Sprague's Journal of Maine History
Vol. IV AUGUST, 1916 No. 2
Guilford Centennial, 1816-1916
On June 17 and 18, 1916, in pursuance with a vote of the town
at its last annual town meeting the people of Guilford , under the
direction of the Guilford Board of Trade, commemorated the hun-
dredth anniversary of its corporate existence as a town.
The committee appointed by the Board of Trade to plan and
execute the features and details of this celebration were as follows:
Chairman, James H. Hudson.
Treasurer, Paul H. Knowlton.
Secretary, Raymond W. Davis.
C. S. Douglass, John Houston, Chas. H. Herring, Chas. W.
Steven-,;, Marcellus L. Hussey, Henry A. Elliott, Ralph H. Marsh,
Wallace W. Edes, William E. Wise.
SUB-COMMITTEES
Programs, Nelson N. Scales.
Decorations, Chairman, 0. D. Crockett, Mrs. James H. Hudson,
Miss Florence Martin, A. C. Houston, Charter Mahar.
Trades Parade, Chairman, Jas. G. Taylor, Walter S. Washburn,
Mark Fairbrother, A. M. McKusic.
Midway Chairman, Henry A. Elliott, Charles W. Stevens, Aubrey
XI. Hussey.
Ball, Chairman, Raymond W. Davis, Jos. T. Davidson, H. T.
Barber, Walter S. Washburn, Samuel H. Boardman.
Invitations, Chairman, Frank 0. Martin, Fred H. Spearing,
Emna R. Ellis.
Advertising, Chairman, Irving C. Moulton, Chas. S. Bennett,
Dana H. Edes.
Antiques, Chairman, Mellen F. Ellis, Mrs. J. W. Patten, Mrs.
Warren Chamberlain, John Scales, Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Wise. T. B.
Nichols, Ernestine J. Hale.
History, Chairman, Henry Hudson, Micajah Hudson, Ernestine
J. Hale.
68 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY
Refreshments, Chairman, Eugene E. Ross, Dale Boody, Selden D.
Macomber.
Badges, Chairman, Chas. S. Bennett, Richmond D. Pearson, Ar-
tice C. Genthner.
Auto Parade, Chairman, Carroll S. Douglass, Robert C. Houston,
Manley H. Spearen.
Music, Chairman, Samuel H. Boardman, James H. Hudson, R.
W. Davis, Mrs. A. C. Genthner, Miss Hazel Small.
School
HOUSES
Grade school bu1ilding at right, Guilford High school at left.
Sports, Chairman, Nelson N. Scales, Selden D. Rice, Harold E.
True, Lewis A. Houston, Elmer Stevens.
Sunday Services, Chairman, S. H. Boardman, Rev. Albert 1. Oli-
ver, Rev. H. M. Daniels
Centennial Magazine, Chairman, James H. Hudson, R. W. Davis,
P. H. Knowlton, A. W. Drake.
GUlLFORD CENTENNIAL, 1816-1916 69
THE TRADES PARADE
On June 17, at 10.45 A. M. there was a magnificent street parade
led by the Bangor Band Of 24 pieces with Adelbert Wells Sprague,
leader.
The parade was led by J. G. Taylor, who was chairman of this
feature of the day, and whose efforts in this capacity did much
toward making this parade one of the leading features of the whole
celebration.
Following Mr. Taylor came the two Oldest residents of the town,
Mr. Brawn and Mr. Howard in an automobile.
The parade was formed as follows:
Bangor Band,
Company A, Dexter.
Company F, Dover,
Guilford Schools,
K. of P. Lodge,
Modern Woodmen of America,
Pythian Sisters,
Queens of Avalon,
La Utila Klubo Club,
I. 0. 0. F. Lodge,
Golden Link Rebekahs,
Royal Neighbors of America,
Women's Club of Guilford,
Sunshine Society,
North Guilford Grange,
Center Guilford Grange,
John Scales & Son,
Guilford Clothing Company,
C. S. Bennett,
Page & Spearing Company (2)
J. G. Crockett,
W. E. Gilman & Co.,
Dale Boody,
J. E. French & Sons,
French & Elliott Company (2)
Guilford Register,
Manley Spearing,
Genthner Brothers,
Carl Martin,
Hudson Farm,
F. 0. Martin, Victrola,
Straw & Martin,
A. G. Crockett,
0. D. Crockett & Co.,
G. Boganzi & Co.,
J. K. Edes & Sons,
H. Douglass,
E. E. Ross Rexal Store,
Guilford Manufacturing Company, (4)
Town Road Department, (2)
F. U. Witham & Co.,
A. S. Eldridge,
Robert Prey.
At 2.30 P. M., in the Town Hall, were held the following Order
of Exercises:
Overture, "Masaniello" Auber
Prayer Rev. Harry M. Daniels of Guilford
Idyl, "The Glow Worm" Lincke
History Henry Hudson, Esq., of Guilford
Poem Mrs. Sarah Lucas Martin of Foxcroft
Minuet and Barcarolle from "The Tales of Hoff-
mann" Offenbach
Oration Rev. George A. Martin of St. Johnsbury, Vt.
70 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY
Benediction Rev. Albert 1. Oliver
American March, "Gate City" Weldon
Music by Bangor Band,
Adelbert Wells Sprague, Conductor
A leading feature of the celebration was the centennial Concert
and Ball in the Town Hall.
The program of the concert at 7.30 P. M. was as follows:
Music by the Bangor Band, conducted by Adelbert Wells Sprague,
Director
1 Excerpts from the Musical Farce, "High Jinks" Friml
2 (a "Eleanor" Deppen
Baxter
(b) `Captain Betty" Lee San-ford
3 March, "Guilford Centennial" Bellini
4 Overture "Norma" Dalbey
5 Patrol, "The Blue and the Grey" Sullivan
6 Scenes from the Comic Opera, "Pinafore"
7 March, "The Stars and Stripes Forever" Sousa
A commemorative service was held in the Town Hall, Sunday,
June 18, in the forenoon, by the Universalist and Methodist
Churches.
The Order of Services were: Beethoven
1. Prelude, Adagio from the "Moonlight Sonata"
Bangor Band
2 Hymn, Onward Christian Soldiers
3 Invocation
4 Responsive sentences, lead by Rev. H. M. Daniels, pastor of
the Universalist church
5 Anthem, Send Out Thy Light, Gounod
Double Quartctte
Soprano, 'Mrs. A. C. Genthner, Mrs. J. H. Hudson
Contralto, Miss Helen Marsh, Mrs. C. M. Drew
Tenor, Mr. Dana Edes, Mr. James Hudson
Bass, Joseph Davidson, Mr. Raymond Davis
6. Scripture, (Matt. 6, 19-34) Rev. Albert 1. Oliver, Pastor
Beethoven
Methodist Church
7- Violoncello Solo, "Sehnsucht," Tschaikowsky
Mr. Adelbert W. Sprague
8. Prayer, Rev. George A. Martin, St. Johnsbury, Vt.
9. Response, Quartette
I0. Hymn, Holy, Holy, Holy
GUILFORD CENTENNIAL, 1816-1916 71
11. Sermon, The Achievement of Life, Rev. Henry E. Durmack,
Bangor.
