ANDROSCOGGIN HISTORY October, 1996 Newsletter of the
Androscoggin Historical Society No. 19

Contributed by Androscoggin Historical Society
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NAMING OUR TOWNS: TURNER

The original name of Turner, Maine, incorporated
1786, was Sylvester-Canada, later simply Sylvester,
in honor of Captain Joseph Sylvester, who with his
company was granted a township for their services in
1690 against Canada. However, when the line between
New Hampshire and Maine was determined, it was found
that the grant lay in New Hampshire. On petition of
agents for the proprietors, James Warren, Joseph
Joslyn, and Charles Turner, the General Court of
Massachusetts made a new grant on 25 June 1765.
After some delay the town finally was settled. W. R.
French quotes a Dr. Howe:

"There was still some difficulty in the selection of
a name for the new town. The settlers cherished with
warm affection the name of Sylvester . . .; but the
proprietors felt a strong predilection for the name
of Turner, from the consideration that Charles
Turner, Esq., of Scituate, had been one of their
prominent members, and had served their corporation
from the period of its organization to that of his
death, with great ability and fidelity, as their
Treasurer; and also in consideration of the valuable
services of Major William Turner, who had been their
standing Clerk during the whole period, and had been
very active in lotting out, and pushing forward the
settlement of the plantation, and whose civil and
military services to the commonwealth and nation had
justly acquired an enviable reputation.

"But on presenting the two names to the General
Court, that body decided at once, from the great
respect which it held for the character and services
of the Rev. Charles Turner, who had for many years
stood in the front rank of its Senate, as a beacon
light, to direct its counsels through the gloomy and
portentous struggle of the Revolution, that the name
should be Turner [W. R. French, A History of Turner,
Maine (Hoyt, Fogg Donham, 1887), p. 40]."

Rev. Turner was "born in Scituate, Massachusetts, in
1732. He was graduated from Harvard in 1752 and was
a minister in Duxbury for twenty years. He was a
Whig, active in state affairs, one of the agents for
the claimants, the first treasurer and collector for
the proprietors." He served in the Senate of
Massachusetts most of the years 1773-1788. He moved
to Turner in 1791 and preached part time there and
in Hallowell. He died in Turner in 1818 at age 86.

REPRINT OF LEEDS HISTORY

Heritage Books is issuing a reprint of J. C.
Stinchfield's History of the Town of Leeds with new
material added by David C. Young. "Over three-
quarters of this book is devoted to genealogical
records of the early settlers of Leeds, Maine . . .
regarding more than forty of the town's leading
families. Additional noteworthy chapters include the
records of Marriage Intentions from 1801-1901 and
the Genealogy section containing Leeds men who were
living at the time the book was published (c1901)
and listing their children, parentage and paternal
and maternal grandparents." There are also narrative
chapters that cover a variety of facets of the
town's history. "Six families have been added to
this edition. Three are headed by African-American
Revolutionary soldiers. There is also a 'Schedule of
Settlers on Townships on Pegyscot (Pejepscot)
Patent: Littleboro (Leeds)' between 1781 and 1794,
from the original at the Maine Historical Society.
Another list of settlers in Leeds dates from around
1800 and is copied from Pejepscot Claim papers in
the Androscoggin Historical Society. A lot map for
the town of Leeds, drawn by the surveyor for the
Pejepscot Land Company in the early 1800s, enhances
this edition. The new master index will give the
researcher access to the treasures within this book.
This everyname index includes women's maiden and
married names, and also contains subjects and towns.
Illustrated with fifty portraits and town views.
Reprint 1997, paper, 600pp., $31.00." If interested,
contact Androscoggin Historical Society, 2 Turner
St., Auburn, ME 04210. Telephone 1-207-784-0586. The
Society receives the profit from those that we sell.

MEETING NOTICE

The next meeting of Androscoggin Historical Society
is Tuesday, October 22, 1996, at 7:30 P.M.

