HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF UNION, IN THE COUNTY OF LINCOLN, MAINE, TO THE MIDDLE OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY; WITH A FAMILY REGISTER OF THE SETTLERS BEFORE THE YEAH 1800, AND OF THEIR DESCENDANTS.
BY JOHN LANGDON SIBLEY, MEMBER OF THE MASSACHUSETTS HISTOEICAL SOCIETY.
BOSTON:
BENJAMIN B. MUSSEY AND CO.
1851.
Hardcover, 540 pages. Measures approx 5.25"x8".
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
Geography. — Situation. Boundaries. Rivers and Brooks. Ponds. Soil. Climate. Freshets. Hail and Frogs. Lightning. Health and Longevity. Scenery 1
CHAPTER II.
Ante-plantation History — Muscongus or Waldo Patent. Disputed Territory. St. George's River proposed as a Boundary. Indians. Hart's and Boggs's Escape from them. Dick£ and the Comet
CHAPTER III.
Plantation History. — 1772, 1773: First Settlers. The Anderson Party. 1774, Plan of Anderson's Lot. Purchase of the Township by Dr. John Taylor. His Arrival with the Butlers and others. First Public Act of Devotion. Frightened Moose. Occupation of the Anderson Camp. Clearing commenced. High Words with the Anderson Party. Taylor's Return to Massachusetts. Deed to Taylor. 1775 : Taylor in Congress. Butlers again at Work. First Rye sowed. Butlers go West. Taylor comes back and labors. Butlers return : are hired out to Benjamin Packard. Packard's Log-house. Timber for Taylor's Buildings. Privations. Butler and the Bear. . . 27
CHAPTER IV.
Plantation History, continued. — 1776: Philip Robbins's Purchase. David Robbins's the first Family. Richard Cummings. Taylor again. First Frame House. First Crop of Rye. Raising of a Barn. Log-houses of Richard Cummings and David Robbins. Arrival of the Families of Philip Robbins and Richard Cummings. Crowded House. Timber House. Barn. Taylor's Mills 36
CHAPTER V.
Plantation History, continued. — 1777: Phinehas Butler enters the Army. Purchases by Abijah Hawes ; by Ezra Bowen ; by Jonathan Amory ; by Joel Adams, Jason Ware, and Matthias Hawes. Settlement of John Butler. 1778 : Suchfort the Hessian. Blacksmithing. Calamitous Fire. Suffering for Food 41
CHAPTER VI.
Plantation History, continued. — 1779: Wheaton's Purchase. Settlement of Joel Adams, Matthias Hawes, and Jason Ware. Woodward. Fairbanks. Settlement of Moses Hawes. Ebenczer Robbins. 1780: Jennison's Purchase. 1781 : First Wedding. Jessa Robbins. 1782 : Settlement of Phinehas Butler. Elisha Partridge. Taylor's Conveyance to Reed 45
CHAPTER VII.
Plantation History, concluded — 1783 : Log-house. Bride. Bride's Dower. Jessa Robbins. 1784 : Amariah Mero. 1785 : Josiah Robbins. Gillmor. Cat-and-clay Chimney. Royal Grinnell. Elijah Holmes. 1786 : Arrival of the Families of Josiah Robbins ; of Samuel Hills. Samuel Martin. Organization of the Plantation 51
CHAPTER VIII.
Incorporation History. — 1786, Petition for Incorporation. Act of Incorporation. Number and Names of the Inhabitants 60
CHAPTER IX.
Settlers after the Incorporation. — 1787: Levi Morse. Oliver Leland. William Hart. 1788 : The Maxcys. 1789 : The Daggetts. Seth Luce. Christopher Butler. Ichabod Irish. Barnabas Webb. 1793: Casualty to the Maxcy Family. Remarks on the Early Settlers 64
CHAPTER X.
Population — Census, Aug. 1, 1790. Abstracts from Censuses. Hawes's Census in 1826. State Census, March 1, 1837 73
CHAPTER XI.
Population in 1850 — Census, June 1, 1850, with Names and Ages. . . 77
CHAPTER XII.
