MELVIN, SAMUEL ~ 1800 U.S. Census Readfield, Maine 1-1-1-3-1

Samuel Melvin is listed among Readfield’s early settlers and his residence is recorded as Readfield on the 1800 U.S. Census. He married Mary Whittier, daughter of Moses and Anna (Webster) Whittier in 1790. Samuel was born in Chester, N.H. in 1768 and Mary in Raymond, N.H. the same year. I have not yet found Samuel on the 1790 U.S. Census – perhaps they were in transition and on their way to Maine when the census was taken and not counted. He developed a significant farm in East Readfield that totaled more than 100 acres.  I have not found evidence of civil service other than selectman in Readfield for one year in 1819.[i]

In 1797 Melvin purchased 34 acres, part of lot #123 for $130.33 in East Readfield from Jedediah Prescott. [ii]  Bounds of this parcel started 129 rods (2,128 feet) from the NW corner of lot #123, reserving land for a town road 3 rods wide (Gordon Road / route 135). On the same day he was deeded 2 acres for $20.00 – also part of lot #123 by John Evans. The two acre piece was described as a gore and also bordered on the Gordon Road. [iii]  Melvin acquired additional land in the same area so that when he sold his farm and homestead to his son-in-law Nathaniel Hill in 1840 he owned parts of lots #123 and #125.[iv]

Nathaniel Hill married one of Melvin’s daughters, Deborah, in 1831 and they lived with his mother on Stanley Road until 1836 when they sold out to Thomas White[v] and moved to live with Samuel and Mary Melvin. The deed specified that Hill was to provide a home, food and care to Samuel and Mary Melvin for the rest of their natural lives and that he would provide a grave site and grave stone. The deed specifically mentioned some specific personal belongings they would keep: “… four beds, a clock, table and chairs, and other articles of furniture…”  Nathaniel Hill died in 1847 but his estate was not settled until 1859 (after Samuel Melvin died) at which time the homestead was auctioned and sold to Ephraim Mayhew  for $1,400.00[vi] – the deed states “…the same conveyed to Nathaniel Hill by Samuel Melvin…” [vii]

In 1850 Nathaniel Hill’s widow, Deborah Melvin Hill, was the only person living with her elderly parents, Samuel and Mary Melvin. She was age 43, her father was 85 and mother 83 years of age. Samuel was apparently still in good enough health to work his farm because his occupation is listed as farmer. The value of his property was $1,700 at that time – one of the more valuable homesteads in that immediate area. The agricultural census that same year tells us he owned 68 acres of improved / cleared land and 40 unimproved; his farm implements were valued at $100; he had 1 horse; 4 milk cows; 2 oxen; 2 cattle; his stock was valued at $235. He raised 50 bushels of corn; 60 bushels of oats; 50 bushels of potatoes. The farm produced 50 pounds of butter; 12 tons of hay, and the value of their slaughtered animals was $12. A productive farmer at age 85 years he was, indeed.

Mary died May 17, 1852 and Samuel died age 91 years March 26, 1857. Both are buried in East Readfield Cemetery.[viii]

Children of Samuel and Mary (Whittier) Melvin: [ix]

1. Benjamin b.1/13/1802 m. Louisa Cram in 1831. Became a prominent citizen of Hallowell.
2. Anna b.1/3/1791
3. John b.8/12/1792 d.11/22/1884 Schuyler, IL
4. Samuel II b.11/20/1795 m. Mary H. Gove of Readfield d/o Elias and Betsey (Johnson) Gove in 1818. She b.1801 d.1845
5. Mary b.12/12/1797 d.3/31/1830 buried East Readfield Cemetery
6. Moses b.12/5/1799 d.12/30/1799 buried East Readfield Cemetery
7. Lydia b.1/25/1801 d.5/6/1828 buried East Readfield Cemetery
8. George b.3/26/1805 d.11/6/1825 buried East Readfield Cemetery
9. Deborah b.2/21/1807 d.4/27/1881 m. Nathaniel S. Hill in 1831 s/o Richard and Sarah Hill. He b.1807 d.1847
10. William b.6/11/1809
11. Mehetable b.5/2/1794 d.5/21/1871 m. Henry Greeley 1817 s/o Joseph and Sarah (Wyman) Greeley. He b.1789 d.1870 both are buried East Readfield Cemetery

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[i] Kingsbury & Deyo; History of Kennebec County; pub. 1892; page 906

[ii] Kennebec County Registry of Deeds Book 4 Page 351

[iii] Ibid Book 4 Page 350

[iv] Ibid – 2 transactions half of the homestead in 1836 and the other half 3/24/1840; Book 108 Page 203 and Book 120 Page 234

[v] Ibid Book 249 Page 158

[vi] The house was located on the west side of Gorden Road on a fairly sharp curve before the Scribner Hill Road. Nathaniel Hill died in 1847 but his estate was not settled until 1859 at which time his homestead was auctioned and sold to Ephraim Mayhew  for $1,400.00[vi] – “…the same conveyed to Nathaniel Hill by Samuel Melvin…” This beautiful home was operated as a tourist home by the Mayhew family.  Joshua B. Mayhew sold it to the Augusta Water District in 1906 and they tore it down in 1923, at which time they fenced in this and other properties they bought in the area and restricted it all from public access.

[vii] For final disposition of this and area property see Kennebec County Registry of Deeds Book 470 Page 216.  

[viii] To Those Who Rest in Peace in Readfield, ME; personal library Dale Potter-Clark

[ix] Potter-Clark-Boatman family tree on www.ancestry.com; author Dale Potter-Clark