Topic: Wildcat Bank Notes

Speaker: Frank Trask

Location: The County Building

LEVI M. NELSON'S DIARY

Levi M. Nelson was born 27 June 1804 in New
Gloucester, Maine, son of David and Elizabeth
(Hunting) Nelson. He married 29 October 1827 Louisa
Gordon of Connecticut. He died 22 November 1880,
having lived most of his life in New Gloucester. The
Society has his autobiography, which he began in
June 1829 and which he continued much like an
intermittent diary with often lengthy entries that
continued until September 1858 and one entry in May
1862. Some early selections:

Dec. 6, 1830. . . . We continue to live with our
Parents enjoying much prosperity. our Son Roswell
grows nicely -- has become a great Boy which
Promises us much joy 

Apr. 14, 1831. This day moved from New G. into
Poland on a farm formerly owned by William
Skillinger it is situated on the East side of Black
Katt mountain. It is a very Large farm containing
280 acres with a fine 2orchard two Barns + A two
story house. But the society is in such a poor state
+ so many ill bread human beings are settled in all
directions around it, that it makes my Wife often
scold, I Left to feel very disagreeable . . .

Nov. 9 1831. have sold my farm to James H. Mirise
[sp.?] calculate on movving back to N.G.

Oct. 10, 1833 . . . Maine . . . has been compelled
to withdraw her support from the chief Magistrate
[President Jackson] of this great Union of States
for his gross + Most abusive Derigation of
constitutional Power for it is very plainly to be
seen that he is a relentless unfeeling Tyrent fit
for no office + desearvin of none . . .

Sunday, June 22, 1834 this Day did not attend
meeting in consequence of expecting my Bees to swarm
+ it so hapned that I had a very Large swarm come
out . . . There is nothing more dreary + Lonesome
than to stay home on Sunday in the summer when the
Days are so very Long from meeting . . .

May 11, 1835 . . . I have to assist me in carrying
on the farm one man + a Boy which is more help than
I usually have had. Our Dairy will consist this
summer of eleven cows it being one less than we kept
last year but it is enough for one woman to take the
charge off in all conscience. the First Parish in
this town seems to be in a bad situation owing to
some misunderstanding between the minister + one of
the members of the church respecting the subject of
belonging to a temperance society which has resulted
in the calling of a council for the member charges
the minister with telling an absolute falshood . . .
The council Met consisting of Chapin of Pownal
Hobarts of Yarmouth White of Gray Jones of Minot +
Adams of Lewiston. after hearing + putting the
evidence on Oath the council acquitted the Rev
Benjamin Rice Honorably + saw no suitable reason why
such a malicious a thing should have been brought
before the people.

Aug. 8, 1835 . . . Louisa Started on her journey
July 28

Aug. 17, 1835 Got up Monday morning at 2 Oc. heated
some water killed a Pig + Dressed him + got ready to
start for Portland before Day light father went to
market with a load of cheese + to help me along on
my Journey we arrived in Portland at one quarter
past 10 Oc. Did our marketing . . . I stayed +
walked Round the city with Brother Adison Davis who
was returning home to Boston the boat started at
precisely 7 Oc. was precisely 11 hours in Reaching
the wharf in Boston harbour I was very sick all
night long . . . [He spent the day in Boston] went
on the common saw some independant companys train or
go through numerous evolutions . . . the next Day he
[Davis] took a carriage + caryed me to Worcester to
visit cousin Jonnathan + other cousins found them
all well stayed till next morning had some nice
fruit enjoyed my visit remarkable well took the
stage next morning at 9 Oc. for Lisbon connecticut .
. . arrived at cousin Brewsters about Dark
assertained that Louisa was over to Lisbon . . .
stayed all night . . . next morning . . . I took my
Beard of + cleaned up changed my apparel + cousin
Brewster caryed me over to Lisbon where I one more
greeted Louisa . . . [Later they took a boat from
Norwich, Ct., to New York City, saw some sights in
one day, took a boat to Albany, a train to the Erie
Canal, and a canal boat to Rochester for 2¢ per mile
plus board. They visited with relatives.] The Land
all arround in that vicinity is of an even surface +
the soil of the richest sort + most suittable kind
for raising Wheat + making all other kind of
vegetables grow most to perfection . . .

May 1836 [After his father's death,] I had some
Little thoughts of Buying the other part of the Farm
of the Heirs for I had a Deed of one half before for
my services But on mature reflection I thought a
smaller farm would be much more conducive to my
happiness so I concluded to sell to my Brother Otis
+ buy a smaller farm. During all this time I wrote a
Letter to Brother Jedediah Gordon at Henrietta NY
for information respecting the rise of real estate
in that country + he wrote that it had risen 30 per
cent within one year that at ounce puntuated all my
hopes for that country . . . Property had got so
high that I could not see my way clear at preasant
to go there but still I think I shall go if I am
prospered in a few years So I Looked round and took
council + mad a purchase of a farm near the centre
of the town of New Gloucester a small farm of 70
acres + numerous buildings in prime order . . .
consequently I shifted Quarters on the 17th of
October . . .


