_Hon. James R. Taber, Unity._
Dear Sir:--Something over eighty years ago, Joseph Larrabee bought of
Ruel Williams of Augusta, Me., a proprietor, a lot of land situated in
South Unity and extending to the Freedom line, containing 300 acres,
more or less. Sandy Stream flows through a part of this land, on
which one-quarter mile from Freedom Village is situated an excellent
water privilege. Larrabee and John Sears of Knox built a stone dam
on this privilege, which is standing today in good condition, and
erected a large sawmill, which they ran successfully for several
years. Samuel Hadley then bought part of this privilege, and erected
a carding mill and house nearby, in which he lived. Larrabee built
a set of buildings on the land, which he afterwards sold to Hiram
Bryant, together with fifty acres of land. This property remained in
the Hiram Bryant family until the spring of 1908. It is now owned by
Addison Weed of Unity. Larrabee then built another set of buildings
near the Bryant place, in which he lived until his death, sometime in
the latter part of 1840. In the meantime he had sold various parcels
of land, on which those who bought erected some sort of buildings.
Lincoln Hussey erected a two-story house, a barn and workshop within
a few rods of the Freedom line. This house was afterwards burned, and
Enos Briggs of Freedom was burned in it. George Randlett, a former
resident of Montville, a gentleman of marked business ability, bought
of Larrabee, Sears & Hadley the mills and privileges, together with
the Hadley house, to which he moved his family. He also bought about
150 acres of land adjoining. He afterward bought of Albert Monroe the
place that Larrabee occupied at his death, Monroe having bought it of
Larrabee’s widow. Randlett kept on buying until he owned nearly all
of the original Larrabee purchase, with the exception of the Bryant
farm, and about fifteen acres known as the Cunningham lot. Mr. Randlett
built a two-story store near his house. The lower story was devoted
to groceries, and the upper was conducted by Mr. Randlett’s wife,
a most estimable lady of great business ability, who was very ably
assisted by her daughter, who is now Mrs. Sophia Mosher of Unity, a
lady who seemed to inherit the very best qualities of mind and heart
of both of her excellent parents. These ladies carried on an extensive
millinery, fancy goods and dressmaking business. Mr. Randlett erected
a large tannery, in which he made both sole and upper leather; he also
manufactured boots and shoes for the trade. It was a sad blow when Mrs.
Randlett died at the early age of forty-four years. Mr. Randlett never
recovered from this affliction, and at the age of fifty-seven he passed
away, sincerely mourned by the community. The property then came into
the hands of George Thean Randlett, who in 1872 sold it to James D.
Lamson of Freedom, who, hale and hearty at the age of 93, still owns
it, or at least what time has left of it, the tannery, sawmill and
store having been burned some years ago. Mr. Taber, that is all that I
am able to tell you, and I send it with pleasure.
Very respectfully yours,
H. H. LAMSON.
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