i
BOSTON UNIVERSITY LIBRARY
BEQUEST OF
EMMA L. CONANT
IN MEMORY OF HER HUSBAND
Ifouris &. Cmtant
19 5 1
Lyndon Oak of Garland
HISTORY
OF
GARLAND
MAINE
BY LYNDON OAK
DOVER, MAINE
THE OBSERVER PUBLISHING CO.
1912
3A
G b
FP-
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Beginnings in the Valley of the Kenduskeag,
5
Grant of the Township, now Garland, to Wil-
liams College,
5
Original Proprietors,
9
The Waldo Patent,
13
Original Designation,
15
Boundaries and Natural Features,
15
A Notable Natural Feature,
17
Water Courses,
18
Main Stream,
19
Sources of Information Relating to the Local
History of Garland,
19
Stories of the Pioneers,
21
Disappearing,
23
Beginnings,
24
The First Opening,
24
Conflicting Claims,
26
Events of 1802 in the Township,
27
The First Family,
30
The First Fruit Nursery,
33
Early Buildings,
35
The First Saw-mill,
36
Story of the Crank,
37
Raising of the First Saw-mill,
46
The First Winter in the Township,
49
Township No. 3 in 1803,
52
IV TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
An Early Name, 53
Old Names, 53
In Quest of Food, 54
Lincolntown in 1804, 57
In Peril of Shipwreck, 59
From Frankfort to the Township, 59
Early Births in the Township, 62
Lincoln town in 1805, 63
A Striking Contrast, 63
Burned Out, 66
A Spacious Sleeping Apartment, 68
The Surprise, 69
A Discovery, 71
Another Fire in 1805, 72
First Beginning in the Southwest Part of the
Township, 74
Coming of Mechanics, 75
A Large Crop of Corn, 77
The First Strawberry Festival, 78
The First School, 79
A Disappointment, 80
The Township in 1806, 82
The First Tanner, 83
The First Physician, 85
The First Visit of a Minister, 86
First Winter School, 87
Early Marriages, 95
The Township in 1807, 96
The First Blacksmith, 97
The Township in 1808, 99
The Township in 1809, 100
A Notable Barn, 102
A More Notable Barn, 103
A Remarkable Journey in 1809, 104
TABLE OF CONTENTS V
Page
The First Death in the Township, 105
The Township in 1810, 105
A Sorrowful Event, 107
The First Grist Mill, 108
Death of the First Physician, 109
Questionings, 110
Was it a Misfortune? 112
Petition for an Act of Incorporation, 114
What's in a Name? 115
A Copy of the Petition for Incorporation, 118
Act of Incorporation, 121
Garland in 1811, 123
The First Town Meeting, 126
The Second Town Meeting, 129
The Third Town Meeting of 1811, 133
The Fourth Town Meeting of 1811, 134
Garland in 1812, 135
The First Vote for Governor, 136
The First Voting List on Record, 137
First Vote for Member of Congress for the Ken-
nebec District, 139
The First Vote for a Presidential Elector, 139
Construction of Early Houses, 140
How Houses Were Warmed, 141
An All-Day Fire, 142
How the Houses Were Lighted, 143
Furniture of the Times, 143
The Clothing of the Inhabitants, 144
Their Food, 145
A Luxury, 146
Social Life, 147
The Conquest of the Forest, 148
Planting Corn, 149
Garland in 1813, 151
VI TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
West Garland,
152
Garland in 1814,
153
The War of 1812,
154
Garland's First Military Company,
156
A Midnight Summons,
157
Enlistments,
161
Garland in 1815,
162
Garland in 1816 (Petition for a New State),
163
Change of Place,
165
Annual Town Meeting of 1816,
166
A New County,
167
The Year Without a Summer,
168
Garland in the Cold Year,
171
Incidents From the Diary of Stephen A. Berry,
173
Garland in 1817,
175
A Cheering Change,
176
Friends in Need,
176
The Annual Meeting of 1817,
177
The First County Road,
178
Ballot for Governor in 1817,
179
Garland in 1818,
180
The Town's Treasury Boxes,
181
Vote for Governor in 1818,
181
The Ohio Fever,
182
A Favorable Season,
182
A Revival of the Military Spirit,
182
The First Post-office,
184
Garland in 1819,
186
Garland From 1810 to 1820,
189
Families Who Moved Away During the Second
Decade,
190
Garland in 1820,
193
A New Epoch,
195
Garland in 1821,
197
TABLE OF CONTENTS Vll
Page
Action of the Town Relating to Lots of Land
Reserved for Public Purposes, 198
Number of Families in What is Now Garland
Village in 1821, 199
Garland in 1822, 201
Newcomers in 1822, 202
Search for a Missing Child in a Neighboring
Town in Which Citizens of Garland Partici-
pated, 204
Masonic Lodge, 205
Garland in 1823, 205
First Store in Garland Village, 207
Garland in 1824, 209
A Mustering of the Militia, 210
A Political Campaign Projected, 211
Garland in 1825, 211
Fall Elections, 212
Destructive Fires in 1825, 212
Garland in 1826, 215
Garland in 1827, 218
Congressional Convention, 219
Fall Election, 219
An Early Spring, 220
Garland in 1828, 221
The First Cemetery, 223
Garland in 1 829, 223
The Genesis of the Temperance Reform, 224
Review of Town's Growth From 1820 to 1830, 225
Garland in 1830, 226
Increasing Prosperity, 228
Garland in 1831, 229
An Abundant Crop of Corn, 229
Garland in 1832, 230
Garland in 1833, 232
Vlll TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Garland in 1834, 233
A Business Center, 234
The Hop Industry, 235
Garland in 1835, 236
An Irate Citizen, 237
Division of the Ministerial Fund, 238
The Aid of the Town to Some of Its Poorer
Citizens, 240
Tragic Death of a Prominent Citizen, 241
An Important Road Contemplated, 242
The First Meeting House in Garland, 243
Garland in 1836, 246
Bears, 247
Fall Elections of 1836, 247
Garland in 1837, 248
Fall Elections, 248
Hard Times, 250
Surplus Revenue, 251
An Elephant, 251
Garland in 1838, 254
Garland's Artillery Company, 255
A Foreign Venture, 256
The Advent of the Martin Family, 257
"All is Well That Ends Well," 259
Garland in 1839, 260
Garland in the Aroostook War, 261
Growth From 1830 to 1840, 270
Garland in 1840, 271
Appropriations in 1840, 272
Fall Elections, 1840, 272
Garland in 1841, 273
The Fall Election of 1841, 274
The Avenue Road, 275
Garland in 1842, 275
TABLE OF CONTENTS IX
Page
Fall Elections in 1842,
276
A Notable Anti-Slavery Meeting,
277
Garland in 1843,
277
The Rebuilding of the Long Bridge,
280
A Remarkable Religious Fanaticism,
281
Garland in 1844,
283
Autumnal Election,
284
Garland in 1845,
285
Annual State Election,
285
Garland in 1846,
287
State Election of 1846,
287
Garland in 1847,
288
Town House,
289
State Election of 1847,
290
Action of the Town on Proposed Amendments
of the State Constitution,
291
Garland in 1848,
291
State Election in 1848,
292
The First High School in Garland,
293
A Tornado,
294
Garland in 1849,
295
Garland in 1850,
297
Autumnal Elections of 1850,
297
Garland in the Contest for United States Sena-
tor,
298
Garland in 1851,
299
Garland in 1852,
300
Autumnal Elections of 1852,
301
Garland in 1853,
301
Autumnal Elections in 1853,
302
Garland in 1854,
302
The Autumnal Elections,
303
Garland in 1855,
304
Autumnal Elections,
305
X TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Garland in 1856, 305
Clouds in the Political Horizon, 306
Autumnal Elections of 1856, 306
Presidential Electors, 307
Garland in 1857, 308
Appropriations of 1857, 308
Autumnal Elections of 1857, 308
Garland in 1858, 309
Appropriations of 1858, 309
Autumnal Elections of 1858, 310
Garland in 1859, 310
Autumnal Elections of 1859, 311
Garland in 1860, 311
Autumnal Election, 312
Ballot for Presidential Electors in 1860, 312
Garland in 1861, 313
Autumnal Election of 1861, 314
Garland in 1862, 314
Autumnal Election of 1862, 315
Garland in 1863, 315
Autumnal Elections in 1863, 316
Garland in 1864, 316
Autumnal Election of 1864, 317
Garland in 1865, 317
Autumnal Election of 1865, 318
Garland in 1866, 318
Autumnal Election of 1866, 319
Garland in 1867, 319
Autumnal Election of 1867, 320
Garland in 1868, 320
Autumnal Election of 1868, 321
Garland in 1869, 322
Autumnal Election, 322
Special Meeting, 323
TABLE OF CONTENTS XI
Page
Garland in the Temperance Reform, 323
The Washingtonian Movement, 328
An Event Worthy of Record, 329
Garland's Action on a Proposed Amendment of
the State Constitution, 329
Before Roads Were Made in the Township, 330
Early Lines of Approach to the Township, 330
Early Roads, 331
History of the Principal Existing Roads, 332
Second Road, 332
Road to Dexter, 333
The Present Trend of Merchandise, 337
A Sketch of the History of the Congregational
Church of Garland, 338
Pastorate of the Rev. S. S. Drake, 349
Historical Sketch of the Free Baptist Church, 350
Garland in the War of the Rebellion, 359
Early Demonstrations, 359
Calls for Men in 1861, 360
Action of the Town Relating to Families of the
Men Who Had Enlisted in the Ranks of the
Army in 1861, 360
Names of Residents of Garland Who Volunteered
to Fight Under the Old Flag, 363
A List of Drafted Men Who Furnished Substi-
tutes, 365
A List of Non-resident Volunteers Assigned to
Garland, 365
Reenlistments, 366
Xll TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Names and Brief Historv of the Men Who
Enlisted in 1861,
Names and Brief History of the Men Who
Enlisted in 1862, <S
GO
Names and Brief History of the Men Who oo
Enlisted in 1863, [ «
Names and Brief History of the Men Who
Enlisted in 1864, ^
Or
Names and Brief History of the Men Who
Enlisted in 1865,
A Brief Statement of Particulars of the Deaths
of the Men Who Were Killed or Died in
the Service of Their Country, 375
Cost of the War to the Town of Garland, 381
Bounties, 381
Woman in the War of the Rebellion, 382
An Incident Connected With Filling One of the
Quotas Assigned to the Town of Garland, 384
A Tribute, 385
PREFACE
It is hardly possible for a man to leave a better legacy to his
town than a good history of it. This is a matter that has been too
often neglected, especially in many Maine towns which could have
furnished ample material, but Garland has been fortunate in
this respect, fortunate in having the material and doubly fortu-
nate in having a citizen who was both able and willing to make
good use of it.
It was my privilege to live in Garland and to call the Hon.
Lyndon Oak my friend. When I visited him during the latter
years of his life, I found him devoting his spare time to writing a
history of his town and was greatly interested in the extracts which
it gave him pleasure to read to me.
The manuscript came into the hands of John M. Oak of
Bangor after the death of his father and when he decided to have
the history published, it seemed very fitting that the introduction
should be written, and the work done in the office of a Garland boy
in whom his father had been interested, and so it came about that
the book was printed in my office and I have written the introduc-
tion.
In going through the manuscript, a great deal of matter relat-
ing to families and individuals was found to be incomplete, evidently
being notes the author had collected but did not live to extend.
For this reason it has not been possible to give this matter a place
in the history, although it would have added much to its interest
had it been completed.
Much credit is due Miss Ellen M. Haskell of Garland for her
efficient work in editing and preparing the manuscript for the
printer, a work for which she was qualified by her familiarity with
the history of the town.
In this connection it seems appropriate to give a brief sketch of
the author of this history and the following was taken from an
article written by Henry L. Oak for the American Series of
Popular Biographies. At the end of the volume will also be found
an article written by Dr. M. C. Fernald of Orono.
LISTON P. EVANS.
Brief Sketch of Author
By Henry L. Oak
Hon. Lyndon Oak, teacher and merchant, was born in Bos-
cawen, N. H., Sept. 22d, 1816, died in Garland Feb. 17th, 1902.
He was educated in the common schools and at Gorham Seminary,
where he was subsequently a teacher for twelve years. He con-
tinued his professional career for many years, and as an educator
met with praiseworthy success.
In 1848, he founded the Garland High School, in which he
taught the first term, and was so interested in its continuance that
he personally guaranteed the salaries of the teachers for the next
thirteen years. For a long time he served most efficiently as super-
intendent of schools in Garland, doing much toward advancing the
educational status of the town.
He was very prominent in the establishment and early manage-
ment of the Maine State College, now the University of Maine, at
Orono, and served for twenty-two years as one of its board of
trustees, six years being president of the board. On reaching the
legal limitation of age, he retired.
He was a member of the State Legislature at different times
from 1843 until 1867, serving in both branches of that body, and
had the distinction of being the first member ever elected to the
House on a straight anti-slavery, or Liberty party ticket. When
the Liberty party was merged in the Free Soil party he became one
of its staunchest supporters, continuing to adhere to its principles
until the formation of the Republican party, with which he was
afterwards actively identified. In 1876, as a protest against a nomi-
nation he had opposed in the convention, and with no thought of
election Mr. Oak, at the very urgent importunities of friends and
men of influence and standing in the party, allowed his name to be
used as an independent candidate for Congress. This he regarded,
as did his friends, as political suicide; yet in 1880, at a convention
held under the leadership of such men as Blaine, Boutelle, Hale,
Hamlin and Dingley, he was urged to accept the regular nomination
of his party for Governor, but felt obliged to decline, owing to
4 HISTORY OF OAKLAND, MAINE
personal and business interests. Mr. Blaine insisted that "there
would be magic in the historic name of Lyndon Oak of Garland."
Mr. Oak subsequently published a biographical sketch of Gen.
James Irish of Gorham. and at the time of his death was at work
on a history of the town of Garland.
As the most prominent man of the town of Garland for more
than half a century; as representing the best and a fast disappear-
ing type of local politicians, and by reason of his marked ability
and many admirable traits of personal character, the Hon. Lyndon
Oak, more than any other of his branch or tribe, is one who
deserves an extended biographical sketch, such as cannot be given
here.
The Hon. Lyndon Oak married (Sept. 1st, 1846,) Rebecca
Chadbourne Irish, who was born in Gorham, Maine, Sept. 21st,
1817, and died in Garland, Feb. 24th, 1902. She was the daughter
of General James Irish of Gorham, and was a descendant in the
eighth generation from Thomas Rogers who came over in the May-
flower in 1620. Hon. and Mrs. Lyndon Oak were the parents of
three children, James H., born in Garland Oct. 4, 1849, John M.,
born in Garland June 16, 1831, and Grace Elizabeth, (now Mrs. J.
N. Parker,) born in Garland June 1st, 1858.
History of Garland, Maine
Beginnings in the Valley of the Kenduskeag
SOON after the close of the Revolutionary War the
fine agricultural region embracing the present
towns of Levant, Kenduskeag, Corinth, Exeter,
Dexter, Garland and Charleston, Maine, began to
attract attention.
Settlements were begun at Levant, then embracing
the present town of Kenduskeag, in 1789 — at Corinth
in 1792 — at Charleston in 1795 — at Dexter and Exeter
in 1801 and at Garland in 1802.
Grant of the Township, Now Garland, to
Williams College
'&'
In 1798, the Legislature of Massachusetts granted
two townships of land to Williams College, located at
Williams town, Mass.
The present towns of Garland and Lee, both situated
in the present county of Penobscot, were the townships
granted.
The terms and conditions upon which the grants
were made, are contained in the following resolve (deed) :
6 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
"To all persons to whom these presents shall come,
Greeting :
"Whereas the Legislature of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts on the fourth day of February, 1796,
granted a township of land to the Trustees of Williams
College by a resolve in the following words viz: 'Re-
solved that there be and hereby is granted two townships
of land of the contents of six miles square, each to be
laid out and assigned from any of the unappropriated
lands belonging to this Commonwealth in the District of
Maine, the same to be vested in the Trustees of Williams
College and their successors forever for the use, benefit
and purpose of supporting the said College, to be by
them holdeti in their corporate capacity with full power
and authority to settle, divide and manage the same
townships or any part thereof, or to sell, convey and
dispose of the same in such way and manner as shall best
promote the welfare of said College, the same to be laid
out under the direction of the Committee for the sale of
Eastern Lands and a plan or plans thereof lodged in the
Secretary's Office. Provided the Trustees aforesaid or
their assigns shall cause to be settled fifteen families in
each of said townships within twelve years from the pass-
ing this resolve, and also that there be reserved in each
township three lots of three hundred and twenty acres
each for the following uses viz: one lot for the first set-
tled Minister, one lot for the use of the Ministry and one
lot for the use of schools in each of said townships. '
"And whereas the Legislature aforesaid did on the
twenty-eighth day of February, 1793, by their resolve
of that date, authorize and empower the Committee for
the sale of Eastern Lands to execute deeds of certain
grants of land in the words following, viz: Whereas
several grants of townships and tracts of land have been
and may be made by this Court for the encouragement
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE I
of literature in the various parts of the Commonwealth,
Resolved, That all the lands which have been or may be
granted for the purposes aforesaid be located under the
direction of the Committee for the sale of Eastern lands
and that said Committee be and hereby are authorized
and empowered to execute deeds of conveyance and con-
firmation of the same conformably to the conditions of
ml
such grants.
"Now therefore know ye, That we the undersigned
whose seals are hereunto affixed, having been appointed
the Committee for the sale of Eastern Lands in con-
formity to the foregoing resolve, do by these presents
convey and confirm unto the Trustees of Williams Col-
lege and their successors to be by them holden in their
corporate capacity for the use of said College, a town-
ship of land lying in the County of Hancock & con-
taining twenty-three thousand and fort}T acres, equal to
a township of the contents of six miles square, the said
township being number three in the fifth range of town-
ships north of the Waldo Patent, as the same was sur-
veyed b}* Ephraim Ballard and Samuel Weston in the
year 1792, Bounded easterly by number two in the same
range, southerly by number three in the fourth range,
westerly by number four in the fifth range and northerly
by number three in the sixth range, excepting and
reserving however three lots of three hundred and twenty
acres each for the following uses, viz: one lot for the first
settled Minister his heirs or assigns, one lot for the use
of the Ministry and one lot for the use of schools in said
township.
"To have and to hold the above granted premises with
the appurtenances thereof to the said Trustees and their
successors for the use of said College and their assigns
forever, on condition that the said Trustees, their suc-
cessors or assigns shall grant and convey to each set-
8 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
tier in said township who settled therein before the first
day of January, seventeen hundred and eighty-four, or in
case of his decease without assignment, then to his heirs,
and in case of assignment then to his assigns, one hundred
acres of land, to be so laid out as will best include the
improvements of the settler and be least injurious to the
adjoining lands, so as that the settler his heirs or assigns
may hold the same in fee simple, provided that the set-
tler, his heirs or assigns shall within one year after notice
and request pay to the Grantees named in this deed their
heirs or assigns five dollars and also provided that the
said Trustees, their successors or assigns shall comply with
and perform the several conditions mentioned in said
resolve according to the true intent and meaning thereof.
And the said Committee covenant with the said Trustees
that the said Commonwealth shall warrant and defend
the above granted premises to them the said Trustees on
the said conditions and saving the reservations aforesaid,
to them, their successors and assigns forever against the
lawful claims and demands of all persons.
"In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands
and seals this second day of June in the year of our Lord
seventeen hundred and ninety-eight.
"Signed, sealed and Samuel Phillips (L S)
delivered in presence of us. Nath'l Wells (LS)
Edw. Hayman John Read (L S)"
Edwd McLane.
"Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
"Suffolk, ss. June 4th. 1798. Then personally appeared
the above named Samuel Phillips, Nath'l Wells and John
Read and acknowledged the foregoing instrument to be
their free act and deed.
Before me,
Simon Frye, Justice of the Peace
throughout the Commonwealth."
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE y
The present town of Garland was one of the town-
ships selected under the provisions of this resolve. The
exterior lines of the township had been run in 1792 by
Ephraim Ballard and Samuel Weston, names familiar to
those who have had occasion to examine the records of
early surveys in this section of Maine. The township
was in the then existing county of Hancock, a large
region extending northerly to limits undefined and
embracing the territory of future counties, among which
are the present counties of Penobscot, Piscataquis and a
part of Aroostook. It was designated in Ballard and
Weston's survey as township number three in the fifth
range of townships north of the Waldo Patent.
Original Proprietors
Investments in lands in the Province of Maine at
the opening of the present century seem to have been
regarded with considerable favor by moneyed men of
Massachusetts. Scarcely had the ink become dry which
was used to give effect to the resolve granting to
Williams College the township now known as Garland,
when its treasurer conveyed it to citizens of Massachu-
setts, who were always afterwards known as the original
proprietors. The date of said resolve was June 2d,
1798. The township was conveyed to the original
proprietors two days after. The conveyance to Levi
Lincoln, one of the proprietors, runs as follows : "Know
all men by these presents, that I, Thompson Joseph
Skinner of Williams town, in the County of Berkshire in
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Esq., in my
capacity of treasurer of the corporation of Williams
10 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
College in said Williamstown and in behalf of the presi-
dent and trustees of said College, in consideration of
twenty-five hundred dollars paid me in my capacity
as aforesaid by Levi Lincoln of Worcester in the County
of Worcester and Commonwealth aforesaid, Esq., the
receipt whereof I as treasurer, as aforesaid, do hereby
acknowledge, I do hereby in my office and capacity as
aforesaid of treasurer, and pursuant to the vote and order
of aforesaid president and trustees of Williams College
aforesaid, give, grant, sell and convey unto the said Levi
Lincoln his heirs and assigns forever, one fourth part of
a township of land situate, hying and being in the County
of Hancock in the district of Maine, containing in the
whole twenty-three thousand and forty acres, equal to a
township of the contents of six miles square, said town-
ship being number three in the fifth range of townships
North of the Waldo Patent, as the same was surveyed by
Ephraim Ballard and Samuel Weston in the year of our
Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-two, said
township bounded easterly by number two in the same
range, southerly by number three in the fourth
range, westerly by number four in the fifth or
same range and northerly by number three in the sixth
range, excepting and reserving however, from said town-
ship three lots of three hundred and twenty acres each
for the following uses, viz: one lot for the first settled
minister, his heirs and assigns, one lot for the use of the
ministry and one lot for the use of schools in said town-
ship. To have and to hold the above granted premises
with the appurtenances thereof to the said Levi Lincoln,
his heirs and assigns forever to his and their use and
behoof forever, the said land so granted to the said Levi
Lincoln, his heirs and assigns as aforesaid now lying in
common with undivided lands of Seth Hastings of
Mendon in the County of Worcester aforesaid, Gentle-
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 11
man, Samuel Sanger of Sherburne in the County of
Middlesex and Commonwealth aforesaid, Gentleman,
Calvin Sanger of said Sherburne, Yeoman, Elias Grout
of same Sherburne, Blacksmith, and Samuel Sanger, Jr.,
of Boston, in the County of Suffolk and Commonwealth
aforesaid, Merchant, who are the owners and proprietors
of the remaining part of the before described township
of land, being now tenants in common with the said
Levi Lincoln, and with each other according to their
respective shares and rights as specified by their respective
deeds made by me to each of them in my capacity of
treasurer aforesaid : Provided the said Levi Lincoln,
Seth Hastings, Samuel Sanger, Calvin Sanger, Elias
Grout and Samuel Sawyer, Jr., their heirs or assigns or
any of them shall, and do comply with and perform
according to their true intent and meaning, the several
conditions mentioned in a resolve of the Legislature of
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, made and passed
on the 4th day of February in the }ear of our Lord one
thousand seven hundred and ninety-six, granting two
townships of land to the trustees of Williams College
aforesaid so far as relates to one of said townships which
resolve is in the following words, viz: (The resolve
referred to will be found on a preceding page. )
"And I, the said Thompson Joseph Skinner do in my
capacity of treasurer as aforesaid and by authority and
direction from and for, and in behalf of the president
and trustees of Williams College aforesaid, and pursuant
to the vote and order of the corporation of said College,
covenant to and with the said Levi Lincoln his heirs
and assigns that the said president and trustees of said
Williams College are lawfully seized in fee in their
corporate capacity as aforesaid of the afore granted
premises, that they are free of all incumbrances, (except-
ing the conditions to be performed and the reservations
12 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
to be made as aforesaid) that the trustees of Williams
College aforesaid in the capacity aforesaid have good
right to sell and by me the said Thompson Joseph
Skinner in my capacity of treasurer, to the said corpora-
tion as aforesaid to convey the same to the said Levi
Lincoln, his heirs and assigns forever in manner as
aforesaid, and that the said president and trustees and
their successors in said office will forever, hereafter, war-
rant, secure and defend the same premises to the said
Levi Lincoln and his heirs and assigns forever against the
lawful claims of all persons whatsoever.
"In witness whereof, I, the said Thompson Joseph
Skinner, in my official capacity of treasurer of the cor-
poration of Williams College aforesaid, and for, and in
behalf of the president and trustees of said college, pur-
suant to their vote and order in their corporate capacity,
have hereunto set m}- hand and affixed the seal of said
corporation this fourth day of June, in the year of our
Lord one thousand, seven hundred and ninety-eight.
"Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of us
whose names are hereunto written.
"Thompson Joskph Skinner (L S. )''
"—Addenda—
"N. B. The word Mendon and the word Gentleman
on the first page, erased and the word Esq. inserted.
"Also the words Seth Hastings in the second page
erased.
"Also the words Seth Hastings in the third page
erased and Levi Lincoln interlined before the execution
of this deed.
"And also the words — and Northerly by number three
in the sixth range in the first page interlined before exe-
cuting this deed.
„. i Park Holland.
81 e Thomas Wolcott. ' '
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 18
It will be seen bv the above addenda that Seth Hastings
dropped out as one of the proprietors and that his inter-
est was transferred to Levi Lincoln.
"Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
"Suffolk ss. Boston, 5th of June, 1798, Personally
appeared the above named Thompson Joseph Skinner,
Esq., and acknowledged the foregoing deed to be his free
act and deed before me, Elisha May, Justice of the
Peace throughout the Commonwealth.'"
"Hancock ss. North District.
"Received July 14th, 1814, and recorded in Book
number one, page 121, and examined by John Wilkins
Register.
"A true copy as of record:
Attest Isaac Hodsdon
Clerk of the Judicial Courts
and acting Register of deeds."
The Waldo Patent
The geographic situation of the township, now
Garland, having been originally described as township
number three in the fifth range of townships north
of the Waldo Patent, the inquisitive reader will desire
to know something of the history of that patent.
In March, 1630, John Beauchamp of London, Eng-
land, and Thomas Leverett of Boston, England, obtained
a grant of land from a company acting under the
authority of the government of England. This grant
was first known as the Muscongus Patent from the river
that formed a part of its western boundary. From the
14 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
seacoast, it extended northerly between Penobscot Bay
and River on the east, and the Muscongus River on the
west, to the line that constitutes the southern boundary
of the present towns of Hampden, Newburg and
Dixmont.
This grant or patent embraced a territory of thirty-
six miles square. It conveyed nothing but the right of
exclusive trade with the Indians, to promote which a
trading house was built and supplied with such articles
of exchange as were necessary to a successful traffic.
This traffic was carried on without interruption to the
mutual advantage of the whites and natives until the
opening of the first Indian War in 1675, a period of
forty-five years.
About the year 1 720 this patent passed into the hands
of a wealthy family of Boston of the name of Waldo
and from that time it was known as the Waldo Patent.
In the vear 1759, a verv sad event occurred in an
attempt to find the northern limit of this patent.
When the work of building Fort Pownal had been
fairly inaugurated Governor Pownal ascended the river
with a large escort. The object of this expedition seems
to have been for the purpose of a conference with the
Indians. He was accompanied by General Samuel
Waldo, a representative of the interests of the Waldo
family, who had taken great interest in the construction
of the fort, believing that its presence on the river would
be of great advantage to the proprietors of the patent.
Arriving at the southern limit of the present town of
Hampden, the expedition landed. General Waldo hav-
ing withdrawn a short distance from his companions, sud-
denly turned and exclaimed, "Here is my bound!" The
exclamation was followed by an event intensely tragical.
Scarcely had it escaped his lips when he fell and expired
instantly.
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 15
Gen. Waldo was held in high esteem for his sterling
qualities of mind and heart. His sudden death produced
a profound impression upon his companions. He was
buried near the fort where his body remained for some
years, but was ultimately removed to Boston.
It has been noted that the exterior lines of the present
town of Garland were run by Ephraim Ballard and
Samuel Weston in 1792. In the year 1800, Moses
Hodsdon, a resident of the present town of Kenduskeag,
assisted by David A. Gove, Daniel Wilkins and a Mr.
Shores, surveyed the townships into lots. Isaac Wheeler,
Esq., who was afterwards a prominent citizen of the
town, accompanied the surveying party.
Original Designation
The town of Garland was originally described as
number three in the fifth range of townships north of
the Waldo Patent. As has been noted, the present
towns of Hampden, Newburg and Dixmont constituted
the first range north of this patent. Bradford was num-
ber one, Charleston number two, Garland number three
and Dexter number four in the fifth range of townships
north of the Waldo Patent.
Boundaries and Natural Features
Garland is bounded north by Dover, east by Charles-
ton, south bv Exeter and west bv Dexter. It is in touch
with Sangerville on the northwest, with Atkinson on the
16 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
northeast, with Corinth on the southeast and Corinna
on the southwest.
Measuring from east to west it is very near the center
of the State.
It occupies a central site between the northern and
southern limits of the inhabited sections of the State.
It covers an area of thirty-six square miles. The
southerly half of the town is moderately level. Its soil
is well adapted to the production of crops common to
central Maine. Its northerly section is traversed from
east to west by an elevated range of land about three
hundred feet above the level of the southern section and
it was originally covered by a remarkably heavy forest
growth of bass, beech, birch, maple, hemlock and
spruce. In the wheat-growing period it was noted for
its excellent crops of wheat. At the present time, while
crops common to this section of the State are success-
fully cultivated, it exceeds in its hay-producing and gra-
zing adaptation. It is an excellent dairy section of the
State.
Some of the higher points of the range of land
traversing the northerly section of the town, are about
eight hundred feet above the level of the sea, command-
ing a great variety of views, from the wildly picturesque
to those of surpassing beauty. At the north the tower-
ing forms of Katahdin, Boarstone and Russell Mountains
arrest attention, while, in restful contrast, the productive
farms of the Piscataquis Valley, covered in summer with
growing crops and grazing herds, present a scene of
rural beauty which is seldom surpassed in central Maine.
At the south the view extends to the range of hills
thirty miles away, of which the Dixmont Hills are a
section, and embraces the area of a dozen towns in one
of the finest agricultural regions in central Maine.
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 17
A Notable Natural Feature
Near the eastern boundary of the town a remarkable
ravine or pass, locally known as the "notch, ,! bisects
the elevated range of land which has been described.
This ravine is about two miles in length, three hundred
feet in depth at the deepest point and just wide enough
at the bottom for the county road which passes through
it. Before the advent of the railroad to this part of
Maine, it was regarded as the natural outlet to the out-
side markets for the inhabitants of Piscataquis County.
In harmony with this view, a road was established
through the ravine in 1846 by the joint action of the
commissioners of Penobscot and Piscataquis Counties.
It was not built and open for travel until 1860. The
course of the ravine through the hilly range is south,
bearing a little to the east.
A moraine, locally known as a horseback, approaches
the ravine from the north, terminating at its entrance.
Resuming its form and course at the south end of the
ravine, it extends through several towns.
At some points this moraine presents the appearance
of a well constructed road. At other points it broadens
and sometimes reaches an elevation of forty or fifty feet.
Sections of it are used for the public travel and are kept
in good condition at trifling cost. On each side of the
hilly range near the line of the moraine there are deep
basins resembling the basin of a pond.
Geologists trace the existence of the ravine, the
moraine and basins to the same source.
According to their theory, an immense glacier or ice-
berg, coming from the north in the glacial period of
many thousand years ago, moving with irresistible force
towards the present oceanic waters, made its way through
the hilly range leaving the notch to inspire coming
18 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
generations with wonder. In its progress it had scooped
up enormous quantities of drift, which, becoming incor-
porated with it, formed a constituent part of this huge
glacier.
As it moved onward, the drift, including clay, sand,
gravel, pebbles and boulders, was deposited, forming a
ridge now known as a moraine. An examination of this
moraine reveals the existence of all the materials included
in the geologic term, drift.
Water Courses
The town of Garland divides its waters between the
Penobscot and Kennebec Rivers. The Kenduskeag,
which is the largest stream in the town, rises near the
center of the town of Dexter from north to south, and
nearly two miles west of its eastern limit. It flows into
Pleasant Pond, a small sheet of water extending from
West Garland into Dexter. Emerging from Pleasant
Pond, it flows easterly to Garland Village, thence south-
easterly through the towns of Corinth, Kenduskeag and
Glenburn to Bangor, where its waters mingle with those
of the Penobscot River. On its course through Garland
its waters are used to propel machinery at West Garland,
Garland Village and Holt's Mills. The Kenduskeag is
fed by numerous streamlets flowing from the southern
slope of the hilly range which traverses the town from
east to west.
19
Main Stream
Main Stream rises on the north side of the hilly range
in Garland and enters Dexter near its northeast corner.
After leaving Dexter it finds its way to the Kennebec
River through Moose Pond in Harmony and the Sebasti-
cook Stream.
Sources of Information Relating to the Local
History of Garland
Existing records show when and by whom the
exterior lines of the present town of Garland were run ;
also when and by whom the township was divided
into lots. Mr. Williamson, in his history of Maine,
tells us in a single brief sentence upon the authority of
Abner Sanborn, a former prominent and intelligent
citizen of the township, that the beginnings were
made by Joseph Garland, Isaac Wheeler and Josiah
Bartlett. Also Levi Lincoln was one of the original
proprietors, hence the plantation was called Lincolntown.
But of the occurrences aside from these, from 1802 to
1811, the writer has been unable to find anv record.
The early settlers, confronted by common hardships,
inspired by common purposes and bound together by
common sympathies, worked together for the common
welfare. But this was the voluntary labor of the mem-
bers of an unorganized community and there is no
record of purposes or results. The material for the
history of the nine eventful years that precede the incor-
poration of the town, is, therefore, of a traditional
character.
20 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
Who the first settlers were — whence, when and why
they came — where they made their beginnings — the
hardships they encountered — the privations they suffered
— -most of these things rest largely upon human remem-
brances. But the remembrances of the events of those
early years were very clear in the minds of many of the
men who lived to see the middle of the century that wit-
nessed their early struggles in the wilderness. Events,
which, in the rush of the present would be forgotten in
a day if noticed at all, were full of meaning to them and
never forgotten. The crowing of a cock, the curling
smoke above the tree tops in new directions were to
them joyful assurances of the coming of other families
into the townships.
The advent of the first physician was an occasion for
special rejoicing. The occasional sermon from an
itinerary minister was never obliterated from the memory
of those who heard it.
The coming of the blacksmith, of the carpenter, of
the shoemaker, of the tanner, supplied wants of pressing
importance. These, and kindred events which now seem
trivial, were to them matters of vital interest. They
were occasions for the exchange of congratulations among
themselves, and were rehearsed to their children and
grandchildren with a frequency and particularity of
detail that riveted them in the minds of both narrator
and listener.
Among the persons who furnished valuable information
relating to events which occurred, both before and after
the incorporation of the town, were Deacon John S.
Haskell and his sons — Daniel M., John K., Wm. S.
and Jacob W. Haskell, — Moses Gordon and his sons,
Horace, Parker and Albert G. Gordon. Special acknowl-
edgements are due to Moses G. Gordon for much valua-
ble information relating to the earliest inhabitants of the
town.
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 21
Stories of the Pioneers
In 1846, and the years immediately following, the
writer was an occasional listener to stories of pioneer
life in Garland from the lips of the pioneers. These
stories were of tedious journey ings to the township while
yet it was a part of a wilderness of many miles in extent
— sometimes in mid-winter on sleds drawn by slow mov-
ing teams, when men, women and children were assailed
by pitiless blasts and drifting snows — sometimes on
horseback, when the rider with his scant supply of food
and clothing closely packed in a leather bag, pursued his
lonely way, guided by spotted lines — sometimes on foot
when the maker of a future home, with his bundle dan-
gling from the handle of the axe across his shoulder made
slow progress towards the township of his choice ; and
sometimes a part of the little journey was performed on
rude fishing smacks, manned by drunken sailors, when
the passengers were in constant peril of being consigned
to watery graves.
Graphic descriptions were given of hastily constructed
cabins, where chill)' snows driven by wintry blasts entered
unbidden, destitute of every convenience that makes
housekeeping attractive — with hand to hand contests
with the stern old forest that had withstood the storms
of centuries, for the possession of a cleared space whereon
to make a home and secure the crops for the subsistence
of the family — of painful, and often final separation
from relatives and friends, to whom they were bound by
ties of blood and friendship, and deprived, even, of com-
munication with them except at long and uncertain inter-
vals, when the nearest post-office was twenty-five miles
away and could be reached only on foot or horseback
and the postage on two letters would cost a healthy
woman the wages of a full week — of struggles with debts
22 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
in a region destitute of currency — of burdens of build-
ing roads and bridges without the power of levying
taxes — of destitution of schools and religious privileges,
which in a New England community were esteemed as
among the most precious legacies of New England
citizenship.
It must not be inferred, however, that to the early
settlers, life in the wilderness, invested as it was with
privations and hardships, was devoid of enjoyment.
They were robust, earnest, courageous men. The grand
old forest which covered their rude cabins was a constant
inspiration to noble endeavor. They had an important
and well defined end to accomplish, which was nothing-
less than to subdue the wilderness that had covered the
haunts of the moose, the wolf and the bear, and replace
it with the institutions of civilization. They came to
lay the foundation of a typical New England community,
which, in due time, would become a constituent part of
an independent state.
In their visions of the future, they saw the wilderness
retiring step b}r step before their vigorous assaults, to
give place to fields of waving grain, to pastures covered
with flocks and herds, and orchards laden with fruit.
They saw attractive and convenient houses in place of
log-cabins and rude huts. They saw those characteristic
institutions of New England, the church and the school-
house, smiling from the hilltops and nestling in the val-
leys. They saw, also, the New England town meeting,
where the capable and ambitious would be called to
places of honor and trust, and the humblest citizen would
have a voice on all questions of local policy. All these
things came within the range of their expectations and
each step in the actual present towards the realization
of the ideal future afforded satisfaction and encourage-
ment.
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 28
Disappearing
At the date of the narrations alluded to in the fore-
going chapter, more than forty years had elapsed since
the blows of the settler's axe were first heard in the
township. Those who had come in the strength of
early manhood, if living, were far advanced in life.
Some had moved to other places to find homes with chil-
dren or relatives. Others * "weary with the march of
life" were dropping from the ranks. They had wrought
well and endured much, not for themselves alone, but for
their descendants as well. Their sturdy blows compelled
the wilderness to give place to the homes we occupy.
They richly merit a warm place in the memory of those
who come after them. Let not their voices come to us
from the misty past in the pathetic refrain :
"Ye do not answer us! Ye do not hear!
We are forgotten and, in your austere
And calm indifference, ye little care
Whether we come or go, or whence or where.
"'What passing generations fill these halls,
What passing voices echo from these walls
Ye heed not! We are only as the blast,
A moment heard and then forever past!"
Longfellow.
No, the men to whom we owe so much must never be
forgotten. The printed page shall bear to the genera-
tions which follow them and us the history of their deeds.
24 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
Beginnings
"Waking, I dream. Before my vacant eyes,
In long procession, shadowy forms arise;
Far through the vista of the silent years,
I see a venturous band — the pioneers,
Who let the sunlight through the forest gloom,
Who bade the harvest wave, the garden bloom."
O. W. Holmes.
At the opening of the summer of 1801, the present
town of Garland presented an area of six square miles
of heavy forest growth, the continuity of which was
nowhere broken except by a small natural pond lying
partly in Garland and partly in Dexter, from which
flows the Kenduskeag stream, and several small bogs at
different points. But this condition of things was soon
to be changed.
Forces had been organized which, in due time, would
transfer the township to the influences of civilization.
The First Opening
It is the month of June of the summer of 1801. The
reader may imagine that one of the sturdy pioneers has
come to the township for the purpose of selecting a lot
of land whereon he may establish a home. Our pioneer
believes that he will have the first choice of lots within
the limits of the township, and proposes to make a
leisurely and careful examination of its different sections
so that his selections may not discredit his judgment in
the years to come. To facilitate the work he has in
hand, he establishes his camp near the center of the
township, close by the site of the present residence of
James M. Stone, originally the Joseph True place.
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 25
On a beautiful June morning, after a hastily prepared
breakfast of pork and Indian bread, he starts out from
camp and guided by the surveyor's line of the preceding
year, which leads him over the present route of the
center road running east, he travels leisurely towards the
eastern limit of the township. At the end of one and a
half miles he has reached the elevation upon which Joseph
C. Treadwell now resides. He still fancies that he is the
only human being in the township. But the illusion is
suddenty dispelled by the ring of the sharp, incisive
blows of an axe plied by sinewy arms. Recovering his
equanimity, which had for the moment been disturbed by
the discovery that he was not alone in the township, he
passes eagerly towards the spot from which the sounds
proceed. He reaches the point of interest in time to see
one of those giants of the forest that has withstood the
storms of centuries, 3'ield to the blows of the woods-
man's axe and move majestically through the air, carry-
ing to the ground in the embrace of its long, strong arms,
many a smaller tree standing in range, that has been
* 'notched, " with a force that seemed to shake the solid
earth. Advancing a few rods, he finds himself face to
face with the man the blows of whose axe attracted him
to the spot. He learns that the name of this man is
David A. Gove, that he is an agent of the proprietors to
promote the settlement of the township, that he is a
resident of New Ohio, now Corinth, that he emigrated
from Nottingham, N. H., that he selected this lot while
assisting in the survey of the township the preceding
year for his friend, Josiah Bartlett of Nottingham, who
intends to establish a home here, and that he has just
commenced felling ten acres of trees for Mr. Bartlett.
This first opening was made in 1801 upon the elevation
on the old Bartlett farm now covered by an orchard, a
little way east of the present residence of Calvin
Campbell. This lot is number three in the sixth range.
26 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
Conflicting Claims
Some of the friends of the late Isaac Wheeler, Esq. ,
have claimed for him the distinction of making the first
opening in the township. This claim does not seem to
be well founded. It is certain that his beginning was
not made earlier than 1802. His friends do not claim
for it an earlier date. The late Obed Bartlett of Boston,
Mass., said that he had often heard his father, Josiah
Bartlett, affirm that his was the first opening in the
township.
Deacon John S. Haskell felled ten acres of trees in the
township in 1802. He says that the sixteen or eighteen
men who had beginnings in that year worked in com-
panies of five or six men each upon one lot after another,
or, in the parlance of the times, the}' changed work —
that at the end of each week they repaired to the resi-
dence of a Mr. Sanborn in Charleston to spend the
Sabbath, and that on their way to that point they
passed an opening on the old Bartlett place which they
supposed was made a year earlier. There was a tradition
among the old settlers of a good natured rivalry between
Josiah Bartlett and Joseph Garland relating to the name
that should be given to the township when incorporated.
Mr. Bartlett claimed the honor of giving it his name for
the reason that his opening was the first therein. Mr.
Garland claimed the honor upon the ground that he had
established the first family in the township. The
parties to the dispute finally agreed that the one who
presented the first son to the township, born within its
limits, should be allowed to give his own name to the
future town. An event soon after occurred in the family
of Mr. Garland that decided the question in his favor,
and when it was incorporated in 1811, it took the name
of Garland bv unanimous consent.
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 27
Events of 1802 in the Township
The events that occurred in the township in 1802
seemed to promise its early occupation by families. In
the summer of this year openings were made on nine-
teen different lots with the purpose of making homes
for an equal number of families. These openings were
widely scattered over the township. The proprietors
had unwisely determined to withhold from sale the lots
on each alternate range with the expectation that when
the lots available to settlers had been peopled, those on
the reserved ranges would command higher prices. This
policy brought numerous hardships and discomforts to
the inhabitants and retarded the growth of the township.
It separated families by long distances in a wilderness,
destitute of roads, while every consideration of comfort
and convenience, of safety and sympathy, made it very
desirable to have these homes in such proximity to each
other as to favor neighborly intercourse.
It increased largely the burdens of road making and
delayed the division of the town into school districts,
the building of school houses and the opening of schools.
The names of the men who made beginnings in the
township in the summer of 1802, the places from which
they came so far as known, and the lots upon which they
settled, are as follows :
Moses Hodsdon of Levant, Me., now Kenduskeag,
took possession of lot number seven of the fourth range
as agent of the proprietors who desired to retain it
because it encompassed the principal water power in Hie
township. Lot number seven in the sixth range was
selected by Isaac Wheeler, Esq., of Rutland, Mass.
John S. Haskell of New Gloucester, Maine, selected lot
number eleven in the fifth range, which is now owned by
one of his grandsons. Thomas S. Tyler settled on lot
28 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
number nine in the fifth range. Edward Sargent of
Boscawen, N. H., made a beginning on lot number
three in the fifth range. He built a camp near the
present residence of Samuel 0. Davis. Being a car-
penter he early came to the conclusion that a carpenter's
wages in Bangor promised a more certain support for a
family than farming in a new township. He left the
township and took up his residence in Bangor. Samuel
O. Davis and David Allen now own and occupy the lot
abandoned hy Edward Sargent.
William Sargent, a brother of Edward Sargent, made
a beginning on lot number three in the fifth range, where
he resided for several }rears. About the 3 ear 1817, he
caught what was then known as the "Ohio fever," a
disease that resulted from cold seasons preceding that
date, and like many other citizens of Maine, he sought
relief by emigrating to Ohio. The lot which he aban-
doned was unoccupied until 1823. when Joseph Sargent,
a brother of William, purchased it and erected buildings
upon it, where he resided for many years. It subsequently
passed into the hands of Luther Rideout and is now
occupied by his son, James L. Rideout.
John M. Chase, from Danville, Maine, made a begin-
ning on lot number one in the seventh range. It after-
wards passed into the hands of Isaac Wheeler, Esq. It
was owned and occupied bj' Ezekiel Page for some years
and subsequently by Bradbury G. Atkins, whose family
own and occupy it at the present time.
John Tyler, from New Gloucester, Maine, made a
beginning on lot five in the seventh range. The Tyler
place was afterwards owned and occupied by John L.
Jackman. Charles H. Brown is the present owner and
occupant.
Joseph Garland, who had the honor of giving name
to the town, made a beginning upon lot nine in the
HISTOEY OF GARLAND, .MAINE 29
seventh range, where he cleared land, erected buildings
and resided for about twenty -five years. Samuel Greeley,
from Salisbury, N. H., purchased this farm about the
year 1 827, where he lived until his death, when it passed
into the hands of his son, James Greeley. It is now
owned by David Dearborn.
Enos Quimby made a beginning on lot number ten in
the seventh range, where he remained but a short time.
Thomas Finson made a beginning on lot four, which he
subsequently sold to Moses Smith and left the township.
Mr. Finson emigrated from New Gloucester, Maine.
Peter Chase made a beginning on lot seven in the
seventh range and built a house three years later, but
abandoned it soon after, never having a family here.
Arnold Murray, from Palermo, Maine, made a begin-
ning on lot eight in the ninth range.
Justus Harriman, from Salisbury, N. H., made a
beginning on lot nine in range nine, where he remained
through life.
James Garland, from Salisbury, N. H., made a begin-
ning on lot ten in the ninth range.
Thomas Gilpatrick made a beginning on lot eleven in
the ninth range.
Joseph Saunders, from New Gloucester, Maine, made
a beginning on a part of lot four, range nine.
The ranges of land which covered the surface of the
township extended from its eastern to its western limit.
Of the men who made beginnings in 1802, five selected
lots on range five, an equal number made beginnings on
range seven, and seven of those men showed a preference
for range nine. The latter range runs near the summit
of the range of hills which extends from east to west
across the northern section of the town. This range
now embraces some of the most productive lands in the
town.
so
A majority of the pioneers who made beginnings in
1802 became residents of the town for longer or shorter
periods. Some of them lived here to a good old age,
and, casting off the responsibilities of active life, where
many years earlier they had assumed them, they quietly
passed their last years in the homes which their own
sinewv arms had wrested from the wilderness.
The First Family
In the year 1801, there was living among the hills of
New Hampshire in the town of Salisbury, a family
embracing the father, mother, and three children offender
age, the threads of whose subsequent history are closely
interwoven with those of the early history of the town of
Garland. It was the family of Joseph Garland. The
tide of emigration from various sections of New Hamp-
shire was setting towards the region in the Province of
Maine which encircles the present city of Bangor.
Moved by the tendencies of the times and encouraged
by the favorable representations of relatives and acquaint-
ances who had visited the township now known as Gar-
land, Mr. Garland selected it as the site of his future
home. With two horses harnessed to an emigrant's
wagon he started on his tedious journey "down east"
with his family and such household goods as he would
first and most need.
This was in the autumn of 1801. Reaching the town
of Bucksport, he remained at the place through the
winter. His nearness now to the site of his future home
enabled him to build a small cabin of logs and to make
preparations for the reception of his family before he
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 31
should again change base. In June, 1802, he resumed
his journey with his family and reached Bangor at the
end of the first day. The second day's journey brought
the family to the Wilkins place, now known as the
Bacon place, in the southwest part of Charleston, where
they passed the night. This was the nearest point to
their little cabin in the forest that could be reached by
a team of horses. Their journey was completed by
methods of a more primitive character. On the morn-
ing of the third and last day of the journey, Mrs.
Garland was helped to the back of one of the horses and
the youngest child was placed in her arms. Mr. Garland
mounted the second horse and took another of the chil-
dren. Daniel Wilkins, afterwards a well known citizen
of Charleston, took charge of the third child. Thus
organized, the party, accompanied by two or three other
men, moved slowly but cheerily through a dense forest,
guided on their way by spotted trees. Crossing the
east line of the township their route led them in a north-
westerly direction near the sites of the present homes of
Mrs. Leonard Skillin, Thos. B. Packard, Samuel O.
Davis, James L. Hideout, A. Hanson and thence north
of the meadow to the store of David E. Knight. From
this point, following the line of the road that leads to
the present home of David Dearborn, they reached the
little cabin that rested in the "gloom of the forest" at
the foot of the slope west of the present residence of
Mr. Dearborn.
A number of men who were engaged in felling trees in
different parts of the township, left their work and hur-
ried to the point where the expected newcomers would
cross the township line. On the approach of the party
the old forest rang with cheers for the heroic woman, who
was the first white woman to enter the new township.
These men of rough exterior but warm hearts, escorted
32 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
her to the little cabin by the brook that was to be her
home for the first few years, gallantly removing the
obstacles that lay in her pathway.
It is doubtful if any woman has since been conducted
into the town by so large and appreciative an escort.
Mrs. Garland's ride into the township was not accom-
plished without an accident, which was fraught with
some danger. In fording one of the streams that crossed
her pathway the horse was frightened by the barking of
a dog and she was jolted from her saddle, but the prompt
assistance of a man who was walking by her side saved
her from an involuntary bath.
Mr. Garland and his wife, with their three small chil-
dren, were the first family to establish a home in the
present town of Garland, and they had come to stay.
The date of their coming was June 22, 1802. To
them belongs the honor of giving date to the settlement
of the town — nor was it an empty honor coming to them
by accident. On the contrary, it came as the result of
an intelligent purpose to establish a home, where, by
honest toil they could secure a comfortable living — a
home which would be one of a community of homes
where they could enjoy the social, educational and relig-
ious privileges, which are so highly prized by the
descendants of a Puritan ancestry.
Mr. Gai'land and his family were now face to face with
the privations and hardships of a life in the wilderness,
when through the long winter which followed they were
the sole residents of the township. Their rude cabin
afforded very imperfect protection from wind, rain and
snow. A large stone fire-place, surrounded with a
smoke flue of sticks and clay, was made to do service for
warming and cooking. Their furniture was of the most
primitive character. In place of chairs they used blocks
of wood of suitable size and height. Their cooking
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 33
utensils were limited to indispensable articles. Their
surroundings were in striking contrast with those they
had left behind. But having deliberately determined to
establish a home in the township of their choice, they
cheerfully accepted the changes it involved and looked
hopefully towards the "better time coming."
The First Fruit Nursery
Mr. Garland had felled ten acres of trees on the site
of the present residence of David Dearborn. Among
his earliest acts in the line of farming, with an eye to
the future wants of the township, he carefully cleared a
half acre of land and planted it with apple seeds which
he had brought from his New Hampshire home. The
seeds sprang up and the young trees grew vigorously.
Mr. Garland soon found himself the proprietor of a val-
uable nursery. Some of our older citizens have distinct
and pleasant remembrances of this old nursery. Some
of the stumps of the trees that grew in it are still to be
seen. When the young trees had reached a suitable size,
John S. Haskell transplanted a small orchard from this
nursery, and eight years later Mrs. Haskell made pies
from the fruit of it. This was the first time that their
children had indulged in the luxury of an apple pie.
Many of the old orchards in this and neighboring-
towns were planted from this nursery. In the absence
of roads men carried trees from it upon their shoulders
many miles, guided on their way through the dense for-
est by spotted trees. Enos Flanders of Sangerville car-
ried twelve trees on his shoulders through the woods to
his home, a distance of twelve miles. Seth Nelson of
84 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
Guilford obtained trees from it to plant his first orchard.
Loring's History of Piscataquis County is authority for
saying that William Farnham of Sangerville brought
young apple trees from Garland upon his shoulders and
planted the first orchard in town. In his history of
Guilford Mr. Loring says that, "As nursery trees could
not be obtained nearer than Garland, and as there was
no summer road thither, Deacon Herring, Captain
Bennett and Nathaniel Herring brought young apple
trees from that place upon their shoulders fully sixteen
miles and set out the first three orchards in town. In
about eight years they ate fruit from them.'
Thus the thoughtful consideration of Mr. Garland in
planting this early nursery brought to many of the set-
tlers of this, and neighboring townships at an early date,
a luxury more generally esteemed and highly valued than
any other that grows from New England soil.
There is another incident of interest connected with
this nursery. In the year 1807 or 1808, Moses Gordon,
who had become a resident of the township in 1805,
visited his native town, Hopkinton, N. H., making the
journey on horseback. On his return he brought scions
from an apple tree in the orchard of a Mr. Flanders, an
old neighbor, which were ingrafted upon trees in Mr.
Garland's nursery. The fruit from these scions proved
to be an early and excellent fall apple and was the only
ingrafted fruit in this town for many years. It has
always been known here as the Flanders apple, and to
Moses Gordon belongs the credit of its introduction to
this town.
HISTORY OK GARLAND, MAINE 35
Early Buildings
In the early settlement of Garland log-cabins were
few and far between. The proprietors of the town-
ship caused a saw-mill to be built, and to be made
ready for use as soon as houses would be needed by incom-
ing families.
This mill was placed on the site of the mill now occu-
pied by Edward Washburn. There was, also, a saw-mill
at Elkinstown, now Dexter, as early as 1803, where set-
tlers in the west and northwest part of the township
could obtain boards to cover their buildings. Log' barns
for temporary use were common, but the first framed
barn in the township was built by John M. Chase in
the summer of 1802, on lot one in the seventh range.
The site of this barn may now be seen on the farm of
the late Bradbury G. Atkins.
The first framed house was built in the autumn of
1802 on lot five in the seventh range, near the site of
the present residence of Charles H. Brown. Joseph
Treadwell, the grandfather of our present citizen, Joseph
C. Treadwell, built this house for John Tyler. Air.
Treadwell came from his home in Danville, Maine, on
horseback, bringing his tools with him. He cut and
hewed the timber for the house, hauled it with his horse,
framed it and superintended the subsequent work until it
was ready for use. An old-fashioned roof with double
slope covered the body of the house. Years ago this
old landmark was removed by John L. Jackman to give
place to a house of more modern style. This old farm
is now owned and occupied by Charles H. Brown. Some
of our older citizens will remember with pathetic interest,
the tall, spare, pale, patient and sorrowful woman, Aunt
Susan Tyler, the last of her family, who lived in the
quaint old house, tenderly caring for many years for an
imbecile brother.
36 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
The First Saw- Mill
There was nothing- more essential to the convenience
and well being of the new settlements in eastern Maine
than the saw and grist-mill. But the saw-mill was first
in the order of importance. The early settlers could
spin their flax, their cotton and their wool and make
their cloth at home. Thev could throw their bag's of
corn and wheat across the back of a horse, and guided
by spotted lines, could ti'avel considerable distances to
get their milling done without much hardship.
But the transportation of lumber for their buildings
through a wilderness without roads, across streams with-
out bridges and through swamps with uncertain depths
of mud, involved hardships.
The saw-mill was therefore regarded as an institution
of great usefulness. In early Colonial times it was pro-
tected by special legislation and mill owners were
regarded with marked consideration. In 1824 the Legis-
lature of Maine enacted a law to encourage the settle-
ment of townships in northern Maine, which provided—
"That a tract of land not exceeding two hundred acres,
together with the best mill site in airy such township,
shall be reserved, and at the direction of the Agent
* * * may be given to any person or persons who
shall erect the first saw-mill and grist-mill thereon
* within three years from the time the settle-
ment shall first commence in such township. ':
It is not strange that the presence of a saw-mill in the
township which was to be the home of New England
families was regarded with great satisfaction. It marked
the transition from the log-cabin to the house of greater
convenience and more attractive exterior. It was an
index of the progress of intelligence and refinement. It
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 37
is true that these qualities are often found in the log-
cabin, but like caged birds they fly to more congenial
conditions at first opportunity.
The earliest establishment in the township — now Gar-
land— for the common benefit of its prospective inhabi-
tants was a saw-mill, built by the proprietors on the site
of the present village saw-mill. The necessary mill irons
had been shipped to Bangor in 1801.
Story of the Crank
The late Deacon John S. Haskell often related for
the amusement of his friends the following story.
Illustrating different phases of hardships incident
to life in the wilderness, it may appropriately be retold.
The subject of the story was not one of those human
cranks of twisted intellect and perverted sensibilities.
It was a crank of a different type. In the year 1799
the proprietors of township number four in the fifth
range of townships north of the Waldo Patent, now
Dexter, employed Samuel Elkins of Cornville, Maine, to
build a saw-mill in that township. A site for the mill
was selected near the outlet of the beautiful lake whose
waters have since turned the wheels that have made
Dexter one of the largest and most prosperous villages
in the State. The mill irons had been sent to the site
of the prospective mill for use when needed. Mr.
Elkins had built a camp for the accommodation of his
workmen and made other preparations to prosecute the
work of building the mill, but before much progress
had been made he died and the work was suspended.
Earlv in the vear 1801, Moses Hodsdon of Levant,
38 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
now Kenduskeag, had built a mill at that place which
had been used onlv a short time when the mill crank was
broken and the work was suspended. Several families
were expected in the coming spring who were depending
upon lumber for the construction of their cabins. A
mill crank to replace the broken one could be obtained
only by sending to Massachusetts. The Penobscot
River being closed to navigation by ice there was no way
of getting the indispensable crank before the river should
be clear of ice. Mr. Hodsdon was in a dilemma.
At this juncture an old hunter by the name of Snow,
who frequented the new settlements in this section,
appeared, and was apprised of Mr. Hodsdoivs mis-
fortune. He could help him out.
There was he said at the Elkins place in "number
four" a full set of irons not in use. Mr. Elkins, who
had been depended on to build the mill at that place, had
died and the irons would lie unused for months. With
his large hand sled made to haul big game on, he could,
with help of his big sons, haul the crank belonging to the
set over the hard crust of the deep snows to the point
where it was needed. Mr. Hodsdon could get and use it
and attend to the incidental matter of borrowing later.
Yielding to the logic of necessity, Mr. Hodsdon acted
on the cranky suggestions of the old hunter and made a
bargain with him which resulted a few days later in put-
ting his saw-mill in running condition. He was now
able to furnish lumber to enable settlers to build the
cabins necessary to shelter their families.
In the meantime he had written to the executor of
the Elkins estate and had been informed when the crank
would be wanted at the Elkins place. In the autumn of
1802, we find Mr. Hodsdon, who seems to have been a
sort of tutelary guardian of the settlements of this
section, under contract to build a saw-mill in township
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 39
number three, now Garland. The irons for this mill
had been shipped to Bangor in the autumn of 1801 and
hauled to the township in February, 1802. The team
that hauled these irons to number three, hauled the bor-
rowed crank so far on its return to the Elkins place in
number four.
In the autumn of 1802, Mr. Hodsdon commenced
building the mill in number three with a crew embrac-
ing several men who had been making beginnings earlier
in the season. Among the latter were John S. Haskell
and Isaac Wheeler, Esq. The time stipulated for the
return of the borrowed crank which was lying passively
near the mill site in number three had arrived. Mr.
Hodsdon was now confronted with the question of "ways
and means. * ' There was no available team to haul it to
the place from which the old hunter had taken it. If
there had been a team at hand there was not the
semblance of a road, not even a spotted line to indicate
the way. No one of Mr. Hodsdon's crew had ever vis-
ited number five. No one of the crew knew what rugged
hills or impassable swamps might be encountered on the
way to the objective point.
There was, however, one large powerful horse at hand.
Tradition says he was owned by a Mr. Stevens of Blais-
delltown (Exeter), but there was neither harness nor
vehicle. The old proverb that "necessity is the mother
of invention" was illustrated anew. Mr. Moses, the
master carpenter, made a wooden frame large enough for
the crank to rest on, which could be securely fastened to
the back and shoulders of the horse. It was now neces-
sary to have a line spotted from the west line of number
three to the mill site in number four to guide the men
who were charged with the return of the crank. Just
at the right time another old hunter appeared. His
name was Peter Brawn. He claimed to have hunted and
40 HISTORY OF OAKLAND, MAINE
trapped game over the whole region and he could indi-
cate the easiest route to the mill site in number four with
certainty.
Peter was shrewd and plausible. Like many men of
the present time, he believed that places of trust are
instituted for the benefit of those who fill them. He
was often employed to indicate the most feasible route of
travel between two places separated by miles of forest,
whose inhabitants desired to be brought into neighborly
relations. Peter's ruling passion was hunting, and his
work of a more public character was made to contribute
to the capture of game. If the game he sought bur-
rowed in the highlands, the route he indicated for travel
would sometimes lead over the highest hills. If he was
trapping animals whose congenial haunts were along the
borders of bogs, swamps and ponds, the unfortunates who
followed his lines were very liable to be led through mud
and water. But, of this trait of the plausible Peter,
the party hiring him was ignorant. He was therefore
employed to make a safe and easy route to the mill site
in number four, with strict injunctions to avoid hills
and especially muddy places. All the necessary prepara-
tions to start the crank anew on its rounds having been
completed, John S. Haskell and Gideon Haskell, both
stalwart and resolute men, were detailed to return the
crank to the place where its wanderings began. The
horse, which was to be an important factor in this impor-
tant service, was placed in position to receive the load,
the saddle was carefully adjusted, the wooden frame was
placed upon the horse and securely fastened, the crank
was put upon the frame and the expedition was ready
to move.
It was a cloudy and dark September morning and the
atmospheric conditions were such as to inspire the heart
with a sort of indefinable dread. Prudence dictated
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 41
delay, but the Haskells were accustomed to exposure and
hardship and could bid defiance to wind and rain. They
took no compass, but what need of a compass when the
confident Peter would make the way so plain that they
could not miss it ! They started from the site of the
present village grist-mill, and moving cautiously north
to the corner near the site of the present Congregational
meeting house, they turned their faces towards the west
and followed the line of the present county road leading
to Dexter to a point nearly a mile beyond the west line
of township number three. Here the line of the hunter,
making an angle towards the south, led them down a
sharp declivity to the margin of an impassable bog where
it terminated. The most careful inspection failed to
indicate a continuation of the line. The unwelcome
conviction was forced upon the Haskells that the plausi-
ble Peter had proved false.
And now a series of performances commenced that
were not down on the program. The horse that had
patiently born his heavy load thus far was relieved of his
burden and fed upon coarse grass that grew on the border
of the bog. The Haskells were now alive to the gravity
of the situation. They were in a dense, and to them,
an unknown forest without compass to guide them and
the sun was still obscure by threatening clouds. The
larger part of the day was still before them, which they
spent in eager search for some track or trail that would
suggest the way out, but in vain. After fruitless
wanderings, continued until nightfall, they found them-
selves at the edge of an opening now known as the
Batchelder Hill in Dexter, but were ignorant of the fact.
They hallooed loud and long, hoping to hear an answer-
ing voice, but there was no response.
To add to their discomfort it began to rain and hav-
ing done all they could do until the light of the morrow
42 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
should encourage fresh efforts, the)7 camped for the
night. After a brief time spent in recounting the events
of the day and invoking imprecations upon the head of
"old Brawn, " they fell asleep and slept until the dawn
of a new morning. It was still raining.
Hastily eating the small remnant of food with which
they had supplied themselves, they promptly renewed
their efforts to extricate themselves from the uncertain-
ties by which they were environed. After a brief search
they found the tracks of a horse, but they were so com-
pletely bewildered that the}' followed the trail they had
struck in a direction opposite from that intended, pass-
ing the site of the present residence of Artemas Barton,
and a small cabin that had just been built by William
Mitchell for use the following spring. Following the
trail a little farther they reached an opening near the site
of the residence of Horace Jennings, now owned by
Seth Bessey, then known as the Severance opening.
Being now convinced that they were traveling in the
wrong direction they were about to retrace their steps
when, unfortunately, both men recalled a rumor that a
line plainly marked for the route of a future road had
been run from New Ohio (Corinth) to the mill site in
number four. Eagerly seizing this rumor they started
in a southerly direction in search for this mythical line.
In imagination they could see it stretching in either
direction and leading to a place of safety whichever way
it was followed. The search was continued until night
but the line which they saw so clearly early in the day
had vanished. They were now on the margin of an
almost impenetrable swamp in the present town of
Corinna.
Retracing their steps to drier land, they prepared
themselves for another night in the forest with nothing
to compensate them for their day's wandering save
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 43
hunger, weariness and uncertainty. The morning of
the third day opened with the same dreary aspect as had
those of the two preceding days. The usual welcome
breakfast was omitted on account of the absence of the
materials which enter into that meal.
After a brief and earnest consultation, the men decided
to return to the Severance opening and follow the trail
they left there in the opposite direction from what they
had done the preceding day. This movement led them
to the Batchelder opening where they had camped at the
end of the first day's wanderings. A mile additional
travel brought them to a small opening hemmed in by
hills on the east and west.
Through the center of the opening a stream passed
quite rapidly. In a corner of the opening, well sheltered
by the forest, there was a small cabin from whose chim-
ney the smoke curled gracefully to the open space above
the tops of the tall trees. To their great joy the}- had
at last found the mill site in township number four.
Their joy was intensified by finding that the little cabin
was occupied by a man and woman whose names were
Small— Ebenezer Small and wife, the memory of whose
names is still cherished by the loyal citizens of Dexter
with affectionate regard, and who are honored as having
been the first settlers of this enterprising town.
Mr. and Mrs. Small were greatly surprised bjT the
sudden appearance of the weather-beaten strangers, and
with a woman's intuition the latter instantly compre-
hended their most pressing immediate requirements, and
in the shortest possible time placed before them a
delicious dish of pounded corn, boiled in milk.
The town of Dexter has long been noted for its
hospitality and elaborate entertainments, but her citizens
will regard it as no disparagement should it be said that
no entertainment within its limits has ever been proffered
44 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
by more hospitable hands, or accepted with a keener
sense of appreciative gratitude than on this occasion.
Dinner finished, the first thought was for the hungry
horse three miles away by the margin of the miry bog.
He must be found and fed. The remaining hours of
the day afforded but scant time for this service, but Mr.
Small being acquainted with the section of the township
between the mill site and the bog, conducted the men to
the spot where the horse was tied.
The hungry animal greeted the coming of the men
with expressions of satisfaction that seemed almost
human. Not being in condition to bear his load to its
destination, they untied him and started on their return
to the cabin in the opening, but darkness soon enveloped
them and seriously impeded their progress. As they
were groping slowly and doubtfully along the resonant
tones of the old tin horn reached their ears. It is safe
to assume that no music of orchestra or band ever gave
greater delight. Anticipating the difficulty they would
encounter in traveling through the dense forest after
nightfall, Mrs. Small scaled the heights of the hill east
of the present village and guided the approaching party
along by vigorous blasts from the old tin horn.
On the morning of the fourth day, having been
recuperated by a night's rest and an abundant break-
fast, accompanied by Mr. Small the Haskells returned to
the spot where the faithless hunter had left them to their
wanderings. The crank was quickly replaced and with
a man to lead the horse and one on each side to steady
the crank, they reached the mill site about midday.
There was no throng of people to welcome the arrival of
the historic crank, but it is easy to believe that the
heroic Mrs. Small regarded it with lively interest. In
her loneliness she had yearned for the society of sympa-
thetic friends and neighbors. To her, the rough, rusty,
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 45
angular and unattractive mass of iron that had cost so
much toil and hardship, was prophetic of the time when
her rude, bark-covered log-cabin would give place to the
dwelling of convenience and attractive exterior. It
was prophetic of other homes smiling from the hill-
sides— of the schoolhouse filled with happy children
who were in training for intelligent citizenship, and the
church where devout worshipers gladly assembled on
each returning Sabbath. Mrs. Small lived to see the
fulfilment of her dreams.
The borrowed crank having been returned to the
mill site in township number four, the Haskells,
neither of whom claimed relationship to the other,
resumed their work on the saw-mill in number three.
They had been absent four days in getting the crank
back to its destination, a distance of less than seven
miles. But the hardships they had encountered did
not shield them from the jokes and pleasantries of
their fellow- workmen. Our future deacon, John S.
Haskell, received them with his accustomed good natured
retorts and laughed with the rest. He was, moreover,
a man of great physical strength and it would not have
been safe to push the spirit of raillery to the verge of
insult.
With Gideon Haskell the case was different. He
believed that the hardships of the late expedition
entitled him to be regarded as a man of heroic qualities.
He was inclined to put on airs and assumed to be the
hero of the expedition. His fellow-workmen did not
allow any incident, serious or comic, out of which fun
and frolic could be evolved, to pass unimproved. Less
than a quarter of a century had passed since the country
had been wrested from kingly rule, and kingly titles were
used when purposes of burlesque were to be subserved.
Our hero was dubbed king, and was addressed as King
46 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
Gideon until the close of the season's work in the town-
ship.