CONDITIONAL INHERITANCE by Douglas I. Hodgkin

Before pensions and Social Security, provision for
old age could be precarious. Not all were successful
in the accumulation of personal wealth, and, in
rural America, personal wealth was tied up in the
land that the infirm aged would find difficult to
use for continuing income. Families were not always
reliable. Town assistance might involve boarding
with the lowest bidder, residence at the poor farm,
or aid at a minimal level.

However, control of the family estate could elicit a
higher level of support from one's family. Transfer
of that estate to a son or son-in-law could be made
conditional upon the provision of life support. I
found this in successive generations of the Additon
family of Leeds and Auburn, Maine.

Thomas Additon of Leeds (1794-1869), on 10 April
1855 sold for $2000 two pieces of land including 90
acres and buildings to son Thomas Jefferson Additon
[8:314], who then mortgaged the property back to the
father [19:219]. However, the mortgage would be
cancelled and the son would own the property if the
son would perform the conditions "contained in a
bond for the 'maintainance' [sic] of the said Thomas
Additon + wife during their natural lives." The
father and mother lived 14 and 16 years more,
respectively.

On 3 September 1886, Thomas Jefferson Additon (1832-
1897) entered into a similar agreement with his son
Elwin E. Additon. Thomas J. sold for $2000 to Elwin
his 90-acre homestead farm and another piece of
land, together with buildings [120:592]. Elwin
mortgaged it back for $2000, with the stipulation
that he could pay $4000 or fulfill conditions of a
bond [120:594]. This bond, registered in the
Registry of Deeds [140:455], provided that the
mortgage would be cancelled and Elwin would own the
property if he shall well and faithfully maintain
and support the said Thomas J. Additon and Rosilla
S. Additon wife of the said Thomas J. Additon during
their natural lives and the life of the survivor of
them, in sickness and in health, and shall furnish a
suitable horse and carriage on the farm, for the use
of said Thomas J. Additon and Rosilla S. Additon
during their and each of their lives, and shall
carry on the farm where all the parties hereto
reside, in a proper and husband-like manner, furnish
one half of the seed, pay one half of the money
taxes, and all the highway taxes from year to year,
(the said Thomas J. Additon to pay the other half of
the money taxes and furnish the other half of the
seed) and shall give to the said T. J. Additon one
half of the products of said farm and one half of
the income of the growth of the stock upon the farm
from year to year, after deducting the support of
the parties hereto; and after the decease of said
Thomas J. Additon, shall furnish all the seed and
pay all the taxes, should the said Rosilla S.
Additon survive the said Thomas J. Additon and shall
furnish the said Thomas J. and Rosilla S. with one
undivided half of "thouse" [sic] on said farm, and
shall do their cooking when they desire it, and
furnish wood for their fire, prepared for the stove
and in good order for use; and shall furnish a home
for Annie S. Additon, daughter of said T. J. and
Rosilla S. Additon, so long as she remains
unmarried; and after the decease either of the said
Thomas J. Additon or Rosilla S. Additon, the said
Elwin E. Additon shall pay all taxes, and furnish
all the seed, and shall give to the survivor one
quarter of the net income of the farm and stock and
at the decease of both said Thomas J. and Rosilla S.
Additon, all stock, carriages, horses, and farming
utensils, to be and remain the property of the said
Elwin E. Additon. And at the decease, severally, of
the said Thomas J. and Rosilla S. Additon, the said
Elwin E. Additon shall furnish them with suitable
burial. . . .

Annie married one year later. Thomas J. lived
another eleven years; his wife, another nineteen.

Elwin Everett Additon (1864-1942) moved to North
River Road in Auburn in 1922 after his buildings in
Leeds burned the year before. He farmed with his son
Orland, who died in 1931 leaving five orphaned
children, who then were raised by their
grandparents. Elwin's son-in-law Charles Meade then
joined him in operating the farm.

