Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-01-29

Norridgewocks hunted and trapped on
these waters, and so, perhaps Rome
can be classed in the same group as
the above towns. Rome was settled
about 1880. Among the pioneers was
Benjamin Furbush, Trip Mosher,
Stephen Philbrook, Starbard Turner
and Joseph Halbo. They obtained
their titles from Charles Vaughan, Il.
G. Shaw and Ruel Williams. 1t was
known as West Pond plantation until
incorporated in 1904. 1t is farming
community. but has a large summer
population. which comes to the big
farm houses for the fine fishing, rest
and recreation.
Gilead is a little town among the
hills within a few miles of the New
Hampshire line on the line of the
Grand Trunk railway. 1t has hills all
around and the Androscoggin river,
Wild river and a number of large
brooks furnish enough water power for
n number of mills. II is a quiet sum-
mer resort, and a beautiful one. The
town was named for a large balm of
gilcad tree which stood in the centre of
the town. offshoots of which still re-
mind the visitor of the original
In 1871 the only two families in town
were killed by the Indians. During the
terrible storm of 1925 which destroyed
the Wiley family by the great land
slide in White Mountain notch. there
were many slides from the mountain
about Gilead. From Peaked Hill
thousands of tons of earth and rocks
came rushing down. destroying every
living thing in their course
One of the most picturesque villages
in Maine is Andover. in the northwest
erin part Of oxford county. The town is
on the direct route to the famous
Rangeley fishing grounds, and being
nearly 500 feet above the level of the
sea. is already quite a famous summer
resort of the quiet and unpretentious
sort.
The township was purcha sed in 1871
of Massa chusetts by Samuel Johnson
and others of Old Andover. When in
cOrporated 100 years ago. it was under
the name of East Andover, but later
the first part of the name was dropped.
The first settler vas Ezekiel Merrill,
who. in 1889. came with his wife and
six children from .indover, Mass Mrs
Merrill lived here three years without
seeing the face of any white female
save her own three daughters.
The next settlers were Jonathan Abb
bolt. Samuel and Sylvanus Poor, Theo-
dOre BriCkett. Francis Swan. Josiah
Wright. John Abbott. Jeremiah Burn
ham and others, all from the first FAM
lilies of Old Andover. Mass. The first
mill was erected by Col. Thomas Poor
in 1871 and the first church in 1904.
with Rev. John Strickland the first
minister in 1906.
Unity is a thriving farming town,
noted for its big crop of hay and it's
large pond. sometimes known as Twen-
ty-FiveM Mile pond. 1t is situated in
Waldo county, about % miles inland
from Belfast bay. 1t was originally a
part of the Plymouth patent. 1t was
named. it is said. for the political har-
mony of the early settlers.
Hope is a fine farming town situated
in Knox county about six miles back
from the coast. the nearest harbOr DO
ing Camden. II has a number of fresh
water ponds and their outlets form
some good water powers. The settle
ment began in 1884 when the first land
owner Charles Barrett of New Ipswich.
y. H.. sold lots to the settlers. The
plantation was called Barrettstown I'M
til its incorporation in 1904 as Hope
The early settlers came from New
Hampshire and Massachusetts and in
cluded Reuben and Simon Barrett
Reuben Stafford. Enoch and Walter
Phiibrick. Samuel and Daniel Barrett.
William Howett, Sampson and Stephen
Sweetland. Micah Hobb, Fergus Nc
Lain and others.