The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-05-22


Foster was the irst settler, coming from Attle-
boro Mass, in 1764, who brought ten children
with him. Squire Bishop came in 1866. The
Readfield part of Pondtown was settled In 1850
by Gideon Lambert and Ichabod How. The
last planted the first orchard from seeds of
choice apples which be put in his pocket as he
ate and planted on his arrival. From these
seeds came the Winthrop Greenine, the How
apple, Nelson's Favorte, and others. The
first saw and grist mill was built in 176S on the
site of the wooden mill by Mr.. Chandler. 1t
is said that it took the whole strength of the
settlement one week, men and oxen, to get the
millstones from Hallowell to Winthrop. The
town was incorporated May 20, 1771, with its
present name. The first meeting was held, as
directed in the warrant, at Bishops inn. The
constable warned the people in the infamous
name Of George Ill. The meeting began at s
o'clock in the morning John Chandler, Tim
othy Foster, Ichabod How, Robert Waugh and
Jonathan Whiting were the first Seleotmen.
Among the votes were those raising EGO for
preaching and $50 for highways. In January
1878, the town took sides with the colonists
against the entertainments of Great Britain,
and sent record of its action to the Town
Clerk of Boston. Provision was made for
schools in 1774, but the war looming up in
1775 no more money was raised for schools I'M
til 1882. Upon hearing of the battle of Lex
ington Col Nathaniel Fairbanks and sixteen
young men went at once to defend their cOun-
lures of money was for preaching and pow
der. At the first the whole town was devot-
ed to the colonists' cause except two, and
these came over in 1777. The Declaration
of Independence was received with joy
Rev. David Jewett was the first settled min
lister, being installed Jan. 2, 1882. Readfield
was set off as a separate town in 1891. The
war over liberal provision was made for schools
and the morals of the town. Two females oil
doubtful character and fiddler were warned
asked the fiddler "Of of Gods EARTH" was
the reply of the official, Ito Wayne" Parson
Jewett died in about a year, and there was
less preaching for time than during the war.
In 1892 the town was divided into six school
districts and a school committee chosen. 10
1792a Society of Friends was formed and a
Westinghouse built at the village of Bailey
ville Nathaniel Bishop, first trader, was a
Methodist local preacher and organized class
in 1894, and neat church built in 1926 Ia
1892 Baptist church was organized The frs
post-office was established in 1900. Rev. David
Churston, whose name has been connected
with every good work since his settlement ovel
that church, was ordained Feb. IS, 1907, and
sustained the relation of pastor until Oct. Is
1851. Aug. s, 1903, the first Sunday School
was established, and probably the first in New
3ngland, the next being in Beverly, Massachu
stts. The war OF 1872 was not heartily en-
d}rsed, yet being w-abiding citizens, they
promptly answered all calls Tor troops. In 1909
the Winthrop woolen and cotton mandatory
was incorporated and went into operation in
1914. In 1916, the cold season, ever to be re-
membered Tor the fatal Fatal Cold Fever from
which 81 deaths occurred and for frosts every
ever H takihg people o to gat
In 1918 the first Agricultural Society was or.
gained, and in 1888 the first agricultural pa
per in the State was published at Winthrop by
VIM. Noyes, who was present Saturday with
Dr.. Ezekiel Holmes for editor. 1t was first
called the Kennebec Farmer, but soon changed
its name to the Maine Farmer. After II years
Y moved to Augusta. In 1926 the new
Congregational church was built Iu 1888
at4er Thurston preached the first sermon in
the ~ ted States against human slavery, and
~ io54 al emancipation society was formed
WIN lo' nipbers. In 1888 the town wisely
consigned tn ministerial fund to the school
fund. The suSpIus revenue distributed Nv The
government IN SS37, amounting to $4,000 for the
Town Was EXPENDED in a poor-farm, The first
temperance society was organized in 1929, the
WaSndngtonians IN MI, Sons of Temperance
10 1910. Town so nQabie in all worthy aims
has not left the field of ndustry and enternr,se
to others The best stoes. famous cattle and
more famous horses COM from Winthron =
Here was invented a maa,ine for shearino
cloth, the parlor clock, the Wheel horse rake
the turbine water wheel, the Howin1 moon;no
(stoen before perec,ed, self-feI;ng drii and
boring lathe, the thrashing machae and win.
nower,e etc. For the year ending JUL 1 1870 the
value of manufactured articles wasS1 1oS ma
of which cotton and wooden goods Civ, S39h mn
and floor oil-clothes $4,000. The prcsnct Of
226 farms was $181 300 There are aboL ono N,
newspapers, etc. taken in the town, w,isb
numbers 49S families; and SO, 625 letters reL,jv
ed the past year and more sent away. Such,
town did its part in the late war, as might be
expected. The town contributed 173 men to
the war, of which number 80 were killed, OF
died of wounds or disease.