Raising of the First Saw-Mill
The carpentry upon the frame of the saw-mill was now
nearing completion and the day for the raising had been
appointed. Men from surrounding settlements had been
invited. On the night preceding the eventful day they
came in small squads from different points, guided by
spotted trees. Camping on the ground through the
night they were ready for work in the morning. While
preparations for raising were going on frequent mysteri-
ous allusions to a certain mill-crank, with an unusual
history, excited the curiosity of the newcomers. This
was followed by inquiry and the inquirer was directed
to Gideon Haskell for information. To each man who
approached him to hear the story, he repeated with
great particularity of detail the account of the three
days' wanderings in the wilderness, making his own par-
ticipation in the affair a prominent feature of the
account. The mill was raised without incident worthy
of note. An event of such importance to the township
could not, however, be allowed to pass without being
appropriate^ celebrated. The character of the cele-
bration had been determined beforehand. The amuse-
ments which generally followed raising of mills, barns
and other large buildings in those days were omitted on
this occasion by common consent. The unwritten pro-
gram included an oration to the King. Daniel Wilkins
of New Charleston, afterwards a prominent citizen of
this section, was the orator. The sound of the axe that
had driven the last pin into the frame of the mill was
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 47
the signal for the opening of ceremonies. Loud cries of
"Long live King Gideon" now filled the air. At a
little distance from the mill site, at the edge of the
opening, there was a large tree that presented a remark-
able angle several feet from the ground, which afforded
an elevated and conspicuous seat. A committee of stal-
wart men waited upon the King with an invitation to
occupy the seat that had been selected for the occasion,
who accepted the honor because it was more safe to
accept than to decline. Shouts of "Long live King
Gideon" were now renewed. The preliminaries having
been concluded, the oration to the king was announced.
No short-hand writer was present to preserve it for later
generations, but a few of the opening sentences of this
unique performance have been handed down :
"Behold King Gideon who arose early in the morning,
attended by his servant, Jack, journeyed over the high-
way prepared by his servant, Peter, the hunter, towards
the land of Ebenezer, whose surname was Small, whither
he went to promote the welfare of his people. And it
came to pass that as they journeyed, his horse being
laden with the royal equipage, they came to a great
swamp in the midst of the wilderness where the royal
highway suddenly terminated. And they sought for its
continuation with great diligence but found it not, and
he said — peradventure my unfaithful servant, Peter,
has gone to look for game in his traps, even the beaver
and the otter which do abound in this great wilderness,
and left us to perish in our wanderings. Therefore we
will seek for a way to the land whither we are traveling,
even the land of Ebenezer. And thev tied the horse to
a tree and fed him upon the coarse grass that grew upon
the borders of the great swamp. And for the space of
three days and three nights they sought diligently for
the wav to the land of Ebenezer. ' '
48 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
The orator proceeded with mock dignity to give a
circumstantial account of the journey, which was
received with uproarious laughter and applause.
The "oration" ended, the old forests rang again with
cries and shouts such as had never been heard, and per-
haps never will be heard within the limits of the town.
Aided by the inspiration of the favorite New England
beverage of the times, these excited men kept up the
frolic so boisterously begun, through the entire night.
Early the next morning, starting on their way home,
their stalwart forms soon disappeared in the shadows of
the forest.
Our late, well remembered citizen, Isaac Wheeler,
Esq., was present at the raising of the mill. He held
a commission of justice of the peace which he brought
with him from Massachusetts. Believing that his official
dignity would be compromised by remaining with his
boisterous associates, he quietly withdrew to his camp,
which was located near the site of the present Baptist
church.
Alluding occasionally to the boisterous scenes of the
night of the raising, he related that soon after his with-
drawal he was missed by the crowd, whereupon a com-
mittee was appointed to wait on him and request his
attendance. He was enjoying his first nap when he was
suddenly aroused by a violent rapping at his door. He
sprang from his couch and, presenting himself at the
door, demanded to know the business of the intruders.
He was informed that his presence at the mill was
requested. Refusing to comply, the committee
attempted to enforce compliance, but he resisted with
such resolution they deemed it prudent to return to the
mill without his company. One of the intruders man-
aged, during the parley at the door, to thrust a blazing
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 49
brand through an opening in the camp and set his
straw bed on fire.
Gideon Haskell could neither forget nor forgive the
rough treatment he had received at the hands of his
fellow workmen and when the season's work was com-
pleted, he left the township never to return.
Deacon John S. Haskell often related with great ani-
mation in his later years stories of pioneer life for the
amusement of friends and acquaintances. Among these
was the story of the mill-crank, at the close of which an
expression of seriousness would rest upon his venerable
features for a moment, when he would explain in tones
at once regretful and apologetic, "Well we did have
some pretty high times in those days."
In September, 1802, while the building of the mill was
in progress, Moses Gordon and John and Jonathan
Jones of Hopkinton, N. H., visited the township. This
was Mr. Gordon's first visit. He came to inspect the
lands of the township, and although he made no selec-
tion at this time, he returned home with a favorable
impression of the quality of its lands and its eligibility
for settling purposes. The Messrs. Jones afterward
settled in Ripley where they became prominent citizens.
The building of the saw-mill was the close of active
operations in the township in 1802. Including the
beginning made by Josiah Bartlett in 1801, nineteen
openings had been made on as many different lots, one
family had been established, a house built for another
family, and a saw-mill had been constructed.
The First Winter in the Township
In the winter of 1802-8 the only family in the town-
ship was that of Joseph Garland, embracing himself, his
50 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
wife and three children, the eldest being scarcely five
years old. The names of the children were Orenda,
Timothy, Kilby and Minerva. It would be interesting
to know more of the every -day life of that little family
which was left to solitude and snow through that long cold
winter than tradition has handed down. The days of the
preceding summer had been cheered by the presence in the
township of those kind-hearted men who had left their
work to welcome the coming of the family and escort its
members to the little cabin in the forest. The courageous
bearing of Mrs. Garland had won their admiration and
she could always afterwards count them among her
friends, but they had now completed their season's work
and retired from the township.
The last blow had been struck upon the saw-mill, and
the echoes of the ringing laugh and cheerful voices of
the workmen had ceased.
Left alone in the wilderness it is very easy to imagine
that a feeling of loneliness rested upon this solitary
home. If now, discouragement and discontent had con-
stituted the leading elements in the experience of each
day. it would excite no surprise in the mind of the
reader. To add to the loneliness of the situation, Mr.
Garland was obliged to be away from home several weeks
on business, leaving his brother Jacob, a boy of sixteen
years, to take his place in the family. Accident, sick-
ness or even death might visit the snow-bound house-
hold.
But neither discouragement, discontent nor fear of
misfortune that might happen found place therein.
Mrs. Garland was loyal to the interests of her husband
and children. She entertained the conviction that faith-
ful care of her family and the instruction of her children
were the most important of woman's duties. This con-
viction called out the heroic elements of her character
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 51
and raised her to the level of her responsibilities. Her
fortitude was sometimes severely taxed by the discom-
forts of her situation but she met them bravely.
Spring came at length and brought not only sunshine
and warmth, but neighbors and companionship, if
indeed people whose habitations were separated by
several miles of dense forest could be regarded as neigh-
bors and companions. In the month of March, 1803,
Wm. Mitchell moved his family from Athens, Maine,
into township number four, now Dexter, and took up his
abode in the cabin he had built the preceding autumn.
The distance between the houses of the two families was
about three miles. An acquaintance sprang up between
them which soon ripened into intimacy. In their inter-
change of visits the women of these families generally
rode on horseback guided on their way by spotted lines.
Mrs. Mitchell was a woman of resolution. When she
could not have the use of a horse, she cheerfully made
the distance on foot. Reared under the influences of
the same religious creed, the two women passed many a
pleasant day together. The late Mrs. N. P. Smith, a
daughter of Mrs. Mitchell, and for many years a resident
of Garland, credits Mrs. Garland with the declaration
that she had never spent a happier season than her first
winter in the forest of the new township with her little
family.
In her seclusion she sought the companionship of her
Bible and other good books which proved the beginning
of a new religious experience, the memory of which in
subsequent years was a perpetual source of satisfaction.
52 HISTORY OK GARLAND, MAINE
Township No. .'3 in 1803
The Garland family was cheered and encouraged by
the arrival of several families in 1803. Early in the
spring of this year, John Tyler from New Gloucester,
Maine, moved into the house that Joseph Tread well had
built for him the preceding year.
Mr. Treadwell and his family, from Danville, Maine,
soon followed and occupied a part of Mr. Tyler's house.
This quaint old house was torn down years ago to give
place to the house now owned and occupied by Charles
H. Brown.
The Tyler and Treadwell families were connected by
marriage.
John M. Chase built and moved into a house on lot
one, range seven, where he had made an opening the
preceding year. The site of his buildings was near the
residence of the late Bradburv G. Atkins. The coming
of the family of Benjamin Gilpatrick was probably in
1803, although it might have been a year later.
Justus Harriman moved his family into the township
in 1803 and established a home on lot nine, range nine,
where he made his. beginning a year earlier. He emi-
grated from Salisbury, N. H.
John Grant from Berwick, Maine, having purchased
the saw-mill built by Moses Hodsdon the previous year,
together with the lot upon which it stood, emigrated to
the township in 1803 with his family, embracing his
wife, three sons, who had grown to manhood, and two
daughters. William Godwin came to the township in
1803 and purchased 100 acres of land of David A. Gove
on lot eight, range five, where he made a beginning and
afterwards established a home.
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 53
An Early Name
Since the beginning in 1802 the township had been
known as township number three in the fifth range. Its
settlement had been begun and its continued existence
seemed assured. It was quite natural that the inhabi-
tants should desire a more simple and convenient name.
It was desirable, also, that the name should have some
historical significance.
As it was a township of flattering prospects, any one
of its proprietors would have felt honored by having his
name associated with its future history as one of its
founders. One of its proprietors, in addition to personal
merit and prominence, bore a name that stood high in
the list of honored names of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts. This was Hon. Levi Lincoln, after-
wards governor of his state, and by common consent the
township was called Lincolntown until its incorporation
in 1811.
Old Names
The township lying next north of Lincolntown, now
Dover, was still designated by number and range. The
township west of it, now Dexter, was called Elkinstown
from Samuel and John Elkins, who built the first mills
there. The township on the south, now Exeter, was
called Blaisdelltown from Dr. John Blaisdell, who had
aided its settlement. On the east was New Charleston,
now Charleston.
The early names of this community of townships
54 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
strike the ear strangely now. Nevertheless they are a
part of the history of the times.
In Quest of Food
Corn bread and salt pork were the staple articles of
food of the early settlers of Garland. This unwritten
bill of fare was sometimes varied by fish taken from the
streams which threaded the township, and wild game
captured in the forest.
After a year's residence in the township, the pioneer
could raise the corn needed for his family, but not much
pork was produced for several years.
In the autumn of 1803, John S. Haskell was board-
ing in the family of John Tyler. On a certain day Mrs.
Tyler had raised the last piece of pork from the bottom
of the barrel. She cut this into halves, one of which
fell back into the brine with a splash, which if not
"solemn," was sadly suggestive that the supply was
running short. It was plain that a fresh supply must
be obtained or the bill of fare curtailed. The latter
alternative could not be submitted to if possible to avoid
it. But a fresh supply would require a journey through
the woods to Bangor on horseback, a distance of twenty-
five miles, coupled with the uncertainty of finding it in
that place. The case was urgent and Mr. Haskell volun-
teered to make the journey.
Knowing that his friend, Isaac Wheeler, had a quan-
tity of the coveted article stored at Levant, now Ken-
duskeag, for future use, he took the wise precaution of
obtaining his consent to take a stipulated quantity of it
in case the journey to Bangor should prove fruitless.
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 55
Reaching the latter place in due time, he could find the
article he was in quest of only in one place, and that was
of the quality that the historic Jack Spratt is alleged to
have had a preference for. Mr. Haskell ventured the
suggestion that the price seemed high for the quality of
the meat. The merchant replied, "It is as cheap as it
can be afforded — take it or leave it. '' Quietly accepting
the alternative so curtly offered, he cast a lingering look
at the barrel whose contents he had come so far to
inspect, and bidding the proprietor a respectful good-
bye, started on his return home. Reaching Levant he
took from Esquire Wheeler's barrel the quantity stipu-
lated for and resumed his journey homeward.
At New Ohio (now Corinth) he met the old hunter,
Snow, who two years earlier had opportunely helped
Moses Hodsdon to the historic mill crank, to take the
place of the one which had been unfortunately broken.
Mr. Snow had just killed and dressed a large and very
fat bear. In those days there were more bears than
people who relished the flesh of that animal. It had,
therefore, no marketable value, and the old hunter gave
Mr. Haskell as much of it as he could conveniently earn-.
Greatly elated at his good fortune, Mr. Haskell resumed
his journey. On reaching home he informed his friends,
who were impatiently awaiting his return, that he had
brought with him "a good lot of excellent meat, both
fresh and salted."
It was now supper time and for obvious reasons the
members of the family were unanimous in their desire to
sit down to a square meal of fresh meat. A frying-pan
of good size was forthwith placed upon the glowing coals
and filled with generous slices. It was soon cooked and
placed upon the table and supplemented by such other
articles as their limited supplies afforded, it presented an
inviting repast. Joseph Treadwell and family who lived
56 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
under the same roof were invited to the feast. Gathered
around the table they partook of the supper with unmis-
takable satisfaction, the fresh meat being greatly
relished. Mr. Haskell was warmly congratulated upon
his success as caterer. And now comes the denoue-
ment. With a mischievous twinkle of the eye, the
caterer quietly informed the company that the meat they
had eaten was not pork as they had supposed, but the
flesh of a bear. A Frenchman would say that a person
can learn to eat almost anything if he will only try.
The trouble in this case was, that those who had so
highly enjoyed the entertainment had not been used to
eating the flesh of a bear, and French philosophy did not
save them from the consequences of having eaten the
kind of food, the name of which as food had a most
unsavory sound. The women of the party suddenly
exhibiting unmistakable indications of repugnance, the
caterer wickedly indulged in one of his heartiest laughs.
But the tables were soon turned. Brooms were plenty
in those days because the women could make brooms.
A small sapling of the requisite length and size, a little
bunch of flaky boughs of hemlock or cedar placed in
layers, a strong flaxen string twisted on the spindle of
the old wheel in the corner, constituted all the necessary
materials. The stems of the boughs were tightly tied
to the handle and the broom was ready for use. But
then, as now, brooms were not used exclusively for
sweeping floors. When those women had partially
recovered from their recent upheaval, they instinctively
seized the brooms that stood in the corners and made a
sudden and resolute attack upon our future deacon, who,
deeming "discretion the better part of valor" made a
hasty retreat into the shadows of the forest. Now the
laugh was fairly turned, illustrating the old proverb that
"he laughs best who laughs last."
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 57
Lincolntown in 1804
So far as is known only two families established homes
in the township in 1804. Isaac Wheeler, Esq., then
recently married, commenced housekeeping in the log-
cabin he had built two years earlier near the site of the
present Free Baptist meeting house. Later in the same
season he built a comfortable frame house on the site of
the house afterwards owned by the late William B.
Foss.
James McClure having purchased Edward Sargent's
interest in lot three, range five, moved his family into a
cabin that stood near the site of the present house of
Samuel O. Davis. Peter Chase, who made a beginning
on lot seven, range nine, two years earlier, cleared a piece
of land in 1804, raised a crop and built a house. Moses
Smith bought Thomas Finson's interest in lot six, range
nine, in 1804, and made preparation for a future home.
William Godwin came to the township again this year
and enlarged the opening begun the preceding year.
James Holbrook, a brother-in-law of Isaac Wheeler,
purchased the westerly part of lot eight, range five, of
Mr. Godwin and felled an opening there. Years later
this lot passed into the hands of Benjamin Garland, who
lived there several years.
Amos Gordon of Hopkinton, N. H., made his first
visit to Lincolntown in June, 1804, and purchased of
Joseph Garland a part of lot nine, range ten, paying
four dollars an acre for it. This was a large price for
land at that time, but it occupied an eligible site — was
of excellent quality and situated in the part of the town-
ship that was attracting more emigrants than any other
at that time. Amos Gordon was the grandfather of our
well-known citizens, Horace H., James P. and Albert
58 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
G. Gordon. Mr. Gordon performed this journey on
horseback by the way of Kennebec to Ripley, where he
had acquaintances, and thence to Lincolntown. After
having selected and purchased the land of his future
home he returned to New Hampshire to prepare for a
change of residence. In September of the same year he
revisited the township, cleared land and built a log house
for the reception of his family the following spring.
About the time he started on his second visit to the
township, which was on horseback, five men of his
acquaintance went to Massachusetts to take passage in
a sailing vessel for the same destination. These were
his son, Moses Gordon, Jeremiah Flanders, Sampson
Silver, Caleb Currier of Hopkinton, N. H., and Edward
Fifield of Ware of the same state. Arriving at New-
buryport the}' were much disappointed at not finding the
vessel in which they had engaged a passage. Waiting
several days they became impatient of the delay and
took passage on a rude fishing-smack that had just dis-
charged a cargo of wood and was about to start on the
return voyage to the Penobscot. They took on board
with them a pair of oxen and an ox-wagon belonging to
Moses Gordon, a horse owned by Mr. Fifield, supplies
for themselves and tools for their work.
These men started on their journey for the double
purpose of inspecting the lands of the township and of
assisting Amos Gordon in building his house and pre-
paring land for crops of the following spring. With
the exception of Mr. Currier they all became residents
of the township a few years later.
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 59
In Peril of Shipwreck
Weighing anchor, two fruitless attempts were made
to get out of the harbor. The third attempt was suc-
cessful. The vessel had scarcely a;ot out to sea before
these men discovered to their dismay that they were in
an unseaworthy vessel, commanded by a drunken captain
and manned by an incompetent crew. A violent storm
soon arose, intensifying their anxiety. After hours of
weary watching and hard work at the pumps by turns,
the vessel entered Townsend harbor. Here they found
several vessels that had sought shelter from the fury of
the storm, among which was a vessel bound to Frank-
fort. Not desirous of continuing their acquaintance
with the captain and crew with whom they first sailed,
they transferred their effects to the Frankfort vessel and
took passage in her. Arriving safely at Frankfort in
due time the oxen, horses and ox-wagon were landed.
Mr. Fifield proceeded directly to the township and
arranged with Joseph Garland and John Grant, who
now owned the mill built two years earlier, to send a
pair of oxen each to help the incoming emigrants along.
The supplies and tools were transferred to the boat
belonging to the vessel and under direction of the mate,
Messrs. Flanders, Silver and Currier brought them safely
to Bangor.
From Frankfort to the Township
The oxen, as soon as they were in condition to begin
their overland journey, were hitched to the wagon and
driven to Bangor by Moses Gordon. Here the tools and
60 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
supplies were transferred from the boat to the wagon.
A Mr. Hasey of Levant, who was in Bangor at the time
with an ox-team, assisted Mr. Gordon to haul his load
to the elevated land away from the river. The party
passed the night at the Campbell place in Bangor. The
next morning Mr. Campbell helped them to the north
line of Bangor with his team, where they met Mr.
Fifield with Joseph Garland's oxen. The team now
moved slowly forward, crossing the clayey bed of the
unbridged Kenduskeag at the foot of a long declivity,
now known as the Jameson Hill, without accident.
The party reached Levant, now Kenduskeag, at night-
fall, where they tarried until morning with Major Moses
Hodsdon. From this point to Lincolntown, a distance
of fourteen miles, a sled road had been bushed out to
what is now known as West Corinth, thence to the Simon
Prescott place in the northwest corner of New Ohio
(Corinth), thence to the mill in Lincolntown (Garland).
The old county road from Garland to Bangor, estab-
lished about a dozen years later, followed very nearly the
route of the sled road which has been described. Our
party of emigrants took an early breakfast and an early
start from the hospitable home of Major Hodsdon with
the determination to reach their destination before
indulging in another night's sleep. They had fourteen
miles to travel over a way which no wheeled carriage had
ever passed, but they had a strong, although slow mov-
ing team. They had, also, three or four stalwart, reso-
lute men, armed with axes and handspikes, to precede
the team and widen the way for the passage of the
wagon. Three miles on their way they met Landeras
Grant from Lincolntown with another voke of oxen to
aid in hauling the load. Their progress was slow and
night overtook them four miles short of their objective
point. It was now raining and very dark, but they
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 61
moved on without serious interruption until they reached
the swamp about one mile south of the present village
of Garland. Here the wheels sunk into the mud to the
hubs and it was so dark that the axemen were unable to
see the obstacles that were in the wa}'. Fortunately the
way Avas now wide enough to admit of the passage of
the wagon if the numerous sharp angles could be
avoided. Landeras Grant was the man for the occa-
sion. He was familiar with every part of the way and
knew every angle — seemed to know it instinctively —
and could indicate it as well in the darkness of night as
in the light of day. With Landeras to pilot them they
were sure to get safely through. He therefore took
charge of the expedition, and obeying his commands, the
teamsters "hawed and geed" and floundered through
the swamp. The part}' was now near the end of its
journey and an hour later it was comfortably quartered
in John Grant's camp near the mill in Lincolntown.
Before retiring to rest the members of the party gave to
the mirey swamp which had so seriously retarded their
progress the name of "The Lake," which it retained
many years. In 1814, the town of Garland voted to
lay out a road from "The Lake, so called, to Exeter
line."'
After a brief rest the men of this party repaired to
lot nine, range ten, the site of the present home of D.
B. McComb, and commenced building a cabin for the
reception, in the following spring, of Amos Gordon's
family. At the completion of this job a piece of land
was cleared for raising a crop the following year. The
men then repaired to lot eleven, range three, the site of
the present home of Joel W. Otis. This lot and lot
number ten in the same range had been purchased by
Edward Fifield. On lot number eleven a piece of trees
had been felled and the ground burned over. When
62 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
or by whom the opening had been made tradition does
not inform us. Being remote from other beginnings, it
probably had been made without attracting the attention
of other settlers and quietly abandoned. But the
question as to who had made this beginning did not
trouble Mr. Fifield. His own title being satisfactory,
his immediate purpose was to clear the land for a crop
the following year, which by the help of his companions
was soon accomplished. Late in autumn the Gordons,
Mr. Fifield and their companions returned to New
Hampshire to prepare for the renewal of their efforts to
wrest homes from the unwilling wilderness.
Early Births in the Township
It has been said that children are among the earliest
productions of a new colony. Whether this is true as
a general proposition or not, it was true of the settle-
ment at Lincoln town as facts will show. There is a
tradition that in the year 1808, the second year of the
settlement, a son was added to the household of John
and Agnes Grant Knight. If the fact is in harmony
with the tradition, this was the first birth in the new
township. There are records to show that in 1804, the
third year of the settlement, there were four births in the
township. On the 24th of January, 1804, there was
born to Miriam Chase, wife of John M. Chase, a daugh-
ter, Polly Chase. To the family of Joseph and
Zeruiah Garland, there was the addition of a daughter,
Zeruiah Garland, born February 3, 1804. To the
family of Justus and Miriam Harriman there was the
addition of a son, Manoah Harriman, born May 14th,
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 68
1804, and to the family of Isaac and Betsey Murray
Wheeler, there was the addition of a son, Reuben
Wheeler, born September 20th, 1804*. These records
were copied from family records and entered upon the
records of the town after its incorporation in 1811.
Lincolntown in 180.5
A resident of any railroad village in the state of New
Hampshire might, in the year of grace, 1868, have risen
at a convenient hour in the morning, sipped his cup of
coffee, read the morning news leisurely and stepped
aboard the cars, valise in hand, and at the end of a jour-
ney that had been monotonously comfortable, have
found himself at night enjoying the hospitality of
friends in the pleasant town of Garland.
A Striking Contrast
■£>
The convenience, dispatch and comfort of journeying
now are in strange contrast with the discomfort and
hardships of traveling at the opening of the present
century. At the opening of the year 1805, there were
living in Hopkinton, N. H., three families who had
determined to leave the homes of their birth, the friends
of their youth, and the associations of their earlier life
and establish new homes in a remote township of eastern
Maine. These were the families of Amos Gordon,
including himself, his wife, several sons and four daugh-
64 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
ters, whose names were Polly, Betsey, Nancy and Miriam ;
John Chandler and family, consisting of himself, his wife
and several children, among whom was our late and well
remembered citizen, James J. Chandler, then a boy of
seven years ; Moses Gordon and his wife and a daughter
of fourteen months. The families were accompanied by
Jeremiah Flanders and Sampson Silver, who afterwards
became citizens of the township. The latter was a
brother of Moses Gordon's wife. The company of emi-
grants embraced men and women in the vigor of life,
boys and girls and children of tender age. Early in
February, their preparations having been completed,
they bade adieu to relatives and friends whom they might
never again see, and taking passage upon open sleds they
committed themselves to a sea of snow of uncommon
depth even for an old-fashioned New England winter.
The journey was made with horse teams. They were
obliged to take with them supplies both for the journey
and for immediate use at the journey's end, and such
household goods as were necessary to meet the simple
requirements of pioneer life.
They had scarcely started on their journey when they
encountered a storm, which was the first of a succession
of storms that assailed them almost every day until they
reached the end. There was an unlimited expanse of
deep snow on every side of them and furious clouds of
snow, driven by fierce winds, above them. The several
teams, though traveling as near each other as was con-
sistent with convenience and safety, were sometimes
hidden from each other through almost the entire day in
"the tumultuous privacy of storm." There was, how-
ever, one mitigating circumstance. Much of the latter
part of their route led them through dense forests that
shielded them somewhat from the violence of the storms.
But their progress was toilsome and tedious. Much of
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 65
the country through which they passed was sparsely set-
tled. There were but few public houses on the latter
part of their route, but the hospitality of the scattered
families was limited only by their ability. When this
party of emigrants reached the town of Harmony, they
were tendered the use of the house and barn of Mr.
Leighton, who, with his worthy wife, administered to
their wants and comfort to the full extent of their
ability. Mrs. Leighton had, a few months earlier, pre-
sented her husband with twin children, who, disturbed
by some of the ills of childhood, cried vociferously
through a large part of the night. The mother walked
the room with them, carrying each by turn, endeavor-
ing to soothe them by singing that grand old tune,
Old Hundred. It was a satisfaction to know that reared
by such a mother, under the inspiration of such music,
they became substantial citizens of an intelligent com-
munity.
The snow had reached such depth when the party
arrived at Harmony that a detention of several days
seemed inevitable. The sleds were unloaded and the
men started with their teams with the intention of
breaking their way to the end of their route. When
they had reached the next township, now Ripley, they
were much elated to find that, in anticipation of their
coming, the settlers of Lincolntown had broken the way
through the snow to that point as an expression of their
satisfaction at the prospect of so large an accession to
their numbers.
Returning to Harmony the party reloaded their sleds
and renewed their journey. At nightfall they found
themselves within the limits of the present town of
Dexter, where they passed the night in an old camp.
The night of the next day, February 22, 1805, found
them at the end of their journey. They had taken
66 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
twenty-one days to perform a journey of about two
hundred miles. The fast sailing steamers of the present
day would make their trips across the Atlantic Ocean
and return in an equal period of time.
Amos and Moses Gordon, with their families, went
directly to the log house that had been built the preced-
ing autumn, where the}r quickly started a fire with fuel
that had been prepared and left in the house.
When ready to cook their first meal Mr. Gordon,
assuming a mysterious air, went to a barrel that at the
close of the previous season's operations had been left
partly filled with pork, intending to surprise the hungry
members of his household with a generous piece of that
article. The surprise was complete- — but Mr. Gordon
was the individual surprised. . In the interval between
autumn and the time of the arrival of the family some
of the original dwellers of the "forest primeval" had
appropriated the meat.
John Chandler and family spent the first night in
Lincoln town with the family of Joseph Garland. After-
wards they were quartered a few weeks with the family
of Justus Harriman.
Burned Out
The Gordon and Chandler families had experienced
severe hardships during their recent journey to Lincoln -
town and hardships were still in store for them. They
were yet to be buffeted by forces that seemed to chal-
lenge their right to a foothold in the new township.
They had been assailed by violent storms through weary
days while on their way to it. Now that they had
67
safelv reached it a more severe trial awaited some of
their numbers. While in the township in the autumn
of 1804, Amos Gordon purchased a piece of land just,
within the limits of the present town of Dexter, about
two miles away from his own land, for his son Moses
Gordon. A small opening had been made upon it, and
a cabin of logs with a bark roof had been built.
This would shelter his family until better accommo-
dations could be provided. In the month of March,
after they had recovered from the fatigue of their recent
journey and a hard crust had formed upon the surface
of the deep snow, Moses Gordon, assisted by other mem-
bers of the family, embraced the opportunity to haul
his furniture, household goods and other needful things
to his cabin on a hand-sled. Having finished this work,
he repaired to the little cabin early one bright morning
and arranged his scanty supply of furniture so as to give
the one solitary apartment as cheerful an aspect as possi-
ble. After building a fire in the stone fire-place and
guarding it, as he believed, from danger of accident, he
returned to get Mrs. Gordon to introduce her to the
new home. The latter hastily preparing herself, they
started on their morning's walk. The pure, bracing air
of the early spring morning imparted buoyancy to their
movements and inspired courage for the encounter with
the hardships immediately before them, and inspired
hopes of the "better time coming.'' A brisk walk car-
ried them to the little opening which two hours earlier
had contained all their worldly goods, when, to their
utter dismay, the site of their little cabin presented
nothing but a heap of blackened and smouldering ruins.
Their household goods, their wearing apparel, their
scanty supply of food, all the articles for use and con-
venience that had been made by Mrs. Gordon's own
hands — all these things had disappeared in a brief hour.
68 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
This sudden change of prospect was too much even for
the cheerful, the hopeful, the courageous Mrs. Gordon.
She fainted and fell upon the icy crust that covered the
snow.
When consciousness returned, she found herself sitting
upon an old chest that had been left outside the cabin
because it was worthless. It was the only thing that
had escaped the fire. A sickening smoke was curling up
from the blackened ruins, as if in mockery of her grief.
Mr. and Mrs. Gordon returned wearily to Amos Gordon's
to remain until other arrangements for housekeeping
could be made.
During the spring of 1805, Mr. Gordon selected, and
afterwards purchased lot ten, range five. The year
following he felled six acres of trees on the lot and built
a house on the site now occupied by the Murdock build-
ings. The boards which covered the house were hauled
from Elkinstown (Dexter) with an ox-team. It required
two days to go to that place and return with a load,
although the distance was only five miles.
Early the following autumn he moved his family into
the house. The boards with which the house was cov-
ered, shrunk by the heat of the fire in the large stone fire-
place, leaving openings for the winds to enter unbidden.
The members of the family would sometimes awaken in
the morning to find that wind and snow had provided an
extra covering for their beds. Thus it was with many
of the houses of the earlier settlers.
A Spacious Sleeping Apartment
John Chandler and his family, who accompanied the
Gordon families on their journey to Lincolntown, spent
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 69
the night in the township under the hospitable roof of
Joseph Garland. The next day they found quarters in
the cabin of Justus Harriman, where they remained until
the first of May. Mr. Chandler had purchased of
Arnold Murray his interest in lot eight, range nine,
which joined Mr. Harriman's lot. Mr. Murray had
felled an opening on this lot three years earlier and had
raised one or two crops there. Henry Merrill, who mar-
ried a granddaughter of John Chandler, now owns and
occupies the same lot.
Mr. Harriman's little cabin afforded close quarters
for his own family. There was scarcely more than
standing room for two families. Lodgings for the
Chandler family must be sought elsewhere. Necessity
often enforces compliance with accommodations that
accord neither with choice nor convenience. In this case
it compelled the Chandler family to resort to the barn for
lodgings. Beds were, therefore, placed in the barn and
comfortably furnished. The inconvenience in the case
was in getting to and from the barn through the snow and
water of the warm spring days. Repairing to the barn
for the night without adequate protection for the feet,
the hosiery of the family became saturated with water.
Cold nights followed warm days and the footwear would
freeze. Fruitful in expedients, Mrs. Chandler wrung
the water from the hosiery and placing it between the
feather and straw beds it came out in the morning in
good condition for use.
The Surprise
Soon after the arrival of the Chandler family in the
township Mr. Chandler commenced preparations to build
70 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
a house. Before the coming of May he had a frame up,
ready to cover; also a supply of boards and nails.
Keeping house at Mr. Harriman's, where the room was
so limited, had become irksome to both families. Mrs.
Chandler cherished a strong desire for a home of her
own at the earliest possible date. One day, early in
May, Mr. Chandler was about to start on a business
trip to Bangor on horseback. He would be absent three
days. As he rode from the dooiyard Mrs. Chandler
mysteriously hinted that on his return he would find
something to surprise him. He had no sooner disap-
peared in the forest than she summoned their hired man,
Sampson Silver, to her assistance, directing him to equip
himself with the necessary tools and go to the house
frame which was a short distance away and nail to frame
and rafters enough boards to shield herself and familv
from wind and rain. Mr. Silver, entering into the spirit
of the joke, had accomplished the work he was directed
to do by nightfall of the first day. At the close of the
second day, which opened auspiciously for the accom-
plishment of their plans, beds, cooking utensils and
other things necessary to a rude form of housekeeping
had been moved in and the family had taken possession
of their new quarters.
But now to their dismay ominous clouds were rapidly
gathering. About midnight while the members of this
little family might have been indulging in pleasant
dreams, inspired by the sentiment that "be it ever so
humble there is no place like home," the rain suddenly
came, and, to use a modern phrase, "the storm center"
seemed to rest directly over the devoted household.
With the ready command of expedients characteristic
of the earl}7 settlers, Mrs. Chandler promptly summoned
the hired man, and together they rolled beds and bed-
ding into the smallest possible compass and covered them
w
!
with boards which were at hand, thus saving them from
getting wet. The morning of the third day dawned
pleasantly and it was spent in obliterating the traces of
the recent rain and preparations for the reception of Mr.
Chandler on his return from Bangor.
The mind of the latter as he approached his home
was sharply exercised over the solution of the character
of the surprise that awaited his return. Emerging from
the shadows of the forest just as night was shutting over
the scene, into the little opening which he had often
looked upon as the site of his future residence, he met
his wife who smilingly invited him to the comforts of
their new home. This was the surprise so mysteriously
suggested as he rode from the Harriman cabin three
days earlier. Mr. Chandler now continued the work on
the new house which Mrs. Chandler had so heroically
begun, until it reached the condition of a comfortable
dwelling.
A Discovery
The difficulty of procuring seed for crops constituted
one form of hardship for the early settlers of a new
township. They were often compelled to travel many
miles on foot for this purpose and bear their purchases
home on their shoulders.
Mr. Chandler was, however, more fortunate in supply-
ing himself with seed for his first crop of potatoes. He
found a plat that had been planted with potatoes the
preceding year by Mr. Murray, who had left the crop in
the ground through the winter, which, covered by the
deep snow, had not been frozen. From this plat he dug
72 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
eight bushels of the tubers that were in good condition
for seed.
From seed thus obtained many crops were raised in
this and subsequent years by Mr. Chandler and his
neighbors. This discovery was more to the Chandlers
than the acquisition of a thousand gold dollars to a
Vanderbilt of the present time.
Arnold Murray, who had made a beginning on lot
eight, range nine, in 1802 and had sold his interest in
the lot to John Chandler in 1805, made another begin-
ning on lot eleven, range nine, in 1805, where he lived
for several years. This lot afterwards passed into the
hands of a Mr. Besse and has since been known as the
Besse place, although it has passed through the hands of
several different owners since.
Another Fire in 1805
An ever present menace to the inhabitants of a new
township is the liability to the loss of their homes and
property by fire. The flues that conducted the smoke
from the fierce fires of the large stone fire-places of their
humble cabins were often built of sticks and clay. Such
chimneys would sometimes burn and the debris falling
into the capacious fire-place below, the cabin would
escape destruction by the fiery agent. But the more
immediate danger from fire arose from the necessity of
clearing land for crops by burning the forest growth.
In times of drought the fire which had been set to clear
the lands for the season's crops would be driven by
adverse winds towards the buildings of the settlers and
their homes would suddenly disappear.
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 73
Josiah Bartlett, who had made the first beginning in
the township, was the subject of a misfortune of this
kind in 1805. He had built a small but comfortable
house and barn, and with characteristic prudence, had
laid in supplies for use through the summer and autumn,
and seed for his crops. He had also provided himself
with an abundance of clothing. In his barn were a yoke
of oxen, a horse and his farming tools. One day while
at work at a considerable distance from the buildings they
took fire from some burning piles near them. His
sister, afterwards a Mrs. Chase of Epping, N. H., who
was keeping house for him, was absent on a visit at
William Sargent's, who lived where James Rideout now
resides.
When he saw that his buildings were on fire he
hastened to them, reaching them just in time to save one
feather-bed. The horse and one ox were burned to
death in the barn. The other ox died the next day.
In relating these occurrences years later to children and
friends Mr. Bartlett used to say that as he could not
save the buildings by his unaided efforts, and knowing
that there was no human being near enough to respond
to cries for assistance, he carried the feather-bed he had
snatched from the flames to a safe distance from the
burning ruins and lying upon it, he calmly watched the
progress of the destructive elements and congratulated
himself that the calamity was no worse.
Mr. Bartlett lost a second barn a few vears later and
with it some valuable stock.
74
First Beginning in the Southwest Part of the
Township
The coming of Edward Fifield into the township, in
company with the Gordon and Chandler families in the
autumn of 1804, to clear land whereon to establish a
home has been noted. This was the first beginning in
the southwest part of the township. Mr. Fifield came
from the town of Ware, N. H. Early in the spring of
1805 he returned to the township to build a house and
make preparations for raising crops. He was accom-
panied by several sons and Mr. John Hayes, a carpenter,
who took charge of building the house which was located
on the site of the buildings upon the Joel W. Otis place.
After clearing several acres for a crop of wheat, the seed,
which had been purchased of Cornelius Coolidge of
Elkinstown (Dexter), must be brought to the place
where it was to be sown, and in the absence of any
other mode of conveyance, it was borne in bags upon
the shoulders of Mr. Fifield and his stalwart sons. As
there was no trail leading directly to the Coolidge place,
the Fifields followed a circuitous route which had been
marked for the convenience of others. This route led
them across the outlet of Pleasant Pond to the Murdock
place, thence easterly to the brook a little to the east of
Maple Grove Cemetery, thence northwesterly to the
Dearborn place, thence westerly on the line of the
present center road to the Coolidge place. The distance
traveled to the Coolidge place and back must have been
twelve miles.
The field they had cleared embraced several acres and
the}7 were obliged to make several trips to get the
required quantity of seed. At the close of the spring
farming Mr. Fifield returned to New Hampshire for his
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 75
family, which before the close of June, was safely estab-
lished in the new home.
Coming of Mechanics
*&
Nearly all the immigrants to the township during the
first two or three years were farmers, who could build
rude cabins and perform other necessary work without
the aid of skilled labor. With prudent foresight they
brought with them wearing apparel and other articles of
prime necessity to meet immediate wants. But as time
passed and numbers increased and wants multiplied,
there was a demand for mechanics, and mechanics came.
Two or three of this useful class of citizens came at an
early date. These were followed by others in 1805. In
those earlier days of the township the mechanic could
not depend upon constant employment at his trade. It
was, therefore, the common practice for this class of
men to provide themselves with land so that they might
resort to the source that supplies, directly or indirectly,
universal humanity with food.
John Hayes came into the township in 1805 to do
the carpentry upon the house of Edward Fifield, whose
daughter he subsequently married. He purchased lot
ten in range two and in 1806 built a house upon it,
where he lived until his death. The place where he lived
is now owned and occupied by S. M. Paul.
In March, 1805, the first shoemaker made his appear-
ance in the township in the person of Enoch Jackman,
who emigrated from Salisbury, Mass. Mr. Jackman
established his family upon lot eight, range six, where
Landeras Grant had made a beginning two years earlier.
76 HTSTOEY OF GARLAND, MAINE
The place was afterwards known as the Henry Calef
place. No family lives upon it at the present time.
Mr. Jackman was a faithful and accommodating work-
man and was regarded as a valuable acquisition to the
township. Like other men of his trade he went from
house to house for the families who furnished the stock,
carrying his tools with him. He charged seventy -five
cents for his services per day and the making of two
pairs of shoes was a day's work. He was of a kindly
and social disposition and his narrations of the experi-
ences of life in the new township gathered from the lips
of his patrons, ranging from the ludicrous to the
pathetic, were listened to with great interest. More-
over the click of his hammer upon the old-fashioned
lap-stone was prophetic of comfort in the wintry days
coming. While on a visit to the township previous to
his immigration he humorously boasted that he would
bring with him a shoemaker, a schoolmaster and a
schoolmistress. The promised shoemaker was embraced
in his own personality. Two of his daughters taught
school in the old schoolhouse that stood in the corner
nearly opposite the present schoolhouse in district number
eight. Both were women of great physical strength, and
it was a venturesome youth who dared invoke their dis-
pleasure. The promised schoolmaster never appeared.
Mr. Jackman had been favored with a good education for
the times and possessed a remarkable memory. Tradition
says of him that after listening to a sermon, although
appearing to have been asleep during its delivery, he
would repeat nearly the whole of it without apparent
effort. Mr. Jackman lived on the Calef place only a
few years. His second residence in the township was on
lot nine, range ten, now owned by Henry Merrill.
In the spring of 1805, Nathan Merrill, a carpenter
and spinning-wheel maker, moved into the township and
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 77
established a home on the easterly part of lot six, range
two, opposite the present residence of Glenn Morgan.
To the present generation it may seem almost incredi-
ble that during the opening years of the present century,
and within the memory of many now living, the yarn
that entered into the clothing of the inhabitants of the
Province of Maine, whether woolen, cotton or flaxen,
was spun by hand on the old-fashioned spinning-wheel.
Spinning was a widely diffused industry and the monoto-
nous hum of the spinning-wheel was heard in every well-
ordered household. The manufacturer of a spinning-
wheel, was therefore, regarded as a useful citizen.
John Knight, who two years earlier had married into
the Grant family, located and built upon the westerly
part of lot six, range two, in 1805. The site of his
house is marked by the old cellar that may still be seen
a short distance east of the present residence of Albert
Grinnell.
Enoch Clough, for many years a well-known citizen of
Garland, came to the township in 1805.
Simon French also came the same year.
A Large Crop of Corn
Wm. Godwin, who had purchased one hundred acres
of land of David A. Gove and had felled an opening on
it in 1804, enlarged it this year and raised a large crop
of corn. The large crops of corn and wheat that were
early realized attracted many persons to the township.
The site of his buildings was opposite Maple Grove
Cemetery.
78 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
The First Strawberry Festival
Peter Chase had made a beginning on lot seven, range
nine in 1802. A year later he cleared land and sowed
grass seed on it. In 1804, that most delicious berry,
the strawberry, appeared. In 1805 they were quite
abundant.
In the meantime Mr. Chase had built a small house.
His nearest neighbor, Moses Smith, had made a begin-
ning on the adjoining lot. Chase and Smith were
young men without families and lived together in the
house of the former. When the berries had ripened
those men conceived the plan of calling the scattered
inhabitants together to share with them a feast of ber-
ries. In response to the invitation the people of the
entire township assembled at the strawberry field at the
appointed time. At the end of an hour spent in pick-
ing berries they were invited to the house, where to
their surprise and gratification, they found a table cov-
ered with substantial food which had been provided by
their bachelor friends. With the addition of strawber-
ries, and the cream that had been brought by some of
the company, and tea sweetened with maple sugar,
which the women pronounced delicious, the entertain-
ment was without doubt, enjoyed as keenly as the more
elaborate entertainments of the present day. At the
close, a brief time was spent in the expression of friendly
interest and good wishes. The company then separated
and soon disappearing in the shadows of the forest,
eagerly threaded their way to their scattered homes,
carrying with them pleasant memories to cheer them in
the days that followed.
At the close of the season Chase and Smith left the
township not to return. It must have been an occasion
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 79
of keen regret to the scattered families that an acquaint-
ance so pleasantly began should have terminated so
abruptly.
The First School
The school was an essential factor in the progress of
New England civilization. It sprang from New Eng-
land ideas as naturally as weeds from the fire-swept lands
of the new settlement. The necessary conditions were
few and simple. A half dozen children of school age, liv-
ing within a mile of a common center, a person qualified
to instruct in the simplest rudiments of English literature
whose services were available, books of the most ele-
mentary character and, in warm weather, a spare corner
in some house or barn — these were all the conditions
necessary to the opening of a school. The products of
the soil constituted the currency of the inhabitants and
teachers were usually satisfied to receive these in pay-
ment for their services.
After the coming into the township of the Gordon
and Chandler families in 1805, the necessary conditions
were fulfilled and a school was opened in Joseph
Garland's barn, expenses being paid by the parents of
the children. Miss Nancv Gordon, afterwards the wife
of William Godwin, was the teacher, and she had the
honor of teaching the first school in the present town of
Garland. This unpretentious school embraced eight
bright boys and girls, some of whom, in turn, became
teachers of note.
80 HISTOEY OF GARLAND, MAINE
A Disappointment
The early settlers of the township had regarded the
existence of a saw-mill therein with great satisfaction,
but subsequent experience forced the conviction upon
them that it would be of but little advantage to them.
The more sagacious inhabitants desired to have such
timber sawed as was necessary to the construction of
comparatively small and rude habitations, reserving the
larger and more valuable growth of pine, of which there
were considerable quantities, for subsequent use or sale.
They expected to pay bills for sawing by turning over to
the mill owners a share of the lumber sawed, but such
expectations failed of realization.
John Grant from Berwick, Maine, had purchased the
mill in 1803. Early in the spring of that year he
appeared in the township with several grown up sons
and a six ox team with the necessary equipment for the
lumbering business. His plans were not at all in accord
with the expectations of the inhabitants of the town-
ship. There was a good growth of pine on the mill
lot, as well as on other lots in the vicinity of the mill
site. In the language of one of the early settlers
"there was upon the borders of the stream and meadow
below the mill an abundance of pine as handsome as
ever grew from Penobscot soil. ' ' With a team of his
own equipped for service and a crew from his own family
to man it, and with a heavy growth of pine of his own
in close proximity to the mill site and large quantities
that could be purchased at a price merely nominal, he
could stock his mill and supply the inhabitants of neigh-
boring towns, and thereby establish a business that would
yield him a fortune. The growing settlement of Blais-
delltown (Exeter), New Ohio (Corinth), and New
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 81
Charleston (Charleston), extended to the Grants consid-
erable patronage, but not enough to make their business
successful. One great hindrance to success was the lack
of money. The early settlers were scantily supplied
with this vital element of business enterprise. Another
hindrance was the total absence of the spirit of accom-
modation in their dealings with their neighbors. One
of these hauled some spruce logs to the mill with the
purpose of having them sawed into boards. The logs
were of medium size but not entirely innocent of knots.
The Grant who had charge of the mill gruffly refused to
saw them, giving as the reason that the knots were
harder than spikes and that it would take two such logs
to make a decent slab.
Repelled by such rebuffs the inhabitants of the north-
ern and western parts of Lincolntown obtained boards
to cover their buildings at Elkinstown (Dexter).
Among these were Amos and Moses Gordon, Justus
Harriman and John Chandler. The refusal of the
Grants to saw spruce and hemlock was followed by the
necessity of using pine lumber for the most common
purposes. Many of the buildings in this and neighbor-
ing townships were covered with the best quality of pine
boards, while hemlock lumber, which was equally as good
for that purpose, was burned upon the ground where it
grew, to make room for the crops because the mill owners
refused to saw it. After draining the section of the
township immediately around the mill site, the mill
property passed into other hands about the year 1810.
82 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
The Township in 1806
Accessions to the township in 1806 were not numer-
ous, but events occurred that were of importance to the
future of the settlement. Jeremiah Flanders, who had
visited the township in 1804 and had spent the summer
of 1805 therein in the service of Amos Gordon, pur-
chased and made a beginning for himself in 1806 or
1807 on lot eleven, range six, the site of the present
home of Edwin Preble.
Sampson Silver, who had made his first visit to the
township in 1804 and had worked for John Chandler the
following year, made a beginning on the westerly part of
lot ten, range five, the site of the present home of the
late Albert G. Gordon.
Enoch Clough purchased the westerly part of lot
nine, range five, and felled ten acres of trees on it. The
place of this beginning is now owned by Ernest Rollins.
He subsequently exchanged this place with Thomas S.
Tyler for lot ten, range seven.
Philip Greeley came into the township about the year
1806 and bought lot ten, range nine, of James Garland,
built a log house and made some improvements on it.
At the time of his purchase there was an opening on it
of ten acres that had been made bv Mr. Garland in
1802. The westerly part of this lot is now the home
of George Arnold, and Chai'les Carr resides on the east-
erly part. Mr. Greeley emigrated from Salisbury, N.
H., through the influence of the Garland family with
which he was connected by marriage. He soon sold this
lot to William Dustin, a brother-in-law of John
Chandler, and made a beginning on lot nine, range
eight, and subsequently purchased, and lived upon it
until his death. This place was afterwards the home of
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 83
the late Artemas Barton, a well-known citizen of Dex-
ter, now owned by his son, R. M. Barton.
John Trefethen settled on lot eleven, range two, about
1806. William and George W. Wyman afterwards
lived upon this lot for several years. It is now the resi-
dence of John S. Harden.
Joseph Saunders, an emigrant from New Gloucester,
Maine, who had felled an opening on lot four, range
nine, in 1802, moved his family into the township in
1806. He had a large family of children, among
whom was a daughter who had become the wife of
Deacon Robert Seward. The lot where he made his
beginning became the site, in turn, of the residence of
Nathaniel Emerson and Micah C. Emerson. It is now
owned by John E. Hamilton.
Joshus Silver made his appearance in the township in
1806. He did not, however, become immediately a
resident here, having lived in Elkinstown (Dexter) and
Charleston for several years before establishing a resi-
dence in Lincolntown. He finally established a resi-
dence on lot eleven, range seven, where he lived for
several years. Mr. Silver was a man of some eccentrici-
ties. By virtue of being the seventh son of a seventh
son, he claimed power over disease.
The First Tanner
During the first half of the present century the tan-
ning business was a widely diffused industry. Nearly
every town in the vicinity of the present town of Gar-
land was favored with the existence of a tannery, where
the hides of animals slaughtered for food could be con-
84 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
verted into leather, thus supplying an ever existing
necessity. From the middle of the century the small
tanneries disappeared. This was due partly to the
growing scarcity of the bark supply and partly to the
increasing tendency of absorption of small manufactur-
ing industries by large establishments and corporations,
whose command of money enabled them to appropriate
improved modern methods and expensive machinery.
A few years subsequent to the War of the Rebellion
the small tanneries had nearly all disappeared.
Lincolntown's first tanner, who was also a shoemaker,
was Andrew Griffin. Mr. Griffin purchased ten acres of
land of Joseph Garland, located on the brook between
the present residences of David Dearborn and Barton
McComb. Here he built a small framed house for his
family in 1806 and a shop for his business. A small
level plat still shows the locality of his tan-vats, which
were just outside his shop. A rude covering protected
his bark and apparatus for grinding it, from rain. His
machinery for grinding bark was of the most primitive
character. It consisted of a circular platform of plank,
ten or twelve feet in diameter, through the center of
which an upright post was set firmly in the earth. The
section of the post above the platform was about three
feet in height. A circular piece of granite six feet in
diameter and ten or twelve inches in thickness was placed
in a vertical position on the outer edge of the platform.
A wooden shaft was passed through the center of the
granite and firmly fastened, one end of which was
attached to the top of the post in the center of the
platform by a revolving joint. A horse, harnessed to
the opposite end of the shaft, traveled around the plat-
form. The bark was broken into small pieces and
thrown under the rolling stone and thus reduced to a
condition suitable for use.
HISTOKY OF GARLAND, MAINE 85
The grinding of a single cord of bark was a good
day's work. It was a tedious method, as indeed were all
the processes of manufacturing leather in those days,
but they met the requirements of the times.
The First Physician
Attendance upon the sick in the new settlements of
eastern Maine at the opening of the present century
was a long remove from holiday amusement. In the
absence of roads the physician in his visits to the scat-
tered families of his own and neighboring townships was
obliged to follow uncertain way-marks along angular
and circuitous routes through dense forests — to cross
unbridged streams — climb over prostrate trees — to make
circuit of bogs and swamps and to scale hills and
mountains. If darkness obscured his pathway while
yet in the forest remote from human habitations, his
only alternative was to brace himself for hours of soli-
tude and nervous apprehension while listening to the
stealthy tread of prowling beasts (oftener imaginary
rather than real) and the dismal hooting of long visaged
owls. The companionship of a faithful horse or dog, if
he was fortunate enough to possess one, would divert
the sluggish hours of much of their dreariness, but the
humble followers of iEsculapius were then oftener
destitute of both than otherwise.
In the year 1806 the first physician of the township,
in the person of Dr. Joseph Pratt, made his appearance.
He was accompanied by a brother. The two brothers
found a temporary home in the family of Joseph
Garland. The destitution of a physician in the town-
86 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
ship before the coming of Dr. Pratt had been the occa-
sion of inconvenience and anxiety. His coming was
hailed with joy and he subsequently proved himself
worthy of confidence, both as a physician and citizen.
His practice extended to other townships.
An incident of his early practice will illustrate his
fidelity to his profession as well as the hardships which
the physician was occasionally called to endure. A Mr.
Brockway of Amestown (Sangerville) desired the ser-
vices of a physician in his family and Dr. Pratt was
summoned. It was midwinter — the weather was cold
and the snow deep. As a horse could not be used, a
more primitive method of travel was resorted to. The
distance to Amestown in a direct course was ten miles, but
the route followed required more than twenty miles of
travel. Daunted neither by distance, depth of snow nor
stress of weather, Dr. Pratt fastened on his snowshoes
and started in response to the summons. His line of
travel led him to Elkinstown (Dexter) thence to his
objective point. He arrived in Amestown in due time
and accomplished the purpose of his visit, but when
ready to start on his journey homeward, a violent storm
of snow, the first of a succession of storms, began and
detained him from day to day. When he reached home
he found by consulting the calendar that he had been
absent twenty-one days.
The First Visit of a Minister
Religious meetings in the township in the first few
years of its history were neither of frequent nor regular
occurrence. Many of its residents having been relig-
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 87
iously educated, keenly felt their destitution of religious
privileges. The Sabbath, which they had been accus-
tomed to regard as a day for rest and religious improve-
ment, now gave no sign of its presence save by the
partial cessation of the ordinary business of the week
and the interchange of social visits between the scat-
tered families. When, therefore, after a lapse of four
years, they were favored with occasional visits of some
devoted minister, they hailed his presence with mani-
festations of joy and heard him gladly. To them it
was prophetic of better days. The glad news of his
coming was spread from house to house and the Sabbath
found the scattered people with one accord in one place.
In their eagerness to hear the words of the living
preacher they forgot their denominational preferences, if
indeed they cherished any.
The first minister to visit the township was the Rev.
Samuel Sewall, one of the numerous family of ministers
of that name. Mr. Sewall 's first visit to the township
was in 1806. He preached his first sermon in the house
of Joseph Garland, where the people gathered and lis-
tened with great interest. He afterwards made several
visits to the township.
First Winter School
The first summer school in the township, taught by
Miss Nancy Gordon, in Joseph Garland's barn, has been
noticed. The following winter William Mitchell, then
residing in Elkinstown (Dexter), taught school in Joseph
Garland's house, which occupied the site of the present
residence of David Dearborn. The school embraced
88 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
scholars of all ages from all parts of the township.
Several persons who had passed the limit of school age
attended it. It was a school of respectable numbers.
Mr. Mitchell had been a student in the old academy at
Gilmantown, N. H. He was a man of more than ordi-
nary intelligence for the times. He was original in
methods, abrupt in manners and stern in discipline.
Many of his scholars carried very distinct recollections
of his words and ways through life. Our late venerable
citizen, James J. Chandler, was one of his scholars.
As Mr. Mitchell was, in later years, a resident of
Garland and was laid to rest in one of its cemeteries,
some of his early experiences illustrative of pioneer life
in eastern Maine at the beginning of the present century
may appropriately be noticed.
He early emigrated from Sanbornton, N. H., to
Athens, Maine. In the autumn of 1802, he selected a
piece of land in Elkinstown (Dexter) and built a small
cabin of logs thereon. The site of the little cabin was
a short distance east of the present residence of A. L.
Barton and near the westerly limit of Lincolntown.
The brook, upon the margin of which the cabin stood,
is still known as the Mitchell brook. Early in March,
1803, he employed a neighbor with a two-horse team to
move his family and such household goods as would be
needed for immediate use to his cabin in Elkinstown, a
distance of about eighteen miles. Up to the morning
of their departure from Athens the weather had been
cold and the deep snow had been hard enough to bear up
a two-horse team. Unfortunately, the weather had
become much warmer and the horses slumped badly.
Articles of furniture were thrown off by the wayside
from time to time to lighten the load. They pressed
resolutely onward until they reached the site of the
present town of Ripley where night overtook them.
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 89
Too much fatigued to continue the unequal struggle
they determined to cease further efforts until strength
and courage should be renewed by a night's rest. There
was no attractive hotel to offer them entertainment nor
even a settler's cabin to invite them to its friendly
shelter. A little shelter of poles and evergreen boughs
was hastily built. A bed of boughs covered with
blankets they had with them afforded a comfortable rest-
ing place for the night. The following morning opened
brightly but bore with it unmistakable indications of
continued warm weather. A frugal breakfast was hastily
prepared and eaten. The family was making prepara-
tions to continue its journey, when, to their utter dis-
may, the teamster informed them that it was useless to
attempt farther progress with team, and that he should
turn it towards home. Neither entreaty nor expostu-
lation availed to change his determination. Throwing
off what remained of his load he abruptly left them in a
limitless sea of snow. The family embraced the father,
mother, an infant son in his mother's arms and five
daughters ranging from four to fourteen years of age.
This was not promising material for a forward move-
ment, but Mr. Mitchell was a man of resolute courage,
and in this respect Mrs. Mitchell was not a whit inferior
to her husband. A forward movement was promptly
begun. The three older girls were strong and resolute,
needing but little assistance save occasionally to rescue a
shoe imbedded in the deep, damp snow, from which the
foot had been drawn in the attempt to regain the sur-
face. Mrs. Mitchell was fully equal to the task of bearing
forward her infant son. The transportation of the two
younger girls remained to be provided for. Mr. Mitchell
must carry them, but could not carry them both through
the deep snow at once. He was a man of expedients as
well as courage and quickly solved the difficulty. The
90 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
family was now ready for a forward movement which was
executed as follows: Leaving Mrs. Mitchell, the baby
and the youngest daughter upon the bed of boughs,
which had been their resting place during the night, he
took the next younger girl in his arms and accompanied
bjT the older girls, he moved forward a half mile, where
he left them as the first installment of the party.
Returning to the starting point, he conducted Mrs.
Mitchell with the baby in her arms to the place where
the first installment had been left, carrying the youngest
girl in his arms. The regularity and success of the first
advance inspired something akin to military enthusiasm.
Subsequent movements of the same character brought
them to the residence of John Tucker in Elkinstown,
which was on the hill a little west of the present village
of Dexter. In getting his family forward five miles Mr.
Mitchell had travelled fifteen miles in marching and
counter-marching. It was near night when the tired
family reached the residence of Mr. Tucker, where they
remained three days and were treated with the hospitality
characteristic of the times. During this time the
weather became colder, and a hard crust forming on the
surface of the snow, Mr. Mitchell collected the goods
which had been thrown from the load on the first day and
hauled them to Ripley on a hand-sled. On the fourth
day they moved into their own log-cabin by the brook
which had been built the preceding autumn. Our
former much esteemed resident, the late Mrs. N. P.
Smith, was one of the girls that participated in the
hardships of that remarkable journey from Athens to
Elkinstown in 1803.
The robust personality of the late Mordecai Mitchell,
an esteemed and prominent citizen of Dover, was evolved
from the babe that Mrs. Mitchell carried in her arms from
Ripley to Dexter. Mrs. Smith kindly communicated to
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 91
the writer various particulars relating to their pioneer life
in the wilds of Elkinstown.. Her father's family was the
fifth to take up a residence in that township. They
lived in a log-cabin within which was the traditional
stone fire-place. This was made to do service both in
warming and cooking. Their nearest neighbors were
the families of Seba French of Elkinstown, who moved
into the township a little later than her father, and
Joseph Garland of Lincolntown. These families were
bound together by the closest ties of friendship — a
friendship based upon common experiences of hardship,
loneliness and similarity of disposition and religious
faith.
The Mitchell and Garland families lived four miles
apart, but this was no obstacle to a frequent interchange
of visits by Mrs. Mitchell and Mrs. Garland. A horse-
back ride, guided by spotted lines, brought them often
together, and in the absence of a horse the distance
was made on foot. Mrs. Smith furnished an interesting
account of their mode of living while at Elkinstown
and of the privations and hardships they endured. Mr.
Mitchell spent his winters in teaching, during which
Mrs. Mitchell was left in the lonely cabin with the care
of her large family of young children. On these occa-
sions she exhibited a degree of courage and fortitude
seldom surpassed. If her husband could be useful by
giving instruction to the children of the scattered settle-
ments and at the same time, earn something for the sup-
port of the family in its straitened circumstances, she
was not the woman to interpose objections. Teachers
were then paid for their services in corn, wheat and rye
at prices fixed by custom. The food supply of the
family was of the most simple character. They, in
common with their neighbors, kept a cow, a pig and a
few fowls. For a year or two they procured their bread
92 HISTORY OF GAELAND, MAINE
supply from Cornville. When they began to raise crops
they got their milling done at Cornville, eighteen miles
away. Their cooking was done by an open fire. Among
their luxuries were roasted potatoes in milk, hominy (a
coarse meal from new corn) with a maple syrup accom-
paniment— samp (corn in the milk cut from the cob and
eaten in milk). Their everyday bill of fare was— for
breakfast — corn and rye bread, or milk porridge and
hasty pudding. Their suppers were much like their
breakfasts. Their dinners were of pork and potatoes,
the latter being the largest factor of the meal. Wheat
bread was seldom seen. At barn raisings a few years
later, pork and potatoes, pork and beans, brown bread,
Indian puddings and pumpkin pies were the appropriate
articles of food.
Their beverages were water, milk, crust coffee and a
drink made of a root found in the forest. They very
seldom had the satisfaction of inhaling the odor of the
real tea which women so highly prize. The substitutes
for tea were sage, balm and raspberry leaves.
It was customary for the women to assist in the
lighter farm work. They cultivated the flax plant,
which entered largely into the clothing of both men and
women. They sowed the seed, and cared for the plant
until it came to maturity. Mrs. Mitchell was accus-
tomed to spin and weave its long, strong fibers into
shirting and send it to Bangor for sale. She also pur-
chased cotton in Bangor, spun and wove it into cloth
and returned it to the same place where it was sold at
50 cents per yard. The travel to Bangor was on horseback.
The amusement of the children was simple and health-
ful. They basked in the sunlight that straggled through
the tree tops. They watched with never tiring interest
the nimble movements of the squirrel, now running with
surprising celerity through the tree tops — now disap-
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 93
pearing in the foliage and directly chattering defiance
from some distant point. They listened to the "joyous
music" of the little brook as it ran past their humble
cabin over the stones and shallows. The little brook
trout were a great attraction to them as they darted
from one hiding place to another, and if perchance they
caught one with a pin hook it was a brilliant achieve-
ment, for hath not the poet said,
"Oh what are the honors men perish to win
To the first little shiner I caught with a pin?"
In autumn, like their squirrel neighbors, they gath-
ered beechnuts to store for the winter. They "lived
close to Nature's heart" and their days and weeks were
replete with health and contentment.
Mrs. Mitchell was a women of strong religious pro-
clivities. Upon the advent of the family of Seba
French she found a kindred nature in the person of Mrs.
French. After a brief acquaintance, the two women
selected a spot midway between the two houses where
they met at stated times for conference and prayer.
This was, perhaps, the first prayer-meeting instituted in
the present town of Dexter.
In the year 1809 Mr. Mitchell removed his family
to township number three in the sixth range of town-
ships north of the Waldo Patent, now Dover. He set-
tled upon the lot which afterwards became the home-
stead of his son, Mordecai Mitchell. He had felled and
burned over ten acres of trees the previous summer.
His first work after reaching the new township was the
building of a cabin for the shelter of his family. This
accomplished he commenced clearing the burned piece
for the crops of the season. During his first day's work
he inflicted a wound upon one of his feet with his axe
which incapacitated him for further labor through the
94 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
spring. But his wife and daughters with characteristic
resolution, aided by a hired man, prosecuted the work
that had been so suddenly arrested and raised sixty
bushels of wheat and other crops that entered into the
food supply of the family.
When the Mitchell family had become established at
Dover Mrs. Mitchell, at the solicitation of a prominent
citizen of the vicinity, held religious services on the Sab-
bath. Mr. Mitchell, not being professionally a religious
man, his wife conducted the devotional exercises and he
led the singing and read a sermon or religious literature.
These were the first religious meetings held in what are
now the villages of Dover and Foxcroft.
Mrs. N. P. Smith, the daughter of Mr. Mitchell, to
whom allusion has been made, married a Mr. Bradbury,
a business man of Piscataquis County, who died early,
leaving his wife with the care of one daughter and two
sons.
A few years later Mrs. Bradbury married Deacon
Stephen Smith of Garland, where she immediately took
up her residence. The children of this marriage were
four daughters — Matilda, Caroline, Henrietta and
Hannah, who died in early childhood. Mrs. Smith's
earlier years in Garland were not entirely devoid of pri-
vation. Lewis Bradbury, the younger son of her first
husband, went to the Pacific coast about the year 1850,
where in course of time he became wealthy, and to his
credit it may be said, he remembered his mother and
supplied her abundantly with money. From this time
onward she had no occasion for anxiety about the future
support of herself and family.
Her daughter Caroline went to California in 1859
with a lady friend to seek employment as a teacher. A
few years later she married and became the mistress of a
home of her own. Deacon Smith died in Garland,
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 95
July 15, 1866. In 1873, Mrs. Smith, with her daugh-
ters, Matilda and Henrietta, moved to California where
they enjoyed the comforts of a modern home provided
by her son, Lewis Bradbury. Here, in the neighborhood
of her older children, and blessed by the constant pres-
ence and tender care of her younger daughters, her later
years were years of ease and comfort. She had also the
satisfaction of knowing that her daughters were passing
lives of much usefulness. While living in Garland, Mrs.
Smith was an active member of the Congregational
church. On a beautiful Sabbath morning, near the close
of her residence in Garland, the churchgoers were sur-
prised and delighted at the presence upon the table in
front of the pulpit of an attractive silver communion
service, her parting gift to the people she loved so well.
She also left a sum of money in the hands of her revered
pastor, Rev. P. B. Thayer, to be distributed to the
poorer members of the church in case of sickness or
want.
Mrs. Smith's father, William Mitchell, Garland's
first schoolmaster, died in Garland, May 23, 1842, at
the age of 72 years. Her mother died in Garland
December 19, 1853, at the age of 84.
Early Marriages
The first marriage celebrated in the township is
believed to have been that of John Knight to Agnes
Grant in 1803. In 1804, Isaac Wheeler, Esq., was
united in marriage with Betsey Murray of Rutland,
Mass., a daughter of Alexander Murray. In 1805,
Josiah Bartlett, afterwards known as Elder Bartlett,
96 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
was married to Sarah Kimball, daughter of Andrew
Kimball of Belgrade, Maine.
In 1806, William Godwin married Nancy Gordon of
Lincoln town. The marriage of John Hayes to Martha
Fifield, both of Garland, occurred in 1806. Isaac
Wheeler, Esq., commenced housekeeping soon after his
marriage in a log-cabin that occupied the site next to
the Free Baptist church. He soon afterwards built a
house on the site now occupied by the heirs of the late
William B. Foss.
It was in 1807 that Isaac Wheeler, Esq., and his wife
made their first visit to their old homes in Rutland,
Mass. They took their two children with them on horse-
back to Bangor and thence to Boston by water. One of
these children afterwards became the wife of Charles P.
Chandler of Foxcroft, Maine ; a lawyer of much promi-
nence in Piscataquis County.
On their return to Lincolntown, they were accompa-
nied by Elisabeth Murray, a sister of Mrs. Wheeler,
who soon after became the wife of John S. Haskell.
From this marriage sprang a large family of children
who, in after years, became prominent citizens of Gar-
land.
The marriage of William Sargent to Lucretia Kimball
occurred in 1807. Mr. Sargent lived on the place now
occupied by James Rideout.
The Township in 1807
But few events of importance to the township occurred
in 1807. Men who had made beginnings at an earlier
date were enlarging the area of their cleared lands, erect-
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 97
ing buildings and making improvements. John S.
Haskell, one of the most prominent of the early set-
tlers, built a small house and barn this year, and was
married and commenced housekeeping.
Jeremiah Flanders from Hopkinton, N. H., whose
visits to the township in 1804 and 1805 have been
noted, purchased lot eleven, range six, this year and
made a beginning on it. He built a log camp close by
the brook near where William Jones now lives and occu-
pied it while preparing for a future home.
William Dustin moved into the township this year,
and lived in the log house upon the lot he had purchased
a year earlier of Philip Greeley.
The First Blacksmith
Several of the most useful trades had representatives
in the township as early as 1805, but it was still desti-
tute of a blacksmith. The year 1807 contributed a
representative of this useful trade to the township in the
person of Andrew Kimball of Belgrade, Maine. Mr.
Kimball had at this time three daughters here — Mrs.
James McCluer, Mrs. Josiah Bartlett and Mrs. William
Sargent. These were the attractions that lured him
thither. The settlers of a township can get along with-
out gold and silver but not without iron. The latter
is, in some form, a necessary factor of civilization, and
the worker of iron is esteemed as one of the most useful
of citizens. The coming of Mr. Kimball was, therefore,
hailed with great satisfaction, but his usefulness was
greatly abridged by the want of tools and stock.
The scant supply of necessary materials, and the rude
98 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
character of the tools and fixtures used by the black-
smiths, at the opening of the present century, were not
un frequently the occasion for merriment. A man of
this trade came into a neighboring township to set up in
business. He made a crib of the requisite size of logs
and filled it with sand for a forge, put his bellows in
position, adjusted his anvil to the top of a stump, and
with no suggestion of a covering save the moving tree-
tops, announced himself ready for business.
Shortly after, a stranger who was riding through the
township on horseback, lost a shoe from his horse.
Meeting a resident, he inquired for a blacksmith shop.