Mineral and Arboral Products. — Minerals. Timber. Felling of Trees. Burning of Cut-downs. Shingles. Benjamin Speed. Lakin. Boards and Saw-mills. Lime-casks 97
CHAPTER XIIL
Agricultural and Horticultural Products. — Barley and Rye. Indian Corn. Wheat. Potatoes. Fruit. Peaches and Plums. Apples. . . 105
CHAPTER XIV.
Manufactures and Trade. — Spinning Wheels. Looms. Home-made Clothing. Fulling Mills. Carding Machines. Factories. Paper Mills. Tanneries. Potash. Iron Works. Fossetts' Mills. Stores. Carting Goods to Boston in the War of 1812. Canals 108
CHAPTER XV.
Municipal History. — Town Meetings. Notifications. Places of holding them. Town Officers. Oath of Office in ,1787. Town Clerks. Selectmen. Assessors. Constables. Collectors. Treasurers. Tithingmen. Fish Wardens. . 114
CHAPTER XVI.
Topographical History. — First Burial Place. Old Burying Ground. First Private Burying Ground. Second Private Burying Ground. East Union Burying Ground. Hearses. Common. Pound. Town House. . . .130
CHAPTER XVII.
First Meeting-house. — Early Efforts for a Meeting-house. Spot selected. Location changed. Contracted for. Porch. Raising. Enclosed. Pillars. Pulpit Window. Outside to be finished. Temporary Seats. Pews. Roof to be painted. Sale of Pews. Names of Owners. Lock voted. Description of the House. Pews built in the Gallery. Repairs. Stove. Decay and Desecration of the House. Taken down. Associations with it. Customs. Marriage Publishments. Dogs and Dog Whippers 143
CHAPTER XVIII.
Ecclesiastical History. — 1779 to 1806: Going to Meeting at St. George's. John Urquhart. Isaac Case. Nine Pounds raised for Preaching. William Riddel called. Aaron Humphrey. Two hundred Dollars raised. Mode of dividing the Money. Abraham Gushee called. Jabez Pond Fisher called. Jonathan Gilmore. Henry True called and settled 161
CHAPTER XIX.
Ecclesiastical History, continued. — Organization of the First Congregational Church. Mr. Huse's Account of the Proceedings. Conduct of Samuel Hills and the Rev. Messrs. Sewall, Bayley, and others. Articles of Faith. Covenant. Signers' Names. Opposition by the Hills Party. Hills's " Ex Parte " Council, Sept. 10, 1806. Conduct of the Hills Party about the Ordination. Hills censured. Council, June 29, 1808. Hills's "Ex Parte" Council, Feb. 15, 1809. Second Congregational Church organized. Mr. Huse's Letter concluded 171
CHAPTER XX.
Ecclesiastical History, continued. — 1807 to 1819 : Proceedings of the Town to pay Mr. True. Remission of Ministerial Taxes, Signers to the Methodists; to the Friends; to the Baptists. Movements to dissolve the Town's Contract with Mr. True. Incorporation of the First Congregational Society. Dissolution of the Town's Contract. . . 192
CHAPTER XXI.
Ecclesiastical History, continued — 1816 to 1825 : Attempts to raise Money. Dissolution of Mr. True's Pastoral Connection with the Church and Society. Result of the Council. Proposals for uniting the Congregational Churches. Obstacles to a Union. Union effected 204
CHAPTER XXII.
Ecclesiastical History, continued. — 1825 to 1850 : Preachers after the Union. Freeman Parker. George W. Fargo. Ordination and Dismission of Oren Sikes. Meeting-house. Ordination and Dismission of Uriah Balkam. Samuel Bowker's Ordination 214
CHAPTER XXIII.
Ecclesiastical History, continued. — Methodists and Baptists. — Methodist Church and Society. First Methodist Preaching. Circuits and Districts. Organization. Places of Worship. Meeting-house. Camp Meetings. Parsonage. Preachers. Baptist Church and Society. Central Baptist Church. 217
CHAPTER XXIV.
