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


| men in the towns of Jackson and
Brooks, by Capt. c. G. Roberts were of
very great interest to the writer and
suggested that there were others nearly,
| if not quite, as prominent in their day
who might be written up" We note a
| few names in the town of Brooks as fol-
lows: Esquire Davis and family, from
| which came one of the learned Judges of
the State: Esquire Thorndike, with his
sturdy sons, and capable daughters;
| ''Neighbor Ham," sending out from his
home nine school teachers; 'Neighbor
Bean" just on the hill, with his mum
erous sons and daughters, among whom
was Andrew D., Captain in the army,
and shrewd politician. 1 might also
mention the Nesmiths, blacksmiths for
many years in the village; Esquire
Huxford, mill-man, with his several
sons, among them Capt. JIM" mer-
chant and keeper of the post office
for many years, straight as an arrow,
with a military turn, a man never to be
forgotten; Alfred Roberts, man of
stalwart FRAME lumberman and wood
turner, employing many hands; Esquire
Chase for many years hotel keeper,
who turned out the contents of his bar
and for many years kept temperance
prominent merchant in the town,
where his son now carries on large bust
ness in general merchandise. Esquire
Chase was for years deacon of the
Congregationalist church. There were
several daughters in the family, some
of whom became teachers in the dis
trict schools. Three of the daughters
are still living. We may also mention
Deacon Page, for long time prominent
citizen of the town. Among these
people, and standing we'll to the front,
may be mentioned the name of Isaac
Roberts, and only less noted in his day
and generation than was the doctor, who
for years was one of the most promi-
nent and popular men in that section
of the State of Maine and stood at the
head of his profession, having very
large practice in all parts of Waldo
county and going to see his patients on
horseback, for which he had to keep
relay of horses.
Isaac Roberts, son of the Revolu-
tionary soldier, Joseph Roberts, worked
on his fathers farm until he reached
majority, but having secured what was
termed good education he developed
into school teacher of the first class
and taught school for number of
years. He bought small farm near the
village of Brooks and taught winters
and worked on his farm in the summer
time. He taught the village school,
which was one of the best and yet one
of the most difficult to manage in all
that section. Some of his older sons
attended this school as his pupils. He
was appointed or elected, the superin-
tending school committee and served as
such for term of years and upon him
devolyed the duty of examining many
school teachers and those applying for
certificates. He held the position of
agent for land syndicate known as
the ''ProprietorS of the Waldo County
Land Company" having holdings in
several towns in the county. In look
iably went on foot, as they were most
quarters of this syndicate were in
Belfast. In politics 'Uncle Isaac, as
he was familiarly called, was Wing
in the earlier days, but became radical
abolitionist and was among the first to
vote the abolition ticket, voting for the
first Abolition candidate for president,
James G. Birney; afterwards becoming
a "Free-soiler," which party merged
into the Republican party and placed
in the Presidential chair Abraham Lin
coin, orator, statesman, and author of
that remarkable proclamation that gave
liberty to three millions of the colored
race, slaves in our Southern States: and
martyr for the cause of freedom. In
religion Isaac was first FreeWill Bap-
fist and active in that society, so much
SO that his friends bespoke for him
call to the ministry in that denomina-
ton; but he finally joined that more
silent sect the Friends, more generally
known as the "Quakers'', in which
society he remained until his death,
which occurred in 1862 at the home of
his son, Warren N. Roberts, then liv-
ing in Brooks little west of the will
age. He died very suddenly of a stroke
of paralysis, at the advanced age of IS
years.
In book entitled "Roberts Family,
prepared by Mrs. Amorena Grant,
daughter of Jacob Wellington Roberts,
is found this bit of history: Isaac, born
May 10, 1854; married, first, Abigail
Merrill, 1910; married, second, Sarah
Cobb, 1886; died 1862; had nine children"
Really eight; six boys, and two girls,
the daughters dying in infancy. Justin
Roberts, when he came to manhood,
SllooC Viz VI anu
painter and followed this occupation
for several years in the town of Brooks,
where he died in 1896 Milton, second
son of Isaac and Abigail, the literary
flower of the family, attended the vii
lage school and the Hebron Academy.
Fitting himself for a teacher, he be-
came one of the best in his profession.
Among Others he taught the village
school, three of his brothers attending as
pupils. In the Roberts family" history
it reads: 'He became a most successful
teacher in Brooks, Me-, and other towns,
and in New York. At one time he
had twenty-seven Roberts descendants
among his pupils. He was wood turn
er by trade, and invented an improved
turning lathe, steam pillow, and several
useful improvements in machinery,
some of which he patented" The turn
ing lathe was automatic and would do
the work of three men by hand work.
Milton set up his machines in Minnea-
polls, Min. where he operated them for
a few years. Becoming blind, he had
to give up all work, and died in Minnea-
polls at an advanced age. Clarkson
Roberts, the third son, was the farmer
boy of the family and worked on his
fathers farm, and for others, until he
had reached his majority. He enjoyed
the advantages of the village school,
e