ANDROSCOGGIN HISTORY February 1991 Newsletter of the
Androscoggin Historical Society No. 2

Contributed by Androscoggin Historical Society
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THREE GREAT DIARY KEEPERS by Robert L. Taylor

There is no better way to record history, as it
unfolds itself from day to day, than to keep a
diary. Not everyone has the patience and persistence
to make diary entries each day. It takes time, but
once the habit is confirmed, it follows as a natural
routine.

To be sure, a diary may be a quite personal
document, but it takes note of events of general
interest, and even if only in near vicinity of the
diarist's residence, it could prove of eventual
value to descendants, in fact to all posterity
interested in the historical development of that
part of the country. It is the diary, studiously
kept, that reflects the effect of historical
happenings at other locations and levels, periods of
war, disaster or depression, good fortune and bad,
advances in science, industrial method and manners
of life.

Moreover, a diary should be rich in names and dates
and unusual observations. Not all who keep a diary
can sense its historical relation except as a
personal reminder, but that does not damage its
value as an adjunct to history of the times.

Three of the most famous diary keepers in our own
part of the Androscoggin Valley and environs seemed
to have sensed well that they were in fact recording
the history of new settlements in the Province of
Maine. These were Amos Davis, land surveyor and
fourth settler in Lewiston; and Andrew Robinson
Giddinge and True Woodbury, both early settlers of
that part of the Pejepscot claim which became the
town of Danville.

The diaries of these three early residents on the
east and west sides of the river are probably the
most important historical documents in the files of
the Androscoggin Historical Society. They do not
fill the full scroll of historical narrative but
they do fix exact dates, names, circumstances, even
matters of conversation that might otherwise have
left larger record in doubt on these points.

We present here selections from the diaries of
Andrew Giddinge. Future issues will include extracts
from other diarists.


Andrew Robinson Giddinge

Squire Andrew R. Giddinge was a native of
Gloucester, Mass., and came to Pejepscot in 1787 and
became a prominent citizen. He was a man of much
learning and kept one of the most unique and
valuable diaries of all. He set down countless facts
of daily events and observances, and his thought and
his philosophy, his hopes and fears and joys and
sorrows. He kept a daily diary from 1767 until
blindness overtook him in 1838, two years before his
death. His spelling and mastery of the English
language were superb. He even illustrated each page
on the margins of his diary with well executed
drawings, the only known pictures of scenes of his
time. He left a self-portrait and great heritage.

The following account of his attendance at the
dedication of the Congregational Church on what is
now Main Street, Auburn, dated Nov. 14, 1833,
indicates the detail in his accounts:


"About 10 o'clock, or before, I walked toward the
Falls by Deacon Loring's. found all well, and
preparing to go to the Dedication. I made a very
short stop and proceeded to the Falls. made a very
short call at the Mansion [the old Squire Little
house] and proceeded to the Meeting-house where
singers were practicing. Met Sarah Little on her
return from hearing the singing. I walked then over
the Bridge to Mr. Pickard's were I dined and waited
till the hour of the Meeting, and then walked over
in company with Mrs. P.  Miss Hackett and got a seat
as near the desk as I could.

"At two P.M. the Reverend Gentlemen entered. viz,
Mr. Adams the pastor, Greeley of Turner, Thurston of
Winthrop, Hawes of Topsham, Jones of Minot, some
others might be there but none took parts except the
above. Mr. Adams said a few words on the subject I
suppose of a Bible in two vols. presented to the
Society for use in the public services of the church
and society. Music--Prayer by Mr. Greeley. music. a
Dedicatory Hymn-- Original--Sermon by Mr. Thurston.
Music. Address by Mr Jones--prayer by Mr. Hawes.
Music. c., appointment of an evening service. music.
Dismission. Benediction.

"I returned to Pickardville took supper and then
came to the evening meeting, and thence to Dea
Loring's where I arrived in a calm but dark time.
soon after a very heavy rain commenced which
continued till sunrise of the 15."

Giddinge also commented on historic events, thereby
providing us insights regarding the views of a
citizen of this area. On the last day of 1800, he
made the following entry:

"The last day of the expiring year which ends the
Eighteenth century. . . . And with the new Century
begins a new and an untried scene to this country --
ushered in by a treaty with France, and a
predominance of power and Influence in the Factions
that rise, and have been dissentient -- to many of
the measures hitherto purposed by the Federal
Government. The First effects of the vibration of
public opinion, or rather the Art and perseverance
of the late minority, is the Election of Thomas
Jefferson to the Presidency. . . . What measures
this change will produce are uncertain -- but
expectation is a tiptoe, and curiosity awaked -- and
much anxiety falls to the share of the well-wishers
to the Independence of the United States.

"My own opinion is, that very few of the fears, if
any, has a real foundation. Rotation in office is
certainly a good principle to regulate those
measures that would exclude a perpetuity to one Man
or one faction -- And the malignance of party
faction may cease when they each in their turn
furnish a Magistrate to preside over the Councils of
the Union. . . . The business of Railing at
Administration will fall to the share of those who
have hitherto had to defend that of the late
administration. . . ."

