which the rope was fastened. Here
lived David Thompson, who married Lydia Stackpole. They
were the grandparents of Hon. W. W. Stetson, Supt. of the
Schools of Maine.
Ancient Durham had another ferry, called "Dingley's" or
■'Garcelon's" according as one approached it from the Durham
or from the Lewiston side. The line between Durham and
Danville was for years 1805-15 on the northern boundary
of the old Dingley farm, now occupied by Orrin Libby of South
Auburn. This was until recent years a much frequented
crossing place.
The accompanying map will enable the reader better to
understand the location of roads and ferries. A comparison of
this with the former map shows that the actual roads differ
Durham
ROADS, FERRIES, AND BRIDGES
41
greatly from those projected upon the surveyor's chart. By
comparing the following numbers with those on the map one
may learn the location of churches, mills and most of the original
settlers. The figures on the map indicate pretty nearly the loca-
tion of the oldest houses.
William Webster.
John Stackpole.
Samuel Mitchell.
Isaac Lambert.
Samuel Robinson.
David Miller.
Joshua Miller.
Joshua Jones.
Joseph Weeman.
Edward Fifield.
Isaac Davis.
William Roak.
Nathaniel Parker.
Wm. Larrabee.
George Bowie.
Magnus Ridlon.
Nathaniel Wilbur.
Thomas Larrabee.
Thomas Waterhouse.
George Rice.
Wm. PoUister.
Robert Plummer.
Samuel Roberts.
John Ellis.
Judah Chandler, Isaac Turner.
Samuel York.
Zebulon York.
Wm. Roberts.
John Randall, Ezekiel Turner?
William True.
Abel True, Wm. Miller.
Jonathan Currier, Daniel Har-
mon.
Ebenezer Warren.
George Goodwin.
George Ferguson.
Joseph Paul, Matthew Duran.
Ezekiel Jones, Thomas Pierce.
Ebenezer Roberts.
Joshua Snow.
Stephen Hart, Nicholas Var-
ney.
Batchelder Ring.
Reuben Tuttle.
Joseph Estes.
Samuel Clough.
Noah Jones, Jotham Johnson.
Micajah Dudley.
Andrew Pinkham.
Lemuel Jones.
David Grossman.
I.
North Meeting House.
44-
2.
Friends' Meeting House.
45-
3-
M. E. Church.
46.
4-
Union Church.
47-
5-
F. B. Church.
48.
6.
Cong. Church.
49-
7-
Stone Mill.
50.
8.
Gerrish's or Plummer's Mill.
51-
9-
Mayall's Mill.
52.
10.
Tracv's Mill.
52-
II.
Steam Mill.
54-
12.
Josiah Burnham.
55-
13-
John Scott.
56.
14.
Nathaniel Osgood.
57-
15-
John Sydlcman.
58.
16.
Elisba Stetson.
59-
17-
Aaron Osgood.
60.
18.
John Lincoln.
61.
19-
Major Chas. Gerrish.
62.
20.
Reuben Dyer and Francis
63.
Harmon.
64.
21.
Pelatiah Warren and Job Syl-
65.
vester.
66.
22.
0. Israel Bagley.
67.
23-
Stephen Weston.
68.
24.
Parson Herrick.
69.
25-
John Dean and Wm. McGray.
70.
26.
Joshua Strout.
/I-
27-
Charles Hill and Ebenezer
72.
Newell.
7i-
28.
Benjamin Vining.
74-
29.
David Dyer(?) and Barnabas
Strout.
75-
30.
Universalist Church.
76.
31-
Samuel Nichols.
77-
Z2.
Micah Dyer.
78.
32,-
John Gushing and Abel Curtis.
79-
34-
Dr. John Converse.
80.
35-
Joseph Proctor's Tavern.
81.
36.
Proprietor's House, built by
82.
Little.
83.
37-
Jonathan Bagley, James
Strout.
84.
38.
Elijah Macomber.
85.
39-
Jonathan Strout.
86.
40.
Abel Stoddard.
87.
41-
Samuel Merrill, William Stod-
88.
dard, George Williams.
89.
42.
John Skinner, Samue'
90.
Nichols, Jr.
91.
43.
Secomb Jordan.
92.
42
93
94
95
9t>
91
98
99
HISTORY OF DURHAM
Hugh Getchell. 104. Andrew Adams.
Waitstill Webber. 105. Bela Vining.
Cornelius Douglas. 106. Peter Mitchell.
Caleb Estes. 107. Martin Rourk.
Job Blethen, Josiah Day. 108. Nathan Lewis, Benjamin Os-
Jonathan Beal. good.
James Blethen. I09- John Cushing.
100. Christopher Tracy. no. John Hoyt.
lOi. Ebenezer Woodbury. in. Samuel Collins.
102. John Vining. 112. Israel Estes, Amos Knight.
103. William Gerrish.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY 43
V.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY
At the first town meeting of Royalsborough, O. Israel
Bagley, William Gerrish and Stephen Chase were chosen a
committee for " Fixing a place for a ministerial (lot) and likewise
a place on said lot for a meeting House and burying yard."
Feb. 9, 1775, the following proclamation was issued:
"To the Congregational Inhabitants of the Township of
Royalsborough. Whereas it is commanded unto all men to call
on the name of the Lord to confess their manyfold Sins and
Implore his divine assistance ]:)Oth for Spiritual and Temporal
blessings Publicly. So it is nessery that Some Public place of
Worship Should be provided and in providing it Every Person
Conserned ought to have a voice in the Providing the same and
it is appointed for all men once to die. So it is Incumbent on
every Person In time of life to provide a Proper Decent Place
for the reception of his body when so dead. And whereas the
Proprietors of the town who Expect to be at considerable Part
of the charge In building a place for Public worship are content
it Should be built on Mr. John Dean's lot and some of the
Inhabitants have begun to clear the ground therefor, but least
it should not be agreeable to the major Part of the Present
Inhabitants. This i^s to Desire them to meet on Thursday the
sixteenth day of Feb. Instant at one of the clock in the afternoon
at the Dwelling house of Mr. John Dean's in said Town to know
the minds of the Inhabitants if the said place is agreeable to them
if not to agree on and Clear Some Place more Sutible."
Jonathan Bagley in behalf of himself
and for the Proprietors."
Agreeably to the above call the Inhabitants voted, 16 Feb.
1775, that "the most Sutible place to build a meetmg house is
on the Hill to the Southward of Mr. Dean's house on his lot by
the County Road." It was also voted to allow Mr. Dean two
dollars per acre for the gore of land lying between the County
Road and the road that leads to Micah Dyer's "from the Croch
oi the Road to the Spruce tree to the North of the Hill." It
included nine acres. Voted to cut the trees on said land before
44 HISTORY OF DURHAM
March next. Stephen Hart, Eenj. Vining and Charles Gerrish
were a Committee to see that the land be cleared.
March 25, 1776, Voted one day's work on burying ground.
O. Israel Bagley to have charge of the work.
July 30, 1776, Voted "to hire the Gospel Minister three
months to preach the Gospel Amongst us." Major Charles
Gerrish and Ebenezer Roberts were a Committee to hire a
preacher. Voted that he preach at the house of Eliot Frost.
There is no further record pertaining to church matters
during the next three years. Meanwhile the proprietors issued
proposals for the erection of a house of worship.
■'To the Gentlemen Selectmen of Royalsborough,
Proposals to build a Meeting House in Royalsborough Vizt.
To be about the same Dimentions as Brunswick meeting house,
lo be glaized with sash Glass. The Inhabitants to find the
Frame raise it and underpin it, also Boards Clapboards and
Shingles Sufiicient for that purpose. The workmanship Nails
and Glass to be done at the Expense of the Proprietors out of the
money ariseing by the sail of the setling Lotts. The Plastering
the inside, the Pulpitt, Deacon Seat, minister's Pew and one for
the Proprietors. The rest of the Pews and Seats at the Charge
of the Inhabitants. The Galleries to be built at the Charge of
the Proprietors except the seats. A Convenient Porch to be
erected at the Front Door in which the Stairs into the Galleries
are to be fixed. So Agreed to by the Committee of the
Proprietors. Bagley and Noyes.
December, 1776.
Recorded March ye loth, 1791.
These proposals were not at once acted upon, probably
because attention was diverted by the Revolutionary War and
financial burdens were heavy. It was not till Nov. 8, 1779 that
the Plantation voted "to get up a frame for the meeting house
the same Bigness of Brunswick meeting house by the last of
July next." Nothing seems to have been done. More than
one third of the men capable of bearing arms were in the army.
There is no record of any religious service for four years. June
22, 1780, O. Israel Bagley was chosen a committee to "hire a
minister of the gospel to preach with this town six weeks."
There is no record of the result. Sept. 12, 1780, the building
of the meeting house was again agitated and it was voted to build
it. O. Israel Bagley was chosen "overseer to See it built."
Major Gerrish, Benjamin Vining and Hugh Getchell were a
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY
45
committee to "see that the hous is Dun," and to sell or vendue
thirty-five pews. These committees did not do as instructed.
The proprietors thought to hasten both the building of the
church and, what was still more desired by them, the incorpora-
tion of the town, by sending, by the hand of their secretary, the
following letter, which was of such historic value as to be spread
upon the Town Records :
Boston, Sept. 29, 1781.
GENTLEMEN :
Coll. Little in his Journey to Royalsborough Carried down
with him a rough Draught of a Petition for the Inhabitants by
their Committee to be appointed for that purpose to present to
the General Court that you may be incorporated into a Township
that you may be vested with the powers and Privileges other
towns enjoy. I hope you will approve the same or correct said
Draught as you Judge proper. Till you are incorporated it will
be in vain to attempt any thing as to building a meetinghouse
and Setling a minister because what you may do to effect this
cant be carried into Execution for want of power. I hope you
are sensible of the grate advantage the Settlement of the Gospell
among you will be to your own true Interest as to both worlds.
If any sett of men settled among should be indifferent or
averse to this they must be left to their own way, yet while they
enjoy this liberty they ought not to deprive others of this Liberty
they claim for themselves, this would be unreasonable on their
part. I recommend to you mutual Love and Concord in trans-
acting your affairs as it will tend to promote your own happiness.
I have sent you the proposals on the part of the Proprietors what
they are willing to do towards the Meeting-house and the settle-
ment of a. minister among you ; and what they expect from the
Inhabitants, which hope will be Acceptable, it lies with you to
forward your Incorporation by applying to the Court for that
purpose ; if you will please send up this Petition to me I will
take care to get it accomplished, I make no doubt it will be
granted. I am Gentlemen
your Friend and Servant
Belcher Noyes.
This brought matters to a conclusion, and, early in 1782,
between O. Israel Bagley, evidently acting as agent for the
proprietors, and the committee chosen in 1780 a contract was
made for the building of the old North Church. The bond has
been preserved and is here reproduced verbatim :
"Know all men by these Presents, that we Charles Gerrish,
Esq., Benjamin Vining, Yoman & Hugh Getchel Yoman All of
46 HISTORY OF DURHAM
Royalsborough in the County of Cumberland and Common-
welth of Massachusetts, am holden and Stand firmly bound to
O. Israel Bagley of S"d Royalsborough in the County aforesaid
gent'n in four Hundred Pound Lawfull money to Be Paid to the
S'd O. Israel Bagley or his Certain Attorney, Executors Admin-
istrator or Assigns. To the which Payment well and truly to
be made we bind our Selves our heir Executors and
Administrators Jointly and Severally firmly by these presents.
Sealed with our Seals, Dated the twenty-first day of February,
Annoque Domini, 1782.
The Condition of this Obligation is such that if the Above
bounden Charles Garish Benjamin Vining & Hugh Getchel or
ither of them their heirs Executors or Administrators Do provide
and Git Timber for a meetinghouse for the Plantation Royals-
borough aforesaid, of Fifty feet in Length and forty five in
l)readth and higth in Proportion, and Fraim and Raise the Same
upon the Land Purchased by the Inhabitants of the S'd
Plantation for that use Also under Pin the house with Stone,
Provide Boards Clap Bords And Shingles Sofitient to Cover the
vSame, which Articles are to be Good and fitting for the use
aforeS'd, to be on the Spot whereS'd house is to be built. Also
Execute a Good Warrattee Deed to Each Parson that has or
.may Purchase a spot for a Pew in S'd house At on or Before
the Last Day of September Next Ensewing the Date hereof then
this Obligation to be Void and of None Effect, or Else to Stand
and remain full force and Virtue.
Signd, Sealed and Delivered. Charles Gerrish
in Presents of Benja. Vining
E. Newell * hugh Gatchel
Nath. Garish
It is evident that the building of the meeting-house was begun
in 1782. March 3, it was voted to hire a minister two months
and to confirm the sale of the pews sold by the committee.
Preaching for three months was voted in the years following
except 1784 when the people decided " not to hire any preaching
this year. " There are no records for 1787-8. In 1789 eighteen
pounds were voted for the support of the Gospel, and Joshua
Strout, Joseph Davis and Enoch Bagley were chosen a
committee to see the meeting-house finished.
How much we would like to know who ministered to the
spiritual needs of our forefathers during these early years.
Probably they were the ministers of the neighboring towns of
North Yarmouth, Brunswick, Portland, and New Gloucester,
together with some itinerant evangelist. Bagley 's Account
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY 47
Book contains a memorandum that Mr. Prince came home with
him one Sunday from "Herysicate" (Freeport) and preached at
Bagley's house Feb. 23, 1774. This is the first recorded rehgious
service in Royalsborough. The Rev. Tristram' Gilman of North
Yarmouth Foreside preached in Royalsborough 6 Mch. 1777 and
baptized " Richard, son of Robinson Crockett ; Deborah, daugh-
ter of Stephen Randall ; all of Royalston, in cov't with ye ch. of
Cape Elizabeth." He records in his church register that
Sept. 4, 1785 he lectured "at a plaec called Royals-Town and
baptized Deborah, dau. of John Parker; Dorothy, dau. of Capt.
Joshua Strout of Cape Elizabeth ; Zebulon, son of Samuel York ;
Samuel, son of Sarah, dau. of John Davis, Jr. of Brunswick
church ; James, son of Capt. Nichols." These are the earliest
recorded baptisms in Royalsborough. The service was, doubt-
less, in the church which had recently been erected.
May 8, 1790 the town voted to employ the Rev. Abraham
Cummings to " preach The Gospel to the amount of eighteen
povmds this year. " Rev. Abraham Cummings was born in
Andover, Mass., in 1755. Fie graduated at Brown University in
1776, and became an open Communion Baptist minister. He
was a man of great learning being proficient in seven languages.
He was an itinerant missionary. In 1781 he married Phoebe
Thayer of Old Braintree, Mass., whose mother was a grand-
daughter of John Alden and Priscilla. They had two sons who
left no issue and a daughter Phoebe who married Isaac H. Bailey.
Mr. Cummings moved to Freeport about 1788. In a small sail-
boat he made evangelistic excursions all along the coast from
Passamaquoddy to Rhode Island. He had an extensive revival
at Bath in 1793. He was an ardent student of philosophy and
astronomy and often was lost in revery. He published several
works, the most important being "Contemplations on the
Cherubim," 1812. He w^as a social man and used to tell that
down on Penobscot Bay the mosquitoes were so large that "a
good many of them would weigh a pound" and "they would
frequently get up on the trees and bark." He had no fixed
salary but lived on the voluntary contributions of the people.
He died at Phipsburg 31 Aug. 1827, aged 73 years. His tomb-
'The Rev. Tristram Gilman was pastor of the church at North Yar-
mouth from Dec. 8, 1769 till his death April i, 1809. Cf. Old Times in
North Yarmouth, pp. 713, 857, 903.
48 HISTORY OF DURHAM
stone, near Popham's Landing, has this epitaph, "A pious,
Learned and Faithful minister of the Gospel." ^
Ihe next year no money was raised for preaching. May
7, 1792 it was voted to "apply to Mr. Clark for a preacher the
present year. " This was probably the Rev. Ephraim Clark,
minister at Cape Elizabeth, 1756-97, many of whose flock
migrated about this time to Durham. Before Mr. Clark's
services were needed the Rev. Eliphaz Chapman appeared in
Durham. It is evident that he was known before July 26, 1792,
for then the town voted to hire him as a preacher, and Nov. 9
confirmed the vote by engaging him for one year. He stayed
two years, as the ten marriages performed by him show. The
last was solemnized Nov. 20, 1794, and he signs himself
" Eliphaz Chapman ordained Minister of the Gospel now
vStationed at Durham." Fifty pounds were voted for his support,
and June 9, 1794 thirty pounds were voted "to build the Pulpit."
Eliphaz Chapman was born in Newmarket, N. H., March 7,
1750. He preached at Madbury 1770-3 and afterward at
Methuen, Mass. He settled on the north side of the Andro-
scoggin river at Bethel, Maine. The farm still remains in the
Chapman family. "He was a very useful man in the new town.
Fie solemnized many of the early marriages, and judging from
the number of children named after him he must have been
very popular." He died Jan. 20, 1814. His wife Hannah
(Jackman of Newbury) died Dec. 15, 1839, aged 92 years. His
sister Mary married Col. James Rogers of Freeport, and this
may account for his introduction to Durham. He was great
grandfather to Prof. Henry Leland Chapman of Bowdoin
College. At least three other descendants of his name have
graduated at Bowdoin College.
It seems that the Rev. Jacob Herrick preached in Durham
in the summer of 1795, for in September the town voted "to
employ Rev. Mr. Herrick longer," and Nov. 7 of the same year
it was decided to "settle Rev. Mr. Herrick" by a vote of thirty-
seven to seven. Jan. 7, 1796 his salary was fixed at fifty pounds
besides a hundred acres of land given by the proprietors.
Ebenezer Roberts, Nathaniel Osgood, and William True were
chosen a committee to send for the new minister. The time of
^See Old Times in North Yarmouth, pp. 1003-11.
REV. JACOB HERRICK.
From a Painting made wlien he was an Aiijutant in the
Revolutionai'y Army.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY 49
ordination was fixed for March 9, 1796, and the following
ministers were chosen by the town to participate in the services,
"Revs. Eaton, Lancaster, Oilman, Johnson, Coffin and Keylock
(Kellogg). 1
There lies before me the account of the ordmation, preserved
in the handwriting of Rev. Samuel Eaton, Secretary of the
Ecclesiastical Council. He says that they met at the house of
Capt. O. Israel Bagley and chose the Rev. Dr. Samuel Deane of
Portland moderator, who seems to have taken the place of Elijah
Kellogg. After prayer by the Moderator "a competent number
of male persons offered themselves to be embodied into a Chh.
state, who having given themselves to God & to one another, &
set their Names to a Gospel Covenant, were by a vote of the
afores'd Council acknowledged to be a Sister Congregational
Chh of our Lord Jesus Christ, with whom we are in full Charity
and Fellowship." At the ordination which immediately
followed in the church, the Rev. Alfred Johnson made the
introductory prayer; the Rev. Ephriam Clark of Cape Elizabeth
made the ordaining prayer; the Rev. Samuel Eaton gave the
charge, and the Rev Ebenezer Coffin gave the right hand of
fellowship and made the concluding prayer.
The address of the Rev. Mr. Coffin has been preserved
among the papers of Parson tierrick. It was as follows : —
■'Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to
dwell together in unity. In Immitation of the author of our
Redemption, the Finisher of our Faith, the Foundation of our
hope — it becomes all his Followers to cultivate a Spirit of Love
and Friendship. To this end the first preachers of the Gospel
pledged their Love, Friendship and kindness (to those who were
called to the sacred work of the Gospel Ministry) by the
significant sign of giving them the right [hand] Thus James
'Samuel Eaton was ordained at Harpswell Oct. 24, 1764 and died
there Nov. 5, 1822, aged 85 years.
Thomas Lancaster was ordained at Scarborough Nov. 8, 1775 and
died there Jan. 12, 1831, aged 87 years.
Tristram Gihnan has been already mentioned.
Alfred Johnson was ordained at Freeport Dec. 29, 1789, and discharged
Sept. II, 1805. He afterward preached at Belfast and died there Jan. 12,
1837, aged 70 years.
Ebenezer Col^n was ordained at Brunswick June 23, 1794, and
discharged in 1802.
Elijah Kellogg, Senr. was ordained at Portland Oct. i, 1788 and
discharged Dec. 11, 181 1. He died at Portland, March 9, 1842, aged 82
years.
50 HISTORY OF DURHAM
Cephas and John, when they perceived the Grace that was given
unto Paul, gave unto him and Barnabas the Right hand of
Fellowship. In conformity to their example ana the direction of
the venerable council here convened I present unto you, my
Brother in the faith, this right hand — By which we manifest our
esteem for your Character and the Office which you now sustain
as an Ambassador of Jesus Christ. Hoping that you will prove
3^ourself an Israelite indeed in whose spirit there is no guile.
We hail you welcome to take part with us in the Ministry of
reconciliation which we have received of the Lord. In this
Manner we acknowledge you a Fellow laborer with us in the
Vineyard of God. And so long as you shall maintam the dignity
of your Office we promise to treat you as a Brother, to council
exhort and reprove you as God shall Inable us and as we find it
necessary, and w^e have a right to look for the same kind offices
from you. We wish that your Ministry here may be long, happy
and successful, that you may have the unspeakable satisfaction
to see the work of ithe Lord prosper in your hands, that all
contentions may cease, pure religion revive and flourish and that
you may have many souls as seals of your Ministry and Crown
of rejoicing in the day of the Lord.
Brethren of this Church, behold the Man set over you in
the Lord. By thus Imbracing and receiving whom we
acknowledge you as fellow members with us of that Body of
which Christ Jesus is the Head. As the Gospel is now resetled
among you be exhorted to study those things which make for
peace and mutual edification — walk worthy the vocation where-
with ye are called with all lowliness and meekness with long
sufifering forbearing one another in Love endeavoring to keep
the unity of the Spirit in the Bond of peace. May both Pastor
and People long rejoice together in this day's transaction, and
when the connection now formed shall be desolved by death
may you from the church Militant here below be transplanted
into the Church triumphant in Heaven through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen."
Capt. Bagley entertained the Council and brought in a bill of
$35.00, which the town refused to pay. Only twelve pounds
were allowed for settling expenses of ordination. The minister's
salary was increased to eighty pounds, and the next year it was
made $266.68. It remained at that figure for many years, but
it is said that the salary was reduced in 1813 to $175.00 and in
T821 to $100.00.
Rev. Jacob Herrick was seventh child of Samuel and Eliza-
beth (Jones) Hernck of Reading, Mass., born 12 June 1754. He
was grandson of Martyn Herrick and Ruth Endicott who was
SAEAH (^A^EBSTER) HERRICK.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY 5 I
great granddaughter of Gov. John Endicott. He graduated
at Harvard College in 1776 and received the degree of A. M.
in 1778. He was in Capt. Bacheller's Co., Col. Bridge's Regt.
25 Sept. 1775 : commissioned Adjutant to reinforce the
Continental army 28 Oct. 1779, and served in Col. Jacob
Gerrish's Essex and Suffolk County Regt. He was commis-
sioned as adjutant of the Middlesex County Regt. 4 July 1780.
It is also said that he was Lieut, of Marines on a vessel, was
taken prisoner and carried to Halifax. When liberated he was
brought home to Reading by one Capt. Nichols. Thus he had
several vears of military service in the Revolution. He married
July 1780 Sarah Webster of Bradford, Mass. He came from
Beverly, Mass., and settled in Durham in 1796, being the first
ordained pastor of the Congregational church. He died there
Dec. 18, 1832. His wife ched Oct. 13, 1829, aged 76 years.
Their tombstones may be seen in the old cemetery.
He is described as slow and somewhat tedious in his delivery
but of good ability and a very excellent pastor. He was over
six feet tail, and his face was perfectly smooth. The delivery
of his sermons occupied an hour or more. He is said to have
been ardently opposed to the election of "that infidel, Tom
Jefferson," asserting that he would destroy both churches and
school-houses. He was a good man and served the church well
and also the town for many years as one of the school
committee.
His wife was a woman of fine presence, a beauty in her
youth, and gifted with rare intellectual powers. It was said of
her that she could hold her own in conversation with any and
all of the ministers she entertained. Of generous nature, she
gave freely from her not too lavish store. Her younger son used
to say that he had often seen his mother divide the dough she
had just set to rise for bread, wrap one portion in, a towel, and
give it to a needy parishioner, though the supply of flour at the
parsonage was exhausted, a serious matter in those days when
flour was not easily obtainable.
A word more about the church edifice. In 1804 the town
voted to repair it at a cost of $1136. Thomas Chase and Aaron
Osgood were chosen to superintend the work. At the same
time Francis Harmon was allowed $174 for the building of a
new I*orch. It was never painted outside nor inside except the
52 , HISTORY OF DURHAM
high pulpit with its winding staircase. There was no way of
warming it except with footstoves, which some carried with
them to church. Between the two long sermons the worshipers
often ran into the neighbors' houses to get warm. Mr.
Herrick continued pastor till 183 1 with the exception of the years
1827-29 when Rev. Bennett Roberts was stated Supply. There
was no regular service after the death of Mr. Herrick, and in 1850
the building was sold, taken down and carried to Porter's
Landing, Freeport, where it is said to be still in use as a ware-
house. It ought to be moved back and made a Museum of
Durham Antiquities.
In 1806 Mr. Rourk was paid $7.85 for his wife's cleaning
the North Meeting house. In 1802 she was paid $6.00 for
similar service and $2 for "washing and sanding the meeting
house after two last town meetings." In 1808 Barnabas Strout
was paid $1.50 for taking care of the meeting house the past
year, and Elizabeth Rourk was paid $2 for locking and unlocking
the meeting house, in 1808.
About 1845 ^ Congregational church was built on the cross
road that leads by Henry Harrington's from the lower County
Road. This in 1853, was moved to its present position near
S. W. Bend. This church has been served by Rev. John Elliott
Nov. 1845 to Nov. 1848; Jonas Fiske 20 May 1849 to 12 Sept.
1852 ; Wm. V. Jordan i Nov. 1854 to Nov. 1855 ; John S. C.
Abbott 1856-1857; Henry S. Loring i Jan. 1857 to i Jan. 1859;
Wm. H. Haskell 1862-1869; F. Shattuck 1870; Albert Bushnell
1871 ; Charles W. Hill 1872-3 ; Prof. Jotham Sewall 1874-5 ; Prof.
Richard Stanley 1876-8; Richard Wickett 1879-85; George W.
Gould 1885-7; R- L. Sheafe 1888; Prof. Thos. L. Angell 1889-
91; W. F. Stowe 1892; Prof. T. L. Angell 1893; I. S. Jones
1894-5; SuppUes 1896; R. Wickett 1897; V. E. Bragdon Oct.
1897-8.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY
53
PEW OWNERS OF-THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Previous to 1804.
O. Israel Bagley,
John Blake,
Dr. John Converse,
(Bought of Enoch Bagley
1802)
Gideon Curtis,
John Gushing,
"John Dain,
David Dyer,
Micah Dyer,
Edward Fifield,
Benjamin Gerrish,
^Nathaniel Gerrish,
Sarah Gerrish,
Jeremiah Gerrish,
William Gerrish,
George Gerrish,
John Hoyt.
John Lincoln,
John Mcintosh,
William McGray,
Samuel Merrill,
Nathaniel Osgood,
Joseph Proctor,
Ebenezer Roberts,
Simeon Sanborn,
Jacob Sawyer,
*Joshua Snow,
'^'John Stackpole Jr.,
(Bought of Thomas Pearson)
Elisha Stetson,
*Abel Stoddard,
Barnabas Strout,
Benjamin Vining,
Bela Vining,
Ebenezer Warren,
Ebenezer Woodbury,
*Zebulon York.
All the above pew-owners surrendered their pews to the parish
in 1804, and after extensive repairs were made the new pews were
sold at auction to the following persons :
Dr. S}'monds Baker,
Josiah Burnham,
Dr. John Converse,
Gideon Curtis,
Matthew Duran,
Micah Dyer,
George Gerrish, Jr.,
Francis Harmon,
James Hibbard,
Rev. Jacob Herrick,
Nehemiah Hooper,
Secomb Jordan,
John Lincoln,
Elijah Macomber,
Samuel Merrill,
William Newell,
Aaron Osgood,
Benjamin Osgood,
Joseph Osgood,
Joseph Proctor,
John Richards.
Peter Sanborn,
Jonathan Strout.
Barnabas Strout.
Charles Stetson,
John Sydleman,
Job Sylvester,
Ebenezer Warren,
Foster Waterman, Esq.
Georsfe Williams.
There is no official list of Deacons, since the records were.
recently destroyed in the burning of a house. The following,
however, are known to have served : Benjamin Vining, William
Those marked * are known to have joined the Methodists, with the
families of several others.
54 ' HISTORY OF DURHAM
True, Daniel Harmon, James Hibbard, John Syclleman, Senr.,
Osgood Strout, William B. Newell, Jonathan Carpenter, Ralph
H. Hascall twenty-one years, and William P. Brown who was
chosen in 1890 and is the only Deacon now serving. The
church has now twelve members. The Sunday School numbers
twenty-eight. There are fourteen in the Society of Christian
Endeavor.
The Rev. Israel Newell left an endowment to this church, in
lands and buildings valued at $2000. They were sold to Edward
Newell on a mortgage payable in sixteen years at six per cent.
The parish has a fund of about $400. It is assisted by the State
Missionary Society, and with diflficulty maintains religious
services with som.e interruptions.
The writer has sometimes wished that all other denominations
had staid out of town and left Durham to be cultivated by the
Friends and the "Orthodox Church." This might have been
done, if it had not been for unjust taxation to support the latter,
for unprogressiveness in religious opinions, and for lack of
intense spiritual life at critical times. Once, too, the population
seemed to demand several churches. Now there is a loud
providential call that all persons in the vicinity of S. W. Bend
should lay aside individual preferences and unite heartily in
maintaining one church, which in the nature of the case must
and ought to be Congregational in polity. Such a movement
has been more than once on the eve of consummation. May
even the aged live long enough to see the realization of such a
glorious hope. Let us strive for unity in the church militant as
v/ell as expect it in the church triumphant.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
It is quite certain that the Rev. Asa Hearh first preached the
gospel according to Methodism in Durham in 1802. He was
then stationed on Falmouth Circuit and with James Lewis, a
local preacher of Gorham, used to make preachmg tours for
many miles around. This Heath afterwards settled in
Monmouth and is the ancestor of Hon. Herbert Heath of
Augusta. In 1803 Bowdoinham Circuit was formed, which
included Durham, and True Glidden was preacher in charge.
He was a nephew of Deacon William True of Parson Herrick's
church. By invitation he preached in True's kitchen, and a great
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY 55
interest in Methodism was awakened. Dea. True's house stood
a few rods south of the brick house built by Hiram Drinkwater
at Methodist Corner. Glidden was a minister of rare promise.
Rev. Ebenezer Blake, native of Durham, thus wrote of him:
■"He was one of the best young men I ever knew. I have
often observed him while in prayer, in the congregation, the
tears rolling from his eyes and dropping from his face. He
literally wore himself out in less than three years. He died of
consumption in 1806, and was buried in Chester, N. H., where
no tablet marks his resting place. "
August 4th and 5th 1804 a Quarterly Meeting was held in
Durham, continuing till the next Wednesday night. The
tradition of this has been current for a century. It is called the
''great revival." Timothy Merritt took the place of the
Presiding Elder. He was afterwards editor of Zion's Herald
and one of the foremost men in New England Methodism. The
meeting on the Sabbath was held in a grove back of where the
church at Methodist Corner now stands. The population for
miles around was assembled. Mr. Merritt, standing upon a cart
for a pulpit preached with wonderful power from Amos vii :2,
"By whom shall Jacob arise? for he is small." The sermon
was followed with an exhortation by Daniel Dudley, the circuit
preacher that year, and a fervent prayer by James Lewis. We
are indebted to Rev. Charles W. Morse, who was pastor of the
Methodist church in Durham in 1830, for the followmg descrip-
tion : " The people were overwhelmed with emotion and many
fell to the ground. There was earnest praying, and there were
loud cries in every direction, through the congregation. The
preachers and brethren spent the afternoon in praying for
an.xious seekers. The excitement was so intense, that the
administration of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, usual on
Sunday afternoon of the Quarterly meeting, was necessarily
deferred.
A woman who was in the congregation, disgusted with the
excitement, declared it to be "the work of Satan" and said she
■'vv'ould stay there no longer." She mounted her horse and rode
away, but she had proceeded but a short distance, when she was
overpowered and fell from her horse, as dead. She was carried
into a house by Christian friends. When she could speak, they
found she was "under conviction." The friends prayed for her,
and she soon ''found the Lord."
56 , HISTORY OF DURHAM
The meeting was continued till Wednesday night ; the
sacrament being administered Wednesday afternoon. This
extraordinary Quarterly meeting resulted in a gracious revival,
in which over one hundred were converted and received into the
Methodist church. Among these were : George Ferguson,
William Jones, John Tyler, Daniel Harwood, Abel True, Samuel
True, John Hatch, Richard Doane, Jacob Randall, and their
wives. Of the Congregationalists who joined the Methodists at
that time were Dea. Daniel Harmon and wife, Dea. William True
and wife (the parents of Rev. Charles K. True, afterwards
professor in Wesleyan University).
This religious awakening was denounced as fanaticism by
the Congregationalist pastor ; but the revival went on and
brought into the Methodist church the principal families of that
community ; and the place became prominent in the early
history of Methodism in the State. Ever since that time, this
neighborhood has borne the name of "Methodist Corner."
There is no official record of the early members of the church.
The Town Records supply the names of such as presented a
certificate of membership in order to escape taxation for the
support of the Congregational church. They are :
1812, James Wilbur, Nathaniel Merrill, James Nichols, Oliver
Stoddard, Abel Stoddard, Apollos Jordan, Samuel Nichols,
Simeon Farr, John Wilbur, Zebulon York, Joseph Sylvester,
John Fifield, Joshua Snow, Ebenezer Snow, Jacob Harris, Wm.
Parker, Daniel Gross, Thomas Picket, Benj. Hunnewell, John
Staples, Jonathan Libby, Thomas Larrabee, Andrew Hunnewell,
Samuel Goodwin, Isaac Libby, Joseph Osgood and John Dain
of Lisbon.
1 813. Obed Read, John Stackpole, Jr., Samuel Jones, Reuben
Roberts, O. Israel Fifield, John Farr.
1815, Peter Sanbon, Amos Parker, Nathaniel Parker, Wm.
Larrabee.
1816, Rufus Ricker, Alfred Wood, James Gerrish, 2d,
Nathaniel Gerrish, John Robinson, Lemuel Nichols, Richard
Dyer.
The following Class paper gives the names of still earlier
members. In those days no one was admitted to Class meeting
without a similar paper.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY
57
Copy of Durham Class Paper, No. 2.
"Joshua Soule, presiding elder. Robert Hayes, James
Spaulding, John W. Hardy, Circuit Preachers. Woe to the idle
shepherds.
N. B. Every Friday last preceeding the O. M., is to be
observed as a day of fasting and prayer."
Durham, July 12 1809.
Baptised
Names.
M.
David
Dudley
iC
Eleanor
Dudle'y
it
Richard
Doane
a
Mary
Doane
t(
Edward
Doane
(e
Sarah
Doane
ti
F.
Lemuel
Roberts
"
Nabby
Roberts
a
F.
Thomas
Roberts
"
Submit
Roberts
a
Susanna
Roberts
w
Ezekiel
Turner
M
Joanna
Turner
it
Betsey
York-
S
Susanna
Roberts
it
Daniel
Roberts
ii
Enoch
Davis
M
Sally
Davis
((
Mariam
Brown
"
Reuben
Roberts
S
Luther
Plummer
<<
F.
Hannah
Plummer
'"'
The earliest baptisms recorded were Dec. 24 1809. Joshua
Soule, afterwards Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
admmistered the rite to David Ferguson and John H. Davis.
In 1811 Rev. J. W. Hardy baptized Nancy Newell, Abigail
Roberts, Asa Mitchell, Abigail Goodwin, Betsey Goodwnn, Sally
Goodwin, Sally Doane, Sally Roberts, Judith Currier, Abigail
Sanborn, Adults ; and William Frost, child of William and
Rebecca Fickett, and Daniel Harmon, child of Daniel and Polly
Harmon.
The Methodist Society in Durham and Pownal w^as
incorporated March i, 1810, by an act of the Mass. Legislature.
The house of worship was erected before that date and probably
58 , HISTORY OF DURHAM
as early as 1804. This was reconstructed and greatly improved
in 1867, during the pastorate of that devout and cultured
gentleman, Rev. William Stout, now a member of the New
Jersey Conference. Many remember the edifice as it formerly
was, with galleries on the sides and rear, small windows, high
pulpit and pew-doors.
In t8o6 Durham Circuit was formed. Its limits have varied
from time to time, but once included Pownal, Danville, Lisbon,
Litchfield, Wales, Freeport, with classes in regions beyond. In
1849 Durham was made a charge by itself. North Pownal is
now connected with it. Preachers lived in the saddle and
boarded around. In the Steward's account for 1809 are found
the following "disbursements:" "Expense $2.12; J. Soule,
$3.00; J. W. Hardy, $8.62; J. Spaulding, $1.05; R. Hays, $6.16;
L. Sargent, $2.45; total $23.40." In 1815 is this account,
"Distributions, O. Beal $11.08; R. Hays, 47.80; J. Paine, $23.90;
Expense, $7.00; total, $90.00." Some grateful preacher has
written the following comment, appended to the last record,
"Lord fulfill thy promise to the benevolent. Amen."
The society rapidly increased. In 1806 the membership
numbered loi. In 1808 it had grown to 327 on the circuit. In
1832 there were 425 members and in 1842 there is the largest
enrollment, 527. Then was the revival under the leadership of
Revs. J. Thwing and E. F. Blake. Their united salaries were
$374- ^ .
The following record appears on the old books of the Society.
" Quarterly Meeting held at Durham on the Camp Ground Aug.
183 1." Some are still living who remember attending the
camp meetings held for several years, at the usual season, in the
woods on the farm of James Strout, about a mile above S. W.
Bend. The tents were numerous and the crowds were great.
There was much loud shouting and joyful singing, with some
excitement and disturbance.
Dr. David B. Strout should be credited for the following
reminiscences, cited from an article in the Atlas of Androscoggin
County, written by Josiah H. Williams:
" I well remember the solemn bearing of clergymen in those
days. It seemed to us children that some awful presence was
approaching whenever one appeared, and we would steal away
into some safe retreat. Nor was this feeling of restraint shared
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY 59
by the children alone, everybody stood in awe of the minister.
Among the early Methodist preachers was an old gray-headed
man of medium size, with frame strong and firmly knit together,
who was a terror to evil doers, or all those he thought in error.
With many he bore the reputation of a blackguard. Some of
his own church complained of his treatment of those who had
the misfortune to differ with him. A committee was finally
chosen from among his parishioners and adherents to visit him,
and, if possible, induce him to be more lenient towards his
opponents, but the old gentleman assured them that all his clubs
were aimed at the devil, and if any man chose to place himself
between him and his mark, he must run the risk of being hit.
This explanation seemed to be satisfactory to the committee, who
retired leaving him master of his position. His name was Fogg,
familiarly and extensively known as "Daddy Fogg." Among
the early Methodist itinerant preachers was James Weston. He
was a man of small stature, but scholarly, and very precise in his
language, and a man of very fair ability. He was also a zealous
temperance man, and as he witnessed the ravages of this evil,
both in and outside of the church, he resolved to do what he
could to stay its progress. After preaching. an able sermon upon
the subject, he invited his church to meet him on an evening then
fixed for the purpose of taking into consideration the importance
of forming a temperance organization. They were not long in
concluding to second his efforts in that direction; consequently
a pledge was drawn up, and a committee chosen from among
the brethren to circulate it for signatures. At this period, in all
or nearly all the stores rum was sold. A few days after the
pledge had been drawn up Mr. Weston entered one of the stores
and saw a Methodist brother, by the name of Doane, just in the
act of raising a glass of rum to his lips. The Rev. W. cried
out, "Stop, stop Brother D., has not Brother Warren said
anything to you about drinking?" Mr. D. who was troubled
with an impediment in his speech said, "Ye-ye-yes, ev-very ti-
time I see hi-im he asks me to tre-treat him."
The New England Conference held its annual session at
Methodist Corner in 1814, beginning June 2. Bishop Mc-
Kendree presided. Rev. Reuben Hubbard was secretary.
History has preserved no account of this Conference except the
usual brief minutes.
6o , HISTORY OF DURHAM
BAPTIST CHURCH.
Previous to 1838 the few scattered Baptists of Durham
found affihation with Baptist Societies org-anized in neighboring
towns. The names of such as did so are recovered from the
Town Records. Their certificates of membership were recorded
so that they might avoid being taxed for the "'estabhshed
church'" of Parson Herrick. The earHest mentioned were in
1794, Stephen Weston, Samuel York and Joseph York. These
were members of the Baptist church in Lewiston. In 1810
EHjah Macomber, Isaac Lambert and Thomas Proctor belonged
to the Baptist church in Pejepscot, or Danville. The meetings
were held m private houses and school houses till 1840, when
the "Union church" now so called was built about a mile from
the River, on the road to Danville Corner. Magnus Ridlon and
Samuel Robinson were members of this church in 18 16. Elisha
Stetson, Daniel Lambert, Samuel Roberts, John Ellis, Barnabas
Strout and Reuben Weston belonged to the Baptist church in
Freeport in 1812. Secomb Jordan had his membership in
Brunswick in 1812 and Thomas Waterhouse in New Gloucester
in 1810.
In 1835 the Union church at S. W. Bend was built, and Aug.
8, 1835 the Baptist church of Durham was organized with
twenty-two members, viz. Deacon Isaac Lambert, James Wagg,
Jeremiah Dingley, Joel Morse, William Dingley, Isaac Lambert,
Mary Lambert, Eliza Macomber, Isabel Jones, Dorothy Blethen,
Hannah Richardson, Harriet Lambert, Julia Ann Blethen,
Betsey Bowie, Mary Mitchell, Lucy Lambert, Maria Dmgley,
Abigail Blethen, Sally Morse, Mary Barstow, Joel Farrow, and
Alariam Downer. Of this number the late Deacon William
Dingley was the last to join the church triumphant.
The services of organization were as follows: Rev. J. W.
Atkins of the Methodist Episcopal church offered prayer. Sermon
by Rev. E. R. Warren of Topsham. Right hand of fellowship
by Rev. R. C. Starr of New Gloucester. Address to the church
by Rev. Shimuel Owen. Prayer by Rev. Noah Hooper of
Minot. Isaac Lambert was then ordained Deacon and many
still testify that he was a faithful and pious officer of the Church,
worthily followed in office by his neighbor, Deacon William
Dingley, whose services as Sunday School Supt. and leader of
neighborhood prayer-meetings are gratefully remembered by
UNION CHURCH.
BEV. MOSES HANSCOM.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY 6 1
many. A former resident of Durham recently told me that
these were the two best men he ever knew.
In 1840 Rev. Noah Hooper was chosen pastor. He was
succeeded by Rev. Moses Hanscom in 1842, who was ordained
in Danville April 12 of that year. He built a house on the hill
at S. W. Bend, next to that of Ralph Hascall, in 1843. Moved
to Bowdoinham in 1857. Rev. Moses Hanscom was son of
Moses and Mary Hanscom of Danville, born 10 May 1808. He
served as pastor of churches in Durham, Bowdoinham, Brooklin,
Nobleboro and Friendship. From 1880 he lived with a son at
Auburn and died there Dec. 1890. His first wife was Mary
Vickery, by whom there were children, William Allen, Ruel W.,
Moses C, and Sarah. His second wife was Elvira Snow of
Brunswick. Their children were Rebecca S., fldwin W., Mary
L., Frank B., Elvira D., and Eliza G. The long pastorate of
Mr. Hanscom at Durham endeared him to many of the inhab-
itants, who will be glad to see his face in print. He was success-
ful in his ministry and a zealous promoter of the cause of
temperance. Rev. Mr. Gurney preached for some time in
Durham and Rev. George Tucker lived here several years.
The church which once numbered sixty members gradually
dwindled till in 1887 it was dropped from the roll of the Baptist
association.
UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.
The Universalists had occasional preaching in School Houses
before 1840. In that year a church was built at S. W. Bend on
the right hand just as the roaa turns to Freeport. It was served
by Rev. Leander Hussey, L. P. Rand, and I. C. Knowlton. The
last was in Durham 1845-50. There was only occasional
preaching thereafter. I remember the church only for the
temperance and political rallies and School exhibitions held in
It. It was burned in 186-.
FREE BAPTIST CHURCH.
Elder Benjamin Randall held meetings in Lisbon in 1780, in
which some from Durham were converted, and a church was
gathered, made up of inhabitants from both sides of the river.
In 1790 a Free Baptist church was organized on the Durham side
by Elders E. Stinchfield and Christopher Tracy. A record of
baptisms kept by Elder Stinchfield contains the following names
62 HISTORY OF DURHAM
of persons baptized in Durham: Aug. 21, 1801, Samuel Tracy,
Judith Tracy, Mary Beal. Nov. 21, 1802, \Vm. Beal, Ehzabeth
Tracy. July 10, 1802, Wm. Blake, Jr. May 20, 1805, Nabby
Tracy, George Littlefield, Polly Littlefield, Dorothy Tracy.
May 21, 1805, Samuel Tracy, Christopher Tracy, Wm. Crabtree,
Nabby Littlefield. Aug. 22, 1805, James Blethen, Increase
Blethen, Anna Orr, Submit York, Ruby Young, Hannah Wilbur.
Aug. 24, 1806, Hannah Graffam. Sept. 21, 1806, John Wilbur,
Polly Adams. Sept. 22, 1806, Daniel Sutherland, Esther Tracy.
The church became weak, and June 13, 1829 it was reorganized
by Elder George Lamb. At that time it had twelve members,
Elijah Littlefield, Daniel Gould, Llenry Plummer, Christopher
Tracy, Abram Metcalf, John Robinson, John Blethen, Mary
Getchell, Margaret Tracy, Jane Gould, Lovina Tracy, Elizabeth
Tracy. Meetings were held at the " Cedar School House," near
the river, and at the Brick School House. In 1840 there was a
great religious awakening in Durham, and the membership of
this church increased to seventy. They began to talk about a
Meeting House. It was built and dedicated Nov. 20, 1845. The
sermon, at the dedication, was preached by Elder Daniel Jackson.
The cost of this "'Brick Church," near "Plummer's Mill,"
(anciently Gerrish's Mill) was about $1000, of which sum Elder
Henry Plummer contributed $550. The church prospered for
several years, but grew Vv'eak by deaths and removals, till in
1855 it ceased to hold regular meetings. It has had occasional
services snice and has been put in a good state of repair.
FRIENDS.
Nearly all the settlers in the southern part of the town were
Friends. They came from Harpswell, N. Yarmouth and Dover,
N. H. Their names were Estes, Douglas, Jones, Varney,
Pinkham, Collins, Webber, Tuttle, etc. With others of like faith
from the northern part of Brunswick they established religious
service in the house of Joseph Estes as early as 1775. Thus
they are the oldest religious society of Durham, and there has
been no "Lord's Day" since the date mentioned without a
]-eligious service.
The house of Joseph Estes, long known as the "Hawkes
House " because occupied by Nathan Hawkes, was an historic
landmark. It was burned in 1894. It was a one-story house
FREE BAPTIST CHUKCH.
FRIENDS' MEETING-HOUSE.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY 63
with a two-story porch, and was occupied in its latest history
as a blacksmith shop by N. O. Jones.
A Meeting House was erected on the site of the present one.
This was burned Sept. 1829, and the Society worshiped again
in the "Hawkes House," till the brick edifice was erected the
same year. Their Church Records were destroyed in 1852 b>
the burning of the house of Lemuel Jones, the Society Clerk.
The yearly Meetings held here have been of great interest,
attracting large audiences and speakers of national reputation.
The Friends of Durham have been a quiet, industrious, honest
and devout people. This Society numbered 257 in 1890.
MINISTERS BORN IN DURHAM.
A brief biographical sketch of the ministers reared in this
town may fittingly form a part of its ecclesiastical history. It
is questioned whether any other town of no greater population
can name so long a list of its natives devoted to the work of the
Christian ministry. It speaks well for the religious character
of its early population. No rumor has been heard by the writer
that the ministerial character of any one in the following list was
ever called in question. They have been a body of able,
consecrated and successful workmen, and some have made a
reputation for themselves and town in home and foreign fields
of labor. The list is believed to be complete, though it has been
impossible to get biographical details in several cases.
REV. SAMUEL NEWELL, youngest son of Ebenezer and
Catherine (Richards) Newell, was born in Royalsborough 25
July 1785. He early thirsted for an education, and thought that
if he could reach his grandfather in Newton, he might find a
way to secure it. At the age of fifteen he took some shirts,
handkerchiefs and stockings in a bandana and went on foot to
Portland, to take ship to Boston. An aged relative, the Rev.
W. C. Richards, gives the following account of him.
"As he was standmg about the wharf, a ship captain asked
him what he would like. "To get up to Boston. I have a
grandfather at Newton Oak Hill and want to see him."
" Well, " said the captain, " I am going to start for Boston in
a half hour's time and I will take you along with me, and if you
will wait on me I will give you a free passage." " I thank you,"
64 HISTORY OF DURHAM
said the boy. The captain's home was Roxbury Hill, some three
miles on the way to Newton. Samuel stopped with him over
night. He loved the boy and was ready to do for him. When
evening came, the captain's friends came in to welcome him
home. He introduced the boy to them and told them, "I
brought this boy, who walked from Durham to Portland, on his
way to his grandfather's at Newton. He wants to get an
education, but has no means. His own mother died when he was
three years old ; when he was six years old he had a step-mothei
and now his father is dead. He has five brothers and two
sisters." "My brothers and sisters are all kind and obedient to
oiir step-mother," said Samuel, "she works hard, we all help her,
but we are poor. I am very anxious for an education. I have
nothing in the world but the clothes I have on and this little
package and thirty-nine cents. " The captain said, " Gentlemen,
this recital stirs my heart. I will put down $200, for this boy's
benefit. What say you? " Two subscribed $150, each, and the
old Roxbury School Master, being present and in tears, shouted,
" I will be good for $300." The boy burst into tears. The School
Master said, " I will have you ready for Harvard as soon as I can,
so cheer up. " The boy exclaimed, " I thank you a thousand
times." He was in a few hours at his grandfather's and found
a welcome reception and made his mother's birth-place his home.
He soon entered the Latin School at Roxbury and in three years
entered Harvard, from which he was graduated with honor in
1807. He had a call to the Principalship of Lynn Academy,
where he did good work and received good pay. Now feeling
the burden of his ministerial and missionary call, he entered
Andover Theological Seminary, vv'here he became intimate with
Adoniram Judson. At a great missionary meeting at Bradford
he met for the first time Harriet Atwood and fell in love with
her. Adoniram was fortunate enough to meet Ann Hazzeltine
at the same meeting. They both found the delight of their eyes
and the joy of the hearts there, already prepared to give them
their hearts and their hands m the great work of life which the
young men had chosen."
Another account says that he lived for a time in the family of
Judge Lowell and afterward with Mr. Ralph Smith. After
graduating from Andover in 1810 he studied Medicine at
Philadelphia. He was one of the signers of the memorandum
REV. SAMUEL NEWELL.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY 65
from the students at Andover, dated 27 July 1810, that led to
the organization of the American Board of Commissioners for
Foreign Missions, and was one of the first four who offered
themselves to that Society for missionary service. He married
Harriet Atwood and they sailed for India 19 Feb. 1812. On his
arrival the Bengal Government ordered him to leave the country.
He went to the Isle of France, where his wife died 30 Nov.
1812. He afterward published the "Life and Writings of Mrs.
Harriet Newell." He went to Ceylon and thence in 1817 to
Bombay. He wrote with the Rev. Gordon Hall "The
Conversion of the World or the Claims of Six Hundred
j\IilIions.'' He is described as a man of excellent abilities and
profound piety. His second wife was Philomelia Thurston of
Elmira, N. Y., who went to India to marry him. They had a
daughter Harriet, who married a Mr. Hart and died in Georgia
about 1890, leaving one son. Samuel Newell died in Bombay,
India, 30 March 1821, as noble a man as has been born in
Durham.
REV. O. ISRAEL BAGLEY NEWELL was born 5 April
1794, labored on his father's farm in Durham during the sum-
mer, and for six successive years taught school in winter before
he was of age. Having fitted himself for college in the midst of
all this work, he entered as a Sophomore. In college he was
confessedly the foremost man of his class. He graduated from
Bowdoin College in 1819. Next came two years of theological
study in the Andover school ; then on the island of Nantucket he
had charge of an academy one year. In 1822 he was appointed
principal of the "Kimball Union Academy" in Plainfield, N. H.
To this work he devoted himself with earnestness and success.
During his thirteen years at Plainfield he gave instruction to
twelve hundred young persons and fitted about two hundred foi
college. This employment, for which he was so well fitted and
Avhich he loved, he was compelled through ill health to give up.
He returned to his native town and became again a farmer.
Here he lived imtil his death in 1846. During all this period
of teaching and farming he was also a preacher, averaging, it is
thought, a sermon each week. And these sermons "were well
studied, well arranged, clear, instructive, and affecting." All
this, which seems a task for the highest physical and mental
66 HISTORY OF DURHAM
energy, was accomplished by a man who sufifered long and much
from feeble health. "He was a man of marked character. His
intellect was clear, discriminating, well trained. He had great
decision, perseverance, and energy. All his movements were
characterized by remarkable punctuality and precision. He did
not sufifer himself to be borne along passively by the tide of
circumstances ; he always knew what he was doing and why he
was doing it. He was distinguished for scrupulous veracity,
unbending integrity, and transparent frankness. His piety was
of a uniform, well-balanced, healthful character." He married
(1824) Ester M. Whittlesey of Cornish, N. H. They had no
children. By will he bequeathed $600 to the American Educa-
tional Society for the benefit of poor students in Bowdoin
College, and gave the residue of his estate to the Congregational
Society in Durham. — History of Bowdoin College, page 213.
ELDER DANIEL ROBERTS was born in Durham July
16, 1790. Was converted in 1803 under the preaching of Joshua
Soule, afterward Bishop of the M. E. Church. In 1812 he
married Abigail, daughter of George Goodwin of Durham. He
started for Indiana in 1817. Arriving at Pittsburg in the
€arly summer of 1818, he constructed a boat, put his family on
board and descended the Ohio River to Cincinnati. Here, in
1819, he united with the Christian Church and was ordained to
preach the Gospel. In 1820 he settled in Dearborn County,
Indiana, where he spent the remainder of his life. He died in
Sparta, Ind., June 24, 1882. His wife died fifteen years before.
They had twelve children, only two of whom survived him. His
son,' Judge Omar F. Roberts of Aurora, Ind., has furnished a
published Memorial Discourse of the life and character of his
father, written by the Rev. L. H. Jameson, D. D.
Though he was comparatively poor and dug his living out of
a little farm, he preached the Gospel over sixty years without any
compensation in money, refusing it when offered. It is thought
that he baptized fully three thousand persons, fifty-five at one
time in the dead of winter, with the mercury down to zero,
and the ice ten inches thick. He performed the work in less
than an hour. In 1830, at the request of Gen. Harrison, he
preached on the doorstep of the General's residence, at North
Bend, Ohio, to an immense audience. Gen. Harrison
KEV. JONATHAN TRACY.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY 6/
pronounced the discourse one of the finest he ever heard, and
faultless from an oratorical point of view. His voice was well
adapted to preaching in the open air. In the course of his
ministry he organized upwards of two hundred churches. No
man in his region of country was more esteemed, nor exerted
a more salutary mfluence.
REV. CHRISTOPHER TRACY, born 2 Oct. 1758 in Fal-
mouth, was baptized by Elder Benjamin Randall in 1781, and
was one of the original members of the Free Baptist Church in
Durham, of which he remained a member till his death. He was
ordained 31 Aug. 1808. He was an Evangelist, a well educated
man for his times, of excellent judgment and earnest as a public
speaker. He had four sons who were licensed to preach, only
one of whom, Jonathan was ordained. He died in Durham 11
Nov. 1839.
REV. JONATHAN TRACY, oldest son of the above, was
born 28 Dec. 1782 in Durham. Moved to Minot, now Auburn,
when a young man. Ordained 24 Feb. 1828. Was called
''Scripture Tracy" for his remarkable familiarity with the Bible.
He baptized between 700 and 800 converts, and one time 45
through a hole cut in the ice. Was an earnest advocate of
temperance and anti-slavery. Died at Wales, Me., 24 Jan. 1864,
aged 81 years. The text at his funeral was I Cor. XV. 58.