12. Hymn, Nearer My God to Thee
13. Benediction
I4. Postlude, "Hallelujah Chorus" from "The Messiah" Handel
Bangor Band
In the afternoon a Sacred Concert was held on the lawn of the
Universalist Church, at 2 o'clock, the exercises of which were:
Music by the Bangor Band
1 March, "Stabat Mater" Losey
2 Overture, "William Tell" Rossini'
3 Solo for Cornet, "Echoes from the Valley" Hoch
Mr. Harry D. O'Neil
4 Scenes from the Operetta "Robinhood" DeKoven
5 Variation Fantasy, "Way Down Upon the Swanee, River"
Douglas
6 Quartet from "Rigoletto" Verdi
7 (a) "Humoreske" Dvorak
(b) "Puppschen". Gilbert
8 "American Patrol" Meacham
9 Excerpts from the Musical Play "The Only Girl" Herbert
10 March, "Guilford Centennial" Lee Sanford
"The Star Spangled Banner"
CENTENNIAL ODE
By James H. Hudson, adapted to "Guilford Centennial March" by
Lee Sanford
Today our hearts with joy, are filled;
One hundred years our men have tilled
And made the harvest come to stay;
We celebrate our town's birthday.
Stout hearts were theirs, to them all hail!
With pluck like theirs, we cannot fail.
God bless Guilford, with flags unfurled,
To us, the best in all the world.
AUTO PARADE
The auto parade was arranged by a committee appointed for
this purpose, Carroll S. Douglass, chairman, and was composed of
ten beautifully decorated automobiles. This parade was scheduled
72 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY
for Saturday morning, but was postponed because of the rain until
Sunday afternoon at 4.15.
The judges were Leland A. Ross, Dexter; A. Wade Campbell,
Sangerville; Mrs. W. H. Jones, Gorham, Maine, who awarded the
first prize of $15.00 to Nelson N. Scales. This car was a most
beautiful affair decorated in the color scheme of pink with a pro-
fusion of flowers, lilies, chrysanthemums, and iris. It was driven
by Nelson N. Scales and seated in the car were Mrs. Scales, Mrs.
John R. Foulkes and Hugo Cross.
The second car to receive the prize of $10.oo was that of James
H. Hudson. This car was beautiful in its decoration of pink cherry
First prize Decorated Automobile, Nelson N. Scales, owner.
blossoms, ferns and roses. It was driven by Mrs. Hudson and those
who rode in the car were Mrs. A. W. Drake, Katherine Drake,
Charlotte Hudson, and Lillian Martin.
. The third prize of $5.00 was given to the Harry W. Davis car.
This car was most handsomely trimmed in evergreen with white
chrysanthemums and red roses. It was driven by Manley Davis and
GUILFORD CENTENNIAL, 18i6-1916
73
those riding in the car were Misses Pauline Davis, Marjorie Cim-
pher, Esther James of Boston, Vera Dinsmore of Minneapolis, Ruth
Kimball of Pontiac, Michigan.
Those entered were: Harry W. Davis, Nelson N. Scales, James
H. Hudson, Carroll S. Douglass, Alexander J. Goldthwaite, Dr.
Ralph H. Marsh, John Houston, Irving C. Moulton, Frank U.
Witham, Verne Knapp.
ANTIQUES
An interesting feature of the celebration was the display of an-
tiques at the Guilford Memorial library which was open all through
CENTENNIAL TRADES PARADE
French & Elliott Square.
the celebration. This collection was very large and the articles on
exhibition had great historical value. They had 'been collected with
much care by the antique committee, Mellen F. Ellis, chairman,.
Mr. Ellis had spared no pains to make this collection one of great
interest and the result was most gratifying.
SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY
74
The articles all deserve mention so redolent with historical lore
were they, but space not permitting a mention of all, we will briefly
sketch a few which attracted our attention. One was a collection of
bibles, one of which was the property of Deacon Robert Herring
who built the first camp where the first meeting was held in Guil-
ford, another very old bible which was the property of James Rice
an ancestor of Seldon D. Rice of this town, the first bible ever taken
into the Kingsbury township in 1803, and many others. Another
old book was an English book of sermons published in 1749, an
official letter from Washington sent to Silas Hale, stage driver
from Bangor to Monson in 1837, before the days of envelopes. An
old spinning wheel with swifts and reel, upon which demonstration
of the art of spinning was shown by Mrs. Ethel Henderson of
Levant was among the exhibits. The chair and glasses used by
Robert Low who founded the town and the crow bar which he
brought here on the pommel of his saddle and which he first broke
ground with were articles of interest and historical value. A large
collection of dishes of 100, years ago and earlier was shown and one
set which was used by Squire Kelsey on state occasions, the Squire
being one of the big men of the times. A chair owned by Capt.
William Stevens, who was prominent in town affairs, ancient mil-
linery, a doll of the times of 1820 with wedding bonnet and pumpkin
head, linen spun and woven by Phoebe, wife of Guilford's first
minister, towel, spun and woven by Mary Rice from flax she raised
in Guilford, inlaid card table, 'brought from England, some 100
years ago, by John Fassett, sea chest brought from England
during the war of 1812, by a Fassett, then 12 years of age, a flat
iron, 100 years old, candle stick 100 years old or over, silhouette of
Rev. David E. Burbank, who died Oct. 26, 184o, gold spoon loaned by
Priscilla Elliott which belonged to her grandmother, Mary P. El-
liott, a daughter of the Revolution and was presented to her by the
National society of D. A. R., a piece of rope made from the sinews
of a whale and used as a bed cord more than 175 years ago and in
constant use for more than 100, years, a cane brought on the May-
flower. Mr. Ellis had also an interesting collection of coins from
his own collection, among which was a gold quarter of a dollar.
GUILFORD MANUFACTURING COMPANY 75
GUILFORD MANUFACTURING COMPANY
Mills of Guilford Manufacturing Company
manufacturers of lumber, box boards, boxes, packing cases and box shooks,
house finish of all kinds and dealers in pulpwood.
This concern, as at present organized, is the result of a consolidation of
the business of the saw mill and box mill located in Guilford village.
In 189i the work was commenced on building the saw mill and opera-
tions at this mill started in 1892. The original operating concern was
styled Guilford Lumber Co. and composed of M. L. Hussey, George W.
Stacey, and Charles E. Packard. This was a partnership. In 1893 the Guil-
ford Lumber Co. was incorporated and stock was taken by many local busi-
ness men. Mr. Harry W. Davis was Treasurer. This corporation cut logs and
operated the saw mill for the three following years. They were succeeded
in the lumber business by a firm composed of M. L. Hussey, A. J. Goldth-
waite and Henry Hudson, who leased the mill from the Guilford Lumber Co.,
and until the fall of 1903 conducted the business under the firm name of
Hussey, Goldthwaite & Hudson.
During this period clapboards were a strong feature in the saw mill
production. In the spring of 1901 Guilford Lumber Co. sold the mill to a
syndicate composed of John W. Hinch of Danforth, Maine; Horace A.
Pennett of West Newton, Mass.; Samuel H. Boardman of Bangor; and
Mrs. Clara A. Brown of West Newton, Mass.
This syndicate also purchased lands in Kingsbury and Blanchard.
In the fall of 1903 Mr. Hudson retired from the lumber business and
for the following year the mill was operated by Hussey, Goldthwaite and
Boardman.
In 1904 THE GUILFORD LUMBER CO. was incorporated, Mr. Hinch,
Mr. Bennett and Mr. Boardman being the stockholders, and the saw mill
and lumbering operations were conducted by this new corporation until
January 1, 1907, when the consolidation above referred to occurred. Since
76 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY
January 1, 1907, the saw mill business has been conducted by Guilford
M f g. Co.
The Box Shook mill or "Novelty Mill" as it is still called by some, was
built by local interests in November, 1889, and shortly afterwards was turned
over to the L. C. Bass Mfg. Co. This plant was built for turning hardwood
novelties, was shortly merged with the American Bobbin, Spool & Shuttle
Co., which was not successful and the plant was closed for some time.
