CHAPTER 6 –
YEARS OF GROWTH FROM 1830'S THROUGH 1850'S
1830 CENSUS
– 336
1831
William Spring of Alexander named a coroner by Washington County
Commission
1832 Jesse Stephenson appointed Alexander’s first post
master
1838 DAMON SET OFF prepared by John Dudley – 1990
“CHAPTER 407: An act to set off so much of a lot of land
belonging to John K. Damon, as lies in the town of Cooper, and annex the
same to the town of Alexander” was approved by the Maine State Senate
and House of Representatives on February 22, 1838. This was a result of
a petition signed by 37 inhabitants of Alexander dated September 28,
1837.
John K. Damon’s home was on the Green Hill Road in
Cooper. The petition claimed that Damon had a small amount of land in
Alexander and that “many and great inconveniences’ were caused by having
part of his farm in Cooper.
The lot set off was 50 rods wide (North to South) and one
mile long, totaling 100 acres. It was bounded on the South (Cooper) by
land of Daniel Lane and Horatio Greenlaw.
The set off does not appear on either the 1861 map of
Washington County or the 1881 Atlas.
In 1899 the selectmen of Cooper and Alexander met to
perambulate the line between the towns. They determined that the line
was in dispute. In April 1900 the Supreme Judicial Court of Maine
appointed three commissioners “to determine the lines in dispute,
describe them by courses and distance, and make, set and mention
suitable monuments and marks for the permanent establishment of such
lines.” The commissioners were Benjamin E. Gardner a Calais lawyer,
Samuel Hayward, a Cooper selectman and Charles E. Tyler, an Alexander
selectman. These men completed their task and reported back to the court
in December 1900. Their report indicated that the Damon Set Off does
exist and that the line between Alexander and Cooper is not straight.
Dyer Crosby, grandson of Daniel Lane supplied much of the
information given here. Below we list the Inhabitants of Alexander who
signed John K. Damon’s Petition. Thirty-one are listed in Alexander
Vital Records compiled by Sharon Howland. The other six on this hand
written list of signatures are marked with an asterisk
INHABITANTS OF ALEXANDER – who signed the petition, in
order.
Six with asterisks are not found elsewhere in Alexander
records.
John K. Damon - Abijah Crosby * - Cornelius Lyons, Jr.
John G Taylor - Asa Robbins - Alphephias Lyons
John B. Tyler - Jesse Stephenson - Nathan Pease*
George W. Flood - George Tyler - Sylvanus Fogg*
Paul Morse
- Belcher Tyler - Hiram Berry
Job Chase - Benjamin Buzzell - Asa Libby
Daniel or David Gooch - John Perkins - John Gray
James S. Chase - Abadiah Blackwood* - Richard H. Libby
John Gooch - Elias Lyon - Peter Flood
Ebenezer Gooch - Cornelius Lyon - Giles Hutchins
Robert Kendall - Jeremiah Frost - William Pearder*
Daniel G. Tyler - Greenwood Lyons - Jeton Menies*
Joel Gooch
1840 Census 513: ninty-six homes existed, a number not
exceeded until the late 20th
century
1841 John G. Taylor died, he was our first town clerk
1848 Manly Butterfield Townsend died, was President of
the Maine State Senate
1850 The population reached 544, the greatest ever
recorded
1850 ROADS IN ALEXANDER DRAWN ON
JONES 1808 LOT PLAN
The roads on this map were drawn by John Dudley. Names are as found in
2013. Roads that are not public today are marked with an asterisk. The
Airline was called Blacks Road in 1850.
5
1850 – A PIVOTAL YEAR FOR ALEXANDER –
1850
This information first appeared in Special Issue 15, January 2010. It
was prepared by John Dudley.
Now we explore the year 1850, when our population was greater than any
time before or since. According to the census, it was 544 individuals.
Of course we can’t tell why so many people from so many places settled
here, or why they left. But we can tell a little of what Alexander was
like in 1850.
Did Alexander residents talk much about world and national events? Did
they remember that neighbors William Crockett and Jesse Stephenson had
fought for this country during the War of 1812? When they passed the
Townsend place, did they remember that Manly had been in the Aroostook
War in 1839? Did they know that their town was named for Alexander
Baring, and that he, as Lord Ashburton, had represented England in 1842
when the border between the United States and Canada was established? We
know that they knew about gold in California!
How many men voted? Would our residents know that General Zachary Taylor
had become President in 1849 and that he died on July 9, 1850? What did
they know about Millard Fillmore, the new President? What did they know
about Readfield’s John Hubbard, Maine’s new governor? We can’t answer
those questions or many more with no diaries, local newspapers or other
documents to help.
We do know where most people lived and can make quite good guesses where
the others lived. We also can get a picture of neighborhoods, the
closeness of houses, the potential of work and social interaction.
Asuph Sawyer of Cooper took the census of ‘Free Inhabitants of
Alexander’ on August 27 – 31, 1850. That word ‘free’ reminds us that in
some places in our country, not all were free, a slave was counted as
3/5 of a freeman. Sawyer also did the Agricultural Census of Alexander;
Congress had ordered for the first time that this information be
collected. Those two documents are the basis for this article.
Sawyer census tells that the residents were somewhat religious in that
we had two churches, the Union Church that seated 150 and was valued at
$300 and the Methodist Church seated 150. We have found no other
evidence of any church building in Alexander prior to 1866. Where were
these two churches? In the chapter on COMMUNITY LIFE we can learn more
of religion.
The annual taxes raised for the state was $103 and for the county $70.
Schools were supported with $250 and the three paupers with $200. All
these taxes were in cash. The road tax was $1200, but this was paid in
work. That tax was raised from real estate valued at $46750 and personal
property worth $8803.
We know what some individuals did with their time? One hundred seventy
six were attending school when Asuph visited. Another 54 more were
students who would attend school later in the year. Where did these
scholars attend school? Alexander had five district schoolhouses, #1 -
Four Corners, #2 - Hale, #3 – Loverin (Robb Hill), #5 – Breakneck and #6
Andrew Little District. On Arm Road, but only three were operating at
the time of the census. We know that children living near Princeton were
educated at the District #1 schoolhouse in South Princeton; and those
near Crawford were schooled in that town. We know that Caroline Cole and
Amanda Tyler both taught, for $10.00 and $14.00 per term and that the
town paid Henry P. Whitney $52.00 for the same.
The men as heads of households were mostly described as farmers or
laborers. On the Agricultural Census even the laborers had farmland,
crops and livestock. What was the difference between a laborer and a
farmer? How many of the men went into the woods each winter? Most of the
76 houses had a woman, usually a wife, with no occupation listed. We
won’t attempt to describe how hard these women worked with no
electricity, no running water, no nearby grocery store, no department
store for clothing….
How rich or how poor were these people? One way to measure wealth in a
rural society was to find a value of each man’s farm. We’ll use the 1850
Agricultural Census for that, even though this will not report cash
earned in woods work or on the log drive, or for butter or farm produce
sold.
Alexander farmers raised an average of 250 bushels of potatoes per acre,
15 bushels of wheat, 25 bushels of oats and 20 bushels of barley. Wages
for a farm hand averaged $16 a month plus board. Day laborers earned 80
cents per day with board, or $1.00 a day with no board. A carpenter
earned $1.75 a day and supplied his own meals. If he boarded out, he
could expect to pay $2.00 per week. Finally, a male domestic was worth
$1.00 a week plus board. Female domestics were not mentioned!
Who were the town leaders? At the March town meeting, the following were
elected to handle the responsibility of running the town, Clerk was
William Spring; Selectmen - Claudius M. Huff, Asa Libby and John K.
Damon, assessor - Nathaniel S. Townsend, tax collector - Richard H.
Libby, and school committee - A. K. P. Townsend.
Sources: Sharon Howland compiled vital records of Alexander and area
towns which includes the 1850 census records, cemetery gravestone
inscriptions and family records. A-CHS files created by Pliney Frost
provided additional information. We have used the 1861 Wallings Map of
Washington County, deeds, letters from Bingham’s agents and some
detective work to locate Alexander farms in 1850. Corrections,
especially to where each family lived, are desired.
TRAVELS WITH ASUPH; ALEXANDER IN
1850
We will visit each house, as did Asuph Sawyer. We will find out who
lived in each house and where they came from. Occupations will be listed
and scholars’ names will be underlined. <We will next tell a little
about most families in the years after Asuph’s visit> [We locate the
house by lot number (see map above) and by E911 address if known. Most
locations are known from maps or deeds. Some are noted as ‘likely’ in
that the name on the census lists falls at a known or probable house
site. A number of residents did not own the place listed]. And we will
learn about each farm, rich or poor. It is August 1850. We will follow
Asuph on his travels. ~ Asuph lived near where the Grange Hall stands in
Cooper. He went north on the Breakneck Road to the Alexander town line
where he starts his work and where we start our journey. Enjoy the trip.
