elisha and silence (harrington) gibbs

Revolutionary War Veteran Elisha Gibbs and his wife Silence are my 4th-great-grandparents. I found this reference in an article entitled "Historical Sketch of Foxcroft, Maine" in Sprague's Journal of Maine History -

Every year from the beginning of the town's existence liberal provision was made for the poor. For the greater part of the time they were boarded in different families. For instance, in 1833, it was voted "to set up Elisha Gibbs and his wife at auction to the lowest bidder," "After several bids," -- and these are the words of the record, -- "Elisha Gibbs and his wife were struck to Silas Paul for the some of forty-seven dollars and fifty cents for one year, to be maintained free of any expense to the town during said time." Evidently the "high cost of living" was no problem in those days as it is now. For some years the town maintained a poor farm which was on the shore of Sebec Lake near Steadman's Landing.

Of note in this, Silas Paul was their grandson - he was married to two sisters - Roxanna Mansfield and Jane Hosmer Mansfield. Roxanna and Jane were the daughters of Thomas and Hannah (Gibbs) Mansfield, the daughter of Elisha and Silence.
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Source: "Historical Sketch of Foxcroft, Maine," Sprague's Journal of Maine History, Vol. V, No. 2 (September 1917): 73.

the gibbs sisters - hannah and polly

On a rare day off from work (June 13th), Patti and I took a trip to Camden, Maine, to search Mt. View Cemetery for the gravestones of Hannah (Gibbs) Mansfield and Mary aka Polly (Gibbs) Mansfield. They were daughters of my 4th-great-grandparents, Elisha & Silence (Harrington) Gibbs. Hannah and Mary were married in Camden to brothers, Thomas and Daniel Mansfield, sons of Daniel and Lydia (Newhall) Mansfield.

- - - - - - - - - -

Polly, wife of Capt. Daniel Mansfield,

died Jan. 30, 1829, aged 48 years.

- - - - - - - - - -

Hannah, wife of Thomas Mansfield,

Died Mar. 1, 1854,

AE. 72 yrs. 11 mo's.

Thomas is buried alongside Hannah, but where is Daniel buried?

drowning death of charles vickery

Charles H. Vickery, my great-granduncle, was born in Glenburn, Maine, on 20 Dec 1838, the second child of Stephen Thayer and Betsey (Gibbs) Vickery. On 19 Dec 1853 he drowned in Pushaw Lake. The following article appeared in the Bangor Daily Whig & Courier:

A boy fourteen years of age, oldest son of Mr. Stephen Vickery of Glenburn, was drowned at Pushaw Pond on Monday evening. He was going to attend a singing school when several men who wished to get across the pond met him and as he had his skates with him they requested him, to haul them cross. This he attempted to do but fell into a hole in the ice and could not be recovered. Two of the men fell in but were taken out.
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SOURCE: Bangor Daily Whig & Courier (Bangor, Maine), 21 Dec 1853

farms of martin mower and james parker

Here's a newspaper article I recently uncovered from 1853 that refers to two of my 3rd-great-grandfathers, Martin Mower and James Parker. In addition, I believe the E. H. Gibbs included would be Ebenezer H. Gibbs, brother of my 2nd-great-grandmother, Betsey (Gibbs) Vickery.

Report on Farms

To the Trustees of the Penobscot Agricultural Society

The Committee appointed to examine Farms entered for the Society's premium for the year 1853, having attended to that duty would beg leave to report: That the whole number of farms entered were five, by the following persons, by Martin Mower of Bangor, E. H. Gibbs, Lowell Marston, and James Parker of Glenburn; and E. F. Crane of Kenduskeag.

In the examination of these farms, your committee were much gratified, in finding them in a prosperous and flourishing condition, not withstanding the last three successive dry seasons, that have exerted such an unfavorable influence on farming operations.

The first farm examined was that of E. F. Crane, containing about 110 acres of land, and about 70 under improvement; that is, to mowing, pasturing and tillage. The crops on this farm, excepting the hay crop, the convenience of buildings, the privilege of and convenience of water for the house and barns; the orchard and the improved breed of swine, were equal and perhaps superior to any other examined.