On January 4, 1900, the assignees of the American Bobbin Spool & Shut-
tle Co. sold the property to John S. Runnels. In February of the same
year Runnels sold to Guilford Mfg. Co., which was organized as a corpo-
ration in 1900 and was owned and controlled by local interests. Columbus
W. Ellis took charge of the business for the corporation and with the
assistance of his brother, Mellin F. Ellis, operated the plant as a box
shook and house finish mill until 1907 when the consolidation occurred.
To the ability of these two gentlemen much of the success of the indus-
try is due. Beginning January 1, 1907, the two plants were operated under
the same management, Mr. Boardman becoming General Manager of the
woods and saw mill operations and Mr. Ellis still conducting the Shook
Mill and House finish business.
In June, 1908, Mr. C. W. Ellis was obliged to give up business on account
of failing health and on January 3, 1909, passed away. The loss of his
experience and advice was a severe blow to the company.
Guilford Mfg. Co. for the past few years has been under the management
of Mr. Boardman and has built up a successful business making rather
more of a specialty of box shook than of lumber. Its products are shipped
to widely scattered points and its business has been quite regular regardless
of the fluctuations of the general business conditions of the country.
The general policy of the company has been to arrange the sales of its
product in such a manner as to secure for its men the largest possible
amount of labor, shipping the finished product rather than the raw material.
Its success is due in no small degree to the loyalty of its employees and
the spirit of co-operation which exists between the management and the
men.
The present officers of the company are as follows:
Directors: S. H. Boardman,
Horace A. Bennett,
Harry W. Davis,
Robert E. Hall,
Walter S. Washburn,
George H. Tozier,
Elliot S. Boardman.
Clerk and Treasurer, Frank 0. Martin.
President and General Manager, S. H. Boardman.
Superintendent Saw Mill and Woods Department, George H. Tozier.
Superintendent Shook Mill Department, Walter S. Washburn.
Office Manager, Irving Pierce.
SAMUEL H. BOARDMAN.
Historical Address
By HENRY HUDSON, ESQ.
Guilford prior to its incorporation as a town was a plantation,
and before it was organized as a plantation, it was township number
six, range seven, north of Waldo Patent.
It may be interesting to give information as to what is meant
by Waldo Patent. In 1630 John Beauchamp of London, England,
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. The name
no doubt was taken from the fact that a river of that name formed
a part of its western boundary.
The Waldo Patent extended from the sea coast northerly between
the Penobscot Bay and river on the east and the -Muscongus River
oil the west to the south line of the towns of Hampden, Newberg
and Dixmont. This grant embraced a territory of thirty-six miles
square.
The grant was not of the land itself but the grant of the right of
exclusive trade with the Indians. A trading house was built and
supplied with such articles as were necessary for the traffic with
the Indians. This exchange of articles was carried on until the
opening of the first Indian war in 1675, a period of forty-five years.
Somewhere about 1720, this grant was obtained by a family by the
name of Waldo, who lived in Boston, Massachusetts; hence, the
name "Waldo." It is said that Gen. Waldo was 'held in high
esteem for his sterling qualities.'
______________________________________
(1) Refers to General Samuel Waldo, who was born in England in 1696.
He came to this country with his father, Jonathan Waldo, a merchant in
Boston, when four years of age.
Samuel also became a merchant and a man of wealth, and a large owner
of lands in the District of Maine.
Under the "Great Charter for New England" one of the subordinate
grants of land in Maine was to Beauchamp and Leverett, in i629. A part
of this grant finally passed into the hands of a company known as the
"Twenty Associates," later enlarged to an ownership of thirty persons,
among whom were the father and brothers of General Waldo.
One David Dunbar, about 1726, obtained control of these lands and was so
arbitrarv in his methods and so flagrantly violated the rights of the patentees
that General Waldo was appointed an agent to visit England in their inter-
ests and for their relief. He succeeded in obtaining a revocation of Dun-
bar's authority, and for his services they were so grateful that they con-
(footnotes continue, see bottom of page 78)
78 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY
I have already stated that Guilford was originally township six,
range seven, north of Waldo Patent.
The townships were numbered by commencing on the west side of
the Penobscot River. On May 1, 1794, the committee of the Com-
monwealth of Massachusetts for the sale of eastern lands, through
Daniel Carey, issued letters of instructions to Samuel Weston to
proceed and survey three ranges of townships between the Penob-
scot River and the east line of the million acres located on the river
Kennebec, to be bounded west on the million acres, south on the
sixth range and a line extended east from the northeast corner of
township number one in the sixth range aforesaid to the Penobscot
River, easterly on Penobscot River, and north on unlocated lands.
to be numbered the seventh,-eighth and ninth ranges progressing
northerly, and the townships to be laid six miles square, excepting
those bordering on the Penobscot River. A copy of these instruc-
tions I include in this article.
Under this letter of instructions, Samuel Weston did in the year
1794, locate these three ranges and divided the ranges into town-
ships.
I have also incorporated and, made a part of my article a letter
written by Samuel Weston to the Committee for sale of eastern
lands tinder (late of October 15, 1801. It would appear that corn-
plaint had been made in regard to the sale of township four range
seven, and a request was made for a resurvey of that township.
Township four, range seven is now the town of Sebec. This
letter is a full explanation of the way in which the ranges and
townships in the ranges were located. I incorporate a copy of
these two original documents as a matter of historical interest to be
Preserved.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts granted to Bowdoin Col-
lege four townships of land. These townships were numbered four,
five, six and seven in the seventh range of townships north of
Waldo Patent. These townships subsequently became the towns
of Sebec, Foxcroft, Guilford and Abbot.
Guilford was township number six, range seven. Samuel Wes-
ton and Ephraim Ballard under a warrant from the Commonwealth
..............................
veyed to him one half of the whole territory. This was ever after know
as the Waldo Patent.
He distinguished himself as a soldier and was the second officer to Sir
William Pepperell in the siege of Louisburg.
He died suddenly near Bangor, Maine, 23 May 1759 (EDITOR)
HISTORICAL ADDRESS 79
of Massachusetts surveyed a township of land, which was number
three in the fifth range of townships, north of Waldo Patent now
Garland. This township was granted to the trustees of Williams
College.
About the same time township four, range five, now Dexter, was
also surveyed. In 1801, the first settlers came to what is now the
town of Garland and began to make homes there. Dexter was also
settled at about the same time. Mill., were erected for the manufac-
ture of lumber in Garland and in Dexter. There were also mills
in those two towns to grind the corn and wheat.
M. L. Hussey Woolen Company
I allude to these facts in connection with the towns of Garland
and Dexter for the reason that the early settlers in Guilford had
to go either to Garland or Dexter for the purpose of grinding their
wheat and corn and to do such trading as it was necessary to do in
order to procure the necessary articles for use and for consump-
tion.
In the year 1803, Deacon Robert Low and Deacon Robert Her-
ring, both of New Gloucester, bought from Bowdoin College a large
tract of land in township six, range seven, now Guilford. Ac-
cording to the terms of the grant they were to establish homes in
80 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HIST0RY
said township. Immediately after thier purchase they they did begin to
make preparations to clear the land and make ho,es and form a
settlement in the township.
On the first three pages of the plantation records is a historical
sketch written by Robert Low(2) Immediately following the his-
torical sketch is the record of the warrant to the inhabitants of
township number six, range seven, in the County of Somerset signed
by Phillip Leavitt, justice of the peace.