STEPHEN BABCOCK was a 54-year-old farmer born at Hopewell, NB. His wife
was Betsy Flood (42), Peter’s daughter. Their children were George (21),
Martha (19), Stephen (18), Charles (16), Julia (14), Almira (11),
Augustine (10), William (8), Lewis (6), Larry Lafayette (3) and Betsy
(1). <Another child, Emma, was born in 1852. The family left Alexander
before 1860. Augustine and William were then in Cooper and were Civil
War soldiers>
[Lot 97; Breakneck Road nearest Cooper, site not found]
100 improved acres; 50 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $850;
value improvements and machines – $15; 1 horse; 2 milch cows; 1 other
cattle; value livestock - $170; 8 bushels rye; 10 bushels oats; 16 tons
of hay
REUBEN TUTTLE FENLASON was a 38-year-old laborer born in East Machias.
His three older children were Irving (16), Reuben (14) Deborah (10) and
Hannah (6). Their mother was Deborah Gooch who died. Reuben’s second
wife, Livonia (19) was the mother of his other child, named for her
mother, Livonia (10/12). Rebecca Garnet (23) was also in the household.
< Reuben died in the well on Breakneck on August 10, 1852>
[Lot 97; Breakneck Road]
60 improved acres; 100 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $400; 1
milch cow
JOHN CROWLEY (40) described himself as a gardener. His wife Bridget (38)
was called Biddy. Also in the house were James Foley (40) and John Magee
(35), both laborers. Completing the household was Jane Fitzsimmons aged
14. All were born in Ireland. <nfi>
[Lot 97; Breakneck Road]
40 improved acres; 60 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $500
EBENEZER GOOCH was 84 and his wife Betsey Seavey was 78. Living in this
home was their son JOEL GOOCH, a 45 year old farmer, his wife Hannah
(34) and their children Orinda (16), Augustus (10), Franklin (8), Henry
(6) and Albert (1). The Gooch family was from East Machias. <Joel died
in 1852, Ebenezer died in 1856 and Betsey died in 1857. This Gooch
family left Alexander before 1860>
[Lot 97 Breakneck Road]
70 improved acres; 130 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $600;
value improvements and machines – $25; 1 horse; 2 milch cows; 1 other
cattle; value livestock - $70; 100 bushels Irish potatoes; 300 pounds
butter, value home manufactures - $20; value of animals slaughtered $15
MOSES J. HACKETT was a Maine born mechanic, 44 years old. His wife
Charlotte Quimby Chase from New Brunswick was 34. Their children, all
born in New Brunswick except Florence, were William (14), George (13),
Samuel (11), Leroy (8), Emma (3) and Florence (10/12). Moses was a house
carpenter from Calais when he purchased this farm “across from the red
schoolhouse, formerly the south east school district, now District #5.
[Lot 97; Breakneck Road]
46 improved acres; 60 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $850; 1
horse; 4 milch cows; 4 other cattle; value livestock - $175; 60 bushels
Irish potatoes; 400 pounds butter; 10 tons of hay
JOHN S. PHILLIPS (60) was a New Hampshire born farmer. His wife Isabelle
Kennedy was 46 and born in Scotland. Their children, born in Maine, were
James (19) a laborer and William (9). <Five more children born before
1850 are not listed in the census. John Phillips died in the Breakneck
well on August 10, 1852. His widow moved to Calais.>
[Lot 97; Breakneck Road; site known]
35 improved acres; 55 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $1000;
value improvements and machines – $40; 1 horse; 3 milch cows; 4 other
cattle; 11 sheep; 1 swine; value livestock - $140; 85
bushels oats; 35 pounds wool; 200 bushels Irish potatoes; 14 bushels
barley; value orchard crops - $15;
250 pounds butter; 10 tons of hay; value home manufactures - $40; value
of animals slaughtered - $60
~ Here Asuph turns east onto the Burn Barn Hill Road ~
JOHN GOOCH, 47, was a farmer and brother of Joel. John’s wife was Eliza
Jane Chase (37) from Princeton. John and Eliza were in Alexander by
1833. Their children were Charlotte (16), John C. (13), Mary (9), Eugene
(8), George (7), Adaline (4), Oswald (3), and Frederic (11/12). Also
living in the home was Jeremiah Gooch (27), a laborer and likely a son
of John’s brother Daniel. <Three more children were born, Willis, John
L. and Louisa. John C. died in 1855. Members of this family stayed in
Alexander until after the 1880 census>
[Lot 98, likely on north side Burnt Barn Hill Road, near the high point
of this hill; the Seth Damon place; only known house site on this road
and probably the site of the barn that burned.]
46 improved acres; 160 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $600; 1
horse; 1 milch cow; value livestock - $50
~ Now Asuph heads toward Cooper on the Cooper Road, once called the
North Union Road ~
LUKE STEVENSON (24) was born in Alexander, son of Jesse and Elizabeth.
His bride of just a few days was Elizabeth Hammond (21). <They had three
daughters born in the next decade, Annette, Irene and Emma. The family
left Alexander after 1850. Luke married Martha Connick of Meddybemps in
1892 and returned to Alexander before 1900. He died here in 1904 and is
buried in an unmarked grave on lot 106. Martha Hodsdon Connick was the
widow of Levi Connick>
[Lot 101, likely near 669 Cooper Road, one of three house sites on Kelly
McDonough’s lot]
40 improved acres; 60 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $400; 1
milch cow
PAUL MORSE was a 65-year-old farmer from Newbury, Massachusetts. His
wife, Mary, born in Kings County, New Brunswick 53 years earlier, was a
widow and had a son by her first marriage. That son was living with Paul
and Mary; He was John William Henry Trask, born in Eastport, a
34-year-old laborer. <Paul died in 1855 and Mary in 1858. Are they
buried in the field south of the house site? John Trask took over the
farm.>
[Lot 106; site near 750 Cooper Road. This was the farm where John
Taylor, Alexander’s first Clerk lived. Presently home for Hank and
Maxine (Flood) Dinkins]
40 improved acres; 60 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $800; value
improvements and machines – $20; 4 milch cows; 2 working oxen; value
livestock - $120; 60 bushels Irish potatoes; 300
pounds butter; 10 tons of hay. Paul reported 20 pounds of wool in the
past year even though he had no sheep at the census time.
JOHN KENDALL DAMON a farmer at age 46 was from Dennysville. His wife
Elizabeth Gooch (43) was from East Machias. Their children were Roxana
(16), John (15), Elizabeth (14), Hannah (13), Deborah (10), Diantha (7)
and Uriah (6). John moved into Cooper after 1830 and lived next to the
Alexander town line. In 1837 he petitioned the Legislature to have his
farm set off into Alexander. This was done on February 22, 1838; that
establishes the exact day John K. Damon became a resident of Alexander.
<nfi>
[South of lot 112; site near 14 Green Hill Road, Francis Sullivan’s
camp]
150 improved acres; 100 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $1000;
value improvements and machines – $60; 1 horse; 5 milch cows; 6 working
oxen; 2 other cattle; 1 swine; value livestock - $312; 150 bushels Irish
potatoes; 200 pounds butter; 20 tons of hay; value home manufactures -
$30;
value of animals slaughtered - $20
~ Asuph goes back north on the Cooper Road ~
JAMES GARNET was a Maine born farmer aged 33. Living with him was Ruth
Garnet (66) and Daniel Garnet (13). Living with the family were brothers
Wesley (23) and Levi (21) Flood, both laborers and sons of Peter and
Lucy Snow Flood. Peter had died on August 27, 1845. The census taker
visited in August 1850. In our vitals we find, “James Garnet and Mrs.
Lucy Flood published on March 31, 1850.” Mrs. Lucy Flood was born in
1787. Her daughter Miss Lucy Flood was born in 1804. Being published is
like marriage intentions. What was going on? Was James trying to gain
ownership of the farm? And how did Rebecca Garnet (23) living with
Reuben Fenlason fit into this mystery? <Lucy died on August 27, 1862.
The Garnet family left Alexander before the 1860 census. Levi was in the
Civil War.>
[Lot 112; site near 842 Cooper Road. This is the Peter Flood farm where
Bruce Baker now lives]
62 improved acres; 100 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $800;
value improvements and machines – $40; 1horse; 3 milch cows; 2 working
oxen; 3 other cattle; 1 swine; value livestock - $120;
60 bushels Irish potatoes; 100 pounds butter; 22 tons of hay
FRANCIS JAMES BURNS is listed as a 37- year old laborer in the 1850
census. He was born in Nova Scotia. His wife Elizabeth was the same age,
but born in Maine. The tradition is that he was a brick maker. <The
couple were in financial troubles and did not pay their property taxes
for three years. In July 1850 the town sold their farm to James
Stephenson. Elizabeth died on February 17, 1857 at Jesse Stephenson’s
home. Francis does not appear on the 1860 census.>
[Lot 98 – at the foot of Gooch hill, cellar in the orchard opposite 10
Dwelleys Lake Road]
Francis owned 80 acres, 35 were improved. He had 1 milk cow and 1 other
cattle, of no apparent value to the census taker. cash value of farm -
$250
JESSE STEPHENSON was 66 and a farmer. He came from Cohasset,
Massachusetts and met and married his wife Elizabeth Lilly at Eastport
where it is said that Jesse was a merchant. They came to Alexander
before 1816. Daughters Rachel (27) and Harriet (20) and sons Elisha
(39), and James (33), both laborers, were at home along with Matthew
Frane (21) and James Moore (20). Abigail Spencer Bonney (30), Elisha’s
bride of a year is also in the home.
