Gazetteer of the State of Maine With Numerous Illustrations, by Geo. J. Varney
BOSTON: PUBLISHED BY B. B. RUSSELL, 57 CORNHILL. 1882. Public domain image from
FAIRFIELD. 225
tannery. There are now two water-power sawr-mills and one steam- mill for manufacturing staves and short lumber. The other streams furnishing power are Andrews and Atkins brooks. Exeter Corners, in the north part of the town, Exeter Mills, in the eastern part, East Exeter, and South Exeter, are villages and post-offices, the first men- tioned being the largest. The villages have many tasteful residences, and the buildings in the town generally indicate thrift.
The township, which is now Exeter, was granted by Massachusetts to Marblehead Academy in 1793, and the exterior lines of the town were run the same year by Ephraim Ballard and Samuel Weston. The township was lotted in 1800, by Moses Hodsdon, of Kenduskeag. Lemuel Tozier and John Durgin did the first chopping on June 6, 1800, at Hills Corner. The first settlement was made in 1801, by Lemuel Tozier ; who was soon followed by Reuben Seavey, Joseph Pease and Josiah Barker. Among the early proprietors were Benja- min Jay and William Turner, of Boston, for whom Dr. John Blaisdell acted as agent. Hence, prior to its incorporation, Feb. 16, 1811, the plantation was called Blaisdelltown. The corporate name was chosen in memory of Exeter, N. H., from which some of the settlers had come. The first school was taught by Ann Stevens in 1804. The first repre- sentative to the General Court was Winthrop Chapman. The first mills were built in 1813, by Levi Stevens, where since have stood the Cutler Mills.
The Episcopalians, Methodists and Free Baptists each have a church in this town. Exeter has thirteen public schoolhouses, valued with appurtenances, at $3,200. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $377,007. In 1880 it was $426,151. The rate of taxation in the latter year was 16 mills on the dollar. The population in 1870 was 1,424. In 1880 it was 1,274.
Fairbanks, a post-office in Franklin County.
Fairfield lies on the west bank of the Kennebec River, 26 miles north of Augusta, and is the most southerly town of Somerset County. It is bounded on the north by Norridgewock and Skowhe- gan, east by Clinton and Benton, south by Waterville and Winslow, and west by Smithfield. Its area is 42 square miles. The surface is roll- ing, and the rocks are granite and slate. The forest trees are principally beech, elm and maple with some hemlock and cedar. The scenery is beautiful without wildness. The dwellings are generally neat and tasteful, and the whole town has a thrifty appearance. Fairfield is an excellent agricultural towm, and is noted for the number and quality of its cattle. The soil is clayey loam in some parts, in others, sandy loam. The crops chiefly cultivated are hay, grain and potatoes.
Kennebec River forms the eastern boundary line, and furnishes the chief water-powers. These are at Kendalls Mills, at the south-eastern extremity of the town, and Somerset Mills, about two miles above. On Martins Stream are improved powers at North Fairfield (Blacknells Mills) and at Larone (Winslows Mills). Other villages are Fairfield Corner, near tbe middle of the eastern line of the town, and Fairfield Village, about midway of the southern part. The latter and Kendalls Mills are the largest villages. There are in the town eight saw-mills, three planing-mills (one of which is also a framing and finishing mill)
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