From this sketch I quote: "These men (meaning no doubt
Deacon Robert Herring and Deacon Robert Low) formed a de-
termination to admit on their part no person as a settler who was
not industrious, orderly, moral and well disposed. In this they so
far succeeded that for many years thereafter lawsuits and broils
among the neighbors were known only in name among the neigh-
bors."
I further quote from the historical sketch as follows: "In A.
D. 1804, trees were felled in several places in the town and the next
year corn was raised. On the sixteenth day of Feb. A. D.
18o6, the first family moved into the township and about the middle
of March the second family came together with several men who
worked during the summer and remained here the winter follow-
ing."
These two families were Deacon Robert Low, Jr., and Deacon
Robert Herring, Jr. Robert Low, Jr. settled on the farm owned
by the late Joseph H. Deering. This is the first farm west of
Lowe's Bridge on the river road.
Robert Herrin-, Jr., settled on the farm next west of the Deer-
ing farm and west of the highway leading from the river road north
to Guilford Center, North Guilford and Monson. The farm set-
tled upon by Robert Herring, Jr., is now occupied by Herbert L.
Crafts.
In 18o6, there were only seven men residing within the limits of
said township. These men were Robert Low, Jr., Robert Herring,
Jr., David Low, John Bennett, Isaac Bennett, Nathaniel Bennett
and John Everton.
In the sketch before referred to, we learn that these seven men
believing that some established regulation., were necessary to pre-
-serve good order and harmony met and adopted -such by-laws as
--------------------
(2) This sketch appears in the Documentary History of Guilford in this number.
HISTORICAL ADDRESS 81
they deemed necessary for said purposes, to be in full force and
effect for the term of one year. A clerk was chosen to keep a
record of their doings and such other officers as were thought
necessary to carry into execution these laws were chosen. We
read that these laws so adopted were respected and rarely ever
known to be evaded. Public schools were supported and main-
tained by private subscription.
On the eighth day of October, 1812, Philip Leavitt of Athens by
virtue of a warrant from the treasurer of the County of Somerset
issued his warrant for the organization of the township into a plan-
tation. For that purpose the meeting was held on the eleventh
day of November, 1812.
On the eleventh day of November, 1812, Philip Leavitt was
chosen moderator, Robert Low was chosen clerk, Robert Herring
was chosen as first assessor, Nathaniel Greaves second assessor,
Robert Low third assessor and Isaac Herring collector.
On November 28th, 1812, a meeting of the voters in the plan-
tation was held at John Bennett's house for the purpose of raising
money for a school. Under article three of the record of that
meeting, we find that a vote to raise money for the school was lost.
Under article four, we find: "After some discussion and debate
it was on reconsideration and some stipulated conditions voted to
raise money for a school. Twenty-one dollars was raised for that
purpose. John Bennett's former school room was selected to have
the school kept it. Nathaniel Greaves, John Bennett, and John
Robbins, Jr., were chosen committee for the school."
It will thus be seen that immediately after the organization of
the plantation the necessary steps were taken to provide for the
education of the children within the plantation. Thus early corn-
menced that interest and that liberality which has ever been main-
tained for the support of schools in our town. All through the
years, as shown by the records of the plantation and of the town,
will be found liberal sums raised and expended for the education of
the children within the limits of township six, range seven, or
Guilford.
From the records we find that Robert Herring was born June 1,
1764. His wife was born May 20, 1765. From record book number
one of the town of Guilford, on page eighty-eight, I take the fol-
lowing:
82 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY
- -----------
Robert Herring, born Jume 1st, 1764-
Sally Herring, his wife, born May 20th, 1765.
CHILDREN
Robert Herring, Junr., born in New Gloucester, Me., Jany.
1 st, 1784.
Isaac Herring, born in New Gloucester, September 16th, 1786.
Nathaniel Herring, born in New Gloucester, August 8th, I788.
Sally Herring, Junr., born in New Gloucester, September
25th, 1790.
Lydia Herring, born in New Gloucester, July 27th, 1792.
Benjamin Herring, born in New Gloucester, July 2oth, 1794.
Abagail Herring, born in New Gloucester, March 26th, 1797-
David Herring, born in New Gloucester, March 26th, 1799.
John Herring, born in New Gloucester, April 6th, 1801.
Betsy Herring, born in New Gloucester, August 6th, 1804.
Deborah Herring, born in New Gloucester, October 2oth, 1806.
DEATHS
Robert Herring, died April 27th, 1814.
Sally, wife of Robert Herring, died October 2nd, 1832
Robert Herring, Jr., d. Guilford, March 17, 1847.
Isaac Herring d. Guilford, Sept. 20, 1865.
Nathaniel Herring d. Guilford, Oct. 24, 1840
Sally Herring d. Rockford, Minn., Mar. 5, 1857.
Lydia Herring d. Guilford, Nov. 28, 1881.
Abagail Herring d. Guilford, Oct. 17, 1832.
David Herring d. Guilford, Aug. 22, 1861.
John Herring d. Guilford, Aug. 23, 1875.
Betsey Herring d. Augusta, Wis., Dec. 24, 1870.
Deborah Herring d. Augusta, Wis., Mar. 14, 1873.
Deacon Robert Herring and Sarah Herring, his wife, are buried in
the burying ground just east of the building formerly occupied as
a town house. Your historian recently was in that burying ground.
The stones at the grave of Robert Herring and of his wife, Sarah
Herring, are in good condition. From the tombstone at the head
of each grave I took the following inscription: "Deacon Robert
Herring died March 21, 1851, age 87 yrs. Sarah Herring, his wife,
died October 5, 1832, age 67 yrs.-
The first son it will be notes is Robert Herring Jr. Robert
Herring, Jr., at the date of his death owned the lumber mills at
North Guilford. The sons of Robert Herring settle in Guilford.
HISTORICAL ADDRESS 83
BIRTHS
Robert Low, born in New Boston, N. H., March 1st, 1781.
Rebecca Low his wife born in New Gloucester, Sept. 1st, 1782.
CHILDREN
Isaac Bradford Low, born in N. Gloucester, March 2d, 18o5.
Polley Leach Low, born in the Township, No. 6, now Guil-
ford, Sept. 29th, 18o6.
Judith Moulton Low, born in the Township No. 6, now
Guilford, April 4th, 1809.
Anna, second wife of Robert Low, born in N. Gloucester,
April 2oth, 1784.
Rebecca B. Low, born in Pin. No. 6, now Guilford, June
28th, 18I2.
Frederick Plummer Low, born in Pln. No. 6, (now Guil-
ford), Sept. 21st, 1814.
Rachel Wharff Low, born in Guilford, May 13th, 1817.
Roger Sherman Low, born in Guilford, April 3oth, 1820.
Sylvina Larrabee Low, born in Guilford, Sept. 26th, 1824.
Mrs. Rachel S. Low, 3rd wife of Robert Low, born in N.
Gloucester, February 3d, 1786.
Thomas P. Wharff (her son by her 1st husband) born
in Litchfield, October 5th, i809.
DEATHS
Rebecca Low, first wife of Robert Low, died Feby. 12th, i8ii.
Anna Low, 2nd wife of Robert, died November 6th, 1826.
Rachel Low, 3d wife of Robert Low, Esq., died December
23d, 1858.
John Everton was born in Dorchester, Massachusetts, April 5,
1765. Rebecca Everton, his wife, was born in North Yarmouth,
Maine, 1771. Esther, his second wife, was born in North Yar-
mouth, in 1767.
John Everton had three children; two sons and a daughter. John
Everton settled on what is known as the Maxfield Flat on the river
road from Guilford to Foxcroft, west of the Beals' hill so-called.
None of the three children of John Everton were born in Guilford.
The last, John Everton, junior, was born in Freeport, February 10,
1804.