[Lot 94; 459 Cooper Road: Jesse built a sawmill in 1816 and a gristmill
in 1820, both near his home at the outlet of Pleasant Lake. In 1829 he
bought from Alexander Baring land including the mill site. Likely he was
living on that lot since his arrival in town. Joe and Jane Manza live
near site]
Jesse’s farm was valued at $2000. He had 80 acres of improved land and
890 acres that were unimproved. This acreage indicates he came to town
with more cash than most. His implements were worth $125. He had 1
horse, 7 milking cows that gave 300 pounds butter, 1 pair oxen, 4 other
cattle and 3 swine. His stock was valued at $200 and they went through
10 tons hay. He grew 11 bushels of peas and/or beans and 100 bushels
potatoes. He slaughtered animals worth $100.
GEORGE TYLER, a 59-year-old farmer from Harpswell, Maine came to
Alexander from Calais prior to 1830. His wife was Amelia Cummings
Caldwell (58) of St. Andrews NB. With them were a daughter Mary Amanda
(21) and a son, Daniel (29), a laborer. <George and Amelia both died
within a decade and are buried at the Alexander Cemetery. Their son
Belcher continues as a long time resident here.>
[Lot 88, site near 361 Cooper Road, ‘Tyler Corner’ where Arm and Cooper
roads meet, Steve Knowles lives here]
50 improved acres; 60 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $800; 3
milch cows; 3 other cattle; value livestock - $60; 200 pounds butter; 3
tons of hay
~ Asuph Sawyer, our census taker, now turned west on the Arm Road, or
the first part was then called the County Road ~
JESSE STEPHENSON, JR, 29, was born in Alexander. He married Sabrina
Knight in December 1845. Their children were George (3), Elizabeth (2)
and Sabrina (6/12). <Several more children were born after 1850, Jesse,
Mary, John, Edgar and Mary>
[Lot 88, near 51 Arm Road (present home of Merle Knowles 3rd); Jesse’s
sister Harriet & husband James P Hammond lived here in 1861]
In 1855 he bought lot 87 from Samuel Cottel and lived there. Had he set
up housekeeping there by 1850? Eventually they had eight children.
According to the census, Jesse, Jr. farmed 80 acres and had improved 30
of them giving his farm a value of $250. He had a milk cow, a pair of
oxen and a swine, all worth $100.
30 improved acres; 50 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $250; 1
milch cow; 2 working oxen; 1 swine; value livestock - $100
SAMUEL COTTLE was a Maine born farmer aged 64. His wife Elizabeth Hatch
was 69. They were in Alexander before 1820. Living with them in 1850
were a granddaughter Dolly (6), Charles Frost (17) and Frederic Pilky
(39) a laborer. Dolly’s mother was Nancy who married Ephraim Brown.
<Samuel died on June 12, 1867 in Augusta at the Insane Hospital.
Elizabeth died in 1855; both are buried in Calais >
[Lot 78 and 87; near 159 Arm Road, presently home of Greg Luddington]
60 improved acres; 90 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $800; value
improvements and machines – $200; 1 horse; 4 milch cows; 4 working oxen;
3 other cattle; 16 sheep; 1 swine; value livestock - $250; 22 bushels
oats
SAMUEL COTTLE, Jr. (34) was a farmer and born in Alexander. Mary Jane
Crafts, his wife was 23. Their children were Shepherd (5), Hampden (4)
and Henry (1). Also living in the house was Sam’s brother John (32) and
William Bailey (21), both laborers. <A daughter Maria was born on
February 11, 1851 and Samuel. Jr. died in October 1857>
[Lot 78, cellar in woods east of Old County Road, ‘on his father’s lot,
owner Foster Carlow, Jr calls this the Will Frost Place]
30 improved acres; 100 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $1000;
value improvements and machines – $30; 2 milch cows; 2 working oxen; 3
other cattle; 13 sheep; value livestock - $150; 40 bushels oats; 20
pounds wool; 8 bushels beans and peas; 70 bushels Irish potatoes; 12
bushels buckwheat; 150 pounds butter; value of animals slaughtered - $10
JOHN MOORE was born in 1795 in Ireland and came to Alexander before
1820. He married Nancy (Moholland) in 1823. John was a laborer. Their
son Albion, also a laborer was still at home. <John and Nancy both died
in the 1850s, and are buried in unmarked graves on their place. Albion
continued living in Alexander until after 1860.>
[Lot 78; 204 Old County Road; cellar west of A-frame house; near the Arm
Road]
30 improved acres; 10 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $250; 1
milch cow; 5 bushels beans and peas; 260 bushels Irish potatoes; 9
bushels buckwheat; value orchard crops - $10; 300 pounds butter; 20 tons
of hay; value home manufactures - $30; value of animals slaughtered -
$40. John reported 32 pounds of wool in the past year even though he had
no sheep at the census time.
~ Asuph continued west on what then and now is Arm Road ~
DAVID BAILEY, son of Nathaniel and Mary (Frost) Bailey was born in
Baileyville but likely in Alexander before 1820 with his father and
family. As an adult he lived many years in Baileyville. He and his first
wife had seven children between 1827 and 1838. In 1850, David was 52
years old and his second wife Rebecca Tucker, listed as 23, but more
likely 30; his parents were living with him, and in the household was
hired man William Porter (26) and his wife Lavina (24).
[Lot 77; Spaulding place, north side Arm Road, foundation visible in
Clayton Blake’s pasture]
15 improved acres; 25 unimproved acres; value of farm - $250; 1 milch
cow; value of livestock - $15
CLAUDIUS HUFF, a 32-year-old farmer, was born in St. George NB. His wife
(32) was Ann M. Lane, Likely born in Baring. Their children Charles (6),
John (5), Bion (3) and twins Amanda and Amelia (8/12). <A daughter Mary
Louisa was born on May 2, 1853 and Ann Huff died on September 21, 1853.
Claudius remarried. He remained in Alexander until his death sometime
after 1880.>
[Lot 77; 311 Arm Road, likely the oldest house in town, home today of
Rose Niles Williams and family]
20 improved acres; 20 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $850; value
improvements and machines – $60; 1 horse; 1 milch cow; 2 working oxen;
value livestock - $180; 20 tons of hay
~ Asuph here skips by the Dunn place and follows the now abandoned Arm
Road south ~
WILLIAM CROCKETT, a 66-year-old farmer, came from New Hampshire. His
wife Mary (65) came from New York. William served in Oliver Shedd’s
Company at Eastport in the War of 1812. They arrived in Alexander from
Calais before 1820. In 1850, living in the home were Sylvanus Seavey
(25), a laborer, his wife Cordelia (21) and their children Delia (4) and
Cordelia (2). I suspect that Cordelia was the youngest daughter of
William and Mary. <Mary Crockett died in 1855 and likely is buried in an
unmarked grave in the family cemetery south of their house site.>
[Lot 92; 63 Crawford Road, cellar hole evident, across road from graves,
near original intersection of Breakneck Road and Arm Road, later called
Sears Corner]
25 improved acres; 50 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $600; value
improvements and machines – $10; 2milch cows; 3 other cattle; 11 sheep;
value livestock - $50. The Machias Union in 1855 stated that ‘Mr.
Crockett has one of the largest orchards of fruit trees we have seen in
Eastern Maine, they number nearly three hundred including damson plums.’