Elwin also made inheritance of part of his estate
conditional, this time in a will [File 22812]. Upon
his death in 1942, among other provisions, he left
to Charles K. and Louise M. Meade the homestead,
tools, equipment, supplies, and thirty head of
stock, provided (1) they "shall provide for my
beloved wife, Mary A. Additon, a home together with
comfortable care and maintenance" during her
lifetime, and (2) they would furnish the five
children of son Orland "a home for each and every
one of them if they desire it until they
respectively reach the age of twenty-one years, and
furthermore, provide each and every one of them with
such care, support, and clothes as may be necessary,
and a high school education or its equivalent. . .
." Meade's mother-in-law lived another 10 years. The
youngest of Orland's children reached age 21 in
eight years. [Sources in Androscoggin County deeds
and prob ate records]

SKINNER TRANSCRIPTS

We continue to catalog Ralph Skinner's transcripts
of his radio addresses that are available in the
Society's files. 1964

May 10 Auburn's Episcopal Church

May 16 How the Salvation Army Came to Lewiston

May 17 How the Salvation Army Keeps Growing

May 23 Trinity Episcopal Parish

May 24 Trinity's Granite Church

June 5 The Advent Christian Church

June 6 Two Auburn Churches Became One

June 7 Auburn's United Baptists

June 13 Lewiston's Lutherans

June 14 A Monument to Faith

June 23 The Price of Federal Aid

June 27 Three Denominations in One Church

June 28 An Old Faith in a New Locale

July 4 The Adventists Arrive

July 5 The Advent Christian Church

July 11 How St. Mary's Parish Started

July 12 Beautiful Church on a Busy Street

July 18 Maine's Seventh-Day Adventists

July 19 Auburn's Seventh-Day Adventist Church

July 25 The Greeks Come to Lewiston

July 26 The Archbishop Arrives

Aug. 1 Auburn's First Catholic Church

Aug. 2 St. Louis Meets the Test

Aug. 8 Lewiston's Beth Jacob Synagogue

Aug. 9 Auburn's Beth Abraham Synagogue

Aug. 15 The Newer Catholic Churches

Aug. 16 The Growth of Holy Cross Parish

Aug. 21 Maine's Beloved Economy

Aug. 22 The Danville Churches

Aug. 23 The Marston's Corner Church

Aug. 29 Church of the Nazarene

Aug. 30 Auburn's Pentecostal Assembly

Sep. 5 Where Auburn Got Its Start

Sep. 6 What One Man Did for Auburn

Sep. 12 Danville's Union Church

Sep. 13 The Stevens Mills Church

Sep. 19 South Auburn's Two Churches

Oct. 12 The South Auburn Baptist Church

Oct. 17 Auburn Methodists Move Ahead

Oct. 18 A New Church for a New Age

Oct. 24 The New Universalist Church

Oct. 25 The Mormon Church in Maine

1965

Jan. 2 The Settlers Had to Have Shoes

Jan. 3 Auburn's First Shoe Factory

Jan. 9 Sweat Shops and Shoe Factories

Jan. 10 Auburn Shoe Industry Takes Shape

Jan. 16 Shoe Industry Spreads to North Auburn

Jan. 17 When Seat Shops Spattered the Auburn Map

Feb. 7 Early Shoemaking Inventions

Feb. 13 Roak Sets the Shoe Pace

Feb. 14 Big Fire and a New Start

Feb. 20 Auburn Shoes in 1860

Feb. 21 Auburn Shoes and the Civil War

Feb. 28 All Auburn Shoe Firms Speed Up

Mar. 6 Cushman, Shoes, and Machinery

Mar. 7 Roak Block . . . and Steam Power

Mar. 13 Auburn Shoes Show Style

Mar. 14 Shoemaking Methods and Styles

Mar. 27 From the Bench to Front Office

Mar. 28 The Wise and Cooper Story

Mar. 29 Shoe Factories Had Problems

Apr. 4 Unionism Take Shape

Apr. 10 Fitz Brothers Lasts

Apr. 11 The Men Who Made Lasts

Apr. 17 Makers of Shoe Patterns

Apr. 18 From Shoe Patterns to Cutting Dies

Apr. 24 Auburn Shoes in the 1880's

Apr. 25 Auburn Adds Moccasins

Douglas I. Hodgkin, editor Androscoggin Historical
Society County Building Auburn, ME 04210