The second farm examined was that of Martin Mower, containing 100 acres of land. The soil of this farm is of a very superior character, and in all parts of it, very similar. It is capable of making one of the best of farms, as doubtless it will under the control and management of Mr. Mower, its owner; who being well versed in agricultural science, makes this knowledge available to practical purposes of agriculture. In manufacturing manure, Mr. Mower has few equals and less superiors.

The hay crop on this farm was tolerably good, and the turnip crop very superior.

The third farm examined was that of E. H. Gibbs, containing 125 acres of land, principally to mowing and pasturing. His barn was well filled with hay. On this farm which but a few years ago was grown up to bushes, unproductive and comparatively in a state of barrenness, now, by his energy and perseverance, has the appearance of neatness and thrift.

The fourth farm examined was that of Dr. Lowell Marston, containing 125 acres, mostly improved. This farm deserves particular attention. It consists of a variety of soils, which for descriptive purposes we will divide into high land, low land, and meadow land. The high land is used for pasturing. The lower land is laid up into sinks or beds, with an even curve, resembling a turnpike, and thirty six feet wide. This portion of the farm is under a high state of cultivation, producing from two to three tons of hay to the acre. The meadow land is improved and rendered more productive by the draining process. There were the most perfect specimens of ditches we ever saw, producing the most satisfactory results; some of them 60 to 79 rods in length, from two and a half to three feet deep, and to appearance perfectly straight. The turnpike that runs from the buildings through the farm, the fences, the sheds and cellars, for manufacturing and protecting manure, and whatever pertains to the management of the farm, were done in a workmanlike manner, and bore the appearance of order and neatness.

The fifth and last farm examined was the one presented by James Parker, Esq. of Glenburn, containing 140 acres. This was a very good farm, and with the energy and perseverance possessed by Mr. Parker thirty years ago, he would make it a pattern farm; and although Mr. Parker is on the down hill of life, yet his barns were filled with hay, his orchards with delicious fruit, and his flocks and herds in his fields, more than convinced us that he retained all of the judgment and prudence, and much of the vigor of his more youthful days.

The claims with some of the competitors were so equally ballanced [sic], it was with difficulty that your committee could determine to whom they should award the premium; but after a patient and careful examination and comparison, they at length came to the conclusion to award the Society's first premium.

To Lowell Marston of Glenburn, for the best farm, $8.

Second best to E. F. Crane of Kenduskeag, $4.

Third, to Martin Mower of Bangor, $2.

Respectfully submitted,

Per order,

E. F. CRANE

.........................

SOURCE: Bangor Daily Whig & Courier (Bangor, Maine), 30 Sep 1853.

andrew webster family

I'm a descendant of Andrew and Martha (Crane) Webster, two of earlier settlers of Orono, Maine. They are my 5th-great-grandparents. The line going back to him travels like this:
My grandmother was Harriet Elizabeth Vickery, daughter of Edward William & Harriet Bain (Parker) Vickery.
Edward William Vickery was the son of Stephen Thayer & Betsey W. (Gibbs) Vickery.
Betsey W. Gibbs was the daughter of Elisha and Martha (Hasey) Gibbs.
Martha Hasey was the daughter of William and Prudence (Webster) Hasey.
Prudence Webster was the daughter of Andrew and Martha (Crane) Webster.

Bangor Historical Magazine included the following about this family in their January, 1889, edition:

Andrew Webster and Family, of Bangor and Orono

Hon. Israel Washburn, (who married a grand daughter) says in his Orono Centennial address, 1874, that Andrew Webster "was a native of Salisbury, Mass., and was probably the son of Andrew Webster, born in that town Nov. 12, 1710, whose parents were John and Sarah Webster, and when quite young was brought by his father to New Meadows, now Brunswick," I do not find any Websters in Brunswick at that time. On Georgetown Church Records the following may be found:
Sept. 7, 1766, Andrew Webster admitted to the Church.
Sept. 8, 1765, Martha Crane admitted to the Church.