~ Asuph now goes west toward Crawford on the Arm Road, what we now call
the Crawford Road ~
JOSEPH GODFREY, a farmer, was 25 and his wife Rachel Morrisa (Moraisey)
was 26; both were from Nova Scotia. Their children were Eliza (7), Ruth
(5), Charles (4), James (2) and Rebecca (4/12). <Three more children
were born into this family, Josephine, Joseph and John. Joseph and
family later moved to the Dunn Place at 329 Arm Road. Several members of
this family lie buried at the Alexander Cemetery>
[Gore lot next to Crawford; north of Crawford Road, remains of
foundation just north of road]
20 improved acres; 30 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $350; value
improvements and machines – $20; 2 milch cows; 1 other cattle; value
livestock - $70
GODFREY LYDICK was a 54-year-old farmer born in New York. His wife was
Elizabeth Noddin, 46, from Hopewell, New Brunswick. They came to
Alexander prior to 1828. Their children at home in 1850 were Mary (22),
David (20), Solomon (19), James Godfrey (17), Michael (15), Elizabeth
(12), Isaiah (9), Sarah (6) and Emily (3). The four older boys were
listed as laborers. < The Lydicks left Alexander in a hurry. In 1858
Lydick petitioned the Legislature to have his farm set off into
Crawford. On April 2, 1859 the petition was approved, and the family
moved to Crawford, lock stock and barrel.>
[Gore lot next to Crawford; south side of Crawford Road, The cellar in
bushes in an overgrown field is now in Crawford as result of Lydick
Setoff]
20 improved acres; 30 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $350; value
improvements and machines – $10; 1 horse; 2 milch cows; 2 working oxen;
1 other cattle; 8 sheep; 1 swine; value livestock - $120
~ And Asuph returns east to the road to Breakneck along the south shore
of Pleasant Lake ~
HENRY JAMES FENLASON (33) was a Maine born farmer. His wife was Eliza
(28). They had two children, Sarah (7) and James (5), both born in
Crawford. Henry was in Alexander with his family prior to 1820. <Henry
and Eliza moved to Princeton.>
[Northeast corner of lot 97; east of Breakneck Road, cellar east of
snowmobile trail]
30 improved acres; 120 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $400; 2
milch cows; 2 working oxen; 1 other cattle; value livestock - $95; 10
tons of hay
~ and Asuph returns to the Arm Road ~
ALFRED KNIGHT, a 44-year-old farmer from Calais, was married to Hannah
(34) from Baileyville. Their children were George, a laborer (17),
Hannah (12), Charles (2) and James (1/12). <nfi>
[Likely lot 91, cellar just north of present Crawford Road and just west
of abandoned Arm Road, the children went to school in Crawford]
20 improved acres; 30 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $300; 2
milch cows; 2 working oxen; 1 other cattle; 8 sheep; value livestock -
$95; 8 tons of hay; value home manufactures - $10;
LEVI COBB DUNN was a 38 year old Methodist – Episcopal clergyman. His
wife Sally Carle (32) was from Princeton. Their children were Russell
(10), Elmira (6), Olin (2), and Laura (11/12). Also living in the home
were Henry Scott (22) and Nancy Lane Scott (25). Henry was a laborer.
Levi Dunn came to Alexander from Calais before 1820 with his parents.
<Levi’s sons Russell and Emery both died in the Civil War. As a
Methodist minister, Levi moved often to numerous towns around Maine.>
[Lot 85; 329 Arm Road, cellar hole still evident at Foster Carlow’s
farm]
35 improved acres; 15 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $500; 1
horse; 2 milch cows; 2 other cattle; 1 swine; value livestock - $100; 10
bushels beans and peas; 30 bushels Irish potatoes; 20 tons of hay
~ Asuph traveled north along the Arm Road and up the Huff Road past the
Huff House to the Blacks Road that today we call the Airline, then
turned west ~
PHEBE SCOTT SCRIBNER, widow of Samuel who died in 1830, was 59 and head
of the household. Phebe was from Machias at the time of her marriage.
Living with her was her youngest child, George Stillman Smith Scribner
(21) listed as a laborer. Also there were her daughter Caroline
Elizabeth Huff (35) and her children Amanda (12), Theodore (10), Alice
(5), Emma (1) and Francis (5/12). Caroline was twice widowed. Her first
husband was Isaiah Foster and the two older children were his. Her
second husband was John W. Huff and the two younger children were his.
Also in the house were Mary J. Jeffrey (8) and James Jeffrey (8).
Apparently, the twins were born in Halifax, NS and were living at Youngs
Cove NB when their mother died. They were walked to Maine and given to
Phebe Scribner. There has to be more to that story. <James was in
Crawford in 1860 and returned there after serving in the Union Army
during the Civil War. Mary Jane married Henry Dunsmore and lived in
Princeton. Caroline eventually married Ben Strout and Ben’s daughter
Charlotte married George Scribner. George ‘Still” remained in Alexander
until the time of his death.>
[Lot 76; cellar behind house at 1886 Airline Road where Zela’s grandson
Ed Powers now lives; hay rake on the foundation]
40 improved acres; 50 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $600; 1
horse; 6 milch cows; 3 other cattle; 1 swine; value livestock - $190;
100 bushels Irish potatoes; 200 pounds butter; 8 tons of hay;
EPHRAIM BROWN (39) was a laborer, a son of Samuel and Dorcas and likely
born in Alexander. His wife was Nancy (Cottel) who was 31 years old.
Nancy and Ephraim had married on February 8, 1849. His first wife was
Phebe Farrar; His children in 1850 were Theophilus (12), Richard (10),
Mary (8), Abigail (6), Michael & Rachel (4) and Orrington (1). <Ephraim
and Nancy had more children, Josiah, Charles, Clement, Alice, Hampden
and Theoplilus. The first Theoplilus died in the Civil War>
[Lot 75; 2020 Airline Road; cellar west of John Foley’s driveway,
visible from highway]
30 improved acres; 50 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $350; 1
milch cow; 2 working oxen; value livestock - $90
~ Brown’s being the last house in Alexander, Asuph now returns east on
the Blacks Road. ~
WILLIAM COLE was a 51-year-old farmer born in Green, Maine. His wife
Eliza (43) Chase was from St David’s Parish NB. They came from New
Brunswick prior to 1830.Their children were Elizabeth (23), Caroline
(21), Daniel (19), Eliza (17), Andrew (14), Thomas (13), Amos (8) and
William. Three other children had been born and died before 1850. <nfi>
[Lot 64; north of Airline, cellar in woods west of Huff Road, about
across from the Scribner place]
30 improved acres; 50 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $500; 1
horse; 2 milch cows; 1 other cattle; 8 sheep; value livestock - $80
NATHANIEL P. MESERVE was a New Hampshire born farmer 58 years old. He
lived alone.
[Lot 54; cellar in John Knowles’ blueberry field about ¼ mile north of
Airline Road]
40 improved acres; 120 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $700;
value improvements and machines – $15; 2 milch cows; 2 working oxen; 1
other cattle; 8 sheep; 2 swine; value livestock - $100; 120 bushels
Irish potatoes; 10 tons of hay
BENJAMIN ADAMS STROUT (38) was a widowed laborer. He came to Alexander
from Limington, Maine. His children were Charlotte (14), Emma (7) and
Eliza (4). Luther Fenlason (26) was a laborer in the household as was
his mother Sally (57) whose role may have been looking after the
children; His wife Esther Bailey had died in May 1850. <Ben later
married twice widowed Caroline Scribner Foster Huff. He moved east to
across from the Cooper Road and had the stagecoach stop in Alexander
from 1857 – 1887. His daughter Charlotte married G. S. S. Scribner, but
deserted him and their children in the mid 1870s.>
[West half lot 55; site probably 1699 Airline Road, Bill White’s home;
this is the northeast corner of the Four Corners]
30 improved acres; 50 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $500. The
Machias Union in 1855 reported that Mr. Strout raised from half a bushel
sowing, three barrels of excellent grain.
ANANIAH BOHANON was one of the first settlers in Alexander. He had come
from Calais, was a farmer and was 62 years old. His wife was Amelia
Campbell (58), also from Calais. Their children were James (20), a
laborer, Samuel (17), Amanda (9) and Francis (7). Their daughter Amelia
Bohanon Brown (30), widow of Elijah who died in September 1849 and their
children Eliza (5) and George (2) lived in her parents house. Records
indicate Amelia had six children die including a baby girl born 4 months
after Elijah’s death. A daughter Margaret and her husband Henry Payson
Whitney lived nearby as did sons John and William and their families.
<Amelia died on February 7, 1857 and is buried in the family plot.
Ananiah eventually moved to Minnesota to be with some of his children
and died there.>
[Lot 65; west of Old County Road, cellar still evident in blueberry
field, graves east of house site on knoll are hard to find, stones
broken; Ananiah owned the southwest corner of the Four Corners]
60 improved acres; 100 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $600; 1
horse; 4 milch cows; 2 working oxen; 2 other cattle; 10 sheep; 1 swine;
value livestock - $200; 55 pounds wool; 250 bushels Irish potatoes; 10
bushels buckwheat; 300 pounds butter; 12 tons of hay; value home
manufactures - $35
SOLOMON OBIDIAH STROUT (49) came here from Limington and married Lydia
Bailey (46). He was a farmer. The children at home were Solomon (23), a
laborer, Rhoda (12), Viola (8), Eunice (5), Lydia (3) and Eliza (8/12).
Jones Bohanon (24) a neighbors son and Archibald McCatharine (26) from
Nova Scotia were both laborers living in the household. <Solomon and his
first wife lie buried at the Alexander Cemetery>
[West half lot 66 and southeast corner of Four Corners; 1698 Airline
Road would be site of house after it was moved from center of the lot.
