Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-06-13
For the journal.
HISTORY OF CHINA.

send for the Journal few more sketches
relating to the history of China, which are
somewhat rambling, being written wholly
from memory. Dates not being at hand, the
history is not as useful and interesting as it
otherwise might be. But if the intelligent
youth Of the present day will be induced by
these imperfect sketches to make note of
passing events comparing the manners and
customs of their ancestors with those of the
present time, noticing the progress and growth
of their native town, so that their posterity in
future generations may have the benefit of
the record, enabling them to look back and
view the wonderful changes as they have &C.
Cured, then one great object of the writer
will have been attained.
One of the many privations of the early
settlers was the want of physicians there
being none within a days journey. There
resided on the west side of the pond Mrs.
Ward, a philanthropic lady, who took upon
herself the task OF nursing the sick, and who
finally became noted doctor" as she was
called When sent for to visit the sick she
would mount her horse, WITH her ''saddle-
bags" well stocked with medicine, consisting
principally of "roots and herbs, and in very
urgent cases would ride with all possible speed
over roads and 'sbrldle- paths" almost impss-
sable, and administer to the necessities Of her
patients. In winter when the roads were
blocked up with mountains Of snow, she
would strap on her "snow shoes and hasten
on her mission of kindness to render assistance
in relieving the sick and suffering. She lived
to ripe old age, and was long remembered
by the numerous recipients Of her benevo-
lence. This was about the state of things
until 1908, when Daniel Stevens, regular
physician, settled in China village, and built
him house where Elijah Winslow, Esq,
now resides. He practiced as Physician
until Is4l, when he deceased, aged SO. DR..
L. +. Hanscom was the next physician who
settled in town, in 1919, and is still living,
aged 70. DIR. James H. Brainerd was the
third who came into the place, in about 1922,
where he resided and practiced until his death
in 1857, aged &C. AT the present time there
are in town, Doctors Merrill, Tibbets, Boul
ster, Mitchell and Jones.
Our forefathers labored under another
great inconvenience in the lack of suitable
material for clothing. Wool growing was inn
practicable until the forest was cleared and
the land brought into pasturage. and the
wolves and bears dispersed from the neigh
borhood. During this period, moose skin
afforded the principal article of clothing.
Flax was early cultivated, the raising of
which was considered of the first importance,
though the 'boys" were not particularly
partial to the "brake and swinging knife
instruments used to prepare the fax for
spinning. In almost every domicil could be
seen an article offurniture called the "hatch-
el"-used to separate the tow from the fax,
preparing il for the time-honored 'distaff and
linen Wheel" Females were generally en-
ployed in pulling" the flax. A family of
colored girls (whose parents settled on farm
midway between "Norton's and Crossman's
Corner') who were adopts in that kind of
labor, found plenty. of employment in the
proper season. Their father, "PerO," used to
interest the young people in relating to them
many of the incidents Of his past life, COM
mencing at the time of his capture as slave.
He said that while himself aud lot of other
little black fellows were playing on the banks
of river somewhere on the coast Of Guinea
(Africa) in state of perfect nudity, in the
midst of their sport they found themselves
surrounded by gang of "slave catchers."
Never having seen any white men before,
they, of course, were very much frightened
They began to cry and begged to be allowed
to 90 home, but were denied, and huddled off
to the vessel which bore them across the
briny ocean to Boston, where he was sold to
Mr.. Brackley, whose slave he remained un-
til the commencement of the Revolutionary
war, when he enlisted as soldier, and served
during the war as one of Washingtons ser
wants, and part Of the time in the capacity
of steward. a
After the surrender of CORVALLIS, the Cen
eral discharged him, literally rewarding him
for his services. He returned home to
bingham, Massachusetts, where he purchased
the freedom of his intended wife, married
her, and settled in China, as above stated.
For many years he annually visited his old
master in Boston, travelling the whole dis