Mr. Webster removed from Georgetown to Penobscot, about 1770 and then to Wheelerborough, now Hampden, where he exchanged lots with John Emery, of New Worcester, Pl., now Orrington. "In consideration of a lot conveyed to me on the east side of the river, I sell him, etc., a lot of equal dimension on the west side of the river, of 100 acres. I entered upon said lot and had it surveyed Jan. 30, 1775, and I am now in full possession." Dated May 1, 1776, Witness Eliashib Delano and Jonathan Lowder.--Hancock Records, Vol. I, page 470. This lot was probably river lot in Hampden No. 40 as afterward surveyed, and since in the possession of the descendants of Emery. Soon after this Mr. Webster settled in what is now Bangor, near the intersection of Main and Water Streets.

He was a man of influence in plantation and town affairs, often Town Clerk and Selectman. He was, I believe, a ship builder by trade. He and his wife were church members when they came here and belonged to the old Brewer and Bangor church prior to 1800. He removed to Orono; was the first Town Treasurer; Constable and Moderator in 1806. He died Nov. 1, 1807, his death was caused by a fall of mill timber. He married Martha Crane, I am inclined to think, of Georgetown or Phipsburg. She died 1823. Children were, probably not in order:

PRUDENCE, b. April 29, 1767 in Georgetown and baptized May 31, by Rev. Ezekiel Emerson, Minister of Georgetown. She m. William Hasey of Bangor, July 22, 1787, by Rev. Seth Noble. Mr. Hasey was b. in Chelsea, Mass., June 8, 1761, arrived in Bangor March, 1781. As an early settler he received lots No. 50 and 51. He early joined the first church in Orrington, and was one of the original members of the first church in Bangor, when it was formed Nov. 27, 1811. He was an honest, industrious and worthy citizen. He d. June 28, 1850. The Widow Prudence d. July 4, 1852, aged 85. The children all born in Bangor were:

1. Patty Hasey, b. Sept. 28, 1787; m. Elisha Gibbs, Jr., of Glenburn, May 28, 1810.

2. Ebenezer Hasey, b. Aug. 24, 1789; removed to Albion; m. Fanny Harper, pub. in Bangor, June 13, 1819.

3. Andrew W. Hasey, b. April 15, 1791, of Bangor; m. Nancy Johnson, Oct. 25, 1820. She d. May 14, 1870, aged 75 years, 20 days. He died. Their daughter Sarah L., b. Aug. 17, 1826; m. Geo. R. Lancaster; she d. Sept. 29, 1879.

4. Margaret Hasey, b. Feb. 1, 1794; m Samuel Adams.

5. Susan Hasey, b. Jan. 28, 1796; m. John P. Davis, pub. Mar. 10, 1821.

6. Jane W. Hasey, b. July 9, 1798; m. John Whitcomb, of Glenburn, pub. April 27, 1830. She d. 1835.

7. William Hasey, b. June 30, 1800; lived in Bangor; m. first, Elisabeth W. Winslow, of Albion, pub. June 9, 1827. She d. Oct. 29, 1832, aged 33. He m. second, Miss Julia Houlton, of Houlton, pub. May 16, 1833.

8. Rebecca Hasey, b. April 5, 1804; m. Thomas Mansfield, of Glenburn, pub. Oct. 5, 1833.

9. Hannah Hasey, b. May 6, 1806; m. Richard Webster.

10. Elijah W. Hasey, b. May 16, 1809; lived in Bangor; he. d. Dec. 23, 1886; m. first, Hannah B. Martin, of Newport; she d. Feb. 25, 1864, aged 51 years, 5 mos.; m. second, Mrs. Calista Leadbetter, she d. 1871-2; m. third, Mrs. Julia Hodgdon, of Kenduskeag. His children. Frances, Thomas B., William H., Prudence W., Hannah B., Ambrocine, Nancy J., Elijah, Charles E., Ward B., Annie, Edward M. and Geo. Crosby.

MARGARET, b. Sept. 11, 1773; mar. Aaron Griffin of Albion, June, 1796, by Rev. Seth Noble "at Mr. Webster's." He was born Aug. 27, 1766; was a Town Officer in Orrington, 1805; lived in Passadumkeag in 1835; children Daniel W. b. Oct. 28, 1810; Susan b. May 18, 1811; Aaron d. 1886; Andrew and others.

