The Republican journal., 1913-06-19

! Two base hit, Flye, Mckever. Sacrifice hits,
C. Besse, Osborn, Sayward Base on balls off
Davis 8. Struck out by Gregory 16 by Davis,
by Norton, 3. Wild pitch. Davis. Hit by
pitcher, kenney. Stolen bases, Nutter 4,
kenney, l, Gregory 8. Flye, 2, Stevens 3,
Banton 2. Umpire Gordon Williams. Tina
100
THE EARLY SETTLERS.
After music by the band the chairman in a
few graceful words again introduced Prof
Mitchell, who was the historian of the day.
For three quarters of hour, he held the
closest attention of the audience as he traced
the evolution of the old town from the days of
its pioneers, and he received an ovation at the
close Prof. Mitchell said:
The first settlement of Freedom was made
in the year 1875 by Stephen Smith with his
wife and seven children. Mr.. Smith was born
in the town of York, Me-, son of Joshua and
Elizabeth Smith. He married Mercy Andrews
of South Berwick, lAe The seven children
We're James, Miriam. Joshua. John, George,
Stephen and Benjamin. Mr.. Smith visited the
place the year before, located a spot for a
home and built log house. is by IA feet the
first building in town. The next year. 1856,
his Two brothers, John and Joshua, joined him,
settling near by. TIE settlement was called
Smthton in honor of these first settlers.
About 1901. Rev. Aaron Gould. John Brown,
Bradstreet Wiggins, Gideon and John Robin
son and John NJ Sinclair settled on Beaver
Hill and vicinity.
In 1902, Stephen Smith built framed barn,
covering the roof with long shingles. Though
tho walls were uncovered, the barn was filed
with hay. In 1903, he began frame fer a
house, which he raised in 1904 it being 81 by
Sc feet. The boards for it he purchased at
Jonathan Bartlett's mill in Palermo. This as
the first framed building in town, and was
situated where MIR. Thurston now lives. IN
| 1905, Mr.. Smith built saw mill on the Sheep
scot river near his home, though in the town
of Montville.
| At what time Smithton became plantation
is unknown, as the records have been lost, but
the writer finds that Solomon Metcalf was
Smithton plantation clerk in 1911.
This town was surveyed and this original
plan drawn by Bradstreet Wiggins. sworn
surv eyor of land, April q, 1910. The greater
part of this township is in the Plymouth Pur-
chase, as will be seen by look at the original
plan, the dotted line being the dividing line
| between the Plymouth Purchase and the Mel
son Tract. This land in the Plymouth Pur-
chase south of the dotted line was owned by
| the fifty KenneDec proprietors. but subse-
uuently fell into the hands of Ruel Williams
of Augusta and Robert Hallowell Gardner Of
Gardiner, Me-. from whom the settlers obtain
ed the title of their farms. This portion Of
land in the Nelson Tract, lying north of dotted
line, fell into the hands of Winthrop and Lloid
from whom these early settlers received the
title of their land
| At this time the township lay in three coun-
ties, Kennebec, Lincoln and Somerset, though
principally in Kennebec county. The Ballard
line is the dividing line between the Plymouth
which the dividing line between this township
and Montville was established.
In 1872. Smithton Plantation was changed te
Beaver Hill Plantation, and was organized al
such on October 31st Of that year. The follow.
ing officers were elected: John Robinson mod
orator and clerk; John Brown, John M. Sinclair
and Nathan Chase, selectmen and assessors
Edward Gould, collector; William Sibley ant
Cunningham, collectors bondsmen.
Beaver Hill Plantation was Incorporated int
town by an act Of the Massachusetts Genera
Court by the name of Freedom. June II, 1913
being the 10Th town of Massachusetts,.
THE FIRST TOWN MEETING.
Tho frat town meeting Was held at Ronio
min Cummings. Sent. 13. 1913. These officer
we're chosen: VIM. Sibley, moderator; Joh
Robinson, clerk; John Brown. M. Sinclair an
Nathan W. Chase, selectmen; Thomas Brown
constable; Abraham Cookson and Reuben Alb
bott, bondsmen for the constable; John Brown
John NJ. Sinclair and Nathan W. Chase, assess
ors; William Sibley, treasurer.
Where Freedom village now is, in 1909 be
came known as Hersey's Mills, that being tn
first mill built in this town. few familie