The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-01-03

style OF CONSTRUCTION pcluiteo" AooA
rooms below and four above with
fireplace in each room. These hre-
places were of ample dimensions, big
enough to take four foot wood, and
that was undoubtedly the sort of fuel
supplied for them in early days. or
course later occupants of the house
cut down the size of some of these
fireplaces and bricked up the rest. 1t
was supposed that Joseph Tarbell, a
veteran of the Revolutionary War,
built this house about 1888, something
like one hundred forty years ago,
Undoubtedly, Mr.. Tarbell, as revol-
utionary soldier, received grant OF
land in recognition of his services.
This probably fronted on the Kenne-
bee River and extended back for
about two miles. He undoubtedly
chose the location where the old
house stands because of Its command
ing view. He proceeded to clear the
territory to the north, way beyond
what is now the Withee Road and al
most to the foot of Ward Hill. Quite
near the Withee Road may be still
seen cellar which tradition says
was built by Joseph Tarbell.
He erected a set of buildings there,
which were swept away at the time
of the forest fire of 1925. That ira
gedy was long remembered. 1t
burned the most of the timber in that
section. This is supposed to have
been a great confagration, sometimes
spoken of as the Miramichi If so 1t
burned large areas in the state OF
Maine and in the province of New
Brunswick. The name just referred
to is to a river in the province just
mentioned and the valley in which
the fire did extensive damage and
where many inhabitants lost their
lives.
Joseph Tarbell was killed by bull.
He was leading the animal along
the highway near what is now the
Withee schoolhouse. He lived only
few hours after being gored. The
farm was sold to Alvin Nutting, who
lived there for at least twenty-five
years. He in turn sold 1t to Daniel
Rogers, who lived there for twenty
six years, terminating in 1892. Daniel
Rogers sold to William Austin Withee
and Mr.. Withee transferred to the
First National Bank. The property
| thus passed into the hands of }.
| Palmer Merrill, we'll remembered as
shoe merchant in Skowhegan for
many years. Mr.. Merrill sold to the
late Milford Adams who came from
the Winding Hill section at .Norridge-
wock about 1901 The Winding Hill
/ Just mentioned is on the south side
of the river about one mile out OF
Norridgewock Village but the Adams
farm was three miles further on.
There Is now living at Pressure Isle
an elderly merchant by the name of
Joseph Tarbell. He was born in
Norridgewock presumably in the big
square house above referred to. He
is undoubtedly grandson or neph-
ew of the original Revolutionary set
tier. Fred Withee, from who we
have cleaned much of the above mat
erial, recalls that his grandmother,
Mrs. Climena Withee, used to speak
of young Joe Tarbell. He is sup
posed to have been the son of the
original Joseph and father of the
Aroostook Joe Tarbell, just referred
to. 1t Is not quite certain that
three generations are involved. 1t
may be that the Aroostook man, now
eighty-five or six years old, is son
of the original settler. =
Mr.. Withee just referred to recalls
an interesting story told by his grand
mother. 1t seems that the people OF
the Tarbell section, as Mr.. Withee re-
marks: Used to go to church in
those days more than they do now.
They attended the meeting house on
Blackwell Hill, long since disappear
ed A minister, one Sabbath morn
ing. prayed somewhat as follows:
"Oh, Lord, please feed the hungry
and clothe the poor; not fine cloth,
oh, Lord, but good substantial gray
all wool such as young Joe Tarbell
wears"
Joseph Tarbell, the Revolutionary
soldier above mentioned, is buried In
the cemetery (north side) at Nor
ridgewock. A slate tablet, somewhat
heavier and thicker than the average
marks his resting place. There are
some verses at the bottom of the
stone but the principal inscript there
on is as follows:
SACRED
To the Memory OF
Joseph Tarbell
A Soldier of the
Revolution
Who Departed This Life
Aug 20, 1926 #
Aged 50 years
and IL days
AnnrahaDdad fter Investigation FIX.
tending Over Nine Days
Game Warden 4. p. King on one
of his recent trips into the north
woods country succeeded, after a