NORTON, Stephen 1790 1-0-2

Sorry that papa Stephen is away but the women folk are all here. Since there aren't any men around I think we will take a break and tell you about our mother Sarah Norton. But please come back again and maybe papa Stephen will be here next time to tell you about himself!

SARAH FOSDICK NORTON

Sarah Fosdick Norton, wife of Stephen, was renowned for her horsemanship and also as the mother of Readfield's first lawyer, Peter Norton. More than that, Mrs. Norton was respected for her extensive knowledge, particularly of herbs and medicines. She carried remedies in her saddlebags and visited the sick. Sometimes she rode long distances to do so. The History of Monmouth (page 186) relates: "In all cases of sickness that could not be treated with 'pennyrial' the settlers were obliged to go to Pondtown (Winthrop) for an old lady whose knowledge of, and long experience in administering, roots and herbs led her to be honored as a veritable M.D.... In the winter, sickness was anticipated with much dread, as the deep snows and absence of all roads rendered it all but impossible to go from one settlement to the other, except on snow shoes". At one time a Monmouth man - Joseph Allen - was forced to go "for the old lady" in the midst of the winter. He took a hand sled on which he dragged back a supply of 'yarb tea'. Though the "old lady" is not named she was, without a doubt, Sarah Norton. I say this not only because she was the person most people went to for medical care and support around here during this era but also because there were many connections between the people of Winthrop (Readfield) and Monmouth. For one, Sarah's daughter-in-law Asenath (wife of the lawyer Peter) was a member of the Blossom family who settled early on in Monmouth.

In researching this family I discovered a connection between Sarah Fosdick Norton and the Salem witch trials. In 1692 Sarah's g-grandfather Cap. John Fosdick's (2nd) wife Elizabeth Fosdick was accused of witchcraft by Lieut. Nathaniel Putnam and Joseph Whipple of Salem Village. Many  women of that time were forced to keep their knowledge and use of herbal remedies quiet for fear they would be accused of witchcraft. However, they discreetly passed on what they knew to the younger women in their own families. Consequently, during subsequent generations treatments became more individual to each family rather than universal. It can be said with certainty that knowledge of herbal remedies was carried on in this family and passed on to Sarah. By Sarah's time things had changed and she was free to use her knowledge and skills without hesitation. It would seem that she and her foremothers had developed a very useful and effective repertoire of treatments as evidenced by her reputation as a "veritable M.D." throughout our area.

This home was built by Stephen Norton circa 1785. He and Sarah
first built a log cabin / home on the opposite corner of
Church & Chase Roads. It is said they are buried somewhere
on that land. The home pictured here is dated circa 1785 because
it was already there when Stephen and Sarah passed
it on to their oldest son Constant in 1789. The
deed states "...where I am living..."

It is also interesting to note that Sarah Norton was a French Huguenot and spoke several languages. Because of her reputation for being learned and studious she is the one who prompted the legend that Readfield was named for someone who was a great reader.

NORTON, Peter 1-0-0-0-0

The Cornerstone Café is said to be the location of Peter
Norton Esq. law office. The building pictured at left was
the home c1800 of Dr.'s Samuel and George Currier - now the
Readfield Community Library.

Peter Norton, Esq. was born July 27, 1765 on Nantucket Island in MA, a son of Stephen and Sarah (Fosdick) Norton.  He, his parents and brother Constant were among the earliest settlers here. He appears on the 1790 US Census in Readfield as head of household and living adjacent to the Craigs and Josiah Mitchell as well as his father Stephen and brother Constant. He married Asenath Blossom about 1792. She was a daughter of Lieut. James and Bethia (Smith) Blossom of Barnstable, MA and Monmouth, ME.

Peter Norton was the first lawyer in Readfield. Tradition says that his office was located at Readfield Corner where the Cornerstone Cafe (formerly a garage owned by Enquist, McKenney, McCormick and others) was located. Tradition also relates that Readfield was named in honor of Peter and his mother who were very knowledgeable and great readers.

 In 1790 Peter requested exemption from ministerial tax - as did his father in 1776. This presumably because they were "not in sympathy with the Congregational Church which was formed in Winthrop (Readfield still part of at that time) in 1776. The Baptists and Methodists were gaining strides in Readfield - around 1790 as well.

