Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1871-06-20
Orford and Her Early Settlers.

This town was originally part Of
Hebron. and was Incorporated February
9th, 1929. II was first settled about
ninety years ago. Several thousand
acres of what is known rs its "plans,"
was denscly covered originally with the
best growth OF pine timber that could be
found in all this region of country. This
timber was principally situated on the
waters OF the Little Androscoggin river.
Much of this timber, which, if standing
now, would be worth from $40 to $50
on the stump, was, long years ago.
logged into this river and driven 10
Brunswick and there sold ior o. to S5
per thousand The late Andrew Craigie.
Esq, Of Cambridge, Mass, was among
the first proprietors OF large part Of
this township; and the Hon. VIM. G..
Whitney, who but few years since died,
at very advanced age, in Norway,
when young man came to this town
and took charge of this large estate as
the agent OF Mr.. Craigie. The estate.
at the death of Mr.. Craigie, passed into
the hands of his brother and one sister
Che leaving no nearer heirs) and after
deducting the sales made by them, was,
in 1888 or 4, sold TO Col. Samuel III.
King and Jacob ID. Brown. Subsequent.
ly the estat c passed into the possession
OF John Welch of Boston. Col. King,
before this, however, released his inter-
est in the bulk OF the property 10 Mr..
Brown, and Tor 4 long series of years,
between Brown and Welch" there was
n fierce war of litigation carried on in
both State and United States Courts
in relation TO this property. A great
array of eminent counsel was engaged
upon both sides. among them Gen.
Samuel Fessendcn. Thomas A. Doblois,
Charles S.Davies. Il. A. S. Goldman. Ed
ward Fox, Joseph Howard and Jabez c.
Woodnian were among the more promi.
nent. The contest was only brought to
n close by the decease OF Wclch and
Brown, who both died about the same
time, upon the battlefield of illegal
static"
Their death produced settlement Of
litigated matters respecting this estate,
aud it was purchased by Reuben b. Dunn.
who, after operating few years. sold to
Geo w. King and others. Capt. King
is now the owner of the balance of this
once large estate.
Hon. VIM. c. Whitney was empha.
ically one of the fathers" OF the town
He was one of the most shrewd, enter.
prising, successful business men that
ever lived in Maine. Commencing the
world with nothing, he amassed large
fortune, which descended to his numer-
Gus posterity. He built The first Mills at
Oxford village, formerly known as
"Craigie's Mills" cleared and erected
buildings on the old "Craigie Farm"
which originally contained about $50
acres-a part Of which makes the farm
Of Capt \. Manson and the stock farm
of Tcwks6ury Il Holbrook. He built
aud occupied the large anil spacious
Mansion House in East Oxford, which
he vacated upon his removal 10 Norway.
and which is now owned and occupied by
his sou, Geo. p. Whitney, who largely
inhcrits the ability and great business
tact of his father.
Mr.. Whitney was, fol many years,
an influential politician. He frequently
represented Hebron (Which then includ-
ed Oxlord) in the Massachusetts House
of Representatives, before Maine became
Il Stale was n member OF Gov. Kings
Executive council he first after the
division; and twelve years Sheriff of Ok.
ford County. Among the earliest set
tiers of Oxford, was John Caldwell,
who, soon after the Revolutionary war.
sold his property in Salem, Mass. for
$1,000. took his pay in continental
money" and lost every dollar OF it when
il went down. He then started for the
wilderness OF Maine traced his way
from New Gloucester by spotted trees to
East Oxford. cleared the first opening
made in that part Of the town. on the
hill in the pasture of what was afterwards
known rs the "Col. Fuller" farm. He
accumulated respectable property. and
had three sons and two daughters. The
sons all settled near him. the youngest
(William) remaining at the old home
stead. His eldest son ZenaS, graduated
Mt Bowdoin, was the room and class
mate of President Pierce, the first Prln-
cipal OF the Maine Wesleyan Seminary
and died greatly lamented at the early
age of &c. His youngest son (MerritD
was also a graduate of the same College,
profound scholar and for many years.
before his deceasc, professor OF mathe-
matics in Dickinson's College, Penn. He
had but one daughter, the wife Of DR.. Z.
Clark of Portland Old Mr.. John Cald-
we'll had two daughters, one married
Rev Daniel Kicker; died soon after. the
other married Rev. Daniel Perry. who
were the parents OF John j. Perry, now
resident of Oxford. Another early
settler in the town, was James Holmes,
who paid for his farm by days works,
accumulated u large property and left
numerous postcrity. Among his sons
were James who graduated at Brown
University, studied law and settled in