Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-04-15
infiOrPl. Items.
EIGurY YEARS AGO AND Now.

EIGuTY YEARS AGO AND Now.
The propriotors of the Township OF
Andover agreed to give lot OF land TO
the first white child that was born in town.
At that time, there were no settlers, eN-
cept Indians; The nearest settlers then,
living about twenty miles away, in Bethel
An unbrokcn wilderness lay between
Bethel and Audovcr; only tpot path,
with spotted uces rs guide. In those
days, as well as now, there was spirit
of emulation among the good people
Among the competitors Tor the prize, was
Mr.. Ezekiel Merrill aud his wife. They
moved into the town, | am told. she
riding on sap sled, hauled by tho In
dians. There were two other families
| moved into town about the same time,
| Mr.. Jonathan Abbott aud Mr.. Enoch Ad
/ ans. Mr.. Merrill aud wife were the
lucky rivals. Their daughter Susan was
| born the following Summer; Il few months
later, there were more births in town;
the next season there were acccssions to
their numbers. Soon after, Mr. Abel
Lovcioy and Mr.. Phillip Abbott moved
all the way from Andover, Mass, to this
town. with IN ox.team. The first settlers
had to go to Bethel for their provisions,
until they could raise crops.
Tie Pine lumber was plenty all over
town, and they wished to get rid Of il to
the best advantage. Mr.. j. Abbott went
TO Brunswick to see II he could dispose
OF some lumber; he succeeded in getting
! n contract for two hundred thousand. at
/ 80 cts. per thousand. delivered on the
bank of the Ellis river II we had such
lumber now, it would be worth forty dol
I lars per thousand. Many other incidents
I might mention 10 show the contrast,
bnI time and space will not allow.
Now. we have over one hundred well
cultivated farms. with good, substantial
farm. houses. and many splendid resi-
dences. The inhabitants are frugal and
entorprsing, aud striving To improve up.
OH. the natural resources they have ut
! hand.
The water-powcr has been developed
by machinery. There is also IN unlimited
mine OF Emery lately discovered, which
i, OF inc,timablc value; there is To be u
three. story building erected this season.
of large dimensions, for the purpose OF
manufacturing this Emery. A capital OF
thirty thousand dollars will be employed
to carry forward this enterprise.
There is marked improvement IN
/ farming we are calling 10 our aid all the
different fertilizers that are in the market,
to assist Us To dcyelope our natural re-
sources. Muck, when compostcd with
other materials. We find improves our
crops materially. While sc have the
great interest at heart, would il not be
profitable for us TO form Club, that we
might discuss the farminginterest, which
SD Immediately concerns all OF Us
There was u donation visit given to
Rev. Francis Grovenor, lately. mt MIR.
lIardings. 1t was large gathering. We
had a very pleasant interview. They lett
substantial tokens OF their regards, which
were thankfully accepted 10y our beloved
pastor.
There has lately been series OF meet
iugs held in the new town Hall, 10y Rev
Mr.. Groyenor. assisted by Rev. Mr..
Sprague. 4 good interest was manifest
through the meetings; about fifteen
manifested desire for the prayers OF
christians. There are many more, We
trust, desiring to sec = general revival.
Rev. Mr.. Spugre has gone to Boston
on q visit. H.