The instant reply was — "Why bless you, Sir, you are
in a blacksmith shop now, but it's three miles to the
anvil." Then, with the utmost gravity, he directed the
stranger to the distant anvil.
Mr. Kimball's shop was of smaller dimensions. It
was a rude structure of slabs, located on the brow of the
village saw-mill. Here he shod horses and oxen, mended
plows and chains and did numerous jobs of making and
repairing that came within the range of his facilities for
doing.
A little later, he built a larger and more convenient
shop on the little island just below the site of the grist-
mill owned by Edward Washburn. Like others of his
trade, Mr. Kimball was often obliged to resort to make-
shifts to meet the wants of his patrons. Some of these
would hardly accord with ideas of the professional farrier
of the present time. On one occasion he had business
in Bangor, and must go on foot or horseback. By dint
of effort he procured a shoeless horse, but a horse with-
out shoes might prove a dangerous horse to ride.
Although Mr. Kimball had forged many a horseshoe,
successful work of this kind required iron, and of that
he had none. In a pile of rubbish in a corner he found
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 99
a set of ox- shoes that had been thrown aside as worth-
less. Shaping these to meet the exigency, he nailed two
to each foot of the horse. Thus equipped, he made his
trip to Bangor, accomplished his business and reached
home in due time without accident.
Previous to the coming of Mr. Kimball, the inhabi-
tants of Lincolntown were obliged to go to Simon
Prescott's shop in New Ohio (Corinth) to get their iron
work done. This involved inconvenience, loss of time
and increased expense. Mr. Prescott's price for shoeing
a horse was two dollars.
The Township in 1808
In the year 1808, only one family so far as is now
known, established a residence in the township. This was
the family of Abner Bond, who made a beginning on lot
seven, range eight.
Our well-remembered citizen, Aaron Hill of Bangor,
followed Mr. Bond on the same lot where he built and
lived for many years. The farm is now owned by Davis
and Walker brothers. The date of the transfer of this
place from Mr. Bond to Mr. Hill was 1823. The latter
married and began housekeeping in 1826.
The year 1808 marks the date of the birth of several
children who afterwards became prominent citizens of
the town of Garland. Among these were the late
Daniel M. Haskell and Horace Gordon.
Joseph Treadwell, who had built the first framed
house in the township for John Tyler, and had occupied
it with Mr. Tyler for several years, built a house for
himself on lot four, range seven, in 1808, where he
lived for many years. His twelve-years-old son, the late
100 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
John Treadwell, carried the heavy brown ash braces that
were used in the frame, from the spot where they were
hewn, to the site of the house, upon his shoulder. John
Treadwell succeeded to the ownership of this farm. It
is now owned and occupied by Joseph Treadwell, the
grandson of the original resident. The house is one of
the oldest now standing. This is one of the few
instances where the original homestead remains in the
line of family descent.
The Township in 1809
The population of the township was increased in 1809
by the incoming of several families who settled in differ-
ent parts of it. Asa Burnham from Nottingham, N.
H., settled on lot one, range eight. It is not probable
that he remained long in the township as his name does
not appear on the first voting list prepared three years
later. He became well known in this section as a
devoted and esteemed minister of the Freewill Baptist
denomination, preaching at various places, including
Exeter and Sebec.
A little later, Robert Seward, afterwards known as
Deacon Robert Seward, purchased this lot and lived on
it until the year 1860, when he sold it and moved to
Bangor. While living upon this lot he erected build-
ings, added to, enlarged and improved them from time
to time as convenience required, and his means allowed.
He was also diligent in the improvement of his farm,
which became at length one of the most productive in
the town. His choice of location has sometimes been
criticised somewhat sharply because it was a half mile
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 101
away from any established road. Two strangers
appeared in town at a recent date, who were in pursuit
of farms. They were directed to the Seward farm. A
little later they were seen and asked how they liked the
Seward farm. They replied that they "liked the farm
well but they did not care to live in a British Province. "
But when Deacon Seward made his selection, there
seemed a strong probability that a county road from
Bangor into the Piscataquis region would pass across his
farm, and the location of his buildings was determined
by the expectation that this probability would become
fact. The Seward farm was purchased by Clark
Richardson in 1860, where he lived until his death in
1910.
Jeremiah Flanders from Hopkinton, N. H., having
purchased lot eleven, range six, in 1807, and having
subsequently cleared land and built a house upon it,
married a wife in 1809 and commenced housekeeping.
He occupied this house until about the year 1822, when
he built a two story house which was among the first two
story buildings of the town.
Mr. Flanders improved his farm from year to year
until it became a productive one. It is now occupied
by Edwin Preble.
Mrs. Flanders was accustomed to repair to a log camp,
which her husband had built two years earlier, to do
her weekly washing. The camp occupied a site at the
foot of the slope close by the brook east of the house
where Edwin Preble now lives. On one occasion a down-
pour of rain through the capacious chimney of sticks
and mortar put out the fire. A neighbor's boy, who
was making a friendly call, was sent a half mile to get
fire to rekindle with. That was before the invention of
friction matches. It was no uncommon thing to send to
a neighbor's house for coals of fire to kindle anew.
102 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
Samuel Mansfield purchased a part of lot eight, in
range eight, in 1809, and became a resident of the town-
ship the same year, where he lived until his death, which
occurred July 3d, 1856.
Hollis Mansfield, a son of Samuel Mansfield, lived
with his father several years, but his death occurred
before that of his father. He died in 1847.
The old homestead remains in the line of the family
descent, being owned by Henry Mansfield, a grandson of
Samuel, who still occupies it.
Andrew Griffin, the first tanner and shoemaker of the
township, became dissatisfied with his prospects and sold
his property rights and business to Simeon Morgan of
Elkinstown in 1809, and moved to Levant. Mr. Morgan
soon moved into the house vacated by Mr. Griffin. Mr.
Griffin was the first resident to leave the township after
having established a home in it.
A Notable Barn
In the year 1809, John Chandler built a barn on the
site of his original buildings, eighty feet long and forty-
four feet wide. This was only eight years after the ring
of the settler's axe had first been heard in the township,
and seven years from the harvesting of the first crop.
Up to this time the inhabitants had as a rule provided
themselves with some cheap substitute for a barn.
This barn, towering from an elevated site in the
Chandler opening, like the school boy's exclamation
point, excited wonder and surprise in the minds of many.
Others were filled with admiration of the courage that
carried its conception to a successful result, and of the
MAINE 103
faith that led to the expectation that the barn would
ever be filled with crops.
In the construction of the barn, Seba French, after-
wards known as Judge French of Dexter, was the master
carpenter. The nails used in its construction were
wrought by the hand of a common blacksmith. Some
of them have been preserved as curious relics of the
morning of the present century.
A More Notable Barn
John Chandler and Edward Fifield emigrated to the
township in 1805 — the former from Hopkinton, N. H.,
and the latter from Ware. They had known each
other in New Hampshire.
There appears to have been a spirit of rivalry between
the two men. It was generally known in the township
that each intended to build a barn of unusual size.
Both were uncommunicative about dimensions. When
Mr. Fifield was questioned about the size of his pro-
spective barn, his uniform reply was — "I shall wait until
Chandler builds and then build a larger barn than his. ' '
In 1809, Mr. Chandler took the initiative and built
so large that he believed no sane man would attempt to
outdo him, but he misjudged. Mr. Fifield was firm in
his determination to surpass his neighbors in the number
and size of his buildings as well as in the extent of his
fields and crops. He was still uncommunicative about
the size of his intended barn, but assured inquirers that
it would be larger than Chandler's, and that the frame
would contain three hundred and sixty-five braces to cor-
respond to the number of days in the year.
104
Soon after, Mr. Fifield gratified the curiosity of his
neighbors with the sight of a veritable barn one hundred
and twenty feet long by forty-four feet wide. Like
the Chandler barn it occupied an elevated site, and when,
years later, the surrounding forests were cleared away,
it was seen for long distances. It was claimed to be the
largest barn in the State at the date of its construction.
Seba French of Dexter was the master builder.
The raising of the building was an occasion long
remembered. The country for miles around was scoured
for assistance. The flow of the favorite New England
beverage was commensurate with the greatness of the
building. There are vague traditionary rumors that the
men did not all get home with whole suits. As an inci-
dent of the occasion no use was found for the 365th
brace, a discovery that was followed by a boisterous
laugh from the jubilant crowd and a demand for an extra
treat.
A Remarkable Journey in 1809
Isaac Wheeler, Esq., and his brother-in-law, John S.
Haskell, planned a visit, with their wives, to relatives in
Rutland, Mass., in the autumn of 1809. Their com-
pany included one little boy of tender age for each
couple. There were at that time neither roads nor car-
riages in the township or vicinity. The only practicable
alternative was to make the journey partly on horse-
back. The pioneers of eastern Maine did not allow
trifling obstacles to deter them from the execution of
cherished plans. Each couple took its one small boy on-
to the horse with them, making a company of six to be
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 105
carried on two horses. Thus mounted, they jogged
leisurely along to Winthrop, a few miles beyond Augusta.
Here they hired a two-seated carriage to which they
hitched the two horses, and performed the remainder of
their journey in luxuriant ease.
The return journey was accomplished in the same
manner. The two boys grew to the stature of men.
One of them, Reuben Wheeler, died in early manhood,
esteemed by all who were favored with his acquaintance.
The other, Daniel Murray Haskell, lived to a good
old age, a citizen whose personal qualities were worthy
of imitation by the generations that followed him.
The First Death in the Township
On the 20th day of November, 1809, the death of
Mrs. Polly Fifield, wife of Edward Fifield, occurred.
This being the first death among the little band of set-
tlers, it was the occasion of peculiar sadness throughout
the township. Mrs. Fifield had the faithful services of
Dr. Peabody of Corinth. The funeral services were con-
ducted by a clergyman from Corinth.
The Township in 1810
Sampson Silver came into the township first in 1804
in the employment of Amos Gordon. In 1805, he came
again and worked for John Chandler. During this year,
he purchased of Amos Gordon a part of lot ten, range
five, felled two acres of trees and erected buildings. In
106 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
1810 he married and commenced housekeeping. Mr.
Silver's old homestead was later the home of Albert G.
and Parker Gordon.
Isaac Copeland, who had purchased the westerly part
of lot eleven, range five, of John S. Haskell, and had
felled an opening on it in 1809, built a house in 1810
and moved his family into it in the autumn of the latter
year. He had previously lived in Elkinstown. His
place was afterwards owned and occupied for many years
by the late Stephen D. Jennings, and passed from him
into the hands of his son, Mark C. Jennings.
Cutteon Flanders, a brother of Jeremiah Flanders,
emigrated from Hopkinton, N. H., in 1810 and settled
on the lot afterwards owned by Asa H. Sawtelle, and
now owned by John Hayden.
Ezekiel Straw emigrated to the township from New
Hampshire in 1810, and purchased lot seven, range
seven. Two years later, having made a clearing and
built a house, he married and commenced housekeeping.
Mr. Straw's old homestead is now owned and occupied
by Lionel Lincoln.
The Rev. John Sawyer made a beginning on lot six,
range ten, in 1810, and resided there for several years.
The old Sawyer homestead was subsequently owned and
occupied in turn by Edward Fifield and I. A. Palmer.
It is now owned and occupied by D. F. Patten.
Mr. Sawyer's first visit to the township was in 1809,
when he bore with him a commission from the Maine
Missionary Society for a few weeks' service.
This society had been organized only a single year at
that time. Mr. Sawyer was among its earliest missiona-
ries. His labors here created a deep religious interest
and resulted in the organization of a Congregational
church, the third organized within the present limits of
Penobscot County — the church at Dixmont being the
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 107
first, that of Brewer the second and Garland the third.
The early history of the Garland Congregational church,
and a biographical sketch of Mr. Sawyer, will appear in
another connection.
A Sorrowful Event
In the year 1810, a deeply sorrowful event occurred in
the township. Joseph Saunders and his brother Oliver
were felling some trees for timber on the center road
running east, about a half mile east of the center of the
township. A tall spruce tree which they were chopping
was arrested by a smaller tree as it began to move slowly
towards the ground. Joseph stepped forward to weaken
the smaller tree by a few blows of the axe, so that it
might yield to the pressure of the larger tree and let it
fall to the ground, but the larger tree unexpectedly
became detached from the smaller and fell rapidly.
Oliver, seeing his brother's peril, warned him of his
danger, but it was too late. The tree in its downward
movement crushed one of his legs. Becoming very
faint, he begged for water. His brother replied,
"There is nothing to bring it in;" when he instantly
exclaimed, "Bring it in your shoe!" As soon as assist-
ance could be procured he was removed to his home.
His neighbors believed that his life could be saved
by the amputation of his limb, but his family had a
superstitious dread of the dismemberment of the human
body by the knife and saw, and he soon passed away.
He was a young man, and his death having been the
first that had occurred by accident, was a severe shock
to the inhabitants of the township. At the time of his
108 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
death, he had recently made a profession of religion
under the ministrations of the Rev. John Sawyer. Mr.
Saunders was a brother of Mrs. Robert Seward, and an
uncle of Mrs. Charles E. Merriam.
The First Grist-Mill.
A saw-mill had been built in the township in 1802,
the year from which its settlement dates. The prompt
action of the proprietors in providing a saw-mill encour-
aged emigration to the township. A few years later
a set of stones had been placed in the basement of the
saw-mill for grinding corn and rye, but the patrons of
this very imperfect machinery complained of an undue
percentage of sawdust in the meal thus obtained, and the
inhabitants of the township were anxious for a mill that
would give them the material for purer food.
The Grant family, who had owned and run the saw-
mill from the beginning, had become involved in debt,
and were in no condition to confer upon the township
the boon of a grist-mill. In 1810, the ownership of the
mill property was transferred to Mr. Sanger, one of the
proprietors of the township, to satisfy a claim he had on
it. Mr. Sanger soon sold it to Isaac Wheeler, Esq.,
who in turn sold it to Mr. Church of Clinton, Maine.
Mr. Church was an enterprising man and a skilled
mechanic. The following year he built a small but con-
venient house on the mill brow, west of the site of the
present village saw-mill, and moved his family into it.
A depression on the surface of the ground still reveals
the site of the house.
Having provided a shelter for his family, he built a
MAINE 109
grist-mill upon the site of the present grist-mill. From
a block of granite found near the mill he fitted a run of
stones with his own hands, and performed nearly all the
labor involved in the construction of the mill. It was
accounted a good mill for the times, and was patronized
by the inhabitants of this and neighboring townships.
The house built by Mr. Church was occupied by his
own family as long as he remained in town. It was
afterwards occupied by Reuben Bartlett, who emigrated
to Garland from Nottingham, N. H., about the year
1819, and purchased the mill property. About the year
1826, he built the more commodious house now owned
by Fred Osgood, and sold the house built by Mr. Church
to Samuel Johnson, who moved it to the site now occu-
pied by the Eugene French house. In 1829, Benjamin
H. Oak of Exeter purchased this house, and the forty
acres of land connected with it and moved into it in the
spring of 1830, where he lived until his death in 1842.
About the year 1844, it passed into the hands of Rev.
Leonard Hathaway, who took it down to give place to a
larger and better house, where he passed the remaining
years of his earthly life.
Death of the First Physician
In March, 1810, Dr. Joseph Pratt, the first physician
of the township, died at the house of Joseph Garland,
where he had boarded.
Dr. Pratt's faithful performance of his professional
duties, and his ever ready sympathy with the sick and
suffering, gave him a warm place in the hearts of the
people. The intelligence of his death spread rapidly
through the township, carrying grief to every household.
110
Doctors Peabody of Corinth and Skinner of Brewer
were his attending physicians. The funeral services were
conducted by the Rev. John Sawyer at the house of
Joseph Garland.
His disease was typhoid fever. He was buried near
the present residence of David W. Dearborn. After the
Greeley Cemetery was established, he was disinterred and
buried there. Neither stone nor other monument marks
his present resting place. His immediate successor was
Dr. James Parker, who commenced practice here in the
summer of 1810, and was the second physician of the
township.
Questionings
Why did our fathers emigrate to this barren region
where frost and snow hold uninterrupted sway for one
half the year, and the reluctant soil yields its inhabitants
scanty support as the reward of resolute and unremitting
toil? Why did they not seek a more productive soil
under summer skies? These questions are often asked
by the dwellers of eastern Maine.
The early settlers of Lincoln township were mainly
from New Hampshire, Massachusetts and the western
section of the Province of Maine. These sections had
been settled many years and the best lands had been
appropriated. As a rule the families were large in those
days, and the old homes had become like overstocked
hives. The grown-up children must seek new homes as
their fathers and mothers had done in years gone by.
The industrial occupations outside of agriculture were
limited in range.
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 111
The manufacturing industries that now allure young
men and women in large numbers from agricultural pur-
suits, had no existence then. The Lewistons, Law-
rences, Lowells and Manchesters, and the hundreds of
villages where factories line the borders of their streams
and rivers, and the hum of whose machinery is as
incessant as the roar of their waterfalls, are creations of
a later date. Commercial employments, house carpen-
try, ship building and other mechanical industries, all on
a limited scale, with the additions of navigation and
fishing, gave employment to a limited number of people,
but the great mass of New England laborers were
obliged to draw their subsistence from the heart of
Mother Earth. It was therefore natural for young men
to choose the employment that had given their fathers
the means of support, and not unfrequently, had made
them independent. To this class of men, lands that
were cheap, productive and accessible were the desidera-
tum. All these conditions could be found in the
easterly section of the Province of Maine.
Land could be purchased at low prices, and of its
productiveness, there was abundant evidence. The
appearance of the surface soil indicated fertility. One
enthusiastic prospector from New Hampshire filled his
tobacco box with dark rich looking loam which, on his
return home, he exhibited to his friends, declaring that
it would make good pudding. What disposition he
made of his tobacco in the meantime tradition does not
inform us. The character of the forest growth indicated
strength of soil. More conclusive evidence was found in
the large crops of wheat, rye and corn that had been
raised in near at hand townships which had been settled
at an earlier date.
Inducements of another character were presented to
allure settlers. The best statesmanship of Massachu-
112 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
setts had been employed to promote the settlement of
the eastern lands of that state by the adoption of a
liberal policy. Reservations of land had been made in
each township by the general court of Massachusetts to
aid in the support of the institutions, so dear to New
England people — the school and the church; a policy
which attracted a good class of emigrants. Other influ-
ences attracted other classes of emigrants.
Then, as now, there were men who, being repelled by
the conventionalities and restraints of society, were car-
ried on the current of emigration to the outer limits of
civilization. There were also men who sought border
life to gratify their propensity for hunting and fishing.
Was it a Misfortune?
Such has been the remarkable growth of the western
states in population and wealth within the last seventy-
five years, that many a worthy citizen of Maine has
regarded it as a misfortune that our fathers did not emi-
grate to the West instead of Maine. At the date of
the earliest settlements of this section of Maine, very
little was known of the ' 'great west. ' ' Ohio, the near-
est western state, was then an almost unbroken wilderness,
at a great distance away. The difficulties and hardships
involved in emigrating to Ohio were an effectual bar to
emigration to that state, where, in after years, so many
residents of Maine emigrated to their sorrow. Sensible
people of the next generation had but little reason to
regret that they had been born in Maine. If the
question of choice had related to the relative capacity of
contributing to the food supply of the world, Maine
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 113
could not have been a factor in the case. If, on the
other hand, the question had related to the type of men
and women who could boast of Maine nativity, its citi-
zens would not shun the comparison. The best types of
men and women are not found in the most productive
sections.
"In marches of a mighty age,
Our place is on the van."
— Mrs. Mace.
The pure breezes from hill top, mountain and sea con-
tribute to the physical, mental and moral fibre of her
citizens. The late Honorable James G. Blaine, who for
breadth of statesmanship and grasp of detail, has had no
equal in the United States, was an adopted son of Maine,
where he lived through the whole of his political life.
The Honorable Thomas B. Reed, formerly Speaker of
the National House of Representatives, a position of
importance next to that of the President of the United
States, was a native and citizen of Maine. William P.
Frye, President pro tern of the Senate of the United
States, who, with his colleague, Honorable Eugene Hale,
hold the chairmanships of some of the most important
committees of that august body, are natives of Maine.
Honorable Nelson Dingley, the able leader of the
National House of Representatives, was a native of
Maine. The late Honorable Charles A. Boutelle, the
able and fearless member of the National House of
Representatives from the fourth representative district of
Maine, held the chairmanship of the Naval Committee.
The late Honorable Melville W. Fuller, also a native of
Maine, received the appointment as Chief Justice of the
United States Supreme Court. The Honorable Bartlett
Tripp, minister to Austria under President Cleveland,
was born in Maine. The late Honorable Alfred E.
Buck, at one time minister to Japan, was a Maine man.
114 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
The distinction of serving as governor of Massachusetts,
has been accorded to several Maine men. Daniel
Webster has been credited with saying that, "New
Hampshire is a good state to emigrate from.'1 It may
truthfully be said that Maine is a good State to be born
and reared in.
Maine is comparatively free from many of the physi-
cal evils that afflict the West — evils that result from
adverse atmospheric conditions. Among these are floods,
which sometimes submerge large areas of territory,
phenomenal storms of wind, hurricanes and blizzards,
also cyclones that sweep through tiers of states, destroy-
ing crops, houses and sometimes whole villages and
attended by great loss of life. The population of the
West is largely more heterogeneous than that of Maine.
Petition for an Act of Incorporation
The most important event of 1810 was the petition
for an Act of Incorporation. The township had been
settled nearly eight years and had steadily grown in
numbers, and there were now (1810) forty or more fami-
lies within its limits. It had been favored with an
encouraging degree of prosperity, and the prospects indi-
cated continued growth. But its most urgent needs
could not be provided for until its inhabitants, in an
organized capacity, were invested with the power of levy-
ing taxes upon the property of the township. Among
their immediate wants of a public character, were roads
and schools. A meeting of the inhabitants of the
township was called early in 1810 to consider the question
of the propriety of petitioning the General Court of
MAINE 115
Massachusetts for an Act of Incorporation. At the
appointed time, the legal voters assembled at the house
of Joseph Garland, and organized by choosing a chair-
man and clerk. It was decided to petition for an Act
of Incorporation.
This important point having been decided in the
affirmative, the question — What shall be the name of the
prospective town? now confronted the citizens. Stand-
ing upon the stone step, which had been fashioned by
Nature's hand, and placed in front of Joseph Garland's
house, Deacon John S. Haskell moved that the word
"Garland" should be inserted in the petition as indicat-
ing the choice of the inhabitants of the township in
regard to name. The motion was heard with great
satisfaction and carried without opposition.
What's in a Name?
The citizens of Garland ought to hold their fathers in
grateful remembrance for giving to the town so sensible,
so convenient and appropriate a name as that by which
it is known. A name may be desirable for what it lacks
as well as what it contains. Many towns are burdened
with names through whose accentual windings, changing
inflections, harsh sounding and unpronounceable syllables
drag their slow length. What bottles of ink, boxes of
pens, reams of paper, stores of vocal power, and crimes
against the rules of orthography and pronunciation are
saved in a single decade by the use of the simple name
given to this township when it took on a corporate exist-
ence. It is a model of convenience and simplicity. It
is easily spoken and easily written. Its distinct utter-
116 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
ance indicates its orthography and pronunciation. It is
scarcely susceptible of being misspelled or mispronounced.
It is not so inconveniently long nor short as to sug-
gest scantiness of material, nor does it deceive the trav-
eller, who is dreamily passing through it, with the idea
that he is travelling in Greece, France or Italy.
It has a poetic and musical ring that is suggestive of
pleasant things. It is also of importance because it is
invested with historical significance. It perpetuates the
memory of the heroic family, that of Joseph Garland,
which left a snug little home in New Hampshire to
encounter the hardships, privations and perils of pioneer
life through a long cold winter, while yet there was not
another family within the township.
The following incident will show that there was some-
thing of advantage in the name by which this town is
known, on at least one occasion. In the year 1823,
there was living in England a family of laborers, includ-
ing the father, mother and two sons. They were hard-
working and respectable people but could see no prospect
of rising above the conditions which had been the lot of
their parents and of themselves thus far.
They had heard of America, of the people who lived
in their own comfortable homes, of its cheap lands and
its opportunities. A home of their own filled their
thoughts by day and dreams by night until they reached
the decision to emigrate to America. They had been
compelled to practice a rigid economy in their previous
lives, but to secure the funds to pay their passage to the
country they sought, they must turn the screws still
harder. By reducing their daily expenses to the lowest
possible figure, they saved money enough to emigrate to
Belfast, Maine. One of the sons aptly, if not elegantly,
characterized the money thus saved as "pinch-gut-
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 117
money," because it was an abridgment of their daily
food.
At Belfast, the father supported his family by work
as a day laborer two years, but the purpose of their
coming to America was to make a home of their own.
Destitute of money, they sought land where it could be
purchased cheap on credit.
The attention of the father had been called to the
township afterwards known as Bowerbank in Piscataquis
County. Accompanied by his eldest son, he started on
a trip for that township. Reaching the town of Sebec,
and finding that the road running north terminated at
that place, he decided not to travel any farther in that
direction. Having heard the town of Dexter favorably
mentioned, he turned his steps towards that place. He
had but just passed within the limits of Dexter when the
name Garland upon a guide-board struck the fancy of
the son. Pronouncing the name several times, and
becoming enamored with it, he persuaded his father to
visit the town with the attractive name before purchas-
ing elsewhere.
As a result of the visit, he purchased a part of lot
six, range six, felled a piece of trees, built a log-cabin,
into which he moved his family in 1825. The site of
the cabin was at the center of the town on the south
side of the center road running east and west, and nearly
opposite the present residence of James M. Stone, for-
merly the home of Joseph True.
By virtue of the industry and economy to which they
had been accustomed in the old country, they improved
their condition from year to year. A few years later
they were living in a comfortable house with such out
buildings attached as characterize the home of a well-to-
do farmer.
Allured by the thrift of this family, other English
118 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
families emigrated to Garland from time to time, whose
descendants have taken rank with our most industrious
and prosperous citizens. This accession of English citi-
zens may be traced to the attractive name given the town
by our fathers.
The family that emigrated to Belfast in 1823, and to
Garland in 1825, was the family of Deacon James March.
Deacon March often related to his new neighbors that in
England after a hastily prepared breakfast, cooked over
a fire of straw, he and his wife hastened to the harvest
field, taking with them a small barley loaf, which served
as food until darkness compelled a cessation from labor.
A Copy of the Petition for Incorporation
A copy of the petition for an act of incorporation,
and of the names of the signers, taken from Massachu-
setts records, was kindly furnished the writer by Dr.
John F. Pratt of Chelsea, Mass. The petition, dated
March 10, 1810, was placed in the hands of Honorable
James Carr, representative to the General Court of
Massachusetts from Bangor, who was requested to take
charge of it. The petition read as follows :
To the Honourable the Senate and House of Representa-
tives in General Court Assembled, at Boston, June
Session, 1810.
Humbly Sheweth : The subscribers, inhabitants of
Township No. Three in the Fifth Range of Townships
North of the Waldo Patent in the County of Hancock,
that at present there are between two hundred and two
hundred and fifty souls resident in said Town and near
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 119
fifty persons liable to pay taxes. That from the first
settlement of said Township which is nearly eight years
since, we have been deprived of the benefit and privilege
of an incorporation Wherefore your Petitioners pray
the Legislature of this Commonwealth to incorporate
them into a Town by the name of Garland, with all the
rights and privileges that other towns are entitled in this
Commonwealth by the Constitution, — Bounded as fol-
lows : East by Township No. Two, in the same Range,
on the North by Township No. Three, in the Sixth
Range; bounded on the West by Township No. Four in
the aforesaid Fifth Range; bounded on the South by
Township No. Three in the Fourth Range of Townships
North of the Waldo Patent aforesaid, conformable to
the original lines and corners as run and set up by Gov-
ernment Surveyors in the year of our LORD 1792,
originally intended to include a Tract six miles square be
the same more or less. Your Petitioners as in duty
bound will ever pray.
Township Number three, March, 1810.
(Signed) (signed)
Edward Fifield. Phillip Greley.
Isaac Hopkins. Justus Hariman.
John Stevens. Simeon Morgan.
John Hayes. John Knight.
Nathaniel Fifield. John S. Haskell.
John Trefetheren. Edward Pratt.
Dudley L. Fogg. Joseph Garland.
Thorn's Gillpatrick, Jr. Theophilus B. Morgan.
John Pratt. Thomas Gillpatrick.
Benj. Gillpatrick. Moses Gordon.
Thomas S. Tyler. Josiah Bartlett.
Silas Libbee. John Jack man.
William Blasdell. Oliver Woodard.
Jeremiah Flanders. Enoch Jackman.
120 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
Cutteon Flanders. William Godwin.
Enoch Clough. Abraham Bond.
John E. Gordon. Samson Silver.
Jacob Garland. Isaac Wheeler.
William Dustin. William Sargent.
Ezekiel Straw. James McClure.
Amos Gordon. John Stevens.
John Chandler. Andrew Kimball.
Eleazer Woodard.
Something of the history of each person whose name
appears on the petition has been given in preceding
pages, except in cases of Isaac Hopkins, John Stevens,
Dudley L. Fogg, John and Edward Pratt, Silas Libbee
and Oliver and Eleazer Woodard. The name of Isaac
Hopkins appears on the voting list only in 1812. It
may be inferred that he was only a temporary resident.
John Stevens bargained for a small piece of land on
John Chandler's lot, where he lived only a short time.
He was a single man. Of Dudley L. Fogg tradition
makes no mention. John and Edward Pratt were resi-
dents here but a short time. They early took up their
residence in Piscataquis County.
Silas Libbee bought a piece of land on the old
Harriman place, which he soon abandoned. He after-
wards bought a part of the lot known as the Joseph M.
Gerry place. He was not long a resident of Garland.
Oliver Woodard made a beginning on lot four, range six,
where George W. Adams formerly lived.
The petition for an act of incorporation was probably
copied from the form which other townships had used.
In response to the petition, the following act was passed
by the General Court of Massachusetts :
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 121
Act of Incorporation
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
In the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
and eleven.
An act to incorporate township number three in the
fifth range of townships north of the Waldo Patent into
a town by the name of Garland.
Section 1st. Be it enacted by the Senate and House
of Representatives in General Court assembled and by
authority of the same: That township number three in
the fifth range of townships north of the Waldo Patent
in the county of Hancock, bounded as follows: North-
wardly by township number three in the sixth range;
westwardly by township number four in the fifth range;
southwardly by township number three in the fourth
range; and eastwardly by township number two in the
fifth range, together with the inhabitants thereof be,
and hereby are incorporated into a town by the name of
Garland vested with all the powers, privileges and
immunities which other towns do, or may enjoy by the
constitution and laws of this Commonwealth.
Section 2. Be it further enacted, that any justice of
the peace in said county of Hancock be, and hereby is
empowered to issue his warrant directed to some suitable
inhabitant of said town of Garland requiring him to
notify and warn the inhabitants thereof qualified to vote
in town affairs, to meet at such time and place as shall
be expressed in said warrant, to choose all such officers
as towns are by law required to choose in the month of
March or April annually.
In the House of Representatives, February 14, 1811.
This bill having had then several readings was passed
to be enacted.
JOSEPH STORY, Speaker.
122 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
In Senate, February 14, 1811.
This bill having had two several readings was passed
to be enacted.
H. G. OTIS, President.
Council Chamber:
16th of February, 1811.
Approved E. GERRY.
Secretary's Office,
February 11, 1811.
A true copy,
Attest BENJ. HAMANS
Secretary of the Commonwealth of Mass.
The act of incorporation was copied into the first
volume of town records, and the correctness of the copy
attested by Joseph Treadwell, Garland's first town clerk.
An inspection of the geographical description of the
township will show that county and State lines have been
changed since the incorporation of the town.
The act of incorporation had the effect of converting
an unorganized, into an organized community, and of
investing it with all the powers, privileges and immuni-
ties that a town may exercise and enjoy. Through the
agency of the courts it could now enforce legal claims
against individuals or communities, and defend itself
against claims of an opposite character. It could now
assess taxes to make roads, to build schoolhouses, sup-
port schools and for other public purposes and enforce
their payment.
It was brought into political relations with State and
National governments. The ballot of its humblest voter
would weigh as much in determining who should be
governor or president as that of the wealthiest or most
aristocratic citizen of the State.
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 123
The transformation of township to town had been
made under auspicious conditions. The act of incor-
poration, the bill of rights of the inhabitants, had been
granted by the State of Massachusetts which had been
the home of the Pilgrim and the Puritan, the state that
had given to New England the school, the church and
the town meeting, and to the country the best type of
civilization the world had ever known, the state whose
soil was the first stained by patriot blood in the War of
the Revolution.
The renowned jurist, Joseph Story, signed the act as
Speaker of the House. The cultured and polished
Harrison Gray Otis signed it as President of the Senate,
and Elbridge Gerry, afterwards Vice President of the
United States, approved it as Governor.
Garland in 1811
The crowning act of the township in 1811 was its
assumption of the powers, privileges and immunities of
a corporate existence. The inhabitants of the new town
had now only to await the coming of that characteristic
New England institution, the town meeting, to enter
upon the exercise of their new powers. The inhabitants
of the new town now impatiently awaited the act of
incorporation which seemed very slow in coming. The
nearest post-office was at Bangor, twenty-five miles
away, and to the post-office in Bangor the document was
sent. A messenger, who was awaiting its arrival, took
it immediately to Garland. In this year of grace,
1897, a document mailed in Boston late in the afternoon
of a specified day, would reach the post-office in Gar-
124 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
land on the forenoon of the next dav. The document
which the inhabitants of. Garland were impatiently
awaiting in that memorable March of 1811, was a little
more than two weeks in coming to the Bangor post-office.
On its arrival at Garland, it was placed in the hands of
Isaac Wheeler, who held a commission of justice of the
peace bearing the seal of the Commonwealth of Massa-
chusetts.
Squire Wheeler forthwith issued the following war-
rant, dated March 16, 1811 :
L. S. Hancock js: To Amos Gordon, one of the
inhabitants of Garland in said county of Hancock,
Greeting :
L. S. You are hereby required in the name of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts to notify and warn the
Freeholders and other inhabitants of said town qualified
by law to vote in town affairs, to assemble at the dwelling
house of Isaac Wheeler, Esq., on Monday the first day
of April next at nine o'clock in the forenoon for the
following purposes: (viz.)
1st. To choose a moderator to govern said Meeting.
2d. To choose a Town Clerk.
3d. To choose three Select Men.
4th. To choose three Assessors.
5th. To choose a Constable.
6th. To see what the town will do with respect to
a collector.
7th. To choose all other officers that the law
requires.
8th. To see how much money the town will raise
to repair highways.
9th. To see how much money the town will raise
for the support of schools.
10th. To see what the town will do with respect to
building schoolhouses.
HISTORY OF OAKLAND, MAINE 125
11th. To see how much money the town will raise to
defray the expenses of the town.
12th. To do all other business that the town shall
think proper when assembled.
Given under my hand and seal this 16th day of
March, 1811.
ISAAC WHEELER,
Justice of the Peace.
Upon the above warrant Mr. Gordon made the fol-
lowing return :
In pursuance of the above warrant to me directed, I
do hereby notify and warn the freeholders and other
inhabitants of the town of Garland qualified to vote in
town affairs, to meet at the time and place mentioned in
the foregoing warrant and for the purpose therein
expressed :
This 18th day of March, 1811.
AMOS GORDON.
A true copy —
Attest, JOSEPH TREADWELL, Town Clerk.
The matters of business presented in this warrant were
couched in forms that had been transmitted to the
inhabitants of Garland through successive generations,
and are still in general use. The items of business were
presented in these preliminary proceedings with a clear-
ness and propriety of expression that would not be dis-
creditable to any board of town officers that have had
the affairs of the town in charge from that day to this.
Two classes of voters were mentioned in the warrant —
freeholders and other inhabitants qualified to vote in
town affairs. The freeholder was an inhabitant who
held an estate of a prescribed value in his own right.
This gave him the right to vote in State and National
126 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
affairs as well as in town affairs. The other inhabitants
mentioned were those whose estate did not reach the
prescribed value. These could vote only in town affairs.
The First Town Meeting
i->
The first town meeting was held on the first day of
April, 1811, at the house of Isaac Wheeler, Esq., which
stood upon the site of the residence of the late William
B. Foss, now the home of F. D. Wood and family, a few
rods north of the Free Baptist church.
The advent of the town meeting was the beginning of
a new era to the inhabitants of Garland. They had
lived together for eight years with no semblance of
organization. No inhabitant could be compelled to per-
form the slightest service for the public good although he
would share the benefit of such service equally with other
inhabitants. The citizens had been groping along cir-
cuitous paths in the wilderness, carrying their burdens
upon horseback or conveyances of the rudest character.
Their children were living without schools, save here and
there one at uncertain intervals of time, supported by
voluntary subscriptions.
Other matters relating to the public convenience and
welfare had been neglected, but the town meeting, the
most democratic of American institutions, had come,
bringing with it the elements of prosperity and progress.
It could not, indeed, create wealth, but it could levy
taxes upon existing resources and establish schools.
That potent factor of representative government, the
voice of the majority, could compel the citizen, willing
or not, to bear his share of the public burdens.
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 127
The coming of the first town meeting was an occasion
of great importance to the inhabitants for reasons other
than those which have been noticed. It created places
of trust, responsibility and honor that must be filled.
It created emoluments which although at the present
time would be regarded of trifling importance, were not
matters of entire indifference then. It would not be
uncharitable to suppose that some of the more promi-
nent citizens, ambitious for office, had been modestly
awaiting honors which they believed would be thrust upon
them. There were others who were glad of an oppor-
tunity to express in some tangible form their good-will
towards an esteemed neighbor or friend. There were
still others who cherished favorite plans in respect to the
location of roads and schoolhouses, and if these could be
realized, they cared but little who bore away the honors
and emoluments of office.
Punctually at the hour, the inhabitants assembled at
the appointed place, and organized the first town meet-
ing by the choice of Thomas Gilpatrick for moderator,
and Joseph Treadwell for clerk. Josiah Bartlett, Isaac
Wheeler and Thomas Gilpatrick were chosen selectmen
and assessors. Edward Fifield was chosen constable and
collector, and was voted a compensation of ten dollars
for collecting all taxes for the year 1811.
Isaac Wheeler, Esq., was chosen treasurer. John
Chandler, Amos Gordon, Josiah Bartlett, John Hayes,
Joseph Saunders, Thomas S. Tyler and Ezekiel Straw
were chosen highway surveyors. The choosing of high-
way surveyors at this meeting seems a little premature
as no highways had been established. They were
instructed to allow twelve and one half cents per hour
for work on the highways, a precedent that has been fol-
lowed to the present time. William Godwin, Andrew
Kimball and James McClure were chosen surveyors of
128 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
boards. Joseph Tread well and Amos Gordon were
chosen surveyors of split lumber. William Sargent,
Benjamin Gilpatrick, William Palmer, P. Greeley,
Cutteon Flanders and 0. Woodward were chosen hog-
reeves. William Blaisdell, Justus Harriman and Moses
Gordon were chosen fence-viewers. Isaac Wheeler was
chosen sealer of weights and measures. John S. Haskell
and William Sargent were chosen field-drivers. Enoch
Jackman was chosen sealer of leather.
The record of Garland's first town meeting closes with
the following entry :
Voted to dissolve the meeting. Accordingly it was
dissolved.
A true copy of proceedings,
Attest, JOSEPH TREADWELL, Clerk.
The handwriting and general neatness of Mr.
Treadwell's record is very creditable. An inspection of
the records will show a disposition to make the honors of
office go to as many of the inhabitants as possible.
Seven highway surveyors were appointed when, as yet,
not a single highway had been established. Several
other offices were filled for which there was no apparent
use.
This first town meeting was without doubt a meeting
of the genuine New England type. The inhabitants had
come together to exercise the rights and enjoy the privi-
leges with which they had so recently been invested.
In the town meeting, each inhabitant was the equal of
every other, and each could represent his own views upon
every question by voice and vote. It may be assumed
that the proceedings were not strictly parliamentary. In
the typical New England town meeting, the sharp
personal thrust and instant retort, whether in order or
not, can no more be anticipated than lightning from a
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 129
cloudless sky. The roar of laughter that follows is the
safety-valve for the escape of dangerous elements.
The Second Town Meeting
The year 1811 was fruitful of town meetings. The
second town meeting was held at the residence of Isaac
Wheeler, Esq., on April 22, 1811. Edward Fifield was
chosen moderator. The main purpose of this meeting
was to consider and act on the question of roads.
To the inhabitants of the new town this was a question
of serious difficulty on account of the long stretch of
road demanded for the public convenience. If the forty-
five families of the town had been located on contiguous
lots in some particular section, the burden of making
roads would have been greatly diminished, but they were
scattered over a large part of its surface. There were
families on the eastern border of the town and on the
western. There were families in the extreme northwest
corner, and in the southwest corner, as well as in the
central part of the town. All these families must be
accommodated.
There was one favorable condition. There could be
no dispute about routes. These had been predetermined
by the original proprietors of the township, who had
caused it to be surveyed into squares whose sides were
one mile long, by range ways running through it from
north to south and from east to west. These range ways
constituted the routes for roads. Nothing remained to
be done but to determine distances, and to indicate here
and there a deviation from the direct route to avoid
natural obstacles.
130 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
At this meeting the selectmen submitted their report
on the subject of roads. The first route described in
the report, extended from the west line of the town
through its center, to its east line, and the road is now
known as the east and west center road. Within one
and one half miles of the east line of the town, some
deviations from the range line were indicated as desirable,
but some years later, the route was restored to the range
line. And still later a curve to the north was made near
the old Bartlett place to avoid the steep part of the hill
at that point.
The second route described in the report of the select-
men and accepted by the town, followed the range line
between the eighth and ninth ranges, from the west line
of the town to the southeast corner of lot four in the
ninth range of lots. This route was a mile north of the
east and west center route and parallel to it. The width
of this road was fixed at three rods. A section of road
upon this route, reaching from the west line of the town
to the Sangerville county road, was built ; also a shorter
section, reaching from the recent site of the schoolhouse
in district number five, one half mile east, and passing
the Horace Davis and Emerson places. The part of the
route between these two sections of road was discon-
tinued by vote of the town. The families, now residing
on the westerly section are those of George Arnold,
Charles Carr and Robert McComb.
The third route described in the report, extended from
the west line of the town at a point near the present
residence of Mark Jennings, easterly between the fourth
and fifth ranges of lots, to the corner a few rods east of
the site of the Congregational church.
The fourth was a short route in the southwest part of
the town.
The fifth route began on the range way at the top of
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 131
the hill, a few rods north of the residence then of the
Rev. John Sawyer, but now owned by D. F. Patten, and
ran southerly over the site of the present village to Exeter
line. The larger part of this route became, a few years
later, a section of the road leading into Piscataquis
County. It was to be four rods wide.
The sixth route described in the report, extended
northerly from the southeast corner of land now owned
and occupied by Alfred Patterson, to the point of inter-
section with the county road now leading to Sangerville.
One mile of the southern section of this route has never
been built, the starting point having been changed to a
point near the Maple Grove Cemetery, running thence
in a northwesterly direction and intersecting the original
route near the site of the present residence of Charles
Greeley.
The town voted to accept the report of selectmen
relating to routes, and to establish roads in accordance
therewith. It voted also to establish a road from the
northwest corner of J. Bartlett's land, to the southwest
corner of J. McClure's land, thence to the mill. This
vote embraced the existing road, leading from the north-
west corner of the farm now owned by Calvin Campbell,
to the southwest corner of the cemetery near the school-
house in district number seven.
From the cemetery the line of the road ran westerly
to a point near the site of the present residence of James
Rideout, where it bore to the south and intersected the
route of the road running south, where it is now inter-
sected by the road from Holt's Mills. A few years
later the route from the present Rideout place was
changed so as to run in a pretty direct course to the
crest of the hill, a few rods north of the present grist-
mill. In 1855, the road was again changed to avoid the
dangerous turn at the point of intersection with the
132 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
north and south road. This change was from the Preble
Brook to L. Oak's store.
At this second meeting the town had voted to make
twenty miles of road. This was a necessity of the time,
but it proved a troublesome necessity. Eighteen miles
of road embraced in this action of the town are now in
use. Many years passed before any of these roads
became passable for the modern carriage.
At this meeting the town voted to raise five hundred
dollars to make and repair highways. Although the
second town meeting was devoted mainly to the consid-
eration of roads, the question of schools received some
attention. So closely connected in the New England
mind of those early days were roads and schools that an
appropriation for one was immediately followed by an
appropriation for the other.
At the meeting the town voted to raise one hundred
dollars for the support of schools, and that the school
money should be paid in corn at five shillings, rye at
seven shillings and wheat at eight shillings per bushel.
This, with similar votes from year to year in the earlier
days of the town's history, shows that corn, rye and
wheat were an important element in the currency of the
inhabitants, which, with all its disadvantages, had the
merit of an intrinsic value in harmony with that by
which it had been invested by the legislature of the
town, a merit of which some of the modern schemes
relating to currency are lamentably destitute. The
present generation may well regard the robust honesty
of their fathers with pride.
Another vote at the meeting of 1811 was that each
district should build its own schoolhouse. This vote
seems a little premature, inasmuch as not a single district
had been established, but it disclosed an interest in
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 133
schools which was an ever-abiding element in the hearts
of the early inhabitants.
The proceedings of the second town meeting of 1811
were closed by a vote to raise fifty dollars to defray
town charges.
The Third Town Meeting of 1811
This meeting assembled at the house of Isaac Wheeler,
Esq., on the 31st day of August, 1811. Its main pur-
pose was to consider the question of schools.
Thomas Gilpatrick was chosen moderator, and Dr.
James Parker, clerk. A committee of three, embracing
Joseph Garland, Justus H. Harriman and William
Blaisdell, was chosen to divide the town into school
districts with instructions to report at the next meeting
of the town.
It was voted that the method of warning town meet-
ings should be by written notification, and that said
notification be set up at some place at least seven days
previous to said meeting, except in some extraordinary
case of emergency. In such case the method should be
left to the discretion of the selectmen. The last pro-
vision of this vote is significant as showing that ominous
shadows of an impending national conflict were hanging
over those homes in the forest, and that the purpose of
the inhabitants was to hold themselves in readiness to
respond to the call of their country with patriotic
promptitude, come when it might.
134 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
The Fourth Town Meeting of 1811
The fourth and last town meeting of 1811 was held
at the house of Isaac AVheeler, Esq., September 22d.
Thomas Gilpatrick was chosen moderator, and Dr. James
Parker, clerk pro tern. Its purpose was to hear the
report of the committee on the division of the town into
school districts, and to take such action with reference
thereto as well as to the general question of schools, as
the majority should determine.
The action of the town with reference to this matter
seems to have been in harmonv with the recommendations
of the committee on divisions.
It was voted that all the settlement east of the center
road running north and south be one district. It also
voted that the center road running east and west,
together with the road north of this (and parallel to it)
be one district with the privilege of two schoolhouses.
It voted that the settlement by E. Fifield's should be
one district. This was in the southwest part of the
town.
Josiah Bartlett was appointed school agent for the
district east of the north and south center road.
Joseph Garland was appointed agent for the second
district, and Edward Fifield for the third district. It
was voted that each district should build its own school-
house.
The Rev. John Sawyer, Dr. J. Parker and Isaac
Wheeler were chosen superintending school committee.
This was the first school committee of the town.
The vote of the previous meeting that each district
should build its own schoolhouse, was reaffirmed.
The attempts of the inhabitants of the town to par-
tition it into school districts, and to locate and build
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 135
schoolhouses, gave rise to a long and persistent if not
bitter struggle between opposing factions. The theater
of the struggle was sometimes the town meeting, and
sometimes the school district meeting. The history
and results of the struggle will be given in another con-
nection.
Garland in 1812
The year 1812 like that of 1811 was fruitful of town
meetings. Business had been accumulating during the
eight years of the unorganized condition of the town-
ship. Now, having been invested with municipal powers,
business that had been neglected, much of it important,
confronted its inhabitants.
The town had exceptional difficulties to encounter in
providing for the welfare of its people on account of
their being so much scattered over its surface.
At a meeting in 1811 it had voted to make twenty-
two miles of road. This was a task that would require
many years in the performance. But this long stretch
of road failed to reach all the families. There was an
urgent demand for more road. But the division of the
town into school districts, and the location and building
of schoolhouses, presented questions of a much more
perplexing character.
The annual meeting of 1812 was held at the home of
Isaac Wheeler, Esq., on April 6th. Amos Gordon was
chosen moderator, Jacob Garland town clerk, Isaac
Wheeler, Josiah Bartlett and John Trefethen were
chosen selectmen and assessors.
The town voted that twenty dollars in cash should be
136 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
raised to defray town charges, and that every man should
deliver his tax money into the hands of the town treas-
urer. John Hayes was chosen collector, and was voted
a compensation of four dollars for his services in this
capacity. Amos Gordon was chosen town treasurer.
The town voted to raise seven hundred dollars to make
and repair highways, two hundred dollars for the sup-
port of schools, and one hundred and thirty dollars to
defray town charges.
Twelve and one half cents per hour was voted for
labor on the roads. It was voted to allow six shillings
for corn, seven shillings for rye and eight shillings for
wheat in payment for taxes.
At an adjourned meeting, held April 7th, the town
instructed the selectmen to provide powder at their own
discretion, which indicated a prudent regard for the time-
honored maxim, "In time of peace prepare for war. ';
The First Vote for Governor
On the same day of the annual town meeting of 1812,
such inhabitants of Garland as were qualified to vote for
governor, having been duly warned in the name of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, gave in their votes for
governor, lieutenant governor and three senators.
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
13T
The First Voting List on Record
Names of the inhabitants of Garland legally qualified
to vote for governor, lieutenant governor, senators and
oounty treasurer:
Josiah Bartlett.
Abram Bond.
William Blaisdell.
Isaac Copeland.
John Chandler.
John M. Chase.
James McCluer.
William Dustin.
Edward Fifield.
Cutteon Flanders.
Jeremiah Flanders.
Joseph Garland.
Amos Gordon.
John Gordon.
Jacob Garland.
Benj. Gilpatrick, Jr.
Thomas Gilpatrick.
Phillip Greeley.
Moses Gordon.
Isaac Hopkins.
John S. Haskell.
John Hayes.
Manoah Harriman.
William Church.
John Saunders.
Nathaniel Fifield.
John Grant.
Thos. Gilpatrick, Jr.
Justus Harriman.
Enoch Jackman.
James Hutchinson.
John Jackman.
John Knight.
Silas Libbee.
Simeon Morgan.
James Parker.
Rev. John Sawyer.
Ezekiel Straw.
Moses Saunders.
Joseph Saunders.
Oliver Saunders.
John Stephens.
William Sargent.
Sampson Silver.
Thomas Tyler.
John Trefethen.
Joseph Treadwell.
Sullivan Tyler.
Isaac Wheeler.
Oliver Woodward.
William Godwin.
Enoch Clough.
Landeras Grant.
Simon French.
James Jackman.
James Godwin.
Selectmen,
Isaac Wheeler.
Thomas Gilpatrick.
Josiah Bartlett.
138 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
For Governor.
Hon. Elbridge Gerry had thirty-five votes. Hon.
Caleb Strong had thirteen votes. Scattering, four votes.
For Lieutenant Governor.
Hon. William King had thirty -seven votes. Hon.
William Philips had fourteen votes.
Although war with Great Britain had not yet been
declared, active preparations for the anticipated event
were in progress. The preponderance of sentiment in
the old Commonwealth was adverse to the war. But in
less than three months war was formally proclaimed by
President Madison, whose term of office would expire in
the following March. The political forces which would
determine whether or not Mr. Madison should be his
own successor, were being marshalled in every town how-
ever new, small or remote, within the limits of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The voters of Garland gave their approval to the war
policy of President Madison by a majority of almost
three to one.
History repeated itself when, in 1864, the War of the
Rebellion was nearing its close, and Abraham Lincoln
was a candidate for reelection, the opposition declared
the war a failure and went into the campaign with that
as its main issue.
The second meeting of the town in 1812 was held at
Church's mills on the 25th of July.
The purpose of this meeting was mainly to consider
the matter of roads, an account of which will appear in
another place. The only other business transacted was
to instruct the selectmen to buy forty pounds of powder
and balls and flints in proportion, at the expense of the
town.
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 139
A third town meeting was held at the house of Joseph
Garland on the 24th day of September, 1812, to con-
sider a school district question, without result.
A fourth town meeting was held on the second day of
November, 1812, at the house of Isaac Wheeler, Esq.,
to consider the question of school districts.
First Vote for Member of Congress for the
Kennebec District
On the second day of November, 1812, the voters of
Garland assembled at the house of Isaac Wheeler, Esq.,
to give in their votes for a member of Congress to
represent the Kennebec District, when Hon. James Carr
received seventeen votes; Hon. John Wilson received
seventeen votes.
The First Vote for a Presidential Elector
On the 12th day of November, 1812, the inhabitants
of Garland qualified to vote for presidential electors,
assembled at the house of John Grant to give in their
votes for that officer. Hon. William Crosby received
twenty-three votes, Hon. James Campbell received four-
teen votes.
A town meeting was held at the house of Isaac
Wheeler, Esq., on the 17th of November, 1812. This
meeting was devoted exclusively to the consideration of
the school question. The articles of business named in
the warrant calling the meeting were all "passed over.''
The year 1812 closed the first decade of the history
of Garland as a township. It had now been invested
with corporate powers.
140 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
Construction of Early Houses
It has been said that the life of a country or com-
munity is the essential fact of history. While the
history of the lives of the early settlers of Garland may
be devoid of interest to the general reader, it cannot
fail to be of interest to their descendants.
A very few of the first houses in Garland, including
those of the two or three first settlers, were built of
logs. The proprietors of the township had built a saw-
mill before other houses were needed. A saw-mill had
also been built in the township now known as Dexter,
which accommodated the settlers of the western and
northwestern sections of Garland.
Sawed lumber now took the place of logs in the con-
struction of buildings. Nails made one by one, by the
blacksmith of the township were used. The first framed
house in the township was built by Joseph Treadwell for
John Tyler, upon the farm now owned by Charles Brown.
Mr. Treadwell was the grandfather of our present citi-
zen, Joseph Treadwell. He came from New Gloucester,
Maine, in the summer of 1802, on horseback, bringing
his tools with him, cut, hewed and framed the timber
and hauled it to the building site, raised and covered the
walls and roof the same summer. He finished the house
in the summer of 1803. A gambrel roof covered the
body of the house.
To the regret of many of our older citizens, this
quaint old house gave place to one of more modern con-
struction years ago.
The earl>r houses had, as a general rule, only a single
room upon the ground floor. In this, the unwieldy
loom, the spinning-wheel, and bed for the heads of the
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 141
family found place. There were no partitions save as
quilts and comforters served as such. The pride of the
housewife was the large, red dresser, with open shelves at
the top, where were displayed the shining rows of bright
tin dishes.
A heavy cleat door, swinging on wooden hinges,
furnished with a wooden latch, indicated the place of
ingress and exit.
On the outside, the door was opened by a string
attached to the latch, which passed through a hole above
it to the inside. When the family retired at night, the
string was pulled in for the safety of its inmates. The
second floor was of rough boards or splits placed across
the floor timbers. Sometimes straight poles laid closely
together across the floor timbers were made to do service
as a floor. The second floor was reached by a ladder.
How Houses Were Warmed
"Shut in from all the world without
We sat the clean-winged hearth about;
Content to let the north wind roar
With baffled rage at pane and door.
While the red logs before us beat
The frost line back with tropic heat.
"What matter how the night behaved ?
What matter how the north wind raved ?
Blow high, blow low, not all its snow
Could quench our house fires' ruddy glow."
— Whittier.
The capacious stone fire-place with smoke flues of
boards or sticks imbedded in clay mortar, was a marked
feature of the earlv homes. Such chimnevs were some-
times burned without much injury to the house.
142 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
The various appliances for kindling fires at the present
time were then unknown.
It was therefore necessaiw to preserve fire from night
until morning. This was done by protecting the glow-
ing coals with an ample covering of ashes. In case of
failure to preserve the fire through the night, the only
resort was to borrow from the nearest neighbor regard-
less of distance.
An All- Day Fire
The first thing of a cold winter morning was to lay
the foundation for an all-day fire. The ample bed of
coals, that had reposed under a covering of ashes, was
scraped aside with the large iron shovel. A log of birch
or maple of the average size of eighteen or twenty inches
in diameter had been drawn in on a hand sled or raised
up on end and hitched along, first on one corner and
then the other. This was placed in the back of the fire-
place and upon it a back log was laid. A large fore-
stick was placed on the andirons in front. Stones were
sometimes used in place of andirons. The foundation of
the all-day fire was now complete. Kindlings and fine
wood, dried between the jambs of the capacious fire-
place, were used to start the fire. In due time the
"frost line'" was forced back towards the rear of the
room.
The open fire was used to cook the food of the family.
In the long-handled frying-pan, heated by the glowing
coals, meat, fish and game were cooked. Indian meal,
rye meal, and rye and Indian meal mixed, were spread
upon long, shoal tins and baked by the heat of the open
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 143
fire. A fat, nicely dressed chicken or other fowl, hang-
ing by the legs before the glowing coals of the huge fire-
place, held by a flaxen string fastened to the floor tim-
bers above, was not an unusual sight.
How the Houses Were Lighted
The blaze of the large open fire furnished all the light
needed in the main room for ordinary purposes. If the
boys and girls desired light to prepare their lessons for
the next day's school, they would bring pine knots from
the forest for the needed additional light.
Portable lights were prepared by coiling a narrow piece
of twisted cotton cloth in a dish of lard. Tallow
candles run in moulds came into early use.
Furniture of the Times
The furniture of the early settlers, if indeed the word
thus used is not a misnomer, was of the rudest descrip-
tion. The substitutes were such as could be made with
the saw, axe, auger and shave, supplemented by nails
from the hands of the common blacksmith.
144 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
The Clothing of the Inhabitants
"I hear the humming of the wheel —
Strange music of the days gone by —
I hear the clicking of the reel,
Once more I see the spindle fly:
How then I wondered at the thread
That narrowed from the snowy wool,
Much more to see the pieces wed,
And wind upon the whirling spool."
— Walter Bruce.
The materials that entered into the clothing of the
early settlers were wool, linen and cotton. Some of
them brought woolen yarn from the homes of their child-
hood. Sheep in small numbers were early brought into
the township. Almost every family cultivated a small
piece of flax, which when ready for harvest, was cut and
spread evenly in rows, where it remained until the bark
of the plant that concealed the long, fine fiber was
decomposed by the influences of sun, dew and rain.
Then under cover of barn or shed it was passed through
a flax-brake, a clumsy wooden machine worked by hand.
This was the first step in the process of ridding the fiber
of the bark. The process was completed by the use of
a large wooden knife, called a swingling-knife, by which
the fiber was cleared of the small pieces of bark still
adhering to it.
The fiber was then passed through the hatchel to free
it from the short, coarse fiber called tow, which was util-
ized for various purposes. It was now drawn into thread
on the small wheel and woven into cloth which was used
as clothing for men, women and children, also for table
linen and toweling.
Any surplus above the wants of the family was readily
sold in Bangor. It was often exchanged for cotton,
which in turn was manufactured on the wheel and loom
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 145
for home use or sale. Cotton and wool were also trans-
formed into cloth bv wheel and loom.
It must not be inferred that the spinning and weaving
of the early days were irksome to those who performed
them. To the ears of the ambitious housewife, the hum
of the wheel upon which the thread was drawn from the
wool, and the rattle of the shuttle, passing swiftly back
and forth between the warp and woof, associated as they
were with the future comfort of husband and children,
were music as inspiring as that of band or orchestra.
The movements of the maiden, vieing with the mother
for excellence of achievement at the wheel, were as grace-
ful as any in the fashionable ballroom.
Their Food
The food of the early settlers of the township was
simple and substantial. Salt pork, salt beef, game and
fish from forest and stream, entered largely into their
food supply. Johnny cakes, rye cakes, and cakes of rye
and Indian meal mixed, were baked in oblong tins by the
heat of the coals of the open fire.
This was before brick ovens came into use. Hasty
puddings were also relished. In some families bean por-
ridge was a favorite and convenient dish. It could be
made in large quantities and its keeping qualities were
good, as according to the old proverb, bean porridge hot
or cold, is best when nine days old.
The soil of the township was well adapted to the pro-
duction of wheat, and sometimes forty bushels of that
cereal were produced on a single acre of land. Wheat
flour entered but slightly into the food supply of the
146 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
period, on account of lack of machinery to manufacture
it into flour.
A Luxury
Maple syrup was one of the few luxuries of the early
settlers. The boys of the families looked forward to
the season of its manufacture with fond anticipations.
The methods employed were of a rude character.
In the latter part of February the work of preparation
was begun. By the aid of the gimlet and jack-knife,
wooden conductors were made to carry the sap into
troughs, which were used instead of the tin pails of the
present time. The troughs were made from logs of
basswood, about three and one half feet in length, and
fifteen to eighteen inches in diameter, split into halves,
which were hollowed with an axe, and subjected to heat
to close the pores of the wood to prevent leakage.
When the period for active operations arrived, the
troughs and conductors were distributed to the trees of
the sugar orchard. Small holes from four to five inches
deep were bored into the tree, three to four feet from
the ground, into which the conductors were driven.
The clumsy troughs were placed to receive the sap as
it ran from the trees, which was generally gathered in
the morning, and poured into a receptacle placed at a
central point.
Two or more iron kettles were suspended from a hori-
zontal pole far enough from the ground to allow a hot
fire beneath them, which forced the water off, leaving
the syrup for the delectation of family and friends.
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 147
Social Life
Separated from parents, brothers and sisters, and the
companions of their earlier life, and subjected to hard-
ships and privations common to them all, the primitive
settlers who met as strangers became fast friends at sight.
Scattered over the entire area of the township, through
the mistaken policy of the original proprietors, the
interchange of visits was much less frequent than would
have been the case had they been compactly located.
They were a very hospitable people, and the latch -
string was always out, not only to the inhabitants of
their own township, but to those of other townships.
Visits were more common in winter than in summer.
The men were more at leisure. Horse or ox-teams could
be driven at will among the trees at this season. A pair
of quick-moving steers hitched to a common ox-sled was
regarded as a good turnout.
John Morgan, one of the early settlers of the town-
ship now known as Dexter, who was on neighborly terms
with the people of Garland, was accustomed to boast of
a more aristocratic turnout than any of his neighbors
possessed. He was the owner of a carpenter's bench
which, turned bottom up on his ox sled, was supplied
with a generous layer of clean straw whereon his family
could rest their feet, and seats of boards, supported by
the sides of the bench. The visiting party being pro-
tected by comforters and quilts, and the quick-moving
oxen attached to the sled, now started joyously on their
way to friends who were ready to receive them with open
arms.
In summer the people went from house to house on foot
or horseback. The conditions of life in the new township
which have been described, refer particularly to the first
ten years of its history.
148 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
The Conquest of the Forest
At the beginning of the present century, the township
was covered with a heavy forest growth. There were
gigantic maples whose spreading tops had waved in the
storms of centuries, and whose massive trunks having no
marketable value were relentlessly consigned to the flames.
There were also the tall, towering pines whose trunks
had never been disfigured by the "King's mark.''
Intermingled with these, Avere many varieties of humbler
growth, all of which must give way to sunlight and
civilization.
The removal of this imposing forest growth required
courage and muscle, both of which the pioneers of the
township possessed in large measure. The felling of the
trees was generally performed in the month of June.
Armed with his favorite axe of polished steel and keen
edge, the pioneer commenced his attack upon that
portion of the forest that came within the scope of the
year's plans. After a careful inspection of the configu-
ration of the ground, and the inclination of the trees, he
chopped into both sides of each, on a strip of one to
two rods wide, and of indefinite length. One of the
giants of the forest with widely spreading branches was
then felled, which, descending with great force, carried
with it the trees next in range, and these, in turn,
carrying others, until all that had been nitched reached
the ground with a terrific crash. This in the vernacular
of the period was a "drive." The breaking of the
strong, coarse fibers of the trees, subjected to this
irresistible force, was sometimes heard on a clear, still
morning, two or three miles away, and was strikingly
suggestive of human agony.
The next step in clearing land was the dropping of
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 149
the limbs from the prostrated trunks of the trees, with
the axe, the only tool which has not been radically
changed in form within the last one hundred years.
The limbs and leaves were packed together to facili-
tate the burning when the torch should be applied in
the coming autumn, or more frequently, in the following
spring. When the large amount of combustible matter
was believed to be in condition for a "good burn," fires
were started at different points.
The terrific roaring of the flames, as they leaped from
point to point, rising above the surrounding tree tops,
and the dense volume of smoke that shut off the light
of the sun, lingered in the memories of our fathers until
the end of life.
The "felled piece" having been cleared of the leaves
and small limbs by fire, the work of hand-piling was
next in order. This meant the piling by hand of the
larger limbs and brands that had not been reduced to
ashes. When these piles were burned, the land was
ready for the reception of seed, from which sprang the
first crops, embracing corn and subsidiary crops, such as
potatoes, beans, and garden vegetables.
Planting Corn
Corn and other seeds were planted on the patches of
land between the blackened trunks of the prostrate trees.
The planter provided himself with a little bag which
was suspended from his waist, filled with seed, and a hoe
with a blade about three inches wide, with a handle
fifteen to eighteen inches long. With his strong right
arm, he thrust the hoe through the scurf on the surface
150
of the ground into the underlying loam, threw the seed
into the incision, and pressing the earth above the seed
with his foot, he passed on, repeating the process until
the planting was completed.
If he had been favored with a "good burn," only a
little labor was required from the planting to the har-
vesting of the crop.
There were two classes of harvesters, bipedal and
quadrupedal. As soon as the kernels of corn began to
take form on the cob, the bears and smaller quadrupeds
began their harvesting. Various expedients were put in
requisition to limit the depredation of these animals,
but not with entire success.
But in spite of these drawbacks, the pioneer obtained
a fair crop of corn, any surplus of which, above the
needs of his family, entered into the currency of the
period at prices fixed by common custom.
The next step in clearing land was to divest it of the
trunks of the trees that were scattered over it. These
were cut into sections, hauled together, placed in piles,
and burned. The land was now ready for the crop of
the second year.
The second crop, in the first ten years of the town-
ship's history, was more often a crop of rye than any
other, because there were early facilities to grind it.
The soil was well adapted to the growth of wheat, but
this crop was neglected on account of the lack of the
more expensive machinery for reducing it to flour.
Bread of rye meal, mixed with corn meal, was regarded
as excellent food.
Grass seed was sown with the grain for the second
crop, and the grass springing therefrom, became the crop
of the third year. The pioneer enlarged his "opening' '
each year by the process that has been described, and
the same alternation of crops followed in each triennial
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 151
period, until at midsummer, his eyes were greeted with
waving crops of grass and grain, and in autumn, he
received the cheerful salutations of his tasseled corn, and
watched the gambols of his growing flocks.
He now enters a new decade. The township having
assumed a corporate existence, had exchanged the elon-
gated name of Lincolntown for the euphonic name of
Garland. The first kiln of bricks having been made in
1812, upon the old homestead of the late William S.
Haskell, the huge stone fire-places began to give way to
brick fire-places and ovens.
Garland in 1813
The annual town meeting of 1813, was held at the
house of Isaac Wheeler on the 5th day of April. Josiah
Bartlett was chosen moderator, Jacob Garland, town
clerk, Isaac Wheeler, William Blaisdell and Joseph
Garland, selectmen and assessors. The Rev. John
Sawyer, Isaac Wheeler and Joseph Garland were chosen
superintending school committee.
It was voted to raise one hundred and fifty dollars for
schools, six hundred dollars for highways, and one
hundred dollars for town charges. It was voted to pay
town charges and school money in corn, rye and wheat,
at six, seven and nine shillings per bushel respectively.
Town meetings were not of so frequent occurrence in
1813 as in the two preceding years.
The second and last meeting for municipal purposes in
1813, was held on the 30th of October, at the house of
Isaac Wheeler, Esq., and was devoted to the considera-
tion of roads and bridges.
152
West Garland
A building was erected at West Garland about the
year 1813, possibly a year earlier, by Stephen Kimball,
a citizen of Bangor, and Abner Sanborn, who was after-
wards for several years a prominent citizen of Garland,
for the purpose of wool-carding and cloth dressing.
Messrs. Kimball and Sanborn put up a building, also,
for the manufacture of potash from wood-ashes, of which
the large quantities of hard-wood consumed in the
capacious fire-places of the times, afforded an abundant
supply.
Asa Soule, who afterwards made a beginning on the
land adjoining the town farm, was given charge of the
wool-carding and cloth dressing business. He was suc-
ceeded by Benjamin Mayo, a brother of the late John
G. Mayo, the well known manufacturer of Foxcroft.
About the same time Edward Fifield built a saw and
grist-mill upon the site now occupied by the mills of
Lewis Crowell. He also built a house which was his
home for several years.
In the early efforts to utilize the water-power at the
outlet of Pleasant Pond, the present village at West
Garland had its origin. In later years, and farther
down on the stream, Horace Gordon and his son, H.
Lester Gordon, have used the water power at West Gar-
land for manufacturing purposes. Still farther down
Amos Gordon has a saw and shingle-mill.
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 153
Garland in 1814
The annual meeting for town business was held at the
house of Isaac Wheeler, Esq., on the 4th day of April.
Josiah Bartlett was chosen moderator, and Jacob Gar-
land, town clerk. Ezekiel Straw, Benjamin Gilpatrick
Jr. , and Isaac Copeland were chosen selectmen and assess-
ors, and Isaac Wheeler, Esq., was chosen treasurer.
Rev. John Sawyer, Isaac Wheeler, Esq., and Abner
Sanborn were chosen superintending school committee.
The town voted to raise eight hundred dollars for
highways, two hundred dollars for schools, seventy-five
dollars to defray town charges and fifty dollars to buy
powder and balls. The treasurer was voted a compen-
sation of six dollars, and the collector was allowed five
and three quarters per cent, for collecting taxes.
The election of state and county officers was held the
same day.
For Governor.
William Dexter received twenty-four votes. Caleb
Strong received twenty-two votes.
For Lieutenant Governor.
William Gray received twenty-four votes. William
Phillips received twenty-four votes.
At a town meeting held on December 3d, 1814, one
of the items in the warrant was to see if the town would
vote to lay out a road from the Lake, so called, to Exe-
ter line. The swampy land lying between the present
residences of John Campbell and Henry M. Paine, south
of Garland village, was for many years known as the
Lake. The incidents that suggested this name have
been narrated on a preceding page.