AHS HISTORY(Part 2) by Harold Dutch

The founding of the Androscoggin Historical Society
and its early years were covered in the last issue
of this newsletter, as pieced together from
newspaper clippings. There are no secretarial
records from those years; however, we do have a list
of those who served as presidents of the
Androscoggin Historical and Antiquarian Society, and
records since 1939 seem complete. In this article,
we'll carry the society forward to 1950.

The following persons were president: Mrs. John
Sturgis - 1923, Reuel W. Smith - 1924, James E.
Philoon - 1925 to 1933, Charles P. Wight - 1933 to
1937, Mrs. Charles W. Eaton - 1937 to 1939, Mrs.
William F. Schoppe - 1939 to 1940, John E. Libby -
1940 to 1943, Mrs. Verna H. Woodbury - 1943 to 1946,
Arnold G. Westerberg - 1946 to 1947, Mrs. Isabel F.
Marble - 1947 to 1950.

Secretaries (clerks) were Mrs. Harry J. Stone - 1939
to 1942, Mrs. Verna H. Woodbury - 1942 to 1943, when
the term "secretary" was replaced by "clerk," Ruby
A. Briggs - 1943 to 1946, Sarah L. Staples - 1946 to
1950.

Treasurers were Bernard A. Chase - 1939 to 1944,
Charles F. Adams - 1944 to 1945, Imelda Thibault -
1945 to 1950.

Custodians (in charge of the collection) were James
E. Philoon - 1939 to 1947, John E. Libby - 1947 to
1949, Mrs. Dorothy Pierce - 1949 to 1950. In the
year 1942-43, a curator was added to the elected
officers, whose job seemed to be to report on the
acquisitions. Miss Edna Cornforth served from 1942
to 1944, Mrs. James E. Philoon from 1944 to 1947,
and Thelma F. White from 1947 to 1950.

The original by-laws designated three directors, but
in the year 1940-41, four directors were elected,
and two years later, five directors were named. the
following year, 1943-44, the by-laws were amended to
have the board consist of seven members plus the
officers. The dues structure was also set at one
dollar per year, contributing membership at five
dollars per year, and life membership at fifty
dollars.

At the annual meeting held in the spring of 1945, a
committee report stated that nothing definite had
been accomplished in finding a permanent home.
Evidently, the society was looking for a new
location.

The 1950's were a period of growth for the society,
the decade opening with the gift of a house from
businessman Everett A. Davis and with Clarence March
being elected president.

LOCAL HISTORY BOOKS FOR SALE

You may now order three books on local history in
our office in the County Building. The reprints of a
history of Lewiston and a history of Greene are the
result of the efforts of our members David C. and
Elizabeth (Keene) Young. Our executive secretary
Robert L. Taylor has written a history of Limington,
Maine. All three are published by Heritage Books,
Inc of Bowie, MD.

You may pick up the Lewiston and Limington books at
our office. You may place an order for a copy of one
or more of the three books to be mailed to you;
please include $3.00 for shipping. If you have
questions, call our office at 784-0586, weekdays
between 1:30 and 5:00.

A History of Lewiston, Maine, with a Genealogical
Register of Early Families - Janus G. Elder; ed. by
David  the second part is a family register based on
data collected by Elder, but never before published.
The family register has been extensively corrected
and expanded by the editors. 1989, c430 pp., maps,
index, paper, $27.00.

Sesquicentennial History of the Town of Greene,
Androscoggin County, Maine, 1775-1900, with some
matter extending to a later date- Walter Lindley
Mower; new Preface by David C.  Elizabeth (Keene)
Young.

Androscoggin Historical Society County Building
Auburn, Maine 04210

This history covers all the usual topics, and spans
the time from the aboriginal Indians down to the
early years of the twentieth century; one chapter
has civil lists for 1788-1938, and another gives
marriage records and marriage intentions for 1803-
1937; two-thirds of the volume consists of
genealogies of local families which are now made
much more useful by the addition of a name index.
(1938) 598 pp., illus., new index, paper. $35.00

History of Limington, Maine, 1668-1900 - Robert L.
Taylor. This work is drawn from a wide variety of
sources including the town records, the day books of
Francis Meeds which contain a year-by-year record of
deaths in the town from 1816 to 1845, from newspaper
files, and various private collections. Includes
chapters on a variety of topics and lists of
Selectmen, Town Clerks, and Principals of Limington
Academy for the years 1900-1990. The genealogical
chapter which appeared in the original edition of
this work (1975) has been omitted because a more
extensive publication of the genealogies of early
Limington families compiled by Mr. Taylor is
planned. 1991, 2nd ed., c165 pp., illus., maps,
index, paper, $15.50

Andrew Giddinge drew in his diaries the
illustrations in this issue. These are enhanced
reproductions from Lewiston Saturday Journal, July
21, 1900, and Lewiston Journal, Illustrated Magazine
Section, 1922.