Waldo County, Maine Gen Web Site
LIBERTY, MAINE
Liberty is within the limits of the Waldo patent. It was incorporated January 31, 1827. Among the prominent citizens of this town have been Messrs. J. W. Knowlton, T. Copp, J. C. Knowlton, William Sanborn, W. H. Hunt, W. R. Hunt.
* From "A Gazetteer of the State Of Maine" by George Varney published in 1886 as excerpted from Ray's Place
Isabel Morse Maresh has compiled a History and Genealogy of the Town of Liberty, Maine. The information she provided was gathered from books furnished by the State library and other sources. We quote them freely. The information is presented in three sections; The History of Liberty, Maine; Meeting Minutes from the town; and Genealogy of the early families.
The early history of Liberty begins with an account of the\Muscongus, or Waldo Patent. This grant was issued by the Plymouth\Council, 1630, to John Beauchamp of London and Thomas Leverett of Boston, Eng., and included practically all of what is now Knox and Waldo Counties. In 1719 Pres. John Leverett of Harvard College, a great grandson of the original grantee entered upon measures of resettling and reorganizing the patent. He parcelled the land into ten shares in common, and conveyed them to certain persons thenceforth called the “Ten Proprietors.” The Proprietors admitted twenty other partners termed the “Twenty Associates,” among whom were Cornelius and John Waldo of Boston.
Samuel Waldo deeded to the twenty associates a 100,000 acre tract of land which now includes the greater part of Camden, Hope, Appleton and Liberty, also several islands on the coast. The northern boundary of this piece of land begins at a copper bolt in a ledge near the steamboat wharf in Camden harbor and extends to a stone monument in Benjamin Colby’s pasture, then in a southerly direction far enough to make a strip of land 5 1/4 miles wide. Thence back to the coast parallel to the first line.
As nearly as we can learn the first permanent settler was James Davis, a Presbyterian minister, originally from Massachusetts. Two years later his two sons, William and Joshua, and a more distant relative, became residents. These families intermarried and the Davis amilies became so numerous that the plantation gained the name of Davistown.
The accompanying map shows where it was located. Liberty lies in the southwestern part of Waldo County, sixteen miles from Belfast on the stage road from that city to Augusta. The outline of the town is of diamond form, having its longest axis north and south. Montville bounds it on the southeast; Searsmont lies at the eastern angle; Palermo, at the northwest and west; Washington and Appleton, in Knox County on the southwest and southeast.
The greatest length of the territory is about eight miles and the width six miles. The surface is much broken by rocky eminences of which Haystack Mountain is the highest. Others are Coon Mountain and Bowlin Hill, which gets its name from a man named William Bowlin who lived in Montville at the very northern end of the ridge that is now known as Bowlin Hill. Excellent crops of hay, grain, potatoes, sweet corn and blueberries are raised. St. George’s Pond, which is in the northern part of the town, has an area of two square miles. Other bodies of water are Sheepscott and St. George’s Rivers, Stevens and Cargill Ponds. Liberty village, situated at the northern part of the town is the chief business center. The Branch in Palermo and Belfast are its nearest railroad stations.
In the early eighteen seventies there arose a trying situation between Liberty and Montville. The line between the two towns ran just a few feet to the north of the main street in Liberty. Thus, the stores on the west side of the street were in Montville and paid taxes there, while Liberty was obliged to maintain the road by which they were benefited. Finally, an appeal was made to the Legislature and in 1876 a half-moon piece was set off from Montville into Liberty, making the line run over the top of Haystack.
Town Meeting Minutes of Liberty, Maine
The following is a copy of a warrant and records of the earliest town meetings held in what is now the town of Liberty. We have
copied them exactlly as we found them.
These are in the name of the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to summon and notify the male citizens of Montville Plantation of twenty-one years of age and upwards who have resided in said Plantation for one year next preceding his voting and during said erm has been taxed for his poll or any estate in any tax voted to be raised by said Plantation and is not supported as a pauper to assemble at the dwelling house of Ezekiel Knowlton in the Plantation aforesaid on the eighth day of May next at eleven of the clock in the forenoon to act on the following articles, viz.
1. Choose a moderator to govern said meeting.
2. To see what method they will take to divide the Plantation into school districts.
3. To see what method shall be taken to pay the State tax of said Plantation for A.D. 1817.
4. To take the sense of the plantation with respect to petitioning the Legislature to be incorporated into a town.
5. To take the sense of the Plantation with respect to the District of Maine being set off from Massachusetts proper and becoming a separate State.
6. To see if they would choose a committee from some place out of the Plantation to lay out such roads in the Plantation as there shall be any
difficulty about between any of the inhabitants thereof.
Given under our hands and seals this twentieth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and nineteen.
[Signed] Ezekiel Knowlton, Timothy Copp, Assessors of the Plantation.
True copy Attest. Timothy Copp, Plantation Clerk.
May 8th. 1819. The inhabitants of Montville Plantation met agreeable to the foregoing warrant and acted as follows, viz.
1. Chose Timothy Dunton moderator.
2. Voted to submit the matter of districting the Plantation for schools to the assessors until the Plantation shall be incorporated into a town.
3. Voted the assessors be impowered to hire the money upon the credit of the Plantation to pay the State tax mentioned in the warrant.
4. Voted not to apply for incorporation.
5. The votes in regard to the separation of Maine from Massachusetts proper were eighteen for and eight against.
6. Voted to choose a committee and accordingly chose Cyrus Davis Esqr. and Capt. Richard Small of Montville and Mr. Stephen Bowler of Palermo
to lay out all such roads in the Plantation as there shall be any difficulty about between any of the inhabitants thereof.
7. Voted to dissolve the meeting.
Attest. Timothy Copp, Clerk.
Montville Plantation. December 5th, 1825.
The inhabitants of said Plantation met agreeable to the warrant and acted as follows viz. 1st, chose Doty Richards moderator to govern said meeting. 2nd. Chose Jonathan Flagg for an agent to attend Court Respecting the Road mentioned in the warrant. 3rd, Voted that the assessors petition to the next Legislature for the plantation to be incorporated into a town by the name of Liberty or Fruitfield or Pearl. 4th, Voted to dissolve the meeting.
Att. Charles Walker, Plantation Clerk.
To the honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Maine in Legislature Assembled January 1827. The inhabitants of Montville Plantation in the County of Lincoln respectfully represent that said Plantation now contains over six hundred inhabitants and sufficient territory to constitute a respectable town the valuation of which at the last assessment was more than sixteen thousand dollars, that for many years they have experienced the inconveniences of Plantation negotiations and are now desirous of being incorporated a town by the name of Liberty as in duty bound your petitions will ever pray.
ALBERT CARGILL, WILLIAM JOHNSON, ROBERT LERMOND, Assessors and Committee for said Plantation.
Montville Plantation, November 10th, 1826.
An Act to Incorporate the town of Liberty.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives, in Legislature Assembled, That the Plantation called and known by the name of Montville, in the county of Lincoln, bounded southwestwardly and northwestwardly the the northeastwardly line of the town of Washington, and southeastwardly line of the town of Palermo, continued till they meet; northeastwardly by the town of Montville, and northeastwardly by a line from the southwardly corner of said town of Montville to the northwardly corner of said town of Washington, be incorporated into atown by the name of Liberty.
Be it further enacted, That until a New Apportionment of Representatives, said town of Liberty shall, for the purpose of choosing a Representative in the Legislature, be classed with the town of Montville in like manner as before the passage of this act.
Approved by the Governor, Jan. 31, 1827.
Genealogy of the Early Families of Liberty, Maine
HANDY
Braddock Handy came here from China among the first settlers. He was a house carpenter by trade and built some of the old houses. He had a mill on the Sheepscot below the old Lewis mill where he sawed short lumber and later made dowels. The schoolhouse in the Valley bears his name. He was a charter member of the Masonic Lodge in Liberty. He wife was a Black from Palermo. They had one son and three daughters. None of them are now living in town.
CAIN
Jacob Cain came from Palermo into Liberty about one hundred years ago. He lived just above where Everett Hannan now lives on a part of the John E. Dodge place. He raised a family of six boys and five girls, none of whom settled in town. Stella Nelson, wife of Cela Nelson, is a granddaughter and lived on the William Henry Gove place for several years.
DODGE
John E. Dodge came to Liberty with Benjamin Tibbetts in 1814. He was from Boothbay and always followed the sea, even after coming here. His wife was Rhoda Tibbetts. To them were born five sons and two daughters. His sons, Jason and Arthur settled on farms nearby, while Samuel lived on the old home place where Everett Hannan now lives. Some years after he was lost at sea his widow married Andrew Glidden, who lived near Glidden’s turn at the foot of the hill leading from Sherman’s Corner into the Valley.
COLBY
Ebenezer Colby, who came here from Boothbay about 1814, settled a place now owned by Grover Cox and built a home in what is now the pasture. They had three sons, William, Wilmot and Benjamin, and two daughters, Sarah, wife of William Boynton, and Elmira. William settled near John Emerson, later buying a place between Ulmer Turner’s and the Albra Howes’ place. His wife was Mary Ann Dodge and to them were born Rufus, Solomon, Simon, Nettie, wife of Daniel Hannan of Palermo, and Sarah, wife of Edward Turner of Palermo. Rufus always lived in town, for many years operating a saw mill near East Palermo, later moving to the place owned by Arthur Boynton. Solomon died in the Civil War. Simon died at home when a young man. Benjamin married Eleanor Brawn and lived at one time in a part of Moses Johnson’s house. Their son, Benjamin, lives in Palermo.