His second wife, Esther, served as nurse and doctor. While rid-
ing on horse back to see a patient she was thrown from her horse.
Her spine was injured so that she was never able afterwards to do
84 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY
anything. His son Simeon had a daughter who married a man
named Bemis and afterwards lived in the towns of Charleston and
Exeter.
John Bennett was born in New Gloucester, January 29, 1773.
His wife, Sally Bennett, was born in New Gloucester, March 14,
1772. They had eight children; seven sons and one daughter.
The daughter, Sally Bennett, was the wife of Isaac Edes, whose
descendants now live in Guilford. The seven sons all settled, lived
and died in Guilford. Many of their descendants are now living in
town. John Bennett was known as Captain John Bennett. .
Methodist Episcopal Church
Elm St.
Nathaniel Bennett was born in New Gloucester, November 19th,
1768. His wife, Rachel, was born in North Yarmouth, June 22,
1774. Nathaniel Bennett had by his first wife eight children; two
sons and six daughters. Nathaniel Bennett's second wife was born
in Lewiston July 9, 1778. She was the widow of James Douglass.
At the time of her marriage to Nathaniel Bennett she had four
children by her first husband, James Douglass, all boys. The young-
HISTORICAL ADDRESS 85
est of the four was George H. Douglass, a respected citizen and a
prominent business man of our town and father of Henry Douglass,
who is now deceased. Nathaniel Bennett by his second marriage
had six children, four sons and two daughters.
Isaac Bennett was born in New Gloucester December 8, 1770.
His wife, Pegg , was born in New Gloucester May 29, 177i. They
had eleven children; six sons and five daughters. The three Ben-
netts were brothers.
On my visit to the old burying ground I found the graves of
Captain John Bennett and his wife Sarah, and Nathaniel Bennett.
Stones mark their graves.
I have thus given a sketch of the first seven men who settled in
Guilford, except David Low. I find no mention of David Low in
the records. The descendants of these seven men are still with us.
The town of Sangerville was incorporated on June 13, 1813. By
the act incorporating the town of Sangerville, its northern boundary
was the Piscataquis River. On February 8, 1816, Guilford was
incorporated as a town. When Guilford was incorporated the whole
territory within the bound of township six, range seven, was in-
corporated. The south line of this original township was nearly
all south of the Piscataquis River. In making the center line of
the Piscataquis River, in the act of incorporating the town of San-
gerville, the division line between the two towns, the burden of
supporting two of the bridges on the Piscataquis River came upon
the two towns, Guilford and Sangerville.
These two bridges are the bridge across the river near Sangerville
Station and the bridge known as Lowe's Bridge. On careful exam-
ination of the plantation records and of the early records of the
town of Guilford facts have been learned which in some instances
are different from what the popular opinion has been.
The first record from the record 'books of the plantation and of
the town of Guilford in regard to any bridge is in the year 1822.
On September 9, 1822, the voters in town meeting assembled voted
to accept one half of the bridge across the Piscataquis -River be-
tween Joseph Kelsey's and Carleton Mills. The first bridge across
the Piscataquis River within the limits of the town of Guilford was
built where Sangerville station now is. Prior to building the bridge
at this place the river was forded. In 1821 we are informed that
a bridge was built at this place by subscription. It was a primitive
affair but it served its purpose. In the spring of 1824 turns bridge
was carried out by a freshet.
86 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY
At a special meeting on April 16, 1824, the town raised the
sum of two hundred dollars to be applied to the building of the
bridge across the Piscataquis River near J. Kelsey's. At the same
meeting a committee of three was chosen to act with a like commit-
tee chosen by the town of Sangerville. This committee was Joseph
Kelsey, Seth Nelson and Stedman Davis. The town voted to allow
Joseph Kelsey one dollar and fifty cents per week to attend the
ferry until the bridge or some other thing shall render it unneces-
sary, provided that the town of Sangerville shall agree to pay to the
town of Guilford one half of said expense and one half of the ex-
pense of a boat. The bridge which was then constructed at this
place was more substantial than the former one. There was a
trestle in the middle of the river which supported the bridge.
Mr. Loring in his history of Piscataquis County says this bridge
was carried away by the high freshet in 1832.(3) The bridge, how-
ever, at that time must have gone to decay considerably because we
find on the records where a meeting was held on the 4th day of
June, 1831, when the town voted "that the selectmen cause San-
gerville bridge, so-called, to be repaired in the cheapest and best
possible way they can consistently with the interests of the town
considering it is an old bridge and unworthy of expensive repairs,
and voted to raise fifty dollars in corn or grain as we raised it in
March last to pay the expense which may arise in repairing said
bridge."
The first record, however, which we find in regard to our re-
building the bridge after it was carried out by the freshet was held
on September 8, 1834. The town at this time passed a vote to take
measures to have the road across the river at this point discontinued.
Sangerville would not agree to this. Thereupon the town chose a
committee to rebuild the bridge. This meeting was held on the 29th
day of September, 1834. Joseph Kelsey, Robert Herring, Jr., and
Seth Nelson were chosen committee to superintend the building of
the bridge.
At the annual town meeting held on March 2, 1835, the town
raised six hundred and eighty-one dollars to defray the expense of
building a bridge near Joseph Kelsey's. The bridge, therefore, must
have been built in 1835. Mr. Loring in his history states that the
bridge was completed in the fall of 1835. The records of the town
of Guilford substantiate his statement. We are aware that the
(3)
Loring's History of Piscataquis County, p. 104.
HISTORICAL ADDRESS 87
popular opinion has been for many years that this bridge was built
in the year 1833. For many years there were the figures I833 on
the south end of the present bridge. The bridge is now in fair
repair although it has done service for eighty-three years. It is now
the oldest bridge on the Piscataquis River.
The first bridge built where the bridge now known as Low's
Bridge was in the year 1830. This bridge was damaged seriously
by the freshet in the spring of 1837. It became necessary to rebuild
this bridge and it was rebuilt in the year 1843. In the high
freshet in the spring of 1857, the bridge was carried away. During
the summer of 1857, this bridge was rebuilt. Isaac F. Wharff did
the stone work. The abutments under this bridge show the thor-
oughness with which the work was done and are a credit to the man
who did it. The bridge will apparently last many years.
I
CENTENNIAL TRADES PARADE
Bank Square
In the early part of the year 1828 it had become neces-
sary to have a bridge across the Piscataquis River at Herring
and Morgan's mill. The lumber mill in our village was
at that time known as the Herring and Morgan mills.
During the summer of the year 1828, a bridge was started to be
built by subscription across the river substantially where the present
bridge now is. On September 8, 1828, a town meeting was called.
88 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF -MAINE HISTORY
Article four in the warrant was, "To see if the town will assist in
building a bridge over the river at Herring's mills." The town voted
to pass over the article. At this time no road had been located
across the river at this point or near the point. There was consid-
erable contention as to just where the road should be located and
the bridge built. We find upon the record where there was an at-
tempt to locate the road and bridge across the river near the west
end of the lot on Elm Street now owned by 'Mrs. Cowie. There was
also an attempt to locate the road and bridge near where Hussey &
Goldthwaite's elevator now it. There must have been considerable
agitation at this time because we find that on the third day of No-
vember, 1828, there was an article, "To see if the town will petition
the legislature to set off that part of the town lying between the
river and the town of Parkman to the town of Parkman." The
voters in the town meeting, however, voted to pass over this article.
There were numerous town meetings held in regard to building
the bridge across the river at Herring & Morgan's mills, or in the
village of Guilford. We (lo not -find, however, any definite action
taken by the town toward the construction of the bridge across the
Piscataquis river at the village until the town meeting held the
19th day of November, 1829. At that meeting the record states
there were considerable sums subscribed by individuals to expend on
the bridge aforenamed.