Ecclesiastical History, concluded. — Universalists. — First Universalist Preaching. Organization. Maine Association. John Bovee Dods. Constitution. Preachers. Meeting-house. Bell. 222
CHAPTER XXV.
Delusions and Superstitions. — Signs and Omens. Witchcraft. Bewitched Horse 227
CHAPTER XXVI.
Political History. — Voting. Separation of Maine from Massachusetts. Harmony and Diversity of Sentiment. Embargo. Petition to the President of the United States. Reply. Remonstrance. Petition to the Legislature of Massachusetts. Celebration, July 4, 1810. Celebration in 1814. Ode and Hymn 230
CHAPTER XXVII.
Political History, concluded. — Members of Congress. Governors. Lieutenant-Governors. Town Representatives. Justices of the Peace. Coroners. Post Offices and Postmasters 239
CHAPTER XXVIII.
Financial History. — Taxes. Early Apportionment of Taxes. Controversy with Warren. Petition to the Legislature in 1780. Petition to the Legislature in 1783. Plantation Taxes. Taxes since the Incorporation. Taxes paid in Produce. Exemption of Philip Eobbins, jun. Table. Adams's Petition to the Legislature in 1794. State of the Finances in 1795. Dollars and Cents. Taking the Valuation. Payment of Taxes 256
CHAPTER XXIX.
Financial History, concluded. — Reed's Case. Surplus Revenue. Paupers. Warning out of Town. Maintenance of the Poor 266
CHAPTER XXX.
Highways. — Early Difficulties in Travelling. Moss. Paths. Spotted Trees.Exposure of Matthias Hawes. First Roads. First Highway Districts. Character of the Roads. Corduroy Roads. Boating and Visiting. Ox Sleds. First Teaming to Neighboring Towns 273
CHAPTER XXXI.
Highways, concluded. — Surveyors and Commissioners. Taxes. Compensation. Time for doing the Work. Breaking Roads in Winter. Comparative Value of Money and Labor 279
CHAPTER XXXII.
Bridges. — Log Bridges. Lower, or True's Bridge. Middle Bridge, at Bachelor's Mills. South Union Bridge. Upper Bridge, at Hills' Mills. Report on Bridges in 1805. Appropriations 287
CHAPTER XXXIII.
Educational History. — Earliest Schools and Teachers. Schools at a later Period. School Children in Summer. Drink. Recess. Josiah. Complaints and Punishments. Girls' Work in School. Reading. Spelling. Noontime and Dinners. Winter Schools. Severer Punishments. Intermissions in Winter. Studies. Evening Schools. 294
CHAPTER XXXIV.
Educational History, concluded. — School Districts. School Houses. School Committees. School Agents. School Children. School Money. High Schools. Lyceum. Libraries 302
CHAPTER XXXV.
Professional History. — College Graduates. Lawyers. Physicians. Indian Doctor. Urine Doctor. Singing Masters and Singing Schools. Brass Band. 318
CHAPTER XXXVI.
Military History. — Revolutionary Soldiers. Loyalist. Incidents in the Revolutionary War. French War. Military Appropriations. Powder House. Military Spirit 327
CHAPTER XXXVII.
Military History, continued Infantry Officers. Light Infantry. Its Organization and Dress. Its Officers. Rifle Company. Its Organization and Dress. Rifles. Its Officers. Disbandment 338
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
Military History, continued. — War of 1812 Pay voted by the Town. Drafts. Alarm. Companies ordered out. Parade on Sunday. March to Camden. Peace. Soldiers from Union in the Army. Texan War. Mexican War 342
CHAPTER XXXIX.
Military History, continued. — Difficulty with the Waldonian Officers. The Dinner. Waldonian Influence in the Field. Election of Lieut.-Col. Bachelder. Precedence of Rank on the Field. Remoteness of Musters. Pecuniary Considerations. Indignation at a Military Election. Acts of the Legislature. Excitement. 350
CHAPTER XL.
