The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1920-12-16
Gllmpses From Interesting Diary.

An interesting diary in part of the
/ late Jabez Dorman Hill has been re-
ceiyed at this office Mr.. Hill came to
/ kingiieid and Kennebunk sections
when very young man. He was a
printer by trade and in company with
Moses Littlefeld edited The Skowhe-
gan Sentinel for a short time, begin
ming in October 1888 and ending in
1871. Immediately after that, he took
up land at Bakers Pond where he
lived a few years then moved to the
Hill farm on the Kennebec River in
the town of Moscow about two miles
above bingham village where his son
still resides. During his entire life,
he wrote extensively for various publ
cations. especially agricultural arti-
eles for The Maine Farmer. lie was
great student and had the best pri-
vate library in thai section. lie was
known as Squire Hill and during his
entire life was the master OF affairs OF
the town in which b. lived making all
deels. holding every Office of response
hility in the town as we'll as serving
in the legislature. This diary was
written when but seventeen years OF
age The first page begins with the year
of 1s32 when he VAS on is way from
Arundel to work in a printing office
in Plymouth Mass. for a Mr.. Dow.
+ Mr.. Hills family consisted OF II chill
dren and there are many descendants
in Somerset County
From diary of Jabez Dorman Hill,
when seventeen years Of age. Born
in Arundel, Maine now Kennebunk)
in 1915
Arrival at Plymouth in 1892
In the meantime the weather be
came colder. and they remained on
the wreck until Sunday morning,
when the ice had frozen so thick over
the harbor that people from the shore
went down to the wreck upon 1t and
/ brought off the survivors (about seven
in number People were employed
during the greater part or the 1ore-
noon in carrying up the dead bodies.
They were laid in a brook near the
town to thaw. and the greater num-
Der of them were inferred in one
common grave on the south side OF
the burying ground. We sailed along
on the inner side Of this beach about
a mile and a half and then heavlng IN
land, attempted to run thro' the
"guzzle" but the tide being on the ebb
we ran aground and at length were
landed In the boat at the steamboat
wharf, a little to the north OF the fore
fathers rock, around vic wharf has
been built, 80 that it is now nearly on
level with the ewharf. 1t is large,
broad block OF granite, fiat on the top.
From the wharf, | proceeded up
North St, then thro' an alley into Mid
die St, and into Main St, where l
found Mr.. Drew and gave him my let
ter and he engaged me Immediately.
He accompanied me on pleasant ex-
cursion thro the village.
The Pilgrim Society | believe, was
formed in 1920, at which time large
fragment of "forefahers rock was
broken OFF and carried up into the
town square and deposited beneath an
elm tree in front of the Kirk Parish
church. a large and handsome Gothic
building. Behind this is the burying
ground. a very high hill 165 IT,, where
one overlooke the bay, the town and
the adjacent country This, | suspect,
is the oldest barying ground in New
England | saw here the gravetsones
Of men who were born in 1917, four
Years before the landing of the PHI
grims. II is said that on the hill the
first fortifcation was erected. the
town WAS first built in two rows OF
houses and occupied the present site
Of I.vder ST. On the south side OF
81, ~
the first confagence ever held between
the English and Massasoit and his
subjects There are several fresh
water lakes In the town, Pillington
Sea. as 1t is called, is a large body of
fresh water. containing several small
islands. and about nine miles in cir
cumference It is fine place for
pleasure parties in the summer sea
son. On an island in this lake,
(Which is ovaD are two bowling al
lcys and an orchard. The town Is
very pleasant but the inhabitants are
in continual broil about religious
matters. People at present are much
disturbed about the cholera which IS
raging in New York. (July 23)
Pilgrim Hall is large building the
front being brick and the rest stone.
1t Is yet In an unfinished state. II
contains their cabinet OF curiosities
besides a large dining hall. July 27th
| visited this building for the purpose
of attending galvanic exhibition.
Into the principal hall one enters by
a large pair of folding doors; around
the room over the windows. on slips
Of cloth we're worked the names of