''Steadfast and unmovable, always abounding in the work of the
Lord." Two of his grandsons. Rev. A. P. Tracy of Vermont
and Rev. Olin H. Tracy of Boston, entered the ministry of the
Free Baptist Church. He was the father of Ferdinand Tracy
now living in Durham. The portrait here presented is from
a daguerreotype taken when he was eighty years old.
REV. ASA McGRAY, though born in N. Yarmouth 18 Sept.
1780. moved to Durham with his father when he was a small
child. He married Susanna Stoddard, in Durham. She was
born in Charlestown, Mass. He first joined the Methodists.
He afterward united with the Free Baptist Church and was
ordained 26 Sept. 1814. He removed in 1816 to Windsor, Nova
Scotia, and died there 30 Dec. 1843. ^^ was a successful
evangelist and organizer of churches. The text at his funeral
was II. Sam. iii. 38. "Know ye not that there is a prince and
a great man fallen this day in Israel?"
6S HISTORY OF DURHAM
REV. DANIEL PIERCE was born in Durham. Licensed
to preach in the Baptist Church in 1816. Ordained pastor of
Lisbon Church in 1818. He had pastorates also in Greene and
Wales. Was preaching occasionally in 1845. He married
Abigail Additon.
REV. EBENEZER BLAKE, son of William and Sarah
(Chandler) Blake, was born in Durham 27 April 1786. Was
converted in the great revival at Methodist Corner in 1804.
Joined the N. E. Conference in 1807 and preached as an itinerant
47 years in Maine, N. H., Mass., and Conn. "He was an active,
laborious and successful minister. " He died at West Bridge-
water, Mass., 2 Jan. 1868.
REV. DANIEL LIBBY, son of Daniel and Mary (Hoyt)
Libby, was born in Durham 22 Feb. 1804; m. 9 Aug. 1832
Eunice R. Wheeler of Dixfield. Although he was blind lie
educated himself for the ministry of the Cong. Church. Was
first settled at Dixfield. Afterward preached at Minot. He died
4 May 1839.
REV. JOHN MILLER was born in Durham 13 May 1806,
and died there 5 Dec. 1869. He was converted in 1829 and
began to preach with the Methodists, in 1837. He afterward
joined the Free Baptists and continued a good and acceptable
minister with them until his death. He felt especially called to
preach to the poor, and his labors were fruitful. He was a man
of much prayer, strong faith, fervid love, and deep piety. One of
the first sermons I remember was preached by him, in which
he drew an illustration from an old Welsh preacher, of Mercy
staying the hand of Justice.
REV. DAMD NEWELL, son of William and Anna (Hoyt)
Newell, was born at Durham 20 Jan. 1805. Was pastor of five
F"ree Baptist churches. Baptized 200 persons. Married 27 Aug.
1825 Jane S. Brackett. Two sons died in the army during the
Rebellion. He died in Gorham 2 Mch. 1891.
CORNELIUS DOUGLAS was born in Durham 12 June
1778. He became an eminent preacher in the Society of Friends.
Moved to Ohio. His farm supported him, and he traveled as a
preacher extensively at his own expense. Was some time Supt.
BEV. JOHN MILLER.
NATHAN DOUGLAS.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY 69
of an Indian Mission School in Kansas. He died 7 Aug. 1885
and was buried in Bloomington, Ohio. He married 23 Jan.
1820 Phebe Nichols of Berwick, Me., who died 7 Nov. 1886.
JOSHUA DOUGLAS was born in Durham 8 Sept. 1794.
He married Jane Adams 11 June 1818. He spent most of his
life as a farmer in Durham. He was recommended as a minister
by the Society of Friends 21 Nov. 1854. He labored successfully
as an evangelist at home and abroad. He was a man of eminent
piety, respected by all. He died 21 Jan. 1881 and is buried in
the cemetery near the Friends' Meeting House in So. Durham.
NATHAN DOUGLAS, son of David and Waite
(Hawkes) Douglas, was born in Durham 18 Jan. 1812. He
married 2 Oct. 1834 Lucy, dau. of Isaiah and Deborah
(Philbrook) Day. He begun preaching among the Friends at
the age of 22, and has been for half a century the principal
minister of the Friends in Durham. His labors have been very
satisfactory at home and abroad, and have resulted in great good.
He has visited nearly every yearly meeting of Friends on this
Continent. He is respected and beloved by all who know him.
DyVVID DUDLEY, son of Micajah and Susanna (Forster)
Dudley was born in Durham 15 April 1794. He married Eunice
Buffum who was born in Berwick, 1796. He died in Gardner,
Johnson Co., Kansas. "He was," says Eli Jones, "a well
approved minister in the Friends Society, and traveled
extensively in this country in the work of the ministry." He
^v•as famed as an eloquent preacher. He lived in China, Me.
8 ch.
REV. MARK B. HOPKINS, born m Durham. Joined
Maine Conference in 1840 and served as an itinerant in East
Maine till 1850. He died in Bloomfield 3 June 1859.
REV. JAMES GUSHING was born in Durham 9 Jan. 1809.
Entered Maine Conference in 183 1, was stationed successively
at Eliot, Bethel, Saco, Kittery, Newfield, Cornishville and
Berwick. Located in 1850 at South Berwick and carried on the
jeweler's business. Aloved to Waupun, Wis. and d. s. p. 1880.
He married (i) Sarah A. Fernald of Kittery. (2) Elizabeth
Raynes of So. Berwick. (3) Mary E. Raynes of So. Berwick.
70 HISTORY OF DURHAM
REV. ANSEL GERRISH, son of James and Susannah
(Roberts) Gerrish, was born in Durham 25 Feb. 1804. Married
Phebe Beal. Entered the Maine Conference of the M. E. church
in 1827. Served at Kennebunkport, Shapleigh, Scarboro and
Rumford, Located in 183 1. Became a physician. Died in
Portland, Me. His son, James WilHam Gerrish, was a surgeon
in U. S. army.
REV. GEORGE PLUMMER, son of Henry and Wealthy
(Estes) Plummer, was born in Durham 7 April 1826. Licensed
to preach in the Free Baptist Church March 1856. Ordained 22
Dec. 1861. Pastor in Durham live years, at Lisbon Falls five
years, at Freeport one year, ' at W'' . Bowdoin one year. Has
baptized sixty, married 190 couples and attended 636 funerals.
After 1883 he preached principally in destitute places. Was
member of Maine Legislature in 1859. Married (i) 4 April
1850 Almira J. Coffin; (2) 21 Oct. 1881 Eliza Eacot. He died
at Lisbon Falls, 17 June 1897.
REV. ALPHA TURNER was born in Durham 12 June
1S14. Licensed to exhort in 1843. Received into the Maine
Conf. m 1 85 1, and for 35 years filled some of its least
remunerative appointments with great success. I knew him
well. He was a moral hero. He had been a sailor' in his
youthful days, and was fond of illustrating spiritual truth by
analogies drawn from the sea. He was a hard worker, very
fervent in prayer, liberal in thought, of kindly disposition. He
married (i) 9 Jan. 1840 Abigail Hutchings of Portland. (2) 28
June 1855 Dorcas S. R. Roberts of Cape Elizabeth. He died at
Cornish 6 Jan. 1897.
REV. WILLL\M H. CRAWFORD, born in Pownal 4 Oct.
182 1, was brought up in Durham. Admitted to Maine Confer-
ence in 1844 and served important charges in the eastern part of
the state till 1870, when he was superannuated. He was a very
godly, useful and beloved pastor and preacher. Died 18 Feb.
1889. His son, Rev. George A. Crawford, is Chaplain in the U.
S. Navy.
REV. JAMES BARBER CRAWFORD was born in
Durham 22 Dec. 1828 and died in Bucksport, Me., 31 March
1869. He got his education at Kent's Hill at the price of much
REV. GEORGE PLUMMER.
REV. FREDERICK HOTArARD EVELETH, D.D.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY 7 I
toil and sacrifice. He began to preach in 1862, and joined the
East Maine Conference in 1866. He was for ten years Principal
of The East Maine Conf. Seminary at Bucksport. " He was an
incessant worker. With abihty to teach he united power to win,
and this power was used to train souls for heaven. He was not
satisfied merely to cultivate the minds of his pupils, but aimed to
impress the higher obligations of life. As a preacher his earnest
address enlisted the sympathies and won the affections of his
hearers."
REV. GEORGE A. CRAWFORD, born in Durham 1820.
Entered the Maine Conf. in 1846 and was stationed at Stowe.
He did not remain long a member of the Conference, but
preached often as a local preacher. He was steward of
the seminary at Kent's Hill several years. When postmaster at
Brunswick he supplied the church at Harpswell. He taught
school in his early days in Durham. He was a good teacher,
a man of piety and benevolence, very social by nature and highly
esteemed everywhere. Sickness ended his days in sadness, 25
Sept. 1878.
REV. HORATIO M. MACOMBER was born 22 June 18 14.
He joined the Maine Conference of the Methodist Episcopal
Church in 1834 and was successively stationed at Pembroke,
Robbinston, Lubec, York, Eliot, Dam's Mills, Plollis, Cornish,
Gorham, and Kennebunkport. In 1844 he located, became a
dentist and practiced a long time in Lynn, Mass. He died in
Indiana about 1890. He was a preacher of good ability, natural
grace, and unblemished character.
REV. JAMES H. SAWYER was born in Durham. He
became a preacher in the Universalist Church, but was
principally employed as a teacher in Corinna Academy. The
details of his career could not be obtained.
REV. FREDERICK HOWARD PZVELETH, D. D., was
born in Durham 21 Mch. 1843. ^^^ fitted for College at Hebron
Academy and graduated at Waterville College, now Colby
University in 1870, and at Newton Theological Institute (Mass.)
in 1873. I" September following he sailed for Burma as a
missionary of the American Baptist Missionary Union. He
72 , HISTORY OF DURHAM
labored in the Burman Mission at Toungas until 1885, with the
exception of a visit to America in 1879. ^^ ^^^5 ^^^ went to
Rangoon for literary work on a new edition of the Burman
Bible first translated by Adoniram Judson. He published
several books in Burmese, such as " Old Testament Biographical
Sketches." Illustrated, Rangoon, 1886, 8vo ; "Burmese Pocket
Dictionary," compiled from Dr. Judson's Dictionaries, Rangoon,
1887, 8vo ; "Preparation and Delivery of Sermons," Abridged
and Translated, Rangoon, 1896, 8vo. He again visited America
in 1887 and again in 18S9-90. From 1890 to 1896 he had charge
of the Burman Mission at Sandoway. In the spring of 1896 he
removed to Dusein, a suburb of Rangoon, to assume the duties
of Professor in the Burman Department of the Baptist
Theological Seminary. In 1898 Colby University conferred
upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity.
He married. 14 June 1873, Mattie Howard, dau. of the Rev.
J. F. Eveleth of Eden, Me. They have two sons, Frederick
Shailer, who graduates in 1899 from the School of Medicine of
Boston University, and Charles Edward, a student at the
Worcester, Mass., Polytechnic Institute.
REV. EMERSON H. McKENNEY, son of Abel and Ann
(Miller) McKenney, was born in Durham 23 Oct. 1841. Was
admitted to Maine Conf. in 1867. In 1873 his health became
impaired and he moved to Lynn, Mass. He supplied churches
at Saugus, Essex, and Wilmington during the next ten years.
Died at Saugus 17 Feb. 1884. His wife was Eliza S. Hasty of
Durham, m. 28 June 1867.
The Conference Minutes say he "was a holy man, and a
successful minister. All who knew him respected him. His last
sickness was severe, but the end was victorious."
REV. GREENLEAF H. BOWIE, son of David R., was
born in Durham 2 Oct. 1840. He began preaching in i860 as a
licensed preacher of the M. E. Church. In 1868 he removed to
Phippsburg and united with the Free Baptist church. Was sooii
after ordained and has served churches at Georgetown, Small
Point, Flodgdon, etc. Is now at Patten, Me. Is a godly and
useful man. Has preached 105 funeral sermons. In 1866 he
married Annie Norton of St. George. They have had eight
children of whom seven are living.
d-^
i^^i-e-T-e,^'' <&)■ 0^o^ci:J?-i>-<x.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY 73
REV. STANFORD MITCHELL was born in Durham 3
Nov. 1840. In the Civil War he served three years in Co. C,
8th Me. Regt, most of the time in S. CaroHna. He entered the
ministry of the L^niversaHst Churcli and being an excellent singer
has been employed for twenty years in Evangelistic work as
preacher and vocalist. He has also been active in Temperance
work. Was last stationed at Caribou.
REV. GEORGE LEAVENS, though not born in Durham,
was brought up in the family of William Stackpole. He enlisted
in the Civil War and lost an arm in the service. Fitted for
College at Edward Little Institute, Auburn. Spent some time
at Waterville College. Graduated at the Theological. Seminary
at Rochester, N. Y. Married Sarah, dau. of Dea. William
Dingley. Served one or two Baptist Churches in Maine. Died
21 March 1874, aged 31 yrs. 2 mos. Two sons died young. A
daughter, Lou, married Mr. Wheeler and lives in Somerville,
Mass.
REV. EVERETT S. STACKPOLE was born in Durham it
June, 1850. He was educated at the "Little Red School-
house" till fifteen yeais of age. He then spent two years at
Edward Little Institute, Auburn, fitting for College. Graduated
at Bowdoin College 1871. Began to teach at age of sixteen,
and taught winter and fall terms in Durham, West Minot, No.
Gray, Yarmouth Academy, Hartland Academy, Brewer High
School and Brunswick High School. Thus he paid a large share
of his college expenses. After graduation he taught one year at
Washington Academy, East Machias, and three years as
Principal of the Pligh School in Bloomfield, New Jersey.
Graduated at the School of Theology of Boston University in
1878 and at once entered the ministry of the Maine Conference
of the AI. E. Church. He was assigned to the poorest station in
the Conference, Kmgfield Circuit, where the salary paid the
preceding year was $120. His first year's salary in the ministry
was $300. The circuit included three townships, and he made
occasional trips to regions thirty miles beyond. He was
stationed successively at Lisbon, Woodfords, Westbrook, Bath
and Portland. In 1888 he became Director of a Theological
School m Florence, Italy, for the training of Italian preachers,
and continued in that work till 1892, also editing for one year
74 , HISTORY OF DURHAM
an Italian religious monthly paper. In 1892-3 he studied
Theology at the University of Berlin and traveled extensively in
Europe, Egypt and Palestine. He rejoined the Maine
Conference and preached at Auburn 1894-8. He is now pastor
of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Augusta, serving also as
one of the Chaplains in the Insane Asylum and in the Soldiers
Home at Togus. He has published, besides many newspaper
articles and several tracts in Italian, " Four and a Half Years in
the Italy Mission," "The Evidence of Salvation, or the Direct
Witness of the Spirit," "Prophecy, or Speaking for God,"
"History and Genealogy of the Stackpole Family," and a
"History of Durham." He received the degree of D. D. from
Bowdoin College in 1888.
He married in New Hampton, N. H., 20 Aug. 1878 Lizzie
A. Blake, dau. of the Rev. Charles and Lucy A. (Knowlton)
Blake. They have one son, Everett Birney Stackpole, born in
Lisbon 11 Dec. 1879. He is a member of the class of 1900, in
Bowdoin College.
REV. BENJAMIN F. FICKETT, son of Simon and Lydia
(Sawyer) Fickett, was born in Durham, 22 Feb. 1850. Joined
the M. E. Church in 1867. Admitted to the Maine Conference
in 1890. Has served at Andover, Bethel, Wilton and Phillips.
Has been very successful in building church edifices and in
adding to the membership of the churches served. He is a man
of good sense, earnestness, and native ability. He married (i)
12 Sept. 1877 Clara A. Morse of Bath, who died 9 May 1878;
(2) I Oct. 1881, Zephie A. Rowe of Georgetown, who has
contributed much to his success and helped to win for both a
host of friends.
REV. EDGAR LINDLEY WARREN was born at Durham
Nov. 3, 1858. He was educated for a journalist and served on
the Kennebec Journal. He was for a time official reporter of
the Maine Senate ; also correspondent of the Boston Herald.
He graduated from Andover Theo. Sem. in 1886, and spent
another year in special study. He has been pastor at Claremont,
N. H., North Attleboro, Mass., Westerly, R. I., and is now
pastor of the Cong. Church in Wolfboro, N. H. His ministry
has been unusually fruitful. He married (i) 10 Sept. 1890,
Josephine Weeks of W. Durham. She died 15 Mch. 1893. His
second wife was Edith Gilbert Crow of Hampton Falls, N. H.
REV. CHARLES HENRY STACKPOLE.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY 75
REV. CHARLES HENRY STACKPOLE was born in
Durham on lot 112, 29 July 1864. He fitted for College at
Edward Little High School, Auburn, and graduated at
Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn., in the class of 1884.
He then taught four years in Edward Little High School.
Graduated from the School of Theology of Boston University in
1891 and has preached two years at Bradford, Mass., and four
years at Peabody, Mass. He is now pastor of the Stanton Ave.
Methodist Episcopal Church in Dorchester, Mass. He is a
popular and successful preacher.
He married, 5 June 1895, Maude A. Rolfe of Auburn who
had been associated with him as teacher in the Edward Little
High School.
REV. HENRY JACKSON NEWELL, son of James and
Susanna Newell, was born in Durham 12 May 1819. He was
educated at Kent's Hill and at Wesleyan University, Middletown,
Conn. He was ordained to the ministry 7 July 1844 at Newport,
R. L He had charge of a school in Batesville, Pa., until
about 1855, when he went to Little Rock, Ark. Here he
united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and
continued m teaching till the Civil War, preaching occasionally.
He suffered persecution and loss of property during the Rebel-
lion, and narrowly escaped with his life. His wife, who was
Hattie Hutchings of Batesville, Pa., and children died, leaving
him alone and penniless. He died 10 April 1889.
REV. JOHN VINING NEWELL, brother of the one last
mentioned, was born 26 April 1829. He began his ministry in a
Conference of the M. E. Church in Penn. in 1852, and has con-
tinued in the same Conference until the present time. He is now
afflicted with paralysis at his home in Throop, Pa.
REV. ENOCH F. NEWELL, son of Daniel and Emily K.
(Harmon) Newell, was born in Durham 2 Dec. 1842. Was for
a time a student in North Yarmouth Academy. Enlisted at age
of eighteen and was in all the battles of the Army of the Potomac,
being wounded at Gettysburg. He married 15 July 1865 Etta
M. Toothaker of Pownal. After living a short time in Illinois
and Wisconsin he settled in Michigan in 1870. In 1878 he
entered the ministrv as a member of the Michigan Conference of
76 HISTORY OF DURHAM
the M. E. Church and has preached every Sabbath since except
one. He is reported of as standing high in his Conference and
haA'ing success in his work. He is at present stationed at
Edwardsburg, Mich. Has had five children of whom two sons
and two daughters are hving.
REV. J. H. TOMPSON, son of Joseph and Hannah (Rice)
Tompson, was born at Methodist Corner July 9, 1847. He left
Durham at the age of seven years and lived in Yarmouth and
Lewiston. By resisting for some years the conviction that he
must be a preacher his preparation for the ministry was delayed.
He graduated at Kent's Hill in 1875 ^^^ ^^ Wesleyan University,
Middletown, Conn., in 1878. He has served several charges in
the New England Conference with marked success and is now
stationed at Highlandsville, Mass. He married, 10 Oct. 1880,
Fannie F. Reade of Dighton, Mass. and has had four children.
REV. HENRY H. MORRH.L, son of Frank and Sarah N.
(Newell) Morrill, was born in Durham 6 Jan. i860. Moved
with his parents to Lewiston in 1869, and to Cambridge, Mass.
in 1874. Was educated in the schools of those cities and at Har-
vard University, where he graduated cum magna laude in 1882.
Took three years of post-graduate study at Harvard. Went
West and studied for the ministry of the Episcopal Church.
Ordained at Salina, Kansas, 19 Sept. 1888. Is now Rector of
St. John's Parish, Clinton, Iowa. He married, 16 Nov. 1884,
Carrie Emily, dau. of Thomas and Elizabeth Barrington of Cam-
bridge, Mass. They have one dau. b. 18 July 1888 at Holton,
Kas.
The following were local preachers, but we are unable to say
whether they were ever ordained, Eben Ruby, Robert Bowie,
Henry Plummer and Andrew Blethen.
SCHOOLS '^'J
VI.
SCHOOLS
At the first town meeting held in Royalsborough Feb. 24,
1774 O. Israel Bagley, William Gerrish and Stephen Chase were
chosen a committee to "pick out a lot for a Scule lot." If any
school existed in Royalsborough before this date it was held m
some private house. Tradition says that there was a school in
the house of O. Israel Bagley and this is confirmed by an entry
in his Account Book, March 8, 1779, " payd Danil Wizwell the
chool master 7:10:0; to 3 weaks and three days 10:10:0." In
1780 the town meeting was held at the school-house. This is its
first mention. It was built by Benjamin Vining on his own
land, lot 71, and both house and land were bought of Vining
by the town in 1781. March t6, 1780 it was voted "to have
School this year and to muve Scull according to pools." This
points to the conclusion that schools had been held in private
houses in different parts of the town. A little later the same
year it was voted " to take that money that was voted for School
to Defray town charges. " The town was heavily burdened with
taxes for the Revolutionary War. Schools were suspended.
Sept. 12, 1781 voted '"to have vSchool this winter." The next
year $100 in silver were appropriated for schools, two-thirds to
be expended in sunmier and the rest in winter.
After the purchase of Vining's school-house the public school
was held there. Soon the southern part of the town began to
ask for a school of their own. May 5, 1783, " voted not to Sett
of the quakers to have School by themselves but to have the
advantage of the town School." The next year, however, it was
decided to have school three months during the winter and that
the people "on the eastern side of Joseph Noyes River brook"
have one-third of the $40 raised for schools. Thus the town was
divided into two districts by the stream in the southern part of
the town running through the "Great meadow." March 27,
1785, the following vote was passed, "Beginning at Christopher
78 _ HISTORY OF DURHAM
trases and Down to the grate meador Pond Down the mast Road
to the goer voted to have School this year the hole of the year
or 12 months. Voted to muve the School in foer Parts of the
town at mr. Thomas Parsons and hear at this hous (Vining's
School House?) and at Mr. Joshua Strouts and in the SoutR
west part of the Plantation."
There are no records for the next four years. In 1789, at
the first town meeting of Durham, forty-five pounds were voted
to schools. In 1790 it was voted to divide the town into six
school districts, three on each side of the Great Meadow, and to
build five more school-houses. This vote was reconsidered at
a subsequent meetmg, and the town seems to have decided to
leave the building of school-houses to the respective districts.
April 4, 1791, the town voted that the "School be Divided into
Seven Districts, Three on the eastern Side of the Great Meadow
and Four on tlie Western Side of the Meadow," and that the
Selectmen divide the school and money as they see fit. The
appropriations for schools steadily increased till in 1797 they
reached $266.68 and in 1803, $400.
With the growth of population modifications and subdivisions
of the above mentioned seven districts were necessary. In 1802
Jacob Sawyer, Joseph Sawyer and Ebenezer Bragdon were set
off to Joshua Miller's School class. The same year the school
district on the County Road was divided by the Selectmen as
follows: "Beginnmg at Freeport Line on the County Road in
said Town as follows viz. Saml. Goodwin, Heirs of Capt. John
Scott, Josiah Burnham, Nathaniel Osgood, John Saddleman,
Nehemiah Hooper, John Eaton, Aaron Osgood, Elisha Stetson,
John Lincoln, Benjamin Roberts, Aaron Allen, George Gerrish,
Reuben Dyer, John Richards." This was called District No.
one. It shows who were the residents on the lower County
Road in 1802 and the order of their houses. The school-house
cost $175, and was built by Joseph Osgood. $3.84 were paid
for "andiorns and fier Shovel." The table cost $1.50; a chair
$1. ; and a "pale," 33 cents. It is seen that there were no stoves
for school-houses. The big fire-place filled with logs and chips
together with a liberal use of the ferule, kept the pupils warm.
April 13, 1802, William Mitchell, Jr. sold for one dollar to
Abel True, School Com. land 24 ft by 22 ft on the " County Road
leading from Gloucester to Brunswick" for a school-house.
This was west of the Church at Methodist Corner.
SCHOOL-HOUSE AT SOUTH WEST BEND.
SCHOOLS 79
At a legal town meeting held 1810 the following persons were
constituted school district No. 2 : John Collins, Abraham Fisher,
Nicholas Varney, Cornelius Douglas, Caleb Estes, Nicholas
Varney Jr., Samuel Collins, Abijah Collins, Joshua Clough,
Bachelder Ring, O. Israel Fifield, Elisha Tuttle, Reuben Tuttle
Jr., Joseph Estes, Nathan Haw'kes, James Welch, Joseph Ward,
Samuel Welch, Nicholas Pinkham, Samuel Field, Sarah Clough,
and Katherine Bailey. These lived in the vicinity of the Friends'
Meeting House.
In 1819 there was a redivision of the town into thirteen school
districts. The numbering was changed so that the district along
the River road in the northern part of the town was called
number one and has remained so ever since. Old school district
number one on the lower County Road to Freeport is now
number eight. Number two has been since 1819 the middle
district of the three across the northern part of the town, while
the old number two of the Friends' neighborhood is now^ number
ten.
Up to 1809 the inhabitants near S. W. Bend attended School
at the Flouse on Vining's land, the first one built, on the County
Road nearly a mile from the river. In 1809 an assessment of
$259.14 was made on the Bend District for the building of a
new School House. It was built on the road that leads from the
Bend to Gerrish's Alill on the hill before crossing Dyer's Brook.
The following persons were assessed : Andrew Adams, Symonds
Baker, M. D., Simeon Blethen, John Converse, J\I. D., John
Cushing, Micah Dyer, Heirs of David Dyer, Dennis George
Dyer, Richard Dyer, John Field, William Gerrish, James Gerrish,
Wm. Gerrish, Jr., Benj. Gerrish, Nath'l Gerrish, David
McFarland, John Mcintosh, Samuel Merrill, Joshua Merrill,
John ]\Ierrill, John Nichols, Ebenezer Newell, Samuel Nichols,
William Nichols, Joseph Proctor, Meshack Punngton, Peter
Parker, Barnabas Strout, Ebenezer Strout, Oliver Stoddard,
Daniel Twornbly, Benjamin Vining, Josiah Vining, Bela Vining,
John Vining, Benjamin Vining, Jr., Joseph Weeman, Joseph
Weeman, Jr., Luke Woodward.
These were in 1809 the inhabitants of S. W. Bend and down
as far as Gerrish's Mill.
The Schools in those days were ungraded. There was a
summer and a winter term of about ten weeks each. There were
8o HISTORY OF DURHAM
few text-books. Each pupil made a manuscript arithmetic.
Those ot James Booker and Waitstill Webber I have seen, and
they indicate such labor as must have made their owners good
mathematicians. Grammar was one of the higher branches and
was very little studied. In teaching penmanship the master
wrote a "copy" which the pupils endeavored to imitate with
a quill. Spelling-matches awakened great interest. They were
often held in the evening and the whole community were "spelled
down." The grown-up boys were sometimes more muscular
than intellectual, and if they did not like the master, he was in
danger of being carried out into a snow-drift. The switch and
ferule were always m evidence, and the mischievous girls fared
no better than the boys. Indeed tradition says that Master
Rourk sometimes took the naughty big girls across his knee,
after the manner in vogu'e with small members of the home
circle. Nevertheless the boys and girls made progress, and the
ungraded country school often produced better scholarship than
the graded school of forty weeks or more in the cities. The
pupils were required to take their books home and study every
evening, and discipline was as strict at home as in the school-
house.
The names of a few old school teachers appear on the town
records. The Rev. Eliphaz Chapman was paid twelve pounds
and eight shillings for teaching in 1794. Parson Herrick also
taught school. "Leucenday" Curtis taught three months in
1795 for four pounds and one shilling. Elizabeth Barker taught
a term in 1800 for $10.50. Nancy Eaton taught in 1801 ; Mary
Douglas m 1799. Between 1800 and 1804 the following teachers
were employed: Beniah Hanson, Isaac Green, John Martin, Isaac
Davis, William Bartlett, John Staples, James Gerrish, Jr., and
Joseph Gerrish. The school-master, par excellence, of those days
was Martin Rourk. Teaching was his profession. He must
have been a good teacher, or he would not have been so many
times employed in several districts.
The regular terms of school were felt to be insufftcient to
satisfy the thirst for education. These were supplemented from
time to time by "Private Schools" or High Schools. The
earliest of such schools recorded was kept by Joseph Hill in the
autumn of 1836. He was then a student in Bowdoin College,
where he graduated in 1838. He taught for a time at Blue Hill
SCHOOLS 8 1
and died in 1842. Hill's school at S. W. Bend was well attended.
Some students came from Lisbon and from Freeport. In 1837
the school was moved to West Durham and was held in the
galleries of the old Methodist church. Eleven of the twenty-one
males who attended that school in 1837 became school-teachers
the following winter. So writes Benjamin F. Nason who was
one of the eleven. The only survivors of that company of
academicians are Dr. David B. Sawyer and Albert H. Gerrish
of Berlin, N. H.
Some of the teachers of High Schools back in the sixties were
Frank Morrill, who afterwards began the practice of law at S. W.
Bend, Ira A. ShurtlefT, whose brilliant career as a teacher in the
West was cut short by early death, Frank E. Sleeper, now a
successful physician at Sabattus, and Elbridge Y. Turner, who
always had order and got an unusual amount of hard study from
his pupils. One of the first teachers I can remember at the little
Red School House on the River Road was Edward T. Little, a
scholarly gentleman, whose early death was so much lamented.
Horace P. Roberts of Lisbon was another good teacher in that
school, as Alfred Jordan had been some years before. I well
remember George S. Wedgwood of Litchfield as one of the
best teachers I had in early days, now a prominent lawyer in
Omaha, Neb. In those days few districts had less than twenty-
five pupils, and some had three times that number. What sport
we had at noon and recess, skating and sliding down hill!
What mighty preparations for School Exhibitions in the old
Universalist Church! I seem now to hear the dialogue of
Saladin and Malek Addel as given by the beloved and lamented
Lt. Sumner Strout and Fred Eveleth, now the honored Doctor
of Divinity and head of a Mission School in distant Burma.
Voices long hushed are still saying, " Ye call me chief, " and
are still reciting how "Old Ironsides at anchor lay." The
tableaux were quite theatrical, yet the most pious people seemed
to enjoy them. Other schools have not made so deep and lasting
impressions, nor do they awaken so many memories of unalloyed
happiness.
82 HISTORY OF DURHAM
VII.
INDUSTRIES AND TRADES
Lumber was the chief article of trade during- the first years
of the settlement. Ship-building was a great industry in
Freeport and Yarmouth, and Durham supplied much of the ship-
timber. Many a tall pine has been hauled over the County
Road to serve as the mast of a vessel. Deck plank, ribs and
knees were prepared in saw-pits that might be seen at short
intervals along the roads. These saw-pits were made at
convenient places where the land inclined to the road. A
■suitable amount was excavated for the pit. This was
•decked over a sufficient length for the longest timber. The
timber was first sided with the broad axe, then rolled on and
lined. Then two men went to work with a saw, one standing
'On the stick of timber and the other in the pit, pushing and
pulling the saw. This was the only way of sawing curved timber.
Many of the early settlers found employment in the ship-yards
and on coasting vessels.
Cord wood for fuel found a poor market in the early days.
In clearing the land for agricultural purposes great quantities
of fine hard wood were cut, rolled into huge piles and burned.
Sometimes neighbors gathered to assist in clearing the land.
Sach gatherings were called "rolling-bees." In similar spirit of
helpfulness and sociability the women had their "quilting-bees."
These Were succeeded by " paring-bees " after orchards were
grown, and by " husking-bees " in time of harvest.
The first saw-mill was, doubtless, that built on Chandler's
Stream by Judah Chandler in 1766. The second mill on the
same site was built in 1777 by Judah Chandler, O. Israel Bagley,
Daniel Bagley, John Randall, Stephen Randall, and John
Cushing. The third was a grist-mill built about 1810 by
EdAvard Thompson and Benjamin Sawyer. The present stone
mill was built by Richardson of Brunswick.
Gerrish's mill is mentioned on Royalsborough Records, Feb.
THE STONE MILL.
fl
^
INDUSTRIES AND TRADES 83
^ 16, 1775. How long it had been in existence is not known.
March i, 1778, George Gerrish sold to WilHam Gerrish *'one
quarter part of a Saw mill and one quarter part of a Corn mill
standing on Wire's Brook so cald and all the utensils to my
part of said mill." This is the earliest mention of a grist mill,
though O. Israel Bagley is said to have had a wund-mill for
grinding corn earlier than this. Gerrish's mill afterwards passed
into the hands of Sewall of Bath, and May 7, 1823 James Sewall,
tallow-chandler, and Lucy his wife sold to John Vining,
Benjamin Gerrish, James Gerrish and Andrew Adams, Jr. for
$550 "two acres including Gerrish's mill." "Wyer's Brook
formerly so called " is mentioned in this deed. This mill passed
into the ownership of Henry Plummer in 1835 and has been
known for half a century as Plummer's Mill.
Samuel Tracy's mill at the mouth of Meadow Brook, in the
southern part of the town, is mentioned in 1795. It was a grist
mill and long ago disappeared. Only traces of the dam can be
seen.
The first mill built near S. W. Bend was on Dyer's Brook, by
Luke Woodward and Jacob Herrick in 1810. It was a carding
mill and grist mill combined. About 1820 it was owned by
John Mayall and operated as a woolen mill till he transferred his
business to Lisbon Factory. A saw and grist mill succeeded
that of Mayall. This also has vanished away, and only the
deserted buildings erected for the canning of corn mark the site
of the old mills.
The South West Bend Dam Company was chartered in 1836.
It proposed to build a dam between Green's Rips and the mouth
of Gerrish's (VVyer's) Brook. Nothing came of it. March 15,
1837 the Durham Steam Company was chartered, consisting of
Joshua JMiller Jr., Orlando Merrill, Ezekiel Hoole, Ivory
Warren, James Strout and Jonathan C. Merrill, '' for the purpose
of grinding grain and plaster of Paris, of sawing all kinds of
lumber, and of manufacturing Iron, Steel, Cotton or Wools."
The proposed capital was $50,000 in shares of $100. Stock was
sold to the value of $8,400. Then assessments duly began.
Three were made in 1838, amounting to $8,150. Seven more
assessments followed in 1841-2 amounting to $5,697. The stock
holders were sehing out at big discounts. The enthusiasm had
subsided. Some thought that South West Bend was to become
84 HISTORY OF DURHAM
a great city, and all the hill about the Union Church was laid
out into houselots. The mill was built on the bank of the river
in the rear of Union Church. It discontinued in 1842, and was
removed to East Brimswick or Bath and there long known as
Humphrey's Mill.
It would be easy to suggest a bigger scheme than this. It is
readily seen that the broad level farms stretching three miles
north of South West Bend on both sides of the river were once
the bottom of a lake. The river has worn a notch through at
the Ferry and so dramed the lake. Now let some capitalists
buy up the farms mentioned and build a dam twenty feet high
at the Ferry. Then with a reservoir three to four miles in
diameter they will have one of the largest water powers in Maine.
This of course would bring the railroad in due time and hasten
the Electric Road which must soon be built from Auburn to
Yarmouth, to connect with Portland. Then those houselots
staked out in 1837 will sell with a rush, and Durham, like Truth
crushed to earth, will rise again.
Or it mav be thought more feasible to cut a canal from the
Androscoggin to the Old Stone Mill. It need be not much more
than twenty feet deep and three miles long. This would turn
the Androscoggin into Royal's River and boom West Durham,
Pownal and Yarmouth at the expense, perhaps, of Lisbon Falls
and Brunswick. The dam at the Ferry would also help this
enterprise.
In the early days the shoemaker took his kit and went from
house to house, as also did the tailor. Such an itinerant was
O. Israel Bagley. Others of his craft were John Grafifam,
Micajah Meader, Joseph Douglas, Ebenezer Stimpson, and
Benjamin Leniont. The first to do shop shoemaking at the
Bend were Winslow A. Eveleth, Jacob A. Roak (who lived in
the house now occupied by George Nichols) and Moses
Atkinson.
April 20, 1820, John Rogers of Lynn, Mass., commenced the
manufacture of Morocco shoes at Waitstill Webber's, in So.
Durham. A score of small shoe-shops soon were built in that
neighborhood, each employing five or six workmen. Many
took work at their homes. In the height of the industry one
hundred and fifty men were employed and as many women.
The industry continued till 1855. There were three firms;
INDUSTRIES AND TRADES 85
Lemuel Jones and John H. Buffer; Lorenzo Day; and Isaac
Hopkins. After 1855 work was taken from Lynn, Mass., and so
it continued to be till about 1870. This part of Durham was
called Shoe-Town. Almost every house was a shoe-shop.
In 1834 Daniel Holland established a shoe-manufactory at
South West Bend, and continued in the business two years.
He employed eight or ten men, among them being James H.
Eveleth, Robert Goddard, Amos Atkins, and G. F. Flemington.
Washington Golder was associated with him in the making of
harnesses. Holland married Mary A. Field of Lewiston in 1835.
She is still living and remembers getting breakfast for ten
boarders the morning after her marriage. Holland w-as
succeeded by James H. Eveleth who carried on shoe-making at
the Bend for fifty years.
Joseph Estes had a tannery and harness-shop near the
Friends' Meeting House as early as 1776. He was succeeded in
the business by Nathan Hawkes who carried it on for many
years. Near by was an old grist mill run by wind. It was
octagonal, built of huge timbers, and was moved about with
crow-bars to suit the direction of the wind. Tradition says that
there was once a tannery owned by Samuel Field in the gully
south of Dr. Converse's house, close to the river, a little north
of the Bend. A tannery, managed by William Wagg, within
the memory of many stood in the rear of R. M. Strout's store.
The first store-keeper was O. Israel Bagley, whose store was
on the County Road, just below the residence of Charles H. Bliss.
Here he did business from 1770 till 1789. John Randall had a
store between Methodist Corner and Chandler's Mill at a very
early date. On the river road, about 1800, stores were kept by
Secomb Jordan, near Everett Macomber's, by Elijah
Macomber, just above George Miller's, by Samuel Merrill and
several others. Barnabas Strout kept store and hotel where
Wesley Day now lives. Later Horace Corbett was in trade at
the Bend. In fact there were four large stores, some of them
doing wholesale business. Besides Corbett there were James
Strout Jr. and Rufus Jordan in partnership. Ivory Warren (who
was succeeded by his son Emery and his grandson George) and
John Higgins. People came from Auburn, Lewiston, Turner,
Buckfield and regions beyond to do their trading at S. W. Bend.
John Macomber was a clerk in Rufus Jordan's store about 1840.
86 HISTORY OF DURHAM
I remember to have heard him say that he had counted at one
time as many as forty teams hitched about the stores, and at
Jordan's five clerks were kept busy sehing goods. It must have
been about this time that a milhner's shop was moved from
Auburn to Durham. A bakery was nm by David Bowie, a Httle
north of Eunice's (Fitz's) brook about ninety years ago. Near
by Foster Waterman had the first lawyer's office. He was taxed
1804-7. Samuel Gooch, Esq., was, in 1819, the town's agent
'"to collect the taxes due from these people who have been run
into the town of Pejepscot." Between 1840 and 1850 Esquire
Simmons had an office at S. W. Bend, and Judge Nahum Mor-
rill, now of Auburn, practiced law here, 1844-6.
The first trader at So. Durham was Amos F. Lunt who begun
in 1844 and is still in trade. No man has ever charged him with
dishonesty. Later George Tuttle and Nathan Hawkes each had
a store at So. Durham. Before Lunt's time the people traded
in Brunswick.
Frances A. B. Hussey kept store and So. Durham Post Office
on lot 12 before 1850.
The first itinerant tailor remembered by "the oldest
inhabitant " was John Demerit. The shop-tailors of the early
part of this century were Bradley, Frost, Samuel Shehan, and
William Wording.
The first wagon and sleigh maker was Francis Harmon, on
the '■ County Road. " He was succeeded by his sons Francis,
Ji., and Lora. The latter had his shop at the Bend and was
succeeded by Sidney Bailey.
The first harness-makers were Joseph Estes in So. Durham
and Joshua Barstow at the Bend, near where Marcus Eveleth
lives. George W. Tukey came from Portland and made
harnesses and trunks, near where R. M. Strout's store now is.
The first and only saddle-tree maker was Matthew Estes,
whose shop was near the Bend on the County Road.
The only dentist Durham ever had was David B. Strout,
who afterward became so well known in Lewiston and Auburn,
and who handed down in writing many of the above historical
items.
The earliest inn-keeper was O. Israel Bagiey. William
McGray is mentioned on Town Records as " Inholder " in 1797.
Still earlier John Hoyt kept an inn near Methodist Corner.
SOUTH -WEST BEND.
INDUSTRIES AND TRADES Sy
Joseph Proctor had a tavern a Httle north of Eunice's brook as
early as 1795, and Wilham Stoddard had one, about 1800, in the
house now occupied by Everett Macomber, on the River Road.
About 1812 Nathaniel Gerrish, who a little later moved to Lisbon,
built the house where Prescott J. Strout now lives, at the Bend,
and kept hotel, being succeeded by Samuel McGray. Here Dr.
Ricker^ afterward lived, and 1859-65, Dr. M. C. Wedgwood,
now of Lewiston, lived here.
Near the beginning of the century Dr. Symonds Baker built
a one-story house at the Bend. It is mentioned in 1805. Here
he had an apothecary's shop. The house was afterward enlarged
and became Durham's principal hotel, kept by Jonathan C.
Merrill, Joshua Miller, Samuel Miller, John Miller and Abner
Merrill in succession.
The old tavern is shown in the accompanying cut, with the
long-unused band-stand in front, around which Hngers the shade
of Joseph Tyler. The house on the opposite corner was built as
a store by Winslow Hayward in the early part of the century.
By enlargement it became a dwelling-house and has been suc-
cessively occupied by Job Sylvester, Daniel Holland, Lora Har-
mon, Dr. Wm. L. Harmon, Mr. Mason, J. Gushing- jMerrill,
Simon W. Miller, James H. Eveleth and Wm. E. Greely.
Much has been jocosely said by the political speakers about
the Durham ship-yards. They do not know, perhaps, that in
1823 Joshua Miller and sons built a fishing schooner on lot 97
and hauled it to Maqvioit Bay, Brunswick, where it was launched.
Theophilus Thomas was the skipper. History does not mention
any other ship-yard in Durham, though it once supplied a great
quantity of ship-timber.
'Dr. John Ricker was born in Buckfield, 17 Feb. 1787. He graduated
at the Medical School in Brunswick in 1822 and practiced medicine in
Durham many years. His intentions of marriage with Charlotte Hay-
ward of Fairfax were recorded in Durham 18 Aug. 1816. He moved to
Orono. Died at WaterviJle 25 Jan. 1867.
88 HISTORY OF DURHAM
VIII.
MILITARY RECORD
The beginning of the struggle for American independence
found Royalsborough with only a few scattered families. There
was, however, a quick response to the patriotic call and one at
least joined Col. Phinney's Regiment that marched in 1775 to the
relief of Boston. Besides others who enlisted for shorter terms
of service, a petition shows that seventeen men from Royals-
borough had enlisted, m 1778, for three years in the Continental
army, and this, too, when there were but forty-six men in town
capable of bearing arms. Many Revolutionary soldiers from
other towns settled in Durham after the War.
The first town action was Sept. 15, 1777 when Josiah Dunn,
Benjamin Vining, Ebenezer Roberts and Charles Hill, Esq., were
chosen a Committee of Correspondence, Inspection and Safety,
and also to " purchase some corn for to supply the women whose
husbands are gon in the army." This reveals something of the
privations and sacrifices endured. The following petition shows
still more clearly what our ancestors paid for Independence.
At a town meeting held 12 Jan. 1778 the following action was
taken :
"Voted to send a pertision to the General Court to see
whither they will take of the Tax laid on us by Brunswick for
the two years last past 1776 and 1777.
Voted fifteen pounds Lawful money to git our pertision writ
and to carry it and Present it to the Court.
Voted Mr. Benjamin Vining to git Said Pertision and Carry
it to Court, likewise Voted to defray all additional Cost of Said
Pertision."
The Petition was as follows : —
State Massachusetts Bay.
To the honorable the Council and hon'l. house of
Representatives in General Court assembled.
The petition of the Inhabitants of a new plantation or settle-
MILITARY RECORD 89
ment called Royalsbourg, in the County of Cumberland humbly
showeth : —
That the inhabitants of Brunswick did in the year 1776 assess
the polls of the inhabitants of said Royalsbourg towards the
public tax laid on said Brunswick that year and have required
the inhabitants of said Royalsbourg to give a list of their polls
and estates in order to assess them tow^ards said Brunswick's part
of the tax for the year 1777, which the said Inhabitants of
Brunswick suppose they have a right to do by virtue of the tax
acts of those years respectively.
Your petitioners beg leave to represent to your honors that
by far the greater part of the families in said Royalsbourg (not
being now more than 49 in all) have been settled no more than
four or five years, that they entered on wild uncultivated lands,
had a wilderness to subdue and buildings to erect for shelter with
great difficulty labour & expense and are yet struggling for life,
that an early frost the last year 1777 in a great measure cut oft"
their Indian Corn Crops so that not half enough was raised there
for the necessary use & support of the Inhabitants, that they have
nothing else to dispose of nor any business or trade by which
to procure a supply of so necessary and at present dear as well as
scarce an article, much less to obtain money to pay in taxes — that
they have but 46 men on the training band list, of whom seven-
teen are enlisted for three years in the continental army — many
of whom have left families whom they must supply agreeable to
a late Resolve of the General Court, w^hich is, in the present
scarcity & dearness of provisions, a heavy burden upon them,
notwithstanding the provision made in said Resolve for their
reimbursement of that expense.
That their being taxed in Brunswick towards their proportion
of the public tax (and which is no more than their proportion if
Royalsbourg was not in being) is a benefit and relief to Bruns-
wick only, and is not of the least advantage to the State, and
there appears to your petitioners no good reason why they should
help Brunswick pay its public tax rather than any other town in
the State.
Wherof your petitioners humbly pray your honors to take the
premises into your wise and merciful consideration, and order
that the Collector of Brunswick for the year 1776 be directed not
to demand of any of the Inhabitants of said Royalsbourg the
poll tax laid on them by said Brunswdck that year, But that the
same be remitted them and that the same Brunswick should not
assess them for the year 1777 or in case they have done it or
may do it before your honors pass upon this Petition that such
assessment may be vacated & the sums assessed remitted to_ them
— or that vour honors would otherwise relieve your Petitioners
go HISTORY OF DURHAM
in such a way & manner as your Honors shall seem meet & your
Petitioners as m duty bound shall ever pray &c.
Charles Gerrish Jona Armstrong
Charles Hill hue Gatchell
Judah Chandler John Gatchell
Ebenezer Robards Robert Gatchell
William Gerrish John blethen
Israel Bagley John Gushing
David dyer Samuel Smith
Charles Gerrish Robinson Crockett
Nathl Garish Ezekiel Jones
Micah dyer Vinsen Robats
John Parker Benja Sawyer
Benjamin Vining Closes Mariner
Elias davis Josiah Day
Samuel Ray Stephen Wesson
Samuel York Joshua Strout
The above petition was read in the House 2 Feb. 1778, and
referred to a Committee. The House, 12 Feb. 1778, resolved to
abate the above taxes of Royalsborough, which was consented
to by the Council.
The greater part of the signers of the above petition were old
men. Two at least had been in the army, and several others had
sons there.
The Committees of Correspondence, Inspection and Safety
were, in 1778, O. Israel Bagley, Charles Hill and William
Gerrish; in 1779, O. Israel Bagley, Jonathan Armstrong and
Joshua Strout; in 1780, Joshua Strout, Nathaniel Gerrish and
John Getchell ; in 1781, O. Israel Bagley, Ebenezer Newell and
John Getchell; in 1782, O. Israel Bagley, Josiah Day and Lieut.
Newell.
July 29, 1778, Voted " that this town shall pay those men that
provide clothing for the soldiers who are gon in Continental
army what Cost they are to if the Court will not pay for them."
An entry in Bagley 's account book seems to have a connection
with this. He says in Feb. 1779. " Received of John Lues,
Esq, 212 Dolars for the Clothen sent the soldars."
Nov. 8, 1779 the town voted to "pay eich Solger that went
to Pernopscot^ Seventy live pounds."
Nov. 30, 1780, Voted to " provide the Beef the Cort have sent
for."
^This refers to the Bagaduce expedition to the Penobscot.
MILITARY RECORD 9 1
Jan. i6, 1781. Voted to " give the two men that Shall goe in
the Continental army 20 dollars bounty and 10 dollars wages a
month."
March 20. 1780. \^oted "not to get the Beef the State sent
for."
Sept. 12, 1 78 1. Voted "not to Rase the too men the Cort
have sent for," and "not to get the Beef the Cort have sent
for." This action was caused by the feeling that they had raised
all the men and money they could, but nevertheless they supplied
the men and money, as a later petition shows. The war cost
Royalsborough in taxes ten thousand nine hundred and ninety-
six pounds, eleven shillings and seven pence.
Jan. 29, 1782. Voted to pay Nathan Lewis bounty and that
"he return himself to the Superintendent at Boston upon the
risk of the town." Voted to "return Samuel Wage for this town
Provided they Don't get Nother man." Voted that "O. Israel
Bagley Shall goe to Amesbury to Stand trial with them for
Samuel Wage" (Wagg).
The petition for incorporation, given in the preceding
chapter, shows plainly the privations and burdens endured during
the time of the Revolutionary War. Clothing was scanty and
food was coarse and insufficient. It is an oft repeated tradition,
that when any one was fortunate enough to shoot a deer or any
wild game, a horn was blown to call the neighbors to share it.
Who were the men of Royalsborough that bore arms in the
war for Independence ? The following list, probably incomplete,
has been drawn from the Mass. archives, pension rolls, and
publications of Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution.
CHARLES GERRISH, who had been Captain of Militia from
before 1758,^ appears as ist Major of the 2d Mass. Regt. Cumb.
Co., 7 Feb. 1776, Col Jonathan Mitchell commanding. Before
that date the Town Records call him Captain ; afterward, always
Major.
NATHANIEL GERRISH was private in Capt. John
Worthley's Co., Col. Edmund Phinney's 31st Regt. of Foot. He
enlisted 8 May 1775 and served eight months near Boston.
'20 Oct. 1789 Lt John Stackpole of Biddeford. aged 81, deposed that
in 175S he "went a soldiering up Saco River with Capt. Charles Gerrish."
— Records in the Registry of Deeds at Alfred, Me.
92 HISTORY OF DURHAM
GEORGE GERRISH served three years in Capt. Blaisdell's
Co. Col. Wigglesworth's Regt.
JAMES GERRISH enlisted for three years in the same Co.
as his brother George and died in the service.
EBENEZER NEWELL was first Lieut, in Capt. Samuel
Dunn's Co. Col. Phinney's Regt. in 1775.
INCREy\SE BLETHEN was in Capt. Stephen Hart's Co.
Col. Jonathan Mitchell's Regt. He enlisted at Boston for town
of Royalsborough 6 Dec. 1777, for three years. Was promoted
Corporal in Capt. Smart's Co., Col. Calvin Smith's Regt. Was
at Valley Forge 5 Feb. 1778. He had previously enlisted 29
Aug. 1776. He died in Phillips, Me.
JOPIN CHANDLER enlisted 8 June 1777 for three years.
Was in Capt. Hill's Co. Gen. Peterson's Regt. He also appears
in Capt. John Read's Co. Col. Ichabod Allen's Regt. Reported
as having died in May, 1778. He was son of Judah Chandler.
NATHAN LEWIS is repeatedly mentioned on the Town
Records as a soldier from Royalsborough. He is last named in
J 787. His widow Sarah was supported by the town for some
years and died in 1801. Her daughter Sarah was also cared for
by the town. The latter died in 1806 and the town voted to give
her small property to her sisters. Barnabas Strout was allowed
$1 for digging her grave.
JOHN DAIN (spelled also Dane and Dean) was private in
Capt. James Patch's Co. which marched on the alarm of April
19, 1775, from Ipswich to Mystic. Length of service 4 days. He
also appears as private in Capt. James Mallor's Co., Lieut. Col.
Putnam's Regt. enlisting 18 Aug. 1781 and discharged 4 Dec.
1781. Time of service 3 mos. 28 days.
JOSHUA JONES enlisted in 1778 for three years in Capt.
Hill's Co. Col. Vose's Regt.
JOFIN VINING marched to Roxbury from Weymouth April
^9> 1775- He is said to have served throughout the war.
PELATIAH WARREN was private in Capt. John Lane's
Co. Enlisted from No. Yarmouth 29 July 1775; discharged i
Nov. 1775. In list of pensioners he is accredited to Royals-
borough, which implies a subsequent re-enlistment.
BARTHOLOMEW REED of " Royalstown " was in Capt.
MILITARY RECORD 93
Richard Mayberry's Co., Col. Francis" Regt. in 1775. Served at
Dorchester. He was in Capt. Nathan Watkins' Co. ; Col.
Phinney's i8th Regt. from Dec. i, 1775 to Sept. 20, 1776.
EBENEZER DEAN of Royalsborough, 6 Dec. 1777, joined
jCapt. Lane's Co., Col Alden's Regt. for three years. Reported
deceased.
CARL McMANNERS enlisted from Royalsborough May
14, 1775 in Capt. John Worthley's Co., Col. Phinney's 31st Regt.
LEMUEL WELSH enlisted i Dec. 1775 in Capt. Nathan
Watkins' Co., Col. Phinney's i8th Continental Regt. Re-
enlisted 20 Nov. 1776. Was at Ticonderoga.
GEORGE GOODWIN was a Revolutionary pensioner
accredited to Royalsborough. " The last two years of the war
he was waiter to some General." The Mass. Archives mention a
George Goodwin who enlisted 'for three years for town of Brad-
ford. He was in the 6th Regt. from i Jan. 1778 to 31 Dec. 1782.
His receipt for bounty was dated 14 June 1782. He rec'd
clothing 3 Feb. 1784.
JOSHUA STROUT enlisted 9 July 1776 in Samuel Knight's
Co. of Falmouth and was stationed on the sea-coast for defense
of that town.
Other soldiers accredited to Royalsborough in list of
pensioners are DANIEL GREEN, afterwards of Readfield, and
JOSHUA DUNN, afterwards of Phillips.
A goodly number of Revolutionary soldiers from other towns
settled in Royalsborough soon after the war. Among them were.
JACOB SAWYER, enlisted from Cape Elizabeth and served
six months in Capt. Daniel Strout's Co. in 1775 and nine months
in Capt. William Crockett's Co. in 1776, and again in Capt.
Joshua Jordan's Co. Col. Jonathan Mitchell's Regt. in the
Penobscot Expedition from July 7, to Sept. 25, 1779.
ISAAC TURNER enlisted for three years from No.
Yarmouth in Capt. Hill's Co.; Col. Vose's Regt. Was a
pensioner.
CHRISTOPHER TRACY was private in Capt. Henry
Dyer's Co. Col. Foster's Regt. Served at Machias from Aug. to
Oct. 1777. Also private in Capt. Reuben Dyer's Co. on
Expedition against St. John from Oct. to Dec. 1777.
94 HISTORY OF DURHAM
DANIEL HARMON was corporal in Capt. Samuel Whitte-
more's Co., Col. Reuben Fogg's Regt. of Mass. Bay Militia and
served at Peekskill, N. Y.
EBENEZER WOODBURY was in Capt. Richard Davis'
Co., Col. Joshua Wingate's Regt. stationed at Piscataqua Harbor
four months in 1775. Again he was in Capt. Jesse Page's Co.,
Col. Drake's Regt., enlisting 9 Sept. 1777, discharged 15 Dec.
1777. Took part in battle of Saratoga. The American forces
were drawn up in parallel lines facing inward, and Gens. Gates
and Burgoyne passed between arm in arm. It took over two
hours for the captured army to pass through, durmg which time
Woodbury gave his gim to a comrade and lay down and slept.
He was also private in Capt. Jacob Webster's Co. mustered at
Portsmouth, N. H., 23 Nov. 1775, a company of minute men
who served twenty-three days.
JOHN DOW enlisted from Gilmanton, N. H., at the age of
sixteen in Capt. Worthern's Co., Col. Mooney's Regt. Served
5 mos. 27 days in R. I.
ISAAC DAVIS appears in a descriptive list of the men
enlisted from Cumberland Co. for the term of nine months from
the time of their arrival at Fishkill. Age 20 yrs, stature 5 ft. 10
in. Complexion light. Residence, Scarborough. Belonging
to Capt. Larrabee's Co. Col. Fogg's Regt. Arrived at Plshkill
June 17, 1778. Mustered May 26 1778, of Gen. Thompson's
Brigade. Discharged March 17, 1779.