The town voted that after so much of the sum that can be
collected has been expended the town will finish it in manner here-
inafter described. The town voted that a town agent be chosen to
superintend the finishing of the bridge and made provision as to the
amount to be paid for the services rendered, fixing the cornpensa-
tion for such agent. Isaac Smith was chosen agent. The town
voted that a man and his oxen shall be entitled to eight cents an
hour. In the fall of 1830, the town held meetings and passed votes
towards the completion of this bridge. We (lo not find that the
bridge which was built at this time was carrier away by the freshet
Of 1832. Mr. Loring in his history states that it was. We find,
however, that after the year 1832, considerable sums of money were
raised to build the bridge at Guilford Village. We are of the
opinion that this bridge was either carried away by the freshet or
become so unfit for service that it was necessary to build a new
bridge, for the reason that in the year 1839, the records state that
the bridge was not safe for travel and a new bridge was built at
that time. This bridge which was built was carried away in, the
HISTORICAL ADDRESS 89
spring of 1855, by the high freshet. During the season of 1855, the
bridge was built which was in use until it was taken down and the
new iron bridge put in its place. Willard W. Harris and Isaac B.
Wharff took the contract to (lo the stone work and build the bridge,
which was built in 1855. The selectmen for the year 1855 were
George H. Douglass, Charles Loring and Isaac Weston. In the high
freshet in the spring of 1857, this bridge received some injury and
the town raised money that spring to repair it.
Mr. Loring in his history states that there has been nine bridges
on the Piscataquis river. From these statements above can be seen
that there have been three at Low's Bridge, three at Sangerville
and three at Guilford village prior to the present structure. The
burden upon the town in the early years was necessarily large. It
will be noted, however, that there must -have been public sentiment
in favor of them because we find no record of any dissensions,
except possibly the one when the bridge was carried out at Sanger-
ville in the year 1832.
The west line of Sangerville came very near to the square at the
top of the bridge hill. To state the fact accurately the town line
of Sangerville as it existed for many years passed through the ell
of the house now occupied by Daniel Cimpher. Nearly fifty years
ago some of the leading citizens of our village believed that at
some time in the near future it would be desirable for some por-
tion of the land which was in such close proximity to our village
ought to be set off from Sangerville to the town of Guilford.
Efforts, therefore, were made at that time to get this tract set off
by act of the legislature. At that time the -petitioners did not suc-
ceed. Later an amicable arrangement was made by which that part
of lot eight, range one, south of the Piscataquis river . incorporated
as a part of the town of Sangerville, was set off and annexed to
the town of Guilford. This tract of land so set off is bounded on
the south by the original township line between Guilford and Sangerville
and on the east by the east line of lot eight, range one, as
originally surveyed.
In the conveyance of township six, range seven, now Guilford,
by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to Bowdoin College four
lots of three hundred twenty acres each were reserved for public
uses. These uses were as follows : one for the first settled minis-
ter, one for the use of the ministry, one for the use of school and
90 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY
one for the future disposition of the Commonwealth of Massachu-
setts. These lots, after Guilford was incorporated as a town, were
located.
The assessors of the -plantation of Guilford issued a notice for a
meeting of the voters in said plantation, dated March 7, 1815, to
be held at the dwelling house of John Bennett in said plantation
on Saturday, the twenty-second day of April, 1815, at three o'clock
in the afternoon. Article two is as follows:
To see if the plantation will agree to give Elder Thomas Macomber an
invitation to settle here as a town minister on such conditions as shall be
thought proper when met.
At this meeting it was voted to give Elder Thomas Macomber an
invitation to settle here as a town minister on the condition follow-
ing, to wit:
That he shall serve the town as their minister ten years, but should he
or the people be dissatisfied, or should he leave the town before ten years,
then to have such proportion of the land appropriated for the first settled
minister as the time he shall serve as aforesaid shall bear to ten years.
No doubt after due consideration of the vote thus recorded the
inhabitants, or some of them at least, thought, no doubt, that the
terms set out in the vote recorded giving him the public lot was too
exacting for their pastor. A meeting, therefore, was called and
held on the seventh day of June, 1815. We find the article in the
warrant for that meeting to be:
To see if the plantation will agree to settle Elder Thomas Macomber as a
town minister.
At this meeting it was voted:
That Elder Thomas Macomber be the minister of said town when it shall
be incorporated so long as he and a majority of the people of the town are
agreed.
Thomas Macomber did settle as a minister and preached in the
meeting house at Guilford Center for many years. He served his
people well. He died in Guilford on December 18, 1852, at the
age of seventy-eight years. His remains lie in the old burying
ground at Guilford Center. At his grave is erected a stone from
which your historian took memoranda as to the date of his death
-and age. Some of his descendants still live in town.
The public lot which was reserved for the first settled minister
was located. This lot is the place known for many years as the
Macomber -place east of where J. E. Herring now lives. I am in-
formed that Elder Thomas Macomber lived on this lot many years.
HISTORICAL ADDRESS 91
The first annual meeting after the plantation was organized was
held at the school room so-called on Monday, the fifth day of April,
1813. Article ten in that warrant, reads:
To see if the plantation will agree to lay out any roads in the plantation
this year.
Article eleven
To see if the plantation will vote to make and repair roads this season.
Article twelve :
To see if the plantation will choose one or more surveyors of roads.
Article thirteen :
To see if the plantaton will raise money to defray the necessary expenses
of it.
In the doings of the plantation under the above articles, we find
that the plantation "Voted to raise one hundred dollars to be ex-
Universalist Church.
pended on roads in this plantation this year, and/the price of labor
on the roads was fixed at one dollar per day before haying and
seventy-five cents a day after haying, and that ten hours labor on the
road be considered a day's work." At that plantation meeting it
was voted to raise thirty dollars for the expenses of the plantation
for that year.
On July 7, 1813, the first road in the plantation was accepted by
the plantation. This was known as the River road and extended
from Foxcroft town line to Abbot town line on the north side of the
river.
92 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY
At the town meeting held on the twelfth day of September,
I825, the town voted to accept the road from the old meeting house
to the bank of the river near the east end of the saw mill. At the
annual meeting held March 15, 1826, the town voted to accept the
road from Herring and Morgan's mill to the River toad toward",
Moses Stevens.' The -place called the Moses Stevens place is the
same place formerly occupied by David Stevens near the Bangor
& Aroostook Station. Moses Stevens was the father of David
Stevens. On the twenty-fifth day of May following the acceptance
of the road, there was an effort made to discontinue the road lead-
ing through the land of Moses Stevens. The voters, however, at
the meeting voted to pass the article. The road from the top of the
bridge hill to Abbot on the south side of the river was ultimately
laid by the County Commissioners upon the petition of John Works
and others in the fall of 1838, as recorded in vol. 1, page 12, on the
County Commissioners' records. In locating this road the County
Commissioners began at Works' Mills, so-called, in the town of
Abbot and run easterly and terminated at the point where said loca-
tion intersected the road leading south from the bridge across the
Piscataquis River to, Parkman. The highway from Foxcroft to
Abbot town line known as the River road on the north side of the
river was located by the County Commissioners in the County of
Penobscot in 1832. This road was located upon the petition of P. P.
