HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD CONTENTS CHAPTER I. Introduction Location-Ponds and Streams-Surface-Soil-Scenery. CHAPTER II. Summary of existing conditions-Extent of English settlementsLaw relating to settlements on the public lands-Law modified, giving settlers 100 acres of land and not in force after Jan. 1, 1784. CHAPTER III. Hunting party's visit to the region-Benjamin Spaulding already located here in a hunter's camp-Coming of first two families in early part of 1777, followed by 3d family later in the season-Location of their lots-Traditional story of early settlement-First years's experience of hardships and suffering--Coming of other settlers in 1778, 1779 and 1780. CHAPTER IV. Early Settlement Continued Pioneers in the eastern and southern parts of the township-Who they were and where they came from-Traditions relating to their experiences-First marriage in the little settlement-Stories of later comings. CHAPTER V. Manner of living in the early days-State of society-Customs and habits of the early settlers-Diary kept for about a year by a pioneerConstruction of habitations and rooms-Utensils and furniture usedBridle paths and roads. CHAPTER VI. Efforts to buy the land-Signers of the petition to the General Court -First fails, second petition succeeds-Provisions in deed and names of settlers secured in their possession of 100 acres of land-How their lots were laid out and they obtained their deeds. CHAPTER VII. Proprietors' Records Officers of the proprietary-How the business was transacted and the records kept-Not finally closed up till 25 years after purchase. CHAPTER VIII. Later Traditional History Survey of township-Coming of David Farrar and family-An adventure with a bear and a romantic meeting of Judith Farrar and Thomas Lowell--Coming of William Harlow and other settlers in the northwestern part of the town. CHAPTER IX. French and Indian War Soldiers Settlers who had served in that war-Some had resided for several years in the block-houses of Gorham and Windham-The attack on the Windham block-house-The killing of Ezra Brown and fall of the Indian chief, Poland-Brown's widow marries Eleazer Chase. CHAPTER X. Revolutionary Soldiers Thirty-one of the settlers before Jan. 1, 1784, served in the war for American Independence-Seventy others, survivors of the contest, were afterwards residents in Buckfield-Whom they were and where they served. CHAPTER XI. Three companies from Buckfield, besides many other citizens enlisting in other commands, served in that war--Roll of the three companies-Action of the town opposing attitude of the Commonwealth. CHAPTER XII. Early Buckfield Village First settler, Benjamin Spaulding-Edmund Chandler erected first mills--Dominicus Record exchanging lots with Spaulding became half owner of the mills and water privilege. Soon became sole owner-Place first called Record's Mills, afterwards Buckfield Mills-Joel Foster first inn-keeper and tanner-Coming of Dr. Wm. Bridgham-Post Office established in 1800-The establishment of industries-First lawyers. the CHAPTER XIII. Provision of the State for schools-Efforts to provide education for children of the early settlers--Prominent citizens interestedTeachers of note-Schoolhouses and school districts-Lack of supervision. CHAPTER XIV. Incorporation of Town and First Meeting Petition for incorporation-Favorable action by the General CourtFirst town meeting--Officers elected---Appropriations made-Votes for Governor, etc. CHAPTER XV. Boundary Difficulties Proprietors claim a strip of land out of Butterfield--Hebron claims a tract from southern part of the town-General Court orders a resurvey-The boundaries established and matter settled. CHAPTER XVI. Buckfield Village About 1825 Location of principal stores and residences--Streets and roadsTraders and business men. CHAPTER XVII. Annals from 1795 to 1825 Town meetings--Occurrences of note-Roads laid out-Appropriations made-Votes cast for President, Governor and other officersDeaths of Dominicus Record and Benjamin Spaulding. CHAPTER XVIII. Ministerial lands-First preaching-Baptist society of Turner and Bucktown--First Baptist Church-Elder Nathaniel Chase-Second Baptist Church-Present Baptist Church-Rev. Albion K. P. Small and other pastors. CHAPTER XIX. Church History Continued Union Chapel Society--Universalists-Federal Meeting House-Free Baptists. Rev. Levi Hersey-Methodists, Episcopal Mission. CHAPTER XX. Biographical Sketches Sketches of prominent men, John D. Long. Zadoc Long, Seba Smith, Prentiss Cummings, F. O .J. Smith, Rear Admiral Thos. S. Phelps, Columbia Gardner, Rev. Eleanor B. Forbes, Hermon C. Bumpus, LL.D., Albion W. Small, LL.D., and others. CHAPTER XXI. Poets of Buckfield Alfred Cole, John D. Long, Zadoc Long. Seba Smith, Columbia Gardner, John N. Irish, The Maxims, Ardelia H. Prince, Clara Marcelle Greene and others. CHAPTER XXII. Lawyers Daniel Howard, first lawyer--Gen. Henry Farwell, second attorneySamuel F. Brown, Hon. Virgil D. Parris, first native of Buckfield to practice law in town-Col. Jacob W. Browne, Hon. Sullivan C. Andrews, Hon. Geo. D. Bisbee, Hon. Oscar H. Hersey, Fred R. Dyer and others. Dr. Daniel Childs of Turner was first practitioner in Bucktown- Dr. Samuel Frink, first resident physician-Coming of Dr. William Bridg- ham- A famous law suit-Dr. Bridgham wins his cause. The command- ing figure after this in the practice of medicine in Buckfield and vicinity Events of interest-Death of Abijah Buck for whom the town was named--Deaths of Revolutionary soldiers-Exercises at the opening of Evils of intemperance recognized-Agitation for Reform-County So- ciety organized-Members-Local organization in Buckfield-Washing- tonian movement-Petition to traders not to sell ardent spirits by the glass--Efforts made to enforce first prohibitive measures-The affair of A correspondent writes of the village-Its business interests and business men in 1853-"Meck" Farrar's hotel and his ad in local paper- preceptor-Rev. Cyril Pearl, Students in 1841-The starting of the project of building a railroad prevented the founding of a high school or Public sentiment overwhelming in sustaining the war for the Union -First company organized and disbanded-Enlistments-Draft-Buck- field's roll of honor-The soldier dead-Summary men furnished and The Railroad, Charter and Organization Projected by Hon. Virgil D. Parris, mortgaged to Hon. F. O. J. Smith --Bad management and final wreck of the road-Rescued by Hon. Geo. D. Bisbee and others-Extended to Rumford Falls-Sold to Boston & Maine Fires-Buildings erected-Industries established-Cyclone in N. W. part of town-Deaths of prominent persons and others-Other events John Warren first settler-Little village called "Spaulding's Mills" REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATORS POST MASTERS |