We know it was moved before 1861, The original cellar there still
visible at center of lot]
30 improved acres; 150 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $700;
value improvements and machines – $50; 1 horse; 4 milch cows; 20 sheep;
1 swine; value livestock - $150; 75 pounds wool; 100 bushels Irish
potatoes; 300 pounds butter; 12 tons of hay; value home manufactures -
$45; value of animals slaughtered - $30
STEPHEN DECATUR FROST a 35-year-old farmer was born in Calais but came
to Alexander with his parents before 1830. His wife was Mary Ann Bean
(28). Their children were Robert (11), Thomas B. (8), Wellington
Augustus (6), Dresdin (4), Stephen (2) and Chauncey (4/12). Also in the
home was Sally (20). <Four more children were born to this couple, Enos,
Abner, Horace and Charles. Stephen D. Frost served in the Civil War.>
[East half lot 66; 1646 Airline Road, home of William Briggs; cellar
about ¼ mile south of road in blueberry field with bushes growing around
it]
30 improved acres; 50 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $550; 2
milch cows; 2 working oxen; 2 other cattle; 8 sheep; value livestock -
$85
ABRAHAM BAILEY was a 48-year-old laborer born in Baileyville Brother of
David. His wife Jane was 37. Their children were Sarah (16), Emily (13),
Almira (12), Horatio (10), Stillman (6), Mary (5) and Martha (1). <At
least two more children were born in this family, Theresa (1854) and
James (1856). This family moved to Crawford before 1860.>
[Middle part lot 55; site likely 1646 Airline Road where Larry and Emma
Hill live]
40 improved acres; 40 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $350; 1
horse; 2 milch cows; value livestock - $70
JAMES PERKINS, a farmer at 38 had married Martha Emery Bailey (33) of
Baileyville. Their children were Daniel (9), James Madison (7), Samuel
(4) and Phebe. (1). <Two girls were born after 1850. By 1860 this family
was living in Crawford.>
[Lot 55; probably near 1605 Airline Road, home of Eleanor Fecteau,
actually behind present house]
35 improved acres; 135 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $850;
value improvements and machines – $16; 1 milch cow; 2 working oxen;
value livestock - $115; 40 bushels oats; 5 bushels beans and peas; 18
bushels barley; 11 tons of hay
ISAIAH BAILEY, born in #7, now Baileyville, was 28 and a farmer. His
wife Diadama (Chubuck) was 28. Their children were Roxanna (2) and
Jasper (3/12). Also in the household were Isaiah’s mother Jane (Frost)
Bailey (59), his brothers Simeon (20) and Joseph (23) and Joseph’s wife
Amanda Perkins (19). <Three more children were born to this couple,
Josiah (1851), Clara (1854) and Elisha
(1857). Amanda died in 1860; Diadama died on May 3, 1861. Isaiah
enlisted in the Union Army on October 5, 1864.>
[West part lot 56; 1587 Airline Road, house site under David Goodine’s
saw mill]
20 improved acres; 40 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $400; value
improvements and machines – $30; 1 horse; 1 milch cow; 2 working oxen; 1
other cattle; value livestock - $150; 10
tons of hay
JOHN JAMES PERKINS was a 36-year-old farmer born at Grand Lake, New
Brunswick. His wife was Sarah Perkins (37) was born at St. David’s
Parish, NB. Their children were John (11), Margaret (9), Wesley (7),
Alfred (6), Mary (3) and Augusta (1). Note: John and Joseph were
brothers living in the same house. Mary and Augusta are listed under
Joseph, but do belong to John. Living with the family was Margaret
Ferris Perkins (64), John’s mother. <This family lived in Alexander for
many, many years.>
[East part lot 56; 1461 Airline Road where Tim Sanford resides, house
site likely west of driveway near highway]
30 improved acres; 25 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $500; 1
horse; 2 milch cows; 2 working oxen; 1 other cattle; value livestock -
$150; 150 pounds butter; 10 tons of hay. The Machias Union reported in
1855 that he sowed 35 bushels oats and will probably secure upwards of
300 bushels.
JOSEPH PERKINS was a 28-year-old farmer born at Grand Lake NB and his
wife Elizabeth Ellsworth was 22. Their child was Hanford Albion (1).
Included in the household were Joseph’s siblings Solomon (22) and
Margaret (18). <Records indicate 12 more children were born into this
family. Joseph fought in the Civil War and he and many of his family are
buried in marked graves at the Alexander Cemetery.>
[Joseph sold the northeast corner of lot 57 to Robert Clark Brown in
October 1852. I expect his home was near 1409 Airline Road, present home
of Joey Wallace]
30 improved acres; 100 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $400; 2
milch cows; value livestock - $30; 20 tons of hay.
~ Here Asuph leaves the Airline and traveled up the McArthur Road,
earlier called the Lyons Road or the Thistlewood Road ~
ROBERT KENDALL THISTLEWOOD a 44-year-old farmer was born in England. His
wife, the widow Mary Bailey Bean was 50. The children in the household
were Reuben (17), John K (9) and Susan Blackington (20). Susan Keen and
Rueben Keen were Mary Bean’s children. Another son, Robert K. Scott
Thistlewood (born 1839) is not listed in the home, but William Chambers
(27) a laborer is in the home. <This family continued living here for
many years and Robert is buried at the Alexander Cemetery>.
[The Thistlewood farm was on the ministerial lot, lot 48, north and west
of the present day McArthur Road, which some still call the Thistlewood
Road. Cellar or site not yet found]
50 improved acres; 100 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $700;
value improvements and machines – $19; 1 horse; 3 milch cows; 2 working
oxen; 1 swine; value livestock - $126; 6 bushels beans and peas; 50
bushels Irish potatoes; 20 bushels barley; 12 tons of hay
ANDREW CRACKEN was a 24 year old laborer born in New Brunswick. In his
household was John Doughity, a 17-year-old laborer also born in New
Brunswick. <nfi>
[Was he living on Lot 49 at the Gihn Place, at the very end of the
McArthur Road? This would be about ½ mile beyond where the present road
ends. Site not yet found]
20 improved acres; 190 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $400; 1
horse; 70 bushels oats; 20 bushels barley; 20 bushels buckwheat; 18 tons
of hay
GREENWOOD LYONS, a farmer, was born in Belmont, Maine in 1914. His wife
Hannah Frost was born in Calais in 1817. Their children, all born in
Alexander were Sarah (11), Charlotte (8), Greenwood (7), Almeda (5),
Huldah (4) and James (1). Also in the household were Charles and Clarasa
Frost, 16 and 15 respectively. Hannah, Charles and Clarasa were children
of Jeremiah Jr and Sally Thompson Frost. <Three more children would
bless this family, Charles, Lydia and James. Young Greenwood died in
1862.>
[Lot 58; cellar is due east of 117 McArthur Road, just north of newly
named Lyons Road]
20 improved acres; 30 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $300; 2
milch cows; 2 working oxen; 1 swine; value livestock - $100
NEWELL PIKE was a Maine born blacksmith and 36 years old. His wife
Joanna (Sullivan) was 28. Their children were Mary (11), Sarah Jane (7),
Chandler (5), Nancy (2), and Francis, Newell and Joanna were married on
April 15, 1838 in Calais and several of their children were born there.
<They left Alexander sometime after September 1853.> One source gives
his name as Sewell.
[A house site existed near where the old Thistlewood swings west; there
was a building there in 1929; Ross and Eva (McArthur) Sadler lived there
when first married. Did Pike live there?]
10 improved acres; 25 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $800; 1
horse; 2 milch cows; value of livestock - $100;
SIMON HARRINGTON FROST was a 29-year-old farmer. He and his 24-year-old
wife Mary Ann (Perkins) were the parents of three children, Caroline
(5), Elisha P. (2) and Manly E. (8/12). Living with them were William
(37) and Elisha (26), Perkins, both laborers and both brothers of Mary
Ann. Simon had been born on January 19, 1821 in Calais to Jeremiah, Jr.
and Sally (Thompson) Frost. Mary, born on April 13, 1826 at Grand Lake
NB, was the daughter of Elisha and Margaret (Farris) Perkins. <Eight
more children would be born to this family and they moved to Princeton
after 1860.>
[Lot 58; 95 McArthur Road; the place where Ben McArthur now resides]
20 improved acres; 60 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $400; value
improvements and machines – $30; 2 milch cows; 2 working oxen; 1 swine;
value livestock - $100; 110 bushels oats;
8 bushels beans and peas; 6 tons of hay; value of animals slaughtered
$30.
~ Asuph turns east on the Blacks Road, now called the Airline ~
VARIAN CRAFTS was a 49-year-old farmer. In his home was his 42 year old
wife Jane and children Mary (17), Samuel (15), Alonzo (12), Melissa (7),
Frederic (5), Sarah (3) and Thomas (5/12). Varian was born in Hebron,
Maine and lived in Waterborough NB where his wife Jane (Ferris) was
born. They were in Alexander by July 1830, probably arriving with his
brother Isaac. <Varian and his family moved to Princeton before 1860>
[Probably Lot 59, 1283 Airline Road, where Clinton Flood lived and where
Lord’s Old Farm Museum now stands]
45 improved acres; 30 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $1000;
value improvements and machines – $50; 3 horses; 4 milch cows; 2 working
oxen; 15 sheep; 1 swine; value livestock - $195; 30 bushels wheat; 25
bushels oats; 30 pounds wool; 3 bushels beans and peas; 80 bushels Irish
potatoes; 30 bushels buckwheat; 300 pounds butter; 18 tons of hay; value
home manufactures - $22; value of animals slaughtered $60
ASA LIBBY was 56 and a farmer. His wife Sarah (Caldwell) Gray was 52. In
the house resided their children Oliver (26), Abner (19), Alice (22) and
Amanda (16). Also in the home were Sarah’s daughter Cordilia (Gray)
Berry (34) and her children Amelia (7), Albion (3) and Asa (1).