154 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
The War of 1812
To the inhabitants of the Penobscot Valley, the year
1814 was a year of excitement. The war with England
had been in progress for two years, but hitherto it had
been waged at a distance. Now it was nearing, and cit-
izens of military age were in constant expectancy of
being called into active service.
On the 17th of August, 1814, the United States ship
of war, the Adams, carrying twenty-five guns, was driven
by stress of weather upon rocks near the Isle au Haut, a
small island near the southern limits of Penobscot Bay,
and disabled. Her gallant commander, Captain Morris,
immediately took her up the river to Hampden for
repairs. The Adams had been preying upon English
commerce, having captured several English vessels within
the preceding three months. For these reasons she was
to the English an ardently coveted prize. When the
accident to the Adams, and its locality, had come to the
ears of the enemy, its capture was immediately deter-
mined upon. On the first day of September, 1814,
Captain Morris of the Adams was waited on by a mes-
senger who had come in hot haste to inform him that
several English vessels were making their way up the river.
Captain Morris, well knowing that the coming of the
enemy meant a desperate attempt to capture the Adams,
hastened to establish a battery of fourteen guns upon the
wharf, and another of nine guns on an elevation fifty rods
down the river. While the mariners were placing the
guns in position, Captain Morris, obtaining an interview
with General Blake, who was in command of the land
forces, assured him that if he could be protected from a
flank movement by the enemy's forces, he could easily
arrest the passage of his vessels up river. This inter-
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 155
view, at which some of the prominent citizens of Hamp-
den and vicinity were present, disclosed a fatal lack of
decision and unity of sentiment as to what should be
done in the emergency that confronted them. Some of
the citizens fearing that resistance would lead to the
destruction of the town were in favor of throwing them-
selves upon the magnanimity of the enemy.
Captain Morris declared in a few brief and burning
words that nothing could be hoped from British mag-
nanimity, and added — "Keep the enemy from outflank-
ing me and I will arrest the passage of his vessels up the
river. These are our respective duties, and we must dis-
charge them."
At the close of the interview, Captain Morris returned
to the wharf to complete arrangements there, and
General Blake entered upon the work of making a dis-
position of his forces which numbered about five hundred
men. Early in the morning of September i5d the enemy
began to move towards the American line of defense.
A heavy fog resting upon the river and banks covered his
incipient movements. Soon the British regulars emerged
from the fog, and moved towards the position held by
General Blake. Their firm and regular movement, confi-
dent bearing, and imposing uniforms, carried terror to
General Blake's undisciplined troops. After an exchange
of a few rounds, General Blake's line gave way near the
center, which was followed by a general and precipitate
retreat.
Captain Morris, soon finding his position untenable,
spiked his guns, set fire to his vessel, and with his men
made his escape to Bangor.
It is not necessary to the purpose of this narrative to
describe in detail the various acts of "magnanimity"
toward those confiding citizens who exhibited such eager
156 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
readiness to throw themselves upon the mercy of an inso-
lent and relentless foe.
Garland's First Military Company
At the beginning of the War of 1812, through the
agency of Captain Isaac Hodsdon of Corinth, afterwards
widely known as Major General Hodsdon, a company of
militia was organized at Garland. Captain Hodsdon
was a young man of great military enthusiasm and
marked ability, and an ardent supporter of President
Madison's administration.
The members of the company, over thirty in number,
met at the barn of Isaac Wheeler, Esq., and organized
by the election of Thomas S. Tyler, captain; Isaac
Copeland, lieutenant, and William Blaisdell, ensign.
Despite the apparent general acquiescence in the pro-
priety of a military company, there was a secret and
strong opposition to it that had been quieted by the tact
of Captain Hodsdon, but not subdued. The reasons
assigned by the opposition were that the isolated position
of the town should exempt its citizens from military ser-
vice, and that the cost to the members of the company
for arms and equipments, added to other burdens of
their condition, would be a great hardship.
There was, also, a political reason that was at the
basis of opposition of some of the citizens. This was
opposition to the existing national administration, and
to the war then in progress.
From the considerations that have been named there
resulted a tacit understanding that, at the expiration of
the time allowed the officers-elect to decide whether they
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 157
would accept the commissions they had been offered, they
would decline them. Such action would make it neces-
sary to go over the ground again and involve delay.
In defiance of the expectations of the citizens, the
officers- elect accepted the commissions tendered them,
and the company became a verity.
The holding a military office in these days was a
distinction that appealed to the pride of the ambitious,
and some of the citizens of Garland were uncharitable
enough to charge that the honor of military titles was
the motive that led the officers-elect to accept commis-
sions in violation of promises not to do so.
The organization of the company having been effected,
its members were called together at regular intervals for
inspection and drill.
A Midnight Summons
The night of September 2d, 1814, was dark and
rainy. The citizens of Garland had retired to rest at
the usual hour with no suspicion that their slumbers
would be disturbed until the light of morning called
them to the duties of a new day.
At the midnight hour the family of Moses Gordon
was awakened by the galloping of a horse into their
dooryard, quickly followed by a violent rapping at their
door. Promptly presenting himself, Mr. Gordon was
confronted by a well-known citizen of Exeter, Jonathan
Palmer, whose nervous and excited bearing indicated
startling news.
The British, he said, having captured Castine were on
their way up the Penobscot to capture the frigate
158 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
Adams, lying at the wharf at Hampden for repairs, and
to make an attack on Bangor. The company in Gar-
land must be ordered at once to report forthwith for
service at Hampden. A few minutes later, Mr. Gordon
was in the saddle riding at the top of the horse's speed
to the residence of Captain Tyler, who lived where
Thomas McComb now lives. The slumbers of Captain
Tyler were as rudely interrupted as had been those of
Mr. Gordon a half hour earlier.
Mr. Gordon was ordered to warn the company to
appear at the residence of Isaac Wheeler forthwith with
arms and equipments. Disregarding darkness, rain and
rough roads, Mr. Gordon executed Captain Tyler's
order with remarkable dispatch. Nearly all the men
answered to the roll-call in the morning.
Early in the day of September 3d, the company was
on its way towards Hampden. Most of the men had
provided themselves with horses. The company moved
on without special incident until they reached Levant,
now Kenduskeag. Here a rumor reached their ears that
the enemy had passed Hampden and was in possession
of Bangor. But the company moved forward until it
reached the foot of the long declivity, now known as the
Jameson Hill, where they met a squad of marines from
the Adams, who confirmed the rumor.
After abandoning the Adams, Captain Morris and his
men proceeded directly to Bangor, with the purpose of
getting to Portland by the way of the Kennebec. At
Bangor, he divided his men into three squads, and as the
country between the Penobscot and Kennebec was
sparsely settled, he ordered the several squads to go from
the one river to the other, by different routes, to insure
adequate subsistence on the road. One of these squads
came to Kenduskeag, and from this point took a westerly
course to the Kennebec River.
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 159
It was this squad the Garland company met at the
foot of the Jameson Hill, and which confirmed the
rumor of the occupation of Hampden and Bangor by
the British. As nothing was to be gained by continu-
ing the march towards the place of the late conflict, the
larger part of the Garland company turned their faces
homeward.
Individuals of the company, however, pushed on to
get a sight of the insolent and hated redcoats.
The movements of the marines having for many
months been confined to the vessel's deck, some of them
had become footsore and lame by their hurried march
over the rough roads through the forest. Our men from
Garland having heard of the exploits of these marines in
the capture of British vessels, were filled with admira-
tion for their bravery, and sympathy for their present
hardships. It was, therefore, with patriotic satisfaction
that they offered these tired marines the use of their
horses to carry them to Kenduskeag, where they were to
be served with a substantial dinner by Moses Hodsdon,
and the horses were to be left for their owners.
But the Garland soldiers found to their sorrow that
brave men were not always strictly honest. Several of
the marines seemed to believe that an extension of their
ride was of more consequence to themselves than a good
dinner at Hodsdon's, or the fulfillment of their promises
to their benefactors. They, therefore, skipped the din-
ner and rode on. Moses Gordon was one of the victims
of misplaced confidence, and in company with others, he
borrowed a horse, and went in pursuit. Darkness soon
enveloped the pursuing party, which coming to an old
camp in the woods, within the limits of the present
town of Stetson, turned in and spent the night.
Starting early in the morning, they reached the camp
of the fugitives, in the same town, as they were about to
160 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
resume their day's march. Being sharply rebuked for
their treachery, they declared with an expression of
injured innocence, that they were then exactly where, as
they understood it, the horses were to be left.
An incident occurred on the return march of the Gar-
land company which greatly amused the rank and file.
They were moving leisurely along, talking of the excit-
ing events of the previous night, and of the morning's
march, when suddenly there emerged from the shadows
of the heavy forest growth a tall, lean, cadaverous speci-
men of humanity, with a high forehead and elongated
chin, who approached them, musket in hand, with long
and rapid strides. The perspiration was running down
his cheeks in streams, and he presented an aspect of
fierce determination that boded peril to some invisible
foe, whatever the form, or wherever the locality of that
foe.
He was making his way with such impetuosity that he
scarcely slackened his pace to notice the returning
soldiers, much less to inquire into the logic of their
movement from, instead of towards, his supposed theatre
of conflict. But they challenged his attention so sharply
that he lingered with ill concealed impatience to hear
their explanations, then resuming his march with accel-
erated movement, he exclaimed, "I don't care— I will
have one shot at the redcoats anyway !"
During his parley with the soldiers, he was recognized
as a prominent citizen of Exeter, and it should be said
that when in normal condition, he was a man of good
personal appearance.
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 161
Enlistments
Not many of the citizens of Garland enlisted in the
War of 1812. Simon French, the father of our citizen,
the late Eben French, enlisted in one of the two com-
panies detached from General Blake's brigade. John
Jackman, father of our late citizens, Justus and James
Jackman, enlisted in another company of the same
brigade. These companies were stationed at Eastport.
Mr. Jackman, afterwards known as Captain Jackman,
was a man of great size and strength and abounding
good nature. In his intercourse with others, he often
carried a disputed point by jokes and pleasantries. On
one occasion he went to the commissary department with
a complaint of the bread ration, when the following
colloquy occurred — "What's the matter with the
bread?" the officer in charge asked. "It is so dry and
hard the men are in danger of breaking their teeth,"
was the reply. "The men must have poor teeth," said
the officer, with an exasperating expression of incredulity.
Nothing daunted, Mr. Jackman repeated the complaint
in intensified form. "It's so hard," he said, "I can
force fire from it with the back of my jack-knife. " "I'd
like to see you do it," replied the officer; whereupon a
messmate of Mr. Jackman stepped forward with a loaf
of the discredited hard bread, and passed it to him.
Pulling a huge jack-knife from his pocket, he examined
the blade very carefully as well as the loaf, which was to
be an important factor in the performance, as if to find
whether the conditions were favorable to success.
He now commenced the effort to coax sparks from the
loaf, but while crumbs rattled over the floor, there were
no sparks of fire. The ludicrous performance drew peals
of laughter from the waiting crowd. Presently the
162 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
promised sparks began to light up the scene. The
laughter became more boisterous, but our Garland
soldier was no longer its subject. The sparks that
amused the crowd, came from the impingement of the
knife upon a gun-flint concealed in the loaf. This was
before the invention of the percussion cap. The quality
of the bread ration was improved by this incident.
Garland in 1815
Town meetings in Garland in 1815 were of frequent
occurrence but, to a great extent, barren of results.
The division of the town into school districts, the location
of schoolhouses and roads, were subjects of perpetual
discussion, both in and out of the municipal gatherings.
The annual meeting of 1815 was held at the resi-
dence of Isaac Wheeler, Esq., on the 13th day of
March. Ebenezer Greenleaf was chosen moderator, and
Moses Gordon, clerk. The selectmen for the year were
Isaac Wheeler, Esq., Benjamin Gilpatrick and Amos
Gordon. The same persons were chosen assessors. The
Rev. John Sawyer, Isaac Wheeler, Esq., and James
Parker were elected superintending school committee.
Moses Gordon was chosen collector, his compensation
being fixed at five and three fourths per cent. The town
voted to raise three hundred dollars for the support of
schools; one hundred and twenty-five dollars to defray
town charges, and seven hundred dollars to build and
repair roads, and to allow twelve and one half cents per
hour for labor.
A town meeting was held at the house of Isaac
Wheeler, Esq., on November 4th, 1815, "to see what
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 163
measure the town will adopt respecting the division of
the county." Previous to this time, Garland had been
a constituent part of the county of Hancock. A
general movement had been inaugurated to secure the
establishment of a new county.
Isaac Wheeler, Esq., Ebenezer Greenleaf and John S.
Haskell were chosen a committee to petition the Legis-
lature of Massachusetts for the proposed division. At
this meeting, John S. Haskell, John Chandler, Cutteon
Flanders and William Church were appointed tithing
men. The appointment of such officials was of regular
occurrence in the earlier years of the town's history.
Their duty was to preserve good order during divine ser-
vice. There being no schoolhouses in town at this date,
and the persons named residing in different sections,
would seem to indicate that religious meetings were held
at private houses or in open air at different parts.
The sixth and last town meeting of 1815 was held on
the 25th of November, at the residence of Isaac
Wheeler, Esq. The inhabitants came together to make
one more effort to harmonize differences respecting the
location and building of schoolhouses, but without
practical result.
Garland in 1816
Petition for a New State
The sentiment in the Province of Maine in favor of
receding from the Mother State had been gaining
strength from the beginning of the War of 1812, and
took the form of organized action in 1816. In his
history of Maine, Mr. Williamson informs us that early
164 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
in the year of 1816, forty-nine towns in the District of
Maine petitioned for separation in their corporate capaci-
ties, and that there were petitions from individuals in
about as many more towns for the same object.
On the 18th of January the legal voters of Garland
in town meeting assembled, passed the following vote:
"That the town petition the Legislature for a separation
of the District of Maine from the State of Massachu-
setts, and for its erection into an independent state.''
The selectmen and town clerk were instructed to sign the
petition in behalf of the town. It may fairly be
inferred that Garland was one of the forty-nine towns
alluded to by Mr. Williamson as voting for separation.
Influenced by these petitions from nearly one half of
the incorporated towns of the district, the Legislature
of Massachusetts sought a fuller expression of sentiment
upon the question of separation. In furtherance of this
purpose, it directed that meetings be held in all the
towns and plantations in the district, on the 20th of
May, and that the voice of the legal voters should be
taken on the following question : "Shall the Legislature
be requested to give its consent to the separation of the
District of Maine from Massachusetts, and the erection
of said district into a separate state?" On this question
the legal voters of Garland voted as follows: For
separation, twenty-six; against separation, five. While
the general result in the district showed that a decisive
majority of those who voted favored separation, only a
minority of voters gave in their vote. This result dis-
appointed the Separationists. Nevertheless, a law was
passed by the Legislature, prescribing the conditions of
separation, and directing that the legal voters of the
towns and plantations should assemble on the first Mon-
day in September and give their yeas and nays upon the
following question : ' 'Is it expedient that the District
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 165
of Maine be separated from Massachusetts and become
an independents tate?" The result in Garland was: For
separation, twenty-six ; against separation, eight.
The general result showed a majority in favor of
separation, but this majority was much smaller than
required by the law which governed the proceedings..
Thus the measure was, for a time, defeated.
Change of Place
*.->
Until the year 1816, the meetings for town business
had been held at private houses, generally at the house
of Isaac Wheeler, Esq. Religious meetings had been
held at private houses, or in the awe-inspiring shadows
of the grand old forest.
In the year 1816, the town meeting was held in the
schoolhouse, afterwards known as the Center schoolhouse
in town. It emerged from clouds of opposition, dis-
putation and declamation. It was the first schoolhouse
in town, and having been built for certain special pur-
poses, other than schools, it was larger than any house
of the kind in town until the village schoolhouse was
built thirty-seven years later.
It was located in a dense forest, at the nominal center
of the town. To the early inhabitants, the old Center
schoolhouse never ceased to be an object of interest.
There they often met to discuss and perfect measures
for the benefit of themselves and children. There they
went to deposit the ballot which, though "a weapon
that comes down as still as snowflakes fall upon the
sod," was yet a factor in determining whether they
should be blessed with the kindly influences of intelli-
166 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
gent and conscientious statesmanship, or cursed with
malignant and incompetent partisanship. There they
sent their children to be instructed in the rudiments
of knowledge that they might be prepared to act well
their parts in the drama of life. There they met for
religious conference and worship, ere yet they were
favored by the regular and more public ministrations of
the pulpit. There the first settled minister, Rev. Isaac
Wilkins, having been called by vote of the town,
labored faithfully for a period of five years to promote
the moral and spiritual welfare of the people.
Annual Town Meeting of 1816
The annual meeting for municipal business in 1816,
was held March 14, in Garland's first public building,
the Center schoolhouse, which was still in an unfinished
condition. The meeting was organized by the choice of
Ebenezer Greenleaf for moderator, and Moses Gordon,
town clerk. Josiah Bartlett, Benjamin Gilpatrick and
Ebenezer Greenleaf were chosen selectmen and assessors.
Thomas Gilpatrick was chosen treasurer and Philip
Greeley, collector. His compensation was fixed at three
and one half per cent.
Isaac Wheeler, Abner Sanborn and Moses Buzzell
were chosen superintending school committee. It was
voted to raise five hundred dollars to build and repair
highways, three hundred dollars to support schools, one
hundred and fifty dollars to defray town charges and fif-
teen dollars to buy powder and balls. It was voted that
all taxes, except the highwa}r tax, should be paid in
grain, wheat at one dollar and fifty cents, corn at one
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 167
dollar and twenty-five cents, and rye at one dollar and
ten cents per bushel.
The second meeting of 1816 was held on the 12th
of April for the transaction of some unimportant town
business. In the afternoon of the same day the citizens
deposited their votes for governor, lieutenant governor,
senators and councilors. The vote for governor was:
For Hon. Samuel Dexter, twenty-four; for Hon. John
Brooks, fifteen.
In this election Mr. Brooks was elected as the succes-
sor of Governor Strong. Another town meeting was
held on April 20th to transact business relative to the
building of schoolhouses and the making of roads.
A New County
To the citizens of Garland and of this section of the
Province of Maine, the year 1816 was the beginning of
a new epoch. Until 1816, Garland had been a part of
Hancock County, a section of country extending from
the Penobscot Bay on the south, to the utmost northern
limits of the State. It embraced territory nearly as
large as one third of the present State of Maine, and
larger than the present State of Massachusetts.
Castine was its shire town, although Bangor had been
constituted a half shire town years earlier, and a registry
of deeds had been established there, still all court business
was transacted at Castine, which was so remote from the
extreme northern settlements of the county that the
inhabitants of these distant settlements were subjected
to serious inconvenience when required to attend court.
A movement had been made a vear earlier for the
168
establishment of a new county, many petitions having
been sent to the Legislature of Massachusetts in further-
ance of the object. Garland was one of the towns that
petitioned. In response to these petitions, the Legis-
lature of Massachusetts passed an act on February 15th,
1816, to incorporate the county of Penobscot, which
provided that it should take effect on the first day of
April, 1816. Bangor was made the shire town of the
new county.
The existence of a new county created the necessity
for new offices and officers to fill them. With the
exception of registrar of deeds, these officers were to be
appointed by the governor. He was to be elected by
the towns of the new county. The legal voters of
Garland assembled on the 27th of May and voted as
follows :
For John Wilkins, eight votes; for Charles Rice,
one vote.
Mr. Wilkins was elected registrar by an almost unani-
mous vote.
The legal voters of Garland assembled at the Center
schoolhouse on November 4, 1816, to vote for represent-
ative to Congress.
Hon. Martin Hinsley received fourteen votes. Hon.
John Wilson received nine votes.
The Year Without a Summer
The year 1816 has been aptly characterized as the
year without a summer. Several of the preceding sum-
mers were so cold as to suggest a possible future famine.
This tendency to frigidity reached its greatest intensity
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 169
in the summer of 1816. The phenomenal coldness of
that year was not confined to a small area. It prevailed
through the United States and Canada and extended to
Europe. That there were reasons for alarm, especially
in the new settlements of eastern Maine, already
impoverished by untoward events extending through
several years, will be understood by a perusal of the fol-
lowing graphic account from a reliable source :
"The year 1816 was known throughout the United
States and Europe as the coldest ever experienced by any
person then living. Very few persons now living can
recollect it. The following is a brief summary of the
weather during each month of that year: January was
so mild as to render fires almost unnecessary in parlors.
February, with the exception of a few days, was like its
predecessor. March was cold and boisterous during the
early part of the month. The latter part was mild.
April began warm but grew colder as the month
advanced. May was more remarkable for frowns than
smiles. Buds and fruits were frozen. Ice formed half
an inch thick. Corn was killed and again planted and
replanted so long as there was the slightest prospect of
success. June was the coldest ever known in this lati-
tude. Frost and ice were common. Almost every green
thing, including fruit, was destroyed. Snow fell to the
depth of seven inches in Vermont and Maine, three in
the interior of New York and Massachusetts. There
were a few warm days in June. It was called a dry
season. The wind, fierce and cold, blew steadily from
the north. Mothers knit extra socks and mittens for
their children in the spring. Wood-piles were renewed.
Planting and shivering went on together. Farmers
worked out their taxes on the roads in overcoats and
mittens. In Vermont, a farmer had driven his sheep to
pasture some miles awav at the usual time. On the 7th
170 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
of June there was a heav}^ fall of snow. The cold
being severe, the owner went to look after them. As
he left the house he said sportively to his wife, 'It
being June, if I do not return in a reasonable time send
the neighbors after me. ' Night came, the storm had
increased, and he was still absent.
"The next morning the neighbors were alarmed and
started in search of the missing man. On the morning
of the third day, he was found with his feet badly frozen
and unable to walk.
"July was accompanied by frost and ice. On the 5th,
ice of the thickness of common window-glass was found
throughout New England, New York and some parts of
Pennsylvania. Indian corn was nearly all destroyed
except on elevated lands. August was more cheerless
than the earlier summer months. Nearly all the corn
that had escaped thus far was so badly frozen that it was
cut for fodder. September furnished about two weeks
of the mildest weather of the season.
' 'October produced more than its share of cold weather.
November was cold and brought snow and sleighing. In
marked contrast with the preceding months of 1816,
December was mild and comfortable. Such is the sum-
maiy of the general weather conditions of the phenome-
nal year of 1816."
To us, who are at a remove of eighty years from that
phenomenal year, the foregoing description may seem to
have been inspired by a spirit of unrestrained exagger-
ation, but it is confirmed by the traditions of the experi-
ence of the early inhabitants of central Maine.
In his Annals of Bangor, Judge John E. Godfrey
says : ' 'The season was remarkable for the low state of
the thermometer. In June the cold was severe. It
snowed the seventh and eighth. Water froze for several
nights, and on the 10th, the ice over puddles would bear
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 171
a man. Great numbers of birds were so benumbed that
they could be readily taken in the hand, and many
perished. ' '
The Rev. Amasa Loring, in his history of Piscataquis
County, says of the year 1816 : "On the 29th and 30th
days of May, snow fell to the depth of five inches.
From the sixth to the tenth of June there were frequent
snow squalls, and every morning the surface of the
ground was found frozen. Every month during the sum-
mer frost was visible. On the sixth of October, three
inches of snow fell. No corn was raised this year in any
part of northern New England. Early rye and wheat
ripened, but were much pinched, and potatoes came in
light and watery."
Garland in the Cold Year
The almost total failure of crops in the fateful year of
1816 put the faith of the inhabitants of Garland in
their ability to maintain their foothold upon the lands
where they had toiled many a weary year to make homes
for themselves and their growing families, to a severe
test.
Previous to the year 1816 they had been sorely buf-
feted by adverse circumstances, and now, when they had
reached the threshold of what seemed a brighter future,
this disastrous year came to them with crushing force.
Many of them were carrying a burden of debt incurred
in the purchase of their lands, which they were bravely
striving to pay.
A typical case was that of Moses Gordon. In the
year 1815 he had felled ten acres of trees, partly on the
172 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
land now owned and occupied by his son Albert, and
partly upon the Murdock place, with the purpose and
expectation of reducing his debt.
The conditions of exposure to the sun and soil favored
an abundant crop. The early spring months had passed,
and the calendar indicated the advent of the corn-plant-
ing season, but there was nothing in the atmospheric
conditions to suggest the presence of that usually joyous
season ; nothing to inspire courage, confidence or hope.
Planting was postponed from time to time for the hoped
for favorable change which failed to come. At length
in sheer desperation, with the assistance of several
neighbors, Mr. Gordon commenced the work of planting.
It was now well along in June, the month in which—
' 'If ever come perfect days. * ' But instead of sunshine
and warmth, there were snow-squalls and frosts almost
daily. Men were obliged to resume their winter cloth-
ing. The summer passed, and harvest time came, but it
brought disappointment instead of corn.
The value of the entire crop of corn harvested was
not equal to that of the seed planted. The same dis-
astrous results came to nearly all the farmers who
attempted to raise corn. There is a tradition, however,
that William Godwin raised a crop of corn in 1816, on
an elevated farm, a little east of the present residence of
Charles Greeley, formerly known as the Calef or Cram
farm. Perpetual breezes over the hilltop kept the grow-
ing corn almost constantly in motion, thus resisting the
action of the frost, and allowing the crop to grow and
ripen.
While the corn crop was virtually a failure in Gar-
land, crops of wheat, rye and potatoes, were partially
successful, but wheat and rye were much pinched, and
potatoes were small and watery. The inhabitants of
this region were greatly perplexed with the question of a
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 17-S
food supply until the crops of 1817 should ripen, if,
indeed, the unborn year should prove more fruitful than
the present.
Forest, lake and stream could be depended on for the
usual supply of game and fish, but beyond these the
prospect was not inspiring. 'But expedients were at
hand. Mashed potatoes and pumpkins were mixed with
flour, corn and rye meal to increase the quantity of
bread supply. Potatoes and pumpkins in milk was an
esteemed dish. Clover heads stewed in butter often took
the place of more nutritious food. Fields and thickets
were scanned for berries.
Incidents From the Diary of Stephen A.
Berry
In 1816, Stephen A. Berry, then a boy of ten years,
was living with his parents in New Durham, N. H. The
hardships of the family are typical of those that were
common throughout New England. Mr. Berry says that
the years 1815-16-17, constituted a period of privation
and hardship without a parallel within the memories of
the oldest inhabitants then living.
The year 1816 was the most memorable of these.
On the 7th of June snow fell to the depth of seven
inches. No corn ripened sufficiently for seed, and as an
article of food, it was very near an entire failure.
Wheat was but little used for food. Machinery for
grinding it was very imperfect, and the methods of pre-
paring it for the table were very crude. Rye and corn
meal were much more highly esteemed.
The crop of rye in 1816, while light, was not an
174 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
entire failure. Mr. Berry relates an incident of his own
experience. In the vicinity of his home, there lived a
Mr. Ela, a wealthy farmer, who had raised a large field
of rye. After the rye had been harvested with great
care, Mr. Berry, then ten years old, obtained permission
to glean the scattered heads, and with the assistance of a
sister, older than himself, entered upon the work with
zeal and courage.
At the end of several days' diligent labor, the young
gleaners bore the gathered heads of rye in triumph to
their home. Aided by their good mother, they soon
relieved the heads of their treasures. Breezes from the
hilltops separated the chaff from the grain. The
reward of their youthful toil was eight quarts of rye
which the boy Stephen bore to the mill a mile from
home, and soon returned with the meal which quickly
took the form of bread, and the family sat down to a
"square meal" for the first time in several days.
Mr. Berry says he does not remember whether there
was other food before the family on that occasion, but
he does remember that there was bread and a plenty of
it, and that no achievement of his subsequent life gave
him more satisfaction than this.
Later in the season the Berry family arose early one
morning to find there was not a mouthful of food in the
larder. The father quickly summoned his two sons:
Ira, who was afterwards for many years a prominent
citizen of Portland, and Stephen. The three went
to the river at a short distance from the house, where
they unexpectedly found an abundance of fish ready to
take the bait upon their hooks.
After fishing for a brief time, a sudden shower of rain
came upon them, when the fish instantly disappeared in
the deep water, whereupon Stephen quaintly remarked
that this must have been done to avoid getting wet.
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 175
The breakfast that followed was characterized by abun-
dance rather than variety.
Garland in 1817
To the inhabitants of Garland, the year 1817 opened
with gloomy forebodings. The struggle for bread that
had characterized the year just closed, must of necessity
be intensified until the harvest of 1817 would, perchance,
bring relief.
Each year, . following the year 1813 down to that of
1816, had been more unfruitful than the preceding year.
This engendered the apprehension that the year to
follow might be more disastrous to growing crops than
the year that had just closed. In looking forward, it is
not strange that the disheartened people indulged in
serious questionings of the future. Was the sun losing
its warmth? Would the seasons continue to grow
colder? Had Providence designed this cold region for
the habitat of wild animals instead of the home of
civilization? Would the harvest of the new year bring
relief? Will the best twelve or fifteen vears of our brief
lives, which have been devoted to the work of making
homes in this eastern wilderness, years of struggle,
hardship, privation, and severe toil, count for naught in
the battle of life? And after all, shall we be compelled
to abandon all our earthly possessions here and fly from
the ills we now endure to those we know not of?
The early months of 1817 were not reassuring.
January and February were intensely cold. The spring
months were very chill}'. They failed to dispel the
clouds that had so long hung dark and heavy over the
people.
176 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
A Cheering Change
The month of July brought a cheering change to the
desponding dwellers of this region. The sun resumed
its wonted power over vegetation. Alternations of sun-
shine and rain were followed by a remarkable change of
the growing crops. Autumn made its advent laden
with an abundant crop of grain. The protracted period
of despondency now gave place to courage and hope.
An incident of the spring, summer, and autumn of
1817 was the presence of an innumerable multitude of
wild pigeons. They flew through the air in clouds,
often obscuring the light of the sun. They infested
fields of grain doing much damage. Although esteemed
as an article of food, they were caught in such numbers
that bushels of them were thrown to the hogs. Forty
to fifty dozen was not an uncommon catch in a single
day by a single individual.
Friends in Need
The early inhabitants of Garland held many of the
business men of Bangor in grateful remembrance to the
latest hours of their lives for the kindly forbearance and
encouragement received at their hands in the time of
their direful extremity.
Those of our people whose indebtedness was to be
paid in farm produce, were generously granted such
extension of time as their necessities required. If, per-
chance, any of them had a surplus of grain to turn over
to their creditors, they were allowed to retain it for their
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 177
own, or their neighbor's use, until more propitious
seasons should afford more abundant means of payment.
Seed was generously offered to those who would
promise to put it into the ground, to be paid for at the
convenience of those accepting the offer. Conspicuous
among these helpful friends was William Emerson, the
following tribute to whose personal qualities was cut
from a Bangor paper:
"Mr. Emerson gained a fine reputation in those days
(1816 and 1817) by his tender and benevolent treatment
of the poor and, in fact, of all who needed his assistance.
He never took advantage of sudden rises in prices of
articles of food or clothing. He took pains to secure a
plenty of seed for the farmers, at prices, and on terms
of credit that suited their circumstances, and in manv
ways tried to lessen the burdens of his less fortunate or
less thoughtful neighbors. ' '
This sketch of the considerate and unselfish acts of
Mr. Emerson harmonizes with traditions from the early
inhabitants of Garland, and it is fitting that a record of
such acts should find a place in the annals of the town
of Garland.
The Annual Meeting of 1817
The annual town meeting of 1817 was held March 19
at the Center schoolhouse. Josiah Bartlett was chosen
moderator, and Isaac Wheeler, town clerk. Isaac
Wheeler, Philip Greeley and Benjamin Gilpatrick were
chosen selectmen and assessors. The selectmen were
chosen superintending school committee. Thomas
Gilpatrick, Jr., was chosen treasurer, and Philip
178 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
Greeley, collector of taxes, whose compensation was
fixed at three and three fourths per cent.
It was voted to raise one hundred and seventy-five
dollars for the support of schools ; eight hundred dollars
to make and repair highways, and one hundred and fifty
dollars to defray town charges. At the same meeting,
the town voted to use the money that had been voted
for schools to defray town charges. This vote left the
schools without appropriation. At a subsequent meet-
ing, it was voted that one hundred and fifty dollars of
the sum voted for town charges, at the previous meeting,
should be expended for schools. The people of the town
were still working at cross purposes respecting school
districts and schools.
A second town meeting was held on April 7th at the
Center schoolhouse. The main object of this meeting-
was the consideration of matters pertaining to roads.
It was voted to allow twelve and one half cents per hour
for the labor of men and oxen, and for the use of plows,
and eight cents for carts while in use.
The First County Road
The year 1817 made a new epoch in the history of
roads. Heretofore roads had been located and built by
the town almost exclusively with reference to the require-
ments and convenience of its own citizens. The time
had now come when its necessities and convenience must,
to a certain extent, be considered with reference to its
relation to other towns. A county road extending
from Bangor to the present count}' of Piscataquis,
through the towns of Glenburn, Kenduskeag, Corinth,
MAINE 179
Garland and Sangerville, towards Moosehead Lake, had
been projected. This road is now known as "the old
County road'" and the section of it within the limits
of Garland was about seven miles in length.
At its second town meeting of 1817, held April 7th,
the town voted to expend three hundred dollars of the
eight hundred dollars that had been voted at the annual
meeting upon the section of the county road between
Church's mills and the south line of the town. It also
voted to allow for the travel of men and oxen to and
from their work, on the above named section, six cents
per mile. This allowance was limited to men living
north of Church's mills, while the allowance to laborers
south of the mills was four cents per mile.
At a town meeting held on the 7th of October, 1817,
it was voted that every citizen of Garland who pays a
poll tax should work one day on the county road north
of the late residence of Enoch Jackman. The site of
this residence was near the place where the original
county road intersected the present county road to
Sangerville, a little north of the present residence of
Henry Merrill.
A year later the town voted to raise twelve hundred
dollars to build and repair highways, and that one half
this sum should be expended on the county road. The
building of the first county road was a severe burden
upon the inhabitants of the town.
Ballot for Governor in 1817
On April 7th, the town balloted for governor with
result as follows: Hon. John Brooks received fourteen
votes; Hon. Henry Dearborn received sixteen votes.
180 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
Garland in 1818
The annual meeting of 1818 was held March 14th.
The officers chosen were Isaac Wheeler, Esq., town
clerk; Benjamin Gilpatrick, John Trefethen and Abner
Sanborn, selectmen and assessors; Ezekiel Straw, treas-
urer; Philip Greeley, collector of taxes, whose compen-
sation was fixed at two and three fourths per cent.
Ezekiel Straw, Edward Fifield and John Trefethen were
chosen superintending school committee.
On the 6th day of April, a town meeting was held
for the transaction of important business which had been
omitted at the annual town meeting. No money had
been voted at this meeting for any purpose. It may
safely be assumed that the omission was due to a bitter
division of sentiment upon questions pertaining to
schools and roads. At the meeting of April 6th, the-
town voted to raise twelve hundred dollars to make and
repair highways, one half of this sum to be expended
on the county road, and the balance on other roads of
the town.
It was voted to raise three hundred dollars for the
support of schools, one hundred dollars for the support
of the poor, twenty-three dollars to purchase powder
(presumably to make a noise on muster day) and seventy-
five dollars to defray town charges. There is no record
of the raising of money for the support of the poor
until the year 1818.
Until this year (1818) it had been the policy of the
town to have all taxes, except the road tax, paid in
grain at prices fixed each year by vote. This year it was
voted that taxes, except the road tax, should be paid
one half in money and one half in grain, wheat at one
dollar and fifty cents, rye at one dollar per bushel, pro-
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 181
vided that these grains should be delivered to the treas-
urer by the first day of February, 1819, otherwise the
whole tax, except the road tax, must be paid in money.
The Town's Treasury Boxes
When in 1850, our late citizen, Ezekiel Straw, who
had been treasurer of the town in 1818, transferred his
farm to George A. Brann, the latter found grain bins in
an out-building which in size were greatly dispropor-
tionate to the requirements of the farm. Asking an
explanation of the former owner, he was informed that
they had been provided for storing the town's grain
received in payment of taxes. The acceptance of grain
by the town in payment of taxes will explain the large
percentage paid from year to year for the collection of
taxes.
Vote for Governor in 1818
The legal voters of Garland balloted for governor on
April 6, with result as follows: For Hon. Benjamin
Crowningshield, Anti Federalist, nineteen votes ; for
Hon. John Brooks, Federalist, twelve votes.
A town meeting, held November 2, 1818, only em-
phasized the bitter disagreements upon the question of
schoolhouses.
182 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
The Ohio Fever
The impoverished condition of many of the citizens of
the Province of Maine, superinduced by the adverse
effects of the War of 1812, and intensified by the failure
of crops in 1816, was followed by an emigration from
the State to the West, estimated at from ten to fifteen
thousand people. This demoralized sentiment was called
the "Ohio fever." While some of the towns of the
Province suffered severely by the loss of citizens from
this cause, the loss to Garland was slight.
A Favorable Season
In contrast with several seasons preceding that of
1817, the year 1818 was characterized by a summer
remarkably favorable for the growth of vegetation.
The crops of grain were abundant. The "Ohio fever"
had spent its force, and the tide of emigration had begun
to set towards Maine.
A Revival of the Military Spirit
The autumn of 1818 witnessed a military gathering
at Bangor which for enthusiastic interest has never, in
time of peace, had a parallel in Penobscot County. The
mortification engendered by the feeble opposition to the
passage of the British ships and troops past Hampden to
Bangor towards the close of the War of 1812, and the
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 183
tame surrender of those places had rankled in the bosoms
of the inhabitants of Penobscot vallev.
Young, ambitious, and rising military officers of the
time, who had not participated in the Hampden affair,
believed that special efforts to improve the morals of the
militia were imperatively demanded. Arrangements for
a muster of the troops in large numbers at Bangor
followed.
The ardor of the younger officers, conspicuous among
whom was Colonel Isaac Hodsdon of Corinth, in evoking
the necessary enthusiasm from the people, was commen-
surate with the importance of the end in view.
The date fixed for the proposed military assemblage
was September 21st. At length the impatiently awaited
day dawned. At an early hour the third, fourth, and
fifth regiments of the first brigade, embracing thirty
companies, took the places assigned them on the ample
field selected for the review. In the absence of the
Brigadier General, the command devolved on Colonel
Hodsdon. The large cavalcade of officers, dressed in gay
uniforms, on spirited horses, the stirring music, waving
flags, rattle of musketry, roar of cannon, and the evolu-
tions of the soldiery, drew forth the wildest enthusiasm
from the crowds of people in attendance.
The interest of the occasion was greatly enhanced by
the presence of Governor Brooks, who reviewed the
troops and expressed his warm approval of the success
of this notable demonstration. The Garland company
of militia was present under the command of Captain
Philip Greeley.
184
The First Post-Office
Previous to the year 1818, through a period of six-
teen years, the nearest post-office had been at Bangor
which was twenty-five miles away. During that period
mail matter for the inhabitants of Garland was sent
from the Bangor office by any reliable person of the
town, who happened to be in Bangor, and left with some
resident of Garland, who esteemed it a pleasure to distrib-
ute it to the scattered homes as opportunity occurred.
A mail route extending from Bangor, through Gar-
land, to Skowhegan having been established, a post-
office was located at the house of William Godwin, who
resided on the road to Dexter, opposite the site of
Maple Grove Cemetery, in the year 1818, and Mr.
Godwin was appointed postmaster. A Mr. Hayden of
Skowhegan was the first mail-carrier over this route.
His stopping place at the end of the first day's travel
from Bangor was at Isaac Hopland's, where Mark C.
Jennings now resides.
The mail was carried on horseback for the first few
years. This service involved hardship and, not infre-
quently, serious danger. During the spring and
autumnal freshets, the corduroy bridges over low and
swampy lands were often transformed into floating
bridges of a dangerous character.
Bridges over small streams would sometimes float away
in the interim between trips. Mr. Hayden's contract
expired in 1822. He was followed, as contractor, by
Colin Campbell of Corinth, and Calvin Osgood, after-
wards a citizen of Garland, to carry the mail.
Mr. Eddy, who commenced service as mail-carrier in
1822, communicates the following information respect-
ing the circuit he traveled to get the mail to the offices
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 185
upon his route. Starting from Bangor, he passed
through the present towns of Glenburn, Kenduskeag,
West Corinth, Exeter, Garland, Dexter, Ripley, Har-
mony, Athens and Cornville, to the objective point,
Skowhegan.
On his return, he passed through the towns of
Canaan, Pittsfield, Hartland, St. Albans, Palmyra,
Newport, Etna, Carmel and Hampden, to Bangor.
Some sections of the return route from Skowhegan must
have been of a somewhat zigzag character.
Mr. Eddy gives the names of the postmasters upon
his route in 1822 as follows: Mark Trafton at Bangor,
Moses Hodsdon at Kenduskeag, Richard Palmer at West
Corinth, Reuben Bartlett at Garland, Dr. Gilman
Burleigh at Dexter, John Todd at Ripley, Mr. Bartlett
at Harmony, John Ware at Athens, Thomas Smith at
Cornville, John Wyman at Skowhegan, Mr. Tuttle at
Canaan, Mr. Foss at St. Albans, now Hartland, Dr.
French at North St. Albans, William Lancey at Pal-
myra, Mr. Sanger at Newport, Hollis Friend at Etna,
Deacon Ruggles at Carmel, Mr. Stetson at Hampden
Corner and Mr. Vose at Hampden Upper Corner.
The adventurous mail-carriers had their regular stop-
ping places where they rested at night, except when
delayed by stress of weather, bad condition of roads,
or accident, when they stopped wherever night overtook
them.
At the close of Mr. Campbell's term of service, in
1826, the roads had been so much improved as to admit
of the use of a two-horse covered carriage for carrying
the mail and passengers. This was a step forward in
the march of improvement which was highly pleasing to
the early inhabitants. Lawrence Greene of Dexter now
began to carry the mail, and passengers, from Bangor to
Dexter.
186
Among Mr. Greene's passengers there would appear
occasionally one or more of the dusky inhabitants of
Indian Old Town. It was a great marvel to the small
boy, who cast a frightened look into the carriage, that
Mr. Greene should dare to carry representatives of a
race whose history had been so long and closely associated
with the tomahawk and scalping-knife.
About the vear 1880 the mail-route was changed.
Diverging from the original route at Corinth, it ran by
way of Exeter Mills and Exeter Corner to Dexter.
From this time onward, Garland was supplied with mail
matter from the Exeter Corner office. This change was
followed by serious inconvenience to the residents of
Garland for many }^ears. If the mail-carrier made his
appearance at the Garland office on the day he was due,
he regarded himself at liberty to fix the hour to suit his
own convenience. He was sometimes a day late as a
matter of convenience to himself.
On one such occasion the mail had been changed
and the carrier had started along, when the postmaster,
Dr. Joseph Springall, rushed out into the street, bare-
headed, as if some sudden thought had inspired the
movement, and with characteristic humor exclaimed —
"Halloo, young man! Say, when are you coming this
way again?"
Garland in 1819
The annual meeting of 1819 was held on March 16.
The officers chosen were Philip Greeley, moderator;
Isaac Wheeler, clerk ; Isaac Wheeler, Josiah Bartlett
and Ezekiel Straw, selectmen and assessors; Isaac
HISTOKY OF GARLAND, MAINE 187
Wheeler, Moses Buswell and Josiah Bartlett, superin-
tending- school committee; John Chandler, collector,
with a compensation of one per cent. , and Ezekiel Straw,
treasurer.
The town voted to raise four hundred dollars for
schools; one thousand dollars to build and repair roads,
and eleven dollars and fifty cents to erect guide-boards.
A second town meeting was held on April 5th, to act
upon various matters of business, but nothing of impor-
tance resulted.
On the same day a vote for governor was taken when
Hon. John Brooks, Federalist, received thirteen votes;
Hon. Benj. Crowningshield, Democrat, received nineteen
votes.
A third town meeting was held on April 17, when the
town voted that one half of the sum voted at the annual
meeting for support of schools, also the seventy-five dol-
lars voted for town charges, might be paid in wheat at
one dollar and fifty cents, corn at one dollar and twenty-
five cents, and rye at one dollar per bushel, if delivered
to the treasurer by the first day of February.
The most severe burden resting upon the early inhabi-
tants of Garland was the construction and repair of
roads. The original withholding of every alternate
range of land from sale, had necessitated a large mileage
of roads. The incoming of new settlers from year to
vear increased the burden of road building. In addition
to roads for local convenience, a county road running
obliquely across the town, which had been established in
1817, had increased the burden of road building.
In the years of 1817 and 1818, the town had taxed its
inhabitants to the extent of their ability to pay, towards
the construction of the county road. But the public
was not satisfied with the progress made, and the town
was indicted. A fourth town meeting was held on the
188 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
4th of May to consider the method of dealing with the
indictment, when it was voted that four hundred dollars
of the one thousand dollars, raised at the annual meeting
for building and repairing roads, should be expended on
the county road, and that three hundred dollars, in
addition, should be raised by assessment.
John S. Haskell was appointed agent to answer to the
indictment upon the road. Philip Greeley and William
Godwin were appointed to superintend the labor upon
this road.
On the 26th of July the legal voters of Garland
assembled to act upon the following question: "Is it
expedient that the District of Maine shall become a
separate and independent State on the terms and con-
ditions of an Act entitled an Act relating to the Sepa-
ration of the District of Maine from Massachusetts
proper, and forming the same into an independent
State?" The number of votes cast was twenty-four
which were all in favor of separation. In the State the
majority in favor of separation was very large.
The act submitting the question of separation to the
people of the Province of Maine, provided that if a
majority of fifteen hundred should be given for separa-
tion, the Governor was to make proclamation of the
result on, or after, the fourth Monday of August, 1819.
This Act also provided that each corporate town should
be empowered to send at least one delegate to a conven-
tion to be held in Portland, on the second Monday in
October, to form a constitution.
The legal voters of Garland assembled on the 20th
day of September to choose a delegate to the constitu-
tional convention with result as follows : Amos Gordon
received eighteen votes; Abner Sanborn received ten
votes; Moses Buswell received five votes.
At the appointed time Mr. Gordon was found in his
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 189
seat at the convention. The legal voters of Garland
were called together on the 6th day of December for
the purpose of expressing their approbation or disap-
probation of the constitution emanating from the con-
vention. The votes, fifteen in number, were all in favor
of the constitution as reported from the convention.
An application in due form was made to Congress, for
the admission of Maine to the Union, and on the third
day of March, 1820, it was admitted to the Union by
an act to take effect March 15, 1820.
From this date, the Province of Maine, which, in the
language of Governor Brooks, had been bone of the
bone and flesh of the flesh of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, became an independent State. Whatever
Maine has been in the past, whatever she is now, or
whatever she may become, it is certain that no state can
boast of a more illustrious or better parentage than
Maine.
An incident of the constitutional convention was a
somewhat sharp discussion of the question, "Shall the
new state be styled the State of Maine or the Common-
wealth of Maine?" Fortunately, the good sense of the
convention led to the shorter and simpler designation.
Garland From 1810 to 1820
The population in the second decade increased but
slightly. In 1810 it was 236. Ten years later, it was
275, an increase of only 39. While the roads had been
somewhat extended and improved, and school facilities
somewhat enlarged, the condition of the average family
had not improved. The poor had been growing poorer,
190 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
and the debts of the more independent had been increas-
ing. A few families had moved into town, a larger
number had moved away.
Among those who had cast their fortune in the town
in the second decade was the familv of Plvnn Clark, which
settled upon the place now owned by Leonard Hathaway.
Simon Morgan, from Elkinstown, moved into town in
1811 or 1812, and occupied the place vacated by Mr.
Griffin, the first tanner, which was located at the foot of
the slope west of the residence of David Dearborn.
The Rev. John Sawyer came into the township as a mis-
sionary before its incorporation, and purchased the lot
of land on the hill where D. F. Patten resides, and
built a house about the year 1813, where he lived with
his family for several years.
David Crowell lived for a short time on the place a
little west of the schoolhouse, in District No. 7, now
owned by David Allen. He was afterwards a well known
citizen of Exeter. He left Garland about the year
1818.
Philip E. Badger moved into West Garland in 1818,
or a year later, and occupied the place where the
Lawrence family afterwards resided for many years.
Ellery Stone is now the owner of the same place.
Families Who Moved Away During the
Second Decade
Nathan Merrill, the carpenter and spinning-wheel
maker, left Garland in 1810 or 1811, and took up resi-
dence in Charleston in 1811. The families of William
Dustin, John Grant, Andrew Kimball, William Sargent,
HISTOKY OF GARLAND, MAINE 191
James McLure and William Church, left the town in
the period including the years of 1814-15-16 and 17.
Most of these families emigrated to Ohio, allured thither
by glowing descriptions of the productiveness of the soil
of that state.
Many of these families suffered keenly the discomforts
of homesickness but, alas, they were too poor to return.
An emigrant to Ohio from Exeter wrote to a friend he
had left behind that his wife had shed tears of home-
sickness enough to grind a bushel of wet corn.
While extravagant descriptions of the advantages of
western life promoted emigration thereto, repellent
influences here contributed to the same result. In addi-
tion to the ordinary hardships of pioneer life, the people
of these eastern towns had been subjected to extraordi-
nary hardships that followed in the wake of the War of
1812. The interruption of commerce by the Embargo
Act had been a severe blow to the whole country. Near
the close of the war, navigation between Boston and
Bangor had been suspended. Goods from the former to
the latter place wrere hauled by ox-teams.
Our citizen, William Stone, is the possessor of an
axle-tree that was a part of a wagon that had been used
in the transportation of goods from Boston to Bangor.
Another citizen, the late Captain John Jackman, assisted
in forging this axle-tree.
The war had closed in 1814, but scarcely had the
blessings of peace dawned upon the inhabitants, when
the cold seasons of 1814-15 intervened to cut off the
food supply. Causes other than those that have been
mentioned tended to the decrease of population. There
are in almost every community, families who are the
victims of an everpresent desire for change of place.
Wherever they are, they long to be somewhere else.
This longing for change is contagious, sometimes infect-
192 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
ing whole neighborhoods. Families are sometimes influ-
enced to a change of residence by an existing special
cause.
The emigration of Enos Quimby, one of the early
settlers, from Garland, was due to a special cause. The
locality of his home was infested by innumerable swarms
of mosquitoes at certain seasons. They rushed into his
unprotected dwelling in clouds. The dire discord of
their music coupled with their thirst for blood, disturbed
the peace of mind of Mrs. Quimby by day, and her
dreams by night. Patiently enduring the annoyance
until patience ceased to be a virtue, she declared that
she could not and would not submit to it longer. She
carried her point, and the family sought a new home in
another locality. It was a fine illustration of the force
of a woman's will as described in an old couplet —
"When she will she will you may depend on't,
When she won't she won't and that's the end on't."
It must not be inferred however that Mrs. Quimby
lacked courage to meet the ordinary discomforts of
pioneer life. These she could laugh at. The mosquito
scourge was quite another thing. It is said that pas-
sengers are sometimes driven from boats on the lower
Mississippi by the swarms of voracious mosquitoes that
infest its banks ; that the boldest rider upon the fastest
horse dares not in the month of June encounter these
blood-thirsty pests on the rank and fertile prairies of
northern Minnesota. They have been known to demor-
alize brigades of soldiers on the march from point to
point.
Maine's former historian, Mr. Williamson, estimated
that Maine lost from ten thousand to fifteen thousand
inhabitants in consequence of the War of 1812, and the
cold seasons of 1814-15 and 1816.
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 198
Garland in 1820
The annual meeting of 1820 was held on the 23d day
of March. The warrant calling this meeting was the
last issued in the name of the Commonwealth of Massa-
chusetts. The following officers were elected: Philip
Greeley, moderator; Isaac Wheeler, clerk; Isaac
Wheeler, Josiah Bartlett, and Ezekiel Straw, selectmen
and assessors; Ezekiel Straw, treasurer, and James J.
Chandler, collector of taxes, whose compensation was
fixed at two and one fourth per cent.
It was voted to raise one thousand dollars for making
and repairing highways, and that for men, oxen, and
plows, twelve and one half cents should be allowed per
hour, until the first of October. It was voted to raise
two hundred dollars for making paths in winter, and to
allow the same per hour for the labor of men and oxen
as in summer.
The town voted that taxes assessed for support of
schools and for town charges, may be paid in wheat at
nine shillings, or in corn or rye at six shillings per
bushel, if delivered to the treasurer by the 20th day of
January, but if not delivered at that time, must be paid
in money.
On the 3d of April, 1820, the legal voters were
called together to vote for governor and other officers.
All previous calls had been issued in the name of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This, and all subse-
quent calls, have been issued in the name of the State
of Maine which, if less pretentious than the high
sounding title by which they had been called to the
discharge of their political duties, it had the merit of
being more compact, more convenient, and more in
harmony with republican simplicity.
194 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAFNE
In the convention at Portland a year earlier, to frame
a constitution for the new State, the committee which
had been appointed to consider the question of title,
reported in favor of calling it the Commonwealth of
Maine. Many of the members believed that the handle
was disproportionate to the size of the pitcher ; that the
prefix was too ponderous. After a somewhat sharp dis-
cussion, a member moved the word "commonwealth" be
stricken out. The motion was carried by a vote of 119
to 113.
On the following day, at the close of a protracted dis-
cussion, an ordinance was passed providing that the State
should be known by the style and title of the State of
Maine. Thus fortunately, for coming generations, the
word state took the place of the ponderous prefix, com-
monwealth.
On the 3d day of April, 1820, the legal voters of
Garland assembled to cast their votes for governor of
the new State, for the first time, with the following
result : William King, Democrat, received twenty votes ;
Ruel Williams, Democrat, received six votes; Albion K.
Paris, Democrat, received three votes; Moses Buswell
received one vote.
Mr. King's vote in the State was twenty-one thousand
and eighty-three, against one thousand eight hundred
and three for all other candidates. His election had
long been predicted on account of his ability and popu-
larity as a man. Mr. Williams was a man of decided
ability, and highly esteemed for liberality in matters of
public importance. He was afterwards elected to the
Senate of the United States. Mr. Paris was highly
esteemed for his excellent qualities. He was the second
governor elected by the people, although he was preceded
by two acting governors.
On the day of the gubernatorial election, the legal
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 195
voters of Garland deposited their votes for representa-
tive to the State Legislature with result as follows:
Cornelius Coolidge of Dexter received seventeen votes ;
Amos Gordon of Garland received eleven votes; Joseph
Garland of Garland received one vote.
Some town business was transacted on the same dav,
April 3d, 1820. Reuben Bartlett, John Chandler and
John Trefethen were appointed to select and purchase
one acre of land suitable for a cemetery. This was the
first action of the town looking to a common burial
place for the dead. Previous to this date it had been
the custom of families to bury relatives on their own
premises.
There having been no choice of representative to the
Legislature at the first trial, the legal voters assembled
on April 13th for a second trial, with result as follows:
Captain Joseph Kelsey of Guilford received seven votes ;
Seba French of Dexter received five votes; Cornelius
Coolidge of Dexter received eleven votes.
At that time the representative class embraced the
towns of Dexter, Garland, Guilford, Sangerville and
Plantation Number Three in the sixth range.
A New Epoch
The year 1820 opened a new epoch in the history of
Maine. It had hitherto been a dependency of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Now it had assumed
the character of an independent state. The tide of
emigration had been setting from the State. It had
now turned this way. In common with other towns, the
town of Garland shared in the stimulating influences of
196 HISTORY OF GARLAND
MAINE
returning prosperity. Among the accessions to its
population Avas the family of Reuben Bartlett from
Nottingham, N. H.
Mr. Bartlett purchased the village mill property of
Mr. Church, which included a saw and grist-mill. He
moved his family into a small house a few rods west of
the present saw-mill which had been built by his prede-
cessor, Mr. Church. Five or six years later he built
the two-story house now owned by C. F. Osgood, where
he lived until his death in 1835.
The coming of the True family from Deerfield, N. H.,
occurred in 1820. This family embraced the father and
mother, Joseph True and wife, two sons, Abram True
and Joseph, Jr. , and several daughters. Mr. True moved
into the house built by James McCluer on the place
now owned by David Allen, where he lived several years.
About the year 1827 he moved into the house built
by his son, Joseph True, Jr., at the center of the town,
now owned by James Stone. Abram True moved his
family into the house of a Mrs. Burton, which was located
on a site at the foot of the hill below the present resi-
dence of Mrs. Charles E. Merriam. He afterwards built
and occupied a house near the residence of the writer.
Joseph True, Jr., gives the following account of the
journey of his father's family to Maine. Joseph was at
that time a resolute boy of nineteen years. On the
same day that the other members of the family took
passage on a sailing vessel at Portsmouth, N. H., he
started on horseback and traveled solitary and alone on
his way to Garland. During his six days' ride no inci-
dent intervened to relieve the monotony of the journey.
But, as showing that the early settlers of western
Penobscot were largely from New Hampshire, he passed
four of the five nights of his journey with families who
had emigrated from his own school-district in Deerfield.
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 19'
'J
Garland in 1821
The legal voters of Garland assembled on the 22d of
January, 1821, "to see if the town will allow the inhab-
itants to pay their taxes in grain after the 20th of
February instant." Upon this question it was voted
that the treasurer should receive grain in payment for
taxes until the 15th day of February next. It was also
voted to have the highway taxes for 1820 made agree-
ably to the Constitution of Maine. The call for this
action is not quite apparent.
The annual meeting of 1821 was held on April 4th.
Philip Greeley was chosen moderator; Reuben Bartlett,
town clerk; Isaac Wheeler, Philip Greeley and Reuben
Bartlett, selectmen and assessors; Ezekiel Straw, treas-
urer, and Isaac Wheeler, Reuben Bartlett and Philip
Greeley, superintending school committee.
It was voted to raise twelve hundred dollars to build
and repair highways, four hundred dollars for the sup-
port of schools, fifty-five dollars to pay arrearages, and
fifty dollars for town expenses. It was voted that the
road tax should be paid in labor, and other taxes in
grain ; wheat at nine shillings, and corn and rye at six
shillings per bushel each. John M. Fifield was chosen
collector of taxes, and a compensation of nine mills per
dollar voted for the service.
The legal voters of Garland assembled on the 10th
of September to vote for governor and other State
officers. For governor, Albion K. Parris received forty
votes; Joshua Wingate received five votes; Isaac Case
received one vote.
For representative to the Legislature, Daniel Wilkins
of Charleston received thirty-five votes; Cornelius
Coolidge of Dexter received ten votes.
198
Action of the Town Relating to Lots of Land
Reserved for Public Purposes
In the resolve of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
granting the township now known as Garland to
Williams College, three lots of land of three hundred
and twenty acres each were reserved for public purposes,
to wit: one lot for the use of schools, one lot for the
first settled minister, his heirs and assigns, and one lot
for the use of the ministry. In the conveyance of the
township by the college to the men known as -the origi-
nal proprietors the same reservations were made. The
first action of the town with reference to the reserved
lots was at a meeting on September 10, 1821, when
Isaac Wheeler, Jeremiah Flanders, Philip Greeley,
William Godwin and John Chandler, were appointed a
committee to examine the reserved lots, and determine
which should be reserved for the benefit of schools, which
for the first settled minister, and which for the ministry.
Another meeting was held on October 8 th. The
records fail to show that there was any report from the
committee appointed at the previous meeting. At the
meeting of October 8th, the following articles were
presented for consideration :
"To see if the town will make provision for the
settlement of Elder Robinson, or any other person, as a
public preacher of the gospel in this town. It was
voted that so much of this article as relates to Elder
Robinson be passed over, and that a committee be
appointed to invite some person to preach in town on
trial. It was also voted that a man who shall be accept-
able to the town as a public teacher of morality, piety
and religion, shall receive one hundred acres of the pub-
lic land." Isaac Wheeler, Reuben Bartlett, Joseph
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 199
Garland, John S. Haskell and Thomas S. Tyler were
appointed a committee to execute the purposes of this
vote.
Number of Families in What is Now Garland
Village in 1821
Our well- remembered citizen, the late David
Fogg, who came to Garland in 1821, and became a
member for the time being of the family of his brother-
in-law, Abraham True, is authority for the state-
ment that at the date of his coming, 1821, there were
only five families within the limits of what now is Gar-
land village. These were the families of a Mrs. Burton,
Abraham True, Reuben Bartlett, Dr. Moses Buswell
and Isaac Wheeler, Esq. The True and Burton fami-
lies lived together in a house at the foot of the hill
below the present residence of Mrs. Charles E. Merriam.
The remains of an old cellar indicate the site of the
house.
Reuben Bartlett lived in a little house on the brow
near the present village saw-mill which had been built
a few years earlier. Doctor Buswell lived in a house
near the center of the village in proximity to the
site of the present residence of Elmer Hill.
Isaac Wheeler, Esq., lived in a house on the site of
the residence of the late William Foss, now the home of
F. D. Wood. The post-office in 1821 was at the resi-
dence of Reuben Bartlett, now owned by C. F. Osgood.
The mail which was received once each week was brought
on horseback in summer, and in a pung in winter.
Outside the limits of the village, several men estab-
200 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
lished homes in the town in 1821. Among these were
Jacob Greeley, who built on the hill a little way north
of the schoolhouse in District No. 1 (Dearborn).
Benjamin Pressey established a home within the limits
of the present school District No. 3, where the late B.
L. Trundy resided. Samuel Greeley, afterwards a well-
known citizen, emigrated from Salisbury, N. H., and
lived in the house vacated by Joseph Garland, the first
citizen of the town, about this time.
The late Jeremiah Ladd gave the following account of
the coming of the Ladd family to Garland. His father,
Captain Daniel Ladd, a native of Lee, N. H. , emigrated
to Garland in 1821. He first lived on the William
Blaisdell place, then upon the place now occupied by
James L. Rideout. In 1823 he bought the farm for-
merly the residence of Rev. A. P. Andrews, where he
built a small house. The carpenter's work upon this
house was done by the late Joseph Prescott, who had
then just come to the town, and a Mr. Avery. Three
or four years later, he bought the Joseph Saunders place,
near the hill known as High Cut, afterwards known as
the Emerson place. He then purchased land adjoining
the Emerson place and built on it.
His next move was to the place now owned by Charles
H. Brown. Captain Ladd came into the town over the
old county road. The first building he passed after
entering the town was a mechanic's shop, located near
the late residence of Story Jones, now owned by Aaron
Knight, and which was owned by two brothers of the
name of Davis.
The second building passed was a house nearly oppo-
site the present residence of Glenn Morgan. There had
been other families between this house and the village
which had moved away. Captain Ladd found the road
that led into town almost impassable. The swamps and
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 201
wet places were spanned by logs placed across the road
side by side, known as corduroy road.
A ride over this kind of road was tiresome to passers
over it, and wearing to carriages.
Garland in 1822
At the annual meeting of 1822, held April 3d, Philip
Greeley was chosen moderator; Reuben Bartlett, town
clerk; Isaac Wheeler, Reuben Bartlett and Ezekiel
Straw, selectmen and assessors ; Isaac Wheeler, Reuben
Bartlett and Ezekiel Straw, superintending school com-
mittee.
It was voted to raise three hundred dollars for the
support of schools, twelve hundred dollars to build and
repair highways, one hundred dollars to repair school-
houses, seventy-five dollars to pay town charges, twenty
dollars to buy powder, and that the taxes should be paid
in wheat at one dollar and twentv-five cents or in corn or
rye at eighty-four cents per bushel, the grain to be deliv-
ered to the treasurer by the first day of February.
On September 9, the legal voters assembled to indi-
cate their choice for governor and other officers, when
Albion K. Parris received thirty-three votes; Ezekiel
Whitman received twenty-three votes; Philip Greeley
received one vote.
For representative to the Legislature, Winthrop
Chapman of Exeter received twenty-three votes ; Daniel
Wilkins of Charleston received fourteen votes.
Mr. Wilkins was the successful candidate in the dis-
trict. On the same day the town voted to assist one of
its worthy citizens, who had come to a condition where
202 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
assistance was needed, to the amount of fifty dollars
This is the earliest record of assistance to the poor.
John Hayes collected the taxes this year for five mills
per dollar.
Newcomers in 1822
Ansel Field of Paris, Maine, took up his residence in
Garland in 1822, and purchased land on the old county
road, about one mile south of the village, where he
erected buildings and lived. Mr. Field and his wife
united with the Congregational church. At the end of
about fifteen years he returned to Paris. The farm he
left was purchased by the friends of the Rev. John
Sawyer. The venerable clergyman spent the last years
of his eventful life in the town where he had been instru-
mental in the organization of the third Congregational
church within, the present limits of Penobscot County.
The farm where he lived is now owned by Glenn Morgan.
George R. Coffin came to Garland as early as 1822,
and established a home on lot two, range five, where he
lived for many years. This farm, once owned by Deacon
L. M. Rideout, is now in the possession of Galen S.
Burrill.
Joseph Prescott and Jeremiah Avery came to the town
in 1822 to ply their trade as carpenters. Mr. Avery
remained in town only a short time. Mr. Prescott
bought of Joseph Sargent a part of lot four, range four,
where he made a home for his family and lived until his
death in 1849.
The name of Walter Holbrook appears on the records
of the town as early as 1822. He established a home
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 203
on lot four, range six, where he lived until about the
year 1835, when he returned to Massachusetts.
James Powers came to town in 1822. He married a
sister of Captain John L. Jackman.
Benjamin Pressey established a home in the Parkman
neighborhood, south of the pond, once owned by B. L.
Trundy, now the home of Loren Curtis. He was a
carpenter, and built for the Fogg family the house a few
rods east of the schoolhouse in District No. 3.
William Soule moved into the town about the year 1822,
and settled in the Parkman neighborhood, south of the
pond. He had a large family of boys, among whom
were Gideon, David, John and Rufus.
Samuel W. Knight's name appears upon the military
roll of 1822, which is about the date of his becoming a
resident of the town. He purchased a part of lot two,
in range seven, where he made a home for his family
and lived until his death. This old homestead in 1890
was owned by the late Cyrus Snell, whose son Charles
afterwards became the owner and has recently sold to
Mrs. Ruel Maguire.
Dr. Seth Fogg emigrated from Deerfield, N. H., to
Garland in the year 1822, bringing with him a large
family of sons and daughters. One son, David, and one
daughter, Mrs. Abraham True, were here a year or two
earlier. Doctor Fogg first moved into the house vacated
a few years earlier by William Sargent, on the place
where James L. Rideout now resides. In 1823 he moved
into the Burton house, located a few rods north of the
present house of Mrs. Charles E. Merriam. Shortly
after, he moved into the house that had been built for
the Fogg family by Mr. Pressey, where his death soon
occurred. This house is now owned and occupied by
John McComb, Jr.
204 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
Search for a Missing Child in a Neighboring
Town in Which Citizens of Garland
Participated
Common privations and hardships united the early
inhabitants of a town in bonds of earnest and sincere
sympathy. Each citizen of the town was neighbor to
every other citizen, and was always ready to assist others
in cases of sickness, accident, or misfortune. Nor was
such sympathy pent up within town limits.
An incident occurred in a neighboring town that illus-
trates this phase of social life in early times. On the
sixth of June, 1822, a little four-year-old daughter of
Daniel Ames of Sangerville was sent early in the da}' to
a neighbor's house, a short distance away, on some
trivial errand. She was obliged to pass through a nar-
row piece of woodland to reach the point to which she
was sent.
Not returning as soon as she was expected, a boy was
sent to inquire further, who was told by the neighbor
that she had not been seen there during the day. Night
was near. The neighbors were quickly alarmed and
providing themselves with canteens and torches, spent
almost the entire night in an anxious, but fruitless search
for the missing child.
Early the next morning, a dozen young men were sent
to traverse the woodland, a little distance apart, and
listen for the faintest sounds of alarm or distress which
perchance might come from the lips of the little girl,
but no sound was heard. The alarm soon reached
adjoining towns, where companies of men were speedily
organized to assist in the search. Among these was a
company from Garland, under direction of Captain
Philip Greeley.
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 205
The search was continued through several days. It
was not relinquished until the last ray of hope had van-
ished from the hearts of distressed relatives. The fate
of the little girl is to this day shrouded in mystery.
Masonic Lodge
A lodge of Free and Accepted Masons was organized
in Garland on January 24, 1822, in the hall of the two-
story house then owned and occupied by William
Godwin, which stood upon the site of the house now
owned and occupied by the heirs of the late William H.
Knight. The house of two stories has since given place
to a house of smaller dimensions.
This was the second lodge organized within the present
limits of the County of Penobscot, and the thirty -fifth
within the limits of Maine. It embraced members from
adjoining towns, including Exeter and Dexter, and was
known as the Penobscot Lodge of Free and Accepted
Masons.
Some of the leading members living in Garland were
Isaac Wheeler, Philip Greeley, Jeremiah Flanders and
William Godwin. Years later, the headquarters of this
lodge were removed to Dexter.
Garland in 1823
The legal voters of Garland were summoned to meet
on April 7, 1823, to vote for a representative to Con-
gress. For this office William Emerson of Bangor
received forty votes; Obed Wilson received four votes.
206
Neither of these candidates was elected. There was,
however, a significance in the large relative vote of Mr.
Emerson which is worthy of mention. It had no relation
to party politics or locality. He was a merchant in
Bangor, and had rendered valuable assistance to the
inhabitants of Garland in the time of their sorest need
at much personal risk.
At the opening of 1817, there was great destitution
of seed for the crops of the approaching summer, a fact
that had found place in the heart of the generous mer-
chant. With rare thoughtfulness, and rarer generosity,
he advised them to prepare the largest possible acreage
for crops, and accompanied his advice with the offer to
furnish them with seed which had been withheld by the
disastrous summer of the preceding year, and to extend
to them the privilege of making compensation when
more propitious seasons should provide the means to pay.
The grateful people of Garland believed that a man
possessing the fine personal qualities that had been
exhibited by Mr. Emerson, would worthily represent
them in Congress if elected. It afforded them an oppor-
tunity to exhibit their grateful appreciation of remem-
bered generosity which they did not fail to improve.
The annual town meeting was held also on the seventh
of April. Philip Greeley was chosen moderator;
Reuben Bartlett, clerk ; Reuben Bartlett, Ezekiel Straw
and Daniel Ladd, selectmen and assessors ; Isaac Wheeler,
Samuel Warren and Daniel Ladd, superintending school
committee; Philip Greeley was appointed collector of
taxes, and a compensation of two per cent, voted him.
Isaac Wheeler was chosen treasurer.
