Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1908-06-24

held in barns, private houses or school
houses. On April 1, 1879, the town OF Mt.
Desert voted to build two meeting houses
and to divide the town into two districts,
each district to build its own meeting
house, and that each district get the frame
raised this fall and boards, shingles and
nails at the place where the house is raised
before the next annual meeting, and choose
q committee for each district to call meet
ings and appoint places where to set the
houses.
March 4, 1900, the town voted that the
southern house stand on land formerly
where Mr.. Emerson used to live; the
northern house to stand halfway between
James Richardson's and William Heath's.
This meeting house was not finished, and
was destroyed by forest fire about 1916.
The first meeting house in the town of
Eden was built at Hull's Cove in 1897. 1t
was begun by the energy Of the settlers
before church had been organized. In
September, 1873, the town authorized the
selectmen to purchase of the proprietors,
and raised $50 in money and materials,
and chose Ezra Young, David Hsmor and
Levi Higgins to carry on the building.
This house was used for meeting house
till 1850 or 1861, when it was sold and torn
down.
March !, 1923, the town Of Eden voted
to build a meeting house on the spot
designated by lot drawn by David Was
gait March rs, 1922, and raised $3.50 to
carry the same into effect. Meetings were
held in this house the summer of 1924. 1t
was called the western meeting house, and
meetings were held in it until 1875, when
the present church at Salisbury Cove was
built.
The first settlers OF Town Hill were
Gideon Mayo, about 1850, and Ephraim
Higgins, about 1908. Since that time what
public meetings we have had have been
held in private houses or schoolhouses.
Fifty or more years ago our mothers
formed q sewing circle and our fathers
joined it They worked for the benefit
and improvement OF the place. They used
to hold fairs aud sell OF what articles they
had made, and in this way they procured
money to fix up the burying- ground and
build the ball in the upper part OF the
OF good and faithful labor, failed or died
out. Only few OF the members are now
living.
About 1893 another society was formed
and worked and raised money and fenced
the cemetery and made other improve
ments. On July q, 1898, this society or
circle, with other persons, was incor-
pofated under the laws Of Maine into the
West Eden village improvement society.
This society has enlarged and improved
the cemetery. The two aforementioned
societies have expended over 200 in
improvements and benevolent purposes.
The village improvement society over
two years ago had 800 which they in
tended to use towards building 4 hall. I
do not remember OF ever hearing it even
suggested that we build . meeting house
here until about eighteen months ago. At
q sewing circle held ct George w. Mayo's,
Mrs. Lillian Hamor and Mrs. Grace Fogg
| expressed their wish that we build q
church or chapel. It was talked over, and
at meeting of the society on January 8,
1907, after remarks by members, it was
voted that the society would devote its
funds and energies to the building Of a
church, and that public meeting be
called for Jan. 8, 1907. +
| This meeting was held, and Ida Rich
was chosen moderator. Miss Margaret
Koch opened the meeting by prayer.
| The subject was discussed by number OF
men and women, all in favor OF building,
and on motion Of d. w. Mckay, it was
voted to build a union church and that
| the seats be free. A committee was
appointed to take the matter into consic-
Grafton and report at an adjourned meet
ing. Pledges OF labor and money were
given for more than $500, and three lots
| were offered to build on.
| The adjourned meeting was held
January p, 1907, when the committee
reported. The lot offered by d. w. Mckay
was accepted, and rising vote thanks
given. A building committee consisting
Of d. W. Mckay, NJ. W. Hamor, N. w.
Higgins, George W. Mayo, Mrs. Ida Rich
and Mrs. Elva Hall was appointed, and
| instructed to decide on plan for the build
| ing and commence building and continue
as long as there was money to pay the bills
or until the building was completed.
1t was voted to solicit contributions
from individuals and societies as thought
best. This was done, and responded to
very literally indeed. The first contribu-
ton outside OF this place was by the Bay
View grange at Salisbury Cove. The
/, building committee adopted plan OF the
church and got most of the lumber on the
spot during the winter and spring OF 1907.
While so many did all they could and
gave SO literally of their time and money,
! il is not proper for me to mention any one
in particular except the women OF this
place. They have got up suppers and en-
tertainments evening after evening Tor a
year and half to raise money Tor the
church, and these entertainments have
| .tzool NTH donpa The result