Illustrated History of Kennebec County, Maine: Town of Clinton ----------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free genealogical information on the Internet, data may be freely used for personal research and by non-commercial entities as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may not be reproduced in any format or presentation by other organizations or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for profit or any form of presentation, must obtain the written consent of the file submitter, or his legal representative and then contact the listed USGENWEB archivist with proof of this consent. Submitted September 22, 1999 by Abby Balderama frab2can@pacbell.net Copyright 1999 by Abby Balderama ----------------------------------------------------- Kingsbury, Henry D., & Deyo, Simeon L., eds., Illustrated History of Kennebec County, Maine. New York: H. W. Blake & Co., 1892. p. 1243-1256 CHAPTER XLVII. TOWN OF CLINTON. Natural Features.--Present Industries.--Incorporation.--Indian Scare of 1812.-- Clinton Village.--Early Settlers.--Taverns.--Stores.--Mills.--Old Stage Routes.--Churches.--Cemeteries.--Pishon's Ferry.--Noble's Ferry.--Morri- son's, Decker's and Woodsum's Corners.--Civil History.--Societies.--Per- sonal Paragraphs. THIS, the most northeasterly town in Kennebec county lying between the Kennebec and Sebasticook rivers, is bounded north by Canaan, east by Pittsfield, Burnham and Unity Plantation, south by Benton and west by Fairfield. The surface of the town is rolling, crossed by several small streams, and is altogetber an ideal farming district. The soil is a clay loam yielding rich and abundant crops of hay. The trunk line of the Maine Central railroad runs through the southeastern portion of the town, having a station at Clinton village, where most of the present manufacturing industries--including saw mills, a grist mill, carding mill, tannery, door and sash factory and a boot and shoe factory--are located. Pishon's Ferry, on the Kennebec, is the other principal center of business, a number of saw and grist mills being operated in the neighborhood. At the time of settlement, about 1775, Clinton was within the limits of the Plymouth Patent. It was organized into a plantation by the name of Hancock in or before 1790, at which date the number of inhabitants was but 278. In the old and musty records of the town the first entry is the copy of "An Act to Incorporate the Plantation of Hancock in the County of Lincoln into a Town by the name of Clinton," February 27, 1795. At this time the most thickly populated portion of Clinton lay in what is now the town of Benton, and it was here, according to the records, that the first town meeting was held, April 20, 1795, at the house of Captain Jonathan Philbrook. At this meeting Ezekiel Brown, jun., was chosen moderator and clerk; Ebenezer Heald, treasurer, and Captain Andrew Richardson, John Burrill and Silas Barron, selectmen and assessors. On March 6, 1797, a tax of $300 was voted for the support of the eight school districts, nearly all of which lay in what is now Benton, with a total attendance of 166 scholars; and December 7, 1801, the first record of a "representative to congress" is found, Martin Kinsley being chosen. THE INDIAN SCARE.--In 1802 occurred the great "Indian Scare," with, as it proved, a laughable result. The American ship Adams being pursued up the Penobscot by a British cruiser, the crew of the Adams blew up their vessel, and crossed the country to the headwaters of the Sebasticook, where they embarked in bateaux, and sailed down the river. Rumors of Indian massacres being then prevalent, the inhabitants of the Maine towns were ready to take alarm at any strange or unusual sight. Two girls who were crossing a field by the river, near where Jewett Hunter now lives, descried at a distance the descending bateaux filled with armed men, and, without waiting for a closer inspection of the strangers, fled to the nearest house with the cry: "The Indians are coming!" The alarm spread from house to house, and the people dropped their occupations, and began fleeing toward Fort Point, in Winslow, for protection from the supposititious savages. It was past noon when the scare began, and it was not until nightfall that the true state of affairs became known and the settlers began returning to their Homes. It is stated that one young man by the name of Cain, who was lame, and therefore unable to compete with his neighbors in their race for the fort, lay hidden all night in a potato trench on his father's farm: In the meantime the crew of tne abandoned ship had left their boats at Clinton village, and crossed the town to Noble's Ferry, where they were conveyed over the river to Fairfield, and thence carried to to Waterville by Isaac Chase. Jonas, son of Isaac, now lives on the Clinton side of the former ferry, at the advanced age of eighty five, and retains a dim memory of the farcical episode, which was talked of by the fireside for many years after its occurrence. The girls who gave the false alarm, Jerusha Doe and Polly Richardson, afterward became Mrs. Michels and Mrs. Bagley, respectively. CLINTON VILLAGE.