JAMES MARSHALL
James Marshall of Irish birth is reported to have come here with John Odell Hannan. He settled on the land adjoining Marshall’s Shore. By his own request he was buried on the mountain side so that he might overlook his property. The grave is unmarked. His son, William, lived on the home place. It is said that James Marshall determined to find a place that just suited him in which to locate. He went with his team, carrying his money hidden under a false bottom in his wagon, from Maine to Ohio and back again, still unsatisfied until he finally arrived at Marshall shore. This was to him the most beautiful spot in one-half of America.
SAMUEL EDWARDS
Samuel Edwards came here among the early settlers and lived on what is now A. B. Sherman’s place. His son, David W., a charter member of Liberty Masonic Lodge, was killed in 1865 while attending to his duties as U. S. Marshal.
ENOCH WHITEHOUSE
Enoch Whitehouse owned the land between the two old roads, that is now owned by W. J. Knowlton and used for a sheep pasture. He had five boys and three girls. One son, Crowell, served in the Civil War in the Northern Army, while his brother, Seth, served in the Southern Army. He had been in the south for several years previous to the war as overseer on a large plantation and his sympathies were wholly with the southern people. The youngest daughter, Clara, married a Manchester and ived in Camden. She never outgrew her love for her home town and she and all her family are buried in the Valley cemetery.
JOHN EDWARDS
John M. Edwards came here as early as 1814, perhaps earlier and settled on what is now E. Bachelor’s farm, taking up a grant of land much larger than the present farm. The house was built near the present road and was sold to Arthur Dodge. Dodge later sold it to James Leman who moved the house to Sherman’s Corner and used it for the main part of his stable.
Edwards married a Mrs. Cox, whose maiden name was Ripley, and to them were born, Elizabeth who married James Whitaker, Jane who married Dexter Bennett of Montville and Joseph, who married Maria Sylvester. Joseph lived on the home land, building his home where Edwin Bachelor now lives.
JOEL CLARK
Joel Clark, an early settler, obtained a grant of the land now owned by C. R. Nelson. The house was upon the hill back of Nelson’s homestead near the old road. He had for children, Mehitable, wife of Samuel Bagley; Mary, wife of Henry Norton of Palermo; Elmira, who married a Woodman; Sarah, who married a True; Eliza, who married a Leighton; Joel, Jr. and William. Eliza, Sarah and Joel, Jr., went west but William [1812-1863] built the home now owned by Cela Nelson. He married Mary Lamson and to them were born four sons, John, Ellison, Frank and William, Jr., and two daughters, Harriet, who married a Dutch and Martha. Ellison, Frank and Martha went west. None of them settled in town. William, Sr., sold his place to William Henry Gove.
EBEN CRIE & TOLMAN YOUNG
Eben Crie of Scotch descent came here from the Island of Matinicus and bought of Rev. Joab Brown the farm now owned by Mrs. Ida Young. He had been up to this time a deep sea fisherman. In 1857 their daughter and her husband, Tolman Young, came from Matinicus to live with them. Mr. Young was also a fisherman. They were all deeply religious, the Cries were Baptist, the Youngs, Methodist. Tolman Young and wife had three sons, Joseph, Samuel and Edward, and five daughters, Elonia, wife of Frank Lamson; Aurellia (Rice); Sarah, wife of Charles Achorn; Rose (Pratt) and Susan, wife of a Mr. Parsons. Edward died when young. Charles and Sarah Achorn lived for a time on what is now Maurice Towle’s, later moving to Cooper’s Mills. Samuel for many years conducted a general store at the Village where his genial manner won him many friends. He married Elizabeth Hunt of Unity and to them were born two daughters, Leta and Hazel. Both are graduates of Colby College and have taken special courses at Yale. For several years they have been successful teachers in Maine, Massachusetts, and ther states.
Joseph lived at home, caring for his parents. He was always a farmer. He married Ida Lewis and to them were born two daughters, Addie, wife of Harry Leeman and Pearl, wife of Ward Benner, and three sons, Walter, Eben and Lester. Lester died when young. Walter married Stella Leeman and moved to Brooks. Eben also went to Brooks. None ofthem are living in town.
TIBBETTS
Benjamin Tibbetts was born Nov. 20, 1785 at Boothbay Harbor. He went to sea from the age of eighteen until 1812. In 1809 he married Sally Crommett of Boothbay. As early as 1809 or 1810 he came to what is now Liberty and Palermo hunting,, coming up the Sheepscot river in a canoe. In 1812 he enlisted in a volunteer company commanded by Capt. Daniel Ross. In about 1814 he moved to Liberty, building a log cabin in hat is now Will Trask’s field near the road leading into the Valley. He sold this to William Gove and built another log cabin on Arthur Boynton’ s place. Selling this to Rev. Joab Brown, he went over a little farther and built a third cabin in what is now Grover Cox’s pasture where he lived until 1822 when he moved into a new framed house he had built over where Charles Cayford now lives. He bought this land of a man named Berry. He was very happy in his home, living there until his death at the age of one hundred years, nine months and nine days. He was of English descent. His father, Ichabod, came to live with him in 1828, remaining until his death. He is buried in what is now Charles Cayford’s pasture and a monument marks his resting place.
To Benjamin and Sally Tibbetts were born twelve children as follows: Samuel, born 1810; Julia A., 1812; Cyrus, 1814; Stinson, 1816; Benjamin Randall, 1818; Sally, 1821; Martha 1823; Ann, 1825; Emily, 1828; Roswell, 1830; Jane, 1833; Emeline, 1835. Julia married Rev. James Lewis, Stinson married Lois Bagley and lived in a house he built above his father’s. Benjamin R. married Affie Turner and they lived on what is now Willard Whitaker’s place for seventeen years. To them were born, Randall, who died in the Civil War; Joseph, who lived in Belfast; Hollis, in Brooks; Woodbury, at East Palermo; Wyman, who died at Liberty; Andrew Jackson, in East Palermo; Benjamin, in Bridgewater, Mass.; John Wesley, in Montville; Dana, in Dorchester, N.H.; and Ella, wife of Eben Foster, in Palermo.
The Tibbetts’s have always been a patriotic family and have an enviable war record, as Ichabod was sergeant in the war of the Revolution, Benjamin, an officer 1812-14 War; Cyrus, Randall and Charles served in the Civil War; and Raymond, Forest, Howard and one other in the World War.
In civic and religious matters the Tibbetts family have also been leaders, always recognized as maintaining a high standard of living and a fine type of citizenship.
GABRIEL DENNIS
Gabriel Dennis settled on the place now owned by Isabelle Edwards and built the house which is one of the four or five framed houses built on that side of the hill between 1820 and 1825. He was of Irish descent and came here from Boothbay or nearby place. Of his family of five boys and three girls only one settled in Liberty. Hazen married Abbie Eastman and they lived at Sherman’s Corner in one part of what is now Wales Sherman’s house, while he learned the blacksmith trade of Bridges Sherman. Later he moved to the Village and conducted a blacksmith shop in the building now used by Carol Banks as a garage.
Hannah Dennis married William Henry Harrison Gove of Liberty and lived on what is now the Cela Nelson farm, raising a family of four sons.
BENNERS
John and Isaac Benner, brothers of German descent, came from Waldoboro and settled on the road leading from the Bradstreet schoolhouse to South Liberty. Isaac’s son, William, bought the place now owned by Edwin Ryan and it was there that Isaac died. William’s sister, Jane, married a Jackson and their daughter, Olive, married a Rowell. Their son, Theodore, lives in Rhode Island.
Of John Benner’s four children, Henry lived on the home place. His wife was Margaret Kellar of Rockport. Their children were Sarah, Lucy Jane, who married Chester Turner and lived in Hallowell; Rebecca, wife of Emery Witham; Eugene, La Verna, and Chester.
A William Furbush settled the place next to John Benner’s and built the house that is now standing. He sold to Daniel Turner, who lived there to raise three sons, George, Ulmer and Hiram and one daughter, Maria, who married a Hannan. Ulmer always lived on the home place, a quiet, home-loving man. His first wife was Martha Brown. They had two daughters, Clara, wife of John Hibbard and Emma, wife of Ulmer Hannan. By his second wife, Mrs. Mary Davis, he had two sons, Everett and Percy and a daughter, Alice, none of whom are living in town.
WILLIAM JOHNSON
William Johnson [1788-1851] of English birth, came here from Pittston, Maine, and took up a claim of two hundred acres on what is now the G. G. Thompson farm. He built a log cabin near the present house and cleared the land from the wilderness. He was a man of unusual ability and was prominent in the affairs of Montville before Liberty was made a town. He married Sarah Dunton. They had five boys, Israel, Carleton, William, Loren and Moses and one girl, Phoebe. By his second wife, a widow named Martha Faunce, he had two children, Eri and Alonzo. Israel married Sarah Collomore and settled in the eastern part of the town on what is now know as the Orington Newhall place. Of their five children, Wilbert went to Aroostook; Ralph, Ambrose and John went to Nebraska, where they became wealthy farmers; and the daughter Celia lived with her parents until her death which occurred when she was a young woman.