JAMES WAGG of Danville is given because the ancestor of
many who lived in Durham. He enlisted i Jan. 1776 in Capt.
Hart Williams' Co. Edmund Phinney's Regt. from Falmouth.
He served over four years in several re-enlistments. Was at
Valley Forge in 1778. During that year was in Capt. Sewall's
Co. Col. Sprout's Regt.
MARTIN ROURK was in a Picket Guard as early as May
23, 1775, having enhsted April 27, 1775. His first term of service
was 3 mos. 12 dys. Residence, Sudbury. He re-enlisted several
times, serving throughout the war. Was at Ticonderoga in
1776. Was Sergeant after 1777. Stature 5 ft. 4 in.
Complexion light. Eyes, gray. Is said to have acted as clerk.
JOEL RICHARDSON, born in Townsend, Mass. 22 Jan.
1758 ; enlisted from Topsham. Married 9 Dec. 1786 Lydia Babb.
MILITARY RECORD 95
Lived in Litchfield, and Durham, on lot 92, where he died and
was buried 20 Feb. 1827. Also his son Joel, b. 13 Aug. 1787,
died here in March 1838. He had seven other children. (See
Hist, of Litchfield.) Widow afterward lived in Guilford.
ELISHA STETSON was at Point Shirley, 13 June 1776, as
private in Capt. Nathaniel Winslow's Co., Col. Whitney's Regt.
Enlisted i May 1776. Service 7 mos. Again in Capt. Hayward
Pierce's Co., Col. Jeremiah Hall's Regt. Enlisted 2 Jan. 1777.
Service 2 mos. 10 days. Again in Capt. Pierce's Co., Col.
Theophilus Cotton's Regt. Enlisted 25 Sept. 1777. Service 10
mos. 6 days. Again, Corporal in Capt. W^m. Barker's Co., Col.
Cotton's Regt. Enlisted 6 Mch. 1781. Service 28 days.
Served principally in Rhode Island.
JOHN SCOTT was private in Capt. David Bradish's Co.,
Col. Phinney's Regt., enlisting 23 May 1775. W^as also matross
in Capt. Abram Lowell's Co. at Falmouth Sept. i to Dec. 31,
1776.
ROBERT PLUMMER appears on a certificate dated 9 Oct.
T778 as mustered into Lt. Ethan Moore's Co. for three years.
He was matross in Capt. Joseph McLellan's Co. Service from
Nov. I, 1780 to May i, 178 1, in the Artillery Corps at Falmouth.
WILLLVM TRUE was first Sergeant of Capt. Morrill's Co.
Col. Caleb Cushing's Regt. of Mass. Militia in 1775, and Lieut,
in Capt. Benj. Evans' Co. in 1776.
ROGER MERRILL was private in Capt. John Pearson's
Co., Lt. Col. Putnam's Regt. from Sept. 2 to Dec. 8, 1781.
JOHN STACKPOLE enlisted 23 Sept. 1779 in Capt. George
Rogers' Co., Col. Nathaniel Jordan's Regt. Discharged 23 Oct.
1779. Service at Falmouth.
JOHN LINCOLN was private, from Scituate, Mass., in
Capt. Nathaniel Winslow's Co., Col. John Thomas' Regt.
Enlisted May 3, 1775. Served 3 mos. 6 days.
ABRAHAM JORDAN of Cape Elizabeth was in Capt.
Joseph McLellan's Co. Artillery Corps, at Falmouth, Nov. 11,
1780 to May I, 1781. He died in Durham 18 April, 1835.
JOHN LINCOLN was private, from Scituate, Mass. in Capt.
Ebenezer Cook's Co. Enlisted May 3, 1775. Service 3 mos. 6
■days. Re-enlisted several times for short terms of service.
96 HISTORY OF DURHAM
JOSEPH VVEEMAN enlisted from Cape Elizabeth in 1776.
VINCENT FICKETT was in Col. Phinney's i8th Regt.
Dec. 12, 1775 — Nov. 8, 1776.
JOHN SKINNER was in Capt. Samuel Dunn's Co., Col.
Phinney's 31st Regt., enlisting 24 April 1775.
SAMUEL PROCTOR enlisted from Falmouth. The
Pension Rolls say he died at Durham 12 March (29 Nov.)
1795. His widow, Joanna, married Mr. Thompson of Wayne.
JOHN McINTOSH appears in Capt. David Bradish's Co.,
Col. Phinney's 31st Regt., enhsting May 12, 1775 from Falmouth.
ELIJAH LITTLEFIELD was, m 1780, in Gen. Peleg
Wadsworth's command, as a deposition shows.
JOHN CUSHING. See Biog. Sketch.
REV. JACOB HERRICK. See Biog. Sketch.
Other Revolutionary soldiers who settled in Durham were
Joshua Snow, Matthew Duran, Jonathan Larrabee, Jonathan
Currier, Robert Getchell, Nathaniel Osgood, and Amos Knight.
ANCIENT MILITIA.
There was a Training Band in Royalsborough as early as
1778. Who the officers were can not be told. From the roster in
the Adjt.-General's Office in Boston it is learned that July i, 1781,
O. Israel Bagley was commissioned Captain, Ebenezer Newell
Tst Lieut., and Nathaniel Gerrish 2d Lieut. These held office
till 1797. In his Account Book already mentioned Kagley gives
the names of the men who formed his military company,
specifying who had a musket, bayonet, etc. They were evidently
very poorly equipped. The date of Bagley's Muster Roll is
March 23, 1787. The following are the names enrolled. "The
soldiers under command of Capt. Bagley " were voted $10 per
month if called into service, Aug. 28, 1794.
In 1826 William Newell Jr., organized a company of light
infantry called the Cumberland Guards, whose uniform was a
red coat and white pants. This organization continued about a
dozen years under several Captains. About the same time
Durham had a company of Cavalry commanded first by Paul
Douglass and later by Abel Tracy.
MILITARY RECORD
97
MILITIA OF ROYALSBOROUGH.
Captain, O. Israel Bagley,
1st Lieut., Ebenezer Newell.
2nd Lieut., Nathaniel Gerrish.
Sergeant, George Gerrish.
Sergeant, John Randall.
Sergeant, Joshua Snow.
Sergeant, John Vining.
Corporal, Isaac Davis.
Corporal, Jacob Sawyer.
Corporal, Joseph York.
Corporal, Benjamin Vining.
Privates.
Enoch Bagley
William Blake,
Jonathan Currier,
John Gushing,
John Gushing, 3d,
Josiah Day,
Joseph Davis,
Joseph Dean
Matthew Duran,
David Dyer,
Micah Dyer
Henry Farr, Jr.
John Farrar,
Hugh Getchell
Joseph Getchell
Nathaniel Getchell
Robert Getchell,
Robert Plummer
Stephen Randall
Benjamin Roberts
Vincent Roberts
William Roberts
Samuel Tracy,
Christopher Tracy,
Solomon Tracy,
George Goodwin,
Sam'l Goodwin, Jr.
James Hibbard,
William Hoyt,
Elijah Jones,
Joshua Jones,
Nathan Lewis,
Lemuel McGray,
John Mcintosh,
Roger Merrill
Jeremiah Mitchell
John Mitchell.
John Monroe,
Aaron Osgood
Nathan [iel] Osgood.
James Parker
John Parker
Joseph Parker,
Pelatiah Warren
John Wagg,
Nathaniel Ware
Joseph Weeman
Samuel Wells,
Edward Welsh,
Edmund W^eston,
98
HISTORY OF DURHAM
Abel True,
Jonathan True,
Bela Vining,
Samuel York.
John Gushing, Esq.,
Henry Farr,
Charles Gerrish, Esq.,
William Gerrish,
Samuel Goodwin,
John Hoyt,
Ezekiel Jones,
James Mars,
Stephen Weston,
John Winslow,
Ebenezer Woodbury,
Alarm List.
William McGray,
John Parker,
Samuel Ray,
Ebenezer Roberts,
Charles Stetson,
Joshua Strout,
William True,
Benjamin Vining.
OFFICERS OF MILITIA WITH DATES OF
COMMISSION.
Captains.
Nearly all of these served as Ensigns and Lieutenants before
being promoted to the captaincy, and so their names are not
repeated in the lists to follow.
1 78 1. O. Israel Bagley,
1797. Nathaniel Gerrish,
1701. Abel Stoddard,
1806. Joshua Snow,
1809-15. William Webster,
1810-15. Ebenezer Warren,
1815-20. William Newell,
1815-18. Luther Plummer,
1818. Nathaniel Bragdon,
1820. Joseph H. Hoyt,
1823. William Roak,
1824. Jonathan C. Merrill,
1825. John Nason,
1827. William Miller,
1828. '38, and '56. Wm.
Newell, Jr.,
1828. Job P. Sylvester.
1829. Jacob Strout,
1830. John D. Spaulding,
1834. Joseph Warren,
1835. Paul Douglass,
1836. John Plummer,
1836. Sam'l Newell,
1837. Benj. P. Roberts,
1839. Abel Tracy,
1839. Merrill W. Strout,
1839. David B. Strout,
1840. David R. Bowie,
1840. James M. Brickett,
1841. Benj. G. Hoyt,
1842. Wm. H. Parker,
1842. Washington Parker,
Gardner Larrabee.
i
MILITARY RECORD
99
Lieutenants.
Ebenezer Newell, 1838 Sidney Skelton,
1781
1806-12 Abel True,
1806 Elijah Macomber,
1809-19 Elias Staten,
1 81 5 John Gerrish,
1 81 2- 1 5 Francis Harmon,
1819 Apollos Jordan,
1828 Joseph Davis,
1829 Hanson Wilbur,
1837 Horace Wright,
1839 Moses Atkinson,
1839 David Johnson,
1839 Chas. S. Parker, cornet,
1841 Secomb Jordan,
1842 Alexander Bowie,
1856 Israel T. Warren,
1856 2nd. Lt. James Strout Jr.
1856 3d. Lt. Emery S. Warren
1856 4th. Lt. Newell Strout,
The following are called Lieutenant in Town Records, though
the dates of their commission have not been found : William
Gerrish, 1789, and John Hoyt, 1789.
1797.
1809.
1812.
1815.
1808.
i^
Ensigns.
1830.
1816.
1835.
1837.
1843.
1842.
1843.
1844.
Isaac Gerrish,
Samuel Roberts, 1841.
Ebenezer Newell, 1842.
Joshua Gerrish, 1842.
Jacob Herrick, Chaplain.
John Converse, Surgeon's Mate.
John Ricker, Surgeon's Mate.
Joseph Merrill, Surgeon.
Sam'l Newell, Lt. Col.
Emery S. Warren. Quarter Master
Wm. Newell, Lt. Col.
Wm. Newell, Col.
Wm. Newell, Brig.-Gen.
John Gushing, Jr.,
Benj. F. Nason,
Sewall Pollister,
Cyrus Owen,
DURHAM MILITIA IN THE WAR OF 1812.
There seems to have been no use other than ornamental for
the Durham militia until 1814, when there was an alarm at Bath
to the effect that the British were to land an expedition there.
Durham sent two companies to the rescue. They gathered at
the North Meeting House Sunday morning, where Rev. Jacob
Herrick, chaplain of the Regt., offered a fervent prayer before
their departure. The pay roll of one company is in the posses-
sion of E. H. Gerrish of Lewiston. It is of great interest as
lOO
HISTORY OF DURHAM
bearing the autograph signatures of the members of the company.
This pa)'-roll shows that the Lieut, was paid $30 per month ; the
Ensign $20; Sergeants $11; Corporals $10; filer and drummer
$9 ; and privates $8. The total cost of this company for a
campaign of twenty days was $478.50. Even miniature warfare
is an expensive business. No enemy appeared, though many of
the militiamen were frightened by false alarms. The following
names appear on the "Muster-Roll of Capt. Ebenezer Warren's
Company of Infantry of the 2nd. Regt. ist. Brigade, nth
Division in the service of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
under command of Lt.-Col. Charles Thomas, from the loth of
Sept. to the 29th of Sept. 1814, — called into actual service under
Regt.'s orders of Sept. loth, 1814, and stationed and discharged
at Bath."
Ebenezer Warren, Capt.
(Lame at home)
Francis Harmon, Lieut.
William Newell, Ensign,
Zebulon York, Sergt.
Ebenezer Roberts, Sergt.
Henry Warren, Sergt.
Joshua Gerrish, Corp.
John Fifield, Corp.
Lemuel Nichols, Corp.
Ivory Warren, Corp.
Israel Newell, Fifer,
James Woodbury, Drum.
William Gerrish, Sergt.
Privates.
Andrew Adams, Jr.,
James Booker,
John Blethen,
Joseph Beal,
Francis Bennet,
Andrew Blethen,
James Gushing,
W^illiam Davis,
Nathaniel Duran,
James Dyer,
Richard Dyer, (Sick on
furlough, Sept. 22.)
John Farr,
O. Israel Fifield,
Samuel Goodwin,
Charles Gerrish,
Benjamin Gerrish, Certificate,
Reuben Higgins,
John Hoyt, Jr., Certificate,
Joseph Hoyt,
Timothy M. Hibbard,
William Harrington,
William Johnson, Certificate,
Francis Knight,
George Littlefield,
Joseph Malcom,
James Maxwell,
Jabez Merrill. (Notified to
appear, Sept. 10.)
Peter Mitchell. (Absent on
furlough, Sept. 22.)
Benjamin M. Moses,
John Newell. (Servant to
Ensign Newell.)
MILITARY RECORD
lOI
John Gerrish,
James Gerrish, Certificate,
Moses Gerrish,
Daniel Harmon,
O. Israel Harmon,
(Servant to Lieut. Harmon)
Robert Harmon, at Portland
Nathaniel Osgood, Jr.,
Samuel G. Osgood,
Seth Pierce,
Wm. Porterfield,
John Rourk,
William Roak,
Thomas Runnels,
Andrew Scott,
(Substitute Rowland Hill.)
Ebenezer Snow,
Isaac Stetson,
Charles Stetson,
Ebenezer Strout,
(Notified to appear, Sept. lO.)
Theophilus Thomas,
Total, 82.
The following Roll was prepared by Z. K. Harmon and placed
in the Adjutant General's Office at Augusta.
Roll of Capt. William Webster's Co. of Militia in Lieut.-Col.
Charles Thomas' Regt., raised in Durham and in service at Bath
13th to 27th Sept. 1814.
James Nichols,
Clement Orr,
Aaron Osgood, Jr. Discharged
Sept. 16.
David Osgood, Jr.,
Moses Osgood,
Jacob Herrick, Jr. (Notified to
appear Sept. 10.)
Benjamin True,
Benjamin Vining,
William Vining,
Stephen Wesson,
Rufus Warren, (On furlough
Sept. 22.)
Samuel Wagg,
(Notified to appear Sept. 10.)
Henry Wormell,
Simeon Snow,
Moses Snow,
Job Sylvester, 3rd.,
Joseph Sylvester,
Samuel Tracy, Certificate,
William Webster, Capt.
Elias Staten, Lieut.
Samuel Roberts, Ensign,
Jeremiah Dingley, Sergt.
Thomas Waterhouse, Sergt.
Luther Plummer, Sergt.
John Stackpole, Jr., Sergt.
Nathaniel Bragdon, Corp.
Edmond Dow, Corp.
John Mitchell, Corp.
Joshua Robinson, Fifer.
Thomas Austin,
David Bowie,
George Bowie,
Simeon Blethen,
Privates.
Andrew Hunnewell,
Benjamin Hunnewell,
John Hunnewell,
Moses Hunnewell,
I02
HISTORY OF DURHAM
John Bragdon, Jr.,
Ephraim Bragdon,
John Dingley,
John Ellis,
Thomas Fabyan,
Joshua Fickett,
Rishworth Fickett,
Reuben Gross,
Andrew Harriden,
Dennis Libby,
Moses Libby,
William Libby, Jr.,
Orlando Merrill,
Isaac Martin,
Charles McKenny,
Jedidiah McKenny,
William McKenny,
David Miller, Jr.,
Samuel Nichols, Jr.,
Amos Parker,
Nathaniel Parker,
Elijah Proctor,
George Proctor,
Samuel Putney,
George Rice,
Robert Hunnewell,
Joshua Jones, Jr.,
Isaac Lambert,
John Larrabee,
Jonathan Larrabee,
Joseph Larrabee,
Nathaniel Larrabee,
William Larrabee,
William Larrabee, Jr.,
Reuben Roberts,
Samuel Roberts, Jr.,
Samuel Sawyer,
Samuel Skinner,
Samuel Stackpole,
Jeremiah Stoddard,
James Strout,
Jonathan Strout,
Ammi Vining,
Samuel Ward,
William Webster, Jr.,
Nathaniel Wilbur,
Thomas Roberts, 3rd.,
Samuel Turner,
Daniel Rice,
Total, 68.
Durham is said to have furnished the following volunteers in
the War of 1812. I am unable to give authority for the state-
ment.
Nathaniel Bragdon, Ezekiel Mcintosh,
Jarvis Beal, John Nason,
Theophilus Knight, William Roak,
Asa Lambert, William Weeks,
Simeon Sanborn, Samuel Goodwin,
Barstow Newell.
SOLDIERS IN THE REBELLION.
The Rebellion had some sympathizers in Durham, but they
were few and are now well forgotten. The town was for the
Union and for the abolition of slavery. The first adherents of
the Republican party had been reproached for voting a "nigger
MILITARY RECORD
103
ticket," but when the strife of arms came all except an inglorious
few wanted freedom for all. The town voted bounties for volun-
teers and also for the drafted, ranging from $100 to $300. The
total amount paid in bounties was $27,673. Durham is
accredited with one hundred and sixty-one soldiers. Some of
these were men obtained to fill the quota, and as substitutes, from
other towns. The following ninety-nine names, gathered from
the Adjutant General's Reports, are the men of Durham who
served in the Rebellion, though other natives of the town enlisted
from and were accredited to other places. Twenty-one of these
sacrificed their lives for their country, of whom eight fell in
battle. None was worthier than Samuel Newell who after having
served in the militia in all offices up to Lieut.-Col., after having
resigned the last office in order to enlist as a private, in 1839,
in the threatened Madawaska campaign, dyed his hair and at the
age of fifty-six passed for forty-five, enlisting as a private
musician. He died in the Marine Hospital at New Orleans.
>V
W
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s
fu
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K
19
Privt.
K
18
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K
25
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H
26
Corp.
D
38
Privt.
B
18
"
I
21
"
H
22
'<
F
18
"
D
24
"
E
18
<•
19
"
B
18
"
D
19
Corp.
D
Sergt.
E
39
Wagr.
B
17
Privt.
F
18
"
E
20
"
D
28
Corp.
I
22
Privt.
E
24
"
E
46
"
D
31
"
A
19
'•
B
18
"
I
21
Corp.
B
26
Band.
20
Privt.
E
26
Corp.
F
IS
Privt.
A
20
"
K
20
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D
B
20
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MUSTERED
OUT.
Blaney C. Allen.
John R. Anderson.
Wm. W. Bailey.
Henry Beal.
James P. Beal.
Thomas R. Beals.
Isaac M. Bishop.
Isaac A. Bletlien.
Willard A. Bowie.
Wra. D. Brewster.
Silas Campbell.
Samuel Cary.
Nathaniel D. Chase.
Arthur L. Coombs.
James E. Covel.
Albert Crockett.
Sylvester Cushing.
John H. Davis.
William Davis.
Francis Day.
Joseph T. Dennison.
Charles Doughty.
George Duran.
Benj. F. Estes.
Jeremiah Estes.
Julius E. Eveleth.
Andrew G. Fitz.
Henry E. Fitz.
B. Franklin Frost.
Almon J. Gardiner.
Chas. C. Gatchell.
Joseph P. Gatchell.
Nelson Gatchell.
James Gatchell.
Eben Gould.
f 12th Me.
1st Me.
25th Me.
16th Me.
1st Me.
10th Me.
25th Me.
5th Me.
25th Me.
13 Mass.
25th Me.
30th Me.
25th Me.
10th Me.
30th Me.
lll.Vols.
25th Me.
16th Me.
5th Me.
7th Me.
Ist Art.
9th Me.
16th Me.
25th Me.
10th Me.
11 U.S.I.
5th Me.
1st Me.
16th Me.
7th Me.
25th Me.
5th Me.
1st Art.
Nov. 16, '61
Nov. 16, '61
May 3, '61
Sept. 29,'62
Sept. 29,'62
Aug. 14,'62
May 3, '61
Oct. 4, '61
Sept. 29,'62
I June 24,'61
j Apr. 14, '65
I Sept. 29, '62
Sept.29,'62
Sept. 29, '62
Dec. 12, '63
Jan. 19, '65
Sept. 29,'62
Oct. 4, '61
Dec. 12, '63
Oct. 4, '62
Aug. 14,'62
June 24,'61
June24,'61
Aug. 22,'61
Jan. 2, '64
Sept. 22,'61
Aug. 14, '62
Sept.29,'62
Oct. — '61.
June 24,'61
Mav 3, '61
Sep"t.23,'64
Aug. 21, '61
Sept.29,'62
Dec. 18, '61
Aug. 5, '61
July 10, '63
July 10, '63
Aug. 5, '61
May 7, '63
July 10, '63
May 19, '65
July 10, '63
July 10, '63
July 10, '63
Sept. 5, '65
July 10, '63
July 10, '63
July 27, '64
July 13, '65
July 10, '63
Sept., '62.
Aug. 5, '61
June 5, '65
[Aug. 28,'62.
Discharged for disability.
Died at Fortress Monroe
[Feb. 8, 1862.
Promoted Sergeant.
Sick ; discharged Feb. 4, '63.
Promoted corporal. Killed
[Nov. 27, 1863.
Disch. disability, May 20,
[1864.
Killed, Autietam, Sep.17,'62.
Sick; disch. July 31, 1865.
■Wound. Gettysburg, July 1, '63.
Pr.corp.; taken pris. Aug.19,'64.
Promoted corp. and sergt.
Discharged Oct. 3, 1861.
Discharged for disability.
Died of wounds, Apr. 10, '64.
Promoted corporal.
D. Annapolis, Md. Oct. 5,'63.
Discharged, May 8, 1862.
Pr. Corp. D. Jan. 24, 1862.
D. in hospital, Dec. 15, 1862.
Enlisted from Biddeford.
I04
HISTORY OF DURHAM
Amaziah Grant.
Samuel R. Grant.
Henry Hackett.
Edwin D. Hall.
Daniel Harvey.
Charles Haskell.
John D. Haskell.
John Q. Jordan.
George F. Joy.
George G. Leavens.
Sam'l Loring.
Sam'l B. Libby.
Wm. Mcintosh.
Geo. L. Macomber.
Joseph Macomber.
Melvin W. Marston.
Chas. S. Merrill.
Horace P. Merrill.
James R. Merrill.
John Merrill.
Seward Merrill.
Wm. S. Michaels.
James H. Miller.
Horace H. Moody.
Enoch F. Newell.
Joseph Newell.
Samuel Newell.
Edwin Osgood.
Jeremiah Osgood.
Albert W. Owen.
Geo. H. Parker.
Wm. H. PoUister.
Cyrus A. Roak.
AKred Roberts.
Benj. F. Roberts.
Nahum Roberts.
Wm. H. H. Roberts.
Edmund H. Soper.
E. W. Stetson.
Benj. F. Stevens.
Geo. T. Storah.
Frederick H. Strout.
Freeman H. Strout.
Newell Strout.
Prescott R. Strout.
Revillo Strout.
Sumner N. Strout.
Daniel Sutherland.
Orville Swett.
Roscoe Sylvester.
Sam'l M. Thomas.
Alonzo G. Turner.
George Tuttle.
Rufus Tuttle.
Thomas Tuttle.
Irving Tyler.
Joseph Tyler.
Francis Venus.
Oren S. Vickery.
Wm. A. Walker.
Chas. A. N. Waterman.
Chas. W. Wills.
Joseph O. Wilson.
Sam'l A. Wilson.
45 Privt.
20
44
29
IS
21
Corp.
Privt.
Sergt.
Privt.
Corp.
Privt.
Corp.
Privt.
Mus.
Drumr.
Corp.
Privt.
Corp.
Privt.
10th Me.
16th Me.
1st Cav.
5th Me.
1st Me.
10th Me.
11 U.S.I.
25th Me.
20th Me.
16th Me.
Ohio Rgt.
20th Me.
25th Me.
29th Me.
30th Me.
20th Me.
1st Me.
25th Me.
20th Me.
30th Me.
MUSTEKED
MUSTERED
OUT.
K 20th Me.
Corp.
Sergt.
Capt.
Corp.
Sergt.
Lieut.
Privt.
Mus.
Privt.
Mus.
Privt.
Oct. 4, '61
Oct. 4, '61
Aug. 14,'62
Feb. 19, '64
June24,'61
May 3, '61
Oct. 4, '61
Sept.29,'62
Aug. 29,'62
Aug. 14, '62
Aug. 29,'62
Sept. 29,'62
Sept. 16,'64
Dec. 12, '63
Aug.29,'62
Aug. 29,'62
May 3, '61
Sept 29,'62
Aug. 29,'62
Dec. 12, '63
May 7, '63
Aug. 5, '61
July 10, '63
July 16, '65
1865
July 10, '63
June 5, '65
Aug. 20,'65
Aug. 5, '61
July 10, '63
5th Me.
20th Me.
17th Me.
30th Me.
N.Y.Vols.
13th Me.
25th Me.
30th Me.
1st Me. .
10th Me.
20th Me.
30th Me.
10th Me.
25th Me.
1st Art.
32d Me.
9th Me.
12th Me.
25th Me.
Wis. Art.
25th Me.
13th Me.
3rd Me.
30th Me.
25th Me.
30th Me.
5th Me.
17th Me.
5th Me.
20th Me.
Mass .Inf.
5th Me.
20th Me.
25th Me.
5th Me.
1st Art.
32d Me.
25th Me.
8th Me.
Aug. 29,'62
Aug. 29,'62
Mch. 13, '65
Dec. 12, '63
Dec. 10, '61
Sept. 29,'62
Dec. 12, '63
Mays, '61
Oct. 4, '61
Aug.29,'62
Dec. 12, '63
Oct. 4, '61
Sept. 29,'62
Dec. 30, '63
Mch.23,'64
Oct. 8, '63
Nov. 16, '61
Sept.29,'62
Sept. 29,'62
Dec. 4, '61
June 4, '61
June 4, '61
June 4, '61
Dec. 12, '63
Sept.29,'62
Dec. 12, '63
Mch. 13,'65
June24,'61
Aug. 29,'62
June 24,'61
Aug.29,'62
Aug. 29,'62
Sept. 29,'62
Sept. 29, '62
Sept. 16,'62
June 24, '61
June 28,'64
May 6, '64
Sept. 29,'62
Dec. 21, '63
Jan. 6, '65
July 10, '63
Aug. 21,'65
Aug. 5, '61
Aug. 20,'65
July 11, '63
July 10, '63
June 28,'64
July 10, '63
Disch. for disability, Oct. 4,
Disch. June 2, 1865. [1862.
Discharged June 5, 1865.
Killed at Gaines's Mill.
Pr. 2d. Lieut. Wounded at
[Slaughter Mountain.
[18, 1863.
Lost an arm in battle. Dis. Feb.
D. of fever. Mar. 6, 1862.
Detailed to Signal Corps, '63.
[Prisoner at AndersonviUe.
D. in AndersonviUe prison, July
[29, 1864.
[1863.
Killed, Gettysburg, July 2,
D. of disease, June 19, 1864.
Enlisted from Gardiner.
Pr. sergt. Wounded June 21, '63.
[Trans, to Vet .Corps, Oct. 11, '64.
D. Pt. Lookout, Aug. 30, '62.
Pr. Corp. and sergt. Dis. '64.
Never joined rgt. Dis. Portland.
Tr. Vet. C. D. June 30, '64.
Killed by sharpshooter near
[Richmond, Aug. 1, 1864.
Promoted sergeant.
[in Durham, 1862.
Dis. for dis., April 11, '62. D.
Tr. to Vet. C, Sept. 25, 1863.
Dis. for disability June 5,'62.
" April 20, '63.
" July 17, '64.
Pr. Corp. B.inhosptl. July 9, '65.
Discharged July 10, 1865.
Re-enlisted 1865. Wounded
[Sept. 19, 1865.
June 4, '65
July 10, '63
July 10, '63
June21,'65
July 10, '63
Enlisted from Lewiston.
Pr. 1st sergeant.
Killed Chantilly, Apr. 11,'62.
Resigned Aug. 8, 1861.
Disch. as supernumerary.
Killed at Pleasant Hill, Apr.
Not mustered in. [9, 1864.
Never joined Co. Mustered out.
Discharged Oct. 3, 1861.
Disch. for disability, March
[5, 1863.
Dropped from roll by order, '62.
Discharged. [D. Durham,'62.
Pr. principal musician.
Pr. Corporal.
Killed in action, Jan. 3, 1864.
Disch. Feb. 5, 1863.
Tr. to 31st Inf.
Died of wounds June 14, '64.
1
REV. ALLEN H. COBB.
A FEW OUT OF MANY IO5
IX.
A FEW OUT OF MANY
REV. ALLEN H. COBB was born in Barnstable, Mass., 21
Nov. 1780. He was admitted to N. E. Conf. of the M. E. Church
in 1802, and settled in Durham in 1818, where he remained till
his death, 15 Sept. 1856. He was a member of the Convention
that formed the Constitution of Maine in 1820. He repre-
sented Durham in the Legislature nine years. Was Sen-
ator from Cumberland Co. two years and two years a
member of the Executive Council. He once said "If
life could be lived over again, I would continue in the
itinerancy, rather than enjoy civil honors." He preached here
and there, as opportunity was afforded throughout his life.
In 1848 he was readmitted to the Maine Conf. as a mark of
respect for his valuable services and placed on the superannuated
list. "He was faithful in all that was committed to him, ever
ready with his counsel to serve any, and emphatically a friend
of the poor, the widow and the orphan. As a preacher he
retained his popularity to the last. He was clear, methodical and
instructive in his discourses. A great crowd attended his funeral,
and the falling tear and subdued feeling showed how much he
was loved. "^
He married (i) 14 April 1.807, Jane Ferguson of Durham who
died 13 Feb. 1815; (2) 16 April 1816 Nancy, sister to his first
wife. She died 21 Feb. 1871, aged 80 yrs. He lived on the
"Hallowell Road"' between S. W. Bend and Methodist Corner.
The Records of Durham show 276 marriages solemnized by him.
By his first marriage the children were John, born in Bethel
I April 1808, who was for many years a useful and beloved
member of the Maine Conf., as is still his son, Rev. Gershom F.
Cobb ; Maria, who m. Elbridge Osgood ; Hannah ; and Susan,
d. 21 Nov. 1837, aged 23 yrs.
By second marriage there were George F. ; Charles
^Minutes of Maine Conference. Memoir written by Rev. Chas. W.
Morse.
I06 HISTORY OF DURHAM
CoRYDON, born in Durham 17 Sept. 1818, m. 5 June 1842 Esther
Sydleman, d. at Colorado Springs 18 July 1889; their children
born in Durham were Allen Corydon, b. 13 Jan. 1853, and Frank
Woodbury, b. 20 Nov. 185 1 ; Edward, b. 25 Sept. 1820, lives at
179 Brookline St., Boston, Mass. ; Allen, b. 7 Oct. 1824, d. 22
Dec. 1834.
HON. NELSON DINGLEY, Jr., son of Nelson and Jane
(Lambert) Dingley, was born Feb. 15, 1832, on lot 90 in
Durham, in the house now occupied by Herbert Wagg. So
many extended biographical sketches of him have been published
that it is here needful to state only the salient points of his career.
When he was very young, his parents removed to Parkman,
thence to Unity, Me. He entered Waterville College in 1851
and graduated at Dartmouth College in 1855, having meanwhile
gained much experience as a teacher, writer and debater. He
studied law with Fessenden & Morrill of Auburn and was
admitted to the bar in 1856. He purchased the Lewiston
Journal in 1856, added a daily edition in 1861 (when his brother
Frank L. Dingley became connected with him in business) and
soon gained for it a reputation as an advocate of Republican
principles, anti-slavery, temperance and good morals. He was
chosen Representative from Auburn to the State Legislature,
1861-2, and from Lewiston 1863-4, 1867 and 1872. Was twice
elected Speaker of the House. In 1867-8 he was at the head
of the State Lodge of Good Templars. In 1873 he was elected
Governor of Maine and re-elected the following year. During
all this time he was conspicuous as a political writer and speaker.
In 1 88 1 he was elected a member of the National House of
Representatives, and has been a member of every Congress since
that date. His speeches on American Shipping and National
P^inance have caused him to be recognized as a leader. He has
served as Chairman of several very important committees. In
1894 he was made Chairman of the Committee of Ways and
Means, and became leader of the Republican majority of the
House. He was tendered by President McKinley the posi-
tion of Secretary of the Treasury, but preferred to remain
in the House. He was in 1898 a member of the International
Commission to adjust dififerences with Canada. The success of
the Dingley Tarifif Bill has confirmed his reputation as a financier
and statesman.
HON. NELSON DINGLEY, JR.
A FEW OUT OF MANY IO7
Mr. Dingley is a member of the Congregational Church and
was Moderator of the National Congregational Council in 1894,
at Syracuse, N. Y. He was honored with the degree of LL.D.
by Bates College in 1874 and by Dartmouth College in 1894.
Durham is proud of him, and he has no reason to be ashamed
of Durham. He showed his loyalty to his native town by
delivering the principal address at her Centennial in 1889.
Since the above was written Mr. Dingley has died at Wash-
ington, D. C, 13 Jan. 1899, of pneumonia, lamented by the entire
nation. The loss of his public services is deeply felt. All parties
unite to do honor to the memory of a noble and eminently useful
life.
THOMAS ESTES was the son of Caleb and Lydia (Bishop)
Estes, and was of the fourth generation from Richard Estes,
the Quaker immigrant, who came from Dover, England, to
Boston in 1684 and afterwards settled in Lynn, Mass.
Thomas Estes was born in Durham, Maine, August 20, 1784,
and died there October 16, 1870, on the farm which he purchased
in the southern part of the town. He married Betsey Hayford
Alden of Greene, Maine.
He was a man of sound judgment and a prosperous farmer.
Though his own early education was somewhat limited, he was
a great reader and strove to give his children all the advantages
possible in acquiring an education beyond the common school.
He was a Justice of the Peace, performed the marriage ceremony,
did conveyancing for his neighbors and townspeople, and held
office on the board of selectmen. He represented Durham two
years in the legislature.
Attaining his majority during the administration of President
Jefferson, he early became imbued with the principles of the
Democratic party and adhered to that faith through all the
mutations of politics until he died. He was a great admirer of
Andrew Jackson who was his beau ideal statesman.
He was born and reared a Quaker, but choosing to marry
out of the society and thus incur its penalty he was "disowned,"
as was the custom in those days for such "worldly behavior."
His religious sympathies, however, remained with the society of
his Quaker ancestors, and long years before his death he again
united with it. A Quaker from principle and love of peace —
one of the cardinal tenets of that denomination — while discoun-
tenancing disloyalty and rebellion, he did not look with favor
I08 HISTORY OF DURHAM
COL. WM. R. G. ESTES. The subject of this sketch was
the son of Thomas and Betsey Hayford (Alden) Estes, and was
born in Durham November 22, 1830. He was the eleventh
of twelve children — six sons and six daughters. His grand-
father, Caleb Estes, was one of the early settlers of Durham,
settling there in 1769. On his mother's side he traces his
ancestry to John Alden of the Mayflower, and is the eighth in
Imeal descent from him made famous in history and song. He
is of Revolutionary stock, his grandfather, Benjamin Alden, and
his great-grandfather, William Hayford, having been soldiers
in the Revolutionary War. Born and reared on a rugged New
1
upon Friends taking up arms and joining in the fratricidal strife
between the States during the Civil war, believing such action
on the part of Friends inconsistent with the fundamental
teachings of the Quaker discipline. But he was a lover of the
whole Union and did not countenance in any sense the secession.
A man of sterling integrity, positive and honest in his convic-
tions, and well informed on all public questions, he never shrank
from political discussion.
As a neighbor he was obliging and tolerant to those
disagreeing with him. He was a temperance man from principle
and habit. As a father of a large family — twelve children whom |
he lived to see grown men and women — he was one of the
kindest of men and indulgent in all that conduced to their tem-
poral welfare and happiness. Somewhat stern in his manner,
never playful nor frivolous, only a word or a look from him was
required to command silence and obedience, whenever the
boisterous children had their "little differences" as he termed it
His death occurred before that of any of his children, and he lived
to see his youngest child nearly forty years and his oldest
nearly sixty years of age. Being of a vigorous constitution like
his ancestors, he transmitted the priceless inheritance to his
children. "
Retaining his mental faculties in a remarkable degree to the
last, he passed away in peace, with an unfaltering trust and child-
like faith in the love and mercy of his God. He attained the
ripe old age of eighty-six years, and was buried near where
repose the ashes of his ancestors in the old cemetery near the
Friends' meeting house at South Durham. }
i
THOMAS ESTES.
I
COL. WILLIAM R. G. LttTEs.
A FEW OUT OF MANY
109
England farm, inured to its toil, he early learned to be self-
reliant.
He was educated in the schools of his native town, and the
academies at Litchfield and North Yarmouth. It was his inten-
tion to pursue a college course at Bowdoin, but trivial events
often change the current of one's life, and so it was in his case,
when he abandoned the idea of a literary life and chose a more
active vocation, that of shipbuilding which he followed summers,
teaching school winters. On the decline of shipbuilding, in the
spring of 1855, he went to Dubuque, Iowa, where, with an older
brother, he began the foundation of a mercantile life. Remain-
mg in the West three years, he returned to Maine, and in 1861
located in Skowhegan, where he built up a successful business
which he continued some thirty-six years, and where he now
resides in the enjoyment of a pleasant home.
He has been twice married. First to Maria E. Osgood of his
native town, who died in 1864, leaving a daughter. His second
wife was Caroline Walker of Skowhegan, who has been his
companion since 1865.
His political afifiliations have been with the Democratic party,
but he has never sought ofifice nor aspired to political honors.
But believing in party organization, he has been active on town,
county and state committees, and has always taken a deep
interest in national politics. By the choice of his political towns-
men he was appointed Postmaster for Skowhegan by President
Cleveland, and held that ofifice under two administrations over
a full term, raising the postal service to a high standard.
He obtained his military title by serving on the stafif of Gov.
Alonzo Garcelon.
Though by education and parental training a Quaker, his
independence of character and habits of thinking for himself
led him to embrace a broader and more liberal theology.
Firmly anchored to the hope of an immortal life beyond the
grave, his belief is that, in the Fatherhood of God, all will
ultimately be brought to holiness and happiness.
He joined the Masonic fraternity on reaching the required
age, in 1853, in Freeport Lodge, where he now holds an honorary
membership, and has since been an active and prominent Free
Mason, serving as master of Somerset Lodge at Skowhegan
three years in succession, and holding in the Grand Lodge of
no HISTORY OF DURHAM
Maine many important offices, from District Deputy Grand
Master to Grand Master. He has been active, also, in some of
the so-called higher Masonic bodies, notably in the Grand coun-
cil of Royal and Select Masters, where he held the office of
Grand Master, and also in the Grand Commandery of Knights
Templar, where he served two years as Grand Generalissimo —
then declining promotion. Though not active in Scottish Rite
Masonry, he is a member of Portland Consistory and a thirty-
second degree Mason.
He is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution.
LEWIS ALDEN ESTES, son of Thomas Estes, was born
in Durham ii Dec. 1815. He graduated at Bowdoin College
in the class of 1S44. In 1847 he took charge of a Friends'
Boarding School in Richmond, Ind. From 1870 to 1875 he
was President of Wilmington College, Ohio. He then resigned
and became President of the bank of Westfield, Ind., and also
engaged in farming. He married (i) 24 Feb. 1848 Huldah
C, dau. of Nathan C. and Abigail (Robinson) Hoag of Monkton,
Vt. She was associated with him as a teacher for many years,
b. 17 Sept. 1817, d. 6 Aug. 1875. He married (2) 12 Dec. 1879
Esther Owen Brown of Westfield, Mass. His two sons, Ludovic
and Thomas Rowley, were graduates of Haverford College, both
teachers, and both have died within the past year.
JULIUS EDWTN EVELETH, b. July 2, 1841, at Durham,
attended the public schools of his native town and later the
Lewiston Falls Academy; after which he taught in Brunswick
and New Gloucester. At the age of twenty-one years he enlisted
in the 25th Me. Reg. for the term of nine months and at the
expiration was mustered out of the service. He again taught
school at Brunswick and then went to Boston and secured a
position with R. H. Stearns & Co. where he remained for ten
years. In Jan. 1873 he, with four other salesmen, left the
employ of Messrs. Stearns & Co. and formed the house of Russ,
Cobb & Co., Importers and Jobbers. In 1890 Mr. Cobb retired
and the firm name changed to Russ, Eveleth & Ingalls, the
present style. As a buyer of foreign goods Mr. Eveleth's duties
have required visits to Europe twice a year for the past ten years.
Mr. Eveleth's home is in Lincoln, seventeen miles out from
Boston, where he has for several years been a member of the
JULIUS EDAVIN EVELETH.
I
JOSEPH MARRINER GERRISH.
A FEW OUT OF MANY III
School Board and Trustee of town funds. He is also a member
of the Boston Art Club and of the Pine Tree State Club of Bos-
ton. He mar. Aug. 22, 1868, Mary Adeline, dau. of Harvey Reed
of Livermore, Ale., by whom he has had five children, Mabel
(deceased), Charles Frederick (Mass. Inst. Tech. 1895), May
Pauline, Edwin Harlan, and Julius Malcolm.
JOSEPH MARRINER GERRISH. He was the son of
Capt. Nathaniel and Sarah (]Marriner) Gerrish and was born in
Royalsborough 24 Mch. 1783 and died in Portland 30 April 1853.
For record of his family see Genealogy of the Gerrish family in
this book.
It is related of him that when he was a youth and drove ox-
teams with masts to Freeport he sometimes halted at the school
house on lower County Road, where Sarah, daughter of Parson
Herrick, was teaching school. He took his place in the spelling
class and "spelled down"' all the pupils, he being a famous
speller.
The journals of Portland at the time of his death speak in
very high terms of the character and public services of Mr.
Gerrish. Especially the Hon. William Willis, author of a
History of Portland, pays a tribute to his memory. Mr. Gerrish
went to Portland as a poor boy and at first found employment
in the ofhce of Samuel Freeman who was then Clerk of Courts.
In 1807 he was made Deputy Sheriff, in which office he continued
many years. He was Treasurer of Portland 1823-5, and in 1831
was chosen Representative to the Legislature. Afterward he
became proprietor of the Portland Advertiser. After his retire-
ment from business his services were often sought as referee and
in the administration of estates.
He was Treasurer of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Portland
from its organization until 1837. The Records of the Lodge
show that the salary voted him was given yearly into the Charity
Fund. He was Past Commander of Maine Encampment and
a member of the Grand Encampment of Massachusetts and
Rhode Island. In 1818-19 he was Master of Ancient Land Mark
Lodge, having served as Senior Warden in 18 17.
In every relation of life Mr. Gerrish was a kind, faithful and
true man, upright and conscientious in the discharge of duty,
and benevolent and amiable in social intercourse. "The peculiar
112 HISTORY OF DURHAM
excellencies of his character were honesty of purpose, fidelity and
generosity to friends, attachment to domestic enjoyments and
relations, consistency and steadiness of action, a courteous
deportment and polished manners, and the prompt and intelligent
discharge of all his engagements, directed by a sincere desire to
promote individual and public good." The Argus said, "He
was a useful man, ever ready to serve his fellow-citizens. How
numerous the pages that must be written to tell of all his half
century of good service ! He was a humane man. If he had
an enemy we do not know it. He was benevolent. The cause
that with beseeching eye or pathetic voice appealed to his heart
never went unsatisfied away." The Eclectic said, "He was a
man every way worthy of our high esteem. In every relation
in life his character shone out in the most estimable light.
There were no repelling points to it, but all was well rounded, —
all conspired to draw us toward him, to attract our love and
esteem."
JOHN JORDAN GERRISH, son of James and Mary (Syl-
vester) Gerrish was born in Durham, near the old Gerrish home-
stead 21 Dec. 1 82 1. The meager schooling of a rural district
was supplemented by a term at the Bath High School and a
winter of teaching in Webster in 1842. In 1846 he became an
employe of the old Atlantic and St. Lawrence Railroad, now the
Grand Trunk, and continued in their service till Oct. 1863 and
with other Railroads till 1871. Railroading was then in a prim-
itive condition, and those engaged in it were expected to know
all about it and be ready for any service, such as track-repairing,
train-service and general jobbing. Mr. Gerrish acted ten years
as conductor, yard-master and assistant to the " Chief." There
were plenty of extra hours, extra labors, extra trains, but no extra
pay. After 1871 he was for over twenty years in trade in Port-
land. He served two years in the lower branch of the City
Government and was two terms an Alderman and Overseer of
the poor. He served fourteen years as Trustee of Evergreen
Cemetery. In all positions his capacity, intelligence, and integ-
rity of character have been recognized.
He married, 21 Dec. 1848 Susan R. Small of Lisbon, and
has since resided in Portland.
i
JOHN JOKDAN GEKKISH.
A FEW OUT OF MANY I 1 3
ZEBULON KING HARMON, the son of Daniel and Mary
(True) Harmon, was born in Durham 11 Nov. 1816. At the age
of eighteen he began to learn the printer's trade in Brunswick,
where he remained three years. He was for two years clerk in
St. Charles, Mo. Was several years in the County Clerk's ofifice
in Portland. For thirty years he was solicitor of claims. He
completed for the State a muster-roll of the soldiers of Mame
in the War of 1812. He filed over six hundred pension claims.
He was an earnest promoter of the Society of the Sons of the
American Revolution. He was a good citizen, honored and
respected by all who knew him. He often visited his native
town, and took an active part in its Centennial, reading a sketch
of Isaac Royall's life. He died in Portland, 16 March, 1895.
He married 29 Nov. 1846, Harriet A. dau. of Isaac and Mary
(Little) Davis of Portland. Their son, Charles C, is a member
of the firm of Loring, Short & Harmon.
JACOB HERRICK, ESQ., son of Rev. Jacob and Sarah
(Webster) Herrick, was born in Beverly, Mass., 29 March, 1791.
When five years of age he rode on a pillion with his mother to
Durham in five days. He entered Phillips Academy, Andover,
in 1805, and was for a time a student in Bowdoin College, class
of 1810. He married 13 Jan. 1813, Abigail, dau. of Capt. John
Scott of Durham. "She was a slight, dark woman, of delicate
physique, but of unbounded energy and vivacity, generous^
amiable and notably unselfish." Their early married life was
spent in Durham, where he was a farmer and Notary Public.
In 1845 they moved to Auburn, where "Squire Herrick" was
well known as a claim-agent and Justice of the Peace. He was
a man of fair complexion and rather portly figure, of marked
literary taste, and endowed with a keen sense of humor and a
ready wit which made him an admirable raconteur. He died in
Auburn 12 June 1864. His widow died in Portland in 1877.
For some account of his family see chapter on Genealogy.
WILLIAM HENRY LAMBERT, son of Isaac and Lucy
(Dingley) Lambert, was born in Durham 8 Aug. 1843. He fitted
for college at Lewiston Falls Academy and graduated at Water-
ville College, now Colby University, in 1865. He was admitted
to the bar at Augusta in 1867 and to the Mass. bar in 1883, but
114 HISTORY OF DURHAM
never practiced law. He was successively principal of the high
schools at Castine, Augusta, Lewiston and Fall River, Mass. He
was Supt. of Schools in Maiden, Mass., 1879-84. He returned to
Fall River as principal of the high school and died there 4 Nov.
1890. Colby University honored him with the degree of Ph. D.
in 1889. He served for a time as Editor of the Maine School
Journal, and at the time of his death was President of the Mass.
State Teachers' Association. He edited "Memory Gems" and
'"Robinson Crusoe" for use in schools, and contributed to the
New England Journal of Education and other school journals.
An editorial in a Fall River paper thus speaks of him : — " Dr.
Lambert was held in universal esteem. He had impressed
himself indelibly upon the city as a man of high character and
conspicuous ability. His pupils had for him the highest respect
and the warmest personal regard. It is hardly too much to say
that he was facile princeps among the public school teachers of
the State. Certainly high educational authority has so regarded
him. The inducements which have been brought to bear to
secure his services in other cities clearly indicate his professional
•eminence. He was a man of unfailing courtesy, of broad and
generous culture, of noble impulses, and best of all, of established
Christian character. His wide and thorough scholarship, his
ready tact and deep and genuine sympathy gave him great power
as an mstructor. His hold on his pupils was remarkable. His
quality as a disciplinarian was in keeping with his other qualities.
The touch of the hand was velvet, but no one doubted that it was
full of nerve and force.
"Just and wise in administration, kindly in heart, desirous to
be helpful to all, humane and Christian in spirit, a man whose
character lifted the morale of whatever instruction he led, and
inspired to higher living whatever pupils were entrusted to his
guidance and instruction, his sudden death has spread over
the community a universal feeling of grief. The flag which, as
head of the school, he so lately received at the hands of the school
board, now floating at half mast, and in keeping with it other
■school flags, fitly typifies the general sense of bereavement and
pain."
He married in Waterville, Sept. 1866, Emma F. Otis and left
two daughters, Grace E. and Gertrude A.
HON. WILLIAM H. NEWELL.
A FEW OUT OF MANY I 1 5
BENJAMIN F. NASON was born in Windham 13 March,
1818. His father was John, son of WilHam and Betsey Nason,
born in Windham 29 March 1792. His mother was Lavinia,
dau. of Benjamin and Sarah (Libby) Weeks, born in Windham
27 June, 1797. They were married in 1817, and moved to
Durham in 1819. John Nason died 30 May, 1872 ; his wife died
17 May 1879. Benjamin F, Nason was educated in the pubHc
schools of Durham and in private schools taught at S. W. Bend
and West Durham by Joseph Hill, a student from Bowdoin
College. He relates that when he was ten years old a kinsman
visited his father's house and gave him, for reading a sentence
from a book, a dollar with which to buy a Grammar and an
Arithmetic. At the age of eighteen he began to teach and
continued that profession for twenty-seven years, or thirty-live
terms of school. His salary varied from $12 per month at the
beginning to $50 per month at the end. He has received about
$3000 for teaching and has given a full equivalent to his pupils,
many of whom still remember his genial ways and patient efforts
for their intellectual improvement. Mr. Nason has also been
supervisor of Schools and one of the Selectmen. He interested
himself in Town History and collected much material for the
present volume.
He married Frances E. Drinkwater, by whom he had three
daughters, only one of whom, Mrs. Nettie Merrill of Auburn,
is now living. He died at Auburn 20 July 1898.
HON. WILLIAM H. NEWELL, son of Wm. B. and
Susannah K. Newell, was born in Durham, April 16, 1854.
After pursuing the branches taught in the local schools he
attended the Western State Normal School at Farmington, from
which he graduated in 1872. Thence he went to the Maine
Wesleyan Seminary at Kent's Hill, graduating from the Classical
Department of this institution in 1876.
During the next six years Mr. Newell was principal of the
Grammar School at Brunswick, a position which he filled with
a great deal of success at a very trying time.
While engaged in teaching at Brunswick he pursued a wide
course of study and general reading at the Bowdoin College
library and entered upon the study of the law in the 'office of
Weston Thompson, Esq. While still teaching he was admitted
to the Sagadahoc County Bar, at Bath.
I I 6 HISTORY OF DURHAM
In 1882 he abandoned teaching and removed to Lewiston,
where he immediately opened a law office. He formed a
co-partnership with Hon. D. J. McGillicuddy and F. X. Belleau,
Esq., under the style of Newell, McGillicuddy & Belleau, with
offices in Central Block at the corner of Main and Lisbon streets.
He soon after withdrew from this concern and associated himself
with Wilbur H. Judkins, Esq., as Newell & Judkins.
This partnership lasted until January i, 1894, when Mr.
Newell withdrew and became senior member of the present firm
of Newell & Skelton, which is now recognized as one of the
leading law firms in Androscoggin County.
He was married to Ida F. Plummer September 20, 1883.
They have three children, Augusta Plummer, born March 17,.
1887, Gladys Weeks, born October 13, 1890, and Dorothy, born
February 2, 1894.
Mr. Newell is a Democrat in politics and, while he has never
made politics in any sense a vocation, he has been called upon to
fill many public offices. He was auditor of accounts for the City
of Lewiston in 1885 and City Solicitor in 1890. In 1890 he was
elected County Attorney of Androscoggin County by a large
majority in a normally strong Republican county. In the
following spring he was elected Mayor of Lewiston and was
re-elected in 1892. He has been urged several times since then
to accept the nomination at the hands of the business men of the
City. In 1898, at the earnest request of the tax payers and
representative citizens, he again became a candidate for the
mayoralty on a Democratic ticket endorsed by the citizens in
general. His great popularity is attested by the fact that he
was elected by a majority of almost 400 against a Republican
majority of 997 at the preceding election. He is now serving
his third term in this important office.
He has also held many important positions of trust outside
of politics. He was a delegate from the Maine State Bar
Association to the twenty-first annual convention of the
American Bar Association at Saratoga in 1898. About a year
ago Chief Justice Peters appointed him to membership on the
Commission to draft a plan for the annexation of the City of
Deering to Portland.
Mr. Newell is largely interested in important business
enterprises and is officially connected with numerous
I
WILLIAM B. NEWELL.
A FEW OUT OF MANY I 1 7
corporations. He is Vice President and a director of the
Manufacturers' National Bank of Lewiston, director and clerk
of the Rumford Falls and Rangeley Lakes Railroad, director and
clerk of the Maine Pulp and Paper Company, and director of the
Androscoggin Water Power Company.
He is a member of the Board of Trade and of the local social
clubs and organizations. He is an Odd Fellow and a member of
all the local Masonic bodies. He is also a member of Kora
Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and attended the annual
convention of Mystic Shriners at Dallas, Texas, in June 1898, as
Supreme Representative from Maine.
As a lawyer Mr. Newell stands among the foremost in the
State. Sound, conservative and well grounded in his profession,
he enjoys the confidence of the business public in a marked
degree. An exceptionally able advocate, keen, incisive and
resourceful, he is a terror to an obstinate or prevaricating witness
and always makes the hardest fight when the odds are most
against him. His reserve power and ability to adapt himself to
varying circumstances is often the subject of remark among his
associates.
His fidelity to his clients, his strict integrity and his executive
ability have brought him much into the management of large
estates, and an extensive practice in this line, both in probate and
in commercial transactions, testifies very emphatically to his
success in his chosen profession.
Generous, hospitable and public spirited in a marked degree,
he makes and holds friends without regard to political affiliations
or business associations. He is apparently never happier than
when assisting some struggling member of his own profes-
sion over a difficult point in his case, and the younger
attorneys at his Bar all say that no one ever seeks assistance of
him in vain, no matter how busy he may be.
WTLLIAM B. NEWELL, the eldest son of the Rev. David
and Jane Newell, was born in Portland, Me., May 12, 1827. He
was married to Susannah K. Weeks June 15, 1850. They have
two children, Ida E. Newell, born January 12, 1852, who has
always resided with him, and William H. Newell, Mayor of
Lewiston. Mr. Newell has resided in Durham for more than
forty years, during thirty-five of which he has occupied the farm
where he now lives at West Durham.
I 1 8 HISTORY OF DURHAM
He secured a good common school education in early life and
taught school during the winter seasons for thirty years with
unqualified success. He is one of the few surviving representa-
tives of those old-fashioned school masters whose work brought
them into closest touch with pupils and parents alike, and whose
influence, always for truer and higher manhood and womanhood,
has borne its fruit in the sterling qualities of their pupils. Few
of Durham's citizens have done more to stamp the impress of a
noble life upon the lives of her sons and daughters than Mr,
Newell.
He has held many town offices, notably those of Town Clerk,
member of the Superintending School Committee, member of
the Board of Selectmen and Town Treasurer. A fitting tribute
to his sense of fairness in all dealings of man with man and to
the confidence which his fellow-townsmen have in his honesty
and conscientiousness is the fact that they have persisted in
•choosing him moderator of their annual town meetings for many
years.
In politics, he is a Democrat, respected alike by his political
friends and opponents. In rehgion he is a CongregationaHst.
He is an upright citizen. His word is as good as his bond.