--Among the earliest settlers at this point were Asa Brown and a Mr. Grant, who took up farms on the Sebasticook, about a mile east of the village, previous to 1798; and Jonathan Brown, who, about the same time, lived in a house on the site of that in which Charles Jaquith now resides. Previous to 1800, Jesse Baker was proprietor of the farm now owned by Joseph Piper, and he also owned nearly all the land in the village south of Fifteen-mile line. He died about twenty-five years ago, nearly eighty years of age. About the same time that Baker came to Clinton, Moses (or George) Michels settled on land now occupied in part by the cemetery; and some distance to the eastward, Joseph Doe located at the foot of the "Fifteen-mile Rips." Previous to 1812 two brothers, James and Charles Brown, took up land about a mile southwest of the village. James' farm was that now owned by William Brock, and Charles lived just above him, in the house, still standing, now the home of Goodwin Abbott. The Hunters, David & Martin, came to Clinton from Topsham, Me., about 1815. David, colloquially known as "King David," because of his masterful ways, lived where Ira Whitten now resides, opposite the cemetery; and Martin lived on what is now the Plummer farm. Both were large farmers and men of great business enterprise, and among the older people of the community the village is spoken of as "Hunter's Mills." About 1817 Arthur McNally bought a piece of land from Jonathan Brown on the bank of the Sebasticook, about a mile from the village. It adjoined the land now owned by his son, Arthur, who is sixty-six years old. Previous to 1836 Israel Owen, the first postmaster of the village, lived on the lot, now vacant, opposite the Clinton House; and at the "Point," on the farther side of the river, lived Adoniram Sinclair, previous to 1840. Among the earliest physicians were: Doctor Thorndike, who practiced here about forty-four years ago; and William Guptill, who came here about forty-three years ago, and who built what is now the Methodist parsonage. Other early practitioners were: Richard Williams, who lived thirty-five years ago in the house now occupied by Mr. Dutton, next beyond the Village House; Benjamin Clement, who, about the same time boarded at the Clinton House, then kept by Alfred Hunter; Pitt M. Whitten, who, about thirty years ago, lived in the house now occupied by Alfred Roundy; and Daniel Moody, who, from about 1862 down to within a few years, had his office in the house now belonging to Morris McNally. The law was not invoked so frequently among the early settlers as among their more beligerent descendants, and no record is found of a law office being established in the town until about seventeen years ago, when Mark P. Hatch "hung out his shingle" over the store now occupied by E. E. Merrill, and five years later, when Everett Hammons opened temporarily an office over the present post office. The oldest living teacher in the town is Sylvester Powell, who was born near the village about sixty-five years ago, and who has "taught around" for the last forty years. The first tavern at the village was built by Alfred Hunter, about 1834, and is now known as the Clinton House. Hunter kept the tavern until his death, in 1880, after which his widow presided over it until, in April, 1881, it was purchased by the present proprietor, Cushman Brown. About 1836 William Weymouth built the house now owned by Elbridge G. Hodgdon. It stood at first about a mile above James Weymouth's present dwelling, on the Bangor road, but its owner afterward moved it down to the village, added to it a story and an ell and opened it as a tavern. About 1860 Randolph Goodwin kept the house for a few years; then Emery Whitten ran it for about four years; and in 1867 Mr. Hodgdon bought it, made extensive internal alterations in it and has since occupied it as his residence. About 1860-65 Franklin Hunter kept a tavern for a number of years in the house now occupied by Stephen A. Robinson. The Village House, in Church street, was built by George Snow about 1869. He conducted business there for a few years and then sold out to William Roundy. In 1879 the Present landlord, Arnold F. Worthing, purchased the property. About 1833 David Hunter, lst ("King David"), David, 2d, and James, his brother, built the first saw mills where the present mills now stand; and in 1834 David Hunter, lst, David, 2d, and Jonathan Brown erected a grist mill on the site of that now in operation. The former mill site is owned by William Lamb, who, in addition to his saw mill, has added a factory for the manufacture of croquet sets; and the latter mill site is the property of Hodgdon & Smith. At the foot of the dam of these mills, previous to 1836, herring were caught in large numbers, and the privilege of taking the fish was sold at auction, after the manner related of the same industry in the chapter on the town of Benton. On the island opposite the village was once, in 1836, a shingle machine owned primarily by E. G. Hodgdon, David Hunter, lst, and others, but afterward run by James Spaulding. About 1850 it was changed into a brush factory, the owners being two Vermont men. After three or four years they sold to Justin Brown, who for a time manufactured staves in the building. Brown sold to A. R. Mitchell & Co., who erected a large building for the manufacture of croquet sets and brush handles. This firm failed, however, and the factory was set off to the creditors. Shortly after, about 1875, it was burned, and no building has since been erected on the island. In 1884 Arthur McNally bought the land and the privilege. Previous to 1836 William Weymouth built the first blacksmith shop at the village. It stood on the site of the store now owned by E. G. Hodgdon and occupied by E. E. Merrill. As early as 1840 a carding mill was built by Billings & Stinchfield, near the old Hunter grist mill. Billings afterward bought out Stinchfield and conducted the business until he died, about ten years ago. Jesse Dorman bought the plant and ran it until 1890, when he sold to William Lamb, who has run it only occasionally since, the business having much declined. The blacksmith shop on Railroad street, near Main street, was built by Japheth M. Winn in 1843. He ran it until 1869, when he sold to Rutherford B. Thompson & Henry J. Hussey. They conducted the business jointly until 1874, when Thompson purchased Hussey's interest. He ran the shop alone until early in 1892. Among the first general stores built in the neighborhood was that erected by David and Moses Brown, and James and Alpheus Hunter. It stood on the present farm of James Weymouth and in 1833 was hauled down to the village center. A part of the old building is now occupied as a store by Manly Morrison. About the same time that the above mentioned building was moved to the village Israel Owen erected a store on the spot where the old cistern stands, opposite the Clinton House. It was burned about 1843. The drug store now occupied by Charles Wentworth was opened as a general store by Nathan Merrill about 1839. He shortly afterward sold out to Dudley Sinclair. In 1853 E. G. Hodgdon built a small store on part of the land now occupied by E. E. Merrill's store, the latter being built by Mr. Hodgdon in 1866. In 1853-4 Daniel Billings put up a small building opposite Hunter's mills, in which he ran a shoemaker's shop. He sold to Zimri Hunter, who kept store there until his death, six years ago. Three important industries in the village of the present time are the creamery, the tannery and the new shoe factory. The creamery was built in 1888, largely through the instrumentality of the Patrons of Husbandry. It is located on Weymouth hill and is owned by a stock company, of which William Lamb is president and C. H. Greely, treasurer. The tannery, a large building near the railroad station, was erected by Jonathan B. Besse & Son in 1890. The works are operated by steam power and employ fourteen hands. Russet linings only are manufactured, the weekly capacity being 1,000 dozen skins. In July, 1892, the Clinton Village Manufacturing Association, incorporated with a capital of $10,000, began the erection of a large wooden building, 40 by 100 feet, for the manufacture of boots and shoes, in which one hundred hands will be employed. Elbridge G. Hodgdon is president of the company and Japhet M. Winn, treasurer. The early settlers of Clinton were God-fearing people, and a regular religious society was established soon after the incorporation of the town. The form of worship observed was that of the Methodist Episcopal church, which has had an organization in Clinton for over ninety years. The name of Jonathan Brown is gratefully remembered in the early history of this church. He was the first class leader in the society, and was ardently devoted to the cause. The charge of this circuit received the labors of the fathers of the conference, including Reverends Daniel B. Randall, James Farrington, Theodore Hill, Benjamin B. Byrne and others. The society has an interesting and successful history; it is the oldest and largest religious organization in the town. September 27, 1866, the erection of the present commodious and attractive edifice in Church street was begun; it was dedicated in the following year. In 1884 over $3,000 was expended in enlarging and beautifying the building, erecting a chapel, and buying the present convenient parsonage, which stands on the society's land. Of this amount, the larger part was generously contributed by William W. Brown, of Portland, and a fine memorial window added in