The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-07-26
TRADITIONS OF OLD NOR.
R|DGEWOCK
Facts Cleaned From Early Records
and Personal "reminiscences Prove
Interesting

Norridgewock is the friend of any
one who essays to write anything
about the early years of this county
The following historical notes start
in with a brief mention of Somerset
County's journalistic history and wan
ders on thru its educational institu-
lions to include even something of
i local geology
Early newspapers were The Somer-
set Journal established May 10, 1888,
at Norridgewock, by Edes & Copeland,
price $500 per annum. In June 1S4l,
it took the name of the Peoples Press,
and in 1S45 it was removed to Show
hogan. During several months in
| 1S43, it bore the name of 1.-The Work
ing Man" and was published by H. Z.
Pratt and W. D. Gould In August,
1928 THE Democratic Somerset Re-
publican" was established at Nor
ridgewock, at $500 per annum, the
name changed to the "Skowhegan
Sentinel" December IL, 1881, and the
office removed to Milburn by B. A.
Wyman and Son. In October, 1888,
it was commenced by Littlefield and
Hill, and October s, 1910, J. D. Hill
published it six months, ending April
| 8, 1871. In July, 1871, the "Skowhe-
gan Clarion was commenced by
Moses Littlefield. 1.-THE Family Ply
stefan and Literary Miscellany was
established in December, 1S47 by Dr.
A. Angler Mann, and it ceased to eX-
ist at the end of one year. In May
1929, the physician and Down East
Screamer" was established by DR.. A.
A. Mann, editor and publisher.
The Norridgewock Female Academy
was incorporated in April, 1897, and
lis admirable adapted to study, 1t IS
in a delightful location The land
was given by DR.. A. Townsend
There is in Norridgewock an In
ternal Improvement Society whose OBJ
iect is to beautify the village by
adjoining it with trees. 1t was organ
! lied in 1897, and many of the young
trees in the village and burial grounds
are monuments of its taste.
In May, 1882, was the greatest
freshet; it rained seventy hours, the
| tIa Ct
prominent names were General
VIM Jones, Calvin Sheldon, Hon.
Warren Preston, lothian Fairfield,
ESQ, Hon. John S Tenney, Hon.
Charles Kidder, Hon. Charles Green,
James Adams, John H. Webster, Esq,
Hon. Cullen Sawtelle, John S. Abb
bot, Esq, VIM. D. Gould, Esq.
From such data as above we get
something more than glimpse of life
in Norridgewock, seyenty-fiye or a
hundred years ago Under grants
from the Plymouth Company the land
was parcelled out in 1863, and in 177l
William Warren, Obadiah Witherell
Eleazer Spaulding and William
Fletcher. came from Massachusetts tC
look the land over at the request OF
John Clark, Seth Wyman and several
others of their friends. Their re
port was unfavorable, chiefly because
of lack of waterpower on the north
side; but upon the Company's voting
another tier of lots on the other side
of the river, including a mill privilege
in 1873, William Warren, the first
actual settler, came from Pepperell
Mass. Nathan Parlin came down in
the same year from Concord A Mr.
Walker, the same year, was the first
settler on the south side John Clark
Thos. Harrington and other prominent
old settlers are mentioned as coming
this year or soon after.
The passing of Arnold's army up the
Kennebec in IT'S was great event
and at Norridgewock was found the
frontier of the white settlements. The
first frame house was built by DR.
Zebulon Gilman in 1871 or 1882. Wher
the meeting house was erected there
were but four or five houses in the
town.
The first town officers were Dr.
Daniel Coney, moderator; John Clark
town clerk; John Clark, Major Zeph-
aniah Keith, Moriah Gould, selectmen
John Head, constable; John Head
treasurer; Lieut.. Obadiah Witherell
Samuel Parker, Benjamin Kinds
Simon Pierce and Josiah Spaulding
Tythingmen; Sylvanus Sawyer, 'moos
and dear Reaf." Benz Thompson
"Hogg Reaf."; Collectorship was bid
off by Charles Witherell at Az pei
cent 1t was voted that the select
men should serve as assessors. Voted
that mems labor be As per day and OK
work Is Cd. per day.
The first white child born in town
was James Waugh and the date OF
birth, January TO- 1775. His tomb
stone declares him to be the first
white child born in Somerset County
Old Point. formerly in the town, is
of great historical interest. Here