On 9/26/1803 Sarah Norton and Stephen Norton were grantors in a property transaction to Peter Norton. On 2/26/1813 there was another from Stephen Norton to Peter Norton. He was named in his father's last will and testament which was probated 1/19/1796. He was named as co-executor with his brother Constant and also bequeathed five shillings (about $8.00 in 2013).

Asenath died 4/1810 – two days after their youngest child was born. He married a second time to Pamela Eaton Esty on Aug 7, 1811 in Hallowell. He died in 1856 in Readfield. I have not found Peter’s place of burial as yet but Norton family historian Beverly Norton Newton believes it is one of three large unmarked stones adjacent to the Norton tomb at Readfield Corner Cemetery.

Children of Peter and Asenath Norton born in Readfield:

1)      Harriot Rivers b.7/29/1792 d.4/25/1864

2)      Milford Philip b.1/23/1794 He moved to Louisiana in 1839 then to Texas where he died in 1860.

3)      Russell Blossom b.10/13/1796

4)      Jefferson Fosdick b.7/19/1798 d.2/9/1800

5)      Jefferson Fosdick 2^nd b.7/18/1800

6)      Harrison Bare b.7/8/1802

7)      Addison Sidney b.2/23/1804

8)      Emily Anderson b.11/25/1805

9)      Asenath Catherine b.4/5/1810

 Sources:

Kennebec County Registry of Deeds: Book 21 Page 232; book 12 page 270

Stackpole, Everett; History of Winthrop, ME with Genealogical Notes

Kingsbury’s History of Kennebec County

1879 and 1856 Maps of Readfield, ME

Clark, Potter Dale; To Those Who Led the Way: VR’s of Readfield 1768-1908; page 35; www.readfieldmaine.blogspot.com

Cochrane, Harry; History of Monmouth, Maine

www.ancestry.com; Potter-Boatman-Clark Family Tree

Clark, Dale Potter; To Those Who Rest in Peace in Readfield, ME: Cemetery listings and Inscriptions 1770-1980

Reflections of Readfield by Readfield Bicentennial Commission 1796

NICKERSON, David Atkins U.S. Census 1800 Chatham, MA (REVISED 10/14/2021)

This family has been the most interesting and challenging for me to sort through thus far!

The progenitor of this family is William Nickerson, who was born in Norwich, England in 1604, immigrated to American in 1637 and settled in Chatham, MA. They were a seafaring family and without a doubt there are many interesting stories to unearth, but I am focusing here on the line(s) that came to Readfield.

In researching the Readfield Nickerson family I learned that David, the subject of this sketch, married a woman with the same last name. To further complicate the process his wife’s mother was also a Nickerson who married a Nickerson – all of them from Chatham, MA. So that raised my curiosity to see how they were all related.  I cannot begin to figure out their blood relationship other than saying that David and his wife Jedediah shared the same 4^th great-grandfather, William (noted above). But wait a minute – Jedediah and her mother also shared William as a 4^th great-grandfather. Then there is Jedediah’s father Constant Nickerson – who also shares William as a grandfather but in this case it is his 3^rd great grandfather. Phew! If you can tell me which cousin and how many times removed the Readfield Nickerson family members are you’re a genealogical wizard! I’m not good enough to sort through all that and I don’t think it really matters – other than to say it is probably good they got out of Chatham and met and married into some new bloodlines!

To begin, let me say that David, his wife, children and his father-in-law Constant Nickerson, Sr. moved to Readfield about 1802 at which time Constant was deeded property by Peter Norton.[i]

David Nickerson b. 10/6/1775 in Chatham, MA the eldest child of Jonathan and Susannah (Atkins) Nickerson – both of Chatham.  David m.1/30/1796 Jedediah[ii]  Nickerson in Chatham.  She b.1779 in Chatham d/o Constant and Phebe (Nickerson) Nickerson. Jedediah died 11/7/1804 in Readfield, leaving three young sons, their  youngest, Ansel, died 9 months before his mother age 8mos. David left their sons with his in-laws/their grandfather and returned to Chatham after his wife died. Perhaps he planned to return but never did as he died soon after. The two older sons moved to and died in Mercer, ME.

It is not known at this time where Jedediah and Ansel are buried. The boy’s grandfather Constant (noted above) mentioned the three surviving boys – Ebenezer, David and Jonathan – in his will in 1823.[iii] Constant and his wife raised their grandsons after their parents died.