Military History, continued. — Violent Rain-storm. The Companies at Waldoborough Meeting-house. Uncomfortable Feelings. Burial of the Colonel under Arms. Uneasiness. Anecdotes. Line formed. Irregular March to the Muster-field. Rogue's March. Unsuccessful Attempt to stop the JVlusic. Orders misunderstood. Confusion. Desertion. Hurrah 354
CHAPTER XLI.
Military History, continued. — Col. Avery Rawson. Charges against him stopped. Charges against Officers in Union. Trial of Lieut.-Col. John Bachelder. Trial of Capt. Lewis Bachelder 361
CHAPTER XLII.
Military History, continued. — Trial of Capt. John P. Robbins. Objections and Protest. Charges and Specifications. Result. 366
CHAPTER XLIII.
Military History, continued. — Evasion of the Laws. John Chapman Robbins becomes Clerk. Loss of the Company Roll. Muster near Trowbridge's, in Warren. Lieut. Ebenezer Cobb. " A good time." Horsemen ride about the Muster-field. Robbins gives Orders. Unsuccessful Attempts to arrest him. Notes for Fines burnt as Wadding. 370
CHAPTER XLIV.
Military History, continued. — Orders to elect Officers. Movements to Reelect Capts. Bachelder and Robbins. Nathan Bachelder chosen Captain. Pardon Robbins and the Cabbage. Re-election of Capt. Noah Rice. He is cashiered. Voluntary Trainings and Muster. Aroostook War. Rifle Company disbanded. Philo Thurston. Ebenezer Ward Adams chosen Captain. His Trial and Imprisonment 373
CHAPTER XLV.
Military History, continued Two Companies of Infantry. Election of Officers at Amos Walker's. March to the Common 379
CHAPTER XL VI.
Military History, concluded. — Qualifying Remarks. Extension of the Unmilitary Spirit. Change of Public Sentiment. Military Musters. . . .382
CHAPTER XLVII.
Zoological History. — Early Hunting and Hunters. Boggs. Anderson. Davis and the Tortoise. Dicke\ The dogs Tuner and Lion. Laws about Deer and Moose and Deer-reeves. Deers. Moose. Their Haunts. Time and Manner of hunting them Their Yards. Transportation of Moose Beef. Dressing and cooking it. Moose in Summer. One killed in Seven-tree Pond. 386
CHAPTER XLVIII.
Zoological History, continued Bears. Bear Traps. Setting Guns. Bears caught by David Robbins and Jessa Robbins. Baited and killed by Ezekiel Hagar. Love Rum. Taken to Boston and shot. Encounters on Seventree Pond ; on Hart's Hill ; on Hills Point ; on Simmons's Hill ; on the Robbins Neck. Adam Martin. Jason Ware and his Dog Sambo. Fate of Sambo. Mrs. Hart and the Bear Trap . . 395
CHAPTER XLIX.
Zoological History, continued. — Wolves. Wolf-hunt. Cat-vaughan. Foxes. Personal Experience. Fox seized by Asa Messer. Beavers. Raccoons. Musquash. Minks, Sables, and Loup-cervier. Weasel 406
CHAPTER L.
Zoological History, continued. — Ducks. Wild Pigeons. Loons. Crows and Blackbirds. Hunting Matches 413
CHAPTER LI.
Zoological History, concluded. — Fish Laws. Salmon. Alewives. Fish-hawks and Eagles. Eels. Smelts. Trout and Pickerel. Other Fish. . 418
CHAPTER LII.
Conclusion. — Design. Sources of Information. Changes since the Settlement. Possibilities and Responsibilities. 425
Family Register 429
General Index 519
Excellent original early family and/or town genealogy, history, antique, collectible heirloom and/or ephemera.
CONDITION: Some foxing, other antique wear. Replaced/repaired spine. Overall nice for age. See description and photos.
- International buyers are responsible to pay VAT or other Taxes to their countries as required.
- collects and remits sales tax on behalf of several states. If you are a dealer, you can write to to file a form to become tax exempt.
LOC:
LOC2: BOOKSHELF11-TMKT-E2308BDB12