FRED Vv^ NEWELL, son of James and Sarah (Herrick)
Newell, was born in Durham 22 Nov. 1865. He fitted for col-
lege in part at Freeport High School and graduated at Bates
College in 1889, ranking second in a class of twenty-five mem-
bers. During his college course he taught terms of school in
several towns including Oakland and Monmouth, where he was
Principal of the Academy. Immediately after graduation he
became Principal of the Boston Asylum and Farm School, a
charitable institution with a hundred pupils. After a year he
was elected Principal of a school at Pittsfield, N. H., where he
remained one year. He was Principal of the Academy at Thet-
ford, Vt., 1891-6. He graduated in 1898 from the School of
Civil Engineering of Michigan University at Ann Arbor. He
married 4 Aug. 1892 Sophia George of Barnstead, N. H. Is
now a civil engineer in Ohio.
JOHN DURAN OSGOOD, son of David and Elsie (Duran)
Osgood, was born in Durham, Ale., June 8, 1819. His grand-
father, Nathaniel Osgood, having served as a soldier in the War
DR. ALEXANDER M. PARKER.
A FEW OUT OF MANY I I9
of the Revolution, came from Salisbury, Mass., his native place,
to Durham about 1790, and was one of the founders of the
Osgood family in the latter town.
John D. Osgood attended the public schools of Durham, and
in addition to the education thus received, he acquired a well
trained mind by his wide reading.
He married, in 1849, Sarah A., daughter of Barzillai Richards
of Durham, and settled on the homestead farm on the county
road, near the Freeport line, where he resided until the death of
his wife, in 1867. He then sold his farm, and for several years
had no settled home, but visited other parts of the state and
countr}', spending two or three years in Boston, from which city
he went to Raymond, Me., in 1875.
He married Mrs. Emeline Nash of that place, in 1877, and
lived there until his death, Aug. 2^, 1882.
He served repeatedly as one of the selectmen of Durham and
also as representative to the legislature in 187 1.
He was a man of sound judgment, very conscientious, and
highly respected as a citizen. The honors he received from his
townsmen were not of his own seeking.
In 1868 he joined the Methodist Church at West Durham,
and was also a member of Acacia Lodge No. 121, F. & A. M.
He sleeps in the little cemetery on the Pownal road, beside
the wife of his youth, and with them rest their first born son and
their only daughter.
Two sons survive him, both residents of Boston.
ALEXANDER McINTOSH PARKER, M. D., son of
Peter and Mercy (Mcintosh) Parker, was born in Durham 19
March 1824. He studied medicine with Drs. F. G. Warren of
Pownal anH N. H. Gary of Durham. He also attended lectures
at the Medical Schools of Bowdoin Gollege and of Harvard
College, from which he graduated in 1856. He practiced at
Dresden, Me., three years. Moved to Morrill's Corner, Deering,
in 1859, where he built up a large practice. In 1863 he served as
Assistant Surgeon of the First Maine Cavalry in Virginia. Was
present at the battles of Brandy Station, Ghancellorsville, Gettys-
burg, Cold Harbor, Spottsylvania and at the siege of Peters-
burg. July 15, 1863, he was taken prisoner and confined four
months in Libby Prison, Richmond. He was an Odd Fellow
120 HISTORY OF DURHAM
and Royal Arch Mason. He ranked high socially as well as
professionally.
He married (i) 2 July 1848, Mary C. Corbett of Durham;
(2) Eliza A. Sawyer of Portland ; (3) Mrs. Florentine C. Walker,
widow of Capt. Joseph Walker of Portland. By second marriage
there were two daughters, Carrie Elizabeth, who married Charles
E. Clark of Yarmouth, and Alice Mary who married the Rev.
W. H. Gould of Dexter, Me. Dr. Parker died 24 Nov. 1897.
He is remembered by many friends as a true man and faithful
physician.
JOSEPH PLUMMER, son of Henry and Wealthy (Estes)
Plummer, was born in Durham 7 Sept. 1834. He lived as a
farmer in Durham till 1883. Since that time he has been a
miller at Lisbon Falls. He married Marcia Foss of Lisbon and
has one daughter, Clara A., who married 13 June 1892 Walter
Douglas of Windham.
An episode in his life caused a good deal of newspaper com-
ment. At midnight of Aug. 6, 1879, he was awakened, at his
home in Durham, by a noise like the slamming of a door. He
hastened out and saw two men about ten rods away running
across the field. With no clothing but a night-dress and without
any weapon he gave chase, shouting to a neighbor for assistance.
They pursued the two burglars some distance and finally cap-
tured both, finding them armed with revolvers. Frightened by
threats of being shot the thieves surrendered. It was found that
they had pillaged a number of houses. To burglarize houses in
Durham is not half as easy as it once was to stab horses and
burn buildings by night. The thieves got their due reward in
Auburn jail.
EDWARD PLUMMER, son of Henry and Wealthy (Estes)
Plummer, was born in Durham 4 Jan. 1830. He began his
remarkable business career at the age of eighteen, working one
year in Bath. The next year, 1849, he was owner of a saw and
grist mill just below the present bridge at Lisbon Falls, which
he operated till 1862. Then he sold out to the Worumbo Co.,
of which he became a Director and Agent. He superintended
the building of the large woolen mill at Lisbon Falls. He was
a promoter and director of the Androscoggin Railroad, built in
1861. He organized the Androscoggin Water Power Co. for
f
fpt
\
BD"W"ARD PliUMMER.
JOSEPH PLUMMEB.
JACOB H. ROAK.
^0^ **fej
mS
HON. WILLIAM D. ROAK.
A FEW OUT OF MANY 121
lumbering in 1875 and has been its Agent ever since. The com-
pany has paid five per cent, semi-annual dividends on its capital
of $100,000 every year since its organization. Its timber lands
in the northern part of Oxford County were sold last August
to the Umbagog Pulp Co. of Livermore Falls for $158,000. Mr.
Plummer was a prime mover in the building of the Rumford
Falls Railroad and also of the pulp mill of Lisbon Falls Fiber Co.
He was Representative to the Legislature in 1870. He has a
fine residence at Lisbon Falls, Me.
Mr. Plummer married (i) Augusta Taylor of Lisbon, (2)
Sarah A. Shaw of Durham. A son, Walter E. married Grace
Douglas of Gardiner. Another son, Harry E. married Mary
Libby of Lisbon. Both are associated with their father in busi-
ness at Lisbon Falls. A daughter, Ida F. married Mayor Newell
of Lewiston.
JACOB HERRICK ROAK, son of Martin and Elizabeth
(Lawrence) Rourk, was born in Durham 22 March 1806, and
died in Auburn 5 July 1886. His father died when he was less
than two years of age, and his early life was a struggle. He
began his business career at South West Bend as a shoemaker.
Later he became associated with Mr. Packard at West Auburn
in the wholesale manufacture of boots and shoes. Their business
was afterward transferred to Auburn. He may be called the
pioneer of all the great shoe-manufacturing that is now carried
on in that city. He established the first National Bank in
Auburn, where his character and business ability are well known
and approved. He is a fine illustration of so many American
lads who by industry and perseverance have risen from humble
circumstances almost unaided to positions of wealth and public
influence.
He married (i) 1833, Mary P. Packard of Auburn; (2) 2
Sept. 1841, Ellen Blake. There were two children by the first
marriage and four by the second.
HON. WILLIAM D. ROAK, born 4 Dec. 1820, has spent
his life as a successful farmer on the farm occupied by his father.
No citizen of Durham has been more useful, respected and hon-
ored. Fie was on the Board of Selectmen in 1855, '56, '58, '67
and '69, the last two years as Chairman. Was Town Clerk in
1879. He served on the School Committee nine years. Was
122 HISTORY OF DURHAM
Representative to the State Legislature in 1857 and 1858, County
Commissioner 1870-76, and State Senator 1883-86. Has been
chosen moderator of Town Meetings thirty-two times. Was Jus-
tice of the Peace several years. He held some town ofBce forty
years continuously, and always without a suspicion of dishonesty
or charge of unfaithfulness. He has acted as appraiser of over
fifty estates. An ardent lover of his native town he for many
years has been collecting- historical material, which has been util-
ized in this volume. It is probable that no one who ever lived in
Durham has been so well versed in its history. He is still alive
emphatically. In politics he is unquestionably a Republican ; in
religion, a Congregationalist ; in social and business relations a
kind, just and helpful man.
ALFRED ROBERTS, son of Oliver and Sophia Roberts,
was born in Lisbon i July 1838. When five years of age he was
bereaved of his father, and his mother with five small children
moved to S. W. Bend. When he was eighteen years old the
care of the family devolved on him. He learned the trade of
a shoe-maker. In Sept. 1861 he entered the Union army. Poor
health prevented much active service. Most of his battles were
fought with sympathizers with the Rebellion at S. W. Bend.
After the war he moved to Portland and was engaged in business-
there for the next twenty years as a retail and wholesale shoe-
dealer. He dealt also in real estate and acted as broker in
exchange of bonds, mortgages and other securities. In the
business of a broker he has continued in his partial retirement at
Old Orchard. For the last five years he *has lived at Los
Angeles, Cal., where he has fifty acres used in the cultivation of
fruit. He has always been an ardent adherent of the Republican
party.
MRS. ANNIE J. ROBERTS, wife of Alfred Roberts, was
the youngest daughter of Josiah Fitz, late of Lynn, Mass. After
twenty-eight years of peaceful, happy married life she passed'
away 13 May 1898 at Los Angeles, Cal. Her portrait is pre-
sented as an offering of love in tribute to the memory of one'
whose womanly virtues were recognized by all who knew her.
She was a type of those self-forgetful persons who ordinarily are
not found on the pages of history, who lose themselves as a living"
sacrifice to the happiness and welfare of others, and thus find the
ALFRED ROBERTS.
ANNIE J. (FITZ) ROBERTS.
■mm^
SAMUEL OWEN STACKPOLE.
A FEW OUT OF MANY 1 23
truest value of life. Such realize more pleasure in having an
attractive, cheerful, restful home, than monarchs do m founding
and extending a kingdom. Their conquests are those of love.
Their acquisitions are such as belong to highest character.
Modesty, gentleness, sympathy, charity, patience, purity, surely
these are more valuable than the riches acquired by scheming
industry, more honorable than high political station, more lasting
than all other gains. The possession of such qualities of the
heart found a great hope of a still happier and nobler state of
existence, since no real loss can ever come to a good person.
Made perfect through the physical sufferings of her last years
she died as peacefully as she had lived.
SAMUEL OWEN STACKPOLE was born in Durham 19
Dec. 1794. He received the homestead of seventy-five acres
from his father, giving bond of $1500 for the maintenance of his
parents and sister Jane as long as they lived and for the payment
of certain amounts to other relatives. The bond obliged him,
among other things, to provide for his parents "conveyance to
Meeting and for visiting their friends in such manner as has
been customary with them." This bond he gave at the age of
twenty-two and he faithfully fulfilled it. He added to the home-
stead by purchase from time to time, till he owned one hundred
and eighty acres. He engaged to some extent in lumbering,
built a saw-mill back of his house, and drove many a mast and
stick of oak timber to Freeport. When he wanted bricks, he
made them on his own farm. Industry and enterprise made
him a successful farmer. He refused all offers of public office,
though urged to accept several. The title of "Major" was
familiarly applied to him, though he would not accept that office
when it was offered to him. His hospitality was unlimited.
Everybody found a welcome to his home. He brought up four-
teen children, but there was always room for lodgers. He was
generous to the needy and to every good cause that appealed to
him for help. Hence he was an early abolitionist and total
abstainer. He united with the Methodist Episcopal church in
1838 and conscientiously and liberally supported it as long as he
lived. He drove with his family three miles to meeting every
Sunday in the year. No season of the year was too busy for
family prayer. He was a friend to many, and therefore had many
friends. In person he was six feet tall, straight as an arrow till
124 , HISTORY OF DURHAM
bent by old age and sickness, rather slim than stout, tough and
muscular. He slept but little and wanted to be at work all the
time. Evenings and when not laboring he was almost always
reading some newspaper or good book, especially in old age the
Bible. With all his hard work and many cares he retained to
the end a warm heart and genial, social ways. He lived seventy-
six years on the spot where he was horn. Moving to Brunswick
in 1872 he did not seem to feel quite at home and was always
glad to drive up to Durham. He died in Brunswick 7 April 1876,
and was buried about a mile from his Durham home, where rest
also his parents, wives and several children.
JAMES STROUT, son of Joshua, Jr., was born in Durham
2 A.pril 1792, and died in Brunswick 15 Aug. 1875. He spent
most of his life in his native town and was one of the most prom-
inent and influential citizens. He united with the Methodist
Episcopal Church in 1816, and acted as steward and class-leader
therein for many years. The Rev. Charles W. Morse wrote of
him thus, "A man of varied powers, he consecrated all to Christ,
and showed throughout a long life a single eye, giving glory to
God. He won all hearts by his ardent and cheerful piety. Few
persons have left a more consistent example of a deep and abiding
conviction of God, and a faithful adherence to the Holy Scrip-
tures. His house was always a home to the itinerant, and he
spared no pains in their great work of saving souls. True to
God and the Church, he gained the esteem of his fellow-men,
who honored him with civil trusts, at home and in the Legisla-
ture, both for the town and coimty."
He was on the Board of Selectmen eleven years, thrice Rep-
resentative and twice State Senator.
DR. DAVID B. STROUT was born in Durham 5 April
1814. He was the only dentist that ever practiced in Durham.
He was well known in Auburn and Lewiston where he lived
many years. No one was better acquainted with the old inhab-
itants and folk-lore of the town. He was Captain of one of the
early militia companies. His memory retained many interesting
items of personal and family history, and he knew how to relate
them entertainingly. He was from youth a firm believer in the
doctrines of Universalism and was always ready for a controver-
sial argument. The cause of Temperance found in him an ardent
and constant advocate. He died in Lewiston 25 Jan. 1890.
fmmk
JAMES STROUT.
DR. DAVID B. STROUT.
WILLIAM HARRISON THOMAS.
A FEW OUT OF MANY 1 25
He married, 28 Nov. 1839, Jane B. Lufkin of Pownal, daughter
of Joseph and Patience (Bartol) Lufkin. She died 26 Feb. 1898.
A daughter, Amanda Jane, died at the age of five years. Another
daughter, Priscilla Ellen, born 4 Nov. 1840, married Wm. Fred.
Rowe and lives in Lewiston.
WILLIAM HARRISON THOMAS, son of Woodbury
Thomas, was born in Durham 24 Aug. 1848. He acquired sufifi-
cient education in the public schools and by self-help to become
a very successful teacher, having taught twenty-two terms in
Durham, Lisbon and Brunswick. He has served as Town Clerk
and Representative to the Legislature. He interested himself in
the preservation of Durham's churches and collected most of the
funds for the repair of the Free Baptist Church and of the Union
Church a few years ago. He is remembered as an ardent sup-
porter of the Republican party in Durham. To him was due
much of the credit for the success of the Durham Centennial, and
without his advocacy and financial management this History of
Durham might not have been published. He is a lover and
helper of his native town. He still owns a farm near S. W. Bend,
but moved to Lewiston in 1890.
Mr. Thomas married, 25 June 1871, Cathie Susan, dau. of
James and Sarah (Herrick) Newell.
Their children are George W. b. 25 July 1873, who graduated
at Bates College in 1896 and is a student of Law at Harvard
University ; Charles H. b. 29 Mch. 1875, who is an employe in the
Manufacturers' Bank of Lewiston ; and Emery J. b. 12 Dec. 1876,
who is a student in the Medical Department of Tufts College.
PROF. FREDERICK MORRIS WARREN, the oldest
child of John Quincy and Ellen Maria (Cary) Warren, was born
m Durham June 9th, 1859. His father dying in 1863, his mother
married the Rev. Wm. H. Haskell in the fall of 1864 and moved
with her husband and son to Westbrook (now Deering, Wood-
ford's Corner) Maine, in 1865. The latter attended school at
Casco St. Vestry (Miss Hall's) in Portland, the district schools
at Woodford's and of Falmouth, to which town his parents
moved in Jan. 1869. In the autumn of 1872 he was sent to
Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass., where he graduated in 1875.
After a residence in France and Germany (attending M. Cuillier's
school in Paris for a year and living in Hanover with a private
126 HISTORY OF DURHAM
family) he entered the Freshman Class of Amherst College in
April, 1877, and graduated as A. B. in 1880. The year following
he was a student and private tutor in Amherst. In August, 1881,
he was appointed Instructor in Modern Languages at Western
Reserve College, Hudson, Ohio, and when that Institution
moved to Cleveland in 1882 and became Adelbert College of
Western Reserve University, he was retained in the same position
in Cleveland for one year. The academic year 1883- 1884 was
passed as a graduate student at Johns Hopkins University, the
years 1884- 1886 at the Sorbonne, College de France and I'Ecole
des Chartres in Paris. In 1886 he was appointed Instructor in
French at Johns Hopkins University. In June, 1887, he took the
degree of Ph. D. at the same institution, and, continuing there
as instructor, was made Associate in Modern Languages in 1888.
In 1891 he was appointed Professor of Romance Languages in
Adelbert College of Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio,
which position he now holds. He was married in Baltimore,
June 8th, 1892, to Estelle Ward Carey, daughter of James Carey
Jr., of Baltimore (deceased) and Martha (Ward) Carey of Rich-
mond Co. Virginia. On June 24, 1894, a daughter, Martha
Stockbridge, was born and on October 18, 1896, a son, James
Carey.
Besides various contributions to scientific periodicals and
magazines he has edited several French texts for class use, and
is the author of "A Primer of French Literature,'' 1889 (D. C,
Heath & Co., Boston) and "A History of the Novel Previous to
the Seventeenth Century," 1895 (Henry Holt & Co., New York).
WAITSTILL WEBBER was born in Harpswell 17 Sept.
1779. At the age of thirteen and a half he was sent to live
with a Mr. Corey who kept a grocery store in Harpswell near
where Mrs. Eleanor Merriman now lives. Here he worked till
he was sixteen. Not liking to sell rum he left the store and
learned the carpenter's trade with John Curtis, remaining with
him till twenty-one years of age. In 1803 he bought one half
of lot No. 12 in Durham for $650. The new house which he
built in 181 1 was destroyed by fire in 1831. He at once built
the large two story house where his son, Charles W. Webber
resides. In 1814 he joined the Society of Friends at South
Durham, and was an honored member till his death, 15 Jan.
"WAITSTILL WEBBEE.
HOWE WEEKS.
A FEW OUT OF MANY 12/
1869. In 1828-9 he was one of the Selectmen. He preferred
the walks of private life and worked as a carpenter and farmer
nearly up to the hour of his death. He was a good citizen and a
sympathetic helper of his fellowmen. The text used at his
funeral was Psalms xxxvii ■.2,7.
HOWE WEEKS, son of Benjamin, was born in Gorham 28
April 1812, and moved to Durham when six years old. He
served his apprenticeship with John A. Briggs, a dam and bridge
contractor. He helped build the old toll bridge between Lewis-
ton and Auburn, also the first log dam on the Androscoggin
River at Lewiston, and the Lincoln Mill. In 1840-6 he was in
partnership with Daniel Wood in a general store on lower Main
St., Lewiston. In 1858 he moved to Auburn and was for several
years engaged in the manufacture of shoes with A. C. Pray. He
served on the Board of Selectmen of Lewiston, and was tax-
collector in Auburn several years. He was a Director of the
Lewiston Falls Bank and one of the promoters of the Lewiston
and Auburn Railroad, connecting with the Grand Trunk.
He was a lifelong Democrat and never missed casting his
ballot at election till the one preceding his death, which occurred
in Auburn, Me., i Mch. 1895.
He married (i) 1839 Sarah Daggett ; (2) May 1850 Pamelia
H. Stetson. Their children were Flora L., b. 4 April 1852, d.
Feb. 1869, and William H. b. 19 Aug. 1858.
ABIJAH B. WRIGHT, M. D., was one of the early
physicians of Durham. He lived just south of the present Cong,
church, near S. W. Bend, and had an apothecary shop by the
side of his house. He came to Durham from Lewiston. His
ancestors came from Dracut, Mass. His widow, Abigail
(Hardy) Wright, married Nathaniel Parker in 1858. He had a
son Horace who married, May 14, 1840, Mary Ann Lincoln of
Durham, and a daughter, Allura, who married, July 30, 1835,
Sidney Skelton of Lewiston. She is still living in Auburn.
Joel Wright was his nephew, who used to live near by the
Doctor and had a family of thirteen children, none of them,
however, born in Durham. All have moved out of town except
Geo. Washington Wright. Joel Wright died 10 Jan. 1884, aged
83 yrs. 9 mos. 5 days.
Dr. Abijah Wright died 17 April 1842, aged 52 years.
128 HISTORY OF DURHAM
WILLIAM RILEY WRIGHT, M. D., was a cousin tO'
Joel. He was son of Capt. Jonathan and Sallie Wright, bom
in Strong, Dec. 15, 1816. His early life was spent on a farm.
He was educated for his profession in a Medical School at
W^orcester, Mass. He moved to Durham in Sept., 1856, and
resided there till his death, June 12, 1879. He married, Nov. 27,
1839, Mary Hinkley Backus of Farmington. They had two
children, Belle J., who became the wife of Samuel K. Oilman
of Boston, Mass., and now resides in Farmington, Me. ; and Jo-
siah Lister Wright, M. D., who was born in Farmington Dec. 22,
1850, and has practiced medicine in Durham since 1884. Dr.
William R. Wright was a man of cheerful and sunny disposition
and one whom little children greatly loved. He was generous
to an eminent degree, never pressing a claim against the poor
or the unfortunate. The hungry were fed at his board and the
homeless always found shelter under his roof. He was prom-
inent in the establishment of the Acacia Lodge of Free Masons
in Durham and was always a worker in that society. It may
be truly said of him that he was "one who loved his fellow-men."
His wife died Sept. 11, 1889.
^**s
.:SCSfc.
'Pf.'-.^
■WILLIAM RILEY "WRIGHT, M.D.
HISTORICAL MISCELLANY 1 29
X.
HISTORICAL MISCELLANY
Many will remember the little round brick powder-house that
stood not far from the old North Meeting House. It was
built in 1812 by William Webster and Barnabas Strout. The
cost was $70, and the builders were to "have the rocks on
Wesson hill to underpin the same gratis." It formed part of the
habitation of Deborah Parker when she was burned with it a
score of years ago. The Pound near by was built by John
Newell in 1821.
The year 181 5 was known as the year without a summer.
Snow fell every month. July 5, ice formed as thick as window -
glass. Corn sold for two dollars per bushel. Many farmers
became discouraged and resolved to emigrate to the far West,
i. e., Ohio. It has been estimated that 15,000 people went out
of Maine. They were said to have the "Ohio fever." May 5,
1816 eleven emigrant wagons left West Durham, with as many
families. Among them were families of Luther Plummer, John
Ellis, Samuel Roberts, Eben Roberts, Daniel Roberts, James
Roberts, Reuben Roberts. Others went in 181 7. The Trues
emigrated at this time to Indiana and N. Y. state. One of these
emigrant trains was accompanied by sorrowing friends as far
as the Pownal line. Here they halted. Hymns were sung and
prayer was offered. So they parted, most of them to meet no
more on earth. The journey occupied six weeks.
It has been previously said that after the building of the
North Meeting House town meetings were held in it. This
continued till 1840. Then some wanted to buy it and fit it up for
a town hall. It was decided, however, to build a new hall. At
a meeting held Nov. 9, 1840, it was voted "to set the Town
House on Merrill W. Strout 's land, near the great Gully;" that
it "'shall be thirty-six by forty feet square with ten feet posts and
twenty-three feet rafters." Nov. 15, the report of the committee
130 HISTORY OF DURHAM
appointed to draw up a plan was heard, and it was voted to
amend their report "by having three rows of seats on each side
with a rise of eight inches from the back seat to the front ; " also
"to have three aisles, one on each end and one in the middle
of the house, two feet wide each." George Williams, Waitstill
Webber and James Strout were chosen a committee to superin-
tend the building of the house and the erection of the same was
bid ofT at auction to the lowest bidder, William Newell, Jr., for
three hundred and sixty-four dollars.
This town house has been moved to S. W. Bend and has
fallen very much into decay. I well remember the town
meetings over thirty years ago. They were orderly assemblies
and sometimes occasions for earnest debate over questions
political and civil. People put on their Sunday clothes for town
meetings. There were stands outside for sale of apples, candies,
cider, gingerbread, etc. The boys had a game of ball. There
was no smoking within the house. The place was clean and
comfortable. Something of the reverence that belonged to the
old meeting-place in the Church was shown also for the town
house. I regret very much that a change for the worse has
taken place. Durham needs a better town hall. Nobody can
feel much respect for a dirty and dilapidated building, and there
will be a corresponding disrespect for meetings held therein. It
is to be lamented when citizens cease to hold in esteem and
carefully guard places for the making and administration of law.
Next to the church in the respectful conduct of citizens and
youth should be the place of holding town meetings. To this
end there must be at least needed repairs, cleanliness, good order
and decorum. A new hall, well ventilated, with proper offices
for ail town officials, with, also, a Library and reading-room,
having their walls decorated with portraits of Durham's noble-
men of the past, would be a blessing to coming generations.
These lines are written with the hope that Durham, like other
towns, may find a generous benefactor. Where is the man who
will build such a memorial in his native town ?
In the olden times alcoholic beverages were sold at every
tavern and store, under a license system that dates back to early
colonial days. Many sold without license. In 1840 one article
in the town warrant was, " to see what method the town will
take to put a stop to the immoral conduct of Rumselling."
HISTORICAL MISCELLANY I3I
Jonathan Strout was chosen agent to put the law in force against
those who were selHng "ardent spirits to be drunk in their stores
or shops without hcense." The old account books of store-
keepers show that the best people of the town bought liquors
frequently. They were considered necessary for laborers. Men
could not be hired to go into the haying field, unless spirituous
liquors were supplied. At every raising and "bee" the crowd
must be treated. Between 1840 and 1850 good men began to
recognize more distinctly the evil of all this. Some preachers
had denounced rumselling and drinking and some temperance
societies had been formed. Little progress had been made till
1848, when Neal Dow gave three lectures in the Union Church.
Directly afterward thirteen persons met one night in Esquire
Simmons' law-ol^ce and organized a secret society called "The
Temperance Watchman Club." Among the founders were Rev.
I. C. Knowlton, Rev. Moses Hanscom, Esquire Simmons,
Benjamin Hoyt, Albert Gerrish, James Wm. Gerrish, James H.
Eveleth, Jonathan Libby and George W. Strout. This was the
begmning of a great temperance revival throughout the State.
Its motto was, "Temperance, Humanity and Progress." In 1851
the Society had one hundred and twenty-two organized branches
in Maine and nine in N. H., and it spread into other States. It
soon put a stop to rumselling in Durham. March 4, 1850 the
town voted " to instruct the Selectmen to prosecute all who sell
liquors illegally." March 14, 1853 it was voted "to advise the
Selectmen not to appoint an agent to sell spirituous liquors the
ensuing year." Since that date there has been no open sale of
liquor in Durham, nor has there been within the remembrance
of the writer even a rumor that intoxicating liquors have been
sold in town secretly. With very few exceptions the inhabitants
of Durham have been total abstainers for half a century. To say
of a man that he drinks, is to classify him with criminals. In
1884 the town voted for the prohibitory amendment to the
Constitution, 166 to 44. For thirty years or more there have
been Good Templars' Lodges at S. W. Bend and So. Durham.
Temperate habits have made law-abiding citizens. During
the hundred years after Durham's incorporation only three
persons were sent to State's Prison from the town, and one of
these was a boy who seems to have had an unbalanced mind and
horribly mutilated a playmate.
132 HISTORY OF DURHAM
Bears were common in the early days. Joshua Miller built a
corn-barn in 1794, harvested his corn and returned to Cape
Elizabeth to spend the winter. Soon word was sent to him that
the bears were eating up his corn. He had to return and guard
against them. The last bear that tradition mentions in Durham
was seen by Rufus Warren, in 181 5, near the Stone Mill Pond.
He gave the alarm and everybody within the sound went for his
gun. The bear was driven into the woods. A number of shots
were tired at him without effect. He went up a leaning tree and
hung his head over a branch and looked very saucy. Jeremiah
Brown wanted to fire the first shot. He took a boulder, threw it
and hit the bear in the head. This brought him down, maddened
and crazy. Eben Roberts got a shot at him and broke his
shoulder. After the bear was killed he was carried to the
buildings of John Fabyan and dressed.
In 1822 it was voted to give a bounty of five dollars on wild-
cats' heads. It must have been about this time that Nathaniel
Getchell was out in the woods one day cutting some withes
when he saw a large nest up in the top of a big pine tree.
Curiosity impelled him to climb up, and there he found four
young wildcats. As he picked one of them up, it commenced to
snarl and cry out. The mother heard the cry and started for the
tree, screeching at every bound. She made a flying leap and
struck the tree nearly twenty feet up the trunk, ripping and
tearing the bark with her nails. To say that Getchell was
frightened is putting it mild. There he was up the tree with no
weapon, holding on for life and likely to lose it if he didn't let go.
The maddened wildcat was close upon him. Not knowing what
else to do, he seized one of the young ones and hurled it out as
far as he could. It went shrieking through the air into the
bushes. The old cat left the tree and flew to the aid of the
squealing kitten. Taking it in her mouth she carried it away
and hid it, then came bounding back to the tree. By this time
Uncle Nat had learned military tactics. The same means of
defense was adopted. The fourth time he slung the kitten as
far as he possibly could. As soon as the old cat started down the
tree, he started too in a lively manner, and his legs carried him
home swiftly and safely. It is not recorded whether he ever got
any bounty on those wildcats.
HISTORICAL MISCELLANY 1 33
It may not be known to some how near Durham came to
having another Congressman. Joseph Reed, Senior, moved into
Durham from Peak's Island before 1830. His wife was a Miss
Brackett. Their children were Joseph, Thomas, William,
Daniel, John and Emily. This family lived on the road leading
from County Road past David Crockett's. Their house stood
east of the brook still called the "Reed Brook." Thomas,
the father of Hon. Thomas B. Reed, moved to Portland in 1839.
How unfortunate for Thomas ! He might have been President
ere this had he been born in Durham, one vear later.
Durham has always had an ear for music. There was no
lack of fifers and drummers in the old days of militia-musters.
Joshua Miller was famed as a drummer, being able to play with
three sticks at once, keeping one stick constantly in the air.
All the Miller family of West Durham were skilful musicians
and James Henry Miller was for years leader of a Band in Lew-
iston. Freeman Newell was an expert with the flute, also
manufacturer of melodeons and keeper of a music store in
Auburn. The leadership in music, however, was for many years
accorded to Joseph G. Tyler who was born in Pownal and died
in Durham 22 Oct. 1882, aged 68 yrs. His wife Esther J. died
I Mch. 1891, aged ^2 yis. His first Band was organized at
Pownal Corner, about 1842-4, consisting of himself, William
Miller, Z. K. Harmon, Lewis Whitney, Richard Dresser and
Joseph Sawyer. They played extensively at Trainings, Musters,
Anniversaries, etc. This organization was short-lived and was
succeeded by the Durham Band, which continued over thirty-
years with Tyler at its head. The other earliest members were
William Miller, Simon W. Miller, George Plummer, Miltimore
Watts, Lewis Whitney, Z. K. Harmon and Joseph Sawyer.
Later were added William Miller, Jr., James Henry Miller,
Henry and Andrew G. Fitz, Mark, Rufus and John Waterhouse
and Tyler's sons, Joseph and Irving. There was no better street
band in the State. It was in demand at political rallies of all
parties. The Fourth of July could not be celebrated in Andro-
scoggin County without Durham Band.
Tyler was also church chorister for several years and taught
many terms of Singing School. He played skilfully the violin,
134 HISTORY OF DURHAM
bugle and clarionet. Mrs. Annie Louise Gary Raymond
received her first musical instruction from him.
The Band was out in full force at the Centennial. That
was its last parade. F"ew of the old members are now living in
town.
Samuel Miller and Ralph Hascall are remembered by many
as good teachers of Singing Schools. The most cultured musi-
cian of Auburn, Prof. E. W. Hanscom, was born at S. W. Bend.
He took lessons of Joseph Tyler when nine years of age. As an
organist, composer and teacher his reputation is equalled by few
in Maine.
The Durham Agricultural Society was formed May 8, 1886.
The first officers were : President, Charles W. Harding ; Vice-
President, Charles H. Bliss ; Secretary, J. L. Wright ; Treasurer,
Marcus W. Eveleth ; Trustees, Rufus Parker, G. W. Keirstead,
Alfred Lunt, William Stackpole, Arnold C. Morse and Samuel
B. Libby. The town voted $200 to build a house for the exhibi-
tion of agricultural produce, etc. The annual exhibit is as good
in quality as any town can show. Durham has many good
farms and long-headed farmers. When that Electric Railroad
shall be built through it from Auburn to Yarmouth and so on
to Portland, it will become the garden of Androscoggin County
and a favorite place of residence for business men of the cities.
It is a good town for stock-raising, as any one can see who
attends one of the Annual Fairs. Here the big oxen drag away
everything they can be hitched to. The sheep, once driven
away by low tariff, are beginning to return. The fine butter
indicates good Jersey cows and that the old-fashioned creamery
is not yet out of date. The races call out good horses not only
from Durham but also from distant towns. Liberal prizes are
offered, and the usual excitement prevails. How people do like
to see a struggle for mastery !
But the most attractive feature of the Fair is the people that
visit it. It is an annual feast, when all the old residents who
can go up to their Jerusalem. The whole town is there. Every-
body shakes hands with everybody else. They talk over old
times. The old renew their youth. The middle-aged find out
what their neighbors have been doing and have an eye to trade
HISTORICAL MISCELLANY 1 35
and future improvement. The young are just as fond of merri-
ment and flirtation as they were thirty, fifty, a hundred years
ago. Let the day be far distant when the Yankee farmer shall
cease in Durham. The same enterprise with half the hard work
the ancestors did will produce triple the comforts and luxuries
of life that they enjoyed. With the many good things that Dur-
ham is producing by improved methods of Agriculture let her
continue to raise noble men and women, and perish the memory
of any native who shall ever forget the old town.
136 HISTORY OF DURHAM
XI.
CENTENNIAL
On the twenty-second day of August, 1889, was celebrated
the one hundredth anniversary of the incorporation of Durham.
A general committee, consisting of Charles W. Harding, Alfred
Lunt, William H. Thomas, William P. Davis, Josiah H.
Williams, David B. Strout and Z. K. Harmon, had made exten-
sive preparations and issued about seven hundred printed
invitations to old residents of the town. It was estimated that
five thousand persons were in attendance. A big tent was set
up on the Fair Grounds. The churches and houses at South
West Bend were decorated.
The day was ushered in by a salute of thirteen gims in honor
of the original States. At 8 A. M. there was a Parade of Fantas-
tics. After that the procession formed and moved to the Fair
Grounds. Prescott R. Strout was Marshal, aided by Sherman
Strout and George Sylvester. The Continental Band, consist-
ing of bass drum, tenor drum and fife, led the procession. Then
came the " String Bean " Military Escort, commanded by Capt.
William D. Roak and Lieut. David Crockett, and composed of
veterans, etc., with uniform and arms somewhat irregular.
Next was the " Singing School," consisting of thirty young per-
sons, who sang " Star Spangled Banner." P^rank Hascall was
chorister. A big carriage contained thirteen damsels in white,
representing the original States, and twenty-nine little girls to
answer for the later members of the Union. Following them was
a team with five little girls in white in a huge floral basket, repre-
senting the Territories. Next came a company of school boys
in white caps and sashes, commanded by Elmer Randall. Then
there was a mowing machine followed by two men with rusty
old scythes. A hay-rake succeeded, and behind it was one of the
old pattern made by John Vining in 1832, steered by his son,
Edward R. Vining, while the horse was ridden by a grandson,
Willis J. Vining. Silas Goddard & Sons made an exhibition of
CENTENNIAL I37
plows. W. P. Davis and Son had a cart, wherein was an anvil
and a fire fanned by a bellows over a century old. A horse-shoe
was made while the procession was moving. In another cart
Joseph H. Davis, carriage-maker, put spokes into a wheel on
the route. Durham Band rejuvenated furnished music. Old
regimental flags floated over all. Citizens in carriages closed
the procession.
At 2 P. M. there was a Ball Game, followed by Potato Race,
Egg and Spoon Race, 100 Yard Dash, Sack Race, etc.
The Literary Program, which was interrupted for dinner,
consisted of Music, Address of Welcome by the Rev. Edgar L.
Warren, Prayer by the Rev. John Cobb, Song, " Home, Sweet
Home," by Mrs. Ada Cary Sturgis. Then followed an address
by the Hon. Nelson Dingley, Jr. Since it treated largely of
historical matters it need not here be reproduced. One passage,
however, so well states the old mode of living that it ought to be
preserved.
" If we could bring before us to-day the simple and frugal
manner in which the first settlers of Durham were compelled to
live, and compare it with the methods of living in this commu-
nity at the present time, it would be a most impressive object
lesson illustrating our progress in material prosperity. Picture
to yourself the scattered log-cabins of the early settlers, with
one room, as the common cooking, dining and living
room, and another as the common sleeping room, each
lighted by a single pane of glass, and warmed by one fire,
without a carpet, easy chairs, or a single article of luxury, and
you have the houses in which they lived. For food, rye took
the place of flour bread ; and pork and beans or peas, or fried salt
pork, or fish was the staple. Tea and coffee and sugar were
used only on great occasions. For books, the Bible with some-
times another volume sufficed. Newspapers scarcely were
known. In clothing, rough, ready-made clothes sufficed. In
those days an organ or a piano in one of these houses would
have astonished the town. Luxuries were unknown. Whatever
was not grown on the cleared land or found in the forest was
brought on the backs of horses through paths in the woods from
Portland or Freeport. Money was scarce, and fifty cents per
day was considered good wages. The poorest family in Dur-
ham to-day has more luxuries and lives far better than the
richest in those ' good old times.' "
138 HISTORY OF DURHAM
Dr. David B. Strout responded to the toast, the People of
Durham. Z. K. Harmon read a biographical sketch of Col.
Isaac Royall. The Rev. I. C. Knowlton told of the Progress of
Temperance. Prof. Fred M. Warren spoke of the Musicians of
Durham. Miss Durgin, granddaughter of Dr. John Converse,
gave an original poem. In the afternoon there was an address
by the Hon. William P. Frye. William D. Roak spoke for the
Farmers of Durham. Lewis C. Robinson represented the
Mechanics. The Rev. George Plummer told of the many min-
isters born in Durham. The Hon. William H. Newell extolled
the Teachers. Dr. Charles E. Williams had good words to say
of the Physicians. The Rev. Wm. Shailer Hascall reviewed
Durham's Missionaries. The singing of " America " closed the
program.
To recount the good stories told, the social reunions, the
merriment, the hand-shaking with old acquaintances, the
hospitality and enthusiasm would fill too many pages. The
people of Durham love their native heath. The Centennial
celebration was a great occasion. Many would like to see
another. The poem is worthy of preservation and is here given
m
full.
POEM.
BY MISS ELIZABETH CONVERSE DURGIN.
I.
W^ondrous spirit of the Past,
Erst so shadowy and vast.
For a little, fold thy wings.
Be to us a friend that sings
Mournful legends, ballads gay ;
W^afts with morning-breath away
Mists that o'er the landscape lay ;
Tells, with tender voice and low,
Stories quaint of long ago.
Seventeen hundred and sixty-three !
Men were learning to be free.
Grand old woods of Royalsboro'
Guarded lands, where not a furrow
Ere had cut through fern and moss, —
Emblem of life's daily cross.
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A RUSTIC BRIDGE.
CENTENNIAL 139
Quivering leaves were whispering,
Busy birds, poised on the wing,
Heard, with flutterings of fear,
Human footsteps drawing near.
O ye wounded trees and riven!
Special grace to you was given.
Never yet such honor paid
Dniid worshiper in shade
Of the mighty oaks of old
As to you the woodman bold,
When for sacrifice elected^
You, that happy birds protected.
Shuddering, fell beneath his blows,
And our first log house arose.
Sunbeams peeped to see the wonder,
Breezes blew the leaves asunder,
Touched three lads with soft caressing,
Whispered tenderly a blessing.
Merry echoes now rejoice.
Mimicking each childish voice,
Calling gayly to each other.
Clearly ringing, " Father ! Mother ! "
Through the sound of childish prattle
Clashed the news of far-off battle.
Goodman Gerrish paused and listened,
Tears m Mary's sad eyes glistened.
On her baby's face dropped down,
First-born child of this fair town.
Smile of babe or tears of wife
Cannot keep him from the strife,
Loyal heart and loyal life
Bears he, where, midst fear and trembling.
Patriots are for war assembling.
How can tongue or pen relate
How a woman learned to wait
Days and weeks and months, while all
Solemn, dark, and still, and tall.
140 HISTORY OF DURHAM
Closed the forest trees around,
In their tops a mournful sound,
As of sobbing and of wailing,
As of sorrow unavailing.
While, within their shadows hiding.
Haply, savage foe was gliding,
Or the wild beasts, prowling near,
Chilled her mother-heart with fear.
Womanwise, her work she wrought.
Grief and pain and hunger fought.
Who in vain His word hath claimed,
In whom, since the worlds were framed,
Every fatherhood is named
Who in woe of life or death,
Like a mother comforteth?
Round that humble home, I ween,
Trooped white angels, strong, unseen,
Bearing answer to the prayer
Of the brave, true woman there.
Home at last her good man came.
Fame makes music with his name ;
Tells how new homes rising round him
Still a kindly father found him ;
Sings how first his gentle grace
Gave the dead a burial place.
Broken by the cruel plough.
Stone nor mound proclaims it now.
Gone are Charles and William Gerrish,
Yet their memory may not perish.
This shall children's children cherish.
II.
When our grandfathers met in their newly-made town,
The wisest, absorbed in a study most brown.
The poet before whose entranced soul there flitted
Rare, wonderful dreams, the most ready-witted,
Could never, by study, or dream, or acumen,
Forecasting the century's story, illumine
CENTENNIAL I4I
Its pathway, more wondrous than Israel trod,
When through the Red Sea they went, following God.
Nor could our dear grandmothers, young then and rosy,
As, with hemlock-brooms swept they their living-rooms cosy,
Or looked from their windows on blue fields of flax,
And saw there incipient dresses and sacks.
Or, noting the lambkins so playful and winning.
Made housewifely plans for the next winter's spinning.
These grandmothers, say I, so modest and sw^eet,
Could never have guessed that the babes at their feet
Would look upon miracles, calm-eyed, serene.
Such as from the beginning had never been seen.
Those were days of slow living and ponderous thought,
Those first days of freedom, with blood and tears bought,
When the home-returned soldier recounted, with pride,
How many enlisted, what heroes had died.
What battles were fought, and what wounds had been borne.
What scars would, till death, for sweet glory be worn.
Then over the baby his lall form he bent,
To teach the dear name of the first president.
And how thirteen stars on our banner were shining,
While King George the Third on his throne was repining.
Then the Bible was brought, and the chapter was read,
And the prayer, in voice reverent and solemn, was said ;
And the stories of battle and music of psalm
Seemed to blend in strange harmony under night's calm.
There were schools for the youth, and demand for young birch,
Law upheld the Gospel in the Orthodox church;
Where good Parson Herrick, high over his flock,
Proclaimed our God's sovereignty — faith's firmest rock.
And while children, restless like birds in a cage,
Long to see the tall parson turn o'er the last page,
The choir, in patience, the " Amen " expect.
And turn to their places m "Watts and Select."
But up from the groves of West Durham there rang
The voices of many who shouted and sang,
142 HISTORY OF DURHAM
Arid, though crying, " Take heed lest ye fall from His grace,"
Declared that God's love every soul doth embrace ;
O'er the preacher's rude stand the glory descended,
And the prayer-incense rose ere the sermon was ended,
And, wrapt into ecstasy, many a mourner
Found Heaven begin at the Methodist Corner.
As buildeth the wise man, so builded the Friends.
When from lowering clouds the tempest descends,
Firm standeth their meeting-house on a rock founded.
By the beauty of God and His terrors surrounded.
On First-day and Fifth-day, in silence and peace.
Assembled the Quakers, bade worldly care cease ;
There sat they together, and sought for the strength
That through quiet and confidence cometh at length.
"The children of Light" found the true light within,
Through whose shining the kingdom of God they should win.
In stillness of spirit, with no uttered word.
They waited, that so the Lord's voice might be heard.
In their hearts spake they often in hymn or in psalm,
But truth broke through silence, zeal stirred under calm,
God uttered His voice through man's lips, and, erelong.
The deep inward melody burst into song.
On, my muse, with thy verse ! bid thy light feet trip faster !
We must visit a moment the district school master.
The boys and girls rise, as we enter the school,
With bows and with curtseys, for this is the rule.
The long class, with toes on a crack in the floor,
Making much of their learning, with earnest gaze pore
O'er the spelling-book's pages (Noah Webster's) and find
Stories thrilling and stirring, with morals to bind.
Then the parsing-class coolly, of guilt unaware.
Dissect grand old Milton, discuss and compare,
With their erudite master, their varied opinions.
While he sits as a prince in the midst of his minions.
The benches will bear on to distant posterity
Names carved with sharp jack-knives, that worked with celerity.
O mischievous fingers! you've learned since to wield
The pen in the study, the sword in the field.
CENTENNIAL 1 43
At the parsonage-hearth a while let us linger ;
Farson Herrick's wife touches her lips with her finger,
And points to where Jacob, absorbed in his sermon,
Ponders on Christian oneness, — " like dew upon Hermon."
The logs in the fire-place in splendor are blazing,
The cats sit around on the flames gravely gazing ;
In the wide chimney-corner, with sad face averted,
Mourns glorious-eyed Sally, her young life deserted.
Elizabeth, plain of face, sweet with good-will,
Must manifold duties with fleetness fulfill,
Must churn, scrub and cook, must sew, spin and weave.
And teach boys and girls what things to believe;
For on Saturday hears she the short catechism,
To guard against heresy, darkness and schism.
O maiden, so strong, so faithful, so true !
God give thee Heaven's sweetness after life's rue !
The Doctor, who, cheerful, his "weary" way wends,
Will stop for an instant to favor his friends.
Show his store of strong drugs, whose most excellent quality
Is enhanced when well mixed with his own fun and jollity.
Ah ! many a babe has been born and grown up,
Has drained to the dregs life's bitter-sweet cup.
Since the " old doctor " laden with forty-three years,
Found what life may be, without sickness or tears.
The faces are fading; the quiet years vanish,
The modern comes in the ''good old times" to banish.
Comes in with a wonderful shifting of scenes,
With its mighty inventions, its many machines
For sowing and mowing, for threshing and grinding.
For reaping the fair grain, for gathering and binding.
And that homes may be dearer, and tongues be less sharp.
Forgetting in comfort to cavil and carp.
When 'neath skillful labor the broad farms are greening.
Wives and daughters by nature to poesy leaning,
May feast eyes and souls on the beautiful scenery.
Since aided in work by much art and machinery
For sweeping and sewing, for washing and churning,
Their drudgery well-nigh to luxury turning.
144 HISTORY OF DURHAM
The boys travel far on the swift-rolHng bicycle,
And the glad girls, with grace, upon the safe tricycle.
And how shall I tell of the marvels of steam ?
(Did Durham refuse to learn, once, in a dream ?)
Or how call to mind the great multiplicity
Of those that are wrought on earth through electricity ?
The many inventions that man has sought out
Would have made even Solomon wonder, no doubt.
I must crowd back the host that for mention assail me,
Lest your patience, as well as the short time should fail me.
O memory, gently thy sadder tones wake !
Lest their echoes too harshly on mourning hearts break.
Bring but dimly before us the red battle-field ;
Our eyes with the glories of victory shield.
Creep softly, O myrtle ! Bloom brightly, O flowers !
Weave the story of life where the death-shadow lowers.
They live, young forever, our heroes who fought.
When traitors the life of our mother had sought.
For freedom and peace, for our banner's new stars.
For the rending of chains and the bursting of bars.
For the increase of knowledge, the wealth of our nation,
For eyes slowly opening to woman's true station,
For the gathering in one of all things in our Lord,
For the " new song " upswelling with growing accord.
For our own quiet homes by our beautiful river.
Now render we thanks to our Father, the Giver.
in.
My friends, let your fancy an English scene paint,
And list to the story of Cuthbert, the Saint : —
Saint Cuthbert, many centuries ago,
Turned hermit on a distant, desert isle.
Where he did strike, fresh springs began to flow.
And fields of ripened grain gleamed like the smile
Upon a face, where falls the peace of God,
And blessings followed close where'er his footsteps trod.
But the Death-angel called him into life,
A happy soul, freed from his house of clay.
CENTENNIAL 1 45
No longer with himself in holy strife,
He wears the Christian victor's crown alway.
Over the seas, like eagles fierce for prey.
Against the English came their Danish foes ;
For Lindisfarne a dark and fateful day !
Her holy monks in grief and terror rose.
And for Saint Cuthbert's body sought they safe repose.
From place to place their weary flight they take.
As, ever and anon, smites on the ear
The sound of marching troops, they still forsake
The last, until the waters of the Wear
Mid sunny hills, low-murmuring they hear.
Rest waits at last for him who fled from rest.
And sought for toil and pain through many a year.
Around Saint Cuthbert's shrine from east and west
Have many pilgrims knelt, and deemed that they were blest.
Around his shrine a beauteous city grew,
With grand cathedral, convent, castle fair,
With hanging gardens wonderful to view.
Whose bright-hued flowers make fragrant all the air.
There Learning holds an ancient seat, and Care
Meets Pleasure 'mid the rich and gay, and flies ;
And Art and Nature vie together there.
To charm the heart and to delight the eyes.
So Durham on the Wear around a dead saint lies.
Near where we are, a hundred years ago,
A boy of five years 'mid the wild flowers played,
Called unto sainthood, yet he could not know
What burden on his spirit should be laid.
No "open vision" made the lad afraid ;
Nor, like the child of old whose name he bore,
Heard he the living voice in evening's shade,
Yet speeding years came laden more and more
With words divine that to his heart replied :
The world is God's great field, my son ; the world is wide.
No hermit's hut nor lonely cloister's cell
That soul baptized with Heavenly fire could hold.
146 HISTORY OF DURHAM
He held God's rod ; up sprung salvation's well.
(■'Sing ye to it," like Israel of old.)
In far-off lands, 'mid sorrows manifold,
He sowed the seed that grew to harvest white ;
The sun of India pours its liquid gold
Upon our Newell's grave ; he walks in light,
A son, a saint, a conqueror, through God's great might.
In dreamlike beauty sitteth Durham here,
Where Androscoggin's waters softly glide,
Yet sound her accents, wise and strong and clear,
Through voices of her statesmen, far and wide
Her sweetest singer parted from her side ; —
A charmed world sat listening at her feet ;
The Christ has called, and eager men replied ;
The echoing earth, Thy gospel shall repeat
Till under Bethlehem's light, the adoring nations meet.
To-day our pilgrims come from east and west,
Not to a shrine that guardeth sacred dust,
But to a home where tired children rest.
Whose treasures bide, untouched by moth or rust ;
And, far away, one whom we love and trust
Turns from his books of theologic lore.
And lets his heart stray hither as it must.
To him, good angels, waft our greetings o'er
To Florence, dearer for his sake, forevermore.
A welcome give we to our brothers twain.
Who, in a land far toward the rising sun.
Have seen the "Light of Asia" pale and wane
And many a victory of faith have wOn.
To all who earnest faithful work have done,
To "men of humble heart" (may they increase),
To noble women who the great world shun.
The music of those lives shall never cease,
The closing century speaks its farewell word of peace.
o
ft
fi
o
CENTENNIAL
English Durham, without shame,
We will claim thine ancient name.
Here, perchance, good Isaac Royall,
Who to England rested loyal.
Stands invisible to-day
Where the lights and shadows play
On the fields he called his own.
Now a century hath flown,
Haply still his heart in twain,
Loveth Durham o'er the main,
And, our Durham, holding dear,
Breathes a benediction here.
Farewell, gracious, bounteous Past !
Lo, thy treasures hold we fast.
Shadows round thy form are falling;
Future centuries are calling.
147
148 , HISTORY OF DURHAM
XII.
GENEALOGICAL NOTES
In the following- chapter something is said about the oldest
families of the town. Especial effort has been made to trace their
origin and give chronological data concerning the generations
past. It is hoped that this may furnish the basis on which the
present generation may build such a family register as every per-
son should be interested to possess. To know one's lineage is
the first step in historical study. Often such knowledge is a
powerful incentive to good and great deeds. It is regretted that
the information in some cases is scanty. In other cases the
Town Records contain no register of births, and living descend-
ants have not interested themselves to furnish the desired infor-
mation. Some readers will be surprised to learn whence their
ancestors came to Durham.
Absolute accuracy in dates is impossible. Often the Town
Records have one date, the family register another, the tomb-
stone a third. In such cases the date is given which has the
strongest evidence.
ADAMS.
Andrew Adams was born in Gloucester, Mass., 31 Jan. 1751 ,
m. 23 Feb. 1774, Ruth Lufkin of Gloucester, Mass., who was
born the same day as her husband. They both died the same
day in Durham, 16 June 1832. He bought, in 1794, lot 56 of
Jeremiah Mitchell, and lived there. Their chidren, besides
several who died young, were:
Susannah b. 20 June 1778; m. Moses Haskell of No. Yarmouth; d.
12 Jan. 1864.
Sarah b. 7 July 1780; d. Sept. 1843. Unm.
Mary b. i Oct. 1786; m. 23 Dec. 1806 Daniel Sutherland of Lisbon;
d. 30 May 1826.
Dorcas b. 27 Feb. 1789; m. James Wagg of Parkman.
Andrew Jr b. 27 April 1792; m. 31 July 1823 Dorcas Mann of Pownal;
d. in Pownal 29 Oct. 1863. 6 ch. one of whom is John Q. Adams of
Lisbon Falls.
Jane b. 22 Oct. 1794; m. 1818 Joshua Douglas; d. 24 Feb. 1838.
GENEALOGICAL NOTES 1 49
AYERS.
Ebenezer Avers was last taxed in 1799. The following
children are recorded :
Richard b. 28 Nov. 1788; John b. 18 Aug. 1790.
Is.-MAH b. 28 April 1792; Elizabeth b. 5 Aug. 1794.
Hannah b. 3 Sept. 1796.
BAGLEY.
All the Bagleys of Durham were descended from Orlando
Bagley of Salisbury, Mass., who married, 6 Oct. 1654, Sarah
Colby. Their son Orlando m. (1) 22 Dec. 1681, Sarah Sargent;
(2) 25 Mch. ^704, Sarah Annis. Orlando 3d was born 14 Dec.
1682; m. 13 Feb. 1706 Dorothy Harvey, and d. 3 May, 1756.
He was Town Clerk of Amesbury, Mass., forty-two years. Select-
man and Trial Justice. He had several children, one of whom
was Col. Jonathan Bagley. (See p. 10.) Another was Thomas
Bagley, born 18 Jan. 1723. He m. 22 Jan. 1747 Ruth, probably
<lau. of Israel and Susannah Webster. Their children were
Israel, Thomas, Philip, Sarah, Enoch, Dorothy and Susanna.
Ensign Thomas Bagley died 15 Sept. 1771, aged 49 yrs. So his
tombstone in Amesbury declares.
O. Israel Bagley, son of Thomas and Ruth (Webster) Bagley,
was born at Amesbury, Mass., 5 Nov. 1747. (The Records at
Amesbury, say 25 Oct.) He m. 21 April 1768 Mary Snow, who
was born at Kingstown, N. H., 19 May, 1747. He died 22 Aug.
1797 at Savannah. See p. 16.
Mary b. in Salisbury, Mass., 22 Nov. 1768; m. i Mch. 1787 Edward
Fifield.
Betsey b. in Salisbury 26 April 1770; m. 21 April 1794 Reuben Dyer.
Hannah b. in Royalsborough 14 June 1773; m. Enoch Newell.
Susannah b. 9 Mch. 1777; ni. 15 Oct. 1797 Francis Harmon.
Thomas m. 22 Mch. 1801 Susannah Gerrish. He moved to Troy, Me.
Had a large family. Only three of his children are recorded in Durham.
O. Israel b. 19 Sept. 1801 ; Joseph Mitchell b. 16 March 1803; and
George Gerrish b. 20 Jan. 1805.
Enoch, brother of O. Israel Bagley, was born in 1756, in
Amesbury, Mass. So. Hampton Records say that he married,
5 April 1781, Miriam Hoyt. They had eight ch. born in Dur-
ham. The family moved to Troy, Me., between 1797 and 1802.
150 HISTORY OF DURHAM
He died in Troy 30 Nov. 1842. His wife, born 1762, died 19
July 1844.