Cordilia’s husband Samuel was a mason and likely was working in Calais
or St Stephen. Asa Libby was born in Scarborough, Maine, but arrived in
Alexander from St. David Parish NB likely in 1832. Sarah Caldwell was
born in St Stephen. <At the Alexander Cemetery we find marked graves for
Asa, Sarah and other family members.>
[Lot 61 – 989 Airline Road, presently home of Gary Howland]
130 improved acres; 130 unimproved acres; cash value of farm -
$2000;value improvements and machines – $50; 3 horses; 4 milch cows; 6
working oxen; 3 other cattle; 22 sheep; 1 swine; value livestock - $595;
40 pounds wool; 90 bushels Irish potatoes; 15 bushels barley; 250 pounds
butter;
18 tons of hay;
RICHARD HUBBARD LIBBY was 29. Living in his house was Sarah B. Libby
aged 39. Richard was the first child of Asa and Sarah (Caldwell – Gray)
Libby, born in New Brunswick. Sarah B. Stanchfield was born in Maine and
she and Richard filed intentions of marriage on April 18, 1847. <Richard
and Sarah disappear from the Alexander records after 1850.>
[Was he across the road from his father on lot 61, south of Airline
where John Grey later lived?]
30 improved acres; 50 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $500; 2
milch cows; value livestock - $30;
~ Asuph reached the Baileyville town line and turned north on the Robb
Hill Road, also called the Town Line Road, the Loverin District Road or
the Alf Perkins Road ~
JOEL CHANDLER was a 53-year-old farmer. His wife Eliza Stackpole was 46.
He was born in Freeport and she in Durham, Maine. Their children were
Nancy (20), Eliza (17), Mary (14), Harriot (8) and George (14). The
children were born in Berlin, Maine which is north of Weld (Twp 6 AP).
<This family disappeared sometime after the 1850 census.
[South 40 acres of lot 44 – Robb Hill Road, cellar not found]
40 improved acres; 100 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $600; 3
milch cows; 2 working oxen; 15 sheep; value livestock - $120; 30 pounds
wool; 95 bushels Irish potatoes; 300 pounds butter; 15 tons of hay;
value home manufactures - $50
JONATHAN HUNNEWELL was a 47-year-old laborer who was born in Durham,
Maine. His wife, Susannah (Hall) was born in St Stephen. They lived in
St. Stephen where Jonathan worked at a shipyard, until about 1838 when
they moved to Alexander. Living with them in 1850 were children Rebecca
(19), Andrew (17), Mary (15), Calvin (13), Cynthia (11), David (8),
Diantha (6), Caroline (3) and Benjamin (1). <Another son, Charles, was
born in 1852, just 3 days after brother Benjamin died. Jonathan and
family would soon move to lot 37, 246 South Princeton Road, where his
family lived until recently. Brothers David and Calvin died in the Civil
War. Jonathan and Susannah are buried in the Alexander Cemetery.>
[likely Lot 35 – Robb Hill Road, later occupied by Edmund Bailey and his
son James. Cellar, well and apple trees still evident]
30 improved acres; 120 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $350;
value improvements and machines – $40; 1 horse; 1 milch cow; 2 working
oxen; value livestock - $125; 20 bushels oats;
HUGH ROBB aged 45 and a laborer and his wife Ann, 41, were the parents
of two sons, Hugh (18) a laborer and Thomas (14). The family was from
Ireland and arrived in Alexander after 1840. <Hugh and Ann disappeared
before 1860 but their boys were at the same site. Hugh never owned the
farm, but his sons later acquired it and they continued living there for
many years>
[Lot 25 – at the end of the Robb Hill Road, west of the Baileyville
line; the cellar, just west of road way, is filled-in]
30 improved acres; 120 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $250; 1
horse; 1 milch cow; 2 working oxen; value livestock - $100;
JOSEPH LOVERING was a 50-year-old farmer born in Massachusetts. His 44
year old wife Harriet (Brooks was born in Jonesboro. Their children were
Abigail (22), Harriet (18), Abner who went by the name Gardner (16),
Sarah (14), Mary (12), Joanna (10), Frederic (8), Elbridge (6), William
(4), Emma (2) and Stephen (5/12), The family lived in Calais before
1830. <Joseph, Harriet and two of their children are buried in marked
graves at the Alexander Cemetery.>
[Joseph’s farm was on lot 53 – cellar south of 176 Robb Hill Road where
Karen Herrick lives]
40 improved acres; 110 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $1000; 1
horse; 7 milch cows; 2 working oxen; 2 other cattle; 14 sheep; value
livestock - $250; 40 bushels oats; 45 pounds wool; 50 bushels Irish
potatoes; 300 pounds butter; 20 tons of hay; value home manufactures - $
40; value of
animals slaughtered $70.
ADAM AVERILL was 56,a laborer and born in Maine. His wife Sally was 47
and their children were Sewell (21), Sarah (18), Lavina (15), David
(14), Marinda (10) and Eliza Jane (7). They arrived in Alexander after
1840.
[Lot 44; west of Robb Hill Road, cellar south of gravel road from
cemetery pits]
20 improved acres; 30 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $150; He
had 1 milch cow worth $15.
~ Asuph returned to the Blacks Road and went west to Asa Libby’s. From
there he went south on a road found on one old map to the end of the
publicly maintained Nellie Berry Road. This road has been used for
forest products removal by owner land Carleton Brown ~
EPHRAIM SCOTT was a 40-year-old laborer. His wife Ann (Bagley) was 39
and also from Baileyville. Their children were Isaac Titcomb (15),
Ephraim (12), Elizabeth (9), Elmira (7), Abbe (5), Minerva (3) and Manly
(1). The family came from Baileyville to Alexander after 1840. < Ephraim
never owned land in Alexander, was he in Calais in 1869?>
[Likely lot 72 and the site where Samuel Berry would soon move, the
cellar is on the west side of the road]
10 improved acres; 30 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $250; 1
milch cow worth $15
EBENEZER BROWN, 31 and born in New Brunswick, was a farmer. Living with
him were two children, Mary (5) and Edward (2). <This family disappeared
from Alexander before 1860>
[Likely lot 72, on the road mentioned above at a rumored house site not
yet found]
30 improved acres; 130 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $500; 1
milch cow; 1 other cattle;
value livestock - $80
ABIEL ABBOTT was a 55-year-old farmer born in Massachusetts. His wife
Eunice Townsend had died in 1846. Their children were Olive (25), Manly
(24), Abiel (21), Thomas (16), Edward (15), Eugene (12), Asa (8) and
John (3). <nfi>
[south half lot 127; top of hill on Nellie Berry Road, probably same
site as Nellie Berry at 107 Nellie Berry Road, just south of road,
cellar filled-in]
50 improved acres; 100 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $500; 1
horse; 1 milch cow; value livestock - $80; 20 tons of hay
JAMES DYER KNIGHT, a 43-year-old farmer, was born in Calais. His wife
Susan (41) was born at Vinal Haven. Susan Brown had married a Hodgdon
and had two children of that name. She and James Knight married at
Calais on April 8, 1832. Their children on the census were Emeline (15),
Susan (13), Sabrina (10), Levi (7), and Annie (2/12). Also living in the
home were Eleanor Pike (18) and Alonzo Pike (6/12). Eleanor Pike was the
oldest child of James and Susan. The family came from Calais to
Alexander before 1840. <It appears that this family moved to Topsfield.>
[Probably on north part of lot 127, off the Nellie Berry Road, near the
same unnamed road on which Ephraim Scott and Ebenezer Brown resided,
cellar by big oak tree]
25 improved acres; 125 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $500;
value improvements and machines – $30; 2 milch cows worth $30
~ Asuph traveled west on the Nellie Berry Road to the Flat Road, then
south ~
NATHANIEL SAWTELL TOWNSEND (43) was a farmer from Sidney. His wife
Emeline Crowell was 38. Their children were Ann (16), Sabra (7) and Mary
(2). Living with them was 11 year-old Irish born O’Brien McCarty. <The
family came to Alexander after 1840 and departed before 1860.>
[Lot 125; 290 Flat Road, foundation stones scattered about, end of
public road, Charlie Holmes last to live near site]
30 improved acres; 220 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $800; 3
milch cows; 2 working oxen;
3 other cattle; value livestock - $150; 50 bushels Irish potatoes; 200
pounds butter; 200 pounds of cheese, 15 tons of hay; value of animals
slaughtered - $15
~ Asuph returns north, then heads west on the Spearin Road ~
JEREMIAH SPEARIN was a 48-year-old Maine born farmer. His wife was Rhoda
