The Republican journal., 1900-06-14
EARLY DAYS IN THORNDIKE.


journal, it has occurred to me that
brief sketch of the early settlers, and
events OF their time, in longitudinal
section of the town in which the
Thorndike church is a central object,
might be of equal interest. 1t will be
nee essary, as on the former occasion, to
draw heavily from Mr.. Higgins fund of
information The writer is also indebt-
ed to Mr.. Nelson Gordon, the town
clerk, for courtesieS.
The first place of interest at the east
ern point of the aforementioned sec
ton is the home of Deacon Joseph Hig-
gins. my informant. His uncle, Isaac
Higgins, began clearing the forest from
this spot in 1898, and soon erected the
present house, which some years ago
was mOderniZed. Isaac had four sons
and four daughters. The sons were
Reuben, Stillman, Ephraim and Barna-
has The first named made himself a
farm on the land adjoining his fathers.
Stillman and Ephraim were widely
known in Waldo County from the thir-
ties to the tifties as school teachers, and
were counted among the most efficient
and popular teachers of their time.
Occasionally persons are met in various
parts of the county, who are we'll adj
Vanaed in li.es Journey. i'll whose
minds the mention of those men will
awaken pleasant memories of school
DAYS when under their instruction.
Both passed the greater part of their
lives III their native town. Both We're
active participants in militia affairs in
the thirties and early forties. Stillman
was captain and Ephraim was one time
Aid-dt-camp Barnabas was carpen-
ten and in the tfties was engaged III
building operations III Georgia. soon
after the commencement of hostilities
in l~dl he returned to his native place,
where he soon after died. y daughter,
Mis-. Phiibrick-ot Isaac. the last Of
The family-died recently iii Troy in
HE 95th year OF her age.
A few steps from the above mention
ed place is the home of V. n. Higgins,
srld the scene Of early operations of the
Rev. Joseph Higgins the father of my
informant. At first a log house was
rlected which for Il time he shared
with his brother Isaac. \ few years,
later Ae present buildings were erected
Anu}g the interesting documents
shown the writer was d deed of land
lrolu Gen Henry Knox. Thomaston. to
JOSEPH Higgins. Lincoln Plantations ,,
dated >o4, aud one signed in 1871 by Gov
elnor King. tIe first governor of Maine |
authorizing Rev, Joseph Higgins to
Soltm,lize marriages within the county |
of Hancock There were three SONS
and tonr daughters in this family. The |
eldest son, William taught school many |
years. He was an active participant in |
militia affairs. was elected captain in
1885, and in lS:9 was promoted Lieut. |
Colonel When the State militia was
called out for the Aroostook war; |
Colonel Higgins was holding himself in |
readiness under orders to move to the |
front. when an adjustment of affairs on |
the line made movements in that direc- |
ton unnecessary.
la 1871 Colonel Higgins was commits !
stoned Brlgadler General and took com
inatd of the second brigade of Maine
NJ ilitia. Later and ever after. he was |
widely known as a prominent member
and many wears a deacon. of.the Free
Baptist hulch. \ notable feature of |
the family Of which he was a member,
WAS the longevity of several of its
members Rev. Joseph Higgins reach
ed the age Of - lis wife 40 years. The /!
SON, William. died in the DIST year of his |
age. y daughter, Mrs. Chase. died in |
Unity at -. while recently a daughter. |
Mrs. Coffin, died il Plymouth in her
92nd year. Joseph, the only remaining !
member of the family, is enjoying a |
good degree Of health at the age of II |
and is Interestingly engaged in the
ftlldlTS ana pursuits OF lie.
The axe was first applied to the for
est trees on the well known Mineral |
Spring Farm the home of Il. c. Uig- |
gins, by a man named Philbrick. He
began the work more than Il hundred |
years ago, but abandoned the place and |
was succeeded by Rev Charles Warren, |
who continued operations and built a
small house. Rev. Joseph Higgins is |
credited with first discovering the min
eral spring
The farm now owned by J. II. Stevens |
and son was first settled on by John |
Foote in one of the early years of the |
settlement. He erected the present |
buildings. He had a large family. He |
was succeeded OF the farm bv his SON |
W inSloW.
Probably few persons in the present |
generation are aware that by the road |
side as it stretches through the rather
lonely tract of woodland, known locally |
as ''the Centre woods" once dWelt a re- |
puted witch. The site of the log hut is at |
the west base of the little sand hill !