Jonathan b. 8 June 1782; m. 4 Oct. 1804 Eunice Reed of Pownal.
He died 8 Mch. 1881. 7 ch.
Enoch Jr. b. 1788; m. Rachel Reed, sister to Eunice; d. 16 Feb. 1864.
Ruth b. 1790; m. John Work of Winthrop; d. 19 Dec. 1831.
Israel b. 1793; m. Lois Rogers (2) Azuba Gerrish; d. 27 Mch. 1868.
Thomas b. 1797; m. Fairbanks; d. 18 Oct. 1877.
Reuben b. 1802; m. Sarah ; d. 11 May 1892.
Moses b. 1798; m. (i) Getchell (2) Mrs. Spencer; d. 12
Sept. 1869.
Sally b.,1805; m. Chas. Smith of Readfield; d. 24 Oct. 1882.
BAKER.
Dr. Symonds Baker was one of the first settled physicians of
Durham. He was there certainly as early as 1798. He married
(i) 26 Aug. 1796, Jane Gerrish ; (2) Mary Booker. He buih and
lived in the house which is now the hotel at S. W. Bend. He
came from Lisbon and returned there, dying 13 Mch. 1847.
Symonds Willlam b. 18 Nov. 1799- M. D. at Bowdoin College 1824;
m. Betsey Weeman 9 April 1737. Practiced medicine at Windham, Me.,
and Austin, Tex. Died 2 Mch. 1888.
Maria Fletcher b. 7 July 1801; d. 29 Nov. 1805.
Martha b. 29 July 1803; Thomas b. 17 Nov. 1805.
Joseph b. 20 Feb. 1808; Azor b. 3 July 1810.
BEAL.
The American ancestor of the Beal family was Joseph Beal,
who came with Capt. Mason to Portsmouth, N. H., in 163 1. His
son Arthur had a son William. William, Jr., married 6 Dec.
1719, Elizabeth Benson of Portsmouth. Their children were
Joseph, Sarah, William 3d, Elizabeth, Jane, Samuel, Obadiah,
Jonathan, Mary, Richard, John and Lydia.
Jonathan, born 22 Mch. 1737, married 31 Oct. 1760 Mary
Joy of Berwick. Their children were Joanna, Sarah, Mary,
Jonathan- Jr., Patience, Elizabeth, Samuel, Lydia, William,
Thomas and Mary.
Jonathan Beal, Jr., was born in Bath 13 Jan. 1767. He
married 16 Jan. 1792 Lucy Doughty of Topsham, who was born
on Great Island, Harpswell, 16 Aug. 1768. They settled in
Durham with Jonathan Senr., on lot 61, about 1790. Jonathan
GENEALOGICAL NOTES I 5 I
Senr. moved to Monmouth about 1810, where he died. Jona-
than Jr. died in Durham 13 Jan. 1847. His wife died 17 Jan.
1844. His family was as follows :
Hannah b. 14 Nov. 1792; m. 8 Oct. 1812 John Knight; d. 6 Nov. 1870.
Joseph b. 17 July 1794, m. 24 Feb. 1820 Elizabeth Booker of Bowdoin;
d. 15 Aug. 1845. Ch. Daniel B. b. 5 Dec. 1820; Mary B. b. 23 June 1827;
Joseph O. b. 25 Nov. 1834.
Stephen b. 17 Mch. 1796; m. 1818 Charlotte C. Goold of Lisbon; d.
26 April 1835. Ch. Ann, Moses, William, Mary E., Stephen, Sophronia,
Charles and Charlotte.
William b. 14 Mch. 1798; m. 17 May 1820 Sarah Getchell; d. 17
Mch. 1865. Ch. J. Frank b. 11 Nov. 1854; Elisha W. b. i Oct. 1856; J.
Lev^ris b. 6 Mch. 1858.
Jane b. 6 Jan. 1800; d. 4 Jan. 1801.
Ephraim b. II Sept. 1801; m. Mary Hatch of Lewiston; d. 10 April
1861. Ch. Bradford W., Leonard H., Benjamin R., Hannah, Harriet,
Mary J., Jonathan, Benson, George D., James P., and Lucy.
Benson b. 13 April 1803; d. 7 Oct. 1825.
Elisha b. 27 Dec. 1804; m. 11 May 1830 Isabel Booker; d. 25 Dec.
1895. Ch. Emily J., and Horace M.
Jonathan b. 16 Sept. 1807.
Lucy b. 28 July 1812; m. Joshua Douglas.
Horace M. Beal, son of Elisha, married Mary C. Small of
Bowdoin and lives on the old homestead. They have two
children.
Olin R. b. 15 Feb. 1869.
Melie M. b. 14 July 1872.
BLETHEN.
Tradition says that John Blethen was born at Small Point,
Phippsburg, and was in the garrison house at the age of
four years when the Indians attacked it in 1722. A brother
James m. 1757 Miriam Day of Georgetown and settled in Cape
Elizabeth. Another brother Increase is said to have settled in
Phillips, but this may have been a son.
John Blethen is accredited with three wives, and twenty-seven
children by first two marriages. His first wife's name is
unknown. He m. (2) 1763, Dorcas Getchell of Brunswick; (3)
27 Aug. 1789, Hannah Hibbard of Durham. He bought lot
12 in 1770, afterward moved to Lisbon and died there at the
house of his daughter Hannah, who m. 1790, William Green.
He also had children, Reuben m. 28 Nov. 1799 Ruth Curtis of
Little River ; Job of Lisbon ; Jonathan ; Increase ; John m.
152 ■ HISTORY OF DURHAM
5 Sept. 1794 Sally Pomroy and lived in Lisbon ; James ; Simeon ;
and David, d. young. The following were probably his daugh-
ters, Miriam m. 6 Dec. 1781 Nathaniel Getchell ; Wealthy, m.
Josiah Day ; Joanna, m. 9 April 1808 James Estes ; Dorcas m.
Edsel Webber; Phebe m. 1770, Charles Gerrish ; Polly m.
1795 Josiah True; Axil, m. Rideout ; and Rhoda m.
26 Dec. 1785 Simeon Kimball.
James, son of John Blethen, married Longley and
lived in Durham as a farmer on lot 62.
John b. 6 Sept. 1789; m. (i) Rebecca Blethen who died 7 Jan. 1832,
aged 36 yrs. (2) 30 Mch. 1834 Mary, dau. of John and Mercy (Dain)
Blake, who was born 17 Dec. 1787. He died 3 April 1870.
James b. 14 April 1791 ; m. Hacker. They had one son.
Sarah b. 2 Feb. 1793; m. 17 Nov. 1812 Thomas Cotton of Lisbon.
Andrew b. 2 Jan. 1795; m. (Int. Rec. 12 Jan. 1820) Arzilla Gerrish.
He was a Free Baptist minister. Lived in Foxcroft.
Reuben b. 14 Sept. 1797; m. 6 April 1820 Thankful Day.
Abigail b. 14 July 1799; m. Benj. Peterson of Lisbon.
Isaac b. 30 June 1801 ; settled in Dover, Me. Seven sons and two
daus.
George b. 28 July 1804; m. 13 April 1826 Ruth Booker of Durham.
Mary m. (i) 17 April 1831 John Stoddard of Lisbon (2) Joshua Rob-
inson (3) Wm. Young.
Simeon Blethen, son of John, married 25 Dec. 1805, Dolly
Strout. Lived in So. Danville, where Dea. Wm. Dingley lately
lived. He died 25 Oct. 1846, aged 65 yrs. His wife died 27
May, 1849, ^ged 65.
AsENATH b. 8 Sept. 1805; m. Bradbury Merrill, moved to Dover, Me.
Joshua b. 5 Aug. 1807;, drowned in Florida 9 Jan. 1846.
John b. 4 Mch. 1810; m. 30 Mch. 1834 Mary D. Blake of Durham.
Betsey b. 13 July 1812; m. 4 Dec. 1834 James Dingley.
Maria b. 9 July 1814; m. 16 Mch. 1837 Wm. Dingley; d. June 1898.
Dolly b. 14 Nov. 1816; m. 30 Mch. 1837 Jason Pettengill; d. 4
Mch. 1897.
Abigail b. 8 April 1821 ; m. Increase N. Kimball.
Julia Ann b. 17 Sept. 1823; m. Capt. Christopher Kilby; d. 2 May 1852.
Simeon Jr. b. 27 May 1826; lived in Danville; d. 12 June 1862.
BLISS.
The name of the first American ancestor of the Bliss family
of Durham was Elias. His son Samuel was born at Columbia,
Conn., in 1758 and died in 1834. He was with his father at
Valley Forge, his father being a Captain in the Army. He mar-
GENEALOGICAL NOTES 153
ried, in 1780, Sarah Loomis, and had eleven children, of whom
three lived in Durham, viz. Sophia b. 9 June 1790, d. 25 April
1845; Achsah b. 3 Jan. 1793, d. 30 May 1886; and Charles b. at
Columbia, Conn., 1800, d. at Durham in 1873. The latter moved
to Durham in 1836 and bought the old O. Israel Bagley farm.
The house is the oldest one in Durham, and is still a fine build-
ing of heavy timbers and curious finish.
Charles Bliss m. (i ) 1825, Mary Webster of Conn. She died
13 Oct. 1833, leaving two daughters.
Clarinda b. 16 Aug. 1826; m. Wm. B. Thomas of Durham.
Martha b. 11 April 1829; d. 15 Sept. 1848.
He married (2) 1843. Lydia E. Cox of Brunswick who was
born 29 Sept. 1814 and died 13 Oct. 1896. They had four
children.
Mary R. b. i Nov. 1844; d. 15 July 1856.
Charles O. b. 9 July 1846; d. 16 Jan. 1847.
Harriet S. b. 13 INIch. 1848; d. 3 Aug. 1852.
Charles H. b. 28 Aug. 1850; m. 6 April 1873 Etta L. Tracy, b. at
Durham 3 June 1853. Lives on the homestead. Eight children. The
first two died in infancy. Henry P. b. 13 Oct. 1875; Charles Fred b. 10
Feb. 1878; George Warren b. 20 Oct. 1879; Emma Tracy b. 17 Mch. 1883;
Mary Fannie b. 31 Oct. 1885; Louisa Loring b. 28 Feb. and d. 9 Nov. 1892.
BOOKER.
John Booker came from England to York, Me., about 1707.
He married Hester Adams of York, and had eight children, of
whom James was born 18 Dec. 1723. He married Mercy Young,
dau. of Benaiah Young, 11 Nov. 1747, and settled in Harpswell.
They had eleven children, of whom Daniel was born 25 Feb. 1760.
He married 12 May 1782, Mary Douglas. Their oldest son
James was born in Harpswell 15 Sept. 1783. He married (i)
Patience Dinslow ; (2) Lydia Getchell. Settled in Durham as
a farmer; where he died 2 April 1867. His first wife was born
6 April 1788 and died 30 Jan. 1826. His second wife, born 24
July 1795, died 24 Oct. 1870. 12 ch.
Isaac b. 3 May 1808; m. Hannah Harding: d. 27 May 1868.
Isabel b. 15 Nov. 1810; m. Elisha Beal; d. 23 June 1881.
William b. 21 Dec. 1812; m. (i) Hattie Dunning; (2) Martha Jones;
d. 9 Mch. 1881.
Jane b. 21 Mch. 1816; m. Luther Storer of Bath; d. 11 Feb. 1891.
Washington b. 4 Oct. 1818; m. Sarah Owen; d. 8 Aug. 1890.
154 HISTORY OF DURHAM
Rachel b. 6 April 1822; Unm.; d. 7 Mch. 1892.
James B. b. 23 Jan. 1826; m. (i) Abigail Coombs; (2) Widow Walker.
Isaiah b. 26 Mch. 1828; Unm.; d. in Iowa 5 Nov. 1891.
Israel b. 18 Jan. 1830; Unm.; d. 23 April 1855.
Albert b. 6 Sept. 1832; m. Lydia E. Hayes. One son, Eugene L.
Lives in Durham.
Marcia b. 2 Sept. 1837; d. 29 Jan. 1855.
Harriet b. 6 Jan. 1840; m. Oliver P. Snow; d. 4 Aug. 1876.
The James and Mercy (Young) Booker mentioned above had
a son James born in Harpswell 25 Dec. 1748. He married 23
Aug. 1792 Catherine Adams and had seven children, of whom the
oldest was Daniel, born in Harpswell 21 March 1793. He settled
in Durham about 181 5 and spent fifty years there as a farmer. He
married in 1816 Lorania Hacker of Brunswick. His second wife
was Rhoda Graves, whom he married about 1825. She died in
1840. His third wife was Mary Farr Alexander, m. 1841, d.
Aug. 17, 1873. He died at Lisbon Falls, 3 May 1880. Three
ch. by I St marriage.
Harriet b. 7 Oct. 1819; d. 15 Nov. 1819.
Octavia b. II Nov. 1820; d. 11 Nov. 1841.
Mercy b. 4 Mch. 1823; m. Rev. George A. Crawford.
Five ch. by 2d marriage.
Alfred James b. 14 Jan. 1826; m. Mary Ann Woodard.
Emery b. i July 1828; m. Elizabeth Woodard.
Lorania Hacker b. 20 Sept. 1830; m. James S. Campbell. Deceased.
Daniel Alvah b. 8 Oct. 1832; m. (i) Nementhis Loring; (2) Emma
Swift.
Jeremiah Hacker, b. 15 Aug. 1834. Deceased.
Five ch. by 3d marriage.
Mary Eliza b. 24 Oct. 1842; m. Wni. M. Hickok.
AusBON b. 8 Nov. 1846; m. Josephine S. Bessie.
Melissa Ann b. ii Nov. 1848; m. Wm. L. Witham.
Arthur Wilder b. 15 Feb. 1852; m. Mary Ella Libby. Deceased.
Chester Herman b. 8 Jan. 1855; m. Rachel Murray.
James, son of James and Catherine (Adams) Booker, before
named, was born 8 Oct. 1798; m. 28 Nov. 1824, Emily, dau. of
Thomas Pierce, Esq. ; d. 25 June 1882. They lived in Durham
and Lisbon.
Ira p. b. 28 Nov. 1832; m. 21 Nov. 1855 Clara W. Whittemore. Res.
Brunswick.
Laura A. b. 31 June 1827; m. 4 Jan. 1851 Edmund Berry of Lisbon
Falls.
DAVID BOWIE.
GENEALOGICAL NOTES I 55
BOWIE.
George Bowie came from Scotland with a brother Alexander.
He was a Revolutionary soldier. He married in Cape Elizabeth,
20 Dec. 1775, Rachel Strout and had children, George, Frank,
Alexander, James, David, Nathaniel and Jane. He was drowned
about 1793. Of his children Frank had daus. Betsey and
Rachel ; Alexander d. s. p. ; James was imprisoned at Halifax in
War of 18 1 2, escaped, married in Nova Scotia and had several
children there ; Nathaniel had children, Alexander, James,
Nathaniel and Rhoda.
George Bowie Jr. was born at Cape Elizabeth 12 Dec. 1777.
He came to Durham before 1800 and settled on the east end of
lot III. He married Betsey Stoddard, who was born at Charles-
town, Mass., 12 Dec. 1777 and d. 22 Sept. 1856. He died 2 April
1863. Their children were :
Arnold S. b. 20 July 1800; m. 1822 Deborah Ames; (2) 31 Mch. 1833
Jane Ridlon.
Abel S. b. 16 July 1802; m. 1827 Rebecca Nichols; d. in Portland 16
Feb. 1874.
David b. 13 July 1804. See below.
Daniel b. 24 June 1806; m. 16 Mch. 1837 Susan Turner; d. 4 June
1886. Had ch. Daniel. Charles M., William H., d. 9 Mch. 1875, Mary J.,
Willard, Sidney and Emily.
Eliza b. 18 Aug. 1808; m. David Farr; d. 5 May 1861.
George 3d b. 16 July 1811; m. 11 Sept. 1831 Caroline Hunnewell.
Had ch. Geo. Wesley, Edward T., Emerson, Melvin, Alonzo, James, and
Eliza.
David Bowie, born 13 July 1804, m. 1830, Betsey, dau. of
William and Avis (Gushing) Mitchell, and spent his entire Hfe
on the homestead, as a farmer. He died 27 May 1884. He
served on the Board of Selectmen and as an officer in the militia,
and was a useful and respected citizen. See portrait. His wife
died 30 March 1898. Their children were:
Ivory b. 8 Jan. 1831; m. Cordelia F. Parker. Res. Auburn.
George W. b. 9 Oct. 1832; d. 3 June 1857.
James C. b. 16 Jan. 1834; d. 7 Oct. 1853.
Ellen b. 2 Nov. 1836; d. 2-] April 1838.
Susan C. b. 5 Oct. 1838; m. Frank Bowie.
Royal b. 13 Dec. 1840; m. 24 Oct. 1872 Roxana Hilton. Res. Lisbon
Falls.
Rachel b. 19 Aug. 1842; m. Lewis C. Robinson.
156 HISTORY OF DURHAM
Cyrus S. b. 8 Nov. 1844; d. 30 Sept. 1866.
Leroy S. b. 21 Sept. 1848; m 5 April 1875 Sabie E. Sylvester. Lives
on the home farm and has five children.
David, son of George and Rachel (Strout) Bowie, was born
in March, 1787. He had the only public bakery Durham ever
had. He m. 19 Dec. 181 1 Nancy Ann Becket. He died in
Danville 17 Dec. i860. His wife died 3 Jan. 1854, aged 70 yrs.
10 mos. They had children :
David R. See below.
Robert S. b. 14 Oct. 1818; m. 8 Nov. 1838 Mrs. Ann L., widow of
Theophilus Miller. Has a son and two daughters. Res. Lisbon Falls.
Has been since 1842 a licensed preacher in the Methodist and Free Bap-
tist churches.
Sarah, m. 17 May 1840 Wm. Wagg; lives in Lisbon.
Pamelia, m. Charles Robinson.
David R., son of David Bowie, was born in Durham 31 May
]8io; m. Betsey F., adopted dau. of Dea. Christopher Tracy.
He lived on lot 113. Moved to Phippsburg where his wife died
about 1868. He married the second time and is still living.
Elkanah b. 23 June 1837; d. 27 Mch. 1841.
Francis W. b. 31 Mch. 1839.
Greenfield H. b. 2 Oct. 1840. See p. 72.
Elkanah W. b. 28 Dec. 1842; d. 21 June 1843.
Geraldine H. b. 28 Feb. 1845.
Josephine H. b. 10 Aug. 1848.
Elergene b. 20 Mch. 1853; d. 1897.
BRAGDON.
There were several families of this name, but the records are
scanty. Ebenezer, Ephraim, John and Jonathan Bragdon were
taxed in 1799. Josiah, Gideon, and David appear before 1810.
Ephraim and Gideon were brothers.
Ephraim came from Scarborough. He married Abigail
Hunnewell in Durham. Intentions recorded 15 April 1797. He
lived near Parker Hill. Died 22 Sept. 1849, aged yy yrs.
Dennis d. in Savannah at early age, leaving wife and child.
Jane m. 13 Sept. 1840 Abram Libby of Freedom.
Mary m. Robert Knight. Lived in Portland.
Eliza m. John Bragdon of Durham.
Gideon b. 6 Oct. 1804; m. Susan Staples of Freeport; d. 19 Feb. 1863.
Dorcas, Unm.
Elijah m. 1835 Hannah Libby of Freedom.
I
GENEALOGICAL NOTES 157
Patience m. Seward Hunnewell.
Abigail m. Luther Shaw of Portland.
Eleanor, Unm.
Ebenezer Bragdon was born at York 6 May 1766. He mar-
ried Huldah, dati. of Judah Chandler. The birth of one son is
recorded, George, b. 7 Mch. 1796. George Bragdon m. 19 Mch.
181 5 Nancy Turner.
BURNHAM.
John Burnham, grandson of John the emigrant, was born
in 1738 and settled on Falmouth Neck in 1760. He was a cooper.
Built the first wharf in Portland. Was on the committee for
formation of the Constitution of Mass. Married i April
1762 Abigail Stickney and had eight sons and five daughters.
Died 29 July 1798.
His son, Josiah Burnham, was born 23 Jan. 1770, in Fal-
mouth. Fie moved to Durham before 1793 and settled on the
lower County Road. Farmer and cooper. He was Justice of
Peace and Representative to General Court in 1803 and 1809.
Served as Selectman twelve years. He returned to Portland in
1834 and died there 5 Aug. 1843. Was married four times. His
first wife was Lucy Berry of Westbrook, by whom he had three
sons and two daughters. She died in 1808, aged 45 yrs. He m.
(2) Oct. 1808, Phebe Bishop of Freeport. His third wife was
Ellen Jameson, and his fourth, Mary Baker of Portland. Eight
children :
John b. 22 July 1797; m. 1823 Louisa Soule of Freeport.
Josiah b. 14 April 1799.
George b. 20 Aug. 1801 ; m. 1828 Margaret Burr of Freeport. Moved
to Portland in 1825. Was forty-four years inspector of fish. Died 10
Oct. 1884. His wife b. May, 1807, d. 25 Mch. 1885. Ch. Margaret B.,
George, Perez B., Josiah and John E., all of Portland.
Harriet b. 14 Jan. 1805; m. Sept. 1825 Alfred Soule of Pownal.
Lucy b. 24 Feb. 1807; m. 4 Nov. 1826 Perez Burr of Freeport.
Phebe Bishop b. 21 Mch. 1814.
Eleanor Jameson b. 10 Dec. 1815; m. Arnold Burrows of Charles-
town, Mass.
GARY.
Nelson Howard Gary, son of Simeon, was born in Bridg-
water, Mass. 5 Jan. 1807. He was descended from John Gary
of Somerset, Eng., who came to America in 1634. See Hist, of
Bridgewater. He graduated at the Medical School of Bowdom
158 HISTORY OF DURHAM
College in 1828; married 13 Sept. 1829 Maria, clau. of William
R. and Olive (True) Stockbridge of Yarmouth, who was born
I Aug. 1806 and died in 1850. They were married at the Bap-
tist Meeting House in Yarmouth. He practiced medicine suc-
cessively in Gorham, Wayne, and Durham. He married (2)
1852, Julia Warren of Durham. He died in Durham 10 April
1877.
His three sons were members of the 13th Regt. of Mass.
Vols, in the Rebellion. Samuel was taken prisoner at the battle
of Gettysburg and was twenty-one months in rebel prisons.
Annie Louise Gary became the famous contralto. I remember
in my childhood of hearing her sing in the choir of the Union
church at S. W. Bend. She was thought then to possess a
good strong voice, but most people can not tell diamond till it
is polished. I remember, too, to have secured her services at
the Commencement Concert at the time of my graduation at
Bowdoin College in 1871, and I still preserve her autograph
receipt for $250 paid. This was her first appearance in Maine
as a singer, after her reputation had been established abroad
and at home. Special trains -were run for that Concert from Bath
and from Lewiston. There was a crowded and delighted house.
Miss Gary's encores of old familiar songs produced the greatest
applause. The cuhured were satisfied; the uncritical were
charmed. Since a long sketch of her musical career has
recently been published in the History of Wayne, her native
town, I need say no more here. Her sister, Mrs. Ada Sturgis,
became a singer of no mean reputation.
The following is Dr. Gary's family.
William H. b. 24 Aug. 1830.
Joseph S. b. 16 May 1832; m. Flora E. Harlow; d. s. p. in Boston 25
April 1877.
Marcia a. b. 23 May 1834; m. 26 Jan. 1855 John Gushing Merrill; d.
20 June 1897.
Ellen M. b. 11 Oct. 1837; m. (i) 15 Nov. 1855 John Q. Warren: (2)
the Rev. W. H. Haskell, now of West Falmouth.
Samuel G. b. 25 Dec. 1839; m. 11 April 1871 Gatherine Lanning of
Boston. One child, Annie Louise, b. 12 May 1872.
Annie Louise b. 22 Oct. 1842; m. 29 June 1882 Gharles Monson
Raymond, of New York.
Ada Avas the only child by Dr. Gary's second marria-ge. She married
Mr. Sturgis.
GENEALOGICAL NOTES I 59
CHANDLER.
Judah Chandler (See Biog. Sketch) married (1) Martha Sea-
bury; (2) Rebecca Seabury. They had at least nine children,
eight of whom are recorded in North Yarmouth.
Mary Johnson b. Oct. 25, 1745; Edmond b. Jan. 7 1747; John
b. Feb. 4, 1748, d. in Rev. Army in 1778; Jonathan, b. Dec. 24, 1750;
Mercy b. April 4, 1754; Abigail b. Sept. 23 1756; Dorcas b. Oct. 28,
1758, m. April i, 1784 Isaac Davis; Huldah b. Feb. 9, 1861, m. (Int. Rec.
Dec. I, 1787) Eben Bragdon; Sarah bap. June 28, 1767, m. Nov. 21, 1785
William Blake and moved to Ohio.*
CLOUGH.
Samuel Clough came from Berwick. He married Sarah, dau.
of Caleb Estes and settled on lot 16 in 1771. His will, made 10
Jan. 1799, mentions children Anne, Isaac, Joshua, Abigail, Tabi-
tha, Patience, Esther, Isaiah, Elizabeth and Jeremiah. Isaiah
married Alary Haskell and settled in Litchfield. For his family
see History of that town. Tabitha married Ebenezer Bailey.
It has been impossible to get full records of this family.
COLLINS.
Benjamin Collins came from England, settled in Salisbury,
Mass., and married Martha, dau. of John Eaton of that town in
1668. His oldest son John, born in 1673, niarried before 1695
Elizabeth . Their son Tristram of Hampton Falls,
N. H., married Judith and had a son Samuel who
married 3 Jan. 1759 Hannah, dau. of John and Patience Dow of
Kensington, N. H. They lived in Weare, N. H., till about 1780,
when they moved to Durham and settled on lot 15. He brought
his family with four oxen, and seventeen hundred Spanish milled
dollars in saddle-bags on his horse. The children were :
Mary, m. 8 Aug. 1787 at Harpswell Joseph Spaulding and lived in
Dixmont; Patience, d. unm. at age of 85 yrs; John, m. Hannah God-
dard; Esther, b. 17 Feb. 1770; m. 4 May 1797 Edward Douglas, settled
in Brunswick; d. in Dover, Me. abt 1875, aged 97 yrs; Paul, m. Mary
Winslow, settled in Litchfield, d. at age of 93 yrs; Judith, m. 14 Mch.
1791 John Douglas, lived in Brunswick, d. at age of 76 yrs; Betsey,
m. Bryant, remained in Weare, N. H.; Hannah, m. Marmaduke
Gifford, lived in Fairfield, d. at age of 80 yrs; Lydia, m. Joslyn Allen of
*For Genealogy of Chandler Family see Old Times in North Yar-
mouth, p. 1098, and History of Duxbury, p. 242.
l6o HISTORY OF DURHAM
Durham; Abijah, m. Dolly Jones; Huldah, unm. d. 22 Dec. i860, aged
83 yrs. 8 mos.
John, son of Samuel and Hannah (Dow) ColHns, was born
14 Aug. 1765 and died in Durliam 29 June 1845. He married
Hannah Goddard, who was born 2 Aug. 1769 and died 31 Oct.
1850. Their children were :
ZERUiAfi b. 7 July 1790; m. 3 Dec. 1818 Wm. Porterfield; d. 19 April
1875.
Peace, b. 6 Sept. 1792; m. Waitstill Webber; d. 19 April 1877.
Samuel b. 19 Feb. 1795; d. 1805.
John b. 10 Feb. 1797; m. Ann Lunt; d. 24 Oct. 1870.
Hannah b. 14 Jan. 1800; m. 26 Nov. 1835 Wm. H. Johnson; d. 30
Oct. 1882.
Mark b. 1803; lost at sea.
Maxim iLLA b. 15 April 1805; m. David Larrabee of Brunswick.
James b. 26 Feb. 1809, m. Dorcas Loring; d. 4 Dec. 1885.
Betsey, b. 20 Oct. 181 1; unm. d. 30 Mch. 1887.
Abijah, son of Samuel and Hannah (Dow) Collins, was born
in Weare, N. H., 24 April 1780. He married 21 Dec. 18 17 Doro-
thy Jones and settled in Durham. She was born in Durham 24
May 1795. He died 11 Aug. 1863. Their children were:
Samuel b. ig May 1818; d. 6 Nov. 1862.
Mary b. 2 July 1820; m. 4 Nov. 1840 Bailey T. Royal of Pownal.
Phineas b. 26 Feb. 1822; d. 10 July 1890.
Almond b. 17 July 1824.
liANNAH Dow b. 12 May 1826; d. 12 Aug. 1845.
Wm. Henry b. 7 July 1828.
Paul b. i Aug. 1830; d. 14 April 1896.
Harriet Strout b. 18 Sept. 1832.
George Elbridge b. 12 May 1835; d. 27 Dec. 1836.
Sarah F. b. 17 July 1845; d. 26 July 1863.
CONVERSE.
Dr. John Converse settled in Durham before 1797. He lived
first in the house now owned by Dea. Wm. Hascall when it stood
north of " Eunice's Brook," He afterward built and lived in the
house on the bank of the river where Simeon Bailey long lived.
It was burned a few years ago. Dr. Converse still lives in tradi-
tion as a good citizen and skillful physician. He died 5 Dec.
181 5, aged 45 years, and is buried in the old Cemetery near the
GENEALOGICAL NOTES l6l
North Meeting House. The epitaph on his tombstone reads
thus :
"Thousands of journies night and day
I've traveled weary all the way
To heal the siclv, but now I'm gone
A journey never to return."
He married, 17 Mch. 1799, Sally, dau. of Ichabod and Abigail
(Hayes) Hanson of Windham. She was born 4 Oct. 1774. Did
she marry, (2) 9 July 1817, Seth Chandler of Minot? The chil-
dren of Dr. Converse were :
Orrilla b. 14 May 1800; d. 7 April 1805.
Veranus b. 18 Oct. 1801; d. 22 April 1805.
Sally b. 28 March 1803; m. 13 May 1821 Winslow Haywood.
Mary b. 19 Nov. 1804; m. 15 Oct. 1827 Edward Merrill.
Minerva b. 2-] Feb. 1807; m. 28 Dec. 1829 Wm. R. Kendall of Free-
port.
John Harris b. 27 Dec. 1808; d. 13 June 1880. Bowdoin Coll., 1830.
Lawyer. Judge of Probate for Lincoln County. Left two sons.
Elizabeth b. 20 Aug. 1810; m. Dr. Durgin of Portland.
Harriet b. 16 April 1812; m. Capt. Howland of New Bedford, Mass.
Laura W. b. 2."] Jan. 1814; m. Capt. James Currier and lived in Buxton.
CRAWFORD.
The Crawfords migrated from Scotland to North Ireland.
George Crawford was born in Leitrim, Ireland, in 1787 and died
in Durham 27 April, 1874. His wife, Eliza Ann, was born in
Sligo, Ireland, in 1790 and died in Durham 11 Dec. 1856. He
married (2) 6 Dec. i860, Catherine Newell. He settled in Dur-
ham before 1820, having lived for a short time "in Bethel. He
united with the M. E. Church in middle life, and his devout con-
versation attested the thorough transformation of his character.
He was a well informed man and had a remarkable family. Four
sons became preachers in the Methodist Episcopal Church.
William b. 4 Oct. 1821; d. 18 Feb. 1889. See Biog. Sketch.
Lemuel. Lost at sea.
John m. 4 Sept. 1842 Sarah A. Bonney of Durham. Resided in
Brunswick.
Thomas m. 18 Dec. 1842 Thankful D. Johnson; d. 25 July 1852, aged
34 yrs. 7 mos.
George m. (i) 15 Feb. 1848 Mercy H. Booker; (2) Mrs. Julia A,
(Varney) Coombs; d. 25 Sept. 1878, aged 58 yrs. His second wife died
in Cal. 2 April 1898. See Biog Sketch.
1 62 HISTORY OF DURHAM
James Barbour b. 22 Dec. 1822; m. 2 June 1855 Harriet A. Wood-
side of Durham; d. 31 Mch. 1869. See Biog. Sketch.
David F. d. 14 Sept. 1854, aged 28 yrs. He was studying for the min-
istry and had preached occasionally.
Ann m. 22 Mch. 1837 Isaac Graves of Topsham.
GROSSMAN.
Two brothers, David and Solomon Grossman, came to
Royalsborough, tradition says from Nova Scotia, before 1780.
David lived on lot 44, where Frank Bowie now resides. He once
planted fourteen acres of corn on that sand-hill, but no sand was
then visible. The cutting of the primeval forest exposed the hill-
top to the winds with disastrous result. David married Sarah
Bounds of A'iaryland. A part of her dowry was three slaves, the
only ones ever owned in Durham. The name of the female slave
was Jennie Deshelle who married, 1808, Tobias Hill of Bruns-
wick. Another slave was John Meshack, or Messick. The
family of David Grossman is here given :
Sarah b. 19 Aug. 1775.
Mary b. 2 May 1777; m. Isaac Clough.
Comfort b. 21 June 1779; d. 5 Sept. 1865. Unm.
Kezia b. I July 1781; m. Walter Davis of Scituate, Mass.
David b. 28 May 1783; d. young.
Jesse b. 10 April 1785. See below.
Bounds b. 7 Feb. 1787; m. 19 Feb. 1808 Judith Dinsmore; moved to
China, Me.
Esther b. 16 Mch. 1789; d. 20 June 1879. Unm.
Cynthia b. 16 Mch. 1789; d. — April 1858. Unm.
Abigail b. 28 .Dec. 1790; m. Amos Goddard of Pownal.
Eunice b. 18 Jan. 1792; m. Thomas Dinsmore of China. 11 sons.
David b. 23 Jan. 1797; m. 16 Feb. 1826, Mary, dau. of Aaron True, of
Litchfield. Lived on the homestead.
Lois b. 5 Dec. 1798; m. Samuel Beal.
Hannah b. 6 May 1804; m. Amos Goddard; d. 16 Jan. 1877.
Jesse Grossman married Gharity Goddard. He died 31 July
1867. She died 5 May 1866. 9 ch.
Almira b. 25 June 1809; m. 5 June 1836 John P. Sutherland.
Joshua b. 18 Sept. 181 1; m. 23 Dec. 1838 Mary Porter and 1. in Wis-
casset.
William b. 15 July 1813; moved to China. Me.
Lydia b. 20 Aug. 1815; m. Benj. Harmon of Brunswick.
Narcissa b. 6 June 1818. Unm. Living.
Lucy b. 5 July 1820. Unm. Deceased.
SEWALL GUSHING.
GENEALOGICAL NOTES I 63
Charles b. 13 May 1824; died in Lynn, Mass., 4 Jan. 1899.
George b. 23 Sept. 1826; m. Mary Jones. Res. Lisbon Falls.
Isaiah b. 13 Mch. 1829; m. Mary Spollett; d. in Lynn, Mass.
Solomon Grossman, after living in several places in Durham,
bought lot 24 of Nicholas Pinkham in 1794. He married Mehit-
abel Goddarcl, b. in Falmouth 20 April 1763. He m. (2) 5 Nov.
1820, Lucy Pierce. 7 ch. recorded among the Society of
Friends.
Prudence b. 8 June 1788; m. John Baxter of Burnham.
John b. 2 Aug. 1790; m. Anna Field.
Nathan b. 6 Mch. 1793; m. and 1. in Portland.
Phebe b. 27 June 1795; m. Abram Winslow of Limington.
Jesse b. 11 Oct. 1800; m. Judith Goddard.
Asa b. 5 May 1803; m. widow Abigail (Smith) Davis.
Levi b. 2"] Jan. 1807; m. and 1. in Portland.
CURRIER.
Jonathan Currier came from Salisbury, Mass., in 1780, and
settled near Methodist Corner, on lot opposite Wm. Miller's.
He m. 4 May 1775. Sarah Graves, in So. Hampton, N. H.
He was killed bv the falling of a tree in 1791. Lucy Currier,
born in Salisbury, married Samuel True, 28 May, 1792. Sarah
Currier of l^urham married Josiah Mitchell of Lewiston 20
March 1792. The children of Jonathan Currier were:
Joseph b. 17 May 1785; lived in Freeport.
Israel b. 17 May 1785; m. 5 July 1807 Mary Stover of Freeport; d. i
Sept. 1812. She died 22 June 1813.
Judith m. 11 Sept. 1813 Wm. Tyler of Pownal.
Sally b. at Salisbury, Mass. 23 June 1780; m. 2-] Nov. 1800 Enoch
Davis.
CURTIS.
Lendall Curtis, brother of Rebecca, wife of Elisha Stetson, was
taxed in Durham 1799-1809. He married 9 March 1801, Sarah
Randall. Nothing more is known of him.
Abel Curtis, probably the son of William and Martha Curtis
of Hanover, Mass., b. 10 Aug. 1752; m. 12 Feb. 1776 Ruth Tur-
ner, was in Durham earlier than 1788. Was last taxed in 1798.
He had sons Gideon and Abel Jr. They built a mill at Lisbon
Factory in 1801. Gideon, born 11 Jan. 1779, served as Select-
man in Lisbon 1808-11. He was Selectman in Durham 1819-20.
164 HISTORY OF DURHAM
Moved to Kingfield. He had a son, Rev. Reuben B. Curtis of
East Maine Conference, whose son is now Prof. Olin A. Curtis
of Drew, Theological Seminary. Gideon's daughter, Orpha, mar-
ried Rev. C. D. Pillsbury, and moved to Wisconsin.
Abel Curtis, Jr., m. 18 Oct. 1798, Tamar, dau. of Capt. Jona-
than Strout. He lived just above the Bend till 1802 when he
moved to a house still standing just across the river in Lisbon.
Later he moved to Parkman and died there 7 Jan. 1862, aged 84
yrs. His wife died 14 June 1859, aged yy yrs. Their children
were :
Joseph b. i July 1799; m. 30 May 1822 Julia Ann Macomber; d. in
Bangor 21 April 1885.
SoPHRONiA b. 29 July 1801 ; m. Rev. Isaac Lord; d. in Durham 28 Nov.
1865.
Abel d. 24 Oct. 1863, aged 60 yrs.
Ruth m. — Briggs; d. 17 Nov. 1855.
True G. d. June 1875.
James.
William d. 4 Sept. 1878, aged 65 yrs.
CUSHLNG.
John Gushing of West Durham was distantly related to the
John Gushing elsewhere presented. He was second son of Adam
Gushing of Gape Ann, some say of Abington, Mass., and grand-
son of Adam Gushing who graduated at Harvard College in 17 14.
John's brothers and sisters were Greenword, Ezra, Avis, Sarah,
Mary, Adam and Hannah.
John Gushing, born 24 Feb. 1746, was living in Royals-
borough earlier than 1774, on lot 69. He married Silence
Vining. They had five children :
John b. 15 Sept. 1770. See below.
Silence b. 30 Nov. 1711; m. 7 Jan. 1798 Gershom Flagg of Clinton.
They settled in Augusta. She died 28 May 1816.
Avis b. I Dec. 1774; m. 1797 Wm. Mitchell, Jr., of Durham.
Adam b. 21 Dec. 1782; m. 1816 Mary Thompson of Brunswick. He
built the brick house where G. W. Wright lives. Died insane. A
daughter Ruth taught school in Brunswick. A son Alonzo lived in
Gardiner.
James m. 5 Feb. 1813 Nancy Newell and settled in Dover, Me.
John Gushing, Jr., m. 28 Jan. 1791, Elizabeth, sister of George
Goodwin. They lived on the homestead. He died 24 Dec. 1863,
GENEALOGICAL NOTES 1 65
and is buried in Topsham. His wife died 26 May 1843, aged 76
yrs.
Samuel b. 6 June 1791; d. 28 June 1791.
Polly b. 6 July 1792; m. 2"] Mch. 1823 Wm. Fogg, Jr., of Wales. He
was born in Scarborough and died in Wales 31 May 1876.
John b. 12 May 1794; d. 8 April 1796.
Betsey b. 9 April 1796; m. 30 Nov. 1821 Job Sylvester 3d; d. 26 May
1873.
Sally b. 21 April 1798; m. 30 Dec. 1818 Wm. Sylvester; d. 24 Nov.
1877.
Hannah b. 22 Mch. 1800; m. 2"] Jan. 1825 Ebenezer, son of Enoch
Slrout of Wales. Judge Sewall C. Strout of Portland is their son. She
died 5 Oct. 1873. Enoch Strout b. 29 May 1802; d. i June 1880.
Anna Louisa b. 22 Feb. 1802; d. 6 Nov. 1876. Unm.
John 3d b. 12 Feb. 1804; d. 12 Jan. 1843. Unm.
James b. 9 Jan. 1809. Preacher. See p. 69.
Sewall b. 23 April 1806; m. 1834 Hannah Webster; d. 30 Jan. 1884. 6
ch., Royal J., John Wesley, Hannah E., Frances E., Harriet L. and Ros-
well S.
Katherine b. 13 May 1814; m. Benjamin Flagg of Topsham; d. 22
Jan. 1871. He died 29 Feb. 1884, leaving one dau. Emma.
Irene b. 11 June 1816; m. Joel Bonney, M. D. Moved to Victoria,
Texas. Died 3 May 1859. He died in Texas 28 Oct. 1853. 3 ch.
The children of Hon. John (See Biog.) and Dorothy (Bagley)
Gushing were :
Elizabeth b. in Salisbury i Sept. 1767; m. 1792 Wm. Hoyt ot
Durham. They had one son who d. at sea, and three daughters. Mrs.
Elizabeth Hoyt d. at Freeport June 1858.
Dorothy A. b. 2 May 1769; m. 2 Feb. 1785, in New Gloucester, Roger
Merrill. She died in Litchfield 28 Dec. 1863.
John b. 23 June 1771; m. Betsey Soule of Freeport. Died in Pownal.
Jonathan b. 14 Sept. 1773; m. 30 July 1794 Lucretia dau. of David
Dennison of Freeport. Died in Freeport.
Edward b. 17 Jan. 1778; d. 16 Jan. 1797.
Sarah b. 12 Mch. 1785; d. same day.
DAIN.
John Dain (spelled also Dane and Dean) of Conn.(?) bought
lot 67 in 1 77 1. John, Jr., received it from his father and sold
forty acres of it in 1778 to William McGray. His house stood
opposite the old North Meeting House. Here McGray had his
hotel. The main part of the house was carried to Brunswick by
Nathaniel Lincoln and erected on Noble St. The part now
standing, called the "Philip Douglas House," was built by Lin-
coln.
1 66 HISTORY OF DURHAM
John Dain, Jr., was a Revolutionary soldier. He married
Elizabeth Proctor, moved to Lisbon and kept Dain's Ferry, 179Q-
1817. He died 4 Aug. 1837. His wife died 28 Sept. 1838.
They were married in Portland, 24 Feb. 1778. Rachel Dain
married, 2"/ Dec. 1770. Edmund Lane. Mercy Dain married, 23
July 1780, John Blake and lived in Lisbon. Joseph Dain was
living in Durham in 1789. William Dain married Mary Wagg
and lived in Lisbon. Hannah Dain married George Sawyer of
Lisbon. Ebenezer Dean or Dain was a Revolutionary soldier
and died in the Army.
DAVIS.
William, son of Nathaniel and Martha Davis, was baptized in
Scarborough 26 July 1730. He married Judith . Their
son, Capt. Isaac Davis, was born in Scarborough 26 Mch. 1758.
He was a Revolutionary soldier and Capt. of militia. Moved to
Royalsborough in 1780 and settled on lot 124. He married,
I April 1784 Dorcas, dau. of Judah Chandler. He was select-
man and Town Clerk sixteen years, one of the leading men of
the town. Died 11 Nov. 1846. His wife, born 28 Oct. 1758,
died 26 Sept. 1842.
Judith b. 11 Mch. 1785; m. 11 Dec. 1806 William Blake of Lisbon; d.
26 June 1863.
Mary b. 29 Oct. 1786; m. 31 May 1806 Thomas Sawyer of Westbrook.
Phebe b. 20 Nov. 1788; m. 28 Sept. 1809 her cousin Jonathan Larra-
bee; d. 16 Oct. 1869 in Mexico, Me.
William b. 5 Oct. 1790; m. (Int. Rec. 12 Nov. 1814) Lydia Batchel-
der of Phippsburg. Killed by lightning 8 June 1819.
Mercy b. 25 Mch. 1793; d. 28 Mch. 1796.
John Chandler b. ii May 1795; m. (Int. Rec. 12 Jan. 1820) Betsey
Booker of Durham; d. 26 Dec. 1835.
Mercy b. 21 Dec. 1797; m. 15 Aug. 1819 William Roak.
Joseph b. 23 Feb. 1802; m. 13 Oct. 1826 Sarah Vining.
Joseph Davis, the last mentioned, lived as a farmer on the
homestead. He died 28 Mch. 1873. Five ch.
William H. b. 5 June 1827; m. (i) Ann Doughty (2) Lucretia M.
Robinson.
Wesley b. 3 Aug. 1829; m. Sarah Avery; killed on R. R. 10 Jan. 1856.
Willard B. b. 26 Sept. 1834; m. Matilda Turner.
Wendall p. b. 27 June 1838; m. Mehitabel Hurlburt.
Wiley L. b. 15 Sept. 1841; m. Nellie E. Merrill. Lives in Durham.
GENEALOGICAL NOTES I 6/
There were other Davises in Royalsborough, but none seem
to have remained long. Ehas Davis is mentioned as early as
1775. His taxes were abated in 1791. The same year Joseph
Davis was chosen moderator. Elias Davis" wife's name was
Bethiah. Joseph may have been their son. They lived at S. W.
Bend. In 1793 Elias Davis of Bakerstown (Poland) was warned
to leave town. Moses, son of Michael Davis, is recorded as born
14 Oct. 1786. Enoch Davis, born in Wentworth, N. H., 24 Feb.
1772, married, 27 Nov. 1800 Sally Currier. Their children were
Abel b. 10 Nov. 1801 ; Sally b. 9 May 1803 ; Lucy b. 2 April 1805.
Benjamin, son of Benjamin and Dorcas (Wharfif) Davis of
Pownal, was born 16 April 1803. He married 31 Dec. 1829
Patience Douglas. They lived on the old Douglas homestead
m Durham. He died 21 Oct. 1862. His wife died 24 April 1887.
6 ch.
Dorcas Wharff, b. 13 Aug. 1831; m. 11 Jan. 1849 Joseph Tuttle; d.
27 Dec. 1888.
Margaret Snow, b. 31 Aug. 1833; d. 16 Dec. 1854. Unm.
Joseph Henry, b. 2 Oct. 1835; m. (i) 24 Nov. 1864 Hattie W. Rich-
ardson of Brunswick; (2) Julia Ann Day. He is a carriage maker and
farmer. Has been Selectman and Representative to the Legislature.
Has only one child living, Hattie.
Lydia Ellen b. 23 Nov. 1837; m. 17 June 1858 Samuel Webber of
Guilford.
William Penn b. 15 May 1841; m. 16 April 1865, Louisa Day of
Durham. Two children, Everett who lives in Bath, and Ella who m.
Burton B. Brown of Durham.
Benjamin Franklin b. .5 Dec. 1843; m. 8 Sept. 1867 Augusta E.
Record, born 18 Jan. 1844. He died in Freeport 30 Sept. 1880. One
son, George, lives in Portland.
DAY.
The American progenitor of the Day family was Anthony
Day of Gloucester, Mass. A branch of the family settled in
Georgetown in the first half of the eighteenth century. Josiah
Day m. 24 July 1770, Wealthy Blethen in Georgetown and set-
tled in Royalsborough in 1773. He bought lot 21 of Job
Blethen, 3 March 1777. He was Selectman and on the Com-
mittee of Safety. Died in 1837, aged about 95 yrs.
Josiah Jr. b. 11 Nov. 1774. See below.
Phebe b. II Dec. 1776; m. Joseph Hacker.
Isaiah b. 30 Sept. 1778; m. 1805 Deborah Philbrook; d. 20 Oct. 1819.
His wife was born 19 July 1782 and died 2 April 1882. See below.
1 68 HISTORY OF DURHAM
Charlotte b. 27 Aug. 1780; m. 1805, Caleb Estes; d. 12 Sept. 1821.
Wealthy b. 4 Nov. 1782; m. 2 Feb. 1806 Samuel Moulton; d. in Lee,
Me., 17 Aug. 1849.
Levi b. 1784; m. Rebecca Spear; moved to Litchfield; d. 1829. For
family see Hist, of Litchfield.
Sarah b. ; m. Joseph Philbrook.
Jeremiah, drowned in Sabattus Pond. Unm.
Jesse b. 22 July 1788; m. Hannah Jones; lived in No. Brunswick; d.
I July 1865. His wife was born 2 Nov. 1792 and died 12 Sept. 1893. See
below.
Josiah Day, Jr., born 1 1 Nov. 1774, married Jan. 1799, Mercy,
(lati. of Caleb and Peace (Goddard) Jones, and died 20 Oct. 1825.
She was born in Brunswick 21 Jan. 1777 and died in Durham
15 .Sept. 1 86 1.
Thankful b. 17 Nov. 1799; m. 6 April 1820 Reuben Blethen; d. 4
July 1880.
Isaiah b. 30 Oct. 1802. See below.
Simon b. 20 Oct. 1804; m. (i) Lucinda Graves, (2) Hannah Skolfield,
(3) Kate Jordan.
Jeremiah B. b. 23 Feb. 1808; m. 4 April 1832 Mary Gerrish. Ch.
Alonzo, Albert, Charles H., Harriet m. David Stackpole, Caroline m.
Edward Crockett, and Wesley.
Phoebe b. 30 July 1810; m. Dec. 1830 Jeremiah Moulton.
Lorenzo b. 19 Dec. 1812. See below.
Julia A. b. 1817; m. 18 Dec. 1836 Isaac Hopkins.
Charlotte b. 1820; m. 17 Nov. 1847 Elisha Lunt; (2) 29 May i86q
Peter Swett.
Family of Isaiah and Deborah (Philbrook) Day.
Caroline b. 22 Dec. 1805; m. 30 May 1833 John Plummer; d. 26
Nov. 1882.
Wealthy b. 11 Aug. 1807; m. Elijah Jenkins of Rochester, N. H.
Jeremiah b. 12 Aug. 1809; m. (i) Caroline Gerrish; (2) Phebe Blake
of Lisbon.
Lucy b. 6 Jan. 1812; m. Nathan Douglas.
George P. b. 27 June 1815; m. (i) Eunice Douglas; (2) Sarah P.
Estes. Eunice d. 5 Nov. 1866.
Jane b. 16 Feb. 1818; m. Waitstill W. Douglas; d. 28 Jan. 1892.
Susan P. b. 17 June 1820; m. Joseph Cartland.
Family of Jesse and Hannah (Jones) Day.
Lydia b. 8 May 1821; m. Charles B. Robinson of Brooks, Me.
James b. i April 1823. Unm.
Josiah b. 14 July 1826; d. 18 Aug. 1850. Unm.
Levi b. 12 Sept. 1830. Unm.
Elisha b. 6 June 1832; m. Mercy E. Moulton; d. 4 May 1873.
LORENZO DAY.
GENEALOGICAL NOTES 1 69
Alvah b. 30 Mch. 1834; d. 12 Aug. i860. Unm.
Almira b. 4 Jan. 183- ; m. Stephen Cartland.
Family of Isaiah and Mary (Hanson) Day.
JosiAH b. 21 Oct. 1832.
George b. 22 Dec. 1833.
LoviSA b. 25 Mch. 1835.
Isaac b. 7 Jan. 1837; d. 2 July 1854.
Francis b. 17 Dec. 1838; d. 5 Jan. 1879 in Cal.
Augustus b. 21 Oct. 1840.
Julia b. 24 May 1842.
Mary J. b. 7 July 1844.
Louisa b. 26 July 1846; d. 15 Nov. 1854.
Isaiah b. 6 July 1848.
Lorenzo Day, son of Josiah, Jr., and Mercy (Jones) Day, was
born in Durham, 19 Dec. 1812. He married 14 Feb. 1837, Mary
Louise Hopkins of Brunswick, who was born 27 Oct. 1818, and
died 8 April 1897. He was a shoe manufacturer at North
Brunswick until 1850, when he moved to Brunswick village,
where he continued that business till 1859.
He opened a retail shoe store, 1850, on the corner of Maine
and Mason Sts., in Hinkley Block, which after its partial destruc-
tion m 1853 he rebuilt under the name of Day's Block. Here he
did business till 1877.
J-le also had retail stores in Racine, Beloit and Jonesville,
Wisconsin, and for a short time in Topsham, Me. He died in
Brunswick, 2y March 1880.
Fessenden Irving b. 26 Nov. 1837; m. 20 Dec. 1861 Mary Alma Hoi-
knd. He is a shoe-merchant in Levi^iston, Me.
Lizzie Hopkins b. 22 Aug. 1839; m. 4 July 1869 Elisha M. Whit-
ten, M. D.
Maria Louise b. 12 Aug. 1841; m. 25 Nov. 1863 John Furbish.
Leander Howard b. 23 Jan. 1844; m. 21 Oct. 1869 Nellie Seymour
Phelps.
Mary Ella b. 14 April 1849; d. 2}, Feb. 1852.
Ellen Caro b. i Jan. 1851; m. 22 Oct. 1879 Fred Burns Valpey. Two
ch. Harold Day b. 22 Aug. 1880, and Frederick Louis b. 21 July 1882.
Children of Fessenden L and Mary A. (Holland) Day.
Herbert Irving b. 15 Feb. 1864; d. 29 July 1864.
Daniel Holland b. 19 May 1865.
Fessenden Lorenzo b. 18 June 1868.
Mary Alma b. 2 June 1872.
Annie Holland b. 19 Oct. 1873; d. 2 April 1875.
Helen Louise b. 8 April 1877; d. 29 July 1880.
Ethel Wilson b. 21 Aug. 1884.
170 HISTORY OF DURHAM
Children of Leander H. and Nellie S. (Phelps) Day.
Rena' Ells b. 29 Oct. 1870.
Irving Seymour b. 22 Sept. 1873; d. 23 Oct. 1895.
Bessie Florence b. 27 Oct. 1875.
Jesse Gould b. 2 June 1882.
Children of John and Maria L. (Day) Furbish.
Edward Fayson b. 12 Oct. 1864; d. 10 Aug. 1878.
Benjamin Lincoln b. 10 Dec. 1866.
Mary Alice b. 20 Sept. 1869.
Charles Weston b. 5 March 1872; d. 20 July 1872.
Samuel Benson b. i Aug. 1874.
John Arthur b. 14 Oct. 1878.
DINGLEY.
The ancestor of the Dingley family in the United States was
John Dingley (1608-58) who came to Lynn in 1637 and settled in
Marshlield, Mass., in 1640. The descent to the Dingleys of Dur-
ham is through Jacob (1642-91), John (1670- 1763), Jacob
(1703-92), Jacob (1727- ) and William (1749- 18 12) to Jeremiah.
William Dingley married in Cape Elizabeth, 7 Feb. 1771, Sarah
Jordan and moved to So. Danville in 1793. He lived on the River
Road, where Orin Libby now lives. Jeremiah his son was born
in Cape Elizabeth 14 Jan. 1779. He married, 12 May 1805,
Lucy, dau. of Rev. James Garcelon. She was born 13 July 1786
and died 6 Aug. 1831. He married (2) 24 Nov. 1833 Mrs. Sarah
(Miller) Jordan, and lived thereafter on lot 88 in Durham. He
died in Auburn 14 Feb. 1869, aged 90 yrs.
Jordan b. 2 April 1806; m. Jane Gilpatrick of Unity; d. 20 Oct. 1877.
His wife died 7 April 1873, aged 53 yrs. 4 nios. He lived at S. W. Bend.
Ch. John b. 10 April 1839, now living in Auburn; Abby b. 23 Sept. 1841;
Albion b. 31 May 1850, deceased; and Helen b. 2 Sept. 1856.
Julia A. b. 16 July 1807; m. Socrates Dow.
Nelson b. 15 Nov. 1809; m. 1831, Jane Lambert. Their children were
Nelson Jr. (See Biog. Sketch) and Frank L. b. in Unity 7 Feb. 1840,
now Editor of Lewiston Journal.
James b. 7 Jan. 1811; m. (i) Betsey Blethen; (2) widow Howard.
William b. 27 Mch. 1814; see below.
Nancy b. 13 June 1814; m. Wm. Brewster and has a son William who
lives in Auburn.
Lucy b. 18 Aug. 1819; m. 21 Dec. 1837 Isaac Lambert.
Jeremiah Jr. b. 13 April 1822; m. 29 May 1845 Minerva Williams; (2)
Ruth P. McKenney. Res. Auburn.
Sarah E. b. 9 Aug. 1824. Lives in Auburn.