Carleton established a home in Appleton. Of their five children, twins, Richardson and William, went to Hallowell and established a large successful shoe factory. William’s daughter, Mrs. Blaine Viles, is prominent socially at the State Capital and an active member of the D.A.R.
Moses, on his marriage to Caroline Brown, built a small house on the mountain side of his father’s house, where their six children were born. At the death of his father he moved into the old home, a fine house built by his father about 1847. He was a strong upright man, prominent in town affairs and a loyal Mason, serving his lodge as Master in 1870 and 1871. As a young man he learned the shoe-maker’s trade of Hiram Chaplin, Sr., and always made the shoes for his own family. He was always a farmer and about 1860 to 70 had what was considered the best farm in town and paid the highest tax. Their three sons, Alden, Granville and Freeman settled in Massachusetts. The oldest daughter, Ellen, always lived at home. On the death of her mother, Flora, wife of George G. Thompson, came to Massachusetts to care for her father. Sylvia married John Sherman and lived at Sherman’s Corner until 1921, when she went to live with her daughter, Flora Belden, in Presntiss, Maine.
GEORGE BROWN
George Brown, [1800-1851] of English birth, another of the early settlers, lived near the Marshall place. His wife was Betsy Brown of China and to them were born nine children, Caroline, wife of Moses Johnson; Alden, Milton, George, Jr., Edwin, Hannah, Lorenzo, Asenech, wife of Watson Knowlton and mother of Dr. Frank Knowlton of Fairfield, and Orilla. After a few years he bought a farm of Wilmot Dunton on the Neck. It is still known as the old Brown place, although it is heavily wooded and only a mound and a few rocks remain to mark where the buildings stood.
JACOB LEHMANN
Jacob Lehmann, [1786-1845], born in Metz, Germany, came to Liberty about 1814-1816. He had been impressed by the British, but managed to escape with others at Castine or Islesboro and came to the main land in a small boat. He settled on a farm now owned by A. T. Boynton and built the first mill on the brook near Carl Turner’s. His wife was Mary Bagley and to them were born Mary, 1823; Catherine, 1825; Jacob, Jr., 1827; Henry, 1829; Adam, 1831; Elizabeth, 1834; James, 1836; Anne, 1839. Mary marriel William Lewis and lived in the Valley. Jacob, Jr. lived on the home place. His first wife was Julia Feltman, but after her death he married Mrs. Elsie Ann Boynton. To them were born Ina, wife of John Oxton of West Rockport, and Isa, wife of Willard Whitaker. Catherine married a Clark of Prospect. Adam built the house now owned by Carl Turner and lived there a few years.
Henry engaged in lumbering in Virginia for a short time but on returning he bought the home Adam had built, but in a few years he sold it Edward Glidden and moved to East Palermo, although part of his farm was in Liberty. He married Nancy Brown and to them were born two sons, Sumner and Harry. His second wife was Mrs. Anne Bradstreet. To them was born one daughter, Stella.
James, after learning the carriage maker’s trade in Dixmont, returned to Liberty and built a shop where he engaged in carriage making and built the house now owned by his granddaughter, Ruth Leman. He married Eliza Jane Sherman and to them was born one son, Percy, who lived on the home place and for several years conducted a general store at Sherman’s Corner. Anne married Alexander Dow. All the girls died quite young. curious instance is the change in spelling of the name. From Lehmann it was changed to Leeman and Leman.
MOSES WHITAKER
Moses Whitaker from Boothbay came to Liberty among the first settlers and built a log cabin in the corner of what is now Willard Whitaker’s pasture. He died in 1828 at the age of thirty-five. He had two sons Augustus and James and a daughter Katie, who married Samuel Tibbetts. After the death of his father, Augustus looked out for the family, having the house where Willard now lives built about 1852. James went to California in the gold craze of ‘49. For ten years he was a wanderer, visiting among other places Oregon, then a virgin country, and Australia. He went around the Horn, a hundred and fifty-three days journey. On coming home he bought back the old home place of Benjamin Tibbetts, Jr., and lived there the rest of his life. He married Elizabeth Edwards and to them were born three sons and two daughters. Willard lives on the home place. He is prominent in town affairs, having held many offices. He married Isa Leman and to them were born three sons and four daughters, Maynard, Edwin, Bertha, wife of Melvin Bennett of Augusta, Arthur, Shirley, Eletta and Marie.
BROWN
James and Reliance Brown came from Richmond, Maine with their family and bought of a Curtis the place just below Daniel Turner’s near the South Liberty road. He had three sons, Alvin, Leonard and John, and five daughters, Elvira, wife of Gardiner Brown; Martha, wife of Ulmer Turner; Mary Ann, wife of George Turner; Olive, who married a Stevens, and Sarah who never married. James was of English birth. His son, Alvin, served in the Civil War.
Edward Brown and his wife, Mary Clark Brown, came from Union with their family and bought the place where his grandsons now live on the road from Liberty Village to South Liberty. They had four sons, William, Calvin, Gardiner and Edward, Jr. after the death of his wife he married a widow, Mrs. Fossett of Union. He was of English descent. His son Calvin died young. William L. was a Methodist minister and held many good pastorates. Edward, Jr., married Elizabeth Brown of Richmond. He enlisted in the Civil War and was in the front ranks when Lee surrendered. After the close of the war, Edward, Jr., bought of Paris Walker the place on the road from Brown’s Corner to Marshall’s Shore and always lived there. They had two children, Benjamin Franklin and Lillian. Franklin always lived in the old home, where he conducted a blacksmith shop in connection with his farming. He died in 1926. Lillian lives in Portland.
Gardiner, son of Edward, Sr., lived on the home place. He married Elvira Brown and to them were born Marcus, Lewellyn and Gilbert. Marcus lived near his father’s on the road to Liberty Village. He had two daughters, Olive, wife of J. Dana Higgins of Searsmont and Agnes, wife of Albert Fuller, also of Searsmont. Lewellyn always lived at home. Gilbert for many years was employed in Middletown, Conn., but later came to live with his family on the home place.
HASKELL
Joel Haskell, one of the early settlers from Boothbay, bought the place now owned by Arthur Boynton. He was a carpenter. His wife was Sarah Brown, daughter of Rev. Joab Brown. They were a scholarly family, two sons, Stephen and Philip, being teachers of unusual ability. Stephen lived on the home place and raised a family, all of whom haveleft town.
Joab Brown came from Boothbay and after living a short time on the place now owned by Arthur Boynton, bought the place owned by Mrs. Ida Young. He was a minister, preaching to the early settlers. Of his seven children, Joab, Jr., was a doctor who practiced in town, living at the village. Isaac, a fine man, settled on a part of his father’s farm, the place now owned by Clayborne Scates, and raised a family of five boys and three girls. Elder Joseph, who lived on the side of Kager mountain, was a shoe maker and farmer, as well as preacher. Josiah became a minister of The Church of God, preaching in many places. John H., son of Dr. Joab, invented the Brown gun. Another son, Charles Wesley, lived on the farm on the Knowlton road where his son Frank P. and his family now live.
LAMSON FAMILY by W. S. Lamson
William Lamson, veteran of the 1812 War and his wife, Martha, settled in West Liberty, taking up a part of ranges 13 and 14, so called at that time. Among their family were three boys, John, George and William, all ship carpenters. George married Lucy Ann Cox and six children were born to them, Frank, John R., Hanson O., Eunice, Arvilleand Betsy. Eunice married Stephen Gove, having three children, Belle, Fred and George. John R. served three years in the Civil War. On his return from the south he married Emma A. Boynton, daughter of William and Sarah E. Boynton, six children being born to them, William, Everett, Allen, Sarah, Hanson and Emma. William S. Lamson and Emma E. Moody are not residents of Liberty.
William S. married Nellie M. Morse, daughter of James and Delia M. Morse of Whitefield, Maine. Emma married Herbert Moody of Liberty, having eight children, seven now living, Allen, Etta, Nellie, Isabelle, Lucy, Lester and Everett.
THE GOVE FAMILY
Three of the nine children of David and Lydia (Alley) Gove of Edgecomb, Maine, settled in Liberty. Patty, wife of William Lampson; Lovina, wife of Abiel Sherman, and William. William, [1802-81], whose wife was Temperance Branch of Sidney, settled on the place now owned by W. L. Trask, adjoining the William Lampson place. Their children were Hanson, born 1825; Emily, 1827; Abiel, 1829; Stephen, 1831; Lorana, 1834; William Henry Harrison, 1837 and Sarah, 1839. Hanson married Mrs. Louise Lewis Macomber of Liberty and lived on the home place. They had no children. He was prominent in town affairs for several years.
Emily married Joseph Boynton and always lived in town. Stephen married Eunice Lampson of Liberty and went to Searsmont, on the place where his son George now lives. Lorana married Chessman Chadwick of Palermo. William Henry Harrison, always called “Tip” by his neighbors, married Hannah Dennis and bought of Joel Clark the farm on the side of George’s Lake now owned by C. R. Nelson, where he engaged in farming. To them were born four sons, Frank, Roy, Harry and Linwood. On reaching manhood Frank went west, the others to Stoneham, Mass.