Children of David and Jedediah (Nickerson) Nickerson:[iv]

1. Ebenezer b.7/29/1797 d.4/25/1887 Mercer, ME. m. 1819 Hannah Stain of Mt. Vernon, ME.  She b.1798 d/o John and Rebecca (Emerson) Stain. She d.8/2/1877 Adel, Iowa[v]
2. David b.7/4/1799 d.4/30/1883 Mercer, ME m.1818 Rebecca Bean. She b.1/8/1800 d/o Josiah and Lois (Emerson) Bean of Mt. Vernon. She d.4/23/1857 Mercer, ME
3. Jonathan b.12/7/1802 d.10/7/1880 Clinton, MA m.1826 Hannah Rollins. She b.7/8/1806 Belgrade, Me d/o George and Rebecca (Randall) Rollins. She d.2/8/1892 Lancaster, MA.
4. Ansel b.12/7/1804 d.7/20/1805 Readfield
   

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[i] Kennebec County Registry of Deeds: 6/9/1802 Deed Book 4 Page 195 from Peter Norton to Constant Nickerson

[ii]  Judith on the Readfield VR’s. Source:  To Those Who Led the Way: Readfield VR’s 1768-1913; self-published by Dale Potter Clark 2009; page 34

[iii] Stackpole’s History of Winthrop with Genealogical Notes by Keene and Young; pub. Heritage Books Inc. 1994

Bowie, MD; page 792

[iv] To Those Who Led the Way: Readfield VR’s 1768-1913; self pub. Dale Potter Clark 2009; page 34

[v] Ancestry.com, Web: Iowa, Find A Grave Index, 1800-2012 (Provo, UT, USA, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012), www.ancestry.com, Database online.

www.ancestry.com for various records that are online

NICKERSON, Constant

Nickerson Hill Road, Readfield 1879

MORE COMING SOON!
In the meantime see David Atkins Nickerson

MORRILL, Stephen ~ 1810 U.S. Census Readfield 2-1-1-1

Stephen Morrill was born 11/19/1776 in Kingston, NH s/o John and Mary “Polly” (Rogers) Morrill. He married Betsey Martin in 1801.[i] In 1802 he purchased one half / 100 acres of lot#120 in East Readfield for $30 from Cornelius Lyon. His occupation was listed as shoemaker.[ii]  The same year he purchased 50 acres for $300. This acquisition was part of lot #240 and adjoined lot #120 to the north.[iii]  His residence was listed as Readfield on both deeds and he appears as a head of household in Readfield in 1810.[iv]

Since his occupation was shoemaker it seems very likely that he was associated with the tannery not far from where he lived.[v]  In consideration of his land holdings and occupation it would seem he had settled in for good, but troubles arose. In 1813 he received a warrant for collection of $210 he owed to Thomas Smith, trader. His property was appraised at $210.75 – which Smith accepted as enough to cover the debt owed.  Twenty-three acres from lot #240 was signed over to Thomas Smith.[vi] Four months later Stephen Morrill sold seven acres of lot #240 to Daniel Campbell[vii] – in hopes to recoup some cash flow perhaps. In 1819 he sold the rest of lot# 240 to Thomas Smith for $250. By this time his residence was given as Belgrade.[viii]  He died in Rome, ME 7/2/1842 and he is buried there.

Four of his five children were born in Readfield.[ix]  The youngest was born in Rome.[x]

1. John b.7/14/1802
2. Cordelia “Delia” b.6/21/1805
3. Nathaniel b.4/21/1808
4. Stephen Orrin b.10/21/1810
5. Eliza b.1813

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[i] New Hampshire, Births and Christenings Index, 1714-1904 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.

[ii] Kennebec County Registry of Deeds; Book 18 Page 325

[iii] 1791 lot map of Readfield, Maine

[iv] 1810; Census Place: Readfield, Kennebec, Maine; Roll: 11; Page: 693; Image: 0218682; Family History Library Film: 00684.

[v] The tannery was at East Readfield village near Carleton Pond.   

[vi] Kennebec County Registry of Deeds; Book 18 Page 274

[vii] Kennebec County Registry of Deeds; Book 21 Page 550

[viii] Kennebec County Registry of Deeds; Book 31 Page 409

[ix] Clark, Dale Potter; To Those Who Led the Way; self-published 2009; page 34; www.readfieldmaine.blogspot.com

[x] Maine State Archives; Cultural Building, 84 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0084; 1892-1907 Vital Records; Roll #: 21.