remembrance of his parents, Jonathan and Betsey Brown. The Sunday school of the church has a membership in excess of 100. The following have been the regular pastors since a record has been kept: Reverends Hyram Murthy, 1857; Theodore Hill, 1858; Jesse Harriman, 1859; B. B. Byrne, 1861; Lewis Wentworth, 1863; H. P. Blood, 1864; D. M. True, 1867; G. G. Winslow, 1868; C. H. Bray, 1871; J. A. L. Rich, 1873; Sylvanus L. Hanscom, 1875; Pascal E. Brown, 1878; William T. Jewell, 1881; Charles E. Springer, 1882; Jesse R. Baker, 1883; Justin S. Thompson, 1886, and William L. Brown, 1888. The first church edifice erected in the village was the Union church--built about 1847--which stands across the street opposite the Methodist church. It was a plain, unpretentious structure. It was jointly occupied by the Methodists, Congregationa1ists and Universalists, until the Methodists erected their building, when the Congregationalists and Universalists occupied the Union church more or less frequently for many years. Now the bui1ding is rarely used, and then only by the small remainder of the Universalist society. The Congregationalists, as an organized church body, have disappeared from the village altogether. The Freewill Baptist church, organized with fourteen members in February, 1888, has now a membership of sixty-three. In August, 1888, the corner stone of their present attractive church home was laid in Western avenue. The building, which cost about $4,000, was dedicated in August, 1889. The bell was donated by Mrs. Ruth Taft, of Massachusetts; the chandelier by John F. Lamb, of Auburn, and the Bible by the late Mrs. Cynthia Brown, all former residents of Clinton. Rev. Albert D. Hodge, pastor since April, 1888, preaches also at Pishon's Ferry. The Sunday school of the church, established in the spring of 1889, now numbers about ninety scholars. William Lamb was superintendent the first year, and was succeeded by George P. Billings. The village cemetery stands on a slight eminence south of the vi1lage, and contains some thirty or more monuments, some of them of very handsome design. The ground is well fenced, and is entered through a wide portcullis gateway, just south of which is a substantial stone receiving vault. The cemetery was laid out previous to 1833 by an association of citizens, from whom, some years afterward, the town purchased half of the ground. Enlargements have been made at various times by the association until the cemetery now covers about two acres, only one-third of which belongs to the town. The most interesting monument in the cemetery is that which stands in the northwest corner of the ground, erected in memory of Betsey (Chase) Low, "the first female white child born in Clinton." The date of Mrs. Low's birth; probab1y about 1780-85, is not given, and is not exactly known by her descendants. Other old inhabitants of the town who are buried here are: Jesse Baker, b. 1748, d. 1835; Job Roundy, b. 1763, d. 1837; Sarah, wife of Abner Woodsum, b. 1768, d. 1844; Francis Elder, b. 1775, d. 1854; Jonathan Brown, b. 1779, d. 1862; Abram Frees, b. 1781, d. 1840; Abigail Hunter (wife of David, 1st), b. 1785, d. 1858; John Hall, b. 1787, d. 1860; James Hunter, b. 1790, d. 1875; Charles Brown, b. 1790, d. 1842; Daniel Greeley, b. 1797, d. 1879, and Samuel S. Foster, b. 1799, d. 1885. PISHON'S FERRY. Charles Pishon came to Clinton previous to 1800, and established the ferry that still bears his name. He died about fifty years ago at the age of eighty. On what is now Asa Pratt's farm, south of the ferry, was born Betsey (Chase) Low, who was mother of Francis, and grandmother of James, the latter an active farmer, living about a mile south of the Pratt farm. Previous to 1790 Samuel Varnam settled at the ferry on the farm now occupied by Charles Rowe. David Pratt settled, about 1802, on the farm now owned by Asa Pratt. Abram Frees, an old time physician, began practice at the Ferry about l815; and beginning some years later, an old teacher, Elbridge G. Rideout, instructed the youth of this and other districts for many years. Another old settler at the Ferry was John Totman, who died three years ago at the age of eighty-two. The first tavern at the Ferry was kept, previous to 1815, by a man named Burrill, in the house in which William Totman now lives. It was afterward run for a number of years by the late Gideon Wells, who came from Vienna in 1800. About this time David Pratt and Joseph Mills also kept taverns south of the Ferry, on the river road. Pratt's tavern was in the house now owned by his grandson, Asa; and Mills' tavern was in the house now owned by Daniel Cain. About 1815 Benjamin Chase settled at the Ferry and built a saw and grist mill on Carrabassett stream. He afterward went to Illinois, where he died, about 1820. His sons, Benjamin and Amos, sold the property to Benjamin Caford, and after a year or two the latter sold to Benjamin Reed. About 1827 