Sarah married Elisha Norton of Palermo. They went to Bisbee, Arizona, where she died in 1897.
THE BAGLEY FAMILY by Catherine Worthing
James Bagley was one of the early settlers and took up land on Bowlin Hill and built the old Bagley house now owned by A. S. Rowe, a descendant. He married Abigal Cromwell, daughter of Elizabeth Cromwell. They had for children, Betsy, Poly, Lydia, Lois, Rhodia, Easter, James, Thomas, Levi, Samuel and Richard. Betsy married a Doyle and had two children. Poly married a Sawyer and had for children Daniel, Levi, Edward, Rebecca, Lois, Annie, Frances and Lydia. Lois married Stinson Tibbetts and their children were John, Viola, Hannah, Cyrus and Abbie. Rhodia married Ezra Cox of Liberty and had four children, Levi, Elmina, wife of Joseph Longfellow, Charles and Antoinette, wife of Herbert Towle. Easter married a Rowe, but had no children.
Thomas had one child, Sylvestania Bagley. Lydia Bagley married Edward Bridges and had for children, Vesta B. White of Augusta, Susan Bridges Woodward of Melrose Highlands, Mass., Lois B. Wilson, Lydia B. White, Rhoda Benner, Samuel, Franklin and George Bridges. Susan B. Woodward had two children, Ray Woodward and Lillian Edmunds. Later Susan married a Norton.
Richard Bagley married Christania Speed and had one son, Charles Bagley. Charles Bagley married Clara Soule and they had three children, Mable Boile of Canada, Richard Bagley of Liberty and Hannah Banks of Montville.
Levi Bagley married Katherine Overlock and had for children Sarah B. Carter, mother of Alice Brown; Mary B. Rowe, mother of A. S. Rowe and Mary Anne Rowe; Sophronia Murray, mother of Walter Murray and Sadie Sanford, Christiania and Nancy Bagley. Alice Brown was Frank Brown’s wife. Their children were Howard, Hervey, Roger, Hazel, Doris, and Florence. Walter Murray had three children, Bertie Murray, Blanche M. Stephen, and Levi Murray. Sadie M. Sanford, wife of John P. Sanford had two children, Catherine, wife of Raymond Worthing and Minnie A., wife of Forrest Peavey.
Samuel, son of James the Pioneer, and his wife, Mehitable Clark, built a house on the side of George’s Lake. Among their children were Augustus, Abbie (Young), Hannah (Gilman) and Charles W. The latter lived on the home place. He had one son, Samuel, who married Rose Ryan of Liberty and they had one daughter, Abbie. For several years, he, too,lived on the home place.
THE SHERMAN FAMILY
Abiel Sherman, son of Eleazer and Martha [“Patsy”] Sherman, a yeoman of Boothbay, came to Liberty about 1829, bringing his wife, Lovina Gove, of Boothbay on horseback. He bought the land now locally known as “Sherman’s Corner” of Nahum Ripley, and of John Davis a portion of the “Neck”, so-called, a neck of heavily wooded land extending easterly from the main tract into George’s Lake. The following deed of John Davis to Abiel Sherman, April 20, 1833, is inserted in this history simply to give a glimpse of the form in which legal papers were drawn up, usually on scraps of paper, among the early settlers of Liberty a century ago. On the neck bounded as follows: “In the southeasterly circle of lot No. 8 and ranges 14 and 15 and B as follows: to wit, Beginning at stake and stones in line between ranges 13 and 14 and in line between lots 7 and 8 being southeast corner of said lot No. 8 in range 14, thence north 57 deg. east 168 rods on line between proprietors lots 7 and 8 to the line between ranges 15 and 16, thence north 33 deg. west on said line between ranges 13 and 14, thence south 33 deg. east about 50 rods on the last mentioned line between ranges 13 and 14 to place of beginning containing 50 acres more or less.” The “neck” has remained for nearly a century as pasture and woodlots. On the main tract, however, Abiel cleared a great deal of the land, the larger part of which still remains in the old home place. Several lots of the original purchase were deeded to Abiel’s sons as they married and settled at Sherman’s Corner. Abiel and Lovina bore and reared seven children, four of which, namely, Alvah, Gardiner, Luther and Aurilia were born in Boothbay; the latter being only a six weeks’ old baby when brought on horseback by her mother from Boothbay to Liberty. The three younger children, Charlotte, Edward and Bridges Curtis were born in Liberty, presumably in the old house which originally stood where the present barn owned by Wales Sherman now stands. Later Abiel built the present set of buildings standing on the same site.
Their eldest son, Alvah, returned to Boothbay from which port he sailed to many foreign shores, including China. He married Sarah Huff of Edgecomb, who bore five children, four of whom, Charles Edward, Eliza Jane, Mary Lovina, and Orilla were born before 1850. In that year Alvah moved his family to Liberty, living with his father in the old house, previously mentioned, until he had builty by John Cates of East Palermo, the house now owned and occupied by Elizabeth A. Sherman at Sherman’s Corner and the adjoining store presently occupied for business by Percy Leman, estate. The land upon which these buildings were erected was part of the original Abiel Sherman purchase and probably given by him to his eldest son. Alvah immediately started in his business of trading in a country store, which nessitated making a trip to Boston each year to buy his goods. He was a Justice of Peace in the town, performing many of the local marriages in the sixties and seventies. His fifth child, Henrietta, was born in Liberty. After his first wife, Sarah’s death, Alvah married Martha Lamson. There were no children by this second marriage.
The second son of Abiel and Lovina, Gardiner by name, married Sarah Berry, a tailoress of Montville. He, also, built his home on part of the land originally purchased by his father. It stands southwest of the four corners on the main road not far from the store of his brother Alvah and until recently Gardiner’s farm and buildings were owned and occupied by his son’s wife and family. There were two children in Gardiner’s family, the elder, Luther, living only nineteen years, and John.
Luther, the third son of the original Sherman settlers ran away as a boy to follow the sea. He made a trip around the world, visiting many foreign ports from which he brought back jewelry and silk shawls. These he later bestowed upon his wife, Martha Ann Abbott of Deerfield, New Hampshire. After his marriage, he went to the Pacific coast in the “gold rush”. Martha and Luther lived on the original home place of Abiel, carrying on the farm lands cleared by him. There were nine children born of this union, eight living to manhood and womanhood, By name and age respectively they were William, Frank, Albert F., Charlotte, Bridges, Hanson Gove, Edith, Delphia and Wales Howard. The latter still lives in the house built by his grandfather. Luther died in 1889, well known and liked as “Uncle Lute”, a man of ever present hospitality and geniality. For many years after his death his widow, Martha Ann, kept the post office registered under the name of Libertyville. It was only upon the advent of the Rural Free Delivery that the postoffice and name of Libertyville was discontinued as used to designate Sherman’s Corner and neighboring vicinities.
Aurilia, the first daughter and fourth child of Abiel and Lovina, married Orville B. Parmenter of Liberty. They lived on the place now owned and occupied by Clyde Bachelor, the original house standing just northeast of the present Roy Trask house on the old Turnpike road, now discontinued, but used at that time as the state road before the main road skirting George’s Lake was built. Three children were born to Aurilia and Orville: Ella, who married a Towne and lived and died in Texas; Gertrude, who married a Hamilton, lived a large part of her life in Massachusetts, and recently died in Gardiner, Maine; and Emma Boynton, who made her home in Augusta, Maine. After the death of his first wife, Aurilia, Orville married er sister Charlotte, the fifth of Abiel’s children. Charlotte bore two children, Sarah Elizabeth, generally known as “Goody” and Edward A.,called “Ned”. Little is known of Edward, the sixth child and fourth son of Abiel and Lovina. He never lived in Liberty and probalby lived in Boothbay, where he married and reared two children, Caro Boynton and Joseph. The latter married Martha Kennison of Liberty.
The seventh and last child of the original settlers, Bridges Curtis, was born, lived, and died in Liberty where he was known and loved throughout the town for his jovial humor and native wit. He was “Uncle Bridge” to all who knew him. He married Elizabeth Carpenter of Dixmont. Bridges, like his older brothers, Alvah and Gardiner, built his home and lived on part of the land included in the original Sherman purchase of Abiel. It is the place standing just northeast of Sherman’s Corner on the pond road presently owned and occupied by Herbert C.Towle. The house itself was built of doors, windows and timbers obtained from dismantling the original house on the old home place. There were five chidren born to Bridges and Elizabeth: namely, Rose, Walter, Lillian, William and Augustus. Bridges was a soldier, serving in the 19th Maine during the years 1862-65 of the Civil War. His occupation and means of livelihood at home was blacksmithing,, which trade he conducted in the old building standing at the junction of the four corners just opposite Alvah’s store. This building was later used and known as “the cider mill.”