DANIEL, b. April 10, 1776; lived in Bangor near the Red Bridge. He was an active enterprising citizen, much in town office. He died May 11, 1818, aged 42, leaving a widow and nine small children. He mar. Eliza, daughter of Dea. William Boyd; she was b. Apr. 14, 1777, and d. Sept. 15, 1858. He and his wife were admitted to First Church, Bangor, Feb. 8, 1815; their children born in Bangor were:

1. Charlotte, b. Feb. 1, 1803; mar. Jonathan Brooks, of Wiscasset, Sept. 26, 1825.

2. Hannah B., b. June 18, 1804; mar. Doctor David Skinner, of Sebec, pub. Sept. 5, 1829; he died, and his widow d. in Bangor, Dec. 20, 1886, aged 82.

3. Martha, b. Nov. 20, 1805; mar. Richard W. Griffin, of Orono, June 21, 1826; she was admitted to first church in Bangor, May 11, 1823, and dismissed to church in Hadley, Illinois, May 15, 1843.

4. Jane, b. Nov. 20, 1805, twin; mar. Amos Davis, of Bangor, Mar. 28, 1841; she joined First Church in Bangor, Feb. 15, 1824 and d. Mar. 29, 1841

5. Andrew, b. Sept. 28, 1807; d. in California, Nov. 29, 1852.

6. William, b. July 6, 1809; lives in Minnesota.

7. Elisabeth, b. Apr. 21, 1811; mar. Andrew Griffin, of Bangor; pub. Oct. 13, 1837; Mrs. Griffin d. in Chicago, Ill., Dec. 4, 1888.

8. Caroline V., b. Sept. 1813; she admitted to First Church, Bangor, Sept. 7, 1828; mar. Rev. Thomas Smith; b. in ---; grad. Bowdoin College, 1840; ordained minister at Brewer Village, Jan. 26, 1846, and d. there April 8, 1861; she d. in Bangor, Oct., 1887. Their daughter Caroline mar. Joseph G. Blake, of Bangor.

9. Daniel, b. May 24 (12) 1816; resides in Bangor; mar. Miss Alice E. Parker of Compton, Canada, Oct. 26, 1858. They have several children.

10. Margaret Wyman, b. Sept. 12, 1818; mar. Frank W. Carr, of Bangor, Feb. 16, 1853.

RICHARD, settled in Orono, first selectman there 1808; removed to Glenburn, then Patten, where he died. (Richard Webster and Mary Lowell, both of Orono, mar. Dec. 16, 1811; Richard Webster and Hannah Randall, of Bangor, mar. Feb. 27, 1837; Richard F. Webster and Mary S. Thaxter, of Bangor, mar. Sept. 9, 1838.)

EBENEZER, b. Bangor, Oct. 3, 1780; settled in Orono, lumberman. Col. of the Regiment, Selectman, Representative 1818. He first lived in what is now Old Town. Early in the settlement of that town William Dale built a double saw mill just below where the depot is, and soon sold out to E. & E. Webster, who in 1817 built another mill outside, and operated these mills until 1823, when they sold out and removed to Orono, where they afterward lived. He died Aug. 16, 1855. His will Apr. 30, 1855, proved Sept., 1855; Ebenezer Webster Jr., and Israel Washburn, Jr., Executors, names wife Lucy; children Lucy, wife of Josiah S. Bennoch, Ebenezer, Paul D., Ann D., wife of Nathan Weston, Jr., Mary Maud, wife of Israel Washburn, Jr., Martha, wife of Joseph Treat. Col. Webster mar. Lucy, dau. of Paul Dudley, of Milford, Sept. 5, 1805; she was born Apr. 15, 1783, at Warwick, R.I.; d. May 28, 1859. Children:

1. Martha, b. Aug. 17, 1806; m. Joseph Treat, of Orono, Sept. 24, 1835. He b. in Frankfort, Oct. 24, 1809; d. in Orono; no children.