The town voted to raise one thousand dollars to make
and repair highways, three hundred dollars for the sup-
port of schools, to be paid in grain, wheat at one dol-
lar and twenty-five cents, and corn and rye at eighty-
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 207
four cents each ; and thirty-five dollars for the purchase
of powder to be paid in the same currency. One hun-
dred dollars was voted to pay town charges, fifty-five
dollars of which was to be paid in money and forty-five
dollars in grain. The fifty-five dollars mentioned in this
vote was the first money raised in Garland as payment of
taxes. It may fairly be inferred from this fact that
money was not overabundant in the early years of the
town's history.
Previous to 1823, the highway tax had been paid in
labor, and all other taxes in grain.
The legal voters of Garland assembled to cast their
votes for governor and other officers on September 7th.
For governor, Albion K. Parris received forty votes. For
representative to the Legislature, Cornelius Coolidge of
Dexter received twenty-two votes ; Nathaniel Oak of
Exeter received eleven votes.
This election resulted in the choice of Mr. Parris for
governor, and Mr. Coolidge for representative to the
State Legislature. It is worthy of note that while the
full vote for governor in Bangor was only eighty-four,
the vote in Garland for the same officer was forty.
First Store in Garland Village
&*
What is now Garland village did not grow as fast as
other parts of the town. This was due to the repressive
policy of the agent of the proprietors, who would sell
land only at prices much above its real value. Of the
forty-five petitioners for an Act of Incorporation in
1810, not more than three or four resided within the
limits of the present village.
208 HISTOEY OF GARLAND, MAINE
Of the forty-five families living in the town in 1820,
only five families resided in the village. The first store
in the village was built in 1823 by Isaac Wheeler, Esq.
Upon its completion, Abraham Cox and John Walker,
afterwards a well known merchant of Exeter for many
years, put a stock of goods into it. Their success was
not flattering and they abandoned the business after a
short trial. The building has since been used for vari-
ous kinds of merchandising. For the last twenty years
it has afforded a very convenient place for the purposes
of a post-office.
Following Cox & Walker, it has been occupied in turn
by Charles Reynolds, Charles Plummer, Calvin S.
Wheeler, John S. Kimball, Stephen Kimball, John H.
Ramsdell, Elijah Norcross, Charles Chandler, Lorenzo
Oak, a Mr. Dunham, Johnson & Preble, (N. W.
Johnson and Wins Preble) and Henry C. Preble. A
millinery business was carried on in one of its apart-
ments by the late Mrs. Octavia Hobbie, Miss Lizzie
Rideout, and the late Mrs. Nathaniel Johnson, for several
years.
Returning to the events of 1823, Garland was favored
by the coming of several families during that year.
Among these was the family of Joseph Sargent, who
purchased the farm upon which his brother William
made a beginning in 1802, now the residence of James
Rideout.
Mr. Sargent emigrated from Boscawen, N. H. His
goods were brought to Bangor by water, while his family
made the journey to the same place overland.
Leaving their children at Bangor, they made the trip
to Garland with horse and wagon. Their ride to this
place was along a road that bore but faint resemblance
to New Hampshire turnpikes. Arriving at their new
home they found but little to inspire confidence or hope
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 209
for the future. The home they had left behind, from
which they had been driven by adverse fortune, was fur-
nished with all the comforts and conveniences that
characterized the best homes of the rural districts of
New Hampshire at that time. The home they found at
the end of their journey was scarcely suggestive of
home.
The family moved into the house of a neighbor to
remain until their own house could be made habitable.
The contrast between the old and new home was the
occasion of much grief to Mrs. Sargent. Although
naturally of a lively and cheerful disposition, she spent
many an hour in weeping when alone. But she was a
woman of the heroic type and resolutely concealed her
own sadness when in the presence of others. By the
force of industry and good management, prosperity at
length returned to this family, bearing with it the well
earned enjoyments that blessed their earlier life.
Garland in 1824
The annual town meeting of 1824 was held on March
30. Philip Greeley was chosen moderator; Reuben
Bartlett, town clerk; Daniel Ladd, Ansel Field and
Walter Holbrook, selectmen and assessors; Isaac
Wheeler, treasurer ; Isaac Wheeler, Samuel Warren and
Ansel Field, superintending school committee, and
Daniel Moore, collector of taxes, for a compensation of
two per cent.
The town voted to raise one thousand dollars to make
and repair highways, four hundred dollars for the sup-
port of schools, and fifty dollars to buy powder and
210 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
defray town charges. For the first time the town voted
that all taxes except highway taxes should be paid in
money. The first step towards this policy had been
taken a year earlier.
The election for the choice of governor and other
officers was held on the second Monday of September,
when Albion K. Parris received thirty-four votes for gov-
ernor; Cornelius Coolidge received thirty-three votes for
representative to the State Legislature. Mr. Coolidge
was the successful candidate.
A Mustering of the Militia
*)->
An event of more than local interest occurred in Gar-
land in 1824. It was nothing less than the mustering
of the companies of the fifth regiment of the militia.
Other regimental musters occurred in town, but a
description of one will answer for all. The troops were
assembled on the level field on the north side of the
road leading to Dexter, belonging to Isaac Wheeler, Esq.
There were no buildings, public or private, upon this
street at that time. Where now stands the town-house,
the Congregational church and parsonage, and private
residences, there were tents and booths for the sale of
gingerbread, pies, and food of a more substantial char-
acter for the hungry, new cider and beer for the thirsty
youngsters, and something stronger for older people.
Indeed the latter drink sometimes acquired mastery over
men who were among our best citizens.
There was here and there a dance-floor of rough
plank where men under the influence of the favorite New
England beverage disported by scraping the bottoms of
their heavy brogans to the music of a cracked violin.
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 211
A Political Campaign Projected
The year 1824 marked the opening of a Presidential
campaign. The politicians of the Congressional district
of which Garland was a part, called a convention to
assemble on the day, and at the place of the general
muster, to nominate a candidate for Presidential elector
and to organize for the campaign. Jonathan Farrar, a
well known citizen of Dexter, was nominated for elector.
A large committee was appointed to prepare an address
to the voters of the district setting forth the issues
involved in the campaign.
Bangor, Levant, Charleston, Exeter, Dexter, Corinth
and Garland were represented in this committee. Gar-
land was represented by Philip Greeley and Amos
Gordon. The assembling of two such bodies as the regi-
mental muster, and the Congressional district convention,
on the same day may be regarded as a "red letter" day
in the earlv history of Garland.
Garland in 1825
At the annual meeting of 1825, held on April 4th,
the officers chosen were Daniel Ladd, moderator; Reuben
Bartlett, town clerk ; Daniel Ladd, Ansel Field and
Walter Holbrook, selectmen ; Isaac Wheeler, Dr. Seth
Fogg and Paul M. Fisher, superintending school com-
mittee, and William Godwin, treasurer.
The town appropriated four hundred dollars for
schools, fifteen hundred dollars for roads, one hundred
and five dollars for town charges, and one hundred and
sixty dollars to pay existing demands. Daniel Moore
212
was chosen collector, and his compensation was fixed at
four and nine tenths per cent. It was voted to receive
grain for all taxes except highway taxes which were to
be paid in labor. Prices fixed for grain were seven
shillings, and sixpence for wheat, five shillings for corn,
and six shiDings for rye.
Fall Elections
The legal voters of Garland assembled on September
12th to vote for governor and other officers.
For governor, Albion K. Parris received eighteen
votes; Enoch Lincoln received fourteen votes.
For representative to the Legislature, Winthrop
Chapman received twenty-four votes; Reuben Bartlett
received seven votes.
Mr. Parris was elected governor by a large majority.
Neither of the candidates for the State Legislature sup-
ported by the voters of Garland was elected. Cornelius
Coolidge of Dexter was the successful candidate. The
representative class embraced, at that time, the towns of
Garland, Exeter, Corinth, Charleston and Dexter.
Destructive Fires in 1825
The farmers of central Maine were favored with
abundant crops in 1825. The continual warm weather
of the summer season resulted not only in abundance of
crops, but in early harvests, thus giving the farmers a
long autumnal season for its appropriate work. At that
MAINE 213
time a majority of the farmers in this section were
increasing the area of their crop-producing lands from
year to year. In the work of clearing the lands of the
forests that covered them, fire was an indispensable
agency.
Late in the summer, and early in the autumn of 1825,
fires were extensively kindled in aid of clearing lands,
and the farmers congratulated each other upon getting
"good burns. " But the warm weather that had given
them good crops, early harvests, and aided them in get-
ting "good burns," had also dried the surface of their
lands, and had made everything of a combustible nature
food for flames. By the last of September, wells had
become dry, rivers and streams had been greatly reduced
in volume, and brooks had disappeared.
The late Rev. Amasa Loring, who was warmly engaged
with his neighbors in efforts to arrest the progress of the
flames, says in his History of Piscataquis County that
much of the cleared land contained decaying stumps,
and was enclosed with log fences, while the stubble upon
the grain and mowing fields was thick and rank, and
all as dry as tinder, and that fires that had been set did
not go out, but lingered and smouldered still, and that
in the evening of October 7th, after a still and smoky
day, a violent gale from the north and northwest fanned
these smouldering fires into a furious and rushing blaze.
Men and boys were hurried to the earlier points of
danger, but were soon summoned back to fight the fire
from their own threatened dwellings. As morning broke,
the wind subsided, and the fires lulled away relieving the
terror of the stricken and weary inhabitants. With
respect to the results of the disastrous fire — Mr. Loring
says — "Almost every man's wood-land had been burned
over, and much of its growth killed, large tracks of tim-
214 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
ber land had been severely injured and many buildings
destroyed."
Hon. John E. Godfrey says in his Annals of Bangor,
that the roaring of the fire was like thunder, and was
heard at a distance of from twelve to fifteen miles.
Houses, barns, saw-mills and grist-mills were destroyed.
He also says that there were burned in Guilford four
houses and five barns, in Ripley eleven houses and nine
barns, in Harmony four houses and five barns, in Dover
one barn, in Monson one barn. There were other build-
ings burned, and the damage to the timber lands was
enormous.
There is still a lingering belief in the minds of some
of the citizens of the counties that suffered from the
ravages of the fires of 1825, that they originated from
the burning of hay in northern Penobscot, by the order
of the State Land Agent, to cripple the operations of
the plunderers of the timber lands belonging to the
State. It is not necessary to go so far away to find the
origin of these fires. In the widespread and severe
drouth of that time, the necessary conditions for start-
ing fires were present in almost every town. The excep-
tions were towns where there were no smouldering
fires to be fanned into furious flames.
Mr. Loring, a participator in the fight against the
on-rushing flames, says that the fire had marked its way
from Moosehead Lake across the county. In his Annals
of Bangor, Hon. John E. Godfrey says: "The enemies
of the land agent were not unwilling that he should
have the reputation of originating the fires which had
caused such devastation in the northerly part of Penob-
scot County, when he caused the hay cut by the tres-
passers to be burnt," and adds that although this was
not the case, yet the Indians had been impressed with
the idea that it was.
HISTOEY OF GARLAND, MAINE 215
The town of Garland was on the line of the advan-
cing flames, but before it was reached the wind had ceased,
and the town escaped injury. Nevertheless its inhabi-
tants had suffered keenly with terror and anxiety.
Garland in 1826
The annual town meeting of 1826 was held on April
6th. Abraham J. Cox was chosen moderator; Reuben
Bartlett, town clerk; Reuben Bartlett, Isaac Wheeler
and Ansel Field, selectmen and assessors; Abraham J.
Cox, treasurer, and Isaac Wheeler, Isaac E. Wilkins
and Ansel Field, superintending school committee.
Walter Holbrook was chosen collector, and a compensa-
tion of one and nine tenths per cent, voted for the
service.
The town voted to raise three hundred dollars for the
support of schools, twelve hundred dollars to make and
repair highways, and two hundred dollars to defray town
charges. A step had been taken in 1823 towards the
policy of requiring taxes to be paid in money. With
the exception of that year all taxes but highway taxes,
which were paid in labor, had been paid in grain at
prices determined by the town each year. In 1826, and
since, taxes, except for making and repairing highways,
have been paid in money. The town voted "that the
remaining three eighths of the public lands be divided
between the religious societies which have not received
any, according to their numbers."
The legal voters assembled on the 1 1 th day of Septem-
ber to vote for governor and other officers.
For governor, Enoch Lincoln received twenty -six
216
votes ; William Godwin received six votes ; Ezekiel
Whitman received five votes.
For representative to the State Legislature, Reuben
Bartlett of Garland received twenty-four votes ; Daniel
Ladd of Garland received twentv-two votes: Lewis
J
Goulding of Garland received one vote.
Enoch Lincoln was elected governor. Winthrop
Chapman of Exeter, who had received no votes in Gar-
land, was elected representative to the State Legislature.
The deaths of Thomas Jefferson and John Adams
occurred on the Fourth of July, 1826. The news of the
death of these two eminent men carried sadness into
every town, village and hamlet in the United States.
Both had participated in the stirring events that led to
the Revolutionary War. Both were members of the
convention from which had emanated the immortal
Declaration of Independence, embodying truths that
have given the people of this country the best govern-
ment in the world, and that are destined to revolutionize
all other governments. Mr. Adams had been the second
and Mr. Jefferson the third President of the United
States. It was a remarkable coincidence that these emi-
nent men, who had been associated in establishing the
foundations of this government, and of administering its
affairs in turn, should die on the same day, and that day,
the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
The voters of Garland had met on the 11th of Sep-
tember, 1826, to ballot for a representative to Con-
gress. This Congressional district embraced the counties
of Penobscot and Somerset. The territory of the county
of Piscataquis was at that time embraced within the two
counties above named. There having been no choice at
this trial, another trial occurred on December 18, 1826,
which, like the first, failed to elect. The third trial
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 217
occurred on the second of April, 1827, which also failed
to elect.
At the present time we hear much lamentation over
the degeneracy of political methods and practices.
People who indulge in such lamentations would do well
to study the methods and practices which were prevalent
in the earlier history of Maine.
In his Annals of Bangor, Judge Godfrey gives us some
information upon this matter. Referring to the aspirants
for Congressional honors, and their friends in this Con-
gressional district, he says : ' 'The candidates nominated
by conventions and individuals were respectable men,
but it mattered not who were the candidates, when one
obtained sufficient prominence, he was pursued by the
friends of the others with a bitterness that would be
hardly excusable in savages. Like death they pursued
the shining mark; no matter how sensitive the subject
or how pure his life, if there were the least flaw in the
armor of his character it was found and pierced, and
reamed, and rasped, until it would seem to be the most
rickety and unsubstantial character in existence."
He also says that Governor Lincoln's proclamation in
1827 for a day of fasting and prayer might well have
been carefully studied by the politicians of the time. As
the sentiments of this proclamation are good for all
times, an extract will not be out of place here. "I
recommend to every one to observe the day as a Christian ;
if he be under the influence of any vice, to banish it ; if
in error, to correct it; if under obligations to others,
honestly to discharge them; if suffering injuries, to for-
give them ; if aware of any animosities, to extinguish
them, and if able to do any benevolent act to any being
created by the Almighty power to which he owes his
existence and his faculties, to do it. Especially I
recommend that being members of one great community,
218 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
we unite as Christian politicians so that we may render
perpetual the peace and prosperit}- of our country and
of this State. ' '
Although there has been a manifest improvement in
political methods and practices since the early days of
Maine's statehood, there is still left a wide margin for
further advancement in this direction.
Garland in 1827
The year 1827 witnessed a continuation of the contest
for a representative to Congress. There had been three
abortive trials to elect. The fourth trial was also a
failure. Through the period of these failures to elect,
this Congressional district was without representation in
Congress. The failures were due to the manner of nomi-
nating candidates.
Small coteries of men, at different points in the dis-
trict, nominated personal friends without regard to the
preference of the voters at large. To such an extent
was this practice carried, that there were sometimes from
six to ten candidates for Congressional honors before the
voters of the district. As an illustration, at the third
trial of the protracted contest which has been described,
the voters of Garland distributed their votes to seven
different candidates.
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 219
Congressional Convention
After repeated failures running through two years,
the friends of the administration met at Garland on the
sixteenth day of August, and nominated Samuel Butman
of Dixmont as their candidate for representative to Con-
gress. Mr. Butman was the successful candidate.
The annual meeting for town business was held on
April 2. The officers were Walter Holbrook, moder-
ator; Reuben Bartlett, town clerk; Reuben Bartlett,
Daniel Ladd and Samuel W. Knight, selectmen and
assessors ; Isaac Wheeler, treasurer, and Isaac E.
Wilkins, Moses Buswell and Isaac Wheeler, superin-
tending school committee. William Godwin was chosen
collector of taxes, and his compensation was fixed at
three per cent.
The appropriations were two hundred dollars for town
charges, fifteen hundred dollars for highways, to be paid
in labor at twelve and one half cents per hour, and three
hundred dollars for schools.
Fall Election
For governor, Enoch Lincoln received twenty-seven
votes; William Godwin received six votes; Ezekiel
Whitman received three votes.
For representative to the Legislature, Reuben Bartlett
received thirty-one votes ; Elijah Skinner received three
votes; William Eddy received three votes; David A.
Gove received one vote.
220
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
In the State at large, Enoch Lincoln was elected gov-
ernor. Reuben Bartlett was elected to the Legislature.
The division of the public land reserved for the first
settled minister became the occasion of considerable
trouble to the town, and perhaps to the minister as
well. The Rev. Isaac E. Wilkins was entitled to five
eighths of this land by virtue of an agreement with the
town, but no division between the contracting parties
had been made. A committee had been appointed to
propose a division of the land, but the records fail to
show that any action had been taken by the committee.
Subsequently Mr. Wilkins was authorized to select a
committee for this service. This had not been done.
At a meeting held November 28th, the town voted
"that Reuben Bartlett, Joseph Prescott and Isaac
Wheeler, be a committee to make application to the
Court of Common Pleas for a committee to divide the
land which the inhabitants hold in common with the
Rev. Isaac E. Wilkins unless the said Wilkins cause it to
be divided immediately by virtue of a vote passed Sep-
tember 11, 1827."
An Early Spring
Samuel P. Sargent is authority for the statement that
his father, Joseph Sargent, raised the barn now standing
on the farm of James Rideout, on the ninth of April,
1827, and that Major Merrill had a team plowing on
the David Allen place on the same day.
This statement respecting the earliness of the season
of 1827, finds confirmation in Judge Godfrey's Annals
of Bangor, wherein he says of the same season, that
cucumbers measuring from five to six and one half inches
MAINE 221
long were picked in Bangor on the eleventh of June
which were the earliest that had then ever been raised in
the country. The methods of forcing the growth of
vegetables now employed were not in use then.
Garland in 1828
At the annual meeting of 1828, held March 31st,
Joseph Prescott was chosen moderator ; Reuben Bartlett,
town clerk ; Reuben Bartlett, Daniel Ladd and Jeremiah
Flanders, selectmen and assessors; William Fairfield, M.
D. , Rev. Isaac E. Wilkins and Isaac Wheeler, Esq. , were
chosen superintending school committee. Samuel W.
Knight was chosen collector, and a compensation of two
and seven tenths per cent, was voted for the service.
The town voted to raise fifteen hundred dollars to
make and repair highways, three hundred dollars for the
support of schools and two hundred dollars to defray
town charges. The highway tax was to be paid in labor
for which men and oxen were to be allowed twelve and
one half cents per hour until the 15th of September, and
eight cents on and after that date.
Among the practices of the earlier years of the town's
history, was that of allowing cattle to run within the
limits of the highways for pasturage. This practice
was an ever present menace to the growing crops which
were often seriously damaged by cattle that ran at large
on the highways. It forced the farmers to build and
maintain fences between their growing crops and the
highway, which was, perhaps, the most serious burden
they were forced to confront. It led to disputes, neigh*
borhood quarrels and litigations.
222 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAFNE
In 1828, the town voted "that neat cattle be prohib-
ited from going at large from the first day of June to
the first day of November, 1828. ': Similar action was
often taken by the town in subsequent years until the
State made it the duty of every owner of stock to fence
his own stock in, and relieved him of the burden of fen-
cing other men's stock out. As the result of this policy,
many a farmer has been rejieved from a burdensome
necessity, and the aggregate of savings has run largely
into the thousands.
On the 8th day of September, 1828, the legal voters
of Garland balloted for governor and other officers.
For governor, Enoch Lincoln received twenty-nine
votes ; Solomon Parsons received twent}r-four votes ;
Daniel Emery received fifteen votes ; William Emerson
received one vote.
For senator to State Legislature, Nathan Herrick
received eighteen votes ; Reuben Bartlett received seven-
teen votes.
For representative to the Legislature, Samuel Butman
received twentv-one votes; Samuel Whitnev received
seventeen votes, and William Emerson received one vote.
In several instances the successful candidate for the
Legislature failed to get a single vote in Garland. This
was the fact in 1828. Although Winthrop Chapman of
Exeter failed to get a single vote in Garland, he was the
successful candidate. Such results were due to the fact
that the caucus system of the present time was not so
fully developed, and its authority not so fully acknowl-
edged then as now.
In the presidential election of 1828, Garland gave a
small majority for the National Republican candidate,
John Quincy Adams. Andrew Jackson, the Democratic
candidate, was elected.
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 223
The First Cemetery
In 1828 the town established the first cemetery within
its limits, in what is now District No. 7. Its location
is near the schoolhouse in that district, and is known as
the Burnham Cemeterv. Before this, the dead had often
been buried on the premises of relatives, and their
graves had been subject to neglect and desecration when
such premises changed hands. Walter Holbrook, Moses
Gordon and Daniel Ladd were appointed to inclose the
cemetery and superintend the removal of the dead from
their scattered resting places thereto.
Garland in 1829
The annual meeting of 1829 was held on March 30.
Joseph Prescott was chosen moderator ; Charles Reynolds,
town clerk; Reuben Bartlett, Daniel Ladd and Samuel
W. Knight, selectmen and assessors; Reuben Bartlett,
treasurer ; Isaac E. Wilkins, Reuben Bartlett and Charles
Reynolds, superintending school committee. Jeremiah
Flanders was chosen collector, and a compensation of
two and nine tenths mills voted for the service.
The town voted to raise two thousand dollars to make
and repair highways, to be paid in labor at twelve and
one half cents per hour for men and oxen until Septem-
ber 15, and eight cents after that date. Three hundred
dollars was voted for the support of schools and two
hundred dollars to defray town charges. The inhabit-
ants were forbidden to pasture their cattle in the roads
during the period of growing crops.
224 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
The inhabitants of Garland met on the 14th of Sep-
tember, 1829, to provide for the rebuilding of a bridge
across the neck of the pond, a little way north of the
village mills. A contract was made with Daniel Moore
to furnish the necessary timber for the bridge.
The legal voters assembled on September 14th to bal-
lot for governor and other officers.
For governor, Samuel E. Smith received forty votes ;
Jonathan G. Minturn received seventeen votes.
For representative to the Legislature, Reuben Bartlett
received forty votes; Cornelius Coolidge received twenty
votes.
The political canvass of 1829 had been bitter, and
the result was unsatisfactory to both parties. Mr.
Hunton was elected governor, and Mr. Chapman repre-
sentative to the Legislature.
The Genesis of the Temperance Reform
In the year 1828 or 1829, Isaac Wheeler, Esq., one of
Garland's pioneers, was at work in his field, on what is
now known as the Foss farm. At work with him, was
Joseph True, Jr., then scarcely more than a boy. On
the opposite side of the road was the house where the
Clark family now resides, which was then occupied by
the Rev. Isaac E. Wilkins, Garland's first settled
minister.
A county temperance society had been organized
embracing in its membership some of the most prominent
men in the county. The subject was a theme for dis-
cussion in many of the towns. Mr. Wheeler and young
True had an earnest conversation upon the subject which
225
resulted in their going to Mr. Wilkins with the request
that he would write a pledge, which he cheerfully con-
sented to do. The three men signed it and from this
transaction emerged Garland's first temperance society.
Review of Town's Growth From 1820 to 1830
From 1820 to 1830 there was an accession to the town
of about seventy families. Among these were the fami-
lies of Reuben Bartlett, Abraham True, Joseph True,
Sr. , Joseph Prescott, Joseph Sargent, Dr. Seth Fogg,
Benjamin Pressey, Rufus Inman, Thomas B. Saunders,
Walter Holbrook, Samuel Warren, William Warren,
William Mansfield, Ansel Field, Samuel W. Knight,
Zebulon Knight, Daniel Ladd, Jeremiah Ladd, William
Buswell, M. D. , Asa W. Soule, Gains Soule, Lewis
Soule, Haskell Besse, James Powers, Leonard Leland,
John Davis, James Robbins, William Soule, Gideon
Soule, David Soule, John Soule, Gilbert Wallace, Enoch
Rollins, John Hamilton, Joseph Strout, Joseph Johnson,
John Johnson, Israel Colley, Lewis Goulding, Amos
Higgins, William Doble, William Sargent, David
Sargent, Aaron Hill, Elisha Nye, Rufus Soule, Phineas
Batchelder, John H. Batchelder, Mason Skinner, James
March, Jacob Quimby, Samuel Greeley, John E. Ladd,
James Parker, George Curtis, Russell Murdock, Isaac E.
Wilkins, William Fairfield, M. D., Herbert Thorndike,
William Rollins, Fifield Lyford, David M. Greeley,
Eben Battles, Seth Smith, Isaiah Stillings, Eliab
Stewart, Andrew Smith, David Moore, James Holbrook,
Benjamin Mayo.
A few of the above names are those of young men
226 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
who were not heads of families previous to 1830, but
became so after that date. The population of Garland
in 1830 was six hundred and twenty-one, an increase of
three hundred and forty-six in ten years. There were
but few events in the period under review worthy of
special notice.
The town had enjoyed a happy exemption from the
remarkable discouragements and hardships that had char-
acterized its earlier history. The allegiance of its citi-
zens had been transferred from the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts to the State of Maine. The town had
settled Rev. Isaac E. Wilkins as its first minister. The
Free Will Baptist church had been organized in 1825.
Several school districts had been established, and the
advantages for instruction of persons of school age
extended. The policy of paying taxes, excepting high-
way taxes, in money had been established, indicating
that this convenience of civilization was becoming more
abundant. Roads had been improved and extended.
The crops had generally been good, and the people had
been fairly prosperous.
Garland in 1830
The town officers of 1830 were Joseph Prescott,
moderator; Charles Reynolds, town clerk; Reuben
Bartlett, Samuel W. Knight and Jeremiah Flanders,
selectmen and assessors; Reuben Bartlett, treasurer;
Ezekiel Straw, collector, at a compensation of one and
three-fourths per cent. ; Isaac E. Wilkins, Charles
Reynolds and Daniel M. Haskell, superintending school
committee.
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 227
It was voted to raise two thousand dollars for high-
ways, three hundred and fifty dollars for schools and
fifty-five dollars for town charges. Men and oxen were
to be allowed twelve and one half cents per hour for
labor on the roads until September 15, and eight cents
per hour thereafter.
Charles Reynolds, town clerk, having been notified by
Zenas Flanders, field driver, that damage had been done
to the crops of Gideon Soule by two chestnut colored
horses, and two red yearling colts that had been taken up
and impounded, a warrant was issued to James Dinsmore
and George Curtis, dated August 1, 1830, to proceed at
once to the estimation of the damage to said crops.
The amount returned for damages was fifty cents. Pro-
ceedings of this kind were a feature of that period.
Sometimes they originated in a spirit of spite, but were
intended to protect the inhabitants from damage to
their crops.
On September 13, 1830, the town balloted for gov-
ernor, representative to Congress, representative to the
Legislature, and other officers.
For governor, Jonathan G. Hunton received thirty-two
votes; J. G. Hunton received two votes; Samuel E.
Smith received sixtv-seven votes.
For representative to Congress, Ebenezer S. Philips
received thirty-one votes ; James Bates received sixty-six
votes.
For representative to Legislature, Reuben Bartlett
received sixty-five votes; R. Bartlett received five votes;
John Bates received thirty-three votes; John Wilkins
received one vote.
Samuel E. Smith was elected governor, James Bates
representative to Congress and Winthrop Chapman
representative to the Legislature. On the same day,
September 13, the second public cemetery was estab-
228 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
lished. It was located in the northwesterly part of the
town, and is known as the Greeley Cemetery.
Action was taken to have it properly fenced, and the
scattered dead in that part of the town removed to it.
A bridge was built across the neck of the pond, just
north of the village grist-mill, in 1830 or 1831. The
timber for this bridge was furnished by Daniel Moore, a
citizen of the town.
Increasing Prosperity
From 1820 to 1830 the inhabitants of Garland, being
at a remove of several years from the depressing influ-
ences of the war that terminated in 1814, and of the
almost total destruction of their crops in 1816, began
to exhibit new indications of prosperity. This was
noticeable in the building of larger and more convenient
dwellings. Philip Greeley built a two-story dwelling
soon after 1820, upon the estate in District No. 1, now
owned bv the heirs of the late William B. Foss.
In 1822, Jeremiah Flanders built the dwelling now
occupied by Edwin Preble. William Godwin built a two-
story dwelling about the year 1822, upon the site now
owned by the heirs of the late William H. Knight. It
was built for a tavern when the teaming back and forth
from western Piscataquis passed the site of this house.
The Penobscot Masonic Lodge was organized and had
its headquarters here for several years.
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 229
Garland in 1831
The annual town meeting was held on April 11th.
Joseph Prescott was chosen moderator ; Charles Reynolds,
town clerk; Reuben Bartlett, Charles Reynolds and
Samuel W. Knight, selectmen ; Charles Reynolds, Daniel
M. Haskell and Enoch M. Barker, M. D. , superintending
school committee, and Reuben Bartlett, treasurer.
William Godwin was chosen collector, and his compen-
sation was fixed at two per cent.
It was voted to raise two thousand five hundred dollars
to make and repair highways, and to allow men and oxen
twelve and one half cents per hour until October 1st,
three hundred dollars for the support of schools, one
hundred and fifty dollars to defray town charges and
thirty-five dollars for the support of the poor. This
was the first action taken by the town in aid of the poor.
Neat stock was prohibited from running in the roads
during the period of growing crops.
The legal voters assembled September 12, 1831, to
ballot for governor and other officers.
Samuel E. Smith received fifty-two votes for governor;
Daniel Goodenow received forty-four votes for governor.
Samuel E. Smith, the Democratic candidate, was
elected governor. Winthrop Chapman of Exeter, who
failed to get a single vote in Garland, was elected repre-
sentative to the Legislature.
An Abundant Crop of Corn
The year 1831 was characterized by a large yield of
corn. It is doubtful if any season since has been so
230 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
favorable to the growth of that crop. For several
seasons following 1831, corn was a very uncertain crop,
owing to the recurrence of early frosts which arrested its
growth, and prevented its ripening. Years later, it was
found that a careful preparation of the soil and selection
of seed was generally followed by a good yield.
Garland in 1832
The first town meeting of 1832 was of early occur-
rence. Reuben Bartlett, owner of the mill property in
the village, contemplated building a new grist-mill.
This plan, if carried out, would benefit the surrounding
community. It was, therefore, regarded with favor by
the inhabitants of the town. It was his purpose to
increase the height of his dam to secure a larger and
more abundant supply of water. This would enlarge
the area of flowage. Two citizens of the town, who
owned land on the shore of the pond, threatened suits
for damage in case the dam should be raised. Mr.
Bartlett, who had no fears of having to pay damage,
was conscious of the fact that large bills for costs might
be incurred in defense of threatened suits.
A meeting of the inhabitants of the town was held
January 28, 1832, when it was voted "to pay all bills of
costs that Reuben Bartlett, his heirs or assigns, may
have to pay in defending any that may be prosecuted
against him for flowing land necessary to the operation
of his mills, provided the said Bartlett shall erect a good
grist-mill as soon as may be, the damage to flowed lands,
if any there be, to be paid by said Bartlett. " No action
for damage was ever begun.
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 231
At the annual town meeting of 1832, held March 19,
Joseph Prescott was chosen moderator ; Charles Reynolds,
town clerk; Reuben Bartlett, Benjamin H. Oak and
Daniel M. Haskell, selectmen and assessors ; Reuben
Bartlett, treasurer; Abraham True, collector, compen-
sation two per cent., and E. M. Barker, Charles Reynolds
and D. M. Haskell, superintending school committee.
It was voted to raise two thousand dollars for high-
ways, men, oxen and plows to be paid twelve and one
half cents per hour, and not to be allowed more than
twelve hours for any single day's work. It was voted
to raise three hundred and fifty dollars for the support
of schools, and one hundred dollars to defray town
charges. It was voted that the annual town meetings
thereafter should be held on the second Monday in
March.
The meeting to ballot for governor and other officers
was held September 10, 1832, when Samuel E. Smith
received fifty-six votes for governor; Daniel Goodenow
received fifty-eight votes for governor ; Reuben Bartlett
received fifty-five votes for representative to the Legis-
lature; Russell Kitridge received fifty-eight votes for
representative to the Legislature.
Samuel E. Smith was elected governor, Reuben
Bartlett, representative to the Legislature.
The presidential election of 1832 occurred on the fifth
of November. Henry Clay was the Whig candidate and
Andrew Jackson was the Democratic candidate. The
Whig candidates for electors received fifty-six votes, and
the Democratic candidates received sixty-seven votes.
A business meeting was held on the day of the presi-
dential election, at which the town voted to appropriate
the ministerial lands in the town of Garland to the use
of primary schools. In his Annals of Bangor, Judge
Godfrey says of the season of 1832 — "The spring was
232 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
cold this year. Fires were comfortable up to, and into
June. ' '
Garland in 1833
In 1833, the annual town meeting was held March
11th. Joseph Prescott was chosen moderator; Charles
Reynolds, town clerk; Reuben Bartlett, Benjamin H.
Oak, and Charles Reynolds, selectmen and assessors ;
Reuben Bartlett, treasurer; Charles Reynolds, Alphonzo
Adams and Daniel M. Haskell, superintending school
committee. Abraham True was chosen collector and the
compensation was fixed at two per cent.
It was voted to raise twenty-five hundred dollars to
build and repair highways, and to allow twelve and one
half cents per hour for the labor of men and oxen until
the 15th of September, and eight cents per hour until
the opening of winter, when twelve and one half cents
was to be paid for the labor of men and oxen. The
sum of four hundred dollars was voted for the support
of schools, one hundred and fifty dollars to defray town
charges and thirty dollars for the support of the poor.
The legal voters assembled on September 9th to ballot
for governor, representative to Congress, representative
to the Legislature and other officers.
Robert P. Dunlap, Democrat, received seventy-six
votes for governor; Daniel Goodenow, Whig, received
thirty-one votes for governor.
Gorham Parks, Democrat, received seventy-six votes
for representative to Congress ; Ebenezer Hutchinson,
Whig, received thirty-one votes for representative to
Congress.
Joseph Bridgham, Democrat, received seventy-six
votes for representative to the Legislature, and Russell
MAINE 233
Kitridge, Whig, received thirty-two votes for the same
office. Mr. Dunlap was the successful candidate for
governor.
The town refused to grant licenses to sell spirituous
liquors to be drank in the stores and shops of retailers.
The lower road from West Garland to Dexter, near
the north shore of Pleasant Pond, was laid out in 1833.
The section of the county road leading from Dover to
Dexter, across the northwest corner of Garland, was
made in 1833. The section from Dover line to Main
Stream was made by James J. Chandler and Jacob
Greeley at eighty cents per rod. The section from Main
Stream to Dexter line, was made bv Thomas M. and
William A. Murray at eighty-two cents per rod.
Garland in 1834
At the annual meeting of the town in 1834, held
March 11, Joseph Prescott was chosen moderator;
Charles Reynolds, town clerk; Reuben Bartlett, Benjamin
H. Oak and Charles Reynolds, selectmen and assessors;
Reuben Bartlett, treasurer; Charles Reynolds, Alphonzo
Adams and Daniel M. Haskell, superintending school
committee; James J. Chandler, collector, at two and
one half per cent.
It was voted to raise two thousand dollars for high-
ways, three hundred and fifty dollars for schools, one
hundred and twenty-five dollars for town charges, thirty
dollars for the support of the poor, sixty dollars to com-
plete the northwest county road, and to allow the same
price as last year for men, oxen and the use of tools.
The legal voters of Garland assembled September 8,
1834, to ballot for governor and other officers.
234) HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
For governor, Robert P. Dunlap received ninety-nine
votes; Peleg Sprague received sixty-one votes and
Thomas A. Hill received four votes.
For representative to Congress, Gorham Parks received
ninety-nine votes; Edward Kent received sixty-three
votes.
For senators, Reuben Bartlett, Democrat, received
ninety-one votes; Ira Fish, Democrat, received ninety-
eight votes; Waldo T. Pierce, Whig, received sixty-one
votes; Richard H. Rice, Whig, received sixty-one votes.
For representative to Legislature, William Hutchins
received ninety-nine votes; Jefferson Cushing received
sixty-three votes.
The majorities for the Democratic candidates in 1834
were larger than usual.
A Business Center
The locality of Bangor at the head of navigation of
Maine's largest river, and at a central point of one of
its best agricultural regions, made it a place of great
importance to the inhabitants of many of the surround-
ing towns. After recovering from the effects of the
War of 1812, and the disastrous results of the cold
season of 1816, its growth was rapid. Here, the farmers
of a larger region, including the counties of Penobscot,
Piscataquis and sections of Somerset, found a market
for their surplus crops. It became the largest lumber
market in the world. The manufacture of shingles by
hand in the country towns in winter was an industry of
considerable importance. The farmers could make a
few thousand of shingles, without interference with their
regular farm work, which would always bring money in
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 235
Bangor in the latter part of winter and spring. The
bright light of burning shavings from the "shingle
weaver's camp" through the long winter evenings was a
feature of the times.
Any change of conditions that contributed to the
growth and increase of business in Bangor was of
advantage to the towns around it. The business rela-
tions of Bangor with Boston were important. Previous
to 1834, the transportation of merchandise and passen-
gers between the two places was through the medium of
sailing vessels. The time required for the trips of the
vessels was always uncertain, and often protracted.
In 1834, the steamer Bangor, which has since become
historic, was built and placed on the route between Ban-
gor and Boston to carry passengers and freight. The
merchant who now went to Boston for the purchase of
goods, could determine with proximate certainty the
time of his return with such merchandise as was immed-
iately wanted. The successful accomplishment of this
new enterprise was of advantage to the business men of
the country towns as well as to those of Bangor. It
opened new markets to the farmers and manufacturers of
central Maine.
The Hop Industry
The cultivation of hops for the market had become an
industry of some importance in a few of the towns
adjoining Garland. The picking, curing and packing
the hops had given employment to troops of girls and
boys during the harvest season as well as profit to the
farmers. In 1834, Honorable Reuben Bartlett provided
236
the necessary building and fixtures for curing and pack-
ing. Thus encouraged, a number of the farmers turned
their attention to the cultivation of hops. The business
in this section was soon overdone ; the price of hops fell,
and the hop industry was abandoned.
Garland in 1835
At the annual town meeting of 1835, held March
9th, Bildad A. Haskell was chosen moderator ; Charles
Reynolds, town clerk ; Daniel M. Haskell, David Pierce
and Bildad A. Haskell, selectmen and assessors; Reuben
Bartlett, treasurer; Daniel M. Haskell, Enoch Hunting-
ton and Alphonzo Adams, superintending school com-
mittee.
The town voted to raise two thousand five hundred
dollars for making and mending roads, three hundred
and fifty dollars for schools, three hundred dollars for
town charges, fifty dollars to support the poor and one
hundred and twenty-five dollars towards making the
section of the county road, running in a northwesterly
direction from a point a few rods south of the residence
of Benjamin True, by the site of the schoolhouse in
District No. 10, and the residence of Henry Merrill, to
the point of divergence of the original route from the
Sangerville road.
It will be difficult for later generations to realize that
the travel and heavy transportation each way between
Bangor and western Piscataquis, including the towns of
Abbot, Guilford and Sangerville, previous to the year
1836, passed over the circuitous and hilly route leading
by the schoolhouse in District No. ] , and Maple Grove
Cemetery, to the center of Garland village.
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 237
An Irate Citizen
In the year 1817, the route for a county road to
extend from Bangor to what is now western Piscataquis
through the town of Garland having been established,
the town commenced making its section of the road.
Philip Greeley and William Godwin were a committee
to take charge of the work. Mr. Godwin was, at this
time, the owner of a tavern stand on the site now occu-
pied by the buildings of the late William H. Knight,
opposite the site of the Maple Grove Cemetery.
The route as established would carry the travel about
forty rods east of this tavern stand, thereby depriving
Mr. Godwin of patronage. A slight change of route to
accommodate Mr. Godwin was willingly made by the
committee. In 1834, a change was made in the route
which diverted the travel from western Piscataquis
from Mr. Godwin's tavern stand. Mr. Godwin was
greatly exasperated by this change and, as a measure of
revenge, blocked up the section of road which had been
illegally made across his land at his own request.
Several young men living in the vicinity, willing to
annoy an unpopular citizen, cleared the road on the fol-
lowing night. Large logs were hauled across the road
the next day and removed at night. This procedure
was repeated until Mr. Godwin and his grown-up sons
threatened to arm themselves and shoot the intruders,
whereupon the selectmen of the town assumed the offen-
sive, and brought a suit against Mr. Godwin for thus
interrupting the local travel on a road which was much
used by families living in the northwest part of the town.
The decision was against Mr. Godwin, and he found
himself in debt of inconvenient dimensions incurred bv
the trial. But this was not to him the most mortifying
238 HISTOEY OF GARLAND, MAINE
feature in the case. He was brought face to face with
the necessity of taking a contract in the making of the
obnoxious road to secure money to pay in part the costs
of defense.
The town initiated the policy of allowing each school
district to choose its own agent in 1835. It also
instructed the selectmen to make lists of the scholars
in the several districts.
Division of the Ministerial Fund
The question of an equitable division of the fund
derived from the sale of the ministerial lands, among the
several religious societies, became the occasion of a some-
what acrimonious contention. At the annual meeting
of 1835, it was voted to submit the matters in dispute to
two disinterested men ; one of them should be named by
the town, and the other by a representative of the sev-
eral religious societies.
Judge Seba French, a prominent citizen of Dexter,
was chosen on the part of the town, and John B. Hill,
Esquire, of Exeter, afterwards a prominent lawyer of
Bangor, was chosen to act for the religious societies.
Benjamin H. Oak was appointed to present the case in
behalf of the town, and Elder Josiah Bartlett presented
the case of the religious societies. A list of the male
members of each society had been made by its clerk in
1829 and entered upon the town records.
The names upon the Free Will Baptist list numbered
forty-two and were:
John Page, Jacob Quimby,
Josiah Bartlett, James Powers,
Amos Higgins, William Soule,
HISTOEY OF GARLAND, MAINE
239
Daniel Ladd,
Enoch Clough,
Enoch Rollins,
Asa Soule,
Mason Skinner,
Lewis Soule,
John Hamilton,
Joseph Strout,
Eliab Stewart,
David Burton,
Warner Taylor,
Samuel W. Knight,
Zebulon Knight,
John Trefethen,
Henry Amazeen,
Cutteon F. Flanders,
James J. Chandler,
Rufus Inman,
John E. Ladd,
Jacob Staples,
Benjamin Mayo,
Isaiah Stillings,
David Soule,
Gideon Soule,
Israel Colley,
Fifield Lyford,
Isaac F. Ladd,
John Batchelder,
William Rollins,
Benjamin Page,
John Soule,
John B. Stevens,
William Ladd,
Nathaniel Emerson,
Hiram Lyford,
Jeremiah Ladd.
Names on Congregational list numbered twenty-four:
Isaac Wheeler,
Joseph True,
Samuel Johnson,
Levi Johnson,
Lewis Goulding,
Joseph True, Jr.,
Ansel Field,
James Parker,
George Curtis,
Abraham True,
Charles Reynolds,
Russell Murdock,
Daniel M. Haskell,
Justus Harriman,
David Fogg,
Jacob Greeley,
Aaron Hill,
John S. Haskell,
Herbert Thorndike,
Walter Holbrook,
Brav Wilkins,
John S. Fogg,
William Godwin,
Samuel Greeley.
Universalists numbered nineteen :
Ezekiel Straw, Zenas Flanders,
Bildad A. Haskell, Reuben Bartlett,
Jeremiah Flanders, Moses Gordon,
240 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
Joshua Silver, Moses Buswell,
Reuben Marrow, Daniel Moore,
Edward Fifield, John Ha}res,
Samuel P. Buswell, Jesse Straw,
Solomon Soule, Amos G. Gordon,
James Dinsmore, John Chandler,
Eben Battles.
The Calvinist Baptists numbered thirteen :
Thomas S. Tyler, John Jackman,
Hollis Mansfield, Amos Gordon,
James March, Samuel Mansfield,
Joseph Sargent, Robert Seward,
Joseph Prescott, Benjamin Mayo,
George W. Gordon, Shepherd Packard,
Jonathan L. Haskell.
The town records do not show what the action of the
referees was in relation to the distribution of the minis-
terial fund in 1835. There being no reference to it
after this date, shows that their decision was regarded as
final.
The Aid of the Town to Some of Its Poorer
Citizens
There were industrious citizens among the early set-
tlers of Garland who were still owing balances to the
original proprietors of the township for their lands.
By dint of persevering industry, they had cleared lands,
erected buildings, and made improvements. All these
things they had done through years of toil with the use
of little money, but the debts they owed for their lands
must be paid in money or its equivalent. They were
forced to turn over their cattle to their creditors at
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 241
prices merely nominal to pay the interest on their debts.
Some of our older citizens will remember the droves of
cattle that were collected from year to year in this, and
neighboring towns, and driven to Massachusetts to pay
these interest debts.
At a special meeting held April 18, 1835, the town
voted to raise one hundred dollars to pay the balance due
Calvin Sanger, one of the original proprietors of the
township, by David Soule. By this generous act of the
town, the home of Mr. Soule was saved to himself and
family.
Tragic Death of a Prominent Citizen
"S
Early in the morning of July 3, 1835, the Hon.
Reuben Bartlett called his son Joseph, afterward editor
of the Bangor Jeffersonian, to assist in starting some
logs down the slope towards the saw-mill. Going
directly to the mill, and starting a log downward toward
the mill, he lost his balance and fell across it, when his
coat sleeve was caught by a sharp knot, and he was
thrown violently over and almost instantly killed by the
rolling log. Joseph reached the mill yard just in season
to witness the terrible accident.
Mr. Bartlett emigrated from Nottingham, N. H., in
1820, having purchased the village mill property of
Mr. Church. He was an energetic, enterprising and use-
ful citizen. His mental qualities, and his experience in
municipal affairs fitted him for leadership, and he became
the leading citizen of the town from the first year of his
residence in it.
In his first year here, he was chosen chairman of an
important committee, and the records show that he filled
242 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
one or more important offices each year during his fifteen
years of residence in town. He was several times elected
to one or the other branches of the State Legislature.
In politics, Mr. Bartlett was an earnest and unwaver-
ing Democrat. During his residence here of fifteen
years, there were no defections in the Democratic ranks.
As an able and wise counsellor, he was held in high
esteem, and his death cast a gloom over the entire town.
An Important Road Contemplated
A geographical chart of the District of Maine, pub-
lished in 1816, showed existing roads within the Province
of Maine, also routes for roads that would be needed to
meet the wants of advancing population. One of these
routes extended from Bangor through the towns of Glen-
burn, Levant, Exeter, Garland, Dexter, Sangerville,
Guilford and Monson to Moosehead Lake, thence to
the Canadian line.
It was expected that this road would be opened by the
proprietors of lands upon the route, and that it would
prove of more importance than any other road in this
section of Maine. But through the pressure of the
need of roads to accommodate a more limited area, this
larger scheme was held in abeyance until 1885.
In 1835, a petition numerously signed, asked for a
road, to be known as the Avenue Road, extending from
Bangor to Moosehead Lake, through central Penobscot
and western Piscataquis. This appears to have been a
renewal of the old scheme of 1816. Garland had been
heavily burdened with building roads. At a special
meeting held September 24, 1835, the town appointed
Moses Gordon, Ezekiel Straw, Bildad A. Haskell, James
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 243
J. Chandler and Daniel M. Haskell to appear before
the commissioners in opposition to the road. The oppo-
sition proved unavailing. The road was located and
subsequently made.
The First Meeting House in Garland
Preliminary measures for the building of a meeting:
house by the Congregational parish of Garland were
entered upon in 1835. The parish was small and of
limited resources. How to raise the necessary funds was
a perplexing question. But inspired by the faith of
that veteran pioneer missionary, the Rev. John Sawver,
through whose efforts the Congregational church had
been brought into existence twenty-five years earlier, the
parish reached the decision to build.
By the friendly aid of Charles P. Chandler, Esq.,
of Foxcroft, an act of incorporation was obtained from
the Legislature, under which a company was formed
with the title of "The Congregational Meeting House
Company of Garland.'" A constitution and by-laws
were adopted which provided that the stock should be
divided into twenty-four shares of fifty dollars each, and
that when eighteen shares had been taken, the site of
the buildings should be determined, and the work of con-
struction entered upon.
There was considerable discussion respecting size and
style of the building. All the members of the company
were impressed with the necessity of economy of expendi-
ture. Some favored a plain building, bare of belfry and
steeple. Others expressed a different opinion. Lewis
Goulding, a member of the church, who was always
ready with a facetious remark, said that the purpose was
244 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
to build a house for God. Without belfry and steeple,
the building would be God's barn, and not God's house.
The size and st}de including belfry and steeple were
at length determined and plans procured. Benjamin
H. Oak was chosen treasurer and chairman of the build-
ing committee. The other members of this committee
were the Rev. John Sawyer and William Godwin. The
prescribed amount of stock having been taken, Austin
Newell of Monson, an experienced builder, was employed
to take charge of the construction of the building. One
of the by-laws forbade the use of any alcoholic drink by
any person employed on the building, and that no such
drink should be furnished at its raising. This action was
in advance of the public sentiment of the times but the
by-law was strictly observed.
An incident worthy of record occurred at the raising
of the building. The foundation timbers had been laid,
and the timbers of the broad sides had been put in place
and securely fastened together. Muscular men were
ranged in close touch with each other the entire length
of the broad side, awaiting in silence the command,
"Pick him up," when the venerable Father Sawyer,
then eighty-two years of age, suddenly appeai'ed with
bared head, his long thin locks of snowy whiteness float-
ing in the breeze, and offered a brief and earnest prayer
for a successful and safe termination of the day's work,
and that the building when completed might aid in the
spread of the Gospel. During this digression, the men
listened in reverential silence.
This building, which had its beginning in 1835, was
not completed until 1837. Mr. Newell, who had taken
charge of the work in 1835, and had completed the out-
side of the building before the close of the season,
entered into a contract with the parish to finish it in the
following year, but the cold of the late autumn compelled
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 245
him to await the warmer weather of the following spring
to complete his contract.
In the meantime, he entered into a contract with our
well-remembered citizen, Isaac Fall, to complete the
work of building, which was accomplished in the summer
of 1837. Mr. Newell, after having paid bills for
materials and work, and provided for the payment of
Mr. Fall for the completion of the job, had eighteen
dollars to show for his work in the season of 1836.
The Meeting House Company, with credit to itself,
made him a reasonable additional compensation.
While the work on the building was in progress, it
became apparent to the Meeting House Company that
its cost would largely exceed the original estimate, to
meet which was a perplexing problem. In their extrem-
ity, kind friends of other places helped them. Father
Sawyer, the original mover in the building, obtained aid
to meet the deficiency from citizens of other places.
Among these were S. J. Foster, George W. Ricker, S.
Smith, George A. Thatcher, S. S. Crosby, J. W. Mason,
W. D. Williamson, R. & R. Haskins & Co., D. M.
McDougal, A. Davis, J. B. Fisk, J. Carr, Cram &
Dutton, and McGaw of Bangor, also D. Barstow and
Holyoke & Page of Brewer. Edward Hill of New
York, a brother of Mrs. Josiah Merriam, was a liberal
contributor.
The dedication of the house, which was the occasion
of great interest, occurred early in the season of 1837.
The bell of the meeting house was purchased and placed
in position in the year 1857. Many citizens outside the
Congregational parish contributed to the purchasing
fund. It was made by Meneely & Sons, who had the
reputation of being the best manufacturers of bells in
America.
246 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
Garland in 1836
At the annual town meeting of 1836, held March 14,
Joseph Prescott was chosen moderator; Stephen Smith,
town clerk ; Daniel M. Haskell, Enoch Huntington and
Joseph Prescott, selectmen; Benjamin H. Oak, treas-
urer; James J. Chandler, collector, and Daniel M.
Haskell, Alphonzo Adams and Ezekiel Page, superin-
tending school committee.
The town voted to raise two thousand five hundred
dollars for the roads, three hundred and fifty dollars for
schools and two hundred dollars to defray town charges.
Benjamin H. Oak, Ezekiel Page, Enoch Huntington,
Moses Gordon and Ezekiel Straw, were appointed to
redistrict the town in the interest of the public schools
and were instructed to report at the September meeting.
The support of a female pauper was determined by
auction, and she became an inmate of the family of the
lowest bidder for the term of one year. The com-
pensation for her support was eighteen dollars and fifty
cents, and such assistance as she could give in the house-
work of the family. This method of providing for the
support of the poor soon became offensive to the moral
sentiment of the people, and was early abandoned.
A special meeting for town business was held Septem-
ber 12, 1836. At this meeting, the committee
appointed at the annual town meeting to redistrict the
town in the interest of the public schools, reported in
favor of some changes in existing districts, and the
establishment of one or more new districts. The report
of this committee was accepted. By virtue of this
action, the town embraced eight school districts in 1836.
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 247
Bears
In the autumn of 1836, bears became more numerous
and bold in their assaults upon growing crops. They
seemed almost human in their partiality for green corn
and, like humans of the baser sort, they committed their
depredations under the cover of darkness. Influenced
by the general badness of the bear, the town voted "that
a premium of three dollars be awarded to any person
residing in this town who shall kill a bear, and produce
sufficient testimony of the fact to the treasurer of the
town."
Fall Elections of 1836
The balloting for State and other officers occurred
September 12, when Robert P. Dunlap, Democrat,
received seventy-six votes for governor. Edward Kent,
Whig, received thirty-eight votes for governor.
There were five trials to elect a representative to the
State Legislature in the class which embraced Garland,
and five failures to elect. Balloting for presidential
electors occurred November 7, when the Democratic
candidates received forty-nine votes each. Whig candi-
dates received twenty-nine votes each.
The candidates for President were Martin Van Buren,
Democrat, and William K. Harrison, Whig.
248 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
Garland in 1837
At the annual town meeting of 1837, held on March
18, Joseph Prescott was chosen moderator; Charles
Reynolds, town clerk; Enoch Huntington, Ezekiel Straw
and Luther Rideout, selectmen; Benjamin H. Oak,
treasurer; Samuel W. Knight, collector, and Daniel M.
Haskell, E. L. Norcross and Samuel Skillin, superintend-
ing school committee.
The town voted to raise four hundred and fifty dollars
for schools, three thousand five hundred dollars for roads,
three hundred and fifty dollars for town charges and sup-
port of the poor. The premium of three dollars per
head for the destruction of bears was continued. The
care of the poor was delegated to the selectmen.
The cemetery at West Garland was established in
1837, by vote of the town, and the land therefor was
purchased of Mr. Lawrence and Russell Murdock. The
ground was graded by the voluntary labor of the public
spirited citizens of West Garland.
Fall Elections
The legal voters of the town balloted for State and
other officers on the second Monday of September.
For governor, Edward Kent, Whig, received eighty-
six votes; Gorham Parks, Democrat, received eighty-five
votes.
For representative to the Legislature, David Harvey,
Democrat, received eighty -nine votes ; Eleazer W. Snow,
Whig, received eighty-five votes.
MAINE 249
At a special meeting of the town held on the day of
the fall elections, it was voted to petition the Legislature
for the passage of a law to require each county in the
State to make and repair all the roads within its limits.
Also to "authorize the selectmen to petition the
Legislature to amend the constitution (of the State) so
that the compensation of all judicial officers, and their
time of service, shall be placed within the reach of the
people and subject to be altered at the pleasure of the
Legislature. ' '
The legal voters balloted a second time on October 2
for representative to the Legislature, when Daniel Chase,
Democrat, received eighty votes; Eleazer W. Snow,
Whig, received eighty -four votes.
On a third trial to elect a representative, Garland
gave Daniel Chase, eighty-three votes; Eleazer W.
Snow, seventy-five votes.
A movement was made this year (1837) to divide
Penobscot County, and to establish a new county to be
known as Piscataquis County. The original purpose was
to embody the tier of towns that embraced the town of
Garland in the new countv. As the business relations
of this tier of towns were almost solely with Bangor, its
citizens were strongly opposed to incorporation with the
proposed new county.
At a special meeting held October 2, 1837, the town
voted to remonstrate against division, and in case of
division, to petition the Legislature to be left in the old
county. The desire expressed in the petition was real-
ized, and Garland still remains in the old countv.
250 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
Hard Times
The year 1887 was, to many citizens of Maine, a
period of disappointment and hardship, engendered by
wild speculation in Eastern lands. Some men had sud-
denly become rich, but many more had lost the slowly
acquired accumulations of years. The sufferers were
mainly residents of cities and larger towns. Residents
in the country towns had nothing to invest in speculative
ventures and therefore lost nothing directly.
As in other years, the farms that had been brought
into a productive condition afforded the families of their
owners a livelihood and means to pay current expenses.
But there was a class of farmers who were beginning on
new farms that were more seriously affected by the pre-
vailing financial conditions. Mr. A. W. Straw, a well-
known citizen of Bangor, who then was a boy in his
father's home at Garland, gives the following narration.
His father, Mr. James Straw, had purchased a new
farm where he was struggling to support a large family.
At the close of the spring's work he found that the
family supplies were running short. He had no money.
As in the case of his independent neighbors, credit
would not avail for the purchase of food supplies. As
the only resort, he took his two older boys, A. W. and
James M. , into the cedar growth where the three, by
several days of severe labor, made shingles enough to
load a yoke of oxen.
The shingles were loaded upon a wagon and the father,
taking rations for himself and oxen from the scanty
supply at home, started on his toilsome journey to Ban-
gor, traveling by day, and sleeping under his wagon at
night.
The shingles were sold to Abner Taylor at one dollar
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 251
and fifty cents per thousand and, with the proceeds, he
purchased supplies for his family, and returned home,
having been absent four days and three nights. By
industry and economy, the Straw family soon came into
line with their more independent neighbors.
Surplus Revenue
For several years anterior to the year 1837, the reve-
nues of the United States government were in excess of
its expenditures. By an act of Congress this surplus
was distributed to the several states, and by them, to the
towns within their respective limits. The town of Gar-
land promptly indicated its acceptance of the proffered
gift. Charles Reynolds was appointed an agent by the
town "to demand and receive from the State treasury
the portion of said money belonging to the town of
Garland," and was authorized to receipt therefor. In
pursuance of instructions, Mr. Reynolds transferred this
money, amounting to about two thousand dollars, from
the State treasurv to the town treasury.
An Elephant
Now that the money was in the hands of the town,
the question that confronted its citizens was — What
shall we do with it? Men who had been blessed with
large families, favored a per capita distribution. Men
whose action was controlled by their sympathy for the
252 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
poor, favored the purchase of a home for that unfor-
tunate class.
Another class thought that it should constitute a fund,
the interest of which should be used from year to year,
for the benefit of the public schools. There were others
who were in favor of loaning it in small sums to inhabi-
tants of the town who desired to hire it. The last
named proposition was adopted by a vote of the town.
At a special meeting held March 11, 1837, Ezekiel
Straw, Enoch Huntington and Jeremiah Flanders, were
appointed a committee to invest Garland's share of the
fund. This committee was instructed to lend it to
inhabitants of Garland only, in sums ranging from fifty
to one hundred dollars, on demand notes, drawing inter-
est, each note to be indorsed by two responsible parties,
freeholders, residing in the town, who were to be jointly
and severally held with the principal for the payment of
the notes, which were to run until the annual meeting of
1838. No person would be accepted as surety for more
than $100.
Borrowers were plenty, and the surplus fund soon dis-
appeared from the treasury, notes payable on demand
taking its place, with the understanding that demand
for payment would be made on, or before, the date of
the annual town meeting of 1838. As in the case of all
promises to pay, the date for the payment of these notes
came round with relentless punctuality to find a majority
of the promisers were not ready to pay. At the annual
town meeting of 1838, the men of large families came
to the front and demanded that the fund should be dis-
tributed to the inhabitants of the town per capita.
This demand was carried by a vote of the town. The
treasurer of the fund was directed to collect forthwith
all that was still out on loan, and deposit it in the
treasury.
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 253
But it was soon discovered that it had been easier to
lend money in 1837 than to collect it in 1838. The
best efforts of the treasurer to collect proved unavailing.
At a special meeting held May 5, 1838, the town voted
to distribute two dollars and seven cents of the surplus
fund to each individual enumerated in the census for the
distribution of the said fund. This action involved the
necessity of a special enumeration of the inhabitants of
the town to fix the basis of distribution.
Although the town had voted to pay each inhabitant
two dollars and seven cents, it had made no provision to
obtain the funds necessary to carry out the purposes of
this vote. This neglect was followed by much excite-
ment, to allay which a special meeting of the voters was
held on the 14th of July, 1838, "To see if the town
will hire one thousand dollars, or any other sum, and
settle with individuals on account of the surplus fund or
take any other method thought best when met.''
This proposition to hire one thousand dollars to pay
the beneficiaries of the fund indicated approximately the
sum that still remained uncollected. Upon the article,
"To see if the town will hire one thousand dollars, or
any other sum, and settle with individuals on account of
the surplus fund," it was voted at the meeting of July
14, 1838, "That the treasurer is hereby empowered to
hire on the credit of the town a sufficient sum of money
to pay off the surplus fund debt before the annual meet-
ing in September next." But the treasurer failed to
accomplish the purpose of this vote.
254 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
Garland in 1838
Meetings for town business were of frequent occurrence
in 1838, some of which were barren of results. The
officers of the town were Russell Murdock, moderator ;
Nehemiah Bartlett, town clerk ; Enoch Huntington,
Charles Reynolds and Samuel Skillin, selectmen ; Joseph
True, Jr., treasurer; Samuel W. Knight, collector; and
Daniel M. Haskell, Lyndon Oak and Asa Barton, super-
intending school committee.
The town appropriated five hundred dollars for
schools, four hundred dollars for town charges, and two
thousand dollars for highways. One hundred dollars,
cash, was voted for the northwest county road.
A special meeting was held on May 5, at which appli-
cations of two new citizens, Solomon and Phineas Gee,
emigrants from England, for a pro rata share of the
surplus revenue fund were considered. These citizens,
not having been naturalized, the applications were not
granted. Various propositions for the location, repair
and building of roads were acted upon adversely.
Another special meeting was held on July 14, which
was devoted mainly to considerations relating to roads.
A road craze seemed to have settled upon the inhabitants
of the town. At a special meeting held September 10,
Samuel Skillin, Nehemiah Bartlett and Edward B. Holt
were appointed to prepare plans, and to contract for the
building of a bridge across the Kenduskeag Stream at
Holt's Mills. The selectmen were again instructed to
remonstrate against the annexation of Garland to the
new county of Piscataquis, also to petition the Legisla-
ture for a law requiring each county to build and keep
in repair the county roads within its own limits.
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 255
The annual State election of 1888 was held on Sep-
tember 10.
John Fairfield, Democratic candidate for governor,
received one hundred and thirty votes; Edward Kent,
Whig, received ninety votes.
For representative to Congress, Thomas Davee,
Democrat, received one hundred and thirty votes; John
S. Tenney, Whig, received ninety votes.
For representative to the Legislature, Joseph True,
Democrat, received one hundred and twenty -nine votes ;
Asa Barton, Whig, received ninety votes.
The first movement for the building of a town hall
was made in 1838. Under the lead of Joseph Bartlett,
afterwards a prominent citizen of Bangor, and editor of
The Jeffersonian, (newspaper) individuals offered to
supply gratuitously a considerable amount of lumber for
the construction of a building, whose roof should cover
a room for a high school, and a hall for town business
and public gatherings. But the plan was in advance of
public sentiment and failed of realization.
Garland's Artillery Company
A company of artillery was organized in 1838 through
the influence and active exertions of Col. John S.
Kimball of Bangor, who at that time resided at Garland.
Col. Kimball possessed an ardent military temperament,
and much experience in military matters. He drew into
the organization many of the most respectable inhabi-
tants of the town of military age. He was the first
captain of the company, and he succeeded in investing
its members with a good degree of military pride.
256 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
He was succeeded in the captaincy of the company by
Fifield Lyford, who in turn was followed by John S.
Runnals. Some of its lieutenants were, A. M. Haskell,
Isaac Fall and Ezekiel Page.
A substantial building of ample dimensions was con-
structed for an armory and drill hall. The State fur-
nished two brass field-pieces whose deep intonations
resounded through the town on public occasions, some-
times awaking the sleepy inhabitants at unseasonable
hours. The company was regarded with pride by the
citizens of the town. It is regretted that the company
rolls have not been saved so that a full list of its mem-
bers could be given. A partial list embraces the follow-
ing names :
John S. Kimball, Leonard Skillin,
Fifield Lyford, Noah Burnham,
Ezekiel Page, Mark Burnham,
M. C. Emerson, Luther Rideout,
John P. Smith, Thomas Fifield,
Richmond Osgood, Moody Bailey,
A. M. Haskell, Lebbeus Oak,
i, _l_iv-ui_»^uo vy«,iv,
John S. Runnals, Stephen B. Dockham,
Samuel Skillin, Albert Skinner.
Josiah Skillin,
A Foreign Venture
'.*->
In the year 1838, Capt. Fifield Lyford, who owned
the village mill property at Garland, conceived the plan
of shipping to London a cargo of lumber of the descrip-
tions known as bird's-eye maple and curly birch, which
were sometimes used in the manufacture of furniture.
HISTORY OF GAB.LAND, MAINE 257
The lumber was sawed at his mill, hauled to Bangor by
team, and shipped to London. Capt. Lyford took
passage in the same vessel to attend to the sale of the
lumber.
In due time the cargo arrived at London in good con-
dition and was readily sold at good prices. Elated at
his good fortune in the disposition of his cargo and the
attentions of its generous purchaser, who showed him
some of the sights of London, and possibly excited by a
favorite beverage in which he sometimes indulged, he
soared to the realm of a lofty idealism from which he
disclosed to his new friend, areas of land of almost limit-
less extent which were covered with magnificent forest
growths. So realistic were his descriptions, that one
could almost hear the cheery voices of his workmen, the
ringing blows of their axes. Before leaving London, he
ordered made and sent to him some costly articles for
his personal use, one of which was a gun to cost one
hundred dollars.
On his return home, he gradually came from his dizzy
height to a level with his neighbors. The one hundred
dollar gun was received in due time, but finding that his
pocketbook had collapsed, and that he could put it to
no use commensurate with its cost, he returned it to the
manufacturers.
The Advent of the Martin Family
On a pleasant spring morning of 1839, a procession
of horse-carts of the Canadian pattern entered the vil-
lage and moved slowly up the principal street. In the
forward cart were a man, woman and two boys of tender
age. The other carts contained furniture of humble
258 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
descriptions. A sight so unusual and, withal, so novel,
in the quiet village of Garland, aroused the curiosity of
the women, who were engaged in their spring house-
cleaning, and of the girls and boys who were at their
sports on the street. It must also be confessed that
the more phlegmatic citizens of the male gender, though
not so conspicuous on the street, were peering from win-
dows of shop and store with unusual curiosity.
In human affairs, each event can be traced to some
antecedent cause of which it is the consequent; so the
cause of the sudden appearance of the strangers in our
village was soon developed. The procession halted in
the center of the village, when the man inquired for
Capt. Lyford, the great land owner. A troop of small
boys rushed forth at the top of their speed in search of
the doughty captain, who soon put in an appearance.
Both men disclosed a large degree of surprise at the close
of a brief conversation, and it will never be known which
one was the more surprised.
While in a state of high exaltation in London a year
earlier, the Captain was introduced to a Mr. Martin, an
accomplished bookkeeper, to whom he promised em-
ployment if he would come to America. Now Mr.
Martin, although an expert accountant and bookkeeper,
could earn enough in his profession by close application
to support his family, yet like other men of his class,
his prospect for doing more than this in London at that
time, was dubious. He soon became conscious of a
purpose to emigrate to America, which, although weak
at first gathered strength as the weeks rolled on, and
ripened into determination.
Early in the spring of 1839, he had saved enough to
pay for the passage of himself and family to Canada,
and thence to Maine. Mr. Martin was soon forced to
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 259
the painful consciousness that the great land owner was
a myth.
lie had spent his little all in getting here to find him-
self among strangers, out of money, and destitute of
emploj*ment. He was unfitted for any out of door
labor. Fortunately he found shelter in the village for
his family and furniture, but was soon destitute of
food. Kind neighbors provided for their immediate
wants. The attention of the town authorities was soon
called to their condition and their needs were supplied
by public, instead of private charity, for a brief time.
"All is Well That Ends Well"
Col. John S. Kimball, a former citizen of Bangor, was
a resident of Garland at the date of the arrival of the
Martin family. The condition of the family appealed
to his sympathies and, with characteristic generosity, he
obtained for him a situation as bookkeeper for Gen.
Veazie of Bangor. The value of his services soon became
known to the business men of that place, and he had no
difficulty in finding employment as long as he remained
there. A few years later, Gen. Veazie employed him as
manager and salesman of a shipload of merchandise
bound to California. Finding a demand for his services
there, he sent for his family and became a resident of
California.
260
Garland in 1839
At the annual town meeting of 1839, held March 11,
the officers chosen were Russell Murdock, moderator ;
Charles Reynolds, town clerk; Charles Reynolds, Samuel
Skillin and Nehemiah Bartlett, selectmen ; Joseph True
Jr., treasurer; Nehemiah Bartlett, town agent; Asa
Barton, Lyndon Oak and Rev. S. S. Drake, super-
intending school committee, and James Greeley, collector
of taxes, compensation three per cent.
The town appropriated five hundred dollars for
schools, six hundred dollars for town charges, and two
thousand dollars for roads. As usual the town was
road ridden. Of the thirty-one articles in the warrant
calling the annual meeting of 1839, six related to town
officers, four to appropriations, five to incidental matters
and the remaining sixteen articles related to roads. At
a special meeting, held September 9, of the eight prop-
ositions acted on, five related to roads.
The annual State election was held September 9. For
governor, John Fairfield, Democrat, received one hundred
and fourteen votes ; Edward Kent, Whig, received ninety-
four votes.
