The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1891-01-15
A SKETCH.

was reading in your paper from time
to time list of some of the first settlers of
Canaan, and have thought perhaps a short
sketch of the first settlers of Mayfeld.
would be as Interesting to some one else.
| will FIRST state that Mayfeld was my
| birth place. My grandfather WAS one of
the first settlers. went there when 1t was
a dense wilderness, no house within four
miles. that Is what is Brighton village
now. usually called Weeks Mills. Every
one about there In those days remember
Old Jack Weeks as he was called, he
prided himself on being great OK
teamster.
But to 60 back to MayAeld. Grand
father Ford moved from Jefferson, Me,
with his family. He had sons and
daughters. Abner his Oldest son settled
in Sebec, Me-. was a Millright by trade,
and was known far and near as smart
business man. The second son, Enoch,
married Jane Gay han, and settled near his
father in Mayheld, but In after years moved
to Roach River and kept what was known
as the Roach River house for many years.
Many lumbermen who used to go that way
remember Dea. Ford and his amiable wife,
always ready day or night to wait upon
the tired and hungry, but their days are
over, they have gone to their rest some
years ago. Elijah Ford the third son SET
tied In Upper saltwater, Me-, and died q
few years ago In Bangor, where he was
living with his daughter. Susan Ford
married JOHN Ellis and lived in Mayneld
until quite advanced in years when they
went with their large family Of children
all the way by team to Wisconsin. Assem-
ath Ford married Jonathan Smith and
settled in Brighton, and in after year
went to Sheboygan, Mich, where most oil
their children had gone, and died there
Sylance Ford married Gotten Weeks and
lived and died In Brighton. Hannah Ford
married Martin McFerson and died many
years sgo.
Then the Hayden family moved thers
next, and great many will re
member Uncle Glenn and Aunt Mary, How
we'll remember her as she use to come t.
my fathers when was a child. Away
carried bundle tied up In handkerchief
with plenty Of knitting work. and sh,
told mother, nights when she could no
sleep we'll, she used to sit up in bed ant
knit. wonder how many women there ;:
In the country that can do that now, M 81
as ever they can knit in daylight.
Uncle Clements folks had large fam
lily. Their ldest son, Wentworth, was
Free Baptist Preacher. and their younges
son, Albion Hayden was drowned in Madi
son Pond. what Is Hayden Lake now, he
was young man and was there at work
near BY Ard -fater remember I. 8.
Bigeiow one Of the residents Of the town
was smart business man, built the fret
saw mill there, and was one Of the select.
men for long time. and with my father
numbered for the Coburu Bros. for num-
Der Of years. He died at Skowhegan one
yesr ago, at,quita an advanced age. And
there was Capt. Flanders, an old settler
had quite family Of boys two of them
are still living. Henry lives In Cornville,
Me-, and Barnet still lives in Mayfeld.
Jonathan Blake and one Caleb Cluif and
6ylvanus Kelly. How my mind travels
back over these long years as l think of
the pleasant school days, and the kind
friends Of long ago. Stephen Chamber
lain's family Of children, all school mates
together and Samuel Whitman lived over
by the brook near where is the state quar-.
~ now Is, nearly all are gone to come
back no more. Now II any one else wants
to write on this subject will be glad tc
hear from them. p. p.