Reed sold to Milton Philbrook, who sold the mills to Hiram Burri11, and later George S. Ricker bought the privilege of the Philbrook heirs. About thirty-five years ago, when Burrill owned the mills, they were burned. He rebuilt them, and about twenty years afterward they were again burned. The present mills were built by Mr. Ricker in 1889. On the same stream, near these mills, Levi Maynard built a carding mill, about 1832. lt stood in the present garden of Israel H. Richardson. Higher up the stream, an old forge, the remains of which are still visible, was established by a Mr. Peavy, previous to 1824. Peavy made iron out of bog ore obtained on the spot. He failed about 1826, since which time the forge has never been worked. The store at the Ferry now occupied by William Totman was opened by his father, John, about 1832. Twenty years later the senior Totman sold the store to the community, and for some time it was conducted on the cooperative plan, but it did not prove a success. At the time of selling this store, Mr. Totman built another about ten rods northwest of the old store. About 1872 this building was moved across the river to East Fairfield, and Mr. Totman repurchased from the district his former store. A short distance north of this building Manly Morrison erected, in 1880, a store, which was burned in 1883. About 1800 a Baptist church was organized here, but it has never had an edifice of its own. The society worshipped in District No. 2 school house until the Good Templars' Hall was erected, just north of the Ferry, about twenty-five years ago, since which time services have been held in that building. The society has now dwindled down to about a dozen members, both of its deacons are dead, and its records are lost. The Second Freewill Baptist Church of Clinton was organized May 17, 1874, with about fifty members. Until 1890 the congregation worshiped on alternate Sundays with the Baptist society in Good Templars' Hall. In the last named year the erection of a meeting house was begun, and on November 9th of the same year, the building was dedicated. It is a modest structure, standing on the bank of the river overlooking the ferry. The successive pastors have been: Reverends I. N. Bates and Samuel Savage, 1874 (preaching alternately); I. N. Bates, 1877; Samuel Savage, 1880; Miss Isadore Haynes, 1881; L. Given, l882; E. Z. Whitman, 1883; Willard Carr, 1885; E. G. Page, 1887, and Rev. A. D. Dodge, 1890. A private cemetery, located just south of George Joy's farm, near the Canaan line, was in use previous to 1800, and the remains of a number of old settlers, among them those of Isaac Keene, a revolutionary soldier, are here interred. In 1847 the ground was substantially fenced by James Morrison, John and George Joy and George Pettigrew. Altogether about one hundred have here found a last resting place. NOBLE'S FERRY.--Soon after the revolution, Benjamin Noble from Swan island, and settled in Fairfield, where he established a ferry to Clinton, about two miles south of Pishon's Ferry. It was abandoned about twenty years ago. Just previous to the revolution, Deacon Joseph Spearin settled on the farm at present owned by Jonas Chase. Previous to 1800 James Lamb settled on the farm now the property of the widow of George Witten, about half a mile south the old ferry. He was afterward a pensioner of the war of 1812. James, his son (deceased), was born on the farm about 1800. Francis Low lived on the farm now occupied by his son, James. He bought cattle, and drove them on foot to the Brighton, Mass., market, the trips usually consuming a fortnight. About the same time Mephibosheth Cain, father of Daniel, lived on the river road above Francis Low's farm. About 1810 the Spearins, Deacon Joseph, Benjamin and John built a saw mill on what is at present known as Jackins' Brook. Only the site is now visible. In the neighborhood of 1860, in the northern part of the old Spearin farm, Abijah Parker had a blacksmith shop; but is not now in existence. On the farm of Jonas Chase the town has a cemetery, well-fenced, and maintained in good order. It dates back to revolutionary times and was originally the first private burying ground in Clinton, being owned by the Spearins, Pratts, Kendalls and Chases. The town bought it about 1833-4, and has since twice enlarged it. It covers now about three acres. Here, among many other early settlers, lie buried Gideon Wells, who died October 12, 1816, aged forty-four; and Amy, wife of Stevens Kendall, who died August l4, 1814, aged twenty-nine. MORRISON'S CORNER.