Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-11-02

III The Oldest building Standing n
Augusta ii the present time. II every
4 body knows, is historic Old Fort
II Western near the east end Of the
Il Kennebec Afidge, which was built IN
4 1854. The next Oldest building in the
$ eity is undGhhtelly the old Britt house
4 standing on the sbank Of the river ju't
4 betQN the city. This Is the only log
5rh0uJe, now Of for many decades past,
occupied IS. a dwelling in this city.
y. The logs have :long been covered BY
& clapboards, but 1T is nevertheless the
3 same log dwelling erected by the first
Britt, a Hessian koldter, who came here
n at the close 0f the Revolution. and
whose descendants for seven Or, eight
4snerations have continued to occupy
the house. VI s$ T.. ,TSs
But an old building which possesses
great historic interest, and abopt who's
past people gshsraliy are much more
ignorant than repncerning old Fort
Western, istthe old structure standing
on Winthrop, c6nrts and val'iousty
known in past gensrafions as Waverly
hall. Winthrop han and Democrat hat.
AithouSh this buldipg. whose present
appearance II 80 fa'Hniia:r u Al ico,nt-
of the city, has been sereral TIM S
moved and aisttssemo,lelled and en-
larged, ii contains all thc Jilnb-rs used
in the construction of Augustus first
meeting house and first town hail.
Then in later. years. after it was 40
longer used for religious purposes or
Is a meeting place to transact In"
affairs OF the municipality. it was
through the 40's, and SOS and up to tho
days Of the Civil War, hall for mass
meetings. entertainments. eta. and
more famous nfen have been heard
Within its walls than anywhere else n,
athe city.
The building 1lassn0t always stood On
the site it now occupies, in fact, it has
j been there only since 1S4S. mere
matter Of about 60 years. 1t first stood
on what Is now Market square and was
the first meeting house Of the parish
Its construction was begun in 1882 and
ut was soon ready for occupancy but
4 was not fully completed until 1885. 1t
4 wassthens plain frame structure 36x30
eetsAnd with 2l-foot posts. There
were 40 pews and four benches for
1ffe seats There was gallery IA
wee sides and most Of the seats here
i <Sesf free. The pulpit was reached by
2 Hight of nine steps. The auiliing
~ ~ entered by n porch two stories
1911 and 10 feet square. This mcetin
- use cost the town about 81 80 in the
III I0ney Of today beside; u pubic
transcription for glaZiny and the inside
hnish. which was paid for by the sale
Of the rrwS.
When III" matter Of hulinG the
meeting house had been fir, con-
slderel by ihc town, in general meeting
assembled there WAS much discussion
as to upon which side Of the river It
should be built. In the annual meet
ing Of Ia, ii was voted To settle the
matter hY drawing lots This WIS
dohc and chance decided upon the east
s'de AZ tn" fortunate posscssor of the
house Of Worship If il had been at once
Quilt the location was To hav,, bran
near Prt;ingill's Corner. which was
theh about the center of popuIatiou on
IN" east side. But its erection was
postponed for lack Of money. and whom
'he matter cam" up again the vest SIDE
OF the river. having the most votes
won the dav.
This meeting house was used also for
town meetings and on public occasions