GENEALOGICAL NOTES I/I
Susan G. b. 3 April 1828; m. 14 Dec. 1850 Cornelius Stackpole. She
died in Auburn 4 June 1882.
Dea. William, son of Jeremiah Dingley, m. 16 Mch. 1837,
Maria Blethen. He was well known in Durham and Auburn as
a good man and the rehgious leader of his neighborhood. He
died 4 July 1898. His wife died in June 1898.
Lucy b. 6 Dec. 1837; m. William Stackpole.
Sarah b. 6 Dec. 1837; m. Rev. George Leavens; d. 22 Jan. 1886.
Lavina b. 16 Mch. 1839; d- 6 June 1845.
Wm. Franklin b. 29 Sept. 1845. Lives on the homestead in So.
Auburn.
Millard F. b. 9 Oct. 1850. Lives on lot 88 in Durham.
Albion, son of Jordan Dingley, married Mahala, dau. of Ben-
jamin Thomas, and died 28 Oct. 1S94.
Belle J. b. 28 June 1874.
Fred J. b. 18 Oct. 1875.
Helen E. b. 23 Sept. 1878; d. 8 Sept. 1879.
Alice L. b. i Sept. 1881.
DOANE.
Richard Doane, son of Edward and grandson of Ebenezer
Doane who m. Elizabeth Skillin, was born in Cape Elizabeth 26
Dec. 1772. He married, (i) 26 Nov. 1793, Mary, daughter of
John Randall, who w^as born in Portland 17 April 1775,
and died in Durham 10 April 1829; (2) 17 April 1831 Mary
E. Cobb of West Bath. He died in Durham 4 May 1848. He
lived near Methodist Corner on farm recently owned by George
Estes. He had ten children by the first marriage. He was a
staunch adherent of the Methodist church.
Joanna b. in Cape Elizabeth 13 Jan. 1795; m. 23 March 1824 Ammi
Loring; d. 29 Dec. 1843 in Pownal.
Sarah C. b. in Durham 8 Jan. 1797; m. 24 Nov. 1820 Stephen H.
Davis; d. 8 Aug. 1874 in Farmington.
John R. b. in Durham 29 Jan. 1799; m. 19 May 1832 Lucy Strout of
Poland and died in Durham 18 June 1834, leaving a dau. Mary Jane who
married Samuel Churchill of Poland.
Mary R. b. 9 April 1801 ; m. 21 March 1821 David Loring; d. 13 Feb.
1879 in Guilford, Ind.
Nancy C. b. 25 Aug. 1803; m. 23 Aug. 1826 Benj. Randall of Pownal;
d. 30 Sept. i860.
Olive S. b. 7 July 1806; unm. d. in Durham 14 Feb. 1849.
William b. 27 July 1808; d. in Durham 3 Aug. 1811.
172 HISTORY OF DURHAM
Margaret A. b. 10 April 1810; m. 9 Feb. 1832 David M. Nichols; d.
19 Oct. 1882 in Durham.
Harriet A. b. 22 July 1816; m. 9 Oct. 1834 Joseph Nichols of Lisbon.
Lucy Ann b. 19 June 1820; m. 10 Aug. 1845 Charles Libby; d. 29
March 1850 in Pownal.
DOUGLAS.
This family is of Scotch descent, claiming connection with the
old Earls of Angus. John Douglas, born in 1695, was the first
emigrant to America and settled in Middleborough, Mass. His
oldest son Elijah b. about 1720 in Middleborough, m. (i) 27 April
1742 Phebe Taylor and had three sons; (2) Elizabeth dau. of
Edward and Patience Estes, born in Hanover, Mass. 7 April 1731
and had 8 children. Lived in Harpswell for a while and settled
in Royalsborough in 1775 on the Meadow Road. He died in
1814, aged 94. He was the first of the name to unite with the
Society of Friends, having joined them at Falmouth 29 June 1754.
Cornelius Douglas, son of John, was born in Middleborough,
Mass., 12 Sept. 1749; m. 10 Nov. 1767 x^nn, dau. of Edward and
Patience Estes, who was born in Hanover, Mass., 14 March 1735.
She was sister to his stepmother. He moved to Royalsborough
in 1773 and bought Lot 28. His log house is said to have been
the fifth built in Royalsborough, but this is doubted. It was on
a little hillock some distance from where the highway now is.
His wife d. 28 Jan. 1790. He m. 23 June 1791 Lydia, dau. of
Joseph and Elizabeth Buffum of Berwick, Me. He was a Friend.
Died in Durham 20 June 182 1. His second wife died 31
Aug. 1837.
Children by first wife.
John b. 8 Sept. 1768; m. 14 Mch. 1791 Judith Collins, d. in Brunswick
17 June 1820.
Edward b. 30 June 1770; m. 4 May 1797 Esther Collins.
Phebe b. 12 Nov. 1772; m. 24 Jan. 1793 Ebenezer Austin; d. 15 Jan.
1817.
Joseph b. i Aug. 1774 in Royalsborough; d. 6 June 1782.
Children by second wife.
Anna b. 15 July 1792; m. 7 Feb. 1822 Saml. Goddard; d. 4 Oct. 1840.
Joseph b. 28 May 1793; drowned at Hebron 27 Aug. 1814.
Joshua b. 8 Sept. 1794; m. (i) Jane Adams; (2) Lucy Beal.
David, b. 16 July 1796; m. (i) Hannah Davis; (2) Chloe Davis.
Cornelius b. 12 June 1798; m. 27 Jan. 1820 Phebe Nichols of
Berwick. See p. 68 and portrait.
CORNELIUS DOUGLAS.
GENEALOGICAL NOTES I 73
Lydia b. 28 Dec. 1799; ni. 15 Nov. 1827 George W. Morse; d. 29 Nov.
1843.
Patience b. 15 Feb. 1803; m. 31 Dec. 1829 Benjamin Davis; d. 24
Apr. 1887.
Joseph Douglas, brother of CorneHus and son of EHjah, was
born in North Yarmouth (now Harpswell) 8 April 1753; m. 4
Sept. 1773 Mary McFall who was born 31 Dec. 1751. In 1781
he bought a farm of Stephen Chase in Royalsborough for
£213 6s. iSd. in depreciated currency. The farm was 100 acres,
half of lots 5 and 12. Here he built a log house. He was a
powerful preacher in the Society of Friends, and a man of natural
ability and deep piety. He died 22 Dec. 182 1. 6 ch.
Elijah b. 24 June 1775; d. young.
David b. 11 July 1779; m. Waite Hawkes.
Moses b. 28 July 1784. Unm.
Elizabeth b. 20 May 1786. Unm.
Rachel b. 29 June 1788; m. 30 Oct. 1823 Hanson Hussey of Albion.
Rebecca b. 29 May 1790. Unm.
John Douglas, son of Elijah, b. in Harpswell, 8 Nov. 1774;
m. (i) 5 Aug. 1796 Sarah Booker; (2) Catherine (Briry) Booker.
Settled on a part of his father's farm in Durham. In 1820 bought
a farm near the River. Died in Brunswick 18 Oct. 1853.
Polly b. 16 May 1797; d. same day.
Elizabeth b. 18 June 1798; d. 5 April 1814.
Hugh b. 18 Aug. 1800; m. Julia A. Goddard.
John b. 21 Mch. 1803; d. Sept. 1820.
Joanna b. 20 Aug. 1805; d. 1808.
Nancy B. b. 6 Feb. 1808; m. 8 Mch. 1829 John B. Douglas.
Isaac b. 7 Feb. 181 1; m. Abigail K. Webber.
Sally b. 30 Jan. 1814.
Children by second wife.
Enos b. 2 Sept. 1816; m. Nov. 1842 Nancy M. Jordan; m. (2) Sept.
1895 Mrs. Hannah (Foss) Hanscomb. Res. Leviriston.
Waitstill Webber, b. i Nov. 1818; m. Jane Day; d. i Apr. 1876.
Joshua Douglas, son of Cornelius and grandson of Elijah,
Vvas born m Royalsborough 8 Sept. 1794; m. (i) 11 June 1818
Jane, dau. of Andrew and Ruth ( Lufkin) Adams ; (2) 29 Aug.
1839, Lucy, dau. of Jonathan and Lucy Beal of Durham. Bought
his father-in-law's farm near Gerrish's mill in 1818, which he sold
in 1835 to Henry Plummer and bought of Caleb Jones a farm on
174 HISTORY OF DURHAM
the River. He died 21 Jan. 1881. He was an excellent man.
a worthy minister of the Society of Friends.
Joseph b. 24 Mch. 1819, m. Ann G. Beal.
Eliza Jane b. 28 Feb. 1822; m. James Goddard.
George b. 11 May 1825; m. Elizabeth A. Prescott; d. 20 April 1888.
John b. 26 Feb. 1828; m. Ann Maria Hamblin.
Charles b. 24 Aug. 1830; m. Annie E. Fisher.
Joshua Lufkin b. 17 April 1833; m. Helen L. Harvey. Res. Bath.
Wm. Henry b. 13 Oct. 1847; m. (i) Ella H. Rolfe; (2) Mrs. Eliza B.
(Tibbetts) Clason.
As an excellent Genealogy and History of the Douglas family
has been published by Joshua Lufkin Douglas, of Bath, it is not
deemed necessary to give further particulars about this family.
DOW.
John Dow of Gilmanton, N. H., was born about 1764. He
went to Portland, Me., and failed in business. Came to Durham
about 1790 as a school-master. Married i Mch. 1791 Betsey,
dau. of Joshua Strout. They lived at first in a house fronting
that of Benjamin Vining, on the east side of the County Road.
Here he had a small store and also made potash. He sold this
place, II Aug. 1792 to Eben H. Goss of Brunswick. He after-
ward lived on the River Road, where the late Dea. Wm. Dingley
lived. About 1825 he sold this farm to Simeon Blethen and Dea.
Isaac Lambert and moved to Avon, where he died and was
buried about 1834, aged 70 yrs. He was a tall, spare man, of
dark complexion and thin face. His wife died in Wilton in 1847.
He was a Revolutionary soldier.
Edmund b. 28 March 1793. See below.
John Jr. b. 23 April 1796; died young.
Sally b. 24 Mch. 1798; m. Moses Sanborn.
Betsey b. 24 May 1800; died young.
Socrates b. 16 July 1802; m. Julia Dingley; d. in Foxcroft.
Mary m. Isaac Clark.
Joshua.
William died in Vienna, Me.
James.
Edmund Dow bought a farm adjoining that of his father, one
tier of lots back from the river, in what is now So. Auburn.
Here he built a house and lived till 1828. The farm is still called
the "Ned place." He moved to Wilton and died there 25 Nov.
J 879. In his youth he was well known throughout Durham.
GENEALOGICAL NOTES 175
He married 20 Aug. 1820 Jane, dau. of Samuel Robinson of
Durham; (2) 1856, Sara Mace; (3) 1864, Sarah Eames. He
drew a pension for his service in the War of 181 2. His children
were.
Betsey b. 1821; Samuel R. b. 6 April 1823; John D. b. 1825; living in
Lowell, Mass.; Charles R. b. 25 July 1827, living in Brookline, Mass.;
Edmund b. 1829; Mary Jane b. 1832; James Hillman b. 1834, d. 1865;
Joshua b. 1836, d. 1863; Lorenzo b. 1874, d. 1875. Edmund, James and
Joshua were soldiers of the Union Army in the Rebellion.
DRINKWATER.
Thomas Drinkwater of Taunton married Elizabeth Haskell
before 1700. His family had then been in New England many
years. Their eighth child was Joseph, born about 1710. He
moved to No. Yarmouth in 1730 and married May 18, 1732, Jane
Latham. The ninth child of Joseph and Jane Drinkwater was
Daniel, who married Rebecca Fisher, and these were the parents
of Retiar Drinkwater, born in Cumberland 9 Nov. 1789. He
married Feb. 16, 1815 Mary Whitney, who died 2 May 1823;
(2) Dec. 16, 1824, Elsa D. Jones of Pownal. By the first mar-
riage were three children, Mary and Retiar, both of whom died
young, and Roxana who married Charles Hicks of Falmouth.
By second marriage were eight children.
IMary W. b. Sept. 27, 1828; d. 29 Sept. 1828.
Retiar b. 29 May 1827; m. 10 Feb. 1853 Sarah E. Noyes, who died 5
Dec. 1868; m (2) Betsey Jane Dunn of Cumberland.
Hiram J. b. 22 Nov. 1828; m. 29 April 1861 Clarissa D. Sylvester; d.
3 April 1892. A daughter Marion died in infancy.
Frances E. b. 22 March 1830; d. 8 May 1874; m. Benj. F. Nason.
Lois U. b. 4 June 1832; m. 28 Sept. 1854, Allen Weeks.
Mary W. b. 22 July 1834; m. 20 Sept. 1859 Nath'l B. Welch of Port-
land; m. (2) 4 July 1871 Charles Whitman of Detroit, Mich.
Henry C. b. 10 May 1839; d. 8 Sept. 1841.
Caroline S. b. July 13, 1842; m. Everett B. Osgood. 3 ch. m. (2)
Adelbert J. Benton.
Retiar Drinkwater had six children by first marriage. He died
29 Oct. 1892 ; his wife died 15 Dec. 1868.
Charles d. 3 Oct. 1856.
Edith E. b. 9 Nov. 1858; d. 16 Oct. 1863.
WiNNiFRED Adelaide b. 2Z Oct. i860.
Hattie N. b. 28 Feb. 1862; d. 29 Oct. 1892; m. 11 Oct. 1882 Jarvis
Lamson of Boston. 4 ch.
176 HISTORY OF DURHAM
Frank M. b. 19 Nov. i860; m. 24 Nov. 1887 Maria L. dau. of Wm.
Stackpole. Lives in Somerville, Mass. 2 ch. Harlan Retiar b. 19 Dec.
1890; d. 6 Nov. 1894; and Ethel Stackpole b. 28 Jan. 1889.
Sarah E. b. 24 Nov. 1868.
DUDLEY.
Micajah, son of Samuel Dudley, was sixth in descent from
Gov. Thomas Dudley of Mass. He was born in Brentwood,
N. H., 27 Sept. 175 1 ; m. Susanna, dau. of Timothy and Sibylla
(Freeman) Forster. She was born at Attleboro, Mass., 16 Mch.
1 75 1, and died at China, Me., 8 Jan. 1838. He died in Durham
Mch. 1798. He lived in South Durham, about opposite Chas.
W. Webber's. The "Dudley Spring" in his pasture is still shown.
There are some remains of his old cellar. The maples he planted
are two feet in diameter. He was a minister of the Society of
Friends from 3 Sept. 1795 till his death. He lived in Winthrop
for some years before moving to Durham.
John b. 5 Nov. 1775; m. Eunice Winslow; lived in Durham till 1812;
d. in China 2"] Oct. 1847.
Samuel b. 22 Feb. 1777; m. Anna Wing; d. in Sidney, i Feb. 1847.
Susanna b. 18 Dec. 1778; m. Ephraim Jones. Their daughter Sibyl
Jones became a distinguished preacher among the Friends, as was also
her husband Eli Jones.
Mary b. 3 Sept. 1780; m. Aaron Buffuni.
Sibyl b. 16 Mch. 1782; m. Benj. Dunham.
Thankful b. 31 Mch. 1784; m. Chandler Allen of Greene.
Micajah b. 26 Jan. 1786 in Durham; m 17 Jan. 1810 Experience
Wing; died at China 24 Mch. 1837. 11 ch.
Lydia b. 22 Oct. 1789; m. 2 Mch. 1807 Robert Jones of Durham.
William b. 5 July 1790; m. 22 Nov. 1814 Sarah Davis of Lewiston;
d. i860, in China.
Austras b. 30 April 1792; d. 1796.
David b. 15 April 1794. Preacher. See p. 69.
DURAN.
Dea. Matthew Duran was born 17 March 1747, and according
to tradition came from England when a young man and settled
in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. He was a Revolutionary soldier. He
married (i) Sarah Strout of Cape Elizabeth, who was bom
13 Alay 1756. As early as 1769 he owned a farm of 60 acres on
Fore Rim, opposite Portland, wdiich he sold, 8 Feb. 1782. He
bought, 22 Oct. 1782, of Vincent Roberts 50 acres of land at
Durham, Me., which was the south-western side of lot 32.
GENEALOGICAL NOTES 177
Ebenezer Roberts then lived on the other half. He probably
moved to Durham soon after this purchase. April 14, 1794, he
exchanged the above land for 90 acres in "Bagley's Gore," on
the Freeport line, with Joseph Paul. His wiie died 25 Mch.
1 82 1, aged 71 yrs (?) He married (2) 18 April 1822 Eleanor Gee
of Scarboro. He died i Jan. 1844. Eight children.
John b. 2 April 1772; m. 21 Sept. 1794 Jane Davis.
Mary b. 13 Nov. 1774; ni. 7 Dec. 1800 Jeremiah Gerrish.
Samuel b. 2 Oct. 1776; m. (i) 26 Sept. 1798 Kezia Cash; (2) 6 Aug.
1B28 Hannah (Runnels) Tukey. Twelve children by first wife, three by
second. He died in Portland 3 June 1857.
Matthew Jr. b. 3 April 1781; see below.
Francis b. 13 Mch. 1783; m. Apphia Sawyer. Had eight sons and a
daughter.
Elsie b. 18 Oct. 1785; m. 25 Nov. 1811 David Osgood; d. 26 Jan. 1833.
Nathaniel b. 2 Feb. 1788; rn. {Int. Rec. 27 Jan. 1815) Mary Young
of Limington. Ch. Nathaniel, Betsey and Mary.
Sarah b. 28 Nov. 1791; m. 2 Feb. 1812 David Osgood Jr.; d. 22
June 1855.
Matthew Jr. b. 3 April 1781 ; m. (Int. Rec. 10 Jan. 1807)
Betsey Dyer of Limington, Me. They had ten children.
Daniel b. in Pownal 7 Aug. 1809.
Joseph b. in Pownal 8 Aug. 1812.
Matthew b. in Pownal 23 June 1814; m. (Int. Rec. 6 April 1829)
Jerusha Berry of Gray.
Ruth b. i Sept. 1816.
Stephen b. in Durham 22 Feb. 1819.
John b. 25 Feb. 1821.
Mary Elizabeth b. 12 March 1823.
Thatcher Davis b. 7 Feb. 1825.
Samuel Holbrooks b. 15 Jan. 1827.
Benjamin b. 25 Jan. 1830.
Benjamin Duran, son of John and grandson of Dea. Matthew,
was born in New Gloucester 15 Feb. 1816; m. 8 May 1845 Mary,
dau. of Theophilus S. Thomas; d. 21 Jan. 1895. His wife died
1 June 1885.
Emma C. b. 2 May 1846; d. 28 Aug. 1864.
Marietta d. j^onng.
Edwin B. b. 3 May 1851.
lyS HISTORY OF DURHAM
DYER.
The intentions of marriage of Micah Dyer and Hannah Marri-
ner were recorded in old Fahiioiith 8 April 1749. David, their
son, was born in Cape Elizabeth 13 Jan. 1754: Married 22 Aug.
1775 Tamisin Dennison, who was born at Cape Ann 15 March
1757. Settled in Royalsborough in 1773. He built the house
where Wesley Day now lives, at the junction of the old "Hallo-
well Road" with the County Road. Barnabas Strout kept store
.and hotel in this house earlier than 1814. David Dyer died in
1807.
David Jr. b. 3 Aug. 1776.
Jane b. 25 Jan. 1780; d. 10 Nov. 1780.
EzEKiEL b. 22 Nov. 1779; m. Mary Dyer of Cape Elizabeth.
George Dennison b. 15 Aug. 1771.
William b. 4 July 1782.
Benj. B. b. 25 Jan. 1784.
Sarah Osgood b. 7 July 1789.
Jonathan b. 25 Dec. 1791.
John b. 5 April 1799; m. Margaret Mars who was b. in Pejepscot
2 Nov. 1800. They lived in Brunswick. 8 ch.
Family of Moses and Mary Dyer.
"Mary b. 30 Sept. 1798; m. 15 June 1828 Benj. Spiller of Raymond.
Hannah b. i Feb. 1801; m. i Nov. 1827 Samuel Duran Jr. of Ray-
mond.
Eleanor b. i June 1803; m. i Nov. 1828 Isaac Deering of Lisbon.
Almira b. 7 June 1807; m. 27 March 1831 Jabez Deering of Lisbon.
Moses b. i Oct. 1809; m. int. 3 Oct. 1830 Anna B. Nason of Minot.
Charles b. 30 Dec. 181 1.
Israel b. 24 Aug. 1815.
Micah Dyer, brother of David, b. in Cape Elizabeth 28 Oct.
1751, came to Royalsborough in 1772. Lived by the river near
,S. W. Bend ; m. 29 Oct. 1772 Sarah Holland.
Sally b. 13 Oct. 1773; m. 25 April i793 Robert Mitchell (?)
Nathan b. 9 July 1775; d. 16 July I775-
Eetsey b. 15 Oct. 1776; m. 18 Oct. 1798 Francis Harmon.
Jane b. 15 Nov. 1780; d. 14 June 1799-
Mary b. 15 Nov. 1778; m. 14 Dec. 1809 Timothy Hibbard.
Micah Jr. b. 13 Sept. 1782; m. 24 Nov. 1803 Mary Murray. Ch. Sally
"b. 27 Aug. 1804.
Benjamin b. 20 Sept. 1784; d. 20 June i799-
Richard b. 21 June 1787; m. int. 29 Oct. 1808 Mary Merrill.
David Jr. b. 11 March 1790; d. 10 Sept. 1792.
Susannah b. 11 Jan. 1793; ni. 16 Jan. 1812 James Clark. Lived in
Monmouth; d. 19 Oct. 1834-
GENEALOGICAL NOTES I 79
Reuben Dyer b. at Cape Elizabeth 9 Sept. 1770, m. 21 April
1794 Elizabeth Bagley in Durham. She was born in Salisbury,
Mass. 26 April 1770.
O. Israel Bagley b. 18 April 1796.
Mary b. 25 March 1798.
Reuben Jr. b. 14 Feb. 1800; m. Margaret Snow of Harpswell; d.
s. p. in Bath.
ESTES.
The Estes family, it is claimed, is descended from Albert
Azo II, Marquis of Liguria, Italy, born about 1097. He was
the founder of the noble Houses of Este and of Brunswick, and
hence the ancestor of the more recent British sovereigns.
Richard Estes, son of Robert and Dorothy Estes of Dover,
Eng., born March 1647, came to N. Eng. in 1684, married Eliz-
abeth Beck of Dover, N. H. 23 April 1687. They lived in Lynn
and Salem, Mass. Their son Edward was born 20 Feb. 1703 in
Lynn; m. 27 Aug. 1730 Mrs. Patience (Carr) Peckham and died
in Royalsborough, 1788. He resided in Hanover, Mass., and in
Harpswell before moving to Durham with his son. He had 12
children, of whom Caleb was born in Hanover, Mass., 26 Nov.
1747; m. 24 June 1769, Lydia dau. of John Bishop, and died in
1822. She was born 20 Aug. 1749 and died 4 May 181 5 ; he m.
(2) 17 Oct. 1816 Eunice (Nichols) Estes. Nov. 12, 1770 he
received deed of Lot 18, in Royalsborough, though it is evident
that he had been living there for some time. By his first mar-
riage there were eleven children. He was one of the founders of
the Society of Friends in Durham.
Caleb Estes lived in the two-story house west of the Friends
meeting house. One day he moved back from the dinner table
and said, " I have breakfasted with you and dined with you. but
I shall sup in my Father's kingdom," and died immediately.
Lydia b. 8 May 1770; m. (Int. Rec. 28 June 1794) Wm. P. Story; d.
s. p. Nov. 1855.
Sarah b. 4 March 1772; m. Elisha Tuttle; d. 15 Jan. 1857.
Simeon b. 17 Feb. 1774; m. 9 March 1797 Sarah, dau. of Daniel and
Mary (Collins) Davis of Lewiston. Farmer in Pownal. Died 6 July
1863. 12 ch.
Patience b. 29 Jan. 1776; m. (Int. Rec. 19 June 1794) James Estes;
d. 20 March 1805.
Caleb b. 6 April 1778; m. (i) 1805 Charlotte, dau. of Josiah and
Thankful (Blethen) Day; m. (2) 2 Sept. 1823 Sarah Robinson. 7 ch.
l8o HISTORY OF DURHAM
by I St marriage; 3 by 2d. He moved about 1814 to China, Me., and
died 25 May 1864.
Joseph b. 5 Sept. 1780; m. i Oct. 1801 Mary, dau. of Noah Jones; died
16 Nov. 1851. 7 ch.
Israel b. 25 Aug. 1782; m. (Int. Rec. 19 Oct. 1803) Sarah Booker;
m. (2) 20 Feb. 1840 Mrs. Charlotte (Blake) Johnson. 11 ch. by ist mar-
riage. He died 25 Mch. 1875.
Thomas b. 20 Aug. 1784; m. Dec. 181 1 Bettie H. Alden of Greene, Me.
Died 16 Oct. 1870. She was b. 19 Oct. 1786 and d. 23 Jan. 1857; 12 ch.
John b. 19 Oct. 1786; d. 22 Nov. 1787.
Desire b. 15 Oct. 1788; d. 15 July 1880; m. Isaac Cox. 12 ch.
Mary b. 15 Feb. 1792; m. 3 Feb. 181 1 James Cox; d. 22 Feb. 1865.
II ch.
Thomas Estes, named above, was a farmer in South Durham.
See Biog. Sketch. His children were :
Stillman b. 13 Dec. 1812; m. (i) 14 April 1841 Irene Jones of China,
Me.; m. (2) Statira Allen. Farmer in St. Albans. 5 ch. Died in West-
brook, Me. 28 April 1885.
Lydia b. 30 March 1814; m. 14 May 1843 Wm. D. Larrabee; d. 17
Nov. 1871. 3 ch.
Lewis A. b. 11 Dec. 1815; m. See Biographical Sketch.
Bettie H. b. 6 June 1817; m. Chas. C. Smith.
Horace b. 14 June 1819; educated at Kent's Hill; a teacher in the
West; d. near Des Moines, Iowa, 23 Feb. 1884, leavmg a daughter.
Emily b. 6 Aug. 1821; m. Silas Plummer of Lisbon.
Charlotte b. 4 Aug. 1823; m. Randolph C. Michaels of Durham.
Lives in Plymouth, 111.
Thomas A. b. 19 April 1825; m. Mary P. Alexander of Harpswell.
Res. Des Moines, la.
George H. b. 12 March 1827; m. Emeline Trufant of Durham.
Philena b. 14 Aug. 1828; m. Wm. W. Patch of Rutland, Vt.
Wm. Roscoe Greene b. 22 Nov. 1830; m. (i) 7 July 1857 Maria E.
Osgood; (2) 30 April 1865 Caroline Walker. See Biog. Sketch.
Christina b. 5 Oct. 1834; d. 25 Aug. 1884. Unm.
Edward Estes, brother of Caleb, was born in Hanover, Mass.
Nov. II, 1745; m. 6 Sept. 1770 Prudence, dau. of James and
Sarah Goddard. June 10, 1771 received deed of Lot 6 in Dur-
ham. Their children were.
James b. 13 Oct. 1771; see below.
Sarah b. 8 Feb. 1773; m. Isaac Hoxie; d. Nov. 1863.
Silas b. 3 Nov. 1776; see p. 181.
Phebe b. 26 Feb. 1779; d. 18 Feb. 1785.
James Estes b. 13 Oct. 1771 ; m. (i) 8 July 1794 his cousin
Patience, dau. of Caleb Estes. (2) 9 April 1808 Joanna Blethen.
GENEALOGICAL NOTES 161
The following children by first marriage were born in Durham.
After his second marriage he lived in Canton and Livermore and
had other five children. Died Nov. 1863, aged 91 yrs.
John b. 27 April 1795; d. s. p.
William b. 8 Feb. 1797; d. s. p.
Lydia, twin to William; d. 11 March 1797.
Pheb^ b. II Nov. 1798; m. 14 March 1816 Abijah Douglas. Lived in
Hebron, Dixfield and Passadumkeag. 3 ch.
Caleb b. 20 Sept. i8co; m. Annie Libby; d. s. p. 25 Dec. 1888.
Joshua Bishop b. 9 Nov. 1803; d. s. p. at sea.
Silas Estes b. 3 Nov. 1776, m. 14 May 1794 Mary Sargent of
Bath. Died 8 Dec. 1855 in Durham. 9 ch.
Edward b. 20 Sept. 1796; m. 8 May 1825 Mary Goddard; d. s. p.
7 Jan. 1863.
Prudence b. 22 July 1798; m. 28 Aug. 1818 John V. Davis; d. 2 Aug.
1880. II ch.
Wealthy b. 22 May 1800; m. 18 Feb. 1819 Henry Plummer; d. 15
Jan. 1830. 5 ch.
Miriam b. 20 Sept. 1802; m. 29 May 1832 Ezekiel Mcintosh; d. 13
Oct. 1864. 5 ch.
Josiah b. 29 July 1804; m. Hannah Hoxie of Vassalboro. Lived in
Lewiston; died 20 Feb. 1862. 11 ch.
Joseph b. 9 Nov. 1806; m. 7 Nov. 1833 Joanna Bibber of Freeport;
d. 20 June 1872. Lived in Durham. 6 ch.
Sarah H. b. 3 March 1809; m. 17 April 1845 Alpheus Fairfield of
Vassalboro. 4 ch.
Samuel b. 3 March 1809; m. 13 Oct. 1831 Miriam Frye of Falmouth.
Had six children born in Durham.
Isaac H. b. 9 Dec. 1812; m. Sept. 1831 Dorothy Doughty; d. 13 July
1871. 9 children.
Joseph Estes, son of Edward and Patience, brother of Caleb,
born in Harpswell 21 July 1750, married Mary Goddard 29 Nov.
1775. Moved to Royalsborough in 1776. Settled on lot 3.
Was a tanner. Died without issue and was succeeded in the
business of a tanner by Nathan Hawks of Windham.
There was also a Matthew Estes, saddle maker, and Elizabeth
his wife. Came from Mass. Had children born in Durham,
George b. April 1816 and Esther b. 23 June 1819. Is said to
have had a son Thaxter Estes who practiced law in Readfield.*
*For further particulars see Estes Genealogies, by Charles Estes of
Warren, R. I.
1 82 HISTORY OF DURHAM
EVELETH.
Silvester Ev^eleigh or Eveleth was a baker in Boston in 1642.
He removed to Gloucester in 1644 and died there 4 Jan. 1689.
His son Joseph, m. Mary Bragg, was one of the jurors in the
witchcraft trials at Salem, in 1692. He died i Dec. 1745, aged
.105 yrs. His son Isaac m. Sarah and had a son Isaac who
m. Elizabeth Parsons. Their son Nathaniel was one of the early
settlers of New Gloucester, Me., coming from Gloucester, Mass.
as early as 1756. He was Town Clerk in New Gloucester 1774-
1816 and often Selectman. He m. Mary Glass. Their son James
ni. Hannah Austin.
James Henry Eveleth, son of the last named, was born in
New Gloucester 6 Feb. 1816. He came to Durham in 183 1 and
resided at S. W. Bend as a shoemaker till his death, 14 April 1889.
He was Postmaster many years. Representative in 1866, and one
vear Town Treasurer. He was one of the early advocates of
temperance, and left the memory of an unblemished character.
He m. (i) 3 Dec. 1839 Mary S., dau. of Orlando and Sarah
(VVagg) Merrill of Durham, b. 6 Oct. 1819, d. 15 July 1844; m.
(2) 3 April 1845 Sophronia W., dau. of William and Olive (Wood-
man) Jackson of Minot, b. i Feb. 1824, d. 24 Oct. 1851 ; m. (3)
II July 1852, Martha B., dau. of William and Anna (Norris) Lang
of Durham, b. 30 Sept. 1829, d. 2 June 1861 ; m. (4) 16 Nov. 1862
Mary E. dau. of John and Joanna (Larrabee) Roak of Durham,
b. 13 Jan. 1826 Two children by first marriage.
Julius Edwin b. 2 July 1841. See Biog. Sketch.
Frederick Howard b. 21 Mch. 1843. See Biog. Sketch.
Two by second marriage.
James Alpheus b. i Aug. 1847; went to Cal. in 1867. He is a Com-
mission Merchant of Fruit and Produce in San Francisco. Married 11
Feb. 1877 Cordelia, dau. of Barton England of Santa Rosa, Cal. 6 ch.
Millard Fillmore b. 2 and d. 21 Sept. 1849.
I'hree by third marriage.
Marcus William b. 17 March 1854; m. 15 Nov. 1876 Ada, dau. of
Roland Sylvester of Durham. They have one son Julius Greenleaf. Res.
Durham.
Harlan Fremont b. 30 Dec. 1855; m. 10 Jan. 1894 Alice W., dau. of
Daniel and Sarah (Tappan) Ames. Res. Arlington, Mass. One son,
Harlan Alpheus.
Mary Sophronia b. 3 Nov. 1859; d. 19 Oct. 1877.
One dau. by fourth marriage.
Martha Louise b. 26 Feb. 1870.
JAMES H. EVELETH.
GENEALOGICAL NOTES 153
FARR.
Henry Farr, Jr. was on the military list in 1787 and his father
Henry Farr was on the Alarm list of same date. The latter is
mentioned in 1782. Henry, Jr.'s family is recorded as follows.
He m. 1790 Asenath Brown of Brunswick.
Simeon b. 24 Aug. 1791.
John b. 3 Mch. 1793.
Elizabeth b. ii May 1795.
Reuben b. 8 April 1797; m. 3 Dec. 1818 Margaret Nichols of Durham.
William b. 20 Mch. 1799; m. 3 Jan. 1828 Anne Ridlon.
Barbaree b. 22 July 1801 ; m. 1825 Wm. Blackstone of Pownal.
David in. 16 Dec. 1830 Eliza Bowie.
FARRAR.
John Farrar of Royalsborough was the descendant of John
Farrar who in 1635 came from Hingham, Eng., with his wife
Frances and settled in Hmgham, Mass. The family is said to
be of Norman origin, dating back to the time of William the
Conqueror. The emigrant, John Farrar, died in 1678 at a great
age. He had four daughters and two sons, one of whom, Nathan,
b. 17 Sept. 1654, m. 5 Dec. 1683 Mary Garnett, and had five chil-
dren. Of these Jonathan, b. 20 June 1789, m. Johannah
and had sons Jonathan, David and John. David settled in Buck-
field, Me., and John, b. 1724, settled in N. Yarmouth, marrying
21 June 1747 Jael, dau. of Richard Stubbs. She was born
26 Dec. 1724 and died 9 Oct. 1809. John Farrar of N. Yarmouth
died 25 May 1803. They had Rachel, Hannah, John bap. 17
Nov. 1754, Nathan, bap. 25 Nov. 1759, Huldah and Sarah.
John Farrar married in N. Yarmouth 9 April 1776 Mary Vin-
ing, probably sister of Benjamin Vining afterward of Durham.
She lived but a little while and had no children. He married
20 Sept. 1781 Hannah Shaw of Woolwich, whose ancestors are
said to have come from the Isle of Guernsey. His farm in Dur-
ham is shown on the surveyor's map, near Methodist Corner A
deed shows that he was living in Durham in 1780. He w^as road
surveyor in 1784 and on the training band in 1787. He moved
to what is now Webster in 1793. He died in the fall of 1828.
His wife died several years later. Their first five children were
born in Durham.
Mary b. 20 Sept. 1782; m. Joshua Haley; lived in Lisbon. .
N.\THAN b. 16 Dec. 1784; m Esther Garcelon of Lewiston.
184 HISTORY OF DURHAM
Benjamin b. 5 Nov. 1786; lost at sea.
Reuben b. 8 Jan. 1789; m. (i) Carville; (2) Jane Small.
John b. 29 Dec. 1792; m. 1815 Martha Ham.
James b. 21 Aug. 1794; m. (i) 21 April 1819 Emily Hamilton; (2)
Desdemona Wilson.
JosiAH b. 6 Aug. 1796; m. Mary Ann Handy.
Susanna b. 6 Aug. 1799; m. Clifford.
David b. 30 May 1802; m. (i) Abbie Atwood; (2) Phoebe Flint;
(3)
Hannah b. 6 Jan. 1806.
Ira b. 29 June 1809 m. Hinkley.
FERGUSON.
George Ferguson, b. at Pelham, N. H. 13 Oct. 1765; m. at
Truro, Mass. 19 Sept. 1788 Thankful Rich who was born at Truro
15 March 1766. They settled in Durham in 1788. He died
17 Aug. 1829. She died 13 Feb. 1846. This was a very prom-
inent Methodist family. The sons died unmarried or without
issue and so the family name has long been extinct in Durham.
The Town Records mention the following children.
Jane b. 26 June 1789; m. 7 April 1807 Rev. Allen H. Cobb; d. 13
Feb. 1815.
Anna b. 12 Nov. 1790. Is this the "Nancy" who m. 16 April 1816
Rev. Allen H. Cobb; d. 1871.
David b. 29 Jan. 1793; d. 12 June 1816.
Jonathan b. 4 March 1797; d. 26 Mch. 1815.
Ammi C. b. 5 July 1799; m. 10 Mch. 1818 Jane Gerrish of Lisbon.
Died soon after marriage.
Betsey b. 29 May 1802; m. 3 April 1821 Zebulon Tyler of Pownal.
FICKETT.
Two brothers, Thomas and Joshua Fickett came from Scar-
boro. Joshua settled in Durham about 1794. He married Mary
Hunnewell. Lived and died near Rice's School House. His
son Abner married 2 Dec. 1830 Roxana Edwards and died 25
April 1885. Other children were John, Sarah and James. The
last married 4 Mch. 1838 Nancy Ann Larrabee.
Thomas Fickett married 23 July 1807 Ruth, sister of George
Rice. He died 20 Aug. 1848, aged 67. His wife died 3 Feb.
1873 aged 91 yrs. i mo. 24 dys.
Daniel b. 1810; m. (i) 1833 Paulina F. Turner, who died 19 July 1847,
aged 2>T, (2) 21 May 1848 Hannah Stackpole. He died 14 Nov. 1852.
By second marriage there were two sons; Henry, b. 26 May 1850, m. Cora
GENEALOGICAL NOTES I 85
Anderson of Yarmouth, d. 29 Dec. 1875; and Daniel Jr. b. 10 Oct. 1851,
d. 23 Nov. 1852.
Simon b. 2 Feb. 1822, d. 3 Nov. 1890; m. (i) Angelia Fennel of West-
brook, by whom there was one dau. Angelia; (2) Lydia A. Sawyer of
New Gloucester who died 17 Aug. 1870, aged 45 yrs. i mo. 21 days. They
had ch. Rev. Benjamin F. (see p. 74) Lydia Ella, Adriana and Simon
Lewis; (3) Mrs. Sarah Shepherd of Greene; (4) Mrs. Harriet C. Hutchin-
son of Brunswick, by whom there was one son, Daniel W. All the
children are now living.
Mary m. ii Feb. 1836 Thomas Murray of Portland.
Eliza m. Lemuel Dyer of Westbrook.
Fannie Newell.
Lydia m. Hatch of Portland.
Anna m. 10 July 1831 Jacob Wilbur.
Abigail m. 26 July 1835 Eliphalet S. Haskell.
FIELD.
Samuel Field was a shoemaker and tanner. He lived first
at the Bend and was afterward associated in business with Nathan
Hawkes in So. Durham. He died 22 Feb. 1854. Hs wife Anna
died 21 Jan. 1845. 10 ch.
Mary b. 8 July 1782; m. Nicholas Varney; d. 30 Nov. 1871; John b.
22 Nov. 1784; Stephen b. 13 April 1787; Hannah b. 5 Feb. 1790, m. John
Grossman; Sarah b. 13 Oct. 1792, m. Ezra Sawyer; James b. 24 Mch. 1795,
d. 21 Mch. 1798; x-Vbsalom b. 18 Aug. 1799, d. 4 Jan. 1802; Abigail b. 23
Nov. 1801; m. Oliver Conant, d. 1888; Samuel b. 23 July 1804.
FIFIELD.
Edward F [field was in Royalsborough as early as 1784.
He was born at Kingstown, Mass., 10 July 1765. He married
I March 1787, Mary Bagley, who was born in Salisbury, Mass.,
22 Nov. 1768. His family is given below. All moved to Green-
wood, Me., 1814-1817. He built the house in Durham where
Mrs. Thompson now lives, lot 105.
O. Israel Bagley Fifield b. 15 April 1787; m. 13 March 1808 Com-
fort Ring.
John b. 17 Dec. 1788; m. Hannah Roak.
Elizabeth b. 31 May 1791.
WiNTHROP b. 17 April 1793; d. 21 April 1794.
Dolly b. 25 May 1795. Unm.
Mary Snow b. 20 Nov. 1796; d. 8 Feb. 1805.
Susannah b. 28 Feb. 1799; d. 12 Feb. 1805.
Anna b. 20 June 1801.
LoRA Newell b. 20 Aug. 1806.
1 86 HISTORY OF DURHAM
FROST.
Phinehas Frost was living on the County Road when it was
built in 1770. Wife's name was Margaret. Their ten children
are recorded in Freeport. Fie sold his land in Royalsborough to
Eliot Frost of Berwick in 1775, who sold to Stephen Weston and
Nathaniel Gerrish. There is no evidence that Eliot Frost lived
in Royalsborough. His brother Ichabod Frost, bought lots 72,
80 and part of 79. So he was the first owner and settler of the
land where the village of S. W. Bend now is. In 1777 he sold
25 acres of lot 80 to Eiias Davis and Bethiah, his wife, who did
not long remain in town. He sold the rest of lot 80 to Samuel
Nichols in 1780. Ichabod Frost's wife was Susanna, and they
were then living in No. Yarmouth. The births of two of their
children are recorded in Royalsborough, viz : George, b. 4 Mch.
1774 and Amos Adams, b. 20 Feb. 1778.
GERRISH.
Capt. William Gerrish, born in Bristol, Eng., 20 Aug. 1617,
came to New England as early as 1639 ^^'^^ settled in Newbury,
Mass. He m. (i) 17 April 1645, Joanna, widow of John Oliver
and dau. of Percival Lowle. She died 14 June 1677. He moved
to Boston and m. (2) Ann, widow of John Manning. He died
in Salem, Mass. 9 Aug. 1687. His oldest son John, born 15 May
1646, married in 1665 Elizabeth, dau. of Major Richard Waldron
of Dover, N. H., where he settled and became a prominent citizen.
He died in 17 14. Of his ten children Nathaniel was born in 1672
and married Bridget, dau. of Hon. Wm. Vaughn of Portsmouth.
They had children Nathaniel, William, Charles, George, Rich-
ard and Bridget."^
Charles Gerrish, born in Berwick, 17 16, married Mary Frost.
See p. 13. Their first two children were born in Berwick; the
rest, in old Falmouth.
William b. 27 June 1744.
Charles b. 18 Oct. 1746.
Nathaniel b. 7 April 1751.
George b. 16 June 1753.
James died in the Revolutionary Army, at age of 20 yrs.
Mary, m. Abner, son of Lawrence Harris of Lewiston, Int. Rec. in N.
Yarmouth 2 Mch. J 782. Ten children. The parents moved to Ohio in
1813 and died soon after.
*For Genealogy of early Gerrishes see N. E. Register Vol. VI. p.
258 and Vol. LI. p. 67.
GENEALOGICAL NOTES 1 87
Lt. William Gerrish, son of Major Charles, married 3 April
1767 Esther Parker of N. Yarmouth b. 6 Feb. 1745. He settled
on lots yi and 74 Durham. He died there 6 June 18 12 and is
buried m the cemetery near by. His wife died 14 April 1839.
Nathaniel b. 29 Aug. 1767. See below.
Betsey b. and d. 3 Oct. 1769.
Richard b. 10 Jan. 1772; settled in Aroostook Co.
Benjamin b. 22 April 1774. See p. 188.
Jane b. 29 May 1776; m. 26 Aug. 1796 Dr. Symonds Baker.
James b. 16 Sept. 1778. See p. 189.
Sarah b. 13 Sept. 1781; m. 12 April 1801 Meshack Purington.
Molly b. 25 June 1783; m. 29 Nov. 1802 John Hoyt.
William b. 20 May 1786. See p. 189.
Charles Gerrish, son of ISIajor Charles, married 7 Aug. 1770
Phebe Blethen. She was probably dau. of John Blethen. The
marriage is recorded in Brunswick. They lived on the County
Road, in Durham. Their children were.
HuLDAH b. 21 May 1771; Betsey b. i Oct. 1772 m. 4 Oct. 1789 Henry
Warren of Freeport; Jeremiah b. 10 Oct. I774; see p. 190; Mary b.
4 Jan. 1778; Charles b. 9 Mch. 1780; William b. 25 July 1782; Mar-
garet b. 2S Mch. 1785; Sally b. 4 Feb. 1789.
Nathaniel Gerrish, son of Alajor Charles, married 30 Oct.
i-y-j-j Sarah, dau. of Joseph and Abigail (Hanscom) Marriner of
Cape Elizabeth, born 27 Aug. 1757. They lived on the County
Road. He was a Revolutionary soldier, was for several years
on the Board of Selectmen, and was Capt. of Militia at the time of
his death 28 Nov. 1799. An iron rail surrounds his grave in the
cemetery near that of the North Meeting-House. His wife died
27 July 1831.
George b. 24 Jan. 1779. See p. 190.
Hannah b. 18 Jan. 1781; m. 18 Jan. 1803 Peter Sanborn. She died
10 May 1849. For family see Hist, of Litchfield.
Joseph Marriner b. 24 March 1783. See pp. in and 191.
Loruhamah b. 9 Oct. 1785; m. 27 Nov. 1806 Joseph Osgood; d. 18
Sept. 1864.
Sarah b. 2^ Feb. 1788; m. 26 Nov. 1807 Sam'l G. Osgood; d. 30
Sept. 1837.
Abigail b. 16 April 1790; m. 25 Nov. 1813 Stephen Sylvester.
Thirza b. 26 April 1792; m. i Jan. 1815 Christopher Lincoln.
MosES b. 9 Aug. 1794.
Nathaniel b. 16 Dec. 1797- Settled in jNIichigan.
1 88 HISTORY OF DURHAM
George Gerrish, son of Major Charles, married 20 Dec. 1781
Mary Mitchell of Freeport, who was born 21 June 1758 and died
7 Dec. 1816. He lived on the original Gerrish homestead and
cared for his father in old age. Died 23 May 1814.
Susannah b. 10 Sept. 1782; m. 22 Mch. 1801 Thomas Bagley; moved
to Troy, Me. Died June 1868.
James b. 22 Nov. 1784. See p. 190.
John b. 10 June 1787. See p. 190.
Charles b. 7 Aug. 1789; m. 23 April 1812 Betsey Woodbury; moved
to N. Y. State and died there. Three ch.
Mary b. 3 Feb. 1792; m. 18 May 1817 Thomas Winslow of Freeport.
Died 7 May 1819.
Nathaniel, son of Lt. William Gerrish, married in Harpswell,
1 79 1, Sarah, widow of Lemuel McGray and dau. of Joshua Strout.
He built the house where Prescott Strout now lives at S. W. Bend
and kept hotel there in 1812. Moved to Lisbon Factory in 1817
where he owned a mill and kept hotel. His wnfe died 17 Nov.
1829 and he married (2) Phoebe Weymouth, who died 8 June
1856, aged 64 yrs. He died 8 Jan. 1856.
Elizabeth b. 11 Jan. 1792; m. 13 Feb. 1813 Joseph H. Hoyt.
Joshua Strout b. 27 May 1794; m. 21 Oct. 181 7 Charlotte Sydleman.
Died in Lisbon 2S Sept. 1875. His wife died 22 Jan. 1879. Ch. Everett
of Lisbon, Edward H. of Lewiston and Charlotte who m. Dr. David B.
Sawyer.
Esther b. 9 April 1799; m. Zadock Jones and d. in W. Bowdoin.
Sophia b. 7 May 1803; m. Caleb Jones. Died in China, Me.
Mary b. 26 July 1806; m. David McFarland of Lisbon.
Joseph b. 26 July 1806; d. 16 Jan. 1807.
Children by second marriage.
Charles Wm. b. 19 Sept. 1830; d. in Lisbon.
Alpheus S. b. 18 June 1836. Lives in Nevada.
Benjamin, son of Lt. William Gerrish, married 28 Nov. 179S
Sally True. Lived on a portion of his father's farm. Died 20
Aug. 1854. His wife died 26 June 1852, aged 74 yrs.
Almira b. 6 July 1799; m. 1817 Abram True and moved to Ohio.
Arzilla b. 9 Feb. 1801; m. 1820, Andrew Blethen.
Hannah b. 9 Jan. 1803; m. 13 Aug. 1823 James Strout; d. 7 May 1881.
Mary b. 13 Jan. 1805; m. 4 April 1832 Jeremiah B. Day.
Sally m. 23 June 1836 Greenfield H. Harris.
Abigail b. 9 Sept. 1814; m. i May 1853 Leonard Macomber; d. Mch.
1868.
David T. b. 3 Sept. 1815; see p. 191.
Caroline m. i Jan. 1840 Jeremiah Day; d. 29 Oct. 1840, aged 30 yrs.
4 mos.
WILLIAM GERRISH.
GENEALOGICAL NOTES 1 89
James, son of Lt. William Gerrish, married 26 Nov. 1801
Susanna Roberts. He lived on a portion of the homestead.
Died 8 Oct. 1865. His wife died 27 Aug. 1865.
Mercy b. 4 May 1802; d. young.
Ansel b. 25 Feb. 1804; m. Phebe Beal; see p. 70; d. 19 Aug. 1859.
Sally b. 25 Sept. 1806; m. 20 Aug. 1831 John Marston 3d of N.
Yarmouth.
Irena b. 31 Jan. 1809; d. young."
Susanna b. 14 April 1812; ni. Ammi Vining.
Angelina b. 12 July 1813. Unm.
Salina b. 17 Jan. 1816; m. 3 June 1845 Joel H. Trafton; d. 20 Aug.
1874 in Durham.
Mary b. 29 April 1819; m. Merrill W. Strout; lives in Woburn, Mass.
James Wm. b. 25 Dec. 1820; m. (i) Lucy Hersey; (2) Sarah West.
Ch. by first marriage, John H. and Albertha m. John Allen. James W.
Gerrish died at Auburn, Me., 6 Jan. 1899.
John b. 7 June 1825; d. 13 Nov. 1847. Unm.
William Gerrish, son of Lieut. Wm. and Esther (Parker)
Gerrish was born in Royalsborough 20 May 1786; m. (i) 25
Nov. 181 1, Mary Sydleman ; (2) 13 May 1821 Sophia Thomas
who died June 1835; (3) 1849 ^rs. (Hoyt) Adams of Readfield.
He built the brick house where Andrew Fitz now lives about
1832. The bricks were made on the bank of the river in front of
the house where he lived for many years. He died, in 1862, in
Durham. Old residents will be glad to see his portrait.
Emily b. 1812; m. 29 Nov. 1837 Moses Atkinson; d. abt. 1850 in
Hartland.
Jane M. b. 1813; d. in infancy.
William b. April, 1815; m. 7 Dec. 1843 Rachel C. Whitney; both are
living.
Albert H. b. 8 Oct. 1816; m. 27 April 1843 Lydia Ann Lunt of
Brunswick; lives at Berlin, N. H.
Mary Jane b. 1818; m. 5 May 1850 Albert Wyer; d. in Lynn, Mass.
abt. 1854.
Maria b. 1820; d. at age of four years.
Jabez Woodman b. 1824; m. 15 April 1849 Harriet J. Weston.
Residence, Brockton, Mass.
Charles b. 1826; d. abt. 1848.
Edwin b. 1829; d. in Berlin, N. H. 25 March, 1897.
Henry b. 1832; d. 1855.
Sophia b. 1835; d. 1838.
190 HISTORY OF DURHAM
Jeremiah Gerrish, son of Charles, 2d, married, 7 Dec. 1800
Mary. Dtiran. Lived near Pownal Hne in West Durham. Died
25 July 1822. His wife died 10 Sept. 185 1, aged 80 years.
Hezekiah b. I Nov. 1801; ni. 19 Mcli. 1845 Mary Carsley of Pownal.
Matthew b. 8 Mch. 1804; m. 11 Mch. 1833 Phebe Bishop of Freeport.
Elsy b. I Oct. 1806; m. 13 May 1831 Nathl Osgood.
Sewall b. 17 Jan. 1809; d. 20 June 1849.
Phebe Jane m. 23 Nov. 1843 Amnii Loring of N. Yarmouth.
Sally b. 24 Jan. 1813; m. Ira B. Richards.
George Gerrish, son of Nathaniel, married 24 Nov. 1805
Esther Woodbury. Besides one who died in infancy they had,
Angeline b. II Mch. 1809; d. 7 Jan. 1817.
Geo. Washington b. 10 May 181 1.
Joseph Marriner b. 10 May 1811.
Priscilla b. 19 Dec. 1812.
Rebecca b. 27 Mch. 1815.
Abner Harris b. 2-j Aug. 1817; lived in Lee, Me.
James, son of George and Mary (Mitchell) Gerrish, born
22. Nov. 1784, married 8 Oct. 1808, Mary, dau. of Barstow Syl-
vester of Freeport. Lived near the homestead on County Road.
Farmer. Died 8 June 1824. His wife, born 1787, died 20 Aug.
1859-
PIarrison S. b. 27 Jan. 1810; m. Jane T. Small of Lisbon. Three-
children grew up; Melissa Jane, born 29 Jan. 1836, m. Wm. T. Osgood of
Durham; Charles Harrison b. 22 April 1838, m. 21 Sept. i860 Emily F.
Chaffin of Portland and d. there 9 Mch. 1864, leaving two ch., Charles
Edward and Harry; Mary Adelaide, b. 27 Feb. 1841, m. Moses Osgood of
Durham.
George Barstow b. 3 July 1811 ; m. 17 Nov. 1841 Eliza Field.
Died in Freeport 28 Aug. 1850. Two daughters.
Emeline b. 7 Mch. 1817; m. 29 Mch. 1840 Amos Field of Freeport.
Stephen S. b. 23 Mch. 1820; m. 18 Oct. 1848 Harriet N. Conner of
Troy, Me. Died in Canaan, Me. 6 May 1864. Six ch.
John Jordan b. 21 Dec. 1821. See p. — ■
John, son of George and Alary (Alitchell) Gerrish, born 10
June 1787, m. 15 Sept. 181 1 Joanna West of Freeport. Lived on
tlie old homestead. Died 5 July 182 1.
Lucy B. b. 15 June 1813; m. 17 Jan. 1841 James Meguier of Portland.
George b. 28 Dec. 1814; d. 13 Oct. 1839.
Mary b. 20 Aug. 1816; d. 6 July 1817.
Albin b. I May 1818; m. 16 May 1841 Julia Lane of Auburn. Died
Jan. 1850. At his death the old Gerrish homestead, that had been held
by the family 98 years, passed into other hands.
Lydia b. 29 April 1820; d. 3 Dec. 1820.
GENEALOGICAL NOTES I9I
Joseph Marriner, son of Nathaniel and Sarah (Marriner) Ger-
rish, born 24 Mch. 1783, m. 25 Mch. 1807 (by the Rev. Samuel
Deane D. D.) Barbara, dau. of Capt. John and Mary (Burnham)
Scott. He married (2) 16 Nov. 1842 Mrs. Mary Ann Hersey,
who died 28 Mch. 1897. He died in Portland 30 April 1853.
See p. III.
Adeline b. 23 Dec. 1808; m. 2 Nov. 1828 Wm. E. Edwards of Port-
land. Died II Jan. 1875. He died 16 Sept. 1877.
Francis Ann b. 13 Oct. 1810; m. (i) 28 June 1842 Wm. Bartol; (2)
Reuben Ordway. Died 30 Aug. 1895.
Joseph Frederick Augustus b. 14 June 1812; d. 28 Sept. 1813.
Martha Martin b. 10 Mch. 1814; m. 12 Aug. 1833 Rufus Read of
Portland. Died 26 Sept. 1847. He died 9 Sept. 1848.
Ellen Lucretia b. 29 Feb. 1816; d. 11 Sept. 1817.
Joseph b. 26 Dec. 1817; d. 26 Oct. 1836.
Edward Payson b. 8 Nov. 1819; m. 9 May 1844 Julia W. Scott. Died
26 Nov. 1871.
Ellen Louise b. 8 Oct. 1821; m. 24 Dec. 1846 Henry W. Hersey.
Died 27 Mch. 1898. He died 27 Mch. 1890.
Frederick Augustus b. 30 July 1823; m. 25 Sept. 1849 Martha J.
Ordway. Died 9 April 1873. She died 4 Oct. 1881.