--Mordecai Moers was the earliest known settler of Morrison's Corner. He lived on the hill south of the Corner, and when he died, fifty years ago, was said to have attained the remarkable age of 105. His son, John, lived in a house on the present Weymouth farm until about 1850, when he died at the age of eighty-five. Previous to 1810 John Flood settled on the Ridge road from the Corner to Canaan. He lived on the farm now owned by Ebenezer Lewis. The latter's father, John, bought the place of Flood, previous to 1860. About 1820 James Morrison settled on the farm now owned by Martin Jewell, and about the same time Samuel Weymouth settled on the land now occupied by his son, Alfred. About 1810 a man named Miller built a saw mill on a brook west of the Corner. It was abandoned about 1820, and only the site now remains. James Morrison kept a small store in his house about sixty years ago. It was the first opened at the Corner. The next store, which was burned about twenty-five years ago, was kept by Samuel Weymouth, on the site of that now occupied by Martin Jewell, and in which the post office is located. This latter store was built in 1885 by Alfred Weymouth and John B. Rowe. Another store, burned about 1872, was run by George Woodsum, across the road, east from the post office, on land now owned by Gideon Wells' heirs. A store was built by Mr. Wells, about 1870, on the site of that formerly occupied by Samuel Weymouth. It was run by Pratt & Hodgdon, but was also burned about l880. After the civil war Llewellyn Decker kept a store near where the post office stands; but fifteen years ago he built his present store on the farm, and closed his former place of business. About 1830 a stage was run from Waterville to Canaan, first by way of Noble's Ferry and Morrison's Corner, and afterward by way of Pishon's Ferry. It was driven by Captain Joseph Morrison (who, prior to this, carried the mail on horseback from Waterville to Canaan), and was run to intersect, at the latter town, the stage route from Bangor to Skowhegan. The Freewill Baptist Society at Morrison's Corner was organized September 22, 1827, and held its first meetings in the district school house. The records of the society have been very loosely kept, and only the barest outline of the church's history can be gathered from them. The church building, erected in 1850, and dedicated in 1852, stands just north of the Corner, on the road to Pishon's Ferry. It was, and still is, a Union church, but is used principally by the Free-will Baptists. So far as can be gathered, those who have preached in the church, both of the Methodist and Baptist denominations, are: -- Addington, previous to 1851; A. I. Baker, 1851-3 and 1867; Joseph Spearin, 1853, 1860, l866; -- Bush, 1854; D. Lancaster, 1858-9; Augustus Bowman, 1861; Isaac Bates, 1869; Nathan Turner, 1870; S. Savage, 1874-6; and G. W. Cortes, 1878, l88l. Of late years the society has became somewhat disorganized, and no religious services have been he1d in the church. A neatly fenced private cemetery, now containing some three-score graves, was laid out a few rods west of the Corner, about fifty years ago, by Gideon Wells, James Morrison, Samuel Weymouth, Robert Cain and Joseph Monson. DECKER'S CORNER.--The father of Stephen Decker settled here about l800. Stephen, then a child, came with his father to Clinton, and died in 1873. Stephen's sons, David and Isaacc, lived and died on the old farm. Isaac's son, Elsworth, now occupies the place. Ebenezer, father of John Lewis, lived on the farm now owned by his grandson, George H. Moses, father of Samuel Weymouth, lived on what is now the Homan Pratt farm, prior to 1800. He was about ninety years old when he died, early in the 'forties. Other old settlers in this neighborhood were: Aaron, Lewis, Abner and James Elbridge, brothers, who lived on the farm now owned by John Low. Their father came here from Boston long prior to 1800. About seventy years ago Stephen Decker kept a store at the Corner in what is now Henry E. Decker's wagon house, and ten years later John Weymouth kept a blacksmith shop near by. Some distance eastward from the Corner Bryant Flye built, about 1832, a small grist mill on the Twelve-mile stream, near what is known as the "Horseback road." Shortly afterward Flye sold to A. Owens. About 1854 Owens took Charles Brimner as a partner, who soon after bought out Owens' interest, and put in a saw, shingle and lath machine. About 1860 he built a carriage shop in addition to the mill. He sold this shop to Austin Larie in 1874, and three years later went to California, since which time his son, James, has attended to the business. Two miles above Brimner's mill Oliver C. Dickey started an up and down saw mill, about 1842; and about 1854 he built a saw and shingle mill on the Avery brook on his farm. The former mill is now rotted down, no trace of it being left; the latter is still run by Oliver's son, James. WOODSUM'S CORNER--Abiather Woodsum, for whom the Corner is named, settled here previous to 1820. He and Daniel Holt and Grandnief Goodwin kept general stores in the neighborhood about 1840, but they have long ceased to exist--both stores and store-keepers. An extensive farmer for those times was Abner True, who lived, about 1827, near the cemetery on the