MORRILL, Levi, Deacon U.S. Census 1790 Winthrop 2-2-1-0-0 (Revised 10/17/2013)

Levi Morrill (Samuel, Jacob, Isaac, Abraham) was the g-g-grandson of Abraham Morrill who came from Broad Oak, Essex, England to Massachusetts Bay Colony about 1632.[i] He first appeared in Cambridge, MA but by 1640 Abraham was a founding member of the Puritan plantation at Salisbury, Massachusetts. Abraham was a blacksmith. [ii]  This occupation was passed on to future generations of Morrill men, including Levi and some of his sons, grandsons and so on.[iii] This branch of Morrills remained in Salisbury for five generations until Levi ventured out – first to Brentwood, NH and then into the backwoods of Maine -in search of new opportunities.[iv]
Levi was born 11/17/1731 in Salisbury, MA a son of Samuel and Hannah (Osgood) Morrill. In 1754 he married Mary “Molley” Currier in Salisbury where she was born in 1735 - a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Barnard) Currier. They relocated to Brentwood, NH after their marriage where Levi was a town selectman. He was also a Revolutionary War Patriot[v] and voted in favor of giving financial aid to the cause.[vi]   He came to Readfield from Brentwood, NH before 1790.[vii]

On 9/27/2013 the Readfield History Walkers explored
the Augusta Water District that was once East Readfield
Village. Above is looking across Carleton Pond towards the
west shore where William Whittier then Levi Morrill lived
and farmed. This land is now all is owned by the Augusta
Water District. To see more pictures of this Walk and area:
Readfield History Walks.

William Whittier had come to Readfield (then called Winthrop) years before from Salisbury – with his brothers Thomas and Nathaniel - in 1765.[viii] William acquired lot #26 in East Readfield.[ix]  He cleared the land and settled there for some years before moving on to Mt. Vernon, ME. About 1795 Whittier moved to Mt. Vernon and he deeded his property to Levi Morrill, Sr. in 1802 but we know Levi was in Readfield before 1790 because he appears on the census as head of household here.[x]

Levi lived on the south side of route 17 on what is now part of the Augusta Water District land. Nearly half of this lot was taken up by Carlton Pond - Levi’s land bordered the west and part of the north shore. In 2020 part of the foundation of his house was still there, close to route 17/Main St. [xi]  From reviewing land transactions that were made from fathers to sons (Levi, Levi Jr. and Levi III) 1798-1820 it appears they owned 126.5 acres on lot #26.[xii] The total acreage for settler lots in Readfield was 200 acres, but as I mentioned earlier about half this lot was taken up by Carlton Pond. See the 1791 lot map of Readfield. [xiii]

It seems that Levi, Sr. had the resources to speculate in land as he also had holdings in Chesterville, Franklin County, ME. He willed that land to his sons David and Nathaniel who went there to live.[xiv]

Levi and Molley had 13 children. She died 4/11/1802 at age 67 in Readfield. His second marriage was to Mrs. Dinah (Dudley) Johnson in December of the same year. Dinah was a native of Brentwood and was born there in 1735. She was the widow of Deacon Joseph Johnson who also moved to Readfield where they lived near the Morrills in East Readfield. Dinah had been a widow since 1794.   

Molley is buried in East Readfield Cemetery. Her stone simply says “Mrs. Molley Morrill” but there are no dates. Deacon Levi Morrill died at Readfield on April 3, 1810.[xv] Levi Morrill, yeoman was named administrator of his estate.[xvi] I have noted on two Kennebec County deeds dated 1817[xvii] and 1820 there were two Readfield land transactions between Levi Morrill and Levi Morrill, Jr. From this it appears that Levi Jr. dropped the Jr. after his father’s death and his son started using the Jr.  

I have not been able to ascertain the place of burial for either Levi or Dinah Morrill at this time. Since Molley was buried in East Readfield it seems feasible that they could be as well. This requires further exploration. Anyone with more information about this unresolved issue is welcome to contact me.

This business was Morrill and Henry before 1900. Samuel H. Morrill

was in partnership with Edwin Henry and he sold out to Nelson D. Gordon

in 1890 at which time it became Gordon and Henry.

The business was located at Readfield Depot east of the tracks.

The building is still there (2013).