Bailey (44) born in Baileyville. Their children living with them were
Nathaniel (18), a laborer, Louisa (16), John (14), Jefferson (11),
Leonard (8), Susanna (5) and Leander (2). Also son William (23) was at
home with his wife Abigail Lyon (21) and daughter Emma (8/12). < Abigail
and Emma both died before 1852. Jeremiah and Rhoda’s sons Jeremiah, Jr,
Leonard and Jefferson all served in the Civil War. Jeremiah and Rhoda
died in 1878 and 1879 respectively.>
[Lot 82; 187 Spearin Road, foundation remains west of Warren Morse’s
driveway]
28 improved acres; 80 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $1000;
value improvements and machines – $10; 1 horse; 5 milch cows; 3 working
oxen; 2 other cattle; 14 sheep; 2 swine; value livestock - $300; 30
bushels Indian corn; 50 bushels oats; 60 pounds wool; 100 bushels Irish
potatoes;
450 pounds butter; 15 tons of hay; value animals slaughtered. - $100
MICHAEL BROWN was a 42-year-old cabinet maker from England. His wife was
Rebecca Knight (41) from Calais. Their children were Robert Clark (21),
William (19), Joel (17), Francis Westbrook (15), Elvira (9), Melinda
(7), Adkins (5), Martha Emily (3) and Fred Leander (2). Robert was born
in Calais, but the other children were born in Alexander. <This family
continued to live in Alexander. Adkins was in the Civil War; Fred became
a blacksmith and lived at his father's place.>
[Lot 82; north of Spearin Road at end of Fred Brown Lane, Foundation now
part of landscape around Doug Scruton’s log cabin at site]
20 improved acres; 40 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $650; value
improvements and machines – $20; 1 horse; 1 milch cow; 2 working oxen; 3
other cattle; 1 swine; value livestock - $100;
bushels wheat; 70 bushels Irish potatoes; 9 tons of hay; value of
animals slaughtered - $100
EDWARD DAVIS, 54, was a Nova Scotia born farmer. His wife Mary McElroy
(53) was also born in Nova Scotia. They arrived in Alexander sometime
after 1845. Their children, also born in Nova Scotia, were Ellen (19),
Henry (17), Thomas (15), Samuel (12), Gordon (10) and Emeline (5). Five
older children were not living in the home. <Edward and Mary and a
number of their children lie buried in marked graves at the Alexander
Cemetery.>
[Lot 70, cellar on ATV trail between Spearin Road and Airline; the 1929
topographical map shows a road here; Roland Perkins lived there about 75
years ago]
30 improved acres; 130 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $600; 1
horse; 3 milch cows; 2 working oxen; 3 other cattle; 8 sheep; 2 swine;
value livestock - $200; 40 bushels oats; 20 pounds wool; 50 bushels
Irish potatoes; 9 tons of hay
~ Asuph arrives at the Cooper Road ~
ALMEDA TOWNSEND was 38 and the recent widow of Manly Butterfield
Townsend. Their children were Abner (17), George (15), Mary (13), Manly
(9), Thomas (5), and Phebe (3). Also in the household were Robert Ellis
(48), Catherine O’Brien (18), both of Ireland, neighbor Jeremiah Spearin
(22), and Albion Keith Parris Townsend (27), a teacher and Manly’s
nephew. Manly, the father, was born in Sidney and Almeda was born in
Phillipstown, Massachusetts. The family came from Calais to Alexander
about 1842. < Almeda stayed on in the big house on Townsend Hill for
many years and operated the farm. At Alexander Cemetery we find marked
graves for Manly, Almeda and their extended family.>
[Home located on lot 68, 73 Cooper Road where David McClure lives.
Almeda owned several other lots around town]
The cash value of the farm was $8000; it had 150 acres improved land and
250 acres of unimproved. The farm implements were worth $125. She had 1
horse, 8 milch cows, 3 pair working oxen, 6 other cattle, 28 sheep that
produced 84 pounds of wool, 3 swine, all valued at $500. The cropland
yielded 12 bushels of peas and/or beans and 200 bushels of Irish
potatoes. The milk churned 300 pounds butter and gave 600 pounds of
cheese. The livestock needed 25 tons of hay. Products of animals
slaughtered in the past 12 months were valued at $100. The Machias Union
reported in 1855 that Mrs. Townsend had nearly 100 acres under
cultivation and annually raised 80 tons of hay, potatoes and different
kinds of grain.
HIRAM BERRY (44) was a mason born in St. Stephen, NB. His wife was Mary
Hitchings Gray (35) of St. David’s Parish. Heir children were Sarah
(15), Harriet (12), Mary (10), John (8), Asa (6), Alice (4) and Frances
(2). <The baby Francis would die in 1851 and two more children would be
born including George Gordon Byron Berry. Hiram and many of his family
are buried at The Alexander Cemetery>
[Lot 80; 92 Cooper Road, where Pike Seavey now resides]
30 improved acres; 50 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $800; 1
horse; 3 milch cows; 2 working oxen; 3 other cattle; 16 sheep; value
livestock - $160; 35 bushels beans and peas; 300 pounds butter; 12 tons
of hay; value home manufactures - $30
WILLIAM SPRING was a 51-year-old farmer born in Thomaston, Maine. His
wife was Nancy Aspinwall Brewer (45) of Calais. Their children were
Sophia (21), Stephen (17), Nancy (15), Frances (13), George (10),
Obidiah (7) and Franklin (3). They came to Alexander from Calais in
1840. In Calais William was a charter member of the Calais Fire Society,
the group that had the famous fire buckets. Manly Townsend was another
member of that group. <In the 1850s, the following children died,
Franklin, Nancy, George, Stephen and Sophia. All are buried in the
Calais Burying Ground. William and Nancy continued living in Alexander
until after 1870.>
[Lot 80, near 170 Cooper Road, just north of Tommy Long Road
intersection]
70 improved acres; 60 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $800; value
improvements and machines – $50; 1 horse; 3 milch cows; 2 working oxen;
2 other cattle; value livestock - $175; 150 pounds butter; 15 tons of
hay;
~ Asuph went out what today we call the Tommy Long Road ~
PETER MILLS HAMMOND or Harmon, 52 and a laborer, was born in Dunbarton,
New Hampshire. Betsy Woodruff, his 45-year-old wife, was from
Machiasport. Their first eight children were born in Machiasport before
the family came here between April 1838 and April 1840. Their children
were Clarissa (26), Albert (25), James (21), Nancy (19), Sukey (16),
Cynthia (14), Lydia (12), Julia (10) and Ambrose (7). <Peter died before
1853 and the family was gone by 1860 except for son James who had
married Harriet Lydia Stephenson and they lived at 51 Arm Road, leaving
before 1870.>
[East 122 acres of lot 89; one of the cellars beyond end of Tommy Long
Road]
30 improved acres; 70 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $600; 1
horse; 2 milch cows; 2 working oxen; value livestock - $100
ISAAC PORTER CRAFTS was 56 and a farmer. His wife Rebecca (Ferris) was
47. Their children were Sarah (17), Priscilla (16), William (10) and
Emma (5). Also living in the household was John Mills, aged 40. Isaac
was from Hebron, Maine and had lived in Waterborough NB where Rebecca
was born. They came to Alexander just before the 1830 census. (Daughter
Sarah Louise would die on October 10, 1850. Isaac and Rebecca and four
of their children are buried at the Alexander Cemetery.)
[Lot 89; 102 Tommy Long Road where Merle and Ruth Knowles live, probably
the same house]
100 improved acres; 180 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $ 2500;
value improvements and machines – $40; 3 horses; 5 milch cows; 2 working
oxen; 3 other cattle; 14 sheep; 1 swine, value livestock - $300; 60
pounds wool; 70 bushels Irish potatoes; 50 bushels buckwheat; 300 pounds
butter;
25 tons of hay; value of animals slaughtered $60. The Machias Union
reported in 1855 that Mr. Crafts has nearly 50 acres under cultivation,
that he keeps a stock of twenty-five head of cattle, forty sheep,
besides swine and poultry.
~ Asuph has returned to the Cooper Road and heads south ~
JOHN PERKINS was born in Mt. Vernon, Maine in 1793 and moved to New
Brunswick before coming to Alexander. He and his first wife Marie
Williams had the following children: Harriet (20), Lydia (19) and Emma
(14). Marie died after childbirth in 1836. Charles Augustus (11) was
born on December 31, 1839 and John married neighbor Lucinda Bohanon in
June 1840. Their children were William (9), Frederick Stephen (7), Maria
(5), Jasper (3) and Adelaide (6/12). <Six children were born after 1850>
[Lots 79 and 80, 150 acres which he had purchased from Samuel Barker in
1833; his home was at 179 Cooper Road where Irene McKain resides; is
this the same house?]