Morrison's Corner road. The farm is now occupied by his son, Abner. About half a mile southeast of this farm George Reynolds lived, prior to 1840, on the land now owned by his son, John. A short distance west of the town house, which stands about equi-distant from Clinton Village and Morrison's Corner, is a cemetery dating prior to 1817. It was at first a private ground, but the town now controls it. Though fairly fenced, it is within a wilderness of weeds and bushes, and bears evidence of 1ong-continued neglect. In this desolate spot lie buried: Johnson Lunt, b. 1763, d. 1830; Abner True, b. 1777, d. 1838; Abiather Woodsum, b. 1786, d. 1847, and members of the Weymouth, Wyman, Wood, Small, Roundy, Brackett and Holt families. CIVIL HISTORY.--The following is the list of the selectmen, the first year of each man's service, and the number of times elected (when more than one), being given: 1795, Captain Andrew Richardson, 7, John Burrill, 4, Silas Barron; 796, Gershom Flagg, Timothy Hudson, 3, Joseph Saunders; 1797, Captain Samue1 Grant, Ezekiel Brown jun., ll; 1798, Jonah Crosby, jun., George Fitz Gerald, Asher Hinds, 14; 1799, Robert Philbrook, 4; 1802, Jeremiah Hunt, 2; 1803, Isaiah Brown and James North; 1804, Alfred Hinds; 1807, Ezekiel Brown, 5, John Bowman, 3; 1809, Haynes Learned; l81l, Joseph Spearin; 1813, Obadiah North; l8l4, Herbert Moore, William Spearin, 10; 1816, William Eames, 5; 1817, Nathaniel Healey and Henry Johnson; 1818, Hobart Richardson, 6, Abijah Brown, 8; 1819, Israel Fox; 1820, John FitzGerald; 1824, Thomas Brown, 3; 1825, David Hunter, 10; 1827, Joseph Clarke; 1828, Whiting Robinson, 3; 1829, Stephen Decker; 1830, John H. Stinchfield, 1l, James Hunter, 4; 1831, James Smith; 1832, William Ames, 4; 1836, Daniel Wells and Joseph P. Piper; 1837, A1fred Hunter, Samuel Weymouth, 10; 1838, Richard Wells, 7; 1840, James W. North and James D. Barrill; 1841, Joab Harriman, 3; D. H. Brown; 1842, Francis Low, 4; 1843, Joseph Monson; 1844, Samuel Burrill, 2; 1845, Orrin Smith, 4; 1846, Jesse Baker, 3; 1847, Charles Jewett; 1848, Samuel Haines, 7, Matthew Pratt, 2; 1849, Sargent Jewell, 3; 1852, Abner True; 1853, Joseph Piper; 1855, Asa Pratt; l856, David P. Chase; l857, Thomas B. Stinchfield, 2, Samuel Parkman, 2, Moses Dixon, 2; 1859, Parker Piper, 2, Japheth M. Winn, 8, Shepherd Weymouth; 1860, Thomas J. Richardson; 1861, Simon Woodsum; 1862, Charles W. Billings; 1864, Joseph Spearin, jun., 4; 1866, William Lamb, 3, Alfred L. Brown, 8, William H. Leavitt; 1867, Benjamin Morrison, Samuel S. Foster and Sewell Brown; 1868, Orrin B. Holt, 2; 1870, G. W. Farnham and B. F. Chase; 187l, Jonas Chase, 3, Thomas M. Galusha, 3; l874, John P. Billings, 4, Howard W. Dodge, 8; 1876, Edmund Parkman, 2; 1878, David Cain; 1879, Alfrey Weymouth, 7, Martin Jewell; 1880, Noah M. Prescott, 3; 1882, Edward E. Piper, Reuel W. Gerald, 5; 1884, Asa Haines, 2; 1885, Sylvester Powell, George A. Spearin and James E. Stewart; 1887, James L. Weymouth, 2, Willis Cain; 1888, George Higgins; 1889, Manly Morrison, 4, George S. Ricker, 4. The following have acted as town clerks since the incorporation: 1795, Ezekiel Brown, jun.; l796, Gershom Flagg; 1797, Ezekiel Brown, jun.; 1798, Andrew Richardson; 1799, Ezekiel Brown; 180l, Gershom Flagg; l809, Ebenezer Heald, jur.; 1813, Jeremiah Hunt; 1815, Asher Hinds; 1816, Odiorne Heald; 1817, Nathaniel Healey; 1818, Joseph Clarke; 1823, Whiting Robinson; 1836, John H. Stinchfield; 1839, Charles Jewett; 1840, John H. Stinchfield; 184l, Charles Jewett; 1844, Joseph Monson; 1845, Philander Sou1e; 1847, Rev. A. Buker; 1848, John Totman; 1850, John H. Stinchfield; 1855, Jesse Baker; l857, Charles W. Billings; 1859, Cornelius H. Kidder; 1861, Albert Hunter; 1863, Cornelius H. Kidder; 1867, William H. Bigelow; l868, Cornelius H. Kidder; l870, Alpheus Rowell; 1871, Elbridge G. Hodgdon; 1874, Cornelius H. Kidder; 1875, Mark P. Hatch; 1877, Cornelius H. Kidder; l880, Howard W. Dodge, and since 1889, C. C. Hayes. Treasurers: Ebenezer Heald, 1795; Capt. Andrew Richardson, l797; Capt. Samuel Grant, l798; Dennis Getchell, 1801; Capt. Amos Richardson, l803; Capt. Samuel Grant, 1804; Capt. Amos Burton, 1808; Gershom F1agg, 1809; M. Cain, 1825; Gershom Flagg, 1826; David Hunter, 1831; Robert M. Kimball, 1838; David Hunter, 1839; Philander Soule, l842; Orrin Smith, l843; Jesse Baker, l844; Francis Low, 1846; Zimri Hunter, 1847; Samuel Weymouth, 1849; Charles Jewett, 1850; Charles Joy, 185l; Charles Jewett, l852; Francis Low, 1855; Benjamin Morrison, 1857; Oliver C. Dickey, 1862; Benjamin Morrison, 1862; Japheth M. Winn, 1868; Alfred L. Brown, 1869; Benjamin Morrison, 1871; Japheth M. Winn, 1879; Howard M. Dodge, 1888, Japheth M. Winn since 1889. The town house stands on the Morrison's Corner road, a few rods west of Woodsum's Corner. It is a large and rather dilapidated looking building, erected about 1820. Previous to this the town held its meetings