[Illustration]
MAINE FARMER PRESS, AUGUSTA
1916
To
THOSE MEN AND WOMEN OF UNITY WHO
HAVE LOYALLY GIVEN THEIR SUBSTANCE
AND THEIR SERVICES TO THE BETTERMENT
OF THEIR TOWN THIS SMALL VOLUME IS
DEDICATED BY THE AUTHOR
_To the Reader_:
You may ask why I write these historical notes of Unity. I will answer
that inquiry briefly. First, I have been asked to do so by many of
my townsmen, interested like myself in the records of the past;
second, research into historical matters has always afforded me great
enjoyment. For many years I have been in the habit of noting everything
of an historical nature relating to Unity or her people, with the hope
that at some time I might gather my notes into some useful form for
my fellow citizens, which I have now attempted to do. My great regret
is that I had not commenced before those who were conversant with the
town’s early history had passed away.
To the casual observer, the collecting of these brief notes may
seem a simple task, but I find that all those who have undertaken a
similar work tell a different story. It is evident that but little
care was given our early records, as we find them in bad condition,
many entirely missing. I have spent much time in looking over what we
have, and in searching the records of Massachusetts prior to 1820. It
has been difficult to trace the ownership of the different farms back
to their first owners. Often there have been conflicting statements,
which has rendered it impossible to give a correct version. I wish to
say that if errors or omissions occur, the absence of the requisite
information must be my apology. I intend to leave blank pages at the
back of the book, where any error may be recorded for the benefit of
the future historian.
To the “Brief History of Unity,” published in 1892 by our worthy
townsman, the late Edmund Murch, I am indebted for many notes of
interest. I wish also to thank the many friends who have assisted me in
compiling these statistics and to express at this time to the citizens
of Unity my appreciation of the loyal support they have given me during
the many years that I have lived and worked among them.