Beginning with the third generation bearing the name of Sherman in Liberty we first find “Charles Ed”, the eldest child of the eldest son, Alvah. He lived at intervals in Liberty, helping his father carry on his store and in the interest of which “Charles Ed” made frequent trips to Belfast and other cities. He occasionally worked in Massachusetts instutions and while there married Mary Ann Eaton of Gofftown, New Hampshire. They later returned to Liberty, spending ten years in business with his father. Their only child, Minnie, was born in Liberty. About 1879 he moved his family to Burnham, Maine, where he started his own business of general store. “Charles Ed” became an important man in the town of Burnham where he served as Town Auditor and director of the People’s National Bank of Waterville for many years. e died in 1921.
Eliza Jane, the second child, married James Leman, a carriage maker of Liberty, who built and lived in the house just northwest of the four corners and presently occupied by their son’s family. Eliza Jane’s husband plied his trade as carriage maker in the large two-story shop which stood near the old blacksmith shop and cider mill on the left side of road leading to the old Abiel place. It has just recently been demolished, being considered unsafe for further use.
Mary Lovina, generally known as “Aunt Bine” the third child, married Edward Mitchell of Montville. They lived in the house at Liberty Village now owned and occupied by Sherman Cram, a grandson. Edward was a soldier in the Civil War. There were three children born of this marriage, namely Blanche, the oldest, Maude, and Edward Junior. Blanche and Edward, Jr., lived, married and raised families in Liberty. Maude married Simeon Butler and is presently living in Camden, Maine.
Orilla, the fourth child of Alvah and Sarah Huff, married George Greenleaf of Boothbay. His means of livelihood was following the sea where he was lost while his children Alta, Henry and Manton were quite small. For some time after their father was lost, these children lived with their grandfather, Alvah, in Liberty.
Henrietta, the youngest child married Oscar Douglas of Liberty. They lived in the house at the Village now owned and occupied by William Lamson. Their son and only child, Arthur, was born there. Later they moved to Hudson, Massachusetts, where they are living at present.
John, the only son of Gardiner and Sarah Berry Sherman to live to manhood, married Sylvia Johnson of Liberty. At first they lived on the farm just southwest of the Gardiner homestead. Their two children, Flora and Everett, were born there. After the death of Gardiner’s wife, Sarah, they moved up to his home and continued to live there until after John’s death in 1920. The older child, Flora, married Russell Belden of Palermo and now lived with her family in Prentiss, Maine. Everett, the only son, married Geneva Cram, a grandchild of Mary Lovina and Edward Mitchell. They have one child, Blanche. They are living in Beverly, Massachusetts, where Everett is employed by the United Shoe Machinery Company.
Of the nine children born to Luther and Martha Ann Abbott Sherman only three are living. One girl died in babyhood. The remaining eight lived their childhood and early adult life in Liberty receiving heir education in the public schools of the town. Several later found occupations in other New England states, especially Massachusetts and Connecticut.
William Frank, the eldest while working in Middletown, Connecticut, married Ella Grisnold of Wethersfield. They came to Libertyand bought the Hanson Gove farm on the old road above Sherman’s Corner. They lived there over thirty years until his death in 1917. There were no children.
Albert F., the second son, left Liberty in early adult life\for work in Massachusetts. For many years he worked for a trunk manufacturer in South Boston, and a search of the attics around Sherman’ s Corner would reveal toy doll trunks made by Albert for gifts for the children. He married Evelyn Witham of Rockland. For nearly twelve years they lived at Gallops Island, Boston Harbor, where he was superindendent of the Quarantine Station of the port of Boston. Albert now lives with his second wife, Emma Johnson, in Orleans, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod. He had no children.
Charlotte, the first girl, married Jospeh Wentworth of Appleton, Maine, where she now lives. They also have no children. Bridges died at the age of 18 years, never marrying.
Hanson Gove lived his youth in Liberty and attended the common schools here. Later he worked in several Massachusetts and Connecticut institutions. While working at Middletown, Connecticut, he married Elizabeth A. Young of Reading, Massachusetts. They lived in Middletown for several years after their marriage and their first child, Edith, was born there. After the death of his father, Luther, Hanson came back with his family to the home place in Liberty, living in part of house now standing there and carrying on the original farm of his grandfather, Abiel. His mother, Martha Ann, and her three youngest children Edith, Delphia, and Wales Howard lived in the main part of the home place. A second child, Ethel, was born to Hanson and Elizabeth after their return to Liberty. They lived in the old home until 1902 when they bought and moved into the Alvah Sherman house on the main road just east of the four corners. His family still live there. Hanson died in 1910.
Edith, the sixth child lived most of her life in Liberty, except for short periods of work in Massachusetts and Connecticut. She married Aurelus Kane of Palermo, a mail clerk on the narrow gauge railroad. They lived in Albion where Edith died at an early age, leaving no children.
Delphia, the youngest girl, married George McKenney of Biddeford, Maine, a Spanish War veteran. She lived in Biddeford only a short time, returning in ill health to her girlhood home in Liberty, where she died shortly after, leaving no children.
Wales, the youngest child of Luther and Martha Ann, always remained in Liberty, living on the original place and carrying on the farm. He married Clara Ryan of Liberty. They have eleven children, respectively as to name and age, Hazel, Delphia, Bernice, Hilda, Evelyn, Marion, Howard, Luther, Raymond, Kenneth and Gerald.
None of the children or grandchildren born of the marriage\of Aurilia, Charlotte, or Edward, the fourth, fifth and sixth children\of Abiel and Lovina, are living, or have lived, for many years in Liberty.
Two children, namely, Rose and Augustus, the oldest and youngest of Bridges Curtis children now reside in Liberty. Rose married a Joseph Beaulieu and lived all her married life on the place presently owned, occupied and used as a hotel for summer guests by her brother, Augustus and his wife. It is the second house standing on the Bowlin Hill road which branches off the main road in a westerly direction at Kennison’s Shore. Its site commands a beautiful view of George’s Lake. Rose bore two children, Walter, the Elder, who married Minnie White of Montville and now resides with his family in North Vassalboro; and Elizabeth, who married Roy Trask of Palermo. She is now living on the Rufus Lamson place just off the road leading northwesterly from Sherman’ s Corner into Hostile Valley.
Bridges’ second child, Walter, lived his youth in Liberty and his later married life in North Jay, Maine, where he passed away in recent years leaving no children.
Lillian, the third child of Bridges and Elizabeth, spent her youth and school days in Liberty. She married Albury Wiley of Lynnfield, Massachusetts, where she now resides. Lillian bore one son to whom she gave her surname Sherman.
Bridges Curtis’ second son and fourth child, William married and has lived in Methuen, Massachusetts for many years. He has three children, two sons, Ira and William, the latter an osteopathic physician, and one daughter, Leona.
This history will not be complete without mentioning a branch of Abiel’s descendants, not bearing the name of Sherman, but still residing in Liberty. They are the fifth generation of hisdescendants through Mary Lovina Mitchell, the third child of Abiel’s eldest son, Alvah. Her oldest daughter, Blanche, married George Cram of Liberty. All her married life was spent in Liberty Village where she gave birth to three children, Stella, Geneva and Sherman Cram. Stella spent her youth and early adult life in Liberty. She is now married and living in New Jersey. Geneva has previously been mentioned as having married Everett Sherman, Gardiner’s grandchild. Sherman, the youngest child and only son, married Bernice Bennett of Liberty Village and “the Kingdom” in Montville. He resides on his grandmother’s [“Aunt Bine”] home place. He has six children all living in Liberty Village.
In the third generation removed from Abiel there and five young sons and three daughters of Wales Sherman living on the home place. His oldest children, Hazel, Delphia and Bernice have married and live at present in North Vassalboro.
Let us hope that when the bi-centennial record of the Sherman family is written in the year of our Lord 2027 a straight line male descendant, bearing the name of Sherman, will still be occupying the house built by the industrious and sturdy pioneer, Abiel, and hisgood wife Lovina, and cultivating the lands he cleared and tilled two centuries before. - ETHEL SHERMAN BAKER
THE BOYNTON FAMILY
The Boyntons were among the early settlers of Liberty. They originally came from England. William and John Boynton, the eimgrants, came to this country in 1637 and settled in Rowley, Mass. They were of Norman blood and were of English nobility, having their own “Coat of Arms”. They came from the ancient village of Boynton in the eastern part of Yorkshire, not far from the shore of the North Sea.
Sir Mathew Boynton made preparations to accompany them but the cause of the Puritans became brighter so he remained at home and was of great service to the cause espoused by Oliver Cromwell. The first Boyntons to settle in this town were four brothers, Asa and James settled in what is now Liberty in about 1814, while Oliver and Samuel settled in Palermo. Afterward they or their children moved to Liberty. Also Joseph Boynton came, cleared and built on what is now the A.T Boynton homestead. Joseph was a double cousin to the four brothers aforementioned. He had a son, Joseph, Jr., who married Emily W. Gove and they had two children, a son, Preston, who died in 1925 and a daughter, Anna, who died in youth. This Emily Gove was born in a log cabin in West Liberty.
Asa Boynton, Sr. settled in what is now known as the Ira Boynton place up in the pasture where the old road comes up from East Palermo. He married Mehitable Packard and had three children, Nathaniel, Jerry, and Asa, Jr. Nathaniel cleared and sold what is known as the old Carter orchard, also a part of the Bert Boynton pasture where the old cellar is, near Kager mountain. He married Mary Turner and had children, Charles, Mame Greenleaf, and Mrs. Millie Turner. Charles married Ann Prescott and had three children, Eben P., Albert T., and Eva, who married Roscoe Cunningham and died young. Charles Boynton died and she married Jacob Leaman, Jr.