in Woodsum's store at the Corner. Prior to the erection of Benton a poor farm, about half a mile west of Morrison's Corner, was owned by the town. This place was purchased of the town, in 1840, by Matthew Pratt, and until 1867 the poor were cared for by individual contract. In ihe latter year the present poor farm was bought of Adam Goodwin. The river road from Benton to Canaan was built previous to 1790; that from Noble's Ferry to Canaan, about 1812; that from Pishon's Ferry to Morrison's Corner, in 1834, and the road from the last named point to the town house, about 1842. About fifty years ago a wooden bridge was built across the Sebasticook at Hunter's Mi11s, where the iron bridge now stands. It was erected by Haynes Hunter and Orrin Smith. In 1886 the old bridge was replaced by the present structure. It is 145 feet long and cost $6,000. Several miles up the river is an iron bridge 186 feet in length. It was built in 1891 at a cost of about $6,O00, by the towns of Clinton and Burnham, and the county of Kennebec. Prior to this a wooden bridge, built about 1812, stood at the spot. There are in Clinton thirteen school districts, including a high school, the total value of the school property being about $5,O00; and from a total attendance of 166 schoiars in 1800, the number has increased until in 1892 it reached 480. Some of the school buildings are rather old, but all are in good repair. A free high school, established in l874, by an appropriation of $500, is held in the spring and fall, and located in different districts each year. It is well attended, and is as profitable in its results as any of the schools in the town. The population of Clinton, according to tbe national census, was: In 1850, 1,743; l860, 1,803; 1870, 1,766; 1880, 1,665; 1890, 1,518. POSTAL FACILITIES.--About 1816 a man named Gilman carried the mail on horseback once a week from Winslow, through the eastern part of Clinton, to Bangor. Twenty years later, when the post office was established at the village, one Crummett carried the mail twice a week over the same route, and in the same way. About 1850 a stage route was established from Augusta to Bangor, passing through Waterville and Clinton village. The first driver on this route was Harvey Scribner, followed by Charles Smith and Major Lord. The Clinton post office was established as East Clinton June l3, 1836, with Israel Owen as postmaster. Dudley Sinclair was appointed April 15, 1840; and on August 8th of the same year he was succeeded by Charles Jewett. The name was changed to Clinton July 2, 1842, with the office still in charge of Mr. Jewett. August 26, 1852, Abijah M. Billings was appointed. He was succeeded by Owen Smith March 28, 1856; Zimri Hunter, January 24, 1862; Charles Jewett, June 15, 1869; James L. Weymouth, May 4, 1881; Albert Hunter, July 13, 1885; and John M. Jewell, October 7, 1889. The post office at Morrison's Corner was established November 24, 1891, with Martin Jewell as the incumbent. The Pishon's Ferry office was established as North Clinton, June 10, 1825, with Abiather Woodsum postmaster. Thomas Galusha was appointed October 13, 1842. February 6, l844, the name was changed to Pishon's Ferry, with John Totman postmaster. The succession from that time has been: Zebulon Newell, appointed September 24, 1858; Benjamin F. Eaton, September 25, 1861; John Totman, February 20, 1865; George S. Ricker, March 2l, 1886; and Willis V. Totman, May 21, 1890. SOCIETIES.--Sebasticook Lodge, No. 146, F. & A. M., was chartered in May, 1868, with W. A. Albee, W. M.; J. P. Billings, S. W.; and J. A. Morrison, J. W. The hall over the store of E. G. Hodgdon was dedicated as the Lodge room, October 6, 1868, and on the same day the officers were publicly installed in the Union church. Fifty-nine communications were held during the first year. The Lodge has grown from 58 members in 1873 to 102 on January 1, 189l. The Lodge is in excellent financial condition, and a movement is being made toward the erection of a hall of its own. A Lodge of Good Templars was established in 1875, and existed until 1889. Pine Tree Lodge, No. 80, I. O. O. F., was instituted in May, 1881. E. Hammons was first noble grand; S. G. Roundy, vice-grand; and Manley Decker, secretary. The Lodge now numbers ll7 members, and is in a flourishing condition. It owns a lot on the corner of Railroad and Main streets, on which it is intended to erect a hall 50 by 80 feet. Clinton Grange, P. of H., was instituted in March, 1888, with George S. Stevenson worthy master. He was succeeded, in 1889, by James E. Stewart, who stil1 holds the office. The Grange started with some seventy charter members. The order is flourishing, and now numbers about one hundred. Centennial Hall, in Church street, was built in 1876 by John P. Bil- lings. The upper hall is used for exhibition purposes; the lower hall is now the home of Clinton Grange, to whom the building was sold in 1890.