Augustus Franklin b. 30 July 1823; m. 27 Dec. 1848 Caroline Eliz-
abeth, dau. of Col. James March of Gorham. She died 30 Nov. 1893.
He lives in Portland.
Wm. Oliver b. 3 Jan. 1827; d. 18 Oct. 1831.
Mary Kidder b. 28 Sept. 1828; d. 20 Oct. 1831.
Wm. Scott b. 28 June 1830; m. 1854 Hannah Bailey. Died 29 June
1887. She died Mch. 1890.
David, son of Benjamin and Sally (True) Gerrish, married
S April 1849 Lorenda Wood. Lived many years on the home-
stead. Present residence, Somerville, Mass.
Frederick Herbert b. 6 Mch. 1850; d. 16 Sept. 1868.
Emma b. 22 Mch. 1853; d. 10 Mch. 1855.
Ella Caroline b. 29 Dec. 1855; m. 28 Sept. 1876 Daniel A. Bolton.
Almon Adelbert b. 26 Mch. 1858; m. 24 Feb. 1891 Mary N. Arnold.
Died 16 Feb. 1893.
GETCHELL.
John Getchell, son of Samuel of Salisbury and grandson of
Samuel the emigrant of 1638, came to Brunswick in 1736, and
settled near Bull Bridge. There were baptized in Scarborough,
19 July 1736, Elizabeth, Dorcas, Mary and Ruth, children of
John and Elizabeth Getchell. Their children born in Bruns-
192 HISTORY OF DURHAM
wick were Abigail, 10 May 1737, and William, 6 Sept. 1740.
John Getchell m. (2) 1742, Mary Barber of Falmouth. They had
twelve children. He died 10 May 1771, aged 74 yrs.
Dorcas b. 25 Feb. 1743; m. (Int. Rec. 22 Oct. 1763) John Blethen.
Samuel b. 15 Aug. 1745; m. 16 July 1765 (i) Sarah Simmons in Harps-
well; (2) 12 April 1809 Mary Tibbetts. He settled in Litchfield and died
1822. 12 ch. born in Brunswick, 6 in Litchfield.
John b. 3 Dec. 1748; m. in Cape Elizabeth 19 Sept. 1771 Elizabeth
Robinson. He was then "of Royal's Town." Their children recorded
in Durham were Daniel b. 8 Sept. 1775; Abigail b. 21 Dec. 1777; Betty
b. 6 Dec. 1772. There were probably others.
Mary b. 23 March 1750; m. Solomon Tracy.
Hugh b. 26 Dec. 1752. See below.
Robert b. 21 Sept. 1754; m. 27 Mch. 1777 Sarah Hall. He was
drowned while crossing the river in a snow storm, just above Lisbon
Falls in 1807. His son Winslow was born 14 Jan. 1785 and moved to
Bowdoin in 1808. Winslow's son, David B. of Auburn was born 14
June 1813.
Judith b. 18 Aug. 1756; m. 25 Dec. 1775 Clement Orr of Harpswell,
afterward of Durham.
Susanna b. 21 June 1757.
Nathaniel b. 14 May 1759; see below.
Anna b. 14 June 1761; m. Christopher Tracy.
Elizabeth W. b. 15 Feb. 1764; m. Samuel Tracy.
Joseph Riggs. See below.
Hugh Getchell came with his father to Royalsborough about
1770; m. 26 Jan. 1775 Mary Walles of Brunswick and died in
Durham in 1838. Their children were.
David b. ii Nov. 1776; m. Susanna Davis; (2) 16 July 1815 Sally
(Davis) Douglas. He died in Litchfield 11 Aug. 1858. See Hist, of
Litchfield.
Josiah b. 4 Oct. 1778; d. 2ii June 1797.
Bethany b. 19 Oct. 1780; m. Joseph Varney of Brunswick.
Jeremiah b. 30 March 1783; m. 13 Sept. 1804 Sarah Babb of Durham.
Elisha b. 13 Jan. 1785; m. 17 June 1824 Eliza Owen; (2) Mrs. Mary
(Duran) Douglas, widow of Rev. Wm. Douglas. See below.
Hugh b. 15 Mch. 1787; m. Prudence Davis; d. i Sept. 1864. See Hist,
of Litchfield.
Mary b. 14 April 1789; m. 30 July 1815 Josiah Magoon of Litchfield.
Lived in Hartland.
Lucy b. 14 Feb. 1792. Unm.
Sarah b. 28 Sept. 1793; m. 17 May 1820 Wm. Beal of Durham.
Lydia b. 24 July 1795; m. 1827, James Booker of Durham.
Isaac b. 12 July 1797; m. 1824, Susannah Getchell of Brunswick.
Lived in St. Albans.
GENEALOGICAL NOTES 1 93
Elihu b. 22 Mch. 1799. Unm.
Israel b. 24 Mch. 1802; m. 10 Oct. 1830 Alice Skolfield of Bruns-
wick. Ch. Emery b. 4 Feb. 1831. Unm. Lives in St. Albans; Lindly
b. 4 July 1833 ni. Bibber, lives in Harpswell; Emeline Lovina b. 2
July 1835-
Nathaniel Getchcll, mentioned above, m. 6 Dec. 1781 Merriam
Blethen in Brunswick. Their ch. born in Dtirham were.
Phebe b. 19 Jan. 1783; m. 30 Oct. 1798 Timothy Dunton.
James b. 26 June 1784; d. 2 June 1802.
Judith b. 26 May 1786; m. 15 April 1812 Wni. Jones of Brunswick.
Rhoda b. 12 Oct. 1789; d. 21 June 1802.
Nancy b. 22 Jan. 1792; m. 13 Feb. 1814 Joseph Malcolm of Lisbon.
Wealthy b. 18 Mch. 1794; m. 11 April 1813 Abel Kimball of Lisbon.
Nathaniel Jr. b. 20 Mch. 1797; m. 1825 Deborah Bicknell of Buck-
field.
Merriam b. 2 Aug. 1799.
Lovey b. 26 July 1801 ; m. i July 1819 James Coombs of Bowdoin.
Phebe b. 7 June 1803.
Anna b. 19 Dec. 1804.
Joseph Riggs Getchell married, Nov. 1786 Grace Springer.
Their children seem to have been as follows.
Margaret b. 6 April 1787; m. 7 Jan. 1810 Christopher Tracy.
Love b. 5 Sept. 1789; Riggs b. 5 Nov. 1791; Daniel b. 16 Mch. 1794.
Mary b. 26 Nov. 1798; Grace b. 5 July 1804; James b. 3 Oct. 1806;
Louis b. 13 Dec. 1808.
Elisha, son of Hugh Getchell m. (i) Eliza Owen; (2) Mrs.
Mary (Duran) Douglas. He died 26 Jan. 1882. Their children
were.
Alfred b. ii Oct. 1823; m. Sarah Prescott.
Jeremiah b. 3 April 1825; m. Harriet Doughty of Topsham; d. in
Raymond.
Hugh b. i April 1827; d. 21 Oct. 1843.
Arnee b. 2^ April 1829; d. in Cal.
Eliza Ann b. 14 Feb. 1832; m. Wm. Stimpson.
Elisha A. b. i July 1842; m. Nash; d. 29 Aug. 1882 in Deering.
Hannah J. b. 4 Dec. 1843; m. Orlando Cash; d. 17 July 1886 in West-
brook.
GOODWIN.
Samuel Goodwin, probably son of Thomas and Hannah
(Wells) Goodwin of Wells, Me., was born about 1738 and
married (i) 26 Nov. 1761 Elizabeth Libby of Scarboro,
where their first three children were baptized. He was living on
194 HISTORY OF DURHAM
the County Road next to Freeport line earlier than 1780. His
name appears on the Alarm List in 1787. He married (2) 13
April '1791 Margaret Haskell and died in 1806, leaving, in his
Avill, his small farm to six children after the decease of his wife
Margaret. After her death, later than 1821, the farm passed into
the possession of Josiah Burnham.
George b. 12 April 1762; see below.
Mary b. 11 April 1765; m. 30 Nov. 1786 John Vining; d. 14 Nov. 1839.
Samuel bap. 5 June 1768; was in the training band in 1787; owned a
farm in Durham in 1820.
William (?) said to have died at sea. If so, before 1806.
Elizabeth m. 28 Jan. 1791 John Gushing; d. 26 May 1843, aged 76 yrs.
Jonathan m. 26 April 1793 Persis, dau. of Jeremiah Smith. She was
born 9 Feb. 1778. He was taxed in Durham only in 1794. Persis Good-
win m. 30 July 1811 Russel Hinkley in Lisbon.
Daniel m. i Mch. 1801 Sarah Haskell; d. at St. Albans, Me.
George Goodwin, soldier of the Revolution, m. in No. Yar-
mouth 24 Sept. 1786 Mary Davis. Both were then of Royals-
borough. She was born Oct. 1763 at Cape Ann and died at
Avon 10 Oct. 1839. He died at Avon 7 July 1855. His second
wife was Jones of Avon. He lived in Durham near
JVIethodist Corner and moved to Avon about 1820.
Samuel b. 1790; m. 24 Jan. 1813 Wealthy Jones; 9 ch.; moved to
Phillips.
Elizabeth m. Reuben True (?)
Sally m. (i) 181 7 Reuben Roberts and went West; m. (2) Daniel
Miller.
Abigail m. 181 2 Rev. Daniel Roberts.
Hannah b. 16 July 1797; m. in Avon, Samuel Jacobs.
Andrew Davis b. 2 Feb. 1800; m. 15 May 1828 in Avon, Jane Smith;
d. 3 April 1875 in Farmington. Benjamin Goodwin of Farmington, Reg-
ister of Deeds, is his son.
HARMON.
John Harmon,* a soldier in 1675, was in Wells, Me., in 1681.
and had wife Sarah and eight children, of whom the second son,
Samuel, was born 15 June 1686 and married, 19 March 1707
Mercy Stimpson. They moved to Scarboro" about 1728. Their
son John was born about 1718 and m. (i) 2 Dec. 1742, Mary
Hasty of Scarboro'.
*For information about the early history of this family I am indebted
ro Rev. George M. Bodge of Leominster, Mass., who is preparmg a
Genealogy of the Harmon Family.
GENEALOGICAL NOTES 1 95
Daniel, son of John and Mary (Hasty) Harmon was born in
Scarborough 17 April 1747. He was a Revolutionary soldier.
Married Sarah York of Cape Elizabeth. The intentions were
recorded 19 Mch. 1768. They lived for some time in Standish,
where ten children were born. He moved to Durham before
1794 and died there 22 Aug. 1806. His wife died 28 Oct. 1832.
Both united with the Cong. Ch. in Standish 4 Feb. 1775. They
had,
Francis. See below.
Robert. Unknown.
Susannah m. 18 Jan. 1798 Moses Roberts.
Lydia m. 18 Mch. 1801 Aaron Davis.
Daniel. See below.
John b. 14 Mch. 1782. See p. 197.
Hannah m. 4 Sept. 1814 Rufus Warren.
Francis, son of Daniel and Sarah (York) Harmon, was born
in Standish i June 1772. Came to I^urham with his parents ; m.
(i) 15 Oct. 1797 Susannah, dau. of O. Israel Bagley. She was
born m Royalsborough 9 Mch. 1777 and died 5 June 1798, leav-
ing one son.
O. Israel Bagley Harmon b. 7 Mch. 1798; died 1820.
Francis Harmon m. (2) 18 Oct. 1798 Betsey Dyer who was
born 15 Oct. 1776 and died 26 Feb. 1807, leaving four children.
Benjamin b. 20 Nov. 1799; m. a INIiss Brett; died in 111.
Susannah b. 5 Oct. 1801; m. 14 Mch. 1825 David Rogers of Raymond.
LoRiNG b. 9 Nov. 1803; m. — Oct. 1828 Eunice Douglas; d. s. p.
in Dover, Me.
Francis Jr. b. 18 Jan. 1806. See p. 196.
Francis Harmon m. (3) 28 Sept. 1807 Leah Beal of Hingham,
Mass., who was born 2 Jan. 1779 and died 18 Oct. 1829, leaving
four ch.
Betsey Dyer b. 19 July 1808; d. 16 Aug. 1810.
William Loring b. 3 Dec. 1809. M. D. at Bowdoin Coll. 1835.
Practiced in Durham, Lynn, Mass., and N. Y. City. A dau. Geraldine m.
Albion Strout. A son Fred is a lawyer in 111.
Joseph Beal b. 8 Oct. 1811; went to 111.
Emily King b. 30 Aug. 1817; m. 13 Oct. 1836, Daniel Newell.
Francis Harmon m. (4) 1830 Sally Dyer of Portland. She
died Nov. 1845. He died i June 1862 in Durham. He was a
carpenter by trade, a man of piety, kindness and generosity.
196 HISTORY OF DURHAM
Francis Harmon Jr. b. 18 Jan. 1806; m 24 Nov. 1831 Huldah
Douglas, dau. of Paul and Nancy (Warren) Douglas, born in
Brunswick 4 Feb. 1800 and died in Auburn 4 Feb. 1869. He
died 4 Jan. 1870. Their children were all born in Durham.
Sarah E. b. 25 Nov. 1833; d. 29 May 1853.
Esther Collins b. 25 Aug. 1835; d- 24 May 1855.
Edward F. b. 5 June 1837; m. 16 July 1872 Jennie S. Rich of Auburn,
lie resided in San Francisco, Cal., where he died 4 Oct. 1875.
George Harrison b. 18 May 1839; m. 14 March 1871 Orphia L. Vick-
ery of Auburn, where he resides.
Frances Ellen b. 21 April 1841; m. 11 Feb. 1869 Thomas Wheaton.
They live in Oakland, Cal.
Henrietta Louisa b. 26 Feb. 1843; ni. 24 Sept. 1867 Frank E. Young
of Auburn. She died 10 June 1876.
Daniel Harmon Jr. b. 9 Feb. 1778 and d. 26 Nov. 1848; m.
27 Sept. 1798 Mary True. She was born in Salisbury, Mass.
28 Oct. 1781 and died in Durham, 3 June 1821. He was a sol-
dier in the War of 1812, a leading Methodist, Trial Justice, Rep-
resentative, and held many town offices. They had nine children.
Aaron b. 20 Jan. 1799; d. in Washington, D. C, 1870.
Mary b. 25 Sept. 1802; m. 22 June 1828 Jesse Hayes of New Glouces-
ter. Prof. B. F. Hayes of Cobb Divinity School is a son.
William b. 12 Feb. 1804; d. 9 Oct. 1806.
Rebecca True b. 17 May 1806; m. 30 Nov. 1826 Charles Cobb of
New Gloucester. He was Clerk of Courts in Portland many years. She
m. (2) May, 1861, the Rev. Charles W. Morse and died in Evanstown,
111., 23 Oct. 1883.
William True b. 23 Oct. 1808; d. 26 Dec. 1830. Unm.
Daniel 3d b. 7 April 1811; d. 10 June 1862 in Oshkosh, Wis.
Lorenzo Dow b. 19 April 1814; m. Mary Stevens of Portland; d. in
Washington 1890.
Zebulon King b. ii Nov. 1816. See Biog. Sketch.
Allen Cobb b. 4 Aug. 1819; d. in Alexandria, Va., 1891.
Daniel Harmon m. (2) 19 Oct. 182 1 Sally S. Cobb of West-
boro, Mass. She was born 6 Mch. 1790 and died 24 Aug. 1827.
They had two children.
Charles Cobb b. 5 Aug. 1822. Lawyer. Clerk of Courts in Portland;
d. 1856.
JosiAH Cobb b. Sept. 1823; d. 1824.
David Harmon m. (3) 26 Feb. 1828 Mary Hayes of New
Gloucester. She was born 30 June 1792 and died 15 April 1868.
Three ch.
Sally Cobb b. 4 Feb. 1831; d. 5 Oct. 1835.
ZEBULON KING HAEMON.
GENEALOGICAL NOTES 1 97
John Hayes b. 29 Jan. 1832; d. in Hardingsburg, Ky., 28 Oct. 1898.
Orin b. 2S Dec. 1835; d. in Hardingsburg, Ky., 10 Nov. 1888.
John, son of Daniel and Sarah (Yorkj Harmon, was born
14 Mch. 1782, m Standish. He married (i) EHza Riggs who was
born in Portland 19 Sept. 1784. He moved to Portland after the
birth of his third child and thence to Boston. By his second
marriage there were children whose names are unknown.
Louisa b. 10 Ncv. 1805; d. 24 Aug. 1806.
Jane E. b. 8 Feb. 1807; m. Dea. E. P. Tobie of Lewiston.
Louisa b. 24 May 1808.
John Jr. lived in Cape Elizabeth and later in Durham on road leading
to No. Pownal.
HASCALL.
Although not originally a Durham family yet for many years
the Hascalls have been so largely identified with the best inter-
ests of the town, it seems fitting that a sketch of the family should
be inserted here. Their progenitor, William Hascall, settled in
Gloucester, Mass., about the middle of the 17th century, and from
this place shoots from the family tree were transplanted into
various parts of the country. Rev. Daniel Hascall, the father of
Laurin, William, and Ralph, and their sister Mrs. E. P. Shailer,
formerly of Portland, was born in Connecticut, but in early life
went to New York State, where he was pastor of various Baptist
Churches and was also largely instrumental in founding what is
now known as Colgate University at Hamilton. William C. and
Ralph H., his sons, made their home in Vermont until the year
1862, when they both moved to Durham. William purchased the
old Jonathan C. Merrill place in the village. Ralph purchased the
Secomb Jordan place adjoining William's. Laurin, after a long
experience in New York and the West as an educator, came to
Durham to spend his last days. He died in 1897 (?) Ralph H.
and Celia Hascall had three children. The youngest died in boy-
hood ; Frank resides in Durham, and Mary is the wife of Prof.
E. W. Hall of Colby University. William C. and Finette had
five sons : Of these Charles D. and James A. married in Ver-
mont but settled in Durham. Charles afterward moved to
Oregon, where he now resides. George H. married (i) a daugh-
ter of Richard Dyer, (2) a daughter of James Newell. He pur-
chased the Jordan Dingley place on which he still resides. The
next son, William H. Shailer went as a missionary to Burma in
198 HISTORY OF DURHAM
(872 under the auspices of the A. B. Missionary Union where he
remained for about eight years. He there married Miss Emma
A. Chace, who had gone to Burma as a missionary of the Baptist
Woman's Board. After they returned to this country they were
for a time in Farmington, Me., he having the pastoral care of the
Baptist Church in that village. When their health would permit
they returned again to Burma where they remained about five
years. After returning to America the second time they resided
in Fall River, Mass., where he was assistant pastor of the First
Baptist Church for over six years. They are now living in
Dover, N. H., where he is pastor of the Central Ave. Baptist
Church. R. Judson, the youngest of the five sons, married Rose,
the daughter of George Nichols. He resided for a time in Dur-
ham and Auburn but is now engaged in business in Woodstock,
N. B. Both Celia and Finette have entered into rest. The latter
died II May 1886, aged 70 yrs. 3 mos. William C. married (2)
Emily Knight.
HASTY.
Robert Hasty 3d was born in Scarboro 23 Nov. 1786; m.
30 Nov. 1814 Mrs. Esther (Libby) Meserve of Scarboro and
moved to West Durham in 1833. He died 18 Feb. 1874. His
wife died Nov. 1863.
Daniel M. b. Nov. 181S; ni. 13 Jan. 1845 Catherine Moses; lived on
the homestead; d. 28 ]Mch. 1864; wife died 11 May 1895.
Margaret b. 20 Aug. 1823; m. 19 Feb. 1846 Ai Carsley of Pownal;
d. 21 May 1847.
George E. b. Oct. 1831; m. 5 June 1856 Mary A. Richards of Durham;
d. 2Z April 1857.
Children of Daniel M. and Catherine (Moses) Hasty.
John E. b. 8 Sept. 1846; m. 17 Aug. 1867 Marcia P. Weeks. Lives
on the homestead.
Eliza E. b. 10 Mch. 1850; m. 28 June 1867 Rev. Emerson H. McKen-
ncy. Res. Saugus, Mass.
Georgia E. b. 29 Mch. 1857; d. 31 Aug. 1894.
Kate M. b. 6 Jan. 1864; m. 9 June 1887 Fred C. Chever of Saugus,
Alass.
Children of John E. and Marcia P. (Weeks) Hasty.
Flora W. b. 22 Mch. 1869; d. 24 Aug. 1873.
Lottie F. b. 24 Sept. 1871 ; d. 18 May 1892.
Ella F. b. 26 Oct. 1877; d. 24 Jan. 1887.
GENEALOGICAL NOTES 1 99
HATCH.
John Hatch, b. in Scituate, Mass. 6 Mch. 1772 ; d. in Lewiston,
5 July 1862; m. 2 Aug. 1793 Abigail Turner b. 18 Aug. 1772
and d. 2 Aug. 1852. They came to Durham about 1795 and left
town about 1807.
Deborah b. at Freeport 15 Dec. 1794.
John Jr. b. 31 July 1798.
Freeman b. 19 May 1800.
Elisha b. 5 Sept. 1802.
Abigail b. ii Nov. 1805.
Mary b. 4 May 1807.
True Glidden b. 25 July 1810.
RoziLLA b. 28 Jan. 1814.
Eliza b. 25 Aug. 1816.
HAWKES.
Nathan Hawkes was born 23 Mch. 1783 in China, Me. He
came to Durham wdien a boy, lived with Joseph Estes and learned
of hmi the trade of tanner and harness-maker. He married Mary
Winslow of Falmouth. He died 10 Jan. 1847. She died 17 Jan.
1853. 13 ch.
Maria b. 23 Dec. 1806; m. John Varney.
Hannah b. 20 Nov. 1808; m. 6 Nov. 1825 Francis A. B. Hussey. Liv-
ing in Iowa.
Joseph b. 2 Jan. 181 1; m. Lydia Frye. i dau. Died 2 Sept. 1879.
Sibyl D. b. 3 May 1813; m. i Jan. 1835 Sani'l B. Hussey.
Lydia b. 20 May 1815; m. Amos Varney.
Miriam b. 30 May 181 7; m. Geo. W. Sutherland; d. 6 April 1842.
Lucy A. b. 12 July 1819; m. 31 Dec. 1838 Oliver Stoddard.
Cynthia b. 12 Aug. 1821; m. (i) Isaac Farr; (2) Oliver Stoddard.
Isaiah b. 4 Dec. 1823; m. Sarah Hopkins.
Nathan b. 16 Feb. 1826; m. Charlotte Norton; lives in Appleton, Wis.
Job W. b. 6 Jan. 1828; d. 26 Jan. 1833.
Mary J. b. 7 June 1830; m. Elijah Conant of Appleton, Wis.
Jeremiah b. 7 Nov. 1832; m. Laura Gushing of Freeport.
HERRICK.
The Herrick Genealogy has been traced back to the twelfth
century. The family is of Scandinavian origin. Sir William
Herrick of Beau Manor, Leicester Co., Eng., was member of
Parliament 1601-1630 and Ambassador from Queen Elizabeth to
the Sublime Porte. Henry, his fifth son, was born in 1604, and
came to Salem, Mass. in 1629, where he married Elizabeth, dau.
of Hugh Laskin. They settled in what is now Beverlv. Thev
200 HISTORY OF DURHAM
were among the founders of the first church in Salem in 1629 and
of that in Beverly in 1667. Their fifth son, Joseph, married for
his second wife Mary Endicott, whose sixth child, Martyn, mar-
ried Ruth Endicott of Salem and settled at Lynnfield. Their
second son Samuel, born 1713, married Elizabeth Jones of Wil-
mington in 1742. These were the parents of the Rev. Jacob Her-
rick. See p. 51.
Mr. Herrick settled on that part of lot 67 which lies east of
the County Road. Here he bought, 13 Mch. 1797, twenty-six
acres of Capt. Wm. McGray. The deed says that the land sold
began a ''few rods eastward of my house and nearly the same
distance from the Northwest corner of the Meeting House."
The old Herrick parsonage was burned a few years ago.
His children were as follows :
Sarah b. 12 Feb. 1781; d. Oct. 1855. Unm.
Elizabeth died 1863. Unm.
Thomas, died young.
Thomas, m. 9 Sept. 181 1 Catherine, dau. of Joseph Weeman of Dur-
ham. He died at Harmony, Me., 17 May 1867. Had been Representative
to the Legislature. Twelve ch.
Jacob b. 29 Mch. 1791. See Biog. Sketch.
The family of Jacob and Abigail (Scott) Herrick were, besides
two who died in infancy :
William Bently b. 20 Sept. 1813. Studied medicine. Surgeon in
Mexican War. Professor of Anatomy in Rush Medical College, Chicago.
Married Martha Seward of Hillsboro, 111. His two sons, John J. and
William J. are lawyers in Chicago.
Elizabeth Augusta b. 9 Feb. 1815; m. Barnard Williams of Durham;
d. 21 June 1864.
JosiAH BuRNHAM b. 8 Jan. 1821. Physician. Demonstrator of Anat-
omy at Rush Medical College, Chicago. Married Automa Thornton.
Died in Cal., leaving one son Jacob Thornton Herrick of Shelbyville, 111.
Harriet Ellen b. 2 Dec. 1825; m. Capt. Seth Burnham McLellan of
Portland.
Anna Maria b. 7 Aug. 1827; m. E. Franklin Packard of Auburn.
HIBBARD.
Deacon John Hibbard and family and James Hibbard his son
were warned out of town in 1791. They staid and lived on lot
J'j. John died 6 Dec. 1791. The wife of James was Sarah
He d. 19 Feb. 1837, aged 88 years.
JACOB HERRICK, JR.
ABIGAIL (SCOTT) HERRICK.
GENEALOGICAL NOTES 20I
Their children were :
Esther b. 12 May 1778; m. 2 Dec. 1801 Jacob Sawyer.
Molly b. 9 July 1782; m. 5 Jan. 1826 Stephen Hibbard of Mercer.
Timothy Merrek d. 7 Oct. 1784; m. 14 Dec. 1809 Mary Dyer.
MoRENA b. II Aug. 1780; m. His son Jacob was born
19 March 1805.
Hannah b. 20 June 1787; m. 21 May 1807 Roger Toothaker of Bruns-
wick.
James Merkek b. 16 Mch. 1790.
HOOPER.
David Hooper boiig-ht 70 acres of Benjamin and Lydia
"Lovelvin" in 1796, on the lower County Road. His son
Nehemiah married Tiikey Mitchell of Freeport and settled here.
The births of two children are recorded in Durham, Dummer
Mitchell b. 3 Nov. 1803 and David b. 4 July 1804 (sic.)
HOYT.
John Hoyt, son of John, was born in the Block House in
Scarboro Oct. 1738. He m.arried, 17 Jan. 1765, Anna, dau. of
William Hasty, who was also born in the Block House at Scar-
boro, 7 June 1744. They came to Royalsborough as early as
1773. He was a farmer and mariner. Lived on or near lot 125.
He died Sept. 1823. His wife died in 1825.
William b. 5 June 1765; m. int. 18 Feb. 1792 Betsey Gushing of Free-
port.
Hannah b. 13 Dec. 1770; m. 20 Nov. 1794 Jonathan True; d. 15
Dec. 1801.
Anna b. 15 May 1772; m. 19 Feb. 1797 William Newell.
John b. 23 Dec. 1774; m. 29 Nov. 1802 Molly Gerrish.
Molly b. 17 July 1776; m. 27 Nov. 1800 Daniel Libby; d. 22 July 1848.
Lettice b. 23 Nov. 1779; m. 29 July 1799, David Osgood.
Joseph H. b. 23 Oct. 1789; m. 13 Feb. 1812, Elizabeth Gerrish.
John and Mary (Gerrish) Hoyt had children.
Wm. G. b. 6 Dec. 1803; m. 27 Nov. 1830 Arabella D. Elliott; died 20
March 1858 in Portland. Several children.
Maria B. b. 14 April 1806; d. 1820.
John b. 1808; m. 1833, Mary C. Bachelder; d. in Yarmouth, 5
Jan. 1855. 3 daus., two of whom, Cornelia and Jennie, perished in the
sinking of the steamer Portland, 26 Nov. 1898.
Mary Jane b. ii June 181 1; d. 11 May 1816.
202 HISTORY OF DURHAM
Benjamin G. b. 17 Mch. 1814; m. 1841, Jane W. Rowe, dau.
of Moses and Jane (Webster) Rowe. He died 9 Aug. 1853, at Beach
Grove, 'Jj'enn., where he was Professor in a literary institution. Their
son Henry N. W. was born in Durham 5 Nov. 1842, graduated at Bow-
doin College. Lawyer and Teacher. Residence New Brighton, Conn.
Mary F. b. 12 March 1816; m. 29 Mch. 1842, Sam'l G. Russell of Yar-
mouth.
Jane b. 5 Nov. 1818; m. 31 Dec. 1845, Secomb Jordan; d. 18 Mch. 1861.
Joseph H. and Elizabeth (Gerrish) Hoyt had children. This
family moved to Wilton.
Sarah G. b. 12 Dec. 1812; m. 24 April 1834, Sam'l A. Blanchard.
Lived in Phillips, Me.
Lettice b. 22 May 1816; d. in Portland 14 May 1838.
Ann b. 28 Dec. 1817; m. John Blake; lived in Pierpont, N. H.
Joseph Gerrish b. 22 June 1820: m. 5 Dec. 1844 Matilda F. Bradbury.
Lived in Wilton and Farmington. He was prominent in political circles
and held several important offices. State Senator, d. s. p. 1889.
Annie Ferguson b. 12 Jan. 1823; lived in Wilton. Unm.
Elizabeth b. 8 Aug. 1825; d. 14 Aug. 1827 in Westbrook.
John b. 18 Mch. 1828; d. 20 June 1828.
William b. 15 June 1830; d. 17 June 1830.
Mary Elizabeth b. 15 May 1831; m. 20 Nov. 1859 Granville Knapp
of Wilton.
HIJNNEWELL.
Roger Hunnewell settled in Saco in 1654. His son, Lt. Rich-
ard Hunnewell was one of the leading inhabitants of Scarbor-
ough and a noted fighter of Indians, by whom he was killed.
Richard's son Roger married Mary and died 13 June
1720, aged 45 yrs. He left several children, of whom Josiah
married, 26 Nov. 1730, Rebecca Brown. They had ten children,
of W'hom Benjamin, the seventh, married, 4 Nov. 1773, Phebe
Larrabee. Their children were Benjamin Jr., Andrew, Robert,
Moses, John, Lydia, Mary and Phebe. It seems that all of them
lived in Durham. Moses m. (Int. Rec. 21 Feb. 1807) Elizabeth
McKenney. John m. 10 Aug. 1812 Susannah Turner. Lydia
m. 31 Oct. 181 1 Wm. McKenney.
Andrew Hunnewell, son of Benjamin, married, 5 Mch. 1804.
Dorothy Webb of Scarborough. He was first taxed in Durham
in 1803. He died 26 May 1863, aged 86 yrs. His wife died 28
Sept. 1863, aged 84 yrs. Their children were Gardner, Jonas,
Loraine and Sarah.
Robert Hunnewell, born in Scarborough i Dec. 1777, mar-
JOTHAM JOHNSON.
GENEALOGICAL NOTES 203
ried 13 June 1801 Eunice Foy, who was born in Gorham, 16
April 1783. He married (2) 16 Oct. 181 1 Susannah, dau. of
Vincent Roberts. He died in 1832. His second wife died 30
July 1852. He was living', in 1800, on lot 136.
Elliott b. 16 Dec. 1802. Settled "in the English Provinces."
Peter b. 20 Oct. 1805. Supposed to have died young.
William m. Jane Plummer of Danville.
Ruth. Unm.
Ch. by second marriage.
Seward m. Patience Bragdon; d. June 1858.
Eunice b. 21 May 1812; m. 13 April 1834 Moses W. Thurston.
Elmira, died young.
Samuel. Unm.
Daniel. Unm.
True G. m. Rachel J. Harmon. Living in Durham.
JOHNSON.
Jotham Johnson was born in Harpswell 20 Sept. 1784, son of
Jonathan and Miriam (Booker) Johnson. He moved to So. Dur-
ham in 1810. He was a soldier through the War of 1812.
Farmer and fisherman. It is said that he once went to the Bay of
Fundy and with a companion caught 3360 cod in one day. Some
regard this as a fish story. He united with the Free Baptist
church after he was fifty-three years old, and often spoke of it
as the best day's work he ever did. He married in 1809 Mehita-
bel Hersey of Brunswick. Died 15 Dec. 1886, aged 102 yrs.
2 mos. 25 dys. 7 ch. Plis wife died 28 Feb. 1879, 3.ged 91 yrs.
Hannah b. 1810; m. James P. Fuller.
William H. b. 13 Mch. 1812; m. 26 Nov. 1835 Hannah Collins.
Abner m. Caroline Alexander.
Thankful b. July 1815; m. (i) Thomas Crawford; (2) Abram Allen.
Jeremiah, m. Mary Morene.
Armina m. Levi Goddard.
Hiram m. Averill.
John Johnson and Elizabeth Reed married at Drumbo, Ire-
land, 20 Sept. 1791. He had a daughter Elizabeth by a former
wife, born in Ireland 8 June 1782, who seems to have married
Joseph Sawyer of Durham 9 April 1797. John Johnson died
in Durham 15 April 1799. Three children are recorded.
Sarah born in Ireland 31 Oct. 1792; Mary, born in Ireland 15 Feb.
1795; John born in Portland, Me., 26 Nov. 1797, m. 25 Dec. 1834 Eliza
Ann Webber.
204 HISTORY OF DURHAM
The following children of William and Jane Johnson are
recorded.
David b. 20 Sept. 1812; William Rhodick b. 10 Dec. 1816; m. 18 May
1837 Emma M. Dyer of Durham. He was then of Lynn, Mass.
The following marriages we are unable to classify.
15 Jan. 1787, James Johnson of Royaisborough and Hannah Webber
of Harpswcll.
9 Nov. 1797, Daniel York and Hannah Johnson.
4 Nov. 1809, Noah Townsend of Freeport and Anna Johnson.
JONES.
Ezekiel Jones born in 1728, as shown by a deposition, came
from Falmouth. He married before 1757 Elizabeth, dau. of
Joseph and Sarah (Jewett) Conant, who was born in Falmouth
3 Oct. 1733. They lived at Saccarappa. They sold their land,
19 Jan. 1771 and in 1773 moved to Royaisborough. His name is
on records of Royaisborough in 1774. Feb. 10, 1786 he bought
14 acres of land in Royaisborough of Samuel Brown. Nov. 28,
1800 he and wife Elizabeth sold yj acres of Lot 35 to Thomas
Pierce of Scituate, the farm now owned by David Crockett. A
son Joshua Jones came with him to Royaisborough. He is
first mentioned in 1781. He bought, Oct. 23, 1799, lot 96 of
Abigail Lyman, widow, of York. He married 17 April 1783
Dorothy P'arr of Harpswell. Died about 1836. His family are
recorded as follows.
Ezekiel b. i Dec. 1783; m. (int. rec. 10 Oct. 1806) Catherine Wood-
ard of New Meadows.
William b. 12 Jan. 1786; moved to Mexico, Me.
Sarah b. 18 July 1788; m. Thomas Austin i Nov. 1804.
Samuel b. 13 Aug. 1790; Hved and died in Norridgewock.
Joel b. 14 Nov. 1791; m. 11 Jan. 1821, Sally Thomas; d. 15 Sept. 1864.
Joshua b. 24 Jan. 1794; m. 2 March 1817, Isabel Raines.
Dorothy b. 24 May 1797; m. 21 Dec. 1817, Abijah Collins.
Moses b. 14 March 1799; see below.
Phineas b. II Sept. 1801; d. 19 Sept. 1803.
JMoses Jones lived and died on the homestead of his father.
He m. (i), 1825, Sarah Hodgkins ; (2) 21 Nov. 1844, Elizabeth
Hodgkins, who died 22 Mch. 1870.
Lydia b. 19 Sept. 1825; m. 3 IMarch 1845 Rufus Thomas.
Benjamin b. 13 Sept. 1827; unm. Died in Auburn.
Eliza b. 14 Sept. 1829; m. Joseph Barker.
Joseph b. 7 Nov. 1833; went West.
GENEALOGICAL NOTES 205
George b. 10 May 1836; d. unm.
Sarah J. b. 11 Dec. 1839; d. young.
Moses Everett b. 10 March 1847; m. Ellen Rice; lives on the home-
stead.
Alfred P. b. 9 Oct. 1850; m. Lizzie Philbrook of Lisbon.
Thomas Jones who married Thankful came "with two
brothers" (?) from Wales in 1690 and settled in Hanover, Mass.
Later he moved to Harpsvvell, Me. He had three sons, Thomas
lost at sea, Noah and Lemeul.
The intentions of marriage of Noah Jones and Patience Joy
were recorded in Brunswick 10 June 1774. He was one of the
first settlers of Royalsborough and was last taxed in 1803. He
with all his family moved to China, Me. Their children, born in
Royalsborough, were
Ephraim b. II Feb. 1776; m. Susanna Dudley. Their daughter Sybil
Jones was the famous preacher.
Mary b. 30 Nov. 1777.
Thomas b. 20 July 1780.
Thankful b. 6 Dec. 1783.
Lemuel, son of Thomas Jones, born in Hanover, Mass. 30
July 1730, m. 7 Mch. 1751 Wait Estes, dau. of Edward and
Patience (Carr) Estes. She was born 31 Mch. 1733. He bought,
in 1792, lot 9 of David Dunning. It may be that he bought it
for his son Israel who afterward lived there. Lemuel Jones was
a preacher in the Friends' "Society. He had twelve children.
Mercy b. 15 May 1752; m. 27 July 1771, Nathaniel Hawkes of Wind-
ham.
Rachel b. 2 Feb. 1754; m. 26 Sept. 1773, Andrew Pinkham of Harps-
well, afterwards of Durham.
Caleb b. 3 July 1755; m. 26 Oct. 1776, Peace, dau. of James and Sarah
Goddard of Falmouth. 6 ch. born in Brunswick.
Lemuel b. 26 Feb. 1758; m. (i) Catherine Allen; (2) 9 Oct. 1800 Deb-
orah Hawkes. Settled in Wmdham before 1790. 12 ch.
Sarah b. 10 Feb. 1760; m. James Goddard.
Edward b. 7 April 1762; see p. 206.
Mary b. 9 March 1764; m. Joshua Frye.
Stephen b. 22 Feb. 1766; m. 5 Aug. 1786 Eunice, dau. of Jeremiah and
Anne Hacker of Brunswick. 12 ch. born in Brunswick.
Israel b. 11 May 1768; m. (i) Judith Tuttle; (2) Martha Preble; (3)
Widow Day. Lived in So. Durham later than 1810. Moved to Bruns-
wick and lived there. Had one son Caleb who died in Westbrook.
206 HISTORY OF DURHAM
Thomas b. 7 May 1770; m. (i) Esther Hacker; (2) Hannah Winslow.
Phebe b. 18 May 1772; m. Nathaniel Owen.
Lydia b. 9 April 1774; m. Stephen Nichols.
Edward Jones, mentioned above, m. 11 Nov. 1784 Mary,
dau. of Reuben and Eliza (Varney) Tuttle, born 24 Mch. 1765,
died 15 Jan. 1804. He m. (2) Eleanor Morrison, born 22 July
1775, died 21 Jan. 1847. He died 6 Dec. 1833. The register of
his family is copied from the Records of the Friends' Society in
Durham, and from family records.
Rachel b. i Mch. 1786; d. 11 Sept. 1868.
Reuben b. 19 Dec. 1787; d. 17 Feb. 1868.
Levi b. 31 Oct. 1790; d. 5 Oct. 1861.
Mehitabel b. 8 May 1793; d. 4 Nov. 1793.
Tobias b. 4 Nov. 1794; d. 27 Dec. 1884.
Asa b. 21 July 1796; d. 20 June 1856.
Elisha b. 19 June 1798; ni. (i) 4 June 1824 Sarah Hawkes of Wind-
ham, wlio was b. 25 Mch. 1794 and d. 20 June 1857; m. (2) Mrs. Sarah
(Winslow) Boody. He was a prominent man of Windham. Died 22
June 1879.
Silas b. 27 Mch. 1800; see below.
Elias b. 9 Feb. 1802; d. 3 July 1S75.
Elizabeth b. 9 Jan. 1804; d. 2 July 1859.
Mary b. 9 Jan. 1804; d. 24 Nov. 1830.
Children of Edward Jones by second marriage.
Lydia b. 22 Oct. 1809; d. 27 Aug. 1885.
Edward b. 3 Feb. 1812; d. 27 Dec. 1855.
Martha b. 27 Feb. 1814; d. 1896.
Olive b. 11 May 1816; d. i May 1839.
David b. i July 1818; d. i March 1821.
Abigail b. 3 April 1822.
Silas, son of Edward and Mary (Tuttle) Jones, lived in Wind-
ham. Whether he was born in Durham is uncertain. He m.
(1) 3 May 1827 Seviah Goddard, who died 28 April 1835 ; m. (2)
Lois Brown b. 16 July 1808; d. 2 Aug. 1887. He died 9 Oct.
1863. 4 ch. by first marriage ; 8 by second.
George b. 7 Feb. 1828; m. Charlotte S. Heald who was born 21 Aug.
1830 and died in Auburn 20 April 1894. Ch. George Edlon and Oscar W.
of Auburn and INIrs. Ham of Hartland.
Sarah b. 10 Dec. 1829.
Elijah b. 24 May 1832; d. 30 Mch. 1834.
Elijah b. i May 1834; d. 4 Jan. 1835.
Joseph b. 29 Aug. 1837; m. Abbie Goold.
David D. b. 2 June 1839; d. 20 Oct. 1892.
SARAH (MILLER) (JORDAN) DINGLEY.
I
GENEALOGICAL NOTES 207
Charles W. b. 30 Dec. 1840; d. in Windham.
Phebe T. b. 7 Nov. 1843; d. 23 Feb. 1877.
Clarissa C. b. 3 Mch. 1846; d. 23 Feb. 1877.
James N. b. 16 Jan. 1848.
Mary E. b. 6 Dec. 1849; d. 28 Dec. 1849.
Byron W. b. 30 June 1851.
JORDAN.
Rev. Robert Jordan was established on Riclimond Island in
1641. He married Sarah, only child of John Winter, and died in
Portsmouth, N. H., in 1678, aged 67 years.
Secomb Jordan was fifth in descent from him. He was son
of Noah Jordan and was born at Cape Elizabeth in 1764. He
married 15 July 1787, Sarah Robinson and died in Durham
I Aug. 1825. His wife died i Oct. 1827. He settled in Durham,
moved to Lisbon, thence to Brunswick and back to Durham.
He was a farmer and also kept store in a shop near where Everett
Macomber now lives. Dept. Sherifif, Selectman (1818-1820),
Representative to General Court in 1812 and 1813, and delegate
to form the Constitution of Maine in 1820. " Old Squire Jordan"
is remembered as one of the leading men of Durham. A biog-
rapher says he was ** subject to occasional bursts of violent tem-
per." This is the worst thing ever said of him. His family were
as follows :
Apollos b. 24 Dec. 1788. See below.
Rhoda m. 22 Mch. 1827 Henry Moore; d. 5 July 1834, aged 31 yrs.
Eleanor m. Samuel Skinner; d. 14 Feb. 1849, aged 60 yrs. 8 mos.
Apollos Jordan married, 29 Nov. 18 10 Sarah, dau. of Joshua
and Anne (Simonton) Miller. Lived on lot 88. Died 20 Nov.
1827. His widow m. 24 Nov. 1833 Jeremiah Dingley. She died
in Auburn 14 Jan. 1885, aged 93 yrs. She is well remembered
for her kindness, generosity and piety. The familiar name,
"Aunt Sally," shows how the neighborhood regarded her. All
will be glad to see her portrait.
RuFUS K. b. 31 Jan. 1812; m. 28 Dec. 1837 Aurelia Rowe; resided in
Chicago. Children: Henrietta m. Mr. Wheeler of San Francisco; Helen,
resides in Cal.; Josephine.
Secomb b. 27 April 1814. See p. 208
Elizabeth b. 19 Jan. 1817; d. 9 Aug. 1836.
Abigail Miller b. 16 Oct. 1819, m. 7 May 1840 Orin Dill of Lewiston.
Sarah Ann b. 18 Nov. 1822; m. 20 Jan. 1846 Ambrose Quimby.
Albion K. P. b. 20 May 1826; m. Anna Foss of Auburn.
2o8 HISTORY OF DURHAM
Secomb Jordan married (i) 31 Dec. 1840 Jane, dau. of John
Hoyt of Durham, b. 5 Nov. 1819. She died 19 Mch. i860. He
married (2) 18 Oct. 1862 Mrs. Mary C. Hoyt, widow of John
Hoyt of Yarmouth. She died 4 Jan. 1886. Mr. Jordan died 27
May 1889 in Maiden, Mass. He hved in Durham till 1868. In
his early life he was engaged especially in the manufacture of
Sugar Boxes for export. He was a prominent member of the
M. E. Church, and led the singing at the Union Church several
years. His house was always open to pastor and people. The
house in which he lived is now occupied by Ralph H. Hascall.
He was a blameless Christian and a good citizen. Five ch.
Elizabeth b. 13 Oct. 1841.
John Q. b. 9 Oct. 1843.
Ferdinand b. 24 Aug. 1845.
Lyman B. b. 16 June 1849.
Ada B. b. 10 June 1853.
James Jordan, son of Capt. Joshua, was born 20 Aug. 1780
at Cape Elizabeth and died 28 Jan. 1866. He married 26 Jan.
1805 Martha, dau. of John and Martha (Jordan) Robinson, and
settled in Durham. Their children were :
Eleanor b. 1806; m. 25 Dec. 1827 John Webster, who died in Webster
about 1850.
Martha b. 1808; m. Rev. John Cobb.
Rhoda E. b. 1810; m. 21 June 1835 Foxwell C. Marr of Wales; d. 1870.
Horatio Nelson b. 12 April 1813: m. (i) 27 Nov. 1834 Elizabeth J.
Wagg; (2) 16 Oct. 1859 Mary E. Miller. 9 children by ist wife; 2 by
2d wife.
James b. 1815; m. 19 Aug. 1838 Sarah Haskins.
Louise b. 1817; m. Saml. Whitney of Durham.
KNIGHT.
There were three distinct families of this name. Joseph
Knight was living on lot 60 earlier than 1782. He married in
Falmouth i April 1777, Laurana Getchell, who died 27 Mch.
1804. Fie married 22 Nov. 1804 Barsheba Mitchell. Besides
five who died young the following children are recorded.
Enoch b. 15 Sept. 1785; m. 1809 Martha Mitchell.
John b. 12 Sept. 1787; m. 18 Oct. 1812 Hannah Beal. Their children
were Mariam b. 30 Nov. 1813 m. Philip Douglas; Jonathan b. 21 Jan.
1815; m. Mary Taylor and had twins Edwin and Frederick, born 1845, and
Charles; Belina b. 16 Dec. 1817; m. George Frye.
SECOMB JORDAN.
CHARLES EMERY KNIGHT.
GENEALOGICAL NOTES 2O9
Christopher b. 3 July 1794.
Stephen b. 18 Feb. 1796.
William b. 20 Feb. 1800.
Simeon b. 28 Mch. 1802.
Mark Knight, born 8 Dec. 1756, lived near Woodford's Cor-
ner in old P'almouth. He married 4 Dec. 1785 Mary Hunt, born
in Nova Scotia 6 June 1758. He died 30 Jan. 1835. His wife
died 3 June 1850.
Francis b. i(5 Maj' 1784. See below.
Parker b. 8 Dec. 1790; d. 29 Mch. 1826; m. 21 Nov. 1811 Mary Grant;
three ch., Mark m. Augusta Newell; Charlotte m. Clement Jordan; and
Julia. Unm.
Sophia B. b. 25 Jan. 1794; m. 21 Oct. 1821 Wm. Weeks; d. 20 June
1822.
Joanna b. 2 Oct. 1800; m. 2 Dec. 1824 John B. Reed; d. 8 Dec. 1840.
Their dau. Mary Elizabeth m. Nathaniel C. Lincoln.
Francis Knight married, 28 Nov. 1810, Betsey, dau. of Amos
and Betsey (Titcomb) Knight, who was born 13 April 1786 and
died 17 Nov. 1824. He lived in Durham and died 2^ June 1862.
Adaline H. b. 3 Feb. 1812; m. Alfred son of Barnard Nichols.
Susan C. b. 7 Aug. 1815; d. 2 June 1856. Unm.
Mehitabel S. b. 21 July 1816; m. 30 Aug. 1840 Sharon Estes.
Charles H. b. 24 Aug. 1818; m. 10 Nov. 1842 Mary C. Parker. She
was dau. of Peter Parker and was born in Durham 23 Mch. 1816 and died
in Deering 21 Mch. 1897. He was a farmer on the County Road, a man
of sterling character. Died 8 Nov. 1869. Their only child was Charles
Emery Knight,
William W. b. 17 Nov. 1821; m. Susan G. Newell; d. s. p. 6 April 1891.
Francis b. 17 Nov. 1824. Unm.
Charles Emery Knight, born in Durham, i Oct. 1845, was
educated in the school at South West Bend and in a Business
College. He has for more than a score of years been connected
with the Patron's Cooperative Corporation, 209 Commercial St.,
Portland, Me., first as book-keeper and later as agent. He is
fidelity and honesty personified. That statement will not be
doubted by any one who knew him in his youth. His long
employment in one firm bears evidence also to his business
ability. The number of his friends is limited only by his acquain-
tances. He married 24 Oct. 1872 Oriana Louise, dau. of James
2IO HISTORY OF DURHAM
Strout, Jr. She died in Deering 30 Jan. 1879. They had two
children; Frank Herbert b. 30 July 1873, graduated at Bowdoin
College in 1894; and Orie Louise b. 5 Jan. 1879.
The Knights of Durham, doubtless, descended from John
of Newbury who came from Southampton, Eng., in 1635. He
had a son John, born 1622, who married in 1647 Rathshua Tnger-
soll. Their son, Richard, b. 26 July 1666, married Elizabeth
Jaques and had a son Henry b. 6 July 1697. This Henry is
thought to be the one who with his wife Priscilla came from
Newbury and united with the First Parish Church of Old Fal-
mouth in 1746. I'hcir son, Samuel, married in 1750 Mary
J\night. and these were the parents of the Amos Knight who set-
tled in Durham.
Amos Knight was born in Falmouth 27 Sept. 1758. He
married, 27, Jan. 1784 Betsey Knight (some say Betsey Titcomb)
who was born 30 Dec. 1765. He was a Revolutionary soldier.
In i8t6 he bought of Israel Estes fifty acres of lot 29. He and
his wife were buried on that farm.
Betsey b. 13 April 1786; m. Francis Knight.
Levi b. 3 Aug. 1787; d. 1865. Unm.
Theophilus b. 13 Mch. 1790; d. 1861. Unm.
Roland b. 31 July 1792; m. 21 May 1818 Dorcas Blake. Ch. Addison,
■George, Alfred, John, Eunice, and Julia. All but George died young.
Mary b. 27 Dec. 1797; m. 24 April 1823 the Rev. Daniel Clarke, who
■was born in Lisbon (Webster) 15 Feb. 1801 and died in Richmond 22
May 1869. His wife died in Richmond 19 Feb. 1862. Eight children.
Louis b. 12 Aug. 1800; died young.
James b. 2^ Dec. 1802; m. Almira Sawyer, dau. of Nathan Sawyer of
Westbrook.
Eunice P. b. 5 June 1805: m. 31 Mch. 1825 Joseph G. Sawyer; d. 6
May 1866. Ch. Joshua Lewis, Amos, Ellen and Elmira.
LAMBERT.
Dea. Isaac Lambert, born in Abington, Mass. q March 1771 ;
d. in Auburn 28 Jan. 1861. His wife died 26 April 1862, aged
85 yrs. 9 mos. 10 days. He married Mary Strout of Durham 3
Sept. 1795. He had a brother Asa who lived in Freeport and a
brother Thomas who m. 19 Nov. 1795 Abigail Strout and settled
in the southern part of Durham. Isaac Lambert settled on the
northern half of lot 90 in 1801, and had a farm of 46^ acres. In
GENEALOGICAL NOTES 2 I I
1804 its estimated value was $88.35. He did not receive a deed
of the place from Josiah Little till 18 Aug. 18 13. The price then
paid was $465.
Abigail b. in Durham i March 1796; m. 10 Nov. 1814, Stephen Wes-
ton; lived in Litchfield.
Sophia b. in Freeport i March 1798; d. 22 June 1802.
Hannah b. in Freeport 31 March 1800; d. 24 June 1802.
Betsey b. in Durham 22 June 1802; m. i Jan. 1824 Joshua Wormell;
moved to Unity.
Maryan b. 22 Dec. 1804; d. young.
Joshua b. 10 April 1808; m. 26 Nov. 1833, Susan Garcelon; see below.
Jane b. 6 Aug. 1809; m. 21 Aug. 1831 Nelson Dingley; d. 2 Dec. 1871.
Isaac Jr. b. 4 March 1813; m. 21 Dec. 1837 Lucy Dingley who was
born 18 Aug. 1819 and died 2 Feb. 1844. He m. (2) 31 May 1849 Apphia
Whitney of Lisbon who died 2 June 1851, aged 23 yrs. 10 mos. He died
9 Oct. 1850, having lived on his father's farm. Ch. Frances J. b. 2"] Sept.
1840; m. Sutton Stevens of Auburn; Wm. Henry b. 8 Aug. 1842, see
Biog. Sketch; Edward E. b. i April 1850; lost at sea.
Mary m. 2"] April 1826 Simeon Bailey of Durham.
Harriet M. m. Harrison Otis; moved to Unity.
Joshua Lambert lived for a while at Methodist Corner, but
alter the death of his brother Isaac took the old homestead, lot
go, and lived and died there, Aug. 30, 1890. His wife was born
Dec. 25, 1805 and died Feb. 22, i8go. Their children were.
Isaac G. b. 10 Oct. 1835; d. 7 Oct. 1838.
Isaac W. b. 27 Aug. 1839; m. Susan, dau. of Rev. L. P. Gurney and
settled on a farm in Auburn.
James G. b. 25 April 1841; lives in Idaho. Unm.
Elizabeth b. ii Oct. 1843; iri- John McBoyle of Ottawa, 111.
Mary b. ii Oct. 1843; m. John Hatch. Lives in Mass.
Lorenzo S. b. 4 Feb. 1850. Graduated at Amherst College, 1872.
One of the Selectmen of Durham. Married and went West.
LARRABEE.
This family is of Huguenot extraction. Stephen Larrabee
came from Maiden to North Yarmouth. His son Thomas, born
1660 lived at Portsmouth N. H. and Scarborough, Me., where he
was killed, with his oldest son Anthony, by the Indians 19 April
1723. He was a man highly respected. His son Thomas 2d
married m Portsmouth, N. H. 7 May 1715 Abigail Pitman.
Their son Thomas 3d m. Mary Long. (Pub. at Falmouth 14
Feb. 1742.) They had a son Nathaniel, bap. at Scarborough
212 HISTORY OF DURHAM
22 April 1753, '^^''lo m. 11 Nov. 1773 Sarah, dau. of Josiah and
Rebecca (Brown) Hunnewell of Scarborough, who was bap. 17
Sept. 1752. Nathaniel and Sarah Larrabee .had at least three
daughters and two sons, Thomas H. and Josiah. The last two
settled in Durham.
Thomas H. Larrabee came as early as 1797. Ke married
1 March 1798 Anna Pari<er of Gorham. He lived on lot 140
till 1813, when he bought lot 135. He is remembered as a man
of piety. He died 10 May 1850, aged jy yrs. i mo. His wife
died 17 Feb. 1843, aged 64 yrs. Their children were
Mary m. Mark Nelson of Parsonsfield.
Eliza d. 25 Oct. 1837, aged 17 yrs. 26 dys.
Dorcas b. 3 Feb. 1800; m. 27 April 1827 George Rice of Durham; d.
23 Aug. 1859.
Nancy Ann m. 4 Mch. 1838 James Fickett; d. 11 May 1894, aged 82
yrs. I mo. 18 dys.
Thomas m. Margaret . Unknown.
Deborah m. James Brackett of Saco.
Eliza. Unm.
Gardner G. b. 8 July 1809; m. 5 Oct. 1837 Sarah, dau. of Samuel
and Sarah (Robinson) Stackpole; d. 12 Oct. 1861. They had nine chil-
dren, as follows:
Sarah Jane b. 2 Mch. 1839; m. 12 Jan. 1874, John H. Merrill of
Durham.
Hannah E. b. 19 May 1842; m. George Grover of New Gloucester.
LuciNDA W. b. 6 April 1844.