2. Alexander, b. June 5, 1808; d. Oct. 22, 1809.

3. Lucy, mar. Josiah S. Bennoch, of Orono, Sept. 16, 1833; she d. May 23, 1879; he b. April 10, 1806; d. Jan. 24, 1878. They had children.

4. Ebenezer, b. Old Town, May 21, 1812, of Orono; lumberman; Representative 1875-76; Aid de Camp to Gov. Washburn, his brother-in-law. Married first, Martha A. Trafton, of Bangor, July 21, 1839, daughter of Gen. Mark Trafton; she d. at Aiken, S.C., Jan. 6, 1850. He married second Miss Polly S. Crowell, April 12, 1852, of Orono. He d. Aug. 24, 1883. Children:--J. Fred, b. Aug. 3, 1853; Annie M., Maud W., Eben C., Alden P.

5. Paul Dudley, b. Sept. 3, 1814; Lumberman, of Orono. He m. Lucina M. Crowell, of Orono, Sept. 22, 1842; their daughter Mary, first married Dr. Palmer, and second, Weston F. Milliken, Esquire, Merchant of Portland, had other children.

6. Ann B., b. July 17, 1816; m. Wm. H. Allen, Orono; Sept. 24, 1835; she d. June 2, 1885; he d. Jan. 29, 1863; several children.

7. Susan H., b. Jan. 1, 1819; m. William Averill, of Orono, Oct. 24, 1842. Their daughter Maria C., b. Aug. 29, 1843; m. Frank Gilman, of Bangor. Other children.

8. Catherine B., b. March 7, 1821; m. Nathan Weston, Jr., of Orono, Sept. 9, 1838; he b. in Augusta, Feb. 28, 1813; graduated Bowdoin College 1833; settled in Orono 1837. He was Representative 1849, 1850; removed to Bangor, 1850, and to Massachusetts 1858. She d. West Newton, Mass. Dec. 15, 1874. They had nine children.

9. Mary Maud, b. July 24, 1824; m. Israel Washburn, Jr., of Orono, Oct. 24, 1841. Mr. Washburn was Representative to Legislature; Representative to Congress, 1851 to 1861; Governor, 1861-1863; removed to Portland; Collector of that Port. Mrs. Washburn, d. at Minneapolis, Jan. 6 or June 30, 1873. He m. second Miss Robina N. Brown, 1876. He d. in Philadelphia, May 12, 1883. He had children by first wife.

ANDREW, b. ---- Physician; lived in Liverpool, N.S.

JAMES, b. ---- lived in Liverpool, N.S.

ELIJAH, b. in Bangor, 1790; he lived in Orono; Lumberman. Selectman, 1827; County Commissioner, 1838-41. He d. June 28, 1863; he m. Lucinda Tyler, of Brewer, 1818; she was the daughter of Ebenezer Tyler, Jr., and his wife Lavinia Brewer, of Col. John. Tyler was son of Col. Ebenezer Tyler, of Attleboro, Mass., and came to Hampden, and was drowned crossing the Penobscot River, May 13, 1800, and was buried in Brewer Cemetery. Widow Tyler m. Bradshaw Hall, of Castine for her second husband. (1818,) after his death she resided many years with her daughter in Orono, July 20, 1871; children:

1. James, of Orono; Representative, Lumber manufacturer; d. April 11, 1888; aged 62 years, 7 mos. and 20 days; me m. Anna B. Baker, of Augusta, Dec. 30, 1850; she now living in Orono; several children.

2. Lavinia T. H., m. Rev. Asa T. Loring, of Bangor, Feb. 1, 1842; removed to Omaha, Neb.

3. Ellen M., prob., m. Benjamin Silsby, of Bangor, pub. July 22, 1842.

4. Richard P., (?) m. Mary S. Thaxter, of Bangor, pub. Aug. 25, 1838.

5. John B. (?)

6. Bradshaw H. (?)

MARTHA, b. ---- m. Capt. Francis Wyman, of Orono; he went there 1791-2, from Phipsburg, Me.; he d. Feb., 1857; several children.

SOURCE: [Anonymous], "Andrew Webster and Family, of Bangor and Orono," Bangor Historical Magazine: A Monthly," volume IV, number 7 (January, 1889): 121-4.