Eben P. married Rosa Dunton and had seven children, Percy M., who married Maud Jackson and moved to Augusta and had five children; Perley L. married Lottie Towle of Liberty and had five children, Golda, Lloyd, Leon, Lyman and Gloria. Grace M. married Rex Prescott of Liberty and had seven children, Amy, Gertrude, Stewart, Sewell, Leon, Ruth and the baby, a boy. Arthur M., who married Lydia Marshall of New York had five children, Arthur Marshall, Wilmot [deceased], Dorothy M., Irene F., Mildred A., Christie M., who married Percy Benner of Liberty and had two children, Ward and Thelma. Goodwin Earl, who married Ruth Overlock of Liberty, had two children, Rodney and Norma. Hope M., married Jesse Rhodes of Liberty; no children at this date.
Albert T., the second son, married first Adria Tuttle and had one child, Gertie, who married Leslie Bailey of Palermo. His second wife was Ellen Turner and they had eight children: Mrs. Sadie Davis of Waterboro, Mrs. Geneva Grant of Palermo, Alton H., Herman L., Hazel, Maurice, and Ruby and one boy died while young. The is the branch of the family bearing the Boynton name in Liberty today.
Asa Junior married and had seven children: Carlton, Wilbur, William, Ephraim and three daughters, one married a Brawn, one a Roakes, and one an Evans. Carlton married Marinda Emerson and moved to Rockland.
Asa, Sr., married again and had five children, Alexander W., Hartley, Bradford, Mehitable, who married Warren Lamson, and Clara, who married Levi Prescott, Sr. and lived on the home place. Alex W. was married twice and had two daughters by his first wife, Emmeline, who married Albert Waterman, and Olive, who married Granville Cummings. Byhis second wife, who was a Hisler, he had two sons, Bert and Ira; both died recently. Alex W. built the building known as the Bert Boynton place assisted by Levi J. Prescott, Jr., whom he brought up. Alex W. died March 16, 1896.
Bradford, who married and moved to Manchester, Me., built the Ira Boynton homestead. He had seven children, one of them, Freeman, who married Vandelia Lewis. Sarah married Peter Lenfest of Washington. Hartley married and had children, two of his daughters marrying Jacksons, one Eli and the other Leander. Hartley married again and had a son, Alexander, one of whose children was Warren, who died in Aroostook County, leaving two sons and two daughters. Hartley died April 14, 1904.
Samuel Boynton married Nancy Whitten and had eight children, one of whom, Robert, married Asenath Gowin and had ten children, one of whom, Isabel, married Rosswell Edwards. He died recently, leaving four daughters, Mrs. Mattie Snipe of New Harbor; Mildred, who married Everett Page and has one son, Leo, and lived on the home place in Liberty; Mrs. Muriel Hagar of Damariscotta and Clara, an R.N. in Augusta.
James, Sr. came to Liberty and settled on what is now the Raymond Ripley farm. He married Mary Turner. He died in 1872 and was buried on a lot on the place, also his son James and his two wives, four children and a grandchild. His children were James, Jr., Hollis, Jephet, five daughters [not known except Eunice]. James, Jr. married Mehitable Lewis and had nine children: William Lewis, who married Sarah Packard and had seven children: Frank of Taunton, Mass.; Mrs. Winnie Hannan of Liberty; Mrs. Blanche, and Mytie Brown of China; Mrs. George Worth of Freedom [deceased]; Mrs. Lillian Knowlton [deceased]; Mrs. Orola Howes of Taunton, Mass. [deceased].
Ezra A. married Phoebe Hat and had a daughter, who died in youth. Phoebe died and was buried in the lot with Ezra and his ancestors. His second wife was Mrs. Mary Hall. Hannah married Frank Dunton and had a son, who died young. Frank died also. Hannah married a second time, her husband being Joel Jackson and had two children, Effie May and Nettie.
Mary married Rodell Packard, Martha married Harrison Davis of Liberty, Rose married Daniel Proctor. He died and she married William Morse of Palermo. Japeth married Clarissa Fish and had eight children. He died in 1890. One daughter, Mary, married Osgood Collins of Appleton. Oliver married Lois Lenfest and had one son, Oliver, Jr. and went west.
Susan Boynton, who married Alfred Knowlton, was a near relative of the original Boynton settlers in this town.
THE HUNT FAMILY
In reply to a request for information regarding the Hunt family of early days, Miss Ellen Hunt writes the following interesting letter:
My grandfather, William R. Hunt was a native of Massachusetts and come to this town from Charlestown in the year 1838 together with his family and “all his worldly goods”, coming from Boston to Belfast the the Schooner Cornet, which, I believe, made regular trips between the two ports, there being no railroad east of Portland at that time. Being a tanner, his object in coming here was the abundance of hemlock bark to be had, a product very essential to the tannage of sole leather. This was peeled during the summer and brought from miles around after the “sledding got good” and well do I remember the long rows of bark teams unloading and piling the bark all about in long piles. Business was brisk at that time of year, my father often having to miss his dinner in order to measure the bark, which was sold by the cord.
My grandfather brought seven children with him, the oldest, William H., having a position in a leather store in Boston remained there, and the youngest, Edward, was born here, nine in all, seven sons and two daughters. One son only, George F. Hunt of Melrose, Mass. is living at the present time. My grandfather, I think, bought the tannery of people in Boston by the name of Southwick, also the house now opposite the church, in which, after various changes, he lived until his death in 1872.
In the meantime, my father, William H., had married in Charlestown, and in 1840 joined his father here and a partnership was formed under the name of W. R. & W. H. Hunt which continued for a good many years. William H. eventually buying his father’s interest in the business. In later years the tannage of sole leather was abandoned for that of sheep skins.
At the time of my grandfather’s coming here, there were but few houses, one, a large red house near the tannery called the “boarding house” and used as such by the employees, there was also a store in the lower part of it for the convenience of the “bark men”. The house next above my grandfather’s built by one Ezra Warren, the old Clough house now owned by Sherman Cram, the old Chapman house owned by W. D. Sanford, three or four houses since burned, and the Davis house are all I know of. There was no Post Office here, mail coming by way of the “Kingdom”, but as postage on a letter was eighteen cents probably there were not quite as many as in these days.
W. R. Hunt was largely interested in the organization of the church of which he served as deacon for many years. William H. was also identified with it as organist, choir director and superintendent of the Sunday School for more than forty years. He also served as member of Governor’s Council and in the State Senate. He died in 1894.
Miss Ellen Hunt and the children of the last Mr. Walker are descendants of W. H. and W. R. Hunt. They still maintain the old home to which they return every summer. The townspeople remember with gratitude many times when a helping hand has been given by them.
THE CARGILL FAMILY
The Cargills came to this place early in the 19th century from Wiscasset or Jefferson. David Cargill, one of the early settlers, was buried in the field near the pond now known as Cargill Pond. They used to bring up grain on horseback, following the trail by means of blazed trees. Albert Cargill settled on the place, now owned by Charles Curtis, in 1817. Albert Cargill, a farmer and preacher, married Priscilla Robinson. He was assessor of Montville Plantation in 1824 and at other times and was one of the selectmen at the time Liberty was incorporated. His children were James Cargill, born 1821; Nancy A. Cargill, born 1823; Ambrose Cargill, born 1826; Eliza Cargill, born 1829; Sarah Cargill, born 1831.
James Cargill was a cooper by trade. He kept a store at South Liberty for a time, then went to Minnesota where he was overseer in the cooper department of the State Prison. He married and raised a family there. He died several years ago.
Nancy A. Cargill married her cousin, Samuel Cargill. They kept a hotel at South Liberty and afterwards went to Manchester, N.H., where he was killed by accident in Manchester Mills. She moved to Chicago with her twin boys, mother and sister, Sarah. The mother and sister died in Chicago, but are buried in South Liberty. Nancy Cargill and her twins are buried in Valley Cemetery, Manchester, New Hampshire.
Eliza Cargill married Samuel Richards and lived on a farm in East Liberty .
Ambrose Cargill married Rebecca Hemenway. He died in 1911. Mrs. Cargill was born in 1829 and died in 1885. Their children were J. H. Cargill, born April 4, 1840; Priscilla, born 1847, died 1865; Nancy Cargill Wiley, born 1845, died 1908; Sarah Cargill Gilman, born 1855, died 1912.
J. H. Cargill married Emma J. Neal. Their children were Burchard B. Cargill, born 1876, died at the age of seven months. Walter N. Cargill, who graduated from U. of M. in 1900, is now in the piping and steam fitting business in South Boston. He married Elizabeth Wisdonof Somerville, Mass. They have two children, a son and a daughter. William L. Cargill, who graduated from Tufts College in 1903, is now a dentist in Pittsfield, Me. He married Lilla M. Merrow of Bangor. They have one child, a daughter. e was in business in Liberty ten years before moving to Pittsfield.
Albert, Ambrose and J. H. Cargill were for a period of about one hundred years very prominent in town affairs, holding the officers of assessor, selectman, appraiser and town clerk.
