The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-06-09
BOwDoINHAM, June 7. 1870

BowDorNH4M, June I, 1870.
TO the Editor Of the Press:
As this place is often named in connection
with bank-robbing, so largely practiced within
some years past, it may be well, as of other
towns of less popularity, that some items be
furnished your readers of its locality, condi-
tion, &c. 1t is intended to reserve some ac-
count of eaIly settlement, historical incidents,
aud the like, for future communication.
On the north is Richmond, on the south is
Topsham and Merrymeeting Bay, into which
nVe ny rivers are continent, all of which, except
the kennebec, are there lost. On the west Is
B0wdoin, and on the east is the Kennebec,
which separates this town from Dresden and
Woolwich. The village is on Cathants river,
about two miles from the bay, and accessible
for coasting vessels of any burthen.
The place has been quite noted for ship
building; large amount of sailing vessels
were, and are still owned here, built and sail
ed, to large extent, by our own enterprising
habltants. But the business has of late years
greatly declined. One, only, a three-mast schoo-
ner of 500 tons, is now being built. The vii
lage is distant ten miles from Bath, eight from
Brunswick (by rail- 16 from Gardiner, and 38
from Portland, going by the p. and X. Rail-
road which intersects 1t. Some idea may be
SdlhCu VI lto UuolutSS lrOu the IdCJ Lndl the
village contains 10 or more sellers of goods,
nearly all of whom live by their profession.
Six deposits of ice, some of them large ones,
were filled, in the village and vicinity, within
the present year. Ice freighting is now brisk,
many crafts from other States being called for:
and, best OF all, the enterprise will result in
large profits to the industrious adventurers
The greatest manufacturing establishment of
which we boast, is a new and splendid steam
mill, for saving, with dispatch, all kinds of
lumber. A team bringing logs may return
with the same in the shape of boards, planks
or joists, after very short delay. The en-
terprising builder and owner is a Mr. Cobb, of
your city. Exemption from taxation for ten
years, besides the gift of a thousand dollars
induced him, in part, to undertake here but
by his gentlemany and generous dealing he
will, probably requite all favors shown him by
our citizens. The mill is erected in the east
ern part Of the village, on the site of the old
one, long since dead OF age and idleness.
There are three churches, Methodist,
Baptist and an Universalist; the last of which
built in 1924, as a Union Westinghouse,
though stately edifice, is in a dilapidated
condition. The society meet for preaching,
and hold their Sabbath school in an adjacent
hall.
The Methodists are deservedly prosperous.
Their present minister is Rev. F. G. Aver.
The Baptists are at present without
1,nssscner; having recently had the ministra-
tions of Rev. DIR. A. Wilson; but whether un-
worthy of so good man, or because they
were unable to reward him accordant with
his high merits, the writer does not assume to
judge.
There is a neat brick church few miles off
on the Ridge, so called, owned and occupied
by the Free Will Baptists, of whom Rev. A.
Libbey is the present pastor.
One lawyer, and three active and popular
physicians practise with eminent usefulness.
The good cause of total abstinence prospers
well under the auspices, in chief, of an active
Lodge of Good Templars. Very few of the
signs or effects of debasing drink are exhibit
ed.
And, last but not least, here is Irregular
and well-governed Lodge" Village No. 26) of
ful hall for their accommodation. MEMO