For representative to the Legislature, Zebulon
Bradley, Democrat, received one hundred and fourteen
votes ; Nathaniel Huckins, Whig, received ninety-three
votes.
At a special meeting held on the day of the State
election, the following question was submitted to the
voters of the towns of the State: "Shall the constitu-
tion of the State be so amended as to strike out the
fourth section of the sixth article and substitute in the
room thereof the words following, viz: Section fourth:
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 261
All judicial officers now in office, or who may be ap-
pointed hereafter, shall from, and after the first day of
March in the year of our Lord 1840 hold their offices
for the term of seven years from the time of their re-
spective appointments (unless sooner removed by im-
peachment, or by address of both branches of the Legis-
lature to the Executive) and no longer unless re-
appointed thereto." Upon this question the town gave
one hundred and thirteen affirmative, and twenty-five
negative votes.
At a special meeting, held December 9, 1839, Asa
Barton, Samuel W. Knight, and James J. Chandler
were appointed a committee to receive offers for the sale
of a farm suitable for a home for the unfortunate poor,
and were instructed to report to the town at the annual
meeting of 1840. Upon the report of this committee,
it was voted that Asa Barton, James J. Chandler, Enoch
Huntington, Jeremiah Flanders and Daniel M. Haskell
be a committee to purchase a farm whereon to support
the poor. But this committee was hedged by limita-
tions which frustrated the well-meant attempt to benefit
an unfortunate class of our citizens.
Garland in the Aroostook War
To the inhabitants of Garland and other towns in
eastern Maine, the exciting event of 1839 was the call
for men to defend the territory contiguous to New
Brunswick which was claimed by both that province and
the State of Maine. The origin of the dispute between
the two sections was the indefiniteness of the terms by
which the dividing line had been described in the treaty
£62 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
of 1783, between the United States and Great Britain.
The crisis came in 1889. Early in that year, the
Governor of Maine, John Fairfield, was officially notified
that citizens of New Brunswick were plundering the dis-
puted territory of its best timber.
The Governor immediately dispatched the sheriff of
Penobscot County, Hastings Strickland, with a posse
numbering one hundred and fifty to two hundred men
to drive the plunderers off. The sheriff started from
Bangor with his posse on the 5th day of February.
The plunderers, three hundred in number, having been
apprized of the sheriff's approach, broke into the arsenal
at Woodstock, armed themselves with muskets and
assumed a defensive attitude, but, hearing that the
sheriff's posse had a six pounder cannon they prudently
retired to a point within British territory.
At this juncture, a conference was held at the tavern
of one Fitzherbert which was participated in by Land
Agent Mclntire and his friends, G. G. Cushman and
Colonel Webster of Orono, on the one side, and a Mr.
McLaughlin, British warden of the disputed territory,
and a few friends on the other.
During the following night the land agent and his
friends were seized by a party of forty armed men and
carried on an ox-sled to Woodstock, where they were com-
mitted to the Frederickton jail. On Februai-y 14th
Sheriff Strickland suddenly reappeared in Bangor, having
performed the journey from the "seat of war" by a
wild ride of two days, which had been facilitated by
relays of horses at regular intervals. His rapid and
dramatic recital of the events had, together with the
exciting news of the day following (Feb. 15th,) of the
treacherous seizure of our land agent and his companions
and the humiliating treatment they had received, raised
263
the war spirit to a fever heat. Measures for the rescue
of the prisoners were immediately adopted.
Two days later an event occurred which rendered the
execution of these measures unnecessary. On Sunday,
Feb. 17th, the Houlton stage brought in as prisoner the
British land warden, McLaughlin, who participated in
the parley at Fitzherbert's. He was attended by a
guard of stalwart men, one of whom was John Tarbox
of Garland. The news of the arrival of McLaughlin
spread through the city like wildfire. In an incredibly
short time the streets were filled with spectators eager to
see the Britisher. The weather being cold the warden
was protected by a large bearskin overcoat, which in
the heated state of the popular sentiment, made it easy
to transform the man into the animal whose skin he
wore. With a vivid remembrance of the treatment
awarded our land agent and his friends, Mr. McLaughlin
feared violence at the hands of the crowd. He was,
however, provided with quarters at the Bangor House
and kindly treated during his stay.
The events which have been narrated came upon the
people of this section with startling suddenness. Less
than two weeks had elapsed since they received the first
intimation of the danger of a rupture between the
United States and Great Britain in consequence of the
northeastern boundary dispute. But it had assumed a
serious aspect. Major General Hodsdon issued orders on
February 17th for a draft of one thousand men from the
eastern division of the Maine militia who were required
to appear at Bangor on Tuesday, the 19th inst.
In this division were four companies of artillery,- — one
each at Bangor, Garland, Lincoln and Orland. The
requisition upon this company at Garland was for
thirty-two men. On Monday, February 18th, the artil-
lery men were drawn up in line in the center of the village
264 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
and a call was made for volunteers. A few young men,
who had no families to leave behind, responded.
A draft was then resorted to to secure the full number
required. The personnel of the quota was as follows:
Daniel M. Haskell, Wm. Haskell, Gardiner Smith,
Luther Rideout, Ezekiel Page, John P. Smith, Thos. B.
Fifield, Daniel E. Fifield, Moody Bailey, John S.
Runnals, Joseph Bartlett, Isaac Wheeler, Jr., Hiram F.
Godwin, Stephen B. Dockham, Samuel Bridge, Micah
C. Emerson, Charles Haskell, Andrew M. Haskell, J.
B. Reed, Samuel Knight, Fifield Lyford, Artemas
Merriam, Robt. P. Davis, Jedediah Kimball, Zenas
Bartlett, Giles Straw, Samuel A. Hamilton, Albert
Skinner, Mark Burnham, John Batchelder, Horace
Batchelder and John C. Ladd.
Of the four companies the Garland company furnished
the largest number, in which were many of the leading
citizens of the town. Its present citizens may be
pardoned, if while recounting these names, they indulge
in a feeling of pride regarding the character of their
quota.
The men were drafted on the afternoon of Monday
and after spending a few hours in arranging their busi-
ness affairs they took hasty leave of their families and
presented themselves at Bangor on the following day.
They were mustered into service Wednesday, February
20 th.
The quotas of the four companies, numbering about
eighty men, formed a battalion which went into quarters
at City-Point Block. After a stop of two days for
necessary preparations, they started on their long march
to the frontier. The route determined on was up the
Penobscot River to Moluncus, thence to the Aroostook
River by way of Patten, and from there on the ice to
Fort Fairfield. In the march to Patten the company
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 265
was quartered at night at the following places : Milford,
Lincoln and Moluncus, reaching Patten at the end of
the fourth day. On the morning of the fifth day the
march towards the Aroostook River was resumed, but it
was arrested at an early hour by the appearance of a
courier with the information that the ice on the Aroos-
took had been submerged by a freshet, rendering travel on
that river impracticable. The battalion was ordered to
return to Moluncus. On the return march, it camped
at night at Benedicta. Here some of the privates pur-
chased a rooster for amusement. This bird, following
the fortunes of the battalion in all its subsequent
marches, may be regarded as a prototype of the war
eagle, "Old Abe," which followed the fortunes of a
Wisconsin regiment through the War of the Rebellion.
He soon became familiar with military life and partici-
pated in its excitements. When the big guns thundered
he would instantly mount his perch, spread his wings
and crow to the extent of his capacity, which was not
small. He soon became the pet of the battalion.
From Moluncus to Houlton the march was on the
military road, the battalion encamping one night be-
tween the two places, and Houlton was reached at the
end of eight days' march from Bangor. It remained
there about two weeks.
At Houlton an incident occurred which afforded much
amusement. A ruse was planned by some of the officers
to determine whether the night guard was attentive to
its duties. A cannon had been placed in position just
outside the barracks. On the night of the execution of
the plan, our well known and honored townsman, Daniel
M. Haskell, was officer of the guard. At an hour when
sleep was supposed to have the fullest control of its
subjects, the attention of the officer was called to a
slight noise in the vicinity of the cannon. Rushing
%66 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
outside to find the cause, a man was seen retreating in
great haste into the surrounding darkness. The officer
stepped inside to await developments. The disturbance
was soon repeated. Instantly stepping out he found
himself in close proximity to a man, the shortness of
whose limbs put him at disadvantage in the race. The
pursuer came up with him as he was scaling a fence and
grabbing him, soon brought him to bay, when he was
surprised to find that he had captured the good-natured
Major of the battalion. On their way together towards
the barracks, they found the cannon moving away from
its position. The officer soon overtook it and cutting
the rope by which it was hauled, brought it to a dead
stop. Another officer of the artillery, a man of gigan-
tic size, tried to run the guard the same night and found
himself in the clutches of two privates where he was
held much against his will until the officer of the guard
leisurely ordered his release. There is no account of
attempts by the officers to further test the fidelity of
the night guard.
The sudden death of a citizen of Garland, Calvin S.
Wheeler, who was not connected with the battalion,
occurred during the encampment at Houlton. His
remains were attended home by his brother, Isaac
Wheeler, and his cousin, Wm. S. Haskell.
After a stop at Houlton of about two weeks the
battalion was ordered to Fort Fairfield which was
reached by a march of three days. The first night's
encampment was at Bridgewater and the second at
Presque Isle. Quarters for the soldiers were in readi-
ness.
While at this place the daily routine was much the
same as at Houlton. Men were detailed to assist in the
construction of a building for a storehouse and officers'
quarters. Military drills and guard duties were of
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 267
everv-dav occurrence. The monotony of camp life was
mitigated by such amusements as could be devised.
Many of the superior officers were on terms of
pleasant intimacy with the soldiery when off duty.
Major General Hodsdon was accustomed to drop into
the soldiers' quarters and chat familiarly with the
men. Among the games prohibited was card playing.
On one evening when the interdicted game was briskly
going on at several points, General Hodsdon made
a sudden appearance at the entrance of the quarters.
The cards were instantly brushed aside, and the players,
with an air of great innocence, were zealously joining in
a camp song which had been going on. After spending
an hour in familiar conversation with officers and privates
the General arose to retire. On reaching the door he
turned and bidding them a pleasant good night, left
with the admonition, "Don't sing too late boys. '!
Affairs at the Fort went on from day to day in even
flow, but the flow of sleep was suddenly interrupted on
one occasion. At midnight the faint report of a musket
from the picket-guard down by the river was heard.
Instantly crack, crack, crack, came from a dozen muskets
in the hands of as many guards. The artillery men
sprang from their beds into their clothing and formed in
line on the parade-ground. The Dexter riflemen were in
line in front of them. The night was intensely cold
and the men impatiently awaited orders to move.
Presently the riflemen started on a brisk march towards
the river. Through a misapprehension of orders, the
artillery followed. They had moved only a short dis-
tance when thev were confronted bv General Hodsdon
who sharply demanded their reason for moving without
orders. Private Kimball of the Garland company
instantly replied, "to gather up the riflemen's boots as
fast as they are killed." As the movement was the
268 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
result of a false alarm to test the mettle of the men,
Private Kimball escaped the reprimand he might other-
wise have received. Both companies were ordered back
into line on the parade-ground, when, the roll being
called, every man was found to be present. General
Hodsdon briefly addressed them, telling them an amus-
ing story to illustrate the contrast between their behavior,
and that he had witnessed at another time and place,
where men (?) upon a similar call had secreted them-
selves in chimneys and ovens. He complimented them
highly for their promptness in answering the call and
bade them a kind good night. The men fled to their
berths with as much alacrity as the}7 had manifested a
little earlier in answering the call to arms.
The imbroglio engendered by the northeastern
boundary dispute was now nearing its close. There had
been proclamations and counter-proclamations by the
parties to the dispute, and marchings and counter-
marchings by the soldiery on both sides. Among civil-
ians, the war spirit had ebbed and flowed at intervals.
Early in March, General Scott appeared on the scene
in behalf of the United States government, and imme-
diately commenced negotiations for the peaceable adjust-
ment of the questions in dispute. He opened corres-
pondence with Sir John Harvey, Governor of New
Brunswick, from whom he obtained concessions which
were accepted by our State authorities. This was fol-
lowed in due time bv a recall of the war forces at the
front. The date of the recall was about the 10th of
April. On the 17th of April the troops reentered
Bangor.
The pet rooster, which had been purchased at Benedicta
on the march to the front, still adhered to the fortunes
of the artillery. On the march homeward he had been
gaily decked in a scarlet uniform, and upon the entrance
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 269
of the troops into the city he mounted his perch on the
top of the ammunition carriage and defiantly turned his
head towards the enemy's country amid the plaudits of
the crowds on the streets.
The troops went into quarters on Thomas Hill.
While awaiting payment and discharge the artillery
occasionally marched down town in ranks. On one occa-
sion by the invitation of the leading business men one
of the field-pieces was taken down to the square at the
foot of Hammond street to give an exhibition of one
phase of artillery practice. The piece was loaded on
Exchange street and drawn back by the horses at a vio-
CD J
lent gait and discharged in the square. This was
repeated several times ; but every discharge of the can-
non brought down a shower of glass from the windows
in the neighborhood. This kind of practice soon became
distasteful even to its projectors, and was discontinued
after a few sample rounds.
On the 23d day of April, the artillery men were paid
off and discharged, having had sixty-three days' service.
Of the thirty-two men who went from the artillery
company there was only one substitute. It was a body
of men who would command the respect of any com-
munity. One of them, a teacher in our schools, after-
wards became a prominent citizen of Bangor and the
editor of an influential newspaper. Many of them were
afterwards prominent in town affairs, and four of them
have represented the towns of their class in the lower
branch of the Legislature.
Our well known townsman, Stephen D. Jennings, who
has long been a resident of Garland, went to the front
with that fine military organization, the Dexter Rifle
Company, being at that time a citizen of Dexter.
In addition to the thirty-two men from the company
of artillery, seven men were drafted from the militia for
270
service in the Aroostook War. Among these were Aaron
Hill, Amos Gordon, Nehemiah Bartlett 1st, Peter Pills-
burv and William French. Of these, the first two were
represented by substitutes. The others went to the
Aroostook. Benjamin Garland, John Tarbox, and per-
haps others went to the front in the sheriff's posse.
It was a dizzAr whirl of events that intervened between
the call for one thousand men and the date of the march
for the front. The call was made on February 17th;
the men of the company were notified to appear for
draft on the morning of the 18th; the draft was made
on the afternoon of the same day ; the drafted men pre-
sented themselves at Bangor on the 19th, were mustered
into service on the 20th and started on the march to the
front on the 21st. Happily they were not called on to
do any fighting, but when fighting seemed inevitable
there was no flinching.
Growth From 1830 to 1840
During the period intervening between 1830 and
1840, the town had been fairly prosperous. The popu-
lation had increased from six hundred and thirty-one to
one thousand and sixty-five, an increase of more than
sixty-five per cent. The growth of the village during
the same period had been slow. In 1840, there were
only fifteen families within the present village. This
slow growth was largely due to the fact that eligible
building lots were held at a price, or hampered by con-
ditions that repelled those who desired to make homes
therein.
Among the events of this period, were the rebuilding
of the long bridge in 1830, the rebuilding of the grist-
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 271
mill by Reuben Bartlett, the designation of the month
of March for holding future annual meetings for town
business, the accident that terminated the life of Gar-
land's most prominent citizen, the Hon. Reuben
Bartlett, the division among the different religious soci-
eties of the unappropriated ministerial fund, the build-
ing of the Avenue road, the five trials to elect a rep-
resentative to the Legislature, and the heavy fall of
snow in November, 1836, the acquisition by the town
of its share of the surplus revenue, the severe, and oft
recurring burdens of road making, the hardships engen-
dered by the dearth of money, the completion and dedi-
cation of the Congregational meeting house, and the
beginning of the pastorate of the Rev. Samuel S. Drake
over the Congregational church in 1837, the organization
of a company of artillery in 1838, and the call for men
for the defense of our territory adjoining New Bruns-
wick in 1839.
Garland in 1840
At the annual meeting of 1840, held March 9,
Russell Murdock was chosen moderator; Charles
Reynolds, town clerk ; Daniel M. Haskell, Enoch
Huntington and Ezekiel Page, selectmen and assessors,
and Asa Barton, Rev. S. S. Drake and Lyndon Oak,
superintending school committee.
David Skillin was chosen collector and treasurer, and
was instructed to discount six per cent, upon all taxes
paid on, or before, the first day of August, four per
cent, on taxes paid on, or before, the first day of Novem-
ber and two per cent, on taxes paid on, or before Febru-
272 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
ary 1, 1841, and to collect forthwith all taxes unpaid at
the last mentioned date, either by himself or deputy.
Appropriations in 1840
Appropriations for 1840 were six hundred dollars for
schools, one thousand two hundred dollars for town
charges, two hundred and fifty dollars to support the
poor, two thousand dollars for making and repairing
roads to be paid in labor, and a cash appropriation of
one hundred and fifty dollars for same purpose. High
taxes had become the cause of serious complaint.
Almost every taxpayer seemed to believe that his taxes
were relatively higher than those of his neighbor's. So
general was the complaint that a citizen of waggish
tendencies got an article inserted in the call for the
annual meeting of 1840 "to see if the town will vote to
let every man assess his own taxes."
Fall Elections, 1840
The annual State election was held September 14.
For governor, John Fifleld, Democrat, received one
hundred and fifteen votes. Edward Kent, Whig, received
ninety-nine votes.
For representative to Congress, Hannibal Hamlin,
Democrat, received one hundred and fifteen votes.
Elisha H. Allen, Whig, received ninety-nine votes.
For representative to the Legislature, Levi Bradley,
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 273
Democrat, received one hundred and fifteen votes. E.
T. Morrill, Whig, received ninety-nine votes.
There having been no election for representative to
the Legislature at first trial, a second trial occurred
October 5, when Levi Bradley received one hundred and
nine votes. E. T. Morrill received ninety votes.
The presidential election of 1840 was held on Novem-
ber 2. The candidates were William H. Harrison,
Whig, and Martin Van Buren, Democrat. The Harrison
electors received one hundred and one votes, and the
Van Buren electors received one hundred and twenty-four
votes. In the country at large there was a majority for
William H. Harrison.
Garland in 1841
At the annual town meeting of 1841, held March 8,
Joseph Prescott was chosen moderator; Charles Reynolds,
town clerk ; Daniel M. Haskell, Samuel W. Knight and
Joseph True, selectmen and assessors ; Asa Barton, Joseph
Bartlett and Rev. Samuel S. Drake, superintending
school committee, and David Skillin, collector and treas-
urer. The compensation for collecting and disbursing
was fixed at two and one half per cent.
The appropriations were six hundred dollars for
schools, two hundred dollars for the support of the poor,
six hundred dollars to defray town charges, two thousand
dollars to make and repair roads, to be paid in labor,
also cash appropriations of two hundred dollars to be
expended on the northwest county road, one hundred
and twenty-five dollars for the Avenue road, two hundred
dollars for the county road leading to Dover, and fifty
274 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
dollars for a town road in the southeast part of the
town.
At a special meeting held September 13, of the twelve
items of business acted on, seven related to roads.
The Fall Election of 1841
The election for State and other officers was held Sep-
tember 13. For governor, John Fairfield, Democrat,
received one hundred and twenty-three votes ; Edward
Kent, Whig, received one hundred and four votes.
For representative to the Legislature, Charles
Reynolds, Democrat, received one hundred and twenty-
three votes; David Skillin, Whig, received one hundred
and two votes; Josiah Bartlett, Anti-Slavery, received
three votes.
It will be seen that in the year of grace, 1841, a new
element appeared in the politics of Garland. It was
significant that this element began to manifest itself,
feebly, indeed, in nearly all the voting precincts of the
free states. This class of voters, together with many
others, who were not readv to sever the ties that bound
them to old political parties, believed in their simplicity,
that the asseverations embodied in the declaration of
independence, "that all men are created free and equal,
that they are endowed with certain inalienable rights
among which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happi-
ness," were not simply rhetorical flourishes or glittering
generalities as politicians would have them believe, but
eternal verities.
The cardinal article of the creed of this new party
was unalterable opposition to the further encroachments
HISTOEY OF GARLAND, MAINE 275
of slavery upon the free territory of the United States.
It was not a popular party in its infancy. Its votes
were classed as scattering in the papers which meant —
thrown away. It was stigmatized as "the party of one
idea.'' Nevertheless, the force of this one idea elected
Abraham Lincoln to the presidency a few years later,
and this event was soon followed by the banishment of
the curse of slavery from the United States.
The Avenue Road
At a special meeting of the town of 1841, held Sep-
tember 11, the question of building the Avenue road
came up for final action. The town had remonstrated
against laying it out, had petitioned for its discontinu-
ance, had pursued a dilatory policy in making it. In
view of the delay, the county commissioners decided to
appoint an agent to do the work, whereupon the town
voted to instruct the selectmen to begin the making of
it, and to complete it by the first of October, 1842.
This was satisfactory to the commissioners who refrained
from further action.
Garland in 1842
At the annual meeting of 1842, held March 14,
Joseph Prescott was chosen moderator; Lorenzo Oak,
town clerk ; Nehemiah Bartlett, John I. D. Sanford and
David Skillin, selectmen and assessors; Nehemiah
Bartlett, treasurer; Rev. Samuel S. Drake, Lorenzo Oak
276 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
and Daniel M. Haskell, superintending school commit-
tee and Luther Rideout, collector, whose compensation
was fixed at two per cent.
The appropriations were six hundred dollars for
schools, one hundred and fifty dollars for the support of
the poor, four hundred dollars to defray town charges,
and two thousand dollars for roads, to be paid in labor.
Also cash appropriations of two hundred dollars for the
Dover county road, eight hundred dollars for the Avenue
road, and one hundred and fifty dollars for road at Holt's
Mills.
Fall Election of 1842
The annual election for State and other officers was
held September 12. For governor, John Fairfield,
Democrat, received one hundred and five votes; Edwin
Robinson, Whig, received fifty-two votes; James
Appleton, Anti-Slavery, received twenty votes.
On and after 1842, Exeter and Garland constituted a
Representative class. For representative to the Legis-
lature, Smith Libbey, Democrat, of Exeter, received one
hundred and three votes; S. M. Rice, Anti-Slavery, of
Garland, received eight votes.
As no Whig vote appears at this trial, there seems to
have been some irregularity of proceeding. A second
trial to elect a representative to the Legislature was
made on October 3, 1842, when Smith Libbey, Demo-
crat, received twenty-one votes; John Cutler, Whig,
received seventeen votes; Benjamin Evans, Anti Slavery,
received nine votes.
There was no election of representatives at this trial.
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 277
A third trial to elect a representative to the Legislature
occurred on the 24th of October, when Smith Libbey,
Democrat, of Exeter, received forty-eight votes;
Benjamin Evans, Anti-Slavery, of Exeter, received
twenty-five votes.
Mr. Libbey was now the successful candidate.
A Notable Anti-Slavery Meeting
Nearly every member of the two leading churches of
Garland, the Congregational and Free Baptist, was
strongly anti-slavery in sentiment. In the autumn or
early winter of 1842, two prominent citizens of Bangor,
afterwards known as Judge John E. Godfrey and Hon.
A. G. Wakefield, came to Garland to address its citizens
in behalf of the anti-slaverv movement. The meeting
was held in the Congregational meeting house which was
crowded by eager listeners of Garland and Exeter to the
earnest appeals in behalf of the victims of African
slavery.
Garland in 1843
At the annual meeting of 1843, held March 13, the
officers chosen were Joseph Prescott, moderator ; Lorenzo
Oak, town clerk; Daniel M. Haskell, Asa Barton and
Joseph Prescott, selectmen and assessors ; Nehemiah
Bartlett, treasurer; Rev. Samuel S. Drake, Asa Barton
and Lorenzo Oak, superintending school committee ;
Luther Rideout, collector of taxes at two per cent.
278 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
The appropriations were five hundred dollars for
schools, one hundred and fifty dollars to support the
poor, two hundred dollars for town charges, two thous-
and five hundred dollars for roads, to be paid in labor,
and cash appropriations of one hundred dollars to pay
bills incurred the preceding year on the Dover county
road. The care of the poor was placed in the hands
of the selectmen.
The meeting to ballot for governor and other officers
was held September 11. For governor, Hugh J.
Anderson, Democrat, received ninety-eight votes; Edwin
Robinson, Whig, received thirty-three votes; James
Appleton, Anti-Slavery, received forty-four votes.
For representative to Congress, Hannibal Hamlin,
Democrat, received one hundred votes ; Elisha H. Allen,
Whig, received thirty-three votes; David Shepherd,
Anti-Slavery, received forty-four votes.
The contest for representative to the Legislature in
1843 was the most remarkable of any in the history of
the town. Garland and Exeter constituted a representa-
tive class. Each town furnished the candidate for
legislative honors on each alternate year, and Garland
was the privileged town in 1843. It had been Demo-
cratic for many years, and Democratic nominees had been
sure of large majorities.
The contest opened on the day of the gubernatorial
election when Nehemiah Bartlett, Democrat, received
seventy-one votes; Luther Hideout, Democrat, received
thirty-three votes; Daniel M. Haskell, Whig, received
thirty-one votes; John P. Smith, Liberty party,
received forty-one votes. No choice.
At the second trial, October 2, Luther Rideout,
Democrat, received seventy-two votes ; Nehemiah
Bartlett, Democrat, received sixty-eight votes ; John P.
Smith, Liberty party, received eleven votes. No choice.
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 279
At the third trial, October 23, Nehemiah Bartlett,
Democrat, received ninety votes; Luther Rideout, Dem-
ocrat, received eighty-six votes; John P. Smith, Liberty
party, received thirteen votes. No choice.
At the fourth trial, November 13, Nehemiah Bartlett
received ninety-eight votes; Luther Rideout received
sixty-nine votes ; Lewis Goulding received twenty-three
votes. No choice.
At the fifth trial, December 4, Nehemiah Bartlett
received one hundred and three votes ; Luther Rideout
received eighty-three votes; Lewis Goulding, Liberty
party, received fourteen votes. No choice.
At the sixth trial, the leading Democratic candidates
having withdrawn, Charles Reynolds, Democrat, received
eighty votes ; Daniel M. Haskell, Whig, received sixty-
eight votes. No choice.
At the seventh trial, January 15, 1844, Charles
Reynolds, Democrat, received sixty-eight votes; Daniel
M. Haskell, Whig, received sixty-three votes. No
choice.
At the eighth trial, February 5, 1844, Lyndon Oak,
Liberty party, received thirty votes; Charles Reynolds,
Democrat, received twenty-nine votes; Daniel M.
Haskell, Whig, received twenty-eight votes. No choice.
At the ninth and final trial, February 26, 1844,
Lyndon Oak, Liberty party, received thirty-two votes;
Charles Reynolds, Democrat, received thirteen votes ;
Daniel M. Haskell, Whig, received five votes.
An examination of the result of the ballotings in the
two towns, Garland and Exeter, disclosed the fact of
Mr. Oak's election. The legislative session of 1844
was nearing its close. As soon as the necessary creden-
tials were placed in his hands, he started for Augusta.
This was before the time of railroads, and the journey
280 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
was made with horse and sleigh and occupied a part of
two days.
On Thursday of the week of his election, he was duly
qualified and took the seat assigned him in the Repre-
sentative hall. He believes himself to have been the
first representative in the Legislature of Maine who was
elected on the straight anti-slavery issue. Owing no
allegiance to either political party, he was at all times
free to act as his own judgment dictated. He was some-
times asked in a spirit of derision when we might expect
the abolition of slavery would be realized. His reply
in substance was, that there might be a long period of
waiting for the event, but it was sure to come. It
proved to be much nearer than the most sanguine antici-
pated.
As a member of the House of Representatives of
1865, Mr. Oak had the satisfaction of voting for the
ratification of the thirteenth amendment of the consti-
tution of the United States, which banished the curse of
African slavery from this country, and from all places
within its jurisdiction.
There were incidents connected with the protracted
contest for the election of representative in 1843-4 that
created considerable amusement for the younger voters.
One of the candidates for legislative honors was so con-
fident of success, he had purchased a suit of clothes
befitting the position he expected to occupy, and had
engaged a team to carry him to Augusta.
The Rebuilding of the Long Bridge
At a special meeting held October 23, 1843, prelimi-
nary measures for rebuilding the long bridge near the
HISTOEY OF GARLAND, MAINE 281
village mills were adopted. The contract for rebuilding
was awarded to a company of three citizens of the town,
John Tewksburv, James Pillsburv and Orison Parkman.
The timber for the bridge was hauled the following win-
ter, and it was built in the summer of 1844. Although
not an elegant structure, the average cost per year for
repairs has been very light.
A Remarkable Religious Fanaticism
About the year 1 840, a Mr. William Miller appeared
in eastern Maine to apprise its inhabitants of the early
coming of Jesus. He asserted that the first judgment
would come in 1843. The enunciation of this theory
in 1840, produced much excitement which grew in
intensity as the fateful year of 1843 approached, when it
reached its culmination.
The more indigent victims of this belief, reasoned
that if all things earthly are to terminate in 1843, all
we need to do is to provide ourselves with supplies for
the intervening two years. When, in 1843, the great
day was believed to be near, this class, having been
reduced to absolute want, quartered themselves upon
their more independent friends for subsistence. Thus
large numbers of men, women and children were brought
together under a single roof where the most grotesque
religious performances were indulged in. If, at the
midnight hour, a mere child expressed a desire to be
baptized, the whole company promptly appeared at the
water's side to participate in the ceremony. It was not
uncommon for a zealous member of the sect to be bap-
tized several times. On such occasions, many of them
282 HISTORY OF GAELAND, MAINE
disported themselves in the water in a manner not fully
in accord with the solemnity which is expected at such
times.
Some of the more thoughtful and more confident,
spent their leisure in making ascension robes to be used
on the occasion of their "going up." One of its dev-
otees, a Mr. — — became a citizen of the town
early in the thirties, wrested a farm from the forest, and
provided for himself and family a good home.
By industry, economy, and good judgment, he had
taken rank with our most independent and esteemed
citizens, and had been called to fill the most important
town offices from time to time. But strange as it may
seem, he found himself struggling in the current of
Millerism and his home became the headquarters of its
devotees where everything from cellar to attic, and in ell,
shed and barn, was held in common. When the col-
lapse came it brought with it the consciousness of a
terrible mistake, a loss of self-respect, and of courage
and of hope.
He soon became the victim of inherited consumptive
tendencies, and passed from earth in a different manner
from that which he expected a few brief years earlier.
The disastrous results to the one victim that have been
narrated were experienced by others. Several who had
been enjoying a comfortable independence, were reduced
to poverty by the same process. The tendency of this
delusion to pauperism led to the adoption of legal
measures by the municipal authorities, to rid the town
of irresponsible leaders from other towns.
The Rev. Leonard Hutchins, pastor of the Free
Baptist church and society, gave a semi-centennial
address before that organization in 1875, in which he
alluded to the disastrous effects of Millerism. After
speaking of a period of universal prosperity, he says, "It
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 283
was interrupted by a season of severe trial. Many
members abandoned the church and its ordinances, to
enter the ranks of a sect which professed to believe that
the second coming of Christ was an event to be looked
for in the near future. Indeed the exact date for this
great event had been determined in the councils of
heaven and recorded in the books of prophecy.
"Some of the devotees of Millerism assumed the posi-
tion of open enmity to the church and to the religion to
which they had solemnly pledged fidelity. This con-
dition of affairs resulted in great distraction to the
church for several years. By the exercise of wisdom and
forbearance by the church, the greater portion of those
who had violated their church obligations, returned to
it, while the more stubborn persisted in their recreancy
to their church obligations, and were at length excom-
municated."
Garland in 1844
At the annual meeting of 1844 the officers chosen
were Joseph Prescott, moderator; Lorenzo Oak, town
clerk; Daniel M. Haskell, Joseph Prescott and Luther
Rideout, selectmen; Lorenzo Oak, treasurer; and John
P. Smith, collector. The compensation of the treasurer
was fixed at four mills per dollar, and that of collector
at two per cent. Rev. S. S. Drake and Lorenzo Oak
were chosen superintending school committee.
The appropriations for the year were four hundred and
fiftv dollars for schools, one thousand dollars for town
charges, one hundred and fifty dollars for the poor, two
thousand and five hundred dollars for roads to be paid
in labor, and a cash appropriation for the Avenue road.
284 HISTORY OF GARLAND
MAINE
Daniel Ladd, Enoch Huntington and Russell Murdock
were appointed a committee to redistrict the town in
the interest of the public schools. The treasurer was
instructed to hire five hundred dollars for use of the
town at a rate of interest not to exceed five per cent.
Autumnal Election
The balloting for State and other officers occurred
September 9. For governor, Hugh J. Anderson,
Democrat, received one hundred and twenty votes;
Edward Robinson, Whig, received fifty-three votes ;
James Appleton, Liberty party, received fifty-seven
votes.
For representative to Congress, Hannibal Hamlin,
Democrat, received one hundred and twenty-one votes;
Abraham Sanborn, Whig, received forty-nine votes ; Asa
Walker, Liberty party, received fifty -six votes.
For State Senator, Samuel W. Knight, Liberty
party, received fifty-four votes.
For representative to the Legislature, Chas. Butters,
Democrat, received one hundred and sixteen votes; John
L. Hodsdon, Whig, received fifty-five votes; Albana
Pease, Liberty party, received fifty-six votes.
The Legislature of 1844 submitted to the towns of the
State the following question: "Shall the Constitution of
Maine be so amended as to make the political year begin
on the second Wednesday in May instead of the first
Wednesday in January?" Garland's vote on this ques-
tion was seventy-three in favor, and four against.
Upon the proposed amendment to establish town
courts, the result was thirty-six in favor, and forty-
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 285
eight against. The voters of the town assembled on
November 11 to ballot for presidential electors.
The Democratic candidates received one hundred and
eleven, the Whig candidates forty-seven, and the Liberty
party candidates thirty-five votes.
Garland in 1845
At the annual meeting of 1845, held March 10,
Russell Murdock was chosen moderator ; Lorenzo Oak,
town clerk ; Daniel M. Haskell, Luther Rideout and
Stephen D. Jennings, selectmen and assessors ; Lorenzo
Oak, treasurer; and John P. Smith, collector. The
compensation of treasurer was fixed at four mills per
dollar, and that of the collector at two per cent. Moses
G. Gordon, Jacob W. Haskell and Jonathan C.
Lawrence were chosen superintending school committee.
The appropriations were five hundred dollars for
schools, three hundred dollars for the poor, four hundred
dollars for town charges, and six thousand five hundred
and fifty dollars for roads, to be paid in labor. The
treasurer was instructed to hire five hundred dollars at a
rate not exceeding five per cent.
Annual State Election
Of the annual State election of 1845, held September
8, the records disclose the following results: For
governor, Hugh J. Anderson, Democrat, received
eighty-nine votes ; Freeman H. Morse, Whig, thirty-one
286 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
votes; Samuel Fessenden, Anti-Slavery, received forty-
five votes.
For representative to the Legislature, Stephen D.
Jennings, Democrat, received fifty-eight votes; Luther
Rideout, Democrat, received twenty-nine votes; Daniel
M. Haskell, Whig, received twenty-six votes; Lyndon
Oak, Anti-Slavery, received forty-five votes.
The factional contest of 1843 was renewed and the
result compared with that at Exeter disclosed a failure
to elect. A second trial, on September 29, also failed
to elect. At the third trial, on October 20, Lyndon
Oak was elected.
By an amendment of the State Constitution, the begin-
ning of the political year had been changed from the
first Wednesday in January to the second Wednesday in
May. The legislative session of 1846 was, therefore,
held in summer instead of winter. The members elected
on the anti-slavery issue had increased from one in 1844
to seven in 1846.
But this was only a slight indication of the growth of
the anti-slavery sentiment at that time. The Demo-
cratic speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon.
Ebenezer Knowlton, entered the Anti-Slavery ranks soon
after. A large majority of the Whigs of the Legisla-
ture of 1846 were opposed to any further concessions to
slavery.
The Legislature of 1846 was visited by Joshua R.
Giddings, the robust and fearless opponent of slavery,
and member of Congress from Ohio. The object of his
visit was to bring into unity of political effort all the
opponents of slavery. He had interviews with the lead-
ing Whigs of the Legislature. As a result a resolution
was presented in the House by an Anti-Slavery member,
declaring in substance that the question of the extension
of slavery was of more importance than any other before
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 287
the American people. This resolution was supported in
a vigorous speech by Hon. Elisha H. Allen of Bangor,
and it received the votes of a majority of the Whig
members.
Garland in 1846
At the annual meeting of 1846, held March 9,
Stephen D. Jennings was chosen moderator; Lorenzo
Oak, town clerk; Daniel M. Haskell, Luther Rideout
and Stephen D. Jennings, selectmen and assessors;
Lorenzo Oak, treasurer; Luther Rideout, collector; and
Moses G. Gordon, Stephen D. Jennings and Joseph T.
Knight, superintending school committee. The com-
pensation of the treasurer was five mills per dollar, and
that of the collector two per cent.
The appropriations were five hundred and fifty dollars
for schools, four hundred dollars for town charges, three
hundred dollars for the poor, and two thousand, five
hundred dollars for roads, to be paid in labor.
State Election of 1846
The State election of 1846 was held September 14.
For governor, John W. Dana, Democrat, received
sevent}'-three votes; Samuel Fessenden, Anti-Slavery,
received sixty-eight votes; David Bronson, Whig,
received twenty votes.
For representative to Congress, James S. Wiley,
Democrat, received seventy-three votes ; Jeremiah Curtis,
288 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
Anti-Slavery, received sixty-nine votes; Sanford Kings-
bury, Whig, received twenty votes.
For representative to the Legislature, John Walker,
Anti-Slavery, received seventy-one votes; Samuel L.
Woodman, Democrat, received sixty-eight votes; John
L. Hodsdon, Whig, received twenty votes.
No choice of representative to the Legislature. The
second trial, October 5, was fruitless. The third trial,
October 26, was fruitless. On the fourth trial, Wm.
Palmer of Exeter was elected.
In 1846, Samuel S. Clark, then a recent and valuable
accession to the citizenship of the town, entered into
partnership with Lorenzo and Lyndon Oak, for the
manufacture of boots and shoes, under the firm name of
S. S. Clark & Co. A special feature of their work was
the manufacture of lumbermen's boots. The excellent
quality of their goods soon gave them a reputation that
created a brisk demand in this and adjoining towns.
This was followed by a wholesale business with merchants
in many of the towns of Penobscot and Piscataquis and
other counties.
Garland in 1847
The annual meeting of 1847 was held March 8.
Joseph Prescott was chosen moderator. The officers for
the year were, Lorenzo Oak, town clerk; Daniel M.
Haskell, Luther Rideout and David Pierce, selectmen ;
Lorenzo Oak, treasurer ; John Bartlett, collector. The
compensation of the treasurer was fixed at five mills per
dollar, and that of the collector at two and one fourth
per cent. Daniel M. Haskell, Edson L. Oak and
Lorenzo Oak were chosen superintending school com-
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 289
mittee. The appropriations were five hundred and fifty
dollars for schools, three hundred dollars for the support
of the poor, three hundred dollars for town charges, and
two thousand, five hundred dollars for roads.
Town House
Preparations preliminary to the building of a town
house were entered upon in 1847. The question of loca-
tion provided much discussion. Town meetings, religious
meetings and all important meetings had been held at
the schoolhouse at the geographical center of the town
since the year 1816. Long existing associations favored
this location. It was claimed that fair dealing with the
inhabitants of the northern and northeastern sections of
the town, demanded that the building should occupy a
site at its geographical center.
The opposing contention was that the building should
be located at the center of the village, one mile south of
the geographical center. In inclement weather, citizens
would be afforded opportunities to shelter their teams
within the building at the village. Many of the strong-
est objectors to location in the village, would embrace the
opportunity afforded by the town meeting to visit the
stores and shops in the village, even if the building
should be located one mile away from the geographical
center. Such considerations led to the selection of the
village site.
Aaron Hill, Luther Rideout, Daniel M. Haskell,
Russell Murdock and Lyndon Oak were appointed a
committee to select and purchase a site in the village for
290 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
the proposed building. Joseph Prescott, Luther Ride-
out and Samuel Skillin were charged with the duty of
preparing plans for the building and providing for its
construe bion by contract, which in due time, was awarded
to L. & L. Oak & Co. In the summer of the following
year, 1848, the building was completed to the satisfac-
tion of the building committee.
State Election of 1847
The State election of 1847 occurred September 18.
For governor, John W. Dana, Democrat, received
eighty-four votes; Samuel Fessenden, Anti-Slavery,
received seventy-three votes; David Bronson, Whig,
received twenty-six votes.
For representative to Congress, James S. Wiley,
Democrat, received eighty-one votes; Jeremiah Curtis,
Anti-Slavery, received seventy-eight votes; Sanford
Kingsbury, Whig, received twenty-seven votes.
For representative to the Legislature, Moses Ames,
Anti-Slavery, received eighty-seven votes; Stephen D.
Jennings, Democrat, received sixty-seven votes; Andrew
M. Haskell, Whig, received twenty-three votes.
A second trial for the election of a representative to
the Legislature occurred on October 4, when the result
disclosed that Stephen D. Jennings had eighty-four
votes, Moses Ames had seventy-three and A. M. Haskell
had eleven.
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 291
Action of the Town on Proposed Amendments
of the State Constitution
1st. On the question of electing governor by a plu-
rality of votes, yeas sixty-four, nays twenty-one.
2d. On the question of electing senators by a plu-
rality of votes, yeas forty-nine, nays nineteen.
3d. On the question of electing representatives by a
plurality of votes, yeas forty-four, nays eleven.
4th. On the question of limiting the credit of the
State to an amount not exceeding three hundred thous-
and dollars, yeas sixty-five, nays one.
Garland in 1848
From 1816 to 1848 the annual March and September
meetings had been held at the Center schoolhouse. In
1848, the March meeting was held in the Congregational
meeting house. Nehemiah Bartlett was chosen moder-
ator. The officers for the year were Charles Reynolds,
town clerk ; Nehemiah Bartlett, Aaron Hill and Joseph
Vickery, selectmen; Lorenzo Oak, treasurer; James J.
Chandler, collector, and Daniel M. Haskell, Edson L.
Oak and Edward H. Pierce, superintending school com-
mittee.
The appropriations were five hundred and fifty dol-
lars for schools, six hundred dollars for town charges,
four hundred dollars for the support of the poor, and
twenty-five hundred dollars for roads, to be paid in labor.
The treasurer was instructed to hire five hundred dollars
for the use of the town.
292 HISTORY OF OAKLAND, MAINE
State Election in 1848
The State election of 1848 was held in the town
house for the first time. All such elections had been
held in the Center schoolhouse from 1816 to 1848.
For governor, John W. Dana, Democrat, received ninety-
three votes ; Samuel Fessenden, Anti-Slavery, received
seventy-six votes; Elijah Hamlin, Whig, received thirty-
one votes.
For representative to Congress, Charles Stetson, Dem-
ocrat, received ninety votes; Jeremiah Curtis, Anti-
Slaver}7, received seventy-eight votes; Israel Washburn,
Whig, received thirty-one votes.
For representative to the State Legislature, Simeon
Butters, Anti-Slavery, received ninety-four votes; Isaiah
Avery, Democrat, received eighty-five votes; Jeremiah
Garvin, Whig, received sixteen votes.
For presidential electors, (election, November 17,)
the Democratic candidates received one hundred and
eight votes ; the Anti-Slavery candidates received fifty-
eight votes; the Whig candidates received forty-one
votes.
It will be noticed that the Anti-Slavery vote, which
had been on the increase for several years, fell off largely
at the presidential election of 1848. This was due to
the fact that the Anti -Slavery candidate, Martin Van
Buren, did not come up to the ideal of many of the
Anti-Slavery voters of the time.
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 293
The First High School in Garland
The first high school in Garland was opened under
the instruction of Lyndon Oak, in the autumn of 1848,
in the new town house which had just been completed.
There were many bright girls and boys in town who were
thirsting for instruction that was not afforded by the
district school. The satisfactory attendance at this first
term, inspired the hope that the school might be per-
petuated, but there was no fund for its support. The
town refused aid, and no help could be expected from
the State.
At this juncture a young man of the name of Bryant,
a brother of the late Mrs. Thomas Dearborn, who was
on a visit here, offered to take the school, and accept its
patronage as compensation in full for his services. His
offer was accepted, and the result proved satisfactory.
The success of these preliminary efforts inspired the
belief that with care in the selection of teachers, who
combined ability to instruct with attractive personal
qualities, the patronage of the school would nearly, or
quite, pay its expenses. If, at any time, a deficit should
occur, a few citizens of the village were pledged to pay
it. Under the conditions which have been indicated,
the school was maintained through a period of fifteen
years with a draft of only five dollars upon private funds.
The school was but little known beyond the limits of
the town, but there are manv men and women who have
been, and are now filling useful and responsible stations,
who are glad to acknowledge the usefulness to them-
selves of the Garland High School of years ago. It had
the effect of raising the standard of the district schools
through the town. The teacher of the autumnal term
was often retained as teacher in the winter term of the
294 HISTORY OF GARLAND
MAINE
district school, to which advanced scholars of other dis-
tricts had free access.
A Tornado
A tornado of terrible force passed through the north-
erly section of Garland in the midsummer of 1848.
Originating in the town of Ripley, it passed in an east-
erly direction, veering slightly to the north, through
Dexter and the northerly section of Garland into Atkin-
son. It was narrow of scope, but of irresistible force,
demolishing buildings, trees, and making a violent dis-
turbance of everything that lay in its way. Fortunately
for Garland, no buildings were completely wrecked, but
several mill logs in front of the Harriman house, in
school district No. 1, were turned end for end, and one
had the distinction of being deposited on the roof of
Mr. Harriman's house. The barn connected with this
house was turned half way round. A well known citi-
zen of Garland is authority for the statement that a barn
door made a mid-air trip from Ripley over the towns
of Dexter and Garland into Atkinson.
The following slip from a newspaper describing one of
the freaks of the tornado of 1848, whether fiction or
fact, is not more remarkable than many well authenti-
cated stories connected with it:
"It is related of Lamont Downing that in 1848, one
pleasant summer's day, he was trudging along the high-
way north of the pond near the line between Dexter and
Ripley, when a hurricane came over the hills from the
west. The air was oppressive and sulphurous and the
sky black as ink. The path of the cloud was marked by
all sorts of things from the Ripley farmhouses, flying
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 295
overhead. The next thing the lad knew, he was caught
up also and went sailing away with the rest of the flyers.
Fortunately for him he had not gone far when he came
into the thick top of a big elm tree which was twisted
and wrung by the cyclone, and to this he clung with all
his might. When the storm was past and folks came
looking; around to find who was killed, thev discovered
the boy lodged in the tree and had to get ladders to get
him down from the perilous place."
On the day of the tornado the writer, accompanied by
a friend, was at Silver's Mills in Northeast Dexter, after
a load of lumber for the Garland town house, then in
process of construction. The lumber had been loaded,
and the team was readv to start, when the sudden
appearance of a fearful looking cloud, surcharged with
the wrecks of houses and barns, pig pens and hen coops,
driven forward on the "wings of the wind" with terri-
ble velocity, suggested the propriety of a temporary
halt. The storm having passed, the team was started,
but it soon came to an enforced halt bv trees that had
been blown across the road. Axemen soon came to our
relief and removed the obstruction which enabled us to
get our load of lumber safely to its destination.
Garland in 1849
The annual meeting for the transaction of town busi-
ness was held in the new town hall on March 12.
Lyndon Oak was chosen moderator. The officers for the
year were Charles Reynolds, town clerk ; Daniel M.
Haskell, Luther Rideout and Andrew M. Haskell, select-
men and assessors; Lorenzo Oak, treasurer; James J.
296 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
Chandler, collector; Joseph T. Knight, Edward H.
Pierce and Daniel M. Haskell, superintending school
committee. The compensation of the treasurer for
keeping and disbursing money was fixed at five mills per
dollar, and of the collector, James J. Chandler, two and
one half per cent.
The appropriations for the year were six hundred dol-
lars for schools, two hundred and fifty dollars for town
charges, four hundred and fifty dollars for the support
of the poor and two thousand five hundred dollars for
roads, to be paid in labor. A special meeting was held
on May 3, at which Aaron Hill, Lyndon Oak and
Stephen D. Jennings were appointed a committee to
cooperate with committees of Charleston, Dover and
Corinth in efforts to effect the discontinuance of the
northeast county road which was laid out in 1846.
The State election was held September 10, 1849. For
governor, John Hubbard, Democrat, received one hun-
dred and eleven votes; Elijah L. Hamlin, Whig,
received forty-two votes; George F. Talbot, Anti-
Slavery, received fifty votes.
John Hubbard was the successful candidate for gov-
ernor. Hon. Nehemiah Bartlett of Garland was elected
State senator. For representative to the Legislature,
Loring D. Hayes, Democrat, received sixty-nine votes;
George Curtis, Anti-Slavery, received sixty-seven votes;
Daniel M. Haskell, Whig, received thirty-eight votes.
Loring Hajres had a ma) ority of the votes in the class,
and was elected. At a meeting for town business on the
day of the State election, (September 10) Lyndon Oak,
George Curtis and Samuel W. Knight were appointed a
committee to select a location for a cemetery, the site of
which should be in convenient proximity to the village.
As the result of this action, the cemetery now known as
"Maple Grove Cemetery" was established.
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 297
Garland in 1850
The annual town meeting of 1850 was held March 11.
Andrew M. Haskell was chosen moderator. The officers
for the vear were Charles Reynolds, town clerk ; Daniel
M. Haskell, Sylvester Abbott and Andrew M. Haskell,
selectmen and assessors; Charles Reynolds, treasurer,
whose compensation was fixed at two mills per dollar ;
James J. Chandler, collector, compensation two and one
half per cent. ; Joseph T. Knight, E. H. Pierce and
Moses G. Gordon, superintending school committee.
The appropriations were six hundred dollars for
schools, three hundred dollars for town charges, three
hundred and fifty dollars for the poor, twelve hundred
dollars for roads, to be paid in labor, and a cash appro-
priation of three hundred dollars for the same purpose.
The selectmen were authorized to appoint an agent to
expend the cash appropriation.
Autumnal Elections of 1850
The meeting for the election of governor and other
officers was held September 9. For governor, John
Hubbard, Democrat, received one hundred and twenty
votes; William G. Crosby, Whig, received fifty-seven
votes; George F. Talbot, Anti-Slavery, received nineteen
votes.
For representative to Congress, Hastings Strickland
received nineteen votes; Israel Washburn, Jr., received
sixty-nine votes; Charles Stetson received one hundred
and seven votes.
For representative to the Legislature, Samuel
29S HISTORY OF GARLAND
MAINE
Woodman, Democrat, received one hundred and thirty
votes; John L. Hodsdon, Whig, received fifty-eight
votes; Simeon Butters, Anti-Slavery, received six votes.
Garland in the Contest for United States Sen-
ator in 1850
In 1850, Loring D. Hayes, Esq., of Garland, repre-
sented his class in the House of Representatives.
Another citizen of Garland, Hon. Nehemiah Bartlett,
was a member of the Senate. At this session of the
Legislature there occurred a political contest of the
gravest character.
It involved the question whether the influence of the
State of Maine should be used for, or against, the fur-
ther extension of slavery. The parties to this contest
were the hunker Democrats, who with pliant knees were
ready to kneel to the behests of the slave power, on the
one side, and the Democrats who were unalterably
opposed to yielding another acre to the withering blast
of slavery, on the other side. The candidate of the
opponents of slavery was Hannibal Hamlin.
Mr. Hamlin had made himself obnoxious to the slave
power by his earnest and uncompromising opposition to
the further spread of slaver}'. One of his most grievous
offences was that he had instigated the passage of a
resolve by a previous Legislature, instructing Maine's
delegation in Congress to oppose all measures favoring
the extension of slavery.
The balloting, which began on June 20, was followed
by a long and exciting contest. As it progressed, Anti-
Slavites, Whigs and Free Soilers, were drawn to the sup-
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 299
port of Mr. Hamlin. The balloting which began June
20, was terminated by a dramatic incident on July 25.
On the first ballot of that day, Mr. Hamlin lacked one
vote of an election in the House. Loring D. Hayes,
member of the House from Garland, was an enthusiastic
friend of Mr. Hamlin, but, unfortunately, he was dan-
gerously sick with t}Tphoid fever at his boarding-house.
He had sent word to friends, "Any time my vote will
elect Hannibal Hamlin to the United States Senate, I
will come to the House if you have to carry me on my
dying bed."
When the result of the first ballot was announced, a
score or more of men dashed out of the House in an
instant, and bolted into Hayes' room. Picking him up,
bed and all, they moved as fast as it was safe to the
House. When they appeared with the sick man on his
bed, pandemonium reigned for a time among the Anti-
Slaverv Democrats. The next ballot was taken amidst
breathless excitement, and when it was announced that
Mr. Hamlin was elected on the part of the House, his
friends were wild with joy.
Mr. Hamlin's election in the House was soon followed
by his election in the Senate. The importance of this
result will be appreciated when it is remembered that the
following two national administrations were completely
dominated by the slave power. The writer is mainly
indebted to the Life and Times of Hannibal Hamlin for
the facts contained in this sketch.
Garland in 1851
The annual meeting of 1851 was held March 10.
Lyndon Oak was chosen moderator. The officers for the
300 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
year were, Lorenzo Oak, town clerk; Luther Rideout,
Daniel Silver and Andrew M. Haskell, selectmen and
assessors ; Lorenzo Oak, treasurer, compensation for
receiving and disbursing, five mills per dollar; Samuel
W. Knight, collector, compensation nineteen mills per
dollar; superintending school committee, Daniel M.
Haskell, Edward H. Pierce and Lorenzo Oak.
The appropriations were six hundred dollars for
schools, four hundred dollars for town charges, two hun-
dred dollars to support the poor and two thousand dol-
lars for highways.
Garland in 1852
The annual meeting of 1852 was held on the eighth
day of March. Stephen D. Jennings was chosen moder-
ator. The officers for the year were, William F.
Haskell, town clerk; Andrew M. Haskell, Daniel Silver
and John K. Haskell, selectmen and assessors ; Lorenzo
Oak, treasurer, compensation five mills per dollar ; James
J. Chandler, collector, compensation eighteen mills per
dollar; Joseph T. Knight, superintending school com-
mittee.
The appropriations for 1852 were six hundred dollars
for schools, three hundred dollars for town charges, two
hundred and fifty dollars for the poor, two thousand five
hundred dollars for roads, to be paid in labor, and a cash
appropriation of one hundred dollars.
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 801
Autumnal Elections of 1852
The legal voters of Garland assembled September 18,
1852, to ballot for governor and other officers. For
governor, John Hubbard, Democrat, received one hun-
dred and ten votes; William G. Crosby, Whig, received
sixty-one votes; Ezekiel Holmes received eight votes;
Anson G. Chandler received eighty-five votes.
William Crosby was elected governor.
For representative to Congress, Israel Washburn,
Whig, received one hundred and eighteen votes ; Isaiah
Waterhouse, Democrat, received sixty votes; Hastings
Strickland, Democrat, received eiglny-one votes.
Israel Washburn was the successful candidate.
For representative to the Legislature, Luther Rideout
received one hundred and thirty-nine votes; Joseph T.
Knight received one hundred and eleven votes.
The town balloted for presidential electors on Novem-
ber 2, 1852, when the Democratic candidate received
ninety-three votes, the Anti-Slavery candidate, sixty
votes and the Whig candidate received thirty-eight
votes.
Garland in 1853
The annual town meeting of 1853 was held on March
14. Stephen D. Jennings was chosen moderator. The
officers for the year were, Lorenzo Oak, town clerk;
Andrew M. Haskell, S. D. Jennings and Eleazer
Burnham, selectmen and assessors; Lorenzo Oak, town
treasurer; E. H. Pierce, superintending school commit-
Q
02 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
tee ; Jacob W. Haskell, collector of taxes, compensation
two per cent. The selectmen were appointed highway
surveyors and field-drivers.
The appropriations for 1853 were six hundred dollars
for schools, three hundred dollars for town charges, three
hundred dollars for the poor and one thousand nine
hundred dollars for highways. Lyndon Oak, Luther
Rideout and Daniel M. Haskell were appointed to ascer-
tain whether a suitable home for the residence of the
poor could be procured at reasonable cost.
Autumnal Elections of 1853
For governor, William G. Crosby, Whig, received
forty-five votes; Anson P. Morrill, Temperance and
Anti-Slavery, received fifty-seven votes ; Ezekiel Holmes,
received sixty-one votes; Albert Pillsbury, Democrat,
received ninety-three votes.
For county commissioner, Daniel M. Haskell received
one hundred and forty-one votes; Joseph Chadbourne
received one hundred and two votes; Francis W. Hill
received ten votes.
For representative to the Legislature, Allen C.
Tibbetts received one hundred and fifty-one votes;
Thomas K. Holt received one hundred and four votes.
Mr. Holt received a majority in the class.
Garland in 1854
The annual meeting of 1854 was held March 13.
Artemas Merriam was chosen moderator. The officers
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 303
for the year were, William F. Haskell, town clerk ; John
G. Jones, Joseph F. Knight and John K. Haskell, select-
men and assessors; Lorenzo Oak, treasurer; Jacob W.
Haskell, collector of taxes. Compensation of treasurer
for receiving and disbursing was fixed at five mills per
dollar. Compensation of collector was two per cent.
The appropriations of 1854 were for schools, seven
hundred dollars; for town charges, two hundred and
fifty dollars; for support of the poor, three hundred
dollars, and two thousand six hundred dollars for high-
ways. Highway surveyors were authorized to bargain
with real estate owners, who held lands bordering upon
badly drifting roads, to reduce the height of their fences
to lessen the tendency of snow to drift.
The town voted to remonstrate against the repeal of
the Missouri Compromise, and the selectmen and town
clerk were instructed to formulate and forward the remon-
strance. There was an article in the warrant calling the
meeting, to see if the town would vote to purchase a
hearse. The action upon this article was to leave the
matter to the judgment of the selectmen and clerk.
This was the first action of the town relating to the
purchase of a hearse.
The Autumnal Elections
For governor, Anson P. Morrill, Temperance and
Anti-Slavery, received one hundred and thirty votes;
Albion K. Parris, Democrat, received one hundred and
twelve votes; Isaac Reed, Whig, received twenty-eight
votes.
Mr. Morrill was elected.
304 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
For representative to Congress, Israel Washburn, Jr.,
Whig, received one hundred and fifty-seven votes;
Samuel H. Blake, Democrat, received one hundred and
thirteen votes.
For representative to the State Legislature, Lyndon
Oak, Anti-Slavery, received one hundred and thirty-four
votes; Thomas K. Holt, Democrat, received one hundred
and thirty-two votes.
Mr. Holt received a majority of the votes in the
class.
Garland in 1855
The annual meeting of 1855 was held March 12.
Artemas Merriam was chosen moderator. The officers
for the year were, William F. Haskell, town clerk ; A.
M. Haskell, John Batchelder and William S. Haskell,
selectmen and assessors; Lorenzo Oak, treasurer; Jacob
W. Haskell, collector; J. C. Lawrence, superintending
school committee. The compensation of the treasurer
was one half of one per cent., and that of the collector
two and one half per cent.
The appropriations of 1855 were eight hundred dol-
lars for schools, five hundred dollars for town charges,
two hundred dollars for the poor, two thousand dollars
for roads, to be paid in labor, and a cash appropriation
of one hundred dollars.
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 305
Autumnal Elections
The autumnal elections of 1855 were held September
10. For governor, Anson P. Morrill, Temperance and
Anti-Slavery, received one hundred and seventy-one
votes; Samuel Wells, Democrat, received one hundred
and one votes; Isaac Reed, Whig, received nineteen
votes.
For senators, William R. Hersey received one hundred
and seventy-three votes ; Abner R. Hallowell received one
hundred and seventy-three votes ; Lyndon Oak, received
one hundred and seventy-two votes ; the Democratic can-
didate received one hundred and one votes; the Whig
candidate received nineteen votes.
The Democratic candidates were elected.
For representative to the Legislature, Noah Barker
received one hundred and seventy-five votes ; F. W. Hill
received one hundred and seventeen votes.
Garland in 1856
The annual meeting of 1856 was held on March 10.
Artemas Merriam was chosen moderator. The officers
for the year were, Isaac W. Haskell, clerk; Lorenzo
Oak, William S. Haskell and Noah W. Johnson, select-
men and assessors; Franklin Taylor, treasurer; Amasa
Hatch, Jr., superintending school committee. Leonard
Skillin, collector of taxes, compensation two and one
half per cent.
It was voted to raise the sum required by law for
schools, one thousand dollars for town charges, three
hundred dollars to support the poor, two thousand three
306 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
hundred dollars for roads, to be paid in labor, and cash
appropriations of one hundred dollars each, to be
expended on the northerly end of the North road, and a
like sum for the county road from Holt's Mills to the
eastern line of the town.
Clouds in the Political Horizon
Ominous clouds rising from the southern political
horizon were viewed with apprehension by the citizens
of every northern state. The slave power of the South
had long been engaged in the desperate attempt to break
down the barriers that protected the northern states from
the curse of slavery, and now, the national adminis-
tration was pledged to aid in this attempt.
At this juncture the political party, known as the
Republican party of Maine, was originated.
It drew into its ranks recruits from all political
parties.
United States Senator Hannibal Hamlin, who had
always exerted his transcendent powers of intellect and
influence in opposition to the inroads of slavery upon
free soil, was induced to accept the nomination for gov-
ernor. Entering at once upon the work of the cam-
paign, he addressed large and enthusiastic crowds at the
centers of population through the State.
Autumnal Elections of 1856
For governor, Hannibal Hamlin, Republican, received
one hundred and ninety-three votes; Samuel Wells,
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE SOT
Democrat, received one hundred and three votes ; George
F. Patten, Straight Whig, received seven votes. Mr.
Hamlin was elected.
For State senators, William R. Hersey, Republican,
received one hundred and ninety-four votes; Abner R.
Hersey, Republican, received one hundred and ninety-
four votes ; Lyndon Oak, Republican, received one hun-
dred and ninety-four votes; Amos M. Roberts, Demo-
crat, received one hundred and four votes; Stephen D.
Jennings, Democrat, received one hundred and four
votes; O. Pearson, Democrat, received one hundred and
four votes.
For representative to Congress, Israel Washburn, Jr.,
Republican, received one hundred and ninety-five votes;
Abraham Sanborn, Democrat, received one hundred and
two votes.
For representative to the Legislature, Artemas
Merriam, Republican, received one hundred and ninety-
three votes; Thomas K. Holt, Democrat, received one
hundred and eight votes.
Mr. Merriam received a majority in the representative
class.
The Republican candidate for senator was elected.
Presidential Electors
Balloting for presidential electors occurred on the
fourth of November, 1856, with results as follows: The
Republican candidates received one hundred and eighty-
seven votes; the Democratic candidates received eighty-
seven votes; the Straight Whigs received seven votes.
308 HISTORY OF GARLAND
MAINE
Garland in 18.57
The annual town meeting of 1857 was held on the
ninth day of March. Russell Murdock was chosen
moderator. The officers for the year were, Thaddeus P.
Irish, town clerk ; Lorenzo Oak, Noah W. Johnson and
Samuel Skillin, selectmen, assessors and overseers of the
poor; Franklin Taylor, treasurer; Lyndon Oak, super-
visor of schools; James J. Chandler, collector of taxes,
with commission of two and one half per cent.
Appropriations of 1857
For schools, the amount required by law, six hundred
dollars for town charges, five hundred dollars for the
poor, two thousand five hundred dollars for roads, a
cash appropriation of one hundred dollars for the road
running in a southeasterly direction to the town line
and of one hundred dollars to be expended on the
Notch road.
Autumnal Elections of 1857
This election was held September 14 with results as
follows: For governor, Lot M. Morrill, Republican,
received one hundred and fifty-three votes ; Manasseh H.
Smith, Democrat, received one hundred and two votes.
For senators, the Republican candidate received one
hundred and fifty-three votes ; the Democratic candidate
received one hundred and four votes.
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 309
Stephen D. Jennings of Garland was a candidate for
the Senate.
For representative to the Legislature, the Republican
candidate received one hundred and forty-nine votes;
the Democratic candidate received one hundred and
seven votes.
Garland in 1858
The annual meeting of 1858 was held on the 8th
day of March. Artemas Merriam was chosen moderator.
The officers for the year were Thaddeus P. Irish, town
clerk; Lorenzo Oak, Samuel Skillin and T. J. Shaw,
selectmen, assessors and overseers of the poor; Lyndon
Oak, supervisor of schools ; James J. Chandler, collector
of taxes, and two and one half per cent, was voted him
for the service, he agreeing to allow a rebate of twelve
and one half per cent, for the amount uncollected at the
end of a year from the date of his bills.
Appropriations of 1858
For schools, the amount required by law, four hun-
dred and fifty dollars for town charges, four hundred
dollars for the support of the poor, two hundred dollars
for roads, to be paid in labor, a cash appropriation of
four hundred dollars to be expended on the north end of
the Notch road, also a cash appropriation not to exceed
two hundred and seventy-five dollars for the completion
of the county road leading from Holt's Mills to the
310 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
west line of Charleston by contract, the terms of which
shall insure the construction of the road in a thorough
manner.
Autumnal Elections of 1858
For governor, Lot M. Morrill, Republican, received
one hundred and seventy votes ; Manasseh Smith, Demo-
crat, received one hundred and twenty-six votes.
For representative to Congress, Israel Washburn, Jr.,
Republican, received one hundred and seventy-two votes;
James S. Wiley, Democrat, received one hundred and
twenty-three votes.
For representative to the Legislature, Noah W.
Johnson, Republican, received one hundred and seven t}*-
four votes ; Samuel Skillin, Democrat, received one hun-
dred and twenty-three votes.
Mr. Johnson was elected.
Garland in 1859
The annual town meeting of 1859 was held March
14. Artemas Merriam was chosen moderator. The
officers for the year were Lorenzo Oak, T. J. Shaw and
Luther Rideout, selectmen, assessors and overseers of
the poor; Franklin Taylor, treasurer; Lyndon Oak,
supervisor of schools; Edwin Hill, collector, compensa-
tion two and one half per cent.
The appropriations were eight hundred dollars for the
support of schools, four hundred and fifty dollars for
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 311
town charges, five hundred dollars to support the poor
and two thousand five hundred dollars for highways.
The treasurer of the town was authorized to hire a sum
not exceeding one thousand two hundred and fifty dol-
lars at a rate of interest not exceeding six per cent., to
be applied to the making of the Notch road.
Autumnal Elections of 1859
The autumnal elections of 1859 were held on Septem-
ber 12. For governor, Lot M. Morrill, Republican,
received one hundred and sixty-six votes; Manasseh
Smith, Democrat, received one hundred and five votes.
For representative to the Legislature, Winthrop
Chapman, Republican, received one hundred and fifty-
six votes; Washington L. P. Walker, Democrat,
received one hundred and eight votes.
Mr. Chapman was elected.
Garland in 1860
The annual meeting of 1860 was held on the 12th
day of March. Artemas Merriam was chosen moder-
ator. The officers for the year were Henry C. Preble,
town clerk; Lorenzo Oak, Russell Murdock and Stephen
D. Jennings, selectmen, assessors and overseers of the
poor; Franklin Taylor, treasurer, compensation four per
cent. ; Lyndon Oak, supervisor of schools; James J.
Chandler, collector of taxes for a compensation of two
per cent.
312 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
The appropriations were eight hundred dollars for
schools, four hundred dollars to defray town charges,
five hundred dollars to support the poor, one thousand
dollars to pay town debts and two thousand dollars for
highways, to be paid in labor.
Autumnal Election
This election was held September 10, 1860. For gov-
ernor, Israel Washburn, Jr., Republican, received two
hundred and thirteen votes ; Ephraim K. Smart, Demo-
crat, received one hundred and fifteen votes.
For representative to Congress, John H. Rice, Repub-
lican, received two hundred and fifteen votes ; Samuel H.
Blake, Democrat, received one hundred and sixteen
votes.
For register of probate, Joseph Bartlett, Republi-
can, a native of Garland, received two hundred and
thirteen votes; Henry Casey, Democrat, received one
hundred and sixteen votes.
For representative to the Legislature, Luther Rideout,
Republican, received two hundred and two votes; John
G. Jones, Democrat, received one hundred and twenty-
two votes.
Mr. Rideout received a majority of votes in the class.
Ballot for Presidential Electors in 1860
The voters of Garland assembled on November 6 to
ballot for presidential electors, when the Republican
candidate received one hundred and ninety-three votes;
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 313
the Democratic candidate received fifty-three votes ; the
Straight Whig candidate received twenty-eight votes.
On the same day for representative to Congress,
Stephen Coburn, Republican, received one hundred and
ninety-three votes; Joseph Chase, Democrat, received
forty-nine votes; scattering, twenty-eight votes.
Garland in 1861
The annual meeting for town business was held March
11. Artemas Merriam was chosen moderator. The
officers for the year were Henry C. Preble, town clerk;
Russell Murdock, Samuel Skillin and George W. Otis,
selectmen, assessors and overseers of the poor; Franklin
Taylor, treasurer; Henry C. Preble, supervisor of
schools; James J. Chandler, collector, who agreed to col-
lect the taxes for two and one half per cent., and to pay
twelve per cent, interest upon the sum of uncollected
taxes at the end of the year. E. L. Oak was chosen
town agent.
The appropriations for the year were nine hundred
dollars for schools, four hundred dollars for town
charges, five hundred dollars for the poor, seven hundred
dollars to pay debts and two thousand five hundred dol-
lars for roads. The town voted to authorize the select-
men to grant the use of the town house for concerts,
lectures and kindred purposes upon such conditions as
they judge proper. At a special meeting of the town,
held on April 6, it was voted to appropriate five hun-
dred dollars to make and repair highways.
314 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
Autumnal Election of 1861
This election was held on September 9. For gov-
ernor, Israel Washburn, Republican, received two hun-
dred and two votes ; John W. Dana, Democrat, received
eighty-seven votes; scattering, twelve votes.
For county commissioner, John S. Patten, Repub-
lican, received two hundred and two votes; Thomas K.
Holt, Democrat, received eighty-five votes.
For representative to the Legislature, E. H. Small,
Republican, received two hundred and one votes ; Francis
Hill, Democrat, received eighty-eight votes; John W.
Osgood, received eleven votes.
Garland in 1862
The annual meeting for town business in 1862 was
held on March 10. Artemas Merriam was chosen mod-
erator. The officers for the year were H. C. Preble,
clerk ; Russell Murdock, Samuel Skillin and James J.
