The Republican journal., 1907-04-25
Family "reminiscences.
BY 1. P. ROBERTS.

those already mentioned. ms the
writer would attempt to do, with the
good will of the Editor. In a re-mentlon
OF ESQUIRE Davls-farmer in the town
of Brooks, living near the Jackson line
"a man of sterling character. and a
valuable citizen: and besides the learn
ed Judge were two sons-Allen and
Marshall, both men Of marked lndlvld-
uality and sturdy, manly characters.
Both of them were among the fore
most as school teachers and taught
the village school with success-a test
of scholarly ability and gift. The
writer attended his school in the early
DAYS of the forties. Marshall sent out
to the war son, George, who dlstln-
guished himself, and is now honored
with the distinction OF having u. "A.
r. Post called by his name. 10 return
to ESQ. Thornd4ke, man OF large
frame and large ability, and OF arlsto-
cratic bearing. He had large farm
and capacious buildings; large orch.
ard for those times, the location or
which tie boys of the village knew too
well; but, fortunately, they were afraid
of dogs, thus saving, doubtless, many
midnight escapade for the best 1rult,
which some of them had sampled.
The esouire's oldest daughter, Caroline,
was the wife of Judge Davis. Timothy
was man of upright character ana
for years successful merchant IN BEL
fast. Uncle Willard Roberts, with
strong neutrality-suspicious. some would
call eccentriclty-WaS the Oest ol
neiphburs: a devout member OF the socl-
ETY. OF Friends, and ever helpful there
in; good citizen, and by all highly re-
spected. Alonzo, his oldest son, was
for many winters a teacher OF tle us
trict schools, with some peculiar char-
acteristics of his own, yet he was
sterling good citizen and ever STOOD Tor
the right. ''Neighbor Bean again:
Halter by trade in Belfast, and coming
from there onto the farm just on the
hill. for his health, and to bring up MS
family of five sons and three daughters;
besides Andrew, the soldier: James
farmer and for time school teacher:
and Francis Asbury:-tirSt minister:
then physician of some local note IN
the town of Jackson. Thomas n.
Lane, the village tanner, and curfler
for many years, and well known as a
highly respected and valuable cltlleh
of the town of Brooks. Joel Coliler,
a farmer and practitioner of the DOL
anic mode of practice: devout mem
Der of the Methodist Episcopal church,
and a class leader in the same. 'Uncle
Gilman' Roberts: farmer in summer,
and shoemaker in winter, sharp, sarcas-
tic at repartee; for many years a oe-
yout Christian and a member OF the
Congregational church. OF a large
family of boys and girls three OF the
latter are now living: one, MIS-. Emerson
Cilley. in the town of Brooks; and up IN
the nineties in age, now living III the
town of Somerville, Mrs. Hannah Key,
nolds, advanced in years, out fresh ana
vigorous Mrs. Jacques, well preserved,
and now living in Melrose,, Mass: we
NAV also mention Dr. Alfred Rlch;
later arrival, a Jackson boy. lie was
hard working and hard worked lad ana
by which honest toll and sacrifice was
enabled to fit himself for the pro1es-
sion of medicine, which he successfully
practiced for many years IN jackson
and in Brooks. He was, i'll the later
period of his life, a politician to be reck-
oned with in Waldo county; and he mas
but recently passed on to the great
majority. Cilleys there were IN large
mum bers, and tradition sayS-shouid one
ask citizen his name, us 1t Cllle5:
ana be allSWeEt'l llo- eiiCi eiio ''i"tiS-
er might say-'then | may swear your
name is Roberts, so numerous were
these two families in the town IN those
earlier days. These famllles OF Cllieys
diving in south Brooks) were sturdy,
and very respectable people, ana put
few of them are now living in the town
who hear the name. "Uncle Joe Scrib-
ner" the village miller for many years,
was the slowest. and most easy going
man, perhaps, in all that region, II not
in the county: yet he managed to grind
out the 'tgrists" of corn, barley or
wheat for the people many miles
around about, securing a livelihood for
himself and small family with the tolls
from his patrons grlsts. A man as
honest as he was slow. On the hill
lust south of the village were the Wig
gins and the Langs, all respectable
and respected citizen. The Roses
blooming lust by the river side-of
whom the older have faded and gone;"
the Younger son and daughter re-
spected citizens, still living and active
in society, though passed the Glover
of their age" Libeus Jones, the vii
lage wheelright and painter; small of !
stature. genial and kind to all, and cal
WAYS the same" Who of the older |
ones now living, does not remember |
LIB Jones?" Moses Varney, "Uncle
Moses" the village shoemaker: natural
ly one of the most genial of souls; and
of his one son and two daughters, the
son, James Alvan, harness and shoe
maker, teacher of schools, and teacher
of vocal music, Free will Baptist min
lister. Chaplain in the army, serving
with devotion and faithfulness, ranch
man, and stock raiser IN the west; IN
later times, prominent member OF the
G rand Army of the Republic, whose
departure was as sudden as that of the
great prophet Elijah; and it may well
be said of him on his departure, "The
chariots of Israel, and the horsemen
thereof" "And he was not, for God
had taken him." so suddenly had he
dropped the mortal body and passed
out of sight. Mrs. Varney, nee Rich,
is now living in South birmingham,
Mass. Samuel Rich, West Brooks, a
levout member of the Free Will Bap-
list church: his son Nelson, close
friend of Mr.. Varney in their earlier
ministry; Free Will Baptist minister
for many years, mostly in New Eng
land, but out of the State of Maine;
wholly devoted to his work as a preach
or of the Gospel, but recently passed
to the rewards of those who have been
faithful over few things" Mention
NAV be made of Deacon Small, in the
Hall Neighborhood," a sober, earnest
and honorable citizen of the town,