The Somerset reporter., 1890-08-28
'nr the Reporter.
Early Settlers Of Canaan No I.
lNTRoDUCTIOS.

some way that their names and their
deeds may not pass into utter oblivion.
Doubtless there are many better qualified
both by nature and local circumstances
for work of this kind but in this busy
world where every one is fully occupied
with his own affairs, | know of none
who would undertake il. | have there
fore decided to write series of sketches
of the first settlers of that part of Ca
man known In later times as Bloom
field. And it may be poper to state what
fitness or what advantages | possess for
a passably decent performance of this
task.
am indebted for valuable aid. to Mrs
A. c. Pratt of Chelsea, Mass, q great
granddaughter of my uncle, Ben Weston
and daughter of the late Judge Oliver
Currier of New Sharon, who is engaged
on history of the Weston family and
related branches; and also to several
others, mostly ladies', for useful notes
and records from old family Bibles; to
all of whom | would here render my
thanks. Then have large amount of
writings of my father and grandfather,
some of several years older date than the
pretty resentive memory reaching back
to the time when many of these men
were yet alive, and when in the scarcity
of newspapers and news of distant affairs
home events were much more subjects of
s1>conversation. To save time and
space, | shall often use the familiar con-
tracted forms OF names. In early days
the term Uncle was used to distinguish
the older men from their sons of the
same name | shall not think it needful
to give authorities, and in some cases
may make statements on traditional evil
dence. In cases of doubt use this mark
| % and l would specially request any
one who can correct any error, or give
any useful additions, to do SO through
the medium of the REPORTER; that the
present generation may learn all that can
be known of their pTogenitors, and that
these sketches may be esteemed by many
worthy of preservation in scrap book.
PETER Haywood AND JOSEPH WESTON.
The history of these two may be con-
nected for while. Our knowledge of
their adventure is derived chiefly from
lIansons History which, although ira
ditional, Is substantially correct | pre-
! sumo, it agrees with the story as | used
to hear 1t 10 years ago. They made their
|
three miles below Skowhegan falls. One
account says they got their title from
the Plymouth Co., another says from the
Kennebec Co. 1t is uncertain whether
they bought the land, or obtained it as a
free grant from the proprletors to en-
courage settlements. This last was the
old tradition.
How they happened to find that place
or to locate just there is unknown; Wes
ton had sister Abigail thirteen years
older than himself, who married John
Jones, and their son John was surveyor,
and might have been on the first survey
of the town; and If so his description
may have induced them. He settled in
Augusta, an saw him once when he
was on a visit to my uncle Joe. 1t was
in the spring or early summer of III
that they came to commence the work of
making homes for themselves. Haywood
took with him his son John IL years old,
and Isaac Smith aged IL O. boy that
he hadtaken to live with him. He had son
Peter aged 20, but perhaps he was wanted
at home. Weston had his son Eli only | |
years old. 1t was qrered why he took
this boy when he had three sons older.
He was tailor in Concord, Mass, but a
year or two before had removed to Lam
his successor in the shop to finish his ap-
premiership. The twin brother sSam
was not strong, healthy boy and he was
left at Concord Academy that he might
be able to live without hard work. The
next boy John was of rather small stature
when grown to manhood and was prob
ably small for his age, while Eli was a
large man and may have been as a boy
larger and stronger than his brother. Or
John may have been the most useful at
home.
They took from Mass. a herd of 20
cattle, and in Vassalborough bought corn
and potatoes for seed. making pack an
imals of their cattle l suppose to carry
their supplies and camp equpage, for
there were no roads for wheels Note,
Vassalborough included Sidney so they
were not obliged to cross the river for
their supplies. Hanson and Others speak
of this as though it was their first visit
to the country, but 1t is not rational to
believe that they went out with all this
train, like Abraham not knowing where
they were goins. They must have been
there previously, selected their lands and
obtained their titles. have a con1rma-
ton OF this. Eli lived till 1916. A year
or two before his death he related to me
When they came near the end of the jour
ney they founi there had been a hurrl-
cane which completely Frustrated belt
of timber dagonally across what Is now
the McDermid farm and Henry Whites,
striking the river on the lot below. Ar
irving there near sunset they saw they
could not get their stock through with
out cutting a path; they therefore cut
away some of the limbs and partially
cleared space sufficient to yard the cat
| tie, threw few poles across the entrance
and left them for the night; themselves
going on to their stopping place about
mile. They knew just where 1t was.
| 1t Is supposed their first pitch was on
the Major Abraham Wyman farm, as the
great Island was most accessible from
there This Island was almost destitute
of timber, having been cleared by the
Indians, Hanson says. | remember that
about one quarter of the 10 acre island,
which had never had never been cultiva-
ted, had not tree on it except the big
dead pine that spoke of; there was here
and there bunch of coarse grass, few
stunted raspberry bushes, and few scat.
tering small weeds. IL the great Island
was similar, the land was easily cleared
for planting their corn and potatoes, said
cure from their cattle.
They probable constructed lraft on
which they crossed to the Island, but no
one who is acquainted with the current
there will believe that raft large enough
to be of any use could be managed by
the boys. For food wild meat and
fish were easily attainable but 1t is not
to be supposed that they lived without
bread. For meal they must go to Fort
Halifax or further, and 1t is conjectured
that they obtained boat to transport
their supplies.
After planting, the next work was to
build cabin 20 feet square 1t was said,
the roof probably covered with bark.
It was on Weston's land as he was first
to bring his family. The spot has been
pointed out to me many times near the
river bank on what is now Orrin Reeds
farm.
|. M. Weston In his historical address
at the family reunion In Madison QSsG)
says 10 looking about the site Of the
old house year ago, found the remains
of a pit where joseph Weston tanned the
hides of his cattle. and made sho(s aud
even the leather breeches for himself
and sons" This is mistake. The tan
pits we're made BY Joseph H., many
years later. on his lot where his grand.
daughter Mrs. Il. L. X. Adams now lives
nearly half . mile from the nrst cabin
There were natural meadows where they
cut and stacked hay sufficient for their
stock. In Ssptsmber Weston returned
to Mass, for his family. taking the boy