The poem was delivered by John ". May,
ESQ.,, of Auburn, son of Judge May, who was
present. 1t can only be said that it was well
received by a large crowd who had been stand.
ing in the sun two hours. 1t referred to his
torical matters, personal incidents, &C., paying
tribute to Father Thurston and DR.. Holmes
When the poet had finished bis part it was
given out that ex-Gov. Chamberlain would
speak in the tent after dinner, but this an
nouucement called out an emphatic remon-
STRANGE in loud calls for chamberlain p which
did not cease until he was introduced.
Gen. Chamberlain said he had refused to
have his named announced as a speaker for the
occasion, nevertheless it had been, and even
the chaplain had announced it to a court from
which there was no appeal. He was heartily
glad to stand before the proud array of the sons
and daught and view the blooming of a Gem
fury plant that had been planted at go great
cost, and nourished with such care. As he re-
called the history of these hardy New Eng
land municipalities, his mind swept back over
the history of the past, and from thence be
learned that the history of the municipalities
OF all ages-Rome, the Republic of Italy. the
towns Gf Germany and the Netherlands was
the history of the growth of individual protec-
ton and liberty. In England, King Alfred
first laid the foundation in establishing his
towns and counties. When we come to our
own country We find something more. To per-
sonal security and freedom, our fathers organ
lied the municipality to establish the common
good and diffuse general intelligence. These
were an insurance COMPANY for
not OILY the support of all but for the devel-
opment of the highest powers of all. How
grandly they have done their duty. How no.
ply have the men who established, amidst
hardships and suffering, our town organiza-
lions, fought the picket fight of the highest
CIVILIZATION. These municipalities, which our
fathers planted and cared for SO iealously were
worm preserving i'll all their integrity as the
ouhuation OF our government. Perbaps he
had peen more jealous of municipal rights
man some had liked, but the more be consid-
'red them, the more was he impressed with
heir Importance. In the recital OF the hardy
oil and prlvatlon OF our fathers, we have the
ecret of their great success. In proportion as
hey had struggled with the rude ply sical ele-
nents for the mastery, were they strong and
elf-rellant. He urged the young men of Maine
stay at home aud support the standards of
nte diligence, morality and religion raised by
he fathers. The little balances of life make
IS grow. No fiery chariot will stoop to bear
IS to sudden glory. We must win all that is
7orth having, little by little, hour by hour.
ay by day, silently and slowly Shakespeare
'ithout consideration, he thought said: 1.-The |
vii men do lives after them, but the good js |
uIied with them" 1t is wong; ali good |
eeds live-all noble self-sacrifice, all generous
'ust live and take root. Believe it not that |
bod can die. God watches all these little
eeds, as he watches the little seeds, hid away |
eneath the cold clods, but the sunshine and |
ie rain-God's quicken them
ITO life. Among the booming of guns he had
nat morning heard the sound of the school
Ell. When your sons went from your homes
most tender musings, he now knew what
'aue them giants in deeds of manhood. 1t
ds Tue church and the school Give us knowl- |
i ,,o az well as power, Defensive and often.
ye may De, but give us light and KNOWLEDGE
w uah ana u, Worship fight it may be, but pray
by the f fate institutions of your towns plant
ot 9r Ine lathers-the school and the cburcb-
10 tntSS speak of the past but the pronhecu of
on s%a1s II maintained, that men and yo.
,osorua th uoe 1ail in the cause of liberty So
iese Ivy. .nen', care Tor them that penerat;onS
ay rise up d century hence to cali Won bIess'
|, as you 40 those that founded them. ''eS'
When Gen. Chamberlain had coroI,ao,,
occasion was reformed on foot and n,aro,,aS