 

Children of Levi and Molley (Currier) Morrill. The first two were born in Salisbury and the others in Brentwood:

1. Molly b.10/2/1756 d.3/22/1825 in York, ME m. 1775 to Winthrop Smith in Hawke, Rockingham, NH
2. Anna b.9/12/1758 d.7/13/1831 in New Hampshire m. Jonathan Vosey
3. Dorothy b.10/3/1760 d.3/25/1843 in Brentwood m. Abraham Morrill
4. Levi, Jr., Capt. b.8/20/1762 d.10/9/1838 Dixfield, ME m. 1787 Bathsheba Johnson b.1765 Brentwood d.1843 Readfield. 11 children – the first two b. Brentwood and the others in Maine:  1) Joseph b.1787 d.1824 Livermore, ME 2) Levi III b.1789 d.1866 Marshall County, IL m1. 1814 Abigail Whitmore in Readfield m2. Dorcas Mason in Penobscot County, ME. 3) Polly b.1792 d.1818 Readfield m. 1815 Levi Johnson 4) Nancy b.1794 d.1841 Augusta, ME.  5) Sally b.1796 d.1856 Dexter, ME 6) Jacob (? Josiah) b.1799 d.1879 Readfield m.1829 Maria Clary in Readfield. He bought 45 acres (part of lot#45) from Joseph A. Sanborn in 1860.[xviii] This lot was adjacent to the lot obtained by his grandfather when the family moved to Readfield from Brentwood in 1790.[xix] Jacob lived on the Morrill homestead as did his son George and daughter Mary Ann.[xx]  7) Samuel b.1798 d.aft.1870 prob. in Holyoke, MA where he and wife went to live with their son Jason. m. Electa __?__ This family moved to Dixfield and later to MA.[xxi] 8) David b. 1802 d. 1848 Dixfield, ME 9) Betsey b. 1804 10) Rhoda b. 1806 d. 1890 Dexter, ME 11) John Johnson b. 1808 d. 1894 Hartland, ME. m1. Sophronia Poole m2.Harriet Crockett m3.Pridence __?__
5. Hannah b.1764 d.1851 Mt. Vernon, ME m. 1783 in Kingston, NH to Noah Greeley s/o Joseph and Elizabeth (Dudley) Greeley. They lived in West Mt. Vernon in the large house on the corner of Ithial Gordon Rd. and State route 41. He was a Revolutionary War veteran and spent the winter at Valley Forge with Gen. George Washington. When Mt. Vernon was incorporated he recommended the name in honor of Gen. Washington. Noah Greeley built several dams in this area including the upper dam at West Mt. Vernon (by the chimney) in 1782 where he built a saw mill.[xxii] He also built one at the head of Torsey Pond (old Kents Hill Road). Torsey Pond was named Greeley Pond for some time in his honor. Noah Greeley (and perhaps Hannah too) is buried in a private burial plot behind their home. 10 children
6. Samuel b. 1765 d.1766
7. Sarah “Sally” b.1767 d. Winthrop Have seen two spouses named: Jonathan Thing and Moses Coolidge. Requires more research.
8. Nathaniel b.1768 m. Eleanor Morrill She is buried in East Readfield. His place of burial unknown at this time. Four children born in Brentwood: Polly b.1797 Samuel b.1799 Sally b. 1801 Lydia b.1803. Their son Samuel settled in Readfield and m. Sarah Hutchinson. They had 10 children all born in Readfield: i) Eleanor b. 1823 ii) Edmund H. b. 1826 iii) Charles b. 1828 iv) Floranda b. 1830 v) Sarah Eveline b. 1831 vi) William b. 1833 vii) Martha Ann b. 1836 viii) Samuel Henry b. 1838 ix) Hellen May b. 1840 x) George Washington b.1842 All of these children except Charles lived and died in Readfield. Samuel Henry (# viii) m. Mary Ella Greeley the daughter of Henry and Nancy (Whittier) Greeley. Samuel H. Morrill was co-owner of Henry and Morrill at Readfield Depot for many years (see photo above). He sold out to Nelson D. Gordon in 1890 and the business became Gordon and Henry at that time.[xxiii] In 1878 he purchased the Samuel Greeley homestead with 45 acres not far (east) from Readfield Depot.[xxiv]  After he sold the business at Readfield Depot this family moved away from Readfield.[xxv]
9. Susanna b.10/2/1770 d.10/9/1770
10. Elizabeth “Betty” b.1772 d.1838 Readfield m. 1790 Joseph Johnson of Readfield s/o Dea. Joseph and Anna (Lane) Johnson. Both are buried in East Readfield Cemetery
11. Lydia b. 1774 d. 1851 in Chesterville, ME m. 1794 Capt. Thomas Williams
12. Rhoda b. 1776 d. 1850 Ossipee, NH m. 1794 Daniel Smith
13. David b.1779 d.1842 Chesterville, ME m. Lucinda Woods. He learned the trade of house-joiner when living in Readfield and when about 20 years old he moved to Farmington Falls. About 1810 he sold his home there and moved across the river to Chesterville where his father owned land. He was a Freewill Baptist preacher and prominent in municipal affairs. He also served as representative to the Maine State Legislature in 1824 and 1827. On December 28, 1842 he fell from a beam in his barn and died instantly from injuries sustained.[xxvi] He was 73 years old. 12 children all born in Farmington, ME.