G. H. Cargill, clerk here for many years and prominent in the Masonic lodge, lives in Pittsfield and it is to him that we areindebted for much of this data. Our older citizens will remember, also Emma Cargill, Mrs. Aletta Clough and J. O. Johnson sang together for many years in the church choir with W. H. Hunt as organist.
THE GREELEY FAMILY
In 1850 David Greeley and his wife Mary (Grant) came from Palermo and bought of a Mr. Knowlton the farm now owned by his son. To them were born three girls, Evie, Etta, and Ella and one boy, Willie J. Evie married Lewellyn Ludwick and lived on the Knowlton road. Of her children one son, Walter, lives in town. Etta married Claudius Knowlton and after several years in Menominee, Mich., came back to Liberty with their family of three daughters and one son. The girls taught in the town schools for several years before their marriage. Their son, Claudius, Jr. and his family live with them on the farm. Ella died when a young woman.
Willis J., when a young man went to California, but after a few years returned to live with his parents. He married Rose Turner of Palermo and to them were born two daughters, Ella and Mattie, and a son, Chester. Willis is a successful farmer and leading citizen, prominent in grange, masonary and town affairs. He has been a member of the board of selectmen several years and the excellent roads and good financial standing of the town are due in no small measure to his interest and intelligence.
His son, Chester, lives at home. Ella, wife of Charles Grinnell of Appleton has, for several years, been a teacher in the town schools and was for three years leader of the 4-H Clubs. Mattie married Ralph Light and with their family of three children live in the south part of the town.
THE NORTON FAMILY
Ambrose L. Norton was born in the town of Palermo July 12, 1829. He came to Liberty when a young man and worked in Hunt’s Tannery for a few years. On March 17, 1851, he bought of Daniel Stevens the place which is now the home of his son, Arthur H. Norton, with the house, and also the Bryant mill privilege, so called, situated on the canal and George’s river. This mill was later owned and operated by Norton & Ladd. He married Charlotte T. Eastman May 23, 1852 and established the home which he maintained till the time of his death Nov. 7, 1911. The trees in front of this home were brought from the forest and set by him about 1853.
He and Joseph Ladd, his partner in mill and lumbering operations, cut and gave the lumber for the first schoolhouse in District No. 8, and with the help of other residents built the same. This house was in the town of Montville until about 1867 when disagreement arose in regard to the teacher and as Mr. Norton still owned the house and the land on which it sat, he with the help of his neighbors, moved it across the line to Liberty to his land there. Later the town took over all the school buildings in town. - EVA NORTON RIPLEY
THE STEVENS FAMILY
The Stevens family is one of the oldest families in town and have always lived on the farm now occupied by Blanch Benner. The first of which we can find any record of is Ebenezer Stevens, born in 1781 and died in 1851; his wife, Ursula, born in 1780 and died July 4, 1853.
In the year 1848 their son, Ebenezer Stevens, Jr., came from North Searsmont to care for them. He was born in 1810 and died 1881; hiswife, Eliza Jane Currier, was born in 1810 and died in 1884. To them were born eight children: Ebenezer Shephard, Frederick E., Orlando, Eliza Jane, George N., Ernest, Ella, Abigal.
The son, George N., married Gusta Knowlton and lived on the home place. He ran a saw mill and made lime casks as well as farmed. He was a worthy citizen and is well remembered for his integrity. They had three daughters, Minnie, Inez, and Mable, and one son, Earl. Earl married Blanch Murry and until his death a few years ago lived on the Stevens farm and ran the mill. Three sons, Walter, Herman, and Virgil, were born to them and they now live on the farm. Thus for about a hundred years this farm has been owned and occupied by a direct descendant of Ebenezer Stevens, Sr.
THE LERMOND FAMILY
The Lermond family are of Scotch-Irish origin. In or about 1719 one named Lermond came with a party of settlers from the north of Ireland and settled in Milton, Mass., where he lived, raised a family and died. Among his children was one named John, who married a woman by the name of Griffin. He later removed to Waldoboro. ne of his sons, Robert Lermond, came from Waldoboro to Montville Plantation, now Liberty, and settled in the southern part of the town. He came sometime before or around 1800 as the records of the first town meeting held
after the town was incorporated show him to have been one of the assessors of the town. He cleared land and built a log house on what is now known as the Charles Rhodes farm, near or upon the same spot where Jesse Rhodes house now stands.
Robert Lermond, or Larman as it was then sometimes spelled, was married three times and had thirteen children. He married for hisfirst two wives sisters by the name of Burns from Washington. The third and last wife was Jane Ladd, who died July 9, 1826, aged 46 years. Robert Lermond together with his three wives are buried in the Moody cemetery about 1 1/2 miles from South Liberty and near his old home. He lived to be a very old man and died, as near as can be found out, sometime between 1860 and 1870. Tradition has it that he was a very strong, able-bodied man, who could and did walk to Waldoboro in the morning, work all day and walk home to Liberty at night with a bushel of meal on his back, finding his way by the aid of spotted trees.
His sons and daughters were married and moved to surrounding towns where their descendants now live. One son, John Lermond, settled in Appleton, about one mile west of Burkettville and from him has descended the only ones now living by the name of Lermond, Leonard J. Lermond, and his son Paul Lermond of Portland, Maine. There may be others but these two are the only ones, known to the writer, who can be traced directly back in the male line. - CLARA LERMOND OVERLOCK
THE EMERSON FAMILY
John Emerson with Marinda Trask, his wife, and two small children came to Liberty from Booothbay, Maine, about the year 1830, went into the wilderness, cleared the land and built a log house on what is known as the John Emerson place, located on the road leading from South Liberty to Sherman’s Corner, now discontinued. He afterwards built a better house and barn and raised his family of six children: Rufus, who died when a young man; Elizabeth, who married Jonathan Hamilton; William, who married Mary A. Payson; Martha J., who married Wilmot Dunton; Marinda, who married William C. Boynton and Sarah, who married Henry Payson.
Mr. Emerson made his living by farming and making lime casks, which he hauled to Rockland and Union. He died in 1875 and wasburied in the family lot on the farm where he lived. After his death his wife made her home with her daughter Elizabeth, where she lived until her death in 1890.
Both Mr. Emerson and his wife were members of the Baptist church. The buildings on the place, as well as several others on that road, are now gone, having been torn down or moved away. - IDA LIGHT
THE PRESCOTT FAMILY
In looking over the Prescott Memorial, which was printed in 1870, we find that they originated from England and up to the date of the printing of this Memorial there were the ancestor, James and 5,108 descendants.
The first of the Prescott family that settled here was Stephen, who first came to Belfast, Maine, and then to Liberty around 1800. He died at Liberty Oct. 19, 1861, aged 98 yrs. 3 months, wanting 3 days.
He had 12 children, 57 grandchildren, 102 great grandchildren, and several of the 5th generation. His children were as follows: Sewell, born at Epping, N.H., Feb. 5, 1785; Edmund, born at Epping, N.H., May 24, 1786; Sarah, born at Epping, N.H., Aug. 3, 1787; Jonathan, born at Gilmanton, N.H., June 20, 1789; Stephen, born at Gilmanton, N.H., Jan. 14, 1791; Josiah, born at Gilmanton, N.H., Sept. 16, 1792; Ebenezer, born at Gilmanton, N.H., Feb. 1, 1794; Mary B., born at Gilmanton, N.H., Feb. 16, 1796; Jacob, born at Gilmanton, N.H., Oct. 18, 1798; [Gen.] Oren, born Aug. 22, 1800; Nancy, born Sept. 6, 1802; James, born Aug. 2, 1805.
Those of his descendants connected with our town are as follows: Sewell, who married Abigail Cargill Dec. 26, 1811, and resided in Liberty. His family consisted of Rachel R., born Oct. 18, 1812; Sarah C., born Feb. 15, 1814; Abigail L., born June 22, 1815; Ezekiel, born Oct. 15, 1818; Nancy C., born July 18, 1824.
Edmund married Nancy Page in August, 1810 and lived in the N. D. Quigg house. His family were: Ebenezer, born Sept. 5, 1811; Alfred, born Sept. 2, 1813; Mary, born Nov. 10, 1815; Edmund P., born June 14, 1818; Harriet, born March 7, 1820; Horace, born May 14, 1822; Elvira, born Sept. 9, 1825; Laura, born Aug. 20, 1827. His wife died June 3, 1829. He married Lucy Yates Jan. 14, 1830. Their children were: Nancy, born April 25, 1830; William S., born July 29, 1832; Andrew, born Sept. 2, 1834;; True P., born Oct. 8, 1839; Lucy J., born Oct. 6, 1841.
Stephen “Grandsir” married Betsy True Sept. 10, 1822. Their children were: John T., born June 20, 1819; Paul T., born Oct. 11, 1821; Mary T., born Dec. 24, 1826; Charles S., born May 4, 1829
[Gen.] Oren married Lucy Bryant April 3, 1804. Their children were: George W., born March 19, 1827; Nathan Brooks, born Dec. 2, 1828; Elijah Hussey, born Feb. 14, 1831; Mary R., born Feb. 1, 1833; Kate J., born April 5, 1835; Seth B., born July 4, 1838; Sarah D., born June 24, 1843; Charles O., born April 6, 1847.