Royal E. b. 26 Jan. 1846; m. 24 Dec. 1872 Emma S. Dunham. Lives
at Lisbon Falls.
Emeline S. b. I April 1848; m. 28 Nov. 1867 John Rice of Pownal.
Eliza E. b. 16 Dec. 1850; m. Rufus Waterhouse of Durham.
Clara E. b. 13 Dec. 1855; m. 4 Dec. 1880, John F. Waterhouse of
Durham.
Abbie S. b. 9 Sept. 1858; m. Samuel Dyer of Durham.
Gardner G. b. 2,^ Feb. i860; m. 21 Dec. 1882 Henrietta Sawyer. Lives
on the old homestead.
Josiah, brother of Thomas H. Larrabee, married (Int. Rec.
2^/ Dec. 1806) Eliza Libby of Scarboro' and settled in Durham.
They had children. Dexter, Cyrus, Josiah, Patience, Irene, Beth-
une, Louisa, and
Dexter Larrabee was born in Durham in a log-house in 1810
and is still living. He m. Nancy Hunnewell. They had three
children, Augusta, m. Emerson Bowie and lives in Auburn;
Malinda m. James Jordan and lives in New Gloucester, and
Amos D. m. Rosa Jordan and lives in Durham.
I
JONATHAN LIBBiT.
GENEALOGICAL NOTES 213
The Thomas Larrabee above mentioned as killed by Indians
19 April 1723 had a son John who m. 13 Jan. 1726 Mary Inger-
soll of Kittery. Their son Jonathan settled m Durham. He
was born in Scarborough 16 April 1748; m. 9 July 1771 Alice
Davis; d. in Durham 20 Oct. 1836. His wife died in 1818. He
was a Revolutionary soldier. He lived opposite Wm. D. Roak's.
He had ch. John, Ichabod, Emma, all bap. in Scarborough 27
Sept. 1781 ; also William, Jonathan, Caleb, and Joanna who m.
John Roak.
William, son of Jonathan and Alice (Davis) Larrabee was
born in 1775 ; m. 8 Nov. 1807 Elizabeth, sister of Nathaniel
Parker; d. 26 Mch. 1841. His wife died 29 June 1856, aged
70 yrs. Of their children Mary, Martha and Emeline d. young ;
Jane m. Jacob Larrabee ; William A. m. Susan Sawyer; John P. ;
Hannah m. Zenas C. Arey; Stillman m. Martha Roak; Mary E.
m. Wm. H. Rice; Martha m. George Barr.
Jonathan, son of Jonathan and Alice (Davis) Larrabee was
horn 21 April 1782; m. 28 Sept. 1809 his cousin Phebe Davis;
d. in Hartford 12 Feb. 1853. 13 ch. A full genealogical record
of this family may be seen in Ridlon's "Saco Valley Settlement,"
PP- 855-7-
LIBBY.
Jonathan Libby, Jr. was born in Gray 31 Jan. 1812. He was
descended from John Libby, born in England in 1602, settled in
Scarborough about 1635. Jonathan Libby married 27 Dec. 1838
Matilda S. Bacon and lived in N. Yarmouth before moving to
Durham m 1847. He was a cooper and engaged in business
with E. Dow. He was Representative to the Legislature in 1869.
He was a man highly esteemed for honesty and integrity of char-
acter. His affiliations were with the Universalist Church, but
when that church had no service, he could always be seen on
Sunday at the Union Church. He was a Republican, and that
meant in his day a friend of temperance and freedom. His wife
died 17 Dec. 1876. The children were all born in N.Yarmouth.
Adelia b. 6 Mch. 1839; m. 24 Nov. 1862 Nathaniel I. Jordan. Lives
in Auburn.
George B. b. 8 Mch. 1841; m. 1868 Julia A. Dow of Buxton.
Samuel B. b. 29 Jan. 1843; m. 30 Nov. 1871 Cornelia W.,dau. of Henry
W. and Eliza A. (Eveleth) Paine of Durham. He was a soldier in the
Rebellion. Has been selectman and Representative. Carries on the
214 HISTORY OF DURHAM
business of Cooperage at S. W. Bend. Children are Etta M. b. 22 Feb.
1874; Willard T. b. 4 April 1876, Bowdoin College, class of 1899;
Gertrude E. b. 7 Aug. 1879.
Fannie M. b. 7 April 1845; m. June 1867 Andrew G. Fitz.
LINCOLN.
The ancestor of the Lincohi family was Samuel Lincoln who
came from Hingham, Eng. in 1637, and settled in Hingham,
Mass. He was a mariner and weaver. He died in 1690, aged
71 years. His son Mordecai settled in Scituate, Mass., in 1700^
built a spacious house and was proprietor of saw and grist mills
and of iron works. His son Mordecai Jr. went to Penn . and
from him was descended Pres. Abraham Lincoln. Dr. Isaac
Lincoln of Brunswick was a descendant of Isaac, son of Mordecai,
Senr. of Scituate. John, who settled in Durham was, doubtless,
a descendant of this same Mordecai Lincoln.
John Lincoln was born in Scituate, Mass., 18 (or 29) of Dec.
1743. Was a soldier in the Revolution. Married 21 Nov. 1779
his cousin, Ruth Stetson who was born 7 April 1740. Moved
to Durham about 1791, and settled on the County-road. They
had, besides Joshua who cHed in infancy, six children, ah born
in Scituate.
John Jr. b. 2 Jan. 1780; m. Martha Thompson of Topsham. Lived
in Aroostook Co., Me. Died in 111.
Elisha Stetson b. 5 Dec. 1781; m. 17 Sept. 1820 Clarissa Stetson; d.
2 Nov. 1823 in Litchfield.
Nathaniel Stetson b. 12 Oct. 1783; m. 21 Jan. 1820 Mary Stetson;
d. 21 Feb. 1845.
Christopher b. 3 Jan. 1785; m. i Jan. 1815 Thirza Gerrish. Lived and
died in Litchfield, Me.; d. 23 Sept. 1864.
Eunice Stetson b. 25 Aug. 1788; m. 27 Oct. 1812 Isaac Storer
Hooper; died May 1884.
David Stetson b. 15 Jan. 1790; m. 30 May 1816 Mary Mitchell; m.
(2) 30 March 1830 Susan Blackstone. Lived in Durham and Brunswick.
Nathaniel S. Lincoln, named above, lived in Durham oppo-
site the old North Meeting House. He built the part now stand-
ing. The front, which was the house of John Dean and of Wm.
McGray, was taken down in 1854. carried to Brunswick and is
still the framework of a house on Noble St.
Mary Ann b. 14 July 1821; m. 10 May 1840 Horace Wright; d. 17
Feb. 1 89 1.
Charles b. 6 Nov. 1823; lost at sea Feb. 1851.
GENEALOGICAL NOTES 215
Nathaniel b. 3 Mch. 1826; m. 26 Sept. 1852 Mary E. Reed. Lost
at sea Nov., 1S81. His family live in Brunswick.
Ruth Helen b. 13 Oct. 1828; d. 17 Nov. 1871.
John b. 8 Nov. 1831; lost at sea 17 Nov. 1871.
Olive b. 22 Dec. 1833; d. 9 Feb. 1852.
Rebecca b. 20 Nov. 1835; m. 22 May 1856 Winthrop Farrin.
Clara Abbie b. 3 Feb. 1838; m. 23 Dec. 1864 Wm. Stevens.
George b. i July 1843; lives in Cal. Unm.
LITTLEFIELD.
Elijah Littlefield son of Elijah and Mary (Stevens) Littlefield,
probably of Kennebunkport or Wells, was born about 1755. He
was a soldier of the Revolution. He m. (i) 4 Nov. 1781 Mary
Tukey of Portland, who died about 1806; (2) Hannah Cooper.
He was a cordwainer and farmer. He bought a farm in the
southern part of Durham 8 May 1798, selling out in Portland.
Uriah b. 7 Jan. 1796; m. Ruth Penley; d. 13 Aug. 1859.
Moses b. 25 March 1794; m. 25 Dec. 1815 Esther Lufkin; d. at sea
1848. 10 ch.
George b. Oct. 1786; m. int. 18 July 1812 Hannah Doughty of Tops-
ham; lived in Durham; d. 8 Nov. 1870.
Mary m. int. 13 Aug. 1808 Adam Morse of Brunswick; lived in
Chesterville.
Abigail m. int. 13 Aug. 1808 Samuel IMitchell.
Nancy Penney m. 21 July 1816 Aaron Bickford of Gardiner.
Sally b. at Durham 9 March 1801.
MACOMBER.
This family is of Scotch origin. "William Maycumber,
cooper," was of Duxbury in 1638. He was fined in 1644 "for
speaking against the Indians." His descendant, Joseph Macom-
ber of Middleborough, Mass., was born in 1732 and died Jan. 24,
]8oo. He married Betsey Kennedy, whose Scotch ancestor.s
were among the first settlers of Plymouth. In the Revolution he
was a Sergt. in Capt. Levi Rounsevel's Co., Col. D. Brewer's
Regt. Enlisted May 5, 1775; time of service, three months, four
days. He was afterward Lieut, and Capt. of Militia. Their
children, all born at Middleborough, were,
Joseph b. 8 Sept. 1762: Thankful b. 21 Jan. 1764, d. 1854:
Betsey b. 21 Mch 1765, d. 28 Aug. 1784: Nathan b. 2 Feb. 1767.
d. 10 Aug. 1788 : Frederick b. 19 Dec. 1768 : Elijah b. 14 Oct.
1770: Judith b. 24 Aug. 1772: Olive b. 20 Mch. 1774: Lurana
2l6 HISTORY OF DURHAM
Id. 19 Feb. 1778: Hannah b. 23 May 1780, d. unni. 28 Mch.
1827:. she was a preacher among the Friends.
EHjah Macomber came to Durham in 1801. He married at
Windham, 6 June 1802, EHza Swett, fourteenth and youngest
child of Dr. Steplien and Sarah (Adams) Swett of Gorham. In
the Revolution Swett was a Surgeon in Col. Edmund Phinney's
31st Regt. of Foot. He was descended from John Swett of New-
bury, 1642, who came from Devonshire, Eng. Sarah Adams
was the daughter of Dr. Samuel Adams of Durham, N. H. and
sixth in descent from Governors Winthrop and Dudley of Mass.
Elijah Macomber bought, in 1808, lot 83 of John and Sarah
Bagley, heirs of Col. Jonathan Bagley. It is quite certain that
he had been living on this farm some time before the purchase.
His house stood a little north of where George Miller now lives
and was burned many years ago. Here he kept a store and
carried on the farm. He was Lieut, in the Militia, constable, and
five times Selectman. Died 26 Sept. 1849. His wife, born 28
Sept. 1783, died 26 April 1853. Their children were,
Stephen b. 26 May 1803; m. 9 Nov. 1826 Sarah B. Francis; d. 30
April 1877 at Parkman.
Julia Ann b. 26 Feb. 1805; m. 30 May 1822 Joseph Curtis of Lisbon;
d. 30 May 1S82 in Bangor.
Joseph b. 6 Nov. 1806; m. 20 Oct. 1853 Mrs. Mary (Miller) McArthur;
d. s. p. about 1890 in Abington, Mass.
Adams b. 26 July 1808; m. 10 Dec. 1832 Betsey Briggs of Minot; d.
8 Nov. 1853 in New Paris, Ind.
Eliza Swett b. 9 April 1810; m. 8 Nov. 1838 Samuel Owen Stack-
pole; d. 12 May 1888 in Brunswick.
Washington b. 10 Sept. 1812; m. 19 Sept. 1839 Abigail Davis; d. 12
Sept. 1874 in Lynn, Mass.
Horatio M. b. 22 June 1814; m. (i) 28 July 1836 Mary Wingate; (2)
Mrs. Phillips; d. about 1890 in Ind. See p. 71.
Leonard b. 30 May 1816; see below.
John b. 16 Mch. 1819; m. (i) 31 May 1846 Caroline Weston; (2) 22
Sept. 1875 Mrs. Mary F. Tufts; d. s. p. 26 Nov. 1883 in Lynn, Mass.
Leonard Macomber was the only one of this family who lived
long in Durham. He settled on the old Stoddard farm, lot 85,
in 1856. He married (i) 28 April 1842 Eliza Jane Swett, who
was born in Turner 8 June 1819 and died in Durham 27 Sept.
185 1 ; (2) I July 1852 Louisa A. Teague, b. in Turner 8 Aug. 1828
and d. 14 Sept. 1852 : (3) i May 1853 Abigail Gerrish, who died
ELIZA (SWETT) MACOMBER.
GENEALOGICAL NOTES 217
March 1868; (4) 7 April 1869 Sarah Alexander of Brunswick,
born 15 Jan. 1824 and is still living.
Leonard Macomber was a prosperous farmer, a good citizen,
and was honored by being elected Selectman and Representative
to the Legislature. He died 13 June 1889. By his first marriage
there were, besides an infant, two sons : — Joseph, b. at Turner
8 Jan. 1845, soldier in the Civil War and died at the rebel prison
at Andersonville 29 (?) July, 1864: and George L., born at Dur-
ham 29 Nov. 1848. He also was a soldier in the Rebellion.
Graduated at the State College at Orono and settled as a farmer
and teacher at Windom, Minn.
The only child of Leonard and Abigail (Gerrish) Macomber
was Everett Leroy, born 4 Sept. 1854. He lives on the home-
stead.
MARSTON.
Joshua Marston married Rebecca Sawyer and settled in the
western part of the town early in the century. He died 20 Jan.
1884, aged 85 yrs. 8 mos. and 8 days. His wife died 28 Oct.
1885, aged 89 yrs. 8 mos. and 11 days. Their children were
William K., Mariam, Sarah and Edward.
William K. Marston died 22 Dec. 1883, aged 60 yrs. 11 mos.
24 days. His wife, Elizabeth died 26 June 1849, aged 26 yrs.
9 mos. 15 days. The details of the history and genealogy of
this family could not be obtained after many inquiries.
McGRAY.
Capt. William McGray came to Harpswell probably from
Scituate, Mass. ; thence to N. Yarmouth ; and to Durham about
1781. He m. (i) July 1764 Susannah Turner, born at Scituate
8 Jan. 1742 and died in Durham 5 Feb. 1801 ; m. (2) 6 Aug. 1801
Peace Turner. It is not known when he died. The family
name has long been extinct in Durham. Several of his family
moved to Lisbon.
Lemuel b. in Harpswell 5 Oct. 1764; m. 1786 Sarah Strout. 2 ch.
He died 4 Oct. 1788. Jeremiah b. 14 April 1787; Sarah b. 23 Jan. 1789.
The widow of Lemuel McGray m. 1791, Nathaniel Gerrish.
Molly b. 2 Feb. 1767.
Elizabeth b. 10 March 1769; m. 20 March 1788 James Wilson.
John b. 10 Aug. 1771; m. 27 Oct. 1791 Rebecca Nichols.
Sarah b. 17 May 1774; d. 22 Dec. 1775.
William b. 8 Oct. 1777; m. 25 Oct. 179S Betty Mitchell.
2l8 HISTORY OF DURHAM
Asa b. i8 Sept. 1780; m. 29 March 1801, Susanna Stoddard.
Sally 1?. i Nov. 1783; d. 6 May 1784.
A Samuel ]\IcGray m. Betsey Nichols and settled in Lisbon,
and kept the ferry at S. W. Bend. He died 19 Mch. 1872. His
wife died 28 Mch. 1872.
McINTOSH.
John Mcintosh a Scotchman came from Harpswell soon
after 1780. Was a Revolutionary soldier from Harpswell. The
name of his first wife is imknown. He m. (2) 29 Nov. 1810 Sally
Mitchell.
Jane b. 13 Dec. 1778.
Peggy b. in Harpswell 31 Dec. 1780.
John b. in Royalsborough 20 Aug. 1785; d. 17 Jan. 1787.
Hannah b. 19 May 1787; m. 10 Mch. 1808 Richard Clough.
Nanny b. 2 May 1789.
Susannah b. 4 April 1792; m. 1808, Eliphalet Welch of Brunswick.
Mercy b. 16 May 1794; m. 26 Nov. 1812 Peter Parker.
EzEKiEL b. 15 May 1795; m. 29 May 1832 Miriam Estes.
William b. 15 June 1796; m. 1821 Nancy Jennings of Farmington;.
in. (2) 18 Mch. 1837 Sophronia Jennings.
Alexander b. 4 April 1798; m. i June 1826 Hannah Jordan.
Dorothy b. 26 Oct. 1801; m. Isaac Estes.
AsENATH b. 25 June 1803; m. Mitchell.
MERRILL.
Roger Merrill, a Rev. Soldier, son of Nathaniel and Mary
(Sargent) Merrill of Nottingham, N. H. was born at Newbury,
Mass. I Feb. 1761. His ancestors came from England in the ship
"Hector," in 1633. He m. in New Gloucester 2 Feb. 1785 Doro-
thy, dau. of Hon. John Gushing, then of Royalsborough, after-
ward of Freeport. They lived in Durham till 1802, where their
first eight children were born ; afterward in Portland and Litch-
field. He was a mason by trade. The last part of his life was
spent in Durham where he died 15 June 1852, aged 91 years,
4 mos. 15 days. His wife died in Litchfield 28 Dec. 1863. Their
children were.
Orlando b. 30 June 1786; m. Sarah Wagg of Lisbon.
Dolly b. 30 Sept. 1788; m. 1806 Wm. Bartlett.
John b. ii Dec. 1790; died at sea.
Jonathan C. b. 20 Feb. 1793; see p. 219.
JONATHAN C. MERRILL.
GENEALOGICAL NOTES 219
Polly b. 5 May 1795; d. at age of 22 years.
Betsey b. 8 Dec. 1797; m. Robinson.
Edward b. 24 July 1800; m. 15 Oct. 1827 Mary Converse. Lived in
New Bedford, Mass. Died 11 Sept. 1884.
Caleb b. 24 June 1802; d. 14 Oct. 1805.
William b. 20 Sept. 1804; d. 9 Oct. 1805.
Jesse b. 17 Dec. 1806; d. 10 July 1813.
Mary S. b. 20 Sept. 1809; m. Aaron True of Litchfield 27 Jan. 1830.
She died 16 April 1875.
Sarah b. 26 Dec. 1812; d. 19 Aug. 1813 in Portland.
Infant b. 22 Nov. 1817; d. soon after.
Jonathan C, son of Roger Merrill, born 20 Feb. 1793, mar-
ried 12 April 18 1 8 Sarah Joy of Portland. He worked at the
trade of a cooper till about 1820, when he moved back from Port-
land to Durham and opened a hotel and country store. He was
in trade and lumber business the greater part of his life and was
known as an active business man, identified with all the interests
of the town. He twice represented the town in the State Legis-
lature and was on the Board of County Commissioners. He
died in Durham 5 May 1865.
Sarah E. b. 19 Nov. 1820; m. Dec. 1858 Nathaniel Dunning. He
died 22 July 1880, aged 83 yrs.
Ap.bie H. b. 25 Aug. 1823; m. 3 Oct. 1842 William Merrill of Durham.
Mary C. b. 24 May 1827; m. Wm. E. Morris.
John Cushing b. 26 March 1830; m. 26 Jan. 1854 Marcia A. Cary.
Their daughter Maria S. Alerrill has long been a teacher of French in
Abbot Academy, Andover, Mass. Another daughter, Sarah J., lives
with her father in Portland.
John Merrill, of another family, married Lucy, dau. of Rob-
ert Plummer (Int. Rec. 2 June 1810) and died 8 May 1818, aged
28 yrs, 4 mos. Their son John, born in Brunswick 13 Oct.
1814, was the only one of their children who has descendants.
He married, 12 April 1840, Eunice S., dau. of Theophilus S.
Thomas. He died 17 June 1864 in New Orleans, being then a
soldier in the Union Army.
Pamelia T. b. 27 Mch. 1841; m. 27 Nov. 1862 Joseph Dennison of
Freeport, born 14 April 1837, a Union soldier. He died i April 1876.
One son, John M. Dennison, was born 31 July 1865.
John H. b. 10 Jan. 1843; m. 12 Jan. 1874 Sarah Jane, dau. of Gardner
G. and Sarah (Stackpole) Larrabee. They have one child, Alzo Selden,
born 20 Aug. 1875.
William H. b. 10 Jan. 1843; m. 9 June 1872 Laura E., dau. of Joseph
and Jane (Randall) Osgood. Their children are Francis W. b. 29 May
2 20 HISTORY OF DURHAM
1873, d. 2 Aug. 1874; George E. b. 15 May 1875; Howard J. b. 25 Nov.
1877; Sadie E. b. 21 April 1880; Pamelia J. b. 10 Oct. 1881; John E.
b. 28 April 1866; Charles b. 16 April 1888, d. 27 Oct. 1888; William I.
b. 26 Feb. 1893.
Joseph A. b. 14 Sept. 1845; m. 12 Jan. 1867 Elizabeth B. Pierce ot
Vassalborough. They have one son, Adelbert B., born in Topsham 24
Aug. 1869. Joseph A. Merrill now lives in Augusta, Me.
MILLER.
Joshua, David and James Miller, brothers, came from Cape
Elizabeth in 1792. James bought lot 95 in 1796 and sold the
westerly part of it in 1806 to his brother Joshua, who sold it in
1832 to Edmund Titcomb. James Miller moved to Gardiner and
later to Ohio.
Joshua Miller was born in Cape Elizabeth 12 Oct. 1765. He
married 16 Oct. 1787 Anne Wilson Sinionton who was born 30
Nov. 1763. He has been described as "tall and lank" and his
wife, "short and stout." He lived on lot 97. Here he died 22
Oct. 1852. His wife died 21 Jan. 1852.
Joshua Jr. b. 9 Nov. 17S8; m. Dorcas Wagg of Danville. For a long
time they kept hotel at S. W. Bend, and were familiarly known as "Uncle
Josh" and "Aunt Dorcas." Having no children they adopted and
brought up several. They were highly esteemed. He died 6 Sept. 1862.
His wife died 24 June 1869.
Sarah b. 22 Dec. 1791; m. (i) 29 Nov. 1810 Apollos Jordan; m. (2)
24 Nov. 1833 Jeremiah Dingley Esq.
Abigail b. 4 June 1794; m. 12 Feb. 1815 James Strout of Durham; d.
3 Mch. 1819.
Theophilus b. 21 May 1797; m.. 1822 Anna Bridgham of Danville.
He was killed 3 July 1830, at a muster in Brunswick, by a wad from a
cannon discharged by William Card. He was drummer for a miHtary
company. His widow married Robert Bowie. A son Wm. B. Miller
b. 8 April 1823; m. 2 Nov. 1845 Irene G. Tyler and d. 2 May 1858, leaving
a daughter who is now Mrs. Sarah Morse of Auburn.
William b. 4 April 1800; see below.
Mary b. 28 Aug. 1803; m. (i) 15 Sept. 1836, her cousin, Peter
McArthur of Limington; (2) Joseph Macomber of Durham. She died
in Durham 7 May 1868.
John b. 13 May 1806; see p. 221.
William, son of Joshua and Anne (Simonton) Miller married
23 Feb. 1826 Betsey, dau. of William and Hannah (Stackpole)
WILLIAM MILLER.
GENEALOGICAL NOTES 221
Webster. Farmer at ''Methodist Corner." Died 26 Aug. 1856.
See portrait.
Simon b. 10 May 1828; m. 27 Feb. 1856 Josephine, dau. of William and
Abbie P. (Wescott) Robinson; was for some time a trader in Durham.
Died in Lewiston 3 Jan. 1883. They had two children, Gertrude W.,
who is a teacher in Lewiston. and William R., who is an architect in the
same city.
William S. b. 13 Dec. 1830; m. 18 Feb. 1863 Melissa J. dau. of Elisha
and Mary (Tyler) Strout. He lives on the old homestead at "Methodist
Corner." Has one son, Frederick Henry b. 14 Feb. 1865; m. 21 June
1893 Julia L. dau. of Andrew and Fanny (Libby) Fitz. This son is one
of the Selectmen of Durham.
Hannah E. b. 22 Feb. and d. 5 Mch. 1835.
James Henry b. 7 July 1839; m. Annie Johnson of Bridgton. He is
remembered as a musician. Resides in Bowlder, Montana. Their only
son, Frank C, was accidentally killed Nov. 1896, at Bowlder, aged 20 yrs.
John Miller (See Biog. Sketch) married 2 Dec. 1830, Hannah
dau. of Samuel and Catherine (Clark) Robinson. Lived on the
homestead. Died 5 Dec. 1869. Three children.
Joseph b. 5 Nov. 1832; m. 5 May 1858 Mary E. dau. of Benjamin Bur-
gess. He was a farmer on the River Road, afterward a builder in Lew-
iston and Cambridge, Mass., where he died 24 May 1896. He was my old
Sunday School Teacher, and I revere his memory. I was present at his
death and officiated at his burial in Lewiston. He left two children,
Florence and Charles.
Angelia b. 26 July 1834; d. 28 Feb. 1888.
Samuel b. 11 Feb. 1837; m. 19 Nov. 1863 Elizabeth Hodgkins of
Greene. He used to teach the Singing Schools, and was a man of piety
and refined spirit. He died triumphantly 19 Nov. 1869 in Lewiston.
T.licir children are Carrie, John W., Sarah R.
David Miller m. in Cape Elizabeth 18 Dec. 1786 his cousin
Elizabeth Miller. He settled in Durham on lot 96.
Mary b. 17S8; unm.; d. Jan. 1844.
Elizabeth b. 10 Jan. 1792; m. Wm. Wagg; d. 24 Nov. 1870.
David b. 1794; m. Apphia Miller; d. 3 March 1877. His wife d. 30
April 1871, aged 78 yrs. Their children were Sarah d. 16 April 1855, aged
29; David, d. 24 May 1856, aged 32; Edmund, James and Mary E.
Hugh b. 1796; m. 1825 Sally Jordan, who was born 22 Jan. 1797 and
died 13 Dec. 1886. He died 9 Oct. 1884. Their children were James
Jordan b. 20 May 1826; Elizabeth b. 5 Jan. 1830; George W. b. 27 Feb.
1832 and Harriet D. b. 7 Sept. 1834.
Joshua b. 1800. Unm.; d. Oct. 1887.
Ann b. 1806; m. 29 Jan. 1837, Abel C. McKcnney; d. Jan. 1844.
222 HISTORY OF DURHAM
John Miller of Cape Elizabeth was born 4 Jan. 1745 and
died 25 May 1820. He was probably son of John Miller who
married Jane Craige in Falmouth (Int. Rec. 27 Aug. 1738). He
Avas baptized at the First Parish Church in old Falmouth in 1752.
Fie married, 15 April 17S1, Mrs. Margaret (Johnson) McLellan
of Gorham, widow of Alexander McLellan. She was born 22
June 1744 and died 20 Mch. 1820. They had, besides two
children who died young, a son Samuel, born in Gorham 10
]\iay 1786. The first wife of Samuel was Jane Brackett Smith
Avho died Jan. 1812, aged 28 yrs., leaving one dau., Jane B. Miller.
b. 8 Jan. 1812, d. 22 Nov. 1888. He married (2) Nov. 1817,
Mary, dau. of Randall and Miriam Johnson, born 18 Mch. 1794.
She died 20 June 18S5. He died in Durham 21 April 1861.
Their children were Elizabeth M., who married Emery S. War-
ren, and John, born in Gorham 22 May 1822.
John Miller, in 1843, nioved to Durham with his father, who
with William Miller had bought of Joshua Miller the hotel at
South West Bend. Thus it was known for many years as
"Miller's Tavern." William Miller was in partnership but one
year. John Miller sold, in 1871, to the present occupant, Abner
Merrill. He afterward served as clerk in various hotels, includ-
ing the Poland Spring House, the Elm House at Auburn and the
Brighton House, at Brighton, Mass. He retired from business
in 1877, lived at Durham till 1879, ^^^'^ then moved to Lewiston,
Avhere he died 11 Oct. 1881. He married, 28 June 1858, Kate
White Miller, who was born in Cabron, Lincolnshire, Eng., 7
Dec. 1823. They had one daughter, Belle, born in Caistor,
i^ng;, 23 Sept. 1873.
Mr. Miller had a genial spirit and a kind word for all. Thus
he secured many friends. He cultivated the habit of thinking
charitably and speaking well of everybody mentioned. He was
earnestly devoted to his business and accumulated thereby a
property sufficient to enable him to spend his last years with
his family in comfortable rest.
MITCHELL.
William Mitchell is mentioned in Bagley's Account Book in
1772. Flis intentions of marriage with Elizabeth Clark were
recorded in old Falmouth 21 April 1759. She was a sister to the
Rev. Ephraim Clark, long pastor of the church at Cape Elizabeth.
She probably came from Cape Ann, Mass. William Mitchell's
JOHN MILLER.
GENEALOGICAL NOTES 223
sons in Durham were Peter, Thomas, WiUiam, Jr., Samuel,
Richard and Robert. Peter married, 29 Nov. 1802, Kezia Ring
and moved to Avon. She was accidentally burned to death in her
old age. A son James lived in Letter E. Another son, Robert,
lived in Gardiner. Peter Mitchell lived in Durham on the "Hal-
lowell Road," south of the Gully, where Mr. Miller now lives.
It w^as probably his father's house that stood back in the pasture,
some little distance from the road.
Thomas Mitchell owned a part of lot 70 and sold it to Martin
Rourk. There is no record of him after 1807, when he was last
taxed.
William Mitchell Jr. married Avis Gushing in 1797. Lived
on or near lot 121. Moved to Avon in 1834 and died about 1836.
He used to work in the shipyards as a caulker. Nine children.
John b. 19 Jan. 1798; m. 22 Aug. 1824 Lydia Spaulding of Durham.
Moved to Avon, thence to Strong, and d. 1892. His wife d. 1893. Had
9 ch., three of whom are living. Isaiah Mitchell of Auburn is one of
them.
William 30 b. 28 Oct. 1799. Went to N. Y. and was never heard
from.
Israel b. 14 Sept. 1801; d. i Oct. 1801.
Silence m. John Smith and died in Avon.
Aaron b. 1805; m. 28 July 1832 Susan, dau. of Rev. John Robinson
of Lisbon. He died in Winthrop, Mass., in 1895. She died in Linden,
Mass., in 1892, aged 85 yrs. Their children were Benjamin R., Dexter,
Stanford, Avis, Hoshea, Nellie. They lived in West Durham, Auburn,
North Durham, and finally the whole family moved to Mass. Stanford
became a Universalist minister.
James m. Anna Boston. Moved to Avon with his father. Settled and
died at Poland Corner.
Emeline m. Carr Barker; d. Out West after having lived some years
in Phillips, Me.
Betsey b. 13 Sept. 1807; m. 20 Oct. 1830 David Bowie of Durham; d.
^o March 1898.
Clark m. Serena Boston. Lived and died in Avon. His son lives
in Avon, Me.
Mary. Unm.
Richard Mitchell married in Gape Elizabeth 31 Aug. 1788
Eleanor Webster. Lived for a short time in Durham on lot 92.
Six ch. recorded.
Patience b. 6 July 1789; m. int. 7 Aug. 1815 Jacob True of Pejepscot.
John b. 14 Feb. 1792.
Christopher b. 14 May 1795; m. Esther Penley of Danville. Lived
on the Hotel Road. 9 ch.
2 24 HISTORY OF DURHAM
LuciNDA b. i8 May 1797.
Benjamin b. 8 Aug. 1799, m. Hannah Penley of Danville. Lived on
Hotel Road in Auburn.
James b. 25 April 1802.
Robert Mitchell married 25 April 1793 Sally Dyer of Durham.
The following' children are recorded :
Hannah b. 26 Aug. 1794; m. int. 27 Aug. 1814 Riggs Getchell of
Durham.
Polly b. 18 July 1796; m. 30 May 1816 David Lincoln of Durham.
David b. 28 Feb. 1798.
Jane b. i Oct. 1800; m. James Fowler of Unity, Me.
Francis b. 13 March 1803.
Samuel Mitchell was born 18 Dec. 1766; m. 19 Nov. 1802
Betsey Dingley, who was b. 24 Nov. 1776 and d. 3 Feb. 1853.
He d. 21 July 1835. They lived on the southern half of lot 90.
William b. 1803; d. 22 Oct. 1823.
Eliza b. Aug. 1805; m. Deacon Bangs of Sabattus; d. Aug. 1856.
Isaiah b. 1809; d. 13 Nov. 1823.
Sally b. July 181 1; m. Sargent Whittum. Lived in Sabattus and
Lewiston, Me.
Mary b. Oct. 1813; d. 21 April 1863.
Samuel b. June 1815; m. (i) Harriet Eveleth; (2) 19 Sept. 1858 Laura
W. Jones. Died in Durham 12 Jan. 1869. His sons, George and Alvah,
live in Boston, M^ass.
Israel b. 15 Sept. 1817; m. 26 Oct. 1847 Eliza Fowler of Unity; d.
22 Dec. 1891. Lived on the homestead in Durham many years. Died
in Lewiston. 4 ch. James and Alonzo died young. Emma and Mrs.
Martha Lufkin live m Lewiston, Me.
Susan b. June 1822; d. 21 April 1897. Unm.
MOULTON.
Samuel Moulton, probably son of Henry, was born in Lisbon
18 Nov. 1782, married, 2 Feb. 1806, Wealthy, dau. of Josiah Day
of Durham and died m Lee, Me., 27 Nov. 1866. His wife born
22 Oct. 1782, died in Lee 17 Aug. 1849. The town records say
she was born 4 Nov. 1782. The record of this family may be
seen in the liistory of Litchfield.
Jeremiah Moulton, son of Samuel, born 9 Sept. 1808, mar-
ried, Dec. 1830 Phebe, dau. of Josiah Day, Jr., and died in Dur-
ham 6 June 1889. His wife, born 30 July 1810, is still living.
Augusta W. m. 26 Jan. 1853 Daniel B. Blethen. Died 22 May 1897,
aged 65 yrs. 7 mos.
J. Elvira m. G. Wendell Blethen.
ISRAEL MITCHELL.
GENEALOGICAL NOTES 225
Mercy E. m. Elisha Day.
Lorenzo D. d. i Sept. 1863, aged 24 yrs. 7 mos.
Albert d. 27 Dec. 1885, aged 44 yrs. 11 mos.
JosiAH d. 8 Nov. 1857, aged 14 yrs. 5 mos.
CoRRis A. d. 3 May 1852, aged 6 yrs. 7 mos.
Laura E. m. Otis S. White.
Leander H. m. Laura Eleanor Whitney. He is Principal of the
High School at Lisbon Falls.
NEWELL.
Ebenezer Newell born in Brookline, Mass. 18 Mch. 1747; m.
12 Dec. 1765 Catharine, dau. of James and Mary (Woodward)
Richards. She was born in Newton 25 Dec. 1747. He moved
to Cape Elizabeth, then to Durham in 1779, and settled on lot
66, which he bought of Charles Hill. His wife died 21 Nov. 1788.
He m. (2) 13 July 1789, Hannah Sylvester of Harpswell. He was
Lieut, in the Revolution and Town Clerk for several years. Died
20 Nov. 1791. His widow m. 19 Aug. 1802 Anthony Murray of
Pejepscot.
Ebenezer h. in Newton, Mass., 23 Aug. 1767. See below.
Enqch b. in Newton, Mass., 14 Feb. 1770. See p. 226.
William b. in Newton, Mass., 25 May 1772. See p. 226.
Sally b. in Cape Elizabeth 20 Nov. i773; m. 4 April 1791, David
Gross of Pejepscot. 12 ch; d. 28 June 1859. He died 3 Jan. 1837.
Daniel b. 5 Oct. 1775. Unknown.
John b. 20 July 1778; drowned when a young man.
Mary b. in Royalsborough 20 April 1781; m. Mr. Bond of Jay.
Jesse b. 20 July 1783; d. at sea. Unm.
Samuel b. 25 July 1785. Missionary. See Sketch.
Barstow, only child of second marriage, b. 19 April 1791; died in
War of 1812 of sickness.
Ebenezer Newell Jr. m. 10 June 1789 Elizabeth Jackson of
Cape Elizabeth, b. 19 Jan. 1771 and d. 21 July 185 1.
James b. 12 Jan. 1790; see p. 227.
Nancy b. 23 Jan. 1792; m. 4 Feb. 1813 James Gushing; lived in Atkin-
son.
Catherine b. 4 July 1793; m. 6 Dec. i860 George Crawford, Senr.
Elizabeth b. 19 Oct. 1795; d. 18 May 1798.
John b. 18 Sept. 1797; m. 20 Jan. 1820 Sagy Strout; moved to New
Portland.
Sarah b. 19 Mch. 1800. Unm.
Eliza b. 4 Feb. 1802; m. (i) John Whitney of Freeman and had one
daughter who ni. Israel Newell of Durham; (2) Mr. Gould.
Mary b. 30 Sept. 1803; d. 3 April 1805.
o
2 26 HISTORY OF DURHAM
Ebenezer 3D b. 7 Sept. 1805; see p. 227.
Lorenzo D. b. 13 Aug. 1807; m. (i) Sally Weathern; (2) her sister
Sibyl; (3) Ann Walker; he is living in New Vineyard.
Samuel G. b. ii May 1810; m. 15 Sept. 1833 Sophia Ann Tyler, b. in
Pownal 31 Mch. 1814. He died 2 Nov. 1883. Ch. Harriet C. b. 22 Aug.
1834; Mary E. b. 26 Dec. 1835; Roscoe G. b. 15 Sept. 1837; Zebulon T.
b. 15 July 1839: Charles E. b. 22 July 1841 : Frederick H. b. 13 July 1843.
d. 2 Oct. 1844; Annie T. b. 29 April 1845. d- i7 April 1846; Alfreda B.
b. 8 Oct. 1846; Franklin H. b. i Sept. 1848; Everlin F. b. 17 May 1851;
Alfred E. b. 11 Jan. 1856; d. 31 Oct. i860.
Ralph J. b. 31 Aug. 1812; d. 11 Mch. 1814.
Enoch Newell m. 28 July 1793 Hannah Bagley ; cl. 18 Mch.
1848. She was b. 14 June 1773 and d. 6 Oct. 1843.
O. Israel Bagley b. 5 April 1794. Minister. See sketch.
Enoch Jr. b. 19 June 1796; m. Mary W. Freeman. Had one son
Frank, who lives in Cal. Enoch died 2 Sept. 1825. His widow m. (2)
Edward Newell.
Hannah b. i June 1798; d. 25 Mch. 1805.
LoRA b. 20 April 1800; d. 22 Mch. 1805.
Ebenezer b. 16 April 1802; m. 29 Aug. 1830 Nancy Newell. They
had ch. Augusta b. 4 April 1831; m. Mark Knight. Israel b. 28 Sept.
1832; m. Whitney. Rose Anna m. Joseph Varney.
Edward b. 16 Mch. 1804; see p. 228.
Freeman m. 21 July 1839 Harriet J. Gould of Lewiston. Kept a
music store in Lewiston many years.
Daniel b. 23 Nov. 1809; see p. 227.
Stillhan b. 1816; m. Elvira Berry; d. 1847. His widow m. Rev. John
Elliott. Stillman Newell's daughter Mary m. S. J. Abbot and d. 20 Feb.
1861, aged 22 yrs. 3 mos. Another daughter Fhilo T. m. Daniel B.
Newell.
Mary m. 1844 Jeremiah Mitchell of Pownal.
HosEA m. and d. in Yarmouth. Had children Charles, Esther and
Ellen.
William Newell m. 19 Feb. 1797 Anna Hoyt. Their children
were.
John b. 7 April 1798; ni. 30 Nov. 1820 Lucy Vining; d. 28 Dec. 1884.
Ch. Tila b. 19 Jan. 1823; m Thoits; Lucy Ann b. 21 Jan. 1825; Maria
b. 27 Jan. 1829; Joseph b. 14 June 1831; Harriet b. 18 Feb. 1834, m. 16
June 1857 Christopher Moses.
William b. 23 Mch. 1800; d. 3 Jan. 1881. Unm. Col. of Militia.
Nancy b. 3 Sept. 1802; m. her cousin Ebenezer Newell; d. May 1880.
David b. 20 Jan. 1805; see p. 228.
Samuel b. 3 April 1807; m. 30 Dec. 1832 Deborah Sawyer; d. 30 June
1864. A dau. Sarah N. was b. 3 Feb. 1835 and m. Frank Morrill Esq.
Joseph b. 29 Aug. 1810; d. in Havana, Oct. 1830.
EBENEZER NEWELL.
GENEALOGICAL NOTES 227
Harriet A. b. 13 Jan. 1813; m. 25 Aug. 1830 Wm. Wallace Strout;
d. 21 June 1898.
Katharine b. 21 Nov. 1815; d. 1816.
Ebenezer Newell 3d m. 25 Mch. 1828 Mary Snow. He
lived as a farmer in Durham, and was a Christian man of
unblemished character. See portrait. He died in Lisbon 13
Dec. 1894. His wife died 20 May 1874.
Hannah b. 2 Dec. 1828; m. 9 Nov. 1849 Isaiah Philbrook.
Elizabeth C. b. 13 Mch. 1830; m. 14 Oct. 1856 James Green.
Joshua S. b. 12 Mch. 1832; m. 6 April 1855 Ann B. Dunning; lived
in Topsham.
Eben b. 17 April 1834; m. 31 Aug. 1855 Hannah R. Dunning; ch.
Nettie and Adelbert.
Matilda Caroline b. 14 Feb. 1840; m. 13 July 1869 Luther B. Newell
of Durham.
Elisha S. b. 2 Oct. 1836; m. 31 Aug. 1862 Angie M. Roak. Res.
Farmingdale.
Henry F. b. 6 July 1842; m. 22 Oct. 1864 Emma. dau. of George P.
Day. Res. Brunswick. Farmer.
Geo. Albert b. 2 Mch. 1847; m. 15 April 1875 Mary E. Lowell. Res.
Windham.
Daniel, son of Enoch and Hannah (Bagley) Newell b. 23
Nov. 1809; m. 13 Oct. 1839 Emily King Harmon. He died in
Durham 13 Jan. 1887. She died 3 Oct. i860, aged 43 yrs. i mo.
He m. (2) 4 June 1861 Sarah J. Owen. 4 ch. by first marriage.
Enoch b. 2 Dec. 1842; m. 1865 Etta M. Toothaker of Pownal. He is
a preacher in Michigan. See p. J5.
LoRA b. 15 May 1844: m. 7 March 1868 Georgiana Toothaker, sister
CO his brother's wife. Went West.
Daniel B. b. 3 Jan. 1848; m. April 1869 Philo T., dau. of Stillman
Newell.
Harmon b. 2 Dec. 1850; m. Harriet Noyes in Gal.
James, son of Ebenezer and Elizabeth (Jackson) Newell born
12 Jan. 1790; m 24 Dec. 1818 Mrs. Susanna (Vining) Tracy.
Henry J. b. 26 May 1819; m. Harriet Hutchins. See p. 75.
Julia R. b. 27 Aug. 1820; m. Nov. 1848 Hiram J. Trask.
Susan G. b. 14 May 1822; m. 16 Dec. 1849 Wm. W. Knight.
James b. 14 April 1824. See p. 228.
Elhanan W. b. 8 Feb. 1826; d. 11 Nov. 1826.
John V. b. 20 April 1829; m. Oct. 1853 Abbie Weeman of Lisbon.
Methodist minister. See p. 75.
Elizabeth P. b. 5 Dec, 1832; m. 26 Sept. 1852 Joseph Weeman.
228 HISTORY OF DURHAM
David, son of William and Anna (Hoyt) Newell, was born
in Durham 20 Jan. 1805. See p. 68. He married 27 Aug. 1825
in Gdrham, Me., Jane S. Brackett and died in Gorham 2 Mch.
1891. She died 2 April 1877, aged 71 years.
William B. b. in Portland 12 Jan. 1827; m. 16 June 1850 Susannah
K. Weeks. See Biog. Sketch and portrait. Two children. Ida Ella b.
12 Jan. 1852, and William Henry b. 16 April 1854. See Biog. Sketch and
portrait.
Charles C. b. in Otisfield 11 Aug. 1831. In the Rebellion he was
Capt. of Co. A, 24th Maine Regt. Died at Port Hudson, La. 14 July 1863.
Harriet Atwood b. 29 Sept. 1836; d. 7 Jan. 1886. Teacher for many
years in the public schools.
Margaret B. b. 22 April 1838; m. Joseph W. Libby. Died at Ocean
Park, Old Orchard. 7 Sept. 1896.
Henry H. b. 5 Nov. 1840; soldier in the Rebellion. Died at Alex-
andria, Va. 28 Nov. 1861.
Lizzie A. b. in Durham 27 Sept. 1846.
Edward, son of Enoch and Hannah (Bagley) Newell, b. 16
Mch. 1804, m. his brother Enoch's widow, Mrs. Mary W.
(Freeman) Newell, who was born 4 Nov. 1798 and died 6 Mch.
1889. Edward Newell lived as a farmer on lot 69, and died 6
Oct. 1864. Ch.
Edward lives at West Durham.
Freeman m. Mary Roberts; lives in Brunswick.
Howard lives in Cal.
Thomas lives in Cal.
Frances m. Bangs. Deceased.
James, son of James and Susanna Newell, was born 14 April
1824. He married, 11 June 1848, Sarah Webster Herrick, dau.
of Thomas Herrick, born in Harmony, Me., 8 May 1826. He
resides in Durham. The children were all born in Durham.
Delia Frances b. 9 Dec. 1849; d. Sept. 1852.
Cathie Susan b. 29 Dec. 1851; m. Wm. H. Thomas.
Delia Frances b. i July 1853; m. 5 Feb. 1880 Isaac Hacker of Bruns-
wick.
Mary Vining b. 17 Oct. 1854; m. 4 Aug. 1872 Revillo M. Strout.
Hattie Herrick b. 27 April 1862; m. 3 Nov. 1880 George H. Hascall.
Fred Wehster b. 22 Dec. 1865. See Biog. Sketch and portrait.
FRED WEBSTER NEWELL.
GENEALOGICAL NOTES 229
NICHOLS.
Capt. Samuel Nichols of Reading, Mass., married at Cape
Elizabeth, lo Nov. 1767 Rebecca Wimble, who was born 7 Nov.
1748. He settled in Royalsborough earlier than 1778 on lot 80
and built his cabin where now is Prescott Strout's orchard. He
was a master mariner.
Thomas^ b. 1770; see below.
Betty b. 5 May 1778; m. 14 Nov. 1799 Oliver Stoddard.
Samuel Jr. b. 15 May 1780; see below.
Sarah b. 22 April 1782.
James b. 8 April 1784; moved "down East."
William b. 7 June 1786; m. 25 Jan. 1813 Margaret Coffin. Lived in
Lisbon.
Mehitabel b. 24 April 1788; m. 25 Dec. 1805 David McFarland.
John b. 7 June 1790. Lived in Boston. Sea-Capt. Soldier in War
of 1812, and two years in Dartmouth prison.
Lemuel b. 27 April 1792; m. 23 June 181 1 Sally Merrill; d. in Bangor,
1887.
Thomas Nichols, born 1770, m. 20 Aug. 1794 Peggy Smith
and lived in Durham near New^ Gloucester line.
Margaret m. 3 Dec. 1818 Reuben Farr.
Betsey m. 3 April 1817 Samuel McGray.
Thomas m. (Int. Rec. 3 Sept. 1828) Esther Fickett; d. 5 Nov. 1874.
aged 71 yrs. His wife d. 23 May 1872, aged 67 yrs.
Rebecc.\ b. 12 July 1802; m. Abel S. Bowie.
Mary Jane m. i Dec. 1831 George Lufkin.
David m. 9 Feb. 1832 Margaret A. Doane.
John m. 21 Sept. 1837 Rebecca M. Dunham.
Ends. Unm.
William, died young.
Samuel Nichols Jr. married (Int. Rec. 24 Sept. 1803) Esther
Coffin of Freeport. They lived a long time on lot 87. He died
3 May 1861. His wife died 5 Aug. 1857, aged 76 yrs. 10 mos.
Eliza b. 14 Sept. 1806; m. 26 June 1836 John Davis of Freeport.
Herbert m. 1826 Mary Ann Wilson of Lisbon.
Barnard b. 3 April 1810; m. Penelope Blaisdell of Yarmouth.
Esther m. 21 Nov. 1833 John Fogg of Freeport.
Barton m. Sarah Hackett of Lewiston. Moved to Iowa.
Grace m. Roland Sylvester.
Aurelia m. Roland Sylvester.
Ursula b. 11 May 1817; m. Roland Sylvester 2d.
Louise m. Charles Green of Lisbon.
Samuel, died at age of nineteen.
Mary, died young.
230 HISTORY OF DURHAM
OSGOOD.
William Osgood, born in England in 1609, was in Salisbury,
Mass., as early as 1640. He died in 1700. The Osgoods of
Durham were descended from him through William, Nathaniel
and David. Two brothers, Nathaniel and Aaron came from
Salisbury to Durham in 1779. Feb. 7 of that year they bought
of Jonathan Bagley 542 acres of land on the west side of the
County Road near the Freeport line. They held these lands in
common till 1797.
Nathaniel Osgood was born in Salisbury, Mass., 12 Aug.
7747. He married Sarah Bradbury. Their three sons were
born in Deerficld, N. H. He died in Durham 10 Dec. 1838.
He was a soldier in the Revolution. His descendant, John D.
Osgood, has a gun taken by him at the surrender of Burgoyne.
Benjamin b. 8 Feb. 1775. See below.
David b. 25 July 1777. See below.
Joseph b. 13 Aug. 1779. See p. 231.
Benjamin Osgood, son of Nathaniel, settled in Durham on
lot 104. He married (i) 20 April 1797 Mary Weston of Free-
port. She died 8 Sept. 1817. (2) 23 March 1828 Hannah Hill
of No. Yarmouth.
Nathaniel b. 22 Nov. 1797; d. young.
Betsey b. 29 Sept. 1799; m. 5 May 1820 William Harrington.
Stephen b. 20 Dec. 1801; d. 27 Dec. 1871. Farmer in Wis. Unm.
Benjamin b. 6 May 1804. Lived in Marion, Wis.
Mary b. 13 Sept. 1806; m. 25 Nov. 1825 Benjamin Harrington of
Durham.
Joseph b. 14 Sept. 1809; m. 29 Nov. 1849 Jane Randall of Freeport.
Lived in Durham. Ch. Laura E. b. 30 Aug. 1850, m. 9 June 1872 Wm.
H. Merrill of Durham; Albro J. b. 31 March 1853; Sarah F. b. 29 June
1855, m. Willard N. Temple.
William B. b. 10 Oct. 1812; m. (i) 12 June 1841 Elizabeth Conant,
who died 21 Jan. 1853; (2) 12 March 1867 Maria H. McClee. 3 ch. Fie
lived in Lewiston.
Sarah b. 10 May 1815; m. 24 May 1840 Nathan Weston of Yarmouth.
John H. b. 24 Nov. 1829. Res. Bloomfield, Cal.
Lucy A. b. 29 Feb. 1832; m. Charles Brown.
David Osgood, son of Nathaniel, m. (i) 29 July 1798 Lettice
Hoyt, who died July 1810; (2) 25 Nov. 181 1 Elsie Duran, who
died 26 Jan. 1833; (3) i Jan. 1836 Mrs. Deborah Bicknell of
Freeport. He was a farmer of Durham.
Sarah b. 3 Feb. 1799; m. 24 Aug. 1817 Barzillai Richards of Durham.
JOHN D. OSGOOD.
GENEALOGICAL NOTES 23 I
Daniel b. 1800; d. young.
David b. 1802; d. young.
Florilla b. 6 Dec. 1803; d. 17 Sept. 1867 in Durham.
Anna b. 2 March 1805; m. 24 Dec. 1829 Nathaniel Stetson of Durham.
David b. 27 Feb. 1807; m. 17 May 1832 Olive Nason of Minot. Lived
in Turner. Died 9 May 1873- 8 ch.
Bradbury b. 27 Nov. 1808; m. — Nov. 1832 Sabra Davis. Farmer
in Durham. Died 3 Sept. 1834. One son Henry B. b. 10 July 1833,
lives in Boston.
Joseph b. and d. 1810.
Children by second wife.
Nathaniel b. 5 Oct. 1812; d. 30 Aug. 1817.
Roselinda b. 2.-] Dec. 1814; d. i March 1846. Unm.
Mary J. b. 17 May 1817; d. 29 Dec. 1841. Unm.
John D. b. 8 June 1819; m. 30 May 1849 Sarah A. Richards. She died
9 Sept. 1869. Farmer in Durham. Selectman for many years. 4 ch.
Frederick W. b. 1849; d. 5 Sept. 1866; Isabel M. b. 19 Nov. 1853; d. 22
May 1864; Frank A. b. 3 Oct. 1857; Sumner b. 8 May 1859.
Lucy M. b. 19 Nov. 1822; d. 28 Nov. 1848.
Rebecca L. b. 3 May 1827; d. 10 Aug. 1829.
Joseph Osgood, son of Nathaniel and Sarah (Bradbury)
Osgood, born 17 Aug. 1779, married 27 Nov. 1806 Loruhamah
Gerrish. Lived in Durham and Litchfield. Died 17 April 1868.
Sally b. 4 Sept. 1807; m. Daniel Libby of East Cambridge.
Nathaniel b. 14 Aug. 1809; m. Elizabeth Kittson. Merchant of No.
Bridgewater, Me.
Elbridge b. II Dec. 181 1; m. Maria Cobb; d. 18 Sept. 1838 in
Machias. His wife died 15 Nov. 1840. One child, Maria, b. 1839, d. 28
Mch. 1846.
Joseph b. 31 Aug. 1818; m. 27 Sept. 1848 Martha Usher of Hollis. He
was a celebrated physician; d. s. p. at Hollis Feb. 1849.
"Mr. Aaron Osgood, son to David Osgood, which was the
son of William Osgood of Salisbury, and Judah Gill his wife is
the daughter of Samuel Gill of Salisbury, born Feb. 5th 1754-"
So say Durham Records. Judith Gill was born 19 Jan. 1758 and
died 5 Nov. 1843. Tl^ey were married 5 May 1779. Besides the
land on the County Road he bought 44 acres of Jonathan Bagley
in 1780, marked on the Plan of the town. His name first appears
in Durham among the training men of 1787. His family, it is
said, moved to Durham 16 April 1786. He was one of the
Selectmen 1790-94 and 1799- 1800. He died 5 April 1823. Eight
children, of whom the first five were born in Salisbury.
Betty b. 10 April 1780; m. — Jan. 1822 Dea. Jabez Merrill of Dur-
ham and d. s. p. 24 Aug. 1850.
23^ History of Durham
David b. 28 Jan. 1782; d. 25 April 1784.
Samuel Gill b. ii March 1784. See below.
David b. 2 Feb. 1786. See below.
Aaron b. 13 Aug. 1788; d. 3 May 1818.
Moses b. ii Oct. 1791; d. in Durham, 3 Feb. 1879. Unm.
Nathaniel b. 13 Feb. 1794. See p. 233.
Isaac b. 7 March 1796. See p. 233.
Samuel Gili Osgood married 20 Nov. 1807 Sarah Gerrish of
Durham. He hved in Durham as a farmer and had eight chil-
dren.
Lydia b. 29 April 1812; m. 24 Jan. 1838 Charles C. Stetson of Durham.
Orrin b. 22 Nov. 1813; m. 14 June 1838 Mary Richards. Lived in
Durham. Ch. Sarah E. b. 10 May 1840; d. 2 Feb. 1858. Everett b. 20
Aug. 1842; m. I Feb. 1866 Caroline S. Drinkwater, Lewiston. Carlton
G. b. 10 Feb. 1848.
Elizabeth b. 23 Feb. 181 7; m. 2 April 1850 Jonas Davis of Poland
and Durham.
Israel N. b. 5 May 1820; d. 20 Sept. 1839.
Sarah G. b. 28 Aug. 1822; m. 16 Oct. 1859 Judge John Smith of
Lewiston.
Gilman b. 14 Jan. 1825. Res. Abington, Mass. Shoe-manufacturer.
Abby b. 27 Feb. 1827; d. i April 1862. Unm.
Emma A. b. 24 Oct. 1829.
David Osgood, son of Aaron, married (i) 2 Feb. 1812 Sarah
Duran of Durham ; (2) 2 Feb. 1847 Hannah S. Small. Farmer
of Durham.
A. True b. 11 Oct. 1813; m. 6 April 1841 Caroline Randall, who died
24 Dec. 1863. Farmer of Durham. Six ch. Judith A. b. 3 Dec. 1843;
m. and d. soon after. Mary C. b. 24 June 1845; m. Orrin S. Vickery.
Emery A. b. 10 Sept. 1849; d. unm. Ellen S. b. 28 Oct. 1852. David
R. b. 27 Sept. 1856; m. and 1. in 
