Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-06-23

On the seventh day of last March.
Athens reached the honorable age of
one hundred years; and during that
time many changes have taken place
There are no records to show who
WAS the first settler and when he came:
but the story goes that the original
rroprietoTS, who were very likely the
first Corners, were among the sturdy
sons Of the men who met the British
at Lexington. The tide of home seekers
began to flow up the Kennebec valley
soon after the Revolution. and it was
undoubtedly at this time that what is
now the town of Athens began to be
settled to an appreciate extent.
The locality was cleared chiefly by
men from New Hampshire and what
vas then southern Massachusetts. The
former came across country in OK
teams, while the most OF the latter
came up the Kennobec in sailing YES
srls as far as Hallowell.
In orlcr to avoid the early frosts.
the high lands We're settled first, and
or the elevations now known as Stick
ncy Hill, Bunker Hill. Lords Hill. and
Chapman Ridge were probably the
first homes.
one Of tho pioneers, if not the first.
was Samuel Hall who came from
Wakefield, n. Fl. He built the first per-
man"nt home. and also constructed Il
mill but Il short distance from where
the bridge now is. The remains Of his
old dam can be seen to this day when
the water is low.
Some of the best orchards in the
State of Maine are right here in this
town. and it may he interesting to
not" in passing that it was Mr.. Halls
eldest son, John, who owned the first
orchard. He brought apple seeds from
New Hampshire. and in 1904 his son
Gilman. who was the first male child
born in tho town. then in his third
year. picked the first apple.
Among tho other early settlers are
| to b" found the names of col. Jonathan
| Kinsm3n, Jabcs Bradbury, Phillip
Lcavitt. John Wentworth Dorc. Cas-
ten. Leighton. Wiley. French, Stick
ncy. Bunker. Horn, and others Many
| Of these names are common here ut the
present time. as many descendants Of
| the original families continue to re-
side here. Col. Einsman was one Of
| the original proprictors. and the region
| was first called Knsmantown.
The first daughter Of Athens was
born in 1913 to Mr.. and Mrs. PHILLIP
Leavitt. but a few hours aftnrward an
other female child WIS born to Mr.. and
Mrs. bradbury.
| John Wentworth was out exploring
one day, when he discovered the beau
tiful little lake which now bears his
narnc.
| Many interesting stories are told OF
tho pluck and perseverance Of tho
settlers as they made their way to
| this then rough region. One man from
I Massachusetts brought buShel of
corn meal on his shoulder, all the way
| from Hallowell. that he might not
starve while waiting for his first crop.
Another, who came from New Hamp-
shire with a team of oxen. found that
he could not bring enough hay in his
| cart on account of the narrowneSs of
the way. So he twisted hay into ropes
and bound them around the bodies OF
his cattle.
| In 1904 the act of Incorporation was
passed by the Massachusetts Legisla
ture and approved by Gov. Strong. on
May Z, of the same year. the first town
meeting was held at the house Of
Clement Bunker. 1t was voted that
corn at four shillings. rye at five
shillings, and wheat at six, should be
currency for taxes.
Athens first took part in a Presi-
detail election the same year. when
Thos. jefferson was elected to his sec
ond term. BY 1916 the number OF
qualified votes had reached SO.