The Republican journal., 1917-11-15
A Day at the Aborn Farm in
Knox.


Waldo Pomona Grange. The autumn
scenery of hills and wales; the forests
robed in brilliant tinted foliage with
colors that rival the artists skill to por-
tray, made the hour quickly pass, and we
were soon at Thorndike station. A wait
for the auto which was to transport US to
Freedom was spent in conversation with
friends who were also obliged to wait for
other means of conveyance. A short ride
was through farming section of Thorn
dixie, Unity, Knox and Freedom, as the
borders of these towns meet and one
passes through the corner of each in this
short drive. We arrived at Freedom and
found the Patrons already gathering for
the meeting. When the session closed
the writer who had previously received a
cordial invitation, accompanied Mr. and
Mrs. B. L. Aborn to their home for a
visit. This invitation was most gladly
accepted for several years had passed
since the privilege of visiting this por-
ton of the town of Knox had been en-
joyed by the writer. The auto ride took
us past many farms whose former owners
names were familiar but now others &C.
cupy those farm homes, several from
Aroostook county having purchased
them and are cultivating potatoes. Soon
we assembled the "Aborn Hill,' So called,
which is said to be the highest land in
Waldo county, and alighted at the hospit-
able home of our host and hostess. This
fine large farm has been the home from
father to son for three generations. When
this region of country was an unbroken
wilderness, Mr.. James Aborn, the grand
father of the present owner, came on an
exploring expedition through this por-
ton of Knox then a part of the Com
| journey the high hill known now as
''Aborn HIP from which the view of
the surrounding country, the ocean in the
distance and in clear weather the White
Mountains, impressed Mr.. Aborn as an
ideal place to found a home and begin
farm life.
He returned to his home in Newbury-
port, Mass, and a little later brought his
family and their scanty belongings by
sailing vessel to Belfast. From here to
Aborn Hill Mrs. Aborn rode on horse
while Mr. Aborn led the way along devil
Gus woodroads and "blazed trails" driv-
ing single OK harnessed to a cart con-
tanning the bare necessities of pioneer
existence.
On the summit of this hill may be seen
the stump of pine tree between two
large boulders which mark the spot where
this pioneer began a home and short
distance away was erected the log cabin
to which he brought his family. When
looking over the broad acres of this fer
tile farm which now comprises three hun
bred acres, something of the hard labor,
the privations and discouragements Of
the life of these early settlers of Waldo
county may be imagined; far from friends
! and kindred, oftimes compelled to forego
not only the luxuries but even the COM
forts of the homes they had left, where
the conditions of civilization had made
life far more enjoyable. The son follow
ing the occupation of his father took up
the farm labor and later erected the pres
ent commodious house. A family of sons
nd hox
made homes and whose business activi-
ties have led them to other sections of our
country. One son, Mr.. B. L. Aborn, grand
son of the pioneer settler, Mr.. James
Aborn, now owns and manages this large
farm. Mixed farming and stock-raising
he considers to be more profitable than
any one special line of Agriculture. A
large flock of sheep, poultry, cows and
horses are kept on the farm. The auto
mobile however furnishes Mr.. and Mrs
Aborn an easy and speedy mode of trans
as Overseer and Mrs. Aborn as Lecturer
of Waldo Pomona Gaange are seldom
absent from a meeting although many
times the places of meeting are quite dis
tant from their home. Mrs. Aborn has
charge of the Girls Canning Club of
that locality and gives much time and
labor to outside work, leading a very
busy life. On the lawn in front of the
house stands an immense willow tree
affording shade from the sun and seated
beneath spreading branches one may en-
joy delightful rest after the day IS work.
The writer was told that an aunt of the
present owner, when a girl visiting her
sister Mrs. Griffin in Belfast, on what is
now Northport Avenue near the "Mile
tree" broke a branch from one of the
large willow trees then growing there
and planted the branch on the lawn in
front of the Aborn home. This has now
become a large willow tree some seventy
five years old. In this home are many
relics of olden times. Two revolutionary
guns, "Queens' Arms" one the property
of Mr.. Aborn's grandfather, the other
once owned by Mrs. Aborn's grandfather,
another of the early settlers of Knox,
hang in brackets on the walls and many
| ther relics of tive olden timeD are care