Chandler, selectmen, assessors and overseers of the poor;
Franklin Taylor, treasurer; H. C. Preble, supervisor of
schools ; E. L. Oak, town agent ; Edwin Hill, collector,
who was allowed two and one half per cent, for collect-
ing the taxes, and was held to pay twelve and one half
per cent, interest upon the sum uncollected at the end of
the year until such sum was paid into the treasury.
The regular appropriations for 1862 were nine hun-
dred dollars for schools, six hundred and fifty dollai-s for
town charges, six hundred dollars for the poor, eight
hundred dollars to pay debts and two thousand five hun-
dred dollars for roads, to be paid in labor. The town
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 315
voted to purchase a home for the poor, and instructed
the selectmen to look for such home, and report at the
September meeting.
Autumnal Election of 1862
For governor, Abner Coburn, Republican, received
one hundred and sixty-seven votes; Bion Bradbury,
Democrat, received ninety-four votes.
For representative to Congress, John H. Rice, Repub-
lican, received one hundred and sixty-five votes ; Gorham
L. Boynton, Democrat, received ninety-four votes.
For representative to State Legislature, Daniel M.
Haskell, Republican, received one hundred and sixty-
three votes ; Stephen D. Jennings, received ninety-three
votes.
Mr. Haskell was elected.
Garland in 1863
The annual meeting for town business in 1863 was
held March 9. Artemas Merriam was chosen moderator.
The officers for the year were, A. M. Haskell, Elisha
Skinner and Edwin Hill, selectmen, assessors and over-
seers of the poor; Franklin Taylor, treasurer; Henry
C. Preble, David Evans and Edson L. Oak, superin-
tending school committee; Lorenzo Oak, town agent;
John S. Oliver, collector, who was to collect the taxes
for one per cent. , and to pay twelve per cent, upon the
sum of uncollected taxes at the close of the year.
316 HisrroEY of garland, maine
The appropriations for 1863 were nine hundred dol-
lars for schools, five hundred dollars for town charges,
six hundred dollars for the poor, one thousand two hun-
dred dollars to pay debts and two thousand dollars for
roads, to be paid in labor.
Autumnal Election of 1863
For governor, Samuel Cony, Republican, received two
hundred and seventeen votes; B. Bradbury, Democrat,
received one hundred and twenty-six votes.
For representative to the Legislature, Francis W.
Hill, Democrat, received one hundred and twenty-seven
votes; John W. Osgood, Republican, received two hun-
dred and sixteen votes.
Garland in 1864
The annual meeting for town business occurred on the
14th of March. Luther Rideout was moderator.
The officers for the year were George S. Clark, town
clerk; A. M. Haskell, Elisha Skinner and Thomas
Dearborn, selectmen, assessors and overseers of the poor;
Franklin Taylor, treasurer; Lyndon Oak, David Evans
and Calvin P. Berry, superintending school committee;
John S. Oliver, collector of taxes, whose compensation
was one and one half per cent.
The appropriations of 1864 were nine hundred dollars
for schools, five hundred dollars for town charges, six
hundred dollars for the poor, one thousand dollars to
HISTOEY OF GARLAND, MAINE 817
pay debts, two thousand dollars for roads, to be paid in
labor.
Autumnal Election of 1864
For governor, Samuel Cony, Republican, received two
hundred and nine votes; Joseph Howard, Democrat,
received one hundred and eleven votes.
For representative to Congress, John H. Rice received
two hundred and eight votes; James C. Madigan
received one hundred and eleven votes.
For representative to the Legislature, Lyndon Oak
received two hundred and eight votes; Albert Grinnell
received one hundred and eleven votes.
The legal voters of Garland assembled on the 8th
of November to ballot for electors for President and Vice
President, when the Republican candidates received two
hundred and eleven votes ; the Democratic candidates
received one hundred and seventeen votes.
Garland in 1865
The annual meeting for town business in 1865 was
held on the 13th of March. Luther Rideout was
chosen moderator. The officers for the year were George
S. Clark, town clerk; A. M. Haskell, Lorenzo Oak and
Thomas Dearborn, Jr., selectmen, assessors and over-
seers of the poor; Franklin Taylor, treasurer; Lyndon
Oak, David Evans and Calvin P. Berry, superintending
school committee; John S. Oliver, collector, compensa-
tion one and one half per cent.
318 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
The appropriations for the year were one thousand
one hundred and twenty-five dollars for schools, one
thousand six hundred dollars for town charges, eight
hundred dollars for the poor, two thousand dollars to
pay debts and three thousand dollars for roads, to be
paid in labor.
Autumnal Election of 1865
This election occurred on September 11. For gov-
ernor, Samuel Cony, Republican, received one hundred
and seventy-four votes; Joseph Howard, Democrat,
received eighty-three votes.
For representative to the Legislature, E. Augustus
Chandler, Republican, received one hundred and seventy-
four votes; Harmon Eastman, Democrat, received
eighty-three votes.
Garland in 1866
The annual meeting for town business was held on
March 12. Luther Rideout was chosen moderator.
The officers for the year were George S. Clark, town
clerk; A. M. Haskell, Joseph M. Gerry and Jacob W.
Haskell, selectmen, assessors and overseers of the poor ;
Franklin Taylor, treasurer; A. W. Reed, superintending
school committee; William E. Skillin, collector of taxes,
compensation one per cent.
The appropriations for 1866 were one thousand one
hundred and twenty-five dollars for schools, two thousand
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 319
dollars for town charges, five hundred dollars for the
poor, two thousand five hundred dollars to pay debts and
two thousand five hundred dollars for roads, to be paid
in labor. It was voted to allow twenty-five per cent,
discount to all taxpayers who paid their taxes on, or
before, the 10th day of June.
Autumnal Election of 1866
This election was held on the 10th day of September.
For governor, Joshua L. Chamberlain, Republican,
received two hundred and eight votes ; Eben F. Pillsbury,
Democrat, received one hundred and one votes.
For representative to Congress, John A. Peters,
Republican, received two hundred and six votes ; G. M.
Weston, Democrat, received one hundred and one votes.
For representative to the Legislature, Lyndon Oak,
Republican, received two hundred and six votes; Joel
W. Otis, Democrat, received one hundred and one votes.
Garland in 1867
The annual meeting for town business in 1867, was
held on the 11th day of March. Luther Rideout
was chosen moderator. The officers for the year were
George S. Clark, town clerk ; A. M. Haskell, Jacob W.
Haskell and Joseph M. Gerry, selectmen, assessors and
overseers of the poor; Lyndon Oak and Henry C.
Preble, superintending school committee; Franklin
Taylor, treasurer; A. F. Parkman, collector of taxes,
320 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
compensation fifteen mills per dollar. The selectmen
were elected surveyors of highways.
The appropriations for the year were one thousand
one hundred and twenty-five dollars for schools, two
thousand dollars for town charges, seven hundred dollars
for the poor, three thousand dollars to pay debts, three
thousand dollars for roads.
Autumnal Election of 1867
This election was held on the 9th of September.
For governor, Joshua L. Chamberlain, Republican,
received one hundred and eighty-one votes; Eben F.
Pillsbury, Democrat, received one hundred and two
votes.
For senator, Isaiah Stetson, Republican, received one
hundred and eighty-one votes; John Gardner, Demo-
crat, received one hundred and one votes.
For representative, Amasa Stetson, Republican,
received one hundred and eighty-one votes; Eben E.
Brown received one hundred and two votes.
Garland in 1868
The annual meeting of 1868 for town business was
held in March. Artemas Merriam was moderator. The
officers for the year were George S. Clark, clerk ; A. M.
Haskell, Jacob W. Haskell and George W. Otis, select-
men, assessors and overseers of the poor; David Evans,
superintending school committee; Franklin Taylor,
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 321
treasurer, compensation five mills per dollar; Lorenzo
Oak, collector of taxes, compensation one per cent.
The appropriations for 1868 were one thousand five
hundred dollars for schools, one thousand seven hundred
dollars for town charges, seven hundred dollars for the
poor, one thousand dollars for debts, two thousand five
hundred dollars for roads, to be paid in labor at fifteen
cents per hour. Cash appropriations for roads were five
hundred dollars to be expended on county road between
Garland Village and Holt's Mills, one hundred and fifty
dollars to be expended on the road leading from N. J.
Johnson's mill to Dover line, two hundred dollars to be
expended on road leading from I. B. Royal's to Dexter
line, seventy-five dollars to be expended on bridge over
the stream near Lewis Crowell's mill, one hundred dol-
lars to grade the Preble hill, fifty dollars to build a road
to Gray's mill.
The selectmen were authorized to purchase a hearse.
Autumnal Election of 1868
This election was held on the 14th of September.
For governor, Joshua L. Chamberlain, Republican,
received two hundred and ten votes; Eben F. Pillsbury,
Democrat, received one hundred and thirty-one votes.
For representative to Congress, John A. Peters,
Republican, received two hundred and nine votes; G.
W. Ladd, Democrat, received one hundred and thirty-
two votes.
For representative to the Legislature, Lyndon Oak,
Republican, received two hundred and nine votes;
Stephen D. Jennings, Democrat, received one hundred
and thirty-two votes.
322 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
The legal voters of Garland assembled on the 3d
of November to ballot for electors of President and Vice
President, when the Republican candidates received two
hundred and one votes; the Democratic candidates
received one hundred and eleven votes.
Garland in 1869
The meeting for town business in 1869 was held on
the 8th day of March. Luther Rideout was chosen
moderator. The officers for the year were George S.
Clark, town clerk; A. M. Haskell, Jacob W. Haskell
and George W. Otis, selectmen, assessors and overseers
of the poor; Franklin Taylor, treasurer, compensation
five mills per dollar; Lorenzo Oak, collector, compen-
sation one and one half cents per dollar.
The appropriations of 1869 were one thousand five
hundred dollars for schools, one thousand two hundred
dollars for town charges, eight hundred dollars for the
poor, one thousand dollars for debts, one hundred and
fifty dollars for the road near Johnson's Mills, three
thousand dollars for roads, to be paid in labor, for which
men are to be allowed fifteen cents per hour.
At a special meeting held September 6, 1869, the
town voted to exempt the mill property of H. L.
Gordon & Co. from taxation for an indefinite time.
Autumnal Election
This election was held on the 13th day of September,
1869. For governor, Joshua L. Chamberlain, Repub-
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 323
lican, received one hundred and fifty votes; Franklin
Smith, Democrat, received one hundred and three votes;
scattering, ten votes.
For representative to the Legislature, John Whitney,
Republican, received one hundred and sixty votes;
Francis W. Hill, Democrat, received one hundred and
three votes.
Special Meeting
A special meeting was held on November 24th to
take another pull on the town farm question, when it
was voted to purchase such farm and properly equip it
for a comfortable home for an unfortunate class of our
citizens. Money not to exceed three thousand five hun-
dred dollars was voted to purchase such farm and prop-
erly furnish it. Elijah Crane was appointed agent to
make the selection and purchase of a farm with suitable
buildings for the purpose intended.
Garland in the Temperance Reform
At the opening of the nineteenth century, the use of
intoxicating liquors had become almost universal in the
United States. Its citizens were at a remove of only a
few years from the Revolutionary War. The terrible
hardships of this war had been a fruitful source of
intemperance. Its results had humbled the pride of our
English cousins, who solaced themselves by characterizing
the people of the United States as a "nation of drunk-
324 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
ards. '' The use of spirituous liquors invaded every
department of life. They were used at the ordination
of ministers, at the dedication of churches, at funerals
and weddings. New England rum was the stimulating
agency where the combined strength of numbers was
required, such as the raising the frames of buildings,
and to promote steadiness of nerve to those who scaled
dizzy heights.
Such were the sentiments and usages at the date of
the settlement of Garland. The early settlers were gen-
erally men of good character, having been religiously
educated in the homes of their childhood, but abstinence
from the use of intoxicating drinks had found no place
in the creeds of the times. In the toilsome efforts to
compel the resistant forces of a new country to give
place to the homes of civilization, the stimulus of New
England rum was believed to be essential to success. It
was used to inspire courage, to promote strength of
muscle, and to ward off the cold of winter and the heat
of summer. In every day occupations it was used mod-
erately as a rule. Its excessive use was reserved for pub-
lic occasions, such as military inspections, musters and
celebrations of public events. Corn huskings, where
neighbors met to assist each other in divesting the ear of
its coverings, were esteemed as pleasant social events of
the long, autumnal evenings. The failure to provide a
generous supply of the favorite New England beverage
for such occasions was attributed to stinginess.
On one such occasion, the person who had been
favored by the assistance of his neighbors, awoke the
next morning to find that a favorite two-year-old
heifer was missing. After a long and fruitless search in
pasture, field and forest, the missing animal was found
tied to a brace on the summit of a hay mow. Then,
as now, the appetite for liquor in the case of individuals
HISTOEY OF GARLAND, MAINE 325
was, at times, very strong. At the end of the spring's
work, on one occasion, two men living just across the
line in Dexter, started to go to Bangor for the purchase
of supplies, prominent among which was rum, the sup-
ply of this article having been exhausted several days
earlier. Their thirst having become imperative, they
called at the house of Isaac Copeland, where Mark
Jennings now resides, and asked for a drink of rum.
Mr. Copeland informed them that he was out of that
article, when one of them exclaimed — "For Heaven's
sake bring out your rum jug and let us smell it!"
At military inspections and drills which occurred early
in the month of May of each year, the pail of rum
sweetened with molasses was passed from head to foot of
the company standing in line, at the opening and close
of the drill. This was a marked feature of the old-
time May training. Rum was kept in all grocery stores
for the double purpose of stimulating purchases and in-
creasing trade. The increase of intemperance had now
become a cause of alarm to thoughtful people.
In the year 1826, the Rev. Dr. Lyman Beecher of
Litchfield, Conn., the father of Henry Ward Beecher
and Harriet Beecher Stowe, preached a series of start-
ling sermons upon the increase of intemperance in the
United States, which were given to the public a little
later by the American Tract Society. The pungency
and force of these sermons are indicated by the follow-
ing extract : ' 'Intemperance is the sin of our land, and
with our boundless prosperity is coming upon us like a
flood, and if anything shall defeat the hopes of the
world which hang upon our experiment of civil liberty,
it is that river of fire which is rolling through the land,
destroying the vital air, and extending around us an
atmosphere of death."
Doctor Beecher's utterances on the inroads of intern-
326 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
perance produced a profound impression upon the New
England mind. The ministry was especially stirred.
Temperance societies sprang into existence as if by
magic in many a New England town. Bangor's most
eminent citizens led in the organization of a county
temperance society. The towns in the immediate vicin-
ity of Garland were moved to action by the stirring
appeals of Cyril Pearl, then a student of Bangor Theo-
logical Seminary.
The first action in Garland, looking to associated
effort in the cause of temperance, occurred in 1829.
Isaac Wheeler, Esq., one of Garland's leading citizens,
was at work in his field with his hired man, Joseph True,
both being ardent friends of temperance. The con-
versation between them turned upon the importance of
organized effort in behalf of temperance, when one of
them proposed that they should step across the road to
the residence of the Rev. Isaac Wilkins, the Congre-
gational minister, and request him to write a paper
pledging them to abstain from the use of alcoholic
drinks. The pledge was signed by Isaac Wheeler and
Joseph True. This led to the organization of Garland's
first temperance society. To Isaac Wheeler and Joseph
True belongs the honor of being the pioneers in the
associated temperance movement in Garland. A society
was organized shortly after which bore the names of
Isaac Wilkins and wife, Isaac Wheeler and wife, Joseph
True, Ansel Field and wife, Deacon Stephen Smith and
wife, and George Curtis.
Deacon Smith was chosen president and George Curtis,
secretary. The organization was effected at the house
now occupied by the Clark family. Its members pledged
themselves to abstain from the use of intoxicating drinks
as a beverage and from furnishing them to others. This
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 827
movement was at first treated with ridicule by the
citizens of the town generally.
When a job requiring the voluntary assistance of num-
bers to perform, was undertaken, the failure to furnish a
bountiful supply of New England rum was considered an
unpardonable infraction of a time-honored practice.
The raising of houses and barn frames were illustrative
cases. In 1829, Elder John Page asked the assistance
of neighbors to raise a barn frame. Several persons who
appeared in response to the request, finding that the
anticipated stimulus was invisible, refused to assist and
disappeared, whereupon, Elder Josiah Bartlett offered
an earnest prayer for an increase of strength to the men
who remained. The frame was raised without accident.
Soon afterward, James J. Chandler raised a barn frame
without supplying liquor against the earnest protest of
his master workman. In the same year George Curtis
raised a barn frame without the aid of liquor. In this
case two men demanded payment for assistance rendered.
The men who thus early engaged in the crusade against
the use of rum were not turned from their purpose by
ridicule or threats.
The temperance sentiment had reached a point in 1840
when the presence of rum at a house or barn raising was
not expected. Some amusing incidents of the effects of
rum at barn raisings are related. At the raising of the
barn on the place now occupied by James Rideout several
men came from the easterly part of the town who saved
considerable travel by crossing a brook on a tree that
had been felled across it.
In walking to the site of the prospective barn, they
reached the opposite side dry. On their return over the
same brook, on the same tree, they were wet when they
got to the side nearest their homes.
328 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
The Washingtonian Movement
In 1841, the Washingtonian temperance movement
inaugurated at Baltimore three years earlier, which had
drawn to its ranks many citizens who had not previously
attached themselves to the earlier temperance associa-
tions, attracted the favorable attention of a number of
the citizens of Garland. A Washingtonian society was
organized. Captain Bildad A. Haskell was chosen
president and Stephen B. Dockham, secretary. For
several years its members worked with zeal and success
in advancing the cause of temperance.
In the same year the earlier friends of temperance
organized anew, adopting the name of "The Garland
Union Temperance Society. ' ' The new pledge forbade
the use of wine, which was a step in advance. The
friends of temperance had been aggressive from the
beginning. They had shown that the raising of build-
ings and similar undertakings could be accomplished
without the use of intoxicants. They had driven the
traffic from the stores. The next point of attack was
the hotels.
A respectable citizen of Garland, believed that, as he
expressed it, ' 'the more radical opponents of the temper-
ance movement could be induced to cease their strong
opposition to it by a judicious sale of intoxicating
drinks. ' ' His explanation of such sale was to refuse it
to the immoderate drinker, and to furnish to the moder-
ate drinker under such limitations as would guard him
against its excessive use. This theory failed to satisfy
the friends of temperance.
Some of the leading temperance men endeavored, in a
friendly way, to induce him to relinquish his purpose,
but without avail. A remonstrance against the sale of
intoxicating liquors, signed by all the town officers, and
HISTORY OF GAELAND, MAINE 329
leading citizens of the town, was placed in his hands.
A similar remonstrance of a large number of women was
placed in the hands of his wife. As a result of these
movements the sale of intoxicating liquors was promptly
abandoned.
The year 1 848 marks the date when the open sale of
intoxicating liquors as a beverage became a thing of the
past in the history of Garland. A healthy public senti-
ment upon this vital subject has been maintained by
temperance organizations, under different names, from
1848 to the present time.
An Event Worthy of Record
In the year 1876, several members of a Reform Club
of a neighboring town, visited Garland for the purpose
of organizing a Reform Club. Their motives were excel-
lent and their zeal was of the fervid type, but to their
surprise they found no material upon which to base such
an organization.
Garland's Action on a Proposed Amendment
of the State Constitution
In 1884, an amendment of the State Constitution,
forever prohibiting the manufacture, sale, and keeping
for sale of intoxicating liquor for drinking purposes,
was submitted to a vote of the people of the State.
The voters of Garland gave 176 votes for the amendment
and 51 votes against it.
530 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
Before Roads Were Made in the Township
Before roads were made a settler would spot a line
through the woods to his nearest neighbor. If a rude
bridge were to be built across a stream, or a miry place
made passable, the combined efforts of the two would
accomplish the work. This neighbor in turn would
mark the way to the next neighbor in the same manner.
Thus lines of travel were opened through the township.
In marking these ways hills and swamps were avoided
when practicable. They were often rough and circuit-
ous, and the more they were traveled the worse they
became. Excluded from the influence of the sun by the
heavy forest growth, they were scarcely dry from spring
to autumn. Horses were much used for carrying bur-
dens, and it is said that they learned to find solid foot-
ing by traveling in footsteps already made.
Early Lines of Approach to the Township
The earliest line of approach to the township, now
Garland, was by the way of Bangor through the present
towns of Glenburn, Kenduskeag, Corinth, and a corner
of Charleston. After leaving Charleston it extended in
a northwesterly direction to a spring of excellent water
near the former residence of S. O. Davis, thence to the
site of Garland village. It was by this route that those
eighteen stalwart men, who made beginnings of homes
in 1802, reached the township. It was by this route
that the heroic family of Joseph Garland, which after-
wards gave name to the town, found their way to their
little cabin by the brookside in the northwest part of
the township.
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 331
The second line of approach, diverging from the above
line at Kenduskeag, passed through West Corinth and a
corner of Exeter to Garland. The old countv road from
western Piscataquis to Bangor, afterwards made, was
nearly coincident with this second line of approach.
This was the line of travel for Moses Hodsdon and his
men from Kenduskeag to Garland when building the
sawmill in the latter township in 1802. The third line
of approach was from a point on the Kennebec River
through the towns of Harmony, Ripley and Dexter to
Garland. The Gordon and Chandler families passed
along this line to reach Garland in 1805.
Early Roads
Many of the most serious hardships of pioneer life
result from the absence of roads. This is especially true
of communities surrounded by other communities in like
destitute condition. The first settlers of Garland were
obliged to travel many a weary mile to find a road over
which a vehicle, other than a clumsy oxsled or wagon,
could be used.
During the unorganized condition of the township,
but little was done in the way of road-making. A few
public-spirited residents, conspicuous among whom was
Edward Fifield of West Garland, did what they could
to induce other residents to contribute voluntary labor
to the making of roads, but their success was not encour-
aging. A large majority of the residents preferred to
await the application of a compulsory process.
332 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
History of the Principal Existing Roads
The first road established by the town was the road
from Dexter through the center of Garland to Charles-
ton. It is six miles in length and was established April
22, 1811. Living upon or near the route of this road
in 1811, were Joshua Silver, Jeremiah Flanders, Thomas
S. Tyler, Amos Gordon, Simeon Morgan, Joseph Gar-
land, Jacob Garland, John Tyler, Oliver Woodward,
Joseph Tread well, Josiah Bartlett and John M. Chase.
Second Road
The route of the second road established on the same
date was one mile north of the center road and parallel
to it. Beginning at the west line of the town, it ran
easterly between the eighth and ninth ranges of lots, on
the summit of the range of hills in the northerly part of
the town, to a point near the base of High Cut. There
were living on or near this route in 1811 the families
of Thomas Gilpatrick, William Dustin, Philip Greeley,
Justus Harriman, John Chandler, Samuel Mansfield,
Rev. John Sawyer, William Blaisdell and Joseph
Saunders.
The route of this road was established in accordance
with the policy of the original proprietors, who had
checked the township into lots of a mile square by range-
ways for roads. Some sections of this route, in the
easterly part of the town, were found impracticable for
public travel and were never used for this purpose. The
families in the easterly part of the town, living on or
near the abandoned section of this route, are supplied
with roads running north from the east and west center
road to the line of the abandoned route.
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 333
Road to Dexter
The third road established in 1811, is the road run-
ning from the center of Garland village to the west line
of the town towards Dexter village. The families living
on the line of this road in 1811 were those of William
Godwin, James Holbrook, Enoch Clough, Moses
Gordon, John S. Haskell and Isaac Copeland. Two
short pieces of road were established in the southwest
part of the town in 1811. Living upon the lines of
these roads were the families of Edward Fifield, John
Hayes and Cutteon Flanders.
The fifth road established on the 22d day of April,
1811, is the road with slight variations, beginning where
D. F. Patten now lives at the top of the hill about two
miles directly north from the center of the present vil-
lage and extending southerly through the village to a
point about one half mile south. Some years later this
road was extended to Exeter line. An angle in it, a
half mile below the village, gave the road a southeas-
terly direction. It crossed the south line of the town
about one and one half miles west of its southeast
■corner.
The families living on or near this road in 1811, were
those of the Rev. John Sawyer, Abner Bond, John
Jackman, Ezekiel Straw, Isaac Wheeler, William
Church, John Grant and John Knight. About 1816,
the section of this road extending from the center of
Garland village to its south line, became a section of the
county road from western Piscataquis to Bangor which
has been known as the old county road to Bangor.
The sixth road established in 1811 was described as
extending from Thomas S. Tyler's to Enoch Jackman's.
Enoch Jackman then lived in the house afterward occu-
pied by Henry Calef and Asa Cram, located on the
334 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
opposite side of the road from the present residence of
Edwin Greeley, and a little to the south of it.
The seventh and last road, established in 1811,
extended easterly from a point a little south of the vil-
lage mills, to the site of the Burnham Cemetery, thence
northerly to the point of intersection with the east and
west center road. There were but two families living
upon this road in 1811, William Sargent upon the site
of the present residence of James Rideout, and James
McCluer on the site of the present residence of David
Allen. A few years later the section of this road run-
ning easterly to the cemetery near the schoolhouse in
district seven, gave place to the present road.
These roads were established at the first town meeting
by the authority of the town, the previous meeting hav-
ing assembled under the authority of the State of Massa-
chusetts. Their aggregate length was about twenty
miles, equal to fully one-fourth of the aggregate mileage
of the roads of the town to-day.
The inquiry naturally arises why so many miles of
road were required for the number of families living in
the town in 1811. This is easily explained. By the
policy of the original proprietors every alternate range
of lots from east to west was withheld from sale with the
expectation that these lots would ultimately bring higher
prices. This policy had the effect to scatter the homes
of the early settlers widely over the town.
The road that leads from the southwest corner of the
mills at West Garland was established in 1816. This
road originally terminated at the Murdock place but
upon the completion of the Avenue road in 1842 this
section was discontinued.
The road running north from the east and west Center
road, passing the present residence of George Ricker,
was established in 1819. This was the first road lead-
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 335
ing north from the east and west center road toward the
summit of the hilly range. The road running north
from the east and west center road, passing the residence
of E. B. Strout, was established in 1821.
The road running north from the east and west center
road on the east line of the town was established in 1825
for the convenience of the Robert Seward place, later
occupied by the late J. Clark Richardson. The road
running north from the east and west center road from
a point a few rods east of the schoolhouse in school
district No. 4, to the summit of the hilly range, was
established in 1826.
Among the early residents on this road, were the
families of Eben Battles, Jacob Quimby, Samuel, Isaac,
John and Stephen Ladd, David Stewart, John Perry and
John Whiting. The road extending from Garland vil-
lage to the south line of the town toward Exeter Corner
was established on the route now traveled, in 1830.
The early families living on or near this road were those
of Benjamin H. Oak, George Curtis, David Johnson,
Samuel W. Knight, Israel Colley, Zebulon Knight and
Elijah Norton.
The northwest county road, which was a section of
the county road extending from Dover to Dexter, was
established about the year 1830, by authority of the
county of Penobscot. In 1824 the road extending east-
erly from Garland village to the site of the Burnham
Cemetery was continued to the site of the present resi-
dence of Thomas B. Packard, and in 1830 it was con-
tinued to the east line of the town. There have been
slight changes in the route of this road from time to
time, the most important of which was made in 1855
from the foot of the hill, known as the Preble hill, to
the Oak store.
Among the earlier residents upon this road were the
336 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
families of Enoch Clough, the Rev. S. Rice, Daniel
Ladd, Stephen Smith, William Sargent, Joseph Sargent,
Joseph Prescott, Jeremiah Avery, Gilbert Wallace,
Edward Richardson, Mark Burnham, George R. Coffin,
Leonard Skillin, George Field and Henry Hicks.
The south road from Garland village to West Garland
was established in 1823. The early families upon this
road were those of Elisha Nye, Benjamin Pressey,
Andrew Smith, Charles Shepherd, Noah Parkman,
Shepherd Parkman, Albert Parkman, Oreson Parkman,
William, Gideon, David and John Soule, Jonathan
Lvford and the Rev. Asa Burnham.
mi
The Avenue road was established by the county in
1835. The section within the limits of Garland is
about four miles in length. It was not passable for
heavy teams until 1844.
The road from the site of Evergreen Cemetery to the
Crowell mill site was established about the year 1834
and was continued to the old county road a few years
later. The early families upon or near this road were
those of Josiah, Samuel and James Skillin, James
Pillsbury and Solomon Allen. The road running from
the schoolhouse at West Garland, to the west line of the
town toward Dexter village was established in 1833.
The early families upon this road were those of Daniel
M. and William S. Haskell.
The road running from the schoolhouse in district
No. 10 to the north line of the town toward Dover vil-
lage, was established in 1837. The early families upon
this road were those of James Straw, Samuel Bridge,
Stephen A. Berry, Simon French, James Hall, William
Hunt and Richard Bickell. The road extending
southerly from the northwest corner of the farm owned
by Thomas B. Packard to the south line of the town
was established in 1837.
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 337
The road running west on the north line of the town
from the Dover to the Sangerville road was established
in 1844. The early families upon this road were those
of Mr. Merrill and Hermon Beal on the Dover side and
George W. Ricker and George W. Ireland on the Gar-
land side. The county road leading from the southeast
corner of the town to Garland village was established in
two sections at different dates. The first section, termi-
nating at Holt's Mills, was established in 1858. Four
years later the route was continued to Garland village.
The notch county road derives its name from the
notch or cut through the hilly range traversing the
northerly section of the town from east to west. This
road was established in 1846 by the joint action of the
county commissioners of Penobscot and Piscataquis
Counties. Its construction had just been completed at
large expense when the advent of the Bangor & Piscata-
quis Railroad rendered it practically useless.
The Present Trend of Merchandise
Since the advent of railroads to this section the trend
of merchandise has been to and from the various railroad
stations instead of Bangor as a common center. Hence
the town roads leading to and from railroad stations
have become of more importance to the public than the
earlier county roads, the latter being but little used
except for local travel.
There have been but few calls for new roads since the
completion of the notch road. The total length of
roads in town is fully sixty miles. The history of the
roads in Garland, which has been briefly given, includes
338 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
the date of their establishment, their extent, the hard-
ships of the earlier settlers in opening channels of com-
munication with each other and the inhabitants of other
towns, the dates of the settlement of the different sec-
tions of the town, the names of the families who settled
upon these roads, and the date when the transportation
of heavy merchandise was transferred from the county
roads to town roads leading to railroad stations.
A Sketch of the History of the Congrega-
tional Church of Garland
The early records of this church were accidentally
burned. Its early history is therefore mainly tradi-
tional. The incidents herein given were obtained many
years ago from the lips of some of its original members
and their accuracy is confirmed by testimony from inde-
pendent sources. Religious meetings were not of
frequent or regular occurrence during the first years of
the settlement. Many of the early settlers of the town-
ship, then known as Lincolntown, having been religiously
educated in the distant homes of their childhood keenly
felt their destitution of religious privileges. The
Christian Sabbath, which they had formerly observed as
a day of rest and devoted to religious and spiritual
improvement, now gave no sign of its presence save by a
partial cessation of the ordinary employments of the
week and the interchange of visits among the scattered
families.
Such was the condition of affairs when in the winter
of 1806 the Rev. Samuel Sewall, one of the ubiquitous
family of ministers of that name, first visited the town-
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 339
ship and preached, as good Deacon Haskell afterwards
expressed it, "to the starving souls of the wilderness."
Mr. Sewall was the first minister to visit the township.
He preached at the residence of Joseph Garland. This
was the first sermon in the township and the people
from the scattering families heard him gladly. In their
eagerness to hear the words of the living preacher,
denominational preferences were forgotten.
Mr. Sewall subsequently made several visits to the
township. In sentiment he was a Congregationalist.
Afterwards Mr. Lord of Harmony, a Methodist,
preached several times in different parts of the township,
once at Deacon Haskell's residence. A Mr. Cay ford
preached occasionally in Mr. Garland's barn in the warm
season of the year. The Rev. Mr. Kilby, a Methodist,
and a brother of Mrs. Joseph Garland, preached occa-
sionally in the township.
No other ministers are known to have been in the
township until the advent of the Rev. John Sawyer in
the year 1809. Mr. Sawyer bore with him a commis-
sion from the Maine Missionary Society, then recently
organized, and entered upon his work in the wilderness
with characteristic zeal. Through his efforts a church
was organized in the month of March, 1810, at the resi-
dence of Joseph Garland, the first settler. The ministers
officiating at the organization were Reverends John
Sawyer, Hezekiah May of Brownville township, Jonathan
Fisher of Bluehill, and perhaps Mighill Blood of Bucks-
port.
At the date of this organization there were only two
Congregational churches within the present limits of
Penobscot County. One at Brewer, organized Septem-
ber 7, 1800, and one at Dixmont, organized November
16, 1807, which is now extinct. The church at Garland
was called the Congregational church of Lincolntown
340 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
and vicinity until the incorporation of the town in 1811
and its organization has been perpetuated to the present
time. It included in its membership residents of other
towns. The persons uniting with the church at the
time of its organization were John S. Haskell, Joshua
Silver and wife, Jacob Silver, Theophilus Morgan, Mrs.
Nancy Gordon, Mrs. Justus Harriman, Mrs. Garland,
Mrs. Bond and Mrs. Morgan.
A meeting was held in July, 1810, to complete the
organization, when John Pratt, Mrs. Ezekiel Straw,
Mrs. Weatherbee of Elkinstown, now Dexter, and Mrs.
Haskell, probably Deacon John S. Haskell's wife, were
admitted to membership. At this meeting, nineteen
persons, adults and children, received the ordinance of
baptism. The ministers in attendance were Reverends
John Sawver and Hezekiah Bailev of New Castle.
A few years later members were received into this
church from Piscataquis County. Among these were
Deacon Carpenter and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Turner, Mrs.
Mitchell, Mr. and Mrs. Bradbury, Mrs. Chamberlain
and Mrs. Sherburne from Foxcroft; Mrs. Bolton, Mrs.
Buck and others from Dover, and Mr. Loring and wife
from Guilford. This relatively large addition was the
occasion of great interest and encouragement to the little
church in the wilderness and the sympathy between
those who came and those who received was warm and
active. The late Rev. Amasa Loring, the historian of
Piscataquis County, said in a letter to the writer, "This
was the heroic age of Christian life in this new region.
If a notice was sent forward that a lecture would be
preached at a certain time and place, the news was
spread from house to house, and when the preacher
arrived, all who could were sure to be present. When a
communion season occurred, distant members, both men
and women, would ride on horseback twelve or fifteen
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 341
miles over rough and miry paths, guided on their dubi-
ous way by spotted trees to attend church conference on
Saturday afternoon, tarry with Christian friends over
night, participate in the solemnities of the Sabbath and
retrace their steps homeward on Monday morning
through those gloomy fores tways, cheered and strength-
ened by the spiritual repast they had just enjoyed. In
winter, whole families were sometimes carried those long
distances on sleds drawn by oxen that they might enjoy
Christian communion and fellowship, and that parents
might secure the rite of baptism for their children." In
after days, one good old church member of Foxcroft,
when recounting the incidents of his journeys to Garland
to attend meetings would, in his enthusiasm, get a little
mixed. On one such occasion he averred that he would
hitch his oxen to the sled and drive to Garland with his
children and wife, good woman, she's gone to heaven
now by a spotted line. The church at Garland was
blessed with a healthy growth for several years under the
ministrations of Father Sawyer.
He may have received the assistance of other ministers
but to what extent or by whom, tradition does not
inform us. In 1822, the church suffered severe loss by
the withdrawal of the members, eighteen in number, liv-
ing in the Piscataquis valley, to organize a church after-
wards known as the church of Foxcroft and vicinity.
The first pastor of the new church at Foxcroft was the
Rev. Thomas Williams. This withdrawal left but a
single male member in the church at Garland, Deacon
John S. Haskell. According to the Congregational
policy of the times it required at least two male members
to make valid the dismissal of members to other church
organizations. Happily Ansel Field and wife became
residents of Garland about that time and soon united
with the church. The difficulty in the way of giving
342 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
the Piscataquis members a formal dismission was thus
overcome.
At the time of the dismissal of these members Deacon
Pratt of Foxcroft was clerk of the Garland church and
had its records at his house which was burned shortly
after and the records were thus lost. This explains the
absence of the church's records for the first twelve years
of its existence. In the period from 1810 to 1822 some
of the original resident members of the church renounced
Congregationalism and embraced the Universalist faith.
This was another source of depletion, and was undoubt-
edly due to the severity of Father Sawyer's religious
creed. But in spite of these discouragements the little
church lost neither faith nor hope. It was strengthened
from time to time by in-coming residents who entered
its ranks.
At a meeting of the legal voters of the town of
Garland, held August 6, 1825, it was voted to give the
Rev. Isaac E. Wilkins a call to become its minister upon
certain specified conditions having reference to his sup-
port. Isaac Wheeler, Esq., Deacon John S. Haskell,
Walter Holbrook, Ansel Field and Justus Harriman,
were appointed a committee to wait on Mr. Wilkins and
acquaint him with the action of the town, and ascertain
whether the conditions were satisfactory.
At an adjourned meeting, held August 11, the com-
mittee reported that Mr. Wilkins had indicated his
acceptance of the necessary conditions, whereupon the
town voted to give him a call to become its minister.
Isaac Wheeler, Esq., Justus Harriman and Daniel Ladd
were appointed to inform Mr. Wilkins of this action of
the town. The town also voted to pay Mr. Wilkins
one hundred and eighty dollars for one year, one third in
money, and the other two thirds in grain, labor, or what
should be necessary for his support and comfort as a
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 343
minister of the Gospel. By virtue of this action Mr.
Wilkins became Garland's first settled minister.
He had been educated at the Bangor Theological
Seminary, and was Congregationalist in creed. He,
with candidates of other denominations, had occasionally
preached in town. Up to this time the Congregational
church had been the only organized church in town. It
was fitting that the preference of this church should be
consulted in the selection of a minister.
Mr. Wilkins was installed on October 12, 1825, under
the auspices of the Congregational church. It was an
occasion of great interest. A platform had been built
where the Congregational meetinghouse now stands and
was sheltered by a bower of evergreen boughs. In front
of it was a large and interested audience. Rev. Pro-
fessor Smith of the Bangor Seminary, the Rev. S. L.
Pomroy of Bangor, Rev. Thomas Williams of Foxcroft,
and Rev. N. W. Sheldon with numerous lay delegates
composed the council. Professor Smith preached the
sermon which was afterwards published.
It will be seen by the foregoing statements that
Garland's first settled minister was settled by the town.
For an explanation of this we must go back to a former
century. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts was the
owner of the Province of Maine until the Act of Separ-
ation in 1820.
The public men of that State took great interest in
their Eastern Province and were always ready to aid in
measures to promote the welfare of the towns which were
springing into existence over its surface. In the year
1 796 that State gave the township we now call Garland
to Williams College, located in the town of Williamston,
Mass. It was then a wilderness without a human habi-
tation or even a name. It was designated as township
number three, in the fifth range of townships north of
344 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
the Waldo Patent. Among the conditions of this gift
to the college was the reservation of three lots of land of
three hundred and twenty acres each for certain public
purposes. One of these lots was reserved for the benefit
of the first settled minister, to which Mr. Wilkins was
clearly entitled. In his engagement however he cov-
enanted to deed to the town three eighths of this lot.
The reason for this is not shown by the records and
must therefore be a matter of inference. He would need
means for the support of his family before he could
realize anything from the sale of his land. The pre-
sumption is that he relinquished to the town three
eighths of the land that belonged to him as the first
settled minister, in consideration of the sum of one hun-
dred and eighty dollars promised him by the town for
one year's service. It is also probable that this sum
was raised by voluntary subscription. There are no
records to show that the town, as a municipality, con-
tributed to his support after the first year.
Having been installed, Mr. Wilkins entered upon his
work with zeal and hope. He resided in the house as it
then was, now occupied by the Clark family in the upper
part of the village. The place of his regular ministra-
tion upon the Sabbath was at the old Center schoolhouse
which was located at the geographical center of the
town, and which at that time, afforded the largest audi-
ence room in town. Mr. Wilkins was a man of pleasing
address, dignified bearing, good abilities and a ready off
hand speaker. His relations with his people were of a
pleasant character.
The expenses of a growing family, transcending the
ability of his parishioners to pay, his pastorate termi-
nated September 2, 1830. At this time there were
three evangelical churches in the town, the Baptist, Free
Will Baptist, afterwards known as the Free Baptist, and
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 345
the Congregational church. There was also a Methodist
organization in the town. The first three denominations
mentioned, united for the purpose of sustaining meet-
ings, each in turn supplying someone to preach to the
people when practicable, or to conduct religious services
when no minister appeared.
The Maine Missionary Society furnished preaching for
a few Sabbaths each year. Among those sent by this
society were the Reverends Calvin White, Lewis Pennell,
John A. Vinton, Aurelius Swift and James Caruthers, a
native of Scotland. The aid furnished by the Missionary
Society was supplemented by the voluntary subscription
of the people. Mr. Caruthers attracted the attention
of his hearers by his great size, fervid zeal and Scotch
dialect.
While as a general rule the current of brotherly sym-
pathy ran smoothly along through this trio of religious
societies, there was occasionally a ripple of disturbance.
At the close of a preaching service Mr. Caruthers
announced that he would preach to this people in one
week when a Baptist brother sprang to his feet and gave
notice that a minister of his denomination was expected
to occupy the desk at the same time. Mr. Caruthers
then announced that he would preach from this desk in
two weeks. A Free Baptist brother arose to say that a
minister of his denomination had an appointment to
preach here in two weeks. Instantaneously the tower-
ing form of Mr. Caruthers presented itself to the audi-
ence, and in his Scotch dialect, intensified by excitement,
he announced that "in three weeks from this day, i
will preach to this people if r can find the branch of
A TREE TO SHELTER ME 'EAD. "
At the termination of the arrangement whereby the
three societies had held religious meetings together the
Congregational society worshipped by itself for a time.
346 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
At the meetings of the society on the Sabbath Deacon
Stephen Smith, a good reader, procured the printed
sermons of eminent ministers and read them to the
people. Meetings thus conducted were interesting and
profi table.
"Protracted meetings,'' extending through four or
five days, were of yearly occurrence, and were partici-
pated in by the religious people of the town. One of
these meetings was favored by the presence of the Rev.
Jotham Sewall. Mr. Sewall was a man of large size and
impressive personality and was known throughout the
State for his earnest and effective appeals to religious
life. The writer, then a boy of sixteen, was a listener
to one of his sermons. At the end of one of his most
impassioned appeals an incident invested with a dramatic
element occurred. He had listened, he said, to a sermon
by Whitefield who, after an earnest appeal to the
unconverted, suddenly paused and bringing one foot
forcibly to the floor, exclaimed, "Stop; Gabriel, stop;
do not return to the heavenly portals until you can carry
the news that, at least one soul has been converted."
In 1835, inspired by the faith, zeal, and indomitable
courage of the veteran missionary of Eastern Maine, the
Rev. John Sawyer, the church and society entered upon
measures for building a meetinghouse. A company was
organized to be known as the Congregational Meeting
House Company of Garland. A constitution and by-
laws were adopted to go into effect when the company
should be legally incorporated. It was provided that
the stock should be divided into twenty-four shares of
fifty dollars each, and that when eighteen or more shares
should have been taken, the location of the building
should be fixed, its size and style determined, and a
building committee appointed. One of the by-laws
forbade the use of ardent spirits in raising the house, or
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 347
in any part of the work connected with its construction.
There was considerable preliminary discussion as to the
size and style of the building. The members of the
church and society were struggling to meet the ordinary
demands upon their resources. All felt the necessity of
economy of expenditure in its construction. Some
favored a very small and plain building, bare of belfry
or steeple. Others contended that its size must be
determined by prospective as well as present necessities,
and that a bell would be among the wants of the future,
which would require a belfry.
Louis Goulding, a member of the church, who was
always ready with a facetious remark upon subjects com-
ical or serious, said that "The purpose was to build a
house for God. Without belfry or steeple it would be
God's barn and not God's house." The size and style,
and all necessary preliminary matters, were at length
determined, and plans were prepared. Benjamin H.
Oak was appointed treasurer, who with the Rev. John
Sawyer and William Godwin were constituted a build-
ing committee. The eighteen shares, the condition
precedent to building, had been taken and the work was
entered upon at once.
Austin Newell of Monson, an experienced builder, was
employed to take charge of the construction of the build-
ing. The original subscribers to the stock were Deacon
Smith, Deacon John S. Haskell, and the Rev. John
Sawyer, who subscribed for two shares each, and George
Curtis, Josiah Merriam, Joseph True, Jr., James
Greeley, Abraham True, Lewis Goulding, Benjamin H.
Oak, Isaac Wheeler, William Godwin, Jacob Greeley,
Raymond Copeland, J. Holyoke, and H. N. Pake, who
subscribed for one share each.
The two last named subscribers were citizens of
Brewer. The foundation of the meetinghouse was built
348 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
and the frame raised and covered in 1835. Here the
work rested until the following spring. The raising of
the building called together a large number of willing
helpers as well as spectators. A bountiful dinner and
an abundant supply of hot coffee took the place of the
stimulants which, in earlier days, were deemed necessary
to the successful raising of large buildings.
In the spring of 1836 work was renewed on the church
by Mr. Newell, who had entered upon a contract to
complete the building. Early in 1837 the new church
was finished and dedicated. Occupying a commanding
site in the center of the village, its modest belfry has
through all the years indicated the high purpose of its
construction, and announced to the passing stranger that
there are people in this community who know the
Christian's Sabbath and worship the Christian's God.
When the church was completed considerable money
was realized from the sale of pews to individuals. Still
the Meeting House Company found itself in debt and
several years passed before the debt was fully paid.
Father Sawyer appealed to acquaintances in Bangor and
Brewer for aid to pay the debt who responded in five
and ten dollar subscriptions.
Edward Hill of New York, a brother of Mrs. Josiah
Merriam, contributed liberally to this fund. The late
Colonel John S. Kimball of Bangor is authority for the
statement that Father Sawyer's zeal in aid of building
the church, led him to mortgage his farm to raise money
to pay his subscription to the building fund and that
a short time previous to his death a pension from the
Government for services in the war of the Revolution
enabled his friends to pay the balance due on the mort-
gage and redeem the farm.
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 349
Pastorate of the Rev. S. S. Drake
In 1837, the Rev. S. S. Drake became the acting
pastor of the parish. He had previously labored here
under the auspices of the Maine Missionary Society.
He was installed as pastor February 24, 1841, and rilled
the pastorate until March, 1847, when his relations to
the parish were severed. Mr. Drake was a pleasing and
popular preacher, and his relations to the church had, in
the main, been pleasant and satisfactory, but unfor-
tunately cases of discipline were followed by dissensions
that could not be healed so long as he remained its
pastor.
The Congregational meetinghouse was ready for occu-
pancy about the time that Mr. Drake commenced his
term of service, and he preached from its pulpit for a
period of about ten years. Mr. Drake was followed by
Mr. P. B. Thayer, then a recent graduate of Bangor
Theological Seminary. Before the completion of his
course at the seminary he was introduced to members of
the Congregational church by a personal friend whom he
was visiting, and by invitation, he occasionally preached
from the Congregational pulpit. These pulpit efforts
were followed by a unanimous call to the pastorate of
the church. Accepting the call, his ordination and
installation took place on December 21, 1848.
The members of the council on this interesting occa-
sion were the Revs. Wooster Parker of the Foxcroft and
Dover church, E. G. Carpenter of the Dexter church,
W. S. Sewall of the Brownville church and Horatio
Illsley of the Monson church. Revs. Henry White and
Enselius Hale were present. The pastorate, so auspi-
ciously opened in 1848, extended to May, 1896, a period
of almost forty-eight years without a break ; the longest
pastorate then existing in New England in the Congre-
350 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
gational line save one in Massachusetts, and it is not too
much to say, a pastorate whose harmony was very
seldom disturbed by discordant sounds.
The persons who have officiated as deacons of this
church are John S. Haskell, Joel Pratt, Stephen Smith,
George Curtis, Samuel Coan, John Rideout, Luther
Rideout, Boardman Wood and Martin Rideout, none of
whom are now living. The present deacon is Stephen
R. Came. The clerks have been Joel Pratt, Stephen
Smith, Rev. P. B. Thayer and Miss Sarah A. Curtis.
Miss Curtis served long and efficiently and is still clerk
at this time, (1911). The Rev. T. W. Harwood
followed Mr. Thayer as pastor.
Mr. Harwood was a graduate of the Bangor Theo-
logical Seminary, and his religious views were in
harmony with the teachings of that institution. He
was a man of fine abilities. His sermons were logical,
instructive and uplifting and he never failed to hold the
attention of his audience while speaking. From his
large fund of information he drew material for frequent
interesting and instructive lectures upon moral, religious
and secular subjects.
Historical Sketch of the Free baptist Church
At the opening of the present century the Free Bap-
tist denomination was in its infancy. The simplicity of
its creed and the earnestness of the appeals of its
ministers attracted to its membership many of the
earlier inhabitants of Garland. In 1809, the Rev. Asa
Burnham from Nottingham, N. H., a minister of the
Free Baptist denomination and an excellent man, moved
into the township, and commenced making a home for
his family upon land formerly owned by Robert Seward.
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 351
Josiah Bartlett, afterwards known as Elder Josiah
Bartlett, was the first citizen of the new township to
express a preference for the Free Baptist creed in a
public manner, and this he did by receiving the ordi-
nance of baptism at the home of Elder Burnham on the
last day of December, 1809. A little later his wife,
Mrs. Sally Bartlett, was baptized by the Rev. Samuel
Hutchins of New Portland, Maine.
The Free Baptists of that time had no organized
system of missions. This, and other towns, were visited
from time to time bv ministers drawn thither, in the
parlance of the times, by the leadings of Providence.
Among them were Elders Joseph Farewell, Samuel
Hutchins and Lincoln Lewis. From 1820 to 1825
prayer and conference meetings were held at the Center
and other schoolhouses, which were freely participated
in by members of other denominations. The spirit of
union which prevailed at that early day has happily been
perpetuated to the present time.
In 1825, it had become the settled conviction of
several persons that a church of the Free Will Bap-
tist denomination should become a verity.
Acting upon this conviction a council consisting of
Elder John Page and Deacons Ebenezer Towle and
Joseph Walker of Exeter assembled on the 9th day of
April, 1825, when a church was organized, and given
the name of the Free Will Baptist church of Garland.
The persons uniting with this church at this time were
Josiah Bartlett, Joseph Strout, Joseph Johnson, Sally
Bartlett, Grace Ladd, Lucy Silver, Sally Strout and
Harriet Chandler. A large and flourishing church has
grown from this beginning.
Joseph Strout was its first clerk and to Josiah Bartlett
was committed its pastoral care. It promptly sought
connection with the Exeter Quarterly meeting, whose
552 HISTOEY OF GARLAND, MAINE
organization was probably only a year earlier. Such
connection was effected in June of the following year.
For some years thereafter it enjoyed the ministration of
Elder John Page, who became a resident of Garland and
a member of the church in 1826. The Rev. Leonard
Hathaway made his first visit to Garland and preached
one or more Sabbaths to the Free Will Baptist people
in the year 1828. His fervid and earnest appeals made
an impression upon those who heard him that was never
forgotten. In the first five years of this church about
forty persons were admitted to membership by baptism
and twenty by letter. In the following five years there
was a decrease in numbers.
In 1830, Samuel V. Nason a member of the church,
was licensed to preach and was ordained to the work of
the ministry in the following June. A Sabbath-school
was organized in 1830 and John P. Smith was chosen
superintendent. In 1834, the church was afflicted by
the death of their esteemed minister, Elder John Page.
Elder Page was bom in Wentworth, N. H., Febru-
ary 11, 1787. He was for a time a resident of Alton,
N. H. In 1824 he moved to Corinna. After a year's
residence at Corinna he moved to Exeter and thence to
Garland in 1826.
From 1830 to 1835 there were no additions to this
church. At the end of its first ten years the church
numbered thirty-one members. Its record indicates
that from the year 1834 it had no regular preaching
until the coming of Elder Moses Ames in 1839. In the
intervening time there had been occasional preaching by
ministers who were laboring in the vicinity. In 1 84-0,
ten persons were added to the church. Measures were
entered upon for building a meetinghouse in 1840,
which materialized in 1841.
It was located about a mile east of the geographical
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 353
center of the town and was dedicated in January, 1842.
The dedicatory sermon was preached by the Rev. Abel
Turner. The first church conference in the new house,
held in February, 1842, was an occasion of great
interest. Two persons presented themselves for baptism
at this conference and candidates for this ordinance pre-
sented themselves at each conference thereafter until
July, when Moses Twombly and John Batchelder were
chosen deacons.
This period of prosperity so auspiciously begun was
followed by a season of severe trial. Many members
abandoned the church to enter the ranks of that wild
religious craze known as Millerism. Some of the more
intelligent of those who had been carried off their feet
by this turbid current returned to the church and its
ordinances. From the date of the death of Elder John
Page the church was destitute of a pastor until the com-
ing of Elder Moses Ames in 1839. During this period
of destitution the church was favored by occasional
preaching by different ministers, among whom was Elder
Harvey of Atkinson, who preached in 1836, and bap-
tized several persons. The Rev. Mr. Nason and other
ministers supplied the pulpit occasionally. In 1842,
John I. D. Sanford was elected clerk of the church, a
position which he held for many years. Mr. Sanford
had previously been officially connected with the Free
Will Baptist church in Bangor.
Elder Josiah Bartlett, who had exercised the general
pastoral care over the church from the date of its organ-
ization, relinquished such care to Elder T. W. Dore in
1842. During the second decade in the history of the
church there were fifty-nine additions by baptism and
twenty-nine by letter. In 1845, Elder T. W. Dore
became pastor of the church. Josiah Bartlett was its
354 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
presiding elder, Moses Twombly and John Batchelder,
its deacons, and John I. D. Sanford, its clerk.
The church had hardly recovered from the numerous
defections through the influence of Millerism before it
was confronted by the deaths of several of its oldest and
most esteemed members. On the 25th of August,
1846, Deacon Moses Twombly dropped from the ranks.
He had been one of the pillars of the church and his
loss was deeply deplored. In less than twenty days
thereafter Elder Bartlett, who had been the prime mover
in bringing his loved church into existence, closed his
eyes upon all earthly affairs. His death occurred
September 12, 1846.
Elder Moses Ames was called to the pastorate of the
church April 14, 1846. On October 6 of the same
year Robert Seward and Zebulon Knight were chosen
deacons. In March the church voted to support its
minister by the taxation of its members, and that his
compensation should be two dollars per Sabbath, which
was considered a liberal compensation. A subsequent
vote allowed him eighty cents per day for pastoral visits
but this vote was afterwards recalled by request of Elder
Ames. The ministers of the denomination were
expected to provide themselves with farms from which
the support of their families was largely derived.
In 1849, twenty-seven persons became members of the
church by profession and several others by letter. In
June of 1849 the Rev. Joseph Cook became a resident
of the town and a member of the Free Will Baptist
church. He soon came to be esteemed as a warm-
hearted and intelligent member of the Free Baptist
church and a well balanced citizen of the town. He
was an earnest friend of the slave and of the temperance
reform. In August, 1849, eight citizens of Bangor
became members of the Garland Free Baptist church
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 355
and a branch thereof. Seven years later they withdrew
to unite with the church of their own locality. Elder
Moses Ames retired from the pastorate of the church in
1850 and was followed by Elder T. W. Dore.
Elder Ames was a man of sanguine temperament,
liberal views, and was tolerant towards other denomi-
nations. He was in active and earnest sympathy with
the anti-slavery and temperance movements. In 1851,
Elder Cook was employed to preach one fourth of the
time. In 1852, Elder Leonard Hathaway united with
the church and became its pastor. He brought to its
service a vigorous constitution and a religious fervor and
enthusiasm which insured a large measure of success.
There is a tradition that at a meeting held ten months
subsequent to the beginning of his pastorate, he vehe-
mently exclaimed, "Souls must be born or I cannot
live."
Inspired by this feeling he labored with a zeal and
earnestness that was followed by a religious awakening
that resulted in the addition of twenty-five members to
the church by baptism and others were received by
letter. In March, 1854, John Batchelder was licensed
to preach by the Exeter Quarterly meeting. In 1855,
the church voted to employ Elder Hathaway every
Sabbath. The membership at the end of the third
decade was ninety-seven, a net gain of thirty-one in ten
years.
In 1859, Elder Hathaway 's salary was raised to three
hundred dollars. In March, 1862, he was allowed a
vacation of two months on account of impaired health.
In 1863, he closed his labors with the church, having
had the pastorate care of it for a period of eleven years,
a period of religious prosperity during which there had
been nearly one hundred accessions. His intimate rela-
tions with his people were not easily terminated. They
356 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
were earnestly desirous of retaining him but he believed
that duty called him to another field, and where duty
called he was accustomed to go, and going he bore with
him the warm sympathies and best wishes of his sorrow-
ful people.
Elder Hathaway was succeeded by the Rev. Appleton
W. Reed, who had been a minister of the Christian
denomination. After passing a satisfactory examination
he was received into the Free Baptist church of Garland
on the 2d of May, 1863, and entered at once upon his
pastoral duties. In 1864, his salary was fixed at two
hundred and fifty dollars, with the understanding that
this sum would be generously supplemented yearly by
donations.
The church, which had numbered ninety-seven in
1855, had reached the number of one hundred and
fifteen in 1865. The death of Deacon Zebulon Knight
occurred in August, 1865, at the end of nineteen years
of service in this capacity. His successor was George
W. Otis. In the year 1866, both minister and people
had come to believe that the village of Garland should
be made the central point of influence and effort.
Elder Reed, between whom and Rev. P. B. Thayer, of
the Congregational church, the most friendly relations
existed, is authority for the statement that the idea of
making the village the headquarters of his church and
people was first suggested by his friend, the Rev. P. B.
Thayer. Then, as now, the Free Baptist people were
the most numerous in the easterly part of the town, a
fact that explained why their first meetinghouse had
been built two and one half miles from the village. But
now the attendance had become largely increased and
demanded larger accommodations. The decision was
reached to build a meetinghouse of larger size at the
village, to take the place of the original house. Elder
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 357
Reed was appointed to solicit subscriptions to the build-
ing fund. Greenbacks were then plenty. Entering
upon his work with confidence and zeal, he had at the
end of three and one half days the happiness of pre-
senting to his people subscriptions amounting to more
than five thousand dollars.
The subscriptions were paid with creditable prompt-
ness. The work of construction was promptly begun
and carried to an early completion. Only a small debt
remained to disturb the equanimity of the contributors
to the building fund. The new house was complete in
size, attractive in appearance and an ornament to the
village. It was dedicated on December 15, 1866.
Rev. A. W. Reed preached the dedicatory sermon.
Revs. A. L. Gerrish, P. B. Thayer, G. S. Bryant and
A. P. Tracy assisted in the services. It may be said in
this connection that years later Mr. B. P. Hubbard of
Stetson, formerly a member of the Free Baptist church
of Garland, generously furnished a bell for this church.
In 1867, the salary of Elder Reed was raised to four
hundred dollars, to be increased by the donations of a
generously disposed community. In 1867, Josiah Davis
was chosen deacon of the church. In 1871, Elder Reed
resigned his pastorate to accept a position at the State
College in Orono. During his stay in Garland his rela-
tions to his own people and to the community generally
were of the most pleasant character and his resignation
was the occasion for general regret.
The Rev. Leonard Hathaway was again called to the
pastoral charge of the church but his relations thereto
were continued only a single year, which together with
his former pastorate, made twelve years of pastoral care
over the Free Baptist church of Garland. His people
would gladly have retained him but advancing years and
increasing infirmities led him to decline further service.
358 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
Elder Hathaway was followed by W. C. Hulse, who
was ordained to the ministry, and elected pastor of the
church on March 13, 1872. Elder Hulse was an
earnest laborer in the work of the church and Sabbath-
school. Soon after his entrance upon his labors here
one hundred dollars was raised to enlarge the Sabbath -
school library. During a pastorate of about twelve
months eight persons were added to the church. In
March, 1873, he resigned his pastorate and was followed
by the Rev. Leonard Hutchins of New Portland, Maine,
who entered upon his labors here in August, 1873, and
was elected pastor in September, 1873. Upon the
opening of his pastorate he found that there was an
unpaid balance of about four hundred dollars due upon
the cost of building the new church. This was soon
liquidated. Elder Hutchins' labors extended into out-
lying districts with gratifying results.
The year 1875 marked the semi-centennial existence
of the Free Baptist church. This anniversary was
made an occasion of great interest. The address by the
Rev. Leonard Hutchins was replete with interesting
facts and incidents connected with the history of the
church. The interest of the occasion was greatly
increased by the presence of the Rev. Leonard
Hathaway, who had been its pastor for twelve years,
and familiar with its history for a much longer period,
and whose narrations, drawn from the storehouse of a
remarkable memory, were listened to with absorbing
interest.
At the date of this anniversary the church numbered
one hundred and two members. The Sabbath-school
numbered one hundred and twenty scholars. The
church had during its history of fifty years seven
pastors. The whole number received into the church in
the first fifty years of its history was three hundred and
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 359
fifty-nine. The number dismissed by letter was ninety-
five. The number dropped from its rolls as the result
of discipline is not known to the writer. Through its
whole past history it has been abreast with the best
sentiment relating to current moral reforms.
Garland in the War of the Rebellion
Early in the season of 1861 ominous war clouds began
to darken the southern sky. The more hopeful flattered
themselves with the belief that all danger of war with
the South would soon disappear, until the thunders of
the bombardment of Fort Sumpter awakened them to
the fact that it was already on, and the call for seventy-
five thousand men indicated that they would have a part
in it.
Early Demonstrations
The patriotic impulses of the people soon material-
ized. Under the lead of Isaac W. Haskell a flag staff
reaching one hundred and ten feet towards the blue of
heaven was put in position. The women of the town,
not a whit behind their masculine friends in patriotic
manifestations, soon had a flag of appropriate dimen-
sions waving from its top. A mass meeting was soon
assembled when the large crowd listened to stirring
speeches from Noah, David and Lewis Barker of Exeter,
a Mr. Lowell of Foxcroft, and the Revs. P. B. Thayer
and Leonard Hathaway of Garland. The speech of
360 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
Lewis Barker, which was alleged to have been his first
before a popular audience, was a speech of remarkable
power.
Calls for Men in 1861
The war soon began to present more serious aspects
to the citizens of Garland. The calls for men to enter
the ranks of the army were frequent. Forty-five men
were mustered into the United States service in 1861.
The male population in 1861 was seven hundred and
eighty-five. Every seventeenth man entered the service
in that eventful year.
Action of the Town Relating to Families of
the Men Who Had Enlisted in the Ranks
of the Army in 1861
At a town meeting held November 16, 1861, the
following vote was passed: "That Daniel M. Haskell,
Daniel Silver and James J. Chandler be appointed a
committee to whom the families of persons who have
volunteered their services, or ma}7 hereafter volunteer
their service in defense of their country, and who at the
time of their enlistment are inhabitants of this town,
may apply for aid, and upon such application it shall be
the duty of said committee to visit the families so
applying to ascertain if the aid asked for, or any aid is
necessary, and when it is found necessary to aid such
families; it shall be the duty of said committee to
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 361
report the amount and kind of aid necessary to the
selectmen, whose duty it shall be promptly to provide
such aid, and in granting such aid to such families no
disabilities of any kind whatever shall be created by
reason of aid so furnished and received." No provision
for the reimbursement from the State treasury of money
expended was made until March, 1862.
On the 28th of July, 1862, the town voted to raise
eight hundred dollars, and to pay each of the fifteen
soldiers, or the town's quota, fifty-three dollars on being
mustered into United States service, and authorized the
treasurer to hire the sum above named. On the 8th of
September, 1862, the town voted to pay a bounty of
twenty dollars to each of our quota, sixteen in number,
also voted to present to each of them, or their friends,
eighty dollars after being mustered into the services of
the United States. The town treasurer was authorized
to hire sixteen hundred dollars. On the 9th of March,
1863, the town voted to raise five hundred dollars for
the families of volunteers and the selectmen were
appointed a committee to execute the purpose of the
vote.
On the 26th day of August, 1863, the town voted to
pay one hundred dollars to every drafted man who
entered the service of his country himself, or furnished
a substitute, payable when he or his substitute was
mustered into service. On November 23, 1863, the
town voted that the sum of two hundred dollars be paid
to each person who should enlist and be duly mustered
into the service of the United States.
On the 14th of March, 1864, the town appropriated
five hundred dollars to pay State aid to the families of
volunteers. On August 10th, 1864, the town voted to
appropriate twenty-five dollars per man of this town's
quota, to be used in recruiting men for the quota of
362 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
Garland. On August 29th, 1864, the town voted to
appropriate one hundred dollars per man, to encourage
enlistment to fill its quota under the call of the Presi-
dent for five hundred thousand men. It was voted to
authorize the treasurer to raise a sum not exceeding two
thousand dollars, to pay bounties to volunteers.
Upon September 12th, 1864, the town voted upon a
proposed amendment of the State constitution, allowing
the citizens of Maine, absent therefrom in the military
service of the United States, to vote wherever they
might be on a specified day, for governor, senators and
county officers. Upon this amendment the vote of
Garland was two hundred and fourteen in favor, none
against.
On October 15th, 1864, the town voted a sum not to
exceed three thousand, one hundred dollars, to pay
bounties to volunteers. On the 31st day of December,
1864, the town voted to pay a bounty of one hundred
dollars to volunteers under the call of the President,
also to pay two hundred and fifty dollars additional to
each, provided the coast guards were sent to the front.
The treasurer was authorized to hire four thousand
dollars. On February 10th, 1865, the town voted to
pay four hundred and fifty dollars to volunteers, drafted
men and all enlisted men who furnished substitutes.
The town of Garland furnished one hundred and
forty-seven men to enter the ranks of those who fought
for the preservation of the government which the
patriots of the Revolution had risked their lives and all
their earthly possessions to establish. Of those one
hundred and forty -seven men, one hundred and twenty-
eight were residents of Garland, and nineteen were sub-
stitutes of residents of Garland from other places.
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
363
Names of Residents of Garland Who Volun-
teered to Fight Under the Old Flag
Adams, Isaiah
Allen, William W.
Allen, Ebenezer S.
Atkins, Geo. E.
Bragdon, Eugene
Berry, Stephen G.
Berry, Stephen A.
Brown, Henry J.
Bell, John H.
Bosworth, Daniel A.
Berrv. Arthur A.
Berry, Thomas L.
Burnham, B. W.
Batchelder, Alonzo F.
Brown, William
Bell, Hiram F.
Bartlett, John W.
Batchelder, Edgar S.
Batchelder, Alonzo
Currier, Judson W.
Clark, Joseph A.
Clark, James H.
Came, Stephen R.
Cole, Jedediah
Carr, William H.
Chamberlain, Henry A.
Coan, Elisha S.
Coan, Frederick C.
Campbell, John
Champion, Sumner P.
Champion, Richard K.
Dearborn, Francis M.
Fall, Isaac R.
Gerry, John M.
Grover, Luke M,
Goodwin, Samuel W.
Gee, James M.
Grover, Cyrus S.
Hatch, Geo. W.
Handy, Wesley H.
Hubbard, Benjamin T.
Haskell, Frederick A.
Hatch, Benjamin C.
Haskell, Isaac W.
Haskell, Bennett A.
Haskell, Jason F.
Haskell, Charles
Hill, Edwin
Harlow, Hosea
Hall, Elijah
Holt, Adelbert
Hathaway, Asa
Hoyt, Eben (Navy)
Ireland, George
Johnson, Jonathan G.
Jones, Geo. W.
Jackman, Justus H.
Knox, Sumner
TTnin-lit ToVin <^ (Credited to the
iv night, jonn ». ,town of Gorhamj
Lvford, Fifield
Leighton, Warren C.
Lovejoy, Levi
Ladd, William R.
Littlefield, Isaac Y.
364
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
Davis, John A.
Dore, Seth
Ellis, Alden B.
Flanders, Robert G.
Fox, Samuel
French, Robert T.
Fogg, Peleg
Fogg, Alonzo M.
Farmer, Randall
Flanders, James H.
French, Henry M.
Flanders, Henrv E.
Osgood, Edward
Pennington, Christopher
Palmer, Erastus L.
Preble, Melvin
Page, James W.
Quimby, Jacob, Jr.
Ramsdell, Henry
Ramsdell, Seth
Ramsdell, Job
Ramsdell, Austin
Ramsdell, Franklin
Reed, Nicholas G.
Rideout, Luther M.
Sawtelle, Delbert H.
Smith, Josiah
Smith, John T.
Smith, George
Straw, Alfred B.
Straw, Giles
Skillin, William E.
Miller, Henry B.
Mansfield, William
Morton, Mark P.
Morton, Anderson P.
Merriam, Leander O.
Murphy, Joseph J.
Mansfield, Hollis
Merriam, Chas. E.
McComb, John H.
Osgood, Calvin R.
Osgood, Wesley
Osgood, Marquis D. L.
Skillin, Francis M.
Skillin, Joseph W.
Skillin, Samuel L.
Skillin, Thomas J.
Skillin, Chas. E.
Skillin, David
Skillin, Hugh S.
Skillin, William H.
Swett, Henry A.
Stillings, Roger
Stillings, Ra}rmond
Titcomb, Charles C.
Titcomb, Leonard H.
Titcomb, Frank W.
Twomblv, John D.
Tiplady, James A.
Thomas, Frederick P.
True, Joseph L.