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[i]Hoyt, David W.; The Old Families of Salisbury and Amesbury, MA; Picton Press, Camden, ME 1981, a reprint of the 1897 edition; Page 251

[ii] http://www.morrillonline.com/html/MorrillAbraham-1615-1662.html accessed 10/14/2013

[iii] Noted in various sources i.e. U.S. Census and death certificates to mention a few.
[iv] Hoyt, David W.; The Old Families of Salisbury and Amesbury, MA; Picton Press, Camden, ME 1981, a reprint of the 1897 edition; Page 251-255
[v] Fisher, Carlton and Sue; Soldiers, Sailors and Patriots of the Revolutionary War, Maine; pub.1982 by American Sons of the Revolution; Kentucky; pg. 558
[vi] Morrill family historian Helen Sprague; related in email 7/10/2013 six_t_ate@yahoo.com
[vii] US Census 1790 Winthrop, ME is listed as a head of household
[viii] Kingsbury’s History of Kennebec County; pub.1892; page 891
[ix] Kennebec County Registry of Deeds; Book 6 Page 35
[x] US Census 1790 Winthrop, ME; Kingsbury also lists him and his sons among the earliest settlers in Winthrop page 891.
[xi] When the deed was written it was referred to “the pond”.  On old maps I have seen it called “Whittier Pond”. The name evolved to Carlton Pond later on after Levi Morrill, Jr. sold part of this property to Joseph Carlton. Refer to Kennebec County Registry of Deeds Book 19 Page 299
[xii] Kennebec County Registry of Deeds: Book 13 Page 528 in 1798 = 5 acres; Book 17 Page 382 in 1801 = 18 acres; Book 33 Page 288  in 1817 = 23.5 acres; Book 38 Page 408 1820 = 80 acres.
[xiii] See 1791 lot map of Readfield, ME.
[xiv] Stackpole, Everett; History of Winthrop, ME with Genealogical Notes by David Keene and Elizabeth Young; pub.1994 by Heritage Books, Inc. Bowie, Maryland; page 790
[xv] Young, David & Elizabeth; Vital Records from Maine Newspapers 1785 – 1820; pub. 1993 Heritage Books, Bowie MD. ; page 417
[xvi] Ibid page 417
[xvii] Kennebec County Registry of Deeds Book 33 Page 288 11/28/1817; Book 38 Page 408 4/10/1820.
[xviii] Ibid Book 228 Page 55
[xix] 1791 map of lots in Readfield, ME; 1879 map of Readfield
[xx] Kingsbury’s History of Kennebec County; pub. 1892; page 923
[xxi] US Census Dixfield, ME 1850; Hadley, MA 1860; Holyoke, MA 1870
[xxii] Smith, Beverly Wight; Turning Back -  stories of the Mt. Vernon and Vienna Area; pub. 1985 Vienna Historical Society; pg.95
[xxiii] Kennebec  County Registry of Deeds Book 440 Page 336
[xxiv] Ibid Book 318 Page 245 5/9/1878
[xxv] Samuel H. Greeley’s biographical paragraph reads thus in Kingsbury’s History of Kennebec County, chapter on Waterville, ME: Samuel made 3 trips to CA between 1860-1892. He was a farmer in Readfield until 1875 when he went into the grain and grocery business at Readfield Depot. He remained in that business until November 1890 and at that time he sold his business and went to Waterville in 1891. There he opened a similar business but it remained open for a short time. My research revealed that he returned to CA after this. It is not known for sure where he lived 1890-1910.
[xxvi] Butler, Francis Gould, History of Farmington, Maine 1776-1885 (Somersworth, NH, New England Press, 1983 (a reprinting of the 1983 edition); page 533