The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-09-10
POLAND.
Rev. Caleb Bradley's Visit to the In
land Town in 1888.
His Experiences Up There in the Winter of
That Year,

To the Editor of the Press:
AS Poland celebrates the Tooth anniver-
sarv of its settlement on Wednesday of
this week, it seems to me few extracts
from the journal of Rev. Caleb Bradley
relative to q visit he made to the place in
1888 will prove to be interesting reading
to many, SO hand you the following for
publication. The reverend gentleman
resided in the part of Deering now known
as Bradley's Corner, for period of more
than sixty years:
February 90, 1888 A fine pleasant
morning. At noon we set out for Gray,
calling at DR.. Aliens and at Benjamin
Marston's where we took tea at 3 p. M.
arriving at Mrs. Weston's at sunset.
where we were cordially received by the
family, which Is composed of Mrs.
Weston, Mr.. Pennell and wife, VIM.
Weston and sister. This is a pleasant
family. Mr.. Weston was classmate Of
mine-graduated at Harvard college in
1895; was minister in the town of Gray
for number Of years-was dismissed
from the ministry some years since for
want of q support Since he was dis
missed there have been three settled min
support There is one here now preach
ing to the people Of this place who takes
whatever the people please to give him.
Ny opinion is he will come short of
bread, but it may be otherwise The
people may do more for his support than
they would were they under a legal OBJ
legation, but think in all cases bar
contract-and the parties each should
conscientiously fulfill the obligation I'M
der which they are each bound TO the
other. If this were the case the support
of a minister would be easy.
oath. A cold morning. Left Mrs
Weston's in Gray at 10 CLOCK a. m.
Called at Crew Mr.. Sheldon's and at
the Shaker village whore we took "a dinner ne
place, called at Kicker 8, at Mr. Williams S
and arrived at Mr.. Cousins's PM,
where we put up for the night. 1t was
very cold, but we found good fres good
nature, pleasant family, blessed with
seeming abundance of this worlds goods,
yes, enough and to spare. The first family
in the place as to respectability and pros
perity, noble generous hearted man, is
and four sons. He is known as being
very hospitable man. and his house is a
home for ministers whenever they
chance to call upon him-all welcome to
eat and drink without money and with
out price. He has my best wishes and
my most cordial thanks for his polite
ness and hospitality This is Poland and
the above named Cousins come here
when the place was new-came into pos
session of large tracts of timber land, ~
years since. This land and timber is now
a fortune and the owner is quite indie
pendent as to prosperity, and be appears
to be independent as to his mtnd-a great
friend to ministers, orthodox in his SEN
timents a warm supporter of the gospel
and pays 500 towards the support OF the
present minister, the Rev. Thomas
25th. A very cold morning: Left Esq.
Cousins for meeting a. m. Mr.. Williams
preached; ftext 80th Paslm, 4th verse:
hHow long will they be angry against
the prayers of the people?" He preached
well-good attendance. 2. M. preached
text: ssExhort not one another daily
while it is called today, lest any OF you
be hardened through the deceitfulness of
SIM Good attendance. l being a
stranger they would of course give lis
tening ear to what the babbler had to
say. Six 10 o'clock attended meeting
two miles from here. Mr.. Williams and
number present, and took the lead.
The subject was prayer; several OF the
church members spoke and prayed. My
O<AO@O AA'>'
and returned to Mr.. Williams. but no
damage was sustained in consequence.
We found all wellFand lodged here-where
Rev. Thomas Williams is pastor of the
church and minister Of this people. He
has wife and one daughter and four
sons-salary S400-one imam pays 500 OF
this as may be seen by the last page of
these notes, and SO long as this man pays
IA of the salary probably Mr.. Williams
will faro comfortably. May he long sus-
tain his ministerial office in this place,
do much good, and have many souls as
seals-of his ministry is my prayer.
goth. The weather Of yesterday Left
Poland this morning at 10 a M, and
dined at Gray Corner. Expenses 80 q
cents. Left at pm. Took tea at BENZ.
Maston's and called at Doctor Aliens
where we stopped few minutes. Six
O'Clock at home. Found Charles with
a poor fire, and things rather gloomy,
but made up fire and soon became quite
warm This has been a very unpleasant
voyage taken all together. though pleas
antly received wherever we called, but
the weather being so extremely cold and
the travelling so very bad everything was
pleasant either to receive or pay visits
In cold weather. We give ourselves much
trouble, pain and anxiety in travelling
from place to place, and we give those
whom we visit, or on whom we call not
much pleaure, though they may say they
are glad to see us, etc., etc.
Poland was formerly called Bakers
town, and embraced the present towns of
Minot and Auburn incorporated Febru-
ary II. 1875. Named for an Indian chief
who was once active on the Presumpscot
river. Minot, embracing Auburn, was
set off in 1902. The first minister was
Rev. Jonathan. Scott L.B.C.