Furber and forty-one others asking for the location of the county
road from the west line of Guilford on the north side of the Pis-
cataquis River through the villages of Foxcroft and Milo to some
point upon the Penobscot River. The record of this location is
recorded in vol. i, -page 433, of the County Commissioners' records
in the County of Penobscot. The road from Foxcroft Village to
Guilford Village on the north side of the Piscataquis River was re-
located by the County Commissioners of the County of Piscataquis
on petition of Elias J. Hale and -others in the fall of 1865. Under
this last location the terminal point was six feet south of the south-
west corner of the hotel kept by Howard Turner.
From the history of Piscataquis County written and published by
Rev. Amasa Loring in 188o, I take the facts in connection with the
religious meetings at Guilford Center and the church erected there.
The two first settlers of Guilford, Robert Herring, Jr., and Robert
Lowe, were members of the Baptist church. The former a deacon
and the latter an elder. On January 7, 1813, Elder Robert Low
HISTORICAL ADDRESS 93
organized a church of fourteen members at Guilford Center. This
church had and enjoyed a healthy growth. At the date of the or-
ganization of the church there were fourteen members as follows:
Robert Herring, Nathaniel Greaves, Edward Magoon, William
Stevens, Peter Cummins and Samuel Wharff by letter, Sally Her-
ring, Abby Greaves, Jertisha Magoon, Hannah Bennett, Sally Cum,
mins, Sally Bennett, Pegey Bennett, Esther Everton. At a meeting
of the church held on January 9, 18I3, Robert Herring was chosen
Deacon. On March 20, 1813, William Stevens was chosen Deacon.
On March 18, 1815, voted to give Elder Thomas Macomber a call
to become a pastor of the church and the first settled minister of
the town. The lot upon which the meeting house stood was deeded
to the Baptist church corporation of Guilford, January 27, 1833.
It will be noted from the retirement of Elder Macomber that he oc-
cupied the church but a short time. All of the church records prior
to 186o, were burned at the time the buildings of Chandler G. Rob-
bins were burned.
August 7, 1835. Rev. Daniel Burbank commenced his labors with
the church. At that time he was a student. After his education
was completed lie was given a call to become pastor of this church.
On November 16, 1835, he was ordained. From 1838 to 1848,
there are no records showing, the name of any settled minister or
ministers, but Elder Hall of Parkman supplied, also the Rev. Mr.
Bradford and Kingman were pastors. In 1848, Rev. E. G. Trask
became pastor of the church. just the date that lie began services
and ceased to serve the people I am not able to state. He was, how-
ever, located in Abbot in 1851. In 1866, Rev. A. M. Piper was
pastor. The Rev. Mr. Piper moved to Guilford Village and lived
here until the date of his death. In 1868, R. A. Patten supplied.
Rev. A. B. Walker also supplied a part of the time between 1868,
and 1869. The Rev. 'Mr. Bower sent to Guilford by the Domestic
Mission also supplied the church in 1869. In 1870, the Rev.
Piper acted as pastor for the second time. Rev. W. E. Noyes had
charge of the church in 1871 and 1872. The years 1874, I875 and
1876, the Rev. Sewall Brown was pastor. The greater portion of
the time from that time to the present time there has been no set-
fled pastor. Supplies have been furnished from time to time each
year during that period of time. The church recently celebrated
its one hundredth anniversary.
In 1815, Elder Thomas Macomber first visited these people. He
was invited to settle with them and received the ministerial lot as
94 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY
hereinbefore stated. He moved into Guilford in 1816. Soon after
his removal a revival was held and the church receive] additional
members. From time to time revivals prevailed and members were
added to the church. An extensive revival took place in 1827. At
the time of this revival sufficient members were added to the
church so as to increase its membership to more than one hundred.
Mr. Loring states that this revival was the most extensive, protract-
tive and effective revival the town had ever enjoyed.
In 1831, the meeting house at Guilford Center, being the first in
town, was built. It was dedidcated July 4, 1833. Elder Macomber
retired from active work as a pastor in 1835. During his ministry
one hundred eighteen -persons had been added to the church. As
already stated he had the public lot of three hundred twenty acres
which was reserved for the first settled minister. He did not receive
any stipulated salary. In addition to performing his duties as
pastor he had to perform manual labor in order to provide for the
large family which he had. Ever after settling he continued to
live in town until his death which was December 18, 1852. At the
date of his death he was seventy-eight years old. He was highly
esteemed not only by his parishioners but by the people of the town.
The greater portion -of the village of Guilford is in lot eight,
range one. The north line of lot eight, range one, is the north line
of the house lot now occupied by Charles F. Scales, and the north
line of the land formerly owned by Addison Martin. This line
extended along at the brow of the hill at the north of School Street.
The west line of lot eight is the division line between the land
formerly owned by Benjamin Davis Bennett and the late Benjamin
F. Hussey. The old road west of Leavitt's residence is also on the
line between lots eight and nine. The west line of lot eight south of
the Piscataquis River is just back of the buildings formerly owned
and occupied by John Leavitt. All of lot eight, range one, north of
the Piscataquis River was conveyed by Bowdoin College to Moses
Stevens. Moses Stevens' residence was where the large two-story
house now is near the Bangor & Aroostook Railroad Station. David
Stevens, Henry M. Stevens and Charles W. Stevens are grandsons
of Moses Stevens.
In 1825, the land now occupied by three of our public buildings,
being our public hall and our two school buildings, was conveyed
by Moses Stevens to Addison Martin. At the (late of that convey-
ance and at the time of the location of the road known as North
Main Street, all of the land on the east side of that road was a cedar
swamp. For many years nearly all of the residences and all of the
places of business were on the north side of the river. The land
now occupied by the hotel was first occupied by stores. W. W.
Harris, who was the first person to give life and impetus to the
business in our village, purchased the ]and where the hotel now
stands and moved a building from where the residence of Charles
F. Scales now is, over the tree which is now the large tree near the
Universalist church, to the lot stated and built a house for the
entertainment of the people. 'Mr. W. W. Harris came to Guilford
to work in the store run by his uncle, Nathan Woodbury, and also
to took after the property interests of _Mr. Nathan Woodbury.
After coming to Guilford he was married and carried on all ex-,
tensive business in town. In the early part of the fifties he moved
from Guilford to Foxcroft where lie lived a few years and then
went to Portland and lived there until the time of his death. He
was one of the prominent men in Guilford and the first to give life
and energy to the business in our village.
The land on the south side of the Piscataquis River where our
village now is was conveyed by Bowdoin College to Amos Lambert
on November 21, 1823. This conveyance included all of lot eight,
range one, south of the river. The west line of this lot is back of
the buildings now occupied by -Mr. Johnson as hereinbefore stated.
The south line is at the top of the high hill at the south of the
village. The east line of this lot is now the line which divides the
towns of Sangerville and Guilford.
On September 4, 1828, Lambert conveyed to Ellas 'F. Aldrich
and S. C. Britton a lot extending ten rods above the dam across
the river at that time and fifteen rods south of the river; thence
east thirty-two rods and north fifteen rods to the river; thence west
by the river to the first bound, containing three acres more or less,
excepting the mill clam which joins said land. Aldrich and Britton
were young men who came to Guilford and opened a store. In the
old burying yard the wife of Elias T. Aldrich is buried. She died in
1828. There is a tombstone at her grave.
Upon the lot conveyed to Amos Lambert as hereinbefore
described, Lambert built his buildings. These buildings were built
upon the same spot where Henry Hudson now lives. Not long
after the buildings were built Lambert sold his real estate and left
town. It was said that his cattle all died with the murrain and
96 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY
for that reason he sold and moved away. Some years ago your
historian started to dig a cellar tinder the barn on his premises.
After digging but a short time the workmen came to a cellar which
was all stoned. It evidently had been abandoned and not used for
many years. Your historian was told that it was not an uncommon
thing to have cellars in early times tinder the barn in which to store
vegetables to be fed to the cattle.