True, Benjamin
Wellington, George
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
365
A List of Drafted Men Who Furnished Sub-
stitutes
Principals
Frank Garland
John K. Gee
John T. Amazine
A. J. Flanders, 2d
Frank Emerson
Chas. H. Davis
Joel W. Otis
Samuel Y. Merrill
Samuel Foss
Henry Merrill
Fred Fields
Alonzo F. Park man
Jonathan F. Crowell
B. P. Hubbard
John W. Seward
Delbert M. Sawtelle
Noah W. Johnson
Leonard C. Hathaway
Samuel O. Davis
Substitutes
James M. Blake
Hiram F. Bell
Oliver W. Cutts
Martin W. Dugan
Roscoe Doble
George W. Fisher
Dennis Griffin
Josiah Lyons
David R. Lane
Edwin Marden
Alonzo Morton
Alphonzo L. Ober
Lewis M. Porter
Benjamin F. Russell
Isaac W. Sandborn
George W. Frost
Mark P. Morton
George W. Hatch
George A. Drake
A List of Non-resident Volunteers Assigned
to Garland
Frank Drew, navy
Chas. A. Doliver, navy
John Driscoll, navy
Nathan G. Dver
Nathaniel A. Kinney
William G. Lee
George F. Haley
Samuel D. Rankin
Thomas L. Pillsbury
Stillman B. Judkins
366
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
George S. Daniels
James H. Roundy
John Campbell
Thomas A. Morton
Ed son Holmes
Reenlistments
Henry B. Miller
William Mansfield
William H. Can-
Joseph W. Skillin
William E. Skillin
Francis M. Skillin
George Smith
Samuel W. Goodwin
Austin Ramsdell
Jedediah Cole
Robert Y. French
Frederick A. Haskell
John
Benjamin C. Hatch
Nicholas G. Reed
Wesley Osgood
Josiah Smith
Isaiah Smith
Samuel Fox
George Ireland
Jason F. Haskell
Bennett A. Haskell
Daniel A. Bosworth
Alonzo F. Batchelder
Benjamin True
A. Davis
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HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 375
A Brief Statement of Particulars of the
Deaths of the Men Who Were Killed
or Died in the Service of Their
Country
Isaiah Adams, age twenty-one, single, a private in
Company F, 12th Maine Volunteers, was mustered into
service November 15, 1861. At the expiration of his
term of service he reenlisted and was mustered into
service January 1, 1864. He was wounded at Cedar
Creek October 19 and died the next day.
Eugene Bragdon, eighteen years of age, single,
private in Company E, 11th Maine Volunteers, was
mustered into service August 9, 1862. Was wounded
August 16, 1864, and died August 27, 1864. On the
day he received the wound that proved fatal his regi-
ment repulsed three desperate charges of the enemy.
His corps lost five commissioned officers, two field
officers, three company commanders and one hundred
and forty-four privates, only four of whom were taken
prisoners.
Henry J. Brown, a young man of eighteen, private
in Company H, 15th Maine Volunteers, was mustered
into service December 17, 1861, as private. Was dis-
charged April 9, 1862, on account of sickness. He
reenlisted May 18, 1863, into Company F, 1st
Veteran Infantry, and was killed at the Wilderness
May 5, 1864.
Henry A. Chamberlain, eighteen years of age, single,
private in Company D, 20th Maine Volunteers, was
mustered into service August 29, 1862, and was killed
at Fredericksburg December 13, 1862.
Jacob Quimby, Jr., age thirty-two, of Company H,
6th Maine Volunteers, private, was mustered into service
September 16, 1862, and was killed at Rappahannock
376 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
Station November 7, 1862. He joined his company
after the first of November and was killed in less than
six days after his arrival at the front.
John W. Bartlett, age twenty-one, single, a private
in Company A, Sharpshooters, was mustered into
service October 27, 1864. Was mortally wounded at
Gravelly Run March 31, and died April 1, 1865.
Lyman E. Richardson, age twenty-seven, 2d lieu-
tenant, Company E, of 2d Maine Volunteers, was
mustered into service May 28, 1861. Was wounded at
Bull Run July 21, 1861, and died at Manassas August
4, 1861. Mr. Richardson had been a successful teacher
of schools in Garland and other places. About the
time of his enlistment he married Miss Mary E.
Burnham, an intelligent lady of Garland. Through the
persistent and earnest efforts of the father of his wife,
Eleazer Burnham, his body was recovered and brought
to Garland for interment.
Ebenezer S. Allen, private in Company D, 20th
Maine Volunteers, age thirty-eight, single, was mustered
into service August 29, 1862. Wagoner. Died Jan-
uary 18, 1863.
Chester Ballard, private in Company H, 15th Maine
Volunteers, married, was mustered into service February
22, 1864. Died August 10, 1864, and is buried in
National Cemetery, Arlington, D. C.
Arthur A. Berry, age twenty-six, married, private in
Company D, 20th Maine Volunteers, mustered into
service August 29, 1862. Reported sick near Porters-
town, Va., November 15, 1862. Died November 19,
1862, in Philadelphia.
Stephen G. Berry, single, private in Company F, 12th
Maine Volunteers, mustered into service November 15,
1861. Died January 25, 1863, at Baton Rouge,
Louisiana.
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 377
Isaac R. Fall, single, private in Company H, 15th
Maine Volunteers, mustered into service December 17,
1861. Died on Ship Island, Mississippi, June 26, 1862.
James M. Gee, single, twenty-six years of age, private
in Company I, 2d Maine Cavalry, mustered into service
December 22, 1863. Died August 24, 1864, at
Barancas, Florida. He rests in grave No. 59, National
Cemetery.
Wesley H. Handy, single, age twenty-two, private in
Company F, 12th Maine Volunteers, mustered into
service November 15, 1861. Died of disease at sea
August 21, 1864.
Hosea Harlow, age forty-four, married, private in
Company I, 2d Maine Cavalry, mustered in December
22, 1863, and died at Barancas, Florida, Oct. 5, 1864.
Buried in National Cemetery, grave No. 76.
Bennett A. Haskell, age eighteen, single, a private in
Company H, 22d Maine Volunteers, mustered in Octo-
ber, 1862. Mustered out August 14, 1863, the expi-
ration of his term of service. Reenlisted in the 2d
Maine Cavalry. Mustered in December 22, 1863.
Died February 10, 1865, at Barancas, Florida. Buried
in National Cemetery, grave No. 79.
Charles Haskell, age forty -four, married, a farrier,
mustered into Company I, 2d Maine Cavalry, December
22, 1863. Died September 18, 1864, at Barancas,
Florida. Is buried in National Cemetery, grave No. 78.
Oliver P. Hodsdon, age thirty-six, married, private in
Company F, First Regiment Heavy Artillery, mustered
in November 17, 1863. On November 1, 1864, he was
reported missing since October 27, on which day the
regiment was at Boydton Plank Road where they cap-
tured two hundred prisoners, two pieces of artillery and
two stands of colors. Three commissioned officers were
wounded, and twenty-nine men were killed, wounded
378 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
and missing. Private Hodsdon died in hospital March
1, 1865, and was buried at Annapolis, Maryland, grave
No. 711.
Fifield Lyford, age twenty, single, a private in Com-
pany 11, 6th Maine Volunteers, was mustered in July
15, 1861, and died November 8, 1861.
James J. Murphy, age eighteen, single, a private in
Company F, 31st Maine Volunteers, was mustered in
March 15, 1864. He died of disease August 15, 1864,
and was buried in the National Cemetery at Annapolis,
Maryland, in grave No. 1063.
Henry Ramsdell, age twenty-one, single, a private in
Company H, 15th Maine Volunteers, was mustered in
December 17, 1861. He died August 19, 1863, at
Camp Parapet, defence of New Orleans.
Giles Straw, married, age forty-three, orderly sergeant
in Company H, 15th Maine Volunteers, mustered in
December 17, 1861. Reduced to the ranks on account
of sickness and consequent inability to perform the
duties of his office for the time being. Sergeant Straw
was a faithful and competent officer and should either
have been discharged, or been retained in the position
that he had previously held. Instead of this he was
reduced to the ranks, an act to which his sensitive
nature revolted, and which is believed to have hastened
his death, which occurred November 11, 1862. He
rests in the National Cemetery at Pensacola, Florida^
grave No. 75.
Randall Farmer, age nineteen, single, private in
Company H, 22d Maine Volunteers, mustered in October
10, 1862. Died March 23, 1863.
Thomas J. Skillin, single, age twenty, private in
Company D, 20th Maine Volunteers, was mustered in
August 29, 1862. He died near Porterstown, Mary-
land, November 7, 1862.
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 379
John D. Twombly, age twenty-two, married, private
in Company D, 20th Maine Volunteers, mustered in
August 29, 1862. Died near Antietam Ford, Novem-
ber, 1862.
Leonard H. Titcomb, age twenty-one, single, private
in Company F, 12th Maine Volunteers, mustered in
November 15, 1861. Taken prisoner at Cedar Creek,
October 19, 1864. Died in prison at Salisbury.
John H. McComb, single, age eighteen, private in
Company G, District of Columbia Cavalry. Taken
prisoner June 20, 1864, and died in Andersonville prison.
Alexander McComb died while in service in a New
York regiment.
Cyrus S. Grover, age twenty, single, private in Com-
pany K, 15th Maine Volunteers, mustered in October
10, 1864. Died of disease October 16, 1865.
Elijah Hall, age twenty, single, private in Company
K, 15th Maine Volunteers. Mustered in October 10,
1864, and died near Harper's Ferry before reaching the
regiment.
Calvin R. Osgood, age twenty-seven, single, private
in Company H, 6th Maine Volunteers, mustered in July
15, 1861. Was discharged for sickness September 25,
1862, and died soon after. He was brought home for
burial.
Francis M. Dearborn, age eighteen, single, private in
Company K, 4th Maine Volunteers, mustered in Novem-
ber 9, 1861. Was discharged February 4, 1862, and
died soon after.
Alfred R. Straw, age twenty-eight, single, sergeant in
Company F, 22d Maine Volunteers, mustered in
November 15, 1861. Was promoted to the first lieu-
tenancy of same company and regiment. Was dis-
charged for disability and death soon followed.
George E. Atkins, age twenty-one, single, private in
380 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
Company D, 20th Maine Volunteers, mustered in August
29, 1862. Died February 1, 1863.
Granville W. Fogg was second master's mate on ship
Mercidita. He died on the passage from New Orleans
to Port Royal and was buried at the latter place. He
was afterwards brought to Garland and laid to rest in
the family burying ground on May 15, 1865.
These men died for their country, and "there is no
nobler death than to die for one's country."
The particulars relating to the military services of
the men who represented Garland in the war of the
rebellion which have been briefly given, were gleaned
from many sources by Benjamin True, Esq., a prominent
member of the G. A. R. of Garland. This work has
involved much time and labor and Mr. True is entitled
to great credit for having collected and put them on
record. Many a citizen of the United States is today
searching ancestral records with eager eye, if perchance
he may find that his ancestral line extending through
the years, will reach some soldier of the Revolution
which will make him eligible to membership in an asso-
ciation of the Sons of the Revolution. Historv will
repeat itself. In coming years citizens of the Republic
will be searching records to find whether they may enjoy
the distinction of descent from the valiant men who
fought to save the best government in the world from
annihilation.
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 381
The number of men furnished to fill the different
quotas of Garland including enlistments, reenlistments
and substitutes:
Men who entered the service by voluntary enlist-
ment, 129
Men who were represented by substitutes, 19
Men who reenlisted, 25
Whole number furnished by Garland, 173
The male population at that time was seven hundred
and eighty-five, thus it appears that considerable more
than one fifth of its male population was found in its
quotas at different times.
Cost of the War to the Town of Garland
The first act of the town, after having filled its first
quota, was to provide for the families of the men who
had entered the military service. A committee was
appointed which was charged with the duty of visiting
these families as often as necessary to ascertain the needs
of each and report to the selectmen, who were instructed
to extend the necessary aid. The amount paid under
these instructions during the war was five thousand and
seventy-nine dollars and ninety cents.
Bounties
In 1862 the town paid three years men, $ 795.00
In 1862 the town paid nine months men, 1,900.00
In 1863 the town paid to volunteers, 3,400.00
382 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
In 1864-5 the town paid to volunteers, $10,125.00
In 1864-5 the town paid to drafted men, 200.00
In 1864-5 the town paid to substitutes, 1,600.00
Aid to families, 5,079.90
Women's aid to hospitals, 975.00
Total, $24,984.90
Woman in the War of the Rebellion
Any history of the War of the Rebellion that fails
to recognize the patriotic devotion of the women of the
northern states is incomplete. From its opening to its
close their busy brains and never tiring hands were devis-
ing and executing plans for the encouragement of the
men in active service at the front, or languishing in
hospitals, and while they could not know that any
article of the interminable list designed for the comfort
of the brave men would ever reach father, brother, son
or friend of theirs it was enough for them to know that
it would reach and cheer soldiers fighting at the front or
disabled in hospitals. But their supreme gifts were
fathers, brothers, husbands and sons who might never
return to bless their homes with the cheer of their
presence.
The women of Garland entered promptly upon the
work of preparing and sending to the front such
supplies as were needed by sick and disabled men in
hospitals. At an early date a strawberry festival was
held by the ladies of the town, the avails of which were
to be expended for hospital use at the front.
The people entered upon the work of preparation with
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 383
enthusiasm. The hall in which they assembled was
decorated with flowers and the tables were loaded with
food of a variety to tempt every type of appetite. The
money realized from the festival was one hundred
dollars, which was invested in flannels that were made
into garments ready for use. They also knit many
dozen pairs of stockings and made comfort bags, filling
them with a great variety of articles needed in hospitals,
never forgetting to send a word of cheer for the sick
soldier.
The usefulness of one specialty of a very simple
character was often complimented. An elderly lady,
Mrs. Josiah Merriam, suggested the making of noiseless
fans for use in hospitals. These fans were made of
feathers thus freeing the patient from the annoyance of
the rustling incident to the use of other fans. The
work so auspiciously begun at the opening of the war
was carried on with unflagging enthusiasm to its close.
The hospital supplies contributed by the women of
Garland were appraised at cash value and were dis-
tributed as follows:
To the United States Sanitary Commission, $200
To the Christian Commission, 50
To the soldiers in Maine camp, 75
To the general hospitals in loyal states, 100
To the regimental hospitals and incidentals, 250
To New York, Philadelphia and Boston hospi-
tals, 300
Total, $975
President Lincoln is reported to have said in a speech
on a public occasion, "I am not accustomed to use the
language of eulogy. I have never studied the art of
paying compliments to women, but I must say that if
384
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
all that has been said by orators and poets since the
creation of the world in praise of women was applied to
the women of America, it would not do them justice for
their conduct during this war. I will close by saying,
God Bless the Women of America!"
An Incident Connected With Filling One of
the Quotas Assigned to the Town of
Garland
The required number of men to fill the quota was
ready to enlist if the bounty offered by the government
to each man could be increased by the sum of one hun-
dred dollars. Of wealthy men, the town had none.
But twenty of its citizens promptly pledged one hun-
dred dollars each, and six others fifty dollars each to
avoid a draft, an aggregate of two thousand, three
hundred dollars, but a subsequent act of the government
relieved those patriotic citizens of the burden they
had voluntarily offered to assume. The subscribers to
this fund were:
Lvndon Oak,
$100
Geo. R. Coffin,
$100
A. M. Haskell,
100
Noah Swett,
100
True W. Dore,
100
Joseph True,
100
H. W. Johnson,
100
Geo. A. Brann,
100
Edson L. Oak,
100
Israel A. Palmer,
100
D. M. Haskell,
100
Elijah Crane,
100
Joseph Garland,
100
Wm. S. Haskell,
100
T. P. Irish,
100
Wm. Oliver,
50
Luther Rideout,
100
Joseph M. Gerry,
50
S. S. Clark,
100
Artemas Merriam,
50
E. Skinner,
100
P. B. Thaver,
50
Daniel Silver,
100
J. I. D. Sanford,
50
Samuel Skillin,
100
Eben S. French,
50
A Tribute
My acquaintance with Hon. Lyndon Oak, of Gar-
land, Maine, was of a quarter of a century's duration,
and my friendship for him, strengthened by a constantly
increased admiration of his noble traits of character,
covers the same period.
It gives me, therefore, very great satisfaction to put
on record my estimate of the man, especially in the rela-
tions in which I have principally known him. Others
can more easily write of him as a citizen, as a man of
affairs, as a friend and companion in the domestic circle
and in his own immediate neighborhood, and as a
wise adviser in the counsels of the town, the county,
and the State.
My own association with him was in connection with
the Maine State College of which he was a trustee for
more than twenty years, and of whose governing board
he was for several years president.
In the early history of the college, the occasions for
meetings of the board of trustees were frequent, and
even under ordinary conditions, three meetings a year
were usually the minimum number. It is not in my
remembrance that Mr. Oak ever missed attendance upon
a meeting while connected with the board. This state-
ment, at first, may seem of slight consequence, but
when we reflect that a meeting of the board of trus-
tees, besides involving much anxious thought and careful
deliberation, meant for him, usually, a carriage drive of
386 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
not less than forty miles, with loss of time for two or
three days from his own private business, and all this
without compensation, we are prepared to recognize an
admirable but truly characteristic trait of the man,
namely, unflinching fidelity to duty.
This fidelity, together with a gentle forbearance and a
patient persistence, which was also characteristic, served
the college in many an exigency in which more flashy
qualities would have failed.
His services were especially valuable in connection
with legislative matters. The soundness of his judg-
ment was above question, and the confidence reposed in
him wherever known rendered his recommendations of
great weight before legislative committees — a fact
always duly apparent and appreciated in the final votes.
It was, however, as a kind, thoughtful and sagacious
counsellor in the general affairs of the college that his
services were the most valuable. I am sure I do no
injustice to his worthy associates in the board, in saying
that in all critical periods of the college history, his
services were simply invaluable.
As acting president of the college during the first
three years of its existence, and subsequently as presi-
dent during the last ten years of Mr. Oak's member-
ship of the board of control, I received from him many
letters pertaining to matters of vital importance to the
institution, not a few of which were necessarily of a
confidential nature. A few months ago I had occasion
to re-read a large proportion of these letters, which, to
that time had been preserved. I can say in regard to
them just what all who knew him would expect, that
there was not a line in them all which was not alike
creditable to his head and to his heart. Even if the
topic were of a nature to discourage or to exasperate,
there was no evidence of discouragement or of undue
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 387
mental excitement, but always of a clear and cool judg-
ment and of a hopeful and confident spirit. In them
all, the motive was definite and clear to consult the true
interests of the institution and of the State, and to
secure only the result which was just and right.
His retirement from the board I have regarded a mis-
fortune to the college. It came about after three
appointments for the period of seven years each, in
virtue of what seems to me an unwise statute limitation
of age, which makes ineligible for appointment as trustee
of the State college a man who has passed his seventieth
birthday. The loss to the college by his retirement,
was the gain to another State institution to whose
governing board he was immediately appointed by the
Governor of the State. Ripe in experience, with
faculties unimpaired, he rendered the State under this
new appointment a large measure of useful service.
From a somewhat close association with him, for more
than two decades, in mutual efforts in behalf of the
Maine State College, I am certain that no one can over-
estimate the sterling qualities which he possessed and
which endeared him to a constantly widened circle of
devoted friends, and made his name a synonym for
honesty, truthfulness and loyalty to the right. The
remembrance of this association is to me a fragrant
memory, inasmuch as it serves to enlarge my conception
of the dignity of human nature, and to lead to the con-
viction that there are men whom we can easily conceive
to have been made in the image of God.
Merritt C. Fernald.
INDEX
Abbot, town. 236.
Sylvester, 297.
Act of Incorporation, 114. 115. 207.
Adams, The, ship of war, 154, 158.
Alphonzo, 232, 233, 236, 246.
George W., 120.
Isaiah, 375.
John, 216.
John Quincy, 222.
jEsculapius, 85.
Allen, David. 28, 190, 196, 220.
Ebenezer S., 376.
Elisha H.. 272, 278.
Hon. Elisha H., of Bangor, 287.
Amazeen, Henry, 239.
America, 116, 117, 245.
Ames, Daniel, 204.
Elder Moses, 352.
Moses, 290-
Amestown (Sangerville), 86.
Anderson, Hugh J., 278, 284, 285.
Andrews, Rev. A. P., 200.
Annals of Bangor, 170, 214, 217, 220,
231.
Appleton, James, 276, 278, 284.
Aroostook, County of, 9.
Arnold, George, 82, 130.
Athens, Maine, 51, 88, 90, 185.
Atkins, Bradbury G., 28, 35, 52.
George E., 379.
Atkinson, 15. .' I
Atlantic Ocean, 66.
Augusta, Maine, 105.
Avenue Road, 242, 273, 276, 336.
Avery, Isaiah, 292.
Jeremiah, 202.
Mr., 200.
B
Bacon, place, 31.
Badger, Philip E., 190.
Bailey, Moody, 256; 'draft of Aroos-
took War, 264.
Ballard, Chester, 376.
Ephraim, 7, 9, 10, 15.
Bangor, market for products of flax
plant, 92, 144; county road from
Bangor, 101, 237; post office, 123;
attack on Bangor, 158; half shire
town, 167; shire town, 168; military
gathering, 182; route of mail car-
riers, 185; election in 1823, 207; im-
portant road from Bangor, 242;
artillery company, 263.
Steamer, 235.
House, 263.
Jefferson, 241.
Theological Seminary, 343.
Baptist church, 344.
Barker, David, 359.
Enoch M., M. D., 229. 231.
Lewis, 359.
Noah, 305, 359.
Barstow, D., 245.
Bartlett, place, 130.
Mr., 185.
John, collector in 1847, 288.
John W., 376.
Joseph, 241, 255; draft of Aroostook
War, 264; superintending school
committee in 1841, 273; candidate
for register of probate in 1860, 312.
Josiah (known as Elder), 19; father
of Obed of Boston, Mass., 26; barn
burned, 73; petitioner for incorpo-
ration, 119; highway surveyor in
1811. 127; school agent in 1811, 134;
selectman and assessor in 1812,
135; in 1816, 166; in 1819, 186; in
1820, 193; moderator in 1813, 151; in
1814, 153; in 1817, 177; member of
Free Will Baptist church, 238; can-
didate for representative to Leg-
islature in 1841, 274; received ordi-
nance of baptism, 351.
Mrs. Josiah, 97.
Nehemiah 1st, 270.
Nehemiah, town clerk in 1838, 254,
260; selectman and assessor in
1842, 275; treasurer in 1843. 277;
State senator in 1849, 296; in 1850,
298; moderator in 1848, 291.
Obed, 26.
R., 227.
Hon. Reuben, 109; post master, 185;
on committee to select land for
cemetery, 195; family, 196; town
clerk in 1821, 197; in 1822, 201;
in 1824, 209; in 1825, 211; in 1826,
215; in 1828, 221; selectman and as-
sessor in 1823. 206: in 1827, 219; in
1829. 223; in 1830. 226; in 1831. 229;
390
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
in 1833, 232; in 1834, 233; grist mill
property, 230, 271; treasurer in
1836, 236; member of Universalist
church, 239; death, 241.
Sally, Mrs., 351.
Zenas, draft of Aroostook war, 264.
Barton, A. L., 88.
Artemas, 42, 83.
Asa, 261; superintending school com-
mittee in 1838, 254; in 1839, 260; in
1840, 271; in 1841, 273; selectman
and assessor in 1843, 277.
Batchelder Hill, Dexter, 41.
Horace, draft of Aroostook war, 264.
John, draft of Aroostook War, 264;
selectman and assessor in 1855,
304; chosen deacon, 353.
John H., 225, 239.
Opening, 43.
Phineas, 225.
Bates, James, 227.
John, 227.
Battles, Eben, 225, 240.
Beauchamp, John, 13.
Beecher, Rev. Dr. Lyman, father of
Henry Ward and Harriet Beecher
Stowe, 325.
Belfast, Maine, 116, 117, 118.
Belgrade, Maine, 96, 97.
Bennett, Captain, 34.
Berkshire, county of, 9.
Berry, Arthur A., 376.
Calvin P., superintending school
committee in 1864, 316.
Family, 174.
Ira, 174.
Berry, Stephen A., 173, 174.
Stephen G., 376.
Berwick, Maine, 52, 80.
Besse, Haskell, 225.
Mr., 72.
Place, 72.
Bessey, Seth, 42.
Blaine, Hon. James G., 113.
Blaisdell, Dr. John, 53.
William, 119, 128, 133. 137, 151, 156,
200.
Blaisdell town (Exeter), 39. 53, 80.
Blake, Gen., 154. 155; brigade, 161.
Samuel H., 304, 312.
Blood, Mighill, 339.
Boarstone mountain, 16.
Bond, Abner, 99.
Abraham, 120.
Abram, 137.
Boscawen. N. H., 28, 208.
Boston, 96, 118; route between Bangor
and Boston, 235.
England, 13.
Boutelle, Hon. Charles A., 113.
Bowerbank, Maine, 117.
Boynton, Gorham L., 315.
Bradbury, B., 316.
Bion,.315.
Lewis, 94, 95.
Bradbury, Mr., 94.
Mrs., 94.
Bradford, 15.
Bradley, Levi, 272.
Zebulon, 260.
Bragdon, Eugene, 375.
Brann, George A., 181.
Brawn, Peter, 39.
Brockway, Mr., 86.
Brewer, 107, 110, 245.
Bridge, Samuel, draft of Aroostook
War, 264.
Bridgham, Joseph, 232.
British, 155, 157, 159.
Bronson, David, 287, 290.
Brooks, Gov., 183, 189.
Hon. John, 167, 179, 181, 187.
Brown, Charles H., 28, 35, 52, 140, 200.
Eben E., 320.
Henry J., 375.
Bruce, Walter, quotation, 144.
Bryant, young man of that name, 293.
Rev. G. S., 357.
Buck, Alfred E., 113.
Bucksport, Maine, 30.
Burleigh, Dr. Gilman, 185.
Burnham, Asa, 100.
Rev. Asa, 350.
Cemetery. 223.
Eleazer, selectman and assessor in
1853, 301.
Mark, 256; draft of Aroostook war,
264.
Noah, 256.
Burton. David, 239.
Mrs., 196, 199.
House, 203.
Buswell, Moses, 187, 188, 194, 199, 219,
240.
Samuel P., 240.
William, 225.
Butman, Samuel, 219, 222.
Butters, Charles, 284.
Simeon, 292, 298.
Buzzell, Moses, 166.
Calef farm, 172.
California, 94, 95, 259.
Calvinist Baptists, 240.
Came, Stephen R., 350.
Campbell, Calvin, 26, 131.
Colin, 184, 185.
Hon. James, 139.
John, 153.
Mr., 60.
Place, 60.
Canaan, 185.
Canada, 169.
Canadian line, 242.
Carmel, 185.
INDEX
891
Carpenter, Rev. E. G., 349.
Carr, Charles, 82, 130.
Hon. James, 118, 139.
J., 245.
Caruthers, Rev. James, 345.
Case, Isaac, 197.
Casev, Henry, candidate for register
of probate, 312,
Castine, 157, 167.
Cay ford. Mr., 339.
Center schoolhouse, 165, 166, 168, 177,
178.
Chamberlain, Henry A., 375.
Joshua L., 319, 320, 321. 322.
Chandler, Anson G., 301.
Chandler's barn, 103, 104.
Charles P., 96, 208, 243.
E. Augustus, 318.
Family (John), 66, 69, 74, 79.
James J., 64, 88, 193, 233, 239, 242,
261; collector in 1836, 246; in 1848.
291; in 1849, 296; in 1850, 297; in
1852, 300: in 1857, 308; in 1858, 309;
in 1860, 311; in 1861, 313; selectman
and assessor in 1862, 314, 360.
John. 64, 69, 72: built a barn, 102;
petitioner for incorporation, 120;
highway surveyor in 1811, 127; tith-
ing man, 163; collector in 1819, 187;
on committee to select land for
cemetery, 195; member of Univer-
salist church, 240.
Mrs. John, 69, 70, 71.
Opening, 102.
Chapman, Winthrop, 201, 212, 216, 222,
224, 227, 229; candidate for repre-
sentative to legislature in 1859, 311.
Charleston, 5, 212.
Chase, Daniel, 249.
John M., 28. 35, 52, 62, 137.
Joseph, 313.
Miriam, 62.
Mrs., 73.
Peter, 29. 57, 78.
Polly, 62.
Chelsea, Massachusetts, 118.
Christian Commission, 383.
Church, Mr.. 108, 109, 196, 241.
William, 137, 163, 191.
Church's Mills. 138, 179.
Clark, George S., town clerk, 316; in
1865, 317; in 1866. 318; in 1867, 319;
in 1868, 320; in 1869, 322.
Plynn, 190.
Samuel S., 288.
Clay, Henry, 231.
Cleveland, President, 113.
Clinton, Me., 108.
Clough, Enoch, 77, 82, 120, 137, 239.
Coburn, Abner, 315.
Stephen, 313.
Coffin, George R., 202.
Colley, Israel, 225, 239.
Committee for sale of eastern lands, 6;
for selecting and purchasing site
for town house, 289.
Commonwealth of Maine, 194; of Mass-
achusetts, 121, 124, 136, 138, 189.
193, 195, 198, 226.
Congregational church, 95, 106, 130,
202, 210, 239, 243, 277. 345; of Gar-
land, 107; clerks of, 350; deacons of,
350; meeting house, 41, 271; Meet-
ing House Company of Garland,
243, 245, 346; parish, 243, 245.
Congress, 139, 189, 206, 218, 227, 232,
234.
Constitution of Maine, 197.
Cony, Samuel, 316, 317, 318.
Cook, Rev. Joseph, 354.
Coolidge, Cornelius, 74, 195, 197, 207,
210, 212, 224.
Place, 74.
Copeland. Isaac, 106, 137, 153, 156.
Corinna, 16, 42.
Corinth, Maine, 5, 55; county road,
178; mail route through, 186.
Cornville, Maine, 37, 92. 185.
Council Chamber, 122.
County Commissioner, candidate for,
in 1853. 302.
Court of Common Pleas, 220.
Cox, Abraham J.. 208, 215.
Cram and Dutton, 245.
Cram farm, 172.
Crane, Elijah, 323.
Crosbv, S. S., 245.
William G.. 297. 301, 302.
Hon. William, 139.
Crowell, David, 190.
Lewis, 152.
Crowningshield, Hon, Benjamin, 181,
187.
Currier, Caleb, 58, 59.
Curtis, George, 225, 227, 239, 296.
Jeremiah, 287, 290, 292.
Loren, 203.
Cushing, Jefferson, 234.
Cushman, G. G., 262.
Cutler, John, 276.
D
Dana, John W., 287, 290, 292, 314.
Danville, Maine, 28, 35, 52.
Davee, Thomas, Democrat candidate
for representative to Congress in
1838, 255.
Davis, 99.
A., 245.
Horace, place, 130.
John, 225.
Josiah, 357.
Robert P., draft of Aroostook war,
264.
Samuel O., 28, 31, 57.
Dearborn, David, 29, 31, 33, 84, 87, 110,
190.
Hon. Henry, 179.
Place, 74.
392
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
Dearborn, Francis M„ 379.
Thomas, selectman and assessor in
1864, 316; in 18fi5, 317.
Mrs. Thomas, 293.
Declaration of Independence, 216.
Deerfield, New Hampshire, 196, 203.
Dexter, 5; saw mill, 35, 140; first
prayer meeting, 93; Masonic lodge,
205; county road, 233; important
road leading through Dexter, 242.
Hon. Samuel, 167.
William, 153.
Dingley, Hon. Nelson, 113.
Dinsmore, James, 227, 240.
Dixmont, 14, 15, 106, 219.
Hills. 16.
Doble, William, 225.
Dockham, Stephen B., 256; draft of
Aroostook War, 264.
Dore, Elder T. W., 353.
Dover, 15, 53, 90, 94, 214, 233.
Dover line, 233.
Downing, Lamont, 294.
Drake, Rev. S. S., superintending
school committee in 1839, 260; in
1844, 283; became acting pastor of
parish in 1837, 349.
Rev. Samuel S., pastor of Congre-
gational church, 271; on superin-
tending school committee in 1841,
273; in 1842, 275; in 1843, 277.
"Drive," A, 148.
Dunham, Mr., 208.
Dunlap, Robert P., 232, 233, 234; Dem-
ocrat candidate for governor, 247.
Dustin, William, 82, 97, 120, 137, 190.
E
Eastman, Harmon, 318.
Eastport, 161.
Eddy, Mr., 184, 185.
William, 219.
Ela, Mr., 174.
Elkins place, 38, 39.
John, 53.
Mr., 38.
Samuel. 37, 53.
Elkinstown, now Dexter, 35. 53, 68, 74,
81, 91, 102, 106, 190.
Embargo Act, 191.
Emerson, Micah C, 83; draft of Aroos-
took War, 264.
M. C. 256.
Nathaniel, 83, 239.
Place. 130, 200-
William, 177, 205, 206, 222.
Emery, Daniel, 222.
England, 13, 116, 118, 154.
English literature, 79.
Epping, New Hampshire, 73.
Etna, 185.
Europe, 169.
Evans, Benjamin, 276.
David, superintending school com-
mittee in 1863, 315; in 1864, 316; in
1865, 317; in 1868, 320.
Exeter, 6, 100; meeting on return
march of Garland company with
citizens of Exeter, 160; route of
mail carrier, 185; important road
through Exeter, 242; Exeter line,
61, 131, 153; Exeter Mills, 186; Exe-
ter Corner, 186.
Fairfield, John, Democrat candidate
for Governor in 1838, 255; in 1839,
260; in 1841, 274; in 1842, 276; Gov-
ernor of Maine, 262.
William, M. D., 221, 225.
Fall, Isaac, 245; lieutenant, 256.
Isaac R., 377.
Farewell, Elder Joseph, 351.
Farmer, Randall, 378.
Farnham, William, 34.
Fernald, Merritt C, 387.
Fessenden, Samuel, 286, 287, 290, 292.
Field, Ansel, 202, 209, 211, 215, 225, 239;
united with church, 341.
Fifield, Daniel E., draft of Aroostook
war, 264.
E., 134.
Edward, 58, 62; first beginning in
southwest part of the township,
74; builds a barn, 103; petitioner
for incorporation, 119; constable in
1811, 127; moderator in 1811, 129;
school agent in 1811, 134; saw and
grist mill, 152; superintending
school committee in 1818, 180; mem-
ber of Universalist church, 240.
Family, 74.
John, Democrat candidate for Gov-
ernor in 1840, 272,
John M., 197.
Martha, 96.
Mrs. Polly, wife of Edward, 105.
Nathaniel, 119, 137.
Thomas, 256.
Thomas B.. draft of Aroostook War,
264.
Fifth Range. 118, 119, 121.
Finson, Thomas, 29, 57.
Fish, Ira, 234.
Fisher, Jonathan, 339.
Paul M., 211.
Fisk, J. B., 245.
Flanders apple, 34.
Flanders, Cutteon, brother of Jere-
miah, 106. 120, 128, 137, 163, 239.
Flanders, Enos, 33.
Jeremiah, 58, 64; married, 101; peti-
tioner for incorporation, 119; mem-
ber of Masonic lodge, 205; select-
man and assessor in 1828, 221; in
1830, 226; collector in 1829, 223;
member of Universalist church,
239.
INDEX
393
Flanders, Mr., 34.
Mrs. Jeremiah, 101
Zenas, 227, 239.
Fogg, David, 199, 203, 239.
Dr. Seth, 203, 211, 225.
Dudley L., 119, 120.
Family, 203.
Granville W.. 380.
John S., 239.
Foss Farm, 224.
Mr., 185.
William B., 57, 96, 126, 199, 228.
Foster, S. J., 245.
Fourth Range, 119, 121.
Foxcroft, Maine, 94, 96, 152, 243.
Frankfort, 59.
Free and Accepted Masons, 205.
Free Baptist church, 96, 126, 277, 344;
meeting house, 57.
Freeholders, 124, 125.
Free Will Baptist denomination, 100,
226, 238.
French, Dr., 185.
Eben, 161.
Eugene, house, 109,
Mrs Seba 93
Seba (Judge French), 91, 93, 103, 104,
195, 238.
Simon, 77. 137, 161.
William, 270.
Friend, Hollis, 185.
Frye, Simon, 8.
William P., 113.
Fuller, Hon. Melville W., 113.
G
Gardner, John, 320.
Garland, 5; number three in fifth
range, 15, 24; early settlement, 35;
third town to organize Congrega-
tional church, 107; name of pros-
pective town, 115; first town clerk,
122; voters, 137; Garland's grateful
remembrance to business men of
Bangor, 176; loss by Ohio fever,
182; construction and repairing of
roads, 187; town voted to appro-
priate ministerial lands to use of
primary schools, 231: artillery com-
pany, 263.
Benjamin, 57, 270.
Family (Joseph), 52, 66, 82, 91.
High school, 293.
Jacob, 120, 135, 137, 151, 153.
James, 29, 82.
Joseph, 19, 26; first family, 30; fruit
nursery, 33; first winter, 49, 59, 69;
home, 85; school in his barn, 87, 91,
109; naming of town, 115: petition-
er for incorporation, 119; school
agent in 1811, 134; superintending
school committee in 1813, 151, 200.
Kilby, 50.
Minerva, 50.
Mrs. Joseph, 31, 32, 50, 51, 62, 91.
Orenda, 50.
Timothy, 50.
Zeruiah, 62.
Garvin, Jeremiah, 292.
Gee, James M., 377.
Phineas, emigrated from England,
254.
Solomon, emigrated from England,
254.
General Court of Massachusetts, 114,
118, 120, 121.
Gerrish, Rev. A. L., 357.
Gerry, E., 122, 123.
Hon. Elbridge. 138.
Joseph M„ place, 120; selectman and
assessor in 1866, 318; in 1867, 319.
Giddings, Joshua R., 286.
Gilmantown, New Hampshire, 88.
Gilpatrick, Benjamin, 52, 119, 128, 162,
166, 177, 180.
Benjamin, Jr., 137, 153.
Thomas, 29, 119, 127, 133, 134, 137, 166.
Thomas, Jr., 119, 137, 177.
Glenburn, 18, 178, 185, 242.
Godfrey, Judge, 231.
Judge John E., 170, 214, 217, 220, 277.
Godwin, Hiram F., draft of Aroos-
took War, 264.
James, 137.
William, 52, 57, 77, 79, 96, 120, 127,
137, 172, 184, 188. 198, 205. 211, 216,
219, 228, 237, 239, 244.
Goodenow, Daniel, 229, 231, 232.
Gordon, Amos, 57, 61, 66, 81, 105, 120,
124, 135,152, 162, 188, 195, 211. 240,
270.
Amos G., 240.
Albert G., 20, 57, 82, 106, 172.
Betsev, 64.
Family, 66, 68, 74, 79.
George W., 240.
H. Lester, 152.
Horace, 20, 99, 152.
Horace H., 57.
James P., 57.
John E., 120, 137.
Miriam, 64.
Moses, 20, 34, 49, 58, 64, 66, 81, 119,
128, 137, 157, 162, 166, 171, 223, 239,
242, 246.
Moses G., superintending school
committee in 1845, 285; in 1846, 287;
in 1850, 297.
Mrs. Moses, 67, 68.
Nancy, 64, 79, 87, 96.
Parker, 20, 106.
Polly, 64.
Goulding, Lewis, 216, 225, 239, 243.
Louis, 347.
Gove, David A., 15, 25, 52, 77, 219.
Governor, 138, 153.
Grant, Agnes, 95.
Family, 77, 108.
John, 52. 59, 61, 80, 81. 137. 139, 190.
Grant, Landeras, 60, 61, 75, 137.
Gray, William, 153.
Great Britain, 138.
Greeley cemetery, HO, 228.
Charles, 131, 172.
David M., 225.
Jacob, 200, 233, 239.
James, 29; collector in 1839, 260.
394
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
Greeley, Philip, 82, 97, 128, 187, 166,
177, 180, 183, 186, 193, 197, 201, 209,
228 237*
Samuel, 29, 200, 225, 239.
Greene, Lawrence, 185, 186.
Greenleaf, Ebenezer, 162, 163, 166.
Greley, Philip, 119.
Griffin, Andrew, 84, 102, 190.
Grinnell, Albert, 77, 317.
Grout, Elias, 11.
Grover, Cyrus S., 379.
Gubernatorial election, 278.
Guilford, 34, 195, 214, 236, 242.
H
Hale, Rev. Enselius, 349.
Hon. Eugene, 113.
Hall, Elijah, 379.
Hallo well, Abner R., 305.
Hamans, Benj., 122.
Hamilton, John, 225. 239.
John E., 83.
Samuel A., 264.
Hamlin, Elijah, 292.
Elijah L.. 296.
Hannibal, Democrat candidate for
representative to CongTess in 1840,
272; in 1843, 278; in 1844, 284; op-
ponent of slavery, 298; United
States Senator in 1856, 306.
Hampden. 14, 15. 154, 158, 159, 182, 183,
185.
Corner, 185.
Upper Corner, 185.
Hancock, County of, 7, 9, 10. 118, 121,
124, 163, 167,
Handy, Wesley H.. 377.
Hanson, A., 81.
Harlow, Hosea, 377.
Harmony, 19. 65, 185, 214.
Harriman cabin (place), 71, 120.
family (Justus), 66.
Justus, 29, 52, 62, 69, 70, 81, 119, 128,
137, 239.
Justus H., 133.
Manoah, 62, 137.
Miriam, 62.
Harrison, William H., 247, 273.
Hartland, 185.
Harvey, David, 248.
Sir John, 268.
Harwood, Rev. T. W., 350.
Hasey, Mr., 60.
Haskell, A. M., lieutenant, 256; select-
man and assessor in 1855, 304; in
1863, 315; in 1864, 316; in 1865. 317;
in 1866, 318; in 1867, 319; in 1868,
320; in 1869. 322.
Andrew M., draft of Aroostook war,
264, 290; selectman and assessor in
1849, 295; in 1851, 300; in 1853. 301;
moderator in 1850, 297.
Bennett A., 377.
Haskell, Bildad A., 236. 239, 242.
Charles, 264, 377.
Daniel M., 99, 105, 226, 229, 231,236,239,
243; selectman in 1836, 246, 261. 360;
member of superintending school
committee in 1837, 248; in 1838, 254;
in 1848, 291; in 1851, 300; in 1842.
264, 276; selectman and assessor in
1840, 271; in 1841, 273; in 1843, 277;
in 1844, 283; in 1845, 285; in 1846,
287; in 1847, 288; in 1849, 295; in
1850. 297, 286, candidate for rep-
resentative to legislature, 315.
Deacon, 339.
Deacon John S., 20, 26, 33, 37, 45, 49,
341.
Gideon, 40. 45, 46, 49.
Isaac, clerk in 1856, 305.
Isaac W. 359.
Jacob W, 20, 285; collector in 1853,
302; in 1854, 303; in 1855, 304; se-
lectman and assessor in 1866, 318;
in 1867, 319; in 1868, 320; in 1869,
322.
John K., 20; selectman and assessor
in 1852, 300; in 1854. 303.
John S., 39, 40, 54, 55, 56, 96. 97, 104,
106. 115, 119, 128, 137, 163, 188, 199,
239.
Mrs. John S., 33.
William. 264.
William P., town clerk in 1852, 300;
in 1854, 303; in 1855, 304.
William S., 151; selectman and as-
sessor in 1856, 305.
Wm. S., 20; selectman and assessor
in 1855, 304.
Haskins. R. & R. & Co., 245.
Hastings, Seth, 10, 11, 12, 13.
Hatch, Amasa, Jr., 305.
Hathaway. Leonard, 109, 190, 352, 356,
359.
Hayden, John S., 83, 106.
Mr., 184.
Hayes, Loring D.. 296, 298.
Mr. John, 74, 75, 96. 119, 127, 136, 137,
202, 240.
Hayman, Edw„ 8.
Herrick, Nathan, 222.
Herring, Deacon, 34.
Nathaniel, 34.
Hersey. Abner R., 307.
William R., 305, 307.
Higgins, Amos, 225, 238.
Hill, Aaron. 99, 225, 239. 270; selectman
in 1848, 291.
Edward, 245. 348.
Edwin, collector in 1859, 310; in 1862,
314; selectman and assessor in 1863,
315.
Elmer, 199.
Francis. 314, 316, 323.
F. W., 305.
John B., Esq., 238.
Thomas A., 234.
Hinsley, Hon. Martin, 168.
History of Piscataquis County, 213.
Hobbie, Mrs. Octavia, 208.
INDEX
395
Hodson, Captain Isaac, 156.
Colonel Isaac, 183.
Isaac, 13, 156, 183.
John L.. 284, 288, 298.
Major General, 263, 267.
Major Moses, 60.
Moses, 15, 27. 37, 39, 52, 55, 159. 185.
Oliver P., 377.
Holbrook, James, 57, 225.
Walter, 202, 209. 211, 215, 219,223, 225,
239.
Holland, Park, 12.
Holmes, Ezekiel, 301, 302.
O. W., quotation, 24.
Holt, Edward B., appointed to prepare
plans for new bridge in 1838, 254.
Thomas K., 302, 304, 307, 314.
Holt's mills, 18, 131, 276.
Holyoke & Page, 245.
Hopkins. Isaac, 119, 120, 137.
Hopkinton, New Hampshire, 63.
Hopland, Isaac, 184.
House of Representatives, 118, 121.
Howard, Joseph, 317, 318.
Hubbard, John. 296, 297, 301.
Mr. B. P.. 357.
Huckins, Nathaniel, 260.
Hulse, W. C, 358.
Huntington, Enoch, 236; selectman in
1836, 246; in 1837, 248; in 1838, 254;
in 1840, 271, 252, 261, 284.
Hunton, J. G., 227.
Jonathan G., 227.
Mr.. 224.
Hutchins, Elder Samuel, 351.
Rev. Leonard, 282, 358.
William, 234.
Hutchinson, Ebenezer, 232.
James, 137.
Illsley, Rev. Horatio, 349.
Indian Old Town, 186.
Inman, Rufus, 225, 239.
Irish, Thaddeus P., town clerk in 1857,
308; in 1858, 309.
Isle au Haut, 154.
Jackman, Enoch, 75, 76, 119. 128, 137,
179.
James, 137, 161.
Captain John L., 28, 35, 119. 137, 161,
203, 240.
Justus, 161.
Jackson, Andrew, 222, 231.
"Jack Spratt," 55.
Jameson Hill, 60, 158, 159.
Jefferson, Thomas, 216.
Jeffersonian, newspaper, 255.
Jennings, Horace, 42.
Mark C, 106, 130, 184.
Stephen D., 106, 269; selectman and
assessor in 1845, 285; in 1860, 311;
moderator in 1846, 287; in 1852, 300;
in 1853, 301; candidate for repre-
sentative to Legislature, 286, 290,
321; candidate for State Senator in
1856, 307; in 1857, 309.
Johnson, John, 225.
Joseph, 225.
Levi, 239.
Mrs. Nathaniel, 208.
Noah W., selectman and assessor in
1856, 305; in 1857, 308; candidate
for representative to Legislature,
310.
N. W., 208.
Samuel, 109. 239.
Jones, John, 49.
John G., 303, 312.
Jonathan, 49.
Story, 200.
William, 97.
Joseph Garland's barn, 79.
K
Katahdin, 16.
Kelsey, Captain Joseph, 195.
Kenduskeag. 5, 15, 18, 24, 27, 38, 54, 60,
158, 178, 185.
Stream at Holt's mills, 254.
Kennebec district, 139.
River, 18, 19, 58, 158.
Kent, Edward, 234; Whig candidate
for Governor, 247, 248, 255, 260; in
1840, 272; in 1841, 274.
Kilby, Rev. Mr., 339.
Kimball, Andrew, 96, 99, 120, 127, 190.
Jedediah, 264.
John S., 208, 256.
Colonel John S., 255, 259, 348.
Lucretia, 96.
Sarah (Andrew's daughter), 96.
Stephen, 152, 208.
King, Hon. William, 138. 194.
"King Gideon," 45, 47.
"King's Mark," 148.
Kingsbury, Sanford, 288, 290.
Kitridge, Russell, 231, 233.
Knight, Aaron, 200.
Agnes Grant, 62, 95.
David E., 31.
John, 62, 77, 95, 119, 137.
Joseph F., 303.
Joseph T.. 287, 296, 297, 300, 301.
Samuel W., selectman and assessor,
219, 223, 226, 229, 248, 254; collector,
221, 225, 239, 261, 264, 273, 300; can-
didate for State Senator in 1844,
284.
William H., 205, 228, 237.
Zebulon, 225, 239, 354.
Knowlton, Hon. Ebenezer, 286.
396
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
Ladd, Captain Daniel, 200, 206, 209, 211,
216, 219, 221, 223, 225, 239, 284.
G. W., 321.
Isaac F., 239.
Jeremiah, 200, 225, 239.
John C., 264.
John E., 225, 239.
William, 239.
Lancey, William, 185.
Lawrence family, 190.
Jonathan C, 285. 304.
Mr., 248.
Lawrences, 111.
Leverett, Thomas, 13.
Lee, N. H., 5, 200.
Legislature of Maine, 36, 195, 243; pe-
tition for repairing road, 249.
of Massachusetts, 5, 6, 119, 163, 164,
168.
Leighton, Mr., 65.
Mrs., 65.
Leland, Leonard, 225.
Levant, food stored, 54, 55; important
road through Levant, 242.
Lewis, Elder Lincoln, 351.
Lewiston, 111.
Libbee, Silas, 119, 120, 137.
Libbey, Smith, 276.
Lieutenant Governor, 138, 153.
Lincoln artillery company, 263.
Abraham, 138.
Enoch, 212, 215, 216, 217, 219, 220, 222.
Governor, 217.
Hon. Levi, 53.
Levi, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 19.
Lionel, 106.
Township, 110.
Lincolntown, 19, 53, 57, 60, 65, 68, 81, 83,
88, 91, 96, 99, 151.
London, 13, 256.
Longfellow, quotation, 23.
Lord, Mr., 339.
Loring, Rev. Amasa, 34, 171, 213, 214,
340.
Loring's Historyof Piscataquis County,
34.
Lowell, Mr., of Foxcroft, 359.
Lowells, 111.
Lyford, Fifield, 225, 239, 256, 264, 378.
Hiram, 239.
M
Mace, Mrs., quotation, 113.
Madigan, James C, 317.
Madison, President, 138, 156.
Maguire, Mrs. Ruel, 203.
Maine camp, 383.
District of, 164, 188, 242.
Missionary Society, 106, 345.
Maine State college, 385.
State of, 17, 36, 63, 85, 88, 112, 114, 169,
192, 196; farmers of central Maine,
212, 226.
Main stream, 19, 233.
Manchesters, 111.
Mansfield, Henry, 102.
Hollis, 102, 240.
Samuel, 102, 240.
William, 225.
Maple Grove cemetery, 74, 77, 131, 184.
236, 237, 296.
March, Deacon James, 118, 225, 240.
Marrow, Reuben, 240.
Martin, Mr., emigrated from London
in 1839, 258.
Mason, J. W., 245.
Massachusetts, 38; early settlers from,
110; general court, 112; records,
118, 169; cattle driven to Massachu-
setts to pay debts, 241.
May, Elisha, 13.
Hezekiah, 339.
Mayo, Benjamin, 152, 225, 239, 240.
John G., 152.
McCluer, James, 137, 196.
Mrs. James, 97.
McClure, James, 57, 120, 127, 131.
McComb, Alexander, 379.
Barton, 84.
D. B., 61.
John H., 379.
John, Jr., 203.
Robert, 130.
Thomas, 158.
McDougal. D. M., 245.
McGaw, 245.
Mclntire, land agent, 262.
McLane, Edward, 8.
McLaughlin, Mr., 262.
McLure, James, 191.
Mendon, 10, 12.
Meneely & Sons, 245.
Merriam, Artemas, 264; moderator in
1854, 302; in 1855, 304; in 1856, 305;
in 1858, 309; in 1859, 310; in 1860.
311; in 1861, 313; in 1862, 314; in
1863, 315; in 1808, 320; candidate
for representative to legislature.
307.
Mrs. Charles E., 108, 1%, 199, 203.
Mrs. Josiah, 245, 383.
Merrill, Henry, 69, 76, 179, 236.
Major, 220.
Nathan, 76, 190.
Middlesex, county of, 11.
Miller, Mr. William, 281.
Millerism, 353.
Minnesota, 192.
Minturn, Jonathan G., 224.
Mississippi, 192.
Mitchell brook, 88.
Family. 91, 94.
Mordecai, 90, 93.
INDEX
397
Mitchell, Mrs. William, 89, 90, 91, 92,
93, 94, 95.
William, Garland's first school mas-
ter, 42. 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 93, 94, 95.
Wm„ 51.
Moluncus, 264.
Monson, 214. 242, 244.
Moore, Daniel, 209, 211, 224, 228, 240.
David, 225.
Moosehead lake, 179, 242.
Moose pond, 19.
Morgan, Glenn, 77, 200, 202.
John, 147.
Simeon, 102, 119, 137.
Simon, 190.
Theophilus B., 119.
Morrill, Anson P., 302, 303, 305.
Lot M.. 308, 310, 311.
Morris, Captain, 154, 155, 158.
Morse, Freeman H., 285.
Moses, Mr., 39.
Murdock buildings, 68.
Russell, 225, 239, 248, moderator in
1838, 254; in 1839, 2f0; in 1840, 271;
mentioned, 284; moderator in 1845,
285; in 1857, 308; selectman and as-
sessor in 1860, 311; in 1861, 313; in
1862, 314.
Place, 74.
Murphy, James J., 378.
Murray, Alexander, 95.
Arnold, 29, 69, 71, 72.
Betsy, 95.
Elizabeth, 96.
Thomas M., 233.
William A., 233.
Muscong-us patent, 13.
River, 14.
N
Nason, Samuel V., 352.
National House of Representatives,
113.
Naval committee, 113.
Nelson, Seth, 33.
Newburg, 14, 15.
Newburyport, 58.
New Charleston, 46, 53. 80, 81.
New Durham, N. H., 173.
Newell, Austin, 244, 245.
New England community, 22, 123; cold
summer of, 170, 171, 173.
New Gloucester, Me., 27, 28, 29, 52, 83,
140.
New Hampshire, 30, 63, 110, 196.
New Ohio (Corinth), 25, 42, 55, 60, 80,
99.
Newport, 185.
New York, 169, 170, 245.
Norcross, E. L., 248.
Elijah, 208.
Northeast county road, 296.
North St. Albans, 185.
Nottingham, N. H., 25, 100, 109, 196,
241.
Nye, Elisha, 225.
o
Oak, Benjamin H., 109, 231, 232, 233,
238, 244; treasurer in 1836, 246; in
1837, 248.
Edson L., member superintending
school committee in 1847, 288; in
1848. 291; in 1863, 315.
E. L., town agent in 1861, 313; in
1862, 314.
Lebbeus, 256.
Lorenzo, 208, 275; town clerk in 1843,
277; in 1844, 283; in 1845, 285; in
184G, 287; in 1847, 288; in 1851, 300;
in 1853, 301; treasurer in 1848, 291;
in 1854, 303; in 1855, 304; collector in
1868, 321; in 1869, 322; selectman
and assessor in 1856, 305; in 1857,
308; in 1858, 309; in 1859, 310; in
1860, 311; in 1865, 317; town agent
in 1863, 315.
L., store, 132.
Hon. Lyndon, 385.
Lyndon, superintending school com-
mittee in 1838. 254; in 1839, 260; in
1840, 271; in 1864, 316; in 1865, 317;
in 1866, 319; in 1867, 319; candidate
for representative to legislature,
286; in 1854. 304; in 1864, 317; in
1868, 321; instructor in first high
school, 293; moderator in 1849, 295;
mentioned, 296; moderator in 1851,
299; candidate for State senator,
305, 307; supervisor of schools, 308,
309, 310. 311.
Nathaniel, 207.
Ohio, 28, 112, 191.
"Ohio fever," 182.
"Old Abe," 265.
Old Hundred, 65.
Old Town, 186.
Oliver, John S., 315, 316, 317.
Orland, 263.
Osgood, Calvin, 184.
Calvin R., 379.
C. F., 196, 199.
Fred, 109.
John W., 314, 316.
Richmond, 256.
Otis, George W., selectman and asses-
sor in 1861, 313; in 1868, 320; in 1869,
322, 356.
H. G., president of senate, 122, 123.
Joel W., 61, 319; place, 74.
Pacific coast, 94.
Packard, Shepherd, 240.
Thomas B., 31.
Page, Benjamin, 239.
Ezekiel, 28, 246, 256. 264, 271.
Elder John, 351.
John, 238.
398
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
Paine, Henry M., 153.
Palermo, Me., 29.
Palmer, I. A., 106.
Jonathan, 157.
Richard, 185.
William, 128.
William, of Exeter, 288.
Palmyra, 185.
Paris, Albion K., 194.
Maine, 202.
Parker, Dr. James, 110, 133, 134, 137,
162, 225, 239.
Rev. Wooster, 349.
Parkman, A. F., 319.
Orison, 281.
Parks, Gorham, 232, 234, 248.
Parris, Albion K., 197, 201, 207, 210,
212, 308.
Parsons, Solomon, 222.
Patten, D, F., 106, 131, 190.
George F., 307.
John S., 314.
Patterson, Alfred, 131.
Paul, S. M., 75.
Peabody, Dr., 105, 110.
Pearson, O., 307.
Pease, Albana, 284.
Pennell, Rev. Lewis, 345.
Penobscot bay, 14, 154, 167.
County of, 5, 106, 168, 205. 234, 249.
Masonic lodge, 205, 228.
River. 18. 38, 58, 157, 158.
Valley, 154, 183.
Pennsylvania, 170.
Peter the hunter, 47.
Peters, John, 319, 321.
Philips, Hon. William. 138.
Phillips, Ebenezer S., 227.
Samuel, 8.
William, 153.
Pierce, David, 236, 288.
Edward H., 291. 296, 297, 300, 301.
Waldo T., 234.
Pilgrims, 123.
Pillsbury, Albert, 302.
Eben F., 319, 320, 321.
James, 281.
Peter, 270.
Piscataquis, county of, 131, 178, 237.
Region, 101.
Valley, 16.
Pittsfield, 185.
Plantation number three, 195.
Pleasant pond, 18, 74, 152, 233.
Plummer, Charles, 208.
Pomroy, Rev. S. L., 343.
Portland, 158, 174. 188. 194.
Portsmouth, N. H., 196.
Powers, James, 203, 225, 238.
Pownal, Governor, 14.
Fort, 14.
Pratt. Deacon. 342.
Dr. John F., 118.
Pratt, Edward, 119, 120.
John, 119, 120.
Dr. Joseph, 85, 86, 109.
Preble brook, 132.
Preble, Edwin, 82, 101, 228.
Henry C, 208, 311, 313, 314, 315, 319.
Wins, 208.
Prescott, Joseph, 200, 202, 220, 221, 223,
225, 229, 231, 240; moderator in 1836,
246, 248; in 1841, 273; in 1842, 275; in
1843, 277; in 1844, 283; in 1847, 288.
Simon, 99; place, 60, 99.
Presidential campaign, 211.
Pressey, Benjamin, 200, 203, 225.
Province of Maine, 77, 110. Ill, 163, 167.
182, 188, 242.
Puritan, 123.
Q
Quimby, Enos, 29, 192.
Jacob, 225, 238.
Jacob, Jr., 375.
Mrs., 192.
R
Ramsdell. Henry, 378.
John H, 208.
Read, John, 8.
Reed, Rev. Appleton W., 356.
Isaac, 303, 305.
J. B., 264.
Hon. Thomas B., 113.
Reform Club, 329.
Revolutionary war, 5, 123, 216.
Reynolds, Charles, 208, 223, 226, 227,
229, 231, 232, 236, 239; town clerk in
1837, 248; appointed agent by town,
251; selectman in 1838, 254; town
clerk and selectman in 1839. 260;
town clerk in 1840, 271; in 1841, 273;
representative to legislature, 274;
town clerk in 1847, 291; in 1849,
295; in 1850, 297.
Rice. Charles, 168.
John H., 312, 315, 317.
Richard H., 234.
S. M., 276.
Richardson, Clark, 101.
Lyman E., 376.
Ricker, George W., 245.
Rideout, Deacon L. M., 202.
James L.. 28, 31, 73, 96, 131, 200. 203,
208 220
Luth'er, 28, 248, 256, 264, 276, 277; se-
lectman in 1844, 283; in 1845, 285;
286; in 1846, 287; in: 1847, 288; in
1849, 295; town clerk in 1851, 300;
301; selectman in 1859, 310; repre-
sentative to legislature, 312; mod-
erator in 1864, 316; in 1865, 317; in
1866. 318; in 1867, 319; in 1869, 322.
Miss Lizzie, 208.
Place, 131.
Ripley, Me., 49, 58, 65, 88. 90, 185, 214.
INDEX
399
Robbins, James, 225.
Roberts, Amos M., 307.
Robinson, Edward, 284.
Edwin, 276, 278.
Elder, 198.
Rollins, Enoch, 225, 239.
Ernest, 82.
William, 225, 239-
Ruggles, Deacon, 185.
Runnals, John S., 256, 264.
Russell mountain, 16.
Rutland, Mass., 27, 95, 96, 104.
Sabbath, The, 87, 94, 95.
Salisbury, Mass., 75.
New Hampshire, 29, 30, 52, 82, 200.
Sanborn, Abner, 19, 152, 153, 166, 180,
188
Abraham, 284, 307.
Mr., in Charleston, 26.
Sanbornton, N. H., 88.
Sanford, John I. D., 275, 353.
Sanger, Calvin, 11, 241.
Mr., 108, 185.
Samuel, 11.
Samuel, Jr., 11.
Sangerville, 130, 131, 179, 242.
Sargent, David. 225.
Edward. 28, 57.
Joseph, 28, 202, 208, 220, 225, 240.
Mrs. Joseph, 209.
Samuel P., 220-
William, 28, 73, 96, 120, 128, 137, 208,
208, 225.
Mrs. William, 97,
Saunders, John, 137.
Joseph, 29, 83, 107, 127, 137.
Moses, 137.
Oliver, 107, 108, 137.
Thomas B.. 225.
Sawtelle, Asa H., 106.
Sawyer, Father, 245, 341.
Homestead, 106.
Rev. John, 106, 110, 131, 134, 137. 151,
153, 162. 190, 202. 243, 339.
Samuel, Jr., 11.
Scott, General, 268.
Sebasticook stream, 19.
Sebec. Me., 100, 117.
Secretary's office, 122.
Senate, 118, 121, 122, 194.
Separationists, 164.
Severance opening, 42, 43.
Sewall, Rev. Jotham, 346.
Rev. Samuel, 87, 338.
Rev. W. S., 349.
Seward farm, 101.
Seward, Robert, 240,
Deacon Robert, 83, 100, 101, 354.
Mrs. Robert, 108.
Shaw, T. J., 309, 310.
Sheldon, Rev. N. W., 343.
Shepherd, David, 278.
Sherburne, 11.
Shores, Mr., 15.
Silver, Daniel, 300, 360.
Joshua, 240.
Joshu9, 83.
Sampson, 58, 59, 64, 70, 82, 105, 106,
120, 137.
Sixth range, 119, 121, 195.
Skillin, David, 271, 273, 274, 275.
Josiah, 256.
Leonard, 256, 305.
Mrs. Leonard, 31.
Samuel, 248, 256; selectman in 1838,
254, 256; in 1839. 260; in 1857. 308;
in 1858, 309, 310; in 1861, 313; in
1862, 314.
Thomas J., 378.
William E., 318.
Skinner, Albert, 256, 264.
Dr., 110.
Elijah, 219.
Elisha, 315, 316.
Mason, 225, 239.
Thompson Joseph, 9, 11, 12, 13.
Skowhegan, 184, 185.
Small, Ebenezer and wife, 43.
E. H., 314.
Smart, Ephraim K., 312.
Smith, Andrew, 225.
Caroline, 94.
Deacon Stephen, 94, 246, 346.
Franklin, 323.
Gardiner, 264.
Hannah, 94.
Henrietta, 94, 95.
John P., 256, 264, 283, 285.
Manasseh H., 308, 310, 311.
Matilda. 94, 95.
Moses, 29, 57, 78.
Mrs. N. P., 51. 90. 91. 94, 95.
Rev. Professor, of Bangor Seminary,
343.
S., 245.
Samuel E., 224, 227, 229, 231.
Seth, 225.
Thomas. 185.
Snell, Charles, 203.
Cyrus, 203.
Snow, old hunter, 55.
Eleazer W., 248.
Somerset, county of, 216, 234.
Soule, Asa, 152, 239.
Asa W. 225.
David, 203, 225, 239, 241.
Gains, 225.
Gideon, 203, 225, 227, 239.
John, 203. 225. 239.
Lewis, 225, 239.
Rufus, 203, 225.
Solomon, 240.
William, 203. 225, 238.
Sprague, Peleg, 234.
Springall, Dr. Joseph, 186.
S. S. Clark & Co. (firm), 288.
Staples. Jacob, 239.
State land agent, 214.
Stetson, 159.
400
HISTORY OF GARLAND. MAINE
Stetson, Amasa, 320.
Charles, 292, 297.
Isaiah, 320.
Mr., 185.
Stevens, John, 119, 137.
John B., 239.
Mr., 39, 120.
Stewart, Eliab, 225, 239.
Stillings, Isaiah, 225, 239.
Stone, Ellery, 190.
James M., 24, 117, 196.
William, 191.
Story, Joseph, speaker of house, 121,
123.
Straw, Alfred R., 379.
A. W. 250
Ezekiel, 106, 120, 127, 137, 153, 180,
186, 193, 197, 201, 206, 226, 239, 242,
246, 248, 252.
Family, 251.
Giles, 264, 378.
James (father of A. W.), 250.
James M. (brother of A. W.), 250.
Jesse, 240.
Strong. Caleb, 138, 153.
Governor. 167.
Strout, Joseph, 225, 239, 351.
Strickland, Hastings, 262, 297, 301.
Subscribers to stock of new church,
347.
For filling quota assigned to Gar-
land, 384.
Suffolk, county of, 11.
Swift, Rev. Aurelius, 345.
Number three, 118, 119, 121.
Number two, 119, 121.
Tracy, Rev. A. P., 357.
Trafton, Mark, 185.
Tread well, John, 100.
Joseph, 35, 52, 55, 99.
Joseph (grandson of Joseph Tread-
well), 100, 140.
Joseph C, 25, 35, 122, 125, 127, 128,
137, 140.
Trefethen, John, 83, 135, 137, 180, 195,
239.
Trefetheren, John, 119.
Tripp, Hon. Bartlett, 113.
True, Abraham. 196, 199, 225, 231, 232,
239.
Mrs. Abraham, 203.
Benjamin, 236.
Benjamin, Esq., 380.
Family, 196.
Joseph, place, 24, 117, 196, 225. 239.
255 273.
Joseph, Jr., 196, 224, 239, 254, 260.
Trundy, B. L., 200, 203.
Tucker, John, 90.
Turner. Rev. Abel, 353.
Tuttle, Mr., 185.
Twombly, Deacon Moses, 353.
John D., 378.
Tyler, Aunt Susan, 35.
Captain, 158.
John, 28, 35, 52, 54, 99. 140.
Mrs. John, 54.
Place, 28.
Sullivan, 137.
Thomas S., 27, 82, 119, 127, 137, 156.
199, 240,
Taibot, George F., 296. 297.
Tarbox, John, of Garland, 263, 270.
Taylor, Abner, 250.
Franklin, treasurer in 1856, 305; in
1857, 308; in 1859, 310; in 1860, 311;
in 1861, 313; in 1862. 314; in 1863,
315; in 1864. 316; in 1865, 317; in
1866, 318; in 1867, 319; in 1868. 320;
in 1869, 322.
Warner, 239.
Tenney, John S., 255.
Tewksbury, John, 281.
Thatcher, George A., 245.
Thayer, Rev. P. B., 95, 349, 356, 359.
The Garland Union Temperance Soci-
ety, 328.
"The Lake," 61, 153.
Thomas hill, 269.
Thorndike, Herbert, 225, 239.
Tibbetts, Allen C, 802.
Titcomb, Leonard H., 379.
Todd, John, 185.
Towle, Deacon Ebenezer, 351.
Town clerk, 125.
Townsend harbor, 59.
Township number four, 119, 121.
u
Union, 189.
United States, 113, 123, 169.
Sanitary Commission, 383.
President of, 113.
Senate of, 113.
Supreme court of, 113.
Universalists, 239.
Van Buren, Martin, 247, 273.
Vanderbilt, 72.
Veazie, General, citizen of Bangor,
259.
Vermont, 169.
Vickery, Joseph, 291.
Vinton, Rev. John A., 345.
Vose, Mr., 185.
w
Wakefield, Hon. A. G., 277.
Waldo, family of that name, 14.
INDEX
401
Gen. Samuel, 14, 15.
Patent, 7, 9, 10, 13. 37, 93, 118, 121.
Walker, Asa, 284.
Brothers, 99.
John, 208, 288.
Deacon Joseph, 351.
Washington, L. P., 311.
Wallace, Gilbert, 225.
Ware, N. H.. 58, 74, 103.
War of 1812, 156, 161, 163, 182, 191, 192,
234.
of the Rebellion, 84, 188.
Warren. Samuel, 206, 209, 225.
William, 225.
Washburn, Edward, 35, 98.
Israel, 292, 297, 301. 304, 314.
Israel, Jr., 307, 310, 312.
Washingtonian Society, 328.
Waterhouse, Isaiah, 301.
Webster, Colonel, of Orono, 262.
Daniel, 114.
Wells. Nathaniel, 8.
Samuel, 305, 306.
West Corinth, 60, 185.
West Garland, 18, 152, 190, 233, 248.
West, The, 112, 114, 182.
Weston, G. M., 319.
Samuel, 7, 9, 10, 15.
Wheeler, Betsey Murray, 63, 95, 96.
Calvin S., 208, 266.
Isaac, Esq., 15, 19, 26, 39, 48, 54, 57,
63, 95, 104, 108, 120, 124, 133, 137,
139, 151. 153, 156, 162, 165, 177, 180,
186, 193, 197, 201, 205. 208, 215, 219,
224, 239.
Isaac, Jr., 264.
Reuben, 63, 105.
Wheeler, Squire, 124.
White, Rev. Calvin, 345.
Rev. Henry, 349.
Whitman, Ezekiel, 201. 216, 219.
Whitney, John, 323.
Samuel, 222.
Whittier (quotation), 141.
Wiley, James S., 287, 290, 310.
Wilkine, Bray, 239.
Daniel, 15, 31, 46, 197, 201.
Isaac E., 215, 219, 225, 342.
Rev. Isaac, 166, 226.
John. 13, 168, 227.
Place, 31.
Williams college, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12,
198, 343.
Ruel, 194.
Williamson, Mr., 19, 163, 164, 192.
W. D., 245.
Williamstown, Mass., 5, 9.
Wilson, Hon. John, 139, 168.
Obed, 205.
Winthrop, Me., 105.
Wolcott, Thomas, 12.
Wood, F. D., 126, 199.
Woodard, Eleazer, 120.
Oliver, 119, 120.
Woodman, Samuel L., 288, 298.
Woodward, O., 128, 137.
Worcester, 10.
County of, 10.
Wyman, George W., 83.
John, 185,
William, 83.
Date Due
Demco 293-5
F29.G3F12 B°ST°N UNIVERSITY
II ill I mi liii'ii ii ry of Garland' Ma,n«'.
1 1711 OOlbS 7T33
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