Rachel, daughter of Sewell Prescott, married Doty Richards April 26, 1835 and at one time lived on the John Sukeforth place. Her children were: Harriet C., born May 9, 1837; Abby, born Oct. 15, 1840; Clement P., born July 10, 1849;
Sarah C., daughter of Sewell Prescott, married Isaac Robinson June 21, 1835. They lived at one time on the farm where Elbridge Davis now lives. Their children were: John C., born June 26, 1836; Eliza A., born March 25, 1838; Susan H., born Nov. 17, 1840; Lois A., March 31, 1844; Mary R., April 11, 1846; Sarah J., born Oct. 12, 1851; Nancy C., born March 28, 1854.
Ezekiel, son of Sewell Prescott, married Alice Vose July 10, 1842 and lived on the place where Clarence Howes now lives. His children were: Arvilla, born June 26, 1843; Elvira, born June 26, 1847; Charles A., born Oct. 27, 1849; William E., born Dec. 27, 1853, who is now living at South Montville and is a wheelwright and a machinist; another child, John D., born Aug. 3, 1858 and lived but 8 days.
Nancy C., daughter of Sewell Prescott, married Ebenezer Colby Jan. 28, 1849. She died Oct. 23, 1924 at her home where she had lived for more than 75 years. Her age was 100 years, 3 months and 5 days. Her husband being called to serve in the Civil war from which he never returned, she was left to rear her family of eight children and saw many days of hardship in so doing. Her family follows: Alfreda, born Jan. 20, 1850; Abby P., born July 2, 1851; Henry Milton, born March 17, 1853; Sewell P., born Aug. 30, 1854; Arvilla P., born Feb. 2, 1856; Nancy A., born Oct. 11, 1857; George W. and Mary, whose births are not recorded.
Ebenezer, son of Edmund Prescott, married Susan Ludwig Nov, 5, 1811 and lived in Brooks, Maine. They later came to Liberty. Their family consisted of Harriet N., born March 18, 1839; Elsie Ann, born April 9, 1842; Betsy E., born February 1843; Edmund, born Sept. 9, 1845; Isora Z., born Nov. 1, 1847. The above named Edmund is now living in his home near South Liberty.
Alfred, son of Edmund Prescott, married twice, his first marriage being to Sarah Connor Dec. 25, 1842. His second was to Harriet Howes September, 1852. His family consisted of Judson G., born Nov. 1, 1845; Eddie E., born Nov. 11, 1851; Delora E., born May 29, 1856; David A., born July 14, 1858; Ulyssus and Walter, whose births are not recorded.
Mary, daughter of Edmund Prescott, married James Phillips April 15, 1838. They resided where Carl Adams now lives. The family consisted of Charles, born May 15, 1839; George, born Aug. 22, 1841; James, born Nov. 14, 1843; Mary E., born May 25, 1846; Alvin, born May 30, 1849; Franklin F. Phillips, who was well known in town as he was a frequent visitor and was very popular with the older residents, was born Dec. 21, 1852 and died about three years ago.
Nancy, daughter of Edmund Prescott, married John Quincy Adams in 1852. They had five children, two of whom are now living in Liberty: Edmund S., born May 31, 1853, and Charles S., born Nov. 21, 1856.
George W., son of Oren Prescott, married his cousin, Mary T., daughter of Stephen Prescott, Aug. 24, 1852. They lived where Elwin Adams now lives. heir children were Lizzie M., born April 27, 1856 and John, born April 16, 1859.
Sewell P. Colby, son of Nancy C. Prescott Colby, married Gertrude S. Knowles Dec, 31, 1893. Their children are George E., born April 24, 1895, and died in service during World War; Helen A., born Nov. 16, 1896; Ruth, born Jan. 12, 1900; Elmer, born March 13, 1902; Allen, born Nov. 3, 1905; Russell, born Oct. 4, 1909; Lawrence, born June 28, 1912; Lloyd, born Oct. 8, 1913.
Edmund Prescott, son of Ebenezer, married Hannah Gove. His children were Lillian, born March 29, 1873; William, born March 13, 1875; Rex, born Feb. 10, 1885.
Elsie Ann, daughter of Ebenezer Prescott, married Charles Boynton. Their children are Eben P. [Prescott Boynton], Albert Boynton of West Liberty and Eva, who married Roscoe Cunningham. After Charles Boynton’s death she married Jacob Leman. Their children were Isa, who married Willard Whitaker, Ina, who married John Oxton.
Edmund Adams, son of Nancy Prescott Adams, married Mary Leighr and of their three children, the youngest, Carl L. Adams of this town, born July 3, 1885, married Hazel G. McLain March 29, 1906. Their two children are Mary E., born March 30, 1907 and Ernest T., born May 4, 1912.
Charles Adams, son of Nancy Prescott, married Sarah J. Pierson. Two of their three children live in the town, Elwin, born Aug. 8, 1900 and Franklin P., born Jan. 5, 1906. Elwin married Ruby Oxton and has three children.
John, son of George W. Prescott, married Carrie E. Howes. They have two children, Everett and Minnie.
THE LEWIS FAMILY
Rev. William Lewis was one of the pioneer settlers of Liberty, coming here from Boothbay in 1811 accompanied by his brother Joseph, who was not in robust health. It has been handed down that William remarked while looking eastward to the well wooded rise from the Sheepscot River, “It is there I will make my home.” After securing the tract he began to clear away the forest, slowly at first, for his brother’s health gradually failing required much of his care. At the end of two years he passed away.
William, now finding himself alone, went back to Boothbay, and claimed Miss Hannah Tibbetts as his bride, and she journeyed on horseback to the humble home awaiting her in the forest. As time passed on a large family came to bless them, Mrs. Lewis being the mother of eighteen children, among them three pairs of twins, five of the twins and two others died in infancy, leaving eleven which grew to manhood and womanhood, viz: James, William, Jr., Lucinda, Mehitable, Sarah, Caleb, George, Hannah, Vienna, Louisa, and Rosella.
Mr. Lewis built the large farm house which is still in good preservation, and a land mark. It is thought to be one of the first framed houses built in town. As he worked clearing up his farm he found time to work also in his Master’s vineyard, being a Baptist minister.
We find that his descendants for four generations have played a large part in the development of the town. The eldest son, James, in early life married Julia Tibbetts and four children came to their home which was the farm adjoining the old homestead. One died in girlhood, but one is now living, Mrs. Ida Young, who owns the farm to the southeast of her grandfather’s home.
After the death of his mother, James bought out his brother Caleb’s interest in the old home, and moved there to care for his father. He followed in his father’s footsteps, being a farmer and a minister of the gospel, preaching for no remuneration. On his 70th birthday, in 1884, the townspeople went to his home to help him celebrate it, carrying a number of valuable presents, thereby showing their appreciation of his labors among them. He represented his class in the Legislature.
Caleb W. finished his education in Freedom Academy, taught school, filled several town offices, being a School Committeeman, Superintendent of Schools, and a Selectman for the long period of eighteen years. He married Mary Littlefield Whitney and bought the Parmeter farm, also a wood lot and pasture of Arthur Dodge and built the house in 1866. His two daughters, Lenora and Caro, were teachers.
William Jr. married Miss Mary Leman; his home was in the western part of Liberty near Sheepscot river. He here owned and operated the saw mills for a number of years. He was tax collector. His elder son, George W., went to Providence, R. I., where he built a fine residence. After living there for a number of years and tiring of city life, he went to a town on the coast of Rhode Island where is his still living. The younger son, Jacob L., taught school, but soon gave up that vocation for a business career, in which we hear he has been successful. He is living in Waterville, Me. The daughter, Ann, was taken ill while attending an academy and after s short sickness, passed away. The fourth son, George W., died in early manhood, being only a little over 22 years old.
The above shows us that the sons of Rev. William Lewis were lifelong residents of Liberty as were also the daughters, Hannah, wife of Samuel Knowlton, and Mehitable, wife of James Boynton. Hannah had two sons, Fellows and James. Fellows gave his life for the Union cause and James was a brave soldier, too, in the same war. Her daughters were Augusta, who married George Stevens and whose descendants lived in Liberty and Palermo, and Rose, who married George Thompson, but left no descendants.
Mehitable had a large family, a number dying in youth. It seems fitting that special mention should be made of one son, William Lewis Boynton, who was educated and fitted for a teacher, and who did as much or more for the advancement of education in town as any one of whom he know, being actively engaged as teacher, a member of the School Board or Superintendent for a long period of years.
Vienna married Jacob Peaslee and lived in Whitefield; one daughter blessed their union, whose descendants are living. Louisa was a resident of Liberty many years. After the death of her husband, Hanson T. Gove she sold out and moved away. After some years she married Zenas Percival and lived in China. She was the last member of this large family to pass away, dying in February 1922.
The youngest daughter, Rosella, was a teacher. She married Amariah Ingraham. Their home was in Rockport. She left no descendants.
Sarah, also, lived in Rockport; her husband was Rufus Ingraham. They had two daughters whose descendants are living and thus ends the sketch of a pioneer settler of Liberty.
Rev. William Lewis died Aug. 14, 1876, aged 86 yrs. 11 months. His wife, Hannah Lewis, died February 28, 1863, aged 69 years.
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