The highway leading from Guilford Village to Sangerville
Village on -the south side of the Piscataquis River was not located
until the early 50's. He has been told that this road was
located at the instigation of persons who lived in Sangerville and the
opposition to the road was made by the people of Guilford Village.
I am aware of the fact that the records show that there was a per-
sistent fight at the time the road was located. This is an illustration
that we can little know what may take place in the future. This
street or road is now one of the principal streets or highways lead-
ing to our village.
For many years the residents of Guilford Center and the north
part of Guilford came to the village of Guilford over what is called
the western road or described as leading past the residence of Mr,
Frank H. Leavitt. Not until the 40's was the road known as the
Wharff road opened and travelled. Major Stephen Ellis, one of
the early settlers in our town, who settled and lived for many years
on the farm known as the Horace Coy farm north of the Cornier
farm, told me that he was made to believe that the water existed
to that extent that it was not feasible or practicable to build a road
where the Wharff road now is. Therefore, he with others was
opposed to the location of the road there. He believed that the
people should continue to travel over the I old road, but we can now
well see how in those early times with a dense forest on the land
and as moist and swampy as it now is in places that it must have
been wet. Your historian has found from the records that this
road was located at different places. One of the locations of this
road brought the southern terminus to intersect with what is now
High Street near the o1d church on the hill.
The town of Guilford was divided originally into eight school
districts. This number of districts was recognized and maintained
until the district system was abolished and the town system adopted.
District No. 1, was known as the Low's Bridge district. This
embraced all territory in the southeast corner of Guilford, and the
HISTORICAL ADDRESS 97
school house was located on the north side of the highway leading
from Guilford to Dover, and east of the road leading from the last
named road to the road which extends frorn Guilford Center past
the Brown school house to Foxcroft.
From the First Town Record
District No. 2, was Guilford Village. The limits of this district,
extended east as far as the west line of the John Bennett farm and
the E. B. Beals farm, north by the north line of the Loring farm,
the south line of the Wharff farm and the David Stevens farm,
west by the town of Abbot, east by the town of Sangerville, south
by the line of Parkman and Sangerville.
The first school house was built ion 'the west bank of the brook
and the north side of the highway leading from Guilford to Dover.
This school house was burned. On February 8, 1843, Thomas S.
98 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY
Pullen, who then owned and lived on the farm formerly occupied by
David Stevens near the station of the Bangor & Aroostook Rail-
road, conveyed to school district No. 2 Guilford by Warranty
Deed a part of lot 8, range 1, bounded as follows: Beginning at
the southwesterly corner of the school house in district Number 2,
at the north line of the County road; thence northerly by said
house 24 feet; thence easterly by said house 45 feet; thence south-
erly 24 feet, to the north line of the road; thence westerly on the
north line of the road to the first named bounds, it being the same
lot on which the building now stands.
The above description embraced the lot on which the school
house stood near the station of the Bangor & Aroostook Railroad.
It would appear that the school house had been built prior to the
conveyance of the lot. This school house was used until 1881.
the spring of i88i the citizens of our village in school district
Number 2, were convinced that it was necessary to have larger and
better accommodations for the scholars in this district. The annual
meeting of the school district was held on the fifth day of April,
1881. It was voted that the district build a school house the com-
ing summer provided sufficient funds could be raised by subscription
to build a hall in connection therewith on a suitable lot. The record
shows that the vote stood twenty-one opposed to the motion and
twenty-seven in favor. It was also voted that the district procure
a lot for school house and hall, if a suitable one could be found
and sufficient funds -could be raised by subscription to build said
hall. The vote upon this motion stood twenty-eight in favor and
twenty-three opposed.
George W. Pratt made all the motions in connection with the
building of this school house. Henry Hudson was moderator, Otis
Martin was clerk and Daniel Cimpher was school agent. There was
at this time, considerable opposition in the school district to the
building of a new school house, and there were those in our school
district and village who were anxious to have a new hall. There
were those in the district who desired better and more suitable
rooms in which to accommodate our scholars in this district. In
fact the number of scholars had increased to that extent that the
one room in the old school house was not large enough to accomm -
date the scholars. Those who desired a new hall and those who
desired larger and better accommodations for the scholars by unit-
HISTORICAL ADDRESS 99
ing, were able to carry the vote to build a building of sufficient
capacity to accommodate the schools and the patrons of a public hall.
Henry Douglas, Robinson Turner, John H. Morgan, Samuel
Webber, and George W. Pratt were chosen a committee to purchase
the necessary lot upon which to build a school and hall building.
The meeting then adjourned to Douglas Hall, April 9, 1881.
At the adjourned meeting the committee appointed, through Mr.
Robinson Turner, reported that sufficient money had been raised by
the citizens of the district to build a public hall in connection with
the school house; that the committee had examined the Martin lot,
so called, and found it a suitable lot for said school house and hall,
that the lot could "be purchased for the sum of five hundred dollars
,of which sum the builders of the hall will pay two hundred dollars
and own two-fifths of said lot: that the district pay the sum of
three hundred dollars and own three-fifths of said lot. The report
was accepted and the district voted to build forthwith a new school
house in connection with a public hall, the school house to consist
of at least two rooms, outside entries and entrance and to occupy all
the lower space in said building. The district is to build the build-
ing and finish all complete outside, in connection with the owners
of said hall and each is to bear one-half of the expense, and each is
to finish inside, at its own expense, that part owned by each." Vot-
ed to buy the Martin lot, so called, on which to erect the building
and pay therefor the sum of five hundred dollars, of which sum the
school district is to pay three hundred dollars and the hall, two hun-
dred dollars.
Henry Hudson, Robinson Turner, Samuel Webber and George
W. Pratt were chosen a committee to superintend the expenditure
of the money and the erection of the school house, to investigate
and allow accounts and -draw orders on the town treasurer. Voted
to sell the old school house and lot and that the committee be
authorized and empowered to sell and convey the same.
In accordance with the facts herein recorded the building was
erected on the Martin lot. Some years ago the town of Guilford
purchased the hall and now owns the hall. A few years ago the
hall was renovated, made larger and is now a credit to the town.
In ten years the population of our village had increased to that
extent that the accommodations for our school. became inade-
quate. At the annual meeting of the school district held on the IA
(lay of April, 1892, there were articles in the warrant with refer-
SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY
100
ence to the purchase of the new lot and the building of a new school
building. At the meeting the district voted to purchase a lot and to
build a new school building. A committee of three, consisting of
John Scales, A. J. Goldthwaite and Henry Hudson were chosen to
make an examination of the different lots which were available,
ascertain the price of the same and to report at an adjourned meet-
ing of the district. The meeting was adjourned to April 16, 1892.
On April 16th, the committee chosen made report to the school
district. The committee examined seven different lots. The first
lot examined was the one owned by Otis Martin. This was ulti-
mately purchased.
To prepare this historical sketch has been a real pleasure to me.
In doing it, I have lived over again my most pleasant. associations
with citizens of our town now dead, and have been delighted to
delve into the earliest years of our town's history and have come
more than ever to admire and respect Guilford's citizenship.
We should be proud of our town. In this Centennial we have all
done our best to pay full credit to the memories of our men and
women not now with us. In the word, of another written for this
occasion:
"Stout hearts were theirs, to them all hail!
With pluck like theirs, we cannot fail;
God bless Guilford, with flags unfurled,
To us, the best in all the world."
(c) 1998
Courtesy of Tina Vickery of Somerset Co, Maine USGenWeb Project
& The Androscoggin Historical Society
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