Robert Waugh was a son of Robert and Margaret Waugh of Concord, MA. In 1765 he married Elizabeth White Waugh in New Ipswich, NH and they settled in Readfield (then called Winthrop) about 1768. Waugh's home was located on the east shore of Lake Maranacook (then called Chandler's) where he owned more than 2 miles along the shore and established a landing for waterway travelers. James Craig's ferry was situated across the lake from Waugh, and the two men became vital to early travelers through and to Readfield. He signed the 1771 petition to incorporate Winthrop and served during the Revolutionary War. Robert and Elizabeth are buried in East Readfield Cemetery. Their eldest child was born in New Ipswich and the rest in Readfield (Winthrop):
1) Robert Jr. b.1767
2) John b.1770
3) Samuel b.1772
4) Elizabeth b.1774
5) George (Colonel) b.1775
Robert Waugh, Jr. built a home on the road from "the corners to Winthrop Mills" about 1790. The house he built there was an inn early on in Readfield's history - it's location was strategically placed at the intersection of the crossroads from 30 Mile River to Chandler's Mills (now called Maranacook). A short distance east from Waugh's house was James Craig's ferry, which crossed from the west shore of Chandler's to Waugh's Landing. That landing was on his father's land - Robert Waugh Sr. - and it was located on the east shore of Maranacook near Beaver Dam / South Road. The elder Waugh owned 2 1/2 miles on Chandler's Mill Pond.
The gathering of this information has brought much into focus. It would have made perfect sense for the Waughs' to tap into the commerce that was created by travelers passing through on either water or land routes. After a long and strenuous journey up 30 Mile River (from Androscoggin River towards Sandy River
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Robert Waugh's inn was located on the road from
"the corners to Winthrop" - now called Winthrop Road. |
in Farmington area) these Colonial travelers would have been well ready to stop for the night to rest and for a hot meal. Some travelers would have come by land via the Sandy River Trail (from Farmington) or the Coos Trail (from NH and western Maine) as far as Readfield Corner. From there it was only about 1 mile to Waugh's inn on "the road from the Corners to Winthrop Mills."
Waugh's home was set up so a large room expanded across the entire front of his house, and beds were set up for the weary travelers. This room - without a doubt - would have been furnished with straw-filled mattresses thus hard beds, scanty woolen blankets, and with no heat. The meal would have, more than likely, consisted of some kind of stew - cooked in an iron pot over the great room fireplace - a johnnie cake or some other kind of bread. The drinks most often served were water, hard cider or maybe rum. There was a blacksmith shop located adjacent to the inn which was still in 1856. More than likely there was also a livery at this location for use by those who were transporting animals via water travel or to board oxen or horses for those passing through by land.
Robert Waugh, Jr. married Sarah Smith of Winthrop in 1791. She was a daughter of Rev. Eliphalet and Mercy Smith. Robert and Sarah are buried in Kents Hill Cemetery. Five children were born in Readfield:
1) Sally b.1792
2) John b.1795
3) Robert III b.1797
4) Oliver b.1800
5) Sullivan b.1804
Also refer to
Early Roads and Travel in Readfield, Maine
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