John’s farm was worth $1500. He had 46 acres of improved land and 60
acres unimproved. His implements had no value to the census taker. John
has 3 milch cows that gave 250 pounds of butter, 2 pair oxen, 3 other
cattle and 1 swine all valued at $200. His stock ate 10 tons hay. He
grew 100 bushels potatoes and 20 bushels barley. His slaughtered animals
were worth $30. John reported 40 pounds of wool in the past year even
though he had no sheep at the census time.
JOHN SPEARIN laborer (24) Maria (22) Owen McCarty (11) Remember the name
O’Brien McCarty, the 11 year old Irish boy living at the Townsend place.
Were these twin brothers or did this child get counted twice? <John was
from Massachusetts in one record. In December 1875, John married Mrs.
Mary Brownlie of Alexander. John died after the 1900 census.>
[Likely 234 Cooper Road, where John Knowles now resides]
30 improved acres; 50 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $400; 1
milch cow
~ We next find Asuph on the South Princeton Road, then called the County
Road ~
JOHN CAMPBELL BOHANON (33) was a farmer likely born in Alexander. His
wife was Lucretia (33). Their children were Sylvester (8), Charles (5)
and Horace (3). Also in the household was Hannah McKenzie, John’s aunt.
<John and his family left Alexander before the 1860 census>
[South part lot 45; near 132 South Princeton Road; John sold this 40
acres with buildings to his brother Jones in July 1850; maybe the often
photographed Bohanon house that stood near the road, but also may have
been a house sitting back from the road farther, foundation visible from
the road]
10 improved acres; 25 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $500
HENRY PAYSON WHITNEY (29) was a teacher from Massachusetts. His wife was
Margaret (25) Bohanon of Alexander. They had married on January 20,
1850. <They would have seven children, but two died young. This family
moved to Minnesota after 1860.>
[Owned lots 18 & 19, but probably lived on the north part of lot 45 in
the home his sister-in-law Amelia Bohanon Brown, widow of Elijah had
just moved from; behind Sprague Bars and south of Philip McArthur’s.]
30 improved acres; 50 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $400
GILES HUTCHINS, born in Maine in 1810, was a laborer. His wife Eliza
Bailey (34). Their children were Winslow (10), Elizabeth (8), Louisa (6)
and Caroline (1). <Giles died while crossing the Isthmus of Panama in
1852 on his way to the California gold fields. Eliza and her four
children plus John born 1852 continued at the same place until after
1860 when they disappear from our records.>
[Lot 46; 151 South Princeton Road, now Keith Prout’s place; was it the
same house?]
10 improved acres; 140 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $250
WILLIAM BOHANON was a 34-year-old farmer likely born in Alexander. His
wife was Flora Ann Phillips (25). Their children were Louise Ellen (4),
Clara Amelia (2) and Henry Edwin (2/12). <Another child, Walter appears
on one record and two were born after 1850. This family left Alexander
before 1860>
[Possibly lot 46, the north 40 acres; 203 South Princeton Road, where
Pedro Ceijas resides]
10 improved acres; 25 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $300
TIMOTHY AHEARN was an Irishmen. On some records his name appears as Hun
and Huin. He was a 34-year-old laborer. The woman in his life was 35
year old Nancy Fravern, also Irish. Her last name may well be something
else, like maybe Ahearn. Her children were John (8), Hannah (6), William
(3) and Margaret (1). The first two were born in Ireland, the next in
New Brunswick and the youngest in Maine. <In 1860 and 1870 this family
was in Baring with two more children, Catherine and Mary.>
[Maybe lot 37, where Mel Hunnewell lived. Ahearn would soon move to lot
77; west of Old County Road, one of two cellars in the blue berry field
belonging to Merle Knowles Jr;]
0 improved acres; 0 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $250
HUGH GRIFFIN was a 36-year-old laborer born in Ireland. Hugh was single,
but maybe connected to other Irish in the area. Hugh was in Alexander
prior to 1840. <Hugh and Claissa Malarky married in 1855. She had three
daughters by a previous marriage; they had two sons. He and Sarah
Averill filed intentions to marry in 1870, but they apparently remained
unmarried and he was connected to Alexander until his death in the
1890s. >
[Lot 36 – 24 Pokey Road, foundation stones still evident]
20 improved acres; 140 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $450
SAMUEL SEAMANS or Simons or Simmonds was a Maine born farmer and 27
years old. His wife was Abigail Taylor (18) from next door. They had one
child, Eliza (2). <Five more children were born to this couple and the
family remained in Alexander for several generations.>
[South part lot 9; 709 South Princeton Road where Hubert Noyes now
lives]
0 improved acres; 0 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $300
SAMUEL BROWN was a 74-year-old farmer born in either New Hampshire or
Machias. His wife Dorcas Libby (63) was from Scarboro, Maine. Their six
older children had moved out. Son-in-law James Taylor (43), a laborer,
and wife Rachel Brown (34) along with their children Ann (15), Jonathan
(13), Caroline (12), Martha (8), Stillman (6), Alden (3) and Abigail (1)
all lived with Samuel. Orrington Baker (28) was a laborer living in the
home. <The Brown/Taylor family continued living and dying at this site
until the turn of the century.>
[North half Lot 9; 739 South Princeton Road, Skip and Jan Poole now live
here]
30 improved acres; 50 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $700; 1
horse; 4 milch cows; 4 working oxen; 10 sheep; 1 swine; value livestock
- $250; 30 pounds wool; 250 pounds butter; 10 tons of hay; value home
manufactures - $12
~ Asuph Sawyer has to go into South Princeton and toward Woodland before
finding a road that went south back into Alexander to locate the last
family on his census record ~
STEPHEN BILLINGS was a 49-year-old farmer born in North Berwick, Maine.
His wife Rhoda Pike of Princeton was 39. Their children were Hiram (12),
Joel (10), Lucinda (8), Pamelia (6) and Freeman (4). Rhoda Pike’s first
husband was William Bonney who died in 1837. Her Bonney children at home
were Asa a 19 year old laborer, Almira (18) and. Ann (15). Edward
Jamason, a 15-year-old laborer was living with the family. <Stephen and
Rhoda had one more child, Mary Almeda. Son Hiram served the Union during
the Civil War. The family continued at this site until after Stephen
died in 1868.>
[Lot 10; Billings Road which runs south from Woodland Road in South
Princeton, cellar not located]
60 improved acres; 100 unimproved acres; cash value of farm - $800;
value improvements and machines – $50; 1 horse; 3 milch cows; 4 working
oxen; 4 other cattle; 12 sheep; value livestock - $250; 20 bushels
wheat; 20 bushels Indian corn; 50 bushels oats; 30 pounds wool; 100
bushels Irish potatoes; 10 bushels barley; 200 pounds butter; 10 tons of
hay; value home manufactures - $30
1852
Three men die in well on Breakneck
1857
Airline Stage Company established
1858 THE LYDIC SET OFF– Prepared
by John M. Dudley - 1981
Prior to April 2, 1859 the town line between Alexander and Crawford was
straight, and ran North and South. After that date this line had a jag
in it, being the Lydick Set Off. The 1861 map does not show this Set
Off, but the 1881 map includes it.
One Godfrey Lydick in 1858 occupied a farm in Alexander on the Arm Road.
His farm was bounded on the West by the Town of Crawford. Lydick
apparently preferred to live in Crawford. His method to accomplish this
was not to move to Crawford, but to have his farm set off from Alexander
and annexed to Crawford.
In 1858 he files his Petition in the State Legislature. Following is the
order that was issued.
“STATE OF MAINE: The Joint Standing Committee on Division of Towns to
which was referred the Petition of Godfrey Lydick praying that he may be
set off from the Town of Alexander and annexed to the Town of Crawford
has had the same under consideration, and asks leave to report that the
Petitioner cause an attested copy of this Petition with this order
thereon, to be served on the town clerks of the Town of Alexander and
Crawford eight days at least before the 5th day of March next that all
persons interested, may then appear and show cause, (if any they have)
why the prayer should not be granted.” S/ W. J. Sargent Pr Order
The above was “Read and accepted in the Senate on February 18, 1858
and in the House of Representatives on February 19, 1858. A Remonstrance
against the Petition was signed by 49 residents of Alexander and duly
filed. The Remonstrance reads as follows. The undersigned citizens of
Alexander in the County of Washington would respectfully, yet firmly,
remonstrate against the Petition of Godfrey Lydick to set off from this
town, to Crawford – being granted – Mr. Lydick enjoys all privileges now
in relation to schools that he would enjoy, if he should be set off to
Crawford – he draws his proportion of the school money, annually, &
expends the same in Crawford – and as Proprietors would consent to such
a transfer – therefore for the above, and other reasons, we pray that
Lydick’s petition may not be granted – and as in duty bound your
petitions will ever pray.”
“CHAPTER 343 – An act to set off a part of the town of Alexander and
annex the same to Crawford. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of
Representatives in Legislature assembled, as follows; All that part of
the town of Alexander constituting the farm now owned and occupied by
Godfrey Lydick is hereby set off from Alexander and annexed to Crawford;
and said land is subject to all arrears of taxed heretofore assessed
upon it by the town of Alexander. Approved April 2, 1859 |