Although, as we have seen, the earliest settlements were made near the
pond and stream, it was not this section of the town which was first
built up. The next settlers pressed on to the south part of the town
and occupied the land extending from the George Varney farm, known then
as the Benj. Bartlett place, to C. R. Jones’ corner, known as the John
Rackliff place. This was called “The Settlement.” Here the store, the
school, the church sprang up, and one by one, as necessity demanded,
the smaller industries. Here for twenty-five years nearly all the
business of the town was transacted.
The first schoolhouse in town was built in these early days about five
rods north of the building now known as the Cook Creamery; the second
one in this district was built about ten rods south of this creamery.
This is where the writer first went to school. The building mentioned
as the Cook Creamery was also built for a schoolhouse by Edmund Mussey.
Nelson Dingley, Jr., father of the Dingley Tariff Bill, was at one time
a teacher there.
The Friends’ Church was built in 1827 by Benj. R. Stevens and Clement
Rackliff on land purchased from Asa Jones. It has been remodeled and
the entrance changed to the east end. Between the church and the large
maple tree, still standing, which was planted when the church was
built, Uncle John Chase, always, each Wednesday and Sunday, hitched his
horse. After his death, Elias Jones used the same place.
The first town house was built by James Gilkey just across the road,
a little south of George Murch’s house. On April 8, 1874, it was sold
by auction to Thomas B. Cook for thirty-four dollars. Following its
sale, the town meeting was held in George Clark’s barn (on the S. P.
Larrabee place). It was voted to locate the new town house on land
purchased from James B. Vickery on the west side of the road, opposite
J. J. Varney’s house. The vote was taken by forming a line in the road,
ninety-one in favor, seventy-one against.
Mr. Reuben Brackett lived where Chas. S. Cook now lives, and there
manufactured clocks and oilcloth carpets. It was here that the noted
painter, Walter M. Brackett, was born.
The first store in town was where George Murch now lives. It was owned
by Chandler Hopkins, who came from Standish, Maine. His ancestors came
over in the Mayflower. His partner in business was John Rackliff.
Joseph Ames lived on the Alonzo Bacon place and made hand rakes. Robert
Jackson lived there at one time and was town clerk.
Doctor Abner Knowles lived east of the Bacon place, nearly opposite the
watering trough. He was town clerk for twenty-six years, from 1803 to
1829.